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The Center

By NHanon
Created: 2022-11-13 14:28:25
Updated: 2022-11-13 14:33:05
Expiry: Never
dark/emo/miss ericonnie amore

  1. 1.
    >At long last, she’s peacefully asleep.
  2. 2.
    >It took far longer than expected, but then again, she is very special.
  3. 3.
    >Just noticed the time as well; spent roughly three hours to get her to rest.
  4. 4.
    >To be honest, it felt much shorter.
  5. 5.
    >Not that it matters much, only she does.
  6. 6.
    >After all, she is everything.
  7. 7.
    >A wistful smile creeps slowly upon your lips.
  8. 8.
    >It’s born from the the single solitary thought: she is yours.
  9. 9.
    >And no matter what happens, you won’t let anyone – ANYONE – take her away from you.
  10. 10.
    >Her barrel rises and falls slowly with each passing breath.
  11. 11.
    >She looks much happier this way, so beautiful.
  12. 12.
    >If only she could see that truth for herself.
  13. 13.
    >Alas, that is a lofty goal.
  14. 14.
    >But for now, she has you to see her for what she truly is: a wonder.
  15. 15.
    >As much as you want to stay here with her, there are some other matters that must be tended to.
  16. 16.
    >You gently close your eyes to withhold a growing pressure inside of your chest.
  17. 17.
    >Have to hold it a moment or so, least it cause any trouble.
  18. 18.
    >A slow, careful release of breath, and you reopen your eyes to her sleeping form.
  19. 19.
    >It’s all that is needed to make it dissipate.
  20. 20.
    >So long as you have her, these little problems will never amount to anything.
  21. 21.
    >That’s all you need to know.
  22. 22.
    >With a small kiss upon the side of her head, you reluctantly leave the room.
  23. 23.
    >This home will shelter the two of you from all harm.
  24. 24.
    >It’s in here that the world exists.
  25. 25.
    >Nothing else exists outside of it.
  26. 26.
    >Yet sometimes, you have to go out into the nothing, for her.
  27. 27.
    >A quick check of the fiances shows that everything is in order, just as expected.
  28. 28.
    >Shouldn’t never need to worry about them, but being careful certainly helps prevent unwanted surprises.
  29. 29.
    >Next on the agenda is a letter.
  30. 30.
    >With quill and parchment, you get to work on it.
  31. 31.
    >Wish writing these were not necessary.
  32. 32.
    >Wish for a lot of things, too.
  33. 33.
    >If you didn’t do this however, it would cause… trouble.
  34. 34.
    >More specifically, certain individuals.
  35. 35.
     
  36. 36.
    >Your writing slows to a crawl as you instinctively clench your teeth.
  37. 37.
    >It would be better if those individuals weren’t around anymore.
  38. 38.
    >But if you were to remove them, it would cause far worse trouble.
  39. 39.
    >Which is why you write these stupid silly little letters.
  40. 40.
    >Shouldn’t concern yourself further with such thoughts, they’re slowing progress.
  41. 41.
    >After all, those individuals are nothing.
  42. 42.
    >Once the task is finished, you take a step out into the void, and set the letters in the mailbox.
  43. 43.
    >Wait, mailbox?
  44. 44.
    >That can’t be right, there’s nothing out here.
  45. 45.
    >Has to be your imagination playing tricks on you.
  46. 46.
    >After all, it’s just you and her, nothing more, nothing less.
  47. 47.
    >Back inside is safe, back inside is her.
  48. 48.
    >You retreat within, and turn your attention to something special.
  49. 49.
    >Not dinner just yet, but a surprise instead.
  50. 50.
    >Practiced skill comes easily as you work on it.
  51. 51.
    >She’ll love this, she always does.
  52. 52.
    >That’s what your talent is; mending her broken heart.
  53. 53.
    >In the not so distant past, others said your talent was something else.
  54. 54.
    >They were liars.
  55. 55.
    >They were thieves.
  56. 56.
    >They wanted to keep her away form you.
  57. 57.
    >Nearly slip with your work at that thought.
  58. 58.
    >A simple titter uttered recovers enough to correct that.
  59. 59.
    >Just have to remember that she is yours.
  60. 60.
    >It took so long for that to happen, too long.
  61. 61.
    >If it wasn’t for a series of circumstances, she wouldn’t be here with you.
  62. 62.
    >But she’s safe now, with you.
  63. 63.
    >A fair bit of time has been invested on this gift, but it is ready for when the time comes.
  64. 64.
    >Even more so, it was accomplished in a timely manner.
  65. 65.
    >Not that you expected otherwise, if it’s for her, it’s always perfectly done and on time.
  66. 66.
    >You return to the bedroom where she is.
  67. 67.
    >She’s still fast asleep.
  68. 68.
    >Good.
  69. 69.
    >It’s not as if she is going anywhere, but there’s always this… thought, that she won’t be there.
  70. 70.
    >Don’t know why it comes, it shouldn’t exist in the first place.
  71. 71.
    >There is nothing outside this home, it is the entire world.
  72. 72.
     
  73. 73.
    >And she is at the center of it all.
  74. 74.
    >Her beautiful raven mane, those rose tinted eyes, and that wonderful ashen coat.
  75. 75.
    >She’ll see what you see someday, just have to keep reminding her of that.
  76. 76.
    >Until then, you’ll be here with her, forever.
  77. 77.
    >For now, you go work on preparing dinner.
  78. 78.
    >Don’t really need it yourself, but you’ll eat anyways.
  79. 79.
    >She’s all that you need to live.
  80. 80.
    >What to make, though?
  81. 81.
    >Ah, a simple stew will suffice.
  82. 82.
    >Unfortunately, some of the supplies are low.
  83. 83.
    >Which means you’ll have to venture out to get some more.
  84. 84.
    >Which means she’ll be here.
  85. 85.
    >Alone.
  86. 86.
    >Without you.
  87. 87.
    >Feel a slight twitch in your eye.
  88. 88.
    >Breath, remember her.
  89. 89.
    >In.
  90. 90.
    >Out.
  91. 91.
    >In.
  92. 92.
    >Out.
  93. 93.
    >There we go, much better.
  94. 94.
    >Now then, this meager problem has to be taken care of.
  95. 95.
    >You won’t be gone long, but…
  96. 96.
    >A small sigh escapes from your mouth.
  97. 97.
    >...it hurts all the same.
  98. 98.
    >Just be quick about this.
  99. 99.
    >With that thought, you depart out into the nothingness.
  100. 100.
    >A mess of colors are all around, as well as moving shapes all about.
  101. 101.
    >All of these things are useless, all of them are fake.
  102. 102.
    >Because the truth is: they are nothing.
  103. 103.
    >Some of the forms pass by, some even have sounds.
  104. 104.
    >Like in a fantasy, none of that is real.
  105. 105.
    >Thankfully, they don’t slow down your journey in the slightest.
  106. 106.
    >Long ago, they once did.
  107. 107.
    >That was before you took her in, though.
  108. 108.
    >The thought is ignored as you reach the destination.
  109. 109.
    >This place holds what you need.
  110. 110.
    >Correction: what /she/ needs.
  111. 111.
    >After all, you only need her.
  112. 112.
    >Much like the outside, there are shapes moving about here as well.
  113. 113.
    >Could have sworn that something called out your name at some point.
  114. 114.
    >However, it wasn’t her voice, so it doesn’t matter.
  115. 115.
    >After acquiring the goods, you’re about to leave when a flicker of color from the corner of your eye gives you pause.
  116. 116.
    >Something about it feels familiar.
  117. 117.
    >Those colors, they are… dark gray, almost black, and… purple?
  118. 118.
    >No.
  119. 119.
    >It’s not real.
  120. 120.
    >It’s not real.
  121. 121.
    >It’s not real.
  122. 122.
    >Ignore it, go home.
  123. 123.
     
  124. 124.
    >With a breath in/out, the color vanishes into a blob like everything else.
  125. 125.
    >Smiling, you calmly and casually depart off.
  126. 126.
    >There’s a scratching in the back of your mind as you’re walking.
  127. 127.
    >Seems more like a voice, or something is trying to get your attention.
  128. 128.
    >For some reason, you pick up the pace.
  129. 129.
    >Don’t quite know why either.
  130. 130.
    >Not important, home is.
  131. 131.
    >Home is where it is safe.
  132. 132.
    >Home is where she is.
  133. 133.
    >Despite that thought, your movements hasten further and further until everything around seems to vanish.
  134. 134.
    >Things come back into focus; you’re home.
  135. 135.
    >Once safely back inside, the nothing from outside fades away like it always does.
  136. 136.
    >The door locks behind you, and a wave of calm washes over you peacefully.
  137. 137.
    >There are no more sounds from outside, because there is nothing outside.
  138. 138.
    >The only sounds are from within; this is the world, and she is the center.
  139. 139.
    >Speaking of which, you go check on her.
  140. 140.
    >She’s just as you left her, asleep.
  141. 141.
    >Your eyes travel about her body, landing eventually on her legs.
  142. 142.
    >Those various marks still adorn them, all from the distant past.
  143. 143.
    >Life has been, and always was, hard on her for so very long.
  144. 144.
    >That all changed the day you found her out within the nothingness.
  145. 145.
    >If was then and there that you realized that your entire life had been a total lie up to that point.
  146. 146.
    >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.
  147. 147.
    >It was… agonizing to do keep doing that day after day.
  148. 148.
    >She, much like you, was in so much pain.
  149. 149.
    >Now she isn’t suffering anymore, nor are you.
  150. 150.
    >But all of that pain could have been avoided had you acted sooner.
  151. 151.
    >Does that make you bad?
  152. 152.
    >No, there was no way of knowing what was going on.
  153. 153.
    >Yet you acted too late.
  154. 154.
    >Things were different then, you’re stronger now, you’re-
  155. 155.
    >-a monster.
  156. 156.
    >The temperature takes a sudden dive, like a winter storm has descended out of nowhere.
  157. 157.
    >Even stranger, everything has come to a complete standstill.
  158. 158.
     
  159. 159.
    >You focus on her in an attempt to make sense of things.
  160. 160.
    >All of her color has faded, and she too is still, almost as if she were… de-
  161. 161.
    >NO!
  162. 162.
    >Try as you might, nothing seems to budge; from within, from without.
  163. 163.
    >Words fail to form in your throat, there’s just a silence.
  164. 164.
    >Breath.
  165. 165.
    >C-can’t.
  166. 166.
    >Breath!
  167. 167.
    >Ca-…
  168. 168.
    >BREATH!
  169. 169.
    >All at once, air rushes into your lungs with such a force that you fall to the ground in a heap.
  170. 170.
    >Everything so heavy, vision has turned into a blurred mess.
  171. 171.
    >Don’t give up, she NEEDS you.
  172. 172.
    >Summoning all that you are, you shakily stand, and find everything back to the way it was.
  173. 173.
    >She’s asleep, like nothing happened.
  174. 174.
    >More importantly, she is safe.
  175. 175.
    >She is alright.
  176. 176.
    >She is yours.
  177. 177.
    >Just as it should be.
  178. 178.
    >Whatever terror occurred never was real, it never is.
  179. 179.
    >Because like the outside, it is nothing.
  180. 180.
    >It doesn’t matter how many times the forces from there attempt to draw you back out, it will NEVER be real.
  181. 181.
    >You take a brief moment to compose yourself, along with a once-over to ensure that everything is place.
  182. 182.
    >Don’t like episodes like these, but at least they don’t occur when she’s awake.
  183. 183.
    >They’ll come and go, like always.
  184. 184.
    >For now, you go work on making dinner.
  185. 185.
    >The stew comes together slowly, but surely.
  186. 186.
    >As it nears completion, a sound from the other room reaches your ears.
  187. 187.
    >Immediately, it’s clear that it’s her that is stirring from her slumber.
  188. 188.
    >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.
  189. 189.
    >She lets out a small yawn that plucks your heartstrings ever so.
  190. 190.
    “You’re just in the time, dinner is about to be ready.”
  191. 191.
    >She takes a seat at the table with a tiny nod.
  192. 192.
    >“...mmhm.”
  193. 193.
    >Shortly there after, you finish up, fill two bowls, and join her.
  194. 194.
    “Be careful, it’s still hot.”
  195. 195.
    >The corner of her mouth raises slightly.
  196. 196.
    >“’kay.”
  197. 197.
    >It’s not much of a smile, but it might as well be a diamond to you.
  198. 198.
     
  199. 199.
    >No, wait, that’s far too inadequate of a description, it’s far more unique and valuable.
  200. 200.
    >Nevertheless, it’s precious.
  201. 201.
    “So what do you think?”
  202. 202.
    >“S’good.”
  203. 203.
    >Your smile broadens as you continue to eat your own.
  204. 204.
    >Didn’t really need to ask, but getting her to talk is all the more worth it.
  205. 205.
    >It’s such things that feeds the joy inside.
  206. 206.
    “I’ve got something special to show you after we’re done eating.”
  207. 207.
    >“Oh?”
  208. 208.
    >You nod eagerly.
  209. 209.
    “Take care a guess at what it is.”
  210. 210.
    >“Uh… a song?”
  211. 211.
    “Indeed. I wrote it while you were sleeping, I think you’ll like it.”
  212. 212.
    >“I don’t doubt it, everything you make is great.”
  213. 213.
    >Not as great as her.
  214. 214.
    >But all the works you create are born from her, as she is your muse.
  215. 215.
    >She stops goes to take another spoonful, but stops, and her eyes flicker downwards.
  216. 216.
    >Don’t know what that look is, don’t like it.
  217. 217.
    >Whatever it is, you need to know right away.
  218. 218.
    >Because nothing else matters at the moment.
  219. 219.
    >Your entire attention shifts completely to her, and only her.
  220. 220.
    “Is something wrong?”
  221. 221.
    >She shakes her head lightly.
  222. 222.
    >“No… it’s nothing, don’t worry about it.”
  223. 223.
    >That isn’t true.
  224. 224.
    >Did you do something wrong?
  225. 225.
    >Does she hate you?
  226. 226.
    >Why is she hiding?
  227. 227.
    >Is she going to leave you?
  228. 228.
    >NO, no… just… stop, breath.
  229. 229.
    >One silent breath in/out, and everything remains in control.
  230. 230.
    >You reach over and gently touch her wither.
  231. 231.
    “Hey, you know you can tell me anything, right?”
  232. 232.
    >“I know, it’s just…”
  233. 233.
    >She lets out a deep sigh, then lets her gaze go to your face; her eyes glitter slightly in the light.
  234. 234.
    >“...I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done for me. Sometimes it doesn’t feel real…”
  235. 235.
    >Such an old fear of hers, one that refuses to ever go away.
  236. 236.
    >It’s nothing that you cannot handle, though.
  237. 237.
    >You rub her shoulder in a calm controlled manner.
  238. 238.
    “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.”
  239. 239.
    >Not a total lie, yet still, a small one.
  240. 240.
     
  241. 241.
    >So long as it keeps her happy, that it shall persist.
  242. 242.
    >Her eyes linger on you for a little while longer, then close softly.
  243. 243.
    >Another moment to keep within the vault of your mind forever.
  244. 244.
    >As she reopens them, she gives a tiny nod.
  245. 245.
    >“Yeah, I know you’re right. Thanks anyway, Connie.”
  246. 246.
    “You’re welcome. But please, eat your stew before it gets cold, then afterwords I can show you the song I made.”
  247. 247.
    >You let go and the two of you return to eating.
  248. 248.
    >At the center of everything is Miss Eri, she is yours.
  249. 249.
    >And for you, Connie Amore, that’s all that is, and will be, in your life.

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