>That night, your dreams were peaceful. >However, that did not stop you from waking up a few times. >And each time, Rest was there. >Thankfully, you didn’t wake her. >As morning rolled around, you awoke to Rest breaking away from you. >Turning to her, you see she has a case of bed hair. “Good morning.” >She quickly turns to you and smiles. >”Good morning to you as well, didn’t think I’d wake you. “It’s fine, I should probably get up.” >She doesn’t bother trying to argue with you, and just nods before heading off to the bathroom. >You sit up, and wonder how today with Connie will go. >Hopefully, good. >’Doubtful.’ >Shaking your head to rid of the bad thoughts again. >You’ll hold off on your bath, as you can hear Rest in there. >Instead, you head down stairs to eat. >Rest joins you shortly and you both start to talk. >”So, are you excited about today?” >As you chew your food, give her a look. >”Alright, bad question. But! That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be.” >If anything, you feel anxious. “No, I’m just off is all, I am looking forward to this.” >She smiles, but you know she can read you still. >After breakfast, you both wait. >You’re nervous, though you’re trying to change that. >You forgave Connie, you should be passed this. >Then why do you have this bad feeling? >’She did hurt you.’ >You never go away, do you? >’I’m apart of you, of course I don’t.’ >You won’t screw me over, not again. >’I always look out for us Eri.’ >You try to ignore the thoughts. >’I will always be here here. Never forget that.’ >Rest breaks you out of your thoughts. >”She seems to be running late.” “What? Oh, you mean Connie.” >”Do you think she is alright?” >A small part of you says no, but you push that aside and offer up an answer. “Maybe she overslept?” >A thud outside causes you both to jump. >Rest heads over to the door and opens it. >Looking from the couch, you can see Connie getting up from the ground. >”Are you alright? Did you fall?” >Connie brushes her self off before getting up and bringing a box with her. >>”I’m fine, I shouldn’t have been running, but I knew I was behind.” >Feeling curious, you have to ask. “What’s in the box?” >Connie turns to you, and smirks. >>”Good morning to you too.” “Sorry, good morning. Seriously though, what is it?” >She brings it closer to the couch. >Rest joins her on the other side with a curious look. >Connie looks to you both with a smile before continuing. >>”This is why I wasn’t able to stay yesterday.” >Ripping the lid off, she pulls out some envelopes. >Are those? >>”I spent all day arguing with the post office, had to tear into the post master to get the results I wanted. In the end, I spent the evening digging through their archives to find this.” >She hoofs some of them over to you, they’re a bit old, but you know what they are. “The letters.” >>”I told you I did try to reach you.” “I, I don’t know what to say. I’m sorry for not believing you.” >>”I accept your apology, though to be honest, it’s not your fault. I would’ve thought the same if I never received any.” She sighs. “Even after digging though so much mail, I couldn’t find all the letters I sent you. It’s likely that many were lost along the way.” >Holy shit the post office can’t do their job. “It doesn’t matter, the fact you even found some, let alone one, is more than enough.” >Looking into Connie’s eyes, you feel something. >You feel like shit for thinking that she lied. >She nods before urging you. >>”Well don’t just sit there looking gloomy, read one.” >Opening what looked like the oldest one, you start. >Dear Eri, I hope this finds you well. How are you? I am doing okay, but I miss talking to you. You haven’t written me back yet, but maybe you’ve been busy. Manehattan is pretty lonely, the other foals can be real jerks. I’ve tried to stand up for myself, but I get into trouble when I do. Mother told me that I have to stop doing that, I tried to explain what they were doing, but she didn’t believe me. They call me a low class pony or dumb hick, at least I don’t talk badly about others. I will write you again soon, mother says I have to go practice again. Sincerely, Connie. >A small pang of hurt hits you. >She was being bullied? >You reread the letter again to make sure before asking her. “You were bullied in Manehattan?” >Her face shifts a little to hurt, before she smiles. >Connie sits next to the couch and starts. >>”At first yes, I eventually had to pretend to fit in. Mother made certain of that. Took a while to learn though, and I hated every moment of it.” >She sighs. “You didn’t mention this the other day though.” >>”It was a long time ago. When I realized what I had to do, I got over it. That didn’t make it any easier, but I did it.” >You wish you were able to do the same. >As you’re starting to feel sorry for her, Rest starts to talk. >”I hate to interrupt, but are either of you two hungry?” >Is it really that time? >The clock reads a little after 1 pm. “I’m not all that hungry.” >>”Nor am I.” >”Alright, I’ll go make some soup for myself.” >Seriously Rest. >>”We really haven’t had a chance to get to know one another Ms. Rest, so how about we bring this to the kitchen?” >Rest gives her a look. >”Just call me Rest, calling me Ms makes me think I’m old. What about you Eri?” “I’m fine with that, I can read another letter in the meantime.” >”Okay, well, what do you want to know?” >>”Just a little bit about yourself is fine.” >You follow the two into the kitchen and sit at the table. >They both start to talk while Rest cooks. >>”So how do you know Eri?” >Immediately Rest tenses up and looks to you, but you speak up. “It was at the hospital, I had hurt myself, and she was assigned to me.” >Not entirely a lie, but she doesn’t need to know all the details. >Rest relaxes before starting. >”I got to know her while she was there, took her a while to open up.” >Too long to be honest. >>”I can imagine, but you managed somehow though, that much is clear.” >More than you know Connie. >”Yeah, I tried to be her friend while she was there. I kept trying when she was released. I could see she needed a friend.” >Connie looks a little down, but starts to talk. >>”I see, wish I could’ve been there for her.” >Rest reaches out and touches Connie’s wither with a reassuring smile. >”You’re here now Connie, you two talked things out. So that’s in the past now.” >She looks a little happier. >>”Yes that’s true, anyways. So are you a nurse or a doctor?” >Rest’s smile widens. >”I am a nurse, but I have my doctorate. I stay a nurse because it’s easier to manage.” >As they continue to talk, you decide to read a letter. >The next letter looks fairly recent. >Dear Eri, how are you? I’m doing fantastic. I just landed a seat on the Manehattan Symphony Orchestra, can you believe it? Mother and father told me that I should take this opportunity to rub elbows with the Manehattan elite. Personally, I find them dull and boring. They always seem to have their muzzles up each other’s rears. I assume you’re busy, but could you find the time to write me back soon? Sincerely, Connie. >Looking back up, you see Connie is showing Rest something on the stove. >>”The key to cooking something good on the stove top, is on a low flame.” >”Of course, but that takes awhile.” >>”Well yes, but if you rush it, you will likely burn it if you’re not careful.” >Letting out a giggle, you catch their attention “Sorry, just funny seeing you two talking so casually. You both nearly fought each other the other day.” >They look to one another before they both try to talk. >”Well-” >>”It’s-” >”Oh, sorry, you go first.” >>”No, I’m sorry, you can go first.” >Your face is starting to hurt, you really don’t smile often. >”The circumstances were different then, we didn’t know each other, and you looked like you were going to hurt her.” >Connie shoots her a look. >>”At most I was going to get in her face, I didn’t intend to lay a hoof on her.” >Rest looks back to Connie. >”I didn’t know that, I had just met you. You tried to buck the door down and set Eri off, so what was I supposed to think?” >You’re starting to grow worried. >>”I panicked and overreacted. I just had my old friend yell and slam the door on me.” >”Well she had a good reason.” >Connie starts to glare, but stops and tries to compose herself. >>”Yes, that is true, but I didn’t know that then.” >Thankfully that is over, you close your eyes and breath a sigh of relief. >”Eri?” >You look back to Rest. “Sorry, was worried for a sec.” >They both give each other a look and smile. >>”I think we are past fighting one another, don’t you agree?” >Rest nods. >”Agreed, so you were saying?” >Turning your attention back, you grab another letter. >This was one dated a month ago. >Dear Eri, how are you? I know we haven’t spoken in sometime, but I felt the need to write you. I am going on vacation soon, and will be stopping by Ponyville. If possible, I’d like to speak to you face to face. I won’t explain here, but I assure you it is important. Sincerely Connie. >This must have been after her arrest. >To think she wrote you that far in advance, she must’ve waited for you. >Your mood starts to fall further. >Because now you can see she kept trying. >Looking up, you see that Connie just set a bowl on the table. >The two join you, with Rest bringing more bowls with her. >Noticing your distress, Connie grabs your attention. >>”Something wrong Eri? You look upset, more so than usual.” >Snapping out of it, you try to smile, but at most make a halfhearted attempt. “Sorry, I was just reading this letter. It was the last one you sent.” >She raises her eyebrows before continuing. >>”Oh, I see. Yes, that one.” She pauses for a moment. “I had just reached a breakthrough in therapy. My therapist is the one who suggested I come here.” >She sighs, then smiles >>”I’m very grateful that I took her suggestion. Though I wish I had thought it through better.” >Probably could’ve avoided most of this mess, but then you two wouldn’t be trying to fix your friendship. “It’s okay. So, what is this?” >Her smile broadens, but Rest answers. >”It’s veggie soup, Connie helped make it. >Feeling surprised, you look to Connie. >>”I learned to cook when I moved into my apartment. Helped take my mind off things.” >Rest adds in. >”Yeah, I tend to rush because I don’t have much time on my hooves. Except for recently of course.” >That explains why she makes easy recipes. >>”So, are you hungry now?” >Normally you would skip out, but you decide this time not to. >Nodding for her to continue, she grabs a bowl for you. >>”I thought so, that’s why I had Rest make a fair bit.” >As you three eat, you feel something. >Something you haven’t felt in a very long time. >Comfort. >Your eyes start to water, and Rest notices. >”Are you alright? You’re crying.” >Sniffling, you wipe away the tears. “Yeah sorry, just enjoying this.” >’It won’t last forever.’ >I don’t care, let me have this. >They both agree. >”Glad to hear it.” >>”I’m happy to hear you say that.” >Can you honestly say it now? >You have ponies who care about you. >As you three finish up eating, you head back to the living room and start to talk more. >>”So, do you still write poetry?” >You flinch, the old memories flash for a second, but you silence them. “Ye-yeah, I do.” >Connie sees your distress. >>”Sorry, forgot for a moment that is a bit of a tender subject.” >You shake your head. “No it’s fine, I write when I feel like it.” >Though this past week you haven’t written anything. >Then again, you usually focus on your pain when you write. >You decide to ask her as well. “How about you? Do you still play the violin despite everything?” >Although she is still smiling, you can see some hurt in her eyes. >>”Yes I do, I even brought it with me when I came here.” >Something flashes behind her eyes and she gets an excited look on her face. >>”Actually I have an idea! How about tomorrow we have a picnic? I’ll play something for you both.” >You zone out for a moment, a familiar fear fills you. >While you would like to hear to her play again, you’d rather not go outside. >Especially around other ponies. >You’re still getting used to being around these two. >Rest notices you spacing out and tries to fix this. >”Actually Connie, how about we do this indoors? I don’t think Eri is ready to be around other ponies yet.” >You try to talk, but Connie offers up an alternative. >>”Sorry, I forgot about that.” She pauses in thought before continuing. “How about instead, we just have the picnic in your backyard? That way you’re not around others and just us?” >Not a whole lot better, but once more before you can talk, Connie starts to plead. >>”Please Eri? It’s my last day here tomorrow, so it would mean a lot to spend it with you outside.” >’Don’t trust her.’ >No. >’She’s just going to hurt you.’ >Ignoring the thoughts, you smile and nod. “Alright fine, but only because it’s your last day.” >”Eri, are you sure?” >Connie shoots Rest a glare, but you answer her. “Yeah, I’m sure. Though I have to ask, why are you heading back?” >She takes a moment, her face shifting through emotions. >Maybe you shouldn’t say that. “I’m sorry, it’s just, I-” >She lifts her hoof up to stop you. >>”No, that’s fair to ask.” She takes a breath and continues. “I have to check in with my therapist, and still have to pay on the medical fees on the stallion I hurt. In truth, I’d rather not stay in Manehattan anymore. I’ll likely never find anypony in the music industry there take me in, but I will figure things out.” >You wish you could help out. >She smiles at you. >>”I have a friend here, well, I hope you are my friend.” >You feel touched, so you smile back and tell her the truth. “Yeah, guess we can say we are friends.” >Rest clears her throat. >You both look to her. >”Not to sound rude, but I’d think I’m your friend as well now.” >Connie looks surprised, but giggles a little. >>”Of course, I’d like that. I should be going, big day tomorrow.” >She says her goodbyes and departs for the evening. >Even though today went well, tomorrow will both be happy and sad. >”Are you alright? You look upset, I’d say things went great.” >Shaking your head, you try to smile. “Just thinking about tomorrow.” >She nods. >”It will be fine Eri, I’m certain she will be back. Don’t forget that I am here for you.” >’For how long.’ >Pushing the thought aside, you answer her with a nod. “Yeah, yeah I’m sure you’re right. I haven’t forgotten.”