Book of Nightmares - Aux

>That massage definitely loosened you up.

>Somehow, it made you feel much more confident.

>You had this date in the bag!

>You strut through town feeling fresh, like the main character of your favorite television show: Fresh Prince of Bel-Mare.

>Nothing's going to break your stride today.

>Except, maybe, tripping in the middle of the town square.

>A white hoof extends itself in front of your face as you groan.

>The hoof helps you stand.

>You look down and start brushing yourself off.

"Thanks."

>"No problem, Aux."

>Ah, a feminine voice.

>Maybe you could put your moves on such a kind mare.

>You look up, ready to speak, but immediately choke on your words.

>You really should have recognized her from her hoof alone.

>She was the only white bat p0ny you've ever seen, and most likely the only one in town.

"F-Florence?! What are you doing here?"

>You were so busted.

>She was probably going to reprimand you for not showing up to the patrol.

>"Midnight told me you weren't at the patrol today."

>You swallow and start sweating.

"I-I was getting ready f-for a date."

>She smiles and nods as she pats you on the shoulder.

>"Well, good for you. At least somep0ny likes you."

"What do you mean, Florence? P0nies like you."

>She sighs and trots over to the fountain, slumping against it and plucking a mango from her bag.

>"I'm not too sure about that. I'm different from everyp0ny else."

>You trot over and sit beside her.

"Hey, come on Florence. You're one of the best p0nies I know."

>She sniffs a little bit and takes a large bite out of the mango.

>"Thanks, Aux... Oh, by the way."

>She looks up at you.

>"Tomorrow's our last shift, so. Make sure you're there."

>You nod in acknowledgement.

"Alright. So, hey. Are you doing anything later tonight? We could-"

>She starts laughing and shoves a hoof into your shoulder, knocking you down.

>"Oh, please. Didn't you just say you were getting ready for a date?"

>You chuckle softly as you sit up.

"I suppose I did. But it doesn't hurt to have a plan B, does it?"

>"I supposed it doesn't, but let's face it Aux. I'm not in any position to be your plan B."

>You shrug.

"Alright. I'll catch you later, then. I'd rather not be late for my date."

>She nods as you start to trot away.

>It makes you feel bad, but Echo was probably already waiting for you.

>Florence was an excellent p0ny.

>She was talented, beautiful, funny.

>She was a joy to be around.

>Maybe if Echo failed, you could try for Florence.

>Your squad captain?

>Hah, that's a good one Aux.

 

>You chuckle to yourself as you walk towards the north-east end of town.

>She seemed kind of sad when you were talking to her though.

>Maybe you could convince her to go get some ice cream after your date with Echo.

>Ice cream cheers everyp0ny up!

>You smile and start to canter through town.

>Aux, you're a genius.

>You close your eyes as you bask in your brilliant idea, which causes you to bump into and subsequently trip over a mare.

>"Hey! Watch where you're... going?"

>Her words are a bit slurred, but you understand what she's saying.

"I-I'm sorry, I wasn't watching where I was... going?"

>You look up at her and shake your head.

"Moonshine?"

>Her friends helps her up and sighs.

>"Hey, Aux."

"Um, hey Lullaby. What are you two doing out and about?"

>She shrugs lazily.

>"Dropping Echo off at some restaurant. She said she had a date with someone, but I fell asleep."

>Moonshine slumps against Lullaby and stares at you.

>"She shed she had a date with... with you, Auksh."

>Lullaby's eyes widen.

>"Oooh, that's right! She's waiting for you! Want us to take you there?"

>You shake your head and laugh nervously.

"No, I think I can manage on my own."

>Lullaby nods and starts to leave, but Moonshine topples over in front of you as she tries to speak.

>"Y'know, I'm... I'm a little jealoush of her. She getsh all the cute guysh."

>You back up a little and blush.

"I-I have to go. I'll see you guys later."

>You skid to a halt just as soon as you start running off.

"Oh! I almost forgot, tomorrow's our last day of patrol!"

>Lullaby nods and waves to you as she starts dragging Moonshine away.

>You wave back and trot off.

 

>The moon hangs in the middle of the sky, directly over the town.

>You admire it for a bit as you stand outside of the fruit bar.

>A smile plasters to your lips as you head inside.

>It was a quaint little place, hustling and bustling with a few dozen bat p0nies.

>One in particular catches your eye.

>Her dark, two-toned mane, and those large orange eyes make you smile even wider than you already were.

>You trot across the restaurant, nimbly dodging a few waiters as you approach Echo and your table.

"Hey there, gorgeous."

>She raises her brow and looks through you, shaking her head.

"Echo. It's me, Aux. I'm here for our date?"

>She shakes her head quickly and sighs.

>"Sorry, Aux. I was... thinking about something."

"No, no. It's alright. It's my fault for being so late."

>She looks up behind you.

>"Aux, you're like two minutes late."

"Oh."

>She taps on the table and whistles softly.

>"So..."

"So."

>You look down at a small menu and sigh.

>"How was your day off? I noticed you weren't on patrol today."

>Your face warms up as you blush.

"Sorry, Echo. I just needed to... get ready for this date."

>She hums and nods as she picks her menu up.

>"Well, Aux. You look good."

>You fumble with your menu as you pick it up.

>It slips from your hooves with enough force to knock the table's centerpiece over.

>Flowers and water spill from it.

>They roll over the edge and onto the floor.

>Echo just rolls her eyes and shakes her head.

>"At least this isn't one of those fancy Canterlot restaurants."

>You laugh awkwardly as you try to absorb the mess with a hoof-ful of napkins.

>A bat p0ny with black hair and green eyes looks up at you as you clean your mess.

>"Sir, you don't have to do that. We have employees that clean messes.

"O-oh. Sorry."

>She rolls her eyes and sighs.

>"My name is Jasmine. I'll be your waitress. Are you ready to order?"

>Echo nods.

>"Yes, I'll have a fruit platter and... a glass of blood orange juice."

>The waitress nods and looks to you.

>"And for you, sir?"

"I-I'll have the same thing, b-but for dessert."

>She raises a brow.

>"Sir I ca-"

"For dessert, I'd like you."

>oh, wow.

>Did you really just say that?

>Echo's head hits the table as she starts laughing.

>The waitress just adopts a very uncomfortable look and backs away.

>"I'll be right out with your orders."

 

>"Keekee! I can't believe you, Aux! We're here, on a date, and you're still flirting with other p0nies!"

>You rub your arm with a hoof and blush.

"Sorry, I don't... I don't know where that came from."

>Her laughter dies completely as she waves a hoof at you.

>"No, don't worry about it. That's why we're here, right? To help you stop doing that kind of thing?"

>What?

>You thought you were here on an actual date, not to try and help you stop flirting with other p0nies.

"N-no, Echo. This was supposed to be an actual date!"

>She blinks once before slamming her face back into the table.

>Her laughter echoes through the building, which causes other p0nies to stare.

>You blush and reach over to her.

>She holds a hoof up to you.

>"N-no. Don't say anything Aux. My sides are killing me."

>You feel a tugging deep in your chest, but it isn't unfamiliar.

>Disgusted with yourself, you drop about forty bits on the table, get up, and leave.

>It's not like she'd pay for it anyway.

>Besides, you had other p0nies you'd rather spent time with.

>Her laughter echoes through your ears and your mind as you step outside of the restaurant.

>That ice cream was starting to sound good.

>You start heading back to the town square, hoping Florence would still be there.

>You close your eyes and trot with your head lowered.

>How unlucky could one p0ny be?

>Your question was quickly answered as you tripped over a small p0ny pile.

>Not even fifty wing-lengths away from the restaurant, and you managed to trip over Moonshine and Lullaby.

>You couldn't have been in there for more than twenty minutes, and these two barely managed to move anywhere.

>"Oh, hey Aux."

>Lullaby yawns as she greets you.

"Hello Lullaby. What're you doing?"

>"I was taking a nap. Trying to drag Moonshine was a lot of work, and it tired me out pretty quickly."

>Moonshine snores and blows into your tail as she exhales.

>You roll off of them and brush yourself off.

"You two shouldn't be sleeping in the middle of the road. It's dangerous."

>Lullaby shrugs and stands up.

>"I know, I know. Can you help me move her?"

>A hoof meets your forehead as you sigh.

"Fine."

 

>You and Lullaby, after some abundant amount of minutes, finally get Moonshine on your back.

>And you now carry her through town.

"So I was thinking about getting some ice cream with Florence, if you and Moonshine wanted to join?"

>Lullaby hums and taps her chin.

>"Sure. I don't have anything else planned for today, except maybe some naps."

>Moonshine taps a hoof on your side.

>"I'd... alsho like shome ice cream."

>She smiles at you, but you just roll your eyes.

"Whatever, let's try to find Florence."

>Moonshine repositions herself on your back so that her front legs wrap around your neck while her back legs straddle you.

>You grumble as you walk into the town square.

>Florence sits by the fountain, staring at you as you walk.

>"Well. Looks like you found somep0ny of your own."

>You blush and look away.

"No! She only does this when she's drunk. Besides, there's no way she'd ever be interested in me."

>Florence chuckles.

>"And you think half of the mares you hit on will be? Aux, please. Just open your eyes."

>You sigh.

"That isn't necessary. Do you want to go get ice cream with us?"

>She shrugs and looks up at the moon.

>"I suppose I wouldn't mind that. It's better than sitting out here thinking."

>Lullaby slowly claps her hooves together.

>"Let's go then!"

>Moonshine snores into your ear as the other two follow you north-west of the square.

>Florence was wrong, Moonshine would never want to be with you.

>You were pretty sure she was into mares anyway.

>That was one of the reasons why you never hit on her, or tried anything.

>There was also the time you two first met, when she acted like a huge jerk to you.

 

>You had asked her if she wanted to go watch the sun rise.

>All she said was "No, why would I want to do something like that with someone like you?!"

>She tripped over her words a little bit and blushed.

>You didn't think anything of that, like maybe it was just how she acted when meeting new people.

>Except, she still acted that way around you, unless she was drunk.

>You look over to Florence, who currently looks quite grumpy.

>That could be attributed to one purple maned, sleepy p0ny climbing onto her back.

>Lullaby quickly nods off as she wraps herself around Florence.

>You chuckle, causing her to reply with a swift hoof to your side.

>You grunt and nearly tip over from Moonshine's weight.

"What was that for?!"

>"For laughing at me."

"What, why? That was cute."

>She shakes her head and trots a little ways ahead of you.

>Her flank sways to and fro.

>You bite your bottom lip as you stare.

>That flank.

>That flank could kill lesser p0nies.

>The nasty, vile, dirty things you would do to that flank.

>"Aux!"

"Huh? What?!"

>"We're here."

>Florence points to your left as she glares at you.

>Oh, right.

>The ice cream parlor.

>"Did you have something on your mind?"

>You quickly shake your head.

"Uh, no. Not at all."

>She rolls her eyes and trots into the parlor.

>You follow behind her, trying not to stare at her flank this time.

>Lullaby yawns and wakes up as Florence approaches the counter.

>"Are we here already? I wanted to sleep a little longer."

>You roll your eyes as you tap a hoof against Moonshine's head.

"Wake up, we're here."

>She buries her face in your neck and grumbles.

>"Five more minutes, please?"

>Florence trots over to you and pushes Moonshine off your back.

>That was definitely one way to wake up a sleeping horse.

>Moonshine gets up and staggers a little as she leans against you.

>"W-What was that for?!"

>"Ice cream."

>Her face lights up as she darts over to the counter.

>She starts bouncing up and down like a little school filly.

>"I want the uh..."

>She looks down at Lullaby."

>"What do I want?"

>Lullaby lazily points at a picture of a gallon of pineapple mango sherbet.

>"You want that, Moonshine."

 

>The stallion from the counter carries a tray with four bowls of ice cream to your table.

>He sets it down in the middle of the table.

>Everyp0ny grabs their own bowl and shoves their face into the cold ice cream.

>It's not like any of you had magic or could be bothered to use spoons.

>Besides, bat p0nies weren't exactly known for their table manners.

>A loud snort sounds from your left, along with a scraping of glass against wood.

>You look over to find Lullaby asleep, face first in her ice cream.

>Florence tries to pull the bowl away from her.

>Her eyes meet yours as you stare at her.

>"What?"

"Why are you taking her ice cream?"

>"She's asleep. How is she going to eat it if she's sleeping?"

>She has a point.

"That's still kind of rude."

>She shrugs and continues pulling on the bowl.

>Lullaby hugs it to her face, smearing the dairy goodness into her fur.

>Florence lets go and huffs.

"You know you can just go buy more, right?"

>She taps her hooves together and blushes.

>Moonshine reaches across the table and taps you on the shoulder.

>"Aux. Look."

>You look at her, only to find that she's stuck her bowl to the top of her head.

"Take that off, Moonshine. You're drunk, and it isn't funny."

>She frowns and looks to the floor as she removes the bowl and sets it back on the table.

>Melted ice cream drips down her mane and over her face as tears start to form in her eyes.

>"Sorry, Aux."

>Her words weren't slurred anymore.

>Good, she was sobering up.

>She shakes her head and gets up from the table.

>"I'll see you at the patrol tomorrow."

>She sniffles softly and runs out of the parlor.

>Florence glares at you.

>"Aux!"

"What?"

>She gestures to the door.

>"What was that?"

>You throw your hooves up.

"I don't know!"

>"Aux."

>You turn to Lullaby.

"WHAT!"

>She places a hoof on your shoulder.

>"Go apologize."

>You place your hooves on your cheeks and lean onto the table.

"Apologize for what? I didn't do anything."

>Florence throws her bowl at you.

>"Didn't do anything? Aux, you just made her run out of here crying. You know why you can't get anyp0ny to like you?"

>She crawls across the table and starts jabbing her hoof into your chest.

>"It's because you ignore everyp0ny's feelings and hit on every mare in sight. Yet, when one mare actually gives you the attention you so crave, you shun her."

>They can't...

 

>Do they mean Echo?

>Moonshine and Lullaby had to have been spying on you at the restaurant.

>You slam your hooves on the table, which causes you to launch your bowl into Florence's face.

>You hop up from the table and rush out of the parlor.

>The door slams into a stallion as you run out.

"Sorry!"

>You continue running through the streets and out into the town square.

>Your heart races and your breathing becomes quick and shallow as you find Echo sitting by the fountain.

>What do you say?

"I'm sorry I hit on that waitress?"

>No, that wouldn't do.

"I'm sorry that I'm such a screw up and that I didn't consider your feelings and-"

>She's staring at you.

>Did she hear you talking to yourself?

>You shake your head and blush.

>Might as well get it over with.

>You trot over to her and sit beside her.

"H-hey Echo. What's-"

>She places a hoof over your mouth.

>"Aux, no. Don't say anything."

>You speak into her hoof anyway.

"I just wanted to say I was so-"

>"I heard you already. You aren't the quietest or subtlest p0ny around. It's alright, Aux. I... I guess I reacted poorly to the situation too."

>She takes her hoof away and smiles.

>"You just kind of... caught me off guard. I should have expected you'd take the date seriously, but I guess I didn't make it clear that I was trying to help you."

>You sigh and look away.

"No, it was all my fault. I shouldn't have hit on that waitress. If you'd give me another chance, Echo, I can show you that I can be one hundred percent loyal."

>She snickers, covering her mouth with her hooves.

>"Aux, please, no. It's nothing against you, I'm just not interested."

>You nod slowly and start to walk away from her.

>Might as well go home and rest up for tomorrow's patrol, right?

>"I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Yeah."

>That was it, there was nothing left in this town for you.

>Echo didn't like you, Midnight hated you, Florence was too good for you, Lullaby was almost always asleep, and Moonshine...

>Moonshine hated you from day one.

>You didn't bother with her after the first time.

 

>None of it was worth it.

>None of the suffering, the rejection, the heart break.

>Tomorrow after the patrol, you were going to leave.

>It would probably be a good idea to inform them.

>But they wouldn't care.

>None of them cared.

>Eventually coming upon the front door of your house, you unlock it and rush inside.

>You rush to your bedroom as you finally feel the weight of rejection falling onto your back.

>A lump forms in your throat as you roll onto your bed and pull the covers over you.

>Your forelegs wrap around one of your pillows.

>Its plush form molds around your face.

>Tears soak the pillow as you rub your face into the soft cloth.

>Life could be worse.

>You could have a gimp wing, or some broken ribs.

>Or you could be dead.

>Yeah, that was pretty bad.

>But still, life was pretty bad right now.

>You were all alone, aside from a few friends.

>None of them really liked you though.

>Something crawls onto your bed, causing you to pull your face out of the pillow.

>You find that you can't move outside of that.

>"Hello, Aux."

>A female voice?

>Maybe this was your chance.

>Now, if only you could move to see her.

>Your bed sinks into itself as she moves closer to you.

"H-Hello?"

>"Shhh. Just lie still, dear Aux. I know exactly what you want."

>Her voice felt sharp against your ears.

"Y-you do?"

>"Oh, yes. You want a nice mare to settle down with, and to hold you and be yours forever."

"Well, if you're offering then I-"

 

>She loomed over you enough that you could see her out of the corner of your eye.

>Those blood stained teeth and wide, crazed eyes caused your mind to shut down.

>Your heart raced and pounded in your chest.

>Your stomach did flips and twists and made you feel absolutely sick.

>She looked just like any normal bat p0ny, except she seemed out of place and warped.

>Taking this opportunity to look around your room, you notice that your wall-hangings were warped and seemed to melt from the walls.

>What was going on?

>"Well, Aux. I'll tell you what. If you do me one little favor, I'll be your special somep0ny."

>You swallow hard.

"N-no, that's okay. I'm fine with being lonely."

>"I think you're lying to me, Aux. You shouldn't lie to someone who cares about you!"

>You close your eyes and try to shove your face back into your pillow.

>She slaps it away from you and it crashes against the wall.

>A whimper escapes your throat.

>"Now, now, Aux. It's not polite to ignore somep0ny that likes you!"

>She leans into your ear as she says this and starts cackling.

>"Come on, Aux. This is the chance of a lifetime! Somep0ny finally has interest in you, and all you can do is cry and hide!"

>Her laughs tear at your heart.

>It's just like with Echo.

>A warm, wet tongue presses against your ear as she straddles your body.

"P-Please stop."

>She snickers as she retracts her tongue.

>"Why? Isn't this what you've always wanted?"

"N-no. Please s-stop..."

>Her tongue traces over your ear, her saliva dripping into your ear canal.

>Oh Luna, make it stop.

>That wet and warm appendage slithers into your ear.

>You start screeching at how uncomfortable it is.

 

>A hoof starts shaking you as your ear throbs.

>Oddly enough, you don't feel anything in your ear.

>That doesn't mean you're about to open your eyes and look at whoever's shaking you.

>"Aux! Wake up!"

>That voice...

"M-Moonshine?"

>A sigh of relief escapes her lips as she pats you on the shoulder.

>"Oh, thank Luna. I heard screeching coming from your house, I thought you were in trouble."

"I had a nightmare..."

>She snickers softly and strokes your arm.

>You shudder and pull away from her, facing away as you sit up.

>"I kind of gathered that when I found you screeching in your sleep."

>You nod slowly and rub your arm with a hoof.

"Th-thanks, Moonshine."

>She clears her throat as you turn to her.

>A blush tints her cheeks a bright rosy red.

>"Would you like me to spend the day over here? To make sure you don't have any more nightmares?"

>You raise an eyebrow.

>Why was she being nice to you?

>You already knew how much she and the others disliked you.

"No. No, I don't think that would be necessary.

>Her brow furrows as she scoffs and huffs.

>"Fine, it's not like I wanted to stay here and keep you company anyway!"

>Before you can say anything, she leaps off the bed and runs out the door.

>Good going, Aux.

>If she didn't hate you before, which she did, then she definitely hated you now.

>You whine to yourself as the front door slams.

"I really am all alone in the world."

>One look out the window reveals the sun start to paint the sky blue.

"How long was I out for?"

>You yawn and slump back under your covers.

>Might as well get some more sleep, since this was your last day in Hollow Shades.

>Hopefully no more nightmares would plague you.