Falling Into A New Life

Well, hello there nobody at all. Welcome to my journal (not a fucking diary screw you). One might be wondering why this isn't at the beginning. Well, it's my journal and no one's reading this anyway, so I can write whatever I want and however I want to. Besides, there's an enchantment I put on this to stop anyone but me from reading it. If you are somehow reading this then, well, you probably murdered me to get it, or for another reason. Good for you, you killed a perfectly upstanding guy. Or I disappeared which still sucks for me. If you killed me, I'm going to haunt your ass for the rest of eternity. If I disappeared, then this better be here when I hopefully get back. If you broke the enchantment than, well, wow. I'm honestly impressed. And very much angry because this took me 3 weeks to learn and was a lot of hard work. And you destroyed that. You are one evil son of a bitch, you know that? Breaking beautiful things and killing wonderful people. What would your mother say? Oh well no one's reading this anyway so... back to my story (which is for my eyes only).

Have you ever done drugs? And I mean the strong hallucinogenics that you can't even tell your on anymore once they kick in. How about getting a minor surgery where they give you some laughing gas? While you're all drugged up you can't really tell, can you? Maybe you know something's off, but you can't really tell what it is. And when it ends, you get that absolute clarity where you know just how badly you were fucked up, and how clearly you can think now. A lot of people hate that moment. When they have to remember all that's pulling them down into their depression. I think that's what makes those drugs so addictive. The need for escape, getting away from all of life's burdens for at least a little while. That's how I felt waking up. That total realization of how much my mind was clouded before. How my reaction speed was lacking, conversation skills and analysis nonexistent.

Well, I'd like to think the neckbeard thing was good. And then in that moment of clarity, I remembered exactly what was said and seen before I passed out, and what I missed until that moment. I was talking to a pony and a griffon. Yep, a mythical creature threatened to castrate me. How cool is that? And... I'm not human anymore. Which is a shock? Before I passed out I saw my body, something furry and black. I'd ask them what I am but I don't think they know either. They said I was an unidentified creature and under observation, that I passed out from something called teleportation sickness. Maybe some government assholes used me as a test subject? I mean, I did say yes to that question. No wonder I was restrained, I'd have done the same thing to some random alien thing I stumbled upon like that. Just because somethings strange doesn't mean you don't help it. Just means you need to be cautious is all. Of course, I more stumbled onto them than they did me... god that's embarrassing. So they brought me to some hospital... I think they said a private one.

I'm under observation so I'm going to need to seem like a completely harmless... whatever I am. Though if I didn't notice before... am I sure my mind isn't still clouded? I know it's better than before but, I'm not exactly panicking over this whole thing. Shouldn't I be feeling more, something? I mean I can still feel stuff but, it's like the emotions are distilled. Like passing through a filter.  I... think I need to stop thinking about this for now. I'm still in a probably dangerous situation and being depressed won't help. Am I depressed, though? Am I still me? Right wrong thoughts... need to focus on surroundings.

With a sigh, I slowly opened my eyes and blinked away the blurriness until I could see around me. Upon being able to focus I was met with the sight of a pair of bright, dull, bright... I was looking at a pair of eyes that seemed to go dull, and then vibrant, and back again. They were worn by a face that caused me equal confusion. It was the sophisticated pony from before but, it seemed like there was two of her sharing the same space. One was excited and a little worried while the other... the other seemed malnourished, hollow, and almost lifeless in her suffering. If I focused on one or the other they seemed to become more permanent. I decided to focus on the vibrant one. The inside is depressing enough without the outside joining in. What was I seeing? I wanted to continue that line of thought but was brought out of my musings when she realized I was looking at her, though she was looking at me the entire time so I don't know how she didn't notice sooner.

"Oh my, quite sorry, I didn't notice you were awake." Even her voice switched between lifeless and vibrant. Again I concentrated on the latter. "I'd like to apologize for the startle we gave you earlier. We probably should have guessed you would have an adverse reaction to being beleaguered like so. As you can see I no longer have my uniform on and it's only me in here."

Full on armor with a weapon is just her uniform? I don't think I could handle lugging that around all the time. Also what in the name of all that is holy does beleaguered mean? What's with the big words? "I'd like to thank you for doing so but, I don't know what bearwhatsit means."

"The word is beleaguered, and it means to be surrounded by enemies or soldiers and having no way to escape. That is why you passed out, isn't it? You don't have a previously existing medical condition do you?"

(Hmm, how should I do this. I can try telling the truth, or as much as I know. I might even find a way back home. I'd say there's a good 50/50 chance of me being killed or paid off to stay silent about the whole teleportation thing if it was the government's doing. She's asking if I have a medical condition, so I might be able to use that to my advantage. Though that might be more trouble than it's worth. I'm no doctor. I think I'll go with the whole "bearwhatsit" thing. They would probably consider me insane if I go with the whole "not from this world" shtick. But I don't know anything about here. There's no passing as a normal person... being. Since I'm an unidentified creature I could do the whole primitive wild thing. But that seems degrading. Any other tropes I can think of... AMNESIA! That's it. I'll say I can't remember and use that as an excuse. This is the perfect plan.)

It was then I noticed she was staring at me in concern. I guess taking the time to think to yourself in the middle of a conversation isn't normal around here. Good to know... "I'm sorry miss..." Think of any excuse, cmon you can do this. "I was trying my hardest to remember but, I can't seem to recall anything but my name." (Oh god, why, you didn't have to copy the trope exactly. Not only is that suspicious, but now I'm talking to her differently. It's so obvious somethings up now, I'm screwed.)

"My word, I'm terribly sorry to hear that. And you don't need to call me miss. My name is Fine Manners."

(Ok what is that name, and why isn't she questioning my story. I even put in a tiny British accent there! How can she be so oblivious? You know what. Not gonna look a gift horse in the mouth. Heh... horse.)

"At least you know your name, of which I'd be very happy to be aquatinted with."

(... I really wish she would talk normal. I must seem like an idiot during the extra 3 seconds it takes for me to decipher what language she's speaking. Ok, I can use my actual boring name, or make up an awesome one. I'm in another world so of course, I'm going with the latter, I mean cmon.) "My name is Shade Mystic I think." (Nice.)

She seemed pleased knowing my name, must be an even better name than I thought. "Do you remember if you know any magic? Or if you can use the art?"

(I... think I'm talking to an insane pony. I'm talking to an insane talking pony in another world. Actually, I haven't verified that yet. And I'm not panicking all that much. I mean, my hearts beating a little faster than normal and my muscles are slightly tensed, but other than that I feel normal. There is definitely something wrong, also since when could I feel my heartbeat and muscle tense...ness? Better not leave the insane pony alone for too long, or keep talking to myself.) "I, don't really remember. But what makes you think magic is real?"

Great judging by her look she also thinks I'm insane. "What do you mean? There's magic everywhere you look and in all creatures. Your head must be more damaged than we thought." She said with a concerned look... so I guess she doesn't think I'm insane just brain damaged. Progress? Or is that the same thing?

I need to get this situation under control, who knows maybe there is magic here. "I don't feel very hurt so I doubt that's that case. How would you test if someone had magic anyway?"

"Well, you would use a force stone. It is a stone that forces the user to use a basic spell. If you can't use magic outside your body than the spell will fail. If you can it succeeds, simple as that." I don't like the sound of that, at all.

"If someone can be forced to use a... spell, then can they be forced into other things? I don't like the idea of that."

With a roll of her eyes(quite uncouth if I say so myself tallyho) she replied "Breaking the law is impossible. So you don't need to worry about such things as that."

Umm... what? "How is that?"

"You really don't remember anything do you?" (As far as you need to know... no, I do not.) "Thanks to the contracts, which everyone is required to sign, at the attempt of breaking the law said law breaker will turn to ash."

(This does not sound like the type of society I want to be a part of.) " And you said everyone has to sign them?"

"Yes and don't worry, you'll get to sign one as well once we figure out if you can use magic or not. There are many types of contracts, but the important one is the mage contract. If you can use magic, you will be required to serve within the military for at least 5 years."

(I'm liking this less, and less.) With a lick of dry lips and a swallow for my suddenly parched throat, I nervously responded. "5 years you say? I mean, I don't think I'm even a citizen, so surely I'd be excused from such a thing?" (Please say yes, please oh please say yes.)

"You don't need to worry about that, the signing of whatever contract your issued will make you a citizen."

(Ah dammit. At least I probably won't go in their army. ... is their army just those who can use magic?) "Well, since this is going to be my new na-Empire, I should know more about it. Is it only magic users who join the army?" (Smooth, very smooth.)

"The term is mages, and no, anyone can join. Mages are the only ones required to serve, though. But enough about all that. Since you can't really remember anything, which means asking questions is useless until you do, I recommend taking a nap. You have had a very trying time, and your body could most likely use the rest. I'll be back later with a force stone and the contracts you might need to sign, along with Gifford and a signing demon." (Wait what was that last part?) "See you soon."

And just like that, she left, leaving me with my unanswered question And unlocking the restraints, somehow. Deciding to take her advice, I tried to get into a better position. Thinking now would be the perfect time to know what I am, or at least looked like, I looked closely at my new body. I was long, black, furry, and had a tail. I could see whiskers coming off my face, and paws at the end of my legs. I was a cat! Not only that but I had wings! Bat wings, but if there is magic in this world I'm sure they would work just as well. Overcome with exhaustion I got comfortable and ready to sleep. Just as I was closing my eyes, my headache returned much worse than before. The fire now an inferno. The once pristine room now was now a dirty, and rundown prison cell. I swear I saw skeletons in the corner and flames running through cracks in the floor. The room looked like it was made of black granite, and smoke filled the air. A hole in the wall showed a city that looked much the same. The last thing I could make out, was a terrifying pair of eyes staring straight at me before I passed out once again.