A Second Wind

Zecora led the way as we filed into her tree home, the strangely African themed home putting me at ease. I was a sucker for exotic art, and amongst the masks, the herbal tonics and powder satchels I felt at home amongst the RPG world. The zebra mare led us into the main living room where a large pot of iridescent blue liquid slowly bubbled and spouted. Occasionally landing on her dirt floor.

“Thank you Zecora, for taking us in. We cannot even begin to repay your kindness.” I stated as we all took a seat on the couch which also bore a African charm.

She looked at us and took a seat on a long carpet, striking a stretch as she eyed each of us. Her eyes were inexplicably drawn to my darker hued friend Drew, and immediately I could sense something was amiss.

“I’m interested in your names way faring strangers, for surely you were not in the forest without knowing the dangers.”

Sketchy looked at her and tipped his fedora.

“I’m Sketchy, artist extraordinaire.”

Wow, way to go Sketchy.

“I’m DJ Waveform, I spin discs and mix up tricks.” Drew added with a flourish.

She looked at me with those deep turquoise eyes. Pony to pony her features were truly striking, and with as close as we were I could tell she had a small glint to her eye as she listened to each of us.

“And I’m Silver, Singer, dancer, and writer.”

She nodded her head and pondered for a moment, probably trying to see if she recalled any of us before. She stood and circled around to the pot and handed each of us a cup of hot water, dropping a small pouch in each as she grabbed herself a cup. She sighed and took a sip, smiling as we all took our turns as well.

“This is great!” Drew exclaimed as he eagerly drank the comedic small cup in his huge hoof.

It was then I realized just how big Drew was in his new body.

He was at least as big as Big Mac from what I could tell, and at least twice as muscular. I had to admit, Drew made a BIG stallion. Zecora couldn’t seem to stop staring at him but Drew just shrugged it off.

“Waveform I will be blunt and say I’m taking a sheen to one who’s like I have never seen.” She added with a wink.

I motioned for Drew to just play along but I should have known you couldn’t tell a guy like him to lie about himself.

“Um yeah... I'm kind of not into... mares sorry..”

Zecora’s mind must have snapped because her eyes just went blank as she dropped her glass on the floor. She stared dumbly at Drew until Sketchy raised a hoof as he drank his tea.

“I second that.”

I face hoofed twice and looked at Zecora hoping she wasn’t about to pass out, who knew if they even had homosexuality in Equestria?

“I  must digress I never expected such outright truth with little such stress.” Zecora stuttered as she picked up her glass and looked at me.

“I’m happily straight thank you.”

It was then that Zecora explained that such a thing was not uncommon in Equestria, but many "colt cuddlers," and "Filly foolers," remained quiet and didn't even go as far as to kiss their mate in public.  I slowly began to realize that Equestria definitely was not the place the fandom made it out to be. I looked to Drew and Sketchy with a saddened expression before having an insane idea.

"Zecora, are there any jobs in Ponyville? We kind of ran low on bits."

Zecora paused for a moment and informed us that Ponyville was always hiring at the local restaurants and pubs for musical talent, and that we should go there first when the rain stopped.

"The stallion you must seek goes by the name of Rock, and I'm sorry to hear about your interests Waveform, I'm sure you have a sizable-"

"OKAY! So this tea is amazing am I right?" I interjected just Drew started to laugh.

Yeah this was going to be interesting.

"So Zecora, do you know of any ponies in Ponyville that are for same-sex relationships?" I asked hoping to perhaps find some ponies for us to build a basis for.

She stopped and tapped her chin thoughtfully before leaning in and whispering into my ear.

"No...Bucking...Way."

~+~+~+~+~+~

Drew and Sketchy looked at me with a mix between horror and disbelief as I told them my plan.

"You want to what!?" Sketchy exclaimed as he shook his head.

"I want to spread the whole love and tolerance thing to ponies. They clearly aren't yet comfortable with just being who you truly are and I'll need your guys help to accomplish that." I stated with emphasis on my waving hooves.

I'm Italian what of it?

Drew pondered for a second while Sketchy planted his hoof on his forehead. Soon enough however I say the one name that will ensure their help.

"Soarin."

Drew and sketchy immediately snap their heads up with wide grins and look to each other.

"We're in."

Mission accomplished.

Sketchy however was beginning to use his massive intelligence and put together another problem.

"So where are we going to live? How are we going to pay for a apartment if they even have such things?"

I had to admit that was a problem. We had our special talents and we all knew what we were capable of as a group but we we weren't exactly sure how to accomplish getting a job. Our first real concern however was finding out if we could go home. In order to do that we would need to speak to one that was both feared and loved.

"So how are we going to see the Princess, any ideas?" I asked hoping for an expedient answer.

Drew was surprisingly the first to offer an idea.

"Maybe we should ask Twilight if she will send a letter to the princess."

Twilight Sparkle. Man I remember my girlfriend going on and on about Twilight. Twilight was best pony only next to Rarity who if Zecora was right could be the key to helping us get broadcast to the masses of Equestria. We needed to focus on getting home first. Even though we were exuberant to be in a place we only dreamed of we all missed our families.

"All right so everybody... Everypony get some good night sleep, we'll head for Ponyville in the morning and see what we can get."

"Night." Drew stated.

"Yep try not to think of parasprites." Sketchy added with a snicker.

God damnit Sketchy.

As I started to drift off into an uneasy slumber I heard the faint sounds of slapping. Please let it be slapping...

"Who's clopping?" I asked blatantly.

"Not me." Sketchy sighed.

"Nope." Drew added with a hint of hurt for being accused.

We all remained silent and heard it again, setting a crimson flare to my cheeks.

"Well that's going to give me nightmares." Sketchy whispered.

I couldn't help but agree...