- >To say you’re nervous is an understatement, you can hardly focus right now.
- >”You’re asking for my help in getting a ticket, for a friend?” Cliff gives you a neutral look.
- >He is the only pony you can turn to for this, but that doesn’t stop him from staring into your soul.
- >Gulping down your fear, you put on your best poker face.
- “Yes, please help me Cliff. It’s very important to her, I promise to repay you.”
- >He blinks slowly and leans back in his chair before letting out a small sigh.
- >An uncomfortable amount of time pass, you begin to sweat and he finally answers.
- >”This friend, you’re doing it for ‘her’?” He says as he stares at you.
- >You nod as words are unable to form.
- >Cliff sits up straight again. “When you say ‘her’, is she your marefriend?”
- “No, she is my best friend. I want to her to see this play, and it-”
- >He cuts you off with a wave of his hoof. “Mellow, I’ve been acting for almost my entire life. I can tell she is more than a friend to you.”
- >You’re stunned, how does he do that? Can he read your mind?
- >Before you can ask, he continues. “While I’m not a mind reader, I’ve learned to read ponies, and you’re no exception.”
- >Well crud, guess there is no hiding this.
- >You run your hoof through your mane and sigh.
- “She means the world to me, she is the only pony that understands me. I think tonight I want to ask her out tonight.” You feel yourself slouch.
- >He nods slowly, and seems to take on a regal appearance.
- >Fitting, considering his role.
- >”Are you certain of her feelings for you though?” He postulates.
- >Though you feel uncertain, you answer anyways.
- “No, not completely, but I can’t keep hiding this from her. I’ve been hiding it for years, and I can’t hide this anymore...”
- >He mulls over it a moment before answering.
- >”Very well, I will try to get you a ticket. However, do not count on it. This is at last minute.”
- >You feel so relieved, but freeze as Cliff touches your wither.
- >His face softens and his age shows. “I wish you the best of luck in your confession.”
- >You feel your eyes moisten and you close them to hide it.
- “Thank you Cliff, I appreciate the wishes.”
- >He gives you a gentle pat before letting go and trotting off.
- >You’re still stunned from earlier, he really does surprise you sometimes.
- >Then again, that probably comes with age and wisdom.
- >Shaking it off, you stand to go prepare for tonight with a flame of hope burning within.
- >Shouldn’t take too long either, the rehearsals have been pretty consistent.
- >Plus you spent a good chunk of this morning and last night going over your lines again.
- >Probably would’ve studied it more if you weren’t spending time with Paper, but she matters more.
- >Can’t let yourself get too distracted though, need to focus on making sure everything is ready.
- >Several ponies, yourself included, work on the finishing touches for the play.
- >Everything seems to be in place, which means you have time to look over the script again.
- >Can never be too safe either, you don’t want to blunder this play.
- >You were so lucky that Mr. Town was kind enough to look over your past mistakes for this role.
- >To be relegated to a background role is miserable, to have no real purpose in the play.
- >At least here your character has a good purpose to this, plus you enjoy how it ends.
- >As you’re reading, you feel somepony tapping you to get your attention.
- >You turn to face and see Cliff standing there with a ticket.
- “You did it? That’s awesome Cliff! Thank you so very much. I don’t know how I can repay you.” Your heart soars.
- >He nods. “You’re welcome. It wasn’t easy, and that’s putting it mildly. We can worry about you repaying me later, just remember to stay focused for the play though.”
- “Yeah of course, I promise I won’t forget.” You beam and get ready to visit Paper.
- >After a quick once over in the mirror, you leave the theater with a hastened pace.
- >Your heart is beating so fast now, this is it at last.
- >You’re going to ask her out tonight after the play, it’s now or never.
- “I’ve got to grow up someday, like dad used to say.”
- >Talked out loud again, but you don’t care enough at the moment.
- >Dad never really understood acting like you did, mom did at least.
- >That’s not really fair to say though, he did support you as much as she did.
- >Before you can get too deep into thought, you’ve arrived at Paper’s home.
- >You stop at the door and make sure your bandanna is on straight.
- >With everything in order, you knock and wait.
- >The door opens to reveal her smiling face. “I was wondering if that was you, I’m glad to see you.”
- >She quickly pulls you into her signature hug, one that you readily return.
- “I got the ticket for you, wanted to come by to drop it off and check in with you.”
- >As she pulls out of the hug, she beams with an excited look. “Oh Mellow that’s wonderful, I can’t wait to watch it.”
- >Paper backs up for you to come inside with her.
- “So how was your day?” Figure you can ask her this time around.
- >She looks a little surprised. “Pretty well, sold some more crafts and talked to a few ponies. Nothing too special.”
- >”But it’s even better now that you’re here.” Her green eyes seemingly sparkle as she says that.
- >Yesterday she said things like that, and you’re pretty sure she was trying to tell you her feelings without actually saying it.
- >She probably wanted you to confess, but you didn’t have the guts to ask her right then and there.
- >You intend to change that tonight, though.
- “You make my day better as well, but I’m going to head back to finish getting ready. See you there?”
- >She nods with a great smile as her bow bounces. “Of course, I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
- >With a smile of your own plastered to your face, you nod and start to make your way back.
- >As you watch Mellow leave from your window, you feel confused.
- >He acted aloof yesterday, and seemingly ignored the signals you sent out.
- >Where you not obvious enough or was he just not interested?
- >But then why did he get you a ticket to the play, especially on short notice?
- >It’s all so confusing...
- >Unless you’re misreading this whole thing, but you thought everything was so crystal clear.
- “Maybe he doesn’t see me that way...But still...”
- >You feel so conflicted, and it hurts deep down.
- >The same pain you feel everyday, just stronger now.
- >It’s not like Mellow would intentionally hurt you though, that doesn’t stop the pain.
- >Can’t let it take too much of a hold though, so you start to prepare.
- “I-I need to get ready...I said I would watch the play and that’s what I’ll do.” You shakily say.
- >Though as you start to get ready, you find some difficulty in basic tasks.
- >Like figuring out which bow to wear or whether you should wear a dress.
- >Just focus Paper, all you need to do is wash up and go see the play.
- >Easier said than done, you go start a bath.
- >An old thought enters your mind...You could cut like you used to.
- >But you already do, just with paper instead...Although the razor would be more effective at relieving the stress.
- >Shaking your head, you know better.
- >You won’t fall back into that routine again.
- >You take a quick bath to save on time, and put on one of your usual green bows.
- >They’ve always helped keep your long mane in check, and accented well with your eyes.
- >Giving yourself a look in the mirror, you see yourself looking like your usual self.
- >You give yourself a pep talk before you finish getting ready.
- “Alright, just be there for him. He’s counting on you.”
- >With that out of the way, you head back into the other room and pause.
- >You still have time, why not make some sculptures?
- >After all...This pain won’t go away on its own, no.
- >Normally you don’t try to cut yourself, but you’re going to make this intentional.
- >The only downside is that this tends to ruin the sculpture.
- “That just makes it more unique is all...”
- >With each cut you make, you let out a small gasp and wince.
- >The cuts sting, but at least the deep feeling brooding within is settling.
- >Albeit slowly, but it’s still going down.
- >You finish up a slightly dented and blood stained paper heart.
- “How fitting.” You muse.
- >Grabbing another sheet, you start again, though this time you make something more complicated.
- >You rapidly fold and press the sculpture into the shape of a star.
- >It slowly takes form, though you have added some complexity by adding more points than usual.
- >Giving it another press, you lift it and carefully examine your work.
- “It’s...Not all that bad actually.”
- >Somehow, you’ve made a happy accident here.
- >Strange how sometimes pain can lead to such creativity.
- >You’d work on another, but you’re certain that time is short.
- >A quick glance to the nearby clock confirms it.
- “Need to get going, can’t be late.” Setting the paper aside, you stand and stretch.
- >With one final check, you head out the door and into the streets of Ponyville.
- >The evening air helps ease the pain a bit more.
- >As you’re out, you see other ponies out as well, and some even greet you kindly.
- >You return the greeting each time with a fake smile or nod.
- >Maybe you’ll enjoy the play, you will try at least.
- >No matter what happens, you will be there for Mellow.
- >Even if it hurts, you will be his rock in this storm, much like he is to you.
- >Why does this all have to be so complicated?
- >Your mind slowly blanks out, and soon you find yourself at the theater.
- “Thank Celestia...” You barely mutter.
- >You get into line and try to stay level headed.
- >While being ponies didn’t bother you too much, there is quite a few here at the moment.
- >Some are clearly couples, and it makes you feel self conscious.
- >Focus Paper, you can’t let this get to you.
- >Fortunately the line moves a decent pace, and you find yourself next.
- >Hoofing over your ticket, you make your way in.
- >It’s here that you realize that you have a front row seat.
- >Guess Mellow really pulled out all the stops then.
- >You take your seat and wait as the theater slowly fills.
- >Not a full house from what you can see, but there is quite a few ponies here.
- >Minutes pass and finally, a pony emerges from the curtains dressed in robes.
- >”Fillies and gentlecolts, welcome to tonight’s show. We have a wonderful, yet tragic tale to share with you...”
- >The pony narrates on that this took place during the fall of the Crystal Empire.
- >However, you already got some spoilers from the talks Mellow had with you, but you’re excited none the less.
- >King Sombra overthrows the princess and quickly begins his stranglehold on the empire.
- >But he encounters some resistance from the loyalists, and the old guard.
- >It doesn’t take long for Mellow himself to show up as captain Spark, he looks quite handsome in his costume.
- >He captures your attention, and you’re thrilled to see he is doing so well.
- >The story however, is quite sad, as he is twisted into serving the king.
- >It’s pretty screwed up how the scene works as well, but it’s a play after all.
- >The saddest part quickly approaches, with Spark having to torture his own wife.
- >Now you get what Mellow meant from earlier, it’s really messed up.
- >”My king, if I may have a moment of your time?”
- >>”What is it captain? Do you not understand your orders?”
- >”I do understand them, but I am concerned about my wife.”
- >>”What’s there to understand? Do you forget that loyalists brainwash their followers? Of course she will be resistant to reeducation.”
- >At the word of reeducation, you feel yourself cringe, it’s so horrible.
- >”I haven’t forgotten, but I worry for her. She isn’t eating and looking worse by the day.”
- >Sombra gives him a look of pity before smiling.
- >>”All will be well, she will saved soon enough. You needn’t worry.”
- >You can already see how this will end.
- >>”If you don’t have anymore questions, then leave me. There is much I have to do.”
- >Spark says nothing and leaves, changing the scene.
- >Things continue to go on until Spark visits his wife in the dungeon.
- >”How are you feeling my love?”
- >As he gentle prods her, she doesn’t move.
- >Oh no…
- >”Amber? Amber can you hear me? What’s wrong?!”
- >He rolls her over to reveal her lifeless body, your heart breaks.
- >”This isn’t funny, please open your eyes! Speak to me! Say anything!”
- >His face goes through a series of emotions, it all ending in him losing his mind.
- >He snaps, finally breaking free of the hold over him. About time too, this was almost unbearable.
- >Spark seeks out the loyalists and manages to reach out to Equestria for aid.
- >However, the king shows up and leads an assault on them.
- >In his final climatic battle, Spark faces Sombra one last time.
- >”You will pay for what you did you monster! You took everything from me!” Spark points his sword at the king.
- >Sombra grins. “Everything belongs to me, even your life, and now...You will die...”
- >Spark snarls and charges him, but unlike last time, it’s clearly one sided in Sombra’s favor.
- >As expected, Sparks is disarmed and struck a fatal blow with Sombra standing over him.
- >”Such a shame that it had to come to this, now you can join your ‘wife’ in Elysium.” He gloats.
- >Sparks gives out a choked laugh. “That is true, but your end is near, of this I am certain...”
- >Sombra arches an eyebrow before his face twists into rage. “I AM KING SOMBRA! I! AM! ETERNAL!” Each word he stabs the captain again and again.
- >The play winds down with how it ended in history, the princesses coming to the rescue.
- >But it reminds everypony of the sacrifices of those who fought against tyranny.
- >As it ends, the crowd gives a loud applause.
- >The actors all take a bow before going backstage.
- >You get up and wait near the stage for Mellow, feeling quite excited.
- >Though you don’t have to wait long, as he emerges with several other actors.
- >”So how did you enjoy it?” He says with a smile.
- “It was a bit sad, but wonderful, you did so well Mellow!” You give a smile in return.
- >His own widens, and he closes his eyes for a moment before taking on a serious look.
- >”Can we go talk outside? There is something I need to ask you.”
- >You feel some fear and anxiety, what does he want to talk about?
- “Yeah of course.” You nod.
- >He leads you outside and over to some benches.
- >Mellow takes a moment, and looks extremely nervous, your anxiety grows.
- >”Paper, would you do me the honor of letting me take you out on a date?”
- >Oh. My. Celestia.
- >He asked? He asked!
- “YES!” You accidentally shout. “Ahem. I mean yes, I would love that.” Your cheeks are burning.
- >He blinks a few times before your answer settles in and his face turns to joy.
- >”T-that’s-I mean-uh-um...” He stumbles for a second before gathering himself. “Wonderful, how about tomorrow around seven? I’ll swing by and pick you up.”
- “I don’t have anything going on then, so sure!” You nod and nearly bounce in place.
- >”O-okay, it’s a date then. See you tomorrow!” He says as he trots off with a slight hop in his step.
- >You stand there for a few moments after he is out of sigh before finally letting a cheer.
- “WOOHOO!”
by
NHanon
by
NHanon
by
NHanon
by
NHanon
by
NHanon