An artist's shortcomings.

Elusive had the time of his life. A struggling artist does not need validation from unappreciative ponies. The approval of ponies means nothing to him anyway. They could all burn where he is concerned.

When his girlfriend Barbara Dusk came back later the same morning she left, she looked deflated, but kept her chin up. After being convinced to not keep her hands in a fist, she relaxed and came to bed for fifteen minutes of rest and relaxation.

A couple of old friends named Zeb and Bray came to the door and asked if she wanted an ice cream and a swim at the lake. After taking a minute to get Elusive and ask him what he thought, she came back to accept, and hopped into orange cart with them both, Elusive tailing them.

Who should be at the front other than AJ who has left AppleBalm to watch the apple orchard. Halfway there, one Lyle Harper found his way into this escapade and asked where they were going. Always the overenthusiastic one, Miss Dusk told the aquamarine guy to clam his throat.

Composing himself, Lyle said he was going to be going to Earth soon for an errand, and needed to get everything he can out of home before duty called again. Elusive told him not to wear himself out, but the dude with hazel and golden eyes and the silver streak said he would never shirk his duties.

Elusive had to hoof it to him, nothing could stop a determined Harper when he was bent on something. Perhaps he inspired Elusive to keep doing what he does. Perhaps Barbara thought the same. Or maybe they all fed off of each other. He could not say. Fashion comes and goes, and keeping ahead of the curve is always going to be an uphill battle. Better to play nice.

As they passed by the bakery, Elusive went in for a minute, and got a couple of doughnuts. When he came out, two large boxes were hovering behind his head, and he asked if anypo-- anybody, he corrected himself-- wanted any. Barbara, ever the drac with an appetite and a sweet tooth said she’d take a couple. Bray and Zeb refused, claiming they needed to watch their sweet intake. AJ asked for one, and briefly spoke into his gem asking AB whether she wanted any. She said no.

Out of the shop, sounds of residents and guests could be heard. As an actress and performer, Barbara could hear things that would not be out of place in a production from the windows. Was it ponies from Earth taking temporary residence here? Did Cupcake’s generosity threaten to get the better of her? She could not say, nor was it her place to say. But there’s been an influx of outsiders coming in and going out in the last month, and she was concerned. Would it mean less sweets or being overwhelmed by strange Earthlings taking over? Animosity from an angry mob in the making? Relationships with humans strained?

Elusive told them of a grey and brown stallion in the shop behind the counter, but not working there. And two others, both having beige and tan colors, and both of sufficient size. One mare and one more stallion.

Shrugging, AJ said not to think too much about it, and keep on rolling. A few oranges were bought off of her, and the proceeds were offered to the tag along couple for good measure. At least somepony would be supportive of a biracial and specie couple, and not single them out for reputation status.

At the lake, it took several minutes to get out of their relaxed state and actually build up the energy to dunk themselves. Sometimes ponies and other creatures should not trouble their minds over silly things a dimension away. And wasting thought on stressful future plans would only lose them sleep and peace of mind.

When Miss Dusk leapt into the lake, she got lost in the murky blue. Or grey. At times, it was more bog than lake. It could smell badly of corpses, or feces, but they could stomach it just fine now. Maybe her next book or play could be written around this. The failed artist who never caught a break, change a name or two.
She perished the thought and tried to put herself back into the present. How could she stop over-contemplating?

Lyle told her she had less to worry about than the populace of Earth. Hell had broken loose. When she pushed for details, he only told her she can expect more traffic though the looking glass in the next six months, possibly more. She didn’t like the sound of that.