Dear Diary,

My visit with Starsong was wonderful but all too short. Her latest contract called her and the orchestra back onto the road almost immediately after they arrived. Knowing how popular they are, though, I guess I should be grateful that I was able to see her at all…

Yesterday was spent almost exclusively at Sweet Apple Acres. When we arrived I introduced her to Big Mac and the rest of the Apple Family. With all the craziness from last week behind us, Applejack and Applebloom were perfectly fine with me and Starsong; Granny Smith was her usual friendly, slightly senile self. I must admit though, I’m a little weirded out by how AJ won’t look me in the eye anymore…

Say what you will about the Apple Family, but they’re certainly gracious hosts. The four of them are amazingly welcoming… you know, when you aren’t trying to break up their family or verbally assaulting their foals… Anyway watching her talking to Big Mac was more than a little nerve-wracking at first, but it seems she really likes him. I’m so glad; having her approval means more to me than I think even she realizes…

Once the pleasantries were over, Big Mac offered to show us around the farm. I don’t think Starsong has ever been on a farm or anything so simple like that before, but she seemed really enthusiastic to see everything… well, almost everything. When we went to the animal pens, she seemed a little overwhelmed by the stench. It was hard not to laugh at the look on her pampered face (sorry Starsong, I know it’s not your fault you were never exposed to how the common ponies live). After that, we wandered into the orchard proper. As we went further in, I couldn’t help but think of the day under the apple trees… and the night by the pond… Thankfully, Starsong didn’t seem to notice the tremendous blush in my face while I struggled to keep up our conversation.

Once we made our way back to the house, we sat down to lunch, though just calling it that seems like a severe understatement; this was nothing short of a feast. AJ and Granny Smith really went all out with the food. I’ve eaten with the Apples before (after Applejack and I, ah…‘made up’, Granny Smith had insisted I stay for dinner to make up for her granddaughter’s rudeness) so I knew the food would be delicious, but I’d never remember seeing that much food at once (I never used to eat with the family back home…). Over the meal, I got Starsong to try Big Mac’s hard apple cider (once again forcing myself not to think about the significance the drink has for the two of us), and as expected she seemed to really enjoy it (because come on, it’s by far the best drink in Equestria; and no, I don’t think I’m overstating it when I say that).

After the lunch feast, we went inside to chat while Big Mac finished his chores for the day. It was nice to get to catch up her, professionally and personally; it reminded me of when we were foals… When Big Mac came back, Starsong again peppered him with questions about him and me. He graciously answered them, though he tactfully (thankfully) avoided mentioning the specifics when she had asked him about how we met.

Anyway, eventually day gave way to night. Starsong, Big Mac and I all walked her back to her hotel before he walked me back to Vinyls. As soon as I got home, I went to sleep, knowing I’d have to get up extremely early to meet Starsong before her train left tomorrow.

I was a bit of a wreck at the station (I’m not really fond of trains; they remind me of unpleasant memories…). We had a small breakfast while we waited. There was no conversation; it wasn’t necessary, just being next to my beloved sister was enough (also I was falling asleep on my hooves…). Anyway, when the train finally arrived, Octavia pulled me aside and asked me to look out for Vinyl for her. I’m not sure what she meant specifically, but something in her voice says like whatever came between them wasn’t completely resolved… After Starsong and I said our goodbyes, I watched as the train pulled out of sight before heading home.

On my way back to Vinyl’s, Octavia’s parting words rung in my head; her comment was a stark reminder that I wasn’t the only pony with heavy things on their mind. I still don’t know what happened between the two of them, but Vinyl is my best friend (really my only close friend since I left Cloudsdale…) and I’m going to be there for her. If I have to stay with her in her house rather than move to my own later so be it; I can think of worse roommates than Vinyl, somepony with whom I have so much in common. Well, in the meantime, I guess I’ll just show her that somepony cares about her…

~ Starshadow