>You finish drying off and wipe away the steam on the mirror.
>As you stare at your reflection, your eyes are drawn to the large scar on your neck.
>You slowly trace over it with your hoof.
“It’s never going away...”
>A permanent reminder of your attempt to take your life.
>When ever you see it, the memory hits you hard.
>Sure it was a while ago, before you met Paper, but it still feels like yesterday.
>You were at the lowest point in your life; no job, no friends, and were on the way to being homeless as well.
>A nightmare come true that you couldn’t awaken from.
>Every day was a struggle, especially with the thoughts taunting you.
>Didn’t matter what it was, you found a reason to hate yourself more.
>It all culminated in one final night, you couldn’t fight against it anymore, so you decided to end it.
>Found a nice spot near the forest, figuring you could at least give back to the wildlife instead of being a waste otherwise.
>Brought a knife with you and left a note at home.
>All the courage in the world was granted to you, guiding the blade along your neck.
>To say it was painful is an understatement, you haven’t felt anything like it since.
>You passed out from the blood loss and a random pony out for a walk saved you, just barely though.
>In hindsight, committing such an act out the open was a dumb idea.
“I never stopped regretting any of it either...”
>Slipping on one of your favorite bandannas, you cover the ugly scar once more.
>It was pure luck that you could even speak after cutting so deep, at least that’s what the doctor said.
“Hated being in that hospital, it felt so lifeless and that didn’t help me recover any faster...”
>Shaking your head, you finish up getting ready.
>Locking the door, you make your way to the theater.
>Your mind wanders back to earlier, as much as you don’t want it to.

>Sure you like bandannas, but you only started wearing them everyday to hide your mistake.
>It’s not always so easy to conceal though...
>Paper eventually saw it, you couldn’t lie to her, so you told her everything.
>The fear you felt in that instance was one of the greatest you ever felt.
>She listened to you and actually understood, it was there that you’re certain your feelings for her were cemented.
“If only I could confess to her, it hurts to hold all this in...”
>Crud, you said that out loud again, need to stop doing that.
>You reach the theater, heading inside to help setup and rehearse.
>Fortunately it never takes long to do that, helps that everypony works together so well.
>As you finish moving another set piece into place, you hear a familiar voice behind you.
>”Ready today’s scene Mellow?”
>Turning around, you see Cliff adjusting another piece.
“Yeah, to be honest, this is one of my favorite parts.”
>He nods and faces you.
>”Just remember to take it easy, don’t try to rush it.”
>Though he is trying to help, it annoys you how he treats you like you’re a colt.
“I won’t forget, I’m certain of today going well.”
>”Good to hear, I’m going to go prepare, you should as well.”
>As he trots off, you let out a sigh.
>It’s not like you’re not grateful for all his help, he is one of the few actors around here willing to work with you.
>Which says a lot, considering his experience and his role in this play.
>It’s just that...No, not this again.
>You take a breath and slowly release it, going off to prepare for the scene.
>As you reread the script, and feel confident, taking your place as you wait.
>Almost on cue, Mr. Town takes his seat and opens up a copy of the script.
>>”Alright everypony, take your places and...Action!”
>>>”I was so worried when I heard the palace had been attacked, I’m glad you’re safe Bright.”

>You approach your wife with a serene smile.
“Everything is alright my love, the king is making the necessary changes to ensure our empire remains safe.”
>Her eyes slowly widen in horror.
>>>”No! It can’t be true, you’re actually working for that monster?” She starts to back up.
“He is the king, his word is law. You know this...No, don’t tell me...”
>You narrow your eyes and give a look of shock.
“You’re one of them aren’t you? You’re a loyalist...My own wife...”
>Turning away, she pleads to you.
>>>”Don’t do this! It doesn’t have to be this way, we can leave this place. Equestria is just to south, there are many fleeing there now.”
>Stomping your hoof, you turn back to her.
“And betray the crown?! You’re unwell, the dungeons will treat this ailment!” You snarl.
>>>”No Bright! D-don’t do this! I love you! Don’t you understand?!” She says as she cowers.
“LIAR! If you love me, you love the king as well. You will learn that soon enough...”
>As you descend on her, she screams.
>An applause erupts as the scene finishes.
>>”Great job! You’re so close I can feel it.” Says Mr. Town with a smile.
>Nodding, you prepare for the next scene.
>Looking over the script again, you feel you’re ready.
>>”Action!”
“All you have to do is accept the king my love, please don’t resist.”
>>>”No! Why are you doing this?! I thought you loved me, this isn’t love!” She sobs loudly.
>Sure this isn’t real, but it breaks your heart.
“All for the good of the empire, that is love, is it not?”
>>>”He has poisoned your mind, don’t you see that? I know deep down your still in there, somewhere.”
“The only poison, is the words that ooze from your lips.” You sigh and exit the scene with her crying.
>This is going to be a long day, you can feel it.

>you put on your saddlebags, exiting your home and lock the door like normal.
>All things considered, you did well today.
>Sold a lot more pieces than usual, it’s never enough though.
>Would be nice if you could save up enough for a garden of your own.
>You wouldn’t have to go out so much to enjoy the flora and fauna then.
>Letting out a sigh, you slowly shake your head.
“That’s probably never going to happen...”
>It’s still a nice dream.
>Not that you mind being in the park, it’s the other ponies that make you nervous.
>While they don’t say anything to your face, you’re certain they talk behind your back.
>It’s easy enough to explain your cuts as apart of your work as a origami artist.
>That works most of the time, but there are some who can see that some cuts are deep and old.
>They’re right of course, those are from the days you used a razor.
>That was a long time ago, when you were younger.
>You don’t care that the scars never go away, at least not as much anymore.
>Regret starts to settle in, causing you to sigh and slow your approach to the park.
>No, can’t let yourself show your pain on the outside, you straighten up and pick up your pace.
>At least you’re good at hiding it from others, though you do hate hiding it from Mellow.
>He can’t read you like you can him, but you do share some things with him.
>Like your cutting, he doesn’t like that, not that you blame him.
>Finding a spot, you sit down near the pond this time.
“Such a lovely day too.” You say as you look around.
>Pulling out a sheet from your bags, you start to fold.
>Tomorrow you get to teach at the school, so that raises your spirits a bit.
>Not often you get to do that, but you’re overjoyed when you’re able.
>You stop and realize you had quickly made a crane.
“Odd...I normally never make it that fast.”
>Carefully inspecting it, you find no flaws.

“That’s...That’s a first, maybe I’m good enough to mass produce them now…Yeah right...”
>Setting it aside, you know better.
>Despite today’s turn out, you still have loads of figures you didn’t sell.
>That is normal though, you have NEVER sold out, not once since you were little.
>Back then it was easy to explain as inexperience and being a little filly.
>Actually no...
>There was one other time, that was shortly after you and Mellow became friends.
>He actually bought you out, but you did feel bad since it like you were taking advantage of him.
>Though he insisted that wasn’t true.
>Mellow has always been so nice to you.
>You were lucky to him meet him that day at the theater.
>After you were insulted, you felt so low that you couldn’t think straight.
>It was there that you almost broke apart, but Mellow came along and saved you.
>Kinda funny how your thoughts go back to him often.
“Probably because I have a crush on him...”
>You really need to make more friends, would be nice to get some advice on stuff like this.
>It’s not like you can ask him out, right?
>Even ignoring the tradition of a stallion asking out a mare, you’re afraid that this will push you two apart.
>You can’t lose him, he’s the only pony you actually talk to and like.
>Can’t confide in any other pony, you don’t trust them enough.
>Mellow actually trusted you enough to tell you about his scar for crying out loud.
>And you trusted him enough to tell him of your ‘habit’.
“Need to stop thinking about this, nothing good will come of it.”
>Though you say that, you know you will come back to it, you always do.
>Finishing up another creation, you note that you made a few while you thought.
“This always happen too...At least they’re all good.”
>Funny how it’s become automatic for you to create while you think.
>It’s one of the few habits you don’t mind having.

>But there is one downside to it doing that.
>As you look at your forelegs and hooves, you see that you’ve cut yourself more.
>It’s probably a carry over from when you used to cut with a razor.
>Not the best time to be thinking about that again.
“Where is Mellow?” You say as you look around.
>Probably is running behind with work no doubt.
>You know it’s not his fault when that happens, but it still hurts.
>He does care about you, even when he doesn’t say it.
>Why else would he hang out with you?
>Because he is in love with you?
>Can’t say for certain on that one, he might just do it out of pity.
“He would never do that, Mellow actually likes being around me!” You snap at the thought.
>Your eyes widen as you realize you said that out loud.
>Squeezing your eyes tightly, you try to hide the shame from yourself.
>As you reopen them, you see Mellow enter the park, though it looks like he has been...Galloping?
>Your day grows brighter and you stand to greet him like normal.
“Over here Mellow!” You call out.
>The moment he sees you, his face brightens and he quickly trots to you.
>”I’m so sorry I’m late Paper, got caught up with the play and-”
>You cut him off before he can continue with a hug.
“It’s okay, I’m happy you’re here now.”
>As you hold him, you can hear his heavy breaths, probably from all that galloping.
>You pull back and look at him with a smile, but notice he has a large blush on his face.
>”I-um-uh...Yeah...Me too.”
>It’s cute when he stutters out like that.
>Sitting down, you pat a spot next to you for him to join you.
>He sits down, and you see that he doesn’t have his guitar with him today.
>”Oh no! I left my guitar at home!” He freaks out upon realizing it as well.
>Before he can stand, you reach out and hold onto him.
“It’s fine, we can just sit and relax for now, okay?”

>Looks like he wants to say something, but concedes and slowly relaxes.
>That’s better, you start to make some more figures and ask him the usual.
“So how’d it go today?”
>”Perfect, if you can believe it.”
“That’s wonderful.” You nod along.
>”What probably helped was the scene today was dark, I usually perform best with those.”
“Oh?”
>”Yeah, not to spoil too much, but it involved the captain and his wife.”
>Likely morbid in some way no doubt, you nod for him to continue.
>”I didn’t forgot my lines nor was I a klutz this time either.”
>You can see from the corner of your eye that he is smiling and watching you.
>His eyes are so pretty with the way they sparkle when he talks about his passion.
>”Would be nice if I could do that every time though...”
>Can’t let him go down that line of thought.
“We all make mistakes Mellow, no pony is perfect.”
>A stray thought comes across and you figure this might be the best time to ask it.
“Tomorrow it’s supposed to rain, how about we hang out at my house?”
>His eyes widen and he looks extremely nervous.
>Oh no...Did you ask too soon? You’re such an-
>”Yeah! I mean...Of course Paper.” He smiles and your heart swells.
“Good, lets relax a little longer then.”
>He nods and continues to watch you.
>That was close, but tomorrow you can test the waters.
>You trust him after all, and it’s about time you see how much he likes you.