Ch.4 Moving on (Rewriten)

Fallout Equestria: Subject 00

Ch.4 Moving on

“There always more fish in the sea”

Jade sat shaking as she tried to hold the contents of her stomach as to what she had done sunk in. She had killed ponies, it hadn’t sunk in after the raiders but she knew she was killing ponies then. She looked over to Shock who was slowly working through what they had been able to find in the school. That was mostly healing potions and 200 year old food packed with so much persevered Jade thought her insides would last decades a after she died. He was currently seeing what they could sell and what they should keep.

Jade had taken some Healing potions that had almost brought her back to 100% but at least her wounds were healed. Shock had mentioned something about the potions seeming weaker than they should be and thought that too. She had asked him what that could mean he just said he didn’t like what is suggested and didn’t talk more about it.

“Hey, Shock?” The stallion looked from his self imposed task. “I’m…going for a walk. I…just need to be by myself, I’m turning off my radio too.” Shock looked at her worriedly. He had a right to, Jade wasn’t really sure what she was going to do at the moment. She felt empty, like some part of her had died and she didn’t know how to deal with it.

Jade wandered off to the south court yard, Jade didn’t want to be in the main building for any amount of time if she could help it. She looked up to the sky and noticed it had been raining the whole time they were inside the building. There was water dripping here and there every so often off white chipping paint and stone gray walls to make a small rhythmic cadence. The yellow and brown earth was damp from the water as she walked along the cement walk way nothing more than rocks from the years of damage. Jade saw bullet holes and skeletons scattered around next to gear and ruined guns. She sat down in the middle of the court yard.

Jade worked what had happened in her head. She had killed practically everyone she had known from her life before this hell. She saw their faces, even those bullies, as she thought about them. Apple Core was the worst of them. He and her friends had been the only ones not to be afraid of her because of her markings, the only ones she could trust and she had killed one of them. Sure he had been a feral, but he was…

Shock had tried to console her, but she but a gun in his face. She hadn’t thought about it at the time. She was still in shock when he had and just stood there watching her.

Jade felt tears staring to roll down her cheeks.

Then there was her brand new horn. Had Black Out done this, made her into something other than a normal earth pony or was she already this. There were too many unknowns and she hated it. She liked it better when she wasn’t trying to figure out what Black Out was really trying to do and she only had to worry about tests so she could get ‘better’.

Jade just wanted her old life, before the war had ever been evolved with her. When she was just an Earth Pony, being bullied for looking different, who had friends and stallion she loved. She knew it was impossible to go back. But still she wished she could do it.

“You look like you’ve been through hell.”

Jade jumped as the telekinetically grabbed her .357 revolver and pointed at the wall a foot away from the Spritebot.

“Nice reflexes, bad aim.” Watcher said as the bot bobbed forward and looked her over. “Seems you got an addition, how’d you manage that?”

“I don’t know Watcher. I…” Jade felt herself fall back to her gloom. “Watcher, do you mind if I talk to you? You seem to know about the time before the bombs. I really need someone with some common ground right now.”

The bot was quite for bit. “Sure Jade,” Jade told Watcher everything that had happened since their meeting. It well over an hour by the time she finished. Watcher didn’t say anything at first and Jade started wonder if he was still when he finally spoke. “Hell, Jade in 4 days you’ve been though that? Black Jack Been through a buch but I think you beat her by a hair in terms of disturbing events, Little Pip might have you beat though. Killing your classmates just to live…I don’t think I could do that to my…wow.”

Jade wondered who he was talking about but figured it wasn’t her business. “Watcher do you have any advice? I don’t know what to do. I just feel…like some part of me is dead. I’ve never had to kill before…Tartarus, I never held a gun before and.” Jade curled up a little. “And then there’s my new accessory.”

“I don’t know Jade. I’ve never seen a pony like you. I’ve met a few who were strange before the bombs and even now some surprise me, but never one like you.” Watcher said. Jade had hoped for a different answer but she accepted that. “I can tell you this; you need to practice with you magic. If first reaction is to levitate your guns and your aim is like that you’re going to lose in a fight.”

Jade nodded knowing this. Since she had gotten her horn all of her instincts had changed she felt she still had the power she had before, she was still an earth pony. Just now she was a unicorn too. She was a mix of both. She knew she had to practice or she would only be setting herself in danger as well as Shock.

“Watcher, one more thing, what types of pistols are these.” Jade brought out the pistols she had used to kill Apple Core. She wanted to throw them away but she couldn’t. She felt some sort of connection to them.

“Volcanic Pistols, wow those are rare, and I mean rare, rare. At a conventional price these would be 800 bits just for one. I don’t know how much in caps.” Watcher said. “These look to be modified. The barrels of the guns seemed to have been greatly modified to have less the problems others of these models had. The loading is the same, the leaver action reload seems to work with the bullets.” Watcher started to mummer a little.

“Watcher?”

“Jade you have some very unique pistol on your hooves. I suggest you use them. They’re going to be very use full to you.” Watcher said before static came from the bot and it started to bob off playing music.

Jade huffed. She wanted to talk more, but Watcher had already left. She guessed she would have to talk to Shock next, and apologize about almost shooting him.

Jade looked down to the weapons she found among the bodies when she needed to kill Apple Core. They both had a name. One was green and was engraved with the name Life, other Red engraved with Reaper. Jade found it funny that one was named Life and the Reaper. It seemed Life was a contradiction onto itself as it was made to take life. Reaper seemed to fit to its purpose. Jade looked down their sights, Life had leaves and Reaper, Scythes. These guns were twins but were so different from each other.

The mare walked back to the front of the school and noticed the Stallion was already packing up and had set up a lunch for the two of them. It was made out some of the fresh food they had gotten form Spell Shot and the provisions found in abundance in the wasteland. Jade smiled walked up wondering if they should still have their guard up.

“You’re back. Was beginning to thick you went and killed yourself.” Shock said in mocking anger. But she could tell he had been worried. Jade knew that this worry was out of friendship and not any sort of attraction towards her because the stallion had confessed to being into other stallions. He wasn’t the type to go after mares. She didn’t mind though.

“Yeah, I was on the verge of doing it.” Jade said not really happy to admit it, but she knew Shock had to know. “Look, I’m sorry…about point a gun in your, um, face.” Jade looked away from the Pegasus wanting to focus on something else.

“Jade, it’s alright.” Shock said which completely threw Jade off guard. “I’ve done something similar.” Shock was looking at the ground as the, now, unicorn looked back at him.

“Shock?” Jade knew she shouldn’t ask but that just seemed totally out of character for the polite stallion.

“It was about, goddesses, 6 years ago. I was a part of the Enclave, in the intelligence deviation. My pattern and I were on a scouting mission in Hoovington. Some new officer wanted info on the city. Damn place is a death to be avoided if you ask me.” Shock said anger seeping into his voice. “The Enclave told us, told every citizen that the surface was dangerous, and poisonous, and that only monsters lived down here, and blah, blah, blah.

“I don’t know why, but when I say what the ponies in Hoovington were going through I…wanted to stay and help, as did my partner. So, we left the Enclave and stayed on the surface. Did what we could to help for months on end. But…”

“Something happened?” Jade asked, knowing were this was going.

Shock nodded and continued. “Shinning Rain, my partner, and lover, he had learned that his family was in danger because of what he was doing. My family had died when I was young so had no connection to the Enclave other than Shinning. He left promising he would come back. We knew we had broken some big laws by staying below the clouds but we didn’t understand how big.”

Jade didn’t like what she was hearing. She could tell this as also painful for Shock to remember. “Shock, I don’t have to know…”

“Jade, let me finish.” Shock said looking up. He had tears in his eyes now. “Shinning left. His father had been high up in the ranks and was able to pull some strings to allow his son back into the Enclave, but only if he….” Shock seized up for a bit, “Only if he killed the traitor that had convinced him to stay below.”

Jade felt like something like a red hot bar had just replaced all the mixed emotions she had. “What?” Jade didn’t even try to hold back her anger.

“Jade, Shinning had chosen to Enclave over me. I…I was happy when I saw him return after I had taken out a Raider Den, but…” Shock broke down.

“But then he started shooting at you. You killed him in self defense.” Jade said shaking with both rage and sorrow for what her friend had been through. “Shock, you’re not blaming yourself for Shinning’s father’s manipulations are you?” Jade asked hopping he wasn’t. Thankfully the stallion shook his head.

“But it still hurts knowing you’re the one who pulled the trigger, took their life. A group of officers from the Enclave came next.” Shock’s anger was returning. “Instead of killing my they branded me, burned my cutie mark, leaving the symbol of the Dashite’s.” Shock said as he gestured to the mark on his flank.

“Okay, I think if I ever see Enclave, I’m going to just…”

“Jade, not the entire Enclave is like that, just the military.” Shock said as he walked over to the food. “We should eat.”

Jade didn’t argue as her stomach grumbled. “Okay.” Jade munched on the snakes as she looked at her new guns. She was using her telekinesis to move them and her food. Shock looked a little amazed at her.

“I still can’t believe you didn’t know you could just grow a horn.”  Shock said shaking his head.

“Well I didn’t. I barely understand how moving all this. I grew up as an earth pony not a unicorn, so, me growing a horn and gaining the ability to use magic is a bit nerve racking. But if it can help I’ll use it.” Jade said as before she took another bit of her food.

Shock just shook his head. “I think you may be better fighting as an earth pony.”

“That may be true, but I should learn how to use my magic too.” Jade countered.

The two fell silent for while as they eat. Jade was the one to start talking again.

“Shock…you knew who that last ghoul was?”

“I could only guess it was someone important you.”  Shock answered.

“He…was my coltfriend before I was sent to Black Out.” Jade said feeling her anguish returning. “Or what was left of him. He was already dead; I just put the final nail in his coffin.”

“Do you want to bury him?” Shock asked looking up a Jade.

The mare just stared at the building. She did want to bury him, she wanted give them all a proper ceremony. But that would take too long. “Do you think we should, and just leave the rest to decay in that building?”

“No I don’t, but if he really meant that much to you, you should at least get to bury him.” Shock said looking to the building himself.

Jade nodded and slowly rose; putting her weapons away and walked back to the Brooks Bend High School.  She didn’t want to see his body but burying him was better than leaving it in there. She picked her way to the second floor and then the cafeteria. The floors and walls were now littered with damage and bodies, so different to the cleanliness that had greeted her the first time through the school. She found his body where it had laid when she had shot it down.

Cores face was gone, blasted away by 38 special rounds. She didn’t look too long at it as she picked up the body like an earth pony. She may have magic but she was weak in it, barely able hold anything heavier than her weapons and few small objects.

Jade walked back to the door and notice a small white orb in the corner of the room. It didn’t seem to be much but it was out of place here. She had missed when she had stumbled into the cafeteria the first time. She walked up to it and picked it up putting it in her bag. She noticed in her inventory it registered as a Memory Orb.

She walked out of the room and down the halls back to the front of the School. Jade saw that Shock was already starting on a grave. She set Core’s body on the ground and walked over to Shock to help. The shovels had come from a tool shed on the south side of the school. Jade guessed the pegasus had picked the lock.

Jade and Shock were finished in an hour or two after they started. Jade placed Apple Core’s body in the grave and looked for something to use as a grave marker. She saw stone that was about as big as a small dog and motioned for Shock to help her move it. It was hard but they got it to the head of the grave. Shock used some sort of magic chisel to inscribe Apple Core’s name, and that he had been a loved by a good mare. Jade blushed at little at that. Jade looked back down at Core. She couldn’t think of anything else to add besides he had been a beloved member of Apple Family.

Jade and Shock slowly placed dirt over the body as Jade slowly remembered a tune she had learned some time before her parents had found her. She couldn’t remember the words, but she knew the tone, so she began to hum slowly as she and Shock finished. It was a sad tune but with some hope in it, like saying good bye to a friend. She guessed it fit here the most than anything.

Jade slowly looked at the grave and then Shock still humming the last tones of the final verse as she felt a weight lift from her. Jade was happy she had been able to do this and happy Shock had convinced her to do it. Shock for his part smiled, not happily like he did usually, but sympathetically.

“Thank you, Shock, for talking me into doing this. I guess I really needed to do this more than I thought.” Jade said smiling.

“No problem.” Shock said before Jade hugged him. The Stallion was surprised to say the least, but it was just a friendly hug. When Jade let him go Shock was smiling his normal happy smile.

“I guess we should get on the road.” Jade said walking to their gear. Jade got her saddle bag on noticing the change in weight. “Goddesses, Shock you couldn’t have made it any heavier?”

“I could have you know, so don’t complaint.” The stallion said sternly.

Jade huffed but didn’t complain.

The two walked back down the road towards Jade home. She still couldn’t remember the name of the road they were on but it didn’t really matter. They weren’t going to need to know it to survive, that much she knew.

A few hours had passed when Jade and Shock came up to what looked like a mega mart, it seemed to have been turned into a trading post know for some groups calling themselves the Scavengers. Most of the structure was intact with some of the walls having small holes. The two walked up and we met by four guards. One had a once over on them, lingering on Jade’s hindquarter in a way that made her want to buck him were it REALLY hurt.

“20 Caps each to enter South Post.” The guard said with a smug smile.

Jade and Shock looked at each other. They didn’t have that kind of money since Spell Shot’s yesterday. Jade didn’t want to leave; she waited some of the weight taken off her back. She really wanted to be out of the rain and to top it off she wanted to shoot the guard in front of her who kept looking at her ass.

“Don’t think of pulling those weapons out. No matter how fast you think you are; our sharp shooter faster. Now you could pay in other ways though.” The guard said the others getting into it now to. It was also about then that the dick had his head blow off by a high caliber bullet.

“Bosses order not to let in ponies until after paying IN CAPS. No matter how good looking they are.” A mare said on top of the building. Jade couldn’t get a good look at her but she knew she was a unicorn.

“Damn it Daisy!” The other guards said backing away from the body. Then one of the guards looked at Jade forehead.

“Hey, Gear, did that DJ say Gem had this mark or marks?”

“Yes, why…Oh Fuck that’s her. Shit!” what was left of the guards’ glee vanished.

Jade blinked and looked to Shock who shrugged. Jade didn’t know if this was a good thing or bad thing, but if it kept this pricks from trying to jump her, and force them into her nether region than good. Shock was the one to speak.

“What does my friend being on the radio have to do with anything?” Shock asked.

“Boss, said she could go in free. Taking out Dead Shot Port really freed trade in our region. She gets to come and go with no charge as long as she doesn’t cause trouble.” Daisy said from the roof. “Looks like you screwed up boys. Better hope the boss won’t whip you for trying to rape her new best friend.”

The guards looked at each other then gulped.

“Hey, Gem, you can go in, but your friend still has to pay.” Daisy said pointing to Shock.

“Jade I think we have enough for me to get in.” Shock said already working on getting the caps from his bag. Jade did the same and they were left with about 15 caps.

“Okay you can go in.” Gear said looked to the dead guard. “Great, Jack, help take care of Locker.”

Jade and Shock walked past the guards and into South Post proper. The building was full of mounds of junk and scrap of all kinds for anything Jade could think to need in the wasteland off the top of her head. There were stalls with ponies yelling out there wears and advertizing their goods. Jade was used to this form the open air markets so it wasn’t much a shock to her to see this. She and Shock had marked things to keep and things to sell so they knew what they needed to do here.

Before they could get to it a mare with silver fur and white mane and tail walked up to them with a smile on her face. Her cutie mark was a bit and a bottle cap and she wore a pair of glasses. She wasn’t fit but she wasn’t out of shape either, just in middle telling jade this mare got around but still worked behind a desk most of the time.

“Hello, names Bit-Cap, Mom thought it funny to name after the old and new currency.” The Mare said in pleasant manner. “I run this post, and branch of the Scavengers.” The mare did a once over on Shock then Jade. “And you must be this Gem PON3 been babbling on about.”

Jade nodded and was about to speak up went Bit-Cap continued.

“You don’t seem to have gone too from your Stable, coat’s still clean, mane kept in reasonable order, no sign of malnutrition, and you seem to have gotten a few good night’s sleep in the waste.” Bit-Cap walked around Jade as she said this. “PON3 was right about your looks, better watch yourself, some Stallions are too stupid to know no means no.”

“I believe I’ve already learned at from your boys out front, though your sharp shooter ended their party before it could start.” Jade said looking at Bit-Cap with a cold stare.

“Locker was always an idiot, thought with his dick more than his brain. Tried raping Daisy before the mare almost took his head off, and I don’t mean the one that held whatever could be considered a brain on that buck.” Bit-Cap said as she shook her head. “Look I can give you this for the trouble.” Bit-Cap tossed a bag of caps.”That’s his pay for the week, 175 caps, and here the reward for taking that Raider Den, 250 caps which gives you about 425 caps.”

Jade blinked at the money but did ask about why knowing the mare was expecting Jade to spend it here. “Thank you Bit…”

“Call me Caps.”

“Thank you Caps.” Jade looked at Shock, “So Weapons, ammo, and food right.”

“And medical supplies, we’re running low.” Shock finished.

“Okay, then lets shop!” Jade said feeling a little bit giddy at the prospect of just doing something as mundane as shopping in a the market. Shock just stared at her before shaking his head and looking at a bewildered Caps.

“Just to inform you, she’s not a Stable pony. Found her in ministry facility in tank.” Shock said making Jade listen in. “I think the ministries where trying to make a goof to fool the zebras on the battle field.”

“Hey, I was born like any other pony and I was already and awake and out of the stasis pod by the time you found me.”Jade said in some anger.

Shock just laughed as half of the market looked at them. Jade could feel herself turning a bright red as she realized just how loud she had said that. Caps just looked between the two of them.

“Um, are you two dating?” Caps asked as she looked between the two of them.

“No...’Snicker’…We’re just friend. I’m not even into mares, Miss.” Shock said his mirth subsiding at the moment.

Jade just shook her head still red as rose. “Shock, I’m going to…” She sighed. “Never mind, let’s just get the stuff we need done, done.”

Shock nodded and went off towards one side of the stalls going to sell their extra weapons. Jade was carrying most of the junk items that had been in the school. While they were junk they were also mint condition junk. She smiled knowing some of the things her parents had taught her about trading were going to come in handy.

“Having merchants for parents does have its advantages.” She whispered to herself as she wondered if Caps had planed Jade knowing how to buy and sell items in this kind of market.

She walked up to the first shop keeper who looked like she was a rookie in the trade. Jade’s mother said she should test herself on someone who was also just starting out. Jade might not be new to trade but she figured new system and currency, new rules. She looked at the wears the mare had and was surprised she had come to an arms dealer.

“How may I help you dear?” The mare said in way that told Jade this mare had some experience in dealing customers.

“I’m looking to sell some Ammo.” Jade said selecting the 18 boxes high caliber rounds that she had in her saddle bags and placing them on the stand. “Found these in a school that had been sealed up for 200 years here, boxes are in good condition can be used for storage after emptied instead of tossing them.” Jade opened one of the boxes showing it was full to the brim. “And not one of these is missing a bullet. I’d say mint condition box and full ammo for one rounds up, hmm, 35 to 50 caps?”

The mare looked at Jade in amazement and Jade noticed that Caps’ jaw was agape as the silver mare stared at her. “Um, Miss, I don’t think I can buy all of these I’m just starting out and…”

“Well you can a pay couple and the rest we can trade for ammo me and friend do need. Does that sound fair?” Jade said changing from a serious expression to sympathetic knowing showing empathy helped with a sale.

“Sure, sounds great. Can I offer you to by a shot gun too, or an assault rifle? Heavier weapons could help you more than you….” The mare stared at Jade’s holstered volcanic pistols. “Were did you get those?”

“Same school I got the ammo and no there not for sale.” Jade said knowing how much the guns were worth.

“Right, um, so would like one of my guns to help you out in combat?” The sales mare said with a weak smile.

“Sure, but I’ll have to wait for my friend he’s better at buying guns than I am.” Jade said know she didn’t understand a good gun from a bad one.

Jade waited at the stand for about an hour till Shock came by. “What’s up?”

“Need to know if these guns are useable and not rip-offs as well as the ammo, I’m trading the high calibers for them.” Jade said as Shock looked at the sales mare questionable.

“She’s quite the negotiator.” The sales mare admitted. “Don’t think I could, or anyone for that matter, rip her off.”

Jade smiled at Shock who looked at her with suspicion. He looked at the guns and slowly discarded on after the other until there was only a high powered sniper rifle and an assault rifle. There wasn’t much to these guns besides the type, nothing special to them. Jade looked between the two of them not really knowing which one was the better choice.

“The Assault would be a better choice for unicorn that barley knows how to use her own power, girl.” A voice said behind them.

Jade turned annoyed to a unicorn with a familiar rifle. It was Daisy, the mare had her rifle on her back as she looked at Jade with playful smirk. Her fur would have been a beautiful white if it wasn’t stained with dirt and other such stains, and her tail and mane would have been a gorgeous yellow if was well kept. Her cutie mark was a daisy flower, something Jade found odd. But what made her stand out to Jade were her eyes. They were mesmerizing. Jade didn’t know why but Daisy maroon eyes just tugged something in her she didn’t think could be touch only a day after burying Apple Core.

“Take a picture Girl, it’ll last longer.” Daisy said her smirk growing, as she looked Jade up and down. Jade made note of that.

“How can you tell Jade can’t use her magic that well?” Shock said looking at the mare.

“She hasn’t used it once.” Daisy pointed out as she looked up the roof scratching her ear. “She doesn’t even want to use levitation.” Jade blushed and looked down. “She mustn’t have had a good teacher, and even bothered practicing.”

“Hey, don’t start putting her down. She only just learned lavation yesterday.”  Shock said in her defense. Jade felt like she was back before the bombs fell, a bully picking on her and her friend coming to defend her.

Daisy blinked and tilted her head. “Wait, she was a dead horn, wow how had she survive this long. And I’m not putting her down, just giving some friendly advice to a mare who knows nothing about magic. I mean she isn’t even using it to hold that rifle in hooves and not to mention she looks like she can barely shoot. Better off telling her to use the gun that’s not going to kill her and get my ass chewed out for it or any merchants. Caps wants that girl to keep doing what she’s doing because it’s good for business, her died doesn’t help.”

Jade looked up to the mare that, was blushing, and looking uneasy at Shock. “Really, sounds to me you were trying to pick on my friend.”

“I’m not. I’d get fired by Caps it I picked on the costumers.” Daisy said trying to calm Shock down. “Look, buy the assault; trust me a sniper would burn out your horn at your level.” The mare got up and walked away. Jade couldn’t help but follow her hips as she did.

Jade blinked once she got control back. Was she really looking at this mare like that? She had always sort of been on the fence, liking both genders. But she had just killed Apple core, was she really eyeing someone so soon.

Apparently yes, the way she was goggling Daisy. It had been eight years since she had last seen Apple Core too so that might be it too.

“Jade, you alright?” Shock asked in concern.

“Hmm, oh, yeah, I’m fine, just fine.” Jade said rubbing the back of her head with a hoof.

Shock looked at her cocking his head to one side seeming to be trying to figure out what was going through Jade’s head. Then he smiled the biggest smile Jade had ever seen on his face. “You like that mare don’t you?”

“Um, maybe,” Jade said looking to the assault rifle, “um, I think I’ll take Daisy’s advice.” She said picking the gun up with magic and paying the appropriate amount.

“Wow, only a day after kill what was left of Coltfriend and you’re already looking at other ponies.” Shock said shaking his head. He was still wearing that smile though.

“Shut up. He was my ex anyway. We hadn’t seen each other, in my view of time, for 3 years. So I think I moved on awhile ago, just needed to bury the body.” Jade said knowing that anyone within earshot would think she murdered her ex. She was surprised a little to see noone found it out of the ordinary.

“My, you sound like a cold mare there, Jade.” Shock said jokingly.

Jade glared back at him, “Okay, can we just drop it? I think there’s place to rent for sleeping quarters here right?” Shock nodded his smile fading. “Then book us couple beds. I feel like any sort sleep, even on a hard bed, would be good.”

“Alright,” Shock said walking off.

Jade looked at the sales mare that seemed to have moved to talking to a new customer. Jade shook her head at what was happening. “Mind, you are really pissing me off.”

She stood up and continued on selling the junk she needed to sell and buying some supplies that were in good condition. Eventually she had nothing else to sell so she just sat near the medical office in South Post. She didn’t need any healing at the moment but she was getting an understanding of what drugs were in the waste. Nothing she would use unless there was no choice, but it was nice to know what to avoid.

She about to leave when felt someone step on her tail. She turned to see Daisy, the mare giving her a serious look. Jade hoped the mare wasn’t really trying to be her new bully, because Jade was really sick of ponies picking on her.

“So, Gem, or should I call Jade?” Jade didn’t answer, not really knowing what this mare was up to, “Why were you looking at my ass?”

Jade felt like a gear just shook itself loose in her head. “Um, I, um…”

Daisy shoved Jade to the ground and looked down at her. “What you think it’s funny tease a mare?”

Okay, Jade guess Daisy had been persecuted, and she was really into mares then. “No, I, um, think you look…um, cute….” Jade winced not wanting to be hit.

Daisy didn’t hit her or make a sound for while. When Jade opened her eyes she notice Daisy was gone. “Okay, did that really just happen?” Jade asked herself.

“Daisy,” Jade turned to see Caps walking down one of the aisle. “Sorry about that Jade. Daisy is a stable pony, and her stable wasn’t so keen on same sex relationships. Daisy’s also had a bad run in any relationship she’s been in.” the mare shook her head. “She hasn’t been able to find a mare that likes her since leaving her stable.”

“Really, well I guess that explains her behavior, a little.” Jade said getting up. “Why did she…?”

“Run? She’s probably afraid and a bit ashamed, she has a lot of physiological damage from her stable, that and she’s been raped by stallions repeatedly this she’s been in the wasteland.” Caps said shaking head in sympathy. “Wish there was more I could do for the girl other than be with her for a few night while she cries her heart out. I’m not into mares, but Daisy needs someone she can feel safe with when it too much for her. I don’t mind filling that role for now but…” Caps looked at Jade pleadingly.

“What, but I…we just…you’re really suggesting?” Jade said unable to form her thoughts before jumping to a new one.

“Sorry, it’s just I’m one of the only friends she has it this fucked up place we call a city. I really shouldn’t have…I mean it’s been hard on her for to even find a mare that was into other mares, or wasn’t taken by other mare. And I’m a scared she might…”

Jade under stood what Caps was afraid of to say the least. She had known ponies that couldn’t take life anymore and had decided to end it. “Fine, but I’m not dating her. I just buried my ex an hour ago.” Jade said as she turned to find the mare. “Um…where…?”

“She’d be on the roof by now. Good luck, I hope for her sake you’re able to reach what is left of that heart of hers.” Caps said motioning for Jade to follow.

Jade followed Caps to the roof. They soon came upon the remains of stairs which had been replaced by boxes and crates. Jade climbed them and walked through the door way. She noticed that there was a tarp in place of the missing door. She looked around and noticed Daisy sitting by herself on far side of the roof. Rain slowly fell making the wasteland seemed even more depressing.

“Caps talked you into coming up here?” She asked. Her tone was flat, no anger or sadness. Jade didn’t answer. “You don’t need to try and pretend you like me because she thinks I’m going to kill myself.”

“I’m not.” Jade responded. “I’m up here because I think you might, and because I almost did it a few hours ago.” Daisy looked back at her, shock visible on her face. “I’m also up here because I don’t want you to do that, because I would feel awful for not being able to know you better.”

The mare rolled her eyes. “Don’t pretend to like me. No mare wants to be more than a friend to me.”

“I’m not pretending.” Jade said raising her voice. “But I just buried what was left of my coltfriend not too long ago. Your friend Caps suggested we start dating. I’m kind of pissed at her for that. Look I barely know you, I find you attractive, but I’m going to need time to figure out if I’m really ready for an relationship.”

Daisy glared at her. “Don’t seem like you really want me not to kill myself.”

“Daisy I barely fucking know you. But you have friends who would miss you and what about your family.”

“You’re recycling lines.” Daisy said bluntly.

“Fuck, do you think I’ve done this before. I got fucking bullied in school. I was born before the fucking bombs and woke to this hell hole. Fuck my life wasn’t as bad as yours but I’ve thought about killing myself. I don’t know you I’m only up here because I know how your friends would feel. I’ve had a friend kill themselves at a young age and it was terrible. That mostly fucking why I didn’t kill myself.”

“You Think I really care about them. I mean really Caps won’t even try to come up here talk me out of this. She sends some cunt I don’t know up here because she doesn’t want to talk to me. What a great fucking friend.” Daisy yelled dropping the gun and looking up at the sky. “Do you know what the hell I’ve been through? I don’t think you’ve been tortured by ponies you knew just because you liked mares?”

“I’ve been bullied and abused because of the way I look. I’m not saying what you been through wasn’t bad, I’m fucking shocked by it. But I don’t think killing your self will solve it. Would you really want to give those assholes the satisfaction to know that they controlled you after you fucking escaped.”

Daisy froze as looked at Jade. The mare didn’t say anything for while just stood there. Caps came up the stairs then and sat next to Daisy. The mare didn’t seem to notice her until she placed a hoof on Daisy’s shoulder.

“Daisy, you really don’t want to do this. Just think of your family, of your…” Caps said as daisy looked at her.

“You…you’re right.” Daisy said as she looked at the gun.

“So you’re not going to…” Jade asked.

“No…I’m sorry Caps, it just…hard.” Daisy said as she looked to the mare next to her. “I’m sorry I keep putting you through this.”

“Daisy’s I’m going to have to go back down. I still have to run this place.” Caps said getting up. “Jade thanks though you were a little.”

“Bit me.” Jade replied. “Next time get someone who actually knows her.”

“Sorry…” Caps said and walked down the stairs.

“You shouldn’t…” Daisy began.

“Look she asked me out of the blue to try and prevent you from killing yourself and become your new lover. I don’t know what the fuck was going through her mind, but I’m not the type to jump a pony because I think their attractive.” Jade said bitter about the situation the mare had put her in.

“Sorry, Caps means well and…”

“And she’s your best friend.” Jade added shaking her head. “I understand she doesn’t want to see you dead, but the position she put me in was unfair, still is.”

“Right, look if you don’t want to stay…”

"Nah-uh. Tonight, I'm staying here. You need to think, think twice, thrice or as many times as you want. Think about everything. And tomorrow I'll leave with Shock. There will be nopony to stop you, so, if you don't change your opinion, do it...and let them laugh, let them all laugh." Jade said sitting down next to Daisy.

“What you have…”

“He’s into stallions, were traveling together. That’s it.”

“Oh…”

“You know, I shouldn’t ask this, but what really made you stop yourself?”

Maybe to something like...this?

“... because you reminded me of something I'd almost forgot."

"Of what?"

"There is someone that will cry if I'm gone... Thanks, Jade, for reminding me. And thanks for staying."

"Sure..." Said Jade even if she was unsure of such answer. "You know... I hate rain."

A shadow of smile upon Daisy's face. Just a tiny glimpse, but it was a welcome improvement.

"Yeah, me too."

Lvl up.

New perk: Royal Canterlot Voice: + 5 (Speech, Barter) per rank. Mastery: 5 extra points in each of these skills.