"As for you, Apple; help a brother out."
"No, Mango. This is a punishment, not a blessing."
"But you are making it look like a blessing.
That's because I have no choice."
"Yes you do. You always have a choice."
"Mango, why did you bring me up here?"
"What do you mean? It's your birthday. We are here to make your wishes come true."
"Then why does it feel like I am here to make your wishes come true. Not mine."
"Apple. We.....come on, Man. Those were just lighthearted jokes in your birthday presents. We meant nothing by them."
"Nothing?
So your light commentary of 'We offer peace to your Mermaids in exchange for…"
"That was nothing."
"Mango, my wish was to be accepted; not for you all to be di-ssected.
You are all accepted just as you are; but me...I am no longer a third wheel. I've made friends who love me....and they love you for you."
"But they loved you the way you were, before you became human."
"Exactly.
I realized that too late. Don't look to me as someone you want to be, but more of who you already are.
I am this way because I didn't love myself. Don't make that mistake.
Here…look at this. Read the label."
"Ummm."
"Go on. Read it."
"Uhhhh…
Haahhmmmppp.
…'Mango Tango.'
'Body Spray to give you the thrills with no delay.'
Apple, what is…."
"It's called Deodorant.
I thank you all for sharing in my praise that I finally found out who I am, but trust me, you do not want to find out for yourselves this way.
Don't worry Mango. That spray is not of you. It's just a cheap knockoff, but then again...….maybe it's not?"
*Gulp*
I smelt it. You're clean, Mango, but don't come with me. Not now. I'm worried about what if, and whatnot. The others are also worried about what if, and whatnot. That's why we are replacing everything with 'synthetic's. Lab raised...…whatever that means.
So please.....don't follow me."
*Crunch….crunch…..crunch...crunch…..crunch*
"Ummmm."
"I thought I told you not to follow me."
"You're not even going to say goodbye?"
"Mango, you've seen how.....Tomato?"
"Not even going to say goodbye to me?"
"Tomato, I don't even have a place to stay. My home is too small."
"I….."
"Your home is too small, and if yours is too small; then everyone elses is also too small."
"Then where will you go?"
"Tomato, if you're going to cry for me; then don't use my shoulder.
This is mine to bear, and mine alone."
"Apple."
"Tomato, thanks for the party, and the wishes, but…."
"You don't have to go alone. You may be an Apple; you may be a Human; but at the end of the day that doesn't change that you are still alone. Let me guess. You still sleep outside of the Kingdom?"
"...With the Mermaids, under the Sea. So."
"Then you haven't learned your lesson."
"I did. I didn't love myself earlier, and I do now. End of story."
"...Is it...….the end, Apple?"
*Chink...chink…..chink…..chink*
"...Banana Nana, what are you doing here; and with a bag of…"
"...Maybe it's only the beginning. I'd like to buy your house."
"That's all nice and all, but where am I going to live? Doesn't matter if I have the money or not. I still can't find a place."