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Adventure Anon: Chapter 5 (Baker's Delight)

By: Bastinator on Jul 15th, 2012  |  syntax: None  |  size: 24.70 KB  |  hits: 352  |  expires: Never
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  1. >”So Anon- Your name’s Anon right? How do you like Ponyville? Met any friends yet? Am I your friend yet?”
  2. >Please god kill me now.
  3. >Oh boy the others are looking at you.
  4. >Laugh it up assholes, they’ll get theirs.
  5. >”You’re going to love living with me. We can eat cupcakes, have parties, stay up till the sunrises, the works!”
  6. “I don’t think that’s-“
  7. >”Hiya Copper, nice seeing you.”
  8. >He grunts, turning away in disgust.
  9.  
  10. >She just laughs, “Old Copper, still the grouch.”
  11. >Another p0ny with a grudge, how fun.
  12. >”Anyways, what were you saying?”
  13. “Umm, I don’t think it’s such a great idea.”
  14. >She stops, “What do you mean by that?”
  15. “I need my rest. I can’t be off partying about in my state.”
  16. >”That’s all? Why didn’t you just say so?”
  17. >She giggles playfully, “I’ll just bring the party to us.”
  18. >Oh boy…
  19.  
  20. >She turns down the street.
  21. >”There it is, home sweet home.”
  22. >Mary mother of god. It really is made of sweets.
  23. >She speeds down the road, dirt picking up behind you, choking the passersby.
  24. >”Sugarcube Corner is the best shop in Ponyville, plus I get to live there, which makes it even better.”
  25. >Life force draining…
  26. >She says hello to every-0ny she passes, spitting out greetings faster than you can comprehend.
  27. >This girl is crazy. How the hell can anyone stand her?
  28. >Who the fuck is she?
  29.  
  30. >She kicks open the door.
  31. >Two ponies stand behind the counter.
  32. >”Hi Mr. and Mrs. Cake. This is Anon, he’s going to be staying in my room for a while okay? Great, bye.”
  33. >She clumsily drags you up the stairs.
  34. >Each step tosses you about as you clamor just to stay on.
  35. >You hold on for dear life, not wanting to endure another tragic fall.
  36. >Is she actively trying to get you hurt again?
  37. >Finally up the stairs she drags you into what you can only imagine to be her room.
  38.  
  39. >She shuts the door, her air deflating with a sigh.
  40. >It’s like all her energy just… left.
  41. >She looks at you, her eyes showing her fatigue.
  42. >”Well here we are.”
  43. >Her voice is sullen, nothing like it was before.
  44. >”This is my bedroom,” she shows off with her hooves.
  45. >”Down the hall to the left is the bathroom. I assume I’m going to have to help you.”
  46. >You nod, the pink p0ny sighing once more.
  47. >”Downstairs is the kitchen. I’ll be sure to grab you some appropriate food whenever I can.”
  48. “Pinkie?”
  49. >”Welcome to Sugarcube Corner, enjoy your stay.”
  50.  
  51. >She trots over to her bed, lying down on the cushioned surface.
  52. “Are um- you alright?”
  53. >“I’m fine Anon. Fine and dandy.”
  54. >Her voice sounds contrary. You don’t get this p0ny.
  55. “You don’t get a lot of time alone do you?”
  56. >”Just enough. Just enough…”
  57. >Holy shit she’s so depressing,
  58. >She rolls up onto her hooves.
  59. >”Set your stuff down, we have a party to set up.”
  60.  
  61. >She leads you back out of the room and downstairs.
  62. >She stops at the bottom, breathing a sigh before perking up just as she was before.
  63. >Hopping about, she takes you back to the Cakes, apparently the owners of this establishment.
  64. >”Hello there Pinkie, nice to see you up and about as usual.”
  65. >”Thank ya Mr. Cake. I’m planning a party again tonight, can I-?
  66. >”Anything for you Pinkie.”
  67. >”You’re just the best, mind watching Anon for me? I’m going to grab some stuff out of the back.”
  68. >”Of course Pinkie.”
  69. >You can’t understand this girl.
  70.  
  71. >One minute she’s happy, the next she’s a depressing sod, and then she’s perky again.
  72. >Does she have a mental disorder or something?
  73. >You almost don’t notice the Cake’s staring at you.
  74. “Something you want?”
  75. >”Us? Nooo. We’re great.”
  76. “Ahuuu? Well if I didn’t know any better, I’d say you want to get something off your chest.”
  77. >”Just perfect,” Mr. Cake mutters through clenched teeth.
  78. “For fuck’s sake dude, don’t be a pussy.”
  79. >Mrs. Cake nudges at her husband, who stands up straight in response.
  80.  
  81. >”Pinkie might have brought you in due to her good nature, but don’t think we don’t know what you’re up to.”
  82. “Up to? I’m a bit lost here…”
  83. >”Pinkie’s special to this town. You keep your twisted thoughts out of her head.”
  84. “Twisted thoughts? The fuck do you think I am? I’m just trying to get better.”
  85. >”I’m sure you are. For the record, we’ll be keeping out eye on you.”
  86. >Something about that’s just downright unsettling.
  87. >”Anoooon!” Pinkie booms from the back, “Can you help me in here?”
  88. >If it means you can leave Mr. and Mrs. Conspiracy Theorist here then you’d be more than happy to.
  89. >It takes a bit, but you manage to move your wheel chair into the kitchen.
  90.  
  91. >Flour coats the walls and countertops.
  92. >You’re not sure what you expected; this place is a bakery after all.
  93. >Pinkie’s off to the side, mixing away at some concoction humming a tune.
  94. >You finally reach her, your arms already sore and exhausted.
  95. “What’d you need?”
  96. >”Can you stir this for me?”
  97. “My arms are extremely weak, I don’t think I can-“
  98. >”Pleeeeeease?”
  99. >You can’t resist that smile.
  100. “Hand me the bowl.”
  101.  
  102. >Damn it hurts.
  103. >You’re already exhausted from before, and now this…
  104. >Add another month to my recovery why don’t you.
  105. >”We’re going to have so much fun together Anon, just you wait.”
  106. >But boy can you.
  107. “Hey Pinkie. Can I ask you something?”
  108. >”Shoot.”
  109. “Before- when we went upstairs. Something happened…”
  110. >”Oh that! It’s perfectly normal. It gives me time to relax.”
  111.  
  112. “You call that normal? You were a completely different person.”
  113. >”You can’t be two people silly. That’s just crazy talk.”
  114. “But- you- I… Fuck it.”
  115. >”Okie Dokie, frosting?”
  116. >You can’t object before she shoves a hoof in your mouth.
  117. >Bite down on that… Holy shit. This is good frosting.
  118. >It tingles the bottom of your tongue in ways you couldn’t imagine.
  119. >She removes her hoof, the fresh air only accentuating the flavor.
  120. >”Well?”
  121. >You swallow it down, trying to avoid eye contact.
  122. “It’s good.”
  123.  
  124. >Her bottomless joy keeps you on your toes, so to speak.
  125. >Pinkie is… eccentric.
  126. >She’s like nobody you’ve met before.
  127. >Her laugh is borderline infectious, and that smile…
  128. >Don’t even get started on her smile.
  129. >Time just seems to glide by while you’re with her.
  130. >Maybe this won’t be as bad as you thought.
  131. >”Can you pass the blender?”
  132. “Yes ma’am.”
  133.  
  134. >By the time you finish your little cooking spree, you’re covered head to toe in flour, sugar and frosting.
  135. >She puts the finishing touches on her latest conquest, a quadruple layered red velvet cake.
  136. >You’re putting on weight just by being near it.
  137. >You reach out to take a slice, only for her to slap you away.
  138. >”Not until the party silly.”
  139. “But I-“
  140. >”No buts, wait until the party.”
  141. “Alright,” You can get yours later.
  142.  
  143. >It’s not like there’s a lack of goodies to try.
  144. >You look at the clock, eight 0’ clock.
  145. “So when is this party supposed to start?”
  146. >She gasps when she sees the time, “We don’t have time to waste!”
  147. >She pulls you into the front room, stringing up decorations wherever she could.
  148. >The Cake’s seem to have skedaddled.
  149. >Partly, you don’t blame them; if things go south it’d be smart to be as far away as possible.
  150. >Besides, they already made it clear you’re presence is barely tolerated.
  151. >Pinkie hands you a bushel of ribbons, instructing you to set them up.
  152.  
  153. “I suppose you’re a bit late on the prep work?”
  154. >”It’s not a problem, Pinkie is never late for a party.”
  155. “How exactly did you get to send out invitations? I’ve been with you all day.”
  156. >”I sent them out the day Twilight told me you’d be staying with me.”
  157. “And when was that exactly?”
  158. >”Last week.”
  159. “She didn’t give you much of a window.”
  160. >”I don’t dilly dally,” she says with that smile.
  161. >You keep your own off your face, focusing on the decorations.
  162.  
  163. >There’s a knock at the door, Pinkie Pie bouncing over and opening it.
  164. >A fair amount of ponies start pouring in of all varieties.
  165. >You notice Fluttershy and Twilight come in, along with Applejack and some others.
  166. >The majority of the ponies either ignore you or flat out refuse to make eye contact.
  167. >You’re not sure what you expected, you managed to scar at least four ponies in the first night you were here.
  168. >They’re not just going to forget about that.
  169. >”Something troubling you Anon?”
  170. >You look to Fluttershy and shake your head.
  171. >”You look kind of down,” Twilight joins in.
  172.  
  173. “I just don’t see the point.”
  174. >”The point of what?”
  175. “Why these p0nies even decided to come. They knew I was going to be here, so why bother?”
  176. >”Why do you think they came?”
  177. “Because they like Pinkie more than they hate me, but that’s just a guess.”
  178. >”And chances are you’d be right.”
  179. “That comforting.”
  180. >”Sarcasm won’t make you feel better.”
  181. “And neither will a party.”
  182.  
  183. >”Anon now, Pinkie put a lot of work into this. Would you just up and leave?”
  184. >A couple months ago you wouldn’t waste a second, but now…
  185. >She spent a lot of her time for you didn’t she?
  186. “I guess not.”
  187. >You force a smile on your face.
  188. “Go on and enjoy yourselves. I’ll be alright by myself.”
  189. >”If you say so.”
  190. >They mingle with the other guests, talking about who knows what.
  191. >You move over to the punch table, getting a cup for yourself.
  192.  
  193. >Sweet and fruity, exactly the type of drink that makes you a fag.
  194. >Fuck it, it’s a party.
  195. >You finish up your cup and toss it in the wastebin.
  196. >”Whooops.”
  197. >Some asshole spills his drink all over you.
  198. >”Sorry dude. I slipped.”
  199. >That mother fucker.
  200. “Slipped my ass! You did that on purpose.”
  201. >”Caught me there.”
  202.  
  203. >He laughs smugly with his buddies, all you can do is glare at them.
  204. >”You going to do something about it, let’s just walk outsi- Oh wait you can’t now can you.”
  205. >Rage increasing…
  206. >By now the party has come to a standstill as all eyes are trained on your little scene.
  207. >”He’s so scared he can’t move. Isn’t that right?”
  208. “I will hurt you…”
  209. >”Good luck with that freak. Just roll on home and leave our town.”
  210. “Too far you piece of shit.”
  211.  
  212. >You lunge forwards fist first, the stallion backing out of the way.
  213. >You hit the floor, scrambling towards him, fueled by your rage.
  214. >”Can’t even land a punch, and you call yourself a hero.”
  215. >The laughs… blood will flow.
  216. >You try to stand, falling flat on your face.
  217. >”Come on Anon. Show me what you’re made of.”
  218. >A couple hooves grab your sides, pulling you back onto your wheelchair.
  219. >Pinkie Pie gets in between the two of you.
  220. >”Just laugh it off Anon.”
  221.  
  222. “I’ll laugh over his grave!”
  223. >She keeps you still, “It’s alright Anon, just laugh it off.”
  224. >There’s no point in struggling, you can barely move by yourself.
  225. >”Talked down by a mare? Anyone else going to stand up for this freak?”
  226. >”Eeeeyup.”
  227. >A large crimson stallion steps out from the crowd.
  228. >”I think it’d be best if you up and leave now, ya hear?”
  229. >The stallions back away a bit, the intimidating stallion putting a number on them.
  230. >”He’s not worth the effort anyways…”
  231. >They take their leave, “Party’s over everyp0ny,” he says in his deep voice, “It’s time to head on home.”
  232.  
  233. >They shuffle out the door, only a couple left.
  234. >”Anon…”
  235. “I’m fine…”
  236. >But you aren’t. You’re the opposite of fine.
  237. >The stallion walks up to Applejack, “We’d best be going now.”
  238. “Thank you. I…”
  239. >He nods, the two of them leaving.
  240. “I’m going to go take a shower now.”
  241. >Pinkie just nods, “Do you guys mind-“
  242. >”We’ll clean things up for you.”
  243. >”Thanks girls.”
  244.  
  245. >She takes you upstairs, carefully this time.
  246. >You take off your patient’s clothes, the flour and punch coating it in a doughy mixture.
  247. >There are no wise cracks this time, no humorous one-shots.
  248. >”I told you to laugh it off.”
  249. >She pulls you into the bath, rubbing soap onto your back.
  250. >She says it like it’s nothing.
  251. “It’s not that easy. I’m not like you.”
  252. >”And you think it’s easy for me?”
  253. >You look back to her, Pinkie having reverted back to her depressing form.
  254. “I didn’t-“
  255. >”Well it’s not.”
  256.  
  257. >You can see the tears welling in her eyes.
  258. >”I try to make everyp0ny happy, but it doesn’t always work. I know they laugh at me sometimes, and I just have to laugh with them.”
  259. “I- I didn’t know.”
  260. >This is making you feel like shit.
  261. >”It takes its toll on you, you just have to stay strong.”
  262. >You look down, Pinkie resting her head on your back.
  263. >”Will you try?”
  264. “I don’t know…”
  265. >”If not for yourself, then for me?”
  266. >All that built-up pain…
  267. “I’ll try.”
  268.  
  269. >There’s that smile.
  270. >She finishes rinsing the frosting off of you, turning off the shower and reclothing you.
  271. >She rolls you into her room, throwing back the covers on her bed.
  272. “So where will I be sleeping? The couch is good for me, hell even the-“
  273. >”Don’t be silly Anon, you’re be sleeping with me.”
  274. >The awkward train just left the station.
  275. “Umm, I don’t think that’s such a good idea.”
  276. >”Don’t make this weird.”
  277. “I don’t think it could get any weirder.”
  278. >She just rolls her eyes and pushes you to the bedside.
  279.  
  280. >”I’m not going to let you sleep on the couch, so just- get- up.”
  281. >She pushes you onto the bed, sliding your legs over.
  282. “This is… are you sure? I don’t mind-“
  283. >”Don’t piss me off Anon.”
  284. “Done.”
  285. >She smiles, her hair puffing out slightly.
  286. >Throwing the blanket overtop you both, she closes her eyes.
  287. >You can feel her warmth next to you.
  288. >It’s strange, but… welcoming.
  289. >You don’t find yourself minding this.
  290.  
  291. “Pinkie Pie?”
  292. >”Yes?”
  293. “How do you do it? Stay happy all the time that is.”
  294. >”I think of something I like, and don’t let go.”
  295. “And if you do?”
  296. >”Then you let it go and hope it comes back.”
  297. “Just like that.”
  298. >”Just like that.”
  299. >She sighs, wrapping herself up with a blanket.
  300. >”Get some rest. We’re having your afterparty tomorrow.”
  301. >You can’t wait.
  302.  
  303. >You just lie in bed, awaiting your nightly visitor.
  304. >Hours tick by.
  305. >You keep your ears peeled for the beat of wings or some such thing.
  306. >No noises come to greet you that night.
  307. >Shame, you were looking forward to laying into that bastard.
  308. >You close your eyes, fixating your mind on something else.
  309. >Manticores jumping the fence always worked.
  310. >You picture it in your head, the herd scouring the plain.
  311. >The spot the fence and- fuck it you’re bored…
  312.  
  313. >You awaken to the chirping of birds.
  314. >Yawning, you move to get out of bed, finding it difficult to move.
  315. >You soon see why.
  316. >Pinkie seems to have latched onto your body her sleep.
  317. >Her nose is nuzzled into your chest, her heart beat vibrating through your arm.
  318. >You attempt to free yourself, though ultimately succumbing to the d’aww factor.
  319. >How could you get away from that?
  320. >You lie there with her until she wakes.
  321.  
  322. >She lets out a loud yawn, tightening her grip on your chest.
  323. >Her eyes pop open, yours connecting with hers.
  324. “Nice to see you awake.”
  325. >She retracts her limbs and scoots back, “Sorry about that.”
  326. “Don’t worry about it.”
  327. >You think she blushed, but it’s impossible to tell with her pink hide.
  328. >Does she- Do you…
  329. >No. Get your head in the game Anon. It’s just another day.
  330. >That’s it alright, another day.
  331.  
  332. >Pinkie spent the following days delivering invitations.
  333. >After that mess up you had on your first night she made sure to limit those who were invited.
  334. >No one wanted to have another incident.
  335. >The date was set for the end of the month, much to Pinkie’s dismay.
  336. >You reasoned that it would give you both adequate time to prepare.
  337. >Though in reality you just wanted time to rest.
  338. >Funny part was, as time went on.
  339. >Rest was the last thing you wanted to do.
  340.  
  341. >Pinkie and you got along miraculously.
  342. >Whenever you weren’t baking or sleeping, the two of you would just talk to each other.
  343. >Twilight tried to do that, but it never worked out.
  344. >But Pinkie? She could make you talk about almost anything. Almost.
  345. >You pick up the bowl, stirring the contents gingerly.
  346. “How many cups of sugar do we put in this?”
  347. >”Just one.”
  348. “Two it is.”
  349. >The two of you laugh, a tear coming to your eye.
  350. >Fuck yourself with a cactus if this isn’t one of the best moments of your life.
  351.  
  352. >You look back into the bowl, a pair of purple eyes staring back at you.
  353. “Pinkie?! Pinkie?!?!”
  354. >The creature lunges at you causing you to roll backwards in your chair.
  355. >You desperately guard your face only for it to slip right through.
  356. >”Anon calm down.”
  357. “It’s biting me! It’s biting… me?”
  358. >You stop your squirming, noting the lack of pain.
  359. >Pinkie stifles another laugh.
  360. >”Oh Anon, you’re so crazy.”
  361.  
  362. “What the fuck was that?”
  363. >”Oh that’s just Gummy. He’s harmless.”
  364. “That thing tried to kill me!”
  365. >”Don’t be like that, he’s just playing is all, isn’t that right?”
  366. >The small creature rolls down your arm, nibbling at your finger tip.
  367. >He’s a baby alligator, and from the feel of it he doesn’t have any teeth.
  368. >Must be why she calls him Gummy.
  369. >You chuckle as he moves from one finger to the next, coating your hand with his saliva.
  370. >”Grotty. You can’t bake like that.”
  371. ”Guess I need to wash my hands huh?”
  372.  
  373. >She points to your body.
  374. >”Hands are the least of your problems.”
  375. >Thanks to Gummy’s little sneak attack your covered in dough again.
  376. “Can’t help you like this now can I?”
  377. >”No sir you can’t. Let’s get you washed up.”
  378. >She pulls you upstairs, the Cakes glaring at you on the way up.
  379. >You make sure to give them the finger, for good measure of course.
  380. >She tosses you into the shower, immediately rinsing you off.
  381. >You make sure to get your own cheap shots in as well.
  382. >It isn’t long before the two of you are giggling like children.
  383.  
  384. >You rest your back against the wall, taking a deep breathe between bursts of laughter.
  385. “I haven’t felt this way since…”
  386. >Your laughing comes to an end as you finish your thought.
  387. >You never felt this way before.
  388. >Fuck, when did you become such a depressing sod.
  389. >”Do you want to talk about it?”
  390. “No, it’s ok.”
  391. >”You know that I’m here for you right?”
  392. >You just smile and place a hand on her shoulder.
  393. “I know.”
  394.  
  395. >Time just seems to fly on by.
  396. >Every day gets shorter, every hour that much quicker.
  397. >There just isn’t enough time in the day for all the things you want to do.
  398. >You try to spend as much time alone with her as you can.
  399. >Only then does she reveal her true colors, the insecure p0ny beneath.
  400. >Ever since you arrived you’ve seen less and less of her.
  401. >You chalk it up to her getting to know you.
  402. >But you can’t help but feel that you’re not the only one recovering.
  403.  
  404. >Before you know it the end of the month is up.
  405. >The voices from downstairs cue the inevitable.
  406. >Tonight would be the last night you spent with Pinkie Pie.
  407. >It brings more than a little sadness to think that you had to go.
  408. >Pinkie picks up on this, she’s been good at doing that lately.
  409. >”It’s not like you’ll be gone forever.”
  410. “Yeah, I guess you’re right.”
  411. >If only she knew.
  412.  
  413. >She plops you down the stairs, the room going quiet as you make your entrance.
  414. >A couple raise their glasses in acknowledgement before returning to their peers.
  415. >You move over to the red stallion from before.
  416. >Pinkie doesn’t need to help push you along anymore, as enough strength has returned to your arms to enable you to move on your own.
  417. >All that mixing really did help you recover after all.
  418. >He nods at you as you get closer.
  419. “Nice to see you again.”
  420. >”Eeeyup.”
  421.  
  422. “I never did get to properly thank you for helping me out before.”
  423. >”Eeeyup.”
  424. >You cock your brow questionably.
  425. “You don’t talk a lot do you?”
  426. >”Nnnope.”
  427. >You chuckle to yourself.
  428. “Thought so.”
  429. >You grab a cup of punch, sipping at the juice.
  430.  
  431. “I didn’t catch your name.”
  432. >”Name’s Big Macintosh, but ya can just call me Big Mac.”
  433. >You finish your drink, giving off an audible exhale.
  434. “Well then. Nice to see you again Big Mac.”
  435. >You say your goodbyes and move on to the buffet table.
  436. >You’re eager to try the fruits of your labor.
  437. >You pick up one treat in particular, a glazed vanilla cupcake with raspberry filling.
  438. >It was the first one you made all by yourself.
  439. >You sink your teeth into your creation, the explosion of flavor almost making you cream yourself.
  440.  
  441. >”It’s that good huh?”
  442. >Your eyes go wide at that voice.
  443. >”I didn’t expect you to be so lively with the screens I saw. Can’t win them all I suppose.”
  444. >The cupcake loses its flavor as you swallow.
  445. “Nurse Redheart.”
  446. >”Oh so you do remember me. How grand.”
  447. “What do you want?”
  448. >”Oh nothing. Enjoy your cupcake?”
  449.  
  450. >OH shit what’d she do to it!?
  451. >She laughs heartily, “Exactly the reaction I was looking for.”
  452. >That bi- Calm down, remember what Pinkie said.
  453. >You begin to laugh along with her, cutting her off.
  454. >”Why are you laughing?”
  455. “It’s funny. Why else would I laugh?”
  456. >”But I-“
  457. “It’s cute, really it is. Maybe one day you’ll grow out of it.”
  458. >You roll away from her, confident in how you handled yourself.
  459.  
  460. >Pinkie wraps her hoof around you.
  461. >”I’m happy about how you acted there.”
  462. “I figured I’d give it a shot. You can’t take all the work.”
  463. >You score the rest of your cupcake in her mouth, the mare eagerly accepting the treat.
  464. >She swallows and licks her lips, “Hmmmm tasty! You’re almost as good as me.”
  465. “Almost.”
  466. >That smile of hers…
  467. >You can’t help but smile back.
  468.  
  469. >The party rages on for some hours.
  470. >Ultimately though, it’s the slow and steady who win the race.
  471. >Unless you’re Pinkie though, she always wins.
  472. >The Cakes help the tired p0nies out the door, leaving only a few left.
  473. >Twilight’s talking to another unicorn by the door while you help Pinkie clean up.
  474. >”So did you enjoy your party Anon?”
  475. “Depends, did you?”
  476. >”Only if you did.”
  477. “Then I guess we’re at a stand still. We’ll have to see next time.”
  478. >”I’ll hold you to that.”
  479.  
  480. >The pair of unicorns approaches you, Pinkie Pie disappearing as per usual.
  481. >”So this is the gentlemen you told me about?”
  482. >”Yes, he’s a bit overbearing, but I think you can handle him.”
  483. “I am right here you know?”
  484. >You laugh as they try to apologize.
  485. “It’s alright, just don’t make things weird.”
  486. >”Are you alright Anon? You seem a bit-“
  487. “What? I feel great, like I could run a marathon. So to speak…”
  488. >You catch her off guard once more, the mare stumbling on her words.
  489.  
  490. >”Well- This is my friend Rarity.”
  491. “Sup.”
  492. >”And this is Anon.”
  493. >”Charmed.”
  494. >You can sense some inner hostility, but nothing you haven’t seen before.
  495. “I presume I’ll be staying with you next?”
  496. >”That’d be correct.”
  497. “So, tomorrow morning you can pick me up. What time sounds reasonable to you?”
  498. >”Actually, you’ll be going with her tonight.”
  499. “Tonight? But I thought…”
  500.  
  501. >”Rarity works in the morning, so we planned for you to leave with her tonight.”
  502. >But you looked forward to that one last night here.
  503. “There has to be some way…”
  504. >”Did you want to stay? If you really want to-“
  505. >Listen to yourself Anon. Remember who you are.
  506. >Who you are… Or is it who you were?
  507. >Dammit this is confusing…
  508. >You shake your head.
  509. “Whatever works for you.”
  510.  
  511. >”Good,” Twilight says, “I’ll go get your stuff.”
  512. >”We should probably wait outside.”
  513. “Yeah ok.”
  514. >You roll out the door, the cold air hitting you like a brick wall.
  515. >”I don’t know how the others treated you, but in my house there are some rules to be followed.”
  516. >And here we go…
  517. >You tune her out, focusing on the pleasant breeze.
  518. >The familiar heat of the bakery is absent outside the walls.
  519. >You’re not sure if any other place will quite match up.
  520.  
  521. >Twilight and Pinkie emerge from the door, Twilight plopping the bag in your lap.
  522. >”Well I better be headed home. I shouldn’t leave Spike alone for very long.”
  523. >She trots off after saying her goodbyes.
  524. >”We best be going as well Anon, come.”
  525. “Give me a second alright.”
  526. >You roll next to Pinkie, her hair slightly deflated.
  527. “I wis-“
  528. >She wraps her hooves around you.
  529. >”I know Anon.”
  530. >You hug her back, enjoying the rhythm of her heartbeat.
  531.  
  532. >”So what did you think of the party?”
  533. >You pull back, a grin swept across your face.
  534. “Depends on you.”
  535. >”Depends on you.”
  536. >Your laugh is soft and tender, mirroring her own.
  537. “Let’s do this again sometime.”
  538. >”And I’ll hold you to that.”
  539. >You roll down the street beside Rarity.
  540. >You look back, Pinkie waving one last time.