Flowers are always in Bloom

Rose had found the perfect spot to listen to nothing but nature. There were no ponies to pester her with questions, hurt her with words, or send her over the edge with poking and prodding points. She was alone. She was alone...

The city had it's charms, yes. The posh life of Canterlot was something to experience, but she knew she could never last here for more than a little while. The lack of grass, for one. This little shaded plot of grass lay just on the edges of the great royal city, and she relished in the solitude.

Another part of her hated it. She hated not having any good friends or anything to do. Sure, her crystal dye business was going well--she had managed a temporary crystally sheen serum that lasted for up to two weeks--but she couldn't find the motivation to continue. Rosie wanted to work on life, but Rose was happy to fade into nothing.

Such was the fate of this poor crystal pony. She had been hurt, and very badly. After Recurve, all she wanted was to be alone, but, then, after a year of that, the uhealing wounds on her heart cried for attention.

She lay under her tree and felt a tear drip from her face. Flashing back to this morning, when she was straightening her appearance in the mirror, Rose had seen Rosie staring back at her, happy, smiling, and glowing. It was a shock, but she saw the mare she wanted to be again standing before her, just out of reach.

"I just want somepony to tell me that I'm beautiful," she whispered to herself. "To say, 'I love you.'"

Canterlot was a place of rich ponies, talented ponies, and high-class ponies, so why was he there? The whole atmosphere of the crowded capital --the noise, the poisonous air filled with overly strong perfume, the rush of everypony going from place to place, point to point without the time to just trot-- was a beacon of danger for someone who was blind and not used to this kind society.

Zebras were meant to be out where they could fine peace and serenity, a place that was completely opposite of where he was. Someplace where he could mend his connections to the spirits.

So why was he here, in a place that's hardly quiet or peaceful?

He didn't know, but it felt right. Was there something he had to do here? Blindsight could only wonder. He was not sure if he was just blindly stumbling around in the darkness, so to speak, or was following the guiding hooves of his ancestors. Any zebra could tell the difference between the two, but he just can't.

Why was it him? Why was he the one to end up blind? Why was his ties unattached? How was it fair that the others get to enjoy themselves with the spirits, and he was left to stumble without sight? Though because of his blindness, his other senses are keener than that of the others in his tribe, it was still unfair on his part. So many questions floated across his mind daily, repeatedly.

Then he snapped out of his trance. The cloaked zebra felt grass touching his front hooves, the gentle caress of the morning wind, and the gentle and peace-inspiring sound of the leaves rustling. He heard a sorrowful voice telling itself words of desire for love.

Although he was blindfolded, he saw a speck of light in front of him, like an aura --no, a pair of auras somewhat conflicting. Was this the reason he was here? What was he supposed to do anyway?

Looking at the faint auras, he guessed the spirits wanted him to calm the conflict within oneself?

Rose looked up as she sensed somepony approaching. Half of her felt joy at the prospect of meeting a new pony, but she shoved that self away as she looked at the newcomer.

He was a zebra. A type of pony she had never met before. He was looking blankly ahead, as if he couldn't see her, and she felt a strange curiosity take over her senses. Did she want company? Did she want to risk hurting and being hurt?

"Hello?" she asked finally, choosing one way over another. "Can I help you with anything?

Quickly, she chastised herself in her head. You're only inviting him to talkk to you, Rose. You don't want that. You never want that. He might ask you about...him, and...that place. They all do. They always do. She can never get the words out. She had lost many an aquaintance that way, but there was nothing she could do about it. It was too hard to force the words out, and she always ended up cutting off the relationship and yelling at the mare or stallion who was just trying to be friendly.

Might as well complete the circuit once it has begun.

There was a moment of silence before the mare finally spoke up. She seemed a little hesitant. Of course, when a zebra just intruded in your time of peace, and just stood there like a statue, anybody would become hesitant to start a conversation. "A moment of peace in time to escape the city's rustles shall be fine." Blindsight trotted to the tree and just sat with his back turned to the mare. Okay so, what was he going to do?

He was amazed at how quiet this part of the city was compared to the streets. Sure he could still hear the hustle and bustle of life, but nature's melodies dominated this place. Blindsight was content with the silence, but he doubted the mare felt the same, again for the same reason of an intruder acting like a statue.

He turned his head just a bit and said just to break the silence, "Please do not be alarmed with my presence here, but if you are then I shall disappear. My name is Blindsight, by the way. Just a wanderer led astray."

"Rosella," she introduced hesitantly. "Rosella Petals."

What a strange pony. She liked that he wasn't a talker, but his sudden company was very odd. She had thought this was a beautiful and secret spot, and half of her didn't want to give it up. but the other half was content with the company.

"You can stay, if you wish. It doesn't bother me," she answered. At least he wasn't trying to talk her head off.

She shifted her body, however, so the heart scar on her chest was not visible. She had indeed forgotten a scarf to wear, and had decided that to go back for it when she would see nopony would be able to see her. She was wrong, of course, and decided that she would let the zebra leave before herself when it was time to go.

"It is nice to meet you." He said quietly. He remained quiet, deciding that it would be better if the mare initiate a conversation. The prolonged silence attuned his mind into a trance-like state, making nature more audible to him, while making the city more distant.

He felt the conflict beside him, and he couldn't stop himself from speaking. "Are you... troubled?" He simply said. It was hard not to blurt out the first thing that popped into his mind, and when he realized what he just said he shook his head. "Sorry."

He waited for a response before he decides to leave and stop bothering the mare, or stay and enjoy the sanctuary.

Thought too soon. Though, it couldn't hurt to tell just one pony... After all, she was probably never going to see him again after this.

That's what Rose said. Rosie was gleeful for the chance to finally have company, after so many years of her other self shoving out the ponies who came too close. It was probably a good thing that Blindsight had caught her at this time. Any other moment would have resulted in a hard glare.

"Yes, I guess you could say that. Really, if you want to know, it's only if you can stand my sudden emotion. I'm warning you in advance."

The zebra nodded once. "Patience is a steady companion, and I have plenty to spare. Though I myself do not take enjoyment in questions, I shall answer any of yours to make things fair."

He turned around and pulled back his hood, fixing his blindfolded eyes at the mare's general direction. Before, he went about the land without it, but the tiny amount he could see only infuriated him. It felt as if sight was just in front of him, as if waving a bone in front of a dog at the end of his rope.

Blindsight got fed up with that feeling and tore a piece from his cloak and wrapped it around his eyes. It helped a bit, but it still wasn't enough. He was pretty sure that would be her first question, as it was with everypony he crossed paths with.

Rose knew better than to say anything about his odd behavior. She hated when ponies asked her questions, and she figured, if it was normal, that he got the question often. In time, it would reveal itself. Instead, encouraged by his talk of patience, she nodded and moved on with her speech.

"I used to be a happy mare, or so they tell me. I can hardly remember it. I was young, as I still am, I was free-spirited, and I loved life. I loved everything about it; the trees, the food, the flowers, the companions. I loved cheering up ponies; it was my purpose in life. I loved one stallion in particular; a gruff, introverted pony of my own unique race of crystalline ponies by the name of Recurve. I saw so much potential hiding behind his shell, so I tried to help. 

"I thought I had spent many nights laughing and speaking with him, strengthening our bond. I found out later that it was just that one day, and I had created a wild fantasy within my head. It didn't matter; I loved him, even if he wasn't real, with all of my heart. 

"Which was why, of course, it hurt me so badly when I found out he had fallen in love with another. She is beautiful, kind, magical, and, most of all, healing to his soul. I realized then that I over in a world outside of my little happy bubble, and it was burst in one quick jab when I went to drown my sorrows in wine and beer."

Before she knew what she was doing, she gently took the hoof of the pony without sight and placed it over her scar, letting him trace the chiseled debt.

"I tried to cave my own heart out with a chisel, I was so distraught. I was only saved by my housemate, and even she had that poor, horrid pity in her eyes. 

"I couldn't stand it. Being in Ponyville was too much, and I vowed to leave the next day. I became inebriated, and who should I see but the tormentor of hearts himself.

So I retaliated. I hit him, I threw my drink at him, and I screamed obscenities. Somehow, I ended up comforting him, of all ponies, and not the other way around. Then, with my stupidity, I kissed him. He kissed me back, but all I saw in his eyes were the same poor pity everypony else had. Oh, that poor, heartbroken, hopeless romantic with dreams too far from her reach.

So I left. I expected life to go on as normal, but there was something wrong with me. A Doctor's check ended with a diagnosis of Multiple Personality Disorder, something that I had as a prisoner of King Sombra, but something that had faded with his reign. It had returned, violently, and I am never to be the same pony I was. Rosie haunts me, appearing in mirrors and laughing at her happiness, while Rose cowers and speaks sharply at others. I am rarely just myself, Rosella, a mixture of the two, but I cannot stop it. I can only pray I will die happily, something that does not seem like a possibility for me. It hurts to talk about him or Ponyville, to think, to dream. All I know is that I am too emotional, too seductive, too quick, not normal, not pretty, not magical... And not Sweet Dreams."

There. She had just spilled her entire life's story to a stranger.

That was indeed a tragic tale, and not all too rare. Love was a sweet pleasure, something everyone craved. But the truth not many know is that love itself was a ravenous beast that only few could truly tame. A gift and a curse. It could build you up, take you to the highest mountain, yet it mostly tears you down and drag you to the depths.

But there is one thing about it that the zebra knew all too well. Love is dangerous, and so is fire. Both share two things. One is that it helps you survive in this harsh world, and two, it could hurt and kill you if you aren't careful.

This mare suffered from the latter, but there is still hope. Her life is still young. He was worried that she might do something drastic because of jealousy for this, "Sweet Dreams" who she possibly thinks stole her love.

So the spirits guided him to a love triangle? Very helpful in getting eyesight. Since he was already here, he thought he might as well try to help. Though he didn't know how. Blind wasn't exactly an expert in pony sociology.

But if it meant anything... "You are still young and so is the world. Love is not yet over until the last arrow has been hurled. There is something you must know, but it is not for me to show."

He gently pressed his hoof on her chest.

"Do not give up, is all I can say. Let your heart show you the way. Remember what they always say: it is useless to dwell in dismay. Your broken heart can still be mended, the past is not where it all ended."

Rose nodded and looked down at her hooves.

"And so they tell me. I just don't know how, you know? It hurts to even think of Ponyville itself, and all the pitying ponies who will turn their sympathy on me. None of them know that is not what I need. I left because I knew, anywhere else, ponies would treat me like a normal mare. I know running from my problems doesn't help in any way, but I see no other option at the moment."

She wiped away a spare tear and watched it roll down her hoof, dripping off with a gentle plop onto the grass.

"My life is falling apart. My business is dying, my health is deteriorating, and worst of all: I've lost the will to live. I don't see any purpose in each sunrise, any meaning in each flower that grows."

She had finally admitted it, to both herself and the world. There wasn't much to be said other than that the mare was broken, all because of a crush and a midsummer's night.

"So you have already given up the fight?" He said quietly and paused. Gently he ran his hoof under her chin. "Perhaps it is time for you to take flight."

Blindsight returned his hoof to the ground. "Sometimes travel will help the soul to cope and restore one's well of hope. For most of my life, that was the only way that helped me let go of my strife. It is true that running away from your problems only make it hurt more when it catches up, but we all know that sometimes all we need is to empty our cup."

He sat back down on his haunches and kept his head low. "My dear mare, do not be so quick to tear. For the spirits that surround us all, will always try to break our fall. No matter how far you have fallen, someone will be there to hear you calling."

"I don't think you understand, Blindsight," she said. "Now, I realize it's not so much the heartbreak that's killing me. I've been split in half, and both halves fight each other for supremacy. It's almost too hard to stand it. I feel like I'm giving into their fight."

She thought hard about what he had said. It was true; the traveling had helped a bit, but nopony had ever truly been there for her. They were just strangers, feeling pity and sympathy. It was not enough to convince her they could truly help her.

"There hasn't been anypony who truly has tried to help," she voiced aloud. "Nopony cares enough about a mare with obvious problems."

"Perhaps you've just been looking in the wrong place, or are too quick on your pace? I have met a few who doesn't share the common view. So don't fret, there are places you haven't gone yet." Blind wasn't sure how well he was projecting what he was trying to say. Why was the pony language so confusing, why couldn't be as simple as zebra?

This kind of problem was not something that could easily be solved in one day. What was he supposed to do?

On cue, the wind picked up and rustled the leaves to create faint whispers which drifted to his sensitive ears. Take her with him? What? What for, why? Although he questioned and questioned in his head, that was the only thing he got.

What good would a companion be to him? He already was doing fine when he was going alone, wouldn't another set of hooves be like dead weight to him? Then he remembered those two auras he felt. Perhaps it wasn't that he needed the company, but the mare did?

Maybe so, but he had his concerns. Firstly, would a mare be fine living the life of a wanderer? And could she handle the long travels between no particular places, traveling just to travel? A good week would determine that, if she chooses to tag along...

"Would you like to travel on more than just gravel?"

Rose's ears twitched.

"Are... are you asking me... to come with you?" she asked tentatively. "Really? Do you mean it?"

"Of course he doesn't mean it."

"Oh, shut up, Rose. You're such a pessimist."

"Why would anypony want to take you along with them?"

"Nopony asked you anything, Rose. Go away."

"He's using you. Like a tool."

"Faust, shut up!"

Rosella clapped her hooves over her mouth and hid her face in shame. She yelled at Rose out loud. What an idiot.

"I'm sorry, Blindsight. I wasn't speaking to you. I..."

Great. Now she sounded mental. This wasn't going all to well. What was she supposed to tell him? "I was yelling at my alternate personality, who is a pony living in my head who sometimes takes over my mind, because I have a strange disease." Yeah, that sounded sane.

She said nothing for the moment, cursing at herself inside. Rose kept quiet for the moment.

"If you really mean it," she said finally, "I'd love to come with you."

That sudden outburst had taken the zebra by surprise. Maybe he would be better off going on his way. But just as he was turning, the mare spoke up, apologized and trailed off. Well, she did warn him about her emotional outbursts.

He wasn't sure how to continue and just waited till she spoke up. In response, he simply said, "If you can handle the drift through time, and every mountain we climb, then you can tag along to find where you belong."

She smiled. It was the first time she had smiled in a very long time, she realized. Almost a year. She knew he couldn't see her happiness, but it was enough to know that she had somepony, after all these years, who might be able to tolerate her strangeness and help her heal the rift in her soul. Maybe it wasn't too late, after all. Maybe salvation had come her way. Maybe it came in the form of this zebra, the only pony to show her true kindness and understanding in a long time.

"Yes."

It was one word, one final word, to seal her fate. Maybe it would save her.

Blind smiled. That was the first step to recovery. Now what? He guessed that he should help her along the way and see what happens. He convinced himself that it would also be a good way to get to know more about ponies, how they act, how they live, and more importantly, how they talked.

"I will not be leaving until tomorrow morning, so may want to send your friends a warning. Tomorrow we'll meet back here. I will keep an open ear."

Rosie's ears dropped a bit, but it couldn't keep her spirits down.

"Yeah... Friends... I'll, uh, go get ready," she said quickly. "Thank you so much for your help, and the opportunity... You're amazing, Blindsight. Truly amazing. You are the best pony I've ever met."

She got to her hooves and nuzzled him on the cheek as a thank-you.

Oh, this was going to be good. She'd have to fold up her chemistry set, pack up the flowers and ship them back to her permanent residence in the Crystal Empire, clean up the loose piles of wires and gold, put away her scarves... This was going to be the beginning of the rest of her life.