>A loud and obnoxious beeping tears you out of your dreams. >You repeatedly slam your hand onto the end table, trying to find your phone. >Your finger slips over the silence button when you finally find it and pull the phone under the blanket with you. "What..." you groan into the speaker. >Noise comes from your chin and you flip the phone around. "What," you demand again. >"Hey, it's Dom." "The hell do you want? Do you know what time it is?" >"Twelve-thirty." >You quickly sit up and throw the covers off your face. >In the process you slam your head into the bunk above yours. "God damn it!" you shout as you rub your forehead with a free hand. >"Top bunk?" laughs the voice over the phone. >You hate sleeping in this late. "What do you want?" you ask again. >"I invited Joe to your party." "What! Why!" >"He said he wanted to come." "I fucking hate that guy. He bitches nonstop about everything. I could literally shower that guy in Filipino hookers and he would still find a way to bitch about it. Not to mention the last time he was here he fried my computer." >"Well on the bright side he knows to bring something to eat." "... Alright fine." >As long as there's food to make up for it. >"I also invited Luna" "..." >There's someone who may actually turn out to be fun to hang out with. >"You there?" he asks when you don't respond. "Yeah." >"Well I'm gonna let you go." "Alright. See ya, fat ass." >"Later, faggot." >Beep. >Well this day was starting off like crap. >But on the bright side, you can afford to throw a party again, what with your new job. >Maybe the girl working at Burger King would like to hang out. >It's a Friday night, after all. >You throw on your hoody and take a quick look around your apartment. >Pizza boxes, empty cans, and bottles litter the place. >Crap. >You're gonna have to clean this all up before tonight. >As you exit your apartment into the hall, you find you neighbor already here. "Oh hey Flitter." >A swift kick to the stomach is her response. >You double over and fall to your knees, coughing. "What the hell is your problem?" you ask with a raspy voice. >She walks into the elevator and turns around. >"I'm not Flitter," she says as the doors close. "Bitch," you mutter to yourself. >After a minute, you realize that the elevator is gone. >Like hell if you're riding with Cloud Chaser. >Looks like you're taking the stairs. >The sun was warm and bright this morning. >Er, afternoon. >After walking for several blocks, you find the library. >You were always fond of the architecture of the building. >The large steps and columns were quite a sight. >As you enter through the large double doors, goosebumps pop up all over your arms and you get a slight shiver up the spine. >It must have been thirty degrees cooler compared to outside. >As you walk through the lobby, you take a look around but can't find what you're looking for. >Where the hell did the computers go? >"Good afternoon, sir," greeted a purple unicorn sporting large boxy glasses. "May I help you find something?" "Uh... Yes, actually. You wouldn't happen to know where the computers went, do you?" >"Oh... Yes, I do. I moved them into a seperate room. Users tend to get loud when others are trying to read." >A quick look around shows only a single person studying at an enclosed desk. "Right... Care to show me?" >"I suppose..." >You follow her through the library. >"I don't see why humans spend their time with those machines. It seems pointless to me." >You just shrug and continue on. >You were surprised to see several ponies using the computers as well. >Most weren't even unicorns. >"Here you are," said the librarian. "Thanks." >You spend a couple hours just browsing and checking mail. >Also looking at new computers for sale. >At about five o'clock, you finally leave. >You take the long way around on your way home to stop off at Burger King. >Much to your joy, that girl from yesterday is working. >"Hey, you," she greets as you come up to the counter. "How's that job search coming?" "I actually got a job here." >"Wow. I feel so sorry for you. You must be extremely desperate." "Meh. Little bit." >"Only a little, huh?" she asks with a raised eyebrow. "So what can I get for you?" "Whopper with cheese to go." >She nods and punches in the keys before you pay. >"Here you go," she says, handing you the bag a few minutes later. "Thanks. Hey, I'm throwing a party tonight. It'd be awesome if you could be there." >The woman just stops what she's doing and looks up at you with a raised eyebrow. >Skip the number and straight to the party invite. >"We'll see," she finally answers. "I have some errands I need to run tonight after work." >Playin' hard to get, eh? "Oh. Alrighty then. >Smooth move, jerkoff. "I guess I'll see you later then, uh..." >"Valerie," she says. "Right. I'm Anonymous by the way." >You notice the smile crease her lips as she tries to surpress a laugh. "I'm not kidding." >She has to bring a hand to hide her mouth as she laughs. "Yeah, yeah. Laugh it up. Just remember, I work here now." >"Oh I will," she says. "I will." >You give her a wave goodbye as you take your food and dip out. >Back at your apartment, you set your empty burger bag aside and examine the disaster area. >First impressions are on your mind. >A large stack of pizza boxes are piled on a nearby table. >Anon, tear down this wall. >You kick through them, sending cardboard and pizza crust crumbs fucking everywhere. >A few boxes proceed to knock over your pyramid of cans. >Well that did absolutely more harm than good. >Time to pick it all up. >As you're cleaning, you hear knock on your door. >Answering it, you find Flitter standing there. "Yeah?" >"Is everything okay? I heard a crash," she asks. "Yeah, that was me. Just cleaning." >She leans to the side and looks past you to see the myriad of trash now scattered across the floor. >"Uh... Would you like some help or something?" "Nah I'm good. Besides, I still have a few hours to kill before this needs to be done." >"Mind if I help anyways? I have nothing else to do today." "If you really want to, I don't see why not." >You step aside to allow Flitter in before closing the door behind her. >You go back to breaking down the pizza boxes. >Flitter analyzes your living space, visually disgusted. "You wanna start crushing those cans?" you ask her, pointing to the pile of aluminum. >Flitter looks at you, then to the cans. "Like this." >You set a can up and bring your foot down on it, effectively pancaking it. >Flitter imitates your form and brings a forehoof down. >She smiles as the can collapses beneath her. >You crush another and set up several others. >Flitter bounces from can to can, laughing as she does so. >Seeing her smile brought one upon yourself. >Her laugh is kind of cute, too. >You grab a box and hold it out front with both hands. "Hey. Kick this." >"Hee-yah!" >Flitter turned and bucked the box with both legs; easily collapsing it in half. >You drop it to the floor and jump on it, flattening it out more. >Breaking down the cans and boxes takes mere minutes. >You could almost feel Flitter's stare on your back as you worked, but you shrugged it off as mild paranoia. >With several full trash bags, you haul them out to the elevator; Flitter carrying one herself. >"So what prompted you to finally clean your apartment?" asked Flitter as the two of your rode the lift down. "It looks like it's been weeks since you last cleaned it." "People don't normally come over," you reply with a shrug. "So there's really no need. Plus, I don't usually go out that often." >"Really? I've knocked on your door several times but no answer." "What for?" >"Oh, uh, nothing important." >The doors open and you haul the trash out the door and to the nearby alley where the dumpster is. "Well there's a party tonight, so that is my reasoning for cleaning." >"Ooh. A party?" >You throw your bags into the dumpster and take Flitter's as well. >Flitter shifted on her hooves and her voice seemed to break a little. >"C-Can I, uh... Are we invited too?" >You never really thought about it. "Yeah, sure, if you want." >Her face lit up with a huge smile. >The two of you start walking back into the building. "The rule is to bring something to drink or snack on. We're all kind of poor so you bring your own stuff." >"No problem. I'll tell my sister." "Cliff Racer." >"Cloud Chaser." "Right. The grump." >"She's not that bad once you warm up to her." "Well her first few impressions haven't been the best," you mutter as you rub your bruised abs. >Riding back up the elevator, you split in the hall between your rooms. "Welp. I'll see you later, I guess." >"Yeah, I'll just- Wait!" "What?" >"What time should we come over?" >You stop in your tracks. >The gears in your head turn before you finally facepalm. >You didn't tell Valerie a time! >Aw fuck! >You didn't even tell her where you live! >Or get her number! >The sudden urge to strangle yourself rises from deep within the dark recesses of your heart. "Uh... I don't know. Nine?" >"Tomorrow?" "Tonight." >"O-Oh. I wasn't expecting that. That's okay though. See you later." "Yup." >Tick tock on the clock. >There's a rapping at your door. >Immediately following was some loud repeated kicking. "It's open you assholes!" you shout. >The door cracks open just a bit before a boot kicks forward and slams the door hard against the wall behind it. >"The Bearilla is here!" shouts Dom. "Watch the fucking door!" you shout at him. >He waves you off with a "Meh" and walks in followed by Luna and Joe. >"Phil and Adam not here yet?" asked Joe. "No." >You rise off your couch to greet them. "Hey Joe. Luna." >"Hey." >"Good evening, Anon." >You look back at Dom. "And what in the hell are you wearing?" >"This is my bear hat!" >His hat was, no shit, a fucking bear pelt. >The head rested on his own and the rest fell behind him like a cape. >You couldn't contain it and doubled over onto the floor laughing. "That is the best stupid thing I have ever seen in my entire life!" >"It's easily one of the better impulse buys I've made." >When you finally contain yourself, you check your watch. >It was only 7:30. "Huh... Wanna play a quick game before we get too drunk?" >Dom holds up a half-empty bottle of rum. >"Uh... You see what happened was..." he started as he shook it a little. >"We seem to have gotten started already," finished Luna." "Oh. Well then let's set up the table." >You pull out a 24-pack from the fridge and some plastic cups from the cabinet. >Joe goes into the kitchen to put some... "What the hell are those white hot dogs?" >"Tofu." "You gotta be kidding me..." >He places the tofu dogs on the counter and walks off with a couple beers. >Dom proceeds to order several pizzas; with and without meats. >With the table set, Dom opts to be on Luna's team so you're stuck with Joe. "Wait a minute. Wouldn't her using magic to directly control the ball be highly illegal?" >"I'll let it go," she promises. >You're not sure if you can trust her, but there's not much else you can do. >They take the first two shots. >Dom misses but, surprise surprise, Luna makes it. >You take the first drink to kick off the night. >It was at this time that Phil and Adam stepped through the door. >"Hey!" they cheer, each holding a 24 pack in each hand. "God damn! How much do you plan on drinking tonight?" you asked them. >"All of it and then some," replied Adam. >"Who's that?" asked Phil, pointing to Luna. >"Luna. Charmed," she greeted. >"'Sup," he greeted back. >"Um... Are we late?" asked a soft voice. >Adam and Phil turned around to find the pegasi sisters from across the hall standing in the open doorway behind them. >"Okay, now who's this?" asked Phil pointing down at the shorter ponies. "Flitter and Cloudkicker," you tell him from across the room. >"Do you want another buck in the chest, bud?" Cloud Chaser threatened you. >Your buddies at the door took a few steps back. "Just making sure I got you two figured out," you tell her. >"Anon? I thought you said ten?" asked Flitter. >Your watch said 9:00. "We got started early, it seems." >"Oh. We were just about to go get something for the party." "Well we got plenty of beer and some pizza on the way. That shouldn't be neccesary anymore." >"Whoa whoa whoa, hold on a second. This is a drinking party?" asked Cloud Chaser. >"Well, yeah," said Adam, raising a pack up. "What did you think it was?" >Cloud Chaser gave Flitter a hard stare who in turn smiled back nervously. >"Two seconds." >Cloud Chaser walked out. >The sound of their fridge opening and closing could be heard among rattling bottles. >She returned with a healthy bottle of... >Phil set a case down, grabbed the bottle, and read the label. >"What the hell is 'apple whiskey'?" he asked. >"Well gee, I wonder what," Cloud Chaser responded sarcastically. "Well, come on in. Let's get the ball rolling." >Dom turns on the stereo as you sink your ball in one of their cups. >Several rounds of your game commence. >Dom makes several, and Luna as well. >Yourself and Joe argue the entire time, falling horribly behind. >The two of you only had 3 cups left and they still had 6. >"We're getting thirsty here," taunts Dom as he waves his hands over the cups to try to throw you off >You throw and miss, but mostly because Joe won't shut the hell up about the music. "So fucking change it!" you shout at him. >"To what? All your music sucks," he barks back. "You're the only one here who likes fucking Basshunter. Now shut your God-damned mouth and shoot." >He manages to sink his throw and Luna downs her drink. "Five to three." >"We can count, faggot," replied Dom. >"Just hope they don't get both in one else those three are gone," reminded Adam. >"Oh is that how that works?" asked Luna. >She tossed her ball and sunk her shot. "Aw shit." >"Get 'em, Dom!" shouted Phil. >"No skill!" shouted Joe. >"Watch this shit," said Dom. >He tossed his ball and everyone held their breath as it fell short, bounced off the front rim of Luna's cup, and into the one behind it. >The room erupted with a roar of disappointed shouting and relief. >On one hand, you didn't lose. >On the other, you were still getting spanked pretty hard. >You spot Flitter sitting alone, but holding a hoof to her mouth to stifle a laugh. "Okay now don't fuck this up," you tell Joe. >He lined it up and tossed. >"Big money!" he shouted. >Miss. "You fucked it up!" you yell with a shove. >The sideline commentary burst into hysterics. >Joe shoved you to the side. >"Lets see you try, asshole." "I don't need to 'try'. I just make points." >Shoot and miss. >A hail of 'Boo's' from the sidelines. "The ball is fucking broken," you comment. >The other team miss their shots as well. >You go first, sinking your shot. >Joe misses his and the other team sinks their last shot. >"V-I-C-T-O-R-Y!" sung Phil. "Fuck this game!" you shout as you mock flip the table. >"We got winners," announced Adam. >The new challengers took their place across the table. >You step aside and watch the next game progress. >"I'm out," said Joe as he walked away. "Yeah well to Hell with you," you mock as he bails on you. >You look to Cloud Chaser and point. "Hey. You're my partner." >She proceeds to hold up her bottle of alcohol and a cup. >"Nah, I'm good." "Well what the hell..." >Your eyes meet Flitter's. "You wanna play?" >"I don't know how to play," she confesses. >You break it down Barney-style for her. "Ball in cup," you explain. "Come and watch. It's easy." >Flitter got off her place on the couch and walked over. >She rose onto her hind legs and rested her front hooves on the table. "We'll explain the details later. Just try to sink the ball in their cup." >You watch as the second game progresses. >Dom and Luna's handicap from the previous game was starting to affect them. >They eventually lose and it's your's and Flitter's turn to face Adam and Phil. >They shoot and miss both shots. >You allow your new partner to shoot first. >Flitter held the ball on her hoof and threw her leg forward like a shot put. >The ball missed the cups, but still landed close. "Not bad," you compliment. >It still amazes how they can hold anything with their hooves. >Even more so being a round ball. >You toss and miss as well. >Adam lands his shot while Phil misses. >You grab the cup and offer it to Flitter. >She stares at it for a second before realizing it's hers to drink. >A quick sniff causes her to recoil. >She braves it and tilts the cup up with her mouth by biting the rim. >Her eyes go wide and she quickly sets it back down. >She swallows what's in her mouth, but gags profusely after. "You okay?" you ask concerned. >"That's disgusting," she says with her tongue hanging out. >You grab her beer and finish it off. "An acquired taste. Do you want to do shots instead?" >"Do you, uh... got any juice? Or soda? I'm not a big drinker." >"I am," stated Cloud Chaser as she tipped back her bottle of whiskey. >No chaser. >What the fuck is wrong with her? >"You should let me have some of that," said Dom. >"I would also like a taste," said Luna. "Well while they pass that around, sift through the frudge for anything you fancy. I'll just drink your cups." >"Get ready to get knocked on your ass," said Phil. >You continued on with your game. >You shoot and miss again. >You decided to give Flitter a helping hand. "Let me help." >You reach out and grab her hoof. >Her wings flared out as you made contact. "Like this." >You motion her hoof as she would throw it. >Because you of all people would know what throwing shit with hooves should be like. >Dumbass. "Got it?" >She nodded and took her shot and sunk it. >Score one for your great coaching skills. "Great job." >A big smile came over her face as cheers and groans filled the room. >A knock came from the door as Luna went to answer it. >Phil took a drink and then his turn. >His ball flew across the table and spun around the inner rim of a cup. >Flitter took her wing and quickly scooped it out before it settled. >"NOOO!!!" shouted the other team. >Everyone else cheered and laughed. >"What did I do?" asked Flitter. "Was that legal?" "It totally was. You just stopped them from scoring!" >"I see you got the party started without me," came a voice from the door. >Everyone stopped and turned to the door. >Standing in belted leather boots, skinny jeans, and a black jacket was- "Valerie!" >You stepped past Flitter to go greet Valerie, oblivious to Flitter's frown. "How the hell did you find me?" you ask her. >"How many Anonymous's do you think live in the city?" she replied. "It wasn't hard to look up." "Oh..." >"Good to see I'm not late. Only just finished my errands like thirty minutes ago." "We only started like an hour ago, anyways." >She pointed to the couch where the others were eating. >Apparently she had a stack of pizzas and handed them off to Luna when she got here. >"I met the pizza guy on the way up. You're welcome." "Freakin' sweet! You want reimbursement?" >"I'm not that nice," she said. >Looking over, you see one pizza was already destroyed by Dom, Joe, Luna, and Cloud Chaser. "Well I'm grabbing a slice before you bastards eat it all." >"Eat later!" shouted Adam. "This game is taking forever!" "Yeah, that's good point." >You go back to your game as Valerie helped herself to some pizza and several beers. >Everyone came back to watch the game unfold. >Joe was being an anti-social faggot and sat on your xbox eating all the pizza. >The game of beer pong got increasingly exciting with each player pulling off several amazing feats. >Your eventual defeat was slow and agonizing, but damned if it wasn't fun. >You were forced to polish off the five beers the other team had left over. >Dom and Luna took their spots across the table from Adam and Phil. >Cloud Chaser stood by Luna to chat. >You sat down on the couch with Valerie to get to know her better. >The night raged on. >You feel like you were getting particularly close to Valerie the more you talked. >Although that could have been the twenty-some beers talking. >Four in the morning rolls around. >Flitter had gone home and Cloud Chaser was only just now stumbling across the hall to go to bed. >Luna had to help Dom's monster ass into the elevator. >Joe left with them, but not before saying how boring it was. "Bitch, you played xbox all night and ate most of the pizza in exchange for fucking tofu dogs!" >He shrugged and walked out. >"At least the ponies had something to eat," assured Valerie. "That's true. At least they didn't go to waste." >"Well, I think I'm gonna take off too. I got a few things to do tomorrow." "Let me walk you downstairs." >You took the stairs due to the fact the elevator wanted to stop at every floor on the way down because one drunken asshole thought it was a cool idea to press absolutely every button on the panel. >You reach the lobby and give her hand a kiss goodbye. >Like a fucking sir. >She responds with a 3-second kiss. >"I'll see you Monday," she said as she left. >Ding. >The elevator door opened and Dom fell flat on his face on the lobby floor. >He looked up and saw you. >"How the hell did we get on the top floor?!" he shouted. >Luna and Joe grabbed his collar and dragged him across the floor. >"Later Anon!" he waved. >You shake your head with a laugh and turn towards the elevator. >"Anon," sounded a voice with a tap on your shoulder. "Jesus Christ!" >You flinch and spin around to find Luna standing right there. >Holy hell, she can move fast. >"I just want you to know that you should be aware of the feelings of those around you. Cloud Chaser and I both noticed Flitter's demeanor as the night wore on." >"Luna! Help me!" shouted Joe from outside. >"Wait! I forgot my hat!" shouted Dom. >"I have your stupid hat right here!" shouted Joe. >"Just be careful not to hurt those who care about you," advised Luna. >With that she turned and left. >Her words simmered in your head as you rode the elevator up. >Before you went into your apartment, you stopped to look at your neighbors' door for a few seconds. >You went inside and locked the door. >Wait, what's that smell? >Oh, Joe left his damn cigarette... >At the window... >You watch in horror as the hot cherry ignites the web that covered the outside of your window. "NIX!" >Within a few short seconds, the fire is out and the web is gone. >All that remains of your spiderbro is a shriveled up corpse. "Well... Fuck." >You close the window before shuffling off to your bedroom to pass out for the night.