Psychedelica – Pastel Ponies
A pony story by Joseph Raszagal
As inspired by stuff best kept away from children
Chapter Seven – Brothers

“Alright, this has gone on long enough,” I griped as Twilight finished packing her bags.

Turning to face me, the purple unicorn quirked an eyebrow and asked, “What's gone on long enough?”

“Your sour mood.”

“What?”

“You heard me. You're upset, you've been upset about something for a few days now, but you won't talk to me about it. Why?”

“I honestly have no idea what you're on about.”

Regarding her with my most disbelieving stare, I shook my head and said, “Twilight, I'm the king of bottling things up. I know masked emotions when I see 'em, no matter how well you think you've got things hidden. Now, out with it. What's wrong?”

Biting her lip, the librarian let out a long sigh and answered, “It's my BBBFF.”

“Gazuntite?”

“Oh, right. What I meant was, it's my brother, Shining Armor.”

“Alright, so, what's wrong?” I questioned, trotting over to sit down beside her. “Did you two get in a fight or something?”

“That's just it,” she groaned, looking down at her hooves. “I wish it was only an argument. Truthfully, I haven't spoken with him since the wedding.”

“You mean his wedding?”

“Yeah, his and Cadance's.”

“That was... jeez, that was months ago, before I was ever even sucked into this crazy place.”

“We'd grown apart over the years. First because of my studies, then because of the distance that moving to Ponyville put between us.”

“I'll admit,” I retorted, talking a moment to consider the long ride I'd taken between the two cities, “Canterlot isn't exactly a hop, skip, and a jump away.”

“Not even by Pinkie's standards,” huffed Twilight sadly. “Shining and I were doing so well with repairing our burnt bridges too, going out on picnics and popping in to visit each other unannounced, but then... stuff happened. My schedule filled to the brim and I haven't been able to see him in quite a while. We've kept in contact through letters, but it just isn't the same.”

Instantly, my ears fell flat as the obvious dawned on me.

Closing my eyes, I felt a wave of shame wash me out to sea.

“I'm sorry,” I eventually uttered, piercing the wistful silence that had since settled over the room.

“For what?” Twilight asked, her brow knitted in a look of genuine confusion.

“Stuff didn't happen,” I replied, ducking my head and feeling like the rustiest, creakiest third wheel in the world. “I happened.”

Midway into a strong bout of self-loathing, I felt a pair of hooves wrap around me and pull me into a hug. Looking up, I locked eyes with Twilight, a smile more compassionate and loving than any I'd ever seen beaming back at me.

And trust me, recently I'd gotten quite accustomed to seeing smiles like that on a daily basis.

“It's a shame how Shining and I seem to have drifted apart again, it really is,” she said with a nod. “However, the days I've spent with you are days I would never trade if ever given the chance. You're a hoofful sometimes, but as things still stand, you're my hoofful. Shining and I have all the time in the world to get back to work on those bridges, but you need me right now. And rest assured, so long as you still need me, I'll be there. That's what a good friend is for.”

Struck speechless, I simply hugged her back and tried my damnedest not to let loose with the waterworks.

We stayed like that for a few minutes. I've always found hugs to be... therapeutic. Call me a wuss if you'd like, but I'd much rather be a wuss who gets hugs than a tough guy who doesn't.

Finally able to muster up the ability to speak, I ventured, “Got any tools to spare?”

“Tools?” inquired Twilight.

“We're sticking with the bridge metaphors, right?” I retorted, grinning. “Anything I can do to help the two of you fix 'em?”

“Further the scientific field of teleportation magic,” she joked in return. “Long-distance is still a little too dangerous and unpredictable to attempt.”

“Uh, anything a bit more... feasible? I know I've got a horn and all, but I haven't exactly used it to take a real stab at magic yet.”

Stifling a giggle, Twilight rolled her eyes and said, “Don't worry about it. I'll handle Shining Armor, you just handle your recovery, alright?”

“Yeah, alright,” I replied, a fresh and honest smile on my face.

“And you really should give it more thought, you know,” she added vaguely as she stood up and resumed her packing.

“Give what more thought?” I questioned, tilting my head.

“Magic,” the lavender unicorn answered. “If the playing cards and wand on your flank are any indication, I'd say you're bound to be quite talented at it.”

Stealing a glance at my own rump, I then asked, “Stage magic is a bit different from the real deal, isn't it?”

“In some ways, yes, and in other ways, no.”

“How so?”

“Well, I've always felt that Cutie Marks indicate more than just your special talent. I see them as a sign of much greater, wider potential. I told you about Trixie, didn't I?”

“The blue unicorn in constant danger of suffocating from the dense cloud of smug surrounding her?”

“That's the one. You see, though Trixie's talent was for stage magic, and although she left quite a bit to be desired as far as personality and simple manners go, she really was an excellent magician. One of the best. She had every ability to live up to her own wild boasts, but she never chose to practice what she preached and instead put forth as little effort as possible while putting on her shows. And while it could still be argued that her performances were nonetheless spectacular, with a little more work on her part and a little less showboating they could have been even greater.”

“I don't think I follow, Captain. What exactly are you getting at?”

“Stage magic, sleight-of-hoof magic, and all other kinds of magic,” Twilight explained, grinning as she fastened the clasps on either side of her bags. “I think that you'll find it's all relative. Why constrain yourself to one field when you can explore them all? Your talent isn't simply stage magic, Jeremy, but magic in general.”

Wide-eyed, I leaned back and said, “That's... a lot to take in.”

“Nopony said you couldn't take your time with it,” she laughed. “Proceed with all the caution you think is necessary, one step at a time. Just don't box yourself in simply because you think you can't do something. In the end, you'll never know unless you try.”

“Hmm, can't really argue with that,” I smirked, shrugging. “Thanks for the advice, Mom.”

“And thank you for the sarcasm, Son,” the purple pony returned, her eyebrows high. “Now I've got a train to catch. It still ruffles my nonexistent feathers that I won't be able to visit my brother while I'm in Canterlot, but I suppose that's what makes an official business trip official. Besides, with how much better you've gotten recently, I imagine I'll find the time to sit down and catch up with him very soon.”

“I certainly hope so,” I chuckled. “I'll try my hardest not to devolve into a crying, simpering wreck while you're gone.”

“You remember where to go, right?” she questioned, eying me warily.

Saluting, I replied, “Sweet Apple Acres, right?”

“Good,” Twilight affirmed with a nod. “I made arrangements with Applejack and her family a few days in advance, so they're expecting you. Try not to make them wait by meandering too much during the walk there.”

“Hey, I don't dawdle!”

“I've heard Spike say the same thing more than once.”

Rolling my eyes, I commented, “I guess that's why you sent him off ahead of you?”

“Well, that and he's been working so hard lately I figured it was high time he took a break,” she admitted. “I told him to have my chambers ready for me when I get there, but knowing the palace's staff, they were ready for me weeks ago. He'll get there, find that he has nothing to do, then spend the rest of the next couple of days enjoying a hard-earned vacation.”

“That's very sweet of you.”

“Shining Armor isn't my only brother, you know.”

“So it would seem,” I mused.

Turning back to face me as she magicked open the front door, Twilight's eyes glinted mischievously.

“I told Applejack that you've been physically healthy for the past month, so I'll warn you, it's entirely possible that she'll have you work in the orchards with her.”

“Manual labor doesn't scare me,” I declared, thumping a hoof against my puffed-out chest. “Bring it on.”

“Oh, I'm sure she will. See you in a few days!”

And with that, Twilight stepped out and closed the door behind her.

Welp, time to get to work I guess. How hard can picking apples possibly be?

To be continued in Chapter Eight – Purging the Poison Through Sweat and an Honest Day's Work...