"A veterinarian, though. They sent a veterinarian!" Since the day Todd was informed that it was not in fact a doctor that tended to him, but instead a veterinarian, every conversation led to the topic. Even now as he was walking back to the Golden Oak Library, subsequent to his discharge.

"Todd, we've been over this already... a lot. No doctor in Ponyville knows primate biology well enough to cast a broken wrist, let alone perform a complex emergency operation. They did the best they could."

"It still pisses me off. I'm not an animal god damn it."

"We're all animals Todd, you more than most."

Well, she's getting better at this.

"Oh I'm sorry I don't walk around spouting bullshit about 'loving people for who they are' and 'tolerating everyone' like some free-loving hippie." The sun was not present, the winter cloud cover shrouded the landscape with an oppressive gray filter. The lessened brightness of Celestia's sun made the hunter look excessively gruff and intimidating. Ponies all around took recess from their lives to stare at the beast that walked through their town. Conversations cut short, work ceased, and the eerie silence was broken only by Todd's rambling.

Maybe if he'd smile more often ponies wouldn't be afraid of him. Complain all you want about vet, you're lucky anyone wanted to care for you. I can't wait to try to find you a dentist. "Well ponies like love and tolerance, and it's your job to protect them, not make fun of them."

"What, you think I can't do both? How long till your house anyways?"

"Well, it's not so much a house as it is a library. But it's a few miles from here."

Oh you've got to be kidding me.

Snow topped the Golden Oaks Public Library, allowing what little light was available to illuminate the mighty tree. As the door opened a gust of soothingly warm air burst forth. Immediately after entering, Todd took time to remove his muddied boots so as to not dirty Twilight's home. I've gotta show her I'm not a complete ass. He had hefted the cumbersome green duffel bag he had been carrying with what Twilight Sparkle had considered an impressive feat of strength. They had walked nearly five miles and to her it seemed he had carried the heavy bag with no effort what-so-ever. He had not groaned, nor grunted, nor given a single complaint to the labor.

At least there's something he doesn't complain about. "So, this is home. You can go ahead and leave your bag there for now."

"Wow, do you ever get splinters just walkning around here?"

"Welcome home Twilight!"

"Hi Spike. Could you help Todd find the guest bed?" The Purple Dragon locked eyes with the human. Gazing back Todd bared his teeth to pronounce his canines and let out a faux growl. Spike recoiled and let out a small shriek.

"Heh, I think the lizard is afraid of me."

"Hey! I'm not afraid! And I'm not a lizard, I'm a dragon."

"Splendid. Now where am I staying?"

"Follow me, I'll show you where Twilight's room is." Perhaps Todd had misheard, perhaps it was simply a mental slip. Twilight had said Spike was a baby dragon after all. As the tour of the home continued Todd began to presume that he would be sharing a room with his handler.

Maybe that's for the best. At least we're not sharing a bed, and besides, this way I can keep tabs on her.

He'd better not lay a hand on Twilight, or I'll roast him good, just like Shining armor told me to!

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

As Todd and spike left the main hall of the library Twilight felt a cheerful optimism that maybe some day the hunter would become more docile like her dragon stepbrother. She thought that with continued exposure to pony culture there was a chance he could lose his predatory tendencies, or at least dim them.

Maybe he'll even celebrate the holidays with us, and be able to spend time with my friends! At the thought Twilight Sparkle smiled to the point of squinting and let out a gleeful squeal. It wasn't often she had the opportunity to shape the cultural immersion of an alien life. Maybe he could teach me about his world. I'd bet I could write a novel sized research paper on him! After a few more moments of foal-like wonder, the unicorn's attention shifted to the human's luggage. It was an elongated green bag, made of a material unfamiliar to Twilight. Two straps ran along most of then length, she assumed for carrying the massive bag, and was closed at the top by a tied drawstring. In bold, faded black print was a large US. The letters puzzled her, were those the initials of a previous owner, or a brand of bag? Her thoughts were cut short by an exchange between Spike and her house mate.

"Oh get your panties out of a twist, It was just a joke."

"How am I supposed to know that!"

"I laughed after I said it!"

"Well it sounded like a diabolical laugh to me."

Whats this all over?

"Do you think I'm some sort of comic book villain?"

"You think talking about eating ponies is funny apparently, so yes!"

Ah, so that's the problem.

"That's enough!" Having enough of the shouting match Twilight Sparkle saw fit to intervene. If she didn't she may end up with a burnt house and a battered dragon. Todd does have issues controlling himself. "Spike, you have to remember that Todd isn't like a pony. He wouldn't eat me," I hope "and he did save us from that wendigo. We're all just going to have to learn to trust him."

"But Twilight!"

"No buts Spike." The dragon crossed his arms and mumbled his way out of the room. Todd couldn't tell what Spike was saying, but he was pretty sure that he heard 'monkey' or maybe 'monster'.

"Now that that's over, It's about time we get to work." The lavender mare pulled several pressed manila folders from a neatly organized filing cabinet. "While you were in the hospital, Princess Luna sent us some other case files. She said it would be best if you chose which to tackle first." Todd gazed carefully over the files,

Let's see here, bizzare ailment by the Ponyvaina border, vampire, missing persons link in Manehattan, probably gangs, Los Pegasus disappearances, definately gangs, Pesky dragon on the western frontier... fuck that, hallucination educed suicide outbreak in Balkham Asylum, that's clever. Todd pointed his finger to the last file and let loose a confident, "That one."

"What!? You can't just arbitrarily choose one!"

"I didn't choose arbitrarily I--"

"You didn't even open them!"

"What did I say about interrupting me?" Twilight lifted a hoof and folded her ears back in embarrassment.

"Sorry."

"As I was saying, I didn't choose arbitrarily. I chose it because I like H.P. Lovecraft, and Batman."

Author's Note

If no one caught that balking is when a horse is being a pain in the ass and won't move.

I hope to add some more action next chapter, till then, I hope you enjoy.

Wanna help me out with the story? I'd be happy to hear your feed back in the comments or via personal message, and I'll try my best to respond.

Wanna do me a personal favor? Describe how you see Todd's appearance in the comments.

Thank you all for the support!