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