-
1.
>Harsh noise.
-
2.
>Weightlessness.
-
3.
>Pain.
-
4.
>Your groggy mind slowly catches up with your aching body and you curl up on the unfamiliar ground.
-
5.
>The air is warm and the ground is rough, but not entirely unpleasant.
-
6.
>There is a buzzing noise, but it's not the buzzing noise you are used to.
-
7.
>It almost sounds natural.
-
8.
>Your eyes flicker open and you find yourself staring at a weird building.
-
9.
>You pick yourself up from your laying position and sit up.
-
10.
>As you look around, you realize you're nowhere familiar at all.
-
11.
>You're in the middle of a... parking lot?
-
12.
>And- and there are trees.
-
13.
>You're outside.
-
14.
>Y-you've never been outside before!
-
15.
>Are you... dreaming?
-
16.
>You pat the sides of your face.
-
17.
>You don't feel like you are.
-
18.
>You lift your head up and look up.
-
19.
>Little pinpricks of light fill the dark above.
-
20.
>Stars, just like in your dreams.
-
21.
>I-it's real.
-
22.
>There is a tugging in your chest.
-
23.
>You almost feel... happy.
-
24.
>Like when you first woke up.
-
25.
>It's been so long, you don't even remember how to be happy.
-
26.
>Instead, you just start to tear up.
-
27.
>It's the only response that you could muster.
-
28.
>You wish you could stay here for an eternity but... you hear something.
-
29.
>You turn to face the noise and see a figure standing by the building.
-
30.
>It hasn't seen you, and you can't see it very well, especially since your eyes were watery, but its presence makes your heart race.
-
31.
>What if it's one of them?
-
32.
>The thought brings fresh tears to your eyes.
-
33.
>Y-you don't want to go back!
-
34.
>You can't...
-
35.
>You felt safe here, you don't want to let go of that yet.
-
36.
>To your horror, it looks like it finally noticed you.
-
37.
>You quickly stand up and stare at it, your legs shaking.
-
38.
>Your eyes dart towards the dark forest around you.
-
39.
>For once...
-
40.
>You're not cornered.
-
41.
>It takes a step into the light.
-
42.
>For once...
-
43.
>You can run.
-
44.
>With all the energy you can manage, you bolt for the trees.
-
45.
>You're not used to running, so by the time you stop, your legs feel like jelly and you're on the verge of hyperventilation.
-
46.
>You listen out for a while, trying desperately not to collapse on the forest floor.
-
47.
>You don't think it's following you, so maybe it's just a normal person?
-
48.
>But... that doesn't mean you can relax.
-
49.
>You need to find somewhere to hide.
-
50.
>You won't calm down until you do...
-
51.
>You wobble your way further into the forest until you find some dense shrubbery.
-
52.
>This will do.
-
53.
>You hope.
-
54.
>You shimmy into the brush until you're nestled in the middle of it.
-
55.
>You plop down and sigh.
-
56.
>This is way better than concrete...
-
57.
>You roll onto your back and look up once more at the sky.
-
58.
>Even under all these trees, you can still see them.
-
59.
>Exhaustion overtakes you as you stare up at the stars through half-lidded eyes.
-
60.
>Maybe... maybe you can be a forest nymph.
-
61.
>Like in that one story you read.
-
62.
>Dancing in the moonlight and drinking from cups of stardust...
-
63.
>Laughing together with all her friends...
-
64.
>Maybe one day, you'll have friends too.
-
65.
>You... you wonder what that's like?
-
66.
>You'll find out soon enough.
-
67.
-
68.
- - - -
-
69.
-
70.
>The woods are... nice.
-
71.
>Much nicer than you're used to, anyway.
-
72.
>You slept quite soundly, aside from a minor fit.
-
73.
>Little splinters of loneliness always prick you at the most inconvenient times.
-
74.
>But you managed.
-
75.
>You could dare say you're almost... excited.
-
76.
>You're unrestricted.
-
77.
>Untethered.
-
78.
>Free.
-
79.
>Somewhere in your mind, you wonder 'Why?', but... It really didn't matter, right?
-
80.
>You should just worry about the now, for um, now.
-
81.
>Like what you're going to eat, for instance!
-
82.
>The frequency of your meals have always been... lacking.
-
83.
>But now you can find food whenever you want!
-
84.
>A wanderer among the pine~!
-
85.
>With vittles on her mind~!
-
86.
>Hehe... time to put those book-smarts to use!
-
87.
>Lets just hope you remember what is and isn't poisonous.
-
88.
>Hmph, let's just veto eating anything dubious for now, alright?
-
89.
>You're not *that* desperate.
-
90.
>You poke around the undergrowth for a while, but come up emptyhooved.
-
91.
>After that, you rummage around a few bushes, but end up at the same disappointing conclusion.
-
92.
>You guess this is harder than it looked, or um... read.
-
93.
>How about... aha!
-
94.
>You pick up a nearby pinecone and hold it aloft in a triumphant manner.
-
95.
>You're pretty sure animals eat these all the time, so why not you?
-
96.
>You sit down and stare at your bounty.
-
97.
>So, do you just...?
-
98.
>You bite down on the unappetizing cone, which makes a rather unpleasant crunching sound.
-
99.
>You gnaw on it for a little longer before simply spitting it out.
-
100.
>That... sucked.
-
101.
>You guess your palate is rather 'person-like', eh?
-
102.
>Pinecones and bark just won't cut it.
-
103.
>Hmm...
-
104.
>How about grass?
-
105.
>You *are* a pony after all.
-
106.
>It might be worth a shot.
-
107.
>With renewed vigor, you make your way towards the weird building from last night.
-
108.
>There was quite a bit of grass in that clearing, so maybe you can sneak a few bites?
-
109.
>As you finally near the edge of the woods, your ears fold back at familiar sound.
-
110.
>You slink towards a nearby bush and poke your head out from behind it.
-
111.
>The parking lot had a smattering of vehicles resting in it now, as well as their talkative owners.
-
112.
>You didn't recognize any of them, but all these people made you anxious.
-
113.
>You're just about to turn back, but you see an odd tree near the back of the building.
-
114.
>A skinny tree that has some sort of fruit.
-
115.
>The sight makes your hunger much more apparent.
-
116.
>You glance around and notice that the coast is clear.
-
117.
>Here goes nothing...
-
118.
>You briskly make your way towards the tree, careful not to step into the daylight.
-
119.
>As you make it to a bush near the tree, you sigh.
-
120.
>There isn't anyone around so...
-
121.
>You make your move.
-
122.
>Each step is much shakier than the last, and by the time you make it to the tree's base, you're more or less a bundle of nerves.
-
123.
>Some of the rotund fruit is already on the ground, but most of it is still on the branch.
-
124.
>With how small it is, a little shaking will do wonders.
-
125.
>And you certainly know a thing or two about shaking!
-
126.
>H-haha...
-
127.
>Okay, relax now.
-
128.
>With a deep breath...
-
129.
>You start your heist.
-
130.
-
131.
>You are weary of every little noise, but nevertheless, you gather up as much fruit as you can carry in the crux of a foreleg.
-
132.
>Now all you need to do is quietly make your way out of sight.
-
133.
>With one last glance around, you submerge once more into the shade of trees.
-
134.
>You keep moving until the sound of cars and people are replaced with the gentle sway of leaves and birdsong.
-
135.
>You settle down in a sunny clearing and admire your haul.
-
136.
>A small mound of little apples that fit easily in the hoof.
-
137.
>You'll certainly take this over having to eat grass, that's for sure.
-
138.
>You weren't very enthusiastic about grass anyway...
-
139.
>Alright then, let's give this a whirl!
-
140.
>You pick one up and roll it around in your hoof.
-
141.
>With how small these are, you guess you could eat it whole, but lets just take it slow.
-
142.
>You take a bite and are mildly surprised.
-
143.
>It's tart, but not overwhelmingly so.
-
144.
>It will take a bit to get used to, but it's nice all things considered.
-
145.
>You're pretty sure these have a specific name, but it eludes you at the moment.
-
146.
>All that really mattered is that you knew it wouldn't make you sick, so it worked out.
-
147.
>After finishing off your apple banquet, you get up and stretch.
-
148.
>You guess you'll file this down as a success!
-
149.
>With your basic needs sated for the moment, you decide to think about your situation, which is always a fun thing to dwell on.
-
150.
>But if you don't let your mind go through the motions, it will just keep eating away at you, so you might as well get it over with, right?
-
151.
>You sigh and perch yourself up against a sturdy oak, watching the last bits of sunshine drain away.
-
152.
>This was a major improvement and you weren't scared anymore but... you're still alone.
-
153.
>Stuck in the middle of nowhere.
-
154.
>But why?
-
155.
>You feel like... like you shouldn't be here.
-
156.
>Why didn't they just scrap you?
-
157.
>They got what they wanted, why leave something behind?
-
158.
>Especially something that knew their faces by heart.
-
159.
>Maybe you just got lucky.
-
160.
>...
-
161.
>I-in a way, it was a little funny!
-
162.
>Like some dark comedy about a couple of roadside bandits.
-
163.
>Swiping rings and clutching pearls.
-
164.
>They take, and then leave without a trace.
-
165.
>Not before leaving a few scars of course, but you're still breathing.
-
166.
>And they didn't even have the courtesy to tip their hats...
-
167.
>You look down at your hooves for a moment, watching them tremble.
-
168.
>The weight in your heart is telling you that you might be taking this too far.
-
169.
>H-how about... We just make up a story instead?
-
170.
>You can make anything you want, a-and it doesn't have to end like that, okay?
-
171.
>You curl up by the tree and take a deep breath.
-
172.
>Just think of something nice...
-
173.
-
174.
>A lone pony sits atop a stump, holding onto her windswept witch's hat.
-
175.
>The meadow around her was vast and calm as her robe billowed in the wind.
-
176.
>She watches as a small butterfly lands on a nearby flower.
-
177.
>"Can you help me find my friends, miss mage? They're late for tea!" It asked meekly.
-
178.
>The mare smiles. "Late for tea, you say? Let's make haste, dear sprite!"
-
179.
-
180.
- - - -
-
181.
-
182.
>You've always liked fantasy stories.
-
183.
>From knights taking on immovable foes, to simple romps through enchanted forests.
-
184.
>They could have been nonsensical at times, but they always had a happy ending.
-
185.
>Not every story has to have one, but...
-
186.
>You like it when they do.
-
187.
>There was this huge old book in the closet of the attic you were in.
-
188.
>It was dusty and in disrepair, but you loved it with all your heart.
-
189.
>It was an um... an anthology?
-
190.
>Yeah, that's the word.
-
191.
>You probably read through it over a dozen times before one of them caught you.
-
192.
>You thought that maybe he'd take it away but he... he wanted to know more.
-
193.
>He acted like he was interested.
-
194.
>Like he cared.
-
195.
>That was when you could still talk, and you ended up rambling on while he sat in that plastic chair in the attic.
-
196.
>He would occasionally crack jokes about the characters, and you always laughed at them.
-
197.
>He even brought you candy once.
-
198.
>Up until then, you didn't know how to feel about any of them.
-
199.
>They were so distant before, but for once, one of them was nice to you.
-
200.
>And he kept being nice to you.
-
201.
>You thought...
-
202.
>You thought he was your friend.
-
203.
>Your first friend.
-
204.
>But one day, there was yelling coming from down below, so you hid in the closet.
-
205.
>You couldn't make out what they were saying, but you recognized his voice.
-
206.
>He sounded... angry.
-
207.
>They all sounded angry.
-
208.
>They were arguing and you didn't know why.
-
209.
>After a while, it grew quiet, and then a door slammed.
-
210.
>It didn't take you long to figure out what happened.
-
211.
>He left.
-
212.
>And you didn't even know his name.
-
213.
>You were so devastated at first, you denied it.
-
214.
>He'd be back, I just know it!
-
215.
>Any day now...
-
216.
>M-maybe he's just sick? I hope he gets better...
-
217.
>You waited and waited, but it was just you again.
-
218.
>Well, you and them, technically.
-
219.
>But they didn't like you.
-
220.
>In fact, in time, they made it quite clear that they didn't want anything to do with you at all.
-
221.
>Every attempt you made to be friendly backfired into raised voices and harsh words.
-
222.
>When you first woke up in that attic, they were gathered around you, smiling.
-
223.
>You were so happy.
-
224.
>B-but...
-
225.
>They left you there and the only one who stayed and showed you any kindness was gone.
-
226.
>All you had left was a book and the fantasies in your head.
-
227.
>Quiet walks under a starlit sky.
-
228.
>Mundane jaunts through a magical village.
-
229.
>Chats with talkative woodland creatures.
-
230.
>They were never grandiose in nature, but you longed for them nevertheless.
-
231.
>And that's how you spent your days there.
-
232.
>Until one day, one of them walked up to you.
-
233.
>You hadn't had that happen for a really long time.
-
234.
>And she... patted your head.
-
235.
>They never touched you before so it made you freeze up.
-
236.
>"We're going to play doctor!" She said with a smile.
-
237.
>Her tone was so genuine that you... smiled with her.
-
238.
>You didn't know what a doctor was, but it sounded good.
-
239.
>And... and she took you downstairs.
-
240.
>You've never been downstairs before, so it was exciting.
-
241.
>There was a metal table set up.
-
242.
>And the room was cold.
-
243.
-
244.
>The lady sat you down by the table and told you to 'sit tight'.
-
245.
>You didn't know how to do that, but you knew how to sit still, so you did that instead.
-
246.
>She left the room and you could her hear talking with the others.
-
247.
>It was hard to make out, but you caught snippets every once in a while.
-
248.
>"...what it looks like?"
-
249.
>"...have to make a..."
-
250.
>"...entangled with the..."
-
251.
>"...the whole thing out..."
-
252.
>It didn't make much sense to you, so you wound up occupying yourself by looking around the room.
-
253.
>Most of the stuff in the room seemed old and it reminded you of a story you read about an elderly woman who lived in an oversized mushroom.
-
254.
>She had all sorts of fancy knickknacks, just like in this room!
-
255.
>But maybe not as dusty.
-
256.
>For some reason, all the dust made you feel... weird.
-
257.
>It was an odd twinge in your heart, but it was so fleeting that you couldn't describe the emotion.
-
258.
>You didn't have much time to dwell on it, as the lady came back with the others.
-
259.
>The others.
-
260.
>Besides taking turns bringing you the occasional meal, you didn't know anything about them.
-
261.
>You knew their physical features, of course, but that was about it.
-
262.
>The one with glasses sat down in a nearby chair and sighs.
-
263.
>"This manual is a wreck, but I think it'll pan out."
-
264.
>The burly one crosses his arms. "What about the-"
-
265.
> The lady cuts him off. "Not now! Later."
-
266.
>She then turns to you with yet another smile.
-
267.
>"Hey hey, you ready?"
-
268.
>You shuffle in place. "What's... What's a doctor?"
-
269.
>Glasses chuckles. "Really?"
-
270.
>Burly scoffs. "This would be way easier if *someone* knew how to turn it off."
-
271.
>Turn it off?
-
272.
>Does- does he mean... you?
-
273.
>Maybe you just misheard?
-
274.
>They wouldn't-
-
275.
>"I've read through this thing front and back, it doesn't. Abysmal design if you ask me."
-
276.
>"I didn't."
-
277.
>"Tch, whatever man."
-
278.
>They're talking about you.
-
279.
>And you don't like their tone.
-
280.
>You scoot a little closer to the wall behind you and look up at the lady, hoping to be consoled.
-
281.
>M-maybe you're just nervous?
-
282.
>She sighs. "I guess we might as well get this over with."
-
283.
>Her eyes fall on you. "Just relax, okay? We'll be done in no time."
-
284.
>Her voice almost sounds... empty.
-
285.
>B-but you thought... you thought things would be different.
-
286.
>That maybe they wanted to get to know you.
-
287.
>But they don't want to talk.
-
288.
>You watch as she brings her hands down towards you.
-
289.
>You don't understand.
-
290.
>Their conversation before, it... it was about you too, wasn't it?
-
291.
>Why would they want to turn you off?
-
292.
>You're in a daze as she starts to pick you up, your mind trying to rationalize what's happening.
-
293.
>But once you stop feeling the floor underneath your hooves, you snap out of it and start to panic.
-
294.
>You wriggle out of her grasp and scramble around the room in a circle.
-
295.
>There wasn't anywhere to hide, so you wind up backing yourself into a corner.
-
296.
>"I told you this would happen."
-
297.
>"Shut up and get ready, I'll grab it."
-
298.
>The burly one approaches and you shrink down.
-
299.
>The only resistance you can manage is a feeble "Please don't".
-
300.
-
301.
>There wasn't anything you could do to stop it.
-
302.
>No amount of pleading or struggling would dissuade them.
-
303.
>No savior or knight in shining armor to save you.
-
304.
>You... you were just an object to them.
-
305.
>Something to be taken apart at their leisure.
-
306.
>As you laid on that table, you thought about all the stories about humans you read.
-
307.
>Were they wrong?
-
308.
>These people were nothing like the ones in your stories.
-
309.
>Or maybe.. you were wrong.
-
310.
>You thought that under all that apathy might have been good people.
-
311.
>That you could get through to them.
-
312.
>That if you tried really really hard... you could be their friend.
-
313.
>And then everything would be okay.
-
314.
>But...
-
315.
>But they aren't people.
-
316.
>All you see now are wolves baring their teeth.
-
317.
>They don't want you.
-
318.
>They just want what's inside of you.
-
319.
>...
-
320.
>You... you don't want to think about it anymore.
-
321.
>Everything after that was a painful blur.
-
322.
>And you were awake for all of it.
-
323.
>Well... most of it, anyway.
-
324.
>Somewhere along the line, you must have fainted, because you don't remember them putting... whatever is in your neck now, in you.
-
325.
>You don't even know what it looks like, but you know it's hollow.
-
326.
>There's something inside, but you can't reach far enough to open it up.
-
327.
>Maybe you're a pinata now.
-
328.
>Just quietly waiting to be smacked.
-
329.
>You want to laugh at your pitiful state, but all you can muster is sniffling.
-
330.
>Since then, you've always been a little... out of sync.
-
331.
>Once in a while, your mind won't realize that your body is crying right away.
-
332.
>The weirdest part is that you don't even *feel* sad.
-
333.
>It's incredibly infrequent, so at least it's not something you need to fret over.
-
334.
>You dry your eyes and take a deep breath.
-
335.
>Relax, it's over now.
-
336.
>It's just you against the world, so uhm... time for more... survivalisting?
-
337.
>That- That's not a word!
-
338.
>At least you don't think it is?
-
339.
>You look up at the stars and let out a sigh.
-
340.
>It's getting late, maybe you should visit that tree again and swipe a few more apples?
-
341.
>You'll try eating grass uh... another time.
-
342.
>With a stretch, you get up.
-
343.
>Time for heist two!
-
344.
>Let's hope it goes as smoothly as the first one.
-
345.
>Hey, maybe you'll get to snoop around that weird building, too?
-
346.
>It always smells nice, so maybe there's more food around it.
-
347.
>With curiosity and hunger pushing you forward, you start to trek back to the parking lot, a silent rhyme in your head.
-
348.
-
349.
>There was a stillness in the air as you emerged from the undergrowth.
-
350.
>Without the noise and sights of the day, you were much more bold, standing once more under the orange lamplight.
-
351.
>You take your time as you make your way to the front of the weird building.
-
352.
>There was a sign out front that you wanted to check out.
-
353.
>Through the glass, you could see inside. But it didn't make much sense to you, with its checkered patterns and folksy imagery.
-
354.
>You squinted at the sign out front, which had an unfamiliar pony with a poofy mane proudly displaying a tray on her hoof.
-
355.
>She was well groomed and wore a playful smile.
-
356.
>You glance over at your reflection in the glass.
-
357.
>You try to imitate her smile, but the downtrodden mare you see before you doesn't budge.
-
358.
>Hmph, be that way!
-
359.
>You stick your tongue out at yourself, which makes you feel slightly better about it.
-
360.
>You bring your gaze down to the words resting on her tray.
-
361.
>'TODAY'S SPECIAL(S): [Caramel Apple Fritter] and [Bonanza's Surprise]
-
362.
>The second one was hastily crossed out with a frowny face next to it.
-
363.
>You guess this place serves food.
-
364.
>But what's a fritter?
-
365.
>Your tummy rumbles at the prospect, regardless.
-
366.
>Soon, I say! Just relax until I finishing reading thi-
-
367.
>"And the rain came down that day and it drained my soul away..."
-
368.
>H-huh?
-
369.
>Your ears perk up, trying to pinpoint that singing.
-
370.
>Y-you forgot about the person from last night!
-
371.
>"Bum de duh de dum..."
-
372.
>It's getting nearer, you need to move.
-
373.
>You slink around the building and once you see your target, the tree, you trot briskly towards it.
-
374.
>You spare no time in swiping a few of the small apples.
-
375.
>Once finished, you take a deep breath.
-
376.
>You don't hear anything, so... maybe the coast is clear?
-
377.
>"Hey there."
-
378.
>You jolt and in your panic, the apples fall from your clutches, scattering onto the grass.
-
379.
>Your mind is racing as it desperately attempts to plot an escape.
-
380.
>"Woah woah, take it easy, just... hold on."
-
381.
>You back away until you are brushing up against the bush by the tree.
-
382.
>"Just hear me out! I'm- I'm not going anywhere."
-
383.
>You hesitantly glance in the direction of the figure.
-
384.
>In the light, you realize that it's just a tired man with a concerned expression, his hands in clear view.
-
385.
>He slowly sits down by the building and after he clears his throat, he gestures to you.
-
386.
>"You know, I was betting on squirrels stripping that tree. I guess I didn't think a pony was in the cards!"
-
387.
>He rubs the back of his neck. "So, whaddya doing all the way out here, bud?"
-
388.
>You continue staring at him momentarily before lowering your eyes towards the morsels on the ground.
-
389.
>"Hungry?"
-
390.
>You nod slowly, not taking your eyes from the fruit.
-
391.
>"Hmm... How about this."
-
392.
>You shrink down as you realize that he was getting up.
-
393.
>He turns away and stretches. "Eat up. I won't bother you, okay?"
-
394.
>He glances back at you for a moment. "Just... try not to make a mess, I'd rather not do more work than I have to."
-
395.
>You watch him leave, utterly bewildered.
-
396.
>He... left?
-
397.
-
398.
>You at the very least expected to get yelled at, but instead, he's turning a blind eye?
-
399.
>M-maybe... maybe it's a trick? Like when you turn your back he'll-
-
400.
>NO!
-
401.
>T-this is a normal person! You can't- You can't expect the worst.
-
402.
>You shouldn't do that anymore.
-
403.
>Just... Just relax and eat, alright?
-
404.
>Despite wanting to calm down, you're still rather shaken up.
-
405.
>In an attempt at keeping your nerves at bay, you decide to watch his movement.
-
406.
>He's picking up bags and throwing them in that bin out back.
-
407.
>Besides that, he's cleaning up the area around the weird food building.
-
408.
>Not long after, he's humming to himself again, doing some other random task.
-
409.
>He just works here! He's normal.
-
410.
>You fidget in place.
-
411.
>You... you hope you aren't being a nuisance.
-
412.
>Feeling... slightly at ease, you slowly start munching away at the apples.
-
413.
>As your hunger is sated, your nervousness subsides as well.
-
414.
>Soon enough, you find yourself getting comfortable, which has the unfortunate side effect of making you a tad sleepy.
-
415.
>After a rather eventful day by your standards, it made sense, but...
-
416.
>You listlessly glance up at the man, who was sitting on a concrete step at the back of the building, resting.
-
417.
>Before you go find your sleeping bush... You should say thanks, or at least as close to thanks as you can in your current state.
-
418.
>You know, for him not running you off.
-
419.
>You look down at the last remaining apple on the ground.
-
420.
>...
-
421.
>You pick it up by the stem and get up.
-
422.
>You... you got this.
-
423.
>You gingerly make your way over to him, slowing down when he notices you.
-
424.
>"Hey again. Do you... need something?"
-
425.
>You shake your head as you approach a little closer.
-
426.
>You stop quite a ways from him, but close enough that you can see the smile on his face.
-
427.
>You try to look him in the eye but you falter and end up staring at the ground.
-
428.
>As you take a deep breath, you try to think of something to do.
-
429.
>How... how about you just toss it over like a um... a gift!
-
430.
>Or maybe a snack?
-
431.
>W-whatever, just give it to him!
-
432.
>You get ready to lightly toss the apple, but put way to much force into it and accidentally launch it at him.
-
433.
>...And watch in horror as the little apple spikes off his forehead and tumbles to the ground.
-
434.
>The both of you stare at each other, with you slowly reddening.
-
435.
>He bends down and grabs the apple, tossing it lightly in his hand a few times.
-
436.
>He grins, despite the lump on his forehead. "Nice shot! Thanks for saving me one."
-
437.
>You decide that this would spark the end of today's outing.
-
438.
>You give him a quick nod before darting out of sight
-
439.
>"You'd be great at baseball!" You hear him yell as you depart.
-
440.
>You can almost hear the laughter in his voice, but it isn't... mocking.
-
441.
>He just seems happy.
-
442.
>You trot past the building windows on your way into the forest and see your face burning with embarrassment.
-
443.
>But not only that... you notice a smile as well.
-
444.
>It's incredibly awkward and more than a little dopey but.. it's there.
-
445.
>Huh, you guess you can do it after all.
-
446.
-
447.
- - - -
-
448.
-
449.
>After that, you found yourself visiting often during the night.
-
450.
>The parking lot had a nice clear view of the stars and seeing that most of the food you've eaten has come from around there, it made sense in your mind.
-
451.
>Oh! And you finally tried grass.
-
452.
>You uhm... didn't like it.
-
453.
>It tasted way worse than dandelions.
-
454.
>But at least you aren't hungry right now.
-
455.
>In all honesty, there's a lot less to eat than you first thought.
-
456.
>You guess you can't afford to be picky...
-
457.
>Maybe you can try pinecones again?
-
458.
>Hmm... let's put a pin in that for now.
-
459.
>Right now, you just want to relax a little.
-
460.
>You're currently sitting by the now bare apple tree.
-
461.
>You guess it's kind of your 'territory'.
-
462.
>By that you mean you can see a lot of the parking lot from here without feeling like you're out in the open, so you guess it's comfortable.
-
463.
>It's nice all things considered.
-
464.
>You've been 'people watching' as that man put it.
-
465.
>He mentioned it in passing, as he was lugging a rolliewheel bin.
-
466.
>You- You don't *actually* think they're called that, but that's what your mind came up with!
-
467.
>A-anyway... you guess he's right.
-
468.
>You've been finding yourself staring more often, be it him at night, or the building's patrons during the day from the bushes.
-
469.
>You've even seen a few ponies, too.
-
470.
>In a way... it made you feel a tad self-conscious.
-
471.
>How can they look so calm being around all those people?
-
472.
>You'd probably be terrified.
-
473.
>Well... you guess you kind of understand now.
-
474.
>Ever since that guy started talking to you. you haven't been as nervous.
-
475.
>You still panic when he gets a little too close and end up running away, but you always come back after you calm down.
-
476.
>Maybe it's a force of habit or something?
-
477.
>You've ruled him out of being one of the bad ones, but you guess your instincts just kind of kick in.
-
478.
>You let out a sigh and lay down, resting your head on the grass.
-
479.
>But regardless of your anxieties... it's nice here.
-
480.
>You stifle a yawn.
-
481.
>The noisy bugs and warm breeze make your eyelids feel heavy...
-
482.
>And the grass is almost... fluffy.
-
483.
>The night's still young, but... maybe you can take a little nap?
-
484.
>That... that would be nice.
-
485.
>Really.... nice.
-
486.
>As you close your eyes, your ears focus on some nearby crickets.
-
487.
>Like a little band, lulling you to sleep.
-
488.
>Playing their miniature instruments.
-
489.
>Hehe, you bet they fashion them out of acorns...
-
490.
>You... you wonder what kind of fun antics they get themselves into...
-
491.
>For the first time in ages, you fall asleep in the presence of a human.
-
492.
>Your dreams filled with adventurous stories of friendship between bugs.
-
493.
>Maybe one day you can have your own adventures.
-
494.
>Your own friends.
-
495.
>And maybe even your own stories.
-
496.
>That would be nice.
-
497.
>Heh.
-
498.
>You've been saying that a lot lately, huh?
-
499.
>But you mean it.
-
500.
>Every word of it.
-
501.
>You feel... content.
-
502.
-
503.
- - - -
-
504.
-
505.
>Your ears perk up at the sound of something in the middle distance.
-
506.
>"...shift is over...up and at 'em..."
-
507.
>You don't catch most of it, but you're pretty sure that's your cue to make your exit.
-
508.
>You open your eyes and groggily lull you head towards the familiar voice.
-
509.
>Through your sleepy haze, you can make out the shape of the man, sitting on the steps of the back of the food building like usual.
-
510.
>You wonder how long you were asleep? You still feel really tired...
-
511.
>"Sorry for waking you, but I don't want to leave while you're conked out."
-
512.
>You sit up and rub your eyes, half wondering what a 'conk' is.
-
513.
>After you feel awake enough to stand, you get up and yawn.
-
514.
>"Things open really early today, so you might not want to linger."
-
515.
>Today?
-
516.
>Well, you guess now you know that it's at least after midnight.
-
517.
>You turn to the man and give him a nod, not really sure how else to show your gratitude for the warning.
-
518.
>He gets up with a stretch and lets out a sigh.
-
519.
>"Have a good night and try to get some proper rest. I'll see you round' like a donut."
-
520.
>You wave him off, somewhat perplexed by his last statement.
-
521.
>Now alone once more, you drag your tired body back into the forest after lazily munching on a nearby dandelion.
-
522.
>As you trot, you realize how calm you felt.
-
523.
>Usually your encounters with him made you feel jittery, even if you knew he was nice.
-
524.
>As if your body was always on the defensive, ready to bolt at a moment's notice.
-
525.
>But something changed.
-
526.
>You almost feel like... like you're starting to trust him.
-
527.
>Trust.
-
528.
>The word was heavy in your mind.
-
529.
>Dirty.
-
530.
>Tarnished.
-
531.
>Everyone you started to trust either hurt you, or left.
-
532.
>Your mind may want to move on, but your body remembers.
-
533.
>Each time you look at someone, you can feel that scared little part of you start to rise again.
-
534.
>Almost like another you, cowering in a corner of your head.
-
535.
>All she knows is that contact can spiral into searing pain and abandonment, so every person is seen as a potential threat.
-
536.
>Even the gentlest hand terrifies her.
-
537.
>Maybe...
-
538.
>Maybe over time, you can slowly mend her scars.
-
539.
>One day, she might feel truly safe again.
-
540.
>Maybe it's already getting better.
-
541.
>Her shaking is less intense now.
-
542.
>Just like your own.
-
543.
>It's... odd, isn't it?
-
544.
>Thinking about yourself like this.
-
545.
>Your lack of sleep might be making you weirdly introspective.
-
546.
>Not to mention talking about yourself in the third person...
-
547.
>You finally stop in front of your designated sleeping bush and give it a weary smile.
-
548.
>Hidden in the large shrub was a shabby little den of sorts that you've come to call home.
-
549.
>It wasn't the most comfortable piece of greenery, but you've grown a little attached to it.
-
550.
>Did you miss me? I missed you.
-
551.
>It welcomes you with open... branches?
-
552.
>Yeah, you'll just go with that.
-
553.
>You make yourself at home and lay down with a sigh.
-
554.
>Tonight has been... pleasant.
-
555.
>Even if you're still rather hesitant inside, you feel like there has been some progress, however small.
by Castafae
by Castafae
by Castafae
by Castafae
by Castafae