Growing Relationship

Nobody needs to be up at five in the morning, yet there was Butterscotch making breakfast. Dude didn't even look tired and he was humming a catchy little tune. Groaning you pull the blanket over your head in a futile attempt to go back to bed.

“Good morning Anon, how did you sleep?”

All he got was a moan. That didn't seem to dissuade the little pony though. He continued to cook away, trying to talk to you while he did.

“I had such a nice dream last night, I was sitting in a field all by myself. Then somepony came up and sat down with me. I don't know who it was but it made the whole world brighter when they got there. It's all a little fuzzy after that, but when I woke up I felt so refreshed and awake.”

Not wanting to ignore the sensitive stallion you muster a response. “Good for you, that makes one of us.”

“Oh you should feel better once you get some breakfast. I made some waffles for us today.”

Sitting up to rub the sleep from your eyes, the sight that greeted them seemed to be something from paradise. A veritable mountain of waffles was sitting on the table with multiple flavors of syrups surrounding it. Butterscotch walked over and giggled as he used a hoof to close your mouth. It had apparently dropped open at some point.

“Come on lets dig in.”

“Don't have to tell me twice.”

Rushing to the table and pouring a hefty amount of blackberry syrup on some waffles you began to eat. They were gold and fluffy, absolute perfection. The syrup was the best part, it was sweet but not so much that you couldn't taste the berry flavor. Butterscotch was much more conservative with the syrup and number of waffles. Only eating about half as much as you did.

After the majority of the food had been consumed by the bottomless pit that was your stomach a loud belch sounded off. Butterscotch simply stared as it continued on. When it subsided an awkward silence hung in the air. Realizing the volume you sheepishly look over to the pegasus, he was staring wide eyed.

“Heh, uhm, those were really good dude thanks.”

Shaking off the shock he couldn't help but crack a smile. “Thank you Anon and uhm maybe you should go easier on the syrup next time. If you don't want to that's fine, I mean you can eat whatever you want I just...”

“Yeah I'll make sure to go easy next time, sorry 'bout that Scotch.”

He smiled that little smile of his and got up to put the dishes in the sink. With your help everything was cleaned up in no time. Walking outside the fresh air was crisp this morning. The dew still clung to the grass and the birds sung songs from all their little houses. It was so peaceful here, places like this in the human world were few and far between.

“Alright, I'm gonna head over to see if Dusk can help me out. I'll be back later, hopefully with some useful info.”

“Okay, and could you pick up some food on the way back for the critters. I'm starting to get low.”

“No problem, see ya later.”

Walking in the direction of town the sounds of the birds singing eventually began to fade out. The silence was welcome but soon the sound of busy ponies filled your ears. Seemed like there were a few who liked to open up shop early. As you entered the towns outskirts you stopped moving. It probably wouldn't be a great idea to walk through the middle of town alone just yet. Ponies still weren't used to a human being here and the staring would be a smidge unsettling. Opting for the next best course of action you start to walk on the outskirts of town. It wouldn't be as quick but Dusks castle was on the outside of town anyway, not too much of a detour.

Luckily there weren't any ponies walking around this early and the castle came into view without incident. Casually you walked inside the crystal structure, the halls were empty and it seemed like there wasn't anyone home.

“Yo! Dusk! You home dude, I got something I need to talk to you about!”

“Give me a minute!”

Stopping you lean against the wall and wait for the purple egghead. It didn't take long for him to find you. He sounded groggy, probably just woke up.

“Hello there Anon, hope there isn't any trouble.”

“No I just wanted to get some research material from your library and ask you some questions for a little project I'll be working on.”

The mention of research instantly perked Dusk up. The now fully awake and alert pony was bubbling with excitement. “That's great Anon, follow me I'll show you to the library. I have tons of information on a multitude of subject matters. What does this project of yours involve? So I know where to look.”

“I just needed some information about growing plants and breeding them. You see I have these seeds from my world and I wanted to grow some of the plants here. I'll need to know as much as possible since I only have six seeds to work with.”

“Alright I think I know where we can start.” Having made way to the library it was almost unnerving. The sheer number of tomes must have been at least in the thousands. However Dusk made his way around and immediately found the volumes he was searching for. Mulling it over for a moment he pulled three books out and laid them on a nearby table.

“Horticulture volume one, basics of plantae; volume two, genus and species; volume three, breeding. Sweet dude, it sounds like this will cover everything I need.”

“Its no problem Anon, always happy to help with research. If you don't mind me asking what kind of plant do you plan on growing? Oh, and what did the people of your world use it for?”

“Well, the plant is kind of like an herb I guess. It grows like a small fibrous tree with buds and branches everywhere. It has a lot of uses too, the buds themselves contain the chemical THC which I'm sure you know all about. The fibers of the tree can be used to make rope, string, and fabric. The stalks can be used to make paper and the plant itself can be made into biodegradable plastics.”

“Wow, that's a lot of uses for a single plant. What were you planning on doing once you grow a few?”

“I was thinking about opening a shop that sells it and products made with it, and keeping some of the stuff for personal use.”

Dusk put a hoof to his chin as he thought about the implications. “Anon I have a favor to ask, could I possibly get one of those seeds to raise in a laboratory environment? If they don't do well out in the open then I would like to have at least one to study. If only to see how such a specimen could be used in Equestria.”

“Sure, sounds like a good backup in case I mess up.”

Pulling out the bag of sees you hold one out to Dusk. He lifts it with his magic and in a flash of light the seed is sitting in a test tube. Another flash and the test tube is gone. The idea that there was legit magic here was still hard to wrap your head around. It made the impossible possible and it apparently flowed through everything here in some way or another. Learned that after meeting Dusk for the first time. It was on the second slide of his presentation. Didn't really catch much info after that, hard to stay awake.

“Thanks for all of this, I'm gonna head back to the cottage and start reading. I'll let you know if I find anything, need more or find out something that might be useful to you.”

“You're welcome Anonymous and I would be happy to know how this turns out for you. Keep me updated with your crop and I'll do the same.”

Waving goodbye and hefting the books under your arm you walk outside of the castle. Looking at the sky it seemed to be late afternoon. By the time you got to the cottage with the food for the critters it would be just in time for dinner. Smiling at the thought of having some more of Butterscotches cooking you started towards the market at a steady pace. Hopefully it wouldn't be too packed.

The road there only had the stray pony or two milling about. Upon reaching the market most heads turned in your direction. The wide eyes seemed to pierce through you. Taking a deep breath, steeling your nerves, the stares were slightly easier to ignore. The general store clerk recognized you, having been here with Butterscotch before. He was still slightly unsettled but was able to keep it in check.

“Hello sir, here to pick up feed for Butterscotch?”

“Yes just one bag for now.”

Exchanging the bits then slinging the bag of feed over your shoulder you bid a quiet farewell to the nice stallion. On the way out of the store the whispers of the crowd were hard to block out. It made getting out of town an ordeal.

“Why is it still here?”

“I don't know, it's still staying with Butterscotch I think.”

“Humph freeloading freak, I would never let something like that near my home.”

“When will it leave. The prince should kick it out already.”

“No he's probably keeping it around to run an experiment or something.”

“Ha, would serve pretty well for a test subject. Not like there are any laws protecting it.”

It wasn't as bad as the first time going through the town. Still didn't make hearing those things any easier. By the time you got to the cottage you realized at some point you started to run. Now out of breath you dropped the bag and tried to think. This was a great world, it was all a happy and shit, but for some fucking reason you were still the outcast. Back home it was the same thing, nobody had a second thought about being cruel.

Back home with no friends no family it... it sucked. Every day it was hard to get out of bed, the weight of the world was bearing down on you. Trying desperately to crush the life out of this husk of a body. Shit... just need to sit down.

Taking a seat on the ground and staring at your lap didn't exactly help. After a few moments tears started to fall. Those were yours right? It didn't feel like crying though, there was no sadness it was just, nothing. It was almost laughable, a grown adult sitting here crying for no real reason. Some little shits did what. Called you some names and said they wanted you to leave. Was that all it took to break someone? Were you that fucking weak?

A hoof was placed on your shoulder. Looking up Butterscotch was there, he had pity in his eyes. No, that's not pity, sympathy maybe. He smiled when your eyes met and brought you in for a hug.

“I'm here for you Anon, you don't have to feel this way. I'm not going to leave, you're not alone.”

That's right... there were a few ponies here that didn't hate you. They were friends, real ones, and they weren't faking it. They cared, truly and honestly cared. Wrapping arms around the soft body made you feel at ease. This was real, he was real.

“Don't know what I would do without you Scotch, sorry about that.”

“Don't be sorry, just know that I'm your friend and nothing is going to ever change that.”

Pulling back from the hug you look into those teal orbs of his. So much kindness, it warms your heart, knowing that there are ponies out there like him. Taking a moment to stand up a shaky breath leaves your lungs.

“Alright now that my little fit is over how about we get these critters some dinner? They must be hungry.”

Laughing softly Butterscotch gets up and trots towards the yard. “Oh yes, I told them you were bringing back food and they've been waiting.”

“Well I would hate to deprive them of their meal any longer.”

After helping feed the critters you crashed on the couch. This day had taken it's toll and within seconds you were fast asleep. Butterscotch smiled at the sleeping form sprawled out on the couch and gently walked over.

“Sweet dreams Anon, tomorrow is a new day.” He nuzzled your cheek and went upstairs to his own bed, never noticing the smile he brought to your face.