//------------------------------// // Alone Atop the Bell Tower // Story: The Simple Day // by Im a B O X //------------------------------// Above the bell tower of a school, sat an exhausted but content man. He sat with a book in one hand and a pen on the other, a small bag to his side, hidden and kept safe away from prying eyes as he wrote the scenery before him without a bother. Headphones to play music and to block out the minuscule noise, he sat, wrote in his small notebook, and admired the scenery like no other, or, at least that was the plan, but right at that very moment, it was simply too early for his liking. The simplest day that he had dreamed of, a day to relax, one that came after the adventures and different events of the previous days. As far as the eye could see, he saw ponies, griffons, dragons, and other creatures of the like roaming around in what was (and still is) the fairly small town of Ponyville. From where he was, he saw the City of Canterlot and the infamous Everfree all in one view, surely a certain zebra would take up the challenge to make a strong brew to pair with this view. Regardless of that, it was still a long day ahead, for now, his ears were protected from the horrendous bell rings that suddenly occurred. It was now the beginning of another day of school for some (specific) students, but for the most part, it signaled that it was indeed 8 A.M. A simple day to spend mindlessly reminiscing on old memories, just for this moment, Anon was simply content to watch things unfold before him, for now, this world won’t have the human known as Anon as one of its residents, for today, he would spend it all being a content man, in a world that is in many ways, a reflection of his old life, albeit, in a much brighter tone and outlook. For the first 2 hours, Anon had decided to sleep at the bell tower, the vantage point he had providing calming winds and a decent shade for the most part. So many sleepless nights and just now, only now does he find the small solace of sleeping a bit more than needed, a habit he has broken free of long ago, but still wished to participate in every now and again. After he awoke from his mostly dreamless slumber, he reached for his bag, retrieving a small snack, it was just simple cookies and a pair of brownies, made by a certain mirthful pink pony, and he ate up, enjoying the treats as they were. Although that was not to say that he was finished and would just go back to the age-old hobby of sleeping, oh no, no, no, in fact, he decided to try being a bit of an artist and draw some sketches in his notebook. It was nearing midday, and certainly, there was a lot more commotion down there. Ponies and the like seemed like simple figures, the finer details being obscure thanks to the fairly distant vantage point, regardless, it did not stop Anon from taking inspiration. He took the scenery and decided to try his best to draw it, and after a few attempts, his half-hearted attempt at an art piece was finished, it wasn’t particularly good, nor did he actually find it terrible. Just some trees, a decent representation of different natural landmarks and buildings, suspiciously specific and detailed figures known as ponies that seemed to accompany a very detailed drawing of grass, you know, the normal things you'd find to be drawn in this world. He wasn’t particularly proud of it, he had seen and made better pieces, but between what he considered to be an above-average workload and the pain of the ensuing cramps that his fingers and muscles would undergo, he was fine for the most part. And again, he expected himself to sleep for like... 30 minutes. A few hours later... Again, the Anon awoke once again, this time, it was approaching late afternoon. And to his surprise, he felt fairly better, at least compared to his blank-like state during the morning. For the afternoon, he didn’t have anything of note planned, unlike for the morning and evening, the afternoon was supposed to have been sleeping through all the way, but thanks to his sleep earlier this day, that didn’t happen. So instead, he browsed the available songs for him, nothing to fancy, just something casual for the approaching evening, something to remind him of an older time, something he hasn’t been able to do thanks to the other necessities he has been entrusted with when he first arrived here in Equis and the continuing years. He never fully regretted being trusted into this new world, although it would be a lie if he said he didn't feel homesick sometimes, but he has long accepted his situation and made the most out of it. He had created a name for himself in this world, and as far as technicalities are concerned, he had integrated well into Equis society, even if it took a few bumps to get to this point in time. But back to the point, his mix of songs wasn't the most sophisticated orchestra nor the electronic vibe of some pop songs, but there was a little of everything. Amongst the songs he listened to, these are just some of those: -Elements -C418 -Can Can Although, he would be sooner acquainted with a rather fulfilling sight later. All the while, Anon had found himself reaching out for his notebook, seemingly to reminisce on some old letters to himself, a habit that was initially just a way of coping with different things, not a diary, mind you, he just literally writes for his future’s amusement Reading through old logs, he saw patterns and changes in how he spoke and wrote, yet like his younger self, he has learned to just accept it silently, to speak and write, letting everything out that needs to be and to resign for to eventuality. That was not to say it was bleak, far from it, it’s just that compared to a world of another, Equis was a world where he did not need to write down memories and cry to them on a later date because even then, there always seemed to be something new to look forwards for, a certainty that there will always be a happy and better memory to make, even if it’s for tomorrow. This did elicit a small smile from him because while he was reading, he swore that he saw a few students just staring up at his vantage point, unlucky them, the spot was already occupied. That, and him reminiscing on memories of older worlds, of a bygone era, and of memories to be made brought a sense of joy, knowing he lived a life that he could be content with. A few hours had passed, and by now, the scenery was truly at its peak. Anon knew that his friends didn’t always have the time of day (nor night for that matter) to appreciate this majestic view. Reasons would vary, but the general gist is that when you’re the only thing that separates a world of order from devolving into a world of chaos, it tends to keep you preoccupied and busy. He now went and reached for his scope, about to look at the horizon, as time seemingly became a blur for him in anticipation of the view. It wasn’t all a blur though, as he could seemingly remember a rainbow mane mare just sleeping atop a cloud as it drifted from one side of his view to the other. But the general gist was that now that he was greeted with a simple sunset and, soon after, an equally simple twilight. A scenery that he has now seen many times yet genuinely still enjoyed thanks to its simplicity and beauty. The view wasn’t unique, far from it, Anon had seen many views like this and more. Admittedly, some were better, others, not so much. Yet there was always something that kept these kinds of scenery, maybe it was from the colors or the sensation brought by the scenery as a whole. The warm inviting colors of the sunset to rest and the twilight's shade bring a sense of peace and stillness for a night ahead, but there was something that they invoked a feeling akin to being mesmerized. Always having that charm that didn’t make it a standout, but enough to be memorable for the ages. “Ah, really is a one-of-a-kind when compared to other hell-holes,” Anon said aloud, finally speaking after what was, to him, a day of complete and utter silence. “shame that these views ain't free, always work and no time to spare, fore shame.” “Ah well, can’t keep sullying here forever, the papers aren’t gonna get themselves done any day now.” And so, of he went, down from the bell tower, having come for what he sought after, and having spent his day sleeping and doing exactly as he planned. ‘I might just buy some good shit to eat on the way back.’ He thought. Leaving to finish his unfinished business, his time at the bell tower to be remembered. He was Anon, the local human of Ponyville, tired as hell but still working the job.