/emo/ Miss Eri in Manehattan, chp 3

>Yesterday was probably one of the best days you’ve had in a very long time.
>You lay in bed for a little bit to think.
>As long as you go out with your friends, things can be fun.
>’Do you honestly believe they can do this all the time?’
>Of course not, I’m not dumb.
>’Really? It took both Connie AND Rest to get you out of the house.’
>That’s different.
>’No it isn’t, had they not pushed, you would’ve stayed inside.’
>Yeah, you’re right about that.
>’When this is all over, things will go back to the same routine, you can never escape that.’
“That’s not true.”
>’Don’t fucking lie to yourself Eri, it’s sad.’
>You pull a pillow over your head and groan into it.
>’Can’t ignore this forever, you will see.’
“Fuck this.”
>Tossing the pillow aside, you get up and leave the bedroom.
>As you go out into the hallway, you nearly slip on the socks you’re wearing.
>Forgot about those, you put them on to hide the bandages last night.
>Carefully, you continue to the source of the heavenly aroma.
>Of course Connie is cooking again.
“That smells wonderful.”
>Connie turns to you with a small smirk.
>>”I’m certain it does, it’s french toast with a side of hay bacon.”
>Not like your stomach is going to argue with that.
>Joining Rest at the table, you see she is half finished.
>”Nice socks.”
>You stumble out an excuse.
“T-thanks, my hooves were a little cold last night.”
>>”Told you it can get cold at night here.”
>Rolling your eyes, you reply back.
“And that’s why I packed socks and hoodies.”
>You start to eat and let out a small moan of satisfaction.
>Hearing a giggle you see Rest looking at you with a smile.
>”Yeah, it is good isn’t it?”
>Nodding, you rather not speak right now, just enjoy the food.
>As you continue to eat, Connie joins you both.
>>”So, after I’m done practicing, where would you two like to go next?”
>”You mentioned the museum, how about there?”

>Before they can ask you like yesterday, you just agree.
“Sounds good.”
>>”Great, we can even get a tour as well. I haven’t been there in a while, but it’s a lovely place. I’m certain you two will like it.”
>You nod along and finish eating.
>Figuring you should go wash up, you head back to the bedroom.
“I’ll go prepare then.”
>Connie nods and the two of them start to chat as you reach the bedroom.
>You look through your clothes and just settle on wearing the same hoodie again.
>No point in changing into something else, though the socks gotta go.
>You set them aside for now.
>Though as you turn to go to the bathroom, you run into Rest.
>”Hey there.”
>You freeze, thankfully the bandages are covered by the clothes you’re holding, but that doesn’t stop the fear.
“H-hey.”
>She looks concerned.
>”Just checking on you, wanna make sure you’re alright.”
>Of course.
>’Why wouldn’t she? You cause her enough concern.’
“Yeah I’m fine, looking forward to seeing the museum.”
>She smiles and gets a little closer making you feel more nervous.
>”I’m happy to hear that, but don’t forget that you can open up to either of us.”
>Rest gives you a small hug, one you eagerly return.
>’You’re so desperate it’s pathetic.’
>Let me have this dammit.
>She pulls away, and gives a soft smile.
>You give a smile in return and head into the bathroom.
>As the tub slowly fills, you check on your cut from yesterday.
>Looks better, but that doesn’t mean much.
>’So how long do you think you will hold out Eri?’
“As long as I can.”
>’You know Rest really isn’t your friend, right?’
>Your anger starts to rise.
“Just fuck off.”
>’Touched a nerve? She sees you as a pet project you know.’
“T-that’s not true.”
>’Face it, when you’re fully ‘healed’ she will leave you.’
>Gritting your teeth and squeezing your eyes tightly you try to silence the thoughts.
“Leave me alone...Please...”

>The sound of the filling tub is the only noise you hear.
>Opening your eyes slowly, let out a slow sigh of relief.
“Have to stop doing that.”
>Turning off the facet, you climb into the tub and try to relax.
>However, your thoughts start to wander again.
>How long will you actually hold out?
>It’s not like you want to die, right?
>…
>Maybe dying isn’t so bad...
>Shaking your head, you quickly clean up rather than deal with this shit.
>Though you hurry, it doesn’t hide the fact that you thought of that.
“W-why can’t I just be normal? Seriously, is it that fucking hard?”
>Silence.
>Letting out a groan, you should know better by now.
>Just as you’re about to leave the bathroom, you nearly forget to wrap up your leg again.
“Idiot, I can’t believe I nearly did that.”
>You quickly wrap it up and look it over.
>Feeling satisfied, you put on your hoodie and head out to the other room.
>Connie’s music echos from the living room, it soothes you a little.
“At least I have that...”
>Slowly you trot to the living room, and see them both were they where yesterday.
>For a while, you stand there in the entrance, just listening to the music.
>It’s beautiful.
>Makes you wish you could play an instrument, but you always sucked.
>All you have is a talent that no pony can enjoy, least of all yourself.
>A cold feeling enters your heart, and your eyes start to moisten.
>You close them in an attempt to hold back the tears, but a few tears fall to the floor.
>Taking a few steps back, you don’t want either of them to see you like this.
>You can’t hold back much longer, so you retreat to the bedroom to let it out.
>The moment you reach the bed, you bury your head in a pillow and softly cry.
>Rest even told you that you could open up to either of them, but here you are, alone and crying.

>But you know why you’re not, you don’t want them to see you suffer nor do you want them change today’s plans.
>Just suffer alone...For them…
>Eventually your tears dry up, and you pull away from the pillow.
>Your voice is barely a whisper now.
“S-so s-stupid...”
>You rub your eyes and head to the bathroom to see if you can hide the disgrace marking your face.
>Looking into the mirror reveals your eyes are bloodshot and puffy.
>’How do you intend to hide this one?’
“I’ll figure it out.”
>’You can’t expect them to not see it.’
“J-just leave me alone...”
>You turn on the facet and splash some cold water on your face.
>It helps freshen you up a little, but you’re going to have to wait it out for your eyes to clear up.
>So you sit in the bathroom and trace a hoof over the other leg’s scars.
“Don’t remember most of these...”
>Many you did while falling apart, even got close to cutting too deep far too many times.
>Some like yesterday, were in a bathroom.
>A sudden knocking causes you to jump.
>”How long are you going to be?”
>Of course it’s Rest…
“Just a few more minutes!”
>You give yourself a once over in the mirror and hope for the best.
>Thankfully your eyes are mostly cleared up.
>You flush the toilet and run the sink for a minute before turning it off.
>Opening the door you give Rest a fake smile and head to the living room.
>Connie is looking over some music sheets again.
“H-hey, how’s it going?”
>She beams and turns her attention to you.
>>”Pretty good actually, I’d say practice went well, how about yourself?”
>’Yeah, how about it Eri?’
>Still wearing the same fake smile, you answer her.
“I’m doing alright, little nervous about today.”
>Connie nods and motions for you to sit, which you do.
>>”It’s okay to be nervous, just remember we will be right there with you. I’m certain you will like what the museum has to the offer.”
>Hopefully she’s right.

“Yeah, I’m sure I will get through it.”
>She nods and starts to put away her things.
>>”Suppose I should get ready as well, be right back.”
>You nod and watch her leave.
>While your anxiety settles, your mind wanders.
>’Do you think you will actually enjoy going to a museum?’
>Haven’t been to one since I was little, so maybe I’ll appreciate it more.
>’At least with the theater you couldn’t see the other ponies, but now you will be surrounded in broad daylight.’
>I can handle this.
>’Maybe you will, maybe you won’t. With your track record though...’
“I said I will handle this.”
>”Who are you talking to Eri?”
>Freezing up, you see Rest looking confused.
>Your embarrassment skyrockets and you stumble out a response.
“I-um...I-I...M-myself! I was talking to myself.”
>Sure it’s the truth, but do you honestly think she will buy that?
>”Okay, do you want to talk? I know you tend to talk to yourself when you get worked up.”
>Forgot she knew that, don’t need to say everything though.
“J-just stress that’s all. Still working my way through all of this. Don’t worry though, I haven’t forgotten what either of you have said.”
>She smiles and nods.
>”I can imagine, you’re doing really well so far.”
>’Holy shit, she actually bought that?’
>Just fuck off.
“You think so? Maybe this is all working out then.”
>’Or maybe you’re on a path to collapse, again.’
>I can try dammit.
>”Yes I do, you’ve taken another step towards getting better.”
>Maybe you are getting better.
>’We’ll see about that.’
>Ignoring that thought, you stand up, feeling a little more renewed.
>Connie trots back into the living room looking quite pleased.
>>”Alright, lets get going, I’m really excited to visit the museum again. I usually feel inspired after I go there.”
>The three of you leave the apartment and like yesterday, Connie hails a taxi.
>Though this time, you try to stay focused.

>Just remember Eri, do it for them.
>A taxi pulls up and you climb in, you decide to try to chat with the other two this time.
“From the sounds of things, you’ve been to the museum a lot?”
>Connie nods.
>>”Yes, it’s nice to see what history is contained within. Really puts a whole perspective on everything.”
>”I can imagine a city like this has a lot of history, though I don’t know much about Manehattan.”
>>”It’s not just on Manehattan, there is stuff on the history of Equestria and much more.”
>Would be nice if you could share their enthusiasm, maybe you will when you see it all.
>While you wouldn’t mind adding more to the conversation, you start to zone out.
>’Giving up again?’
>They understand, not like they expect me to be as talkative.
>’Do you honestly believe that? They would probably like it more if you actually talked instead of being a fucking wall.’
>Die in a fire.
>The taxi pulls up to a huge concrete building adorned with statues and pillars.
>Guess this is the museum.
>Connie and Rest get out of the taxi with you joining them.
>As you all trot up to the building, you’re starting to feel overwhelmed
>This place feels really imposing.
>Damn anxiety is trying to dissuade you again.
>Gritting your teeth, you continue to follow them and watch as Connie talks to a mare who probably is in charge of tours.
>You look around in the meantime, this place has high ceilings and banners.
>Of course there is a fuck ton of ponies around, and slowly you feel yourself start to shake.
>Not because you’re cold, but because you’re so damn afraid.
>For fucks sake, just hold on Eri, you can do this.
>You pulse rises and with it, so does your breathing.
>Come on you piece of trash, don’t give in, please for the love of Celestia, don’t give in…
>>”We made it just in time for the next tour.”
>Snapping out of it, you see Connie smiling and looking at you two.

>Thank fuck…
>You slowly calm down and follow Connie as she leads you over to a group.
>A guide grabs the attention of the whole group.
>>>”Alright everypony, we are about to begin our journey through the museum. I ask that you wait to ask questions till after I explain each exhibit and to stay together. We don’t want anypony to get lost after all. Is everypony ready then?”
>A collective agreement goes out from the group.
>She smiles and starts to lead the group to one of the wings of the museum.
>>>”Starting off with Manehattan, it was founded shortly after the unification of the three tribes. This was necessary...”
>Slowly, you tune her out and look at the many exhibits around the room.
>There are many pictures and even some old things from when the city was founded.
>You feel yourself start to relax as you distract yourself.
>The guide starts to move with the group again and you follow along once more.
>This section has various fossils, skeletons, and all other kinds of stuff.
>Of course you zone in on the skeletons, they looks pretty cool.
>One of which is labeled Modern Equus.
“Huh, so that’s what is inside of me. Spooky.”
>”It’s pretty rad.”
>You jump and notice Rest is looking at the skeleton with you.
>She realizes this and smirks.
>”Jumpy?”
“Fuck, you scared me.”
>She giggles.
>”Didn’t mean to, but I’m happy to see you interested.”
>>”Come on you two, we can’t fall behind.”
>You both look to see Connie waving to the moving group.
>”Be right with you.”
>Nodding, you both quickly rejoin the group.
>Looks like the next area is dedicated to Equestion history in general.
>Sure you learned that in school and you forgot most of it, but it’s kinda nice to remember.
>As the tour guide talks, you look around again.
>’Can’t pay attention, can you?’
>I can, just rather look is all.

>’You were the same way when you were a filly, guess you didn’t change at all.’
>That’s not true, I’m not a damn filly anymore.
>’Doesn’t stop you from breaking down and crying like one.’
>It’s not like I want to!
>’That’s real rich. ALL of your problems are from being an attention whore.’
>Shut the fuck up!
>’Truth hurts, don’t it Eri? Then again, that’s not the only thing that hurts, you hurt yourself.’
>You shut your eyes tightly as tears threaten to emerge.
>I am getting better, regardless of what you think.
>’You mean what you think. I am a random thought in YOUR head, YOUR thoughts at that.’
>I-I need to find Rest and Connie.
>As you open your eyes, you don’t see the group.
>Your eyes widen as you realize you’re alone.
“No, no, no, no...I-I can find them...Just focus like they told you.”
>Quickly, you start to look for them.
>As you enter the next room, you see them quickly rush to you.
>”There you are!”
>>”Are you alright?”
“Yeah I’m fine, just got distracted is all.”
>”Are you sure about that? You don’t look alright.”
>You probably look awful.
“I just...I had a minor incident, that’s all.”
>They don’t look that convinced.
>>”How about we just...Finish this up and get going?”
>Connie looks to Rest who nods.
>’Fantastic Eri, you ruined the whole tour.’
>You say nothing and follow them while looking downwards.
>Though they talk and try to include you, you just nod or shake your head instead of talking.
>The tour finishes up and you leave them with, feeling worse.
>Even the ride back to the apartment, you remain silent.
>When you get back, you skip out on dinner and just head back to the bedroom.
“...Idiot...Couldn’t stay normal for one day...No...”
>Tears fall freely as you reach the bed and collapse on it.
>Slowly, you fall asleep crying.