//------------------------------// // Hospital Hysterical // Story: The Meaning of Life // by Falgantil //------------------------------// A bit on the romance tag has arrived. Slowly the sounds of doors opening and closes starts to ring in my ears, as well as some hysterical talking next to me. Oddly enough, ground seems to shift beneath me. Like I'm swimming or something. Soon I realize I'm in a hospital, being driven to the emergency department I assume. As I attempt to open my eyes, I quickly shut them close again, as the light is quite a lot brighter than what I'd expected. I try to ask something about what is going on, but all my body can manage is a simple “Whaaa...” It feels like an eternity later, the swimming feeling comes to a halt, and as I attempt to open my eyes again, this time succeeding somewhat. Although the light is still very bright, I can at least manage to keep my eyes open. At first I cannot see anything, but as a few seconds passes, I can start to sense a bright gray shade among the eternity of whiteness. She stands by the window, which simply makes it harder to adjust my view, due to the bright morning lights behind her. Moments later, my eyes has adjusted enough to let me see more clearly, who exactly I am looking at. And whether it is because of my recently passed faint, or that she is standing by the window, she has a sort of divine glow around her, as she stands there, looking out on the hospital grounds. Wait, I know that pony. “Octavia...?” I mumble. Not loud, but she seems to hear. She turns around and looks at me. Those eyes. They could have been shaped out of the most precious diamonds in Equestria, and that would still be an understatement. To everyone else, she looks more or less exactly like in the show, and I never had any affection for her in the past. But this is so different, because in this moment, this is my reality, and I couldn't be more happy. I manage a small smile, which she returns. And then, awkward silence. I quickly decide that the longer I remain quiet, the more awkward it is going to get. I attempt to liven up the conversation with the first thing that comes to mind. I clear my throat. “So uhm, what happened exactly?” It isn't until now I notice how she's staring at me. She quickly snaps out of the trance, looking around for a few seconds. “Huh?” I let out a quiet giggle. “I asked what had happened”. Now that she is completely present in mind, she replies. “Well, I was walking towards Ponyville, when I found you just on the outskirts, laying there, face down in the grass. So honestly, I could ask you the same thing.” I start to ponder whether I should tell the truth or not, despite my promise to the princess of the night. It is quite a hard decision, considering... 'Yeah I'm a human, so I'm actually not from here, but I went through a fallen tree and just so happened to turn into a pony and arrive here in Equestria' No, I couldn't say that. She'd get alarmed and call the doctor and tell them I'm brain-damaged or something. Suddenly, something knocks me on my forehead. “Hello? Anyone home?” It is Octavia, and she pulls herself back from me. I now realize I must have been thinking for quite a while by now, and it was her hoof poking me on my forehead. I cannot think of anything to say, I reply with the only thing that can buy me a little more time. “Uhm, what were you doing outside Ponyville?” “Oh, I was just walking. I enjoy a late night walk. You know, fresh air and the sort. It is really refreshing when you've played the cello all evening. Yeah, I was playing at a garden party last night.” “Oh, I see.” As I am still clueless as of what to say, I decide to let fate choose.”Well, regarding my part of the story. Would you like the long or the short version?” “I'd appreciate it if you would just give me the short version. I've been up all night, and honestly I feel like I could collapse any moment now.” She lets out a yawn, which clearly underline her state of mind.. Wait, she said she's been up all night? “Why? I mean why have you been up all night?” At this point, I do have a faint idea of why, but I try to prevent myself from getting my hopes up. “To look after you, of course.” She looks at me for a moment, before realizing how what she just said sounds, and she blushes. She pulls herself a decent bit together and quickly continues. “You know, as the person who found you I mean... I felt I had a responsibility for you... And... Stuff.” An awkward silence rises once again. It confirms my thoughts. I can almost see how she is boiling in embarrassment. I decide she's been like this for long enough, and I pick up on the previous topic. “Uhm, well anyway. So the short version of the story is,” She seems quite happy about the change of topic “I was having this party with some friends in Ponyville, and... Well, there was alcohol involved, and things got out of hoof, so to speak. They usually do with my friends.” I have always surprised myself of my creativity in nervous situations. “Last thing I remember was waking up on the outskirts of the Everfree Forest. Then I guess I must have passed out again or something, and that's when you found me. I have some vague memories about the places we went to last night.” She lets out a giggle before replying. “Haha, well that sounds like quite an adventure then.” “Yup. Well, I don't really remember much of it, but I suppose so.” She lets out another yawn, and it is now quite obvious how tired she is. “Well, now that you know I'm all right, you can get some sleep” I smile at her. “Yeah, right.” She gives me a little nod before laying down on a lower bed next to mine that I haven't noticed until now. “I think I'll also get some more sleep. Still tired.” I say, as I let out a forced yawn. No more than fifteen seconds later, a very low giggle starts to sound in the room. I look around for the source of this odd giggle. As I look down on Octavia, I notice how her chest moves in tact with the giggle. That's her snoring? D'aaaw, its adorable, and I can't help letting out a small giggle as I smile at her. After laying there for a few minutes just watching her sleep, I finally start to feel tired. I lay back in my bed and gets comfortable. A few minutes later, I am in as deep sleep as the beauty in the bed next to me.