Trotting pass the painting, she took one last fleeting glance, catching the small, watchful, red glare her father had presented to the poor painter. Shaking her head, Angel continued on, reaching behind her brother on the second level.
Following him down the carpeted corridor, it's rough texture rolled against her dragging hooves from that same antique scent of the slick, brown walls that smarted her nose; pushing away her proud smile, calming her senses, and sliding in a subtle wave of exhaustion.

*Sigh….*

Just like the one of Mother….

If...If I can do that right, then asking for help should be easy….

Closing her eyes once they trotted pass a cracked open window, in which, Seaweed went to close and shut the blinds, Angel took in one last breath, and turned to her brother. "S-Say, Seaweed?"

He blinked, looking to have been cut off from a deep thought. "Yes?"

Okay, Angel, you're not going to tell him the details, you're just asking him a question, a simple question… a question. Her knees buckled, locking the joints in place, stiffening her legs and stomach.

I shouldn't have done this.

“U-Um….” she bit her lip.

No, no, no, not now! Not now! You can't do this!

“Yes?” He came to her side.

“I…I um….” her legs felt so cold.

You're just asking a question!

You have to look back! Look back! Look back!

He'll get suspicious, he'll start asking again! He's going to worry, he's going to find out!

He's going to find out.

NO! He can't! He can't!

“....”

Oh sweet lights Angel! Just speak, speak! He's waiting!

“Angel is—?”

“Y-YES! Yes, everything's a-alright!” Flashing a wide smile, it quickly simmered down upon the tight fakeness of her card out of answering, caused him to narrow his eyes.

*Gulp*

“Angel, what's going on?” There was no hint of mercy as he demanded for her to come clean.

“N-N-Nothing, Seaweed,” she rubbed her leg, cursing herself for giving away her obvious lie.

You were only supposed to ask one question! One. Question. Only! How hard is that?!

She simpered down in her own regret. ...How...How did it come to this?!

How did everything become like this? No, no, I'm just overreacting.

...Like always. She trembled.

Why can't you just do this right? Asking should have been easy!

He's your brother for Asphodel's sake! He's always there to help you Angel, he can help you with this problem!

…..

But can he really help me with—?

“Angel!”

She squeaked, jumping in the air and knocking her own self over to the nearby bench by the curtained windows. “Y-Yes?!”

His ears laid flat against his head, and she realized what she had been doing. *Sigh* Laying the gift on his back, he carefulled his steps towards her; Angel holding her hooves close to her chest, and bag attempting to pull her down, “You were… spacing out,” he took hold of her fetlock and pulled her up.

“...S-S-Sorry….” Rubbing her uncomfortable eyes, she gazed down with a focused look at the scars on her legs; the sharp pain of her bottom lip commanded her numb teeth to refrain from her silent biting, at the taste of iron. “I...I um,” Forget the damn question! Just think of something Angel! she glanced away from her legs to his back, “...just wanted to...to k-know if you were going to…” and then him, “open M-Miss Sunshine’s gift.”

“....”

Please go to the next subj—

“Angel.”

Standing her ground at the searching look she was given, she spoke, eliminating the growing nerves scratching behind her eyes and deep in her throat. “Y-Yes?” Confusion masked the tremors of fear, thinly layered under her fur and stutters.

“Angel, what have I… we've always said to you?”

Wincing at that comment, she glanced at him, and grinned. “My house—”

“No.” He shot down her next words. “Now is not the time for that.”

“....”

You pushed it, Angel.

“...Th-That you're all… always all…” her throat clamped up on her, preventing her from continuing. Just get it over with! She flinched as Seaweed’s hoof slid off her withers, releasing the tension from her chest. “...um… e-ears.”

“....”

The howls of the hunting wind shook the windows, cutting into the sinking silence of the hallway; echoing throughout her head.

His head lifted. “...But it doesn't seem like you've been giving me any chances.”

“I...I….” her face scrunched, holding back the clogged itchiness in her eyes.

Don't cry.

“N-No....”

Don't.

The search from his eyes faded away, leaving behind the remains of his soft aquatic pearls, nudging her banging nerves balling up the raging storm behind fragile glass.

His sad smile could have completely stolen her own name. “You don't have to tell me everything…"

P-Please….

“but Angel, as your brother," he laid a gentle hoof on her small, quivering withers, "it should at least be my job to care for your own mental health too.” His gentleness pushed her to speak, "I need you to at least want me to help you."

“Ah… I…I...” flaring her nose, she quickly snapped her head away and wiped her eyes, “I-I can't.”

There! I-I said it!

“....”

“....”

“Angel, were you forc—”

“N-No!” She flinched, covering her mouth. “I...It's not like th-that.”

“Not like what?” No longer was his encouragement, but worry, as Seaweed frowned.

“....”

“Does this have to do with those ponies just outside?”

I...I wish….

“N-No….”

His hold tightened against her fur. “Then… is it connected to that incident at the Promenade and the garden?”

Wh-What? Squeezing her eyes shut from the increased worries fogging his complexion, she shook her head, and felt his hoof almost give up. “I...I'm sorry S-Seaweed… I just...just can't.”

“....” His hoof dropped to the floor.

“....”

Nose scrunching, he turned to look down the hall and back at her. “Is it that you can't… or you won't?”

Breathing in the sharp cutting edge of how correct he was, she bit away her last string of togetherness and simply fell; nodding, and giving away that there was something.

There was no use in asking for help was there?

She sighed, and faced him.

Just doing that would have dropped me into this same position….

“I...I'm sorry.”

That I can't tell you I need help.

“I...I'm really sorry, S-Seaweed,” she squeaked.

I can't be like you….

He looked ready to counter her apology, but paused and sighed out through his nose. Massaging his forehead, he dragged his hoof to his cheek and stared off into the distance. “If something is making you unable to budge…” he furrowed his brows and glanced down at her, “then it must be due to somepony else's well-being… am I right?”

“....”

“...M-Maybe….” she rubbed her foreleg.

“So I am.”

Her cheek twitched at his conclusion. Stupid, stupid, Stupid! I can't control my own body language?!

“Were you thinking of telling me, Angel?”

“N-No! I…I just wanted to know i-if you were going to open, M-Miss...Miss Sunshine's gift.”

Liar.

“....” He stared down at her as if she'd just grown one last head.

Liar.

“....”

Massaging his forehead, he huffed. “Angel—"

Flinching from the ring of the doorbell, they reeled their heads down the hall behind them, and faced each other; Seaweed furrowing his brows at her smile, and Angel rubbing her leg, lowering said smile.

“Um….” she shrugged, quietly yawning behind her hoof.

“....”

“....”

“....” *Sigh* Shaking his head, he frowned. “You win this time again, Angel.” Removing the gift from his back, he hoofed it over to her. “Just place this on my desk.”

She eyed the lovely wrapped gift, and gazed at her brother with wonder. “Y-You're going to open it?” Good, good, I'm safe….

He was quiet. “...Now why wouldn't I? Isn't she your friend?”

She stared down at it. But she...she said he was a sexy stallion… a sexy stallion… a sexy stallion? Angel inwardly gagged. “...Uh… Y-Yes.” Opening her bag, she carefully set the gift inside, and rubbed her cheek, I… guess... it doesn't change anything…. “B-But I...I hope next...next time….” she twisted her lips to the side, unable to finish. Aside from that… I-I could have done better. This all could have gone better…. And I...I had to—

*sigh….* “Me too, Angel, me too....”
He gave her an assured pat on the withers— “Get some sleep,”— and turned to leave her alone in the middle of the hallway.

“....”

What was that?

He obviously knew you were lying to his face. Do you think he's stupid?

No! No it's...it's not like that!

How long can you even keep this up?

I….

But you ruined it for yourself since the beginning. Now he only thinks you don't want his help. Hah! Well, it's not like you can get help. 'Cause you can't! You'll be stuck in this loop 'til your time here's done! And that's nine months away!!

Thinks you can't handle one assignment. That you're not meant for this job. That you should have stayed in Tall Tale, having not a caare in the world~ Staying cooped-up in your precious home. Staying safe. Safe, safe, safe, safe. When were we ever safe?! Safe in this damn place!

Angel squeezed her jaw.

Nothing ever changes with you. You think you're so grown-up, responsible, yet you're having such a hard time from this? Worrying so much about your patient, Whole Blend, that you have to fix him, by yourself? Hah! Fix, fix, fix, fix. Where's your superior in all this? Are you working alone? Are you unsupervised?

"...."

But isn't that what you're doing?

Imagine what he'd think when he finds out he's right about that. Liar.

“....”

Because... something is always… bound… to go…. wrong…..

“....”

“....”

*Sigh….*

Scratching her cheek, Angel chewed the inside of her mouth.

What am I doing to myself?

She poked at her bag and sagged her neck with a sigh. Well I can barely take care of myself, that's one. Turning, she continued down the brown hallway to reach a set of doors at her left, sectioned off with a mahogany end table topped with white, lacy tablecloths and vase verbenas. Pushing open the first one, Angel flicked on the lights of her brother's turquoise themed room. So neat… He always has everything in order…. With heavy trots, she made her way towards the closed door at her right. ...If they were in my hooves… everything may have gone smoothly. Creaking open the door, she walked over to the large, wooden desk, and laid down the gift. Maybe… even better…. Stroking the silky richness of the ribbon, she glanced at the wide, curtained window.

Shutting the office door, she gazed up at the framed photos on the wall, one picturing herself and her three elder siblings old photos. I want to go home…. Tightening her lips, she fervently shook her head. No, no! You chose this! You can't go back on your word! You have!— I have...I have… responsibilities….

Her eyes downcasted, staring deep into the spotless crevices of the dark wood. “R-Responsibility….” I...I can't leave behind those ponies! But...But I can't do that to Mr. Whole Blend either, I...I need to find a way to help him without Seaweed... or Dr. Just Right.

She huffed. W-Well I'll think of something! Leaving behind her brother's room, Angel entered into hers; the total blackness clogging her insides as she stepped onto the plush carpet, slicing away the strength that stabilized the weight of her bag. Not now…. Heavy, were her eyes fighting to keep awake with every wavering step, dipping in and out of consciousness. No! She smacked her cheek, the stinging pain pounding her flesh from the attack of her hoof, making small trickles of heated tears swell in her left eye. Stay up! Shaking her head with the water sloshing around inside, an expected wave of nausea trampled her throat and stomach. “Ugh….”

“Oof!” Stumbling into something that resembled a chair, Angel rubbed her wet eyes and motioned her hoof to find the light.

She blinked, becoming adjusted to the change in lighting and turned to her illuminated book desk. “....” Papers of white and blue without order, sprung out from beneath the edged hill of knowledge. Pulling out a random sheet of white paper, she could barely make out the words scribbled on it, even with the assistance of the light. What exactly was I on when writing this? Squinting, she twisted her lips and had the paper float back to the hill of books to roll her stiff shoulders, and stretch her neck. Wait, I have a text on procrastination and anxiety!

Unbuckling her saddlebag, she unceremoniously tossed it, bringing upon a low leveled earthquake. Snapping her head down with a little flinch, Angel quickly took hold of the bag. Too loud! Too loud! He definitely heard that! Thinking fast, she threw her bag on the chair, “Ah!” catching the chair before it tumbled to the floor, she squeaked once the bag tilted over— “N-No!”— with the contents falling out, as if it were a junkerfall.
Ooh, no, no, noo!
Frantically stuffing whatever she could see in the limited light she had, Angel froze as she could already hear her brother's hooves approaching her door. Nonono! I can't face him again! Jolting up, she surveyed the dark room and promptly trotted towards the silhouette of her bed to snatch back her sheets and jump in with her bag close to her chest. Her thick blanket swayed down and hid them both away in pure darkness.

There was a quiet knock at the door, yet she held tight her bag. “Angel? Is everything alright in there?”

Pretend to sleep, pretend to sleep, pretend to sleep, pretend to— the light.

“Angel?”

She had made the mistake in forgetting to turn off her desk light.

Did I even fix the chair?

Did I even pick everything up?

Her eyes widened. Oh dear Asphodel! He’ll find something!

“Angel, I’m coming in,” the handle of her door clicked.

Knocking her blanket off— “EEK!”— she tripped over her bag, falling face first on the carpet, bringing upon the slam of her door.

“Angel!”
Leg being pulled by her brother, she was lifted up from the floor befuddled; head swirling in and out of her throat, and carefully laid upright, her nose thumping against her skull. "Are you alright?"

“Ow, ow, ow,” rubbing her muzzle, she yelp as she pressed down hard on her nose.

Seaweed took hold of her hoof. “Don't press down on it, Angel!”

“....” she cringed as he scolded her, and rubbed her leg, “S-Sorry.” Flinching as the sharp pain shocked her face when she spoke, her brother huffed and stood.

“You're going to need ice for that bruise.”

“...sorry….”

“...And ointment.”

Her head tilted. Ointment? Ointment for what? I don't—

Turning, he paused, making Angel freeze as he stared down at the floor.

“U-Um….”

*Sigh*

Flinching at the sigh, she quickly looked around him as he picked something off the floor. Please tell me he didn’t find something of the institution!— huh? Looking up at her brother when he turned back to her with her pocket watch in his hoof, she shrunk at the look he gave her.

“Angel, this should be kept in its case when not being used,” he trotted to her nightstand dressed with blue flowers in a vase, and opened the wooden box stuffed with a soft cushion.

She bit her lip, but winced at the sore, fresh wound. “S-Sorry,” standing, she glanced back at him, “I probably d-dropped it when...when emptying m-my bag.”

He turned to her bed then her. “Were you sleeping with your bag.”

“Uuh…” she shakily stared at her hooves, “y-yes.”

“With the light on?”

“Mmhm.”

“The chair on the floor?”

She blinked and glanced at her chair that was on the floor. “...yes.”

“....”

“....”

“....”

His nose scrunched. “Are you going to tell me ‘it was a ghost messing with my stuff trying to take my bag’?”

She rubbed her leg, feeling her lips automatically lift into a smile. Wiping it off as quickly as it appeared, she answered. “....Ye— N-No….”

“....”

“....”

“....”

“....”

His hoof slid down his face, as he shook his head slowly and released a long tired sigh. Making his way to trot around her bed, the words were only a sad whisper, and she knew she wasn't supposed to hear them under the banging, whistling wind outside.
But she did. “What happened to you, Angel?”

Author's Note

Hmmmmmmm, that's a lot of worrying....