Paperwork.

A bucking shitload of paperwork.

That pretty much sums up my day at the office, and every previous day leading up to that one.

I slam the last cloud request form into my completed work pile, which was actually more of a tower now that I think about it, and start rubbing my tired eyes. It did very little to assuage them, and I switch tactics.

A full solid minute of blinking later, I feel somewhat better. Leaving my desk behind, I punch my time card and make my way to the exit. Even though I worked on the sixth floor, the window openings were wide and spacious to allow employees to leap through and take flight. It didn't really matter though, since a six-story drop onto clouds wouldn't do any real damage anyways.

…Not that I'd ever tried that, of course.

My gaze fell on the window right down the hall. Unfurling my wings I tilt my neck to the side. It cracks with a satisfying pop, releasing my workday stress.

Shifting into takeoff position, I hear a grating voice that forces me to freeze. "Hey there, Dawny."

Dammit. I get back into standing position and turn. Staring at me with a stupid smirk on his orange face was Fiscal Policy.

My relationship with this one particular co-worker was… complicated. I suppose the fact that he was born and bred for the office world - where as I had been forced into it - made us natural enemies, but it is more to it than that. Fiscal is the kind of pony that eliminates anyone in his way to get what he wants, and I have sorta been competing with him for a promotion for a while now. (I say sorta competing because the only reason I'm doing it is to get on his nerves). Because of this, he took advantage of every opportunity to verbally assault me and out preform me at the same time, all while taking a certain satisfaction in it.

There is a word for ponies like this, but I can't seem to think of it. It's on the tip of my tongue, but I can't seem to… oh right.

Douchecanoe.

"Hi, Fiscal," I deign. "What do you want?"

"Now Dawny, can't a guy just talk to his pal without being interrogated?" There he goes using my first name again. And not just my first name, an unbearable nickname version of it. He knows I hate it too, otherwise he wouldn't use it.

Gritting my teeth, I reply "We would have to actually be pals first."

He chuckles. It's the kind of chuckle that makes ponies think he kicks puppies for fun. "True, very true. Pleasantries aside, I notice you're already leaving."

My eyes roll reflexively. "Obviously. Monday's over, so what's the use of sticking around?"

That damnable chuckle again. "Let's just say our boss favors ponies who work extra hours for little compensation."

So that's it. Fiscal was working unpaid overtime to ingratiate himself for the promotion.

"So that's how you spend your Monday night? Ass kissing?" That got to him. His eyelid twitches in annoyance, but he proceeds undaunted.

"Call it what you want, but at least I'm making progress, unlike you."

Yeah, because I don't want to be promoted. Spend even more of my life working at this Celestia-forsaken factory? Not likely.

"Well if you're done wasting my time, I have somewhere to be." I say, returning to takeoff position. I leap forward and begin flying towards the window.

"Right, right. I wouldn't want to keep you from sucking any dick tonight." Fiscal calls after me.

If it were possible to skid to a stop in mid-air, I would have. Whipping around I look at the smug bastard as he delicately waves goodbye.

You did not just go there, I think. I knew that tool was a tool, but this? It was low.

My hooves touch the cloud flooring and I march right up to him. Fiscal doesn't look the least bit concerned.

"You are an asshole," I tell him matter-of-factly.

"Excuse me?" he scoffs.

I lean in close. "Ass. Hole."

He shut his mouth, teeth clenching frimly. I can see a fiery hate breaking out behind his eyes. As much as he wants to, he can't seem to think up a decent retort.

I didn't exactly wait around for one either. My wings were back to flapping, and I was making my way to the exit as fast as I could.

The second I clear the window, I breath a sigh of relief. Dealing with Fiscal was the worst way to end a Monday. It left a bad taste in my mouth.

I actually didn't feel like flying home. Descending, I land on the soft, cushy clouds below and begin a slow trot to my house.

"Hey, there he is!" a voice that makes my ears perk in recognition says. I turn around to two familiar faces: Derpy and Lightning.

"See I told you he got off work at this time," Derpy claims to the green mare at her side.

"How's it going, Rider?" Lightning says to me.

"Hey girls, what's up?" I ask.

"We need to talk to you," Derpy says. Suddenly the puzzle pieces click together. Today was there first day working together… and clearly my last day of living.

Without a doubt they had figured out the rouse I'd been pulling on them. Lightning knew Derpy still had a crush on her, and Derpy knew Lightning wasn't gay, and now they were both here to kill me for being an a total ass – which I couldn't rightly deny.

I cringe and say, "Look guys, do whatever you want to me, but I just want you to know that I'm sorry."

There's a pause as both mare's blink in confusion. I realize my mistake too late.

"Sorry for what?" Lightning asks.

"Uh…" I'm dumbfounded that my white lie is holding. Thinking fast I reply with, "I'm sorry for randomly apologizing for no reason."

Derpy giggles at the absurdity of my statement, and presses no further.

"You're always weirder than the last time I see you," Lightning informs me.

I shrug, grateful to escape unscathed, with the lie still intact. I should have a Cutie Mark for kicking problems down the road.

"Anyways," Derpy says, back on topic. "We were hoping you'd be up for a night at the bar?"

"What, like now?" I inquire. Was she kidding? It's a flippin' Monday! I won't deny that alcohol would be welcome after such a subpar day… but was she really serious? "I kinda have work tomorrow."

"Yeah, so do we," Lightning mentions. "That ain't stopping us."

Derpy nudges her. "You don't have to drink if you don't want to. I was just hoping the four of us could have a nice time."

"Four?"

"Well yeah. You, us, and Time."

Based on Lightning's snort of laughter, I guess my facial expression is somewhere in between 'lovestruck dunce' and 'stupidly embarrassed'. With a shake of my head I reset my face and give a solid, "y-yeah sure, sounds like a plan."

"Awesome," Derpy declares. "We gotta go then. By the time we reach Ponyville, Luna will be finished raising the moon."

She takes flight immediately, tufts of cloud blow upwards in her wake.

"Aren't we going to The Lickety Split?" I ask.

Lightning rolls her eyes. "Of course not. Time's an Earth pony, remember?"

"Oh yeah." I feel stupid now.

She notices this, and puts a hoof on my shoulder. "Relax dude. You've probably just been staring at his plot so much you forgot to notice." She immediately takes off, a gust of wind hitting my face as a result.

"Yeah, I guess your ri— Hey wait a bucking minute!" I look to see her snickering as she puts distance between the two of us. "Lightning Dust!" I shout violently, lifting off as fast as I could.

---

The Dizzy Weasel is small. Like, really small. The actual bar has maybe five stools max, and there isn't even a stage for live music or anything of the sort.

Actually, I take that back, there is a stage. It consists of unused crates and a microphone stand lacking an actual microphone. If some ponies make an attempt, they might fit two whole bodies on it.

While I'm taking in the whole scene as we enter, my friends are honing in on whatever they want. Time is to my right, staring at the one clock on the wall, which appears to be broken; he is likely thinking of ways to fix it. This was in spite of the fact that the poor stallion was supposed to not be working at the moment. Lightning was to my left, staring at the alcohol this bar had on tap – of which there are only two – and likely thinking how much more variety The Lickety Split has. This was in spite of the fact that she only drank cider.

Derpy is leading our little platoon since she knows her way around. Unconsciously, we all agree to steer clear of the bar stools tonight. There were only five after all, and the bartender probably wouldn't be happy if we hog the majority of them all night. She leads our motley crew towards a booth in the back, while Lightning breaks away to order.

Time sits down first, and I grab a spot on the opposite end. This is partly because it will keep Derpy and Lightning separate – I did not trust that gray mare to keep her hooves to herself – but also because I want a little distance from Turner. I'm unsure if he is still upset regarding the 'you're sexy' comment and don't exactly want to push whatever boundaries he has.

Derpy ends up in the spot next to me, and boldly declares, "All right guys, cider's on me tonight."

Turner blinks. "Are you sure?"

The question is met with a vigorous nod. "Totally. This is my idea anyway."

Lightning returns, somehow balancing a giant mug of apple cider, and four individual glasses. Delicately, she places everything down before plopping in the seat by Time Turner.

"Now get ready for the best cider of your lives," Derpy tells us.

I arch an eyebrow inquisitively. "The best, huh?"

"All the apples are locally grown, so it's as fresh as possible," Turner lets me know.

Dust pours us all a full glass, and begins gulping hers down.

I inch mine to my lips, before finally trying some. The flavor is vibrant, much more so than the cider up in Cloudsdale. And Turner was definitely right, it is the freshest I've ever tasted. Feeling the golden ichor slide down my throat, I douse my tongue with some more.

Lightning's halfway through with her first glass already, but Time and Derpy aren't that far behind. I notice the chestnut stallion still has his tie tightly wound around his neck. It kind of irks me that even off work he still doesn't seem to want to relax. It was kind of the same way at the picnic too.

"Hey," I say, my mug on the table. "Why don't you loosen your tie a little?"

He finishes sipping. "You trying to get my clothes off, Rider? Cause I'm warning you now, it'll take more alcohol than this." The mares of the group erupt in laughter, alcohol blasting from their nostrils.

My cheeks flush. Now he's teasing me? I think through my embarrassment. Well damn, he's even sexier than before.

"Ah, so you've figured out my hidden intentions then," I say, playing along. This friendly little bit of teasing may turn out to be a chance for flirting. "And here I thought I was being so subtle."

"Subtle as a freight train," Derpy remarks.

I shoot her a glare but it does no good. At least Turner was laughing. I decide to shift the focus away from me for a while.

"So Lightning," I ask. "How was your first day on the job?"

She tipped back her glass to finish it off before responding. "Eh… there were ups and downs."

Derpy nodded concurrently. This picks at my curiosity a little. If the two of them hadn't figured out the dual lies I've been feeding them, then what could have put a damper on Lightning's first day of work? Besides, of course, the work.

"Care to elaborate?" Time asks, clearly thinking the same as me.

The two mares share a look, then dive right back into their alcohol.

"I guess not," I say.

The following silence is about as awkward as they come. Lightning and especially Derpy cause our cider supply to dwindle. The scene around us changes rapidly, as more patrons than I expect enter in order to booze up for the night.

One purple mare who appears to be drunk before even entering the bar stops at our booth, blinks slowly at the sight of Derpy, and smiles.

"Hey Derpster, wassup?" Yep, definitely drunk.

"Oh, hi Berry," Derpy replies. It surprises me that she acknowledges the nickname 'Derpster' at all. "Fancy seeing you here."

"Ain't nothin' – hic – fancy about it. You know this is where I spend my Friday nights."

"Actually, it's Monday," The time conscious Turner informs her.

Berry's eyes blink even slower this time. "What?"

"Monday," I say, hoping she'll catch on soon. "As in, the bane of everypony's existence."

There's a pause as this slowly registers with her.

"Damn, that was a lot of whiskey," the intoxicated mare mutters under her breath. "Hey, Derpster, I gotta bounce. If it really is Monday, then I'm kinda – hic – screwed."

"Oh, okay," Derpy says. "Bye." I doubt Berry hears her though. She is already stumbling off.

"That was… interesting," Lightning comments.

"You know her?" I ask Derpy. She ruefully nods.

"Who do you think I have to give bail money to?" she replied, reminding me of our conversation on Saturday.

"Okay then."

"Don't get me wrong, she's a great friend… when she's sober."

Lightning smirks. "So I'm guessing she's never a great friend, then?"

We all laugh to that.

"If I ever end up that drunk, somepony please stop me," Time insists.

"Relax," I hear Dust say. "You're way to stiff for that kind of hard-core drinking.

He pouts – rather adorably – and takes a long chug from his glass in an effort to prove her wrong. A second later he tears the mug away, gagging. The table dissolves into laughter again, Derpy at the forefront of it all.

"Haha," Turner says, wiping his mouth.

"Sorry," Derpy apologizes for us. "But it was just too funny." She giggles some more.

"Yes, yes, it's all very funny. Isn't it," Turner leans in, "Derpster?"

Derpy's face flushes as he says the name. "Seriously? Please don't call me that. It's bad enough that it's a nickname of a nickname."

"Wait, what?" Lightning asks. "What do you mean 'nickname of a nickname'?"

We all stare at her, and it suddenly dawns on me that none of us ever told Lightning that 'Derpy' isn't Derpy's real name.

"You mean you don't know?" Turner asks her.

"I am completely lost right now," Lightning responds.

"Derpy isn't actually my name," Derpy tells her. Lightning's jaw hits the table.

"What?" She exclaims.

"You mean you really didn't know?" Turner asks.

"No!" Lightning shouts over the background noise of the bar. "How was I supposed to? You guys never told me!"

"You never asked," I say.

"That's not the point," Lightning grunts. "How was I supposed to know to ask you?" I shrug. She turns to face Derpy. "So… what is your real name then?"

Derpy squirms. "Is it really important?"

"Yes!" Lightning says. "How can I call myself your best friend when I don't even know your real name!"

"Oh for the love of Celestia," I interject. "It's Ditzy Doo, are you happy now?"

Time Turner shoots me a look that lets me know I'm wrong. I turn to Derpy and her face tells me the same thing. "Wait… it's not?"

"No," Derpy replies. "That one's still just a nickname."

Now it is my jaw's turn to hit the table. The very day I met Derpy she had been going by Ditzy Doo. At least, that's what all her friends had referred to her as, and it was months after that when she was given the name 'Derpy'. I had always assumed…

"So what is your real name?" I ask, now as curious as Lightning. Only Time is not joining in, but I suppose that makes sense. He's known Derpy the longest.

"Guys, lay off," he pipes up. "She doesn't have to tell you if she doesn't want to."

"But I want to know!" Lightning protests.

"Lightning–"

"Bright Eyes," Derpy whispers. "My name is Bright Eyes."

Dust and I blink simultaneously. Derpy – or should I call her Bright Eyes? – looks downward sadly. I can't help but think her parents were trying to be cruel to her. With a name like that… given her disability… no wonder she prefers Derpy.

"You can probably guess why I never go by it," she says, practically reading my mind.

"Derpy…" Lightning says.

"Look, it's just a name, it doesn't matter okay?" Derpy says. "It doesn't make a difference if I go by Bright Eyes, or Ditzy Doo, or Derpy. Nothing about me changes anyways."

We're quiet for a moment.

"You're right," Lightning says. "Nothing about you changes." Time shoots her a glare but she completely ignores it. "Because you're still the most kickass, awesome mare I've ever met."

Derpy looks up, meeting Lightning's eyes when she hears that.

"You mean that?" she asks.

"Hell yeah I do!" Lightning says. "You're even cooler than Spitfire."

At this point, I have no idea whether Lightning Dust is saying this in earnest, or if she's just laying it on a little thick because she can tell Derpy needs a confidence boost. Either way, it's sweet of her.

Derpy seems to think so as well, her gray cheeks blooming red. She attempts to hide it by guzzling what's left of her alcohol. Everypony else partakes as well.

The last of the cider is poured into Derpy's glass and she drains it in a few gulps. She sways in her seat and I prop her upright with a fetlock. Clearly, the mare has had too much to drink tonight. Well over her limit. Her blush hasn't receded in the slightest, despite her intake of alcohol.

"I'm going to go grab us a refill," Lightning says, getting up.

I nod and let her go, but I doubt I'll drink anymore. After all, I still need to fly home. Come to think of it, so does Lightning. Turner on the other hoof hasn't even finished his first glass. He presses it to his lips to sip some more.

Derpy watches Lightning saunter off, her blush on full display. With an enamored sigh, she says, "I'm going to kiss her so hard."

The following spit take from Turner drenches me.

"What!" we simultaneously say.

Derpy slams her glass on the table. "I'm going to kiss her. Hard. On the mouth. And probably get a filly boner because of it." She stands, and begins stumbling after Lightning, who was already at the counter.

Turner shoots me a glance, and I can tell he's just as worried as I am. Both of us know what will happen if Derpy goes through with her drunken plan, and neither of us want that.

"You distract Lightning," I say, already halfway out of the booth. "I'll stop Derpy."

We clamor forwards, shoving a few bar patrons out of our way in the process. Turner blocks Lightning's view just as she began to turn around. I grab Derpy by the foreleg.

"Hey, let's chat," I tell her, dragging her away from Lightning's general direction. There's a bathroom at the other end of the bar, so I go there. She squirms and struggles but I don't let go.

"Rider," she whines.

I push open the door to the bathroom, only just now realizing it's the mare's room but it's too late to change my mind, and head in.

"You can't be in here," she tells me, noticing the gender-specific room we're in. "Mare's only."

"Well then pretend I have a vagina for the next few minutes," I say. Derpy snorts back a laugh at my asinine comment, but still tries to walk out. I put myself between her and the door.

"Let me out, Rider," she demands.

"Not likely, Derpy," I tell her. She wants to maneuver around me, but I don't let her.

"Come on, Rider, please," Derpy says. "I have to kiss her after that, don't you see?"

I shake my head. Truth was, I could see why. Derpy just went through a serious low point, and Dust said some of the sweetest things she'd probably ever said to the mare to get her out of it. If it had been me and Time in that situation, I would have definitely kissed him. And screwed him, but that's another subject entirely.

A mare tries to get into the bathroom, but my body stops the door from opening.

"What the bu–"

"Occupied!" I call out. She huffs loudly and walks away, grumbling about how ponies shouldn't be having sex in a public bathroom. If I wasn't gay I might've blushed.

"Seriously though, Derpy, you can't kiss her." I turn back to the booze-filled mare.

She stamps her hoof on the bathroom tiles. "Why not?"

"You know why!" I tell her. "Getting kicked out of the Wonderbolt's Academy destroyed her. She doesn't need you throwing yourself at her at a time like this."

"You don't know anything," Derpy yells. "She's fine! We had a talk about it earlier today."

"Okay," I say slowly, unsure if she's lying or not. The last time I checked, Wonderbolt's Academy was not a topic of conversation whenever Dust was in the room. "You still shouldn't kiss her, though."

"Why?" Derpy asks. "After everything we've done together and after what she just said… give me one good reason why I shouldn't march right up to that mare and stick my tongue down her throat!"

"You can't do that because Lightning isn't–" I stop myself. I had almost told Derpy the truth… and what a disaster that would have been. "Lightning… isn't looking for a relationship right now." It's a weak reason, but it's all I've got right now. "All she wants right now is to be your friend."

Derpy looks away, blinking profusely. "Rider…" she murmurs.

"Look, I know it's rough, but you going out there and kissing her now would be kinda like me going out there and kissing Time Turner. She only sees you as a friend, Derpy… and making out with her in one passionately drunken session isn't going to change that."

Derpy slumps to the ground, sniffling.

"You going to be okay?" I ask, getting down on her level.

"No… how can I be?" Derpy wails. "Damnit Rider… I think I love her."

"Oh…" I say.

Oh shit… I think.

I really hope Turner is doing better than I am.

---

"Hey Lightning," Turner said as he positioned himself in between the drunk Derpy and her target. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Rider haul her away.

"Hey," Dust replied. "What's the matter, couldn't wait until I brought the cider to the table?"

"You know me." Turner grabbed the mug from Dust and poured some cider into his half-full glass. "Gotta have that alcohol."

"Right," came Lightning's skeptic reply. She looked over his shoulder. "Where'd Derpy and Rider go?"

"I am not sure," Time replied. "They could be off cavorting in the bathroom for all I know."

"Okay then," Lightning said. "I guess until they get back we're on our own." She took a seat in one of the two empty stools at

"Yep," Turner agreed, sipping his cider casually.

They didn't speak for a little bit. After all, what does the work-a-holic timekeeper say to the speed-a-holic athlete when they stuck alone at a bar together?

Absolutely nothing, that's what. Luckily, Lightning jumpstarted their conversation.

"So you knew?" she asked. "About Derpy's name, I mean."

"Yes, I did." Turner sighed. "I went to elementary school with her, back when she still used the name Bright Eyes."

"How bad did she have it?" Lightning asked.

"Really bad," Turner informed her. "Almost everyone in the class picked on her everyday. I never did, but it's not like I stood up for her either." He took a swig of the cider. "They called her so many names that 'Ditzy' was actually one of the kinder ones. It was the one that stuck though, and she just went with it."

"Wow," Lightning breathed, appalled that some ponies had actually done that to Derpy.

"She never let it show that it bothered her though," Turner said. "At least, not to the kids that picked on her. Once, after school I found her out in the woods crying to herself. I… well I tried to cheer her up. It didn't do all that much, but we became friends at least."

"I can't believe she's had it so rough. You'd never guess just by looking at her."

"Yeah, like I said she doesn't let it show… but I know deep down it still gets to her. It's why she doesn't want to be called Ditzy Doo or Bright Eyes anymore. They just hold too many bad memories." He set the glass down. "Thanks for what you said to her, I know it meant a lot to her."

"I meant every word of it," Lightning assured him. "She's a fantastic friend."

"Yep," Turner said. A friend. Oh Lightning, you have no idea how much more she wants from you than that.

---

Derpy was blinking back tears while curling herself into the fetal position. I was just sitting next to her like an ass.

"You… you think you love her?" I stumble out. I pray her answer isn't…

"Yes," Derpy sniffles. Damn.

We sit there for a while, Derpy stifling her sobs while I think of what to say.

"Are you sure?" I ask her.

Her eyes clench shut. "I think about her all the time, and I can't stop looking at her whenever she's around. And my heart feels all light and fluttery and I get this huge knot in my stomach. Whenever she's sad, I feel sad, and when she's happy, I'm elated. I haven't felt this way about anypony since…"

"Since?"

"Since a really long time."

This can't be happening, I think. She's got to be wrong. "Can you think about anything about her that you don't like?" I ask, hoping this may clear up the matter. "Anything undesirable?"

Derpy thinks for a moment. "Well… I guess I've noticed that her left flank is like, maybe half an inch bigger than her right one. But even that's kind of cute."

"You've stared at her ass long enough to know which cheek is bigger than the other one," I realize. "You really are in love."

She nods slowly.

I've gotta tell her the truth, I think. This has gone too far.

"Derpy," I say. She looks at me, her out of sync eyes are red, tears stream down her face. It is at that moment my heart decides to punch my brain and take over for a while.

What am I doing… she's hurting enough as it is.

"Look, just because Lightning isn't looking for a relationship now, doesn't mean she'll never be," I hear myself say. What the buck, Rider?! My brain is back, and it is not happy.

"You mean one day she might…" Derpy trails off.

Don't say it! My brain screams. Don't you dare–

"Yes."

Dammit Rider!

Derpy stops her sniffling. "Thanks, I really needed that." She gives my neck a quick hug and we stand up.

"I should probably get Dust home before she drinks too much," I say. And also I don't need her asking questions as to why you're so teary-eyed.

"Yeah, I should go too. I'm tipsy enough as it is and Dinky still needs to be tucked in."

I nudge the door open. "Bye."

"See you Wednesday?" She asks, not needing to state the place. I nod instinctively. Lightning would probably be there as well and I would be needed to prevent another night like this one.

I walk out of the bathroom and spot Lightning and Turner sitting up at the bar stools. I quickly make my way there.

"Can you see straight?" I ask Lightning when I arrive. I recognize the fact that I'm not disrupting any conversation.

"Yeah," she says, grateful that I'm breaking an obviously awkward silence.

"Good, we should probably get home before that changes."

"Oh right," she says, remembering that we had to fly back to Cloudsdale. I set some bits on the counter as she gets up. "I thought Derpy was buying?"

"Nah, it's cool. I got it." As if I expect that poor mare to pay after everything I just put her through.

"Awesome," Lightning hops off the bar stool and wobbles a little. She spreads her wings for balance. "Let's go." She starts off, but Turner stops me before I can follow.

"Is Derpy all right?" he asks. The gray mare had just popped out of the bathroom, still showing the after effects of her crying fit.

"She'll be fine," I say.

"So you fixed this right?" He asks. "Everything's okay now?"

"…Yes."

He squints. "You hesitated there for a moment. Why?"

"No reason." My eyes dart to the side and I can feel Turner's disbelief.

Suddenly, Lightning Dust walks into the edge of the bar door. Her yelp of pain is what saves me.

As she backs away, hoof to her forehead, I yell, "I thought you said you could see straight!"

"Shut up!" she calls back.

I turn to the chestnut stallion in front of me. "Well, that's my cue to leave." My wings flare out and I start flying off.

"But, Rider–" Turner's voice fades off as I drag Lightning out of the bar.

She's still rubbing her forehead, but otherwise seems okay to fly. "Hey, are we still meeting up on Wednesday?"

"Yeah, Derpy and I talked about it," I tell her. Among other things.

Lightning looks back towards the bar. "Oh crap, I forgot to say good bye to her." She starts to head inside.

I hover in front of her. "Oh no you don't." I say. "If you go back in there you'll just get so hammered that flying will be impossible." It's a pretty lame excuse, but I can't have her going in there while Derpy's still an emotional wreck.

"Fair enough," Lightning says. "Besides, I'll see her tomorrow at work."

Oh crap, I forgot they work together, I think. We'll there's not much I can do about that, except hope Derpy will pull herself together by tomorrow.

Dust starts flapping her wings and gets off the ground rather easily considering her inebriated state. We fly back to Cloudsdale quickly and without talking to much.

I split off from Dust as we approach her rundown apartment, waving goodbye as she disappears inside.

There's a gnawing feeling in me as I head to my house. It's probably because I'm an asshole for lying to Derpy like that, but I know I would've felt just as bad if I told her the truth and left her crying on the bathroom floor.

All I could do now was hope that Derpy would just let her feelings for Lightning wither away over time. Then we'd all get out of this pain free.

My heart is praying for this when I finally rest my head against my cloud mattress. My brain keeps telling me this will end up terrible.

I shut my eyes and am out like a light.

---

Next up will be another mini-chapter. Hope you guys are enjoying the story so far.