Pinkie bounces into the reception area of Ponyville’s hospital, seemingly excited for her appointment. The staff and passerby ponies all wave whenever she passes them, glad to see the cheerful mare out of coincidence. It’s not uncommon to her see anywhere. She’s usually showing up at the hospital if someone’s birthday couldn’t be planned anywhere else. Granted, they would be quiet to keep the undisturbed peace, but they were greatly appreciated. Anyway, Pinkie bounces up to the receptionist, a white mare with light pink hair. “Hiya Nurse Redheart!” Pinkie greets, bouncing in place as the nurse looks up from her papers. Redheart smiles at the sight of the lovely mare.
“Hi Pinkie, do you need a room number?” Redheart asks. Sometimes, certain patients would be moved for certain reasons. Either faulty equipment, repairs to daily appliances such as toilets, etc.
“No thanks, just wondering if Mr Pax was here yet,” Pinkie explains, ceasing her usual bounce to talk.
“Ah, Mr Pax told me about your appointment. He’s ready for you!” Redheart says. Pax is Ponyville’s local therapist. He’s technically a certified psychologist, but his methods are variable for the type of ponies he sees. Admittedly, Nurse Redheart is quite confused about this appointment, since the appointment is listed as a monthly checkup. After all, psychologists normally don’t do this type of work. However, Redheart knows better than to veer off anyone’s schedule, and chooses to just keep her questions to herself.
“Thank you!” Pinkie says cheerfully. With that, Pinkie bounces down a hallway past the reception desk. Nurse Redheart goes back to looking at her work, putting away her curious thoughts about Pinkie’s visit to Pax.
Pinkie’s bouncing continues on, down the hallway, until she reaches Animus Pax’s office. She knocks on the door with a bit more force than intended, eager to go inside. “Come in!” A male voice calls. Pinkie opens the door, and walks in. The room is cozy, with pale blue walls and light grey carpet. There’s a couple of light blue bookshelves and a grey desk in the corner. On the other side of the room, against the wall, there’s a grey couch with a pale chair next to it. In that chair, is a dull blue earth pony with curvy grey hair. Pinkie closes the door quickly as the pony smiles. “Ah! Miss Pie! It’s nice to see you again!” He says. Pinkie nods nervously. “Come here, lay down, relax.”
Pinkie slowly walks over to the couch, her mane deflating as she progresses. Her smile falters, but remains there as she feels a lot better already, just by being allowed to be how she really feels. With some effort, Pinkie hoists herself up onto the couch, laying back as she tries to relax. “How was this month?” Pax asks calmly.
“I-it was nice. I celebrated Twilight’s birthday, S-Spike’s birthday...” Pinkie stammers. “Um, I didn’t forget my birthday this time! Gummy reminded me.”
“That’s nice!” Pax says sincerely. “Did you enjoy your birthday?”
“U-um, uh, yeah...” Pinkie says nervously.
“... You know you can tell me if something’s wrong Pinkie. You’re free to feel sad,” Pax says. Pinkie looks up, frowning a little before looking at the ceiling.
“W-well... I- I guess I kind of didn’t enjoy it... Everyone kind of looked busy before they came over. I-I don’t know if they actually wanted to come over...”
“Mhmm,” Pax acknowledges.
“I mean, I love the party that they threw for me,” Pinkie explains. “But, they honestly didn’t have to... I-I would have been fine...”
“... Would you?” Pax asks. Pinkie looks at Pax for a second before going back to the ceiling.
“... M-maybe not,” Pinkie admits.
“... There’s no shame in personal pampering, you know,” Pax says. He chuckles. “Every now and then, I’d get two servings of chocolate.” Pinkie smiles a little at the seriousness of his statement. “Heck, sometimes I go crazy and get three servings.” Pinkie giggles at that, relaxing from the bit of humor.
“W-well, I guess I kind of wanted to have my birthday,” she admits.
“Mhmm. Nothing wrong with that,” Pax says. “Now, why do you think your friends didn’t want to celebrate your birthday?” Pinkie sighs as she thinks back.
“I... I don’t know... I just get that feeling that... maybe they had more important things to do than to hang out with me,” Pinkie tries to explains. “After all, Applejack runs a farm, Twilight has her princess duties, Rainbow Dash is a Wonderbolt, Rarity has some stores to run, and Fluttershy has her hooves full with all those animals she takes care of.”
“True, very true. However, do they normally get to hang out with you?” Pax asks.
“Y-Yeah?”
“Do you you or your friends do something that you want to do?”
“I mean, kind of... I like to make them smile. I usually go with the games that they like,” Pinkie explains.
“But what about games that you like?” Pax asks. Pinkie stares at the ceiling, pondering for any activity that she did with her friends that she personally liked.
“... I um... I kind of don’t have a preference. I like most games,” Pinkie answers. Pax nods.
“Okay. Are you sure?”
“... Well... I actually kind of... like to just talk,” Pinkie says. “Oh wait, no, that’s not a game,” Pinkie mumbles.
“No, it’s fine. That’s an activity you like to do, it counts,” Pax assures. Pinkie nods and smiles a little.
“Oh. O-okay. In that case, I actually did get to do that a lot on my birthday. Um, although I talk a lot, it’s really nice when some ponies really listen to me. You know, no judgement, no right or wrong answers, just stuff I like talking about.”
“Like how we talk?” Pax asks.
“Kind of, yeah.”
“Anything you’d like to especially talk about?” Pax asks.
“... I don’t think so,” Pinkie says uncertainly. “I always kind of ramble, really. I don’t know why I do that, it just kinda happens.”
“I understand. I do that sometimes myself,” Pax says.
“... Mr Pax, am I really worth it?” Pinkie suddenly asks.
“Hm? What do you mean?” He asks. Pinkie throws a hoof into the air.
“I mean, am I worth all the trouble my friends go into for me?” She asks. “I mean, I-I try to make them happy with laughter, b-but I-I-“ Pax lays a hoof on her head, rubbing her mane like a small foal that’s panicking.
“Pinkie, it’s not any trouble for them, I assure you. Remember when Rainbow Dash took you to see me after your party?” He asks gently. “She was worried about you, and she wanted to know what she could do for you. She asked if there was something she could do to make you feel better.” Pax chuckles. “If that was just one of your friends, I imagine five or fifty more would be nice.” Pinkie looks up at Pax.
“But, what about-“
“You’re not a burden Pinkie. Everyone loves you for all that you’ve done,” Pax says. Pinkie nods.
“But what if they realize that I’m...” Pinkie struggled to say it.
“... They would only ask how they could help you feel better, that’s all,” Pax says.
“W-what if they ask why I’m like this?” Pinkie asks with worry. “I-I can’t just say that it just happened out of the blue! They’d call me a liar!” Pax gently shushes her, rubbing her mane.
“Pinkie, depression is something that could happen to anyone,” he starts. “Even modern medical studies are puzzled as to why it happens to various creatures. It doesn’t always seem to have rhyme or reason for who it affects.”
“B-but that’s not an excuse for me,” Pinkie grumbles.
“It’s not an excuse Pinkie, it really does ‘kinda happen’ to various creatures,” Pax soothes. “You did nothing wrong Pinkie, remember that. If anything, it’s amazing that you’re able to pull off a genuine smile to everypony here in Ponyville.”
“...”
“You’re strong Pinkie, stronger than you think,” Pax says. Pinkie smiles.
“I-I guess I am,” she admits. “... Do you have any-“ Before Pinkie could finish, Pax reaches around his chair and pulls out a jar full of lollipops. “Sorry, I’m just really hungry right now,” Pinkie says.
“Help yourself, you earned it,” Pax says. Pinkie cautiously takes on and starts licking it. “That reminds me, have you been trying to stick to the diet I suggested?” He asks. Pinkie stops mid lick, frowning. “It’s okay if you didn’t. Personally, it’s more of a ‘helpful suggestion’,” Pax says, winking. Pinkie giggles and returns to licking. “Did you at least start eating some fruits or veggies?” He asks. She nods.
“Mhm! I started eating some carrots to try and encourage Pound Cake and Pumpkin Cake to eat them as well!” Pinkie says.
“Splendid idea,” Pax compliments. “Of course, with all the running around you already do, I doubt I have to ask about exercise.” Pinkie nods, taking a bite off the lollipop. “Hmm... Oh, Pinkie, did you receive any letters from your family?” Nodding, Pinkie finishes a lick to answer.
“Yeah, Limestone had tried to go on a blind date!... But I don’t think it ended well,” Pinkie says. “Marble almost went with her, but she got too anxious. Maud and her coltfriend went off to Neighagra Falls, and they sent a nice postcard!”
“Pinkie, did you tell them?” Pax asks. Pinkie nibbles on her lollipop nervously. “It’s okay if you didn’t, but I suggest telling them. I’m sure they’ll support you.”
“Well... I mean, they could be too busy soon,” Pinkie mutters. “I-it’s not like they can really do much anyway. They can’t just take off when-“ she stops suddenly, and take a breath in. Taking a breath out, Pax raises an eyebrow as Pinkie sighs. “... I’ll try,” she says. Pax frowns.
“Pinkie, you don’t have to if you don’t want to,” he reminds her. “Telling your family would probably help. I think that their support will really help, but that’s your choice.” Pinkie looks at Pax for a moment before looking at the ground.
“... I won’t tell them then. To be honest, their letters are enough,” Pinkie says, smiling a little. Pax smiles as well.
“Okay,” he say. “Now, is there anything else you’d like to tell me?” Pax asks. Pinkie looks up in thought.
“... Not really,” she says. Pax nods. Pinkie looks up at a clock sitting on Pax’s desk in the corner. It seems there’s still a lot of time left. She looks at Pax. “Um, is it okay if I take a small nap? I didn’t get to sleep much last night.” Pax nods.
“Of course. Want a pillow?” Pax asks. Pinkie shakes her head. “Okay. I’ll just be at my desk if you need me,” He says, getting up. Pinkie nods and gets into a comfortable position before closing her eyes. Once her eyes closed, she goes out like a light. Pax, sitting down at his desk, smiles with a hint of sorrow towards Pinkie. Such a shame that she believes she’s a burden or problem. Pax only hopes he’s helping her as much as he thinks he is. With that, he returns to some paperwork on his desk.
—~_^_~—
Pinkie wakes up to her therapist nudging her awake. “Wake up Pinkie, time’s up,” Pax says softly. Pinkie yawns and looks around tiredly. “You seemed so tired, I let you sleep for about ten minutes after your time ended.” Pinkie stretches and tiredly steps onto the floor.
“Thank you Mr Pax. I’m sorry I-“ Pax interrupts her by pulling up a lollipop, smiling.
“It’s fine. Now, take a pop, I have a feeling you’ll need it,” He says. Pinkie’s hair slowly poofs back up as she takes the lollipop. Almost instantly, her face changes back to the happiest mare of Ponyville.
“Thanks Mr Pax! I hope you have a great day!” Pinkie says, hugging him quickly before going off with the entire treat in her mouth. She waves bye to him as she exits the room. Pax sighs as he watches her bounce off. He briefly wonders how the heck that mare has any stamina half the time. As he was in his thoughts, a cup of coffee is brought into his field of vision. He blinks and realizes that Nurse Redheart is offering this caffeinated treat to him with a smirk.
“I bet she tired you out, didn’t she?” She asks. Pax chuckles, taking the cup with a hoof.
“Yes, she kinda did,” he says, taking a sip.
“Well, it’s what to expect from Pinkie,” she says. “I figured you’d need the coffee.” Pax nods.
“Yes, thank you. I’ll be in my office if anyone needs me,” he says tiredly, walking back in. Redheart merely giggles and continues on with her day.
Author's Note
I hope you all enjoyed!