For the first time in a while I have slept straight through the night, no dreams, more importantly, no nightmares. The letter from Magpie, My Magpie is still next to me on my bunk. I cannot wait to get done with duty today so that I can go into town and see her.

However first comes duty, which means after morning formation and roll call we will have the debriefing. This is done in two stages. The first stage requires the Officers and senior NCO’s to talk with the staff ponies about the mission, what occurred. What was found and what was observed. This allows the staff to improve our knowledge about not only what occurred during the battle but other outside news that could affect all of us. I am included in this. Of particular interest is the news of the pegasi I saw, the pamphlet about their Volunteer Corps, and the message traffic I heard over the PipBuck between members of the pegasi forces there. They were not supposed to be there, I guess.

The second part of the debrief involves all of us getting together in small groups and discussing the mission and what we experienced. It helps us to process what we have seen and to understand what occurred better. This is semi-official in that most of what is discussed in the groups stays between us. However, those medical types who are a part of each discussion group also are on the lookout for any cow, mule, or pony that shows signs of wartime stress disorder.

Most of us are familiar with the signs of WSD, a large many of us even have some of the symptoms. While partaking in the discussion I look up and see an old Ministry of Peace poster for WSD, advising every pony to watch for the symptoms of Anxiety, Depression, Trouble sleeping, and suicidal thoughts in their friends and family. Usually, we do not say anything to anyone if we see the signs in ourselves as we do not want to seem weak to the others. I mean how could I expect any of the others in my squad to trust me, much less follow me in battle if I am not strong enough to handle a few extra stones in my saddlebags.

After our afternoon meal, we hold a brief ceremony to honor our comrades who have fallen in defense of our community. Some of the local officials, as well as the Overcow and Overmare, attend. It is led by one of the few clergy leaders we have in the co-op. There are a few, but not many. It seems that not only did a lot of the clergy die who did not make it into the shelters on that fateful day but many of those who were in the shelters and survived had their faith die that day also.

We do a formal roll call. As those who have been wounded names are called the Top Sargent of that company Calls out at the top their lungs, Sick call, wounded in action. When the name of the fallen is called, there is no reply, the name is called three times, each time followed by a silent pause. After the final pause, the company commander calls out, Killed in Action, Died of Wounds. I count the pauses, we lost ten dead in the battle at Hereford. Some of them I had known and served with for years, a couple more stones in my saddlebags.

After this the preacher gives a short service, I start to daydream a bit and think about Magpie. Without moving my head, I look at the other members of my squad. Beside me are Badger, Shadowbuck, and Bullet. They are followed by Ivy and the members of her set. All of us facing forward, some paying rapt attention, others looking bored others thoughtful. I am interrupted from my observations when I hear the preacher end the sermon with “Celestia Protect, and Luna Defend” which we all dutifully repeat back.

After this, we are dismissed for the night. Before heading into town, I head back to the barracks in the stable. As I head over to walk back to the stall with Ivy so I can talk to her, I am surprised to have Badger approach and want to talk with me as we walk back to the stable.

“Hey Sarge, can I talk to you for a bit?” he asks.

Great, just what I need, another stone in my saddlebags. Sighing inwardly, I reply “Sure Badger, what you need to talk about?”

“Sarge; Molly, I just want to say I am so sorry about causing you and Buddy to get shot on that last op. I should have seen them as I went through there. I cannot believe I missed them. It has really been a burr under my saddle. I had to apologize to you, and will to him later.”

I stop, in my tracks, causing him to do so after a couple of more steps. He turns around and then I look him in the eyes and slowly tell him “Badger, while I thank you for the apology, it was not only unnecessary, what happened was not your fault. You had no way of seeing them as you got to your next bit of cover.”

"No Molly, really I should have seen them, I could have turned back and seen them, I was just, I don’t know, preoccupied, busy. I could have gotten you both killed, I could have gotten you killed.” He says with his head down.

I step closer and lift his chin with my hoof “Badger if it's anyone’s fault it is mine. You did fine, I know I can always trust you with my back. “

“Thanks, Sarge,” he says with a smile “I appreciate it, I still will feel guilty. Just so you know, I know it is not your fault. You were on the move, not on overwatch, so my fault, but thanks for trying to take the blame.”

Slightly exasperated I just look at him and tell him “OK then, your fault. You can make it up to me by buying me a drink sometime, how does that sound?” I ask.

“OK, sounds like a deal sarge”. He says with a lopsided grin that I really enjoy seeing on him. Oh boy, remember your sweet Magpie at home girl, think good thoughts. Oh hell, she would gladly join in wouldn’t she, I think to myself.

“Perhaps we can find a bit of time to sit and talk Badger.” I pause and then tell him “I know how busy you normally are, but I would like it if we could.”

“Ok Molly, we will have to do that then,” he says back to me with a smile.

It is then that I hear another set of hoofs approaching. It is Ivy. Oh, good I think, I wanted to talk with her again anyway.
Then I hear her ask “So what’s up? Molly, did you tell Badger about your idea for you, him, and Magpie?”

Oh My Goddesses, Celestia and Luna. I cannot believe she just asked that, in front of him. My ears go straight forward, my eyes wide, my heart speeds up, my ears flop down to the sides as my head lowers slightly in not embarrassment, but mortification. At the same time, I see Badger’s Eyes go wide, his ears forward and his jaw, literally drop open.

“IVY! I, I, I cannot believe you just said that” I stammer out.

“What, you know it is true and besides, someone has to get the ball moving for you. I know you would never have the guts on your own. What do you say to that Badger?” she asks with a smirk on her face.

Looking kind of sheepish he smiles a bit at both Ivy and me. “I guess I should let you get back to your stall. Talk to you later Sarge, Corporal Ivy” he says and starts to walk away.

As he walks away, I catch myself staring at his flank, and then he looks back and catches me. He smiles at me and gives me a wink. I can not help but be embarrassed. I start to walk away and realize that as I am doing so that I have, without thinking raised my tail and swished it a bit as I walk. I look back, almost mortified at my own behavior, and see him smiling at me. He gives another wink and continues on his way. Oh Goddess, think of Magpie, think of Magpie, think of Magpie and Badger, OH that is not where I intended to go, but hmm.

With a smile and a sigh, I continued back to my stall with Ivy. Sighing, all I can think is, well that is why she is your best friend. She knows when you need prodding. I shake my head as I fall in beside her.

“Ivy, I love you girl, but after all this time I have known you I cannot believe you just did that to me.”

“Molly, seriously, with all that is going on as well as our jobs, we need to move quickly sometimes. We really do not have time to take it slow as you would want. You want my advice, talk to Magpie, tell her what I did, blame me, and then see where it leads, do it as pillow talk if you need to.”

“I know, but I am just moving a lot faster than I normally would and it scares me,” I tell her.

She stops me and looks me in the eyes. “Molly, you asked about how Nugget and I could get pregnant by the same buck so close together. I will tell you. We both fell for him. We are friends so we decided to do something special for him one night for his birthday. That is how it happened. Neither of us expected to get pregnant by him. Neither of us was looking to get pregnant. However, it happened that night. We both loved him and shared our love with him.” She stops and sniffles a bit. With a tear in her eye she continues “Molly, do you remember that buck, he was new to the co-op, handsome and smart. I can hardly say his name yet without breaking down. One week after that night he was working in a field when raiders hit. Molly, I will never forget what those bastards did to him, or what they took from Nugget and me. I miss him still, I know I will never look into my beloved Timber Jack’s eyes again. Molly for Goddess's sake do not miss out on loving and being loved. I envy you, having Magpie, and I so want you both to be happy, and if it includes Badger all the better. So, I will not apologize my friend. I love you as a sister too much not to want to see you happy, even if only for a little while.”

Quietly I wrap my hoofs around her as she cries into my shoulder. “It is ok Ivy, I understand. Thank you for loving me that much. I am so sorry for your loss. I did not know how much it hurt you. You always acted like it did not matter to you. I am so sorry”. We stand like this until she can get herself back together. I mourn for her. I am such a lousy friend sometimes, I miss things I shouldn’t, but I do care.

“Ok, Molly, I am better now. Let’s get back to the stall so you can get ready to go see that little mare of yours. If you do not mind could I join you two for dinner tonight?” She asks hopefully.

“Sure Ivy, I would really like to have you get to know her too. What time I have had with her I really like her.”

Thank you, Molly,” she says. With that, we head back to our stall so we can clean up before heading into town.

After getting cleaned up Ivy and I head into Manesville to find Magpie and take her out for dinner. We first try her home, Magda lets us know that she has not gotten home from work yet. She wishes us luck on finding her and will let Magpie know we stopped by looking for her if she comes home without us. We thank her and head further into town.

Our next stop is J.C. Dobbins. As we go in, I see Magpie with a customer. I can tell she sees me, she smiles in my direction, when she notices Ivy is with me, she seems somewhat nervous. One of her ears leaving her customer and starting to go down beside her head.

Ivy and I continue to peruse the items in the store waiting for Magpie to finish with her customer. After she completes the sale we approach. I go up to give her a brief peck on the cheek but she stops me. She looks me in the eyes “Molly, please, do not tell me. This is your new girlfriend and you are leaving me already. Am I right, is that it?” She says with tears starting to form in her eyes.

I take her hooves in mine, looking her in the eyes, “No, no that is not it at all. Magpie, this is my best friend Ivy. I brought her by to meet you and perhaps all of us could go to dinner together. I hope you do not mind?”

With a slight sniffle, she starts to smile and takes one of her hoofs from mine, and wipes her eyes. “I am sorry Mollygirl, I did not mean to jump to conclusions, but it has happened to me before, right here on this very floor. Thank you for letting me know. I am so sorry for just jumping to that conclusion.”

I am stunned. What all had my little Magpie been put through. I have an overwhelming urge to protect her and try to make the world right. Instead, I ask “We can talk about that later if you want, my love.” I pause for a bit to make sure she heard it and then ask “Would you mind if Ivy had dinner with us tonight. I really would like to have my best friend get to know you too”.

“Ok Molly, I do not mind. I was just hoping we could have tonight to just the two of us. I wanted your first night back to be special. I get off in another two hours”.

“Ok” I reply “Like last time, we’ll meet you out front, my love”. With that, I give her a brief hug and she gives me a light kiss on my cheek. Even that has me ready to walk on clouds.

Ivy and I go out and start to walk along the riverfront. Across the river, we can see the old railroad depot. I can see the ruins of some of the buildings on top of the hills across the way that were damaged most in the balefire burst. It is such a sad sight. One of the river patrol boats sails by making its way past several smaller craft on the river transporting goods to other settlements up and down the river. In a slight melancholy, I look at Ivy and ask “Have you ever wondered what it was like before the war Ivy”?

“Mollygirl, I try not to. I even wonder sometimes what the world would be like if the war had never happened. I know it is a waste of time, but I do wonder. Of course, you and I may not have ever existed as our ancestors would have had other choices for their lives. Where to live. Who to date and marry. Whether they wanted to have foals or not”.

That last one stuns me. I had not even thought about it being a choice. I mean really there are not many contraceptives left, so a mare and stallion just have to be careful about when they fool around if they do not want one. Cautiously I ask “Are you saying you did not want Epona?” I really can not believe I had just asked this.

“Molly, who in their right mind would want to bring a foal into this world? I love her more than you can imagine, but I so wish I could have given her a better life than this one. I do not regret having her, I only wish better for her. I wish I could be a full-time mother for her. I wish her father could be there to help raise her and to see her grow into the mare she will be one day.” She tells me, a slight tone of sorrow coming into her voice.

This gives me pause. It makes me think a bit. I wish life did not have to be so complicated at times. I really wish I knew what to say to her.

“Mollygirl, I hope I have not upset yours and Magpies plans for this evening too badly. After dinner, I am going to head back to the stable to give you guys a break and a chance to be alone. I can see how much you care about her, enjoy yourselves.”

“Ok, Ivy, are you sure?” I ask. “I mean, I do not want to leave you if you need me.”

“No Molly, I do not mind at all. Just give me the details in the morning” she says and gives me a wink and a smile. “However, we need to think about where we are going to eat. We do not want to have to spend too many bottle caps. I want to save some for cider later” she tells me, and the old Ivy is back again.

We continue to walk the waterfront, then the main street until we return once again to J.C. Dobbins. I look at the window. I mean really look at it and notice the details of the painting on it. The Golden Oval with a Draft horse silhouette, its mane, and tail flowing in it. Above it in hand-painted letters the name J.C. Dobbins. Below the oval, Purveyor of new and gently used merchandise. Someone had taken some time with this. It had not been easy and yet every time I walked by, I normally did not really look at it. Maybe I needed to start looking at things more closely. I was just about ready to mention it to Ivy when Magpie walks out of the shop. She looks stunning to me, tired and hoof sore, but still stunning. She is smiling and comes up to me and gives me a big hug and a kiss like I have never expected.

Goddess, it is good to be back with her. I sit there just enjoying the hug for a minute. When we end the hug, she walks over to Ivy, extended her hoof, and says “It is a pleasure to meet you, Ivy, I am sorry for earlier. I was caught off guard. “

“No problem Magpie” Ivy replies back “I am sorry for causing any miss understanding. It just was a rough couple of days and I really want some company, I asked Molly if I could join you guys for dinner. After dinner, I will be heading back to the stable for the night”.

With a bit of surprise in her voice she replies back “Oh, ok, that sounds good. I really do want to get to know you too, but I really want to spend some time with Mollygirl also”.

Ivy smiles at her and says, “I understand entirely. I have had somepony that I felt that way about too. But that was years ago.”

The three of us all go downtown by the river and find a place to eat. It is only a block away from the town market and has a nice view of the river as it flows by. While we all have a salad for dinner, Ivy and I both have a cider to drink with our meal. Magpie, on the other hoof, has chosen to drink tea. She puts a little bit of honey as well as some fresh milk in it and seems to enjoy it. To me, it smells like boiled weeds. But to each their own, I guess.

During the meal, we talk and exchange stories. I tell of the time that Ivy had decided to prank our old sergeant by telling him that breakfast was waiting back in the shelter by the guard post. How when he pulled the cover off of the pot on the table, expecting to find a warm portion of oatmeal, instead found a big mouse and a half-eaten apple. The look on that old Jersey bull when he saw that was priceless. He jumped back and almost broke the chair as the mouse hopped out of the pot, squeaked once at him and I swear walked off with its tail and nose in the air.

Magpie told of some of her stories about her job at J.C. Dobbins and some of the less than desirable customers. She also fascinates us with tales of some of the things she was able to find in the archives. Even Ivy who is almost never serious listened to her intently.

Ivy first suggests and then orders an apple pie for us to share for dessert. We are just discussing whether we thought the pie was made from fresh apples or canned ones when all three of us look out the window and see Badger slowly walking along the river with a pack-saddle on heading back from the market.

Without thinking both Ivy and I wave to him. He waves back. Then I see him stop and really take a look at us. He looks at both me and Magpie. I see his ears go forward and a broad smile come onto his face. He then looks at Ivy and nods his head. I noticed her nod back. Wait, what, did she set something up with him before I wonder. No, she could not have, she has not had the time since we got done with formation to do so without me being there. Next, he looks at Magpie, smiles a lopsided grin, and then gives her a wink. He then looks at me, nods again with a smile on his face, and then winks at me. With that, he starts back on his way, with that peculiar walk that I have seen for so many years. But this time it seems to be a little less tired.

Magpie looks at me “What do you think that was all about?” which is followed up with “I think he may have had something in his eye the way he kept blinking”.

“Who knows Magpie, perhaps he just enjoyed seeing three mares together. I do have to say I am surprised to see him alone.”

That was when Ivy chimes in “You two should have invited him to join us for pie and a cider. I am sure he would not have been able to say no to you two.”

Oh, Goddess, I think to myself, here it comes again. But before I could say anything to stop her Ivy had already started to speak.

“You know Magpie; You, Mollygirl, and Badger would all look so sweet together. I Bet if you were a good little mare, that perhaps Molly and you could arrange something. In fact, if you two wanted I will go see if he is interested right now”.

I choke on my cider as half of it goes into my nose. I am stunned and mortified.

I quickly look over to Magpie. Her jaw hangs open, her eyes wide, but her ears were still forward at least. Mine, as seems to happen too often are at the side of my head. I can not believe she has just said that.

After a brief pause, Magpie smiles and looks at Ivy. “Ivy, I couldn’t do that. I mean I have never even thought about doing something like that”.

With that infectious smile and light tone of voice that has allowed her to get away with saying so many things that others would not dare she looks from me to Magpie and says “Why not. I mean if you like both mares and bucks it could really be fun. I know I have enjoyed it before myself. Besides, the three of you would all look so cute together.”

This was an admission I had not expected even Ivy to make so soon upon meeting Magpie. Sometimes she can still shock me. I guess she took more of a liking to my little mare than I expected or had hoped for. Again, I am so lucky to have her as a best friend at times.

I quickly change the subject of conversation but notice that Magpie has a thoughtful look on her face as she looks at me and then in the direction that we had last seen Badger walk. Now I am nervous. I hope this doesn’t mean she would rather have Badger than me. I know I should not worry, but I cannot help it.

We continued to talk for a bit, finishing our pie and drinks. While not too late, it is late enough that I am starting to feel a bit tired. Maybe it is not that I am tired so much as I am just finally relaxing a bit for the first time in a while.

Ivy notices me starting to seem tired. It is then that she says, “Well I have to get going. I have to take care of a few things back at the stable tonight. Mollygirl I will see you when you get back to our stall” she gives me a brief hug. Then she goes over to Magpie. She gives her a hug and a peck on the cheek. “Magpie, Molly is a really good mare and I can tell you she has fallen hard for you. Be careful with her and she will with you. It was really great to get to know you tonight. Oh, and welcome to the herd” she says as she starts on her way back to the stable.

As we watched her go, Magpie and I begin to walk further into town toward her home. “We are not going to the archives tonight?” I ask.

“No, not unless you really want to, I was thinking of spending time with you at my place.” She responds to me.

“That would be perfect for me Magpie, I have to say I missed you the last couple of days and have just wanted to spend time with you.”

With an Impish grin, she looks at me and says “Well me and Badger right “.

With that, I was caught off guard. At first, I sputter, then I tell her “While that does sound fun Magpie, I am happy with just you. If I had to choose, it would be you, my love.”

She reaches over and hugs me. “Thank you, Moll. I really appreciate it, that means more to me than you can imagine.”

I can not help myself, I have to kiss her right then and there. I smile at her after we break the kiss. “Magpie, I am here for you too. As for Badger, while I have to say it would be fun, perhaps in the future, but for tonight I want you my sweet somepony special.”

Eventually, we get back to her place, I follow her upstairs and we both sit on the couch. She at one end, me toward the middle, she then has me lay on the couch with my head on her lap as she plays with my mane and we listen to DJ Pon3 on the radio. He talks about the Stable Dweller and the Security Pony and plays some music including some from Velvet Remedy. I relax as I feel her hoofs stroke my mane and caress my ears. All is right in the world for me right now. This is a moment in time that I would freeze forever if I could. I feel loved and cherished. I need this. I need her. I slowly fall asleep like that.

I am not sure how long I sleep like that, but I awake to Magpie telling me. Come on love, let's go to the bedroom so we can be comfortable. I accidentally let a groan out as I get up. She smiles and says. Ok, that tells me you need a massage. I will give you one if you first rub my hoofs as they are so sore. I quickly agree.

After I finish rubbing her hoofs. She has me lay on my stomach on the bed as she gives me a much needed and appreciated back rub. Then I feel her lips touch my ears as she begins to nibble them, next she moves down to my neck, while she still lets her hoofs gently caress my tired and sore body. Eventually, I feel her hoof move my tail aside as she caresses me in a most intimate area, my body is hers as well as my heart. In anticipation I can not wait to return these favors to her as well, I am such a lucky mare.

Come morning the alarm on my PipBuck sounds. I awake for the first time in a very long time being held in the hooves of my loved one. Her hoof around me, with her head on my chest. I so do not want to get up, but I know I have to. I try to get up without waking her.

Sleepily she looks at me “Good morning love” she says.

“Good morning beautiful,” I tell her with a smile on my face. “Thank you for last night. I hope it was as good for you as it was for me. I could get used to waking up like this so easily”. I gently kiss her and then start to get out of bed. “Mags, I would offer to make us breakfast, but really, I can not cook, just ask Bullet, he cooks for us in the field because I am so bad at it.”

With a smile she climbs out of bed, slips on a robe “No problem love, I have a few things I can make for us. Why don’t you go get cleaned up and ready for work”?

After I finish getting cleaned up, we eat a quick breakfast of oatmeal with cut up apples and a splash of sugar. Then I see she has a couple of peppermint candies on the table for us and she pushes one to me. I can not help myself I whiney in delight. She smiles at seeing me so excited.

“Those are so expensive Magpie,” I tell her, “you shouldn’t have, I appreciate it, but, Oh sweetheart. Thank you.”

“You are welcome Molly, I just wanted to give a special treat to let you know how much I care about you.”

With a slight frown, I tell her, “Well if I am going to be eating here much more, I really need to help buy some of the food. Let me know and I will try to kick in some bottle caps for the meals, Ok?”

“OK, that sounds good. Do you think you will be able to come back into town tonight?” she asks hopefully.

“I should be able to. I might be a little late though, I have to stop and see our new recruit Buddy in the hospital today”.

She looks surprised “Molly. I, uh, I did not know any of your squad got hit. If you want to talk about it let me know. I am here for you love.”

As she says it, I feel a twinge in my side where the bullets hit my barding. I wince a little and while I want to talk to her about it, I just do not know how, or even where to begin. Besides, she probably will not understand. How can I tell her about what the last few days were like, much less all the other manure I have been through? More guilt for having to lie to her, another stone in the saddlebag. Instead, I just smile at her sadly and tell her “It’s alright love, I am ok. Where do you want to meet tonight? If you like we can meet up at the archive again.”

“That sounds very good Mol, I will meet you there then.” She says to me.

At that point, I notice the time and know I need to get back to the stable. I get up and as I cross the room toward the door, I stop, hug my Magpie from behind and kiss her on her neck and the back of her head. “I will see you tonight love if all goes well.

With that, I head out the door and back to the stable. I can not wait to get back to her today after work. But then my mind begins to turn back toward what I need to do before then. As I walk back, I catch myself humming a tune that I heard DJ Pon3 play last night. In the distance, I think I see Bullet and another pony walking back from town also. I will have to ask him how his night went after formation.

Dear DJ Pon3, while I doubt this letter will reach you, in the hopes that it does, could you please play the song Compass for my best friend Mollygirl and her mare Magpie.

Thank you, your devoted listener

Ivy

Manesville Co-op

Kkat, thank you for creating the world of Fallout Equestria. I also have to say thank you to the others who have shown so well how this world can be built upon to tell other stories in it, particularly Somber and Fuzzy VeeVee.

I again thank my test readers and proofreaders for their input and time. It has been both helpful and encouraging.

For those of you who have stuck with the story so far, I appreciate it. One of my test readers recently asked me about the music dedications at the end of the chapters and why I had them. I find that in life we often have a soundtrack that we do not even realize is there. This is a way of my letting the characters of the story step out and connect what is happening with them in the story to that proverbial soundtrack. Most of which can be found with a quick search on youtube if the reader would like to listen to them.

Finally, I apologize for the shortness of this chapter, but when writing it, this seemed the proper place to stop. From here the rest of the chapters seem to be growing as the story progresses. I hope you enjoy the ride that is yet to come.