I was sitting on the same chair I sat on the last time I was in Amethyst’s room. I was already feeling uncomfortable staying there as soon as I looked at the bed. Sitting across me was Amethyst. She seemed as uncomfortable as me, though there’s also a hint of worry somewhere in her eyes.

“So, what was it you wanted to talk about?” I finally broke the silence.

“So, uhm, I was thinking of what you told about yourself and…” she bit her lower lip.

“You told the Larynx and the others?” I asked her, tilting my head to the side.

“N-No! I mean, not yet anyways…” She quickly replied before looking at the door then back at me. “Would it be okay though?”

“Amethyst, I’m not really sure about what I told you is actually true. So it’s best not to tell them until I’m really sure about my story, okay?” I told her, to which she merely nodded her head.

“That wasn’t what you wanted to talk about it, was it?”

Her ears splayed sideways and she shook her head.

I sighed, “So, what is it really?”

She closed her eyes and took a deep breathe before she said, “I’m really worried about you…”

I just stared at her. She opened her eyes and looked back at me after a few seconds of silence. She began chewing the inside of her cheek after a few more seconds.

“Why…?” I finally asked her.

“Why? Why?” She looked at me in disbelief, “Eclipse, have you heard what that stallion said to you? About how he’ll hunt you down and nothing will stand in his way?”

“Amethyst, I’ll be-”

“No! Don’t tell me you’ll be fine! Don’t tell me that!” She yelled at me. After a few seconds, she quickly withdraw from me and look down, “I-I’m sorry...I didn’t mean to yell at you like that.”

I tapped the table to direct her attention back to me, “It’s okay, I understand why you feel like this. But I can assure you, I’m the least of your problems.”

“What do you mean?” She hesitantly asked.

“I mean that I shouldn’t be your main focus of worry, Amethyst,” I told her. “You have much more to worry about, much more important things than me.”

“B-But what about--?”

I quickly interrupted her, “Amethyst, I am nobody special, just another Wasteland resident.”

Once more, her ears flattened backwards and she looked down at the table. She muttered out, “You’re special to me…”

I sighed and let my foreleg guide her face to look back at me, “I must have really done something to make you feel like this in just a few days, huh?”

She slowly reached out for my foreleg and held it tightly, “I always feel like I’m safe when I’m with you...that I can trust you with my life anytime. And, you proved it when you risked your life for...the four of us.”

She let out a small chuckle and sighed, “Do I sound too cliché?”

I nodded my head and smiled, “The way you started was already cliché to begin with.”

“Anyways, what I’m trying to say is that...I greatly value our friendship, Eclipse,” Amethyst closed her eyes once more and tightened her grip on me, “And I...I don’t know what I’ll do without you. We may be together for a few days but I can’t help but to feel this way.”

Tears were starting to appear at the edges of Amethyst’s eyes, followed by her sobbing. Though I understood everything she said, my mind had to process it a million times. Instinctively, I closed the distance between us with a warm embrace, which she immediately returned.

“Please take care of yourself,” she whispered.

“I will,” I answered before breaking the embrace. I looked at her and wiped the tears off her face.

“Now, go to sleep, Amethyst. It’s pretty late and you must be really tired today,” I told her before gently kissing her on the forehead, which made her body stiffen for a moment. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

I slowly removed my forelegs from her grip and got up from the chair. I gave her one last smile before I made my way for the door.

“Uhm, that kiss...W-Was there an intention behind it?” Amethyst quietly asked before I managed to open the door. “I-I-I don’t mean to imply that you're implying that...ngh…”

“I kissed you with the intention of making you feel safe,” I answered as I opened the door. Looking back at her, I included, “This has nothing to do with romance, if you’re wondering. We’re still just friends, one reason being that we have been together for just a few days.”

For a moment, she deadpanned. Then after what I said kicked, she gave a sheepish smile as her face slowly turned red. She stammered out, “R-Right, just friends!”

I just shook my head as I stepped outside of the room.

Sitting in the lobby area, I wasted my time reading the old books and magazines they had. Interestingly, there were some magazines that had...questionable topics, not to mention some of the pictures it included. Like what anypony (more specifically, any stallion) would have done, I looked around and picked one up.

I was soon immersed in reading that I haven’t notice a certain pony sit next to me.

“Enjoying what you read, Eclipse?”

With a yelp, I immediately closed the book. I looked to my side and found Doc silently chuckling. Regaining my composure, I cleared my throat and placed the book down.

“Uh, hey Doc,” I greeted him. “What are you doing here?”

He placed a saddlebag on a nearby table, “I’m here to give your things back. I’m surprised to hear from Larynx that you and his sister ganged up on him, is that true?”

I smiled at the memory, “Well, I guess he deserved it. But I doubt we hurt him that much, there was barely a bruise on him after the supposed attack.”

Doc nodded, “I see. Well, it seems that Larynx still has hope he can be an actor.”

“He has the potential, I suppose,” I told him. Again, he just nodded.

“Anyways, here’s your things,” he opened the bag and started placing things on top of the table, “The armored up Stable suit, a modified revolver, a statuette, and an old looking fedora hat and trench coat.”

I looked at the things the placed, relieved to see them in good shape. I grabbed the statuette first, studying it before hugging it like a foal receiving a toy for the first time.

“You seem pretty happy to have that,” Doc mentioned, having an amused look on his face.

“You have no idea,” I told him, giving the statuette another look. “I really missed having this with me, it somewhat gives out a calming effect.”

“I see what you mean,” Doc then looked at the revolver. “How about this gun? How do you feel about it?”

I stared at it, “Well, it give me a sense of safety, of course. But I can’t help but to feel this weapon was made...for me. It was the first one I found and used and it stuck through with me for a long time.”

He nodded, seemingly thinking about what I said, “What about the stable suit and the old clothes?”

“The stable suit is a somewhat painful memory, but the old clothes...I only used those recently, before I arrived here.” I answered, studying the articles of clothing. Somehow, after all this time, somewhere in my mind tells me that ponies wearing clothes just doesn’t seem to make sense.

“Ah, I see,” Doc said, nodding his head again. “Now that we have gotten those thing out of the way, would it be okay if I were to ask you a question?”

“Uh, sure thing, Doc,” I told him after some hesitation.

“How are you, and uhm, Amethyst?”

I sighed and placed the small pink pony back at the table, “We’re fine, I guess. You’re the doctor, tell me, is there something wrong?”

He looked at Amethyst’s room then back at me, “Well, I just want to know if she’s alright. It was her first time out there, you know? And if she is hurt, then Larynx would stir up a storm...and you wouldn’t want to see that, I’m telling you.”

I scratched the back of my head and thought, Well, was there anything wrong with her?

“Can’t be sure, Doc, but she seemed a bit too attached to me after that trip,” I told him, smiling a bit, “Though I reckon she’d be fine, if not mentally scarred from what she seen...out there.”

“What happened out there?” Doc asked, ears perked up.

“None of the ponies I brought back with me told you?” I asked back. Usually, the saved ones told what happened to the audience about what happened if the savior has been killed or in critical condition. That could be just my thinking though.

“They...did, though I found it unbelievable. You met face-to-face with one of the most viscous raiders in the wasteland, got impaled but survived, and still managed to make it here. Not to mention the fact that you got Chara back and...the death of Sebastian.”

A mixture of sorrow, amazement, and joy came across his face. I sighed and keep my eyes on the statuette.

Don’t think about it. Don’t think about it. Don’t think about it.

An uncomfortable silence has lingered in the air. The once cozy lobby has turned too cold to my skin and the comfortable chair I sat on turned too hard for my rump. After a few more unbearable minutes, I turned to Doc and asked him something.

“Got some apple cider?”

With that, Doc was jolted out of whatever world he was in. He looked at me, then after a moment of what looked like he was thinking, he shook his head and let out a chuckle.

“Some? We got plenty!” He answered, which he followed with more laughter. “Ever since we got that Apple project going, with the help of a Stable, we can rest easy knowing we have something to drink in an event!”

I can feel my mouth watering. Without wasting anymore time, I popped the question, “So, shall we grab a drink?”

With an eager nod similar to a young colt, he answered, “You don’t even need to ask me that question.”

Packing all my things in one saddlebag as fast as I can, I followed Doc out of the door and to where cider awaits us.

Thump

Thump

Thump

Keeping my eyes on my book, I yelled out, “The door’s open!”

It was another winter in Equestria, just another normal day as any other. Even if there was a war raging, and it’s fire is getting fiercer everyday, a lot of folks like to act as if everything was fine. Including me, of course.

Reading a book inside a cozy room in an apartment during winter was the way to go.

Thump

Thump

Thump

“I said, the door is open!” I yelled out again, starting to get annoyed. The book in question was a great one, something similar to Daring Do. I wouldn’t dare take my eyes off it lest I forget which part I currently am.

Thump

Thump

[THUMP

I slammed my head on the table and sighed, trying not to yell at whoever is knocking on my door. The last time I did that, I nearly got kicked out for being “rude” to the land-mare. In my defense, who on their right mind would keep on knocking at the dead of the night?

“All right, all right! I’m coming, sheesh...” I told the door. With some reluctance, I turned the chair (It was a swivel chair, mind you) to face the door and got up, only for a familiar orange mare burst into my room.

“Hi-Hiiiya cuz~!” She slurred out, walking a bit around my room while trying not to tip over. The only thing I managed to do was to look at her in bewilderment.

“Wha-What on Equestria are you doing here?!” I demanded. “And where you drinking?”

“Why-hic-why are ya askin me all these question?” She whined as she put on a puppy face, “Aren’t...aren’t ya happy t’see me?”

“Well, Ah’ll be happier t’see ya if ya told me earlier that you’ll be comin,” I answered her, imitating her accent.

She walked around a bit until she discovered my bed. She plop down on it with a happy sigh, “Ah...ah thought ah did-hic-”

I sighed and sat back on the chair, rubbing the side of my head. She did and I received it. I was expecting her to come for sometime now but not in this state. Her mane looked like a tornado passed by it, there were dark and huge shadows beneath her eyes...and it looked like she was crying for some time.

“Hey, what have you been drinking?” I asked her.

“Sweet...sweet apple cider…” she mumbled, hugging a nearby pillow.

“I thought apple cider can’t make you drunk,” I pointed out.

She giggled a bit, “Th’softies don’t...but it’s the-hic-th’hardies ya wanna...look for.”

I was beginning to worry, “Hey, you still with me? This is out of character for you...very out of character. What’s wrong?"

“What’s...what’s wrong?” She got up and faced me with a smile, “No-nothin’s wrong, other than that blasted-hic-war!”

She threw an imaginary something and plop back down on the bed. I was glad she didn’t threw the pillow, it was my favorite.

I sighed again and proceeded to continue reading my book. She might as well sleep and get over the effects of being drunk anyways. I’m aware that she’s acting so unusual but it’s better to talk to her once she’s sober.

“Hey...aren’t ya...goin t’ask me more questions?” She whined again, looking at me. “Ah thought...ah thought you-hic-cared about...me?”

“Why do you think I’m single after all this years?” I told her, a stupid grin on my face.

“Because yer socially awkward?”

I took a deep breath and closed the book. Well, she got me there.

“Well, yeah. The only mares I’ve talked to is you six, comfortably that is,” I agreed. “So, now you’ve got my attention, how are you?”

“Whyy...why don’t ya just try -hic- try hittin on one of us?” She blabbered out, letting out another giggle. “Ah mean, Rare...that white unicorn looks sexy~”

“Okay, you just made this whole meeting awkward,” I had to battle the thought that came to mind, “And no, I wouldn’t try to start some relationship with one of you six...especially in this time.”

She continued laughing like a little foal.

I cleared my throat, hoping to get her attention, “Anyways, speaking of you six...how are your friends? It’s been a long time since I...actually talked to them face-to-face.”

“F-Friends? Mah friends?” Her giggle slowly faded as a far-away look took place in her eyes. “Our...friendship...friends...war…”

“Hmm? You’re not making sense,” I leaned in closer. She looked at me, her eyes moist and filled with pain.

“Cuz, ah have a feelin that our friends...aren’t exactly friends anymore,” she slowly told me.

“What do you mean?” I asked her, “You six have been best friends for a hell of a time now, what happened?”

She sighed heavily and started to explain, “Pinkie’s addicted t’some mints and Twi’s takin her addiction seriously. Fluttershy’s been...under heavy fire after some...mishaps. Rarity’s been t’busy with her work, same goes for Twi. Ah’m not sure about Dash though….All too busy or holding grudges against each other t'have a nice and proper...friendly meeting.”

She hiccuped once more and closed her eyes, “This war...has been affectin lot’s of us, cuz. Ah just wanna...close mah eyes and hope this is all just some bad dream…”

I shook my head in disbelief, “You six have been through together for a long time now. You all have faced many challenges together and still through with each other. This war shouldn’t be different from the other challenges you girls faced. Especially in times like this, friendship should be maintained."

“Hah...ya do care about me…” she smiled.

“Yes, yes I do care about my lil’ cousin,” I agreed. “Now, since you’re here and still pretty...out of your mind, go to sleep. Tomorrow morning, I’m making sure you have a little talk with your group of friends, that is, if you manage to wake up.”

“Why...can’t ya just...can’t ya come with...me...” She mumbled out as she slowly drifted to sleep. Shaking my head, I waited for a few minutes before getting out of the chair to put a blanket over her. Carefully, I reached down under the bed and grabbed one of my drinks, Sunset Sarsparilla.

“I’m afraid I can’t do that, this problem is up to you six to fix,” I quietly answered, waiting for a response from her. Only thing I got was a snore, which made me sigh in relief. Removing the cap and sitting back on my chair, I took a sip as I opened a drawer. Inside was rolled-up blueprint, a letter from the Crusaders, and writing materials.

I looked at the bottle of cider, just woken up by some noise. The dream was somewhat fresh in my mind. I furrowed my eyebrows, thinking hard. Was it a memory? Or was it just really another dream? It seemed familiar, yet, I don’t feel like it belonged to me. Conflicted feeling arise as I continue to think, trying to remember the other dreams. But slowly, just like any other dream, it fades away no matter how much I tried to remember it.

Who am I and why am I here?