>You are Shimmer Light.
>... Each day is worse than the last.
>Hexferry has been able to successfully invade your life, though you show no signs of it.
>There are three times she attempts to ruin you: while you're walking to the market, while you're in the market, and while you're walking back from the market.
>Luckily, she hasn't done more than one of those in the same day.
>Unfortunately, she has done one of them every single day since you left the hospital.
>She always tries to make small talk.
>Because you care about anything she has to say.
>Brilliant logic.
>You do your best to tune her out, but she's always so close, it's difficult to think of anything else.
>Every word she says is filth in your eyes, but she doesn't stop speaking.
>She won't stop until she wins, you know that from experience.
>"Golden Corral said Sepia is better now, but..."
>This time, she's decided to pester you on your way home.
>You've had to draw more often; drawing helps calm you down.
>... Unfortunately, your crayons help been taking many casualties.
>Your blues and greens are easily your most used colors, so they wear down fast.
>... If you don't break them due to stress.
>She really is getting under your skin.
>"... And we'll check on them again tomorrow. Meisa said Sepia's on her way to recovery."
>... Sometimes, you can drown her out.
>... Drown her...
>"I've never seen the flu do that to someone. That still bugs me."
>Someone was sick or something.
>Cool.
>You care so much about poor... Masa, or something.
>You're sure, if you cared about anyone beside yourself, you'd care about the things Hexferry was talking about.
>Unfortunately for her, you simply don't care.
>"Miss Hexferry!"
>Great.
>The orange filly runs up to Hexferry, eager to indirectly be with you.
>She only approaches you when Hexferry is around, and she doesn't show up nearly as often as Hexferry.
>She's just extra, occasional salt on the wounds Hexferry opens.
 
>"Hey, Poppy."
>They've become closer due to their shared drive to make you miserable.
>"Miss Butterscotch said it'll get really cold tonight..."
>Your visions blurs a little.
>You can still hear their voices, but you can't understand them. They sound distant.
>... Cold...
>You're already wearing two jackets, a hat, a scarf, two pairs of pants and a sock on each hoof; it's going to get worse?
>You hate Autumn.
>More, though, is your hate of Winter.
>Darkness, snow, wind...
>Cold...
>An orange blur dashes ahead of you.
>The world still exists, you forgot for a bit.
>That blur becomes the orange filly, who turns back and waves to you and Hexferry.
>"Goodbye, Miss Hexferry."
>"Have a nice night, Poppy."
>The filly looks at you for a moment, then turns and rushes away.
>She still doesn't have the nerve to acknowledge you.
>Good, no one should ever acknowledge you.
>That doesn't stop the annoyance next to you.
>The mentioned annoyance sighs listlessly.
>"She's a good kid. She's interested in you, you know."
>Obviously.
>No one can say anything you care about and don't already know.
>Hexferry just failed in both categories.
>... You really wish you never had to leave your beautiful home.
>Everything was fine before this fly started darting around you.
>Why can't she bug someone else? You have a life.
>She should stop trying to convert you; you're path is already set in stone.
>You care for no one besides yourself, your heart doesn't have room for anyone else.
>... Your heart loves too much already. After all, you love beauty, cleanliness, baths, shampoo, conditioner, hot water, heat, fire, the sun, crayons... and yourself.
>Life with only the necessities would be perfect.
>Instead...
>... Your house is in view.
>"Well, that was fun."
>As fun as that joke was funny.
>Not at all.
>She veers off to her own home.
>"I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"
>You just continue to your sanctuary.
>"Good night, Shimmer."
>...
>Hate is too weak of a word.