Equestria - A Nomad Soul

"Where am I?"

Kayl could think of no other question to ask. The dark alicorn in front of Kayl not disappeared as before. He could have asked who the creature was, or probably just as important would be to ask what it was.

"You are in a dream, Kayl. Your dream to be exact. And I am Luna, Princess of the Night. You have traveled far to get here, and you must now journey far to return home."

Kayl was silent for a moment, but his thoughts were racing, "So this is my dream? But then why do I only dream of darkness? And how is this princess here?"

Though he was sure these were only his thoughts, Luna responded openly to his questions.

"Your dreams are clouded in darkness because your mind is filled with the doubt that consumes you. It is as my sister told you, and I am here because I am always in the dreams of ponies' minds."

"But that's silly," Kayl began. "How can you invade my dreams? I must be imagining you then, because such a thing is not real."

Luna took a step forward, Kayl saw that her hair sparkled like stars in the night sky, and a crown of dark blue sat on her head. She had the same regal look of her sister, Celestia, but she was shorter.

This was the sister that had been banished to the moon, she herself could control the moon just as her sister controlled the sun. Oddly, Kayl was reminded of the story of Zeus, Olympic god of lightning, and his brother Hades, Lord of the Underworld and brother of Zeus. Or worse, perhaps the similarity between God and Satan was comparable. Had Luna craved the power of God so that God had to smite down its own sister?

"Princess Luna, it is you that keeps telling me to embrace the light. What does it mean?"

Luna looked out to a greater expanse of darkness, Kayl looked out with her and saw that the expanse of darkness had shape, though it was veiled in darkness. There however, on the farthest end of the valley of shadow was a bright light that was shining.

"It was a light that brought you to this world, and that same light you must follow to return home. I can only infer that from your dreams, but I sense a great sorrow that will follow you wherever path you choose."

"Then," Kayl asked has he turned back to Luna, "Do you know how I came here?"

Luna shook her head, "No, but your dreams may yet elude to why you are here. Think not of this now, for it is time for you to awake."

And so Kayl opened his eyes. He was in a small cottage; nearby, Fluttershy was watching over him.

"You're in my cottage Kayl. You fainted in the forest so we brought you inside. I'm so sorry if we hurt you in some way. Are you prone to fainting?"

Kayl looked around. He was still in a stupor.

"What do you mean?"

Fluttershy stammered, "Well, you just asked where you were. So that's where you are. You've only been out for a few minutes, but Dash already had to Dash."

Fluttershy gave a slight giggle at her pun. He had asked a question in his sleep, and she had answered. Time seemed to be moving very relative to however it was best suited.

"Did I say anything else in my sleep, Fluttershy?"

Fluttershy shook her head, "You were murmuring, I figured you were waking up. You didn't answer my first question, are you prone to fainting?"

Kayl shook his head, "No, but I think I was overcome by something in the forest. It also probably didn't help that I slept very little last night. I'm sorry if I worried you."

Fluttershy hopped over to Kayl, her body shrunk to a petty size as her whimpering voice squeaked from out of her.

"Oh you don't have to apologize for anything. It's I who should apologize. You must be so tense right now, and we certainly didn't do you any good by berating you with questions. You really should try to relax while you're here with us."

Kayl sighed and tried to stand up, but Fluttershy was already putting her hoof on Kayl's body to keep him still.

"Now I won't be letting you get up so quickly just yet. I want you to have some soup first."

Fluttershy flew over to her kitchen and then, fast as a woodland stream, she returned with a pipping hot bowl of soup with a spoon.

"It smells really good," Said Kayl, as he leaned over the bowl to inspect it. He focused his mind again, reaching for his beads of energy to pick up the spoon, but he was weak, and couldn't find the strength to even lift the bowl."

"Good heavens! You must be tuckered out mighty bad. Here, let me help you. It's really no trouble!"

Fluttershy picked up the bowl and brought it closer to Kayl. Kayl hardly had to move to drink from the soup, but he was forced to lap it up. Still, for all the humiliation he had gone through, this might have been the best soup he had in months.

"It's delicious," Said Kayl after he could have no more, "But you really shouldn't go through so much trouble. I seem to only be weighing down on people."

Fluttershy sighed and moved the bowl aside. She used her snout to nuzzle at Kayl's neck. There was a strange level of comfort he took from this, like receiving a kiss on the cheek, or a big hug from Beth. But Fluttershy looked on with sadness still.

"Kayl, you are certainly not a burden. It's an honor to have you as my guest. But you seem so tense, I'm worried if you can even walk right now. We must do something to help you relax more while you're here. And I think I know just the thing. Come on, let's help you stand up."

Kayl slowly moved his legs to the floor as Fluttershy supported him up onto his feet. His muscles were tense, and his head spun as he stood. Clearly something had caused him to lose his strength, or perhaps all of the stress of his predicament was taking a toll on him. Surely, any other man would have gone mad by now. It was a miracle he had not lost his mind completely.

"You and I are going to go to a spa. I hope that's okay. Today is the day Rarity and I meet together for our weekly spa treatment. I'm sure she wouldn't mind if you joined us. She's a very friend. Goodness, you look as if death is taking you Kayl!"

Kayl wondered over to a mirror. When he saw himself he became startled. It was still a shock to see how he had changed, but there was more. His eyes were puffy and he looked worn. He felt worn too, and perhaps what he needed was the chance to simply forget his troubles.

Slowly, Kayl turned back around to Fluttershy, "Alright, I'll join you."

With exuberance, Fluttershy led Kayl out of the small cottage. Before they left on the road back into the village, Kayl could have sworn he saw some strange creature slipping about. With a strange tail like a lizard. But, he paid it no mind.

Soon, the two were already well into the village, and Kayl noticed a chic building close by. There was a sign that hung from the outside wall with a picture of two ponies, one blue and one lavender, or perhaps some other shade of pink.

"There's the spa, how are you feeling now?"

Kayl sighed, giving out a deep breath and taking it in again, "Strangely weak, but I think I'm feeling better. I think this might turn out to be a good idea, and this friend of yours. What is her name?"

Fluttershy opened her mouth to speak, but was cut of by the call of another voice near by.

A white unicorn, with curled purple mane and tail trotted up to meet the two. It came as a shock that the creature was actually wearing clothes! He wondered if he was supposed to be wearing clothes the whole time and had simply not realized it yet. The dress the unicorn wore was layered with satin and lace, streaked with colors of purple, sapphire blue, and red. A hat adorned her head, fitted with feathers and lace. The entire outfit glittered with small tiny gems on every trim.

"Fluttershy darling! You're finally here! Oh, and you've brought Kayl! Oh Kayl, it's a pleasure to meet you."

Rarity curtsied to Kayl who reacted by nodded, "You must be Rarity. I guess you already know who I am."

Rarity giggle and fluttered, "Oh well darling, you're the talk of the town! Everyone in Ponyville wants to know who you are! And when Twilight told me of the ordeal you had to go through getting here. My my my, but you are a strong and dashing alicorn aren't you? But are you alright? You look rather pale..."

Kayl fought back a groan. Twilight was at work again. No doubt all of the land of Equestria was aware of the threat to their peace. He did his best to force a smile and a nod.

"Oh Rarity," Fluttershy stammered. "I hoped you wouldn't mind. As you can see, Kayl is just in an awful state of stress. I was hoping, by that I mean, I was wondering. Of course, if you wouldn't mind..."

Rarity laughed and pointed a hoof at Fluttershy, "Oh Fluttershy dear, don't stammer so much. You want to know if I'd let young mister Kayl join us on our spa date? Why of course! Kayl, it would be a pleasure to have you join us. I have so many questions too! But we mustn’t spend all day, Kayl. I insist that after our spa date you come have dinner at my boutique. Doesn't that sound grand!?"

Kayl was a bit lost to care. More schemes perhaps, he wasn't worried now. Either he would be trapped here forever, or else he would return home. All he could do was nod and smile. Rarity in turn looked on Kayl with a great deal of concern.

"Darling, you seem filled with dread. Not to worry, I think this spa will be just the thing to perk you up. And I even brought along something for you to wear later." With that, Rarity gave a soft snicker as she led Fluttershy and Kayl inside.

Upon entering the spa, Kayl smelled the aroma of oils and herbs wafting through the air. And two ponies, the same two that were pasted on the billboard outside, came forward to take care of them

"Ah, we have an extra guest with us today. Go ahead and put it on my tab. Kayl is a special guest from Canterlot, and I want him to experience the full rejuvenation experience!"

Favors, gifts, kindness unending, and no way for Kayl to turn anything down: just some of the reasons Kayl could not get out of this mess. These were traps worse than any cage, they were traps of caring and generosity. Than, it occurred to him that Rarity might in fact be just another pawn of the game.

"Excuse me Rarity," asked Kayl as they headed back into the spa area. "But are you by chance one of the Elements of Harmony."

Rarity blushed and giggled and stammered repeatedly, "Oh gosh, well yes. I suppose I am the element of generosity, if you must know. That's very astute of you Kayl. But I'd rather think of who I am as a pony. I am Rarity. Diva of Ponyville, Mistress of Fashion, Passion of the Gems, and I am of course honored to have such a find colt in our town."

Kayl laughed weakly. Inside the spa were a number of tables, pools, and shelves full of oils and ointments. The aroma he had sensed in the lobby outside was only a small portion of the smells he found inside. He took a deep breath and felt immediately at peace.

Once long ago, he had gone to a spa, but he hadn't enjoyed it. The only reason he went was to help seal the deal with a client. He had never gone for himself, but the sensational spa was something much more luxurious than anything he had been to before.

"I guess I have no choice but to simply enjoy myself," Thought Kayl, as eh submitted to the graces of the spa matrons.

First, they were led to a sauna. It was exotically ancient. With heated stones and matrons pouring water for them. As they sat there, Rarity spoke unending about her day.

"And then darling, you will not believe what she said..." and "But let me tell you what I think..." were repeated every other sentence. Fluttershy sat and quietly commented on the comings and goings of Rarity's day. Kayl had very little to say about any of these things, except the one thing he wanted to say was how generous Rarity was being with her words.

"Kayl darling, do you have a lover back home?"

The question came out of left field and Kayl had to shake himself back into listening before he could even respond.

"I'm sorry, what did you say?"

Rarity laughed, "Oh well would you look at that sheepish face. I bet there's a special some pony in your heart back home isn't there. Or do they say special some human? I don't know. Oh good gracious, you must be worried sick about them aren't you?"

Kayl had not thought much of Beth for the past few days. Everything he was dealing with brought his thoughts more and more into this world and farther away from anything back home. And for a moment, Kayl did not know how to rightly answer.

"Well, I do, or did really. I'm not entirely sure. We had a fight recently."

"Oh!? Oh well tell me darling what happened! You must certainly tell us the whole story, and leave not a thing out of your tale."

Rarity descended on the topic like a hawk, talons out. She was ready to grab at any piece of information Kayl had to offer. Kayl began his story as they were moved from the sauna to a massage parlor. Every muscle in his body was kneaded and broken down, leaving him free to speak about everything that he had experienced that fateful night of the party.

He told them everything. How he thought perhaps that Beth wanted too much of Kayl, and how she didn't understand why Barbara might have been the only friend he had. He also told them how he had hurt Barbara too. Rarity was polite the entire time, listening to everything they had to say.

"Well darling, it seems like Beth is insecure about your relationship. She might be jealous, but perhaps if you were more generous in the relationship, she would not be as uneasy about your friendship with another woman. Especially if, as you say, Barbara is the only other friend you can truly speak to."

Kayl hardly realized he had divulged so much. But as the massage was finished they were directed to another area with luxurious tubs filled with water. Kayl wasn't sure how to answer to Rarity's question, but he was feeling much more calm now that he was here.

"I don't really know what to say Rarity. I'm just not ready to have someone in my life like that. I've survived so long on my own. I've taken care of myself, learned how to work hard, and I've learned to trust myself more than anyone. Maybe I'm just not in love with Beth."

Each pony stepped into their own bath and were treated to the most luxurious full body wash. Brushes of soap and moisturizers scrubbed over Kayl's body as he stood in a small bath. On top of it all, small snacks and drinks were offered at the smallest whim. Kayl divulged, and ate whatever was given to him, and drank whatever was offered. Everything was sweet and refreshing. His body felt strong, and as they were all rinsed off, Kayl felt delighted with himself.

Rarity gave a sad sigh, "Oh well darling, if you didn't love her you wouldn't be so upset over what you did. Friendships and relationships are really no different down at their cores you know. Why take Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy!"

Fluttershy gave a squeak, "Rarity, what are you saying! You know Rainbow Dash and I aren't like that!"

Rarity laughed, "Oh come darling, it's nothing to be ashamed of! Those two are just as close as two friends could be, they would gladly give their lives for each other. Now you tell me Kayl, what is really different between that and a lover hmm? Well, I could tell you a few things, but we're rather in public and all..."

Fluttershy's wings flapped out with a gasp, soap water splashed around as Kayl and Rarity laughed out. Once they were rinsed, each pony was dried with towels and escorted to the large pool in the main area. There they all enjoyed a refreshing dip in the hot pool. Bath salts, oils, herbs, and lotions were tossed into the pool, and Kayl waded in the neck deep pool for at least an hour. It felt as if his fur was being painlessly removed from his body, and every pore of his skin was opening up completely. It was a heavenly dip, and the whole hour was spent in calm reflection.

"Why, take my Spikey Wikey and I! Why he's just as charming as a dragon can be. But if he wasn't so kind and generous I don't think we could ever be together."

Kayl looked over to Rarity with a start, "Spike? Spike the dragon? That little thing that lives with Twilight?"

Rarity took offense to this, "AH! Well, hmm, that little thing I'll have you know is my Spikey Wikey. Oh sure he's not perfect, no one is. But he's a gem, brighter than any gem o any gown. Now don't you be rude to him just because he's, well, he can be a bit odd at times I know. But I do love him."

Surprised, Kayl swam over to Rarity with more questions. Here was someone who wasn't just talking about friendship, but romance, and claiming it was the same thing. For better or worse, he wanted to know more.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be rude Rarity. But could you explain more? You say there's little difference between friendships and relationships. Does that mean I might love Barbara more than Beth, because I trust her more?"

Rarity bit her lip and rolled her head this way and that, "Oh how scandalous. I know how you feel. The short answer is yes, but the long answer is only maybe. It all depends. To be honest Kayl, it sounds like you don't really know much about friendship, so I wonder if you would know romance if you saw it?"

Kayl couldn't argue that point. Maybe it was the luxurious treatment of the spa, but everything he was hearing was more agreeable.

"Supposing you're right, although I'm not sure how much I trust you either. Then what can I do? I've been learning quite a deal from you all here in Ponyville. Still, as ideal as it all sounds, it just doesn't make sense in my world."

Rarity smiled and nodded, "Not everyone here is like that either Kayl. You've been meeting a few of us that, admittedly are quite special. Now all ponies are special, but we are the elements of harmony. We represent a bond of friendship, and although we sometimes have our disagreements, we are all the best of friends. But the same formula works even with those who don't believe in friendship."

Kayl had to ask the next question, because he could bare not asking it any longer.

"Has there been a scheme to lead me on this journey? How in the know are you all about me? What have you been told to tell me? And why are things being hidden from me?"

Rarity and Fluttershy looked at each other in shock. They were embarrassed; they blushed; and it was clear they had been caught red handed. Rarity was the first to speak up.

"Very well Kayl, you caught us. You see, it all started yesterday while you were having your flight lesson with Rainbow Dash. Applejack came racing around and talking to each of us about you. Explained you were in need, well, guidance of sorts."

Fluttershy could hardly speak up from shame, "We of course were delighted to have you as a friend, but we thought it was important for you to know more about friendship, because you seemed to be hurting. And then, while you had fainted, Rainbow Dash, um. Rainbow Dash told me about what happened at the flying lesson."

Kayl sank lower into the pool. Applejack had been behind it?

"But what about Twilight? What part does she play in all of this?"

Rarity shook her head, "Oh well, she didn't want us to stress you out. Said you had been through so much as it was. But since she's been stuck up that library for the past day we decided to intervene on her behalf."

Fluttershy nodded, "We didn't mean to upset you though. We had no idea how much pain you were in. And we hope you accept all of this as an apology. Not only from us, but from Applejack and Rainbow Dash as well."

Kayl looked down into the water. Each pony he had interacted with since arriving he had yelled at, screamed at, insulted, and belittled. And yet they were the ones who were sorry.

"This all must be a dream. I can't believe it at all."

Rarity sighed, "Well, I think we had best get on our way then. We still have to stop by my boutique."

Kayl followed Fluttershy and Rarity out of the pool. He felt a thousand times better, but he was still bewildered. Applejack had instructed everyone to talk to Kayl, and Twilight had been stuck in the library the whole time. What was going on?

"Rarity...where are we going?"

Rarity turned back with a giggle. "Oh we're just going to stop by my boutique. I've made something up for you, and I have to make sure it fits first."

Rarity paid with a small bag of coins, which to Kayl seemed like as much money as he could have imagined. Fluttershy left in another direction as Rarity led Kayl across the road to a luxuriously designed, yet quaintly small building not far from the spa. With in a minute, Rarity had opened the door and led Kayl inside.

"Now come on dear, we don't have much time. I just have to make any adjustments before I finish your outfit."

Rarity lit lights in the room with her magic, and sure enough, the room was filled as a fashion boutique. It was as elegant as any store could be found in the city where he lived, and more so. Precious gems sparkled everywhere and soon Rarity had Kayl in front of a mirror. Flowing fabrics around Kayl with such grace and speed that Kayl barely had a chance to comment.

"Rarity...what's going on? Where are we going? What are you doing?"

Rarity laughed, "Darling, how do you feel?"

Kayl wasn't sure why she asked, but he smiled and nodded, "I feel delightful Rarity, I'm so thankful that you treated me to the spa. Really, I mean it. But I'm rather confused. So if Applejack has been running around playing the pawns, what has Twilight been doing? Who was she talking to this morning? And what has she been hiding in her kitchen?"

Rarity giggle delightfully, "Oh darling, you'll figure out soon. But you know, can I ask you one question before we leave?"

Kayl sighed and shrugged, "I don't see how I can refuse."

"Do you think," Rarity started slowly, "That friendship would be something you would want if it was not what you thought it was?"

Kayl thought on this for a moment, "Do you mean, would I want friends, if friends were the kind of idealistic harmonious types that you all are?"

Rarity nodded, "Mm hmm." She wrapped Kayl in satin cloths. In the mirror, Kayl thought that for a horse, he looked rather handsome. A bow tie wrapped nicely around his neck, and a top hat upon his head. Rarity made adjustments in a flash and soon Kayl was looking like one fine pony.

"I suppose I would..." Kayl finally admitted. "But I still don't think such an ideal really exists..."

Rarity nuzzled up to Kayl, "Oh Kayl. Come on...we must hurry now. Twilight and the others are waiting."

Kayl looked to Rarity, "So this is it? I finally get to find out what Twilight's been preparing?"

Rarity nodded, "Yes, now we mustn’t make them wait. You've had to wait for this long enough..."

Kayl nodded, and followed Rarity out of the boutique and down the road to Twilight's house, and the town's library. For better or worse, his life was in the hooves and will of his host. Whatever devilry Twilight had been planning was soon to come to light.