Could be worse. I have no family, but here I am with a ‘sister’ and two foals to love. I’ve had three failed relationships, but Boscov is really growing on me. I might not be getting paid for my music right now, but at least I’m getting to play for ponies.

Wow, this turned out sappy.

I try to pretend it doesn’t matter, but every once in a while I just wonder sometimes, you know? What if this, what if that. I know it’s stupid, but it’s also not fair…

Maybe my parents were pricks anyway and I would have hated them. But I never had that option. I don’t know anything about them, or why I was left alone in a carriage next to a storefront all those years ago.

I didn’t know right away, but I started to piece it together.

Once I had things sorted out with York, I just asked him if it was me. I gotta work all next week; don’t really have time to beat-around-the-bush.

And thanks! Since we already know one another, we’re skipping the whole ‘first date’ thing and moving on to the fancy restaurant atmosphere!

…

Maybe… Indirectly, maybe my actions have stopped somepony from dying…

Have I ever stood over somepony hanging from the brink and pulled them back to safety? No… I was always either too late…

…

Sorry, this isn’t a subject I’m fond of… I think that’s it from me for tonight.

You had quite a chunk in change! All together it came out to roughly 8 bits!

Unfortunately, even without a frame to set it on, the bed will cost a little over two hundred…

I was a very sweet gesture, Sweetie. If you want, you can have the money back and you can spend it on something for yourself. You earned it after all.

It just warms my heart that you’d go through so much trouble for me! If it makes you feel any better, I can sleep on Tootsie’s bed tonight and tomorrow night, while she isn’t here.

I’ll get a bed soon, I promise. I just need to make sure this new job works out.

Excuse me, everypony. I have to go cry like an emotional little sissy now.

[Sniff]

My heart wasn’t ready for this.

That jokes about sexually transmitted diseases aren’t funny when aimed at ponies who have, on more than one occasion, had intercourse without being one hundred percent, willfully consenting.

I’m sorry, I was hoping that’s what you’ve learned.

…

I can’t complain, it was sort of funny in its minimalistic approach.

But the whole subject is wearing thin.

Remember that one episode of Pokemon where all the main characters’ pokemon got lost and subtitles came up so you could understand what they were saying for once? Remember that one line? It went something like…

There are no bad pokemon, just bad trainers.

There are no illegal cutie marks. You can use a talent to do something illegal, but even thieves can have positive impacts. The best pickpocket in the world can train law enforcement in how to detect if somepony is trying to steal something.

We all make our own lives worth living.

I didn’t point you to me; I couldn’t have if I wanted to. Whoever you are, you found me on your own. You sought out something to brighten your day, and I’m flattered you feel I help make that happen. But you didn’t sit in misery. You looked for something. And if I wasn’t here, I’m certain you would have found something else.

You make your own life worth living by spending your free-time on things you enjoy, or find fulfilling. There’s no better way to live.

Probably when I got my cutie mark.

I was a wreck before and after the performance. But when my teacher was handing out awards and I got most improved… Celestia, that felt good…

And of course, when I got home and noticed I had my cutie mark, even more so! Not having to wear a dress anymore to hid my flank was great too!

Probably a little selfish, but yeah. Couldn’t ask for more on that day.

Does that mean I can call you Boscov?!

Ha ha! Awesome name!

And of course you can call me friend!

Ha. I get it.

And thanks. You’re a good friend, Krastos.

But I keep wanting to call you Boscov, for some reason.

Hi, you must be new here.

Welcome to my struggle. I start my second job as a substitute teacher’s aid in three days.

I’ve been down that path once before. I opened the window and looked out at the street far below.

I closed the window and left.

I’m not going anywhere. Especially not now that I actually have things worth living for.