Yawning, and wishing that the early shift at Sprinkles Supplies didn't start so early, I meandered down a quiet corridor to the meeting room. We would decide over breakfast on our next move.

As I walked, I passed a few familiar faces who were also making their way there. “Hey, Cept.”

The stoic zebra stallion nodded politely as he overtook me.

“Morning, Buff, Al, Lo.”

The three Doublehorns all smiled as they hurried towards the increasingly fragrant aroma of food.

Another body moved into my peripheral vision, catching up and matching pace with me. Barely sparing them a glance through the sleep gunk I was attempting to rub away, I could only muster another token greeting. “Hey, Lo.”

His response was significantly cheerier. “Hey, 'flake. Good shift last night?”

“Eh, pretty quiet. Didn't finish until late, though.”

“Quiet eh? That's good, lots of peace and quiet. No one to bother you...”

The snickering tone drilled through my sleep-addled ears and hit straight at my brain. Memories of the previous night ran my drowsiness down and beat it into full consciousness. Ah... bugger. “Um... yeah, nice and quiet. Nothing to report.”

“Oh, really?” His tongue might as well have been dipped in sarcasm. “Then what about—?”

“Hold on,” I cut him off, fully awake brain moving past last night and into the morning. “how are you here right now?”

“Huh?” His not-at-all restrained glee morphed into confusion. “Whaddaya mean? We slept here last night too.”

“No, not that.” I looked further up the corridor. “You were just here a second ago, with Buff and Al.”

“Wha? No, I wasn't. I told them to go ahead while I made my bed.” He was looking up the corridor too, smile slipping a little.

“Lo, if you're trying to be funny then I don't get... hold on.” Ah, I know what's going on. “Stay here a sec, Lo.”

“Um... okay?”

Jogging up the corridor, I turned two corners, and found myself face-to-chin with 'Lo'. “Oh, hey there, 'little brother'.”

Grinning unevenly, the 'buffalo' scratched the back of his neck. “Hi... big sist-”

“Knock it off, Bosco, I know it's you.”

Frantically checking around for eavesdroppers, the buffalo disappeared in a burst of green flame, leaving a familiar colt standing in his place, frowning. “Snow, shh! You wanna give away what I am to everybody here?”

I poked him in the chest with a hoof. “What the heck were you doing pretending to be my brother?”

He shrugged glumly. “Just wanted to see if I could. Still got a lot to work out, but if I have to be... what I am, might as well try to be good at it.”

“But why Lo?”

He shrugged again. “I've been trying all morning. Seems easier when more I know the person I'm changing into. Watch.” In quick succession, three green flash fires turned him into Cassie, Naiara, and finally another Snowflake.

I could only watch, enraptured, as a mirror image stared back at me. That's... unnerving.

After second or two, 'I' doubled over, and green-burned back into Bosco. He was wheezing. “Guh, takes it outta ya.”

I put a hoof around his shoulders, and turned him towards the meeting room. “Well, leave it for now. Get some breakfast in you and rest up. Real impressive, though.”

“Yeah, thanks.” He panted, before heading on his way.

A colt could get himself into a lot of trouble doing that. New issues constantly barraged my thoughts as I headed back and fetched Lo. Whatever we do about this, we're gonna have to be VERY careful.

As Lo and I entered the meeting room, he spotted his brothers and moved to join them. I started to follow, but almost instantly found myself wrapped up in an aquamarine glow. Hoisted up, my hooves had to tuck in to avoid inadvertently kicking Naiara and Cept in the head as I was taxi'd across the room. Cassie, in a rare appearance away from the medical bay, sat with Bosco. The pegasus had pointedly placed herself between Bosco and my brothers, and next to Cept and Naiara. On Bosco's other side, Wings was speaking with Schwarzwald and Amber, but still smirked as I floated by. I stuck my tongue out at her to hide my blush. Damn your twinkling eyes, Blue Fire!

When the aqua glow let go of me, aqua hooves took its place. Wrapping me up in a tight hug, Undertow giggled into my chest.

“Mmm, now this is a nice way to start a meeting. How you doing, little sis?” Returning the hug, I nuzzled her ear, drawing another giggle.

“She said yes!” Undertow managed to whisper between giggles. “Mom said yes!”

My heart melted. “She did? That's wonderful! I'm so happy for you, Undertow.”

“I know there's a lot of things happening, but I can still smile right now, right? Nobody'll get mad?”

“If they do, they'll have to go through me.” I hugged her tighter. “You smile as bright as you can, little sister. As bright as you can. I love you so much.”

“Love you too, big sister.”

We shared one last loving squeeze before the door opened to admit Undertow's new mother. Lexi strode into the room at a brisk trot, taking note of all those in attendance.

Boys, would you swallow that food and pay attention?! I glowered at my three brothers until they got the message.

Lexi moved to take her place before the group. As she went, she locked eyes with her daughter, who was waving joyfully. The older unicorn's eyes lit up for a moment, before she continued on with a smile.

From the bottom of my heart, boss, thank you.

Lexi rapped a hoof on the wall. “Awright, boys an' girls, afore we get started, got a few latecomers needin' t'join too. Pretty sure you know 'em, or most o' yeh do anyways. If yeh don't, Ah don't care. They're joinin' anyway.”

Turning back to the doors, I was surprised to see a cloven hoof hold one open for a unicorn mare in a lab coat, who I recognised instantly.

“Esto?”

The scientist pony stared evenly back at me, before brushing some bleach-blonde mane from her glasses and panning her eyes around the room. “Good morning, everyone. I apologise for the interruption.”

“I don't.” The rest of him following his hoof through, Rockhaunch kicked the door shut behind him.

“Chief, is that you?” Buff and Lo stood up to approach him, but he waved for them to sit down again.

“At ease, boys. I'm sure everybody's in a hurry.” This didn't stop him from eyeballing my last brother. “You must be Al. You've got two fine brothers there, boy.”

“Uh... thanks?” Like myself, Al didn't seem to know what to make of the appearance of the newcomers.

“Weren't you leading the Lethbridle refugees, Chief Rockhaunch?” Wings' Blue Fire was showing as she surveyed the pair.

“And weren't you looking after Lithu, Esto?” Bosco piped up from the side.

Esto beat the stone-faced bull to the response. “Yes, to both. It is part of why we are here.” She caught my boss' frown, and quickly sat herself down next to Rockhaunch, who had joined my brothers. “But that can wait for later.”

“Very kind o' yeh.” Lexi deadpanned, before raising her chin to address the entire room. “Well, Ah've been hearing bits an' pieces o' all that's goin' on, but Ah figure it's high time you all get yerselves a real plan of action. Not that it ain't nice to save caps on labour costs, but there's a bunch o' mah wagons due back any time now, and Ah ain't got the room to put up all these extra bodies no more. So Ah need yeh to hammer out the details 'mong yerselves today.” Her purple eyes looked at each of us in turn. “Who's gonna start?”

Cassie flapped her wings the second Lexi finished. “I'm not going anywhere until my sister wakes up. That's not up for debate.”

“That's fine.” Lexi responded. “Already got yer payment fer mah services. Y'can stay til the job's done.”

Satisfied, the pegasus sat again, but nudged Bosco with her elbow as she did. The colt took strength from it, and spoke up in a clear voice. “I need to go to Whinniepeg.”

Undertow and I started, along with Cassie, Wings, Naiara, and Schwarzwald. I let go of Undertow so that she could lean forwards. “Whinniepeg, Bosco? Why do you need to go there?”

Turning his slate grey eyes on her, he held a hoof over his chest. “There are things I still need to find out, and I don't have anywhere else to look. The Barnstormer facility is an empty, burned out husk, the... forest moved, and I doubt we can get back to Neighlway again.”

“How in the hell does a forest move?” Rockhaunch groused, but went ignored.

Bosco chose his next words slowly, shooting aside glances at those present not in the know. “Now that... Silver is unavailable, that leaves me with Gold as the only option. I'm not happy about it, given how... Gold has treated us in the past,” Undertow grimaced at the apologetic expression he sent her way, “but the answers I need might be there. I have to find out.” Breathing out, he leaned back. Cassie reached over and rubbed his back softly. I did the same for Undertow, who was still watching Bosco.

“Does this have anything to do with your Memory Orbs, Bosco?” Esto peered at him over the top of her glasses, interest peaked by the mention of a mobile forest, and Bosco's cryptic words.

The charcoal colt bit on his bottom lip, but nodded.

Cept stood next, before Esto could press further. “I believe that my clan elder, Atesh, is growing more impatient with our work here in Equestria,”

“You mean what's left of it.” I muttered under my breath.

If he heard me, Cept gave no sign. “Naiara and I must travel to meet him, and work to keep our clan on the true path. Atesh is currently in control of Plottawa, but I cannot say for how much longer.”

“Ah, so he took my suggestion.” Amber mused, visibly calculating. “I wonder if I could still broker a mutually beneficial-”

“Nnnope.” Naiara shut her down with one word. “Ain't gonna happen. Leave this one alone, Bernstein. Atesh has already said that he's not bound by your arrangement anymore. He's also under siege by Willow Wisp and the Plottawan remnants.”

I choked on my spit. “The Overmare's at Plottawa? The Overmare's WITH Plottawa?”

Cassie grimaced. “Yes. She is also aware that you continue to live.”

“The fuck, Cassie?!”

“I didn't tell her, not directly. She inferred it while I attempted to take her Pipbuck from her. If it is any consolation, I do not believe she is yet aware that you and Red Ice are one in the same.”

“Oh, well, that makes it all better now, doesn't it?” I snarked.

The businessmare sighed unaffected by our squabble. “Unfortunate, but not unexpected.” She opened her hooves. “Still, I do have alternatives for my next move. I propose an expedition to Whitepony.”

“What for, dahling?” Schwarzwald looked as surprised as the rest of us.

Did 'dear Amber' keep something from you, Schwarz? I wasn't sure if I should be smug or worried about that.

“You and your team brought back very valuable intelligence in your last excursion, which enables Chief Rockhaunch and I to put our plan for Lethbridle into action.” Amber smoothed down the folds of her blouse. “As I was only interested in information pertaining to Lethbridle then, there may yet be untapped wealth within Whitepony's walls.”

“Your plan for Lethbridle didn't go so well, Bernstein. You broke my city, and ended up broke yourself.” The Chief glared at her from his spot, from where he hadn't yet moved since sitting down.

“Still,” Esto tried to keep the peace, “it was very generous of you, Lady Bernstein, to donate the funds for Lithu's treatment here at Sprinkles Supplies.”

“Lithu's here?” My eyes shot wide, and I looked over at Lexi.

She nodded back, and mouthed 'ten thousand caps' to me with a harsh grin.

Amber couldn't have known about this, but her reaction was much more muted. “Indeed?” She raised an eyebrow at the Chief, who didn't care, before smiling with dignity. “I value the scientific arts, Miss Esto, and I do hope your assistant can return to her full strength. If you could make some time after the meeting to discuss the matter further with me, I would appreciate it.”

“Certainly. Thank you again.”

“So... yeah,” Naiara grunted. “Cept 'n' me're gonna head to Plottawa. Sorry guys, but just us this time.” Both zebra were solemn to Cassie.

The pegasus wasn't happy, but didn't try to stop them. “Please be safe, you two. Breeze would never forgive any of us if you did not come back.”

“And, no, Amber. We're not going to Whitepony.” I snarked. “Your info's not worth facing killer robots again.”

“That is impossible to determine before we have the information to hoof, but I will broach the subject at a later date, given the numerous issues still to be resolved.” Amber exchanged a few whispered words with Schwarzwald, then fell silent.

“So what's next?” I ventured.

Clacking her beak together, Wings cleared her throat. “Rockhaunch mentioned Lethbridle, and how it played out. The slavers, most of them anyway, and the Raiders might be trapped in the city, but McCoy's Monsters got out.”

Damn, forgot about them. “Right. And they took Latvi too. Gotta deal with both of them. Too dangerous to leave them to their own devices. Latvi might not have the Raiders anymore, but he's not stupid.”

“No,” Esto mulled, quiet disdain in her words. “he certainly is not. I would like to see him answer for what he did to Lithu.”

“And the entire region.” Wings reminded. “Guy thought it was his own personal excavation site. Screwed a lot of people over in the process.”

Like me, the prick. I rolled my shoulders, loosening up my suddenly anger-tight muscles. “McCoy might be gone, but his lieutenants are still around, and they...” want to take Wings away “...have business with us. Their contract will keep them coming after me, at least. I'd kinda like that target off my back. We take out the rest of the Monsters, including Eitom and Wicker, and Latvi loses his muscle.”

Wings' sapphire eyes were boring into me as I spoke, but I tried to avoid staring. Too many people here who aren't on great terms with me.

One such person finally shifted closer to upright. Rockhaunch looked over to Amber. “You made the deal that got the Monsters out of the city, right? I don't suppose you set a specific place for them to go, did you?”

She shook her head. “Sadly, no. They wouldn't agree to that, only to vacate the city if Latvi was endangered. To push that point might have revealed my intentions too early.” Amber turned her attention to Esto. “You knew Latvi better than any here. Could you venture a suggestion as to where he might go?”

Using her magic, Esto cleaned her glasses on her lab coat. “Latvi never mentioned his... side project to either Lithu or myself. I doubt there is anything I could tell you that you don't already know.”

Amber wasn't finished. “I am told Lithu, after her change, was a confidant for Latvi. Perhaps she-”

“Absolutely not!” Esto rammed her glasses back on her face, ignoring that her haste had led to them being upside down. “Lithu is a victim in this, not a collaborator. I won't have her traumatised any more than she already has been. She is here for treatment, not interrogation!”

Looking between the two, I found myself torn. They've both got a point, really. Lithu could have useful info, but I don't feel great about the idea of putting her through more trouble. “So what do we do?”

It was Fedexi Lexi who answered. “It's Esto's call. She brought Lithu here fer treatment. She makes that decision.”

“A treatment funded by the Bernstein Conclave.” Amber's tone was sharp, but not yet unprofessional.

“Ah don't care where the money came from. Yeh been here fer days, Bernstein, an' it's only after Esto showed up that the money appeared. Whatever goes on between you two after y'leave here is your business. Right now, Esto gets final say. Don't like it, y'know where the main gate is.” The three mares; Esto, Lexi, and Amber, sat in an almost perfect triangle. Lexi might have spoken up for Esto, but she was keeping an eye on both the earth pony businessmare AND the unicorn scientist.

Tense silence descended, as we waited for this to play out. Lexi seemed content to wait for the other two to work things out. Neither seemed to have a first move to make, however.

Finally noticing her glasses, Esto righted them with her magic. “Lady Bernstein, I do appreciate your generosity in this matter, but Lithu is my closest friend, and she has been through so much because of Latvi. I do not want to be rude, but please could you allow my friend her treatment, first and foremost?”

Amber didn't immediately respond, except to sit up straighter. In the end, she put a hoof across her chest, and gave a half bow. “Of course. Forgive my coldness. Please convey my best wishes to Lithu.” She turned to Wings. “I tried, Blue Fire.”

Blinking at the unexpected involvement, Wings just stared. “Uh... right, yes. Good try. We'll figure something else out. Maybe try Gull Gulf again, or something.”

“You can't go back there!” I exclaimed.

“Why not?” Wings' expression was guarded.

“The place is full of griffons. They were this close to lynching you last time!” How are you even considering this, Wings? We didn't go to all that trouble to get you out just for you to go straight back.

“Well, yeah, but—”

“Anyone else got something they need to do?” I demanded, turning away from her to address the group.

The Chief lumbered to his hooves. “Guess I'm the last one.” Reaching into his gear, he produced another bag adorned with an interlocked black 'B' and silver 'C', the mark of the Bernstein Conclave, and dropped it in front of my boss. “Need to hire your best guards. Dangerous work, might not all come back, so I'm paying a lot, and in advance. Another ten grand.”

Schwarzwald had her hoof wrapped around Amber's neck, the latter wearing a pinched expression.

That's thirty thousand of our promised eighty accounted for. I wonder what he's gonna do with the rest. If it turns out he's just gonna head to Grindstone for a week long bender, I think Amber'll try to kill him. The thought of the prim and proper businessmare wildly assaulting the giant buffalo forced a chuckle from my lips. I zipped them again as Amber's eyes whipped across in my direction.

Lexi made no move to lift the bag, either by hoof or horn. Her orange frizz mane jostled as she leaned away from the offered caps. “Yeh're askin' me to send some o' my employees on a job that could kill 'em. That's a hard sell, buffalo.”

To his credit, the Chief didn't seem happy about the situation either. “I know, some of my guys'll be going too. Ordinarily, I wouldn't dream of involving civilians, but I just don't have the numbers right now. Most of my officers are tied up escorting refugee convoys. I'm here because I heard your guards can fight.”

“They can, but only when they have to. They know when to cut and run. There's always another delivery run.” Her horn lighting up, the bag rose so it was floating in the air between her and the Chief. “What's so important that you think it's worth my guards dyin'?”

The chief's oaken fur shifted as he smiled a mirthless smile. “Believe it or not, it's caravan guarding.”

Lexi's eyebrow rose, but she didn't say anything in response.

Rockhaunch continued. “The refugee caravans are being attacked. I need help to find the ones responsible.”

“Raiders?” I went to stand by my boss. “Did some of them get out of the city?”

Rockhaunch's lips set in a thin line. “Nah, not Raiders. They're all still locked in Lethbridle. The ones attacking the refugees are Crush and his gang.”

Al sucked in a gasp. “Crush? Why would he do that?”

The Chief rounded on Al. “You know Crush? How?”

Wilting under the taller bull's stern glower, Al looked around for support. “H-he helped me out after I got separated from Buff and Lo, not long after we left the Stable.”

Rockhaunch's voice dropped even lower than usual. As did his brow. “You ran with Crush's gang?”

Buff and Lo had to move between Al and the Chief as the latter took a step forwards. “I-I didn't know it was a gang. He just helped me to survive. Said he wanted the best for all Buffalo.”

“'The best for all buffalo' to Crush means killing every non-buffalo around. That's what I'm here for. Crush has been attacking as many refugee convoys as he can find EXCEPT buffalo convoys. He's no saviour of buffalo, he's just an angry punk who looks down on other races. Always has been. Hell, I left Grindstone to get away from bastards like him.”

“And you're gonna get away from my brother right now, if you know what's good for you, Chief.” My horn was glowing glacier-blue, and the air temperature was dropping around us.

Lexi tapped the back of Rockhaunch's head with the money bag. “An' what're yeh gonna do when y'find 'im? Kill 'im?”

The oak furred buffalo took a step back from the Doublehorns and collected himself. “If I have to, to keep the region safe. Don't like killing, but wouldn't be my first time.”

Pondering this, Lexi tapped the bag against Rockhaunch's head a few times more as she thought. He made no move to stop her. Eventually, she nodded to herself. “Ah'll ask my boys. If they wanna go with you, then they can. If they don't, then you leave anyway. Any who go get an equal share o' this. Ah ain't takin' one single cap of this blood money myself. It's on them. Ah still expect you to do all you can to bring them back safe, mind.”

He nodded in respect. “I'll do everything I can to bring them home safe.”

Clapping her hooves together, Schwarzwald walked to the centre of the room, grinning in a circle. “We have a long list, dears and dahlings. Shall we get started?”

I reached out a hoof to help Undertow stand. “So what's first?”

Rockhaunch tapped the floating bag with his horn. “I'm just here for my fighters. Once I have them, I'll be off.”

Al tapped the Chief on the shoulder. “I-I'm coming with you, Chief.”

My blood went cold. “WHAT? Al, no!”

“I have to, Snow.” He pleaded. “It's like you told me when we found each other. I've got responsibilities here, people I need to pay back.”

“Crush?!” You cannot be serious! He'll kill you!

“No, not Crush. The others following him, like I did. I don't want them to be hurt if I can help it.”

“But... it's too dangerous for you!” I was pulling on Al's fur, trying to tug him away, but he didn't budge.

“It's always dangerous out here, Snow. We've gotta get used to that.”

Buff and Lo stepped up next to Al. “Which is why we're going too.”

“You can't!” I was trying to reach out to all three of them with just two hooves.

Lo stepped forwards and nuzzled against my cheek. “We'll look after each other, Snow, just like you taught us.”

“But... this?!”

“It's how we can help you.” Buff replied, the simple response stunning me. “All this other stuff you're talking about, we can't help with that, but we can help to keep the peace.”

“Red Ice,” Rockhaunch stepped up in front of me. “I promise I won't let them fight. If they can convince Crush's followers to abandon him, that's good. Otherwise, I'll have them fall back.”

“Chief,” I growled through where I'd smushed my face into Lo's fur. “If anything happens to them, I will kill you.”

“Of course you will. You're Red Ice.”

Furious, but helpless in the face of my brothers' determination, all I could do was give a self-damning nod. Undertow gently walked me back to where I had been standing.

Cassie started back towards the door. “I wish you all luck, but I have to stay with Breeze.”

Esto went after her. “And I have to watch over Lithu.”

Amber made to join them. “I am no fighter, and my business proficiency doesn't appear to be of any use against these particular opponents. One will not listen, and the others know me. I will return to my filing.”

Bosco held up a hoof. “Hold on you three, I had an idea on that. A way to help keep us all safe. With the buffalo going one way, the zebra another, and probably more splitting up too, we need somebody looking out for all of us. If you three are willing, could you stay here and act as a sort of relay for all of us? Mission control, y'know?”

The three mares; one pegasus, one unicorn, and one earth pony, looked at each other with trepidation. However, in the end, Cassie nodded. “If it means I can keep Breeze safe, while still helping you all, I'll do it.”

“I shall assist.” Amber agreed.

“Me too.” And Esto made three.

“Great,” Bosco smiled boyishly. “So who's coming with me to Whinniepeg?”

“I am.” Undertow didn't hesitate.

“Any other day and I would not miss this, Boss Colt,” Schwarzwald licked her lips. “but I will be joining Naiara and Cept in Plottawa.”

Both striped heads snapped up. “What?”

“Schwarz, we said we were going alone!” Naiara stamped a hoof.

The mercenary barely blinked. “I will not interfere in your business with Atesh. My focus is actually on Snowflake's Overmare, this Willow Wisp. I have questions for her.”

Yeah, I'll bet you do. “Careful, Schwarz. The Overmare working with Plottawa can only be bad news.”

She smirked back at me. “Do not worry, mistress,” Amber twitched at that, “I will not kill her unless she forces me. I really do have questions for her. It will not be a wasted trip.”

Neither zebra seemed particularly at ease with the arrangement, but Schwarzwald wouldn't be denied. She strode confidently over to stand by them.

That left Wings and I. We looked at each other.

Wings winked. “Latvi can wait a little while longer. The Boss Colt needs some backup.”

I wasn't up to smiling, but I nodded back. “Yeah, that works.”

“Ah'll keep workin' on Breeze and Lithu while y'all are gone. Anythin' happens, we let each other know, yeah?” Lexi had walked into the middle of the group, with Schwarzwald. “That goes for all o' yeh.”

The Chief coughed into a hoof. “On that note, I should probably mention that there's a region-wide 'kill on sight' order for Red Ice.”

“ARE YOU KIDDING ME?” I yelled, not in the mood after the events of the gathering.

“After that monster showed up in the city, everybody's convinced you summoned it. You're back to public enemy number one, Snowflake.”

“Oh, fan-fucking-tastic!” Shrugging off any attempt at physical comfort from my friends and family, I walked to the side of the room and paced.

Rockhaunch just shrugged. “Guess I'll be going then. Come on boys.”

“Bye, Snow.” Lo tried, meekly.

“Keep safe.” I commanded without looking away from my pacing. “I can't lose you boys.”

“We will.” The three of them departed with Rockhaunch.

Schwarzwald, Naiara and Cept left next, trading hugs and hoofbumps with Bosco and Cassie. Wings headed to the skycarriage, to ready it for lift-off. Cassie led Esto and Amber out of the room, the three discussing how they were gonna handle the duties assigned to them.

With a big kiss on the cheek, Undertow bid goodbye to her new mother, speeding out of the room on the lightest of hooves.

That left just Lexi and I, standing together in the formerly raucous meeting place. She nudged my shoulder with hers. “They'll all be okay, darlin'. They can't bear to leave you, an' vice versa.”

Alone with my boss, away from friend, family and acquaintance alike, I felt no need to pretend. “What if they're not?” I gasped out, my throat hoarse.

“They will be. They got someone special to come back to, babygirl.” A tingle ran through my cheeks as she magically cleaned the tears off.

“But I can't keep them safe. I'm their big sister. I have to be able to keep them safe.” I've already failed too many times. The Stable. The Raiders. Lethbridle. How am I supposed to keep them all safe if I've always gotta look over my shoulder for attacks?

Lexi turned me to face her, tapping her horn against mine. “Then ask for help. Nobody expects yeh to do all by yerself. Y'got friends too. They won't let yeh down. An' yeh can always come t'me.”

Her warm, soft words ran straight up her horn and down mine. Despite everything going on, I felt myself calming.

Brushing away the last of my tears with the back of my hoof, I gave her a small smile. “Thank you. I better catch up to the others.”

She returned the smile. “Come on back anytime, Snowflake. Always a place here for yeh.”

You have no idea how nice it is to hear that. “You're the best, boss.” Turning on my heel, I sped out after my sister.

Halfway down the corridor, one last word reached my ears.

“...'boss'?”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~