PrologueView OnlineThe UnseeingPrologueIf I were to have all the time in the world, I'd have the luxury of telling you about why I choose to keep my sight. The reason why so many give themselves the pleasure, only to spend the rest of their lives longing for it, and why so many others want to take it away from us. Too bad Mr. Sahale "sensed" my thoughts as disrespectful, because I'll give you three guesses as whose two hooves were smacked with a ruler. "Ether!" He yelled, jerking me from my lulled state in my seat, "why are you sitting there like a useless mule and not working diligently alongside your classmates!" The old Stallion loomed next to my desk in a semi threatening fashion. Giving a wince from rubbing my newly smacked hoof I told him I was in deep thought, as I usually was whenever I became extremely bored of school lessons. The loss of concentration wasn't a new habit for me, so I suspected he would shrug it off and leave me be with my subconscious. Unluckily for me, he chose that time to embarrass me with a lecture. "Now now young one, how many times must I ridicule you for your attention to not stay fixed in its wonderland of happy endings and childish desires?" Said Mr. Sahale. "Maybe I should have your parents take out your eyes foolish boy, and save the suffering!" He shouted, his sudden rage spiking. I guess I should explain that last sentence. Every single adult in Equestria, is blind. Some say it's the loss of innocence that one experiences is what causes it, but the less philosophical ponies say it has to do with Celestia's radiant sun blinding us slowly. Some have tried becoming hermits, living in the shadows, and disown Celestia's sun. Other, more creative ponies, experiment in some magics or potions, event to the extent of witchcraft, blaming her majesty's sun as a curse. For Equestrian society, blindness has become an indisputable part of life, as unavoidable as your own funeral. My friend Rose told me that I should keep records of my life, a diary of sorts. She wants me write it in the way that I'm explaining my own life, detailing parts of it to someone who has no idea who I or even what ponies are. Her only explanation to this is perspective, and how important it is to know anyone's viewing point, even your own. It can be powerful to know another's thoughts she would tell me, goddesses she's going to be a philosopher someday. I had been rather shocked by Mr. Shahale's comment. He's usually a strict teacher, but today I assume he's was tense. "Nothing to say huh, smart kid," he said smugly, knowing he had succeeded in scaring me, "thought I'd have to recommend you to the masked again." Oh boy culture alert everypony, Rose is making me explain the masked. The masked are the young who choose at an early age to never see, which I honestly thick is stupid giving them such an important choice at such a young age. The masked probably wouldn't have any other members if parents didn't covince their children that never seeing is better that seeing and then having it taken away forever. The choice is supposed to be completely up to the child, but with parental influence the choice is rather nonexistent. It's rare that someone chooses to become "Masked" after the initial vote of a ridiculous 5 years of age. The rest of the class passed with my eyes wide open, as if I'd seen a horror movie. The teacher had noticed my newfound diligence, very clearly happy with himself for his scare. As school began wrapping up, I rushed into the hall to attempt to escape the crowd, but to no avail. The narrow passageway swelled with students, both regular and masked ponies, with the masked flicking their toungs, making a weird noise to "see" using something the teachers called "echo location," which I'm bewildered at how it's even possible. After a boring few minutes going through the crowd I finally made it outside to the sun supposedly dooming my sight. My eyes adjusting to the brightness, I made my way to a familiar bench next to a dirt walkway leading away from the school. With my eyes finally adjusted I searched for Rose, one of my few friends at the school, who just happened to tolerate me (and walk home with me everyday). She came out a few minutes later, chatting with a masked student, them both laughing about something. "Rose!" I called to her, giving her a moment to turn and find me from the other ponies around. She excused herself from the other student and walked to me. "Why were you talking to that masked student, wanting to join 'em?" I teased at her. "Being masked is a serious thing Ether, and the sooner you know that the better off you'll be." She told me "I know plenty about the masked, but what you don't know, is how to take a joke." I replied boldly "Oh hush you, we need to head home before dark or we'll be here until Luna makes us sleep, so let's go." She took off towards home, not leaving me with a choice. The walk home took longer than normal because of my "insensitivity to the masked" as Rose so tells me. She told me I had a small perspective, and didn't bother to look at how the masked rationalize their own choices. Eventually in our discussion of viewpoints, she practically had a light bulb go off above her head. "You know Ether, I have a perfect idea as to how to get you to agree with me," she stated confidentiality. "Five bits says you can't," I replied "Oh you're on thickie," she said, a fire lighting in her eyes as she stopped to search around her bag, uncovering a spiral notebook. "I was going to use this for an agenda, but you'll need it for when I rub that I'm right in your face." She tossed me the spiral, making me lunge my hoof for it and miss, giving her a giggle as I embarrassingly picked it up. "So what's this bet about," I ask curiously, "some weird essay?" "Not exactly," she told me, "your going to keep a diary about today, tomorrow, and every day after that until you can see what you say about others is insensitive, and then give me those bits." "You're never getting those bits," I replied confidently, "now let's keep walking, or we'll be here until Luna makes us sleep." Rose gave me a silly look for my mimicry. When I arrived home she came in with me as she does most nights, to hang out until her mom comes home next door. She had me immediately work on the diary, confident her ways could change me. And as I catch up to the present moment I can agree with one thing, I'm an idiot for agreeing to this.
The Beginning of the EndView OnlineThe UnseeingThe Beginning of the End"Ether!" shrieked a feminine voice from what sounded like downstairs. The cry shocked more more than i'd like to admit, making me sprawl under my covers and make a general mess of things. Luckily I didn't make the blind mistake of hitting a limb on something from my flailing and adding to the confusion, rather, my brain pulsed in pain from the headaches I all too dreaded. "Yes Mom, what is it" I croaked, giving her an awkward vocal mess, should've cleared your throat, my subconscious nagged, shut up, I thought back. The thought process led me into movement, and I slowly dragged myself out of bed and to my door, ready for what my mom need of me. "Sweetie, I need you down here with me if were going to talk about this," She replied back. Making my way downstairs I asked her again what she wanted but all she told me back was to "get down here" as always. Inching my way down the stairs to her, enjoying the carpet under my feet, the automatic movement to the kitchen was halted as I saw mail in her hoof, making my heart lurch as what I dreaded suddenly unfolded. The moment my eyes laid on the envelope I knew it could only get better from here. My grades were nothing to be proud of, even with the bountiful help of Rose, my best friend. School was never my strong suit, but I could manage to pass. Unfortunately, passing wasn't the goal my parents hoped for me to achieve. The policy was: grades before sight. If I begin to fail my classes, I am to give up my sight and become one of the masked, thus beginning a new learning process and giving me a chance to start again. Thats my world everyday, I have to fear over my blessing from the goddesses because of my incompetence in school. To other ponies this would mean nothing, school is either an easy task or they didn't want to see to being with, leaving them to become one of the masked. There is nearly nothing I value more than my sight. To see the glory Equestria holds is beyond compare. With the entirety of adults blind you'd think building would be plain, tasteless, barren, and it may be that way for some of them, but those architects who make the ones that strive to please the young with our privilege are the most amazing ones. Sculptures, shaped windows, and extravagant rails are only a few of the objects made unique. Murals cover the walls of many buildings, and how I love to see new ones blot out the dull grey walls. Many talented young consider them canvases and nothing more, and with the limitations of echolocation that our elders rely on, many of these works of art will mark its building for months until an adult sore enough feels a bit of chipped paint and reports it. Worst of all painting is considered a rebellion against our inevitable fate, a sport only the young can partake in as a way to support and motivate each other. All of the great paintings Id seen inspired me, but not the way my parents wanted me to be. Both of them had chosen at an early age, to become one of the masked. My head hung, slowly and with dread I approached my mother. "Do you know what you've done?" asked my mother, with a stern voice. "You've wasted your education entirely without a concern fo-," she stopped mid sentenced as she realized that I was failing to make eye contact with her. "Ether!" she yelled at me, using her hoof to direct my hung head towards hers, but ended up pointing it the other way instead, providing me some humor as she didn't realize and failed to correct it. "Your grades have gone completely out of hoof for the last time." Frustrated, she stomped her hoof, turning away from me as she made her way towards the kitchen, opening a drawer, and taking out a long cloth from it. The cloth could only mean one thing for me, "You're taking away my sight!" I exclaimed very loudly, in a panicked state. My breaths became shortened, and my heart beat faster as what felt like lightning struck me. I began to step backwards, and fell on my flank, making a loud thump as pain spread through it. "Don't you run from your mother!" my Mother screeched, halting my movement entirely. "Starting today, and from now on, you are going to wear this until I can get you something proper to cover your eyes," she said, placing the cloth in my hoof as I looked her in the eye with hate. "Honey know that I love you and that I'm not doing this without good reason, but we've talked about your grades before, and had this same conversation more times that I want to remember. You know why this needs to be done, right, Ether?" she asked. "Yes mother" I said, practically chocking out the words, as I shakily held the cloth. "Good," she replied, "Now I want you to go to Rose's house and have her tie the cloth around your head, make sure she knows she's responsible for guiding you to and around school today. Tell her specifically that Im requesting she does this, Rose is a good friend of yours, right?" I told her yes, "Than she should have no problem with this. Im going to write to the school and request that your education be changed and you become one of the masked, when the school counselor asks you if you want to you will say yes" my mother finalized, walking away from me before I could protest my absolute hatred of the situation. My head swayed and throbbed as I processed all that had happened, the headache growing worse and more painful. Dreadfully I stood back up and retrieved my bags, clenching the cloth in my hand as I shoved it in them crazily hoping that if I were to bury it deep enough, it might just disappear. With each passing second I became more and more angry, shoving the door open and slamming it behind me, hearing a shout from my mother, followed by loud stomping. In a fit of rage and self pity I kicked our mailbox, snapping the wood but not separating it, and then sprinting away from the house, my eyes beginning to water as I heard shouts from my mom. After I had cooled down enough so my face wasn't the color of a tomato, I turned a corner and arrived at Rose's house. A little shakily I knocked on knocked on her door and a few moments later she opened it. I gave a half smile and a short wave as she stepped out, already with her school bags. "Hey Ether," she greeted me with a smile, making my spirit lift a little, "I was about to head to school in a moment anyways, good timing though right? she said enthusiastically, until she saw my obvious nervousness. "Oh-no, Ether whats wrong," she asked with legitimate concern, almost like a mother to her child. Hastily I recapped on everything that had happened, my voice shaking as I told her the series of events with a grim tone. "Oh, should I get th-," "No!" I yelled back with a ferocity, interrupting her and making her flinch back. "Sorry Rose," I quickly said, "I didn't come here to have you put a cloth on my head and take away this glorious gift from me, I would never ask a friends to do that, or anyone for that matter. My sight is something I never want to lose, no, I didn't come here to have you do that, I came here to ask you could help me." She stared blankly at me for a moment, then put a hoof to her head and told me, "Guess your winning the bet so far."
The beginning of regretView OnlineThe UnseeingThe beginning of regretThe alley-like area in between houses were very narrow. It felt like the whole house was a barrier from a comfortable leg space. The gate to the backyard itself was just a hinge and a door, with no fence in between. The space was beginning to make me fear I was claustrophobic, and everything was narrowing, becoming shorter, as if anything but such a space was unheard of, that this closed path must be followed, faithfully without counteraction. My heart began to race, to run from the walls, from confinement, from damnation, searching for a way out from a path that shouldn't be deviated. Surely a straight path is better than a maze, safety better than adventure, and a pre packaged life better than one made yourself? As I sat gasping, Rose jolted in alert to my panic attack, and immediately began to try to calm me. "Ether are you alright?" she asked me with concern, gently holding my hoof, and seeming a bit shocked. She herself seemed to be losing self confidence in her ability to calm me. "I have no idea Rose. This is something I never wanted to have happened, if I had just payed more attention in class, or asked for help, reached out more than I did," I sighed. "Do you think I could've prevented this?" I asked slowly. "I believe you tried your hardest. You knew that this was coming and you tried to prevent it, you shouldn't beat yourself up about this Ether, I've seen other ponies let themselves go and not try to help themselves." For a few minutes we sat there, letting the wind calm us as I contemplated about what the next few days would be like. The process would be nearly immediate at school, and the moment I transitioned from my classes to the new ones my sight would be gone. There would be no more artwork to see, all of Equestria's beauty locked away from me. Rose began to stand up, and looked at the darkening sky. "A storm must be scheduled for today, we need to go to school before the both of us get drenched, maybe we can make it before the second class starts?" she suggested. "Id hate to get in trouble, but were late as it is anyways." Slowly picking myself up, realizing that the time I had to see was fading, I became drastically more desperate. "What if I didn't go to school today?" Rose gave a small smirk at me, "Cmon, quit joking, your beginning to make me sad," she said with a teasing frown, "Do you want me sad?" "No Rose of course not, I want everyone to be happy," I replied, making her ease up a small bit. "In fact, I want everyone to greet each other with open arms and for rainbows to rain down, and for everyone to tell me it'll be alright," and with that went her comfort. "But everything will be alright Ether, just think of this as a beginning. A new phase of your life, a new chance has been gifted to you. Doesn't that make you happy? All your previous responsibilities are gone, you can't possibly go!" "I don't care!" I yelled, "I want nothing but to see!" Stomping my hoof on the ground, I shook my head violently. "Rose I have to go, you know this, right?" "Ether you can't leave, think of your family, what about your friends, how do you think I would feel?" she questioned. "My family was the one to take my right of sight away from me!" I objected, "Its them who put me here!" "Then think of your friends, how would they feel losing a friend?" "The list of people who I could call that is very slim, and they have others to comfort them don't you see?" In frustration I began walking away, prompting Rose to step out from between the gap of her house and the neighbors. "Why can't you help me with this Rose? Go to school, tell them I'm late, I'm coming, I'm going to be right there. Give me time to get away from here." I pleaded to her. "But I can't Ether," she protested, and I asked her why. "Its because I don't want to see you go from here, we've known each other for so long, you're one of my best friends." she said, tearing up. "Listen," I said firmly to her, I'm setting this in stone, you aren't stopping me from going. Your going to have to choose to help me or not Rose." She wavered for a few moments, looking towards her front door for a few more, and finally reaching into her bags to retrieve a bag of bits."Fine" was all she said before handing me the bits, it was a small amount, presumably just lunch money. The gesture, even though small surprised me, "Thank you Rose, you have no idea how much this means to me." "I hope you think about what I said about perspective," she said sadly, "Please reconsider your actions." "Ill have plenty of time to think when I get away from here. Maybe this won't be forever." With those words I gave Rose a hug, and began to cry. "Im going to miss you Rose." I said in between sobs, as she said the same, rubbing my back with a hoof. Both of us collapsed right there as we began sobbing like small children, hoping that this was a dream and would end at any moment. Lightning struck and it began to drizzle, wetting our fur. The door to Rose's house creaked open loudly as her mother stepped outside, her face up, examining the sky. Within a moment of doing so, she stomped her hoof on the floor loudly, making the noise echo around the neighborhood. She looked straight at us and confusedly said, "Rose, is that you, and...?" Her eyes widened as she realized what was happening. "Go!" Rose yelled at me, pushing me to help the process. My legs kicked into gear as my adrenaline began pumping, making me sprint faster than Ive ever before. I took a second to tilt my head back, and saw Rose being dragged inside her home. My heart sank, but I kept running.
