"Celestia and DealerAnon Pt. 4"
By smeg (https://pastebin.com/u/smeg)

URL: https://pastebin.com/x4WdTBxF
Created on: Wednesday 19th of November 2014 03:58:19 PM CDT
Retrieved on: Sunday 25 of October 2020 08:06:23 AM UTC


>Despite you still being in a bit of a bad mood, you've been blasting through the shopping list
>You're at the last few items now
>Bread, beer, cooking oil, cigarettes, coffee
>As if sensing your bread-related thoughts, Celestia breaks the silence as so many times before
>''Hey, do you know where the bread is?''
''Yeah, it's in the back. Be right there, I'll go grab some beer.''
>''This time of day? Really?''
>She looks at you with an amused expression
''Well, since we're buying half the place I don't see why not. Besides, I like having some in the fridge just in case.''
>''Just in case, or just because?''
''Both.''
>She chuckles and walks off, shaking her head, clearly in a much better mood than she was outside
>Whether it's her being away from the November chill or finally having something to do you don't know
>But you're not complaining
>You feel a lot better too, especially with the promise of drank mere feet from you
>Taking a wide stance in front of the beer, you start poring over your options
>PBR or Miller?
>There honestly isn't that much to think about
>Both of them are cheap, and serve you well
>Although, you have made more money than usual this week
>Maybe something more expensive would be in order, what with a classy guest and all
>Your gaze wanders across the labels, until a bottle on the top shelf catches your attention
>It's gaudy, it's colorful, and the name takes an eternity to pronounce
>You're not exactly sure what the language on the label even is, but it ends with 'pumpkin', so you assume it's English
>Reaching towards the top shelf, your eyes briefly flit over the bright yellow price tag
''F-four… Ninety… Nine…''
>You recoil in horror and disgust, briskly grab a 30-pack of PBR, and march off towards the bread section
>Guest or no guest, you won't stand for the mockery inflicted upon your wallet
>Up ahead, you see a familiar length of multicolored hair
''Hey Celestia, I forgot to ask you if you want anything to drink. Do you?''
>She turns around and grins
>''No Anon, it's fine. I'll have whatever you're having.''
''You sure? I could-''
>Your protests are cut off by her warm voice
>''It's fine. Come on, let's go.''
>She walks past you with that same warm smile still on her face
>''So, Anon, I'm still willing to pay for this. It's the least I can do.''
>You scratch your neck, slightly embarrassed that she'd bring this up again
''Well, I can't really have a guest pay for my food, you know? Doesn't seem proper.''
>''Well, I'm not a guest. Think of me as a temporary roommate.''
''I don't know…''
>She smiles at your attempts to dissuade her
>''Come on Anon. You took me in. It's no problem.''
>You sigh
''Fine. But just this once, okay?''
>''Cross my heart.''
>You give a nod to the cashier as you approach
>To his credit, he doesn't even blink at the case of beer in your hand
>On the other hand, you've been in here completely fucked up at 3 AM paying for beer with quarters, and he cared even less then
''Hey man, two packs of Camel Gold.''
>He gives a noncommittal grunt and hands you your smokes as Celestia starts unloading the basket

>''What do you mean, my account's frozen?''
>The cashier is backed up against the wall, grunting something unintelligible in a panicked tone
>Meanwhile, your gues- roommate is rapidly turning a shade of red formerly seen only on various cousins of nightshade
>Oh boy

>You are Anon
>Celestia looks like she's nearing a nervous breakdown
>So does the cashier, to be honest
>He looks like he's going to call the cops any second now
>You decide to step in
''Hey Celestia, I got it.''
>You brandish the almighty Ben Franklin
>She turn towards you and opens her mouth
>You decide to continue before she has the chance to vent
''Two shopping bags, please.''
>The cashier seems to sober up from the promise of money under his nose
>You walk up to the stubbled mumbler
>Behind you, Celestia has slumped against one of the huge mirrors adorning the store, clearly doing her best to not start breaking anything
>Or anyone
>The total price is 99.81
>You hand him the crumpled 100 dollar bill
''Keep the change.''
>You mumble, not managing to look him in the eyes
>He mutters something in return and hands you the receipt
''Yo Celestia, help me out, eh?''
>She walks up to you, not unlike a robot, and starts methodically bagging the groceries with a glassy look in her eyes
>Both of you are completely silent
>The walk from the store is no different

>After opening the door, she practically storms into your house
''Yo C, you okay?''
>No answer
>On the other hand, she's already in the living room while you're still taking your shoes off so she might not have heard you
''Hey C?''
>You walk into the living room and see her on the sofa, hugging herself
>You stop, feeling almost like an intruder in your on home before the woman on your couch
>In what feels like the worst possible moment, you open your mouth
''Hey Celestia, you good?''
>''Yeah Anon, I'm okay.''
>She replies with a sigh, clearly distressed
''You sure? If you need-''
>''I'm okay, Anon! I just need some time by myself, okay?''
''Alright, well if you-''
>''I said I'm fine. Just- just let me think, alright?''
>She cradles her head in her hands again, seemingly shutting herself away from the world
''Aight, whatever, I'll be in the shower.''
>You say to seemingly no-one in particular, feeling the anger mount again
>She probably didn't intend for that to come out the way it did
>But it still hurt
>You briskly walk off towards the staircase, and the shower beyond
>Truth be told, she looks anything but OK to you, but you aren't one to press the issue
>Reaching the shower, you strip off your jeans and t-shirt
>The hot water is as welcoming as ever, finally offering a place to think
>There's just too much happening
>With a sigh, you sit down on the floor and cradle your head in your hands, steaming water cascading on your back
>So, mental list, in order of importance
>One, you have a new roommate
>Two, she's flat broke
>Three, she doesn't know what you do for a living, and shouldn't
>Four, she's probably breaking down mentally right about now
>Five, you should probably go listen to her
>You sigh and reach for the shower gel
>Today is going to be even longer than you thought