“I have time to kill,” I stated as I slowly removed my jacket. “I was planning to get settled in, but Cheerilee recommended that I see what’s ailing you.” I removed my jacket, and stretched out each of my limbs. I had nothing else on underneath, but I had become a little constricted so I needed to stretch. “So what’s going on?”
Her response was delayed. Stellar stared at me for a moment as I removed the overcoat, but I didn’t quite understand why. Did I have something on my face? And why was she sweating? She eyed me up like she had seen a ghost or something.
“Ahem,” I cleared my throat to catch her attention. “Is everything alright, Stellar?”
After a moment or two, she blinked, and snapped out of her stupor. “Hm? Oh, sorry. Though I saw a bug. Anyhow, I would appreciate that very much. But not here. Let’s head to one of the rooms.”
Fair enough, I suppose. Her problems probably stemmed from something she did not want to discuss out in the open. It only made sense that she’d desire to communicate in private. I had to wonder just what it was that made her so...stressed--aside from her job that is. There had to be more underneath the surface level.
So we went to one of the rooms that were reserved for employee breaks only. Hm, nice touch I suppose. A place for employees to relax if the employee lounge was too full, I presumed. We both walked in, and I took a seat on the bedside next to her.
“...In a nutshell, I’m tired,” she explained as she leaned forward with her cheeks resting on her hooves. “Ever since Sire’s Hollow has expanded, there’s been more and more work for me to deal with. Of course, on its own, that isn’t a bad thing, but…”
If I had to venture a guess, it would have to have something to do with a problem that went on in her personal life behind closed doors. Something that she didn’t want to reveal to just anypony. Then why did she speak with me about it? I honestly had no idea. All I could do was listen.
“...But?” I repeated in the form of a question as if to say, ‘please go on.’
“Ever since my husband left, I’ve been a nervous wreck. It’s hard for someone as old and dried up like myself to make friends,” she let out an annoyed sigh as she flopped backwards onto the bed. “The divorce between Sunburst’s father and I was inevitable, and it was ultimately the best thing we could’ve done for the sake of his sanity, but look at me now. I’m a pathetic smothering mother who can’t stop obsessing over her son. How I wish I could find somepony that appreciated me for who I am and not simply for the work I do. But as I said, when you’re a hag like me, that’s almost impossible…”
Yuck. I loathed that sort of self-deprecating attitude. It was unhealthy, and led to a host of problems that would be extremely difficult to diagnose even to the most skilled therapist. I wasn’t perfect either, but I would do my best to return the conversation in order to hold it.
“Don’t say that about yourself,” I replied with a stern tone, “You’re actually quite beautiful for a mare of your age. And while I can’t say I’ve experienced the exact same things you have, I can at least offer a bit of advice: You need to start loving yourself before anyone else can love you back. No one desires to hang around someone who has a dark cloud over their heads all of the time.”
“...Are you sure about that? I don’t know if I look it, but I’m actually twenty years older than you are. How can you even say that I look attractive?”
I wasn’t entirely sure on what sort of response I should’ve used, so I shrugged. “I’m just being honest. I wouldn’t lie directly to someone’s face--or behind their back. But this defeatism thought process about yourself is simply not healthy. Not to mention having to work hard to keep your flank off for the sake of a rapidly expanding town. I’m sure it isn’t easy. But it sounds as if you need some serious help with your personal problems before they bleed over into your work environment.” I let out an exhale as I looked at the carpet. “The last thing you want to do is end up lashing out and saying the wrong thing to the wrong individual. I’ve been there. And I certainly wouldn’t want you to be there either.”
She looked up at me with disappointment in her eyes. “Then what do you suppose I should do?”
This was always a difficult part to deal with in any conversation. To be quite honest, I wasn’t entirely certain of what the best move could be. “Listen...I don’t have all the answers. What you need to do is seek out a professional that could help you identify the source of your conflicts so you can continue to lead this town with as much professionalism as Mayor Mare.”
Unfortunately, she didn’t take too kindly to the comparison with the Mayor of Ponyville. She sat up, and glared at me as she shouted. “What? Oh no you don’t. I’m going to outdo her. Just you watch!”
I decided to turn that phrase into something positive. “...Good. You should always seek to improve yourself.”
When I turned it around on her as a compliment, she couldn’t do or say much in return. She let out a sigh and lowered her head. “Hm...alright, I think I know what I should do next.”
“Good,” I got up off the bed, “I’m glad I could be of help. I’ll see you around, Ms. Flare. And don’t be afraid to take a break every now and then, okay?”
She got up and followed me out of the room. “Yes, yes of course. Trust me. I don’t want to lose my mind over my job.”
Yeah, I knew exactly what that felt like. “No...no you don’t,” I muttered under my breath as I walked down the hall to my hotel room.
Once I got there, I saw Cheerilee gear up to get in the shower. She must have heard me come in since she called out to me. “Oh, Pale. Is that you? How did it go with Stellar?”
“...About as well as it could have,” I responded emptily, “She’s got a lot of stress on her from a divorce and trying to maintain her job. I didn’t wanna say it directly, but she clearly suffers from self-deprecation and is desperate for some kind of relationship to fall back on.”
“Hm…that is a predicament isn’t it,” she replied from the bathroom. “Especially since there isn’t much we can do. I hate that feeling of helplessness.”
I looked outside. There was still plenty of daylight to be had until the evening began. That’s when it came to me. “...I don’t know if I should be scared or excited, but I think I have an idea?”
“Really? Why don’t you explain it to me?” She stopped and looked outside right along with me. “No wait! Let me guess. It has to do with Cozy Glow, doesn’t it?”
Dammit. She knew me too well. “...Something like that.”