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5728 31.74 KB 334
5728 31.74 KB 334
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Another AnokoVA inspired piece - though I think it quickly gains a life of its' own beyond this initial bit. Watch in amazement as Hearthsong bases his entire understanding of the entertainment industry around Tony Hawk's Underground. Skateworld? Musicworld.
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Part One:
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>Ah, Canterlot City
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>In the past decades most people would describe it as a sleepy little town
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>If one had to mention anything of note about the place it'd probably be the completely one-sided rivalry that had been going on between the two local high schools for decades
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>The kind of losing streak Canterlot High had going on really had to be studied, something that truly sad only came around once in a lifetime
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>Of course then a demon tried to enslave the school's populace and things really weren't ever the same afterwards
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>Ever since then, the city gained a bit of notoriety, being ranked pretty damn high on clickbait articles of dangerous towns to avoid visiting across the country
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>So many exploded gas mains, peculiar weather balloons falling, mass gas leaks had been reported over the years that it almost made one question how there was even a city left standing
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>The locals knew better, of course
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>Just a bit of chicanery to keep any government higher than the local authority from turning their eyes on the town and getting a real look at what was going on: the continued leakage of Equestrian Magic into the world
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>Almost everyone had stories to swap about cherished items gaining enchantments, or a neighbor going berserk and turning into an angry grievance-themed wizard before getting their ass beat by a septet of women
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>It was just a fact of life living in Canterlot City that at some point you were going to get hit in the face with a rainbow
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>Don't make a big deal out of it
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>(Seriously, don't make a big deal about it, no one wants the FBI raiding the town)
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>And so for a time that was life
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>But as everyone got a little older
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>A new aspect of the town was developing
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>Ever since that fateful Battle of The Bands a little over half a decade ago, the music scene in Canterlot City had grown more and more prominently
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>Dozens of bands and solo acts had been spurred to action by the Dazzlings and their Siren's Call
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>Inspired by the breakout performance of The Rainbooms that had saved the school from being turned into a feeding ground for the Sirens, many groups were also keen to try their hand at being something
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>Years after this generation had graduated from High School, many groups still persisted
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>Bookings for gigs were cutthroat in Canterlot City
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>Dozens of acts fighting over the scraps they could, trying to get their names out there
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>And so, what was originally a nowhere town with almost nothing to speak of about it turned magical hotspot was now on the precipice of something else:
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>Becoming the next Nashville or New Orleans
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>All this town needed was one breakout group to put it on the map
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>Anyone not actively participating in the scene "knew" that that was going to be The Rainbooms, still going strong all these years later
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>But Trixie and The Illusions, Flash Drive, The Snapshots, MC Snips, DJ Pon-3, among many others...
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>Well, they certainly had their own ideas on who was Number One in town
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>Where did (You) figure into all of this, though?
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>Well, that's simple:
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>In the middle of all of these competing bands, (You) were a Mercenary
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>...
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>No, not that kind of mercenary, obviously
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>That wouldn't be at all relevant to the premise we just spent 3500 characters setting up, now would it?
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>You were a Lyrical Mercenary
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>A surprisingly lucrative profession, if you say so yourself
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>Because at the end of the day, there's two things these bands manage to have in common:
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>Almost everyone is in their mid-20s, and no one's doing this professionally yet
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>Which means beyond having to practice their sets and meet up for gigs
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>They also their day jobs to contend with
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>Some have college courses to attend
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>Most often have both
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>And sometimes? A bandmate couldn't make a show because they spent all night cramming for an exam and they're totally burnt out
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>Or their boss is being a huge dick and sprung overtime on them on nights when they already had a show lined up
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>Or a litany of other reasons that resulted in the same thing: a band was down a member and needed someone to slot in on short notice
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>That's where the Mercenaries came in
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>Musicians unaffiliated with any band who were happy to fill in those missing slots... for a fee
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>(You) were far from the only one, of course
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>But if you were to let yourself crow a bit, you were absolutely the best Mercenary in the city
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>(You) are Power Chord, and ever since you were a snotty little baby, playing with the toy drum you mother bought you to distract and wear you out while she fucked the pool boy, music was your life
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>As you grew up and got more acquainted with it, there wasn't an instrument you didn't try your damndest to master if you could get your hands on it
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>And at Crystal Prep Academy, with its' ludicrously funded music department (along with every other department being flush with cash, who was Principal Cinch fucking?)
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>That meant you got your hands on quite a few of them
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>The end result being an incredibly well-rounded proficiency with all manner of instruments
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>Guitars of all stripes (Lead, Bass, Rhythm), drums, violin, piano - even the mighty keytar
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>There hadn't been a request for mercenary work that crossed your way that you hadn't been able to fulfill yet
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>Your ability to slot into any role had made you quite in demand
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>From running drums for Flash Sentry and his Flash Drive
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>Shredding lead guitar for Photo Finish's Snapshots
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>You once even took the stage with Octavia Melody for a cello duel at her behest
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>Your most prominent and persistent clients, though?
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>Easily The Rainbooms
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>Fielding seven members all with incredibly busy lives meant that more often than not at least one of them simply couldn't make a performance here and there
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>Whether the bassist Applejack had put off the harvest for too long and couldn't leave the farm
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>Or keytarist Rarity had deadlines to meet for her boutique that simply couldn't be pushed back further
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>Or the drummer Pinkie Pie finally crashed after a week straight of partying and working overtime at her bakery job and was going to go into a coma for at least 48 hours
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>Or anything the rest of the group couldn't hold off any longer
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>They made for a most lucrative group on your end
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>And tonight was no different
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>The aforementioned Pinkie Pie was in the midst of another one of her sugar comas, leading you to take up the role for them
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>You all performed exceptionally, naturally
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>This was far from your first time working with the Rainbooms, and despite not being a member you had picked up on their cadence as if you'd founded the band by this point
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>So when the crowd for the decently sized auditorium they'd managed to pack erupted, you simply basked in it with them
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>(That and finally let out a deep breath behind the mask you were wearing)
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>(Mercenaries tended to make it very apparent that they weren't a member of the band they were working for - some of them took to wearing elaborate costumes that clashed against the rest of the group's aesthetic, along with stage names)
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>(You kept it simple: a green full face mask that Rarity had very kindly stitched together for you, obscuring your face and replacing it with a massive question mark)
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>(Your stage name? Anonymous)
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>After a time Rainbow Dash finally grew tired of soaking up cheers and called it a night
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>Leading you to your least favorite part of the experience:
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>The post show bar crawl
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>Now, don't get you wrong
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>You liked working with The Rainbooms, they were an exceptionally talented band
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>And individually, they all seemed like pretty cool ladies
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>But you regretted your inability to turn down the bar crawl
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>(Too many wide, expecting eyes on you at once, you weren't made of stone!)
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>But whenever you went on these crawls, you... pretty much became an afterthought to them
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>Not maliciously
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>At least you don't think
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>But this was a group of friends who had known each other, some of them for over a decade now
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>They knew each other like the back of their own hands
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>And trying to slip into that group dynamic was like trying to get around a brick wall by running straight through it
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>Splat
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>So, they chattered among themselves, shared in-jokes that were years in the making, and you...
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>You just kinda existed at the same table as them
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>In the least the 'newest' member of their group (still a present part of their troupe by half a decade at this point), Twilight Sparkle realized you were still there
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>And she was always happy to engage you in conversation if someone else wasn't taking up her attention
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>Though admittedly it was mostly a conversation with her at the head, so it lead to a lot of scientific jargon that flew so far over your head it was laughable
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>It was much the same when she talked about her burgeoning magic theories (She and Sunset were pretty much the brains of this operation when it came to their activities regarding that stuff, and it showed)
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>In the least, being the complete librosexual that she was, she was all too happy to discuss literature with you on top of all that, which was much more easier for you to keep up and actually engage with
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>So when you weren't filling in for her these bar crawls often times turned into a two-person book club between the two of you
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>Tonight's discussion on the character motivations of "Middlemarch"'s Dorothea Brooke and her disastrous pursuit of Edward Casuabon wasn't going so well, however
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>Rainbow Dash had bullied Twilight into "living a little tonight"
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>By which she meant actually drinking instead of enjoying a soda while everyone else drank alcohol
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>Which led to the bookworm enjoying her first Cuba Libra, or rum and coke
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>It also led everyone to realizing that Twilight was a complete fucking lightweight (something that probably should've been apparent in the first place, given that she wasn't a prominent drinker in the slightest)
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>You thought she was trying to say something about Tertius Lydgate's subplot, but she was slurring her words so badly that she could've been talking about Typhoid and sewer grates for all you could tell
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>Then she lost her balance and smacked her head on the table
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>The sudden bang caused everyone at the table to jump
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>And the den mother, Applejack, to take stock of everyone
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>Rainbow Dash was holding her own, to your continued surprise
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>She was like five feet even and had at best 5% bodyfat
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>You have no idea where she got the alcohol tolerance she had from
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>Or where it all went
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>Rarity was currently trying to let Applejack wear her like a scarf, hanging off the farmgirl and giggling shamelessly
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>Bit too much wine for that one, but AJ certainly didn't mind
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>Fluttershy was sleeping in the booth already, with four drained daiquiris in front of her
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>And Sunset...
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>Well, Sunset left already
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>She had an early morning to get ready for, with a fairly major psychology exam waiting for her
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>"Alrigh', I think we're about done here for th' night."
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>Rainbow Dash immediately started whining and protesting while you got out of your chair to check on Twilight
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>Fortunately, she hadn't headbutted the table nearly as hard as it had sounded
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>There was a bit of a mark but she hadn't broke the skin at all
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>Still, it was prudent to be sure
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"You alright there, Twilight? Brain still in one piece?"
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>The young woman groaned, standing up on spaghetti legs and immediately putting both hands on the table to steady herself
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>"Feeling... dizzy."
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"Rum, coke, and head trauma will do that to you. Lets get you home, huh?"
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>Applejack interjected at that point
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>"Ah, don' worry about it, Anon."
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>Your stage name had become a bit of a nickname among the group, which was fine
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>"Ah'll handle gettin' her home, don't you worry."
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>You eyed Applejack, taking stock of her... current stock
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>Rarity was currently coiled around her neck, hanging on for dear life
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>The farmgirl was also carrying Fluttershy, still snoozing away, over her shoulder like she was carrying a sack of flour
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"Your load looks pretty heavy already, AJ. Though I guess Rainbow Dash could take her?"
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>You turned to face Rainbow Dash...
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>And got a distinctly empty space where there used to be a lead vocals and guitarist
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>From the front of the bar you could hear Rainbow Dash call out 'see ya guys later I already paid for my part byyeee!'
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>Goddamnit, Rainbow
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"... Or she could ditch us. That would've at least been one drunk for each of us to handle. Much fairer odds."
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>"True, but still. Ah got this."
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"And I still insist. You shouldn't have to ferry everyone home yourself, super strength or not."
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>Twilight stared between the two of you
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>She blinked one eye, then the other before really registering the conversation
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>"'Non, you'll walk me home?"
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"Of course I will. It's not far, right?"
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>"Yeah! I mean, no? Um. Yes, it's not far."
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>Twilight perked up at the offer, stumbling over and grasping at your forearm
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>You turned to Applejack and shrugged
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"Looks like she's on board. I'd say be careful getting those two home, but Hell, Fluttershy weighs like, what, a few grapes?"
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>Applejack gave you a look that you couldn't quite place
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>Narrowing her eyes but giving you what mostly felt like a genuine smile
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>"... Right, she's a dainty thing. You take care of your charge too, y'hear? Ah'll be right cross if y'don't."
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"Wouldn't dream of it. Goodnight AJ, Rarity."
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>And with that you split up
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>The crawl tonight had seen you across three establishments tonight, and this last one was definitely in the nicer, more upscale part of town
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>Incidentally, Twilight's apartment wasn't too far off from it
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>You honestly couldn't believe she bothered moving out, especially since her actual mansion wasn't even that far off from the apartment she was renting out
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>You had asked about it before and she said she wanted the full college experience, and she wasn't going to get that living at home and commuting to Horsepun University
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>(The fact that she was matriculating at Horsepun was also fucking mindblowing, Twilight was a goddamn genius)
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>Not that Horsepun was a bad school by any means, but she should absolutely be studying at Harvard, or... was there anything better than Harvard? (Ultra Harvard?)
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>You didn't really know any prestigious schools beyond the ones everyone already knew via cultural osmosis
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>Either way, you had pointed out the 'real' college experience would've been sharing a cramped dorm on campus
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>Not renting out a high rise in the rich part of town
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>In the face of that point, she just got sheepish and admitted that she was nervous about living with a total stranger
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>And
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>At the moment you kind of wish she'd put on that sheepish air, because drunk Twilight doesn't know how to walk
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>After just five minutes and two blocks she'd tried to stumble into the road three times too many for your liking
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>Which led you to your current situation, holding her hand firmly to ensure that she didn't try to wander off to her death again
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>"I'm not THAT tipsy, I'm just walking a little diagonally... the sidewalk is being purposefully wobbly..."
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>You simply responded to her by quirking up an eyebrow
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>'Tipsy' was a slurring of the speech and a stumble here and there
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>This was some legendary levels of alcohol intolerance
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>You hoped Rainbow kept her peer pressure to herself in the future, but you imagined this was going to be a more common occurrence
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>When you didn't respond verbally Twilight simply got a stupid smile on her face, violet eyes dipping down to the hand you were currently holding on to (cupped, not interlocked)
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>"Thank you for holding my hand... I promise I'm not going to fall. Again."
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"You'll forgive me if I don't entirely believe that, Twilight. I'm just going to hold on to this for safekeeping until we get you home, alright?"
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>That just got a giggle out of her
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>"You really didn't have to walk me all the way home, you know. My apartment's literally on the opposite side of town from yours, after all!"
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>You're pretty sure if you WEREN'T walking her home she'd be in the middle of the road either passed out or making a complete nuisance of herself
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>... Or Applejack would be desperately trying to corral two drunken goblins and one sleepy lush right about now
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>Your mouth thinned at the comment about your own apartment, but you let it slide without comment
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>"But you still did, and you said... you said, 'Of course I'll walk you home!' like it was so easy and not a burden. You're really nice, Anon."
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>The woman suddenly throws her free hand in the air, before resting her palm over her eyes
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>"I only had one drink! ONE! And now my brain is being very unscientific. You don't mind if I talk a lot, right? Because all my thoughts are gathering together in a big circle and chanting 'Okay Twilight, confession time'!"
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>Twilight punctuated that last sentence with a few pumps of her arms, trying to mimic a cheerleader with pom-poms
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>You simply shrugged at that
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>You were kind of curious what someone like her would have to 'confess' to, anyway
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>What, turn in a few library books too late?
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"Sure, if you feel like talking, I'm all ears. What's on your mind?"
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>"I had a lot of fun tonight... with the girls, I mean."
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>You managed to keep your mouth from turning down at that addendum, though you think even if you let the hurt on your face show Twilight wouldn't have noticed
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>Was that necessary?
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>"Rainbow was loud and trying to talk to everyone at once, Sunset was moody... Rarity tried to order something more expensive than my grocery budget, and my heart nearly stopped!"
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"That's saying a lot, given who's saying that."
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>Twilight blearily turns her head to stare at you, and she smiles
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>"I really appreciate you keeping an eye on me tonight, even when I couldn't articulate myself properly... and when my elbow slipped and I knocked my head on the table, you were the first one there to make sure I was okay. That made my chest feel warm... not from the alcohol, but from knowing I mattered to someone."
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>She wasn't kidding when she warned you about being chatty
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>It felt nice to hear someone say that, though
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>Twilight suddenly gained an introspective look on her face
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>"It's funny... I'm not majoring in it like Sunset, but I study psychology all the time. A lot of the magic that leaks into our world is heavily influenced by emotions - both negative and positive. I understand a lot of the concepts, but... I'm really bad at saying how I feel. About you."
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>You were a bit blindsided, there, and it apparently showed on your face because Twilight immediately kept rambling
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>"I don't want to mess things up! So I keep it locked up. Do you ever think about how sad that is? We keep our feelings towards the people who mean the most to us locked away, refuse to be honest about them... because we're scared of being honest with those people the most."
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"It is kind of ironic, I guess. The people we should be most comfortable with are the ones we worry the most about upsetting, so we maintain a status quo with them. In a way, you can be more honest with strangers because, well, who cares, right? You don't know them enough to hold their opinions of you in esteem."
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>Even through her bleary gaze Twilight seems to register that you understand, offering you a ten-megawatt smile and nodding so enthusiastically she rocks unsteadily on her feet, causing you both to have to stop walking until she stops swaying
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>"That's right! Exactly what I was thinking, Anon!"
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>Twilight lets out a loud sigh of contentment, stumbling forward and pulling you along, sidling a bit closer to you as she does
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>"I think I like walking with you like this... just us. The streets are quiet, the night air is crisp. It feels safe. I feel safe."
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>The fact that you were in the part of town that the local police patrolled the most was probably a factor in that
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>You couldn't help but glance around, your eyes set to look for threats out of habit that... simply didn't exist in this part of Canterlot City
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>What few people that were out this late at night were friendly, all smiles and upright postures
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>Not a single person you and your charge had passed looked like they were capable of throwing a punch without breaking their thumb
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>As you considered the baffling income disparity that could exist in even a town as small as this, you stumbled slightly as Twilight suddenly bumped into you, leaning way more heavily on your person
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>When you looked down at her (having a whole head and a half of height on the young woman), you found her grinning that stupid sort of grin you could only find on drunks who'd taken leave of social inhibition
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>"Also, you smell really nice. What kind of shampoo do you use? My brain's decided that's important information!"
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>You perked up a brow at that
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>You're fairly certain if this girl was just slightly more sober she'd be mortified of both the question and the insinuation that she'd been sniffing you
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"Honestly, I just grab the cheapest bar I can find. Couldn't tell you what brand or even the intended scent for a million bits."
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>With that (and a bit of a disappointed pout), you gently push Twilight forward to get her off of you
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>Her apartment isn't that far off, right? Please.
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>Despite failing to give her the information she desired, the young woman rebounds from this disappointment to sigh contentedly and stumble without a care in the world
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>"You know, most people don't go out of their way for me like this. They think I'm responsible, that I always have myself 'put together'."
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>Couldn't fathom where people got that idea from
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>(You knew for a fact that Twilight used a level to make sure her bangs were perfectly straight, but you refrained from pointing that out right now)
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>"Tonight though... you let me let my hair down and be messy, even if I went a little too far and couldn't talk about "Middlemarch" like we planned to. Tert... Tet... Lydgate's name is hard to say tonight! My tongue's tied up in knots..."
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>Technically that was more Rainbow making her let her hair down tonight and you not being in charge of her, giving that Twilight is a grown ass adult
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>But you suppose you could've just drank her rum and coke and made the point moot
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>(Rum and whiskey are good friends, even, you probably would've been fine)
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>"I liked that. I like... you."
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>Did you hear that right?
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>As you're about to ask the young woman suddenly stomps her foot and throws her chin in the air
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>"There! I said it! Not just like, oh, you're nice, but like... I appreciate your presence. Your kindness, the way you listen patiently about magic and my scientific studies even though I can see on your face that you don't really understand what I'm talking about."
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>That wasn't untrue, but you did feel like kind of an idiot when she said it like that
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>"Everyone's gotten so casual about the magic in this city, and hardly anyone wants to listen about chemistry and biology, but you let me gush."
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>Twilight stares at you with a bright smile on her face, and continues to bulldoze this conversation
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>"If I were sober, I would NEVER say this out loud... but since I'm scientifically compromised? I think you're attractive, too. Not just on a physical level, but... urgh."
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>Judging by the expression on her face, it looked like it was causing her physical pain to get this next bit past her lips, 'scientific compromise' or not
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>"Your... energy and vibes."
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>Honestly? You're floored
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>Twilight Dolores Sparkle using the phrase 'vibes' unironically?
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>Someone must've broke the thermostat in Hell
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>"You make me feel calm when you're with us on stage. Normally my brain's calculating all the ways the performance can go wrong, but you never let the pressure get to you, and you're so relaxed that it's really easy to just follow your lead and really enjoy the show. I've never mentioned it, but I really appreciate that..."
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>Twilight suddenly glances around
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>You can see recognition cutting through her hazy gaze
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>"We're almost at my building... that went faster than I thought. I kind of don't want the walk to end yet... not because I don't want to go home, of course, but because I want to stay in your company just a little longer."
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>As the pair of you find your way to the gated entrance of her apartment complex, and Twilight fiddles with her purse to find her ID, she still has more to say
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>"I always thought that feelings were something you had to analyze and break down to understand, but with you, they're just... there. Simple, warm. Not complicated. I wish I could walk you back home so you didn't have to make your way back alone, but that would defeat the purpose, wouldn't it?"
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>You can't help but chuckle quietly at that
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>It helped quash the relief that she wasn't going to try and follow you 'home'
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"Just a bit, Twilight. Do you need help there?"
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>"I got it! Just.. give me a minute."
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>You watch with amusement as the poor girl pulls out a set of keys, a library card, her college ID (which she tries several times before realizing why it wasn't working, to her great embarrassment), an unattached keychain of a cheap little plastic dog that vaguely resembles hers, and then,
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>"Ta-da!"
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>Her ID card for the gate, well done
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>As your walk continues, so does your friend's talking
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>"I always want to be brave and ask you to hang out more, like... all the time - but then my brain does what it does best and thinks up the worst case for every possible outcome."
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261.
>"Like, What if you're too busy?" ("I'm usually not."),
-
262.
>"What if you aren't interested?" ("I would be, most likely."),
-
263.
>"What if I'm annoying and talk too much?" ("You make it endearing, usually.")
-
264.
>"But tonight, I don't feel too scared to ask -"
-
265.
>Twilight stares up at you with a puzzled expression, suddenly
-
266.
>"Which is weird, and probably the alcohol now that I say it out loud, but... also wonderful. Can we... do this again? Preferably with less rum involved. But the walking, being close... I liked all of it. Hearing your voice so close to my ear, the way you let me set the pace and didn't rush me... I want to get to know you better, Anon."
-
267.
>Twilight fired off another rapid-fire series at you, then
-
268.
>"Like, what's your favorite place to go when you're tired?" ("Bed? Kind of an obvious one, Twilight.")
-
269.
>"What music do you listen to when you can't sleep?" ("Something with a low BPM to calm my brain down.")
-
270.
>"What do you dream about when no one's watching?"
-
271.
>That one struck you harder than the rest of her inane line of questioning, to the point that you actually stopped walking
-
272.
>Twilight kept walking, but given that you were still holding her hand, she quickly stopped making progress moving forward and stared back at you questioningly
-
273.
>You looked at her, really looked at her, with her glazed over eyes and flushed cheeks and that little grin on her face that was both incredibly cute, and an excellent indicator that that massive brain of hers wasn't fully all there right now
-
274.
>And you couldn't help but be honest
-
275.
"... Belonging somewhere. Really belonging."
-
276.
>The violet-skinned girl simply stares at you for a few moments more before erupting into some giggles
-
277.
>"I'm being really forward, aren't I?"
-
278.
"... Just a bit."
-
279.
>You tamped down your disappointment, and kept walking, prompting her to do so
-
280.
>"I want to learn all of that and more. I've been holding this in for a long time. When I see you laugh with the others, I get this tight feeling in my chest, like. I want to be the one that made you laugh like that. I want to be the one you come home to, and tell your day to."
-
281.
>As she rambles, Twilight pulls you in directions more confidently despite her stumbling gait, clearly having a better idea of where she is now compared to earlier
-
282.
>Before long you stand before the door leading to her apartment, and, perhaps predictably, the yap continues as she fishes for her keys
-
283.
>"I always tell myself not to be weird, but I find that worry really distant tonight. I really like you, Anon. Enough to not even feel mortified that you're seeing me like this. I feel safe."
-
284.
>With her keys retrieved, you're now privy to a show of the Twilight trying and failing to thread the needle and put it in her keyhole
-
285.
>After a few moments you gently reach out and steady her hands so that she can actually get the key in
-
286.
>She offers you a very grateful smile and giggles
-
287.
>"You're being very patient with me right now... and that's just making me like you more, you know."
-
288.
>Twilight pushes the door open and takes a few shaky steps inside her home
-
289.
>She looks back at you, waiting
-
290.
>And despite yourself you follow after her
-
291.
>Twilight's apartment is...
-
292.
>'Lavish' doesn't seem strong enough of a world
-
293.
>'Luxurious' might be in the ballpark
-
294.
>Part of you wonders if Miss Moneybags over here brought this high end furniture from her room at home or if her parents kitted her out with brand new stuff just for this place
-
295.
>You honestly wouldn't be surprised by the latter at all
-
296.
>"You know what I want to do?"
-
297.
>Twilight snaps you out of your envious appraisal of her living room
-
298.
>(You're pretty sure the carpet is authentic Persian)
-
299.
>"There's a really nice cafe near the library in this area, with cozy booths and window seats. We should go there! I'll bring a book, you'll bring..."
-
300.
>Twilight stared at you
-
301.
>Then kept doing so for just long enough to make things awkward before her brain rebooted
-
302.
>"You could bring... you! And we can just... talk. About whatever we want. I've always wanted to do that with you, but I didn't know how to say that without sounding... desperate."
-
303.
>You really aren't sure how to take that, to be honest
-
304.
>Desperate as in she thinks asking you out would be a desperate move, or as in she wouldn't know how to word it without sounding... overeager?
-
305.
>It didn't sound that way to you. so...
-
306.
>"But I don't want to be hung up on things like that. I want to be with you, so I'm saying it as boldly as I can."
-
307.
>Twilight kicked off her shoes in a lackadaisical fashion you're pretty sure she'd never do sober, and started to stumble towards a door across the room
-
308.
>She stopped just short of it to make eye contact with you again, and smiled lopsidedly
-
309.
>"I don't want tonight to be a sudsy memory, I want it to be the start of something. More walks, more talks, and more of your time. But I'm going to pass out in my bed, now."
-
310.
>At that, Twilight opened her bedroom door and stepped inside, but not before she poked her head out of the frame
-
311.
>"I hope I remember this courage, but even if I don't, I hope I remember how you made me feel... safe and seen. Thank you for walking me home, Anon. Lets do this again... just you and me, okay?"
-
312.
"Of course, Twilight. You get some rest, okay?"
-
313.
>With a cheerful nod, Twilight closed her door
-
314.
>You waited a few moments to make sure you didn't hear her trip over something in her bedroom and fall over
-
315.
>When you were satisfied, you took another glance around the apartment you had been left alone in
-
316.
>Ritzy rugs, handsome leather chairs and a couch, a solid mahogany coffeee table
-
317.
>Pictures covering every inch of the wall
-
318.
>Some friends you recognized, her dog, Spike
-
319.
>Folks that were presumably family
-
320.
>Even having been invited inside, you couldn't shake the feeling that you were trespassing
-
321.
>Like you had no business being in this world
-
322.
>Her kitchen was tucked away, seperated by a half-wall
-
323.
>All sorts of doodads and devices littering the counters that you wondered if she even knew how to use
-
324.
>What were the odds she had a butler or something for this place?
-
325.
>No one answered the door to receive you, so maybe a visiting maid
-
326.
>Either way you looked around the kitchen just for a bit, considering one last favor to leave Twilight with before you left for the night
-
327.
>Procuring a pen and some scrap paper, you began to scribble down a family recipe before you heard the lock to the front door 'clack' as it was engaged
-
328.
>Did Twilight have a roommate?
-
329.
>Glancing over at the door you felt like a deer in headlights
-
330.
>Though that paralyzing shock gave way to confusion as the front door was pushed open
-
331.
>And standing in the doorway was not some upper crust roommate...
-
332.
>But Applejack
-
333.
>The farmgirl stared across the way at you, brow perked up so high it almost disappeared into her bangs
-
334.
>"What'cha writin' there, sugarcube?"
by Hearthsong
by Hearthsong
by Hearthsong
by Hearthsong
by Hearthsong