Chapter 11: and

“And this is just another sad song, I can’t deny that I’ve been needing one…”

“Brae?”

Braeburn looked up at Applejack. “Sorry… yeah?”

Applejack glanced at the record player on the table next to him and then back at him. “You’ve been listening to the same song for a while now.”

Braeburn shrugged. “That a problem?”

“Just seems like it’s a sad song, that’s all.”

“Ah’ve been needin’ a sad song, cuz.” Braeburn stopped the player and sat back on the couch, staring into the fireplace.

Applejack glanced from the fireplace to her cousin. She sighed and left the room, a little worried.

Braeburn looked out the window as his cousin left. In the past, he was certain that it would be things on the other side of the window that brought things to an end. He and Daring hadn’t done anything to fight them, so where did they go wrong?

He sighed, leaning back on his couch. What if it wasn’t the world outside the window? What if the problem lay elsewhere? Blaming the world was just an excuse, Braeburn decided. The problem wasn’t out there, it was inside.

As he stared out the window, he thought of all the other ponies. Each of them had a life as complicated as his own, filled with different conflicts and questions. It seemed so obvious, that everyone else was alive. So why did that thought scare him?

xXx

“Daring? You there?”

Daring looked up from the cup in front of her. “Yeah, yeah. Sorry, I was just… thinking.”

Soarin raised an eyebrow. “Okay…”

“Soarin…. I’m sorry. I’m sorry I can’t find the time to meet with you guys. I’ve just been so preoccupied… and…. I’m sorry,” she said, unable to meet his eyes.

“Daring… it’s okay. Spitfire’s moved on now, forget about her,” chimed in a cream-colored pony.

“Yeah, we’re still here for you, Daring,” finished a mint green unicorn.

“Thanks, Bon Bon, Lyra.” She stood up from her seat. “I… need some time.”

Soarin nodded. “Yeah, go ahead. Take as much time as you need.”

As she flew high up in the sky, Daring thought about her last conversation with Braeburn. She wondered how she would feel if the situation were reversed. If Braeburn stopped talking to her without warning, disappearing in a moment to chase a dream.

She shuddered. She knew that she had to try more, for the sake of her friends. “I’m sorry,” she said, the wind drowning out her voice. “I’m trying, I really am. I just keep getting caught up in myself… in my own problems.” In the middle of a cloud, it became impossible to see through it. For a second, it was like she was flying in a void of nothing.

“Can you hear me?” she wondered. “I’m trying so hard not to try this hard… does that make sense?”

xXx

Braeburn stepped out onto the front porch of the house. “Ah’ve been tryin’ to let go now. Is it enough? Is it worth it?” He asked aloud, staring up at the sky.

xXx

“I have nowhere left to go,” Daring whispered as the wind streaked by her face. A single tear rolled down her cheek. She turned around and flew back towards her friends.