Drunken Hearted Pt. 10: Sentimental Girl's Violent Joke

>The elevator ride down is a little tense.
>Minuette really is a one-of-a-kind pony; the way she’s always taking active interest in others’ lives even though her own seems to be in a state of turmoil astounds you.
>She’s hundreds of miles away from her home and even though her problems still follow her, she pays no mind to it.
>It’s a kindness and generosity that you are not accustomed to, and feel you don’t deserve a lot of the time.
>Minuette smiles up at you, coaxing a slight grin from you as well.
>You wish to be more like her someday.
>The doors open. Minuette pulls you out of the elevator doors and into the lobby.
>You don’t know where you’re going; only that Lyra and Charley will be there.
>You button up your jacket and make gentle strides to the front door of the lobby.
>Outside, your skin is greeted with biting cold.
>A brisk breeze whips your hair and Minuette’s mane and scarf about.
>”Come on, this way!”
>Minuette calls out and trots off towards Charley’s home down the street.
But…
>It’s so far away.
>Minuette doesn’t look back. Her figure becomes smaller in the distance.
>All you can do is grumble and chase after her on the streets.
Hey wait up!
>You watch the flank and legs of the galloping pony kick in the iron wind in front of you.
>The mare looks back at you chasing after her.
>Her sapphire eyes cool your aching heart for a moment. Her raised brows and crooked smile beam back at you as you race toward her.
>She eventually stops and waits for you to catch up.
>”Jeeze, sorry slowpoke. I wanted to get out of the wind!”
>She giggles as you kneel down on a stoop and catch your breath.
>You huff a little.
It’s…It’s okay, I know…
>Minuette gives you a concerned look.
>”Anon, are you okay?”
Yeah…I’m…
>You clear your throat.
>Smoking takes the edge off sometimes, but other than that it’s pretty detrimental to your health.
>Rarity’s constant nagging echoes in a small part of your head. You thought you left her behind…
>You look up to Minuette.
We’re almost there, aren’t we?
>Your statement begs for affirmation. You remember where it was; you just want her to say something.
>She nods.
>”Mhmm, very close…a few more blocks.”
>The iron wind sharpens; it cuts through your fabric with ease. By her shivers, you can tell Minuette really wants to get out of the cold.
>The moon is full and easily visible. You look at it above you.
>It’s easily visible through the urban skyline, even in the late afternoon sky which strikes you as a surprise.
>You slowly lower your head to meet Minuette’s eyes.
>She trembles slightly as the wind blows her scarf.
>For a moment the two of you are silently locked in a stare, inches from one another’s lips.
>You feel you need to say something.
Min-
>Minuette’s eyes make a dizzy trail from the sky down to meet a small crystal that lands on her muzzle.
>She relinquishes her odd cross-eyed stare and looks into your eyes again.
Huh…is it time for snow already?
>The mare gives a dazed nod.
Do you…like snow…?
>You try to coax conversation.
>She blinks a few times.
>”Yeah…kinda…”
>She’s someone of few words, but she always packs the most meaning into them.
Me too.
>You stand up and resume your journey.
>A few more snowflakes fall around you as Minuette leads you to the apartment building where Charley lives.
>Walks with her are always silent. The street noise is your strolling soundtrack. Maybe that’s why Minuette’s words always seem so important to you. She has a lot of time to decide what she’s going to say.
>Every brief word is heavy and dense with feeling, even when delivered in her dry tone.
>When you arrive, Minuette buzzes the doorbell and walks up the flight of stairs to the apartment.
>Behind the door, you can make out gentle music and the clinking of glasses.
>Minuette shakes her glistening snowflake mane.
>”I hate snow.”
Really? I thought you said you liked it.
>Minuette huffs.
>”Yeahhhh, kinda!”
>You laugh at her.
Not 100% though, huh?
>She shrugs as you knock on the door. Charley and his loud Hawaiian-print shirt greet you.
>”Hey! Ponyville guy! Come on in!”
>You laugh and wave to him.
>Minuette pushes past you and leads you into the apartment.
>It’s a small party, nothing too happening.
>The room is filled with crazy laughter and conversation.
>A chorus of slurred words, drunk smiles, smoke, and an overall sense of joy and relaxation.
>You breathe in the arid atmosphere surrounding you.
>It’s delicious.
>Lyra waves at you from the couch. Minuette is busy talking to some stallions. You want to try to look normal and socialize now that you’re newly single.
>You sit down next to her.
Hey. What’s up?
>Lyra looks up at you. Her minty perfume wafts toward you, cutting through the scent of cigarettes and sudsy beer with ease.
>”Just reading.”
>You move your head to see the cover of the book.
>”Lovequest” by some pony named Gadget. The last name is obscured by Lyra’s hoof.
You read at parties?
>Lyra blushes a little.
>”Err, I read everywhere…”
>You give her a smile to relieve her.
It’s good to have something you’re passionate about.
>Lyra gives you a small nod as she hands you a beer.
>You snap it open and slowly down the suds.
So…what do you like to read?
>Lyra looks a little nervous.
>”I dunno…everything really. My girlfriend and I read a lot.”
>Her statement surprises you, but you aren’t one to judge.
Common ground is important for couples.
>She seems comforted in your words and sips her drink along with you.
>You wish someone would have given you your own advice in the past.
>The night crawls along. Ponys dance, music plays, jokes echo on the walls, and ponys exchange sloppy kisses.
>You sit at a counter flipping through Lyra’s book.
>It seems interesting enough. You want to read it sometime.
>”Hey, there you are.”
>Minuette walks up to you.
Oh, hey. What’s going on?
>She pulls up a chair and sits next to you.
>A few minutes pass. She’s silent as she mixes a drink and produces a rolled cigarette and lights it.
>You look at your watch as she gently pushed the thick smoke out of her pursed lips.
>It’s 11:47.
What is that?
>You smell the smoke around you. It becomes fairly obvious now.
>She levitates it to you.
>”Want some?”
>You shake your head. You aren’t a square or anything…it was just never something you liked.
>Minuette inhales the dried plant and exhales.
>”Everything tastes good at midnight.”
>She has a calm about her, like there’s a lot on her mind and she’s trying to stifle her coughs.
>You rest your head on your hand and examine the city out of Charley’s small kitchen window.
>There’s a lot on your mind right now, too. Most of all, you being semi-homeless.
>”Anon…”
Hmm?
>Minuette smiles at the bottom on her empty glass.
>”Take me away from here.”
>You’re caught off guard.
>What did she say? What did she mean?
>Her eyes are heavy like she’s tired. Maybe she wants to go to bed.
What?
>Desperately, you look for an expression on her face to gauge her seriousness, but it’s very blank.
>Expressionless and empty.
Hey…
>Her lips trembles, but her eyes are dry. She wants to cry but can’t.
Minuette?
>She looks up at you with glassy eyes.
Let’s go home.
>A single nod.
>You say goodbye to Charley and Lyra and head back to the hotel, making an excuse that you came down with a stomach ache.
>You’re terrible at making up things on the fly.
>As you leave, you feel a little sad. In your time here you’ve met some really wonderful people. Maybe coming back in a few months to catch up on things wouldn’t be such a bad thing.
>The streets are now covered in a thin sheet of white fluff.
>The wind has slowed a little, but it’s still very cold out.
>You look at your companion.
>Minuette seems detached. You gently coil the scarf around her neck.
>She doesn’t seem to be talkative; much less than usual.
Hey…are you okay?
>She stares off into the distance at the streets.
>”Yeah…”
Okay.
>You quickly brush your hands together to warm them.
I guess we should head back then. Shall we?
>Minuette still stares.
>”Okay.”
>You start to walk down the street.
>”Actually…can we go…someplace first?”
>You turn around. You’re a little puzzled, but her eyes are starting to water and dart around. You don’t want to question it.
>She needs you right now.
Sure, wherever you want to go.
>”Just follow me.”
>You oblige without question.
>The snow falls silently and slowly. Your surroundings start to become more familiar now as the city gives way to flatter terrain.
>The park lights bathe the snowy cobblestones in a yellow glow. You walk to a bench and dust it off for Minuette to sit on.
>The cold has yet to penetrate the wood, but you still sit close to her to warm her.
>It’s very quiet, and there’s no one here at this hour.
>This park is special to her. It’s like a bandage for her heart when her usual nonchalant attitude is insufficient.
>The wind howls in the distance as it passes through the streets and alleyways of the city.
>Minuette breaks the silence with a spark of her lighter and a puff of one of her cigarettes.
>No words follow her actions.
>You sit there examining the dim park scenery.
>In an instant, she releases a torrent of emotion.
>Tears trickle down her cheeks.
>”My relationship is in pieces.”
>Her monotone voice hides her sorrow the best it can.
>You ponder.
What do you mean?
>Minuette releases the smoke from her lips. It floats in the breeze and slowly dies.
>”I don’t want to go back home…my real home. I hate my fiancé, and he hates me. I’ll just be back in reality with a job I hate and someone who doesn’t love me.”
>She continues after wiping her eyes. She stares at some snow covered trees in the dark distance as she unleashes her feelings on you.
>”We have nothing in common; he’s not the person I thought he’d be…or maybe I’m not…I don’t even know anymore.”
>She sniffs and snuggles her body into yours. Her warmth radiates through your legs.
>It feels…right. Like the curvature of your leg was meant for her to rest her head there.
>”I just don’t know what to do; this isn’t the life I wanted. Why are things so hard?”
>You often ponder that too. You never wanted to give Rarity your entire heart and dedicate your life to one pony, only to have them take advantage of you and leave you in a strange world within a strange world alone.
>A tear falls off Minuette’s cheek and burns through the snow as it lands on the ground.
>”We’re just too different I guess.”
>She tries to smile through the pain…the pain that you’re all too familiar with.
>Looking for self-identity has become a hobby of yours since you’ve been with Rarity.
>Now that you’re here with Minuette though…maybe you can connect and find a little peace of mind and help her.
>You light one of your own cigarettes.
You know…things never work out.
>She sniffles and looks at you.
Don’t ever prepare for anything…you’ll always be surprised.
>Minuette starts to cry, but not because of what you said.
>All she can do is rest her head on your lap. You gently stroke her mane to comfort her.
>A few miles away from the hotel, many miles away from Ponyville, and a whole dimension away from Earth…you don’t feel sad about that. You don’t even feel bad about having your heart broken anymore.
>Minuette rolls over and looks up at you. A gentle gust blows her mane.
>You wipe her eyes dry as she gazes up at you.
You can’t worry about what will happen…you just have to let it happen and make the best of it. Live your life and be yourself.
>That was lame.
>Minuette giggles a little.
>”You’re really no help at all, are you?”
>You smile at her.
No…not really.
>She wipes her eyes before they widen.
What?
>A small snowflake lands on Minuette’s lips.
>They gently tremble at the coldness.
>”You wanna…uhm…”
>You waste no time to listen to her words as you plant your lips on hers.
>The snow falls once more as you hold the small pony in your lap, your lips meeting in the still night.
>The park is serene. You don’t want to leave this moment.
>Your passionate kiss is everything you’ve wanted it to be ever since you met her.
>Minuette releases you.
>”Anon…let’s go.”
Are you sure? Do you feel any better?
>”Hmm…”
>She kisses you once more before burying her face into your coat.
>”Yes. I’m wonderful. Thank you.”
Sure?
>She giggles.
>She plants her lips against yours one last time before standing up.
>”Yes; I’m sure.”
>You and Minuette walk down the cobblestone path back toward the hotel.
>The streets are sparse. It makes you feel closer to her.
>Minuette walks closely, quietly thinking of things to say you assume.
>But she saves it; she doesn’t speak until you arrive back to the hotel.
>It’s in sight in the distance.
>”Ha…look at those guys…”
>You look up the street.
>Rarity and Pierre are stumbling through the street as they leave the hotel…groping each other along the way.
>You massage your still-aching hand. You almost forgot all about her.
>Almost.
>Minuette giggles. Rarity’s laugh echoes as Pierre slaps her flank.
>Normally, you’d do a lot more than slug him. But now…now it just seems like too much effort.
>Minuette quickly runs inside to escape the cold without saying a word.
>You stand there…caught between the past and the present; love and heartbreak.
>Before you know it, Rarity looks back at you and the two of you lock eyes.
>The snow blurs your gaze. She looks happy…about as happy as a love-deprived harlot can be.
>She will never be satisfied.
>You hope she’s enjoying her new life…some things will never fade away.
>You give her a wave goodbye and head back up to the room.
>Minuette quickly throws off her bag and rushes under the covers.
>She flails about and moans in joy as she gets comfortable.
>”Ah…warmth…”
>You remove your jacket and shoes and climb into the bed with her.
>She presses her lukewarm body against you.
>Minuette carries a burden with her all the time. Why can’t you be strong like her?
>Maybe she’s silent because she doesn’t want to bother the world with her life.
>In a strange way, it’s very admirable of her.
>It’s almost 3 in the morning now.
>Things change so fast.
Hey.
>”Yeah?”
So what do you want from life?
>Minuette is silent for a moment. You wait for her to relinquish her pent-up words that she’s been holding back for the past hour or so.
>But you lay under the blankets in the dark awaiting an answer for a while in silence and eventually give up.
>You roll over.
>”I think I’d like to laugh more.”
>And with that, you fall asleep next to her while the snow falls silently outside.