//------------------------------// // The Silent Sea Of Solitude // Story: Runaway // by DegeTheMighty //------------------------------// The wind was defiant, blasting against her. She could feel the tall blades of grass caress her coat, as her tears slipped from her eyes, landing slightly off course as they caught themselves in the wind. Misty-eyed, and surrounded by a plain of grass, she attempted to find any sort of marker, any sort of indication that she wasn't alone. Yet found none. The Plains seemed to compress, and suffocated her sight, as the sunset's light spilled through the thin, low hanging clouds like a massive lens, carrying the light everywhere around her. Despite her illumination, she was unable to find any sign of the pony she sought. She belittled herself, cursing at how she could just lose someone like that. She thrashed and spat, as her tears continued to fall. The blades of the golden grass around her tried their best to soothe her, petting her mane and coat with a gentle, motherly touch. It only served to further her worries and strife. She collapsed upon the silky ground, her head resting upon her hooves. A thousand thoughts raced through her mind of that pony, as countless as the slivers of gold that enveloped her. All of them played out in her head, how she could have changed the situation, how she could have avoided her outburst if only she had bothered to listen. But Sweetie Belle was far too upset to even comprehend it. Only now, covered in mist, surrounded by grass, and her face soaked in tears, did she come to regret her impatience. She was far too hurt by the words she heard, and couldn't bear to hear any more of it. She wiped away a wave of tears from her eyes, as she rolled onto her back. The grass was tall enough to obstruct most of her view. As her tears fell effortlessly, a constant stream of sorrow, the wind pulled at the strings of the grassy field. The thousands of golden puppets danced to the whim of their master, playing off one another and creating a sense of waves freely flowing throughout the field. She rested inside this silent sea of solitude, her body exhausted from the turmoil in her heart. Sweetie Belle had felt betrayed, but she too had turned her back. Frustration grew within her, slowly filling in the gap her sorrow held. With a loud shout, she slammed her hoof haphazardly against the ground near her. It wasn't her fault, so why should she feel sorry? She had always shown respect, and admiration, and even got it in return. So why did the pony turn her back on poor Sweetie Belle? Sweetie thought she loved her, and yet here she found herself. No, this was all her fault. Sweetie Belle did absolutely nothing wrong. It was her who couldn't see past the mess she made, to see all the hard work she had put into it for the one she cared most. She refused to see the true message that Sweetie tried to portray, and that was unforgivable. Selfish, even. Just like her to not notice the hardships of others, always moving from one thing to the next. She stopped to sit and enjoy the present, like Sweetie Belle often did. One of her biggest flaws, Sweetie suspected. Sometimes she wondered if all her turmoil was even worth the effort. Countless times she had helped this pony in her time of need, and expected nothing in return. Sweetie Belle was kind like that, and she wasn't about to stop her generous nature. But even Generosity had its limits, and it seemed like Sweetie Belle's struggles were beginning to be a poor investment. She loved her with all of her heart, but Sweetie felt like it was a one sided conversation half of the time. She even felt like she was being taken advantage of. She sniffled, her eyes catching glimpse of a small shadow off high into the sky, just on the edge of the vision the fog would allow. Her thoughts were swiftly dashed by those of wonder. What was that? Was it a pegasus? If so, who? A strange sense of tranquility washed over her as she watched the shadow slowly drift by, minding its own business across the sky, peacefully moving from point A to point B. The sight was thoroughly pleasing. As she focused more on it than her own misery, she was able to take a more objective view on her predicament. Perhaps Sweetie Belle shouldn't be so harsh. Both of them had been incredibly busy lately, and maybe it was beginning to wear on the both of them. Sweetie Belle's schoolwork was catching up to her, and the frustration of not finding her cutie mark at her age certainly tore at her patience. Maybe she just needed to vent, and she accidentally took it out on the one she loved. A twinge of guilt came and went, she knew that it would be okay. They both just needed time to rest. As her mind calmed itself, so too did her heart. A soft and gentle peace began to wash over her, rinsing away the disgusting filth of sadness and anger. A blissful smile even found itself taking residence on her face. She wiped the last of her tears away from her eyes, as a final shiver raced its course down her spine. Relief came as beautiful visitor, as she much needed its attention as of late. The soft wind halted, as Sweetie Belle could see the blades of grass in front of her begin to part, the separation coming ever closer. Her eyes widened, as the coat of the mare she adored could be seen. Her full form came into view, before stopping in front of her. The two ponies looked at each other in vary degrees of shock and relief. “Sweetie Belle...?” The mare asked, her hoof cemented to her chest in surprise. The unicorn in question quickly raced to her side, nuzzling the mare with a loving zeal. “I'm so glad I found you. I'm so sorry Sweetie Belle.” “No,” Sweetie Belle started, “I shouldn't have just ran out like. It's not your fault. You're busy an I get that.” “But I should never be to busy for you. You're in one of the hardest stages of life, and I should be there to support you. Not the other way around. I love you.” Sweetie Belle hugged her tight. “I love you too, sister.”