When you open your eyes, you stare up at the blank ceiling above you. The room is dark and silent. It's another morning in Equestria as it rolls towards it's colder winter months. Just like Earth, there's less sun during the winter months than in the summer months. You could make crazy inferences about how the planet has a tilt, and what that means in regards to their solar system and place in the universe. But you already spent way too much time trying to infer the relative size of their world to the world you used to live in, based on their units of measurement… So you've done enough thinking for one day.

In fact, you know what would be wonderful? Just... not thinking. With the amount of stress that's on your shoulders lately, you deserve to do something a little more simple. You deserve a break. Life isn't easy, and it only gets harder as time goes on. Mental health is just like physical health. If you neglect it, you get your own sickness. It's chronic, crippling, and goes by the name of "Being more of an asshole than usual."

You sit up and move to the edge of your bed, staring out your window to the dark outside. Maybe today would be a good day to call out of work. Maybe read a book. Cook some food. Clean your house. Do the things that make your life just a little more stressful. Take care of the things that make your life feel a little more disorderly.

In fact, you know what would be great? Some lists.

Rising to your feet, you throw on a robe and head downstairs. Starting a pot of coffee, you sit down at your kitchen table you begin to catalogue your thoughts.

What do you want?

Well, to feel happy again.

You pause as you scribble down the note and stare at it. That's a rather depressing thought. Let's break it down.

You want to feel more control over your life. You want to feel like you're accomplishing something. You want to feel like you're making a difference.

Alright, you have goals. You know what you want. So, Why DON'T you make this happen? Why DON'T you feel this way?

Well, you do the same things, day in, day out. You don't really get to meet new people. You hate that-

Three knocks at your door halt your process of mental cataloguing.

"God damnit, Fluttershy."

You throw down your pen, head to the door, and take a deep breath to compose yourself. This'll have to be something you put down on the list.

Opening the door, Fluttershy stands on the other side, smiling. The sun rises in the east, sending a molten mix of yellow, orange and red through the sky.

"Good Morning, Anon," she says happily. "How are you?"

You open your mouth to say something witty and rhetorical, but come up with nothing.

"Honestly, not great. However, I'm pushing through it. What's your guess?"

"Uh, actually, I don't really have a fetish guess today. More or less... uh. A more general question."

You lean against your doorframe and fold your arms.

"Alright, color me curious. What'cha got?"

"Well," Fluttershy says, kicking her hoof at your welcome mat as she ponders her words. "See, I realized something the other day. I've kept thinking about all these guesses as a matter of 'does Anon like boys' or 'does Anon like girls' but I realized there's another option I never considered before."

You take a moment to examine the mare in front of you as she pauses. She seems deeply troubled; like she's actually concerned she could have hurt you in some way. Isn't that adorable? She's gaining social awareness. Maybe she isn't all as bad as you thought.

"See, some ponies don't like mares or stallions. They still can love each other, but it's a different kind of love that isn't really based in sexuality. Asexuality is a real thing, and... well. I just wanted to ask if you were asexual. Because, if I keep doing all of these guesses and things... and you simply don't see love in that way... well, it's very rude of me. S-sorry."

You smile as you reach out a hand and ruffle Fluttershy's long pink mane. She looks up at you and gently smiles.

"Nah, it's nothing like that. I can certainly say I have wants and desires. But I appreciate where your heart is on the issue. Don't worry about that," you say.

"Oh, thank goodness," Fluttershy says happily. "Because, I just got this massive strap on, and-"

You slam the door in her face and turn back to your notepad on the table.

Pausing for a moment, you move back to the notepad and pick up your pen. With a quick scribble, you write down:

"I Want to Find Fluttershy's Good Side and get to know it."

Setting down the pen, you lightly smile as you grab a cup of freshly brewed coffee.