In the Eyes of Death

Shifting around in my waking sleep, I found that when I tried to roll onto my side that a weight had been presented to my chest and pinned me down. With a groan, I cracked an eye open to see what was going on and found that in the darkness, a solitary figure was asleep on my chest.

Spike. Spike was sleeping on my chest. Why was Spike sleeping on my chest when he had his own bed upstairs? Why wasn’t Spike in his bed upstairs and what was preventing him from being there?

Putting the thought aside, I gently lifted Spike up off my chest and moved him to another couch nearby without severely disturbing that force within me that would allow me to return to sleep. Making a quick stop to the bathroom via use of only one eye, I returned to my resting place and curled up into myself for warmth. Dropping my hand to the floor had my fingers brush up against something coarse, a blanket of some kind.

Peeking over the edge told me that it was exactly that that I had touched and worked at pulling it back up over me to cocoon myself with it.

Finally warm, I twisted onto my side to face the back of the couch and let myself drift away once again.

~~~

I suppose when you can’t die, you can destroy your liver with over a half litre of whisky and not feel bad about it. I used to be worried that my lack of any hangovers at all was a distressing sign for my system, but now, I was perfectly fine with waking up like usual and feeling fine. Freshening myself up in the easily found bathroom had me grinning since it no longer took me tracing the building itself to find the place. In fact, I was grinning since I no longer had to trace the building to find anything.

Stepping out of the bathroom after a scalding hot shower, having to dress myself in the suit shirt and pants from my formal military suit, I aimed myself towards the kitchen as Rainbow Dash entered into the place from above and looking worse for wear.

“Morning beautiful!” I gave a cheeky grin with my loud-as-possible-without-waking-the-landlord voice. I received a scornful glare from the pegasus as she groaned back and gradually descended the stairs to take her turn at the bathroom. “Sleep well?”

“Like a rock, thanks.” Dash growled back and disappeared into the bathroom while I took to the kitchen and began the work of forming some kind of breakfast. First morning I could see and I was going to do my best to show thanks for the hospitality from Twilight, but also for thanking Rainbow for restoring light to my world.

Starting with the best omelette I could construct, I added in barley toast, a fruit salad -at this point a weary and slightly confused Rainbow Dash came in to glare but silently help- coffee and tea for me, and squeeze some fresh juices, Dash and I had everything set out just as Twilight descended the stairs with a destroyed mane and grumpy eyes.

“Morning.” I bid welcome to the unicorn and sat at the table with Rainbow who was already threatening to tear into the food early but had so far stuck to the coffee.

“Mmhmm… Be right back, gotta pee.” Twilight mumbled before aiming back away from the kitchen at to the bathroom.

“Thanks for the mental image.” I called back and sat down with my tea. Wasn’t sure what it was but it was black and I liked it.

“Why the hell aren’t you hung over?” Rainbow almost immediately demanded once she set the mug of coffee held in her wings down on the table again, still glaring at me.

“I’d like to blame it on my immortality, but in truth i’ve never had a hangover before in my life. I’ve suffered alcohol poisoning at least… five times before, suggesting the amount of alcohol i’ve drank, but never had a hangover.” I replied and rested my elbows on the table with the cup of tea in my hands.

“Lucky fucking bastard…” Rainbow grumbled back into her mug, looking noticeably away from me. “So, any ideas about why you can see again?”

“In all honesty, only one.” I replaced my cup onto the table to clasp my hands together over my empty waiting plate. “You kissed me, I gained sight. Pure and simple.”

“So… what? It’s because you like me or something? Because the feeling isn’t mutual.” Rainbow continued to hide herself behind her mug as her face grew gradually more red until she held it out for a refill from the pot. Complying with her request, I mentally struggled for something to say, however the arrival of Twilight seemed to fill the need.

“I’m not completely confident you believe that, Rainbow Dash.” the magician began, walking into the kitchen to take a seat at the table between us. “Thanks for breakfast, you two.” she added, directing the comment first to me then to the pegasus of the room with glances.

Dealing ourselves out and getting situated, Twilight continued, “This whole ‘the human can see again because Rainbow kissed him’ and this thing about the light in Rainbow Dash leads me to believe that this interest is not all that one sided as we’re lead to believe.”

“Is too! I’d never like Soren, he’s so… Creepy! Look at him, he’s not even that good looking!” Rainbow exploded, whirling on the only other mare in the room with hooves on the table to raise herself up.

“Thanks for that, really boosting the self-confidence.” I glared over the spread before me while cutting into my omelette which I had modified with various sliced vegetables. “You’re welcome to leave any time, you know. You don’t have to stay here.”

“What? You don’t want me here? Then why did you bring me here in the first place? I never asked for you to bring me to Twilight’s!” Dash wheeled around on me this time, her fuming having turned into a full on rage.

“You were drunk, asleep and it was getting cold outside! I brought you here because I have no fucking clue where the fuck you live! I could barely fucking get us here!” I roared back, fisting my utensils and setting them against the table. “Sorry I care enough to keep you alive! I’ll remember next time to let you fucking die!”

“Fine!” Dash screamed back and leapt down from the table to bolt out of the place, wreaking havoc in the kitchen with her wake. “Fuck you, Soren!”

“Fuck you too Dash!” I called back before returning to a neutral sitting position with my lap burning from having tea spilled into it. “Fog Ducking Gambit!” I was near to the point of explosions and under normal circumstances would’ve taken my frustrations out on a shooting range or sparring ring but given I had neither, I was threatening hostilities within.

“So…” Twilight’s voice was calm, cool and collected, as though she hadn’t just suffered from a minor explosion in her kitchen. “Your name is Soren?”

“Don’t fucking start, Twilight! I am not in the mood right now!” I roared back before I could stop myself and stood from the table to change into yesterday’s pants.

Once changed, I took off out the front door and let the cold air begin to warm my spirits. Regardless, I needed something constructive to do so just aimed in a random direction and took off jogging. The act also gave me a chance to check out the rest of town and familiarize myself with where everything was.

~~~

Half an hour, give or take fifteen minutes, later I found myself at the set of a construction site currently in its framing stages. Wood framing, meant nails, meant hammers, meant beating on things with intent! Constructive use of my anger!

“Hey, you! Weird creature thing on two hooves!” a rough male voice called, obviously for me given a lack of options, and directed my gaze from the site to a large stallion currently on a slow collision course with me. Raising a finger to point at myself, “Yeah, you! Com’mere!”

With a shrug, I directed myself towards the pony without a horn or wings and stopped once we’d reached each other.

“Can I help you?” I looked the pony over, creme in fur with simple brown hair for a mane and tail. His flanks were stamped by what looked like a pair of hammers, crossed at the handle with a small handful of nails in a pile beneath that.

“Yeah, I was wondering what you was doin’ here at my site.” the pony remarked, looking me over just as I was looking him over. “Strange way of dressing yerself, just sayin’.”

“I just don’t have any other clothing other than yesterday’s clothes and my formal suit.” I turned back to the site and stuck my hands in my jean pockets. “What’s going in here?”

“Condominium unit,” the site foreman or whoever he was sighed back in what seemed like disappointment. “Nopony I know wants to work this site because it’s apparently so dangerous.”

“Aren’t there regulations and safety protocols in place for this kind of thing?” I raised an eyebrow to the pony next to me.

The stallion scoffed to himself. “Hah, no! No one in Canterlot wants to take the time out of their busy-ass life to regulate anything or send inspectors to ensure it’s all up to code… No pony’s got the time.”

“I’m no pony.” I offered with a smirk and turned back to the project ahead of us. “Used to be a construction worker for six years back on my world before I joined the army so I may know a thing or two.”

“I… don’t suppose yer lookin’ fer work, are yeh?” the pony chuckled nervously and turned towards me fully.

“I might be, maybe. Was thinking i’d do either this or join the guard…” I remarked and began drawing up a list of things to improve on. “Figured I’d have a better chance at this than being retrained in whatever melee weapons you ponies have…”

“Fair ‘nuff. We do sometimes use bows and arrows, but I don’t think they’re very popular.” the pony grinned and turned to the site once more. I shifted around on my feet as I thought about what would have to go into forging my own firearms: forging each piece specifically and probably myself, mixing the gunpowder and making the bullets myself, making the bullets and cases myself… Yeah, perhaps Construction would be the better choice.

“I’ll tell you what, I’m gonna check out the rest of town, see what other work may interest me. I’ll keep you in the forefront of my mind though.” I announced with a heavy breath and turned to offer my hand in a handshake. The stallion placed his hoof into my grasp and shook back, looking hopeful.

Taking my leave at another jog, I continued to explore the town finding everything from shops, a spa, some kind of weird carousel clothing store, a blacksmith that has my interest, a gym, a guard house and Sweet Apple Acres where Applejack apparently works. During that time, I also happened to spot Rainbow Dash blitzing across the skies to whatever destination she had, still completely ignoring me. All that being said, I eventually settled on working for the blacksmith while providing safety protocols and regular monthly inspections for the construction site.

“Well, I’m a tad disappointed to see yeh choose the blacksmith,” Nail, the construction site Foreman said, “But I’ll be glad to have some kind of safety system in place. Maybe I’ll be able to get a proper workforce in here again and start making some goddamn bits!”

“Depending on how I do at blacksmithing, I may end up working for you in the end. Regardless, I’d like to go through your site with you and your site superintendent soon to see what needs to be fixed to make this place safe.” I announced, putting my already pre-built list aside for the time being. I was due to report for early smithing training this afternoon and it had been recommended to me by my new boss that I fuel up for the job.

“Absolutely. May I be the first to say congratulations on yer new job?” Nail offered a handshake this time, completed by my end with a courteous nod and a warm smile.

“Thank you, have a good day then.” I bid farewell with a wave and left to return to Twilight’s for fuelling and to reveal the news. I also had to get her to show me to Rarity’s in order to get her to fashion me some new work clothing.

“Yeh, you as well!” Nail called back as I took my leave.

~~~

“Feeling better?” Twilight welcomed me back in so few words as I crossed the border that was the front door of her treehouse. “You both stormed out so quickly I almost thought you were going off for some kind of secret date.”

“No. I don’t see ny kind of public or private outing with Dash alone for quite a while.” I replied and entered into the kitchen to see about finding some leftovers from breakfast. “Did find a job, though.”

“Really? That was quick.” twilight’s voice raised in surprise from the living room and looked up from her book. “Where at?”

“The blacksmith with a part-time job working as a Construction Safety Inspector. Apparently there are no rules and regulations for safety on this world.” I explained as I pulled out the remains of the fruit salad and a small dessert fork with which to eat it. “Of course, that means that I’m going to have to take a couple days to actually inspect the sites and evaluate what needs to be fixed to make them safe and efficient.”

“Oh! I’m great at forming lists, rules and regulations! I can help!” Twilight offered with extra enthusiasm than normal and even went so far as to appear in the kitchen to hop up onto my lap to stare me down pleadingly. “Please!”

“Hey, I never said I was doing it right away! I still have to do some training with my full-time employer first!” I grinned back and worked at forming a mouthful of fruits into my mouth around Twilight, having to turn my head away from her to do so. “As it is, I’ve been recommended to fuel up before I report for duty this afternoon.”

“Aww,” Twilight gave a pout and hopped down from my lap once I had created space for her to do so. “Fine. But as soon as you’re planning to get started, you have to let me know!” she called back over her shoulder on her route back into the livingroom to return to her reading.

“Will remember to do that!” I called back and returned to my meal.

Once I’d finished, I dropped the bowl and fork into the sink and entered into the livingroom to approach Twilight and break her from her reading. “I need you to take me to Rarity’s. I need her to make me some new daily and work clothes.”

“Can it wait? I’m really busy with my studies.” Twilight pleaded with a small smile, looking up at me from over the top of the book. “You can see now, which I still want to know more about by the way, so you can technically navigate yourself right?”

“If I knew where I was going, perhaps. I took the liberty of sort of exploring the town on my own already, so I kind of have an idea of what I’m looking for.” I scratched at the back of my head, looking away from Twilight while trying to organize the town’s locations in my mind.

“Great, then all you need to do is find the building that looks like a carousel!” Twilight announced before shooing me with a wave of the hoof and returned to her book.

Frowning, my mind immediately spun through the mental map to the one building that matched the unicorn’s description: the one I had made the most fun of. No one would hear of this. Ever. Leaving the building, I mentally mapped out what direction I was aiming for and aimed towards said destination.

“Hey, it’s you!” a semi-familiar voice exclaimed from beyond my range of vision on my left. Turning to meet the newcomer, a pink furred pony with a purple mane and three brilliant-cut diamonds on her flanks approached me with a smile. “I see you’re doing better. How’s Rainbow Dash?”

“Nursing a hangover and a hate-on for me at the moment, but she’ll live.” I reported while internally attempting to recall a name. Nothing. “You’ll have to forgive me, I don’t recall your name.”

“I totally understand, you were pretty drunk last night.” The pony waved the bad manners off with a hoof and took to strolling alongside me, following me blindly. “I’m Amethyst Star, my friends call my Amy or Star…”

“Soren Mercer, nice to meet you.” I nodded back and stuck my hands into my jean pockets. My right hand began to subconsciously finger the figurine in my pocket, as it brought me comfort from whatever nerves I was feeling for whatever reason. “Where are you headed?”

“I’m actually off work today, so I figured I’d just see what your doing and where you're going. Might give me a brief glimpse into the daily life of a human in Equestria.” The unicorn announced eagerly. Whatever entertainment she was expecting from me, I probably wouldn’t be able to provide.

“Well, i’m making a stop in at Rarity’s to make an order for some new daily and work clothing then i’m expected to show up at the blacksmiths for my first day of work and training.” I explained as the peaks of Rarity’s shop came into view over the other houses and buildings around me. “You’re welcome to join me for the first bit but i’ll have to turn you away when I aim for work.”

“Sounds alright to me, I’ve been meaning to visit Rarity to place an order of my own. Congratulations on becoming a blacksmith apprentice, by the way.” Amethyst awarded me with a leap up onto my back to place a platonic hug around my neck before falling off again to stride alongside me.

“Thank you, but not only that am I going to be acting as a part-time safety inspector for construction sites.” I announced with a finger in the air to break the point into the conversation. “I’ll be responsible for creating a safety guideline for which the entire country will have to follow. Every month or so I’ll spend a couple days going around the area to make sure that all the sites are up to snuff or be shut down until they can be fixed.”

“Sounds like you’ll have yourself a handful in coming months, but I can totally see the reason why you’d want to do that job: I see all kinds of patients pass through with work related injuries due to unsafe working conditions.” Miss Star replied with a dour sigh and even more depressed gaze aimed downwards to where she was walking.

At the same time, my gaze was broken away by a poster hanging on by the edges of the page: an image of some kind of winged crest with a horn in silver and dark blue with the caption, “The old regime has failed, join the New Lunar Republic today!”

“What’s that about?” I wondered aloud, pointing out the page to the pony next to me. A quick glance in all directions showed that no one else seemed to pay the poster any further attention and some even went so far as to actively avoid it, bearing a wide berth around the poster as though it could inflict some kind of plague to anyone who even looked at it.

“Oh, that…” Amethyst sighed to herself, staring at the poster. Doing my best to not reveal that I’d done so, I checked out the look on the unicorn’s face and noted that it wasn’t one of hate or disgust like everyone else, but something like subtle pride. It was quickly hidden away and she glanced up from the page to me. “It’s just the rumors of some terrorist faction who’re trying to overthrow the princesses in order to emplace Luna as the solitary leader. Princess Celestia and Luna are both aware of them and neither is particularly fond of the group.”

“So, why does it seem like everypony is actively avoiding that poster?”

“They’re all afraid. Afraid of change, of a new government lead by somepony who used to be labelled the stuff of nightmares. Princess Luna only recently came back to us after her banishment and nopony seems to actually want her back. A thousand years of Celestia’s solitary rule and ponies have grown soft and comfortable with things as they are now.” Amethyst explained, her voice suggesting subtle rejection to the words she’d only just given me. I must’ve learned through my past to read between the lines and such a skill seemed to have stuck with me as it appeared to me that Amethyst Star had a much more intimate knowledge of this particular ‘Terrorist’ group than she was leading me to believe.

“I see…” I mumbled to myself and took off down our original path as we’d decided upon and left the conversation alone until such time as I could further… interrogate someone about this interesting subject. “Thank you for the information, it’s been very helpful.”

“I’m… not sure how, but you’re welcome.” Amethyst glowed slightly at the thanks as we approached Rarity’s front door and let ourselves in. I let Amethyst lead us in on the off chance that this was appropriate behaviour to barge into someone’s residence and place of work, as well as on the off chance that it wasn’t appropriate to do so.

A bell above the door announced our arrival, drawing exclamations of Rarity’s voice from some hiding place.

“Oh! Just one moment I’ll be with you shortly!” she called out from near to the back and the general direction of a set of stairs upwards. With a facial shrug towards the mare in the room with me, I turned and took a seat on a nearby couch while the unicorn took the opportunity to browse some of the display pieces on stands around the perimeter of the room.

A brief check around the room suggested that Rarity was aiming her clothing towards more sophisticated of events, from extremely fancy dresses to equally impressive suits; though there were significantly less of men’s wear than there was women’s. I suspected that I’d have to go elsewhere for any other kinds of suits if I wasn’t going to wear my army formals.

Most dresses never shared the same design twice, each one very much unique in nature though it may have shared a similar theme with others in its grouping. Plenty of rounded buttresses and flowing fabrics, some complex with high collars and padded shoulders showing utmost class and sophistication. Others were much more simple, singular pieces that I supposed would be used in fancy dates or dinner parties in order to make silent promises of a pleasurable night.

“I’ve been saving up for the last half year,” Amethyst began, looking over the sleeker dresses with a look of envy. “I’ve been waiting patiently and I’ve been planning. Today, it happens.” she added in a sinister whisper, not likely intentionally letting me hear her. From the looks of it, she was aiming her gaze at the infamous ‘little blacks’ that I faintly remember women wearing when they wanted something expensive or planned to distract. Of course, hers was more of a lighter blue but I estimated it worked the same way.

I had to wonder, however, how the male pony’s mind worked. From what I saw, pony bodies don’t change very much and there wasn’t much room for curves that would normally appeal to the male libido and thereby provide distraction. Perhaps it was something more… subconscious?

“Thank you for waiting, thank you very much. I apologize I took so long, i’m having troubles with some family matters upstairs.” Rarity sighed as she descended the stairs and made herself known. Amethyst and I both collected ourselves from our imaginings to bring our address to the unicorn. “Oh, Miss Star and the human! I was only expecting one of you!”

“Are you saying you don’t wish for my business? I think I saw a tailor for stallions somewhere around town.” I smirked and stood to offer a handshake to the white unicorn while Amethyst approached and stood near to me.

“Oh please, that is not necessary. I cater to my friends, and I’m friends with everyone so I cater to all.” Rarity announced proudly, fluffing herself up with enthusiasm. “So, what can I do for the both of you?”

“You go first, I suspect my order will take a bit more work over yours.” I offered, looking down at the pink unicorn and directing the comment thusly. I retreated once more to my seat before the mare could protest but gave in and turned with Rarity to the selection of slim dresses.

After a few minutes and picking out a couple light blues, Amethyst disappeared into the changerooms off towards the back of the building. No idea why a change room was important in a world of naked equines, but… sure. I’ll give it to them. At least it afforded me some privacy when I’d eventually go to try things on.

“Now then,” Rarity strolled enthusiastically towards me, high-stepping the entire way from the curtains which Amethyst now hid behind, to the couches where I sat and waited. “What about you? What can Rarity do for you?” she asked, rolling the first R in her name for emphasis.

“As much as your clothing looks fanciful and artistic, I’m just looking for daily and work clothing. As the weather grows colder, I’ll need appropriate clothing for that as well.” I explained, sitting forward and clasping my hands together over my knees. “And I’m not talking a couple shirts and sets of pants. I’m talking an entire wardrobe.”

“Oh… my… I see…” Rarity’s eyes went wide at the realisation for what she was potentially getting herself into. “Such an order would be…”

“Expensive and very probably boring for your skills. I assure you, i’ll be starting a new job with the blacksmith here later today so I’ll be able to pay for the entire order; if you decide to take me on, that is.” I replied, sitting back to hold a hand up to assure the pony. “I intent to pay for whatever parts of the order you can fill as you fill it, rather than all at once as I don’t know how much i’ll be getting paid yet.”

“I… uhm… I accept your proposal, but I ask that you let me design you some kind of fancy suit. Something other than that Military formal getup you had. I will give you a hefty discount for it in lieu of your current order.” Rarity suggested, sounding like she really needed me to take this offer.

“I… shall accept your terms and conditions on the premise that you’ve accepted my order.” I began slowly and worked myself into the reply, finalizing with a nod.

“Excellent!” the seamstress popped back into full enthusiasm. “Now then, I know I have some general measurements of you, but now that I’ve got you here, i’d like to take some more in detailed numbers.” I accepted with a nod and stood while Rarity magic’d in a tape measure. “Come darling, and prepare to strip!”

“I’m sorry?” I paused in following Rarity to a plinth on which Amethyst had been using to check herself out on.

“Mister Mercer, I require very detailed measurements and your current clothing is preventing me from doing so.” Rarity grinned suspiciously and lead me onto the stage. With a sigh and deciding not to argue, I pulled my shirt off and began working my pants off, leaving me in my skivvies. “Oh, u-uhm… I see…” she gasped once she got a look at my war damaged skin. Of note, I had a massive scar running from my right shoulder down to my left side and it still occasionally burned with a mild pain. “I think I understand why you wear clothing now.”

“Try going a day without your fur, it’s like that.” I replied and shifted my weight nervously while the lingering gaze of Rarity roamed my body. I could almost feel the burning intensity of her staring as she visually invaded my body and was growing more and more uncomfortable. Something in me wanted me to dress back up in as many layers of clothing as I could possibly find, but since nothing here would be human or male acceptable, I was stuck fighting the urge.

Rarity remained silent as her eyes latched onto my body, examining every little bit that she could before collecting herself and getting to work.

“Arms out.” she instructed, lifting my arms to model-T with her magic.

“Hot damn, that’s nice.” Amethyst whispered a little too loud to remain secretive as she appeared from the change room in one of the dresses she’d selected. Her latching stare was much more hungry-looking than Rarity’s had been, but she didn’t have to be professional so she didn’t seem to be so worried about the staring. “I’ve gotta say, Soren, it’s got to be illegal to look that good and hide it under clothing.”

“Thanks, I think.” I groaned back, ever more aware of the want to redress while Rarity worked around my chest with her magic. She began to move lower, checking my hips and thighs then down to my legs and so on.

“Hey, you wanna go get drinks after your off work?” Amethyst grinned wickedly, her mind clearly full of mal-intent.

“You just want me for my body.” I took the chance to lighten myself up and get over the awkwardness I was felling by grinning.

“Probably, I kinda really want your ass. It’s really nice.” Amethyst blatantly replied, making both Rarity and I falter with the announcement. “I bet you could do some amazing things to mine, too.”

“Well, I am completely uncomfortable right now.” Rarity announced with a couple of weak coughs as she fought to take my inseam measurement. I helped her out and took the top end of the tape measure and held it where it needed to be, keeping a few inches for sake of comfort.

“You and me both.” I muttered back, staring at the pink pony with great discomfort. “Can I redress now?”

“No, please. Not yet. I’m not done with you.” Amethyst replied, still staring openly and now with eyes moving quite obviously south. She completed the longing with a lip bite while Rarity gave me permission to dress again.

It only took me a minute, but I was once again fully dressed and feeling much more comfortable, even with Amethyst trying to perform a strip tease of her own and passing it off as just getting changed.

“Okay,” I began, eager for a way out and turned to Rarity. “With that out of the way, I’m going to go to work now!”

“Yeah! You work it!” Amethyst called out from the back, giving me the impression that she’d never let me live this down.

“Absolutely! I will let you know when you can start to expect the new outfits and I’ll send you the first bill in a couple weeks!” I was grateful with how Rarity seemed to be rushing me out the door, helping me get out of there as fast as I wanted to be going.

“I’ll see you later!” Amethyst called ahead with a grin. “If not, then I’ll dream heavily of you!”

“Yeah I’m sure you will…” I shook my head and turned towards the forge I was due to work at. Maybe I’ll be able to sweat this out.