Title:           (Short, Sad) Just Like the First Time
Author:          onlythedead
Pastebin link:   http://pastebin.com/539rfSKA
First Edit:      Sunday 5th of October 2014 10:37:24 PM CDT
Last Edit:       Sunday 5th of October 2014 10:37:24 PM CDT

>"There goes Anonymous again, off to Roseluck's shop for a beautiful bouquet of her finest flowers. I always wonder who he gives them to."
>Gossiping mares.
>You were quite used to hearing that by now, considering just how often you had been doing this for almost three months now.
>Had it already been so long?
>Day in and day out.
>You would go to see Roseluck for the flowers.
>She always had the flowers you wanted.
>Next, you would head to the town square where one of the Apple family would be peddling their harvest.
>You would always pick the brightest, shiniest and sweetest apple you could get.
>She simply adored apples.
>Than, you would make your way to her current home.
>It was a little bit of a walk, what with the place she was rooming being near the edge of Ponyville,
>Your long strides already had you past that familiar sign.
>Ponyville General.
>The hospital.
>She was sick
>Very sick.
>That's why you did this everyday.
>Trying to make her feel better in your own way.
>Some lovely flowers and a little treat.
>With some effort you summon up your smile and walk through those glass doors.
>"Welcome to ---- Oh Anonymous... she's in her room."
>Nurse Redheart.
>Kind enough to most, but a terror if you were bothering her patients.
"She doing any better?"
>You would ask the same question everyday.
>And everyday she would answer...
>"Worse."
>Her tone was grave.
>That wasn't right.
"What do you mean? How could she be worse?"
>Redheart sighs and walks with you to her room.
>None of this was right.
>"Her aphasia is starting to effect her short and long term memories now."
"Aphasia?"
>You didn't understand.
>She was hospitalized for magical over-exhaustion.
>Redheart shakes her head.
>"She couldn't remember who I was, Anonymous. She's also forgetting other things now too. She can't even lift a spoon with her magic."
>You could feel a pit growing in your stomach.
>She was always so proud of her magic.
>Always so proud to just be her.
>Now she couldn't even manage something so simple.
>You arrive with Nurse Redheart at her door.
>"I'll let her know you are coming in."
>You could hear Nurse Redheart trotting in and announcing you.
>You heard a soft voice respond.
>It didn't sound like her at all.
>She was always liked to be the center of attention.
>It was only a few moments before Nurse Redheart appeared from the room.
>"She is... confused as to why anyone would be here. She says that she doesn't have any friends.... Anonymous, are you absolutely sure you want to go in there?"
>You nod.
>Redheart sighs and moves out of the way.
>"Just hit the call button if you need anything."
>With those words, you entered the sunlit room.
>There was an azure mare with a light icy blue mane laying under the bed covers.
>Trixie.
>"The nurse said Trixie had a guest but she certainly didn't expect this! Are you one of Trixie's fans?"
>Outwardly, you smiled politely.
>Inwardly, you cried.
"Y-yeah. A big fan, I heard you were feeling a little under the weather lately so I thought that I'd bring you some flowers."
>Her face was full of interest as her eyes wandered over you.
>"Trixie would have you know that she has never seen anything quite like you before, and she had done shows for minotaurs!"
>You place the flowers on the small table beside her.
>Her face scrunches in confusion.
>"What type of flowers are these? Trixie can't recall the name."
"Mouse's Ear. I thought the blue matched your coat."
>Trixie's face split in a grin.
>"You have a keen eye for colour Mr... err... What should Trixie call you?"
>You sat down on a little chair at her bedside and played along.
"Anonymous, or just Anon."
>"And just what are you Mr.Anon?"
"I'm a human, from a place called Earth."
>Her interest seemed to peak.
>"Earth? Trixie has never heard of a place called that before. Tell her more."
>You sat and told her everything about Earth.
>As you did, your mind recalled your first meeting with her.
>All the same questions.
>You gave her all the same answers.
>Hours past in that little room as you told her of science, vehicles, anything and everything.
>Slowly the sunset and your conversation started to stall.
>She was starting to ask the same questions again and again.
>Nurse Redheart came to the door to tell you that visiting hours were over.
>"Mr.Anonymous, would you be so kind as to come and see T....?"
>Her face became puzzled, as if lost in deep thought.
>"Come by tomorrow?"
>Strange.
>You nod.
>As you leave the room you could feel her eyes roaming over you again.
>"I have never seen anything like that before."
>You swallow hard and continue down the hall towards the entrance.
>As you headed for the exit a voice from reception called out to you.
>"Anonymous, might I ask... Those flowers that you bring everyday... What are they called?"
>You look at Nurse Redheart, as a tear falls from your eye.
"Roseluck calls them Mouse's Ear, but back home they have another name..."
>Seeing your distress, Redheart comes beside you and presses her head against your leg.
>You crouched and pulled the nurse mare close.
>You knew you would come back again.
>Over and over.
>With the same flowers
>The same apple.
>The same answers.
>Each and everyday.
>You whispered the answer in her ear.
>It hurt to say it.
>It hurt because they were wrong.
>You cried at the bitter irony of that flower's name.
>That flower that's petals looked like her coat.
>That flower that was her favourite.
>The flower called Forget-me-not.