Outcasted Hero

I awoke to the sound of beeping coming from my right. I had a throbbing headache, my vision was blurry and unfocused, and I had no idea where I was or how I had gotten here; but I do remember something about being chased into a tunnel and coming out of it and into a forest. I attempted to blink away the fuzz that enveloped my vision and as it started to slowly become clearer I saw that the beeping was emanating from a heart monitor. Seeing it, and the bandages that adorned my bare chest, quickly caused my mind to recall all that crap with those ponies and how they're the reason I was in my current state; I may not be showing it but I was in a a lot of pain though to anyone else it would probably appear that my wounds weren't affecting me at all as I sat up with what would appear to be without any effort at all.

"Those fucking assholes are the reason I'm in here just because they immediately assume the worst of a creature that they've never seen before, so they better not expect me to so kind the next time I see them." I said to myself as the malice in my voice was plenty obvious. Though soon after saying that I noticed the sound of clopping that was getting louder and louder indicating that the source was most likely heading for the room I was currently in, as well as a couple of voices.

"But Princess Celestia, do you really think it's a good idea trying to talk to this thing. It was chasing Fluttershy out of the Everfree Forest and there was all of those strange devices that it had it." I heard the familiar voice of that rainbow-maned pegasus from before.

I heard the clopping sound stop abruptly before I heard a response come from this Princess Celestia. "Yes, Rainbow Dash, I do believe that we should try to speak to this creature and get some information out it to find out just what 'it' is and what they're doing in Equestria. If it proves that this creature is in fact a threat then steps have been taken to ensure that it isn't able to harm anypony, but I doubt it considering that Twilight was able to disable it so quickly, isn't that correct Twilight?" I heard the Princess ask to another that was supposedly there as well, which was followed by a response of that "That is correct Princess," before I saw the door handle become enveloped in a golden glow and the door promptly open soon after.

There in the door, low and behold, were the same eight ponies that I had already become 'acquainted' with since I went through that tunnel/cave. If I had to judge by their expressions they weren't expecting me to be awake and sitting in my bed waiting for them to walk into the room, but guess what, I was.

"You're not suppose to be awake yet." I heard the lavender unicorn say in surprise.

"Well I am. . . . so any of you care to explain what the hell is happening." I snapped at them seeing how I was still angry.

"Hey, there is no need bite our heads off. It's your fault anyway for chasing one our dear friends on that bike of yours." The white unicorn spoke this time.

"I wasn't chasing her, I was running, or biking as the case may be, away from some weird wolf made of wood and I followed your friend because I figured that she would know a way out of this forest." I explained to them but it would as though most of the ponies in the room didn't believe me. They all sat there in silence before the Rainbow Dash spoke up.

"Do you really expect us to believe that load garbage. No pony saw a timberwolf behind you so that means that you must be lying." She stated as though it was a matter of fact.

I shook my head in amusement at how this mare was able to act so cocky despite her size, but I bet that that's because she thinks that she could take me down if I decided to become a threat to any of them. Though I have to say that if the need were to arise again I wouldn't be taken down so easily next time, but that will all depend on what these ponies decide whether or not I become their enemy.

"You know, I don't really care if you believe me because I know the truth so I'm good." I said smugly as I laid down on the hospital bed with my hands behind my head.

"It's not if ya want us to trust ya." The orange mar said in her southern accent.

"And who said that I wanted your trust in the first place because I know I didn't, and I'm sure as hell not going to beg for it if that's what you're hoping for." I responded to the country mare and I looked to her to hear her rebuttal but before she could the white alicorn extended her wings in front of the mare.

"Applejack we are here to ask him some questions about what has lead him to be here, not to throw accusations at him." The white stepped in and silencing the mare, whose name is apparently Applejack, and took a step towards before she spoke again, this time directly to me. "So with that being said will you cooperate with ours demands and tell us how you came to Equestria and why you're here as well as explaining as to where you're from?" She asked politely in a motherly tone that brought me some comfort in the situation that I've found in.

"Yeah I'll tell you provided that you promise none of you interrupt me while I am providing you with the answers you seek and leave your questions until I'm done. . . . and should I be cut off at any point then I will just stop speaking until I feel like giving you any more information, do we have deal?" I asked with a stern expression. I waited for their answer as they contemplated as to how serious I was about my threat of complete and utter silence should I be cut off in the middle of my explaination by an accusation or something in the same manner, a question or two I could forgive, but making accusations without hearing the whole story first that is what could make me angry.

After about 25 minutes of arguing amongst themselves the ponies turned back towards me. "Okay mister um. . . . oh my I haven't asked what your name is." The white alicorn said, just now realizing this.

Wonder if she also remembers that it's polite to introduce yourself before asking your guest to reveal their own name. I thought but I got my answer pretty damn almost as if she had read my mind.

"I think before we ask anymore from you that we should introduce ourselves, especially if we hope to get along in the future." She stated.

"If I decide I want to stay after all that has happened." I added coldly.

"But I thought you had no idea where you were?" Twilight asked me.

"I don't but that doesn't mean I can't just get up and leave once I'm all healed up." I said not softening my tone in the slightest.

"Please, I ask that you not make any rash decisions based on what has happened between you and my little ponies, at least not until we've this whole thing sorted out." the alicorn pleaded.

"But sister, I don't think that that is a wise decision to make. We have no idea what he is or what he plans are in Equestria, for all we know he could a new enemy that has come to destroy us under the false pretenses that he's a weak and helpless soul that has no home and attack when we least expect it." the smaller, dark blue alicorn said cautiously to the bigger one. Though when the Princess was going to make her retort against her sister's statement, she was cut off by my laughter.

"Pfft, hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha . . . . oh oh someone make her stop, that is just fucking hilarious, hahahahahahahahahahaha." I couldn't help but laugh, she actually thought that I was pretending to be weak and helpless just so they would pity on me, now that is fucking funny. Because of how funny I found it, it took awhile for me to calm down enough to breath properly. I'm actually surprise I didn't stop sooner considering how much my chest started to hurt when I had begun, and it still is despite the fact that I've stopped laughing and I my breathing was now under control.

Despite the pain I thought it was worth it and I thought it was more so when I looked up and saw the scowl on the smaller alicorn's face. "Are thou finished with thine's laughter?" Really, she still talks like someone from the renaissance era.

"That depends. . are you done making absolutely ridiculous statements like that one 'cause if not then no." I said with a smirk.

"And why, pray tell, is my statement so ridiculous that is caused thou to go into a fit of uncontrollable laughter?" She asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Well, because if you knew the type of person I am, that thought wouldn't have even crossed your mind." I stated as though it was common knowledge which in a way it is.

"Well then how about you tell us what kind of 'person' you are then?" She is a real bitch isn't she, I mean seriously though fucking lighten up for crying out loud.

"I would, but you have yet to tell me who any of you are, and I don't really feel any kind of obligation to do so until you do." I know I'm a dick, I've always been one to just about everyone but those who are willing to try and see pass it will eventually see what the good that I still have managed to keep over the years of abuse I've suffered through the last twelve years.

"Suppose that that is fair enough, very well then. I am Princess Luna, Ruler of the Night, and Guardian of Dreams." Princess introduced herself nonchalantly.

"Well if introductions are getting started I suppose I should go next. I am Princess Celestia, the Ruler of the Day and all who dwell within the light of my sun." Princess said next.

"I'm Princess Celestia's most student, and friend, as well as the Element of Magic, Twilight Sparkle." Twilight gave as a formal introduction in a friendly tone.

Maybe she's one of the ponies in this world who will probably able to handle that I'm a jerk most of the time and not have such a short fuse when it comes down to tolerating my antics, and I also probably need to remind myself to ask what the hell are the Elements of Harmony after intros are done. I thought before I heard the other unicorn speak up.

"I, my good sir, am Lady Rarity. I represent the Element of Generosity and Ponyville's resident fashionista, and if you do plan on staying, I could perhaps make you some new clothes." Rarity offered, which may just take up considering I most likely won't be leaving anytime soon and I am currently not wearing anything.

Something else I need ask about along as to the whereabouts of the rest of my stuff. Another mental note of things I thought were important to ask later on.

"My name is Applejack. I run Sweet Apple Acres, the biggest apple orchard in all of Equestria, along with my big brother Big Macintosh, my little sister Apple Bloom, and our Granny Smith. I also represent the Element of Honesty and am able to tell if a pony is lyin' just by looking at 'em." She said with a suspicious glare that made me roll my eyes at how paranoid she was being.

Next up seemed to be the bouncing ball of pink energy as she jumped up onto the bed, and ignoring the concept of personal space altogether, as she pressed her muzzle to my face till our noses were touching. "Uh. . . . " was the only thing to come out of my mouth as I was trying to determine what the fuck she was doing.

She stood there, looking into my eyes as if she was trying to look into my soul, before I blinked. When I reopened my eyes I saw that was now standing at the foot of the bed. Well, looks like we got a weird one here. I didn't think too much on what just happened seeing as how the others in the room weren't saying or doing anything so I take it that stuff like this happens all the time.

"Hiya, I'm Pinkie Pie and I am the best party planner in Equestria. I also help run Sugar Cube Corner, that makes the most scrumdiddlyumptious goodies that you will ever taste, and represent the Element of Laughter and I hope that we can become the bestest of friends." The pink mare said as she bounced all over the room.

"Yup, I was right, you definitely are a strange one alright, but I can't help but find your antics amusing. Maybe that's because you look like the type of pony that would some of the stuff I would do on a daily basis." I remarked out loud as I watched Pinkie continue to bounce around with seeming endless amounts of energy.

"Yeah, well, if you do anything that could anypony around I, Rainbow Dash, future Wonderbolt and the best flyer in Equestria as well as the Element of Loyalty, will stop you." The rainbow maned pegasus boasted as she hovered above me.

"And lets not forget how you seem to be oh so humble as well, right?" I commented sarcastically, which earned a glare from the mare in question, as well as a snickering from Applejack.

Well that's seven out of the eight mares that I've met since coming here that I could now place a name to, but I couldn't see that other pegasus that I first saw in that forest. "Uh. . . where's that other pegasus friend of yours, the that I was supposedly chasing?" I asked as I looked around the room but could find her, though I thought I saw a glimpse of her pink tail from behind Twilight and Rarity.

"Fluttershy, why don't you come out and introduce yourself to our guest?" I heard Rarity say as she and Twilight stepped aside to reveal the shy pegasus, who let out an adorable 'eep' before she curled up into a ball and hid her face behind her pink mane. I couldn't help but to immediately be drawn to her as I couldn't seem to be able to take my eyes off of her, and in a way it made me feel bad about scaring her yesterday, or however long ago I've been out but I'm going to assume that I've been since yesterday afternoon, well afternoon in this world apparently. I thought I should make to first move in this situation to make her more comfortable as I tried to get up from my bed.

"Hey, what are ya doing, ya shouldn't be moving around too much. Ya are still injured, especially those legs of yours." Applejack said as she saw me getting up with the blanket draped over me like a toga. I just ignored her though as I limped over the Fluttershy.

I kneeled down to be at eye level with her, as the rest of her friends watched me to make sure I didn't try to pull anything, and spoke with the kindest and most reassuring voice that I could muster. "Hey there, Fluttershy was it?" I asked to which I got a nod. "Well Fluttershy, my name is David Herrera, and that I'm very sorry for scaring you yesterday in the forest. I promise that I wasn't going to hurt you and that I was following you so that I could somewhere safe and away from that timberwolf that jumped out of the bushes." I said in a sincere apology and explanation. I may be an ass to just about everyone, though I don't think could really blame me if they knew what I've gone through already, but as I said before I do have goodness in this blackened heart of mine and it also happens to have a soft spot for anything that I define as cute or adorable, like little puppies, and I don't really like holding grudges all that much considering I have enough things to worry about than holding a vendetta for a simple misunderstanding and I realized that I overreacted a bit afterwards.

After I introduced myself and I explained why I did what I did, Fluttershy stopped trembling and looked up at me with those blue eyes of hers from behind her mane. "R-r-really, you weren't going to hurt me?" She asked in a voice barely above a whisper, to which I just nodded. "Then could you tell me why you were in the Everfree forest, if you don't mind that is." She asked shyly.

"Sure, I did promise to tell all of you a little about myself and what I was doing in that forest. Just let me get back into bed first, my feet are killing me." Though lets face it I was in fucking pain from all of the injuries I've seemed to sustain during that little fiasco.

As I got into bed and got myself settled in, I looked at everypony in the room, who all had expecting looks on their features, before I began. "Well before I tell what led me to that forest I should introduce myself. My name is David R. Herrera; I am seventeen years old, going to be eighteen in about a month, and am a recent high school graduate as of a couple of months ago. I don't have a career as I was waiting to go back to my home with my parents and six siblings, two sisters and four brothers, but it would seem that they had changed their minds on that."

"What do you mean, and we still don't know where you came from or what you are." Princess Celestia asked me.

"Oh right, sorry, well you see I come from a planet called Earth, that resides in the Milky Way galaxy if that means anything to you, and am known as a human being , and if you want to get really scientific about it we're known as homospaiens. As for what I meant by my parents changing their minds on allowing me to go live with them was that for the past five or so years I've been living with my grandparents after an issue between me and my step father's family had arisen, and had been told that after I graduated from high school, that I would be able to go back to live with parents until I decided to head off to college, which would have most likely been about a year or two after I graduated, but instead I was told by my grandmother that my parents on longer wanted anything to do with me and that she was going to keep their to live with them and work as their fucking slave. After she told me that I went and packed up some of my belongings and ran away, and all of this happened just several hours before I ended up here." I jabbered on about everything had happened after that, from the six to seven hour bike ride, to helping out that girl I saw being harassed by those dicks to the chase into that train tunnel that turned into a cave and the whole thing with that timberwolf.

When I ended they were all displaying a variety of different emotions. Rainbow Dash was still looking at me suspiciously, Applejack just stood there with her mouth open, Fluttershy along with Princess Celestia and Twilight had sympathetic looks on them, Rarity was smiling but she's been smiling since I told them about defending that girl, Pinkie Pie's mane seemed to have deflated and looked sad, and Luna had an appraising look upon her face.

Silence filled the room as the mares ran through their emotions as I sat there watching them though eventually when I saw that none of them were going to say or do anything I decided examine my bandages that covered most of my body. There were casts on my left leg and arm, right arm was fully bandaged along with my right calf, my head, and torso. I didn't take I had taken that much damage when I got blasted, but then again I'm forgetting that I did take quite a few hits from those thugs as well before coming here. I thought as I let out a sigh.

"What ever, compared to all of the broken bones I've dealt with throughout the years along with that seizure a few years ago, this is just somthing else I could add to the list of serious injuries I've had. Man I must be a magnet for trouble with all of the crap I've been through already." I said as I let out another sigh while shaking my head in amusement at how lightly I seem to be taking all of this. I guess I could possibly chalk that up to the fact that I'm seriously fucked up in the head.

I looked back down to my bandaged up body and closed my eyes so as to make sure I properly took in the current appearance of my form as well as the pain that was brought from it before I felt something soft, furry, and warm embrace me. I opened my eyes to see that Fluttershy was hugging me and that she was shedding tears as I felt something wet sliding down from her cheek to mine. "Um, Fluttershy, what are you doing?" I asked as I was uncertain of what could have brought this on.

"I'm thought that you needed a little comforting. You have been through so much in just one day, losing your family and friends, having to deal those horrid people by yourself, plus what we did to you just because you were a strange creature that we haven't seen before and brought you harm, can you ever forgive us for doing this you?" Fluttershy sobbed out her apology.

"Honestly Fluttershy, I don't care about anything that any of you have done. I understand completely why you all did it so I don't hold any ill will towards any of you. The only reason I was acting like that towards you girls was because I was angry with everything that had happened beforehand, that and I have a serious anger problems that should probably be dealt with at one point but I'm going to wait to solve that problem seeing as it's not to far up the list." I told her as I rubbed her back to get Fluttershy to stop crying. Seriously though, I should be the one broken up about this but yet I feel as though I massive weight has been lifted off of my shoulders. Hmm, maybe it has something to do with the fact that I always kinda felt as though something like this may happen; not the whole fucking up some thugs and traveling to a new thing, but that I would eventually be abandoned by my family, I just didn't know when and I guess the fact that it happened now has taken away the anxiety that I've been holding onto waiting for that day to arrive. Either way it happened and now I'm stuck here but I think I'm actually okay with that. I get a new start in life where no one, or pony as the case may be, that knows of who i was in the past, and quite frankly that has been my biggest downfall considering that nobody who knew me would let go of the past and allow me to forget about my mistakes.

"I don't mean any offense, but your family sound like a bunch of assholes."

"Rainbow Dash, language, the princesses are still here."

"Sorry Rares but I'm just saying what everypony is thinking. David's family are assholes for just abandoning him like that, and I thought what we did was terrible." I couldn't help but shake my head in amusement at how blunt Rainbow was being but it's not like I could really argue with her.

"No matter how many times this happens I still can't believe that no matter where I go this sort of thing always happens." I said to no one in particular.

"What are ya talking about David?" Applejack asked.

"No matter where I go, or what I do, whenever I meet someone for the first time and they spend enough time around me, especially in a small area such a this town, I always seem to be able befriend without any real hassles, especially when I tell them the sob story that is my life. It's just really weird considering that I've been a loner most of my life and usually stay cooped up in my room playing my games." I explained, and it's the truth. Whenever I meet someone I always seem to make them a friend at one point or another, but after a while we end up barely even acknowledging each other considering how much time I spend alone and they go off to be with whatever other friends they have, not that I mind in the slightest considering having others around would distract me and there are often thoughts that plague my mind that need my full attention if want them to stop.

"Well I hope that it's a good kind of weird for you because that means that you'll be able to make a lot of new friends here in Ponyville." Pinkie Pie said with that grin of hers.

"It all depends on what happens in the that decides if it's good or bad for me, though if I were to analyze every person that I've befriended, I would say that it's not really all that good." I said as I thought back to all have the different people I've met.

"And why is that if I may ask." Princess Celestia asked

"Well most of the people I've befriended would end up betraying my the trust have put in them and I usually will give them more than a couple of chances, but I the end they end up trying to use me I end up just kicking them out of my life. A smaller percentage of them end up becoming acquaintances more than friends, so we know each other but we're less liable to hang around each other; and the rest end up becoming my actual friends that I do hang with, but that groups is incredibly small." I feel like I'm just repeating myself over and over again but just different phrasing, meh whatever, I could couldn't care less about how many times I repeat this. It's better that they know what I am before they do anything with me.

"Fluttershy, why are you still hugging on to him like that?" Twilight asked her shy friend as I had completely forgotten that she was still holding on to me and that I was unconsciously petting her, but at least she not stopped crying and I really didn't mind the way we were.

"Oh, um, I was just. . . I mean he and. . . . Sorry David if I made you feel uncomfortable, but it was just so relaxing when you were petting me. I guess I kinda got lost in my world." Fluttershy apologized as she got up and joined her friends.

"It's no problem Fluttershy, I didn't mind at all especially since I know how you feel. When my mom still cared she used to comb through through my hair to get all of the lice that were in it after my cousins came over, which was why I ever got them in the first place was because of my cousins, but whenever she did it I felt so relaxed. It felt like heaven whenever she got the right spot behind my ears, at that point I was more of dog than a person with how I'd start moving my leg around whenever she found that magic spot, *sigh* I miss someone doing that for me it felt so damn good." Now that was the best, well except for the lice, they can burn in hell with how itchin they made my head.

"So you're saying that if we scratched behind your ear then your leg would start shaking up and down like a canine would." Luna asked.

"Yep." I confirmed and then I saw the mares look at one another smiling a mischievous smile before Applejack walked up on jumped on the bed with me.

"What would ya do if, say, you wanted one of us to do that for ya?" Applejack asked as she moved closer to me and used one of her hooves to lightly scratch behind my right ear, not quite hitting to spot but was close though.

"Hm, well I think the better question would be what wouldn't I do to experience that sensation again." I answered. I knew where this was going but I don't really give a damn. It's nirvana whenever gets that spot, it's almost as good, if not then better, than sex. At least for me it is, don't know about everyone else but last I checked I don't give a damn what everyone else thinks.

"What if I asked ya to do my chores on my farm for a week?" Damn it, physical labor. I fucking knew it, but she's closer to hitting that spot.

"Well alright, but you would have to have to give me a list and either you or some other pony show me how to anything I don't how to do as well as have another ready for anything that I'm unable to do, otherwise I'd be game." Might find as a shock, but I actually like working. I enjoy being able to move around then sitting at a desk, which is a little conflicting considering that I was going a computer illustrator for some company that made videogames seeing as I am a gamer and an artist, as well as that notebook I had brought with me that had numerous drawings that I had someday wanted to put into a game of my own design, just would someone to create the character themselves seeing as I can't any other creatures besides dragons and even those are a little sketching at best.

Wait a minute that actually reminds me. "Hey girls I've been meaning to ask to where all of my stuff is 'cause I should have some clothes in my the bag I had. That and my jacket had my phone in it as well." They all looked perplexed when I mentioned my phone.

"Everything you had on you, including your destroyed shirt and pants, are over in that closet and we actually wanted to ask what some of the things you had were." Twilight said as her horn glowed and the door to said closet and my bag and the clothes that I was wearing that were shredded came out in a magenta glow.

Twilight put everything on the left side of the bed and levitated my phone from the pile. "So this is one of the devices that we were curious about. What you mind telling us what it is and what it does?" She asked

"Yeah sure, this is my cell phone and we humans use it to contact one another from almost anywhere in the world, though with the one I got it can do more like allow me to listen to music or play games when I get bored. It also acts as a camera and video recorder as well, and there's much more than it can do. The same goes for anyone with the same or newer models as well." I explained to them.

"So then earlier you were using it to listen to music when you decided that you didn't want to talk with us anymore?" Twilight asked.

"Yeah, though it was to mostly calm myself down than to ignore you guys. As I've said before I got some serious anger problems, and after what happened the last time I lost control of if, I don't want nor do I need that. . .'thing' coming back out." I said with a spiteful growl at that last part.

"Thing, what are you talking about, what happened the last time you lost it." Rainbow Dash asked.

"Lets just say that I'm surprised that I wasn't charged with attempted murder that day." I said which earned a gasp from all of the mares in the room.

"Well I can see why you would want to keep it under control, but how does listening to the kind of music you listen help to keep you calm, because from what I could hear from yesterday, it sounds rather violent." Rarity stated curiously.

"I can't really explain it but whenever I find a song I like I'll listen to it; it these strange impulses through me though they don't want to make want to dance, or really do anything for that matter, but instead to just sit there and enjoy the song as it plays." I tried to explain it to them but judging by their faces they were seriously confused. "Like I said it's hard for me to explain, I'm just gonna ask that you trust me on this." I added in.

"Okay. . . . so then what is this strange black box thing used for then because when we tried to open it it wouldn't budge." Pinkie asked as she pulled my PS3 out of my bag, lucky for me, it didn't seem to have taken any damage despite what has happened in the last 24-hours.

"That is my Playstation 3, or PS3 for short. It's what we call a video game console and it's mainly for entertainment. Do you see the little cases in my bag?" I asked as I pointed to games that I had also brought with me. Princess Luna came over to my bag and pulled out several of the games that were in there. She looked through them and seemed to be pleased by the appearance of some of them.

"I must say that some of these look very interesting, can you tell me what they're about?" Luna asked as she was looking at Modern Warfare 3.

"Not right now, maybe some other time after I get out of here, though I think it would be better if I showed you though, as seeing them is way better than having someone else tell you about them." I said as her expression changed into one of disappointment.

"Very well then we will wait, but does thou promise that we will see them when you are healed?" She quickly perked up as she asked.

"As long as I have everything I need in order for it to work, sure." The answered seemed to satisfy her and left it at that. I turned towards to others so as to speak to them. "So when will I be able to get out of here?" I asked as I didn't want to stay here long, hospital food sucks from what little I ate back when I had to stay overnight after my seizure.

"The doctor said that they're keeping you here overnight so as to make sure that there are no complications from the operation considering that you're new species to us and treating you was somewhat of a complication, but if everything turns out fine, then you'll be let out tomorrow and you'll be living with me from there on out." Twilight informed me.

"Alright then I guess that I'll just have wait till tomorrow then." After I finished what I was saying a tan pony wearing a white coat came into the room.

"I'm sorry to intrude princesses, but visiting hours are over though you may come back tomorrow if you wish. Hopefully by then our patient here will be feeling well enough to be released." He stated with a smile.

"Well very well then, come everypony, let go so that David may get his rest. Twilight and her friends will be by tomorrow to retrieve from the hospital if you're okay to be released." Princess Celestia said as she and the girls left.

I laid there for a moment staring at the door before exhaustion finally took hold of me and I started to slip into the realm of dreams, but before I could fully slip into them I had one final thought. I have a feeling that these ponies are going to drive me up a wall, but I think I can live with it if things go well for me here.