Breakfast - The Festival of Lights

>You are Shimmer Light.
>... You have to get back.
>Today's streets are especially packed because of tonight.
>The Festival of Lights...
>You hate the Festival of Lights.
>Everyone is always rushing around the market, making your trip more hectic than it needs to be.
>And you always have to go to the market on this day.
>No matter how many times you check over things, you still have to buy something.
>For example, you once broke your mop, another time you ran out of bread, then that one time...
>Every year.
>Luckily, you're on your way back to your house to lock yourself away from the world.
>Like always.
>It doesn't help the streets will be brighter than the sun once night falls.
>You pass by many different moths on your way back, most of them not being interesting enough to note.
>Though, you do notice the chubby one with the foals.
>The angry little foal is being obnoxious, like always, while the purple one is being unaware and the orange one is being... calm in comparison.
>Calm in general, actually.
>"Dandelion wants to stay up all night for the Festival!"
>The fat mare looking over then shakes her head.
>You can't stand to look in her direction any longer, your eyes might rot out.
>"Staying up all night isn't good for you."
>You hear a collective "Aw..."
>"Miss Butterscotch..."
>"Yes, Poppy?"
>"Who's that mare?"
>... She might be talking about you.
>You're walking away from them at this point, so you can't subtly glance to check.
>"I... don't know..."
>You're sure she's saying more, but you can't hear her anymore.
>That's fine, they'll never interact with you anyway.
>...
>The rest of your journey had only minor glances to moths you slightly recognized, like the peach one and the yellow one.

>However, you didn't see Hexferry.
>That means she's probably going to leave her house as you approach it.
>You're almost home, meaning it's only a matter of seconds.
>The street is empty here, since it's so far away from the center of the village.
>And...
>Her door opens.
>Fantastic.
>She walks into your path.
>That's fine, you'll go right. You don't need to-
>She moves back into your way.
>Okay, everything's good, you'll move left and-
>She's doing this on purpose. She isn't letting you pass by.
>You're quite angry now, but you won't let it show.
>You ready your wings to fly over her.
>She does the same.
>She's looking directly at you.
>...
>You stop a meter away from her.
>The two of you stand in silence.
>You can't really talk right now, you have a bag of groceries in your mouth.
>So you stare at her.
>"Hey, what are you doing tonight?"
>... You really hope she isn't serious.
>You don't react.
>She doesn't look embarrassed or scared, she looks neutral.
>"You're always so alone, maybe we could spend the Festival together."
>She's serious.
>You don't react.
>She's surprisingly still calm. You expected her to have lost her will to pursue you by now.
>"We don't have to be near anyone else, they're too loud anyway. Wouldn't it be nice to spend some time with someone for a change?"
>... She's implying you care in the slightest about anyone besides yourself.
>You don't.
>"What do you say?"
>...
>You move the bag so you're now carrying it with your right hoof.
>Your expression doesn't change as you stare her down.
>You close the distance between you.
>Her eyes are only inches from yours.

>Her composure hasn't left her.
>...
"No."
>You turn away and continue toward you house, passing by her as you put the bag's handle back into your mouth.
>You're almost to your door, the last you'll see of the outside world before being shut away for the night. You are almost-
>Hexferry lands in front of your door.
>Her cool air is very obviously gone. Her expression now matches yours.
>Anger.
>"Why not? Is it so wrong someone wants to be with you? I just want to get to know you, maybe become good friends with you!"
>... You can hardly believe this.
>She's spouting more stupidity than you've ever heard in the same five seconds.
>That shouldn't even be possible.
>You're not going to take any more of this.
>You place yourself beside her, put your hoof on her side, lean away from her...
>And put your entire body's force into shoving her away.
>She certainly didn't see it coming, because she flew like a pebble being thrown.
>She squeaks in surprise as she sails to the side of your house.
>You don't look at her, you only look at your door as you open it, walk in and close it behind you.
>Unfortunately, that doesn't stop Hexferry.
>She pounds her hooves on your door.
>"What is your problem?!"
>You move into the kitchen.
>"Do you react this way to everyone who tries to get near you?!"
>You place the bag next to the refrigerator.
>"Maybe that's why you're so alone!"
>...
>That one didn't even have any effort behind it.
>Whatever, she'll go away eventually.
>You have a day and night to spend inside away from everyone else.
>Needless to say, you had a much better time than you would have it you'd spent any more time with Hexferry.