"Maud, is it?"
>"..."
"My name is Anon! Pinkie Pie has told me so much about you."
>"..."
"Uh... n-nice to meet you?"
>The gray rock pony doesn't respond.
>She continues to stare off into nothingness.
>Pinkie told you that Maud was typically quiet.
>But you didn't expect her to be like this.
>It's even more worse than when you first met Fluttershy.
"M-Maud?"
 
>"Oh, there you are Anon!"
>Pinkie Pie bounces over to the two of you.
>"I see you're already getting to know my bestest sister ever!"
>You laugh nervously and nod.
>Maud suddenly gets up from her chair, her cold drone of a voice freezing the air around you:
 
>"I am going to go for a walk."
 
>And with that, she heads out of Sugar Cube Corner.
>You give Pinkie a confused look.
>Pinkie smiles at you.
>"So did the two of you click like I said?"
>You scratch your head.
"Well...."
>You walk next to the pink pony.
"Not quite, Pinkie...."
>Pinkie frowns, her hair slightly deflating.
>"O-oh...."
 
>You rub Pinkie's head, trying to get her to cheer up.
>Pinkie sniffles.
"I did introduce myself at least. I think she's just shy, you know?"
>Pinkie remains quiet.
"Maybe I can try again later. I think she's just overwhelmed with moving back here and-"
>Pinkie shakes her head, the color from her fur fading gently.
>"No, Anon... I don't think you understand."
 
"Huh? Did I do something?"
>"No... you didn't do a thing. But Maud's ex-coltfriend did."
"Coltfriend? What did he do to her?"
>Pinkie begins to sob.
>"Maud sent me so many letters about him... she says she was happy but...."
>You kneel next to Pinkie.
"But what?"
>She wraps her forehooves around your neck.
>"Oh, Anon! He did awful things to her! *sniff* He hurt her so badly!"
 
"W-what? What are you saying Pinkie?"
>Pinkie's mane continues to deflate as she sobs into your shirt.
>You try and comfort her to the best of your ability, all to no avail.
>"He... h-he abused her, Anon!"
>Pinkie's cries become increasingly louder.
>This isn't the type of conversation to continue here....
"Come on, Pinks. It's alright, come on."
 
>You pick her up gently and carry her into the back room of Sugarcube Corner.
>She latches tightly onto you, continuing to soak your shirt with her tears.
>"*sniff* M-m-m... Maud...."
>You set her down on a chair, and kneel next to her.
>You hold one of her hooves in your hands and rub them gently.
>Pinkie's sobs begin to subside, but the color doesn't return to her fur.
"Shh, shh... don't cry, alright? Just tell me exactly what happened...."
 
>Pinkie rubs the tears from her face, still sniffling.
>"Her coltfriend... *sniff* abused her. He said awful things to her, he hit her constantly... he took all of her money...! Anon! He's an awful stallion!"
>You hug Pinkie as her cries become hysterical.
>You rub her back gently, trying to get her to relax.
"Shh... shh...."
>You hold Pinkie close.
>You feel your heart beat rapidly against your chest.
>What could that monster have done to Maud?
 
>Pinkie holds on to you, crying and crying.....
 
~
 
>A few weeks before.
 
>You are Maud.
 
>And it's been a long week.
 
>Luckily, it's all over.
>You've been awarded your Rocktorate in Rock Science.
>And another milestone in your life has been complete.
>Even better, you've been offered a position at the Vanhoover School of Rocktology.
>You feel as if nothing else could make you happier.
>Well... except seeing Cold Flint, your special somepony.
>Maybe you could cook him a wonderful dinner!
>He'll be so happy to hear your news.
>Especially the part about the two of you being able to move!
 
>You trot happily home, excited to share your news with your wonderful coltfriend.
>Nothing could bring your happiness down today.
>Nothing at all....
 
>You trot happily inside your apartment, carefully opening your door.
>It tends to come off of it's hinges often.
>You need to make sure you stop running into it.
 
>You gently place your saddlebags on the table, removing your newly earned degree.
>Printed on a lovely piece of gray parchment, you lay it on the table for Flint to see when he returns from work.
>He'll be so happy for you.
 
>You head into the kitchen.
>You expertly prepare a fresh garden salad, complete with black olives.
>Flint loves those.
>You mix up a delectable drink to accompany your meal.
>An excellent combination of mango juice and sweet lemonade.
>Flint loves this stuff.
>You arrange the foodstuffs on the table, careful not to get it on your degree.
>You carefully light a few candles, completing the mood.
>Everything looks wonderful.
 
>Flint will love this.
>He'll absolutely love it.
>Just like he loves you.
 
>You hear the door unlock.
>He's home!
>You slowly trot over to the door, waiting to greet your coltfriend.
 
>The door comes off of its hinges, hitting the ground with a loud bang.
>"FUCK THIS DAMN DOOR!"
>You head into the doorway, checking on Flint.
"Flint? Are you alri-?"
>"GET OUT OF THE WAY!"
 
>You are pushed to the side as Flint walks inside.
>He is followed by another mare you don't recognize.
>"Flint, who is this unicorn?"
>Flint angrily throws his saddlebags at you.
>"Put those up for me so I can fix this fucking door."
>The mare shakes her head.
>"What an awful door. I'm glad you didn't get hurt, Flint!"
>You eye the mare.
>Flint glares at you.
>"Did your hear me? GO!"
>You do as he asks.
>He must have had an off day.
>Your surprise meal and good news will make him feel better.
>You just know it.
>Though... you didn't make enough for his friend.
 
>Flint lifts the door from the ground and shoves it back into place.
>"Hmph. I'll fix this later on."
>He trots over to you.
>You blink at him as he looks over to the table.
"I made us dinner, Flint. I have good news for you and-"
>Flint turns around and trots over to the mare.
>"Maybe you should go home, Ruby. We can do this tomorrow."
>You trot over to Flint.
"I was talking to you, Flint. Why did you-"
 
>The mare named Ruby nods and bats her eyes at Flint.
>"No problem, Flint. I'll see you tomorrow alright?"
>She gives Flint an overtly affectionate smile, heading towards the door.
>You do not like this mare.
>Using her magic, she removes the door from it's hinges, trotting out, and replacing it.
 
"Flint, who was that? I have never seen her before."
>Flint glares at you, and heads into the kitchen.
>"Why the hell are you home so early?"
>You follow him closely.
"What do you mean? I told you-"
>"Don't even fucking answer that. I don't really care."
>Flint begins to rummage through the refrigerator.
>He won't even look at you.
"Can you look at me please? Or look over here? Look. I made us-"
 
>You are silenced as his hoof collides with your face, knocking you to the floor.
 
>"I told you. I don't FUCKING CARE."
>Flint towers over you, his eyes full of anger.
>You don't move, nor say a word.
>You just stare at him.
>He... he didn't mean to hit you...
>He must have just....
 
>"WHY DON'T YOU LISTEN TO ME?"
>You shake your head.
>"Fucking useless, you are."
>Flint stomps over to the table.
>You are hoping that your wonderful dinner will make him feel better.
>You try and lift yourself up.
>"And what the fuck is this shit!?"
>You spit up a bit of blood as you lift yourself from the floor.
>You feel a bit shaky and your vision wavers.
"I... I made us dinner, Flint...."
 
>You spit up a bit more blood.
>It doesn't hurt.
>It never does.
 
"Is... is your hoof, okay?"
>Flint scoffs.
>He picks up the bowl of salad.
>"You thinks THIS is dinner? This a salad, you-"
"I put olives in it. Just like you like, Flint...."
>He puts the bowl back on the table.
>Flint trots angrily over to you and lifts you up by your dress.
>He carries you over to the table, dropping you in front of the table.
 
>"I don't want this shit. I never asked you for a salad, did I?"
"But... I...."
>Flint flips the table over, knocking everything on the ground.
>You watch as your hard work is strewn over the floor.
>"You are such a dumb bitch, Maud. You really are."
"..."
>Flint shakes his head.
>"... a stupid bitch."
 
>You examine the floor.
>The sight makes you want to cry.
>Food and drink covers your degree.
>You reach over and pick it up.
>Flint snatches it out of your hands.
>"What is this bullshit?"
"It's my...."
>"What. Is. This?"
"...."
 
>Your coltfriend grabs you by your mane.
>"WHAT? You can't speak now can you?"
"..."
>A tear flows down your cheek.
>"It must not be that important, huh? Well, alright then!"
>Flint throws you back on the ground.
>You are unable to lift yourself up.
>"I guess this is just some fucking trash."
>Flint rips the degree in half.
>At that moment, you feel your heart tear in two.
>"Clean this mess up."
 
"What?"
>Flint throws the pieces of your degree at you.
>"I said:"
>He leans over to you.
>"Clean. This. Fucking. Mess. Up. NOW."
>He turns to leave, but you grab his hoof.
"Flint... please, don't-"
>Another hoof strikes your face, nearly knocking you out cold.
 
>You don't whimper.
>You don't cry.
>You just remain quiet on the floor.
>Flint glares at you, breathing heavily.
>"Don't you say another word. Don't do it."
 
>You shakily reach for Flint.
"But... we can... move. I... I got a job in... Vanhoover...."
>You cough up a bit more blood.
>Your head pounding, you shut your eyes.
"Is... that not... wonderful news?"
>You hear your coltfriend trot over to you.
>"What did you say?"
 
>You slowly open your eyes.
>Flint's eyes burn into yours.
>"What the FUCK did you just say!?"
"..."
>"ARGH!"
>Flint gives you a hard kick to your stomach.
>You are immediately winded, all of the air escaping your lungs.
>You cough and squirm on the ground.
>Flint yells and stomps near your head.
>"WE aren't moving anywhere. WE aren't anything, you stupid mare."
 
"..."
>"Get the fuck up, Maud. Right now."
>You try your best, but you are unable to move.
"I...."
>Flint lifts you up by your dress once again, ripping the cloth.
>"I hate you. I hate you so much. You've brought me nothing but problems."
"..."
>"I wish that I NEVER met you."
 
>You manage to get enough strength to shake your head.
"... you.... you don't-"
>"SHUT THE FUCK UP!"
>Flint throws you into the remains of the table and food.
>You feel yourself lose consciousness.
>You fight to remain awake, but it becomes difficult.
>"We're through, Maud."
>You lift a hoof up, trying to fight against Flint's wishes.
"..."
>You feel your heart beat faster.
>"Clean this fucking mess up. I'm going to see Ruby."
>You hear him trot away.
>After a few seconds, you hear the door slam against the ground again.
 
>You didn't feel pain before.
>Now you do.
>You try and move.
>Nothing happens.
"..."
>You black out.
 
~
 
>You are Anon.
 
>You're walking slowly home.
>You aren't sure what to say.
>You aren't sure what to do.
>Pinkie explained everything about Maud.
>Every violent detail.
>You even read all the letters that the two exchanged.
 
>Maud seemed happy in her letters, but in a weird way....
>A lot of the time, she would talk about Flint hurting her like it was... an accident or something.
>The last event was the final straw.
>Maud packed up her things and came to Ponyville to be with her sister.
>Leaving behind Flint and all of the abuse she experienced.
 
>Cold Flint....
 
>How could... a monster like that exist?
>You thought a realm like Equestria would do away with such atrocities.
>Maybe that is why it is you are in such a shock.
>You didn't think such evil could exist here....
 
>You arrive at your home.
>You slowly walk in and head straight for you bed.
>You are done for the day.
 
>Maud is clearly in an unstable emotional state.
>But you want to help her.
>You want to do SOMETHING for her.
>Anything.
>Even if it's just someone to talk to, or hang out with.
>You wanted to do that.
 
>You shut your eyes and try to sleep.
>It is difficult, but it will come eventually.
>You keep imagining Flint striking Maud.
>It makes you angry.
>You clench your fists.
>If you ever see that Flint....
 
>That'd be the end of him.
 
>Sleep escapes you.
>You are simply too wired to get any rest.
 
>You get out of bed and get dressed.
>A relaxing walk should be able to help you out.
>You exit your home, and begin your walk.
 
>The sun has just set over the horizon.
>Ponies were still out and about, being happy and enjoying themselves.
>You wave and smile to the ponies as you pass them by.
>Though your happiness is hollow.
>You are just angry.
>You breathe deeply.
 
>Relax, Anon.
>Just... relax.
 
>You stop in front of a small restaurant.
>The smell is enticing.
>Though you aren't hungry.
>You are about to walk away as you notice a gray mare exit the restaurant.
>She stares blankly at you.
>You wave to her.
 
"M-Maud?"
>"..."
 
>She turns and walks away.
>Ignoring you completely.
>She doesn't know that you know what happened to her.
>And she doesn't need to.
>At least not right now.
>You watch as she walks away.
 
>You are going to do something for Maud.
>You just aren't sure what yet.
 
~