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- >Why is life so unfair?
- >Staring at yourself in the mirror, you give a sigh before you pick up the paint brush.
- >Slowly, you draw your "cutie mark", fighting the urge to cry the entire time.
- >The wet paint feels gross against your skin, but after having done it for this long, it doesn't bother you so much.
- >Dotting the last gem on the tiara, you turn and make sure you got everything right.
- >With a sigh, you put on your namesake, and step out of your room.
- "Dad, I'm going out." You call, and getting no response, you sigh again before stepping outside.
- >Putting on your everyday face, you go out to meet your BFF, Silver Spoon.
- >She's grown up a lot, maturing into a great young mare.
- >You on the other hoof...
- >Sure, you look like a normal mare, but with your fake cutie mark, and no real skills, nopony would hire you.
- >Trotting through town, you give a small sneer to Applebloom, standing at her new carpentry stand, before coming to the kitchen shop.
- >Ever since that monkey thing Anonymous arrived here, silverware has become more popular, and he even came up with a way to make what he calls "Flatware".
- >Silver Spoon was quickly hired when she reached the age she could work, and since then she has found herself a special somepony and moved out.
- >Opening the door, you step into the shop, and there is an immediate squeal.
- >"Diamond!" Silver calls out, running from behind the counter to hug you. "Its good to see you."
- "You too Silver. How's it working for a big monkey?"
- >"That isn't nice Diamond" She starts when a deeper voice speaks from behind her.
- >"Its sort of true though." Looking up, you see Anonymous, and you instantly feel yourself look down.
- "I'm sorry, that was a little rude of me." You say, a slightly darker pink appearing on your cheeks.
- >His hand pats you on the head, and you look back up at him with a glare.
- >Silver laughs a bit, and says "You havn't changed a bit since we were little fillys Diamond, always so serious."
- >'Thats not the only thing that hasn't changed.'
- >"We were just about to head for our lunch break, would you like to join us Diamond?" Anonymous asks, preparing a sign for the window.
- "I don't see why not, if you two don't mind me getting in on your together time."
- >Silver starts quickly waving her hoofs, going "NoNoNoNo Its not like that."
- >Anonymous chuckles, and says "We are with eachother most of the day, I'm sure we'd love some company, isnt that right Spoon."
- >"I told you not to call me that." Silver fumes at him, and he just puts the sign up and chuckles.
- >"So, what do you say Diamond, you want to join us for lunch?"
- "Sure, I suppose I have the time to join you two."
- >Holding the taller door open for you and Silver, Anonymous gestures for you to head out.
- >The shop temporarely closed, Anonymous leads you and Silver to a quaint little cafe, the three of you taking a seat outside.
- >A waiter comes and takes yours and the others order, and you all relax a bit.
- >"So Diamond, how have you been? Silvers mentioned you as an old friend, but this is the first time I've met you."
- >You feel a twinge of curiosity, and at the same time, something else.
- "And what kinds of things did she say?" You ask, leaning forward on the table.
- >"Hmnnn,lets see..."
- >The moment he starts, Silvers reaches over and covers his mouth.
- >"It's nothing, just stuff like how we have been friends since fillyhood, and how we are both from wealthy familys and what not."
- >You look at Anonymous, who seems a little off, and at Silver, who has an awkward grin on her face.
- "Right..." You say with a roll of your eyes.
- "So, anyways, how is it, actually having a job?"
- >"It's different, but it makes you feel like you have done something with your day."
- >Anon leans back a bit, and says "Her having a related cutie mark and skills definetally helped her get hired."
- >"I thought you hired me because I was cute?" Silver says with a flip of her mane.
- >Both you and Anon suppress a laugh, before patting her on the back when she gets angry.
- "You know you are onw of the prettyest ponys in Ponyville, we're just bugging you."
- "So what about you Anon, whats your cutie mark?"
- >"I don't have one. Humans dont get them, and because of this, we rarely find what we are truly good at."
- >This sends you for a bit of a spin.
- >'Anon doesn't have a cutie mark, and yet, he is so liked in Ponyville.'
- "So you were lucky to find that you are good with kitchen stuff, right?"
- >"Nope, actually, I'm not that good, its just compared to you ponys, humans use these things more and so I can help with such things."
- "Wouldn't you want to know what your special talent is then?"
- >Silver gives a faint sigh, before saying "Here we go again."
- >"Honestly, no, I wouldn't want to know my special talent here."
- >"Back on earth, sure, but here where a mark pretty much decides your job and life, its not the best thing."
- >"Take Silver for example, sure, she may be happy working with her namesake, but what if she wanted to be a musician?"
- >"With her special talent involving cutlery, she doesn't have much of a chance."
- >"Me on the other hand, I could do whatever job I want, so long as I have the skills for it."
- >"So you see, sometimes its better to be a blank flank in this world, since it means you are unrestricted."
- >You find yourself leaning forward on the table, staring into his eyes before snapping out of your trance.
- "I see, thats a unique view on such things. Maybe we can get together some other time and talk about other things."
- >'Oh Celestia I must sound like an idiot, asking him that.' You think, ears leaning back.
- >"Sure, I'm always ready to teach ponys a bit about my old home."
- >With a barely contained squee, you sit back as your food arrives.
- >You and Silver ordered slightly different salads, and Anonymous, a...
- >As the smell hits your nose, you have to suppress a gag.
- "Ugh, I hate the smell of fish."
- >Silver nods while scrunching her nose, and Anon shrugs. "Its the only meat based protien I can get readily here. Personaly, I would love a nice juicy steak or some ribs slathered in barbecue sause."
- >Focusing on your meal instead of the smell, you quickly finish and reach for your bit purse, before you realize you left it at home.
- "Ummm, Would you mind paying for my meal Silver, I forgot to bring my purse."
- >Anon reaches to his belt, and pulls out some coins "Don't worry, this is my treat, since I asked if you wanted to come."
- >"Always the gentlecolt, huh Anon." Silver says with a smirk.
- >He gives Silver a smug grin, before giving her a light shove.
- "You two are good friends, huh."
- >They look at eachother, and nod. "Yeah, but then, so are you and her."
- >"Well, It's time to head back to the shop Silver. It was nice meeting you Diamond."
- >You nod and stand, pushing your seat back.
- "So, when would you feel like telling me more about your homeland?"
- >He scratches his chin a moment, before saying "How about saturday over dinner?"
- >The suddenness of his proposal makes you blush and stutter a bit.
- "S...Sure Saturday sounds perfect. I will see you then."
- >Moving as fast as you can without running, you head towards home.
- >The door closing behind you, you sit, trying to calm your heart.
- "I... He asked me to come over for dinner."
- >'Why is it bothering me so much? He's just a friend of a friend I'm getting to know.'
- >Pacing in your room, you look to your flank and fake cutie mark.
- "He said he odoesn't have a cutie mark, but that can't be true."
- "Someone as liked and talented as him can't be a blank flank."
- >You start digging in your closet, looking for something to wear.
- >Half your dresses are too short, you want something that will cover your "cutie mark", just in case.
- >Comparing yourself against the dresses in your mirror, you let out a loud groan.
- "Why am I making such a big deal over this? It's just a friendly get together."
- >Throwing the dresses and yourself on the bed, you stare at the ceiling.
- "It doesn't make sense. Why do I feel like there are butterflys in my stomach when I think of him?"
- "Sure, he's nice, energetic and polite, but he's also a monkey who works at a silverware shop."
- >Closing your eyes, you picture his face, his flat features and vivid eyes.
- >The butterflys return, and you place your hooves on your chest, imagining his hands there instead.
- >Warmth fills you, and one hoof starts slowly moving down, before your eyes snap open, realizing what you were about to do.
- >Jumping off your bed, you rush to the bathroom and jump in the shower.
- >The hot water rushes over you, and you try and focus on the sound of the water, rather than Anonymous.
- >Slowly, you feel yourself relax, and you step out, drying off.
- >For the next few days, you manage to remain calm, and all too soon, its Saturday.
- >The day crawls by at a snails pace, and you find yourself pacing around, not wanting to start anything.
- >As the clock hits four, you start getting ready, deciding on a form fitting dress of pink and grey, its length covering your blank flank.
- >If Anonymous truly is a blank flank, maybe its alright if you are as well.
- >All the memorys of when you taunted Applebloom, Scootaloo and Sweetiebelle come back, and you let out a slow breath.
- "I guess I have some appologies to make."
- >Making sure everything is right, you hear the doorbell and spare a quick glance at the clock.
- "4:30, he's a little early."
- >Answering the door, you find instead of Anonymous, Silver Spoon is there.
- >"Hey Diamond, your a little dressed up for just dinner."
- "There is nothing wrong with wanting to make a good impression. Besides, its not like we are dating or anything."
- >"I know, but I know something else too. You have a crush on him."
- "I DO NOT!" You retort, and she chuckles.
- >"You cant hide it from me Diamond, and I think it's good for you. You've never been, for lack of a better term, kind, to any stallions our age."
- >"Finaly having one you like might help you improve as a pony and as a mare."
- >Your ears flatten angrily, before slowly returning to normal.
- "You're right, but I don't know what to do. I don't even know if he likes me."
- >Silver steps over and lays a hoof on your shoulder. "Think of it like this, would he have even invited you over if he didn't at least like you a bit."
- >This makes you smile, and you lean over, hugging her.
- "Thanks Silver, that means a lot."
- >The two of you retreat to your room, and you share gossip and good times, just like like when you were fillys.
- >As the clock strikes five, the doorbell rings again, and you and Silver go to the main hall.
- >One final quick checkover, and Silver moves into another room and you answer the door.
- >"Good evening Diamond, Are you ready to go?" Anonymous asks, dressed in a semi-formal suit.
- "Of course, lead the way."
- >Following him out, as you close the door you catch sight of Silver giving you a wink before it shuts.
- >The two of you walk down the relatively quiet streets of Ponyville, before coming to a house, slightly larger than the rest.
- >"This is my house, as you can tell. I've got dinner just finishing in the oven, but if you want to go out, I have no problems with that either."
- "Your house is just fine." You say, and he opens the door, holding it for you.
- "Silver was right, you are quite the gentlecolt."
- >"Nah, it's just polite behaviour, at least where I'm from."
- "It must be a really different place, you home, since most stallions are kind of jerky, just because there are a fair number fewer of them."
- >He nods, showing you to the dining room table.
- >The house is rather simple, minimalistic furniture and decorations, but then, he is newer here so he wouldn't have much anyways.
- >Looking at the chair, you find its a little too high for you to get up easily.
- >Anonymous notices this, and steps over. "Would you like some help?"
- "Okay, just..." You start, your heart pounding a mile a minute.
- >His strong hands wrap around your waist and lift you up into the seat.
- "Thanks." you say, trying to hide your blush.
- >"Its not a problem, you aren't the first to have problems with the larger size of my house."
- >Moving into what you guess is the kitchen, Anon dissapears from view, and you spend some time looking around.
- >There are no pictures anywhere, just a few paintings and a small sculpture or two.
- >Anonymous returns with two steaming plates, a delicious odor wafting over.
- "Mmmmm, that smells delicious." You comment, nose high.
- >"Thanks, hopefully it tastes as good as it smells."
- >You let out a small laugh, and he chuckles as well.
- >Setting down the plates, he takes a seat across from you, and looks over.
- "So, whats it like, your old home, that is?" You ask, picking up some of the equine utensils supplied.
- >"Its really different." He starts.
- >As dinner progresses, you learn bits and pieces about his old home, which was apparently a different world entirely.
- "You know, you are quite an interesting stallion, I bet you have had no shortage of potential special someponys."
- >He nods, a weird look overcoming him. "You could say that."
- "It might be a little innapropriate of me, but do you have a special somepony?"
- >"No, I don't mind, I actually get asked that a lot. I don't have one."
- >You feel your heart soar in your chest.
- >'I may have a chance with him!' You mentally cheer.
- "I'm surprised a nice mare hasn't snatched you up yet." you comment, a small, slightly seductive smile on your face.
- >He leans back, staring at the ceiling.
- >"To tell you the truth, I'm not interested in mares."
- >Your heart plummets. 'He's a colt cuddler...'
- "So you prefer stallions?" you ask, your ears flattening.
- >His eyes look back at you and he shakes his head.
- >"It's... You know, you are one of the few ponys I have told this to, but..."
- >He reaches into a pocket and pulls out a slightly worn scrap of paper.
- >Setting it on the table, he slides it over to you.
- >Picking it up, you see Anonymous and another human, this one a bit thinner and with a longer mane.
- "Who is this?"
- >"My wife, or at least, she was..."
- >You feel bad for just asking, and you can see the pain on his face.
- "What happened?"
- >"I don't know. How I got here is still a mystery, and I can't let go of her yet, I still feel like she is faithful to me."
- >Ears flat, you slide the photo back.
- "I... I had no idea. I hope this didn't bring up any bad memories or anything."
- >"No, its actualy kind of refreshing, like a weight has been lifted from me."
- "I'm glad I could help, I guess. Maybe you can help me with something."
- >He looks at you confused, before saying "I can try."
- >Mustering up all your courage, you take a deep breath and ask
- "Could you show me you don't have a cutie mark?"
- >He nearly falls out of his seat, before asking "Where did that come from?"
- >Shuffling your hooves nervously, you hop off the chair.
- "I just... Argh, just please, show me."
- >He looks at you suspiciously, before nodding.
- >"We'll follow human rules. I'll show you mine if you show me yours."
- >Your small amount of courage falters a bit, before you nod.
- >Reaching back, you pull up your dress, revealing you blank as a newborns flank.
- >He, in turn reaches and pull down the side of his pants, revealing a blank flank as well.
- >"I thought you had a mark though?" He comments, pulling his pants back up.
- "I've... Ever since I was a filly, I've been faking it, and I've never found anything I'm good at."
- >Looking down, ears flat, you wait for him to laugh at you, until you feel his hand on your head.
- >Your heart skips a beat, and you look up at him, vision slightly clouded by the beginings of tears.
- >"It's nothing to be ashamed of. Like I said before, it just means you still have the potential to be anything you want."
- >You smile up at him, and he ruffles your all done up mane.
- "Thanks, I guess I owe some ponys an appology..." You mutter to yourself, and Anon starts cleaning dinner.
- "This was nice, I hope you don't mind me eating and running, but there are some ponys I have to go see today."
- >"Not at all, in fact, feel free to stop by every once in a while. It's nice to have company."
- >Taking your leave, you head into the market to see Appleblooms stall closed up, so you head to Sweet Apple Acres, where you assume she is staying.
- >As you reach the farm, you knock on the door.
- >An orange mare you recognize as her older sister answers.
- "Excuse me, but is Applebloom home?"
- >She glares at you, and you shrink back a bit.
- >"I hope you ain't tryin nothin."
- >You shake your head meekly, looking at the ground.
- "I came to appologize."
- >She gives you another stern look, before giving you the faintest of smiles.
- >"Her friends are here too, if'n ya want to appologize to all of them."
- >Your heart beats hard, and you feel slightly faint from nervousness, but you nod.
- >She heads back inside, before a trio of familiar mares comes out.
- >"What do you want Diamond Tiara?" Sweetiebelle asks, a frown on her face.
- "I... I'm sorry."
- >All three of their jaws drop, before their expressions firm.
- >"We ain't falling fer none off yer tricks anymore."
- "It's not a trick, I really am sorry. I should never have taunted you for being blank flanks when fillys."
- >"And why should we beleive you?" Scootaloo asks, punctuating her point with a jab of a hoof.
- >With ears as flat as they can go, you undo your dress, revealing your markless flank.
- >The three of them go silent, before Applebloom asks "Why?"
- >Thinking on what Anonymous told you, you sit down on the porch.
- "I guess a friend convinced me that its not such a bad thing."
- >"It doesn't make up for you being a jerk to us for so long, but I guess you aren't all bad." Scootaloo says, holding out a hoof.
- >Tentatively shaking it, you feel, well, normal.
- >A small smile forms, and the other two hold out their hooves as well.
- "We may not be able to start over, but maybe we can end up as friends."
- >"Ah wouldn't push it missy, lets just go with you ain't our enemy anymore."
- "That's better than I expected."
- "Well, I have to go, but I'm glad I got this off my chest. If I had a chance to redo it, I'm sure we could have been friends."
- >They all nod and wave as you head back to town, putting on your dress on the way.
- >As you pass Anonymous's house, you see the light in what you assume to be his bedroom go out, and your smile grows a bit.
- "Thanks Anonymous, for letting me be a more open me. Maybe someday, I can help you be a more open you."
- >Back home, you slip into bed, and for once, you don't dread having to wake up and fake your cutie mark.
- >Not ever again.
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