The Host: Equestria

Chapter Two - Recovery

I feel unattached, floating aimlessly in a sea of black silence.

After some time, if time could be measured, the dark void around me begins to ripple and fade. I become aware of my body, and a warm, but numb sensation wraps around it. The black mist that covers my eyes begin to fade, and give way to cloudy light. Sounds return, unintelligible speech that sounds distant and muffled. They are calling to me.

I command my body to move, but it does not listen. Instead, it replies with dull pain, and I want to wake up. The haze begins to clear, and the noises become voices. I try to listen as my eyes clear the way.

“-could be for days, dear. Can’t force something like this. We’ll just have to be patient.”

“Oh, I know. We jus’ want to make sure she’s okay, is all.”

Things become much clearer, now. My eyes open, but they are heavy and slow. I try to speak but only manage to let out a tiny sigh.

“Nurse, I think she’s coming to!” I hear.

I blink my eyes, only now truly seeing where I am. I’m lying in a bed, tucked in a soft blanket. The room I am in looks and smells clean and cozy.

I’m in a hospital.

“Welcome back,” I hear one of the voices say. It belongs to the nurse at the end of my bed, an Equestrian. My first personal encounter, technically. I feel my heart beat a little faster, slightly nervous. I try to sit up properly face her, but my body immediately punishes me, stinging pain into my chest. I give out a sharp gasp and fall back to the soft bedding.

“Oh, easy there,” says the nurse. “You’ve been in an accident and you’re still recovering. We’re glad to see you’re finally awake.”

I almost forgot about the other voice, speaking to the nurse moments before. Across the room is another Equestrian, sitting quietly on a chair. I recognize her as one of the ponies that the Timberwolves were after in the apple orchard. She gives me a gentle smile when I make eye contact.

“You sure had us mighty worried!” she says, standing up. The nurse lets her approach and moves to the other side of the room. She writes some notes on a clipboard, silently observing. I can’t help but see a hint of supposition in her eyes.

“How do you feel?” continues the orange pony, the concern in her voice genuine.

“I - um, I feel better, considering the circumstances. Thank you for getting me help,” I tell her.

“Shucks, it should me an’ my friends thanking you! You done saved us from those nasty Timberwolves. We owe you a debt of gratitude.” She takes off her hat and places it on her chest, a gesture that I recognize as symbol of respect in this culture.

 “The name’s Applejack,” she says. “What’s yours?”

“Yes, we need to ask your name,” adds the nurse as she walks back towards me, eyes still on the clipboard. “Normally, we can identify patients by their cutie marks, but we can’t do so with ponies who haven’t gotten theirs yet.”

Whaat? shouts Starla in my mind. I almost forgot she was there.I do-so have a cutie mark! What in the wide-world happened to it?

“Starla,” I tell the nurse. “My name’s Starla.”

“Okay, Miss Starla...” she pauses to write something down on the clipboard, “...you still need some bedrest to properly heal. We’ll get you all patched up and out of here in no time, don’t you worry.” She turns towards the door. “I’ll be close by if you need anything.”

Hmph, steal my name too, complains Starla. Guess that comes with the package. She’s still bitter... after what we’ve been through, I wonder if reconciliation with her is possible.

The nurse leaves the room, leaving the door slightly open behind her.

“I stayed here because we wanted to make sure you were okay,” says Applejack. “We actually took turns, me an’ my friends.”

Took turns? “How long was I...?”

“Over a day. Reckon you’ve been through a deal, comin’ out of the Everfree like that lookin’ all hurt. An’ then one of them Timberwolves gave you a nasty thrashing after you done tackled him off his feet like that.” She gives me a pained expression. “We tried to help as fast as we could, but by the time we drove ‘em off, you- you were already...”

Applejack trails off, hanging her head.

“Hey, it’s okay. I’m going to be fine now,” I tell her. “I’m just glad you and your friends are alright, too. Are they here, now?”

“Yes ma’am, in the waiting room. They’re all real anxious to talk to you, but I’ll tell ‘em that we need to let you rest.”

“Oh, no, it’s not a problem,” I tell her, trying to sit up, but my chest protests again. Didn’t learn from last time.

“I, ah - think it’s best to let you get your rest,” says Applejack, noticing my discomfort which I tried to hide. “We’ll just overwhelm you, being all in here at the same time. Besides, it’s gettin’ pretty late, and visiting hours are almost up.”

She looks to the window on the side of the room. The sun was starting to set. I nod, only now acknowledging the orange and red sunset that painted the room. Applejack leaves towards the door.

“You get your rest, Miss,” she says. “We’ll be here to visit tomorrow, don’t you worry.”

“Thank you,” I say with a smile.

She exits with that, and leaves me with my thoughts.

Never spoken to Applejack, says Starla after some silence. Or any of her friends, for that matter. They’re pretty important ponies, always talking to the princesses and going to Canterlot. I always thought I was just-

A nobody to them, I finish.

Hmph. Guess you are really getting to know me, then.

She says nothing else after.

I think about the treatment I’ve been receiving since my time on Equis. The Equestrians seem very kindhearted, at least from what I’ve seen in Applejack and from Starla’s memories. If all of them are like this, I can see some sort of coexistence with the ponies and us souls. Maybe they would understand our need for a host body, and our intentions of peace and non-violence. Perhaps we could live together...

I’m not enjoying it very much, if you ask me, Explorer.

Then again, maybe not.

Taking the covers, I pull them higher and make myself comfortable. I’m too tired to think of anything further, and sleep quickly takes me.

I awaken in the middle of the night covered in a cold sweat. I can’t help but feel I’ve had a bad dream, my heart is racing and I’m breathing quickly.

I try to relax, sink back to sleep, but the rest of me refuses. There’s an undeniable urge in my body as I try to squirm into the blankets.

Nature’s calling...

I look around the hospital room. It’s dark and empty, lit only by the moonbeams visiting through the windowpane. I don’t want to call out to the nurse for help, so I attempt to get up myself.

Yeah, let’s not wet the bed, says Starla.

Surprisingly, the pain isn’t as bad as it was before. It feels dull and somewhat ignorable. I throw the blanket off myself, getting a good look at my wounds for the first time.

Not a lot is visible under the moonlight, but I can see enough. Under my hospital gown, I have a large bandage wrapped around my trunk, where the pain was the worst. Stitches and smaller bandages are placed throughout my body, particularly my hind legs. I lift my hoof up to my face, touching a bandage placed on my cheek. It stung when I put pressure on it.

I must have been in bad shape when the Timberwolf was done with me. I shiver, remembering the details all too well.

I shift myself over to one side of the bed, and inch off slowly, easing onto my hooves. I hear a rattle behind me. It’s some kind of medical device hanging from a wheeled-pole, connected to my body in a series of thin tubes. I don’t know what it’s called, but I recognize it as something significant to healthcare, so I drag it along with me.

Maybe there’s a washroom here in my hospital room. The light coming from the window does not light up the entire room, and this is the first time I’m able to walk around it. It looks a lot bigger now that I’m standing up.

I recall a simple spell I could perform to illuminate my surroundings, but Starla...

Oh, just use it, she says, annoyed. Don’t hurt yourself, Explorer.

Sarcasm, again. Wish I were ignorant to that kind of speech. I find it worse than a straightforward insult.

The majority of the room, except for my bed and the immediate area, is completely dark. I concentrate on the spell, and a dazzling light emanates from my horn. I gasp loudly upon the room being lit, only now noticing a neighboring hospital bed on the other side of the room, separated by a curtain. An Equestrian lies on the bed, and he looks in a much much worse shape than I am. Bandages cover his entire body, leaving only his eyes visible. My light clearly bothers him.

“Sorry, sir,” I whispered, dimming the light significantly. “I'm sorry,” I say again, as awkwardly shuffle past his bed.

There’s no other doors in the room save for the exit. I’ll have to search outside. I approach the doorway, seeing the light from the hallway leak in from the cracks. It opens with a creak, and I poke my head outside.

The hallways are lit, so I turn off my horn, but there’s not a pony in sight. All of the other doors along the hallway are closed, like mine was. Appropriate facilities must be somewhere, so I open the door enough for me to squeeze out and slowly close it behind me. After mentally noting my room number, I pick a direction and walk. Before leaving the door, I gaze down to where my cutie mark should be.

Ah! It really is gone!, cries Starla. I sigh, knowing there isn't anything I could say to console her.

The hospital is eerily silent. Somebody would have definitely heard me if I hollered for assistance earlier. The wheels of my medical device silently squeak and echo through the hall as I pass the uniform doorways. Up ahead is a sign, marking directions for navigating the hospital. I don’t see “Restrooms”, but the sign does point towards “Doctor’s Office”, so I decide it’s a good place as any to go for help with my problem.

The office is not too far ahead. I see it in short time, glad I didn’t have to walk too far.The door is slightly open, and I can hear voices inside. As I get closer, I can make out what they are saying.

“-another one, Doctor. Third one I’ve noticed this week,” says one of the voices, and I recognize her as the nurse that greeted me awake earlier.

“Are you sure?” says another voice. I don’t know him, but it’s safe to assume he’s a doctor. I hang back from entering, not wanting to interrupt their conversation.

Shhh, listen, says Starla. I think they’re talking about us... about you!

But eavesdropping is rude...

Oh, drop it, you self-righteous filly. Listen!

Indignantly, I inch closer to the door, only enough to make out their words.

“Yes, I’m sure. She had glowing blue eyes and a blank flank, just like what they said,” says the nurse.

Oh... looks like you’ve been found out, Explorer, says Starla, sounding almost remorseful. I gulp, my worst fears being realized.

You don’t sound to thrilled. I thought you would be, I tell her.

Well, contrary to whatever you may think, I’m not completely heartless. And I know for a fact you aren’t either. Neither of us has done anything wrong, really, but something bad is going to come out of this...

“What do you want me to do?” I hear the doctor say as their conversation continues. It sounds more like an argument, now that I listen to it. “Contact the authorities? She just saved several ponies’ lives, and was injured in doing so. Half the town sees her as a hero, and you want me to do what you’re asking?”

“But Doctor, with all the talk coming from the Canterlot Hospital, you can’t possibly expec- hold on...”

Oh, shoot! While listening to them speak, I let my medical device stand freely, and it rolled slowly towards the wall, hitting it with a thud.

“Someone’s outside,” says the doctor.

“A patient? They should all be resting...”

Hoofsteps approach the doorway, and it swings open. The nurse peeks outside, and reels back in with a gasp as she notices me.

“Sweet Celestia, it’s right outside!” she exclaims.

I remain in place, frozen in fear.

“Nurse, you’re being ridiculous!” hisses the Doctor. “Rumours are no reason to...” he continues along in a sharp whisper that I can’t make out. The door swings open again, and I flinch, expecting the worst.

“Miss Starla?” It’s the doctor, emerging from the door. His voice isn’t hostile at all, to my relief. “Sorry about that, the nurse is tired at these late hours. She’s a bit antsy, if you’ll excuse her,” he says with a forced laugh.

I nod. Paranoid seems like a better word for her, and for good reason, too.

“What are you doing out of bed?” he asks. “Is something the matter?”

“I, um, need to go,” I say gingerly.

The doctor cocked his head.

“You can’t leave now, it’s the middle of the night, and you aren’t properly healed!”

“No, I, ah... need to go.”

The doctor blinks at me.

“Ohh, you need to go,” he says rather stupidly. “The nurse will be happy to help you with that,” he turns his head into the office doorway, “right?”

I hear a sharp sigh as the doctor moves out of the doorway, allowing the nurse to exit. She does not make eye contact as she passes by me.

“Right this way, ma’am,” she says as she continues walking, eyes perfectly forward. I follow her, eyes to the ground.

Wow, she looks like she’s seen a ghost, says Starla. Or maybe, a soul! Haha! get it?

Yeah, haha, funny.

Oh, don’t get your tail in a knot. I’m trying to make this less harder for you...

You aren’t still mad at me?

Well, not mad really... I mean, it’s hard to be mad after what you’ve done. I want to be mad, but I feel inclined to be on your side. In a weird way. Besides, did you hear what the nurse said? You’ve practically made me famous here in Ponyville! If I ever get my body back, I have a feeling I’ll be in a better position than before you took over, so... I’m rooting for you. For now, at least. I still want my body back, but I think you’ll do the right thing in the end. You’re too nice not to.

Thank you, I tell her, for having faith in me.

Well, like I said, it’s conditional. But you're welcome.

Hmph...

What is it?

Nothing, it’s just that word I used. ‘Faith’. It’s a close translation of your language to my Origin name.

Your Origin name? asks Starla.

Yes, my birth-given name. It’s not Explorer, but it still sounds odd in your language. Something along the lines of... ‘Faith in Light Above’.

Yeah... that sounds pretty stretched out. I like ‘Faith’ on its own. What do you think?

I like it, too, I say.

Well, then. I guess I forgive you, Faith, for taking my body without permission. And for being a jerk in general.

Thank you, I tell her. And I’m sorry for that, too. I’m going to find a way to make this right for everyone, I promise.

I’ll hold you to it, then.

I smile, glad knowing I’ve made some amends with my host. It’s one less issue I need to worry about, though as I walk down the hallway with the silent nurse, I feel my problems are only beginning.