You arrived in Equestria just around the time Twilight and her new friends had defeated Nightmare moon. Being foreign, alone and in need of company you were readily accepted into her group. Twilight and you had a special connection, being so new to town and being so new to making friends. When she needed help with her studying, you were right there to press her through the tough stuff. If things got rough, and they occasionally did, you were right there for her to lean on and rely on.
It was no surprise to anyone when you and her became more than friends. It was slow admittedly, both of you being so unsure about such things. But that made it work. You and her were inseparable, and no one really minded. Honestly, if they did, you could care less. You had found someone you, in all sense of the word, loved. It seems strange, but it really isn't at all. The connection made sense, and it was mutual.
You can't recall how many times you've fallen asleep wrapped around each other, with a book or watching the stars You've had falling outs, huge arguments; but you'd just meet together again in the rain, both looking sad and empty without the other. If you had to try and describe the sort of feelings she stirred up in you, it would be a splatter of warm red, and a comfortable blue. Kissing her never failed to bring a passionate rising in your chest, filling it up so that it felt as if it would burst with raw emotion. Twilight's studies always continued, she was always getting better at magic and discovering more about friendship. It wasn't so long before she knew nearly everything. There was a great disaster, it may not appear that way to others but it was in fact a disaster.
Twilight had gotten a little too ambitious, and miscast a spell. The town was in shambles for a few days as you and her scurried about trying to rectify the damage. Both of you got it cleaned up quick enough, and her friends gathered around the library to complete the spell. You almost couldn't believe she'd done it, and you were so proud.
The sinking horrified feeling you got when she suddenly disappeared in a puff of smoke was like nothing you'd ever experienced. First you felt confusion, and then fear at the mere thought of having lost her. But it wasn't so, she did return. However the Twilight that came back was different. Something had happened while she was away, a change of sorts.
Helping her discover and learn to use her new wings was a joy at first, albeit a little strange when she and Rainbow became practicing higher and higher up in the clouds. You were forced stay on the ground as they explored the blue above. It was excluding and uncomfortable, but you were there for here no matter what, and she did need to practice, so who are you to tell her no? Things got more strange when she was called to Canterlot for "Royal duties and training".
She was gone for a month or so at a time, but always came home to you, and each time you felt that warmth growing in your chest. Things got busy up there in Canterlot, sometimes she was gone for two, three even five months at a time. Occasionally you'd make the trip to visit her, only to be shown back home by the guards, being told she was far too busy. It's been six months now since you saw her last. It feels like she's been swept away by that spell. It feels like something has been ripped out of you and left to rot in the harsh warmth of the sun. It feels like she has never really returned.
It happened again. You arrived at Canterlot Castle's gate once more, only to be turned away, apparently Twilight is in an important meeting. With clenched fists and a sneaking suspicion you retreated back to the hotel you usually stay at before boarding the train back to Ponyville. You're not one to drink, at all, but today you pay a visit to the hotel's bar. It's darker in the section then in the brightly lit, fancy lobby. You order something strong, taking a seat at the counter, hunched over the wooden top.
After some time, which is mostly spent taking sips of amber liquid and feeling self conscious, a mare comes into the bar and joins you. She's tall, graceful and disheveled at the same time. Her long, stark white legs carry an uncertain, tired body to the stool right next to you.
Slapping a hoof on the table, she calls to the bartender, "The usual, please."
She rests her hand in her hooves, beautiful mane laying out over the wooden surface. You feel uncomfortable being so close to someone you don't know, especially seeing as she looks so distraught.
"Hello, I'm Anonymous," you blurt out, reaching out a hand.
Without looking up she meets your hand and meekly shakes it.
"Hi, I'm Fleur-de-lis. Just call me Fleur, it's too much trouble to say all that other stuff." Well, she's a looker.
"What brings you here?" you ask, unsure of how else to continue the conversation.
"Problems at home. I just want to relax a little before I have to get back to the usual, stuffy life I live," she explains dejectedly.
There is some silence, and her drink is brought by.
"You hiding from something too?"
In a way.
"No. Actually, I am, or was, looking for someone."
"Who?" she turns to you, her oddly calm eyes looking directly into yours.
"Oh, uh, she works up in the Castle. Very busy mare."
"One of those royals? Or one that thinks they're royal?" she laughs lightly.
You don't answer, rather joining her in the laughter to evade the question.
"You must not come here often."
"Why do you say that?"
You take a sip from your trusty Hotel 13 tumbler.
"You have the look of somep0ny in over their head."
Your brow furrows as you think up something to respond with.
"So tell me about this mare. Is she from here or visiting like you are?"
"Uh, well, she used to live around here, but moved to Ponyville."
"Ah, interesting. Very interesting. If I were you, I'd try to keep an eye on her while she's here."
"Why's that?"
She takes a drink, not breaking eye contact.
"These 'ritzy' stallions all have mares on the side. They like the ones from out of town, or the young ones who still think money and fame is all that."
You gulp hard at the thought of Twilight with anyone other than you. Your breathing gets a little heavy, panicked almost. Speculations and worries had been floating around in your head, and hearing someone put it into words was rather unsettling.
"Easy there, you alright?"
"Never better," you say, trying to stop your teeth from grinding together. You finish off your drink, hoping to calm your nerves.
"Tell me, what do you do?" you ask, hoping to shift the topic and pressure off you.
"I act like a good little mare and spend my husband's money," she says, batting her eyes mockingly at you.
"And he has a lot of it I'm guessing?"
"Yup," she knocks back her own drink, almost falling out of her seat.
"Who's your husband?"
"A 'charitable' and 'upstanding' citizen by the name of Fancy Pants."
You've never heard of anyone by that name.
"He's one of those that thinks they're royal. Always with the demands, always with the lavish parties," she shakes her head and sighs.
"I don't think he's said a word to me in a week."
"I can't really relate to that."
"I don't expect you to. I apologize for unloading all this on you."
"It's no problem. Sometimes you just got to talk to a stranger and connect with them."
"We aren't really strangers anymore," she reasons with a sly smile.
You take that statement into consideration. Her expression and tone suggest she'd like to spend some more time with you, which would be fine, if that tone wasn't also laced with a certain seductive quality.
"That's true," your coy reply is nearly lost on her.
She nods, smile growing, then vanishing quickly. "We aren't strangers anymore. But that doesn't mean we can't still converse, does it?"
"No, we can still talk."
"Good, that's good."
It becomes quiet, neither you nor her wanting to be the one to begin a new conversation.
"Will you let me confide in you once more?"
Nodding apprehensively gives her the go ahead.
"I think Fancy Pants has one of those virile naive young mares hidden away in some cheap apartment here."
She leans in close, so close you can smell the alcohol and perfume mixing on her.
"I think when he goes off on the weekends with his friends he's really with that mare, hiding his something away in her."
"Why would you think that? Just because he associates with people like that doesn't mean he follows their example."
"Little clues. Slip ups when I ask him questions, receipts for jewelry I've never received."
"Oh..."
"Yeah, 'oh'."
She hangs her head and looks away from you.
"I can remember a time when I was that innocent filly being pampered by him. I felt so special, so important. I feel no anger for whoever he's tricking now, only empathy. Sometimes I wonder if she even knows about me."
"..."
You can practically feel the thick cloud of emotion hanging over her, but you can't relate to it from either end. There's no way you'd ever cheat on Twilight, and you've never been cheated on. Or at least, not to your knowledge, you remind yourself with a wince.
"Anonymous," she says in a dispirited tone, "Could you walk me to my room? I do believe it's time for me to turn in."
"No problem."
You stand, helping her off her stool and onto the tile.
"It's just down here," she points with a hoof toward the lobby.