Blind Faith Ch. 1

>As you sit at the front of the bus, waiting for your stop to arrive, you can’t help but to eavesdrop on those around you.
>It was a fairly quiet night, so you could distinguish between voices easier.
>The boy behind you was being told off by his mother over the phone.
>Further back sat a girl who was softly singing a song. Her voice was velvet on your ears, and if you had time, you would probably strike up a conversation with her.
>In the distance, you can hear a guy trying to convince his girl to be with him again, but she won’t take his shit.
>Ah, young love. Stupid as ever.
>’Ay, yo man!’ calls a gruff voice, and you turn your head forwards. ‘This is the stop you asked for.’
‘Oh, thanks man.’
>’You need help off the bus?’
‘Nah, I got this.’
>You sling your bag over your shoulder and stand from your seat, allowing your folded cane to extend to its full length.
>As you walk forwards, you lightly tap the end of your cane, feeling and listening for obstacles.
>You feel for the door and grab the handrail to guide you to the walkway outside.
>You turn your head to the right and sniff the air, before tilting it back.
‘The park is down there, right?’
>’Yeah,’ says the bus driver ‘ya seem to know where you are going for a blind guy?’
‘Oh, you know…’ you shrug ‘heightened senses and shit.’
>You wave the bus off and begin your slow walk home.

>You feel out the grooves in the pavement as you brush the tip lightly across the ground.
>In your mind’s eye, you envision the path you walk upon.
>Or that’s how you describe it to others.
>You remember the textures of the ground through your cane and it makes a special map in your mind.
>Your cane finds a wooden pole and you place a hand on it.
>Feeling the cool metal plaque screwed to the front, you trail yourself around.
>Your foot falls off the path, and you stumble a little.
>You correct yourself to the path, and slowly continue your journey.
>No matter how many walks you take, you will never be 100% with your cane.
>As you feel the cool night air blow against your skin, you pick up the pace.
>You didn’t want to be out too late; preferring to read a few books before heading to bed.
>Walking at a brisk pace, you don’t notice the path’s texture change from under you.
>What was once rough cement had become smooth tiled floor.
>You don’t pay notice to the smell of fresh cut lawn morphing into the aroma of fresh baked goods.
>You finally stop walking when you feel the warmth on your skin, and the sound of bugs die out to silence.
>You stop in your tracks, using all of your senses to gather your bearings.
>More smells began to form. Fresh flowers and old books.
>In the distance, a new sound approached.
>Hard sole shoes on a ceramic style floor coming from behind you, though it was soft.
>Someone was approaching you, doing their best to sneak up.

>You spin in their immediate direction.
‘Who’s there?’ You say, fear in your voice.
>The footsteps stopped, and you hear a small gasp.
‘W-whoever you are, can you stop sneaking around?’
>More silence.
‘Look, I don’t have much money, and I know I won’t be able to fight you off. I just want to go home.’
>You reach into your back pocket and remove your wallet.
‘I’m going to leave my wallet on the ground, and walk away. I don’t want any trouble.’
>You crouch down slowly, and drop your wallet, before turning away and hoping you don’t get attacked.
>Another sound comes through, this time from in front of you.
>Someone wearing more hard soles just softly stood up.
>You bring your cane up to your chest in a defensive position.
‘P-please don’t hurt me… you can have my wallet, just don’t kill me.’
>A voice finally speaks, and you can tell they were a few feet in front of you.
>’What are you?’
>The voice was female, nurturing and soft, like a mother’s.
‘Blind… hence the cane.’
>’I can see that.’
‘Good, cos I can’t.’
>You nervously chuckle at your own joke.
‘I… I’m Anonymous. I was just trying to walk home, when I heard someone following me.’
>’You heard them?’
‘Yes. I rely on my other senses to account for the lack of sight.’
>’So, how did you get here?’
‘I… walked, I guess. If you could point me to Baker street, I will be on my way.’
>’You have walked into my place of residence, and I do not know what you are. I don’t think you will be going anywhere, Anonymous.’
‘Oh…’

>You begin to back away slowly, only for your legs to feel like they are stuck in mud.
>Was this true fear? Is that why your legs were immobile?
>So many thoughts rush through your head as the footsteps get closer.
>A warm rush of air flows over your face, and you jump in surprise, accidentally swatting at the air with the handle of your cane.
>It hits something in front of you, and you fall backwards in fear.
>’Ouch… quite a weapon, isn’t it?’
‘I-i-it’s not a weapon. PLEASEDON’THURTME!!’
>’Well, I don’t know. You did break in, and then attack me. Seems fair that I do something.’
>You take a deep breath, and grip your cane tighter.
‘There is no law, but attacking a disabled person is frowned upon. I accidentally walked into your house, and I apologise for that. Just push me in the right direction, and I will go.’
>’Did you not understand what I just told you? You are unable to leave.’
‘K-kidnapping is a federal offence.’
>You hear her hum in realisation.
>’So you do not understand… Anonymous, when I said you could not leave, I did not mean I was forcing you to stay-‘
‘Then let me leave!’ You shout.
>’I meant that I do not believe you will find your way home. I can’t be sure, but I think you come from another world.’
>You lay there in silence, processing what the mysterious voice had just told you. Could it be possible? Could you be on another world?
‘I…I don’t believe you…’
>’Anonymous, you don’t look like anything I have ever seen. Whatever you are, you are not of this world. The closest thing I could compare you to is a minotaur or even an ape.’

>You have read about minotaurs from greek mythology, half human half bull. And you could only recognise the shape of half of them.
‘Wait… ape?’ You lift your head up to hear better. ‘Humans and apes are closely related on Earth.’
>’Humans? Earths?’
‘Uhh… not trying to be rude, but maybe we can talk about this when I am not on my back, ready to wet my pants.’
>’I se-‘ her voice seems to get cut off, but returns. ‘I agree, Anonymous.’
>You smile a little, and reach out a hand. ‘Can you help me up?’
>A warm sensation envelops your body, like a warm blanket and a hug from someone, and you find yourself lifted to your feet.
>’Come. We shall have tea in the sitting room, and you can tell me of the “humans”.’
‘S-sure… whoever you are?’
>’Oh?’ She gives off an almost child-like giggle. ‘I am Celestia.’
>As she walks forwards, you begin to follow, ever so slowly.
>’Do you need me to guide you? I don’t want to rush you or anything, but this pace is slow.’
‘I am sorry. I can follow your footsteps without my cane, but I don’t want to run into anything along the way.’
>’I would ask that you trust me to keep the halls clear of obstructions, but seeing as we just met, I doubt you could.’
‘What, see? Of course not, I’m blind.’ You give a large grin, and the tension around you eases. ‘A large part of being like this is trusting strangers.’
>You fold away your cane, and hold it in your right hand.
‘Please, lead the way.’
>Celestia walks a bit faster and you follow the sound.

>As Celestia walks, you follow, trailing your fingers softly along the wall.
>Every now and then, you feel something wooden followed by fabric and back to wood before the stone returns.
‘You seem to have a lot of paintings hanging around.’
>’Yes. It really brings the room together.’
‘I wouldn’t know.’
>’Oh? Not a fan of fine arts?’ Her tone was cheeky and playful.
‘I prefer sculptures to paintings.’
>’You can really get a feel to them, can’t you?’
‘Oh, very hilarious. No, with paintings you can cover up your mistakes so easily. An extra stroke here can be hidden. But with sculpting, one false move and it could potentially become ruined. You need to think about each movement you make before it even comes time to make it.’
>’That’s very deep, Anonymous.’
‘Please, just Anon. Anonymous makes me feel old.’
>’We are coming up to a corner. Do you need me to guide you?’
‘No, I think I can find it.’ You place your cane into your pockets before clapping once loudly.
>’Anon?’
‘Echo location. I can hear a slight echo coming up from the left. I can assume that is whe-‘
>You freeze, turning your head to the left.
‘Someone is coming down that hallway. Very fast, actually. Their steps cascade down the path, almost like… no, there is only one of them. They are really breathing heavy too. Might need to get some exercise.’
>’You can tell all that from the sound? Even at this distance?’
‘Sorta helps that he isn’t trying to be a fucking ninja.’
>’He?’
‘Guessing. The steps are heavier than yours, the wheezing is more baritone, and…’ you hold up a finger, ‘he just said “if I don’t find her, shining armor will have my head”, whatever that means.’

>Celestia walks forwards to the corner, and you remain still.
>’Stay here, Anonymous. I do not want to worry my guards with your presence.’
‘Gotcha. Hide the blind guy.’
>You listen to her steps fade around the corner, and you lean against the wall to relax.
>Your heart beat rings out in your ears, and confusion clouds your thoughts.
‘Where am I?’ you mutter to yourself. ‘Where is home for me? Will I ever return, or am I stuck?’
>You bang your head against the wall, and your ears perk up from the hallway Celestia walked up.
> A minute later, more footsteps ring out and turn the corner before stopping.
‘Celestia? Is that you?’
>The hall is dead silent except for the sound of your breathing.
‘Celestia?! This shit isn’t fucking funny!’
>’Whoa, calm down Anon.’ Came her voice ‘Yes, it is I. Why are you so upset?’
‘I’m not upset.’ You clutch your hand around your cane handle. ‘I am just on edge. I don’t know anything about this place, including you, and… and…’
>’Anonymous?’
>You feel Celestia’s warm breath on your face, and your hands were shaking.
‘I’m sorry, Celestia.’
>’No, it is I who should apologise. I should not have done that to you. Come, I have sorted everything out for our chat.’
>Celestia began to walk back around the corner and you slowly followed.

>The walk was completely silent, except for the sound of your footsteps.
>As her footsteps slowed, you could hear Celestia take a deep breath.
>’Here we are, Anonymous. The sitting room door is just to your right.’
>You extend your cane, and begin to tap around for the entrance to the room.
‘Thank you Celestia.’
>’ There is a large chair in front of you, if you would like to take a seat.’
>You slowly walk forwards until you feel the soft thud of padding against your cane.
>You take your seat, and fold up your cane again.
>Across from you, Celestia takes her seat and fiddles with something ceramic.
>’Would you care for some tea?’
‘Yes please.’
>As you hear her pour the tea into a cup, you smile and take a deep breath through the nose.
‘I should feel honoured that I have tea poured by royalty.’ You hear the clatter of the teapot, before Celestia corrects it. ‘Didn’t think I could hear you and the guard whispering?’
>’I was hoping you wouldn’t listen in…’ She muttered in a bashful tone.
‘Sorry. I picked up on the word “highness”, and felt I should tune in. Queen?’
>’Princess, and Co-ruler with my sister.’
‘Ahh, I understand.’
>’Well, you seem to be taking this a lot better than I thought.’
‘I’m freaking out on this inside, believe me.’
>’Well, please do not. Until we figure something out, you are my guest under my protection.’
>The light tap of the tea cup being placed next to you, and you run your fingers across the table to make a mental image of where it is.
>’So, shall we begin?’
‘Yes, I do believe we should.’

>You spend a good 15 minutes explaining your species and planet, leaving out the parts about war and famine.
>Every now and then, Celestia would “hmm” in understanding, or take a sip from her tea.
>By the end of it, Celestia was already pouring another cup.
>’Can I offer you a refill?’
>You realise you have not touched your tea since she poured it.
>You lightly grab your tea cup and take a sip. Behind the immediate tea flavour, you pick up the hint of lavender.
‘So, tell me about this place, seeing as I will be living here.’
>’Anon, I didn’t say anything like that.’
‘Oh? So there is a way for me to get back home?’
>’Not really, no.’
‘Okay. Well, please do tell.’
>You give her a warm smile, hoping she is looking at you.
>’Okay, so first of all, I am not like you.’
‘I can guess.’
>’I’m called an Alicorn. Myself and my sister, Luna, we rule over the lands of Equestria.’
‘Hmm… sounds cool. So your species are called Alicorns.’
>’Not really. Alicorn is more like… a race. Our species is pony.’
>You almost do a spit take on hearing this.
>’Anon, are you alright?’
‘I…I am fine. Just sort of… conflicted.’ You pause for a second. ‘I can assume you are giving me a confused look?’
>’Yes, sort of.’
‘Well, you see, on Earth ponies are just simple farm animals. Technically, humans are the only sentient species.’

>’So, what you are saying, is that you might see them as just simple animals?’
‘I can’t see them at all.’
>’Anonymous, I am serious.’ Her voice carried a harsh tone, unlike her usual voice.
‘No, I do not think that at all. Do you only see me as a monkey? Or would you take the time to find out what I am like?’
>’Anonymous, you say humans are selfish and discriminate against others! How do you think I feel about that?’
‘If you hadn’t noticed, Princess, I’m blind! I have dealt with that for my entire life. Luckily, being blind means I don’t judge others on looks. I talk to them, and find out what they are like.’ You look into your tea. ‘Even so, I can be wrong at times.’
>’Anon…’
‘No, I’m fine. As I said, I won’t judge any of your subjects until I talk to them. I just hope they hold the same courtesy.’
>’I agree, and I believe my little ponies will accept you. Some might just need more time than others.’ Her tone was back to being motherly, and you couldn’t help but to smile. ‘But, what I was going to say was I should be heading to my quarters soon. I have to be up early for my duties.’
‘Oh?’
>The thought never crossed your mind, but now you wonder where you were going to sleep tonight.
>Your face must have shown your confusion as you hear Celestia chuckle.
>’Come. I sent my guard to have a room set up for you and your…size.’

>As you follow Celestia’s… well, you’d call them hoof steps, she leads you to your room.
>’This room is for delegates from neighbouring nations. Nopony will step hoof in here without your permission unless under my direct order.’
‘Thank you Princess. I am truly grateful.’
 >’It is fine, Anon. Have a good night.’
‘Wait!’
>You don’t hear her move, and you feel your body stiffen.
‘Can I touch your face?’
>’Well…I… I have never actually been asked that before.’
>You chuckle as you hear her nervousness. You seem to have caught her off guard.
‘It’s so I can have an idea what you look like. We don’t have to if you feel uncomfortable.’
>’No, it’s fine. I can understand.’
>You feel her breath come closer to your face, and you bring your hands up.
>As you gently make contact with her face, you feel her soft fur.
>She wasn’t kidding when she said she was a pony.
>You lightly brush your fingertips over her face, making a mental map for your memory.
>As you touch her cheeks, you feel a definite heat source, and your own cheeks become flushed.
>You trail higher, and your fingers find a large, bone-like protrusion that jutted out from her forehead.
‘A horn?’
>’Yes. And I believe that is all for tonight Anonymous. Good night.’
‘G-good night Princess Celestia.’
>You turn and walk towards where Celestia said the bed was located.
>Behind you, you hear the soft click of the door shutting.
>You find the bed in no time, taking a seat and sighing deeply.
>You lift your t-shirt up and off, only to hear a soft gasp.
‘Celestia, I thought you said you were leaving.’
>You hear a loud crack, and her soft breathing disappeared from the room.
>You lay your weary body down, allowing sleep to take you.
>Today was weird.