"Y-you asked for me Mr. Mayor?"
"Yep, I need you to give this packet to Clean Sheets, the owner of Sheet's Bed Emporium, this to the front desk of the hospital, and this one goes to the Main Street Bakery. Just follow your nose to that one."
"Is that all?"
"Mhm, get going."
I nodded sullenly and turned to walk away.
"Oh, and try not to take so long YOU WORTHLESS PIECE OF FILTH!"
I flinched and whimpered,
"O-okay."
The mayor went back to his work as I made my way to the front desk.
"More deliveries?"
I nodded.
"Well don't have too much fun."
I wordlessly exited the building.
Brooke giggled before going back to her magazine.
He's such a cutie. That's it, I'm asking him out tonight.
-------------------------
Ledger fidgeted as she and Talion sorted the various papers they were in charge of. She finally worked up the courage to speak and said,
"Uh... congratulations Talion."
He cocked an eyebrow as he looked at her.
"About what?"
"Um, on you and Jack. You make a cute couple."
He blushed and cleared his throat while rubbing his shoulder.
"Uh... we're not a couple. I mean... I definitely wouldn't mind if he asked me out."
He grinned and ruffled his feathers a bit before continuing.
"I mean, he is really cute, and he is really funny and easy to talk to. We have a lot in common... maybe it would work out between us... but... I don't know if he's... you know... gay."
Ledger nodded before resuming her filing.
"Well, I still think you'd make a cute couple."
----------------------------
I kept my head lowered as I hurried through the town. Everyone was staring, why did they have to stare? I know I'm a freak and really ugly, but it's rude to gawk. Why do I have to keep doing this? And why do I feel so miserable. I just... I can't figure out how to be happy.
I shuddered and flinched away when a group of young foals ran right through me, parting like a river around a rock.
Stop touching me! You're all shapes! Meaningless shapes!
"Shapes, all shapes."
I mumbled as I reached the bed store. Upon entering I saw an older mare standing near a display.
"Oh hello dear, need something."
"A-are you Clean Sheets?"
"Mhm, sure am."
I handed over the envelope before turning and walking out the door.
"Have a nice day, sweetie."
D-don't call me sweetie! I'm not your sweetie! I'm... I'm nobody's sweetie. Nobody loves me, nobody ever will.
The hospital was easier given I didn't have to talk, but unfortunately many of the nurses insisted on greeting me or talking to me. I hurriedly excused myself from each confrontation before dropping off the packet and leaving.
I then trotted towards Main Street, doing my best to avoid attention. I soon found the bakery, thank goodness, and ducked inside.
"Hiya! How's it going?"
"F-fine."
"Need something sugar, or you just window shopping?"
She winked as she said that. I recognized her, she talked to me last week. Wait... why would she bother seeking me out!? W-what does she want!? I shivered before holding out the envelope that the mayor had given me. She walked over and picked it up before giving me an odd look.
"Well, thanks for this." She bumped her flank against mine before walking away. "Don't be a stranger. I'm happy to help you any time. For anything at all."
I nodded before rushing out the door, glad to be leaving. Honestly, this job just got worse and worse, just like my life.
-------------------
I grabbed the cleaning bucket and started rummaging through its contents in search of a rag to dust with. Honestly the building wasn't even dusty, but I needed something to do.
This is such a waste of time.
"Hey, Jack. Cleaning up the building?"
Ugh... why is she bugging me.
"Mhm."
"Nice. So, I was wondering if you wanted to go get some dinner tonight. We could go out or you could drop by my house."
I really don't want to do either of those. I just want to go home.
"Uh... I don't know if I'm up to a friendly visit today."
She frowned before nodding.
"O-okay, maybe some other time?"
"Yeah."
Why the heck does she want to meet me one on one? What's her plan?
As she was walking away, she stopped before turning around and walking back over.
"Actually, I'm going to be honest with you. I like you. I want to go on a date with you."
I froze. A d-date? Like... for a committed couple?
"A d-date?"
"Yeah. You know, see if something's there. I like you a lot and... want to date you."
"Uh... uh..."
She rolled her eyes before bumping my shoulder.
"You don't have to tell me now, I know I kind of sprung it on you. Just... think it over."
I sat on the couch in the break room as she left, stunned. What... what was I supposed to do? Was... was I supposed to go along with it? I barely even registered as Legible Ledger walked in.
"Oh, uh, hey Jackknife. What's going on?"
"I... I don't know."
She looked at me curiously as she got a water out of the small fridge.
"What does that mean?"
"B-Brooke just asked me out. I... I don't know what to do."
"Well... do you like her like that?"
"I... don't know."
"Well, um, you don't have to if you don't want to."
"I... I can do that?"
"Well... yeah. You can date anypony you want. Whether it's a mare like Brooke, or, if you're so inclined, a male... like, oh, Talion, or something."
Oh smooth Ledger. Casual bring a relationship with Talion to mind. I so ship them.
"Wait, what? You... you can... date... a guy?"
"Phff, yeah. Nopony's gonna judge. Well, at first they might, but they'll get used to it."
"I... I..."
I could date a dude? Like Talion? I... did I like him like that? I mean, he made me feel so warm and safe and he's adorable and snuggle-able and... But Brooke is sweet too, and cute, and soft and likes me... I... I....
I held my hooves to my head and grimaced. Why... why did everything have to be so complicated! I jumped up and ran for the door. I... I needed to think! Why! Why was I so much of a disappointment! Why couldn't everyone just leave me alone! But... I don't want to be alone. But... they're all just shapes and... no one matters! Nothing matters! I can't... they're all shapes! Meaningless just like me!
I didn't realize I'd run into the woods, but I found myself standing in the middle of a clearing with a tree with a large hollow in the base beside me. I crawled in and did something I hadn't done in years. I cried.
-------------------------
"Jack?! Jack!? Where are you?"
Talion sighed as he looked for his friend. He had no idea where he could have gone. Soon he saw Ledger and Brooke talked frantically to eachother. He ran over and asked,
"What happened?"
Ledger turned and shook her head.
"He... he asked me about dating after Brooke asked him out and he just... ran off. He looked so... panicked, and scared."
Talion blanched when he heard this.
"Oh no."
"What? What's going on with him?"
He turned to Brooke and grimaced.
"He's been going through a bit of a rough patch and must have panicked. We need to find him before he does something he'll regret."
Ledger sniffed.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have hinted at the possibility of you two dating."
Brooke looked confused before scowling at Ledger.
"You can't just assume that Jack's gay! Or that Talion's gay either! I mean, he can choose if he wants to but that's up to Talion too."
"Actually, I am gay. But that's beside the point! We've gotta find him!"
The three nodded before running out the door.
The mayors door opened and Mayor Bureau looked around in confusion.
"Where the hay is everyone?!"
- Brooke -
Brooke.
Brooke! Now start writing >:)
I'm inclined to say Talion, for some reason.
I dunno. I don't see Jack as being into either. But that's just me.
Brooke!
I normally don't go this route, but... Why not both?
Also, why isn't Orchid on the... *remembers the chapter with them both in the hospital* Oh... Yeah, forgot about that.
If I must choose, Brooke.
I hate when writer is asking people to write his story. But i guess if I still want to read after this mistep, I want Jack and Brooke to be shipped.
Okay between those two I definitly choose Brooke, but I want it to happen in a special way this time.
I kind of have my own thought on what could happen, this are some fast ideas and I haven't thought much about it, I just want to take the chance and influence you decision, so that maybe something different than usually is going to happen.
edit: I totally need a detailed scene where he meets her parents, nothing to fast and I would love to have a scene where one of them get's sick and maybe starts talking nonsense.
1. I could either think of Brook nursing him back to his old health (tending to his psyche till he got a treatment against the poison joke I think.
2. While I prefer it if they act more like their love had a deeper meaning and don't just skip directly to the sex after the first date or the third one (just because it always happens), I think I would enjoy some drunk scene.
I mean either both of them get drunk and don't remember the next day or the poison joke has some last strong effect and turns him into some kind od playboy for the night with Brooke, totally impressing her, but afterwards I think it would still be funny if he forgot about everything and she needs to explain it in a happy manner.
Maybe they even never leaved the office and they are found by the boss or all the co-workers.
3. My third choise would be that maybe Brooke turns out to be more nervous than she would have ever imaged she would be. It happened enough that the guy/main char is the nervous and stupid one, so why not the Mare this time.
Brooke!
Well it's nice that they actually click well together. I think the guy might have a form of bipolar that happen sporadicly which can hit with no warning. As for the coupling, why not both?
Talion
I don't think Brooke has done much beyond 'Omg it's a single male, he's cute, and how can I make him mine'. In the short amount to of time we've seen Talion he's shown himself to be self-conscious and attentive to Jack and his actions speak more than the words or thoughts of the other's so far. It would have been nice if Brooke did more but I can't remember her doing much of anything.
Long story short, Talion for actually showing that he cares and taking action while not being overbearing as opposed to background pony who we get the repetitive thoughts of.
Brooke!
8233754
Boy I'm not asking you to write it I'm asking you for your opinion so I can write stories you people want. I wasn't originally going to have any romance but people kept messing me asking for it. Like, even now I've gotten about twenty messages saying people's choice is ______.
8233986
Oooh, good point. But I did try to at least make Brooke be friendly when he first arrived. Originally I was going to have Talion just be his gay friend but I have gotten so many messages about him that I spent about thirty minutes reading all the long messages about why he's the fave.
8234001
That's only the comments mate. You wouldn't believe how packed my message inbox was.
8233992
I am burned by writers that want to write stories people want. Sooner or later the story is being droped because writer got writer's block or lost interest in story, because it feels like it is not his story o something other reason.
If you can pull it out with grace and interest, great! But in most cases I see burned out writers and incomplete, abandoned stories. That is why I am worried, because I like your story.
And you should told them to enjoy your story, because it is YOUR story. If they don't enjoy it, they wouldn't read it or write you about it in the first place. And again, I saw many stories abandoned because writers lost their interest in the story because the burned out on cantering to people wants, needs and interests.
Well, you have asked what ship your audience want to sail, so they told you.
8234001
Sounds like the author is getting messages about Talion as well (probably from people shy about voting considering the choice) we can't just go off of the posts we see here. I just hope if Brooke is picked she gets fleshed out more.
Brooke
Brooke is my choice. Otherwise nice chapter!
8234042
See, I'm not loosing interest, and I'm not about to drop this story. I feel guilty taking a day off as it is. But, my goal for this story was to incorporate the readers desires into my story from the start. It's still going to be my story, but with a couple twists added in that weren't originally a part of the plan. And about the past part, I was talking about the insane quantity of replies and how awesome it was. So don't fear!
8234050
Yup, most messages are from people voting Talion. And Brooke was going to be flushed out more anyway. That's why I'm having there be a date for each of them and then you mates can decide. Like, most for Brooke are basically saying, "I really don't want Jack to be gay." So the others don't want to risk persecution for their choice. Most of the Talion voters are talking about how sweet and adorable he is, so that's cool.
wow, i think you made his boss WAAAAAY too mean
ok, i loved this story in the beginning, but throughout it, im about to dislike it...
WHY?! WHAT IS UP WITH YOU GAY PEOPLE?! THE CATEGORY FOR THIS IS "Everyone" THIS IS NOT A STORY FOR A FAMILY TO READ!
ohhhhhh i judge you entirely. I WONT EVER GET USED TO IT!!
well screw you down into the abyss talion
allright, i choose Brook. It would make this story still child friendly, plus, Gay Shipping destroys souls
8234829
He's delusional muchacho. That was all in his head. That's why it was in all caps.
8234834
Mate, homosexuals exist. Fact of life. My best friend happens to be gay so you can keep your opinion to yourself. (And no, I'm not gay, I just am trying to portray them as living beings rather than all being freaks of nature.)
8234878
Wow mate, wow.
8234888
Okay. But, again, gay people exist, it's just a fact of life. It's not like something we need to "shelter the children" from. I mean, I'm not one of those gay supporters but I am for treating them like normal people rather than persecuting them. My opinion not yours.
8234947
Talion, because I want floof to be happy. He seems to be the only one to care for Jack as a person.
Also, I'd just ignore Rommel.
He's probably 12 and thinks that he's being Coll by naming his profile after a Nazi and spreading shitty views around.
I know it's too late, but Taliknife OTP.
8235435
Noted
I choose snek pone
8241182
Snek es too pure for dis worl
I would go for Orchard, but that's me.
Brooke