(808) Six-Thirty-to-Three-AM (FR) (5)

>Day Happy Song Playing In Your Head. In Equestria.

>Wake up on the floor.

>Door is intact.

>As are the windows.

>Take pills.

>Dust off self, get dressed in your one non-stained suit.

>No tie today.

>No.

>Today, you're feeling good.

>Because that jerk Fluttershy didn't rape you to pieces.

>Again.

>So today you're unbuttoning the top two buttons of your shirt.

>Slick hair back with water.

>You can even see the start of stubble forming.

>Today you are not just a man.

>Today you are a happy man.

>Sun isn't up yet, but it's only 6:30 in the morning.

>And it is winter.

>Call up Time Turner.

>He doesn't pick up immediately.

>"..ugh...what?"

"Morning Mr...I mean Time Turner, it's uhm... Moose. I'm going to be in work today."

>"...that's great--why are you calling me so early?"

"We have work in thirty minutes. Are you even up?"

>You can hear grumbling and a hacking cough over the line.

"Time Turner, I think I'm going to get a doughnut with frosting today. Won't that be great?"

>"...I take back everything I ever said. I do hate you. Live dangerously, Moose."

>He's got a joking tone.

>But you have to be sure.

"...do you r-really hate me?"

>"No. I'm joking. It's way too early to spaz out."

"Well I might not spaz out at all today! I got home before F-f-fluttershy and I got to sleep in peace!"

>"Well joy and sunshine, Moose. Can I call you back once I've had time to get dressed?"

>...Oh god.

>This is so awkward.

"...what...W-why are y-you talking to me if y-you're naked?"

>There's an awkward silence.

>"Buddy you know all I wear to the office is a tie right?"

"Oh yeah!"

>Laugh it off.

>It's an awkward laugh.

>May as well head out for doughnuts and coffee.

 

>You're darn near strutting.

>The sun's coming up nice and bright.

>Birds in the trees chirping a little chirpy chirp.

>You're doing an almost awkward little dance-walk.

>But it's early.

>Nobody would be around to see you.

>Treat yourself to a dang bear claw.

>Rawrlicious.

>Get everyone their weird coffee beverages.

>Because nopony can just take coffee black.

>You don't really like it black.

>But if you drink it sweet it makes you all weird.

>Go to work.

>Time Turner seems pleased that you're acting..

>"Chipper much, eight-oh-eight?"

>Chipper is a good enough word to use.

>Your word-a-day-calendar's word of the day is Rotund.

>And that doesn't fit.

>Get work done nearly immediately.

>Ponies can't do time tables for diddly.

>Spend a few hours working on spreadsheets by hand.

>Potential productivity changes that could be made.

>If any of your co-workers cared.

>...though considering how inefficient they are, it might be for the best if you don't show these to anyone.

>Minuette and Time Turner both have time-related cutie-marks.

>It'd be a shame if either of them lost their jobs because neither of them were needed.

>And really neither of them are.

"Oh, I wanted to go see that movie with you this weekend."

>Time Turner cringes and nods.

>Minuette peers over from her desk.

>A big gossipy grin and half-closed eyes. Savoring this.

>"...that's great Moose."

>Minuette is mouthing something.

>You can't make it out.

>Time Turner grumbles.

"W-what's that all about?"

>"Nothing."

>He grunts.

"O-okay...I'm thinking of taking a lunch break today."

>"You are a brave and dangerous individual."

>He must be in a bad mood about something.

 

"You want to uh...talk about it?"

>He looks at you.

>He tries not to do what he does.

>He does burst out into laughter.

>"Oh wow. No, no. I'm good Moose. It's just uh...thing."

>You frown.

>It's probably about you.

>"It's not about you."

>You're way too predictable.

>He sips his coffee.

>"You meet the new interns?"

>He's changing the subject.

>Probably for good reason.

"N-no...we had old interns?"

>He shrugs.

>"Well just look out for the new ones. The Mayor...does not care for them."

"Why not?"

>"Some political scandal. Before your time."

"..oh."

>"It was pretty funny too."

 

>You leave it at that and go to the break room.

>Get some water.

>Turn around.

>"Cutie Mark Crusader Financial Advisory Board!"

>Three fillies. White unicorn, orange pegasus, yellow normal one.

>They're holding up a pie chart.

>"You're wasting too much time in here...uhm..."

>The white one is trying to place you.

"...Eight-zero-eight, we've never met."

>"Oh."

>They look around awkwardly.

>The yellow one smiles.

>"Well hi then!"

"..h-hi. So..is this take your daughter to work day or?"

>The orange one rolls her eyes.

>"We said we're the Cutie Mark Crusader Financial Advisory Board."

"...yeah but I only know what those last three words mean."

>Exasperated sighs.

>Sip water.

"You kids want some applejuice or something?"

>"Applejuice is for closers!"

>The white one shouts.

"I uhm...I think I'm actually the most productive worker here."

>They consult their pie chart.

>"How's that possible?" Orange asks.

"I uhm...have fingers? And went to college for this."

>They huddle up together.

>The white one gets you a juice box.

>"First prize is a box of apple juice, eight-zero-eight. Second prize is..."

>"Wait there were going to be prizes?"

>"I like prizes!"

>Confound these fillies.

>They make you smile.

"You guys can have these doughnuts too if you want."

>They stop arguing and misquoting Glengarry Glen Ross.

>Darn fine apple juice.

 

>Nothing else interesting happens at work.

>That's work-related anyhow.

>Derpy comes in to get the mail.

>You opt to not go out for lunch and chat with her instead.

>You had a bearclaw for breakfast anyway.

>"I'm happy your booty isn't bleeding bad anymore Moose!"

>Everyone else of course hears this.

>Minuette begins muttering something to Mayor Mare.

>Time Turner slowly claps his hooves, as if this was what he expected.

>The Cutie Mark Crusader Financial Advisory Board are pooped out on doughnuts and coffee.

"T-thanks Derpy."

>"Are you going to the movies with us this weekend?"

"Uhm...yeah, I intend to."

>"Yay! It'll be so much fun. It'll be like, lots of fun. And there will be fun things. And popcorn!"

>You keep your spaziness together.

"What're we seeing anyway?"

>She tilts her head.

>"Wut?"

"What...what are we seeing at the movie theater?"

>She lets out a loud gasp.

>You can see Time Turner at his desk giving you a look of amusement.

>"You don't know?"

"..n-n-no?"

>"WE'RE GOING TO GO SEE THE MOST LOVELIEST BRIDE!"

"Oh...is that a romantic comedy or something?"

>"IT'S THE MOST LOVELIEST BRIDE!"

"Okay...who is in it?"

>She begins rambling off actor names.

>You of course don't know any of them.

>But apparently it's based on a true story.

>Based on true events.

>To true ponies.

>And it's the most loveliest thing ever.

>Guess the Derpster likes rom-coms.

>"Was I yelling?"

"Uh...yeah...lil-bit."

>She flusters up, blushing and frowning.

>"Oh...Sorry everypony! Sorry!"

>She shouts louder when she shouts that.

>"I'm just...excited."

 

>You leave on time for a change.

>You're going out for dinner.

>Because you can!

>The Mayor sees you leaving on time with a smile on your face.

>She asks if everything is all right.

"Right as c-can be sir."

>She's satisfied by that.

>She seems to be anyway.

>There's a snooty looking place in town.

>You're look classy today.

>In a sorta...slumming it way.

>You unbutton your shirt an extra button.

>Maybe they'll think you're a movie star.

>But it's also winter and cold.

>So you button it back up.

>Yeah!

>Order a salad.

>Consume.

>Savor the flavor.

>Feel breathing on the back of your neck.

>Swallow the forkful down like it's old sardines.

>"...why didn't you let me in, mister?"

>She's being awfully quiet.

>You can still feel your skin go all goosebumps.

>...Now you thought about Goosebumps.

>Those book covers were nightmare fuel.

>Sort of exactly like Fluttershy.

"...Oh h-hey Fluttershy. Want s-some salad?"

>She flies over you and sits down.

>She glares.

>Not that stare she does.

>This is pure unmitigated hatred trying to burn through your skin.

>"Why. Didn't. You...let me in?"

"...because you're b-bad."

>You take a breath.

"Because I don't know you. But I sure as sh-sho--I sure as shit know what you do."

>She looks down at the table.

"You think you're so tough. P-p-picking on the new guy in t-town."

>You take another forkful of salad in.

"But you're just a j-jerk."

>She looks around.

>There are other ponies around.

>You can see the Derpmeister flying and...dropping letters.

>Some other office workers going about the market on their way back home.

"I mean..."

>You clear your voice.

>No time for a nervous tick.

"What's your issue, lady?"

>You can hear it rising in your voice.

>True unadulterated anger!

>This is the non-hushed tone that lacks a stutter.

"Daddy didn't love you? Friends think you're crazy? Never made it big and just wanna hurt a guy?"

>It's not like you're being loud...this is a normal person's talking voice.

>You run your tongue over the scar on your lip.

"Maybe you're just scared of dying alone."

>Something inside your head makes you laugh at her.

"You show up at my house again, I promise you won't be alone when it happens."

 

>She just looks at you.

>You watch the corners of her eyes.

>Neither of you blink.

>She glances aside first.

>And those big blue eyes get all teary.

>You try to remain unmoved.

>But you sort of feel bad.

>For...possibly making fun of abuse in her past.

>And threatening to--

>Well there goes your chance at ever achieving a political office in this universe.

>Threatened to kill a crazy mare.

>You really are a screw up, you know that?

>"I'm...s-s-s-sorry."

>You feel more kinda bad now.

>"...I just..."

>She starts to cry.

>Oh no.

>Wait.

>You're not crying because you made someone else cry.

>Today is a day of growing up.

"You just what?"

>You point at her with your fork.

>Conversationally.

"You just what, f-Fluttershy? You know I ended up in the hospital yesterday b-because of you."

>She pales at this.

>"Oh...oh no, I'm sorry. I'm...so s-s-s-sorry..."

>She cries harder.

>You take a bite of tomato.

>You're not usually one for salad dressing.

>But this time it's delicious.

"I don't know you. I don't want to know you...Hah!"

>You chew it and swallow it.

"Hah, yeah...And the only reason I ever even spoke to you is because the Mayor thinks you're weird."

>She lays her head on the table.

>Completely defeated.

>...technically the Mayor said she was insular.

>But this pegasus made your anus bleed.

"You know, I feel bad for you."

>Yes. Do this speech.

>You hated it when you got it back home.

"Maybe, just maybe; if you weren't such a weak, worthless, pathetic degenerate life would've worked out for you. But hey, maybe you enjoy being alone. Maybe you enjoy being the butt of the joke. Maybe that'll fill the hole in your head where little things like compassion and integrity should go."

>You find a radish in the salad.

>It's delicious.

 

>"It's...upsetting."

>Welcome to the past five days of my life, Fluttershy.

>"..my friends all think I'm w-weak and helpless."

>These things happen.

>"...always p-p-pointing out my f-flaws...saying I can't s-stand up for myself."

>You finish your salad.

>"I just...need to feel strong. I m-mean, you can g-get that can't you mister?"

>You smile politely.

"Yes, yet I pursue escapist activities."

>Use a toothpick.

"Read a good book."

>Set the fork in the center of the plate.

"Lose myself in my work. "

>"Oh, I could never do that...escapism's not healthy."

>You let the silence sink in.

>"...sorry."

"Because rape is such a healthier alternative."

>"But I do like you!"

>You wave for a waiter.

"Yeah, can I get the bill?"

>The waiter pony nods.

>"...I really do like you Anonymous...you're so much like me."

"Hey is the tip factored into the bill?"

>The waiter pony nods again.

>Fluttershy stares at you, broken and longing for you to acknowledge her.

>The waiter trots off.

"I'm s-sorry Fluttershy, but I don't think you do like me. Least of all because I'm like you."

>You feel that sickness come back in your voice.

"Because, in truth, I think you hate yourself. Terribly."

>She breaks down a little more.

"I mean, you must hate yourself a lot if you're willing to do things like that to someone just like you."

>Her lip begins to quiver.

"But self-mutilation on such a scale would have to be a fetish to some degree."

>She starts to tremble.

"Though I'm not seeing any whips and ch-chains. We're in a nice crowded restaurant. So maybe there's another alternative."

>She can barely contain the tears.

>You get up from your seat.

"Maybe it's something really simple. Maybe you're just-"

>You set several bits down on the table.

"--Hilariously. Pathetic."

 

>Go home for the night.

>Feel sort of bad for debasing Fluttershy in public.

>You weren't really paying attention.

>But some ponies probably saw you.

>And you're okay with that.

>Because as an adult, you have boundaries.

>And even if someone cries, it's no excuse for letting them use you like that.

>Do some laundry.

>Don't get the stain out of your punch incident suit.

>But you'll talk to the Mayor about that tomorrow.

>Because you've manned up.

>Sleep naked on the futon.

>Like a man.

>Sleep peacefully.

 

>"..so what do you like?"

>You wake up at 3:00 AM.

>The door is open.

>You should've pressed the futon back against it.

>You can't move.

"F-f-fluttershy?"

>You try to get up.

>But your bound.

>You feel a scalding lash against your belly.

>"T-this is it, right?"

>Don't break.

"FLUTTERSHY. G-GET OUT."

>"B-but...you're just like me... back there you were just b-being strong...like I was with y-you."

>Tremble.

>Another lash.

>Against your chest.

>Your nipple stings.

>"...you mentioned whips and chains...is this what you like, mister?"

>Don't break.

"...no, I don't like this."

>She whips you across the face.

>You can feel the stinging sensation get far too close to your eyes.

"Do you?"

>She stops.

>"..n..n-no..."

"Do you feel s-strong, you psycho?"

>"I'm not a psycho! You're going to love me!"

>She starts to cry.

>You're leaking tears too.

>But you can't make a sound.

"...you're weak...and I'm weak...we can -fucking- have our moments of strength, but this--"

>You attempt to motion to the bindings.

>But it's dark.

>And you can't see anything.

"This is not...what h-healthy individuals do."

>She just keeps on crying.

>It's a snotty sort of crying.

>"...I screwed it up."

>She screams.

>"I ALWAYS OVERDO IT!"

>"First with that...mister Iron Will and then...uhm...uhm..."

>She mumbles.

>"...well maybe this is my second time. But how many have I forgotten, and that's so much worse!"

>She's panicked now.

>...it's sickening how on some level, you're just like her.

>You take in a breath.

"Fluttershy...do you think making me love you, will make -you- love you?"

 

>You feel your bindings loosen.

>You get off the futon.

"Because, Fluttershy."

>You approach her softly.

>Quietly.

>You go in for a hug.

"It doesn't work that way."

>Grab her mane.

>Grab her tail.

>SHE IS HEAVY.

>..or maybe you need to lift.

>Toss her out the door.

>It's a messy toss.

>She hits her head on the door.

>Tonight you are a man.

>And you are free.