>Sleep takes you easily that night with Rest at your side.
>However, you’re not free, not yet.
>You find yourself in field at night, seemingly alone.
“Hello?”
>Silence is all there is.
>As you start to look around, you see it.
>The pale eyes.
>Your heart starts to race.
“No.”
>Eri.
>The pony forms and starts to lumber towards you.
>You start to back up, but find a surprise.
>On either side of you are Rest and Connie.
>You quickly look at each of them in shock.
“You’re both here?”
>They each smile and nod before stepping forth.
>”We would never leave you behind.”
>>”We’re your friends, and friends stick together.”
>You feel courage swell within you, so you join them.
>The abomination grows and growls.
>You three stand tall against it, never backing down.
>You call out in defiance.
“I’m not alone anymore!”
>It charges forth, and just when it seemed like it would strike you.
>A flash of light from you three blasts into it.
>The beast screeches and twists.
>As it rapidly fades you see Connie and Rest looking at you with a smile.
>With that, you awaken.
>You’re alone in bed, but you know that Rest is down stairs.
>As you perform your morning routine, you finish drying off and a thought occurs to you.
>Stopping at the mirror you take a good look at yourself.
>Your coat is a little lighter, mane looks healthier, and the bags under your eyes have faded a bit.
>One word comes to mind.
“Normal.”
>That’s not entirely true, but it’s a start.
>Rest and you talk at breakfast.
“-so we stood against the monster and some light comes out and blasts it to oblivion.”
>She is looking at you with a smirk.
>”Well, at least that’s finally over.”
“Yeah, it’s good to see that damn thing gone.”
>Rest nods at your excitement.
>”Maybe you’ll sleep better now?”
>While it’s true the nightmare is gone, you know that you’re far from fixed.
“Maybe, but does that mean we won’t cuddle anymore?”
>She laughs and shakes her head.

>”I’ll continue to cuddle you, I know you’re a bit restless.”
>After breakfast, you help her clean up.
>The two of you head into the living room and talk while you two wait.
>”So, how are you feeling?”
>You hesitate, reflecting on what has occurred this week.
“Honestly, the best I’ve been in a long time.”
>Rest smiles, she knows you’re telling the truth.
>”That’s wonderful to hear. You’ve been through a lot.”
>You could say that again.
>Though you would rather never have to go through it again.
“Yeah, it’s a start in the right direction to being normal.”
>She places a hoof on your wither, grabbing your attention.
>”Eri, normal isn’t normal. In the end, being the best you can be is what matters.”
>You raise a eyebrow at her.
“Since when did you start giving motivational words?”
>She laughs.
>”Eh, it happens sometimes. Regardless, I will be here to support you the best I can.”
>’She will leave eventually.’
>Someday, yeah.
“So, when are you heading back to work?”
>She looks a little surprised at your question.
>”Next week actually, but I will keep visiting of course. Like I always do.”
>Hopefully you won’t fall back into the same routine.
>’We’ll see about that.’
>NO.
>You’re better than that now, sure you’re not entirely fixed.
>But that doesn’t mean you haven’t made the steps to make it through the day with your head held higher.
>A stray thought hits you.
>Looking to the clock, you realize that Connie will be arriving shortly.
>You start to get up and Rest looks at you quizzically.
“I’ll be back soon, I have something I got to do.”
>”Oh, okay, is everything fine?”
>You nod before heading upstairs.
“Yeah, I’m feeling inspired.”
>She smiles and watches you go.
>At your desk, you channel what you’re feeling into writing.
>Still looks like shit, but it doesn’t matter.
>You’re certain they will like this.

>As you’re finishing up, you hear Rest letting Connie in.
>Feels like a stone is in your gut, but you must push on.
>Heading downstairs, you see that Connie has a basket and her violin case.
>She smiles at you.
>>”Hello Eri, I hope you’re still feeling up to this.”
>A part of you screams no, but in the end, you smile back.
“Yeah, I can do this, as long as I have you two.”
>You three head through the back door and into the yard.
>The bright light hurts your eyes, and slowly, you start to adjust.
>Its a small backyard, not much different than other homes.
>Noticing the tall grass, you feel a little shame.
“Oh shit sorry, I forgot about that.”
>Rest tries to reassure you.
>”It’s okay Eri, we can just take this indoors.”
>However, Connie shakes her head and says.
>>”Don’t worry you two, I bought a few more blankets just in case.”
>You feel surprised, you didn’t expect her to think about the grass.
>What are you saying, of course she did, she had plenty of time to plan this out.
>Shaking out of your thoughts, you help the other two set things up.
>Even with the spare blankets, its a bit lumpy.
>A strong aroma catches your attention and you turn to seeing Connie opening up the basket.
>She notices you staring and smiles.
>Slowly she brings out a large dish with some kinda pasta.
>Your stomach calls out and you feel a small blush.
>Both her and Rest laugh a little.
>”Yeah, that does look good, doesn’t it?”
>Nodding, Connie grabs a few plates and sets them for each of you.
>>”It’s Penne Alla Vodka. I picked it up fresh from the restaurant down the way.”
>You’ve never heard of it, but honestly, you give zero fucks.
>After getting your plate, you barely contain yourself.
>As you chew your first, you unintentionally let a moan of satisfaction.
>Connie lets out a giggle.
>>”So I see you’ve never had this before?”
>You say no words, but just shake your head vigorously.

>Rest enthusiastically asks.
>”I got to learn how to make this, you wouldn’t happen to know the recipe?”
>>”Thankfully, I do. I would’ve rather have made it myself, but can’t cook at the tavern.”
>Swallowing, you ask her.
“That’s where you have been staying?”
>She looks at you a bit surprised.
>>”Of course. I don’t know of anypony, other than you, around here that would let me stay.”
>That hurt a little, but you remember that she didn’t know, not then at least.
>Connie picks up her case and steps away from you two.
>You feel a little confused at first, but then it hits you.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve heard you play Connie.”
>Rest looks back to the both of you.
>”I never had the time to really enjoy a live show, so this should be interesting.”
>Connie just smiles, sets down the case, and opens it.
>She brings the violin to her chin.
>With practiced ease, she adjusts the instrument and closes her eyes.
>Slowly she brings the bow to the strings and draws out a tune.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jA-TEb3CWK8
>The melody carries through the air.
>You feel a soothing calmness course through you.
>Looking over to Rest, you notice she gently sways to the music.
>You join her, it’s been far to long since you felt this way.
>The song rises and thoughts of happy gatherings enters your mind.
>You breath a sigh of contentment.
>All the while, Connie has her eyes closed appears like the violin and her are one.
>The tune slows down and with it, a small pang of longing fills you.
>It starts to pick up again, and like before, you feel joy.
>Before long, she finishes.
>Unable to contain yourself, you and Rest clop your hooves on the ground in a show of applause.
>Connie’s eye open, sparkling, and she gently bows.
>>”Thank you, now then. Time to join you two in eating.”
“That was amazing Connie.”
>Rest nods in an agreement.

>”Indeed, that was wonderful. Thank you for playing.”
>She smiles at you two as she sets her violin back in its case.
>>”Of course, that is one thing I pride myself in, and that is perfecting my craft.”
>Connie joins you two and grabs a plate.
>As the three of you eat, you continue to talk amongst yourselves.
>”So you’ve been playing your whole life?”
>>”Yes, my mother always composed for many musicians. It wasn’t that surprising when I got my cutiemark in music.” She smiles softly, remembering. “Both of my parents were so proud of me.”
>You remember when your parents found out about your cutiemark.
>Mom was happy about it, though dad was neutral.
>He was always distant, but he seem like he tried.
>The painful memory replays itself.
>You had been feeling especially low that day.
>After getting your usual treatment of teasing and name calling, you felt like you were breaking.
>You had barely made it home, and found yourself alone.
>While trying to study, bad thoughts started to form.
>Memories of each and every moment came crashing in.
>You broke down.
>As you cried, you felt so very alone and hopeless.
>Connie wasn’t around as much, and bullies never let up.
>Somehow in your state, you remembered reading once that writing down your thoughts helped ponies who were going through tough times.
>The problem was, you never left the tough times, not until recently.
>As you wrote, the words flowed freely onto paper.
>You read them back and felt immense sadness.
>It was there, that a flash of light caught your attention.
>Looking back, you saw the broken heart that adorn your flank.
>Though you had gotten your mark, it made you break down further.
>Because it was there, that you could only write about your misery.

>Rest pulls you out of your memories with a look of pure worry.
>”Eri?! Eri?! Can you hear me?”
>You shake your head and look back to the two.
>They both have a look of great concern on their faces.
>You try to calm them down, but you can see the doubt still there.
“Ye-yeah, sorry, was thinking about the past.”
>Connie tries to consul you.
>>”Are you certain? Was it something I said?”
>Not entirely, but she doesn’t need to know.
>Smiling at them both, you keep trying to calm them down.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Guess most of this week finally caught up to me.”
>They both finally relax a little, but you can see the uncertainty on their faces.
>You need to break them out of this, so you get up.
>”Where are you going?”
>Looking to them both, you smile and respond.
“I have to go get something, be right back.”
>They look at each other before looking back to you.
>”Okay.”
>>”Hurry back.”
>You nod and quickly make your way back inside.
>As you trot up the stairs, you feel a little excited.
>’You shouldn’t do this.’
>I’m going to.
>’What makes you think this will be any good?’
>I don’t care.
>’They will laugh at you.’
>No, they won’t.
>’You’re making a mistake Eri.’
>Then I’ll deal with it.
>You reach your desk and look at your poetry book.
>The black cover reflects a little light.
>You carefully trace your hoof over the heart on the cover.
>Mom got this for you after the incident.
>You’ve cherished it ever since.
>Picking it up, you hurry back outside.
>The light still stings, and slowly you readjust to the outdoors.
>Connie and Rest are still were you left them, talking.
>They both turn to you with a look of curiosity.
>Taking a breath, you gather yourself.
>Heart is racing, but you will make it through it.
>You approach them both, and sit down.

“I wrote a poem about what I’ve gone through this week.”
>They both have varying looks of shock.
>”Oh? So that’s what you were doing earlier.”
>>”Well, I’m happy to hear whatever you have written.”
>Feeling a swell of pride, you nod and open the book.
>Taking one final breath, you prepare yourself to read it aloud to them.

Alone in my mind, I am surrounded by my thoughts
Dark thoughts wrapping around me like a blanket of fear and doubt
Shoving me left and right, up and down
I seek a light as bright as day

Alone in my world, I scream to the masses
Words that never reach their ears or their hearts
Tears that fall, pain that is felt
I seek serenity from this terror

Hope in my hour, I am gifted with care
Gentle care given like a present to friend or family
Carrying me through the storm, through the night
I find a light that protects

Hope in my life, I am surrounded by friends
Best friends that will be with me through thick and thin
Tears of joy, words of happiness
I find purpose from this destiny

>As you finish, you look back up to them.
>They both start to clop their hooves in applause.
>”That was beautiful Eri.”
>>”Just as great as I remember.”
>Without warning you start to cry, overjoyed with their response.
>They reach out and share a hug with you.
>You cry into their manes and onto their shoulders.
>”Shh, it’s okay.”
>>”We are here for you, I never want to change that.”
>You say nothing and just nod.
>Slowly you calm down with their help.
>Pulling back, you see they are both wearing a large smile.
“Sorry, I’m just happy.”
>They both nod.
>”I’m happy, that you’re happy.”
>>”I couldn’t agree more.”
>Things finally calm down, and you three clean up.
>The day is drawing closer to its end.
>With it, dread starts to fill you.
>You try to shake it off, but you cannot help it.
>The three of you return to the living room.
>Connie forces a smile.

>>”Suppose I should get going soon. Have to catch the train after all.”
>You don’t want her to go.
>You don’t want this day to end, not yet.
“Yeah, I guess you do.”
>She sees your distress and tries to comfort you.
>>”Eri, I will be back, I promise. I’m going to write the both of you.” She pauses for a moment. “Actually no, I will find a better way to keep in contact, even if I have to teleport here somehow.”
>It makes you laugh, but that doesn’t stop the pain building.
“I know. We have only been around each other for a few days now.”
>She continues to try to alleviate your pain.
>>”And those days were good ones, we repaired our friendship, we got to hang out. I’m looking forward to doing it again soon.”
>Rest nods along.
>”Agreed, I’m happy to see something good come out of all of this.”
>You slowly nod your head in agreement.
>Connie offers up a group hug, to which the three of you share.
>Slowly, you three sniffle.
>It hurts so much.
>She pulls back, her turquoise eyes glimmering.
>>”I’m going to miss you both.” She takes a breath. “As soon as I can, I will move back here and start again. Goodbye Eri, Goodbye Rest.”
>You hold back the torrent behind your eyes.
“Goodbye Connie.”
>”Goodbye Connie, it was nice to get to know you.”
>She nods, picks up her case and heads out the door.
>A part of you feels hollow again.
>You feel a hoof on your shoulder.
>Turning, you look at Rest who has a look of sympathy.
>”It will be okay, she said she would be back.”
>Though you nod, that doesn’t take the weight that formed within you.
>Sniffling, you take a deep breath and smile.
“Yeah, yeah she did. At least I have you around.”
>”Indeed, so how about leftovers for dinner?”
>You giggle, and nod.
>This week has been a storm that would’ve swept you up.
>In the end, you were pulled from it by your friends.
>You are not alone anymore.