8 The Tailor, The Doctor and the caretaker

After the party and the day with Mac, Beta decided he needed clothes. He was comfortable walking around in the fur but he wanted to keep his bandages clean. He felt he was pushing his luck. Mac gave him the day off to get some clothes.

"I know its ok.... but I just don't feel comfortable being around ponies naked." he explained. Mac nodded. He could see his point. Unlike a colt's, his arousal was pretty hard to hide and was very upfront. He liked Beta, rather a lot, but he could tell he needed a little more... modesty in his life.

Beta put on the torn scrubs he escaped the lab wearing. They were in complete tatters. Besides the fact that scrubs were not meant to be worn for so long, they had been badly torn in his escape. However he wasn't going to walk into town naked. Around the farm was one thing, the town was something else.

Putting the best apples into a bag, Beta hoped to trade apples as well as some ripe vegetables that were growing around his shack. As he approached the arch to leave the farm, he saw Mac with a pouch of money in his mouth. As soon as Beta came close enough Mac tossed the pouch to him. He deftly caught it with his free paw.

"Apples don't always buy clothes" Mac said as Beta heard the jingle of coins in the bag. Shocked, Beta looked up, but Mac cut him off again. "See Rarity. She’s the best seamstress in the area. Tell her I sent you, if it’s not already obvious you are living here." he said with a sardonic laugh.

"She’ll set you up with some good clothes. Get at least one set of nice clothes. You're cute naked,” Mac said with a wink that made Beta blush and smile “but I think for the next party you'd better wear at least pants." Mac finished with a knowing, sly smile that made Beta blush even redder, wondering how much of himself he showed...

Meandering down the lane, Beta noticed a path off the side of the road. He only just noticed it as though the owner thought themselves not important enough to hang a sign or keep the path clear.

'Hmmmmm what's here?' he wondered, his human curiosity getting the better of him. Beta moved aside the brush and followed the path to a quaint little house on a small cliff, past a small creek.

“Over the creak and though the woods” Beta whispered to himself."Nice, if not a little isolated" Beta said to no one in particular. He then heard a familiar squeak and rustling in the brush. Looking in the direction of the squeak, he smiled and said softly "Oh, there you are"

"Thank you Fluttershy." Rainbowdash told him how it had been Fluttershy who first found him and gave him the apples. It was also she who had brought Rainbowdash to him. "You saved my life and my sanity Fluttershy... I really am terribly grateful." he raised his ears high, straining to hear her.

She finally said in the tiniest voice "Y-y-your w-welcome." Her voice was so small and pathetic, it hurt him. She was a truly kind soul who cared a great deal for those around her and here she was.... self-shunning herself as though she was a leper! The injustice raised his hackles...which he quickly flattened with his paw and shook his head clear. She might think he was angry at her for some reason.

"I...I have some apples... I’d like to share them with you Fluttershy." he said in the most soothing voice he could.

“Um... no. I’ll be fine.” she whispered in that tiny voice. “Don't worry about me.” He found her. He moved silently and quickly through the brush. A moment later he was next to her. “Eep!” she squeaked. He looked into her eyes with deep compassion and sadness. She was beautiful.

“Why do you hide?” He asked, pain at her situation clear in his voice. 'No one so kind hearted deserves to feel this way about themselves.' he thought, not for the first time.

“I...I'm...I'm not important. So I hide.” she squeaked again. ‘Was she a pony or a mouse?’ Beta wondered be-musingly.  He was surprised her voice was so soft, even this close. Beta just put the bag down and walked towards her with a determined look on his face. “Oh no... Stay away...don't bother with me" she said.

Beta continued forward. She backed up, then fell onto her haunches in a strange sitting position. Beta got closer. Then he hugged her and said in a tiny voice of his own...

“No.” he said simply and stubbornly “I won’t abandon you. I won’t leave until I thank you...and you accept it” Tears fell onto her shoulder. He was crying at the injustice in the world that would make such a dear, sweet, caring person hate themselves so much.

“You saved me, Fluttershy. I will always be grateful to you for that.”

He held her for some minutes. Past her shaking, almost violently in fear, past her repeated whispers of "No, no, no I'm not...." and finally until she put her forelegs around him returning his hug. Only then did he finally let her go from his grasp.

"You should get out more... clean out your entrance. You're a wonderful person Fluttershy." Beta said, looking into her beautiful eyes. Blushing from his intense gaze, she asked him

“What are you looking at?”  he knew what she meant.

“I'm looking into your soul... and I see one of the purest, kindest, sweet souls I have ever seen.” Beta said with no levity or ulterior motive.

Fluttershy blushed. No one had ever said such sweet things to her before... we'll maybe Rainbow Dash. She could see why Rainbow spent so much time with him.... and talking about him. She could see his words were honest and genuine. Without an ulterior motive. He said this out of actual affection... as a friend. She found suddenly, she was a little jealous of Rainbowdash... but she knew she didn’t have to be. She could be his friend too... just not as special.

“Come on. I’ll help you clearing this excess brush... ok?” he asked. Not wanting to push her, but also serious about making her join the world. She nodded, still blushing a little.

“You...you're really sweet" she said, almost in a normal voice. He smiled warmly.

“One day, I hope to make that true about myself.” he said self detrimentally. He still wasn't sure about his own self-worth. Only that he wanted to make this world a better place. He wanted to make this little pony feel better about herself.

“And you're not leaving until you help me, huh?” she asked, almost laughing. Beta smiled, happy to see she could joke at his expense. It did make him feel better that he could do this for her.

“Ah-yup” he said in his best Big Mac impression. They both giggled, the ice was finally broken between them, causing them both to smile a little more.

Beta stayed with Fluttershy for a couple hours. It was almost noon before they were finished. While Fluttershy was looking away, he swiped at the thicker brush in the path, slicing it away as though it was paper, the biomesh metal in his claws meant that no matter how short he cut them, they were always razor sharp. Something he was always mindful of when he held a pony in his arms.

He waved as he left, it was nearly noon. Beta tossed a few apples from his bag to Fluttershy, which she caught with her wings. She thanked him and he was off. She watched him go into town, feeling a strange sensation of loss. She enjoyed his company ‘...was that what it is like to have friends?’ she wondered.

Beta arrived in town a little while later. His scrubs almost completely shredded because of the brush clearing. There was only enough to cover his sheath, Beta decided to stay in the shadows and back streets. Soon, however, he found Rarity's shop easily enough. He knocked before entering.

“Um...hello? Big Mac...” he didn’t have a chance to finish before some pony was looking him up and down like a piece of fresh meat.

“...and who are you?”  she asked, almost haughtily.

“Um...Hi... I'm Beta. Big Mac...” he began again.

“Oh yes, Big Macintosh.” she said with a very familiar gaze momentarily in her eyes. Beta just rolled his.

‘Geez Mac. Who doesn't want to shag you in this town?’ Beta thought, but a moment later he remembered the rather somber conversation they had about Mac's sex life, or lack of same, and the bemused expression fell away as fast as it arrived on Beta's maw.

“Well, what do you want?” Rarity asked again in that tone.

‘Well SHE doesn't think highly of herself or anything’ Beta thought again. ‘How polar opposite from Fluttershy’. he mused. “I need clothes and I hear you're the best.” Rarity puffed out her chest a bit at hearing this. ‘So she isn’t that self-confident... interesting act.’ Beta noted mentally.

“Well yes, I am...” and she looked at him again, this time really taking in his details... “You’re not from around here are you?” Rarity asked almost off hoofidly, her mind already beginning to calculate Beta's measurements and what  would look good with his coat pattern. 'Strange coat, exotic...' She noticed quietly, smiling a little. Rarity liked the exotic.

‘Brilliant deduction’ Beta thought sourly.

“Um no... Long story. I just need two over-alls and....” he blushed “... some nice clothes.”

“Why do you need so many clothes?” she asked genuinely perplexed. ”why not go...” Beta took off his rags and stood there naked. Only the apples had seen him like this... and Rainbow lately. Rarity forced a gulp as her mouth went very dry.

”Oh... my” she whispered under her breath. She drank in his details. She’d never seen a male like him before. Certainly not so... so... naked. She wasn't going to miss the chance to lap up every delicious detail about him.

“Why not just use a simple cloaking spell?” she asked distractedly, her eyes never rising above his waist.

“Do I look like a unicorn?” he asked sourly. Rarity then dropped head lower, closing her eyes in concentration as her horn began to glow. She shot the simple spell at his groin when there was a flash and she flew back several feet, landing on her haunches and stunned. She shook her head, wondering what she had done wrong before trying again, as Beta walked towards her. There was a loud boom this time and Beta flew back as well, landing on a stack of linen bolts, his bandages glowing. He looked up, his eyes replaced with an eerie blue glow of magic. He spoke with an unearthly voice that was not his own...

“You will not attack this one without punishment! He is under your Queen's protection!  Attack him again at your own peril!”  Then it was over. Beta shook his head and stared sheepishly at Rarity.

”I swear I had no idea that would happen!” he tried to explain, his paws up beside and in front of him. Rarity shook her head...

“Right ...so overalls huh? Plain, common... but a challenge for your um... body” she finished almost breathlessly, between being tossed across the room and his nakedness.

‘Making clothes would be safer than trying to cloak his delicious...’ she shook her head again. She didn't have time for males, not even handsome two legs like him. She had a career to think of. ‘Even a nice roll in the hay would be too distracting.’ at least, she thought it would be.

Rarity proceeded to take his measurements... all his measurements. Beta tried his damnedest to keep his mind occupied on other things as not to show Rarity his... appreciation for her beauty and attention to... detail and... thoroughness.

‘I swear’ he thought at one point ‘if she measures my sheath one more time, I might have something else for her to measure’ at which point he immediately thought of a cold waterfall. A VERY COLD waterfall. With rocks and ninjas... and Barbra Bush. This caused him to open his eyes wide, letting out a shriek of terror.

‘Well... my sheath problem is solved.... forever.’ He looked down at Rarity and blushed. “Sorry... random um... flashback. Very sad life.” he said lamely. Rarity only nodded uncertainly and went back to measuring him in great detail.

Eventually, Rarity had all the details she needed... plus some... and then some more.

“Come back later and I will have your clothes ready" she said simply. "But first...” she went into the back for a few minutes. He heard cutting of fabric, some muttering and finally she returned levitating a pair of shorts with a basic belt. Beta’s eyes nearly popped out of his head and pointed at the shorts.

“Y-you just MADE that?” he said, not trying to hide how impressed he was with her. “There is good and then there's YOU! I can see that even the stitching is high quality” he added. He was truly impressed at her skills.

Rarity blushed very red, looking away, clopping at the ground. Her fine white fur was turning red around her face. She got the odd compliment, but somehow, coming from this stranger, this beautiful hunk of a stranger, meant more to her. 'Whoever catches this one will be the luckiest pony...' she thought sincerely.

“This will at least give you some modicum of decency as you walk around.” she said, still blushing from his compliments, as he grabbed the shorts and started to put them on.

“Thank you miss Rarity.” He said formally.

“Just Rarity and don't worry about payment....” she said with a twinkle in her eye he was starting to notice a lot here.

“I don't mind making your cloths. It’s a nice challenge. I've never done a two-legs....” she blushed at the innuendo... “Made clothes for a two legs before.” Now Beta blushed catching the unintended innuendo

“It'll be fun. Now.... um go away for a couple hours and let me work.”  She said matter of factly. He could see the gears working in her head as she figured what to do. Her professionalism taking over again.

‘Interesting one, that pony. She puts on a haughty air... but she's actually very clever. Very focused on her work. And yet, still unsure of herself.’ Beta wondered what she could accomplish if her trade were gears and mechanics as opposed to clothing.

Speaking of gears... he looked around and noticed the clock and windmill in town. 'They aren't without technology here.' He heard a distant whistle of a train. He whistled himself in appreciation of the technology level. It was deceptively high.

'I think I’m going to like it here.' And Beta smiled again. He was doing that a lot lately... and he liked it.

Across the plaza, Apple Berry was at her stand. She would still be around for another week or so... then she’d disappear. Currently she was flirting with a rather handsome palace guard who was scouting out places for Celestia's favorite student to live. Looking over, the guard noticed the two legs. 'Hmmmm isn't there a standing order about strange two legs?' he wondered to himself.

“Who is that?” he asked Apple Berry. He was hoping to get her in the hay before he had to return to the castle... but he would probably have to leave early anyway. Two legs were... problematic.

Seeing Beta, Apple Berry remembered the decree against foreigners, and her heart was suddenly grasped with a claw of fear. ‘No! Not him! Not Beta!!’ The thought made her face a mask of horror. Thankfully the soldier wasn’t looking. When he turned to her, her face looked bored, even a little ditsy. She had to distract him.

“Um... who?” when the soldier looked back, he no longer saw the two legs. “Odd... I could have sworn I saw a blue two legs over there”

Beta had just notice the guard, and decided to become discreet. He didn’t want royal attention. His only crime was existing, but he understood, to a degree, why Celestia hated his kind. She wanted to protect her subjects, but this was stupid. He was... mostly harmless. He only fought to protect now. And he hoped he would never have to fight again for the rest of his life. He would be sadly disappointed.

The guard managed to catch another very brief glimpse of the two legs. 'Traffic was unusually high today' he thought to himself. Dammit. He couldn't give a report if he didn't have a solid mental image of... he felt a hoof working up one of his hind legs and any thoughts of a two legged freak was the last thing on his mind all of a sudden. Apple needed to keep this clod's mind off of his duty.

She had a sudden urge to strangle him. She knew what this meant. Whenever someone got the attention of the royal guard, they disappeared. 'He’s harmless, really!' she thought

"Why not stay for a while longer?" she said, trying her best to seduce him, hoping to make him forget the impossible.  She could. Her charms were working. She leaned in to lick his cheek and whisper forbidden promises in his ear just as Beta looked over. Apple Berry had a quick twinge of guilt. If she had a chance for him before... She just blew it now. This guard had better be worth it or she’d find a way to get revenge on him.

Beta saw Apple Berry suddenly kiss the royal guard she had been talking to a moment later. He wasn't sure if she was covering for him or trying to get some colt loving... Beta decided to assume it was the first. Her body language seemed... off for it to be the latter. Oddly, he felt a strange urge to beat that guard into oblivion for gaining her affection. He had no idea why he felt that way. He was falling for Rainbow Dash, wasn't he? But this mare also, somehow, had found a way into his heart. He wasn't sure, however, if he'd want her in his bed if she went for the strong, dumb dupes. Of course Mac was strong and anything but dumb. Beta murred to himself very quietly and smiled a tiny secret smile. 'Yes, anything but weak or stupid.'

Hiding in shadows when the guard looked back, the guardsman saw nothing. When he asked Apple Berry about the two legs she fluttered her eyes and asked “Who?  I was just lost looking at you.” She said in a slightly breathless way that she used to get fools like him into her bed. She’d have him tonight, and perhaps tomorrow. She prayed to Celestia he was at least capable.

‘So many guardsmen were are minute wonders it wasn't funny. Did they spend all their time thinking about the princess?’ She thought sourly.

Beta let out a sigh. He saw Apple Berry had managed to distract the guard. He'd likely remember in a day or two his duty. That meant he had to prepare and talk to Mac. But it also meant he could enjoy himself a little longer. Perhaps he could visit Rainbow Dash once.... Beta decided to check out the library... one place he was sure not to run into a royal guard.

A few hours later, Beta walked, with more care to stay in the shadows this time, back to Rarity’s shop with a couple rolls of parchment in his arms.

'Who uses parchment?' he wondered not for the first time that day.

“Hey Rarity, I got an idea for a...” his mouth dropped as he saw, floating in front of him, a very attractive outfit. It would be form fitting in the right places and loose in others. It would be comfortable and showery all at once. Beta whistled in appreciation. “Wow.... Mac wasn't kidding, you really are the best!”

She blushed and smiled, also floated forward his overalls. They were utilitarian but.... fashionable somehow. He could see they were made from a very durable material. She even made a pair of boots that looked like they would not only fit, but be comfortable.

“Wow, you did this in only 3 hours?” he asked, his mouth open in awe.

“No. I did most of this in one hour. Your date clothes took me 45 minutes.” she said, blushing and trying to maintain her haughty air. “But I don't like to work under pressure.” she finished with a wink. Not for the first time, Beta thought about a different pressure for her to work under. He then shook his head clear of amorous thoughts. As he was, Rarity blushed, she was thinking the same thing...

She then folded his clothes in midair then lowered them into bags. "What do you have there?" she asked, noticing the plans he was holding.

"Oh, this!" He blushed and offered them to her. She levitated the plans and started examining them.

"Well, you do have a very interesting imagination!" she said, nodding approvingly. "I can get this fabric I believe today. The rest....” she turned and levitated a small parchment and a quill then wrote down a name and address. “You can get a lot of what you're looking for here.”

“Hmmm... Why is there a map?” Beta asked.

“Because he doesn't live in Ponyville. Kind of a mad scientist if you will.” she said dryly. “You, however, strike me as much saner. Still your idea is the kind of thing he would come up with.” she finished.

Beta looked up and asked “How do you say his name? Doctor... who?”

“Whooves” she corrected and clopped the floor dryly.

“Right... hooves...” Beta said blushing. “Sorry.”

“You're new. You'll learn.” she said without ire. She meant it.  Her sincerity made Beta smile. Looking Rarity in the eyes, Beta returned the sincerity.

"You're an amazing person er.. pony. Truly gifted in creating. That... that's a rare gift.” he then, without realizing it, made a crescent shape in the air and said ”May Luna bless you.”

“You mean Celestia” she said a little confused.

“Um... yeah Celestia” Beta said. “Sister of Luna. May her moonlight protect in the night.” he said smiling. Rarity nodded, a little confused. The blessing came to him instinctively, but now that he'd said it Beta was beginning to wonder why he'd said it, he decided to just smile, bow and leave the shop being careful for any eyes outside.

'What was that about? Oh well, he's new. He’ll learn eventually' Rarity thought before turning to begin work on the suit.

Later that afternoon, across town, at a room the guard was renting, Apple Berry was 'distracting' the guard. She was doing a very good job of it too. He however wasn't. She sighed internally and thought of Beta. His strong arms. His caring gaze... those strange eyes. That kind, sweet heart...that helped a great deal. In the end, she would keep the guard distracted for two days.

Whenever the inept guard was sleeping, loudly, on the hay, Berry found a quiet corner to cry in. She prayed so hard to Celestia that she didn't loose Beta... in a strange way, in the end, she did it for him.

Beta followed the map out of town, on the opposite side from the farm. The building he came across seemed harmless enough. He smelled strange chemicals as he passed the small red barn. Smells that didn't belong here. He knocked on the door and met Dr. Hooves. They met in silence, staring at each other. Then Beta stepped in the little house and they started walking around each other in a circle.

"You're not from around here." They both said at the same time  "You don't belong here." Then they stopped. Dr Whooves looked indignant.

"I have a cutie mark. I'm a horse” he argued, shaking his rump.

“Pony” Beta corrected dryly

“Pony, yes. I belong here far more than you do... you... you, escapee from a military lab!” This caused Beta to stiffen in fear. His anger covering his worry. However as he feigned his own indignation then he stopped.....

“How?” Beta growled, unable to completely hide his fear.

“Your entire being reeks of humans.” Dr. Whooves said almost disdainfully. “The way you carry yourself. You are a martial artist... at least that much is honorable about you.” Dr. Whooves then took a long sniff at Beta. ‘Hmmm’ he thought. ‘I smell Rainbow Dash of course. But....’

"Tell me how is Apple Berry" Dr. Whooves asked, breaking the cadence of his interrogation and deduction about Beta, In a way that threw Beta off.

“Um... fine.” he said uncertainly. “I think she has a date with a royal guardsman.” Beta said, sourer than he meant. ‘Why does that bother me so much?’ he wondered again.

‘Oh my’ Dr. Whooves thought... ‘He doesn't know.’ Dr. Whooves decided it would be best to drop the subject. ‘Perhaps better he doesn’t know. Something tells me he can’t handle that right now.’

“Just wondering.” Dr. Whooves said ”She often brings me left over vegetables she hasn't sold. She’s very kind."

“Yeah, she gave me a couple apples when I first came to town and introduced me to the Apples.” Beta said momentarily disarmed. I live..." then he stopped cold. He was never this open. Certainly not when there was a decree for his head!

'Who are you?' he wondered to himself about this doctor

The Doctor saw the mental change in Beta. ‘He’s figured it out already... smart boy.’ The Doctor thought with growing respect “You... you...” The Doctor stopped his rambling. “You're clever aren't you? Ho, boy you're a clever furry aren't you?” The Doctor stated more than asked. But Beta was through being subtle. He could see the Doctor’s ramblings as partially due to him having trouble with this peaceful life. More than Beta did.

“You haven't adjusted yet, have you?” Beta asked the Doctor without preamble, going on the offensive. "The tranquility, the peace, the lack of certain technology... you still haven't adjusted!" Beta accused.

“Made me show my hand...err hoof. Still haven't gotten the hang of these things." The Doctor said before he stopped. “Dammit.” He sighed in resignation. The game was up. Beta had won.

“No... I haven't. I haven't always been... like this. I grew up a normal colt.” The Doctor explained. But... something happened a few years ago. I...” The Doctor paused unable to continue. He still wasn't sure what happened that day his Time Lord memories came flooding back in bits and pieces. He could remember but only fragments.

Beta could see a mare hiding, looking on from the shadows, extreme concern on her face. ‘She loves him.’ he almost immediately concluded. 'She's worried for his sanity.. and happiness, but she's afraid to confront him on it. She just.. wants him in her life.' Her life story was written all over her face, her strange golden eyes, and her body's posture.

"Who sent you?" The Doctor demanded. His manic left turns were difficult, but not impossible for Beta to follow.

"Rarity. I have some plans for a device that will let me visit um..." Beta blushed now that he was about to say it. He almost felt silly. The Doctor just smiled.

"Let’s see your plans, young furry." The Doctor said warmly. Beta put the plans on a nearby table the Doctor had cleared off. Then he started to examine them. "I assume Rarity is making the squirrel suit. That girl has amazing talent. She will go far..." he paused again, deep in thought. “So many... I’ve known so many talented people...” Beta felt the sadness the Doctor radiated.

'His sadness.. it's so deep in his soul.' Beta reflected. The Doctor's life, while not an open book, was clearly long, very very long compared to his life here in Equestria.

“You're lost.” Beta said. His pity too strong to contain. “Even more than I am.” The Doctor looked up, countless years of pain and age in his eyes. “I don't need to know, Doctor. Not now. But you can trust me...I swear it.” The Doctor believed him. Somehow he knew he could trust this furry. The Doctor just nodded.

“Who else knows who you are, Doctor?” Beta asked.

“You are the only one who has put so much together” The Doctor said. Looking back at the plans, The Doctor whistled in approval. “You are clever aren't you? You really are a proper genius. You already figured out what the tech level for this world is. And you adjusted you plans around that fact. I am honestly impressed, young furry.” The Doctor said, not holding back his genuine praise for Beta. “However it will still take a while to make these boosters.” he said flatly. “Brilliant or no you still...”

“Cannae change da laws of physics kaptain!” Beta finished with a really over the top Scottish accent. The Doctor shared a laugh with him and smiled. "]Good sense of humor will help you in more situations than you... no...no I suppose you do know don't you?" Beta smiled and nodded.

"We can however get you up there to visit your Rainbow Dash." The Doctor said smiling.

Beta stammered and stuttered “H-how?”

“I'm not blind, little one. Rainbowdash has been very happy these last two weeks. You arrived a little over two weeks ago. It’s not hard math.” The Doctor smiled. He liked Rainbowdash. She had spirit. REAL spirit. She was loyal to her friends, and a damned good filly. But that scent of Apple Berry... 'How does he not notice it?' The Doctor pondered again in internal disbelief.

Beta nodded feeling kind of stupid. "You know," The Doctor started, "you have another admirer here." Beta looked stupidly at him again. The Doctor just sighed sadly inside. But also smiled. 'Naive about such simple things. Not a bad thing however. He’s a good boy... he’ll make a great man one day. War and killing didn't necessarily make someone a great person, let alone adult.' The Doctor, sadly, knew this all too well.

"Another admirer? Do you mean Apple Berry?" Beta asked, wondering how the Doctor knew.

"She's also been very, very happy lately. To be honest, I don't know who fancies you more" The Doctor said with a sly smile.

Beta was floored, and blushing very red. He really wasn't sure what to say. He recalled what Apple Berry said before she left the other night. 'What do I say.. or think about that?' He was still coming to grips that maybe he DID have two mares interested in him... 'How do I even choose? HOW did I get here!?' He was beyond confused.

Deciding to take pity on Beta, the Doctor changed subjects abruptly."You should have that bandage looked at. It's... well, it looks like it needs attention" He had noticed Beta's wound, even with the clothes. It wasn't normal in any way, much like Beta.

Beta nodded and half smiled, grateful for the change of topic "Know any good doctors?"

"Yes actually... Well... more of a witch... doctor. Her name is Zecora, and she lives in the Everfree Forest.

"Didn't I just come from there?" Beta asked, a little confused.

"Kind of. That was the missing glen, part of the forgotten forest. It's very close to the Everfree forest, but not as dangerous." The Doctor said matter of factly, suppressing a grin at his glib answer. "You'd be surprised how many ponies just appear... and disappear in that glen." He finished. Beta just gave him a sardonic look as if to say 'really?'

"Ahem... sorry... Yes Zecora. She's a zebra of amazing skill... but she does tend to talk in verse quite a lot." He then turned to the mare standing in the shadows of the doorway. "Derpy, my love, will you be so kind as to give Beta a map to Zecora? I think we still have one laying around"

"Doctor, you know that map is no good" she giggled in a sweet tone "You made it after all! But I think I have a useful map for him" she added, winking at them both, as she turned, swaying her hips suggestively, Beta hoped, for the Doctor's benefit. The Doctor followed her with his gaze her until she was out of sight, where she flicked her tail high offering a couple eye fulls to Beta and the Doctor, clearly showing what was on HER mind at the moment. Beta blushed, his cheek furr turning purple where it was blue, and red where it was white, and looked away,while the Doctor held his gaze, smiling, "appreciating" her teasing gate.

Sighing happily and with more than a touch of desire and heavy with love in his voice The Doctor said "She is, by far, one of the best things to ever happen to me. Here or in my other life."

Beta smiled, looking at the still love struck Doctor. He gathered that it had been many years, but their love was just as strong. Maybe stronger. 'You're a lucky ma.. er.. pony, Doctor' Beta thought.

A few minutes of small talk later, Derpy returned with a light sun dress on, and the map in a pocket. She gave the map to Beta "The circle is here, X is Zecora's. The rest should be obvious."

"See me after Zacora's helped you and we'll see about getting you some flying lessons" the Doctor said. Beta caught a wiff of Derpy's scent and....

'Oh wow... I had better be gone a LONG time' Beta chuckled to himself as he left the Whooves' residence. Not one minute after he closed the dood He heard ripping of clothes and... other sounds of a happily married couple. Smiling, Beta let out a long quiet sigh. He wondered if he'd ever be in a happy relationship like that. Was he destined to be alone?

'And how is this Zecora person supposed to help me?' he wondered as he entered the Everfree Forest.,