Fields of Gold Under the Moonlit Sky

Rose couldn't speak for the breathtaking beauty surrounding her. The beautiful golden fields waved softly in the cool breeze, bringing a sense of tranquility to the troubled mare.

"It's beautiful, here," she said finally, dropping her own bags next to her companion's. "I wish you could see it, Blindsight. It's perfect."

She lifted a brush from her bag and proceeded to untangle the silky strands of her crystalline hair as she wrapped her silk scarf closer around her neck for warmth.

"Thank you," Rosie said, taking the sleeping bag and unrolling it. She sat on top of it and warmed her hooves by the fire, careful not to get so close that the crystal started to melt.

She reached into her bag and lifted out a single rose. It was frozen in time, crystallized and made to last forever. It was her specialty. The dye always worked on flora, and it always produced beautiful results.

This particular blossom was sunset orange, and it seemed even more beautiful with the flames dancing inside of it. It was not intended for oogling, however, as Rosie pressed it into Blindsight's hoof.

"For you, my friend," she said gently. "So even if we part, you'll always remember us."

Though she knew he couldn't see it, Rosie smiled. It had been a long time since a smile had graced her lips from the simple pleasures of generosity, but she could feel the warmth inside of her.

She sat there, gazing at the fire, before speaking again.

"Do you want me to describe anything? So you can picture it? I only know how hard it is to be pitied for something far out of your control... But I can do whatever I can to help."

And so Rosie started.

"As the sun sets slowly over the horizon, rays of the most vivid orange cut across the sky, leaving the golden fields to glow with an almost ethereal light. The gold stretches for miles, waving softly in the wind like the magical locks of the princesses. The fire leaps in front of us, performing her magical dance,  dangerous and life-saving. It reflects off our fur, turning eyes jewel-red and fur crimson and tangerine."

She paused.

"Anything else you want me to talk about?"

She smiled a bit at his request before answering.

"It was once a real rose, growing tall and beautiful, with a fragrant scent that permeated the very air of the room in which it grew. It's something I'm known for in the Empire, growing flower that turn to crystal. I water the plant with a dye I created for about a week, and then I cut it. It takes about five minutes separated from the home stalk to crystallize, and then it is preserved forever as a jeweled flower. Yours is the only one in that vibrant sunset orange that I had ever found. It has found itself a worthy home."

She knew he was a bit uncomfortable, so she refrained from speaking any longer, instead grabbing a long strand of grass and tying her mane up in a knot. She watched the fire for a while, absently tracing the heart on her chest.

Forget him, a voice whispered in her head. That phase of your life is over. Your story has continued. Accept it.

She turned over, biting her lip and closing her eyes.

It's over. Be done.

Yes. It was time to get over Recurve, and to move on. She had a purpose to life now; it was time to see what path it took her down.

((I'm back, sorry for the delay!))

Rose slowly drifted into a deep slumber, her eyelids growing heavy as her breathing slowed. She seemed to be sleeping peacefully, but turmoil filled her dreams.

Dream Rosie was sitting in the same field, watching a sunset with Blindsight at her side. She sighed, leaning on his neck as she watched the light fade and felt the serenity of the moment.

All of the sudden, somepony was whispering in her ear.

"Rosella... I'm here... I've come back for you..."

The crystal pony looked up to see Recurve standing before her, a hoof outstretched, waiting for her to take it.

"But what about Blindsight?" she asked, looking at the zebra beside her. He was unmoving, frozen in time.

"Leave him," the stallion said sweetly. "I'm all you need..."

Rosella stayed where she was, not wanting to let go of her companion.

"Have it your way..."

And the dream Recurve was fading, and Rose reached for him, but her hoof passed through his, and then... he was gone.

She woke with a start, breathing heavily, sweat plastering her mane to her neck and face. Night had fallen, the moon high in the sky, and she looked, panicked, at Blindsight, to make sure he was still there. She hesitantly touched him, fearing that he would be just as insubstantial as Recurve, but he was fine. It was all fine... But Recurve was gone.

"Oh!" she exclaimed, embarrassed. "I didn't know you were awake. It was just a troubling dream... It's not real..."

She shuddered, recovering, and found that she no longer wanted to return to the soothing clutches of sleep. 

"It seems that sleep will now evade me. I'll keep watch if you want to rest."

She sat up, seeing that the fire had started to die down, and added more timber to the flames. The night was chilly, and she could feel it even with her proximity to the warming fire. She hoped that Blindsight couldn't see the tears leaking out of her eyes as she worked.

(Kinda got stuck)

"It is often believed that dreams are not merely illusions of the mind, but a window of the fate that you bind." He sat up from his spot and faced the warmth of the fire.

"Do not worry, for I am rested well. But it seems that you are in need of a spell. Rest your head, or your sanity, you will shed."

"Okay," Rosie agreed reluctantly. "Are you sure you'll be okay?"

She watched the fire's dying embers as she waited for his response, but the chill that had filled her skin and settled into her veins was leeching away, settling into a pleasant, warm feeling. Without realizing it, she had gotten quite close to the zebra, but she made no movement to move away when she realized what had happened.

"I think my sanity's already gone, I'm afraid, but we're all a little insane, right? It will return to me."