Outcasts Can Have Connections Too

 

We may feel like we stand alone in this world, but even outcasts can have connections

The path has been a long one, punishing as the precipitation slapped his body day after day in what seemed like an endless rain. 

But the storm was heavier within than outside. 
The view from the rooftop elegant, bright, ambitious, motivating. 

Watching others float their way through their daily lives seemingly unaware of what was really going on. 

While they slapped high fives, kissed, hugged, held hands and laughed, he watched them from above in awe and yet a heaviness as dark as the night itself. 

He was alone yet again. Always felt he'd always been. That was the normal of a man that did his best to stand out. 

Tried to do so many things by the books, only to end up where he was... who he was... an outcast. Cast aside in a world where he'd have to survive on the outside. 

"Must be nice... " Deimos sighed, eyeing a couple sitting at Stokes Steakhouse down below sharing some laughs "Least I have you eh? "

He glances to the right and grips the obsidian black sheathe containing the mythical weapon of all weapons: the Blade of Echoes. Finding it shifted his life in a multitude of ways and also put him in the crosshairs from multiple sides of hidden war....his family snatched and hidden somewhere out there in the beacon within a now war torn country.

"Don't forget about me!" 

The voice belonged to his AI companion Lexi. Her holographic avatar projected from his bracer appearing six inches tall. Seeing her smile and her curly pink and blue hair always warmed him up... But for some reason, not tonight. 

"What's wrong D?"

"I dunno... Sitting out here like this... Seeing everyone enjoying life... Just kinda makes me question if I deserve to be happy like them."

"Of course you do. You're human and deserve to be happy."

"Hmm, " he nodded. "I feel out of place. No one really to connect with and talk about what I'm thinking or feeling... Sure, there's you and I'm grateful don't get me wrong but -"

"But you lack that human depth and connection. I-I understand" she said, hanging her head low. 

"Fuck... Lexi... I don't mean it like I don't appreciate you. I know you care... Maybe I'm selfish because I want what they have... Real connection... to have relationships... To go out and have fun... Be seen... That sort of thing."

"I know that sentiment all too well... " said another voice, this time coming from the Blade itself. 

The voice belonged to a man turned spirit, Sol Ryuki, a former wielder of the Blade. His voice would guide Deimos in missions from time to time, serving as the dry humored voice of reason. 

"You have gone through a lot... Lost a lot. Traveled the world amongst people and yet still feeling alone amongst them. A ghost in the wind.

"I have, and still do go through bouts of loneliness... All heralds before us have felt it because of our oath of duty. Yet, the paradox of our honor rests in knowing deep down.. Though we may feel isolated, we must remember that outcasts can have connections too. Whether they are with humans or not, always find gratitude in that. Find gratitude in the solitude with yourself. We must balance time with ourselves as well as others because you never know how being present can effect someone."

"You're a good man D, at least I think so. I'm glad to see and hear you and if I were human I would hug you." Lexi added with a smile and a nod. 

Deimos smiled and hung his head, tears welded in his eyes. Numbness giving way to warmth. 

"Thanks you guys. I'm grateful for the Present in the Present. Maybe that's all I really need after all."

Suddenly, the cold winter's rain didn't feel as chilling after all.

The moral of this little One Shot scene - We all have our moments where we may feel isolated and alone. We may feel like no one gives a shit because no one calls or texts us to check in, or no one responds to whatever we post. Hell we may even be lucky enough to get one like on most days.

But knowing that we are not the only ones feeling alone and isolated, that's something that comforts me. 

I struggle with this, the overwhelming sense of loneliness. I want to connect with people just like me. Just like you, so that you know that you don't have to walk the line alone. 

This is why I've started over. This is why I bring to you Complex Compositions: little breadcrumbs for the downtrodden, the rejected, the lonely, and the outcasts to remind ourselves that there are others out there that share our sentiment. That feel what we feel. That understand and want to understand. 

This blog is a gathering, a collection of works that include Character- driven vignettes like this under the tag #UnseenUnderstandings. These also allow me to flex my fiction writing muscle 💪

#quotesandalchemy aka Q&A will offer some impactful quotes from pieces I've seen or heard and providing a twist for comfort and deeper exploration

With #discardedinsights I play "intuitive roulette" with tarot and Oracle cards, randomly dropping insights for myself and questions to get you pondering from deep within. 

#openloops are raw and unfiltered darts into the void of existence ranging from innermost thoughts to the heaviest feelings in hopes to find connections with those that say "damn, I feel that way too" 

#compasschecks aim as a check in for all of us. These will be statements that Ground, Recalibrate, and Energize. 

Lastly, #StillHere will act as our war cry. These points of prose aim to reinforce our resolve.  Whether worn or dented, we remain.

It's an honor to do this and will do my best to make you feel at home with me here in this sanctuary for outcasts. 

You are not lost or forgotten anymore. You are found here.

#IAmRonin #Outcasts #UnseenUnderstandings