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                                            1.
                                            >The smell of something delicious awakens you from your slumber.
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                                            2.
                                            >Thankfully you didn’t sleep in, maybe you got enough sleep for once.
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                                            3.
                                            >You get up to go see what the other two are up to.
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                                            4.
                                            >As you approach the kitchen, you can hear them talking.
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                                            5.
                                            >”It’s really not that hard.”
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                                            6.
                                            >>”Really? I think taking that all in would be difficult.”
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                                            7.
                                            >What the actual fuck?
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                                            8.
                                            >Rounding the corner, you see Connie cooking and Rest is eating.
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                                            9.
                                            >”No I-Oh, good morning Eri. Sleep well?”
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                                            10.
                                            “Yeah I guess, but what the fuck were you two talking about?”
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                                            11.
                                            >Rest furrows her eyebrows and looks confused.
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                                            12.
                                            >”Just how to take a shot of liquor, that’s all, why?”
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                                            13.
                                            >Of course they were you pervert, not like they were talking about anything lewd.
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                                            14.
                                            >Letting your eyes wander, you try not to look her in the eyes.
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                                            15.
                                            “I-uh...Was curious is all.”
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                                            16.
                                            >”Oh, okay.”
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                                            17.
                                            >>”I already made you a plate Eri, just making my own at the moment.”
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                                            18.
                                            >You look over to the table and see a plate of eggs with some veggies.
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                                            19.
                                            >The moment you look at it, your stomach cries out.
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                                            20.
                                            >You hear Rest giggle and you shoot her a dirty look.
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                                            21.
                                            >She smirks and continues to eat.
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                                            22.
                                            >Taking a seat, you dig in and by Celestia, it is damn good.
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                                            23.
                                            >As you’re eating, Connie joins the two of you and starts to talk.
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                                            24.
                                            >>”So I have some plans on where we all can go while you two are here. I figure we can visit some of the landmarks, go to the museum, watch a movie at the cinema, maybe even go shopping. Of course I’d like for your input, because I’d rather not just decide for you.”
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                                            25.
                                            >”I’m up for anything, but personally I think we should let Eri pick.”
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                                            26.
                                            >Looking up from your plate, you see them both looking at you.
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                                            27.
                                            >Taking a quick drink, you feel a little cornered.
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                                            28.
                                            >As you try to think, you feel an all too familiar feeling of anxiety starting to rise.
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                                            29.
                                            >In truth, you don’t really want to go out, but that defeats the whole purpose.
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                                            30.
                                            
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                                            31.
                                            >’You shouldn’t have come in the first place Eri.’
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                                            32.
                                            >Not right now, I’m trying to think.
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                                            33.
                                            >’I’m apart of you dumbass.’
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                                            34.
                                            >I don’t fucking need this right now.
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                                            35.
                                            >’How about you lie, like you always do. Bet they will eat it up.’
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                                            36.
                                            >No, I won’t have that.
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                                            37.
                                            >Fuck it, only one of those ideas sounds slightly appealing.
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                                            38.
                                            “Um...How about we go to the movies? I haven’t done that in a long time.”
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                                            39.
                                            >Not since you were a foal, not since you lived with your parents.
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                                            40.
                                            >And now you feel like shit, just like usual.
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                                            41.
                                            >”Sounds good to me.”
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                                            42.
                                            >>”Alright, then it’s settled.”
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                                            43.
                                            >As you look at your plate, you’ve lost your appetite.
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                                            44.
                                            >You feel yourself slump a little, why did you have to think about that?
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                                            45.
                                            >’Because you’re a horrible pony.’
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                                            46.
                                            >Yeah I am, aren’t I?
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                                            47.
                                            >Before you slump further, Rest gets your attention.
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                                            48.
                                            >”Something the matter?”
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                                            49.
                                            >You sit up and put on a fake face for her.
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                                            50.
                                            “I’m fine, just not as hungry. I’m going to go get a bath.”
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                                            51.
                                            >She raises an eyebrow, but smiles.
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                                            52.
                                            >”Oh alright.”
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                                            53.
                                            >As you excuse yourself from the table, you feel a little worse.
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                                            54.
                                            >It sucks that you’re letting Connie’s cooking go to waste, you really are a bad pony.
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                                            55.
                                            >You reach the bedroom and open up your suitcase to search for something in particular.
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                                            56.
                                            >’Told you that you would give in.’
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                                            57.
                                            “...I know.”
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                                            58.
                                            >You grab a razor, some bandages, and a hoodie.
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                                            59.
                                            >Just need to pull through for them.
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                                            60.
                                            >The bathroom is nice, better than your shitty excuse for a bathroom.
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                                            61.
                                            >Much cleaner and larger.
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                                            62.
                                            >You start to fill up the tub and let your eyes linger on the blade.
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                                            63.
                                            >Funny how something so simple can do so much.
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                                            64.
                                            >You sit down, your eyes trailing along your foreleg.
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                                            65.
                                            >So many scars, you’ve taken to wearing socks or a hoodie to hide them.
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                                            66.
                                            >Gripping the steel in your teeth, like many times before, you cut.
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                                            67.
                                            >You wince and feel your eyes moisten.
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                                            68.
                                            “...F-fuck...”
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                                            69.
                                            >It slowly bleeds, you’ve learned from countless times to not cut deep.
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                                            70.
                                            
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                                            71.
                                            >Setting down the razor, you look back over to the tub, it’s almost filled.
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                                            72.
                                            “Good, can kill two birds with one stone.”
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                                            73.
                                            >…
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                                            74.
                                            >Poor choice of words.
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                                            75.
                                            >You turn off the facet and climb in.
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                                            76.
                                            >The water makes your leg sting, causing you wince.
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                                            77.
                                            “It’s always like this.”
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                                            78.
                                            >Hopefully you won’t have to do it again while you’re here.
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                                            79.
                                            >’Unlikely Eri, you have more days ahead of you to deal with.’
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                                            80.
                                            >Closing your eyes, you let out slow breath.
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                                            81.
                                            “...I know.”
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                                            82.
                                            >Usually you let yourself soak, but this isn’t home, so you clean up instead.
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                                            83.
                                            >As you finish up, you see the wound has stopped bleeding, but is still visible.
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                                            84.
                                            “Figures.”
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                                            85.
                                            >You get out and wrap it up, Rest would probably do a better job, but can’t have her know.
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                                            86.
                                            >Would probably be worse if Connie knew.
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                                            87.
                                            >Slipping into the hoodie, you look at yourself in the mirror.
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                                            88.
                                            >Still look ugly and pathetic.
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                                            89.
                                            >You let out a sigh, picking up your stuff.
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                                            90.
                                            >As you enter the hallway, you can hear them still talking out there.
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                                            91.
                                            >Should you join them?
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                                            92.
                                            >’Why bother? Not like you have anything good to contribute.’
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                                            93.
                                            >We could still talk.
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                                            94.
                                            >’About what? Your pain and suffering? That’s real rich, bet they would love to feel like shit.’
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                                            95.
                                            >I…
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                                            96.
                                            >Fuck it.
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                                            97.
                                            >You head back into the bedroom to put away evidence.
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                                            98.
                                            >This room is cleaner than yours.
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                                            99.
                                            >Everything here is better than yours.
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                                            100.
                                            >Of course it is, your home and everything in it is shit.
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                                            101.
                                            >Shaking your head, you look out the nearby window.
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                                            102.
                                            >The city is bustling with life, so many ponies out and many carts are on the streets.
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                                            103.
                                            “Nothing like Ponyville.”
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                                            104.
                                            >Funny how this makes you homesick.
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                                            105.
                                            >The ponies here probably care very little about others, unlike home.
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                                            106.
                                            >Then again, only two ponies care about you at all.
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                                            107.
                                            >You let out a slow sigh.
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                                            108.
                                            >This is going to be a nightmare to deal with.
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                                            109.
                                            “I can’t do this everyday.”
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                                            110.
                                            >You grab your head with your hooves and bump it against the window sill.
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                                            111.
                                            
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                                            112.
                                            >A dull pain forms, but helps distract you.
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                                            113.
                                            >At least back home you could hide from it all.
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                                            114.
                                            >Maybe not from yourself, but the outside world at least.
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                                            115.
                                            >You stopping hitting your head and start to head back to the other room.
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                                            116.
                                            >’Where do you think you’re going?’
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                                            117.
                                            “Out there with them.”
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                                            118.
                                            >’Didn’t you just come in here to be away from them?’
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                                            119.
                                            “I’d rather be with them, than sitting here wallowing.”
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                                            120.
                                            >’How long will that last? How long until you break down again? How long until-’
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                                            121.
                                            “Fuck off.”
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                                            122.
                                            >You head into the hallway and can hear music coming from the living room.
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                                            123.
                                            >Trotting to the source, you see Rest sitting on the couch while Connie is playing her violin.
 - 124.
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                                            125.
                                            >Connie smiles when she sees you, but says nothing.
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                                            126.
                                            >”Welcome back, feeling better?”
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                                            127.
                                            >If anything, you feel worse.
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                                            128.
                                            “Yeah, the bath did me some good.”
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                                            129.
                                            >You join her on the couch to enjoy the music.
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                                            130.
                                            >It’s amazing how well Connie plays, guess that’s what real talent looks like.
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                                            131.
                                            >She gently moves with the music, her emerald eyes are locked onto you both.
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                                            132.
                                            “I’m guessing she is practicing?”
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                                            133.
                                            >”Mhm, she said she needs to keep her skills up. Figured I’d watch, it’s kinda a free show.”
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                                            134.
                                            >You’ve never heard Connie play badly, not even when you were fillies.
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                                            135.
                                            >Even back then she sounded amazing.
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                                            136.
                                            >She finishes off the song, and pulls the violin away.
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                                            137.
                                            >Both you and Rest clop your hooves in applause.
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                                            138.
                                            >>”Thank you, thank you. You’re such a lovely audience.”
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                                            139.
                                            >She starts to look over some sheets, so you ask her a question.
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                                            140.
                                            “How often do you practice?”
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                                            141.
                                            >Connie looks a bit surprised, but gives a warm smile.
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                                            142.
                                            >>”Everyday, usually two or three hours, sometimes more. Of course there are times when I get sick, but that’s different. Have to stay sharp for the orchestra after all.”
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                                            143.
                                            >Figures, can’t imagine the stress of having to play in front of so many ponies.
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                                            144.
                                            
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                                            145.
                                            >Plus she probably has to deal with other shit as well.
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                                            146.
                                            “Wow, no wonder you’re so good.”
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                                            147.
                                            >’Suck up much?’
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                                            148.
                                            >Go away.
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                                            149.
                                            >>”There are other ponies out there who can play better. So I have to push myself to be better as well, it’s just another reason to practice.”
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                                            150.
                                            >That surprises you, you haven’t heard any other pony play as well.
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                                            151.
                                            >Then again, you never go out so there’s that.
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                                            152.
                                            >You nod regardless.
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                                            153.
                                            >Connie sets aside the sheets and puts away her violin.
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                                            154.
                                            >>”However, it’s probably best if we get going now to get good seats for the movie. We also have to decide what movie to even watch.”
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                                            155.
                                            >You almost forgot about that.
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                                            156.
                                            >Seriously, what is wrong with you?
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                                            157.
                                            >…
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                                            158.
                                            >Poor question.
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                                            159.
                                            “Y-yeah, that’s true.”
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                                            160.
                                            >Rest stands up and stretches before putting her two cents in.
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                                            161.
                                            >”How about we just decide when we get there? No point on debating right now.”
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                                            162.
                                            >>”Sounds good to me, how about you Eri?”
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                                            163.
                                            >Once again, you feel all the attention on you.
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                                            164.
                                            >’Isn’t that what you wanted?’
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                                            165.
                                            >No, not like this.
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                                            166.
                                            “Sure, sounds like a plan.”
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                                            167.
                                            >’Going along with the herd, like the sheep that you are.’
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                                            168.
                                            >For fucks sake.
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                                            169.
                                            >>”I’ll be right back, going to grab a few things before we head out.”
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                                            170.
                                            >You nod and pull on the ends of your sleeves a moment before looking around.
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                                            171.
                                            >Rest catches your eyes and gives a look of sympathy.
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                                            172.
                                            >”How are you feeling? Think you can do this?”
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                                            173.
                                            >Honestly no, but she doesn’t need to know that.
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                                            174.
                                            “Yeah, I can.”
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                                            175.
                                            >It’s not like this will end in disaster, you have your two friends here to help you.
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                                            176.
                                            >Rather dwell on that, you stand up and give Rest a smile.
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                                            177.
                                            “I’m looking forward to this, haven’t been to the movies in a long time.”
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                                            178.
                                            >”Me too, I’m usually caught up in work.”
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                                            179.
                                            >’She forgot to mention how she has to foalsit you all the time.’
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                                            180.
                                            >Shoving aside that thought, you try to think of something else to say.
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                                            181.
                                            >Before you do, Connie rejoins you two.
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                                            182.
                                            >>”Alright, now with that out of the way, shall we?”
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                                            183.
                                            
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                                            184.
                                            >”I’m ready when you are.”
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                                            185.
                                            >You nod along, you rather just get going.
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                                            186.
                                            >The three of you leave the apartment building and into the streets of Manehattan.
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                                            187.
                                            >Like earlier, there are many ponies out and about, some pegasus ponies even fly over head.
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                                            188.
                                            >Place seems to be overflowing with life.
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                                            189.
                                            >>”I’ll get us a taxi, just wait a moment.”
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                                            190.
                                            >As Connie tries to flag one of them down, you feel uncertain.
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                                            191.
                                            >On one hoof, you’re actually out of the house and in another town.
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                                            192.
                                            >On the other, the feelings from earlier remind you that you could breakdown.
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                                            193.
                                            >Not gonna happen, you can make it through this.
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                                            194.
                                            >”Eri?”
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                                            195.
                                            >Shaking your head, you see Rest nodding her head to the taxi.
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                                            196.
                                            >Gotta stop doing that, they will notice this shit sooner or later.
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                                            197.
                                            “S-sorry, got distracted.”
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                                            198.
                                            >You climb in with the others and try to stay focused, but it’s hard.
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                                            199.
                                            >”As I was saying earlier, you just have to relax your throat, that’s the key.”
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                                            200.
                                            >>”I guess, but I don’t drink much, just wine.”
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                                            201.
                                            >”You really need to try out the harder stuff, I’m telling you, hard cider is the best.”
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                                            202.
                                            >You tune them out and let your mind wander.
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                                            203.
                                            >How can everypony be so casual?
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                                            204.
                                            >They let themselves be so vulnerable, but you keep it bottled up.
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                                            205.
                                            >It’s better this way, at least that’s what you tell yourself.
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                                            206.
                                            >Before long, you see that you have arrived at the theater.
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                                            207.
                                            >You climb out and feel your anxiety rise once more.
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                                            208.
                                            >>”Alright, let’s head in and figure this out.”
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                                            209.
                                            >Saying nothing, you follow the other two.
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                                            210.
                                            >This place is pretty fancy, nice carpets and is quite colorful.
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                                            211.
                                            >As you’re looking around, you notice the other two trying to get your attention.
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                                            212.
                                            >”What do you think Eri?”
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                                            213.
                                            >Shaking your head, you look at the nearby posters they have up.
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                                            214.
                                            >Almost immediately your attention focuses on the scariest looking one and you point to it.
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                                            215.
                                            “How about that one?”
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                                            216.
                                            >They both look at the poster and look back with different expressions.
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                                            217.
                                            
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                                            218.
                                            >Rest looks pretty neutral, Connie looks nervous though.
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                                            219.
                                            >”Looks pretty cool, what do you think Connie?”
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                                            220.
                                            >>”Oh...Well, if that’s what you picked, then sure.”
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                                            221.
                                            >Is she actually afraid?
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                                            222.
                                            “You don’t want to watch it?”
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                                            223.
                                            >>”It’s fine, it’s fine...Just wasn’t expecting that is all.”
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                                            224.
                                            >Though she says that, her eyes say no.
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                                            225.
                                            >That’s...That’s actually kinda funny.
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                                            226.
                                            >No wait, don’t laugh at her, she puts up with a lot of your bullshit.
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                                            227.
                                            >Before you can say anything, Connie goes and pays for some tickets.
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                                            228.
                                            >Well now you feel like shit again.
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                                            229.
                                            >”We should get some snacks too, no movie is complete without snacks after all.”
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                                            230.
                                            >You’re not hungry, but you’ll go along with it, for them.
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                                            231.
                                            >Connie rejoins you both and the three of you head over to the snack bar.
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                                            232.
                                            >Just remember, do this for them.
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                                            233.
                                            >They already do so much for you, so just remember that.
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                                            234.
                                            >”What about you Eri?”
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                                            235.
                                            >Wait, what?
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                                            236.
                                            >Looking up you see that Rest is referring to snacks.
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                                            237.
                                            >Shit, shit, shit, what do I pick?
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                                            238.
                                            “Uh-I-um...popcorn?”
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                                            239.
                                            >Rest nods and turns back to order.
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                                            240.
                                            >Not like you’ll eat it, but that doesn’t matter right now.
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                                            241.
                                            >You’re given a bucket of popcorn, and the three of you head into one of the rooms.
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                                            242.
                                            >”We should get front row seats, that’s the best spot.”
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                                            243.
                                            >>”The acoustics are best in the middle, trust me.”
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                                            244.
                                            >Before they can ask you, you opt to sit in the back.
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                                            245.
                                            >It’s closer to the exit and if need be, you’ll use it.
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                                            246.
                                            >”Looks like Eri choose for us.”
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                                            247.
                                            >>”Fair enough...”
 - 
                                            248.
                                            >They both sit on either side of you and you wait around for the movie to start.
 - 
                                            249.
                                            >As the lights dim, your anxiety finally starts to settle.
 - 
                                            250.
                                            >Your excitement starts to rise. Not often that you feel that.
 - 
                                            251.
                                            >The movie starts and with it, your eyes widen.
 - 
                                            252.
                                            >Sure it’s in monochrome, but it looks fucking awesome.
 - 
                                            253.
                                            >Even better, there is plenty of gore with the monster and the ponies.
 - 
                                            254.
                                            
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                                            255.
                                            >The whole time your eyes never leave the screen and eventually, you even start to eat the popcorn.
 - 
                                            256.
                                            >What’s even stranger than all that, you actually are enjoying this.
 - 
                                            257.
                                            >Sadly the movie ends, with a monster being killed and a small group of survivors watching on.
 - 
                                            258.
                                            >The lights go back up and you jolt.
 - 
                                            259.
                                            >Looking back to both Connie and Rest, you see different expressions again.
 - 
                                            260.
                                            >Rest is smiling, and looks pretty happy. As for Connie, she actually looks scared.
 - 
                                            261.
                                            >You however, can’t contain your enthusiasm.
 - 
                                            262.
                                            “...That was...AWESOME!”
 - 
                                            263.
                                            >Rest gets a big grin on her face and Connie is seemingly knocked from her fear.
 - 
                                            264.
                                            >”Yeah it was alright, though it was pretty cheesy. I mean, when a limb is ripped off like that, it doesn’t squirt so much.”
 - 
                                            265.
                                            >>”I-it was pretty good. Glad you two enjoyed it.”
 - 
                                            266.
                                            >Kinda sucks that Connie was scared, but at least Rest enjoyed it.
 - 
                                            267.
                                            >Standing up, you stretch out the stiffness that overcame you.
 - 
                                            268.
                                            >>”Well then, let’s get going back to the apartment.”
 - 
                                            269.
                                            >You nod and follow the two back outside.
 - 
                                            270.
                                            >Connie hails a taxi for the three of you.
 - 
                                            271.
                                            >On the ride back you can’t help but talk for once.
 - 
                                            272.
                                            “That was still great. Even with the monster dying.”
 - 
                                            273.
                                            >”That’s what normally happens, but they could’ve put more time into doing their research.”
 - 
                                            274.
                                            “Who cares? Did you see how that one mare got covered in blood?”
 - 
                                            275.
                                            >You hear Connie giggle, causing you to turn to face her.
 - 
                                            276.
                                            “What is it?”
 - 
                                            277.
                                            >She shakes her head and smiles.
 - 
                                            278.
                                            >>”Just happy to see that you’re happy.”
 - 
                                            279.
                                            >As you go back to talking with Rest, you feel a little more ease.
 - 
                                            280.
                                            >If the rest of this trip goes this way, you can definitely make it through.
 
                         by NHanon
                         by NHanon
                         by NHanon
                         by NHanon
                         by NHanon