Living With Colgate

7:30 am
>”G’morning, Annie!”
“Huh?”
>You open your eyes to find Colgate’s face inches from your own. Her bright blue eyes shimmer with unchecked enthusiasm.
>”Good morning, I said!”
“Good morning. Why are you in my room?”
>”It’s Tuesday!”
“Happy Tuesday.”
>Colgate frowns. She jabs you with the tip of her hoof. “Tuesday, December 31st, Anon!”
“Happy…. Birthday?”
>”It’s not my birthday.” Her look of disapproval is broken by a brief giggle. “December 31st is the day of this year’s annual Ponyville Oral Health Convention, AKA OralCon! It’s a big deal here.”
“I’m having some trouble believing that. How many people- I mean- ponies go to this thing?”
>”It’s a gathering of… usually about... exactly no more than 4. Maybe not a big deal locally, but it’s a big deal to me. Y-you’re coming, right?”
“Sorry, I was actually planning to NOT go to a …. dental meet up today.”
>She puffs out her lower lip in a mock pout.
“But nothing’s written in stone… How long is it?”
>”It’s all day! I have many big plans for this year’s event.”
“So, you’re coordinating this thing? I should have guessed.”
>”Please, please, please come! Please!”
>You can’t say no to that face.
“Fine, I’ll go.”
>”YES! Thank you!” Colgate wraps her front legs around you. You could get used to these blue pony hugs.
“Meet at the town hall 10am sharp! And don’t forget to brush your teeth!”

10:04 am
>Colgate’s waiting for you when you arrive, a few minutes past 10, at the town hall. It appears to be otherwise empty.
“Am I the first one here?”
>Colgate nods. “Mhm. Free toothpaste sample?”
“Thanks.”
>You take a look around the place. It looks like Colgate put a lot of work into decorating. There are booths set up for various teeth related things, and a big blue banner hangs from the ceiling displaying the name of the convention.
“Did you do all this?”
>She shrugs. “It was less work than you’d think.”
>It’s very quiet despite the upbeat party music. A nearby activity booth offers a chance to lift the mood.
“Wanna paint my face?”
>Colgate’s face lights up. “Okay! Do you want a tooth? I’m really great at painting teeth! It would be my first time painting one on a face, though.”
“Sign me up.”


3:45 pm
“Wow, Colgate. That was a great instructional video on alternative flossing methods.”
>”I know! I can’t believe they managed to fill the whole 4 hours with only flossing demonstrations. I learn something new every time!” She turns to look at you as the lights in the hall come back on. “There are videos on brushing and mouth-washing too-“
>Fucking Jesus Christ please no.
>”-but they ‘went missing’ after last year’s convention.” Her gaze drops to the floor.
“That’s too bad.”
>”The one we just watched came with a longer director’s cut, but I was hoping more ponies would show up before we watch it.”
>Colgate sadly glances at the empty surrounding chairs. She and you are still the only two attendees of the convention. The background music switches to an appropriately sombre track.
“Um, what’s next on your event schedule?”
>She checks her list.
>”…I-I’ve been putting off all the g-group activities.” She drops the schedule and turns away to hide the tears in her eyes.
“Let me see that.”
>You pick up her event list and scan the boxes that remain unchecked. Dance off, costume contest, karaoke…
“Colgate, we have more than enough people for these things, what are you talking about?”
>She sniffs, and looks you in the eyes again. “B-but it’s just us two.”
“Who needs anyone else? Two is plenty!”
>”I- I guess we have enough for group karaoke.”
>You wipe a tear off her cheek.
“Now you’re talking! Let’s sing a duet.”
>You hop up on stage and toss her one of the microphones. A quick look through the available tracks reveal an unsurprising theme. You choose a random song from the playlist.
“C’mon, Colgate! Get your ass up here! Let’s do this!”
>She flashes a toothy grin and joins you on stage. You look at the teleprompter and start to sing.
>”When I'm feeling lonely
Sad as I can be
All by myself on an uncharted island
in an endless sea

What makes me happy
fills me up with glee
those bones in my JAW!
that don't have a flaw

My Shiny Teeth and ME!”


11:58 pm
>”WOOHOO! DON’T DROP ME!”
>Balancing on your raised hands, Colgate kinda crowd surfs after yet another impressive karaoke single. Who knew there were so many songs about teeth?
>It’s still just Colgate and you in a big empty room, but the atmosphere is crazy in here. You’re actually having a very good time.
“Want to join me outside for a breath of fresh air?”
>”Haho woaho! Okay, okay. Just put me down. I’m getting light-headed!”
>You set her down on her hooves and she immediately falls over in a fit of giggles.
“Have you been drinking the mouthwash?”
>”Hahaha! No. No, no, I think maybe I forgot to breathe while singing. Let’s get that air now!”
>She leads you out of the big town hall doors, and down the stairs onto the wide front lawn.
>The moon shines brightly in the sky, making the thick blanket of snow glow and sparkle. Colgate’s horn glows blue, and a small square of snow melts, leaving a dry patch of grass to sit on.
>A very small dry patch. There’s only room for you to sit.
“There’s only room for me to sit.”
>”Go ahead.”
>You sit on the grass, and Colgate seats herself on your lap. Her natural minty scent fills your nose, making your heart rate increase.
>”Thanks for coming, Anon.”
“Thanks for inviting me. I had a lot of fun.”
>Colgate leans back into you. You can feel her chest expand and contract as she takes deep breaths of cold air. “Heh. I had fun, too. It really is too bad nopony else showed up. I sent out a lot of invita-.”
>Colgate jumps as the bell tolls midnight. The night sky is suddenly filled with bright flashes of color. Fireworks. Laughter and cheering can be heard in the direction of Sugarcube Corner.
>”Anon. Is it…”
“Happy new year! It’s okay, I forgot too.”
>”I… scheduled this thing on the same night as Pinkie Pie’s New Year’s Eve party. No wonder nopony showed up. I’m such an idiot.”
“Yeah, but you’re a pretty cute idiot.”
>Colgate curls up into a ball and fully leans against you, shivering slightly. You wrap your arms around her.
>”Do you want to join everypony else at Pinkie’s?”
>The light show continues on, covering everything with blue, green, yellow, and red light, but your eyes are on Colgate.
“Nah, I’m good right here.”

Happy New Year, AiE.