Title:           Amber and Maple 42
Author:          Ottoway
Pastebin link:   http://pastebin.com/JYXHzq5n
First Edit:      Sunday 2nd of November 2014 12:24:58 PM CDT
Last Edit:       Sunday 2nd of November 2014 12:24:58 PM CDT

>You and Dash order your cupcakes and take a seat
>Pinkie seems restless
>Like she wants to tell you something that's bottled up
>You usually have a good read on ponies
>Especially body language
>After a few minutes, she returns with the two bright colored treats
>She places them down on the table the two of you are sitting at
>Finally, she gives in and says what's one her mind
>"So, is it true you guys?"
>Dash looks up
>Mouth still watering from the snack in front of her
>"Is what true Pinkie?"
>She smiles and hops around your table
>"You know!"
>You actually don't
>"What Pinkie?"
>She stops and smile
>She extends her hooves somehow, and grabs you both
>Pulling you two closer together
>Within whisper range
>She begins to speak again
>"Is is true that...You two are marefriends?"
>Both set of wings at the table poof up with a fwomph
>"Well...I, uh..."
>How does she know?
>You didn't tell anyone
>"I'll take the silence as a yes! OOOOHH I'M GONNA THROW THE BIGGEST PARTY! EVER-"
"Pinkie! Please keep your voice down!"
>You look around cautiously
>A few ponies look over at the commotion
"And yes...We're going out...We're also not trying to let ALL of Ponyville know...But, how did you know?"
>She smiles
>"I had a hunch. The way you two looked at each other"
>She laughs to herself
>"I think it's SOOO cute that you two found each other!"
>Dash covers her face with her hoof
>"Well, I'm glad we have your blessing Pinkie...But try to keep this to yourself, at least for now"
>Using some weird-ass pinkie magic, she turns her mouth into a zipper, and zips her mouth shut
>You'll never know with Pinkie Pie
>The two of you leave Sugar cube corner as fast as you can
>Pinkie is cool and all
>But you don't like the fact that she can basically "Read minds"
>Sure, it's her god given thing
>But still, she should kind of mind her own business
>Well, you can't stay mad at her forever
>Especially when she gives you discounts on the food
>Once at the supermarket, you and Dash take your time picking out snacks
>Some potato chips, a little dip, and sandwich stuff should do the trick
>"When do you want to go? I was thinking closer to noon, so I can chill in my house for a little bit"
"Oh, I thought we were going now..."
>She puts the stuff on the counter for the cashier
>"It's pretty early. I got some egg beaters at the house if you're hungry. But It's too early right now"
>Eh, she's probably right
>You don't really even know what you're thinking today
>Every few seconds you think back to Maple
>You wonder how she's doing
>She's probably lonely
>Maybe you'll check on her after this
"I'm gonna go back to my house first if that's okay...You know, to check on Maple"
>She understands
>The two of you split the bill, and walk out of the market
>"So, you'll be at my house in an hour or so?"
"Yeah, that's about right"
>She puts a wing around you
>For a pony who wants to keep this a secret
>She isn't doing a very good job
>"I'll miss you Am"
>She says in a fake, trying to hard to be romantic type voice
>You laugh and push her off of you
"Shut up Dash..."
>She nudges you back with a smile
>"Well, I will be missing Ms. Plot"
>She spanks your rear end and your wings become erect once more
>Damn these wings to Hell
"What the fuck Dash?!?"
>"What? You never heard of teasing before?"
>You say goodbye to Dash as you part ways
>She flies back to her cloud house, while you trot on back home to Maple
>Box of cupcakes in your mouth
>You open the door, to reveal an empty living room
>She's probably still in her room
>You walk over and give her door a knock
"Maple? Are you in there?"
>You hear a mumble
"Maple?"
>A few seconds pass
>"Yeah...I'm here"
"May I come in?"
>After a couple of seconds she replies
>"Sure, but only you"
>You're the only one here anyway
>You put the cupcakes on the ground and open her door
>Maple is sitting on her bed, reading a book
>Looking closer, you see that it's her favorite book from when she was young
>You remember that mom would always read it to you
"How are you doing Maple? You feeling better?"
>She puts the book down
>"A little...I'm just really tired"
>You can tell she's putting up a front
>Hiding behind her shallow response
"Me and Dash are going on a picnic later, in case you wanted to go"
>She looms down at her blankets
>"Maybe some other day Amber...I'm not really feeling well right now..."
>You walk over to her and sit on the bed
>Next to her
"If you need anything, just find me"
>You give her a hug before leaving her room
>She wanted her alone time
>You know what she's feeling
>But, you know she likes surprises
>You take out your cupcake, and put it on a plate, and leave it on the living room table
>Maple will definitely love this!
>You leave your house and walk out into the brisk fall morning
>Just one more week until the basketball court gets flooded into the ice skating rink
>And two weeks until your big camping trip
>Does Maple remember that spot?
>You took her there, many years ago
>When the two of you were still fillies
>Back when Mom was...
>Never mind that
>What to do?
>You have time to kill before you go back to Dash's house
>Maybe you can go and get some mid-morning cuddles
>And believe me, you could use some
>It's never easy taking a pony's life
>Just something you have to do
>And let's face it
>A serial rapist?
>He had to be put down
>Who knows how many other ponies he could have hurt...
>R-right?
>Last night, you were so sure
>But it's getting harder to justify as you keep thinking about it
>There was nothing you could do
>He came at you with a knife
>It was survival mode
>You were trained to deal with that situation
>But still...
>Is it too early to get drunk?
>You shake everything off and focus back on your day
>Deep thinking is overrated anyway
>Maybe you'll just swing by the sports store and buy a fresh baseball
>The opening of a fresh baseball is the greatest feeling in the world
>Only matched by the sound of metal cleats on concrete
>Damn, you miss baseball...
>You head on your way to the store in town
>You have few bits on you, probably just enough to buy it
>Money is getting a little tight...
>Maybe a job at the school will be necessary soon
>You should stop by Cheerilee today too
>Tell her you're okay and that you can have an interview soon
 
>You make it to the store and walk in
>You get a few welcomes
>They all know you here
>You habitually walk to the baseball section
>Examining the new gloves and bats
>Various baseball hats
>They have a better selection in the summer
>But at least everything is on sale
>You'll just drop a few bits for the ball and get out of here
>You pick out the cleanest pearl there
>You snatch it up in your wing, cherishing it like it's a baby
>You walk to the cash register and place it on the counter
>Watching it roll around the table a bit
"Sup Ace?"
>You say to the cashier
>He used to play on your baseball team, but he blew out his wing and was never the same
>Shame, he had so much potential
>"Hey Amber...You hear what happened in the news?"
>Your ears perk up
>"Yeah, that new employee we hired was apparently a rapist or something...He was killed last night by some soldier"
>You take a deep breath in
>"I knew the guy was a little weird, but I thought he was just joking around...I didn't take him for a rapist"
>You shake your head
>Remembering everything
>Every detail
"You can never know these days Ace...It's too crazy out here..."
>He nods his head
"Say, did you work yesterday?"
>He shakes his head, signaling no
>"Was my day off...Took the Misses fishing"
>Good
>He didn't know about Maple
>If he did, and let him go with her
>You would've had a serious problem
>You make some more small talk, and pay for the ball and walk out of the store
>And towards the school house