“Hey, uh, glad you’re feeling better. But are you sure you’re going to be okay going home, Conny?”
 
“Mmm mmf!”
 
“Okay. Just tell me if you’re hurting, because I’ll carry you if I have to.”
 
“Nnnnf.”
 
“I guess I get how frustrated the staff was getting with the smell of burnt cider permiating the entire burn ward…”
 
“Mmmmmph%” shudders
 
“Sorry to remind you of that, love. At least you stopped any other pony from getting hurt by that fuel explosion.”
 
“Mmmmph mmmf!”
 
“At least I’m pretty sure I know how to take care of you. The hospital said they’d deliver all the supplies we need to our campsite. I’m also going to pull some favors from my zebra contacts for some special salves for your burns.”
 
“Mm lmmf mm mmf rmmf mm mnf% <3”
 
“Oh! Yeah, heheh. I mean, I dunno how sexy rubbing medicine into burns is…”
 
“Mmmmm…”
 
“Kind of reminds me of taking care of you when you’d hurt yourself when we were colts. Except a lot more bandages and medicines now.”
 
“Nnnf… Mmmf mmph <3”
 
“Love you too, Conny. Wanna do food?”
 
“Mmmf! Mmmmm…?”
 
“Well, I got this metal straw back at camp. Soup?”
 
“Mf!”
 

 
From an earlier time, before Contail settled in Ponyville and built his airfield from an old farm. He travelled Equestria with his foalhood best friend and then boyfriend, Knave. While Knave did odd jobs for bits, Contrail tried to find an investor for his flying machine ideas. Sometimes, this required a demonstration or two to convince a potential doner.
 
It was during one of these events involving a demonstraiton of cycling multiple high-octane cider fuel tanks that disaster struck. Contrail was able to stem the flow of the high pressure fuel, minimizing the explosion but he ended up being doused in the boiling cacaphony himself. After a few weeks in intensive care at Ponyville Hospital, Conny was unfortunately asked to leave after he was stabilized because of his unfortunately overpowering cider odor (and Knave accidentially mentioning he had some certifiable nursing skills).
 
Now they’re going back to their little tent under a bridge. It’s gonna be a long recovery for Conny, and a lot of changing bandages and medicating for Knave. Also a presisting smell of hot cider that will stick with Contrail for a long time.