It’s been nine weeks and three days since I left an empty headed unicorn in the distant city of Vanhoover. Since then I’ve been living with Maxie, having fun with my friends, or Star’s friends, and living an ordinary life. Not that I mind being cramped up within four walls to work, but I’ve been trying to figure out how and when to get a small vacation. It seems that the time is near, as it seems somepony is desperately trying to get rid of their lives. And I mean really desperately.
Migraine came to find me personally, and said it was important. I was shocked to say the least, and asked him to give me an hour to prepare everything. Truth be told, I just wanted to write it all down before I disappear behind somepony else’s skin again. And to leave a note to dear Maxie about where and why I went.
I just hope I can make my disappearance a bit less awkward than last time. I really had some good friends this time.
The building housing Migraine’s office seemed cold and empty. Amnesia followed the unicorn quietly; she was wearing the casual disguise of an earth pony mare. It was unlike of Migraine to be this serious; they had met a couple of times, but it was always Amnesia who had asked whether she could visit him for a small chat.
For Migraine to come to her, things must be pretty bad.
“Look, she’s in a really rough condition,” the unicorn said, stopping way before his door. “If you know her, if you have heard of her; don’t mention it. She’s sensitive, and it would be best if you wouldn’t say a word for now.”
“Doc, you’re awfully suspicious,” Amnesia replied. “I’m not used to being kept in the dark.”
“Trust me, once we’re through, you’ll understand. Just stay behind me, and don’t do a thing.”
The changeling realized she didn’t really have a choice in the matter, and nodded. Migraine went to the door, opened it, and then Amnesia heard the sobbing. The two of them hastily entered, just to see a light blue earth pony mare, with orange hair, sobbing on the sofa. Amnesia noticed there were robes thrown all over the room, most of them torn apart. She looked at the pieces of fabric, picking one up with her hoof.
Merciful Celestia, this material...her eyes opened round in surprise. It’s the finest cashmere I ever touched!
She looked at the mare, and saw Migraine trying to calm her. When she seemed to calm down, the unicorn’s horn started to glow, and Migraine put her to a sleep. He then gestured to the changeling to follow him into the kitchen.
“Who is she?” Amnesia asked quietly, once Migraine locked the door behind them. “Those pieces of fabric must have come from some pretty expensive clothes!”
“I see you didn’t recognize her,” the other replied. “Maybe this will jog your memory: her name is Giselle.”
“Giselle... You mean the supermodel? Who works for Photo Finish?” the changeling was shocked. “But how? Why?”
“The how is easier: she became my regular patient the moment she was employed by Ms. Finish,” Migraine explained, taking out a cup to get himself some coffee. “I diagnosed her with Social Anxiety Disorder a few months ago.”
“She’s afraid of social situations? But she’s a model! The paparazzi must be literally on her tail every minute!”
“Indeed.” Migraine nodded, seeing that the changeling finally understood.
Amnesia dropped on her flank. She had the option to help the young pony. But it wouldn’t change her policies: the client must willingly offer their life. She wouldn’t wish to be branded as a parasite; she had her services to offer, and it was only business.
“I want to hear her story first,” she stated.
“I’ll try to convince her to tell you when she wakes up,” Migraine offered. “Until then the only thing I can offer you are my notes on her condition.”
“I’ll read those, thank you.”
The changeling sat next to the kitchen table, with Migraine’s notes spread on it. She picked up another page, just to read what she already seen herself. In the last few weeks, Giselle’s condition had turned from bad to worse; she came more and more often to the unicorn for help; and among the lines she noticed that the model started to have problems with her employer too.
Amnesia dropped the paper with a sigh; she couldn’t ever stalk this pony. Being a supermodel was something many changelings dreamed of: constant attention, all the love one could eat, and the accommodations were told to be heavenly. Of course, no changeling could truly replace any models; they never had the natural talent those ponies had. But Amnesia had her set of skills, skills that might help her stay true to her act, and live the dream of every changeling. And even if things didn’t turn out well she could always go back to being Star Bright.
Even if it wasn’t too polite to just abandon her work. A frown crept onto Amnesia’s face. She knew that taking this job would be her ultimate test.
“She asked for you,” Migraine announced. Amnesia jumped a little; the unicorn must have sneaked up on her while she was staring at the blank wall.
“I’ll be there in a second.”
Migraine nodded, and left without a sound. It was the first time Amnesia saw him this serious, and it sent chills down her spine. She stood up, took a last glimpse at the notes, and then turned to face the broken mare.
“She’s here, and she agreed to help you, if you tell her your story,” Migraine whispered to Giselle. The mare only replied with quiet sobs. “I’ll be here, right next to you; you don’t need to be afraid of either of us.”
Amnesia watched as Migraine stepped aside, and she herself could finally face the mare. As Giselle opened her eyes, the changeling barely noticed the beautiful shade of purple; they were so red from the hours of crying. She put up a reassuring smile, and tried her best not to scare the mare.
“Hi,” the changeling said quietly after a long pause. Giselle was still sobbing, and Amnesia noticed her grasping Migraine’s hoof. “I’m sorry, but I need to hear why you want me to do this to you; I am unable to do anything until you tell me.”
Giselle looked away, and slowly nodded. The mare let out a heavy sigh, and with a shaking voice she started to talk.
“I...I never wanted to do this,” she said. “It was six months ago. My parents and I lived in Dodge City; near the badlands. They bought a farm there when I was little, and to this very day they pay their debt to the pony who loaned them the bits to buy it. I helped them on the farm for a long while; but lately we had some bad years. Crops didn’t grow too well, income wasn’t as much as we needed; but we still owed the debt, and we needed to pay it. So one day it turns out that Ms. Finish was looking for a new model. And I thought... I thought...”
“You thought it would be easy money, right?” Amnesia asked, and Giselle nodded.
“The first month wasn’t that bad; I got a flat here in Canterlot, Ms. Finish introduced me to Migraine, who told me to ask him if I need anything, and all I had to do was wear fancy clothes, and make a pose for the camera.” Giselle looked at the floor, tears starting to flow from her eyes. “Then I saw myself on the front-page of a newspaper, and my life... my life turned upside down!”
The mare started crying again, Amnesia couldn’t stand it anymore; she stepped closer and hugged her. Giselle let her tears flow endlessly, while the changeling gently stroked her back with a hoof. Amnesia didn’t know when she would stop, but right now she didn’t care.
“Why didn’t you quit?” the changeling asked, once Giselle calmed down a bit.
“My parents still need the money! I couldn’t quit; I love them too much to quit!” She sobbed. “I tried my best to endure it for another month, but I just can’t bear it any longer! There are ponies always following me, I can hear the cameras clicking in my dreams, and I can’t walk a mile without being followed by a group of fans everywhere! There are ponies spreading gossip about me, and I can’t do anything about it! I just want to help my family, but all I have now is a life I can’t live any longer!”
Amnesia kept hugging her, for a while. She needed to speak with Migraine, but in her mind, she had already decided.
“I need you to do a favor for me,” Amnesia said, once she was alone with Migraine. “And for her too.”
“I’m listening.”
“I want you, to send her home.”
“Are you nuts?!” the unicorn replied, almost yelling. “Did you even consider how much this could compromise your very own business? Not to mention mine?”
“Yes, I did,” she replied calmly. “And you did too, when you came to me this morning. We both know that she loves her parents more than anything. I can’t replace her forever, and when I disappear, her parents will inevitably spend every last bit they have to find her; and they will fail, because we always cover up our tracks. Do you really want two innocent lives ruined, just because of a selfish decision?”
“And what about our life?”
“What about it? I can adapt to many things; and if you really need my help, I’d be willing to assist you too.” Amnesia stepped closer to the unicorn. “Either you help me the way I say so, or you can watch her drown in her sorrow.”
Migraine took a shocked step back, and dropped on his flank. He slowly considered his options, but Amnesia already knew the outcome. He slowly looked at the changeling, and nodded.
“I’ll figure out how to disappear, once the time comes,” she added, reassuring the psychologist, before she walked into the living room, back to Giselle.
I never really cared why I decided to help Giselle; I just wanted to. Migraine took her back to her parents. I wrote them a long letter, explaining what happened and what will happen. I regularly sent them money, and kept in touch with them. I still remember the first letter they wrote, asking why should they accept my money. I thought about a long and thorough answer, but after a day of thinking, I sent only one sentence as a reply:
“Your daughter made sure I have everything I need; I make sure to give her the same.”