>You are Shimmer Light.
>"Come on in!"
>You enter Hexferry's house.
>If you didn't feel like an emotional wreck right now, you might be able to enjoy this sleepover.
>Unfortunately, you feel terrible.
>No matter what happens here, you should figure out what you feel.
>If you don't, you may learn something else entirely.
>That, however, is to be decided upon.
>For now, it's all about you... and Hexferry.
>... Together.
>... Alone...
>You haven't even said anything and you're already off to a bad start.
>"So, what do you want to do first?"
>This is usually where you two eat, talk or play a game of some kind.
>Even though she asks you every time, you've never actually chosen before.
>You've always just passed it back to her.
>You don't really care to choose. Just being with her is enough...
>... This time is different.
"Can we play a game?"
>Hexferry recoils back in surprise, but she gains an ecstatic expression only a moment after.
>"Yeah, that'd be fine. Did you have anything in mind?"
>... Not one in specific, but you do have a plan.
"Just... something where we're on a team."
>All of the other games you've played were competitive. You already know she doesn't enjoy losing, but no one truly does.
>Well, she likes seeing you win.
>You know she's lost on purpose several times just so you could feel better.
>However, this time, you need to know how she acts as a teammate.
>... To see if she can be...
>... Your... mate...
>You really wish you could stop thinking this way.
>"Let's see..."
>Hexferry's searching her closet filled with board games.
>She has a lot.
>You've never heard of... any of them, but you've enjoyed almost every single one she played with you.
>She's a good judge of games and personalities.
>It's odd.
>"Ah, found it!"
>She flutters down from the top shelf with a box you don't recognize.
 
>"Now, this is a bit different from the other games, it's more about... customization and teamwork."
>That's exactly what you wanted.
>"It'll take some time for both of us to make characters, but we'll be able to take on some challenges set by the game. It... heavily uses imagination, but it's a lot of fun!"
"... Okay."
>...
>It took quite a while to make your character, an Earth Pony Warrior. She's the main fighter of the team, and she's built to do some damage. She weilds a longsword.
>Hexferry's character, however, is a Unicorn Mage. She made her as a support character for your character; she's able to heal and make your character stronger, but she can also deal a little bit of magical damage. Also, she weilds a rapier.
>She made her entire character's purpose to help you.
>You'd attribute it to Hexferry being nice to a new player, but she said she loves playing this kind of character.
>She was actually relieved she could play a support-based character for once.
>Unless she's an amazing liar, she's being honest with you.
>... After a bit of thought, it makes sense to you. She's supported you through all of... you, after all.
>You've been playing this... campaign for a few hours now, and you got to the villain.
>He's nearly dead but he still has the drive to fight.
>"Okay, Shimmer, it's your turn."
>You can't just attack him again.
>Well, you can, it's just incredibly risky.
>If you just swing your sword, he has a chance to counter-attack and kill you.
>Instead, you'll do something equally risky, but at least it has a backup plan.
"... Clash."
>"... W-what? Are you sure?"
"Yes."
>"Clash" is a special attack your character has. It has your character's weapon clash with the opponent's weapon and you both roll to win the struggle.
>The loser is knocked to the ground and is considered "vulnerable".
>They can't do anything on their next turn.
>They're completely helpless.
 
>... Well, you have Hexferry. He's without help.
>You pick up your... twenty-sided die to roll.
>High numbers win. It's a simple concept.
>Unfortunately, you have to beat the opponent's roll.
>Hexferry picks up the enemy's die.
>Both of you roll at the same time.
>You eyes follow the enemy's die.
>It bounces, rolls and stops on...
>Nineteen.
>The second best number to roll, fantastic.
>Well, you hope Hexferry will be able to fix this m-
>"That's amazing!"
>... That startled you.
>You look around the table for anything spectacular.
>Your token, Hexferry's token, the enemy token, the nineteen on the enemy die, the...
>... Your die landed on twenty.
>You won.
>Hexferry picks up the little book with all of the encounter information and reads it off.
>"Their swords clash and both fighters struggle to gain the advantage. The villain pushes harder against the hero and she begins to lose ground. All seems lost, just before she reaches deep within herself for newfound vigor. With one solid push, she shoves him back, and his sword is flung away. The villain is now Vulnerable!"
>Well, your turn is over, but you were completely victorious.
>He barely has any health left and he has no way to defend himself.
>... It is now Hexferry's turn.
>Whichever one of you deals the final blow to him gets the credit for the quest and the great reward.
>You just set her up for greatness.
>Yes, she probably deserves it more than you do - her spells were essential to this victory - but you still feel a bit cheated. Your character almost died, but Hexferry's didn't get hurt even once.
>You don't want to feel like this, but you just feel incomple-
>"I cast Flair on you."
>... What?
>You're very confused and it probably shows on your face.
>"It's a fancy spell. It makes whatever you do next look really cool. Perfect for a finishing move, right?"
>She just smiles.
>You're no less confused.
"... Why?"
 
>Her expression becomes neutral.
>"What do you mean?"
"You could have gotten the kill, why did you do that instead?"
>"Well, I thought you deserved it much more than I did. I just stood around and waved my staff, but you actually went out there and defeated everything."
>She looks at the board and smiles calmly.
>"Besides, I don't kill-steal."
>... She has an odd sense of integrity.
>Still, that was very objective reasoning for being selfless.
>You enjoy objecting reasoning.
>It's only logical.
>...
>The campaign ended with a cool jump-slash. The village rewarded your character with a powerful sword and a lot of money.
>You also gained a level... whatever that does.
>"So, what'd you think of it?"
>... To be honest...
"It was okay but nothing amazing."
>She shrugs in response.
>"Games like this are usually difficult to start. If you can get developed in them, they're masterpieces."
>... Well, you don't really have a reason to doubt her. She's been right about these things before.
"Okay, we should play again sometime."
>Hexferry smiles warmly.
>"That'd be nice."
>You're both in serene silence as you put the game away.
>After that, Hexferry stretches.
>... She's beautiful, even when she isn't trying to be.
>Well, you're heart is racing again.
>This room is getting hot, especially for your face.
>"So, what now?"
>... You... weren't thinking about anything besides Hexferry.
>You're just lost when you think of her.
>Anyway, you should save whatever you might have to say for last.
>... Mainly because you don't know what to say yet.
"... We could eat."
>"Okay. Anything in particular you want?"
>You both walk to the kitchen/dining room while you think.
>... Well, you only really have fruit smoothies. Still, you need to know what flavors...
>The first one.
>The first thing smoothie she made for you.
>That should trigger some psychological reaction. If it doesn't, there's nothing to it.
 
>Either way, you should be closer to an answer.
"... That first one you made for me forever ago."
>Hexferry looks back at you, then thinks hard.
>"First one... Oh, the strawberry-banana-pineapple-coconut?"
>You nod.
>She flutters around the room, picking up and preparing the ingredients.
>She's so happy about it.
>... It just brings back horrible memories about those two days, the night you could've died and the day you were broken.
>They were the worst.
>... Or were they?
>Without them, you'd still be "Perfect Shimmer Light".
>You're glad you're out of that part of your life, but you didn't like feeling so dead inside in the transition period.
>It was painful.
>... There was someone who helped you through it, though...
>Your eyes follow Hexferry through all of her actions up to her pouring the blended smoothie into a cup and giving it to you.
>You accept it but don't remove your gaze from Hexferry.
>She gathers a few things for herself, but she stops when she spots a certain cereal.
>Honeycombs, the same thing she had that day.
>She puts everything back and takes the cereal.
>... She was able to remember, just like you were.
>No, it's possible she just wanted that cereal instead of whatever else she planned on making.
>... Yeah, you totally believe that...
>You sit next to each other at the table.
>Her cereal and milk are poured and she's eating happily.
>... If only you could see into her mind...
>You slowly reach your tongue into the smoothie and take a sip of it.
>... It's just like the first one.
>You still haven't been able to make anything nearly as good as this.
>... That doesn't matter to you. Hexferry's better at it and that's fine.
>Somehow, this reminds you of how all of your fond memories are tied to her.
>Without her, you'd still be...
>...
>Dinner was almost completely silent.
>Luckily, the two of you finished at almost the same time and had everything cleaned in a matter of minutes.
 
>"Well, it's getting pretty late. That game took way longer than it does by myself."
>Well, that makes sense. She was teaching you how to play.
>Hexferry lets out a yawn.
"It's that time then."
>"Yeah, I guess so."
>She leads you to her room, and you both get on her bed.
>Her eyes focus on you as you sit there.
>"Do you want to talk about anything before going to sleep?"
>... You still don't have your answer.
"A-anything's fine."
>Hexferry looks down at her hooves.
>"Well, I guess dinner made me think about that storm and... the first time you technically spent the night here."
>Oh no.
>Well, you don't know where this will go.
>You can already feel your heart pounding.
>"You... were so different back then. I didn't know if it was right of me to intrude on your lifestyle like I did, but you just seemed so lonely."
>Back then, you were the only "friend" you needed.
>You didn't know or feel loneliness until you lost your self.
>"I thought you needed my help, so I guess I... overstepped some boundaries a few times..."
>She doesn't seem like she's going to finish that sentence.
"If you didn't, I'd still be alone."
>She looks up at you.
>... You have to say something inspirational, don't you?
>You can't even form how you feel about her, yet you have to encourage her what she did was right?
>This'll be bad.
"... Thank you."
>She looks confused.
>You are confused.
>Whatever. If you just "talk from the heart" or something, everything should work itself out.
>Hopefully you don't say something you'll regret forever.
>You're heart beats painfully in your chest.
"If you hadn't saved me, I'd still be... gone."
>"Well, it's all I could do. It was raining heavily and you... you know."
"I don't mean the rain. You saved me from... myself."
>... Well, you're going down this path now.
>Why is breathing so difficult all of the sudden?
 
"You saw better in me than even I did. You helped me actually fit in... somewhat. Y-you helped me... feel like I belong."
>Well, you're on the verge of crying.
>You can already feel the tears.
>Screw everything, you're going to say all you can.
"... Even with how mean I was to you, you kept trying to save me..."
>It's getting difficult to talk.
>Tears are running down your face.
>Back then, you would've regarded this as pathetic.
>Now, you feel...
>Alive.
"I just..."
>You pause because you can't think of the right words.
>... Nothing's coming to mind.
>Well, there goes you gr-
>Hexferry hugs you tightly, and you let out a squeak.
>... You're pretty sure you've never done that before.
>It seems like she's crying too, but not nearly as much as you are.
>You bury your face in her fluff and hug her back as well as you can.
>You just sit there for a while.
>...
"Thank you..."
>...
>After you calmed down, you both agreed to go to sleep, happy and content about your feelings.
>Also, you did figure something out; at least, you think you did.
>It didn't have to be Hexferry. It really could've been anyone who saved you.
>You would've fallen hard for whoever truly saved you from yourself.
>... However, it wasn't just "anyone" who saved you, it was Hexferry.
>... You realized something else very important.
>Really and truthfully...
>You love her.
>... It's just going to be absolutely impossible to do anything with that knowledge.
>So you're still stuck.
>Even when things make sense, everything is stupid.
>... Though you're still confident.
>Hexferry will always be there for you.