Life's Left Hook

There's a brief silence, and you can almost feel a bit of tension in the air.

"Merda sacra, mi dispiace. Do you know who he is vith?"

"Oooh, I have a few leads, but I'd rather not say anything..."

She nods. "Very vell. I'll... Leave you be. You've already heard my explanation."

"And I'll be sure to offer your payment when it's ready. How long did you say it would be?"

"At least a month, if not a bit more."

"Understood. Thank you."

With that, the doctor takes her leave again.

Octavia turns to you.

"I thought when you were coughing up blood, you were a goner. I rushed you over to Aperta straight off."

You think a moment.

This doesn't make any sense.

Weren't you moving WHILE you were fucking?

How did she get the doctor?

"Wait, how? Didn't we already leave by then?"

Octavia smiles. "We were. Guess who got invited to Detrot to enjoy the symphony, as thanks."

Well, that explains a lot.

"And now she's going to be on an extended tour, thanks to you being... You."

She shakes her head, and you scoff.

"Gee, thanks."

"I'm sorry, but I must give credit where it's due. You're almost as feral as the timberwolves in the Everfree, at points..."

You share a chuckle, and sigh.

"Well, she told you the news?"

"Yes, yes she did. I can't say I'm happy, but I can't complain much."

"Damn shame I can't do a repeat of last night..."

"I can agree on that," Cadance says, making her way back to the side of the bed.

"Same here," Octavia says.

"But," Cadance interjects, "I do believe it's time we've all had a... Talk."

Together."

Cadance looks at you, and then at Octavia.

"Even though I was in one hell of a haze after you two had your way with me, I did hear a few... Words."

You gulp, and so does Octavia.

"Mind explaining yourself a bit?" she asks, looking at Octavia.

Her eyes widen a bit as she looks back.

"I... I figure it's easy enough to explain, I... I've known dear Anonymous for quite some time, and--"

"Well, so have I," Cadance says, glaring back.

"I've no doubt," Octavia retorts, "but over the time I've known Anonymous, he's been so sweet to me -- he's been there to give me a hoof -- Erm, hand, when no other would."

"He's done the same for me, as well," Cadance mutters, a bit of a growl.

Octavia looks down at you.

"And I have feeling for him."

Cadance looks down as well.

"...So do I..."

There's a short silence in the air.

Said short silence feels like it's dragging on for a decade.

Finally, Octavia cuts the silence.

"Anon... I know what you said last night, but... How do you..."

She gulps, a lump in her throat.

"How do -you- truly feel?"

You pause a moment.

The eyes weigh down heavily on you as you think.

"...I..."

You gulp.

It hurts like hell, but you gulp.

"I... I just... Honestly, I..."

You take a deep breath, and let it out.

"I know what I said to you, Octavia," you say, tilting your head.

You turn to Cadance right after, and you see her eyes start to change hues.

"And I know what I said to you... And I think I've had enough time to think."

"And..?"

"...?"

"I love you, Octavia. And I love you too, Cadance."

There's a long, dry pause.

They both look at you, and you can tell their minds are racing.

"I can't decide. I don't know how I'd do without either of you, at this point."

"I feel the same way, about you," Octavia mutters, under her breath.

"As do I," Cadance retorts.

"Do... Do you think that that's...?"

Cadance lets out a sigh...

"...I... I have no objections," she says softly. "I understand... I understand well, after..."

The tone of the conversation turns from tender to tender and depressing in a moment.

"I understand, too," Octavia says, looking down. "...I've had similar issues..."

This was new.

You and Cadance both turn to face her, bewildered.

"...I... I haven't been entirely straightforward, Anonymous. Yes, I was with the spa twins, but--"

"Th-The spa twins?" Cadance says, some surprise on her face.

"Yes, Lotus and Aloe," Octavia responds, a light smile on her face. "However, those two are only... 'Friends with benefits', as one would put. I did have a little endeavor not too long ago with another mare."

You blink.

She... She wanted me. But I wanted to try to be with you, Anonymous. I had to choose, and it was a heart-wrenching decision; I truly did love her, but she would be so jealous and inharmonious with another, it wouldn't work. That, and I was debating whether polygamy was a viable option even without that fact."

You look at her.

"...Who was it, sweetie?"

She sighs, looking down at her chest. "I'd rather not say, not only out of respect for her, but for my own reputation among you two. I've no doubt you would think lowly of me. Nobody I know has high opinions of her, spare some ignorant children."

You sigh.

But you respect it.

"I understand," you say, scratching her chin gently.

"So, is... Is it settled, then?" Octavia asks, looking between you two?"

"I think it is, so long as you understand one thing, Octavia."

She looks at Cadance as she speaks.

"And what is that?"

"You and I? We're not lovers. We're friends, and we have sex with Anonymous," she says, some red coming to her cheeks, "but we are not a couple."

"Like a broken triangle?"

"Sort of," Cadance says affirmatively.

"I understand," Octavia responds. "...But you are one hay of a kisser."

She chuckles. "Years of experience, darling."

You both smile, and have a nice, warm-feeling moment together.

It was a very sweet way to end what could have been a very bitter conversation.

"Regardless. 'Nonny, I think it's best we let you heal up. Don't want to get you going again," Cadance says, starting for the door.

Octavia follows, nodding in agreement.

"Get well soon, Anonymous," she says.

Soon the door closes shut, and you lie back.

This is going to be one sucky train ride...

Some time later, you wake up.

You can't breathe.

You gasp for air, but you can't.

Your air supply has been shut off.

The lights are out, and there are no windows.

You cannot see anything.

You gasp and flail for help, horrified.

In the process, you knock over your IV.

It makes quite a racket, but it pulls out all of the needles and tubes.

No sedative or blood pack for you, mate.

This is looking grim, and you can only hope to hell the doctor comes in.

You can hear the heart rate monitor beeping faster and faster as you struggle for air.

Your chest hurts so much.

No air.

You're going cold.

You reach up and do your last, desperate resort

With a hard yank, the tube tears out of your throat.

It hurts incredibly, you can feel blood running down your throat, and the feeling is terrifying,

but you can breathe.

You're going to live, so long as you can get attention soon.

As you get up, you feel a pressure on your arms.

Warm hooves.

Said pressure is applied to your legs as well.

Suddenly, there's a bright blue light in front of your face.

TRIXIE.

You would scream, but there's a giant hole in your throat impeding your ability to make noise.

All that comes out is a horrified gurgle.

"I thought I told you, you little bastard," she says, glaring down at you.

Your heart is racing.

You are in so much pain.

The fear is overwhelming.

At this point, you think you'd rather die.

"I -told- you what to do," she growls, glaring down at you with those beady eyes.

"And you didn't listen to me!"

Trixie's hoof swings down and smacks you across the face.

You take the smack, writhing in absolute hell and praying that the doctor comes back and sees this.

"You have one. Last. Chance. Tomorrow, Cadance has dinner reservations for the best pizza place in Detrot."

She glares, pushing her muzzle against your nose.

"ONE. LAST. CHANCE," she growls through clenched teeth.

With that, she jumps off of you, unplugging your monitors in the process.

The thing flatlines as she rushes out the door, and not a moment later the doctor comes in.

The lights flick on and you shield your eyes.

THE LIGHT. IT BURNS!

The doctor rushes over to you, absolutely bewildered.

"Dio dannazione! Che diavolo?!"

She immediately gets to work setting things back up.

"Anonymous! Are you ok--GAH! Where's the--?!"

She frantically searches for the tube that was torn out of your throat.

In a moment, she finds it, and jams it back into place, sending a shock of pain up your spine.

"I heard your heart rate go up, and I ran over! I figured you vere masturbating, like some other patients do at this time of night because of me, but there vas no reason to risk it! You had no other reason to--!"

"Explain this!"

You gurgle.

You can't speak easily, with all of the blood in your throat.

"Vhy is everything out of place?!"

"UUUUURK"

"URRKRRKRK"

"...Ugh... Nevermind... I'll ask you in the morning."

"How bad does it hurt?"

"UUUURGLGRLK"

"Vorse than death. Understood," she says, grabbing another vial of the magic blue stuff from the cabinet.

With surprising speed, you're hooked back up.

Everything is as it was before, albeit more painful.

"There. I take it you von'r have another outburst?"

"UURK"

You shake your head no.

"Good. Now, if you may pardon me, I'm going back to sleep. Don't pleasure yourself. It's bad for you."

With that, she closes the door.

You were almost murdered, and your lifesaver thinks you were fapping to her...

Fuck this life.