The next day is uneventful with me spending as much time with Sutures as I can. Sumac gives us some private time by going with Persimmon and Xavier to check on the crops as well as the fence lines.

That is also the day that Woofers and Tweeters got to experience Sutures’s prosthetic. They had already been sniffing at it earlier and seemed a bit uncomfortable with it. When we took a nap together, she took it off to be more comfortable. However, she woke up and went to use the restroom with it still off. Both of them saw her in the main room without it and went to hide. She returned to nap some more and when she got up, she put it back on.

It is when she goes back into the main room that the pups freak out. Both of them start to nip at her prosthetic and Woofers even latches onto in and tries pulling it off. I am right behind her and I am yelling at them to leave her alone. Sumac is in the kitchen doorframe at this point pointing and laughing. Finally, Woofers and Tweeters both backoff and she sits down in a chair, removes it, and lets them see it. Then they finally leave it alone.

That night is rather interesting as something is bothering me so I decide to give everypony else some time to themselves and I stay in the living room reading until I fall asleep. I did get some good reading in, but I woke up stiff and still tired.

The next day seems to be more of the same. Sutures and I are sitting on the porch relaxing when I see Sunny come flying as fast as he can from the direction of the schoolhouse.

He comes in fast and does a skidding landing in front of the porch and panting asks, “Where are Xochitl’s parents?”

Oh no, what has happened to Xochitl I ask myself. Instead, I call out to him “They should be in their house, or the barn.” I tell him. As he trots over to the house I run out to the barn. I see Xavier in there working on the hay mower. I tell him, “Sunny just landed and is looking for you and Persimmon.”

His head goes up when I say this, he says something in Zebrican that I am sure I do not want to know, and then drops his tools and runs for the house.

Persimmon is at the door talking to Sunny and when she sees us and tells Xavier, “Xochitl’s teacher wants us at the school immediately. There has been a fight. It seems a bull was picking on Xochitl.”

Xavier puts up a hoof to his head and asks, “How bad is it?”

Sunny excitedly tells him, “Xochitl is not too bad,” and he is interrupted by Persimmon Tree.

“Not too bad, what is not too bad?” she asks in almost a panic.

Sunny shrugs his shoulder, “Well he took a couple of good licks and all, but you should see the other guy.”

By now Sumac and Sutures have arrived and are hearing this. Sutures then tells Xavier and Persimmon, “Let me get my saddlebags, I will go with you,” and then she takes off at an awkward trot.

As soon as she is back out, we leave Sumac here and the four of us follow Sunny back to the school.

I am staying out of this and have only gone along because I really care about Xochitl and want to make sure he is ok.

As I come up, I see Xochitl sitting on one side of the front steps of the schoolhouse. On the other side of the steps is a young bull whose parents are hovering over him. Between the two students is a very harried-looking young mare who I recognize as Ms. Blackboard. She is trying to calm the parents of the bull when we arrive.

As we get closer, I see Xochitl has a swollen muzzle and blood coming out of the side of his mouth.

Being her normal loving self, Persimmon automatically demands of her son to know what he has done now. The poor kid immediately apologizes to her and tells her he did not mean it. This leads to the amusing situation of the bull’s father being incredulous that a zony like Xochitl could hurt his son so badly.

The emotional injury to Xochitl grows some when his father out of nowhere, asks him if he was fighting for caps, which he immediately denies. Then he says the one thing that will haunt me for the rest of my life. He tells his father, that he thought he was back in the Valley. He thought he was fighting for his life. Damn my soul, why could I not have protected these two foals more I ask myself.

The bull's mother then asks what valley he was talking about. Finally, I decide to say something and I tell her, “I think he thought he was back in Serenity Valley, your son decided to buck with a combat veteran.” I put a hoof around his shoulder and tell him, “It’s ok Xochitl, I have been through it too. We will get you help, if you want it.”

He simply nods his head and I give him a little extra squeeze in the hug as Persimmon comes over and tells me she will take him and guides him away from me and the others as she holds him close to her and I smile as she kisses him on his forelock and just holds him.

Sutures finally catches up with us at this point. She sees the bloody bull and goes over to him and I can tell she is shocked as she sees how badly he has been beaten up. I am almost amused as she raises an eyebrow and tells the bull “Damn son, you picked on the wrong buck.”. Then she asks permission to treat him from his parents and gives him a healing potion.

After treating the bull, she goes over to Xochitl. I can see an angry look come over her face as she examines his mouth and sees the broken off tooth. She looks at the teacher and the bull’s parents and tells them how it takes a lot of force for a blow to break off a tooth like that. She then asks for permission to give him a healing potion and continues on.

After a while, we take the youngsters home as Miss Blackboard has decided the class will be too wound up for the rest of the day. As we are leaving the schoolhouse Sunny flies next to Xochitl and Ginger and tells them, “I will see you tomorrow, I can’t wait to tell pa about that fight. Wow Xochitl, you really got him good.”

I see Xochitl shake his head and put his head down as he tells Sunny, “Sunny, I did not want to hurt him.”

Then Sunny tells him, “He did not care about that Xochitl, he was going to hurt you no matter what, you protected yourself like you had too.”

Xochitl replies to him, “Yeah, I guess, but still I do not feel good about it,” then he looks up and tries to smile at Sunny and tells him, “Have a good night Sunny, and tell the foals of the settlement I said hi if you see them.”

Sunny smiles at him and then tells him, “Will do Xochitl, I will see you in the morning,” before he flies away for home.

Right after he leaves, I see Ginger wrap her tail in his and whisper something in his ear. That is when he seems to cheer up.

I walk next to Sutures a good part of the way home holding her tail, finally, I let it go and trot up next to Xavier and Persimmon and tell them, “Persimmon, if you have not gotten a chance to begin dinner yet, why don’t you all join us at the house for dinner. I am sure Sumac will not mind, and I would really like to spend time with all of you.”

I hear her sigh and she looks at Xavier who nods his head and tells her, “It is up to you my wife, but I do not mind either way.”

She then asks him, “Are you sure dear, I do not want you to think I am trying to get out of it.”

He smiles at her and briefly places a hoof on her shoulder as he tells her, “I never would have thought that. I would be happy either way, so long as you are happy.”

She then looks at me with a somewhat skeptical expression and tells me, “In that case, Major, we accept.”

“Thank you, I look forward to dinner with you.

Once back at the farm Xavier and his family head down to their cabin to clean up and get ready for dinner. I make sure I go straight in and tell Sumac that we will have company for dinner. As I tell her this, she laughs at me and says, “I already figured we would have them for dinner tonight. Now, what was the big deal at school.”

Before I can answer Sutures puts a hoof on my back from behind and tells her what has happened. I see Sumac scrunch up her face and she tells us, “That is not good. The cattle may be a bit upset about this.”

I sigh and reply, “Yeah, but what can we do. The bull even admitted he started it.”

“That may help, at least a bit, but Mollygirl, I am afraid they may try and blame you and the expedition for this,” she says. Somehow it figures, no matter if I am involved or not, I am going to catch some of the blame. At least it is not my own family that is blaming me.

Beside me Sutures shakes her head, “It’s just not right Sumac, they sent us. We had no choice.”

Then Sumac looks at her and puts a hoof on hers. “Sutures, that is true for most of you. But Mollygirl helped to plan the expedition. She also used those two youngsters as scouts, and before you get defensive, I am not blaming you Mollygirl. I know what you did and why.”

I sigh at this. I know it is true, but it seems like for the rest of my life I am going to be defined by something that was not really a choice I wanted to make. Damn it why couldn’t those two have just stayed home. I want to say it but instead, I simply say, “I know, it just gets to me sometimes.”

From the other side of Sutures, I hear Ginger say, “Ma, I’m sorry I have caused you so much trouble.”

I reach around Sutures and pat Ginger on the back, “It’s ok dear. I know you didn’t mean to cause any problems.”

She then comes over and climbs in my lap and hugs me. I hold her close to me and kiss her on her forelock as she snuggles against me. As I hold her my frustrations and hurt start to fade away.

After a while Sumac asks Ginger, “Dear would you like to help with dinner too?”

I see her slowly start to smile again and nod her head, “Thank you mama Sumac, I would really like that.”

I watch as Ginger pulls a chair over so she can help cut up some vegetables and onions to go into a soup. Sutures assist them with the cooking. I help by getting the table set in the dining room and making sure we have enough seats for everypony.

Archer returns first. I had not realized he had gone over to the settlement to assist them. Shortly afterward Badger returns from the stable. As he enters the door, he is laughing.

When asked what is so funny, he replies, “Mollygirl do you realize what you have started?”

Confused I reply, “Badger, what this time?”

This gets him laughing again and he tells us, “That game of tag has every company in the 2^nd regiment, including the air transporters trying to put teams together.”

Behind him, I see Archer with a raised eyebrow and a smirk. He then asks, “Well that is certainly interesting. I wonder what other units are going to participate?”

“I am not sure, but at this rate, it is only time before the militia puts up a team or two,” Badger tells him.

From the counter I hear Ginger ask, “Papa Archer, do you think I could join the militia team?”

Archer smiles at her, “Ginger, even if they allowed you to, how could you fly?”

I then see her put her head on her forehoof as she thinks about it.

Just before dinner is ready, I hear Xavier and his family knock on the door. Ginger trots to the door to answer it. As they come in, I have to smile when I see her and Xochitl exchange hugs and she gives him a brief kiss on the cheek. To this Xavier merely smiles, but Persimmon seems both shocked and embarrassed.

Before she can say anything though I say, “Thank you all for coming, dinner is almost done.”

Right after that Magpie brings out a basket with a couple of fresh loaves of bread and a small bowl with butter in it, and places them on the table. Badger then ask Xavier and Persimmon, “Would you folks like to join Archer and me in having a cider with dinner?”

Xavier grins widely and tells him, “I would love to, how about you Persimmon?”

I see a slight smile on her face, “Sure, I will have one too. Thank you, Badger.”

Badger then goes back into the kitchen as we sit down and Sutures uses her TK to bring out the pot of soup for everypony. As the bowls are filled and we all break bread we begin to talk and relax. After about half a hard cider I notice that Persimmon has finally relaxed and just talks to me like we used to. It almost feels like old times again.

Halfway through dinner Persimmon surprises me. She puts a hoof across the table on to mine and tells me. “Mollygirl, I am sorry about the way I have been. I saw you today with my son. I know you care about him but also respect me as his mother.”

I smile at her, “Of course I do Persimmon, you are like family to me.”

I see her nod her head, but then she adds, “I am still not happy with your having taken my husband with you, do you really think his being there made that much a difference?”

I look her straight in the eyes and I calmly tell her, “Persimmon, not only me, but many others on the expedition would not have made it home. Many of our civilians, including some of the volunteers, would not have made it either. He was good enough I recommended he be made corporal in the scouts before everything went sideways.”

I see her eye her husband a bit, then she asks me, “But was he really that important?”

I laugh lightly and tell her, “Yes Persimmon, he was, he and your son are both heroes. They saved lives and even set up connections with towns and villages along the way. That includes Xavier going into Glyphmark to hire a couple of temporary scouts.”

I see her start to get an upset look on her face, and she looks at her husband, “You did not tell me you went into Glyphmark.”

Before he can answer I hold up both front hooves and then tell her, “He did so at my request, and had Ginger and Xochitl with him.”

This seems to mollify her, and she smiles slightly, “So my husband and son really are heroes.”

I smile at her and tell her, “Yep, big damn heroes.”

I see her shake her head, but she does have a slight smile, and I see a look of pride come over both Xavier and his son’s face at having someone say out loud that they are heroes.

Soon after Sumac leaves the dining room and heads to the kitchen and has me follow. When we return, we are carrying a hot apple pie along with some cream to pour over it. I see the look of desire that everypony has as they look at this sweet treat. Sumac gives the first slices to Xavier and his family. She and I take what is left once everypony else has their share.

After supper is finished and the table is cleared, we all retire to the parlor. We turn on the radio and are listening to it when we hear the news from DJ Pon3.

That last piece was Serves Her Right by Sapphire Shores. After this next piece from Sweetie Belle, we will be going to the news. Remember the sun may be shining again upon the wastelands, but it is still dangerous out there.

We listen to the voice of Sweetie Belle as she sings but I really do not pay attention to which song it is as I am waiting to hear what is going on in the news. Then the voice of DJ Pon3 is back.

That’s right children, it seems the more things change the more they stay the same in the wastelands. In recent days there has been a large increase in the number of refugees arriving in the Hoofington area, many of them being zebras.

The fighting around Fillydelphia has begun to taper off as both sides seem to be catching their breath. However, there are reports of slavers and raiders passing through areas that they would normally avoid on their route to that once great manufacturing city.

In other news the Manesville Co-op has begun discussions on joining in a government for the wastelands under Gawdyna Grimfeathers...

It is about this time that I see Woofers get up and head to the door followed by Tweeters. Then I hear what sounds like a caravan stopping on the road next to the farm. Next, I hear a familiar-sounding, accented mares voice call out, “Hello the house.”

I get up as does Ginger, Archer, and Badger. The others take up arms as I go to the kitchen door and call back “Can I help you?”

“Is this the home of the Mollygirl?” the voice asks.

As I get ready to answer I hear Ginger behind me quietly tell me, “I got your back ma.”

To those who are outside, I call back “Yes, what do you want?”

“I told you a while back in a letter I would see you at your home. I have arrived finally,” The mare says.

I turn to Ginger, “Tell the others to cover me from outside, I don’t want them backlit, I am going out there.”

“Are you sure ma?” Ginger asks.

I nod my head, “Yes dear, I am pretty sure who it is already, we should be ok.”

As she goes out of the room and tells them, I step out, close the back door, and head towards the road. As I walk closer to the road, I notice the unusual shape of most of the wagons. It seems they have finally arrived.

From out of the dark I see the older mare, with her horn and her mane covered by a scarf as well as her earrings. As I get closer, I can see her white coat and graying brown mane and tail. I smile and greet her, “Hello Mama Shelta, it is good to see you. Yes, I did get your letter at Good Doer.”

I see her smile at this, “I am glad to hear this, the teacher and her children are doing well then?”

“As far as I know, yes, most of those from the civilian camp are now living just up the road, they are doing their initial farm working time there. They are even starting to build a new settlement between the major farms over that way.”

I see her nod her head as she says, “Excellent. If you do not mind our Bandolier would like to talk to you also?”

I nod my head and as he approaches, both Archer and Sumac also come up.

She sees Archer and nods her head to him as she says, “It is good to see you again too. Where is your other mare? The black unicorn, I hope she is well too?”

To this Archer smiles, “She is doing ok now, it was a close-run thing, but she will be along soon.”

Mama Shelta then tilts her head and looks at Sumac. I see her smile and she tells us, “After you introduce me to this mate, why not bring out the rest. I have never seen such a large arrangement as this, and I know our Bandolier will want to talk to all of you.”

Sumac looks at me, and asks, “Mollygirl, Archer, who are these ponies and why are they out here this late at night?”

Archer then smiles at her puts a hoof on her shoulder and tells her, “Dear, remember us telling you about the gypsy pony caravan and some of our civilian wagons separating from us before Second Two Step, well they have finally arrived.”

I see the surprise on Sumac’s face as she hears this. “How can we help you then Ma’am?” she asks.

I see Mama Shelta smile and she introduces her Bandolier and explains, “Our Bandolier for our caravan is Tinner,” she says as she points to him with a hoof and then finishes with, “I will let him explain.”

I see Tinner remove his hat and he begins to speak in the same accented Ponish that Mama Shelta does, “Mister Archer, Mares, I come to you to ask not only for a place for us to set up our bands show, but also to seek temporary work for our non-show members. This way we can pay for our keep as well.”

I see Archer look at Sumac and he asks, “Sumac dear, I trust this band, but I need you to make the decision.”

I see her think about it, and she eventually answers. “The field next to the family cemetery there is my property also. Please feel free to set up there. I can take in six laborers myself as we are about ready to bring in a crop. About a quarter of a mile down the road is our new settlement, I am sure that they should also need a few more hooves to help right now, but for tonight, please pull over there, and if you need water feel free to use our well. Oh, if you do not mind meat, I can have the foals go bring in a radhog tomorrow to help feed everypony.”

I see Tinner smile and give a slight bow as he says, “Thank you Misses Sumac, Mister Archer, it is most appreciated. I will move my caravan over there then for the night.”

Before I leave to head back to the house Mama Shelta stops me and tells me, “I too have a friend who is a spirit, she has told me to let you know that yours is still watching over you and your herd and that she did give you a gift at the Valley, she should have taken one more pony, but let her live instead.”

I catch my breath at the last part and then tell her, “The next time you see your friend, please have her let mine know that I do appreciate it and will not waste the gift.”

She smiles at me, “In that case have a good night Mollygirl, and please do come to visit me tomorrow. Perhaps some tea?”

“Mama Shelta, I would be more than happy too, thank you,” I tell her, then I return to the house. Once inside I see Xavier and Xochitl returning weapons to the rack and Persimmon still sitting in the parlor. I look at them and tell Xavier and Xochitl, “Our friend the fortune teller and her band of Gypsy ponies have arrived. They may be staying a few days.”

I see Persimmon raise an eyebrow at this as she looks at her spouse and son and tells them, “More stories of friends you made on the expedition I presume?”

Xavier smiles and nods while Xochitl climbs into his mother’s lap and tells her, “Perhaps mother I should tell you of the reading that the fortune teller did for me.”

Morning comes and I get up early to get Ginger ready for school. Sumac is already making coffee for everypony when I get to the kitchen. I see her smirk as she asks, “What did you think I would let you cook breakfast for our little mare?”

I laugh back, “No, you know I can burn a salad. I just want to help is all.”

“Thank you dear, I need to make six extra portions each setting now to feed those temporary workers.” She tells me.

Badger comes into the kitchen and takes out a coffee cup and sits down and asks, “Sumac dear, how much work do we really have for them?”

She is silent as she flips some eggs over in the pan, then answers. “Badger love, there is enough. We have forty acres of hay that needs cut, dried and harvested this week before we get rain again. That and I was thinking of having them help tear out the east wall of the house and at least frame in the addition for the nursery.”

I see him raise an eyebrow. He then nods and says, “Good thinking, only a few more months and we will be hearing the clip clop of little hoofs. I am sorry I had not thought of it already.”

“That’s ok. I mean it will take more than just us to do it with this old place.”

Ginger looks at her, “How big you gonna make it mama Sumac?” she asks.

Sumac smiles and tells her, “As wide as the rest of the first level and I want to make the addition big enough we can add a couple of rooms.”

As we sit and talk, I notice the time. “Ginger, it's time to head to school.”

“Ok ma,” she says as she gets up and gives everypony a hug goodbye. As she is getting ready to leave Sutures and Archer come into the room.

She rushes over to give them a hug goodbye and I hear Archer tell her, “Be a good filly dear, and tell Xochitl that we all said hi.”

“I will papa Archer,” she says and stands on her hind legs to give him a kiss on his cheek. Then she spins and heads out of the door. As the door slams shut behind her I hear, “Where’s Sunny, we need to get going, we're late.”

I hear their hooves running as Xochitl tells her, “He is coming now, he will catch up with us.”

I watch them running down the road toward school with Sunny flying right above them. He may be younger than them but somehow the three of them always seem to be together. I shift a bit and I see several foals running and playing across the road over by the gypsy caravan. Then I see six of the members of the caravan who pull the wagons coming across the road to the house along with Tinner. I turn my head to Sumac and tell her, “Sumac, here comes the new temp hired hooves.”

“Oh good,” Sumac replies, “I better go ask if they want breakfast first. Then I will take them to the fields.”

Badger then gets up and puts his dishes in the sink, He kisses her on the cheek and tells her, “Thanks for breakfast and taking care of the hired hooves, I will see you tonight?” he asks with a hopeful tone.

I see her smile and blush and she tells him, “Possibly dear, let’s see how the day goes, besides one of the others may want your attention too now.”

Then Archer tells him, “Hey Badger, want to meet me at the pub in the settlement after work? I am sure Sunset and Xavier would be glad to join us, maybe we can even get Trouble sprung for a bit.”

I see Badger smile, “Sounds good Archer, let me know, will you. I will see all of you later,” he tells us and then gives each of us mares a quick peck on the way out the door.

As he steps out, I hear him say, “Good morning sir, they are all just in the kitchen.”

I hear the accented voice respond, “Tank you, I appreciate it.”

Sumac then steps to the door and asks, “Before we begin work are you hungry? Have you had breakfast yet?”

Tinner looks slightly taken aback by her offer, “Thank you but we already ate, we did not expect you to feed us.”

Sumac shakes her head, “Mister Tinner, part of the Co-op way is we make sure our hired hooves are well-fed as possible. Although I may need to talk to you about possible dietary restrictions, I had not thought of that last night.”

Again, he seems surprised. “Misses Sumac, while it is much appreciated, you must understand, we are not used to such offers from the gadjo. But if you insist, please come to the caravan and discuss them with our mares.”

Sumac then asks him a question that I can see surprises him, she asks him, “Do you have any ponies who are crafts ponies, particularly with building with wood?”

I see him think a bit as he asks, “We may, but why do you ask.”

She smiles at him as she answers, “Because we have several foals on the way for our family this year and need to expand the house. I would like to hire them to assist with opening up the walls on one end of the home and building an expansion onto it.”

“Interesting, I vill talk with the otters when I get back to see if they are interested.”

“No problem Tinner, just putting the offer out to help you all make some more caps as well as help us to get the job done,” Sumac tells him.

As they are outside talking, I hear all of the gypsy ponies suck in their breaths in surprise suddenly. Then I hear Choo Choo’s voice, “Hi Sumac, Is the Major home?”

Before Sumac can answer I hear Tinner’s voice say, “Your royal highness, we, your humble servants are honored by your presence.”

I am looking out the door and see Choo Choo looking around in confusion as she asks, “Me? I am not royalty sir. Please all of you get up.”

As I step outside Tinner tells her, “But, you appear as she was described to us in the lore of our band.”

Choo Choo smiles at them, “Thank you kind sir, but no, I am not her, nor am I as beautiful as our Luna was. I saw her on TV a time or two and once from afar, but she was much more beautiful than I.” Without realizing it she has slipped into her faux Luna voice pattern which brings a smile to my face.

“Please excuse our not realizing you were not her. It is just that our band has had a special bond with her since before the Last Day,” Tinner tells her.

To this Choo Choo smiles at him and tells him, “I can understand that. She was my favorite princess too. Is that your camp across the way?”

He nods his head and tells her, “It is, please feel free to visit us.”

She smiles and replies to him, “I will do that sir, But I really need to talk to the Major, so if you will excuse me”

He smiles and gives a small formal bow and tells her, “Of course, any time perhaps we can then exchange stories about our fair princess.”

She stops briefly and a smile comes over her face, “I would really like that,” she tells him.

She sees me and then walks past Sumac and into the Kitchen to talk with me. As she comes in, I ask her, “Would you like something to eat, or perhaps some tea?”

“Tea would be fine, thank you Major,” she says, but with her tone of voice, I can tell there is something on her mind.

As I prepare the tea for us, I hear Sumac telling the new workers what she needs to be done. Xavier comes over and she introduces them and lets them all know he is in charge when she is not available. As they talk, I can tell some of them remember Xavier from the expedition. Sumac then tells them all,” Follow me, I will show you what fields I want you to start in,” as she leads them off.

Once the tea is finished, I sit across from Choo Choo at the kitchen table. I put a hoof across the table onto hers and I asks her, “Ok my friend, I can tell something is bothering you, what is it?”

“Major, first I wanted to let you know, I am sure I am going to join the CDF. I want you to swear me in, but where do we go to do it and when?”

I smile at her and tell her, “Choo Choo, I am really glad to hear that. I will be back on duty in two days. Just come to the back of the stable and I will swear you in as soon as I can. However, we will have to do a full physical on you also. Now, what else is bothering you?”

I see her facial expression turn first to consternation, then to embarrassment. I sit there waiting until finally, she tells me, “Mollygirl, I am confused about what to do. I used to really love Side Track, but it has been so long and he has changed so much. Mollygirl, I, I can’t see being in that type of relationship with him now.”

I nod my head, “Dear, I can understand that, and I am sure he would also. In fact, he actually said that when we were under the mountain. However, he also did say he would enjoy just spending time with you too. So that means you can still care, you just don’t have to be more than friends. In fact, being friends is a big part of any successful relationship.”

I see her tilt her head as she ponders this, then she looks at me and continues, “Over 260 years old and I am still nervous about messing up these things. Major, the other part is that while on the expedition I started to build a strong friendship with Paper Work. I really like him and he has asked me out. But he does not know what Magpie found out, that he is a descendent of mine. I mean that changes everything.”

I nod my head, Then I ask her, “Choo Choo, you gave birth to his line over 200 years ago. That is a pretty big genetic gap. You would not even know he was related if not for Mag’s research,” I pause, “In fact yesterday, you pointed out to the waiter that you were even in a different body now, so it is not even genetically the same line,” I sigh, “Dear, I don’t know what to tell you, but maybe you should tell him all this, and let him decide. That is what I would do.”

She smiles then and tells me, “Thank you Major, if anypony knows about weird relationships and making them work it is you, I knew I could count on you. Now let’s talk about the Tag game this coming week.”

After Choo Choo leaves, I am still laughing to myself about how competitive everypony is getting about a simple game of tag. But I have to admit it does make them sharpen their skills and builds a certain Esprit de Corps. I feel the foal shift and kick a bit and I have to wonder to myself; how much longer will I be able to fly like that until after the foal is born?

After visiting with Sutures and Archer for a bit more we decide to run across the road to visit the Gypsy pony caravan. They have it set up for a show. Most of those who will perform that evening are not up and about yet. However, I do see the tinsmith as well as a couple of scrapers are already set up and manning the booths next to their wagons.

This gets Archer's attention as he tells us, “I wonder if they have anything we can use at the farm?”

Sutures and I both look at each other and shrug our shoulders, then she tells him, “Well dear, only one way to find out,” as she leads him over into that direction.

As I continue on, I see several of the non-gypsy pony wagons begin to pull out onto the road and they head over to the settlement. We really need to find a better name for it than that I tell myself again. Then I see Mama Shelta coming out of her wagon. She gives me a slight bow at a distance and I return the gesture out of respect.

I then go over to her, “Good Morning ma’am, I hope you and your people slept well last night?”

I see her smile, “Yes, that we did. Please thank your spouses for allowing us to use this area. It is rare we get treated so well.”

I smile sadly and nod my head, “Unfortunately that seems to be the way of the Wastelands. But I am pleased to hear you are able to enjoy our hospitality though.”

She nods her head. “It is pleasant to be welcomed. I cannot tell you how many other places we are not,” she says as she takes me inside her work area and begins to make some tea for us.

“You could always talk to your bandolier about settling down here, or if not settling down, then add us to your route. You have to understand, you became a part of us out there, especially bringing back so many of our people with you. Thank you for that as well.” I tell her.

“While I thank you for the offer, I doubt our band would settle here. We are not the type to settle in one place until we can no longer travel,” She tells me. I nod my head in understanding as she continues, “However, adding your Co-op to our route, well perhaps that may be a good idea. Especially since we already have friends here. We will never forget those who traveled with us after we left your expeditionary force, we forged a special bond with them and they will be remembered in our band's lore.”

I look at her with a raised eyebrow and an ear half-turned, “What all did you go through?”

She shakes her head and tells me, “That is a story for another time, but think of how much longer it took us to get here than you even. Also, understand we both shed blood to save each other, in that a bond was forged.”

“I understand entirely, perhaps another time then we can exchange stories,” I tell her.

She nods, and then tells me, "Why don’t you visit the show tonight with your family? I am sure you would all enjoy it, even your daughter.”

I smile at her and nod my head then realize that I had never told her about my adopting Ginger. When I ask her how she knew she smiles and tells me, “The spirits tend to keep an eye on those they consider theirs. They sometimes discuss them with other spirits as well. She and her little Zony are among them.”

I nod my head, and take a sip of my tea. “She did tell me that. I do miss seeing her, but that is her way it seems.”

I see Mama Shelta head turn some, “You really do mean that, don’t you?”

I nod again, “Yes, she guided me and gave me someone to talk to when I had no one else.”

“Yes, I understand how that is. My friend has done the same for me. She even guided me to where I have needed to be a time or two,” she says with a mild chuckle.

We continue to talk while we finish our tea. Once done, I get back up, “Thank you for the tea and the company Shelta, Please, feel free to visit me at the house as well. Unfortunately, I need to get going for now.”

She smiles, “I may just do that Mollygirl. Thank you for the company and please, do bring your family back later.”

As I go back outside I see that Archer has several things he has found that he wants. I have to put a hoof in front of my mouth to keep from laughing. As I get closer, he looks at me, and tells me, “Mollygirl, can you believe it, look at these tools, and even better, an old millwrights’ handbook.”

I can not help but smile as his exuberance. Beside him I see Sutures smiling and shaking her head as well.

“Well guys, Momma Shelta has invited us back to the show later, shall we bring the entire family?” I ask.

Both of them look at each other, smile and nod yes. “But first, lets head over to the settlement and see if we can see what is going on there. After all, both of you need to go back to work tomorrow and I should see about getting my name out there as a midwife,” Sutures tells us.

“Sutures, I know you are not a full doctor but have you ever thought of being one as well as a midwife, after all, you do know more than most of the sawbones in the wastelands,” Archer tells her.

She smiles, puts a hoof on him and says, "If needed I might, but love, I really just want to help bring life into this world. I have had enough of dealing with injuries and trying to save the dying to last me a lifetime.”

I put a hoof on her other shoulder, “I fully understand dear, I fully understand.”

Then the three of us all walk to the road and follow it to the Settlement.

Once we reach the settlement, we decide to head to the pub to see if we can get something to drink and maybe a snack. As we walk the street, I notice one of the Bhramin and a mare both walking the other direction stop and wave to us. We all wave back as we head on to the largest building in town.

Just as we get in the door, I see Hard Tack behind a makeshift bar, cleaning some glasses. Along the front wall are some tables and chairs. When he sees us, he smiles can calls out, “Good afternoon Major, how are you and the family doing?”

I smile back and all three of us go to the bar, “Doing well Hardtack, how are you and the family?”

He smiles widely, “Well I can’t say we can complain. You were right this is much better than where we were. Even the Misses likes it here. She will be in later, right now she is out working in the fields with almost everypony else.”

I nod my head in understanding, “So how did you get out of working in the fields today?” I ask.

He smiles, “Oh, that’s easy, I make sure everypony is fed along with Stir Fry. She is in the back right now. We kind of opened the place as partners. When work is done for the day she cooks for the pub and I serve the drinks. Blueberry Crisp is happy with being able to farm a bit she says. Besides she helps out when we need an extra hoof.”

Archer then asks him, “So any word about the new arrivals?”

Hard Tack nods his head as he sets three glasses on the bar, “Yep, they went on over to the next big farm being reclaimed. That makes three large farms with the land of a fourth for living and settling in. So, what can I get you folks?”

Archer and Sutures both ask for a hard cider, and while I really would like one, I am being good so I ask, “Would you happen to have any Sparkle Colas?”

He shakes his head no, but then says, “I do have a batch of apple juice I got from the stable that I have not started to prep for cider yet if you are interested?”

“Sounds good to me, thanks Hard Tack.”

As we sit there drinking our beverages, I hear a familiar mare’s voice behind me, “Well Mollygirl, it is about time we see each other again.”

As I turn around, I see Fancy wearing a pair of coveralls and a straw hat. She walks over and gives me a quick hug then tells us, “Excuse my appearance, I spend most of the day in the fields and come back into White Cloud to do the paperwork for the Co-op board and to see if anything has changed.”

“Ok, so what is White Cloud?” Archer asks.

Fancy smiles broadly, “You are in it, well part of it. We have finally decided on a name and it was approved by the board last week. Along with my having been approved as mayor of it. However, I still have to do my full year working in the fields like everypony else.”

Sutures takes her turn and asks, “How come White Cloud, Fancy?”

Before she can answer Hard Tack tells us, “That’s a nod to all of the pegasi who have settled here too, including her sweetheart.”

I see Fancy blush a bit and then she says, “True, but also because they have mentioned the idea of making a cloud farm over part of the settlement after they are done with their one year in the fields.”

“So, things are working out between you and Sirocco then?” I ask with a smile.

“Mollygirl, better than I ever imagined. But with one exception. Who the Tartarus told Sunny about this game of tag and why do all my pegasi, including Sunny want to fly as a Militia team?”

Dear DJ Pon3

Recently we have had more arrivals join us from our journey. While some of us would like to forget parts of it, and can’t. Others of us miss our time on our adventure together. While I love my new home and its people, part of me will forever long for that sense again, with that in mind could you please play for us There and Back Again.

Thank You

Fancy Flourish

Mayor, White Cloud, Manesville Co-op

Thank you to Kkat for creating the universe of Fallout Equestria. I also want to thank so many others who have added to it, more fully fleshing it out for us. I also want to thank all of you who are reading the story of Mollygirl, her friends and herd, and I hope you continue to enjoy it.

We find ourselves at a point where all the characters are trying to get their hooves back under them. It is not always easy, but also not always painful. But as with all things, both good and bad, this too shall end.

The YouTube link for this weeks dedication song is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZXuFMaLbNc