GREEN
351
0
2439 13.47 KB 191
2439 13.47 KB 191
-
1.
>“Have a good night, Miss.”
-
2.
“To you as well.”
-
3.
>Stepping away from the taxi, it speeds off into the night.
-
4.
>While you could’ve had him drop you off at home, this was just fine.
-
5.
>Besides, a short stroll won’t kill you.
-
6.
>Tonight’s show went rather splendidly as expected.
-
7.
>Though you’re a tad drained from it.
-
8.
>Between time spent practicing, writing your own music, and even teaching on the side, it’s not surprising.
-
9.
>Taking far too much on your plate often is quite a bad habit of yours.
-
10.
>Really need to work on breaking that so you can have less stress in your life in general.
-
11.
>Maybe you should take a vacation to help unwind.
-
12.
>Will have to think more on that later, for now, you let your attention drift upward as you trot along.
-
13.
>Luna’s sky is really quite beautiful.
-
14.
>Despite the light cloud cover, the various twinkling stars and the pale moon peek out occasionally.
-
15.
>Such a sight to behold that draws a smile upon your lips.
-
16.
>However, your cello case decides to spoil the moment by shifting to one side.
-
17.
>You pause briefly to readjust it, appears the strap has loosened again.
-
18.
>Just something to deal with when you get home.
-
19.
>Not far now either, then you can properly fix it and from there-
-
20.
>*grumble*
-
21.
>On second thought, getting something to eat first, then you can figure out what to do.
-
22.
>Spent more time chatting with the VIPs and snacking instead of actually eating.
-
23.
>It’s worth it though, each conversation has the potential for greater opportunities.
-
24.
>That’s what every great musician does, just like mother said.
-
25.
>Although… not all the time.
-
26.
>Your fellow musicians do have lives outside of work in comparison to you.
-
27.
>Have heard them talk about their friends and their loved ones they spend time with.
-
28.
>What friends you have are more like business acquaintances, and don’t actually have loved ones.
-
29.
>Mother is still around sure, but she seems to only visit once in a great while to check in with your career.
-
30.
-
31.
>Now that you’re thinking about it, are you actually alone Octavia?
-
32.
“I…”
-
33.
>A pit forms in your gut, slowing your trot.
-
34.
>There has to be somepony you can think of, right?
-
35.
“…”
-
36.
>Shaking your head, you ignore that train of thought, focusing on getting home.
-
37.
>Thankfully you’re not too far now, can see it just ahead.
-
38.
>Though it appears that something, or rather in this case, somepony is by your doorstep.
-
39.
>And from what you can hear from the snoring, they’re fast asleep.
-
40.
“...wonderful.”
-
41.
>Likely some poor soul who had one too many to drink and passed out on their way home.
-
42.
>Going to have to be careful in dealing with them.
-
43.
>Taking a brief moment to prepare yourself, you put on a polite smile and come up to their side.
-
44.
>Upon closer inspection, it appears to be a mare with a grayish coat and a dark colored mane much like yours.
-
45.
>She almost seems familiar, then again there are many mares out there with colors similar to yours.
-
46.
>Either way, you reach out and gently try to rouse her from slumber.
-
47.
“Excuse me.”
-
48.
>No response, still fast asleep, so you try again with more effort.
-
49.
“Miss, please wake up.”
-
50.
>She lets out a muffled snort, but still not budging otherwise.
-
51.
>Alright enough being polite, this time you shake her vigorously and she finally starts to stir.
-
52.
“You need to get up and go home, you can’t sleep here.”
-
53.
>“...mghmf’Octavia, is th-that you?”
-
54.
>You take a step back in surprise at the groggy yet familiar voice.
-
55.
“Miss Eri?”
-
56.
>She raises her head up at the mention of her name, looking at you with tired eyes.
-
57.
>There is no doubt about it, would recognized those colors anywhere.
-
58.
>Almost certain that she appears far more haggard than last time you saw her.
-
59.
>Slowly blinking, she licks her lips and her eyes dart to the side.
-
60.
>“H-Hey, um… c-can I come in?”
-
61.
“Yes, just give me a moment.”
-
62.
>You unlock the door, head in to set aside your things and light a few candles before returning to her.
-
63.
-
64.
>She keeps her head lowered as she trudges inside, clearly burdened with something.
-
65.
>Don’t need to ask, she’ll likely tell you soon enough.
-
66.
>Because this isn’t the first, nor will it likely be the last time she’s shown up like this.
-
67.
>You enter the living room with her following close behind, when you turn to speak, you’re able to see her features clearly in the light.
-
68.
>To say she looks terrible is an understatement; makeup smudged, bags under her pink bloodshot eyes, and mane is quite greasy like it hasn’t been washed in days.
-
69.
“...oh dear…”
-
70.
>She winces at your words, squeezing her eyes shut for a second and turns her head away.
-
71.
>Regret immediately washes over you like a great wave as you try to salvage this.
-
72.
“I’m sorry Eri, I didn’t mean to-”
-
73.
>“It’s fine, don’t apologize… I know I look like trash.”
-
74.
“No, it was rude of me, I truly am sorry.”
-
75.
>“Just-just stop, don’t, please…”
-
76.
>You’re open your mouth to try again, but stop.
-
77.
>Wouldn’t matter if you showered her in compliments or apologized a million times, she doesn’t seem to acknowledge nor believe them.
-
78.
>Always seeing each as some thinly veiled insult and or lie instead.
-
79.
>Despite that, she must have enough truth in you to come here.
-
80.
>Saying nothing more, she takes a seat on the couch, eyes glued to the floor.
-
81.
“Listen, I’ll be right back, just need to get something. We can talk after if you like.”
-
82.
>“...sure.”
-
83.
>Feels like a heavy weight is forming on your heart as you enter the kitchen.
-
84.
>Have a very strong feeling that this night will end up emotional.
-
85.
>One of the many reasons you keep something stronger than wine around.
-
86.
>That very something is a bottle of liquor you pull out from a cabinet along with two glasses.
-
87.
>You pour yourself some and knock back the drink immediately.
-
88.
>The liquid burns as it goes down your throat, causing you to shiver.
-
89.
>A warmth rapidly blooms within your belly, slowly spreading outwards to your limbs.
-
90.
-
91.
>It’s stuff like this that makes it easier to handle any burden you might feel.
-
92.
>Also enough to remember how you first met Miss Eri.
-
93.
>Was close to her mother growing up, became the best of friends for a time.
-
94.
>Went to the same school, had similar interests, even got your cutie marks about the same time too.
-
95.
>Almost seemed like nothing could separate you two.
-
96.
>Ponies change however, like all things.
-
97.
>While you were first trying to get somewhere with your career, a handsome stallion swept her off her hooves like in a romance novel.
-
98.
>From then on, started seeing one another less and less.
-
99.
>Eventually you managed to catch some fame and was traveled across Equestria to perform.
-
100.
>Spent so much time abroad and little time at home, that you hadn’t seen her for years.
-
101.
>That is until the day you ran into one another at the market.
-
102.
>Almost didn’t recognized her; looked like Tartarus had chewed her up and spat her out.
-
103.
>She recognized you immediately though, sparking up a conversation like nothing had changed.
-
104.
>Talked for a time, mostly about life in general.
-
105.
>Didn’t take long to notice that she kept dodging personal questions, focusing entirely on you.
-
106.
>Quickly understood enough to see what had happened, but you kept it to yourself.
-
107.
>You two had to part eventually, though decided to meet again later on to catch up more.
-
108.
>It was then at the park when you were introduced to Eri.
-
109.
>She was a little foal, wrapped in a blanket, laying within a stroller, as pure and innocent as could be.
-
110.
>Felt such love at first sight, along with envy.
-
111.
>Have always wanted a family, just kept focusing on saving the bits, finding the right stallion, the usual stuff.
-
112.
>But you’ve been telling yourself that for so very long now.
-
113.
>Because at the rate things keep going, you’re going to never have a family and will die alone.
-
114.
>You refill your glass and down it.
-
115.
*cough cough*
-
116.
-
117.
>Shouldn’t be reminiscing so much, rather not leave Eri alone for too long.
-
118.
>Returning to the living room, she’s still planted on the couch, attention elsewhere.
-
119.
>You set the glasses down on the coffee table and fill them.
-
120.
>“...thanks.”
-
121.
“You’re welcome.”
-
122.
>She picks up her glass and takes a sip, shuddering.
-
123.
>Really shouldn’t be letting her drink, but you know it helps, if only a little.
-
124.
>At least that’s what you tell yourself.
-
125.
>Minutes pass by in silence, the two of you sipping your drinks occasionally, feeling the tension slowly rise.
-
126.
>A part of you wishes she would open up instead of being silent.
-
127.
>The other part is stronger and knows better, can’t rush her.
-
128.
>A few more minutes pass before she turns her head to you a little.
-
129.
>“Can I tell you something?”
-
130.
“Yes of course, you can tell me anything you like Missy.”
-
131.
>Her breath hitches, and for a split second it seems like she’s about to smile.
-
132.
>However, she just exhales audibly, seeming to gather herself.
-
133.
>“Haven’t been sleeping well… still restless I guess. When morning finally came around, found myself just laying there; staring off into the nothing. I realized something, and that thought kept repeating in my head.”
-
134.
>Her eyes shift form spot to spot on the carpet as her ears flatten against her head.
-
135.
>“It feels like there is no direction in my life, no purpose; sleep, wake, go to school; drown in sorrow, and repeat, that’s it. It’s like everyday is the same, it’s all I ever do.”
-
136.
>Taking a brief pause to take a drink, she cringes and shakes her head before continuing.
-
137.
>“Skipped school today too, not like it matters. Teachers keep telling me I need to fix my grades or I won’t be able to graduate, that I won’t be able to go; do anything in life. You know what though? I don’t do anything now except suffer, so it’s not like anything is going to change anyways.”
-
138.
>Already suspected as much, not that you can do much about it.
-
139.
-
140.
>Have tried before to help her in such things, but her problems run so deep that it seems almost impossible to make a dent in them.
-
141.
>“It’s not like I have anyone or anypony either; no friends, no dad, and mom is just… no, you already know about /her/. There seems to be nothing for me in life, just endless pain, I just – I just don’t know what to do anymore.”
-
142.
>Pursing your lips, can hear warning bells going off inside your head.
-
143.
“That’s not true, you have me.”
-
144.
>Nodding slowly, she rubs one foreleg over the other, seeming to pay attention to them.
-
145.
>“Suppose that’s true but – no, never mind…”
-
146.
“Missy please continue, you know you can tell me anything and I won’t judge you.”
-
147.
>Eri bites her lip and turns her head away briefly to rub her eyes.
-
148.
>You remain steadfast in hoping that she’ll continue, sometimes she stops talking altogether and stays the night; leaving in the morning.
-
149.
>Minutes pass before she turns her attention back, this time really looking at you with those beautiful pink eyes.
-
150.
>“I keep thinking that you’ll get sick of me, sick of all this garbage I dump on you every time I’m here. That one day you’ll finally have enough and give up, abandon me like everypony else has; that I’ll be completely alone in this world…”
-
151.
“Those are just bad thoughts full of lies that plague you.”
-
152.
>She shakes her head.
-
153.
>“Everypony tells me that, always saying none of my problems are real.”
-
154.
“I’m not like everypony else, otherwise I wouldn’t be here.”
-
155.
>“...for how long though?”
-
156.
“For as long as I can.”
-
157.
>Various emotions cross her face as she sits there staring at you.
-
158.
>Eventually only a few remain; anger, sadness, and most of all, regret.
-
159.
>“I-I think I’ve said too much, I should go.”
-
160.
>She sets aside the glass and gets up.
-
161.
>Darn it, you need to keep trying, think of something.
-
162.
“Missy wait, please don’t shut me out, I want to help you.”
-
163.
-
164.
>She stops mid-step, turning her head towards you slightly.
-
165.
>“Why?”
-
166.
“Because I care about you.”
-
167.
>“...you’re not my mother, you’re just some pony I’ve talked to.”
-
168.
>You wince at her words, feeling like somepony bucked you hard in the barrel.
-
169.
>Eyes start to feel misty, making you turn away from her.
-
170.
“I… I know. But I’m really trying for you.”
-
171.
>It’s becoming quite difficult to not start choking up.
-
172.
>In the end, you only partially manage to avoid letting go as a few tears escape.
-
173.
>You squeeze your eyes shut, awaiting the sound of the door closing.
-
174.
>Instead, her hooffalls approach slowly, just stopping short of where she sat.
-
175.
>“Are you crying?”
-
176.
“I’m okay, you can go, I won’t stop you.”
-
177.
>Something in your words must’ve hit somewhere, because she starts to breath heavier.
-
178.
>“Oh no. No, no! I’m so stupid – idiot! I’m sorry Octavia, please don’t hate me, I don’t mean – didn’t me-mean to… I just-just… I’M SORRY!”
-
179.
>At that, she drops onto the floor, sobbing.
-
180.
>“I’m s-sorry! I’m so-sorry.. I-I’m sorry Octavia! Please d-don’t leave me...”
-
181.
>You quickly get up and wrap your legs around her in a hug.
-
182.
>She latches on like a foal would to their mother, crying deeply into your coat.
-
183.
>Your own tears cascade slowly down your face as you gently rub back.
-
184.
“Shh… it’s okay, I forgive you, I’m right here, I’m not going anywhere Missy.”
-
185.
>Should’ve seen this coming from past experiences, but hindsight is twenty-twenty.
-
186.
>While a part of you wishes to take her in and solve her problems, things are not that simple.
-
187.
>There are various reasons preventing such efforts.
-
188.
>Those reasons are unimportant right now as two hold onto one another.
-
189.
>Maybe someday, somehow, you can find a way to defeat the evil that torments her so much.
-
190.
>For now though, you’ll do whatever you can.
-
191.
>Because despite her hurtful words, Eri is the closest thing to a daughter you’ve ever had.
by NHanon
by NHanon
by NHanon
by NHanon
by NHanon