Pinkie wasn’t stupid. She knew a lot of things about her friends, sometimes she pretended not to so that they wouldn’t be hurt, but this thing was hurting because she couldn’t bring it up without hurting her friend. Scriptie’s birthday was coming up in a week, but Pinkie had decided that today was a good day to celebrate because Scriptie was leaving for a vacation soon and she needed some cheering up.
“Hiya Ellie!” Pinkie snuck up on the unsuspecting gryphon, who screeched and lept up into the air.
“Stars and rainbows Pinkie, you scared me.” Ellie slowly descended to normal speaking range.
“Sorry!” Pinkie was sure she didn’t sound it cause of her excitement, but it didn’t matter, “I’m hosting an Early Birthday and Vacation Farewell Party for Scriptie later today! I hope you can make it!” Pinkie pulled an invitation from her mane and handed it to Ellie.
“Oh, sure! I’ll definitely be there!” Ellie accepted the invitation and smiled.
Pinkie waved to Ellie as she flew off, probably to get Scriptie a gift, she was the type to leave everything till the last minute. Pinkie skipped off to the next guest when the gryphon had flown out of sight. Bookie was in the park with her special somepony. Lotus was at home. Radio was found in the Market. And finally Lilly was at the train station, but she was going out of town to meet with her editor that day so she couldn’t come but she left Pinkie with a gift for Script, it was a copy of the first draft of her most recent story cause she knew that Scriptie enjoyed reading her work.
Overall today was a success, so Pinkie was feeling good when she knocked on Scriptie’s door. It took Scriptie a minute to answer, but she called Pinkie’s attention up to her window to tell her that she would be down in a minute. Pinkie wasn’t too sure what she replied with but she never let her smile fall when she saw the blood. Sometimes she was glad she was the Element of Laughter. Pinkie pulled out her Party Cannon while she waited for Scriptie.
Pinkie set off the cannon as the door opened, “Happy one week before your Birthday, Scriptie!” She gave a huge smile. Scriptie forced a giggle, Pinkie could tell, but her smile didn’t look as wrong as yesterday. “I know you don’t like cake, so I made you some Ice Cream instead!” Pinkie pulled said cold treat out for Scriptie and offered it to her.
“Thanks!” Scriptie accepted the treat, “Come in.” Pinkie followed Scriptie into her living room. She pulled a spoon out for her friend before she sat.
“Don’t worry it’s clean!” Pinkie reassured at Scriptie’s sceptical look. Pinkie sat when Scriptie took the spoon, and pulled out a fork for her cake. They ate in silence for a moment before Scriptie asked a question.
“So, you made this at home then?”
“Mmhm!” Pinkie hummed confirmation around her bite. “It's a new recipe I found from one of Twilight's books, you like it?"
Scriptie nodded, smiling as she took another bite, and this one was real, was right.
"You know, you really didn't have to come over today." Scriptie says.
"I know, but I just had a feeling I should come and see you!" Pinkie replied honestly.
"I'm fine." Scriptie’s smile became wrong again and Pinkie stifled a sigh.
"You sure?" Pinkie pretended to not notice.
"Yeah."
"Okay, if you say so."
They settled into silence again, Pinkie knew that she should let Scriptie talk about it on her own, but it was hard so she stayed silent. When they finished their desserts, Pinkie stood up suddenly.
"How about we go for a walk?” Pinkie asked, it was almost time for the Party, “I think we need some fresh air."
Scriptie shrugged and agreed, saying something about exercise. Pinkie smiled and ushered Scriptie out of her house, not making a fuss when she continued wearing her sweater even though it was the middle of summer. Pinkie tried to engage her friend in their conversation, but it was obvious that she was distracted by something. Pinkie noticed that she tried to not move her foreleg too much so she set a sedate pace.
“How’s your writing been going lately?” Pinkie turned the topic to something interesting.
“It’s been kinda slow, haven’t had the drive to write lately.” Scriptie shrugged.
“Oh? Why’s that?” Pinkie had a feeling she knew the answer already.
“Just a bad case of writer’s block I guess.”
“Oh, sorry to hear that, Scriptie!” Pinkie ignored the fib as she felt her back become itchy then her left ankle became achy, the Pinkie Sense for ‘Imminent Party’. "Oh, I think I forgot something at my place, you okay if we stop by and grab it?"
"Sure." Scriptie said. Pinkie skipped ahead of Scriptie when they got close to Sugarcube Corner, and got into place. “Why is it so dark in here?” Scriptie asked as she entered.
“Surprise!” Pinkie jumped out of hiding and placed a party hat on Scriptie’s head, and gave her a party blower.
“You really didn’t have to do this, Pinkie.” Scriptie smiled for real again and let loose a giggle.
"I know, but we had to celebrate with you at some point! ”Pinkie pointed out playfully. “After all, you're leaving town soon for a vacation and won't be back for like, a really really long time!"
"Pinkie, I'll only be gone for a month."
"Yeah, but what if-"
"I won't forget you, or anyone else, and I'll write to you whenever I can."
Ellie came up and pulled Scriptie into the Party with a few words. The party went off without a hitch, they played party games and sang karaoke and opened presents. Eventually the guests had to leave and Pinkie and Script were alone.
“Have fun?” Pinkie asked.
Scriptie smiled tiredly, “Best party I’ve ever had.” Pinkie giggled at that, and an uncomfortable silence fell between the two, Pinkie struggled with her next question. It had to be asked tho.
“So what happened to your arm?"
"I don't know what you're talking about," Scriptie tugged on her sweater sleeve.
“Script, I saw already, so let me see.” Pinkie was totally serious, “Please.” she was fairly sure her eyes were watering. Scriptie held Pinkie’s gaze for a moment before sighing in defeat and rolling up her sleeves. Now that she could see the full extent of the damage, Pinkie couldn’t hold in her gasp of horror as she choked on her tears.
"S-sorry, I... should just go..." Scriptie began but Pinkie pulled her into a hug, firm but gentle. Like the ones Pinkie remembered her Granny Pie used to give her when she was scared or sad. Pinkie listened as Scriptie bawled, letting it all out.
“I might not know how to help you, but I know a hug can go a long way." Pinkie just held Scriptie, almost afraid to let her go, that Scriptie would fall apart if she did. "But I need to ask you something, Script. Do you plan on killing yourself?”
“I’ve thought about it…” Scriptie’s answer crushed Pinkie
“Do you wanna stay at my place tonight?” It was the only thing Pinkie could think of.
“Yeah. That sounds nice.” Scriptie sniffed and smiled. It was a good smile. Pinkie wrapped her hooves around Scriptie as she relaxed into Pinkie’s chest. “Thanks, Pinkie Pie.”
When Scriptie fell asleep Pinkie carried her up to her apartment and bandaged up her cuts before tucking her into bed and going back downstairs to clean up.