The Relapse

I woke up the next day in one of Twilight’s crystal bedrooms she moved me to; not sore or in pain like yesterday, physically at least. When I tried to move, I found I was pinned down by both Dew Star and Selene who must have snuck in when I was asleep. With a small shake of my head, I slipped out of bed without waking them up and left the castle. It was about eight in the morning, my usual wake up time, but unlike usual I didn’t want to keep sleeping. I wanted to be out and away like I planned with this trip, but from what I’ve learned from my life, the more I want to be alone, the more ponies want to be near and bug me.

Unfortunately for them I also wasn’t in a good mood, so whoever came up wanting to talk to me just got ignored. All the different ponies that recognized me and said hello as I walked through town got the coldest of shoulders, all except Applejack and her sister when I mistakenly passed by their stall in the market.

“Is that you, Comet?” Applejack said right as I passed her, “Hey, Comet!” I didn’t get more than five steps past her before Apple Bloom jumped in front of me.

“Heya, Mister Therapist!” the little redhead greeted with a big smile, “It’s been a hot minute since ah seen ya round here!”

“Sure has,” Applejack confirmed as she trotted up next to her sister, all smiles, “ya shoulda sent a letter tellin us you were comin! Woulda kept ya from getting hurt in that attack.” I didn’t reply as I looked away from the two.

“…Say, Apple Bloom? Why don’t ya hold down the stall while ah chat with Comet for bit?” Applejack said to her sister as she moved over next to me.

“Sure thing, Sis!” she replied with a salute before zipping back behind the counter.

“Mind followin me?” Applejack asked as she started to trot away, “Won’t take but a minute.” With a sigh, I followed after her out of the market to a nearby park where she sat down on a bench and patted the spot next to her. With another sigh I sat next to her, not bothering to make space between us because I knew what she was planning.

“Ah’m sorry, Comet,” she started as she leaned over and wrapped her hooves around me as she nuzzled my neck, “ah can’t imagine what you’re goin through right now, but it must be mighty rough.”

“…Rough isn’t the word I’d use,” I replied as I sat and tolerated her comforting.

“Well, whatever word you’d use, just know that ah and the rest of the girls are here for ya, even if ya don’t really consider us friends.”

“Of course,” I said flatly as she released me.

“Is there anythin ah can do to help ya feel better?”

“Not unless you’re willing to murder me in fifty years,” I muttered as I stood up.

“A-ah don’t think ah’m willin to help with that.”

“Yeah, sorry,” I sighed as I started to leave, “no reason to get you involved with my problems.” Leaving Applejack alone in the park, I headed back through town to wherever I was going. As I was wandering, Rarity’s sister Sweetie Belle approached me from out of nowhere.

“Hi Mister Comet!” she greeted, but I just kept walking, “A-are you going somewhere?”

“…”

“I-if you’re not, do you mind coming to the boutique with me? Rarity wants to talk to you.” See? This is exactly what I’m talking about.

“…Fine.”

“Yes! Come on!” she said happily as she ran off; luckily, I knew where Rarity’s place was.

“Sorry,” Sweetie Belle chuckled embarrassedly when I reached the place, “come on in.” Walking in and ringing the bell at the door, I didn’t have to wait long before Rarity rushed over to me.

“Thank you Sweetie Belle, you can go now,” she said to her sister as her magic floated something over to her, “Comet and I need to be alone for a little while.”

“…Oh, I get it,” her sister replied with a mischievous grin before turning towards the door, “I better not walk in on you two doing anything weird.”

“Sweetie Belle!” Rarity scoffed with an obvious blush, “Comet and I are nothing more than friends!”

“Of course; you’re never anything more than friends with stallions.”

“Sweetie Belle!”

“Bye Mister Comet!” the filly said before darting out of the shop.

“Foals these days,” Rarity sighed as her magic took hold of my hand, “come; let’s chat.”

“I think I’ve done plenty of chatting with Applejack already,” I replied as I’m led up some stairs.

“Doubtful; I know how that mare is with words,” she said with a shake of her head as he led me into what I assumed was her room, “make yourself comfortable, Dear.” I wanted to stand so I could leave as quickly as possible, but I knew she would insist so I sat on the edge of her bed as she hopped up next to me.

“How are you feeling, Darling? Have you fully recovered?” she asked as she laid in my lap.

“Besides this huge scar on my face, I’m just peachy.”

“Now now Dear, your use of rude sarcasm was the thing I liked least about your old self.”

“…”

“But the fact that you are being rudely sarcastic means you’re not taking Twilight’s news very well.”

“I said I’m fine.”

“And your blatant lying only further proves my point,” she countered as she tried to look me in the eyes but I wouldn’t meet her gaze, “…Now, I’m sure Applejack told you, but the rest of the girls and I are here for you if you need somepony to talk to.”

“Yeah, she said that, but she made sure to point out that I don’t consider most of you friends.”

“Yes, well… If you believe that to be the case, then just I am here for you,” she said as I felt her hoof rest on my hand, “and while I am here, I may as well tell you that I may have convinced Twilight to go through with the operation despite how positive she was you would be upset.” The hand she had under her hoof balled into a fist.

“Now, you must believe her and I when we say we had nothing but good intentions; all we wanted to do was save your life, especially since we endangered it in the first place. Did I know that her blood would do this to you? Not at the time; I was merely concerned with the life of my dear friend.” My fist tightened.

“And even though you don’t consider all of use friends, we all consider you one, even Rainbow Dash to a certain extent; I don’t know what we, what I would have done if you died because of me. I don’t think I would be able to watch one of my precious friends die.” I couldn’t take it anymore. Carefully but quickly, I moved Rarity out of my lap before getting to my feet.

“What’s wrong Dear?”

“…You just don’t understand,” I muttered as I headed for the door.

“Then help me understand, help us understand Comet.”

“…Sorry, but I’ve got somewhere to be,” I said as I opened the door and left with a few of my first thought that day. I probably should have at least tried to explain, but she probably still wouldn’t get it. If no one could understand how I lived my life before, they won’t be able to understand now; no one can.