Sitting in the Shower with Bottles of Cider

Sitting in the Shower, With Bottles of Cider

Walks

I went out today. I wasn't working, so I decided to go for a walk, even though I could have gone by Auto-Carriage. Everyone has one nowadays. Didn't you know? Powered by magical fire and steam or something.

Who cares?

I like walking. If only there were more time in a day, I'd walk everywhere. Sure... I have to walk alone, but it's peaceful. Even more so since there are no ponies walking around anywhere most of the time these days. I walk for miles, usually with a backpack one. Sometimes I imagine that I'll meet a lover that way some day... but the strangest thing always happens.

Wherever I walk... everypony else is always going the other way, if I see anypony at all.

I mean, not always... but when somepony DOES happen to be going my way, the either turn away, or turn down another path. It's so strange.

It's also typically mares who do this.

Are they afraid of me?

Are ponies afraid of me because I have a pack on and a hat, and am trotting down the road?

How am I supposed to meet a special somepony if they always run the other way?

I don't look at them in any special way. Sometimes I smile, just as a friendly greeting, raise my hoof to my hat, and keep moving. They pass on by, usually. Nopony's ever talked with me, really after that. But the strangest thing always happens. They look over their shoulder and disappear down the nearest road. Every time. I know this is true partly because I've looked over my shoulder too... but part of the time I don't bother until I'm sure they're passed the next available road...

...And you know what?

... almost 90% of the time, they're gone by the time I look back.

What's a stallion supposed to do for meeting somepony if he can't even pass by a mare without her taking off for the hills in the most non-insulting way possible?

I really should just give up, shouldn't I?