Departure

Wales, London: 1632 AD
Human Earth

Dear friends and family,

I write this letter to explain my behavior as of late, and to let you know why I am absent from my house at this moment. For the last few months I have been silent, staying away from others, not contacting anyone. I haven't written anything in over a month, nor have I left the house. Many of you have been worried about me, and for that I apologize. The truth is, I have been sick. No, not ill with the plague, but something just as horrid, especially to an artistic soul such as I.

The illness known as writer's block.

The truth is, this world doesn't excite me anymore. The people all talk about the same things, the colors are just dull and gray to me now, even the sight of my dear sweet Olivia fails to ignite a spark within me. I find myself wondering if I am as in love with her as I was in the past. I believe that I was in love with the idea of her, but the reality, as sad as it is to say, was as dull as the world around me.

Needless to say, for now the wedding is postponed.

I write these feelings on paper as it is the best way for me to express myself. Also, I am ashamed to admit that I am a bloody coward and am unable to face the thought of telling all of you this to your face. Olivia, if you by any chance are the one reading this, then I apologize. The world you live in is not one that accepts my soul. I'm certain that you will find someone who will share your beliefs, but alas, that is not me.

I've decided to take a little trip around the world. I wish to see what is really out there, and whether or not there is more to this world than the gray I see before me. I do not know where I shall end up, nor when I shall return. Should years pass, remember me for my past writings, not for the cowardly fraction of a man I left as on this day.

Sincerely,
Arthur Ravenot

After packing a bit of luggage and getting dressed, Arthur took one last look at the letter he had written. He knew that eventually someone would come by and see this. He imagined that it would be Olivia, as she always came to visit him when he “went dark” the term coined by Olivia to describe when he vanished from everyone's sight in an attempt to be alone.

Ahh, Olivia. He remembered a time long ago when the thought of being with her lit a fire in his heart. Her curly blond hair, her luscious curves, full lips, and the gowns she wore that were always the perfect color and seemed to bring out the most of her beauty.

It was a shame that although the world had moved into the later parts of the 17th century, Olivia seemed closer to the 15th. As such, though they had been engaged for the better part of a month, and had been together for almost two years, they hadn't once made love, nor had he ever seen her naked. He didn't even remember the last time they had kissed.

Okay, he understood her reasoning behind it before he asked for her hand in marriage, but most people didn't even believe that they were a couple anyway, so it wasn't like they'd get the church's attention. Maybe she might, but that assumed he was any good. Now they were getting ready to get married, and while he respected Olivia's desire to not consummate before marriage, he could at least hold her close, fondle her in the privacy of his or her home, or at the very least kiss her.

Shouldn't he be allowed to do that much?

After putting on his black pants, white shirt, matching black jacket, and brown shoes, he put on his circular glasses and examined himself in the mirror, wondering if he was just undesirable. He wasn't the strongest young man in the world, and his lack of muscle was apparent. Still, he thought that he was at least attractive. He always wore his long brown hair in a ponytail to keep it out of his face, and it was never messy.

He had the look of a scholar, and could have been a great one. But he was always more drawn to the arts.

Olivia had mentioned her distaste for his choice in career, insisting that he get a “normal” job. He wasn't good at anything else though, he didn't work well with others, and his stamina was lack luster. He knew that deep down Olivia wanted a “true” man. Rather than search for said man, she seemed intent on molding Arthur into that man.

“Well, I suppose I've stalled this long enough,” Arthur said picking up his luggage and walking to the door. He planned on leaving early as to avoid running into anyone, preferring to leave the explanation to his letter-

“Arthur?” Olivia asked as he opened the door, “Why do you have such a large bag with you?”

“Um... O-Olivia...” Arthur stuttered, “W-w-what are you doing here so early?”

“What do you think?” Olivia asked leaning forward, exposing her large bosom slightly due to the nature of her yellow and white gown, “You've spent the better part of the month lollygagging in your house, and it's high time for you to get some air. Although it looks like you finally came to your senses on your own.”

Arthur laughed awkwardly, “Looks like it,” he said, trying to hide how much he was sweating.

“But I still don't understand why you look like you're taking a trip? Especially now. Our wedding is in a few weeks,” Olivia said folding her arms under her bosom. She had to be trying to taunt him. At least, the growing bulge in his pants was thinking that.

“Well... about that...” Arthur said looking anywhere but Olivia's healthy chest.

“Arthur, what are you hiding?” Olivia pressed.

“Hiding? What? Do I look like I'm hiding something? I don't look like I'm hiding something,” Arthur said laughing.

“Actually you do,” Olivia said frankly.

“Ahh...” Arthur turned his head in the other direction away from Olivia.

“Arthur, look at me,” Olivia ordered.

“I... don't think you want me to do that,” Arthur said. God... she always smelled so nice...

“Arthur, I won't ask again,” Olivia leaned in again, “Look. At. Me.”

Arthur swallowed, and then slowly turned to look at Olivia. There it was, the forbidden fruit. Cursing men everywhere to admire from a distance, and only from a distance. Right now she was so close though. All he had to do was close the distance, and their lips would be toughing. Just another inch, and he would finally taste the forbidden fruit.

Olivia placed her finger on his forehead, “Arthur, you know the rules.”

“It's just a kiss though,” Arthur silently begged, “Surely the church won't burn us at the stakes for-”

“I want our first time to be special,” Olivia stated, “Not until our wedding.”

Arthur groaned in pain, taking a deep breath before backing away. He had the prettiest girl in all of England, and he wasn't even allowed to touch her. God must hate him.

“So, what are you hiding?” Olivia pressed, “Out with it.”

Arthur sighed. He didn't want to tell her anything. He had hoped that he could just leave that to his letter, and hopefully to whoever read it first that wasn't Olivia, even if he knew she'd be the first one to read it. Sadly, fate had other plans.

He ran back into his house, got the letter, and handed it to Olivia.

“What is-”

“Please read it,” Arthur begged. He may be face to face with her, but he'd be damned if he said it himself.

She read the letter, Arthur paying close attention to her reaction. She gasped in shock at one point, telling Arthur that she reached the part about her, and she did not look happy. This was why he wanted to be as far away from her as possible.

After she finished she looked up at Arthur, her expression unreadable, but it was clear that she was hurt.

“Do you fine me... boring Arthur?”

Oooh boy... he did not know how to answer that question. Truth was, the answer was a resounding yes, but he wasn't going to tell her that. He didn't want to hurt her feelings. Well, anymore than they already were hurt.

“Ahh... I wouldn't say... boring... but...”

“But...?”

Arthur sighed again, “Olivia, you're very kind, and absolutely lovely, but... I can't live the life you want me to lead.”

“This isn't because I haven't supported your writing hobby, is it?” Olivia asked.

“It's not a hobby Olivia,” Arthur said, “It's my life. My very soul.”

Olivia groaned, “Arthur, you can't make a living just writing poems. My father won't stand for it.”

“I don't just write poems Olivia,” Arthur stated, “I write books, and I don't care if your father doesn't support me. I had always thought that you would support me.”

“I told you before, my family will always come first,” Olivia said.

“I thought that at two years I would be family too,” Arthur said.

“That won't be valid until we're married.”

“Assuming there will be a marriage.”

Olivia held the letter up putting her other hand on her hip, “You're not taking this seriously, are you? We are getting married in a week.”

“Olivia... I can't even kiss you.”

“Kissing is a level of intimacy that I want to reserve for-”

“It's not sex, Olivia! Not that I would mind consummating with you, but a kiss! A simple show of affection so I can express my love! You won't even let me do that!”

“I want our relationship to be deeper than mere fornication!” Olivia argued, “What would my father think?”

“Your father! Your father! That's your excuse for everything! Sometimes I wonder who you love more: me or your father?”

“Arthur, I do love you! But I don't want my father to disown me like he did my sister! If that happened, I'd-”

“If that happened, I would look out for you!”

“Ha! With what? You're writing? That's not a job! Besides, you're not big and strong like normal men your age! You can't protect me! You can't protect anyone!”

That statement hurt, knowing that she really thought that. Sure, it was true, but it hurt nonetheless.

“My father means everything to me,” Olivia continued, “As is my position in the eyes of my peers! I thought you knew that!”

“I guess I believed that I was worth more,” Arthur grumbled.

“Well I'm sorry Arthur. I love you, but I can't compromise anything to appease you.”

Well, maybe this was why God had Olivia meet him right as he was leaving, because what he said next would have been harder to do earlier.

“Have a good day, Olivia,” Arthur said simply, walking past a shell shocked Olivia.

“Arthur! Where are you-”

“I'm not sure,” Arthur stopped and turned to her, “But I just need some time to explore, broaden my horizons.”

“What do you hope to discover out there?” Olivia asked accusingly.

“Something that this world has been lacking for a long time,” Arthur said walking to the harbor, “Magic.”

He was sure that Olivia was calling out to him as he walked off, but he didn't stop. It was made clear to him now that he was missing. Hopefully he could find that thing out there in this world. Hell, he'd travel to another world if he had the chance.

But what were the chances he'd ever get that chance?

Arthur decided to make his first stop on his leave to be France. He managed to catch the last ferry leaving Wales for France, where he planned to meet up with his brother Matthew. He had moved to France once before, and he told Arthur that he could show up anytime if he needed a change in his environment.

Hopefully he wouldn't mind it if Arthur showed up unannounced.

The ferry wouldn't arrive at France for a few days. Until then he tried to get some writing done. Hell, he'd just write in his journal if that was all he could manage. Sadly, once he sat down at his book, all he saw was a blank page.

“Argh! I can't create anything!” he shouted slamming his book closed. He sat back in his chair, allowing himself time to feel out his emotions. At the moment, all he felt was emptiness and frustration, none of which he could put to paper.

At the moment, all he could think about was the last conversation he had with Olivia. For a while he wondered if he had been too harsh on her. He knew that she was the apple of her father's eye. Her younger sister, Bianca, had married a man that her and Olivia's father didn't approve of, so she was disowned. Olivia had a great fear of that happening to her one day, so she walked on eggshells with him, ensuring that she did everything right.

But did that excuse the way she treated him? Arthur was always kept at arm's length, and he wasn't allowed to show any affection that would be deemed “unsightly”. Was he really in the wrong for wanted to hug and kiss his girlfriend, or was she in the wrong for keeping him at a distance and not giving him a full chance?

Maybe they just weren't compatible. But wouldn't he run into this problem no matter who he ended up with? For the longest time he thought that the world around him just had too many rules. He didn't think it was fair that the church controlled how it was acceptable to display love. What if he wanted to hug and kiss the woman he loved right out in the open? What business did the church have in his affairs?

Love wasn't something that was supposed to be controlled by those outside. It was too strong of an emotion to even imagine it being controlled. He wanted to freely express his love for someone. But as long as the world was the way it was, he was trapped.

Arthur needed to get some fresh air, so he left his cabin to walk on the deck of the ship. The moon was out, and the sky was clear, allowing him to see the stars perfectly. He walked to the side of the ship and looked up at the moon, imagining that it was alive.

“Perhaps I'm just not a good fit for this world,” Arthur said with a sigh, “But this is the only world that exists, right? No, that can't be. I refuse to believe that God would lack so much creativity that this world is the best he can do,” he closed his eyes, “If there is another world out there, another place that my heart and soul would be a better fit in, then please let me find it.”

After giving his wish to the moon, he looked down at the water, almost feeling like it would be better if he just jumped and drowned himself. It was clear that this world wasn't made for him. Maybe in the next world he'd find his place.

“I wouldn't do that if I were you,” a voice said from his immediate left. He turned and saw a man sitting on the side of the ship, not exactly dressed for a trip across the sea. He had short brown hair and a beard, and he wore a fancy black tuxedo with dress shoes.

“Um...”

“That water looks really cold, friend,” the man said, “You'd die if you fell in.”

“Well, that might not be such a bad idea,” Arthur said somberly, “It's clear that I don't belong in this world.”

“There are better ways to go to a new world you know,” the man continued, “You could travel on a boat like this, you could fly, or find the door and just walk through.”

“Fly?” Arthur asked the man, who looked dead serious. Who was this man, and why was he sitting so close to the edge of the ship?

“Oh you didn't know? Man wasn't meant to just walk, man was meant to soar through the sky,” the man got up and walked on the side of the ship, “There's an endless sky up there, yet here man is, stuck on the ground. That doesn't seem very fair, does it?”

He was walking perfectly on the edge of the ship! Was he insane?! No, he was fine. He didn't waver at all. Now Arthur wanted to know both who and what he was.

“Sir, that seems awfully dangerous,” Arthur said frantically.

“But danger makes life more fun,” the man said. He did a back flip perfectly on the edge, giving Arthur a mini heart attack.

“Oh God...” Arthur said once he realized the man was okay.

“What's life without a little danger and anarchy?” the man asked.

“Just who are you?” Arthur asked finally, “Are you right in the head?”

“Who, me? Well, a certain Sun Goddess might claim otherwise, but I assure you that I'm perfectly sane,” the man spun around on the edge of the ship, scaring the hell out of Arthur, and then did some fancy pose, “As for who I am, I'm simply an advocate of chaos, anarchy, and mayhem.

“You see,” the man explained, now doing an odd move where he walked forward, yet somehow was moving backwards, “Where I come from, I'm someone of great importance. It's my job to keep things... exciting... if you would. Mix it up, keep everyone on their toes,” he jumped to a sitting position looking right at Arthur, “It's a wonderful job. I'm proud to have it.”

“Well, I'm happy for you,” Arthur said, not understanding anything this guy was saying, “Truth is, I'm starting to hate my job. Rather, my life in general.”

“Oh? Is that why you were contemplating suicide?” the man asked. Arthur allowed his silence to speak for itself, “Tell me, friend, did you mean what you said before? About wanting to go to another world?”

“As if I ever could,” Arthur said.

“Mmm, imagine for a bit, that the way to another world was actually looking right at you. Tell me, what would that world be like?”

“Just imagine?” Arthur asked, the man nodding, “Well let's see. It would be colorful, every color of the rainbow would be present. The people living there would be more focused on freedom, and supporting one another. There wouldn't be silly rules dictating who and how you love. The air would be clean, disease wouldn't be a major issue, and everyone would be accepted. That's the world I would love to see.”

“And if you were looking at the door, all you had to do was go through, would you? Would you take the chance and go to that other world?”

“Yes, yes, YES!” Arthur said walking back the edge of the ship, “If I could... I'd go to that place in a heart beat.”

The man chuckled, “That's all I needed to hear,” he jumped down and walked over to Arthur, placing his hand on his back, “Next stop, Equestria.”

“Huh?” Arthur asked. For a split second, he saw the man's eyes turn yellow and red, almost like a demon's eyes. He then did something that was surprising. He pushed Arthur off the edge of the ship.

As Arthur screamed, he turned back around and saw the man looking down at him waving.

“See you on the other side!” he called out. Oddly, Arthur never hit the water. Instead, he seemed to fall into a black void. Soon, he found himself getting lost to the void and unconsciousness.

“Oh my, are you okay?!” a soft, melodious voice cried out.

“Hm... who's... there...?” Arthur asked, partially opening his eyes. His vision was blurry, but he could make out a yellow form with long pink hair. He could tell they were female, but they didn't look human.

“Hold on! I'll help you!” the voice said. Arthur felt like he was being moved onto someone's back, and in a few seconds he felt movement. Once again he was able to briefly open his eyes, and for a split second he saw that he was riding on the back of a yellow horse. It didn't seem very large, maybe the size of a fully grown pony. He didn't see a rider though.

In fact, he didn't even think there was enough room for a rider on this horse, and he didn't sense anyone walking next to him.

“You'll be okay,” the woman's voice was heard. It was the softest, sweetest voice he had ever heard, and his heart raced hearing it. But where was it coming from?

“Who... are you...?” Arthur asked.

“My name is Fluttershy,” the voice said, the horse turned its head slightly to look at him, “My friend Twilight will know what to do.”

He felt himself fall back unconsciousness, but he took note of what he saw, and it surprised him. That voice... the one that sent his heart a flutter...

It came from the yellow horse...

Author's Note

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