//------------------------------// // A Better Place // Story: The City of Dreams // by maxxxxxx //------------------------------// The city was certainly a site to behold, even compared to Morning Rose's hometown. She marveled at the towering cityscape as it sprawled before her. She stood at the exit of the train station, her single bag resting on a strap over her shoulder. She took a deep breath of the city before promptly sighing it away. This is definitely a city, the air tastes just as awful as back home, maybe even more so. Already feeling an unwanted sense of defeat, she shook her lightly before departing from the station. Aside form the smell of crowded and polluted air, the smell of fine dining from the nearby restaurants wafted down wind to her. The harsh air was nothing to Morning Rose compared to the noise from the hustle and bustle of Manehattan as she stepped onto the street from the train station. Shouting, banging, growls and grunts erupted from every street corner resonating with the clatter of the combined hoof beats of a million busy ponies, idly going about their days, many seeming unaware of each other. “A step forward and I'll again become a faceless fixture of my home, just like the throngs that walk these city streets.” A dull ache pulled at her heart, despite her better logic, she could only feel a familiar fate pulling her towards it, helpless against it as a driftwood in the tide. It's not the same Morning Rose, It's different. You're free. Do you really want to maintain your old identity? What's the harm in melding in? I will still be just as I am, I only won't be seen as I was, and that's what I want. I want to be free of it. With a firm and strong step forward she steeled herself against her hesitation, placing one hoof in front of the other as she joined the herd. Rose bumped along the dense streets following the throngs. Several times she caught pedestrians eyeing her with exasperation when she look down from the towering skyscrapers overhead. She thought she must have looked like a tourist, logically, it made sense. Deep down though, in some weak facet of her mind, she felt they were looking at the gash on her lip, and glaring in disapproval of her. She couldn't help but hang her head low, keeping her eyes to the sidewalk as she totted through the city. Every time she glanced up, she felt as though she was being stared at. Turning her head away from the streets she bit back at her lip, pulling the wound into her mouth and, she hoped, out of sight. It throbbed painfully under the pressure of her bite and the pressure squeezed fresh blood against her tongue, filling her mouth with the harsh disgusting metallic taste. “Where's Twenty-first street? I just want to get home and unpack.” Rose mumbled to herself. She had to resist the urge to spit out her blood on the side of the street. She doubted anypony would ask if she was okay, but on the off chance she didn't want to risk it. Like she had to do many times before, she braced herself and swallowed her bloody saliva, it nearly making her gag as it went down her throat. Okay, first thing I'm doing when I get to my new home is brushing my teeth. Self consciously she tried to lick her teeth clean of and sanguine stains. With each step she felt the strap of her bag digging into her back and shoulder. Tired and sore from the long train ride she grumbled as she glanced up to scan the street signs she had memorized on the way here. Okay, there's that street so I can't be far. I chose the location that I'll be staying in for it's proximity to my school and the train station, but this city is big, it seemed a lot closer on the map. I guess it's just something I'll have to get used to. With a sigh, she found her next turn down a narrow road branching off from the busy main street. A quick looked filled her with relief as she found this street to be pleasingly less populated. Her tension waning, Rose began trotting down the street. “Excuse me, are you a tourist?” A chipper mare's voice called from behind her. Morning Rose jumped and her tail shot straight as her heart skipped a beat. Looking down the street she found that there were only a few other ponies on the street and a dark alley way lay beside her. A sense of fear began to overtake her, she felt vulnerable, part of her wanted to run away, to get away as fast as she could. No, don't think like that Morning Rose, you're not there anymore, you don't need to be afraid of every stranger, get a hold of yourself! “Um, excuse me, are you alright?” The voice spoke again, this time with a hint of concern. “Y-yes! I'm alright, I apologize for not responding right away.” Forcing a soft smile that she felt still hid her wound, she turned around to face the stranger. She didn't see what she expected. It was a young pegasus mare, a little older than herself. She had frosty, pale blue fur and a cloudy grey mane with darker streaks that resembled a ferocious storm clouds. Her eyes were what took Rose aback. They were a cool, blueish grey but despite their outer amiability, she felt she could see dark clouds behind them. Still, the mare went on smiling, which was most off putting to Rose. The contrast of her smile and her eyes, it seemed wrong somehow. “That's alright! So you're a tourist right? You've got a lot of bags though, did you just move here?” The pegasus spoke in excited rapid fire. Still unnerved by her eyes, Morning Rose casually stepped back, her leg muscles tensed to run. “Yes... I just moved here.” “Where are going? You look a little lost. I've lived in this city my whole life and I can probably tell you where to go.” Still, the mare spoke amiably and her smile seemed genuine. Despite that, something just felt off as Morning Rose debated leaving without another word. “I- I know how to get to my place... but that you for your concern.” “Oh, are you sure? Manehattan is a big place, you wouldn't want to get lost.” She pressed, taking a step closer. “I'm sure. Again thank you a lot for your concern.” She forced a smile, attempting to not come off as defensive or frightened. Suddenly, the mare's smile vanished and her visage matched her air, cold and dark. Rose's fears soared as the mare stared blankly at her. Her icy gaze chilling Morning Rose who began to tremble. “What happened to your face? Your lip?” she asked coldly. Despite her tone, almost devoid of feeling, Morning Rose thought she felt a hint of empathy. Biting her lip back, concealing it in vain, and staggered back. “I- I really have to go!” Without another word she spun around and ran as fast as she could, leaving the mysterious pony behind without once looking back. She bolted down the street, tears welling up in her eyes. She knew! I don't know how but she knew! Can everyone see? Will everyone know?! Keeping her fast pace she darted down side streets, keeping her teary eyes on the signs as she galloped so as not to get lost in the massive city. After minutes of running she was forced to a stop at a busy intersection, across the perilous street, lay her destination. Huffing for breath, she rested against a rusty pole, a button protruded from it's side to alert the traffic to a pedestrian's desire to cross. Finally, she looked back behind her. Despite receiving curious looks, just as she thought, she hadn't been followed by the mare. I don't know what's wrong with me, I didn't have any reason to run. She felt disappointment in herself as her body relaxed. With a bump of her hoof she hit the button and turned towards the street. Is this how I am now? The slightest thought of it is going to make me run away? I thought I came here to get away from that, not to let it control my life again. An image of a hoof appeared in the signal that dangled above the middle of the street, indicating that she could safely cross. Her body felt weak and heavy, her bags felt like they were now filled with cement and she trudged into the crosswalk, her hooves dragging against the pavement. Looking up, she could see her apartment in sight, a tall brick building, a metal fence made a perimeter around it's roof and tall, arched windows were paired in two along it's outer wall. A deep and tired sigh left her as she reached the other side of the street. All I want to do now... is sleep.