Kv6JgEkB

1Chapter one: Introduction
2
3>it's the 3rd of january
4>you are Anon
5>it's about 11 pm, or even later
6>you're walking the straight dark alley, making your way to the closest bus station so you can get home
7>and there's nothing you'd want more right now, than to already be there, because it's damn cold out here
8>you can already see the light of the street lamps, reflecting the glitters of falling snow at the end of your dark shortcut
9>you're almost reaching there, about to turn right in the next three meters
10>when out of sudden...
11>something of skyblue color jumps from behind the corner and crashes directly into you, making you fall on your back and hit your head
12>for a split second, there's dark
13>as you vision clears from the shock, you can see what just happened
14>a blue animal with rainbow colored mane and tail laying on your chest is picking itself up
15>you also notice it has a strange collar, made of leather and metal, around it's neck
16>before it's gone, you manage to glimpse into it's eyes
17>and for that second, as if you've felt the very same fear the creature was going trough
18>gave you a cold shiver on your back
19>but before you fully process what's happening, the thing is already running the way you came
20>another figure comes from around the corner
21>it's a man of slightly above average figure, dressed as if he just ran in a hurry out of his house, not even closing his coat
22>he's furiously tapping on some sort of remote controller
23>>“Fucking piece of shit, work! Work!“
24>he also notices you, laying there
25>>“Don't worry, I'll get that cunt.“ he mumbles towards you as he runs past
26>you don't have to be a detective to realize he's the one chasing it
27>so you turn around to see what is happening
28>the creature has a good ten meters of lead, but of of nowhere, collapses on the ground, screaming in pain
29>and it's terrifying how human that scream sounds
30>almost like a young girl...
31>the cause of it's pain is in the man's hand, a remote controller for the electric collar
32>nowadays, you try to avoid violence in all forms because it makes you quite uncomfortable
33>not really giving you any traumas or anything, but sometimes it mentaly hurts just to see and hear
34>and this is borderline unbearable just to listen to
35>so you instinctively cover your ears, but can't look away
36>he stops running and walks up close, still pushing the button, releasing always only when talking
37>>“You like it?! Huh?! I'm gonna make you pay!“
38>holding your ears is no good when it's still happening right in front of you, you gotta act
39>so you make yourself stand up and run up to him
40„Hey! Stop it. You're torturing the poor thing!“
41>>“Yeah, I can see that and I'm enjoying every last bit of it. The unobedient bitch deserves it.“ he looks over his shoulder at you
42>now that you see it up close, you remember an article
43>it isn't that long since you read about it on the internet
44>scientists somehow discovered or just straight up created this new specie
45>there was a drawn picture in the headline, looking similiar to what you see now
46>they should be availible to buy as exotic pets for a disgusting amount of money, some unspecified date in the future
47>...where did he find it so soon, before anybody else?
48>but this is no time to think about any of that
49„This is no punishment. You'll kill her like that. Please, stop it.“ you try to talk some sense into him
50>>“She can take it, just watch.“ he turns back around with a grin on his face, as if he was proud to demonstrate
51„Just cut it out man, I'm not gonna watch you do that!“ you turn him around by his shoulder 
52>but this time, you're faced with anger in his expression, because of what you dared
53>>“If you don't like it, then just fucking turn around and go wherever you came from. This is MY personal bussines. Not yours.“
54>he pushes the button again, looking you in the eyes
55>>"What'cha gonna do, fuckwit?"
56>yes, what you gonna do? that is a great question
57>because your thoughts are a mess right now
58>what IS the right thing to do?
59>you don't want to start another fight, but you don't want to let this happen either
60>deep inside, you were always the kind who wanted to be brave, save lives, create values, be the hero of situation
61>but not like this, not trough violence
62>you can't just punch him, or can you?
63>you can, but you won't
64>so you quickly smack the hand he's holding the device with, making him drop it
65>and as soon as it lands on the ground, you stomp it, hoping to give the animal time to escape
66>the flow of electricity from the collar stops, but she still lays on the ground, not moving
67>the guy stares at you unbeleivingly for a few seconds, as the anger builds up inside him
68>you did what you did and now comes the consequence
69>>“You have made a huge mistake buddy. Huge, huge mistake.“
70>and without any further hesitation, you're getting punched straight in the face
71>it doesn't hurt yet, but your head starts spinning from the shock and for a half a second, you almost forgot what the hell is even going on
72
73>>“What the fuck did you think in that stupid head of yours?"
74>another punch, to the exact same place, but your hands instictively fly up to at least partly parry it
75>and one more right after it, right trough your hands and to your brow again
76>you stumble back, out of his range and breathe heavily, trying to calm down, that is now your top priority
77>>"You had enough dipshit? Now, your money, you broke something I need to get repaired." he opens his hand, waiting for you to give him your wallet "I don't have all night."
78>little does he know you only have some change for the bus
79>you can feel some liquid, running down your face as he talks, but you're ignoring it, you're not even paying attention to his words, all you do is just breathe heavily and rhytmicaly to calm down your mind
80>shh, it's okay Anon, you did what you thought was right...
81>accepted what followed...
82>and now, you'll do what you gotta do to survive
83>suddenly, as if new energy of determination flew trough your body and you find courage to raise your head and face him
84>this time you have no fear, no doubt about what to do
85>you're almost unnaturaly calm
86>“Why the fuck are looking at me like that? You're deaf? Your wallet!"
87>he's definitely going to hit you again now
88>but he has to do a step closer first
89>breathe in
90>and at the same time as his fist flies to you face it did before, you're already dodging to the left
91>and with a breathe out, your left fist is buried deep inside his stomach
92>he's actualy quite predictable with his angry movements
93>breathe in
94>but he's way too close
95>you breathe out and your left fist hits the side of his head, allowing you to step back
96>breathe in
97>he tries to throw another anger-clumsy punch, but misses
98>breathe out
99>you hit his jaw from bottom with your right fist
100>breathe in
101>“You...fucker.“ he spits some blood out, wasting precious time on talking
102>breathe out
103>your left fist hits his sleep centre again without hesitation
104>breathe in
105>he falls to the ground
106>breathe out
107>...
108>breathe in
109>...
110>...
111>breathe out
112>breathe in
113>breath out
114>time is back to normal and you're "snapped back" out of your trance, as if you awoke in he morning, day after party
115“What did I just do...?"
116>except you know well what you just did
117>your head hurts and your brow stings, so you put your hand there
118>the liquid dripping on a side of your face was your blood all along
119>it shouldn't have been a surprise, what else would it be?
120>...but it feels like a surprise, to actualy see it on your hands
121>and it's ...uneasy, way more than you'd like it to be
122>your head spins and you gotta lean on the wall for a second
123>while doing so, you reach into your pocket for tissues and put two on your wound
124>you close your eyes, waiting for the headspin to pass and when you open them again, you're staring at the guy on the ground
125>...is he ...dead?
126>omg
127>you quickly check his pulse over a tissue, trying not to stain his clothing with your blood
128>he's alive
129>phew
130>maybe you should at least zip his winter coat, make sure he won't freeze to death here
131>but after then, your injury starts to sting again, interrupting your flow of thoughts
132>you try to concentrate on the breathing to ignore it and recapitule:
133>the thug should be fine, he's breathing and hopefuly awakes before he freezes
134>you're kinda okay-ish too and-...
135>...the animal, one because of which it all started... is she okay?
136>you'd literaly almost forget about her in all this stress, if she wasn't laying few meters behind the beaten up guy
137>but before anything else, you put away the tissues which are now soaked trough and touch your brow with your fingers
138"Aw, shit. That hurts."
139>it will definitely need some stitches, but at least it bleeds a bit less by now
140>you still put new tissues on it as you move towards the animal
141>notice she has wings and they are tied together
142>feathers clipped very short
143>strange though, that she's still laying there like that
144"Oh no..."
145>surely, her heart didn't make it
146>all of this for nothing...
147>MAN, you're so dumb!
148>as you're running closer, your head is full of regret and dark thoughts about how you fuck up everything
149>you kneel down, trying to check for pulse
150>but where does she even have veins??
151>no matter, her chest is moving, so she's alive - only passed out
152>...
153>phew...
154>...man, you're a drama queen
155>you have a little sincere chuckle of relief
156>if nothing else, you saved a life - so it was worth it
157>but maybe you should try to wake her up, make sure she's really okay
158>so first you try to shake her a bit
159>then a bit more
160>after the second try, she flinches, and confusedly opens her eyes
161>at the first sight of your bloody face, she yanks and breaks free from your hands, frightenedly backing away to the wall behind her
162„Calm down. Ok? Just calm down. Everything's fine now." you talk to her like to a puppy and gesture with your hands, trying to force a smile
163>but it's hard for you to look calming with your hands and face stained with blood
164>“Pl-please, leave me be.“ she avoids eye contact, but still watches you
165>wait, what? 
166>is it actualy talking?
167>like a human?
168"...You can speak?!" you step back, but immediately do two more steps closer because of curiosity
169>"Please, no..." she closes her eyes, turns her head away and presses herself scaredily against the wall, hyperventilating like a prey about to be mauled
170>you shake your head to take in what's even happening
171>maybe you really should go and leave her be, you're scaring the hell out of her
172>but you're also so very curious, so you spit on another tissue, cleaning yourself as much as you can before talking to her again
173„Come on, open your eyes. I'm not trying to hurt you, I just want to speak with you. ...Please."
174>she carefuly opens her eyes and notices the guy laying on the ground next to her
175>you can hear her gasping of shock
176>"That's him..." she whispers to herself, then she turns her head at you "...Did you...kill him?"
177"No, he's alive. ...Who is he anyway?"
178>"I don't know..."
179"How do you not know?"
180>"I don't know, I swear! Please let me go!" she cries out in sudden despair
181"Look, I'm sorry for stressing you like that. Just,.. go if you want to. I'm sorry." you step back and make enough room for her to leave
182>she stares at you unbelievingly for a second
183>"...You're not holding me back at all?"
184"I told you already, I'm just curious what happened."
185>she sits on her rump uncertainly
186>"...I-I ran from him. And ate all the documents he got about me. I'm free now."
187>her voice is strange, it's... a little raspy
188>can imagine a kid in puberty talking like that
189"You what?" you'd almost laugh "Oh, well,.. that's good for you I guess... eating the papers and all. But uh... what are you going to do now?"
190>"...I'm gonna hide in the forest, somewhere far away."
191"Don't want to dissapoint you, but there's no forest around. Just city everywhere in a circle of... well, quite a circle. And then just fields."
192>"I'm gonna hide somewhere, even if I was to DIE there." she's filled with sudden repulsement towards you as she's saying that "Better than surviving among your kind as a property."
193„Uhm, okay then. Guess you don't like people a lot." you'd smile with a mixture of dissapointment, then look partly away "...It's kind of understandable, really..."
194>you were hoping for at least a little thank you, but who knows what that thing has been trough, you can't possibly blame her
195"...What's your name anyway?“ you ask after a few seconds of silence and staring into a wall
196>she hesitates at first, but seeing you still not being angry for busting out on you like that, she cools down a bit and replies in a softer tone
197>“...It's Rainbow Dash.“
198„Huh, did he name you like this?“ you point with your thumb over your shoulder at the unconciouss guy
199>“No. That is MY own name. My real name." she frowns at you seriously
200„Ok, ok. It just sounds a bit...funny. No offense.“ you smile sincerely „...My name is Anon.“
201>and you offer her a hand
202>she looks down at your hand, then turns her gaze on your face, looking you right in the eyes
203>it's a strange way she looks at you, almost as if looking trough you, staring straight into your soul
204>and for almost uncomfortably long time
205>“You're different from the others...“ she exhales surprisedly
206>...what the heck did she just see?
207„Um,.. thanks? I guess?“ you put the hand away, because she likely isn't gonna shake it anyway
208>"No,.. I mean, it's me to thank you." she continues in a different tone from before, almost... a little trusting "...I didn't thank you for saving me."
209"That's nothing... I just wish it didn't have to come to this to make him stop. But-"
210>“He deserved it, you know?... Don't feel bad about him." she interrupts you "...But you're kinda bleeding too.“
211„Nah, that's alright. I deserved it just as much.“ you laugh forcibly and place another tissue on the wound because the previous ones are soaked trough yet again
212>by now you're kinda used to the pain already
213„...But I guess I should go now, I have a bus to catch.“ you stand up, about to turn around
214>“W-wait hum-I mean Anon.“ she stands up as well and reaches out her hoof to stop you
215„...Yes?“
216>“I...I uhm wanted ask if I could...“ she sits down again
217>...
218>it's visible how she's forcing herself to say it
219>„...If i could stay a night or two? I-I can do some housework in return.“
220„Well, I can do housework by myself. I don't have a big house and-“
221>“But there must be something I can do!"
222„Hmm, I can't think of anything really." you raise your shoulders „I'm just used to living alone.“
223>...
224>oh well, that sounded a lot colder than you expected
225>lol, what would Jesus do, Anon?
226>...
227„Uhh, look, if you need a place to stay, I'll let you stay in my house for some time. I just don't need anything in exchange. That's all I wanted to say."
228>"Just like that and for real? That sounds suspicious." she frowns at you
229"Hey, I wasn't the one who asked for a place to stay." you chuckle
230>"Yeah, but...Ok then, sorry, you're right... Promise no sketchy bussines?"
231„Sure.“ you laugh and raise your little finger "Pinky promise."
232>you can see her cracking a half smile when you said that
233>"You know my old friend used to-.....Nevermind, Pinkie promise."
234"Ok, but first, there are two things I probably should do. Lemme get these things off you.“
235>a bit hesitanly, she comes closer
236>you reach for the rope over her clipped wings, which is pretty easy to untie
237>then the collar, but-
238„Hey, this thing is sturdy. I can't get it off right now. I'll need some tools for that.“
239>“Well, at least those ropes are away.“ she sighs
240„Yea. Now, for that ring of his.“ you move to the guy, still laying on the same spot
241>for some reason, you name him Richard
242>“Ring?“
243„Yes. You don't know? While adoption documents are probably more important, I think it's like a small technical certificate for a car. It's on the internet. ....You'd seriously leave and wouldn't even throw it away from him? Or eat it too?“ you smirk at your own joke, but continue a bit more serious "...He might even start an official investigation if he had something that would connect him to you."
244>“I didn't know any of that.“ she frowns
245„Well, now you do. Also, I'm gonna take it, because the cheery fella torn my eyebrow with that thing.“
246>“But if you'll keep it even after I'm gone, what's gonna happen?“
247„Don't know. You can keep it when you'll go, but it probably won't help. They'll think you stole it, if you get caught.“
248>you come closer to her ex owner and take the bloodied ring
249>it's silver-like, a bit robust, but not too big to hinder on your finger
250>you clean it with a yet another tissue
251>there's a number imprinted on it, saying: „No. 369“
252„Is this like your serial number?“
253>“I'm not a machine to have a serial number...“
254„Well you do have one. Look.“ you show it to her
255>when she sees it, it's kinda like something broke inside of her
256>“369...I'm the 369th…?“
257>you wouldn't answer
258>“....If there really is so many others of us here...How..?" she sits down, staring into the ground, but then lifts her head and yells out in the air, partly at you "How could you do this to us?! So many!!! Don't you humans have no mercy at all? No compassion?!“
259>she's almost crying now, but she's holding it inside 
260>something tells you she wouldn't cry in front of you
261>but you can see how is her sadness turning to anger when she's about to look at you again
262„Look, um Rainbow. I know you must feel pretty horrible right now. But-“
263>“What?!“ she barks
264„Just,.. try to keep it together. It sounds harsh, but anger won't do anything but make it worse.“
265>she'd just growl even angrier at you, piercing you with a gaze
266>but when your eyes meet, as if she somewhat "snapped out of it"
267>“I-I..,..Y-...you're right. I'm sorry. It's not your fault, I-... just couldn't help it...“
268>what does she keep seeing?
269>her eyes are now even more watery, but she still isn't crying
270>still holding all the sadness inside, looking away in shame
271>now you can only wonder how tragic she really feels under that crust of pride
272„I know, that's fine. But we should go, before someone finds us, or before he awakes. And we have to catch the next bus.“
273>“R-right. You lead the way.“ she wipes her eyes with her hoof and stands up, trying to act like she's 100% okay
274>you'd nod and stand up
275>she's following you trough the empty streets to a lonely bus station nearby
276>you're still feeling pretty tense though, your teeth even chatter while you're replaying the pictures of what happened in your mind
277>maybe it's partly because of cold, but the stress has some part in it too
278>as much as you hate to admit it, you're having a little trouble "not worriying"
279>along the way, you'd walk past a nightly general store
280>gives you an idea
281„Wait here in the shadow, I'll be right back.“
282>“Wait, where are you going?“ she whispers urgently in fear of being left alone again
283„To that building over there. Just a few seconds.“
284>you don't really give her choice, because you'd just run inside
285>after not even two minutes, you're back with two 0.3l glass bottles
286>she's hiding behind a trash bin
287>"Where did you go?" she's still whispering
288„Here. It might help you relax.“ you've opened both of them with your new ring, offering one to her
289>“You bought it for me? And what is it?“ she comes out of the shadow
290„Nothing special, just beer, but it's something.“
291>“And you say it helps?“
292"I don't know, if it does. But we can try." you say and take a sip from your bottle
293>she takes one from hers to taste it
294>“It's bitter...“ she looks a bit disgustenly at the bottle
295>but then she starts forcibly gulping it down
296>wouldn't finish it whole though
297>"Yuck." she'd make even more disgusted face at the end, followed by a loud burp
298"I'm not sure if that was what I had in mind, it's better to drink it slowly." you laugh softly "If you don't like it, just throw it away. It was a little stupid idea to begin with."
299>“Hmpf.“ she throws the bottle into the bin she was hiding behind
300>you'd then continue on your way with your beer in right hand
301>having a sip it here and there
302>and it actualy helps you to calm down
303>but it's so cold your teeth chatter even more
304>you'd purposely arrive just shortly before the bus actualy stops on the place, so you don't have to wait too long
305>while entering, you have your scarf over most of your face and avoid to look in driver's eyes
306>maybe you're just paranoid right now, but you'd be happier if nobody remembered you from this night, if you could be just another nameless person, walking trough shadows
307>but not all things can always be avoided
308>the driver would be blind if he wouldn't notice a skyblue creature with colorful mane and shock collar around her neck
309>at least he couldn't connect your face with her if somebody ever asked him
310>he saw only the scarf and importanly, he probably saw the ring, so it won't feel that suspicious if anyone should ask
311>walking past him, there are three people sitting in the bus
312>an old lady with an old man, most likely her husband. Probably coming from a cinema or something because they still have some popcorn
313>they look so happy together and active, even after growing old and wrinkled
314>it's reminding you of something that you used to crawe so much back then, but it always felt so distant from you
315>....but you don't envy anymore, you're actualy kind of happy to see others have it
316>you're content with loneliness now
317>there's also some drunk guy who barely noticed you, or your new companion walking behind you
318>even though you avoid consuming too much alcohol nowadays, there were nights in past, when you ended up the same
319>although they all seem pretty harmless, you still make your way to the very back of the bus, so their company will be as far away from you as possible
320>there, you'd sit on one of the chairs and silently wait
321>it's warm in here compared to outside, almost relaxing to you
322>even your teeth are now finally quiet
323>Rainbow Dash is sitting next to you and stares in front of her with a blank look
324>...maybe the beer wasn't the best idea
325>you don't know what it does with her
326>man, you're so-  .....well, calling yourself stupid won't do any good now
327>you should at least talk to her, to keep her thoughts busy
328„Are you alright? How you holding up?“ you whisper, so the others can't hear you
329>“The beer thingy you gave me, did it help you relax?“
330„A little..“
331>“I just keep getting stuck on thougts.“
332„...Then try finding a good one and stick on it.“
333>“What's a good though in this situation?“
334„Well,.. you probably flew in past." you'd point at her clipped wings after a second of thinking "Why don't you think about flying?“
335>“I can't even remember the flying anymore...“
336„Yes you can. I flew once in my life on a plane and I can still remember it." you smile now "For you, it must have been like riding a bicycle is for me... Close those eyes.“
337>she does that, even though she still looks a bit worried about what is gonna happen next
338>you're not sure what exactly are you doing right now, but hope for the best
339>you did that with yourself before, kind of like meditating... visualisation?
340>anyway, you'd start narrating a scenery, whispering very quietly and VERY slowly, to give her enough time to imagine
341„It's the first day of a green, fresh spring, in a sunlit afternoon. Your feathers are grown back and you're strong and healthy as a first primrose, effortlessly making it's way closer to sun trough wet and heavy leaves. Where you're standing, the ground is soft, covered with the greenest grass...and under a few flaps of your wings, all the land suddenly becomes so small and distant........  The blinding sun is up in the sky with you, so beautiful and warm, caressing everyone with it's loving embrace. Neverending seas of trees with fresh leaves are rustling in the soft wind and they are singing... of peace... Surely, you can hear them...?“
342>a faint smile appears on her face
343>“I can.“
344>a fine encouragement to continue
345>you have a good visualisation, so you aren't even making it up, you can see it firsthand and merely narrate
346>and you'd continue on narrating the scenery to the smallest details, for the rest of bus ride
347>you wish you could give it to her for granted, but you have no idea what's really coming to this strange creature
348>at least you can help now
349>but how is she gonna end up?
350>at this point you get distracted by your own dark thoughts that are invading your imagination with scenes of death, consuming the land and all it's habitants
351>so you stop narrating at this point and open your eyes, realizing you're arriving to your bus stop
352„We're here... Let's go.“
353>she opens her eyes and the smile slowly vanishes as she comes back to the reality once again
354>“Alright...“
355>from here, it's not even a kilometer to your home
356>she's shivering a bit, but you're almost there
357"Hey, let's go faster, make the blood circulate."
358>she silently follows your swifter tempo, lost in thoughts
359>"This is it.“ you're pointing at your house while closing by
360>the key in a lock turns and the door open, revealing the dark rooms of your home
361>first thing you do, is switch on the lights, so you can see while untying your boots
362„Could you clean your hooves a bit? It's messy out there.“ you'd give her a floorcloth before she enters
363>“Sure...“
364>when she's done, you're heading to your living/dining room to the left
365>there, you'd close all the curtains so no one can see inside
366„You can sleep on the couch, sheets and pillows are stored inside. But come to think of it, maybe you might wanna take a shower as well. How long is it since your last bath?“
367>“I can't remember.“
368„Well, you should definitely take a shower. There's even a bit of my blood on you over there." you point at her shoulder "It's those doors on the right. I'll go second. Towels are in the cabinet, right next to the entrance.“
369>"Ok..." she tiredly goes the way you sent her
370>in the meanwhile, you'd go look at yourself in the mirror to check the wound 
371>it bled fairly before, but it doesn't look that bad now
372>there will likely be a little scar above your brow in the future, reminding you of this night
373>so you bring a needle with a thread and prepare for a sting
374>a single stitch, or maybe two will be enough
375"Ow!"
376>yeah, two is enough, definitely not three
377>then you head to your fridge
378>few joghurts you've been saving for later, some cheese, butter, peanut butter, ghee butter, one more bottle of beer, blueberry marmelade, honey, mustard, ketchup, eggs and some fruit and vegetables
379>come to think of it, you're not even really hungry, so you're about to close the fridge
380>...but you bet she is
381>so you slice some bread, put it in toaster, then spread some butter and honey on it
382>leaving it on the table, along with two appless and a glass of water, you grab the other bottle of beer from the fridge and sit in your chair
383>what a friday night
384>with your eyes closed and beer opened, you patienly wait till she's finished showering and think about how lovely your bed will be once you get there
385>now all the tiredness finally catches up to you and you can almost see yourself falling asleep
386>when you're at half of the bottle, you hear the bathroom door finally open
387„Check the table. Eat up if you're hungry.“ you murmur with eyes still closed
388>“Is this for...?...Thanks Anon.„
389>you can hear her biting a mouthful of apple
390"No probs." you open your eyes and stand up to take a shower as well, leaving almost a full bottle on the table
391„When you're done, just put it in the sink. I'll clean it later.“ you'd turn around before closing the bathroom door behind you
392>and finally, it's here
393>you're turning the water heat to the very maximum
394>some really hot shower after the cold day
395>feels good
396>actualy, might be the best thing today
397>so you just stand there for some time, absorbing the heat before getting to wash yourself
398>after you're done showering, you'd brush your teeth and go back
399>she's already sleeping around the time you enter the living room, so you don't even turn the lights on
400>there's some light from the moon outside and you would find your bedroom door even blind
401>the bottle is still where you left it, but you don't really feel like finishing it, so you just pour it down the sink
402>when you finally get to bed, you're tired as hell but the little of beer you had still prevents you from falling asleep immediately 
403>so you roll around for a few minutes, until the sleepiness takes over
404>and eventualy, it does pretty soon...
405
406Chapter two: Day Two
407
408
409a couple of dreams you can't remember later...
410
411>the sun shines trough the window
412>you never close the bedroom curtains for the night, so you're used to this kind of awakening
413>but the light lasts only for a few seconds, before the clouds hide it again
414„Oh jolly.“ you're opening open your eyes
415>it's feels like you could sleep longer, but you'd probably be oversleeping your restful sleep
416>so with a loud yawn, you stand up and continue to your bathroom wearing nothing but your underwear
417>completely forgetting you have a new roommate, laying on the couch in your living room
418>while opening the door, you'd freeze and stare at her surprisedly
419>that is, before the flashback of yesterday strikes you
420>but just to be sure, you touch your brow to feel the two stitches
421>right...
422>so all of that really happened, eh?
423>...
424>...maybe you should get some clothes on you at least
425>so you swiftly return for some pants and t-shirt
426>then go do some morning hygiene, and now!.. it's time for breakfast
427>what's it gonna be?
428>on a draining board, there's a washed plate from yesterday and two apple cores in the trash
429>half-filled glass of water is standing on the table, next to a couch Rainbow Dash is sleeping on
430>what a strange name though..
431>does she always get called by her full name or just "Rainbow"?
432>that sounds weird
433>she'd let out a little snore sound while you're thinking about her name, so you turn around to have a good glance who you even brough home
434>the sight makes you chuckle a bit, she looks like a big puppy in a way
435>fluffy ears, big eyes, gentle muzzle...
436>now that you reflect on yesterday,.. you're kinda glad about all you did
437>it could have turned out better of course, but you did the best you could, given the situation and mindset
438>if you knew better, you'd do better
439>suddenly your stomach gurgles, interrupting you from your thoughts
440>need to eat something, something warm
441>so you crack open a few eggs and slice the rest of the bread
442>bread fried in egg it is for today
443>the sound of oil crackling wakes your sleepy roommate up
444>first it's just a flinch of her ear, then she registers the smell of the food being prepared
445>at the first opening of her eyes, she'd yank in confusion and spring up
446>almost immediately, in the „ready to run/attack" stance
447>like a starled dog, almost
448>then she notices you, making the breakfast
449>„Oh....“ she exhales, realizing where she is
450„'Morning. Slept well?“ you grin over your shoulder 
451>“I think I-...almost did... Good morning.“
452>gulping the rest of the water she left by the couch, she comes closer to see what you're preparing
453>her mouth waters from the sight of the food and you can hear her swallowing down the saliva
454>but she doesn't say anything, just keeps watching you
455>so you put some slices of fried bread on a plate, which you slide closer to her, along with two plastic bottles
456„Here, mustard and ketchup. And the rest is on the table already.“
457>she wouldn't really move, just questioningly and suspiciously slide her gaze from the food onto you
458"...What is it?"
459>"...You're not planning something bad,.. are you?"
460"Pff, the way you're asking almost sounds as if you're hoping for something bad to happen." you chuckle heartily and continue frying
461>“All of this just feels so very unlikely... Almost if there was some betrayal planned in the future."
462"...Care to share the experience that gave you this mindset?" you'd look over your shoulder at her
463>"Let's just say I trusted a human once before. That's all." she retorts
464"You did? Well, something tells me it wasn't the guy from yesterday. Was it someone who had you before him?"
465>"No." she frowns "...And I'm not telling you more."
466"Ok then, you don't have to." you crack a little smile, tending to the pan in your hand again
467>but by now, you're almost finished frying, so you'd take your plate and continue to the table
468>a little sheepishly, followed by her
469>there you put some mustard with ketchup on your bread, placing a slice of cheese over it only to watch her silently copy you
470"Well, enjoy." you announce amusedly before having a first bite of your bread
471>"...Yeah, thanks. You too."
472>"Oh my,..." she exhales when she has a bite too
473>followed up with two more
474"Try it with a tomato." you roll her way one of the two tomatoes you brough
475>she'd look at it with a little doubt and wouldn't try it until you take one bite of yours
476"It's not poisoned." you grin "Not even rotten."
477>she wouldn't answer, merely glance at you with unreadable expression and continues stuffing herself
478>...
479>"So... this is what humans eat?" she then asks when she finishes her first slice
480"Not too typicaly."
481>"..So what's typical?"
482"Meat probably. In all of it's different variations. Yeah, but bread in all different variations too..."
483>"Meat?! From living things? That's disgusting!" she makes a "bleh" face while pushing the plate a little farther, even though there's no meat on it
484"Is it?" you'd smirk at her before having another bite
485>at this point, she'd slowly stand up from her seat, carefuly backing away to the main door while tensely keeping both eyes onto you
486>"You're planning to eat me one day, aren't you?"
487"..What, you seriously think I'd eat you?" you burst into laugh
488>"Well, you tell me? Maybe that's why you brought me here and feed me!" she's already grabbing the handle, getting ready to escape
489>maybe your little joke was a bit too much
490"Come on, calm down. I was just playing with you."
491>"You're telling me it was just a joke?"
492"If I wanted meat, I'd just go and buy it. It's not like I couldn't afford it at all."
493>"So you really ARE carnivorous?" she accusingly points her hoof at you
494"No... At least not me. Some people prefer meat, I don't. That's all. And I'm certainly not going to eat you." 
495>...
496>she still lingers
497"Come on, don't be silly. You can leave anytime. The keys are right next to the door." you point "I wouldn't try stop you."
498>she tries the handle, realizing it was locked the whole time, so she grabs the key to see if it really fits
499>and of course it does, you were telling the truth
500>having the door opened, she sticks her head outside only to be slashed by a freezing wind and snowflakes right in her face 
501>not exactly a welcoming weather this particual morning
502>"Maybe I'll stay a bit longer... But no funny bussiness. I'm careful now." she closes the door and slowly walks back to the table to sit again
503"Sure... Though, it's not like I'm the one in need here."
504>"Why would you keep helping me then?" she asks and carefuly bites into a slice of bread she left there
505"Do I need a reason? Ever thought I might just be like that?" you smile warmly
506>she lifts her head and frows at you suspiciously, measuring you whether you're lying or not
507"Well?" you glance her directly in the eyes
508>but she looks away after a few seconds, with a little of guilt in her expression
509>"...Damn you." she mumbles
510"What is it?"
511>"You look so trustworthy it's almost... off."
512"I take it as a compliment." you chuckle and stand up from the table to wash your plate
513>she then watches you walk to your computer while still munching on her last bread
514>silently, you'd open your browser and check facebook
515>zero messeges and notices
516>no surprise, you never had too many friends
517>only two or three real good ones, but you don't communicate a lot via facebook these days
518>so you somewhat randomly open youtube with some videos, but you feel a bit uncomfortable when she's watching you
519>"What are you doing over there?" she asks with her mouth full
520"Killing time, I guess. Trying to have some fun."
521>"How's this fun?" she gulps down what she was chewing and turns her chair around to see even better at you
522"I dunno. It just keeps me busy when there's nothing to do." you pause the video and turn around as well
523>"But isn't that kind of... boring?"
524"When it becomes routine,.. yeah."
525>"So why do that?"
526"What else should I do in winter? In a city?" you shrug your shoulders, raising your palms
527>"There's always something to do, you just gotta try finding it...."
528"That's very vague and unspecific answer." you chuckle
529>"For someone who doesn't want to try, duh... You want something specific? Well then, for starters, I can take you on a little stroll."
530"You'd seriously wanna go there? I saw you poking your head outside and changing your mind about leaving a few minutes ago."
531>"That was deciding whether I want to stay there for good. But a short walk is something different. Come on, do that for yourself."
532"Jeez, I don't really wanna. It's nasty weather outside."
533>...
534>she lowers one of her eyebrows and pierces you with a judgemental, persuasive stare
535>...
536"What's your bussiness with it? I just don't see any vision of fun there." you'd turn your chair back around to face the PC, trying to ignore her
537>to which she stands up and walks up to you to get back your attention
538>"...You don't have to. Never know what will happen." 
539"Yeah, like catching cold?" you wouldn't look away from the screen, hoping she'd let you be
540>"...Come on, don't be a neighsayer."
541"Was that a pun?" you'd snicker and actualy shift all your attention to her, pausing the video for a second
542>"Well,.. not really an intentional one actualy. But uhhh..." she very faintly, almost sarcasticly chuckles as well, but then shortly glimpses you in the eyes again "....The truth is, I'd like to have a look outside too." 
543"Wait, YOU would like to see the city? Why so suddenly?"
544>"Well, it isn't that much about the city. I'd just like some fresh air... and I really don't wanna go there alone..."
545>...
546>..
547"...Okay then,.. I'll go with you. Not for a long though."
548>"Cool. Let's go then."
549"Yeah, just lemme grab my jacket... and my other clothing."
550>after a minute of putting clothes on, you grab the freezing door handle and open
551>upon stepping outside, a cold, north wind slashes you across your face just like did her before 
552>damn that's actualy cold
553>"The winters here are pretty harsh eh? We don't have them like this at home." she looks up at you
554"It's not always like this... You still wanna go outside?"
555>"Sure, I'll get warm by walking. Only my ears might suffer a bit from the wind but that's all."
556"I can see,.. with ears like that."
557>"Hey, all ponies have ears this big!" she immediately defends herself
558"All I'm saying is that ears like that must be pain to have in a cold like this. ...But wait, I'll be right back."
559>and you slip back into the house, only to emerge a few seconds later with a thick winter hat
560>"You brought that for me?...  It seems a bit small though."
561>it's a human size of course, and she has a slightly bigger head than you do
562"It's quite strechy." you'd try to put it on her, covering her ears and most of the mane underneath it pretty nicely
563>"Oh well, wasn't expecting that. Thank you Anon..... That is... actualy very thoughtful of you." she smiles surprisedly
564"What can I say? I'm nice like that." you smirk amusedly
565>so finally, you set more than one foot outside of your house and go to the right, by the sidewalk
566>your house is in a dead end, so it's not like many people walk trough here, but it still feels like you must be the only ones outside today
567>not that big of a surprise though
568"...So,.. "ponies", huh?"
569>"What?"
570"You mentioned "All ponies have ears this big." So is that how your specie is called?"
571>"Yeah..."
572"Hmmm."
573>...
574"And-"
575>"-So where are we going?" she unintentionaly interrupts you
576>you were about to ask more about her origin, but since she breaks the silence first, so you let her speak
577>you can always ask later and it seems she isn't really talkative about this topic anyways
578"...I thought you wanted to lead?" you'd ask confusedly
579>"Well, I can, but I'll get us lost in this blocky labyrinth." she grins 
580>this might be the most lighthearted expression you saw her make so far
581"Don't worry, I know my way around here. You can't get me lost here." you smile back almost smugly, - almost
582>"So if you're so local, is there anything interesting to see?"
583"Unless you're a big ugly factory enthusiasist, then you're out of luck for like... 5 kilometres around here? 5 kilometres trough this wind and snowing."
584>"There's literally nothing else? No trees? No lakes? Not even a tiny little park?"
585"We are in old industrial part of the city. No flora or fauna around here."
586>"Let's just go this way then, maybe we find something interesting." she leads on trough one of the alleys, completely random directions
587>and you're following a step or two behind her
588>“How can you live here?“ she eventualy stops, standing in a corridor between two tall buildings, out of the wind's way
589"I get by." you'd stick your hands out of your pockets to blow some hot air from your lungs on them and then put them back
590>"I mean, don't you ever crave something more than this?" she points at the view of a grey, snowcovered city block in front of you
591"It's not always that bad... Sometimes I go skiing or snowboarding in winter. And I used to go motocrossing a lot in summer. But sure,.. I'd like to live somewhere else."
592>"Then why stay here?"
593>you've been avoiding to ask this yourself
594"I-..I don't even know to be completely honest. Maybe I'm afraid of something new. This is pretty much all I know lately." you say without really thinking about it
595>and it kind of hits the nail
596>you feel like you shouldn't open yourself too much to random colorful creatures, but you don't really have anyone else to talk to, so it just slipped out
597>"You know that'ss..."
598>...
599"Stupid?"
600>"I was gonna say sad, buuut..."
601"Yeah. I guess I should have done something with my life some time ago. But it's better than it used to be." you start walking away to avoid any further questions about this topic
602>you're not lying about what you said either though
603>there HAVE been some radicaly big positive changes in your mental health over the last two or three years
604>it just feels like,.. like they still aren't enough
605>you still miss something
606>there could be more to hapiness than just "not suffering"
607>.....
608>...
609>"Hey, what's that building over there? It looks abandoned." she nudges you to get your attention and indicates a direction with her head
610"It is. They decided this big building wasn't big enough, so they made a new one and moved there. But nobody wanted to buy this one, so it's rotting here past few... tens of years. At least that's what I heard."
611>"How about we check inside?" she looks up at you
612"Since when you care about factories?" you stop and look back down on her
613>"Since they got empty and left to rot. A working factory would be no fun, but an abandoned one? I wanna see some old stuff." she grins with a little spark of mischief in her eye
614"Seriously? At this time of year?" 
615>"Well, we are here now, aren't we?" she smirks
616"Speaking of little strolls..." you grunt a bit grumpily, but then you think about it for a few seconds ".......But actualy, you bumped my curiosity. I kind of wanted to have a look inside myself one day. Why not today?"
617>at which she'd give you this very approving look,
618>and you're both walking up to the rusty front gate
619>judging from a visible hole in the equaly rusty fence, you aren't the first visitor here
620>and probably not the last one either
621"At least we don't have to climb over it... So which way do we get inside the building?"
622>but she's already trough the hole and on her way to the ladder that's leading up to the balcony
623"Hey! Wait!" you're crouching trough the broken fence, running up to her
624>the ladder under which she's waiting for you, is solid two meters and something more from the ground
625"I pressume you need a hand here?"
626>"Not at all. Watch." she grins and she runs up the wall, jumping from it just enough to catch on the ladder with her front hooves
627>that was actualy pretty impressive
628>“Come on, slowpoke!“
629>but you merely gotta jump to reach the ladder, lift yourself up and you're soon catching up to her
630>maybe too close for your likings
631"Would you mind covering your rear next time? This feels pretty uncomfortable from here." you embarassedly face down a while climbing
632>"What am I supposed to do?"
633"You should wear something. At least a pair of pants or boxers. For some decency."
634>“Do you put pants over dogs rear too?" she flicks her tail annoyedly
635"That's an odd question. I thought you don't consider yourself an animal." you chuckle over your winning argument
636>"I don't!.. What I meant, is that it's natural."
637"Natural or not, on the way back, you're climbing down first. I don't need to be in this position again."
638>up on the balcony, there's a locked door and a broken window with some sharp shards still sticking from it
639„Careful, I'll get rid of-“
640>but in the middle of your sentence, she jumps trough the hole, missing the shards with her belly and legs by mere few milimetres
641„Are you nuts? You just almost gut yourself!“
642>“Nah.“ she laughs at you from the other side
643„You were this close." you're showing her, using space between with your fingers
644>“Don't worry. I got that. I'm not as clumsy as you might think.“ she turns around with a grin, flicking her tail proudly, about to start exploring
645„I'd just appreciate if you weren't so reckless, alright? I already put quite a lot of effort into keeping you alive...“
646>“Alright, I'll try.“ she snickers behind her back as you're removing the shards so you can continue trough as well
647>maybe it's true you just overreacted, you used to do a lot of dangerous stuff too in your life and got injured only rarely
648>or are you just getting old in your head?
649>isn't that a bit too soon for that in your 20's?
650>nothing happened after all....
651>...
652>inside the building, it's just as you expected: mostly dark, almost empty, only some old stuff, some broken stuff and-... it's a bit smelly here as well
653„Ugh, it's... in worse condition than I actualy expected."
654>“It's perfect. So ugly you can't possibly make it worse!“
655„What do you mean by- oh I see now."
656>she's already smashing trough some half broken door like police into pedo's house
657>then she's kicking around some old CRT computer screen that they left there
658>she's basically destroying everything she can lay a hoof on and she's having a time of her life doing so
659"Didn't know you had this kind of tendencies inside you." you'd walk up to her with a chuckle
660>“Come on! Try it too.“ she yells with a laugh
661>but you linger
662"Someone might hear." 
663>"Who cares? It's abandoned!"
664>oh well, she's kinda right
665>no one would hear in this weather and... it actualy looks like fun
666>so you'd find yourself some half broken vase laying on a cracked work desk, just high enough for a good kick
667>and you kick it with all your precision, sending it in pieces to the ground, where it shatters even further, accompanied with a loud noise
668>it feels… somewhat nice
669>being at it, you kick over the desk as well, flipping it over with even louder crash
670>then turn over to Rainbow Dash,- who's watching you with expectation about what you're going to say
671„I guess... this is the kind of fun I didn't see a vision of." you snicker and grin when you glance into her eyes
672>"Exactly! You never know!"
673>and you're grinning as you're picking up a brick to throw it against another CRT monitor
674>“That's what I'm talking about!“ she grabs one as well and throws it against the same monitor
675"Hey, hey. And watch this." you kick another piece of old hardware trough a hole in the ground
676>you'd both run up to the hole and watch it shatter on the lower floor
677>"Ha! Nice! But how many bricks do you think that door over can survive?" she snickers and picks one up
678"Looks like we'll have to find out." you smirk, grabbing one as well
679>and from then on, you unleash a carnage on the buildling, smashing, throwing, kicking and destroying things like hooligans, laughing and giggling all around
680>it's taking you back to years when you were just a child
681>only you and your friends, being brought together by some silly activity
682>nothing else exists, but "now"
683>and you haven't had this much fun with somebody in a long time...
684>“This reminds me of when I was asked to destroy an old barn for my friend. Another friend of mine thought I'm doing it because I'm angry at her and was all: „Sit down, let's talk about it.“ By Celestia! Hahaha, what an egghead!“ she laughs while smashing a keyboard over a wall
685>then she stops and frows with her head lowered
686>„….But I really miss her. ....I miss all of them so much.“
687>you'd stop too and for a few seconds, there's total silence
688>just her, staring into the ground with a blank stare, while the wind outside softly howls
689>you feel like you should say something, but before you open your mouth-
690>“Screw it!.“ she angrily kicks the wall
691>and you can swear you could hear a crack
692>but not the kind of crack a wall would make...
693>“Ow...Dammit!!!!!“ she falls down on her rump and looks at her leg, bent slightly the other way around