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// Strokes Of Self-Consciousness 
// Story: Flash Of A Reflection 
// by Moproblems Moharmoney 
//------------------------------//

“You paint?”

A coral screen shifts briefly, aqua eyes blinking as their owner takes in the question. They'd been friends for a few weeks now, yet that didn't abate the phantoms crawling throughout her skull at even the most basic of social interactions. Just made it...easier. In a way.

“I-I um, yes. Yes, I do.”

The farm mare sucks in a breath, inspecting the simple landscape with an exaggerated eye, "It's real pretty Fluttershy."

"T-thank y-you."

She wants to talk, explain how the screeching in her mind quietens and tremors slow, how the light shining on the butterflies is never quite right, how Angel Bunny helps every morning. She just can't. It's too much, too soon.

"Ah bet you could get in a fancy gallery with something like that," Applejack grins, not a hint of irony or sarcasm in her voice.

Maybe sooner was closer than she thought?