> Floor Bored lay on her bed and tried very hard not to weep. She was determined to hold on to her anger, no matter what. It was better than the black depression which was threatening to encroach upon her heart.
> She was totally in the right, anyway!
> Taku and her had had a fight. A bad one.
> In fact, they probably weren't friends anymore.
> They'd known each other since before school, when their parents got together for some autumn festival or something like that.
> The two fillies, both shy around strangers, both quiet and introspective, found that they shared a common interest in comic books.
> They'd spent the whole night talking.
> Floor's parents had been so happy to see their filly socializing that they happily arranged more play-dates for the two. And thus a deep and abiding friendship had blossomed forth.
> When Taku was bullied because of her glasses, it had been Floor's shoulder she'd cried on.
> When Floor didn't get a prom date, it was Taku and her game console that distracted her for the night.
> Each other were the only ponies they could talk to.
> Well, not anymore.
> Floor gripped her pillow and pressed it against herself. Some nights she pretended it was a strong and friendly stallion, but now she wished it was Taku.
> Except... no.
> She hated Taku now!
> The hussy had no right! Come into Floor's home and try to change her!
> She was perfectly happy to stay inside, play games, browse the Internet and never, ever go out!
> Who was Taku to demand Floor accompany her shopping? Saying it'd be good for her!
> Bah!
> How had the fight even started?
> The last thing Floor wanted to do was go through it again in her mind, but she already knew she was doomed to do exactly that until she fell asleep from exhaustion.
> It wasn't fair!
> She'd only joked about Taku becoming a normie! There had been absolutely no calling to take it so seriously.
> Out of the two of them, Taku had always been slightly more outgoing, slightly less nervous. She was just a bit more likeable. She knew what to say and when.
> In fact, Floor had suspected for some time that Taku was... *dating*!
> It had all come out tonight.
> She *was* seeing some colt! It wasn't fair to Floor. As if their friendship, their promises to each other meant nothing!
> In desperation, the mare bit the corner of her pillow. Her eyes ended up on the desk with her computer.
> The sight just brought more tears. Taku had said she should move it to the living room. That she should stop obsessing about the message boards.
> That she should open the curtains and let in some fresh air.
> Clean up the place!
> Floor's eyes fell on the myriad plastic bottles and cans littering her desk. Then she looked at the floor, which was covered with more trash.
> Fast food wrappers, pizza boxes, tissue papers.
> Well, it was a bit of a mess, but it was *her* mess! Taku had no call to say it stank!
> She had only realized it stank because she washed up for her dates, that... that *hussy*!
> It wasn't fair.
> Floor wanted a special somepony too. But Equestria's population was deeply unfair to mares, with so few stallions to go around. They were spoiled for choice, so naturally they simply weren't interested in someone like Floor Bored.
> Pale yellow, with a messy, greasy black mane. And then her startlingly green eyes, just... spoiling the whole image further. They were too unexpected, green.
> Nopony expected *green* eyes on a plain mare like her!
> Maybe she could have pulled off brown, but not emerald!
> She'd long ago decided that all that work - make up and dresses and acting like she was interested - it was too much work for an uncertain chance of even meeting somepony.
> Besides, colts were so shallow it was almost physically painful to hear them talking with the pretty mares.
> Floor had overheard some conversations while she still went to school and the memory was nearly enough to turn her stomach even now.
> Just cliches and platitudes all around. Fake, forced giggles. Pretending they were interested in one another.
> Then a quick hop into the girl's bathroom and a bang.
> Not to mention all the drama and crying when the stallion in question bucked a prettier mare. What in Tartarus did they expect would happen?!
> True love was a lie!
> To see Taku, her oldest and, well, only friend, fall for the same garbage was distressing.
> She'd even had her mane styled!
> Floor almost couldn't believe how fast it had happened.
> Only a couple of weeks ago, Taku - her old, normal self - had come to visit, bringing their favorite takeout and several bottles of fizzy drinks.
> They'd stayed up until sunrise, playing all their old classics on her Ponystation and laughing at the shitty graphics.
> Then...
> Nothing. As if Taku had vanished from Internet. Floor left her message after message, asking if she'd like to play something together, or come over and watch movie... anything really.
> Yesterday there'd been a curt reply that she'd be over and she had big news.
> Then...
> A new mare came to Floor's door. At least that's what she'd assumed when she opened it. She could hardly recognize her friend.
> Clean, smelling of some fancy perfume and with her mane styled. And - this is where Floor knew something was terribly wrong - wearing a skimpy, scandalizing little dress.
> Calling it a 'dress' was generous. It was just a few pieces of lace in strategic places, not so much to conceal, but to suggest what was beneath.
> How could she have helped herself? Floor had burst out laughing, thinking it was some kind of early Fool's Day joke.
> Then she'd opened her stupid trap - the memory of the words rang so clear in her mind: "What are you, going on a date or something?"
> It had been filled with all the scorn and distrust Floor had felt for those popular, pretty mares in school.
> She had meant it as a joke! The way Taku's muzzle scrunched up, you'd think Floor had insulted her favorite anime or something!
> 'So what if I am?' the traitor blurted out.
> While Floor stood, shocked, with her muzzle hanging open, Taku had launched into her tirade - about cleaning herself up. Going out more.
> Seeing some ponies.
> That last one told Floor all she needed to know. Taku was pushing her to make more friends, so that she herself could focus on her hussying. She didn't want to have a guilty conscience about abandoning her oldest, truest friend!
> What did she expect?!
> For Floor to just say: 'I'm happy for you? Now go and lie and pretend and bag yourself a stallion just so you can fake how happy you are?'
> If her friend had been after sex, that Floor could understand. Mares had needs. For her part, she had always slightly hoped Taku would make a move on her. That would save her having to meet anypony new, which was an experience Floor intensely disliked and feared.
> If her friend didn't want that, Floor would have understood. It Taku had dressed up and went out to get a quick roll in the hay, that would've been fine.
> Well, Floor would be a bit jealous if Taku had actually pulled it off, but she wouldn't have hated her for it.
> But Taku went on about love and companionship and starting a family and all that movie romance horseshit!
> It was almost as if she'd been brainwashed.
> That was exactly what she'd said to Taku.
> Maybe that had been a mistake. After that her friend went back to lecturing about how she should change.
> As if she didn't know perfectly well how Floor loathed to go out and be gawked at by all those stupid ponies!
> For Luna's sake, she had trouble ordering food! It took her *hours* to work up the nerve (and the hunger). She could only do it over the Internet, and when the delivery-pony came, she kept her eyes on the floor, proffered the cash, grabbed her food and quickly slammed the door shut.
> It always made her heart race and her throat constrict. She made sure she had the exact amount ready, just so she didn't have to wait for them to count out the change, or accidentally touch hooves.
> One time, her order hadn't arrived.
> Floor had rather gone hungry that evening than call the delivery place and ask about it.
> Taku knew all that!
> How could she just waltz right in and tell Floor it was *easy* to go out and meet ponies!
> How could she lie so blatantly to her face and tell her that colts were *interesting* to talk to!
> No, Floor had been perfectly within her right to yell Taku out of her place.
> And the things her once-friend had called her were unnecessary and cruel!
> She never wanted to see her ugly muzzle ever again!
"Please.... stop!"
> Floor meant it for herself. She wanted to stop thinking, stop reliving those horrible words.
> She put her hooves on her head and thought what it would be like to just squeeze and end it all.
> Maybe Taku would find the mess.
> And a note. Telling her just how much of a bitch she was.
> Then she'd spend her life being sorry about it!
> The pillow was already soaked from her tears and Floor pushed it away. It was clammy and cold against her muzzle, reminding her all to clearly that she was crying, however hard she was trying not to.
> The mare looked at her computer, whirring away doing nothing. She longed to go and lose herself in a brainless game, or in the senseless stupidity of the message boards.
> She could take her frustration and anger out on some jerks on the Internet. They'd deserve it too, with their hopeful posts about soulmates and other such crap.
> Even in the darkness Floor sneered at the idea.
> Sappy horseshit to keep the idiot masses happy and chasing after some rainbow dream.
> It was just chemicals, but the idiots didn't see that.
> She loved pointing it out - anonymously, of course.
> Somehow, tonight, she didn't feel like it.
> Her thoughts kept going back to her slamming the door in Taku's face after she'd thrown her out.
> The look of sheer betrayal on her muzzle...
> Floor groaned and buried her face in the soggy pillow, then pulled the blanket over her head.
"Bucking... stop!"

> ~~~~

> Now it was morning. Floor hadn't slept a whole lot because her brain kept waking her up with memories of her fight with Taku. It was awful.
> She snoozed a few times here and there, but never more than about ten minutes.
> As soon as a sliver of gray peeked from behind her curtains the mare crawled off her bed in exasperation, giving up on the night.
> Up even before dawn. A new low.
> She heaved a sigh and went to the kitchen to look for some food. There wasn't any, but Floor went to check anyway.
> More pizza boxes, more plastic noodle cups - some with pungent odor wafting from them.
> Maybe she *should* clean up a little, but that would mean work and - worse - going out to the street with garbage bags.
> Taku had been kind enough to drop off some trash each time she left from their game night. Floor guessed she'd have to make other arrangements now.
> Maybe she could sneak out every now and then at three in the morning when most normal ponies were asleep.
> The one thing she did *not* want was anypony poking their muzzles into what kind of trash Floor was throwing out. It was none of their business!
> She didn't want them to see how disgusting some of the things were. There were actually mushrooms growing from some of the mold in the oldest of food containers.
> Anyway, it would be a problem for another day. Floor shook her head in dismissal and went to check the fridge.
> It didn't close properly, so it wasn't really cold inside - just lukewarm. Why did she even bother with it?
> The mare took stock. A bit of moldy cheese, a few brown leaves of lettuce and some gross paste dripping down the shelves - that had probably once been a tomato.
> She also found a carton of milk, but didn't dare open it for fear of what would be inside.
> Best to leave it alone and toss it out once she figured out her trash situation.
> In short, there was nothing of use. Floor considered ordering something, but it was too early in the day for any place to be open.
> Turning her back on the messy kitchen in disgust, the mare went to the bathroom instead. She backed up to the toilet and let go, not caring much about her aim. Some of it splashed around, but the floor was dirty anyway.
> The mare breathed through her mouth while she was in there.
> And that was her whole morning routine. She'd exhausted her entire 'to-do' list for the day, so that just meant she could go on her computer and slack off.
> Maybe it would distract her from thinking about Taku.
> Floor jabbed at the mouse to wake her screen up and quickly scanned the most recent threads on ponechan.
> It was time to get down to the business of shitposting.
>...
> Her plan worked even better than she'd hoped. The hours ticked by and Floor was entirely consumed by giving the best, most scathing remarks and the funniest reaction images she had.
> The rage was invigorating. To think that she could make a pony lose their cool just by typing out a few well-placed words gave floor a real feeling of power over all those idiots.
> It was all anonymous, but she preferred it that way. Maybe that was the only way she could interact with ponies, ever? If they didn't see or hear or smell her, nor know who she really was.
> Loud knocking woke her up from intense concentration. Floor made a vaguely interrogative noise in her throat and looked around.
> This was unusual. She hadn't ordered anything and nopony had reason to visit her, ever!
> Who could it be?
> Floor decided to ignore it. They'll give up and go away.
> She went back to the comment and tried to remember what she was going to write.
> Stupid visitor with their stupid knocking and making her lose her stupid place!
> The mare grumbled quietly to herself.
> Not ten seconds later, the knocking sounded again, more insistent this time.
> Her ears flattened and Floor glanced at the open door from her room. Surely they couldn't know she was inside?
> A voice sounded: "Floor Bored! We know you're in. Please open the door!"
> She didn't recognize the pony speaking. She didn't want them!
"G-Go away!"
> That had been a mistake and Floor knew it as soon as the words left her muzzle. It just made them knock even harder.
> "We just wanna talk," the pony called out. "Just let us in, please? We're friends!"
> Floor very much doubted that. Nopony wanted to be her friend, not even the one friend she'd had - Taku.
> It was probably some weirdo Celestians, trying to give her pamphlets about their sun-goddess.
> She already hated their guts.
> The ponechan forgotten, Floor slid from her chair and made her careful, soundless way to the living room.
> Her hooves expertly found their spots between cans and chips wrappers so she didn't make any noise at all. There was no way they heard her come to the front door.
> The mare walked right up to the wood and carefully leaned her ear on it.
> There were two ponies outside, talking. The one who had been shouting said: "I'm sure this is it. It's the only friendship problem we could find, no? The pony downstairs said they'd been fighting yesterday and that it sounded bad."
> There was another voice, silky smooth and gentle like a summer breeze. It almost sounded like Floor's own when she had to talk to a strange pony.
> "M-Maybe we shouldn't bother her if she doesn't want us to, Twilight. We can come back later..."
> Wait. Floor froze. 'Twilight'?! Surely not!
> She removed her ear from the door and put her eye on the peephole.
> Holy shit, holy shit! It was *her*!!
> Princess Twilight Sparkle! At her door!
> This wasn't happening. Floor had trouble talking to the shopkeeper down the block, and here was actual *bucking* Princess Sparkle on her door, talking about some sort of friendship problem!
> She must mean Taku!
> The thought made Floor gasp in shock.
> "Floor Bored?" Twilight repeated hopefully. "Please just let us in! We're here to help!"
> Her head was still spinning by the 'princess thing' and Floor slid down and curled up. She couldn't process the news right away.
> "That's it, I'm opening the door," Twilight said.
> Her friend didn't seem to agree: "I don't think we s-should, Twilight..."
> It was no use. The knob made a sound as it was turned and the door bumped against Floor's flank as it started to open.
> She couldn't deal with this. Floor put her hooves on her head and whimpered, trying to make the world go away.
> All she wanted was to be left alone!
> Too late. The dam was already bursting and tears were starting to flow down her muzzle.

> ~~~~

> The two unwelcome guests were in her apartment. In her actual living room! Floor didn't know what to say.
> Her mind blanked and all she could get out was a quiet whimper as she tried desperately to pretend it wasn't happening.
> "Oh.." Fluttershy said when she saw the state of things.
> It wasn't hard to guess what she was thinking. What a mess. Disgusting.
> Whoever lived there must be an awful slob and a horrible pony.
> Floor almost wished they'd turn around in disgust and leave. It would save her from having to speak with them!
> She sniffed, trying desperately to choke back sobs. Maybe they wouldn't find her behind the door.
> No such luck. Twilight - *Princess* Twilight - had already come around. "Oh my gosh, are you okay? I didn't know you were back there. Did I hit you?
> Maybe it was a good thing they thought she was crying because the swinging door smacked her on the muzzle? It certainly beat the alternative.
> Unfortunately that meant Floor had to stop now, or else they'd start wondering what was really happening.
"I'm f-f-fine!" the mare managed to choke out.
> She waved feebly with a hoof that was none too steady.
"You can g-go now..."
> "Come on, let me see. I hope it isn't too bad!" Twilight said, sounding almost frantic with worry. "I didn't mean to push the door so hard, I'm really sorry!"
> Something enveloped Floor's leg and pried it away from her muzzle. All she could see was a purple blur, but it wasn't hard to guess. Twilight was using magic to look.
> "Hmm," the alicorn said to herself. "There isn't a bruise. Come on, let me help you up."
> She looked around for a soft place to take Floor, but couldn't see any surface that was clean. Her muzzle wrinkled in disgust and Floor blushed in embarrassment.
"Just go..." she whispered.
> The Princess didn't hear, but Fluttershy was paying closer attention.
> "Um, Twilight? I think she doesn't want us to be here."
> The magic winked out as the alicorn looked at her in surprise. "What? Why not? We're just here to help!"
> Now that she was free, Floor did her best to curl up into an impenetrable little ball. She almost succeeded in convincing herself that it wasn't a hoof which touched her side, but an empty can of soda.
> "Floor, right? Floor Bored?" Twilight asked.
> They knew her name!
> Well, of course they did. Floor didn't know how they knew, but she remembered they were calling it out even while they were knocking at the door.
> "Uh..."
> Even Twilight, the Princess of Friendship didn't know what to say. Probably stunned by the mess and the smell, now that she'd had a moment to take it all in.
> "I don't really know where to begin," she said, sounding determined once more. "We need to clean this place up before we get started on the friendship problem."
> The mare clapped her hooves together. "I know! I'll go ask some of the ponies to lend a hoof! Nothing like pulling together to mend some fences, right?"
> The mere thought of strangers trampling all over her apartment nearly sent Floor into a panic.
"NO!" she squeaked, uncurling just enough to see the two intruders.
> She wanted to run away and lock herself in her room, but these mares would probably just barge in.
> They would see it all.
> The filthly magazines all over the floor. The tissues and towels. Dirty sheets. Fast food boxes.
> Her toys!!
> Had she put them away? Lately Floor had just been leaving them on the bed. No use in hiding them when nopony went into her room but herself!
"M-mph!" she tried to say, but her muzzle was clamped shut by terror.
> All she really managed to do was spray a bit of saliva over herself in her rush to say no.
> Meanwhile, the yellow one was wandering around, inspecting everything. She had gone into the bathroom, but hurriedly walked back out, foreleg held against her nose.
> It was pure luck that Twilight didn't see it, but then it was only a matter of time before the alicorn went to check for herself.
> All the effort of not crying was making dots of light swim in Floor's vision and she opened her mouth to take a breath.
> A thin wail escaped her.
> Once it had begun, there was no stopping it. She was bawling. No other word for it.
"GO AWAY," she blurted out.
> Before the two unwelcome guests could respond, the mare shot up and ran for it. She dodged into her room and slammed the door shut.
> It was a temporary solution, but so were all the others.
> Her hooves shook as she turned the key and leaned against the wood, panting.
> Maybe, if she didn't let them in, they would leave. She just had to hold out.
> It was her only hope.
> She wished Taku was there.

> ~~~~

> As Floor tried to get her breathing under control, she pressed her ear against the bedroom door to try and guess what the two were doing.
> There was silence for a long while, then Twilight spoke up in a suddenly uncertain tone of voice: "Um, what just happened?"
> A very faint hoofstep approached the bedroom and Floor tensed up. It was probably Fluttershy - the Princess stomped around as if she owned the place.
> Her suspicion was confirmed when the pegasus spoke up right on the other side of the door. "Was it something you said maybe?"
> "I don't think so," Twilight countered. "I just said we'd get some neighbors over to help clean this place up."
> The mere mention of having more ponies looking at her mess - at *herself* - made Floor whimper quietly.
> "I think that was it," Fluttershy said, right outside. Floor bit down on a hoof nervously.
> "What?"
> Fluttershy moved away again, much to Floor Bored's relief. "I don't think she likes strangers," the yellow one said. "She's really shy, Twilight."
> Floor found herself nodding in agreement. Yes! She didn't like company. They should go and leave her alone!
> "Ooooh," Twilight said knowingly. Even without seeing her, Floor imagined the alicorn grinning in understanding. "So *that's* why the map sent you along! It all makes sense now!"
> "What should we do now?"
"Go away," Floor whispered. Of course they didn't hear it.
> "Well, I guess we wait until Floor Bored decides to talk to us."
> There was a rattle of soda cans, then Twilight spoke again. "Come, I used a cleaning spell on the couch. It should be safe to sit on."
> The way she said it brougth fresh tears to Floor's eyes. It wasn't fair! It wasn't her fault she never had any real time to do housework. What was the point of it anyway? Nopony visited.
> Nopony except Taku, and even she wouldn't be visiting anymore.
> The combination of these nosy, obnoxious busyponies and the realization that Taku would never be visiting again was too much for Floor. She pushed herself away from the bedroom door - it was locked, anyway - and threw herself on the bed.
> She pulled a pillow over her head to muffle her sobs as best she could.
> Maybe if she stayed under there long enough, the unwelcome guests would be gone and things would go back to normal.
> She could hope.

> ~~~

> Floor didn't know how she had managed to fall asleep, but a knock on her bedroom door startled her awake.
> "Um," Fluttershy said from the other side, "we made some vegetable stew. Would you like to have some?"
> The mare was incredulous. How could the pair make *anything* out of the mess in her kitchen was beyond her. Unless they went out and bought stuff.
> There was still a pile of dishes in the sink, with some on the bottom actually growing some kind of fungus. Floor had been very uneasy about trying to pry all that apart.
> "Floor?" came another prompt when she hadn't answered in a while.
> She looked around and Floor's eyes landed on a small pile of toys on the edge of the bed. There was no way anypony could be allowed to see that!
> It would make her die of shame!
> Panicking, she threw her blanket over it and ran to the bedroom door, slamming against it when she didn't slow down in time.
"NO!" she yelled.
> "You d-don't have to come out," Fluttershy said. "I'll just leave it out here, okay? You should eat something."
> A strange smell tickled her nose and Floor inhaled. It was coming from the gap under the door. It really was mouth-watering.
> Maybe it wouldn't hurt to accept the food. After all, she might have to stay in the room for some time and she didn't have any provisions, aside from a few crumbs of chips left over in some of the bags.
> She swallowed in fear and tried to get her voice working.
"P-Promise you'll g-go away?"
> "I promise," Fluttershy said and Floor believed her. The pegasus put a plate down with an unmistakable clink, then walked away.
> Floor stuck her ear against the wood, trying to decide if the intruder really was walking away, or just stomping her hooves to make it seem so.
> After a few seconds she heard Twilight from the living room: "Did she take it?"
> "I don't know," Fluttershy answered, "it'll take some time before she trusts us."
> The pegasus was back with the Princess and Floor relaxed a little, but then Fluttershy exclaimed urgently: "Don't go look!"
> Tensing up, Floor waited for the sound of alicorn hooves on the floor, but there was none. She guessed Twilight was obeying.
> Maybe she could risk it. There was no chance they could barge in if she just opened the door a crack and pulled the food in.
> Now that the smell had had time to work its insidious magic, the mare was positively drooling and her stomach was growling in complaint.
> She remembered she hadn't eaten in a long while.
> "Okay," Twilight said with some finality, making Floor freeze in the process of reaching for the key. "We'll *have* to clean the bathroom, if we plan on staying any longer."
> The words reminded her - there was some pressure in her own bladder. Luckily, Floor had a solution for that.
> She looked at the floor around her computer table. Yes, several plastic bottles. She could stay in her room for a a lot longer. At least until she needed to go number two.
> "Are you sure it's our place?" Fluttershy asked. "We already did the dishes without asking..."
> The alicorn growled a little. "Are you crazy?! That was a biohazard! It's a good thing the health inspection didn't come around here, I'm sure somepony complained about the smell."
> Fluttershy didn't give up: "Yes, but what if she prefers it that way?"
> "Prefers it that way!?" Twilight repeated incredulous. "Who in Equestria would prefer to live in this... this *filth*?!"
> Her words struck true and Floor winced. They were right. She was a degenerate. Unsuitable to live among civilized ponies.
> If only she had the guts to end it.
> "Hush!" Fluttershy said, "you'll hurt her feelings!"
> Too late, Floor thought. Not that it took very much. There was such a lot of material.
> Twilight heaved an exasperated sigh. "Look, Fluttershy, this-" there was a pause and Floor imagined the alicorn was swinging a leg to encompass the living room, "-this isn't normal! It's our duty to help this Floor Bored. I thought we were only here for a friendship problem, but this is worse. She's..."
"Broken..." Floor whispered to herself.
> Tears dripped from her muzzle and suddenly she wasn't hungry anymore. Her hoof - still on its way to unlock the door - fell.
> "Twilight Sparkle!" Fluttershy said, this time with a touch of anger in her voice. "Not everyone is an obsessive neat freak like you! Sometimes I have my hooves full with a sick animal and don't have time to clean up - do you think any less of me then?!"
> There was a pause, then the Princess said quietly: "No. Of course not. But this-"
> The yellow pegasus interrupted her. "Is a problem, yes! But we're not going to be able to help Floor at all if she doesn't trust us! So be nice, okay?"
> There was no use, but Floor appreciated the concern.
> Had they met in different circumstance, she would probably have quite liked Fluttershy.
> At least that one understood what it felt like when you were nervous to speak with anypony. Twilight obviously didn't.
> Despite her stomach complaining, Floor dragged herself back to bed and put the pillow over her head.
> She hoped she'd fall asleep again, so she didn't have to listen to this horrible conversation anymore.
> As for the food they offered her... well, they could shove it!
> It was none of their business how she chose to live her life! What right did those two have to come and lecture her about cleanliness?!
> They were acting just like Taku!
> It was getting easier to think that name. This time there was hardly a pang in her heart when Floor said it to herself.
> She experimentally lifted the pillow a little and swiveled her ear so it faced the door.
> Her 'guests' were still talking loudly.
> "Okay, if you know what you're doing, then you stay here. I'll go and see if I can find the other one. Surely somepony in this building knows her name!" Twilight was saying.
> "Good. I'll see you later then," Fluttershy confirmed.
> Then there were hoofsteps and the sound of her front door opening and closing.
> Was it true? Floor lifted up her other ear just to be sure.
> Had the overbearing Princess Twilight left?
> If it was just Fluttershy, maybe Floor could convince her she was fine and send her away.
> The pegasus *had* sounded kind and understanding.
> As Floor Bored tried to work up the courage to face her remaining guest, her eyes landed on an empty bottle.
> Well, it was as good a time as any. Better to do it before she *really* had to go - it was a lot easier to control the stream this way. Less spillage.
> She listened for a bit longer, until she heard the couch springs squeak, so she knew Fluttershy was still in the living room and wouldn't hear her.
> Then Floor slid from the bed and reached for the bottle.
> She'd have to go out when the other need became too pressing, but she had some time still.
> The bedroom was safe. Fluttershy wouldn't let Twilight just break in.
> It would be fine, even if they stayed over night. Floor had her computer and headphones, so she could shut out the world and do what she loved.
> They were *bound* to be gone by next morning!
> Most ponies gave up on Floor Bored after a day.

> ~~~~

> Alone in her flat with one of the famous Elements of Harmony.
> Maybe, Floor Bored thought, it should have had more of an effect, but for now she was just relieved that the loud, pushy Princess Twilight was gone.
> For her part, Fluttershy seemed to just quietly sit in her living room, but Floor heard her walking up and down sometimes.
> She was also picking up trash, which made Floor lower her ears and blush with embarrassment whenever she realized it was happening, even if the pegasus couldn't see her in her room.
> There was nothing else for her to do, so Floor went to her computer and put on headphones, determined to ignore the unwelcome reality that was now her life.
> The online world was a good place to get lost in while she waited to be left alone once more. And if the yellow-quiet wanted to clean up the place, that was fine with Floor, as long as she didn't expect a 'thank you' after.
> She jabbed at the mouse and the familiar puke-green of ponechat greeted her. It was time to get down to the business of rustling jimmies!
> Floor opened up her playlist, but just as she hovered her mouse cursor over 'play' there was a knock on the door.
> Jumping a little, the mare failed to suppress a small gasp. She quickly closed the browser windows, then immediately felt stupid about it.
> She wasn't a filly anymore, and the pony out there wasn't her Mom to catch her looking up something embarrassing.
> "Um. Hello?" the pegasus said, barely loud enough for Floor to hear it.
> "Would you like to, uh, come out and talk for a minute? Y-You don't have to. It's just if you'd like some company."
> Floor realized she was holding her breath and slowly let it out. She kept her muzzle firmly shut, hoping the nag will take a hint and leave her alone.
> "There's still some yummy, delicious stew left if you want any!" Fluttershy tried to tempt her with her gentle, singsong voice. "Oh, won't you please have a little bit?"
> Her nose suddenly picked up the smell and Floor's mouth watered. The sneak! Fluttershy had heated some up and brought it to her door, undoubtedly to try and lure her out into a trap!
> It *did* smell delicious, though...
"L-Leave it outside!"
> She could almost see the smug, self-satisfied grin on Fluttershy's muzzle when her low ploy worked!
> "Okay!"
"Go in the k-kitchen!" Floor demanded.
> It was best to be sure.
> Not even Rainbow Dash would be able to catch her out if she had to start from the kitchen! The thought made Floor pause. Would they sic the obnoxious loudmouth pegasus on her, if Fluttershy failed to produce results?
> That would be a nightmare!
> "Okay! I'm leaving now. Just- um, please think about coming out and chatting for a bit. We're all friends here, okay? We're just worried about you!"
> It sounded sweet and innocent and for a moment Floor nearly believed it really was just a friendly offer.
> Then she remembered Princess Twilight and the disdain in her voice as she commented on the state of the apartment. Her muzzle scrunched up in distaste.
> *She* didn't go to other ponies' houses and comment on a bit of dirt or a few empty cans they might have been too busy to clean up!
> Floor slid from her chair and carefully inched her way to the door. She leaned her ear on the wood and listened closely.
> True to her word, Fluttershy really was going away. The hoofsteps went to the living room, and then clicked on the tiles in her kitchen.
> Maybe the yellow pegasus could be trusted to keep her promises, then. Floor put a hoof on the key and turned it very carefully.
> It hardly made a noise. Then, heart beating in her ears, Floor gently opened the door a crack.
> The hallway was empty and the bowl was sitting outside her door, steaming. There was a spoon next to it.
> She didn't recall having spoons in the apartment and wondered where Fluttershy might have found one.
> Floor usually just licked up whatever goop she had ordered straight from its carton or plastic cup. Besides, she mostly ate pizza or noodles or simple stuff like that.
> She reached out for the bowl, snagged it with a hoof and very gently pulled it closer, trying not to spill it.
> Once it was in reach she grabbed it with her forelegs and brought it into the room. She lowered it quickly on the carpet, not caring that she spilled a bit in her hurry to slam the door shut and turn the key again.
> Only then did she breathe again. Floor gasped for air and collapsed down against the door. Safe. Fluttershy hadn't tried anything.
> That was a relief and her opinion of the yellow mare rose a bit. Maybe, just *maybe* that one could be trusted to understand what it was like, living alone with no friends because she couldn't open her muzzle in front of anypony.
> She'd read about the Equestria's favorite heroes in the Cosmoponitan magazine online and by all accounts Fluttershy sounded a bit like herself.
> Shy, quiet and liked to live in seclusion. She also preferred the company of animals to ponies.
> Floor idly wondered if she'd ever done it with any of her animal friends, but then nearly slapped herself in the muzzle.
> That right there was why she didn't have any friends!
> Anyway, she was safe in her room and so was her prize. The stew had been filling her nose and making her mouth water even without her consciously being aware of it.
> She took the spoon out and licked it experimentally.
> It was the most delicious thing she had ever tasted. Floor stuck the spoon in her mouth and sucked on it greedily. Then she simply tossed it aside and lifted up the bowl itself.
> Screw being polite, she was *hungry*!
> She almost drank the broth, pausing only momentarily to chew the bigger pieces before they could choke her. Even when the bowl was empty she didn't stop, but started licking it clean.
> It didn't take too long, but when Floor was done the empty dish slid from her hooves and she let out a small, satisfied sigh.
> She would have loved some more, but even so it was absolutely amazing!
> Without even thinking about it, her tongue darted out to lick her muzzle and nose clean of the leftover goodness.
> Only then did she move again. Her eyes went to a splatter of stew she had spilled in her haste earlier and - hating herself, but doing it anyway - Floor lowered her muzzle and licked it off the carpet.
> The dust and grime spoiled the taste somewhat, but she didn't mind. She'd eaten worse.
> As she lay there, belly pleasantly warm and the gnawing hunger gone for the moment, Floor just listened, trying to catch what Fluttershy was doing.
> After about a minute there were hoofsteps approaching and Floor tensed up. Her 'guest' might ask for something in return for the delicious stew, but it was too late. The stuff was already inside Floor's stomach and she wasn't going to give it back.
> Feeling smugly satisfied, Floor stuck out her tongue at Fluttershy's imagined expression at the news.
> The hoofsteps stopped outside her room and Floor slowly shuffled away. Surely the pegasus wouldn't knock the door down?
> There was silence for a while, until finally her guest cleared her throat. "Um. Floor Bored?"
> She didn't answer.
> "I know you're listening. I was just, uh, wondering if, um, you'd like to talk or anything?"
> Still nothing, but the mare was persistent and didn't let it deter her. "I understand, I really do. Some days you just don't want to see anypony, but if you just give it a chance, I think you'd-"
"No!"
> That shut her up, but only for a few seconds.
> Yellow-quiet gave a little sad sigh, then tried another tact: "Won't you pleeeeease come out and talk? I have some more of the stew if you want?"
> Tempting, but Floor could resist, now that she wasn't starving anymore.
"No."
> "Well - can I come in?"
"NO!"
> Again Floor looked at her bed, where her toys were covered with a flimsy blanket. Not to mention the telltale scent.
> For that matter, Fluttershy was probably smelling it from outside, but there wasn't anything she could do about that *now*. Letting her come in was unthinkable.
> "I really think you should talk to me," the pegasus said, perhaps with a touch of impatience in her voice.
> Her next words were quieter, but nearer the door, as if Fluttershy was pressing her head against the wood as she talked.
> "Please, Floor Bored. I'm worried about you. I understand you're ashamed about the mess, but I promise I won't hold it against you."
> She was pleading!
> Floor could hardly believe her ears!
> Fluttershy - the Element of Kindness, was leaning on her door and begging for her to come out and talk.
> Maybe it was all just a weird dream? She bit her leg, but it really stung.
> Not a dream, then.
> Another thought occurred. When Twilight came back, she would probably be very impatient. The alicorn might decide just to burst into the room with her magic and pull Floor out by force.
> Maybe they wanted to move her out of the apartment?! The Princess would drag a struggling Floor Bored through the streets to some unemployment office or another government apartment.
> Everypony would watch her, judge her. Probably whisper about who is this filthy, stinky mare being evicted.
> A small whimper escaped her.
> There was suddenly a new edge to Fluttershy's pleading. "Oh, I don't know how you got that way, but I'd really like to help, Floor. Please, won't you come out?"
> Maybe she could strike a deal!
> Her mind was filled with crazy, irrational fear and Floor was ready to reach for any straws she could get her hooves on.
"P-Promise you'll l-leave me alone!?"
> "Um. What do you mean?"
"Promise Princess T-Twilight won't drag me out of the ap-apartment?!"
> This made the pegasus gasp in horror. "Oh, goodness no! Of course not! We'd never!"
> Floor trusted her guest and relaxed a bit.
"J-Just you?" she prompted.
> Luckily, Fluttershy understood. "Just me, I promise. I'll tell Twilight to leave us alone for a while, okay?"
> That was good.
> This was the longest conversation Floor had had with somepony who wasn't Taku. She could deal with Fluttershy.
> Good, kind, sweet Fluttershy. She would respect her privacy and wouldn't try to change her.
> She won't judge her. She promised!
"Okay, I'll... I'll..."
> Now that she went to say it, her tongue didn't seem to work right, but Floor forced it out anyway.
"I'll c-come out," she finished almost in a croak.
> She got up on trembling legs and looked at the door. It was intimidating and she swallowed a lump in her throat.
> "Okay. I'll wait on the couch in the living room. You can go back to your room if you feel uncomfortable, okay?"
> That was a relief. Floor waited for the hoofsteps to fade away, and then for the couch springs to squeak when the pegasus climbed on.
> Only then did she gingerly touch the key as if it would burn her.
> It was only metal and didn't bite her like she was half expecting.
> Floor turned it around, then reached for the handle. It was a big moment and she didn't know she could do it.
> Maybe her legs would collapse under her, or she would faint. It seemed possible the way her heart was thumping and rattling in her ribcage.
> She opened the door.
> Nothing happened.
> After what seemed like forever, but was in fact only about ten seconds, Floor Bored stepped out of her room.
> She stared at her new apartment. The trash was gone. There were a couple of large, plastic bags in a corner, but the floor was free from refuse.
> There were stains here and there, not to mention the musty smell which had been disturbed by the mares digging through stuff, but for the first time in what seemed like years Floor could see her carpet.
> It was dark blue.
> She risked a glance up and saw the pegasus watching her with a small, gentle smile and with her hooves hooked on the couch armrest.
> "That's okay. I won't bite, I promise!"
> Floor nearly lost her courage, but that would just make her problems worse. If she didn't go through with this, Fluttershy would just tell Princess Twilight, who would undoubtedly take over. That *could not* be allowed to happen, whatever it took!
> She lifted a nerveless leg and put it down again, slightly forward of where it had been.
> That got her back into motion and, eyes focused exclusively on the floor, she made her way to the couch.
> Fluttershy was sitting on one half of it, so Floor went to the other - as far away as it was possible.
> It took her four tries to get a hoof up on the cushion and then another three to clamber up.
> Then she tried to control her breathing, but the harder she fought to keep it regular, the more she felt like she was suffocating.
> She was near panic when Fluttershy spoke again.
> "I'll get us a snack, okay? You just wait here and get comfortable..."
> The pegasus leapt lightly from the couch and, humming a melody, went to the kitchen.
> It was a very welcome respite and Floor gasped for breath. She couldn't get enough, even as she gulped air like she was drowning.
> She saw that the two visitors had cleaned and opened her window and Floor looked out. She could see the dimming, evening sky and an edge of the neighboring roof. She focused on those, almost to the exclusion of everything else.
> The scent wafting in with the breeze was strange and Floor didn't know if she liked it. There was a hint of something interesting in it and her nose wrinkled as she tried to place it.
> Maybe that was why she didn't jump when Fluttershy came back. She did look around at the faint clink, as the yellow pegasus placed a plate on the coffee table, but she didn't panic.
> It was just some cookies.
> "Only store-bought, I'm sorry. I don't think you have the stuff to bake them, but I will go get some groceries tomorrow, okay?"
"Ok-Okay..."
> Her guest was smiling and pushed the plate closer to Floor.
> They did look nice, despite what Fluttershy said, and the stew had left the mare just a tad hungry.
> Floor reached out for a cookie, expecting to have something grab her leg at any moment and - she didn't know, tie her up maybe?
> Despite how nice Fluttershy was acting, Floor hadn't quite abandoned the 'they-want-to-drag-me-through-the-street' idea.
> Nothing happened and she brought a plain, round cookie to her muzzle. She bit into it.
> Sweet and crunchy. Your basic cookie.
> It was still good and before she realized it, Floor was reaching for another.
> Only after she had crammed that in her mouth as well did she glance up, but the pegasus was still just sitting there, smiling.
> Remembering some faint, long-ago attempts by her mother to teach her some manners, Floor nudged the plate back and made a vaguely interrogative grunt.
> Fluttershy's smile widened and she took a cookie for herself. She didn't bite into it immediately, but rather asked: "So, tell me about yourself."
> Floor's ears dropped immediately and she let out a small whimper.
> It had been a trap, alright...

>...

> It took Floor Bored a few seconds before she could breathe again. The mere thought about this nosy yellow pegasus prodding into her life choices was enough to lock all her muscles up and clamp her muzzle shut.
> Her panicked expression was not lost on Fluttershy, who also lowered her ears and blushed. "Oh! I didn't mean it l-like that," she assured her. "I was just asking out of politeness, you don't have to answer, of course!"
> Floor sagged. She was pathetic, really. She couldn't even have a two minute conversation with another pony.
> It took all she had not to simply run away and lock herself in her room once more.
> She fixated her gaze on the buildings across the street she could see out the window.
> There was a slight shuffling sound and Floor realized her guest had scooched a bit closer. At this range, she imagined she could almost feel Fluttershy's warm breath on her fur.
> She definitely smelled something nice and faint. Some kind of floral shampoo, she guessed. Or maybe it was Fluttershy's own personal scent - it would certainly fit her.
> When was the last time she washed her mane? Really washed, not just shook it out and wiped it with a bit of cloth?
> "Here, I'll start," the pegasus said, more quietly. "I'm from Cloudsdale, but I live in Ponyville now. I really like animals and- um... music and... singing."
"I know," Floor managed.
> She risked a glance, but the pegasus was just smiling. "Oh. I guess most of it was in the newspapers..."
> In fact, definitive facts on the humblest member of the so-called 'mane six' were quite hard to find. There was one quick interview from a Grand Galloping Gala and a few second-hoof accounts from her friends, most of it in the gossip-iest magazines imaginable.
> In fact, most of what Floor thought she knew about Fluttershy was from the message boards, where somepony claimed they knew her personally just about every week.
> There were other stories on some even shadier sites, but Floor Bored was *not* about to mention those to the pegasus.
"Uh, y-yes. That was it," she said quickly to allay suspicion.
> "Okay, now it's your turn," the pegasus offered with a smile.
> Floor began breathing more rapidly and wrapped her forelegs around herself, as if that would help.
> Seeing her distress, Fluttershy shuffled a bit closer again. Her smell seemed to fill the air with its sweetness. Her cyan eyes became all of Floor's world.
> "Here, let's start with something easy," the pegasus prompted. "What's your favourite color?"
"M-M-M, uh, b-black."
> She couldn't keep the stutter out of her words, no matter how hard she tried. In fact, trying seemed to make it worse.
> "Oh, like your mane?" Fluttershy asked. "It's lovely, actually."
> That had to be a lie! It was an oily, smelly, tangled crow's nest even at the best of times!
> A small whimper escaped Floor when she remembered that she'd accidentally plopped her head down in one of her little 'messes' just the other day. She'd had her fun, then just fell into exhausted sleep on top of it all.
> She didn't smell it, but only because she was used to it.
> No wonder her two unwelcome guests had opened a window!
"I'm- I'll just- uh, I have to go," she mumbled.
> That made Fluttershy sad and the hurt look in her eyes nearly broke Floor's heart. She squeaked again as her breathing got faster and she shrunk away from the pegasus.
> "Um- okay," her guest agreed. "What kind of cookies do you like? I think I'll go to the store and get some groceries so I can bake some, okay?"
> It was possibly the nicest thing anypony had ever offered to do for her, so Floor blurted out the answer.
"Cinnamon!"
> "Oh, that sounds delightful!"
> Her eyes were drawn down, where Fluttershy had placed a hoof on Floor's leg. The touch felt like a bolt of electricity and she jerked herself away. That caused her to fall over the armrest and land on her head with a painful thump.
> When had the pegasus come that close? It was all Floor's dazed mind could think at the moment.
> "Sorry! I didn't mean to startle you!" he guest said and rushed to her side. Floor felt strong hooves pick her up so she was looking in that cyan gaze once more. "Are you okay?"
"M-fine," she managed.
> Not even Taku had ever touched her this much. At most it had been a slap on the back or a high-hoof when they beat a level or something.
> It was too much. Foreign fur pressed against her was too confusing. No matter if she'd dreamed about it nearly every night of her life, now that it was happening Floor didn't know how to handle it.
> Should she return the hug?
> S-Should she kiss Fluttershy?
> Uh oh. That was the wrong thought to have.
> Floor twisted out of the pegasus' grip and scuttled away.
"I- I can't..."
> She folded her ears down flat, pressed her tail between her legs and ran for it. In moments she was back in her room, panting and shivering.
> What had even happened?
> Did- did Fluttershy *fancy* her?
> The pegasus had been leaning so close on the couch. And then the touch, right on her leg. Floor could still feel the shape of the hoofprint, as if it had been burned in.
> Fluttershy helping her up had been the closest thing to a hug Floor could remember.
> It had been... nice. Except that with her broken and twisted mind, she immediately went to a very inappropriate place.
> Now that she forced herself to relax and think, it was obvious. The pegasus was just helping her up. She had been worried about her.
> Ponies touched each other. Correction - *other* ponies touched *other* ponies. It didn't meant they wanted to buck immediately.
> Even if sometimes it did, they wouldn't want Floor Bored.
> Fluttershy was probably just being friendly.
"Stupid, stupid," Floor muttered and slammed her forehead against the wall.
> All this social crap was just so confusing!
> Well, at least she had gotten a couple of cookies out of it. That should last her until the next morning.
> She also had her trusty bottles for the other need.
> With luck she wouldn't have to face Fluttershy - face her own dismal failure - again.
> She and Twilight Sparkle would figure out they can't help and just go. That would be best for everypony.
> Floor didn't even realize when she'd started to silently cry.
> Leave her alone, so she can grow old and die... alone.

> ~~~~

> For the first time in her life, Floor Boored didn't want to check the message boards. She had looked at the computer for the longest time, but then turned away.
> She could find no enjoyment in the online world, or in games, *or* in cartoons, while her mind raced, replaying her moments with Fluttershy.
> Maybe she shouldn't have run away. Maybe Fluttershy really *had* been comming on to her. If Floor had but held out a bit longer, they might have actually done it.
> Once that thought became unbearable, Floor went to her bed and hid under the blanket. She bit down on a pillow to muffle the sound and got to work.
> Surely once she got it out of her system, she would be able to think clearly once more. Enjoy herself on the computer.
> As Floor reached for her favourite rubber toy, she kept one ear uncovered to listen for the pegasus. Earlier her guest had spent some time bustling around the kitchen, but now there was just nothing.
> Sudden doubt assailed Floor as she imagined the quiet pegasus sitting right outside her door with her ears open. She quietly put the toy down and slid from the bed.
> It took some effort to stay completely silent, but she made it to the door and leaned an ear against the wood.
> Still nothing. After a few minutes of intense listening, Floor carefully slid the key out of the lock and put her eye to it.
> There was nothing.
> Maybe Fluttershy had anticipated the move and was lying on the floor, out of sight?
> Floor lowered her head right to the dirty carpet and tried to peer through the crack under the door.
> She could see some light, so that probably meant the pony wasn't hiding there. Maybe the pegasus was extra tricky and hovered up above the keyhole?
> Surely her wings would make noise, wouldn't they?
> As she looked longingly at her bed and the collection of toys, Floor bit down nervously on a hoof.
> Why did those two busybodies have to come?! She had been perfectly happy on her own!
> All she wanted out of life was for ponies to leave her alone!
> A small, frustrated squeak escaped her before the mare could bite it back. She froze as she waited for Fluttershy to say something just outside her door.
> Still nothing.
"Bucking... crap," she whispered to herself.
> Should she go out and check? It was her apartment, after all. Floor had every right to demand Fluttershy leave her alone.
> Except that would mean talking to the pegasus, who might then say no. And what would she do then?
> Run away and make a fool out of herself, that's what!
> Floor nearly started banging her forehead on the wall again, but remembered in time how much noise that would make.
> She whimpered and bit harder on her hoof. It was painful, both on her teeth and her hoof, but at least it distracted her for a moment.
> There was a sound from the living room! Floor Bored froze and lifted up an ear to hear better.
> Hooves on carpet, coming closer! At least that meant Fluttershy hadn't been listening at her door.
> "Um, Floor Bored?" came the voice from the hall.
> She didn't answer.
> "I'll just be going out before the stores close and get us some dinner, okay? Is there anything you'd like?"
> The largest emotion she felt was relief. The nosy, intrusive, judging guest would go away and Floor would have the apartment to herself! She could finally work over the itch between her legs.
> It was now over a day since the last time she pleasured herself and Floor was feeling the burn. Especially after that quick hug.
> She realized Fluttershy was waiting for an answer.
"Soda!" she blurted out.
> "Oh. Okay."
> The hoofsteps receeded, then the front door opened and closed.
> Floor waited for another minute to make sure it wasn't a trick, before she remembered her window overlooked the building's entrance.
> She rushed there and pulled it open. The curtains got in the way and she just impatiently pawed them aside and poked her head out.
> The sky was nearly dark already, but she could see a distinctly yellow and pink shape trotting happily away.
> Finally, she was alone!
> Floor ran back to the bed, jumped up and stuck a hoof between her hind legs. She really needed this!
> Her other foreleg was already reaching for the toy.

> ~~~~

> Floor was sprawled over her bed, blissed out on the much-needed afterglow when something woke her up.
> It was a sound she almost heard and one she didn't like.
> A voice.
> Suddenly worried, the mare jumped up and ran to her window, which she flung open.
> At first she breathed out in relief, but then she spotted them. A yellow and a purple rump, vanishing into the building.
> She *thought* she'd heard Twilight Sparkle with her loud, overly-friendly voice down in the street below!
> In minutes they would come up!
> With mounting horror, Floor took stock of her room and herself. The smell, now that she became aware of it, was pervading everything. Her rear was wet and sticky and so were her bed sheets. One of her toys had fallen to the carpet and two others were on her pillow.
> She had *needed* it - especially after the day she'd had, but now there was all this evidence to get rid of.
> The bed and the toys were easy - if she locked and barricaded the door those two nosy nags wouldn't be able to come in.
> Except...
> Twilight was an alicorn, and a powerful one at that! Floor lifted up a leg and bit into her hoof to stifle the whimper. Of course the Princess could just barge in if she wanted to!
> After all, that was exactly what she had done with Floor's apartment, wasn't it?
> Besides, the pair wouldn't even need to come in to know what she was doing. The smell was unmistakable!
> In a desperate, vain attempt to clear the air, Floor pushed the window open further and tugged on the curtains to get them out of the way.
> In her haste she pulled too hard and ripped out the metal rings which held the fabric to the bar above her window. It all came crashing down over her head and the pony flailed frantically to free herself.
> He wild struggling sent her stumbling against her computer chair, which toppled over right into some bottles. There was a crash and the sound of breaking glass.
> That's right, she'd had a few beers some weeks ago, when Taku brought them from the store.
> Floor landed right on her muzzle and froze, trying to feel if any shards have pierced her hide. Was she bleeding?
> Would that be so bad?
>  Nothing hurt, so the mare rolled herself away and struggled to free her hooves from the curtain. At long last she unwrapped it from her head and examined the damage to her room.
> It was a mess, even more so than usually. Plus now there was glass everywhere. She'd *have* to clean that up, unless she wanted to cut up her frogs when she accidentally walked on it at night.
> Her muzzle fell. Ugly, talent-less *and* klutzy. It just kept getting better. Oh, and not to forget deviant.
> Gross. Smelly.
> The adjectives piled up and Floor started to cry again.
> She hadn't asked for the two busyponies to come bother her. It was their fault she messed up her room!
> In a flash of anger, the pony kicked a beer bottle which was mostly intact. It careened away and smashed against her computer chair.
> "What was that?!"
> Her unwelcome guests were already in the apartment! Of course they'd just let themselves in!
> There were hurried hoofsteps and then somepony tried her bedroom door. Floor's heart skipped a beat as she expected it to open, but luckily she had remembered to lock it.
> "Floor Bored? Are you okay? Open up!"
> That was stupid Princess nosy Twilight... *stupid* intrusive Sparkle!
> The fact that she couldn't think up a new swear just there showed just how shaken Floor was.
"Go a-away!" she managed, but it was a wail rather than a command.
> "I heard something break! Are you okay in there?"
> No, she wasn't okay! She would probably never be okay, but Floor didn't want those two poking their nosy snouts in her life!
"YES!"
> As if the Princess ever listened to somepony like Floor Bored. As she watched with mounting horror, she saw the key glow purple for a moment and turn. Then the door opened.
> The stupid alicorn walked in, muzzle scrunched up with concern. "We just want... to..."
> Her voice trailed off when she took in the scene. One earth pony, wrapped up in a ripped curtain. Glass shards all over the floor, mingled with empty pizza boxes, fast food wrappers, plastic cups.
> Bed literally soaked with... juices.
> Twin gasps from her uninvited guests told Floor exactly when they spotted the worst item. A still-wet, glistening rubber... thing. Right there, on the floor in the middle of the room. Impossible to miss.
> "Oh..." was all that damned Twilight blasted Sparkle could say to that. She was suddenly walking backwards. There was no hair nor feather of Fluttershy to be seen, but Floor heard hurried hoofsteps to the living room.
> All she wanted to do was curl up and die, but Floor wrenched her eyes up until she saw Twilight's face.
> It was red. Very red. The alicorn wouldn't meet her gaze and kept staring right at the dildo beside the bed.
> She probably hadn't even seen the two on her pillow yet!
> Floor Bored opened her mouth to explain, to say something - *anything* - but all that came out was a strangled yelp.
> Her vision blurred and she let her muzzle fall back down. Her hooves were still holding the curtain, which the poor earth pony drew over her head.
> "Um, I'll... uh-" the alicorn stuttered, lost for words. "Why don't I- uh, give you a minute to..."
> Floor Bored sniffed and opened her mouth to yell. What came out was a broken, heartfelt plea, infused by the loneliness and sorrow of years.
"Please... just go."
> The quiet words cut through the air like a knife. Twilight shuffled her hooves and retreated a few more steps back to the door. "O-kay," she said, voice still very uncertain. "I'll... I'll just go."
> The door slammed shut and the hoofsteps retreated.
> Floor tried to keep her sobbing quiet so she could hear what they said about her, but her two guests didn't talk. The couch squeaked, then there was silence.

> ~~~~

> It took her half an hour to stop weeping, but Floor felt her cheeks were still burning with shame. There had been nothing else from her uninvited guests.
> Until now.
> Twilight raised her voice: "Okay, okay, you're right. Fine. I'll come check tomorrow."
> Four hooves landed on the living room carpet and then a pony left.
> Just one of them. Based on what she'd said, Floor guessed it was Twilight. That left her alone with Fluttershy. Was that better?
> The yellow pegasus was nice and understanding, but now she'd seen what Floor got up to in her room. She was probably grossed out.
> Before, there had been a chance for Floor and her to be friends, now there surely wasn't.
> Nopony wanted to be friends with *this*.
> She almost began crying once more, but another set of quiet, hesitating hoofsteps approached her room and Floor froze in terror.
> She hadn't even moved yet from her spot so the door was still unlocked. She remembered this, but a moment too late.
> She lifted the curtain from her head, but Fluttershy was already standing in the room.
"Eeep!"
> The yellow pegasus walked closer, stepping daintily over the large horse cock on the carpet. She glanced at the two still on the bed, but didn't comment upon them.
> She made her way around the glass shards until she was standing beside Floor Bored, who was hiding her face under the torn curtain again.
> Her breath came in rapid pants as the other mare drew near. When a hoof touched her back, Floor yelped and tried to squeeze herself into a smaller ball.
> "Don't worry, I won't judge you."
> Floor very much doubted that, but she couldn't say anything. She wouldn't be able to speak right then even if her life depended on it.
> The touch on her back became a leg around her barrel, which pulled her up.
> "Come on, let's get you out of here and cleaned up. Here."
> A wing feather pulled the fabric off Floor's head and a hoof pushed something brown against her nose.
> When she inhaled, Floor smelled chocolate and sugar. She opened her mouth almost without conscious effort and bit down on a chocolate muffin.
> "There, that's a good pony," the gentle voice praised her while she was being led out of the room.
> At this point, Floor didn't care where they were taking her. She'd embarrassed herself to the maximum extent possible. There was no coming back from this. She'd be lucky if she could ever look in the mirror again, let alone at another pony's face.
> Even at the best of times Floor found it basically impossible to speak with ponies. Now they'd seen her deepest, darkest, most disgusting secret. She had no doubt that Twilight would gossip about it until all her neighbors knew.
> That didn't matter, though. With luck, Fluttershy was escorting her to the nearest noose and that would be the end of it.
> At least she had to go out on a good hoof. Floor swallowed her last meal and tried to speak.
"I'm s-sorry..." she managed.
> "Hush, let's get you to the couch and then we'll see if you're okay. Oh, I hope you haven't cut yourself on all that glass!"
> Floor was losing her grip on what was happening, but she allowed the firm, yet gentle pony to lead her and lay her down on the couch. She kept the curtain wrapped around her body and Fluttershy didn't seem inclined to take it away.
> The pegasus poked around Floor's hooves for a bit, then quickly examined her face for cuts or bruises.
> "Okay, I think you're fine," the mare explained her findings. Her nose wrinkled and she blushed again, which reminded Floor of the pervading smell.
> "Um," Fluttershy said, not quite looking her in the face, "would you like to take a shower maybe?"
> Floor Bored was almost beyond caring at that point. So they wanted her washed and looking nice for the hanging. That was fair. It would make her corpse easier to deal with.
"Ok- okay."
> "I'll get started on your room, okay?"
> A brief panic flared up as Floor remembered the mess in her room and the toys laying around, but then she remembered Fluttershy had just seen it all.
> This was surely her lowest point.
> Yet, the yellow pegasus wasn't grossed out or yelling.
> Shamed out of her wits, forced to interact with these ponies and completely bewildered by Fluttershy's unreasonable reaction to it all, Floor started sobbing again.
> This time hooves picked up her head and made her look-
> -into icy blue oblivion.
> "That's enough of that, okay?" the pegasus said with unaccustomed iron in her voice. Floor's muzzle clamped shut and her ears folded down. She nodded.
> Fluttershy took a breath and, not letting Floor pull free from the gaze, went on: "Shower, right now! And then we'll have dinner. Got that, miss?!"
> All she could manage at first was a weak nod in the face of that stare. Fluttershy was expecting more, so Floor swallowed and opened her muzzle.
"Y-Yes...," she squeaked.
> "Good. Now go!"
> The best word to use here was 'fled'. Floor Bored *fled* the pegasus and ran right to her disgusting bathroom like a filly who's been scolded.
> However grimy and gross the tub was, she would shower, like Fluttershy had ordered.
> Disobeying that voice was unthinkable, but the pony paused at the threshold to try and get her thoughts in order.
> She found sobbing was impossible, just like Fluttershy had commanded, but tears still flowed down Floor's cheeks. She was probably in shock, she thought. The weirdness of the situation, the embarrassment of being found like that, even the destruction of her room - it all added up.
> She would have a major breakdown soon, she could feel it working up her gut. It was just that, right now, she couldn't get the image of Fluttershy's intense, blue-eyed stare out of her mind.
> It felt like the yellow pegasus was standing just behind Floor and tapping her hoof impatiently until she did what she was told.
> Floor took a deep breath and pushed the bathroom door open.

> ~~~~

> The place was... Floor sought for words.
> Unrecognizable is what it was! For a while all the pony could do was stare around.
> When had they even had time to clean it all up?! The toilet was now white, rather than off-yellow she remembered. It wasn't 'encrusted' anymore!
> Somepony had done their best with the floor tiles, although there was a still a bit of grime here and there in the corners.
> The shower curtain was missing, but that was probably for the best. It had started growing plants the last time Floor had checked. The tub itself was once again pristine.
> The mare realized she was choking and let her breath out. Then she inhaled.
> Faint tinges of unspeakable odors remained, but overall there was a fresh, lemony scent which permeated the room. Where did the two even find any cleaning liquids or deodorizers for that matter?
> Had they bought all these supplies? Out of their own pocket?
> More importantly, *when* had Fluttershy and Twilight had time to do all this? It didn't make any sense!
> Floor stared at the scene, dumbstruck for a few minutes before she remembered herself and her shame. She stepped fully inside and shut the door.
> Well, they probably started cleaning up ahead of time in preparation for giving the flat to somepony else. It made sense - Twilight and Fluttershy wanted to stay comfortable and clean while they did whatever they were going to do to Floor.
> Once they bundled her out somewhere they would have less to do.
> Efficient with their time. Yes, that sounded exactly like what the magazine articles said about Twilight Sparkle.
> They probably wouldn't have to wait too much longer anyway. A few more days of them judging her and Floor would undoubtedly just simply off herself. Spare them the trouble of sticking her in some institution, or a smaller, nastier apartment.
> For the moment, the least she could do was clean herself. No amount of scrubbing would erase what her guests had seen, but she was determined to try!
> Floor stepped into the tub and reached for the tap to get the water started. In that moment the sniffles came and her vision blurred.
> How pathetic was she? Pleasuring herself with those toys *the moment* her guests stepped out for a minute. And then trashing her room, trying to hide the evidence.
> Would they gossip?!
> A small whimper escaped Floor and she bit down on a hoof to keep silent.
> Of course they would! Within a day, everypony in her building will know. They'll point and whisper: 'There goes that nasty Floor Bored, did you *hear* what she does to herself? Disgusting!'
> She could already imagine the kid's rhymes: 'Stinky Floor, kinky whore!'
> Well, maybe not that, at least not the youngest children, but they'd be sure to come up with something equally embarrassing and a bit more PG.
> It was a good thing Floor rarely went outside.
> Sniffling, the pony forced herself to keep going with the task on hoof. She turned the water on, not even caring it was chilly. She let it run over herself until she was good and soaked. Then she waited until most of the grime had washed away from her coat.
> She gave her back and rump a few halfhearted rubs with a hoof, then gave up and turned the water off.
> Dripping, the mare stepped out of the tub and shook herself. She didn't have any towels, so that was it for now. She'd dry out naturally.
> Just as Floor was reaching for the door handle, she spotted something.
> A pile of folded cloth on her defunct washing machine.
> Towels. New ones.
> So they *had* been to a store!
> Shrugging a little, the mare grabbed the top towel and dried herself as best she could. The white fabric came away yellow and brown, but that was okay. It got some more filth out of her coat.
> She let it drop on the tiles, where it would soak up some of the runoff water, then looked at the door again.
> Was Fluttershy waiting on the other side?
> Maybe the pegasus was out, or doing something else. With luck, Floor might be able to sneak back into her room and block the door somehow.
> She leaned an ear to the wood and listened. There was nothing for a while, then a rustle of feathers and a plink from a couch spring.
> Good, her 'guest' was sitting in the living room. The couch faced her broken TV, away from the kitchen and the bathroom. If she was really quiet, Floor could probably sneak past.
> She gently placed a hoof on the handle and swallowed. Her heart was hammering and all attempts to still it were in vain.
> Her leg shook as she forced it down as slowly as she dared.
"Pleasedontsqueakpleasedontsqueak!"
> There was the faintest of clicks and the door swung slowly open. Thank Celestia, the hinges took mercy on Floor and stayed silent.
> Ears flattened, the mare gulped again and gently placed a hoof down on the carpet.
> She concentrated on each leg individually as she moved them, slowly and gently. It was a laborious, careful and, above all, sluggish way to walk, but she couldn't risk Fluttershy hearing.
> The yellow pegasus seemed engrossed with something out the window. For a moment curiosity got the better of Floor and she leaned her head to try and see around the couch.
> Just some birds on the neighboring roof. Oh, that was correct, wasn't it? Weirdo pegasus and her love of animals!
> Floor felt a bit more confident now that she knew Fluttershy was focusing on something else and dared move a tiny bit faster.
> She made her way behind the couch, nearly choking to death as she tried to control her breathing.
> Only a few more steps, then she could dash for the room.
> "Oh, you're done!"
> The simple statement turned Floor's blood to ice.
"Eep!"
> The pegasus was getting down from the couch. Now was the time to run!
> Damned legs betrayed her and Floor felt as if she was glued to the spot. She was trembling, but could neither flee nor turn her head to face her tormentor.
> "I didn't want to intrude on your privacy so I didn't start on your room yet. I thought we could do it together?"
> What?! Now the nags wanted Floor to help clean up her place so they could give it to some other loser pony?!
> She didn't say anything, because Fluttershy was *right there*, standing above her.
> "Um, Floor Bored?"
> It took all her strength, but the mare wrenched her gaze up to meet her unwelcome guest's eyes.
> "Did you use the shampoo? I, um, don't mean any offense, but... uh, there's still some..."
> Floor just whimpered in lieu of an answer.
> Gentle hooves wrapped around her withers and pulled her closer. The hug was warm, more than anything else. The heat of it seemed to pierce her skin and concentrate in her insides.
> In her depressed solitude, Floor had often tried to simulate being touched by another pony, but she'd never imagined just how *warm* it would be.
> "It's okay, I'm not mad. M-Maybe you're just out of, um, practice?"
> Freshly showered and still they found her disgusting! Floor sniffled in misery.
> Except - why was Fluttershy hugging her? She wanted to push her off, the physical constant was too weird. She wasn't used to it.
> It was making her mind go blank.
> She wanted it to stop, *now*!
> She never wanted it to stop!
> A hoof tilted Floor's muzzle up, but luckily she couldn't see Fluttershy's expression. There was just a blur.
> "Oh, I didn't mean to make you cry! I'm sorry!"
> The hug tightened. Floor lifted a trembling leg and put it, very carefully, on Fluttershy.
> It even felt warm through the hoof!
"M-m-m muuuh..." she blubbered.
> "There, there! I'll help you, okay? Let's get you back in the shower."
> There was one defiant thought left. Floor had to voice it.
"Bl- uhh," she tried, then sniffed. "Whuh- wh... WHY?"
> The pony holding her up froze. "Um, pardon?"
> Floor gathered her strength once more.
"W-Why? So... nice... to me."
> It was still a blur through her tears, but Floor thought Fluttershy smiled. "Oh! Well, that's what friends do!"
> That didn't compute.
"Muh- muh... fren'?"
> Somehow the pegasus understood perfectly. "Why, of course I'm your friend, Floor! I'm here to help!"
> She couldn't fit the concept in her mind. The pegasus had used words 'your friend' and 'Floor' in the same sentence, which just didn't make sense.
> She was freed from the hug, but instead a wing was draped over her back. "Here, just follow me and we'll get you cleaned up in no time! Properly cleaned up, I mean!"
> Floor felt a tug and just gave in. She let her hooves walk, even as she tried to process what had just happened.
> It was probably a trick - that was the lonely and suspicious part of her brain - but even that didn't matter.
> She could pretend for a while that she had an actual friend. One who wasn't disgusted to touch her.
> She wondered if she should try and kiss Fluttershy.
> Nah, she'd *never* work up the nerve to do that.

> ~~~~

> Floor Bored was gently ushered back in her bathtub.
> "There," Fluttershy said and reached for something. She brought up a large bottle of 'Coat&Mane' and pushed it into Floor's hooves. "Use that, this time. Okay?"
> She was being nice, but there was a note of command in that voice. Floor managed a weak nod.
> "Good. Yell if you need anything, okay?"
> Again Floor bobbed her head up and down. She relaxed a tiny bit. For a while she had assumed Fluttershy would get in the shower with her.
> How would that even work? The mere thought was enough to get her blush going, but luckily the pegasus was already leaving so she didn't see.
> Despite all the 'lesbo bath' threads Floor had read on pone-chan she knew she wouldn't have the nerve to go through with it.
> It had worked so well in her imagination, especially while she was - well - hoofing herself, but faced with the possibility of really having somepony with her in the bathtub, made her unable to think and act.
> Only thing on her mind was how ugly and unattractive she was. Whoever saw her with a wet mane stuck to her muzzle and fur plastered to her thin frame would probably puke. Black on beige, yuck.
> The shampoo bottle slipped from her nerveless grip and clattered on the bottom. The noise brought her partially back to her senses.
> All she had to do was clean herself. No sexy times with the pegasus, which was a huge relief.
> Floor heaved a sigh and turned on the tap. As instructed by Fluttershy, she squeezed a generous portion of flower-scented goop on her head and rubbed it in.
> The first time around there wasn't much lather, but Floor washed it out and did it again. The effort paid off and she was soon dripping foam everywhere. There was enough to completely cover her coat and tail.
> That was what Fluttershy had said. Just to be safe, the mare massaged everything she could reach once more.
> Luckily she'd worked herself sore with her toys earlier, so touching herself all over didn't make her horny again. Of course she wouldn't have *done it*, not with the pegasus probably listening at the door, but it was best that the temptation never arose.
> Floor opened the tap on full-blast and turned around a few times to rinse herself off in the spray.
> This time the runoff water was perfectly clear. She enjoyed the heat for a few more moments, then shut it off and jumped out -
> - only to immediately slip and bonk her head against the washbasin.
"OW!"
> She grabbed her head, whimpering at the pain. For a moment she'd seen all the stars of the night sky on the inside of her eyelids.
> There were hoofsteps from the couch to the bathroom and then a careful knocking. "Um, are you okay in there? I heard a thump..."
"I'm okay!" Floor groaned.
> Despite her lie, Fluttershy simply opened the door and came in. She took in the scene - Floor Bored sitting in a puddle of water and holding her head - and made a deduction.
> "Aww, did you slip and hit your head?"
> Floor nodded and whimpered again as the movement brought on a new flash of pain.
> "Don't worry, I'm here to help," the pegasus assured her. She picked up a fresh towel and put it around Floor's withers. "Here, I'll help you get dry. Does it hurt very badly?"
> Another nod.
> Thankfully the pain was a good distraction against improper thoughts while having somepony else's hooves rub her down. The situation was not even slightly sexy, so Floor didn't embarrass herself, even when Fluttershy wiped her rump.
> "Okay, stand up, please."
> Floor did her best and - to her amazement - found that her head didn't split open. The sharp pain was gone, replaced with nothing more than a dull ache and she was able to release her noggin so she could stand. Her mishap would leave a nice lump, but no permanent damage, it seemed.
> She waited while the pegasus wiped her belly and tail, spreading her stance a little to keep her balance. The job was quick and professional, reminding Floor that Fluttershy often cared for other creatures. There was silence after and it felt like something was expected of her.
"Um... t-thank you..."
> Fluttershy dropped the wet towel and grabbed another one. This one she simply wrapped around Floor's mane and piled it up on her head. "You're very welcome," she replied. "How's your head?"
"It's better," Floor assured her.
> She followed the pegasus out of the bathroom, but Floor paused and glanced back to see just how much of a mess she'd made.
> Yep, the tiles were covered in water, there was foam on the walls and three dirty towels. She remembered why she'd stopped showering. It was just *so much work*.
> The pegasus led her into the living room, then stopped and turned to face Floor.
> "Um, I'd like to clean your room, is that okay?"
> The question was enough to make the poor mare squeak in alarm. Nopony was allowed in her room, or they'd see her...
> She realized Fluttershy had already seen it all, and so had Princess Twilight Sparkle herself! The heat coming from her muzzle would have fried an egg.
> The pegasus easily guessed what she was thinking. "Okay, how about this," she began, also a bit pink in her face and not quite meeting Floor's gaze. "You go in and, um... put your things away, okay? And then I'll come in and we'll clean up all the glass and the bottles and the cartons and the cans..."
> She fell silent before she listed all the garbage which had accumulated there. It didn't help Floor with her blush in the slightest, except that it went from one type of embarrassment to another.
"O-Okay...", she managed.
> "And then I'll change the sheets on your bed. Actually, Twilight said she was going to bring a whole new mattress and pillows."
> Yeah, because of all the times she'd... 'leaked' into it. Floor hung her head.
> "Yeah..." Fluttershy said.
> They sat in silence, each mare looking at the carpet. The pegasus was the first to heave a sigh and lift her muzzle up. "So, the... um, the toys?"
> Floor sniffed and dragged herself up to her hooves.
> She'd long feared somepony might see what she got up to, but she'd never suspected it would be this soon. She had hoped she'd grow out of her depravity and throw all the toys away before... well, before *this* happened.
> Or maybe she'd meet a nice colt online and then she wouldn't *need* her toys anymore. It was perfectly acceptable to do those things with another pony, after all.
> Here she was, though - her shame out in the open.
> At least, she thought, Fluttershy wouldn't watch her pick up the slick, bendy dildos and cram them in a wardrobe somewhere. That was a slight plus.
> The pegasus really was a kind pony, that much the tabloids had got right. She was quite easy to be around.
> Her room was just as they left it, of course. Floor carefully stepped around the glass shards. Without the curtains the place was no longer perpetually dark, so she could see the full extent of the damage.
> There were big stains in the carpet, each a silent testimony to a lonely night. The bed sheet had once been red, but was now almost white in places. When was the last time she'd changed it?
> For that matter, had she *ever* changed her bedclothes since moving in? Was that the original sheet the social worker ponies had put there?!
> It had just been so much effort. Besides, the stink didn't even bother her, most of the time, especially in her afterglow. Many times she'd simply fallen asleep on her desk, anyway.
> In one corner, cans and pizza cartons were stacked shoulder-high. Elsewhere, they just made small piles, quite a few of them smelling very badly and some growing suspicious-looking mold. She didn't go near them if she could help it.
> The computer chair was mostly okay, except for a patina on the seat, but the keyboard and mouse were *brown* with years of grime. Now that she saw them in daylight, Floor wasn't sure she wanted to touch them ever again! It was a wonder she hadn't contracted the pony plague.
> Why had she kept putting cleaning off again and again? Was she really that lazy?
> Floor heaved a sigh and picked up the dildo from the floor. It twisted in her grip and almost slipped, but she'd had a lot of practice and deftly shut it into a nearby wardrobe. Then she went to get the one on her bed.
> When she accidentally inhaled the mixture of her freshest smell with the old, dry stuff from before, her stomach nearly turned. Surely she hadn't been desensitized to *that*?!
> Her eyes strayed to the open window. Then to her freshly washed flank. She could smell the shampoo.
> Maybe she just never had a 'reference smell' for how bad her room had gotten?
> She used to sleep on that thing?!
> Floor hurriedly picked up the toy and tossed it in with the other one. She was about to scurry out and tell Fluttershy she was done, but remembered just in time and reached under her bed for her magazines, most of them sticky with dry cum.
> They also went in the wardrobe.
> Anything else?
"Hmmm."
> "All done?" the voice from the door startled her and Floor jumped in fright.
"Eep!"
> Fluttershy had the decency to look embarrassed. "Oh. Sorry! I didn't mean to startle you!"
> Shivering a little, Floor let her ears flop down and nodded, not meeting the pegasus' eyes.
"I'm d-done," she mumbled.
> The other mare came in, pointedly not looking around at the mess. That made it worse, but Floor just kept her head down in quiet shame. She was offered a plastic bag, which she took uncertainly.
> "Okay, you start over there with the cans and the boxes, and I'll sweep up the glass," came the command.
> Floor silently started picking up trash into the bag while Fluttershy went to fetch a brush and a dustpan.
> The job was simple enough, if utterly monotonous.
> It was exactly as boring as she'd always imagined, but at least now she didn't have to do it alone.
> They had seen it all - Floor Bored at her worst - so there wasn't anything to hide. In her imagination, Floor had always felt *mortified* when she thought about letting anypony see her room, but now that it had happened she was just... numb.
> Maybe that was better than a panic attack? Or maybe she'd bonked her head hard enough to permanently damage her brain? That'd work, too. It was better than a panic attack.
> She briefly remembered that she was helping the two mares clean the apartment for somepony else, but she kept going anyway. Maybe, if she was helpful, they wouldn't stick her someplace absolutely horrible?
> Hopefully it would be somewhere nopony knew her...

> ~~~~

> At long last the job was done. The carpet was as clean as brushing could make it, there were no signs of trash anywhere, and even her desk was mostly free of clutter.
> They hadn't touched the bed, nor had Fluttershy looked in any of the wardrobes or drawers, probably out of fear she might find more sex toys beside the huge rubber dildos.
> There wasn't any worse, thank Celestia. It had been nerve-racking enough to order those toys. Floor had waited on her window until she saw the delivery pony with the boxes, then ran to her door and left the money on her mat along with a note, claiming she had to run out urgently and to just leave the stuff in front of her door.
> Luckily, the delivery pony simply signed the form himself and left. She'd left a big tip to make sure that was so.
> It had taken *months* of saving up and planning, and it had still been a horrifying experience as she waited, pressed against the other side of the door.
> Floor had no desire to repeat it and was dreading the day her toys would stop being 'fun' and she'd have to think about new ones.
> Imaginig what the delivery pony would think of her if she ordered some of the more extreme items kept Floor awake entire nights.
> The memory was enough to make her curl up into a small ball, shut her eyes and put her hooves over her ears. Of course Fluttershy couldn't read her thoughts, but the red muzzle might betray what was going on in there.
> "Oh! Are you okay?" came the worried question. Hoofsteps approached her and a wing was laid across her back. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked you to clean with that head wound!"
> That was her way out! Floor grasped for it in desperation.
"Y-Yes... ow..." she managed.
> It wasn't very convincing, but Fluttershy seemed to buy it. "Come on, let's get you to bed."
> She eased the pony up and then draped a wing around her withers to half-guide, half-drag her to the living room.
"Where are w-we going?" Floor asked, suddenly afraid Fluttershy was leading her outside.
> Surely she wouldn't take her to a hospital?! All those strange ponies and smells, the chemicals, the doctors poking at her from all directions.
> She whimpered and nearly lost control of her bladder.
> "Oh my, it's worse than I thought," Fluttershy commented. "Come on, just a few more steps!"
> Floor was pushed against the couch.
> "Up you go - here, let me help you!"
> Powerful hooves grabbed her around the barrel and lifted her up. Fluttershy was surprisingly strong for how frail she looked.
> Not looked, Floor realized. Acted.
> The pegasus acted nice and friendly and shy, and somehow that made everypony think she was weak and frail.
> In moments Floor was bundled up on the couch with one blanket folded up to serve as her pillow and another covering her up to her muzzle.
> They didn't smell like hers, so she guessed her two guests have gotten them from the store along with the towels.
> "There, all nice and cozy! I'll make us a hot cup of cocoa, alright? And then we can take an early night. Twilight won't be back until tomorrow morning and we can finish your room then with her magic!"
> Floor didn't much like the news, but at least it gave her a night without the Princess' prying eyes and embarrassed stares.
> An idea occurred.
"Um- uh... w-where-" she began, but swallowed a lump as a horrible suspicion rose up. "Um, where'll y-you sleep?"
> Fluttershy's smile didn't budge. "It's a big couch. I think we'll be fine for one night."
> Floor froze in panic.
> She'd *never* slept in a room with anypony else. She was an only child and had had her own room ever since she could remember.
> Not only that, she would be *sharing* a bed with another pony. What if she had a dream and kicked them?
> What if she talked in her sleep?
> Yes, Fluttershy had seen her toys, but there were even *more* embarrassing secrets locked away. Some of the websites Floor frequented...
"Eeep!"
> A wing patted her side. "Don't worry, it'll be fine! Think of it as a sleepover, okay?"
> Floor had never had a sleepover! Even Taku never stayed the night!
> The pegasus still wasn't done: "We'll chat a little and drink our cocoa, and then in the morning we can help with each other's manes! It'll be so much fun!"
> Floor Bored twitched the blanket up over her face and shut her eyes. Maybe if she wished hard enough, the happy, nosy, pushy mare would go away.
> It worked!
> Hoofsteps!
> Floor's heart began to beat faster in sweet anticipation until she realized Fluttershy was only going to the kitchen.
> She let out a very quiet, very miserable moan and put her hooves over her ears so she wouldn't hear any more.
> All she wanted was to be left alone. Now those two had come in and they were changing everything!
> They hadn't even asked Floor if she wanted help!
> It was just so unfair!
> She just wanted everypony to leave her alone.

> ~~~~

> The worst moment in her life came. Floor Bored was biting into her leg as she tried not to whimper.
> The couch springs squeaked and the surface shifted as Fluttershy climbed on.
> It was too much. Floor jerked away and pushed the blanket off herself.
"It- it's f-fine! I'll..."
> She swallowed, keeping her eyes firmly on the bit of couch between her forehooves, even if she was facing away from the pegasus.
"I'll go to my room!" she finished with a desperate squeak.
> "Oh, you don't have to do that, there's plenty of space!" Fluttershy insisted and patted the couch. "Just lie down and go to sleep. It's going to be fine!"
> Floor shook her head, but her resolve was already weakening under the pegasus' cheerful assurance.
"Uhh... I'll j-just go to m-my room..."
> She didn't really have an argument here, but maybe low key stubborn insistence would pay off?
> Her guest put a careful hoof on her back. "It's no bother, I promise," she said in her trademark gentle voice. "Your bed isn't fit for sleeping, remember?"
> How could she disobey? Floor scowled at the wall, since she couldn't bring herself to look at Fluttershy. Her ears tried to press more tightly against her head.
"S'got the f-floor," she mumbled.
> That actually made the nag chuckle! "Don't be silly," Fluttershy replied lightly. "Look, just lie down and make yourself comfortable. I promise, you won't even know I'm here!"
> There was no talking her out of it! Floor gave in and slid all the way to the opposite armrest. She curled down into as small a ball as possible and accepted the fact she wouldn't sleep at all that night.
> "See? That wasn't so hard. Here, let me cover you up with a blanket!"
> No no no no, Floor thought furiously to herself. Why wouldn't the stupid pegasus stay on her side?!
> Of course Fluttershy didn't hear her internal monologue. She stood up and grabbed the blanket Floor had thrown off. With an expert move she tossed it over the squirming earth pony and tucked it in around her.
> "There, all nice and snug. There's no pillows, so you can have this. I'll be fine!"
> She generously pushed the folded up bit of cloth closer. When Floor refused to move, Fluttershy simply lifted her head up and slid the impromptu pillow underneath.
> It happened so fast that Floor didn't have time to be outraged or shocked at the unwelcome touch.
> Then the pegasus turned around a few times and lay down, right in the middle. She wasn't even all the way on her side!
> Floor watched with despair. This close she could clearly smell Fluttershy's shampoo. It was driving her crazy, knowing that another pony was in touching distance!
> She didn't like ponies in her personal space. Well, except for Taku and that only when they were playing games!
> Sadly, she was too chickenshit to say anything. She'd just have to suffer through the unwanted closeness until Fluttershy either left, or she and Twilight kicked Floor out of the apartment.
> It would be a miserable few days. Hopefully it wouldn't turn into weeks, at least.
> "Good night, Floor!"
> She didn't want to reply, she really didn't.
"N-Night!" Floor said, hating herself.
> There was a rustle as the pegasus shuffled into a more comfortable position, then she sighed and became still.
> Hopefully she wouldn't snore. The last time Floor had heard snoring was from her father when he used to fall asleep on the couch before the TV, and she still hated it, more than a decade later.
> "Um, Floor? Are you sleeping?" came a whisper.
> Just ignore her, Floor thought.
"No..."
> Damn it!
> "Me neither," the yellow nag said the obvious. "Um, mind if I ask you a question?"
> She very much did! If Floor was going to suffer sleepless nights, at least she wanted to do it in silence. Having to tolerate Fluttershy this close was enough, she begged silently not to have to talk to her, too.
"No."
> Floor very nearly hoofed herself in the face in exasperation. Of course Fluttershy didn't get the hint from her tone of voice and just believed the word itself.
> "How come you, um, live alone? Are your parents- uh... are they... around?"
> Oh yes, this was absolutely perfect. Floor nearly growled angrily. The poor mare doesn't have a cutie mark, is she even old enough to be away from her mother?
"I'm t-twenty three!" she snapped.
> The pegasus was silent for a moment. Probably taken aback, Floor thought. "Oh. Sorry. I just thought- Never mind!"
> It was a small mercy she didn't say it out loud, but Floor could almost hear her unwelcome guest thinking it.
> Blank flank!
> At least it sounded like that was the end of it. She could go back to skulking in peace, or maybe imagining what it would be like if she had the guts to tell Fluttershy to get lost.
> That'd be so sweet! Floor would be like 'get the hell out of my flat' and Fluttershy would just whimper and run for it.
> "Um, Floor?"
> Not this again...
> At least this time she managed to keep silent, but the pegasus refused to take notice. "Why did you and Taku - that's your friend, right? - why did you two fight?"
> The absolute unfairness of it all really hurt and Floor tried very hard not to start sniffling.
> Just thinking that she, Floor, was stuck in her own apartment with a nosy, intrusive, personal-space-ignoring stranger trying to sleep uncomfortably close to her on the couch, while that traitor Taku was probably straddling her colt-friend right this moment.
> What did that even feel like? With a real, live colt, who moved by himself, instead of a dead piece of plastic?
> She managed to prevent the sobbing, but she couldn't hold back her tears.
> "Floor?" came the prompt when she didn't reply in a while. "It's just- it has to be bad, otherwise the map wouldn't have called us here. I hope Twilight can find your friend and we can get all this sorted out..."
> How do you keep being friends with some whore of a horse who you know goes home to her loving, bucking colt-friend after playing a few games with you, Floor thought?
> At least before that, they'd been the same!
> Now, though - Taku probably only visited her out of pity!
> It should have been Floor Bored, instead!
> What wouldn't she do to meet somepony nice.
> Well, a treasonous thought supplied, she wouldn't bathe, or clean up, or go out. But other than that... anything? As long as it didn't involve changing her lifestyle in any way.
> Even her own mind was working against her!
> And now the stupid pegasus was moving closer. "Floor? Are you asleep already?" she whispered in what Fluttershy probably thought was a quiet voice.
> Their noses almost touched before Floor could jerk away. There wasn't much light, but the pegasus saw.
> "What's wrong?"
> Her voice was full of concern and pity, which just made it worse. This time, Floor couldn't stop a sniffle.
> Before she could react, Fluttershy was hugging her. "Oh, I'm *so* sorry! I didn't mean to upset you, honest! Twilight and me are going to get your and Taku to make up, okay?"
> Floor shook her head and tried to wriggle free, but that hug was iron. "There, there," Fluttershy was saying, "just let it all out. You can talk to me, okay?"
> It took some effort, but she finally escaped. After a bit of hoof-flailing Fluttershy finally got the message and released her.
> The poor earth pony thumped painfully on the floor as she almost jumped out of the couch. She scrambled up to her hooves, trembling.
"Y-You- j-just stay away from me!" she stuttered angrily.
> She didn't need pity! She had enough of her own!
> While the yellow nag stared in shock, Floor grabbed a blanket, galloped to her room and slammed the door shut.
> Then she leaned on the wood and slid down to the floor.
> She'd rather sleep on the thin, hard rug than be questioned some more by that nosy, smug, pitying, yellow... whore!
> At least Fluttershy hadn't followed. That was good.
> She wanted to be left alone. She wasn't even sleepy anymore.
> Floor went to her computer chair, tossed the blanket over it and jumped up. She needed to stop thinking and the easiest way to do that was Internet.
> She jabbed the mouse with a hoof and the screen sprang to life, waiting exactly where she'd left off.
> Her only true friend.

> ~~~~

> It took some time, but Floor Bored managed to forget her current problems and get lost in the anonymous world of the Internet.
> She was aware enough of her predicament that she stayed firmly away from the porn sections, but she threw herself into her usual habit of trolling and shitposting with vigour.
> No one, anonymous or not, was safe from her scathing, insightful remarks. She was actually quite proud of herself. All the nasty things she wanted to say to that nosy Fluttershy she could instead say to strangers on the message boards.
> Maybe that helped a little.
> She laid her head down on the desk to rest for a bit and woke up in a puddle of drool to full daylight blazing in through her window.
"Huh?!"
> Panicking, the pony looked at her door, but it was still closed like she left it. There was no sign that her unwelcome guest had tried to get in.
> There was a new problem developing. Floor's hooves slid down her belly and she shifted uncomfortably. She had to *go*.
> It didn't make sense - she'd hardly eaten or drank the previous day, but there was no denying nature. She'd have to go out of her room and use the bathroom.
> That meant walking by the couch where *she* would be waiting.
> In her desperation, Floor looked around for a bottle. Of course there were none. They'd cleaned up pretty well the previous day.
> She was beaten.
> Head hanging low, ears flattened, Floor made her way to the door and paused. Already she was slightly shuffling from hoof to hoof as she tried to control her bladder.
> At long last she heaved a long-suffering sigh and pulled the knob.
> All was quiet out there.
> Maybe the yellow nag was still asleep?
> Worth a shot!
> The plain, tan mare snuck out of her room as quietly as she could. She tip-hoofed past the couch and into the bathroom without any outcry.
> Ninja-stealth!
> Feeling a little proud of herself, Floor carefully shut the door, then let out the breath she had been holding.
> Victory!
> On the plus side, the place was cleaner than it had been in years. Going to the toilet actually wasn't disgusting this time.
> Floor even looked speculatively at the bathtub, wondering if she should shower again. She'd never even considered it usually, but something about living without all the filth and garbage was making her conscious of her own fur.
> Maybe it wouldn't be *too* much effort to keep it clean.
> Well, at least relatively clean.
> She'd shower the minute she started to smell, Floor vowed.
> In the meantime, she had to sneak back to her room, preferably without waking up her pushy new flatmate.
> There was also the problem of food and drink. The pony looked at the faucet, trying to decide if she was thirsty enough to drink water.
> She hadn't had plain water ever since that weekend when she forgot to stock up on soda and nearly died of thirst. Floor didn't relish the idea of having to drink that plain, disgusting water again.
> Maybe she could make a slight detour through the kitchen, grab some supplies. If she was going to be stuck in her room, she might as well enjoy it, right?
> She reached very carefully and pulled the bathroom door open. There was no sign of Fluttershy.
> Head held low, Floor made her way into the kitchen and examined the contents of the fridge.
> Jackpot! There was something colorful and fizzy and she quickly snatched it. On the shelf she also found a bag of tomatoes, which she took a bit more hesitantly.
> Floor preferred something fried, or noodles, not fresh vegetables. However, she wasn't in a position to be picky, so the mare slung her prize across her back.
> She could pretend it was like ramen with a lot of sauce, right?
> Luckily there was still a packet of that plastic toast-cheese. The one where you hardly tasted the difference between the actual cheese and the foil in which the slices were wrapped. Floor preferred to buy those because they kept indefinitely, unlike real cheese.
> It would reinforce her 'strong-pasta' illusion, so the pony picked the packet up in her mouth.
> She pushed the fridge closed with her rump and walked out of the kitchen with her bounty. Her hoofstep faltered.
> Fluttershy was up. The yellow pegasus was sitting up on the couch and looking with a slightly embarrassed smile.
> "Um, good morning?" she offered, as if it was up for debate.
> Her ears instantly folded down and Floor lowered her gaze to the ground.
"-mmmpmhm," she mumbled vaguely.
> The pegasus cleared her throat. "Want me to- um, would you like some breakfast?"
> Breakfast meant sitting around the table and talking, right? That's what Floor remembered back from living with her family. She firmly shook her head.
"mmmf-mmf!" she said vehemently.
> It looked like she would get her way, but then Fluttershy slid from the couch and walked over. "Well, I *insist*," she said firmly. "Here, let me take those."
> Floor was relieved of her burdens in short order and the pegasus was taking them back to the kitchen. She opened her mouth to complain, but shut it again.
> What would she even say?
> 'I'd prefer to eat alone in my room?'
> Yeah, that sounded very un-pony-like. Fluttershy would probably just refuse to believe it. Or worse - laugh in her face!
> Her stomach growling, Floor resigned herself to another day of hunger. If she focused really hard on some game or something, maybe she wouldn't feel it so much.
> Unfortunately, Fluttershy heard. "Oh, don't worry! I'll be done in a minute, just go sit on the couch."
> Her guest was already making a lot of noise. This was her chance to slip away.
> Yet...
> Something made Floor pause.
> Maybe she could stand to sit around the table and eat for a few minutes. Her hoof went to her belly, where the hunger was already making her nauseous and weak. It almost physically hurt.
> Sighing in defeat, the pony went to the couch and climbed up, making sure she didn't touch Fluttershy's pillow or blanket.
> With luck, the nag would take the hint and bring the food there. That way at least they wouldn't have to look at one another while they ate.
> Floor began to realize with a sinking feeling that she was slowly starting to accept this intrusive presence in her flat.
> She nearly cried.
> It meant she'd have to live her life from now with somepony always watching and listening.
> Already it was unbearable!

> ~~~~

> This time it was pancakes. Floor Bored watched them dubiously, but there didn't seem to be anything wrong with them.
> The yellow nag brought them over, jumped up on the couch and simply put a plate in Floor's lap. "Here you go! And here's the jam!"
> She put a jar of it on the couch between them, so they wouldn't have to stretch across to the coffee table.
> It looked like she would have to go first, so Floor took a deep breath, picked up the spoon and scooped a lump on her plate. She wasn't really in the mood to spread it evently, so she just dropped her utensil back in the jar and folded the pancake in half.
> A slight push with her hoof squeezed the jam all over nicely, anyway.
"What?!"
> She hadn't even taken a bite yet, but the pegasus was looking - staring! - with the weirdest little smile. Was there something else on her muzzle?
> Floor felt round her face with her other hoof, but couldn't find anything.
"Whaaaat?!"
> Giggling, Fluttershy pointed to Floor's plate. "That! I've never seen anypony spread jam like that!"
> Ears lowering, Floor blushed heavily and dropped her gaze.
"'s how I like them," she muttered.
> "Let me try!"
> Fluttershy splattered half a spoonfull of jam on her own pancake and folded it up, just like she'd seen Floor do. Then she pressed on it, but all she did was rupture the thing and squeeze the goop out on her plate.
> The mare was quite stupid, wasn't she? Floor heaved a sigh.
"No, you have to push it from the fold to the rim..." she explained.
> To make the pegasus understand better, she placed her hoof on her own pancake again and demonstrated with exaggerated motion.
"See? So it spreads out. And you have to use more!"
> Fluttershy nodded enthusiastically and pushed her plate with her ruined snack in Floor's hoves. "Okay! Let me get another, I'll be right back!"
> Before the earth mare could really complain, her guest was already in the kitchen, busily loading another plate. She ran back and took a flying leap on the couch. At least that's what it felt like.
> It was nothing short of a miracle that she hadn't smashed the plate or sent the pancake flying.
"Hey!"
> "Sorry!"
> Giving it another try, Fluttershy slopped more jam on her pristine dish, then looked at Floor. "Like this?"
"Yes," she replied, examining it carefully.
> Then the pegasus held a hoof just above the pancake. "Like this?"
> It was so easy! What was she, a total klutz? Floor rolled her eyes.
"Yes..." she said, exasperated.
> Fluttershy didn't notice her tone, of course. In some ways, the pegasus was the thickest pony she'd ever met.
> Watching carefully in case she did anything stupid, Floor saw that this time Fluttershy was using a lot less force and it was much better controlled.
> She was actually learning it! Floor nearly smiled.
"That's it. Now just push it out to the rim in all directions."
> In moments it was done and her guest lifted up the folded pancake for a taste. "It's good!" she exclaimed, as if surprised to find it so. "Here, try it!"
> Completely ignoring that Floor still had two plates in her hooves and her own food, Fluttershy shoved hers towards the hapless mare's mouth.
> It was either open or have jam smeared all over her face. Floor didn't fancy a shower so soon after the last one, so she accepted the pancake.
> She didn't even have time to think how gross it was that Fluttershy had taken a bite out of it just seconds prior.
> Then, all she could think about was the taste. Maybe it was the hunger, but this thing was the sweetest, most delicious morsel she'd ever eaten.
> The jam was made from prunes, which came as a very nice surprise. With the orange color Floor had assumed it was something like peach.
"Mmmm... 'ff 'ood!" she said with her mouth full.
> She relaxed some more when Fluttershy removed the plate from her face and started eating her own damn food. That pony was too pushy by half!
> Now that she'd had a taste, Floor put the smushed, failed pancake on the coffee table and focused on her own once more. Having eaten something warm and sweet seemed to make her hunger even worse.
> She devoured it in about a minute flat. At seventy seconds she was looking at Fluttershy's failed experiment. Then she looked at the pegasus, who was slowly munching on hers with every sign of enjoment.
> Floor was only undecided for a few moments, then she leaned forward and switched the plates. She had to add more jam, of course - Fluttershy's first dosage was woefully inadequate for the sugar-hyped neet mare, but that was easy to do. The jar and the spoon were still there.
> She didn't bother with neatness anymore as she grabbed the sticky, gooey mess and simply shoved all of it in her mouth at once.
> It was really hard to chew, but it was incredibly good!
> A low, almost squeaking sound made her look. Fluttershy was staring again, giggling.
> Floor tried to swallow hurriedly, but there wasn't enough room in her mouth and a bit of it slipped out, right down her chest and belly.
> She panicked and tried to snatch it, but all she did in her clumsy haste was grind it into the couch.
> Fluttershy was full-on laughing by now.
> Ears flat, muzzle red with shame and her fluff sticky with jam and drool, Floor managed to swallow her mouthful through heroic effort. She searched her brain for something to say, some excuse to make her look a little less bad.
"I- didn't, um I didn't..." she tried, but couldn't find anything. "Um... sorry."
> Fluttershy leaned closer and put a wing around the embarrassed mare, careful not to smear any jam in her feathers. "It's fine. Don't worry!"
> In desperation Floor focused on the one thing she knew.
"The couch..."
> "It's going to be fine!" Fluttershy assured her. "Want me to get you another pancake?"
> She was still a bit hungry, but Floor firmly shook her head.
> "A glass of water?"
> This time she nodded. Fluttershy slid her half-finished plate on the coffee table and bustled off. Only then did Floor realize it had been rude of her to make her guest get up before she was done eating. She could have gotten the glass herself!
> Well, Fluttershy *had* offered.
> It was all just so confusing!
> Before she could work her way through the meager rules of behaviour her mother had vainly tried to teach her, the pegasus was back with two glasses. She had brought herself one as well. She also laid a napkin in Floor's lap.
> That made it better and eased Floor's conscience a little.
"Um, thank you," she said.
> "You're very welcome."
> She drank about half of it while Fluttershy settled back on the couch and grabbed her plate once more. While the pegasus was finishing her meal, Floor did the best she could with the napkin.
> It still left her fur a little sticky, but that'd just have to wait for her next shower. The couch had a small, wet mark left, but it would probably fade.
> Not like it was the first stain, either. At least this time it was jam and not... some other fluid.
> Bad thought! Luckily Fluttershy wasn't looking at Floor's radiant, glowing muzzle.
> "So, feeling any better?" the mare asked, sneakily.
"Yes!"
> The reply was a bit too quick so Floor looked for something to add.
"Uh, yes! I'm o-okay..."
> "That's nice!" the pegasus exclaimed. "Twilight said she should be back today and then we can get your bed in order!"
> Throw out the mattress, Floor thought. Because it was soaked with her fluids. Everypony in the street will know exactly what she had been doing on there. They would smell it.
> Her blush threatened to set fire to the couch.
> "Maybe she'll also have some news about your friend. Um- do you maybe know where she lives?"
> It wasn't a question she had been expecting, but Floor nodded anyway.
"Yeah, she lives at... um. She..."
> With horror she realized she forgot. Taku had probably told her, but she didn't remember.
> She had never needed it, what with Taku always coming to visit her and never the other way around!
> It was official - she was the worst friend. Floor didn't meet Fluttershy's eyes.
> Well, she almost never looked her guest in the face, but now she *extra* didn't look her in the face.
> The damned perceptive pegasus quickly figured it out and put her wing around Floor's withers once more. "That's okay. Twilight is good at finding ponies, don't worry."
> Floor forbore to comment.
> "Hey!" Fluttershy said lightly. "Wanna do something fun today?"
> Actually, yes, Floor would. Unfortunately, anything she considered fun would be very inappropriate to do with the pegasus.
> Well, unless she *started* it!
> The thought didn't help with her blush.
> "How about we go to the park?"
> This one broke through and Floor gasped.
"P-P-Park?!" she whispered in terror.
> Too many ponies! Young couples, having picnics. Mothers with foals. Young colts and fillies playing! Businessponies having lunch!
> Too crowded, too noisy, too confusing.
> She was shaking her head, but it looked like the pegasus wouldn't take no for an answer. "Come on, it will be fun! We can get some ice cream and maybe feed the ducks in the pond!"
> Were there ducks in the pond?
> Was there even a pond? Floor realized she'd never been to the nearby park. She knew it was there, but at most she hurried past it on her way to the convenience store, muzzle pointed firmly at the pavement and hurrying to get back home as quickly as possible.
"I d-d-don't-"
> "Okay, how about this:" Fluttershy wen't on, undeterred. "We'll just go and toss one hoof-full of seeds to the pigeons and then we'll come right back, okay? In the meantime Twilight will fix your bed."
> That one gave her a bit of a pause. Not having to be there when the alicorn tossed the soiled mattress out *might* be worth a quick trip to the park.
> Nopony would think it was hers, then! They might get strange ideas about what the Princess gets up to when she's alone, but that was no fur off Floor's muzzle!
"'kay..."
> The word came out so quietly that Fluttershy didn't hear it. "Pardon?"
"Okay..."
>...
> Well, there she was. Out of her apartment and out of her comfort zone. Floor Bored had put on her thickest, blackest, hoodiest hoodie, all the better to hide her expression from the world.
> That was somewhat of a mistake, especially in nice, sunny weather like they had, but the mare would suffer any discomfort if it meant ponies couldn't see her face.
> She had tried her best to weasel out it, but Fluttershy was a pro at giving her a sad, soulful gaze and those big, shiny, pleading eyes.
> They left the building, Floor keeping her eyes firmly on the paving and looking up just barely enough to see Fluttershy's hooves ahead of her. Above all, she wished for the thing to pass quickly and without meeting anypony.
> For a while she recognized the streets - it was her usual route to the store whenever she absolutely, positively had to go - but after a while they made a wrong turn and the mare risked glancing up to see where they were.
> She thought she could make her way back if she had to. They were getting to the park, but from a different direction she usually saw it. Luckily, the lake was unmistakable, even if the children's playground on this side was unfamiliar.
> The pegasus led her from the pavement to a gravel path and then on grass. Several ponies passed them, but they didn't pay Floor any mind, for which she was eternally grateful.
> She was already regretting the hoodie, which seemed to be burning red hot with the sun beating on it, but the mare still kept her hood up.
> "Okay, this looks like a lovely place!" Fluttershy said and stopped so suddenly Floor nearly walked into her.
> She risked a brief glance and saw they were close to the water by a walking path. Too public! The mare tried to shrink back further into her hoodie.
> There was a tap of a hoof on wood and Floor lifted the cloth slightly higher to see a park bench.
> "Come on! Let's sit here for a minute!" came the bright, cheerful suggestion.
> Floor herself didn't like the thought very much, but she wasn't going to speak up, not with other ponies practically on top of them!
> Just from the corner of her hoodie she could see a mare with two children chasing around her, a family out on their stroll and a pair of lovers, apparently oblivious to anything except each other.
> As she looked further around the park, Floor nearly whimpered. Almost every patch of green was covered by blankets and ponies having lunch. It was like rush hour!
"Here?" she whimpered. "In the m-middle?"
> "Middle of what?"
"Crowd!"
> Fluttershy made a big show of glancing around, then shrugged a little with her wings. "There are *some* ponies out on a picnic, but six isn't a crowd."
> That couldn't be right. The place was covered with picnic blankets!
> Except this time, when Floor looked around, there was just the one for the mare and her two foals. Everypony else was just walking around.
> Fluttershy tapped the wood again and gave her a friendly, encouraging smile. It seemed like there was no way out of it. On the other hoof, the backrest would hide her, at least a little. It was the best, unless...
> For a moment Floor considered bolting for home, but she realized with horror that she didn't have her key. The pegasus had been the last one out and she locked it, then dropped the key in her saddlebag.
> Sitting in the corridor in front of her apartment would be better than this, but only marginally so. There was also the risk that Twilight Sparkle was back in the flat, changing her bed.
> Floor *really* didn't want to go near that entire scene. Defeated, she sighed and sat on the sun-heated wood.
> She was already sweating, but she'd be damned if she removed the hoodie. It was her only grip on sanity at this point, shielding her from all the stares.
> "Well, isn't this nice?" Fluttershy asked cheerfully. She rummaged in her bag and brought out a couple of apples. "Here!"
> She was holding one out.
> Floor was about to shake her head no, but paused when an idea struck her. If she nibbled it very slowly, the apple would obscure her face from unwelcome looks. She took the fruit and held it up to her muzzle.
> After a minute or so her nose wrinkled. She could scent the juices from Fluttershy's apple and it *did* smell delicious. Maybe just a little bite.
> She nibbled at it and the sugary taste helped her relax a teensy bit.
> "You can probably take that sweater off, it's quite warm," the pegasus suggested.
> Floor nearly choked on a piece of apple, but hurriedly shook her head.
"N-N-No."
> She waited for the outrage, but Fluttershy just smiled and went back to watching the water. A group of ducks were floating peacefully some distance from the shore.
> From a corner of her eye Floor saw the pegasus wave, after which - Floor blinked, not quite believing her eyes - one of the ducks waved back with a wing. They all turned and began swimming closer.
> So the magazines were true? Fluttershy had some weird, mystical power over animals?
> Interested despite the uncomfortable situation, the earth pony took another bite from her apple and watched closely.
> Her pegasus friend slipped from the seat and walked across the path to the water's edge. "Hello, feathery friends!" she greeted in that gentle, singsong voice. "How is the water today?"
> The ducks quacked at some length and gestured with a wing. It made Fluttershy giggle. "Thank you, but maybe some other time. It's a bit too chilly for us ponies!"
> The head duck - that's what Floor decided to call it - shrugged and quacked.
> "I'll certainly keep that in mind!" Fluttershy said, then sat on her rump and rummaged in her bag. "Would you like some bread?"
> There was what Floor could only describe as an affirmative quack and the pegasus began tearing pieces from a loaf and tossing them out.
> To be completely honest, the way the ducks scarfed down their treat in a hurry was amusing and Floor found herself smiling.
> The pegasus didn't give them the entire loaf. She seemed to instinctively know when the ducks were full and slipped the rest of it back into her bag.
> For their part, the birds quacked a thank you and waved as they turned back towards the middle of the lake.
> "You're welcome!" Fluttershy said after them. "Feel free to visit if you're ever near Ponyville!"
> Floor suddenly realized that her friend's antics had drawn a crowd of onlookers. Several of them had stopped on the path to watch the spectacle, young and old alike.
> She even heard some whispers of "Fluttershy!" and "Element of Harmony!"
> The only piece of luck was that they didn't yet associate the off-white, blank-flanked mare on the bench with the famous pegasus. Being in the middle of all that attention would fry her insides, Floor felt. She shrank back, already trembling at the thought that Fluttershy would soon rejoin her at the bench, with the huge crowd following.
> Crowd?
> Floor shook her head and squinted at the ponies again. There were just a few, actually.
> That was still a crowd to her. The mare struggled to keep her breathing under control.
> The only piece of luck was that Fluttershy didn't come right back. Now that the ducks had gone, one of the ponies came forward with a piece of paper and asked the pegasus for an autograph. While she was doing that, the others waved her goodbye and went back to whatever they had been doing.
> The danger was over and Floor began to relax a little. There would be no media spectacle, it seemed. No pressing crowds. No laughter at her embarrassingly blank flank.
> She shuffled a little and tried to pull her hoodie lower, so it would cover her blankness.
> Maybe she should have taken the longer coat...
> "Another apple?"
"Huh? O-Oh. No thanks!"
> Floor still had her unfinished fruit in hoof and she lifted it up to show Fluttershy. She took another nibble to prove her point and the other mare left her thankfully alone.
> The scene went quiet and they both relaxed a little. After a while Floor was even able to look around. Everypony was ignoring the Element of Harmony and her unsightly companion, which was good. Just what she had wished for.
> It would be better if they were alone, but there was no chance of that, not in the park and not at this hour.
> A squeal of delight caught her ears and Floor looked around for the source. The two foals from the picnic mare and the three from the strolling family had met up and were playing.
> She could never understand how ponies got along this quickly, even when they didn't know each other. In less than a minute they were running around, giggling and yelling happily.
> Floor watched them enviously, wistfully. Maybe it was easier to watch the fillies and colts because she had more in common with them, than with the grownups? Like lack of a cutie mark, for starters.
> She saw a colt chase after several of his newfound friends with a certain amount of jealousy. Nopony had chased after *her*, even in a game of tag. Well, she had usually kept herself away from the other kids that age, even when she was their age. They had always been too rowdy and loud for the quiet, shy mare.
> Well, *now* she wished a colt would chase her. Those fillies didn't know how lucky they were.
> Uh oh! One of them - a pink earth pony - tripped and rolled to a stop. The colt - a nice gray pegasus - didn't stop in time and landed right on top of her. They both tumbled a little and he ended up lying on top of her. They watched each other, stunned for a moment, then the colt yelled: "You're it!"
> They both ended up giggling, but the filly quickly climbed to her hooves and sat on her rump. "Okay, count of ten!" she proposed.
> The young stallion turned and sprinted away, right towards Floor, who was still watching with interest.
> "One, two, three..." came the voice of the filly, making the colt speed up. He leapt and flapped his wings to clear her bench, making the poor mare flinch as the pony sailed above her.
> She thought she spotted something which made her breath catch.
> Floor twirled around to keep her eyes on the colt as he landed and circled back, towards the other group who were all waiting a safe distance away for the pink one to finish her count and set off after them.
> Now she was sure. The colt was swinging a little bit *too much*... down there.
> Even as Floor watched the problem went away and the colt laughed, engrossed in the game once more.
> It must have gotten slightly out of hoof when he had landed on top of his friend there on the grass. Maybe he caught her scent and - being squat in the middle of puberty - couldn't quite help himself.
> Floor couldn't stop her imagination in time.
> What if that pretty little stud pinned *her* down in a game of tag? Then it would be *her* smell that made him... well, 'rise'.
> Maybe she wouldn't let him go - after all, the game *was* to catch ponies.
> Their eyes would meet and he would bring that cute, firm muzzle closer. His eyes would be big, surprised and expectant.
> 'What about all the ponies watching?' Floor's sneaky subconsciousness supplied. It made her blush and she quickly lowered her face before anypony could see.
> They'd just... go away. Yeah, in her fantasies the background simply faded away every time. It didn't matter. They'd be alone.
> Then - the pegasus colt would lower himself. He would find her willing...
"EEP!"
> A hoof touched her and Floor jumped up. She was ready to buck whoever was trying to grab her and run for it. Nopony could prove what she had just been thinking about!
> "It's just me! Sorry for startling you!"
> The hoof belonged to Fluttershy, who was done with her snack. The pegasus was smiling as she held out a bottle. "Would you like some water?"
> Floor relaxed a bit. Nopony had caught her thinking about... that. They couldn't know. Her face had been hidden by the hoodie, for which the mare was immensely grateful.
> Except now she had a different problem.
> Her glimpse of that colt's - well, of that colt - combined with her little fantasy had ignited the too-familiar spark between her hind legs. It had been *days* since she had done it and every touch of the warm, wooden bench, every wisp of wind was making it worse. Driving her on.
> What she wanted, right now, were her toys and some privacy. It would feel *so* amazing.
> She was out in public! Ponies were staring at her! The thought was like a cold shower. The mare slid from the bench before she left a stain in the wood and looked imploringly at the pegasus.
"C-Can we go? Please?" she begged.
> Fluttershy was undecided, but just for a moment. Then she saw Floor's pleading expression and gave in. "Okay!"
> Relief flooded the mare as they started to move. She had caught herself just in time to prevent... 'a spill' and they were outside, which should alleviate the smell, but she didn't want to take any chances. It took some concentration to keep her tail modestly down.
> Her yellow friend set off down the walking path and Floor gratefully followed.
> "Excuse me! Miss Fluttershy!" came a voice behind them.
> Floor froze to the spot while the pegasus turned around. "Yes?"
> It was going to be about her, there was no doubt. The mare would complain about Floor ogling her poor son and then word would spread and some police ponies would come from somewhere and they would stick the unfortunate mare in prison.
> Why was the lady calling for Fluttershy, though?
> Hoofsteps approached from behind - a grownup and several younger ponies. Floor nearly whimpered and clamped her tail tightly against herself to conceal the evidence. She turned around to hide it from view.
> It wasn't the colt she had watched, nor the pink filly. This time it was a lime-green pegasus who already had her cutie mark and a smaller, orange pegasus colt. The lady who had called was probably their mother, judging by her wing draped around the younger mare.
> Floor dared to hope this wasn't about her. These three hadn't even been in the park until just now.
> "I'm sorry to bother you, miss," the newcomer went on, "but could you sign my daughter's poster of the Elements? We heard you were here so she rushed to get it and we just barely caught you!"
> The explanation fitted the facts. Floor saw how the young mare's chest was heaving and how her wings were trembling with both excitement and exhaustion. The colt watched the yellow hero pony with wide, curious eyes but didn't say anything.
> Fluttershy smiled pleasantly and came forward. "Oh, no problem at all! I would be happy to!"
> The mother kept explaining while her daughter proffered the slightly crumpled poster. "Petal Hearts is such a sweet filly," she said and hugged the pony in question, who blushed. "She wants to be just like you when she grows up, isn't that right sweetie?"
> The young mare gave a shy grin, blushed and nodded.
> Fluttershy waved a modest hoof. "Oh, I'm nothing special, really. I was just in the right place at the right time when Twilight Sparkle went to rescue Princess Celestia from Nightmare Moon, and- well, things just happened one after another. It was really my friends who did most of the work!"
> They really liked her modesty. For that matter, so did Floor Bored, except she wasn't about to fawn over Fluttershy quite this hard.
> She looked from the daughter to the little brother, who had apparently switched his curiosity from the Element of Harmony to this other pony, hidden in a black hood. He took a tentative step forward and lifted up his muzzle, sniffing.
> Floor swallowed. The wind had died down and her shame would soon be apparent to everypony. She shuffled her hooves, trying to surreptitiously cross her hind legs.
> Now that it was on her mind, she couldn't get it out! She kept her eyes firmly on the ground before her, but the heat in her nether regions was growing.
> The young colt stepped into her field of view, looking at her with curiosity in his big, shining eyes. His nose was wriggling as he sniffed and his muzzle was scrunching up in confusion.
> Floor wondered if he would- If she should say hi. Would it be weird for her to say hi?  Maybe- maybe she could invite him for video games someday?
> She nearly hoofed herself in the face. 'He's half your age! What the buck is wrong with you?'
> Very near tears, the mare took a few steps back and tried to discreetly fan the scent away with her tail.
> To her immense relief, Fluttershy was done. "It was nice meeting you too, Petal Hearts!" she said and turned to leave. The mother called and the colt forgot all about the strange, hooded pony and went to rejoin his family.
> It had been a close call and all four of her legs were trembling. Her heart was hammering and Floor became aware of her sweat, pouring from her back down the inside of her hoodie.
> "I think you really should take that sweater off," Fluttershy commented, making poor Floor Bored whimper in fright. What had she guessed? What had she smelled?!
> Fluttershy paid her no mind. "You look a little flustered, Floor Bored. It *is* a very warm day."
> The blush could be mistaken for heat! That was her salvation and Floor grasped it with all four hooves.
"YES! H-Hot. It's hot! B-Because of my hoodie! Hot..."
> Her hasty admission just made Fluttershy giggle. "Yes. You should take it off and then you won't be as hot."
> Floor wasn't ready to do that, but she had to give in to keep the lie going. She reached up one hoof and pulled the hood down.
> "Isn't that better?"
"Y-Y-Yes..."
> She gulped and gathered her courage.
"Can we g-go home? Is T-Twilight..." she tried to ask.
> "Oh, probably. I saw her coming with the mattress when we were leaving. She's probably done by now," Fluttershy told her.
> It was a relief. Soon, very soon, this outside nightmare would be over.
> Floor felt like crying.
> Fluttershy took her out for a stroll in the park and to feed some ducks, but all she could do...
> She forced the thought to its conclusion. Ogle a young colt, have gross fantasies about him and probably mentally scar another one, with his mother *right there*.
> Maybe an institution or a prison would be an appropriate place for her after all.
> She was disgusting.
> The mare kept her muzzle down so Fluttershy wouldn't see the tears.

> ~~~~

> Safety at last! Floor Bored rushed into her apartment, nearly slamming the door shut in Fluttershy's face. She didn't wait around for the pegasus to start asking embarrassing questions, but rather hurried to the bathroom with a muffled excuse of needing to pee.
> She kicked the door closed and leaned on it for good measure, before letting out her breath in relief. All she needed was a minute or two alone to try and make sense of what had happened.
> "Oh, hello, Floor Bored!"
> The mare in question went stiff, ears going flat and tail tucking up between her legs. She turned her head slowly, afraid of what she'd see.
> Of course it had to be. It was her luck, after all.
> Damned stupid purple alicorn with her stupid sponge floating beside her and the stupid spray bottle!
> Even in her own bathroom she couldn't get a bit of privacy! The two were working together to keep Floor under control.
> She wouldn't give them the satisfaction! The pony bit her lip to keep from crying.
> "Everything okay? Do you need to use the bathroom?"
> Floor managed a nod, but it was too late. The alicorn had put her cleaning supplies down and was coming over, an expression of worry on her muzzle. An obviously fake one, Floor knew.
> "Did something happen while you were out with Fluttershy?" the nosy nag went on.
"N-NO!"
> The Princess froze for a moment and sniffed the air. Her expression went from worry, to confusion, then shock. She was painfully easy to read, even from the corner of her eyes since Floor couldn't look at her directly.
> "I'm- uh, I'm gonna... gonna go. Call if you need anything, okay?!" Twilight said hurriedly and pushed past Floor Bored, nearly toppling her in her haste.
> Floor began to relax, but then heard the Princess' muffled voice outside. Oh no! She was going to go tell Fluttershy what she had smelled and then the pegasus would think back on their last encounter and put two and two together.
> Then, surely, she'd be tossed in jail for having those kinds of thoughts about colts!
> Floor barely managed to suppress a whimper. She leaned her ear to the door and tried to catch what the two were saying.
> "Fluttershy, did something happen at the park?" the alicorn asked, right on cue.
> It took the other mare a few moments to think about the answer. "No, not really. Why do you ask?"
> Here it came! Floor bit down on her hoof to keep from whimpering.
> The pause dragged on, no doubt while Twilight considered how to put it. "Floor seems a little shaken. Did somepony bother her, or something?"
> Shaken?! Was that what Princesses called it? It wasn't an expression Floor had ever heard for creaming oneself.
> "No, it was actually quite nice. There were some very friendly ducks and somepony wanted my autograph!" Fluttershy explained happily.
> There it came. In a moment, the pegasus would mention how closely Floor had been watching the colts at play, and then the Princess would get angry and come hammer on the bathroom door.
"No, please..." the mare whispered.
> "Strange," Twilight Sparkle said, "I could have sworn she was really upset by something. That mare is *hard* to read sometimes. It almost smelled like..."
> Twilight didn't finish the thought. After a pause she concluded: "Never mind. Everything was okay then?"
> Their dialogue went off Floor's internal script she had prepared and her mouth gaped open. She kept listening.
> Fluttershy sounded frightened: "Upset? Gosh, I'm sorry Twilight! Maybe I should have been paying closer attention..."
> No, don't play closer attention to Floor Bored, the mare in question thought fervently.
> "Well, that one is a mystery. Anyway, I changed the bed," Twilight explained, "and I got you some groceries."
> "Have you found her friend yet?" came Fluttershy's question.
"Taku!" Floor gasped, but luckily not loud enough so they'd hear.
> She suddenly remembered the pegasus telling her about that. Twilight Sparkle was looking for Taku, supposedly to make the two friends again.
> It wasn't going to happen. The anger flared back and Floor scowled at the bathroom tiles. That hussy, good-for-nothing ex-friend of hers could stay lost! She didn't have to come back to rub Floor's muzzle in her lucky break some more!
> That was all it was! A piece of luck! She managed to find the one colt stupid enough to go out with someone like Taku. It could just as easily have happened to Floor!
> "I did..." Twilight said, but then fell silent for some reason.
> Floor heard a hoofstep as the alicorn stepped closer to the pegasus. There was some whispering she couldn't quite catch.
> "Honeymoon?!" breathed Fluttershy in absolute shock.
> Floor's mouth gaped open. They were getting married?! Did Taku let the colt knock her up, so he would have to stay with her? At least that was the only explanation she could think of.
> Twilight hushed her friend. "Fluttershy!"
> There was more urgent whispering, then a quiet "Sorry!" from the yellow mare.
> "Anyway, I have to go see Cadence - can you keep things in hoof around here?" the Princess asked.
> 'Please say no,' Floor wished. Maybe if Fluttershy said no, they would both leave!
> "I'll manage!" the pegasus said proudly.
> She just couldn't get a break! Floor sagged to the tiles and stopped listening. The pair would just keep nagging her, day and night, until she completely broke down.
> Maybe they were trying to drive her loco, so they could legally move her to an insane asylum? That would get her off their hooves and let them have the apartment!
> Well, it wouldn't take a whole lot. Already Floor itched *all over*. It had been *days* since she was able to pleasure herself. She missed her message boards and - if not exactly friends - ponies she knew on there. Only by nicknames, of course, but she still missed them.
> Especially the ones who got riled up so easily. Floor missed laughing at their angry, hurt, all-caps replies to even the simplest and most obvious trolling.
> She even missed her Ramen, for Celestia's sake! Pancakes have been good, but Floor wanted some good, solid food in her belly.
> The front door closed and she assumed the purple one had gone. It was a bit better, but it still left Floor unable to do all the things she really enjoyed.
> Life was suffering.
> There was a sudden knock on the bathroom door, making Floor squeak in alarm and jump up. Moments later Fluttershy's voice followed: "Are you okay in there, um, Floor Bored?"
> They just couldn't leave her alone, even for a few minutes!
"Go away!"
> The nag just completely ignored her! "What would you like for lunch?" she asked instead.
"Nothing! Go away!"
> "Okay. I'll think of something. You come out when you're good and ready, okay?"
> It didn't help that Fluttershy was being so reasonable. Floor wanted to hate the pegasus, at least as much as she hated that purple jerk, but she couldn't find it in her heart.
> She didn't really need the toilet, but she had to keep up appearances, so Floor flushed it before going out. She didn't want Fluttershy to suspect she had been eavesdropping.
> Speaking of the pegasus, she was waiting in the living room. "So, lunch?" she asked.
> It *had* been some time since breakfast. Floor was torn between hunger and a burning desire to be alone for five Celestia-damned minutes.
"C-Can I eat it in my room?" she tried, even though it was hopeless.
> Fluttershy considered this, but then smiled. "Sure! I'll bring another chair from the kitchen-"
"Alone?"
> The mare looked surprised, but she recovered quickly. "Oh. Well, I... guess?"
> Maybe the yellow one was alright. She actually *listened* to Floor, unlike her bossy Princess friend, who just overruled everypony and did what she pleased.
> "What would you like?" Fluttershy asked, fortunately breaking Floor's angry chain of thought.
"Ramen?" she tried.
> It didn't seem that the pegasus knew what that was. She opened her mouth to ask, but then brightened up. "Oh, that's those noodles in cups, right? Um-"
> She looked uneasy. Of course every normal pony would be disgusted by the idea. The Ramen people made their bits off antisocial losers like Floor, who liked their food to require as little effort and as much salt as possible.
> Fluttershy flashed a guilty grin. "How about instead I make us some actual pasta? It's kind of the same thing, right?"
> Floor gave up. Of course she wouldn't get what she wanted, not unless she did it herself. Unfortunately, the way Fluttershy saw things, she was 'helping', so she would insist on cooking.
"Fine..."
> It wasn't really, but Floor had already said more things face to face today than she had in the entire month before that. Not even Taku took that much conversation, even when they were still friends.
> She was drained, both from the incessant social interactions as well as the tumult in the park. She needed to feel *normal*, at least for an hour.
> Without saying anything else, she firmly strode to her room and forcefully shut the door, then took stock of what the purple one had done.
> The mattress was definitely new, as were the sheets on it. Anger momentarily forgotten, Floor went to examine it.
> She inhaled that special, fresh-from-the-store smell and her ears splayed back. Not that she'd ever admit it, but the bed looked a lot more pleasant to sleep in, now.
> She jumped up and bounced experimentally for a moment. It was softer than her old one, yet at the same time quite firm.
> How nice would it be to lay a pretty, hunky colt down there and just... go to town on him.
> Not that she had any idea whatsoever how it would feel, but Floor liked to dream. Yeah, she'd break the bed in *properly*! All she needed was a colt to give her the time of the day.
> Her head lowered and the mare heaved a sad sigh.
"I just need a break..." she said sadly.
> She slipped back to the floor and looked longingly at the bed she knew would never contain more than herself and her toys.
> Her breath caught when she spotted a muddy smear, right in the middle of a pristine, white sheet.
"Buck! No no no, I didn't mean- BUCK!"
> Floor didn't have the faintest idea what to do. In desperation she spat on her clean hoof and tried to rub the filth out.
> Naturally, all she did was make the stain larger. It made her want to cry.
> Two minutes and her new bed was already filthy. The story of her life. Everything Floor touched turned to shit.
> There were some fresh, new blankets folded up on the side of the bed, so she took one, spread it out and covered the stain.
> At least the other two didn't have to see. At least not right away.
> Then, sniffling a little, Floor Bored went to her computer. The bed sheet was a good metaphor for her life, yes. Anything nice and pure she touched became dirty, even when she didn't mean it.
> The park was another example. A *normal* mare would have gone out with Fluttershy and had a lovely walk. She'd talk with the ducks - which was cute, now that Floor had a moment to think about it - and she'd enjoy the fresh air and exercise.
> Floor Bored, on the other hoof, could only think about going back and how everypony was looking at her. Until she saw some underage colts, after which all she could think was...
> Filth.
> Pathetic and disgusting!
> She had wanted to get on the computer and look through the message boards, but now she didn't want to. Instead, Floor went to a corner and curled up as tightly as she could. She didn't deserve the bed.
> A small part of her mind noticed that there were new curtains on the window and wondered when Twilight had had time to do that, but the thought got lost in the sea of self-pity and shame.
> She laid her head down and covered it with her hooves.
> All she wanted out of life was for everypony to leave her alone in her apartment. 
> Well, that and maybe a nice colt who visited every now and then.
> The sure knowledge that she didn't deserve even that much wasn't helping her mood.
> Floor tried to cry as quietly as possible.

> ~~~~

> She was doing an awful lot of crying lately. It was surely Fluttershy and Twilight's fault, but for some reason Floor Bored couldn't blame the pegasus. She focused her anger on the alicorn, then.
> This whole thing was probably her idea. Fluttershy had just been bullied to go along with it, much like Floor. They were kindred spirits, really.
> Maybe that was why, when Fluttershy knocked on the bedroom door, Floor just said "Come in", rather than "Go away".
> Too late she realized she was huddling in a corner and sprang up, but by that time the pegasus was already inside, watching with surprise.
> "Floor Bored?" came the inevitable question. "Is everything okay?"
> The pony held a bowl balanced expertly on a wing. The aroma of pasta and tomato sauce filled the room and made Floor's mouth water.
'Fine!" she squeaked.
> That seemed to be enough for Fluttershy and she dropped the food on the computer desk. She looked around, then gave Floor a faint smile. "There you go. Um. I'll go out for a bit, is that okay?"
> Finally! Relief!
> Floor nodded quickly, fearful that the pegasus might change her mind.
"Yes!"
> "I'll stop by the market on my way back - would you like anything?"
> This time the earth pony shook her head.
> Backing out of the room, still smiling, Fluttershy went on: "I'll be back before it's dark, okay? You just relax and then we'll have dinner!"
> A rare, happy mood struck her and Floor smiled back.
"T-Thank you."
> "Um, bye!"
> She didn't close the door behind her, so Floor could hear hoofsteps clearly as Fluttershy walked to the front door and left.
> At long last Floor could heave a sigh of relief.
> She went to the computer chair and practically jumped up in it. Finally alone!
> The purple nag would be cross if she found out about this blessed self-time, but Fluttershy was a good friend and knew when to give a pony her privacy!
> Her nose, which seemed to have a mind of its own, turned Floor's head to the bowl. There was a spoon stuck in it. She took the dish in both hooves and brought it closer.
> There was even melted cheese on top!
> In that moment, if Fluttershy asked, Floor would agree to marry her.
> She nudged the mouse to wake her computer up, then rapidly found one of her favourite shows. She'd seen the episode a thousand times, but it was still good.
> The intro music started and Floor absentmindedly put the spoon in her mouth, eyes glued to the screen.
"Mmm, oh wow!"
> She couldn't help exclaiming. It was good. Like *really* good! The noodles were the perfect amount of firm, but not crunchy. The sauce was fresh, with bits of real tomatoes and- was that basil?!
> The cheese...
> What brand was it? This was never a plastic-wrapped cheese slice such as Floor usually bought because they never spoiled. This was *actual* cheese, actually grated on top.
> One spoonful was enough to make Floor want to take a picture and show her internet friends what she was eating. She didn't have a phone, nor a webcam, so it wasn't possible, but for maybe the first time in her life, Floor understood why a pony would want to do that.
> She took another spoonful, then put the bowl back so she could type.
'Guys you won't believe this amazing pasta I'm eating!'
> She gave it some thought, then - muzzle turning nice and pink - added below:
'My marefriend made it for me!'
> Her hoof hovered over the mouse button for several seconds. It was a lie, of course, but nopony would know. The boards were anonymous.
> Despite that fact, Floor closed her eyes when she clicked. If she didn't see it, then no crime had been committed, right?
> She didn't wait for replies, but closed the thread and switched back to her cartoon.
> Then she picked up the bowl again and lifted another spoonful.
> Yeah, that Fluttershy was a treasure. Floor *had* to tell her how good the food was!
> She hadn't noticed it with the pancakes as much, because she almost never had pancakes. This, though...
> Floor considered herself somewhat of an expert on Ramen. This meal blew even the finest cup noodles clear out of the sky.
> She was hardly aware of chewing, so quickly did the mare gobble it down. Soon, too soon, her spoon scraped the bottom of the bowl.
> Undeterred, she dropped the utensil on the desk and just stuck her muzzle in there to get the last bits of sauce.
> She licked the dish until it was clean, then placed it beside the spoon.
> It didn't look right. Her room was neat and tidy now, after her and Fluttershy's concentrated effort the previous day. It felt wrong to start littering again so soon.
> Ears folding down, Floor Bored heaved a sigh and slipped from her chair. She gathered up the bowl and the spoon and took them to the kitchen.
> She wasn't going to wash them - there was no point for a single dish, but at least she could leave it in the sink.
> Then, after a few more plates and forks and stuff piled up, she could wash it all.
> There. The mare felt a tiny bit proud of herself. One could stay lazy and *still* keep her place at least in some kind of order.
> Floor made her way to the kitchen, then stopped in the threshold to lift up her muzzle and smell. The aroma was still in the air and she took a few lungfuls until she started to drool.
> A piece of paper on the counter caught her eye.
> 'Dear Floor Bored. There's more pasta in the pot if you want it. Just leave the dishes in the sink, I will wash them later. Fluttershy.'
>...
> Just like that, Floor Bored was in love.

> ~~~~

> Floor Bored made it all the way through two more bowls and thirty minutes before her mind started wandering. She resisted for a while, but then gave in to daydreaming.
> Her computer, forgotten, displayed the first half of a post she was writing as a reply. Someone had called her gay for having a marefriend and Floor had been trying to explain just how stupid they were.
> It didn't matter right now. In her mind's eye, Floor imagined what would happen when Fluttershy came home. Yes, that's how she'd think of it. Her apartment would be the pegasus' home - at least after a while.
> Once she'd moved all her stuff in, of course.
> 'I'm home!', Fluttershy would say in that quiet, seductive voice. The mere memory was enough to send a shiver down Floor's spine and she lightly bit her lip.
"Mmm, hi..." she  murmured, blushing even now as she imagined talking to anypony else.
> No, even in her daydream Floor wasn't good with words. Instead she skipped ahead a little. The two of them would be on the couch, maybe watching something inconsequential on TV, or perhaps they'd be eating some of Fluttershy's amazing pasta.
> Maybe both. Floor made a mental note to save up for a TV someday. It would save her from having to talk as much.
> She would reach over to grab the salt from the coffee table- wait, scratch that. Not the salt, she would reach for the grated cheese. Her leg would bump against Fluttershy's thigh.
"Mmph- oops," Floor sighed, grinning.
> The pegasus would look over, but then blush and bashfully avert her gaze. Shy mares were *so hot*!
> Already Floor was getting uncomfortably damp. She reached a hoof out for her dirty rag to at least somewhat protect the chair, but of course it wasn't there anymore.
> Sighing in exasperation, she opened her eyes and slipped to the floor. The sacrifices she made for love...
> Luckily, nipping into the the bathroom for a fresh towel was the work of a few moments and it didn't interrupt the scene in her mind. Then Floor folded the cloth up and placed it on the chair. Double layer should be enough.
> She climbed back on and shut her eyes. Where was she?
> Oh! Shy, bashful pegasus, with that adorable little blush on her muzzle. She would try to hide it, but her body would tell Floor the truth. The slight unfurling of wings and the way she crossed her hind legs.
> Having a very nervous, shy partner, Floor thought, would help with her own insecurities. Even in her daydream she couldn't always get past herself.
> Then...
> She'd leave the grated cheese and instead lay her hoof on Fluttershy's thigh. Nothing too sensual, just a touch to let her know she was there. Then she'd say...
"I really like your pasta..." Floor murmured for real.
> Another, brilliant thought struck her and she added, biting her lip once more:
"Almost as m-much as I l-like you!"
> It had sounded better in her head, but the mare rolled with it. Her pegasus marefriend would gasp a little and turn those beautiful, cyan eyes on her. They'd reach all the way into Floor Bored's heart and she'd smile.
> With barely any conscious control her hoof would slide up and in, getting dangerously close to Fluttershy's...
> Her... *self*.
"Ahhh," Floor sighed, touching herself in the exact spot she would touch her marefriend.
> Then Fluttershy's lips would part slightly and her eyes would close, but not all the way. She'd be peeking out.
> All Floor would need to do was lean closer-
> Wait, the bowl with pasta was still in her hooves. Fluttershy's too. Floor nearly grunted in annoyance.
> Pasta didn't matter! She had put it down on the couch earlier, yeah, that was it!
> Now, back to...
> Floor opened her mouth and gingerly poked out her tongue. It wouldn't do! In a flash of inspiration she lifted up her foreleg, bent the ankle an stuck her tongue in the crack.
> Was it like kissing somepony? She couldn't say, since Floor had absolutely no frame of reference. She explored her own fur with her tongue while her other hoof finished its journey.
> 'Oh yes,' the Fluttershy in Floor's mind said, out of breath. Her wings would be fully extended now and twitching.
> The thought alone was enough to make her wink and Floor was ready for that. Her hot button prodded at the frog of her hoof, making her shiver in pleasure.
"Mmmph!" she said, saliva trickling down her leg as she furiously attacked her fetlock with her tongue.
> She started to rub herself in a slow circle, closing her eyes so she could give in to the imagination.
"You l-like that, hmm?" she asked nopony in particular, taking her mouth away from her leg for just long enough to mumble it.
> In her mind's eye, Floor saw Fluttershy returning the kiss with her eyes closed and a rapt, ecstatic expression on her face. They were both a bit red in the muzzle, but now it was passion, rather than embarrassment.
> The mare opened her eyes, both in imagination and in real life. Her wall wasn't all that interesting, so she closed them again. In her daydream the kiss ended and the pegasus smiled back at her.
> She tried to think of something sultry or seductive to say, but nothing came to mind, so Floor just imagined gently pushing her marefriend down on the couch and lowering herself between Fluttershy's hind legs.
> It was easy to imagine that her own hot, musky smell was actually coming from Fluttershy. By now her hoof was slick with juices and Floor lifted it up to her muzzle and gave it a tentative lick.
> She hadn't usually liked her own smell and taste, but now it was delicious. Her eyes flared open in shock.
> Was it because *now* it was clean, or was it because she was imagining the pegasus? Either way, even if it tasted foul, she'd still do this for Fluttershy. That was how much she loved her!
> Right now, however, her loins were screaming out for more attention. Floor wished she was still nimble enough to reach herself with her muzzle - that would have been amazing and the pony was sorry she'd missed the opportunity when she was younger.
> Her hoof would have to do, but she used her other one so she could keep the smell near her nose. It made the illusion more real.
> In her fantasy, Fluttershy moaned and arched her back when Floor laid her tongue on her. Questions flitted through her mind before she could stop them. What would it feel like? Would it be smooth or hairy? Warm? Would she feel Fluttershy's fluid trickling out?
> What shape would her button be?
> She pushed them out of her thoughts and focused rather on her hoofwork. A small grunt escaped her, which she quickly imagined came from the imaginary Fluttershy.
> The pegasus wouldwould wrap her hind legs around Floor's neck and squeeze - lightly of course. Her wings would flop uselessly on the couch. Then, as Floor pushed her muzzle deeper, the grunts would change to 'eeps' of pleasure.
> She'd go slow at start - letting her lover get used to her tongue *in there*. Too bad Floor's juice-and-saliva-soaked frog didn't have an opening, so Floor couldn't demonstrate it to herself. She settled for giving her hoof long, slow licks.
> It would drive Fluttershy wild! The mere thought was enough to bring Floor to the brink. She paused, leaving the hoof in place between her legs but not moving. Each flick of her button, rubbing itself against the frog, made her shiver and squeak.
> She could feel her rapid heartbeat through her tongue on her hoof.
> Would she feel Fluttershy's heartbeat too? Through her... *bits*?
> Denied an orgasm, the imaginary pegasus begged with short, strangled sentences and moans. 'Please... so close...'
"Please," Floor repeated out loud. "Please, Floor! J-Just a bit more!"
> She imagined wrapping her lips around Fluttershy's winking opening and driving her tongue inside and at the same time started to rub herself furiously again.
"Mmmmhhhyeeeeees!" she gasped, pulling her hoof away from her muzzle and sticking it down there with the other one.
> It didn't make much of a difference, but there was something more for Floor to grasp with her thighs. It wouldn't be long now. Her tongue lolled out and her breath came in short, urgent gasps.
> She was coming. Fluttershy in her imagination was coming too.
> The pony had a brief instant of clarity left when she wondered if the pegasus would be a squirter, before the dam burst and all thought was driven from her mind.
> Her whole body strained up from the chair and her breath caught, except for a low, guttural grunt. Her elaborate fantasy of Fluttershy broke apart and there was just the orgasm left.
> Floor kept her hooves in place, pressing against her most sensitive spot and unwilling to move until the waves of pleasure receded. Until her hind legs stopped twitching.
> At long last she gasped for breath.
"Aaah!" she managed. "Wow..."
> It had been mind-blowing. Floor was used to orgasms - most days she had at least one or two - but this was something else.
> She couldn't say whether it was because of the involuntary restraint she'd been forced to show over the past few days, or if it was thinking about Fluttershy that made it *this* powerful.
> As an experiment, she brought a juice-soaked hoof up to her muzzle and gave it a tentative lick. It didn't taste as sweet as a few moments ago.
> Maybe it really was because she was thinking of Fluttershy?!
> Was that what 'true love' did to you?
> Her ears lowered when Floor realized just how much she'd been missing out. Suddenly her toys in the closet didn't have any appeal anymore.
> She wanted Fluttershy!
> Except - now that she was coming down from the high of arousal and need, Floor realized just how silly her little daydream had been.
> However much of a crush she might have on the sweet, gentle pegasus, there was no way in Tartarus Fluttershy would ever return the feelings.
> It made her want to cry.
> She became aware of a draft on her nether regions, which where splattered with her... 'essence', as well as on her foreleg, which she had soaked with her spit during her kissing fantasy. It was time to clean up.
> Floor haphazardly wiped herself down with the towel, ignoring that it was quite damp from her efforts. She slipped from the chair and did the best she could, as far as she could reach.
> Her tail was a mess, but that didn't matter. It would dry out.
> The pony bundled up the messy cloth and made a step towards her bedroom door. Then she stopped.
> Why bother?
"Is it so m-much to ask?!" the mare demanded out loud, angrily.
> She tossed the towel in a corner and went instead to her bed. She pulled the blanket off and saw the muddy stain.
> Good - it didn't matter if she made it more filthy.
> Dragging herself onto the mattress, Floor buried her muzzle in the pillow and finally let the sobs overtake her.
> They were a mixture of shame at what she had just done, crushing loneliness, despair and the infinitely sad knowledge that however hard she tried, even if she became the most outgoing and happy pony ever, the mare she loved would never return her feelings.
> Fluttershy probably didn't go 'that way', *and* she was an Element of Harmony, as well as the cutest, sweetest pony around. She could probably have any stallion - or mare - she wanted just by looking at them.
> Somepony as plain, as ugly, and as messy as Floor would be downright revolting.
> Besides, Fluttershy had seen Floor's toys. She knew what the filthy neet got up to in her free time. No way there was a chance with her.
> Floor should have been used to it, but it still stung. She tried to keep herself from full-on crying for a while, but then gave up and let the tears come.
> Behind her, on the computer screen, responses to her 'marefriend' comments kept rolling in...

> ~~~~

> She must have fallen asleep because the next thing Floor Bored remembered was someone knocking on her bedroom door and her face being stuck to the pillow.
> The damned thing was far too soft and entirely unsuitable for how much the mare had drooled.
"Wha?"
> The noise stopped, which was good. Maybe she could get some more sleep. She wasn't sad in dreams.
> "Here, I brought you- oh..." said Princess Twilight as she opened the door.
> Full realization hit Floor in an icy, sobering instant. The alicorn had caught her - again - in a compromising position.
"GET OUT!" she yelled, partly from shame, but mostly out of anger.
> The stupid nag really needed to stop barging into other ponies' rooms!
> Her tail! Actually, her entire rear was a disaster area! Floor jumped from the bed and ran for the bathroom, escape being the only thing on her mind. She overturned the chair and bumped the computer table, making the monitor wobble dangerously, but she didn't slow down to check.
> She was slamming the bathroom door closed and trying to catch her breath in record time. Only then did she pause to think.
"Argh!" the poor pony growled. "Bucking stupid, nosy... bucking... NAG!"
> Realizing how loud she was, Floor quickly covered her mouth with a hoof. Hopefully Twilight hadn't heard.
> The only piece of luck was that Fluttershy wasn't around to see her shame... again.
> What time was it, anyway? Floor looked out the window, where the final rays of the setting sun were just winking out.
> She'd slept for most of the afternoon. That'd explain the stickiness around her muzzle and the bleary vision. The pony twisted as much as she could to inspect her rump.
> Yeah, it was a disaster zone. Her only consolation was that everything had happened so quickly that maybe Twilight couldn't see just how bad it was.
> Yes, she had... done it, but they had to understand that a mare has needs! If the purple nag couldn't get that through her thick, horned skull, then she was even more of a nitwit and a bookhorse than the magazines said.
> Floor was calming down which showed just how far she'd come in the past few days of constantly being watched and nagged. Before this intrusion into her life, she'd be a nervous wreck *for days* if somepony found her after some hoofplay.
> Now she was just annoyed. Maybe you could get used to practically anything, she guessed. Still didn't make it nice, though.
> With an exasperated sigh, Floor climbed into her bath tub and started the water. Might as well give her rump and her tail a wash before Fluttershy came.
> For the tiniest moment a treacherous thought supplied that it was her own fault. She could have washed herself and cleaned up her room *before* any of her unwelcome guests came back.
> In fact, it could have been Fluttershy who found her! The mere thought was enough to make Floor freeze and whimper in terror.
> She shook her head. No, Fluttershy was more polite and wouldn't just barge in!
> It would have been so much better if that purple nag stopped coming altogether and only Fluttershy stayed around. Maybe the pegasus would be interested in playing some games together sometimes.
> Forget Taku, Floor wanted a new friend. A better friend!
> Perhaps, in time, something else could happen.
> She remembered her little fantasy from earlier and blushed. It was a good thing nopony was in the bathroom with her to see.
> Yeah, that probably wasn't going to happen. Floor forced herself to think realistically. A well-known, well-liked celebrity like Fluttershy would never stoop so low as to be special someponies with a loser like Floor.
> She could visit from time to time, though.
> Floor heaved a sad sigh and listlessly reached for the shampoo bottle. She'd be willing to keep the place clean and even shower every now and then if she had Fluttershy's visits to look forward to.
> Just so long as that purple nag kept away.
> Floor purposefully didn't think the name, as if snubbing the alicorn in her mind would make her leave.
> Best to get the showering over, then look for some dinner. There was no more pasta - she'd polished off everything Fluttershy had cooked for her, but there was surely something in the fridge. If not, she could make herself some Ramen, if there was any left.
> It wasn't as good, but it was still decent, solid food with a lot of salt, just the way Floor liked it.
> The thought that Twilight might cook anything never even crossed her mind. It didn't seem like something a Princess would do, and certainly not for somepony like Floor.
> About the best thing she could hope for, the mare thought as she rinsed her mane, was that the purple nag would be embarrassed enough to just go and leave her alone.
> Humble wishes, right?

> ~~~~

> Of course damn Twilight damn Sparkle was waiting for Floor right in the middle of the living room. She had a troubled look around her muzzle and couldn't quite meet Floor's eyes when the pony emerged from the bathroom.
> She froze, except for her ears which instantly flattened.
"Wh-What?" she mumbled, both scared and annoyed.
> Twilight finally dragged her gaze up, but she winced when her eyes met Floor's. The direct stare was enough to make Floor blush and hurriedly look down.
> "We, uh- we need to talk, Floor Bored," the Princess said quietly.
> Gulping, the mare gathered her courage and briefly glanced up in a show of defiance. Well, 'defiance' by her standards.
"I'm t-tired, and-" she began.
> "It will only take a minute," came the interruption. It was true what they said, Floor thought to herself. Alicorns never actually listened to anypony, which showed just how aloof and egotistical they were. They had all the time in the world, after all, they could take a minute to liten to their subjects!
> She didn't say it out loud, of course. Instead, Floor sat on her haunches and waited for the verdict. It would probably be about her masturbation. She'd gotten that talk often enough from her mother before she moved out.
> Shameful, disgusting, something only a loser would do, why can't you find a nice colt, etcetera. Floor thought it all before the Princess could say it. That way, it would soften the hurt. It had always worked with her mom.
> The alicorn gulped audibly, then spoke up in a very subdued and shaky voice: "Floor Bored - d-do you have um..."
> She swallowed again and tried to start over: "Are you in..."
> It wasn't working and it didn't sound like Floor had expected. She looked up in shock at the nervous, blushing, embarrassed alicorn. What the buck was wrong with her? Didn't she even know how to berate a loser, blank-flank filly for being disgusting?!
> Twilight took another breath and gave it another shot: "Do you have a crush on- um... on Flutter-Fluttershy?"
> Her stutter was worse than Floor's!
> The question hit like a physical blow and the shocked earth pony leapt up to her hooves and backed away, as if Twilight was threatening her. She tried, and failed, to keep her muzzle from going all pink and hot.
"What?! NO! N-No!" she lied.
> It was painfully transparent and the Princess saw right through it. You didn't need to have special alicorn powers for that. Twilight stood up and approached, carefully, like one would a wild animal.
> "Look, I'm-" she began and stopped again. The famous Princess of Friendship, Twilight Sparkle was having trouble talking. If it weren't for the subject matter, Floor would be laughing.
> "I'm not judging, Floor Bored," the alicorn managed. She made another step closer and Floor backed off until her back was pressed against the wall. "I'm j-just concerned," she added.
> Floor was trying to work her rump right through the plaster, but it was unfortunately unyielding. She had nowhere to go and she couldn't lie convincingly to save her life. She tried stalling for a minute.
"Where- h-how did you-?"
> Now it was Twilight's turn to blush and look away. "Your computer came on when you bumped it. I- I shouldn't have started reading," she admitted.
> Spying?! Invasion of her privacy! The indignant anger washed away some of her embarrassment.
"What?! You were reading my..." Floor began, but didn't say it. She knew the reputation those message boards had.
> "I'm sorry, I couldn't help it," the Princess admitted. "B-But... Fluttershy?!"
> At least, Floor remembered with a bit of gratitude, she hadn't actually said 'Fluttershy' on the boards. That would have been incredibly stupid. Twilight must have worked it out from her boasting about getting her 'marefriend' to cook and clean for her.
> Well, there was one thing she could try.
"S-Sorry..."
> "Sorry?!" Twilight said, her eyes narrowing and her muzzle scrunching up. "Floor Bored, you can't just go around proclaiming somepony is your special somepony without them even knowing about it! It's not okay to lie about... s-stuff like that!"
> She pushed her nose closer, making Floor gulp in fear. "I smelled your room, too. You really have to stop doing that- it's not healthy!"
> There it came. At long last Twilight had found the right words. Now she was on firmer ground and Floor embraced her sullen resentment like an old and familiar friend that it was.
"'s none of your b'sness," she muttered darkly.
> "No, it's not," Twilight admitted, "but we're just trying to help, Floor Bored."
"Din't ask f'r it..."
> At least the alicorn withdrew a little and allowed the mare some breathing space. Floor was already huddling down protectively, hiding her muzzle and tucking her tail tightly against herself. She made herself as small as she physically could.
> She didn't look as Twilight walked up and down the living room. "We have to do something about that," she said, mostly to herself. Then she looked back at the mare again. "Floor, are you lonely?!"
> Floor nearly rolled her eyes. What gave it away?! Her eschewing all company? Living in filth? Subsiding on Ramen and moldy cheese? Masturbating until it hurt?
> She didn't ask any of the pointed sarcastic questions which popped into her mind. She didn't want an angry and insulted alicorn on her hooves. Who knew what Twilight might do if she got really mad.
> "Okay, okay... we can fix this," the Princess went back to talking to herself. She was trotting up and down the room again, apparently deep in thought. "I need to make a list. No, first I have to talk to Rarity- she'll have some ideas..."
> Floor didn't understand half of what Twilight muttered to herself. It looked like the yelling part was over, so she raised her trembling voice.
"C-Can I g-go now?"
> Twilight looked over, wide-eyed. She almost seemed surprised to see Floor. "Oh. Yes - um, clean up the t-towel," she instructed, blushing again, "and change the sheets on the bed. I'll wash those-" She paused and shook her head. "Or maybe I'll just burn them."
> It wasn't funny, even if Twilight forced a little laugh. She had dismissed Floor, who happily slunk away. She was relieved. The tongue lashing from her mother used to be a lot worse. Twilight needed more practice.
> She hadn't even called Floor a hussy, nor a whorse, nor did she tell her she'd spend the rest of her life alone if she didn't shape up and get a cutie mark.
> Floor wasn't about to give her pointers, though.
> She just wished Fluttershy would be back, soon. Things made a lot more sense when the pegasus was around. Maybe - Floor explored an unfamiliar feeling - she could actually *talk* with Fluttershy.
> It would be the first pony in her life that Floor could really talk to. She didn't know what to make of it. Half the time she wanted Fluttershy to just hug her with a wing and provide a soft, warm shoulder to cry on, the other half she wanted to stick her muzzle down Fluttershy's belly and see what she tasted like.
> One thing was certain, though. She wanted the pushy, nosy alicorn out of her apartment!
> Not that she'd ever tell her directly.
> Maybe she could kind of mention it to Fluttershy and hope the pegasus would understand and ask her Princess friend to leave and stay away.

> ~~~

> The dreaded moment came too soon. Floor was hiding in her room while the Princess did whatever she was doing in the rest of the apartment. It was starting to get quite late and Floor was hoping Fluttershy wouldn't come tonight.
> That'd give her one more night of pretending everything was fine.
> No such luck. Around eleven at night there was a gentle, apologetic knock on the door followed by Fluttershy greeting the alicorn quietly.
> Floor immediately jumped from her chair and went to the door so she could lean her ear on it. The other ear folded down and the mare stuck her hoof in her mouth to bite it nervously.
> "Fluttershy!" Twilight said, "thank goodness you came. Listen, we need to talk... about Floor."
"No, please," the pony whimpered to herself.
> The pegasus made a surprised squeak and Floor could just imagine the cute scrunch of her muzzle. "Oh?" she asked.
> "Yeah, I don't know how to say this..."
> Twilight paused, probably to find a delicate way of spilling Floor's most embarrassing secret, then said in a lower voice: "Come here on the couch. I think you should sit down."
> What followed was a mixture of murmuring and whispering, which drove Floor Bored mad because she couldn't hear what they were saying.
> There were a few intelligible bits here and there, like when Twilight exclaimed: "No, you're not understanding me, Fluttershy! She has a-"
> Every word Floor understood felt like a slap in the muzzle. Fluttershy gave a gasp and asked: "You mean like- mpfhp, mmfph?"
> That last bit sounded as if somepony had stuck a hoof over her mouth. "Yes! Just keep it down!" Twilight Sparkle said, probably the culprit.
> Floor's hoof was starting to hurt from how hard she was biting it. She didn't want whatever was happening in her living room, but she didn't have nearly enough guts to go out and stop it.
> At least Twilight could have let Floor tell the pegasus herself! Who knew what horrible lies she was feeding her!
> Her ear twitched as she caught some more of the conversation: "... don't know what to do." That was Twilight. Then Fluttershy said: "I'm sure it's not that bad, Twilight. Maybe we should just..."
"Just what?!" Floor whimpered. "DO WHAT?"
> She plugged her mouth with a hoof, worried they might have heard her. There was silence from the other room and she imagined the two getting up and walking over to her bedroom, muzzles grim and annoyed at her eavesdropping.
> The fear of it was almost enough to let loose her bladder, but Floor managed to hold on through sheer force of will.
> "Okay, so we'll take her to mmph, hmmph and maybe she'll ffmpmh hmgmf," the alicorn said indistinctly.
> Floor groaned in exasperation. Of course the most important parts of that were muffled. Take here to see whom and have her do what?!
> It occurred to the mare that she wasn't doing herself any favors by eavesdropping and trying to understand a half-heard conversation, but they were talking about her and she just had to know.
> Maybe if she opened the door?
> Why didn't she think of that before?!
> Floor reached up for the door handle, but froze when the couch springs squeaked and Twilight spoke up: "Yeah, that's a good idea! I'll go see Rarity and have her..."
> The end of that sentence was lost to Floor Bored until Fluttershy replied. "Okay! I'll see you tomorrow night, Twilight. Don't worry, I have everything in hoof here. Floor Bored just needs somepony to listen to her, I'm sure we'll be fine!"
> The Princess' reply sounded doubtful: "Yeah, I guess. Just- be careful, okay?"
> Careful? Why careful!?
> Floor wouldn't hurt Fluttershy, ever, even if she had the guts to face her now.
> The front door shut and she was left alone in her apartment with the pony she had the biggest crush on since Wind Shear in elementary school.
> Weird that the colt was a pegasus as well. Maybe Floor had a thing for pegasi ponies?
> She didn't have time to consider it because her guest was coming over!
"Oh no no no no!" she moaned and backed away from the door.
> There was no way to escape, except jumping out of the window, which would just land her in Twilight's hooves with her luck. Lacking any good options, Floor went to hide behind her bed. Most of her rump and her entire tail were sticking out, but she wasn't well known for her rational thinking.
> A knock came at the door, followed by Fluttershy's voice. "Um, Floor Bored? Can we talk?"
> Maybe if she ignored her the pegasus would go away? Floor clamped her muzzle firmly shut.
> "I'm coming in," her guest proclaimed, nearly making the mare growl in frustration. No boundaries, no privacy, no consideration for others!
> She couldn't help liking Fluttershy despite that...
> "Oh!" the pegasus exclaimed when she saw Floor, shivering, with her head stuck behind the bed. "I'm sure there's no need for all that, Floor Bored. Come out and let's talk like grown mares, okay?"
"Nuh-huh!"
> There was silence as Fluttershy contemplated her next move. "Look, I'm not mad or anything, honest! Actually..." she paused for a few seconds. "It's kind of flattering."
> Floor's jaw hit the carpet.
"W-What?!"
> "Yeah! Everypony fawns over us because we're the Elements of Harmony, but um... well, it's just that everypony would much rather talk to Rarity, or Twilight Sparkle, or Rainbow Dash. They're the famous ones!"
> Rather than resentment for being in her friends' shadow, Fluttershy sounded a bit relieved. She sighed and went on. "Sometimes," she enunciated carefully, "it's nice to know somepony likes me, too!"
> The admission made her giggle and Floor couldn't stop herself from looking. The pegasus was blushing a little.
"I- um. Uh. We- I- You..." she managed.
> Was there a chance?! Could they - someday - be together? The sliver of hope that sprang into being in Floor's heart almost physically hurt.
> The question must have shown up on her muzzle, because the pegasus smiled brightly and turned even more pink. "Well, I'm very flattered, Floor Bored, but- um. I don't think I'm..."
> She couldn't even finish that sentence, but she didn't have to. Floor understood and her ears flopped instantly. She had quite a fight on her hooves to keep the tears away for the moment.
> Fluttershy didn't like mares. It figured. Just her luck. The *one* pony in all her life who liked her, at least a tiny bit, and she was the wrong gender.
"Okay..."
> "Don't worry! Twilight will get you a nice dress from Rarity and then we'll go out to meet some new ponies. Um- I'm sure there'll be somepony you like!"
> That sounded possible, but the real issue was that absolutely nopony would ever like Floor. She didn't say it, though.
"Okay."
> Her ears went even flatter as she realized another problem. She didn't *want* anypony else. She only loved Fluttershy. Without her, she'd just stay alone forever and ever. It wasn't like she'd been expecting anything else out of her life, really.
> It was just a foolish, idiot hope she'd entertained for a few moments. Served her right for daring! Way to go, breaking your own heart, Floor Bored!
> This time Fluttershy misread her expression and came closer to lay a wing around her withers. "Don't worry! Twilight and me will go with you so you won't have to be scared or nervous, okay? You'll see - most ponies are very nice. I'm sure you'll like them!"
> All Floor could do was heave a sad sigh. The endless sorrow helped her not care as much.
"I'd like to be alone now," she said solemnly and shrugged off Fluttershy's wing-hug.
> She didn't want the pegasus to touch her. It only served to remind her what she couldn't have.
> Luckily the mare was kind and sweet and didn't argue. "Okay. I'll be in the living room if- if you need to talk."
> Floor didn't answer and Fluttershy walked away. She even politely shut the door behind herself, letting the poor mare wallow in her solitary misery.


> ~~~~


> Floor Bored didn't like the idea at all.
> Well, that wasn't true. She was fascinated by the end result, she just didn't like the process of getting there.
> Quickly - too quickly - a package came for Fluttershy and it contained two dresses. A beautiful, snug-fitting green affair for the pegasus and something a bit more loose in red for the earth pony.
> It was because Rarity, their fashionista friend, didn't know Floor's exact measurements, so she made a dress based on Twilight's description and with enough elasticity to cover a few possible variations.
> A dress made by the legendary Element of Harmony? It would be every filly's dream, but Floor was too preoccupied with what it meant.
> She'd have to put it on, then go out *in public*! Probably to some bar, or pub, or maybe even disco, where she'd be expected to mingle with other ponies and make small talk.
> Just thinking about it was enough to give her the jitters.
> "It looks lovely! Why don't you try it on?" Fluttershy was saying, while Floor slowly backed away with her ears pressed flat against her head.
"N-No, no, that's f-fine..." she mumbled.
> "Come on, it'll be fun!"
> Floor gulped and tried to focus her mind. Think of the end result. Maybe, if she went through this rigamarole with one of Rarity's dresses, some colt might be sufficiently impressed with her apparel to ignore the mare wearing it.
> Maybe she could bring him home- what about the pegasus? Was it possible Fluttershy would understand and stay out a while longer? Yeah, Floor decided to imagine it that way. Her... date and she would have the apartment to themselves.
> Anyway, she had dreamed about it for ages. She imagined every way it might go. A nice, cute little colt, sometimes. Or maybe it'd be a strong and confident stallion, who knew exactly what he wanted from her.
> How many times had Floor rubbed herself down, imagining what they'd do?
> Funny thing - they were always gone by morning, even in her imagination. A one night stand, never anything more. Even the times she had cuddled up with a pillow, the imaginary colt would be gone from her thoughts by the time she woke up.
> Thinking about the sex made her wish it. If she forgot about all the terrors leading up to it, she was excited about the idea, which was made possible by the dress.
> Except...
> She didn't want that, not anymore. What Floor wanted was to be with Fluttershy. Her vision blurred and she hung her head to hide it from the pegasus. Why couldn't she accept her?
> That not-being-into-mares thing was just an excuse! The tabloids have been full of speculation about Fluttershy - the most reclusive and quiet of the Elements. All sorts of rumors flew around, at least *some* of them were bound to be true.
> That manure about not liking mares was just to spare Floor's feelings. It made sense - who'd want to date a complete nut job loser like her? Especially after Fluttershy had seen her toys and had the chance to imagine what Floor might get up to with them.
> Before she realized what was happening, there were soft wings around her withers. "Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to pressure you, Floor Bored," Fluttershy was saying. "You don't have to try the dress if you don't want to."
> Floor looked up and blinked away the tears. This close she could see every hair on Fluttershy's muzzle. She could smell her intoxicating scent. A hint of vanilla and lilac this time, pure bliss. She could feel every individual feather laid against her.
> How easy was it to fall in love with this kind, gentle creature? How quickly could she get lost in those blue eyes?
> It'd just end up hurting all the more, so Floor pushed away.
"Let me go," she grumbled, even while weeping in disappointment internally.
> "Okay, you just take all the time you want, Floor Bored. When you're ready, we'll go out dancing, okay? It'll be fun! You might even meet somepony nice!"
> It was like rubbing salt into the wound! Floor couldn't hold back an angry growl and she pushed past the pegasus and stomped off to her room. Luckily Fluttershy didn't follow.
> Once inside, she slammed the door shut and threw herself on the bed. She didn't want the object of her desire to hear, so she pressed her muzzle into a pillow for a good cry. World was so unfair!
> All she wanted out of life was to be left alone to her fantasies and toys and her message boards and games. Then *those two* had to barge in and turn everything around.
> Then, stupid beautiful damned adorable Fluttershy had to be so great and nice that Floor actually fell head over hooves for her.
> She'd never pluck up the courage to tell her, of course, but the stupid nosy nag Twilight *Princess* Sparkle had to find out, almost causing Floor to die from embarrassment.
> Then Fluttershy shot her down.
> She had done it gently - "I don't like mares that way" - but it was still a huge letdown. Maybe her being so nice about it made it worse?
> Now, on top of everything, they were pressuring her to go out *among ponies* and try to pick up some colt! As if there could be anypony as wonderful as Fluttershy out there!
> It was a big stupid mess. They got her hopes up and then dashed them again. Floor hated the pair of nosy nags for it.
> Except she couldn't hate Fluttershy. She was... she was *mildly annoyed* with her!
> Ha! That'd show her. If Floor could ever find the courage to tell her.
> Damn, she was pathetic. Maybe it was a good thing Fluttershy said no. What would she even have done if she said yes?
> Blush and mumble and run away to masturbate, most likely.
"Please, just kill me now," Floor wailed into the pillow.

> ~~~~

> It took hours, but finally there were no more tears, just numb acceptance. Her life sucked, but hey - what else was new? Everypony was just out to mess with her and then drop her on the ground when she wasn't funny anymore. She was Equestria's cheap laugh. The butt of every joke.
> An antisocial pony.
> At least back when she was still friends with Taku, there had been two of them. She didn't feel like a *total* freak.
> Whatever. Life was suffering and Floor had long ago come to terms with it. The trick now was to keep jerks like Fluttershy from getting her hopes up, ever again.
> Fine, she'd let them drag her out, however awkward and painful it would be. Maybe standing next to Princess *Actual* Twilight and Element of Harmony *Herself* Fluttershy would even make somepony overlook her... well, looks.
> She might at least get a quick romp out of it, which would be one of her lifelong fantasies fulfilled anyway. It would be hot and she'd finally know what it feels like to be stuffed by actual stallion, rather than plastic toy.
> Floor lifted her head and one ear, muzzle scrunching in concentration.
> That wouldn't be *too* bad, right?
> Besides, she was getting hungry. She had gotten used to eating breakfast and that day the package had thrown a wrench into that. It was nearly noon and her belly was making its presence known by means of low growls and grumbles.
> With a long-suffering sigh, Floor slid off the bed and stood up on somewhat unsteady legs. She glanced at the computer and considered playing a game for a bit, but then decided against it. Somehow, those weren't as distracting lately as they used to be.
> She made her way back to the living room, muzzle pointed firmly at the floor and hoofsteps dragging.
> "Hi! Had a good nap?" Fluttershy asked.
"Huh? W-What?! What n-nap?"
> The pegasus at least had the decency to look embarrassed. "Um, I went to check if you're alright, but you looked like you were napping, so I didn't wake you up. I hope that's alright..."
> How?! Floor hadn't even heard the other mare approach, much less open the door.
> These sneaky pegasi - it was like they walked on clouds all the time!
"'s fine..."
> Floor finished her trek to the couch and climbed on. She stared out the window and began working up the courage to ask Fluttershy for some food.
> To her amazement, the pegasus figured it out by herself! "Oh my, you must be starving!" the mare exclaimed. "I completely forgot about breakfast when the mailpony brought us the dresses! Why didn't you say?"
> There were no good answers she could give, so Floor kept her muzzle shut.
> "You just relax for a minute and I'll whip us up something nice, okay?" Fluttershy offered.
"O-Okay."
> She was gone in a rush of hoofsteps and moments later Floor could hear pots clanking in the kitchen.
> That yellow mare was simply... dreamy.
> Floor sternly resisted the urge to fantasize about her some more - the stain on the couch would be extremely hard to explain. Wallowing in her hungry misery would be fulfilling enough, for now.
> She didn't notice when Fluttershy poked her head out of the kitchen, so Floor nearly jumped at the question: "So, have you decided if you want to go out tonight?"
"Eep!"
> "Sorry!"
> Floor couldn't stay mad, though. She gave it serious thought.
> Maybe getting rutted silly - if Fluttershy and Twilight really could achieve that for somepony like Floor - would give her a confidence boost?
> Was that, perhaps, all the secret there was? Her old whore classmates - maybe they just got lucky that one time, before colts got really picky - and got a good romping, and it somehow made them able to talk to ponies and flirt with stallions?
> She'd never thought about it that way, but what other explanation was there?
> Maybe then she would have the confidence to *actually* talk to Fluttershy and show her who Floor Bored really was?
> Of all the ponies she knew, that one might be capable of looking past her bland and ugly exterior to the romantic inside. Floor just had to grow some courage to show her.
> Besides, nopony wanted an inexperienced virgin like Floor. If she got a bit skill under her tail she might be able to convince Fluttershy to give her a try. Once she did and found out what an amazing lover Floor Bored was, she wouldn't be able to resist.
> Floor was sure she was a great lover, if only somepony would give her a chance.
> Yeah, this going out - if she didn't have a heart attack from all the anxiety and ponies invading her personal space - could be good.
> Swallowing a lump, Floor realized she'd just decided to let Fluttershy and Twilight take her out to meet ponies.
> It was going to be horrible, she already knew that. Away from her apartment, its familiar scent, her computer and toys. Surrounded by strangers, all of them looking at her and judging.
> PErhaps she could hide behind the other two until everypony lost interest.
> Then... maybe she could pick a nice, timid colt - someone almost as embarrassed about the whole thing as she was. Those sometimes went to bars, right? She could get lucky and get a first-timer like her.
> With somepony like that, Floor wouldn't feel *too much* of a loser, maybe. At least her lack of experience wouldn't be painfully and immediately obvious.
> In any case, as soon as she got him back in her bedroom, it'd be fine. She'd turn off the lights, so her looks out of the dress wouldn't be a problem. It was nice and clean now, too - an inadvertent benefit of the two nags bursting into her life.
> They'd have a good romp and then he'd leave. Of course he would. That's what 'one night stand' meant.
> Could she go through with it?
> In her imagination these quick ruttings were always so incredibly hot, but now that it was a real possibility Floor was nervous. She just realized that whoever she brought home would be another pony.
> She'd have to talk with him. Smell him. Let him touch her.
> Thankfully Fluttershy came back then and interrupted that chain of thought. The pegasus was carrying two plates and the smell arrived before her.
> Omelettes. Filled with vegetables, it smelled like, and with a generous portion of salt. Floor's mouth watered and she brightened up.
> She opened her mouth to...
> Then she shut it even before the thought had fully formed. She had been about to ask Fluttershy out on a date, rather than just accept the mare's invitation to go with her and Twilight.
> The pegasus would have just had to shoot her down again and it would have been super embarrassing. Floor bit back her words and kept her eyes on the plate she was passed.
> Food first, bar later, rutting - hopefully - after that and *then* she would approach Fluttershy with significantly more confidence.
> Yeah, that plan could work.
> It couldn't hurt to smooth the way, though. Floor tried to smile, but it was probably super fake.
"This sm-smells so good..."
> Fluttershy beamed back and it seemed to light the entire room. Floor nearly wept.
> She *had* to get better - learn to talk with ponies, stop being so weird, become more sure of herself.
> Only then would she be worthy of somepony like Fluttershy!
> "Thank you! It's actually very simple to make," the pegasus explained.
> This was the big moment. Floor stared at her food and swallowed a lump and gathered her courage.
"I'll go out," she mumbled.
> Thankfully Fluttershy heard so she didn't make Floor repeat herself. "Oh, that's swell! It's going to be so much fun, you'll see!"
> The pegasus put her own plate down and nearly jumped from the couch, then thought better of it. "Want to try on the dress after we are done eating?"
"Y-Yes..."
> Floor could almost feel Fluttershy's excited smile. It was hard to stay angry with that next to her.
> Tartarus, maybe one of Rarity's dresses could make even her look almost half-decent?
> It was worth the shot!

> ~~~~

> It was finally there. The moment of truth.
> The dress was on her, for better or worse, and Floor Bored couldn't help thinking 'worse'. Maybe the fact that Princess Twilight 'I look good in any dress' Sparkle was with her helped a little, but it was still a fact that Floor just looked silly.
> The dress was supposed to reveal, yet conceal, at least that's what Fluttershy had said, but all it did was show off how fat Floor's rump was.
> It was a miracle that nopony seemed to notice her as the three of them walked into a place she had sworn never to put a hoof in. A dancing bar.
> Ponies around her were having a load of fun, but all Floor could think about was how chafing and ill-fitting her getup felt. If any colt found it appealing it would be a miracle in itself.
> They made their way to the bar and sat down. Twilight ordered them drinks, mildly alcoholic ones. It was a relief and Floor gulped her own down hungrily. Too bad there wasn't much of an effect, at least not immediately.
> The barpony was nice enough to immediately refill it, but that was probably because Twilight Sparkle was right there.
> While she waited for the booz to start working, Floor surreptitiously glanced around the crowd, which had stopped whatever they were doing to stare at the celebrities in their midst.
> "Hello, everypony," the Princess said, "don't mind us, please. We're just out to have a bit of fun!"
> To Floor's immense astonishment it seemed to work and everypony went back to dancing and talking quietly. That suited her just fine.
> At least Fluttershy seemed like a kindred spirit, the way she avoided gazes and focused almost exclusively on her glass. "I'm not a huge fan of things like this," the pegasus vouchsafed to Floor, who blinked in surprise.
"B-But you're *famous*!"
> "Yeah, it's not as great as it sounds," Fluttershy replied and downed her drink.
> Floor followed her example and asked the bartender for a refill of something stronger than the cider Twilight had ordered. Red wine ought to loosen her up a bit, right?
> Once that was down and starting to work its seductive magic, she could finally take a good look around at the bar. The pair of busybodies had dragged her all the way to Baltimare and into the Equestria-famous 'Prancing Pony'.
> It was supposed to be *the* place to meet young ponies of all backgrounds and interests. Maybe there would even be a colt fresh from high school who wouldn't mind a bit of plain, cutie-mark-less, awkward flank.
> Just thinking about it was making Floor blush, so she dunked her muzzle in the wine once more.
> On Fluttershy's other side some interested colts were already talking up Princess Twilight, no doubt hoping to get some royal tail.
> It was the one thing the tabloids were silent on. Love life of the Princesses seemed somehow off-limits.
"Um, so w-what do I d-do?" Floor asked.
> Her plaintive tone made Fluttershy giggle in the cutest way. "Oh, I don't think we're supposed to do anything!" she answered, with a noticeable blush. "Just, um, have some fun, I guess?"
> Floor shrugged to herself and emptied her glass. Alcohol meant impaired judgment, her best bet to land some nice colt to give her a good confidence boost. She glanced around for candidates and spotted several looking in their direction. They were staring at the Elements, but maybe they'd settle for a mare who was *with* Princess Twilight and Fluttershy?
> She tried to imagine taking each one in turn home - provided she could somehow afford the coach all the way there - but the eager, hungry looks on their muzzles were a definite turn-off.
> They all seemed to know what they were doing much better than poor, inexperienced Floor.
> She sighed and waved for the barpony to refill her glass yet again. What the hay, the Princess was paying anyway.
> It went down quite smoothly.
> "Um, maybe you should slow down," Fluttershy said quietly, "there's plenty of time, Floor Bored."
> The earth mare knew bad advice when she heard it. It wasn't a time for moderation - now was the moment to embrace alcohol-fueled bad judgement. She gulped down half of her glass, then plucked together her courage.
"H-Hi!" she said to to nearest, likely looking colt at the bar.
> He seemed pretty young, so maybe he wouldn't mind settling for third prize.
> It worked! He came closer with a fixed stare on Twilight and a weird little smile on his muzzle. "Hello! Are you friends with the Princess? Um- could you introduce us?"
> It was a snub, but by now Floor was starting to feel quite a bit tipsy and didn't mind. She had taken the precaution of not eating before they came, so the drink was working quickly.
> The mare had gotten drunk by herself a few times, just to see what it felt like, so she recognized the symptoms. She was starting to feel dizzy and the room was getting... swirly and out of focus.
> Everyhing was nice and funny and nopony was giving her weird looks. It wasn't too bad. If only she could stay like that forever, it would make her life a lot easier.
> She forced a smile and poured the rest of her glass of wine down her throat before answering.
"Yes! I am!"
> The colt walked right up, eagerly looking at Twilight Sparkle. "Uh, introduce us?" he repeated.
> Of course this one had to be star-struck, but Floor didn't mind. He looked a bit too old and experienced for her taste anyway. She reached over to prod the alicorn with a hoof.
"Um, Twi-Twilight? This is uh..."
> She blinked at the colt, who quickly took up the initiative. "Grape Burst, uh- your Majesty!"
> The alicorn took it all in good grace and giggled pleasantly. Floor was instantly jealous of her easygoing tone. "No 'Majesty', please! I'm just Twilight Sparkle!"
> Now it was the colt's turn to blush. "Oh, sorry!" he almost squeaked. "I didn't mean..."
> He fell silent and the Princess smoothly picked up the slack: "I'm Twilight Sparkle, this here is Fluttershy and over there is my friend Floor Bored!"
> The stallion gave the other two the most perfunctory of glances, before returning his full, undivided attention to the alicorn. "Um, nice to meet you!" he said, not really interested in anypony except Princess Twilight.
> Now that the ice was broken, he simply walked around Floor and Fluttershy to sit at the bar next to the Princess. "Is it true you vanquished an Ursa Major that one time?!"
> The alicorn had the decency to blush modestly. "Oh, that was just an Ursa Minor, actually. You see, these two colts wanted to see Trixie vanquish one, so they went..."
> Floor Bored stopped listening and looked down, ears drooping. Of course nopony was interested in her, except as a way to meet the Princess.
> A hoof on her withers made her look up into Fluttershy's cyan gaze. "Don't worry, it often happens like this," the pegasus explained.
> Shrugging to herself, Floor reached for her glass, which had miraculously gotten full again, and took a gulp.
> When she looked up it was right into the muzzle of a blushing colt. "Um, h-hi!" he said quietly and nervously, not meeting her gaze.
> This seemed a lot more hopeful and Floor even managed a small smile. This could be the one.
> The pony didn't seem a day over eighteen and his blush said he was just as nervous about the whole thing as she was.
> Also the fact that he was speaking to her, rather than one of her chaperones was very encouraging. Well, if he didn't immediately ask to be introduced to the Elements of Harmony, that was.
"Hi?" she managed.
> The colt went even more crimson, if that was possible. It was hard to tell because his coat was naturally purple - a bit darker shade than Twilight, but excellent for concealing his blush.
> His red mane almost completely hid his features. Floor felt an instant kinship - she also used her mane to hide her muzzle out in public like that!
> "Sooo," he asked, drawing out the syllable as he looked down on his hooves, "what's your n-name?"
> This was encouraging, but also scary. Floor grasped for her glass and finished it, even if some of it splashed around her muzzle in her haste and nerves. She ended up licking it and trying to collect her wits.
"Hi..."
> Was this it? The colt who would take her... virginity?
> Floor tried to imagine it. That muzzle, scrunched up in concentration and pleasure above her. The blush of exertion would go nice with that mane.
> He was an earth pony, so she wouldn't be able to play with his wings, but that was okay. She wasn't picky by this point in her life.
> "Yeah, you said," the colt replied and giggled. "I'm Peppermint!" he introduced himself and held out both hooves for Floor.
> She carefully laid her own in there, getting it right on her second attempt.
"Floor. Um, Floor B-Bored."
> He shook, but then let her free and went back to staring at the bar. "Tha's... interesting name," he muttered.
> Maybe the fact that he was as embarrassed as her helped and Floor was able to relax a bit.
"So, whaddya do?"
> She tried to make heads and tails of his cutie mark - it was four stars in a rough square - but nothing came to mind.
> This seemed to be firmer ground and Peppermint grinned happily. Some of his awkwardness went away. "I help out at the Royal Observatory here in Baltimare! It's super interesting! Um- actually..."
> He lowered his voice and leaned a bit closer, letting Floor smell his faintly beer-scented breath. It wasn't bad. She could get used to it.
> The unfamiliar sensation almost made her lose track of what the colt was saying: "I hope someday I can be a full astronomer! I mean- after I finish college, of course."
> He beamed at her and Floor realized something was expected of her. She didn't have a good answer so she averted her gaze and tried not to blush. Maybe the alcohol was making her reckless, but she suddenly wanted him to know the full truth.
"I just life- uh li... live at home and um, thing... play, yeah, thatssit! Play video g-games a lot..."
> She was expecting Peppermint to politely excuse himself and try his luck with Fluttershy or Twilight, but his response wasn't something she'd been expecting, even in her lightly addled state.
> "Oh cool!" the colt said, impressed. "Are you like in E-Sports or something?!" 
> Floor could see him surreptitiously look at her flank, but the blank spot was hidden by her dress. Suddenly the mare was immensely grateful to Rarity for thinking ahead.
"N-Not... e'ssactly. I just do it fer,... fer f-fun..."
> "That sounds amazing! Hey, do you play Pony Crusade?"
> This was firmer ground and Floor even smiled a little.
"Bah, 's for pussy- pussies! Pussy game. Nah nah nah, 's all, um, aboot Hooves and Things now!"
> "Hooves and Crowns," Peppermint guessed, "yeah, I've heard of that, but I didn't try it yet. Is it any good?"
> For some reason Fluttershy was grinning, but Floor didn't pay it any mind. There was a colt who needed schooling on proper games to play and she was certainly up to the task. Just in case, she emptied her glass again for that extra bit of courage.
"Wazzit? Uh, y-you kiddin'? 's like the, um, *the* em-thing to play! Em em oh, yeah. Everypony in it! Um, checkit- check it out, this on-one time..."
>...
> Floor Bored wasn't entirely sure how they'd ended up back home. It was half an hour by express pegasus coach and only royalty got to use that.
> Huh, maybe that explained why Princess Twilight and Fluttershy were there too, but even they didn't matter right now.
> The colt - Floor had to think to recall the name through her alcohol-fueled craze - Peppermint, simply couldn't take his hooves off her.
> It actually felt kinda nice. The weirdest part was that he hadn't even run away when Floor burst into tears after two minutes of cuddling at the bar.
> This was a nice one. Maybe that's why Twilight had agreed to take them all home in her royal carriage.
> Yeah, that was probably how they came here. It didn't matter, Floor led her guest to her bedroom and carefully shut the door after her.
> She was swaying on her hooves a lot and her stomach felt queasy, but she was at the same time incredibly elated and completely terrified.
> It was happening!
> She couldn't believe this was going to seriously happen! There was a colt in her room and he was super into her.
> He took a look around - Floor suspected he was way less drunk than she was, but that was okay. *She* needed the courage, not him.
> "Um, yeah, th-this is nice," he commented, looking at her computer desk because it was almost the only piece of furniture. Floor couldn't help but notice how he avoided glancing at the bed.
> It was really happening!
> What was she supposed to do now? The mare tried to think through her fog of booze. Oh, right! She walked up and sat right in front of Peppermint. Then she tapped the floor a few times, giggling at his confused expression.
> Finally he got it and plonked his rump there, within hoof-reach.
> How did this go, again? Floor had practiced on the pillow, but kissing a *real* colt suddenly seemed a lot different.
> Well, nothing for it. Her buzz was already slipping away and she knew she wouldn't dare do anything like this if she was sober. Floor leaned forward and opened her mouth.
> She nearly tipped over, but Peppermint caught her and their muzzles bumped together.
"Ow! I'm sor-mmhph!"
> Her apology was cut short when their lips touched. Driven by misguided comments on her message boards, Floor tried to stick her tongue into the colt's mouth.
> It worked after a moment's resistance and she explored, curiously.
> What did it taste like? The mare had to concentrate above her own hammering heart and crippling anxiety.
> A bit like beer and a touch of wine she'd shared with Peppermint and - nothing in particular. Just warm and wet.
"Mmmphp..."
> She had to pull away or risk suffocating and Floor did so with a slight gasp.
> Realization hit her. She'd just kissed someone!
> Had it been... good?
> She looked at Peppermint and tried to gauge his reaction. He seemed a bit shocked, of all things.
> Suddenly Floor was very self-conscious. This couldn't really be happening, could it? Surely there was no colt stupid, or drunk enough to come to her room and kiss her, was there?
"Um..."
> She ended up staring at her hooves and trying to fight back the blush.
> "It's okay," Peppermint whispered and laid a hoof on her withers. Floor nearly shrugged away, but she made herself stay still. "Come on, let's get on the bed!"
> The poor mare needed a few attempts to clamber up, and it wasn't just from the alcohol. In fact, the fog was quickly clearing from her mind as the magnitude of what was about to happen started to hit.
"Mmm'kay..." she breathed out and let herself be lifted the rest of the way.
> Now that it was beginning, the colt also looked a bit more certain. A quick glance showed Floor that he was already at half mast. It just made her anxiety worse.
> What if she sucked at it? What if she said something stupid? The pony very nearly started biting her hoof.
> "Let's, uh g-get you out of t-this," Peppermint murmured and tugged randomly at the dress.
> Of course! The clothes! Floor had nearly forgotten about them. She tried to struggle out of them, but all she managed to do in her haste was pull them up over her head and get stuck.
> She struggled for a bit, but her stomach lurched and Floor had to bite down to keep herself from being sick.
"Umpgh!"
> "O-Oh! I'll h-help!" Peppermint said. She felt him grab the dress in his mouth and tug.
> Pretty soon her head was free and the mare flailed her forelegs until the cloth dropped to the floor. She was breathing heavily and her muzzle was very pink with embarrassment. It was pure luck Peppermint didn't seem to notice.
> "Uh- no cutie mark?" he asked, drawing back in apprehension a bit. "A-Aren't you... I mean, you look-"
> Almost without her conscious control Floor's tail tried to hide her flank.
"I'm t-twenty-three!" she squeaked.
> "Uhh... I'm not s-sure..."
> Before he could change his mind and ruin the moment Floor reached for his member with her hooves. A quick rub and a lick would get him past his inhibitions, right?
> Except she misjudged how firmly she gripped him and the poor colt yelped in pain.
"Sorry!"
> Peppermint pulled free and sat right on the other edge of the bed, ears folded flat and his... thing hidden by his tail.
> What did it *take*?! Floor nearly growled in frustration. She finally had a willing colt in her bed. They were both drunk. It had been going so well!
> She never should have taken off the dress! Now Peppermint saw her blank shame - he also probably noticed how fat and ugly she was - no wonder he lost any desire to... to *do* her.
> The mare crawled away to the opposite side of the bed and curled up into as small a ball as she could. She tried desperately not to cry, but it wouldn't be stopped.
> Story of her life.
> "I'm sorry, are you okay?"
> At least Peppermint had the decency to look concerned. Maybe that made it worse - he was pitying her!
"B-Buuuh!" Floor wailed miserably.
> She sobbed when she tried to take another breath and after that there was no way to prevent the waterworks.
"I'm path-et-het-iiiic!"
> Her loud crying wasn't winning the colt over, but by this point she didn't much care. It wasn't going to happen.
> She'd barely worked herself up for it when she was drunk and that was now passing quickly. She'd never grow enough courage to try again, even if Twilight and Fluttershy took her out a million times!
> It was pointless. She'd die alone, with nopony except her toys.
> She barely felt the hoof on her shoulder.
"I'm ju-just a loo-hoo-hoo-ser!"
> Maybe the colt replied, but she didn't hear him above her own sobbing.
"Can't ev-even get a date! Twe-twenty three and not even a cu-cutie maaaark!"
> By now Peppermint was fully hugging her, although Floor couldn't help noticing he only touched her side and flank, and he kept him - well *himself* - carefully pointed away.
> "Hey, I'm sorry! I didn't mean it..." the colt murmured, right near her ear. "I didn't know you were- I mean you just looked like you were-"
> He groaned: "Argh!"
> Floor just shook her head in despair.
> "We can still... I mean, if you want we can wait and maybe try again later?"
> Was it even possible?! Floor opened one eye to look at the colt in disbelief. Why would he even want to stick his hoof in the mess that was Floor Bored?
> A faint hope blossomed in her heart.
"Am, am I y-your... f-first?" she prompted.
> Peppermint blushed and looked away, but he shook his head slightly. "Um... no-"
> She didn't even wait for him to finish but kicked him with her hind legs. Floor didn't know exactly why, but she was disgusted for some reason. She didn't want him touching her anymore.
> The poor colt flew with a prolonged squeak in an arc and then thumped on the floor with a painful "Oomph!"
"Just go!" she yelled.
> "What the buck is the matter with-"
"GET OUT!"
> She was curled up on her pillow and tried to show as little of her body as possible, as she yelled.
"GO! GET OUT OF HERE! I DON'T WANNA SEE YOU AGAIN!"
> "Jeez, alright. You're messed up!" Peppermint spat and stomped to the door. He took one look back, opened his muzzle as if he would say something else, but then he just left.
> Floor went back to weeping.

> ~~~~

> It was some time later that Floor's bedroom door opened very softly and Fluttershy walked in.
> She would have gone completely unnoticed, but by now Floor Bored was lying on her side and staring at the empty room. She was trying not to think, but there were zero distractions and the thoughts came unbidden.
> "Loser," was what they said.
> Why had she reacted that way? Why should it matter if Peppermint had been with other mares before? She didn't care about that!
> Except she did.
> "Floor Bored? Are you okay?"
> This time the question came from outside her head and Floor suddenly realized - again - that Fluttershy was in the room with her.
"Huh?" she asked numbly.
> "Peppermint, um, said you kicked him."
> That was right, Floor had sent him flying off the bed.
"Yeah?"
> "Um," Fluttershy began, but paused, unsure what to say. "Twilight has already left and it's kinda late. I set him up on the couch until tomorrow, is that okay?"
> Floor didn't really care at that point, so she just slightly shrugged. Luckily the pegasus understood the gesture.
> "That means I'll have to take your bed..."
> This made no sense at all. If Peppermint was on the couch and Fluttershy was in her bed, where did that leave Floor Bored? Was she supposed to sleep on the floor or something?
"What- where am- I don't un-understand."
> It didn't help that she felt nauseated from the booze, nor that her head was starting to hurt now that she was coming down from her high. 
> "We can share. It'll be fine," Fluttershy said with a hopeful smile. "And, um, maybe we can talk about what happened?"
> Floor considered this for a while, then shrugged. She wasn't going to talk to Fluttershy about her shame, but the pegasus was free to chatter if that's what she wanted.
> Apparently her 'guest' took it as a yes and climbed up on the mattress. "It's  wide enough for us both," she commented and simply folded down on the side of the bed.
> It was *not* how Floor had imagined the night would go. Instead of some random colt who was supposed to give her a quick shag and a confidence boost, here was Fluttershy - the cause of all these problems.
> Lying in her bed. So close, and yet so impossibly far.
> It made Floor's eyes water all over again and she sniffled before she could stop herself.
> She clamped her muzzle shut, but she had to breathe. No one could suffocate themselves just by refusing to breathe. Unfortunately she started sobbing again as her entire life of being worthless caught up with the mare.
> Her vision blurred and she hid her face under a foreleg. What she wanted to do was apologize to Fluttershy, because the pegasus wouldn't get much sleep, but even that was beyond her.
> The best she could make was blubbering, wailing noises.
> "There, there," came Fluttershy's quiet, soothing voice. "It's going to be alright."
> Floor jerked in surprise as hooves picked her up and pressed her against a warm, soft, fluffy chest, but she quietened down when wings wrapped around her barrel.
> She was messing Fluttershy's coat up with her tears and snot, but even when Floor tried to pull away there was no escape. For how carefully and gently Fluttershy moved she was incredibly strong.
> The question came again: "Want to tell me what *really* happened?"
> Floor gave this some thought. What was even the point? She looked up at the pegasus to say no and maybe get her to release her.
> Her smile was so beautiful. "Please?"
> The refusal died on Floor's lips.
"H-He saw my b-b-blank f-flank," she stuttered.
> "Oh, I'm so sorry! He seemed such a nice colt in the bar..."
> Now that the dam was broken, the words would not be stopped.
"He s-said I was too young! And- and then he said how many mares he's been with already!"
> It wasn't entirely true, but Floor was in the iron grip of self-pity and couldn't be budged out of it.
> Fluttershy gasped at that. "He didn't!" she whispered. "I'm going to go out there and give him a piece of my mind right now!"
> She was about to let her go, but now Floor didn't want to be alone. She'd started thinking about the rejection - that's what it was, plain and simple - and she couldn't stand to go through that again.
"Please..." she breathed, barely audibly. "Don't go."
> The hug around her barrel tightened and the wings rustled as Fluttershy renewed her grip. "Okay, I won't. I'm sorry... about everything."
"W-Wh-What? Why?"
> Now it was the pegasus' turn to heave a sad sigh. "This was all my fault. Well, actually, it was Twilight's idea, but I knew I should have said no. You can't find true love by getting drunk..."
> Well, that much was plenty obvious even to Floor Bored. Besides, she hadn't wanted any kind of love except the physical.
> "Twilight said you didn't need love- well *actual* love," Fluttershy went on, almost echoing Floor's thoughts, "she just said you needed-"
> Floor looked up when the other mare fell silent an saw - to her amazement - that Fluttershy was blushing.
"What?"
> The pegasus flattened her ears and looked away. "She said you needed a good rutting. I'm sorry, I should have put my hoof down..."
> It actually felt good, Floor realized with a start. Fluttershy was blameless in this whole ordeal. It was her nosy, pushy, Princess 'I-Know-What's-Best-For-Everypony' Twilight 'I'm-So-Smart' Sparkle's fault!
> Of course it wasn't going to work. Even if Peppermint didn't mind her blank flank, or her ugliness, or her poor, dirty apartment, Floor would certainly have messed it up somehow.
> It would have been even worse if he changed his mind once he was cock-deep in her. Then she'd get a whole bunch of regrets as well as a rejection.
> Well, *additional* regrets.
"It's not your fault?" Floor said with wonder in her voice.
> Fluttershy didn't catch her inflection and shook her head modestly. "It is. I should have known better. You don't need a- well, a-" the pegasus lowered her voice for the next few words, "a mindless rut. What you need is a friend. A real one."
> That was exactly it! Somepony to see her point of view! To give her a bit of moral support and encouragement!
> Somepony like Fluttershy.
> Floor inhaled deeply and the light, airy, feathery scent went right into her head. No, scratch that, right into her *heart*.
"I l-love you..."
> She froze when she realized she'd said it out loud, but then Floor relaxed. Fluttershy had seen her at her worst and she still came to keep her company.
> Two hours ago the pegasus and her idiot alicorn friend had brought Floor and her would-be lover to her home, so she'd feel more comfortable.
> An hour and a half ago they saw - and probably heard - her kick the aforementioned lover out of her bed.
> Whatever lies Peppermint had told them Floor couldn't imagine, but even after all that, Fluttershy came in her room, got in her bed and was now hugging her. She would *keep* hugging her until morning.
> Yeah, she loved that mare and suddenly Floor didn't mind saying it out loud. Maybe she'd blown the embarrassment fuse in her head, but it felt kinda good to finally let it all out.
"You're s-so pretty and nice and-and... kind."
> Actually, she could feel *some* embarrassment. Floor didn't dare peek at Fluttershy's face.
> The good thing was that the hug was still going. If the pegasus was horribly disgusted or anything she would have let go, right?
> "I'm flattered, Floor Bored, but-"
> Here it came - the knife in her heart once again. Floor tensed all her muscles and held her breath.
> "-let's not talk about that right now, okay?"
> Floor went limp. She knew full well that Fluttershy was trying to spare her feelings. Putting her rejection off until morning was just the pegasus being her sweet, kind self. She was letting Floor pretend, for a while.
> She could dream they were lovers. She'd wake up in the night and Fluttershy would be there, warm and soft.
> Did the pegasus snore? Even if she did, Floor knew it would be adorable.
> A wing came away, exposing her side to the cool, night air, but it returned quickly with the blanket.
> "Let's just have a nice sleep and then we'll have a good, long talk in the morning, okay? Once Twilight sends Peppermint away."
"Tell him- I'm sorry."
> This made Fluttershy giggle a bit. "Um, that's exactly what he said, you know?"
> Floor lifted up her head and stared at the pegasus.
"Huh?!"
> "Well, actually he said you were mean. At first. But then I made him a bed on the couch and he said he was sorry it didn't work out."
> Had she overreacted?
> It took incredible effort, but Floor stopped herself from going down that circular, twisting, self-blaming path again.
> All the jerk had to do was, well *do* her. Surely that wasn't hard for a stallion?!
> Floor huffed angrily and put her head down again. Fluttershy's chest fluff tickled her nose, but she just let it. Anything to remind her that the mare of her desire was really in her bed.
> Fluttershy - actually in her *actual* bed! Comforting her after being dumped.
> She'd laugh about it, if only it wasn't so sad she'd probably start to cry again.
> For all of one second Floor entertained the idea that maybe Peppermint could be salvaged. He knew a bit about video games and he didn't seem the wrong sort. Maybe it was just the booze, but Floor thought she kinda liked talking with him.
> Except - she'd seen his half-erect... thing, just when they were about to do it. No, she'd never be able to look him in the muzzle. You usually needed some of looking into other ponies' muzzles to build relationships, didn't you?
> No, looking into whatever colt gave her her 'confidence boost' in the morning was never part of the plan. Floor had one hell of an imagination, but it couldn't manage that.
> Peppermint was out of the question. Her only chance would be to get nearly dead-hammered once again and she didn't think Fluttershy would let it happen a second time.
> No, it was best for this particular colt to just leave so she would never see him again.
> Floor Bored sniffed and wiped the remnants of her tears away. It wasn't okay - it probably never would be, but for a few hours, at least, she had Fluttershy.
> She could pretend. She was good at pretending.
> "Don't worry, I'll stay here," the pegasus assured her. "Good night."
> The weirdest part of it was - this wasn't sexual. Not in the slightest.
> Floor had imagined thousands - maybe millions - of times what it would be like to have another pony, *any* pony in her bed, and each time it was about sex.
> Right now she was just happy to have Fluttershy's warmth and the sounds of her soft breathing and the light touch of feathers on her side.
> She realized something.
"Um, the light is s-still on."
> Her pegasus friend giggled softly. "I know. Want me to get it?"
> No! Floor didn't say it, but she hurriedly grasped for the other mare and held her firmly. It just made Fluttershy laugh some more.
> Did anypony ever tell that mare how musical her laughter was?
> "Well, do you want to get it?" she asked.
> This sounded a bit better.
"P-Please don't go any-anywhere?" she prompted, fearful that Fluttershy might just make a break for it the moment she was free.
> "I promise."
> Floor believed her. She extricated herself and hurried to the wall by the door, then she slapped the switch, plunging the room into pitch blackness.
> It didn't matter, she knew her way around and found the bed within seconds.
> Fluttershy was holding the blanket up and Floor gratefully slipped under it again.
> The hooves - so warm and soft! - and the wings - blessed wings! - came back. It almost made Floor purr in delight.
> It was probably some strange Fluttershy Element-of-Harmony magic, but she did feel a little better, even if her head and belly were killing her.
> She'd pay for her boozing the next morning.
> That seemed fitting. There had to be a price, even for just a few hours of happiness with Fluttershy.
> Floor was so grateful to the pegasus for letting her have that. So easily could she have shot her down a few minutes ago, but she hadn't.
> Maybe Fluttershy knew how much it meant to Floor to be able to pretend, just for a little bit.
> With luck - if she didn't die of alcohol poisoning - she'd still be able to look the mare in the muzzle the next day, too!

> ~~~~

> Morning was... bad. More than once Floor Bored had to rush out of bed and gallop for the bathroom, where she was noisily sick. On her most recent trip when she was going back, she heard a faint groan from the couch.
> That was right! Peppermint was still there and he'd had nearly as much to drink as her.
> She felt a little better knowing that he was also suffering, even if he hadn't been sick. Yet.
> Right at the moment, though, Floor had absolutely zero desire to see the colt, so she hurried back to the room and into Fluttershy's waiting, sleepy embrace.
> It was weird.
> Well, weird but nice. Strange how her imagination almost never considered this aspect of being in a relationship. It had usually been about sex, then falling asleep, exhausted, in somepony's embrace.
> Whenever her imagination touched upon the subject of next morning, it usually included more sex.
> Was she too focused on that?
> Thinking about it was dangerous territory, now that her head was starting to clear up and the pit of horrors that was her stomach was getting less... horrible.
> Instead, Floor gave the pegasus a careful nuzzle and got a sleepy lick in return.
> Was this love? It was like an entirely new level of... well *sex*! It was so nice the mare couldn't even begin putting it in words.
> The weirdest part was that she hadn't even *done* it with Fluttershy. It was just the two of them sleeping in the same bed and huddling for warmth and comfort. She knew it wasn't real, but it felt amazing.
> Floor never wanted to let go.
> Was it even possible to win the pegasus over? Fluttershy had said she wasn't into mares, but - come on, if internet videos taught her anything, it was that *all* mares were into mares.
> They just had to be the right ones, no?
> I was weird how mares in college managed to get any studying done, or stay awake for their classes when they had so many pretty mares in their dorm rooms.
> Uh oh... wrong line of thought once again.
> So anyway, Fluttershy was nice. Remembering that this was probably a one-time thing was making Floor sad again. She heaved a sigh and wished like Tartarus the night would never end.
> Not that there was much hope of that - it was already getting bright outside.
> The sigh finally woke up her pegasus... roommate. It was a painful thought, but Floor forced it through.
> 'Don't get your hopes up you idiot,' she thought to herself.
> "Mmmm. Mornin'," the pegasus murmured. "Sleep well?"
> Despite the mess in her belly and the sharp pain just behind her eyeballs, Floor nodded.
"Yes. Um, thanks..."
> Strange how she could still look Fluttershy in the muzzle. Maybe that's how you knew you really loved somepony? If it had been Peppermint, for example after they'd done it the last night, Floor would probably be hiding under a blanket until he left.
> Just imagining it was making her cringe up inside.
"P-Peppermint is s-still there," she said, now that she had remembered the colt one cmore.
> "Oh. That's right! I'll make you both breakfast and hopefully by then Twilight will be back to take him home!"
> That was right - it was Saturday, so probably no classes. It made sense that most ponies hit the bars on a Friday evening.
> The prospect of eating together made Floor look down and flatten her ears.
"Um can I just s-stay in here?"
> Fluttershy looked like she was about to ask why, but then she realized and laid a comforting wing on the poor earth mare's wither. "It's okay, I understand. I'll bring you something."
> Then she left, shaking out her mane as she walked out of the room and sending a fresh wave of scent Floor's way.
> How did she keep that pleasant floral-shampoo smell for that long? It had to be some deep Element-of-Harmony magic, right?
> It really started to hurt then, as Floor Bored realized she couldn't have Fluttershy. Her one night of pretending was over. It was as close as she'd ever get to any kind of romantic relationship.
> From here on it would just be her - hopefully alone - masturbating and existing. Until... until she didn't.
> It was kinda depressing when she thought about it that way. What was even the point?
> For that matter, what were Twilight and Fluttershy even really doing there?! Weren't they supposed to bring Taku and her back together?
> Well, that wasn't happening, so why were they sticking around? Floor wondered if she'd ever have the guts to ask the pegasus directly.
> About the only piece of good news right then was that Twilight would be gone while she took the colt home. Hopefully that would be for the rest of the day. In fact, if the idiot, nosy, pushy alicorn never showed up again it would suit Floor just fine.
> Sounds caught her ear and she scurried over to the door to listen. The pegasus and her coltfriend-wannabe were talking.
> "Don't worry, it's fine. Twilight will be back soon and we'll get you home, don't worry," Fluttershy assured the colt.
> "Oh. Okay. Um, thanks for the breakfast. These are really good."
> Floor didn't have to see to imagine Fluttershy's little smile. "You're welcome. I'll take these to Floor Bored and- you'll be alright?"
> Uh oh, that sounded like real concern in Fluttershy's voice. Wouldn't it be ironic if that little Peppermint jerk managed to snag the pegasus? Floor sighed and put her hooves around her belly. Sometimes her imagination was downright mean to her.
> Just imagining that was making her stomach cramp up in unpleasant knots. Fresh tears leaked out of her eyes.
> She heard hoofsteps on the way and quickly turned around, pretending she was making the bed. She didn't want the pegasus to see her crying yet again.
> The door opened and Floor risked a glance back. Fluttershy had a plate in her mouth, stacked high with pancakes and chocolate syrup and what looked like whipped cream. Delicious, most likely, but Floor wasn't hungry in the slightest.
"On- on the d-desk, p-please" she mumbled.
> There was a faint clink. "Um, would you like to talk?"
> Floor just shook her head.
> "Oh. Okay, we can do that later."
> The pony jerked her head side to side again, more firmly.
> "We really should-"
"J-Just go..."
> Floor fluffed the pillow and put it back in its place, then started straightening out the blanket. It looked like her pretending to make the bed turned into really doing it. That was fine, though. It gave her hooves something to do and provided her a reason to keep looking away.
> "I'm sorry... We really made a mess of this whole thing," Fluttershy said sadly. The pegasus sounded like she was on the verge of tears herself and it made Floor's ears lift up in surprise.
> "All we were supposed to do was solve a friendship problem, and now-" Fluttershy began, but didn't finish the sentence. She heaved a sigh, took a step closer and whispered. "I'm sorry, Floor Bored."
> Then she was gone.
> Floor couldn't make heads nor tails of this latest thing. She looked around at her room, which was cleaner than it had been in *years*. She thought to her bathroom, more white than she'd ever seen it. The fridge, which no longer had rotting food in it but instead sported a healthy selection of vegetable and fruit.
> The trash was gone from the floor and there was sunlight filtering in through the clean windows. If she didn't know better, she'd say a *normal* pony lived here.
> Wasn't this better? Wasn't it what she had always secretly wished for? To just be normal?
> Maybe if she started living like one, she'd be able to talk to ponies like a normal mare someday?
> It was just that cooking, cleaning, grooming, all that stuff was incredibly tedious and annoying. Deep down Floor knew she'd stop doing it the moment her guests left her for good.
> Yeah, there was no way she'd turn normal, not without some serious magic or something.
> Shame Princess Twilight didn't seem willing to do that for her. It would have actually made the nag useful!
> Then there was the Talk looming over her. The one where Fluttershy - yet again - gently let Floor down and told her she didn't want to be fillyfriends with her.
> The one which broke her heart all over again.
> Floor wondered if she could put it off indefinitely. She already knew, didn't she?! No need to push the knife all the way in and twist it on top of that.
> She'll just have to ask Fluttershy to leave, for good. It'd be best for everypony that way.
> It wasn't much, but at least it was a plan.
> Ask Fluttershy and her nag friend to leave. Put her hoof down - the thought of that made her heart beat faster and her ears fold down, but Floor was determined. Then get back to the way she used to live and try to forget the past few weeks even happened.
> Those two were incredibly cruel to try dangling a chance at a normal life in front of her. It was probably just some sick experiment for Princess 'Nerdy' Twilight 'I'm-a-Scientist!' Sparkle! Something with seeing how far you could push a mare with no hope and no future and seeing when she broke.
> Well, Floor Bored was done breaking for the Princess! Any hope she'd felt had been nothing but a filthy, cruel lie. She'd forget all about it and go back to imagining coltfriends and having fun with her toys. That was enough, right?
> It *had* to be!

> ~~~~

> "Uh, Floor Bored?" came the muffled voice of a certain yellow pegasus from outside the bedroom door. "Can you let me in for a minute?"
> Floor didn't really want to, but it was Fluttershy so she slipped down from the bed and went to the door.
"I just wanna be al-alone!" she said in what she hoped was a forceful voice.
> "It's important..."
> It always was. With a long-suffering sigh Floor unlocked the door and opened it. Even annoyed, the sight of that slightly smiling yellow muzzle put butterflies in her stomach.
> Flutterflies. Floor nearly giggled as she stepped aside to let the mare enter, but she forced her face to stillness. She was mad at them both. Well, mostly at Twilight, but, yeah, both of them.
> The pegasus waited until the door was closed, then her smile slipped and her expression grew sadder. It damn near broke Floor's heart!
"W-What?"
> Fluttershy hung her head while she spoke so that her mane covered most of her features. "I'm sorry but I'll have to go to Ponyville today. Um, there's a *small* emergency and both Twilight and me are needed."
> The first feeling Floor felt was one of relief. Finally she'd get some privacy to do all the pent-up things she'd been denied lately. A chance to cook some Ramen, play some games and - most importantly - work herself over with her hoof and the toys until she was a drooling, shivering mess.
> It was all the mare could do not to let her smile show. It would probably make the pegasus suspicious. She might even cancel her plans!
"Okay?"
> "We'll take Twilight's carriage, um, so-" Fluttershy went on, "-so we can't use it to send Peppermint home. Um, there's a train in the afternoon..."
> Realization hit her and Floor began to shake her head in horror.
"No no no, p-please... I can't!" she begged.
> The pegasus murmured to herself almost below hearing: "I'm so sorry for this, Floor."
> Then she turned her stare on the squirming mare. It was a deep, hypnotic well of oblivion and Floor couldn't break the contact off. The look went right into her brain and did strange things in there.
> "You can, Floor Bored! All you have to do is keep that pony company for a few hours, then see him to the train stop. He doesn't know this city."
> Floor went to shake her head, but found herself nodding instead. She tried again, but all she did was nod harder.
"O-Okay," she firmly declined.
> Her eyes crossed when she tried to look at what was wrong with her own muzzle. She had meant to say she wouldn't do it!
"I'll do it!"
> The pegasus smiled and suddenly Floor was not as sure. Maybe all the embarrassment would be worth it for that smile. She didn't have to see the colt ever again, after all.
> Besides, he *had* seemed pretty nice last night. They even got talking about video games. Maybe she could show him a few. At least it'd mean she didn't have to look him in the muzzle.
> The mare realized what she'd just decided to do and groaned inwardly. How in sweet Tartarus did Fluttershy *do* that?!
> Well the smile was worth it, though. Even better - Fluttershy stepped forward and gave her a very pleasant hug. "I know you'll do the right thing, Floor. You're a good pony."
> This time Floor's nod was intentional.
> "Twilight and me will be back  tomorrow morning, okay? Um- we'll talk. About everything. And, um, Twilight said she had news about your friend, Taku, so maybe we can finally solve this whole mess."
> It wasn't fair to dump that on her at the same time as Peppermint, so Floor simply refused to think about it. If these two jokers thought she'd forgive Taku for the way that entitled mare had acted, they had another think coming!
> It'll wait. Peppermint was the bigger problem right now.
> Floor swallowed a huge lump and turned her ears towards the bedroom door. There was no sound from outside. Presumably the colt was still sitting on her living room couch.
> "I have to run now, okay? You'll take Peppermint to the train at four, right?"
"Y-Yeah..."
> The pegasus walked out and Floor started after her. She had more questions! How did you begin a conversation with somepony you *nearly* had sex with?!
> It was too late. The yellow mare said a quick and simple goodbye to the colt and then she was gone. All that was left was the colt looking after the pegasus and Floor Bored in the hallway, staring at him.
> Here goes nothing, she thought and took a very firm, loud step forward.
> Peppermint looked to the source of the noise and then instantly went red in the muzzle. His ears folded down so hard Floor imagined she heard a snap.
> "Oh... It's you," he said in a strangled voice.
"Y-Yeah..."
> Her heart was going crazy in her chest. Maybe she was having a heart attack? It would save her from all the awkward! Except it didn't hurt. Just her luck.
> She opened her muzzle and said the first thing at the top of her mind.
"Igotvideogameswannaplaysome?!"
> At exactly the same time Peppermint also spoke: "I'msorryaboutlastnight!"
> They both stared at each other, muzzles open in shock, ears splayed and faces blushing.
"Um, you first!" Floor squeaked.
> "Go ahead!" Peppermint offered at exactly the same time.
> Again they stared at each other.
> The colt was the first one to burst out laughing.
> At first Floor was confused, but then she proffered a weak smile herself. Somehow it was a little bit funny and she even gave a small chuckle.
> The colt markedly relaxed and the mare wished she could do the same, but the exchange had only served to drive home just how incredibly awkward it was to speak with ponies.
> Now he was watching her with raised ears and an expectant smile. Something was expected of her and Floor took a deep breath. A brilliant idea struck her and she nearly sagged with relief.
"L-L-Let's uh, forget about the-" she swallowed a nervous lump, "the, the last n-night, okay?"
> He smiled a bit more. "Sure!" he said, but then his face fell. "Um, I'm sorry about all that. I was being stupid..."
> Looking at the floor, the colt went on in a very tiny voice. "You're, um, you're cool and I just- I just overreacted."
> Now that he had started, Peppermint looked like he was going to finish no matter what it took. He was completely red in the muzzle and staring fixedly at his hooves.
> Wait, Floor thought, was he just as nervous about this whole thing as she was?! Was that even possible?
> "They keep t-telling us - at the school - you know... About, um..." This prompted a hopeful look that Floor might know what he was getting at, but her blank expression made him sigh. "No means no? You know? Stuff like that?"
> The mare tried to put it together, but came up empty. She shook her head slightly. Seeing him squirm was putting her at her ease, at least a little bit.
> "Um, about s-s-sex!" Peppermint blurted out, though not without difficulty at that particular word. "L-Like, um, how we're not supposed to, you know, if- if the f-filly hasn't got a cutie m-mark."
> Finally a light came on in Floor's head.
"Ooooh," she said, despite the heavy blush. "There's rules for that?!"
> She twisted her neck to look at her barren rump in surprise. That would mean that even if colts *wanted* to do her, which was basically impossible in itself, they *couldn't*.
> It was completely unfair!
"I'm t-twenty-three!"
> Peppermint squirmed under her glare and kept his muzzle pointed firmly down. His ears were flat and he was hunching his shoulders, as if afraid she might hit him.
> When the silence between them dragged on for too long, he coughed and spoke hurriedly: "I know! I know! It's just a stupid rule! I'm sorry! I'm sure it doesn't, um, apply to y-you..."
> That mollified her somewhat. Maybe his reluctance the last night wasn't because he didn't like her, but because he thought he'd be in legal trouble?
> The thought sent a fresh wave of butterflies into her belly. Was it possible that a colt actually l-liked her? Well, he had been drunk, but still!
> Her heart was going crazy as Floor opened her muzzle slowly to ask Peppermint if he really did like her.
> Unfortunately, her hesitation sent the wrong message and the poor colt blurted out: "You're right! Let's d-drop it, okay? I s-said I was sorry!"
> For an agonizing moment she wanted to correct him, but then Floor just heaved a sigh and nodded.
"Yeah. Let's drop it."
> This really helped Peppermint relax and he even managed a tentative smile. "Um, so what were you trying to say earlier?" he prompted.
> He was obviously a lot better at talking to ponies than her, so the mare was perfectly happy to let him take the lead in this conversation. It was just answering questions, really. Nothing to be scared about.
> She was still sweating a little and she felt like the butterflies in her belly might try come out her mouth soon. If it all became too much she'd excuse herself and run to the bathroom. Peppermint would just think she had to pee or something.
> Having an escape route planned did help and Floor managed to unclench her jaw for long enough to answer.
"I wa-wanted to ask if- if you wanna, um, maybe play s-some video games?"
> Peppermint lit up like a Heartswarming tree. "That'd be awesome!" he trilled. "Can you show me Hooves and Crowns?"
> He actually remembered the game she liked?! Because of the booze Floor wasn't sure she had really told him last night, but she'd gone over their conversation many times in her mind's embarrassed eye and was fairly certain they did talk about that.
"Y-Yeah!" she said, cheering up. "Come on!"
> She stood up and led the way to her bedroom. At one point her step faltered when she realized she was taking a colt to her bedroom, but she firmly made herself continue. It was just about video games, the furthest thing from sex possible.
> She opted to just think about Peppermint the same way she thought about Taku. A *friend* coming over to play some games.
> Even that was enough to give her a curious, warm, fuzzy feeling in her chest. Did she really make a friend?
> Or, at least a start of one?

> ~~~~

"No! Stomp! Use 'Stomp'!" Floor was yelling, almost bouncing in her seat.
> The nincompoop, Peppermint, was doing it all wrong! She pointed a hoof at the screen.
"See?! When the Frogling starts casting a spell you use 'Stomp' to stun him!"
> The poor colt was pressing buttons randomly in his panic. "I'm trying!" he moaned. "It's too fast!"
> Floor put her face in her hooves.
"Ugh, these are the easiest enemies in the game. You're just bad at it!"
> Moments later they were greeted by the now all too familiar death screen. The colt sighed and his ears drooped further down. "I'm sorry..." he began, but fell silent when Floor stood up on her chair.
"Move over, I'll show you again!"
> She all but climbed over the hapless colt in her rush to reach the keyboard. He moved away just in time before she simply sat in his lap.
"Now watch closely!" the mare commanded.
> It took her about a minute to reach the nefarious Frogling King where it had taken Peppermint over ten just to navigate the rudimentary maze. The mare smiled derisively. He was a total scrub!
> She was quickly in the final room.
"Are you watching?!"
> He would need to pay close attention to her moves if he wanted any hope to win. Peppermint leaned closer to get a better view. That meant he had to put his hoof on Floor's chair, right between her hind legs.
> She became instantly, painfully aware of how he was gently brushing against the fur on her inner thighs. It drove all thoughts of the game from her mind.
> What did she do in this situation? Was she supposed to ignore it? Or maybe she should squeeze his hoof with her legs and then he'd look at her, and their eyes would meet and then she'd kiss him...
> Hopefully he couldn't see her blush as the mare started coughing. She desperately tried to focus on the game again.
"See? Um- so... Well, when he's, um, casting, you-"
> She pressed the button a fraction of a second too late and the Frogling's attack hit her.
> Peppermint made a choking sound deep in his throat and Floor was almost afraid to look at him. He was trying very hard not to chortle. Normally she'd be furious at him for making fun at her, but right at the moment all she could feel was his leg *right there.* She could feel the heat of it on her teats!
> Her second chance came up and this time the mare was ready. Instinct took over and she managed to interrupt the colorful monster's attack. After that it was trivial - the Frogling was dead in about two more hits.
"See?! Like that!" she rallied.
> Thankfully, the colt withdrew back to his own chair. He was a bit pink in the muzzle as he obviously, and desperately, tried not to laugh. "I see," he squeaked. "What was that first time?"
"I just lost my concentration!"
> "Oh?"
> The question was a bit too innocent and Floor growled under her breath.
"Don't make me buck you across the room again!"
> She quickly though of a plausible lie and grinned victoriously.
"Besides, I only missed that 'cause you stood on my tail!"
> They both looked at her chair, where the dark blue fabric between her legs was entirely devoid of tail.
"Well, um," Floor sputtered, "I m-moved it, obviously. Thanks for ruining my concentration!"
> Peppermint's smile slipped away and he lowered his ears. "Gosh, I'm sorry. I wasn't even aware of doing it. Sorry."
> Mollified, Floor managed a weak smile.
"Good," she mumbled," just as long as you know why I missed."
> To save some face and distract herself from the all too vivid memory of the colt nearly touching her... *bits*, Floor hurriedly pushed some buttons.
"Here, let me show you what a *real* fight looks like!"
> It worked and the colt's eyes went back to the screen. Luckily, this time, he didn't lean as close.
> Floor couldn't decide if she was glad of that or disappointed.
> The first part of the new level was so deeply ingrained that she could let her hooves play without much conscious thought. It gave her time to think.
> Did she want anything with this pony? She had wanted him bad last night, but she'd been quite drunk at the time. Now that she was sober...
> Floor sneaked a glance at Peppermint, who was sitting at attention and watching the game with rapt curiosity. He was a complete noob, but he was interested in gaming. More than that, he seemed to like her, despite all the awkwardness and, yes, despite the blank flank.
> Then again, he'd gotten laid plenty before and was obviously no stranger with mares. He seemed like he had many friends and an active social life. Would he get bored if Floor just wanted to stay inside and play games every time?
> Unlike herself, he was also quite good looking, his purple coat a bit glossy and well groomed. Floor surreptitiously looked lower and barely contained a gasp. It looked like Peppermint even got regular hooficures!
> Further up, his mane was nicely styled, not just haphazardly brushed and left to do what it wanted like Floor's.
> Perhaps the most important thing was that the colt was attending college - Floor glanced again at his astronomy cutie mark - and he had plans for his life. Whereas the mare was just a loser with no future and no hope.
> At best she could look forward to a quick lay and then Peppermint would probably ignore her.
> Then again, it would be more than she had now. Maybe it would be enough? At least then she could tell the world - and herself - that she wasn't a virgin.
> The poor mare was so undecided that she almost died to the simplest minion. She noticed how Peppermint's lips quirked, but he looked at her expression and wisely forbore from making a comment.
"My hoof slipped," Floor said in tones of low menace.
> "Oh. Yeah, sure! I saw that. Um, it happens to everypony!" the colt hurriedly confirmed her lie.
> He didn't seem like a bad sort, though.
> Floor gave up on the whole mess and put it out of her mind. They were playing games, later on they'll have some lunch and then she'll show him where the train station is. That would be it.
> A *pleasant* experience - Floor made herself think that word - and then she'd go on with her life. She could still get some good hoofwork done later in the evening. She would be alone until the next day at least, Fluttershy had said.
> The mare brightened up. She'd get to play with herself and her toys after a week of nothing, which was bound to feel *absolutely amazing*. In fact, she nearly started winking and gushing just thinking about it.
> A safer topic...
> She'd be able to make herself Ramen with plenty of ground cheese. How kind of Princess Twilight to stock her fridge. Mostly it was veggies and fruit, but there were occasional goodies in there, too.
> After that, maybe a movie or a few of her cartoons. She'd try to stay up as late as possible. If she was still sleeping by the time Fluttershy and Twilight came back they probably wouldn't bother her.
> All in all, the day was turning out quite nice, indeed!
> Maybe her sudden good mood was what made her put her hoof on Peppermint's side to get his attention.
"Okay, now watch this bit! I can do it with one hoof!"
> She didn't notice that the colt leaned into her touch as he shifted to get a better view.
"Watching?"
> "Yes!" Peppermint confirmed. He was staring at the screen with something approaching amazement. "Oh wow! I didn't know you could do that!"
> The mare realized she was touching him and hurriedly pulled her hoof away. She pretended to scratch her nose to cover up her moment of embarrassment.
"Oh yeah, there's tons of tricks like that in this game. You should come over sometimes and I'll show you!"
> She almost squeaked when she realized what she'd said. Her suddenly nerveless hoof fumbled on the keys and her character fell into a pit. Strangely enough, the colt didn't seem amused by that.
> Instead, he turned his face to Floors with his mouth open in a little 'o' of surprise. It vanished almost before she could see it and he smiled. "A-Actually, um..."
> Her ears flopped. He was going to politely decline. The only reason he was humoring her was because he had nothing better to do. He'd been out for a quick, one night rut yesterday and now he was waiting to go home.
> "-I'd like that," Peppermint finished and one of Floor's ears shot back up incredulously. "I dunno how often I can, with my classes and the part time job, but- yeah. Maybe?"
> Was he even for real? He didn't get laid last night, she'd bucked him right in the face and he was still nice to her? Wanted to meet again for video games even if he didn't have to?!
> Floor swallowed the butterflies which were trying to pour out of her mouth and tried another little test:
"Um, m-maybe- I mean, when I'm not, uh, b-busy," the mare began lamely, "I could maybe visit sometimes, too?"
> Peppermint's smile seemed to brighten the room. "Yeah, I'd like that! Maybe I can bring you to the observatory and show you what *I'm* good at for a change, eh?"
> He chuckled at the feeble joke and Floor joined in out of sheer nerves.
> Going to the observatory and looking at stars? That was a no-nonsense, one hundred percent a romantic date in her book!
> She was starting to feel faint and her vision began to swam, probably because her heartbeat was somewhere in the high triple digits and she was panting.
> "Are you okay?"
> The mare grasped for the first excuse that came to mind.
"Need to pee!" she squeaked and slid from the chair.
> Her legs refused to hold her and she bonked her muzzle on the floor, but then she picked herself up and ran for it.
> "Uh, Floor Bored?" Peppermint asked when she was almost out the door. The question stopped her dead in her tracks and the mare looked back with trepidation.
"Y-Y-Yes?"
> "I'll start making lunch if that's okay. What are we having?"
> For a moment she couldn't understand his sentence and had to run it through her mind several times. He was offering to cook, too?
> The smile came up without her conscious control.
"R-Ramen!" she yelped. "Gotta go!"
> She thought she saw the colt grin in anticipation at the meal, but Floor couldn't be sure because of how quickly she had left. She felt like she was running on clouds. He was nice, he was interested in her - not just for sex, but *her* - and he wanted to meet again. *And* he wanted to cook for her.
> Was this really happening? Floor paused and gave her foreleg a quick bite.
"Ow!"
> It wasn't a dream!
> Maybe it was a chance? Could this be her lucky break, like Taku had?
> Was she in love?!

> ~~~~

> Now that they were no longer playing games the awkward came back in force. Floor Bored and Peppermint sat across the table from each other, occasionally glancing at one another but mostly keeping their eyes fixed on their plates.
> The food wasn't bad, Floor had to admit. There was a subtle skill in making good Ramen that most ponies didn't grasp. It was obvious that the college-colt had had experience.
> Even the cheese, which wasn't a cheap, pre-ground powder she normally bought, wasn't bad. There was some extra work grinding it, but Floor decided it was worth the effort. Fresh Parmesan had a certain charm, especially when paired with Ramen like that.
"Mm, 's good," she said for the third time.
> Peppermint gave her another nervous smile. "Um, t-thanks. It's just Ramen. It isn't exactly hard to make..."
> He was modest, too. Floor Bored decided she liked modesty in a colt.
"It's hard to make *right*," she countered, rather proud of having come up with the phrase.
> "Thanks."
> Back to silence they went, glancing cross the table every now and then whey they didn't suspect the other one was watching.
> At length Peppermint cleared his throat. "Ahem. Um, Floor?" he called to get her attention. She looked up, flattened her ears in the face of his scrutiny, then returned her gaze to her food.
"Y-Yes?" she managed.
> The colt sounded uncertain, but now it would look silly not to ask his question. "D'you- do you have any brothers or sisters?"
> She looked back up in surprise.
"Why?" she asked suspiciously.
> Peppermint blushed and quickly lowered his gaze. "Just curious!" he whimpered. "Wanna know more ab-about, um... you," he muttered by way of explanation.
> Nopony had ever wanted to know about Floor Bored and she didn't have a faintest idea how to respond. Finally it occurred to her to just answer the question.
"No. Just me and Mom and Dad."
> "Cool, cool," the colt replied, grateful to have gotten over it.
> On second thought, Floor started to doubt that there could be anything between them. They had very little to talk about, everything was awkward and embarrassing and she kept looking for hidden meaning in anything the colt said.
> Maybe a one night rut would have been the best thing.
> A treacherous thought supplied that there was still time. They were alone and it was a few hours yet before the train left.
> She looked up to propose it, but the words died in her mouth. How did you even say it?!
> 'Hey, wanna go for a quick buck?' - no.
> 'Listen, I'm kinda bored, wanna hit this?' - nah.
> 'So, the train doesn't leave for a couple of hours, maybe we could pass the time...' - probably not.
> 'I want that dick inside me, now!' - sweet Celestia, no!
> The mare became aware she was blushing again, so she lowered her muzzle practically into her plate and ate as quickly as she could. Maybe they could go back to playing games until it was time to go. She had very nearly relaxed around Peppermint while they were doing that.
> Perhaps she could build on it. A friendship could be based just on one activity, right?
"Wannagoplay-" she began.
> "How about we take a walk-" Peppermint said, interrupting her.
> That was a much better idea and Floor immediately latched onto it.
"Yes! Let's go for a walk!"
> She jumped from her chair, picked up her half-eaten plate of Ramen and dropped it on the counter.
"I'll finish it l-later!" she offered by way of explanation.
> Peppermint didn't comment. His dish was empty so he put it in the sink and poured some water over it so it'd be easier to wash later.
> Meanwhile the mare was starting to realize that she'd have to go out in public again, but maybe that was less embarrassing than sitting around the apartment and looking at Peppermint and trying to keep her thoughts away from his... 'between-legs'.
> She ran back to her room, rummaged in the closet and pulled on her black hoodie. It made her feel a lot safer immediately and she dared Peppermint to comment upon it by means of a glare.
> The colt wisely decided to remain silent.
"OK, let's go," Floor said, reaching for the door handle to go out of her apartment and pausing. "Where are we going?"
> Peppermint leaned his head to one side as he thought about it. It was a cute gesture and Floor smiled, safe in the knowledge that he couldn't see inside her hood.
> "Dunno? Is there a park? Or maybe we could get some ice cream somewhere?" Peppermint asked hopefully.
> That sounded like a good idea actually and Floor nodded.
"You're paying?" she tried.
> He took it as a command and just smiled back. "Deal. Let me just get my bag..."
> It was there on the couch and Peppermint didn't need more than a few seconds to slip it on his back.
> Floor Bored let him go out first and locked the door behind them. No neighbor was likely to try going into her apartment, the mare knew, but it was best to be certain.
"I didn't know you had a bag with you," she commented as she joined him on the stairs.
> "I gotta keep my money and ID somewhere..."
"I guess."
> The weird thing was that Floor didn't remember Peppermint having a bag on the way over. She had probably missed it when she was drunk out of her skull.
> As they emerged on the street Floor paused for a moment and looked around. She'd never admit it, not in a million years, but she didn't know where the train station was.
> She'd never needed it! It was bound to be somewhere in the crowded town center, though, right? There had to be signs and stuff!
"Um, t-this way," she said in a steadier voice than she had expected.
> Peppermint fell in step beside her, looking around with curiosity. "It's a nice, um, town. I kinda like it."
> She also took a glance around, but saw nothing out of the ordinary.
"I guess?" she quavered.
> "It's not as- um, as crowded as Baltimare," the colt elaborated. "I kinda like not being jostled with each step."
> That was her favourite thing, too! Floor found a tiny smile on her muzzle. Maybe they didn't need to have exactly the same interests to work as a couple.
> The word 'couple' made her blush and the mare silently thanked her hoodie again. It made it so much easier to talk to ponies!
"It's a-around there-" she pointed out, "the ice c-cream, I mean."
> She saw the cheerful little shop every time on her way from the grocery store she frequented, but had only plucked up the courage to go in and order something once or twice.
> Her usual shopping was done in silence, with only an occasional, squeaked 'thank you' to the cashier as she grabbed her change and ran for it.
> Her step faltered when Floor realized she was having an actual conversation with another pony. It hardly even occurred to her - all she could focus on was the embarrassment and the awkward silences, but she'd been talking with Peppermint for a large part of the day.
> Well, for a given value of 'talking'. Interacting was a better word.
> Maybe she could handle doing something like this for a few hours every now and then - especially if video games were involved.
> Was that what it meant to have a friend? That was essentially what she and Taku had.
> "Okay, so what would you like?" Peppermint asked, intruding on her thoughts.
> Floor shook her head and looked up at the sign next to the door. She picked out the most colorful item and pointed.
"Um, that?"
> "Triple-fruit swirl with extra sprinkles," Peppermint read. "I think I'll have that too. Take a seat, I'll be right out!"
> Was it just her, or did the colt seem more at ease lately? What if he was completely opposite than her?! Uneasy and awkward when they were alone, but friendly and outgoing in the public.
> Didn't somepony once tell her that opposites attract?
> Floor looked around for a good place to sit. The shop had a few tables for its patrons, but most of them were empty. The mare picked one right against the wall and sat where she could see everypony and no one could sneak up on her from behind.
> About two minutes later Peppermint came back with a tray in his mouth which he carefully lowered on the table.
> It had two cups, although 'cups' wasn't the right word. They were made from the same waffle material as the ice cream cones. Floor watched them curiously.
> Peppermint grabbed his then slid the tray to her.
> It smelled like sugary water with an aroma of lemon and strawberry and peach. She hardly ever had ice cream, but Floor did like it. It was just ordering it that usually unnerved her.
> Having a colt get it for her was a nice bonus, actually.
> She bit into the frozen goop. Of course it was full of sugar, but that was delightful.
> The mare looked up when she heard crunching. Surely Peppermint hadn't eaten it yet?!
> No, the little blasphemer was nibbling on his 'cup' even before it was empty. He was going to crack it and spill his ice cream!
"No!" Floor warned him, then quickly swallowed her mouthful. "Don't do it like that!"
> Peppermint froze with his tongue hanging out. A few bits of of the wafer still stuck there. "Mmh?" he made an inquisitive noise.
"You're supposed to eat the ice cream first and *then* the cone!"
> The colt looked down at his cup with bite marks around the edge. He pulled his tongue back and crunched up the morsel before replying. "Oh? Why is that? I like to mix them a little..."
> Floor shook her head in dismay.
"That's just... weird."
> Her statement made the other pony giggle for some reason. When Floor looked up, he lowered her muzzle, his eyes fixed on hers, and took another bite.
> As she had predicted, the structure of the cup couldn't handle that and split. Melted ice cream began its gushing escape.
> "Uh oh!" Peppermint said and quickly started licking the leak. Before long he was forced to gulp down all his ice cream in one or two bites, with predictable results.
> He put his hooves on his head and moaned. "Ow! Brain freeze!"
> Floor watched in silent commiseration until the attack passed. Then Peppermint examined the damage and found that, despite his efforts, some ice cream had leaked on the table. More importantly, he was now completely out.
> "Aw, man!" he whined.
> His downcast, droopy-eared, miserable expression was too much and Floor Bored burst out laughing. Her hoof slammed on the table a couple of times and tears leaked from her eyes.
> She couldn't tell why it was so funny, but it felt nice to be proven right.
"See? Told you!"
> The colt just heaved a sigh, but he was smiling at her antics. "Yeah. I guess this cup thing is different from the cones we have in Baltimare..."
> On a spur of the moment Floor pushed her own ice cream forward a little.
"You can have some of mine," she said magnanimously.
> Peppermint's face lit up and he didn't waste time before digging in with his spoon.
"Hey, I said 'some'!" Floor complained.
> He grinned back. "Sorry. It's just so good!"
> She was forced to agree there, but she still scooped up a spoonfull and put it in her mouth, before waving again.
"O'ay, juff a 'eetle 'ore!" she offered.
> Amazingly Peppermint understood her full-mouth speech and helped himself to a few more spoonfulls.
> Between the two of them, they emptied the cup in a few quick minutes, then sat back and sighed because it was gone.
> When Floor picked up the cup and started crunching it between her teeth Peppermint realized he still had his. "That's right!" he said and bonked his head lightly with a hoof. In moments he was chewing too.
> As soon as she was done, Floor looked around to see if there was any more, then she sat back. The ice cream had been delicious, just like she remembered it from those rare few times she'd mustered up the courage to come get it.
> It was even better fresh - by the time she usually brought it home it had already melted.
> "You always wear that hoodie when you go out?" Peppermint asked.
> It reminded Floor about her shame and nerves and the beautiful moment came crashing down. She looked at the ground again.
"Y-Yes," she quavered.
> "It looks good on you."
> That was probably a lie, but when the mare looked up all she could see was a faint, honest-looking smile.
"T-Thanks..."
> Peppermint looked around for a clock, but there was none. He heaved a sign and stood up. "I guess we should keep going? I still have to buy tickets."
> Floor nodded with relief. Walking side by side meant she didn't have to let him look at her face that much. It was an improvement because she didn't have to keep such a tight control over her expression.
"It's this way," she said uncertainly and set off.
> A few moments later she heard Peppermint's hooves walking beside her.

> ~~~~

> The two ponies sat side by side on a bench at the train station. The place was mostly empty, but there were a few travellers hanging around, waiting. Floor was glad to note that they kept their distance.
> She didn't know what to talk about, now that she and Peppermint were about to say goodbye. A part of her - rather a large part - was relieved that it would soon be over.
> Then again, he was a nice colt and he did like video games and, most importantly, he seemed to like *her*.
> That was some masturbation-fuel right there!
> Again, the mare was glad she had that hoodie, or her blush would be open for all the world to see.
> She was really torn about this colt. Her imagination had started working as they sat side by side, flanks nearly touching, and the mare was imagining what might have been if Peppermint came back home with her.
> They could maybe get some drinks to loosen up and try... again. This time he knew who she was and how old, so he wouldn't say a stupid thing like last night.
> Would that ruin whatever budding friendship they were building? Could she even be somepony's friend and lover at the same time?
> The message boards seemed to agree that this was impossible. Except for mares. Of course two mares could be friends and lovers, just not a mare and a stallion.
> "So, I guess that's the train?" Peppermint said.
> Floor suddenly became aware of a low rumbling noise which had been growing louder. She looked along the tracks and saw a faint light in the distance.
"I guess."
> Peppermint slid from the bench and stood in front of the mare. The fact that his head was at the perfect height for a quick kiss didn't escape Floor. She wondered if she should do it.
> It would probably turn out weird. Yes, the colt liked her, but as a friend! He pretty much said so, didn't he?
> Then why was he standing still with that faint, bemused smile and looking hopeful.
> There went her pulse again. Floor hoped he couldn't hear the rattle of her heartbeat. Unfortunately she couldn't do much about the blush.
> "You're a cool filly, Floor," Peppermint suddenly broke the silence. "I'll add you on PonyNet and we can maybe play together sometimes?"
> That would be a very good way to stay in touch. Floor found it much easier to talk to ponies online, through chat. She nodded happily.
"Yes please! Um, do you know the name?"
> "I looked at it when you were showing me Hooves and Crowns," Peppermint admitted and his ears splayed a bit. "I wouldn't have used it unless you said it was okay, though."
"You can u-use it!"
> "Cool! Maybe we can, um, meet sometime then?"
> Again her head bobbed up and down excitedly.
"I'll try!"
> Floor wondered if Fluttershy could get Twilight to loan her the carriage. If not, then she'd just have to save her bits until she had enough for a return train ticket. The prices she'd read off the list at the ticket office weren't *too* horrible.
> This reminded her: Peppermint was probably from a rich family. He didn't even flinch at the cost, nor did he complain about buying them both ice cream. If she waved her tail just right, she might net herself a rich colt, as well as handsome.
> Again the color crept up her muzzle and Floor shook her head to dislodge the improper thoughts.
> "Well... I guess this is goodbye for now?" Peppermint said, hesitating a little as the train stopped behind him and the door opened.
> He only had a few seconds to get on there, and he was risking it just to take a last look at her. It was *so* romantic!
> Before Floor could tell him to go, the colt dashed forward, reared up on the bench and gave her muzzle a quick peck.
> It made her squeak in alarm, but Peppermint leaned closer yet to whisper in her ear. "I really like you! I never met a mare like you!"
> Then, in a flurry of hooves he was gone. Floor just stood and gaped in shock, trying to piece together what had just happened.
> So had it actually *been* a date?! Nopony told her! She wished ponies told her these things!
> Peppermint could have said! She looked at the windows to give him a glare, but when she saw him waving, her muzzle split into a smile despite her efforts.
> A date! A *date* date!
> It hadn't even been that hard! Only a tiny bit awkward, but she could do that again!
> She had to start saving bits for that train ticket! Luckily Twilight had filled her fridge, so the next unemployment check could give her a trip to have another...
> The mare shuddered at the very thought - *date* with Peppermint.
> Floor slid down from the bench onto her unsteady hooves and looked at the retreating train in the distance. For the first time since she could remember, she was happy and outside. Those two were usually mutually exclusive.
> She let out a pleased little snort and set off to go home.
> There was still that big, nice, empty apartment and her toys in the closet. She'd think of Peppermint when she used them!
> It was going to be an amazing evening!

> ~~~~

> Floor Bored slammed the door shut as she ran into her apartment. She paused for just a moment so she could catch her breath, then she went and collapsed in the couch.
> Had it really happened?!
> A colt had kissed her goodbye. *Her*! Floor Bored! *Kissed*! A colt!
> Her thoughts ran in circles. What happened next? Peppermint had said he'd add her on PonyNet and then they'd chat. She was at the same time anxious for that and afraid of it.
> What did you even say in a situation like this?!
> One thing was certain: Floor was far too pent up and jittery to think straight. As soon as she had her breath back, the mare slid from the couch and yanked her hoodie off.
> She left it right there on the floor and made a beeline for her room. The toys were in the closet and all she had to do was think about that kiss...
> Well, more a brush of their muzzles, but she totally counted it as a kiss! A colt had kissed her and it was totally consensual and everything!
> It was enough to get her all tingly down there! The pony smacked her muzzle against her computer chair in her hurry, but she didn't even feel the pain.
> A moment later she had her favourite toy in hoof and jumped on the bed with it. This time she wouldn't even need any lubricant! Her body was making plenty of it already.
> She lined up the rubber horse cock, gripped it expertly with her hind legs, then pushed.
"Oooooh, b-b-buck yeah!"
> It was enough just to lie there, impaled, for a minute or two. She winked around the toy, each twitch sending a fresh wave of pleasure up her body.
> Maybe it was the abstinence, or maybe it was the lingering scent of a colt in her room, but she didn't even have to move. The pressure built up, the mare panted, and she came.
> The dildo slipped from her nerveless hooves and fell to the bed, but she was clenching it tightly with her insides as she writhed, so it remained firmly inside of her.
> Its solid length almost felt alive, pressing back against her involuntary contractions. The orgasm went on and on.
> When it finally ended, Floor was left panting and sweaty, but not yet satisfied.
"M-More!" she gasped.
> It was an effort to grip the horse cock with her hind hooves again, but she'd had a lot of practice over the years. Floor pulled it almost out, then rammed it back in.
"Ngh!"
> The sensation was indescribable. If this was what it felt like after a week of not doing it, maybe it was worth it. Floor groped with her forehooves and tried to push the thing deeper.
> Her passage finally relaxed a bit and the dammed-up liquids spurted out. Floor was beyond caring. She could do the laundry later to hide the evidence.
> More of her fluids leaked as she pulled the cock out once more, but she didn't even notice how they were soaking into her tail. All her concentration was on the thing inside her.
> Again she shoved it roughly against her, producing another moan and a squeak of surprise.
> It wouldn't take a whole lot more to-
> With urgent, irresistible need, Floor yanked the dildo almost all the way out, then jammed it back in. This time she didn't pause before doing it again, and again.
"Yes, yes, mmph-"
> She couldn't stay quiet, but she firmly bit her tongue to keep from screaming out loud.
> As soon as the pony got into the rhythm of her thrusting, she closed her eyes and brought up a memory of Peppermint.
> For some reason it was one from their ice cream shop when, in his haste, the colt had smeared some of the frozen goop on his muzzle. He went to lick it off and Floor couldn't help seeing how long and nimble his tongue was.
> She imagined it playing across her *bits*, even while she kept shoving the rubber toy in there as quickly as she was able.
"Y-Yeah," she gasped, "buuuck!"
> Her thoughts flickered back to the previous evening. Even in her drunken haze, Floor clearly remembered Peppermint's... 'length' dangling down. He had been standing just above her.
> It wasn't a big jump to imagine that scene a few seconds later, when the stallion was on her and pushing, *thrusting*.
> The mare tried to say 'yes', but it came out with some pooled spittle as a garbled mess of a word. She was beyond caring and just slammed her dildo inside one last time, pushing her over the edge.
> Her back arched, her hooves slipped from the toy, twitching uncontrollably, and her winking made audible slaps and spurts. Floor didn't even breathe while the ecstasy lasted.
> It seemed to go on forever and ever.
> At long last she slumped and drew an urgent breath. She felt something was required of her.
"Mmmbphf!"
> It sounded about right and Floor nodded to herself with a tiny smile. Abstinence was *amazing*!
> She'd have to move soon and get started on cleaning the sheets. Despite her best efforts, thoughts of Fluttershy and Twilight sparkle forced their way into her mind and the mare grimaced.
> Not even in the throes of passion was she safe from those two busymares.
> The pony heaved a long-suffering sigh and went to pull her toy out of her self. She gripped it, but then froze.
> Removing it would release all the dammed-up fluids.
> Heh, dam-fluids, Floor thought with a slight chuckle.
> Maybe she should leave it in and just, kinda, shuffle into the shower. That'd be a lot easier to clean than her bed and the carpets.
> The mare cast a speculative eye over her pillow. An idea occurred.
> She quickly stripped the pillowcase from it, then wrapped the cloth as best she could around her most problematic areas. That allowed her to slide off the bed and catch any stray drops which made it past the horse cock.
> It'd do. A quick glance showed Floor, to her relief, that the bed wasn't too bad. Her tail had soaked up most of the 'overflow' and it didn't look as if anything had seeped into the mattress.
> Smiling a little to herself, Floor began her careful, shuffling walk. Immediately she felt the tingle again.
> There was something incredibly arousing about walking around with a dildo still shoved up her.
"S-Shower," she breathed out, "in the tub!"
> Floor could make any mess she wanted there without worry. It'd just wash off.
> Yeah, the night was far from over! Time to take her party to the shower!

> ~~~~

> Floor Bored was just toweling herself off, trying to ignore the ache in most of her muscles, when she heard a faint ding. It was a sound she knew, but definitely not a familiar one.
> A message on her computer!
> The thought of what it might be sent her heart into instant overdrive and made her hooves shake as she simply dropped the towel and ran.
"Please, please, please!"
> Even Floor herself didn't know what she was pleading for, or why, or with whom. All she knew was that there was fresh adrenaline coursing through her veins.
> She made it to her room with only a slight bump on her muzzle when she misjudged her speed around the corner and threw herself on the computer chair.
> The screen took bucking *ages* to come on.
> There it was. For a few seconds, the mare could only stare at the chat window, almost unwilling to believe that it was really happening.
> It was from 'pepperpone' and contained a simple message: 'Hi, Floor!'
> What did you even reply to that? The mare started typing something and erased it a couple of times, until she settled on: 'hi'.
"Ugh, why is this so hard?!" she grumbled.
> Talking over text was supposed to be easier than in person! Why were her hooves shaking so badly she had trouble pressing the keys?!
> She waited for the reply, which took another forever.
> "Just came back to the dorm. I had fun today!"
> Floor Bored didn't have the faintest idea of what to say to that, but it felt like something was expected of her. She tried sounding it out loud in the hopes it would help with inspiration.
"Yeah, me too!"
> "We should do it again sometime!" Peppermint wrote back, followed by a winky-face.
> They had agreed to much the same, but seeing it written plainly like that still made Floor's heart skip a bit.
"Yes!"
> She had to put her hooves down and grip the edges of her chair to keep them from trembling too much and pushing accidental buttons.
> The next message from the colt was coming in: "Um, I wanted to say sorry again for last night. I shouldn't of freaked out."
> She wasn't even mad about that anymore. Peppermint had explained his mistake and it made sense. Not to mention that he bought her ice cream and took her out on a date.
> True, it would have been *nice* if Floor *knew* she was being taken out on a date, but it still counted!
> She'd fight anypony who said otherwise!
"It's fine!"
> By this point the mare wasn't even aware that she was saying it out loud as she was typing.
> "So..."
> He had run out of things to say! It was her turn to do something and Floor froze up in terror. She had a minute at most before Peppermint realized she was actually very boring and uninteresting and then he'd break it off!
> A small whimper escaped her and the mare blurted out the first thing she could think of.
"WANNA PLAY SOME GAMES?!"
> She had accidentally hit the Caps Lock key, but it was too late now to take it away.
"Sorry, caps!"
> Nothing happened for a while and Floor's ears folded down.
> At long last the reply came and the pony took her hoof out of her mouth. She didn't look if there were bite marks, but it felt like there might be.
> Even as she was bracing herself for a polite refusal, the message came in: "Sure, gimme twenty to get dinner and then I'm in!"
> Floor blinked at the screen, uncomprehending. She had to read the message four times to convince herself Peppermint wasn't declining. Then she squealed with joy.
"Yes yes yes yesyesyes!"
> She jumped from the chair and pranced a short, improvised jig in her room. A ding woke her up from her reverie and she scrambled to get back on the computer.
> It said: "Tell me which game to install so it downloads while I'm eating."
> Another tough question, but the colt had been interested in her game, even if it was a little beyond his skill level. No matter, with her helping him they should be fine.
"Hooves and Crowns!"
> The mare realized it might have been more polite to let him choose and she started typing that out, but Peppermint just replied: "'kay! Back in twenty!"
> Did this count as a virtual date?!
> Was it even possible? Second date already?
> Floor leaned back in her chair and forced herself to breathe more slowly and deeply. She was close to passing out if she didn't do anything to stop her panting.
> It worked, after a fashion, and the mare settled down to wait yet another forever until Peppermint was back at his computer. She knew off-hoof that she wouldn't be able to do anything else, so she just sat back and stared, unblinking, at the chat window.
> Her night was shaping up well. If no major blunders happened and Peppermint wasn't bored of her in a few hours, it would legitimately be perhaps the best day of her life.
> An ice cream date with a cute colt, which ended in a kiss. Followed by a thoroughly enjoyable, abstinence-fueled *rutting* session. The fact that it was just a toy and not a real stallion barely registered. Floor counted it anyway.
> Then her currently favourite game with the same colt, in what could loosely be called a virtual date and, to top it off, no nosy Twilight Sparkle or Fluttershy to boss her around and poke their snouts where they didn't belong.
> Well, Fluttershy was kinda okay, Floor admitted to herself. In fact, she rather liked that mare.
> It was hard not to, actually. The pegasus was just so damn *bucking* likeable.
> Best of all, now that she had Peppermint, Floor Bored was no longer pining after the pegasus she couldn't have. Everything was going *perfectly*, for once in her life.
> That made her worry a bit that something really bad was about to happen, but the mare pushed that tiny, cynical voice down and simply let herself smile at the screen.
> He should be back soon, right? After all, it's already been... Floor groaned quietly. Almost a full minute.
> She sagged back in her chair and settled in for the long wait.

> ~~~~

> "And then! And then Geezer tried to drink it, but he didn't realize the bottle had been sitting there for a week!"
> Floor Bored chortled with laughter, the game momentarily forgotten. Peppermint was just explaining yet another funny anecdote from his dorm room, which he shared with two other colts.
> His stories were incredibly funny and at the same time a huge relief for the mare. All she had to do was listen and Peppermint did most of the talking.
> Chatting to colts was *easy*! She had been a little unsure about going over to voice, because typing gave her an excuse to think about what she was saying, but now she was glad they'd done it.
> Peppermint was just... fun!
"Why didn't anypony toss it out?"
> "Dunno, I guess we just kinda forgot," he explained, barely holding back laughter. "It wasn't even any good to begin with, Sunny took one swig and then just left it there."
> They both laughed some more, then Floor realized something and just asked, hardly even thinking about it:
"Why do you call them 'Geezer' and 'Sunny'?"
> There was a moment of silence and the mare cringed, fearing she'd done something wrong. She was about to apologize when Peppermint answered: "Oh, it's just nicknames, you know?"
"Nicknames? Like on PonyNet?"
> "No," the colt explained, "I mean: Geezer's real name is 'Stargazer', but we all just call him 'Geezer'."
> That probably made some kind of sense to the colts, but Floor wasn't about to try and grasp the logic behind it. She didn't mind.
> In fact, it felt almost as if those two were her friends, too, despite never having met them. Hearing about their antics and misadventures just felt *so* inclusive the way Peppermint spoke.
> The colt wasn't done yet and the Floor wrenched her focus back. "Then there's Sunny. His actual name is 'Crescent Sun', but... you know."
"That's an, um, unusual name."
> "Oh yeah! I forgot you don't know the story. His parents met during a solar eclipse! They were both watching it, you know, with smoked glass and so on. It was love at first sight and when she got pregnant, his Mom suggested the name and there you have it. Crescent Sun."
"Huh, sounds... cute," Floor commented.
> It was too mushy by half, but a part of her did find the story a little bit romantic. The story made another question pop up.
"So, what do they call you?"
> There was silence for a while. Then: "Nah, it's silly. Just coltish nicknames, y'know? Let's get back in the game."
> Despite herself, Floor bounced a little in her seat, a slow smile playing across her muzzle.
"Tell me! Come on, tell me!"
> The colt on the other end of the line heaved a sigh, then murmured almost too quietly for her to hear: "Sneezy. You know, because 'pepper'. I don't know how that even makes sense."
> Floor couldn't help giggling. It did make a kind of weird, illogical kind of sense, but what was really funny was the way she imagined Peppermint squirming.
> It felt really good to know that other ponies got embarrassed too!
"Sorry. It's funny."
> "Yeah," Peppermint said. "Come on, thirty minutes more and then I have to sleep. I got classes tomorrow."
> The mare looked at the clock and nodded to herself. It was already past bedtime for normal ponies - the ones who had jobs or school or a social life.
> Funny how the time had just flown past.
"Okay. Wanna try the dungeon again?"
> Her new friend gave it some thought. "Actually, can we visit the ruins again? Those were nice and easy."
> That zone was for foals, but to her mild surprise Floor didn't mind too much. Celestia knew the colt needed more practice. He was just *so* clumsy with the controls!
"Okay, fine, but we're doing something harder tomorrow!"
> Too late she realized how that might sound. Unfortunately, Peppermint seized on the opportunity. "So, like, um, a virtual date?"
> Immediately she was blushing and looking away from the screen, even though they weren't using cameras to chat. All she could make was a vague, affirmative-sounding noise.
> This time *he* had said it. That made it double-official!
> Floor still didn't know how it had happened, but they were apparently dating. What she really wanted to ask was if Peppermint often went to bars to pick up drunk mares and how she would know she was different.
> Maybe he did this with all of them - a bit of flirting, a couple of dates, probably ending in bed, then moving on to the next one when he got bored.
> Was she, Floor wanted to know, just a temporary fling, or would this thing between them last any real time?
> The biggest problem was that she didn't even know herself what she wanted. On the one hoof, she'd dreamed of some hot, steamy, rutting for as long as she could remember, but on the other hoof, just spending time with Peppermint was fun.
> She wouldn't mind having an actual, honest-to-Luna friend!
> It all flashed through her mind and Floor tried to come up with a way to ask the colt, but her mouth wouldn't work. She needed to think it over some more, maybe slowly work up to the question.
> With luck, Peppermint would spill it, or at least hint at the answer by himself and she wouldn't even have to say anything.
> Floor became painfully aware that the voice line had gone completely silent again. Her breathing quickened and her ears folded down. If she didn't say anything real soon, Peppermint would think she was weird.
> The problem was that her mind was completely blank about conversation topics. She was liable to blurt out something embarrassing or personal or weird.
> In fact, she barely suppressed a whimper. It had been a nice evening and she was going to ruin it in the next five minutes. Maybe she should escape and try again tomorrow?
> That would give her some time to think about what to say.
"A-Actually, um..."
> "Hmm?"
"It's getting k-kinda late!"
> It took incredible effort to keep her voice level and at least somewhat steady, but Floor managed it, mostly through luck.
> "Yeah," Peppermint said slowly. "I guess you're right. Let's try this again tomorrow."
"Y-Yeah! Um, bye!" the mare squeaked.
> Her hoof hovered over the button to end the voice chat. As soon as Peppermint said 'bye' she'd press it and then she could let herself breathe. Hopefully he'd do it soon, or her lungs would burst.
> "Um, thanks, Floor. This was fun. Good night!"
> She didn't risk replying and just ended the call. Then she tapped out, with shaking hooves: "Night!"
> Relief flooded through her. It had been a close thing, but she had managed to act normal, or at least as normal as she was likely to get.
> It was pure luck she hadn't realized it sooner or - Floor shuddered at the thought - while Peppermint was with her in person. He'd be bound to pick up on it!
> Her ears and her head slumped and the mare just crawled to bed, not even interested enough to keep playing her game alone. Maybe a couple of one-night-stands would be the best way to go. Celestia knew she'd buck up anything more serious sooner or later.
> Get a few good ruttings out of Peppermint and then - at least she wouldn't be a virgin loser anymore, just a regular one.
> The pony pulled her blanket over her head, ignoring the fact that the light was still on, and buried her muzzle in the pillow. That was right, there wasn't a pillowcase, but Floor was beyond caring.
> At least she wouldn't be a virgin loser anymore, she repeated in her mind, trying to convince herself it would be better.
> Maybe even that was hoping for too much. She'd already bucked up one chance to get a rut, and they were both drunk! Who was to say she wouldn't just freak out, or do something even stupider if they ever went for round two?
> It was easy with the toy. The rubber horse cock didn't look at her, nor did it judge. She didn't have to think about what it was thinking.
> Maybe if she got drunk again the next time she saw Peppermint. She should at least get one good rutting, right?
> Didn't everypony deserve at least one good rutting in their lives?!

> ~~~~

> Floor Bored woke up when somepony was gently shaking her. She blinked her eyes, but the blanket over her head impeded all vision.
"Wha'?" she managed.
> She remembered her own thoughts from the previous day and barely stifled a sob. It was all going wrong even before it had begun!
> "Sorry, I just wanted to know if you'd like some breakfast," came the voice. It wasn't difficult to recognize.
> Fluttershy. It looked as if her persistent 'guests' were back. Well, one of them, at least.
"Wha' time izzit?" Floor asked, mainly for something to say.
> "Almost noon."
> Yeah, that sounded about right. Her mouth felt like it was full of mud and her bones ached where she'd been lying on them. Floor put her hooves on the mattress and lifted herself up without particular ceremony. The blanket slid off.
> For some reason the pegasus was blushing, something which was clearly visible on her yellow coat. "Um," Fluttershy said, "there's a- well... Uh, in the bath tub?"
> Floor suddenly remembered her little 'fun' during shower. She'd just left it in the bathroom when she heard her computer ding its sound for a new message!
"Eep!"
> She grabbed for a blanket and tried to cover herself up again, but Fluttershy had anticipated that and held it down with a surprisingly strong hoof.
> "It's okay, Floor Bored," the pegasus said exceedingly gently. "It's... natural. J-Just go and put it away, there's nothing to be ashamed of, really!"
> In a way, Fluttershy was right. She'd already seen it all, so why even get embarrassed anymore? It wasn't like she had any secrets left from her invasive house guest.
> The mare slumped and slid from the bed, ears, head, tail - all hanging limply.
"Fine."
> "I'll go and get some lunch started, okay?"
"Fine."
> Fluttershy went first and left the miserable NEET drag her hooves to the bathroom at her own pace.
> She needed to use the toilet anyway.
> Floor ignored the clanging of a pot in the kitchen and went straight for her destination. Sure enough, there it was.
> A very long, black horse cock, right in the bathtub for all to see. It wasn't exactly hard to put together what the mare had been doing with it.
> She couldn't even look at it. Such a stupid mistake to leave it there. She *knew* Fluttershy, and possibly Twilight Sparkle, would be coming back the next day!
> At this rate she was starting to get used to all the embarrassment. Floor idly wondered if that's how normal ponies felt. Maybe they were all just as ashamed as she was all the time, but simply ignored it?
> Maybe it was what you had to do to get a coltfriend?
> Maybe she could ask Peppermint about it?
> Shaking her head, Floor finished her business, then grabbed her own used towel from the floor and wrapped up the... 'item' in the tub. She slung it over her back and started the long walk of shame back to her room.
> The only consolation was that Fluttershy wasn't looking.
> Crap, she forgot to pee, too.

> ~~~~

> "So, I wanted to apologize, Floor Bored," the pegasus was saying over lunch.
> It was nothing special, just some boiled vegetables and mashed potatoes. Floor hardly tasted and only ate so she wouldn't hurt Fluttershy's feelings.
"Hmm? W-Why?!" she demanded.
> These ponies kept saying the most inane, unexpected things.
> A quick glance - all she dared to take - showed Floor that the pegasus was looking forlornly in her plate and pushing her food around just as listlessly as she herself.
> "It's because of, um, two nights ago," Fluttershy tried to explain. "It was wrong of me and Twilight to try and take you out and make you meet ponies. I told Twilight it was a bad idea, but she insisted."
> Now the mare looked up, eyes almost glistening with tears. "I'm very sorry. I should have insisted."
> Fluttershy was sorry for trying to get her laid?! The very idea left Floor gaping.
"What?!"
> "You can't force ponies to like you, or become your friend. You'll do it when you're good and ready and not a moment sooner!" Fluttershy went on, apparently oblivious to the look Floor was giving her.
> They stared at each other for a moment, then the pegasus smiled. "Well, I'll be your friend, if you still want it, Floor Bored."
> The mare just blinked a few times in confusion.
"Ok-Okay?" she ventured.
> It made Fluttershy's smile widen. "And just to show you how sorry I am, I will take you out for dinner tonight, alright? It's the least I can do!"
> The hopeful, pleading look Fluttershy was giving her made it impossible to say no, even if Floor would rather have stayed home and played video games.
> Maybe a dinner with this particular pony wouldn't be too bad? After all, Fluttershy had come closer than anyone else in Floor's life to understanding how she felt.
"Okay?"
> "Splendid! I'll pick a nice, quiet place and we'll just have some fun, okay?"
"Um, s-sure?"
> What else could she even say?!
> A sliver of hope blossomed forth in Floor's heart. Was this just some dinner between two friends, or was the pegasus saying that there was a chance for... something more?
> Was it a romantic-type dinner, or just going somewhere else to eat food? Suddenly it was very important for Floor to know.
> Of course she couldn't ask, not after the talk Fluttershy had had with her the other day. About just being friends.
> Still - was the pegasus changing her mind?! Was she giving Floor Bored a try?
> The pressure was too much.
"I'm- I have to- uh, I'll just-" she mumbled as she slid from her chair.
> Her lunch, the one Fluttershy had cooked for them, was left almost untouched. If this hurt the mare's feelings, Floor didn't spot it.
"Sorry!"
> She hurried to her room, heart beating so loudly that she hardly heard her own hoofsteps.
> Was there a chance to have something with Fluttershy? Nothing... sexual, Floor Bored was surprised to find. What she wanted from the pegasus was just to- be there.
> Somepony who understood, who knew her deepest secrets and didn't mind.
> Did that mean she'd given up on Peppermint already? She hadn't fouled that one up, *yet*. It was bound to happen, but maybe she could get a good rutting out of it before it did.
> It was all just too much. Floor jumped up on her bed, wrapped the blanket around herself and put her face right back in her pillow.
> Why did it all have to be so complicated? Why couldn't ponies just tell her if they liked her, rather than hinting at it.
> Floor never picked up on those hints! It was completely unfair.
> There was only one thing to do.
> She'd have to get a bit drunk - nothing too excessive, just a little tipsy to loosen her up - and then she'd have to just come out and ask Fluttershy.
> Luckily she had an entire afternoon to rehearse the question in her mind and work up the nerve to actually do it.
> Maybe it would be enough?
> Floor groaned a little to herself.
> Maybe she'd need a bit more than 'tipsy' for that one...

> ~~~~

> Having no better ideas, Floor Bored had opted to wear the same dress Fluttershy and Twilight had brought her. The rules around fashion were too complex and she was probably doing something wrong, which didn't help her confidence in the slightest.
> If it were entirely up to her, Floor would have chosen her hoodie instead, but she had a faint inkling that that might be rude to Fluttershy.
> On the other hoof, what would the pegasus think about her choice of the dress? Would it seem as if Floor was coming on to her, or would she find her lack of understanding funny?
> The most infuriating part was that Fluttershy hadn't given her a single sign, neither of approval, nor disapproval, when Floor emerged from her room! The poor mare stood there, trembling, with a forced grin frozen on her muzzle while the pegasus just smiled pleasantly and led the way out of the apartment.
> At the moment they were already sitting in an upscale restaurant whose name Floor had forgotten about two seconds after reading the sign. The waiter had taken their order: two potato salads.
> Actually it had been Fluttershy who had picked and Floor who just barely squeaked "Same for me!" when the stoic and bored-looking unicorn glanced her way.
> She did the exact same thing when Fluttershy ordered sparkling water.
> Two stemmed glasses were sitting on the table, Floor's already empty. It had been something to do with her mouth so she didn't have to make up conversation.
> "Oh, you should order another glass if you're thirsty, Floor Bored," the pegasus said when she noticed the discrepancy.
"O-Okay."
> When she didn't make any move, Fluttershy nodded encouragingly and said: "Just wave the waiter over."
"I'm n-not thirsty!"
> Her rapid change of mind made the pegasus chuckle, but she looked around and extended a wing when she spotted their serving pony. He finished returning the change to an elderly couple and trotted over.
> "My friend would like another glass-" Fluttershy began, then fell silent and turned her attention to Floor. "Same again? You can get something else, if you'd like."
> There was only one solution to her problem and Floor grasped for it urgently.
"Wine! P-Please! Um, if it- it's okay?"
> The waiter's expression didn't change, for which Floor was slightly grateful. He waited for a second or two, in case she would say anything else, then asked in a very bored tone of voice: "White wine or red wine, miss?"
> Floor gave Fluttershy a panicked look, but the pegasus just nodded with a small grin.
"W-White!"
> "Very good, miss," the unicorn said and left to fetch her drink.
> Alcohol would loosen her up! It was her only hope of making it through the evening without having a heart attack. Floor watched the stallion leave, willing him with her eyes to walk faster.
> When she looked back, it was right into Fluttershy's open, cyan gaze. Her first instinct was to duck her head, but something in the back of her mind told Floor to keep it, just for a second.
> It worked! The pegasus smiled pleasantly and looked around. "This is a nice place, isn't it?" she asked.
"Yes."
> She didn't know what else to add, so she waited for Fluttershy to continue with whatever she was getting at. It took a bit more time before the pegasus looked back.
> "How are you feeling? We haven't had much chance to talk lately, Floor Bored. Are you alright?"
"F-Fine!"
> Again she felt like there was something more expected of her, but Floor couldn't for the life of her imagine what.
> "Have you heard back from Peppermint? I do hope he got home safely..."
> Floor's head bobbed up and down of its own volition.
"He did! We, um, we played some games. He-"
> She fell silent as the waiter returned to place two more glasses on their table. He didn't say anything, which was just as well.
> The wine proved a useful diversion and Floor grasped her glass urgently. Her impulse was to toss it back and ignore the taste, hoping that it would take effect as soon as possible and make the world a little easier to bear.
> Her hooves froze in the process and Floor looked over to what Fluttershy was doing. The pegasus, apparently oblivious to Floor's presence, gave the wine a gentle sniff, then lifted up the glass for the tiniest, daintiest sip.
> Fluttershy probably knew more about table manners than Floor ever would, so she opted to copy the pegasus.
> The wine smelled of...
> Floor didn't really have a reference. It smelled like wine, she supposed. Slightly sour and full of delicious, vital alcohol. Maybe there was a hint of some flower in it, but she couldn't identify which.
> Fighting the urge to simply toss back the entire contents, Floor instead tipped the glass carefully up and took barely a mouthful. She didn't know what you were supposed to do with it, so she just kept it on her tongue for a few seconds, then swallowed.
> The smell of that flower grew stronger and the mare was finally able to hazard a guess.
"Um, it tastes like, uh, l-lemon? A b-bit, I mean. Lemon f-flowers, I mean."
> "Mhm!" Fluttershy confirmed. "It's nice. Um, not exactly lemon, more citrus-y."
> They looked at each other and then the pegasus giggle. "Look at us, pretending like we know anything about fine wine! Rarity would have an aneurysm!"
> The name reminded Floor of the dress she was wearing. She wasn't a big fan of dresses, but this one did hide some of her more obvious flaws. The pony swallowed a lump and lowered her ears.
"Uh, c-can you say thank you to Miss Rarity. F-For the dress, I mean."
> "I already have, but if you'd like we can go visit her and you can tell her yourself?"
> That would include traveling. A momentary pang of longing echoed through Floor's heart, but then she imagined sitting in a crowded train for hours on end, jostled by strange ponies and probably beset by some children.
> Doubtless they would poke fun of her! 'Blank flank!' 'Loser!'
> The image was vivid enough to make Floor shudder, which caused Fluttershy to perk up her ears in alarm.
> "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-"
"It's f-fine."
> "Floor Bored?"
> She looked up and gaped in shock. Of all things, Fluttershy looked contrite, with her ears all folded down and her eyes seemingly on the verge of tears.
> The pegasus heaved a sigh. "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable," she explained. "I just thought you should go out and meet more ponies. You know, I used to be very, um, shy myself..."
> Floor had heard rumors, but what Fluttershy considered 'shy' was still several steps above what Floor would even think about doing.
> Fluttershy had never let garbage pile up in her room because she was too scared to go out to the trash can. She didn't spend two months pooping standing up before she worked up the nerve to buy a new toilet seat at the supermarket.
> She didn't eat rotten vegetables and moldy cheese for a week because the new cashier had smiled at her and Floor had been too nervous to go buy any fresh food.
> Well, at least she'd cleaned up her fridge a little during that catastrophe, even if she had been violently ill a few times.
> All these thoughts passed while Floor was looking at Fluttershy's muzzle, unseeing.
> Come to think of it, she would never ever have the nerve to go out and eat in a restaurant. Maybe whatever the pegasus was doing was actually helping?
> "Anyway," Fluttershy went on, "I wanted to tell you that Twilight has managed to track down your friend, Taku."
> The name made Floor's ears fold down. She didn't want to see her hussy ex-friend again. Coming over and rubbing her incredible luck with a colt right in Floor's muzzle! The nerve!
> Fluttershy noticed her expression, but misinterpreted it. "Oh, don't worry! She should be back from her honeymoon in a few weeks and then Twilight and me will help you two make up, okay?"
> Floor wanted to tell Fluttershy, firmly, that she didn't want anything at all to do with Taku ever again, but decided against it. Her shoulders slumped and she sighed.
"Fine..."
> Luckily the waiter came back with their food, which gave her some time to think.

> ~~~~

> Wine was nothing short of a miracle. A couple of glasses and the world... dulled a little. Everypony was still staring at Floor, all the time, but at least she didn't care as much.
> Let them stare.
> The important thing was Fluttershy and the story the pegasus was telling about a time she and her friends went to wake up a sleeping dragon.
> It was both scary and exciting. The way Fluttershy described their journey, it was an epic one. Perhaps worthy of a movie trilogy or something.
> There were endless chasms, avalanches and danger. The mountain seemed to be taller than the moon and the dragon approximately twice the size of Equestria.
> Floor stared with her mouth open as Fluttershy explained how the dragon hurt her friends and she got angry and yelled at it.
> Apparently an angry Fluttershy was too much for the dragon, who then winged it away as fast as he could.
> The pegasus finished, which reminded Floor how hard she was staring. She closed her mouth with a click and took refuge in what was left in her glass.
"Um. Oh, yeah. Wo-Wow. That- that was r-really summin'!"
> "Well," Fluttershy said with a slight blush, "I *did* have my friends wi- wiff me!"
> Floor blinked in confusion. Surely Fluttershy wasn't also drunk, was she? Her vision blurred a little, but she could swear she saw the other mare swaying!
> She looked at the bottle - now empty - and tried to estimate how much each of them had drunk.
> Let's see... A glass each to start with. Then Floor had another, which she tossed back like water and then another. By that time, Fluttershy finished hers and poured again for both of them.
> Then the story began and Floor slowed down a little, but Fluttershy had had to wet her tongue several times. Round up to three or so glasses for the pegasus.
> They laughed at the part where Rarity tried to steal the dragon's hoard, clinked their glasses and emptied them.
> Yeah, it all made sense. They'd drank about three quarters of the bottle, each. No wonder they were tipsy!
> Floor grinned, proud of her accurate calculation.
"Y-Your, you... um, yer drunk!" she accused.
> The words made Fluttershy giggle, but she just shrugged. "Maybe," she said, slurring only a tiny bit less than Floor, "but it's fun to get a- uh, little tiny every again and now."
> Something about that sentence didn't quite make sense, but Floor Bored got the gist of it.
"Y-Yeah."
> She became aware that the waiter was standing beside the table, looking expectant.
"Oh, hey, um... you!" Floor greeted him and tried for a hoofbump.
> Somehow she missed and nearly fell from her seat. The unicorn sighed and rolled his eyes, then turned to look at Fluttershy.
> "Will there be anything else, miss?" he asked.
> "Huh?" Fluttershy blinked and steadied herself with both hooves on the table. "Oh, sorry. No, I good we're think! Can you just, um... bring us, uh. Thing. With all little numbers on it?"
> "The bill?" he asked.
> "Yeah, dassit!"
> He gave another huge sigh and wandered away. Both mares looked after him for a while, then glanced at each other and giggled.
> "That cold needs a nap, bad!" Fluttershy said. "Diddy, did, uh, did'ya hear 'im yawnin'?"
> Oh, so *that's* what that was!
"Yeah!"
> Fluttershy fumbled for her bag, which she had dropped on the floor next to her chair, and picked out a number of coins. She stared at them for a while, calculating silently, then shrugged and added a few more to the pile on the table.
> It looked about correct, Floor guessed. She had absolutely no experience in dining out, but that pile of money looked like 'a lot', and she'd always known having a dinner in a nice restaurant cost a lot. So that was good, then.
> The unicorn came back, a slip of paper floating beside him. He offered it to Fluttershy, but she missed her grip on it.
> "Why don't I just put it in your bag, miss?" the stallion offered, very kindly. He was a nice and polite colt, which made Floor like him a lot.
> Maybe if he bought her another of those wines, or a beer, she'd take him to bed.
> She opened her mouth to say it, but the contents of her stomach threatened to come out, so she hurriedly shut it and swallowed.
> No sense in ruining their beautiful carpet, she'd just have to hold her muzzle until they were outside.
> Meanwhile the cute, friendly colt had finished counting Fluttershy's money. He gave her a thoughtful look, then returned a couple of coins back to the table. "Your change, miss," he informed her.
> The pegasus just grinned at it all for a while, then looked over to Floor. "Um, we s-should go home."
"Yea- urk!" Floor agreed.
> She had nearly forgotten about her stomach and caught it just in time. The waiter looked incredibly worried for her health, but Floor just smiled gratefully at him and slipped from the chair.
> It took careful concentration on all four hooves to keep her upright, but the mare managed. After some calculation, she even figured out how to walk again by carefully moving each leg in turn.
> Not particularly fast, but it would get her home eventually. She was aware of some whispering around her, but didn't pay it any mind. They were probably just impressed at how drunk she was and still managing to walk!
> Luckily, Fluttershy was at her side and offered some support with her warm, yellow flank. It was welcome and by leaning on her occasionally, Floor could manage a good turn of speed.
> "Come on, let's get you home. I shouldn't, uh, done the thing. Shouldn't... have..."
"Eaten s-sho much?"
> "No, iz not that," Fluttershy shook her head, then froze for a moment until her vision cleared again. "'s the other thing. Umm..."
> The pegasus focused on walking them out of the place, hiccuping quietly every now and then. The fresh air would do them good.
> It really worked! Floor didn't feel like throwing up anymore by the time they made it down the street and turned the correct way to her apartment. Something was still bothering her, though.
> The pony stopped and sat heavily on her haunches. Her hind legs folded up and she landed on her rump instead with a faint 'oof'.
> "You okay?" Fluttershy asked, turning to look at Floor with concern.
"Too mash what? Y'said too mash. Wha' wazzit?"
> Fluttershy gave it some thought, muzzle scrunching up in concentration. Then she brightened up.
> "Drunk!" she said. "We, um, wined too much drunk!"
> It made sense. It would explain why her head was spinning like that and why she wasn't all that stable on her hooves.
> She liked it, though. It put the scaredy, anxious, worried part of her to sleep and let some of the rest of 'Floor' shine through. It gave her courage.
> The mare smiled.
"Um, the... fankoo, 'shy! Wazza good night."
> The pegasus took the compliment and leaned in to give her a quick nuzzle. Except that Floor moved at the last possible second and their lips met.
> It was nice.
> Fluttershy was very soft and warm. After a few seconds, Floor put her hooves around the pegasus to keep her still and closed her eyes to better focus on the moment.
> There was still a bit of that citrus wine on Fluttershy's tongue.
> It was nice.

> ~~~~

> When Floor Bored woke up she immediately regretted it. Again.
> Hadn't she sworn off drinking after the last time? She opened her mouth to yawn, which elicited a pained whimper, followed by her nearly choking as she smelled her own breath.
> Yuck!
> What even happened last night?!
> She froze, staring at the ceiling as the memory crept back. She hadn't *really* kissed Fluttershy out on the street, had she? Maybe that had been a part of her confused dream.
> A cursory glance around the dim room proved that Floor was in her own bed and alone. Certainly if anything had happened, at least she would have woken up with the pegasus. Right?
> Not knowing was killing her. Despite the personal discomfort, Floor rolled out of her bed and landed on shaky legs. She panted for a minute to get her breath back after this heroic endeavor.
> The dizzy spell passed and the pony made her way to the bedroom door. More memories returned.
> Had she really thrown up into a trash can just outside? The taste in her mouth confirmed it and Floor grimaced, hoping the garbage collector wouldn't know who it was from.
> Finding a thing like that was bound to ruin somepony's day and Floor didn't want their certain revenge.
> Okay, so she'd been kissing Fluttershy for a while-
> Sweet Celestia, she *had* kissed Fluttershy!!
> Floor shut her eyes on reflex and froze up. More of the mystery unraveled now that she was focusing on it. She'd kissed Fluttershy and the other mare didn't fight her! Actually, now that she replayed the fuzzy and disjointed memories, Floor was certain she felt Fluttershy put her hooves around her.
> She then tugged at the pegasus' fetlock to get her moving back home. The kiss had awoken a very real, burning need down in her belly. The flush on Fluttershy's muzzle said she felt it too.
> They stumbled their way, pausing occasionally to kiss again, until they nearly reached their building.
> The wine enacted its revenge then and Floor felt her stomach turn. She remembered looking around wildly for a toilet, or at least a bucket. She spotted the trash can and it was that or the street.
> After that, everything went dark.
> Oh, there was one more thing. Despite all her practice with the pillow and her hoof, kissing - actual kissing - was a lot messier and Fluttershy ended up with a good amount of slobber on her muzzle.
> The mare didn't seem to mind, but in her effort to make it better Floor started urgently licking the pegasus clean. It had ended up like a 'whole-face-kiss'.
> No wonder Fluttershy was put off. If that hadn't done it, the puking surely did. She must have dragged Floor up the stairs and put her to bed.
> Nothing happened. Floor focused on her lower region and confirmed it. Surely, if they had *done* it, she'd feel something today. She could always tell the next morning if she'd had an orgasm the previous night.
> Her ears folded down. Still a virgin. Still a loser.
> Both of them were drunk! It wasn't fair! Everypony got laid when they got drunk! It was almost like a law or something! Surely there was something in the Equestrian Constitution!
> She felt like crying as she stood just before her bedroom door. Was there even any point in going out? At best Fluttershy would pretend nothing happened, at worst she'd be upset and hate her.
> No, actually, at worst she'd be disgusted. No one likes a messy, hoovesy, kissy drunk.
> Unfortunately staying in her room wasn't an option. She needed to pee, *bad*, and there were no bottles around anymore. She would have to go out and face the music.
> Floor took a deep breath and opened her door.

> ~~~~

> After a fortunately uninterrupted toilet visit, Floor Bored found Fluttershy busying herself in the kitchen, humming while cooking a simple breakfast of toast and what smelled like muffins.
> She confirmed it with a single glance at the table which was already set. Fluttershy *had* made muffins.
"Um, h-how long have you been u-up?" Floor managed. "How don't you have a- a hangover?"
> The pegasus smiled pleasantly. "Oh, only about an hour or so," she answered the first part.
> Floor's head was pounding and she felt like she was about to vomit. She had to know the other mare's secret.
"And the- um, the hangover?"
> The pegasus danced closer, which sent an unexpected tingle down Floor's belly. She tentatively sniffed the air and caught the faintest suggestion of Fluttershy's floral shampoo.
> It was intoxicating and the poor, smitten mare found herself leaning closer to get a better whiff.
> "It's a secret my friend Pinkie Pie told me. Promise you won't tell anypony?"
"Mm- mhm."
> She closed her eyes and let her ears droop as she drank in Fluttershy's presence. Was it love?
> Floor had never before felt like that, so she figured that must be it.
> "Drink plenty of water before sleep and the hangover the next morning won't be nearly as severe," the pegasus whispered. "I guess you didn't hear me last night when I put you to bed. Didn't you see the glass of water on your nightstand?"
> Blushing and lowering her head, Floor was forced to admit that she hadn't.
"N-No..." she said.
> There was one more, very important question to answer. They had kissed. Floor was sure of it! Did that mean they were fillyfriends now? Or, rather, marefriends?
> Her heart threatened to beat right out of her chest and her mouth was suddenly dry. Her stomach did a few somersaults, which didn't help with her nausea.
"Um, ab-about l-last n-n-night," Floor began to stutter.
> Fluttershy gave her a blank expression. "Hmm?"
"We, um... we- we... Weee-"
> Her rump hit the floor with a thump and the mare sniffled. She couldn't even ask the question, now that she was sober. What she *should* do was simply grab Fluttershy, who was so tantalizingly close, and kiss her again.
> Except she'd probably run away. Her mouth still tasted foul and her breath was probably horrendous, Floor realized. On top of that, she was far too chickenshit to actually do it. Just imagining it in her mind, feeling the shape of it, was making her legs tremble violently.
> The best she could manage was to choke out a single, squeaked word, before her treacherous body completely failed her.
"K-Kiss!"
> Fluttershy froze and an expression of pure panic filled her face for a second, before she got a grip on herself. "Oh, you remember that..." she said quietly.
> All Floor could do was nod and silently beg the other mare to make a move.
> Pleasepleasepleaseplease...
> "Look, we were both pretty drunk..."
> Already tears were falling like gentle rain. Floor tensed up to run away and hide in her room forever and ever, but a hoof around her withers held her still.
> "I'll be honest with you, Floor Bored," Fluttershy said in a careful, clipped voice. "When I thought about, um, l-love, I never really thought about- you know. Mares."
> The pegasus heaved a sigh and brought her muzzle closer. Floor was frozen in trepidation, but she still inhaled deeply, hoping to at least savor Fluttershy's presence as long as it lasted.
> "Last night- I really was not expecting that."
> It felt like something was expected of her. Floor wanted to argue, beg, plead. Anything that would make Fluttershy love her back, but all that came out of her throat was a strangled croak. She sucked at this.
> No wonder she'd never been able to find a coltfriend.
"P-Ple-Please..." she managed.
> "Let me finish," the pegasus chided gently. "I didn't expect it and I certainly didn't expect I would, um, l-like you back. It's all just so confusing!"
> Like her back!? Floor Bored stiffened and her ears perked up. Did she hear it correctly? Fluttershy wasn't shutting her down, she actually liked her!
> Her! Floor Bored!
> The other mare signed and wrapped her hooves and wings around Floor. It was such a warm and soft embrace that her tears started flowing again and she buried her muzzle in Fluttershy's fluff.
> After a short while she was pushed away, very gently, and held at hoof's length. Fluttershy was looking at her with a serious, concentrated frown.
> Even her frown was cute, Floor couldn't help but think.
> "Look, I can't promise anything, but I really will think about it, okay? I don't know if I'm into mares, but after last night... well, I'm willing to consider it."
> It wasn't totally off the table! Sure, it wasn't a yes, but Floor had been expecting to have her heart completely shattered and then stomped, like it had been every time she dared venture out and talk to a pony.
> It was a chance.
> She couldn't help grinning like an idiot.
> "That's better," Fluttershy said, returning her smile. "You have a lovely smile, did anypony ever tell you that?"
> Floor mutely shook her head. She couldn't take her eyes off the pegasus now.
> "Well, let's have a lovely breakfast and then- I'm sorry, but I have to go run a few errands. You will be okay on your own?"
> This time Floor nodded emphatically. With all the emotional upheaval of the past couple of days, she really did need a few hours just to play some games and watch an episode or two of her favorite series and just- be herself.
> She needed to think and she did that best when she was otherwise occupied.
> All the great secrets of life could be figured out while you were slaying monsters in Hooves and Crowns, exactly because it was so mindless.
> It gave her something to do, kept her from getting completely bored, but left her free to think big, slow thoughts.
> She had to make some changes in her life to be worthy of Fluttershy and earn her love!
> The pegasus squeezed her in another brief hug, patted her back, then let her go. "Alright. Let's get some food and water in you. I'm sure your hangover will feel better."

> ~~~~

> Freedom and games, it looked like it would be a good afternoon. What was even better was that Fluttershy would 'think about it'. Of course it wouldn't work out, but being 'thought about' was a very new thing for the lonely little neet.
> Best not to get her hopes up, Floor Bored thought, but it was hard to resist. She couldn't help smiling a little as she glanced over the message boards.
> All those lonely, angry losers on there. She very nearly wasn't one of them anymore!
> There was a faint ding from her headsets and Floor looked at the flashing box on her screen. Peppermint!
> The day just kept getting better! Freedom, games and a friend to play them with!
"Hi!!" she chirped happily even before she settled the headphones on her ears.
> "-seem to be in a happy mood!" Peppermint replied.
"Mhm! Finally got everypony out of my flat so now I can do whatever I want!"
> Which hopefully included some hot hoofplay to thoughts of Fluttershy later on, but Floor didn't say that part out loud. Peppermint didn't need to know.
> "Sounds good! I hardly get any privacy in this place. Hopefully I can get my own place when I finish college."
> Floor didn't reply, blushing a little in embarrassment as she thought about her government-handout hole in the wall.
> "Anyway, wanna play some games?"
> It meant she wouldn't be *entirely* alone, but for some reason Floor didn't mind. Not when it was Peppermint. The colt was so hopelessly bad at every game they tried that she couldn't help laughing and feeling superior.
> Maybe that's what friends were for. Real friends, not like T-
> Not like *some* ponies.
"Yeah, sure! For a bit, anyway!"
> Almost before the words left her mouth there was another ding and an invitation started flashing on her screen. Pony Kart. A filly's game, but it would do as a warm up for the wimpy colt.
> "Yeah, an hour or so. I got some homework to finish but I wanted to wait till you got up."
"Oh? Why?"
> There was silence and Floor could vividly imagine the colt blushing and splaying his ears. "Um, no r-reason. You're just good at games, that's all."
> Floor thought she heard a faint, sad sigh from the other end of the line, but it might just have been microphone interference.
"Thanks! Okay, let's wipe the track with some butt!!"
>...
> The homework kept getting put off, as did Floor's planned masturbation session, but she didn't mind. Fluttershy had said she'd be back by nightfall, but it was still bright outside so there was probably plenty of time.
> Their game was winding down and despite the fact that Floor and Peppermint were on the losing team, thanks in large part to the colt's ineptitude, the mare was in a good mood.
> She decided to try some small talk, something she'd never been any good at.
"Um, so... uh, what sort of homework do you have to do?"
> She nearly hoofed herself in the muzzle. Way to remind him, stupid!
> "Ummm," Peppermint said, trying to focus on his game and failing. Seconds later there was the message about his death on the screen. Floor sighed.
"Wow, you really suck at this. You should come over more often so I can tutor you," she told him.
> They both chuckled, but then there was silence on the line.
"Peppermint?"
> "Uh, would you mind that? I mean, if I visited. S-Sometimes? To play games, I mean?"
> Would she? It would cut into her alone time, but if she knew when he was coming in advance, she could stand it. Especially if Peppermint paid for ice cream.
"Um, maybe?"
> "Sorry, it's silly. It's just-" he started, but then fell silent and sighed again.
> Floor had a feeling he was about to say something important and found herself holding her breath. She let it out.
> After a few more uncomfortable seconds, Peppermint chuckled. "Never mind. Yeah, I'll see if- if I have time. You know, from my college."
> The way he said it made Floor both relieved and sad at the same time.
"Oh. Yeah, sure, if you wanna."
> The game was lost and the rest of Floor and Peppermint's team professed their disappointment and left. The mare herself just sat on her chair, looking at the defeat screen and thinking. She saw that Peppermint was still there, too.
> Why would visiting her to play games be such a big deal? They played often enough over the Internet.
> Her thoughts went back to the date she had with Peppermint. It had ended with a kiss.
> She didn't want to go any further with the colt, not until she knew if Fluttershy liked her, but maybe it wouldn't hurt to have options?
"Um, Peppermint?"
> "Yeah, still here."
> Her tongue wanted to tie up in a knot and her hooves fiddled with each other. Floor couldn't even look at the screen, because it felt too much like looking at the colt.
"Y-You can v-visit..."
> He let out a breath she didn't know he was holding and there was a lot of relief in his voice. "Okay! Um, I'll let you know when!"
> It wasn't wrong, was it?
> Before she could decide, the colt answered the question Floor had nearly forgotten she'd asked: "It's maths homework. Um, you asked before."
"I was never really good at maths..."
> "It's not all that hard, just takes some practice. I kinda need it for astronomy."
> That made sense, Floor decided, but it also wasn't particularly interesting.
"That's nice."
> The mare instantly cursed herself. Her statement sounded flat, vain and incredibly bored. She wouldn't be in the slightest bit surprised if Peppermint just made an excuse and left. She'd done it to somepony who said that to her in that tone.
"Um, y-yeah! I mean, maths is great and all, I've just never been any good at it."
> "I can show you a bit if you like? It'd be like a trade, you know? I suck at games, you're not good at math..."
> He wasn't disappointed or offended!
> In a wave of relief that flooded Floor Bored she would have agreed to anything.
"Yeah! Let's do that!! Um, when?"
> Peppermint giggled at her enthusiasm. "Okay, okay, I'll see if I can get a train ticket next weekend, okay? Saturday?"
"Sure!"
> She finally closed the lost match and found herself back in the lobby with the colt. Her heart was hammering with all the emotional upheaval and Floor suddenly didn't feel like playing any more games. All she wanted was to watch one of her series, an episode she had seen before, so she switch put her mind to 'off' for a bit.
"Um, I think I'm gonna-"
> Before she could finish the sentence Peppermint asked: "So, did anything fun yesterday? You weren't on."
> Floor rubbed her muzzle with a hoof. Maybe it was still relief from before, or perhaps she was more tired than she thought, or maybe she was just incredibly dense.
"Me and Fluttershy got out and got drunk."
> "Oooh, mares' night out!" Peppermint said. "Any- uh- anything happen?"
"We just kissed."
> "Oh." Suddenly the colt's voice was flat and emotionless. "I didn't-"
> He coughed nervously. "I thought- Um, anyway, I think I'll get started on my homework."
> There was a moment's silence and then Floor opened her mouth to ask him what was wrong. Peppermint beat her to it: "Thanks for the games. I guess I'll see you."
> The voice line dropped and the mare was left staring at the screen and wondering what had happened.
> All she did was tell Peppermint about her night out with Fluttershy. Why would it be such a big deal? The colt wasn't old-fashioned and he wouldn't mind two mares being together, would he?
> Maybe he realized how late he was on that homework. Just to be sure, Floor clicked into the chat box and typed: 'Hey, everything okay?'
> She waited a long time for the reply. Peppermint typed several times, but he must have erased it all. Each minute that passed made the mare breathe a little faster and worry a little more.
> At long last there was his answer: 'yeah fine'
> It still felt wrong, but Floor decided to take Peppermint's word for it. It was probably just the homework.
> She was about to ask, but he went offline.
> The mare shrugged a little to herself and looked out the window. The sun was setting, so she should probably expect Fluttershy back soon. Too late for a good masturbation session.
> With a sad, long-suffering sigh, Floor clicked out of her game and opened her video folder. It would be fine as long as it wasn't something too obviously pornographic. She didn't feel like constantly paying attention to the front door so Fluttershy wouldn't catch her by surprise in the act.

> ~~~~

> "Hey! I got you a croissant!" Fluttershy called from the front door. "Oh, and I have some good news finally!"
> Floor looked up from her screen but the pegasus was in the living room. She yanked her headphones off and slipped from the chair.
> Maybe it was late enough to go to bed. Now that the neet wasn't chugging energy drinks and sodas for every meal she found herself getting tired at what most ponies would consider a 'decent hour'.
"Um, t-thanks."
> The pastry wasn't very fresh, because it was probably baked that morning, but Floor had forgotten to eat so it was quite welcome.
"What's the news?" Floor asked with her mouth full.
> "Taku is coming back from her honeymoon next week. She answered Twilight's letter!"
"Oh..."
> Floor's ears flopped hard and the croissant in her mouth turned to ash. She had absolutely no desire to see Taku.
> "That means we can get you two to talk it out and make up and then we can finally get out of your mane!"
> Fluttershy said it as if it was a good thing! What about *them*?! Did the kiss mean nothing at all?
> The pegasus misinterpreted Floor's expression and came to hug her. "Oh, don't be afraid, I'll be with you. It will go well, you'll see!"
"B-But..."
> Well, that was probably her answer. No pegasus mare lover, not for Floor Bored. She might have known.
> In a way she had known all along, but the hope had been insidious and managed to fester deep in her heart. That'll teach her to hope ever again!
> Fluttershy gave her one last squeeze then released her. "It's all going to be fine, I promise."
"B-But-"
> Unfortunately the mare wasn't really listening anymore. She'd brought a bag of groceries and went to put them in the fridge and cupboards.
> Floor sighed and turned dejectedly away. She wanted to cry, but she also didn't want to do it in front of Fluttershy.
> Bucking pegasi and their bucking emotional roller coaster! Not to mention they'll bring her muzzle to muzzle with bucking Taku, with whom she bucking didn't want to speak ever again!
> The world sucked. She might have gotten used to it by now, if she wasn't an irredeemable optimist.
> Floor Bored dragged her hooves back to her bedroom, where she glanced at the computer. Too bad Peppermint still wasn't back. He was better at that socializing thing than her, if only marginally.
> Maybe this whole mess with Princess Sparkle and Fluttershy and Taku would at least result in Floor being left with a friend. Or, if not a friend, perhaps an acquaintance. One who played games with her and maybe sometimes visited for ice cream.
> Maybe it had been worth it for that, but it sure didn't feel like it. Floor slammed her door shut, crawled up on her bed and simply fell over. She ended up staring at the wall, but that was okay.
> It was a little dirty in places but otherwise ultimately boring. Story of her life.
> To top it off, she even lost all desire to masturbate. It didn't seem worth the effort.
> Those two meddling jerks took her only pleasure away from her!
"I bucking h-hate you!" Floor whispered to herself.
> Except she immediately shook her head. Jerk or not, she couldn't really hate Fluttershy. It was all that Twilight Sparkle's fault! She should have just left Floor alone.
> She might have been wallowing in her own filth and garbage, but at least she'd been happy, in some small way.
> Was it so much to ask just to be left alone till her early grave?
> It could still happen. She had to suffer through that meeting with Taku and then pretend like they made up. Then, once Fluttershy and Twilight were gone, she could go back to never speaking with her ex-friend again.
> Yeah, that sounded like a plan.
> Maybe once she was alone again she could watch a ton of porn and her physical desire would come back. It wasn't the first time Floor had been depressed, although it was the first time her depression made her not want to pleasure herself.
> Probably just a weird side effect.
> The mare closed her eyes and tried to sleep.

> "So, you see, this is *good* news!" Twilight Sparkle was saying as she sat across the table from Floor Bored. It was a good thing, too, so the Princess couldn't see Floor fiddling with her hooves.
> Not to mention that Twilight was lying, and blatantly! It didn't seem like a wise move to bring that up, so Floor just remained silent. She just thought it very hard. It wasn't good news at all!
> "One more week and then Taku will be back and we can get you two talking and this whole friendship problem will be sorted!" Twilight finished triumphantly.
> Fluttershy tried to put in a word edgewise: "Um, I don't think that's really the-"
> Twilight didn't even seem to notice. "Yep! One more week and you can come home, Fluttershy, and take care of your animals once again! Have I said that we've all been pitching in? We've all been pitching in!"
> Floor risked a glance at the alicorn and thought she looked... nervous?
> "That's all well and good, Twilight," Fluttershy began again, "but I don't think Floor Bored really-"
> "Splendid!" the Princess exclaimed and jumped from the chair. "I mean, we've done everything we could here, right? The place is now clean, there's a new mattress, soap... everything! Here, some money to fill up the fridge. Yep, we've done all we could!"
> Twilight tossed a pouch of coins on the table and the pointed look she cast at Floor made the mare think something was expected of her, but the earth pony just looked down at her hooves and lowered her ears.
> "Anyway, I have to see Princess Cadence tomorrow and the train leaves in twenty minutes. You two have fun!" Twilight said, backing away from the kitchen table toward the door.
> "Okay, Twilight! Bye!"
> The door slammed shut perhaps a tad too forcefully and both remaining mares watched it in confusion.
> "I wonder if everything is okay back home like Twilight made it seem. What if they *can't* cope without me? M-Maybe I should go back."
"N-No!"
> It came out barely a squeak, but there was a world of emotion behind Floor's single, stuttered word. Fluttershy looked over, but didn't immediately reply.
"Please?"
> Why was she begging the pegasus to stay? Floor didn't quite understand it. All she really wanted was for everypony to leave her alone and stop interfering with her life! Fluttershy finally getting out of her mane would mean exactly that!
> At the same time, not seeing that friendly, smiling, yellow muzzle each morning would feel like a knife stab in the heart.
> The past week had been absolutely horrible. Floor went through the motions, but only because it was unthinkable to disappoint Fluttershy. Sweet, gentle Fluttershy.
> She chewed her food and swallowed it, not because she was hungry, but because Fluttershy had cooked for her. She showered, not because she wanted to be clean, but because of Fluttershy's question about it.
> To make it all worse, Peppermint had stopped playing games with her. The colt had been really cryptic and uncommunicative, but the best reason Floor could imagine for it was that the exams were near and he was too busy studying.
> She wanted to hope Peppermint would come back to being her online friend afterwards, but she'd learned long ago never to be optimistic.
> At least once Fluttershy left she would be alone to play with her toys. Lately she couldn't even do that out of fear that the pegasus would hear, or smell it on her the next morning.
> That is, if she even still wanted to. She hadn't really felt the desire this past week. It was probably just the forced close quarters messing with her head.
> Once she was alone again, everything would go back to normal.
> Why was she asking Fluttershy to stay, then?
> "You want me to stay?" Fluttershy asked, waking Floor Bored out of her reverie.
"I- I-" she tried to answer, but no words came out.
> Her ears went completely flat and she buried her muzzle in her hooves on the table.
"-dunno."
> It was obvious now that Fluttershy simply wasn't into mares. Or, to be more precise, she wasn't into mares like Floor Bored. The kissing had just been a result of drink.
> Floor contemplated one night what it would be like if she kept Fluttershy drunk for the rest of her life, but then she started imagining just how short that might be and changed her mind.
> The noble thing would be to simply let her go. That's what heroes in her cartoons always did when there was a tragic romance.
> Fluttershy seemed to be thinking it over. "I guess I could stay a day or two longer, but you've been doing so well, Floor Bored. I don't think you need me any longer."
> The mare picked up Twilight's untouched cup of tea and put it in the sink while behind her Floor mouthed the words: "I need you."
> Of course she was too chickenshit to say them out loud.
"I... guess," she concluded lamely.
> "Don't be worried about that whole Taku thing, okay? I'll be right here and everything will work out perfectly, you'll see! I promise you'll be friends again!"
> That was an entirely different bowl of worms, Floor thought. Fluttershy didn't realize what the real problem was and maybe it was best that way. A story character would fake some happiness and sent the gentle mare away with a smile, letting her think she'd done a good job.
> Except then she'd have to make sure Fluttershy never really found out the truth. It'd take some acting, especially if the pegasus wanted to visit her sometimes, but Floor had been practicing for most of her life.
> Every 'Fine, Mom!' or 'I just want some time alone' had been an act. She could keep Fluttershy convinced she was doing better if it came to that, Floor was sure of it.
> There should really be some kind of a medal for her sacrifice, really.
> Shaking her head a little, Floor slid from the kitchen chair and went back to her room. Sometimes games could distract her for a while. Maybe Peppermint would even be on.
> The mare closed her door and crawled listlessly into her chair. She looked at the screen, but none of the games or movies really appealed to her. She thought about checking the boards, but even baiting ponies into arguments had lost its appeal.
> Floor just leaned back in her chair, looked at the ceiling and heaved a sigh. A couple of hours to kill and then she could try to get some sleep again. It probably wouldn't work, but at least it was a tangible goal she could work toward and didn't take any real effort.
> After some minutes of staring into space she'd had enough of it all and tried the computer again. She hovered her mouse pointer over 'Hooves and Crowns'. She almost clicked it, but then remembered she had nothing fun left to do on her current characters. There was just that big slog right before the end.
> She moved it over to 'Pony Crusade', but quickly shook her head. That one was for pussies like Peppermint. She only had it installed because the colt had asked her to play with him.
> Her sob turned into a hiccup and her vision blurred, but Floor still saw well enough to be able to drag that pussy game into the trash bin.
> Stupid Peppermint and his stupid exams, and most importantly, *stupid* Peppermint for getting her hopes up that she might have finally gotten a real friend!
> It probably wasn't even exams like he claimed! It was probably just another marefriend he'd met in some bar in Baltimare!
"Why would he lie about that?!" Floor demanded from the empty room.
> Maybe it was meant to spare her feelings? Normal ponies sometimes did stupid things like that and Floor couldn't always understand what the point was.
> She wiped her eyes with a fetlock and looked at 'Hooves and Crowns' once more. Even boring slog was better than being alone with her thoughts.
> She almost clicked it this time when she saw an icon turn from gray to green.
> The pony on the other side wasn't one she even knew, but she had all of Peppermint's roommates on there. They'd played together a few times, even though they never really clicked. Not like her and Peppermint.
> At least until last week. That's when his supposed 'exams' suddenly started.
> Her muzzle twisted into a snarl and Floor bashed her mouse so hard that it nearly broke as she clicked on 'Geezer'.
> Her fit of anger was over in an instant and a cold ball of fear settled in the pit of her stomach. She typed with trembling hooves.
'hey does sneezy have a fillyfriend?'
> There was nothing for the longest time and Floor let out another sigh. Of course, they would ignore her as well. Story of her life.
> Her muzzle hit the desk and Floor resigned herself to wait out the remaining time until dinner.
> She had Geezer's window selected, so there wasn't a ding when he replied. It was nearly ten minutes later that the mare finally lifted up her head and looked blearily at the screen.
> 'no why u ask'
> Her heart thumped almost painfully and she inspected the clock. Geezer had replied within the minute and she hadn't said anything back. No wonder they all thought she was weird, even if Peppermint denied it.
> Now her stomach was doing somersaults. Geezer was still green and wasn't playing a game, so Floor ventured a bit forward.
'exams? havent seen him in awhile'
> This time she waited for a minute and the pony on the other side replied: 'dunno hes been weird lately...'
> That fit with her theory of a secret marefriend. It was strange that Peppermint wouldn't even want his roommates to know about her, but not inconceivable to Floor. Colts were weird.
'oh. any ideas why?'
> Again, there was nothing for a while, then Geezer finally managed to type: 'dunno. how come you dunno either?'
'what u mean?'
> How was Floor supposed to know what was wrong with Peppermint better than his actual roommates?
> 'ur his FF no?'
"Eep!"
> Those few letters on her screen made Floor both hot and cold at the same time. She blushed and then felt silly for doing so when nopony could see her. Her belly clenched up in a ball of nerves and she could hardly type:
'waht makes u say that?!'
> This reply took so long that Floor nearly bit her hoof off out of sheer nervousness. Surely Peppermint's roommates couldn't be so deluded as to think they were together, could they?
> Maybe Peppermint didn't want to deal with their jokes or snickering or whatever and was keeping his distance because of *that*? It was exactly what Floor imagined herself doing if she had annoying roommates.
> At long last she had Geezer's answer in several lines of text: 'well u 2 spend so much time together playing games. i just thought ur... you know, an item?'
'did peppermint say anything?!'
> 'well, he said he kissed u on the train station.'
"EEEP!"
> He was telling his roommates about *that*?! None of them ever mentioned it, even when they played together on voice chat! Were they all laughing behind her back? Worse, were they teasing Peppermint because he'd settled for a loser like Floor?
> Floor just stared at the screen, reading the words over and over, as if she could make them say something else if she read them enough times.
> After some time Geezer wrote again: 'u still there?'
> It took an effort of will, but Floor wanted to find out more, so she forced her shaking hooves to type.
'yes'
> 'is it true?'
> This was the big one, wasn't it? Floor was about to say 'no', but something made her pause. A few seconds later Geezer sent another message: 'hold on hes back ill ask'
'no!'
> There was no reply for a while and Floor could almost imagine the awkward conversation as Geezer - Stargazer - was asking Peppermint if that weird, old, loser mare they sometimes gamed with was his fillyfriend.
> She couldn't even look at the screen for fear of what ridicule Geezer would spout next after Peppermint told him off. It took her almost a full minute before she dared a peek.
> 'he says ur with fluttershy,' Geezer had sent, but he was still typing. 'you mean *the* fluttershy? whoa!'
> Peppermint thought she and Fluttershy were a thing?! Where did that dumb colt get that idea?!
> Something clicked in Floor's mind and she suddenly realized why he'd been avoiding her. The hints to his roommates that they were together, his willingness to play Hooves and Crowns even if he totally sucked at it, all his rambling stories about his studies, it all made sense now.
> The kiss.
> How stupid could she had been?! Peppermint wanted to take it further and then she'd just gone and told him she'd kissed Fluttershy when they got drunk. No wonder he drew the wrong conclusion.
> Floor physically hoofed herself right in the face and groaned.
'can u put him on pls?'
> There was nothing for a while and Floor waited with her hoof covering her muzzle and her ears twitching from hopeful upright to miserable flattened as scenario after scenario ran through her mind.
> He'd say no and she would have blown her only chance at love.
> No, she'd clear the misunderstanding up and he'd move in with her.
> Actually, maybe she'd move in with him, especially if he had a good job.
> Scratch that, he would probably ask about it and Floor would completely fail at explaining and Peppermint would kill himself out of depression.
> Maybe not if she killed herself first, though.
> At long last Geezer replied: 'he says he doesnt wanna talk'
> Floor closed her eyes and sobbed miserably. That had also been a possibility, yes. He could refuse to ever speak with her again.
> Out of the corner of her eye she saw the next message from Geezer: 'your really dating fluttershy?! element of harmony fluttershy?!'
> She just ignored it and slid from her chair. She couldn't look at the screen, not when she knew that Peppermint was at the same time so close and yet so unreachably far away.
> Why was she even taking it this hard?
> Was it just desperation? Her first and only chance at a relationship? It didn't feel like desperation.
> Well, actually it did, but that wasn't all of it. She genuinely liked Peppermint, even if he didn't know any of the shows she watched and he sucked at games. There was something nervous and... cute about the colt.
> That unexpected kiss at the train station really had rocked her world, even if it was quick. That had been the first time any pony wanted to kiss her.
> Except now it was all gone, because she'd said something stupid and didn't understand how Peppermint would feel. Maybe he really was better off without her.
> Floor tossed herself on the bed, put a pillow over her head and tried to keep her weeping quiet enough so that Fluttershy wouldn't hear.

> ~~~~

> It was no better in the morning. She'd tried talking with Peppermint a few times, but there had been no reply. The colt remained steadfastly offline. His roommates didn't answer either, winking out one by one as the night dragged on.
> Floor's need to make Peppermint understand that he had simply misunderstood her relationship with Fluttershy drove her into a near frenzy. Of course, the fact that it was Fluttershy who didn't want a relationship didn't matter there.
> The result was the same, so what was the difference between Floor wanting something with the yellow pegasus and being refused, or not wanting it in the first place?
> She wouldn't get it either way.
> Her sleep-addled brain was making Floor think in the same few circles over and over with no resolution in sight.
> It was barely dawn by the time the mare dragged herself to the kitchen for a soda. Fluttershy was still asleep on the couch and Floor didn't wake her up.
> She grabbed a fresh bottle and took it to the table to sit down for a minute. She was sick of her room and wanted to look at something else for a few minutes before being closed in it again.
> The soda made a quiet hiss as Floor opened it with her teeth. She lifted it up to her lips and took a long gulp.
> Her eyes landed on the bag in the middle of the table. It was open and a few coins had spilled out.
> It was grocery money, brought by Twilight Sparkle on her visit the previous day.
> An idea popped up, so unbelievably stupid that Floor's breath caught and her eyes bulged out.
"N-No..." she whispered in horror.
> Shaking her head did nothing to dislodge it and neither did closing her eyes so she wouldn't see the money.
> It looked like a lot of bits.
> Enough for a train ticket.
"No, stop it!"
> Floor was warning herself not to do it. It was the craziest idea of her life and it would very likely get her killed, or worse.
> The mare looked around and strained her ears, but Fluttershy was still sleeping and nothing else was moving in the building.
> If she hurried, she could get to the train station without having to meet ponies in the streets. Every second she delayed lost her some of that privacy.
> Her legs trembled violently as Floor reached for the bag.
> She wasn't dressed! She froze and carefully withdrew her hoof. Hoodie! It was back in her room, still on the floor where Fluttershy had tossed it when she'd dragged her to bed after their night of drinking.
> Moving exceedingly slowly to make no sound, Floor slid from the chair and walked carefully back through the living room. Fluttershy was still asleep. She could see her face and her eyes were closed.
> It took minutes for Floor to make her silent way and find the garment. It stank a little of her puke, but she didn't mind that at all as she slid it over her head.
> Immediately the world became a little easier to bear, shut away behind a layer of fabric.
> The journey back to the kitchen took just as long. At one point Fluttershy moved with a rustle of cloth and Floor froze to the spot, but the pegasus didn't wake up and simply curled up into a more comfortable position.
> Floor stayed still for a minute before her rattling heart slowed down enough so she could move again. She finished her trek to the kitchen and carefully collected the money pouch.
> It jingled a little as she dropped the spilled coins into it and then jangled as she stuffed it all into a pocket on her hoodie. It was barely big enough and it noticeably bulged out.
> She didn't have any better ideas, other than carrying it in her mouth, so Floor just left it like it was and started her slow way to the front door.
> This was the most dangerous part of the trip. It went right past the couch.
> Floor nearly whimpered in terror when she saw that Fluttershy's muzzle was pointing in her direction. She almost made a break for it, but saw that her roommate had her eyes closed and was smiling a little, probably in a nice dream.
> It was a skill born out of necessity, but Floor found she was good at moving silently. She placed each hoof carefully and only moved one at a time. Of course, it was easier now that the floor wasn't covered with trash.
> This time there were no unexpected surprises from Fluttershy and pretty soon Floor Bored was at the door. It wasn't locked, so all it took was careful hoofwork as she silently opened it.
> She looked back, but the pegasus was still asleep and still smiling. It was actually kinda cute and Floor's heart lurched in desire. She'd want nothing more than to cuddle up with that, but it was not to be.
> If her mission worked, she might instead get Peppermint. Maybe. Someday, when he was done with college.
> Best to keep it realistic, Floor thought. She'd at least get a friend to sometimes play games with. That would be worth something too, right?
> She couldn't stop herself from hoping, though.
> The door closed with a very faint click and Floor dared to breathe a sigh of relief. Almost safe. She pulled the hood further over her muzzle, bit her lip, and prepared herself to face the big, bad world.
> She surely had enough money for a train ticket to Baltimare. Then - the mare swallowed a lump - she'd have to ask for directions to the college campus.
> If Peppermint wouldn't listen to her over chat, she'd just have to go and tell him in person.
> It was her last, desperate chance.
> It was *bound* to work!
> It was going to fail miserably!
"Buck..."