Fallout Equestria: The Sickness Within

Chapter 12: Calm

"You gotta shaaare...You gotta caaare..."

***

Happy was frustrated.

The gray buck had been playing cards-games with Gilly all morning. After Serenity had gotten back just a little after day-sky, he'd thought they'd be able to spend some time together right away. Instead, she'd asked him to be a good buck and play with Gilly for a little while while she talked with Red and Valentine. At this point, it was already getting close to lunch.

Happy looked down at the cards his in hooves and frowned.

He still couldn’t understand it.

He knew cards. He’d seen his clanmates use them before. Papery, picturey things that didn’t taste very good but were fun to mix around with his hooves and scatter into the air like leaves.

Granted, his clanmates hadn’t seemed to like it very much when he did either of those things.

The cards that Gilly had showed him were similar to the ones they had used. Little rectangles with tiny blue swirls on one side and picture-art on the other.

Happy liked the pictures on Gilly’s deck more than his clanmates’ though. They were bright. Shiny. Most of them had a picture of a pink, poofy-haired she-pony dressed in different costumes, wigs, and mustaches—a big, cheesy smile on her face in every picture.

The fact the card’s eyes seemed to follow his as they moved was really fun, too. He especially liked it when they blinked. Most pictures he looked at didn’t do that!

That said, Happy couldn’t understand it.

The red filly said they were playing Go-Fishes.

Happy hadn’t seen any fishes around. The pink pony wasn’t holding any fishes in the pictures, either.

Gilly had told him that the word-letters and number-letters were the fishes. But that just seemed silly to Happy. Word-letters weren’t fishes. They couldn’t even swim without getting soggy. Or zappy, if they were terminals-word-letters.

The rules weren’t any better.

The red filly would ask if he had any three-fishes or four-fishes, and then look at the cards in his hooves before adding one of them to her pile. But when Happy tried to look at her pile, she’d pull them back in her hooves and tell him not to be a cheater-pony. And sometimes when he did ask she had any eight-fishes or princess-fishes, she would look away and tell him “noooo….” even if she did!

Happy shook his head.

Cards-games were confusing. He couldn’t understand them.

“Gilly? Happy? You two doing okay back there?”

Happy groaned, letting out a faint hmmph as he plopped down onto his stomach. He could see the red filly’s eyes light up across from him as she sprung up from her side of the rug.

He watched her dart over to Valentine’s side—the lavender mare standing in the doorway that led to the next room.

“Mommy! Mommy! We were playing Go Fish!”

Gilly bounced up and down in excitement.

“I won like a million million times! Did I do good? Did I do good?”

The filly's voice cracked on the last word, making Happy’s ears twitch.

The gray buck furrowed his brow, grumbling as he batted at the cards in front of him with a hoof.

“Gilly-filly word-letters Happy smart book-ponies…”

It wasn’t his fault he wasn’t good at cards-games. How could he compete with a filly who knew all fifteen word-letters like Gilly said she did? He didn’t even know how many teens fifteens was!

He could see Valentine glance in his direction, the older mare offering him a warm smile.

Happy responded with a glum wave of his hoof.

Valentine wasn’t quite the same as Serenity, but Happy still thought she was a nice-pony to be around. She was a bit quieter than Red was—a calm-pony—and her hoof-pats were a lot less head-spinny.

The mare turned her attention back toward Gilly.

“Gilly, you know Happy is Serenity’s friend, right? Make sure you play some games that he can have fun playing, too.”

Happy could see the filly’s ears droop as she let out a sigh.

“Yes, Mommy.”

A few moments later, her ears perked up, her excitement returning as if nothing had happened.

“Are you and Daddy and Serenity finished talking? Can we go out to see the brahmin again today?”

Happy could see Valentine smile again, running a hoof through the filly’s mane.

“Just about, dear. Just about. Your Daddy and Serenity just had a couple more things to talk over. They should be finishing up soon.”

“Okayyy…..”

Despite his grumblings, Happy couldn’t help but share the filly’s sentiment. Serenity had been gone the last few day-nights as it was. He’d been waiting to see her for a while.

Happy shook his head.

He still needed to make plans for his surprise party later tonight. For his clanmates and Red. But talking to Serenity was important, too. Especially since she'd been so busy, lately.

The gray buck sighed, wiping the sweat from his brow.

It was hard work, being a trader-pony. He still liked it better than being a raider, but he wasn’t used to having such a busy schedule.

Tiredness aside, Happy giggled at the thought of the party.

He still couldn’t wait. After they met Red, he could have his clanmates meet Serenity, too, and all the other ponies in town. He’d probably have them meet Fleet Hoof and Mabel last, though. Warehouse, too. They were kind of grumpy ponies, sometimes.

Happy glanced back down at the cards at his hooves. He could see all the fish-pairs that Gilly had made on her side—some of which had word-letters that didn’t seem to match, despite what she’d told Happy.

He shook his head again.

He still liked the picture-art, though, even if the game had been confusing. The pink pony on each of the cards seemed like she was having a lot of fun.

The gray buck giggled. He hoped he and all his friends—his clanmates and the ponies here at Creaky Bend—could have that much fun, too. The gray skies always seemed brighter when everypony was smiling.

Happy's eyes shifted over to the one card that had been set off to the side, away from the rest of the deck. The jokester card, Gilly had called it. It was the only fish-card of its kind, without any other fish-cards that matched it.

The pink mare in the picture was wearing a bright red ball on her nose and a droopy, pointed hat with jingly-bells attached to it. Her clothes were more colorful in this picture-art, too, with stripes and spots in all the colors of the rainbow.

Happy tilted his head to the side.

Though the pink mare was smiling in this picture, too—her eyes closed with wide grin underneath—something about her smile didn’t quite feel right to Happy. It was less cheerful, somehow. Lonelier. As if there was a sadsness she was trying to hide.

Happy picked up the card, looking at it more closely in his hoof. Gilly continued to bounce around excitedly at Valentine’s hooves on the other side of the room, their conversation a hum in the background.

Happy nodded.

He could understand how the card felt. It was hard being a different-fish from everypony else. He knew that, too. There were a lot of things that came easy to other ponies that didn’t come easy to him.

He patted the pink mare’s head.

It would be okay, though. She might be different than the other card-ponies, but they all lived in the same cards-box. She’d have plenty of chances to play with them. If he and Gilly played Go-Fishes next time, he’d make sure she got to play, too. Maybe he’d even bring Serenity and his clanmates next time! Red and Valentine could join in as well.

Happy blinked.

He could see the card staring back up at him, the pink mare’s sad grin now a frown. Her poofy mane had gone somewhat flat, the brightness of her coat now a faded pink. Happy could see her glance over his shoulder before looking back at Happy, a look of resignation—sadsness—on her face.

“Well if it isn’t the two prettiest mares I know!”

Happy glanced over his shoulder. Red had appeared in the doorway behind Valentine, a wide smile on his face.

“Daddy!"

Seeing him appear, Gilly bounced up off the floor, her legs wrapping around the earth stallion’s neck as she scrambled onto his shoulders. Red’s laugh echoed through the house as he stepped forward, raising a hoof to tussle the filly’s mane as he gave Valentine a kiss on the cheek.

Gilly’s chattering continued as she bounced on his back.

“Are you finished? Are you finished?”

Red nodded, still chuckling, lowering his hoof back to the ground.

“All done, Gilly-filly.”

The filly squeaked, wrapping her father’s neck in another hug. Happy’s eyes shifted toward the doorway as he saw another figure, a yellow unicorn mare, step through as well.

Serenity!

Mirroring Gilly’s bounce step for step, Happy bounded over to Serenity’s side, the floorboards creaking a bit more heavily beneath him that they had for the filly. He could see a smile break over the mare’s face as he approached, a giggle bubbling out from his lips as she reached out to tussle his mane with a hoof.

“Hey, Happy. Thanks for being patient.”

Happy bobbed his head, an empty rattling noise echoing through the room.

He’d wait as long as he needed to for Serenity. He was a big pony, after all.

Happy could hear Red and Valentine chuckle at his side—the stallion’s deeper voice and the mare’s more soothing one forming a gentle harmony.

“Sorry to steal her from ya so soon, son. I know you’ve been looking forward to her getting back.”

He nodded toward Serenity.

“Just had a bit of work talk we needed to get figured out. She’s all yours now, though.”

Serenity smiled, nodding back at the stallion. Happy tilted his head.

Though her smile was genuine, Serenity looked a bit more tired than usual. There were dark lines at the corners of her eyes.

Happy nudged her shoulder with a hoof. Serenity replied with another tussle of his mane.

“I’m alright, Happy. Just didn’t sleep very well, that’s all. I’ll be okay.”

The gray buck nodded, a bit of relief settling in. If Serenity said so, then it was probably true.

Beside them, Valentine took a couple steps forward, giving Gilly a small nuzzle from atop her perch on Red's back before glancing back at Serenity as well.

“That being said, make sure take the rest of the day off, dear. You’ve been working hard, lately. You should get some rest."

Happy could see Serenity sigh, a small smile breaking over her face.

“I will, Valentine. I will. Don’t worry.”

Red chuckled from behind his wife.

“It’s our job to worry ‘bout ya, little missy. Surprised you haven’t figured that out by now.”

A few more minutes of idle chatter resumed, the voices of the three ponies trading back and forth between Gilly's interjections.

Remembering the card from earlier, Happy trotted back over toward the rug. Picking it back up in his hoof, it look like the jokester had returned to the way it had been before—the faintly somber smile still etched on its face.

Happy gave the picture-mare a heads-pat with his hoof.

It was alright. Everything would work out. Both she and Happy were both in Creaky Bends now, after all.

“Happy? You coming?”

The gray buck turned, beaming as he nodded in Serenity’s direction. Offering him another tired smile, she waved toward the doorway, saying her last goodbyes to Red, Valentine, and Gilly.

Setting the card back in the deck, Happy trotted back after the mare.

They had a busy-fun afternoon of resting ahead of them. And then, after that—

Happy giggled.

He couldn’t wait.

***

“You’re sure full of energy today, aren’t you, Happy?”

Happy nodded, tongue lolling out the side of his mouth. It was hard not to be excited when Serenity was there.

Serenity chuckled, rubbing a tired eye with her hoof.

“Sorry I’m not more fun to be around today. Things in Red Star...didn’t quite go as planned.”

Happy tilted his head to the side.

A bit of worry had worked its way into Serenity’s expression, alongside the tired. Sensing that he’d picked up on it, the mare smiled again, waving a hoof back and forth.

“It's alright, Happy. Silver Stripes is just being a bit more of a hoof-for-brains than usual. Making more demands. Waving around the Black Saddles, now that he has them on his payroll…”

Catching her own expression faltering again, Serenity waved her hoof a little harder.

“It’ll be fine. We’ve had rough patches with him before. I’m sure we’ll get through it.”

She glanced back up at the buck.

“What do you want to do today, though, Happy? Sounds like I’ve got the rest of the day off whether I like it or not.”

She chuckled again. Happy could feel his ears perk up. He liked it better when she was happy, too.

Serenity nodded toward the settlement.

“Want to go try some of the food stalls? There’s a couple partner caravans in town today dropping in to trade supplies."

She grinned, raising an eyebrow.

"Might get our hooves on something good.”

Happy nodded, giggling in excitement.

He always liked trying new kinds of treats. As long as it wasn’t oats or plastic, some of the pony food here in Creaky Bend was actually pretty good. He especially liked the trashes-bins of food that ponies left out behind some of their settle-houses. Sometimes they even came with a free rads-roach or rads-rat!

Serenity smiled back, the worry from her face having faded. Leading the way, she nodded back toward Happy, pointing out a few different wagons that had pulled up into the open area at the town’s center.

Happy followed her gaze as she led him around. The streets were busier than they usually were—most of the ponies in town seemed to be out and about. Talking. Laughing. Trading with the wagons that had come in to show their wares. The smell of fried vegetables and baked goods wafted through the air—both of which made Happy’s mouth water.

Serenity seemed to enjoy his reaction, chuckling as she led them from stall to stall. Counting out a few caps here and there, she and Happy made their way around the square, trying out things from each vendor as they went along.

Deep fried carrots, noodles-cups, tatos-on-a-stick—while they were a little different than the food Happy would have usually went for, they were actually pretty tasty. The fact he was eating them with Serenity at his side made them that much better. By the time they'd finished their circuit, Happy could feel his belly bulging beneath him.

The gray buck let out a satisfied sigh.

He hadn’t been this full-full in ages. Eating lunch-snacks with Serenity was the best.

At his side, Serenity smiled again, giving him a little nudge.

“Looks like someone enjoyed themselves.”

“Gzzmmm…hahaha”

Happy nodded, plopping down onto his haunches to lean against one of the empty stalls. He really had.

“Serenity? Is that you?”

Glancing up, Happy could see a red unicorn mare a few years older than Serenity glance down from atop one of the wagons, her wavy mane a deep shade of purple. An image of a glinting red jewel shone from her flanks, set against a backdrop of twinkling stars.

Serenity flashed the mare a smile.

“Ruby! Didn’t expect to see you here. Don’t you have a settlement to run?”

The red unicorn mare smiled back, waving a hoof.

“They’ll be fine. Brisk Bristle should be able to keep the peace for a few days. Just thought I’d take the opportunity to stop down here and talk with Red and Valentine myself, seeing how Creak Bend’ll be taking care of our shipments from now on.”

She grinned, flashing Serenity a wink.

“You sure I can't convince you to come work for me before we start running product? I can offer you twice the caps that those two are paying. Lodging at the Saddle Shack, too.”

Serenity waved a hoof.

“Thanks for the offer as always, Ruby. I think I’ll stay put for now. Valentine could use the extra set of hooves to make sure Red doesn't go getting himself in over his head."

The older mare sighed, shrugging as she smiled.

“Well, can’t blame a mare for trying.”

Happy blinked as the mare’s eyes shifted to him. She tilted her head to the side.

“Who’s the new face? New hire? Coltfriend?”

Serenity trotted over to Happy, tapping a hoof to his shoulder.

“The first one, Ruby. This is Happy. He’s a little new to settlement life, but we’re having him do loading work for Warehouse.”

The buck could feel himself blush as Serenity’s eyes briefly met his before glancing back toward Ruby.

“He’s a bit of a goof sometimes, but he’s a hard worker. I think he’ll be a good fit for it.”

The other mare smiled, nodding toward Happy in turn.

“Well, Happy, consider yourself a lucky buck to get hooves-on training from a mare like Serenity. There’s a lot of bucks and mares back in Bronco City who’d like to be in your hooves right about now.”

“Ruby...”

Happy’s eyes widened as he saw a faint blush cross Serenity’s cheeks as well.

The mare atop the wagon laughed.

“That modest act doesn’t help, you know. Just adds to the charm.”

She shook her head, nodding back toward the cargo behind her.

“That said, I hate to interrupt you on your lunch-date, but if you have a few minutes to spare, I wouldn’t mind talking about a few things real quick. Sounds like Red and Val are already think of putting you on lead for the route, if I’m not mistaken.”

Serenity nodded, her tone shifting to business as she pushed her tiredness to the side.

“I have a few minutes, Ruby. That should be alright.”

She glanced back at Happy, tilting her head to the side.

“You alright if I talk with Ruby for a little bit, Happy? It shouldn’t take long.”

Nodding with conviction, Happy saluted.

He was a trader-pony now, too. He knew how these things went. He and Serenity would still have plenty of time to talk and play afterwards.

Serenity smiled, nodding back toward the buck.

“Sounds good. You stay here for just a little bit, then. I’ll be right back.”

Happy held his salute, watching as Serenity hopped up onto the wagon beside the other mare. He could see the two of them disappear inside, trading words back and forth as their voices settled back in with the general hum of the background.

Watching them disappear, Happy sighed, dropping his hoof back to the ground. He rubbed at his stomach with the other, closing his eyes as he leaned back against the wooden frame behind him.

Though it had gotten off to a bit of a frustrating start, today was shaping up to be a pretty good day-day. The gray skies were brighter than they were some days, ponies were out and about having a good time, and Happy had a full stomach. This was the good life.

Happy lifted a hoof toward the sky.

It was hard to believe that only a...however long ago it had been...he’d been stumbling through the wastes. Sad. Alone. No sign of his friends in sight.

Since meeting Serenity, though, things had gotten so much better. His new career was taking off. He was remembering things again. The voice hadn’t spoken to him in weeks.

Happy nodded to himself.

This was nice. He’d keep working hard, so that he could make Serenity and the others proud to call him their friend-pony.

A sudden chill rolled down Happy’s spine—a cold wind blowing in across his neck and shoulders.

The buck glanced around. The air around him had gone quiet. Still. A thick fog had begun drifting up into the air.

Happy glanced to either side of him. The street suddenly seemed empty of ponies, empty stalls and storefronts staring vacantly in his direction. He couldn’t see the wagon that Serenity and Ruby had disappeared into.

Happy could feel gooses-bumps starting to rise on his legs.

Where had they gone? Serenity? The Creaky Bends ponies? What was going on here?

A faint, squeaking noise suddenly met the buck’s ears, another chill running down his spine.

Turning slowly, he glanced down the misty street, a dark silhouette taking shape behind the swirling wisps of fog as he looked.

The shape was that of a wagon. Uncovered. Empty. A lone silhouette hunched forward in the seat at its front. It was drawn by another figure with two heads—a brahmin—the mount itself eerily quiet as the wagon grew steadily closer.

Happy swallow-gulped.

As it emerged from the fog, Happy could see several long, faded bands of purple—parallel stripes—painted across the wagon’s front, the coloring faded with age. Images of lightning bolts had been painted onto the old wooden planks as well. They were just as faded. Prewar.

Its driver was mostly obscured beneath a faded, brown, pocketed trenchcoat and fedora. The driver's gaze was downcast as it held the reins before it. Mottled, skeletal looking hooves protruded out from beneath its sleeves.

The driver's ears and muzzle had the same mottled appearance—the brownish yellow hues of a corpse, as well as the gauntness of one. Its eyes were hidden in the shadow of the hat's brim.

Clinking quietly at its side—attached to the leather belt it wore across its waist—Happy could see a number of dulled silvery implements. A key. A knife. A hairpin. A fork.

Happy’s eyes went wide at the sight of the four-pronged utensil. He could feel his hooves go cold.

Slowly, the figure’s wagon moved toward him through the haze, the steady clop clop clop of the Brahmin’s hooves echoing through the street.

Sweating visibly, Happy watched the wagon pass in front of him, its wheels creaking as it lurched to a stop. There was a moment of silence. Happy could hear his hearts-beats. See his breath. But there were no such sounds or sights from the figure in front of him.

A dry, raspy chuckle seemed to filter in from nowhere. The driver's gaze was still hidden beneath the brim of its hat as it remained facing forward.

“Interesting…”

The figure shifted back, the sound of twisting leather following its movements.

“What do I look like to you, wasteland buck?”

Happy couldn’t respond. His eyes were locked on the figure’s hat.

The figure chuckled again. Its scratchy, papery laughs seemed to drift in through the air from all directions.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen that reaction. Most ponies don’t tend to pay me much notice these days. No matter how often I visit them.”

The figure smiled beneath the brim of its hat. Happy could see the muscles in its jaws shifting beneath the gaunt remnants of its hide.

“I was just stopping in a bit early. To see how things were coming along. Always looking for customers. You know how it goes.”

Happy didn’t respond. His eyes had shifted to the figure’s mottled hide. The markings on its wagon.

The figure tilted its head in Happy’s direction before shifting back.

“You have the look of a good customer on you. They're harder to find these days, good customers. With as few ponies as there are around anymore, and all."

His laughter echoed out a third time.

“I suppose that happens when business is good, though.”

There was a dense thump as something hit the ground in front of Happy. He looked down.

A pistol sat there in the dirt before him. Small. Scratched. Dull with age. Its mouthgrip was well worn.

“Go ahead and hold onto that one. No caps necessary. Consider it an investment.”

Happy blinked, staring back up at the figure. He could see it reach a hoof into the pocket of its coat, pulling out a box of thin, white and yellow sticks. Procuring a lighter with its other hoof, it lit the stick’s end, bringing it to its lips and taking a long drag.

“I’ll come collect when the time’s right.”

It grinned behind its cigarette.

“Don’t worry about finding me. I’ll find you.”

With a silent tug of the reins, the cart lurched, resuming its slow, creaky plod forward across the barren street and into the fog. Happy could see a faint trail of smoke following behind the head of the figure, the faint red ember of the cigarette glowing at its side. The banks of moisture rolled in once more, the figure and its wagon once again becoming a silhouette before disappearing completely.

Glancing down, Happy could see the small prewar pistol at his hooves still sitting in the dust.

Pushing off of his haunches, he glanced back down the street.

It was empty. The figure and the wagon were nowhere to be seen.

Happy glanced back down, picking the weapon up with a hoof.

He’d seen them before. Bang-guns. The normal kind that didn’t zap. Deuce had used one back when Happy was with the rest of his clan. A lot of the ponies they’d chased and ambushed had had them, too.

Even Victor, here in Creaky Bend, had one. Though most of the other ponies here didn’t. They were dangerous, Serenity had told him. That’s why Red and Valentine had made it against the rules to carry them around town.

Happy poked at it with a hoof, spinning the little circle-wheel on its side.

Was there a reason the wagon-pony had given him this? He didn’t understand.

“Happy? Find something over there?”

Happy blinked, Serenity’s voice pulling him from his stupor.

Glancing around in confusion, Happy could see her staring back down at him from atop the wagon, tilting her head to one side.

His eyes darted back toward the settlement.

Everypony else was back there too. He could hear them talking. Laughing. Smell all the foods he and Serenity had just eaten on the air.

Happy glanced back down at his hooves. The bang-gun was still there.

“Happy?”

Happy’s eyes widened.

He wasn’t supposed to have one of those.

Sudden panic gripping the buck’s limbs, he fumbled around with his hooves, shoving the prewar artifact into one of the larger pockets of his jumps-suit. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Serenity nod back into the carriage, saying her goodbyes to Ruby.

He glanced back down at his hooves.

The sandy imprint of the bang-gun was still there, plainly visible.

Happy’s eyes widened again.

He jumped forward, flapping his hooves in front of him in a whirlwind of gray and blue. Clouds of dust immediately began to billow up in front of him, sending him into a fit of coughing and hacking as the sand filled his mouth and nose. He could hear a few, sudden shouts from the stalls down the road as the cloud billowed out in all directions, stall vendors darting forward to shield their wares.

“Happy—*cough cough*—Happy! What’s wrong?”

Happy blinked, squinting through sandy, watery eyes as he held a hoof to his lips. He could see Serenity making a similar pose amid the sandstorm before him, reaching out in his direction with a hoof.

“Happy.”

The buck could feel a hoof on his shoulder. He met Serenity’s blue-green eyes. She coughed into her hoof again, shaking her head as she cleared some of the dust away. Her braided mane and hair loops shifted with the motion.

“What’s going on, Happy? Is something wrong? You know you shouldn’t be making messes like that with everyone this close by— right?”

Happy opened his mouth to speak, but the words wouldn’t come out.

The confusing encounter with the wagon-pony and his sudden, hoofjerk scramble to hide the bang-gun had thrown him off.

Happy glanced back toward the clearing streets. He could see a number of ponies, now covered in a thin layer of dust, glaring back in his direction, the sounds of muttering rising up from the crowd.

The buck swallowed and glanced back at Serenity. She looked back at him expectantly, her expression a bit stern, but genuinely concerned.

Happy tugged on the collar of his jumps-suit. His nervouses were acting up again. He didn’t want to lie to Serenity, but it was hard to tell the truth with all the other ponies looking their way.

He hung his head.

“Sorry-sorry Happy Serenity dust-billows Creaky Bend wagon-carts lunch…”

He could at least say he was sorry though. He hadn’t meant to ruin their day together.

In front of him, he could hear Serenity sigh, the sensation of a hoof brushing off his mane following a moment later.

“What am I going to do with you, Happy? I can’t get after you if you’re going to apologize like that, can I?”

Happy glanced back up. He could see Serenity smiling back at him as she finished dusting him off.

“Let’s go say sorry to everypony else, too. They’re the ones we really should be apologizing to.”

Happy nodded, a faint twinge of guilt in his chest as they started the process of stopping stall to stall. Hiding something like this from Serenity didn’t feel very good. But at this point, the idea of bringing it up again had started to feel awkward. Maybe he’d try again later. When there were less other-ponies around to listen in.

Midday had shifted into afternoon by the time they left the center plaza. The wind had picked up a bit, bringing a cold breeze with it. Some of the clouds out to the east had started growing darker. The smell of coming rain was on the air.

It would be a little while yet until it started though, Happy figured. He was usually pretty good at telling these things.

At his side, he could see Serenity glancing up toward the sky, a small frown on her face. She seemed to be mulling something over, trying to figure out how to factor in the coming storm with her plans.

After a few moments she seemed to come to a decision.

“Happy, want to come over to my place for a bit? I was thinking we could go for a walk out to the old Red Racer outpost, but it looks like it might start raining soon.”

Happy blinked, taking a moment to register what the mare had said.

Serenity’s place? Did she mean the beds-bunk where she slept?

Da-dunk.

A puff of smoke shot out from each of the buck’s ears, his cheeks flushing warm.

With Serenity gone, it had been a while since the da-dunks had hit in full force. This one had caught him by surprise.

Glancing back toward Serenity, he rubbed at the back of his neck with a hoof. It was difficult to meet her gaze for some reason. The best he could do was reply with a small nod.

Serenity chuckled.

“It’s alright, Happy. It might be the mare’s dorm, but you can still come over.”

Happy nodded, still unable to meet Serenity in the eye. His heart was beating in his chest and his stomach felt like it was full of flappy, pink insect creatures.

Happy followed the mare to the outside edge of the settlement, toward the door of the other bunkhouse in Creek Bend. It was the she-pony bunkhouse—Happy had seen Serenity and the other mares disappear into it whenever it was time for sleep. He’d never been in there before himself, though. Being a he-pony and all.

As they stepped in through the front door, Happy glanced around. It was similar to the bunks-house Happy slept in. Bigger, compared to the narrow diner he and his clanmates had lived in, with a larger living area and a narrow hallway that led back to a few small rooms. Two on each side, two sets of bunks-beds in each.

Serenity led Happy back to one of the farther rooms, waving at a few of the other mares inside as they trotted past. Happy could see a few uncomfortable stares follow him as he passed, a bit if his nervouses from earlier starting to act up again. Sticking close to the yellow mare, he followed her into the room, letting out a small sigh of relief as she closed the door behind them.

Glancing around, Happy couldn’t see any other mares in the room. Only two of the beds—the bottom bunks on either side—had sheets and pillows, the other two mattresses resting vacant above.

Serenity trotted over to the bed on the left. The cot there had been made nice and neat, the yellow brown sheet straightened and a hoof-made corkboard beside it littered with small notes and drawings. Happy could see one or two that reminded him of the crayons-set that Gilly shared with him one time. Though the wax sticks hadn’t tasted very good, they made really pretty colors on paper.

Beyond the bed, Happy could see a small trunk and bed-table, the latter lit by the glow of Serenity’s magic as she levitated a match in its direction. There was a faint fwitch as a small flame joined the dim glow of Serenity’s magic, the orange flicker growing as it took to the oil. The mare extinguished the light from her own magic, sitting back down on the bed with a sigh.

Glancing back at Happy and his self-conscious expression, she laughed, waving a hoof toward the other bunk.

“It’s alright, Happy. Diamond Jewel’s out on a route for the next couple of days. You aren’t in anypony’s way.”

She tapped the bed beside her.

“Feel free to take a seat, too.”

Happy could feel his cheeks grow red again. It wasn’t just the other mares' presence that had been making Happy feel self-conscious. The fact that this was Serenity’s bunks-bed…

He shook his head.

Pushing aside his hesitation, Happy trotted over to the bed, gingerly placing a hoof on it. It was springy. Comfy. The blanket seemed nice and fluffy like his.

Casting one more sidelong glance at Serenity, he slowly climbed up to take a seat beside her, the bed beneath them shifting a bit as he settled in a couple hooves away. He couldn’t help but pick up on the scent of the room as he settled into place. The whole bunks-bed smelled like Serenity.

The buck’s blush deepened a little.

"Sorry it’s not more exciting, Happy. I end up spending a lot more time out and about than in here, so I haven’t got around to decorating much.”

She nodded toward the adjacent bed. Happy could see the other cot had a few more trappings than Serenity’s. Pink, transparent curtains that draped down from the bunk above. A faintly cracked prewar mirror. Pink and red flowers cut from paper and tacked into the walls at even intervals.

“Diamond’s really good with her hooves. She makes all sorts of things for everyone here in town when she’s not out on her runs.”

Happy nodded, his mind drifting to the state of his own bunks-bedroom. He was the only pony in his room at the moment, so there wasn’t much in the way of extra furniture besides the beds themselves.

The clothes and barding he’d worn when he’d originally came to Creaky Bends were scattered around the room. Throwing them around and chasing after them was one of his pastimes when he was bored.

Happy made a mental note.

He’d have to pick up some more throw-clothes of his own to spruce the place up.

Beside him, Serenity shifted back, resting on her stomach as she folded her legs beneath her. Following her lead, Happy did the same, the cot once again shifting as they settled into place. Happy could feel his heart rate picking up again—their proximity and the situation making it difficult not to fidget.

He could see Serenity close her eyes, the dark, tired lines underneath them still visible in the low light.

"What a day.”

She cracked an eye back open, staring back at Happy.

“Things go well with Gilly this morning?”

Happy tipped his head to the side. Losing Go-Fishes so many times hadn’t been much fun, but in the end, it was just a cards-game.

He bobbed his head, eyes widening as he realized he was shifting the whole cot with his movements.

Serenity laughed from beside him.

“Silly buck.”

Happy watched as another shimmer of magic surrounded Serenity’s horn, this one encapsulating the braids of her mane and tail. Staring with transfixed eyes, the buck watched as the braids unraveled in the air behind her, the gold rings at their ends drifting down onto the table next to her. As the magic faded, her mane fell back over her neck and shoulders. Straight. Smooth. Silky. Long.

Da-dunk.

Happy smacked a hoof against his chest.

Not right now! Serenity would hear-hear.

The buck glanced back to his side as Serenity looked back at him, a few wispy strands of mane falling over one of her eyes. She brushed them back with a hoof, glancing up at him with a smile as she rested her head against the bed.

“You ever think about the future, Happy? Things you’d like to do someday?”

Happy brought his hooves together in front of him. Unable to figure out where to put his eyes—they kept drifting toward the mare at his side—he closed them, trying to focus on Serenity’s question.

He’d never been much of a plan-pony. It had been hard enough for him to remember things up until recently. Now that he was here though, working in Creaky Bend, things were clearer.

He brought a hoof to his chin in thought.

The idea of thinking aheads-of-times was still hard to grasp. There was enough to focus on in the presents.

Happy tapped his hoof.

But if he could stay here in Creaky Bends—with Serenity and the others—and become a better loader-pony...that would be pretty nice.

The buck giggled. The thought was an exciting one.

Serenity let out another small laugh at his side, prompting the buck to glance back in her direction. He could see her prop her cheek up on a hoof, another strand of mane falling back over her eye.

“Well, at least it seems like you’re thinking about it. That’s good.”

She stretched, settling back down as she hung a hoof over the edge of the bed.

“I want to see Creek Bend do well with Red and Valentine. I know things have already been going well so far, but I think we can get even bigger. Even better.”

She nodded to the empty room around them.

“Those two deserve it. Gilly, too. They’re good ponies. Gave me and everypony else here another chance. I’m not sure where I’d be without them. Probably…”

The mare trailed off, a few moments passing before she seemed to move on.

“Making that deal with Ruby should be a good start, though. Bronco City’s a big route. With that much trade coming through, the caravan should start growing in no time.”

A small smile broke across her face.

“I can’t wait to see Red start running more orientation courses for everyone. He tends to do those when we get more than a couple hooves in at a time.”

Happy could feel the bed shift as the mare chuckled.

“All those bucks and mares getting run ragged—you’d think they were training soldiers like in one of those old radio dramas.”

Despite the blush in his cheeks, Happy smiled.

Sleepy Serenity was a Serenity he hadn’t seen before. But although her laughs were a little quieter, she was still the same mare. Thoughtful. Warm. Fun to be around.

Da-dunk.

Happy could still feel his heart beating faster than usual, but the nervouses had faded. He couldn’t imagine wanting to be anywhere else but here with her.

He could see Serenity’s blinks grow longer, her eyes eventually remaining closed with her hoof still draped over the edge of the bed. Her breathing began to slow as well, her back gently rising and falling as she drifted off to sleep.

Outside, Happy could hear the wind beginning to pick up, the little light that came through the shuttered window fading as the skies began to darken.

He hadn’t felt particularly sleepy when they’d first arrived at the bunks-house, but given the atmosphere, he could start to feel a similar tug at his own eyelids.

He settled down onto his stomach as well, watching the mare sleep next to him.

He nodded to himself.

Wherever future-Happy ended up, whatever future-Happy did, as long as he did it at Serenity’s side, that would be good enough for him.

The buck closed his eyes, feeling sleep starting to take him as well. Planning for the future—even in short bursts—was hard work, after all.

He smiled, letting out one last sigh.

Falling asleep next to Serenity in her beds-bunk. What a lucky pony he was.

****

Perk(?) Added

Mysterious Stranger: A ghoul. A wagon. A fork. A gun.

Your SMALL GUNS skill is increased by 10.

You gain the attention and “investment” of a traveling stranger, intentions unknown. As to what it wants and when it will ask for it? Only time will tell.