It was a cold, rainy day in Manehattan Ponies shuffled the streets trying there best to stay dry.
That was the least of my worries. I had something much more important on my mind, like what was I going to eat, or where was I going to sleep?
Questions that constantly scratched at my mind.
I don't have a lot of bits but I stop in a diner for some coffee anyway. I take a seat at a booth with salt, pepper, and napkins neatly placed on the table. Quickly I glance around the room and start to stuff my bag with napkins.
"Are you really stealing our napkins? They won’t keep you dry, you know," said a rather proper but firm voice.
Startled I turn to see a Beautiful are with a white coat and a grey vibrant mane wearing a apron
looking me straight in the eyes. "I... uh… was um..." was all I could say.
Quickly she realized what I was doing "what can I get you?" she asked to change the rather sad situation.
"A-A coffee" I muttered. A few moments later she came back
with a cup of coffee and a bag. "What is this?" I asked.
"It’s a blanket and a cup of soup" she said with a weak smile.
"Th-thank you. H-how much do I owe you?"
"It’s on me, you can have it" a loud voice came from the back of the kitchen. "Hey, you are cut early, you can go home."
As she cleared her throat she said "I'd better get going" and started towards the door.
"MISS!" I called out "what is your name?"
"Sonta," she replied with a smile. The instant I heard that name, tears fluttered my eyes.
Remembering the love of my life as her name was also Sonta. Nearly killing me to have heard that name once more, I finish my coffee and leave.
I wander the streets for hours as night fall approaches. I find a big trash can that is quite empty, then I set up for the cold wet night.
As the rain tapping against the lid of the dumpster lulls me to sleep, I close my eyes and fall into a deep dream that I never wanted to relive again, that dread night of when I saw my precious Sonta hanging from a noose in our garage, I tried everything to help her but i was too late I felt her life force disappear as she was in my arms.
I quickly got up ran through the house, tripping over almost everything, tears rushing down my face, I reached the phone, called an ambulance, and within minutes, one arrived. What happened afterward was what really struck me. They tried to revive her, yet after everything they did, it didn't help. After that night, I stayed home, got fired from my job at the warehouse for being unfocused, and lived alone.
After a few months, my landlord kicked me out for skipping payment. I had no home, no job, and no friends to help me out. I've lived like this for a long while. Just hoping that someone can help was a long shot. I lost everything. Coming back from that is a difficult task.
A few hours later a loud but rather soothing noise wakes me from my sleep. As I try to open the trash can lid it wouldn't budge. as the sound continues I start to panic.
“Let me out!" I yelled as loud as I could. A small squeak broke the current sound. Seconds later, loud banging on the lid of my makeshift home told me that my capturer was getting off the lid. Slowly I peer out of the can to find that cute short mare that so kindly gave me the blanket, looking at me with a questionable look.
"WHO ARE YOU AND WHY ARE YOU IN THE TRASH??" she yelled.
"I-i have nowhere else to go" I replied.
"Come out of there and let me see you." The air was cold as I crawled out of the large can. "oh hey it’s you, from the diner. What was your name again?" she said with relief.
"Jasper," I muttered quietly. "What was that noise I heard?"
"Oh you mean this?" she pulled out a small brown wooden object from her bag. "This is my violin, I come down stairs and into the alley to play it because it’s loud and bothers my neighbours."
"D-did you say down stairs?"
"Yes, why" she looked at me with curiosity.
"May I borrow a couch for the night? For tonight only.” I asked.
A smile formed on her face as she said "Sure." Joy flooded every inch of my body at the word. We trot up to her apartment and she points to the couch. "I'll get you a dry blanket and a pillow," she said as she trotted off to her bedroom.
The next morning I awake to be muzzle to muzzle with Sonta as she was staring at me with concern. “What?" she gave no reply to my question. "What?" I asked again trying not to be rude.
"You were talking and crying in your sleep. " I did feel a little dampness on my fur.
"What did I say?"
"You kept yelling my name over and over. Would you like to explain yourself?" she said with a soft rudeness.
"I… uh..." I had to tell her the truth so I would not look like a perv. after a long sigh I started to say "Sonta is my, uh, ex- marefriend," she looked at me, not believing my excuse.
"Then why are you talking about her in your sleep?" she questioned.
I continued, “Well," after a few sniffles I finished. "We didn't exactly break up. She k-k-killed herself." I started to sob uncontrollably.
Sorrow filled Sonta's face as she wrapped a hoof around me. "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to be rude." she apologized, trying her best to hold back tears herself. "You can stay here as long as you need Jasper.”
"Thank you," I said through tears of more than just sadness.