Chapter Four: Turning Point

"Well, here you are. They really should make it easier to get out of there" Popsicle stated as we both exited the hospital through large set of double, glass doors.

The air outside was cold and crisp, filled with the distant sounds of the city. The only light came from the street lanterns and the bright glow of the Hospital’s sign. Before us, was a large wagon parking area, yet at such a late hour it was mostly deserted. I hadn't said much to my new companion other than my name. She on the other hoof had gone on and on about how boring the places she visited were rather profusely. Yet, for a mare who complained so much she didn't seem all that bad.

Her issues were mild, and each was voiced with a witty confidence that made me want to smile in agreement. Still, I wasn't as trusting of ponies I'd only just met as she seemed. I took a slight sniff of the air, shivering as a freezing breeze chilled my coat, and tugged at my mane. I tried to hide my shivering best I could, tucking my tail between my legs and lowering my head.

"Cold hur?" Popsicle asked, and I nodded weakly. “Bet you think a mare with a name like mine would be used to it? " She joked with a friendly grin. I sniffed, and tried to straighten.

"It doesn't bother me that much either" I assured her with the strongest lie I could muster.

I had no idea whether she believed me or was merely humouring me as she nodded.

"I think it’s about the only thing about being out so late I don’t like" She offered, giving a playful shiver of her own.

Then she ruffled her wings, flapping them lightly.

"Well, it was good seeing you Lavin. Maybe we'll catch each other again sometime?" She said, then beat her wings harder and hovered upwards slightly.

The fact that I was about to be left alone in a place I knew nothing about at such a late time, shocked me back into reality. But what could I do? I had no job, no friends and nowhere to go. A small twinge in my gut didn't help that swelling sorrow either.

"Yeah, see you around" I responded weakly.

Popsical coked her head slightly, seeming concerned for a brief moment. But that look faded almost as soon as it had appeared.

"Sweet" She added, then with a flap of her wings she took off into the night.

All I did for a long moment was stare out into the cold darkness above. Not even Luna’s blessed stars shone down upon me as the bitterer wind nipped at my coat from all directions.

“What was I going to do?” I asked myself.

I had to find something, it wasn't just for my own sake anymore. I looked over my shoulders at my tingling stomach, but the only difference was the warm feeling that still radiated from it.

“Well at least someponie's managing to get some sleep” I thought to myself, imaging how comfortable it must be in there. I meanwhile was probably going have to spend a night on the street.

“Hey, the night was half over right? And it was late summer, so that shouldn't be too long?” my mind offered, in a frail attempt to put some positivity into the situation.

Its efforts were completely in vain, and I only did what I could. I began walking slowly towards the hospital grounds exit.

“Find a tunnel or an overpass, somewhere dry and out of sight” the more practical part of my mind suggested as the rest accepted the dire inevitability.

The sound of my hooves upon the sidewalk slowed at that, and tears welled up in my eyes.

“Was I really this bad? Had I really failed every hope I had?”

I wanted to scream, run and cry all at once. But I was unable to do any of it. Instead, I sat down, shrank back my neck and wrapped my tail about myself best I could for any vestiges of warmth it could offer. All the while, my eyes were cast down out of the cold wind.

“You’ll find a way, you’ve always found away before” I assured myself.

“It's not only your way you have to find anymore though, is it?” My mind corrected bitterly, and I shivered some more before finally moving on a little.

I'd reached the very edge of the hospital’s grounds when something caught my eyes. Another dirty puddle shimmering in the breeze. Yet, when the wind fell silent it showed a purple coated mare looking back at me, a sadness in her quivering eyes. I hatred that mare. I despised her for all she'd done wrong and the fact she had done nothing right to make up for it. Before I could think too harshly however, the wind picked back up and stole the pitiful image in a fit of ripples. All the while it was hammering hard against my side as if to punish me more. At that bitterly cold point, I nearly fell to the ground and collapsed. All my emotionally defences wined and a lone tear ran down my cheek.

“There has to be more, there had to be something?” I muttered under my breath, secretly begging the princesses for some kind of miracle

"Hey!" Came a faintly recognisable voice, and before I could look there was a sound of wings beats and hooves touching upon the ground behind me.

I whipped the tears from my eyes, giving a weak sniff as I looked back to see Popsicle.

"Hey, I was just watching you from up there, and please don't think I'm into that kinda thing, really I'm not, but..." She began, then trailed off with a another fit of flustered babbling, waving her hooves to dismiss it again.

Despite everything, I found the sight more than a little amusing. It was a funny though to lift my spirits at least part way out of the dark pit that had opened inside me. At my somewhat amused response, Popsicle ceased her rambling and looked at me.

"Look, you just seemed really..." She scratched the back of her neck, seemingly searching for the right words. "Really sad, you know? The hopeless kinda sad" She finally admitted, and for a moment I was terrified that it had been so obvious.

"Oh, I... I, I'm sorry I didn't..." I stutterd swiftly.

"What are you apologising for? I should be the one who's sorry for trying to poke my nose where it don't belong" She added with a slight laugh.

Her slight silliness brought me to the verge of a light chuckle, but I tried to hide it as she went on.

"Look, I know it's none of my business. But, a mare out this late, one from the hospital of all places... I just thought?" She trailed off again.

I was afraid what she might assumed of me, not only for seeming me in tears but trying to escape the hospital too. Not that she could know that, could she?

"What I'm trying to say is... Do you have somewhere you can go? Please don't freak out if you do, I'm not trying anything on. I was just well... Worried" She finally told my, sinking back slightly.

I looked at her with a bewildered expression. What was she trying to say? What was she offering? Why would somepony be so concerned about a mare they’d only just met? The questions ran through my mind like a wild river. Such a surge of emotion must have put a rather peculiar expression upon my face because Popsicle faulted as she looked at me.

"I know it's the craziest thing right?" She stated in an attempt to fix her situation, but she continued before anything could come of it. "Look I'm sorry, I shouldn't of asked. I'll..."

She crept back further, then spared her wings.

"Wait!" I called out before I could think, reaching out as if to stop her.

At the sight of my own bold reflexes I sank back sheepishly, hoping the darkness would hide my blush. Popsicle looked only a little less awkward, and folded her wings.

"You're right. I don't have anywhere to go, I was only here because some ponies started a fight and I got caught in the middle" I explained shamefully, those tears fighting their way to the surface one again.

Popsicle seemed both proud of her assumptions, and ashamed of them simultaneously. Yet, she tentatively approached me.

"Wow, sounds ruff" She offered, then paused thoughtfully. "Look, you could... I mean if you what to that is..." She began but the words seemed to clog her throat.

At that her gaze snapped up and she stopped a hoof firmly.

"I have a flat with a spare room not too far from here, you can have the spare if you what" She blurted forcefully, then took a deep breath.

I lifted my head, my eyes still quivering. Was she for real? Were my thoughts of not taking her up on that offer really real? I'd be more of fool than anypony in my family if they were. But I hardly knew her, she could be anypony for all I knew. Only, I knew ponies that were more than just kind, and she didn't strike me as anything more.

I regarded her closely as my mind went to work on her suggestion, all the while she anxiously awaited my response and looked ready to fly away as fast as her wings could carry her at a moment's notice. I took a deep breath, this was either going to be the best decision of my time in Trottingham or the worst.

"Yeah, okay" I squeaked, and instantly her ears perked up and a wide smile appeared upon her muzzle.

"Really?" She expressed with disbelief, and at my nod her smile only grew. "Yes, new roommate!" She cheered, hoof bumping the air as she flapped her wings.

I gave a nervous little studder, as she placed a hoof on my shoulder.

"Common, it's just down this way follow me" She stated eagerly before trotting off down the sidewalk like an excited filly.

I beat back all doubt I had of this new revelation. If nothing else, I now had a home and at least one pony I could call a friend. Little did I know how much the decision was going to change my miserable, little life forever.