GREEN
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2616 14.28 KB 258
2616 14.28 KB 258
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1.
>Repeated beeping awakens you.
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>Letting out a groan, you quickly shut off the alarm clock.
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>Taking a breath, you sit up and stretch slowly.
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>Just another long day in store.
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>You are Deep Rest, nurse extraordinaire!
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>Technically a doctor, but working as a nurse a little less stressful and you get to bond with patients more.
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>Rising out of your bed, you look around your apartment.
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>It’s a little cramped, but you have plenty of room for what little you what have.
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>Heading to the bathroom, you go through the usual routine of bathing and brushing.
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>Always a pain, but you try to look your best despite your colors of your coat and mane.
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>Won’t be long now till your shift starts, then the real day begins.
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>Stepping into the kitchen, you try to psych yourself up.
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>It’s always difficult though.
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>Especially with the effects of last nights drinking still lingering.
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>Thankfully, you didn’t overdo it.
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>Still doesn’t help the dull pain in your head.
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>You take out a box of cereal and a bowl.
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>You should really get around to making something a little better than glorified cardboard.
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>Reading the side of the box it says ‘Fills you with energy to get you through the day!’
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“What a crock of shit, gotta sell to the masses somehow.”
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>Sitting down at the table, you open up a book and read while you eat.
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>It’s nothing special, just an issue of this years medical journal.
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>In truth, you already know most of this stuff like the back of your hoof.
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>Doesn’t hurt to get a refresher.
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>Before long, you finish up and start to prep to head to work.
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>Grabbing your saddle bags, keys, and putting on your wristband, you stop to give yourself a pep talk.
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“Alright Rest, just gotta put on your best face. Remember! Do it for the patients, do it for them.”
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>If anypony were to hear you now, likely your neighbors, they’d probably think your crazy.
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>Then again, they already hear you talk to yourself.
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>Especially when you drink.
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>Taking one final breath, you leave your apartment to the early morning.
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>The sun is slowly rising, and the air is still crisp.
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>Despite how everything feels so bright and lively.
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>It always seems like a thin veil covers it all.
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>Pushing aside those thoughts, you trot down the road, waving to the few ponies up and about this morning.
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>Slowly you approach your work, Ponyville General.
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>The pale yellow walls and brown shingled roof give off a rustic feel.
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>It feels welcoming and makes the patients feel at ease.
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>As you reach the entrance, you stop and close your eyes, giving yourself one final push.
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>Do it for them, never forget, do it for them.
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>Opening your eyes again, you head inside.
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>Passing by both patients and staff alike, you greet them with a smile.
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>This place is like a maze at times, but you could navigate it blind folded.
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>Entering the locker room, you see the other nurses getting ready.
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>One in particular catches your attention
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>Your friend Bedside Manner, though she prefers that you call her Betty.
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>Her turquoise coat and red mane make her stand out a fair bit.
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>But at least that makes her easy to pick out.
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>Going through your locker, she grabs your attention.
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>”Morning Rest, how was your weekend?”
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>Short, tiring, and you drank too much.
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>She doesn’t need to know that.
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“Morning Betty. It went pretty good, did some reading. How about you?”
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>She smiles.
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>”Mine was boring, ready for another exciting day of saving ponies from a runny nose?”
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>You give her a smirk, and reply with your own sarcasm.
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“Of course, and I can’t wait to take the temperature of each stallion who asks if they have a fever.”
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>You share a giggle between the two of you.
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>While you don’t see each other much outside of work, it’s nice to have some pony to talk to.
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>She rolls her eyes.
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>”Yeah, that never gets old.”
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“At least it’s all worth it. Can never be too careful after all.”
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>While she doesn’t share your conviction, no pony does, she does nod.
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>”That’s true. Well, I’ll see you later then.”
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“See you later Betty.”
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>Waving her off, you finish getting ready.
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>As you reach the group, you can see the usual nurses gathered around.
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>Time to get your assignments and updates on what happened this weekend.
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>The head nurse goes through her usual motions of reminding every nurse of their duties.
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>Part of you wish she didn’t, but sometimes the others need a reminder.
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>You listen to the important bits and wait for her to give your patients.
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>”Alright Deep, here you are.”
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>You quickly scan the names, but two in particular catch your eye.
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>Cart Wheel and Sky Light.
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>You’ve known Cart, well Carl, since you were a filly.
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>As for Sky, you remember him being born here.
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>You feel a little joy and a bit of concern enter your heart.
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>Giving the paper one final look, you start to make your rounds.
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>Mostly talking with patients, replacing equipment, and checking vitals.
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>But you get through it.
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>Carl and Sky are a bit high on your priority list.
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>Namely because Carl has been here for weeks, and Sky was brought in over the weekend.
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>Fortunately, first on the list is Sky.
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>Entering the room, you see Sky laying in bed under the covers with his mother sitting bedside.
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>High Light is her name, and she looks awful.
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>Not that you blame her, Sky is a regular here.
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>The poor colt was born premature and thus has had a whole host of problems.
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>Upon seeing you, he sits up a little fast before coughing.
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>His mother reaches him quickly.
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>>”Slow down Sky, not too fast, remember what the doctor said.”
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>He nods and lays back, but with a eager look on his face.
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“How’s my favorite colt?”
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>He gives you a big smile.
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>”Hi Rest, I’m happy to see you again.”
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>You nod and feel a swell of happiness.
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“I’m happy to see you as well. How about we chat while I do my work?”
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>Picking up the chart, you see why he is here.
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>Pneumonia.
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>A small bit of panic hits you, but you have learned to hide that from others.
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>Just continue smiling Rest, he is here now and will get through this.
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>He always pulls through, just like the last several times he was here.
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>As you perform your duties, you both start to talk.
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>”Mhm, mom reminds me that you have stuff to do.” He looks to her with a smile and continues on. “But your my favorite nurse.”
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>High Light looks a little happier seeing her son so lively.
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>You let out a small giggle.
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“Thank you light. How has school been?”
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>”It’s going great, I’ve just learned about the uni-uni-”
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>>”Unification.” Says Mrs. Light.
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>”Unification of the three tribes.” He says with a bright smile.
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>This colt is just melting your heart.
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>You write down a few more numbers, all good so far.
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“Sounds cool Sky, what’s your favorite part?”
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>He coughs again and his mother gently strokes his foreleg.
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>”When fire of friendship blasted away the windigos!”
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>He gestures and makes the noise of an explosion.
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>If you get diabetes from him, you don’t care.
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“That’s my favorite part as well.”
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>You make sure he doesn’t need anything else replaced.
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>”Mom got me a new train too!”
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>Taking a quick glance, you see she looking at him with tired eyes.
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>Still full of love, but so much pain.
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“Awesome, you’ve got to show me sometime, did you thank your mom?”
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>Turning back to him, you see he takes a moment, trying not to cough.
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>”Mhm, I was super happy and couldn’t stop thanking her.”
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>She lets out a small laugh.
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>>”You sure did, now don’t get too excited Sky.”
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>He looks to her and frowns.
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>”I won’t, you and the doctor keep reminding me.”
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“Well they are right to do that. You have to remember you’re a little sick right now.”
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>”I know, I can’t wait to get better.”
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>You share his enthusiasm.
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>Sadly, you have to go on with your rounds.
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“You will Sky, that will take time, but I got to go now. Be good for your mom, okay?”
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>He nods a little and his mother mouths a thank you.
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>You continue to make your way about the floor checking on the various patients.
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>The majority of them will make a full recovery and some are being released today.
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>That doesn’t stop the dread that creeps within.
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>Finishing up, you head to the cafeteria, and go grab lunch.
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>You’d pack your own, but you procrastinate.
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>Besides, what they serve here is better than what you make at home.
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>Grabbing a salad, you find your usual spot.
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>Slowly you start to eat, but eventually you just pick at it.
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>’What if Light dies?’
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>You know that you and the staff will do everything in your power to prevent it.
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>But that still doesn’t stop the thought.
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>’That doesn’t change things.’
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>He’s so young.
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>Suddenly, Betty joins you and snaps you out of it.
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”Saved you a seat.”
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>She nods and starts to gossip.
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>”You didn’t hear it from me, but I heard that Doctor Monitor and Gentle Care are seeing one another.”
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>In truth, you really don’t care for gossip.
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“Really?”
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>You try to stay with the conversation, but you can’t stop worrying.
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>”-They work together though.”
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>Barely catching the end of it, you start to let your attention drift.
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“Uh-huh.”
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>She stops talking.
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>And you look back up, you can see her trying to read you.
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“What?”
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>”You’re thinking about the patients again, aren’t you?”
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>You’re trying to ignore that thought still, but you guess you can’t hide it that well.
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“Is it that obvious?”
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>She nods, and gives you look of understanding.
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>”It’s okay, I know you’re passionate about them.”
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“Yeah, hard to ignore it.”
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>She reaches out and touches your hoof.
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>”Just remember, you can’t let it get to you. Never forget what we learned in medical school.”
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>Never get too attached, something you always failed at.
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>It helps alleviate the worry a little.
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“Yeah, I know.”
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>She nods before looking over to the clock.
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>”Alright, I’m going to finish up my shift. Good luck with yours.”
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>If only it was that easy.
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“Yeah, good luck to you as well.”
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>After lunch, you go about your duties.
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>Just like before, you find that the patients are doing just fine.
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>That’s when you come to your last stop.
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>Carl’s room.
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>Entering, you see the elderly stallion.
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>A faded brown coat, white mane, and icy blue eyes that look back at you.
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>You give him a smile.
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“Hello Carl, how are you feeling today?”
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>He slowly smiles and clears his throat.
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>”Hello Ms. Rest, I’m feeling fine, same as usual.”
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>You pick up his chart, everything reads stable, but you can’t ignore the fear inside of you.
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>He has been here a while after his granddaughter brought him in.
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>Sadly, he has been having shortness of breath and it culminated in him fainting.
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>Thankfully, she visits daily.
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“That’s good to hear, I’m certain you’ll be out of here in no time.”
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>Nodding he continues.
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>”So did I ever tell you about when I first moved here to Ponyville?”
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>You’ve heard him tell you this story many times, but you don’t mind.
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“No I haven’t Carl, I’m happy to listen.”
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>As you check the usual, he starts.
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>”So I had just moved out of my family’s farm, and had all my stuff in a cart.” He chuckles. “I had wanted to experience the life outside of the farm, and had heard of a new town.”
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>He takes a moment and licks his lips.
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>”It was a nightmare to travel those roads back then, I pushed on. When I finally got here, I had no bits in my pouch or a place to stay. I wasn’t the brightest, but I was determined.”
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>You nod along, changing his IV.
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>”Coincidentally I met my wife then, her family let me stay at their home. Her father was worried I was there to take his daughter.” He gets a twinkle in his eyes. “Of course I wasn’t, but that stop me later.”
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>Finishing up, you turn to hear the rest of his story.
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>He shakes his head slightly.
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>”Sorry, let myself get caught up, anyways. When he saw that I could repair carts and wagons, he let me live with them. It was thanks to his kindness that I was able to set up my shop, and that’s how I moved to Ponyville.”
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>He looks at you and smiles.
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>”Thank you for listening to a old stallion talk your ear off.”
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>You laugh, but shake your head.
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“I don’t mind Carl, you’re my favorite stallion after all.”
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>He gives a small chuckle and coughs.
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“Easy there, don’t over do it.”
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>Carl catches his breath, and looks back to you with a smile.
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>”You flatter me too much Ms. Rest, I’ll let you go, you have your work to do.”
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>You wouldn’t mind listening to him more, but he is right.
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“Of course, take it easy Carl.”
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>As you leave his room, you can feel that nagging thought in the back of your mind.
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>It never stops, not while you work, not while at home.
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>’They all die eventually.’
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>You stop and close your eyes tightly in an attempt to shove those thoughts out of your head.
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>Taking a breath, you continue forth.
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>After you finish writing up your reports, you head to the locker room to finish off the day.
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>You put away your uniform and grab your bags, but the feeling is still there, distracting you.
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>Betty tries to get your attention.
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>”Are you alright Rest?”
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>Shaking your head, you smile.
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“Yeah, just a long day.”
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>”Tell me about it, I’m going to head home, take care.”
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“You too.”
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>You head outside and the evening greets you
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>The land is bathed in a cool light, though to you it feels gray.
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>It always feels like the trot home is faster than to work.
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>Entering your apartment, you call out.
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“I’m home.”
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>Silence.
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>Of course no pony else is here.
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>You are alone after all, not that you wouldn’t mind having a special somepony.
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>Just need to find a balance of social life and work life.
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>Sighing, that’s probably never going to happen.
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>Setting your bags aside, you head to the kitchen.
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>You grab some leftovers from the fridge.
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>After sitting down , you try to eat and read to distract yourself.
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>But the thoughts remain, tormenting you.
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>’You can’t save everypony.’
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>No.
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>You don’t finish eating, and throw out what little is left.
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“Just splash some water on my face, come on Rest.”
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>You head to the bathroom, you try just that.
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>But like earlier, the single thought plagues you.
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>’They all die eventually.’
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>You just need to sleep, that will help.
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>Heading to the bedroom, you turn off the lights and climb under the covers.
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>Minutes turn into an hour.
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>Fortunately, sleep finally takes you, but doesn’t stop you from being restless.
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