I haven't written in a while, so sorry. Not that it matters. I've recovered and my friends have been helping out, visiting plenty, bringing me things to do and everything like that. Noh and Bolden haven't seemed to be fighting for my affection, but I'm not sure if Noh even knows about the issue.

He told me that Curtain Call convinced the producers to get my script edited and that they're swapping focus from "Stallion of the Sea," to my "Sir Flattery." The name of the lead, the inventor. I don't feel like I would have gone with that title, but I'm not very good at titles.

I was astonished to find out what the director had done. They had already made so much progress on the other play, how could they just pick up and move like that?

I pretended to be flattered, happy that they felt so dedicated to me but anxious that ponies would judge the play poorly, or that it wouldn't perform the way I had envisioned. That was bound to happen anyway, but all that was coupled with the stress set on by having to switch from all the progress that had been made on another play. Who could deal with that? Why would anypony willingly put themselves, and an entire crew, through something like that?

When I was well enough to leave the hospital, I realized my expenses had all been paid. None of my friends would tell me who paid, but I knew it was my mother. Or, maybe my grandmother, through my mother. Maybe it was my friends' joined efforts. All I knew was it wouldn't make the choice any easier if I knew.

I noticed something else, too. I don't remember where I saw it, on some kind of document or something, they gave me two names; Timber Quill. I can't imagine why, but being me I didn't argue. I like it though, it fits me better. I think...

Nopony would explain that, either. Though, I only pointed it out to Pearl. I probably won't use both names often. Only if I have to sign something, or introduce myself formerly. It mostly just feels nice to have a name that sounds more like me.

Pearl, Bolden, and Noh were all with me to take me home. I didn't want to go home, to my apartment, I just didn't want to. I didn't know what I wanted. They took me home.

I looked around and sighed, relieved. Everything was normal, where I expected it to be, just cleaner; the bed was made, floor swept, even Bolden's things were organized in his corner. The first thought I had about him living there, with me, was how it might feel to share this bed. It was a good bed if a bit smaller than his bed in the hotel.

I sat down by my desk and waited for somepony to ask something...

I did it again. I'm sorry, I was telling the story in past tense again, and was about to change to present when I got to the dialogue. I've been doing that the whole time, I know. All I knew was to write, and all I was writing was my story. I barely gave it second glances the whole time I was writing, let alone edit inconsistencies or grammar.

I glance between each of them, scared and confused about what they're going to say, why they're taking so long.

"Go on," I urge. When their response is more silence I try harder. "I know there are things on your mind, questions you want to ask. Get it over with."

They hesitate some more, but Pearl comes in, "We all know how vulnerable you feel. We don't want to make you uncomfortable..." She trails off, either not knowing how to finish or assuming I get the idea.

After some more silence I respond, "So you're all just going to sit there? Don't torture me, ask me something. Ask me..." I was about to tell them to ask me why I jumped but thought better of it. Instead, "Ask me who I'm going to pick." I don't want them to ask that, either, but as far as I know it'll be easier to answer than what made me want to kill myself.

"We're not going to," Noh insists. I look at him: he's locked eyes with Bolden. "We want you to... be happy, and if you're not comfortable—"

"If you're not ready," Bolden cuts in, "we don't want to rush you. We won't try to force you to choose one of us over the other."

I purse my lips, turn my head to look back out the window. The sunny sky seems inappropriate for the situation. Maybe if it was raining...

"Is there anything you want?" Pearl asks.

I shrug. "I don't know. There... are a lot of things, I probably need—need to do, to look for or try... I don't know. I know I should want something, but I just feel..." There's an uneasiness in the room, coming from the other stallions; each of them wants to comfort me, support me and make me feel better, but they don't want to unintentionally make my choice harder. "I don't know."

"Do you think... you'll come back to work soon?" She wonders.

"Or to the theater?" Noh adds. "We've only had one lesson." There's pep in the comment, like it's a funny little fact. I feel him smiling.

I just shrug again. I take a deep breath, then, "I just don't want to stop being friends with you. Either of you..."

"Timber," Bolden coos. "Whoever you choose, we'll all still love you."

That wasn't what I meant, but I didn't know what I really meant. Not at the time, at least. I turn back to them. "You think we could go out for pizza tonight?" I ask.

Pearl beams. The guys smile too, but she is purely ecstatic. "Absolutely!"

"Yeah, sounds great," Bolden and Noh say around each other, relieved.

I smile, wearily. It's only like, noon, but I feel really tired. I already don't remember doing anything at the hospital besides sleeping. Other than when my family visited, that is.

"Thanks," I offer. "I'd like to get some sleep, though." I realized I was kicking even Bolden out, who had nowhere else to go. I didn't think about it. I just wanted some alone time.

"Sure," Pearl smiles. "We'll come get you around five. That sound good?"

"Yeah," I agree. "And don't let me change my mind." The guys have already started filing out, silently. Pearl smiles and turns. I stop her, "Hey... is Stitches busy?"