Waking Up in Equestria: Redux

Morning came with the blaring alarm of my iPod as it sat on the nightstand next to the bed. The familiar sound of the M-COM wailing away stirred me from my sleep, forcing my hand to commence a hunt for the wailing device. Once my hand found its' prey, I half-opened an eye and slid the alarm off, allowing my hand to drop to the side of the bed and just dangle there.

About five minutes later, the iPod began to wail again, forcing me to shove it under the pillow with a grumbled "Fuck You", silencing the offending device.

If this kind of behavior doesn't show that I'm not a morning guy, I don't know what does.

It was at this time that a knocking came from the bedroom door, increasing my aggravation.

"Mom! Leave me alone! Another ten minutes for Christ sake!" I yelled before dropping my head back onto the pillow, trying to grab the fleeing reigns of sleep.

"O-Oh, I'm so sorry Timeless!" came the frightened voice of Fluttershy from the opposite side of the door. Now, if it wasn't for the fact that Fluttershy had just called me by my OC's name, I would've most likely been under the impression that the events of yesterday were just some fever dream brought on from a long nights' worth of gaming. But, the apology was enough to get me to bolt upright and look around the guest room of Fluttershys' cottage. A quick observation of my being confirmed that I was still half pony.

"I-I'll come back later...if that's okay with you..." Fluttershy mumbled. With a sigh, I swung my legs out from under the sheets and stood up.

"No, you're fine Fluttershy. I'm awake anyway." I said approaching the door and opening it to reveal the yellow pegasus staring up at me. "Sorry that I yelled at you." I added.

"Oh, it's okay. Angel yells at me when I try and wake him up early for his morning exercise." she said with a small smile.

"Yeah, I've never been a morning guy. I prefer the night in all honesty." I said with a chuckle. Fluttershy shared the small laughter and turned towards the stairs.

"What would you like for breakfast?" she asked kindly.

"Uhm...are you opposed to making some scrambled eggs on toast?" I asked.

"Of course not! I can just grab some eggs from the chicken house outside. Go ahead to the kitchen, I'll start breakfast once I have enough eggs." she said as she trotted off, a small tune on her lips as she hummed. After she had left, I turned back towards the bedroom and grabbed my iPod from under the pillow before making my way downstairs.

*     *     *

Breakfast went quite well for Fluttershy and I. We talked about the plans she had for today, mostly going out for a few errands then seeing if she could meet up with Rarity for their weekly spa trip. She had offered me to tag along, but I kindly declined, saying that a spa wasn't the type of place for me. Fluttershy just gave a light giggle and countered with the fact that she sees Thunder Lane in there on some of the days that she and Rarity were there, saying it was quite normal for some bucks to go to the spa.

Point taken.

After offering again, I shrugged and accepted the spa trip. Fluttershy happily clapped her hooves together and said she'd swing by to grab me after her errands. Once we had finished our meals, I offered to clean up while Fluttershy got ready to head out.

And that's when he showed up.

"Are you sure you can handle it all?" Fluttershy asked as I gathered the dishware and headed towards the sink.

"Fluttershy, I wash the dishes every night after dinner." I said. "While my parents sit on their asses..." I muttered under my breath.

"I didn't catch that." Fluttershy said.

"Oh nothing. Don't worry, I got this." I countered as I began to wash the dishes. Fluttershy gave a small shrug and left the kitchen, leaving me to myself. But I was soon joined by Angel as he hopped up to the window ledge, giving me the stink eye as he watched me do the dishes. "Fuck off rodent. I don't want to destroy Fluttershys' kitchen if you start shit again." I growled. But to my surprise, Angel shook his head and pointed to one of the smaller dirty plates. "Oh, you want to help?" I asked. He nodded and hopped his way down to the sink where he grabbed the plate and began to clean it.

I was just about to say 'Thanks' when he decided to give me a rather large splash of water to the face.

Growling again, I thrusted my hand forward and it wrapped around the rabbits' throat, hoisting him high. Angel struggled to free himself  from my grip, but to no success. With a malevolent grin, I carried gave Angel a quick dunk in the water before taking him to Fluttershy's ice box. Opening the door, I plopped the soaked rabbit inside and closed the door before he could escape.

"Now sit in there and freeze your little balls off." I said with a chuckle.

Now, this may have seemed like animal abuse to some, but you have to admit, no one really likes Angel as it is; he's simply a jerk to everyone except Fluttershy and maybe Spike, but was about time someone put him in his place.

After drying myself off and finishing the dishes, I perused a nearby bookshelf for something interesting to read while I waited for Fluttershy to return. When nothing caught my interest, I simply plopped down on the couch and watched as the birds began to flit about Fluttershys' living room, going from bird house to bird house. About and hour later, Fluttershy returned with a couple bags in tow.

"Hello Timeless!" she chirped sweetly.

"Heya. How were your errands?" I asked as I sat up from the couch.

"Oh they went quite well. The market is particularly busy today." she said as she made her way into the kitchen to drop off her bags. "Have you seen Angel? He usually comes right to the door when I come home." she said with a slightly worried look on her face.

"Oh, I'm sure he's around here somewhere. He's probably chilling out with some of his friends." I said with a chuckle.

I could almost picture the little twerp screaming his voice out in anger as he hits at the ice box door.

"Oh, well I hope he doesn't get too far. Are you ready to go?" she asked, looking to me. With a resigned sigh, I gave a small shrug and joined Fluttershy at the door. Once we were ready, the two of us left her home and proceeded to make our way to Ponyville.

*     *     *

"I must say, you're under a lot of stress. Your shoulders' are stiffer than boards!" Lotus commented as her hooves worked their way over my shoulders and upper back. My wings were opened and sprawled out over the sides of the massage table, dangling limply as I laid there. Laying on the massage table next to me, Rarity was receiving a hooficure as she read through the local paper. Fluttershy was reclined in one of the spa chairs, her face covered in a green mud mask while her mane was put up into a towel.

"Well, for a buck his shape and size, I'm not at all surprised that he's carrying a lot of stress!" Aloe pipped up as she began to place hot stones along my back. I jumped at the sudden warmth, but relaxed as I felt my back muscles release the built up tension.

"Whatever could you be stressed about darling?" Rarity asked as she flipped to the Gossip section of the paper. My response, however, was a mumbled garbling. "What was that? I didn't quite catch what you said." Rarity said. Aloe peaked her head down to look at me, then pulled back and covered her mouth with a hoof, suppressing a giggle.

"He looks as if he's off in dreamland! We must really be doing a good job!" she said, gently poking my shoulder. "Wake up sleepyhead!" she cooed gently. My ear twitched in the direction of her voice.

"I'm...awake..." I mumbled, lifting my head slowly, blinking the sleep from my eyes. "Is it time for lunch...?" I asked, smacking my lips as my stomach gave a rumble of agreement.

"Not for another two hours dear." Rarity said as the foam spacer was removed from her hooves and set aside by Lotus. With a satisfied nod, Rarity moved herself to the floor and walked over to me as Aloe removed the hot stones on my back. "I would, however, love to get your measurements!" she said, giving me a large smile.

"And...why's that?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "You know all too well why she wants to!" I chided mentally.

"Why, to give myself a challenge! One should always take the chance to challenge themselves with an interesting task." she said as she began to circle around me, estimating my measurements with calculating eyes.

"So you basically want to dress me up like a doll." I deadpanned.

"Oh sweetie, I'm going to make you look stunning! You will be no doll for me to play with." she said, patting my head with a reassuring hoof. I furrowed my eyebrows as she patted my head, giving her a look of 'Please stop. I'm not a dog.'. With a embarrassed smile, Rarity lowered the hoof and looked away, pretending to be preoccupied with the drapes surrounding the spa. With one movement, I swung myself off the table and stood up, making sure to keep the towel secured around my waist.

Last time I had to stand up was when the three of us were leaving the sauna, and my brain derped, forgetting to make sure I secured my towel.

Needless to say, the ladies caught a brief glimpse at what I was packing, but were quick to forgive the incident and brushed it off as if it were nothing.

But their cheeks were still apple red for about ten minutes after.

"And besides, I would like to ask you about the fashions from your home! What does your royalty wear? Oh! What's the current look?" Rarity asked, but I stopped her before she went into a fashiongasm.

"I'll answer what I can Rarity, but please, do calm down. You're getting a bit excited there." I said with a chuckle. Rarity gave a lady like cough and composed herself.

"I apologize for that. It's just that I live for fashion! I often dream that my name is known across the land, and that everypony is wearing an original Rarity piece!" she said, casting her hoof across as she went off into a trance like state, a smile spreading across her lips.

"Maybe one day Rarity. I'm going to get changed, I'll meet you two out in the lobby." I said, gesturing to the dressing rooms. The two nodded and trotted off as I turned and made my way to the back of the spa. As I entered the small hallway, a cream earth pony buck with a blonde mane and blue eyes watched me as I entered the changing room, then came out a couple minutes later in my pajama pants and Pink Floyd shirt.

"Uhm, sir. Hold on a moment." he called. He trotted up to me, his eyes scanning me over. "That top with those bottoms?" he asked, looking up to me. "I applaud your attempt at leisure fashion, but I recommend staying away from the dark plaids. And maybe a brighter top color to make everything pop!" he said, giving me an easy smile.

"Actually, I was on my way to Rarity's to get some measurements done." I said, pointing my thumb back to the rest of the spa.

"Oh! Well, when you get there, tell her that Masseuse said 'Crescendo of Color'." he said, turning away to resume whatever chore he was doing before stopping me. With a small shrug, I turned and made my way back to Fluttershy and Rarity. After paying the expenses, the three of us left the spa and made our way to Carousel Boutique.

"Oh, Rarity." I said.

"What is it, dear?" she asked, looking back at me as she trotted along.

"Crescendo of Color." I said simply. Rarity looked confused for a moment, then her features lit up with recognition.

"Oh!" she said. "I must thank Masseuse the next time I see him." she said as we reached the front door of her store, leading Fluttershy and I inside.

*     *     *

After a few hours of constant measuring and trying on clothing prototypes, Fluttershy and I left Rarity to complete her project, saying that she will give me the clothing free of charge when they were ready. After checking the time, Fluttershy and I stopped at a small cafe for a quick lunch, then walked around the town market for a while. At one point as we walked, the two of us passed by Lyra and Bon Bon as they walked out of a candy shop. Fluttershy introduced me to them, but I made sure to make quick talk with Lyra, avoiding her increasingly eager gaze. Her golden eyes kept wandering over my form, practically visually molesting me.

We all know how she is. No explanation is needed.

As we walked away from the pair, I could hear Lyra say "I gotta talk to him!" followed by Bon Bon saying "No, stay away from him! We don't need another incident!"

What happened before my arrival? What had Lyra done?

"What would you like to do Timeless?" Fluttershy asked as we stopped at the path that led to her home.

"I think I'm going to go talk to Twilight. I have some questions to ask her." I said. Fluttershy nodded and bid me goodbye as I turned and walked towards the towering crystal palace that belonged to Twilight.