Tugging At My Heartstrings

Tugging At My Heartstrings
By: Pegasi Will rule
Chapter 1

Well, here I am. Well, I should say here I don't wanna be. My name is Mason, Mason Conrad. I'm just your normal nineteen year old guy, spending my days either out with friends or home playing video games. I really can't say my life was exciting, since it wasn't, but I can say I enjoyed normality, as in things not being so horribly askew as to be mind rapingly horrible. I guess this is where I say what happened and why I'm so down in the dumps, huh? You'll have to forgive me, I've never been very good at writing or sharing a story, but I'll do my best to relay it back to you, seeing as how I've got nothing better to do with my time now. Might as well keep a journal as the days go on.

Well, I don't know how we got to this place. It just kind of... happened. I remember driving around with my sister and her boyfriend, and then a bright flash, a sudden stop, and then we woke up in a field of wheat under a bright blue sky. I'm still convinced we're dead, and this is heaven, or would have been if it weren't completely populated by ponies. Although, my views on religion aren't the best anyways, being agnostic like I am.

Well, I can tell you the three of us were scared. My sister was latched onto her boyfriend for comfort, while I only had myself to keep me from breaking down. I was always an introverted child, and when I was upset, I only had myself anyways. I only needed me anyway, seeing as how people spew nothing but bullshit when trying to offer advice, thinking they know what you're dealing with. But, I was okay with that, and I guess It helped me through the beginning of this nightmare.

The mare who found us, Fluttershy was her name, apparently was the residential animal handler, or something. When she found us, she thought we were a new species, and was just so excited. That's when my hopes were dashed that there were other people here. She was a bit frightened when we spoke, but decided to help us out nonetheless, although it was hard to understand what she said when she quietly mumbled to us shyly.

So, we were paraded through a little village; Ponyville was the name of it. Passerby's fled in terror from us, only reinforcing the sad truth that we were alone in this world... I was alone in this world... Anyways, Fluttershy brought us to this gigantic tree, with a sign on the front that read, 'Golden Oaks Library'.

That's where we met Twilight Sparkle, apparent prodigy to the Princess of the land and something called an 'Element of Harmony'. Don't ask me what that means, I really don't know. But, we spent more than our fair share of the day in that library, answering a multitude of questions to compile her list that was at least a mile long. I'm not bullshitting either. The stack of papers literally touched the ceiling.

Only when Twilight finished asking us a plethora of questions was when she decided to send a letter to her Princess about us. Did I expect a warm welcome, the red carpet to be strewn at our feet as we set foot upon this new land? No, I absolutely did not. Do you think that's what we got?

You'd be wrong.

About five seconds after Twilight sent that letter, did we realize we were utterly fucked. Not only did a gigantic white pony literally appear out of nowhere in front of us, but she was accompanied by at least ten heavily armored ponies, each one aiming a spear in our faces. My sister broke down, and Craig desperately tried to comfort her. I just stood there, a look of utter defeat on my face. It was weird though. I was younger than both my sister and her boyfriend, yet I was the one who was keeping the brave face for us, no matter how defeated it looked. Was I scared? Most definitely I was, but I couldn't just show it in front of all of these creatures.

So, once that happened, we were teleported back to a freaking massive castle, where we were questioned, tried and sentenced, as the world thought we were monsters. Apparently ancient folklore in this land listed species similar to us as, and I quote, "Horrible, bloodthirsty abominations". Yeah, great title, right?

So, about a week later, we were facing the gallows. No fucking joke, the hangman's noose was dangling right in front of our faces. But, there was just one mare. One mare who stood up in front of the crowd and decreed 'no'. I will never forget that moment, ever. It was brave, foolhardy, and brash. Something I admired very greatly. The mare in question's name was Lyra Heartstrings, self proclaimed anthropologist. Apparently she had heard about three humans in Equestria, and, upon hearing our predicament, decided to help.

The ropes dangled around our necks as she spoke up, the two Princesses eyeing her with confusion and a hint of anger. Lyra didn't care. She stepped right up on the gallows and spoke to the ponies like she was a trained politician, and got a startling response. Ponies cheered her, cheered her words, her spirit, and her kindness. She spoke of how wrong it was to judge the way we were being judged, to kill without any reservation, simply because we were new to this land. Because we were different. As she spoke, she turned to me, smiling so sweetly and so softly. I could feel the life slowly returning to my body; the life that was torn away the moment we entered this world.

The Princesses held another vote, and this time, we were found innocent of crimes we never committed. The Princesses offered their apologies and gave us enough currency to start a meager life. It was enough for each of us to start a living so that's what we did. My sister and her boyfriend moved into an apartment in Manehatten, while I stuck around in Ponyville, where, coincidentally enough, was where Lyra lived.

I stayed with my sis and her boyfriend for about two months in Manehatten while my home was being built. I really didn't stay there, mind you, since I was helping the ponies who were building my home with the construction. Lyra came by everyday, offering me lunch and a cool drink during the heat of the mid-summer days. She had become my first, and possibly only friend in town, since the ponies were still quite uncertain about my presence. She told me to pay them no mind, and just focus on being happy. I tried, oh did I try to be happy. I just never got that spark of life back that I lost when I came here... It helped that Lyra was so sweet, but, it didn't help that I was alone, without a companion of my own species other than my sis and her boy.

When my home was finally complete, Lyra decided to help me shop for furniture and all the basic necessities my home needed. She even helped me move everything in, the sweetheart. We spent the entire day just organizing my home, talking, laughing... It did feel good to have a friend here, but, yeah... Anyways, once we were done, she decided to throw a house party for me and invite all of Ponyville. I wasn't too ecstatic about the idea, but it would help alleviate public opinion about me.

So, the next day came and it was time for my party. I didn't expect anyone to show up, and I was right. No one came besides Lyra. Even the local party pony, Pinkie Pie, if I remember, didn't show. I didn't care, I didn't need them. If they didn't want to know me, then I didn't want to know them. It's as simple as that.

Lyra brought a fruit salad and a bottle of cider over, and, since no one came to the party, I decided to let her stay for a long while. I whipped up some dinner for us, since I had gone shopping that morning (still receiving strange and scared looks from the residents). I made a simple salad, nothing more, but Lyra said it was the best thing she'd ever eaten. I had bet she was just being nice, but the look of bliss on her face as she buried her head into the bowl suggested otherwise. It was like she had gotten off on that salad, but, I digress.

So, anyways, we just hung out for the night, talking and mingling. Lyra did seem to have an immense fascination with my hands though. She was constantly eyeing them and, at one point when she was quite inebriated on the cider, began to play with them, flexing each digit, studying them like a piece of work. At one point, which to this day I'll still never understand why it was so cute at the time, she placed my hand atop her head. As soon as my fingers slid down her scalp, she dawned a look of pure bliss as she begged me to scratch her head. Being a bit tipsy, I obliged, laying on the floor with her and just caressing her scalp in my fingers. We stayed that way for a while, but soon the silence became too much, and I had to break it.

"Thank you." I said finally, breaking the silence that had gone on for over an hour. Lyra looked over to me, a questioning look on her face as she spoke.

"For what?" She asked, confusion evident in her voice. I laughed that she didn't know what I was thanking her for, which got her to laugh a bit as well.

"For a lot of things. You saved mine, my sisters, and her boyfriend's lives. I just wanted to thank you for that. I'm glad they can be together still and not have to worry about being sentenced to death for nothing... They're lucky, though. They have each other, and I'm-"

"Alone?" Lyra finished for me. I just nodded, looking away from her. That word hurt me in a way it never had before. To actually be alone was the scariest feeling of my life. I'll never hear the sound of my name called by friends and family again, nor will I know the touch and caress of a woman, the love of relatives... To know I was never going to see any of them again was... crushing; crushing to the point where I had a loosing fight with my emotions and just broke down.

Lyra sighed and gave my cheek a nuzzle with her soft little muzzle. "I know how you feel. Ponies didn't want to be around the 'crazy human believer'. The only friend I have is Bon-Bon, and she still thinks I'm crazy, just like everypony else... But, I'm not crazy! I was right! Humans do exist! I'm talking to one right now!"

I smiled and nodded, trying to get comfortable on the hard carpet as I wiped away my tears. "You were right, though. Still, you weren't sent to some fairy tale land for God knows what reason... I have nothing; no future, no one to share my life with... It's painful, Lyra." I turned back to her and noticed the sad look dawning on her face as her ears splayed back. "I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to lay it on you like that... I'm just a bit stressed is all."

Lyra nodded as I continued to scratch her scalp, although she didn't seem to notice it anymore. She just looked away, lost deep in thought about something. She didn't say anything after that, and soon, she fell asleep against me, her head resting on my shoulder. I fell asleep next to her a few minutes after that, too tired to care anymore. I at least had a friend who wanted to be by my side when I was upset, and she was really sweet, if not a bit eccentric. I still remember feeling her cuddling up closer to me just before I fell asleep. We were both lonely, and we needed something like this for each other. Platonic, of course.

The next morning was a bit awkward. Lyra and I both woke up, her body pressed against mine as the two of us spooned on the floor of my home. My arm was draped around her body and she was holding onto my hand in her hooves, pressing it against her soft barrel. We both awoke at almost the same time, her a little bit earlier, which is what caused me to wake up.

She let out a small gasp as she pulled away from me, startling me back into the land of the living. I just rubbed my eyes, perplexed. "I'm sorry! I-I didn't mean to have that happen!" She sputtered, confusing me to no end.

I just stared at her with a raised brow, having no idea what she was talking about at the time. "What do you mean? Sorry for what? You did nothing wrong." I grumbled. I wish I didn't say the last part...

Lyra just stood there her mint green cheeks a faint red. "I-I... really? You... don't think so?" She asked uncertainly, her eyes filled with a mixture of emotions from uncertainty to hope.

"Mmm... Nope." I groaned, looking over at the clock on the wall. It was only 7:20 in the morning, and I was so unused to being up that early. I was still half asleep, which is when my mouth works faster than my brain. "We should do this again sometime. It's nice to have someone close."

Lyra's face instantly lit up, as if I had said some magic word. "Really?! Oh, wow! Yes, I'd like to... do this again, if you want." She smiled, twirling her short hair in her hoof. I just nodded, making her blush as she giggled slightly. I had no idea why at the time, and you'll find out soon enough.

Lyra looked to the clock, then back to me. "Well, listen; if you're not doing anything later tonight, I'd love it if you could come to dinner at my house, meet Bon-Bon and everything..." She muttered shyly. I was confused as to the sudden personality shift, but paid it no heed, as I was still extremely tired.

"Yeah... sure. What time do you want me to come over?" I asked, wiping the crusties out of my eyes. Lyra tapped her chin as she thought of an appropriate time for me to arrive.

"How does... eight sound? I mean, if that's too late, then we can move dinner back." She said quickly, as if she would offend me by the time. I didn't care what time dinner was at for her. I don't tell people how to live to accommodate me in their home, so anytime would be good.

"Eight's okay. I'll see you then." I said, sitting up from my makeshift sleeping spot. I was instantly body tackled by Lyra as she wrapped me in a large hug, squeezing me silly. I hugged her back, with a bit of trepidation over the new found affection. Something was screwy with her.

"Okay. I can't wait to see you!" She gushed, releasing me as she went for the front door. "Bye! See you tonight!" She sang as she left, shutting the door behind her. I went for the window, watching her leave. She had a massive skip in her step as she trotted into town, her eyes shut in content as a smile plastered her muzzle. Who the hell could be that happy at seven in the morning?

Well, I found out later why...