"--General cry of despair," you read the final line of the book and then slowly close it.
You glance over the back of the book and think of how the words are sealed away forever now. It was the final book in the series, a series you were enjoying a lot. And then you find yourself letting out a very long breath you didn't know you were holding in and with it, comes in a swell of sadness. It always sucks to finish a series you were enjoying, but you think about how there can't ever be any books of the series ever again. The author passed some time ago now.
"Hey, I was thinking," Moonie states aloud in a manner that suggests that although she is posing this as a question there is only one answer, "We should go out to dinner. The Gilded Giraffe is always nice."
You rise to your feet suddenly then gingerly slide the book back into its place. Moonie's words haven't really entered your mind. While you definitely heard them and you definitely have a retort floating about in your mind, you find yourself struggling to interact with reality. Mentally, you are in another world. A world of fantasy with fond recollections. Replaying events in the series that made you laugh, sad, had you staying up well past bedtime as 'just one more chapter' turned into five, and lessons you took to heart out into the real world.
"Anon?"
"Hmm?"
"Gilded Giraffe, yes?"
"I'm not really up for outside actually. But if you want, I'll give you some bits and you can go buy yourself something."
"Agreed, we have a contract. You cannot break it, otherwise the consequences will be death," she bellows jovially.
"Very funny," you reply as you slump back into your chair.
"What's wrong?"
"Hm? Oh, nothing. Just tired, I guess."
It's only a half-truth admittedly. While you're not overly upset or anything, this has kind of just sucked all your motivation and energy out of you. All your mind seems want to do, is relax for a few minutes until something comes along.
"You were staring at that book a moment ago," notes Moonie as she leaps onto your lap with a cat-like swiftness.
"Just finished a series is all."
Moonie rolls her eyes, "This again?"
"What?"
"Why do you get like this over books?"
"I like books."
"But they're still there."
"It's hard to explain. But, it's... Well, I can only experience it for the first time once. Sure I can reread it, but it'll be different the second time round."
She gazes at you thoughtfully. Then she turns around and leans back onto you like you are the armchair as her magic pulls over the first book in the series."
"Your queen has not read it before. By royal decree, you shall read it to me."
"Aren't you bossy," you remark as you ruffle her mane a little.
"Page one, peasant!"
Moonie has the right idea. I love re-reading books and re-watching movies. I always discover something that I didn't notice the first time around (though that may apply more to the movies than the books...either way, the point stands).
I so love these shorts. Thanks 8th!
Being read to is always nice.
This just makes me wonder... When will this end? When will we cease following anon and Moonie? What will the world be like when that happens?
Mmm... I gotta agree with Anon here, you can never really relive that feeling of experiencing something for the first time again, no matter how hard you try. Nostalgia is about as close as you'll ever get. But... in a way, you can sort of live it again by doing it with someone you care about, like how Moony wants to be read it by him, so...
I dunno, I'm rambling, heh.
Good show.
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I at least recognize my mother as human. It could have been worded "Most of them were ponies, including Luna."
This series always makes me feel warm and fuzzy, especially when Moony occasionally acts endearing like this. So cute!
So if they are still reading together yet moonie is finishing school, how old is she when she graduates?