Artist’s Description
 
Having left her lunch meeting with Sunstreak, Annie’s head was filled with a whirlwind of scolding words. So much swirled around her head. Had it been her own thoughts, she’d be fine with it. Instead, what was the quiet space of her head, was now occupied by a very loving, caring, and angry grandmother…
 
Sharing a fragment of the cluster created by Crystal years and years ago, Annie carried around a literal piece of her grandmother. This granted the consciousness of the not-so-departed Crystalmancer to speak to whomever she pleased. And while normally her attention would be back in the Far West, today she directed herself at Annie…
 
Crystal: What are you thinking?! Agreeing to sit down with that wretch, supplying him, HELPING him?! After what he’s done to your brother and your mother, how could you?!
 
Annie inhaled deep and let out a sigh. Keeping her mouth shut and her responses in her head, she made sure no one would know the conversation she was having in her mind, lest they think she was crazy for talking out loud to no one.
 
Annie: I am helping a client get a good night sleep. That’s all this is.
 
Crystal: It bloody well isn’t! You are playing a dangerous game talking to that boy, Sunstreak! You need to contact him, and tell him you will not be supplying him with that potion!
 
Annie: No, I won’t..! I know what I’m doing, I can handle him..
 
Crystal: Annie, dearest, he is too much of a threat to be around..! After what he did on the island, how can you sit across a table from this stallion so calmly?! He could have lead you somewhere other than a restaurant, he could have hurt you as means of hurting your brother!
 
Annie: Tch.. ears twitch and fold back If that’s what he really wanted, he’d have done it already. Besides, I don’t think his in any rush to be sent back to jail.. I’m not afraid of him.
 
Crystal: You should be..! He–
 
Annie: -Couldn’t hurt me even if he tried! You saw how he was walking.. And that cane..? His in no position to lay a finger on me and do harm. I’m not scared of him, because there’s nothing he can do without hurting himself….. Be it physical, or in other ways.
 
Crystal: Ugh… E-even if that is true, ponies like him can’t be trusted..! After he lied his way into the position he did on the island, how can you trust him so easily?
 
Annie: I don’t. But I don’t have to trust him to give him a chance to actually change..!
 
Crystal: He lied about that before, he will again..!
 
Annie: ……. Mom changed, didn’t she?
 
Crystal: ears spring up I-I… What..?
 
Annie: eyes narrow Mom killed ponies years ago…! She has blood on her hooves, but she changed..!
 
Crystal: Annie, that-… That’s different, she…
 
Annie: What about Uncle..? He’s done some pretty cruddy things before he wound up on that island, but he’s changed from everything he’s done..!
 
Crystal: Those are completely different things..!
 
Annie: No it’s not! stomps her hoof physically, kicking up dirt I don’t want to hear you justifying their actions..! My point is, even after the terrible things they did, they changed! Anyone can, if they’re given chances to! I don’t see why that has to be any different here!
 
Crystal: ear twitches Annie… I just want you to be safe.. Sunstreak is the last pony you should be speaking to..!
 
Annie: I’ll be the judge of that for myself. I can handle my own, and I don’t need protecting..! But if you’re so concerned for my safety, then just tell Danny what I’m doing!
 
Crystal: Uh–! …….. looks to the side
 
Annie: …… Well?
 
Crystal: ……………..
 
Annie: ….. We both know what will happen to Sunstreak if anyone knew he was talking to me, let alone just buying me food as a bonus for my help…. It’s one thing to deny anymore chances when one has screwed up again, and again, and again…. But he didn’t even get one.. I don’t know anything about him, but maybe that’s a good thing… I’ll just find out for myself, and judge for myself what kind of pony he is…. I don’t trust him, and I’m not defending him…. But I’m not going to just leave a pony to suffer.
 
Crystal: ……………. looks away
 
Annie: ……… I’m tired.. And I have studying to do.. starts taking the necklace off, Crystal’s image starting to fade from her mind
 
Crystal: I won’t tell your brother..
 
Annie: pauses
 
Crystal: But I hope you know what you’re getting yourself into, Annie…. These types of stallions, will pay any price to get what they want… No matter who they hurt… Just know that…
 
Annie: … I know.. Thanks, grandma..