Author's Note

So soon? I know right!?

Winter-Wrapped Comeback

I wave at Fluttershy while walking back to Ponyville on the path she led me on. I feel a chill wind brush against my face and shiver. After around five minutes of walking I see the small town and feel my lips form a smile.

I can't wait to be back in a warm room. The cold doesn't bother me much, but this weather is ridiculous. It must be because they're ponies and don't need much on that it's so bad for me, a being without fur. Well, I'll deal with it.. I need to go see Pinkie Pie first, she needs to know I'm okay. I don't know why she would worry so much about me, but I can't let her feel bad because of me.

As I finish my thoughts, a rainbow streak flies around me quickly and lands near me. Rainbow Dash in all of her 'glory' is standing about three feet behind me. I turn around and sigh, but am surprised by her proud facial expression.

"So, I heard what you did. I've got to say, that's a big feat for a hairless monkey like you." Rainbow Dash says in her typical raspy and somewhat arrogant voice.

"Why thank you Rainbow Rash, I'll be sure to take that compliment to heart." I say in reply, heading towards Sugarcube Corner in a rush.

"Hey!" I hear behind me, before the same rainbow streak flies in front of me, floating with her face less than a foot from mine.

I push her aside easily, moving forward towards my objective. She moves in front of me again, pushing me back.

"I wasn't being sarcastic ya know! I didn't think a little thing like you could take on a manticore and live!" Rainbow says in a huff.

"That's nice. I have somewhere to be, thanks for the compliment." I say harshly, making sure she felt a hard push as I walked past her.

Suddenly, I feel her tackle me from behind to the ground. I flip over and glare at her, noticing that she looks pissed. I wrap my arms around her from behind and hold her in place, appreciating the manual labor I have been doing. She attempts to struggle but ultimately fails.

"I am sore from the said fight, and I don't have time for an arrogant and prideful pegasus that judges beings too quickly. Talk to me another time." I say in a stern voice, releasing her and walking gently to Sugarcube Corner.

She doesn't stop me this time and I hear a beat of wings behind me.

What a freaking idiot! Constantly pranking me and treats me like shit the first time I meet her, just because she has poor judgement? She can go eat some hay!.... Ugh, damn pony insults. Hay isn't even that bad.

As I walk through the market to get to the other side of town, a familiar apple loving pony pair notices me and waves. I wave back and decide I'll give them some time.

"Hello Applejack and Applebloom, how are you doing on this very snow filled day?" I say with a genuine smile, while also patting Appleblooms mane.

Applejack starts inspecting me instantly, looking at each of my limbs in earnest. After a minute or so of this, she backs away and smiles sheepishly.

What the fuck was that...

"Just makin sure yer alright. Yeap, that's all." Applejack says, nervously looking to the sides and then back at me.

Dear god, I know she was bad at lying but it really is BAD.

"I'm okay Applejack, don't worry. I'm just wondering what's going on here. Selling the last bit of your supply?" I say while nodding towards the small amount of apple related foods on their stall.

Applebloom chimes in with excitement. "Yeap! She's lettin me help her sell these today! I dun really have any friends ta go play with, but that's okay! I'd rather help out mah family."

Applebloom, you're not as bad your big sister. But that was still a lie.

"Alright, well I'm headed towards Sugarcube Corner. See ya later Apple sisters." I say with a smile, heading through the market.

Right before I make it through the market line I hear a loud but refined voice call out my name from a nearby stall. "Devan! Come here RIGHT NOW!" I hear from Rarity.

Oh jeez... Well, might as well get it over with now.

I turn towards the voice and see Rarity staring at me with an intense amount of frustration in her gaze. I sigh and walk up to her, head slightly downwards.

"I won't say what needs to be said right now, but know that I am disappointed in you Devan! To show such disrespect towards your mentor, even if she is a bit crude. It makes me want to faint! But.. It also shows me how much talent you have darling." Rarity says, starting with a harsh tone and ending with one of neutrality. "Obsidian Bark, as you call her, might be a somewhat nonsensical and strange being.. But she is strong, more so than I am. I heard you bested her, is that correct?"

I look at her in surprise, a smile is running across her face. I smile back and nod.

"Good, now go and see Pinkie Pie. Do watch out though darling, Twilight is roaming about. She is somewhat suspicious of how you were able to ward of a 'manticore' and live." Rarity says with a sly tone.

Oh god, can't wait to get attacked by a mountain full of questions... I'll have to press on though.

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I arrive at Sugarcube Corner, hesitating before knocking on the door three times. A few seconds later the door opens, revealing a Mrs. Cake. Her initial smile is purged and replaced with a neutral face that seems to emanate disappointment. I feel my inner regret rise up, but nod and smile anyways. She nods and puts on an obviously fake smile, leading me inside. The room is amazingly warm, making me think that there's magic at work. Mrs. Cake instantly points upstairs with her hoof and nods towards the stairs. I smile back and walk up to Pinkie Pie's room and knock. There's no answer, until something slams against the door.

"Go away!" sounds from behind the door.

I wince at her words, but realize she is probably thinking I'm someone else. I knock again, only to see the door fly open and an obviously disheveled Pinkie Pie with straight hair behind it. Her face changes from a seriously pissed expression to one of confusion and happiness. Her hair instantly poofs up and she latches onto me, pulling me forwards onto her floor and rolls us around in a circle. I feel my head spin and get the most intense motion sickness feeling. Luckily before I throw up, she stops and hugs me tightly.

Huh, she does smell like cotton candy. Didn't notice it last time...

"I was so worried about you! I heard you were attacked by a manticore! A MANTICORE DEVAN!!! When I heard you lived, I thought that you must be AWESOME!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed, making expressive movements imitating a manticore and me fighting it off with a sword or something similar.

I smile at her actions, feeling glee envelop my body. I picked her up and spin around in place, looking up at her.

"Yes, yes I was victorious. I'm sorry I worried you.." I say with a frown, putting her down.

She punches me gently on my shoulder and giggles gently. "It's fine Devan, you're okay now... That's all that matters.." Pinkie Pie whispers to me while holding me tightly again.

"Well, I don't know about you but I'm starving! Wanna go get some food?" I say, hoping to get her out and about.

She simply nods and gives me another one of those smiles that warms up my soul and takes me for a dive. I feel and hear myself take a nervous gulp.

"Alright, well let's go. Know any good places? Even though I've been here a while, I haven't eaten out much." I embarrassingly confess.

She nods seriously and pulls out a large list from somewhere behind her.

"Wwwweeeelllll, through my Pinkie Pie powers of perception and predictability, I would say that right now we only have ONE CHOICE!" Pinkie says dramatically.

_________________________________________________________________

Sitting down at a booth with pinkie feels a bit weird, mostly because the seats are more so human like than pony, but I digress.

"One hayburger for me and my friend here please Lyra!" Pinkie says with an almost formal tone.

I look up at Lyra who winks at Pinkie Pie before replying in an equally formal tone, "Why of course Pinkie, I'll be sure to get those put in for you. Make sure to treat yourselves tonight at La Hay Burger."

I just shake my head and chuckle at the situation.

"You fillies are crazy." I say while looking at the other menu items.

Both of them start to giggle before Lyra leaves with our orders. After a minute of somewhat awkward silence, Pinkie pulls down my menu and I look at her in obvious confusion.

"So... Devan." Pinkie says after a few seconds.

"Yes Pinkie Pie?" I say, sensing a question or two coming my way.

"Are you okay?" she says looking deep into my eyes.

"Yeah? I feel fine at least, the manticore didn't hurt me that badly." I say with confidence.

"No Devan... I mean... Are you okay? Being away from your world? Being away from those you care about? Do you feel.. Lonely?" Pinkie says, grabbing one of my hands with her hooves.

I mean.. I guess so? It's weird being in this world that I never knew existed. For all I know this could be a dream. I am far away from my decent friends. And family that treated me well. But... I have new friends now. Some of them even treat me like family. Why should I feel lonely if I have thoughtful beings like Pinkie Pie...

I look at her and smile with realization. "Not anymore Pinkie Pie, not anymore" I say before putting my other hand on the top of her hooves.