buckyouup | 012 Bushels ❦ [Action for Cianwood/Video]

[AJ has been doing a lot of thinking lately. Being stuck in the Cianwood Inn nursing an injured leg for the last three weeks, thinking is all you really can do. She's managed to get out of bed enough to start exercising again, but she's still not able to keep up with training her pokemon just yet. Still, she's spent most of today resting in bed, a Togetic curled in her lap. The little fairy has never left her side since the injury, tending to every need she is capable of handling. Part of her is thankful, but part of her is sad. The caring, the dedication. It reminds her all to much of...

She huffs, reaching down and stroking the tiny creature's crest, who coos in response. Why is it that she can show so much affection to a pokemon, but she could only freeze up attempting the same to its former trainer? She couldn't give her the one thing that would make her truly happy in the last weeks of her being in this world? Her hand balls into a fist.

Damnit.]

What... do y'all do when you feel like you let somepony down?

[When you can't seem to forgive yourself, no matter how much you try.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

(With how down AJ has been lately, it comes as no surprise to Cadence to hear her asking for how to cope with it. She knows there's no easy answer to that, but she can't leave the girl to figure it out on her own.

That and being familiar with the context probably helps.

Cadence slowly opens the door to AJ's room.)

How're you feeling, Applejack?

[Oh, hey Cadence. AJ is just gonna... avert her gaze.]

I'm... managin'.

And how're you managing?

(Specifics, girl. Specifics.)

My leg's feelin' a lot better. I should be back on my hooves in no time.

[Except... they're feet now. Stupid anatomy.]

That's great; I know you're strong enough to come out of this.

(Cadence moves to pet the Togetic.)

Especially with her keeping you company.

[Oh. Cadence moving in to pet Celest, AJ finally makes eye contact.]

She's as sweet as she's ever been. All she wants is t'help out.

Looks like she's been doing a wonderful job of that. You two have had a lot of time to get to know each other, haven't you?

I've known her back since she was a Togepi, but I'll admit this is the most time we've ever spent together.

I bet she looks up to you, if you've known her since she was a child.

I ain't sure about that... [She chuckles lightly.]

I know she loved Fluttershy more than anypony. She's her mom, s'far as she's concerned.

Well that would make you her aunt, wouldn't it?

I-I...

[She reddens, looking down at the pixie in her lap.]

I suppose so.

Then it makes sense that she'll want to best for you.

I bet Fluttershy does, too.

[...Sigh.]

S'it that obvious I'm thinkin' about her?

It's hard not to notice.

(And that's before taking into account Cadence's affinity to love.)

It's not your fault, Applejack.

'Course it's not. I don't have any control over when somepony comes or goes, but...

[...]

I just wish I could've treated her better. A gal that sweet deserved so much more.

You were nothing short of a dear friend to her. In this kind of situation, you did the best you could and for that, I'm sure Fluttershy appreciated that.

But we were supposed t'be more than that, an' I couldn't provide it.

It isn't healthy to keep regretting what you didn't do. You need to remember what you did do, how hard you worked to accommodate her even without all of your previous memories, how thankful she was for you doing your absolute best.

In a way, you provided exactly what you wanted to.

But I couldn't even be... romantic with her. What kind a' special somepony can't even treat their marefriend special?

Every time I try, I just... freeze up.

You don't always have to be romantic to show you care for your special somepony. It's as simple as being there for them.

But I wanted t'be romantic to her. I wanted her t'feel like a princess an' I just...

[Sigh.]

(Cadence frowns and sits beside AJ.)

You cared for her with every available part of your heart, didn't you?

...'Course I did. I just... wanted to do more.

...Thinking like that will only hurt you, Applejack. Didn't you two still share laughs and peaceful moments together?

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