Hmmmm…uuuuggghh…I can’t think of anything.
I was in the library, continuing my report. I had woken up a bit early to work on it, but even though I had the research, my mind was drawing a blank, and I was at a standstill on how to continue.
This sometimes happened back in the human world, perhaps mostly because I wasn’t sure how to write down my ideas on paper. Sometimes, listening to music would help. Other times, I would just end up drifting away into the world of my imagination.
The human world. My family. I wondered what was happening over there. Did they notice I’m gone? Did Nightmare Moon leave a clone of me in my place? If not, did they even miss me?
It seemed the only way out of all this was to keep doing what I was doing in the first place: aiding in the revolution no one…err…nopony…probably wanted. But, I had to do it. For my family.
I know it seems selfish. Maybe that’s why I couldn’t continue writing: because of the guilt I felt for plaguing the lives of every pony and other creature in this world for my own benefit.
And yet, I felt there was nothing else I could do, so I tried to concentrate on the paper in front of me.
Hmm…
I could’ve just copied out of the book, but I kept telling myself it was plagiarism.
But who says Nightmare moon will care? Nopony will ever know.
True, but I’ll still know.
Over and over again the thoughts came up, and even though it didn’t really matter, my conclusion was that it was like a school essay, in your own words, and if I was going to be the end of Luna and Celestia’s rule, infamous for such actions, I might as well be legit, and not be remembered, or remember myself, as a cheater.
But, again, I wasn’t actually producing anything but doodles and the side of the page, which probably won’t be appreciated by my “boss.”
Oy.
So, as I sat there, letting my mind wander to other things, I felt sudden warmth on my back. I turned around to the open window behind me, and realized the sun was rising, as well as Ponyville. Stores began to open, and stallions and mares began to head to their jobs.
While all this continued on, I considered whether or not it was a good idea to open up the library. It was probably still too early, and nopony would need a book this early, yet would they? Plus, I’m still working on my report.
I turned back to the practically empty paper aside from the doodles. Was I really? Looking from the paper to the window and back again, I finally decided to take a stroll through the town. Perhaps that would help me get some ideas going.
Stepping outside, I immediately became aware of the sounds going along with the sights of this small town called Ponyville. Some chatter came from one house, like a family having breakfast, some bickering coming from a nearby stand, like the stallions there were haggling for a good deal before any better offers came in.
Overall, the scene was happy and peaceful. It was like the beginning of a perfect day where nothing could possibly go wrong. And yet, those were the days were the worst things happened, where everything went wrong in practically a blink of an eye.
I started thinking again of why I, of all people, or ponies, would want to bring a calamity upon such a place. Is far as I knew, they did nothing of any sort to deserve this. I could refuse to help Nightmare Moon, but what good would it serve? She’ll probably just find another way to accomplish her will. But did that mean I should merely just do whatever she tells me to? That could be disastrous, and it just wasn’t right. This whole thought process just left me feeling stressed and depressed, and basically unwilling to associate with anypony or creature, which is probably how it should stay. Attachments will only make the job harder.
That was when, all of the sudden, I heard a loud crash, and what sounded like a cry of desperation. I then realized my wanderings had led me to end up by Rarity’s boutique. It seemed normal outside, but judging from the noise, something was definitely happening. Seeing nopony else around to inquire of, I slowly, and skeptically, for fear of what could be possibly happening, made my way up to the door, and knocked.
“JUST A MINUTE!!” someone screamed.
A couple seconds later, with some more crashing, who other than Rarity should open the door? She had her red glasses on, and her normally perfect mane was slightly messy. She looked busy, and confirmed it with a quick, impatient “Can I help you?”
At first, the ‘greeting’ intimidated me, but I decided to play along, and responded accordingly.
“Hey there, Rarity. Umm…are you OK in there? I heard some loud noises, and wondered if something had happened.”
“Uh-huh…and why should I tell y - oh, Mr. True Blue, good morning! I’m sorry; I didn’t recognize you for a second. Yes, I’m fine, I merely bumped something.” She sighed, “It seems that today isn’t off to a good start for me. I’ve been trying to find some inspiration for my new clothing line, but I can’t seem to ‘get the juices flowing,’ as it were.”
“Hmm…I see,” I responded, “Well, I hope you find something that will help you.” Like I was saying before, I wasn’t particularly in the mood to socialize, so I figured I would politely end the conversation with a nice ‘good morning,’ and head back to the library.
As I turned around to walk away, Rarity turned the tables.
“Oh, wait a minute!” I cringed, knowing what she was going to say, “I do believe you have some work you owe me; you wouldn’t mind helping me out a little, would you?”
Sighing quietly to myself, I turned around to respond. “Well, I’m a bit busy today...”
“Oh, I won’t keep you long. Please?” She flashed a set of puppy eyes at me.
After another quiet sigh, I gave in. “Sure, why not,” I said trying to sound positive.
“Excellent! You really are a dear. Please, come inside!” And with that, I followed her inside.
My first impression upon walking through the door was that inside was a mess, but I then remembered when Rarity needed inspiration, she found it, sometimes, within her “organized chaos,” but she also had accidentally found her Full Spectrum Fashion when Sweetie Belle cleaned everything up.
It also dawned on me that my knowledge of these ponies’ lives was quite strange, to some, and I shouldn’t say too much. That would arouse suspicion, which wouldn’t be good.
“I hope you’ll pardon the mess,” she said following my gaze around the boutique. “Normally it’s very tidy in here, but my search for something to work with has grown outside its normal boundaries.”
“Not at all,” I responded, putting on a friendly smile, trying to hide the anxiety I felt to go back to the library and lock myself to where I was working. “Just tell me where you want me.”
“Well, for the moment, I need a mannequin. All the other ones are being used. So if you could stand over there,” she pointed at a clearing in the forest of mess, “I can use you to model the clothes! Head over there, I’ll be back in a second!”
“Alright,” I said, and began to work my way through the maze of assorted fabrics and tools and such. When I got there, Rarity had returned with a piece of fabric, which she draped over my body, and began making measurements, meanwhile making small talk.
“So, how’s your work with the rest of the girls going?” she asked, “I’d assume you’re making decent progress.”
“I guess,” I replied, “but I have some other things going on, handling the library and such. I don’t know if I’ll be able to finish everything with everybody.”
“Well, I’m sure you’ll figure it out. It’s all a matter of prioritizing you know…could you stand a little taller?” She asked, so I adjusted my position. “Thank you, anyways, priorities. You just need to figure out what’s the most important thing that needs to be done and work on that first, then you can move on to the rest of your tasks…”
As she continued, I did just that: weighing my priorities. What was currently more important? Helping out the rest of the girls, or focusing on getting back home?
Hmmm…