“I think everything is taken care of. What do you think, Twilight?” I ask, while showing her my checklist.

“I think, she’s lucky to have somepony like you.” Twilight says, before smiling at me.

“Oh, here she comes.” I say.

My heart beats faster.

“Hey, Arthur. I just got off of my shift. Want to go do something?” Derpy asks.

“I was too scared to ask. So I planned a date, for us.” I say.

“Oh! Arthur I-.” Derpy says, before I cut her off.

“Derpy. This day is for us. Think of it as a day off.” I say.

“That’s sweet, Arthur. Really, it is.

But, i’m not ready to start dating right now.” Derpy says.

“Oh shit! You just got rejected!” Nexus says.

“But, I got a last minute table reservation. I had a boat ride planned. I was even going to play my guitar for you.” I say.

“Should’ve asked way before.” Nexus says.

“I’m sorry, Arthur. I’m just too tired to do anything.

If you asked before you got in the hospital, I could’ve took the day off.

Besides, you are like a brother to me.” Derpy says.

My eyes tear up.

“It’s fine. I’ll just cancel the activities.” I say, while trying not to cry.

“Are you crying?” Derpy asks.

I thought we had something, but obviously, we didn’t.

“No. Dust got in my eye.” I say, while rubbing my eyes.

“All that effort, just to get rejected. You got friendzoned, man! Right in front of Twilight too! Oh fuck! Best day ever.” Nexus says, while laughing.

“I better go, then.” I say.

I walk away from Derpy and Twilight.

“Arthur! Wait!” Derpy says.

“No. It’s fine. I know I probably came off as weird or something.” I say.

“No! It’s not that! You’re walking on-.” Derpy says.

The bridge i’m walking on breaks, with a loud snap. I fall into a creek.

“Fuck! So cold!” I say.

I get out of the water.

I shiver as I say, “At least this day can’t get any worse.”

“Arthur!” Moon, says in the distance.

Moon is running towards me. He stops beside Derpy and Twilight.

“Arthur! Hi Derpy. Hey Twilight. Why are you wet, Arthur?” Moon says, in between breaths.

“It doesn’t matter. Why are you here?” I ask, still shivering.

“Dr. Excavare wants to see you. He’s at the lab.” Moon says.

“What does he want?” I ask.

“I don’t know. He just told me to come get you. Judging by his face, it isn’t good.” Moon says.

“Who wants to bet against me getting fired.

No one? Okay.” I say.

13 minutes later

“You wanted to see me?” I ask.

“Yes. Please, sit down.” Dr. Excavare says.

I sit down on a chair in front of the doctor’s desk.

“Mr. Paige, are you aware that some of our tools went missing?” Dr. Ex asks.

“No. Actually i’m not.” I say.

“They disappeared about the same day you decided to have your little break.” Dr. Ex says.

“Wait. You aren’t pinning this on me, are you?” I ask.

“Maybe I am? Tools have gone missing. You don’t show up to work for two weeks!

Moon tells me you have been hiding things from me. I ought to fire you.” Dr. Ex says.

I swear he was going to flip his desk.

“But, I want to see what your new body can do.” Dr. Ex says.

“Excuse me?

For a minute there, I thought you were firing me.” I say.

I am, if you don’t prove yourself useful. I’m bringing you to the site i’m currently working at.

Think of it as an audition. If you do good, you won't get fired, and you’ll get paid slightly more.” Dr. Ex says.

“When is this?” I ask.

“Tomorrow.

So get your act together, and bring those damn tools back!” Dr. Ex says.

“Thank you, sir. I won’t let you down!” I say as I run out the door.

I leave the lab.

17 minutes later

As I walk into the main square, Lyra spots me, she runs to me, with her friend.

“Hey, Arthur!” Lyra says.

“Oh, hey, Lyra.

And hi, Lyra’s friend.” I say, while waving at them.

“This is Sweetie Drops.” Lyra says.

“Nice to meet you.” I say before reaching out my hand.

“I’d rather not.” Sweetie Drops says, with a disgusted look on her face.

“Rude.” Nexus says.

“Sweetie! You don’t have to be rude.” Lyra says.

“Sorry. But i’m kind of a germaphobe.” Sweetie says.

“Yeah, right. Since when?” Lyra asks.

“Since now.” Sweetie says.

“We’ll discuss this later. Go see if there are any more pies.” Lyra says, before handing Sweetie a bag of bits.

“Sorry about that.

Have you seen my book?” Lyra asks.

“Not since you showed me it.” I say.

“I can’t find it anywhere.” Lyra says.

“Lying to your friends? Where will that take you?” Nexus says.

“I’m sure it’ll turn up.” I say.

“Yeah. Maybe.” Lyra says.

“Hey, Lyra. Do you want to hang out sometime?” I ask

“Yeah. Sure. I was going to ask you, but I wasn’t sure how to bring it up.

Speaking of which, my friend, Sweetie, says not to trust you, but hey, what does she know, right?

I trust you, you seem cool. And i’m rambling, aren’t I?” Lyra says.

I nod at her, smiling while doing so.

Lyra nervously chuckles, then says “Sorry, again. But yeah, we should definitely hang out.”

“Great. So, tomorrow, then? I just want to take a day off to clear my head. ” I say.

“Oh! I know the perfect place.

It helps me focus on my magic, or just helps me relax.

t’s really quiet there. I’m sure you’ll like it.” Lyra says.

The chest pain returns. I grab my chest, at the same time, Lyra puts a hoof to her head.

“Ow! What the buck! It feels like my horn is going to explode!

I’m going to see a doctor.

I’ll see you later, Arthur.” Lyra says as she walks away.

“See you, Lyra!” I say.

“What the hell was that? Why did she have a headache at the same time as my chest pain? And what is buck?” I ask.

“Nothing lasts, everything comes to an end.” Nexus says.

“That’s what makes every moment precious.” I say.

“How long are you going to pretend that everything is going fine for you?” Nexus asks.

“I’m not pretending. Everything is going fine.” I say.

“Really? What happens if you fail your “audition”? You’ll lose your income, then you’ll be homeless, then, eventually, you’ll die.” Nexus says.

“That’s why I tend to look up, instead of down. I won’t fail, because I believe I can do it.” I say.

“Who are you talking to, Arthur?” Derpy asks.

Author's Note

I'm back!

I have a bunch of things planned, so stay tuned.

I'm trying to make Arthur interact with more characters. And get more in-depth in his pony life.

And i'm making him more easily to relate to.

What do you think? Do you think Arthur will pass his "audition"?

I'm trying to get at least a thousand words in the rest of the chapters.

Anyway, I have school, so expect a delay, in chapter posting.

Here's a morse message, for you guys.

Peace.
-D

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