It was a rare occurrance that Billy was in his apartment for such an extended period of time. Normally he had school, but alas, it was winter break. Even then, after school, once the sun had set, he usually went about gathering energy which would be kept safe until his usual weekend trip back to Destiny City. His apartment was simply where he slept and sometimes ate. That was it. But the winter break had changed things a little, giving Billy some time to actually make the space more homey. In all the months he'd stayed there, he hadn't invested munch in the way of furniture, but now possessed a small couch, two end tables and a coffee table, as well as an entertainment center with an inexpensive TV, for which he'd actually purchased cable for. All this payed with dirty money from fights or from the poor fools he took energy from.

It was early on after this that he actually had the time to feel lonely, and that is where Sammy came along.

Sammy was a precious little glimmer of light in what had become a dismal monotony of days all melded together. She was sweet, if not mischievousness, and quite intuitive. Of course, Sammy could never fill the hole that still lay in his heart, but it was a start.

Billy wondered in to the living room, groggy from a long, restless, sleep. Despite the chill in the apartment he merely wore a pair of sleep pants. Grabbing the remote he turned on the TV. There was only one reason why he would be awake at this ungodly early hour, and has he wondered into the adjoining kitchen the intro music played gaily in the background.

My little pony~ I use to wonder what friendship could be~

It was then as he was making his breakfast - a quick bowl of frosted flakes, that Sammy came scampering into the room, her feet a light patter on the floor and before Billy knew it, she plopped on the counter looking mutely, however eagerly, at his food.

"I suppose you emptied your food bowl and are ready for more, hn?"

The little white and gray ferret skittered about excitedly, and with a rare grin, Billy went about refilling Sammy's food container. He'd learned quickly that he couldn't just feed the little thing once or twice a day. Rather, Sammy seemed to eat constantly. Finally it seemed the two were getting in sync with the food thing though.

With that task complete both Billy and Sammy went about their breakfast, and Billy got his pony fix for the morning.

---

As 10:30 came around, Sammy was fast asleep on one corner of the couch, half tucked behind a throw pillow. Billy cut off the TV and pulled on his coat and a scarf. He had things to plan. Things which made his heart flutter with hope and fear all at the same time. Of course, he'd been planning this for months now, but the time was drawing nearer. And yet, it still seemed so far off. Part of him was glad for this, but the other part of him, the part that hoped, could hardly wait. For indeed, there was still that hole that the little ferret could not fill. A hole left by the only person to ever get beneath an armor that only existed in tatters anymore.

This plan...had been born not long after Billy had come to this city and joined the rather large community college there. It seemed they were often holding events for the students, but none as full of opportunity as the one to be held on Valentines Day. Well, night rather. A masquerade! And he would be anonymously inviting one Ladon Shepard. Billy only prayed that when eventually shipped the invitation and everything Ladon would need to attend. That way he could not argue that he had nothing to wear. No where would Ladon find his name. For surely if he knew it was from him he would not come, of that Billy was sure.
But he hoped if Ladon did that maybe...maybe he could make Ladon fall in love with him all over again, and get a second chance. Of course, it being a masquerade Ladon wouldn't know it was he that would swoop in and whisk him on to the dance floor...


sigh, such silly romantic notions. Since when had Billy ever been prone to them, or go to such lengths for anyone? True, he was turning over a new leaf. Trying to be a kinder person. It was often stressful, and even more often left him in a mood most fowl, but wasn't it better than trying to rebuild an armor that could never be perfect again? Wasn't it better to move forwards instead of remain stationery? Billy hoped so.

And with that hope he scanned through the craft store looking for paints, fabrics, a couple of mask bases and anything else he thought he'd need. He had not just his own mask to make, but Ladon's as well. And he knew just what he wanted. A later trip to the local Goodwill would further his progress. Soon, very soon, Billy would be that much closer.

However there were still unseen trials that lay ahead. Trials beyond whether or not Ladon would accept the invitation or not. But whatever came up, Billy would not allow it to keep him from what he so desperately wanted. And he undoubtedly wanted Ladon. Not simply in the lustful way, but to have and to hold, to stand by and protect, to love and be loved by... It had been his one single desire ever since that horrible night... So no. Nothing would get in his way. Nothing.