"...And that's why you do it."
>Bingo
>That's what you say to cap it off
>That is how, Anon, you win the crowd
>You shake your head and empty the shot glass into your mouth
>You don't swallow it
>Not yet
>The taste is decent
>The burning sensation along your tongue, while not pleasant, wakes you up
>Bit by bit you gulp down the alcohol
>You can taste it while exhaling through your nose
>It roots you
>It's a sign of another show completed
>You used to give them for free
>You used to talk to anyone who'd give you the time of day, to the point of coming across as pushy
>Who knew that the "right" way was to charge people per seat?
>That now gave you legitimacy
>Made you an authority on the matter and not just some dipshit spouting positive words and avoiding vague platitudes
>What a disgusting thing
>"OHHH-EM-GEE, Anon?! You drink here too?"
>You don't even get a chance to bristle
>A mare scampers up to the booth seat opposite of you
>Cute girl
>Big yellow eyes
>Dark purple coat
>A bobcut mane dyed black
>You can tell because the roots are starting to show
>Deep blue
"Ah... yeah. Today I do, yeah."
>She recognized your name so she must've been a part of the crowd
>You used to be able to remember everyone you spoke to by name
>You don't feel all too happy about losing track of that
>"That's awesome. I hope you don't mind, I wanted to talk to you after the show but you wandered off so quickly and I was still taking notes and then I had to call my mom and then I realized I hadn't even hydrated for the day and..."
>She trails off
>You aren't looking away or focusing on anything like your phone
>She's cute
>That's all that really comes to mind
>"...That look really is showing me that you know what you talk about..."
>She scrunches up into herself
>She seems self-conscious
"I'm not driving anywhere and my flight's tomorrow morning. Would you like me to buy you something to drink or snack on...?"
>You really don't mind doing stuff like that
>Doesn't matter that she's a mare, you'd order dinner or a snack for anyone if they asked
>She seems to take it a particular way though
>She scrunches up further, grinning like she's going to end up a ticking time bomb of glee and dark sprinkles
>"Oh... I couldn't!"
>She throws her head to one side
>"I shouldn't!"
>She throws her head to the other side
>"...Can I?"
>Her front hooves end up on the edge of the table
>Even if you were the tight-fisted sort, that would've won you over
"Yeah, go for it. I haven't ordered grub yet either so it'd be nice to have someone to eat with."
>If you were the sort to be flirtatious, you'd call that a kill shot
>She seems so happy
>You don't really have the heart to tell her that you don't really care either way
>She doesn't seem the sort to flirt with either
>You left the door open for her to introduce herself and instead she's just going with it
>"You really do practice what you preach... that's so cool."
>There are a lot of scam artists out there, aren't there?

>It sickens you to think that, even for a moment, you could share the same space as those types
"Well, it's as I said earlier. I don't think I really try anymore. I just do it. It's like ha-"
>"Having to drink while walking, it's a learned skill!"
>She has such joy saying that
>Have you said that so much it's now some sort of catchphrase?
>What a lame thing to be tied to
>Orders are taken in short order, once a waitress realizes you aren't getting up or flagging down someone
>Decent dinner for you
>Doubles as brunch
>She ends up ordering almost the same things, plus or minus some greens added
>"I've been to a few of your shows now. I even listened to that one podcast you were on. I hope I'm not fangirling out too hard."
"I wouldn't call them "shows"... but. Yeah. Thank you. Hopefully it means they were entertaining."
>"Oh they were far more than merely entertaining! I didn't even know how to get used to Earth until I found your stuff! It sounds so... Equestrian!"
>That explains the friendliness, Anon
>Like before, it's not like she likes you personally
>She's just friendly
>Lot of mares are like that
>The ones that speak up are
>You didn't really pay attention at the time but once you started putting a price tag on your talks, you gained more Equestrian audiences
>Families, loners, stallions, mares
>Humans too, no doubt
>Maybe it's just something to do with how things have been socially shifting
>You want another shot but you don't really want to drink in front of someone you view as impressionable
>"That was alcohol you had, right?"
"Yeah."
>"What kind?"
"Ah? That's... a good question. I forgot what brand they said they had on the shelf."
>"No, not the brand. What kind was it?"
>Her inflection gives you a bit of a pause
>You haven't noticed it until now but her expression hadn't really mellowed out since you offered to buy dinner for her
>You're unsure of if that's the norm
>They seem to always experience emotions so much more strongly than humans
"I. Asked for whiskey. I'd rather buy my own vodka."
>"Woah... whiskey..."
>Is that not something they have back in horse world?
>You want to ask that but Ms. Glee seems to be having too much fun
>Who are you to ruin it?
"Tell me about it. I guess I prefer to feel it if I'm going to drink. Otherwise, soda, juice and water for me. Real high roller."
>"Alcohol's something I never touched back home. I think it came down to how weird it makes others act. Does it make you act weird too?"
>What kind of immature question is that?
>You stifle a chuckle and shake your head
"Me? Oh no. I'm weird enough sober. I suppose I do it as a way to connect to memories. I might not remember this show, or even what I said. I might not remember being here. But, I'll remember that drink."
>You're sure that makes you come across as mysterious
>Or pretentious
>Doesn't make it any less true
>"So will you remember talking-having dinner-with me?"
>This one doesn't really know how to put the brakes on, does she

"Oh yeah, easily. Even if it feels like those guys in the kitchen are taking their sweet time."
>As much as that makes her turn all giggles, you aren't really saying it to be funny
>You're hungry and you don't like alcohol to sit on an empty stomach
>She takes a moment to calm down but her baseline is still that sort of doe-eyed stare and smile
>You people watch for a while, unsure of how to fill the air
>Lot of people traveling around, even if it's later in the evening
>Growing number of pairs or groups that are a mix of equine and human
>Was it like this a few years ago?
>Did you even care?
>A few years ago...
>You wish you could remember even that far back
>"Anon! Can I ask you about your next show?"
"Eh, sure."
>You respond on pure auto-pilot
>Crap
>You shake your head to clear the fog and return focus on her
"Got a plane up north tomorrow. After that, going to do I think... either two things in one place, or one thing in two places. They're both close by so it won't take much time."
>"What about after?"
"After?"
>You go home, rot, try to not be a hypocrite by actually doing things you enjoy
>Or try to
"I... don't know. Back to my usual I suppose."
>"What is your usual?"
>She came with that one already in the chamber
"You know, you're asking some hard hitting questions for some mystery mare."
>Her smile falters for less than a second
>Some sort of micro expression
>That smile curling up further
>Eyes squinting by a fraction
>If you were focused on something else you wouldn't have caught it
>"I know. You said it's sometimes better to open up to complete strangers than friends and family. Do you like me being a stranger?"
>Oh boy
>Has this been some sort of scheme to mess with you?
>Is this being recorded?
"Yeah, it sometimes is. But given we're not in some questionable chatroom or nefarious website, it's hard to pull that off without being a goofball."
>That seemed like the right answer
>It wasn't like it was an exciting choice of words but it seemed to click with her somehow
>"You're right. My name's Sally."
>What kind of Equest--
>Oh
>Right
>Some of them have adopted more human names to fit in better
>Like some Chinese woman calling herself Cherelle instead of Chun Li
"Well, nice to meet you, Sally. Nice name."
>"I picked it out myself."
"I bet, that's the way to do it."
>This was kinda cute but it's already starting to wear just a tiny bit thin to you
>"I'm sorry if I seem a little direct. I used to be really quiet."
"Yeah?"
>"Yeah. Super quiet. I liked reading because you can give yourself any voice you want while reading. You can have your characters played by the most famous people you know, or make them into whatever else fits."
"That's a pretty creative way to put it."
>"Yeah. It's not like they're voices in your head, they're just you doing... a really good impression."
"Pretty well put."
>What an odd way to put it

>Dinner finally came
>Along with a second shot
"There we go, that's the good stuff."
>You leave the shot untouched and go for the fries first
>You've been dying for something salty for days now
>She digs in as you do
>She was really hungry
>You're glad you offered to buy for her
>Speaking of
"I noticed you don't really have any bags or stuff with you. Staying with someone?"
>"Me? Oh, no."
>That's not a great answer
>You could ask more
>Do you care?
>She's probably a local
"You seem well acclimated to dealing with manimals and how things work over here."
>"I'm trying."
"Been around long?"
>"Yeah."
>You shouldn't be bothered by her short answers
>Both of you are eating
>But she has to know that these curt answers aren't really helping to carry the conversation
>"I used to think motivational speakers were all lame or just speaking from some sort of higher plane and looking down at the rest of us. But the way you speak about things. You've really lived it."
>She only said that after she polished off her plate
>You have maybe half left
>You haven't really spoken about that sort of stuff in a long while
>Guess she found some old sources
"...Yeah."
>That might explain why she was so hungry
>She watches you eat, shot glass untouched
>"I really appreciate dinner, Anon. You really are who you try to be."
>You nod, as if you have any better way to respond while focusing on your plate
>"I really didn't think you were a human at first, first time I listened to you."
"Yeah? Why's that?"
>"I didn't know a human could be so low."
>That makes you stop
>Your eyes raise from your plate to her
>Her gleeful smile was finally gone
>The smile that replaced it is neutral
>Worn
>That look in her eye
>You don't like that look
"...You're really comfortable pressing on me like this out of nowhere."
>"Not really. If I weren't so tired I'd be terrified."
>Why terrified?
>It's like she can tell you thought about asking that
>"The human world is really scary sometimes. Lot of people are violent. Or they'll try to kick you. Everyone lives in a big building and anyone who doesn't, they have so much it feels like you're intruding on their space just by walking near them."
"Why not just go back to Equestria?"
>"I can't."
>Can't or won't?
>She doesn't answer your thought
>You aren't really sure where to go with that
>You've had some people spend hours telling you about their lives
>Their faults
>Their sorrows
>A lot of them come from objectively better backgrounds than you
>A lot of them only really need someone to talk to before they loop back around and start bragging about what they have to look forward to
>If you were younger that'd bother you
"It sounds like you're still on your path."
>That's a good answer to placate someone
>It isn't really an answer
>It feels like a bitter copout that says "I sure don't care but you do so you'll feel heard"
>"Yeah. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to insult you."
"No, it's alright. Would I be here if I weren't?"

>You cap off your meal with the second shot
>The way it tingles on the tongue and the roof of your mouth is nice
>Numbing
>A slight burn
>But nice
>You drink so rarely now, every drop feels like a reason to celebrate
>Sally watches you hold the liquid in your mouth
>"You look like you're unsure if you like it..."
>A short swallow leads to a sharp shiver
>Then a few more short swallows
>Nothing says satisfactory like an unprovoked "eugha guhg"
>She giggles at your show
"Yeah... I think I do. It's just a little."
>"Thank you for buying dinner for me."
>She has no outfit or purse on her
>She likely knows that you'd just buy a stranger a meal
>She likely knows that you'd be fine with being spoken to so directly
"Yeah, not a problem. I hope things continue to get better for you."
>Another non-sentence that feels like a platitude
>You mean it
>Of course you mean it
>But does that nicety matter if you say it to so many people who have their own levels of issues?
>The check comes and you let your card handle it
>You could ask if she wanted something to eat to go
>But you don't
"I think I'm gonna head up to my room, call it a night. Flight's early which is good because I have a lot of time to unwind after."
>"And your show!"
"Yup. And my show too."
>It won't even be a grand in profit, but it's getting your name out there, building up momentum
>You stand up, stretching and at the exact level of intoxicated to know you'll get a nice, full rest
>Sally still sits there
>"Thank you for talking to me Anon."
"You too, Sally. I'll see you later."
>That's how you usually end things
>It isn't as definitive and, who knows, you may see whoever again
>The trip to your hotel room is uneventful
>More couples
>Families on a vacation
>The business transplant with what looks like someone who's too happy to see them
>And then there's you
>Only when you get back to your room do you feel like you can relax
>You refused to turn around but you're sure someone was watching you
>Maybe it was just your imagination, mixed with ego
>You're a motivational speaker making a profit off of sad sacks and others who were as lonesome and as aimless as you
>You're a few Dr. Phil interviews away from being anyone worth keeping tabs on


>You've been staring at your shot ever since you ordered it
>It isn't a lot
>It isn't like you have a drinking problem
>You started doing it just as a way to celebrate selling seats
>It wasn't anything to do with the money but more the fact people will willing to see you in person and listen
>But this time was rough
>It didn't matter that you only sold ten seats out of the entire room
>It didn't matter that of those ten seats, only four showed up
>It was that two of them, a pair of siblings, were completely distraught
>Cancer on one relative
>Another died only a year back
>You have your own share of losses but back-to-back like that?
>Nevermind that they were way too close for a family
>Closer than you ever were with your own
>It effectively turned into a Q&A just for them
>It turned into the five of you just sitting in a close circle and talking
>They didn't deserve to have to pay for this
>You already forgot their names, to top it off
>Should you try to find a way to refund them?
>You take hold of the shot glass
>What is there to celebrate in this?
"...Fuck it."
>You inhale the liquid
>It sits in your mouth again
>You remember being told when you were younger to just gun it
>Don't let it get a chance to burn
>Barely notice the flavor
>"Hey! Anon, hey!"
>That voice is familiar
>You're three short swallows in when you see a dark purple mare clamber up the chair opposite of you
>You carefully swallow the fourth and fifth time while staring
>It's that mare
"...You're a long way from home, Sally."
>You stifle the urge to shake and vocally interpret what your throat must be thinking
>"Ha ha, yeah I am..."
>Those yellow eyes are trained on you from the second she sat down
"Are you stalking me?"
>You don't know how else to say it
>"What, me? Oh no... no no. I was talking with my mom while I was getting my flight booked. Equestrian passport means I just gotta talk to someone official later and then they pay it. So, I don't get to fly for free but it's almost free!"
>That didn't answer your question
>Good to know at least
>You rub your forehead with your hand
>"I couldn't afford entry this time but I listened in near the back. The doors weren't locked... or closed..."
>If only you could put up a sign saying that anyone was free to just walk in
"Yeah."
>"Those two really sounded like they had a rough time of things."
"...Yeah."
>Sally dips her head down
>Her eyes glue themselves to yours despite your attempt to remain distant
>"You handled that really well, I think. You really shouldn't feel bad about their situation."
"What kind of thing is that to say? Of course I feel bad about it. Who wouldn't?"
>"But shouldn't you care about your own situations more?"
>She isn't smiling like before
>She really seems to be taking this seriously
>It would be weird if she wasn't

>"I love listening to you going through these things but you make so many problems your own. You can't handle it. Not all of it."
>Who said you were looking to shoulder all of these?
"I think you're getting a little too familiar with me."
>Sally nods
>"I just listened to all of your stuff. Remember, a few years ago, you mentioned that you wanted to help everyone. That's really nice of you but I don't know if you should keep doing that."
>She's a fan
>That much is apparent
>It doesn't mean she gets free reign to armchair psychologist you
>Like you do to others who bring up their own problems
>The irony is unappealing
"Listen, why are you here? Really. I got you dinner last time. I'm not buying you dinner this time."
>"I would like to keep talking to you. In person. I don't like using computers unless I can just listen."
>Is the alcohol keeping you from being more aggressive, or is it what's making you feel more disgusted with her?
>Should you feel disgust with someone who wants to talk to you?
"So that means following me through multiple states, with multiple flights, just so you can find me after I do my thing."
>She finally perks up
>"Nail on the head! Should I not?"
>You aren't sure if you're looking at her with disgust, or pity, or something else entirely.
"Correct. You should not."
>You lean forward, working yourself up to a state of proper irate
"I'd dare say that you shouldn't invite yourself to this sort of thing unless I invited you explicitly. Which I don't recall doing at any point in time while we were talking."
>Sally squints and beams like you were giving her some sort of worldly, sage secret
>You expect her to come out with some sort of retort
>That this is some fan ritual in Equestria
>That personal boundaries don't exist there like they do here
>"My mom said you sounded like a decent guy. She likes that you're human."
"...Okay. Then bring her out here and I'll tell her the same thing."
>"Well she's not here, silly."
"Yeah, I see that."
>The water assigned to you seems hesitant to take your order given the friction but you o--
>She orders for you
>Exact same thing that you got
>And then something for herself
>Similar to yours
>The audacity on this pony
"What are you doing?"
>You can only speak with that level of fatigue that comes from the slight buzz of strong alcohol infecting your body
>"I'm buying you dinner! I gave the bar some money before I sat down and told them that they can keep the change after."
>Whether or not it should, your body relaxes
>That's actually half decent of her
"...Well thanks. Still doesn't make up for you showing up out of the blue. That's still weird."
>"Yeah... I know it is. It probably seems crazy, huh."
>She pushes her mouth into the side of her cheek, eyes finally breaking contact to look down
>"I don't really know what else I can do... so I can at least do this, right?"
>Do "this"?
>Why?
"Why would you ever buy someone you don't know dinner?"
>"Well... why do you?"

>Christ, you walked right into that
"Yeah well I don't look for people to randomly help out."
>"What do you call tonight? And last night?"
>While speaking her eyes trail up and focus on your face
>Her expression drops to something neutral
>A sharp neutral, if such a thing exists
>"You were planning on buying dinner tonight. You could have given them their money back then and there. You could be sitting here with them, and offer to at least give them your direct contact info if they wanted to talk to you again personally."
>Her head tilts
>"Why didn't you?"
>What inquisition is this and who hired her?
"Because they didn't need me inserting myself into their life."
>"But taking their money and pretending to be their friend is?"
>You would be more angry if you weren't more...
>Caught in the act?
"I'm not pretending anything. Sally. I never said I was anyone's friend. I've never tried to be a friend."
>"So if they called you a friend, you would correct them."
>Your hand goes to your brow again
>This is not the right time to deal with this line of interrogation
"What do you want? Why are you trying to poke holes in my stuff?"
>Sally sinks her head down again
>Low enough that she's resting her chin on the table
>Still somehow able to find your eyes with laser precision
>"I'm not. I think you're doing a great thing. I mean it."
>Her head bobs up and down while she's talking
>"But I don't see anyone wanting to see you after. I haven't heard of any time that anyone's shown their appreciation."
>Her face doesn't change but she does blink
>Have you never seen her blink before?
>Maybe you're noticing now because it seems long and drawn out
>"I appreciate you, Anon. You've lived your life in a way others can't. And you're using that experience to try to make them do half as good."
>Her head tilts until the side of her head is on the table
>"They'll never do it as well as you. I bet a lot of them won't even remember you after a month. They'll be right where they always were, forget your experiences, and go back to looking for 𝘢nyone or 𝘢nything to blame but their own ineptitude."
"What gives you the right to say that? Who are you?"
>"I'm someone who understands your experiences. I really understand them, really well. And it's twice now I see that you're just floating over these lost causes, trying to teach them how to stand up when they can't even sit up straight."
>When did her stare get so intense?
>It often isn't difficult for you but right now it is requiring a very strong effort to maintain eye contact
>"When's the last time anyone ever bought you dinner, Anon? Do you hope that someone will ever remember those random acts of kindness you do, when not even you like talking about it?"
>As if on cue, the waiter speaks up
>He sets down two large plates and Sally perks up with a downright cartoonish cheer
>"Yay! Thank you Mr. Waiter! He'll have a second shot, too, the same whiskey as before."

>The waiter, whether or not he can read the situation, responds and quickly departs
>Lucky him
>"You've given me a lot to be grateful, Anon. Even if it is buying a complete stranger dinner."
>She carefully appraises her plate
>And then yours
>As carefully as she can without getting on the table
>"It sure looks good enough..."
>You focus on the plate
>Enough for lunch and dinner
>"I hope I don't remain just a stranger to you, Anon."
"Is that right."
>Your wit is fried
>Blame the alcohol
>You sure will continue to do just that
>"I hope I don't become only a friend, either."
>You close your eyes and grind your palm into your squishy ocular orbs
>You do it just hard enough that it only begins to hurt
>Enough that when you release, your vision isn't just normal
"You speak pretty frankly when you want to, don't you Sal."
>"Yeah. I've listened to you a lot. You like speaking that way. I remember one time you said you like to be upfront and honest because a lot of people don't know how to handle it."
>She giggles
>"And like a lot of other things, you're right. Even you aren't used to it."
>No, you're used to it
>You're just not used to...
"...Thank you. For the dinner."
>"And the second shot?"
"And the second shot."
>There's no real winning this, is there?
>Whether it's alcohol or you feeling worn down, or something about her being so persistent
>Even someone like you can wave a white flag
>As if you're anyone special
"Listen, I'm not trying to be a dick. But that sort of stuff... I'm just doing what I can. Alright?"
>"I know, Anon. It doesn't seem like you think you can change the world."
>She crunches into something fresh and crisp
>"But you keep anchoring yourself to the ground and walking against the sky."
>Another crunch
>She really wasn't this loud yesterday
>"I want you to know... I see what you're doing. I love that you're doing it."
>She licks her lips and clears her throat
>You've been staring at your plate, unsure of where to start
>Or if you should touch it
>"And I think I'm really starting to hate seeing everyone when they don't take what you say to heart."
>Even ponies can hate, huh?
"Yeah. Well."
>You exhale a ten pound sigh and straighten up
"I can't control their lives for them. Doesn't work anyway. You can throw someone drowning a live preserver and they may grab it. May not. Go out there and they'll ensure you drown with them."
>"Sounds like you're still waterlogged."
>She erupts in a giggle
>It stops prematurely when your eyes rise to meet her
>She actually looks sorry
>Not just the sheepish smile but even her eyes actually show that she didn't mean it the way she did
>"Sorry... that's... not stuff to joke over."
"Nah. You're not wrong."
>The water stops by, almost doing a drive-by with the shot glass
>Apparently he doesn't seem comfortable with you talking to a purple talking equine with such a feminine voice
>Add a few squiggly lines and you'd be convinced Toon Town was taking over too

>You take advantage of the renewed silence and eat in relative peace
>Even if it is with some... one like her, it sure feels better to eat with someone
>When alone, you scarf it down and try to vacate the area as if your mere presence is an upset
>You're looking at the shot
>You really don't want to drink more right now
>With her around
>Do you?
>"I know tonight was bad... but sometimes alcohol isn't that bad a thing, right?"
>In mid-chew, Sally gasps
>"Wait, the second gig! You said last night you had something like that, right?"
"Hm?"
>That question thrown out at the last second stops you from imbibing
"Oh. Nah, that one took place earlier today. Maybe the third thing I did after waking up."
>You shake your head
>She looks like she wants to pry but she's staring at the alcohol
>You are, after all, in mind swig
>Your animation frames have started but the liquid hit box hasn't yet made contact with your hurt box
>You hang, suspended, for at least ten seconds
>She isn't saying anything
>She isn't eating anything
>You've seen her blink so you know she can do it
>She isn't blinking
>Despite the weird feeling you're getting about this...
>You tilt the shot in the back of your mouth
>You shiver while the fumes and flavor comes out of your nostrils like dragon vapors
>"Wow, you really do just let it sit in your mouth..."
>You shrug, avoiding the urge to swallow
>Once upon a time you wouldn't think twice about chugging it
>Your tongue feels raw already
>Three short swallows and she smiles
>Five short swallows and there's still somehow some left in your mouth, mixing with your saliva
>Two more methodical swallows and it's all down
>You don't have much of a reaction outside of a growing tingle that spreads from the roof of your mouth, up to your nose, and down your throat
>"Yay! There you go, Anon! It's to celebrate tonight!"
"I'm glad my continued intoxication excites you so."
>Drinking that felt wrong
>It felt like that was the last thing you should have done in this situation
>You reach for your water--ice having long since melted since you ordered the first shot--and take a strong swig
>You take the chance to swirl it in your mouth to rinse out the vague blackberry taste and built up caustic nature
>"Do you drink often? Outside of what you told me last time."
"No. Not really. Maybe once, but it was something I'd do on weekends. With friends."
>"With real friends?"
"Friends online."
>"Not real friends."
>Your expression isn't pleased
"You don't even have an online where you're from, you found me on there."
>"And then I went out of my way to find you in person and buy you dinner. No one you know online would ever do that for you, right?"
>No one would also give you such a rough time at every pass either
"You're really starting to grate on me. You know that?"

>She giggles
>It's such a strange, melodic thing
>Like she's doing it on purpose to call back to a tune rather than something she just does of her own accord
>"But I think you like it. You haven't asked me to go away."
>Well shit
"Well shit."
>You raise your hands a few inches from the table in defeat
"I guess you got me there."
>You finish your plate roughly the time she does
>"Where are you going now? After this?"
"There's a shuttle that's going to take me to my hotel."
>"And then?"
"And then I'm going to go to my room."
>"And what next?"
"Likely get undressed, either take a shower, or think really hard about taking a shower and not until the morning to help wake up."
>"What's after that?"
"Then I got another short flight home."
>"When are you heading out again to meet more people?"
"Don't know yet. Since yesterday I've sold maybe thirty seats. I've probably come out even on all of this."
>"Was it worth it?"
>You were expecting that creepy neutral face
>Instead she looks sad
>"You spent days doing this. Who knows how long preparing it, and I'm sure renting out those rooms took time and effort..."
>The pricing actually wasn't that bad
>It was the tickets that ate up most of the money
>"Did you really help anyone?"
"I don't know."
>It's the only answer you can give
"Does it matter? Sure, let them forget. Sure, let them twist my words and how they remember what I said into some fuel for their further spiraling. Sure, let them look at my minor successes in life and then see that as proof that they should give up because they haven't yet made that same progress."
>The sigh you give isn't enough to ease the weight on the back of your head but it is at least an acknowledgement that your neck is feeling the strain
"And yeah. Sure. Let's pretend that past me was around to listen to me now. He wouldn't have listened. Why would he? He wasn't me, even if I was him."
>You tap your mostly empty plate
"But I'm trying. Alright?"
>You lean back in your chair
>You cross one arm, letting the other trail up so you can cup your chin and grind your thumb against the hardened short hairs on your face
"I can't not try. It doesn't matter if I succeed or fail. I'm not doing this like I'm going to stop if it doesn't work. That just means I never did it honestly."
>Sally nudges her plate out of the side with her chin
>She sets her head down on the table, cheek first
>"That's why you're the real deal, Anon. You sound so majestic. So pure. Your way with words."
>You're not sure you like the gravity in her voice
>The growing weight behind her words
>It's not like a mare can purr but you're getting the feeling she's pulling it off
>"I want to scream at everyone who sees you wrong. You don't deserve to be put up against these impossible odds. They are what makes it so impossible for you."
>You really have nothing else to say about this
>"...Can I at least help you back to your room? You drank a lot."
>Don't do it Anon
>You smell danger
>Don't do it
"...Sure."
>Crap

>Apparently Sally really did give the bar money first
>She reassured the waiter that it could all be a tip, which surprised him
>Didn't surprise him enough to the point he didn't turn his nose up at us leaving together
>Like she knew the way better than I did, she led me to the pair of stone benches outside the hotel
>The cool air felt nice
>Dry
>Not cool enough to restore sobriety
>Not that you had trouble walking or anything like that
>You know how to gauge yourself
>You're right at the area where you're too yourself
>Too loose-lipped and honest
>You don't have what it takes to be a sad drunk
>Or a happy drunk
>Melancholic maybe
>It isn't like you drink to forget, after all
>"Is this the one?"
>The first two shuttles were ignored
>You must've twitched or stood up on reflex after seeing the garish advertisements on the side
"Yup. That's the one."
>With no bags to haul around, you take a seat after waving to the driver
>Sally sits her happy self right beside you
>"Empty bus, huh."
>"Sure is, missy. Time like this? Everyone's still out or already in for the night. Now you don't worry, traffic ain't bad so we're gonna zip right on over before you know it."
>At least the driver is a happy chappy
>Must pay decently, to drive around in circles in a big shuttle or a short bus
>Not like anyone's unhappy to see you if you're their only lifeline
>Sally presses herself up against your arm quite firmly
>There are a few turns that the driver decides he should take without slowing down so it makes sense that she doesn't want to go flying
>Not like talking equine can brace themselves any other way
>"Y'know, I ain't seen many couples like you out. First time visiting?"
>"Yes! First time we've been here. He does some really important stuff and rents out entire conference rooms!"
>What a glowing way to put talking to a bunch of losers who lack support systems in their lives
>You don't have the energy to try to set any record straight
>You bought her dinner, now she bought you dinner
>And you're agreeing to let her somehow walk you back to your room
>You really think you can save this by calling it something else?
>She's a fan which means she's been in a low point too
>Or various low points
>And you're letting this happen
>You vaguely hear them chattering back and forth like it's the most exciting thing he's heard all day and--
>"Bam! What'd I say? Right before you know it, ah ha!"
>He's way too pleased with himself
>"Thanks Reggie! That was the best driving I've ever felt!"
>"Well now don't be tellin' anyone that in the morning. I got a reputation for stealing thunder and I don't want anyone to slash my tires on my way in, got me?"
>This guy could drive for NASCAR if he swapped vehicles
>On the way out, I give him a wave
>"Now you two enjoy your time here! Got great weather these next two days!"
>Ten steps away and a trio enters
>You can hear him carry all of that energy into new conversations
>You're a little jealous, you can admit it

>Without any effort to wait for her, you wave at the evening staff and mash the elevator button
>Then to the appropriate floor
>High enough that your vertigo takes a vacation and allows you to glance outside without feeling sick
>Every step of the way, Sally is just trotting along like it's nothing unnatural
>By the time you reach your door, you're looking down at her
>The height difference is pretty significant
>What do you expect?
>"So this is your room..."
"Yup."
>Sally looks up at you
>You're looking down on her
>"...Booked the room alone?"
"Yup."
>"...Traveling alone too."
"Yup."
>You are an impenetrable wall of willpower
>Even if you are just too tired to argue
>"...Did you get one of the rooms that has a second bed or one of those sofas?"
>Of course
"...Yup."
>You haven't yet pulled out your keycard from your pocket
"Let me guess."
>"..."
"Don't have a room to sleep in."
>"...Yup."
>Of course
"Alright, you little..."
>That isn't even said out of annoyance or frustration
"There's a sofa, and a chair. Got about six pillows on it. You sleep on it, or you're gone."
>Sally's head tilts and the widest smile spreads
>Is it better or worse that you see teeth?
>"I can do that."
>Whatever man
>You pull out the keycard and swipe it a good four or ten times before it actually reads
>As soon as it does, you push the door open
>Those things like to immediately lock
>Surprisingly, she waits until you enter before following behind
>She pounces onto the sofa, content with the fact you haven't even turned on the lights
>The yellow eyes that seem to glow in the dark are not what you'd appreciate seeing in the dark
>Two, five lights come on and you start by kicking off your shoes, undoing your shirt and pulling down your pants
>You still have your underwear and undershirt on
>Isn't like you particularly care
"Remote's on the table, feel free to watch whatever."
>The bed
>It's calling to you
>It sucks as a bed but as a place to lay down, it works
>Cheap sheets means it'll be as frigid as a coastal tidal wave
>Frigid, with alcohol in the blood, means soothing
>You fall face first on the mattress
>Your legs don't even clear the edge and end up dangling over
>Christ alive, you really didn't not want to deal with this weirdo
>At least after a few minutes of dead silence, the TV comes on
>Boomerang, it sounds like
>Good
>Scooby and the gang can...
>Freaking Old Man Jackoff and Adam West guesting again...


>Enticing darkness
>"Sweet Anonymous, you look like a painting..."
>Something flat and wet drags itself over the side of your neck
>It tickles
>"Let me taste you. Let me in."
>It feels like you're being spoken to
>Like how they were before
>How you were before
>"Sweet Anonymous. So sweet."
>The icy slab of a bed melts into something warm
>Your face is wrapped in Heaven
>It's so warm
>It smells so nice
>"No matter what you remember, your body won't forget me. Sweet hero of the helpless."
>Too much talking
>You stir
>Something sits itself on the back of your head
>You calm after breathing in more of the source of warmth
>When is the last time you've ever felt this warmth?
>Why aren't you allowed it?


"Hey, Anon. Thanks for getting me on this crap."
>You're a few steps out of the building
"Hey, Lou. Nah, it's fine."
>You're still walking to your car but you slow your pace so he can catch up
>You haven't known him for all that long but he's been pretty alright
>Not the sort you'd prefer to keep around for company
>"I mean it. Thanks. I thought this eh-eh shit was just that, shit."
"To be fair, it is. You see that one chick who came in and got miffed no one pat her on the back for not upgrading to hard liquor?"
>That's the thing about alcoholic groups
>Full of attention grabbers, teetotalers and druggies that think no longer kicking back with a drink makes them better than everyone else
>"Yeah... dat ass though."
"Hey man, you wanna go for that, go for it. Get your chip, show off how solid you are, then show her how hard you are. Think she wasn't looking around for someone to cling onto, anyway?"
>"Ha! Yeah, maybe. Takes what, another ten months?"
"At your rate? Give it twenty."
>"Yeah yeah yeah yeah... I'm ten days, alright? That's better progress than most."
>You know that isn't the case
>But you nod along anyway
"Ain't just better progress than most, it's better progress than the you that got me a free brake job."
>You hold your arm out
>The crusty mechanic gives your hand a displeased look
>"Yeah well."
>He takes your hand
>"I broke four bits that week, so."
"Yeah..."
>You share a firm shake
"I might be out of town another two or three weeks from now so I might not make next meeting. Got my number if you gotta talk. Didn't wanna mention it and steal the spotlight."
>"Got it."
>You release from the shake
>With how hard he was grabbing your hand, you can tell this hasn't been easy on him
>At least he still has his job
"See you later, Lou."
>You fiddle with your phone after getting into your car
>Just long enough to watch him get in his own ride and meander off
>It's been a few weeks since your... encounter with that one mare
>Nothing was stolen and she was already gone by the time you woke up
>Must've been pretty skillful to pull open a hotel door
>Your videos and other things haven't been getting more traffic than usual
>No new comments either of "thanks for that night"
>Maybe that's for the best
>You've heard of weird sorts that tend to get emotionally attached to sources of help
>They made a few movies about that
>Not that you're necessarily helpful
>Maybe you're just being hard on yourself
>You end up parking where you usually do
>Remembering the wrong key at the wrong time
>Kicking off your shoes in your entryway
>You almost do these things the exact same way whenever you come back
>If you act surprised that you did something wrong, that's a little bit of a something to make your day stand out
"Home... well, home."
>Nothing sweet about it
>You drop yourself on the living room sofa
>It was cheap
>It has some goose feathers poking out of it due to the "natural" stuffing
>It's good enough to sleep on
>Now you're stuck with it

>Without the TV on, or any other lights, you sit in silence
>You really don't have much going for yourself, if you're truthful
>Talking to people and helping them out
>The faint thrill of taking your belt off at the TSA checkpoint
>Talking to someone over the phone with your confident, official voice to schedule a room for a few hours
>Would you be more popular if you had more to show off?
>A McMansion, sports car, some cultish pictures of dozens of people crowding you
>Merch
>Christ, you would be a lost cause if you ever got to the point of selling your mug on a mug
>Just add a comic text bubble and it'd be pure cheese
>The rotten kind
"I need more hobbies."
>You aggressively wipe your face and fall over
>You do have a bed
>Which is to say, you have a mattress on the floor
>Sofa's better
>You're thinking too hard is what it is
>It isn't about the money
>It never was
>You can't just do nothing
>You aren't doing nothing
>It just isn't enough
>It isn't much
>How do you know if your words meant anything?
>Like she said, what was it
"Twice now you see that I'm just floating over lost causes? Trying to teach them how to stand when they can't even sit up straight..."
>You grunt with satisfied defiance
"Who's floating?"
>That is all it takes before you blink out of the waking world
>You feel something warm on your face
>Almost every time you've fallen asleep since that night, your mind has wandered back
>Something warm against your face
>Such soft, sweet whispering
>Were you even asleep then?
>Could you honestly sleep at all if you had a stranger in your room?
>You can remember something nudging you
>Testing your consciousness
>You remember the words
>Not so much what the words were
>Whether or not you're sleeping or just hoping this counts as sleep, you end up with a cushion over your head
>It isn't the same
>It isn't anything remotely the same
>You aren't starved for affection, you're starved for attention
>Even if the attention comes from some little purple freak
>What a life you lead, Anonymous
>What an enviable conquest of continued competence
>No wonder you sell gangbusters
>Your eyes open after... long enough
>It's far darker out now than it was before
>A hand goes to your phone
>Few new notifications
>A text advertisement
>Voicemail too?
"Aren't I popular."
>You poke at your phone so it starts and let it fall near your head
>"Good evening, Anon! I hope you're doing well!"
>What
>"I really am thankful that you let me sleep over in your room that one time!"
>How did she get your number?

>"Oh, and please don't get mad, but I have a friend that joined the local Alcoholics Anonymous and she told me she found YOUR number! That's so cool! And I'm sorry, I didn't know me buying you that drink was against your code and stuff!"
>No
>"Anyway I'm moving somewhere new. I talked to my mom about it and she agreed that I should just take that first step. It's an apartment complex I'm moving to! Kinda silly because it seems like a really simple building."
>The rest of the voicemail is her giggling to herself over the joke
>She tried to continue on with the conversation but it ended as soon as she tried to say something
"..."
>Well now
>You're only a part of one association
>Groups don't share information like that so openly to others, do they?
>There's no chance you left your plane ticket out for her to read when you were in the hotel room
>They don't even make you print those out anymore either
>But it was on your phone
>Fingerprint locked
"..."
>Are you overthinking this?
>You gotta be
>There is a 0% chance
>This amount of growing discomfort is getting to the point it feels like you're trying to remain stoic while someone set your legs on fire
"No. Nope."
>You stand up
"No, that's not how this is going to go."
>You get your shoes on
"Too fucking unreal."
>You lock your door
"That's not a real thing."
>With your phone left behind, you barge outside
>Maybe a walk around will help
>It'll be an assertation
>Not only is someone not tracking you down to where you live, but you can openly walk around and no one will recognize you
>No one will ever need to recognize you
>The chill air adds more cold to your cold sweating
>One lap
>Nothing
>Two laps
>No one
>Four laps
>Zero signs of any Equestrians
>Eight laps
>You aren't going to find any evidence of any Equestrians
>Twenty laps
>You live too far away from any important area to warrant foreigners of such extravagant difference
>Twenty one laps
>You're outside the front of your building
>Even if the other half of the post and street lights were busted, you'd be able to walk the same path without tripping
>No signs of anyone
>No signs of any dark mare
>No nothing
>Your legs feel like jelly
>You were so wrapped up in your own thoughts that you only now realize how dreadful it is to be outside and to have nothing to listen to
>"Is that you?"
>No
>You turn behind yourself
>Nothing
>"...Over here."
>You overturned
>You try your best but fail to avoid sounding like an Irish cartoonist through the fine art of short, barking screams
>It's her
>It's been weeks and it's her
>Neither of you are close to a light
>But the eyes
>How did you fail to notice them?
>Were they there for...
"...How long were you there?"
>"Oh. Well... not long. But I did catch you talking a big walk! That must do really well to clear your head."
"How'd you find out where I lived?"
>The dark mare smiled
>It's lit just enough that you can see her teeth
>Ponies have canines?
>"You live here? Oh, wow! Did you get my voicemail?"

>She didn't send that to you just on a whim
>It was a tip-off
>A hint
>You want to dash but where to?
>You go to your car, she has your license plates
>You go inside, you confirm this is your building
>As if walking around it isn't already proof enough
"...What are you doing here?"
>Your only choice is resignation
>"This is where I'm moving into! Well, it's almost finalized anyway. I thought I would check out the building before, see how much crime is going around."
>How much crime is going around
"You know how lame that excuse is, right?"
>"Is it?"
"It is."
>You shake your head and just
>Disengage
>It's late
>You don't have the energy to deal with this
>You head inside to the ground floor common room
>It has a few chairs so you can at least sit down for a bit
>You aren't surprised that she's following you in
>She looks the same as before
>You can see more of her natural color at the roots
>Why would an Equestrian dye their hair since they already have such fancy colors?
>Rather than take a seat, she opts to sit in front of you
"...Did you plant someone in my AA group?"
>"I didn't know you were in AA, Anon."
"Yeah well I'm working on it."
>"You sure shouldn't be drinking if you're working on it. I even paid for a drink too. And you didn't stop me."
"I'm not talking about this with you."
>Sally leaned forward and lowered her head
>She looks displeased
>"Why would you pretend to be an alcoholic? I grew up with one. I know what they're like."
"Good night, Sally."
>"Do you practice your material with them too?"
"I said good night. Sally."
>"It's ok if you're using them for practice. How many of them will even honestly get better?"
>You stand up at the cost of a wobbly knee
"I said, get the hell away from me."
>She doesn't move
>The stare she has upward at you makes you feel smaller than her somehow
"You're freaking me out, alright? You show up at two shows, ok, weird, cool. You show up where I live, you leave a voicemail, you have someone infiltrate my thing. Why? What are you hoping to get? What do you think I have to give you to extort?"
>Silence
>You aren't the sort to get upset
>This is starting to really get you to that point
"What do you want?"
>Sally doesn't move
>Her glare feels more intense
>"I want you."
>What?
"...What?"
>"Every sign I have points to the fact that I love you, Anon."
>What signs?
>"That night, where you let me stay in your room... do you know how much sleep I got?"
>You don't want to hear this
>"Almost none."
>And you just invited her in

>"You knew it could have been a trick or a trap and you just allowed me to spring it on you anyway. I could have done anything to you. You allowed me to see your throat. To know that I could have bit down until you bled, and that you wouldn't have any possible chance to react in time."
>What is this little psycho saying?
>"Instead, I spoke to you. I said the things I said to my screen all the time while listening to you. I said the things I felt while seeing you slept so calmly in the face of infinite danger. I cherished every moment we shared."
>Sally stands up
>She takes a step closer to you
>"Sit down."
>It isn't because she said to
>It's more that your legs are weak
>You're tired
>That stare is terrifying
>Sally climbs onto the chair
>Onto you
>Standing on your thighs and knees and glaring down at you
>"I love you, Anon. It doesn't matter that you prey on the hapless. It doesn't matter that you surround yourself with others who need a savior. Do you know why?"
>Her weight isn't so severe that your legs are going to break but you feel this piercing sensation
>It's threatening to kill you outright
>It's promising to rip you open with everything spilt onto the cheap carpet
>"It's because you still saved me. I understand where you come from. I don't know how you could speak to something so clearly to make me believe you know me so well already..."
>She lowers her head again to your eye level
>You hate that movement
>It's a slow, robotic motion that allows her eyes to bore into you
>"Someone like you. If you know me so well. It means I know you, too. It means I know you already well enough to confirm some things I didn't know."
"Get off me."
>"You hero of unwanted trash. Paragon of organized, poignant scum."
>There is a growing intensity to her voice
>"You have sacrificed so much."
>Do you scream?
>"You need an angel. One who will hold all of your secrets. Relish all of your ways. Cherish your essence. A chain to pull you out of the abyss you've turned into your toxic homestead."
>What do you say to this?
>"My name is Obscure Embrace. I will do nothing short of put my life on the line to prove to you that you are, most of all, deserving of salvation. Nothing will stop me. No one will come between us. Everything that has led me up to this moment has been worth it. Every sin I've endured and trial I've suffered will have been worth my continued existence."
>She isn't shouting
>She isn't barking at you
>The fervor in her voice is something that sounds...
>Impossible
>Countless military movies try to emulate that voice
>Even more video games always have at least one religious figure that speaks with something approaching zeal
>That's the word
>It's zeal
>She's a zealot
>Nothing describes her tone
>Her stance
>Her stare
"..."
>"..."
"..."
>She finally steps off of you with considerable care
>Like all of that emptied her energy reserves
>"...My hotel is a few streets away. Could you please walk me back?"
>She's kidding

"You're..."
>Do you dare be snide with her now?
>You can't
>You can't bring yourself to do anything but nod
"...Ok."
>Like a switch, Obscure Embrace
>What a name
>She hops in place and smiles with such glee
>"Yay! Having you escort me once was great, second time means you just really are who you are."
>What sort of snap caused this, is what you want to ask
>Of course, you can't help but think on what she says
>"Such a gentleman. Thank you for getting the door, Anon. I'm glad you don't look down on me because I'm an Equestrian."
>That is another aspect of this, isn't it?
>Borderline bestiality if the wrong word got out
>Is this even borderline?
>"To be honest, I think I found out where you lived a long while. You mentioned a local brand of soda that you liked and you mentioned time so of course it meant I had a time zone and regional brand to look up."
>What you would give for a speeding truck to turn you to paste
>You don't quite mean it but this situation is so out of pocket that you don't know how to deal with it
>Out of everything in the world, this intense "positivity" has left you stunned to your core
>"You mentioned bad weather too in one video, so, of course, I had to look up when that was. Not to mention so many hotels and convention centers are just happy to forward over your information if you call and act all official. Could you believe how easy it is to act like an assistant?"
>Obscure gasps with delight
>"In fact, I could be your assistant! Equestrians get some money monthly to help cover expenses if they live among humans, at least for a while. How about we share resources? And it would go so much further if we eventually even live together!"
>The dark mare giggles and turns from her walk into some sort of skip-dance to a song only she can hear
>"And then my mom will be so proud to hear that I'm better and then..."
>She turns her head back to glare at you
>It's so intense you freeze in your tracks
>It lasts for maybe a second before she returns to her dance
>"Ohhh, I bet you're the sort that would like five foals... you can't fool me with those innocent tourmalines. You've never thought about an Equestrian before, I can tell. But I promise I can be better than any human woman. You mentioned how epidemic loneliness is, and that it's contagious. I've talked to a lot. They seem even worse about being lonely. You wouldn't like them either, I don't think."
>Why are you not running away?
>You aren't even scared
>Or freaked out
>Why don't you just leave?
>Nothing is stopping you
>She certainly isn't
>She's leading the way by maybe being two steps ahead of you
>In reality, she's likely more than just two steps ahead, isn't she?
>Why would she do that?
>"I tried showing them the things you did but they said it was boring. I told them further illumination on their own paths would lead to answers they never considered and... well. You can't save everyone, right?"

"You're..."
>"A little excited? Yeah, you could say that."
>What what would you call it?
>You've focused on her so much you don't even know where you are when you first look up
>You only stopped focusing on her because she stopped
>"Ta-da! Nice place, right?"
>It's the commie block looking hotel next to the local trucker watering hole
>From where you're standing you see a number of cabs lined up at the far end of the parking lot
"...Yeah..."
>Do you tell her that she got shafted with a seedy room?
>Obscure looks at you
>She's watching you
>Like she knows that this is a moral dilemma
>Like she knows where she is isn't a place for a lone girl
>Equestrian or otherwise
"...You got an entourage or help at a nearby room?"
>"Nope!"
>Despite the cheerful chirp she doesn't emote
>"It's just me. With heavy doors that are hard to operate with hooves. Sharing a building with who knows how many nutjobs and surely predatory humans that could kidnap me and whisk me away to some sort of dungeon a thousand miles away."
>Her tone has gone dead flat
>"This really is a perfect chance to be rid of me, Anon. I don't need to know you to know I've probably been out of line. If you really want, we can part ways tonight and I'll possibly never be seen again. So it means you'll never have to worry about me. After all, bad things happen to us all. Don't they. It doesn't matter how much they've already endured. Sometimes the weight will increase anyway and it'll only end when we die."
>Is this even a choice?
>With the sight of a building she's effectively holding herself hostage
>God damn it
>God damn her
>You can't just walk away from this
>This is a trap
>A test
>A sob story
>All in one
"..."
>"..."
"..."
>"Anon... will you please come inside?"
"..."
>You look at her with
>With what?
>You don't know what to feel
>You don't know how to react to any of this
"...What?"
>"Come inside, Anon. Protect me from the phantoms. Keep me safe."
>Her phrasing isn't worth noting compared to the emphasis
>"Keep me safe, and I'll keep you safe from your phantoms too. I swear it."
>You've been defeated at every pass with her
>Wits matched, if not exceeded
>Such oral fencing to pair with aural wounds
"...Yeah. Ok. Fine. Just..."
>This has been so exhausting
"You have your keycard?"
>"Nope. But you will. The first time I was in I had someone who worked here open the door for me. Then I had to call hospitality for them to open the door again. They're really heavy for someone like me."
>Of course
>You follow her in, to the reception desk
>A nice girl in far too many tattoos smiles at you
>"Good evening sir."
"He--"
>"Good evening, ma'am! I'm under room 202, Ms. Sally? This is my human guardian, please bequeath him the security tablet!"
>Who the hell speaks li-bequeath?
>Seriously?

>The desk lady leans over and jolts back at the sight of the talking horse
>"Oh o-of course!"
>She slips out a keycard from under her keyboard
>"Have a pleasant evening! Elevators to the left, right side and opposite the vending machines."
"Y-thanks."
>You leave with Obscure and keep silent until the elevator
>She likely had to take the stairs
>The doors close and you boop the 2
"Bequeath? You're serious with that?"
>The mare grins
>"A lot of humans still don't even know anything about us. Do you know how easy it is to pretend to be some sort of princess or esteemed official figure?"
"Yeah, instead security detail is some chump in some pre-sleep getup."
>"I know... it's almost as if we look closer like a couple. How scandalous...!"
>She puts a hoof up to her mouth in a mock gasp
>She just has too much fun with this, doesn't she
>You exit after her and flash the card at the right door
>The hallway is free and clear
>No molesters or horsenappers anywhere
>Of course there wouldn't be
>Why would there be?
>Outside of the distant sound of what you choose to believe isn't rough sex, you enter the door after Obscure
>The lights are still all on
>TV has been on
"Boomerang... nice."
>"Your favorite, right?"
>Large bed, the fabled cuck chair, TV anchored to the wall opposite of the bed
>Minifridge and bathroom
"Looks nice."
>"It does. Want to share a snack?"
>She opens the minifridge to reveal a dizzying array of colorful fruits
"Big fruit fan?"
>"They're cheap and some old man saw me and gave me the grapes and bananas. Said that he bought too much and he didn't want them to go bad."
"That right..."
>"That is right. They could be poisonous. So we should eat them together."
>Oh for...
>Does everything need to feel like it'll be the end if you refuse?
>For better or worse it isn't like you've refused a single thing yet
"Ok. Sit down and I guess I'll get us set up."
>"You're the best, Anon."
>She bounces up with ease to the bed
>Guess that makes sense given the lack of couch
>You bring over a fresh vine of curved grapes
>Bananas
>A plastic container of pineapple chunks
>A cup of some sort of mystery fruit cocktail
>All the best, most fresh things a gas station can provide
>"This isn't the same as your post-show dinners but... it's still nice."
>You aren't one to turn your nose up at a modest meal
>You long stopped focusing on bringing up your own experiences but you sure do remember when you had less than this to stretch out a week
'Yeah it does..."
>"Mind feeding me?"
"Fee-what?"
>She's laying on her side, eyes on you
>"Please? I've invited a stranger into my room. I may not wake up again. Or I may end up needing the energy...?"
"Ok, that's over the line."
>Somehow that's the one thing that snaps you back to life
>All of this
>It's just so stupid
>"Aw, that is?"
"Yeah, it is."
>It isn't like this could actually insult you
>But still

"You should've gone with something like "I'm so weak, this trip has cost me so much vigor, if only some paladin of goodly advice could sustain me with not just nutrients but nourishment of the heart" or something."
>You say her parts with just enough pompous energy to match "bequeath"
>She lays in silence to reflect on your comments
>"Oh I'm in such a state of peril, all--"
"Can it!"
>What a mess
"Alright, what first."
>"A banana, please."
"I am not feeding you a banana."
>"Why? Are you afraid I would do something other than eat it while making eye contact?"
"I'm afraid I'll try to choke you with it."
>"So you wanna test my gag reflex?"
>What the hell is this girl's deal?
>You want to be angry at her
>You want to be deeply concerned
>You want to be... impressed
>She has such a forward way that you can't help but see the charm in it
>So much of what she said has been so extreme
>So gonzo
>And now, even now, she's giving you this same level of borderline red lining effort
>It is it's own form of charm
>Isn't it?
"... I can feed you a few, grapes. Then I'm going to eat."
>"Do I get to watch you swallow a banana?"
"One more banana comment and I'm walking out with the grapes and complimentary bottles of shampoo."
>"I'm sorry."
>This is pure insanity
>You're feeding moon grapes to a mare who moved her head onto your lap
>It's past midnight and you're watching old cartoons with some psycho stalker that openly admitted to scamming others and social engineering her way into learning key personal details
>You're keenly aware that she has been overwhelming to think about
>And you haven't had this sort of fun in...
>You don't remember when
>Why?


>You bolt upright
>A hotel room?
>Wait
>Your hands go wild before you can tell where you are
>You've been kidnapped
>Handcuffed
>Someone put a foley in
>"Awh--whyyyyy..."
>You nearly fall out of bed in your panic
>Sally lays splayed out across the bed on her side
>She repeatedly adjusts her jaw
>Her mane is a mess and she's squinting so hard you're not sure she can even see you
>Perfect time to run, right?
"What happened here?"
>"Why'd you do that? Did you actually punch me?"
"Wha-no! I woke up an-"
>"And you thought you'd just hit me? What'd I do to you?"
"All of this! You lured me in here and..."
>You check your pockets
>Keys are there
>Wallet is there
>Phone is there
>...
>Everything is still zipped up and secure
>Minus a bit of excitement-borne morning glory
>Is it even morning out?
>The TV is still on
>One lamp is on
>Sally, shifts until she's laying on her stomach
>She doesn't look like she's happy
>She looks rather upset actually
"..."
>"..."
>She looks like you really hurt her
>Even if you are sorry, this feels like a perfect out
>Don't you dare forget that, Anon
>Don't forget that she tracked you down from nothing to conning you into her room
"...I'm sorry."
>Get out of there!
"I fell asleep and I guess..."
>Get out or so help you
"...You didn't plan on keeping me around until help showed up to harvest any organs?"
>Sally just
>She's just watching at you
>"...You thought all of this was just to harvest your organs."
>Compared to all of the wit and sharp jabs she weakened you up with, she sounds stupefied
>Like there's no way you would be this stupid
>Are you?
"I."
>Stop talking
>Walk out
>Be a lazy college student and C your way on out of that class
"I don't know. Why else would you bring me here?"
>Not your proudest moment
>You wouldn't call this a fumble but more an open, festering wound that shows what you really are
>The dark mare watches you without comment
>Walk out
>Do it
>You can feel your center of gravity pivot backward until you're sure you're going to fall backward if you don't lunge forward
>That was all the time she needed
>Her voice comes out
>Different than when she first woke up
>You recognize this trick
>You've done this trick
>You speak with a little more bass, more bravado, confident articulation
>"I brought you here so I could sleep with you. I don't care how. I'm not like some human, I'm not going to go around and hump just every leg I see because I have wild urges."
>It sounds imperfect
>Similar to when she was speaking to you last night but flimsy
>So it's a battle then, is it?
>She's being honest but she's doing it selectively
>Speaking in such a bold way without any way for you to attack her without coming across as the worse party
"Why?"
>You woke up without the awareness to arm yourself

>She opens her mouth to speak but erupts in a loud, unprofessional yawn
>No matter the situation, she's as flatfooted as you
>"Did you really forget everything I said to you?"
"..."
>Guilty
>"I guess that's still a quality to being honest, huh... even in the worst of times, you can at least remain true and consistent."
>She lays her head on the edge of the bed
>Her tone relaxes
>More in control of herself
>"Come back to bed, Anon. I'm not done sleeping. We don't have to be a couple. You're single so no one is waiting for you."
>She brings her front legs up, along with her head
>She crosses them and sets her head back down
>You can see her hind legs kick out and her tail flicker
>"Don't think of it as a honeymoon trial. Think of it as helping me with my insomnia brought on by anxiety and depression brought on by repeated isolation and long-lived abandonment fears."
>For that being as serious as it is, she's talking about it like it's just seasoning for a late night dinner
>"You can help me a whole lot by doing that. Even if it's just until the sun comes up."
>You can help her?
>She's just listing off things to build up a sob story and get you to feel bad for her
>You already do, but that's because the slapchop to the gob hurt you more than it hurt her
"What time is it?"
>"You tell me, Anon. You can explore the room if you want. Walk around and look at whatever you please. Why would I stop you? How could I stop you?"
>You notice your balance isn't so off by stepping to the side
>Her eyes follow you even if she lays as solid as a statue
>Cheapo nightstand clock says...
"Looks like a little after three."
>"Do you work today, Anon?"
"I have some editing and uploading to do, that's about it."
>"Can you send it to me directly?"
"Don't have your email."
>You have not yet seen her with a phone or a laptop
>Nothing about the room shows she's even used it or set anything up
>"I'll comment on your last video with it."
"...Ok."
>You don't walk around the bed to see anything else
>A quick glance to the bathroom shows that no one is waiting
>"Please stay with me, Anonymous. Until the sun comes up."
>No, you're not doing that
>You're going home
>Going to sleep after bolting the door
>Scrubbing your entire online existence
>Moving and finding a new job
>...
>...
>...
>You sit on the edge of the bed, not close to her
>You're fucking scum, you know that?
>You pathetic, spineless cretin
>How much does it take for you to stop playing in traffic before you get struck?
"Until morning."
>"Thank you."
>You sit there for a few minutes
>She doesn't move
>"Can you lay near me at least? You don't have to be up against me. I just want you to face me so I can see you."
>This does not sound good in any way
>This feels like what Buffalo Bill would do if he were stuck to a wheelchair and took a few extra points in charisma
>But you do it
>Feckless creature that you are
>You end up laying the same way as her, though you're on your side
>"Better?"

"Not particularly."
>Despite the tension, you close your eyes almost immediately
>Maybe it's the fatigued settling back in
>Maybe it's just shame that you've been talked into sleeping with someone yet again
>The room isn't as warm as you'd like but the covers haven't been touched
>You're not in much of a position to do anything about it
>"You know, you don't have to lay on your side... I over-reacted. You can lay on your back if you're more comfortable."
>Well that's mighty decent of her
>You end up doing just that, scooting along to make sure you don't end up on a corner
>The bed is rather sizable
>You feel her weight shift a little
>"Let me get the remote... kinda loud."
>You don't mind it
>Whatever
>You can maybe just time travel to the future and then get out
>Then it'll all be fi-
>A hoof crashes down from above, right on your nose
>Unimaginable pain bursts through your everything, going down your body
>You scream out something, blinded by blood and raw pain
>"You think I'm going to let you just hit me? You think I'm your punching bag too?!"
>You lash out and another stomp to your face multiplies the pain tenfold
>Before you know what's going on, a full weight falls down on you
>Nowhere near as tall as you, but enough that you can't just roll off to escape
>Something goes to your throat
>Multiple somethings
>Somehow, she has your throat in her mouth
>You can feel her teeth, those canines
>They're digging into your flesh to the point you're almost certainly going to bleed
>Is this how you die?
>Sputtering for air, trying to wipe away bloody tears and get your artery punctured by some psycho?
>Despite your heart beating ten miles a minute and the blood going down your nostrils to almost drown you, you remain there
>You hold your hands up, shaky as they are
>All you can do is gasp and wheeze for air
>The grip on your throat remains
>You can feel hot, intense panting over your wind pipe
>That's still proof that she has your life in her jaws
>You fucking nimrod
>You knew this was going to turn out badly
>You didn't know how
>But you knew
>You don't try to speak
>The taste of blood entering your mouth from the back of your throat, resting there rather than naturally going down
>It's almost enough to make you gag
>Breathing is the top priority for now
>Even if the clamp doesn't relax, it doesn't feel as intense
>Maybe it's more that if she wanted you dead, she would have done it
>The breathing continues against your skin
>Then a lash of the tongue
>A hot, slimy thing that slithers over your throat
>The only noise she makes, after long enough, is something close to a purr
>Satisfaction in raw, language-free noise
>You don't know how much time has passed but the somehow the tongue is dragging itself over the sides of your throat
>Did she let go of you?
>You swear you can still feel that it's only a few pounds of pressure between now and death
>She has her two front hooves on either side of your head
>"I didn't think you'd taste so good..."

>The slow licking turns more hungry
>Focused licks to the sides where she had you pinned
>"...They'll leave their marks... but you wouldn't have died. Not unless I bit hard enough."
>Cold satisfaction
>A test lick goes across your face
>It's hot
>It feels like someone slapped a hot rag over your face and dragged it away
>Then more
>You make something resembling a whimper as her tongue goes over your face
>Your nose
>Your eyes
>"I didn't think you'd taste like this at all, Anon..."
>You don't know what the situation is
>Did the bleeding stop?
>Was she causing it to bleed more?
>You could only breathe through your mouth
>Taking in some form of her taste in turn, even if it's just her own breath
>You don't have the capacity to know what it is
>"...I hit back too hard, didn't I..."
>Only now does she notice
>"I'm sorry. When you got me, it... didn't send me to a happy place. It's good to set boundaries, isn't it?"
>Is that what that is?!
>Only after the fact does she mention that tidbit
>If you hit her again, it better be on purpose this time
>You say something and end up just sputtering out blood
>You can taste it
>Being on your back like this can't be the right move
>Or did she just do that bad a number on you?
>You should feel more panicked but you feel like you couldn't open your eyes if you tried
>"...You'll be fine. But let me make it up to you. Ok?"
>You aren't in a position to deny her
>In one motion, she opens her mouth, tilts her head and envelops your mouth inside of hers
>You can feel two canines resting along your jawline
>Her tongue lashes over your lips
>Teasing them as if she wants in
>You put up a novel effort but can't stop her from doing worse
>The "worse" in question is that she shoots her tongue into your mouth
>She spears it down your throat with a fierce level of animal hunger
>You can feel her slither and coil her tongue against the back of your throat
>That taste
>That's what she's chasing
>You nearly gag
>You have no understanding of what she's doing, the sensation is so alien to you
>It's like your first kiss all over again
>Minus the blood
>It continues on long enough that you start to lose willpower
>You're focusing on breathing, as much as you can
>Even if that means breathing through her
>She knows it too
>Her tongue doesn't retreat but you can hear her inhaling through her nostrils
>A breathy, heavy exhale pushes enough into you to subsist off of
>This is humiliating
>This is worse than humiliating
>This is horrifying
>What's to stop her from ripping off your jaw now?
>Or caving in your head and calling it a day?
>All you can do is lay there
>Eventually you don't even taste blood
>Or maybe all you do is taste blood
>Blood mixed with her saliva
>Slimy, slick, light
>If she has a flavor, you can't tell
>The kiss continues for at least two episodes of The Amazing World of Gumball
>It isn't like you've ever watched that show in detail but you know the ending song
>It played twice so far
>She hasn't stopped once

>In a way, the breathing assistance and cleanup makes it easier for you
>The tongue, after a time, has ceased to be an intimate organ
>It's not just... something that wrestles against your tongue
>Coils and tries to strangle it
>Washes over every angle of every tooth and prods against the back of your throat to test where your gag reflex is active
>It's so methodical and repeated that the complete darkness turns it into an alien abduction situation
>Just surgical testing and repeat experimentation
>You've even found that you relaxed
>You don't know where your hands went but each one is weighed down with something heavy
>Her hooves?
>After another episode ends, she pulls herself back finally
>Your first breath of fresh air is near freezing in comparison to what you've been forcefed for at least an hour
>"...I'm sorry I overreacted, Anon..."
>She sounds
>Sultry
>Satisfied
>The kind of worked up that you've heard precisely twice in your life
>Once was online
>"...I knew you weren't the abusive sort. You spoke so clearly about them, and how to avoid them without letting lingering emotions tether you to them."
>Her head lays next to yours
>You had no way to know but her body has been an effective blanket
>At the very least of this situation
>"...I know that you didn't mean to hit me. You were just... I mean. I would have been scared. And you were. I'm sorry. I promise I won't do it again. You wouldn't hold it against me, right?"
>What are you even supposed to say to that?
>It's only the dulled pain that is keeping you conscious
>That and the fear that if you fall asleep on her, you won't wake up
>"My dad... he's human. Like you. He used to drink a lot. And my mom. They actually met in Equestria. I don't remember how they met, but my mom said it was the best day of her life. Things were nice but I think the stigma got to him and he drank more. I think that's why she started drinking too."
>She nuzzles the side of your face
>"So... one day. I come back. And they're just... fighting. His hand was broken. He smashed a bottle over her head. One of the heavy ones. I never saw either of them so... full of hatred. So I screamed. I ran. I don't know how far I went back. A friend of my mom's, my aunt, she watched over me for a week and when I went back they just... they acted like everything was fine. They made up like nothing happened. But I saw it. I saw the scars. I saw the dried blood."
>Another nuzzle
>Is this supposed to make all of this ok?
>Depending on how severe your injuries are, you'll never look like yourself again
>You aren't a vain man but the scars and pains you have, you've earned through stupidity and work-related near misses
>No one has ever physically destroyed a part of you

>"It happened again. And over something so... stupid. It was so stupid. I tried to stop them and they both turned on me. I, somehow, became an acceptable target. I didn't even do anything to start it. Why did I become their outlet? Did they love each other so much? Or did they simply hate me more?"
>Despite the gravity of this, you can hear how hollow it rings
>It isn't like she's lying
>She's not
>You know the tone
>It's more she's left the present
>She's seeing everything in front of her again
>You can't tell but you wouldn't be surprised if something happened to make her feel tense
>As if she's the one you should care about right now
>"A few years later... dad died. They said it was an accident. Something got him. He was wearing one of those yellow human helmets but I think mom did it. I think she hit him once and it had some sort of delayed effect."
>Her voice lowers to a whisper
>She doesn't move herself to ensure you can hear you
>You're just a cushion for her to lay on while she's in this
>"She killed my dad, Anon... and then she blamed everything. Anything. Drinking. Work. Stress. She turned inward on herself. She didn't love him enough. She wasn't a unicorn so she couldn't use magic to heal him. She had a daughter and she lost sight of what was important."
>That hollow whisper
>Where is she right now?
>"She loved her husband, Anon... and he loved his wife. Having a foal. Having me. I killed my dad by existing. Their biggest mistake in their relationship was me."
>Even if you refuse to try to open your eyes
>Even if you're breathing through your mouth with what feels like half of your skull crunched to dust
>One of your arms finds it's way up, and around her
>A hug
>A wheezing sputter spills out
>You need to find your voice
>It isn't as bad as it feels
>It can't be
>Nothing feels like it's freely flapping
>You can feel by the way she licked your face that you aren't meat jelly
"Thasts."
>You want to vomit so much
"Nout thrue. T-th-truoe."
>That's it
>That's as much as you can stomach
>You need an ER
>The violations on top of violations and pain have taken everything out of you
>Everything except those three words
>The mare doesn't say anything
>Breathing isn't getting any easier but it isn't getting harder
>"...You really accept me. Even after I almost killed you..."
>She WHAT?!
>This means she actually could have killed you
>This means that second hit was done with purpose
>"I'm sorry, Anon. I'm so sorry. Please don't hate me."
>Her hooves slide off of your shaking hands and curl around your neck
>She repeats herself repeatedly
>Those three sentences
>Different order every other cycle but it doesn't stop
>You've tried to do your best
>You can't hang on any further
>The last words you hear are "I love you."


>No work
>No videos
>You had to cancel one online "class" that was undoubtedly scumming but it was income
>All because of that night
>When you woke up, you were in the ER
>Apparently your nose was broken, your upper lip was busted, your teeth got loosened, and apparently if you weren't so lucky, you would've had a broken orbital socket
>The official story, you found out, was that someone hit your face with a bat while you were protecting your horse girlfriend
>She tried to help but couldn't and then called EMS
>You were in such a state that you couldn't say otherwise
>Apparently it made local news too
>Now everyone thinks you're a horsefucker
>Most likely anyway
>"Hey honey, are you awake?"
>To top it off
>The cherry to bring this all together
>Her
>She took your keys when you were discharged and invited herself to stay in your place
>Your fortress of chillitude
>You've been sleeping in bed for days, plus or minus getting up to shower or go to the toilet
>She has
>Insisted
>On helping with that
>At least when it comes to the shower
>"Anon? You there?"
>You refuse to acknowledge her and instead stare straight up at the ceiling
>"Anon."
>You've heard her rummaging through every nook and cranny for days now
>"Look at me Anon."
>You haven't gotten out of bed because you know that if you somehow got onto your computer, she'd figure out how to do it too
>She already has gotten into your phone, or has accepted some sort of call
>Apparently you have an appointment to help get your face unfucked
>To "help"
>"Look at me."
>A steely hard tone
>As cold as abandoned machinery on the north pole
>You look at her
>Sally's expression changes so fast you almost missed that she was devolving from a leer to a broiling fury
>Now she's all smiles
>"How are you feeling?"
>How do you think?
>You haven't been told to not talk, just to not eat hard stuff
>Still haven't felt the energy to speak one word to her
>You grunt when she climbs on top of bed and lays on you
>Just like before
>"I'll say it... I'm surprised you didn't at least have one lady friend here."
>Is it time for your next painkiller?
>"I really thought things would turn out differently... but this is fine too, isn't it?"
>Of course it isn't
>Sally isn't satisfied with your lack of a response
>"Hey. I'm talking to you."
>She sure is trying
>"Speak to me, Anon... the silence is deafening in here."
>Nothing stopping her from turning on the TV
>Not that you have cable
>You think Netflix is connected on it
>"Anon!?"
>Your eyes go to her again
>She looks distressed
>If you've noticed anything, it's that she isn't doing so well when she can't bounce off of you
>Maybe it's just guilt
>Maybe she's a sociopath that lost her radar
>"...I'm sorry. I really am. I can see why you were worried, and I might have led you in under... not genuine circumstances."
>Good girl
>Maybe she'll learn next that stealing is wrong, and bad
>"...I know you didn't hit me on purpose. I think I was looking for an excuse."

>Shocking
>Truly
>"You really spoke to me so well, so deeply despite having never known me. And then, in person... I felt it. That tie. That bond. The one I know my mom and dad had."
>This again
>"But... you don't know me that well at all, do you? If I never told you how I had a hoof in killing my dad, you wouldn't know. You wouldn't believe me and just call it guilt."
>Maybe she is to blame for some of it
>"And you fought every step of the way. It... it didn't feel like how their relationship went. They loved each other. They had a lot of love for one another."
>You could go without this sort of love
>"You don't love me, Anon. I thought you knew me so well. I thought I knew you too. I read and listened to everything you put out. It's all real. It's all still so real. But... I never knew you kept shredded and sliced cheese separate."
>What does that matter?
>"I didn't know you looked at women getting semen sprayed on their faces. Or that there were so many of them. You don't seem to have a real type you go back to."
>You knew she found a way to get into your phone
>You're not even mad
>"I didn't know you looked at those things... like you don't even want someone special."
>Does this have a point?
>She's laying on you with her legs so stretched out that you're half sure she's doing it just because you can't stop her
>"...Do you? If you had the chance, would you take it?"
"You b r o k e my face and nearly cracked my skull."
>Your slow words cause her to recoil
>"...But you..."
"I fell asleep somewhere not safe."
>Your eyes fall on her dumbstruck face
"And it wasn't safe at all."
>You look away from her
>Anywhere but her
"And now you've invaded my home, ransacked the place, my nose may not heal right, and acting like this is the start of something magical."
>What a mess
>This is what you get for speaking up in the world without the money to appropriately boost and protect yourself
>Sally off of you
>Thank Christ for that
>"It is, Anon. I just need to figure out how."
>That ship has sailed, sunk, and become a sanctuary for endangered sea snails
>Time passes while you just stare at the ceiling
>Nothing but a fan on your desk is blowing
>It's the only thing you've had to listen to without having to echolocate her through the cabinets and drawers opening and closing
>She comes back with something
>It's cold
>"I got one of your sodas. Drink it, please."
>You haven't had much to drink in around two days now, save for gulping down some shower water
>You don't trust having anything near her now
>"Please drink it, Anon, or you'll waste away."
>Why shouldn't you?
>The culmination of everything you've worked toward is this
>She walks away without another comment
>Finally
>You close your eyes
>You've slept for so much of the day
>Maybe if you go to sleep again, you'll wake up better
>Maybe she'll get bored and wander off to someone else

>Another day
>Sally has been using your phone to talk to someone
>You don't recognize the number and you haven't bothered to look up where it could be
>Doesn't matter
>The dull pain has gotten to be bearable without needing to pop something
>Gotta love prescription-level meds
>You take a shower while she's sleeping on the couch
>She has helped herself to your bread, your potatoes, your cheese and your cherry preserves
>You aren't even sure how good potatoes are if you bake them in the microwave
>You're dressed now
>Most dressed you've been in days
>You feel more like yourself
"Hey. Get up."
>Despite your strongest urge to slap her awake
>Or to just bring your foot down on her head
>You settle for a firm nudge to her chest
"Get up. I'm heading out. That means you're gone too."
>Sally takes a few moments to wake up
>When she does, she gives you the warmest, broadest smile
>"You're alive...!"
"Yeah. I was."
>"I'm so glad, I was ta-"
"Right now, that's not necessary. I'm going to a followup with the GP. You're not staying in here to eat the rest of my food."
>"...Oh."
>The smile melts down
>She gets up from a self-made nest that seems to consist of your towels, a few spare blankets and at least one shirt
>The sofa is right there
>Whatever
"Yup. Come on."
>You ignore her and whatever waking ritual she's trying to entice you with
>You get your shoes on near the door and watch her meander around
>"...I'm sorry for the mess. I kinda just camped out while waiting for you to feel better."
"I see that."
>"I can put everything back."
"No, it'll be fine."
>"I can help with the trash."
"I think you've helped enough."
>"I..."
>You can tell she's searching for something to grab onto
>You are a smooth bulwark of contempt
>Maybe that's a strong word
>Maybe it's not strong enough
>"If you get me s-"
"Time to go Sally."
>Shot down as soon as she tried again
>Now that you're standing
>Towering over her
>She has no real way to force her way
>No way to do much of anything
>She follows you outside the apartment
>Door gets locked the second she's out and keys go in your chest pocket
"And that's that. You're not going in there again."
>You start walking off
>She's following you
>Of course she is
>"I got good news! Tomorrow I should be clear to move in. If you want, I c-"
"No thanks, I have something going on."
>"That's ok, it can be any time you like."
"I'm going to be pretty busy tomorrow."
>Feels good to put your foot down like this
>If you were like this before, none of this would have happened
>You've learned now, haven't you
>All it cost you was your face
>She's still following you even if you go out to your car
>She's already gone through your phone, who cares if she knows your license plate?
>You get in and close the door too fast for her to also try to force herself inside
>"Anon!"
>She screams in pure panic the second you start your car

>You think
>You think hard
>She's tried so many angles since you first spoke to her
>She won when she was talking the way she was
>She isn't being real with you
>She's probing
>She's figuring out which approach has the most effect
>It's some sort of trick
>You can feel whatever you want
>You can feel regret when you pull out, before she has the idea to get behind you to block you in
>You can feel jubilation when you drive off to her trying to run after you while screaming
>You can feel peace when she's not even a blip in your rearview mirror
>You can feel...
>Regret
>Like you've genuinely hurt her by doing this
>But does that matter?
>Is that really what you've done?
>If she was telling you the truth of her path, what little you remember of it, she came from a drastically abusive family
>She doesn't know what it looks like to attract someone
>She can emulate what she's seen, or tweak it
>In the end, it's just not healthy
>Not healthy at all
>"Wow, that's not healthy."
"...What?"
>"Your sinuses. You grew up holding in your sneezes?"
"Yeah, why?"
>"Well."
>The old Yankee doc slides on his ever-gliding stool next to you
>He's holding up two images
>"The right-"
>He waggles his right hand
>"Shows the x-ray scan. Shows your bones and nothing else."
>He waggles his left hand
>"This one, is our CT scan. And that knock aggravated some damage that seems to have been there already."
"You're kidding."
>"No, not this time. I heard what happened, bully for you on going to bat for your romantic interests. But, this means recovery is going to not be as easy."
>He's not trying to hide how amused he is by his pun
>No one appreciates a doctor with a wit
>"So. I'm going to prescribe you a very nice nasal spray. Should help clear up all that dried blood, mucus, swelling and might help those passages. Been mouth breathing?"
"Sure."
>"Good. Keep doing that, just don't do it too hard or passing women will get the wrong idea."
>He scoots away after giving one last waggle of the sheets
>"Going to send the prescription out right away, you can go to any pharmacy and pick it up. Really not the worst stuff in the world. But."
>He points up to a sign while he's scribbling on a sheet
>The computer is not even five inches from where he is
>The sign itself is a focus on liver failure
>"There are some active ingredients, they do not play well with alcohol, I humbly ask that you do not drink while using this. That means nothing for the next... thirty days. Not a problem I'm sure but if you do, it may cause issues with the bleeding and last thing we need is for you to turn into an old harem anime protagonist."
>Who is this guy and why couldn't you get someone more normal?
>With that, he gets up and holds his hand out for a shake
>"Standard co-pay will likely be twenty bucks. Good luck on the recovery."
"Yeah... thanks, doc."
>Thirty days of no drinking, huh?
>Sure
>Not like you have anything lined up right now anyway

>It's been hours since you got back home
>Dark out
>Living room mess untouched
>Painkiller pill status: taken with peanut butter
>Nasal spray status: one up each nostril
>Drink status: Vodka mixed with coke, equal portions mixed together with a cheap plastic straw
>You've ignored all calls since you got back
>All email notifications
>Half of them are idle spam anyway
>You thought about calling up anyone but you really don't have anyone to talk to
>That AA group, you keep them at arm's length and for good reason
>A lot of them are far worse than you
>Last thing you'd want is someone below you trying to tell you how the world works and how you can just make it kneel
>Last thing you'd want is to lower yourself by needing someone's advice
>There's a hypocrite inside of you, Anon
>But it's ok
>Others deserve the help
>You like giving help
>Others helping you?
>Now that's a dead end
>When's the last time that ever worked out for you, anyway?
>Whenever anyone ever thought about it, or said they would, they wouldn't
>Or they'd give you a vague lead and leave you to do the legwork
>Everyone loves their excuses
>You gulp down more of your drink
>There's something you recall about not mixing painkillers with alcohol
>Downers with downers or something like that
>Whatever
>You've already lost whatever steadiness you had
>You refuse to say that it's to her
>Even if it's empirically true
>You gulp down more again
>You don't have a drinking problem
>Never did, in earnest
>But you just really can't look at yourself in the mirror
>You're a mess
>Sure, it's just a nose but it's your nose
>You don't even have any reason to feel disgust at the other things she did
>That was all just part of the experience
>Not anything that stood out
>Probably because it was all just overwhelming
>It was a violation on top of a violation
>Another big gulp
>Maybe that's why you've felt so down too
>You were violated, Anon
>You weren't a pure lad before that night but it really did something
>You don't know what it did
>That's why it bothers you so much
>Another gulp
>Almost empty
>You poured in as much vodka as a can of soda
>Maybe it was a little too much
>You go for the nasal spray and take another huff in each nostril
>"...Hey... Anon...?"
>Out of the corner of your eye you see a pair of yellow eyes
>That's not real
>That's just your mind playing tricks
"Yur... norreea..."
>You mumble out something
>Why do you feel lightheaded?
>You watch the mare pounce up onto the flat patio railing
>Not living on the top of the building sucks
>Sally manages to stick the landing next to you
>"I'm sorry... I don't want to stay long. I just want to explain myself. I just need a few minutes."
>Sure
>A few minutes
>That's all it takes to...
>...
>...?
>You gasp for air
>You can't breathe
>You try to inhale through your nose
>Of course that doesn't help
>"...Anon?"
>You're outside, right?
>Why is it so hard to breathe outside?
>It must be her
>You try to reach for her and fall
>All's dark