The Center


                                            >At long last, she’s peacefully asleep.

                                            >It took far longer than expected, but then again, she is very special.

                                            >Just noticed the time as well; spent roughly three hours to get her to rest.

                                            >To be honest, it felt much shorter.

                                            >Not that it matters much, only she does.

                                            >After all, she is everything.

                                            >A wistful smile creeps slowly upon your lips.

                                            >It’s born from the the single solitary thought: she is yours.

                                            >And no matter what happens, you won’t let anyone – ANYONE – take her away from you.

                                            >Her barrel rises and falls slowly with each passing breath.

                                            >She looks much happier this way, so beautiful.

                                            >If only she could see that truth for herself.

                                            >Alas, that is a lofty goal.

                                            >But for now, she has you to see her for what she truly is: a wonder.

                                            >As much as you want to stay here with her, there are some other matters that must be tended to.

                                            >You gently close your eyes to withhold a growing pressure inside of your chest.

                                            >Have to hold it a moment or so, least it cause any trouble.

                                            >A slow, careful release of breath, and you reopen your eyes to her sleeping form.

                                            >It’s all that is needed to make it dissipate.

                                            >So long as you have her, these little problems will never amount to anything.

                                            >That’s all you need to know.

                                            >With a small kiss upon the side of her head, you reluctantly leave the room.

                                            >This home will shelter the two of you from all harm.

                                            >It’s in here that the world exists.

                                            >Nothing else exists outside of it.

                                            >Yet sometimes, you have to go out into the nothing, for her.

                                            >A quick check of the fiances shows that everything is in order, just as expected.

                                            >Shouldn’t never need to worry about them, but being careful certainly helps prevent unwanted surprises.

                                            >Next on the agenda is a letter.

                                            >With quill and parchment, you get to work on it.

                                            >Wish writing these were not necessary.

                                            >Wish for a lot of things, too.

                                            >If you didn’t do this however, it would cause… trouble.

                                            >More specifically, certain individuals.


                                            >Your writing slows to a crawl as you instinctively clench your teeth.

                                            >It would be better if those individuals weren’t around anymore.

                                            >But if you were to remove them, it would cause far worse trouble.

                                            >Which is why you write these stupid silly little letters.

                                            >Shouldn’t concern yourself further with such thoughts, they’re slowing progress.

                                            >After all, those individuals are nothing.

                                            >Once the task is finished, you take a step out into the void, and set the letters in the mailbox.

                                            >Wait, mailbox?

                                            >That can’t be right, there’s nothing out here.

                                            >Has to be your imagination playing tricks on you.

                                            >After all, it’s just you and her, nothing more, nothing less.

                                            >Back inside is safe, back inside is her.

                                            >You retreat within, and turn your attention to something special.

                                            >Not dinner just yet, but a surprise instead.

                                            >Practiced skill comes easily as you work on it.

                                            >She’ll love this, she always does.

                                            >That’s what your talent is; mending her broken heart.

                                            >In the not so distant past, others said your talent was something else.

                                            >They were liars.

                                            >They were thieves.

                                            >They wanted to keep her away form you.

                                            >Nearly slip with your work at that thought.

                                            >A simple titter uttered recovers enough to correct that.

                                            >Just have to remember that she is yours.

                                            >It took so long for that to happen, too long.

                                            >If it wasn’t for a series of circumstances, she wouldn’t be here with you.

                                            >But she’s safe now, with you.

                                            >A fair bit of time has been invested on this gift, but it is ready for when the time comes.

                                            >Even more so, it was accomplished in a timely manner.

                                            >Not that you expected otherwise, if it’s for her, it’s always perfectly done and on time.

                                            >You return to the bedroom where she is.

                                            >She’s still fast asleep.

                                            >Good.

                                            >It’s not as if she is going anywhere, but there’s always this… thought, that she won’t be there.

                                            >Don’t know why it comes, it shouldn’t exist in the first place.

                                            >There is nothing outside this home, it is the entire world.


                                            >And she is at the center of it all.

                                            >Her beautiful raven mane, those rose tinted eyes, and that wonderful ashen coat.

                                            >She’ll see what you see someday, just have to keep reminding her of that.

                                            >Until then, you’ll be here with her, forever.

                                            >For now, you go work on preparing dinner.

                                            >Don’t really need it yourself, but you’ll eat anyways.

                                            >She’s all that you need to live.

                                            >What to make, though?

                                            >Ah, a simple stew will suffice.

                                            >Unfortunately, some of the supplies are low.

                                            >Which means you’ll have to venture out to get some more.

                                            >Which means she’ll be here.

                                            >Alone.

                                            >Without you.

                                            >Feel a slight twitch in your eye.

                                            >Breath, remember her.

                                            >In.

                                            >Out.

                                            >In.

                                            >Out.

                                            >There we go, much better.

                                            >Now then, this meager problem has to be taken care of.

                                            >You won’t be gone long, but…

                                            >A small sigh escapes from your mouth.

                                            >...it hurts all the same.

                                            >Just be quick about this.

                                            >With that thought, you depart out into the nothingness.

                                            >A mess of colors are all around, as well as moving shapes all about.

                                            >All of these things are useless, all of them are fake.

                                            >Because the truth is: they are nothing.

                                            >Some of the forms pass by, some even have sounds.

                                            >Like in a fantasy, none of that is real.

                                            >Thankfully, they don’t slow down your journey in the slightest.

                                            >Long ago, they once did.

                                            >That was before you took her in, though.

                                            >The thought is ignored as you reach the destination.

                                            >This place holds what you need.

                                            >Correction: what /she/ needs.

                                            >After all, you only need her.

                                            >Much like the outside, there are shapes moving about here as well.

                                            >Could have sworn that something called out your name at some point.

                                            >However, it wasn’t her voice, so it doesn’t matter.

                                            >After acquiring the goods, you’re about to leave when a flicker of color from the corner of your eye gives you pause.

                                            >Something about it feels familiar.

                                            >Those colors, they are… dark gray, almost black, and… purple?

                                            >No.

                                            >It’s not real.

                                            >It’s not real.

                                            >It’s not real.

                                            >Ignore it, go home.


                                            >With a breath in/out, the color vanishes into a blob like everything else.

                                            >Smiling, you calmly and casually depart off.

                                            >There’s a scratching in the back of your mind as you’re walking.

                                            >Seems more like a voice, or something is trying to get your attention.

                                            >For some reason, you pick up the pace.

                                            >Don’t quite know why either.

                                            >Not important, home is.

                                            >Home is where it is safe.

                                            >Home is where she is.

                                            >Despite that thought, your movements hasten further and further until everything around seems to vanish.

                                            >Things come back into focus; you’re home.

                                            >Once safely back inside, the nothing from outside fades away like it always does.

                                            >The door locks behind you, and a wave of calm washes over you peacefully.

                                            >There are no more sounds from outside, because there is nothing outside.

                                            >The only sounds are from within; this is the world, and she is the center.

                                            >Speaking of which, you go check on her.

                                            >She’s just as you left her, asleep.

                                            >Your eyes travel about her body, landing eventually on her legs.

                                            >Those various marks still adorn them, all from the distant past.

                                            >Life has been, and always was, hard on her for so very long.

                                            >That all changed the day you found her out within the nothingness.

                                            >If was then and there that you realized that your entire life had been a total lie up to that point.

                                            >All of it was a grand charade; a play on the world’s stage, with faceless masses watching on as you acted out your part.

                                            >It was… agonizing to do keep doing that day after day.

                                            >She, much like you, was in so much pain.

                                            >Now she isn’t suffering anymore, nor are you.

                                            >But all of that pain could have been avoided had you acted sooner.

                                            >Does that make you bad?

                                            >No, there was no way of knowing what was going on.

                                            >Yet you acted too late.

                                            >Things were different then, you’re stronger now, you’re-

                                            >-a monster.

                                            >The temperature takes a sudden dive, like a winter storm has descended out of nowhere.

                                            >Even stranger, everything has come to a complete standstill.


                                            >You focus on her in an attempt to make sense of things.

                                            >All of her color has faded, and she too is still, almost as if she were… de-

                                            >NO!

                                            >Try as you might, nothing seems to budge; from within, from without.

                                            >Words fail to form in your throat, there’s just a silence.

                                            >Breath.

                                            >C-can’t.

                                            >Breath!

                                            >Ca-…

                                            >BREATH!

                                            >All at once, air rushes into your lungs with such a force that you fall to the ground in a heap.

                                            >Everything so heavy, vision has turned into a blurred mess.

                                            >Don’t give up, she NEEDS you.

                                            >Summoning all that you are, you shakily stand, and find everything back to the way it was.

                                            >She’s asleep, like nothing happened.

                                            >More importantly, she is safe.

                                            >She is alright.

                                            >She is yours.

                                            >Just as it should be.

                                            >Whatever terror occurred never was real, it never is.

                                            >Because like the outside, it is nothing.

                                            >It doesn’t matter how many times the forces from there attempt to draw you back out, it will NEVER be real.

                                            >You take a brief moment to compose yourself, along with a once-over to ensure that everything is place.

                                            >Don’t like episodes like these, but at least they don’t occur when she’s awake.

                                            >They’ll come and go, like always.

                                            >For now, you go work on making dinner.

                                            >The stew comes together slowly, but surely.

                                            >As it nears completion, a sound from the other room reaches your ears.

                                            >Immediately, it’s clear that it’s her that is stirring from her slumber.

                                            >Shortly thereafter, light hoof falls come from the hallway, to which you steal a quick glance; her mane is a bit of a mess, one that draws a smile from you.

                                            >She lets out a small yawn that plucks your heartstrings ever so.

                                            “You’re just in the time, dinner is about to be ready.”

                                            >She takes a seat at the table with a tiny nod.

                                            >“...mmhm.”

                                            >Shortly there after, you finish up, fill two bowls, and join her.

                                            “Be careful, it’s still hot.”

                                            >The corner of her mouth raises slightly.

                                            >“’kay.”

                                            >It’s not much of a smile, but it might as well be a diamond to you.


                                            >No, wait, that’s far too inadequate of a description, it’s far more unique and valuable.

                                            >Nevertheless, it’s precious.

                                            “So what do you think?”

                                            >“S’good.”

                                            >Your smile broadens as you continue to eat your own.

                                            >Didn’t really need to ask, but getting her to talk is all the more worth it.

                                            >It’s such things that feeds the joy inside.

                                            “I’ve got something special to show you after we’re done eating.”

                                            >“Oh?”

                                            >You nod eagerly.

                                            “Take care a guess at what it is.”

                                            >“Uh… a song?”

                                            “Indeed. I wrote it while you were sleeping, I think you’ll like it.”

                                            >“I don’t doubt it, everything you make is great.”

                                            >Not as great as her.

                                            >But all the works you create are born from her, as she is your muse.

                                            >She stops goes to take another spoonful, but stops, and her eyes flicker downwards.

                                            >Don’t know what that look is, don’t like it.

                                            >Whatever it is, you need to know right away.

                                            >Because nothing else matters at the moment.

                                            >Your entire attention shifts completely to her, and only her.

                                            “Is something wrong?”

                                            >She shakes her head lightly.

                                            >“No… it’s nothing, don’t worry about it.”

                                            >That isn’t true.

                                            >Did you do something wrong?

                                            >Does she hate you?

                                            >Why is she hiding?

                                            >Is she going to leave you?

                                            >NO, no… just… stop, breath.

                                            >One silent breath in/out, and everything remains in control.

                                            >You reach over and gently touch her wither.

                                            “Hey, you know you can tell me anything, right?”

                                            >“I know, it’s just…”

                                            >She lets out a deep sigh, then lets her gaze go to your face; her eyes glitter slightly in the light.

                                            >“...I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done for me. Sometimes it doesn’t feel real…”

                                            >Such an old fear of hers, one that refuses to ever go away.

                                            >It’s nothing that you cannot handle, though.

                                            >You rub her shoulder in a calm controlled manner.

                                            “Eri, all of this is real, and you never have to thank me for it. I will always be there to help you out, no matter what.”

                                            >Not a total lie, yet still, a small one.


                                            >So long as it keeps her happy, that it shall persist.

                                            >Her eyes linger on you for a little while longer, then close softly.

                                            >Another moment to keep within the vault of your mind forever.

                                            >As she reopens them, she gives a tiny nod.

                                            >“Yeah, I know you’re right. Thanks anyway, Connie.”

                                            “You’re welcome. But please, eat your stew before it gets cold, then afterwords I can show you the song I made.”

                                            >You let go and the two of you return to eating.

                                            >At the center of everything is Miss Eri, she is yours.

                                            >And for you, Connie Amore, that’s all that is, and will be, in your life.