Thoughts that Echo in Eternity

“Every heart sings a song, incomplete, until another heart whispers back. Those who wish to sing will always find a song. At the touch of a lover, everyone becomes a poet.” - Plato

C H A P T E R 2

Home

     The night had been long and boring. It had also been a lot more quiet since that stallion had left. Soon the store closed, and Pinkie and I began to walk back to her house. Pinkie lived on the outskirts of Ponyville, so we had a little ways to walk before we got home. Not that I minded, though. My favorite spot in all of Equestria was by her side.

     Several times I would look between her happy expression and the ground, smiling. I honestly don’t think that I’ve ever met a pony who had ever make me this happy in my whole life, and only be happy back. Occasionally we would exchanged happy glances to each other, most of our walk back being spent in silence.

     The quiet would probably bother most other ponies, but I actually liked it like this. In fact, I think I even prefer it to be this way. Even though I have a good relationship with Twilight and her friends, I often find myself needing the time to relax, and think to myself. It helps me to unwind, and to have a quick think-over of my life, and everything that has happened up to this point in time.

     I can’t remember a time when I was any happier than this. The only moment in my life that could come any close to this would be the few minutes I had with my mother, right before she succummbed to cancer. The news came suddenly, hitting me almost like a runaway train. The fact that the doctor in the room that day was the one to tell me did little to suppress the guilt and sadness I felt inside.

     I snapped from my trance when I felt a soft hoof on my shoulder. Looking to my side, I saw Pinkie, who had only a mixed look of sadness and empathy. Plastered to her face was a smile that only further expressed her sadness. Quickly I wiped away tears from my muzzle and eyes, before smiling at her.  I lightly grasped her hoof with my own, a warm tear sliding down my face.

     For a moment I didn’t speak to her, and neither did she speak back. Rather, we let the calm and quiet of night envelope around us, sheltering us in its cold embrace. My smile dissolved away as I looked to the ground, the same guilt from the night of her death overtaking every inch of my being. I kept my gaze away for a few seconds before looking back to Pinkie.

“I’m sorry, Pinkie.” I forced back tears, but a few managed to escape, and began cascading down my face. “It’s been so long since she died, but the memory of that night badly haunts me. Her memory haunts me. I can’t stand it. I feel like I should be in her place instead, almost like her death was my fault-”

Pinkie stopped me, caressing my lower muzzle with her hoof. “Yeah, I know. Don’t get down because of it. It wasn’t your fault, remember that.”

“I know,” I responded, the mental dam in my head barely able to hold back the flood of tears. “It. It’s just that I feel so responsible for it. I feel like there was something I could do to help her sickness. I feel more and more guilt and sadness each and every day. I just wish-”

I sniffled, and nodded. “Alright. Thanks for that, Pinkie. I really needed it.”

“No problem, Sketch.” she said, smiling. “You’re my friend, and that’s what friends do. Help each other out when they need it most.”

     We exchanged bittersweet nods, before we continued walking. The rest of our trip was spent in silence, except for the occasional interval in which the wind would pick up, breaking up the quiet. Even though it’s only been a few months since I first met Pinkie, it seems that it’s always her that I go to when I have an emotional issue needing some sorting out.

     We soon arrived back at Pinkie’s house. The exterior was decorated in the typical fashion that anypony would expect a party-crazed equine like her would. Streamers, glitter, the brightest possible colors. All of it seems overwhelming at first, but it is something I have grown used to since I moved in with Pinkie.

     There was a raised porch which lead to the front door, and the house itself was a simple two-story building. I know that I’ve lived in the house for quite some time now, but it never ceases to amaze me. Each time I arrive at the house, I have the tendency to stare for a while, examining every inch of the property.

“Sketch!” I snapped my head towards Pinkie, who stood on the last step of the porch. She was waving a hoof to me, motioning for me to follow her inside. “Why do you keep doing that every time we get here?”

     I blushed at her comment, and quickly followed her inside. The interior wasn’t nearly as decorated as the outside of the house, but I could understand what position Pinkie was coming from. She is a party pony, of course. It only makes sense that her house doesn’t have much interior. That usually leaves her with little money, enough to pay the property bills if she’s lucky.

     That’s why she and I work at Sugarcube Corner. Have been for some time, now. It’s the only way that either of us could scrounge up the bits needed to help out with food and bills. I only work because it’s only fair. I never liked being that guy who moves into an apartment or home and does little-to-no work around the house.

My train of thought ceased when I heard the creak of the door closing. Looking behind me, I saw Pinkie at the door. Right after taking care of the door, she walked over to me, and smiled. “Well, I guess we’ve got another night in this old place all to ourselves.”

I took a quick peek around at the dusty old house. “Yeah, seems so.” I said, gazing around. I stopped when Maud’s face came into my view directly in front of me, and immediately had taken back what I had said. “Nevermind.”

“Oh, hey Maud!” Pinkie yelled happily.

I stared for a few seconds before making any comment. “H-hi, Maud?” I said meekly. I began to back up just slightly as a drip of sweat formed on my brow. “How are you doing?”

No response, as usual. Pinkie jumped in front of me with her typical overjoyed expression. “Hey, sis! I thought that you were supposed to be in Manehatten for another week and a half! What’re you doing here?”

She stared for a few seconds, and we both stared back in awkward silence. She slowly held up a small pebble in her hoof. “Boulder was homesick.” She said plainly, before walking away.

We stared off into the empty space once occupied by Pinkie’s sister, before turning our heads to each other. “Well, that was strange.” I said.

“Yeah, normally she comes home early for different reasons. Like maybe Boulder forgot to grab something or she forgot Boulder’s blanket.”

“Well, I think we should go and get ready to sleep. We have to get up early tomorrow.” I finally said, staring at Pinkie.

“Alright, you wanna go shower first, or should I?”

“I think you should shower first. I’ll get some stuff done down here.”

“Okay!” She said, hopping away to the upstairs bathroom.

     I chuckled to myself a bit, and turned to the living room. The living room wasn’t too much of a mess, but it was something I should consider cleaning. I began to pick up sheets and couch cushions just as I heard the shower turn on. I could faintly hear Pinkie humming, which made me laugh just a bit. As I continued to clean, the mess quickly lessened. I was just about finished when a knock at the door stopped me.

     I stood up and stared at the front door. Only quiet came from it now, but I still felt like something was behind the giant piece of wood. A breeze blew by, making me shiver. I started to walk over to the door, cautiously as was possible. When I reached the door, another knock made me nearly jump from my coat!

“Hey! Sketch could you see who that is!?” I heard Pinkie yell.

     Right after calling to me, she went back to washing and humming. I nodded in reply, and looked back at the door. I reached a hoof out slowly, and when it found its way around the knob, I quickly turned it and opened the door. But nopony was there.

I checked around the yard, making sure that nopony was lingering around. I hoped that there wasn’t a prankster nearby, waiting to unleash whatever horror they had prepared to thrash at me. Sighing to myself, I closed the door a few minutes later. I turned, only to be surprised by Pinkie, again!

“AHH!!!”

“AHH!!!” She yelled.

I stared for a few seconds. “Why did you scare me like that!?” I yelled rather loudly.

“Sorry, I was just wondering who it was.” She paused. “So who was it?”

I sighed once more. “Hm. Nopony was at the door. Might be the neighborhood pranksters again.” I gave myself a facehoof. Honestly, I don't even know how many I give myself in one day, let alone in my entire life. More stupid stuff happens in Ponyville than most think.

“Anyway…” I watched Pinkie roll her eyes. “The shower’s open, so you can use it now.”

“Thanks, Pinkie.” I responded bleakly. I walked upstairs to go and shower, consistently checking behind me to make sure that nopony was ready to jump out at me and attack.