Please don't shatter

"I'm a pretty pony!"

Sugar shouted. The mare has done so already several times. Each time was no different from the words she used, to the overall cheerfulness in her voice,

And just like before Cold nods. The stallion himself found the statement to be pretty accurate. Not to say that his sister was the prettiest mare to ever exist, but still.

Of course just like before ponies stared. Some looked annoyed, others confused while a small percentage had on amused looks.

They were ignored.

The trio moved further down the line after a minute or two of standing stock still. Not that Cold minded all that munch. After all, a friend once said that good comes to those who wait.

Too bad the mare herself wasn't all that patient. Then again it wasn't for a lack of trying.

"I'm a pretty pony!"

Walking circles around him with a smile and wide eyes was the golden-colored pegasus herself Sugar Sweet. Every few seconds she would stop, laugh, mutter a word or two before continuing her short and never-ending journey.

Maybe that's why ponies were staring.

Eh, oh well.

The line moves.

Cold takes a step or two.

Sugar adjusts accordingly.

"I'm a pretty pony!"

"There's something wrong with her".

The word themselves was a whisper. Meaning that the pony who whispered them didn't want to be heard. The reason for that could be many. Maybe the pony didn't want to be rude. Maybe it was because he didn't want to seek confrontation. Maybe for him, that little fact alone just had to be said.

Either way, Spring's ears twitched in response.

An all too familiar set of emotions, and thoughts swirled through him, loud, demanding,

Violent.

He breathes in.

No, he refused to give in to old urges. Things were different now. Maybe not better but they were different regardless.

"You're a pretty pony!"

Cold blinked.

Sugar smiles. Her gaze locked onto his, gentle, loving, and somewhat lucid.

Cold smiles back.

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"Can we have two bags of bread please?"

It wasn't Cold who asked, but Sugar. The pegasus voice was clear and coherent. However Cold knew that these moments were short and fleeting. They were never meant to last forever. Still, it made his heart swell.

The pony behind the table blinked In surprise.

It was understandable. After all, at this point in the journey Sugar wasn't exactly known for being talkative. At least towards other ponies. That was mainly his job.

'Oh!" The pony smiled, "here".

She hands the pair two sets of grocery bags. In said bags were set of dry bread, and a few other necessities. Cold made a move to collect them. The stallion already holding a few other bags on his back. However, before he could Sugar reached over and yanked the bags out of the mare's grip.

"Mine!"

The other mare was startled by the action however her surprise was soon replaced by a smile.

"Eager to help today aren't we?"

Sugar didn't respond. Instead, the pegasus merely cradled the bags and the contents inside as if it were a foal.

Turning his eyes away from his sister Cold offers the unicorn an appreciative nod. However just as the duo turned to leave the mare hurriedly spoke.

Well more so shouted.

"Wait!"

The duo paused.

Well, Cold paused. Sugar on the other hoof squealed before huddling behind her brother for safety.

Upon seeing this the mare's expression turned into one of guilt.

"I'm sorry!"

She shouted once more. Only to cringe and cover her mouth with a hoof.

In response Cold merely stared at the unicorn. A questioning look in his gaze. Upon noticing this she blushed.

Cold found that to be more than a little odd.

"Is there anything else I can do for you?"

The question was simple and having met the pony a few times before hoof the stallion knew that it came from a place of genuine sincerity. However even with this in mind and even though they were currently in financial struggle he shook his head.

He learned the hard way that the only pony you can depend on was yourself.

"Do you like candy?"

It wasn't the question that threw the unicorn off guard. No, it was the fact that Sugar was suddenly near inches from her face.

By the holy grace of Celestia, she managed not to scream.

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"Do you?" The pegasus asked. Her expression is one of burning curiosity.

Taking in a breath to calm her racing heart Sour smiled. As she did a pair of amber eyes stared at her expectantly.

Eyes that we're somewhat familiar, at least in terms of color. Then again it wasn't like random ponies couldn't have the same eye color or mane of a pony you knew.

Regardless as she stared into said orbs she couldn't help but note how out of balance they look.

Not the eyes, no it was the mare's emotions.

They swirled around like a never-ending fire. Always changing, forming. Refusing to stay in one spot for too long.

It both disturbed and concerned her.

Granted she should have noticed this before hoof. After all, they have been around here for a good two weeks. Even if the pegasus herself never bothered to say a word until now. That alone was somewhat odd, but Sour was a pony who didn't like to judge. Regardless it was clear that this mare was troubled, and the fact that Sour didn't realize this up until this point made her feel guilty.

This was her gift for Celestia's sake!"

Regardless there wasn't munch the unicorn could do. At least not without going against the stallion's wishes, and something told her that doing so would not end up well.

For who exactly? She didn't know.

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"Yes, I like candy".

Upon hearing her response Sugar grinned. However, the expression alone looked to be somewhat forced.

"I like candy, especially the ones that I had while in a giant cage".

Suddenly the pony's expression resembled that of a snarl. When she spoke again the disdain and hate were evident in her voice.

"They said that it would make me feel better, that it would make sense of things".

Suddenly she leaned close. Her eyes burned with such intensity that it made the pony before her freeze in place.

"They were liars, every single last one" she sneered. However, there was a hint of something else in her tone. Something that boarded between reality and delusion, and for a moment the mare saw a glimpse of something in the mare's eyes.

Fear,

But not from the unicorn no,

It was directed at no pony but herself.

"Enough."

"A firm, deep, but soft voice spoke.

Immediately Sugar's expression morphs from a sneer to a cheerful smile.

Or at least for what passes as a smile.

The pegasus was by her brother's side in an instant.

After staring at her for a moment Cold's gaze shifted back to the unicorn he has yet to know the name of,

And by the expression on her face, he could tell that she was more than a little disturbed.

That fact alone was more than a little understandable. After all his sister had the effect of getting under ponies skin. Spring was just thankful that it was just a mild interaction compared to the ones he dealt with in the past. Still, he felt pretty bad for the mare. With this in mind, he bows his head in apology.

"Sorry".

He turns and trots away alongside Sugar before the mare even had the chance to respond.