GREEN   123   0
   27830 153.63 KB    2369

Icarian Love

By Mediocre
Created: 2025-08-31 03:39:54
Updated: 2025-09-01 13:49:22
Expiry: Never
scootaloololiequestria girlstwist

  1. 1.
    -------
  2. 2.
    Chapter 1: Passing the Cluck
  3. 3.
    -------
  4. 4.
    >https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TazHNpt6OTo (Escape)
  5. 5.
    “I was tired of my lady. We'd been together too long.”
  6. 6.
    >Sliding out of the classroom, you turn the heads of your schoolmates.
  7. 7.
    “Like a worn-out recording, of a favorite song.”
  8. 8.
    >The audience begins to clap their hands to your beat.
  9. 9.
    “So while she lay there sleeping, I read the paper in bed.”
  10. 10.
    >Moonwalking to the center of the intersection, you place down your speaker and crank the instrumental track to max.
  11. 11.
    “And in the personals column, there was this letter I read.”
  12. 12.
    >You strike a dramatic pose a-la Freddy Mercury and belt out your verse as loudly as possible.
  13. 13.
    “If you like Piña Coladas, and getting caught in the rain!”
  14. 14.
    >The audience begins to sway with smiles on their faces as they clap.
  15. 15.
    “If you're not into yoga, if you have half-a-brain!”
  16. 16.
    >Doing a powerslide down the hall on your knees, you fling your loose overshirt to the wind.
  17. 17.
    “If you like making love at midnight, in the dunes of the cape!”
  18. 18.
    >The applause is thunderous with everyone cheering at you as you grab your shirt and spin yourself back up.
  19. 19.
    “I'm the love that you've looked for, write to me and es-"
  20. 20.
    >As you turn your head, you are stopped in the middle of your end-of-year performance with the presence of two round objects you have become quite familiar with.
  21. 21.
    >Looking up slightly from them, you see a blushing V.P. Luna.
  22. 22.
    “Uh, sup?”
  23. 23.
    >You can see the fire burning in her eyes.
  24. 24.
    >Oh boy.
  25. 25.
    >As she's about to give you an earful, you hear another familiar thing.
  26. 26.
    >”Going after younger men again, Lulu? So scandalous.”
  27. 27.
    >”Tia!”
  28. 28.
    >Principal Celestia's laugh is joined by the other students, happy to see the tense situation diffused by your honestly favorite faculty member.
  29. 29.
     
  30. 30.
    >>31414104
  31. 31.
    >As Luna walks off muttering under her breath about how often she's had that joke tossed her way, Principal Celestia walks up to you and gives you a bemused smile.
  32. 32.
    >”Getting into trouble on the last day of school, Mr. Poster?”
  33. 33.
    “Nah, you got me out of it.”
  34. 34.
    >She giggles as you give her a sly reply.
  35. 35.
    >”I still don't understand why you refuse to join the choir if you enjoy singing so much.”
  36. 36.
    “It's not my style, Principal C. Besides, I only really did this because I lost a bet with Pinkie on how many pigeons were in the mall fountain.”
  37. 37.
    >”I'll never understand you kids and your pigeons.”
  38. 38.
    “They are a vital part of the ecology of a typical mall.”
  39. 39.
    >Giving you one last laugh, Principal Celestia waves you off as she heads back to her office.
  40. 40.
    >Even in the summer she gives the school her all.
  41. 41.
    >What a determined woman.
  42. 42.
    >After everyone had more or less shuffled away, you pick up your speaker and head back to your locker.
  43. 43.
    >Stuffing it all inside your backpack alongside the few things you didn't clear out the day before, you take one last look at the barren storage unit and wave it goodbye.
  44. 44.
    >”Are you waving goodbye to your locker?”
  45. 45.
    >Turning around, you are met with the unpleasant sight of
  46. 46.
    “Rainbow Dash.”
  47. 47.
    >”Hey.”
  48. 48.
    “What are you here for?”
  49. 49.
    >”Sunset told me that she wanted to talk to you about something in the parking lot. What that something is, I don't know, but I'm telling you anyway.”
  50. 50.
    “Thanks, I guess. I'll go see her right away.”
  51. 51.
    >Your message received, you slam shut the door to your locker and walk off to go find Sunset.
  52. 52.
    >”Hey, Anon.”
  53. 53.
    “What?”
  54. 54.
    >”Your shoe's untied. You might wanna fix that.”
  55. 55.
    >Looking down, you see your shoe is indeed untied.
  56. 56.
    >Son of a whore.
  57. 57.
    >”Later.”
  58. 58.
    >You kneel down and correct your lace back to how you're imagining it was before Rainbow Dash snuck up behind you and untied it.
  59. 59.
    >Of course you have no proof.
  60. 60.
    >But you wouldn't put it past her.
  61. 61.
    >She got weird after you broke up.
  62. 62.
     
  63. 63.
    >>31414108
  64. 64.
    >You slowly make your way out of the building, fondly remembering being sandwiched between Luna's milktanks.
  65. 65.
    >Getting away with that was pretty sweet.
  66. 66.
    >As you're caught in your daydreaming, you are dragged back screaming into the waking world with a slugging to your shoulder.
  67. 67.
    “Ow.”
  68. 68.
    >”I told you that if you kept walking towards traffic I was gonna do it.”
  69. 69.
    >Looking at the streets, you don't quite see much traffic if any at all.
  70. 70.
    >But it still feels nice that Sunset cares about you enough to slug you in the arm oh God why did she do it twice.
  71. 71.
    >”And that one was for ignoring me in the first place.”
  72. 72.
    “I can't help it. I was thinking about...manly matters.”
  73. 73.
    >”Manly matters?”
  74. 74.
    “Yes.”
  75. 75.
    >”Such as?”
  76. 76.
    “I can't tell you, you're not a man.”
  77. 77.
    >Sunset shakes her head at you as she groans audibly.
  78. 78.
    >”Anon, I don't have time for your shenanigans today. Can we just talk?”
  79. 79.
    >Pretending to be offended, you huff and puff and cross your arms like a japanese animu girl.
  80. 80.
    “Fine.”
  81. 81.
    >”URRRGH.”
  82. 82.
    “Pfft, the look on your face. Alright, what do you need?”
  83. 83.
    >”Finally. So, you know Rarity's little sister?”
  84. 84.
    “Sweetie Belle?”
  85. 85.
    >”Yeah, that's her. Well, I kinda got roped into playing babysitter for a while.”
  86. 86.
    “Are you asking me to cover your babysitting for you?”
  87. 87.
    >”Wh-No! You're a bad influence in every sense of the word. I can't have you corrupting Sweetie Belle, Rarity would kill me. Or kill you.”
  88. 88.
    >You don't know why, but you feel a cold chill run down your spine.
  89. 89.
    “So if that's not what you want, what do you want?”
  90. 90.
    >”Well, you see...sometimes when you have something you really need to do and you can't really say no to doing it because you owe someone but you already had something to do before you just need to ask someone else to cover for you.”
  91. 91.
    “What?”
  92. 92.
    >”I fucked up and I need you to cover something else for me.”
  93. 93.
     
  94. 94.
    >>31444356
  95. 95.
    “Sounds easy enough.”
  96. 96.
    >”You say that now.”
  97. 97.
    >Curious, you cock an eyebrow at Sunset.
  98. 98.
    “What exactly makes this so bad, Shimmy?”
  99. 99.
    >”I'm not going to mince words, I'm just gonna come out and tell you that Rainbow Dash asked me if I could keep an eye on Scootaloo.”
  100. 100.
    >Your other eyebrow shoots up as you stare at the bitch who lost her mind in front of you.
  101. 101.
    “You want me to play babysitter for Scootaloo?”
  102. 102.
    >”No, not exactly. It's not an official babysitting thing, it's more like going to this party that she's going to and keeping an eye on her so no one goes and gets her blackout drunk and steals her kidney.”
  103. 103.
    “Playing chaperone isn't much different.”
  104. 104.
    >”Look, will you help me or not?”
  105. 105.
    >You almost want to say no on pure principle.
  106. 106.
    >Rainbow Dash is a chapter in your life you're not that fond of revisiting.
  107. 107.
    >And one of those reasons is fucking Scootaloo.
  108. 108.
    >There's not a chance of denying that Rainbow Dash is pretty awesome.
  109. 109.
    >She's got quite a few skills that you're sure would impress quite a few people.
  110. 110.
    >Except for tits.
  111. 111.
    >But that's waaaaay understated for Scootaloo.
  112. 112.
    >That girl is flat out obsessed with Rainbow Dash.
  113. 113.
    >In a 'if I could get away with it I would skin you and wear your skin to feel as physically close to you as possible' kind of way.
  114. 114.
    >And Rainbow Dash does not help that at all.
  115. 115.
    >She appreciates having her around and indulges her.
  116. 116.
    >It feeds her ego having someone quite literally worshiping the ground she walks on.
  117. 117.
    >You probably wouldn't mind the confidence booster either, but she's still nuts.
  118. 118.
    >Even about you.
  119. 119.
    >She won't stop talking to you about Rainbow Dash every chance she gets.
  120. 120.
    >Whether it's if her kisses actually taste like skittles, which they don't, or what her breasts felt like, there's nothing she won't ask about her.
  121. 121.
    >And you don't want to spend an entire night doing that.
  122. 122.
     
  123. 123.
    >>31444362
  124. 124.
    “Shimmy, I don't think I can handle that.”
  125. 125.
    >”I knew you'd say that, and I came prepared. I can't flake on Rainbow Dash's expectation, and you're the only person who isn't Pinkie Pie that I can ask to bail me out.”
  126. 126.
    >She quickly reaches for the hem of her shirt and lifts it slightly.
  127. 127.
    “Uh, I appreciate the gesture but-”
  128. 128.
    >”No, you idiot, look at the bag!”
  129. 129.
    >Bag?
  130. 130.
    >Oh.
  131. 131.
    >OH.
  132. 132.
    >You are not sure what is in that bag exactly.
  133. 133.
    >But it's money.
  134. 134.
    >And if your eyes are correct, each individual bill is twenty dollars.
  135. 135.
    >With the size of that wad of cash, you'd be making over 200 easily.
  136. 136.
    “That, uh, that sort of changes things.”
  137. 137.
    >”Figured it might.”
  138. 138.
    “But where did you get that much cash?”
  139. 139.
    >”No questions, will you take the job or not?”
  140. 140.
    >Your heart says no.
  141. 141.
    >Your mind says no.
  142. 142.
    >But your wallet says yes.
  143. 143.
    >You need money to feed your karaoke addiction.
  144. 144.
    “Yes.”
  145. 145.
    >”Oh thank Celestia.”
  146. 146.
    “What?”
  147. 147.
    >”Nevermind, just take the money and go.”
  148. 148.
    “Go where?”
  149. 149.
    >”She's waiting for someone to go get her over at the field. She's gonna be the only person there so it's not going to be hard to spot her.”
  150. 150.
    “And then?”
  151. 151.
    >”And then what?”
  152. 152.
    “Where is this party I'm supposed to be keeping an eye out on her for?”
  153. 153.
    >”You really don't know?”
  154. 154.
    “Am I supposed to?”
  155. 155.
    >”Oh my...look, there's a party going on over near the White Tail Woods. Someone found a cabin there that seems to have been abandoned yet is in great condition and no one seems to live there. Of course, someone decided this would be the perfect place for a party, and thus it was so. Not everyone knows about it, but it's apparently an open invite and people are free to come and go as they please so long as they bring something with them when they do. So just keep that in mind.”
  156. 156.
    “So how did Scootaloo learn about it?”
  157. 157.
    >”Why do you think I'm babysitting Sweetie Belle?”
  158. 158.
     
  159. 159.
    >>31444364
  160. 160.
    >You simply shrug and accept her answer.
  161. 161.
    >If Sweetie Belle was your sister, you wouldn't want her sneaking out with Scootaloo to a party to get super wasted and raped either.
  162. 162.
    >That does leave you in a bit of a spot, though.
  163. 163.
    "So, I'm gonna be spending my money on getting booze then?"
  164. 164.
    >"No, I took care of that. Scootaloo's waiting with two coolers. One's red, that means alcohol and soda, while the blue one is sandwich material. Bread, meat, cheese, the works."
  165. 165.
    "Really?"
  166. 166.
    >"Yep, all you need to do is just go get Scootaloo and drive away."
  167. 167.
    "I love how you're trying to make it sound so simple."
  168. 168.
    >"Look, I gotta go, and you gotta go, so let's just cut it short and say goodbye."
  169. 169.
    "Alright. I'll try to survive the night. Have a good time with Sweetie Belle, I know Rarity's got a major stick up her ass about how to take care of her."
  170. 170.
    >"That's an understatement."
  171. 171.
    >You wave Sunset goodbye as you walk off to go retrieve the freshman you're going to be watching out for.
  172. 172.
    >All night long.
  173. 173.
    >At least you'll be able to get yourself a bit of free beer and maybe feel up some slutty chick while you're raining on Scootaloo's parade.
  174. 174.
    >Or not, you don't even know what kind of people will be at this 'party' tonight.
  175. 175.
    >It could be a complete sausage fest.
  176. 176.
    >You've been to enough of those to know it's not worth the time.
  177. 177.
    >Especially being the only one with a chick.
  178. 178.
    >The more you think about this all, the more you are regretting it.
  179. 179.
    >But you already accepted the money.
  180. 180.
    >Not to mention you are standing a stone's throw away from Scootaloo.
  181. 181.
    >She's just sitting next to the coolers, staring up at the sky.
  182. 182.
    >Well, time to get this out of the way.
  183. 183.
    >Like ripping off a bandage.
  184. 184.
    >You walk up to her as softly as possible, until you hit the field,
  185. 185.
    >Once you do, you move over to the spot where Scootaloo has firmly rooted herself and stand behind her.
  186. 186.
    "Beautiful day outside, right?"
  187. 187.
     
  188. 188.
    https://desuarchive.org/mlp/thread/31424069/#31463364
  189. 189.
    >The little purple-haired athlete flails about as she tumbles to the ground, having been caught off guard.
  190. 190.
    >Looking up at you, she scrambles off of the grass and attempts to play it off.
  191. 191.
    >”H-hey, Anon, I uh...didn't hear you.”
  192. 192.
    “Okay.”
  193. 193.
    >”So what brings you-”
  194. 194.
    “Sunset's not coming.”
  195. 195.
    >Scootaloo stops mid-sentence and her awkward smile slowly slides into a frown.
  196. 196.
    >”Oh. I should have known I wasn't actually going to go to the party. Thanks for letting me know.”
  197. 197.
    >Her spirit broken, she slips down to the ground once more.
  198. 198.
    “Jeez, you're making me feel depressed just looking at you. You're still going.”
  199. 199.
    >”What?”
  200. 200.
    “Sunset can't take you so I'm the one who's driving you there instead.”
  201. 201.
    >You see her previous frown vanish like smoke into thin air.
  202. 202.
    >”Are you serious?”
  203. 203.
    “Yeah.”
  204. 204.
    >In no time at all, the joy is back in her face.
  205. 205.
    >”No way, I'm gonna get to go to the party with Rainbow Dash's boyfriend!”
  206. 206.
    “Well-”
  207. 207.
    >”I can't believe it, this is going to be the best party ever!”
  208. 208.
    >Scootaloo doesn't seem to know you and Dash aren't a thing anymore.
  209. 209.
    >Granted, you never told anyone.
  210. 210.
    >But they probably could all infer.
  211. 211.
    >Except her.
  212. 212.
    >That Rainbow Dash dumped you would be pretty shocking to her.
  213. 213.
    >Probably ruin her night as well.
  214. 214.
    >You slowly breathe out through your nose as you resolve to let her keep the thought in her head.
  215. 215.
    >Why break the girl's heart when you could simply just leave things be?
  216. 216.
    >Oh.
  217. 217.
    >She kept talking.
  218. 218.
    >Well shit.
  219. 219.
    >You're gonna be lost.
  220. 220.
    “Hey, what exactly is in those coolers?”
  221. 221.
    >Stopping her chattering for a moment, she looks behind her.
  222. 222.
    >She simply shrugs.
  223. 223.
    >”All Sunset told me was to keep an eye on them. I don't know what she put in there.”
  224. 224.
    >Walking over to the blue one, you can feel the weight is impressive.
  225. 225.
    >Just how much did she pack in there?
  226. 226.
     
  227. 227.
    >>14066865
  228. 228.
    >You hike it over your shoulder with a little effort and try to find the right balance for it.
  229. 229.
    “Hey, can you grab the other one?”
  230. 230.
    >”Sure!”
  231. 231.
    >Scootaloo easily snatches up the second cooler and follows behind you like a duckling.
  232. 232.
    >An ugly duckling.
  233. 233.
    >Come on, brain.
  234. 234.
    >That was funny and you know it.
  235. 235.
    >Ignoring your impolite thoughts, you make a line straight for your car and set down the cooler beside the trunk.
  236. 236.
    >Scootaloo does the same as you fumble around your pocket for your keys to pop the trunk.
  237. 237.
    >Once you do, you heft the pair into your trunk, carefully making sure your other things aren't scrunched up afterward.
  238. 238.
    >Eh, good enough.
  239. 239.
    >Slamming down the trunk, you lock it and give it a couple of nudges to be sure.
  240. 240.
    “Perfect. Now here's hoping I didn't just smash everything in there.”
  241. 241.
    >You make your way to your car door and fit yourself in.
  242. 242.
    >Last minute adjustments are made as you switch your phone to being a GPS and slap it onto the dash as Scootaloo makes her way inside.
  243. 243.
    >Glancing over, you see she's properly buckled in.
  244. 244.
    >And bouncing a little.
  245. 245.
    >She must really be excited to go to this party.
  246. 246.
    >Unlike you.
  247. 247.
    >You know how these things go.
  248. 248.
    >A few people show up, get fucked up hard, listen to shitty music and try to make out with each other, things like that.
  249. 249.
    >Though you'll probably be able to see Fluttershy there.
  250. 250.
    >She's a real riot once she's gotten herself going.
  251. 251.
    >You feel a little bad thinking about enjoying Fluttershy's antics when she's like that, but she's the one that chooses to show up with Tree Hugger all the time.
  252. 252.
    >Throwing your car into reverse, you begin to pull out of your parking spot and head for the road.
  253. 253.
    >Unfortunately, you hear a thud.
  254. 254.
    >Checking in your rearview, you start to sweat bullets.
  255. 255.
    >Then you see the person you hit get up.
  256. 256.
    >It's only Twist.
  257. 257.
    >With a sigh of relief, you make your way out of the lot while Twist shakes her fist at you in the distance.
  258. 258.
     
  259. 259.
    >>14066875
  260. 260.
    >With the school now a faint memory in your rearview mirror, you put your body on autopilot and cruise along the road.
  261. 261.
    >While listening to your favorite mix tape, of course.
  262. 262.
    >https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaQ083rNUwc (Take On Me)
  263. 263.
    >Your fingers tap to the beat on the steering wheel.
  264. 264.
    >A smile forms on your lips as you prepare to sing along.
  265. 265.
    >Sadly, you hear the music fade as Scootaloo turns the knob.
  266. 266.
    “Scootaloo, did you just-”
  267. 267.
    >”Sorry, I just thought I needed to tell you where to go.”
  268. 268.
    “You-”
  269. 269.
    >Wait, no.
  270. 270.
    >She's right.
  271. 271.
    >You only know it's in the woods, not where in the woods.
  272. 272.
    >So it stands to reason you need Scootaloo to be your co-pilot.
  273. 273.
    >As much as you're going to loathe talking to her.
  274. 274.
    “Okay, so am I going to make any turns?”
  275. 275.
    >”Not for a while. Just keep straight and you'll eventually see a sign with a big banana balloon on it.”
  276. 276.
    “Banana balloon?”
  277. 277.
    >”I don't know why they chose it.”
  278. 278.
    “Gets your attention, I guess. You sure I'll be able to see it?”
  279. 279.
    >”They said it was a big banana. I don't think you'll miss it.”
  280. 280.
    >You swear, this situation just gets weirder by the second.
  281. 281.
    >At least you can tell yourself that you're doing this for the money.
  282. 282.
    >Which will be well spent once you have earned your keep.
  283. 283.
    >”So, uh, how have you been.”
  284. 284.
    >...
  285. 285.
    >Oh man, you're definitely going to be earning that keep tonight.
  286. 286.
    “Fine. You?”
  287. 287.
    >”Oh. I've been doing well. I've gotten really into my soccer practice with Rainbow Dash, she's teaching me everything she knows and she says I'm really good at being a goalie, especially because I can take a hit from a ball and Sweetie Belle and Applebloom said they were going to get Trixie to rent a scary movie for us to watch during our next sleepover-”
  288. 288.
    >You sigh under your breath as you begin to tune out her nonstop chatter.
  289. 289.
    >It's going to be a long night.
  290. 290.
     
  291. 291.
    >>14066892
  292. 292.
    >How long has it been now?
  293. 293.
    >15 minutes?
  294. 294.
    >30?
  295. 295.
    >Whichever it is, Scootaloo hasn't seemingly stopped to take a breath.
  296. 296.
    >You don't know whether to be impressed or concerned.
  297. 297.
    >You're pretty sure that if she suffocates, you don't get the money.
  298. 298.
    >And suffocation isn't a fun way to go.
  299. 299.
    >But then again she seems fine.
  300. 300.
    >Maybe you'll just wait until you see that goddamn ban-
  301. 301.
    >Oh shit.
  302. 302.
    >You slam hard on your brakes and swing your arm to hold down Scootaloo as a large deer comes straight out of nowhere.
  303. 303.
    >After a few tense seconds of keeping your eyes glued shut, you do not feel the hit nor the car moving.
  304. 304.
    >Opening up one eye, you see the deer standing there without so much as a scratch.
  305. 305.
    >He seems to be quite frozen in fear, however.
  306. 306.
    >You gently honk the horn to get him out of his stupor.
  307. 307.
    >It seems to work as he gets out of the road.
  308. 308.
    >Your heartbeat begins to normalize again as you calm yourself from your near accident.
  309. 309.
    >Then you remember you've got a passenger.
  310. 310.
    >With a quick glance to the side, you look to see if Scootaloo's alright.
  311. 311.
    >As far as you can tell, nothing seems to be wrong.
  312. 312.
    >Save for a little bit of a redness in her face.
  313. 313.
    >It takes you a second to realize exactly why.
  314. 314.
    >It takes you a couple more to remove your hand from her.
  315. 315.
    >You slowly start to move again, wanting to get your arm as far away from her as possible.
  316. 316.
    >Placing both hands back on the wheel, you firmly plant your foot on the accelerator and drive off.
  317. 317.
    >You see there's quite a lot of silence from her now.
  318. 318.
    >At the very least that's a welcome change.
  319. 319.
    >But you're still a bit worried about what is going through her head.
  320. 320.
    >Taking your eyes off the road for a moment, you steal a peak at her expression.
  321. 321.
    >And that smile of hers is telling you all you need to know.
  322. 322.
    >You should probably say something.
  323. 323.
    >But letting her ride the fantasy out in her head is probably for the best.
  324. 324.
    >It isn't like anything would happen anyway.
  325. 325.
     
  326. 326.
    >>14179436
  327. 327.
    >Speaking of probably, you probably should pay attention to that big balloon.
  328. 328.
    >It is quite banana shaped and colored.
  329. 329.
    >And is indeed attached to a sign.
  330. 330.
    >Which explicitly states there's not a party.
  331. 331.
    >Yeah, they've already started on the drugs.
  332. 332.
    >Or are very bad at coming up with convincing excuses.
  333. 333.
    >Probably both, seeing how the drugs would only exacerbate the latter.
  334. 334.
    >That aside, you feel it best to actually interact with Scootaloo again as you turn.
  335. 335.
    “So, what next?”
  336. 336.
    >You follow the road down further, nary a reply from your navigator.
  337. 337.
    “Uh, Scootaloo? Anyone there?”
  338. 338.
    >”Huh? Oh, uh, yeah. There's going to be a fork in the road, you take the right. The rest of it should be a straight shot.”
  339. 339.
    >You're not given the best impression by how long it took her to answer.
  340. 340.
    >But you don't pay it much mind.
  341. 341.
    >You are more than content to just spend the rest of the ride there in silence while she fantasizes about something in her head.
  342. 342.
    >Of course, the silence doesn't make the ride easier.
  343. 343.
    >Faster, for sure, but you can't help turning your attention to Scootaloo every so often.
  344. 344.
    >Passing it off as making sure there's no more surprise deer invasions, but if she actually paid attention she'd realize her fidgeting was giving her away.
  345. 345.
    >Before you know it, you're at the fork and see a...that's a person.
  346. 346.
    >A person you know all too well.
  347. 347.
    >Stopping the car, you get out and flag down the pink-haired girl in front of you.
  348. 348.
    “Fluttershy, are you okay?”
  349. 349.
    >Her attention turns to you, her stare long and vacant.
  350. 350.
    >You're about to ask what's going on with her before she slowly waves back to you.
  351. 351.
    >”Hi...Anon.”
  352. 352.
    “You don't look so good, Shy.”
  353. 353.
    >”I got...lost...I can't find...place.”
  354. 354.
    >Well, Fluttershy got her pre-partying on, alright.
  355. 355.
    >Unwilling to leave her behind as potential roadkill, you walk over to her and drag her back to your car.
  356. 356.
    >You buckle her in before getting back in the driver's seat and making off.
  357. 357.
     
  358. 358.
    >>14301510
  359. 359.
    >Scootlaoo's come out of her stupor now, and is constantly flitting between you and Fluttershy.
  360. 360.
    >Guess hearing her long, drawn out breathing is wearing on the kid.
  361. 361.
    >”Uh, Anon?”
  362. 362.
    “Yeah?”
  363. 363.
    >”Is she gonna be okay?”
  364. 364.
    >”I'm...fine.”
  365. 365.
    “She's fine.”
  366. 366.
    >”But-”
  367. 367.
    “Scootaloo, she's okay. She just probably mismanaged her dosage before walking off. Which I still don't understand why you insist on walking in the woods.”
  368. 368.
    >”Environment.”
  369. 369.
    “Of course.”
  370. 370.
    >”Shouldn't we take her to a hospital?”
  371. 371.
    “Scootaloo, the last thing we want is for Fluttershy to end up in a place with more pills.”
  372. 372.
    >You can tell she's uncomfortable with the near-catatonic junkie you call a friend in the back.
  373. 373.
    >To keep her calm, you reach out and plant your hand on top of her head, giving her hair a light tussle.
  374. 374.
    “It'll be fine.”
  375. 375.
    >Scootaloo blushes a small bit again before she settles back into her seat and resumes her prior habit.
  376. 376.
    >One load off your back, you turn your attention to Fluttershy again.
  377. 377.
    >You're not worried about her dying.
  378. 378.
    >Her tolerance is too high.
  379. 379.
    >But you'll be damned if you let her soil herself in any way.
  380. 380.
    >That shit stains.
  381. 381.
    >But she doesn't seem to be in the place where that's a problem.
  382. 382.
    >She's dirtying up your car, but that's mostly due to her hair covered in twigs.
  383. 383.
    >It takes you a bit by surprise to see that you've begun collecting Rainbow Dash's confidants.
  384. 384.
    >Next thing you know, you'll have Pinkie Pie cartwheeling her way into your window.
  385. 385.
    >”Hey, Nonny!”
  386. 386.
    >The timing of that spooks you, just a bit, but you realize it's just your personalized text alert for her.
  387. 387.
    >Like any good driver, you're going to just ignore it until you come to a complete stop.
  388. 388.
    >”Hey, Nonny!”
  389. 389.
    >Yep.
  390. 390.
    >Just gonna ignore it.
  391. 391.
     
  392. 392.
    >>14301527
  393. 393.
    >By the time you make it to your destination, you're about ready to strangle Pinkie.
  394. 394.
    >You're also impressed at your coverage.
  395. 395.
    >It stopped a little ways back, but still.
  396. 396.
    >And looking at the place, you can certainly tell that it's going to be one of those parties.
  397. 397.
    >Thankfully, the parking seems to be rather available.
  398. 398.
    >Given how many people you see, they must have carpooled.
  399. 399.
    >With your car at a full stop, you finally pull out your phone and check your text messages.
  400. 400.
    >Of course, she's blown up your phone.
  401. 401.
    >And it was about Fluttershy walking off.
  402. 402.
    >Well you already solved that crisis, so you ignore the rest of her messages and proceed to drag Fluttershy out of your car and onto the grass.
  403. 403.
    >She'll be fine.
  404. 404.
    >You then pop the trunk and attempt to drag the coolers out, only for Scootaloo to intersect you and grab one of them.
  405. 405.
    >”I-I got it!”
  406. 406.
    >It's not like you're going to turn down the help.
  407. 407.
    >Walking towards the building, you can tell that there's already an area set up for the stuff people brought.
  408. 408.
    >There seems to be an awful lot of chips and dips.
  409. 409.
    >But they don't even have the zesty ranch.
  410. 410.
    >Your expectations for this night being good are already being crushed.
  411. 411.
    >Of course, the firecracker waiting to go off beside you would likely beg to differ.
  412. 412.
    >As soon as you set down the coolers and begin to unpack them, you can see her eyes stray to the debauchery underway.
  413. 413.
    >You remember when you used to be able to excited so easily.
  414. 414.
    >4th grade was so nice.
  415. 415.
    >Since she's already chomping at the bit to get out and mingle, you decide to take her hand and lead her a tiny bit away from the party.
  416. 416.
    >She's caught off-guard by the sudden movement and you swear you hear her cluck.
  417. 417.
    >That girl ain't right.
  418. 418.
     
  419. 419.
    >>14301557
  420. 420.
    “Look, Scootaloo, I have to level with you: you need to watch yourself at this party at all times.”
  421. 421.
    >”What?”
  422. 422.
    “There are bad things just waiting to happen to you. If someone offers you a drink, do not take it. If someone offers you some food, do not eat it. If someone offers you a free case for your phone, do not follow them to their car. I learned that one the hard way.”
  423. 423.
    >”But I'm not gonna do that! I already know not to take things from strangers. I'm not 12.”
  424. 424.
    “And if Fluttershy gets you something to drink?”
  425. 425.
    >”Oh, well that's probably safe because Fluttershy is Rainbow Dash's friend and-”
  426. 426.
    “WRONG.”
  427. 427.
    >Scootaloo holds her ears, no doubt still ringing after your short outburst.
  428. 428.
    “Especially do not accept anything from Fluttershy. Do not even touch Fluttershy. You'll probably get high just from that.”
  429. 429.
    >”You can't do that, Anon.”
  430. 430.
    “You underestimate Fluttershy. Look, I just want you to be safe and have a fun time. And that means not letting you get into trouble, okay? Try to make some smart choices while you're here. Plus, if you need anything I'll be one quick call away on this.”
  431. 431.
    >From your pocket, you produce a small walkie-talkie.
  432. 432.
    >Scootaloo looks at you in confusion.
  433. 433.
    >”Where did you get that?”
  434. 434.
    “I always carry this with me. You never know when you're going to get stuck on an empty tank and you need a way to contact someone who went out for gas for your car.”
  435. 435.
    >”What happens to you that you've got stuff like this?”
  436. 436.
    “That's a question for a later time, Scoots. Just make sure you have it with you and don't hesitate to call me if someone tries to get you to something weird.”
  437. 437.
    >”But-”
  438. 438.
    “You need to promise me, Scootaloo.”
  439. 439.
    >”But-”
  440. 440.
    “Promise me.”
  441. 441.
    >”...Okay. I promise.”
  442. 442.
    “Good. Now, I'm going to go see if I can't figure out where the bathroom is. I have to go really badly.”
  443. 443.
     
  444. 444.
    >>14644111
  445. 445.
    >You are now Scootaloo.
  446. 446.
    >Scratch that, you are the best Scootaloo.
  447. 447.
    >Because you are about to have an amazing time at your first ever party!
  448. 448.
    >Well, as amazing as Anon will let it be.
  449. 449.
    >After that whole speech about being careful, you don't know what to really expect.
  450. 450.
    >But you feel you will be fine.
  451. 451.
    >That whole thing was probably just him messing with your head.
  452. 452.
    >Like Rainbow Dash.
  453. 453.
    >She loves doing that.
  454. 454.
    >And he probably does too.
  455. 455.
    >Why else would they be together?
  456. 456.
    >Besides Rainbow Dash being the absolute best girlfriend anyone could ever want, of course.
  457. 457.
    >That goes without saying.
  458. 458.
    >Though speaking of that, you no longer see her boyfriend anymore.
  459. 459.
    >He really broke off into a sprint after letting you go.
  460. 460.
    >Guess he wasn't kidding about that bathroom.
  461. 461.
    >And you'll probably ask him where it is after a while as well.
  462. 462.
    >Soda just goes right through you.
  463. 463.
    >But enough of that, it's time to mingle.
  464. 464.
    >People say that, right?
  465. 465.
    >Mingle?
  466. 466.
    >Or is that too old-fashioned?
  467. 467.
    >Great, now you're already focusing on it too much.
  468. 468.
    >Different thoughts, different thoughts.
  469. 469.
    >Like how that really dirty looking girl is coming right towards oh god there she is.
  470. 470.
    >”Hey, man, how's it going?”
  471. 471.
    >Oh, you know her.
  472. 472.
    >That's Tree Hugger.
  473. 473.
    >She's Fluttershy's friend from rehab camp.
  474. 474.
    >She certainly smells like it.
  475. 475.
    “Oh, hi. How is it going, Tree Hugger?”
  476. 476.
    >”Pretty groovy, little patchouli. I've never seen you at one of these get-togethers before. You new here?”
  477. 477.
    “Uh, I guess sorta. This is my first time at a party. I'm a freshman.”
  478. 478.
    >”Oh, far out! You'll totally have a great time. And if you want a better time, there's always an adventure just waiting when you talk to someone.”
  479. 479.
    “I'll, uh, keep that in mind.”
  480. 480.
    >”Aw, man, I almost forgot. I'm looking for my friend Mellow Yellow. Have you seen her?”
  481. 481.
    >Mellow Yellow?
  482. 482.
    >Oh.
  483. 483.
    >Fluttershy.
  484. 484.
    >Right.
  485. 485.
    “Uh, she should be out in the parking lot.”
  486. 486.
    >”Righteous. I'm gonna go see if she has any candy. Later, patchouli.”
  487. 487.
     
  488. 488.
    >>14644133
  489. 489.
    >With that, she heads off to go find the girl you just left on the lawn.
  490. 490.
    >Not your proudest moment, but Anon assured you it was okay.
  491. 491.
    >And you trust him.
  492. 492.
    >Especially after meeting up with Tree Hugger.
  493. 493.
    >He wasn't kidding about people getting really messed up out at the party.
  494. 494.
    >But that doesn't mean you can't have fun.
  495. 495.
    >You just have to find something to do that doesn't involve getting roped into something you shouldn't.
  496. 496.
    >Like drugs.
  497. 497.
    >Rainbow Dash wouldn't be too happy about learning you gave her boyfriend a big mess to clean up.
  498. 498.
    >You need to be on your best behavior.
  499. 499.
    >And you also need to find something to do, because this is boring just standing around.
  500. 500.
    >Determined to get an interesting story to tell to Rainbow Dash when you see her next time, you walk over to the coolers you came with and fish out a soda.
  501. 501.
    >As you pop the tab and begin to chug, you realize your error as it is indeed a warm soda.
  502. 502.
    >The sensation almost makes you vomit.
  503. 503.
    >Wait, no.
  504. 504.
    >You rush off to some nearby bushes and actually push it out of your mouth.
  505. 505.
    >Scraping the foulness off of your tongue, you can already tell this night is off to a rocky start.
  506. 506.
    >As you feel your senses coming back to you, you feel a light tap on your back.
  507. 507.
    >”Are you okay?”
  508. 508.
    >Hold on a second, you know that voice.
  509. 509.
    >You turn around to see the ginger hair of Twist atop the bespectacled head of Twist.
  510. 510.
    >Oh, this is gonna be awkward.
  511. 511.
    “Y-yeah, I'm fine.”
  512. 512.
    >”Are you thure?”
  513. 513.
    “Yeah. Totally.”
  514. 514.
    >”Okay.”
  515. 515.
    >You stand in an awkward silence, not knowing what to say to your sorta kinda sometimes friend.
  516. 516.
    >Especially because you hit her with Anon's car.
  517. 517.
    >Okay, not you specifically, but you're pretty sure you're an accomplice to a hit and run.
  518. 518.
    >People do go to jail for that, right?
  519. 519.
     
  520. 520.
    >>14644147
  521. 521.
    >”Tho, when did you get here?”
  522. 522.
    >Finally, the ice is broken.
  523. 523.
    “Uh, not long ago. I'd say probably 20 minutes give or take. How about yourself, Twist?”
  524. 524.
    >”I just got here. I hitched a ride with Trixie.”
  525. 525.
    “Trixie?”
  526. 526.
    >”Yeah. Trixie thaid thomething about making people love her magic trickth.”
  527. 527.
    “Don't they suck?”
  528. 528.
    >”I like her one with the pineapple and the thponge. And I don't think her material hath to be very good given the current crowd. I'm pretty thure there are five women who are running around naked right now.”
  529. 529.
    “Oh. Weird.”
  530. 530.
    >”I know. I get it, we're at a party, but you think people could refrain from getting tho high. If anything goeth down, they're pretty boned. And not in the good way.”
  531. 531.
    “You don't think that's gonna happen, right?”
  532. 532.
    >”Hard to tell. I think we'll be fine if no one did anything dumb like talk about it online. By the way, where did you get that beverage?”
  533. 533.
    >Beverage?
  534. 534.
    >Oh yeah, your warm soda.
  535. 535.
    “Uh, in that cooler there.”
  536. 536.
    >Twist makes her way past you and to the cooler, digging around for one flavor or another.
  537. 537.
    >Right up until you see her take out a beer.
  538. 538.
    “Whoa, whoa, hold on a second. Twist, that's not a soda.”
  539. 539.
    >”I know.”
  540. 540.
    “What do you mean you know?”
  541. 541.
    >”I know that I am currently holding a can of beer. I intend to drink it.”
  542. 542.
    “But that's illegal!”
  543. 543.
    >”Thcootaloo, you can't walk five feet without running into thomething illegal happening right now. I'm pretty thure we're altho not allowed to be here and yet we are.”
  544. 544.
    “Yeah, but-”
  545. 545.
    >Before you can get halfway through her sentence, the snap of the tab on Twist's beer cuts her off.
  546. 546.
    >Your jaw drops as Twist downs the whole can in only a few seconds.
  547. 547.
     
  548. 548.
    >>14708504
  549. 549.
    >”Wow, this really is the cheap stuff.”
  550. 550.
    “Twist!”
  551. 551.
    >”Calm down, I've had way more than one before.”
  552. 552.
    “That doesn't make this any better! And how have you even gotten to drink beer before?”
  553. 553.
    >”No one in my in family trieth to lock up their pantry, tho it ithn't really hard to get ahold of some booze when they aren't looking. Exthept with my uncle. He doethn't drink anymore tho he doethn't have really anything other than Lithterine that hath alcohol.”
  554. 554.
    >You're learning a lot more about Twist in five minutes today than you have in the many years you've known her.
  555. 555.
    >You don't think that's a good thing.
  556. 556.
    “So you just steal beer from your family?”
  557. 557.
    >”Beer, vodka, rum which I really like rum, gin, abthinthe, whithkey, cough thyrup exthept for the cherry flavor, wine, the litht goeth on for a while.”
  558. 558.
    “That can't be healthy.”
  559. 559.
    >”Yeah, well neither ith me getting hit by a car.”
  560. 560.
    “You've got a point there. I'm really sorry about that.”
  561. 561.
    >”Wait, sorry? Why are you sorry?”
  562. 562.
    “Because Anon and I didn't stop to help you when you got hit and it made me feel really guilty but now that I'm saying this out loud I don't think I actually should have told you this because you didn't actually know I was in the car with Anon and now you're giving me a really strange look and I'm just gonna stop talking now.”
  563. 563.
    >”...”
  564. 564.
    “...”
  565. 565.
    >”Ugh, don't worry. It happenth to me all the time. I don't hold it againtht you. At leatht you felt bad about it. Motht people don't even bother to look in their mirrorth when they hit me.”
  566. 566.
    “How often does this happen to you that you're so nonchalant about it?”
  567. 567.
    >”Uthually about three timeth a week. Maybe more if I go to the grocery thtore.”'
  568. 568.
    “Jesus.”
  569. 569.
    >”People are horrible at driving in thith town.”
  570. 570.
     
  571. 571.
    >>14708535
  572. 572.
    “Uh, let's get onto something a little less terrible. How are you enjoying the party?”
  573. 573.
    >”I jutht got here, remember?”
  574. 574.
    “Oh, yeah. That was a dumb question. Uuuuuuuuuuuuuhhhhhhhhhhh, OH I KNOW WHAT TO TALK ABOUT! What did you bring?”
  575. 575.
    >”Oh, thank you for reminding me.”
  576. 576.
    >From a fairly large rucksack on her back, Twist reaches in and pulls out an assortment of holy shit that is a lot of peppermint candy.
  577. 577.
    >Your breath already feels fresher for having looked at it.
  578. 578.
    >”I thought thith would be a good thing to bring. People like getting a bad tathte out of their mouth with mint after all. And there ith a lot of that here. Chipth, popcorn, cheap beer, and probably a lot of themen.”
  579. 579.
    >Did you just here what you thought you heard?
  580. 580.
    “Could you repeat that last word again?”
  581. 581.
    >”You mean themen?”
  582. 582.
    >Okay, she did say it.
  583. 583.
    “Why did that come up?!”
  584. 584.
    >”Becauthe there are probably people having thex right now while we're talking thomewhere in the general area and that probably will involve them having themen in their mouth at thome point.”
  585. 585.
    “That's besides the point! And how do you even know semen tastes bad?”
  586. 586.
    >”I don't. I'm jutht going off of what I heard from other people. It apparently ith very thalty. But I don't know if I would mind that tho much, becauthe I do like thalty and thweet things.”
  587. 587.
    >Unless you're hearing things wrong, Twist literally just told you she wouldn't mind having semen in her mouth.
  588. 588.
    >This is probably the explosion part of the trainwreck for the conversation.
  589. 589.
    “That's kinda gross.”
  590. 590.
    >”Are you thaying you do mind themen?”
  591. 591.
    “No, I've never...done that and I don't plan to just to find out how it tastes.”
  592. 592.
    >”Who knowth? Maybe you'll like it.”
  593. 593.
    “I'm pretty sure I'm not going to want some dude's goop in my mouth!”
  594. 594.
    >”Oh, tho you are a lethbo.”
  595. 595.
    “WHAT!?”
  596. 596.
     
  597. 597.
    >>14708611
  598. 598.
    >”Well you jutht thaid you don't want thome dude to put hith goop in your mouth. And you kind do hang around Rainbow a lot.”
  599. 599.
    “Rainbow Dash is not gay! And I'm not gay just because I don't want salty semen in my mouth!”
  600. 600.
    >”If you thay tho, Thcootaloo. But if you are not gay, doeth that mean you might want to try and get together with a guy tonight?”
  601. 601.
    >If your face wasn't red before, it's red now.
  602. 602.
    “Twist, you can't just ask someone that!”
  603. 603.
    >”Why not? We're friendth here. Even though you, Apple Bloom and Thweetie Belle didn't come to my birthday party latht week. Hell, even Diamond Tiara came becauthe I had cake.”
  604. 604.
    >Oh shit, that was last week.
  605. 605.
    >Wow.
  606. 606.
    “In my defense, I had something going on last week and couldn't make it.”
  607. 607.
    >”That ith the thame thing they thaid to me, too.”
  608. 608.
    “That may be, but it's true in my case.”
  609. 609.
    >”What wath it?”
  610. 610.
    “Oh....I....I can't really talk about it.”
  611. 611.
    >The air goes silent between the two of you, Twist not really sure what to say.
  612. 612.
    >She quickly goes for a second can and shotguns it like the last one.
  613. 613.
    >”Whew, that ith a lot better. Tho, putting that athide, do you want to fool around with anyone here?”
  614. 614.
    >Maybe the silence would have been better.
  615. 615.
    “I'm not looking to just do stuff with some random dude. Rainbow Dash says that's for losers who can't handle a steady relationship. That's why she has a boyfriend.”
  616. 616.
    >”Oh yeah, I forgot Anon wath going out with her.”
  617. 617.
    “Yeah, so I'm gonna be like Rainbow Dash and find my own Anon.”
  618. 618.
    >”But that doethn't mean you can't go talk to thome guy here and try to find your own Anon.”
  619. 619.
    “I....you....but...you've actually got a point. I could do that.”
  620. 620.
    >”Well come on, we have a whole party to go through.”
  621. 621.
    “Wait, but I don-”
  622. 622.
    >”Trutht me, Thcootaloo. I'll be your wingman. Jutht gotta get some of thethe for the road and we can find you a man.”
  623. 623.
     
  624. 624.
    >>14708629
  625. 625.
    >Wew, that was a hard wait in line but you made it through.
  626. 626.
    >It feels good to be Anon again.
  627. 627.
    >Not that it ever felt patricularly bad, but having to wait that long to get in because someone was so high they locked the door while leaving sucked.
  628. 628.
    >Trixie has her uses.
  629. 629.
    >Now, gotta find Scootaloo.
  630. 630.
    >While you don't think it'll be a nightmare, you gotta be sure.
  631. 631.
    >After all, you were only in there for...oh fuck.
  632. 632.
    >Well, you spare no time in power-walking through the ambling masses of people, trying to spot your obligation the whole while.
  633. 633.
    >You make a break through the doors that aren't covered in a mass of people.
  634. 634.
    >As you do, you knock over something.
  635. 635.
    >On closer examination, it was Fluttershy.
  636. 636.
    >And good grief, she's naked.
  637. 637.
    >”Ow.”
  638. 638.
    “Crap, sorry about that, Shy. I didn't see you there.”
  639. 639.
    >”It's fine, Anon.”
  640. 640.
    >Huh.
  641. 641.
    >That was a lot less fucked up than you thought.
  642. 642.
    “Fluttershy, did you come down?”
  643. 643.
    >”Yes. I did.”
  644. 644.
    “Wait, but if you're not high, why are you naked?”
  645. 645.
    >”I don't quite remember what happened to my clothes.”
  646. 646.
    >Good luck finding them now.
  647. 647.
    “Uh. Yeah. That's kinda bad.”
  648. 648.
    >”I'd probably be a lot more terrified right now if it wasn't for the fact that I'm still a little high. I need to find my clothes before that stops.”
  649. 649.
    >Shit.
  650. 650.
    >You really don't want to leave her to her own devices, but you also have to find Scootaloo so she doesn't get in her own trouble.
  651. 651.
    “Uh, here. Take this.”
  652. 652.
    >Quickly scrambling out of your hoodie, you take it and gently drape it over Fluttershy's frail form.
  653. 653.
    >”Thank you, Anon. That's very kind of you. It was cold.”
  654. 654.
    >Without anything else to really do, you slowly slink out of the way and begin walking around trying to not look like a creep while you scan the party.
  655. 655.
    >Fluttershy was right, it is cold outside.
  656. 656.
    >Which explained her highbeams.
  657. 657.
    >You'd totally ask her out if she wasn't a complete weirdo.
  658. 658.
    >And she shaved.
  659. 659.
    >What is it with Greek women and not shaving?
  660. 660.
     
  661. 661.
    >>14764378
  662. 662.
    >Sure, you only got to see it through photos, but Rainbow Dash's bush was more like a forest.
  663. 663.
    >And Fluttershy was no slouch, either.
  664. 664.
    >At least she won't need panties.
  665. 665.
    >Speaking of panties, you're pretty sure that's a pair that just fell on your shoulder.
  666. 666.
    >Dear Lord, where the hell did it come from?
  667. 667.
    >You quickly fling it off of you, not wanting to know what sort of things went on with it.
  668. 668.
    >Perhaps it would be for the best to get out while the getting's good.
  669. 669.
    >Of course, you'd need to get Scootaloo out first.
  670. 670.
    >And stop stepping on weird things like this green lump of, wait that's a person.
  671. 671.
    >The lump slowly rises, letting out a yawn as what you can now identify as a she raises her arms cracks her back.
  672. 672.
    >And gives you a very clear view of her fluffy armpits.
  673. 673.
    >”Hey, man. I was taking a rather righteous nap, but now I'm kinda craving some munchies. You got anything?”
  674. 674.
    “Uh, no.”
  675. 675.
    >”Bummer. Guess I'll go find some berries or something.”
  676. 676.
    “I brought sandwich stuff and I think someone else brought cookies.”
  677. 677.
    >”Oh, that sounds really good. I could totally chow on some cheese sandwiches.”
  678. 678.
    >The red-haired hippie you recognized as Fluttershy's friend Tree Hugger walks off to go find some food.
  679. 679.
    >Thankfully far from you.
  680. 680.
    >Never thought you'd say this, but the last thing you want to see right now is a girl running around without their clothes.
  681. 681.
    >Which there are a lot of judging by how much discarded clothing there is everywhere.
  682. 682.
    >People are going to have a hard time getting their shit sorted out once they come back to their senses.
  683. 683.
    >Speaking of senses, your sense of hearing is telling you that there's a rustle coming from the treeline far from the party.
  684. 684.
    >Where a certain someone could certainly be since you had yet to find them elsewhere.
  685. 685.
     
  686. 686.
    >>14764404
  687. 687.
    >Figuring you've got nothing to lose, you push forward and through the trees and various bushes blocking your way until you start to hear what sounds like crying.
  688. 688.
    >Well now you definitely need to see what's going on.
  689. 689.
    >You can't in good conscience leave someone who's possibly in trouble in the woods alone.
  690. 690.
    >As you pick up the pace, you start to recognize the voice that the crying is coming from.
  691. 691.
    >It's Scootaloo's.
  692. 692.
    >Your heart begins to beat thunderously as you kick it into high gear.
  693. 693.
    >Breaking through the final barrier of foliage in your way, you see Scootaloo.
  694. 694.
    >Sitting in the ground and crying.
  695. 695.
    >Thankfully fully clothed, yet unthankfully she's right next to the girl you almost ran over today.
  696. 696.
    >”Oh, come on, Scootaloo. It'll be o-HIC-kay.”
  697. 697.
    >”No, it's not. Not one guy was interested in talking to me. They were all too busy talking to one of those naked girls or doing things with them. It's like I don't even exist.”
  698. 698.
    >”Hey, it's not so bad. I get ignored by guys all the time, and I'm fine.”
  699. 699.
    >Scootaloo's bawling intensifies as she buries her face into Twist's waiting shoulder.
  700. 700.
    >Probably not the smartest thing to say to Scootaloo, Twist.
  701. 701.
    >”Sssshhhhhhhhh, little Scootie. It's okay. Come on, you gots ta smile.”
  702. 702.
    >Twist gently raises Scootaloo's head as she dries her tears with what you hope is a handkerchief and not a pair of panties they found.
  703. 703.
    >As you're about to make your presence known, you see Twist getting something out of her backpack.
  704. 704.
    >A can and a large knife.
  705. 705.
    >Wait a minute.
  706. 706.
    >That's one of the beers you brought.
  707. 707.
    >Twist is into underage drinking?
  708. 708.
    >Is she drunk right now?
  709. 709.
    >Is she more coherent when she's drunk?
  710. 710.
     
  711. 711.
    >>14764426
  712. 712.
    >The last part's not too surprising.
  713. 713.
    >It's already so hard to understand her sometimes it's not like it could get worse.
  714. 714.
    >Almost in awe, you see her quickly puncture the can and pop the tab, her cheeks filling with the amber liquid trapped within.
  715. 715.
    >She almost looks like a chipmunk.
  716. 716.
    >You're bemused by the fact right until you see her lock lips with Scootaloo and see her cheeks begin to deflate.
  717. 717.
    >Scootaloo squeaks in surprise as the alcohol is forced into her system.
  718. 718.
    >Everything about this scene is wrong.
  719. 719.
    >But you can't look away.
  720. 720.
    >It's like a trainwreck.
  721. 721.
    >She coughs as Twist withdraws from their forced kiss, and promptly goes back to hugging her knees.
  722. 722.
    >”It still tastes gross.”
  723. 723.
    >”But it'll make you happy. Just give it time.”
  724. 724.
    >Still tastes gross?
  725. 725.
    >HOLY SHIT, HAS SHE BEEN DRINKING THIS ENTIRE TIME?
  726. 726.
    >You quickly make a break for the two of them, because you have to put a stop to all of this.
  727. 727.
    >It's gotten too out of hand, too fast.
  728. 728.
    >Unfortunately, you don't see the empty can on the ground.
  729. 729.
    >It causes you to lose your balance and smack your head hard on a tree.
  730. 730.
    >You go down fast as your knees go weak and your heavy body slumps to the ground.
  731. 731.
    >It hurts.
  732. 732.
    >You hear the sound of two girls frantically trying to get you up off the ground as you begin to drift off.
  733. 733.
    >Unfortunately, they're too weak to really get you anywhere.
  734. 734.
    >You're much heavier than a cooler, after all.
  735. 735.
    >
  736. 736.
    >You are now Scootaloo.
  737. 737.
    >And you are so damn scared.
  738. 738.
    >Anon's bleeding.
  739. 739.
    >Bad.
  740. 740.
    >It's all over your hands.
  741. 741.
    >And his face.
  742. 742.
    >And the tree.
  743. 743.
    >Oh crap, oh crap, oh crap what are you going to do?
  744. 744.
     
  745. 745.
    >>14764448
  746. 746.
    “Oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no!”
  747. 747.
    >You continue to pant and repeat your mantra of complete panic.
  748. 748.
    >How are you supposed to help him?
  749. 749.
    >As you feel yourself struggling to breathe, a hand places itself on your shoulder.
  750. 750.
    >”Scootaloo, calm down. Issall gonna be okay.”
  751. 751.
    “But he's bleeding and we can't move him and even if we could move him how are we going to get him through the-”
  752. 752.
    >”Shshshshshshshshhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Is okay. We're gonna help him, don't you worry.”
  753. 753.
    >The still completely plastered girl you've been hanging out with for the majority of the night slowly reaches her hands lower and lower on your body, until she summarily yanks your shirt from your chest.
  754. 754.
    >It stuns you for a moment before you reach down and cover your tiny, tiny shame.
  755. 755.
    “Twist, what are you doing?!”
  756. 756.
    >”We need to stop the bleeding, don'tcha know? And we need cloth. Lots and lots of cloth.”
  757. 757.
    >True to her word, she takes off her own shirt.
  758. 758.
    >Wow.
  759. 759.
    >Underneath is a series of bandages keeping down a hefty set of breasts that you did not know Twist actually had.
  760. 760.
    >You can't help but stare.
  761. 761.
    >Thankfully she doesn't seem to notice as she pushes past you and apply both of your shirts to the bleeding wound on Anon.
  762. 762.
    >You're surprised by how Twist seems to easily do this.
  763. 763.
    >Like she's got a lot of experience with tending to head wounds.
  764. 764.
    >”And there we go. He's gonna be fine. Just gotta hold it down.”
  765. 765.
    “Uh, are you sure?”
  766. 766.
    >”Uhuh.”
  767. 767.
    >You must admit, you're surprised.
  768. 768.
    >Twist is actually saving your bacon.
  769. 769.
    >Who knows how Rainbow Dash would have reacted to you getting her boyfriend killed.
  770. 770.
    >She'd probably never talk to you again.
  771. 771.
    >And you'd probably get quite the punishment from your mom.
  772. 772.
    >Not to mention how heartbroken Anon's family would be.
  773. 773.
    >...
  774. 774.
    >Upon realizing this, you curl up into a ball and cry.
  775. 775.
    >Not just because you're starting to shiver, but because you made tonight a complete mess.
  776. 776.
     
  777. 777.
    >>15056920
  778. 778.
    >Time slips by quickly as you stew in your own misery.
  779. 779.
    >You barely notice Twist getting up from Anon and sitting next to you.
  780. 780.
    >As you pipe up to ask how he's doing, Twist puts a finger to your lips and shushes you once more.
  781. 781.
    >She then quickly puts her arms around you and slumps down to your shoulder.
  782. 782.
    >You're about to ask her what she's doing when you hear her suddenly begin to snore.
  783. 783.
    >Really loudly.
  784. 784.
    >You gently slip her arms off of you and onto the ground.
  785. 785.
    >You also take her glasses off, because you're pretty sure you don't want to hear her scream about having broken her only pair.
  786. 786.
    >Not after she saved your butt.
  787. 787.
    >You'll just put them in her rucksack for her.
  788. 788.
    >As you get up and make your way over to it, you hear rustling from the woods.
  789. 789.
    >The adrenaline from earlier comes right back as you scramble for the knife you saw Twist with.
  790. 790.
    >Blade in hand, you shakily hold the bit of metal and wood to defend yourself from a possible wild animal attack.
  791. 791.
    >Much to your relief, it just turns out to be Fluttershy.
  792. 792.
    >Then you realize it's Fluttershy.
  793. 793.
    >Oh no.
  794. 794.
    >Upon seeing you with the knife, Fluttershy meekly hides behind a tree.
  795. 795.
    >You quickly put the knife down and approach Fluttershy with your slowest and least threatening approach.
  796. 796.
    “S-sorry! I thought you were a bear. Or a cougar. Or a really fat squirrel.”
  797. 797.
    >”Scootaloo, is that you?”
  798. 798.
    “...Yes...”
  799. 799.
    >”Oh my goodness, I'm so relieved. I've been lost in the woods for hours and I ripped Anon's shirt and my feet started bleeding because of all the brambles.”
  800. 800.
    “That's....a lot of stuff.”
  801. 801.
    >”Wait, what are you doing out here, Scootaloo?”
  802. 802.
    “Uuuuuuuuuuuh...relaxing?”
  803. 803.
    >”Is that why you're not wearing a shirt?”
  804. 804.
    >Realizing that you are indeed still nude from the waist up, you quickly cover your shame again.
  805. 805.
    “That's for a different reason.”
  806. 806.
    >”Why are you not wearing a shirt, then?”
  807. 807.
    “Uh, soda.”
  808. 808.
     
  809. 809.
    >>15056933
  810. 810.
    >”Soda?”
  811. 811.
    “Yes, soda. I got my shirt all sticky and I didn't want to be sticky, so I took off my shirt and I'm waiting for it to dry off.”
  812. 812.
    >Fluttershy is about to question your statement again, but thankfully you hear the sounds of a dirty hippie calling for her yellow friend.
  813. 813.
    >”Oh, that's Tree Hugger. She's probably been worried sick about me. I'm sorry, Scootaloo, but I have to go. I'll see you later.”
  814. 814.
    >As the bare-assed girl zooms past you, you let out a sigh of relief.
  815. 815.
    >No one is the wiser to your horrible, horrible night.
  816. 816.
    >But you really don't think you can call this a success.
  817. 817.
    >Twist is still passed out, Anon is still hurt, and you're cold.
  818. 818.
    >Very, very cold.
  819. 819.
    >And you're still holding onto Twist's glasses.
  820. 820.
    >Heading back to the pack on the ground you were originally going towards, you can't help but notice something peeking out.
  821. 821.
    >Curiosity gets the better of you and you begin to tug at it slightly.
  822. 822.
    >As it comes loose, you realize it's the answer to your prayers.
  823. 823.
    >A blanket.
  824. 824.
    >A big one, too.
  825. 825.
    >You swap the two items for one another and then drag it to the place where you left Anon and Twist.
  826. 826.
    >Oh.
  827. 827.
    >Twist is not where you left her.
  828. 828.
    >She's on top of Anon.
  829. 829.
    >And her binding came off.
  830. 830.
    >You feel embarrassed, angry and inadequate at the same time.
  831. 831.
    >Tonight has been such a great night for you.
  832. 832.
    >But it's probably for the best.
  833. 833.
    >At least you can all share the blanket if you're huddled together.
  834. 834.
    >Resigning yourself to the situation, you lay the blanket over the both of them before you slide in yourself.
  835. 835.
    >You rest your hand on Anon's chest, and slowly feel the rise and fall of his chest.
  836. 836.
    >He's still breathing.
  837. 837.
    >For now.
  838. 838.
    >You hope that when you wake up in the morning, Anon will be there with you.
  839. 839.
     
  840. 840.
    >>15056953
  841. 841.
    >”Mmph, come on. Get out of there.”
  842. 842.
    >The gentle shuffling of cloth slowly roused you from your slumber.
  843. 843.
    >Your eyes slowly opening up, you can barely make out the sight of Twist on top of Anon in the pale moonlight.
  844. 844.
    >Her breasts slowly swaying beneath her.
  845. 845.
    >And above the crotch of Anon's-
  846. 846.
    >Your eyes shoot open and you feel your heart begin to race.
  847. 847.
    >Is this a dream?
  848. 848.
    >Is this real?
  849. 849.
    >You can't tell.
  850. 850.
    >Quickly, you press the sore spot on the back of your head and wince.
  851. 851.
    >Yes.
  852. 852.
    >It is real.
  853. 853.
    >That is Twist, trying to get at Anon's genitals!
  854. 854.
    >How dare she!
  855. 855.
    >That's Rainbow Dash's!
  856. 856.
    “Twist!”
  857. 857.
    >”Gah!”
  858. 858.
    >Your other red-haired friend is caught red-handed trying to purloin the loins of your idol's boyfriend, and quickly tumbles down after the outburst.
  859. 859.
    >It takes her a moment to get up, which you quickly use to get out of the blanket and pounce on her.
  860. 860.
    >Okay, pounce isn't the right word.
  861. 861.
    >More like awkwardly fumble with the blanket until you use it to pin her down.
  862. 862.
    >Thanks to your training with Rainbow Dash, your body is more than strong enough to overpower her.
  863. 863.
    >”Thcootaloo, get off of me!”
  864. 864.
    “No! You just tried to play succubus with Anon!”
  865. 865.
    >”I wath not!”
  866. 866.
    “Then why were you trying to mess with his pants?”
  867. 867.
    >”Becauthe they're not comfortable to thleep on, ethpethially with what Anon ith packing down there.”
  868. 868.
    “What?”
  869. 869.
    >”Have you ever tried to thleep on denim? Ith itchy.”
  870. 870.
    “Oh.”
  871. 871.
    >”Now can you let me up?”
  872. 872.
    “I guess I ca-WAIT A MINUTE! If Anon was so uncomfortable, why didn't you just sleep on the grass with me?”
  873. 873.
    >”Did you jutht athk me to thleep wth you?”
  874. 874.
    “N-not that way!”
  875. 875.
    >”I dunno, you are on top of me without anything on. I can thee your nippleth right now. They are quite perky.”
  876. 876.
    >Your face goes red as you realize she's right.
  877. 877.
    >This does look kinda gay.
  878. 878.
    “I told you I'm not a lesbian!”
  879. 879.
    >”That ith what Rainbow Dath kept yelling after the thtarted dating Anon. I'm thtill not thure I believe that.”
  880. 880.
     
  881. 881.
    >>15195746
  882. 882.
    “Twist, just...just shut up.”
  883. 883.
    >”Can I get up now?”
  884. 884.
    “Fine.”
  885. 885.
    >You slowly get off of Twist, not sure of her motives.
  886. 886.
    >As you do, her breasts come back into view.
  887. 887.
    >You're still shocked at how large they actually are as your eyes fall back down to them.
  888. 888.
    >”You know, for thomeone who thaid they aren't a lethbo, you thure do like looking at my tittieth.”
  889. 889.
    “That's just because you're not covering them up!”
  890. 890.
    >”Thure.”
  891. 891.
    “It is!”
  892. 892.
    >”Well all you need to do ith not look.”
  893. 893.
    “Or you could put on a shirt!”
  894. 894.
    >”They're covered in blood, remember?”
  895. 895.
    “Oh. Yeah.”
  896. 896.
    >”I altho don't thee you exactly trying to cover yourthelf up.”
  897. 897.
    >A jolt goes up your spine as you feel your flat chest being groped.
  898. 898.
    >”Jutht look, they're out in the air like you don't care who can thee them. If I didn't know better, I'd thay you were trying to theduthe me.”
  899. 899.
    “N-no!”
  900. 900.
    >”Your body would beg to differ.”
  901. 901.
    “I am not a lesbian!”
  902. 902.
    >”Hey, I'm jutht calling it like I thee it. It ith fine if you're too chicken to admit it.”
  903. 903.
    >Chicken?
  904. 904.
    “Chicken?”
  905. 905.
    >”Yeah. A big old chicken.”
  906. 906.
    “I...You...I'LL SHOW YOU WHO IS A CHICKEN!”
  907. 907.
    >Something courses through you.
  908. 908.
    >It's not a good feeling.
  909. 909.
    >It takes over your rational thought.
  910. 910.
    >Which is why you are currently undoing Anon's pants and taking off your shorts as well.
  911. 911.
    >”Thcootaloo, what are you doing?”
  912. 912.
    “I'm a lesbian, huh!? I'm a chicken, huh!? Well I'm gonna show you who is what!”
  913. 913.
    >Looking down at him, you can see that he is indeed gifted in the pants.
  914. 914.
    >But you're not afraid.
  915. 915.
    >If Rainbow Dash is his girlfriend, then you can do it too!
  916. 916.
    >You're her best pupil!
  917. 917.
    >You're also her only pupil but that's beside the point!
  918. 918.
    >”Thcootaloo, thtop! I wath only mething with you for mithing my birthday party and running me over!”
  919. 919.
    “No, everyone keeps talking about me like I'm some sort of gay coward and I'm sick of it! I'm gonna show you I'm not either!”
  920. 920.
    >After aligning yourself the best you can in your low light, you plant yourself firmly on Anon.
  921. 921.
    >You immediately regret your decision.
  922. 922.
     
  923. 923.
    >>15266131
  924. 924.
    >Everything is pain and everything is IN pain.
  925. 925.
    >Your eyes go dark for a second as you lose your vision, only for it to return blurry and full of stars.
  926. 926.
    >Part of you wants to scream.
  927. 927.
    >Part of you wants to cry from the pain.
  928. 928.
    >But the part of you that prevails is the part that is too stubborn to admit your mistake as you slowly try to come off of Anon.
  929. 929.
    >Only to find that you can't move.
  930. 930.
    >Partially because your legs refuse to move, but you also realize you're clamping down on him like a vise.
  931. 931.
    >Oh wow.
  932. 932.
    >Not a good thing.
  933. 933.
    >Not at all.
  934. 934.
    >This wasn't really how you ever envisioned your first time.
  935. 935.
    >Though truth be told you never actually envisioned a first time.
  936. 936.
    >Or any time really after that.
  937. 937.
    >Sex seemed like it was completely out of your reach, so why worry about it?
  938. 938.
    >Now here you are stuck on an unconscious, probably brain damaged Anon, who is your mentor's boyfriend all while Twist is watching.
  939. 939.
    >Huh.
  940. 940.
    >Mulling it over, you realize now that this is probably rape.
  941. 941.
    >Wow, never thought you'd ever sink this low.
  942. 942.
    >”Thcootaloo?”
  943. 943.
    >Right.
  944. 944.
    >Twist.
  945. 945.
    >Instead of the horrified expression you expected, she's genuinely looking concerned as she puts her hand on your shoulder.
  946. 946.
    >”Uh, that wath...thurprithing to thay the leatht.”
  947. 947.
    “i'm stuck.”
  948. 948.
    >”What?”
  949. 949.
    “i said i'm stuck.”
  950. 950.
    >”...Oh shit.”
  951. 951.
    “please help me.”
  952. 952.
    >”Um, okay. If I remember, you jutht have to relax yourthelf and you'll come loothe.”
  953. 953.
    “relax?”
  954. 954.
    >”Like, you know, down there?”
  955. 955.
    “i'm so boned.”
  956. 956.
    >”Yes, but we're going to get you unboned. And I'm going to avoid the low hanging fruit there.”
  957. 957.
    >Twist then slowly looks over your body, trying to figure out how she's going to help you.
  958. 958.
    >Your state of dress and hers makes it an awkward experience.
  959. 959.
    >Even moreso when you feel her touch you.
  960. 960.
    >If it weren't for the fact you can't really move anything, you'd probably have punched Twist by now.
  961. 961.
     
  962. 962.
    >>15393252
  963. 963.
    “what are you doing?!”
  964. 964.
    >”I'm trying to 'relax' you.”
  965. 965.
    “stop!”
  966. 966.
    >”Look, I don't want to do thith either but I'm not about to have your thituation get worthe. You need to get unthtuck and unleth you want to try yourthelf I'm going to help you.”
  967. 967.
    >You don't really want this sort of help from her, but you're kind of out of options unless you want to be stuck here.
  968. 968.
    >Twist doesn't look too comfortable with the situation either.
  969. 969.
    >Possibly because of all that talk about lesbians and her heading into that territory.
  970. 970.
    >...
  971. 971.
    >Every part of your body begins to burn with shame as well as pain as you begin to enjoy it.
  972. 972.
    >But you don't enjoy this because of Twist.
  973. 973.
    >It's just your body's natural reaction to being handled like this.
  974. 974.
    >You aren't into girls.
  975. 975.
    >You're not.
  976. 976.
    >Even that moan just now was only because of the relief you're feeling.
  977. 977.
    >Especially as you feel yourself finally letting go of Anon.
  978. 978.
    >Twist takes notice of this as her fingers start to slip around you, and moves away from the scene.
  979. 979.
    >A pair of hands find themselves under your thighs as they slowly lift you up and off of Anon.
  980. 980.
    >The process seems to take an eternity, until you're actually free from him with a pop and fall back into Twist.
  981. 981.
    >You feel so much better now having gotten off of Anon.
  982. 982.
    >Regaining the feeling in your body is a wonderful thing.
  983. 983.
    >Until you feel the two big objects pressing into your back that belong to Twist.
  984. 984.
    >You scoot a little bit away from her, because you're really not in the mood for any more of that.
  985. 985.
    >In doing so, you put yourself closer to Anon's still ongoing erection.
  986. 986.
    >Which looks a lot whiter than you expected.
  987. 987.
    >Huh.
  988. 988.
    >Was your heartbeat always this audible?
  989. 989.
    >It wasn't right?
  990. 990.
    >As you sit there, you realize that you couldn't hear anything else but the sound of your heart in your ears.
  991. 991.
    >That hard pulse of anxiety that rang through your body like a church bell took over all thought and movement in your body.
  992. 992.
    >Then, reality comes crashing back like a tidal wave.
  993. 993.
    >Feelings of guilt, loathing, shame, regret, fear, panic, and words you'd need a book from the library to actually know how to spell fill you quickly.
  994. 994.
    >Around that time was when Twist was overcome by curiosity at your stillness, and she saw it as well.
  995. 995.
    >A soft gasp followed by a clasp of her hands, and then a mile a minute of words hitting your ears.
  996. 996.
    >That last load of data for your brain to process was too much.
  997. 997.
    >That was when you found yourself scrambling to crawl away from Anon.
  998. 998.
    >The next minute after was dedicated to the long process of throwing everything in your stomach out of your stomach.
  999. 999.
    >It hurts.
  1000. 1000.
    >The overwhelming feeling in your body leaves no room for anything else, and so every last bit of candy, beer, snack food and water comes out.
  1001. 1001.
    >The pain of the pressure is only beaten by the acidic tickle and taste of the vomit.
  1002. 1002.
    >Your whole world is crashing down it feels like, with no way out.
  1003. 1003.
     
  1004. 1004.
     
  1005. 1005.
     
  1006. 1006.
    -------
  1007. 1007.
    Chapter 2: Gaslight Girl
  1008. 1008.
    -------
  1009. 1009.
    >Staring from behind the treeline, you've been watching this whole event unfold since the first beer.
  1010. 1010.
    >Nowhere but the background as usual for you, Wallflower Blush.
  1011. 1011.
    >That's where you generally belong.
  1012. 1012.
    >Not anything but a bit player, a prop for people to ignore.
  1013. 1013.
    >But something feels different this time.
  1014. 1014.
    >You've seen those girls a lot, and you remember their names as well.
  1015. 1015.
    >Scootaloo and Twist.
  1016. 1016.
    >Those girls have been in the same spot as you before: unnoticed, unseen, unimportant.
  1017. 1017.
    >Unloved.
  1018. 1018.
    >Scootaloo tries her best to escape, but you have seen her in the friend group.
  1019. 1019.
    >If Twist weren't around, she'd be the weakest link.
  1020. 1020.
    >And now here they were, both panicked out of their mind.
  1021. 1021.
    >You were kind of hoping to maybe just sneak in there and help out, but that seemed a lot less likely now.
  1022. 1022.
    >It had been a while since that fall, and Anon hadn't woke up yet.
  1023. 1023.
    >That's a traumatic brain injury.
  1024. 1024.
    >A required trip to the emergency room by this point usually, but...well...you're Wallflower Blush.
  1025. 1025.
    >You're a background prop, but you're at least a useful one.
  1026. 1026.
    >While you don't really feel like helping one of Sunset Shimmer's friends generally, you don't mind this time.
  1027. 1027.
    >Why?
  1028. 1028.
    >Anon might be Sunset’s friend, but he actually remembered your name when he accidentally knocked you over in the library a couple months ago.
  1029. 1029.
    >He even apologized.
  1030. 1030.
    >That's the most genuine interaction you've had with someone for ages.
  1031. 1031.
    >So, it was fine to help out the one person who was borderline nice to you and the girls who shared in your background character pain.
  1032. 1032.
    >That's why you approached these girls with a more confident stride than you think you ever have in your life.
  1033. 1033.
    >And how you made the two of them scream loud enough to bust your eardrums when you popped out.
  1034. 1034.
     
  1035. 1035.
    >>42291707
  1036. 1036.
    >Okay, maybe that wasn't the best introduction for your would-be act of main character status.
  1037. 1037.
    >But you can't blame them exactly.
  1038. 1038.
    >That's why you grit your teeth and keep walking, before putting a hand on their mouths.
  1039. 1039.
    “Ow, please don't do that. I'm not a forest weirdo. I'm here to help.”
  1040. 1040.
    >The two girls look at you with confusion when you say you're there to help.
  1041. 1041.
    >But you are there to help, genuinely.
  1042. 1042.
    >You take your hand off of Scootaloo first and...ew...you shake your hand before you look back to her.
  1043. 1043.
    “I know you're probably having a hundred questions in mind right now, but save that for later. I need you to two to do something first, okay?”
  1044. 1044.
    >Scootaloo, ever the follower, nodded vigorously.
  1045. 1045.
    >Twist, the still confused girl, takes your hand off her mouth with her own.
  1046. 1046.
    >”What do you mean-”
  1047. 1047.
    “Ah. No. Just- Follow my lead. Okay?”
  1048. 1048.
    >While this...excessively busty soon-to-be-freshman is wary of you, she seems to accept you're there to help.
  1049. 1049.
    >Probably because they're both desperate.
  1050. 1050.
    >Lucky for them, you’ve just the fix for this somewhere with the other things in your travel bag.
  1051. 1051.
    >You've thought a lot about the potential for the bad things you could do with it if you were so inclined.
  1052. 1052.
    >Never let it be said you're a good person.
  1053. 1053.
    >Good people don't really think that way, and good people also don't go to parties like this to mooch cheap beer.
  1054. 1054.
    >From your pack you take with you every time you go to the woods, you produce the magic rock you found.
  1055. 1055.
    >Looking at it, you think about how often you’ve selfishly used it and figured most of the powers out.
  1056. 1056.
    >Sure, the main thing it does is break and erase memory, but that's not to say it doesn't have lucky side effects.
  1057. 1057.
    >You don't understand it exactly, because this thing is magic nonsense.
  1058. 1058.
    >Still, enough trial and error got you to somewhat understand how it worked.
  1059. 1059.
    >It made the brain malleable, took out memory, and still left it intact afterward.
  1060. 1060.
    >With your usual fails, you've had to use it on a lot of people.
  1061. 1061.
    >Even the elderly with bad memory.
  1062. 1062.
    >But, oddly enough, their memory seemed to get better afterward.
  1063. 1063.
    >Which made you have to use the stone more often, too.
  1064. 1064.
    >Whoever made this thing probably didn't realize it could be used to help to fix up a brain like that.
  1065. 1065.
    >You're pretty sure the same thing can help with a...well this is probably a dire concussion at this point.
  1066. 1066.
    >”Uh, you're not gonna hit him with that, are you?”
  1067. 1067.
    >Huh?
  1068. 1068.
    >Oh hell, you took so long thinking you forgot you were in front of people.
  1069. 1069.
    >Not used to that.
  1070. 1070.
    “No, no, just...Twist, get a beer.”
  1071. 1071.
    >”You're gonna drink right now?”
  1072. 1072.
    “Just do it.”
  1073. 1073.
    >She shrugs and goes to rummage her bag for one of the cans she squirreled away.
  1074. 1074.
    “Scootaloo?”
  1075. 1075.
    >The star of the trainwreck here looks to you, with unsure eyes.
  1076. 1076.
    “Clean Anon up so we can move him after. He's probably gonna wake up quick once I finish.”
  1077. 1077.
    >”Wait, really?”
  1078. 1078.
    “Yeah, probably, so work quick.”
  1079. 1079.
     
  1080. 1080.
    >>42291714
  1081. 1081.
    >Scootaloo is actually really capable of listening when it matters.
  1082. 1082.
    >In the middle of supervising clean up, you find a beer put unceremoniously in your hand.
  1083. 1083.
    >”Okay, we got the beer. Now what?”
  1084. 1084.
    “Now, we gaslight.”
  1085. 1085.
    >”What-light?”
  1086. 1086.
    “Don't worry about it.”
  1087. 1087.
    >You pop the tab and put your lips to the can.
  1088. 1088.
    >Once you've had your fill, you grab Twist's hand and pour a bit onto her palm.
  1089. 1089.
    “Since that's your cleanest hand, get the taste of beer on his tongue and in his mouth.”
  1090. 1090.
    >”What the- why didn't you do it?!”
  1091. 1091.
    “...One hand is full, the other has girl vomit on it.”
  1092. 1092.
    >”Can't you put the rock in-”
  1093. 1093.
    “I am not getting vomit on the rock.”
  1094. 1094.
    >”Okay, okay. Kinda thurly, you know.”
  1095. 1095.
    >Giving a sigh, you pull back Scootaloo who just managed to get Anon's now cleaned dick back in his pants.
  1096. 1096.
    >The two of you watched as Twist worked, her fingers tasting hopefully more of beer than Scootaloo.
  1097. 1097.
    >Scootaloo does not seem to like where things are going, but you're here to fix things not make them perfect.
  1098. 1098.
    >”Okay, done. Now what?”
  1099. 1099.
    “Get over here, Twist.”
  1100. 1100.
    >”How do you know my-”
  1101. 1101.
    “Save the questions for later, puh-lease.”
  1102. 1102.
    >She pouts, but does as she's told and gets in close with you and Scootaloo.
  1103. 1103.
    “Alright. Now, I know you're probably not gonna want to hear this, but we...we gotta lie to Anon.”
  1104. 1104.
    >”What? Lie how?”
  1105. 1105.
    “Not you too, Scootaloo. Just- just roll with it, okay?”
  1106. 1106.
    >”But-”
  1107. 1107.
    “Look, I can help but we have to do this my way. We're gonna blame...party favors. Say someone snuck it in something, everyone got a bit loopy. And that's how Scootaloo got her...cherry popped by Anon.”
  1108. 1108.
    >Both of them look at you, confused and a little guilty at this prospect.
  1109. 1109.
    “I swear, he's not gonna remember hitting his head. He's not gonna remember probably half the things at the party after he gets up. But he has a head wound and there's only so much I can work with. And I need you two to commit to this.”
  1110. 1110.
    >”But-”
  1111. 1111.
    >You put a finger to Scootaloo's lips.
  1112. 1112.
    “I need you two to commit. Or else nothing I do matters once I get him up. I can only do so much.”
  1113. 1113.
    >”...what are you going to do?”
  1114. 1114.
    >Twist is really trying your patience with the questions.
  1115. 1115.
    >But you are explaining the plan, so you let this one slide.
  1116. 1116.
    “I'm going to convince him the party went wrong, these things often do, and we all just got caught up in it. Then we drive out of here and figure the rest out from there.”
  1117. 1117.
    >”And you promise Anon will be okay?”
  1118. 1118.
    >Scootaloo's eyes look ready to turn into waterfalls at any moment, and so you put a hand on her head.
  1119. 1119.
    “I promise. But I need you two to go along with this. And I also need you to close your eyes and count backwards from 30 or I can't help Anon.”
  1120. 1120.
    >”...okay.”
  1121. 1121.
     
  1122. 1122.
    >>42291719
  1123. 1123.
    >Finally, a unified response that you wanted to hear.
  1124. 1124.
    >Both the younger girls close their eyes and start counting.
  1125. 1125.
    >”30. 29. 28. 27.”
  1126. 1126.
    >With their counting underway, you focus on the stone.
  1127. 1127.
    >That glow, that current, the pulse.
  1128. 1128.
    >It was very familiar to you by now.
  1129. 1129.
    >Like the feel of the wind blowing past you.
  1130. 1130.
    >You are glad no one else is around to see this, because this was a lot more work with how precise you had to handle Anon's memories.
  1131. 1131.
    >And, a bit of Scootaloo and Twist's too.
  1132. 1132.
    >Not that much, just enough to get out of this jam they put themselves in.
  1133. 1133.
    >And their memory of your magic rock.
  1134. 1134.
    >That is priority number one for you, no one needs to know about it.
  1135. 1135.
    >”19. 18. 17. 16.”
  1136. 1136.
    >You look to Anon as the magic keeps working, and you can see the signs of him starting to stir.
  1137. 1137.
    >A smile forms on your lips, it's actually working.
  1138. 1138.
    >That's when you realize, you probably need to pack the rock quick.
  1139. 1139.
    >”8. 6. 7.”
  1140. 1140.
    >Hiding it away quickly you stand up, dust yourself off, and grab the counting girls.
  1141. 1141.
    >They almost made it to one, but you spooked them right out of counting as you wrangled them to look over Anon.
  1142. 1142.
    >”Oh my gosh, he's okay! Twist, she did it, she really did it!”
  1143. 1143.
    >Anon was slowly coming to, and he was probably having a bit of a headache because of it.
  1144. 1144.
    >”Aaaaah, fuck me. What the hell-”
  1145. 1145.
    >Eeyup, there's the stunned look you expected.
  1146. 1146.
    >Scootaloo's almost butt naked, Twist's oversized tits are out, and the one quiet girl he bumped into that one day are standing over him.
  1147. 1147.
    >Anon's bewildered beyond his wildest dreams right now.
  1148. 1148.
    >But hey, that's what the gaslighting is for.
  1149. 1149.
    “Oh goodness, Anon, you're alright!”
  1150. 1150.
    >You kneel down to Anon's level, and blitz him before he can process things.
  1151. 1151.
    “Okay, okay, how many fingers am I holding up? Do you taste blood? Do you need a breath mint?”
  1152. 1152.
    >”Uh, what-”
  1153. 1153.
    >Seeing Anon try to get on his arms as his body fights to regain its composure, you swoop in to grab hold of his torso.
  1154. 1154.
    “Whoa, whoa, gentle! You took a bad spill, and we don't need it getting worse, okay? Girls, quick, grab everything. We have to get out while the night's young.”
  1155. 1155.
    >”Hold on, why-”
  1156. 1156.
    “Anon, where are your car keys? We can come back in the morning for anything that's left behind, but we need to get you somewhere safer for now.”
  1157. 1157.
    >In his 3/4-lucid state, he subconsciously drifts his eyes to his left pocket before looking back to you.
  1158. 1158.
    >A subtle tell, the human body always gives people away.
  1159. 1159.
    >You rummage through his pocket and grab the jingling pile of metal.
  1160. 1160.
    >Then, you see Scootaloo and Twist come back with the assorted things that had been rummaged out of her bag stuffed haphazardly back inside.
  1161. 1161.
    >Including the chest binding that Twist should probably have put back on.
  1162. 1162.
    >”Can someone tell me what's going on?”
  1163. 1163.
    “No time, Anon, we need to get in the car. We can talk when we're out of here. I'll drive, don't worry.”
  1164. 1164.
     
  1165. 1165.
    >>42291783
  1166. 1166.
    >Unable to really find the way to argue due to a combination of pain and confusion, Anon takes after your lead.
  1167. 1167.
    >You and the girls get together, helping Anon to his feet and making a makeshift huddle.
  1168. 1168.
    >Then you move as one.
  1169. 1169.
    >It almost feels unreal, that you can be the one in the driver's seat.
  1170. 1170.
    >Metaphorically, of course, because you aren't at the car yet.
  1171. 1171.
    >That way lies a small excursion through the trees and back to the party.
  1172. 1172.
    >Right now, most people were likely deep in their cups or deep in some heavy petting.
  1173. 1173.
    >This was the perfect time to make your escape.
  1174. 1174.
    >Mostly avoiding people, or just stepping over the passed out ones, you find a rather easy escape.
  1175. 1175.
    >Off in the distance, you catch a glimpse of Trixie using her great and powerful lack of shame to shill her not so good magic tricks.
  1176. 1176.
    >Well, whatever audience she had was less people to walk through and avoid.
  1177. 1177.
    >Even Trixie can have her uses, you guess.
  1178. 1178.
    >By the time you get to the car, you feel you can finally breathe a sigh of relief.
  1179. 1179.
    >Prepared to use the rock and wanting to use the rock are very different, and you are glad to skip that.
  1180. 1180.
    >As glad as you are to toss Anon into the passenger’s seat and sneak your way out of the party proper.
  1181. 1181.
    >Headlights off, moving slow, and of course having got the blanket to cover up the girls before buckling up.
  1182. 1182.
    >Taking in a couple of deep breaths, you finally turn the lights on as you’re far away enough that no one will notice a thing.
  1183. 1183.
    >For once, being unnoticed was a good thing.
  1184. 1184.
    >That’s when you turn around to look at Anon.
  1185. 1185.
    >...He doesn’t look happy.
  1186. 1186.
    >”Wallflower Blush?”
  1187. 1187.
    >He remembers your name, though.
  1188. 1188.
    “Yeah?”
  1189. 1189.
    >”What...what’s going on here?”
  1190. 1190.
    >Stealing a glance back through the rearview, you can see the girls are pretty huddled up under the blanket.
  1191. 1191.
    >Not even having more visible than a pair of guilty-looking eyes and mussed hair in Scootaloo’s case.
  1192. 1192.
    >Well...you did say you were meant to gaslight.
  1193. 1193.
    >May as well start now, right?
  1194. 1194.
    “Uh...how much do you remember, Anon?”
  1195. 1195.
    >He looks at you with...you’re not sure what that looks means.
  1196. 1196.
    >Worry, maybe?
  1197. 1197.
    >”I can’t...I don’t remember more than bits and pieces of today.”
  1198. 1198.
    >Oooooohhhh, you may have took a bit more out of his memory than you meant to.
  1199. 1199.
    >A frown for a mix of reasons appears on your face when you hear that come out of Anon’s mouth.
  1200. 1200.
    >At least it’ll make your lies seem more genuine, you hope.
  1201. 1201.
    “That’s not a- well, it’s better than the worst answer. But, you seriously don’t remember the party?”
  1202. 1202.
    >Fluttering eyes and a wince hit Anon’s face, a combination of missing memories and the now less than severe head trauma he experienced taking a toll on any recall he could make.
  1203. 1203.
    >That feeling alone seems to have shaken him something fierce.
  1204. 1204.
    “Horsefeathers, Anon. We really did need to get you out of there. I don’t know what you got hit with if it turned your memory to swiss cheese like that. Blow to your noggin probably didn’t help either.”
  1205. 1205.
     
  1206. 1206.
    >>42291927
  1207. 1207.
    >”Blow to my noggin?”
  1208. 1208.
    >Anon felt his head and then the clear sting of pain when he touched the wound.
  1209. 1209.
    >You make a sharp gasp and grab his arm.
  1210. 1210.
    “Don’t touch it! You’re gonna open it right back up, you dummy!”
  1211. 1211.
    >That wasn’t a lie, you were really not okay with the idea of Anon bleeding all over the car.
  1212. 1212.
    >And his face.
  1213. 1213.
    >And then also you probably since you were the closest.
  1214. 1214.
    >”Ah, okay! Can you let go of me?”
  1215. 1215.
    >You pull back, and put your hand to the wheel again.
  1216. 1216.
    “S-sorry, I’m just kinda… well, not used to things like this. This is actually my first time driving so late and night, and I probably shouldn’t have said that, forget that please.”
  1217. 1217.
    >Wow, you are actually not as good at this as you thought you could have been.
  1218. 1218.
    >That bravado from earlier was a bit misplaced.
  1219. 1219.
    >”Anon?”
  1220. 1220.
    >Twist speaks up from the back seat, probably a bit uncomfortable with how things are going.
  1221. 1221.
    >Can’t exactly blame her, as you and Anon use the rearview to get your best look at her.
  1222. 1222.
    >”Uh...yeah, Twist?”
  1223. 1223.
    >”Are your mom and dad home?”
  1224. 1224.
    >”My parents?”
  1225. 1225.
    >Oh shit, right, the other part of this: trying to figure out a place to settle down and let the current problems cool off.
  1226. 1226.
    >”Yeah, they’re probably at home waiting for me to get back...from...where are we again?”
  1227. 1227.
    >”whitetail woods.”
  1228. 1228.
    >The quietest voice you’ve heard from Scootaloo in your small time personally talking to her strolls into your ears from the backseat.
  1229. 1229.
    >Anon seems to be trying to piece things together as much as he can with the mess you accidentally made with his memories.
  1230. 1230.
    >”Yeah, right, my parents they’re probably at home. I don’t...I don’t think we should probably go back there.”
  1231. 1231.
    “Mmm, eeyup, that’s probably a bad idea. Parents and parties don’t usually mix. I think my parents would probably be pretty mad if I drove back with so many people who have never been to my house before in the dead of night.”
  1232. 1232.
    >Well, that’s two out of four places to go down.
  1233. 1233.
    “How about you, Scoot-”
  1234. 1234.
    >”NO!”
  1235. 1235.
    >The abruptness of that rejection shocks you a bit, that was the sort of sound that you would make after something went horribly wrong.
  1236. 1236.
    >Scootaloo also looks pretty shook just from the mere mention of going back to her house.
  1237. 1237.
    >”I mean, no, we...can’t.”
  1238. 1238.
    >”Thcootie, are you-”
  1239. 1239.
    >”I-it’s nothing, we’re just...fumigating. Bed bugs. Really bad.”
  1240. 1240.
    “...okay, that’s out. Um, guess you’re up to bat, Twist?”
  1241. 1241.
    >Hail Mary time on the place to go before you start to panic at the situation you stumbled yourself into.
  1242. 1242.
    >”Me? Well, I mean, maybe?”
  1243. 1243.
    >Maybe?
  1244. 1244.
    >”If my key can get in the lock, I think I have a place where we can thtay for a little bit.”
  1245. 1245.
    >Well, a maybe is better than a no at this point.
  1246. 1246.
    >That’s when you feel a hand be sat on your shoulder from your banged up passenger.
  1247. 1247.
     
  1248. 1248.
    >>42291989
  1249. 1249.
    >There's that look from before, again.
  1250. 1250.
    >However, Anon doesn't just blurt out something, he tries to ask you in a whisper.
  1251. 1251.
    >”why the fuck are they naked? might have lost some memory but we both saw way more skin than they were showing earlier today on our way to the car.”
  1252. 1252.
    >That is...well, that's going to be the bigger part of the gaslight, even if you think Anon can buy being the unfortunate victim of something he got from the party that messed him up given his current state.
  1253. 1253.
    “look, that is something i'm willing to explain but you may want to hold off until we get out of the car before we talk about that whole thing.”
  1254. 1254.
    >Now that look he was giving you now, you understood quite well.
  1255. 1255.
    >That's the 'What sort of horrible knowledge are you keeping from me' look that you've seen in movies.
  1256. 1256.
    >”so you kn-”
  1257. 1257.
    “please, anon, you need to understand that while driving i'm unable to do anything at all but focus on the road. we can explain everything to you later but we all probably want to talk with...less crash risk.”
  1258. 1258.
    >Stealing a glance into the mirror, you see the girls back there are probably unable to hear exactly what you're whispering about over the sound of driving, but are aware something's going on.
  1259. 1259.
    >After your peek at the girls, you feel Anon’s hand leave your shoulder and back to his seat.
  1260. 1260.
    >Things become quiet in the car, and the awkward silence builds a feeling of tension in you for a moment.
  1261. 1261.
    >Then you see the main road come back into view, and your thoughts collect properly again.
  1262. 1262.
    “Uh, hey, Twist...about that place?”
  1263. 1263.
    >It takes a moment for her to recognize she’s being talked to now, but she finds her voice quickly.
  1264. 1264.
    >”Oh, yeah. Do you know Thaltlick Thtreet?”
  1265. 1265.
    “Yeah, I walk through there at least once a week.”
  1266. 1266.
    >”Well, drive there, make a left at the third light, and keep going until you reach a cul-de-thac.”
  1267. 1267.
    “It’s that far?”
  1268. 1268.
    >You look to the fuel gauge on Anon’s junker of a car, and you see its got half a tank at the moment.
  1269. 1269.
    >That’s probably enough to make it and then to a pump if Twist can’t get into this mystery place.
  1270. 1270.
    >Looking to Anon, he seems more lost inside thought of his own rather than paying attention to what’s going on out in the rest of the car.
  1271. 1271.
    >Part of you feels kinda bad, since you may have rattled him a lot more than you intended to.
  1272. 1272.
    >But, you did probably spare him a lengthy and likely lifelong battle with brain damage.
  1273. 1273.
    >Eh, it evens probably.
  1274. 1274.
    >Still uncomfortable to see someone shook like that over memory loss, though.
  1275. 1275.
    >That thought kind of sticks with you as you drive through town, slowing down and avoiding being in sight of any cops.
  1276. 1276.
    >Sure, the Canterlot PD were the least hawkish of the cops in the state of Equestria, but something tells you that even if they’re lax…well, looking back in your seat is all you need to avoid them.
  1277. 1277.
    >But, you make it to Saltlick Street and perform the turn.
  1278. 1278.
    >Once you reach the cul-de-sac you see a...big and old house next to a parking lot?
  1279. 1279.
     
  1280. 1280.
    >>42295070
  1281. 1281.
    >”Oh, we’re here. Park and lemme get out for a moment.”
  1282. 1282.
    >Without much else you can do, you pull up and let Twist out of the car with her big bag.
  1283. 1283.
    >As she walks up to the porch, you see an automatic light turn on and illuminate her in a dim yellow.
  1284. 1284.
    >She seems like she’s gonna reach for a key ring or something, until she whips out a hammer.
  1285. 1285.
    >You’re about to shout at her for the possible bacon and eggs, until you see her take the bottom off the hammer and produce a key.
  1286. 1286.
    >She then puts that key in the door, and thankfully the lock gives way and lets her inside.
  1287. 1287.
    >That’s your cue, time to get the heck out of this car and out of the sight of anyone.
  1288. 1288.
    >Sure glad Twist is just a small girl, or you’d be a bit more worried about being led out here.
  1289. 1289.
    >Scootaloo covers herself with the blanket as you watch her get out of her seat, and dash her way out.
  1290. 1290.
    >Well, covering mostly her front as you can pretty clearly still see her ass free to the wind.
  1291. 1291.
    >Hope Twist and her didn’t leave those shorts she had behind, you didn’t actually see the packing.
  1292. 1292.
    >You hang back for a moment, and wait for Anon to get out of the car.
  1293. 1293.
    >He seems stable, his disorientation has seemingly faded after the car ride over here.
  1294. 1294.
    >Walking without your assistance is a good sign, and so you simply follow after him after hitting the lock button on his car fob.
  1295. 1295.
    >Things might work out after all.
  1296. 1296.
     
  1297. 1297.
    >You are Anonymous, and you are not feeling so hot at the moment.
  1298. 1298.
    >Right now, you’re walking into a random house that you’ve been corralled into by Twist, Scootaloo, and somehow Wallflower Blush?
  1299. 1299.
    >The amount of times you’ve talked to this girl can probably be counted on one hand, today included.
  1300. 1300.
    >And before that, you can’t even recall most of the day you had today.
  1301. 1301.
    >The last day of the semester before summer vacation and your very much deserved break from the usual nonsense that seems to follow being at school with your decidedly very feminine friend group.
  1302. 1302.
    >This is not a day you would have just blurred through, especially with one of the things you do remember: being face first in a pair of full moons belonging to the strict sister of the school admin.
  1303. 1303.
    >If what Wallflower is telling you is true, you just got...fuck if you know, something that you don’t even think Fluttershy would take passed off on you at the party.
  1304. 1304.
    >But you can’t even remember that much, just spots and faint echoes of anything after breakfast.
  1305. 1305.
    >There wasn’t even a party in your memory, and yet you clearly were at one.
  1306. 1306.
    >All this is messing with you, hard.
  1307. 1307.
    >Now you’re walking through a door to a place to hopefully treat this injury you ALSO don’t recall.
  1308. 1308.
    >It’s mostly dark inside, save the little bit of light inside.
  1309. 1309.
    >Right until you get blinded by the sudden shift to the LEDs that are lining the place.
  1310. 1310.
    >Damn that’s bright.
  1311. 1311.
     
  1312. 1312.
    >>42295219
  1313. 1313.
    >Once your eyes adjust, you can actually get a look at this place properly.
  1314. 1314.
    >The thing that strikes you most is how much wood paneling is in this place, wow.
  1315. 1315.
    >It’s like someone tore open a rift in time and threw your ass back in the 70s.
  1316. 1316.
    >A lot cleaner than you probably would have expected of the 70s, though...and sweeter smelling?
  1317. 1317.
    >”Thorry about the light, I haven’t been here in a while. But we’re here, and that ith good. Kick off your footwear and have a theat on a beanbag or a couch or whatever. Exthept you, Anon, come here.”
  1318. 1318.
    >The fact that you’re being ordered around by Twist is almost stranger than the fact she’s walking around without a shirt on.
  1319. 1319.
    >Or anything you’d hope for under a shirt.
  1320. 1320.
    >Apparently, Twist got tired of waiting for your mind to catch up to her commands and is grabbing your hand to lead you somewhere further in the house.
  1321. 1321.
    >You barely have time to dodge the more delicate seeming decor in the hallway before you find yourself in a sofa next to a big wicker chest.
  1322. 1322.
    >Can’t really make out what’s inside until Twist pulls out a big box with a cross on it that you can only assume has a variety of assorted first aid components in it.
  1323. 1323.
    >Then, she’s on you.
  1324. 1324.
    >In a very literal sense because she sets the box down and is in the little space that exists on the sofa without your legs on it.
  1325. 1325.
    >A quick look to the first aid kit makes you worry a bit, given how much metal is in there among the other supplies like bottles of various liquids and lots of bandages.
  1326. 1326.
    >Wait, she’s not going to be using a needle on you, right?
  1327. 1327.
    >”Anon, hold thtill and bite thith for me, pleathe.”
  1328. 1328.
    >A piece of wood is put in your mouth before you see her whip out a cotton ball and oh no that-
  1329. 1329.
    “Gggghh!”
  1330. 1330.
    >”Yeah, I knew that would happen. That ith why we have the biting bit for that. Apologieth for the quick thwab with the alcohol, but it endth quicker.”
  1331. 1331.
    >Okay, the pain of the first aid is quickly putting you back to a more normal frame of mind.
  1332. 1332.
    >One where you have the presence of mind to unleash many swears at Twist were it not for the bit.
  1333. 1333.
    >”Good newth for you, no weird color or anything. Jutht gotta clothe it up and hit it with the glue.”
  1334. 1334.
    “Ghuh?”
  1335. 1335.
    >”Yeth, glue. Don’t worry, it ithn’t the kind for a popthicle people project. Ith medical grade, thilly.”
  1336. 1336.
    >Whatever Twist is doing is seemingly fast.
  1337. 1337.
    >You can’t exactly tell because you’re admittedly being crowded in the face by a very much new feature on her that you have not seen before.
  1338. 1338.
    >And you will admit you don’t pay attention to Twist, but you’re sure you haven’t seen those out ever.
  1339. 1339.
    >Now they were about all you could look at.
  1340. 1340.
    >”And for good meathure, we put on a bit of gauthe tho you do not touch it. Done.”
  1341. 1341.
    >Twist steps back and admires her handiwork, looking pleased with herself.
  1342. 1342.
    >Honestly, the alcohol aside, she seemed like she knew what she was doing.
  1343. 1343.
    >Does she have a lot of experience with this?
  1344. 1344.
     
  1345. 1345.
    >>42295226
  1346. 1346.
    >”Oh, yeah, I’ll take that bit back now.”
  1347. 1347.
    >And out the hunk of wood goes, and you can talk properly again.
  1348. 1348.
    “Christ Almighty, Twist! On the slim chance there’s a next time you gotta do that, warn me about the alcohol first!”
  1349. 1349.
    >”Oh, don’t be thuch a baby. Pain meanth ith working. Anyway, we thould get back to the other two now tho they can thee you’re okay.”
  1350. 1350.
    “Feel a lot less like that’s the reason and more you wanting to show off the job you did.”
  1351. 1351.
    >”It can be both, Anon.”
  1352. 1352.
    >Huh?
  1353. 1353.
    >Did that response just come out of Twist’s mouth?
  1354. 1354.
    >You feel like you might have missed a thing or two, where’d this person come from and what did she do to the unassuming pedestrian accident magnet that goes to your school?
  1355. 1355.
    >And there she goes grabbing your hand again, pulling you out of your seat and leading you back to the main room you entered.
  1356. 1356.
    >At least you know what to dodge on the return trip.
  1357. 1357.
    >*Thunk*
  1358. 1358.
    >Okay, mostly know what to dodge.
  1359. 1359.
    >When you get back to the room, you see that Scootaloo and Wallflower both followed Twist’s advice.
  1360. 1360.
    >Scootaloo is still wrapped in a blanket that you can obviously tell belongs to Twist with the peppermint pattern on it, sitting on a beanbag and staring directly at the both of you.
  1361. 1361.
    >Wallflower seems to be resting her eyes and just taking a load off on the couch.
  1362. 1362.
    >”Hey, Anon theemth to be alright. Pluth I patched him up well enough until he can get a real doctor to look him over.”
  1363. 1363.
    >Wallflower opens her eyes and directs her attention to the two of you.
  1364. 1364.
    >”Oh, cool. You did that all by yourself?”
  1365. 1365.
    >”Yup!”
  1366. 1366.
    >Well, at least Wallflower is on the same page with you as that being weird.
  1367. 1367.
    >Speaking of same pages…
  1368. 1368.
    “Hey, Wallflower, I-”
  1369. 1369.
    >”Ah, hold that thought, Anon.”
  1370. 1370.
    >Suddenly, Twist grabs onto your shirt, looking it over.
  1371. 1371.
    >”Yeah, I kinda thought that wath the cathe. We thould get the retht of your blood cleaned up from what we had on earlier. Anon, gimme your top tho I can wath everything together.”
  1372. 1372.
    >You look at Twist, who seems expectant that you’ll give her your shirt.
  1373. 1373.
    >Kinda don’t wanna give it to her, but you can see there is actually a decent bit of blood on it.
  1374. 1374.
    >Your blood.
  1375. 1375.
    >Well, you may as well give it to her if she’s offering to let you avoid cleaning it yourself.
  1376. 1376.
    “Sure, knock yourself out I guess.”
  1377. 1377.
    >With a quick motion you’ve done a million times by now, you get out of your shirt and give it to Twist.
  1378. 1378.
    >She happily shuffles herself along the carpet and to her bag, with you presume the shirt she was missing before.
  1379. 1379.
    >And Scootaloo’s shirt.
  1380. 1380.
    >And her shorts?
  1381. 1381.
    >Okay, yeah, that’s definitely Scootaloo’s shorts if your memory of her bare ass serves.
  1382. 1382.
    >Oh, now she’s fighting with Scootaloo over the blanket.
  1383. 1383.
    >”Hey, wait!”
  1384. 1384.
    >”Thcootie, jutht gimme it and I’ll get you a new one from the hall clothet!”
  1385. 1385.
    >With a bit more force than she probably meant to put in, Twist pulls back and falls on her ass.
  1386. 1386.
    >Given that you can now see the rest of Scootaloo, you can say she won that tug of war.
  1387. 1387.
     
  1388. 1388.
    >>42295335
  1389. 1389.
    >Scootaloo covers herself quickly with her arms and legs, as Twist scurries off to who knows where in here.
  1390. 1390.
    >Both you and Wallflower share a concerned look as you see her move along.
  1391. 1391.
    >”Well, seems being somewhere familiar got her feeling less tense than the ride here.”
  1392. 1392.
    >Wallflower offers you a shrug and a bit of a forced smile.
  1393. 1393.
    >You simply sigh and walk your way over to the side of the room the girls are on.
  1394. 1394.
    >There’s a free beanbag you can fall on, so you do just that as your body wants to have at least a moment to relax.
  1395. 1395.
    >You’re half tempted to also take off your shoes but you don’t feel like you should get that relaxed.
  1396. 1396.
    >Turning your head slightly, you can get a good look at both the girls in here with you.
  1397. 1397.
    >One is a lot more dressed than the other, though.
  1398. 1398.
    >A lot less red in the face as well.
  1399. 1399.
    >”So...you feeling better, Anon?”
  1400. 1400.
    >Wallflower’s forced smile fades to the more built in...frown you’ll say that you recall from the few times you’ve met her before.
  1401. 1401.
    “I don’t know if I’d say better. Not worse, at least.”
  1402. 1402.
    >”Well, that’s something.”
  1403. 1403.
    “Yeah. Something.”
  1404. 1404.
    >You find yourself absently rubbing the gauze patch that Twist put on your head, and then set your arm back down.
  1405. 1405.
    “So, while Twist is generously cleaning up the blood that came out of my head, could someone please explain the very much unknown to me events of tonight? Especially that part about my injury?”
  1406. 1406.
    >Wallflower looks a lot more uncomfortable suddenly, though given what you have seen of her before that’s probably normal and expected given the current situation.
  1407. 1407.
    >Then, she looks over to Scootaloo for some reason before going back to you.
  1408. 1408.
    >”I did say we would explain everything. Well, the parts we were there for, at least. I didn’t come with you guys to the party after all.”
  1409. 1409.
    >Okay, that’s one piece of information.
  1410. 1410.
    “So, who the hell did I go with?”
  1411. 1411.
    >For once, through her roiling embarrassment, Scootaloo pipes up as she bashfully looks your way.
  1412. 1412.
    >”U-um...I drove there with you.”
  1413. 1413.
    “Oh. Why?”
  1414. 1414.
    >”Because, uh, Sunset got you to take me there?”
  1415. 1415.
    >You sit there blankly for a moment before you sigh again.
  1416. 1416.
    >Immediately after, you make a mental note to talk to Sunset about the before of this incident.
  1417. 1417.
    “Twist is?”
  1418. 1418.
    >”...I think she said she came with Trixie.”
  1419. 1419.
    >Under the current circumstances, Scootaloo is answering questions better than you thought she would.
  1420. 1420.
    >Your eyes catch Wallflower switching up her position on the couch, before she takes off her sweater and tosses it to Scootaloo.
  1421. 1421.
    >She wastes no time in putting it on.
  1422. 1422.
    >”Sorry for interrupting question time, but I think she needed it.”
  1423. 1423.
    >There’s another question.
  1424. 1424.
    “Yeah, about that, why-”
  1425. 1425.
    >”Oh. Uh…I can answer that, but…”
  1426. 1426.
    >Wallflower looks to Scootaloo for a moment, and then back to you.
  1427. 1427.
    >”Are you sure you really want the answer?”
  1428. 1428.
     
  1429. 1429.
    >>42295438
  1430. 1430.
    >Her hesitancy to tell you only makes the dread within you grow.
  1431. 1431.
    >Part of you feels a genuine fear of revealing the unknown, but it...it just can't be that bad to learn.
  1432. 1432.
    >That's why you decide to hold onto your backbone and demand the answer.
  1433. 1433.
    "Just tell me."
  1434. 1434.
    >"Alright, if you insist. I guess there's no use beating around the bush anymore. Well, like I said-"
  1435. 1435.
    >She pauses her sentence to stick out a finger to you, and then one to Scootaloo on her other hand.
  1436. 1436.
    >"-I wasn't there at the beginning, but I did see the end. And, unless my memory failed me, I got a pretty good show of two people who had a...good time."
  1437. 1437.
    "Good...time."
  1438. 1438.
    >Those words don't fill you with confidence.
  1439. 1439.
    >"Yeah. A good time."
  1440. 1440.
    >"W-wait, Wallflower-"
  1441. 1441.
    >Scootaloo tries to interject, with her face still growing more scarlet by the second.
  1442. 1442.
    >"Hey, don't worry, I can tell this part for you. So, Anon?"
  1443. 1443.
    >She brings her hands together, and changes their shape.
  1444. 1444.
    >One hand to a very clear circle, and the other into a fist.
  1445. 1445.
    >Then, she pushes them together.
  1446. 1446.
    >Scootaloo's demeanor changes even further, her arms clutching her knees together and then burying her face into them.
  1447. 1447.
    >As Scootaloo is trying to make herself as small as possible, you see Wallflower slowly opening her hand circle.
  1448. 1448.
    >All the way until her hand's sliding over that fist.
  1449. 1449.
    >And, it seems a small bit of blush appears on Wallflower's cheeks as well.
  1450. 1450.
    >"You get it?"
  1451. 1451.
    >That question almost feels redundant.
  1452. 1452.
    >You'd have to be an idiot to not get what she just mimed out.
  1453. 1453.
    >Though your brain says you'd be a bigger idiot if you just believed her, because there's just no way in hell.
  1454. 1454.
    >You, with Scootaloo, in the woods and not literally anyone else?
  1455. 1455.
    >Not even Fluttershy, who you're 80% sure was at that party if even half the shit Wallflower said so far was true.
  1456. 1456.
    >"I can tell you're not wanting to believe it, Anon. I see that look on your face. But, I can tell you the truth here: you have a dick that was not meant for Freshmen. Pretty sure Scootaloo learned that the hardest way."
  1457. 1457.
    >"Oh my God, Wallflower, stooooop..."
  1458. 1458.
    >Scootaloo is begging Wallflower to stop.
  1459. 1459.
    >She isn't trying to play it off as a prank that Wallflower's pulling, she isn't denying what she's saying, and she's begging her to not keep going.
  1460. 1460.
    >And this isn't her acting, you've seen Applebloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo try their hand at that before.
  1461. 1461.
    >None of them were getting on Broadway anytime soon
  1462. 1462.
    >This...oh fuck, this is real.
  1463. 1463.
    >A deep knot forms in your gut.
  1464. 1464.
    >"You had one hand on your beer can, and one hand on those hips. Probably needed it, I could tell it was a tight fit."
  1465. 1465.
    >Scootaloo's muttering something under her breath you can't make out behind those other noises she's making in her little ball of shame.
  1466. 1466.
    >"Honestly, that beer's probably how this all happened. You got spiked and let loose. Pretty sure a lot of people did."
  1467. 1467.
    >As you process her filling in the gaps of your memory, you realize there is a lingering taste of beer in your mouth.
  1468. 1468.
    "...Fuuuuuuuck"
  1469. 1469.
     
  1470. 1470.
    >>42302435
  1471. 1471.
    >You don't want to believe her, but everything she's saying now only seems more and more plausible.
  1472. 1472.
    >"And Twist...well, you didn't get in her, and that's why she's not bottomless like Scootaloo. But she did want to take off your pants.
  1473. 1473.
    >Wait, you were getting into it with Twist at the same time?!
  1474. 1474.
    >"I mean, I saw her working at your zipper with my own two eyes. You weren't exactly resisting either."
  1475. 1475.
    >Given what you've seen of Twist ever since you got in here, you don't think you would write off her doing that.
  1476. 1476.
    >That uncomfortable feeling in your core grows stronger as you start to realize the ramifications of all this.
  1477. 1477.
    >You...face it, you probably did all this.
  1478. 1478.
    >With two girls who hadn't even made it properly INTO high school yet.
  1479. 1479.
    >And there's a long list of troubling lines of thoughts joining together.
  1480. 1480.
    >Sunset got you to take Scootaloo there to the party, she knows you went there because she orchestrated the trip.
  1481. 1481.
    >Scootaloo and Twist...you did things with them.
  1482. 1482.
    >And the most troubling thing of all, you're staring at Wallflower Blush.
  1483. 1483.
    >Wallflower Blush, the girl who you barely know, saw everything.
  1484. 1484.
    >This is...this is too many people to even think about denying you were at the party on its own.
  1485. 1485.
    >Who knows who else saw you at the party.
  1486. 1486.
    >Even if most of them were given the same thing you got, at least a handful of them probably will remember tonight.
  1487. 1487.
    >You couldn't sweep this under the rug if you tried.
  1488. 1488.
    >No matter which way you thought about it, you felt absolutely stuck.
  1489. 1489.
    >Part of you wants to join Scootaloo in curling up into a ball.
  1490. 1490.
    >Wait, Scootaloo...
  1491. 1491.
    >Looking over to her, you think about the facts that Wallflower has given you.
  1492. 1492.
    >Your dick went inside of Scootaloo, and you have the vivid mental image of a cherry meeting a train going over 200 miles an hour.
  1493. 1493.
    >That girl got deflowered, by you, and you were now going to have to deal with the consequences of that.
  1494. 1494.
    >How the hell are you going to handle this?
  1495. 1495.
    >In the middle of your internal breakdown, you hear Wallflower Blush make a very loud throat clearing.
  1496. 1496.
    >"Uh, sorry to ditch in the middle of this right now but I kinda had a few drinks at the party. I'm gonna go find Twist and hopefully a working bathroom after, be right back."
  1497. 1497.
    >You desperately want to beg her not to leave you with Scootaloo alone, but you are far too late to do so by the time her feet touch the ground.
  1498. 1498.
    >She moves a lot faster than you expected, though she's probably pretty motivated to scoot.
  1499. 1499.
    >And her choice has now left you with Scoots.
  1500. 1500.
    >Who seemed just as panicked that she left you two together.
  1501. 1501.
    >Both of you were staring at each other now.
  1502. 1502.
    >And you could see she was scrambling to think of something, anything to say.
  1503. 1503.
    >Though, frazzled as you were, you found a desire to try to take hold of something at the moment.
  1504. 1504.
    >Any minute amount of control you could gain back over this situation.
  1505. 1505.
    >So, you broke this very awkward ice between you two.
  1506. 1506.
    "Uh, heeeeey, Scootaloo..."
  1507. 1507.
    >You were not breaking this ice very well.
  1508. 1508.
     
  1509. 1509.
    >>42302575
  1510. 1510.
    >"...heeeey."
  1511. 1511.
    >She was also not good at breaking this ice.
  1512. 1512.
    >You'd say this made you relieved but it just reinforced that you're dealing with someone who's definitely also not ready for this conversation.
  1513. 1513.
    >Though, it seemed she really was willing to try her best here.
  1514. 1514.
    >"Um. Anon, are you...really okay?"
  1515. 1515.
    >You almost shoot back a no, but hold onto that response before it can leave your mouth.
  1516. 1516.
    >If you're going to be in an awkward back and forth, you can at least try to choose your words better.
  1517. 1517.
    "Well, my head feels better. Still kinda hurts, but it's manageable."
  1518. 1518.
    >Hearing you say that softened up her expression a bit.
  1519. 1519.
    >Given what had happened, which you still didn't have an answer for exactly, you can see plainly she's glad you're alright.
  1520. 1520.
    >"That's good. I was worried. We both were...me and Twist."
  1521. 1521.
    >Oh yes, Twist, the second bread slice for this shit sandwich you were in.
  1522. 1522.
    >"...She kinda helped before Wallflower got involved. She stopped your bleeding. I...I didn't really help much."
  1523. 1523.
    >Scootaloo was fidgeting hard in her beanbag, trying to find a more comfortable position as she tried to stumble her way through talking with you.
  1524. 1524.
    >As she wrestled with getting comfortable, you figured that you should make some effort to return the favor to be concerned over Scootaloo.
  1525. 1525.
    "So, are you okay?"
  1526. 1526.
    >Her attention seems to lapse for a moment as she processes you trying to ask her a question.
  1527. 1527.
    >Then she seems to lose that awkward expression with something a bit more akin to shock.
  1528. 1528.
    >And a bit of guilt.
  1529. 1529.
    >"Uh, yeah, I'm...okay."
  1530. 1530.
    >She takes one of her hands and grabs onto one of her wild hair tufts, rolling it between her fingers.
  1531. 1531.
    >Then, she asks something you weren't exactly expecting.
  1532. 1532.
    >"Are...are you gonna tell Rainbow Dash about tonight?"
  1533. 1533.
    >What.
  1534. 1534.
    >Oh.
  1535. 1535.
    >Ooooooooooooooh.
  1536. 1536.
    >Things click in your head slowly, as you realize there's a connection here you failed to make.
  1537. 1537.
    >Scootaloo is Rainbow Dash's shadow, like the little sister and stalker she never had.
  1538. 1538.
    >And not everyone knows you broke up, or rather got broken up with by her and the earlier you didn't tell her that apparently.
  1539. 1539.
    >Part of this thing she's going through right now is the thought that she just played homewrecker with the boyfriend of her idol.
  1540. 1540.
    >The drugged version of you has put the weight of thinking something awful on her mind.
  1541. 1541.
    >"I know that you love her, and you probably have to tell her. And then she...she's probably going to be really mad at you, and then really mad at me. Sunset's probably going to be mad too, when Rainbow Dash tells her I made such a mess after Sunset was nice enough to have you take me to the party."
  1542. 1542.
    >A quiver starts to show up in her voice, as you watch Scootaloo's mood take a dive.
  1543. 1543.
    >"Good job, Scootaloo! You did awful tonight!"
  1544. 1544.
    >Her breathing begins to turn ragged, and then you see them: the forming tears welling up in her eyes
  1545. 1545.
    >What happened tonight has seemingly caught up fully in her mind, as she's ready to turn to bawling after berating herself.
  1546. 1546.
    >"Anon, I...I'm sorry."
  1547. 1547.
     
  1548. 1548.
    >>42302647
  1549. 1549.
    >Those tears quickly started falling from her eyes after that apology.
  1550. 1550.
    >You quickly find out that Scootaloo is an ugly-cry sort of girl.
  1551. 1551.
    >Her sobbing begins to weigh on you heavily, like a millstone around your neck.
  1552. 1552.
    >Fucking hell, Anon, what the hell did you do?
  1553. 1553.
    >A side of you wants to deny your part in this, but you know better.
  1554. 1554.
    >You're way older than her, she loves Rainbow Dash and her thoughts about you two had that rub off a chunk of that affection towards you, so of course she would have accepted.
  1555. 1555.
    >Zonked or not, if Sunset convinced you to play chaperone like you're putting together then ultimately the night going wrong is still your fault.
  1556. 1556.
    >Especially now.
  1557. 1557.
    >That's how the primal instinct part of your brain takes over.
  1558. 1558.
    >In front of you, is a crying girl, who has no one to console her after feeling the weight of something YOU put her through.
  1559. 1559.
    >Whatever misgivings or annoyances with Scootaloo in the past you had fall away, as you shoot up from your seat and make your way to her.
  1560. 1560.
    >Kneeling down, you put yourself on her level as you begin to comfort her.
  1561. 1561.
    "Hey, hey, Scootaloo. Don't put this on yourself, you...you didn't make a mess of things, okay?"
  1562. 1562.
    >"N-no! I did! I caused this whole mess, I did!"
  1563. 1563.
    >There's a deep expression of grief and guilt stamped on her face, one you can see all too close for your liking.
  1564. 1564.
    >Every tear, every sniffle, every shallow inhale tugs harder on your heart.
  1565. 1565.
    >Words start to come out without you considering them.
  1566. 1566.
    >"Look, look, we just- we don't have to tell Rainbow Dash, or Sunset, or anyone else anything about what happened. You don't need to worry, o-okay?"
  1567. 1567.
    >The weeping she's doing seems to subside, if only a little bit.
  1568. 1568.
    >"B-but she-"
  1569. 1569.
    "Shhhh, no no, don't...don't worry."
  1570. 1570.
    >Before you know it, you're holding her in your arms.
  1571. 1571.
    >Holding her close to your chest, and gently stroking the back of her head.
  1572. 1572.
    >She winces a moment, but then the deluge of tears and choked up wailing begins to subside.
  1573. 1573.
    >Scootaloo, feeling you embrace her, begins to calm down in short order.
  1574. 1574.
    >Then you realize that slowly after she starts calming down her arms snake over your body.
  1575. 1575.
    >As her crying wanes, her grip on you begins to tighten as she hugs you back.
  1576. 1576.
    >In Scootaloo's mind, you're sure that nothing exists in this moment but the two of you holding each other.
  1577. 1577.
    >Her breathing steadies and her tears dry on your chest with the few that streamed down it absorbed into her borrowed sweater.
  1578. 1578.
    >It brings a sense of relief to you that you've seldom felt before.
  1579. 1579.
    >"Hey, ith everything okay in here?"
  1580. 1580.
    >The shared moment between you and Scootaloo is broken suddenly, with the return of Twist.
  1581. 1581.
    >Who is watching you hug a Scootaloo who just got through bawling her damn soul out.
  1582. 1582.
    >"Anon, did you make Thcootie cry?"
  1583. 1583.
    "Wuh-no, I just-"
  1584. 1584.
    >She heaves out a sigh, as she puts her arms below her ample chest.
  1585. 1585.
    >"Well, we can't have that."
  1586. 1586.
    >Twist shuffles along the carpet, until she meets the two of you and joins your hug.
  1587. 1587.
    >"Don't worry, Thcootie, it'll all be fine."
  1588. 1588.
     
  1589. 1589.
    >>42302725
  1590. 1590.
    >The little remaining space of your hug is quite thoroughly filled with the presence of Twist.
  1591. 1591.
    >You know she and Scootaloo are friends, you've seen Twist hanging out with her, Applebloom, and Sweetie Belle before.
  1592. 1592.
    >Although, you don't think the three of them are as close with Twist in general given how often she seems to be missing.
  1593. 1593.
    >Even with her fourth wheel status, Twist still wants to bury Scootaloo in love while she's down.
  1594. 1594.
    >Though, she's also buried in a lot more than love as well.
  1595. 1595.
    >Can't say she's complaining, though.
  1596. 1596.
    >She seems to be be completely calm now, set between the two bare-chested people keeping her hugged tightly.
  1597. 1597.
    >Given her usual trio ensemble, you think that a pair of people is probably the optimal amount of hug for her.
  1598. 1598.
    >You're content to stay in this little group hug for a while, until a long yawn comes out of Twist's mouth.
  1599. 1599.
    >And then infects Scootaloo with is contagious nature.
  1600. 1600.
    >Oh hell, it's coming for you as well.
  1601. 1601.
    >You let out a long yawn of your own, a sudden pang of exhaustion washing over you.
  1602. 1602.
    >"Goodneth graciouth, gueth we're all a little tuckered out after everything, huh?"
  1603. 1603.
    >You hear Twist let out an oddly cute giggle.
  1604. 1604.
    >"Why don't we all jutht have a little thleepover tonight, and then we can have brunch here in the morning?"
  1605. 1605.
    >Brunch?
  1606. 1606.
    "Don't you mean breakfast?"
  1607. 1607.
    >"Do you really expect anyone to get up early after tonight?"
  1608. 1608.
    "...Alright, point taken."
  1609. 1609.
    >"W-wait, we can have a sleepover here? But this isn't your house, right?"
  1610. 1610.
    >Scootaloo pipes up with her own question, her mind finally settled enough from her earlier emotional overwhelming.
  1611. 1611.
    >"Thcootie, it'll be fiiiine. I can come over here any time I need to, and I'm thure my uncle will underthtand if I explain."
  1612. 1612.
    >Twist raises a finger to her cheek and gives a wink you're sure she's probably practiced dozens of times before.
  1613. 1613.
    >"I'm hith little peppermint printheth, and he promithed I'm one of the two girlth who can hunker down in the getaway home if I need to."
  1614. 1614.
    >Peppermint princess?
  1615. 1615.
    >"Oh...well, what about Wallflower?"
  1616. 1616.
    "Ah crap, yeah, she is here with us."
  1617. 1617.
    >"I'm thure a little after-party here won't kill her. Bethide, you're kinda her only ride outta here, Anon. Pretty thure a walk home tho late won't beat a toathty bed."
  1618. 1618.
    >Slightly concerning logic there from Twist aside, she's pretty right.
  1619. 1619.
    >Plus, you really have no interest in moving at this point and future brunch sounds kinda tempting.
  1620. 1620.
    "Ugh, fuck it, sleepover time."
  1621. 1621.
    >"Hurray!"
  1622. 1622.
    >"Uh...hurray?"
  1623. 1623.
    >After your declaration to surrender to Twist's whims, you find yourself and Scootaloo quickly abandoned as Twist rambles something about the guest room needing to be ready for everyone.
  1624. 1624.
    >Maybe it's all the sugar she eats that gives her the speed to zip around like that, ping-ponging from closet to closet you hear opening in the distance.
  1625. 1625.
    >And a pair of shouts followed by a couple of thuds that you assume to be Wallflower and Twist colliding into each other.
  1626. 1626.
    >Here's hoping for some actual sleep tonight...
  1627. 1627.
     
  1628. 1628.
    >>42308561
  1629. 1629.
    >You are Wallflower Blush, and you have had your evening take a turn you never expected.
  1630. 1630.
    >Somehow in the short time you left everyone alone to freshen up, a unanimous decision was made for something called the 'after-party sleepover brunch special'.
  1631. 1631.
    >You weren't consulted, you weren't given much of an option, and then you were swiftly shanghai'd into the girl sandwich that you now reside in.
  1632. 1632.
    >Oh yeah, you're the meat in the middle of this metaphor despite your name making you think should be the lettuce if anything.
  1633. 1633.
    >But there's no fourth girl and so you think it'd break down if you followed that train of thought off the station.
  1634. 1634.
    >Well, there could have been a boy in the mix if Anon had decided to actually sleep in the bed with you girls.
  1635. 1635.
    >Though, he seemed really insistent about sleeping on the couch in the main room to 'protect the house from any possible intruders'.
  1636. 1636.
    >Which, you know, fair thing to do since the cops would take a bit to get out here if anything happened.
  1637. 1637.
    >But this is also CANTERLOT which means that nothing ever happens here and that he probably didn't wanna just get snuggled into by three girls.
  1638. 1638.
    >Or, two girls.
  1639. 1639.
    >Twist and Scootaloo were probably who he was concerned with, given you are currently sticking to your gaslight guns and convincing him they would be all over him after the fictional account of party events.
  1640. 1640.
    >Really, you're not sure that would be all that far off of a guess.
  1641. 1641.
    >Scootaloo, after some sorta event you weren't there for that your sweater all covered in various Scoota-fluids, ended up hugging with Anon.
  1642. 1642.
    >And so did Twist, from what she told you as she forced you into room-prep service.
  1643. 1643.
    >You're pretty sure that Twist would have actually tried to devour Anon in the night like a macaroon at a fat girl meetup.
  1644. 1644.
    >So, yeah, those were the two that he was probably worried about sleeping in the same place with.
  1645. 1645.
    >Not so much you.
  1646. 1646.
    >Which, you know, understandable.
  1647. 1647.
    >You're the forgotten girl, in the background.
  1648. 1648.
    >Surely he wouldn't think about you doing anything, not like you would have even.
  1649. 1649.
    >The only sort of experience you've had with that is from watching.
  1650. 1650.
    >And textbooks, you remember health class very well.
  1651. 1651.
    >Only thing on your mind would be sleeping here, with Scootaloo and Twist.
  1652. 1652.
    >Speaking of...this is the first time you think you've ever slept in a bed with someone who wasn't related to you.
  1653. 1653.
    >Also now that you've had time to think of it, this is being called a sleepover, right?
  1654. 1654.
    >Is this...your first sleepover ever?
  1655. 1655.
    >Oh, yeah, it is.
  1656. 1656.
    >You never had anyone to have a sleepover with before.
  1657. 1657.
    >Since, you know...no friends.
  1658. 1658.
    >Briefly, you look to your sides at the girls seeming soundly fast asleep.
  1659. 1659.
    >If you're having a sleepover, and you're sleeping with these two...does that make them your friends?
  1660. 1660.
    >Maybe it does?
  1661. 1661.
    >Part of you is wondering if helping two desperate girls is really friendship, and if it's pathetic or not if your potential friends are many grades below you.
  1662. 1662.
     
  1663. 1663.
    >>42308618
  1664. 1664.
    >The thoughts rattle in your brain for a bit, before you decide that thinking is dumb and you need to sleep instead of arguing with yourself.
  1665. 1665.
    >That's right, just close your eyes and try to sleep.
  1666. 1666.
    >As you feel your body start to let go of any tension in preparation for sleep, you find your attempts to snooze swiftly interrupted.
  1667. 1667.
    >In her dreams, Scootaloo has decided that you are going to become her impromptu teddy bear.
  1668. 1668.
    >And quite the dream she is having, given her somewhat intelligible mumblings in her sleep.
  1669. 1669.
    >Through her light drooling and sleep giggling, you can vaguely make out the words 'Rainbow Dash' a lot.
  1670. 1670.
    >Aside from her apparently fawning over arguably the school's most premiere athlete, you also make out the names of her friends too.
  1671. 1671.
    >At least you think you do, you're half sure 'Swibble' means what you think it means.
  1672. 1672.
    >In the middle of your Scootaloo-based personal space invasion, you find your other side overtaken as well.
  1673. 1673.
    >Twist is following in Scootaloo's footsteps, and has seized your free arm.
  1674. 1674.
    >She's not talking at least, just very much draped over the little you had left.
  1675. 1675.
    >You realize now, you're probably not going to be going anywhere.
  1676. 1676.
    >With another attempt, you try to close your eyes and go to sleep.
  1677. 1677.
    >Don't think about anything just, fight all other thoughts off and attempt to drift off.
  1678. 1678.
    >Slowly breathe in and out, stay perfectly still, and...is that food you smell?
  1679. 1679.
    >You open your eyes and see that Twist is gone, and Scootaloo has somehow fallen off of the bed and onto the floor in the night.
  1680. 1680.
    >Well, half of her at least.
  1681. 1681.
    >Averting your gaze from the ass at your side, you slowly stretch and smack your lips, feeling how dry they are.
  1682. 1682.
    >You don't even register having fallen asleep, but you apparently did?
  1683. 1683.
    >For how long you don't know, but at least you can say it's enough to get up and move about for a bit without slinking back into bed.
  1684. 1684.
    >Stepping around Scootaloo, you make your way to your feet and begin to slip out of the room.
  1685. 1685.
    >You think about putting on your pants, but you're not awake enough yet to really care about walking in your boyshorts to go check out whatever is happening outside.
  1686. 1686.
    >Following your nose, you see that it's still kinda dark outside while you fumble your way to what you assume is the kitchen.
  1687. 1687.
    >What the hell is Twist doing up so early?
  1688. 1688.
    >As you make it silently into the kitchen, you can see that Twist is indeed cooking.
  1689. 1689.
    >Getting closer and closer to the tiny chef, you can spot her laboring over a pot before you make yourself known.
  1690. 1690.
    "Twist, what are you doing?"
  1691. 1691.
    >You swear you see her hair shoot up like a cat as she turns around with spoon in mouth to look at you.
  1692. 1692.
    >She seems to have finally covered her chest, wearing an apron to keep her safe from any kitchen splatter.
  1693. 1693.
    >"Mmmmmmmaking mac and cheese?"
  1694. 1694.
    "...It's like four in the morning or something, why are you making mac and cheese?"
  1695. 1695.
    >She shrugs at you, and turns back to her pot on the stove.
  1696. 1696.
    >"Becauthe I like to thtay in control of my life."
  1697. 1697.
    "...Huh?"
  1698. 1698.
     
  1699. 1699.
    >>42308776
  1700. 1700.
    >"Do you want to have a bowl? I am not uthed to doing any cooking without a fridge, tho I figured I could tetht cook before making food for everyone."
  1701. 1701.
    >The smell tickling your nose does tell you that the cheesy dish is probably very tasty, and though you really should have you didn't exactly eat much yesterday.
  1702. 1702.
    "...sssssuuuure?"
  1703. 1703.
    >"Thuper! But don't drink my beer, I only have like a can or two left."
  1704. 1704.
    >You blink for a moment, before rubbing your eyes.
  1705. 1705.
    >There is in fact, an open beer on the table nearby.
  1706. 1706.
    >Far be it from you to judge, you did have a beer earlier, but this is a bit past last call for most places by now.
  1707. 1707.
    >"Oh, I do hope you're not a vegan or anything becauthe I did put a bit of bacon in here. It can fix up a lot of food when you do it right."
  1708. 1708.
    >As your mind slowly starts waking up, you shuffle on to the table and make yourself comfy as you can be.
  1709. 1709.
    >Honestly, you put your head in your hands and almost fall back asleep before you have a bit of freshly made food put under your nose.
  1710. 1710.
    >She even put the spoon in the bowl for you.
  1711. 1711.
    >"Did you thleep okay?"
  1712. 1712.
    >As you absently grab the spoon, you blink a couple of times while thinking about how snuggled you got.
  1713. 1713.
    >Slightly sapphic snuggles aside, you think that you did sleep fine somewhat?
  1714. 1714.
    "Yeah, until I woke up just now. How are you so quiet?"
  1715. 1715.
    >"What, do you think I'm alwayth getting bumped into or hit by thomeone by being too vithible? I can be very unnotithed if I need to be."
  1716. 1716.
    >Hmm, that is true.
  1717. 1717.
    >The fact Twist and Scootaloo are effectively kindred spirits on the background girl roster with you is why you ended up in this sleepover to begin with.
  1718. 1718.
    "Ah, yes. The furtive Twist, so easily forgotten."
  1719. 1719.
    >"...Huh?"
  1720. 1720.
    >Guess it's your turn to say something that goes over Twist's head.
  1721. 1721.
    "Eh, don't worry about it, it's dumb. A-anyway, I guess I have to ask something I didn't get to while you were-mmm, oh gosh this is actually good?"
  1722. 1722.
    >"Obviouthly, I know my way around a kitchen. But, you were thaying?"
  1723. 1723.
    >Slight blush on your cheeks at how the siren song of fresh mac n cheese seduced you, you center yourself and return to your prior thought.
  1724. 1724.
    "Well, what happened when I walked away? You were there, so you know the reason my sweater got all messy."
  1725. 1725.
    >"I only got there at the end, but I think that thing you thaid worked out. Gathlighting?"
  1726. 1726.
    "Yeah."
  1727. 1727.
    >"Well, Anon wath hugging thweet little Thcootie, and I altho hugged her and him at the thame time. I think that Anon may have left by now if he knew what happened, becauthe...huh..."
  1728. 1728.
    >As she eats her own serving, Twist puts her hand to her temple, and taps it a couple of times.
  1729. 1729.
    >"did I have too much to drink? no, that can't be, it'd take a lot more chugging for weak Blum beer to do that."
  1730. 1730.
    "What are you talking about?"
  1731. 1731.
    >"Huh? Oh, no, jutht thinking out loud. Our 'adventure' kinda became a blur, I gueth."
  1732. 1732.
    >You take a moment before responding, wanting another bite of this heavenly food.
  1733. 1733.
    "Yeah, that'll happen when you have that much fun."
  1734. 1734.
     
  1735. 1735.
    >>42309101
  1736. 1736.
    >Without another moment to dwell on Twist's thought you went back to your bowl, enjoying the slowly filling sensation of a warm meal on an empty stomach.
  1737. 1737.
    >Twist is watching you slightly as she eats her own food.
  1738. 1738.
    >You can tell, she’s got something to ask you.
  1739. 1739.
    >But you’re not really looking to field her questions, not right now.
  1740. 1740.
    >That’s why you make another move to cut her off at the pass.
  1741. 1741.
    “So...what’s with this house?”
  1742. 1742.
    >”Huh?”
  1743. 1743.
    “The house. It’s kinda...out of the way.”
  1744. 1744.
    >”Oh. Well, yeah. I don’t know all the detailth, but apparently there wath a thing called “The Candy Van War” a long time ago.”
  1745. 1745.
    >You blink a couple of times.
  1746. 1746.
    “Candy van?”
  1747. 1747.
    >”Well, yeah. Didn’t you thee the lot out front? More room than even a tourbuth could need.”
  1748. 1748.
    “...Tell me more.”
  1749. 1749.
    >A bright smile appears on Twist’s face as she tells you her story.
  1750. 1750.
    >It’s honestly surprising.
  1751. 1751.
    >You thought Canterlot was squeaky clean, and from what you’re hearing from Twist there was a…candy mafia?
  1752. 1752.
    >Candy cartel?
  1753. 1753.
    >Whatever you’d call it, Twist’s family had a deep history in some shady background event that happened here most people didn’t even know about.
  1754. 1754.
    >And she seems to be very forthcoming about the whole thing, despite the fact she’s barely known you properly for a few hours.
  1755. 1755.
    >Not for no reason, you hang on every word.
  1756. 1756.
    >It’s such a long and interesting story, you forget time altogether.
  1757. 1757.
    >And it’s quite a surprise when Anon and Scootaloo finally wake up, hours later.
  1758. 1758.
    >Honestly, you come to regret not putting your pants on when you had the chance.
  1759. 1759.
    >But that small shame aside, things go pretty well.
  1760. 1760.
    >Aside from your lack of sleep.
  1761. 1761.
    >Twist said she could cook, and she meant it.
  1762. 1762.
    >Pancakes are not the hardest thing to make in the world, but they taste divine when you’re having a breakfast with...friends?
  1763. 1763.
    >Anon seemed as famished as you were earlier, having a nice go at the stack that Twist left on his plate.
  1764. 1764.
    >She made less for both you and Scootaloo, though.
  1765. 1765.
    >But they were a lot, uh, cuter.
  1766. 1766.
    >She made a smiley face on yours with bacon and some reconstituted eggs.
  1767. 1767.
    >Scootaloo got one that was shaped like a kitty with bacon whiskers.
  1768. 1768.
    >That made her smile, just a bit.
  1769. 1769.
    >Seeing everyone relaxed, calm, and even happy almost makes the night before seem like a bad dream.
  1770. 1770.
    >For Anon, who you still feel some guilt over for giving your special brand of ‘help’, it may as well be.
  1771. 1771.
    >But, hey, you did right enough given the circumstances.
  1772. 1772.
    >Though, idyllic as your morning seems with this new little group you found yourself in, it couldn’t actually last all day.
  1773. 1773.
    >In the middle of Anon slamming down his third cup of powdered milk, a phone goes off.
  1774. 1774.
    >And judging by the look on Anon’s face, it’s his.
  1775. 1775.
    >He excuses himself quickly, to go grab his phone from wherever he left it out in the main room.
  1776. 1776.
    >And that leaves you here, with the two girls.
  1777. 1777.
     
  1778. 1778.
    >>42345010
  1779. 1779.
    >Anon’s departure took the attention of the table, with Scootaloo and Twist both focused on the fact he had left the room rather than eating.
  1780. 1780.
    >With there being a hole in the room’s current mood, you found yourself a perfect opportunity.
  1781. 1781.
    >Swallowing your current bite of breakfast down with a quick swig from your own cup, you clear your throat and turn your attention to Scootaloo.
  1782. 1782.
    “Hey, Scootaloo.”
  1783. 1783.
    >”Huh?”
  1784. 1784.
    >The young athlete turned her gaze to you, a strip of bacon still hanging from the corner of her mouth.
  1785. 1785.
    >It took you a bit of effort to not giggle at how she looked, and from the side glance you threw to Twist it was not a unique feeling to you.
  1786. 1786.
    “Mmm, uh, since it’s just the three of us right now I wanted to ask something.”
  1787. 1787.
    >Having calmed your impending giggle fit down, you made yourself a lot more comfortable as you slackened and leaned into your seat a bit more.
  1788. 1788.
    “So...what do you think?”
  1789. 1789.
    >Scootaloo blinks for a moment, as she tries to parse what you meant.
  1790. 1790.
    >Then, her look sours a bit.
  1791. 1791.
    >Breakfast was no longer in its own bubble.
  1792. 1792.
    >”Oh.”
  1793. 1793.
    >That bacon falls from her mouth as she turns to her pancake pieces, and begins to poke at them with her fork, making a small mound of mush with the syrup.
  1794. 1794.
    >”I guess, things are working out. Right?”
  1795. 1795.
    >Scootaloo seemed unsure with those words, that last bit a question thrown to offer some weight off her shoulders and onto you or Twist to answer.
  1796. 1796.
    >But, neither of you take the hook and she’s left to pick back up the pace of the conversation.
  1797. 1797.
    >”I mean, probably. Anon seems alright, and he said that Rai...no one had to know about anything.”
  1798. 1798.
    >That sentence set something off in Scootaloo.
  1799. 1799.
    >Any bit of a solemn expression fell off as she looked to you and Twist with a bit of worry.
  1800. 1800.
    >”Uh, you guys aren’t gonna, you know-”
  1801. 1801.
    >”Thcootie!”
  1802. 1802.
    >Twist huffs as she crosses her arms and gives a pout to her slightly panicked friend.
  1803. 1803.
    >”You’re my friend, I’d never hold thomething over your head like that.”
  1804. 1804.
    >The insinuation is one that you understand, but Twist considered that to be something worth feeling a bit hurt over.
  1805. 1805.
    >Of course, you didn’t have that sort of a connection yet, and weren’t delusional enough to feign something so bold.
  1806. 1806.
    >So, you tried to play it cooler than you probably had any right to.
  1807. 1807.
    “Don’t worry, Scootaloo. What’s a secret or two between friends, huh?”
  1808. 1808.
    >You realize now how that last bit sounded, and almost want to kick yourself for using that phrase until Scootaloo seems to relax.
  1809. 1809.
    >Did...did you get away with slipping that in?
  1810. 1810.
    >”Right, right. Sorry, I just- well, had to hear that?”
  1811. 1811.
    >Both you and Twist look to each other, and then to Scootaloo.
  1812. 1812.
    >You had already come so far, why get hung up on small things now?
  1813. 1813.
    >That’s when you put a hand on her shoulder and gave her a smile, one that didn’t really feel all that forced.
  1814. 1814.
    “Don’t worry, things’ll be fine.”
  1815. 1815.
     
  1816. 1816.
    >>42345032
  1817. 1817.
    >That look she gives you when you say that, you don’t think she really believes it.
  1818. 1818.
    >But, she doesn’t really want to argue against you.
  1819. 1819.
    >That’s why she gives you a smile you do think feels forced.
  1820. 1820.
    >”Yeah.”
  1821. 1821.
    “Just make sure you stick to the plan, right?”
  1822. 1822.
    >Oh, that smile is definitely strained, but Scootaloo just nods her head gently as she tries to keep it together.
  1823. 1823.
    >That’s when Twist chimes in, with a tap on the table to catch the attention of the both of you.
  1824. 1824.
    >You expect her to say something, but she just looks to the entryway.
  1825. 1825.
    >It clicks when you realize that Anon’s gonna come back, and you really don’t think this is the right conversation to be caught in the midst of.
  1826. 1826.
    >Hand quickly pulled back, you settle into your seat and resume breakfast, although it takes a moment for Twist and Scootaloo to follow suit.
  1827. 1827.
    >Things get a bit too quiet, which feels counterproductive.
  1828. 1828.
    >Wouldn’t it be *more* weird if Anon comes back and no one’s saying anything?
  1829. 1829.
    >No, no, no.
  1830. 1830.
    >Stop overthinking it.
  1831. 1831.
    >Just shut up and eat.
  1832. 1832.
    >And so you keep at your pace, until you’ve cleaned your plate.
  1833. 1833.
    >You let the fork fall from your grip and let out a sigh.
  1834. 1834.
    >Followed by a small burp.
  1835. 1835.
    >Typical, the first sound you make and it had to be that of all things.
  1836. 1836.
    “Uh, excuse me.”
  1837. 1837.
    >That’s about all you can say through your clear embarrassment.
  1838. 1838.
    >Rather than face you with disappointed stares, both of the girls begin to giggle.
  1839. 1839.
    >Followed by their own small burps.
  1840. 1840.
    >Or a rather big one in Twist’s case.
  1841. 1841.
    >The giggles give way to full-on chortling, and at some point you started to join in.
  1842. 1842.
    >Now this was the sort of thing Anon should probably come back to.
  1843. 1843.
    >Oh heck, speak of the devil.
  1844. 1844.
    >”Guess the party got started as soon as I left, huh?”
  1845. 1845.
    “Whoa! Don’t sneak up on people, Jesus.”
  1846. 1846.
    >Anon seems a bit surprised he actually managed to spook you.
  1847. 1847.
    >“Sorry, I didn’t think I was interrupting that much, though I kinda had to.”
  1848. 1848.
    >Looking at Anon, he’s very clearly clutching his phone in hand and keeping it in plain view.
  1849. 1849.
    >“So, I just got a call from Sunset Shimmer. And also Pinkie Pie, but mostly Sunset.”
  1850. 1850.
    >Hearing who just called Anon puts a twinge of concern onto Scootaloo’s face.
  1851. 1851.
    >Anon picks up on that as he relaxes himself to seem unbothered.
  1852. 1852.
    >“No big deal, but she was adamant about getting her coolers back or something.”
  1853. 1853.
    >Coolers?
  1854. 1854.
    >Oh no, the coolers.
  1855. 1855.
    >In your haste to leave the party, you totally left those behind.
  1856. 1856.
    >You explicitly said it was fine to go back for them later, too.
  1857. 1857.
    >Probably shouldn’t have forgotten something like that.
  1858. 1858.
    >“Yeah, seems I gotta go grab those. And by I, I mean we. Unless you guys are looking to hoof it back home.”
  1859. 1859.
     
  1860. 1860.
    >>42376819
  1861. 1861.
    >There’s a moment of consideration on the options that Anon has just given you, and you decide it’s best to go with him.
  1862. 1862.
    >Walking’s good for you, but like heck you’re going to trek that far on the little sleep you managed.
  1863. 1863.
    >Cooler duty it is.
  1864. 1864.
    “Uh, great. That sounds totally doable, party’s probably long since over by this point anyway.”
  1865. 1865.
    >“Yeah, you all have fun with that.”
  1866. 1866.
    >Twist piped up with what you think is a very straightforward implication of not heading out with the rest of you.
  1867. 1867.
    >All your eyes end up on Twist, and she rolls her own as she becomes the center of attention in the room.
  1868. 1868.
    >“Not that I don’t like hanging out or anything, but I didn’t leave anything behind. I don’t really have a reathon to go back there, and I kinda have a full day planned already. Gotta make the most of the break while we have it, right?”
  1869. 1869.
    >Then, she makes a gesture to the clutter that lies there on the table.
  1870. 1870.
    >”Bethide that, I think that I need to leave the houthe a little bit cleaner.”
  1871. 1871.
    >Alright, that was a very fair point she just made.
  1872. 1872.
    >Anon simply shrugs as he looks at you and Scootaloo.
  1873. 1873.
    >“Alright then. You two coming?”
  1874. 1874.
    >Scootaloo looks to you for a moment, and then puts her focus on Anon.
  1875. 1875.
    >“Yeah, I guess. We probably need to give you directions there again, anyway.”
  1876. 1876.
    >Oh.
  1877. 1877.
    >That sentence out of Scootaloo makes Anon pause a moment, as he rubs the back of his neck.
  1878. 1878.
    >You throw out your own interjection to sidestep that obvious minefield.
  1879. 1879.
    “Plus, six hands will probably be quicker to hitch those coolers and head out, right?”
  1880. 1880.
    >“...Yeah. Guess I’ll go wash up real quick and then we can head out. Also, you might wanna put your pants on, Wallflower.”
  1881. 1881.
    >A couple seconds pass before you live up to your name and uncomfortably chuckle with a sheepish grin.
  1882. 1882.
    >With that, Anon’s gone from the room again.
  1883. 1883.
    >Leaving you next to Scootaloo, who is starting to fidget in her seat.
  1884. 1884.
    >Slowly, you dodge your ways through the busy hands of Twist as she begins to clear the table.
  1885. 1885.
    >Scootaloo jumps slightly, having been lost in her own thoughts until you tap her shoulder.
  1886. 1886.
    “Hey, remember, things will be fine, right?”
  1887. 1887.
    >“...right.”
  1888. 1888.
    “It’ll be easy. We go there, we get the coolers, and then we can all put this night behind us.”
  1889. 1889.
     
  1890. 1890.
    >You are Scootaloo, and you are now right back where you started.
  1891. 1891.
    >No, really, you’re riding shotgun in Anon’s car again.
  1892. 1892.
    >Wallflower insisted on riding in the backseat with her bag, and you didn’t think anything of it at the time.
  1893. 1893.
    >Now she’s out cold and using that thing like a pillow.
  1894. 1894.
    >That leaves you here, in Anon’s car, all alone.
  1895. 1895.
    >So much for that ‘we’ in her speech.
  1896. 1896.
     
  1897. 1897.
    >>42376859
  1898. 1898.
    >After a brief wave goodbye to Twist, you embark on the cooler quest.
  1899. 1899.
    >It’s been a while, but not that long.
  1900. 1900.
    >You know it hasn’t.
  1901. 1901.
    >But it feels like forever is going by, and it’s all dead silent.
  1902. 1902.
    >Anon hasn’t said a word to you the whole time, and it’s getting to you.
  1903. 1903.
    >Desire for something, anything to break that quiet makes you take a plunge.
  1904. 1904.
    “Hey, Anon?”
  1905. 1905.
    >The first thing Anon’s heard since the car started, jostled him out of some kind of driving stupor.
  1906. 1906.
    >It takes a moment, but he gives you a side glance after composing himself again and slowly finding his words.
  1907. 1907.
    >“Yyyyyesss, Scootaloo?”
  1908. 1908.
    >Oh, crap.
  1909. 1909.
    >You didn’t actually have anything to say beyond that.
  1910. 1910.
    “Uh, can we...”
  1911. 1911.
    >Quick, think of something!
  1912. 1912.
    “...listen to some tunes?”
  1913. 1913.
    >Smooth…
  1914. 1914.
    >Like sandpaper.
  1915. 1915.
    >Anon looks to his rearview mirror, probably at the sleeping Wallflower Blush in the back.
  1916. 1916.
    “...Okay.”
  1917. 1917.
    >Anon reaches a hand off the steering wheel, and just like that you’ve got yourself some music.
  1918. 1918.
    >It was left at the last volume setting that you had turned it down to, the first time you were giving Anon directions.
  1919. 1919.
    >Wallflower’s nap is going to continue, you suppose.
  1920. 1920.
    >“Man, usually I’m jamming along to something by now. Guess I’m still not in the right headspace, huh?”
  1921. 1921.
    >Wait, Anon’s actually starting a conversation.
  1922. 1922.
    >Without a second thought, you desperately grab at that lifeline you’ve been tossed.
  1923. 1923.
    “Yeah, probably all those pancakes and syrup that Twist loaded onto your plate. Sugar crash.”
  1924. 1924.
    >“Makes sense. Damned if I wasn’t hungry enough to get through them, though.”
  1925. 1925.
    >Anon has a small laugh at the end of that sentence, and you can’t help but follow along.
  1926. 1926.
    >You know that it wasn’t that funny, but it was something light and you need that right now.
  1927. 1927.
    “At least we got breakfast. Honestly, I’m kinda surprised. Peppermints are Twist’s whole schtick, I never thought she could cook.”
  1928. 1928.
    >“Guess she’s full of surprises. We better keep her away from Pinkie Pie.”
  1929. 1929.
    “Definitely. That much sugar in one place is a one-way ticket to the hospital.”
  1930. 1930.
    >”Mmm, sugar free gumdrops, please…”
  1931. 1931.
    >A voice that wasn’t Anon’s and definitely wasn’t yours came from the backseat.
  1932. 1932.
    >Even in her dreams, Wallflower was getting involved.
  1933. 1933.
     
  1934. 1934.
    >>42376886
  1935. 1935.
    >A real laugh got stifled between you and Anon, because this one was actually kind of funny.
  1936. 1936.
    >You’re both also pretty sure if you let that one go, you’re actually going to wake up Wallflower.
  1937. 1937.
    >Part of you wants to because she passed out on you, but you’re not that petty.
  1938. 1938.
    >It takes a moment for the both of you to eventually settle down.
  1939. 1939.
    >And it’s plain on both of your faces you feel better.
  1940. 1940.
    >It’s nice to talk normally again.
  1941. 1941.
    >This is just what you needed, a bit of time to help you feel comfortable talking, like nothing happened.
  1942. 1942.
    >It loosened you up, and got you closer to your old self.
  1943. 1943.
    >That’s when a thought comes by, and takes you with it.
  1944. 1944.
    “Anon?”
  1945. 1945.
    >“Yeah, Scoots?”
  1946. 1946.
    >You lean your head on your seatbelt very gently, letting the strap carry the weight of your thoughts for a moment.
  1947. 1947.
    >Hesitation overwhelms you for a second, but the words still manage to tumble out.
  1948. 1948.
    “Thanks, for y’know...taking me to the party.”
  1949. 1949.
    >The air goes silent for a while.
  1950. 1950.
    >A feeling of worry makes you turn your head to look at Anon.
  1951. 1951.
    >His earlier smile had faded, and some of that earlier glow had dimmed.
  1952. 1952.
    “I know that things...didn’t exactly go as planned. But...I’m still happy that you took me...to the party. So, thanks.”
  1953. 1953.
    >You can tell very clearly, your words are putting some complicated feelings into Anon’s head.
  1954. 1954.
    >Not that you blame him, though.
  1955. 1955.
    >If you were in his situation, you’d also probably be having complicated feelings.
  1956. 1956.
    >Really, if you were being honest, you know that you *were* the complication.
  1957. 1957.
    >Still, the thoughts running through his head, don’t stop him from speaking his mind.
  1958. 1958.
    >“Hey, save some thanks for Sunset. She’s the one who set me up to take you in the first place.”
  1959. 1959.
    >Sunset?
  1960. 1960.
    >Wait.
  1961. 1961.
    >Oh, wow.
  1962. 1962.
    >Anon’s right, you were actually supposed to go to the party with Sunset.
  1963. 1963.
    >Your butt was planted on *her* coolers, the ones you are going to fetch.
  1964. 1964.
    >You sat out there waiting for her until Anon showed up and swept you away to his car.
  1965. 1965.
    “Right, yeah. I’d almost...forgot.”
  1966. 1966.
    >The idea lingers as you stare out at the road in front of you.
  1967. 1967.
    >That really was just yesterday.
  1968. 1968.
    >You were so ready to go to your first ever high school party with someone.
  1969. 1969.
    >It seemed like it was forever ago to you now.
  1970. 1970.
    >And you were so excited to trade one of Rainbow Dash’s friends for her boyfriend that...you kinda forgot about it.
  1971. 1971.
    >Yeah...Rainbow Dash’s boyfriend.
  1972. 1972.
    >The most important person to *your* most important person.
  1973. 1973.
     
  1974. 1974.
    >>42376910
  1975. 1975.
    >That last bit sticks in your head for a lot longer than it probably should.
  1976. 1976.
    >And it brings thoughts with it.
  1977. 1977.
    >Ones you wish you didn’t think about.
  1978. 1978.
    >Absently, you take hold of the seatbelt that’s keeping you tied down.
  1979. 1979.
    >Both of your hands grip it hard, like the climbing rope in gym class.
  1980. 1980.
    “Anon...do you remember when we-”
  1981. 1981.
    >Wait, no, what are you doing?
  1982. 1982.
    “You said we didn’t need to- you know...”
  1983. 1983.
    >Why are you trying to do this, and why now?
  1984. 1984.
    >Talking out complicated things isn’t what you do, that’s Applebloom’s approach.
  1985. 1985.
    “I mean…argh!”
  1986. 1986.
    >What was a knuckle-whitening grip turned into an attempt to peel your way through the seatbelt.
  1987. 1987.
    >Look at what you’re doing right now.
  1988. 1988.
    >Anon’s probably looking at you funny.
  1989. 1989.
    >He should be.
  1990. 1990.
    >You’re acting weird.
  1991. 1991.
    >You’re acting like an idiot.
  1992. 1992.
    >You-
  1993. 1993.
    >“Hey.”
  1994. 1994.
    >A soft hand rests on your shoulder.
  1995. 1995.
    >Anon’s hand.
  1996. 1996.
    >”Don’t freak out. Just take your time.”
  1997. 1997.
    >Feeling Anon there keeps you grounded.
  1998. 1998.
    >Just- just calm down and breathe.
  1999. 1999.
    >That death grip you’re holding disappears with a long exhale.
  2000. 2000.
    “...I betrayed Rainbow Dash.”
  2001. 2001.
    >Geez, you finally found some courage in there.
  2002. 2002.
    >And by the look on Anon’s face, he found some disappointment.
  2003. 2003.
    >“Hey, you didn’t-”
  2004. 2004.
    “You don’t have to sugarcoat it, Anon. I screwed everything up.”
  2005. 2005.
    >“Scoots, wait-”
  2006. 2006.
    “Even if we don’t tell anyone, I’ll still know. You’ll still know, Twist will definitely still know! Heck, even Wallflower knows! Until yesterday, we didn’t even know who she was!”
  2007. 2007.
    >“Hold on a-”
  2008. 2008.
    “How am I supposed to look her in the eyes during soccer practice after-”
  2009. 2009.
    >”Scootaloo!”
  2010. 2010.
    >The hand gripping your shoulder clamps down hard, and your whole body tightens after Anon’s outburst, expecting the worst.
  2011. 2011.
    >He looks to you for a second, and then back to the road again as he begins to slow down.
  2012. 2012.
    >The car comes to a gentle stop, firmly set on the shoulder of the road as you remain sat frozen, staring at Anon.
  2013. 2013.
    >“Scoots, I need you to hold your horses for a minute. Can you do that for me, please?”
  2014. 2014.
    >Words fail you, and so you make the best effort you can to barely nod.
  2015. 2015.
    >His hold on your shoulder relaxes, and he takes his other hand off the wheel to hold his face for a bit.
  2016. 2016.
    >You’re not sure what he plans to say next, but people don’t just pull over for no reason.
  2017. 2017.
    >“There’s no way you could’ve known, because neither of us said anything. So if anyone at all really knows, it’s probably just Pinkie. My memory’s still fuzzy, but it’s clear I didn’t tell you yet. Guess that’s on me.”
  2018. 2018.
    >Huh?
  2019. 2019.
    >“Rainbow Dash and me? We’re not a thing, not anymore. We broke up.”
  2020. 2020.
    >...What?
  2021. 2021.
    “What?”
  2022. 2022.
    >“Well, it was more like she broke us up.”
  2023. 2023.
    “What?!”
  2024. 2024.
    >“One day we’re just chilling and listening to Wonderwall. The next…”
  2025. 2025.
    >Those words hang in the air for a bit.
  2026. 2026.
    >“I’m not sure why she changed her tune. And I never asked. Thought I was better off not knowing.”
  2027. 2027.
    >You’re at a loss.
  2028. 2028.
    >What are you even supposed to say to something like that?
  2029. 2029.
     
  2030. 2030.
    >>42376916
  2031. 2031.
    >The car’s silent again.
  2032. 2032.
    >You’re just staring at Anon.
  2033. 2033.
    >Then, slowly, he moves his hand from your shoulder.
  2034. 2034.
    >It moves to your chin, and then he pushes it up slightly until your mouth closes.
  2035. 2035.
    >“You’re gonna catch flies if you stay like that.”
  2036. 2036.
    >He gives you a smile.
  2037. 2037.
    >Hey, there’s something you can do.
  2038. 2038.
    >You give him back a smile of your own, and a little giggle.
  2039. 2039.
    >It helps, you can tell.
  2040. 2040.
    >“Sorry, if I dragged down the mood, it’s just-”
  2041. 2041.
    “No, I get it.”
  2042. 2042.
    >Oh look, your words, they’re back, finally.
  2043. 2043.
    >But you’re not so sure you need them right now.
  2044. 2044.
    >You’ll probably open your mouth and say something dumb, and you don’t want that for Anon.
  2045. 2045.
    >So, you stay there, with him holding your chin and smiling together.
  2046. 2046.
    >It actually...feels kinda nice.
  2047. 2047.
    >“Hey, Nonny!”
  2048. 2048.
    >And there goes the moment.
  2049. 2049.
    >You and Anon are both surprised by the sudden notification; it’s Pinkie Pie, again.
  2050. 2050.
    >Anon takes his hand from your chin, and fumbles around for his phone.
  2051. 2051.
    >Before another text comes along, he starts texting away.
  2052. 2052.
    >“Can’t talk. On road. Ttyl, Ponka. Aaaaand send.”
  2053. 2053.
    >Anon sighs as he sets his phone down in the cup holder, and looks to you again.
  2054. 2054.
    >“Hope that buys us some time, I’ve had more than my fill of Pinkie pokes for today.”
  2055. 2055.
    >Now that gets a nice laugh out of you, you’ve never heard that one before.
  2056. 2056.
    >“Yeah, I did the same thing when I heard it from Fluttershy. It’s too fitting a name.”
  2057. 2057.
    >There’s a small chuckle from Anon, before he sighs and slinks back into his seat.
  2058. 2058.
    >He checks his phone, and then looks out to the road as he restarts the car.
  2059. 2059.
    >“We’re gonna need to stop for gas. While we’re at it, I think we deserve more than powdered milk. Slushie time?”
  2060. 2060.
    >You blink a couple times, and then grin from ear to ear.
  2061. 2061.
    “Heck yeah, let’s go!”
  2062. 2062.
    >“Don’t forget...gummy worms…”
  2063. 2063.
    >Both of you look back, smiling at the passed-out passenger.
  2064. 2064.
    >You don’t think sweet dreams are meant to be that literal.
  2065. 2065.
    >As the tires catch back onto the proper road, you settle back into your seat and rest your shoulder on the car door.
  2066. 2066.
    >Maybe Wallflower was right.
  2067. 2067.
    >Maybe everything...will turn out fine.
  2068. 2068.
     
  2069. 2069.
    >>42419305
  2070. 2070.
    >While you were riding to the gas station, Anon seemed so much happier.
  2071. 2071.
    >He talked a lot with you.
  2072. 2072.
    >It wasn’t about anything that important, just small talk about stuff that was going on the past few weeks.
  2073. 2073.
    >Very obvious lack of anything to do with Rainbow Dash, not that you were going to bring that up.
  2074. 2074.
    >But trying to not talk about Rainbow Dash was a lot harder for you than it was for him.
  2075. 2075.
    >Being honest, it was next to impossible.
  2076. 2076.
    >You remember how often you saw Rainbow Dash with Anon, and how you talked when he was around her.
  2077. 2077.
    >She *was* the conversation.
  2078. 2078.
    >When she wasn’t around?
  2079. 2079.
    >She was *still* the conversation.
  2080. 2080.
    >You were always interested in her, always wanting to hear him talk about her, always desperate to know what things were like with her dating someone for the first time!
  2081. 2081.
    >But now you can’t do that, not after that last conversation.
  2082. 2082.
    >Anon’s got a hole in the shape of a star athlete in his heart, you don’t want to make him think about that.
  2083. 2083.
    >You also don’t want to think about that, because you feel a little less...bad...about last night.
  2084. 2084.
    >And you know it’s because you didn’t do something bad to Rainbow Dash’s boyfriend.
  2085. 2085.
    >Only to her ex-boyfriend.
  2086. 2086.
    >Which makes you feel something really awful inside, because you shouldn’t feel that way just because you know something you didn’t before.
  2087. 2087.
    >Those are complex thoughts, and you don’t do those sorts of complex things.
  2088. 2088.
    >That’s why you have Applebloom.
  2089. 2089.
    >And that’s why you talked about Applebloom.
  2090. 2090.
    >And Sweetie Belle.
  2091. 2091.
    >If there was ever something else you cared about in life, it was your two best friends who were always there with you during basically everything you ever did.
  2092. 2092.
    >Anon kinda knows them, because they’re always around Applejack and Rarity, and they’re sometimes around Sunset, Pinkie, and Fluttershy.
  2093. 2093.
    >Who are always around Rain-
  2094. 2094.
    >Ah!
  2095. 2095.
    >No, stop going there, brain!
  2096. 2096.
    >Anon sees them all the time at school, and sometimes outside of school, and you can mention things about them because of that!
  2097. 2097.
    >Like how you kinda ended up blabbing about the party and got Sweetie grounded because you didn’t check to see if Rarity was around first.
  2098. 2098.
    >Both her and Applebloom were pretty mad about that.
  2099. 2099.
    >Anon found your impression of Sweetie Belle’s justified anger at your slip up funny, at least.
  2100. 2100.
    >And that’s how it was until you got to the gas station, with Anon...well, you thought he was praying over the steering wheel when you rolled in.
  2101. 2101.
    >Not that you bothered asking about it, you just kept quiet as he rushed out and fed the car the gas it sorely needed.
  2102. 2102.
    >Only when he finally filled up and hopped back inside the car did you really say anything.
  2103. 2103.
    >The first thing to leave your mouth was-
  2104. 2104.
    “Do you think we should wake up Wallflower?”
  2105. 2105.
    >Anon looks to you a second, then shrugs.
  2106. 2106.
    >“Hey, if she misses slushie time, that’s her business.”
  2107. 2107.
     
  2108. 2108.
    >>42419333
  2109. 2109.
    >You just simply shrug back at Anon, and giggle.
  2110. 2110.
    >More slushie for the both of you, you guess.
  2111. 2111.
    >As the car rolls up to the parking spots in front of the entrance, you jump the gun and unbuckle for when the engine stops.
  2112. 2112.
    >The second it does, you make for the door, because you need to stretch your legs.
  2113. 2113.
    >It feels so good to not be stuck sitting anymore.
  2114. 2114.
    >With a spring in your step, you move around the front of the car to stand next to Anon.
  2115. 2115.
    >Once he sees you’re with him, you both walk to the front door and Anon holds it open for you.
  2116. 2116.
    >At first you pause, but then you walk right inside with a smile on your face and take in the general sight of the convenience store.
  2117. 2117.
    >You don’t think you’ve been to this one before.
  2118. 2118.
    >Not like you go to a bunch of convenience stores, but you definitely would remember coming here with Sweetie and Applebloom.
  2119. 2119.
    >Or your mom.
  2120. 2120.
    >It’s a more welcome and new experience.
  2121. 2121.
    >You catch the logo for the store on the wall above the fridges where they keep the weird lizard milk stuff, and the iced coffees.
  2122. 2122.
    >Gallop 89.
  2123. 2123.
    >In the middle of gawking at the branding, you find yourself subjected to a hand on top of your head.
  2124. 2124.
    >“You should probably not stand right in the doorway, Scoots.”
  2125. 2125.
    >Oh...yeah, you shouldn’t do that.
  2126. 2126.
    >Before you can say anything, Anon gives your hair a light tussle and puts a hand on your shoulder as he takes you with him.
  2127. 2127.
    >You assume that Anon’s been in here before, as you soon see the slushie machine that’s sloshing around with all the frosty sugar water.
  2128. 2128.
    >It’s a lot of flavors, but you see your usual choice.
  2129. 2129.
    >You grab yourself one of the bigger cup sizes, and decide to go for it.
  2130. 2130.
    >Anon’s not there next to you, as he seems to be thinking about his choice for a moment.
  2131. 2131.
    >By the time you’re almost done, he seems to have finally made his choice.
  2132. 2132.
    >As he starts filling his cup, you think about something.
  2133. 2133.
    >He got the biggest size, so you have a bit of time before Anon’s going to the counter.
  2134. 2134.
    >Convenience stores are different, but they’re not *that* different.
  2135. 2135.
    >With a bit of that practiced footwork you’ve gotten from soccer practice, you weave your way through the shelves and the one other person buying things in here.
  2136. 2136.
    >That’s when you spot it.
  2137. 2137.
    >You smile, and pick up the bag you were looking for.
  2138. 2138.
    >Scooting your feet as quick as you can, you manage to catch Anon just as he’s busting out the straw and sticking it into his frozen treat.
  2139. 2139.
    >“Hey, was wondering...uh, what’s that?”
  2140. 2140.
    >You hold your non-cup holding hand out with a grin.
  2141. 2141.
    “I figured we should at least get Wallflower something. She did mention these, right?”
  2142. 2142.
    >Anon shakes his head with a smile on his lips, then starts walking your direction.
  2143. 2143.
    >“I’m sure she’ll appreciate the thought. Now, let’s get out of here.”
  2144. 2144.
     
  2145. 2145.
    >>42419343
  2146. 2146.
    >Giving him a nod, you follow behind Anon as he catches the attention of the girl working the register.
  2147. 2147.
    >You're not exactly sure where her eyes are looking as she rings up the purchases, but Anon’s receipt is soon in hand.
  2148. 2148.
    >With everything finally done, you both make your way outside and...huh, looks like you’re not going to the car yet.
  2149. 2149.
    >Anon's leaning onto the wall in front of the parking spot, looking very relaxed there.
  2150. 2150.
    “So, we’re drinking these here?”
  2151. 2151.
    >“Of course, I’m not about to risk a slushie spill in my car. Do you know how hard artificial dyes are to get out?”
  2152. 2152.
    “Uh, no?”
  2153. 2153.
    >“Very.”
  2154. 2154.
    >Anon starts to slurp at the slushie without hesitation.
  2155. 2155.
    >You also start slurping away, until you glance at the layers that make up Anon’s drink.
  2156. 2156.
    >It’s enough to make you stop mid-sip entirely.
  2157. 2157.
    “Wait, Anon, did you just get four different flavors of *apple*?
  2158. 2158.
    >Anon stops his own sip to answer you.
  2159. 2159.
    >“Yeah?”
  2160. 2160.
    “Wha-why?!”
  2161. 2161.
    >“Because it’s good?”
  2162. 2162.
    “But that’s the same flavor with different colors basically.”
  2163. 2163.
    >“Not exactly, green apple is sour.”
  2164. 2164.
    “That’s one flavor! You got Apple Cider, Apple Starburst, and Apple Twist, and they all taste pretty much the same.”
  2165. 2165.
    >Judging by the look on his face, you reckon you actually guessed the right order he poured them in.
  2166. 2166.
    >...
  2167. 2167.
    >You also reckon you need to stop letting Applebloom infect your thoughts with her phrases.
  2168. 2168.
    >“What’s with the third degree?”
  2169. 2169.
    “They have like twenty flavors and you only got like, two real ones.”
  2170. 2170.
    >“Bit of a glass house you’re in right now, Scoots. I may have gotten the Applejack special, but-”
  2171. 2171.
    >He points to your slushie.
  2172. 2172.
    “What?”
  2173. 2173.
    >“...You don’t get what you chose?”
  2174. 2174.
    “I got blue raspberry. What’s wrong with that?”
  2175. 2175.
    >“...Nothing.”
  2176. 2176.
    >You squint for a second, scrutinizing your sugary drink.
  2177. 2177.
    >The heck does he mean-
  2178. 2178.
    >OH.
  2179. 2179.
    >Oh, now you get it.
  2180. 2180.
    “H-hey! It’s not for that Rainbow- I mean reason! I just...like the sour taste. Really, I do.”
  2181. 2181.
    >“Suuuure you do.”
  2182. 2182.
    >You try to find a way to dig out of this hole, but you know when you’re licked.
  2183. 2183.
    >All you can do is hide your embarrassment with the sound of slurping.
  2184. 2184.
    >Which you come to quickly regret, holding the side of your head.
  2185. 2185.
    “Ah! Brain freeze!”
  2186. 2186.
    >In the middle of your suffering, you hear Anon bust out laughing, and then obviously trying to hold it back.
  2187. 2187.
    “Anon! It’s not funny!”
  2188. 2188.
    >“I’m sorry, Scoots. But, it kinda is.”
  2189. 2189.
    >You’re about to protest, but then you realize.
  2190. 2190.
    >It is actually kinda funny.
  2191. 2191.
    “Alright, it is. But only a little, so stop laughing!”
  2192. 2192.
    >“Okay, okay, I promise.”
  2193. 2193.
    >Anon responds to your flustered state by tussling your hair again, causing you conflicted feelings.
  2194. 2194.
    >You like that your favorite people always seem to do it, but it’s kinda cutting into your cool girl persona now.
  2195. 2195.
     
  2196. 2196.
    >>42419357
  2197. 2197.
    >Trying not to get brain freeze a second time, you try to keep up with Anon’s slurping.
  2198. 2198.
    >You got a smaller-sized slushie than he did, but it’s still a struggle to match his speed.
  2199. 2199.
    >How can he just chug that thing down like that?
  2200. 2200.
    >That’s just not fair.
  2201. 2201.
    >By the time you come close to finishing, it’s neck and neck.
  2202. 2202.
    >All you can do is shoot your frosty breath through your nose to not give away the game.
  2203. 2203.
    >Still, you managed to have your slushie and follow along with Anon, tossing the empties like nothing’s wrong.
  2204. 2204.
    >Trying to keep things cool, you make it back to your seat and strap in as Anon pulls out.
  2205. 2205.
    >Okay, cool is a *very* bad choice of words to use right now.
  2206. 2206.
    >Don’t think of ice, don’t think of cold, and don’t think of anything related to your icy-cold headache.
  2207. 2207.
    >Desperate to thaw your thoughts out, you hang onto the bag of sweets you snagged for Sleeping Beauty in the back.
  2208. 2208.
    >That actually does the trick, and then your eyes can finally look back to the drive.
  2209. 2209.
    >Anon’s seems pretty occupied with driving, since traffic is starting to pick up now.
  2210. 2210.
    >That gives you enough time to get back to normal, and pretend like your noggin isn’t bracing from a cold snap.
  2211. 2211.
    >By the time you’re finally free from the frost, you actually recognize where this car is heading.
  2212. 2212.
    >Oh, yeah, you were meant to be Anon’s little co-pilot.
  2213. 2213.
    >You make sure to point him in the right direction, and then the next.
  2214. 2214.
    >As much as you want to forget the whole thing, you recall yesterday’s route and retrace your steps.
  2215. 2215.
    >Wait, can you still say that if you’re in a car with wheels?
  2216. 2216.
    >Hey, it’s your brain and you can use the phrases you want to.
  2217. 2217.
    >Your inner dialogue ceases long enough for you to tell Anon which turns he has to take.
  2218. 2218.
    >And which banana balloons to look out for.
  2219. 2219.
    >It’s just the one, but still.
  2220. 2220.
    >You are the co-pilot and you keep Anon right where he needs to go.
  2221. 2221.
    >Even though you feel...off the closer you get to the party.
  2222. 2222.
    >But, you shake it away as your see the aftermath of last night come into view.
  2223. 2223.
    >Most of the cars that were there are gone, except for that one that somehow ended up in the bushes.
  2224. 2224.
    >Hard to believe the big hoedown tha- dammit, Applebloom!
  2225. 2225.
    >Hard to believe the big *bash* that went on last night was so fizzled out now.
  2226. 2226.
    >Like a bonfire that ate through every last log, then left just some ash and embers.
  2227. 2227.
    >Considering how burnt out some of the stragglers appear, you think that makes sense.
  2228. 2228.
    >Oh, crap, Anon’s getting out.
  2229. 2229.
    >You unbuckle yourself, and try to get on your feet.
  2230. 2230.
    >For a moment, you think about your freeloading friend in the back.
  2231. 2231.
    >As much as you wanna, you realize you don’t really need her to drag the coolers back.
  2232. 2232.
    >Her snooze cruise keeps on sailing.
  2233. 2233.
    >“Uh, Scoots?”
  2234. 2234.
    “Huh?”
  2235. 2235.
    >“Do you know where we left those things?”
  2236. 2236.
    >…
  2237. 2237.
    “Yeah, of course I do. Totally!”
  2238. 2238.
    >You totally don’t.
  2239. 2239.
    “Just follow me, and we’ll get them in no time.”
  2240. 2240.
     
  2241. 2241.
    >>42520346
  2242. 2242.
    >Despite your quicker than usual lie, you realize that Anon and you are heading in a vaguely correct direction.
  2243. 2243.
    >At least if all this trail of trash is a good sign of where everyone stashed the refreshments last night.
  2244. 2244.
    >Let’s see, there’s: beer cans -empty of course-, random bread crusts, empty chip bags and a sticky balloon...you hope that’s a balloon.
  2245. 2245.
    >But, there’s no sign of those coolers.
  2246. 2246.
    >...Wait, you can work with this.
  2247. 2247.
    “Uh, this is where they were last night.”
  2248. 2248.
    >“Are you sure?”
  2249. 2249.
    “Yeah! Looks like they probably got tossed somewhere once the party really got started.”
  2250. 2250.
    >Looking at Anon’s face, you’re pretty sure he bought that.
  2251. 2251.
    >“Well, shit. We’re gonna have to search for them, won’t we?”
  2252. 2252.
    “Yeah, I guess s-”
  2253. 2253.
    >You’re cut off in the middle of your sentence by a collision, and find yourself on your butt in short order.
  2254. 2254.
    “Ow, watch where you’re going!”
  2255. 2255.
    >“Hey, I recognize you, man!”
  2256. 2256.
    >You snap to attention when you hear that voice.
  2257. 2257.
    >In front of you, is a very familiar green person.
  2258. 2258.
    >Well, not as familiar as the other green people you’ve been around.
  2259. 2259.
    >But you do remember her.
  2260. 2260.
    >How can you not?
  2261. 2261.
    “Oh, hey, Tree Hugger.”
  2262. 2262.
    >“Sup, little patchouli? I didn’t see you around the party last night, where’d you go?”
  2263. 2263.
    >As you’re about to answer her, you feel a strong grip on you that pulls you to your feet.
  2264. 2264.
    >Anon’s holding onto you rather tightly as he holds a somewhat concerned look on his face.
  2265. 2265.
    >“Hey, I didn’t really see you around either! You’re Mellow Yellow’s bud, right?”
  2266. 2266.
    >Anon seems like he’s at a loss for words as she looks at him.
  2267. 2267.
    >“Yeah, Fluttershy said she got a lift with you. Things are kinda foggy on the details, but she was happy to see you.”
  2268. 2268.
    >As uncomfortable as he seems, he still offers a hand up to Tree Hugger.
  2269. 2269.
    >She takes it and brushes the bits of ground and grass off of herself.
  2270. 2270.
    >“Hey, sorry about the bump and run, but we-”
  2271. 2271.
    >“Aw, don’t worry about that, man. It’s all good, no harm, no foul.”
  2272. 2272.
    >There’s a vacant, glossy stare that she gives you two as she twists and stretches her arms and back.
  2273. 2273.
    >You *really* didn’t need to hear her popping those joints.
  2274. 2274.
    >As her stretching finishes, she slowly brings her arms into a thinking pose as those unfocused eyes gaze at you.
  2275. 2275.
    >“Wait. Hold on. Hmmmmmm. Oh!”
  2276. 2276.
    >She snaps her fingers as she points to you and Anon.
  2277. 2277.
    >“You two totally found each other yesterday.”
  2278. 2278.
    >That beat you expect from your heart seems to be gone, as you feel Anon’s grip tighten.
  2279. 2279.
    >You can barely see that look on Anon as he hears those words.
  2280. 2280.
    >They filled him with thoughts you assume are close to your own.
  2281. 2281.
    >“Right on, little patchouli! I knew you’d find someone to talk to if you tried. I bet you had a great time.”
  2282. 2282.
    >That previous dread is mixed in with confusion, now.
  2283. 2283.
    >What exactly is she thinking?
  2284. 2284.
     
  2285. 2285.
    >>42520351
  2286. 2286.
    >“Look, Tree Hugger, we can’t really-”
  2287. 2287.
    >“Hey, no judgment, man. If you had to beat it and chill somewhere, that’s totally cool with me.”
  2288. 2288.
    >Oh, neither of you liked hearing that.
  2289. 2289.
    >“Not everyone is cut out for the wild scene of a party, man.”
  2290. 2290.
    >And now her hand is on Anon’s shoulder.
  2291. 2291.
    >Anon does not seem to be happy about that.
  2292. 2292.
    >“Sometimes you just gotta follow your heart and stuff. Y’know, follow your inner vibes.”
  2293. 2293.
    >Anon’s about to speak, and you’d bet your scooter seat he’s gonna lay into her like an ax to a tree.
  2294. 2294.
    >But, Tree Hugger cuts him off one more time.
  2295. 2295.
    >“Oh, yeah, you were the ones who brought the sandwiches to the party. Munchies hit hard when you’re having fun, right on, brother!”
  2296. 2296.
    >That hand on a shoulder turned into an overly familiar one armed hug, with her other arm pointing off somewhere.
  2297. 2297.
    >You make a mental note to avoid Fluttershy’s rehab friends if they don’t partake in showers daily, blech.
  2298. 2298.
    >“Pretty sure those are yours. We found ‘em tossed over a bunch of empties, and put them in the pile.”
  2299. 2299.
    >Them?
  2300. 2300.
    >You and Anon look over and behold, a very scuffed but otherwise safe pair of coolers next to...garbage bags?
  2301. 2301.
    “Uh, what’s up with the trash pile?”
  2302. 2302.
    >She looks at you, with something resembling amusement on that spaced-out expression of hers.
  2303. 2303.
    >“Parties get wild, but they’re not always the best thing *for* the wild. Sometimes things get left behind, and Mother Nature shouldn’t have to clean up after her children.”
  2304. 2304.
    >In the middle of her eco-freak speech, you see one of those flower girls from school hauling a bag.
  2305. 2305.
    >What’s her name again?
  2306. 2306.
    >Rosehips? Rosebush? Rosebud?
  2307. 2307.
    >Something like that.
  2308. 2308.
    >“Wait, you guys are cleaning up after the party?”
  2309. 2309.
    >“Well, yeah. Someone’s gotta do it, and it’s all part of giving back to Mama Nature by keeping things clean.”
  2310. 2310.
    >Judging from Anon’s expression, he’s thinking what you’re thinking.
  2311. 2311.
    >If it weren’t for what else these girls got up to, you’d probably be supportive of their little tidy forest mission.
  2312. 2312.
    >But that’s about three showers and a long talk about personal space *away*, away.
  2313. 2313.
    >“O...kay, that’s...actually kinda admirable. But, if you don’t mind, we’ll be taking those back.”
  2314. 2314.
    >She gives him a light shrug, and releases her hold on him.
  2315. 2315.
    >“Of course, you and little patchouli probably got places to be. I should get back to Mellow Yellow and the girls, we’ve got a lot to do after last night.”
  2316. 2316.
    >And thankfully she left your lives as unceremoniously as she entered.
  2317. 2317.
    >You and Anon let out a sigh of relief, both giving each other a silent nod.
  2318. 2318.
    >Coolers, and then you’re *out* of here.
  2319. 2319.
    >And hey, Tree Hugger said things were probably empty by now, so that’s a bonus.
  2320. 2320.
    >You don’t think lugging around a bunch of beer and half-used bread loaves would be fun for Anon.
  2321. 2321.
    >Scooting over there with determination, you grab a cooler and manage to easily lift it off the ground.
  2322. 2322.
    >Anon, on the other hand, does not seem to be having such a good time.
  2323. 2323.
    >“What the hell, what’s in this thing? Rocks?”
  2324. 2324.
     
  2325. 2325.
    >>42520352
  2326. 2326.
    >Caring a lot less about the environment than getting out of here, Anon decides to just open up the cooler and toss out whatever’s inside.
  2327. 2327.
    >After flipping it open, you don’t see rocks or any items, really.
  2328. 2328.
    >Just a very tired and poor street magician.
  2329. 2329.
    >Anon pinches the bridge of his nose, not pleased to see Trixie sleeping in the cooler.
  2330. 2330.
    >He turns it over, sending her tumbling onto the grass with a shout as she wakes up.
  2331. 2331.
    >That gets a giggle out of you, that you have to hold back with your hand.
  2332. 2332.
    >“Ow! Who dares interrupt the Great and Powerful Trixie’s slightly-less great nap?!”
  2333. 2333.
    >She flips herself over, her face dropping into a mildly annoyed expression.
  2334. 2334.
    >“Oh, Anon.”
  2335. 2335.
    >Hey, you’re here, too!
  2336. 2336.
    >“The hell are you doing sleeping in a cramped box? I thought you’d be a lot more careful after the locker incident.”
  2337. 2337.
    >“That was a one time thing and you know it!”
  2338. 2338.
    >Trixie realizes she let Anon under her skin, and tries to quickly correct herself.
  2339. 2339.
    >“I mean, uh, the Great and Powerful Trixie has already conquered her fear...of tight spaces.”
  2340. 2340.
    >You and Anon share a glance and a chuckle, at the wannabe wizard’s expense.
  2341. 2341.
    >Trixie’s cheeks turn a slight crimson as you dig at the little shame she has.
  2342. 2342.
    >“I don’t have to take this from the likes of you. After last night’s rousing success, Trixie has finally found herself the fine folk that appreciate her *unique* talents.”
  2343. 2343.
    “You mean messing up lame party tricks and getting your cape stuck in the door?”
  2344. 2344.
    >“Ye-hey! Screw you, you overgrown chicken!”
  2345. 2345.
    >Despite her pecking at your weakpoint, at least she acknowledged you.
  2346. 2346.
    >But this is Trixie, you can spar with her a lot easier than Diamond Tiara.
  2347. 2347.
    “Hey, at least I’m not the featherbrain who sleeps in coolers.”
  2348. 2348.
    >She seems taken aback at your audacity, before gritting her teeth and getting ready to fire back.
  2349. 2349.
    >Then, Anon steps in.
  2350. 2350.
    >“Beefing with freshmen? That’s a new low, Houdini.”
  2351. 2351.
    >Anon gives you a sly grin, and you can’t help but laugh.
  2352. 2352.
    >Trixie, thoroughly angered, tries to stammer her way through a response.
  2353. 2353.
    >Realizing she has no graceful exit, she clears her throat and stares you down.
  2354. 2354.
    >“Well, try making a witty remark to this!”
  2355. 2355.
    >Out comes one of her smokebombs, the cloud leaving you coughing a bit.
  2356. 2356.
    >Followed by a distant *thwack*.
  2357. 2357.
    >Once the smoke vanishes, you can clearly see Trixie has acquainted herself with a tree.
  2358. 2358.
    >Moaning and holding her face in her hands, you and Anon slowly back away to leave.
  2359. 2359.
    >You can leave Trixie with a little bit of her dignity.
  2360. 2360.
    >As you’re nearing the trunk, Anon can’t help but smirk.
  2361. 2361.
    >“She really barked up the wrong tree with that one, huh?”
  2362. 2362.
    “Anon!”
  2363. 2363.
    >You try not to laugh.
  2364. 2364.
    >You fail.
  2365. 2365.
    >You fail hard.
  2366. 2366.
    “Okay, that’s funny, but she hurt herself. Come on.”
  2367. 2367.
    >“Alright, fine. We can lay off Trixie for the rest of the day.”
  2368. 2368.
    >A moment of silence comes between you two, and then you give into the laughs you tried to hold back.
  2369. 2369.
    >Maybe you can be nicer to Trixie next time.

Icarian Love

by Mediocre