Doing Things for Your Waifu, Maud – Part 2
 
>Over the next couple of days, you tried to break Maud’s rock-hard exterior.
>Usually with Pinkie by your side, as it helped to clear out some of the awkwardness.
>Of course, this was all easier said than done.
>Your attempts at friendship were often met with silence.
>Silence, and a lot of walking away.
>You didn’t press too much.
>The last thing you want is for Maud to become apprehensive of your friendly approaches.
>Especially after what she had been through.
 
>It’s the weekend, and that means it’s time for you to rest.
>You’re not much of a partier, but you rather spend your time working and making a comfortable living.
>This was quite easy in Ponyville, especially since you being a human made you instantly adept at many jobs.
>Before you can rest your weekend away, you decide to treat Pinkie and Maud to a nice lunch.
>Where else but your favorite little diner?
>The Brass Horseshoe.
 
>Unfortunately, it’s been a quiet and awkward lunch.
>Surprise.
>Even with Pinkie Pie around, talking to Maud is next to impossible.
>She at least managed to greet you with a gentle: “Hello.”
>That was the most you could get out of her at any time.
>Not even a goodbye.
>No, Maud preferred to simply walk away.
>Occasionally announcing to Pinkie where she would be going or doing.
 
>Even that was a rarity.
 
>The three of you sit awkwardly in a booth, waiting for your meal to arrive.
>You take a sip of your ice-cold water.
>You quickly glance over to Maud, who sits across from you.
>Her eyes meet yours.
>They seem gentle, but full of life.
>They also appear to be hiding something.
>Something that you already know.
 
>You give her a friendly smile.
>She blinks a few times, before reaching into her pocket and pulling out a small stone.
>Boulder is ‘his’ name.
>Maud’s pet rock.
>You didn’t question anything.
>Besides, you immediately thought it was a way to help her cope with what she went through.
 
>Pinkie Pie bounces happily next to you, humming something.
>She seems unaware of your strife with trying to get to know Maud better.
>Though, she HAS done her best to be there for her sister.
>What else would you expect?
 
>Maud puts Boulder back into her pocket.
>Everything is quiet.
>”…”
>You watch Maud nervously.
>You tap your fingers on the table.
“…”
>”…”
>You take a deep breath and sigh.
 
>”Anonymous, how long have you lived here?”
 
>You feel your heart beat faster.
“S-sorry?”
>Maud blinks at you.
>”How long have you lived in Ponyville?”
 
“Oh… um….”
 
>”…”
>Maud was talking to you.
>You never thought this would ever happen.
>Is this real life?
>Is this a dream?
>Have you fallen asleep waiting for your food?
>What do you even say?
>What is happening?
 
>You clear your throat.
“Uh… I’ve been here for almost two years. Yeah.”
>Maud doesn’t respond to you.
>She just blinks at you.
>Her silence doesn’t bother you.
>You’ve pretty much become used to it at this point.
>It’s more terrifying that she’s talking to you!
>Pinkie bumps into you.
 
>”Yeah, Anon lived somewhere called Miami before he came here! Isn’t that right, Nonny?”
>You shakily take another swig of water and place the glass back on the table, nearly knocking it over.
“Y-yeah. Miami.”
 
>”Sounds exotic, Anonymous.”
>You shrug.
“As exotic as it can be, I guess.”
>You are still shocked that Maud is speaking to you.
>Though it is just simple conversation.
>She may just be trying to kill time.
>Yeah, that makes sense.
>You aren’t sure but….
 
>Her voice seems different….
 
>But what now?
>Do continue the conversation?
>Make small talk until your food arrives?
>Well there is no need, as your waitress brings your hot meals.
>Whew.
>Pinkie Pie hops in her seat, her mane bobbing about.
>”Yay! The food is here!”
>You thank the waitress and help split up and serve your dishes.
>Pinkie thanks you and immediately begins to inhale her food.
“Here you go, Maud.”
>You pass Maud her hay salad and some dressing.
>She blinks at you as you gently place her plate in front of her.
>She stares at you.
>You give her a weak smile.
“Looks good, Maud. I’m sure it tastes… uh… great!”
>You take your own roasted veggie sandwich and lick your lips.
>Your diet may consist heavily of fruit and vegetables, but damn do these ponies make good meals out of them.
 
>Your stomach growls loudly.
>Well, no bother in admiring the way it looks anymore!
>You take your sandwich and prepare to take a massive bite out of it.
>“Thank you, Anonymous.”
>You stop and put your sandwich down.
“Wha-?”
>”Thank you very much.”
>You stare into her eyes.
>They seem a bit less cold.
>Before you can respond, Maud begins to eat her salad.
>Slowly.
>You smile.
 
“Anytime, Maud.”
 
>You laugh and bite your sandwich.
>Burning your tongue on it.
>Pinkie Pie laughs at your pain.
>It was going to be a good lunch.
 
~
 
>After a fantastic meal, you are left full of wonderful food.
>And a little in pain.
>You exit The Brass Horseshoe, chewing on a bit of ice.
>Pinkie bounces right behind you, and Maud slowly trots in the rear.
>You stretch and grumble, rubbing your stomach.
“That was a wonderful meal.”
>Pinkie bounces in circles around you.
>”Yum! Yum! Yummy in my tummy! I’m stuffed, Anon! Thank you so much!”
>You laugh heartily.
“Haha, it’s no problem Pinkie. I’m glad you two enjoyed it.”
 
>Pinkie suddenly stops in her tracks and gasps loudly.
>”OHMIGOSH! I’MSUPPOSEDTOBEWATCHINGTHE CAKETWINS! GOTTAGOGUYSBYE!”
>And with that, she speeds off into the distance.
>If you could decipher that mess of words, it seems that Pinkie forget that she had made other plans.
>You and Maud are left behind.
 
>You turn to Maud.
>She stares at you for a bit.
>”…”
“…”
>”I suppose she will return later.”
>You nod.
“Pinkie is crazy, but she’s a good friend.”
>Maud blinks at you.
>You check your watch.
 
“Hmm… still quite early in the day.”
>Maud kicks at the ground.
>”…”
>You sigh.
“Well, I guess I’m going to go home.”
>Maud slowly walks past you, her tail brushing against your leg.
>You jump backwards a bit.
>Maud turns and blinks at you.
>”…”
“Sorry… well, I guess I’ll see you later, Maud. Take care.”
>You begin to walk back home.
>You turn and see Maud following you.
>You stop.
“Uhh… is everything alright there, Maud?”
>”…”
>She trots slowly past you.
 
>”I would like to see your home, Anonymous.”
 
>You feel yourself begin to sweat.
>You laugh nervously.
“Um… yeah, s-sure! I guess you can stop by for a little bit.”
>Maud turns and continues to walk towards your abode.
“You sure you don’t have any other plans today?”
>”…”
 
>Maud continues to trot away.
>You carefully follow behind her.
>Pinkie must have told her where you live.
>No use in fighting it.
>This is your chance to get to know her better.
>Well… that, or sit quietly as she examines your home and leaves without saying a word.
 
>You make it to your house within a few minutes.
>It was an immensely quiet and uncomfortable walk.
>Maud stayed a few feet ahead of you for the entire trip.
>It was fine though.
>You wanted to give her as much space as she needed.
 
>You unlock your door and enter your small home.
>You hold the door open for Maud.
>She slowly enters and begins to gaze around your living room.
>You gently shut the door and stretch.
“Well, here she is. Welcome to my home.”
>You take your coat off and sit on your couch.
>”…”
>Maud trots over to you.
>She stares into your eyes.
>You gulp.
 
“Uh… please make yourself at home.”
>You offer her a seat in a chair next to the couch.
“Mi casa es tu casa. That’s what we used to say back-“
>”Anonymous.”
>You raise an eyebrow at her.
“S-sorry?”
>”…”
>Maud takes a step backwards.
>”I do not want to be here long.”
>You scratch your head.
“Maud, I don’t quite understand-“
 
>”Why are you so interested in talking to me?”
 
“Maud, I… I don’t know….”
>Maud stares at you.
>Her eyes locked with yours.
>You shake your head.
“I told you that Pinkie told me a lot about you and-“
>”What exactly did she tell you?”
 
>You remain quiet.
>Maud’s expression doesn’t change.
>Her frown remains rigid.
>Her eyes continue to gaze stoically onto yours.
>The two of you exchange a few blinks.
“I-I… Maud, she just told me that-“
>”I would like you to forget whatever she told you.”
“Maud…”
>You get up from the couch and reach to her.
 
>Maud flinches and steps backwards.
>You had never seen her move that quickly.
>She shuts her eyes and cowers near the ground.
>”… stop... no….”
>She begins to shake, covering her face with her hooves.
>You put your hand down and step backwards.
“Maud… it’s okay….”
 
>”…”
“Maud?”
>”Just don’t hurt….”
>She continues to whimper.
>You slowly sit on the ground, remaining your distance.
>And you remain silent.
>Maud doesn’t move.
>Neither do you.
 
“I won’t hurt you, Maud….”
>Maud doesn’t respond.
>Her shaking stops.
>But she still hides under her hooves.
 
>The two of you remain frozen for a few minutes.
>You sit and watch Maud carefully.
>After a big sigh, you get up.
“I didn’t mean to hurt or offend you.”
>”…”
“We may not be close or even friends, but just trust that I would never do what Flint did to you.”
>Maud shuffles a bit.
“I could never….”
>She slowly uncovers her face and looks you in the eyes.
>”...”
“…”
>Maud sighs.
>”So… you do know about Flint….”
 
>You nod slowly.
“I’m sorry… Pinkie was worried about you and-“
>Maud sighs.
>”I know… I always tell her not to worry about me.”
“And she does it anyways?”
>”Yes. I do not expect anything less from my sister.”
 
>Maud blinks at you.
>You see her begin to relax.
“Can I help you up?’
>She doesn’t respond.
>”I… I do not need your help.”
 
>Maud slowly lifts herself up.
>Keeping her eyes locked on yours.
>”I am going to go now.”
>You nod.
“Alright, Maud. Do you want me to walk you home ore anything?”
 
>”…”
>Maud walks towards the door.
>You watch her carefully.
>”Not today, Anonymous.”
>She opens the door gently.
“Alright, Maud. Take… take care of yourself, okay?”
>”…”
>She turns and blinks at you.
>Still frowning, eyes still cold.
“Please….”
 
>”…”
>She sighs and leaves your home, shutting the door gently behind her.
 
~