Author's Note

Hello, just want to point out that I have released a new story of mine. With the same main character of this story, though only again withing a different setting and theme.

You can fine it HERE.

Also consider looking into my Patreon if you want to help me out a bit.

Chapter 11: No more filler chapter, or at least that's the plan

Chapter 11: No more filler chapters, or at least that’s the plan

Edited by Mr Salespony

“So, what exactly does your cutie mark mean?” Octavia asked, for the upteenth time ever since she woke up, and to an extent, woke me up as well by barging into my room and bouncing on the bed.

No really, she literally bounced on my bed right next to me while I was still busy curled up, half asleep.

With her around, who really needs a Wakemaster or the fucking sun anymore? She does the exact same thing, only better and a lot more infuriating with her methods. But then again, I can’t really stay too mad at such a level of enthusiasm. Mostly when she is around ME.

Which is a fine sacrifice I guess, especially when you consider how much LESS enthusiastic she usually is when she is just running around with her mom somewhere. Which is almost every day for most of the day, or at least that is what Camelia told me when I actually bothered to ask her this morning. With me being generally better ‘behaved’ when she is walking around with her mother somewhere.

Which is rather cute to know I guess, but certainly not the best idea of staying attached to me for almost everything.

I have to admit, I was never really considered to be the best role model for young children, especially towards my younger cousins. Plus, there are also my own personal, self-inflicted quests that I sometimes partake in. Like with the lewd, grass green Gardner mare two days ago.

Such adventures are not meant for small little fillies. Especially those who are actual fillies and not just some previous grownup that got nerfed to be stuck inside a child’s body.

Now THAT is a lewd thought for you, and shame to all of you for thinking those thoughts. Get you filthy little minds out of the gutters. I just cleaned them yesterday…which I would have said if I was actually still back in my world, where I sometimes did actually clean out the gutters for my cousins. Because, nobody fucking else was going to do it, but me.

Mostly because I was the only one stuck in the house for 23/7 while the rest of the brood was out for work during the weekdays.

Work…the bane of civilization and everyone with any sense of self-inflicted comfortability and laziness.

Where was I? Ah yes, Octy was still here sitting next to me while poking my muscles. Why? Because she is lew…well no, mostly because of that care bear rip off on my ass.

Everybody has it, and shockingly enough, even Olivia. And no, it had nothing to do with anything lewd or sexual like how some of these horse hookers do within the local brothel that we curiously passed by on our way to the city park. It was actually quite disappointing…and kind of predictable to say the least.

It was just a simple olive branch with a couple of olives hanging from it. Yeah, I know, shocking. Olivia, an olive green mare with actual olives on her rump, who would have guessed?

Either way, I shooed her offending hoof away while continuing my walk through the city park. Not alone of course, as missus MOM was actually chilling on a nearby bench somewhere, chatting it up with another chic next to her that I don’t know.

I shrugged. “I already told you. I don’t know. It’s just a trio of expressions depicted with the style of three theater masks. With one at the center actually being new and depicting your typical angry anime expression that most animes like to use. Which is kind of interesting, if I have to be honest. Even though I was never really that big on anime to begin with.” I answered.

I looked around at all the stuff the park had to offer, a fountain, a couple of statues of some other horse, and the large pond off into the distance. Most likely filled with ducks or geese, or whatever other things that floats like a boat.

Like crocodiles for example. Though I doubt they would even allow such animals to be roaming around with in a public park. And a park constantly filled with free meat of all ages and sizes, no less. Dark and inappropriate humor, everybody has it, and everybody expresses it in their own way.

But besides that, Octy just frowned. “But…but you should at least know what your cutie mark represents. Everypony does, even if they didn’t know what their cutie mark will be at the end. Or at least that’s what mom told me.” She responded, rubbing her chin thoughtfully like how all the horses do with their body language.

“Well then, your mother is an idiot.” Was what my trollish side wanted to say, but obviously didn’t.

Again, I just shrugged. “Well whatever, not my field of interest. Even more so when it is plastered on my lower region. The worst place to slap a tattoo in my opinion.” I replied again, stopping in front of one of those statue thingies and giving it the good old criticism, like those uneducated or talented individuals usually like to give.

“Hmm, could use some more ‘details’ in certain places.” I mumbled, looking particularly at the crotch area of this pony.

Octy just gave me a tilted look. ”Huh? What kind of details?” She asked, acting on her natural curiosity.

I shook my head. “Never mind, you are too young to know that.” I answered before turning away from this half assed work.

She of course, quickly followed me as I made the pond to be my next destination of thing to look REALLY close at.

“Kids, don’t stray away too far please. Just stay at the park’s pond area where I can still see you two.” Camellia suddenly called out.

“Yes mom, don’t worry.” Octy called back before turning back towards me as she followed me.

She again, gave me a confused look, though this time mixed with a little bit of shock as well. ”How come you don’t care what your cutie mark means? Everypony cares about what their cutie marks means, because it’s a mark which shows the world in what you are truly special in. Or at least, that is what mom once told me.” She once again commented. Digging deeper and deeper into this cute tattoo subject way more than it really needs to be.

Again, kids, no matter what dimension you are in, they are always the same. Until you need to grab a rope and pull them out from the hole that they like to dug themselves into.

“Well, remember the little secret that I shared with you in the beginning that I am really not a foal but an alien from another realm of existence entirely?” It was my time to ask, giving her a look after we stopped in front of the now known to be a duck pond.

She nods. ”Well…yeah, but I have always assumed that your kind might have cutie marks too. Something to tell others what you are special in.” She responded, or rather guessed while rubbing her chin once more.

I just scoffed. “Pfff no, I mean if my kind really was operating under the same rules as these butt tattoos, then making porn would have been a very big industry if someone really needed to be born to do porn. The level of social depression this would create could be staggering. Nothing to fap to and nothing to make you momentary forget in just how much of a loser you truly are with the chicks…or the dudes if you are a girl. “I commented, again enticing both Octy’s curiosity and confusion at the same time.

“What is porn?” She innocently asked as she stood in front of the duck pond.

I smiled. “Something which you are way too young to know, Octy. Ask me again when you finally hit puberty and see colts in a completely different light, or fillies if you are developing into that.” I answered, keeping my gaze fixed forward on the ducks in the pond.

She just puffed out her cheeks in annoyance. “You always keep saying that. You know that I am not really that young as you make me out to be. I am already a big filly.” She argued, pointing a hoof at herself and holding her head high to try and prove her point.

I just rolled my eyes with a grin. “Sure, sure you are, can’t even pronounce most of the BIG words that I use sometimes. Not to mention that you are still making a mess in your bed once in a while according to both Hector and Olivia.” I countered, giving her a big stupid grin to add further salt to the now open wound.

She blushed. “Wha-what? No-no I…I don’t do that…uh…whatever both Mister Hector and Miss Olivia are telling you are lies, just…stupid little lies to under…undermen…uh…undermine me, yes undermine me. I have never wet the bed, at least not for a really long time.” She stuttered, looking off to the side and basically betraying herself with her disastrous attempt in getting a lie across her point.

“Sure, whatever you say, princess.” I casually responded, before picking up a rock with my hoof and throwing it into the pond. Causing several ducks nearby to scatter in a frantic frenzy.

“Hehe. No wonder Bart likes to be such a dick to animals sometimes.” I mindlessly chuckled before picking up another rock and throwing it too. Causing yet another big splash and more ducks quacking in panic.

“You know, that isn’t very nice.” Octy commented while giving me a sideways glance.

“So, neither are ducks. I still have a couple of steaks to fry with them for what they once did back home. Those little garden hating bastards.” I threatened. Narrowing my gaze on those little vermin’s before picking up another rock.

Granted, those ducks that shat all over my tulips where just wild ducks flying over my house while migrating south. But ducks are still ducks no matter if they are domesticated or wild. They were all part of the same family and therefore sinful of the same mistakes the other group did.

They certainly contributed in making my job as a household gardener a lot more difficult during winter months, thanks to their need for defecations.

They even ruined my old scooter that used to always be parked right outside the gates of our property. Those handles were forever ruined, no amount of acid or bleach could fix them. In the end, I had to go buy brand new covers for them out of MY own pockets.

Nothing makes me more grimy than paying out of my own limited pockets…unless its food, drinks, or both.

Can’t never say no to a good glass of ice tea, or a cup of coffee. Not to mention cheese or anything related to chocolate.

Trying to keep a balanced figure of ass. Just give me what I want and we can both walk away with all four limbs and vocal cords still intact.

Either way, I shook my head and got myself back to reality. Mostly just to prevent myself from thinking about food too much. I still haven’t managed to sell that wonder book that I managed to repossess from the most unoriginal looking mare possible.

Plus, Octy was staring at me again, reminiscent to the fact that I had once again spaced out. My old psychiatrist used to call it a symptom, but I just personally like to see it as a nifty way to escape the boredoms of reality. Because I somehow managed to run low on stones already, despite of having just throw three into the pond.

Stupid park staff and their over-excessive vigilance of keeping this space clean. Its killing the mood of stone flinging maniacs like me.

“Oh hey, look at all of those foals over there.” Octy suddenly pointed out at the other side of the pond.

I followed where her dirty little hoof pointed and immediately saw to what her attention was drawn too. A large flock of foals, of all possible colors, races, and genders that you can think of.

Well, only two genders, but no one have said that futas aren’t a thing in this voodoo hoodoo world. Plus, the additions of Brothels and little miss Olivia pretty much displays in how…dirty this world can really be. Maybe even dirtier than mine, if all the strange fashion choices and constant neglect for clothing are anything to go by.

Yeah, I should probably stop talking so much about sex and porn for a while, and start to focus more on the scene in front of me. Particularly at the one individual who was leading this band of munchkins.

“Hey look, it’s lady Deep Care from the “Klapsmühle” I used to live in.“ I pointed out. Looking over at the aforementioned pedophile and slave driver of children.

It was at this time, that it was Octy’s turn to follow my gaze and look at what I was seeing. “Oh, so that is Miss Deep care then from the same orphanage that mom and dad adopted you from, yes? She seems like a pretty nice lady when she is taking care of so many foals.” She mindlessly commented with a smile.

“Well, not until you learn that she does indoor schooling too.” I thought to myself, while looking at the gang.

But one foal in particular was really giving me a sense of déjà vu. A foal who I should know, as he was the first and only one I could generally stand in that sugar rush of an estate.

“Seems that Mystic Tune is still calling the orphanage his home. Too bad, the guy is one of the few who actually deserves a better and taller fridge to raid from.” I casually commented, cranking my head a little bit to the side to spot him better behind a distant bush which was obscuring my view of him.

Octy tilted her head. “Mystic who?”

“Eh, just a wonderrous little foal I know from the orphanage. Someone that I am sure you would like, as the two of you kinda share a lot of similarities in terms of character traits and quirks. In fact…” I said, before trotting closer to the band.

“Hey where are you going?” Octy called out as she only followed me with her eyes.

“Well, closer to these foals obviously. Just want to see if some of the foals from the good old days are still orphans besides just Mystic. It has been about half a year since then.” I called back, keeping my attention fixed on getting my furried ass over there while dodging the occasional grown up or pet dogs along the road.

Horses having pets, now that is something to scratch your head for.

“Alright, just remember to keep within the vicinity of either me or the other caretakers. We obviously don’t want any of you to suddenly get lost, or even worst, forgotten when we eventually make our way back the orphanage?” I could hear the every so memorable voice of Deep Care say. Mostly because of the fact that her voice was the most prominent that I had to listen to for the first couple of weeks every since I was drafted into the orphanage. And mostly revolving around attempted lectures or chidings for many of my shenanigans that I have done.

A third of them actually being Thera related, but I am not going to get into those details for now. Especially when I quickly spotted the aforementioned filly and her two goons still being part of the pact. Not surprising giving her dominatrix like attitude and her incentives to lie and trick her way up to the top and out of trouble or chores for the sake of not having to go through them the normal way.

At least there is one thing that we both have in common then. Especially for the chores part.

Trouble is something I find myself in rarely, because I am just to good of a troll to get caught …or just too lazy to be bothered.

“Yes, miss Deep care.” The entire mass of children droned. Giving Deep Care and some of her ‘helpers’ a satisfying smile and nod in return.

“Well then, in that case, go ahead and have fun. And remember we will be returning back home when the sun crosses over the largest tower of the royal castle over there. So just keep that in mind. Now again, have fun, and do remember to stay within the vicinity of the park. Keep close and all will be fine.” She announced, before the whole gang of colours were finally giving their freedom to vandalize this prestige looking establishment within their leisure.

Those poor park workers and managers.

Either way, some foals (in particularly, two certain colts and one zealous little filly) didn’t waste any more time in transforming my predictions to reality. Picking up some nearby resting rocks from the ground and flinging those acorn sized pebbles at the same ducks that I just harassed. Though unlike me, both Thera and her gangbang were actively trying to hit the ducks themselves instead of just splashing them with water. Which, was of course, totally missed or ignored by any of those so called ‘helpers’ that Deep Care hired. Even she seemed to be oblivious on the more sociopathic behaviors some of her brood seemed to be indulging themselves with.

Well, calling them out for their behavior would obviously defeat the purpose of trying to stay anonymous behind a bench in the first place.

Metal gear folks, a game which revolves around a big robot mech, while spending most of the game trying to be stealthy. How stealth and robot mechs come together is beyond me. But hey, japan was never really known to be subtle. So why start with games?

“Alex?” Someone suddenly called me out, which in turn, pulled me out of my thought.

I turned my head, only to be met with a very surprised looking Mystic tune standing right next to me. Not sure how he managed to find me so easily. But then again, it doesn’t matter.

I made myself look confused. “Alex? Who? Who is this Alex? And who exactly are you? Mother has always told me to be wary around strangers. That Includes foals.” I responded, twisting my voice, trying to make myself look as foreign to him as possible.

This seems to did little besides confusing him for just a moment and making him raise his eyebrow. I never really expected for him to actually fall for that to be honest. But hey, it was worth a try. Plus, I would have told him the truth anyway if I did somehow work …because, why not.

He eventually chuckled. “No, no, I know for a fact that it is you. I remember that ‘fake bri…British voice’ …was it?” He wondered, in which I just nod. ”Well yes, I remember that fake British voice you always did for jokes when talking to the other foals. Just like the same way you did just now. Pretending to being somepony else.” He stated, keeping his smile and getting more and more excited with each word.

And before I knew it, I was quickly and suddenly embraced by this overactive furball and a newfound retro lover. Or so I think, if he still remembers the times when he listens to songs whenever I allowed him to borrow both my tablet and my earbuds while I was out of the house or doing my usual shenanigans to everyone around me.

Primarily to Deep Care and any other grownups working at the family friendly asylum.

But either way, the sudden violations to my rights of personal space thankfully didn’t last that long. I soon found myself released from his grasps while he keeps a huge grin on his face.

Normally, I would take this as an act of gayness towards me, but knowing full well in how ‘touchy’ these ponies can be, allowed me to just let it slide as he is just generally being a fucking pony.

The sacrifices I have to make to keep these sapient equines happy.

“Oh dear Celestia, this is so cool. I never thought that I would see you again so soon, and certainly not out at a public park of all places.” He stated, which in turn caused me to raise an eyebrow this time.

“Huh? Why not in a public park? Aren’t public parks meant to be…well…for the public? Which would mean that there might be a much greater chance for two lost individuals to eventually find each other in one of these public places? So why this logic?” I questioned, which in turn caused him to rub his chin in thought.

“Well, didn’t you particularly said that you are not very fond of ‘going outside’ for most of the time? Which you showed by staying in our room for most of the day and not really interacting with any of the foals besides being approached by them? Because of that, I just simply thought that finding you in a public park would be a lot harder when compared to most other individuals.” He answered, quite cleverly in fact, which was certainly a bit of a surprise on my part.

He is certainly one of the more clever foals out of the orphanage. Or rather was, if someone else managed to snatch up that title for themselves during the time I was pissing off Hector, or Olivia respectively.

It's just so hard to act outside of your already established character, you know?

Either way, I just shrugged. “Well, now you found me, I guess. Now comes to the question as to how will you take advantage of this situation. What shall you do now?” I philosophically questioned. Sitting down on my haunches and mimicking the famous pose of a thinking Greek philosopher.

He just scratched his head. “I don’t know, maybe tell me how life is going with your new foster family and talk about how my life has been going on back at the orphanage?” He more or less guess.

I just hummed, until an idea suddenly popped up inside my head. “Oh yeah, wait. Octy face.” I mindlessly exclaimed, again much to mystic’s confusion.

“Octy? Who is octy? You mean that gray filly who has been watching us this entire time?” He asked, pointing his hoof past behind me.

I followed his gesture. It was indeed octy, standing right next to a tree close to the pond, while giving me and mystic a very curious but also cautions look. Mostly towards mystic, because…obviously.

I smiled. “Oh yeah, that’s her. The little gray girl. Also, before you are ask, she IS the true daughter of my foster parents in case you are wondering.” I answered, just for the sake of getting to things straight right away.

But then again, these are all just barely six year old foals. So, such thought processing might not yet exist within their young and self conscious minds

“Oh, so they had a filly already? Strange, then why adopt somepony from an orphanage then when they already have foal?” He asked again, more to himself rather than towards me judging by his tone.

I simply ignored him before I raised my arm in an attempt to usher her over. She was reluctant at first which was somewhat understandable. Mystic here is a stranger to her after all, not to mention a unicorn too, which so far, have been nothing but bad PR towards her with the only exception of being me of course.

After a few moments of just worryingly standing there, and me still trying to usher her over. She eventually sighed and tried to make her way over to us. The key word here is ‘tried’ which she would have, if a random rock didn’t suddenly decide to hit her in the head and force her off of her hooves rather quickly.

I think I even saw a tiny spry of blood flying to the air from where the rather sizable pebble hit her.

Time slowed down for me afterwards as I watched her dainty little form hit the ground harder than it should have. Watching her as tears immediately started to leak out of her closed eyes and with her mouth forming to an expression of pure pain and agony.

A massive cry didn’t took long to follow after, as she quickly moved her hooves up to her head in hopes of lessening the pain, and to an extent, to stop the now very visible bleeding from her wound.

Time quickly returned to normal for me when the first ponies nearby finally realized what was going on. I mean how could you now, with a young little filly laying on the ground, screaming and crying her heart out wild bleeding very noticeable from the left side of her head.

I don’t know how, but my intuitions quickly told me exactly who the culprits where who caused this.

I smell bullies. Sociopathic, little bullies, and one toxic little filly just filled the role.

My suspicions were swiftly confirmed when I looked over at the direction where I last saw those three little foals was making trouble at, and saw that all three of them, especially Thera herself, had expression of pure horror in their eyes.

“Thera, you…you accidentally hit her.” I managed to hear one of her goon’s stutter despite the distance.

So, it ACTUALLY was her now wasn’t it? Ooh, this really rustles my jimmies good. Especially knowing that she has practically the same brains as her little band of wanna be bandits and rebels.

Then again, it also now makes total sense. Because from the three, she was by far the worst shot of them all if memory of my many encounters with her in the orphanage were anything to go by.

“Oh dear Celestia, the poor little filly.” I heard one of the nearby adults cry out as things finally started react around me.

Same for me, but more like towards these three fuckups and their homicidal tendencies. Picking up a few stray rocks on the way while doing so.

An eye for an eye after all, and nobody had ever said that I was a nice guy either. I can and will get pretty nasty myself when push comes to shove.

Don’t make a mad person MAD is my slogan for the day.

“Hey, wait a minute, isn’t that…?” One of the colts tried to say before he was quickly silenced by a rock hitting him square on the muzzle, forcing him on his flank. Most likely breaking his nose, but then again, who cares. Especially not me at this current moment.

The two still left standing where of course shocked by this sudden turn of events after they finally noticed me approaching them, even more so when they saw the deep rooted glare I was giving them.

Thera in particular, had the largest eyes and the most low hanging ears of the two. Minus the guy whose ears where literally touching the ground right now.

“Alright, from all the stupid shit that you three have done, in particular you Thera…” I glared over at the taller filly which made her flinch. ”…this is by far, the most careless and most irresponsible thing I have seen so far from the three of you. Throwing large pebbles at the little ducklings while somehow managing to overshoot and hitting a small little filly instead. A little filly whos life has been facing nothing but discrimination and racism since the day she was born. Primarily from her own family. And now, she is bleeding, laying on the ground, and crying her dainty little eyes out in agony because one of you can’t even hit a fucking pond? Who knows what how much damage you conflicted into this little filly’s head, with your taller bodies and greater strength. Just adding another item on her ever-growing shit list of things that the world has been fucking her over with.” I chided, half of it through shouting while throwing and catching the pebbled on my hoof mindlessly.

Generally being the grown up for once. Despite the massive Irony of this situation.

“Wait a minute, why am I even getting intimidated by a baby foal like yo…” Thera tried to counter but didn’t succeeded. Mostly because I was now flinging rocks at them like a mad man. Again, ironic, but at least it forced them to retreat almost immediately, while taking their nose bleeding friend of with them.

I continued throw rocks at their direction for a bit until they were out of reach. Only for them to be swiftly intercepted by Deep Care herself and one of her helpers. Glaring down at the trio for what they have done.

Serves them right, and now their punishment was on the way, accompanied by some serious stereo scolding from Deep Care. That only left me to quickly make my way back towards octy, where a healthy number of ponies have already gathered around her. Most importantly miss Camellia herself.

She looked frantic, panicked and scared out of her wits after she witnessed the state her daughter was in. Pushing herself past the gathered masses and in front of a stallion who was already trying to calm Octavia down and mending to her injuries.

I on the other hand, wasn’t really that far behind, followed by mystic who also joined me. Why? I don’t know. Kids are just generally curious after all, especially towards scenes and drama.

Or at least I was, or rather, still am.

But my curiosity wasn’t really aimed to quench my first for drama, but rather, to see if Octy was actually ok.

By the looks of things, she kinda of was, mostly thanks to this stallion who swiftly managed to patch Octavia up with a bandage he probably pulled out from his saddlepack on his back.

And judging by his equipment and that butt mark he has on his ass, he was most likely a doctor, or at the very least a nurse of some kind.

“Oh dear Equestria and everything that is good, what happened? Is Octavia ok? Is she going to be ok?” I heard Camellia asked. Both her sense of fear and panic perfectly noticeable in her tone.

The stallion nods. “For now yes, but you need to bring her to a proper doctor just to be sure. Sadly, I am just a nurse and can’t really do much besides covering her wound and help stop the bleeding.” The stallion responded.

So, he actually is a nurse then. Pointless, but information is still information. Especially in a place where I don’t have access to the fucking internet anymore.

Again, something I am just never going to get used to.

But constant playbacks aside, I was genuinely concerned for Octy’s well-being. She already has been dissed by both her own family and a lot of posy looking nobles for simply being what she is and not being what she should be. Thanks to that, she obviously lacks a lot of self-esteem for herself, which in turn, makes her seem somewhat undesirable towards many foals of her own age. She is still so damned young, and already has to put up with all of this social crap before she can even properly learn how to distinguish a bloody comic from a simple playboy magazine.

But hey, it is universally known that the universe, or existence at large is a total drag for most of the times. Ridiculous, or just plane old annoying. Something she will learn eventually, not now, but one day it might click with her.

Which is why I am who I am, and generally giving one half of the world my middle finger while completely embracing the other half in all of its nonsensical and ridiculous glory. Why fight the current when you can just relax and allow yourself to be taken downstream? Flinging middle fingers and insults along every beaver built dam on the river while throwing rocks at them.

See what I did there?

“Quick, we got to bring her to the nearest hospital. Don’t worry Octavia, everything will be fine, I promise.” I heard Camellia say in tears as she placed Octavia’s own crying form onto her back.

All physical and with no voodoo hoodoo mind you.

To my surprise, Camellia suddenly dashed off with the nurse leading the way. Leaving me behind, perplexed and a little bit insulted.

I can understand why she did it given the current circumstances. But the bitch still left me, alone, in a park, and as far as she knows, I am just a little five year old colt. Almost six in fact, if both Octy and I truly share the same birthday month. Which is around august in case someone is wondering?

“Well shit…” I muttered, when I eventually lost sight of both Octy and her mom.

“Well, seems like I have to start asking for directions if I want to go a find this hospital where these two have fucked off too. Meaning, I will have to ‘socialize’.” I said with added air quotes before looking around at the slowly dispersing mass to see who best to ask for directions.

“Alex…you…you have a cutie mark?” Mystic Tune suddenly shouted behind me. Which caused me to pause and frown.

“What are you gay? What are you doing looking at my ass like that?”

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

“Ugh, fucking ponies and their terrible sense of direction. Seriously, you would think that for someone living in the city for who knows how long, would at least expect know where the closest hospital is from ‘Duck pond park’ (and yes that was its name, brilliant isn’t it?) actually is. But it seems that most of them were actually just tourists, or simply citizens coming from a completely different district entirely. What were the odds that all of the above where true?” I grumbled to myself. Not really paying attention where I was going and almost causing a street accident with two carriages.

Actually no, I did cause it, if the sudden crash and the aftermath sound shouting where anything to go by.

See kids, this is why you always look left and right first before crossing a street. To prevent shit like this and car insurances to go sky high.

Either way, time to finish crossing the street and observing the newly dubbed hospital building in front of me.

Not that I stopped of course.

“Huh, so this is the place? Looks just as Victorian as the rest of the city so far.” I thought to myself as I looked up this rather simple looking building. And by simple, I mean the overall architecture and size it shared in comparison to every other building around it.

If it wasn’t for the very obvious red cross plastered right above the front entrance, I would have never guess that this was actually a Hospital.

Same thing for the brothels that I just passed by while getting here. Only making its sexual intended uses clear, by peeking your head inside and seeing all of those suggestively dressed mares capering around within its halls.

Yes, even the concept of placing a bouncer in front of a door seems to be foreign to these ponies too, besides just placing plain random old guards in front of the entrance. Which was missing too, because I bet that the dude was actually in there, getting himself all kinds of tear shaped pussy and donut looking ass.

How do I know? Biology, that is how. Also, because of that green hooved Gardner mare too, who is sadly still enlisted as the estate’s local garner.

Well it's mostly because I have never told anyone of that incident, even to both Brass or Camellia. Mostly because I forgot to do so, but also to keep my re-procession of the book to be a secret.

Yes, yes, I know, it’s basically stealing. But how much can you really steal, when your step parents are just filled with it? The money I mean, not their ego. That title goes to Brass’ extended family over in NOT Nottingham, rather, the un-originally named trottingham.

I blinked. “Less thinking and more getting myself in there and see where the two have clocked in to. Do not worry Alex, because this time, no doctor is going to approach you with an oversized sewing needle of a syringe. It is Octy who is sick, not you.” I thought to myself, before pushing through the double doors of this establishment.

The entry hall was... as expected. Large, white, with seating arrangements lining up both walls, and with a few coffee tables spread about between them. A couple of ponies where occupying the seats of course. Besides that, the entire room was also in a very hospital looking with a counter at the other end of the room and two different hallways disappearing on each side, with a stairway located right next the counter I was facing.

Why I am describing this in my head while knowing that nobody is really going to hear them without the use of some voodoo hoodoo, the force, or just plain old boring telepathy? Well I don’t know and neither do I care. Shit like this has pretty much become mandatory for me.

But I guess I already said that.

“Stop, stalling Alex, go over to the counter and ‘socialize’. Despite in how jarring it can be.” I thought to myself, before willing myself forward.

A lot of curious eyes were immediately aimed at my way as I passed by awaiting patients and the equally perplexed looking nurse or two.

It certainly doesn’t seem to be normal for these equines to see a lonely colt entering a hospital all willingly without any parental guidance or grownups accompanying them. But then again, the same can be said about my world as well.

Anyway, the mare in front of the counter gave me a raised eyebrow the moment I stood in front of her. Having to crane up my head so many times for almost everything is certainly a drag. But after all these months, I pretty much got used to it.

For the most part.

I was about to engage talk with the mare, when a certain other mare didn’t just appear out of thin air to my left. The side where the illusive stairs are.

“Alex, Alex is that you?” Camellia asked as she stood on top of them. Her shock and surprise quite noticeable.

She wasted no time in cantering her ass down to embracing me. Much to my silent protest of personal space, and child abuse.

“Alex, I am so sorry for having left you behind at the park. I was just so frantic about Octavia’s well being that I…” She cried out into my ears, before I shoved a hoof into her mouth.

“My lungs, Camellia, my precious little foal lungs.” I muttered with puffed cheeks and a lot of strain on my part.

Thankfully she quickly understood the dilemma she putting me through and immediately released me from her death hug. I gasp a couple of times before composing myself, getting up on all fours before glaring up at the mare in front of me.

I had the tendency to ask her “what the fuck” but swiftly strained myself from doing so. I already had enough distraction for now, and really, I just wanted to go and see how gray face was doing. I may still stand to my believes that she shouldn’t get too attached to me for many obvious reason. But then again, I can’t really fault her for doing so.

“Well, how is Octy? Is she fine? Have you two already been visited by the doctor while I was busy asking around the city to find this place?” I asked, arching an eyebrow.

“Wait, you actually went all this way completely by yourself without any…” She tried to say before my glare quickly stopped her.

She swiftly composed herself and sighted. “Well, sorry. Also, no we…we haven’t been visited by the doctors yet. But the local nurses say that she will be fine…but…I obviously still want to hear from the doctor himself though.” She answered with her ears hanging limply against her skull.

I can move my ears too, but most of the time I just forget that I even can, which in turn, causes them to stay stiff for most of the time. Which some did pointed out strangely enough.

First my ass, now my ears. See, this is the problem I have with a naked society and hippies, no sense of bodily privacy at all.

But I am just losing track again, not very good, especially now when she ushered me to follow her. I did of course, and ascended with her up the stairs and onto the second floor where things looked alot more hospital-ish than before.

Long corridors on each side, with many, many doors on each end of the wall, most likely leading to seperate hospital rooms for the sick to slouch around in.

Or to die, if they are one of those unlucky once. Dark, but such is life.

Anyway, both me and flower girl over here promptly stopped in front of one of said doors before swiftly opening them with her horn. Inside the room was just as generically white looking as the rest of the building is, with two single beds occupying most of its space. With one obviously being occupied with the filly in question.

She does look well thankfully, having long cried herself out of her situation and just lazily sitting there with a sad frown on her muzzle. Facing away from us and out the window to her right. Though, her gaze was swiftly switched to us the moment we entered the room. The bandages on her head very much obvious now.

She smiled a bit, after spotting us.

“Well how are you doing sweetie? Has any of the nurses or even the doctor come by while I was gone? Despite in how short it was.” Camellia asked, in which the filly shook her head.

“No mom, nopony came while you were gone. I was just sitting here for the most part, staring out the window.” She answered.

Well, she does look and sound normal though. That is of course, good to see and hear.

Flower pot just nods, before quickly moving to a chair next to Octy’s bed and plumping herself down on it. I tried to do the same, though with a bit more difficulty, as to be expected.

Being so small also has its downfalls.

Octy eventually looked at me once I was perfectly sitting on my stool.

“Hey, you know...you really didn’t have to go out of your way and throw rocks at those larger foals as well. They could have easily hurt you as well if they wanted to.” She commented, which Camellia obviously picked up when she turn her gaze towards me as well.

I just scoffed. “Uh...whatever. I at least, had the ‘weapons advantage’ while also sporting a very mean glare that froze them almost instantly. You won't believe how scary and creepy little kids can be when they get really, REALLY mad.” I responded while waving my hoof dismissively.

It is true though. Kids, especially the little ones, can turn themselves into tiny little devils if they want to. Screeching higher than a nail on a chalkboard and going into a mild rampage that even rambo can’t mimic. And of course, that glare. A glare that perfectly mimics the children from the village of the damned movie.

Though, with a lot less paranormality.

Either way, Camellia raised an eyebrow while I was thinking all of that. “You know, she is kinda right. I personally don’t approve to you throwing rocks at kids. Even though if they…” Camellia tried to chide me when the doors to the room suddenly opened.

Every eye, including mine, were naturally aimed at the door. Only to reveal and white coated stallion and a nurse mare behind him.

By the way, I was referring to his doctor's coat and not the fur he wore underneath. That patch of hair was actually in a light blue color incase someone might be wondering.

Camellia immediately got off of her ‘hocker’ to swiftly greet this high ranking member of modern society.

You won't believe how much a good doctor, especially where I am from, can earn each month. They sometimes spend more time sitting in a plane then actually sitting in their offices or operation tables.

But that is of course, a rant for another day.

“Well, greetings there doctor...uh…” Camellia began.

“Doctor Stitch, Fine Stitch in full.” He responded, smiling towards the mare.

Camellia nods. “Well yes, sir...uh I mean Doctor Stitch. It’s nice to meet you.” She greeted.

“Well yes, the pleasure is all mine...Miss Camellia Harmonics, yes?” He questioned while looking at a clipboard that the nurse gave him.

Again, Camellia nods. “Well then, about your little daughter.” He began which immediately got flower pot’s attention.

“Yes doctor, is she...is she going to be fine? Are there no long lasting or permanent damage on her head?” She worriedly question, getting straight to the point.

Which is good, because I was somewhat impatient as well.

The doctor didn’t answer, but instead moved himself up towards Octy’s bed with the nurse following her. He closely examined Octavia's head. Humming to himself loudly while occasionally looking at the board of his.

I tried to steal a look at it too. Only to find indecipherable shit, and all kinds and medical gibberish that no mere mortal could understand.

Unless you went to medical school.

“Well…” The doc finally began after a long awkward and tense silence. “There should be nothing to worry about. Reading from these notes…”He presented the clipboard towards Camellia. “the only thing that the rock managed to damage was a bloodvein running across the side of her skull. Which is why she was bleeding so much previously in the first place. It is kind of luck that your daughter here is an earthpony and none of the other two races. Earthponies have generally a much denser bone structure compared to unicorns and pegasi. If she were any of the previous two, they might have actually been a high possibility for her skull to be fractured, which in turn could cause all kinds of precautions, especially for someone still as young as her. Again, really lucky that she is an earthpony and not of the other two.” The doctor explained which immediately got a sigh of relief from Camellia.

“Oh thank Celestia.” She sighted, which in turn caused me to arch an eyebrow.

“Celestia, celestia, celestia. The only name I always hear in both vain in thanks is bloody Celestia. Who is she? The rip off version of christ or something? Now we are treading on no, no zones here.” I wondered to myself.

Did I ever mention that one half of my family were christians? Yeah, I actually know a good deal about religion and stuff...even though I might seem like the very last guy to be asked about religion.

Wonder what kind of religion these horses have to bend over for. Hope it's none of this Latin American ones like the Mayans or Aztecs. Now that would makes think...surprisingly a lot more intriguing in a twisted way.

Colorful, naked, cartoon ponies sacrifices virgins and cuts out hearts for their dark gods. It couldn’t get any more metal than that.

Either way, the stallion just nods and smiled when Camellia looked over Octy with a relieved smile.

Though the doc continued. “Anyway, thanks to this she will only need to keep her head out of trouble from now on while occasionally changing the bandages a view more times. After that, everything should be well with little to no complication. In other words, you and your daughter and are free to do…” He then suddenly looked at me. ”...oh and your son too. Must have been quite scary to see your sister like this wasn’t it?” He asked while looking at me with a bit of concern.

I tapped chin and hummed. “Well it was concerning. But I am afraid that you keeping things mixed up here. I am, in fact, just adopted.” I told him.

He looked surprised at first before softing his gaze. “Oh well, sorry then. Didn’t realize that.” He responded, looking over at Camellia for confirmation.

She nods. “Well yes, as a bit sad as that might sound, but he is still just as much part of the family as our daughter is. No matter what his origins are.” She stated, giving me a smile.

I would like to say that her comment was hitting me ‘right here’. But that would be a bit to cliche and somewhat out of my usual shenanigans. So I will say that I feel...appreciated, and just smiled back.

“Anyway, I guess it's time to go then. It is getting late, and I bet that Brass is already wondering where we are.” Camellia suddenly announced.

“Well then in that case, let me no longer hold you back. Again, stay safe and remember to change that bandage again before ushering her to bed.” The doc responded, which again got a nod from the mare.

“Sure, and thank you so much doctor.” She offered.

“No need to thank. It is my job after all.” He responded before taking his leave, with the nurse following him.

“Well, do you feel well enough to walk on your own honey? Or do you want to hitch a ride?” Camellia asked.

Octy shook her head. “No thanks...I think I can walk just fine on my own. Plus…” She looked over at me with a smile. ”...I have my brother to help me out in case I get wobbly.” She announced.

Well shit, it guess it really IS happening isn’t it? To divert her now, would most likely just hurt her. Shit...me and my sense of morality.

And with that, we were off with me carrying a new burden on my shoulders. The burden of being Octavia's brotherly figure.