//------------------------------// // Chapter 18: Light of Your Life // Story: Anon Begins // by 23 KM To Nerdiness //------------------------------// Your first day on duty in Equestria completed. It was a rocky start with the "Pie" incident, but everything ended well. Almost like this is all some kind of Saturday morning cartoon... Anyways, you're putting up your cleaning equipment when you notice a little filly with a curly light-blue mane struggling with a tall stack of books. Damn it, Purple Smart. "Need any help there?" you ask, picking up the stack. "Oh, thank you mister! I'm trying to get these books to Miss Glimmer." she states. Oh. Well damn it, Glim Glam? "Let me help you with that, Miss-" you pause expectantly. "Cozy Glow." "Anon. Nice to meet you." "Oh, after that magic show, everyone here at the school knows who you are." she says matter of factly. "Oh, yeah? Did they bestow some cool nickname upon me?" you say in a mocking royal tone. "I wouldn't say 'cool' but........Ocellus came up with it." "What is it?" "Fluffy!" she giggles. Are you bucking kidding me? Just like in high school. "Well, a certain changeling's gonna get a serious talking to." As you two walk to Glimmy's office, you read the hardcover of the books Cozy was delivering. Pony Psychology by Sigmane Freud......I'm going to kill myself later. You arrive at the unicorn's room who is writing down some notes. "Hello again, Cozy Glow. Anon." she greets. "Hello, Miss Glimmer. I got those pony psychology books you asked for." Cozy states. "Thank you. Just set them by the couch over there." As instructed, you place the books down. "So, how was your day?" you ask. "Pinkie. You?" she sighs. "Pinkie." "She made me scared to be curious." Cozy adds. "Don't worry, I have the torture device right here." OH, I'M SO SORRY, BABY! I'D NEVER CALL YOU THAT! PLEASE FORGIVE ME!!! "That's a relief. You're excused, Cozy Glow." The little filly nods and takes her leave as you take a seat across from the mare. "..." "..." "Soooo........what are doing later?" you ask, hands casually in pockets. "Eh, not much." "It happens. Everyone says school is the most boring part of their day, and when they go home, they have nothing better to do, you know?" Starlight chuckles at your truth-spitting lesson of the day. "I guess they're bored here and home." "Eeyup." "Bored. Bored.......BOARD! Hey, Anon, wanna play a board game? I've got the PERFECT one!" she says, bouncing against her desk. "Sure. I always enjoy a good board-" You're cut off as a white flash blinds you and you find yourself on the floor in the library at Twilight's castle, a grinning Starlight a few inches away from your face. "....game." you finish. "Great! Wait right here!" Ugh, teleportation is REALLY disorienting! A few moments later and the giddy unicorn trots back in with a board game. "Me and my friend Sunburst played this all the time!" she says levitating the box eye-level to you. "You're gonna love it!" Dragon Pit, eh? Sounds interesting. "Cool, how do you play?" "The game is simple, actually..." "Uh oh. Looks like someone's dragon's gonna get trapped." Starlight giggles in anticipation. "Okay, this time, I'm NOT gonna get exci-" Then, your dragon avatar falls through a trap door in the board. "Ha, I can't help it!" you squee, kicking around like a man-child. You and Starlight have been playing a few rounds of the game for about a half hour and you're really enjoying yourself. It still boggles you how a trap door can be so exciting. "Wanna play again?" she squees in delight. Something about those pleading persian blue eyes are just so manipulating, it's insane. "Fine. Maybe one more, but-" The loud rumbles coming from your stomachs crash the party. "Break?" you both say simultaneously. "That's what I was gonna say!" "That's what I was gonna say!" "Stop that!" "Stop that!" "She sells seashells by the-" "She sells seashells by the-" "Night club!" "Night club!" "..." "..." Soon, you two erupt into laughter. "You are something else, Anon." Starlight sighs. "Something AWESOME!" "Whatever you say. I have some leftover tea cakes and oolong. Care for some?" "Ooh, I haven't had tea in so long. I would love some, thanks." "Good! Be back in a sec." she says trotting out. After awhile, Starlight returns with what she promised in her magical grip. "Hot tea coming through." She sets the tray of tea cakes, cookies and cups on a table. As she does, you notice a bit of frosting smeared on her right cheek. "Sheesh, were you THAT hungry?" you laugh. "Hey, these cakes are really good! Made them myself, you should try them." she says in defense. "Heh, I'll be the judge of tha-" You're cut off as the mare shoves the mini cake into your mouth. The moment it made contact with your taste buds, your cheeks were on high beam. "Well...?" she asks. Mm. Flour, eggs, sugar, vanilla bean and a small twist of lemon. It. Is. HEAVEN. "It's...alright, I guess." you shrug. Starlight stares at you with a mischievous grin. "Oh, you know it's delicious, Anon." "You've got no proof of that." "You literally have four more of them in your arms, Anon." "Tha pwoves nuffing!" you muffle. You wash the heavenly adequately tasty treat down with Starlight's special oolong, which sends a warm sensation sinking down your spine. Your trembling catches the unicorn's attention. "So...?" she asks with a smug smirk. "You win." you utter. "Ha! Score one for me!" "Say what you will, I'm enjoying this." The two of you spent the time in the library telling stories and past experiences while eating those scrumptious delectable godly desserts. But you notice the more you mention the word "past", the more nervous Starlight appears. Eventually, you crack. "Starlight, are you okay?" "O-Oh yeah, it's nothing. Just too much cake that's all." "Heh, I can tell." you snicker flicking a speck of frosting off her muzzle. "Yep, yeah..." she sighs. "Welp, 'bout time I hit the hay." you yawn and stretch. As you get up, Starlight grabs your hand. "Anon, wait!" she yelps. "What is it, pal?" "T-There's something I need to tell you. It's something I need to get off my chest. Might not call me 'pal' afterwards." Where da buck is this conversation going? "What do you mean?" you ask in concern, sitting back on the couch. "W-Well, it all started back in my old hometown of Sire's Hollow. I didn't have many friends, except for Sunburst..." Wow. J-Just wow... You couldn't have foreseen such a twist despite your many years of comic book studies. "And, that's pretty much it." Starlight finishes with a sheepish smile. "Well.......that was something." "Probably think I'm some crazy mare, huh?" she utters, head slightly down. Without warning, you flick the mare's nose. "Ouch!" she squeaks. "Don't. Ever. Think that," you huff. "I never thought that, and I won't think that. That's in the past. You're the nicest mare I know. Heck, you and Twilight took me in and treated me like a real friend, unlike the humans on my world, and I'm still really grateful for that. I am GLAD to call you my friend, Star." The touched mare places her hoof to her chest, tearing up. "You're a really sweet guy, Anon," she sniffles. Thank you." Before you could react, Starlight wraps you in a tight hug, rubbing her damp cheeks against yours. "I-I try." you grunt under her death grip as you return the hug. With her silky smooth hair wafting your face, you scratch behind the mare's ears, earning a low purr from her. As she rests in your lap, one of her hind hooves bumps against the player strapped to your belt. Outta ALL the songs here?! "Oop. Sorry, let me get that." "W-Wait," she says, stopping your hand. "I haven't heard this one yet. It sounds nice." "Alright then, Glimmy." "Thanks, Fluffy." she playfully mocks. "Ha ha, you're welcome......pal." A little while after the song ends, you're on the verge of passing out. "Starlight, come on it's time for bed." you yawn, softly prodding the mare. She doesn't respond. "Starlight?" The lazy pony is out cold. Soon, she curls up in your lap, peacefully slumbering on your chest. She smiles lightly as you rub her lavender-scented mane. Your mind says 'buck it' and soon, the dark forces of drowsiness overwhelm you, and you fall fast asleep.