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[Apple had never left Snow's side - or more accurately, refused to. She'd sweet talk the nurses in order to extend visiting hours, sneak in through the windows, have the animals distract the staff, whatever it took. She lost some sleep due to this, but she was afraid of sleeping if something worse happened.

So many thoughts run through her head. Is this what it will feel like when Briar falls asleep? Will Apple and Snow's last full conversation be a fight? What is this place, this land, Empatheias?

She holds her hands, sighing deeply.]

[Ever dutiful and by Snow's side, when her amulet was dropped off, it was just a matter of when she would wake up (since the doctors didn't dare say "if" around Apple.) It had been several hours now since the bright yellow crystal had been put on Snow White.

But, as he emotions were settling in, and the exhaustion was no longer affecting her physically or emotionally, she slowly opened her eyes and smiled at Apple, she reached out and took her daughter's hands into one of hers, still feeling incredibly weak.]

Good morning, Apple pie.

Edited 2017-05-30 22:42 (UTC)

[Apple gasps, lifting her head - and here come the tears.]

Mom...! Mom, I'm sorry!

[And once she started, she can't stop.]

I should have tried harder to find out was wrong... And I never should have yelled at you! I've - I just don't know what to do! I'm so sorry...

[She reached out and placed a gentle finger to Apple's lips before wiping away her tears. She began moving to sit up with some help from her animals. She linked her fingers to Apple's.]

No, Apple dumpling, you don't owe me an apology. [She smiled, raccoons fluffing up her pillow.] I owe you one. I should have waited and more importantly, I should have tried to understand what changes there must be from when I was a princess to the queen you will one day become.

But please, don't blame yourself for this, never for something like this. No one knew and no one understood what was happening. I know for a fact, even as much as I slept, that you never left my side. And... I want you to know I've never had family do that for me before. The dwarfs care for me a great deal and they're some of my dearest friends and loved ones, but you are the first family member to ever cry for me and care over me.

[She wishes she could stop crying, but she just... can't. No matter how hard she tries, they keep coming.]

I-I... I've never seen you cry. You're always so strong, and in control. I just want to be like you. And when you wouldn't wake up, I kept trying to think of what you would do... But I couldn't, I couldn't even think! It was the worst!

[She did the only thing she could think of, what she always wished someone had done for her and gathered Apple up in her arms and hugged her close, stroking the back of her hair. She let her cry as much as she needed and listened.]

Oh, Apple dear... I never want you to think you can't cry and make a fuss. You cry as much as you need whenever you need.
You see, there's a reason you might never see me cry. It's not that I don't, I very much do.

But...

Well, the reason I don't cry much is a bit hard to explain.

[Apple clings to her, crying a little quieter as they embrace. She takes deep, long breaths, trying to calm down... but then Snow says something odd.]

You... you do? But... you always have a smile on. Everyone looks up to you as an inspiration...

[She continued to stroke Apple's hair and rubbed her back, quite happy to have her daughter in her arms and being able to offer comfort in this way.]

Oh yes, when I was first told by the huntsman that my stepmother wanted to kill me, I was terrified, Apple. I must have cried at least half the day away when I finally ran far enough away from the castle. But crying wasn't going to solve my problem of now being homeless! I needed to find somewhere to stay, but I was still quite upset.

So I sang a song to cheer myself up. But I don't think I would have been ready to do what needed to be done, if I hadn't at least cried a little.

I'm very used to taking care of myself by myself, and no one ever drying away my tears. This was no different except now I needed to find a roof over my head.

But I don't want you to ever have to feel like the way I felt when I was growing up, Apple. You see, I couldn't go to anyone about any of my fears or problems, I couldn't turn to my stepmother about any aches or pains. That's not something I want for you! You can come to me, especially when you're upset, even when you're not, you can always come to me.

Edited 2017-06-02 07:00 (UTC)

["But I'm not supposed to", Apple almost says. Because if Snow didn't have anybody... then...

... Then what? Apple can't say she has nobody. She has so many friends at at Ever After High, and if she ever needed help, they'd probably stampede towards her. Not to mention this place is different from everything she knows and everything she was taught.

Meeting your mom when she was your age is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Perhaps it's a chance to do other things one normally doesn't do. Is there really any harm - as long as things go the way they should in the end?]

... Thank you. I've... I've been trying to keep a lot of stuff inside, because everyone expects me to smile and just take it on without complaint. It's not easy, and sometimes I do want to cry and complain and everything. And this place has been really frustrating! And I miss my school, I miss my teachers, and most of all I miss all of my friends!

[But, thankfully, saying all this doesn't bring any tears. if anything, it makes her feel better to admit the stuff she's been holding back.]

So... so I'll come to you, whenever I want... right?

I don't expect you to always smile, not here and not now. I don't know what I'll say when I'm older, but here in Verens, you never have to force yourself to perk up. You show exactly what you feel Apple, and you say exactly what you need to.

It's more than alright to miss your friends, your school, your teachers, and everything else. [She kept stroking Apple's hair.]

Whenever you want, no matter what. May you never know the pain of having no one to dry your tears away, Apple.

[A quiet chuckle.

Careful... if you say things like that, I might come crying to you about everything. I'll wind up talking your ear off!

[A small way to let Snow know she's all right. She leans on her a little, calming down and relieved. Okay, so not absolutely everything has to be solved and resolved right this second. It's scary, but also kind of nice...]

You'll be sick of me soon enough.

[She smiles as she pushes some of Apple's hair from her face.]

Hardly. Now then, I know I left the bakery in the best of care with you in charge, but how did things go while I was asleep?

Everything was just fine. We managed to handle all the sales perfectly... Fluttershy left us for a bit, but it was only to go with everyone else who were getting the new crystals for your amulets. She was so brave!

Well, I think we can certainly forgive anyone who left to go help with the crystals or were affected by the crystal theft.

And she is! Her and Minnie and Allura and so many of our friends. You were very brave too. I'll have to make something special as a thank you for all their hard work, and yours too!

Oh no you don't, you do not get to jump into a project that fast after everything that happened! And I don't want anything from you, I'm just happy to have you back to normal.

Ah...

[She didn't know how to respond to that, no one had ever cared for her like this.]

Well... I mean- are you sure?

I'm absolutely, positively, one hundred percent sure!

Alright, will you stay here beside me for a little while longer, though?

[her expression softens, and she ducks her head again, smiling.]

... Yeah. I can stay As long as you want.

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