Cold Days with Stars & Diamonds

by SteelyThePally

Rating: teen
Tags: Human, Twilight Sparkle, Sad, Original Character, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Rarity, Romance
Length: 6850

John's life had just turned upside down after two peculiar girls knock on his door during a brutal blizzard.

John Sullivan has recently decided to settle down in Anchorage, Alaska, after everyone he loves and cares for tragically passes away. Feeling depressed and pretty much done with loving, with the risk of losing someone close to him again, he decided to get away from it all. However, his plans for solitude in the cold have just been flipped upside down as two very peculiar young women come knocking on his door in the middle of the night. And they're freezing.

Follow his trials and tribulations as he forces himself to aid these girls, and find out if he can, once again, find companionship.

This is proofread by Starlight Shadow. You guys should check her work, too.

This is Humanized. You have been warned.

Published 2013-12-23 05:30:02 UTC
Last updated 2014-02-27 00:06:52 UTC

Strangers In The Blizzard

Anchorage, Alaska, 7:24 p.m.

Finally, some vacation! After all that shitload in the grocery store, I deserve some rest. I got robbed three times in the same week, excluding the not-so friendly costumers. And right on time. Winter has just began, and temperature's been dropping like hell those days. Thankfully, this house has a cozy fireplace that incredibly warms it up, so I don't need to worry. And I've got many heaters scattered around, so I won't freeze during this Antarctica-like winter. God may have heard my prayers... At least I'm not that depressed...

I now leave my hot bath, quickly drying my body with my towel. The steam coming from the bathtub now keeps the bathroom warm. After drying my body, I quickly run to my room and dress in my pajamas. Suddenly, a good sensation floods my heart, and I just wrap myself in my blanket, and lazily rest in my bed.

I turn my Xbox on, and decide to play some Skyrim. 'I need to get that damned Ebony Armor' A quick thought passes through my head as I remember getting killed by a elder dragon. As the game loads, I turn my stare to a picture of my dad and my uncle. They took that picture while on an aircraft carrier. They were both from the VF-103, the 'Jolly Rogers'. They fought in the Afghanistan. Downed many helicopters, and played a big role during close air support missions. Pretty good pilots, those two. Man, I'll never forget the day when the news showed two jets being shot down by a goddamned SAM. I sat all night crying... "Dad, I miss you so much..." I mutter to myself, holding the small frame in my gloved hands. My eye's water as I remember every good moment that I had with them. Before I could cry a river, I wipe the tears that dripped from my cheeks, and I put the frame back on the shelf were it belonged to.

Then, my eyes turns to the frozen window. My emotions go away as I stare at the beautiful night sky, snow dropping peacefully from the clouds. I gaze at the amazing scenery for minutes, eventually zoning out. My gaze was only broken when a blizzard started to ravage the outside, blocking my view. This made me return to my gameplay of Skyrim, the game already on the main menu. I find my save and continue my epic quest as Dragonborn.

One hour later...

"Ah, my Ebony Armor has been crafted! Now, I can kill those legendary dragons!" I state to myself, a wide grin on my face as I switch to 3rd person view, looking amazed at the midnight black armor set. Skyrim's the only game that can help me get out of a bad mood, aside from Fallout. As my Nord left Whiterun to search for some enemies to kill, my hunger starts to attack my poor stomach. I feel a bit disappointed, but I was starving at that point. I pause the game and slowly make my way to the kitchen. Calmly going downstairs, I shift my eyes at the numerous pictures on the wall, most of them showing me with my grandma. Poor granny Abigail... she's so sick now. But she's someone that won't leave my heart. After all, she lend me most of the money to me, so I could buy this house. I wish I could return the favor one day...

At the kitchen, I cook the delicious beef that I bought at the supermarket with experience. I am no chef, but this beef... it's completely delicious. After cooking my meal, I sit on my chair and enjoy my well-cooked dinner. While I eat, my mind focuses on everything that I can do during this vacation. Maybe I'll try to nail some new tricks with my snowboard. And climb Mt. Denali, and train to climb Everest, and who knows if I get famous? Well, snow biking wouldn't hurt anyone, but, considering the recent snowstorms, riding a bike is as difficult as piloting a jet without wings.

I let a sigh escape my lips as I relax in the comfy chair, trying to take a quick nap. Suddenly, I remember that I need to wash the dishes. I groan in annoyance, grabbing both my plate and drinking glass. As if washing the dishes wasn't enough, then imagine washing them during a cold-ass climate. Taking my gloves off, I turn the tap on, freezing water coming from it. Leaving the dirty plate together with the glass, I just rotate the tap to give it a nice and fast wash.

After that, I sat at the living room, warming my hands at the fireplace. I roll my eyes at the room, staring proudly at my miniature aircraft collection: F-14s,F-15s, F-16s,F-18s, a F-22 Raptor, Nearly all of the 'Sukhoi' russian fighters, MIg's 21, 23 and 29, including some WW2-era planes like the P-51 Mustang, Mitsubishi 'Zeros', Spitfires, a PBY Catalina, and even the first jet, the legendary ME-262. I sigh, all of my worries getting away.

Warming myself again, I return to my gameplay of Skyrim. But, when I finally find a comfortable position to play, I hear someone knocking at my door. I pause the game again, and look weirdly at the window, witnessing the brutal blizzard that ravaged the outside.

"Who would knock at my door during this snowstorm? Maybe my neighbor, giving me a welcoming gift or something. He maybe dressed as an astronaut, to handle this cold." I say to myself, slowly getting up from by bed. As I go down the stairs, they knock again. "Patience! I'm coming!"

Unlocking the door, the freezing wind that was blowing outside meets my body. I glance down to see the weirdest sight in all of my life: two snow-covered girls, dressed only with their underwear, shaking with the overwhelming cold. My face then burns with a deep blush.

"Please, help us..." One of them say, while I try to process the situation in my mind. Putting my hand on their shoulders, I guide them inside my house. They were freezing, ice covering their whole bodies. Now, my mind raced to ask this question: 'What the fuck is happening?'

One of them raised her head, looking at my fireplace. Stumbling, she launched herself to the ground, warming herself, a strange smile appearing in her frozen face. The other girl did the same, lifting both hands to warm them, leaving me clueless and staring at the awkward moment. A weird will to help them grows in my heart, and I go upstairs to bring them some blankets. While removing mine and taking another one from my cabinet, I ponder on the recent events:

'Okay so, now I let two half-naked girls inside my house, without even knowing them... C'mon John! You're going to help them! Since you was a kid you liked to help people in need!'

Coming down the stairs like a rocket and carrying two blankets, I glance at the two strangers. Their time warming themselves at my fireplace had melted the snow and ice in their hair and bodies. The one who asked for help had a perfectly combed purple hair, and well, her body was spetacular! Unconsciously, my eyes rolled to her hip, a weird tattoo on it, three diamonds. And the other was as beautiful as her friend, her hair being purple with a purple stripe on it. She had a tattoo too, a big star with 5 smaller ones circling it. Now, I thought that I let in my house two weirdos who dye their hair. Details aside, I notice that they formed a pool of water under them, letting my crimson-red mat soaking wet. I sighed annoyed at them, crouching right next to the one with the beautiful body.

"T-thanks f-for h-helping us, d-darling." She thanked me, her voice showing how much she was suffering with the cold. 'Jesus. I'll bring them some blankets. At least they aren't dead." I thought, and then darted myself to my bedroom.

At my bedroom, I turn my Xbox off, but instantly remembering that I haven't saved my game. But I put this petty worry aside, and take the blanket from my bed, and another from my closet, and launch myself like a rocket to cover them. Grateful smiles appear on their faces as I put the blankets over their bodies. This makes me feel like a good person, as they just wrapped themselves, sticking their hands towards the fireplace. I sit on my sofa and watch as the pair of girls slowly fall asleep.

30 minutes later...

I am getting a little worried. They haven't moved I muscle as I watched them sleeping. Also, I don't know how I managed to stare at two women wrapped in blankets for 30 minutes. Their faces were pale, making me worry even more. I then stand up, and nudge them, their eyes opening slowly, laziness clear on their expressions.

"Uhn, are you two feeling better?" I ask, the one that thanked me replying.

"Yes, darling. I am feeling a lot more warmer. Thanks again. Should I ask your name?" She then yawned adorably, my cheeks burning as I controlled myself not to let out a long 'Awwwn'. I then calmly answered:

"John Sullivan. And you are...?"

"Rarity Belle. And this is my friend Twilight Sparkle." She pointed at her friend, who smiled at me sheepishly. 'Whoa, those are weird names.' I thought, and looked at the burning wood that lightened the room with a cozy amber light. For a second, their faces showed clear paranoia as both girls looked at their bodies. Two loud gasps came from their mouths, and the one called 'Twilight' asked me, worried:

"Where are we? And what have you done to our bodies?" Okay, not knowing where you are after a cold-ass blizzard is normal. But asking what I have done to their bodies was completely... awkward. Thoughts aside, I replied:

"Calm down. You're in my house. Anchorage, Alaska, to be more specific. And I haven't done anything to your bodies!"

"Alaska? Anchorage? Where is this-" She was interrupted by Rarity, who put her hand on Twilight's mouth.

"What my friend here is trying to say is that we were ponies moments ago. Also, what are you?" Rarity asked, drowning myself in the weirdness of the situation.

"I'm a human, just like you two. And, you said that you were ponies? Are you sure of this?" She nodded, bugging me completely.

"Humans? Twilight told me about your race. Very nice to make your acquaintance." She was totally calm, considering her panicking friend. I then tried to escape from the subject that we were about to discuss:

"You two look hungry. Let's go to the kitchen, so I can feed you two." They followed me, still wrapped in the blankets, Rarity still covering her friend's mouth.

I walked calmly through my house, every step that I took making a familiar creak. While this sound could be annoying to many, it was relaxing to me. At the kitchen, Rarity and Twilight stood near the table, Twilight's voice being muffled by her friend's hand. I chuckle silently and open the cabinet to find average quantities of snacks and beverage. I find my cookie jar, and leave it on my small table's surface. The girls were reluctant to sit, obvious due to being in a stranger's house.

"Hey, you guys can sit. I'm going to make some hot chocolate, so, relax." My words made them sit, Rarity finally taking her hand off Twilight's mouth, the girl breathing heavily. They stared at each other for seconds, and then giggled innocently, turning their stares to me. I turn my back on them, concentrated on the hot chocolate. I then ask them:

"So, where are you guys from?"

"Equestria." This word made me look at Twilight in confusion, but she cut me off before I could say something. "Okay, I'll explain everything." She clears her throat and started to tell me the story:

"Equestria is a magical land, ruled by ponies and many other races, like zebras, dragons, griffins and so many others." She takes a pause, and the only thing that I do is stare at her with confusion, my eyes showing how much I thought that they were suspicious. I take a long sip from my hot chocolate while Twilight continues her story "Equestria is ruled by Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, who, respectively, raise the sun and the moon." Her statement nearly made me spit the hot liquid out, both girls staring at me weirdly. I choked slightly with the hot chocolate, and after many coughs, I signaled Twilight to continue. "There are three kinds of ponies: earth ponies, pegasi, and unicorns. Me and Rarity were unicorns. Our friends, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, are pegasus. Pinkie Pie and Applejack are earth ponies. And together, we are the Elements of Harmony!" She ended her explanation increasing her voice tone.

I glance at Twilight, trying to process what she had just told me about.

"Okay, let me see if I got this right. You told me that you two came from a magical land, ruled by ponies and other mythical creatures, and that you guys were the 'Elements of Harmony'?" They nod positively at me. I control my wish of laughing my ass off. What they just told me was completely hard to swallow. But there was some things that made it true: she said that with incredible seriousness, their hair colors, and the use of 'everypony', 'somepony' and 'anypony'. Or the word 'pony' itself. But other thing that passed through my head was that they were into drugs.

My expression shows how much I was confused. Now, I pondered at the new challenge that life has thrown against me. I couldn't just dump them at the street. They wouldn't know how to survive here. After everything that Twilight said me, I saw that such innocence wasn't going to survive a minute, considering the quantity of assholes and pervs out there.

"Look, I'm going to take care of you two. So, my bedroom is 'yours'. I'll sleep in the couch. Don't worry." This made them look at me with happiness, my eyes staring at them suspiciously.

"Thank you again, John. Are you sure about your bedroom? It's your house, you should sleep..." I cut Twilight immediately:

"No, I'm okay." I look at the clock: 11:00 p.m. "Well, look at the time. Rarity and Twilight, go to sleep. You two look tired." They stood up, and gone upstairs. Suddenly, Rarity called me:

"John, is there anything that we can use to brush our teeth?" Well, this is another problem. I enter the bathroom, and open the cabinet to find my reserve toothbrush. "Any problem with... sharing the same toothbrush?" I ask, Rarity's expression showing disgust. I could understand this reaction. Sharing the same is, weird. She shrugged, and I collected my toothbrush, getting downstairs to brush my teeth at the kitchen's sink. It may sound strange, but in the current situation...

After turning off the freezing water, I went upstairs and grabbed the last blanket, way more thin than the one which Rarity and Twi were using. They were still standing on my room, something that made me ask:

"Hey, what are you two waiting for? Just lay on the bed and sleep!" Rarity nearly jumped on my bed, a loud 'creak' sound being heard. Twilight sighed and looked at me:

"Not being rude here, but do you expect me to sleep on the floor?" She got a point on that. I took the mattress that I kept under by bed off and placed it on the ground, leaving a pillow on it.

"Well, it's nothing special."

"Ah, I'm okay, Mr. Sullivan. Thank you for everything!" Twilight then rested her head on the pillow. I turned my back on them, and before I turned the lights off, I gave them a fatherly 'Good Night'. Going down the stairs with caution, I walked through the pitch-dark living room of my house. The fire had already died, leaving only some weak amber dots on the burnt wood. I laid on my couch, moving my body numerous times trying to get comfortable. I was able to hear some coughs and sneezing, completely obvious during to their exposure to that blizzard. After multiple turns, I find a comfortable position to sleep, as my mind focuses on the adventures that I would live with those girls in my house...

Of Shopping, Beefs and TVs

I slowly open my eyes, yawning lazily. Looking around, I notice that it was already morning, the Sun's light penetrating the windows, illuminating the living room with a cozy yellow light. It was still cold though, but my heater was taking care of that. I got up, trying to remember why I was sleeping in my couch instead of my bed. Then, I remembered about the two girls that knocked on my door last night. Silence predominated in my house, only the occasional cars passing by breaking it. My eyes pass through the clock: 7:23 a.m. A yawn escapes my lips again.

"Maybe, everything was dream!" I state to myself, but suddenly, I hear sneezing and coughs. "Shit..." I get up from the sofa, my back making satisfying 'pops' and 'cracks'. I wake up a little more, and lead my lazy body to the staircase.

I go upstairs, taking every step with extreme caution so I wouldn't wake them up. My room was still dark. I swiftly opened my bathroom door, and closed it softly. After taking a long breath, I look at the mirror: my hair was completely disheveled. I wash my face, waking me up slightly. I proceed to brush my teeth, staring at my zombie-like face at the mirror. I groan and pass my hands on my hair, giving it a better look. After washing my face again, I go down the stairs, and proceed to prepare breakfast. Well, not 'prepare', just make some coffee, and fry some eggs. As I get the frying pan from my cabinet, I pour some oil over it and crack some eggs open to begin my cooking.

As I peacefully fry the eggs, I hear footsteps coming from my room. As my ears paid attention to their not so soft steps, I see them coming down the stairs. Twilight's hair was even more disheveled than mine, and they stumbled downstairs like zombies. Rarity's, however, were perfectly combed. The looks on their faces were... tired. Even though they slept on mattress. Their noses were red, obviously due to their time in the blizzard yesterday. Both girls were still wrapped around on my blankets, but I couldn't blame them considering their clothing.

"Good morning, Twilight and Rarity." I said, and turned my stare to the eggs that I was frying.

"Good morning, Mr Sullivan." Twilight mumbled, and sheepishly smiled at me.

"Good morning, darling." Rarity mumbled, her tone being way more active than her friend's. "And can we brush our teeth at your bathroom?"

"But of course! Why would I say 'no'?" Hell, they were very well-mannered on that 'Equestria' place. Way too well-mannered. Rarity and Twilight returned upstairs, sounds of water flowing being heard as soon as they entered the bathroom. I chuckle slightly, and put the now fried eggs over a plate. I then sit on my chair, and take some bites off the egg, tasting on how well I was cooking. Grandma taught me. 'Ah, grandma... I'll pay you a visit those days. But those two girls are going to get on the way, surely.' A quick though passed through my head, and I shift my stare to my aircraft collection.

The weird duo then came down the stairs, tightly wrapped in my blankets. Strangely, Rarity kept a close eye to my pajamas, a disgusted look on her face. She then asked:

"What are those awful clothes that you're using, John?" Strange. All her laziness was gone while she said that.

"My...pajamas?"

"Don't say that you use this to sleep! It's a crime against fashion!" Rarity nearly shouted her last phrase, while Twilight rolled her eyes through my house, eventually stopping and staring with interest at my jet collection. She was very observant. I bet that she was kind of a geek back at her land.

"Uhn... well, let's have some breakfast!" I tried to escape from a imminent argument, successfully doing so when the duo sat on my chair. Their faces lighten up when they saw the fried eggs, and they happily chewed on it. Then, Twilight asked me a question:

"Mr.Sullivan, why do you wear clothes all the time?" My eyebrows furrowed at her question. I took a long sip of coffee before answering:

"Ahn, mostly 'cause it's cold, and because I need to cover.... my body?" My cheeks burned like fire, Rarity and Twilight both staring at me, confused. "In your 'land', you guys walked around naked?"

"Yes. We only used clothes during big events, like galas." Rarity answered, and took a sip from her coffee.

I nod and continue to eat my perfectly-cooked breakfast, shifting my gaze to the window: the sun shined weakly, and snow dropped peacefully. A warm smile appears on my face, and I unconsciously look at Rarity's breasts. My conscience then takes over again and diverts my eyes from the girl's chest, my face red like a tomato. 'Goddamnit, she's ho...' I slap myself before I could 'end' my though, getting Rarity and Twilight's attention.

After the girls finished their breakfasts, I stood up and said:

"So, I see that you two need some clothing. I'm going to buy some at my friend's boutique. Just stay here, 'cuz I'm gonna be back in a while."

"No, you won't! I would never let somepony buy clothing for me without my presence!" Rarity protested, the expression on her face showing annoyance.

"And, Mr. Sullivan, we don't know our measures." Twilight completed her friend's comment. I had to admit, they were right.

"But I can't let two girls out wrapped around in my blankets, and wearing only their undergarments! Only if..." A mischievous smile appears on my face, and I run upstairs, the duo following me.

10 minutes later...

"You're kidding, aren't you darling?" Rarity stared daggers at me, pushing her sleeve up to fit right with her arm. I looked at the two girls, a killing wish of laughing boiling inside me. I let a soft giggle escape from my lips, and examine the now properly dressed women. Well, not so properly. My coats were loose, my pants were slipping from their waists, and the shoes weren't fitting normally. Twilight's coat had a hoodie, and I bet that if she put it on, she would be like Eminem. A rapper. Jesus. But she looked way more comfortable than Rarity, who was cursing me and my clothes.

"Hey, you asked for this!" I reply, Rarity groaning loudly, while Twilight scanned her new clothing with interest.

"Whatever, let's go already!" The indigo-haired woman yelled, and groaned again.

I go downstairs, Rarity and Twilight following me. I grab my car's key from the table, and open the door to the outside. I'm greeted by the Sun's weak shine, numerous snow flakes falling slowly from the sky. I shift my stare to my old Crown Victoria, more white than before. I open the front door, allowing Twilight to enter. She awkwardly looked at the vehicle, asking shortly after:

"What's this?"

"A... car? Never seen one?"

"No?" I let a sigh escape from my lips, and roll my eyes through the snow-covered street.

"Just enter, and sit on the seat!"

Twilight entered in my car, and looked at it's interior with great interest. I opened the back door to Rarity, and she reluctantly entered my old vehicle, looking with disgust at my seats, who were stained with blue paint, a small accident that happened months ago. She looked back at me, and I only shot a annoyed look at her, making the indigo-haired girl sit on the car's seat instantly.

"Fasten the seat belts." I alert, fastening mine. Twilight and Rarity look at me confused. "Just pull this thing, and attach it to this." I guide Twilight's hand, fastening her belt, as Rarity successfully copied my movement.

"Why?" Twilight asked. Goddamnit, her she ask too many questions.

"Well, if I crash the car, we won't fly through the windshield. Simple, isn't it?" I reply, their expressions getting worried, which I reassured with a soft smile. I turn the key, and the engine roars loudly. This scared the girls even more, Rarity jumping on her seat. I tried to hold my laugh, the indigo-haired woman shooting daggers with her angry look.

"What was that?" She asked, a curious look on her face.

"The engine."

"What's an engine? How does this thing move? Does it use magic? Or it is an animal?" Man, she's fast to ask questions. I put the car on the road, and try to reply on what the girl just asked me.

"No, it's powered by fuel. The four tires below us make it able to move. And no, it's nothing magical or alive. It's only a big piece of metal protecting a engine and thousands of another small things, like pistons. I don't know everything about them, so, let's just stay quiet." My answer shut her up for some time, and I began to pay attention to the road. Some people walked on the sidewalks, and cars cruised slowly. I stop the car at a crossing, waiting the traffic light to turn green. I use this to gaze at the skies: numerous clouds were hiding the Sun, more and more snow flakes falling from the sky.

"Crap, let's just hope that no blizzard is going to happen today." I state to the girls, the traffics light shining a bright green. The small  pack of cars that formed behind me now moved again, and I turn the steering wheel left, nearing my friend's boutique.

"You humans don't control the weather?" Rarity questioned, returning her gaze to the window, excitedly looking at the quantity of houses and shops on the street.

"No? Shit, why would we control the weather?" I confusedly reply. But controlling the weather must be something very interesting...

"Well, in Equestria, pegasi scheduled sunny and rainy days. Even blizzards." Rarity explained, carefully not touching anything on my car. Man, she's nitpicky.

"Ah, nice. Wait, what?!?" I shout inside my car, nearly pulling it to the side of the road. "How the hell you people managed to control the weather?"

"Well, like Rarity said. Pegasi controlled the weather, scheduling a day's climate." Twilight stated, and I only tried to swallow what they just said to me. If just to ask what they were smoking...

After various turns and straight streets, we arrive at the boutique. A large sign read 'Betty's Boutique' proudly. I park the car at a nearby parking lot, and we leave the vehicle. Rarity's shoe escaped from her left foot, the girl groaning in annoyance. She recovered it from the small snow pile, and tied it even more tightly. As soon as we left the parking lot, weird stares met us. Even laughs were heard, probably coming from some 10 year old. I ignore the quantity of people staring at me and the girls, and we enter the boutique, a bell ringing as the door opened.

"John! Long time no..." Betty, the shopkeeper, launched a confused stare at me. She was my age, friends since elementary school. 'Good ol' friends' A flashback of our childhood plays in my mind, and I close the shop's door, a satisfying creaking sound filling the air.

"Don't even ask, Betty." I reply, and Betty looks away. focusing her eyes under the counter. "Okay, take a look around. Remember, you two are buying casual clothes to withstand Anchorage's cold, so don't come up with a fancy dress." I say to the girls, and they immediately began to browse on the immense variety of clothing. I sit on a couch, and rest my head. My eyes pursue the duo of girls, who remembered me of my mom and grandma shopping together.

Memories of my mother sweep inside my mind. She was so sweet... but after dad's and uncle's deaths, she began to drink so much... God, that car crash was the best thing that happened to her. Poor mom...

Rarity and Twilight now carried a pile of shirts, coats, pants, shoes and even socks. My expression went blank, and they entered the dressing room. They were carrying a mountain of clothing, but that didn't worry me. The prices were always low, and Betty likes to give me discounts after I worked for 6 months with her. After yawning, I close my eyes, and slowly begin to fall asleep.

2 hours later...

"Mr. Sullivan? Are you okay?" A feminine voice awakens me from my slumber. I open my eyes immediately, and look up to see Twilight and Rarity, still dressed on my clothes, holding the enormous quantity of clothes on their hands. I yawn and get up, stumbling slightly, and lead the duo to the counter were Betty was. Rarity and Twilight drop the pile of clothing over it, and the ginger-haired shopkeeper only counted the products, and said:

"210 dollars."

"Really? Okay, Betty. Here you go." I hand her two 100 dollar bills and one of 10, and she stored them on the cash register. However, I did not understand how she managed to get to the exact result without even checking their prices. "How did you do that?"

"I memorized the prices, since the boutique is mine. Let me just put the products in a plastic bag. Wait a minute." She crouched and grabbed two big green plastic bags, putting the pile of clothes inside them. After doing so, she handed both bags to me, and boy, they were heavy. After nodding to a waving Betty, I leave the shop carrying the two heavy as hell bags, followed by a grateful Rarity and Twilight, who had innocent smiles on their faces. We entered the parking lot, and I stored the bags inside the Crown Victoria's trunk.

I turn the car on again, and after I maneuvered it out of the lot, I payed the owner, and hit the streets, going back home. As I drove the vehicle through Anchorage's streets, Twilight said:

"Mr. Sullivan, I want to say, yet again, that me and Rarity are very grateful for what you done yesterday."

"Naah, there's no need to thank me. You two were freezing, and needed shelter." I reply quickly, and a feel of kindness sweeping through my chest.

After mere minutes, I arrive home, hunger making my stomach perform various sounds. I park the car, and immediately  open the car's trunk, and remove the bags from it. Twilight and Rarity were relieved to exit my car. I groan loudly, and open the door to Rarity, who left the vehicle swiftly, and placed herself near my house's door. Twilight, instead, picked one of the bags, and helped me carry them to the door.

I open the door, revealing my home's cozy and comfortable interior. I hand the plastic bag that I was carrying to Rarity, the girl gulping when she felt the weight of what she made me buy.

"Well, then. Bring those to my room, dress up, and I'll cook our lunch in between. Go now." I 'order' them, and the duo ran upstairs. A soft smile appears on my face, and I turn myself to the small kitchen.

15 minutes later...

I look down at the perfectly cooked steaks proudly. My stomach does a back-flip, showing how much I was hungry. I put the grilled meat on a plate, alongside with another one full of rice, a spoon sitting on top of it. Before I could sit on my chair, I get some cups from the cabinet, and a jar of orange juice. I leave them over the table, and calmly sit on the chair, putting a small quantity of rice and one of the delicious beefs on my plate. The girls then came down, dressed in proper women clothes. Rarity's were way more... sophisticated than Twilight's, but I have to admit that I don't give a fuck to style.

They both sat down quiet, and stared awkwardly at the meal. Twilight asked me, her finger pointing to the grilled meat:

"What's this... thing?"

"Beef. It's good, I assure you." I reply, and take a bite off mine, tasting the fruit of my average cooking.

They glance down at the beef, and share a confused gaze. After picking some rice, they reluctantly stabbed the meat with their forks, and lifted it to their plates. Rarity and Twilight glance at each other again, Twilight slowly lifting a small piece of beef. She opened her mouth, and then, finally bit the beef. I watched the scene annoyed, and after many chews, Twilight swallowed it, an approving smile widening on her face.

"It's delicious!" She exclaimed, and took off another bite of it. Her approval of the meal made her friend taste it too, another smile appearing. I chuckle slightly, and Rarity exclaims:

"It's magnificent, John! How's it called again?"

"Beef. Yeah, I like it too."

"Me too! Although, I don't remember anything about a 'beef plant'." Twilight comments, and I raise my eyebrow at her due to the 'beef plant' thing.

"Beef plant? No, Twilight. It's actually cow meat." What I said made the two young women halt completely their lunch. They both glance at me, pure paranoia on their eyes. I just stare at both girls, and like a lightning, they ran upstairs, leaving me alone again.

I sigh annoyed, and hear forced vomit sounds coming from my bathroom. I take another bite off the beef, waiting the duo to come down the stairs. Like I said, Rarity and Twilight came down the stairs, but they looked... angry.

"You!" Rarity yelled, fury burning as fire inside her eyes.

"Yes, me!" I reply, infuriating her even more.

"You are a monster! You're trying to convert us to cannibalism!" Twilight yelled back, taking two steps forward.

"Umm? Cannibalism? I thought that you two were ponies, not cows!"

"No! We weren't cows! But you committed a crime against nature the moment you killed the poor animal!" Twilight yelled again, and I only sighed calmly, thinking on how I could throw at them.

"Hey, it wasn't I the one who killed it! We humans are omnivores, so we can eat pretty much everything! Don't judge me because vegetables are getting expensive now! So, your choice: starve, or eat this steak."

The hatred in their eyes extinguished, and both girls looked at each other. I softly smiled at them, breaking their anger completely. Rarity and Twilight sat down, defeated. I returned to my seat and continued my meal, and watched as they chewed on the tasty meat, their faces lightening up for seconds.

We remained quiet, and after all of us finished their meals, Twilight decided to say:

"Mr. Sullivan, we're sorry about what we did earlier. It's because in Equestria we were vegetarians, and eating meat was considered a crime. But refusing food that somepony gives you kindly isn't good. Do you forgive us?" That was new. She was apologizing herself and her friend. I've never seen such innocence and... cuteness? The look on her eyes was begging for forgiveness.

"But of course! I got no problem with this. I should be the one that was apologizing. I made you two eat something that isn't allowed on your world. And stop calling me Mr. Sullivan. That was my father. Just call me 'John'."

We spent 10 minutes in total silence, pretty much like the aftermath of a father/son argument. I stood up, and walked to my living room, grabbed the TV controller and turned it on. I heard amazed gasps from behind, and prepared myself for another shitload of questions.

"What's this?" Yeah, I was right.

"A Television. Pretty much a screen that shows channels, that can include the news, movies, reality shows, and many other things." I sat down on the couch, and looked at them. Rarity and Twilight were focused on the screen, their jaws open. They then looked at me, reluctant to get up from their chairs. "Hey, you two can sit here. I won't bite."

Instead of standing up and joining me at the couch, they remained at their seats, Twilight focusing her stare at the screen.

"Is this stallion stuck inside this thing?" Twilight questioned, pointing at the screen, more precisely at the anchor.

"He isn't stuck. He's inside a building, broadcasting the news. And his a man, not a stallion."

"How does this work?"

"Let's just, relax for a moment?" I tried to escape from the enormous explanation that I would have to say. Twilight nodded in response.

"Won't you wash the dishes, darling?" Rarity pointed at the plates on the table, and I only sighed annoyed.

"Naah, I'll do that later."

As if my words were magic, they slowly got up from their chairs, and joined me at the couch, taking some distance from me, and focusing their eyes at the TV. I change the channels until I reach HBO, seeing that the awesome movie '300' was about to begin. I put the controller at my side, and rest my head on a cushion, slowly closing my eyes...

4 hour later...

"Argh, my head..." It was the first thing that I said when I woke up. Something interrupted my angelic slumber: a controller. But suddenly, my eyes locked on the small device, who was literally hovering around in my living room. I gasp, and turn my stare at the two girls, who were literally rolling on the floor, arguing about... channels.

"We're going to watch that History Channel!" Twilight yelled, and suddenly the controller hovered next to her, a weak purple aura surrounding it. Now I asked myself if I was high or something. How the fuck my controller was hovering around on my room, while two gals fought for it?

"Ah, that's a negative, darling! We're going to watch that 'Discovery Home & Health' one!" Then, the controller was surrounded by an light blue aura, and hovered next to Rarity, who desperately tried to reach it with her free hand.

I stared at the situation for minutes, and decided to intervene:

"So, what's happening here?" I caught them off-guard, their faces going red in seconds as their eyes met with mine. Both girls let go of themselves, and the blue aura that probably came from Rarity delivered the controller at my hand. I left it over the couch's armrest, and stared at the once-wrestling duo, my expression clearly asking questions.

"Uhn, we had a small disagreement about those... channels, Mr... I mean, John." Twilight stated, and lowered her head together with Rarity, as if they were guilty.

"That's no problem." Their heads raised with happy smiles, and I turned my gaze to the window. The Sun was already disappearing on the horizon, and the night's dark light hovered over it. This was a calling for me to take a warm bath, but I remembered that now two girls shared the same space as me. I sighed, and prepared myself to speak:

"Okay, so, what were those weird auras making my controller hover around?" I ask them, Twilight answering once again.

"We can use magic here, John. Telekinesis, to be more exact." Ah hell no. Betty must have made me smoke something while I fell asleep at her boutique.

"Really? How?" I ask them, barely swallowing what they said to me. In a matter of seconds, the controller hovered around, while Twilight only closed her eyes lightly. The same aura that surrounded it earlier surrounded it now. I was completely speechless. She then left the small device at my hand, and opened her eyes. Great, now I have two weird gals inside my house that claim coming from a magical land, and they can lift things with their minds. I am so fucked.

Trying to avoid any other explanation, I said to them that they were 'free' to use my shower to take a bath, which they gratefully accepted. But one thing that really bugged me was that they locked themselves up together inside my bathroom. It's very weird.

After hearing my door locking itself, I ran to my bedroom, and laid down on my bed, pondering about everything that happened to me recently. My life was really going on a downhill...

"Mr. John Sullivan!" A ghost-like voice called me. Wait, who was calling me? Suddenly, an etheral creature just popped out of the wall. I shrink myself on the bed, protecting my body from whatever that thing was.

"Oh my sweet Jesus Christ!" And for a moment, everything went white...

Expect The Unexpected

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Snowboards and Skis

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Aftermath

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Unwanted Meeting

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