I have been on Equus for a long time. Much longer than I ever was on Earth. It is my home, and I can say that without any hesitation.

However, during my first year here, I struggled to accept many things that people here find common. One of the main things being that I was the only human on Equus.

This may seem like an obvious observation, but everything that comes with that realization takes a perspective that only I have. It is hard to describe, but imagine if one day suddenly there was only one minotaur left on Equus. Imagine the inconvenience! Everything would be too small, to name one of the more mundane issues. However, if you look at the big picture, you start to see more glaring problems.

Your culture will always be considered alien. This one is particularly harsh on a minotaur due to their tendency for violence, but it also serves to lessen your own feeling for your people. You start to think that you are wrong, surrounded by different ways to do things. Unless someone steps in to stop you, you will eventually get to the point where you feel that you are fundamentally wrong. That's when the existential crisis hits you, and the next thing you know you're in a hospital been told to get a grip on life.

Luna aside, there's another, more basic, thing that you will feel. From conception to death everyone, of any species, wants to believe that their life was meaningful. Sometimes this comes in the form of fortune or genius, but for everyone else, it's much simpler.

Children.

You want your mark to persist. The best way to do this is to have a child and raise it with similar ideals to yours. Simple enough when you live in a society surround by your own people, but remember the minotaur. He is alone. The best he can do is find a family to attach himself to, and hope they accept him.

-Daus Skarr

*******

I ran my thumb against the edge of my sword. My sword. Certainly not something I thought I would ever think. Holding it still felt awkward, like a blacksmith holding a hammer for the first time. I could tell that it was a good sword. Luna, herself, had given it to me. It felt solid and secure. Not like the ones I saw back on Earth. Imitations of pop culture weapons. This was the real deal. Even if it was a little dull.

"Daus?"

I turned to see Twilight framed by the door to the storage room. She thought she had hidden it away from me deep in the basement of the tree house. Surrounded by old books and newspaper clippings, I had to admit, it wasn't the first place I had looked. The subterranean basement of the Golden Oaks library was deceptively large, whether by magic or ingenuity I couldn't tell.

I smiled reassuringly at her and said, "It's alright Twi, I just wanted to look at it."

She walked up next to me and glanced down at it then back to me. I could see the ever-present worry in her eyes, but I guess my recent, extended period of good behavior had won her over.

It had been nearly a year since my arrival on Equus, and, now that I had sobered up, I was adjusting nicely to the new world. The people of Ponyville had gotten used to my presence by now, and I no longer attracted as many looks when I was out and about. Occasionally people new to Ponyville, or Equestria in general, would come up to me and ask, but I had crafted a response that satisfied most. I was just a visitor who had been accidentally brought here, and the princesses were working on returning me soon.

The last part was becoming harder and harder to believe, but I had chosen to not worry about it anymore. As I continued to carve out more of a life for myself here, I started to think it wouldn't be so bad if I simply stayed.

Twilight tapped the edge of the blade and asked, "Maybe you should learn how to use this? It could come in handy if I'm not around."

I stared in shock at Twilight. Once she noticed my look she leaned back a little and asked, "What?"

I stared at her for a moment more before saying, "You want me to learn how to kill people?!"

Twilight mirrored my shocked look and said quickly, "No! Of course not!" She went on in a slightly more measured tone, "There are techniques that focus solely on defense. I'm sure your friend Hedge could help you."

I shook my head and looked back down at the sword in my hands and said, "He offered, once, but I turned him down. Besides, I doubt the techniques he would teach me are the same that your thinking of."

Twi put a hand on my shoulder and said, "While I'm glad you feel that way. I would rather you live to regret a decision than not be around for me to tell you you will."

I looked up from my inspection and gave her a blank stare. She held her look of mocking compassion for a few moments before cracking a smile.

I grinned a little and said, "You suck at flying."

Twilight dropped her gaze and mumbled something under her breath. I shook my head and laughed.

***

I looked out on the busy streets of Ponyville. Bathed in the summer sun, the residents of the town walked up and down the street, either shopping or on their was to lunch. I shifted in my seat. Sitting alone on a patio surrounded by others talking and eating with friends and families was awkward. Being the only human only made it worse. The curiosity of the town's regular residents had died down significantly in the past year, but anyone not from Ponyville often would shoot confused looking glances in my direction at best, disdain at worst. A few would walk up and ask about me but only the ones who meant well.

Appently, once the initial excitement of my arrival faded, some had decided that they didn't like me, for whatever reason. Normally these were the same people who preferred that anyone not a Pony stay in the Addage, so I wasn't that concerned. No use picking a fight where it could be avoided, though.

I heard someone sit down at the table with me and turned away from the busy street. Hedge took a drink from his cider and past me my drink.

"I got you a drink," he said with a wink.

I looked down at the glass of water morosely and asked, "Aren't you going back in after lunch?"

Hedge wave away my concern and said, "Back when I was in Schunee, I use to drink on the job all the time."

I shook my head and said, "I doubt that would satisfy Mead."

Hedge chuckled, "Mead's too busy with paperwork to have time for me. One of the burdens of responsibility. Makes the view seem much better down here."

I waved down a waiter and gave my order. This place didn't serve meat, but their fruit plater wasn't bad. I could just get a sandwich back at the library later anyway.

I waited for the waiter to finish up with Hedge then asked, "Anyone good applying?"

Hedge snorted, "Not that I can tell, but I haven't even seen them on the training grounds yet. Most are washouts from the Royal Guard or the new Military. I doubt their happy about having to apply here. They had visions of sailing the border. Protecting ships and towns from pirates and bandits. Now they get guard duty."

I shrugged and said, "It doesn't sound bad, and the pay seems decent."

"Join," Hedge said pointedly.

"No," I said dismissively.

"Come on," Hedge said with and air of exasperation, "It would be exponentially easier to keep and eye on you."

"I told you-"

"Yeah yeah, you're not a pony. Big deal," Hedge pointed to himself, "You know, I do know a few people. I could probably get you fast tracked-"

"Hedge," I cut him off, "I don't like sitting around on my ass all day, but come on. No one will want me as a Guard. I get enough dirty looks just walking down the street."

Hedge shrugged and said, "They'll get used to it."

"I tell you what," leaned in to say, "If I'm not back home by this time next year, I'll apply to join."

Hedge nodded and said, "Recruitment office is down the street."

I started to respond, but our waiter walked up with our food. I waited for her to set it out then stared down at my fruit in disappointment.

Hedge pointed to my plate and said, "You could have had a hamburger if we had gone to the Siren."

I shook my head and started eating. I said, "It's not worth what Twi would do to me." I held up my left hand and showed Hedge the faint mark Twilight's tracking spell had left. I went on, "If I so much as set foot in the Siren, Twilight will be there to whisk me away to the library."

Hedge shrugged and said through a mouthful of sandwich, "Sounds hot."

I choked on my water. After a minute of coughing, I gave Hedge a pointed look. I said, "Human women, Hedge. I've been over this."

Hedge scoffed and said, "You've been here for almost a year, living with one of the most... desirable," Hedge paused for a moment to emphasize the word, "ponies on Equus. You're telling me that you've never even thought about it?"

I sipped my water pensively. After a minute I said, "Not even once."

Hedge rolled his eyes and said, "Alright, forget the princess. Let's say," Hedge looked around for a moment, then pointed to another table, "Let's say that the pink mare over there walks up to you right now and give you a free pass. Think about it."

I looked around at the mare in question. She was sitting a couple tables over wearing clothes obviously designing to accentuate her features. I had alway thought of myself as open minded but this...

My mind wandered, and, before I could catch myself, I had made eye contact. The two of use blushed and turned away quickly. I glared at Hedge.

"That," I said, "Is why you don't stare at people."

Hedge pointed and said, "Are you joking? She's looking at you right now."

I slowly turned to find the mare doing the exact same thing.

I quickly turned back to Hedge and resumed my glaring. He shrugged and leaned back in his seat looking smug.

"Deny it all you want," Hedge said, "The truth is sitting two tables over."

I sat in my seat extremely conscious of the mare covertly looking at me. She was cute. I will admit, but I didn't think I could stomach the implications of accepting that I was attracted to a pony. If I ever got back to Earth, it would only make things worse.

I leaned in to say to Hedge, "Not interested."

Hedge laughed and drank more of his cider before saying, "You will be."

Author's Note

Two in one month. I surprise myself sometimes.