[copied from https://pastebin.com/pf4sX7nR ]
[original author Anonymous ]
WIP
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>...MonkeyFromTheFuture has joined #TalesOfEquestria
><MagicMoonWalker> Monkey's here girls!
><DivineString> What a fucking faggot
><ConsoleSmasher2005> About time he showed up
><GreatAndPowerful> Finally, I'll show you how a campaign is made. I have written down everything. You won't be disappointed
><GoldenHarvest> What was that supposed to mean? Everypony liked my last campaign!
><ConsoleSmasher2005> She's till butthurt because her character died before the big battle
><MonkeyFromTheFuture> Yeah... about that...
><MagicMoonWalker> Oh come on! you forgot to make your character again!
><GreatAndPowerful> I'm prepared even for this situation. I took the liberty of making a character for anypony that was too lazy to make its own
><MonkeyFromTheFuture> No no. It's just that something happened and I will not be able to play for a while
><MonkeyFromTheFuture> For a long while I think
>Chips rain on your keyboard
><MagicMoonWalker> What it THIS supposed to mean?!
><ConsoleSmasher2005> Are you for real?
><DivineString> This is not funny
><GoldenHarvest> What happened? I remember you used to play even when abroad!
><GreatAndPowerful> Explain yourself!
><MonkeyFromTheFuture> I can't go in details but I changed my job
><MonkeyFromTheFuture> It's well paid but... I don't have time for playing every weekend
>After cleaning your keyboard you open a private conversation with MonkeyFromTheFuture
><MagicMoonWalker> You don't throw horseapples at me like that
><MagicMoonWalker> We know each other. I deserve a better explanation
>Meanwhile in the condivise channel things are cooling down
><MonkeyFromTheFuture> I will still be able to chat from time to time
><MonkeyFromTheFuture> But I don't think I can afford our hours long sessions
><GreatAndPowerful> I understand, hard times come for everypony
><DivineString> But this is so sudden
><ConsoleSmasher2005> And overwatch?
><MonkeyFromTheFuture> I will not be able to play Smasher, sorry
><GoldenHarvest> That so sad...
>This is so... sudden
>MonkeyFromTheFuture, or Anon since you know him irl, has been on your roleplay group for... 4 years now! He can't just leave it!
>It's almost unreal, reading that he will not be able to play anymore.
>A bip tells you that Anon answered your PMs
><MonkeyFromTheFuture> Sorry Moon, I don't have a better explanation
><MagicMoonWalker> You can't do this to me. We're buddies! What I'm going to do without you? We planned to start several games together! There is the FillydephiaComic convection next season! And our tabletop game project just started to take form!
><MonkeyFromTheFuture> I don't know, but you'll find a way. I just can't do it anymore.
><MonkeyFromTheFuture> It's been a while I'm having problems and I need to take care for them
><MagicMoonWalker> Do you need bits? A place to stay? Do you have medical problems? I can help you!
><MonkeyFromTheFuture> No, you can't
><MonkeyFromTheFuture> Listen please. I've had problems that prevented me for doing things. This problems are neither monetary nor physical.
><MonkeyFromTheFuture> I've postponed this matters for too much time. it's something that needs to be done. So I'll take my time for doing just that.
><MonkeyFromTheFuture> I know it's harsh, and I'm sorry for the trouble I'll put you through. I'll deal with my problebs, and then we will met again like nothing has happened
><MonkeyFromTheFuture> Bye moony
>MonkeyFromTheFuture has quit (Quit:Let's do it like they do on the discovery channel)
>...
>As you turn off your laptop an alien feeling start to creep in your mind
>Why Anon is leaving the group? Did you or them done something he didn't like?
>No, that's just stupid
>Well... let's just wait... maybe he'll be able to solve all his problems.
>Yeah...
.
.
.
>You You are now talking on #TalesOfEquestria
><DivineString> Hi Moon! How are you?
>...It's been a lonely week
>Without anon play with you there aren't really much ponies that share your same interests
>Anon's Vapor account has been offline for 6 days now
>He responds to your phone messages... eventually
>But without him here you miss him greatly
><MagicMoonWalker> I'm great thanks, what about you? and has Anon returned yet? Have you heard anything from him?
><DivineString> A bit of stress, next week I have to perform at the concerto at Las Pegasus and they're killing us with practice, but beside that everything is fine
><DivineString> I haven't heard anything from him. I thought you knew something since you know him personally
><MagicMoonWalker> Not much, he just told me that he's really busy and his new job is tiring, but nothing specific.
><MagicMoonWalker> And only through messages
><DivineString> just pay him a visit, sure he won't be mad at somepony visiting him
>That's not a bad idea
>Though you're not sure when you could visit him
><MagicMoonWalker> I'll ask him, I hope he'll have the time
><MagicMoonWalker> What about Trixie and Button?
><DivineString> Trixie is on tour somewhere with a friend. I didn't know she had somepony else to hang around
><DivineString> Button is still grounded from what his mother said me. But I see his overwatch account still playing a lot of time
><DivineString> He even surpassed his previous record
>Overwatch isn't really your thing, but good to hear it
>Button takes pride on showing everyone his accomplishments
><MagicMoonWalker> Neat, when Anon will hear it I'm sure he will plan to test Button
><MagicMoonWalker> I need to get going, bye
>Closing the chat and starting your videogame, you pickup your phone to text to Anon
>"Ehy man, how are you doing?"
>"I as wondering if I could, you know, come and see you"
>"It's been a while since we met personally or played online, is that ok for you? when could I come?"
Dear Celestia, there is nothing like a good 6 hours long videogame session
>You yawn, turning off your PC and stretching on your seat
>The sudden silence in your room makes you pay attention at the ticking clock on the wall
>1 am. It's time to go to bed
>Magic exercises can wait tomorrow
>As you lay on your bed you levitate your phone
>Anon has still to answer
>He didn't see the message
>Maybe he's just really busy and forgot his phone
>Maybe he's just sleeping and will answer tomorrow
>Maybe he's working, his new job might have night shifts
>Maybe something happened to him
>It's difficult to find sleep when you're worrying about Anon, missing him
>You shift under the blankets over and over again, wondering what happened to your dear friend

>"APPRENTICE GUARD ANONYMOUS INCOGNITO! HEADS UP! MOVE THOSE LEGS OF YOURS! ARE YOU HEARING ME? I SAID TO SPEED UP YOU USELESS MONKEY! I AIN'T RAISING NO DEAF OR DISABLE IN MY RANKS!"
>Be anon
>When they said military wasn't a joke you didn't believed it
>You questioned several times equestrian needs for military forces within equestrian territory
>Ponies are way too much friendly and trustworthy to need an armed force
>And the elements of harmony seem to do much of the job anyway
>But they have several nonetheless
>"I THOUGHT TO SPEAK WITH THE ONLY SENTIENT SPECIES OF EARTH, AM I WRONG?"
"SIR YOU'RE NOT WRONG SIR!"
>"THEN LISTEN AND MOVE YOUR LEGS! KEEP UP WITH YOUR TEAMMATES FOR THE LOVE OF CELESTIA!"
>Greater was your surprise when you enlisted
>Both Zephyr and Mac snickered at you
>"You may be tall but that body sure doesn't seem to have enough muscles on its bones. Have you seen a minotaur? those are well built bipedal creatures"
>"yep"
>"And I know you're proud of those 'hands' of yours, but they don't have the same sturdiness of equine hooves or griffon claws. They might break easily on the first scuffle"
>"yyyeep"
>"And what about protecting gears? I'm not an armorer but I challenge you on finding anypony that could make an armor for you. Are you going to catch thieves on a suit? Stylish sure but I doubt you will last long like that. And think about the expenses!"
>"yyyyyyeeepp"
>So supportive those guys. But they might not have been wrong
>You may be an alien for equestria but that doesn't grant you any special treatment
>"YOU'RE GOING TO CLEAN TOILETS AGAIN IF YOU DON'T FINISH WITH US ANON!"
>BrightLance, a bulky earth pony with beige coat and brown mane, shout to you with a mocking tone
>"WE CAN SEE THE FINISH LINE!"
>Great... pony officials demands that you make the same training of every other pony
>That means you have to be able to run as much as they do
>It would be possible with a moderate velocity, using human standards
>But ponies are way faster overall, and at the end your faster run is just slightly faster than their trot. Now they are galloping and you have to eat dirt every time
>Instructors don't care obviously
>"I SEE DORMS INCOGNITO! YOU BETTER PREPARE FOR CLEANING A WHOLE BUNCH OF TOILETS!"
>Of course
>It's practically a booked job that
>At least ponies are cleaner than humans, so it's not that bad
>But that does little for your morale
"SIR YES SIR!"
>Your instructor, you didn't bothered to remember his name, leaves you to reunite with the rest of your teammates. Passing you with little effort
>After a couple of minutes you're allowed to collapse in front of your acquaintances
"Fucking horses..."

>...ConsoleSmasher2005 has joined #TalesOfEquestria
><MagicMoonWalker> Button! You're here!
><ConsoleSmasher2005> I'm not grounded anymore!
><MagicMoonWalker> Do you know anything about anon?
><MagicMoonWalker> I tried going to his house but no one answered me. His neighbors told me he hasn't been at home for the past month!
><ConsoleSmasher2005> I have no idea, I haven't heard him since last time he was online three weeks ago
><ConsoleSmasher2005> I could ask mom if you want
><MagicMoonWalker> Why your mother?
><ConsoleSmasher2005> She knows Anon's landlord
><MagicMoonWalker> And does your mother know Anon personally?
><ConsoleSmasher2005> I don't know, maybe?
><ConsoleSmasher2005> I'll ask her when she returns home
><MagicMoonWalker> Do it please
><MagicMoonWalker> I just want to know where Anon is
><ConsoleSmasher2005> Do you miss him?
>You miss him
>He is one of your closest friend
>Always willing to share his time with you
>Playing games, watching movies, sharing memes
>You do have other firiends, but with anon it's just different
>And you don't want to repeat Twilight's errors
><MagicMoonWalker> Yes, I miss him
><ConsoleSmasher2005> I'll find out, or mom will do it. She has the most chatty friends of all Ponyville
><ConsoleSmasher2005> She must have heard something
><MagicMoonWalker> Thank you
><ConsoleSmasher2005> Did Lyra give you my overwatch account?
><MagicMoonWalker> No she didn't, why?
><ConsoleSmasher2005> I'm diamond and I don't know why. I'm pretty sure I was gold before mom grounded me
><ConsoleSmasher2005> Whatever, bye!
> ConsoleSmasher2005 has quit
>You're left alone in chat
>After a month it's not a surprise
>With anon online everypony was there whenever they could
>Now that Anon is not coming anymore, neither are they
>You're not playing anymore
>He's not with you anymore
>What are you doing Anon?
>Why aren't you responding to my messages?
>I just want to know
>Answer me Anon
>Please

>Be Anon
>"How is our favorite primate doing?"
>Shifting on your bed you try to ignore BrightLance
>"Awww come on~ You're still mad for being the only one who clean the toilets"
>The big earth pony sits on his bed, next to your
>"Look at the... bright side"
"Oh for fuck's sake"
>"You're going great at the magic practice defense lessons"
>He's right
>Your almost complete immunity to magic has finally come in handy
>Bolts, barriers, weapon, magically charged gems
>Nothing can harm you, you don't need to run, dodge, look for covers, use shields
>But the physical part of spells can still hurt you
>You can nullify the telekinetic force of a rock trowed by a unicorn, but the rock can hurt you
"Yeah... at least I've got something to cheer me up. What about you?"
>"Well... I'm doing less great than you, but I'm still above average"
>Chuckling you stir on the bed and stand up
"Yeah, that's what everyone say 'I'm above average' hahaha..."
>He laugh with you. It's good to have some friend that laugh with you and not about you.
>"The instructor said that next week we have a couple of days off" he says with a cheerful tone "I'm going back to my family at Manehattan, what are you going to do?"
>Going back to your home and play videogame probably
>After a trip to the spa
>And that only after few dozens bits spent in the SugarCube Corner
>But BrightLance is a hard working pony that wouldn't approve your diversions
"Nothing much, maybe visiting a couple of friends and lazying at home"
>"You can't just sit on the couch and do nothing for 3 days" he starts with his lecture "As a apprentice guards is our duty to be always aware of our surroundings and be always ready in case of dangers..."
>You tune him out and decide to check your phone after so many days
>The device shouldn't really be here, the officials could seize it if you where to abuse their blind eyes, but you're making sure to keep the usage under control
>"That thing again?" BrightLance stops when you take your phone out of the drawer "you know you shouldn't use it"
"This is the first time in a week that I turn it on, can't a man have some distraction from time to time? They're working us to the bones here"
>Dismissing his rambling and turning on your phone you start to check your notification
>BrightLance understands that his words aren't as effective as they used to be and decides to mind his own business
>When you open the chat the screen if flooded by messages: Harshwhinny, ButtonMash, Zephyr
"Holy shit moony you can't just send a hundred messages like that, you know I'm busy"
>You don't notice it but BrightLance's hears perk up
>Your landlord, And your ex also messaged you
>But you don't have time to think about whether of not read the messages that your phone start to ring
>Fortunately there aren't many ponies in the barracks right now and your ring tone doesn't play too loud
>But you have to close the call nonetheless, better safe than sorry
>Moondancer then decides to use the chat
>"Anon! you're finally online! why aren't you responding to my messages? you got 5 minutes right?"
>BrightLance leans on your shoulder and peeks your conversation
>"Moondancer? who is it?"
"First, leave your nose out of my personal conversations" you says to him, pushing his nose away from your phone "Second, apologize to your mother for not having respect to someone else's privacy. Third, it's a friend of mine"
>"No need to be rude, you could have said it was your marefriend" he responds, with an annoyed tone
"...Not my marefriend. She's just a friend"
>"Sure, everypony has that one 'friend' that has a cute nickname as your 'moony' there. Totally legit"
"Shut up and let me write in peace, will you?"
>Returning to your phone you respond to her
"Yes I do, what's up?"
>"I just wanted to know how you were doing. We haven't heard anything from you for a while now"
"I've been busy here. I'm sorry"
>"I can see that Anon"
>She types... then stops... then types again... and stop again
>"A you still having problem with money?"
"I never had financial problems Moon"
>"But your house looks like abandoned and your neighbors haven't seen you in over a month"
"Wait, did you come to my house looking for me?"
>"Yes, I wanted to visit you"
>Poor Moondancer. You haven't told anyone where you were going, she couldn't know you're not in Canterlot anymore
"Sorry again, I'm not in Canterlot actually. But I'll come back soon for a couple of days"
>"Will you play with me?"
>She modifies the message quickly
>"Will you play with us? We all miss you greatly"
>You miss them too. Joining the military, even in a world of colorful talking ponies, isn't funny or easy
>"Why didn't you respond to my messages?"
>You scroll up, and see countless messages MoonDancer sent you some weeks ago
"Oh, sorry, really. I left my phone turned off for most of the past weeks and I'm quite tired at the end of the day. I'm not using much my phone either. I'll make up to you"
>...she's taking her time to respond
>"Is that true? you're not avoiding me right?"
>Telling her you're not actively avoiding her or everyone from Canterlot, Ponyville and Appleoosa would be a huge lie... but you can't think of a good way to tell her so, therefore...
"Of course not, I'm just tired for all the work here"
>"How many days are you going to stay? I could organize a one-shot adventure with everyone"
"3 days, I'll leave monday morning"
>"They're so few, why can't you stay with us a bit longer?"
>"Lyra'll have a concert on Tuesday and we could go to see her"
>It is really tempting, but you can't
"Sorry, I've too much things to do. Those 3 days are an exception, not the rule"
>she doesn't respond for a while so you turn off your phone and settle yourself for a, hopefully, resting night of sleep

>Be Moondancer
>You could ask him if you can visit him on his new job, you could bring your laptop with that strange game he likes, you bought it just for him on the last sales
>Pondering what to write him next, bed sheets fall on the floor as you jump on it
>Your phone turn on at your touches, revealing that anon logged off two minutes ago
>You sigh, looking at the question marks that are his image profile
"...maybe is playing something else..."
>He told you that he has no more time to play videogames, but maybe he wasn't really sincere
>Several times you notice that he would say that was going to bed, but after a couple of hours his accounts would log in
>A faint feel of betrayal creeps on your stomach and you decide that a little of fact checking could do good to it
>Vapor... last access: 42 days ago
>Great... offline for 48 days
>HoofBook... he... deleted his account? or... did he blocked you?
"How could he block me! we're friends! why would you do that?"
>You scream in front of your phone, your breathing starts to accelerate, and your mind begin to be clouded by depressing thoughts
>Maybe he's really avoiding you after all, maybe he left you behind and he's making a new life
"No no moon, calm down... he would have deleted every other account if that's the case"
>...He used to have other things but seems that he is really not playing anymore
>Maybe he went on chat from time to time... but that doesn't have logs... you think
>There is really nothing else you can do, so you write a message for him when he will login again
"Can I visit you at work? I'm curious ..." no no "we are curious about your new occupation"
>Yes, this will do
>With your stomach satisfied, sleepiness is fast to take over your thoughts
>The fight was intense, your troubles were supporting you on your battle against the bed
>However, at the end, it was an already lost battle. The bed always win
>Is the next day, almost noon.
>Morning passed slowly, first following classes in the Canterlot university for gifted unicorns, then cleaning your house
>A quick glance at the phone confirms that Anon has not responded yet
>It shouldn't be hard to respond to a message, even with a tight work schedule
>Is he really not avoiding you? How hard can it be?
>Great, now your mad
"Lets just... play something"
>Your vapor library has all the answer
"...Already played, already played, I don't feel like playing multiplayer now... nope neither a shoother"
"too much simple, it went boring, played too much to be still entertaining, too complex..."
>The computer is turned off and you're left enjoying the tickling of a clock
>Your most powerful spell for motivation, procrastination of studies, doesn't seems to work today
>It only works on games, but it never let you down like that
>Maybe you could asks GoldenHarvest if she's doing something today
>Button is playing overwatch, trixie isn't online and neither is Lyra
>Alone, you're alone with no will to play and nothing to do to pass your free time
>Just like one on those memes
>...You could asks to Anon previous employer if he know something
>But you don't know where he worked, and on facebook there was very little about his working environment
>Button said his mother know anonymous personally, maybe a visit could be useful
>Button's house sure is nice, sure his father must be proud of it
>A small 2 story wooden house, decorated with flowers and few strawberry plants on pots hooked on windows
>After knocking at the door button greets you with a hug
"Hey Button? long time no see you right?
>"Yesyesyes, I'm playing competitive move fast!"
>He just push you inside and close the door. Not even waiting he trots up the stairs
"I wanted to talk about your mother, is she here?"
>But Button is already out of view, his scream, however, is probably audible in the whole house
>"MOM! MY FRIEND CAME HERE TO TALK TO YOU!"
>From her age, you can assume that the mare that walks out the chicken must be Button's mother, and her reply is just as much loud
>"I SAID A MILLION TIMES NOT TO YELL INSIDE!"
>Vapor leaves her nostrils as she looks up the stairs, then she acknowledges your presence and invite you in the living room
>"I'm am really sorry about Button, he's completely unreasonable when he plays his games"
"No problem, I know him quite well"
>You follow her into the living room and sit on the couch
>"Now... he told me that you would ask me news about his friend Anonymous" she says with a large smile on her face, the implications lost on you
"Well... yes. It's been a while since we saw him, and button said you may know about him. We chat from time to time but he had been rather secretive lately"
>Button's mother nods with a sad expression
>"He's really fortunate to have such caring friends. I must admit that I know, not from experience but from little gossip, a couple of things that happened to him lately. Though I don't know if I should talk about them. They are personal after all, things I shouldn't know in the first place"
>She shakes slowly her head, supporting it with a hoof
>"Maybe he doesn't want to talk about it, or don't want others to worry for him"
>You thought about that
>It was surely like that, Anon has never been the most open pony... errr... human. But it's been too long. There is nothing wrong about worrying for your friend
"I understand but I'd like to help him. He's my dearest friend. I just want to know if he's doing fine or not"
>Button's mother seems to evaluate your resolve
>"I guess there is not harm in telling you that. He got fired from work, and soon after that place closed. I heard it from a friend of mine at the spa. I heard also that he was really glum for weeks afterward, had troubles paying the rent and has been visited several times by royal officials, though we don't know why"
>He told you that he changed job, but not that he was fired. Everything seemed normal until that day few weeks ago
"This... explain things... where did he work?"
>Button's mother looks at you with surprised expression
>"He seemed to work in a boutique in canterlot, but I don't know the details. I was hoping you could tell me more, you're his friend after all... aren't you?"
>Shifting in your sweater you try to match her surprised and slightly judging stare
>Of course, you're forced to stare to a more approachable opponent
>The floor
>Maybe you're not so close to him after all
>You don't know Anonymous personal life, is that a fault? You never pushed to be that close to him. You played together, worked together in several projects, sometime you would meet for specific occasions.
>You tried a couple of times to make him interested in magic, but he always said that it wan't really his thing
>Should you have tried harder to be his friend? Wasn't play together enough?
>Were you making the same errors twilight has made?
"I..."
>No, you're different. She apologized to you and you felt you had to treat everypony better, not only her but all your friends
>And you did
"He has always been a reserved pony, ehm, human. I've never pushed to know him better and to open himself, that's true, but we have been together for many years and know each other... in our way"
>Button's mother seems satisfied with your answer
>"I guess trying to ask few questions here and there will not be too hard" she says tapping her chin
"Thank you, it really means a lot to me"
>"But have you tried to ask him where he is now? explicitly I mean"
"I tried, but he doesn't replies or avoids answering, I feel I'm being avoided"
>She shows you a motherly smile, warm and comforting
>"See that you can do it? Just talk to him. If he doesn't answer the emotional call from a pretty mare like you he's not worth your time or stress"
>Your cheeks redden at the compliment and you try to suppress a smile
>"Just tell him how you feel, it may be embarrassing but it's easier for both of you, and you have to insist!" she pokes your chest "Push something out of him. Stallions are crybabies and oblivious as colts, and they don't change growing up. They just learn to hide it better. If you poke long enough or hard enough they all tell you e-very-th-ing. And if your claims are true, you should know where to do it. You don't have to be afraid of what he's thinking" she adds quickly "It will be probably something related to games, sports, or his new job anyway. Not a big deal"
>You could ask him to host a lan party, that would be a great excuse to speak to him in face to face
>Standing up, you greet her
"Thank you, I'll follow your advice when he returns, from wherever he is"
>"Don't worry hun, come here whenever you want and maybe help me with Button while you're at it" she chuckles and stands up, accompanying you to the door

>...MonkeyFromTheFuture has joined #TalesOfEquestria
><MagicMoonWalker> Monkey! you're here!
><MonkeyFromTheFuture> Hi Moon, where is everyone?
><MagicMoonWalker> Doing stuff I guess. Lyra is practicing with the rest of the orchestra for this Saturday, Harvest is in Manehattan, I haven't heard anything from Trixie and Button is grounded again
><MonkeyFromTheFuture> And you? What are you doing?
><MagicMoonWalker> Fine, fine
><MagicMoonWalker> I've been studying pretty advance stuff lately
><MonkeyFromTheFuture> So everyone seems to be quite busy, good to know.
><MagicMoonWalker> That's NOT good! We haven't played anything together for weeks! I'm bored!
><MonkeyFromTheFuture> And why? Sure you don't lack games to play
><MagicMoonWalker> Since you stopped coming here everyone is been too busy to play
><MonkeyFromTheFuture> We can't be all NEETs like you
><MagicMoonWalker> I'm not a NEET! I'm going at the university!
><MagicMoonWalker> YOU instead! Why aren't you responding to my messages? You had 4 days to respond, it can't be that hard
><MonkeyFromTheFuture> I just arrived from three days of camping, none of us could bring any magic device. I don't even know what you sent to me, the phone is still recharging
><MagicMoonWalker> Horseapples and we both know it! And which job makes you go to three days of camping? The lumberjack? I want to know. And I want to know it all now
><MonkeyFromTheFuture> Just calm down, it's a surprise
><MonkeyFromTheFuture> A good surprise
><MagicMoonWalker> And I repeat! HORSEAPPLES!
><MagicMoonWalker> Why does it needs to be a surprise? Give me three reasons why you can't tell me what it is
><MagicMoonWalker> I bet you can't think of a single one, let alone three
><MonkeyFromTheFuture> Calm your teats, jeez!
><MagicMoonWalker> Buck you! you don't have to be so secretive with me. we're best friend right?
><MonkeyFromTheFuture> This is not about you moony, it's not about friends nor family. I know it sounds selfish, but this is about me.
><MonkeyFromTheFuture> I've been suggested not to talk about it when I was trying to solve my problems. This should be something I do for me, myself and I only, and not for others.
><MonkeyFromTheFuture> And since it's from a source I respect I intend to honor my commitments
><MonkeyFromTheFuture> There you have them, three reasons. Are you happy?
><MagicMoonWalker> No, you weren't supposed to have them
><MagicMoonWalker> But all right, I guess I'll have to "enjoy" this surprise when it comes
><MagicMoonWalker> Anyway, do you have time for a lan party Saturday or Sunday? We could bring everyone to your place and play before your departure
><MonkeyFromTheFuture> Yes, I have time. Plenty of time actually, at least for a couple of days.
>He won't be able to avoid your questions
>You will have your answers, even if you have to force them out of him
>But in the meantime...
><MagicMoonWalker> Do you have time to play? There is a new cute game I found, you'll like it I'm sure
><MonkeyFromTheFuture> Sorry moon. I have many things to do right now. I can't really play today, or tomorrow
><MonkeyFromTheFuture> But saturday and sunday is perfectly fine
><MonkeyFromTheFuture> I just entered to say hi
><MagicMoonWalker> It's fine anon, we'll see saturday. Right after lunch like always?
><MonkeyFromTheFuture> Sure, bye moon!
>MonkeyFromTheFuture has quit (Quit:Let's do it like they do on the discovery channel)

>You have been left alone, in the cold and dark embrace of the solitude of your room
>A deep sigh leaves your muzzle as you stretch on the chair
>Anon has returned, for now, and yet he can't stay with you
>He won't spend a little time with you, after almost 2 months... is it asking too much?
"He did agree to play this weekend though..."
>A nagging feeling of betrayal haunt your mind
"Maybe is playing with someone else...checking won't hurt right?"
>You login on every online platform you and Anon have in common
>Videogames, weeb websites, socials...
>Though he doesn't seem to have any recent activity in most of his profiles
>So, without anything to soothe your anger, you remember that you have to buy groceries, and that magic book you need, quills, scrolls... you actually have a plentiful list of things to buy
>You have the entire afternoon for it. Plenty of time to calm yourself and distract a little
>After the whole afternoon passed, your small house in the suburbs of Canterlot greets your return.
>Right after you finish to organize everything you bought, you notice a notification on your magical computer.
>An email from hoofbook
>To be more precise, it's new friend request from a certain "Nameless Incognito"
>That's anonymous, it must be anonymous
>Oh... there is a full name
>Really, you feel bad for him, what kind of parent would call his colt "Anonymous Nameless Unknown Incognito"
>Still, you didn't know he had 2 names and 2 surnames. He didn't seem to have an air of royalty around him
>Somehow, you feel hurt. He didn't tell you that
>Button's mother may have been right to doubt you. You may not be that close to him as you thought
>Now you're sad, great. Let's watch around
>The account is brand new, nothing of the previous is here. he hasn't even got twenty friends and there is only a recent photo of himself
>His friend list seems like the previous one... Button and his mother, Discord, Applejack's brother, Steven, Lyra, ... wait
>There are new ones, ponies you don't know
>He became friend with this BrightLance, a young stallion who is going through the national service to become a guard
>The second is an old mare, Ms. Harshwhinny
>She seems to be a sort of royal supervisor
>"Good to know you're going well" she wrote on Anon's wall just few hours ago
>But that's about it
>It bugs you
>Knowing anon is doing something without you
>The two of you were inseparable, at least from a digital point of view
>Always playing, or chatting, or watching a movie, or talking through your PCs
>Defeated and tired, you decide to rest
>A magic book awaits on your bed, courtesy of a more thoughtful Moondancer that knew about the upcoming magic tests
>The current one though, angry and frustrated, just tosses it on the floor claiming the right to procrastinate on her studies and sleep away disappointment and sadness
>The uneventful night does little on your worries
>At your awakening anon has still to contact you, you don't know what he's doing or where he is and your book still watches you with disillusion from the floor
>You don't feel like playing
>Neither you have interest on today's lessons
>With a sigh you consider to go to see Twinkleshine or Minuette
"They should be studying today... it's better not to bother them"
>You wouldn't want to be bothered
>But that makes you return to your annoying and boring morning
"What is anon doing?"
>5 minutes... 10 minutes... 15 minutes... 20 minutes... 25 minutes...
>That same question is repeated constantly as you procede through your morning routine
>After a shower you wonder yourself if anon showers in the morning or before going to sleep
>After a quick breakfast you wonder yourself what anon usually eat in the morning
>He's a big guy, maybe a couple sandwiches... a tower of pancakes...
>He's omnivorous so... meat maybe? You don't think you have ever seen meat being sold anywhere in equestria
>Griffonstone perhaps
>A small paper note hanging near the stove catches your attention
>Right, you should return all those books you borrowed few weeks ago
>Anon's house isn't that that far from the library either...
>You could go and see if he's home
>He can't mind talking to you for 5 minutes
>Taking the note and store it inside your saddlebags, along with the several books you have to return, you watch the clock on the wall
>9.30am
>Few estimates assure that you'll be at anon's place by 10.30, after having returned everything
"I'll go buying few things for me... and a gift for anon"
>Glasses, check
>Sweater, check
>Bits, check
>Saddlebags, check
>With newfound determination you step outside, heading toward the library
>Though you could have used a bit more bits for it, you managed to buy a gift for your human friend
>The small watch, a classical piece with reliable mechanical gears, sits protected in your saddlebags. Waiting for its new owner to take it and tie it around his wrist
>It will be a perfect gift, Anonymous always said that he doesn't trust magic too much
>Which it's a shame since you proved to him that magical devices are superior in every way
>Their cost it's just a fair price for the overwhelmingly superior quality and abundant of features they have over mundane and magicless ones
>self-repairing clothes, animated musical instruments, floating tables and almost perpetual wall clocks that don't need to be recharged every couple of days but just once every few weeks
>But he was having none if them
>"Spare me that please. I still freak out when I see unicorn levitation, or pegasi that just sit on clouds" he said "Even earth ponies! watching a flower grows before your eyes is neat and all, but watching an entire flowerbed growing all around me in few minutes just because earth ponies are tending them still feels wrong. And depressing! we humans needs to cure our gardens for weeks if not months to achieve that results!"
>"You ponies have all too easy with your witchery"
>The sweet memory warm your heart and makes you smile
>Anon's naivety and prudence toward magic were always easy to exploit
>You still remember the first time you met him
>Thinking on that day at the alchemy laboratory you watch your magical clock absent minded
>And all your thinking is brought to a halt
>It's 10.50 and you're late
>The surge of concern is quickly washed away as you remember that your visit to anon is a surprise
>Hopefully a welcomed one
>But nonetheless, you start sprinting toward his street
>Just after few minutes of running you reach anon's street
>Rather old and historical houses are lined up in orderly rows with trees growing around them, few of them have been adjusted for new purposes
>A flower shop here, a newsstand there, a pottery few houses down the road
>They demolished that old house to make a small park with its land, good. It was bound to fell sooner or later anyway
>A charming neighbor overall, it does not surprise you that anon had trouble paying the rent after his problems
>You probably can't afford to live here with just your scholarship, or even with an half-time job on top of it
>But anon can, or at least could
>Your thoughts are interrupted as you approach anon's house
>His house doesn't seem to be in THAT bad condition
>Sure there are some vines here and there, garden is unkempt, a window on the upper floor is smashed...
>All right. If you look at its neighbor the house looks really bad
>But that's not why you stopped
>A mare is standing right before his doorstep, looking quite annoyed and in a hurry
>Trying to look casual you sit on a nearby bench and await
>After a couple of seconds the door opens
>Anon, almost unrecognizable, greets the middle aged mare
>You saw him more than couple of times. He used to have a thick, dark and well kept beard, a mane that reached his shoulders, and white pale skin
>Now his beard is nowhere to be seen. His face has been left bare and tanned
>His mane has been cut so short it's possible to see his head's shape
>He shakes the old mare's hoof and steps aside to letting her enter
>Then he closes the door
>That's not how you wanted your surprise to end
>Watching around you and making sure that no one is looking toward your direction you stand up and slowly go to one of Anon's windows
>Before you manage to see through the windows, your integrity force you to wait and think about what are you doing
>"Why are you afraid? Why are you hiding? He's your friend" it asks you
>And though you agree, the feminine presence inside his house irritates you
>"And why should it irritates you?" it continues
>But before you answer it a laugh coming from inside demands your attention
>Peeking through the windows your gaze falls upon a spare living room
>Anonymous and the unnamed mare are sitting, Anon on an armchair and the brown coated mare con the couch
>Anonymous is laughing. The mare shows a more annoyed, yet smiling, expression
>He can't play with you, but of course he can talk to that old mare
>The thought is making you angry, and jealous
>Anon's words are lost, unable to be heard outside his house
>Eavesdropping is not possible... but you do remember a spell used to soundproof glass.The reverse should not be too difficult for a unicorn like you
>You're not princess Twilight Sparkle, but you were not that far behind her
>You duck down and focus on the window, hoping anon doesn't notice the faint glow of your horn on the window's frame
>As you channel your magic into the spell, the window's glass became more and more sound permeable
>"...please be more serious Anonymous, although I know it feels good to..."
>WHAT SHOULD FEEL GOOD?!
>Your concentration falters and the spell break
"For the love of Celestia focus Moondancer... focus..."
>Trying again to cast the reverse of that spell, this time you try not to let your emotion to get in your way
>In just few seconds, the window starts to let sounds escapes from the room
>"Sorry Ms. Harshwhinny. I'm... just happy. To return home. I didn't realize how much I missed Canterlot and my friends"
>He missed you! you have been to hard on Anon
>You know he's been in difficult situations lately, shouldn't have jumped to conclusions
>"So... you're happy, anon" Harshwhinny says, with a slightly mistrustful tone
>"Of course I am, I'm at my house. I've payed the bills, I'll have some friends come over saturd-" He says but older mare cuts him off
>"Anonymous, you know perfectly well that's not what I meant" she says with an serious tone "How are you doing? And I mean that personally"
>At first Anon doesn't respond
>You could... just peek a bit
>He seems distracted by the conversation, sure he won't notice you
>And so you do, raising yourself at eye level with the lower part of the window
>He just stares silently at the mare
>Then he gesticulates with his hands, moving his head back and forth
>He stays silent again, long after the point in which things normally get awkward
>"Well..." he begins "I'm kind of..."
>He watches around, as to looking for inspiration, and he makes eyes contact with you
>Without thinking you duck under the window
>"Who's there?"
>Fear creeps in your mind, and you start to looking for a spell that can help you
>"Anonymous, this is no room for jests. As your supervisor is my responsibility to ensure your health and-"
>"I think I saw someone there"
>In your state of panic, your impressive library of spells is failing to give you any kind of incantation that could help
>Anon's footsteps are becoming louder and louder
>Long range teleportation has always been out of reach for you but you try anyway
>As expected your spell doesn't work, both your nervousness and your lack of practice with teleportations in general are likely the reasons
>Anon touches the window, and a bright glow suddenly forms on the glass, only to disperse right after
>You should manage a basic invisibility spell, even in a panic state
>Fortunately anon stops for few seconds, you hear him unlock the windows while talking
>A thin sheet of invisibility warp your small form, crunched right under the window
>"...and we don't. I think I just broke whatever enchantment was on it" he says opening the window and leaning forward
>You stop breathing, hiding right under his nose
>For few seconds it's so silent you can hear him breathing
>He faces down, for few moments, and you fear he saw you
>Fortunately his gaze doesn't fix on anything in particular
>"Do humans develop any form of paranoia during-"
>"Of course not!" he shouts looking inside "I though I saw something, and there was magic on my window. I'm not paranoid"
>"...suuuuuuuure" her sarcastic tone is not lost in you
>Anonymous just chuckles and closes the windows, locking it right after
>Your memories talk about a more "large" anonymous
>Not fat, but not quite slim either
>Now that you had watched him, he seems to have become a bit more athletic
>You allow yourself to breath again
>Slowly but steadily deep breaths manage to restore your peace of mind
>In the meantime, you're forced to think about the situation
>Anonymous is talking with this Ms. Harshwhinny, who seems to be an acquaintance or even a friend...
>Wait, you already heard this name! She's the royal supervisor!
>And his photo wasn't that recent after all
>He doesn't wear anything formal, and his speech is respectful but casual
>Jealously returns with renovated strength and along with a sense of betrayal that turns your stomach upside down
>Several questions fill your mind
>"How close are they?"
>"For how long have they knew each other?"
>"Why is she here with him?"
>"Did he left you aside to stay with her?"
>A soft and low, yet firm, voice seems to respond on its own
>"Anonymous is hiding something, you should find out what"