Barb Makes a Bracelet
 
>"Anon...."
"What's up, Barb?"
>"H-how does this look...?"
>A shaky Barb holds up a rough-looking bracelet made out of some colorful string.
>You sit on the edge of your couch and give it an earnest look; it looks like Barb had worked really hard on it.
>... It also looks like it could use a bit more work.
>You scratch your head, trying to think of the most appropriate thing to say.
"Well, Barb... uh...."
 
>Barb frowns at you.
>"Y-you can be honest with me, Anon...."
>You gulp.
"W-well... it's-"
>The dragoness groans loudly.
>"Oh, it's awful, isn't it? I knew it...."
>She buries her face in her claws, shaking her head.
>"Ugh. I can't believe I wasted so much time with this one!"
>You rub Barb's shoulder in an attempt to calm her.
>She groans again.
 
>"Nooo... stop.... I'm trying to be angry and stuff!"
>You suppress a giggle.
"Barb, you've only just started making bracelets. Practice makes p-"
>"YEAH, YEAH. PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT. Trust me, I KNOW. That's all Twilight tells me."
>You scratch your chin.
"Well... if Twilight says it, then it MUST be true. Dang, I was having doubts about-"
>"Shut up, Anon! This is serious!"
>You smirk at Barb, who sticks her forked tongue out at you.
 
>"As much as I work on these, I just can't seem to get any better!"
>You shake your head.
"Barb, you won't become a pro overnight."
>"Yeah, b-but I've tried my best to make them l-look nice for y-OH, it doesn't matter! I just can't seem to make anything but...."
>She sighs and shakes the bracelet in the air.
>"...this...."
"Hey, now! It isn't that bad!"
>You pull Barb close to you, causing the gal to yelp.
>"A-Anon!!"
 
"Now, let's see what the problem is...."
>You weren't an expert on bracelet-making, but you didn't want to see Barb disheartened.
>You take the bracelet and examine it closely.
>It was well-loomed in a few spots, but a lot of rough knots caused the bracelet to go wonky.
>Barb gives you a look of dissatisfaction.
>"It's b-bad, right?"
 
>You shake your head and show her the bracelet.
"Look, you just gotta... be a bit more careful and patient with the... weave?"
>You point to the spots where she became a bit careless.
"See? You were doing really well up until here, and here... and... here... and... uh... here...."
>"..."
"..."
>"...."
"...yeah, so...."
>Barb's cheeks redden and her ear fins droop.
>"I-I get it, Anon.... I guess I should j-just find another way to...."
>She groans and buries her head into your chest.
>She takes a deep breath and sighs.
>Your chest starts to feel a bit warm...."
 
"Barb, it's okay!"
>She shakes her head in your chest.
>"It's not okay, Anon."
"Why not?"
>She shakes her head more furiously.
>"D-d-don't make me say it...."
 
>You look at the bracelet again.
>Of course.
"Barb, was this supposed to be for me?"
>"..."
>No response.
>You can feel her dragon heart beating a bit faster.
>You pat her back gently, causing her to shudder.
"Well was it?"
 
>She groans and presses harder into you before pulling her head away.
>"I w-wanted to... make us matching friendship-promise bracelets"
>D'aww.
"Barb, that's so-"
>She looks up into your eyes.
>"I-I-I really tried my hardest to make you like it."
>Her bottom lip begins to tremble.
>"I'm s-sorry it came out looking so b-bad!"
>She lets out another yelp as you hug her tightly.
 
>Barb lets out a sigh and you feel her heart slow down.
>You let her go and hold your wrist out.
"Go ahead and tie it on me."
>Barb gives you a confused look and shakes her head.
 
>"N-no! No way! Let me make you a better one! I can stay up all night and try and-"
"No, I don't want another. This one is perfect."
>Barb glares cutely at you.
>"You don't have to be mean, Anon. Sheesh."
"What? I mean it!"
>"Yeah, yeah."
 
>You sigh.
"Just put it on me!"
>"Why!? It's awful!"
"No it isn't!"
>"Yes it is! It's really not that good! Just let me make you a new-"
"No! This one is perfect!"
>"Wh-why is it perfect!?"
"Because you made it for me!"
 
>Barb blushes more furiously.
>"I-I... y-you... s-stop kidding around, Anon!!"
>She pushes you back weakly.
>You respond by holding your wrist out.
"Come on, hon. I mean it this time."
>You place the bracelet on your wrist.
>"B-but Anoooooon...."
 
"Come on, I can't tie it myself!"
>Barb slowly grabs the ends of the bracelet and ties it snugly around your wrist.
>It's a perfect fit.
 
>You put your arm up and look at your new bling.
"It looks way better on my wrist."
>Barb fiddles with her claws and laughs nervously.
>"Do... d-do ya really like it, Anon?"
>You nod goofily.
"I love it, Barb. I really do."
>Barb blushes and bats her eyelashes at you.
>"G-good... I really didn't want to have to make another!"
>You laugh as you pull Barb into another hug.
"You're too much, Barb."
>"Yeah, but you love me that way!"
 
>You pull away and gently grab Barb's wrist.
>She begins to fidget nervously.
>"Wh-what are you doing, Anon?"
>You make a few mental notes and calculations before letting go of her wrist.
"Just gotta see how much string I'll need, Barb."
>"String? F-for what?"
>You point to your bracelet.
"I guess it's time I make you one, right?"
>Barb gives you a big smile.
>"D-do you mean it!? Oh, that's wonderful, Anon!"
>You nod happily.
"It's not officially a friendship-promise bracelet until we BOTH have ones."
 
>Barb leaps into you and wraps her arms around your neck.
>"You're great, Anon. You know that?"
>She nuzzles your head and giggles cutely.
>"I can't wait to get it, Anon.... It'll be the best bracelet ever.~"
>You hug her back and let out a long sigh.
"I can't promise it'll be the best, but I'll try my hardest for you, hon."
>You give her a quick peck on the cheek.
>"Good enough for me.~"
 
~