-
>Wow, this party is pretty good.
-
>There’s even some familiar faces, like-
-
>The room begins to shake with a wild ferocity never felt before.
-
“Whoa, what the-?!”
-
>Is this the alcohol or a sudden freak earthquake?
-
>No answer comes before everything ends up vanishing.
-
>From the depths of the aether, comes a voice, “Wake up.”
-
>You jolt, like you were struck by lightning.
-
>Reality comes along with it.
-
>Of course you were dreaming.
-
>It’s a shame most of the details were lost.
-
>But right now, someone is at your side, gently shaking you.
-
>“Wake up,” the stranger says.
-
“Huzzahwha-?” you groggily sputter.
-
>Blinking a moment, you rub your eyes, clearing up your a bit.
-
>For one, it’s not a person but a pony.
-
>For two, you’re still in Equestria.
-
>And at this very moment, one of the locals is here.
-
>The details come about in the dim light – a gray coat, black mane and tail, along with a pair of pink, somber eyes, staring at your side.
-
>A mare, one you know /all/ too well…
-
>At your stillness, she shakes you again, “Wake up.”
-
>The corners of your mouth fall.
-
“I’m already awake.”
-
>You sit up a little, getting a better look at the clock nearby.
-
>It’s early… TOO early for this.
-
>Yet here she is, right before the crack of dawn, no less.
-
A light yawn escapes you as you slowly blink at her, “Why’d you break into my house?”
-
>“I didn’t break in, your front door was unlocked, Anon,” she states.
-
>Of all the times to forget to the lock the door, it just /had/ to be last night, didn’t it?
-
>No one around here locks theirs, and they’ve brought it up so much that it must be rubbing off on you.
-
“Okay,” you roll a hand, “so what do you want?”
-
>“I needed to talk with you.”
-
>You narrow your gaze.
-
“And it couldn’t wait until later?”
-
>Her reply is a swift, “No,” as she shakes her head.
-
>There’s a feeling of an eye twitch coming on.
-
>Ignoring that, you sigh.
-
“Right, well-” you yawn again. “What was it that was /so/ important you needed to talk to me at this hour?”
-
>Taking a moment to deeply inhale, she exhales slowly, “We’re all going to die.”
-
>You arch a brow.
-
“Yeah, and what’s that gotta do with the price of eggs in China?”
-
>She cocks her head to the side slightly, “What’s a China?”
-
>That’d be cute if not the current situation.
-
“It’s nothing. Just, is there anything more you wanted to tell me, or is that it?”
-
>She flicks her mane out of her eyes, uttering a soft sigh.
-
>“There is nothing more, just the same old, decaying relic that makes up who and what we are.”
-
>Her gaze shifts to the floor.
-
>“But, I had to come tell you, because I know that you’ve been avoiding the truth lately.”
-
>Incorrect, you’ve been avoiding /her/.
-
-
>She’s dark and sensitive, with low self-esteem; the way she looks makes every day feel like Halloween.
-
“Let me get this straight, beside telling me – and everyone else – about dying so much, you just had to come over to my home, break in-”
-
>“The door was unlocked,” she interjects.
-
“-BREAK IN before dawn, and all for the sake of telling me the same thing you say every day?”
-
>She nods.
-
>That urge for the eye twitch grows stronger.
-
>“It’s a sickeningly sweet, somber kind of understanding, Anon. It’s befits all living things once they’re /truly/ aware, like I am. Once you come around to it, it’s easier to accept how things actually are.”
-
>The more she talks, the more those warnings once said come back to haunt you.
-
>You really should have heeded them better.
-
“Okay, so… is that all, or are you done?”
-
>Deeply sighing, she closes her eyes.
-
>Upon reopening them, her gaze is next to you, like something else is there.
-
>“We are never done. It’s not until our hearts stop beating, not until our memories fade, not until our bodies are long gone; not until the sun’s final dawn.”
-
>Oh yes, some of her “poetry”.
-
>None of that matters, because it’s still WAY too early for this, so…
-
>You roll over, pulling the blankets back around tightly, grumbling all the while.
-
>Mere seconds into the lull, her hoof presses into your back, then gently starts shaking you.
-
>“Wake up.”
-
>The eye twitch finally comes, strong and swift.
-
>She keeps shaking you, “Wake up, we’re all going to die.”
-
>You throw off the covers, sitting up abruptly in a huff.
-
“Fine, fine! I’m up.”
-
>With little restraint, you glare at the little somber mare.
-
>She still has that perpetual look of a kicked puppy.
-
>“Are you sure?”
-
>Another eye twitch occurs, just as powerful as the previous.
-
>Some part of you is stupid, that’s why you never heeded those warnings.
-
>Today is going to be yet another difficult one with her.
-
>Just a typical day with her, Miss Eri.
-
>…
-
>You whip up a simple breakfast, and while eating, she plods in, head hung low.
-
>It’s like she’s walking to the gallows.
-
>At least she’s staying quiet.
-
>Don’t jin-
-
>“Eating only prolongs the suffering. Though I suppose it does feed the insects once we die; our bodies returning back to the soil is among the few, real meaningful things we can do in the brief, blink of existence.”
-
>She heavily sighs, to which you stop mid-chew, staring at her blankly.
-
>Her eyes search the floor, then herself, “I’m just skin and bone, but I know it will suffice in /some/ manner to benefit another once I leave this gray, dying world.”
-
>Past experience says not to engage her.
-
-
>Despite how it goes, you often-
-
“Yeah, but you’d probably feel better if you ate more, Eri.”
-
>-are stupid.
-
>She looks up near you with one eye, the other hidden behind her raven mane, “That would never happen. I remain as a testament to suffering, forevermore.”
-
>If it wasn’t for her coming around so much, more ponies would actually stop by your place.
-
>After eating, you work on some chores, and of course, she’s keeping you company.
-
>“...they just don’t understand, and if they did, they wouldn’t turn a blind eye, and a deaf ear to my words.”
-
>There’s a /good/ reason for that.
-
>“It’s why they should be reading my poetry, not ignoring it. That would give them a better grasp on the world.”
-
>You’ve read her work before; sometimes in boredom, sometimes because she forced it on you.
-
>Aside from seriously needing a proofreader, the contents of her work is edgy as expected.
-
>Any part that appears remotely hopeful will always – ALWAYS – turn out to be a veil for her sorrowful and sensitive mind and soul.
-
>Anon, do not think like her.
-
>The chores go by quick, leaving little else to do for the time being.
-
>Every place is closed at this hour, which cuts out any work or shopping.
-
>All that’s left is to kill time.
-
>You sit on the couch, and at that exact moment, she pulls out her notebook.
-
>“On the wisp of the fluttering wings, comes the long call of deadly things.”
-
>Oh no…
-
>Kick her out.
-
>Remember what happened last time?
-
>It doesn’t matter, do it, anyway!
-
>Listen, you may be stupid, but you’re not that dumb.
-
>Are you sure?
-
>Sh-shut up, brain.
-
>“Hear them cry out their final song, and know it's time to right the wrong.”
-
>As she continues to read her ‘work’, you march over to the front door.
-
“I just remembered that I have something else to do in private, so I’ve gotta have you leave, sorry.”
-
>You open the door and look back to her.
-
>She’s by the couch, eyes glued to the floor.
-
>“Leave?” She shakes her head, “I wish I could… really, I do.”
-
>The eye twitch manifests again.
-
“But you can, see?” You wave to the open door, “The door is open for you.”
-
>“Not that one, the other.”
-
>You arch a brow.
-
“Come again?”
-
>“Death’s door,” she says in a quiet voice.
-
>Of course…
-
>“Even if I were to try to die out there, I know I’m not lucky enough.”
-
>She sighs, “I’m stuck forever in suffering, Anon…”
-
>This isn’t going to end.
-
>Think of something!
-
>A sudden bout of clarity draws a smile across your lips.
-
-
>Calmly and casually, you walk over to her.
-
>Then, in a single swift motion, you pick her up and dart back to the door, depositing her on the doorstep.
-
“There you go. No need to thank me, I know how difficult it can be for you. So now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to-”
-
>She looks directly into your eyes for the first time today.
-
“I-”
-
>She’s staring hard.
-
“Uh-”
-
>Her eyes start to water.
-
“You see-”
-
>Her bottom lip is quivering.
-
>Hesitation brews inside of you.
-
“Er…”
-
>Her body visibly trembles.
-
>Do not give in.
-
>Every muscle tenses up.
-
>“Anon, are you abandoning me like everypony else has?” she asks in a very soft voice.
-
>There’s a stirring growing in your chest.
-
>DO NOT DO IT.
-
>One tear crawls down her cheek, darkening her already gray coat.
-
>“I know I’m worthless… you don’t have to tell me. Just, throw me out.”
-
>Her voice is on the verge of a sob.
-
>Anon, do not-
-
>…
-
>“In the lasting light of the day, so comes the reaper as a stray.”
-
>Idiot.
-
>“And despite every little test, nothing could stand against the best.”
-
>Stupid.
-
>“Ask not what can be done to stop, but seek out instead the last drop.”
-
>Brainless.
-
>“Heed the siren's alluring call, else be blinded before the fall.”
-
>Her gaze drops from her book back to the floor.
-
>In the silence, she begins to fidget in place.
-
>On the outside, you’ve listened quietly.
-
>Within, you’ve berated yourself.
-
>Because you gave in.
-
>There’s just something about ponies, especially her, that somehow make you act against your better judgment.
-
>Maybe it’s their soft coat, pastel colors, big eyes, or even their plots.
-
>Despite her not eating much, hers is surprisingly-
-
“Round.”
-
>“What?”
-
>You shake your head, heat briefly flooding your face.
-
“The poem, I mean. It’s got a round about way of its, er, execution.”
-
>She nods, “Yeah, it kind of does, doesn’t it?”
-
>Note to self: censor yourself better.
-
>You give a quick glance to the clock.
-
>Somehow, her poetry took up quite a bit of time, and at last, the market is open.
-
>Now you can be free from her.
-
>Hopefully.
-
>…
-
>You’re walking along, and-
-
>“There’s no need to hurry there, it’s just going to bring about more pain.”
-
>-she came along.
-
>That was unavoidable.
-
>The market is already fully alive when you reach it.
-
>Upon seeing you, most ponies give a wide birth.
-
>“We’re all shambling corpses destined for the grave,” she groans at some unfortunate stranger, who scampers off in a hurry.
-
>That’s exactly the reason for the space.
-
>Again, it’s not like you can easily tell her to leave.
-
-
>Each stall on the list is visited, with its owner giving you a smile.
-
>Then, they’ll just about fall apart once they see her, with one literally sprinting away.
-
>You still pay for your stuff, and pretend nothing is wrong.
-
>“This is awful…”
-
>She’s been groaning about this place since you began shopping today.
-
>“Why do we even bother, it’s all so…” She sighs, “Pointless.”
-
“That’s just you,” you mutter under your breath.
-
>“What was that?” she asks, head tilted a little.
-
>Darn it, you thought she wouldn’t have heard that.
-
>Readily adopting a smile (a shaky one), you roll a hand.
-
“I was talking about, uh…”
-
>Think, think, think-
-
“We should leave soon…?”
-
>She’s silent for a moment, then nods.
-
>“Agreed. Everypony has been avoiding me.”
-
>If you were smart, you would have, too.
-
>A sigh leaves her, “I wish they wouldn’t.”
-
>Shaking her head, she starts to plod forward.
-
>Unfortunately, a mint-green unicorn mare crosses her path seconds after, to which Eri snaps up.
-
>“You,” she points points at the other mare.
-
>The mare stops in place, eyes widening rapidly.
-
>From nowhere, Eri pulls out one of her poetry books.
-
>“You should read my book; it will relieve you from this nightmare of a lie.”
-
>“I, um-”
-
>“Like this poem, for instance,” she says, flipping to a random page, “The sun shines ever so bright, yet it conceals the long night.”
-
>“I don’t think-”
-
>“Once it comes in the sorrow, thus ends the cruel morrow.”
-
>“Wait, please-”
-
>“Do not deny that truth there, else you suffer in despair.”
-
>“I DON’T WANT WHAT YOU’RE SELLING!” screams the mare as she takes off full sprint.
-
>“But it’s free,” calls out Eri weakly.
-
>She stands there a moment before lowering her head.
-
>“I should have known that would happen.”
-
>Some part wants to argue with her.
-
>That part is stupid.
-
“Because you freaked her out.”
-
>You’re stupid, period.
-
>She slowly turns in place towards you, hoof drawing circles in the road.
-
>“They’re all ‘freaked out, Anon,” she sighs dramatically. “It’s their fear imprisoning them in the lie.”
-
>Well, your words went over her head, so that’s good.
-
>But from how everyone is looking at you two, it’s probably best to get out of here.
-
>“There’s always more who will give it a chance, though.”
-
>No, just… no.
-
>“And with you here with me, we can work on finding those ponies.”
-
>Quick decision.
-
“Hey, I’ll be right back. Gotta, uh,” you thumb over your shoulder, “gotta use the bathroom.”
-
>You don’t give her a chance to reply before walking (jogging) away to a randomly picked building.
-
>Despite the warning bells going off, there is no way you intend to hang around any longer.
-
>The last time you helped her was bad.
-
>Flashbacks of torches and pitchforks intensify.
-
>…
-
-
>The second you’re home, you lock the doors and exhale a sigh of relief.
-
“Glad that’s over.”
-
>You give a peek out the window, finding no trace of her.
-
>You work on putting things away.
-
>All the while, thoughts come about unbidden.
-
>Like the many descriptors for her, not just from others, but from you.
-
>A black cloud.
-
>Black sheep.
-
>Edgy.
-
>Emo.
-
>And even-
-
>“Anon.”
-
“What, no. That’s not-”
-
>You stop mid-sentence.
-
>Very, very slowly, you turn around.
-
>Standing in the doorway is Miss Eri., color drained like usual.
-
>Sneaking a peek around her, the front door locks are still in place.
-
>Somehow, she always returns to you like a boomerang.
-
>What did you do to deserve this?
-
>Easy: you didn’t heed any of the warnings.
-
>“I couldn’t find anypony who wanted my poetry.”
-
>No surprises there.
-
>“But, at least you and I understand the pain of living, right?”
-
>A cold ball forms in your gut.
-
>You swallow down a hard lump in your throat.
-
“Uh, y-yeah, sure…”
-
>She nods solemnly.
-
>That went better than expected.
-
>Any tension immediately vanishes.
-
>“Anon?”
-
“Yeah?” you reply reflexively.
-
>“Please don’t leave me alone again, I don’t know what would happen if you did, but I’m sure it would be terrible.”
-
>With that, she plods into the next room.
-
>Of course you didn’t get away with it.
-
>Any remaining care vanishes altogether in that moment.
-
>You’re tired.
-
>Not the normal tired, either.
-
>It’s her.
-
>She’s affects you.
-
>Ignoring that, you finish putting things away, and go flop onto the couch.
-
>Meanwhile, she’s seated nearby, writing something in her notebook.
-
>You shut your eyes, tuning much of everything out.
-
>Despite how bad things may seem, it’s not the worst they could be.
-
>Such as the fact of your unexpected arrival to this world.
-
>The ponies have gotten used to you, so life is fairly decent.
-
>There’s been work for you, and some actual friendships being fostered.
-
>So yeah, it’s-
-
>A hoof suddenly presses into your side, gently starting to shake you, “Wake up, we’re all going to die.”
-
>You crack an eye open at her.
-
“I’m not asleep, I’m just… thinking.”
-
>She exhales a short breath through her nostrils.
-
>“Oh, I thought that maybe you were…” Looking away from you, she sighs, “...never mind.”
-
>This little mare is going to be the death of you someday.
-
>That’s terrible to think.
-
>Is it wrong?
-
>Yes, because she’s actually great once you get passed the whole edgy exterior.
-
>In fact, she’s-
-
>“I thought that you might have sought out sleep to escape the world, like I do. But, that’s inescapable.”
-
>She never quits, does she?
-
>Stupid question.
-
-
>She fidgets for a moment, then picks up her notebook from nearby.
-
>“I’ve got a new poem for you, Anon.”
-
>Please, no.
-
>“I call it, ‘A candle burning in the darkness of Light’.”
-
“I want to die.”
-
>“Me too, Anon, me too…”
-
>There is no end.
-
>And you’re stuck with her, Miss Eri, forevermore.
by NHanon
by NHanon
by NHanon
by NHanon
by NHanon