Sunlight peered into Sketch's room and woke him. He got up and opened his eyes slightly and looked at the clock...it was 10:30 am...he laid his head back down and tried to finish the dream he was having. It was futile though as the light smacked him on the face. He then groaned and got up and rolled out of his bed.
He looked at himself in the mirror and noticed his overall appearance. He was aware many didn't like associating with ponies with red and black colorations simply because most ponies with those colorations were evil ponies trying to take over the world. It didn't help that the unicorn he was looking at in the reflection was extraordinarily taller than most ponies. He also bore a rather prominent beard to enclose his face to only emphasize his perpetually angry eyes of silver.
"Good morning you useless shit," Sketch said in his graveled voice, "it's your first day at college...Princess Twilight's college..." His angry eyes then changed to a very nervous expression.
"Oh god, I think I'm gonna throw up." He ran to the bathroom only to notice it was just nervous tension.
He returned to his room and finished getting ready. He packed his saddle with only a pad, quill and a well of ink (corked of course). He then went back to the bathroom and ran the shower. He then returned to his room and got his pet ball python, Snoot she was called, out of her tank and headed to the shower.
"Haven't given you a bath in a while Snoot." Sketch smiled for the first time that morning.
Snoot replied only with sticking her tongue out at her owner.
"Don't sass me young lady." Sketch joked to himself.
After the shower Sketch put Snoot back in her tank and began drying off. He then brushed his hair and trimmed up his beard. He then picked up his glasses and put them on and threw his saddle bag on and walked out the door.
He looked back at his quaint apartment. It was rather small for someone his size. But it was all he could afford. He began walking down the stairs and ran into some ponies returning from their night shift jobs. He gave them a passing greeting following a small smile. They both nervously smiled back and gave small waves.
Sketch was used to it. Most ponies had one of three opinions of him; Fear, Meh, and Trust. The latter is often reserved to his family and the friends he grew up with.
He made his way through the town of Ponyville toward Twilight's castle. Apparently, after years of living alone in her massive home Twilight got lonely and opened a college of sorts in the castle. It was here she and her friends teach different topics.
Twilight teaches Magic 101 and more advanced sets, along with friendship lessons, and even more advanced sciences. And if she can't make it Starlight often steps in her place.
Rarity rarely shows up due to running a business, but when she does she teaches color theory, art history, and fashion basics.
Pinkie teaches baking and ethics (I know, not a lot of people expected that from her)
Applejack teaches agriculture and horticulture.
Fluttershy teaches zoology, animal husbandry, and nursing.
Rainbow Dash teaches physical education, health, and coaches all the sports teams.
And many other teachers lecture here as well alongside the main seven.
Sketch looked at the massive castle and saw many different kinds of ponies walking in and out of the castle. He took a deep breathe trying to calm himself and began walking toward the doors. There they were those big beautiful doors. The biggest open door in his life, both metaphorically and literally. As he stepped into the castle he was greeted by a pink blur and he found himself screaming in startled fear.
"Hello mister Wicket!" The bouncing pink mare said with suck excitement.
It was Pinkie Pie alright, but she looked more...teachery. Her hair was up in a curly bun and she looked older with bags hanging under her eyes. But other than that she looked to still be as cheery as she was in her prime.
"Uh, hey miss Pie." Sketch composed himself. "Can you please call me Sketch though. Not a fan of my last name."
"Of course mister Sketch." Pinkie giggled, "It is a funny name to say constantly. I should know, I practice everyone's name in the mirror with their picture so I won't forget."
This got Sketch laughing. "So miss Pie where is my first class. I'm taking Potions 101."
"Oh Zecora's class. It should be on the ground floor. Room 124." Pinkie pointed in the direction to go. "But first you need a tour."
"Uh I would like one but, I don't know if I'll make my class in time, or if I would be taking up your time."
"Nonsense silly." Pinkie smiled. "You're no trouble to me. Besides I think I can take a big guy like you." She playfully winked him.
This made him blush profusely.
"I'm just teasing you Sketch, come on."
They began their tour on the ground floor showing all of the rooms where many different classes would be held. Where some were actually in session and they interrupted them only to leave shortly after. But it was still nerve racking. Eventually they made it to top of the castle where the pool was. Many ponies were swimming and relaxing it seems that this part of the castle was converted into a student relaxation hub. There were concession stands serving drinks and food for bits and many ponies enjoying themselves.
Pinkie tossed the concession pony a bit and she gave the pink mare a cupcake. To which she scarfed down. "So what do you think of the school." She said through chewing her food.
"It's a great school." Sketch said in his normal gravel voice and neutral face.
Pinkie looked perplexed. "Are you okay?"
Sketch looked at her and she noticed his angry silver eyes. "Yeah, why do you ask?"
"You look angry...are you sure you're okay?"
"Oh, am I making that face again?" Sketch tried to form his face to look more cheerful and happy. "There, any better?"
Pinkie glared at him, "I knew something was wrong about that smile." Pinkie got closer. "You're good at faking joy, you even fooled me."
Sketch looked saddened now. "Honestly miss Pie, I am happy, it's just my neutral face looks angry, It's just comfortable."
Pinkie realized what she just did and hugged him. "I'm sorry, I'm just not one to accept fake smiles easily."
"Is this why the tour, you just wanted me to smile?"
"Well yeah," She pulled away. "I saw you walk in with a scowl on your face. I thought I could get you to smile by spending time with you."
"I appreciate the sentiment miss Pie," He looked at his shadow and sighed, "But now I missed my first class."
"I'm sorry, how about I take you to your next class?" Pinkie bowed.
"Sure, but my next class isn't until tomorrow."
"Oh, I'm sorry." Pinkie looked even sadder.
"HEY WHAT DID YOU DO TO PIN-" Was all Sketch heard before hitting the ground after being hit by something.
He woke up in the nurses office. He got up and rolled out and looked out the window. It was late and he ought to head out and buy his dinner tonight before it got too dark. Suddenly the door opened and a lovely yellow Pegasus mare walked in with her pink mane flowing on the ground.
"Oh, you're up." She was so soft spoken that Sketch almost didn't hear her.
"Yeah I am, thanks for fixing me up ma'am." Sketch began gathering his stuff.
"Uh, excuse me, but you need to lie down. I still need to ask you some questions." She said quietly but she gave off such a motherly tone he just nodded and sat down.
"So first, what's your name?" She pulled out a clipboard and and holds a pen with a wing.
"Sketchy Wicket, I go by Sketch."
She writes his response down with out looking up. "And what was the manner of your injury...oh I already know that."
"What did happen?"
"Oh she hit you harder than I thought." She looked up at him noticing his angry eyes and hid behind her board.
"Nope just caught me by surprise."
"Oh," She then wrote down some information. "One of our teachers tackled you because she thought you hurt Pinkie Pie."
Sketch just shook it off, "Okay then, anything else?"
"Yes, Blood type?"
"A positive."
"Height?"
"195 cm."
"Weight?"
"148 kg."
"And finally, where do you live?"
"1245 Apple Way, Ponyville, Equestria."
"Okay you can go." She put the board down.
Sketch got up and headed to the door and collapsed.
"Oh dear!" The mare flew to him. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing, this isn't from my injuries." Sketch clenched at his chest. "I suffer from panic attacks."
The mare looked visibly upset that he was in pain.
"I just had a bad day." He then left the room and left the castle.
He buys his lunch at the Hayburger and makes his way home. Many ponies looked at him and smiled. Their smiles seemed kinder. Sketch just tossed it up to Pinkie telling the town that his face is perpetually angry looking. He then opened his door to his apartment, ate his food and fed Snoot. He then climbed into bed and fell asleep on contact.
Chapter II: A Theory of the Heart
THe next morning Sketch woke up from his bed feeling really sore from when he got hit yesterday. He got up and headed to his desk, his class today wasn't until much later in the day. He opened his Potions text book and began to read it so as to make up for the lost day he had for it. He skimmed through the table of contents and found an interesting chapter called "Personality Modifications and Alterations."
He was suddenly reminded of everypony thinking he was angry, what he never told them was...he was angry, always angry. It's not like he couldn't experience joy. It's just his natural state of mind. When he sees a joke he would laugh and the over time return to anger. So when he saw that chapter he immediately developed a theory. He reached over to his bookshelf and picked up a book titled as "The Strange Case of Hekyll Jekyll and Horse Hyde." He looked from the book to the chapter title for a bit. He then turned to the text book chapter and began reading and writing notes that would be helpful to his theory.
He finally closed the textbook after a few hours of work and packed his saddle bag for his next class. On his way to the castle he stopped by Sugar Cube Corner and got a coffe and a muffin. He walked up to the castle and saw Pinkie standing at the door giving greetings to the students.
"Hello miss Pie." Sketch said as he walked up to the door.
"Oh hello Sketch." Pinkie perks up. "How are you feeling from yesterday?"
"A little sore but I'm fine." Sketch then got an idea. He pulled out the muffin and handed it to Pinkie. "Here I'm sorry I made you sad yesterday. I can't stand making people upset."
Pinkie was shocked and began to tear a bit. "Thank you Sketch." She took the muffin and put it in her saddle bag. "Do you need to help to your next class?"
"Actually I would really like that. I'm taking Art History."
"Oh Rarity's class. She isn't in but Coco Pommel is taking her place. It's this way." Pinkie bounced herself to the class with Sketch following shortly behind her.
Pinkie then pointed at a very ornate door that stood out amongst the other doors. "Rarity decided her class need a certain touch." Pinkie said with a giggled.
Sketch gave a small smile to make Pinkie feel better about the fact he doesn't smile much. "Thank you miss Pie." And with that Pinkie left and Sketch entered his class.
...
The class ended and many ponies poured out of the class groaning and complaining about how boring that was. Sketch had walked out with everyone being the not complaining. I mean he was kind of bored with how soft spoken Coco was. God she could give Fluttershy a run for her money.
Sketch then headed toward the castle door until he saw a zebra walk out of a class room. That must be Zecora. He walked up to her and apologize for missing her class yesterday.
"Hello miss Zecora." He started.
Zecora looked at him and looked stunned at such a tall pony. "Hello sir it is a pleasure, though I do not know many of your measure."
Sketch lift an eyebrow and then thought about it. "Oh my height? yeah I am pretty tall." He chuckled. "My name is Sketchy Wicket I wanted to apologize for missing your class yesterday."
"Need not fret, my dear Sketch." She said. "For the pink blur, told me about your hurl."
"Oh miss Pie told you? That's good." He then thought about it. "Can you tell me what I missed yesterday so I can get caught up?"
"Oh we just spoke of the first chapter, so not too much reading rapture."
Sketch shook his head and smiled. "Thank you miss Zecora, see you next week."
And with that Sketch ran home and bought some food to eat. He decided to eat at the restaurant this time. Across the way he sees a mare with a long curly brown and pink mane, her coat was a simple light tan, and her eyes shimmered like that of emeralds. Sketch blushed and returned to his food with intense focus. Suddenly his body decided to hit him with a panic attack and he clenched his chest.
Many ponies noticed and some came up to him to see if he's okay. He dismissed them all with reassuring "This happens all the time." Until that mare came up to him and looked with concern.
"Are you okay?"
Sketch looked up at her beautiful face and his pain had doubled. But being him and as he's very honest. "No, no I'm not okay." He said shortly and honestly.
"What's wrong?"
"P-panic attack."
The mare then sat next to him and began to rub his back. While she did this she began to shush him softly. The motions and sounds matched so rhythmically he began to drowse, but his pain had begun leaving him.
"Thank you." He said under his breath while she kept shushing him. "Uh, miss the pain is gone."
The mare blushed and removed her hoof. "Sorry."
"It's fine." Sketch blushed and tried to avoid eye contact for a bit but failed to her beauty. "My name is Sketch."
"Thalia." She said softly. She then twiddled her hooves and got up. "Well I'm glad you're okay Sketch. Have a nice day."
As she walked away Sketch felt a thump in his chest, it was like the panic attack but this pain was nice. Really nice.
Author's Note
Hey just an FYI Thalia, full name Thalia Flames, is owned by this lovely lady http://valfiggs5.tumblr.com/
So go give her some love.
