Going Outside

> Be a Genesis-6 red fluffy pony, bio-engineered for play.

> Today you're going on an adventure with your bestest friend in the whole wide world!

> Her name is Rachael; you live with her, and her mummah and papa.

> And today you're going outside for the first time ever!

> Mummah is getting Rachael dressed.

> You're excited, but Rachael seems sad.

> It must be because daddy isn't coming with you today.

> He must be too tired, because you find him sleeping on the floor.

> You giggle and hug him.

"Papa silly! 'apposed to sleep on bed, not on fwoor!"

> You run back to Rachael and mummah.

> They're putting on their outdoor hats now, so that you can't see their faces.

> Mummah is running around the house, putting things in a bag.

> Rachael bends down and picks you up.

> She's hugging you too hard.

> You squirm some, but then you hug her back.

> Because that's what good fluffies do.

> Before you can tell Rachael about her silly daddy, mummah pulls you both out the door.

> After riding the elevator, though, you become confused.

> You aren't going outside, you're going to the park.

> You begin to complain, but mummah shushes you.

> You pout, but then Rachael scratches your ears.

> Oh well.

> At least you'll get to play in the park.

 

> When you arrive at the park, you spot some of your other fluffy friends.

> You start waving your hooves in excitement, wanting to run over and say hello.

> But mummah grabs Rachael and pulls you both away, to a part of the park you've never been to.

> This second disappointment overwhelms you, and you begin to whine.

"Mummah! Fwuffy wan pway with fweinds! Pwease wet fwuffy-"

> Mummah snatches you from Rachael's grasp, holding your mouth shut.

> You struggle; her fingers dig into your sides, hurting you.

> Your eyes begin to tear up.

> Suddenly she loosens her grip.

> Blinking back tears, you look up.

> A man you've never seen before is standing in front of you.

> He has a long mustache, longer than any you've ever seen before.

> He looks down at you, then back at mummah.

> He starts making silly noises you don't understand.

> Mummah starts making them as well.

> You choke back a sob, confused.

"Kawen?"

> All of you look down.

> It's your friend, Ginny!

> He begins hopping around excitedly, holding up his hooves.

"Kawen! Yay! Kawen! Kawen wan' pway? WaneeeuuUUURGGH!!!"

> There's a blur of motion; Ginny jerks and twitches, before falling over.

> The stranger stands back up, holding the still sparking sorry stick.

> He looks at mummah.

"We go."

 

> Before you can say anything, you're stuffed in a bag.

> You cry out, asking what's happening.

> No one answers you.

> You can barely hear muffled voices and sounds from outside the bag.

> You wait for what seems like forever.

> You need to go to the bathroom, but you know what happens when you don't use your litterbox.

> And you're terrified of being hit with the strange moustache man's sorry stick.

> Finally, the top of the bag opens up.

> The stranger looks in.

> You shrink back in terror.

> Without saying anything, he flings you and the bag away.

> You hit the ground rolling.

> You're all alone in a giant, dark room filled with strange glowing lights and pipes.

> You throw your head back and begin to wail.

> Suddenly television screens all around you snap to life.

> A mechanical voice echoes out all around you.

"Attention. Possible sighting of F#12D28K-8. Seeking positive identification pursuant to embezzelment investigation X/8986. Service rep to Arco-ground sector Blue-829."

> Blinking back tears, you shakily get to your feet.

> You look around; there's no sign of Rachael, mummah, or the terrible moustache man.

"Hewwo?"

> The voice answers back.

"Attention. Please remain where you are. A Corpsec service rep will arrive shortly. Thank you."

> You lie down, sobbing.

 

> Before long, you hear footsteps.

> A man wearing something that looks like an outside hat is coming towards you.

> He stops a few feet away, looking down, his face hidden behind dark glass.

"New fwend?"

> He glances around, looks back, and kicks you.

> You hit the wall and slide to the floor.

> You lay there shaking and sobbing, crying as hard as you can.

> The new man approaches, pulling out a collapsible metal cage.

> He reaches out for you, but stops.

> He begins to shiver and shake, giving a strangle scream.

> He falls to the ground.

> The moustache man is standing behind him, holding his sorry stick.

"Idiot rep."

> He leans down, and twists the new man's head until there is a snapping sound.

> Nearby, Rachael suddenly appears, running towards you.

> She gathers you into her arms, consoling you.

> You curl up in her arms, shaking.

> Through your tears, you see mummah standing there as well.

> The moustache man gets up, holding a toy he took from the new man.

> He and mummah make silly noises.

> She pulls out her phone, touching the screen, then shows it to him.

> He nods, before doing something with the new man's toy.

> You look down at the new man sleeping on the ground, then up at Rachael.

"Meanie munstah man get sowwy stick? No use wittabox?"

> The moustache man hands the toy to mummah, and starts jogging away.

> Mummah turns back to you and Rachael.

"Hurry. We need to get outside."

 

> You hate your new home, but it's better than outside.

> Outside is smelly, it makes you cough and it hurts your eyes.

> Your new home is a little better, but it's cold and dark, and there's nothing to play with.

> Mummah and Rachael aren't around right now.

> They were arguing before they left.

> Rachael must have been bad, because afterwards she was crying.

> You hugged her and told her not to worry, that she's good and that you love her.

> That only made her cry harder.

> But she hugged you and said she loved you, too.

> Then she ran outside.

> Mummah came over and held you on her lap for a while.

> She looked at you for a very long time.

> Finally she kissed you and put you down, before saying goodbye.

> She forgot to close the door.

> Your side still hurts from being kicked by the mean man, and you're starting to get hungry.

> You hope they get back soon.

> You don't like this adventure.