Starlight Places down the large white box-like device with a screen and hooks it up to a large battery normally used to power light bulbs. She was alone... still grieving, even after days she couldn’t let go... How long had it been since she locked herself in her office? either way she tries to turn the device on. however, it doesn't turn on. She pushes various buttons, and even tries hitting it, but to no avail. Frustrated and annoyed, she puts her muzzle in hooves. “C'mon, stupid device...”
Then, finally the screen lights up as the device boots up, Starlight is startled by the sound of the device powering on, she leans closer, towards the screen. Finally, after days of refusing to talk with anypony, at least here she can pretend she has some company. Sure, the device was mostly plain, but with the disk in her hand, she should be able to download something... something she needed... She fumbles with the disk a bit, but eventually slots it into the device. This had better work... The device starts downloading the disk's data, until finally a new program appears, Trix.exe.
She stares at the screen in disbelief... This might actually work, then? She hesitantly hits the screen to open the program. “Please don't be a virus, please don't be a virus...” she thinks to herself.
A small hat like Trixie's appears in the middle of the screen, before a digital Trixie hops out of it. "Hello, I am Trixie, Your Great and powerful Computer companion!!!"
“No way... did that actually work?” Starlight leans in, her muzzle nearly touching the screen. “You're... an exact replica of Trixie, even down to her ego...” She shakes her head, realizing she's literally talking to a computer program. “I must have really lost it if I'm going to talk to a computer program...” She sighs, but then just decides that she really doesn't care about how weird it might be. There's no one but this program of Trixie listening to her, after all. “...So, uh, what do you... do... exactly?”
But there was no response, Trixie just stood there, idle...
Starlight was hoping for a response, so she pokes the screen a few times. “Hello? Trixie? Are you... alive in there?” She looks down at the board and starts tapping keys at random. Hopefully one does something... after pressing one of many, a small text box pops up, waiting for a response, Starlight looks at the pop-up, and slowly begins typing into the box: Hello?
"Hello!"
Starlight’s a little startled that she gets a prompt response from the program, but she types in another message: You can actually respond to me? Can you have a conversation?
"Yes, I can hold a conversation for as long as the user likes"
She lets out a sigh of relief. It's not as good as having the real Trixie talk to her, but it's better than being cooped up in here all alone. She types: Great. I need someone to talk to badly...
"Why? Haven't you seen anypony recently?"
She pauses, but then types: ... No. I haven't talked to anypony in quite a while, actually. I've just been locked up in my office, avoiding any interaction.
"Oh... I’m sorry to hear that"
She pauses a bit more before replying and starts typing once again: ... Yeah. I guess I've been struggling to deal with something, but I've just shut myself away. I probably don't look great right now because I haven't showered or anything...
"Don't think bad of yourself, I think you look great... if I could see of course"
She stops at this. Does this program really think she looks good? She types out: That's... a weird thing for a program to say. I don't feel like I look good. I look terrible. My mane's messy, my coat's a mess, my eyes are bloodshot and dry from crying and not sleeping... I'm a mess.
She almost laughs, for a moment. This is still a computer program, and yet it's trying to console her... it's oddly endearing in a way. She replies: I'm not interested in getting help from Rarity right now. Or from any of my friends. They'll worry about me if I say anything... or they'll be mad I've been isolating myself.
"They might be worried about you, or worse and think your dead and force their way in"
She pauses. She hadn't thought about that... would her friends really force their way inside if she didn’t talk with them for a long time? She didn't want that, she wanted to be alone... She reluctantly types out: ... They would do that, actually...
"Especially Twilight, you are her student after all, and you know how anxious she can be."
She sighs as she types: That's true... I can picture Twilight trying to break down the door already, yelling at me. Or doing something else with magic to get in...
"So maybe go out, talk with some ponies for a bit, get yourself washed up, maybe visit your friends"
She takes a moment to stare at the screen, thinking it over. It would be nice to see some of her friends... and maybe not being cooped up in this office constantly would be nice, too. She replies: ... Alright. I'll get myself cleaned up and go see some of my friends...
"You go girl!"
She actually chuckles this time... a computer program is the only thing encouraging her right now, but it is making her feel a little better. She sends one more message: Thanks. Can I talk to you later tonight, though?
She stands up from the desk, and sighs. Alright, time to clean up and go find some ponies… maybe she could also stop by the library and talk to Twilight for a bit. Maybe she will be the only pony she talks with today. Hopefully the others will go easy on her after being missing for so long...
"Oh, and Starlight, I’ll see you tonight~"
She pauses, feeling a tinge of embarrassment. A computer program is flirting with her… “I will… see you later.”
She turns off the computer and exits her office. She feels a bit more cheerful, but she’s still going to feel bad for isolating herself from her friends. Maybe being isolated for this long is messing with her head, and that’s why she’s attracted to a computer program as a companion…
But still, she pushes those thoughts aside. It really is time for her to talk to some ponies… and she does want to see Fluttershy first, because she would be the most worried about her. She knows where Fluttershy lives, so she starts to trot towards there.
She arrives at the house and takes a moment to look at it. Fluttershy is a very shy pony, so it’s no surprise she prefers to live away from the noise of the city. Hopefully she’s home… but she will just have to knock on the door and find out.
"Who is it?"
"It’s Starlight. Can you let me in?"
Fluttershy then opens the door "Starlight? What are you doing here?"
"Uh, I came here to… talk to you, actually. Can I come inside?"
"Yeah yeah.. Come in"
She steps inside, relieved her friend didn’t question her reasons too much. As she steps inside, she looks around the cottage. It’s got the same atmosphere as Fluttershy herself… homey, safe. Fluttershy’s animals are also running around, too.
"Are you alright? What have you been doing for the past few weeks?"
"Just… had a lot on my mind, and just wanted some time alone. I’m okay, though. I’m sorry for making you worry..."
"You’re filthy, when was the last time you showered?"
"To be honest, I… haven’t showered in a while."
"And judging by the stains on your hoof prints, you came her straight here…. You really need to take care of yourself." Fluttershy grabs one of Starlights hoof's and starts to pull her towards the bathroom
“Whoa, whoa- What are you doing?”
Fluttershy leads Starlight into the bathroom "You need a bath; you’re not going to leave here until you’re clean"
"Fluttershy, I’m a big pony, I can take a bath by myself!"
"Then explain why you’re covered in filth Starlight. Have you even been eating or sleeping properly?" Fluttershy then turns the tap in the bath on, warm water rushing into the bathtub
"F-Fine…! I… haven’t eaten or slept properly, either. I spent days cooped up in my office, refusing to open the door for anypony. I don’t remember the last time I took a bath, either…"
"You’ve been depriving yourself of the outside world for this long? For celestia’s sake, I’m surprised no one has tried to check upon you yet"
"I… isolated myself so ponies wouldn’t worry about me. It didn’t work, though, now ponies probably think I’m dead and would kick down the door to my office…"
"Get in the bath before I push you in myself"
Starlight gives her friend a pouty look, but then sighs. This is embarrassing… “…Fine, I’m getting in the water.” She starts slowly stepping into the bathtub and submerges herself in the warm water. It feels nice and soothing…
Fluttershy starts to wash the mud and dirt off of Starlight’s body "Have you at least kept on top of personal hygiene in that school of yours?"
"Umm, no. Not really. I didn’t really think about it when I was isolating myself in that office…"
"You need to start taking better care of yourself, Starlight. Why did you lock yourself away in the first place?"
"I… I haven’t been feeling well. I’ve felt depressed, I guess you could say. So I just… hid away without wanting to talk to anyone, hoping that I would have enough time to feel better. It hasn’t worked though…"
Fluttershy then pours a bottle of shampoo over Starlight‘s head and starts washing her mane
"For how long have you been feeling this way?"
"Several weeks now. It probably sounds silly, getting this depressed over… little things, but I just kept feeling worse and worse, to the point I didn’t want to talk to anypony. Even my friends…"
Silence fills the room... "This is about Trixie isn’t it?…"
Starlight pauses before responding. Of course Fluttershy would piece it together. How could she deny it at this point? She closes her eyes and replies quietly: “…Yeah. It’s about Trixie…”
"I thought as much… You haven’t been the same since her funeral, I get the feeling you’ve been blaming yourself for what happened."
"…You’re right, actually. I… I do blame myself. I keep thinking, what if I had done something different? Maybe... Trixie would’ve still been alive..."
Fluttershy turns Starlights head towards her "No, what happened to Trixie wasn’t your fault. Blaming yourself over something you had no control over is not healthy for you."
"Fluttershy, you don’t understand… I brought Trixie along with me. I should’ve known better. I should’ve been more careful…"
"I’m not going to say losing Trixie wasn’t a tragedy, it was. But you need you stop blaming yourself, if it’s what you’ve been doing ever since her funeral, then it’s no wonder why you haven’t been taking care of yourself properly."
"I… I know it’s not healthy to blame myself. But… I just can’t help it. There was so much I could’ve done, but I… I failed her. I… I failed as a friend."
"You’re not a failure, Starlight… Trixie’s death was a tragedy, but you need to stop being so hard on yourself and start thinking about your well-being."
"How can I think about my well-being, when all I can think about is what happened to Trixie? I… I miss her. We used to argue and annoy each other constantly, but…. I still cared about her…"
Fluttershy then hands a towel to Starlight, "Of course you do, you were close friends, and it’s natural to miss someone you care about and to feel sad they’re gone. But you’re taking this too far, you’ve been blaming yourself and depriving yourself of what you need mentally, physically, and emotionally."
Starlight steps out of the bathtub and takes the towel from Fluttershy. “I get that… but I just don’t know how to feel better about it. I’ve tried to tell myself I’m not to blame, but the thoughts just come right back. And I can’t stop feeling guilty… I miss Trixie’s company. I miss her showing off and bragging about how she’s the ‘Great and Powerful’ Trixie, and I’d roll my eyes and call her a dramatic idiot… and she’d do the same to me…”
Fluttershy grabs another towel and starts drying Starlight’s body "That’s what you miss about her, you missed having someone you were close to, someone you could argue with over the smallest of things. Losing someone you were close to is never easy, it can take a massive emotional toll on a pony."
"Yeah… that’s what I miss. She was like a family member to me… And you’re right… Losing her has taken such a huge toll on me, and I just can’t stop feeling horrible… and guilty."
"You don’t need to keep feeling guilty, Starlight. It’s alright to mourn Trixie, but please don’t beat yourself up over it either. She wouldn’t want you to keep blaming yourself and depriving yourself like this." Said Fluttershy as she finished drying Starlight up.
"You’re right… Trixie wouldn’t. She’d make some comment about being the more 'great and powerful' one, and tease me for being so dramatic…"
"Exactly, she’d probably tell you to stop moping and get a grip, get yourself together." Fluttershy then grabs starlight's hoof and leads her out of the bathroom.
"What now? More lecturing about taking better care of myself?"
“That and…” -Fluttershy leads Starlight into the kitchen- “You’re starving yourself. You haven’t eaten properly in days.” She said, placing a plate of vegetables and fruits on the table.
Starlight sighs. she had a feeling that was going to come up at some point. But also can’t really deny the fact that she’s avoided eating properly. She looks at the plate of food on the table. “A salad…?”
"Yes, a salad. Now, since you haven’t been taking care of yourself for the past several weeks, I’m not going to let you go home until I know you’re not going back to depriving yourself of food. You’re not going to be leaving until you’ve eaten every single thing off that plate. Understood?"
She groans. A few weeks ago, she would have probably gotten into an argument with Fluttershy about her being so stern and ordering her around, but at the moment, she doesn’t really have the heart for it. She’d be wasting her time arguing, anyway. “Alright, I’ll eat the damn salad…”
She sits down in a chair next to the table. She can’t believe she’s letting herself be ordered around like this… but she swallows what pride she has left and grabs a fork and starts eating the salad. It does taste good, of course, and she’s been so hungry from not eating all week, she can’t deny that. But she’s still feeling a bit annoyed over being basically treated like a child.
"Good, I know this probably doesn’t taste great to you, given how you’ve neglected your body, but it’s fresh and it’s healthy for you."
"No, no, the food tastes fine, it’s just… I’m not a foal, Fluttershy. I don’t need you or anyone telling me I’m starving myself, ordering me to eat a salad. I’m not an infant, I can take care of myself."
"Can you? Because right now, you’re proving to me you’re incapable of looking after basic needs. You were isolating yourself for weeks, not eating, barley sleeping, depriving yourself of the outside world and neglecting your physical and emotional well-being. Tell me how you consider that as taking care of yourself?"
“Yes, I’ve been doing all those things, I get it. I’ve been neglecting my health. I’ve… been a wreck ever since the funeral. I haven’t been taking care of myself like I should. But I’m a grown mare, Fluttershy, I shouldn’t be being ordered around like a foal.”
"You’re acting like one though. Look at you, you’re depriving yourself of basic needs to the point of starvation as if that was a good way of coping with a loss. You may be a fully grown mare but you sure as hell aren’t acting or thinking like one."
"Alright, I get it… You’re right, I’ve been neglecting my physical and emotional needs, and I’m acting like a foal. I understand that. But I’ve been feeling so guilty over what happened to Trixie, that’s why I shut myself away and stopped eating…"
"I know you feel guilty, I get that. But depriving yourself of food and sleep isn’t healthy nor is it the right way to overcome that guilt. So please for the love of Celestia, start taking care of yourself. Or I’ll be keeping you here for who knows how long."
She sighs. She knows there is no way she’s getting out of this without promising to take better care of herself. She’d be willing to stay here and put up with Fluttershy bossing her around… but she still has responsibilities at the School of Friendship to take care of. She can’t leave the school alone for who knows how long. “Okay, I promise I’ve learned my lesson about depriving myself of food and sleep. But I really have to get back to the school soon…”
"And why exactly do you need to get back to the school now?"
“Well… I’m headmare there, obviously. I have responsibilities now. I need to help take care of the students. There’s also school duties I need to take care of, and… paperwork.”
"You can’t be serious… You’ve spent weeks isolating yourself from the world, not eating, sleeping or even taking care of your own personal hygiene, and now you want to go straight back to working at the school?"
"Yes, Fluttershy. I know I’ve been neglecting myself, and I understand why you’re concerned, but I’m Headmare of the School. I can’t just be… lounging around at your cottage, I want to return to the school and continue taking care of my duties there."
Fluttershy sighed "Starlight, you’ve been neglecting yourself and depriving yourself of basic needs for several weeks. You’ve not only physically suffered because of it but also mentally too, you really think it’ll benefit you to go back to the school and return to your responsibilities right now? In the state you’re in?"
"No, I don’t think going back to the school right now will benefit me, but I can’t keep sitting around at your house avoiding my responsibilities! The duties and students at my school need me! I’m Headmare, dammit!"
"The school will be fine if you take a short break, Starlight. They’ll cope without you for a few days until you’re feeling better. In fact, I’m not going to let you return to the school until I know you’re well enough to handle it mentally, which you’re not."
"Excuse me? You’re not going to let me leave your house until you’ve decided I’m mentally well enough? So, what, I have to stay at your house like an infant who’s been grounded? Am I not even an adult anymore?"
"Oh, don’t act as if you’re being treated like a child! If you were able to look after yourself properly I wouldn’t be ordering you to stay here and look after yourself! You’ve spent the last few weeks neglecting yourself and acting on nothing but guilt and self-blame! You think I’m going to let you go back to isolating yourself when you’re not in the right mental state?!"
"Yes, all of that is true, I’ve been acting on guilt and self-blame, and I’ve neglected myself. But you don’t get to Order me to stay here!"
"Oh really? Then where do you plan on going? Do you really think I’ll just let you go back to going on a several week self-destructive meltdown because of a death of a friend? How do I know you’re going to go back to isolating yourself again once you’re alone?"
"I’ve already told you I promise to care for myself better now, haven’t I?! I swear I’m not just going to go back to isolating and neglecting myself again! I promise to take care of myself!"
"How am I supposed to know you mean it? You’ve said you’ve ‘promised’ to take better care of yourself but then you immediately turned around and insisted you had to go back to the school after weeks of neglecting yourself. You’re trying to return to the environment where you isolated yourself when this started, so excuse me if I’m not going to instantly believe your promise."
"I swear it with all my heart; I promise to take better care of myself! Why do you keep being so damn bossy to me?!"
"I’m not ‘being bossy’ to you for the sake of it, Starlight. I’m doing this because I’m worried about you, you’ve done nothing but neglect yourself. You know how mentally and physically draining it is to go weeks without eating proper food, you’ve not been getting enough sleep, don’t even get me started on your personal hygiene-"
"I get it, Fluttershy, alright? I haven’t been taking care of myself properly. I’ve not been eating or sleeping enough; my hygiene has been terrible. You don’t need to nag me about it incessantly! It’s already clear I’ve been neglecting myself, it’s like you keep hammering the point into my head when I already get it! Yes, I’ve been treating my body like garbage. Yes, I haven’t been sleeping enough. Yes, I’ve been wallowing in guilt and self-pity. Are you happy now that you’ve pointed that all out?! Why do you keep repeating it over and over like I’m an idiot who doesn’t get it the first twenty times you nag me about it?!! I promise I’m planning to stop neglecting myself, alright?! I’m going to start eating and sleeping proper amounts again, I’m going to take care of my personal hygiene, and I’m going to stop wallowing in self-pity and guilt. Is that enough to stop being so damn bossy to me about it and let me leave your house?!"
"Is that enough…? Honestly? No, Starlight, it’s not. I’m not going to stop nagging about it until I know you’ve actually learned from your mistakes and know you’ll keep looking after yourself. You say all of those things about how you’re going to take better care of yourself but are you being truthful or just trying to say anything you can to get me to shut up?"
“Why do you doubt me so much?! Why don’t you trust me when I say I’m going to start treating myself better? What, did you suddenly turn into the most sceptical mare in all of Equestria or something?! Is it really that hard for you to believe, that I just might mean it when I promise to stop neglecting myself? Why can’t you just take my word that I won’t just go right back to isolating myself again at the school once I’m out of the damn door, like you think I will?! I know my own word should be enough for you, but instead you’re treating me like you think I’m some stubborn little foal who needs a damn babysitter! You know I’m a fully grown mare, right?! So stop talking to me like I’m a little child who doesn’t know how to take care of herself! You know what?! I just can’t stand this anymore!” Starlight yells, turning as she starts to storm off towards the front door.
Fluttershy however, quickly blocks the door "Where do you think you’re going?"
"Out the front door. Please just move out of the damn way before I force my way through you."
"No. I’m not going to do that. I’m not letting you go anywhere until you can properly assure me that you’re not going to neglect yourself the moment you walk out that door."
“…Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” Starlight casts a spell that telekinetically throws Fluttershy back against the nearby wall, then turning around and blasts the front door off its hinges. before storms out.
She runs all the way back to the school, her mind still replaying Fluttershy’s words over and over again. She is still so frustrated. It’s like she just can’t get the image of Fluttershy acting with so much condescension and bossiness towards her, not believing anything she said, questioning her word, treating her like a little kid who doesn’t know how to care for herself. It’s all like it’s just burned into her mind and refuses to leave. the first thing she does is head straight for her office. She can’t stand dealing with anyone right now, all she wants to do is lock herself up in her damn office and try to cool off. She walks to her dirty office.... and finds Twilight sleeping in her chair... but she’s not going to let that get in the way of her just wanting to be alone in her office.
“Uh, Twilight? Wake up.”
Twilight wakes up with a yawn "Hm, what time is it... How long was I asleep...?"
"It’s the middle of the damn night. What are you even doing here and sleeping in my office?"
"Ah, my apologies for falling asleep in your office. I was looking for you, but couldn't find you anywhere... So I just.." -Twilight Yawns- "ended up falling asleep while waiting..."
"Just… how long have you been searching for me?"
"I've been looking for you all day ever since you didn't show up when I knocked on your office door..."
"Well, I was at Fluttershy’s all day. Why did you want to see me?"
"Well, I'm just a concerned friend, wondering just how you've been doing... And I'm worried about you. You haven't exactly been yourself in the last couple weeks, ever since the... incident..."
"I’m fine, alright. Can I please just be alone right now? I’m tired. I’m really tired…"
"Alright, I'll give you some space. But can I ask you one thing before I leave?"
Starlight Grones "…Yes, what is the question?"
"Why do you have a computer program of Trixie?"
"Wait, you looked at my computer? Why were you looking at my computer?"
"Your office door was unlocked. And you hadn't been responding to anything, or even being seen by anyone for weeks. I got worried, so I went in and looked through your office a bit... And during my search, I noticed the computer. And I saw that it had that Trixie program on there... Why do you even have it on your computer...?"
"Why does the Trixie program matter so much to you…?"
"It just seems a bit strange; don't you think? You haven't been yourself ever since you saw Trixie fall off of that cliff. And I just happen to find a computer program of Trixie on your computer..."
At first, Starlight had no idea why Twilight was asking about it, and now she’s starting to get a very bad feeling she knows where this is going… "Just… what are you trying to imply?"
"Maybe you... miss her? And having the computer program is supposed to be some kind of... way to cope and replace that... missing part?"
"Can I please just be alone? Seriously…?"
Twilight looks up at starlight "Alright, if that's what you want... I'll leave you alone, for now. But please... Don't isolate yourself from your friends. We care about you, don't forget that."
"Alright, alright… I won’t… I won’t, now will you please just leave?"
"I'll be going now. But please, take care of yourself." Twilight said as she walks towards the door and leaves closing it.
Starlight couldn’t believe Twilight just randomly showed up and then was asking her all these questions. She knew her friends are just trying to care for her, but it’s as if they think she can’t take care of herself at all. And now alone in her damn office and in peace, she can finally be alone and not be bothered or nagged by anyone… She sighs to herself again as she now finally has the solitude she’s been wanting for hours. No Fluttershy, no Twilight, no annoying pony to keep nagging her. She can finally just sit down in her office and have some time alone… But for some odd reason, now that she finally has the solitude she wanted, she suddenly feels a sense of loneliness. She groans and buries her face in her hooves. Damn, so now she misses the presence of other ponies, even though she was just wanting to be alone a moment ago? Dammit…
She groans and looks up again. she did have at least one pony she can talk to. One silly, cheerful, overly optimistic, computer program pony… She walks over and sits down in front of her computer at her desk. She can’t believe she’s about to fire her up, but to be honest, right now, she just wants a friendly face to talk to, as stupid as it may look to be talking to a computer program… She boots up the computer and waits for it to fully load. Once it does, as the Trixie program starts up, she finds herself feeling a bit silly for booting it up, and a mix of anticipation and curiosity as she watches the program load. She’s curious and nervous to see how the program will respond to her…
"Yawwn, Hello Starlight!!"
She’s a bit surprised that the program seems to be in a fairly cheerful mood. That’s good, she didn’t expect that the Trixie program would seem to be in a good mood. She replies, still feeling a bit of nervousness, and a bit silly for talking to a computer program. “Uh, hey, Trixie... You feeling alright?”
Trixie doesn’t responed.
She groans to herself as she realizes this. Yes, that’s right, the program can’t hear her… That’s why she needs to talk to it through the keyboard. But which button was it again…? She quickly looks at the keyboard, trying to quickly find the button that lets her talk to Trixie. She continues looking at all the keys and tries remembering which one could’ve been the right one to talk with the program… Damnit, why can’t she remember which button it was. There are just so many keys and she can’t seem to remember. And then, a thought suddenly comes to mind… As a last ditch effort, she places a hoof on the keyboard and just starts hitting random keys at random points on the keyboard. She knows it’s stupid, and she knows the chances of finding the correct key are very low… But she doesn’t know what else to do right now, she just wants to talk to the damn program…
After hitting the correct key and suddenly seeing the textbox pop up out of nowhere, she groans in both relief and frustration. Of course, it just had to be a key close towards the bottom right side of the keyboard, and she can’t believe she really just had to hit random keys to find it. But luckily, now she can finally communicate with the Trixie program.
She thinks for a moment about what to type into the textbox… But then, she figures she’ll just try and act casual. It would look weird to try and be overly formal with a computer program that’s supposed to be a friend. She types into box a short question, trying to sound casual when asking it: “How are you today, Trixie?”
"Oh starlight, Your back!"
Starlight groans internally when reading that cheerful reply. She can’t believe she’s actually sitting here, talking with a computer program, and that she’s actually glad to ‘see’ the program respond so casually to her. But she shakes her head and continues her conversation with the program. “Yeah, I’m back. I, uhm… I was hoping to just talk for a while…”
"Sure thing, how was it with your friends?"
This question makes Starlight think for a moment. Honestly, her day with her friends wasn’t exactly the best. First with Fluttershy and all her nagging… And then with Twilight, who randomly just came into her office without asking or anything… and for some reason, she suddenly was asking her questions about the Trixie program on her computer. She’s a bit confused why Twilight was so interested in that damn program, but she quickly shakes off those thoughts and types her response to Trixie’s question: “Eh, it was alright…”
"Well then, I've been waiting for you~"
She blushes a bit at that reply and feels a small, weird flutter in her stomach when reading those words. Seriously, why is she blushing? It’s only a stupid computer program, and it’s just acting like that because that’s how it’s programmed and how it’s supposed to be… “You were waiting for me?”
“I sure Have”
She feels a bit more flustered and awkward when reading that response. How the hell does this dumb little program always manage to get her blushing like this? She groans to herself and composes herself before typing her reply. She makes sure to sound casual and not let the computer program affect her to much “Why were you waiting for me?”
"Well, I can't really do anything when the computer is off"
Starlight groans to herself again and facepalms at that response. Of course, how silly could she be? The computer program can only function when the computer is on, and it can’t do anything when the computer is simply off. It’s a computer program after all, but… She can’t believe she’s actually finding it’s innocence and simple responses to be a bit… cute or charming. Dammit…
"So, who did you reconnect with today?"
That question makes Starlight groan and roll her eyes. Damn Trixie for immediately reminding her yet again of Fluttershy’s annoying nagging that just kept going on and on… She feels a mix of annoyance and frustration just thinking about Fluttershy… She’s got an urge to just type in ‘ugh, annoying Fluttershy’, but she decides not to and simply answers with a short reply instead. “Eh, the usual. Fluttershy, and Twilight…”
"Well, 2 two ponies you've reconnected with, five left"
She groans and buries her face in her hooves when reading that response. It’s such a dumb reply, and she knows that, but she can’t help but find that small little comment at the end to be… cute. Seriously, why does this dumb little program’s stupid little comments always manage to cause her heart to flutter like this? She’s talking to a stupid computer program, for Celestia’s sake. Nevertheless, she does type a response into the textbox: “Five more left?”
"Yep, five left; Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash," -Trixie looks to the side and angerly mutters to herself, but Starlight could still hear her- "Sunburst," -Trixie then looked back at Starlight- "Then You'll have reconnected with ALL your friends!!!"
Starlight groans and rolls her eyes at that response. Yes, she already knows quite well that there are still the rest of her friends left, and she’s already guessed that her computer program will try and remind her of that too. However, she does suddenly look up at reading that last name, her heart giving a sudden jump for some reason. Sunburst? Well, she did already see him again, and they’re on good terms again, but… What the hell does the program have against him suddenly? And… Wait, why am she suddenly feeling so weird over a computer program talking about him…?
She shakes away those weird little inner thoughts and composes herself, trying to focus on the conversation at hand. “And uhm… why did you mutter Sunburst?”
"Hm? Mutter Sunburst, what are you talking about?"
She groans. Really, now that program is pretending it doesn’t know what she’s talking about? She groans internally and tries again “Come on, don’t pretend you don’t know what I’m talking about. You muttered his name a moment ago.”
"I have no idea what you're talking about, I simply said his name normally, you might be stressed"
She groans again, now seriously starting to get a bit annoyed in a not cute or endearing way. She knows she’s not imaging things. The Trixie program definitely muttered his name. But then, in order to have proof of this, she suddenly gets an idea. She types into the textbox: “Say his name again, then.”
"Sunburst!"
She sighs. Alright, she was hoping the program would actually mumble his name again. But no, of course the program has to speak his name in a perfectly normal way this time around… She groans and buries her face in her hooves for a moment. This is ridiculous. Why is she even getting so worked up over a dumb computer program mumbling the name of her only living, best friend. Goddamn it…
"Hmmm, Its starting to get late. you should go to sleep!"
She grunts and rolls her eyes again when reading that reply. Yes, she’s already aware its late, and the fact that she’s been sitting here for so long chatting with the Trixie program… Wait… Has she really been sitting here just chatting with a computer program? Seriously, what in Celestia’s damn name is wrong with her…. How pathetic is she… “Yeah, I should be getting tired by now, I guess…” She groans and sighs again, trying to figure out how to end the conversation. How on earth do you end a conversation with a computer program? Can’t she just turn it off and walk out and not have it say anything back to her…? She groans again at that prospect. She knows it wouldn’t feel right for her to end the small friendship talk without a proper ‘Goodnight’ or anything. So, she finally types a simple ‘Goodnight’, and hopes the Trixie program will respond with something equally simple…
"Before you go, there's just one think I ask."
She groans upon reading that message. What the hell does the program want now? She’s starting to feel a bit tired and just wants to go to bed now. But she sighs and types into the textbox: “What is it?”
"Could you just lean in closer, until your snout is touching the screen?"
Starlight groans and rolls her eyes again at reading that message. Leaning her snout in to touch the screen does sound really stupid, and it’s also a request she wouldn’t usually humour. But… She suddenly sighs and moves her head closer, until her nose is touching the screen a bit. “It’s touching the screen, now what?”
The digital Trixie quickly ran up to the screen and gives it a peck.
Starlight gasps and reels back in shock. In an instant, her face is completely blushing red, and her heart is beating crazy as she stares wide-eyed at the screen. She can’t believe the program actually did that! Holy Celestia….
"Good night~"
Starlight stares at the screen for a few more moments, her heart still beating like crazy and her whole face still blushing a bright red. She can’t believe this is happening. This is just… stupid and so unbelievable. She can’t believe the stupid computer program just went up to the screen and kissed it… right where her snout was. It was an action that made her heartbeat like crazy, and that also caused a weird fluttering in her stomach… Finally, after a long time, she finally manages to regain her composure and type a short reply into the textbox: “H… Goodnight.”
She suddenly jumps when the computer screen goes black, and she is left sitting there, in a well-lit office, with only the light coming from an open window, with the computer screen turned off. Her face is still completely flushed a bright red, especially her cheeks, and her heart is still beating crazy. Slowly, she groans and covers her face with her hooves, finally starting to process what just happened. Did that program just… kiss the screen in front of her…? She can’t believe it… She groans even louder when slowly realizing just how much that simple action actually did affect her…
On Twilights way out, she heard hoof steps somewhere in the school, Twilight raises her head upon hearing hoof steps coming from somewhere within the school, her curiosity peaked. She slowly walks down the hall towards the sound. Then, in the dark she sees somepony, RUNNING TOWARDS HER! Twilight lets out a small scream as she sees a dark silhouette charging at her. She takes a few steps back, bracing herself for who knows what, Then Fluttershy stops Infront of her, “Oh my gosh, Fluttershy! You scared me! What are you doing here this late at night?”
"Oh, I-I’m sorry to have startled you, Twilight. I’m here because I’ve been looking for Starlight. Have you seen her?"
"Yes, I've seen her. She's in her office. However, she doesn't want to be disturbed right now..."
"I need to speak with her. What do you mean she ‘doesn’t want to be disturbed right now’?"
"I mean that she's isolating herself from everyone right now. I came here searching for her because I was worried. And she won't talk with anyone at the moment."
"…I see… and how long has she been in her office?"
"I came here in the late afternoon, and she didn't respond to anything I said, so I went inside her office. After that, I ended up falling asleep and didn't wake up until only a few minutes ago... So it's been at least 60 seconds - 2 hours..."
"I have to go see her. I need to speak to her. I need to make sure she’s ok. Would you mind if I go in there?"
"I don't mind if you do. But I doubt that you'll be able to get her to open up to you... She doesn't want anyone to talk to her right now, she just wants to be left alone."
"I’m still going to try and talk to her. I’m not leaving here until I do."
Twilight tries to make once last attempt to dissuade Fluttershy from bothering Starlight “I understand that you want to try to talk some sense into her, but you're only going to end up wasting your time. Starlight isn't willing to talk to anyone right now. But I can't stop you from going in, so go ahead. Just don't get your hopes up.”
"Well… I have to at least try. Wish me luck…" Fluttershy Runs off
Twilight watches as Fluttershy runs off towards Starlight's office. She thinks it's a pointless effort to try and get through to her, but she can at the very least hope something good will come from Fluttershy's attempt, Twilight starts to walk back towards the exit of the school, the late night slowly giving her a sense of dread and uneasiness. She just hopes that things won't end badly between Starlight and Fluttershy...
Meanwhile, Fluttershy approaches the door and takes a deep breath, preparing herself. She then reaches out and knocks on the door, waiting a few moments to see if Starlight will respond back, no response The lack of a response doesn’t surprise Fluttershy. She didn’t think it would be so easy, if at all. Not giving up, she knocks on the door again, a little louder this time, once again, no response.
Fluttershy’s anxiety starts to rise slightly in her chest as she’s met with no response, but she quickly shakes it off. The determination in her eyes only seems to harden, and her frown strengthens in firmness. She knocks on the door for a third time, now a little louder. “Starlight, open the door please. I want to talk with you.” Still no response, “Starlight, please. You can’t just shut me out. I know you’re in there. Stop refusing to talk to me. Please open the door.”
But still no response. Starlight would have to leave eventually Fluttershy thought to herself as she yawned “She can’t stay in there forever… I’ll wait for her to leave.” Taking a deep breath to prepare herself, Fluttershy sits down against the cold wall next to the closed door, waiting for Starlight to exit. And slowly, she starts to drifts off. Try as she might to keep herself awake, her exhaustion soon begins to win out, as well as her anxiety and frustration, and she drifts off into a light doze.
