Sitting bolt upright Kain scanned the room he was laying in. A woman in a nurses’ uniform backed away from him looking shocked and a little afraid.
Unarmed, no combat scars or calloused hands. Not a threat.

Instincts kicking in Kain rolled out of the bed and stood up despite the nurses repeated protests that he sit back down. Kain checked the room but the nurse was the only other person in it. It took him a moment to recognise the room as a hospital ward like the one he’d first awaken in.
I’m unarmed. Xath attacked me at the last hospital I stayed in. I need a weapon.

Kain searched around the room for a sharp object.

‘Sir I need you to get back in bed!’ the nurse ordered.

Kain ignored her and kept searching. He saw the door leading through to the bathroom attached to the room. Stalking across the room the blademaster threw open the door. The bathroom was fairly plain with a sink a toilet and a mirror. Spotting no potential weapons Kain walked over to the mirror and smashed it with his elbow, the glass fell to the floor and the nurse behind him screamed in surprise. Kain carefully selected a large piece of glass from the ground; it reflected the light from the windows as Kain examined it critically in his hands. The piece was long and thin and sharp enough to cut his hand while he was holding it.
Short, fragile, hurts to hold. At least it’s sharp. Better than nothing.
Barely.

The nurse ran to the door leading out of the room and into the hallway and screamed ‘someone help me he’s gone crazy!’

Kain ignored her and headed back over to the bed where he ripped a length of bed sheet and wrapped it around his hand.

Now he could hold the glass without getting cut. Just then the door to the hallway burst open and three men came through the door; a doctor and two male nurses.

No combat scars or obvious weapons, medical personnel, three of them, all with hostile intent. Notable potential threat.

‘Drop the glass.’ The doctor ordered Kain.

Lowering himself into a combat ready position, the blademaster waited for one of the men to make the first move. One of the men tried to grab the hand Kain was holding the glass with. Slashing the mans face with his armed hand and reaching out with his free hand Kain grabbed the mans’ arm and twisted it so the man was now facing back towards his friends. Switching his grip on the man, Kain pressed the broken glass against the mans’ throat hard enough to draw blood. The muscles in Kains’ arm tensed as he prepared to drag the makeshift knife across the mans’ jugular.

‘Let the man go!’ A voice from the hallway instructed.

Kain recognised the voice and had no choice but to immediately release the man.

Princess Celestia strode into the room glaring at Kain angrily. ‘Drop the glass.’ She ordered firmly.

Kain hesitated despite the penance in his brain starting to warm up.

‘Kain, I’m ordering you to drop the glass.’ She repeated.

The penance flared to life and Kain could no longer ignore the burning sensation, he immediately dropped the glass to the floor where it shattered into smaller pieces.

‘Now get back in the bed.’

The sizzling inside his skull forced Kain to take a few steps backward and slide under the bed sheets, though he still looked like he was about to attack at any second. His one eye was still jumping back and forth between the different people in the room but always they’d return to Celestia.
Unarmed, lying down. Not a combat ready position. At a disadvantage.

Greater folk, unarmed, powerful in magic, very dangerous.

The three men immediately went to restrain him but Celestias voice rang out again. ‘No! stand back.’

The three hesitantly obeyed and stepped back keeping a wary eye on Kain.

‘Kain answer me. Where are you?’ Celestia asked but ordered at the same time.

The adrenaline flowing through Kains’ brain made it difficult for him to think. It took a few seconds for him to digest the question and a few more for him to find a suitable answer.

‘Hospital.’ He said with a frown of thought on his face. His eyes still moved rapidly but there was an uncertainty in them.

‘Why would you be in hospital?’ Celestia asked stepping closer, her voicing taking on a calming and reasoning tone.

Kains frown deepened as he thought harder ‘I was wounded. Needed medical attention.’

Celestia nodded and continued. ‘Now who are these people?’ she gestured at the rooms other occupants.

Kain glanced at them before returning his stare to Celestia ‘Healers.’

‘Why are they here?’

‘To heal… me…’ he then slumped back in the bed, normal reasoning returning to him.

This wasn’t combat, Xath wasn’t going to arrive at any moment. Kain had been wounded and needed help, someone had brought him here. His mind exhausted all other possible lines of thought before it returned to being wounded. Slowly and painfully he ran through the things that had been done to him. Putting one hand to his face he touched the blemished skin that had grown over the space his eye had used to occupy, he didn’t need to check himself to know what other wounds he’d suffered.

Celestia stood by the bed watching him but made no move to reassure the man as a tear rolled out of his remaining eye. Kain didn’t make any move to rub the water away he just slumped back into the bed and chuckled to himself bitterly.
Another tear appeared and Kain wiped it away. ‘Freaking pussy.’ He muttered to himself still chuckling. ‘Damn it.’ His laughter stopped and he turned to face Celestia. ‘Who saved me?’

Celestia answered ‘Rarity and Rainbow. And Gilda.’

The man thought about that for a second ‘I might have expected that from Rainbow, but not that bloody horned folk.’

‘Well it’s because of that “Bloody horned folk” that your even here at all.’

Kain nodded but didn’t say anything.

‘Are you able to finish training the girls?’

Laughter came out of Kains lips but it sounded like a funeral procession ‘If it means seeing him dead then I’ll train the whole town.’

Celestia nodded. ‘I’ll return tonight when you’ve had time to think things through.’ She turned to the doctor ‘Explain the injuries to him and what they mean.’ Then she stood up and walked out the door.

The doctor bowed at the retreating princess and turned to Kain.

Picking up the clipboard hanging off the end of Kains bed the doctor said ‘Ok. There were multiple burns on your body mainly on the chest, stomach and back but there were several burns on your legs and a deep laceration to the left thigh. The most significant injuries were to your genitals and your left eye. We had a full circle of thirteen unicorns on staff to heal you but with burning like this there’s no avoiding permanent damage. You will be permanently blind in your left eye but there are…’

The doctors rambling faded into background noise as Kain shifted to stare out the window.
Damn you.
---

Gilda knocked on the front door to Carousel Boutique and waited for some response from inside. It took her about a minute before she remembered this was a shop and open for business.

Stepping inside to the sound of the bell on the door, and feeling like a home invader or something, Gilda examined the luxurious interior of the shop.
Classy place for classy rich pricks

Then she remembered that Rarity was the one who ran the shop and felt guilty about thinking so poorly about what was clearly a labour of love for the fashion obsessed horn folk.

Sitting at the counter was a young horned folk girl who looked really bored. When Gilda stepped through the door the girls eyes narrowed and she examined the gryphon shrewdly.

‘I remember you.’ She said to Gilda ‘You were the bully who made Fluttershy cry last year.’

Gilda coughed ‘Yeah… That might have been me.’ She shifted awkwardly and repositioned the duffle bag slung over her shoulder ‘Hey is Rarity around?’

Sweetie Bell ignored her question ‘You’re mean. Don’t tell me that you’re the one who’s going to be staying with us?’

Gilda didn’t like the kids tone and glared her response back at her ‘Yeah that’s me. What of it?’

The child shrank back under the glare ‘Nothing.’

‘Where’s Rarity at?’ Gilda asked a bit more forcefully than she may have needed to.

Sweetie answered quickly ‘She’s upstairs making a guest room for you.’

Feeling satisfied that Sweetie was appropriately demure in her response, Gilda headed up the stairs. The kid had a point though, what Gilda had done to Fluttershy was pretty mean and she had to make an effort to try and get along with these people now. Deciding to make a point of apologising to the timid winged folk, Gilda was thankful that Dash hadn’t heard about that particular event or she doubted that the brash weather folk would have even listened to her at the night club.

The griffon heard the sound of humming and followed it to its source. A door let her into a room that she presumed was to be her guest bedroom. It was a nice bedroom and Gilda enjoyed the thought of sleeping in a nice bed for once but what truly caught her attention was the sight of Rarity in all her beautiful glory standing in the middle of a cloud of bed sheets pillows and garments all floating around her.
Damn…

Rarity was dressed casually in a white summer dress but the way it was cut, it hugged her perfectly and revealed absolutely nothing while sending the imagination into over drive. Her perfect figure was silhouetted by the glow of the magic that surrounded her and her brunette hair cascaded around her shoulders and sparkled in the sunlight streaming through the window. The song she was humming was catchy and light hearted and she would occasionally sing a few lines revealing a very nice singing voice.
I want that voice screaming my name.

Back turned to Gilda she hadn’t noticed the griffon walk in and Gilda was glad about that. The chaotic mess of objects in the air all coalesced and floated around the room to their rightful spots. The sheets and pillows created a perfectly made bed and the sideboard was lined with a variety of hair brushes and hair products, though Gilda wondered what the hell she was supposed to do with a hairbrush and a head of feathers.

Satisfied with her work Rarity turned around and gasped in shock seeing the griffon standing there watching her. ‘Oh!’ She put a hand to her chest. ‘I thought I was alone. I told Sweetie to let me know when you arrived.’

Gilda shrugged ‘Well she didn’t do that.’ she was enjoying the shocked reaction Rarity gave but made no sign that she cared at all. ‘So this is where I’m sleeping?’

Rarity nodded ‘Yes. I’m sorry it’s a bit of a mess but I only put it together at the last minute.’
This is short notice? What would it be like with preparation?

Nodding casually Gilda took a step towards the bed and said ‘Where do I dump my stuff?’

A beautiful Smile lit up Raritys face and she indicated the cupboard and drawers. ‘Well you may be staying with us for a while so feel free to unpack it into the cupboards as you see fit.’

Gilda tried not to but she couldn’t help but grin in response to that dazzling curve of perfect red lips and shining white teeth. ‘Thanks. I’ll do that.’
Whatever, every now and then you have to let people know that you’re glad they’re around.

They stood there smiling at each other awkwardly for a second before Rarity said ‘Well… I’ll just leave you to unpack.’ And walked out the door and headed downstairs.

Dropping the dufflebag onto the bed, and instantly ruining the work Rarity had done to make it so perfectly, the griffon unzipped the top and started to unpack her few possessions. The duffel bag and what she was wearing represented all of Gildas' possession in the world. It didn’t take long for Gilda to unpack what little there was. A weeks’ worth of clothes that all carried the themes of worn and travel stained, but at least they were clean at the moment. Some thin cords that Gilda used as a snare when she went hunting rabbits or some other small creature, a few jars of disinfectant that she made herself for cleaning wounds, a couple of knives that were used to skin and clean foods, a battered metal pot and a few tins of processed meat that specialist retailers sold to carnivores or as she liked to call it; slop crap.

Gilda looked at herself in the mirror and realised that she was wearing the same clothes she’d been wearing since the morning Xath had attacked. Thinking about how badly she must smell Gilda grabbed a change of clothes and headed down stairs.

‘Hey Rarity!’ she called out.

The elder horned folk poked her head out a door ‘Yes?’

Gilda stopped halfway down the stairs ‘Mind if I take shower? I haven’t gotten a chance since yesterday so I must smell like shit.’

Rarity cringed. ‘Fine but please remember that we share this space with my little sister and I’d appreciate it if you watched your language with her around.’

Realising that she’d cursed, Gilda thought to herself that the high class folk must have an aversion to such language ‘Oh shit, I’m sorry.’ Gilda cringed right after she finished that sentence and put a hand to her mouth.

Rarity merely raised an eyebrow at her.

Gilda chuckled sheepishly ‘Um… Sorry. I’ll try not to.’

Rarity nodded and returned to what she’d been doing.

Gilda headed upstairs and into the bathroom. When she saw the shower she smiled to herself. Eagerly digging off her clothes she threw herself under the shower head the moment her skin was bare. Turning the hot water on she received a blast of cold but after a few seconds the water started to heat up and Gilda turned the cold water up to match it. This was it. This was the single greatest achievement of civilisation.
Hot. Fucking. Water!

Gilda almost moaned with pleasure at the warm water cascading down her toned body. It had been so long since she’d had a shower. Bathing yourself in a river was invigorating sure, but it was never going to match the sheer comfort and joy of a hot shower.
I could go the rest of my life on only dog chow and not a taste of fresh meat if it meant a hot shower every night.
---

Celestia observed Kain from the door for a few seconds before entering. The man looked bored and really not at all like he’d just suffered through a traumatic experience or like he’d nearly killed an innocent just a few hours earlier. Turning towards the sound of footsteps he observed her as she approached him.

‘Boss lady.’ Kain nodded at her.

Celestia sat down in the chair next to his bed.

‘What did you want to talk about?’ he asked her.

Celestia considered for a second. ‘Did you make any observations about Xath while he had you captured?’

Kain barked out a laugh ‘You know, the more time I spend with you the more I realise this whole benevolent loving queen persona that you’ve got the whole world believing is just an act. You’re a real cold one aren’t you? This’ he pointed at his eye ‘was done to me just last night and you’re asking me to relive the experience?’

Celestia gave him a flat look ‘I know you’ve already gone over it yourself so don’t pretend that I’m the cause. Tell me, that’s an order.’

Kain sat back in his bed and thought about it. ‘Honestly our chances are better than I thought they were. Xath is clearly insane, he has at least three different personality living inside his head. More than that, they don’t always get along. That means he’s unstable so there’s a chance we can turn him against himself.’

‘When I fought him he was sloppy. I was always the better fighter but he was far from a bad one. But yesterday he’d been genuinely terrible. I don’t think he’s been keeping up with his practice. I think he’s let himself go because of his superhuman nature. He was always disciplined but now I think the personalities are letting themselves get overconfident.’

‘Also I’m surprisingly pleased by the six girls. Twilight’s the only one I would consider genuinely bad or not worth training under normal circumstances, but even then she has the sheer magical power to back it up.

‘Pinkie Pie and Rarity are pretty mediocre to be sure but I’ve seen Rarity working with magic and I’ve known few horned folk who could manage so many complicate telekinetic actions at once while still maintaining so much dexterity with each individual action. Heh, I can only imagine how many swords she could keep in the air at a time… And Pinkie while she’s not great, she is still highly unusual and unusual in a good way, a dangerous way.’

‘Fluttershy is surprisingly good overall, she could become a blademaster with time and effort, although she’s not quite aggressive enough, still a good edition though and under normal circumstances I’d be happy to train her.

‘Rainbow Dash is great, with just a bit more discipline she could easily become a blademaster, she has a problem with getting carried away and overextending herself but that can be fixed. She’s also insanely fast, which is a big help and she has a natural aggression none of the others really possess. And lastly we have Applejack. Does she have a cutie mark?’

Celestia nodded ‘Yes. In farming.’

‘Huh… Sure it’s in farming? Cause that girl’s a freaking prodigy with a blade.’ His voice took on an enthusiastic tone as he spoke. ‘She has more raw talent than I ever had and not blowing my own trumpet or anything but that’s a big statement. I was considered one of the five best swordsmen around. I would love to see her continue training after the three months have ended. She could be a blade master in half a year. I never have to show her anything twice and she’s disciplined and focused. Normally when you’re talking about larger swordsmen all the strength advantage they have is often undermined by the fact that their idiots but not so with Applejack. She’s in the moment constantly and reacting appropriately instantly but she still has foresight and planning. I see it when she fights any of the others or even me. Every move she makes is part of a larger strategy as she draws you to where she wants you to be, where she has the advantage. That is a talent that you only pick up after months with the sword and she has it after only a few days. It’s hard to explain the details to someone who’s not also a swordsman, but she has insane potential and I would love to have her as my full time apprentice.’

‘In the end the six of them could become very dangerous with a year or twos training. I think we actually have a good chance of beating Xath at the end of these three months.’

Celestia nodded, she was glad to hear their chances had improved, but she was more than a little concerned about how easily some of the girls were picking up these skills. Celestia had worked long and hard over the past thousand years not just to end war, but the means of conducting it, and that had included the martial arts. Even her guardsmen had limited training; just enough to overcome the average folk should they cause trouble. And here was Kain excitedly talking about how easy it would be to convert the elements of harmony into a well-disciplined killing machine.
Damn Xath and Damn Kain. I will not allow that knowledge to return to the world even if I must use it for now.

‘That reminds me.’ Kain spoke ‘We’re going to have to move the girls out of Ponyville. Xath now knows who they are and he’ll come after them.’

Celestia waver her hand ‘That won’t be a problem. Xath won’t be returning to Ponyville for at least two months.’

Kain examined her for a second. ‘Why?’

Celestia ‘That’s none of your concern.’

Kain considered her for a second. ‘You used the pact didn’t you? Somehow you figured out how to use it properly. What did you do?’

Celestia narrowed her eyes at Kain ‘I did what I had to and that’s all you’ll ever know. Do not bring this up again with me or anyone else. If anyone asks you simply say that the princess took care of it.’

Kain glared at her but Celestia knew the penance would force him to comply with her wishes. ‘Xath was trying to get the location of the pact out of me. I hope you know how dangerous it could be if he got his hands on it.’

Celestia ignored him ‘One last thing. You’ll have a new student.’

Kain seemed angry now ‘What?! Why, who is it?’

‘Gilda, the Griffon.’ Celestia stood up ‘I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at what she has to offer.’ And with that she turned and walked out the door.

Kain shouted after her ‘I don’t get enough one on one with them as it is and you want to throw in another?’

Celestia ignored him and kept on walking.
---

Fluttershy sat on the couch in her living room and fought back the urge to start crying. For the past hour since she’d gotten home all she could do was relive the horrible memory of yesterday again and again. No matter how she tried she couldn’t stop hearing the sound of Applejacks’ arm breaking and the screaming that followed it.

But worse, much worse, was the memory of how Applejack had been sobbing and trying to stand back up and all Fluttershy had done was watch. Yes, she’d been stunned and in pain at the time but she couldn’t remember the last time she’d reacted so poorly when a friend was in danger.

And the worst part, the absolute worst part was that Applejack had been trying to save Fluttershy when it had happened. Poor helpless Fluttershy had been the reason that her friend was hurt. If Twilight hadn’t been there Fluttershy didn’t know what they would’ve done.

Now all she could do was sit here and not cry, because crying would make her feel better and she didn’t want to feel better. The guilt was deserved and she had no place trying to feel otherwise.

Just then a knock sounded at the door and startled Fluttershy. Standing cautiously Fluttershy approached the door and peeked through the peephole. Outside was Gilda who, as Fluttershy watched, shrugged her shoulders and turned away.
Fluttershy opened the door and Gilda turned around at the sound.

‘Hey. I came by because I- woah!’ Gilda broke off when she saw Fluttershys’ face.

Fluttershy guessed that some of her internal emotions must be readable on her face.

Blinking in surprise Gilda continued like nothing was wrong ‘Umm… Anyway. I heard that you sometimes take in wounded carnivores, and well I was wondering how you fed them… Because, you know, I’m a carnivore and there isn’t anyone around here that sells meat. So I was wondering if I could like, buy from where you’re buying from or something.’

Considering her request for a second Fluttershy nodded and stepped back to allow Gilda to come inside. Gilda looked confused for a second before shrugging her shoulders and stepping through the door. Fluttershy led her through her house to a small room were Rarity had a desk and a light set up. There was a lot of paperwork involved in any kind of medical work and wounded animals were no exception. This room was set up purely for this reason. Reaching over a bundle of paperwork Fluttershy found the business card for a company that provided supplies for vets. Applejack also bought cans of dog food for Winona through them. Fluttershy handed the card to Gilda who took it and wrinkled her nose in disgust at it.

Handing it back to the winged folk the griffon said ‘Yeah… no thanks. I’m a step or two above eating dog food. I’ll just have to get my hunting license renewed or something.’

Fluttershy felt disgusted that a sentient creature would go hunting rather than face an alternative which meant she wouldn’t directly harm living creatures. Dropping the card on the table, Fluttershy walked to the front door and Gilda followed her.

The griffon spoke to Fluttershys back ‘I sorta have another reason to be here as well. I remember when I was in town last year I sort of roared at you and made you cry. I just thought I should say that, you know, that wasn’t cool and I was out of line and you know, I’m sorry and stuff…’

Fluttershy didn’t buy that for a second. It was obvious Gilda was just saying that to try and get closer to Dash. Stopping at the front door Fluttershy waved a hand at Gilda indicating she should leave.

Gilda stopped at the door and turned to Fluttershy ‘So… Are we cool?’

Fluttershy decided on something right then. No she was not going to be helpless anymore, and that meant starting right here, right now.

‘No we are not “cool”.’ Fluttershy rounded on Gilda who looked shocked ‘You’re only saying sorry to me because Rainbow Dash is making you. If you were actually sorry I would be willing to forgive you but at the moment your nothing but a bully! A bully who’s just trying to get closer to Dash so you can just screw up and hurt her again. I’m not going to help you do that!’ she shouted at Gilda her voice cracking as she finished.

Gilda blinked in surprise. ‘Dude… Rainbow doesn’t even know about this. If she did know about me making you cry she’d probably have tried to kill me.’

Fluttershy felt something inside herself snap. In her first real effort to stand up for herself she’d lashed out at someone with genuinely good intentions. It was all too much; the overwhelming guilt she’d felt earlier combined with the new horror she had with herself for shouting at the innocent Gilda combined to create a crushing despair. At that moment she did the one thing she could do.

Choking out sobs Fluttershy fell to the ground and started to cry heavily.

The griffon could only stare at her for a few seconds before she realised that this was for real. ‘Oh-uh-shit… Umm… It’s not that bad uh… Come on get up, let’s go inside.’

Gilda put her hand around Fluttershys arm and dragged the girl to her feet. Fluttershy barely supported her own weight so Gilda pretty much had to carry her inside before setting her down on the couch. Once Fluttershy was seated Gilda straightened up, she was still unsure what to do. In the end she settled for resting a hand on the sobbing folks shoulder while kneeling down to look her in the eyes.

‘Yeah uh… Dude it’s not like that. You don’t have to feel bad about what you said to me. I would’ve thought the same thing if I were you.’ Gilda shuffled her feet awkwardly. ‘Listen. I’m really shit at this heart to heart and emotions stuff but you really don’t need to feel bad. I only really apologised to you because well… I’m going to be joining you in Kains’ lessons and I didn’t want there to be anything between us cause we’re going to have to work together and stuff. I admit that I’m really not that sorry about shouting at you. Yeah I was being a douche, but I totally expected you to get angry at me rather than running off and crying. But that doesn’t change the fact we do have to try and get along. So really, you’re not in the wrong here and I uhhhh… sort of am. So you shouldn’t feel guilty and I should but I don’t. So umm… Please stop crying because now I’m actually starting to feel bad and-’

‘What the hell is going on here?’ a heavily accented voice shouted from the open door.

Gilda jerked to her feet like she’d been burned. This only made her look guilty.

Applejack strode into the room angrily ‘What did you do to her?’ she waved a hand at Fluttershy.

Gilda spoke out ‘No dude it’s not like that. I came over to speak to her about meat but she only had dog food and then I said sorry, she shouted and I said she was wrong and then she started crying and then I tried to make her stop and I swear that’s it.’

Applejack blinked at the griffon. ‘Sugar, I’m pretty sure that story made sense to you but I’m not sure what you’re trying to say to me.’

Gilda sighed in frustration ‘Look. I’m pretty sure it’s not my fault she’s crying. She seemed pretty fucked when I got here and she’s just hit her limit or something when she shouted at me.’

Applejack blinked again. ‘Fluttershy shouting?’ she turned to Fluttershy and kneeled in front of her ‘What’s wrong sugar?’ The earth folk asked gently and placed her hand on the sobbing sky folks shoulder.

Staring into Applejacks eyes Fluttershy threw herself into her friends arms. ‘I’m so sorry. I’m sorry. Oh it’s my all fault.’

‘What’s all yer fault?’ Applejack gently repeated and wrapped Fluttershy into a deep hug.

‘Your arm and what happened to you and everything!’ after that everything Fluttershy said was incomprehensible between sobs and deep breaths.

Applejack looked over to Gilda ‘Ah think ya better go.’

Gilda nodded and headed out the front door, closing it behind herself.

Appleack refocussed her attention on the folk in her arms ‘Flutters, it ain’t cher fault. It ain’t no-ones fault other than Xath himself.’

Fluttershy shook her head ‘But if you hadn’t tried to save me then you wouldn’t have had your arm broken.’

Applejack spoke sternly ‘Listen sugar. What ah did was dumb, charging in shouting like an idiot. Ah’m just lucky that Celestia decided it was important enough to call in the horned doctors or my arm would still be broken. Ah don’t blame you for that and you shouldn’t neither. And ah know Rarity ain’t mad.’ Her tone become more light hearted ‘Now rub your eyes clear and stop thinking you’re so special that everything ah do happens cause a you.’

Fluttershy giggled at that through her tears.

‘Come on girl.’ Applejack stood up and pulled Fluttershy up with her. ‘Let’s talk this out. I’ll be here for as long as you need me.’
---

Gilda sighed with relief the moment that door closed. How the hell were you supposed to deal with something like that? Shaking her head she started down the path leading back towards the centre of town.
What the fuck? What was wrong with her? How can anyone just break down like that in front of a stranger?

All she could think was she was so glad that Applejack had shown up when she did.
---

Kain came out of the bathroom dressed in his usual attire. The doctors had cleared him to leave and he’d immediately gotten up to change out of the paper thin gown that had been forced on him. When he’d changed he’d checked his wounds and couldn’t help but remember how each of them was made. All he kept thinking that he was glad that he wouldn’t need to be put on hormone replacement therapy. Though he’d never sleep with another woman in this lifetime.
Stopping at the bed he noticed the eyepatch lying on his pillow. Next to it was a note.

Picking up the note and flipping it open, it simply read: ‘Put it on.’ it was signed by princess Celestia. Seething at taking orders from her even when she wasn’t in the room Kain slid the eye patch on. Vision suddenly returned to his left eye. It was blurry and he couldn’t focus it but Kain decided that the magical eye patch was a superior alternative to complete blindness.

Returning to the bathroom and checking himself in the now repaired mirror Kain stared at his new reflection. The eyepatch covered most of his scarring but blemished skin still showed around the edges. Raising his hand Kain touched his reflection.

‘I’ll end you.’ He promised Xath. ‘No matter what it takes, you will die.’