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1.
>You finish drying off and wipe away the steam on the mirror.
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>As you stare at your reflection, your eyes are drawn to the large scar on your neck.
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>You slowly trace over it with your hoof.
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“It’s never going away...”
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>A permanent reminder of your attempt to take your life.
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>When ever you see it, the memory hits you hard.
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>Sure it was a while ago, before you met Paper, but it still feels like yesterday.
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>You were at the lowest point in your life; no job, no friends, and were on the way to being homeless as well.
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>A nightmare come true that you couldn’t awaken from.
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>Every day was a struggle, especially with the thoughts taunting you.
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>Didn’t matter what it was, you found a reason to hate yourself more.
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>It all culminated in one final night, you couldn’t fight against it anymore, so you decided to end it.
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>Found a nice spot near the forest, figuring you could at least give back to the wildlife instead of being a waste otherwise.
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>Brought a knife with you and left a note at home.
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>All the courage in the world was granted to you, guiding the blade along your neck.
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>To say it was painful is an understatement, you haven’t felt anything like it since.
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>You passed out from the blood loss and a random pony out for a walk saved you, just barely though.
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>In hindsight, committing such an act out the open was a dumb idea.
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“I never stopped regretting any of it either...”
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>Slipping on one of your favorite bandannas, you cover the ugly scar once more.
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>It was pure luck that you could even speak after cutting so deep, at least that’s what the doctor said.
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“Hated being in that hospital, it felt so lifeless and that didn’t help me recover any faster...”
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>Shaking your head, you finish up getting ready.
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>Locking the door, you make your way to the theater.
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>Your mind wanders back to earlier, as much as you don’t want it to.
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>Sure you like bandannas, but you only started wearing them everyday to hide your mistake.
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>It’s not always so easy to conceal though...
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>Paper eventually saw it, you couldn’t lie to her, so you told her everything.
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>The fear you felt in that instance was one of the greatest you ever felt.
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>She listened to you and actually understood, it was there that you’re certain your feelings for her were cemented.
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“If only I could confess to her, it hurts to hold all this in...”
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>Crud, you said that out loud again, need to stop doing that.
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>You reach the theater, heading inside to help setup and rehearse.
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>Fortunately it never takes long to do that, helps that everypony works together so well.
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>As you finish moving another set piece into place, you hear a familiar voice behind you.
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>”Ready today’s scene Mellow?”
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>Turning around, you see Cliff adjusting another piece.
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“Yeah, to be honest, this is one of my favorite parts.”
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>He nods and faces you.
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>”Just remember to take it easy, don’t try to rush it.”
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>Though he is trying to help, it annoys you how he treats you like you’re a colt.
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“I won’t forget, I’m certain of today going well.”
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>”Good to hear, I’m going to go prepare, you should as well.”
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>As he trots off, you let out a sigh.
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>It’s not like you’re not grateful for all his help, he is one of the few actors around here willing to work with you.
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>Which says a lot, considering his experience and his role in this play.
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>It’s just that...No, not this again.
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>You take a breath and slowly release it, going off to prepare for the scene.
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>As you reread the script, and feel confident, taking your place as you wait.
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>Almost on cue, Mr. Town takes his seat and opens up a copy of the script.
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>>”Alright everypony, take your places and...Action!”
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>>>”I was so worried when I heard the palace had been attacked, I’m glad you’re safe Bright.”
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>You approach your wife with a serene smile.
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“Everything is alright my love, the king is making the necessary changes to ensure our empire remains safe.”
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>Her eyes slowly widen in horror.
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>>>”No! It can’t be true, you’re actually working for that monster?” She starts to back up.
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“He is the king, his word is law. You know this...No, don’t tell me...”
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>You narrow your eyes and give a look of shock.
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“You’re one of them aren’t you? You’re a loyalist...My own wife...”
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>Turning away, she pleads to you.
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>>>”Don’t do this! It doesn’t have to be this way, we can leave this place. Equestria is just to south, there are many fleeing there now.”
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>Stomping your hoof, you turn back to her.
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“And betray the crown?! You’re unwell, the dungeons will treat this ailment!” You snarl.
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>>>”No Bright! D-don’t do this! I love you! Don’t you understand?!” She says as she cowers.
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“LIAR! If you love me, you love the king as well. You will learn that soon enough...”
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>As you descend on her, she screams.
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>An applause erupts as the scene finishes.
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>>”Great job! You’re so close I can feel it.” Says Mr. Town with a smile.
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>Nodding, you prepare for the next scene.
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>Looking over the script again, you feel you’re ready.
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>>”Action!”
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“All you have to do is accept the king my love, please don’t resist.”
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>>>”No! Why are you doing this?! I thought you loved me, this isn’t love!” She sobs loudly.
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>Sure this isn’t real, but it breaks your heart.
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“All for the good of the empire, that is love, is it not?”
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>>>”He has poisoned your mind, don’t you see that? I know deep down your still in there, somewhere.”
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“The only poison, is the words that ooze from your lips.” You sigh and exit the scene with her crying.
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>This is going to be a long day, you can feel it.
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>you put on your saddlebags, exiting your home and lock the door like normal.
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>All things considered, you did well today.
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>Sold a lot more pieces than usual, it’s never enough though.
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>Would be nice if you could save up enough for a garden of your own.
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>You wouldn’t have to go out so much to enjoy the flora and fauna then.
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>Letting out a sigh, you slowly shake your head.
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“That’s probably never going to happen...”
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>It’s still a nice dream.
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>Not that you mind being in the park, it’s the other ponies that make you nervous.
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>While they don’t say anything to your face, you’re certain they talk behind your back.
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>It’s easy enough to explain your cuts as apart of your work as a origami artist.
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>That works most of the time, but there are some who can see that some cuts are deep and old.
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>They’re right of course, those are from the days you used a razor.
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>That was a long time ago, when you were younger.
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>You don’t care that the scars never go away, at least not as much anymore.
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>Regret starts to settle in, causing you to sigh and slow your approach to the park.
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>No, can’t let yourself show your pain on the outside, you straighten up and pick up your pace.
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>At least you’re good at hiding it from others, though you do hate hiding it from Mellow.
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>He can’t read you like you can him, but you do share some things with him.
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>Like your cutting, he doesn’t like that, not that you blame him.
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>Finding a spot, you sit down near the pond this time.
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“Such a lovely day too.” You say as you look around.
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>Pulling out a sheet from your bags, you start to fold.
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>Tomorrow you get to teach at the school, so that raises your spirits a bit.
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>Not often you get to do that, but you’re overjoyed when you’re able.
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>You stop and realize you had quickly made a crane.
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“Odd...I normally never make it that fast.”
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>Carefully inspecting it, you find no flaws.
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“That’s...That’s a first, maybe I’m good enough to mass produce them now…Yeah right...”
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>Setting it aside, you know better.
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>Despite today’s turn out, you still have loads of figures you didn’t sell.
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>That is normal though, you have NEVER sold out, not once since you were little.
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>Back then it was easy to explain as inexperience and being a little filly.
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>Actually no...
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>There was one other time, that was shortly after you and Mellow became friends.
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>He actually bought you out, but you did feel bad since it like you were taking advantage of him.
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>Though he insisted that wasn’t true.
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>Mellow has always been so nice to you.
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>You were lucky to him meet him that day at the theater.
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>After you were insulted, you felt so low that you couldn’t think straight.
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>It was there that you almost broke apart, but Mellow came along and saved you.
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>Kinda funny how your thoughts go back to him often.
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“Probably because I have a crush on him...”
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>You really need to make more friends, would be nice to get some advice on stuff like this.
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>It’s not like you can ask him out, right?
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>Even ignoring the tradition of a stallion asking out a mare, you’re afraid that this will push you two apart.
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>You can’t lose him, he’s the only pony you actually talk to and like.
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>Can’t confide in any other pony, you don’t trust them enough.
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>Mellow actually trusted you enough to tell you about his scar for crying out loud.
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>And you trusted him enough to tell him of your ‘habit’.
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“Need to stop thinking about this, nothing good will come of it.”
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>Though you say that, you know you will come back to it, you always do.
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>Finishing up another creation, you note that you made a few while you thought.
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“This always happen too...At least they’re all good.”
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>Funny how it’s become automatic for you to create while you think.
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>It’s one of the few habits you don’t mind having.
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>But there is one downside to it doing that.
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>As you look at your forelegs and hooves, you see that you’ve cut yourself more.
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>It’s probably a carry over from when you used to cut with a razor.
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>Not the best time to be thinking about that again.
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“Where is Mellow?” You say as you look around.
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>Probably is running behind with work no doubt.
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>You know it’s not his fault when that happens, but it still hurts.
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>He does care about you, even when he doesn’t say it.
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>Why else would he hang out with you?
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>Because he is in love with you?
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>Can’t say for certain on that one, he might just do it out of pity.
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“He would never do that, Mellow actually likes being around me!” You snap at the thought.
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>Your eyes widen as you realize you said that out loud.
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>Squeezing your eyes tightly, you try to hide the shame from yourself.
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>As you reopen them, you see Mellow enter the park, though it looks like he has been...Galloping?
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>Your day grows brighter and you stand to greet him like normal.
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“Over here Mellow!” You call out.
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>The moment he sees you, his face brightens and he quickly trots to you.
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>”I’m so sorry I’m late Paper, got caught up with the play and-”
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>You cut him off before he can continue with a hug.
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“It’s okay, I’m happy you’re here now.”
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>As you hold him, you can hear his heavy breaths, probably from all that galloping.
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>You pull back and look at him with a smile, but notice he has a large blush on his face.
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>”I-um-uh...Yeah...Me too.”
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>It’s cute when he stutters out like that.
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>Sitting down, you pat a spot next to you for him to join you.
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>He sits down, and you see that he doesn’t have his guitar with him today.
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>”Oh no! I left my guitar at home!” He freaks out upon realizing it as well.
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>Before he can stand, you reach out and hold onto him.
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“It’s fine, we can just sit and relax for now, okay?”
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>Looks like he wants to say something, but concedes and slowly relaxes.
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>That’s better, you start to make some more figures and ask him the usual.
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“So how’d it go today?”
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>”Perfect, if you can believe it.”
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“That’s wonderful.” You nod along.
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>”What probably helped was the scene today was dark, I usually perform best with those.”
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“Oh?”
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>”Yeah, not to spoil too much, but it involved the captain and his wife.”
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>Likely morbid in some way no doubt, you nod for him to continue.
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>”I didn’t forgot my lines nor was I a klutz this time either.”
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>You can see from the corner of your eye that he is smiling and watching you.
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>His eyes are so pretty with the way they sparkle when he talks about his passion.
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>”Would be nice if I could do that every time though...”
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>Can’t let him go down that line of thought.
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“We all make mistakes Mellow, no pony is perfect.”
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>A stray thought comes across and you figure this might be the best time to ask it.
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“Tomorrow it’s supposed to rain, how about we hang out at my house?”
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>His eyes widen and he looks extremely nervous.
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>Oh no...Did you ask too soon? You’re such an-
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>”Yeah! I mean...Of course Paper.” He smiles and your heart swells.
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“Good, lets relax a little longer then.”
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>He nods and continues to watch you.
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>That was close, but tomorrow you can test the waters.
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>You trust him after all, and it’s about time you see how much he likes you.
by NHanon
by NHanon
by NHanon
by NHanon
by NHanon