GREEN
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2439 13.47 KB 191
2439 13.47 KB 191
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>“Have a good night, Miss.”
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“To you as well.”
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>Stepping away from the taxi, it speeds off into the night.
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>While you could’ve had him drop you off at home, this was just fine.
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>Besides, a short stroll won’t kill you.
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>Tonight’s show went rather splendidly as expected.
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>Though you’re a tad drained from it.
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>Between time spent practicing, writing your own music, and even teaching on the side, it’s not surprising.
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>Taking far too much on your plate often is quite a bad habit of yours.
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>Really need to work on breaking that so you can have less stress in your life in general.
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>Maybe you should take a vacation to help unwind.
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>Will have to think more on that later, for now, you let your attention drift upward as you trot along.
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>Luna’s sky is really quite beautiful.
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>Despite the light cloud cover, the various twinkling stars and the pale moon peek out occasionally.
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>Such a sight to behold that draws a smile upon your lips.
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>However, your cello case decides to spoil the moment by shifting to one side.
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>You pause briefly to readjust it, appears the strap has loosened again.
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>Just something to deal with when you get home.
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>Not far now either, then you can properly fix it and from there-
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>*grumble*
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>On second thought, getting something to eat first, then you can figure out what to do.
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>Spent more time chatting with the VIPs and snacking instead of actually eating.
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>It’s worth it though, each conversation has the potential for greater opportunities.
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>That’s what every great musician does, just like mother said.
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>Although… not all the time.
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>Your fellow musicians do have lives outside of work in comparison to you.
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>Have heard them talk about their friends and their loved ones they spend time with.
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>What friends you have are more like business acquaintances, and don’t actually have loved ones.
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>Mother is still around sure, but she seems to only visit once in a great while to check in with your career.
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>Now that you’re thinking about it, are you actually alone Octavia?
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“I…”
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>A pit forms in your gut, slowing your trot.
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>There has to be somepony you can think of, right?
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“…”
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>Shaking your head, you ignore that train of thought, focusing on getting home.
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>Thankfully you’re not too far now, can see it just ahead.
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>Though it appears that something, or rather in this case, somepony is by your doorstep.
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>And from what you can hear from the snoring, they’re fast asleep.
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“...wonderful.”
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>Likely some poor soul who had one too many to drink and passed out on their way home.
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>Going to have to be careful in dealing with them.
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>Taking a brief moment to prepare yourself, you put on a polite smile and come up to their side.
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>Upon closer inspection, it appears to be a mare with a grayish coat and a dark colored mane much like yours.
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>She almost seems familiar, then again there are many mares out there with colors similar to yours.
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>Either way, you reach out and gently try to rouse her from slumber.
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“Excuse me.”
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>No response, still fast asleep, so you try again with more effort.
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“Miss, please wake up.”
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>She lets out a muffled snort, but still not budging otherwise.
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>Alright enough being polite, this time you shake her vigorously and she finally starts to stir.
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“You need to get up and go home, you can’t sleep here.”
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>“...mghmf’Octavia, is th-that you?”
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>You take a step back in surprise at the groggy yet familiar voice.
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“Miss Eri?”
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>She raises her head up at the mention of her name, looking at you with tired eyes.
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>There is no doubt about it, would recognized those colors anywhere.
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>Almost certain that she appears far more haggard than last time you saw her.
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>Slowly blinking, she licks her lips and her eyes dart to the side.
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>“H-Hey, um… c-can I come in?”
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“Yes, just give me a moment.”
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>You unlock the door, head in to set aside your things and light a few candles before returning to her.
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>She keeps her head lowered as she trudges inside, clearly burdened with something.
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>Don’t need to ask, she’ll likely tell you soon enough.
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>Because this isn’t the first, nor will it likely be the last time she’s shown up like this.
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>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.
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>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.
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“...oh dear…”
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>She winces at your words, squeezing her eyes shut for a second and turns her head away.
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>Regret immediately washes over you like a great wave as you try to salvage this.
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“I’m sorry Eri, I didn’t mean to-”
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>“It’s fine, don’t apologize… I know I look like trash.”
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“No, it was rude of me, I truly am sorry.”
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>“Just-just stop, don’t, please…”
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>You’re open your mouth to try again, but stop.
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>Wouldn’t matter if you showered her in compliments or apologized a million times, she doesn’t seem to acknowledge nor believe them.
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>Always seeing each as some thinly veiled insult and or lie instead.
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>Despite that, she must have enough truth in you to come here.
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>Saying nothing more, she takes a seat on the couch, eyes glued to the floor.
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“Listen, I’ll be right back, just need to get something. We can talk after if you like.”
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>“...sure.”
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>Feels like a heavy weight is forming on your heart as you enter the kitchen.
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>Have a very strong feeling that this night will end up emotional.
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>One of the many reasons you keep something stronger than wine around.
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>That very something is a bottle of liquor you pull out from a cabinet along with two glasses.
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>You pour yourself some and knock back the drink immediately.
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>The liquid burns as it goes down your throat, causing you to shiver.
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>A warmth rapidly blooms within your belly, slowly spreading outwards to your limbs.
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>It’s stuff like this that makes it easier to handle any burden you might feel.
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>Also enough to remember how you first met Miss Eri.
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>Was close to her mother growing up, became the best of friends for a time.
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>Went to the same school, had similar interests, even got your cutie marks about the same time too.
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>Almost seemed like nothing could separate you two.
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>Ponies change however, like all things.
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>While you were first trying to get somewhere with your career, a handsome stallion swept her off her hooves like in a romance novel.
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>From then on, started seeing one another less and less.
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>Eventually you managed to catch some fame and was traveled across Equestria to perform.
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>Spent so much time abroad and little time at home, that you hadn’t seen her for years.
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>That is until the day you ran into one another at the market.
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>Almost didn’t recognized her; looked like Tartarus had chewed her up and spat her out.
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>She recognized you immediately though, sparking up a conversation like nothing had changed.
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>Talked for a time, mostly about life in general.
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>Didn’t take long to notice that she kept dodging personal questions, focusing entirely on you.
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>Quickly understood enough to see what had happened, but you kept it to yourself.
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>You two had to part eventually, though decided to meet again later on to catch up more.
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>It was then at the park when you were introduced to Eri.
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>She was a little foal, wrapped in a blanket, laying within a stroller, as pure and innocent as could be.
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>Felt such love at first sight, along with envy.
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>Have always wanted a family, just kept focusing on saving the bits, finding the right stallion, the usual stuff.
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>But you’ve been telling yourself that for so very long now.
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>Because at the rate things keep going, you’re going to never have a family and will die alone.
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>You refill your glass and down it.
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*cough cough*
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>Shouldn’t be reminiscing so much, rather not leave Eri alone for too long.
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>Returning to the living room, she’s still planted on the couch, attention elsewhere.
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>You set the glasses down on the coffee table and fill them.
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>“...thanks.”
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“You’re welcome.”
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>She picks up her glass and takes a sip, shuddering.
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>Really shouldn’t be letting her drink, but you know it helps, if only a little.
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>At least that’s what you tell yourself.
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>Minutes pass by in silence, the two of you sipping your drinks occasionally, feeling the tension slowly rise.
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>A part of you wishes she would open up instead of being silent.
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>The other part is stronger and knows better, can’t rush her.
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>A few more minutes pass before she turns her head to you a little.
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>“Can I tell you something?”
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“Yes of course, you can tell me anything you like Missy.”
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>Her breath hitches, and for a split second it seems like she’s about to smile.
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>However, she just exhales audibly, seeming to gather herself.
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>“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.”
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>Her eyes shift form spot to spot on the carpet as her ears flatten against her head.
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>“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.”
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>Taking a brief pause to take a drink, she cringes and shakes her head before continuing.
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>“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.”
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>Already suspected as much, not that you can do much about it.
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>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.
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>“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.”
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>Pursing your lips, can hear warning bells going off inside your head.
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“That’s not true, you have me.”
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>Nodding slowly, she rubs one foreleg over the other, seeming to pay attention to them.
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>“Suppose that’s true but – no, never mind…”
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“Missy please continue, you know you can tell me anything and I won’t judge you.”
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>Eri bites her lip and turns her head away briefly to rub her eyes.
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>You remain steadfast in hoping that she’ll continue, sometimes she stops talking altogether and stays the night; leaving in the morning.
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>Minutes pass before she turns her attention back, this time really looking at you with those beautiful pink eyes.
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>“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…”
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“Those are just bad thoughts full of lies that plague you.”
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>She shakes her head.
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>“Everypony tells me that, always saying none of my problems are real.”
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“I’m not like everypony else, otherwise I wouldn’t be here.”
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>“...for how long though?”
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“For as long as I can.”
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>Various emotions cross her face as she sits there staring at you.
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>Eventually only a few remain; anger, sadness, and most of all, regret.
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>“I-I think I’ve said too much, I should go.”
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>She sets aside the glass and gets up.
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>Darn it, you need to keep trying, think of something.
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“Missy wait, please don’t shut me out, I want to help you.”
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>She stops mid-step, turning her head towards you slightly.
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>“Why?”
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“Because I care about you.”
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>“...you’re not my mother, you’re just some pony I’ve talked to.”
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>You wince at her words, feeling like somepony bucked you hard in the barrel.
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>Eyes start to feel misty, making you turn away from her.
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“I… I know. But I’m really trying for you.”
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>It’s becoming quite difficult to not start choking up.
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>In the end, you only partially manage to avoid letting go as a few tears escape.
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>You squeeze your eyes shut, awaiting the sound of the door closing.
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>Instead, her hooffalls approach slowly, just stopping short of where she sat.
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>“Are you crying?”
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“I’m okay, you can go, I won’t stop you.”
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>Something in your words must’ve hit somewhere, because she starts to breath heavier.
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>“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!”
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>At that, she drops onto the floor, sobbing.
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>“I’m s-sorry! I’m so-sorry.. I-I’m sorry Octavia! Please d-don’t leave me...”
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>You quickly get up and wrap your legs around her in a hug.
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>She latches on like a foal would to their mother, crying deeply into your coat.
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>Your own tears cascade slowly down your face as you gently rub back.
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“Shh… it’s okay, I forgive you, I’m right here, I’m not going anywhere Missy.”
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>Should’ve seen this coming from past experiences, but hindsight is twenty-twenty.
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>While a part of you wishes to take her in and solve her problems, things are not that simple.
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>There are various reasons preventing such efforts.
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>Those reasons are unimportant right now as two hold onto one another.
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>Maybe someday, somehow, you can find a way to defeat the evil that torments her so much.
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>For now though, you’ll do whatever you can.
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>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