Drowning in Teacups

Tea Time?

Peculiar some would say. Bonkers others might tut under their breath as Maddie walked by.

It could have been the strange way she dressed. Or how her emerald gaze never quite seemed to be focused in any one direction for too long. Maybe even how she had no family nor friends.

But most would probably agree, in some way or another, her strangeness could be pointed back to the teacups.

Maddie was obsessed with them. She claimed that everytime she would close her eyes, she saw them. Everywhere she looked, teacups. Vibrant ones, plain ones, dreadfully obnoxious ones that only a stuffy aunt would use.

It was no wonder Maddie had a large collection of them. She had to have them. Keep them on a shelf. Or preserve them the best way she knew how, to canvas. Paint their every minute detail.

The people that lived around Maddie were simple folks. The few that knew her the best, had never thought it possible. That someone would pay hard earned money for such frivolous pieces of decor. That there would be a market for Maddie's strangely delirious, yet intricate teacup paintings.

But the demand for Maddie's artwork didn't seem to be what drove her. Nor the joy of seeing shock on the naysayers faces.

In all actuality, Maddie couldn't quite remember herself why the teacups appeared to be so important. It was more than an obsession, it was what drove her forward. Kept her going.

Like a ship being tossed to and fro, lost at sea. In the midst of the darkest night. Searching for signs of a light house. A guide among the chaos. The way to safety.

Of course the caffeine influx that tea provided was necessary, but if someone pushed as to why the obsession, Maddie would set aside her deeper thoughts. Scratch her chin and strug at the apparent absurdity of their question.

Why not teacups?

All the more important moments of life happened over a cup of tea it seemed.

Happy moments, sad moments, those quiet moments where it's just you and your thoughts. Those were Maddie's favourite.

She never could seem to quiet her mind. Oh, she had tried for a time. She really had. Be normal. Fit in. Try yoga or meditation. Dreadfully boring. And too much work she had come to recognise.

The cards were just stacked against her, as it were. She didn't even know who she was, to try and fit in. Waking up without any memories years ago tends to have that affect she was told.

But Maddie pressed on. Made a strange quiet life for herself. Was she lonely? Most days she never even noticed the lack of fellowship around her. Quite content to hold her own counsel. The arguments had were very minor that way.

But there were moments when she did happen to notice her absence of friends or family, the strange stillness that filled her home.

Perhaps that is why she had always been drawn to teacups. To what it represented. People coming together. The warmth that filled your stomach and your soul when having tea with those you loved.

She tried not to think about it. Push those thoughts aside. Focus on other things, anything else. Oh, look a teacup! Let's paint another picture!

Her mind was messed up enough without adding those kinds of sad thoughts to the mix.

Maddie existed in a very monotonous cycle of events.

1. Wake, intake tea, & eat.
2. Paint.
3. Take walks. (Avoid others at all possible on said walks.)
4. Eat & more tea.
5. Possibly go on a hunt for teacups. (See 3 on avoidance.)
6. Tea? & Paint.
7. Try to sleep.