Crystals Return

Some say when you've suffered something so horrible, your mind will try to ignore the event all together, not wanting to re-live the event even if it was just a distant memory. Branded's mind was plagued with the image of a black maned unicorn, with the fangs of a wolf. Who was this stallion? Why does he see him every-time he closes his eyes? Better yet, why does he not only feel fearful, but angry towards this unicorn? The questions keep piling up with no answers in sight, he just wants to lay in bed forever. Wait a second...when did he go to bed? He darts up and opens his eyes only to be greeted with darkness. But in the darkness, he can see the light of a familiar moon shining through a small window. That's when he hears it, the steady breathing of another equine. Is he in danger? The thought runs through his mind, but if they wanted to hurt or kill him they had a large window of opportunity when he was sleeping. Speaking of that, how long has he been asleep? He can now feel a small migraine coming on from all the thoughts. He begins to stumble around the dark, looking for a light switch so he can assess the situation at hand. He locates the switch and flips it to the on setting. To much of his surprise, he doesn't see the fanged beast he was expecting, but a purple mare, lightly breathing in her slumber. The light reflecting from the moon really brings out the shine of her mane. Branded stands a-gaze, when he remembers; he needs to find out who he is. He decides to, instead of interrupting her sleep, leave a note thanking her for her help and promising to return the favor.

By now he's out the door, book in saddlebag. Where is he going to go he keeps asking himself. He quite literally has nowhere to go. He's not tired, so sleep won't be an issue for a little while, but he is starved. He would kill for a fish taco. In fact, the thought of murder doesn't really bring remorse to his mind as much as it should. That's when it hits him: he's a murderer. He doesn't know who, nor how, but he feels it in his gut. He has taken the life of another being. The vulgar thought brings him to tears and causes him to vomit. That's when he feels the gentle tap of another's hoof on his back.

"You feeling okay sugarcube?" A familiar voice said to him.

"Ohh, yeah, I'm okay. I'm just hungry is all." He replies sternly, squinting to see who it could be.

"It wouldn't be any trouble to feed ya, we got a whole farm!" The mare says.

That's when it hits him. It's the mare with the hat. That's the only remarkable thing he can remember about her. That and her kindness to a stranger.

"No,no,no, I don't want to cause anymore trouble than I have to." He responds.

"I insist you come with me. I can see yer' bones! You'll look like Granny if we don't get some food in you!" She says earnestly while tugging on his shoulder.

"Well, if you insist-" He says with glee as he begins to trot along side the mare.

They arrive at Sweet Apple Acres within an hour, exchanging small talk, telling jokes, the usual on goings between two friends in Ponyville. Friends. The thought never occurred on his radar. He's....social! He's figured something out at least, he knows how to talk to others. Well, he can check that off his mental check-list. She opens the door for him, and sets a table. Branded is honestly shaken by the kindness she is showing him. He's also very jittery as to what she'll be serving him. Judging by the name of the farm, it will probably be apple relate. Luckily for him, he loves apples, not a big fan of pears though.

"So in the midst of our conversations, I never caught your name?" Branded asks nicely.

"Names' Applejack. You can call me Aj if ya like~" She replies, focusing on the fritters at hand.

"Oh, well I must thankyou for the excellent service you are showing. I only wish everypony I encounter will be as kind as you" Branded states honestly.

This causes Applejack to blush. She tosses branded a smile, tips her hat, and continues with the food. Branded perks up, and prepares to over-stuff his body with apples.

And over-stuff he does. On top of 4 apple pies, he piles in apple fritters, applesauce, and just plain old apples. He finally decides he's had enough when he can no longer feel his mouth from chewing.

"Whoo-eee, you weren't kiddin' when you said you were hungry, huh?" Aj says teasingly.

"Nope, but you took care of that pretty quickly. If there is anything you need help with, I will be honored to help." Branded states.

"Well, I reckon Big Mac could use some help sowing the dirt." She ponders.

"Like I said, anything you need. Well, I'd better start for the road-"

"Now hold on fer' just a minute, last time we met you passed out over something you mumbled on about, now I don't want you passing out on the road, and getting kidnapped, robbed, or worse. Do you think you could wait for the morning before you leave? Just to be safe?" She interrupts.

"Well...I suppose I could stay for the night, get a little rest before I head to town. But I don't want to be a bother." Branded states.

"You won't be a worry t'all sugarcube! You can stay in the barn. I'll send Applebloom to wake you up bright an early so you can head for town or wherever it is ya need to be." She replies, with one eye closed with a devious smile.

"Thankyou Applejack. That is the only thing worth saying at this point, I promise after tonight I will be out of your mane." Branded replies with much gratitude.

"Don't stress it hon', but I plan on making use of your offer at help. The farm work can be pretty overwhelming at times."

"It's the least I can do to soften your workload fair Applejack. I'd best head to the barn and rest up then, goodnight!" He says before trotting towards the barn.

Applejack is blushing up a firestorm. Something about the stallion sets her off. In a good way. Hopefully he won't disappear in the night again she thinks.

As Branded lay on the pile of hay he now calls a bed, he ponders over the events of the past few hours. He has not only made a friend, but he's found a friend who's willing to give up a piece of herself to feed him and offer a place to sleep. He may be coming her in the future. He might even get a semi-permanent job on the farm to earn some currency. Speaking over currency, what do they use? He heard some fillies complaining about not having enough bits for a field trip on his way to the library a day earlier, maybe bits are the answer. Anyways, it's time for him to drift away into the bliss that is sleeps embrace.