Celestia and DealerAnon Pt. 3

>The store is luckily not that far away, and the two blocks will probably go by faster with some company
>Or, so you thought
>But you simply can't come up with anything to say
''So, uh.''
>''Yeah?''
''How do you like the neighborhood?''
>She suppresses a grimace as she looks around at the overflowing trashcans and dilapidated entrances around her
>''It's, uh, picturesque? Yeah. Picturesque.''
>You chuckle and light a new cigarette
''Come on, I know it's a dump. Been for as long as I've stayed here, at least.''
>''Oh come on, it's not that bad.''
>She gives you a smile of encouragement
''Whatever you say.''
>You walk in silence for a while, all the while blowing thick clouds of smoke
>''Hey, I was meaning to ask you…''
''Fire away.''
>''Well, when we were talking on the balcony, I think you said you're unemployed.''
>She grimaces at her own words
''Mm-hmm?''
>''Well, I'm just wondering if I can help you out in any way.''
''Nah, it's okay.''
>Honestly it wasn't, but you sure as hell weren't going to have your guest pay for your food
>You may not have a job, but you still have your pride
>She looks away again
>''Well, if you say so. I don't want to jeopardize your… situation.''
''Situation, huh?''
>You don't know why you suddenly feel angry at her
''What's that supposed to mean?''
>You ask with more aggression than intended
>''Nothing.''
>She replies a little too quickly
>''I'm sorry if I offended you.''
''No problem.''
>You grunt noncommittally and blow a smoke ring
>The silence reigns, this time to your relief
>She breaks it again
>So, what have you been doing since college?''
>She gives a smile again
>You look away and find your hand occupied by your neck again
''Well, uh, you know. This and that.''
>You sure as hell weren't going to tell her that you'd been dealing drugs for years
>Sometimes to the kids from her High School no less
>You shudder slightly, worried that she's going to press further
>''This and that, huh?''
''Yeah. You know. Stuff.''
>''Right.''
>She trails off, suspicion evident in her tone
''Just odd jobs, really.''
>''Okay.''
>The ensuing silence is as awkward as before
''So, why'd you lose your job?''
>She gives a bitter laugh
>''I have no idea. Didn't get an explanation, just a pink slip and an apology.''
''No shit.''
>''Yep. Maybe I wouldn't mind as much if they'd at least have given me a reason.''
>She shrugs and blows a long breath of air from between her teeth, clearly frustrated
>''I mean, I would've understood last year, what with a student blowing half the school into rubble and all, but now? It doesn't make sense!''
''Yep.''
>You doubt she even hears what you say
>She clearly needs to vent
>''It doesn't make any damn sense! First I get fired and lose my home, and now I can't even contact my sister! Nobody from the faculty has even heard of her since Friday, and…''
>Her voice trails off and she stops, leaning against the wall while covering her forehead with her hand
>''And I'm scared, Anon. I'm scared, and I'm tired. Why now? I mean-''
>She sniffles and wipes at her eye
>You can clearly see tears beginning to form in her eyes
>Her voice is thickening, the dam holding all her worries and fears finally broken
>You do the only thing you can
>You pull her into a warm embrace beneath the balcony of a condemned tenement
>You squeeze her to your chest, and finally notice how small she seemed compared to the High School days
>Back then she was always imposing, towering over everyone as if vested with some magical authority
>Now, it seemed like whatever kept her going had finally stopped, and let loose a stream of sorrow
''Hey now, none of that, okay?''
>You reassure her in the warmest voice you can muster, the resentment you felt towards her just a moment ago gone
''You're gonna stay with me for a few days, send in some applications to schools and stuff, and before you know it, you'll be back on your feet again.''
>You break off the hug after a minute of her burying her face into your chest, look her warmly in the eyes, and squeeze her shoulder in what you hope is a reassuring way
''Pick yourself up, Celestia. Everything's gonna be alright, okay? I'm here for you.''
>She sniffles and wipes her eyes while giving you a slight smile
>''Th-thanks, Anon. I really needed that. Heh.''
>She chuckles mirthlessly and blushes, clearly embarrassed with herself
>Now you realize that you're standing pretty close to each other
>Scratch that, very close
>As you look at her bloodshot eyes, her slightly frazzled hair and her beautiful lips, you realize another thing
>She is incredibly beautiful
>And you're close enough to-
''So, uh, store's just around the corner.''
>''Yeah.''
''So we should, uh, probably…''
>''Yeah.''
>Both of your voices sound hollow, almost grating
>And you feel like the biggest idiot in the world right now
>Both of you start walking again, the silence heavier than ever
>''So, uh, thanks for giving me a shoulder to cry on. Heh.''
>She gives another sad chuckle
''No problem.''
>The rest of your walk is silent