Somber was still wandering around the meadow, feeling some knots that had formed in his back and legs, taking some time to flex them out, all the while seeing if any of the multitude of animals would come anywhere near him. But, like the birds before, nothing was coming more than four feet from him, either out of bravery or ignorance of his presence beforehand. When he walked around the chicken pen, the chickens stayed on the opposite side of the pen. Somber even noticed a bear taking a nap under a tree, both of them giving each other a stink eye. Somber did so because he knew how bears could act if provoked, and the bear acted in kind to make sure the negative pony wasn’t causing any problems.

When the bear glanced at the opening of the cottage’s door, Somber turned to see Fluttershy and Rarity coming outside. Somber frowned slightly as he could see that both mares had an air of a serious conversation amongst them instead of what he thought would be light laughter. Somber wondered if there was a reason for this, thinking back on his time spent until now, and sudden, unpleasant thought struck him.

What if Rarity hadn’t forgiven or forgotten his outburst in the cave? What if she was weary of him and had swayed Fluttershy to the same mindset? How would he convince her otherwise? Rarity was already her friend, so he couldn’t just deny his actions, but if she already saw him in a negative light, turning that image around was going to be difficult.

Somber gave a sharp snort and shook his head. Was he really that paranoid? On a second thought, he had been a prince in a rather tough spot of scrutiny for the longest time. But this was different, this was a new start, and it didn’t involve being the center of attention all the time.

Somber’s brow furrowed as the memory popped up. It was from when he was only a foal, six or seven, and he had just found that he could easily craft crystals and had gotten his cutie mark. It was all he could talk about and everypony seemed proud of him for it, but about the third day, he had noticed ponies started avoiding him. He remembered fuming and sulking that nopony would talk to him about his cutie mark until his brother took him aside.

“Somber, if you want to talk to anypony, you have to stop talking about your cutie mark all the time.” His brother said with a sad look in his eyes.

“Why? Can’t I be proud of what I have?” Somber stamped his hoof and then pointed accusingly. “Ponies won’t stop talking about your cutie mark. I hear about it all the time anywhere I go here.”

“Well, yes, but that’s something different.” Somber’s brother glanced worryingly at his own flank. “But I don’t bring it up all the time myself, now do I?”

“No.” Somber pouted, hating that his point had none.

“It’s okay to be proud, just don’t let that pride be your only characteristic, okay Somber?” Hs brother placed a comforting hoof on his shoulder, making Somber sigh in a bit of dejection.

“Okay Crystal Shield.” Somber smiled.

Somber fell on his flank, his eyes wide as the name just came to him out of nowhere. The mares must have seen his state of shock, because they were quickly approaching with a small level of fear in their eyes.

“Somber! Is everything all right? You didn’t overexert yourself did you?” Rarity asked quickly, but her fear was swiftly replaced with confusion as Somber smiled.

“I remember his name.” Somber whispered more to himself than to the two. “I remember my brother’s name!” He exclaimed as he jumped up, his memory’s smile becoming his own and grabbing both Fluttershy and Rarity in a surprise hug.

Fluttershy shrank in the embrace and gave Rarity a confused look, and Rarity could only look forward in stunned silence. She quickly deduced that right now was going to be a bit toss between telling him the truth right now or keeping to the plan.

“A-And what is his name?” Rarity asked hesitantly as Somber released them from his embrace.

“Crystal Shield! I feel so silly for forgetting his name!” Somber said as he tapped his head. “I wonder if it’ll happen the same way with my sister’s name.”

“And what made you remember your brother’s name?” Fluttershy asked, not unfamiliar with associated action to help some her more panicked critters remember what they wanted to tell her.

“I-I just saw the two of you walking out of your cottage, and I thought you were talking about me, and that not everything is about me, and then I remembered something from when I was just a colt.” Somber babbled off as he tried to think of any significant interactions with his sister, but was paused with a hoof on his shoulder.

“That’s nice Somber, but don’t try to push it.” Rarity smiled. “We don’t need a crash like yesterday.”

Remembering how he had snapped, Somber quickly came down from his hype and took a slow breath. “You’re right, one thing at a time.” Somber gave his head a small shake. ”Crystal Shield.” He said under his breath, just to make sure he wouldn’t forget again.

As he was in his small reprieve, Fluttershy and Rarity shot each other worried glances that would only hold a conversation between close friends.

‘Crystal Shield and Shining Armor have some similarities, do you think it’s another cover?’ Fluttershy asked.

‘I don’t know, it could be, but it’s not a direct comparison, but I don’t know the old lineage.’ Rarity replied. ‘I say we stick with the original plan.’

‘What about Twilight? She should know about this.’

‘There’s no time, we’ll have to update her when head back to the library on the planned time.’

Fluttershy frowned, but nodded in acknowledgement. Both of them quickly reformed their posture as Somber turned his attention back to them, but his giddiness was still noticeable.

“So, I assume there was something to talk to me about?”

“Ah, well, while we were out, I thought we would go see some of our friends and tell them about the welcome party that Pinkie is throwing.” Rarity explained. ”And I’m pretty sure the first place we’re going to is going to insist on serving us lunch.” Rarity smiled, but Somber could detect a hint of resentment at the last comment.

“And while I don’t mind leaving the animals to Angel’s watch, I-I’m not terribly comfortable leaving other ponies with them.” Fluttershy said in her hushed tone as she rubbed her fore hooves.

“Oh, I understand.” Somber nodded. “We should leave sooner rather than later if we’re going to catch anypony else for lunch. Lead away.”

Fluttershy had to head back to the door to make sure it was locked, but soon the three were off on their way. It was quiet for a minute, as Somber didn’t particularly know what to say, and the mares were being cautious about bringing up Somber’s past. After that uncomfortably quiet minute, Somber finally grasped a talking point.

“Did something happen before with other ponies watching your animals for you?” Somber asked Fluttershy. She was somewhat startled by the sudden comment and took a second to reply.

“Oh, it’s always been a worry of mine that somepony wouldn’t know what to do in an emergency situation. But the animals are a bit skittish right now when I’m not there since last month, the CMC tried corralling.”

“The CMC?” Somber raised an eyebrow at the abbreviation, wondering what sort of group name would be shortened to those three letters. The closest thing he could think of would be the Crystal Marionette Customizer Association, but that seemed quite out of the question. And what did she mean by try?

“The Cutie Mark Crusaders is a club my little sister and her friends made to find their cutie marks, and they go around doing the craziest things.” Rarity explained.

“Like corralling?” Somber smiled at the notion of a group of colts and fillies trying to corral a family of bunnies and just stumbling about.

“And dress making and bowling and zip lining and any number of things I don’t know about.” Rarity sighed in exasperation. “We might actually run into the three at the farm.”

“Farm?” Somber asked. It hadn’t actually occurred to him to ask where they were going. “It wouldn’t be the Apple Farm by chance?”

“Uh, yes, how did you know?” Rarity asked.

“I had a history lesson this morning.”

“Was that what that was?”

“Yes, Twilight Sparkle is very informative on many subjects as I am finding. Did you know that the Apple Family founded the town?”

“Oh yes, it’s one of Granny Smith’s favorite stories.” Fluttershy nodded. “She was there for it.”

“Really?” Somber raised an eyebrow in disbelief. The town was at least a century old, so unless this Granny Smith was barely born when it happened, she would be the oldest pony he had ever known.

Well, technically aside from himself.

“Though I don’t believe as such.” Rarity interjected. “The details she usually gives puts her at least being 120, and I just cannot bring myself to accept that.”

“But Rarity, she’s told the story so many times the same way. I don’t think she’s making it up at all.” Fluttershy defended.

“Her parents could have easily written it down and Granny Smith has just confused the written word for her own memory.” Rarity quickly closed her mouth at the word memory, hoping that it hadn’t sparked anything for Somber, though she shouldn’t have worried. He was already contemplating if he could accurately read one’s age from external and mental factors.

“While old age might fog some memories, I don’t think it could entirely rewrite them.” Somber theorized out loud. “And written logs are mostly about facts and events, so if Granny Smith can describe details and feelings on such events, I would conclude that she was actually there.”

“I told you we were forgetting something!” The trio heard a muffled yell from the growing thicket of apple trees. Rarity and Fluttershy glanced at each other in worry and started heading over to the yell. Somber followed after, but wondered why such a yell was more annoyed than panicked.

When the three arrived, Somber could see two fillies, a white unicorn with a light violet mane and a yellow earth pony with a red mane, standing around a squat barrel with looks of concern and confusion.

“Ah thought we could take it back off again.” The earth filly said with a slight country accent.

“There’s at least fifty nails in here!” Somber heard from the barrel. It seemed to him that the fillies had attempted to make a barrel they could fit inside from two old wooden baskets, while forgetting to make a hatch to get in and out from, which made him chuckle.

“Sweetie Bell, what happened?” Rarity asked as she approach her little sister. Sweetie looked up in a bit of shock seeing Rarity here of all place, but immediately thought that she could help.

“We were thinking of getting our barrel riding cutie marks, but Applejack said we couldn’t use any of the barrels she has because they’re already filled with apples, but she said we could use some of the older collection baskets.”

“Who’s out there?” Scootaloo, the pegasus filly stuck inside the makeshift barrel, asked. “Is that Rarity? Who else is there?”

“It’s jus’ Rarity and Fluttershy.” Apple Bloom replied. “And some other stallion.”

“Ah man.” Scootaloo groaned. She had hoped nopony was going to have to see her like this, and this was not the best way to make a first impression on a complete stranger.

“So do you need help getting out?” Somber asked, making all three (even if they couldn’t see) look down and simultaneously answered “Yes.”

Rarity sighed. “I guess I’ll have to go get Big Mac to pry this open.”

“Um, I don’t think there’s any need.” Fluttershy said as she pointed out Somber’s actions to Rarity.

He was currently circling the makeshift barrel, seeing that the trio had indeed hammered in fifty nails to keep the two baskets together. They were well in there, so there was no pulling them out with the hammer, and the wood still seemed sturdy enough that having to smash it open would endanger the occupant. It was impressive ingenuity that the metal retaining bands had released ever so slightly to allow and overlap of the barrels’ boards. Such ingenuity he was planning on using.

“Can I have the hammer please?” He asked the farm filly, assuming anything here was probably from the farm.

“Uh, sure. But the nails are too deep to dig out.” Apple Bloom warned.

“I can see that, it’s quite impressive.” Somber commented as he took the pry bar side of the hammer and started wedging under the uppermost band.

“Ah did that part! Sweetie Bell was able to get the basket on top-“

“And I’m the one who was supposed to go first.” Scootaloo interrupted. “I don’t see how you two were going to go next.”

“How were you going to get it to the river?” Fluttershy asked, seeming to go along with the crusaders misadventure.

“We were going to roll it over like I was in a hamster ball.” Scootaloo answered.

“Well, that’s perfect.” Somber smiled as he came back down. “I’m going to need you to roll it on its side.”

“Are you sure? There are a lot of nails poking through.” Scootaloo said, unsure of the instruction.

“There are?!” Rarity asked in horror. Somber hadn’t taken into account how long the nails actually were. “Sweetie! What were you thinking? You can get really hurt like that!”

“I didn’t know! I can’t see in there!” Sweetie Belle argued in defense.

“Are they just around where the two baskets are connected?” Somber asked Scootaloo.

“Yeah.” Scootaloo acknowledged.

Somber thought for a moment. “It’s not going to be easy but we’ll get you out. The top ring has been loosened, so a little pressure from inside should pop the boards right out, but I’m going to need to tip the barrel over for you to reach it.”

“All right.” Scootaloo said as a clopping of hooves on wood could be heard. “I’m ready when you are.”

“Ok, I’m going to need help making sure the barrel doesn’t tip to fast so that she stumbles into the nails. Fluttershy, help me push, and the three of you can support it from the other side so it comes down slowly, got it?”

The four nodded in unison and got in position. With a bit of a strain, they were all able to get the barrel on its side without a complaint from Scootaloo, and with a few good knocks from the inside and a bit of assistance from the hammer, Scootaloo walked out completely fine.

“All right guys, next time we need to make a proper door.” Scootaloo addressed her two friends.

“Next time?” Rarity interrupted. “There shouldn’t have been a first time! You really have to think these kinds of things through!”

“We thought we did!” Apple Bloom retorted.

“Now, now.” Somber said as he stepped between the two glaring mares. “It was just an honest mistake on their part, and no harm has come of it. Let’s just put this behind us and continue on to lunch, all right?”

Rarity frowned and looked at Sweetie Belle. “This isn’t over, and we are telling Applejack, is that understood?”

“Yes.” The three said in unison with sad reflection in their voices. Rarity fumed a little as she turned back to the path they had come from with Fluttershy following after her, trying to calm Rarity down from her rightful state of being upset. Somber was about to follow them, but instead found the three fillies standing in front of him, looking up with awe and expectance.

“Thanks a lot mister.” Apple Bloom said. “It was an honest mistake to make and we promise not to make it again.”

“Yeah, we’ll always make sure to put a door on anything we make.” Scootaloo eyed her friends.

“It’s nothing, honestly.” Somber tried not to put himself on too much of a pedestal, he hadn’t particularly liked it when everypony revered him too much to even talk to him.
“So who are you?” Sweetie Belle asked. “My sister seems to know you, but I haven’t heard her mention anypony like you before.”

“I’m new to town, I just arrived yesterday.” Somber explained. “My name is Somber Tones, and by the sound of it, you’re Sweetie Belle, you’re Apple Bloom, and you’re Scootaloo.” He said as he pointed to each in order.

“Yeah.”

“Yup.”

“You got it.”

“And if it isn’t too much trouble, we probably shouldn’t keep them waiting.” Somber nodded towards Fluttershy and Rarity had left.

“Right! We need to ‘splain to Applejack what happened before Rarity!” Apple Bloom exclaimed.

“Good idea! Win her to our side first!” Scootaloo agreed.

“Then let’s go!” Sweetie Belle said as she was already leading a charge through the grove instead of to the path. Somber could only sigh in exhaustion as he made his own way back to the path. When he made it back, he found a considerably less grumpy Rarity and Fluttershy chatting before they noticed him.

“Where are the girls?” Fluttershy asked.

“They said they were running ahead to explain to Applejack what happed. A more one-sided personal account as I take it.”

“As they would.” Rarity sighed. “I just can’t see why they can’t try more reasonable and less dangerous pursuits. I could understand bowling or even zip-lining, but barrel ridding? Why would that even be on their list?”

Somber could only shrug. “Maybe they’re just having fun with it while they can. I can recall doing an out of place thing here and there before I got my cutie mark.” Somber’s face scrunched. “I feel sorry for those who tasted my first batch of cookies.”

“Oh? What happened?” Fluttershy asked as they began walking toward the farm.

“Well, I had accidentally mistook the salt container for the sugar without even tasting it before. The batter came out looking fine, but there was a serious bought of stomach flu after, myself included.”

Rarity and Fluttershy could only snicker at the childhood mistake. Somber gave a warm smile as the two came to stop of their mirth. This was nice, a stressful situation had turned out to nothing and they could be on their way. Now having to deal with the conflicting views later might cause a stir, but that was later.

“Did you get any better?” Fluttershy asked. Somber blinked a few times as he realized she was addressing him.

“Ah, well, no, not really. I only tried a few times before the chefs wanted their kitchen to not look like a disaster zone every time I left. It wasn’t that much of a loss.” Somber shrugged.

“I wish I had that kind of executive power.” Rarity sighed.

“I’m going to guess Sweetie gets to the kitchen before you do sometimes, doesn’t she?” Somber smirked.

“My, aren’t you perceptive.” Rarity gave a knowing smile back.

“There y’all are!” Somber heard a familiar drawl ring out, yet somewhat deeper. He turned his attention forward to see an orange Earth Pony trotting quickly towards them. “I hope you have a better explanation of what happened to the two collection baskets. The crusaders say they nailed ‘em together down at the clubhouse. Ah can’t believe it, but we kind of need them right now.”

This made Somber and Fluttershy simultaneously shrink back, one out of guilt and one out of natural reaction. Rarity could only cough lightly and look off to the side. Applejack stopped two paces away and actually looked over who she was talking too. Upon seeing the shrinking new stallion, her tone shifted.

“Ah’m sorry for soundin bossy, sir, but we have a bit of overflow that we need the old baskets fer.”

“Ah, well, that might be a problem then. They are quite thoroughly nailed together.” Somber noted.

Applejack gave a heavy sigh. “How deep are they in there? Ah would have to hate to lose too much wood.”

“That’s the other thing. It’s a bit more of a makeshift barrel now… with nails sticking in near the middle.” Applejack raised an eyebrow at Somber’s explanation, which Rarity found the time to step in.

“The girl’s nailed the two tops together with Scootaloo inside, and when they couldn’t figure a way out, we, well, Somber, loosened the, ah, ‘top’, and tilted it over for her.” Rarity giggled nervously as Applejack registered the information. As she did, she gave a deep groan as she massaged the bridge of her snout.

“That’s just great, now how’re we gonna get the extra back without an extra trip? Granny’s already cookin, and you know she don’t like ponies ta be late to a meal.”

Despite her friend’s predicament, this perked Rarity up. “Would it be too much of a hassle for me to help? I’m sure I could float along a basket full or so.” She offered.

Applejack gave a sigh and smile of relief. “That’s mighty kind of you Rarity. I’m sure you know you’ll be stayin for lunch as a thank you.”

“I figured as much.” Rarity smiled, but Somber could still hear a touch of resentment at the fact, which was now baffling him. The Apples couldn’t have possibly made the town thrive if their cooking of their product was too shoddy.

“If y’all pardon us.” Applejack tipped her hat to Somber before turning about and heading the way she came, Rarity quickly following her.

“Is there something I should know about the Apple’s cooking?” Somber asked Fluttershy once he felt the departing mares were far enough out of earshot.

“What? Oh, n-no. Rarity’s just thinking of her figure, that’s all. Granny Smith is a very good cook, but it might not be the most… weight sensitive.”

“Ah.” Somber nodded, knowing how sensitive his sister had been at times. “I honestly don’t think she has anything to worry about.” Somber said as the two made the rest of the way up to the front gate. A little gain wouldn’t hurt her, after all. Somber’s mind began to wonder down imagination lane with the thought of a bit more definition to Rarity.

“Oh I know, she always does so much to make sure she looks the way she does.” Fluttershy gave a somewhat annoyed sigh that grabbed Somber’s attention.

“I take it you disapprove?” Somber asked as he snapped out of the gutter he was getting into.

“What?” Fluttershy asked in utter shock. “I-I-I, n-no! Never, I think she does just fine, and it’s none of my business how she handles herself. Well, that’s not true. If she was a detriment to herself then I would make sure she was all right, but, um, no, no, I just tries to hard sometimes. I’m sorry.” Fluttershy ended her quick ramble with a small squeak, red quickly coming to her face as she visibly began to shrink.

“I didn’t mean to insinuate anything Fluttershy.” Somber gave a concerned smile. “But the best way I can put it was that you sounded annoyed with her.”

“Oh.” Fluttershy whimpered as coward at the front gate, not knowing how she should act now. She had totally blown any semblance of a normal conversation now, and she didn’t know to change the subject after all of that, but she needed to make sure Somber stayed so Applejack could make a proper introduction. But then she also realized she knew next to nothing of the stallion himself to make him stay, and if he was bored, she didn’t know what to do to keep him here.

As Fluttershy silently wished Rarity hadn’t left her in such an unfamiliar situation, Somber was busy looking over the farm with an impressed eye. Produce of the Empire could have never been as vast as this one orchard due to restrictive soil, and a good portion of it had to be bred specifically for their soil. Somber had never in his life would have thought that he could see so many apples in one place, or how one family could manage all of these fields, unless there was quite an extended family currently in residence. As he swept over the scene before him, he noted the three fillies currently kicking about outside of the large barn, assumedly waiting for something or somepony, and smoke coming out from what appeared to be an adjoined house. Somber has a slight pause as he sniffed the air, quickly assured of baking apples, instead of burning ones.

“Can Ah help you?” Came a rather deep bass voice. Somber looked to his right to find a rather larger and brawny red stallion standing a few feet away. How he had not heard his approach somewhat bothered Somber, but he quickly realized how he might look from an outside perspective.

“Ah, um, I’m not quite sure. Fluttershy?” Somber turned to his left to address the yellow ball of fluff. Fluttershy gave a quick glance up to Somber who nodded in the stallion’s direction, and she quickly righted herself.

“Oh, uh, hello Big Mac.” Fluttershy greeted the waiting stallion. “Ah, yes, we, um came to see Applejack.”

“Ok.” Big Mac nodded. “Would reckon she’s out gettin the last cart in right now. She knows it’s lunch.”

“She-She’s already been by, actually. Rarity’s helping with a bit of overflow.” Fluttershy mumbled as she looked at the dirt at Mac’s hooves.

Big Mac raised an eyebrow at that and his gaze drifted over to the waiting fillies. “They took some of the old basket’s for a stunt, didn’t they?”

Somber was honestly surprised at the quick summation. “How could you tell?”

“Simple, AJ asked fer help only cause she needed it, and those three are puttin around guilty like.” Big Mac pointed out as he approached the two. “And Ah haven’t seen you ‘round before. New here or passin?”

“Oh, right, sorry.” Somber cleared his throat. “I’m Somber Tones, I came in yesterday.”

“Mmm, I’m Big Macintosh, but just call me Big Mac. Has Pinkie seen you yet?”

As odd of a question Somber felt that it was, he gave a quick nod. “This morning, actually. We didn’t quite talk though.”

Big Mac chuckled. “Don’t worry about that, I’m more than sure you will.” Big Mac then turned his attention to Fluttershy. “So if’n you’ve seen AJ, why’re ya still up ‘ere?”

“Oh, ah, no reason really. I was just… ah…” Fluttershy still couldn’t quite pick up a proper sentence after her stumble with Somber.

“Letting me look about.” Somber cut in, seeing Fluttershy begin to shrink again. “I heard a bit about the farm before getting here. How many of you run this place?”

Big Mac gave a slight frown at the interruption, but shrugged it off and readdressed Somber. “Me an AJ do the buckin. Granny and Apple Bloom deal with the minor details and such.”

“That’s it?” Somber asked after a second of silence when Mac didn’t add anything more.

“Eeyup.” Big Mac gave a pleased smile at Somber’s pure shock.

“HE WAS WHERE?” Came a sudden shout, making all ponies around cringe. Fluttershy and Somber deduced Rarity had told where she had found him. The crusaders looked in the direction of the scream with confusion and Big Mac was downright concerned. Nothing usually made her that noisy unless it was very dangerous, but he had no context.

“Well that was a bit more violent than I was expecting.” Somber observed, gaining Big Mac’s sharp stare. Taking into account his physical state verses Big Mac’s, Somber began to explain. “So, I’m not quite from around here…”

“Applejack, please. You’ll scare the girls.” Rarity pleaded, not to mention that Big Mac was probably now running this way to find what was wrong.

“No Rarity, what were ya thinkin’? Them Dogs are dangerous!” Applejack scorned, with at least her volume coming down.

Rarity had at least decided to begin explain Somber after the baskets were evened out and Applejack was hitched to the cart so she wouldn’t get violent and harm the apples. She had at least been able to keep Applejack’s retort to the deafening shout.

“They’re not dangerous Applejack, merely direct.”

“Direct? They kept us from gettin to ya when we went to rescue ya!”

“And what would you do if somepony was trying to make off with a cart loaded with apples?”

“That’s completely different and you know it.” Applejack snorted. “You aren’t a tool or product.”

“Not by our standards, no, but at the time all they saw was an easy way to find gems. They hadn’t particularly dealt with ponies before after all.”

“That’s no excuse.”

“And I’m not saying it is, but what I am saying is that I am over it and it has also been a lucrative and mutually beneficial deal. And now if it were not for me, Somber would still be unconscious in a cave with only confused Diamond Dogs to help.”

Some of the wind fell out of Applejack’s sails at the last statement and simply faced back forward. “So what about ‘im? Aside from findin him in the mine?”

“Well, he’s a bit out of place.” Rarity began to beat around the bush, but a quick, annoyed glance from Applejack made her skip it. “He’s from the Crystal Empire more than a thousand years ago and supposedly a part of its royalty.”

“Supposedly?” Applejack raised an eye at Rarity.

“He… thinks he is, and for the most part it seems to check out.” Rarity stated, a bit surprised that Applejack hadn’t also picked up on the Crystal Empire.

“And how has it seemed to ‘check out’?” Applejack continued on.

“Twilight… Twilight probed his mind.” A light flush coming to her face as she looked at the ground.

“Ah.” Applejack nodded. Rarity couldn’t help but look shocked at her blatant disinterest. Applejack caught the look. “Look, if it was really necessary, then I see no problem for Twilight to do what did.”

“B-But the invasion of privacy alone-!”

“Rarity.” Applejack sighed. “It was a time and place where it was needed, and Somber Tones agreed to it. I don’t think you need to think too hard on it.”

Rarity pouted before sighing and leaving the argument behind for the real problem. “But what Twilight did find was that somepony tampered with his memory before putting him to sleep. So he ki~nd of think’s Shining Armor and Cadence are his siblings.” Rarity began to wince for another outburst, but all that happened was Applejack stopping in her tracks. Rarity looked back to see Applejack scanning the ground thoroughly. Rarity waited patiently to deal with Applejack’s delayed reaction, and started a little when the orange earth pony looked her in the eye.

“And he really believes that? Like, he knows that it’s Shining Armor and Cadence?”

Rarity hesitated. “Well, no, he only has the image as the same, and he just remembered his brother’s name to be Crystal Shield, but Twilight thinks something might happen when he meets them.”

Applejack bit her lip in worry, and then kept on her way to the barn. “Ah’ll tell you right now Rarity, I don’t like it, but I’ll give him a chance.” Rarity almost sighed in relief, but Applejack shot her a sharp stare. “But I’m not trusting ‘im. There’s just too many suspicious things ‘bout this that Ah don’t like. And don’t think Ah’ve let ya off the hook ‘bout those mines.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it.” Rarity murmured as she began to feel more than the apples weigh on her mind.

Author's Note

And there we have our farm family introduction to Somber. Computer's in and writing is in progress.
Always feel free to note anything you find off or interesting. This is going by absolutely nobody.