Stranded

“So… you said that you can’t use magic?”

Jack asked to Luna who was resting over his bed. A couple of hours passed until she felt a little better, he still could see the stain of tears over her cheeks.

“In my world, magic is what you can call a “force of nature”. It is present in almost all forms of life, all the races of ponies can wield magic, of course, not all can develop it that easily. Unicorns and Alicorns have the characteristic of possess horns that function as a caster and receptor that helps them to use magic with great mastery.”

“Well, that makes sense; still, it doesn’t explain why you can’t use a spell to return to your world.”

Luna sighed sadly.

“Look at my mane.”

Jack did it and noticed that it was still moving like if it was trapped on a soft breeze. He reached out to Luna and traced his fingers along her silky hair.

“I still have a small amount of magic within me, but I can't use it, it isn't enough to try and open a way back, I need to have a source of power, but your world does not have magic, not a single trace at all."

“Like someone lost in a desert?”

He said and Luna nodded.

“Stranded in a strange land… and lonely…”

Luna put her head under her front legs, new tears started to sting her eyes.

“No, you’re not alone.”

Jack said while caressing her cheek. Luna didn't know why, but just by hearing his voice and feeling his touch, her heart was filled with a warm sensation… and she loved it.

“I don't know how long you will be here, but I will make my best for you to be comfortable, this is now your home, and I'm glad for it."

Luna couldn't help but smile, his words carried honesty and compromise, something she didn't expect in return.

"Come on, it's almost noon and you haven't eaten anything, plus, I'm hungry too."

In that moment, her stomach decided to answer for her with a low rumble, Jack raised an eyebrow and Luna blushed heavily, he found it adorable.

“S-sorry.”

He laughed. “Oh my, we better move, follow me, my dear.”

She stood up from the bed and did so. When they left the room, Luna's mouth fell open. Jack's home could easily have the size of the throne room in Canterlot Castle. The stairs led from the second floor to a lower level where large armchairs made a semicircle around a large shelf where there were many books, a big hearth with fire lit and what seemed to be a giant chest. While they kept walking, Luna could see through the window a large pool on the left side of the house; Jack leaned on the wall and looked at the alicorn who had a priceless expression of amazement.

“Do you like it?”

"Yes, I can find some similarities between this place and the library of the castle.”

“Do you think that there could be a relation between our worlds?"

He asked her somehow intrigued, did she really said that this “Equestria” has the same kind of life as in earth?

“To tell you the truth, by the few things you have told me, Equestria shares many things with earth, however, even the older books from the library don’t have something about your world or about your race, what was it called? Hum… humungus?”

Jack laughed. “Humans, our species is called humans. You know, for us you are not so unknown, our mythology speaks of unicorns and pegasus, only that you are a combination of both, that's fantastic."

He said as he led her into the kitchen.

"Well, since we're here. Tell me, what would you like to eat? I have eggs, ham, fruit, milk, coffee ..."

Luna asked for a couple of sandwiches and Jack was ready to oblige. While preparing the meals, she gave a little tour around the kitchen finding some more similarities, this caused her to feel homesick, but she tried to let it slide.

Once Jack had finished with the preparations, he set the table and Luna came closer taking a big look at the dishes, some fresh cut fruit, a big steaming pot from where a powerful herbal scent were coming, sandwiches and bread, everything looked delicious and made Luna's mouth water.

“Go ahead, eat.”

With her magic, she took the fork to start with the fruit. The freshness of it was such that she couldn't contain a small moan of pleasure that escaped from her lips. When she looked up and saw that jack was staring at her with big eyes, her cheeks turned red before she could look away.

Jack laughed before returning to his breakfast and in silence he thought that sharing his home with a being that seemed to come from a fairytale for some reason seemed very normal. After the awkward moment, they continued eating in silence until Luna spoke again.

"I'm curious to know what you do here in your world; this place looks pretty expensive, like a luxury apartment in Manehattan."

"Well, indeed it is, but my job allows me to pay for it.”

"What is your job?"

"My company sells steel as a raw material for other companies that transform it into a wide universe of things, from spoons like this one to a whole railway engine. And soon, we will build our own machines to compete on the market.”

“It sounds fascinating.”

“It truly is, the dream of my father soon will come true, I owe it to him.”

Luna could sense melancholy on his words.

“Is there something bothering you, Jack?”

“Well, my father was the first to have the idea of building machines to help the people of London, he wanted to make their lives more easy, this new century brought with it so many changes that a great portion of the population is suffering on the streets, he wanted to help the poor, to give them jobs, a better life, but he couldn’t.”

“W-why?” She asked

“Well…” He began, and Luna saw pain in his eyes. “He died a couple of months ago.”

Luna lowered her head in understanding.

“I’m sorry to hear that, he sounds like a great pony… I mean, man.”

“He truly was… all that I have is thanks to him, I still miss him.” Jack looked to one side as a tear ran down his cheek.

“Do you feel alone without him?” Luna asked.

“Yes… that’s why I try to spend most of the day at the factory, to keep my mind on other things, the loneliness of this house seems so big sometimes that it can be overwhelming, but now, thanks to you, I think… I think that will change.”

He said with a smile on his face. Luna stood perplexed by his words; did he really said that he was glad of having her in his life? Did he really mean it? She decided to keep those questions for her and just returned the smile.

They shared some more hours on the kitchen chatting about their worlds and life, learning things one from the other. After that, he showed her the rest of the house and told her to feel free of using whatever she needed.

Once the tour ended, Jack left the house to buy some things they would need and Luna decided to take a look at the huge shelves. She grabbed a book called “A Study in Scarlet” and began to read it; it didn't take that long for her to be hooked by the story.

Jack returned to find a curious scene; Luna was over the couch lying on her back with the book floating above her surrounded by a blue glow. Her eyes scanned the words and her mouth moved as she read page after page. He was pleased to see that his unexpected guest began to cheer herself, but it was obvious that this could not last long.

She had to find a way to return to her world, also, sure that she would have some privacy inside the house, but she couldn't be seen, they would have to be extremely careful during the first days.

“I see that you are enjoying yourself.”

Luna quickly stood up the couch and hugged the book.

“I love this book, this Sherlock Holmes a genious, oh and the story itself, the mystery, the intrigue, I can’t wait to see what will happen next.”

“I know, that book is one of my favorites, it’s a shame that Sir Arthur died a year ago, but he left a good amount of novels of Sherlock for us to enjoy.”

“Wow… I will read all of them in his honor.”

“I bet you will love them.”

Luna continued reading and Jack went to his studio to work on some projects until the night surprised them. After a small dinner, Jack took her to his room.

“You can use my room, I’ll take my father’s one, if you need something, you can come and wake me up, I’ll leave the door open.”

Luna climbed into the bed and under the blankets; He turned around to leave the room, however, Luna stoped him.

"Jack.”

“Yes?”

“I... I just wanted to… thank you for all that you have done... "

He raised his hand and she stopped talking.

"Listen, you don’t have to thank me, it is the least I can do, you are my friend and friends help each other, even in their darkest days.” He sighed. “I know that this place seems big, but for you, I’m afraid that soon will turn into some kind of prison, you will not be free, not until we can think of something and for now, you will have to stay here."

Luna moved the tip of her wing placing it gently over Jack's lips. The princess's eyes sparkled and soon were filled with tears, but this time, she was smiling.

"I know, Jack... thank you."