Waiting For Anon.

>Rainbow Dash sits patiently in her kitchen, a pair of candlesticks standing tall in the center of her table.

>She isn't the best cook, but Dash prepared a meal that she thought Anon might enjoy.

>A fine salad with all the fixings that she always imagined he would like.

>Rainbow hopes that he'll be okay with that.

>Meat is just too hard to find, even if he'd like it.

>She waits with an expectant smile on her face.

>Hoping that tonight, the night of her birth-iversary might be the night he finally shows up.

 

>The candles burn with an evergreen scent, and crackle quietly.

>Still she sits, hooves resting atop her table.

>Maybe a slice of cake would have been better?

>Rainbow chides herself for not saving a slice especially for him.

>Of course he would prefer cake!

>Stupid, stupid.

>Hopefully he still comes.

 

>The candles are close to their stumps.

>And Anon still hasn't shown up.

>Her house is silent, not a sound to be heard apart from her longing sighs.

>There's always next year.

 

>Dash looks at the empty seat in front out her and imagines him there, smiling at her like she's the only pony in the world.

>But no matter how much she wishes for it...

>She sniffs, brushing her muzzle with a hoof.

>...He's still just an empty seat.

 

>The small pegasus slowly blows out the candles in front of her, delaying slightly as she does so in the vain hope that maybe he'll materialize in front of her.

>But it's clear that he won't.

 

>There's always next year...

>The last candle fades on it's own, bathing Rainbow Dash in the darkness of her home.

>...There's always next year...

 

-

 

>Applejack rests on a hill, laying peacefully with her legs folded in and basking in the starry night sky.

>She gazes upward, her green eyes watching the stars intently while a cool breeze runs through her mane.

>Then she finally sees it; a shooting star soaring across the sky.

>And she wishes.

>The same wish she's had for a long time now.

 

"Ah wish Anon were here."

>She says plainly, eyes closed.

>Applejack pauses, not wanting to open her eyes and see nothing.

>But he's never going to be there.

>He never is.

 

>She opens them at last, her pupils wandering along the scenery, scanning for any signs of life.

>The farm pony looks to her side.

>And she could swear that he's there with a warm arm draped over her, comforting her during the cold night.

 

>AJ smiles to herself as the illusion fades and she's once again left alone.

>If she only keeps wishing...

>...Maybe someday he'll be there.

 

>Someday.

 

-

 

>Rarity flicks off the lights in Carousel Boutique, ready to fetch a little beauty sleep.

>She lingers a moment in the darkness, thinking.

>If only she wasn't alone tonight.

>If only Anonymous was standing beside her.

>He'd carry her off to bed, cradling her small form like the gooey romantic he is.

>Rarity swings her tail from side to side as she wonders about what could be.

>All she can find is the present:

>Empty, lonely.

 

>Rarity finds her bed.

>Well made and cozy.

>Not to mention just big enough for a certain someone.

>She climbs in and hugs her pillow, quietly whimpering at the truth that constantly confronts her.

>He'll never lay with her on a stormy night, providing warm shelter from the booming thunder.

>He'll never be the big spoon, cuddling her and lovingly running a hand through her frazzled mane.

 

>If only he wasn't a world away.

>If only he wasn't the last person on her mind everyday.

>If only he was here.

 

>She clings tightly to the pillow, reminding herself to believe.

>He'll turn up eventually.

>And they'll be happy.

>...If only.

 

-

 

>Celestia stands before a crowd of ponies, all of them eager to see her raise the sun, as is tradition.

>The crowd whoops and hollers, bursting with excitement.

>Celestia smiles at her subjects while she looks through them, searching.

>Searching for Anonymous.

>She even reserved a seat for him up front like she does every Summer Sun Celebration.

>He never shows, but maybe this time he will.

 

>Luna flies in and lands beside her, ready to assume her role.

>The seat remains vacant.

>But maybe he's late.

 

"It honors me to see you all gathered here today..."

>She begins, eyes darting back to the empty space in front of her.

 

"...For the Summer Sun celebration."

>Celestia struggles to maintain a peaceful grin.

>Hopefully he'll show.

 

>Luna jumps into the air, hovering with hooves raised above her head as she begins to lower the moon.

>Reluctantly, Celestia joins her sister in the sky and closes her eyes while she pulls the sun up.

>The seat is empty, but she imagines him there with the others.

>Cheering for her, standing tall and chanting her name.

>Giving her confidence and filling her with the same glee one would expect from a young filly.

 

>But a quick peek reminds her that he's not there.

>He never is.

 

>The Sun rises behind her head at last, and the moon drops out of sight.

>The Princess opens her eyes and descends back to Earth, eyes focused on the one person in Equestria that isn't there while the crowd sits stunned.

>She sighs, and her gaze falls to the floor.

 

>Next time he'll show.

>It's only a year from now.

>Anon will be there.

>She knows it.

>Just one more year.