Under the Cypress (Unfnished indefinitely)

Under the Cypress

>>The sky is black
>>The noonday sun is obscured by swirling clouds as the sea roils and rages under the crags behind you
>>The climb was arduous; the hike to the cliffs even more so
>>But you've made it here, and that's what matters
>>You stand here at the precipice, under a massive Cypress tree, looking down into the gaping, cavernous maw in front of you
>>Nothing but blackness below and above, it seems
>>It beckons
>>”Your goal is below,” it seems to say
>>What that goal is, you don't know
>>How you got here is similarly foggy
>>But you're not seized with doubt as you contemplate it
>>No. Now you feel the pull; the instinctive need to see what awaits in the deep overcomes you and you fall
>>And fall
>>And fall
>>What little light there was now disappears as you're swallowed by the teeming shadows
>>They seem to move
>>You're encircled as you plunge into the depths
>>Faintly visible, screaming towards you at high speed, is the bottom
>>The rocks resemble a great howling trio of dogs, their features bizarrely contorted by eons of decay and wear
>>They come closer as you fall until you're feet from the cavern floor-
>-And you lurch forward, cold sweat chilling your brow
>A cool breeze blows in through the window, rustling the branches of the Cypress outside
>You look at the clock beside your bed
>12:52
>It is day 117 in Equestria
>You are Anonymous
>And your dreams are getting worse
1/x

>You lie staring at the ceiling
>Another dream
>Worst yet
>You remember it in vivid detail
>The visceral horror recalling the rocky formation that appeared at the end of the dream. “The Hounds” you've dubbed them
>The familiarity of the scene is what gets you the most
>Maybe it's from having this same dream every night for the past week, each longer and more detailed than the last
>That's probably it
>But you still can't help feeling disturbed
>You get up to fetch a glass of water
>The breeze outside is somewhat calming as you walk to the kitchen
Can't stay up late again analyzing this....
>You look at the clock again
>12:59
>You've got to help Lily with that crate of pots and potting soil in...
>...
>...Five hours
>Plus, you've got bro-time with Rainbow after that...
>...And you told Pinkie you'd help put that party together for Ditzy Doo's birthday...
>It's going to be a long day
>You look back into your bedroom
>The Cypress branches rap against your shingles as the wind changes direction
>It reminds you of the dream and you shake the thoughts from your head
>For ten minutes you stand in the kitchen, part of you not wanting to go back to the bed for fear you'll have another dream
>But you can't help your friends if you're dead-tired
>You shuffle back into your room and force yourself into bed, concentrating on the sound of the breeze
>It finally lulls you to sleep and you feel a great relaxation come over you as you drift off
>This place is peaceful
2/x

>Morning comes
>You roll over to check the time
>6:30
>Your scream pierces the heavens
>Suddenly you're in overdrive
>Shirt? ON
>Drawers? CHANGED
>Pants? GOOD TO GO
>Socks? FUCK THAT
>You jump into your shoes and sprint out the door

>Across Ponyville, Lily is leaning against a large crate
>”Where are you, Anon?”
>She rests her face on her hoof and taps the other against the crate impatiently
>Rose comes out from the storefront
>”Are you still out here, Lily? Why don't you call Big Macintosh or Caramel to help you?”
>Lily turns and looks at her friend and coworker with a deadpan expression
>”Because Anon said he'd help me and I haven't seen him in a couple days”
>Rose perks up
>”Anon's coming to help you?”
>Lily smirks
>”Don't you have work to do, Rose?”
>The two of them turn quickly when they hear a loud crash from the square

>You pick yourself up out of the dirt and look around
>Several ponies have stopped to gawk at your display
>”Uhm, Anon? You alrahite?”
Yeah, I'm fine, AJ. Sorry about hitting your cart
>'S fahn. Just help me pick up these here apples and Ah'll let ya on yer way”
Thanks, AJ
>You pick the apples off the ground and put them back into their bushels
>Applejack tips her hat in appreciation and waves you on
>You run full-tilt until the flower-shop is in sight
>In front of the store you can see Lily and Rose standing next to a large crate
>Lily looks annoyed
>Rose looks bored
>You stop in front of the two mares, gasping for breath
>”You're late”
I...know...over...slept...sorry...can't...breathe...gimme...second...
>She waits your you to catch your breath before heaving the crate in your direction
>Good start to the day
3/x

>The crate is heavy
>No wonder Lily asked you to help her get it into storage
-hrrrk- Why did you order so much potting soil, anyway?
>She looks at you from around the crate
>”It's almost spring! -hrk- We need to stock up on these things. Besides...I sort of forgot to check how heavy it would be when I placed the order...”
>You  give her a hard stare and she chuckles
>”Suck it up. We'll get breakfast after this. Sound good?”
>The two of you lurch into the shop with the crate and head down the hall to storage
>Rose watches as you go by the counter
>The store isn't open until 8:00. Why'd she come in so early?
>Lily and you finally get the crate put away and you walk back out front
>”Thanks for your help, Anon, even if you were late”
No problem
>You wipe the sweat from your face with a rag Rose tosses you
>”How about breakfast?”
Sound's-
“-great!”
>Rose interrupts and rushes around the counter
>”Let's go!”
>The red-maned mare walks happily out of the store with you and Lily in tow
>”Who's up for the cafe?”
>You turn to Lily
She sure is chipper
>”SHE didn't have to haul that crate”
>Rose turns when she hears you whispering
>”You two just looked so cute together I couldn't bring myself to come between you!”
>Lily blushes
>”Besides, not like I can get a look at Anon if I'm behind a crate, now can I?”
>Your hand goes to your face and you groan
>Rose laughs at your reactions and continues walking happily ahead of you
>You hide a smile from the mares
>You've only worked with them for a week or so, but they're a lot of fun to be around
4/x