Do You Know What I See?

Since that wonderful day, the equally wonderful mare, Octavia, and I, had taken to meeting with one another whenever possible. Every day, I would leave for my walk, go about Ponyville greeting the various other friendly voices I had grown to, and, eventually, most excitedly of all, I would find some sort of bench to rest myself at, in order to listen to nature's usual concerto. An audience of one, however, would soon turn to that of two.

A greeting, comprised of three simple words--'Good morning, Jeremy', she would say in her songbird-like voice, as the bench would shift from her weight, and I would silently, gratefully, writhe in my seat from the glee I would feel from her mere presence.

Few words would be exchanged between us, such as 'how have you been', with short responses of seconds worth of width, but with what felt like years worth of length.

Then, as our minds emptied themselves once more, and my more recent student of the orchestral outside world would release a calm and placid breath, we would delve ourselves into our surrounding music, becoming nothing more than spectators to these sounds of beauty and serenity.

This would continue for what felt like hours, but what I would not be surprised to have found to be only a few short minutes, until the symphony was eventually brought to an end, it's cause often unspoken and unfounded, yet somehow there. Octavia had once told me, 'every member of an orchestra works and breathe as one. If a single piece grows tired, then as does every other.' A spectacular splatter of wisdom, if I do say so myself.

Though often times, this end of song would bring about the end of our day as well, what with her likely having several responsibilities of her own to uphold, on occasion, the day would become even more incredulous. We would share a table at the nearest eatery to where I had decided to seat myself on that day, for I was not one to be consistent, though she would always seem to find me, to my joy,

She would read aloud a few of the selections for me, allowing me to make my decision from our shared menu, before then making the selection of her own as well, closing and nearly placing down the menu as we awaited our drinks, then our orders.

It was this time between orders that I enjoyed the most though. All those unasked or shortened questions and topics that we had held from one another would simply flow free, as we shared several anecdotes, tidbits, and the like, with a glorious ring to our voices.

Granted, I would have a slight sense of residual guilt afterwards, considering that, unlike back home, I had not found a fitting job here in Ponyville, and was therefore unable to pay for my meal myself. Whenever I would voice this thought though, Octavia would assure me that it was no problem whatsoever, and that she thought it was worth it to spend time with a good friend.

'A good friend'. No matter how many times I would say it, the thought of this would always bring a smile to my face. Of course, I had met and gotten along with other ponies here, but none of them could compare in closeness to Octavia and I.

Sleep had become nothing more than a moment of pause between these moments of bliss. An anxious wait that counted down to the next day, and, in relation, my next meeting with my friend.

By the time a month passed, our events still continued, only, we could begin to see the many changes around us as the seasons passed, all under the watchful eyes of the many pegasi of the land--Or rather, sky.

A month... I would be lying if I said I was not curious as to how my friends and family from back home were. If my mother was still trying to search for, or at least figure out what had happened to, me. Or if my friends were eating their dinners at the moment, just as equally curious and worried as to my whereabouts.

I had once voiced this concern of mine to Octavia. She, as I had now grown to expect from, listened to me intently, adding in her own input every now and then until, finally, I had finished. 'Well, if you could go back... Would you?'

That question had, admittedly, made me silent for a moment. I was honestly unsure as to how to answer this, or even if I should. I had continually opened my mouth to speak, but nothing would come out, and I'd be left flinching back at my unanswered question.

That same day, our conversation suddenly was brought to an end.

It was a small hiccup, that thankfully did not last, but it was still there.

I digress though.

At this moment, I almost had it. The image that I had long been after. That which could perfectly, in my mind, describe and show Octavia. I couldn't wait for the day to come.

When I had woken up, the guest bed that ShimmerSky had given me in my stay squeaking as I stretched out my arms and gave out a yawn, my first thoughts had gone to the subject of what my friend and I would be doing on this day.

Wether we would hear a new instrument in our natural composure, or if we would enjoy another lunch together.

I smiled at the thought, as I then began to remove myself from the bed, grabbing hold of my walking stick and going through my daily processes.

ShimmerSky had kindly prepared breakfast for me, greeting me in her usual manner as I made my way into the room. From the smell, I could tell that she had made some toast and eggs, and I could faintly hear her pouring what I guessed to be juice into a glass.

She invited me to take a seat, pulling the chair out for me with a creak as she then sat herself down as well. I was more than willing to join her.

"So, I take it you're going for another one of your walks today?" She asked as I found my seat, planting myself on it, and leaning my walking stick against the table, before I then pushed closer.

"Heh. Of course." I answered with a chuckle, reaching onto the table and, eventually, grabbing hold a utensil, which I quickly found to be a fork with a careful tap from my other hand's index finger.

"That's good. You always do seem happier when you spend time with her."

"Yes, I suppose I d-... Um... Pardon?" Upon my confusion, I heard ShimmerSky let out a giggle, as I raised my brow in her direction.

"Oh, don't even pretend you know. I've seen you two together, almost always spending time with each other. If anything, I think its really cute." I could feel a particular warmth make it's way to my cheeks, as I absentmindedly began to lightly tap my fork against the plate, seeking out the eggs.

"Uh, ShimmerSky, Octavia and I are just friends." I told her, mentally gulping down a small sense of longing that came to me as I said this. Again, I heard her giggle.

"Of course you are. Just remember to be back before seven."

It wasn't long after that she and I finished our breakfast, and she had gone on her way to work-- She was a member of the Ponyville weather team. One of the higher ranking ones at that.

Shortly then, myself now well and content with my filled stomach, I made my way outside, making sure to close the door behind me as I guided myself along. As per usual, I greeted the many ponies of Ponyville as I continued on, and as they called to me, but this time, my mind seemed elsewhere.

I was actually caught on the subject that ShimmerSky had brought up no more than a few moments ago. How she had guessed Octavia and I to be in a relationship.

I was aware that she was joking, of course, but... I actually didn't mind the concept itself.

In all honesty, no holds barred, I... Really did feel very comfortable with the idea.

Many people would likely say that the idea was extremely unusual, and that I shouldn't have this sort of interest towards a pony. An 'animal', as they would call it. The thought itself of them saying this frustrated me.

Perhaps Octavia wasn't my species... But she seemed more human than most I had ever met. She was kind, gentle, talented... She was amazing.

As someone who has no real use for outward appearance, I rely on another's inner personality to form one. And Octavia, who has now been a personal project of mine, would be considered nothing less than beautiful so far.

Still, though the idea was clear in my mind, it was also very... Skeptical.

Not many people back home found the idea of being in a relationship with a blind man to be very charming. Rather, they would find that sort of thing to be unsure, and uncomfortable. So, suffice to say, I hadn't really even been in a relationship before.

And besides, Octavia likely deserved better than me. To her, I'd have been nothing more than an anchor. I was unable to work, to clean a home, to do many things. There weren't many redeeming qualities that I had for that.

No, to me, it was suffice to even have her as a friend, and for her to think of me as one. A close one.

As I thought of this more positive thought, what little sense of longing that I felt was dashed away, as I simply shrugged my shoulders, put on a light smile, and continued on my stroll.

I had gone on further than I had before, if only because I had already created a vivid picture of the places I had been through, and wanted to further grow its borders. I had even heard a pair of new voices along the way, meaning new ponies for me to greet.

Nonetheless, I eventually began to feel my legs grow tired, and decided to find another bench of sorts.

The seat had creaked and shifted as I sat myself down, my walking stick to my side and leaning against the seat as I allowed myself rest my back against the bench. A content sigh escaped me as the weight on my legs was removed, and a calm breeze passed over me.

The natural symphony would begin soon. I could tell because of the far off singing of birds, seeming to close in little by little. They would be the composers on this occasion.

All that I would have to do now, was wait. For both the performance, and the other audience member that I had come to know... The one that did not seem to be getting any nearer.

I sat and waited for what must have been minutes, silently expecting the oncoming clopping of hooves, followed by the morning greeting of Octavia. These sounds, however, hadn't come.

Curious, I had raised a brow, my lips slightly pursing as I absentmindedly noticed that the birds were now beginning to reach a close enough range.

I was unsure as to what was taking her. Granted, I had gone further than usual, and I was, as always, in a different spot, but even so, it shouldn't have taken her that long to find me... Before I knew it, the composition had begun, and there was no sign of Octavia...

"Perhaps... She's busy? Yes, that must be it?" I had thought to myself.

It was sensical as well. Octavia had spent the past month or so pushing aside a length of time to spend with me, so it was likely that, if only once, her schedule simply wouldn't allow for it.

I was reassured by this, pushing off the slight sense of concern that I felt as nothing, before then leaning myself back again, and enjoying the performance... Despite the missing audience member.

This... Was the beginning of another cycle. One that I grew to find miserable, and saddening.

Another day passed after the first, and I still had not heard Octavia's voice grace my ears. 'Another busy day.' I had told myself... Then there was another... And another.

Eventually, it came to be a week.

I questioned as to why this was occurring several times over. Had something happened to her? Was Vinyl, her roommate, in the hospital, and needed her company? (I quickly dashed this thought as I realized that I had heard Vinyl a scant few times on my walks.) Or... I wasn't sure.

Whenever I would seat myself, and listen, allowing my mind to drift, thing would be different. I would hear the music loud and clear, but, no matter what, it always felt... Hollow.

... I really was beginning to miss her... And I had also begun to form a theory as to her sudden 'disappearance', which I could not help but to constantly shove into the back of my mind... She was purposely avoiding me.

Another who had decided that they didn't want anything to do with a sightless man? No... No, she wasn't that kind of mare. I may not have yet completed the image, but I knew her, I just did.

My spirits on this chipped slowly, but surely, as time continued to progress. Even the sounds I would hear began to lose their luster, becoming more simple and bland than they previously were.

I still went for a walk everyday though, the hopes of meeting with Octavia again clear in my mind upon every step that I took.

I wouldn't be met with the sound of hooves coming towards me though... At least, not until one day.

The composure, though empty and lacking at this point, had come to an end a few moments ago. I continued to sit there, my eyes closed and my walking stick close as I gave out a sigh of exasperation.

I was becoming, oddly enough, bored of the outside sounds for once. Had another person, or pony, ever told me that this such thing would occur to me earlier in my life, I likely would have chuckled, and respectfully have told them that they were incorrect... Now...

My eyes suddenly opened again as I heard the sound of coming hoofsteps, my heart having momentarily beat faster in my excitement, as I listened even closer to the steps. How they tamped against the ground. How they gave out a clop with each contact to a harder surface... And finally, the light weight to it.

It wasn't her.

I gave out a sigh as I quickly realized that, due to the lightness in the pony's steps, it was a pegasus, rather than Octavia, who was an earth pony.

Nonetheless, despite the fact that this was not who I had expected, I relinquished my earlier face of negativity, shifting it for a friendly smile as the pegasus' steps came before me. "Good morning." I greeted cheerfully, my persona having a slight, though likely hard to notice, glint of sadness far in the back of it.

"Um, Morning, Eugene..." I quickly recognized the voice, identifying ShimmerSky in no less than a heartbeat as I slightly leaned myself forward in my seat, so as to better talk to her.

"Hello ShimmerSky. What brings you here? Aren't you supposed to be on weather duty?" I asked, distinctly remembering that, according to what she had told me, her lunch break wouldn't be until a little later.

"Well, yeah, but it's been a pretty slow day. Clear skies, and all that." I nodded understandingly, though, in the back of my mind, I gave out a chuckle. It was only now that I knew that it was a cloudless day. "Besides, I saw you down here on my fly of the town, and figured I'd pop in... Or something."

My smile grew for a moment at ShimmerSky's apparent behavior. "Oh, that's great. Thanks ShinmerSky."

I heard her give what sounded like a half-hearted chuckle, which I mentally questioned, though did not ask. As it turned out, however, I did not need to ask, as she ended up voicing her 'issue' right then. "... Eugene, have you been here, alone, for a while?"

Raising a brow at her question, I answered her, though with some curiosity behind my response. "Uh, yes. Why do you ask?" There was a moment of silent hesitation from her.

"Well, it's just... Don't you usually do this sort of thing with that mare?" My smiling persona all but shattered as she said this, my eyes momentarily widening, before just as quickly returning to a more neutral state. The same went for my smile.

"Normally... Yes... But, I haven't heard from her in the past few days." I told her, letting out a breath as I began to stand myself up from my seat. I had already finished for the day anyways, and I figured it would be best if I started to head back.

So, with my walking stick before me, I excused myself passed ShimmerSky, her hoofsteps barely audible to me as she moved slightly to the side, then after me.

"Really? Why's that?" She continued to ask, drawing an unsure shrug from me.

"I don't really know. She just... Stopped showing up... Can't say I blame her." That last part wasn't meant to be said aloud. Rather, that was a mental comment that seemed to have escaped me. I heard ShimmerSky let out a short gasp as I flinched at my own words.

"What? Now, Eugene, you can't really meant tha-"

"I'm not really sure anymore, ShimmerSky." I interrupted, shaking my head as I went on. "On one hand, I think of her to be the kind of friend who would never just up and leave. That there's just a reason that I don't know. On the other though, it wouldn't be the first time that I've lost contact with someone just because they didn't want the trouble of staying around someone who couldn't see them." That sense of longing, and sadness, that I had hidden away was beginning to surface again, bubbling up despite how hard I tried to keep it under control.

"Eugene, I can understand that, considering things, that may be one of the more logical theories you could have. But, I don't think that it's the case. You said it yourself. Maybe there's a reason." Again, I did want that to prove true. I really did. Until I figured things out though, either of those two guesses of mine could be the reason.

"... I just don't know, ShimmerSky." At this point, I heard her hoofsteps stop, though she continued to speak.

"Well... Maybe-" Suddenly, it just became quiet. Not just ShimmerSky, but everything, as if shroud of silence passed over all of Ponyville.

I was curious as to the reasoning, but I still kept on walking, my mind set on the idea of returning home and simply relaxing my troubled mind. Perhaps to read one of the braille books that Twilight had given me, after I had traded out the others.

Within a moment though, this silence was broken, as I stepped upon a stray leaf, causing it to give out a loud crunch. All at once, sound began to return. The far off talking of ponies, the tapping of my walking stick, and... An odd tumbling and crashing sound.

"EUGENE, LOOK OUT!"

Before I could even identify what was occurring, what felt like a strong and swift pressure clipped me from my side. There was no pain, as I didn't even have the time to sense it, as my balance inexistent, and the sightless world that I viewed somehow became even more so.

A single thought was all I could manage as, not only sound, but every other sense I had faded to nothingness.

An image can only be created without it's muse for so long. After that, the creator of the piece is bound to make a mistake. A misprint... A smudge.