Title:           You Are My Rock (WIP)
Author:          LensCap
Pastebin link:   http://pastebin.com/q8NYZqhx
First Edit:      Friday 29th of August 2014 01:18:28 PM CDT
Last Edit:       Friday 29th of August 2014 01:18:28 PM CDT

>You are Anon, a human living in Equestria.
>And you've been appointed as Ponyville's Head of Self-Esteem
>Mayor Mare tolerated you staying in the town, but only if you managed to be of some use to society while you were here.
>At first, you thought you were going to get something shitty, like Town Window-Washer or Hoof-Polisher Second Class.
>But all things considered, it's a pretty cushy gig.
>You spend each day wandering the streets of Ponyville, searching for ponies who might seem a bit down and attempt to cheer them up.
>Originally, you weren't sure what to think about it
>It seemed kind of weird.
>Affection was hard to show openly back on Earth, let alone to random strangers.
>Over time, though, you got used to it.
>Ponyville is a pretty harmonious place and the residents are very accepting.
>And you found out, to your surprise, that you were good at it.
>But it genuinely feels nice to be helping out around town in a meaningful way.
>Sometimes the ponies you've helped in the past will stop and wave.
>It's actually made you somewhat popular.
>And it's certainly made getting to know ponies a lot easier.
>You're armed with coupons for ice cream at Sugar Cube Corner, a few jokes and of course, your arms.
>Your shift is just about up. Only fifteen more minutes until you clock out.
>The sun is in the late stages of it's journey across the sky.  
>So you begin your final pass through the town, scanning the streets for any ponies in need.
>You don't expect to find anything dire, everything feels like it's under control.
>But as you pass through the rather-vacant middle of town, you notice a peculiar sight.
 
 
>There's a mare hauling a large cart, which is absolutely overflowing with something.
>Judging by the pace she's moving, you can tell it must be heavy.
>You pick up your walking speed a bit and decide to investigate.
>It doesn't take long to catch up with her.
>Seriously, she's taking her time.
>As you get closer, you get a look at her face.
>She's a grey mare, with very straight purple mane.
>The thing that immediately gets your attention though, is her expression.
>She doesn't look very happy.
>Her eyes look straight ahead with listless green eyes, focused purely on the road.
>Her mouth is stretch into a tight, thin line.
>Not exactly a frown, but certainly not a smile either.
>You don't know if you've seen her in Ponyville before. Must be visiting.
>Soon, you're walking right alongside her cart.
>She still hasn't noticed you, even though your footsteps are pretty loud.
>You take a peek into the cart, leaning over one of it's high walls to take a look at what she could possibly be transporting.
>Upon closer inspection, you realize what she's carrying are…rocks.
>Piles upon piles of rocks.
>From small pebbles to pretty sizable boulders, the cart is nearly brimming with stones.
>…that's kind of odd. She doesn't look like she's apart of the town's construction crew. Maybe she's a geologist?
>Even then, that's a very heavy cart for one mare to be carrying.
>You decide to stop and ask if she needs help.
"Hey, hold up a sec!"
>The mare keeps walking, undaunted, trudging along at the same sluggish pace.
>Huh?
 
>Weird, did she just not hear you?
>Maybe she's hard of hearing.
>You remind yourself to be a little more understanding and call out again.
"Excuse me, miss? Do you have a minute?"
>Still nothing. Her speed doesn't change in the slightest.
>Taking a more aggressive approach, you march forward, until you're alongside her.
>You give her a friendly wave as you try to maintain a similar pace.
"Hi there, I'm Anon."
>But even then, she doesn't look at you.
>She continues to trudge along, completely oblivious to the fact you're there.
>You're beginning to feel invisible and maybe a little frustrated.
>With relative ease, you get a few feet in front of her and turn around, planting your feed and standing in her way.
>She keeps coming at you though, not stopping. You back up a few steps as she and the cart draw nearer, threatening to bowl you over.
>At the last minute however, she stops, abruptly.
>"Oh. Sorry. I didn't see you there."
>Her voice is sort of flat and lifeless. Bored.
>Maybe this pony could use your help.
"Hey! I was trying to get your atten-"
>She cuts you off mid-sentence.
>"Could you please move? I need to get somewhere."
>You feel a frown tug at your face.
>This isn't going how you planned.
>Reluctantly you take a step to the side, clearing the way.
 
>You fall into step next to her again.
>Although it's actually hard to match her pace.
>Not that you can't keep up.
>On the contrary.
>She's walking really, really slowly.
>In fact you didn't think it was possible to walk this slowly.
>You're pretty sure that Granny Smith would have lapped her around town by now.
>But you press her for some info, thinking that might help ease you into the conversation.
"What's your name? Mine is Anon."
>She doesn't look at you, her eyes once again hypnotized by the road ahead, but she does answer you.
>"Maud."
"What brings you to Ponyville?"
>"Business."
"That's nice. Need any help?"
>"No."
>Her answers are all one word, never longer than absolutely necessary.
>She's certainly not a conversationalist.
>Maybe she's just had a long day.
>It's not easy to be overly friendly when you're tired.
>You continue, at least you've got her talking now.
"Anyway, how are you today?"
>"Fine."
"Really? It doesn't look like it. You can tell me if you'd like."
>"No. Thanks. I'm fine."
>You stop in your tracks. You're not making any progress with this mare.
>The cart passes you as you stand there, scratching your head, searching for a way you can keep her talking.
>The rocks rumble and bounce in the cart as it hits a bump in the road.
>Wait a minute. That's it!
"Oh, are you a rock collector?"
>The cart stops.