The sky was beginning to grow lighter as the night slowly gave way to dawn. Turquoise Edge didn’t even need a flashlight as the setting moon illuminated the trail of hoofsteps she was following. Soon, she came to a clearing at the top of the hill, where the mare she was looking for sat staring at the horizon.

“Candy?”

The mare turned around at the sound of her name. “O-oh, hey…Sorry I’ve been out so long.” She turned back around, looking down at the ground with a crestfallen look.

“Don’t be sorry, you needed some time. I’m just glad you’re okay.” Turq approached her until she was standing beside her. “Mind if I sit here?”

“Sure, I can’t stop you,” Candy scooted over slightly to make the pegasus some room. “Did Holly send you to find me?”

“No, I decided to come on my own,” Turq assured. “But I did talk to her. And if it helps, I think she understands how you’re feeling a lot better now.”

“Really? Do you think I should talk to her?” Candy asked, looking up at Turq. “Do you think she’d listen this time?”

“Yeah, I do,” Turq affirmed. “I know this whole ordeal has been pretty hard, but Holly does love you very much. So does your Ma. And they really do want what’s best for you, even if they don’t quite get it. Even though they said things they shouldn’t have.”

“I know, and that’s why it hurts so much when they say things like that, like they can tell me what to feel…I have as much right to my feelings as they do theirs…” She trailed off. “Do you think Ma would listen?”

Turq pondered for a moment. “I think so. She does have her own feelings about…your Mother, but I really don’t think she wanted to make you feel like that. Gal—your Mother DID hurt both of you, and your Ma is not okay with that. Even if you did have good memories. She shouldn’t have let her anger get in the way, but she does care about you. She just doesn’t want to see you get hurt again.”

“I know, but it’s not like I’m going to go find her and welcome her in with open hooves!! I just don’t hate her. I can’t hate her. I know Ma doesn’t want me to get hurt again, but I need to be able to remember the good times, even if it hurts. I just don’t know how to tell her that.” Candy sighed.

“Tell her exactly what you’re telling me. About how you feel, but also let her know you get where she’s coming from. She’ll listen this time. She may never agree with it, but she will understand. And so will Holly. I know my girlf—my friend and my daughters well enough to know that.”

“You really think so?”

“Have I ever said anything I don’t believe?” Turq smirked lightly. “Trust me, it’ll all work out. I know it will.”

Candy grinned, tearing up a bit before giving Turq a hug. “Alright…Thank you Momma, it means a lot.”

Turq smiled and embraced her back.

“Of course, Candy. You can always come to old Momma for anything.”