>Another day done at work
>Another drive home
"Hey guys, I'm home."
>You say to an empty house
>It isn't barren, the living room is comfy and furnished
>The dining room has an heirloom table and chairs that have been around since the late 1800s
>The upstairs bedrooms are clean with made beds and clothes tucked away
>It really is quite a place
>Just as he left it
>You slip off your coat and hat and set it on the couch and go to the other set of stairs
>Toward the basement
>You tend to never leave the basement
>It may as well be your own little home
>You have your posters set up
>Consoles
>Computer
>A snack fridge
>An old, broken down couch and a pair of loveseats
>Even a full bathroom
>You remember when you used to help set up the sheetrock to insulate the place and sweep up
>Helping haul down the toilet sucked five flavors of ass but it works like a dream
>Even better, the bathroom has it's own window for steam to escape
>You plop down on the couch
>You used to sleep on it when you were just a kid
>And you still do now
>Without much to do or think, you turn on the TV
>After a few hours of rewatching sitcoms like Third Rock From The Sun and Scrubs, you decide it's time to eat
>You only stock the basement fridge with drinks and smaller snacks so you trudge upstairs and to the kitchen
>Today's menu: steak with some heavy dashing of garlic and onion powder
>Once you safely pass the territory of medium rare yo-
>You hear knocking on the door
>That's odd
>The kitchen door leads to the backyard
>You only go to the backyard to mow the grass if it gets too high
>You don't see anyone so it's probably a prank
>You open it anyway
>"Heeey man. You wouldn't happen to be able to spare a couple eggs or somethin', would'ja?"
>What in the God damn
>You look down
>You see a royal blue horse with a purple mane
>With a streak of bright red going from the straight-cut bangs down all the way to nearly the ground
"...eggs?"
>"Yeah, man. My friend and I are... you know. Hungry? And she thought it would be great if we could have an omelet but we moved into the neighborhood recently and we're seriously strapped for cash."
>She has this calm croak in her voice and a comfortable gleam in her eye that makes you think she could fall asleep any second now
>At least she smells like lemons
>So you suppose that's nice
"Uh... sure... alright. Lemme check real quick."

>You've seen ponies like that before
>Not that often but you suppose they're just growing to be more popular these days
>Nudging what you've called The Door Rock into the corner of the back door, you flip your steak before zipping to the fridge
"I got... six eggs for you. And I got a third a bag of shredded cheese if you want that too?"
>It has only a week left before expiration and you really don't have any plans on cheesing it up
>"Dude, really? That would be sweet."
>You take the half occupied carton and the bag...
>If she and whoever moved in recently and have an empty fridge, you could probably afford to give just more than some cast off items
>You mumble to yourself about the weight of such generosity out of nowhere but it ends up with you filling a paper bag with the eggs, the cheese, an unopened pack of bologna and your loaf of oatmeal bread
>You really only bought that loaf yesterday
>But your apparent new neighbor could probably use it more than you
>It's not like you have rent or a mortgage to pay
"Alright... so I got some bread and bologna with it. It's not a ton but it's good for a few sandwiches or something, right?"
>You hold out the bag... to what would have been a human-sized target
>The pony is still looking up at you, nonplussed by the faux pas
>"Bro, you're awesome! You're like, a big bro. I'm serious."
>You shrug and set the bag down on the floor
"Nah, don't worry about it. I don't want to be rude and give you too much or whatever. And you gotta have more than just one meal available, right?"
>You consider the deal done and go back to tending to your meat
>You expected the pony to take the bag and wander off
>But she's still just sitting there
>She looks around the kitchen, and into what little she can of the living room
>"Bruh... you got a really nice house."
"Thanks. It's not mine though."
>"Ooh. House sittin' then?"
"Yup."
>"Who for?"
>You slice a little bit off of your steak and taste test it
>It's edible
>More so, it's good
>Maybe give it another minute and you can just eat it off the skillet
"Eh. My dad. He's really the one who populated the place, I just helped set it up a few years back."
>"Oh... cool. Real cool."
>You can see her nodding to herself
>That red streak really stands out
>You've seen the ponies come out in all sorts of tones and colors so it isn't that...
>Is "unrealistic" the word, given what you're talking to?
>"Where is he, traveling the world or somethin'?"
>You had a feeling that question would come up
>You prepare yourself with a deep inhale
"He's... uh. On the book shelf. With his mom. And my mom too. And his older brother, though he was always off doing his own thing anyway."
>"Heh, well that's silly, what are th..."
>The pony trails off
>To be fair, it is a pretty esoteric way to put it
>"Oh... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to."
>That almost surfer chick tone melts into something far more...
>Scared?

>Before she can apologize more, you wave it away with the shake of your tongs
"Nah, you're alright. I promise. Around last year was when it happened. And we both knew it was going to happen. It's just... you know. One of those things."
>If you weren't focusing on your steak, you'd probably be more vulnerable to it
>If you hadn't already focused on it for months
>"I'm sorry, still. For this food, are you really sure it's ok?"
"Yeah, I don't mind it. But next time, if I give you more, can you whip up a share for me?"
>You honestly don't expect to see this pony again except in passing
>But it's nice to at least talk like it could happen
>She doesn't answer immediately
>When she does, part of her surfer voice comes back
>"Y... yeah, dude! Definitely! You're the man, man."
>You see her reach out to bite down on the bag but she stops
>"Oh yeah. Could I get your name, Mr. Neighbor?"
"Yeah, it's Anonymous. Same as my dad, but you can just stick with Anon. Or A. Or anything that starts with A."
>She laughs
>It sounds like even she didn't expect to have that reaction
>"Alright, Mr. A! Mr. Awesome. Alouicious..."
>She sounds happy with that
>"I'm Twilit Starsky. I moved here with my bro, Lizzie. I mean, she's not my brother-bro. More like... a sister? But she's a total bro. You'd like her."
>She grab the bag and holds her head up high and proud
>She says something through closed teeth that you think sounds like 'thanks again, Mr. A' and trots off
>...
>Well that was a thing
>If it was maybe a half hour later you wouldn't have even seen her if it wasn't for that streak
>You go back to focusing on your steak, keeping the backyard door open
>The fresh air mixed with meat and seasoning helps you think
"Ah... crap."
>The only issue is that by the time you realize what's what, the steak had ended up a charred bit of leather
>And the sun had set
"...sorry. I think I botched your recipe."
>Well, as he said, you can fail with food but it's not that bad a failure if you can still eat it

>Despite Saturday being a day you don't work, you still wake up at roughly the same time
>Just as well, you were thirsty too
>Maybe you just woke up because you needed a drink
>You trudge up stairs and refill your thermos
>It keeps cold water cold for hours
>For breakfast, maybe you co-
>tap tap tap
>Huh?
"...huh?"
>You hear more tapping
>It's coming from the door to the backyard
>"Dude! Let me in! I'm a pony!"
>That voice sounds familiar
>You open the door just a crack
>It's that Starsky pony
>She beams at you through the opening
>"Don't you believe in ponies?"
>You never felt like you needed to, honestly
>All the same you open the door more
"Good morning, Starsky. Where's Hutch?"
>"She's watching the car, man."
>She trots in, her mane and tail so long it's just barely touching the ground
>That can't be easy to maintain
>"Thanks for letting me in, Mr. A. You remember when you gave me the eggs and the cheese and the other stuff?"
>Of course you remember
>You still wistfully think about how delicious that bread would have been
"Yeah. How'd it turn out?"
>"Well... it turns out Lizzy was a little bit more wild than I thought."
>What does that mean?
>"Ha ha... yeah, man... she kinda thought I somehow found them from, like, a real chicken coop? So she kinda freaked out and... you know. Kinda tossed them out."
>She's doing her best to keep that lazy smile but her eyes are down
>"But... she really digs the bread! And the cold cuts, for sure. So we've been doing that."
>You're a little disappointed that the eggs were wasted
>Not that you particularly care
>But it's a tiny needle that just pokes into your head
"A bit more wild, huh... she drink or something?"
>Since you're having this conversation now, you may as well put the kettle on
>A little hot tea and oatmeal sounds nice
>...
>You're not even in your 30s yet but you couldn't be more of an old man today
>"Oh dude, party animal!"
>Starsky nods to herself
>"And some other stuff. Man, she's wild..."
>Her tone shifts ever so slightly from the airy, comfortable aura of slackerdom...
>And drops off just a little
>"...kinda thought she'd mellow out by now, actually."
>Great
>Your new neighbor isn't even a pot head but some party animal
>At least her... talking purple pony is sober
>That thought stupefies and amazes you, all at once
>You shake your head with lifted eyebrows to clear your mind
"That... yeah, I guess everyone has that phase, huh? She a, what, college student and moved in with someone here?"
>She shakes her head with a giggle
>"Naaaaah, Mr. A it ain't like that. She's already finished it!"
>Well that sounds more respectful
"Cool. What does she do?"
>"She works at the skate park like a half hour from here. She's been going there for yeaaaaaaars now, for real."
>Somehow that sounds about right to you
>You were never a skater though you have stepped on a friend's board at least twice
"Nice. Well, at least you guys are getting along alright."

>You already have your bowl set up, and a nice blend of packets
>Two apple cinnamon
>Two gingerbread spice
>"Yeah... but... uh."
>Her head leans back and forth
>"You know how sometimes you get so excited and sometimes do something without telling someone? Yeah, she kinda... did that with me. And that half hour? Dude, even by car that's a suuuper long distance. And I kinda don't know where we are."
>She's asking for a ride, isn't she
>You really don't want to go outside today, much less drive
>Much less drive an hour round trip
"You wanna go hang out with her?"
>She answers almost too quickly
>"No way, hombre!"
>You look at each other like you both realized she said that a little too readily
>"I mean... nah, bro. Skating's fun and all but... you know. Sometimes I just want to just chill and land."
>Who is she, the protector of the emerald and gems?
>...you're not sure why that's what you thought
>The way she said it, it reminded you of that one song
>You don't immediately answer
>That makes everything feel that much more awkward
>"...is it ok if I just, like, chill with you for a bit, Mr. A? I mean, only until Lizzy comes back. Or I guess, until you wanna send me home. It's totes cool, we got this... like, doggy door? And I can just go in, it's awesome. I don't even gotta have a key. We could even hang out there too, you know?"
>She's overselling herself pretty hard
>You really don't have it in you to just send her off
>Especially since she doesn't seem to like being alone like this
"I'll have you know I'm not answering yet because I'm thinking really hard on something."
>"...oh. Gonna have a brain blast?"
"Yeah."
>Screw it, it's a Saturday
"What type of oatmeal you like?"
>That question brings such a genuine smile to her face
>"Bro, you got types?? Well lay it on me, senpai!"
>You show her the variety packs you have
>Far too many variety packs, honestly
>But you were raised to always keep a healthy stockpile of what you like, and oatmeal fit in pretty well with your peanut butter supply
>You still haven't yet tried to put peanut butter in the oatmeal
>You've heard it could win awards
>She decides on banana walnut
>"Bro, I could eat a banana so quick you'd swear I was a third spider monkey or something. I don't know where the spider comes in? But definitely spider monkey."
>At least she didn't say howler monkey
>Since she's officially your guest now, you use what water was in the kettle to mix up her bowl
>You refill the kettle and set it on
"I feel weird just putting it on the floor. I... normally don't use it, but you alright with eating on the couch in the living room?"
>You kinda don't want her in the basement
>And to be honest, you really can't keep isolating yourself in there
>It makes the house feel that much more depressing
>"Mr. A, you're awesome! Yeah, I mean nah, you can just set the bowl down yonder and I'll be happy but being able to sit all comfy-like and eat? That would be the best."
"Sounds like a plan then."

>The only worry that you have is that the little twig at the end of her tail might contain more than just a twig and most likely some dirt
>But screw it, it's Saturday
>Once the kettle sounds off, you mix your packets in
>With both bowls primed, yours with spoon, you head to the living room couch
"Hey Star, you mind closing the door? I don't usually leave it open."
>"You got it, Mr. A!"
>You were half expecting her to just kick the door but a short glance back reveals that she just nudges it with her shoulder until it closes
>She's pretty well mannered
>You plop down on the living room couch and immediately feel relief
>He was so excited to buy this goofy couch
>Electric settings to adjust three points, the leg rests come out so far that you could effectively turn your seat into a one-man bed
>And it even comes with USB ports for phone charging
>You reckon it's your couch
>You still wish it wasn't
>You see the seat on the opposite end of the couch whirr to life
>The leg rest goes up maybe halfway
>Starsky, rather than jumping up, uses the leg rest as a ramp to walk up
>She really seems to be as mellow as she talks
>"Hope you don't mind me switching on your couch, dude. Lizzy's first boyfriend's dad's living room's couch was kinda like this one. Made it super comfy. Does it even have like, the heated seats and all that?"
>You have no clue what she said in that middle part but you understood exactly what she meant
"Heating? Not that I remember. Honestly, I haven't messed with all that much out here for a while."
>"Yeah, man... don't worry, I get it. You're cool in my books."
>You set her bowl down where it will be most stable and reach for...
>Oh God damn it
>Your old man had such a hard on for new tech that he was all too proud to show off that he had four remote controls
>You only need one to turn the TV on
>"It's the Toshiba one, Mr. A. That's the TV brand and the speakers and the Blu-Ray player you got over there are different brands. And that fourth one looks like a universal remote so maybe that might work too? I don't know how it's all set up."
>You really didn't expect that
"That's... insightful."
>You follow her advice and sure enough, it turns on
"That was too good to be an idle guess. You a tech guru or something?"
>Starsky giggles again, bobbing her head front to back
>"Nah man, I'm just, like, really good with stuff like gadgets. It speaks to me, you know? Plus Lizzy really doesn't know how to work a toaster so I kinda gotta step in and stuff."
>Fair enough
>Neat skillset to have, as surprising as the package may be
"Well, since you saved the day, what do you wanna watch?"
>"Saturday morning cartoons, man! I used to watch that stuff all the time when I was a little billy of a filly."
"Sounds good to me."
>You're starting to think that this pony really is like this and it isn't just some sort of quirky way to get access into strangers' homes


>You didn't have anything better to do with your day but you still ended up just... watching cartoons with the pony
>Every now and again she'll laugh and speak the lines
>Some of these things really crack her up
>You'll admit, some of those jokes have aged flawlessly
>Only when you notice the sun is going down do you realize she spent the entire day here with you
>And you even skipped lunch
>You wait until the end of a Scooby Doo episode before speaking
"Man, we spent all day just kinda hanging out."
>"We sure did, Mr. A. Some of those things, I haven't watched in soooo long."
"Yeah... so, you think Lizzy finally came back home?"
>Starsky gave a slow, winding 'ehhhhh'
>"She probably is, if she didn't shack up with her guy."
"What, her boyfriend?"
>"Nahhh, she is more the free love sort of thing, you dig?"
>Not really
>If anything, it makes you think that you should be a little more cautious if and when you meet her
"I guess. Wanna head over there and see if she's home? If nothing else, I can't let you go home alone now it's dark. Not like I did last time, anyway."
>Starsky giggles
>"Woah, you're such a gentleman. That's a really cool thing to do. Would you really be alright with it?"
>You stand, stretching out your arms and giving a loud yawn
"I don't see why not. I know this neighborhood well enough, it's not like there's any real risk to it."
>She stands up and gingerly trots down the angled leg rest until she lands on the hardwood floor with a clop
>She stretches as well, pushing her front down and hiking her behind up
>Thankfully her overgrown tail stops the motion from being... obscene
"So which house are you?"
>"Mm? Juuuuuuuust a second, dude. Alllllllmost..."
>She swishes her hips back and forth, arching her back and her neck in various ways
>It wasn't like you were watching but the tail moved just enough for it to no longer be in the way
>You shouldn't be caught off guard but you are
>It suffices to say that if these things were ever robots, they were at least built down to the finest detail
>"Alright!"
>She bounces upright and looks behind her shoulder to you
>"I'm trusting you to not get lost, Mr. A. It's a big world out there, right?"
"R-right."
>She smiles at seeing your face
>You can't imagine why
>You grab your keys on the way out and lock the back door before going into the back yard
>You do have a big privacy wall
>And it apparently has a big gap in the gate
>The gate is large enough to allow you to park your car in the backyard if you needed to
>Your dad used to bring his old rust bucket in at least once a month to change the oil and tweak other things
>What was that saying?
>'Never drive a mechanic's car'?
>He wasn't even a mechanic
>You end up going through the gate and in the back alley
"So you guys moved here recently, huh?"

>"Totally. I mean, we're not new to the town? But I guess this part of town, yeah. She said she used to grow up here before moving out, but now she doesn't want to go back home. Like, weird, right? What's wrong with having a place that has free food and no rent?"
>You get the feeling she appreciates the free food especially
>"I mean imagine... you have your old room, just the way you left it. You have all of your books, your movies, your board games. You really don't want much more in life when you got all of that stuff. Right, Mr. A?"
>You didn't expect that sort of answer out of her
>You really aren't sure what to expect of her
>That speaks more about you than it does her
"Yeah... I guess you got a point there. My room is... ah. It's still the way I left it too. But so much time had passed, it feels like going back in time. But if I go back in time, I may forget that my family isn't really here anymore."
>"That's harsh, man... can it really be hard to forget something that big?"
"As embarrassing as it is to say... yeah. I'm starting to get a few grey hairs, but you know, I don't feel older. I really don't. Put me back in that room and I'm in highschool all over."
>You can't help it
>One time you swore someone was calling your name for dinner
>Maybe that's why you've just been sticking with the TV in the basement and little else for so long
>Maybe one day
>...
>You noticed you haven't yet found the house in question
>More so, you're pretty sure you're walking back to your house
"...uh, Starsky? Why are we circling back around? You lost?"
>"Me? Nah, man. I have the memory of a broken Etch A Sketch. Shake all you like, nothing's slipping by."
>You can't say you're against the idea of shaking her just a little
>You stop at a back yard with the normal chain fencing
>The gate is open
>"Well, this is the place. See? The lights are on so... she's probably home. Wanna check with me, in case Mr. Gentleman wants to stop like, a burglary?"
>Since she put it that way, you kinda have to do a wellness check now
>The house must be hers since there is a doggy door in sight
>The backyard is a little unkempt and empty, but you can't expect anything from someone who's so new
>Starsky ducks into the doggy door and after a few seconds you hear the door click
>Some pony's dexterous
"Alright, coming in now. Don't shoot, I'm just a neighbor."
>By the time you enter the kitchen, Starsky is out of sight
>"Hey, Lizzy! Check it out, Mr. A's here! I told you all about him, come on get up!"
>Sounds like she's in the living room
>Both the kitchen and living room lights are on so at least there's no surprises to be had
>The kitchen is... as empty as you thought it would be
>You see the remains of your beloved loaf of bread
>This Lizzy hadn't even put it away properly
>It's probably going to go stale after another day unless it's taken care of properly
>At least there's a big step-ladder, presumably for Starsky to... climb onto the counter...?

>That can't be hygienic
>Oh well
>You transfer your mortal shell to the living room to see what is indeed a human woman
>Wrapped up in a few blankets and with a flat blanket under her head
>She's out like a light
>And...
>Something smells wrong
>Like something was on fire or burning
>"Hey, Lizzy man, wake up! Mr. A's here to check out our lair!"
>She turns her head to you and gives an awkward smile
>"S-sorry, Mr. A. She's a bit of a heavy sleeper at times, you know?"
>Outside of the blankets and pillow there is literally nothing in the entirety of the room
>It isn't a two-story like your house, apparently, but surely they have furniture or something elsewhere
>Remember Anon, you're a guest
>No thinking bad thoughts
>After a few moments of Starsky putting her front hooves on the woman's shoulder and rocking onto her, she flails her arms out
>"Fucking STOP IT! I'm tryna sleep... fuckin'..."
>The tone of this woman hit you like nails on a chalkboard
>Starsky recoils back
>"O-oh. Ok. Sure thing, Lizz biz."
>She gives an uncharacteristically sheepish smile
>"S-sorry about that, Mr. A. I guess she's kinda... wiped. She's a deep sleeper, you know. Totally deep, like that one movie with the spinning top."
"Yeah... you know, I've still never watched that all the way through. For all I know, I'm still dreaming from when I fell asleep while watching it."
>That little bit makes her laugh
>"Ha, no way man. That would be wild..."
>You can't help but feel like an intruder
>This really is not something you should be sticking around for
"So... I... suppose you're home now. Safe and sound too, right?"
>You can tell that Starsky is trying to keep up a smile
>"Yeah... sure am."
>Don't say much else more
>Bid her a good night and vacate
>Do it
>Do it you fool
"Hey... can I talk to you in the kitchen real quick?"
>"The kitchen? Sure, you wanna talk shop, pork chop?"
>She doesn't seem to get your goal but she follows you into the kitchen, out of sight of the apparent sleeping Lizzy
"Listen, I'm gonna... probably be too honest here. You gonna be alright if I leave here? Are you gonna be able to fix dinner for yourself and all that?"
>Your line of questioning hits her
>It hits her hard enough to where she looks you said something embarrassing
>"I... w-well yeah! Totally! I mean come on, it's like I have a little obstacle course going on. I gotta keep the legs flexible, right?"
>Somehow, you don't buy it
"I'm gonna probably catch some flak for this..."
>You rub your eyes with your thumb and index finger
>Now that you've said this much, you may as well keep going
"You wanna do dinner at my place? I can't just... you know, give away any furniture or blankets or stuff. But if you wanna sleep over and-"
>"Dude, seriously!?"
>You don't think you could ever see a happier pony
>In fact, you don't think you've ever seen another pony
>If you had, you must have overlooked them

>"Yeah! Please! Yeah, please! I mean, I saw the way you were cooking that steak like a chef. I bet you even do that 'BAM!' thing like that one Italian guy."
>She rocks her head back and forth like she found her groove again
>"I mean, if he's Italian. I don't really remember what he does."
>You can't help but squint
"...I'll be honest, I haven't seen that guy in years."
>"Total mystery, right? Like, where even is he..."
>This is getting a little silly
"Alright, then... well. Before we go, do you need anything?"
>Starsky shakes her head
>"No way, ho-may. I got nothin' here, and Lizzy just has like... some changes of clothes and stuff. I'm good to go, I'm hot to trot."
>Somehow that last bit sounds like it wasn't meant for casual conversation
>You admit, you feel like you're stalling
>And you kinda are
>You just don't want to get involved in... whatever this is
"Sounds good. But regarding Lizzy and you just. Up and vanishing. Is she really alright with this?"
>"Definitely! Yeah, man, yeah. It's... she won't mind. I promise."
>The vague feeling of your head spinning is telling you that this absolutely is a real situation
>God damn your bleeding hippy heart
"In that case... let's keep talking and head back. I'll go out first, make sure you lock the door before coming with, ok?"
>"Will do, Mr. Auspicious!"
>Good
>Now to get the hell out of here so you can be in a more familiar setting
>Funny enough, you don't actually see any sort of string or... manner that a pony can effectively lock and unlock a door
>Whatever, this day has been weird enough
>You wait in the back yard for Starsky to come out
>It takes
>Minutes
>You get the feeling that you should just start walking back home but you instead end up straining your ears to pick up on anything
>Anything at all
>You don't hear any shouting or crap
>That has to be good
>Eventually Starsky scrambles out from the doggy door and into the fresh, open air
>"Alright! Three cheers for Mr. A!"
"Nah, that's alright, you don-"
>"Yay~"
"Alright, cool, let-"
>"Yay!"
"I get it, Sta-"
>"YAY!"
>She pops into the air with the final cheer, galloping past you into the alleyway
>"Bro, it's gonna be so wicked. We can have like, popcorn and stuff and watch cartoons and in the morning we can check out my favorite little farmer's market thing and then we can go to the library and..."
>She rattles off a hundred things, trotting around you while you walk to your property
>Ah crap
>Now you've done it
>You have no clue if you've technically kidnapped a pony now or what
>Is it even kidnapping?
>You did lure her with the promise of food
>God damn it
>You unlock the door to the kitchen and nearly avoid Starsky whizzing past your legs like a purple tracer bullet
>"Mr. A, you really got a heart of gold, you know that? What's for dinner? What do we got for munchaaaage?"

>Now that you're relatively, sound, and in the privacy of your own home, you glance around the kitchen
>It was very well stocked when your dad was still well and going to the stores
>Of course most everything is still there and probably safe for at least another year or so, depending
"Well, you mentioned popcorn..."
>You trail off and go to one of the shelves that are almost too tall for even you
>The old timer was a freaking giant and he sure enjoyed putting his favorite things up high
>With some struggling you grab a box of popcorn
>Not only does it taste good, but it has it's own golden packet of buttery oil
>The true blue movie experience
>You show the side of the wrapped up bag with the golden packet to the mare
>"Duuuuuuuude, salty, melty but-ter! Pop it in man, let's chow down to China Town and watch some Mystery Machine action! I know that channel too, it plays stuff almost 24/7!"
>She trots in place, her head bobbing and weaving
>You can't help but smile
>She's infectiously happy
"Alright, alright. You set us up with the TV, I'll grab a few blankets, and then I got a big bowl for this too. I'll even let you tell me where to put the butter too."
>"You're on, Mr. All-Melted-Butter!"
>And just like that, she's off
>You really shouldn't be glad to just make off with someone's talking purple pony
>But it's not like you dragged her away
>And this way she's getting dinner
>And
>You know she's gonna be able to sleep fine this way
>You aren't a bad guy here
>Right?


>You feel warm
>You feel really warm
>It must be the extra blankets
>It feels nice to sleep on the fancier couch
>Your eyes refuse to open but they do
>The TV is still on
>You can't move your left arm
>Why can't you?
>You bring your right hand up to rub your eyes
>Much better
>You half-expected to see popcorn everywhere but the bowl is empty and on the floor
>Starsky is still asleep
>And laying with her head on your torso
>You don't think whether or not she often gets this level of rest
>You nudge your arm to help wake her up
"Hey, Star. It's morning."
>"Mmm. It's Sundayyyyyyy..."
>She sounds like a deflating balloon
>It is kinda funny to hear her like that
"What, not a Sunday funday party machine?"
>Given the state of Lizzy, you can't help but think that the mare is also just as hardcore
>"Broooo..."
>Another balloon deflation
>"I don't even, like... like parties. They're too loud. Too many rowdy rabble-rousers. For reaaaaaaaaal..."
>She finally lifts her head up
>A warm smile spreads on her face when she sees you
>"Heeeeeeeey Mr. A. Guh-morning. What're you doin' in a place like this?"
"Me?"
>She looks half-asleep
"Oh, not much. I live here, believe it or not."
>"For real? Awww man... luckyyyyy..."
>She plops her head back on you
>"I wish I lived here..."
"Ehh... you got your place though."
>"Sure... but. Like, it ain't home. This feels like home."
>She exhales and nuzzles against you
>She is not getting up at all
>Dammit
>Well
>You aren't getting up either
>So it's either more cartoons or head back to sleep
>You can't say you mind this all that much


>Sunday was comfortable
>You ended up resting until far after noon
>Starsky wasn't too eager to leave but you did promise her that you could hang out again
>It was pretty... chill, as she would probably put it
>You are worried about what her home life is like
>But she'll be fine
>Yeah
>...she'll be alright
>You drop down onto your beloved childhood couch
>It took less than a half hour for you and your dad to bring it down to the basement
>And around an hour of sitting on it to recover
>You remember all of the high flying plans he had for the basement
>Half man-cave
>Half home theater
>The TV you have set up isn't the one that he wanted to buy, but you like it
>A little on the old side but it's still a flat screen
"Man... I hope those actually taste good."
>You had ordered a pair of heavy buckets full of freeze-dried food
>Stews, fruits, soups, oatmeal and other breakfast mixes
>A full month's worth of crap
>Your uncle would have really liked to try them out
>Crazy innawoods bastard
>You lean back in the couch, bringing your head back
>Though your vision is upside down...
>...is someone staring at you from the window?
"...that you, Star?"
>You stand and swing the window up
>"Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeey Mr. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa. 'sup?"
>It is
>Starsky is flat on her belly, her snoot mark on the window
>She looks happy to see you, to say the very least
"What're you doing over here?"
>"Like, I'm spying on you dude. What's in the buckets?"
"Ah, it's that survival food supply stuff. Supposed to be enough to live off of for a month."
>"That's wicked, man. Mad survival skills."
>She really does just look so happy to see you
>Maybe its the way her smile is
>Or maybe its how her eyes are
>Or her tone?
>You can't put your finger on it
"...Star?"
>"Sup, man?"
"What are you doing outside at this hour? You're gonna get dirty by laying on the ground like that."
>"Good thing I'm an all-natural flower child, eh?"
>You would believe it
>But it doesn't answer your question
"...you wanna come in so you at least aren't cold? Or at risk of getting eaten by some sort of coyote?"
>She beams at you
>"Mr. A, I knew you really cared! Heck yeah man, lemme swooce right in."
"...Swooce?"
>As if you said the magic word, she reaches in with her front legs
>"Swooce... swooce!"
>She pulls herself in, just to push herself out
>On the third pull, she slides in and ends up flopping right onto her back
>At least she landed on the couch
>She giggles and kicks all of her legs out
>You can't help but see two bumps near her lower pair of legs
>Whatarethose.jpg
>"Mr. A... it's kinda rude to stare, you know? But... it's you. So it's cool. Just lemme know if you have a favorite pose, 'kay?"
>Oh shit
>Those are exactly what you think they are
"Bah."
>You shake your head and close the window
>"Heheheh... just kiddin'."
>About what?
>That it was rude to stare or that she'd change poses on request?
>You plop back down onto the couch
>She really isn't giving you the straight business

"How's Lizzy doing?"
>"Ehh... you know her."
>Not really
>"She kinda didn't notice I was gone. And today she had a party to go to. Not work related, of course."
"She didn't wanna bring you?"
>"Nahhh... nah. I'm kind of a drag around those types of things, you know?"
>Not really
>"I kinda went around the neighborhood, really scoped it all out. I used to go to this really neat little farmer's market when we used to live closer to it. I didn't work there? But I totally helped out a ton and got so much food for us there."
>She smiles at you, happy to see the world upside down
>"I bet I could make you the most radical stew, if you're a vege-man."
>That sounds enticing, honestly
>You haven't had a solid stew in ages, even though you're more the carnivore
"Yeah? You can cook?"
>"Yeah, man! This mouth can do all sooooooorts of things."
>Her smile spreads to a grin
>You can't help but notice she hasn't closed herself up any
>"...because I'm a pony. Get it? I don't have any hands, so I gotta use my mouth instead."
>She holds up her front legs as if to prove her point
"...oh. Obviously."
>You clear your throat and look away
>"Heh... you must have some funny thoughts to get so frazzled, Mr. A. You gotta chill more."
"Yeah, I'd chill more if you weren't such a dirty chick."
>That finally gets her to flop onto her front
>"Dang, that's cruel... I'm a squeaky clean mare, I'll have you know. I've never even been kissed. True story."
"Good to know, but I mean your fur, your tail and... yeah, your hooves too."
>"Oh... yeah. Totally. Sorry, I'll get off."
>You don't stop her from slinking off the couch like some blue and purple snake
"You can get back on but you kinda need to clean up first. I got a bathroom down here, toilet and shower."
>You nod toward the bathroom
>You don't exactly have a curtain set up but you have a sliding glass door
>You even have a drain in the bathroom floor just in case
>And, of course, there's also the actual wood door
>"Oooh... handiman too? You really know your way around stuff."
"Nah... ha, I wish. Dad tried to set it up but a flood and three screaming fits later, we just called a plumber."
>She stands up and takes slow steps over to it
>"You sure I don't mind?"
>What?
"What?"
>She looks behind her shoulder to you, still smiling
>"I come over and you demand I take a bath... how do I know you're not gonna peak?"
>You're absolutely flabberghasted
>You didn't mean it like that
>She giggles at your reaction and sticks her tongue out at you
>"Haaaaa~ Don't worry, Mr. A, just teasing. Since I'm gonna be busy... wanna fix some more popcorn for us to munch on?"
>She isn't eating you out of house and home but you can understand why she'd be hungry
"...well. Alright."
>You didn't expect this but you could go for some popcorn again
>After a minute you can hear the shower start up
>"Oh and can I pour the butter this time?"
"...uh. Yeah! Sure. Go for it..."
>You don't know what to think about this situation or this mare

>What time is it?
>It's a bit early
>So early your alarm hasn't even gone off yet
>Outside of the TV you don't have any light to go off of
>Cartoons are playing
>Oh right
>That must mean...
>Your hand goes to touch your chest
>Instead, you feel pony shoulder
"Star?"
>No response
>She must be out of it
>You try to move your head
>You didn't know that she put her head right next to yours
>When did she do that?
>Last you recall, you were both sitting
>You let her pour the butter and she drowned half of the popcorn
>In defense of her being clean, she somehow convinced you to let her eat out of your palm
>She still has that vague scent of lemon, too
>You were never a real fan of lemons
>But you aren't against it
>She reflexively closes all of her legs around you
>She inhales like something you did woke her up
>Crap
>Do you go back to sleep?
>...
>Why would you do that?
>This is your home
>Your basement
>Your couch
>Shouldn't your instinct be to ask her what she's still doing here?
>"Mr. Aaaaaa.... you up?"
>This is your chance to-
"Yeah. Just woke up."
>Dammit
>She hugs you again with all of her legs
>"Sorry I slept over again. Is it obvious that I'm into you yet?"
"...you sure that isn't just because I have a place and food?"
>"Well... I'll be honest, that's kinda why."
>That's not exactly great to hear
>But it's honest
>"You remind me of a friend I used to have, man. He was such a cool guy. Like, Lizzy's bro too."
>Is this gonna be a story?
>This is gonna be a story
>Worse, you're a captive audience
>Her voice drones on, only carrying a fraction of her natural inflection
>"He let me play on his computer. He taught me a lot of stuff. I think he was, uh... what are those guys."
>She goes silent, in thought
>The thinking is broken by a giggle
>"Oh yeah. He was one of those guys that popped maaaaaaaaaaaaaad boners over ponies."
>She giggles again
>"For real, bro. He said his first girlfriend was one too. He said I sounded like her and he liked that. But he also said that he was kinda spoken for."
>You hear an airy yawn creep into your ear
>"She wasn't around... but I guess he still dug her. I bet he still does."
"What happened to him?"
>The yawn returned as an exhale
>You can feel her decompress on you
>"Lizzy started hanging around different friends. I still got to hang out with him until he had to move with his old timers somewhere else. Maaan... that was like...centuries ago."
>You highly doubt it's been that long
>"I hope you don't mind... but can I be honest with you, since we're still all cuddly and all sharing secrets and all that?"
>To be fair, you haven't shared anything about yourself since you woke up
"...something on your mind?"
>"All the time, man. I know Lizzy don't like me much these days. And I know she's kinda hard up on cash. Can you... like, buy me off of her or something?"
"That's a pretty big ask of you."
>"Totally is, Mr. A. But... I don't want her to sell me to anyone else. Or to one of those... pony services. You dig?"

>Pony services?
>You've heard of those
>Kinda like the Big Brother program, but with ponies
>As in ponies both helping, and being helped
"Why do I have to buy you? It's not like she has any legal thing over you, right?"
>"Well... yeah. I guess that's true too."
>She exhales again
>"But I've always been more like... her pet, than her equal. I thought we were sisters, man. But once she started hanging out with other guys and gals little ol' Starsky ended up more and more a background pony."
>She giggles
>"You wanna know what's funny? Some of those guys have ponies too. And she treats them just fine. But I don't know how... safe they are, to be around."
>You didn't know when but apparently you had started petting her, from shoulder to waistline
>What would be a human waistline, anyway
"Ahh... I see. Kinda been in the market then?"
>"...I mean, not totally. But something about you, Mr. A. You got that animal magnetism thing all going on and I just can't seem to worry around you. It's, like, a really chill aura you give off. Even when I pop up, you don't get mad or tell me to float on somewhere else."
>She once again clamps down on you in a hug
>"And I know you dig looking at parts of me. So... I kinda know you might like ponies too. I think I kinda would prefer a human anyway. Magical hands and all that."
>That makes you consciously stop petting her
>"Heheh... I didn't say you had to stop, Mr. A."
>Once more, she clamps down and does her best to curl in her legs for an even tighter hug
>"You don't gotta say nothin' to her about it or anything but... at least think about it, yeah? I bet I could really be useful to you. Like right now, I'm the perfect blanket."
>So this is why she has been hanging out with you
>You can't find it insulting
>You're actually flattered
>But it seems like a lot to take in
>Have you enjoyed her spontaneous company?
>Sure
>But have you enjoyed it enough to take her on already?
>More so, to pay for her?
>You don't exactly have a whole ton of money to your name
>"Heeeeeeeeeey... Mr. Aaaaaaaaa... it feels like you're actually starting to wake up."
>A teasing tone starts to creep into her words
>You can almost hear her holding back a giggle
>"You like ponies, don't ya? You can't lie to me."
>God damn it
"You know exactly what you're doing, don't act like you aren't the cause."
>She's been moving her hips from one side to the next
>"Jussssssssst sweetening the deal for ya, Mr. A. Don't you worry."
>This aggressive mare is more than you can handle
>Alarm clock, please come to the rescue


>Delicious burgers
>You've decided on burgers for dinner tonight
>Really great, 85% lean third-pounder sirloin burgers
>Your dad would probably chastise you for using a skillet and not the grill outside
>But the weather is hardly right for grilling
>Your original plan was to cook and chomp on four of them but two in and you honestly feel pretty full
>You end up cooking the other two patties anyway
>Wheat buns and muenster cheese and even a good crackling of pepper corns
>Proof that you are indeed a simple man
>By the time you're done with the fourth, and last, burger... you get the feeling that you'll probably end up giving them away
>You know by who
>Almost as if on time, you hear a hoof tapping against your door
>Of course you don't see anyone at the door nearby so it can't be too many people
>You lean to one side and balance on one foot to open the door
>"Daaaaaaaang Mr. A, you're like... psychic now. Did you see me coming?"
"Not really. But I prepared just in case."
>She crooks her head all the way up and sniffs
>"Ooooh maaaaan... smells like burgers to me."
"Yup. And, I suppose you'd like one or two."
>Starsky giggles
>"Man, you are definitely a psychic now! Bottoms up!"
>She closes her eyes and opens her mouth wide
>Of course, she isn't getting a free meal tonight
"Ah... nah, you're gonna have to work for dinner this time. And that's because I actually trust you with this."
>Starsky's head comes down and she opens her eyes
>She doesn't close her mouth
>Rather, she smiles and lets out a teasing 'aaaaaahhhhh'
>"Gotta big job for me, Mr. A?"
>You can't help but get the idea that she's thinking of certain ideas
>Yesterday morning still hasn't faded from you
"Well..."
>Time to do as gramps did
>Face tough situations with a complete and utter stoic front
>And this is a very tough thing
>To you, at least
"First thing's first. You're pretty nice to me. And... yeah, I'll admit. Maybe I'm willing to admit that you're hot to me."
>She grins
>"Thanks, dude. You're... like maybe the third human ever to actually say that. And you're sober so that totally makes it... like, the first!"
>Your eyebrows raise
>That seems to explain a few things
"Well, I'm glad I am. Though maybe I need a two drink minimum before you come over."
>"Ooooh~ A bit of the bub-leeeeeeeee! That sounds fun to me."
>Stay on topic, Anon
>You gotta work with how well she can just disarm you
"Listen, Star. We both seem to agree that your Lizzy friend is..."
>"A bad dude? Or an abuser of the devil's dandruff?"
>Devil's dandruff?
"The de... well, maybe. Tell me, just how bad is she? Is it accurate to say that if I called the cops, she'd probably have a warrant out or they'd find something to take her in?"
>Her more playful mood mellows down
>She's still smiling
>But she more just seems calm
>"Honestly, Mr. A?"
"Yeah, be honest."

>"If you called the cops right now, she'd probably go to prison for a long time. I want to say that she'll get a ton of help in there... but I think she's a ton more likely to end up getting stabbed with one of those little weird tooth brush things they melt down to spikes or something."
>You expected her to hesitate at least a little
"Alright. Well, I'll also be honest."
>"Always, Mr. A."
"I haven't lived in this town for a while... but apparently I will be living here for a while, because I really don't want to lose my dad's place. And.. it still is his place. It isn't right for me to sell it to begin with. I don't want some crackhead living even remotely close to my neighborhood."
>Starsky nods
>"Yeah, man... I understand. Trust me, man. I do. She really never used to be like that, you know?"
"I guess so, yeah..."
>Alright
>Remember gramps, Anon
>Stoic
>Staring at the top bun of one of the burgers, you let your tongue glide over one of your top canines before you speak
"...so how much of an addict are you? Again, being honest. What have you all gotten up to? What sort of things have you helped her do?"
>Even the calm smile she had starts to fade
>"None, Mr. A. I'm a pony, man... if I take some sort of... drug or something and get sick? Who's gonna take care of me? We don't got docs like you guys do. And a veterinarian? You may as well consider me deader than those hamburgers, dude."
>Her eyes glance over to the open door
>"...'sides. I know her well enough that she ain't a responsible sort of upstanding citizen. I lose my nut and start borking out, I ain't so sure she won't just, uh... you know. Make use of that."
>Her eyes turn to yours
>She almost looks embarrassed
>"You know those sorts of people. It ain't like the sitcoms where they have redemption episodes."
>Fair enough
>Understandably, you feel... angry
>Almost
>Just because of how trash this chick is
>You grab one of the burgers and kneel down
>Leaning down just feels like it would be insulting
"Alright, here's the first. I got a second one of you're willing to answer more."
>Like magic that silly smile returns
>"Aw man, Mr. A! You're seriously making me sing for my supper... what're you gonna make me do for dessert?"
"I'm not answering that right now."
>"Heh, 'right now' he says... way to make a girl anxious."
>After a test sniff of which direction would be best to start from, she takes modestly sized bites out
>She doesn't seem to be starving, but she doesn't take long between bites
"You know, I never knew if you guys ate meat or if it was all flowers and fruits and greens."
>She shakes her head and licks her lip a multitude of times
>"Nah, bro. Total misconception. At least for me, I eat whatever isn't nailed down. It's, like, a treat to have a burger this awesome mostly because of the cooking stuff. The tools, bacteria, blood and raw... meat... juices?"
>She shakes her head even harder
>"Noooo way, man. Super hard pass."

>You let her finish eating
>"I like the peppercorns."
>She comments between her last bites
>Before you can pull your hand away, she licks at your hand
>Her tongue's strong
>After the second lick you pull your hand away
>You aren't gonna let her change topics
"Alright. So you hungry enough to have a second?"
>Her answer is a hum and a nod
"Right on, then you can answer my second question."
>She nods in recognition
"So. Did you start coming over here to case my place?"
>That question takes her off guard completely
>She starts to cough, failing to speak for a few words
>"Wha-who-no! No way! I've never helped her with those sorts of things!"
>Those sorts of things
"Are you saying she's stolen before?"
>She frowns
>"We both know the answer to that, Mr. A. I really don't want to go into what she's done."
"Alright... that's technically only part one of the second question."
>"Really?"
"Really. The second part is... what is this?"
>You wipe your hand a few times
>"Uh... I don't have hands so I eat with my mouth...?"
"Eh?"
>You look down at your hand
>Then at her
>She's just as confused as you are
"Gah, no. Not that."
>You sigh
"What's with the friendly attitude? Why have you been laying on stuff so hard? Am I some sort hail mary last ditch effort or is this something you're pulling with everyone in the neighborhood?"
>You really want it to be focused on whether or not she's playing you
>And why she's playing you
>If she is
>But
>Part of you hopes that she hasn't been pulling these stunts all around
>So it might make you feel a little more special
>It's a completely petty thing to feel, since you hardly know this mare
>But you can't not feel it
>At least a little
>Starsky smiles and shrugs
>It's that calm smile again
>She's not having fun with this but she's at least in her apparent comfort zone
>"I live every day like it's my last, Mr. A. Which means, at least for me? I really don't like going where it isn't safe. I really don't wanna be around people that look at me kinda strange. I really don't wanna be around Lizzy once I know that she's still breathing and she's fine without me."
>She nods and gives her best smile
>"I mean it, man. About that animal magnetism thing? I'm not an animal to you. I'm never ever eeeeeeeeever gonna be like you. Or Lizzy. And I'm cool with it. I get to do all sorts of cool things because of it. I got, like, pony-focused super powers and stuff. For real."
>You're dubious but at the same time you are afraid of what information she could bring up if she has some sort of super keen sense of smell or eyesight
>You've heard that some ponies can even use magic or fly
>You don't know enough about them to know for sure but some people have sworn by it
>"I guess, as far as I care? Like... my bottom line?"

>She traces one of her front hooves on the floor
>"I've been Lizzy's best friend for like... ever. But I think she's gonna leave us for the great party beyond. And..."
>Her voice starts to crack
>"I'm kinda worried she's gonna take me with her. You know? She's my best friend but I ain't hers anymore."
>...well damn it
>Stoicism, Anon
>Just like gramps
>Remain stoic
>No
>Don't do-
>You fool
>Don't you fu-
>God damn your hand
>You reached out to stroke her mane
>"She ain't my Lizzy, man... it's her body but she ain't right in the head anymore... that ain't her."
>Everything just seems to freeze there
>You really aren't sure what to say
>You don't even know what to think
>You pet her a few more times
>"I don't want her to keep doing bad stuff like that... but I don't want to die with her, man. She a..."
>Her word is cut off with a whine
>"She..."
>She's really struggling to speak
>"...She ain't worth it, man. She ain't worth dying for, Mr. A."
>Interestingly, she isn't crying
>That doesn't mean she's faking it
"...you've been thinking of this for a while, huh."
>She doesn't answer
>What feels like entire minutes go by
"Hey Star... it's getting kinda late out. It's gotta be after 8, right?"
>After a moment she nods
"You got that second burger to chomp on. Yeah?"
>Another nod
"After that... well, let's go hang out in the basement for a while. And... well, the weekend is coming up. Let's put our heads together and see if we can figure something out. Alright?"
>"Thanks Anonymous."
>You weren't expecting this sort of situation
>You still aren't 100% convinced this isn't some sort of... scam
>But you can't do nothing
>Even if there's a 1% chance that you might believe that this is some sort of set up
>God damn it
>You don't have it in you to go 'sorry, not my problem'
>You are not comfortable with any of this
>You weren't exactly, before
>But now you really aren't
>What would dad say?
>Probably something like 'God damn it boy, don't give your burgers to animals do you know how rarely those go on sale?'


>You sorta expected it
>Star ended up staying the night again
>What was different was that she ended up sleeping on the love seat
>You didn't say anything about where she had to go but you were glad she had a straight head
>Maybe you've been giving her too little credit on some things
>When you woke up, she was still there
>Awake
>Comfy
>And happy to see you
>If she were a normal girl, your dad would probably encourage this train of action
>He always did want to see grandkids before he kicked off
>Of course, he also wanted to see you drive a Lambo too, and to win the lottery so he could say 'fuck you all' to every resident in town and move to Alaska
>What would he say about this?
>You aren't one for guidance
>But
>You really do wish that he could give you at least one last nugget of wisdom that could only come from the pain of age
>Your thoughts were muddled all throughout work
>What work you've been able to get while here
>There's still so much to do
>So much to get used to
>You park in driveway at the back of the house this time
>You're not sure if you should be surprised but you see Starsky sitting at your door
>She's able to bypass your privacy fence so why worry about it
>"Heeeeeeeeeeey Mr. A. 'Sup? How was work?"
"Eh... another day."
>You open the door and hold it open out of reflex
>With a glance at you, and the kitchen, she bobs her head forward and back with a grin
>"Heh, thanks man. You're a real gentleman, you know?"
>You aren't really all that hungry
>You start down the stairs to the basement
>You hear her behind you
>You plop down onto the couch
>It's used to you just falling onto it
>It's probably why the cushions are so busted and it's just a mass of fabric and softness at this point
>She calmly hops onto the other cushion
>"So Mr. A..."
"What's up, Star?"
>"Have you thought more on stuff?"
"About you chilling here? Or buying her from you or whatever."
>It's a lot of responsibility
>You've been thinking of the logistics of having a pony
>Of living with one
>Living with a girl, particularly
>You aren't some sperg but you certainly can't do certain things with her around
>...
>Who are you kidding, she'd probably cheer you on and watch with full attention
>"Mr. A?"
>Your attention snaps to
"Huh?"
>"Zonked out already? Man, that must've been a killer shift. I said 'yeah', about me staying here."
"Oh. Ah. Eh..."
>Screw it
>She's been a little bit too open and honest
>Why should you restrain yourself now?
"What's that gonna look like? Legit, I know I gotta go to work. And I'm guessing ponies don't usually have jobs and just goof around all day. I know cooking is... well, I'll be cooking for two so I guess it'll be a change but it won't be the biggest in the world."
>You look over her body
>She's sitting with a lean against the couch's arm
>She gives you a chill smile
"...and yeah, if you keep spending a lot of nights tempting me, I'm gonna have things that will need to be done."
>"That a threat or a promise, bro?"

"Both, I reckon."
>"Oooh... promising."
>That chill smile widens
"See? That's also something that kinda bugs me to be honest. Not because it doesn't sound fun but... I really don't know you. And you don't know me."
>"That's true... and really, outside of seeing stuff on the internet? Total mine field. I have like, the mental images down. But it's how I know I could swim in the ocean but until you throw me in, it's all wishful thinking."
"Yeah. And... I don't know, Star. If I do this, it isn't because I want a slice of mare."
>She shrugs but doesn't seem bothered
>"Too true, man in blue... but what would you say if that's what I'd want to do?"
"Well to me it would feel dirty. I'm not doing this for a reward. Least of all that."
>She doesn't seem to get you
>The look on her face says so
>"But... it'd be cool though, right?"
>She sounds confused
>After a few moments, she taps her hoof on the couch cushion
>"Ah. Maybe I gotta explain my reasoning more, huh. Well... waaaaaaaaaaaaaay back when Lizzy and I were in highschool, right? Well, I wasn't in highschool. She was. I just visited. Maybe snuck some cookies in the cafeteria and stuff..."
>More story time apparently
>"She had this guy she toooooootally liked. And when she told me, I kinda told her to just do what she thought was right, right?"
>She beams like she's proud of herself
>"And I thought that was legit, for real! Because you should always do what you think is right, right? I read that in a book. I think it was a big one. But anyway."
>She mellows out again to a more neutral form of comfortable
>"So, I tell her that... and, like, two days later. He comes over and I stumble across them going at it like those zombies from that one movie, right? Screaming and clawing and..."
>Zombies?
>Wat
"...wat."
>Her eyes go wide and she points at you with her front leg
>"Like, exactly, man! I didn't know what the heck I was seein', neither of them seemed to know what they were doin', and before I know it, they're both screaming at me and I'm screaming at them and later we all had a good laugh over some Wendy's."
>She relaxes again and nods
>"Those were the days, man... I always used to ask for extra salt on my fries. Ponies can eat a truck load of fries, man, for real."
"You're losing me here."
>"Oh! Yeah, right. So. To her, that was doing what she thought was right. And the guy she liked? Well, he wasn't a bad guy. He really wasn't, honest. But... I think she liked another guy too. And... then like, another."
>She purses her lips
>"...come to think of it, she kinda had like... a lot of boyfriends in highschool... but not that one bro I told you about. He only rose the flag for that one pony."
"I'm... not following. Are you saying that she was a slut in highschool and that it supposedly worked for her so it'll work for you?"
>She raises her hoof as if to answer but she looks like she's not sure
>"I..."
>She squints
>As if this is some sort of quiz
>"I... think so? I mean, I'm not a slut. Obvs."

"I'll have to take your word on it, I guess."
>For the first time, she seems offended
>"Hey, Mr. A. I'll have you know you really are the first guy I slept with. On. Around."
>She squints again
>"I mean, I think so. I'm preeeetty sure I slept in the same room Lizzy shared with her boyfriend. But. You know. I wasn't ON or WITH him. Right?"
>It seems like the details of this topic escape even her
>"But I haven't done that sort of thing, ever. I'm old school, man. One and done, tried and true, too cool for school."
"Kinda like having a friend, huh?"
>"Yeah!"
>Once it catches up to her of what you meant, she deflates a portion
>"Yeah... kinda like having a friend."
>Her eyes seem to go over the basement
>"But, you know. More than a friend. Like, if you immediately hit something off with someone and it's all gravy, why fight it? We go to the grey hair club, we bicker about bacon bits on baked biscuits and we just spend hours on rocking chairs because old people really like rocking chairs for some reason."
>That's a...
>A less detailed way to look at it
>'Pure', if you're feeling charitable
>"That's kinda how my bro explained it to me, when he had his first girlfriend. You know the one."
>Not really
"The... one who popped mad pony boners?"
>Your deadpan delivery makes her giggle up a storm
>"Yeah dude, that's the one! I really don't remember what we were talking about anymore. But it was something really tight. Like, how those sorts of feelings and emotions you feel for someone. You can only ever, like, honestly feel those with one person. And no one else. Because it just isn't real with them, you know? And it makes a whole ton of sense to me. Like, at that time it kinda just clicked together like a round peg in a square hole."
"...but those don't fit."
>You have no clue what her angle is
>She grins like she's some sort of sneak
>"They sure do, Mr. A. I totally did it once. That's called 'thinking outside the square'."
"Thinking outside the box, you mean."
>"No bro, there wasn't a box. It was flat so it was a square."
>The victory on her face tells you that her logic prevails
>And it does
>To her
>"But yeah, man... I wouldn't do that. I think that's kinda what got me... I don't know. Bent out of shape over it. I mean, yeah, her thing is her thing, right? But I see her go from guy to guy and it just... I don't know man, it made me mad. I wasn't always such a zen master, right? I saw those guys be sad and... like, I'm guessing ponies are natural predators to sadness. We zone in and gobble it up, leaving everything happy."
"...yeah?"
>"Yeah..."
>You can't decide if she's smart or accidentally making points but you're concerned that you're beginning to understand her points
>"But after she kinda... you know. Told me to shove it, I did. She was happy. At least I thought so. She seemed to be. But that was when I realized we weren't on the same wavelength anymore. It was a total soul de-sync."
"And you think our souls are in sync or something?"

>"I don't know, Mr. A... but it sounds kinda cool, doesn't it?"
>Another grin
>"I mean come on, tell me is ain't the most romantic thing in the world. Imagine what that must feel like... if Lizzy understood that, maybe I'd be like... the cool pony aunt by now, right? I could totally see it."
"Well you certainly have more of a... romantic mindset."
>"Totally. Maybe it's kinda because I'm... like, a pony. I know you guys sure seem to think differently these days. It's pretty crazy. And I know you aren't like that."
>You're amused by this
"Oh yeah? And how do you know I don't have chicks over for idle fun and popcorn?"
>She leers and taps her nose with her hoof
>"Magic pony senses, Mr. Aaaaaaaaa. I haven't smelled a single sign of a woman here since I checked out your yard. And your clothes smell like dust and a bit of grease and..."
>She leans over a few inches toward you and inhales gently
>You can't help but feel violated
>"...and what smells like a candy bar... Mr. A's gotta sweet tooth!"
>Her amusement heightens the violation
>You feel like you're being attacked on some personal level
>"Heheh... you can't fool me, Mr. A. The nose knows!"
"Oh you... cut it out."
>"Heh~"
>She inhales and exhales
>"Animal magnetism angle going for you, you really don't seem or smell like the sort who does normal human things that I see... Iunno, man. I like your style. And if it's really that great, why fight it? If it takes effort, and that's all? Dude, I'm pretty comfy with it. Life's one big class room, I'll never run out of things I need to learn. That includes learning about you and stuff."
>You really aren't capable of faulting her logic
>It sounds good
>Really good
>But part of you just doesn't accept it
>It's far more complicated than that
>Isn't it?
>You have no real interest in casual dating
>You really have no interest in casual dating
>Especially now when it's just you
>You've never thought of that sort of thing in such depth
>Without saying anything, you click on the TV
>Another episode of That 70s Show with everyone hanging out in the main character's basement
>"Hey... that couch kinda looks like yours."
"Does it?"
>"Yeah. It has a hot redhead on it."
"Hey, your hair isn't all red."
>"No comment on the 'hot' part though...?"
>More giggling
>You need to sharpen your mind if you're gonna have a long conversation with her
>She's too ready to go where you can't react in proper time
>The only thing that she said that you find wrong with her comment is that that stripe in her mane doesn't even look red but more kinda reddish-pink...
>...
>You don't find her hot either
>Obviously
>Probably


>Your Friday night was pretty comfy
>Pretty quiet too
>For a while you kept checking your basement window, or the backyard
>No Starsky
>She's been a little too much on your mind for your comfort
>You've felt...
>Not regret
>But embarrassment
>In the moment, you can openly tell her that she's attractive to you
>And she is
>But it's also her mannerisms and her voice
>Great Gaia her voice
>You're pretty sure you've already fallen asleep because of her talking
>But
>She's a pony
>An animal
>Quite a romantic and idealistic one at that
>But a quadruped
>A creature
>With a tail
>...
>Best not to dwell too much on that general area, given what you've seen already
>After your morning rituals and shower, you head upstairs to the kitchen
>You can still smell the last time the house was full of people and food
>The living room TV was on and loud
>Voices were still talking over it
>Upstairs someone had their TV going
>Even in your room, you had something going
>You couldn't find a corner that was quiet to save your life
>Not you can't hear anything
"...morning everyone."
>You say out to no one in particular
>You want to believe in ghosts, spirits and the supernatural
>But if they were still around, you wish they'd send you some sort of sign
>You just stand there
>There really is no one
>Oh well
>It was like this when you lived alone, in that shit-tier little apartment
>You miss it
>If only because it reminded you that you weren't home
>Rather than out of habit, you consciously open the door to the backyard, in case you have any silly pony neighbor popping up
>You were really just in the mood to grab some water and maybe do a thing of biscuits in the oven
>Instead you spent nearly an hour preparing a big breakfast
>Biscuits with butter, grape jelly and apple butter on the counter and ready
>Strips of thick maple bacon on a paper towel-covered plate
>A pair of fluffy omelets made with six eggs each and covered in shredded cheese that melts in moments
>You even have a can of that frozen fruit juice that apparently had been a family staple for decades
>When you finish, you peek outside
>No signs of Star
>Well that's alright
>She likes to sleep in
>And you woke up before your alarm to begin with
>Maybe
>You'll just wait a bit
>She'll probably be bumbling in and make some sort of note of needing to wash her hooves before breakfast and make some sort of face at how you conveniently made too much for yourself
>Or maybe you could use this as a
>Something
>Do you need a reason?
>Once more the kitchen smells like it was used at full steam
>But it doesn't feel alive
>No one's rushing
>There are no utensils clattering against plates
>No passing of butter with a knife that was used on too many plates
>You were just leaning against the counter, waiting for the perfect time to act like you were just now starting to get prepared
>You wait until the steaming biscuits cooled off
>You go from leaning to sitting on the floor
>Maybe you just need to wait a little longer



>Starsky didn't stop by any during the weekend
>You didn't mind
>You did kick yourself for letting the eggs and biscuits go warm but you had a damn fine feast
>You had more than enough to last into Sunday too
>Outside of eating relatively fancier, you decided to do a little research into ponies like her too
>Apparently they've picked up in popularity over the years
>You've seen inconsistent sources but some advertise them as best friends
>Kinda like the Chucky dolls, but presumably with less possession and killings
>Some sources advertise them as therapy companions, like sapient... well, mini horses
>Even one source on YouTube was some guy that considered himself a "connoisseur"
>Apparently he... dated some?
>Or he was dating one at the time of the video
>That's one video you were all too eager to remove from your watch history
>It's interesting to see how esoteric yet popular they are
>You've certainly never seen a pony before Starsky
>Maybe you just hadn't paid attention
>Before you knew it, you spent all of Sunday looking into ponies
>Apparently they can eat whatever
>Life spans can vary greatly but they seem to average around decades, plural
>No examples are given, one site claims is due to privacy...
>Personally?
>You don't believe much of it at all
>It sounds so far-fetched
>Any attempts to dig deeper more or less lead to you cycling through the same sites
>It did a great job at keeping your mind occupied but it was a little too...
>Invasive?
>You feel like you'd probably get a much more clear view on things straight from the technicolor pony's mouth
>Your curiosity bleeds into Monday
>You aren't thinking of her
>Not... directly, maybe
>Now that you have time to yourself and to gather your thoughts...
>Well
>You don't know what to think
>You don't really have anyone to help give you their opinions
>All you're left with is your own
>All you can do, for the now, is grab your cast iron skillet from the oven
>In it is a batch of bacon and cheddar cheese bratwursts
>Your uncle would have loved these
>He never had a chance to try them out
>You know for sure because he always stuck to his little tri-city area
>For decades and decades he did his own thing
>At least he's with everyone now
>Technically
>Maybe you're the only one happy that he's around
>In the middle of transferring them from the skillet to a paper plate with a paper towel folded on top you hear a few knocks
"Ahh... right on time. Probably smelled the bacon finally."
>You smile to yourself
>It would be cool to share dinner with someone
>Even if you didn't eat anything else all day to indulge in the bacony goodness
>You opened the back door
>The faint smile you had dies
>It's Starsky
>But she looks...
>Rough
>There are a few scrapes and deep scratches on her side, both near the ribs and shoulder
>Her mane is a mess
>Her tail is dirty
>She doesn't look so great at all
>She seems to know this
>"Hey Mr. A... is it ok if I go take a little shower?"

>Her tone sounds devoid of any personality you've experienced so far
>She keeps her eyes low
>You see something drip from her chin to the floor
>It's red
"Y..."
>Don't panic
>Remember, act as you know you've been taught
"Yeah. Go ahead, take your time. I just got some brats out, I'll put in a second batch."
>Even though she has some shaggy fur on her, you can tell that some of those scratches are more cuts
"...after your shower we can go ahead and get you patched up a little, too."
>You succeed in controlling your emotion
>Controlling a rising sense of dire panic
>Did you need to get the phone?
>Call the cops?
>Get your dad's overly babied rifle?
>There was no sense of urgency from her
>And there was no one following her
>Or screaming and shouting that you could tell
>She stands there for far too long to make you uncomfortable
>Finally she speaks
>"Thanks dude. I really am going to owe you. Sorry for leaving a mess."
>A few more droplets of red hit the floor
"Don't worry about it. I'm gonna stay up here for a bit, get some other stuff together for you."
>She nods a few times too many
>"Thanks. I won't be long. Stuff smells too good to pass up. Y-you know?"
>You can hear a crack in her voice
>It's subtle
>Quiet
>Not something you think she wanted to express
>She clears her throat and takes careful, deliberate steps the basement stairs
>You watch her go down them
>Just in case
>She manages it fine but now you have a few red hoof prints on the floor and your stairs
>...
>...
>...
>You wait until she's out of view before you allow yourself to freely think
>Shit
>It's been years since you took any sort of EMT class or first aid course
>But you're sure you can patch up a pony
>What the hell happened?
>You wait a few more moments and hear the shower hiss to life
>At least she made it
>Ignoring the frustrated grumbling of your stomach, you set off to your car
>You haven't been in the bathrooms above basement level since you got here, you don't know what all is available
>But you know you have your trunk bag
>You'll figure something out

>You take your time getting everything set up
>Plates of food on a coffee table you pulled out from the basement corner
>A few drinks
>A thermos of hot water
>You have no clue why you'd need it but you decided to include that
>Plenty of items from your car bag: medical tape, gauze, alcohol, some of those clotting granules
>All thankfully individually packed
>What are you missing?
>You know you're missing something
>You've never had to do more than patch yourself up
>And certainly nothing worse than a cardboard cut or something from wood or steel
>Think, Anon
>All you're missing is an ice pack
>...
>Shit
>You don't even have an ice pack
>What sort of half-assed attempt is this to help someone out?
>You would be an embarrassment if your-
>The bathroom door opens
>It's Starsky
>Steam bellows out behind her
>That sort of humidity probably isn't the best for any electronics but it'll probably be fine
>She looks at you
>Sitting on the ground, six towels laid out
>A table full of food, drinks and medical items
>"...you alright, Mr. A? You look like you're freaked out or something."
>She slowly trots to the towels and sits down
>The basement floor has been meticulously cleaned a few times over so her wet tail trailing on the floor won't be a worry
>You can't seem to stop yourself from thinking a mile a minute
"Me? Yeah. I... yeah."
>How can she be so relaxed over this?
"So... where do we start? Where is the worst?"
>She leans away from you, revealing her side
>The deep scratches look more like slices, or cuts
>"There's that... and then here."
>She raises up her head
>It looks like a cut went from her rib all the way up her neck
>"Don't worry, Mr. A. I kinda curled up and had a good cry so the bleeding stopped."
"...alright. Is this all of it?"
>She nods
>"Relax, man. It really ain't that bad. It was like... a marathon, not a sprint. You know?"
"Not at all. Lay down, alright?"
>You have far too many thoughts swirling around but you channel your focus entirely into her
>First, you help part her fur and make sure none of her mane is in the way
>The alcohol comes second
>Starsky twitches at what must be quite a sting but she seems resilient enough
>That's good
>Third
>Third...
>Gotta clean it
>No, you already cleaned it
>Focus, Anon
>Third, the clotting agent
>Your hands are shaking
>No, that must just from you shaking the packet
>Next comes the gauze
>It's been cleaned, there's no further chance for her wound to bleed
>"Mr. A, don't suffocate. Alright?"
"W-huh?"
>She's smiling
>"Relax, man. I'm safe. We're not exactly in a hospital and this ain't so bad. You look like you're the one who's hurt."
"Yeah well... stay quiet for a bit."
>Relax...
>Can you relax?
>Should you?
>You should
>You inhale
>Exhale
>You repeat the process a few times
"Alright."

>With renewed focus, you dress her cuts
>Thankfully your car bag is nearby
>Without thinking, you grab some ointment and add those to the gauze pads
>After you cover the cuts and main slice, you get the bandage wraps
>You also pulled those out from the car bag
"Alright, sit up enough so I can wrap this around
>"Sure thing, Mr. A. Be careful, I don't wanna be a mummy."
>You wrap her neck first
>She has fur...
>The medical tape wouldn't have worked for her anyway
>You do your best to wrap up her shoulder and the section around her ribs
>You end up wrapping around her chest
>By the time you finish, you had to use two more rolls
>Your tunnel vision eases up
>How did you do?
>Would this really be good enough?
>Starsky looks down at herself
>"Woah... you're, like, a doctor or something. Last time I got all scratched up, I... uh, definitely didn't get all of this."
"Yeah, I..."
>Maybe you overdid it
>What would your dad say if he saw this?
>He'd probably say that you overdid it on the bandage wrapping
>Or that the neck was the only part that really needed it
"I did it."
>Starsky nods
>"You sure did, man. Maybe you saved my life, even."
>The fog in your head clears
"Yeah. Maybe."
>You shake your head
>All of this blindsided you
"Star... what the hell happened?"
>"Iiiiiiii kinda told Lizzy that she was a serious drag... and that I was gonna kinda maybe gonna hang out with someone else who wouldn't be so harsh."
>You think you understand what she's saying
>"And... I kinda said that I didn't want to come back. So she got mad. And said some pretty brutal stuff."
>When did this happen?
>"And... yeaahh she... did not really appreciate that from me."
>You have far too many questions to this
>Are you glad that she came here?
>You're glad to see that she's alright
>Relatively speaking
>The first question that leaves your head through your mouth probably says it all
"...you have anything to eat lately?"
>She looks at you
>And at the plates you set up
>She gives you the most mellow smirk
>Is it almost condescending?
>"I don't think so, Mr. A. Wanna have a celebratory dinner?"
"Yeah. Uh... yeah, help yourself. I'm glad you're here."
>"I am too. Thanks, Anon."
"Not a problem. I'm... ah, I'm gonna head back to the kitchen for something. Help yourself. I got some stuff that's... yeah. It's there."
>Before you give her the chance to say anything more, you head upstairs in a bit of a rush
>You spend entire minutes washing your hands
>You don't know what would have happened if you weren't prepared
>What if you weren't prepared?
>What if she were hurt worse?
>What if she didn't leave the bathroom?
"Come on, man... get it together."
>It reminds you too much of when EMS showed up
>There was no screaming or panicking then either
>Not really
>Just like then, you were near dead silent and laser focused too
"Alright... alright alright... it's fine."
>You splash some water against your face
>You only ever thought people did that in movies
>She's alive
>It'll be alright

>It's late
>Far too late
>What are you doing awake?
>You have the TV going but you've long lost focus on what it was playing
>Some sort of YouTube playlist
>Where's Star?
>You yawn and bring your head up
>She's still on the loveseat, curled up
>You gave her a blanket and pillow but for some reason she's using the blanket as a pillow and the pillow as a cover
>She's still out of it
>...
>You watch her for a few moments
>Just long enough to tell that she's still breathing
>Good
>You bring your head back down
>You probably have gone a little overboard about her cut
>But it was really deep
>And you really don't want it to get infected
>Or to leave a scar
>You had cleaned up the blood she left on the floor and stairs
>It was not a small amount
>When did it happen?
>What would have happened if you weren't there?
>Or rather, if she didn't come to you?
>How much blood has she lost by that time?
>Once she hopped onto the seat she hadn't really done much but sleep
>Is this for the best?
>For her?
>It probably is
>Is it good for you?
>You didn't even really know that ponies existed
>And you're still not completely sure on what to think on the aspect of having a talking pony around
>A female one
>Are you even comfortable with having a girl stay with you?
>It's not like you've bothered with dating for a while
>And... it's not like anyone is around to give judgement
>Or advice
>"Mr. Aaaaaaaaaaa..."
>You jump at the low croak
>Is she sleep talking?
>"You uuuuuuuuup...?"
>No, she's apparently awake
"How you doing, Star?"
>"Duuuuuude... my stuff hurts."
"Yeah... I bet. Are you flexing your side all that much?"
>You hear a groan
>She's probably trying to move
>"Ow... not anymore. Thanks for going overboard, Mr. A. I'm pretty sure something might have opened up just now if I wasn't so tightly sealed."
"Sure, don't worry about it."
>Maybe it was good that you didn't half-ass it
>"...can you... like, do me a solid? And get me some water?"
"Yeah, alright. I couldn't really stay asleep so good timing."
>She lets out a slow chuckle
>"Helps that I saw you checking me out. Let me at least heal a little more, ok? Then you can look all you like."
>Before you let your body react to that mental image, you get up
>"Daaaaaaaaang Mr. A... vulnerable girls your deal?"
>Shit
"Shaddap."
>That's all the wit you can muster before going upstairs
>The stairs are pretty dim but you're so used to them that you could probably go up and down with your eyes closed
>You get the biggest cup you can and fill it with water and a little spit of ice
>You always ragged on your dad for getting a fridge that had a water and ice dispenser
>Apparently the joke's on you
>It even has a nice filter, so you keep the local water filter merchant happy
>Before you go back down, you look out to the backyard

>There's no sign of anyone snooping around
>You did check outside earlier when the sun was up and...
>The alleyway looked
>Grotesque
>Like Starsky walked around up and down for a while to bleed everywhere
>It couldn't have just been her that was hurt
>Did something happen out there?
>You aren't the sort to openly gossip to the neighbors so you don't know if they know anything
>Cops haven't come by yet either
>Or animal control
>Should you worry?
>Well probably
>You're a part of this now apparently
"Gah... crap."
>It's too late to overthink that sort of thing
>You're doing what you can now
>That's all that really matters
>You recheck the locks and head back downstairs
>Starsky hasn't budged an inch
>You set the cup down near the TV and shift the coffee table right next to her
>It isn't the exact right height
>But it should be easier for her to access
>You grab the cup and set it down
"Hey, Starsky. Here you are. I... forgot to check if we have any straws. It would probably help, huh."
>She shrugs with her good shoulder
>"Nah man, it's ok. I'm not really that big a drinker. But if you could kinda tilt it for me?"
"Sure."
>You hold it for her and tilt it forward
>She drinks more than half of the cup before she nods
>"Thaaaaaaaanks, bro. You really might have saved my life. Y'know?"
"Yeah... I guess I did. Well, don't mention it, yeah?"
>"Humble too?"
>She nuzzles the blanket and sighs
>You only just now notice that she hasn't really opened her eyes at all
>"Good stuff, man. I'm gonna get more sleep. Gu'night."
>After another sigh, she seems to relax
>Her entire side must hurt like hell
>That slice had to happen recently, when she popped up
>Probably was still fresh and had enough adrenaline in her system that it didn't feel as bad as it should have
"Yeah... g'night."
>You return to your couch
>You sink down a full five inches
>Probably for the best that she got the loveseat, it isn't nearly as busted and broken down
>You feel like the cushions have only gotten more squished down with you always sitting or laying on them too
>You'd much rather replace the innards than to get a new couch
>You lay down
>Your mind is too active
>And it's too late
>You reach over for the clicker so y-
>It's on the table
>And you moved the table out of reach
>Damn it
>Oh well
>You're fine with listening to two sleepy guys barely playing a cash grab adventure game
>You close your eyes
>You want to talk to Starsky about what happened
>You should
>You will
>But only after she's recovered
>Fully
>That Lizzy chick has gotta come knocking soon
>She's gotta feel some sort of regret over this
>Right?


>You've made some alterations to the basement
>To the bathroom, specifically
>You undid the grate for the drain so she could do her business
>You went to the first floor bathroom and got a stool so she could more easily get in and out of the loveseat
>And you've brought down the little picnic basket full of medicine from the kitchen
>Your dad wasn't much of a health nut but he hated hospitals
>So, naturally, the only sensible option was to buy and stockpile nearly every medicine known to man
>The ones you can get over the counter, anyway
>And a shit ton of vitamins
>Though you haven't been able to accurately gauge her condition beyond asking her how she's doing, you've been giving her things that would ease pain and fever
>The damage isn't so bad...
>To a human
>But to a pony?
>The human equivalent would be like getting sliced by a sword a few times
>Outside of helping her up and down from the seat, you haven't been able to do much
>You tried to use a few snack clips to help keep her mane and tail manageable but those weren't beefy enough to contain so much hair
>Between those and her fur, when was the last time she had a haircut?
>You felt bad about the idea of leaving her alone so you called in for the rest of the week
>If you were smarter, you probably would have gone out to a pet store and grab a grooming kit or something
>Instead, you wanted to just be near her
>Just in case
>Even if you didn't know her, you couldn't just leave her alone
>...come to think of it, you don't actually know her
>"You really might have saved my life."
>Those words have been stuck in your head like a migraine
>You try to not think about it
>You try
>To focus on something, you've been on your computer all day
>It's a fancy laptop but you get the feeling that you bought it on a painfully high markup
>Your first option for research was YouTube, to search for ponies like her
>Apparently there is a huge market for pony outfits, as niche as they are
>The most popular video hasn't even gotten 500k views
>All of the videos are by humans though
>One has a pony, but it doesn't say anything
>Dark green with brown mane and some sort of bridle on
>Cosplaying as Velma Dinkley, no less
>Some videos are years old
>Most are, actually
>The most recent one is from a few days ago
>Less than 10k views
>Well alright
>Keeping the volume down, you watch it
>It's a pony
>More so, it's a vlog
>She's a complete scatterbrain because no train of thought lasts longer than a minute
>By the end of it, you have learned a whopping Jack and shit
>And Jack forgot to do his homework
>Well
>Fuck it
>Pony or human, you probably could do with reaching out for some help
>The vlog could use the comments too, it has less than ten
>At least she answered every one of them
>After a few minutes of mumbling possible questions to yourself, you put your best thought forward
>"Hey, I have a really hurt mare with me. What are some ways I can help her out? She
>...
>Do you say that you own her?

>That's a little bit of a faux pas, isn't it?
>Starsky wanted you to buy her
>And it's not like she has any sort of... ID on her
>Unless she's chipped
>Is that a thing for sapient technicolor ponies?
>It probably is
>You'll have to ask Starsky when she's conscious enough to do more than groan and ask for a drink
>"Hey, I have a really hurt mare with me. Someone attacked her and kinda got her side and shoulder. I cleaned and dressed it and tomorrow I'm going to examine and re-dress it. I plan on doing this every other day from Friday onward until she's all better. What do you recommend for medicine? What do you think would help the most to make her feel better?"
>Yeah
>That looks good
>...
>Almost
>You add a little something to the end
>"We haven't been together for that long at all but I need her to get better. Please recommend whatever helped you if you ever got hurt or sick. Thanks in advance."
>You aren't sure if you should, but you click on the Comment button
>Is this really the best you can do?
>Comment on random videos and hope you get something useful in time?
>In time...
>It's not like she's going to die
>But if it was less dire an injury, she would at least walk without keeping her leg up
>Maybe the blood loss had an effect?
>Without a larger goal or anything else to do, you look into symptoms for blood loss
>Shortness of breath?
>Check
>Weakness?
>Check
>Fatigue?
>Triple check
>Cold hands and feet
>...
>Well you don't know the pony equivalent to that so that's a wash
>If anything it feels like parts of her are pretty warm
>And you're already combating that with pain and fever reducer
>You keep clicking along to grab whatever info you can
>After 48 hours the body replaces plasma
>At least for humans that is true
>But it can take over a month to replenish red blood cell count
>Maybe two
>Would a vet be a good option then?
>Maybe
>A blood transfusion would surely help
>You'll have to ask her about that when she's up and alert
>What would that cost?
>"Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeey Misterrrr Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa..."
>Your head snaps from the monitor to her
>She has the most comfortable, sleepy smile
>"You know, you're kinda cute when you talk to yourself."
"...oh, I was?"
>"Enough to wake me up, dude."
"Ah... crap. Sorry. Hey, have you gone to a vet before?"
>She moves to shake her head but she just nudges her head an inch in either direction
>"Nah man, I'm a child of nature."
>She makes a funny face and rolls her tongue around
>"Hey Anon... I'm kinda shriveling up here. Can you give me a sipple?"
"On it."
>You set the laptop down and go to her side
>The cup has a straw this time so you just lift it up a bit for her to go at it
>The cup goes from entirely full to empty in seconds

>She sighs like that was what her body needed to finally wake up
>Enough to open an eye at least
>"Thanks, man. I really owe you one."
"Nah, don't worry about it. You'd do the same to me, right?"
>"And more, Mr. A... and more."
>She tries to nod
>Since she can't phase her head through the loveseat arm the attempted nod turns more into a forward and backward head bob
>"What are you talking about blood for? I know that mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell but you got me on what that means."
"That? I'm just looking up some stuff. Hey, how long were you walking around after getting scratched up like that?"
>It's worse than idle scratches
>"Iunno. Like... a few hours."
>She shrugs with her good shoulder
>"It didn't happen at the house. Otherwise I guess I would'a just hoofed it and not say anything."
>She blinks after a moment of silence
>"...nah. I probably would have let it happen anyway. Gotta be honest, right?"
"Right... well, honestly, I'm worried that it may be a while before you're up and prancing about."
>"What's the worst that happens? I be a lump on your stuff? I'm kinda already that in my best condition."
"I mean it. I'll look up what sort of foods will help the most but until everything is healed up we gotta treat this like what it is."
>"Like what, an attempted murder?"
>It seems like her teasing tone was uncalled for, even for her
>After a second, her expression turns
>Dark
>"...it wasn't like that, you know. Stuff just happens. Right?"
>She closes her eye
>"Friends make accidents. It's just gonna suck for me a bit longer than it's gonna suck for her. Just don't poke my stuff, ok?"
"Yeah. Lemme know if you want anything, alright?"
>She bobs her head once as a response and goes still
>At a glance it looks like she could be sleeping
>But her face looks tense
>Like she's trying to stop from emoting
>Her breathing is irregular too
>Is that a sign of anemia?
>You nod a few times
>If she's not actually tired she doesn't want to talk anymore
>After watching her face for another minute you go back to the sofa
>The way you slowly sink to the bottom elicits a soft snort from the presumably napping pony
>Good to see that she's still in good humor
>You go back to your laptop
>What did you say to her, about food?
>Your search goes to that next
>Red meats, spinach, dairy
>...red peppers?
"Yeah, that'll help alright... take a chomp and you'll start breathing fire. Then later you'll be shitting fire too. I guess if that doesn't somehow kill you, it'll help out somehow..."
>Your mumbling causes another snort
>"Mr. A... you gotta chill. I can't sulk and brood while you talk like that."
"Yeah? Well you better start feeling better or else I'll have to bring it out. I have red pepper flakes above the oven, I'm not afraid to use them."
>"Daaaang... I didn't take you for such a sadist, bro. Have mercy on a mangled mare."
>You watch her face after she speaks
>She does seem to relax more
>You can tell because she has a natural smile
>It's cute


>You fidget in your chair
>This already feels awkward
>You had the passing thought of turning on the TV but that might make things even more awkward
>You wouldn't want him to go "huh?"
"Hey dad. Sorry I... uh. I haven't been talking to you much, lately."
>You're in front of everyone but your focus is on him
>You sit for a few minutes
>You can't think of anything to say
>Or is it more you just dread hearing your voice
"I'm... your house. It's doing well. I, uh. I went up to the bathroom upstairs. To grab some towels. I didn't know you had a pile up there ready to be washed."
>You go silent again
>The entire living room is sickeningly silent
"That... ah... girl."
>He would probably laugh if you said it was a technicolor talking pony
"She's doing better now. A lot better. I'm kinda worried that there might be a scar. But she's alright. Who did that to her, if it was who I was told. I haven't seen her any. I'm not sure if you should be worried."
>You run your hand through your hair and clear your throat
"She likes your recipe. I know it's as basic as can be-you know that-but she really says she loves it. She says it took 'like, mad skillz'. With a Z at the end, you see."
>You can imagine his face
>It's as incredulous as your tone
"I... guess she's staying here for a while longer. I really don't know what to do with her though. I mean I don't..."
>Your eyes fall to the floor
"What am I doing, man? I go to work, I come back home. I look around and all I see is how you were around. How everyone used to interact and bitch and moan and complain about who's watching what and who's going to do the dishes."
>The back of your shoulders feel heavy
"I feel bad for even going up stairs. I haven't been in my room in... what, how many years was it? Hell, I haven't even been in your room."
>He would probably not say anything and let you continue your rant
"This is supposed to be your house, not mine. I just..."
>Grew up here?
"Lived here. I set up my room how I wanted and that was really just it. And now..."
>Should you really keep talking?
>Stray thoughts are one thing
>Instinctual behaviors are another
>But you hate hearing your voice affirm all of this
"Everything is just as you left it. If I go up there I'll probably find some mug of what was once coffee. What do I do with your clothes? Your bed?"
>No answer
>Of course
"I can't just give it away. It's yours. You worked for it all. Well, you know, except for those shitty shirts you said you bought when I was a kid for two bucks each at a flea market."
>The man didn't speak a lick of Spanish yet he had the most flamboyant shirts that all said Feliz Jueves
>Your questions and commentary go unheard
>There's no response
>No guidance
>No answer

"You never prepared me for this. You didn't prepare me for everyone else either but you didn't prepare me for you going too. You were supposed to be some rickety old mummy by the time I reached your age. Bickering about your grandkids going outside and back inside too many times and letting the AC out."
>You can feel the pressure build behind your eyes
>You blink it away but the bottom of your vision is still blurry in one eye
>You've had as much as you could now
>You stand up and push the chair back
>This was a dumb way to waste a half hour
>It really was
>You head to the kitchen and grab a drink from the fridge
>A sarsaparilla
>You may as well drink fancy soda if you're drinking soda
>You give yourself a few minutes to focus your breathing and to clear your eyes, if not your head
>With a hard sigh you give yourself a hard shake and head downstairs
>You can hear the TV going
>And audio from your laptop
>Starsky is apparently pretty good at pecking the keys with her hooves
"'Sup, shortstack."
>"Suuuuh, bro."
>Starsky looks like she recently got up
"How's your side feeling?"
>She glances up at you for only a moment before going back to the laptop
>It sounds like some funky music is her cup of tea
>"Well, you know how they say that jokes are a real side-splitter? It wasn't that funny but it ain't so split anymore."
>You did ask her that at least twice today already
>She's been getting up by herself, both for bathroom and for taking a shower
"Sorry if the stairs are still kinda tough. I didn't really think about how you might be wounded and effectively trapped down here."
>"Mr. A, you could feed me nothing but eggs and I would probably be fine with it."
>You shrug and tilt your bottle at her
"Yeah well you would have to eat all of them anyway."
>When she takes the laptop...
>You are so astonishingly bored
>You know you have a few consoles in your room
>But that involves going to your room
>No matter how bored you are, you can't just walk in there like it's yours
>"How about you, Mr. A? We have a guest or something upstairs? Heard ya talking a bit."
>Of course she did
"Ah... nah. Wrong number. I guess."
>The passing thought that he didn't even hear you drains the life from your body
>Your eyes wander from the TV to your little medical kit
>You've gone through a shit ton of gauze pads and medical tape
>A lot of ointment too
>But she really doesn't need that much care anymore
>She promises she's fine but you still have her side wrapped up
>Every day you see less and less red when you re-dress her
>But the skin could still break
>An infection could still happen
>She's not 100% yet
>Maybe 85%
>"Hey, mind if I ask you something? Since I'm, you know, lucid and alive and not gimping it up anymore."
"Go for it."
>She shifts her focus from the laptop screen to you
>"You... ever seen Lizz when you go up topside to the spooky world above?"

>It has been a few weeks
>You haven't once seen her
>Rain has come and gone so any signs of blood in the alleyway has been long washed away
>You haven't even really seen any of the lights come on in the house she supposedly occupies
"Nah... not once. I don't think she'd have a reason to seek me out anyway."
>"Oh... any... fliers? Bulletin board stuff? My face on a milk carton?"
"I normally get the plastic jugs so maybe. I just haven't seen it yet."
>You don't look at her directly but even out of your peripheral vision you can tell how much that bugs her
>"...I guess she hasn't gotten around to it yet then."
"Yeah..."
>You take a swig from your drink
>Delicious carbonation that isn't even all that aggressively bubbly
"But... you know how I am. I go outside, I tend to focus on my stuff. I probably just haven't been paying enough attention. So you probably got some stuff out there."
>Your words don't help
>You aren't so sure it isn't a lie
>But you can see her smile
>It's a consolation prize smile
>"Yeah... probably. Thanks for checking anyway."
>You hear keyboard clacking start up again
>After a few minutes you lean over
>How in the world is she typing like that
>You can see that she's angled her legs up and is using the back and bottom of her hooves to type
>It makes sense, given how she's laying
>She slowly shifts her focus to you while her typing slows
>"...penny for your thoughts, Mr. A?"
>You shake your head and blink
"How did you learn to type? Those keyboards aren't so big, and they're kinda not great for feedback."
>She grins at your question
>"Well how did YOU learn to type?"
"...well, school. Mostly. Sorta."
>You're not really following on this
>She nods you over
>You climb out of the couch and kneel down next to her, resting your drink on the loveseat arm
>She's writing a pretty big email
>"I kinda learned in school since Lizz used to take me to school. And... you know. Who doesn't know how to work a computer in this day and age?"
"That's fair."
>"Super. I even have my own email account. All of that junk, I'm sending to a friend."
>Not Lizzy, hopefully
>As if she can read your mind, she scoffs
>"Don't worry dude, I got other friends. This one here? Works at, like, a market for farmers."
"A Farmers Market?"
>"No man, it's not like, a corporate thing. It's just where a lot of farmers and garden guys with green thumbs sell their stuff for pretty cheap."
"Right, a..."
>You don't finish that thought
"Well, that's kinda cool. How'd you meet?"
>"Oh man, I thought you'd never ask."
>The gentle croon of her voice picks up in tone
>"So, dig it, Lizz and I-see, I know proper English too-used to help out at a lot of really local things. She was actually part of that FFA group in highschool. Except she tried making me a show pony."
>You could see that

>"So that didn't work, but man, you wouldn't believe it, but this Huckleberry girl had a pony too! Not like... the tall kind? But the talking kind."
"So Mr. Ed."
>"No, but did you know his name was Bamboo-something?"
>You get the feeling that you're treading on dangerous territory when it comes to matching wits with her
"...no?"
>"But no, she's cool. I call her Ms. H. She's kinda older than me by a bit so, you know, respect given and all that."
"What does the H stand for?"
>"It's just an old joke. But the name stuck."
"That doesn't really clear it up. Wait, do you think I'm old?"
>She turns her head and gives you a sly smile
>"Dude, I can look at you. You don't have any wrinkles but I know you've lived more than a couple of my lifetimes. I'd be crazy to not recognize that sort of thing."
>That...
>Kinda stings
>It's not like you've done a lot of particularly hard living
>Not really
"That's rough, man."
>"Sh'yeah, tell me about it."
>After a little more typing, she stops
>"So! Anyway, Ms. H and I go wayyyy back. And she and her family have this farm like, a few hours out of town and twice a month they go out and sell their stuff. Since we're tight like tank tops on action movie heroes, I asked if she could kinda help me find a way to make it up to you. I'm not just a lump, you know? You keep me around and you know I'll make it worth the trouble."
>Do you want to say that she isn't any trouble?
>She isn't not any trouble
>Kinda
>If only because of her having spent the last two weeks or so teaching her body to stop bleeding whenever she moves more than an inch
>Your hesitation in a rebuttal is enough for her
>"And don't worry, I'll help pay you back personally... but a little gift basket or two would help sweeten the deal, right?"
>Her smirk says all
>"Easier to stay warm and stuff when you got a big, fuzzy pony on you, right?"
>You break through her rhythm with your own point to focus on
"Oh yeah. Speaking of, are you wanting your mane and tail cut?"
>She seems caught off-guard that you didn't react the way she wanted you to
>"Huh? Why, do you like short manes?"
"Well it's less about me liking it and more about making sure you can keep it cleaner easier. You can do whatever style but it would be good to not have to worry about what it gets dragged over and collects, right?"
>Her expression melts into a more embarrassed variation
>"...well when you put it that way."
>She shrugs her worry away
>"Sure. I think I'd be ok with you grooming me. As long as you keep me after."
>You think you're starting to catch onto her subtext
"Yeah-huh. Well tomorrow lets use those shears in my bag and get to snipping."
>"Sounds good to me, man."
>Glad that's settled
>After a few moments of mutual silence, she speaks up again
>"...hey, Anon. Joking aside, after I finish this email. Can we hang out and stuff on the couch? I know this ain't a hospital but I'm kinda struggling a little here to keep happy-like."
>...
>Oh what the hell, why not
"Sure."


>Biscuits in the morning
>Some leftover chicken breasts for lunch/dinner
>A few coffee cakes for snakes in between and after
>Napping
>Some YouTube videos that, for the most part, you didn't choose
>Not bad for a Sunday
>All throughout it, Starsky had stuck to you like glue
>She can go up and down the stairs but she's not as fast as she used to be
>You've slowed your pace too to stick with her, though she jokes at you for "going easy" on her
>It's nice
>It really is
>You don't feel alone when she's nearby
>Even when neither of you have all that much to say to one another, she's comfortable to lean against you
>Due to how the couch has marshmallow cushions with amazing melting action, when both of you lay across the couch she ends sandwiched between your front and the front of the cushions
>It acts as a good headrest for her
>You have also learned that she has some sort of bone at the base of her tail
>And she
>...
>Has been using it to nudge against you
>In ways
>And no matter how much you want to, you can't poke her wound to make her stop
>That would be a little too mean
>So instead you've been mostly putting up with it
>Mostly
>"Hey, Mr. A."
>The gentle, chill voice wakes you up out of your quarter-sleeping stupor
"Hm? Sup?"
>"I know you kinda got your thing about the house..."
>You suppose that is an understatement
>"Why don't you... like, keep the TV on in the living room or something?"
"Why would I do that?"
>Though neither of you have been paying attention to it, the TV has been on too
>More providing white noise than anything else
>"Well, kinda like how we have it down here. But up there."
>She inhales and nuzzles the couch cushion
>"It's kinda spooky, man... this is your home, isn't it? Live in it a little. At least so when you go upstairs it doesn't feel like..."
>Her voice trails off
>Your own words fill the blank
>A crypt?
>Maybe that's a little too rough
>Too true
"I've thought about it. But my old man... dad. He liked watching different stuff at different times. If I put it on just one channel it would feel weird."
>"Why not... like, program it? Have it switch to a channel at a time, kinda set it up the way you know he likes it."
>You don't immediately answer
>Would that be a good idea?
>"...Iiiii may have kinda overheard you talking to him. Maybe he'll find a way to thank you if you do him a solid?"
>Crap
>You feel even more embarrassed for the failure of a talk you had yesterday
>You didn't think your voice would somehow carry that far
"...you really think so?"
>"Totally, dude. If I..."
>She trails off
>She makes some sort of noise of disapproval
>"...I mean if you wanted to remember me. I would be cool with just listening to AVGN and cat videos."
>You can see her shrink and sink into the cushion, as if it could hide her
>Best you can do is bounce off of her as she does to you
>Verbally, this time
"Cat videos, huh? You a cat type of girl?"

>"Totally. One of Lizzy's friends used to have a cat. She slept on me every time we went over."
>She inhales and nods to herself
>"Those were the days. Kinda awkward to feed her because, you know, hooves... but I'll be honest? Those tuna surprise treats were the bomb."
>That causes a laugh
"That so? I could see you swiping treats from a cat."
>"You got it all wrong, Mr. A!"
>She rolls her head back to see you
>Upside down but see you she still can
"Yeah?"
>"Yeah. We shared."
>You scoff and press your hand against her face
>She giggles
"So you telling me you'd meow and that I need to stock up on tuna?"
>She inhaled with a grin
>"Hmmm...."
>She rolls her head back up to look you in the eye
>"Mmmmroooow... Mr. A."
>Her meow comes out as a throaty mewl
>The longer you stay silent, the more her lips curl into a sly smile
>You won't lie
>That sent shivers down your spine
>And such
>You pet the side of her neck
"...alright. Yeah. Yup."
>You clear your throat to try to steady your breathing
>Were you holding your breath?
"That's the good stuff."
>"Heheh~ Mr. A likes 'em furry and flexible, huh..."
"I will have you know it is past midnight."
>"Which means we better cuddle up."
"And get ready to go to sleep."
>"But you know what they say about going to sleep stiff. Right, Mr. A?"
>You can feel her tailbone wag, along with a good section of her tail
"I."
>Good lord, let there be an armed robber to break in and give you a reason to get up
>"Don't mind me, Mr. A♫ Getting super duper comfy before I hit the hay♫"
>Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name
>"Gettin' comfy for bed♫ Gotta deal with Mr. A's big head♫"
>THY KINGDOM COME

>Wha
>Something feels wrong
>Something feels weird
>What's that source of irritation?
>Through barely opened eyes you see that the bathroom light is on
>God damn that is bright
>Why didn't you get softer light bulbs
>Did you leave the light on?
>Ironic that the laptop is playing a video at a loud volume but the light is what bothers you enough
>Whatever
>You close your eyes and try to ignore it
>You're more tired than you are irritated
>...
>...
>...
>God
>Damn it
>The light just bothers you
>You drag your hand up to wipe your eyes
>Congrats
>Your hand fell hard enough to effectively slap yourself
>Great going Anon
>Well you're awake now, aren't you?
>You reach to the laptop and lower the volume
>Did you really fall asleep with it blasting at max volume?
>It's not unusual that the video playing is... unrelated to what you would normally listen to bu-
>Wait
>You can hear Starsky
>You lower the volume enough where you can at least hear anything else
>At least the TV isn't on too
>You close your eyes and focus on listening
>Sounds like she's blowing her nose
>Allergy season hasn't started yet
>Not for you, anyway
>There's more than her merely blowing her nose
>Sniffling
>...
>Those aren't allergies
>Your eyes open
>You've effectively tuned out YouTube
>She's
>Bawling
>It is advanced crying that is going on in there
>Shit
>Do you get up and go to her?
>Would that be too intrusive?
>Would she want that?
>Was this something she only just started?
>...
>You're still too tired for this
>And it isn't only that
>She is always so chill
>You really do not know if it is such a great idea to put a crack in that
>What would dad do?
>...
>You suppose it doesn't matter what he would do
>He isn't here
>You are
>You close your eyes again
>Inhale
>Exhale
>Who knows what time it is
>But you can't go back to sleep
>You can't even hear the video anymore
>You can only listen to Starsky
>...
>...
>...
>You'll figure something out
>You have to

>You woke up to a sleeping Starsky
>Her wracked sobs haunted you to the point you heard her even at work
>You also came home to a sleeping Starsky
>She doesn't look like she had moved at all
>You probably should let her just sleep
>But you get the feeling that you really can't just leave her alone with this
>What's important is that you don't really make it obvious that you know she needs something
>You kneel down in front of her
>She really is enjoying the loveseat
>Some of her hairs are marking it as her spot
>Her bandages look a little loose
>The last few times you re-dressed her, it didn't look like it was really required
>But her skin...
>If you stop with the bandages, it might cause her scars to be more obvious
>Maybe if you keep re-dressing her, they'll go away
"...man..."
>You can't help but mutter to yourself
>"Sleepy Beauty was woken up with a kiss, Mr. A. Wanna wake me up?"
"G-gah!"
>You recoil
>She didn't even look like she could see you
>She smiles and yawns
>Quite a yawn, at that
"Glad you're up... I was kinda worried that you might be getting sick or something."
>"Nahhh... me? I'm a child of nature, Mr. A. The few times I got sick, it was from weird food."
>She picks her head up
>She looks like she's pretty chill, as usual
>She has that mellow smile
>But her eyes are bloodshot
>You can't help but wince
>That reaction makes her deflate
>"...that obvious, huh?"
>Yes
"..."
>You exhale and plant yourself down, sitting properly on the floor
"Yeah."
>She has no clever remark
>Silence reigns until you speak up
"You wanna go out after work? I kinda recognize that you probably aren't used to being cooped up somewhere for so long."
>Her mellow smile rises
>"Ooh. Like a date?"
"Yeah."
>You would be cautious but let's be real, it would probably be a date
"Why not show you off? Gotta show how lucky I am somehow, right?"
>"Heheh..."
>Her satisfied giggle says you're on the right path
>"I knew using my tail for phase one would work, you know. Can't hide it from me."
"...yeah, I guess you're right."
>"And the way you hugged me too when y-"
"Ok, you don't need to go that far into it!"
>You're kinda trying to yield enough to her but you don't want her to remind you of how it went down
>Especially because you're starting to...
>React to her favorably
>"Haaa... don't worry, dude. You and me... it's really special. I can tell."
"Oh yeah?"
>"Yeah, man... I should probably be more careful. Or worried. Or cautious. But I can feel it."
"Feel what?"
>She shrugs
>The way she shrugs, it's like her side doesn't even hurt anymore
>"Who knows? It's my first time having someone be able to cheer me up so easily."
"Oh. Well that's good, isn't it? That means it's special."
>"For real. Hopefully you'll continue to be that someone for me."
>Mission...
>Accomplished?
>Going by her words, you should probably be elated that she's been feeling so good
>But
>Something bothers you about this
>You like her but you would never actively initiate any... things
>You never would have actively thought to initiate things to begin with!
>And you still really don't know her
>No matter how you try to explain it, there's a very awkward feeling in the air
>When you don't say anything about it or get up, she gives an apologetic smile
>"...sorry. That was kind of a little much, wasn't it."
>"Of course not!" is what you wanted to say
>You don't want to be a dick about it
"Just a bit, yeah."
>She drops her head on the loveseat in defeat
>"...dang... I'm just trying to act like how Lizzy used to. It always worked for her."
>You can maybe see why
>But...
"Wait, you hope I'm the sort of guy that would fall for her tactics?"
>For the first time ever, you see her give some sort of...
>Genuine disgust
>"...ew. No way."
>She squints and recoils like your words put a bad taste in her mouth
>"...ew! No! Bro, have you seen her boyfriends?! Holy smokes, those guys were... well, I mean, one or two were kinda cool... but the most of them, after a point..."
>She recoils and shakes her head like you forced bad cough syrup in her mouth
>"No way... don't be like them, man. That would be so gross."
"I'm... glad you see my point?"
>You're at least two steps away from being able to even gauge what's on her mind
>She exhales until she deflates
>And closes her eyes
>"Man... mind if I lay down some knowledge that you can't ever repeat or tell to anyone?"
>Uh oh
>No way
"Sure."
>Dammit
>A few seconds pass
>"...really?"
>Don't even say it
"Yeah."
>Dammit
>Without opening her eyes, she starts
>"I'm sorry I'm doing stuff like that, Mr. A. I'm... I'm not like Lizzy."
>You could guess that
>"But... I want you to like me. I want it a whole bunch. I'm not kidding when I say you just have that sort of aura. Like, you're a magnet and I'm the fridge."
"I'm the magnet?"
>"Yeah, man. Animal magnetism?"
>That makes sense
"Alright. Why are you the fridge?"
>"Because I'm so cool."
>She replies to that so naturally and so confidently that you can't help but belch out an unexpected "ha!"
>The corners of her mouth raise
>"I just want you to like me, man... I know we aren't dating... and I know you got your stuff going on too. I just want to do what I can so I just tip the scales in my favor. And if I can have some fun and learn more things about you, why not? It means it'll be easier for me to convince you I'm not bad news."
>That's
>Deeper than you expected her to be
>And kinda...
>Proactive?
>Scheming?
"So... what, you get to stick around and I keep having you make it worth my while?"
>The growing smile that was trying to shine through droops
>"...that's about the size of it, yeah. You're a guy so... you really don't mind it, do you? You really seemed to not be in a position to dislike it."
>How do you be civil about this?
"That's kinda trashy, to be honest. Just because Lizzy maybe found ways to get guys to like her, you really don't need to do that with me."
>"Why?"
>She faces you with her eyes still closed
>"You liked it. We both know that wasn't a false alarm. Or an aimless cleanup."
"Because that sort of shit matters to me too, I don't want someone taking advantage of me through that. If anything, it'll make me paranoid and think that you're doing it mostly to get something out of it in return."
>She gives a stray sniffle
>"Yeah... I guess."
"Yeah. You should more than guess."
>She opens one of her eyes
>"...man. I wish I was Roxanne and you were Max."
"...come again?"
>"My favorite movie, man."
>She closes her eye again
>"Both characters like each other, it's not really that awkward, happy ending at the end..."
>You aren't really following her
>"There was no... searching for a girlfriend. He knew who he wanted and he went after it. And she liked him too, which you don't always see. Even her super cool friend got someone too. I... think?"
>Little by little she's losing her tone
>Until she's just...
>Talking
>No real characteristic inflection or tone to take note of
>"Don't let me be her, Anon... she did what I did. And worse. So much worse..."
>Maybe it's best to let her carry on
>"It started with hugging. With kisses being rewards. Then it started with kissing and grinding as rewards. Rewards for what? For... the attention. For gifts. Help. Homework answers, you name it."
>You can see that happening
>"Until she... she went back hard on what she said was special."
>You can probably fill in the blanks on that
>She sighs again
>"She's abandoned me, Anon. I don't have her anymore. She threw me away like a bloody sack."
>There's the dam broken
>"I don't know how to keep you around either. You're a man, of course there are things you like."
"I'm more than just that."
>"I know! I know... but I don't know what that is. I get something wrong, you get mad at me. Or you start to regret that I'm here. Or that you want something in return. Or stop being so nice about things."
>Who in the hell would take advantage of her to such an extreme degree?
>Or, better to say, who took advantage of Lizzy like that?
"Starsky, look at me. Enough with this avoiding the eye contact."
>She hesitantly looks at you
>She looks like she knows she's in trouble
>You give her a stern frown and lean forward
>And poke her nose
>You poke it repeatedly
>One of her eyebrows raise
>You keep poking her nose
>"...you alright dude?"
"I'm getting your attention."
>"...well you got it. Just don't go up my nose?"
>That makes you stop
"...right."
>You shake your head to clear your mind of the thought
"If you'd like to learn more about me, I'm fine with that. I want to learn more about you, so I'm alright with that too."
>No reply
"I... don't know if I can be your Max. I really don't. Because I don't know what my Roxanne looks like. You know where I was before I came back here?"
>No reply
>But she looks visibly intrigued
"I had a better job. I had an... ok apartment. And I was actually chatting up a steak house waitress."
>"Because she had the meat you craved?"
"Shut up. And... yes. She always got me an extra side of whipped butter. I even got her number."
>"How did that go?"
"It didn't. Because less than a week later, I got a call from my dad and... I dropped everything. So I effectively quit my job with no notice. I never actually contacted her. I filled up my bags of shit that I could carry and drove all the way here. The few friends I had, I told them that they could cannibalize my place and take whatever they wanted."
>"Oh... that's charitable of you."
>She's focusing enough on your story that she sits herself up
"Not really, most were just coworkers I talked to often. A few of them were jackasses. But none were bad guys."
>How long ago did that happen?
>It feels like it happened yesterday
"I even called my apartment and said that they could take my lease and shove it. I gave them the money for rent, appropriate to the day I left, and said that I just tossed the key since I was already gone."
>You did do that, didn't you?
>A few years of building up a nice kitchen, bedroom and living room
>All gone
>The entire life you were starting to build up for yourself
>Every single appliance, gadget, and goofy little trinket
>Either thrown out, taken and in someone else's home, or sold
>How much money was that all worth?
"I..."
>You really did drop everything, didn't you
>Your life died because it followed your dad
>Or did he kill your life with his death
"I... I had something set up."
>You wave your arm around, to show off the basement
"And... now this is my life. A couch, a loveseat, living in a freaking basement."
>"But... you have this entire house."
"It's not my house! It was never my house, I just lived here!"
>You didn't expect to shout that out
>She's just as surprised, her ears flattening
"I..."
>You bring your hand up to your forehead
"I don't even know what I'm doing with my life right now. The few friends I had, if they were ever really friends, are gone. My family... what's left of it, anyway. They're gone. I don't have anyone left. I don't have anyone I can go to for help, if I ever had that. I could get advice but I was always told to "figure it out" or to "fix it". And now I don't even get the advice."
>Speaking of dams breaking...
"Whether or not any of this is a good idea, or right, or should happen... I don't know. But I can't just... leave you out there. I can't not help you. But don't try to do stuff that makes you think I'm trying to use you. I'm not, I..."
>You just need a project to distract yourself with
>A bitter, ugly truth
>One that matches her own
"...I don't know what you need from your Max. I don't know if I can give that. I don't know what I can give right now, outside of... food and a place to sleep. That's all I really have."
>She doesn't say anything to you
>You wouldn't say anything to you either
>Neither of you speak or even move for what feels like hours
>You can feel the shame in the air
>Neither of you look good
>Neither of you look anything resembling good
>"...do you still want to do a date?"
>She tries to sound hopeful
"...well, yeah."
>You don't mean to sound annoyed
"I mean, yeah. I'd like that. You shouldn't be left alone in here so much. And I guess neither should I."
>God damn your tongue
>They say that you feel better when you let things out
>You don't feel better at all
>You just feel more self-aware
>You've been helping before thinking if you've had the capacity to truly make a difference
>"...it'll be alright, Mr. A."
>The way she's looking at you
>Does she really believe it?
"Will it?"
>"If you're trying, and I'm trying... how about we try together?"
>What do you have to lose at this point?
>She's been mostly honest so far
>And you really have no reason to think that this might be some sort of scam
"Yeah. Sure. I mean, I'd like that. If it means that it'll help you, I'm for it."
>She gets more of that mellow smile
>"And if it means it'll help you, I'm for it too. That's how that sort of thing is supposed to go, right?"
"Right."
>You feel so expended of all of your energy
>You feel downright exhausted, actually
"...mind if you don't repeat this or tell anyone what kinda just happened?"
>Starsky smiles
>"Sure, Mr. A. I'll help if you'll help. And you'll keep secrets if I do. Right?"
>You nod
"That's how it'll go hopefully."
>"Well right on, man. See? We're already closer now because we're open and honest with each other."
>Open and honest, huh?
"If that's the case, I could sure go for a Starsky special."
>You drag yourself to your feet and fall onto your couch
>And sink appropriately far into it
>"...which one are you thinking of? Mr. A?"
"Uh... ah... the one where you double as a blanket. But right now..."
>You look for something that tells time
>It's not even as late as you thought it was
"Right now... let's just call it a night."
>"Sure, Mr. A."
>You close your eyes
>You feel so disgusted with yourself for being so open and honest
>Not because you hate being honest
>But because this entire thing has been so awkward to deal with
>It wasn't your first plan to do this sort of thing
"Good night, Starsky."
>"...yeah. Good night, Mr. A. I'll hop over there when you least expect it. Alright?"
>Maybe it's your fatigue
>Maybe it's your shame
>You don't know anymore
>But you can feel yourself smile
"Thanks."

>Your yawn is a dull roar
>Your spatula is a flat lance of justice
>Your rubber tongs are the claws from which nothing can escape
>Your c-
>Starsky yawns too
>...
>It's far too soft a yawn for you to keep your mind focused
"Still sleepy?"
>"Like, seriously. I'm not saying I don't like sleeping on you? But man... you're up before the sun."
>Starsky opted to sleep on you again
>You were hesitant for it because of her side but for the last day or two it seems like her wounds have healed fully
>The two longest slices are still visible on her skin, if you part her fur
>You can feel them just as well
>After today's shower, you'll see if you can just stop wrapping her up like a mummy
"I guess I can't help it. I used to hate waking up early but I guess if I do, I just do."
>Today's menu: bacon, biscuits in the oven, and oatmeal
>You kinda find it odd that you're so easily able to go into the kitchen
>Maybe it is because you have always enjoyed cooking
>You know where everything is
>You're proud of having so much cast iron utensils and containers at your fingertips
>A lot of these things have been in your family for well over a century
>You feel connected to everyone, when you hold your skillet
>"Hey, Mr. A?"
"Yup?"
>"You... like, focus hardcore to this stuff. Were you ever a chef or something?"
"I do?"
>Maybe it's because it clears your head
>"For sure, due. I'm kinda worried you might throw me up there and filet me next."
"Don't worry, I won't eat you."
>Rather than standing nearby and waiting... and risking a random bit of grease hit her, she's sitting with a lean against the door that goes outside
"I wasn't. I can't stand the idea of cooking for pay. It would be such a ridiculous amount of time spent just standing in one place and dealing with the heat."
>You clink your tongs a few times
"Though ironically I always wanted to be a blacksmith. Same principle, it just isn't as fast-paced."
>You turn the bacon strips over
>You rarely ever do bacon for just yourself
>Starsky gives you a good excuse to get fancy
"So."
>"Sup, bruh?"
"What did you want to be when you were younger? I don't really know what sort of... careers or jobs ponies can do."
>"Haaa..."
>She glances to her side
>Her smile grows, but she looks a little embarrassed
>"You really wanna know, Mr. A?"
"Well sure. I think it's an important thing to know."
>"I guess I always wanted to be a mom."
"A mom, huh..."
>You focus on the bacon for a few moments before the weight of that sinks in
>Well, it's certainly not impossible
>There are male ponies out there too
"I guess you can't have a better goal than to have your own family. I kinda had the same goal, but I knew that it was probably going to be one of the last goals I could fulfill."
>Starsky giggles
>"You wanted to be a mom too, Mr. A?"
"Yup. I wanted to be known as "Mommanon"."
>You scoff
>She sounds impressed by it
>"I get you, man. It 's kinda cool that you want to be a dad. I never really heard any guys that wanted that. Most Lizzy knew would probably hit the road at the hint of it. It really sounds silly to me. Who wouldn't want a family?"
"For guys? Probably don't want one because that ties them down. A lot don't care for that."
>It seems like the conversation is starting to pick up
>She's more keenly focused and not slumping against the door
>"But, like... why? I mean look at you. I bet you would make a pretttttty good papa, Mr. A."
>You clamp your tongs in anticipation
>Remember, Anon, you can't eat raw bacon
>And you can't force them to get crispy before their time
"Well sure, I would. But a lot of guys? They'd be pretty happy to stick it in whoever would give them the time of day. Doesn't mean they're invested or care about whoever."
>"What about you?"
>You set the tongs down
>Dammit
>The longer you watch them, the slower they're going to cook
>You distance yourself from the skillet and rest with your back against the counter
"What about what, about me?"
>She grins, eyes locked to yours
>"Does that include you?"
>What does she me-
>Oh
"...no. To be honest, I'd rather take care of myself than to risk having kids with someone who might not be a good mom. Or to be taken advantage of by someone who would be a pretty bad mom."
>She giggles, that grin expanding
>"Soooo... if you did... that would mean that you would kinda have chosen them?"
>Does it mean that?
>You squint, taking a moment to think it over
>You suppose that does gel with your mindset
>It isn't like you've slept around any
>Your dad probably had a big hand in letting you know proper limits
>Limits like...
>You leer at Starsky
>Your face feels warm
"...rubbing doesn't count."
>Her grin drops
>"Oh come, Mr. A!"
>You shake your head in defiance with a pushed out lower lip
"Nope. Doesn't count."
>"Bruhhhh..."
>She exhales the word, defeated
>"Denied, even... and to my face."
>Her eyes go down to the floor
>"You're a harsh dude, dude."
>You get the feeling she isn't so broken up over it
>Your retort is a "heh"
"But. Apparently you are a particularly special sort."
>Her ears perk up before the rest of her does
>"...nah... you don't mean it..."
"Mmmm... I don't know. I'm pretty sure I do."
>Her tail flickers
>You can tell she's fighting the urge to smile
>You can hear it in her tone
>"I ain't special, bro."
"Nah, you are."
>The corner of her lips are twitching
>"How special are you thinking, Mr. A?"
>Your answer is as detailed and as vague as it could be
"Special enough where I don't mind you sleeping with, and on, me."
>Like a cabin door getting broken down by a horde of zombies, so does her façade explode into a proud smile
>"I guess that is pretty special, huh."
"It is. You better believe it."
>She sways from side to side, satisfied with your confidence
>"That's awesome, Mr. A. Thanks. I know that with Lizzy, she kinda got to the point that she would bed surf for a while. Like couch surfing, but... well, you know."
"I guess I do. Did you go with her?"
>She squints and shrugs
>"Like... I did? The first time or two. Because... you know, sleepovers, right? I never expected her to, uh... you know."
>You nod
"I guess so."
>She seems to like to talk about Lizzy
>But you really haven't heard anything good about her yet
"How often did she do that?"
>"Mr. A, she..."
>She rolls her eyes and looks astonished
>"Like, ever since late highschool. So, like, dig this. Prom night? I was at home, watching my shows, and she said she was going out to prom. And, so, you know, no pony policy. Totally dig it! But she said she would take pictures and all sorts of stuff. So little ol' me is vegging, popping some snackage and a bit of a pop, and she comes home. After midnight! Now, her dress being kinda ruffled and muffled is coolsville because hey, I trip and fall sometimes too, right? So whatevs. But she smells like alcohol, she smells like..."
>She squints again
>Whether in disgust or recollection, you can't even begin to guess
>"...a guy. And she's super defensive when I ask if she took any pictures. Like, she got legit mad. Like how you would get mad if I swiped all that bacon."
"To be fair I wouldn't get that mad."
>"Because you're a cool hombre. But anyway, she's all mad and I'm just shocked because... again, vegging with a pop. Totally chill as an ice ninja."
>She sighs in exasperation
>"I come to later find out, she didn't even go with her boyfriend at the time. One of the actually cool guys I mentioned. It was some guy she said she hated. So, you tell me, how do you do that with someone you hate, right? I mean, I don't hate. We're all of God's favorite little fillies. Except for the guys, and all of the non-fillies. But if I did... I would never do that sort of thing. How could you?"
>You have no clue what she just said
>How she ended up here and now
>But you think you understand everything she just said
>"And then after that... I don't even know, man. It just got out of hand over the years. I know they say that relationships change you but... those weren't relationships. None of them were. She wouldn't even know the guy's last name and she would just jump his bones like he was a recently unearthed dinosaur."
>You get the feeling that she's just ranting now
>"And anyway, what type of geek do you gotta be to do that repeatedly? I mean, how do you not get tired of it? And of the hardcore partying too."
>She ends her impromptu tirade with a heavy sigh
>You guess she's had Lizzy on the mind for a while
>You can't blame her
>You're sorta used to seeing her around
>She has been around for the better part of a month now
>Even if the lion's share of that time was spent just sleeping or being in a quiet malaise
>She goes through a few visible emotions
>Frustration
>Fatigue
>Bitterness
>Disgust
>And then fear
>"H... hey..."
>The shame in her tone is so thick you could wrangle it with your tongs
>"...w... what's your last name?"
>Oh
>You see the connection
>The best thing you can do is to just act like you don't
"Papadopoulos."
>"Anonymous Papadopoulos..."
"That's right."
>She stares at you for a good minute
>Then bursts out into a laughing fit
>It continues
>For
>A
>Long
>Time
>When you think it's over and she winds down to catch her breath
>It starts back up
>Worse, it ends up sounding worse, like she's finally given up on her inhibitions
>You can only bear it
>Like a solid oak getting punched and kicked by a martial artist in training
>But even then, the tree still feels pain
>"PAPA!"
>...what?
"What?"
>"PAPANON!"
>You're amazed she's been howling this much and isn't actually roflcoptering all over the floor
>"YOU'RE A NATURAL BORN PAPA!"
>This
>Isn't usually how people made fun of your last name?
>Eventually
>After multiple minutes
>Multiple
>Minutes
>She wears herself down
>"...so."
>You've prepared the best stone face you can muster
>"Can I call you Papa and have it not be weird because it's your name?"
>She cracks up halfway through and bursts out laughing
>You snort and your face breaks
>Oh God damn it
>You can't win, so you join her

>"How am I lookin', Mr. A?"
"Well... all of your bandages have been clean for a few days now. I don't see any breaks or cracks in the skin or something."
>"Helps that you've been giving me prettttty comfy rubdowns..."
"...with ointment. Only there. Yes."
>"You can be honest with me, Mr. A. I don't mind it."
>With one last check over her side, you give your seal of approval
>You never did get a reply from that ponytuber
>But thankfully things have turned out for the better
>You pat her side after petting her shaggy fur back into place
"And that didn't hurt?"
>The blue pony shakes her head
>"Nah. But you can keep patting me."
"I'll do you one better. How about we give your mop a chop and nail your tail?"
>She looks at you with an eyebrow raised and an excited expression
>"Mr. A, look at you!"
>It takes a second before you realize what you said versus what she took from it
"...you know exactly what I'm referring to."
>"Do I, or do you?"
"Whatever, I'm grabbing the shears now."
>They're safety shears, what you've been using to cut her dressings loose
>And here you thought you'd never use them more than once or twice
"So how do you like your stuff? I'm not a barber so keep it a little on the simple side."
>You can't imagine how long it has been since she's ever been cared for
>The fur on her body is maybe an inch long, two inches in some places
>Of course her mane and tail is always dragging down to the floor
>"That's a good question. I guess I never thought about it. How about you do you?"
"Eh?"
>"Check it!"
>She stands up and rolls her head from side to side
>After a few poses she shifts to face you, then away, then the other side
>"This is me normally standing and that's the main gripe, right? I'm used to it but I can't even dream of having a different style."
"So full creative freedom, eh?"
>"Totally."
>She faces you again and sits
>The gleam in her eye shows that she really is happy that this is happening
"Hm..."
>You squint at her
"Hhhmmmm..."
>You comb the top of her head with your fingers
>That only seems to excite her more
>But she isn't moving
>That's commitment
>What would look good on her?
>Bowl cut?
>No, that would just be sadistic
>Just shorten it?
>That would be easiest, wouldn't it
>Her hair is pretty voluptuous
>It feels soft and it doesn't feel all that tangled
>Is it naturally like that?
>It's hard to imagine that could really clean it with hooves
>"...Woah. Mr. A, you look intense."
"Shh. I'm scheming."
>She stifles a noise and smiles much wider
>Her eyes follow yours
>Whenever you go to the front and top of her mane she raises her eyebrows
>It's all one big lump of hair, isn't it
>How do you style this?
>You don't even style your own hair
>Last time you got it cut was at least a year ago
>You just brush it all back
"...gah."
>You close your eyes
>Visualize it, Anon
>"...bro, this is like... zen. You ok?"
>Wait
>Hold the phone
>You see it now
>Of course!
"I got it!"
>Your eyes lock onto her mane
>She sits stiff as a statue the second you touch it
>Your hand trails from the top of her head and down
>Every few inches, your hand stops
>She looks worried
>The further down your hand goes, the more relaxed she gets
>You wouldn't be a sadist and give her a buzzcut
>You probably need buzzers for those anyway
>Your hand stops an inch below her shoulders
>There!
>Firmly holding her mane in place, you bring the shears to the lump
>Since it's a straight cut, your shears start chomping at the mass
>At the sound of hair cutting, Starsky tenses up
>"D... don't cut me, Mr. A. I just got finished healing, you know?"
>The sheers are safe enough that you'd have to purposefully hold her skin out and then cut
>Cut
>Slice
>Chop
>Fourth onomatopoeia
>"...did you do the do?"
>Your answer is to hold up the two thirds of mane that you lopped off
"I'd do one of those Xena screeching things... but I think that might be a little too weird."
>The look on her face is one you will always remember
>"...dude. It's like... looking at your own history."
"It is, if you've never actually gotten your mane cut. When's the last time that happened, anyway?"
>"Like... I don't even remember. Can I keep it?"
>You furrow your brow
"You want to keep it."
>"Why not?"
"...well what would you even do with it?"
>"Water it every day until a second me sprouts from it?"
>You genuinely can not tell if she is joking or serious
"...nah."
>"Oh..."
>She sounds dejected but she'll get over it
>You set down the shears and mane chunk
"Alright. Now here comes the fun part."
>"The what?"
>You don't bother to tell her
>Instead, you dig your fingers into her scalp
>You massage her mane free, helping to brush out any stray hairs
>"Mr. A what ar-"
>Not only do your fingers flex and rub up and down her neck
>But goes to the base of her ears
>"MiStEr EeEeEhHhHhHh..."
>Her eyes cross at your attention
>Given the strength you put into your hands, it is a serious massage after a serious haircut
>Your hands work their way up and down at least a good six cycles until they rest at her shoulders
>By the end of it, her breathing is unsteady and a glossy sheen shows how unfocused her vision is
>"Holy crackers, Papa."
>You're not done yet
>With the sudden burst to your muscles and tendons that come only from realizing a spider is crawling up your wrist your fingers scratch and rub and flail up the sides of her neck
>The sudden jolt of sensation causes her hind legs to kick out
>Your vision must be seen through
>You refuse to stop here and now when you're so close
>So
>Very
>Close
>Whether you stop because of it, or because you stopped, Starsky lets out a crazed whinny
>You stop and pull your hands back
>If you went any faster they'd be smoking
>Her mane is now wild, no longer held back by it's own weight
>Rather than it sticking to one side, the poofiness is untamed and both sides of her head are equally fluffed
>It is
>Perfect
"I'm a God damned artiste."
>You don't have a hand mirror so you get up to grab your phone
>Judging by the dumbfounded look on her face and how twitchy her hind legs are, she won't be going anywhere
>You plop yourself back down in front of her and turn on the camera in selfie mode
>It takes a while for her brain to hard boot but once it does she focuses hard to the rectangle
>"W...woah!? Mr. A, who's that good dollop of horseradish?"
>...is that supposed to be a compliment?
>Whatever, it's not like you'd ever use that line
"What do you think? Feel like a new mare already?"
>"Bruuuuh, ha ha! Check it out!"
>She tilts her head up
>Down
>Each side
>She vigorously shakes her head, which somehow does not make her mane more or less wild and fluffy
>"My head feels so light now! And breezy too... holy snap, man. I'm like... adorable."
>She gives the camera a wink and her best smile
>Sadly the camera doesn't take a picture on it's own
>And you don't have it in you to ask her to do that again for the purpose of archival
>"Dang... when was the last time I even got my mane cut? I don't even look like a filly anymore. I'm like..."
>Her smile slides into something more sultry
>"...mature. And junk... talk about a new beginning... wow."
"I'm glad you like it. I was thinking of some other things and designs and... well. I don't know how to do those. So I just thought of something that might really fit. It's still long, that suits you. But it really shouldn't be a bother. If it is, we can get you a ribbon or so-"
>"A ribbon?! Dang, you really want me to be the girly girl huh?"
>You think on that
"...that a problem?"
>She gives a lazy salute
>"No sir, Mr. Barber, sir. Lizzy used to do this sort of stuff but I kinda forgot, it had been so long. Whatever you did like... was a time machine."
>Given the way she was acting, you aren't going to try to piece together what that entails
"Well, if we're gonna do that date tonight, let's get to that tail."
>You grab your shears and give them a test cut in the air
>The look on her face
>Now that, you should have taken a picture of
>"W-woah down there, cowboy."
"What?"
>"You can't just go after a lady like that again!"
"What do you mean?"
>She drags herself back, making an effort to keep her hind end away from you
>"Give, uh, give me a minute to recover at least!"
>You don't get it
"Come on, bring it here so we can take care of it too."
>"B-back away, man!"
"Scoot it over, let's cut mare hair."
>You snip the shears in the air
>"No way!"
>She seems like she isn't just playing
"But didn't you want to do the date thing?"
>Her eyes roll in such a drunk way you're surprised she didn't disorient herself
>"Bro... we skipped the date, the movie and the detour home...!"
"...because I cut your mane?"
>The sleepy mare inhales as hard as she can and nods
>"Mr. A. You rocked the house down to the foundation and then some."
"Really?"
>"Dude. Totally."
>You puff out your chest
"Alright... nice."
>Maybe you're a natural
>You knew that was the right look

>"See? Isn't this better Mr. A?"
"Ah... I guess."
>Starsky has talked you into camping out into the living room
>For the rest of the week
>You brought up the laptop, the blankets and the pillows
>It seems so silly
>But she did not want to let it go
>The only thing that bothers you is that the chair you sat in earlier is still there
>At least she hasn't asked about it
>It's obvious why it is there
>How embarrassing
>Dad would probably feel embarrassed on your behalf
>And now you're supposed to just sit here like everything's ok?
>You feel a hoof rest on your hand
>"Mr. A... you angry or something?"
"Huh? I'm not..."
>You look down at your hand
>It's clenched
"I'm not mad."
>You quickly come up with an excuse
>"You sure? You know you can speak up."
>Her tone is... different
>She's not really in that playful mode
>You should feel better
>But you feel more agitated
>"Hey anon."
>Starsky doesn't let you ignore her
>"It's not... healthy to stay down there all the time."
"I know."
>You don't mean to sound so curt
>You just don't feel like you should be up here
>"Mr. A. Let me ask you something."
"Huh?"
>She has a serious look on her face
>And her mane...
>It's really nice
>Has she somehow made it even more fluffy?
>"Do you like how my mane looks?"
>She smiles and sways her head to make her mane go everywhere
>It's still so long
>That is a really nice shade of purple
"Yeah. I do. It really does look great."
>"Wanna brush my mane?"
"What?"
>"Do you... wanna... brush my mane? Mr. A?"
>She isn't joking around
>You don't think
>You don't even know how to react to this
>It caught you by surprise so much that you don't even feel anxious
"...sure. Alright."
>She takes her hoof off of your hand and scoots close
>Well this is happening
>You set your hand on top of her head
>"Thanks, Mr. A. You're really helping me out with this. Since it's all chopped and stuff, I feel kinda out of whack. I really appreciate it."
>Is that right?
"Uh... yeah. Sure. Don't worry about it?"
>This makes you a little uncomfortable
>Why?
>Maybe it's because she's complimenting you for it
>"So what are we watching?"
>Huh?
>Weren't you both talking about what would be good for the night?
"We're... watching That 70s Show."
>"Why did you want to choose that?"
"Because it's fun."
>"Totally. Did you like watching it with your family?"
>Your hand falters
>"Remember the mane, dude."
"...right."
>You resume petting
"Yeah. I guess we did. It's a pretty silly sitcom, but everyone had their favorites. A lot of their worst situations were pretty... alright. Finding a job. Losing a job. Dealing with relationships, having friends to always hang out with..."
>Your hand feels heavy
>"That's cool , man. I'm glad we're friends. How about we watch through all of the show while we're out here? It looks super cool on the TV."
"...alright. Sure."
>Three scenes in and you're laughing like you used to
>Of course you didn't grow up in the 70s
>You don't think even your grandpa was alive during the 70s
>You can't imagine how it would feel to have a group of friends like that
>You never had that
>You even called your dad Red for a time
>Just as a sort of joke
>And, as a joke in kind, he would call you Kelso
>Starsky giggles at some of the jokes but not all of them seem to hit her as well
>"Hey, Mr. A?"
>She sounds more relaxed
>"Who's your favorite character?"
"Leo, man."
>"I haven't seen him pop up yet."
"Nah. He isn't in all of the episodes. He's an old dude who's really chill. Kinda like your stereotypical stoner."
>You clear your throat and bring up your best Leo accent
"Far out, man. Just a dude and his pony, watching stuff."
>You never were all that good at impersonating Tommy Chong
>"Haaa, for real! Bro, you're right on the money."
>It's kinda hard to believe that she doesn't know the show well since she sounds kinda like him
>"But since he isn't in this episode... who is your favorite?"
"In that case?"
>"Yeah."
"Eric."
>You didn't expect yourself to say him
>He was the biggest nerd of the group
>The group wimp
>Frail and proper
>Not really all that accurate to who and how you were and are
>"Woah... Mr. Clean over there? Why? Did you used to, like, be just some scrawny guy?"
"No. I guess... I just like how he always had family. He has his friends. He has his parents. Even his girlfriend's dad eventually warms up to him. And Bob is a real groovy guy."
>"Totally see your point there."
>She sways her head opposite of your hand, reminding you to keep petting her
>"...wanna hear about my family?"
>You look to focus on her
>She's focusing on the TV
"Yeah. There's Lizzy, and..."
>The less said about her, the better
>"So there's Lizzy. Her mom. Her mom's mom. And her aunt."
>Nothing but women?
>Guess that fits opposite of how your family was
>"So... like, Liz was an only kid. So that's how I popped up, right? But her mom's mom? She was really nice. She... she didn't last too long. She left us pretty early in my life."
"It sucks when that happens... when you get older, you realize just how much you missed out on. If you could just have an hour to ask questions."
>"Right... super right."
>You get the feeling that neither of you are focusing on the show
>"So... like, Lizzy's mom. She buries herself in work. And her aunt? Lisa. She comes up and... well, she was really cool too. I wonder if she had an effect on me. Because she? She was a huuuuuge smoker. And, like, the most chill chick in the hen house."
"I can see that. Taught you how to groove and hang ten?"
>"Haa... something like that. She taught me how to respect. And, like. Not because I'm a pony. She taught me to be really humble. Because even though I could do things Lizzy couldn't, she could do things I couldn't. And we used to actually kinda fight and argue about that. Like how sisters do. Right?"
"Naturally."
>"And she was around to see that happen. So she would often step in, take me out for a walk and we would just... talk."
"What about?"
>Starsky replies with a "hur"
>"Literally anything and everything, bro. The sun, the stars, the souls both humans and ponies have, weather, the lifespan of trees and what they must see."
"That's weird. Why would she bring up stuff like that?"
>"I don't know. Ha. Like, Mr. A, she was a super space case. She said that she listened to a guy online that made her start to question everything and ask every sort of question possible."
>She leans into your hand
"So. Did she ever explain herself? Or did you have to figure out why she would take you out for a walk to talk about space rocks and the power of colors?"
>"Naaah... I never had a chance to actually ask her. I... later heard that she had some sort of disease or something. And then... that kinda started to mess with her head."
>She sniffles
>You look at her
>A few tears are collecting around her chin
>Her fur seems to be hiding most of it
>"But... I think I kinda figured out the method behind the madness, man."
"Mm..."
>You can't really say anything to her
>"She made it look so easy... she was always so chill. So cool. She pretended like she could spit out ice cubes of any size, she was that chill. Whenever Lizzy and I would fight, she would pop up and suddenly we're stuck on why jelly isn't jam. And I think..."
>She swallows
>"I think that was her way of helping. She always came in to diffuse a situation and we never caught on. It makes me wonder. How much did she really worry? How hardcore did she pay attention to stuff? She looked like she was super sleepy or didn't care. But she really did care. She cared a whole bunch."
>The episode ends
>Another set of shenanigans, with canned laughter that caps off everything that is actually funny or not
"She must have been pretty smart, to always keep an eye open for stuff like that."
>"Yeah... she was really the best. Like a talking statue, man."
>You lean back in your seat
>You activate the leg rest and let it keep rising until the back end starts to go down
>You stop when you feel like you're laying at an angle
"It must take a lot of skill to be able to take the heat off of big efforts... and to stop certain situations from even popping off."
>"Yeah... I sure wish I could be more like her, Mr. A."
>Oh Starsky
>You really don't want to say anything to her
>But you should show her that she is
>If what she said is accurate, her aunt has to be pretty proud
"Well. I think you're on the right path. But you'll probably be more chill if I can chop that tail short."
>Starsky's entire body shivers
>"...n-no, that's ok. I can't handle so much change at once, Mr. A."
>That...
>You understand that entirely
"Yeah. Of course... whenever the time comes, right?"
>That makes sense
>Maybe, when you look at yourself that way...
>"...and when I think I can handle you doing whatever you did with my mane."
>...what?
>What did you do?
>You just ruffled it until she got a wild mare look
>Oh well
>There is still more show to watch