-7th Bullet-

[emperor_cowboy]

[Phone]

Pretty sure that census thing isn't gonna lead up t' any good... There's a couple of ya out there that I sorta need to discuss a few things with, that is before anything happens.

[He didn't say much after that. Clearly, Hol has had better days.]

Comments

[vytis]

We had to fill out a similar census last year. It didn't lead to anything good.

[emperor_cowboy]

That's what I was afraid of... I recall filling it out once before...

Must be a yearly thing... how wonderful...

[vytis]

There will probably be some twist to it this time, though. I doubt they'd let us actually prepare for something like this without doing something to throw us off.

[emperor_cowboy]

I'd like fer this town t' go ahead 'nd at least do me one nice thing... That's asking a lot though...

[vytis]

I think March having been--relatively--free of anything too traumatizing is it being nice to us.

[emperor_cowboy]

Yes, because having friends yell at ya, while others beat you senseless... is being nice.

[vytis]

For Mayfield it is. I'd still rather nothing at all happened, but I think that's asking too much.

[emperor_cowboy]

I s'pose asking fer nothing to happen... ya might as well be a drone.

[vytis]

I think the best we can hope for is that this is an April Fools' Day joke, nothing too terrible will happen, and this is just to make us worry.

[His tone makes it clear he doesn't think it will be anywhere near that easy.]

[emperor_cowboy]

[He groaned at being reminded of that joke of a holiday.]

Thanks fer remindin' me...

[vytis]

A-ah, sorry. At least knowing a holiday is coming up soon means we might have an idea of when it will take place?

[Which reminds him...]

...Easter is on the 8th, as well.

[emperor_cowboy]

Oh, goodie... I can hardly wait to see what will pop up out of this...

[vytis]

Well, I don't think we had to answer questions about our deepest secrets and things we were embarrassed about last year...

[emperor_cowboy]

... Ya bring up a good point.

[bantorain]

I think you an I've got a lot to talk about in general, Hol... Sorry for taking so long with it.

[emperor_cowboy]

Ah, there ya are. Ya have nothin' to apologize for... [He cleared his throat.]

Did ya wish t' discuss this over the phone, or is there a place where I should meet ya?

[bantorain]

Let's meet in person. I'll take Quicksilver out to the park. Meet me there?

[emperor_cowboy]

That's easy enough t' do.

[bantorain]

I'll be waiting, then. See you there.

Action! ... because I'm lazy.

[emperor_cowboy]

[Hol took a bit longer to arrive, because he insisted on a casual walk. It was good for the body! At least he was making an attempt to be healthy. Upon arriving, he glanced the park over.]

[bantorain]

-Ginny was hard to miss. After all, how many people in Mayfield owned white horses?-

[emperor_cowboy]

[Of course, but he still had to make sure no one was going to pummel him this time around. He casually walked right on up her, and flashed a smile.]

It's been a while.

[bantorain]

Yeah... Are you holding up alright?

[emperor_cowboy]

[There was a lot on his mind. He also still played the macho man card.]

Of course. ... what about yourself?

[bantorain]

I don't need the cane to get around as much... Obviously I can ride Quicksilver again.

[emperor_cowboy]

That's good news.

[He cleared his throat.]

Listen I uh... that census thing? I... don't want anything... uhm, bad to happen between us should it all come down to it.

[bantorain]

... We may not have a choice, in the end. But just like last time, I don't plan on giving in. And I know you're strong enough to fight it, too.

[emperor_cowboy]

[He swallowed hard.]

I... hope so.

[bantorain]

... And you've got me to lean on if you ever need it. So long as I can count on you for the same.

[emperor_cowboy]

Yeah? Well, of course if ya ever need me, I'll be there fer ya.

[He coughed into his hand.]

I just don't think that... that uhm...

[bantorain]

Don't worry... I don't either. -She kind of knew where he was going.-

Listen. It was the flowers. And even if those were our honest feelings, we're obviously both not ready to do anything with them.

[emperor_cowboy]

I'll admit it... 'round here, yer still the only one important t'me.

... but... I really am no good with this...

Uh... This town has proven t'me no matter how much I would want t' change, somethin' always forces me back t' the way I was. Out of... fear.

[bantorain]

Well draw a little courage from me. I won't mind.

[emperor_cowboy]

That's an awfully nice though but... ya think fer as long as I've been here, I'd have changed somewhat fer the better.

[bantorain]

Change doesn't happen at the same rate for everyone.

[emperor_cowboy]

No?

Hm. Change is sure takin' its sweet time with me then. Alright, well, if nothing else... those flowers, yeah?

Ah... would you... like some... normal flowers? I mean, we could go and get you a bouquet right now, just because.

[Coughing fit. He doubled over... hands on his knees. Smooth, Horse. Smooth. Maybe he should quit that smoking thing.]

[bantorain]

I don't need flowers, Hol. If you wanna be sweet on me, how about you just spend time with me, yeah?

[emperor_cowboy]

I think that can be done easy enough...

[bantorain]

Much better!

[magicalrealist]

Things like that never end well here. What's bothering you, Hol?

[emperor_cowboy]

I don't mean t' go and sound like someone who's gone all soft, but it's gonna sound that way anyhow...


That census thing. Could be bad... or really terrible. Just a fair warnin' t' those of ya who don't know about it.

[magicalrealist]

I imagine Mayfield will strive for really terrible. I filled out that census, too; I think they were trying to upset people with those questions and figure out how to deal with those who gave answers they don't approve of.

[emperor_cowboy]

Upon normal circumstances, that is... before I got here. I was sort of, considered one of the uh... "bad guys" if ya will.

So, just sayin' sorry should anything come out of it.

[magicalrealist]

I see...I appreciate the warning very much, but for what it's worth, there's no certainty about whether or not Mayfield would bring that up.

[emperor_cowboy]

No. Though if I act suspicious later on. Not saying it'll happen.

[magicalrealist]

I understand...I'll keep that in mind, just in case.

[emperor_cowboy]

As ya should.

... pretty sure yer friends have figured it out as well.

[magicalrealist]

They probably do, but I know you're still a good person. You'll be fine.

(The sort of mushy things ponies would say.)