Bumps Along The Way

After a short journey and an elevator ride that felt longer than the walk, we finally arrived at a long corridor lined with doors, one of which my new companion swiftly approached.

"Pegasi orientated residential" Popsicle told me with a flap of her wings and a slightly apologetic smile. "Probably should have thought about that first" She added.

I just nodded sheepishly, a million suspicions still budding in my mind. She could be leading me away to die for all I knew. Of course that was a rather extreme guess, but there were many other lesser evils that she could be into that were just as bad. My stomach gave a light gargle and I filched, trying to attribute the wild accusation to hormones or something. Popsicle looked back at me skeptically and my expression turned from concern to slight embarrassment as I nudge my growling stomach with my hid leg.

"Sorry, I've not eaten in awhile" I uttered timidly.

"That's fine, I've got some stuff, so long as you're not expecting a banquette or anything" She told me with a slight laugh.

I shook my head.

"No of course not. You don't even have to give me anything I... I'll be fine" I stammered as she unlocked the door.

"You were a mare who was in hospital at Celestia knows what hour and you look half starved to death" She retorted bluntly, and at that my weak argument fell flat. "Giving you food's the least I can do" She added as she stepped inside and motioned for me to follow with her tail.

My mind conjured images of her fattening me up just to eat me or something, and I imagined seeing a large caldron in the middle of her apartment as I entered. It was dark however, and my efforts to stoke those ridiculous fears were weakened as I saw nothing but the gloom. All I could make out was the weak light from the streets outside peeking in from under her curtains at the far side of the room, then she flicked the lights on with a wave of her wing and my fear subsided slightly.

The main room stretched from the front door to a large window, beyond which I assumed there was a balcony. To the left was a small kitchen, separated from the rest of the room by a squat counter. Beyond, was a set of sofas, coffee table and radio, all of which were sat upon a ruff carpet. There were three doors in the right wall of the room, all of which were closed. It smelled less than clean and was just as far from spotless. Yet, it had a strange coziness to it that I adored the moment I felt it.

"Well, it's not much but it's home" Popsicle told me, waving a hoof over her humble abode, only for the lights to flicker. "Sorry about the mess" She added with an embarrassed wince.

I offered my best smile of appreciation.

"It's perfect" I assured her, and she stepped back as if fearing I'd jump up and hug her or something.

"Glad somepony else thinks so" She said with a light laugh, then looked to the kitchen. "Right, food" She stated, moving over to the place with a flash only a pegasus could achieve. "So, what do you like? I've got daisies, oats, apples... Milk?" She began as I recovered from my fluster.

Eventualy, she brought out a loaf of bread from the fridge and set it down on the counter.

"Toast, I fancy some toast, how's about toast?" She asked swiftly, pulling out several slices and moving over to a toaster.

"I... Yeah, I like toast, but you really don't have..."

"Hey, you keep complaining and I'll have to make you something more" She cut me off.

I swallowed my words and nodded, even if she'd already began making food for me too.

"So, how did a mare like you end up in a fight anyway? And if you still don't want to talk about then that's fine, I was just wondering" She asked, and immediately I tensed.

What should I tell her? What had I told her already? All I recalled was my name and at that, I wondered how much more of it I should revile. Should I tell her more about the fight, my day of hopeless job hunting, my home and forgotten family, my... Condition? I swallowed as I made a distinction between what was trivial and what was necessary.

"I was in the hospital because something hit me in the head during the fight, at least I think" I offered, and she looked at me, mouthing the words "though brake" as the toast popped up with a ping.

"It's not that bad, I'm kinda used to avoiding things like that to be honest. I must be losing my touch" I told her with a small laugh.

She buttered the toast, before nodding.

"Well, you know what they say about the places around here..." She began, then looked at me expectantly.

I felt my mind run dry at that, and her looked turned to slight confusion.

"Sorry no, I'm... I'm not from around here" I stammered, and she seemed more embarrassed than I did.

"Pony feathers, set myself up for that one" She moaned, taking the two plates of toast in her mouth and motioning over to a small, rounded table.

I followed her as she set the food down, my stomach growing like some hungry dog as it sensed the smell of food. It felt like the thing was ready to jump out of me as she set it down on the table and without thought I leapt on it like a ravenous beast. Popsicle jumped back, then slowly sat down before her own food. I finished in seconds, yet my only slightly sated stomach still felt more akin to a bottomless pit then an organ.

"Wow, you really were hungry" Popsicle observed.

It was then that I realised how I must look and raised a hoof to my crumb covered muzzle timidly, then I sank back in mild embarrassment.

"Don't worry, I eat like this all the time" She assured me, waving a hoof dismissively before tucking into her own meal.

I nodded, yet still didn't feel much better about my actions as I watched her.

"So... What about you, what were you doing there so late? I mean, if you don't mind me asking?" I stuttered weakly.

She swallowed her food, licking the crumbs from her muzzle.

"Just a check up, it some other pony’s business really, I'm just helping out. As for why it was so late? Well, I insisted on it. Saves waiting in line" She explained proudly, "Besides, it wasn't like she was going to say no" She added quietly.

I tried to understand best I could, when that failed I looked down at my plate as my stomach gargled happily. Even so, the squirming sensation within didn't seem satisfied and it gave another obnoxious growl. I pressed a hoof to it, blushing with embarrassment.

"Hey, you know if you want some more there's..." Popsicle began, but I stopped her with a wave of my hoof.

"No, I'll be fine... Especially after a good night's sleep" I retorted, mostly hoping she wouldn't insist again.

She looked between me and the loaf of bread still sat on the counter, then shrugged.

"If you're that set on making sure I don't feed you then alright" She said, and I nodded as she stood and took both plates away, throwing them atop a larger pile that sat in her sink.

"So, if it’s sleep you need then spare rooms this way" She told me, trotting out of the kitchen and to the unopened door closest to the entrance.

I stood and trotted after her as she opened the room. Inside the was a small square, with two beds on either side and small table in-between them. By the fresh scent, stillness and dust, I assumed she didn't come in here much.

"Well, this can be yours. Bathrooms next-door and my rooms at the far end, make yourself at home" She told me as I passed her and stepped into the room.

It had that unusually smell to it, the kinda smell that made me feel all warm and cozy inside.

"Thank you, this means an awful lot" I offered appreciatively.

"I can tell" She responded with a knowing glance.

I shrank back slightly at that, but she failed to notice as she turned away.

"But, I think it's time for me to hit the hay too" She said, stretching her wings and giving a yawn.

"Good night" She finished, heading down towards the room she'd told me was her own.

"Night" I added timidly, then the moment she was gone I shut the door and fell onto one of the beds.

As much as I was suspicious of this, I had never been more happy to see a bed. Without thought I shook of my bags and curled up under the sheets. My stomach twisted restlessly, growling in protest, but for once I ignored it. I didn't have to be afraid any more, I had somewhere to stay, all I had to do now was find a job. My stomach gave another little squirm and I finally acknowledge the slight discomfort with a groan.

I still had that little nuisance to worry about, but that was almost eleven months away and there were at least a few weeks left before I began to show. All I knew for sure, was I had a chance to make a new life for myself, and not only for me. I felt another twitch in my gut and smiled.

"Don't worry little guy, you can have some food in the morning" I assured the disturbance, thinking of nothing other than that as I slowly drifted off to sleep.