Emoshy kept on walking for a few minutes and then turned around, her turquoise eyes meeting magenta eyes; she had been right, she was still there... Shining Dream had followed her all day to see if everything was okay, hiding her intentions with very little success - but hey, with all the trauma that the system had been through, Emoshy would have rather been surprised if she hadn't had noticed the unicorn right away instead.
As usual, the aura of Shining Dream was melancholic - and not just because of her dark blue coat or her silver mane, there was always a glint of regret in her eyes in all circumstances - but that day it was different. Emoshy really felt like it was because of her that Dream was in this state, even after the other alters told her that was not the case.
Emoshy thought about it; she hadn't done anything to make it seem like she was not okay, at least not that she knew of... Yesterday everything was normal : she got up early, went to Dream's and 'Bot's where all the ponies were waiting for her and they spent all day together talking and having fun - as they did almost every day of the holidays. In the evening when the sun went down, she politely refused when they offered her to stay a little longer and went "home". She then ended the day talking with the rest of the system and then went to bed.

What could she have possibly done or said to make Shining Dream think she wasn't fine ? Everything was perfectly normal, wasn't it...? Plus, she had always been told that she had an aura as serene as her pale yellow coat and her pastel blue mane so, with this and her small size, she really shouldn't have worried anyone in theory - which was done on purpose; she had always done everything not to attract attention since she had started living with her cousin Fluttershy.
It was late and she was going home to her cousin, the fact that Dream was still behind her pissed her off above all else; seeing her enjoying the lake and lazing around in the sun as usual wasn't enough to see that everything was fine?! She was on edge, plus it was triggering Flare Spark, so she had to be careful to be polite when she started to speak.

- Dream... she sighed, barely holding back her anger as she saw Dream pretend not to hear her.
- Emo', this unicorn is really unbearable today, we need to make her understand that fact ! Flare said, rolling her eyes, before displaying a mischievous smile. Come on, I will be co-fronting with you, so just follow my lead.
- Listen up Dream, I'm going home, so enough already you can stop following me now ! she exclaimed in an annoyed tone, as Flare took care of the facial expressions. Seriously, don't you have anything else to do ?
- P-pardon me, I did not mean to aggravate you... But, are you certain that everything is fine ? Shining Dream questioned, her concern only pissing off Emoshy and Flare even more.
- Oh my goddess, she's so irritating ! Emo' and Flare, you two need to make her understand that she must shut up, we're not a baby. Purity said, rolling her eyes like the young teenager she was - but this time Emoshy totally understood her.
- Yes, you don't need to worry, I'm completely fine. she replied in a tone as dry as Purity's.
- Very well, pardon me in that case...
- See you tomorrow, don't forget to remind the others that it's at my place that we will see each other. she said, calming her tone and making it friendlier just as Ocean Glow did so well herself - she sometimes copied her when she wanted to appear more mature.
- That's good Emo', that way she doesn't think you two argued or that you hate her. Glow said with a smile, joining the teen in co-consciousness. We did pretty well, I'm proud of you all.
- Ha, thanks "mom". Purity replied, with a tone that was as mocking as it was full of tenderness.
- Ok, see you tomorrow. Dream said turning around.
- Oh my goddess Emo', our strand of hair no longer covers our eye, put it back there right now ! Quick ! Purity exclaimed, horrified.
- See you tomorrow... Emoshy replied weakly, putting her pastel blue lock back in place in front of her left eye, just like it always should be.

Luckily, Shining Dream walked away towards the house she shared with her roommate - a friend of theirs, Pinkie 'Bot - without asking any more unnecessary questions. As the unicorn set off, Emoshy trotted back to her cousin Fluttershy's cottage and then had supper with said cousin while the rest of the system lived their lives in the inner world - only passing by occasionally to make sure all was well or because of a trigger. Later, she played the guitar and chatted with Flare, then she went to bed.

***

The next day, Emoshy got up and got herself ready to receive her friends, carefully following Purity's advice - she was the beauty professional, and didn't take control only because she wanted to go back to the inner world to take care of her garden. Emoshy opened the door when someone knocked and smiled; it was Pinkie 'Bot and Apple Wolf who arrived first. She politely invites them in, although they stayed by the door to wait for the others.

'Bot had always had a strange aura around her; because, on the one hoof, it was very obvious that she was as sweet as marshmallow but, on the other hoof, her eyes had always been dark, sad. Furthermore, she always seemed to know everything, was never surprised by the most preposterous of things, as if she had always been one step ahead or had much more plentiful knowledge than she was always letting on - she never had gone to school as well, apparently she had always done it at home.
No one knew about her past and when she was asked about it, she replied that it was best to focus on the present. Emoshy didn't like asking ponies about their pasts, since Fluttershy had always taught her to treat others the way she wanted to be treated, but she often wondered what her friend had been through to make her the pony that they knew.
Emoshy liked 'Bot, even though they didn't really spend much time only the two of them, she saw a bit of herself in the robotic pony and envied her maturity. She had always felt comfortable around her, had always felt safe, and was really glad that she and Dream had been kind enough to add the little pegasus to their tight group of friends.

As for her, Apple Wolf was a wolf pony, which is quite rare to find in Equestria. Her mother was Applejack and she didn't know her father - Mushroom Forest thought that she had lied when she said that because she sounded like she was hiding something, but she had never seen concrete evidence of that. Wolf was as brave and reckless as her mother and looked exactly like a farm mare's pony was expected to, so much so that she didn't care much about her appearance; apart from the apple-shaped accessory that she always had in her mane of course, she adored it above all else.
Emoshy and Apple Wolf weren't exactly close per say; they were friends because they were part of the same group of friends, so the little pegasus didn't know her very well. She only knew what the earth pony had told her when they had introduced themself to watch others - that she loves to cook desserts that paired apple and vanilla together, that she adores her family above all else and that she loved to do theater - and had never talked to her alone. Still, she imagined that she was nice, just maybe a little too frank at times - surely a consequence of being the filly of the element of honesty.

- Hi Emo', how are you doing ? 'Bot asked with her biggest smile.
- I'm doing well, what about you guys ? the little pegasus asked, giving a cute tiny smile.
- Emo', you are as adorable as Fluttershy was at your age ! Glow said, laughing joyfully.
- We're doing great, Wolfy and I had a great sleepover yesterday ! the pink robot pony exclaimed, a sparkle in her eyes. We cooked, played all night, and barely slept, it was great !
- It must have been fun... Emoshy said, trying to smile despite the annoyed look that Purity wanted to give.
- Why are you friends with these ponies again Emo' ? Purity asked in a fit of teenage angst, but she received no response. I'm sure I could find you much better friends, less... Childish.
- What must've been fun ? Stardust asked as she landed in front of the door.

Stardust was the filly of both Cloud Artless and the famous Rainbow Dash. Her aura was more soft than her mother's, but it wasn't to be mistaken: she was just as brave, just less competitive. The mauve pegasus had a twin brother named Thunderbolt that she loved to tease, and also a younger cousin called Storm that she had only rarely seen.
She and Stardust were more or less close, she felt safe with her but didn't necessarily want to spend time with her without the rest of the group with them - if she had to explain her attachment rate, she would be between 'Bot and Apple Wolf, all under Dream of course.

- Yesterday, Apple Wolf and I had a sleepover. 'Bot repeated, still enthusiastic - even though everyone suspected that Stardust already knew; she and 'Bot were so close it was unlikely she hadn't already been told.
- We should do one all together someday ! Dream suggested, as she arrived with Ruby.
- Excellent idea, why not in three days ? Ruby asked, the jet black unicorn, a smile on her lips. It will be a full moon, the most devine night of this month !

Ruby was a unicorn born from the union of Rarity and a Canterlot noble, the perfect filly of a seamstress and a musician. She was fabulously elegant, as much because of her tall height as because of her appearance, a real gem; which went well with her talent as a jeweler. She also had a chubbier body than average, something she'd never been ashamed of thanks to her parents - her body simply had a higher-than-average base weight, and she didn't have to destroy her health to try to be exactly like the average.
She and Emoshy were surprisingly close; surprisingly only for people who didn't know them of course because, them, they had seen it right away. Both being creative souls - a jeweler and a guitarist - since the two of them were fillies, they loved talking about projects and their dreams together. The black unicorn dreamed of being the head of a chain of jewelry shops and Emoshy wanted to be part of a band - even if she doubted that she would have the chance to make a career out of it, this wasn't her talent after all. Ruby and Dream were her best friends, the first being her favorite of the two but the second having a lot of sentimental significance since she was her first friend.

- What do you think Emo' ? 'Bot asked more calmly, as if she had noticed her discomfort.
- Yes, why not... Emoshy said, forcing a smile not to disappoint her friends while Zen was panicking.
- We have to make up something that came up, if we go there it will be a disaster ! Zen exclaimed in panic, and Emoshy completely understood why. We won't be able to hide it if we go, and you'll lose them forever!
- Fantastic, in three days we will have the most divine sleepover in the world all six of us. Ruby declared, smiling.
- Okay, Ruby, Stardust and Dream, come in. Emoshy offered, so that her friends wouldn't stay at the door.

And they started talking about everything and nothing, much like they had already done during the rest of the holidays. Emoshy avoided as much as possible conversation around the sleepover, the thought of anyone seeing her during the night terrified her and the rest of the system as well. They were in the middle of a conversation about Daring Do's latest book when Stardust cut them off, a devilish idea obviously in mind.

- Everypony, Dream has somethin' to tell us. Stardust said with a big mischievous smile.
- Uh... I do not know what you are talking about. the magenta-eyed unicorn lied, looking away.
- Ya know, your little secret. Stardust continued, showing Dream that she presumably shouldn't have confided whatever she had confided in her.
- Are you withholding something from us ? Ruby asked, surprised.
- Uh... N-no, it's a personal thing between me and 'Bot. Dream replied, while the robot pony nodded "yes".
- Ya wanna tell us ? Apple Wolf asked, waiting hopefully for a "yes", worried.
- Uh... I-I will instead explain it to you during the sleepover, would that be okay with all of you ? Dream asked, visibly uncomfortable.

She received a "yes" said in chorus by all her friends and, after a few minutes of silence, they continued their previous conversation as if nothing had happened. Their conversation became light again and didn't return to an awkward topic for the rest of the day... Well, not until dinner at least.

***

After a dinner - prepared by Fluttershy - consisting of some carrot soup, some peas and some hay, they began to play games; and so they went to Emoshy's room. It was a medium sized room with midnight blue wallpaper decorated with fluorescent stars. She had a desk, a bed and a small dresser on which was leaning a black and purple guitar.
After playing one after another pin the tail on the pony, monopony - the winner was as usual Ruby, she had real business sense - and a singing game that Dream had brought, 'Bot suddenly had another idea for a game that they hadn't played in a few days.

- What if we played truth or dare ? 'Bot asked, very excited.
- As long as no one asks me what Stardust wanted me to tell all of you, I am fine with it ! Dream replied with a laugh - probably to hide that she was still embarrassed Emoshy thought, but it could also have been Zen; she sometimes had a little trouble seeing where her thought ended and that of the alter with whom she was co-conscious began.
- I start ! Ruby, truth or dare ? the robotic pony asked, managing to imitate the mischievous little smile foals made when they had an idea in mind.
- I choose truth. the black unicorn replied, always choosing this option at the start of the game so that she had no idea what kind of actions her friends were going to use this time around.
- Do you like a pony or other race that we know, and if so, who ? Pinkie 'Bot asked maliciously.
- Uh... Do you promise me that you won't be teasing me about it ? Ruby asked, blushing.
- Promised ! all her friends said in unison.
- Amethyst... the black unicorn replied, extremely embarrassed. Yes still, don't you guys laugh...
- Amethyst, the dragon born to Emperor Spike and Empress Ember ? Stardust asked, holding back a giggle - even though Emoshy didn't think it was meant to be mean, since she knew her better than Ruby knew her. Do you still have a big crush on him like when we talked about him and his family in middle school, despite everythin' ?
- Yes, I know he will never love me, don't rub salt in the wound. the black unicorn snapped, wanting as much to crumble in sadness and to gut Stardust at the same time from her expression. I know you're not into boys, but have some tact, I beg of you.
- ...So, do we continue playing ? 'Bot asked to prevent tension from building up.
- Well... Stardust, truth or dare ? Ruby asked, visibly for revenge.
- I'm goin' to take dare... the mauve pegasus said so as not to have the same question - Emoshy didn't understand why but this kind of situation, talking about their crushes on boys, had always made the pegasus uncomfortable.
- Point to one of us that you like the least without justifying to her why ! Ruby ordered with a small laugh. Without explaining why, of course, otherwise it would be less funny.
- What ? Uh... Stardust muttered, starting to look around her.

Emoshy imagined that the mauve pegasus was in the process of choosing one by one which of them she liked very much, to finally leave the one that she liked the least; and she couldn't help but to do her own raking of them in her head. Emoshy was sure that it wouldn't be 'Bot, she and Stardust were like two birds of a feather to the point where if one of them had been a boy they would have been teased all the time about the possibility that they were a couple - and the group teased them from time to time anyway.
The next ones would then be Apple Wolf and Ruby since their mothers were best friends, they had been friends since they were filles and had thus become very close over the years. They had a special bond between them, so it would be very unlikely that she would choose one as the one of them that she liked the least. It was also rather the case with Dream, they had been friends for a long time and spent a lot of time together...
The little pegasus held her breath; she was the last to join the group and her familiarity with the other pegasus was average, so she would surely be the one chosen, the one Stardust didn't really like. She already knew it, it was the only possible solution... And yet, after a great hesitation, the mauve pegasus pointed timidly in the direction of Dream.
Emoshy blinked several times; had Stardust chosen the unicorn because she hadn't wanted to confess her secret ? It was a little dramatic, but the little pegasus understood a little. After all, with Dream following her yesterday, she would have chosen her as her least favorite friend as well, but that didn't actually make her one of her best friends any less.

- 'Bot, truth or dare ? Stardust asked quickly - yes, it should definitely be because of the secret, and she obviously regretted it already.
- Daaaaare ! Pinkie yelled as if to distract them.
- Sooooo... I want ya to tell us a secret about a pony ya know. Stardust said in no particular tone.
- What ? the robotic pony asked, surprised.
- I want ya to tell us the secret of a pony, it's very simple for ya, isn't it ? the mauve pegasus simply repeated, shrugging her shoulders. Besides, ya don't have to say who it is.

This "action" didn't just confuse 'Bot alone, but the whole group too - and not just because it would be a truth instead. The robotic pony had plenty of stories that would fit on the front page of a newspaper, it was no secret, so why ask her one during truth or dare?
Especially since Stardust could surely ask her privately all the stories she wanted, since they were so close... So what was the point of this question? Did they have a context that the others didn't ?

- Uh... Oh well... One day, a very long, long time ago... a deranged pony, when she was a teen, set her own house on fire while the children were playing together outside. the robotic pony said with a strangely calm tone.

All her friends looked at her with wide eyes filled with confusion; it was just as mysterious as her other stories, but much more macabre... There was a long awkward moment where the ponies wondered if it was true, except 'Bot and Stardust. The mauve pegasus looked worried and her gaze was full of comfort towards the robotic pony, who herself had a face filled with pain... What the fuck was this shit ?

- Dream, action or truth ? Pinkie 'Bot asked, probably seeing the discomfort her story had created.
- Uh... Truth ? the unicorn said, expecting the worst.
- Have you already ever lied to us about something really, really big and not personal at all ? the robotic pony asked, even though she surely already knew her roommate's answer.
- Pinkie Robot ! exclaimed the magenta-eyed unicorn, very angry.
- I didn't ask you what Stary wanted you to tell us, it has nothing to do with it, so answer my question. 'Bot said mischievously - it had looked like she was trying to avenge the mauve pegasus to some extent. So ?
- Uh... M-maybe, in a way... Dream muttered, extremely embarrassed. I... Uh... E-Emo' ! Truth or dare ?
- Truth...? Emoshy replied, and she could feel Mushroom Forest coming into co-consciousness from the stress - they could guess the question she was about to ask, and already hated every second of it.
- Why do you always go back home at sunset ? her friend asked with visible incomprehension.
- O-oh. Uh... it's very personal... the little pegasus said, looking at her hooves and waiting for Mushroom to tell her what lie she needed to tell - he was a way better liar than her, as she always ended up immediately confessing to lying without his support.
- Emo', this time we're going to keep it simple : just keep saying that it's personal and that you don't want to talk about it. Mushroom advised with an unsteady tone, even though he was trying to sound confident. I hope that they will respect that...
- It can't be that personal, come on ! Ruby asked with a pout.
- It isn't much, and I really don't want to talk about it. continued Emoshy, begging with a look not to insist further.

Thankfully, it just so happened that Fluttershy arrived at that exact moment, which brought the conversation to a halt; if they knew, Emoshy's life would be reduced to ashes because she would lose the only friends she ever had... She had to remember to thank her cousin later for having arrived just in time, also the goddess for giving her such luck.

- Everypony, the sun is setting, it's time for you to go home. Fluttershy said in her usual soft tone.
- Can't we stay a little longer ? asked Dream, who surely wanted to understand "the mystery of Emoshy".
- No, because it seems to me that you all have something planned for tomorrow, am I wrong? Emoshy's cousin asked with an affectionate smile.

Emoshy's cousin was right, all of her cousin's friends had something planned, a responsibility to fulfill. Stardust had to go to her mother's job like every Friday during the holidays, to prepare herself to work at the weather factory when she would finish high school. Pinkie' Bot and Shining Dream, meanwhile, had to do "some personal stuff" - they all had given up on knowing more about it, they had been saying that for years. And Ruby had to help her mom make her back-to-school outfits, and would probably end up helping her with a few orders like she liked to do.
Once her friends left, Emoshy went to bed but ended up falling asleep late because she was talking with the rest of the system about that famous evening. They were all really worried and, despite Glow trying to reassure them with her maternal tone, in the end no one was reassured... They would need to find a solution as soon as possible, for the good of the system.