//------------------------------// // Gold Blitz's Story by destinedjagold // Story: The Inn of the World // by The Writer's Group //------------------------------// by destinedjagold I don't really feel like talking to my friends at the moment. Right now, I just feel like I want to be alone. My parents and my friends have told me how moody I was, and honestly, I kinda am. I am happy, and then suddenly I don't want anypony to talk to me. Some of my friends suggested that I should go see a doctor or something. I don't really pay attention to them if they mention those to me. Anyway, as I was walking around the edge of town to enjoy the quiet night air, I saw an establishment that I hadn't noticed before. I shrugged. I've been walking for a while, so I might as well go inside and check what's inside. --- I'm not really alcoholic, nor am I a talkative-type of pony, so after I said to the bartender that I simply wanted a glass of water, she arched an eyebrow. I don't blame her. Anyway, she told me about the rules of her inn. If I want to get my glass of water, I need to share with her, or anypony around here, a story. It was my turn to arch an eyebrow at her. I mean, really. What kind of payment is that? She must have sensed that I am doubting, so she told me the everypony else around have started sharing stories to get drinks or meals. I don't need to turn around, for I could clearly hear the voices echoing all around the room. Chatters, whispers, laughters... I sighed. Great. A non-talkative pony walks into a bar and couldn't even get a simple glass of water. Plus, I'm in no mood for talking at the moment. Not to mention to share a story. I have a dull life. Well, wait... That counts as a story, right? "I have a dull life," I said with my calm dark voice. I was about to continue when the bartender gave me my glass of water. "Go on," she said. I wondered for a moment how she could listen and pay attention to my story if she's busy attending with other ponies. I was about to ask her when I noticed another pony seated beside me, looking rather interested. I haven't seen this pony before, but meh, it doesn't hurt to share a story to somepony you don't know, right? Plus, I get free food and drinks for it! That thought made me smile a bit. Instead of focusing my attention on anypony, I focused my gaze on my glass of water on the (counter/table). I don't know, but I find it weird to look at strangers directly in the eyes. The orbs of life, said to be the mirror of souls, they always distract me and make me stumble on my words. Though that only applies on strangers, and some mares that I like. "...I have a dull life. At least, that's what my friends tell me about how I lived my life. I lived with my parents, under their strict and watchful eye. I lie, I get punished. I get hurt, they'll immediately nurse me back to health, even with simple cuts. Yeah, they're over-protective, and I lived with them until I got to high school. I don't go out of the house to spend time with my friends-friends I made when I am in school. I'm always inside our home: studying, doing chores, playing toys... I never experienced the outside world. "Through my room's windows, I always wondered how it felt like to play with other ponies: tag, hide and seek, swings, see-saws, ball, and other things. I never experienced playing with a team. Never got into a fight. Never got teased by a group of ponies about crushes. "At school, I earned the title The Loner. I am never open with my thoughts and opinions. Not unless I'm asked to speak about them. I'm also judgemental, but I never show it and say it. For me, sometimes, your first impression with other ponies is not enough to immediately judge them." I took a sip, to take a small break and to cure my drying throat. "Anyway, when I was in high school, something happened." I am not sure if it's okay to share that part of my life with other ponies. Not even a lot of my friends knew about it. I sighed. I might as well share it. After all, it could probably help me ease this painful burden I kept carrying around. "My parents were on a trip back home, but, they got mugged, and, they were no longer..." I sighed yet again. I don't know why, but I can't bring myself to look at my companion's eyes. I know the pony's still beside me. I can see her on the edge of my eyes. "I have no relatives here. And I'm the only son, and after they're gone, I felt..." I paused to take a small sip. "I felt... free... I could do anything now, and nopony was there to stop me." I sighed. "But, I can't. I don't know why, but I just can't. For instance, for so long, I've been wanting to try and go inside these..." Should I say it? I'm twenty-two, so there's no harm, right? "...get inside these...clubs...bars...y'know...for adults. But I can't. ALl the things I never experienced yet, I couldn't do them. It was like, even if my parents are gone, they're still around, watching over me. I don't know if I'm scared to try something new, or I'm just stuck to being a lock-up." I sighed once again, and drowned the remainding amount of water on my glass. I'm feeling frustrated, but I smiled. Strangely, I smiled. I feel my heart was lighter than usual. I guess sharing a story really helped me lighten up my load. I thanked my companion as the bartender gave me another glass of water and free food. Free food! “How did you do that?” A pony sitting on the other side of the bar said to me. “Gold Blitz,” I think his name was. “Do what?” “One moment, that guy looked like he was feeling no pain, then you gave him a glass of water and suddenly he started talking like someone just blasted a dam in his mouth.” I smiled at him, careful to hide my reaction a best as I could. “I got good food and a warm fire,” I replied. “And that tends to loosen ponies' tounges.” Gold thankfully lets this explanation suffice and slides back into the common room where the fire has finally grown to a decent size. The warm waves filled the room and seemed to at least somewhat thaw my weary travellers. There was even some conversation between them, something rare for a place where everypony carries a secret or two. Red Velvet was trying to sell himself as something of a rebellious spy, not realizing who I am or that I can sense the fear coming from him. Poor guy has gotten himself into a lot of trouble, although with whom, I'm still not sure. Maplewood is clutching a jar very defensively and snorts wheneveranypony dares to inquire about it. The blue pony tried to strike up a conversation with somepony... I think. Funny how he always seems to slip out if view unless you're really paying attention. Outside, I could sense two ponies approaching trough the sharp wind and the rain outside, probably drawn by the lights in the window and the promise of a warm fireplace and a good story to share before renting a bed. Too bad the tales here isn't the kind that makes for a good bedtime story...