>Looking over the contents of your box, you see you’ve made quite a few origami figures..
>Though you’re fairly certain that you’ve made enough to sell today, it never seems like it’s enough.
“I could make a few more, wouldn’t hurt to have extras.”
>Picking up a sheet, you get to work make at least one spare of each figure.
>As you go through the process of folding, you cut yourself again.
>The pain has become quite tolerable nowadays.
>Guess you’ve grown accustomed to it.
“It’s all that I deserve anyways...”
>But one thing never changes, the emotional pain.
>When you’re around other ponies, it feels like you’re screaming and no pony is listening.
>Even with the cuts, they turn a blind eye to it.
>At least ponies don’t question them as much anymore..
>That doesn’t help you though, it hurts more knowing that.
>You pause, and do a quick check on the amount you’ve made.
“Should be enough, but I can’t stay inside all day, as much as I want to. At least I can get an early start on selling these.”
>Picking up your things, you head out the front door, locking it behind you.
“Can never be too certain...”
>It’s a beautiful and sunny day in Ponyville, shame you can’t enjoy it.
>As you trot along to the market, you see some ponies also out and about.
>They wave or greet you, and you return the gesture.
>You don’t feel the happiness behind it though, you never do.
>It’s been this way for as long as you can remember.
>Too long...
>Shaking your head, you focus on getting to the market and setting up.
>Thankfully it’s not too busy, not yet at least.
>The various farmers are already set up and ready to go of course.
>Your stall however, is pretty small and basic, not that you need much more than that.
>Doesn’t take long to set up either, just put out some origami on display and put up your sign, then you’re ready to go.
>You lean on the counter and wait for potential customers.

>But you already know how this will go, you’ll sell some of your crafts and most will go unsold.
>Letting out a sigh, you let your mind wander.
>Would be nice if more ponies could appreciate the love you put into each piece.
>Sure, you teach ponies, namely foals, how to do origami, but that doesn’t make it so simple.
>Especially for your more complicated works, like the bull or the dragon you have made.
>They never really understand…
>Mellow does though, he gets you more than any other pony you know.
>You’ve been friends for a long time now, not sure what you would do without him.
>He always cheers you up, much like you to him.
>”Mommy! Mommy! Look!”
>Snapping out of it, you see a filly drag her mother over to your stall.
>You put on your best smile and straighten up.
>”They’re all so pretty! Can I have one mommy?” She says as she points to the ones on display.
>The little filly turns to her mother with puppy dog eyes.
>Her mother lets out a sigh, but smiles.
>>”Well alright, how much are they?”
“I have all my prices listed right here.”
>You point to the small sign that you have set up.
“I even sell them in pairs as a special.” You add with a wink
>The filly gasps and quickly devotes her attention to seeing which she wants.
>Your smile widens as you observe her, she is so precious.
>”Um...The one and...That one!” She points to the bird you made yesterday and a fox.
“Excellent choices, I hope you enjoy them as much as I did making them.”
>The filly practically hops in place in glee as you put them both in a bag and hoof them over.
>Her mother pays and looks down to her daughter.
>>”Now what do you say to the nice mare?”
>”Oh right! Thank you miss!”
>Your heart practically melts as you hear her.
“You’re very welcome, have a lovely day.”
>”You too!”
>Her mother gives a friendly nod and the two depart, leaving you a little happier, if only for now.

>Moments like those don’t come often, but when they do, you feel so much better.
>When you do teach at the local school, you love when you’re able to show foals the magic of origami.
>Many get frustrated, but when they see the beauty in it, it’s truly a wonderful sight.
>Some more customers come and buy more of your crafts.
>Though some say nothing, pay and leave, you don’t mind it that much.
>Well that’s a lie…
>You’d actually like it more if they were able to see your loneliness.
>Not gonna happen though, never does…
>”Excuse me miss?”
>Focusing once more, you turn your attention to your next customer.
>A sharp looking stallion looking over your various figures and looks back to you with a smile.
>”Do you make all these yourself?”
“Why yes I do, I spend a lot of time and care into creating each one.”
>He nods rubs his chin.
>”Hmm..They are quite lovely, though to be honest...Not as lovely as you.”
>Oh great…
>Just what you wanted, some random stallion flirting with you.
>Alright Paper, you know how to handle this, you’ve done it many times before.
>Feigning a smile, you nod.
“Oh thank you, but they really have a lot of soul in them. Don’t you think so?”
>”Of course, though I have to ask. Do you mind me taking you out for lunch? I’d like to get to know you better.”
>For the love of Celestia…
“I appreciate the offer, but no thanks. I have a coltfriend.”
>”Oh, well then...I...I should get going then.” He says as he frowns and starts to trot off.
>While it’s nice to get some attention from stallions, past experiences have taught you to be on your guard.
>Pushing that thought aside, you should get going soon, so you pack your things up.
>You do a quick check on today’s profits and let out a sigh.
“Not bad, not great either…At least I can go to the park and hang out with Mellow.”
>On your way to the park, you try to keep your spirits up.

>Readjusting your bandanna, you look over yourself in the mirror one last time and nod.
>You head into the other room, picking up your case and exit the front door, locking it behind you.
>Giving it a few tugs to make sure it’s actually locked, you turn to the road, with Celestia’s sun shining brightly upon you.
>Letting out a sigh of contentment, you start to make your way to the park like usual.
>Today went rather well, in comparison to yesterday that is.
>You only forgot your lines once!
>…
>Shouldn’t be happy about that.
>You really need to improve more, though it’s not like you don’t practice your lines enough.
>It’s the stress of course, it always gets to you and causes trouble.
>No, that’s not all…
>It never is, is it?
>There are times where you some how become accident prone, like yesterday with the shackles.
>If Cliff actually used his magic, that wouldn’t have happened.
>No, that’s not fair to him either, it’s your fault.
>You have to stop making excuses and blaming them on others, it’s not right.
>Shaking your head, you see a couple greet you and you return the gesture with a nod.
>That must be nice, to actually have somepony to love and to love you back.
>At least you have Paper.
>Though she is just a friend, and probably doesn’t see you that way…
>Doesn’t stop you from thinking about it, even when you know you shouldn’t.
>Last thing you want is to ruin what friendship you have with her.
>But what if she actually does like you like that?
“Then what? I’m hardly a good stallion...I’m not handsome and I can barely make it by financially…”
>You see a random pony give you a weird look, causing you to blush and shut your mouth tightly.
>Idiot! Supposed to keep thoughts like that inside your head, not outside…
>Can imagine it now, “Hey everypony, Mellow talks to himself like a creep!”

>You’d lose your job at the theater, ponies would actively avoid you like a disease and-
>NO!
>Can’t let yourself fall into that line of thinking, not again.
>You will not fall like before, you’re stronger now…
>At least a little stronger than before, but stronger none the less.
>”Hey there Mellow, over here!”
>Snapping out of your thoughts, you didn’t realize you had entered the park.
>Of course, there is Paper sitting in some grass nearby a tree.
>As she waves at you, you wave back and feel your heart flutter.
>Keep it together, remember to play it cool.
>Letting out a breath through your nose, you quicken your pace and she stands to greet you like always with a hug.
>”I’m happy to see you, how was your day?”
>As she pulls out of it, you feel yourself longing to hold on for a little while longer.
>Pushing that thought aside, you smile.
“Pretty good, only forgot my lines once. How about your day?”
>Paper sits back down and starts to work on another piece of origami.
>”It went well, sold some pieces and even met a cute filly who bought two of my creations.”
“That’s great to hear Paper.”
>You sit down as well and take your guitar out like usual.
>”Did anything else happen today?” She says as her bow bounces.
>She is really cute.
>Paper Cute at that, heh.
“Not really, we had to adjust some of the effects for the play like I figured. Namely the smoke.”
>You nearly got into an argument with Mr. Town over it.
>It doesn’t matter if it looks cool, if it makes ponies get into a coughing fit, it’s a problem.
>Thankfully some of the other actors backed you up on that.
>”Well at least that was taken care of. I can imagine it was annoying.”
>You start to tune your guitar as you two talk.
“Oh yeah it was. There was enough of it to make myself and the other actors cough a lot. I was lucky to have them convince the director to make the changes.”

>”I’m guessing he wasn’t happy about that.”
>Strumming out some chords, you feel satisfied with the sound.
“He wasn’t, he complained that less smoke would make it less visible. Which of course he is right, it’s much harder to see with the amount we settled on.”
>To say he was furious was an understatement, not that you blame him.
>”Did you find a middle ground?”
>You nod and play a few more cords.
“Ultimately, we had to find somepony who specializes in stage magic to help. We were lucky to find one in town, don’t remember her name, just that she was really loud and full of herself.”
>She also flirted with a few actors, thankfully not you.
>…
>Not really something to be happy about.
>”Glad to hear it all worked out, how long till you think you will be ready to open up?”
>You start to play one of the songs you know as you continue to talk.
“We’re supposed to open up this weekend, but really that depends on if everypony is ready.”
>Especially if you screw up more.
>You see from the corner of your eye that paper has finished another piece.
>Would be nice to actually create something yourself, she even tried to teach you.
>Didn’t work out too well, your creation looks more like a crumpled up wad.
>As you finish the song, you hear a small applaud from several ponies who stopped to listen.
>You never seem to notice when others show up, they just do when you are playing outside.
“Thank you, thank you.”
>Some of them toss some bits into your open case not that you’re complaining though, the bits certainly help, considering you don’t make much through acting and staging.
>It does make you feel a little guilty though, since you’re just playing a song somepony else made and not yourself.
>Perhaps someday you will actually write something original, maybe…

>Focusing back on playing, you drown out the world again and play some more songs.
>At least Paper doesn’t mind when other ponies stop to listen to you play, and you’re grateful for it.
>She is always so supportive and kind...And beautiful...And the mare of your dreams…
>Dammit, stop doing that.
>Can’t keep hiding those thoughts forever though.
>When the day comes, you’ll deal with it.
>You finish up the last song song and start to put your things away.
“That was the last song, thanks again everypony.”
>They start to disperse, leaving you alone with Paper once more.
>You make sure your bandanna is still in its place and turn your attention to Paper.
“Thanks for listening to me Paper, I really mean it.”
>”Of course, I love spending time with you.” She says with a smile.
>That word “Love” hangs in the air for you.
>You return the smile and pick up your case to head home..
>Along the way, you let yourself think about how nice a date with her would go.
“It’s a stupid fantasy, but it’s still nice to think about...”