The life and times of Lafayette Ryder

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“Well then, lead the way miss Mayor.” Twilight follows the gray haired politician outside and waves goodbye to Thaddeus and Starbright as she goes. The door slams shut behind them as the two mares start to walk through the streets of Ponyville.

“So what kind of creature is this that you’ve found at the bog?” Twilight asks her older companion as they head out of the small town.

“We aren’t quite sure, one of the CMC came running into my office a while ago shouting about a big, ugly, hairy ape thingy in the bog and then just a few moments later Dr. Whooves informed me of a slender being out by the Whitetail woods. I was hoping that you would go along with me to meet these creatures seeing as how you know humans best.”

“So you think they’re humans?”

“Well, to be honest, I just don’t know Twilight. From what was described it may be possible but I’m not sure, so I would like you to accompany me to speak with them and if need be restrain them.”

“You fear that they may be violent?”

“No, I’m just being cautious; I’d rather not have a rabid orc or an angry human attack me.”

“OK then, well we’re about here, where was he at?”

“I’m right here.” the two mares freeze in their tracks as a gruff voice speaks in broken English right behind them. Twilight turns to look at Mayor Mare who turns to look at the creature behind them.

“You two little horsies looking for me?” Twilight looks over her shoulder to see the speaker; he is indeed a human and a rank smelling one at that. He looks down at her and smiles revealing a mouthful of rotten teeth and some very rancid breath.

“Y...y…Yes,” Mayor Mare says shakily. She turns around fully to speak to him, Twilight does so as well. “We came here to welcome you to the land of Equestria and offer that you may stay in our town for the time being.” The mayor of Ponyville smiles nervously at the large man. The large man just stares at the two diminutive equines before him.

“Do you have any vodka in your town?” he asks with a raised eyebrow.

“Absolutely!” Mayor Mare assures him. “We have our own brewery that makes some of the best alcohol in the nation.”

The man considers this for a second, fingering his beard as he does, and smiles.

“Lead the way little horsie.” He says.

Twilight and Mayor Mare walk back to town followed by the man, whose name they learn to be Viktor something or other. The Mayor ditches Twi when they near the town hall and tells her to make Viktor ‘at home’ in Ponyville and that she has other important ‘things and stuff’ to do. Twilight leads Viktor back to the library and offers him a seat once they’re inside. Rarity looks at Viktor with curiosity and speaks to Twilight.

“Darling, Lafayette came home just a few minutes ago, he’s in bed resting.”

“Oh,” twilight exclaims. “Well then I’ll go wake him.” She turns to Viktor. “Would you excuse me while I go get my husband, I think he can be a tremendous help with this situation.” Viktor nods to her as she leaves the room. He finds a sturdy chair and sits down slowly, his joints pop as he bends them. Rarity smiles at him and speaks. “Viktor was it?” the man in question grumbles to the affirmative. “I happen to be a seamstress, a world famous one at that, so if you plan to be staying here for a while I could make you some new clothes. Would you like that?” she asks him.

“Yes,” Viktor replies. “I would like that but I do plan on returning home as soon as I can, this place is… odd.”

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I sleep a deeply and uneasily with morbid and depressing dreams at every turn. I try to wake myself but I fail. I end up giving in and watching the deaths of all my loved ones play out.

I weep.

I’m in the middle of watching my daughter’s death for the hundredth time from yet another angle when I feel a hoof prodding my side. I silently thank God when I find that I can wake up and escape the tortured nightmares I was living and reliving just moments before. I open my eyes and see Twilight standing at the side of our bed. I reach out, grab her, and pull her into a hug. My actions startle her but she soon hugs me back. I kiss her a few times and start crying softly.

“I love you,” I whisper into her ear.

“I love you too.” She tells me.

I’m not sure why but her statement seems to snap me out of this random depressive funk I’m in.

“So how was your day?” I ask jokingly.

“Oh, pretty good,” she replies. “I found one human out at Froggy Bottom Bog and there is a good chance that there’s another somewhere in Whitetail woods.”

I sit straight up and look at her.

“What did you just say?”