Your Human and You: Adventures of the Griffon Girl

Chapters

The Little Griffon Girl Arrives.
Bird Food
Plan's are Set
Farmers Market
Coming Out of the Closet
Eplanation Needed
Breaking News
Wedding Cakes and Little Gifts
A Chrystalmas Surprise
New Years Resolution
Honeymoon
Honeymoon Pt 2
Another Explaination Needed.
Discovery
Tortured Flowers Finally Bloom
Breaking Down and Moving On
A Sense Of Normality
Bonding with New Aunts
Fun with Mr.Murderous Feather Brain
Abduction
Hell...
Trauma
Bath Time
Closet Discoveries
Hours of Fear
Singing in the Moon Light
Confessions and the Elephant in the Room
Shaken
Fylakas's First Words
Realizations and the Finding of Another Lost One
Xander
New Chaos
Walk in the Park
Talking
Embarrassment
The Awkward Transition
Cold Days
Show and Tell
Finally Fleeing To Freedom
The Darkness Harnessed and a Swig of Apple Juice With the Moon

The Little Griffon Girl Arrives.

The halls were crowded with peperoni faced dickheads and valley girls with so much makeup they could be mistaken as clowns. This place was a hell scape for those who didn't fit those two fragile categories. Quite frankly I quickly became the unaccepted member of the little cult like society within the walls of the high school. I brushed my hair from my oiled forehead, becoming annoyed quickly as the rouge fell back into place upon my forehead. My uniform- annoyingly -refused any free movement for some strange reason, and it stubbornly and stiffly allowed me to walk as if it had a grudge against my slim form. I'd had enough...

"Damn his... Fucking uniform... And this school..." I muttered under my breath as I moved with the crowd as they filtered and trickled into the small class rooms. Some left the bathrooms and others moved around the corner to ditch their classes. This was annoying me, only I truly had to wear a uniform. Everyone else was able to-

"BALADIA ROSE!!! We do NOT use that language in this school! I know you can't get this through that thick, little," her next words were laced with venom as they stabbed into the air. "black brain of yours, but this is a place of civilization and class! Not you and your hooligan, heathen kind! Get down to the student services office immediately before I call security and have you thrown out for threatening me!!" The woman's voice was completely laced with venom and malice. I slowly turned to the old southern woman and gave a gentle sweet smile. More than she deserved.

"Yes ma'am, Mrs. Rabid." I croaked out as I turned and walked away from the monster of a woman. I gave a quick glance back to see her glaring as I rounded the corner to the office. There was a small moment of alarm as my eyes widened. I had almost slipped on the floor, a 'wet floor' sign barely visible against the wall. I wasn't keen on slipping and walking into he office with a wet uniform. Then they'd have security called and they'd drag me back to the janitors closet to get a new uniform... 900 out of 901 times they'd leave me locked inside, and I didn't want to have to deal with lock picking my way out of a janitors closet. Knowing the school they'd spin it to look like I was about to steal something.

I stopped by the bathroom to gather my thoughts and try and calm my purely unbridled rage at the racist teachers of this school. I'm 15, and a high school student, not a professional lawyer. The principle is equally as racist as Mrs. Rabid. Every chance he gets he blames me for everything. I swear he'd even blame me for the failing of global warming if he could.

I closed my eye's and took in a deep, slow breath.

Darkness consumed the surrounding beings and this made me smile softly.

I slowly let it out and slowly opened my eyes, returning to the world of the visual.

The disappointment of this moment was great. I wished I could just... Go... To a place different fro this. To a different home, to a different place.

I looked into the mirror and the face of an African goddess stared back at me. I could never quite comprehend who this was... This could never be me.

Beauty poured from the face of this woman. This stranger trapped behind the glass. Deep, chocolate brown skin stretched down the strangers face and body, giving her the look of a beautiful African aborigine woman. Her body was slim, fit and ready to run after any prey that got into he line of sight. Her forehead broad and gentle and pouring out the sense of knowledge and advise of the wisest of the village elders. Her eyes, a beautiful grassy emerald green, and seeming to tear into your soul to see your deepest unconfessed sins. Her cheeks were defined, yet soft, seeming to make her look older, wiser and jollier than most of the kids her age. Her chin was heavy and extremely defined, her jaw soft and round yet still having an element of foreign beauty. Her lips were red, ruby red to be exactly correct, and they'd move into a natural smile whenever she'd flex her flat bridged nose.

I sat against the wall staring at the goddess before me, perplexed on how I could have inherited this from my parents. My eyes drifted to my lower form and sure enough it was a match to the one in the mirror.

My eyes snapped to the clock on the bathroom wall, and it read 10:20 AM. I'd been standing here for 10 minutes watching my own every move... I felt the intense urge to wave goodbye to the stranger in the mirror but I declined. Although as soon as I bent down to splash water onto my face, I thought I caught her hesitating to copy me. I shook my head and smiled softly, straightening up as I spoke softly out loud to the stranger in the mirror.

"Soon... Soon it'll be over. Just a few more months." And with that I turned to the door with a rekindled smile. I was ready to face the wrath of the evil principle behind the door and in the depth of the school. I opened the door, and stepped out. I walked with renewed purpose. These fools couldn't break me! They can't tell me my place! Only I can! I... I... I slipped on the wet floor.

I prepped for stars to appear before my vision and yet nothing seemed to happen. The only thing that did was darkness...

I'm not sure how long I've been falling... Seconds? Minutes? Hours? Days? Months? Years?! I couldn't hear... I couldn't see. There was a feeling of intense vertigo surrounding my stomach and destroying my sense of movement.

I heard the wind rushing by. Rushing by faster than wind ever should. I couldn't wrap my head around the situation and I called out. My throat burst out in burning pain and I sputtered and coughed as hard as I possibly could. Wheezing. I felt like I had tried to eat cinnamon without anything to wash it down. I regained control of my eyes and ears.

I sat up, coughing and sputtering like a child who ate something spicy. Probably something with the fall. I quickly stood up among the waist high flowers and grass, looking around my little clearing. There was nothing but woods for hundreds of miles around. I couldn't even see any rising smoke from anywhere. Coughing fits aside, I could now properly breath and analyze the area. I turned and walked slowly into the lush woods under the grey sky, beginning to go mad with panic. I went with my instincts and ran as fast as I could, bellowing out in a loud yell for help, hoping my screams could draw help. There was little to no result... I gave up and rested my throat, gently rubbing it and sighing. There was no one... I watched the colossal trees sway in the wind, the canopy was high above my head. I sat for hours, contemplating what could have happened to me whilst I was there. I slipped... Was kidnapped? No no... I slipped and fell into a coma and now I was dreaming? That doesn't sound right... It didn't feel right... But I don't know.

My thoughts were interrupted by a familiar sound... The sound of a mighty American bird of prey. I turned around slowly to see the majestic beauty in it's natural habitat and sure enough there it was! Circling higher than the tree tops, and in the clouds slightly. Seeing them sent a weary feeling through my body. I couldn't put m finger on it... But... It wasn't right. Slowly, I slunk deeper into the tree line. The bird saw this and dove at me, causing me to screech. When it dove past, I could see it was, in fact NOT, an eagle. Before me stood a beast only described in mythology. A beast with golden brown fur and cloud white feathers. Orange bird talons and the back paws of a lion the beak and scream of a bird. It quickly became apparent what this was. It was a griffon... It's talon swiped at my face, gouging a small, long, flesh wound from the bottom of my jaw to the corner of my mouth. A loud cry of fear came about upon my vocal cords, and I tore off running through the jungle like woods.

The griffon had it's partner hot on my tail as I hauled ass towards freedom. The beating wings quickly signifying my own death coming to collect its toll. I was crying, running and crying. There was nothing but fear. I had been running for over 40 minutes, cross country really was good for something after all. My lungs were heaving and my legs were aching. My body was sore, ad begging for me to stop moving. The sound of beating wings echoed behind my exhausted movements. My body was already showing signs of giving out, and if the beating wings were any indication... I was screwed.

Author's Note

Hey... Readers! If you're reading this, let me know on a scale of 1 to 10 on what you think and take it with a grain of salt, because i've only ever written this one prolog for my little pony. Point out the spelling errors and grammer mistakes and I'll tell if their intentional or not. Thank you for reading, and please only respectful crutiqes.

Bird Food

I flew through the air, not truly comprehending how FUCKED I was. Air whipped past my face as I flew through the air, crying my lungs out and blubbering like a baby. We flew a good 400 feet above the ground, and I was tied like one would tie a pig when one would go see in the movies, to a stick. They were carrying my bound form hundreds of feet above the green ground down below, trees blasting past my face. How they were able to reach this height would always and forever baffle me. There was no way to comprehend this entire situation other than I AM GOING TO FUCKING DIE HOLY FUCK PLEASE HELP ME. The god of this strange land showed a strange mercy as a tree branch slammed into the faces of my male captors.

This caused my female captor to giggle, and the front of my bonds to drag down the stick they had been tied to. I nearly screamed out, my body shaking ferociously. The gag in my mouth nearly silenced my cries for help and I struggled weakly. The bonds stayed in place after I was hanging upside down, my female captor beginning to speak, just barely over the roaring and whipping winds in my ears. Oh good lord please have mercy, I'm not ready to die yet.

There was a small moment where the only thing I could hear was my heart beat.
Budum...

A feeling of vertigo engulfed me for the second time as I hit the branches on the way down. I couldn't feel the pain...
Budum...

I couldn't feel the wind whipping my skin. I couldn't feel the freezing rain hitting my now open cuts...
Budum...

I'm not ready to die...
BUDUM BUDUM BUDUM...

I'm not ready to die!

The wind stopped suddenly and I could barely breathe, my heart beating as hard as my breathing. I shivered and blinked the tears from my eyes, looking up (down?) to see what had happened to me. My face was inches from the ground, and I became dimly aware of razor like talons carefully gripping my calf.

"TALON YOU FLITTERING STEM BRAIN! WE ALMOST KILLED HER!" The voice was clearly female, and I quickly turned my attention to her. My own thoughts were attacked by a clear look at my captor turned savior.

"Since when did we decide to grow attached to it?! It's not a SHE it's and IT! This is why we don't bring you hunting, you can't get attached to the prey, Claw!" Talon-I assume-screeched at her and stomped his claws into the ground before him, forcing a stone to crack and splinter into thousands of pieces. A piece of debris landed in my eye and I gave a loud cry as I closed my eye. I reached to rub, but my arms were still bound to the piece of wood they were carrying me on. I was extremely surprised to learn that my gag hadn't just slipped down off my face, but it was completely and cleanly cut off, laying down next to me on the ground.

Now's my chance to escape!

I quickly began to struggle, squirming to knock the stick from... 'Claw's' grasp. There was a quick gasp and I hit the back of my head on a stray stone jutting up from the ragged stone, leaving a bump in it's wake. I freaked out after I couldn't keep total track over the various locations of the flying cat assed feather brains. I could barely keep my cool. The harder I struggled, the more I heard a weird splintering sound.

Wait.............

SPLINTERING!!!

I continued to struggle as hard as I possibly could, until I gained freedom of movement from a loud crack. My head was suddenly pinned to the ground, and I couldn't think over the feeling crushing down on my skull. A loud cry of pain escaped my lips as I tried to secure freedom from the painful grasp.

"Talon what are you doing??" There was a new voice now, a little voice. A scared voice, one of a child... The voice shattered my heart and I moved my eyes to glance at the smaller voice. A little griffon stood there, carrying a little limp rabbit on it's back. A young griffon? I didn't know they were tiny when they were young...

"Slasher what are you doing here?! I thought Wench told you to stay home and help with the guests!" Talon squawked with an annoyed glance as his crest fluffed. A show of dominance above the assumed hatchling. I struggled to free my bindings by using a sharp stone jutting up from the ground. I cooed and looked up at Claw desperately, trying to take advantage of her soft spot for me. There was a moment of silence as she stared down at me with a contemplating look upon her bird like face.

Slowly... She gripped her twin hunters claw and lifted it off my head with slight difficulty.

"You are not going to harm it more than necessary... It's obvious that she's submissive right now. We're untying her for the night and she'll be riding with me in the morning."

"Who said YOU could decide that-"

"I DID TALON!" Claws voice silenced Talon and echoed for miles, silencing every little sound of the forest. This made me flinch and I felt my bonds released, and I was stretched to my full height, barely reaching eye level with the creature...

Without a word, Talon pushed passed the third griffon who had remained in named throughout the whole conversation. With that, Claw took Slasher and I into a nearby cave to settle for the night. I watched the two with an amazed daze as Slasher settled down next to her assumed elder sister Claw and curled up to sleep for the night. Claw watched me the entirety of the time, like a hawk watching it's prey incase it decided to run. However, when I simply flopped over with my back facing the mouth of the cave, using a stone as a pillow on a pile of leaves I pulled into the cave as bedding, she just stared at me curiously. I was staring at her just as she was staring at me, and this went on for most of the night.

In the morning I found myself bound to something feathery. I couldn't move my arms or legs across the surface, so when I opened my eyes, I screeched confusedly top see I my arms were tied around the neck of the giant beastly bird cat from last night.

My arms ached.

We approached a strange structure, landing just outside an inn like bar. We landed and I was carried through the entrance and straight to some kind of table. It wreaked of blood in this room... Slasher looked at me sadly and looked to her sister, Claw.

I found myself tied to the table... A knife slowly approaching my throat.

I suddenly knew why they were hunting me...

I suddenly understood why they were carrying me here...

This was a slaughter house.

Tears flowed freely as I struggled, pulling up away from the knife. I wasn't ready... I cast a pleading glance to Claw, who was hiding me from her little sisters field of view. She had her feathers wet around her eyes and I let out a loud yell.

This is it...

I looked into the eyes of my killer, staring into them with a pleading look.

The only thing that stared back was madness. Bloodlust. Merciless serial instinct, the want the need to spill my blood.

"Good riddance you stupid piece of bird food... I'm going to enjoy watching the life drip from your throat."

The blade was pressed against my throat.

"Goodbye... Griffon mea-"

"TALON FEATHER GRIFF!"

What?!

Plan's are Set

My mind raced as I sat, curled under a blanket on a cushion in the corner, and tiny medicated bandages were applied to my skin over my smaller cuts. A strange feeling rose over me and I stayed silent as I watched the screeching crest fluffed hen.

"I CANNOT BELIEVE YOU TALON. I MEAN, LOOK AT HER! SHE'S TERRIFIED!" Wench screeched louder and motioned her massive claws towards my small shaking form in the corner, a look of pity and anger across her face.

"B-but... She's a human- d-don't we eat them??" Talons voice was small compared to the total ear piercing scream that was Wench's scream. I covered my ears on more than one occasion and Slasher was sat down next to me, her head hung low because of her disobedience of her mother and elder siblings.

Claw was sitting off to the side with a slightly amused look, watching her mother scold her 40 seconds younger brother. This always amused her, and if I had to be honest, I was having trouble not cracking a smile. I remembered some sort of random fact that gorillas see a revealing of teeth as a sign of aggression... Hm.

"THAT MIGHT BE SO BUT IT DOESN'T MEAN YOU GO AFTER THE HELPLESS AND ALONE, DAMN IT! ITHOUGHT I RAISED YOU TO BE A REAL MALE!" I bit my bottom lip to keep from laughing my ass off, but that wasn't hard when I found Claw towering above me, a look of skepticism across her face.

"Mom..." She called out to the screaming hen, her beak clicking slightly.

"-AND THEN THERES THE BLOOD, YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW WHERE TO START THE SKINNING YET TALON! I DIDN'T TEACH YOU!!" There was a flash of fear across my person as I suddenly clung to the blanket around me.

"Mom!" Claw was a tad louder than before.

"-AND WHAT MADE YOU THINK WE EVEN NEEDED HUMAN MEAT?! HUH?! WE ARE FINE WITHOUT YOU MAKING TERRIBLE DECISIONS FOR US RIGHT NOW WHEN MEDICAL BILLS ARE GOING TO COST YOUR ENTIRE SCHOOL FUND!"

"MOM!" Claw screeched at her mother with her crest fluffed up to the point of reminding me of a cloud.

"WHAT, CLAW, WHAT DO YOU WANT?!" Wench looked at her, her feathers on her face matted and ruined with tears.

"Look..." She presented a strange piece of cloth to the crying beast before me and Wench took it quickly.

"What is this?" She turned it around whether intentional or not, so that I could see it. It was the logo of my school uniform. A golden griffon and under it, the acronym M.I.C.R.O.S, which stood for Military Intelligence Criminal Rehabilitation Olympian School. They thought they were teaching kids how to be future Olympians, when in reality... It was just a place where unruly little shits were shipped by the court system to keep them out of Juvee, which would have been an upgrade in treatment compared to their systems. I gave a small audible croak of confusion.

"Mikros? What a weird name. Is that her name?" Wench had completely forgotten to yell at her son as she wiped her eyes and stared down at the strange looking material in her claws and she slowly looked to me.

"I theorize that's her name... Or it could be her owners name. But I think the first option is more probable." She said with a smile and glanced back at me.

Wait... so... if that's there... I had been so busy being frightened of EVERYTHING... That I hadn't noticed that I was stripped down to nothing.

WANT.

MY.

SHIRT.

BACK.

This was the worst moment of my life, worse than almost being skinned. Worse than being racially profiled back home in my school. Worse than learning I wasn't as racially accepted at like 10. I started to shake, pulling the blanket around me tightly and trying to stand to find something to use as some sort of shirt, SOMETHING!!

"... I don't know if I feel comfortable with a human who doesn't even feel comfortable being naked... Um... AH! I know! Claw dear, get me a knife and a belt please?" Wench was suddenly extremely chipper whilst looking upon my form. I found this terrifying and scary, even though I knew she meant no harm... maybe.

"Yes mama." She trotted off, or... Did whatever Griffons did to walk off. I cowered under the blanket and shook with a terrified glance. Light poored through the giant hole that had been cut in the middle of the blanket and my head was force through by Wench and Talon. With a terrified shriek I obeyed and jumped up. I was confused, as a talon pinned my head to the wall and something else fastened something around my waste, below my stomach but up on my hips. It was... They... They made a poncho. Out of a blanket.

Slasher sat up and looked at me with a confused and tired glance, following Talons claw back to his body. Her crest fluffed up and she let out a screech, biting his leg and making me nearly burst out laughing. The little griffon hissed angrily and bit harder and harder, every passing second. Talon let out a scree and let go of my head. I fell backwards and fell flat on my ass, in pain and amused. It took everything I had not to laugh at the little griffons actions.

"SLASHER?! WHAT THE HELL?!" Both Wench and Claw were trying to pry Slasher off her elder brothers upper leg. I got up and began to hold the little griffon like a cat, and stroke her feathers of her ultimately fluffed crest.

"SHUT UP! YOU FEATHER BRAIN! YOU DIRT CREST! DON'T YOU EVER HURT HER AGAIN, I'LL KILL YOU!" She huffed and I sighed and set her down. I looked up and everyone's crests were fluffed in shock. There was the sound of glass breaking in the front room and everyone from the front staring in at us in shock. I started searching for the broom and dustpan, and once I found, it was immediately snatched from my hands and used to hit me in the side twice.

"No! Bad human! No snooping! I'll go clean up the mess, Slasher you and the human sit in the corner and Don't move. Then, maybe, we'll discuss whether or not you can keep it if you apologize to your brother." That's a way to reprimand your child? Reward them with a punishment reward?! I get that she was just protecting me, but... Really? She walked out front and began to sweep.

"Is that REALLY a human?! It's brown! Since when do humans come in brown?!" I heard one griffon drunk whisper to his friend.

"I'm not sure, but maybe she was shipped in from the desert?? There are rumors of a land where the humans live in spiritual packs... But they could be just rumors.... I suppose..." She was also drunk, eyeing me with curiosity.

Blocking them out I picked Slasher up in my arms and cuddled her absentmindedly. She couldn't do much damage even if she tried so I wasn't worried. She purred and cuddled back.

Wench walked back in and clicked her beak in contemplation.

"We'll keep the human..."

WAIT WHAT?! LIKE AS A PET OR A SLAB OF LIVESTOCK?!

"But, as soon as she's more tame, we'll sell her to the highest bidding pony who comes through." She smirked for a moment, letting her daughter comprehend this.

"But... There's only been 4 ponies coming through since I was born,"Her eyes went wide and her beak upturned. "Mama are you saying what I think you are?!"

Wench nodded.

"You get to decide who gets her too. She's yours. But that means you have to walk her, you have to train her, and you have to bath her-" No "-And you have to clean up after her too. I don't care if you-" I stood up and walked to the bathroom and sat down on the toilet to emphasize.
"Well... That's taken care of... But everything else you have to do." Claw stated to emphasize her mother as I walked back over to the little Griffon.

"Well... I guess... What are you going to name it?" Talon looked at me warily.

"Mikros!!"

I groaned audibly.

Farmers Market

Author's Note

Have fun with this one it took a little while to write! Remember to leave a comment with constructive critisism, suggestions, and concerns about misunderstandings and such of that nature if you don't understand something, just comment and let me know so I can clear it up!

Farmers Market

First I needed paper, and second I needed something to write with. All the paper was out of my reach because of Wench and Talon keeping me out of the kitchen. So how would I communicate-

BANG!

The sound of glass shattering dragged me from my thoughts and planning.

Annoyance. Pure annoyance for Wench was the only thing I could feel right now. I felt my heart sink as I looked at the old bar keep chasing around her youngest child, who was a giggling ball of fluff and feathers. I'd hoped she'd get a break from the little one, but there was none. So I stepped in.

I gave a mocking squawk to the little shit in question and she looked at me, her crest fluffed in surprise. Everything fell silent as she and I made eye contact. I charged and she gave a loud squawk of surprise as her wings flared open and she flew a little above my head. I turned around and hunched down playfully.

She took the bate and swooped at me and I dove to the side, nearly tripping Wench as she tended to the guests of the inn. She screeched some word like "PLUCK" and I jumped up, scratched her head and ran out the door, the little airborne fluff ball following quickly behind me dashing passed the residents currently making camp in the bar on the stools.

It's strange to see such massive majestic creatures doing human things, and I was surprised at first. But being stuck here for a few days had me quickly adjusted to the new way of living. For the most part it was me sitting in the corner, waiting to be acknowledged by anyone who came in and them asking questions. A few times- get this -a traveling pony passed through and asked what breed I was. They always focused on my ability to run, and I became uncomfortable every time. They'd just sit and analyze my body with a gaze that I couldn't place. I eventually would have enough and tug on Claw's tail until I would be locked in a vacant room with a bed, food, and water. As humiliating as that was, that was then and this is now.

Now I sat wrestling a gryphon chick less than half my size but twice my strength to the ground, getting dirt all over my hair and in her feathers. A smile and little battle screech was heard every few minutes, causing passerby's to place bets on who would win.

I won. Let's make that clear. I won the fight, because being pinned by a mythological creature the size of a small dog mixed breed is not something anyone could say they've done whatsoever. I sat with my face in the dirt, little talons digging into the skin on my arms as Talon cheered her on from the background. Claw was not as supportive cooing out for my to fight back.

"I'll be damned if that human gets back up after this..." Talon laughed and shook his head.

Ohhhhhhh you've got yourself a challenge Mr. Murderous Feather Brain.

I squirmed violently and tried grabbed at the little griffons wings. I caught one and she began to flap to get free, and I rolled free, stumbling up to my feet. I picked up the little bird cat and held her under my arm, pinning her wings to her sides and her talons became useless as she didn't want to actually hurt me. She wriggled and squirmed, and I triumphantly carried the little one back inside to get her ready for school.

Talon trotted back inside with a defeated look, and Claw pranced in like a reindeer on Christmas. Claw purred and brushed her body against me as she trotted past, and Talon handed her a bag of coins. This interested me, because I had a brief chance to analyze the face of one of the coins. A sun, moon, Griffons talon and a weird hoof on it along with about 12 more symbols.

"Mama, can I bring Mikros to school? Pleaaase??" Slashers voice was the sweetest, cutest little mew you could ever expect from her. However, Wench was somehow immune to the ancient technique and responded with the harshest steely ice cold voice she could. She destroyed the little Griffon in only one word.
"No."

The simple response was enough to make her pout and trot out, climbing up onto her sisters back to have her fly her to school. Which was weird, but I did kinda grab the base of her wing so I could understand how it would be sore.

Wench closed down the bar and inn so she could go shopping, packing her bags full of food and hitching a wagon to her barrel. My eyes widened and I felt the sudden urge to jump into the wagon and ride it to our destination. However, the second I had the thought she glared back at me with an exhausted look.

"I really should have you checked... The cheapest deal would be 15 bits, but I'd never be able to afford the branding or the temperature check," OH FUCK NO "Oh well... A collar should suffice just as well I suppose. And maybe some proper food instead of bar scraps," Aw no I like the food you make even if the kids... And 90% of the residents don't! "20 bits all in all on the human a month? That's less than my kids eat per week." Thank you universe. "But... Maybe having you spaded wouldn't be a bad idea so maybe..." An audible whimper came from my form and I was crouched in the corner, holding my hands over my nether regions. "You're right... That'd be just mean. Waste of a perfectly good breed!" She seemed overly enthusiastic as she said it. "So, hop in and we'll head out alright girl? Come on, get in!" She motioned adamantly to the cart and I obliged.

We started on our way, Wench pulling me along in the wagon, a smile on her beak as we made our way to a strange city. It took hours seemingly, but we finally reached the bustling marketplace alit with adult activity from all around, from human sales to chicken sellers, barrel makers to jewelry crowners. I looked around, my jaw agape at the massive buildings around us, giving off a major Victorian era vibe. I glanced at the human venders and my jaw dropped when I saw the pure disgusting looking faces upon them, and I just... Suddenly felt a lot better to be myself.

I looked around, seeing the human traders eyeing me with longing and curiosity. Several times within 4 minutes a traders representative trotted up with an offer, one was 2,000 bits, one was 30,000 bits and the absolute highest offer was over 700,000 fucking bits. She didn't take the offer out of respect for the promise she made to her daughter, which I had to admit, was extremely admirable. When she finally left him behind, looking completely bewildered, I stuck my tounge out at him and he fluffed his crest in exasperation. I chuckled quietly and looked around the passing markets, she bought a couple boxes of food, some barrels of hard cider, and a bag of fabric to make me some proper clothes, for which I was grateful. wench decided that if she was going to suffer, I had to too. She bought me a human pulled wagon and had it hooked to my shoulders. The metal on the inside was cushioned padding so my skin wouldn't turn purple from the metals. I walked forwards and was surprised when it was so easy to drag the new weight.

The griffoness smiled and had me unhooked from the harness and gingerly placed back inside the wagon she had me pulled from. This felt a tad ridiculous because of the look on her face. She had the wagon attached to the back of her own and she trotted forwards with the extra storage space. Wench smiled happily as she trotted toward the evaluation stall, making me increasingly worried.

"Hello! I've got a human here and I was wondering what the age is on her?" She looked me directly in the eye as she spoke. "She's for my daughter and I'd be crushed if she'd only be around for a few years." Her voice trailed off and I rolled my eyes.

"Sure thing miss, just have your human step right here into this bubble plea- OH MY BLOOD FEATHER!" His reaction was hilarious to say the least. His crest fluffed, as well as the feathers all the way down his body.

"SHE'S THE RAREST BREED AROUND! HOW ON EQUSS-" What?? "-DID YOU GET AHOLD OF HER?!" His squawking cries silenced the surrounding areas and made me cover my ears.

"My son was going to eat her, I rescued her, and now she belongs to my daughter." She explained blandly, making me smile slightly to myself. I need to communicate, but not right now. This was the most hilarious thing ever. There was a smirk in her voice, which was weird because she had an innocent look on her face. "Now, what's the age of Mikros here?"

The poor Griffon was left to think for a moment.

"She appears to be in good health, in good shape, and high in energy. I assume... She's about 2- maybe 3 if we're stretching this."

I let out an audible sound of contempt.

I AM 15 .79 YEARS OLD THANK YOU!!! WHAT IN THE HELL MAKES YOU THINK I'M 2?! 3 AT THE OLDEST?!

However my mind drifted to the treatment of the humans of this world... Collars... Leashes... Ropes and talk of spading?? The humans here must be like... Animals...

My eyes widened as she continued on, thanking him for the brief physical and he offered her a free collar, bed, and bag of food if he could look at me a tad longer. She allowed it in exchange for the supplies. He gave me an oral and dental exam, along with a... Gynecologistic exam. Much to my resistance. This only rose concern from the griffon and he looked puzzled.

"She's a virgin? She should have been bred at least once by this stage..." His voice trailed off as I clamped myself closed and hid in the back of the cart like wagon. I landed face first into the new pillow bed thing and I was immediately dozing off, even in the afternoon sun.

This was pure bliss.

However, I was quickly pulled out of my stupor by a jerk and a stop. She quickly stopped and I sat up and climbed out of the wagon to help with the new boxes. Indeed, there were boxes, and LOTS... of boxes of veggies. And a bag of paper and charcoal pencils labled: SLASHERS HOMEWORK PAPER.

Ohhhhhh don't mind if I doooooooooo!
I snatched a piece of paper and a charcoal pencil and hid them in my poncho. Wench thought she caught me looking for treats and I was quickly smacked over the back of my head with a wing.

"No! Bad! You'll get to eat soon, but that is NOT yours!"

I hated that moment.

That moment where you remember your place in the world.

Doesn't matter what world, you're still treated like an animal.

At least people here WANTED me, unlike back home.

Depressing thoughts aside, I had my way of communication!

Next is just telling Slasher, and hoping they don't rip my brain out of my head!

There was a whistling sound as Wench walked by a strangely quieter part of the market. She stopped by a jewelry vendor and I looked on in astonished envy of which kid got this present. There was a moment of silence before she found it.

A golden griffon pendant...

With the name MIKROS in all caps, and fancy writing under it. She clipped it to the collar she had gotten my and hung it loosely around my neck and I obeyed the unspoken order to leave it be. She bought a leash, and left it be from then on. I voiced my protest in groans and embarrassed whines. There was no way this was coming off without her removing it.

"Shhhhh. We're heading home now, just settle down and be quiet, you'll see Slasher soon enough." She smiled and I settled down, my arms crossed. Soon, they'd know I'm not stupid!

I relaxed quickly with the lulling of the wagon and the monotonous rumbling vibration of the cart. I dozed.

When I awoke, I was back in the inn. Back in my vacant room... And back with the silence of my own thoughts. I heard a crinkling sound, and my smile returned. I reached into my shirt and removed the paper and charcoal pencil like stick. Ohhh happy day!
By the light of the moon, I wrote out one message, one only Slasher would see.

My name is NOT... Mikros.... And yes I'm the one who wrote this.

Coming Out of the Closet

Slasher came by in the morning to bring me out and say goodbye before she had to go to school. It shattered my heart, but I would have to wait to communicate until she had gotten home. This pissed me off to no end, and I glared at the wall next to where the newly established "Human Corner" was located. There was a waist high baby fence keeping me inside, and when I needed to get out I just... Stepped over. Everyone would always be surprised by how I got out. What the hell? Were humans here really that stupid?!

Oh no a fence that barely stretches to my hips! Whatever will I do?! Ugh, come on. My annoyance was written upon my face as I stumbled past the drunkards wasting their paychecks here at the bar, and I walked into the kitchen. I found Wench trying to make an omelet for some reason, and she was failing. Badly.

I grabbed a soup pan and grabbed some rubber-ish thing and stretched it as tightly as I could over the top, and gave it a bong. The sound was satisfactory, at the very very least. Wench glanced at me to see what the sound was, and was about to hit me with her spoon, but I was already out the door, humming a little tune as I beat my newly made drum.

Some of them began to click their beaks and I tilted my head to make it seem like I had no clue what was happening. No matter how easy going I was, when I got bored there's no stopping me, wooden spoon wielding Griffon threatening to beat me or not!

Narrowly avoiding another spoon swat to the head, I staggered up onto an empty table with a chair stacked on top and I at down holding the drum in my lap, and when Wench went to bat at my side with the spoon, I grabbed it from her hand and beat the drum.

DUM

It's a hard'nuff life for us- nah I'm kidding.

The last thing I wanted was to remind myself of home right now.

I drummed and drummed until we got a lively beat going, flute players playing their flutes, the fire crackling merrily and to top it all off, Wench wasn't trying to beat my face in with a spoon or broom stick! Instead she let me do my thing, and she went back to tending to the customers, happy humming and laughter filling the dark afternoon air with merry excitement, a time between the children being sent to school, but before everyone went home. This was beautiful.

Everything ended about an hour later, when the drunks decided to head home to their wives and hatchlings, and I was left alone with Wench to sit and hear the silence.

"Mikros... You are just the strangest human I have ever seen you know that?" Wench's voice was soft and tired, and she began to clean. I began to think about something and I stopped myself from doing it out of fear of consequence. What would they do if I revealed myself to anyone but the most understanding? I could understand them, but could they understand me?? This thought scared me slightly, and I don't know where it came from. My head began to hurt from such thoughts and I sat down back in the humans corner to rest. She began to clean up the surrounding area and I began relaxing.

The door swung open and I swung my head around to see the new griffon... Only to find an equine form standing in the doorway. He glanced towards me and I just blinked the sleepy surprise from my eyes as he trotted inside and looked around. His eyes were a dark dark blue, and his coat was a grayish color. On his flank was a picture of a medallion with Greek, Roman, and Egyptian letters on it with smaller symbols below it.

In followed after him Slasher and Talon with Claw carrying a bag of something. My mind reacted slower than my body and I jumped out of the corner, and darted up the stars, scaring the living daylights out of the young Unicorn. He yelped as I ran up the stairs and into the room that was being used for me.

"WAIT-! MIKROS WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" Wenches voice rang out following me up the stairs and I dove for the paper I had stashed under my bed. I scribbled something on it and then hid it again just in time for the door to ram open with Slasher behind me. My face brightened and I went to grab it again before the others followed her up the stairs and I became frustrated and gave a small grumble as I rubbed the bridge of my nose.

"... I think she's sick." Talon trotted up behind me and I huffed annoyedly.

No! No one asked you Mr.Murderous Feather Brain!

I took the wooden spoon that I had used to beat the drum... And bopped him on the head with it.

This earned a fit of laughter from Slasher and a loud snort from the unicorn behind everyone in the hall. Who was he?! Was he a regular customer?! I whined and pulled the pillow over my head to emphasize covering my ears.

"Ohhh! She's just got headache! I'll stay here to make sure she's OK, I've been reading about human care for months now!" Slashers voice rose in pitch the more excited she got. Finally, yes please everyone go!

"I... I don't know Slasher..." Wench looked at me cautiously and I hugged Slasher submissively. This was the hardest to do because she was squirming like an excited puppy.

"Hey! Put me down, I'm not a hatchling!" She fluffed her crest and bit my finger. I yelped and dropped her to the floor and held my finger and blew on it to stop the throbbing. The pain went away, and Wench was about to collapse in exhaustion. Talon and Claw would take over the inn and bar for the night and Claw guided her mother to the bedroom. I sat, a look of envy on my face temporarily, before the door was closed magically by a strange red aura and I looked around confusedly, before remembering the unicorn.

I went to grab for the paper until Slasher dragged me by the back of my poncho toward her. My face became a haven of annoyance. I picked her up and grabbed the paper, holding it up for her to see.
.
.
.
.
.
.

The silence was deafening, and I began to wave my hand in front of Slashers face after she recited the words on the paper.

"My name is not Mikros... And yes I'm the one who wrote this. And don't scream! Don't tell your mom, and don't tell anyone?! Why?!" I flinched away and motioned for her to shush. I wrote quickly and held her beak gently.

~Because! I don't know what your mom would do to me! Nor Talon, you know he wants to plucking EAT ME!~

"But... They won't hurt you...! At least.. I don't think so..." Her voice went quiet and I nodded. This was going to be a long few hours.

Eplanation Needed

I sat at the little table late into the night, a slight look of annoyance on my face as Slasher continued to ask questions. My hand had started to hurt from my writing out every answer. Here's the questioning so far, on the paper.

"So you're smart?"
~Yes~

"How?!"
~School!~

"Where did you come from that teaches humans to write?!"
~M.I.K.R.O.S...~

"So Mikros was your school... Not your name??"
~Yes, and they love the Griffons that's why the symbol was on it.~

"No! There is NO way this is happening!!"
~And yet you're still here... And this is happening.~

"But it can't!" Her voice raised and I covered my ears. "You shouldn't be able to do that! This! No human from Griffondor should be able to do what you're doing right now this second!"

~I'm not from Griffondor... I'm not even from 'Equss'.~ My thoughts echoed in my mind as I gathered information.
She made a face that said "slasher machine broke" and I rubbed my forehead in exhaustion. Three hours had passed and I'm STILL here writing answers to questions! But... This was necessary. Necessary enough for me to say that I owed it to her to at least answer her questions and clear up misconceptions.

"So you're... An alien?" She asked this in a way that shattered my expectations of stupidity.I ran it through my head though, and tilted my head as I thought.
~I guess yeah... Wow... That's weird to think about in this weird world.~

"What?! This world is normal, what are you talking about?!" Her crest fluffed up in surprise and slight hostility, causing me to roll my eyes and pat her feathers.
~Normal for you, strange for me. I just went from being an intelligent creature to a household pet. How do you think that feels?!~ She took a moment to speak and I could see she was thinking it over in her head.

"I.. I guess that would be weird for someone..." She was still deep in thought I looked at her and tilted my head, a small smile forming across my face before she fluffed up in fear.
"AH! WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?! ARE YOU GOING TO KILL ME?!" She squawked loudly and fearfully as I grabbed at her beak and motioned for her to shhhhUUUUT THE HELL UP!
!WHAT?! WHAT DID I DO?!~ I wrote as quickly as I could as she looked at me and her feathers fluffed up again.

"You can SMILE?! Humans can't SMILE!!" Her voice was loud enough to scare the outside owl and that freaked me out. I hugged her until she calmed down, and she indeed did with time.

Her feathers revealed an orangeish undertone to her feathers. That made me curious and I waited for her feathers to fall back down to their normal downed position. Then, I poked the back of her neck just to see. Quickly, her feathers fluffed back up and she squawked.

"How'd you do that?!" She was squirming again, trying to get free of my hold on her. I laughed, and I let her go. "NO ONE LAUGHS AT ME!" She tackled me and I yipped, turning and barreling towards the door. She let me go and I tore off, running faster than I could have thought possible. She followed after, and I charged outside and shrieked as my body was assaulted by the coldest air I've ever felt in my entire life. My shriek was animalistic and horrifying, and it drew in some sort of strange echo, that seemed to get louder as I looked around. I backed away and ran at the door, trying to get in. The door was locked and Slasher was inside holding the door closed, an evil and playful smile across her face. I became faintly aware of the creaking sounds of the woods around me. There was a snap here...

A scratch there...

A sickening howl close by.

And that last part is what did me in. I thought it would be a better fate to die running from a wolf than banging on the door to an inn I had been treated as a pet at.

I glanced back at the woods and turned and froze at what I saw.

A slowly approaching black vine, a horrid thing, with a pair of piss yellow eyes with blood red pupils glaring from the darkness.

"Ohhh this is fun! A little Ballet lost in the woods. What a lovely little treat for my favorite vine spores."

A vine was quickly getting into position to attack my leg. I closed my eyes and prepared to accept the fate of this when a moment of pure instinct snapped through my body and I began to charge at the red eye'd beast. A surprised chuckle emerged from the darkness as a faint black outline came across my vision. I landed a single blow to the creature, and this made it laugh and the vines retreated into the darkness. Every blow and punch I threw after that were easily dodged as he commented on my attempts at fighting.

"Almost had me, Ohhh, nice shot! Missed, but keep going! You'll get me eventually! Oh I almost felt that one!"

I couldn't do it anymore and I fell to the ground in exhaustion, and a red aura enveloped my form as I tried to kick the creature, growling and slashing in the most primitive display I could. This had turned from a fight of intelligence, to me defending myself from some sort of predator... Right? 4 years of martial arts and I still couldn't beat anyone... A thought crossed my mind.

What WAS that thing?!

I was moved upwards, and the thing chuckled.

"I really should have brought more people your age over, so impulsive and chaotic! I love it!"

I shot him the bird and he laughed, before a fading whistling tune of straighten up and fly right came around. I was levitated up and in through a window, into the room with Wench and the mysterious unicorn stallion, and I groaned inwardly as I saw Slasher slouched sniffling in the corner.

In my half dead, shivering state, I slowly moved to hold the little Griffon. This was the weirdest night that I had suffered since l came here, and I knew I would be seeing that figure again whether I wanted to or not.

"Slasher... just go to bed." Wench was to exhausted to yell at her daughter, and she obliged hanging her head low and I looked down at the ground. I couldn't. I couldn't watch her go.

"And you... You took on a WOLF! A hunting, lone wolf! You punched it in the FACE! How?! Are humans really that protective?!" Wench gained more energy as she spoke to me, absolutely astonished by my actions. That thing was not a wolf.

"She probably sensed it was going to attack the inn. Griffons are pretty vulnerable in this kind of weather, it's early winter after all." The smooth voice of the stallion calmed my nerves and I glanced at him, relaxing intensely.

"You really think so Medallion?" Wench trotted back to her bed as I was levitated up again, and set on a human pillow bed next to the fireplace with a heavy blanket dropped over me.

I still hate being treated like a pet...

The strangest thing happened next- which is surprising for me to say now that I've just fought a hentai thorn monster with yellow eyes, admitted intelligence to the youngest griffon of a family, and met a fucking UNICORN.

Medallion got into bed with Wench.

A griffon.

And a pony.

I sat up and just stared at the two, a look of confusion coming across my face.

Why can't I just have a nice NORMAL night for once?!

Author's Note

Um... Yeah... I know this is weird, I just... I needed to introduce some concepts I've been needing to for a while.

Breaking News

Sleep was sweet. So sweet. I loved it like it was my only escape from anything. Slasher had stared to bring Rue around more and more, giving me more time to do just that. Sleep.

It gets boring when the only one who knows you're intelligent isn't paying attention to you anymore.

"It's staring at me Slasher. Make it stop!" Rue's voice was so unpredictable adorable. I noticed she had a strange accent now, making me feel weird listening to her talk.

"She's staring because she's a human. She's curious." She glanced at me a smirk on her face as I looked at her, a slight look on my face that told her no.

I stood up and walked over, scritching behind Slashers crest, making her practically melt, and right behind Rue's ear and then went into the kitchen to get them some food. I grabbed some French fries that Wench had made for a snack, and gave it to the little one's outside the door. Slasher ate some, and Rue ate some as well.

They continued drawing and I snuck up behind Rue, a smile on my face. Her pinkish aura surrounded me and I was lifted off the floor and dropped face first into my bed a few feet away. A loud and whiney grunt was heard as I jumped up.

Slasher jumped down and giggled, and we were readying ourselves for another wrestling match. Medallion walked in and watched in horror as Slasher tackled me and began trying to pin my arms. I grabbed him her back paws and swung her in a circle and gently dropped her on the couch. Rue squeaked as I darted past. I pulled on my clothes as quickly as I could and ran outside, and climbed a tree. Slasher was a weak flyer, so that means I won almost automatically.

"AW NO FAIIIIR!" She swiped at my low hanging feet with her front claws, and I stuck my tounge out at her.

Now when Talon decided to join in on our little wrestling matches, it was even funnier when I beat him.

Talon swooped down and grabbed my arms in his grasp and poked and prodded. at the fabric f my coat, trying to get me to squirm and squawk.

"Thaat's right, squirm!" His laughter was maniacal as he set me down. I ran, needless to say, and he swooped at me, going to slash at my head, and I dodged, a loud yelp emanating.
I ran back towards the inn, kicking off my boots and tearing off my coat. I dove into the kitchen, and grabbed a frying pan from the cupboard. Talon was flying through to come and grab me, and at the very last second I held up the frying pan, and a loud gong silenced everything in the inn for a few minutes, and I opened my eye's to see the pan had molded Talons face, leaving a dent in it with his beak wide open in fear. He was on the ground, stars hovering around his head with little birds chirping away. I shood them off, and covered my mouth to keep from laughing. These Griffons were so so massive, and to see Talon stretched out on the floor in front of me with his body twitching slightly, made him a not so scary sight.

A leash was clipped to my collar and I was yanked up the stairs by Medallion, and I yelped as he did so. His eye's seemed a little red. I could already feel my bruise staring to form around my esophagus, making me tear up.

"WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?!" His voice boomed as I was thrown into the corner- rather painfully -by his magic aura.

I held my throat under my collar and sniffled, and Slasher peeked through the door.

=Slasher, don't watch! Don't loo-=

Before I could finish, a loud snap hit my side...

He had just whipped me...

With my own leash...

A loud cry came from me and I felt something warm dribble down my cheek.

"YOU CANNOT BE THAT STU-"

Slasher tackled him screaming, and I saw her rage for a second time. She was trying to gauge his skin, going mainly for his eyes. I picked her up off him and started chittering to her. Her rage died down, and her crest stayed fluffed defensively.

She traced the scars on either side of my jaw, and I sniffled quietly. She traced the new cut, and I flinched. She pressed her forehead to mine and her beak was down turned as she cried.

Medallion acted as if he had just woken up from a trance, and I saw his eyes go wide.

A black, disgusting oozy mess swarmed out the window, leaving no trail other than a screaming feeling in my chest.

"Creater forgive me, what happened to her?!" Slasher looked at him, a look of anger on her face. I chittered to her.

=Slasher... That wasn't him, it was something inside him. It possessed him, it came oozing out while you weren't looking!=

Her crest fluffed in realization, and she sniffled.

"Something possessed you... And made you attack Mikros." She was crying again, and Medallions ears splayed back. He ran over to us, and I hugged him. He cried with Slasher, and I nearly teared up as well.

The dinner bell rang and I sniffled away the pain in my cheek, standing up and carrying them both on my back. It destroyed my spine, but anything to make Slasher and Medallion feel better.

I set them down and Medallion tried to regain his composure, but failed to in time for Wench to see and giggle. I pat his head and he sat at the table. Slasher pleaded and begged her mother to let me eat at the table with them, and finally they let me, as long as I wore a bib, and my response was quick. I sat in a chair next to Slasher, and Slasher looked at me surprised. They all did.

"She's got... A lot of key words." Slasher explained with a nervous smile, and Wench rolled her eyes and sat down with Medallion close to her side, her size making him look smaller than he actually was. I noticed she had something in a bag over her chest.

Tonight for dinner was...

Salad

Steak

Peas

Mashed potatoes and...

corn.

OH GOD YES!! OH PLEASE YES GIVE ME!

Slasher rationed out my meal for me and I stared at it with the same look Talon gives me every day before dinner.

"Mikros, dinner." She pointed at the food, and I picked up an extra fork, and began eating the corn.

Everyone was eating in silence, staring at me eat my steak with expert delicacy. Slasher smiled nervously as she ate.

Half way through the meal, Medallion nervously cleared his throat.

"Excuse me everyone. Me and your mother have an announcement to make..." He clinked his glass and out of respect, I set my fork down to watch him intently.

Wench eyed every one of her children, and eye'd me last as I took a drink of water before speaking.

"Medallion and I have decided to... To get married."

I choked on my water, and Claws wings fluffed out and Talons crest fluffed up. Slasher had no other reaction other than eating.

"And..." Slasher spoke.

Wench glared at her with a small glimmer of amusement.

"We have a hatchling on the way. Medallion used his magic to... Fertilize it." Her face went dark as her wing fluffed out and revealed the egg on her chest held in the bag. Medallions face was red.

I have a secret that could top it, that I'm going to have to reveal soon before they get suspicious.

"The wedding's tomorrow."

I should have known. Please don't say you bought-

"And we got Mikros a special dress!"

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Author's Note

She doesn't like dresses.

Wedding Cakes and Little Gifts

Slasher was trying not to laugh at me as I sat wearing a Cinderella type dress, a major twitch slowly finding it's way into my system, and eye.

=Slasher, if you laugh I am going to kill you.=

"Aww but you're so-"

=NO! DON'T FINISH THAT SENTENCE!=

She snorted and giggled, brushing against my leg and walking passed.

"The weddings here are short anyways. You have to sit through like 5 word vows and cake tradition." She smiled and stood on her back legs, holding her front talons on my knees as she began to practice dancing.

=Slasher I don't understand what the hell your plan is for me knowing how to dance. What's the deal?=

"I want to dance with you! I think it'll be fun! They'll love seeing us dancing!"

=More like seeing me dance and hold you.=

She punched be in the back of the leg and I fell backwards with a yelp. She was laughing as she pounced onto my stomach. My dress's frills were everywhere, and I couldn't have been more annoyed.

"Slasher! What are you doing?! You're going to get her all filthy!" Talon, of all Griffons, picked me up and started dusting me off. "You know how much mom and Medallion wanted her to bear the bracelets!"

They get married with bracelets instead of rings? That's actually pretty cool. It makes sense too, it's a universal size that should fit every species. Pretty cool. I scritched just below his crest, and he cooed satisfied with the feeling. Lately, he's been getting a lot softer with how much he hates me. I looked up at Talon and he cooed down at me before turning away and trotting to Claw.

"You seem... Different. Did you get into moms kegs?!" She sounded disgusted, and my eyes went wide with realization. I was on the verge of laughing, and it took me a few seconds to calm myself down. I looked around and found the thing of beauty I had hoped they would let me sink my teeth into when the time came.

The wedding cake.

My eyes went wide with awe at the beautiful structure, taller than a Griffon standing in it's aggressive stance! I looked at the top and noticed the figurines. They were different from the human world, almost completely. Instead of wax, they were made of wood, finely painted and finished with a pretty sparkly glaze.

But it was more than one griffon.

The entire family in fact.

Talon and Medallion stood to one side, whilst Slasher and Claw stood on the side of their mother, with Rue next to Slasher, smiling. I looked at the figurines and felt a slight sadness slowly well up inside my chest as I scowered the cake for what I had hoped to see. I wanted to see an egg, and myself on the cake, but I couldn't seem to find one. A huff came from my distant thought filled head and I sighed. This sucked the most. I always hated being reminded I was nothing but a beast here. They probably thought by the way I was staring at the cake that I was going to bash it in. But I'm not a brute. It just feels nice to be included.

"No! Bad! Get avay from zer!" I found the side of my head hit surgically well with a wooden baking spoon covered in freshly made frosting and dough.

Oh sweet a snack.

Giving in to the animalistic impulse to snatch, I took the spoon and tested the frosting. The chef was... a boar. The chef was a boar wearing a chefs outfit and a chefs hat. It took everything I had not to cry myself to death with laughter at the ironic twist.

"I vill turn you into bacon!" She shrieked with an angry stomp and I backed away. I continued to eat the fresh frosting off the spoon because buttermilk creme frosting might not be good for the body, but it's good for the soul.

The boar ran after me, screaming and yelling about how dead I was and that I was going to be fancily dressed bacon when she was done with me.

Wench put a stop to the boars oinking and screaming when she came down stairs and screeched loud enough to deafen everyone. I sat down immediately but the boar stood still in shocked and quiet silence. I slowly continued on my sugary feast.

"What is THE MEANING OF THIS?!" She screeched like an eagle and I flinched slightly, moving back from the confrontation.

"Your human vas being stupider than usual humans are. Tell her to give me the spoon so I may continue my vork!" Her voice was challenging and angry, and I had to keep from rolling my eyes as I finished the last of the frosting. I tossed it back at the chef.

"Mama, all Mikros was doing was staring at the figures on the cake and then the chef hit her with the spoon in the side of the head! She took it and then well, she ate the frosting that I was planning on eating later after the wedding." She glared at me momentarily before I took my hands and began wiping my face clean.

"You hit my human." Wench was monotonous.

"Vhat?! You vould razzer listen to a child than me?! Of course not! I am not an... an animal like zat zing!" The boar looked at me, disgusted, and I mirrored the expression. She grunted.

"You hit my human." Wenches voice was a little more rabid, and the boars ears folded back as far as they could.

"U-um... N-no Vench... Zis is not true information!" She was incredibly nervous, and Wench gained a hungry predatory look.

Alright that's enough...

I jumped in front of her and grunted.

She squealed in her pig voice, and I glared at her, making her silent. I looked t the mighty bird in front of me and whined, not quite sure how the humans signify nonviolence in this world.

Wench glared at me, but then grunted as she turned and walked back upstairs. The boar sighed in relief, took her spoon, and walked back into the kitchen.

I grunted and sat down. Slasher looked at my expression as I again, turned my gaze upon the wooden figurines on the cake. She slowly began to back away and smile, turning away from me as she ran towards her sister, and whisper into her ear. Claw slowly nodded and shrugged. Slasher cheered quietly and backed away, smiling excitedly as she and Claw walked upstairs carrying a mysterious bag. Slasher and Claw were up to something... Silly. Maybe.

I sighed and looked around the room, to bored to try and sleep, but yet to lazy to try and stand. Instead I just sat still, enjoying the quiet, and I began scratching at the black leather around my neck. I fidgeted with the buckle until I heard a soft click.

I felt my breath hitch in my throat when I heard a soft thud on the ground. I looked down... And there on the floor... Was a faded black leather strip with a buckle with a golden griffon, standing on it's hind legs with the word MIKROS standing just below it. I felt something...

Something strange...

Something I hadn't felt since I had ended up in this hellscape...

Freedom.

Unconditional

Unyeilding

Undying freedom...

This feeling was amazing. I blinked a few times and reached down to pick up the collar, and I held it in my hands, tears slowly welling up in my eyes. This thing was just like the school... This place was just like the school. Just like that blasted school!

I dropped the collar.

I turned around and saw he door to the woods, unguarded and unlocked. It dared me to claim my freedom. I walked to it and stood, just on the deck, and stood, chewing my lip. My heart beat had become audible in my ears when I heard a voice in my head.

Run.

"B...Baldia?"

The voice died away with the heart beat as I spun around, tears steaming down my confused face as I gazed.

It was Rue.

How did she?...

"I know it's tough... I know it's going to keep being hard.. But you can't just run away. You can't!" I backed away from her, startled by her sudden logic.

=How... How do you know my name?!=

Rue's ears laid back as she blushed.

"Slashy's been teaching me beak language and well... You do a bad job of hiding your sounds." She was smiling slightly, and I gave an unchanging look.

=So you're telling me...= I paused for affect. =You could understand me...= Now a pause in shock. =THIS WHOLE TIME.=

She squeaked and jumped back.

"N-no only recently! I swear I had no idea Baladia!" She was sniffling and I picked her up, sighing.

=You owe me cake.=

Rue sniffled and nodded, and I grunted as I walked back inside. My tunnel vision was gone, but I still felt something pulling at me, my mind.

I looked back, and saw those eyes... Those beating yellow and red eyes. They watched me... I slammed the door and fell back against the door, trying to keep it closed. There was intense, evil laughter, that only me and Rue seemed to hear, and it slowly faded. I heard it resonating in my skull... I was terrified.

I felt the collar become firmly replaced on my neck quickly by Rue's magic aura, and I pat behind her ears. She was surprisingly like a cat, sometimes even faintly purring.

I heard the sound of bells, and I ran out to the living room to take my place like reenacted with Slasher and Claw and Talon. I had the bracelets ready, both encrusted with jewels, and they smiled happily at me, and I carried them down the red rug in the middle of the room as I clicked to Slasher.

=When were you going to tell me Rue knew about our little secret?=

She froze and went pale. The bracelets were lifted up into the air and levitated onto their wrists.

"I, Medallions Eye, promise to love and cherish Wench and her children as my wife and family."

This is happening, really happening.

"And I-"

"And we," All three, Claw, Talon, and Slasher said it in unison, as if practiced.

"And we agree, accept you, as a husband-"

"And father."

She glared back at them, and they were smiling, and she looked back at Medallion. He surprised her with a kiss, which was odd to watch. I pulled back and looked at her surprised.

How is that even scientifically possible?! Ugh, I don't care. The wedding was cute.

The cake was cut...

Everyone got a piece. The piece with their figurine.

Except me...

I sighed, and sat back, staring at the frosted beauty... Until...

Wench brought me something, and I looked up.

It was a piece...

With a little, painted and carved human to look like me, smiling.

I held the plate in my hands, and sniffled.

Rue whispered into my ear.

"Aren't you glad you didn't run??"

I hugged Wench, and dug in to my cake and held the little figurine as I ate the cake. It stared at me with beety little eyes.

=I do not have eyes like that... But it's cute.=

She smiled softly and looked at Wench as she walked over to Medallion.

He shoved his cake into her face as per wedding tradition.

I love this place!

A Chrystalmas Surprise

I was sitting on the couch the day after the wedding, and eating some more cake Slasher had decided I needed as a reward for not running? I wanted to refuse.. But she insisted. And I mean really insisted I eat the cake. She was acting weird. I clicked to her, asking what was wrong, and she looked up at me.

"It's almost Crystalmas and well... She wants you to be well fed so... Santa Claws will bring her a mouse biscuit in her stocking." I began laughing as I laid back on the human bed, shaking my head.

Crystalmas... I hate puns.

=You two still believe in Santa?!=

"Well obviously. I see him every year! He always lands on the roof and drops presents down the chimney! That's why it's tradition to put out the fire, and snuggle up under a few extra blankets!" Slasher was jumping up and down, and I was shaking my head and chuckling. She huffed and pecked my cheek with her beak, and I touched the wound. My face was going through hell by now, and she wasn't helping.

=Slasher, that hurt.=

I swatted her on the nose, and she smirked, getting into a playful defensive position. I sighed and stood up, getting ready for battle against a little shit for bird.

Rue squeaked and backed up, laying down in the human bed to avoid the battle.

I tackled Slasher and wrestled, she tried to pin my hands, and I halfheartedly poked at the base of her wing. She screeched, and fluttered her wings, trying to distract me from her talons. I covered my face with my arms and rolled away from the onslaught of attacks and jumped up to run. I was able to make it out the door before I found myself in Medallions tight magic hold.

"Slasher, what did I say about letting her out without a leash?" His voice was empty and annoyed. I grunted and grabbed his horn, causing myself to drop. I stood, my arms crossed angrily as I glared at the stallion. He looked at me, completely baffled.

"How did you-?! How did you do that?!" I turned and looked at Slasher, and saw Claw quickly behind her.

=I think I'll head out with Claw today, see what she gets up to. See ya Slasher, have fun with Rue!=

Before she could respond, Claw looked at me, a smile on her face as she cooed.

"You wanna go for a walk girl? You wanna go out? Come on! Let's go bye bye!" I stared at her dumbfounded, and Slasher had the same reaction.

She continued her baby talk and chatter as she carried my cold weather wear to the door and started to outfit me, all the while with me just... Sitting. Dumbly. Stupidly. She connected the leash to my collar and I blinked myself back to normal, however it was to late. She was already pulling me onto her back. She had slipped a harness over my body to keep me from falling off and dying. I was sitting dumbly as she re clipped the leash to the back of the harness.

=SLASHER I CHANGED MY MIND I WANT TO STAY WITH YOU GUYS HELP ME.=

Slasher only waved as we took off flying at speeds unimaginable. I fell at the speeds we were moving, making me cry out in fear. My heart beat dramatically as I fell, everything seeming to slow down. My arms flew up, trying to grab her talons, my hair seemed to float around my head.

This is how I die...

The whole thing seemed overly dramatic as I fell, but there was an intense and strong tug on the back of the harness as I jolted up and down.

This is it... This is how I die.

I blinked as I realized I was no longer falling.

oh...

I grabbed the thin strained line to hold myself up, and I shrieked.

"HEY Calm down girl, calm down I've got you, you're OK!! Come on, you're ok!" Claws cooing did not help me at all. It helped me as much as a flying crab would help a dolphin.

I gave little instinctual cries of fear as I shivered from the wind chill.

"Come on girl... Just peek? It's so pretty... This harness costs a lot, and I want you used to flying!" She was being as careful and supportive as one can be. I sighed softly and opened my eye. Snow capped mountains flew passed us as I gawked, feeling the wind against my face.

We flew higher, the wind making my eyes water, making me slowly wipe my tears. We flew over a cloud, and I froze, a loud yelp coming from me as we landed on it. It was soft, pillowy, and plush. I had trouble walking on it making me yelp every time I took a step. My foot sunk into the cloudy ground and I wobbled with every step. Claw had no problem with walking as she slowly walked me around on it. We walked slowly, I assume to let me get used to the ground around me. She waited and waited, and continued to guide me with gentle tugs, and I, being me, tried to pull back. She snorted and yanked forwards, causing me to yelp.

"Yeah, don't try and pull that with me Mikros." She smiled playfully and nudged me onto her back. I happily obliged and hugged her neck, laying my head on her feathers. She trotted a few yards and set me down again, to my dismay, and hitched me to a post. This was... strange. It was a solid mass, like wood. It was a densely packed pole of cloud.

I quickly turned and looked around, watching her walk off towards a few shops.

I saw a small store, labeled TOYS FOR LILUNS, and I remembered the book lord of the flies.

Shaking my head, I looked at the knot on my leash tying me up, and untied it, beginning to slowly leave tracks to the store. I bounced and wobbled on the pillowy surface. Soon, I was at the door to the store, and the cashier looked at me surprised, but uninterested. I pushed the door open, and stumbled onto the solid floor. Thank Christ.

After a second of looking around, I stood up to walk through the store. Toys of ponies and toys of humans and toys of griffons, all side by side. They were beautifully designed, and well crafted. No plastic-

There was a loud squeak from a squeaky toy in the front from the cashier, obviously trying to gain my attention to get me away from the products. I stole a small wooden carved dragon and examined it, looking it over slowly. I would keep this, hopefully she wouldn't care.

The cashier shook a bag of treats, and I twitched angrily, growling softly. I grabbed a little pony and looked it over, a smile on my face. I picked up a griffon and looked it over too. A set caught my eye, in a language I have yet to see. It was.. 4 ponies with both horns and wings. I was confused, turning it over to look at it.

Seriously, these toys were awesomely made! I walked around, looking at the other wooden figures, becoming more and more lost in the aisles. The cashier gave a defeated huff and followed me to keep me from taking anything off the shelf that she thought could hurt me. I picked up a few dolls of griffons, but setting them down again. I picked up a book, and examined it. It was a children's book in the same language as the writing with the horses! I looked it over, and, while she was distracted, slipped it into my jacket. She was a real ditz.

A screech came from outside and I heard a frantic crying, almost like a baby or... something. I ran to the front, stumbling and knocking over a few things on my way. The cashier yelped and started to clean up, and I grabbed a little toy pony for connected to a little toy griffon.

After getting tackled by Claw outside the store, and probably being caught stealing from a toy store, I had lost my walking freely privileges. We flew back to the inn and I hid the little figures I stole in my bed. They weren't easy to spot either. I hid my book under my poncho, and hid it under my blankets when I was done. I hadn't noticed all of the massive amounts of red and green lights and other items. My body froze up when I saw what was there, in my corner when I was aloud to walk inside...

A fucking child, looking around with no fucking clue what was happening. His owner sat off in the corner talking to Slasher and levitating a bag of bits. He was either offering to buy me, or sell her the kid if she took the bits. My body hurt when Rue took the money and the guy just walked out.

I huffed and looked at the kid, and he looked back. I heard humans don't smile here...

But he just did.

Author's Note

Here, have a rushed and probably horribly written chapter!

New Years Resolution

I sat there in the bed as I always do, deep in thought about all of my time here. I'd seen quite a bit. Certainly not everything, but a lot. I had been hunted... Found, nearly skinned, been taken pet shopping, revealed my intelligence, to my owner, actually gotten used to calling someone my owner, gotten used to wearing a collar, seen an inter species marriage, fought a weird wolf, and now, I was sitting here next to Rue's human. He was white, like every other human, but he was different. He didn't look like a caveman in the movies is the best way to describe him. Soon, though, he would be brought home with Rue.

Rue's parents were... Less than admirable. On more than one occasion they didn't pick her up from the inn, so Medallion and Wench had to walk her home. I asked where she had lived, but the conversation was steered in every which way around it.

Fine by me, I don't want to be depressed.

There was a loud thud from outside, and I turned quickly to the window. There was a loud knock and I jumped with each knock as they got louder. It was a golden chariot, coated in jewels and silver trimmings with a triangle on the side. It was missing it's horse, and I jumped up and opened the door. The one behind it was a Pegasus. They were clad in golden armor with it's partner, dressed in black or navy blue armor. They gave snorts, and I tilted my head at them.

"Slasher?? Who's at the door?"

"I don't know p- .. Medallion!"

They looked at me again, and then my collar, and then to Slasher, who was fast approaching.

=Friends of yours Slasher?=

Slasher responded with a cautious shake of her head as she slowly pulled me back from the door. her crest was fluffed slightly, and her stance was ready to attack at any second.

=Hey now hold on, calm down...!=

I scratched behind her crest and cooed at the same time she did. Medallion came trotting out and he froze the second he saw the guards. He flared his nostrils angrily and a look of hate came upon his face.

"I told you time... And time again... To leave. Me. Alone!!" He pushed them out the door and started yelling at them. I opened the window and listened quietly with Slasher.

"S-sir, your aunt-"

"I don't CARE what SHE says! I refuse to go back with you!"

"I-It's not permanent! She just wants to have you come to the New Years Festival, I swear sir, she just wants to see you! She wants to make sure you're safe!" The dark guards wings were fluffing up as he spoke.

Slasher burst through the door with an excited look on her beak.

"I WANNA GO MEET YOUR FAMILY MEDALLION!! Please?! PleaaaasE?!" She kept repeating over and over and over and over. It was cute at first before... Well... Everything else. It quickly made even Medallions ears lay back, along with the ears of the guards.

I chuckled and rolled my eyes but the guards caught the sound and looked at the window. I froze up and waved. Bewildered, the night guard waved back with his wing and blinked himself back to normal.

Medallion thought and called Wench to come out. After bringing her just over to my little open window, they started to talk.

"What is it honey?? Who are they?" Her concern was evident as she spoke.

"Well hun.. My aunt wants to see me and I don't really think I should. We haven't spoken in over 3 years, and well.. Things may have changed." He looked at his wife in the eye, and she nuzzled him. He returned the favor.

"Life is far to short to hold grudges like yours, you should go! See your aunt, take Slasher too, it'll do her some good." Her voice was high in excitement as she looked at the little griffon who was jumping up and down talking to the guards.

He nodded and chewed his lip as he turned to the window and saw me. I froze and waved again, and Wench was just as bewildered as the night guard. I opened the window even more and climbed out, having enough of hiding like this. Medallion looked less than amused, but allowed it and turned around to trot back over to the guards.

"Deliver the message to her that the only way I'll go is if my entire family can come. My daughters best friend included." He was dominating the conversation, trying to assert himself. They nodded quickly and a thin scroll levitated up to the face of a third pony who had been laying on the seat of the chariot wrote the message quickly, and she sent it away in a blast of green magic. I blinked and looked at her. Wench towered over everyone outside, making me regret looking back at her. She looked intimidating for some reason.

Feeling tiny aside, I felt my heels beginning to blister on the cold ground. I began trying to move closed to Wench, making the night guard eye me strangely.

Slasher jumped into her play stance and I fought the urge to tackle her.

"Um... Come inside out of the cold!" Wench was trying to convey hospitality, but the ponies weren't really interested. Instead, they watched me slowly get into a playful position and circle Slasher. Slasher tackled me, and our bodies locked in another wrestling match. There was scratching and biting, strictly on Slasher's side. I just pinched and barked. And poked at learned pressure points. She would always end up sore afterwards, and I'd be covered in beak bites. This time though.. It was different.

he ponies became violent, the unicorn separating us and beating me, using batons they had pulled from no where. Medallion and Wench screamed for them to stop, and they looked at them confusedly.

"She's attacking your child, how can you-"

"SHE WASN'T ATTACKING, SHE WAS SPARRING."

Talon screamed from his window and flew out, landing between me and the attacking guards. I demand hazard pay.

"What?! How could you possibly know that?!"

"They do this every day, and she's never tried to actually hurt or kill Slasher!" he had picked me up on his back and grunted.

I could still move just fine, it just hurt because my feet hurt.

I paid the pain no mind. The unicorn gently dropped Slasher, and I clawed my way off Talons uncomfortable feathers. He was confused, just like the guards as I walked towards them. Revenge anyone?

I scratched behind their ears. They melted quickly and I smirked slightly.

=Revenge is sweet!=

=You're not going to kick their flanks?!= I turned my head to Slasher and Rue, who had somehow appeared from the woods after dragging her human home. Oh boy.

=No, then I would be falling to the levels of these idiots.= I motioned to them with an unamused look.

"Pfft, whatever." Rue pouted slightly, making my heart melt.

They all stared at Rue, before glancing at me then back to Rue. Until another green flash came up, and a note fell from the air into a blue aura. It unraveled itself, and Wench cheered.

"It's a yes!" I blinked. This was the most confusing thing in the world. She rushed inside, yelling for everyone to get their best clothes on and pack up sleeping supplies. I was dumbfounded. Rue shared my confusion, and Slasher ran to grab her bags, packing my essential supplies as well. I blinked a little.

"Honey," Wench called to Medallion. "Place a tracking spell on Mikros!"

There was a reddish aura surrounding my every room for a split second and a little clicking noise and I looked at my collar. It was much... Fancier. Solid gold with fleece on the inside, and jewels to match. It looked more like a choker than a collar, and on it was my favorite golden griffon pendant with the name MIKROS.

What?

I was offered a frosted piece of cake with a sleeping pill inside after I was dressed, and I took it with a huge smile. Sleep, AND a new fancy collar, plus I get more information on Medallion?? Awesome! I ate it and Wench picked me up quickly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next thing I know is I was waking up on a big bed. A big human bed, even more comfortable than the one at home. I was wearing the dress from before, but a little whiter and a sash to match my collar. I looked around, and Rue and Slasher were pacing excitedly.

"Who do you think sent those royal guards?! Just a noble or... The princesses themselves?!" Slasher was fluffed beyond comprehension with pure excitement.

=Princesses? Are you telling me that medallion is a prince?=

"Oh good! You're finally awake! Come ooon let's goooo!" Rue was levitating me to my feet. I stumbled as the two nudged and pushed, an excited giggle rising from them. There was an excited caw from Slasher, and I picked her and Rue up, setting them on my shoulders. They pointed me towards an empty hall, leading to a huge doorway. I felt my stomach churn as I walked down the hall to appease their demands, and stopped just before it. They whined and I rolled my eyes, pushing the door with all my might. It groaned for a few seconds before opening and classical music filled my ears. Orchestras and posh laughter filled the room. I looked around, blinking as the room came into view.

It was big. Ridiculously big. I watched the crowd move and sway and churn with excitement and grandeur. Everyone near the door looked at me, a look of which I could not place. They stopped and looked at me with mixed reactions, most of different variations of fascination or excitement. Oh my god this was anxiety sprouting.

I set Slasher down and looked at her, and Rue was still excited as ever. She was among her own kind, how could she not be?

"Oh! Let's go see the princesses!" Slasher was excited for this, making me look up to them. The stairs were covered in ponies waiting in line to be greeted by them as they entered. They were to busy for that.

"Aww... Dang it." Slasher was huffing quietly, making me look down at her.

There's got to be a way to get their attention. Posies stared at me and Slasher like we were green and had antennae's.

=Slasher just ignore them.. They don't get it.= I scratched just below her crest and she purred and relaxed, walking forwards with me. Rue ran off to go and talk to the many ponies around us, and they were all dressed like kings and queens, or at least like rich people at parties. I looked around, and saw several other humans looking at me with curiosity. Posies everywhere across the room had the same look. I turned to the stage and bit my lip. I have a strange idea, and I love it. I took a deep breath in and looked at Slasher.

=Slasher, do you wanna dance with me?=

=Sure! Where?=

=On stage. It'll gain the attention of the princesses I bet.=

=o..on stage?

=Yes. On stage, just you and me.=

I waited for her answer and she took a deep breath.

=Yes. Fine. I'll do it. But if it doesn't get the attention of the princesses, then I'm going to make you sleep outside.=

I picked her up and she looked at me, the ponies around us looking around with a curious look as I walked up on stage. She was nervous.

I set her down on stage and looked at her. She ran up to the musicians and whispered in the ear of the one playing the Cello. She looked at me, a bewildered look on her face, and she looked around at her band mates. She whispered to each one, and they slowly nodded, and Slasher looked back at me with an excited look. She brought me up and I set her on my shoulder as she called out for everyone's attention. Everyone, yes including the princesses, stopped what they were doing to look at Slasher.

"Hello.. I-I'd like to dedicate this to Medallions eye," There was a murmur. "Who married my mother just days ago. This dance is for him, deciding to come back here and mend his relationship with his aunt. I'm not sure who she is, but this is for her and Medallion finally putting the past behind them after three, long years. I hope you can accept me as part of your wonderful family, whoever you are, and wherever you are right now." She gave a nod to the band, and they began.

I waltzed, danced as best as I could carrying a small griffon. I twirled and spun for them, getting the most weird looks from the audience. I spotted Wench, Medallion, and a the tallest princess in the back, watching with excitement. The princess was smiling happily, and Medallion had a look of strange appreciation on his face. I twirled again, my mind filling with memories of my time preforming at home, twirling, making me smile softly at Slasher. I finished the dance quickly, making the crowd stamp their hooves in amazement. Everyone but a single stallion in the back.

He was thoroughly disgusted. I looked at him as I supported Slasher on her back paw, standing on my palm and her wings flared with her head thrown back and her claws out stretched forwards toward the sky.

The adrenaline rushed throughout my body and I pulled her down. She snuggled into my hold and I held her as I rushed off stage.

I carried her to a less densely crowded corner, and the tallest princess came over. Here coat was bright white, as white as a cloud. Her mane was filled with dim rainbow colors drifting through the wind that didn't exist. She had a mark like Medallions on each flank, a sun. I sat back, and Slasher slowly turned around, looking up at her. She quickly moved behind me, making me look at her surprised.

The mighty beauty sat down and started sipping from a tea cup of juice that appeared on the table. I picked up the cup and took a sip, and offered some to Slasher.

Slasher looked at me gawkingly.

=How are you not freaking the living pluck out?!=

I sipped the tea and responded.

=She doesn't command a ponies physical body, she commands their respect. If she didn't have all these ponies respect, she wouldn't be the princess.=

She blinked and slowly nodded.

=That makes sense.=

"I liked your dance you preformed for me." She drank her tea, and I froze up. She looked at me, and I looked back at her.

"Y.. you mean... you're..." Slasher was stunned.

My excitement was disguised by my tea drinking.

Slasher slowly moved over to her, low to the ground by instinct to show she was submissive. She gently pulled slasher in with her wing, and I watched, almost completely shocked.

Rue ran up shrieking in excitement, bouncing from hoof to hoof.

"Slasher, your aunts are Luna and Celectia- AH!!" She was adorable. She was chasing her tail in excitement and quickly, she was levitated up into the air by Medallion.

"I'm sorry auntie. She's just... I'm pretty sure she's got ADHD." Celectia giggled, and Slasher clicked to me.

=Baladia, help. Help me.=

I sipped my tea and stood up, moving to grab Rue and Slasher, only to find myself about 4 feet off the floor.

"Your human is peculiar. How did your daughter train her so well? And why didn't you tell me you were expecting??" She seemed playfully cross.

"Because she trains her in private, and because I was mad at you." He flicked his tail in annoyance, and I struggled to see the aura surrounding me. It was a bright blue.

"Let my human go." Slasher was whining, reaching towards me.

I looked around, trying to see. I just wanted to stop paying attention.

Quickly, I was moved onto Wenches back about 40 meters across the room from them. I looked to the left and saw Luna, the other princess. She smiled.

"It sure is. Thank you, I'm just going to grab her some food and head out to sleep. Good night Luna!" She trotted off and I blinked, looking at Wench. Wench was... Strange. She smelled like wine. She was intoxicated. I grabbed one of those little shot glasses off one of the platters and downed it quickly as we headed out of the room. Wench had a plate of food, all of it looking human safe thank god.

I ate quickly and fell asleep with Wench reading a book beside me, leaning against her as I slept.

Looks like that conflict was resolved.

Author's Note

Hi, yes, it is me! How are you? I know it's terribly written so just enjoy the revelation.

Honeymoon

Author's Note

Warning, innuendos coming up that may not be pleasant. You have been warned.

Honeymoon

I woke up in a dark cage, covered in a blanket and tired. I had no idea what was happening. Last thing I knew I was in the room with Wench eating some... chicken... There was a strange taste to the last piece and I scoffed. They sleep drugged me! Those jack offs, what'd I do?! I kicked the side of the cage, earning a startled yelp from someone close by. Griffon? Maybe. Griffons have an accent compared to ponies, and visversa. This was particularly interesting for me, because none of them sounded... American. They all had a strange accent, always different. Some were even so foreign you could swear they were different species! But were all ponies. This freaked me out and I couldn't wrap my head around it. Right now, I would have to deal with it.

I kicked the side of the cage again and earned another yelp, and I pulled at the blanket, fidgeting to move around.

"I-it sounds big. Are you sure it's safe?" The voice was that of a nervous young girl. I whimpered loudly, trying to open the cage. She yelped and i smiled, thankful she couldn't see me. It might be dark but it sure is fun.

Quickly I smiled and was glad they couldn't see me. But who is they? And where am I? And what is happening? I looked around and kicked at the door of the cage. It was near my feet and it looked weak. I let out a loud call of distress, trying to kick the door open. It just scared the mystery creature even further. It lifted the cloth I was under, and I squinted. I adjusted to the light and kicked, trying to get out.

The one on the other side gave a squeak and I looked at her.

It was a Pegasus female, young and mostly in her teens. This was pretty sweet. I reached my hand out of the bars and she jumped back quickly and I continued holding my hand out to her. My collar was tighter around my neck, snug enough not to be removed by myself or anyone without special attention. The poor mare looked at me and was fearful of me. I gave a coo and tried to calm her. She was hesitant, but she moved closer to my cage. I chittered my teeth and held my stomach. She came a little closer and looked behind her.

"G.. Grab an apple?" She sounded unsure as she held her hoof out on the bars. I put my hand on the bars and looked at her.

"We're almost to port. Get her out and get the mittens on her." The cage was opened and I was dumped out unceremoniously flat on my face. Quickly, I sat up and rubbed my nose groaning slightly. I clicked.

=I know you don't understand me, but where am I?=

She only responded with a small chuckle and a little poke in the side.

"I've heard of humans chittering, but not like that. She probably thinks that's speech, poor thing." She pat my head, seemingly a lot, LOT more relaxed with my intentions. I became confused as I was directed towards a table.

She nudged me even more and I obliged intently, having my leash pulled gently.

My heart was racing as I did as commanded, going along with everything. I was forced onto the table, suddenly pinned with aggressive carelessness. My arms were pinned out to my sides, leaving me stranded in a t position as my legs were tied together. I began to let out fearful croaks and whines. Little grunts that made their ears twitch.

"Hurry this up I can't handle hearing them like this!!" There was a clamped, soft feeling quickly over my hands. I twitched my hands and looked at them. Are you fucking kidding me.

They put mittens over my hands to make sure I couldn't scratch or hurt anyone?? Seriously?? This was already hard to deal with because of my situation, tied to a table at the mercy of two strange equines, who rewarded my "cooperation" with an apple. A fresh apple.

A delicious juicy amazing apple the size of my fucking head.

I was released and allowed to sit up and eat the apple with as much freedom as the declawing mittens would let me. I ate like a wild horse- heh -and ate until my stomach couldn't hold the beautiful apple.

"Good girl." I received a pat on the head making me growl a little before I was released. They guided me out of the storage room into the biggest part of the ship, a cruise liner. There was griffons, humans, dogs, cats, hell even a hamster out the door. Ponies were there too, making me comfortable. They were eyeing me with extreme interest, and the pony before me continued guiding me. I took note of the lack of children... And the lack of griffons. There were few. I analyzed the coat of the mare before me. She had a dark black coat, jet black. She had wings, and her body was lanky. She was tall, leading me to believe she was related to the princesses in some way. Her mark was that of a cloud overcasting an ocean, and her mane was curly and purple. My thoughts were interrupted with a loud whinny from a mare we passed by.

"Who's specimen is this?!" She sounded almost insulted as she stopped the poor handler.

"It's my great uncle Medallion Eye's stepdaughters human. He thought it would be a good way to bond with him and auntie Wench." My mind stopped and my jaw dropped to it's absolute low. She was a noble? Is everyone a noble?! Am I A NOBLE?!

I looked at the offended mare as the younger mare trotted passed. We stopped at a room shortly after, and she opened the door revealing a beautiful and huge room with a messed up bed and an extremely powerful smell of... euphoria.

I nearly threw up, covering my mouth with my mittened hands. She smiled happily at the scent like it wasn't overwhelmingly disgusting.

"Looks like someone's been busy. I'll just leave you here to greet your owners girl. Don't do anything bad." She trotted back out and I was left there in the stench ridden room, desperately trying to find somewhere to escape it. I managed to pull the damn mittens off and throw open the sliding door out to the barrier that was separating the outside harsh conditions from me and the hot tub. I just looked at the beautiful sight... Palm trees on the distant islands.

The sun was setting...

The sky was turning a dark purple, and the sun was dipping under the horizon.

I was left in the dark. I was left alone in the beautiful dark night, with the moon seeming to watch me. The stars glistened like tiny diamonds in the sky, making me tear up.

I want to go home... I want to see my bed. My family, my cat. I want to see the world where I'm not treated as inferior as my species...

"Oh but even there... You're still treated as inferior."

I spun around and came face to face with those blood red eyes.

Those deep, blood red eyes.

They glared out of the darkness at me like pins.

But there people will see... Recognize my intelligence.

"No nooo my dear Baladia, they won't and you know that. They still see you as an animal..."

No...

They can't...

No no.

I fell into the hot tub, snapping out of my stupor. I sprang upwards and panted, looking around and sniffling slightly. It was so surreal. This thing needed to get out of my head. I wanted it out. It just wouldn't go. I just... needed to relax. sat in the warm bubbly water, calmly bathing in the lavender scent. It was blissful, and I began to doze.

I didn't notice the slight splash. I didn't hear the yelp. And I most certainly didn't feel the brushing on my leg.

I jolted awake and looked at whatever did it. It was Wench, trying to pull me out. I clung to the ladder like I was going to die without it. There was a squawk from her and I mocked her, squawking back. She did not take kindly to this.

"Oh yeah? You wanna play this game?? Oh look at me, I'm a stupid human with no idea what's happening. The only thing I do is try and be mysterious and confuse everyone around me, and I'm practically useless to anything other than Slasher!!" Her voice raised in tone making me shrink back as she advanced, making me shake slightly. I had backed into a corner when there was a loud huff.

... I gave a small sniffling sound. Tears slowly dropped down my face. For the first time in a long time I was broken down in tears.

Her feathers fluffed up and she backed up a bit.

"What...?! I-I didn't mean to- n-no don't cry!" She was distraught for a moment. She looked at me like I was something she'd never seen before. Like I was something she had never heard of. I sobbed, curling up and holding my knees to my chest. She backed away for a second and looked back at Medallion.

He was staring at me, with his jaw dropped.

"She's crying Medallion what do I do?!"

"I don't know, don't ask me! Humans only cry when they need something!"

"She's not a plucking pup!"

"Well maybe you scared her!"

"I scared her?! All I did was yell!"

"She has been through a lot the past few months. Separated from previous owners, bounced around... Maybe it's emotional build up."

"They cry from that??"

"How would you explain it?!"

I grew annoyed and growled, pulling off my poncho and sinking back into the warm water of the jacoozie on the balcony. This didn't seem safe, but seeing as we are... In the ocean as we speak.. I just enjoyed it. They let out screes of worry when I dunked my head under and when I came back up, I was levitated half way out of the water.

I was set down inside the door, but the door was left open so that I could breath without breathing in the scent of their lust. They both looked at each other worriedly, and I sat sniffling next to the door, watching them with an equally worried expression. Until... Wench became flustered and her wings puffed a little. She trotted over to Medallion, who was tending to setting up a bed in the closet. It reminded me of something a needy cat would do...

Oh good lord...

I was quickly levitated into the closet and had the door shut and locked from the outside, making me squeak as I looked out the tiny grid.

They got into the bed.

I began to see things that both fascinated and disgusted me.

Like a Griffon tied down "spread eagle" and a miniature horse going into a tunnel. I covered my ears from the entering sounds, and blushed to the point of insanity.

What?

You want details??

Fine.

Wench was spread eagle with Medallion hovering over her making grunting sounds, with loud banging and screams of joy. I understand and so do you. There was one final scree and I covered my ears, and Medallion groaned, pulling out of the tunnel making grunting noises. A new stench filled the room, and I went unconscious with embarrassment.

Happy couple on a happy honeymoon.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So. What did you think? I won't go into detail, But I want to in maybe the next chapter. Alright, bye bye readers! Remember to leave a comment for suggestions and questions!

Honeymoon Pt 2

Warning, innuendos coming up that may not be pleasant. You have been warned.
I sat with my eyes strained in the dark, the sounds of love being made outside the door. I had been hearing this for hours, upon hours... upon hours.

Their screaming and moans and... Pleading for more... was keeping me from falling asleep.

~3rd person~

"HARDER MEDALLION!!"

The sound of groaning could be heard from the stallion standing over the Griffoness. He rammed and rammed, forcing himself past his limits for several hours. He had been going for hours, leaving the poor stallion sore and cramped but still erect and ready. He had came several times now, their hot fluids mixing quickly with each other.

He was a Clydesdale, a royal member of the pony population. His hard, length over 8 inches and baring into the Grifoness's lower half, that of a lioness. She was huge, she easily took up most of the king sized bed, making his mass seem so much smaller than it was. He continued to thrust into her, becoming exhausted and sore as he panted. He felt his liquid ecstasy drip onto the bed as he humped harder and harder. This was going to lead to bruising in the morning. It had been 7 hours since they started, and locked Mikros in the closet. He thought of her and he felt his mood dampen.

"Ohhhhh... Ohhh no pleaaaase stoop..." The poor Griffoness groaned and finally had enough of his warmth. The stallion pulled out and sat, panting. He saw blood on the bed before them, meaning he had... Lost his virginity? She lost hers? Or she started while they were... His body became weak as he fell to his forelegs and haunches, sore and tired.

His body throbbed for more, but he just couldn't move. Wench could barely move herself, leaving her to pant and coo in a bird like manner. The pair was rather cute in a demented way, laying limp in a sex fluid covered feathery pile of fur and blankets. Medallion whimpered with an intense urge to continue, but he knew better. He made his way to the edge of the bed, and limped making sore sounds as he used what little magic he could to levitate Wench up off the bed, and the blankets over to the incinerator. He quickly replaced the sheets and dropped himself onto the bed with Wench close to his side. She used her wing to pull him close and shield him protectively.

"That was amazing..." Her voice was full of sleepy lust.

"I know... It was." Medallion panted out as quietly as he could, falling asleep quickly.

~Back to Baladia~

I heard everything go quiet after some whispers and a metal clang. I jiggled the closet door knob, and it slipped open slowly. I stepped out, getting the full whiff of the stench of the lust of the lovers on the bed. They gave small huffs of pure blissful sleep. They cuddled close to each other, making e bite my lip, trying not to smile. I walked over to the kitchen. t was time for me to make up my mind. The lovers were lovely yes, but it's time for me to take a moment. I grabbed a weird pen type of thing and a napkin and began to scribble out messages. An entire letter to them about how much that I did NOT appriciate that little 7 hours of entertainment.

I made a pot of coffee and sat, drinking some as I set the letter down on the table. I sipped it continuously. My thoughts were gentle, and my mind expanded to what would the conversation be like when they awoke. It would be far less happy than I expected I'm sure. I looked at the intimidating pair, watching their looks and unison breathing. I was breathing slowly myself, noticing the effect of the coffee was wearing off. I closed my eye's slowly, having finished my cup of coffee in a few minutes.

It was dark. Everywhere there was an infinite dripping sounds, like I was in a cave. Hundreds of tally marks appeared on the walls, and I slowly walked over to the wall to trace one. I gained a brief flash. It was of humans being corralled into tiny pens in farms, and children being forced to do tricks in circuses. Starvation... I pulled away from the tally and placed m hand on another. This was one from one of a human wo was pampered. Treated like a purse dog. He was spoiled. I left the tally right before the... Pleasantries were shown. These continued on for many walks of life, and finally I got to a black statue made of marble. I looked at the finely created details and grunted as I looked at it. My thoughts whirled in my brain as I glanced at it's face. My face shown back for a split second, and then went dark again. I counted a hundred talleys and about 14 were slashed out. One freshly carved out with an x over the line. A pair of blue eyes glared through the darkness and I screamed.

"You will be saved..."

I woke up with a start. Tears in my eyes as I covered my mouth. My ears burned, and my body was warm. I was over heated?? I looked around, pulling my face off the cool wooden table, that my skin clung to as a dry adhesive. My sniffles awoke the couple, and for the time being I had forgotten my letter I wrote them. They looked towards the closet door, the coffee machine, and the letter on the table. The pen still practically in my hand. I let out a whimper and shook my head, regaining my steely resolve, and pushing the napkin note forwards. Medallion looked to his wife, who was still sleepy from the night before. She had bed feathers, half of her face was fluffed up with unpreened feathers, making me nearly giggle. I didn't don't worry. My dream bounced into and out of my skull as I pushed the letter forwards and got up, moving back over to the coffee pot to make them both some coffee. I grabbed the new mugs and poured the steaming liquid into the cups. They looked distraught as I pulled out the sugar and put in a spoonful as well as a few teaspoons of milk into mine. I added some cinnamon just for added flavor, and began to do the same for the other two. I set them at the table, and set mine on the table too. Their overall expressions were priceless as I pulled out their chairs. They gained looks of total confusion.

Neither of them said a word as I sat down and took a sip of my coffee, and tapped my finger on the top of the napkin note to signify it's importance. The little note was surrounded in reddish aura, and I gave a nod and a gesture for him to go ahead. Medallion read it aloud for all of us to hear.

"Hello. I know this is a shock. I know this is hard to accept and understand. But you need to know. This is Mikros. I am Mikros, but my real name is Baladia. I was shipped here, I'm not sure how. You both have been so kind to me, and I feel that it's time for me to say that I am intelligent. I wrote this note, and ass you can see I just made coffee. I know what I'm doing. Please don't think I'm a monster. Your daughter Slasher and her friend Rue are the only two who know my secret. They have for about a month. I want you to know that whatever you do next will impact our relationship going forwards." He finished, looking totally bewildered as he dropped the note and wrote something else, and handed it back to him.

"P.S... Have sex quieter, I'm never going to be able to sleep properly again."

This made Wench snicker, and I snickered too. This was going to be a lot more fun with the questions than I imagined.

Author's Note

CLOP IS NOT MY STRONG SUIT OK

Another Explaination Needed.

This morning started out with a strange start. Medallion and Wench just stared at me as I wrote several extra notes on the paper that had been given to me to write.
Medallion read them all next to Wench and they just stared blankly at the paper that I kept pushing forwards and pulling back.

~Hey, if you need a moment to process you can just say.~

Nothing but silence...

~Hello? Guys??~

Still nothing...

~You're kinda freaking me out.~

A small snicker from Wench at Medallions face going pale and his ears laying so flat they weren't there.

~Like I have any right to be as freaked out as you, but still.~

Wench gave me a look of thanks for the concern.

~Seriously? The silent treatment?~
I looked from Wench to Medallion, and Wench out stretched her wing to drape over her husband. She had a look of amusement.

"It seems that he's not going to say it, but I will. You have some explaining to do." She looked at me with narrowed eyes and the look of a predator.

I gulped quietly and pulled out my other piece of paper as a bead of sweat came to the end of my eyebrow. She seemed satisfied by her method of interrogation. I pulled out the pen and breathed out desperately, writing with shaky hands.
"Where are you from?" Her voice was stoic, nonthreatening. I winced anyways, letting her see my submission. I wrote slowly and nervously, not wanting to anger the bird of prey before me.

~I am from Africa.~

"Africa... You mean girafferica?" I fell out f my chair in cackling laughter, tearing up slightly as I laughed. She cringed back as if I had just killed her daughter and pulled Medallion back protectively. I stood back up and wiped tears from my eyes and looked at her as I underlined the word Africa.

~You guys and your names for your countries...No I mean Africa. I guess this is some sort of different dimension, or world I'm in.~

I didn't notice her look until I was pushing the note towards her.

~... Do humans here... Do humans here seriously not smile or laugh? That's got to be horrible!~

She looked shocked as her beak clicked open and closed, and I looked at Medallion slightly horrified. He was even more disturbed, a look of pure shock and blank stare was over his muzzle.
"If you're so smart... Prove your intelligent. Prove it. How do I know this isn't Discord?!" She had a look of skepticism on her face as I glared at her.

~As I remember you saying yesterday, I'm a stupid human with no idea what's happening. The only thing I do is try and be mysterious and confuse everyone around me, and I'm practically useless to anything other than Slasher.~ I slid her the note, a tear pricking m eye as I looked at her. She looked at me with a shameful gape.

"I... Oh..." She realized what this meant. She knew. She understood. She knew in that moment that I was intelligent.
~It's fine bird brain. It still hurts, but I'll be fine. You shoul~~~~~~

She had wrapped her wing around me quicker than I thought a mighty bird of pray could have. I was slammed into a feathery blanket of regret and sorrow. She muttered an endless amount of apologies as I gave a chuckle. She kept this up for a good half hour until I tried to pry my body away. She let me go with a sniffle, and she held Medallion the same way, holding him close to her body.
"Who are you?" Her voice shook with sadness, and I looked at her with a face that mirrored hers.

~As I wrote earlier... I am Baladia. I am a human. A human from a place of intelligent humans. If I had my phone I could show you a video and pictures and... And..~ I wiped my tears and looked at the floor, but continued writing gently. ~ I could show you my family.~

"... Phony? Fone? Oh a fone!" She looked at me, sniffling. "I stored that with my artifacts! Should still be there. Maybe we can see it later." She looked at me more thoroughly. "You... You wouldn't... You wouldn't hurt anyone wou-"
I furiously wrote on the paper, grunting angrily and growling as I shoved it towards her.

~DO YOU REALLY THINK I'D TRY AND HURT SOMEONE LIKE YOU< RUE< OR MEDALLION?! MEDALLION IS A NOBLE CLIDESDALE< IF I EVEN POKED HIM OIIN THE WRONG PLACE HE COULD BREAK MY LEG. THEN THERES YOU! YOU THINK I'D TRY AND HURT YOU?? YOUR DAUGHTER OWNS ME LITERALLY. IF I HURT HER, I'D BE FRIDAYS SPECIAL IN THE BAR!~
She looked shocked, a look of offense came across her face. She fluffed her crest.

"Do you REALLY have to be so dramatic?!"

~Do YOU really have to ask a question THAT stupid?!~
She scoffed, and I copied her.

Silence...

...

"You two need to just... Cool it."
Medallion startled me and Wench, making me scramble backwards onto the floor. He rolled his eyes and looked at me like I was crazy, and looked at Wench like she was insane for talking to me.

"She's an intelligent human from another planet or dimension. So... Why does that matter if she's here now?" It was now my turn to adopt a look of horror and shock. I stood up and underlined the word family in one of the previous notes.

"Are we not enough for you?" He sounded offended.

~I'm... I'm a pet to you!~
Medallion looked at me shocked, like I had just kicked him in the foreleg. He stamped his hoof and I backed up a step from the table.

"You are not just a pet anymore! You have clearly displayed intelligence, the dancing the drumming the WRITING... The CRYING." He looked at me like I was an idiot, and I just stared back agape. He lit his horn and I felt my body lifting off the ground and back into a seat. Wench was looking at the floor, shameful of something.

"The chittering... That was beak language. Who taught you?" He looked like he was concerned, and I looked at the floor.
~... Slasher.~

"And why didn't you tell us sooner?"
~Because it felt like the wrong time. Talon had been wanting to eat me for some time and if it gave him a reason to kill me, I didn't want to try.~

He nodded in understanding, looking at me with a look of slight contemplation.
"Alright... Alright. Lets... Lets just... Try and get through the day. Act normal until the end of the cruise! Um... Yeah sounds good right? You can do things other humans can't! Like... Well maybe not swim."

Oh boy are you in for a surprise Medallion. You sure are in for a surprise.
~But before anything... I need SLEEP.~

He nodded and motioned to the bed, and I groaned. He rolled his eyes, changed the blankets and everything on the bed, and I flopped down upon it, instantly dozing off as they snuck out the door to engage in more horrid activities.

The light may protect you. But it can't forever little balarina...

Author's Note

So.......
Politics of Girraferica.

Discovery

I had sat there, in the hot tub for several hours, lazily watching the clouds pass by. The air felt cold on my skin, and I didn't want to get out. I don't care if my skin was burning and blistering.

OK maybe I cared a little.

I climbed out and shivered, flinching at the effect of Gravity coming back to my body and ripping me down. I gave a small groan and stretched. My joints popped and groaned as I walked back inside and yawned. Wench was sitting there with Medallion on the bed, observing my self sufficiency.

"This really explains a lot... The chittering, the drumming... The intelligent response to the news of the egg! It all makes SENSE NOW!!" Medallion was laying with his forelegs curled under him and his back legs laying forwards, his tail curled around him like a cat. It hid his cutie mark, and this fascinated me. They were called cutie marks by the way. Sounds like something from a kids show. And Wench was laying around him with her head laid on the bed, easily making him look like a foal next to his mother with the size comparison. My heart melted at the scene, but I held it back out of not wanting to damage his probably nonexistent ego. He was ranting now, about his prized little foal. I walked over to the stove holding buttered bread, a copper nonstick pan, a piece of cheese and some lettuce and tomato and other sandwich condiments. I plopped it all down, onto the pan and made a grilled cheese, making bacon. Real. Bacon. Not those fake human treats Medallion likes to buy. Those were like fake bacon bits back home that my dad bought on sale. You burped and could taste them 5 weeks later. Ew.

I still ate them, because the human body needs a balanced diet, and eating nothing but greasy beef jerky balls for four meals a day is not healthy. And yes I said four. Wench gives me snacks between meals so I don't beg the customers. And yes I would beg the customers because its a developed behavior from other humans that came in and out. Blend in to not be found out. But.. I can't very well justify it anymore.

"Mikros wha-... Baladia... what are you doing?" Wench piped up and looked at me from across the room, and I pulled out my trusty notepad that may or may not have been stolen from the room service cart along with a pen. Not a quill but a real spring pen too. I scribbled down on the paper my intention and threw it over to her. She looked at it with boggled eyes as I tore the paper off and threw it over to her as a paper air plane. She read the note and snarked.

~Human hunter-gather. So human hunt through the fridge for an appropriate dietary supplement that will sustain my hunger until m next feeding opportunity.~

She let out another snark and I chuckled, eating my grilled cheese with soft moans of excited contentment. I hadn't eaten real real food in several months. Four? Five months? I don't know. I didn't let Slasher know until at least roughly two months after my arrival. Then Rue learned my secret, and now I'm here. Now almost everyone knew but Talon and Claw, and I'm positive they'd figure it out quite easily if they figure out who put the labels on the cupboards in the kitchen. They had no idea who put them there at first and then they just accepted it. I left little notes to them, like little smiley faces and stick figure hieroglyphs from my world. They were always so confused as to what they meant. I would leave messages like, I want to go home, in the form of a stick figure reaching for a house with a tear drop. Slasher was particularly confused. I'm getting side tracked far to much.

"We're docking soon Baladia. We had you vaccinated whilst you were sleeping so you could accompany us on land!" Wench had a happy smile, and I looked at her, with a look of surprise. What? me? You stuck a fucking needle into my arms?! WHY?!

She saw my distraught look and I looked at my arm, seeing the strange look of black-no shit Sherlock I'm black anyways- purple and blue. I took in a breath and looked at her after I finished my meal, and brushed off my hands. I pulled out my pen and wrote on it quickly.

~Sure. What country are we in...~

I stopped and looked at her, my eyebrow furrowing. She looked at me with the same inquisitive look.

"What?"

~What do I call you? Do I call you Wench, Wendy, Slashers mom, Miss, Owner, Mrs. Eye?? What?~

She looked baffled as she fluffed her crest. This made Medallion sneeze and look at her annoyed. She looked back at me and stood up, slowly moving over to me with a soft gaze that seemed to calm me. She dropped her head to eye level with me, and I looked at her with a look of confusion. She sat her form next to my chair and wrapped a wing around me. This action, despite the newfound heat that emanated from her, sent goosebumps up my spine as she moved me closer to her to sit on the floor between her front talons. I sat uncomfortably on the floor, looking confused and frazzled. She leaned down and looked me in the eye as she spoke in that bone chillingly warm tone she only reserved for her egg.

"You may calm me whatever you feel appropriate."

I visibly wilted, my shoulders slumping as I twitched. The first word that came to my mind was desperately thought and small and rushed. I felt my eyes spring out tears like weeds in spring.

Mother...

I shook it away and covered my mouth as I looked away. I felt my heart nearly stop as I sucked up the horrible sensations I was feeling back into my heart and never let it back out. My tears stopped and I stroked her feathers, and she used her wing to wipe the tears off my face. What few that were able to spring free at least. I grabbed the notepad and pen off the table with slight difficulty, as Wench did not want me to move much. I wrote quickly.

~I'll call you Wench. I'm sorry for the water works.~

She giggled and pulled back, with a smile and I was allowed to stand. I stood up and wrote on the note pad something I thought would be taken as a joke.

~Well who's going to carry me on land?~

Wench perked up when she read it and I looked at her dumb founded as she answered by kneeling and pushing me onto her back. I squawked and she mocked me, turning the tables on how it usually goes. She smiled and stood up fully, making Medallion become a dwarf compared to us our size. My stomach churned for a second because of my vertigo.

"I guess... I guess that's settled... If you need anything, just grunt once for food, twice for bathroom, and 3 times for bathroom." Medallion looked at me like I wasn't giving him a look of disgust. Seriously? I mean, you're just going to leave me without a way of communication?! UGH. I guess this is how it's gonna work. I flumped over onto Wenches back fully now so I wouldn't get sore legs. I closed my eyes with a grunt and felt the lurch of movement. We walked. There was a sense of confusion and gasps every once in a while when I moved, and all I could hear is the bustle of animal activity. Ponies and Griffons and paws clunking off the boat ramp. I felt the hot sun hit my skin and I groaned, closing my eyes tighter. There was a chuckle and a rush of wind as the sounds disappeared. This confused me, and I opened my eyes. We were about 500 feet off the ground, making me scream. She cawed loudly, letting out an eagles scream as she moved to land in a park, smiling as she looked back at me. My groan was loud. She spread out her wing, and I rolled down into the grass. She looked down at me and I sat up panting and looking around confusedly. Medallion suddenly appeared from nowhere and I stumbled up, flipping them both the bird before throwing in in a bush. When I was done, Medallion brought me a clutch of grapes and I ate some, spitting out the last of the bile.

"We're in a human park, so you can go play. We'll be here for a bit, probably until sundown." I nodded and looked around. She smiled and fluttered her wings, and I darted off, narrowly avoiding a slash to the face from a feather on her wing. I turned away and grumbled, turning away to wonder off through the sunken plane of fake grass and trees planted only for humans to climb. walked around, following the cement trail. I could feel my feet beginning to blister after about 15 minutes of walking through the massive park. I stepped off the path for a moment and blinked, seeing a few humans with stoic expressions. I pulled up my memory of school at MIKROS. All that came up was sign language. That'll do. I mimicked the chirp it made and gained it's attention. Him? He chirped at a lower pitch and he rose to his full height. I looked up at him and looked him up and down, watching his movements. He might have been a bit bigger than previously anticipated. I backed away. I signed the symbol for you sign. He growled and I whimpered, realizing he couldn't understand. Why was there a difference between me and him? I started connecting the dots. I felt along my throat and stopped right above my collar. It was a slight thing, like a small scar. It was an indent. I touched it and I suddenly felt a cold rush. I grunted to him, and he, I swear to god, spoke to me.

"Small." I gaped at him with a strange look and he growled, putting his hand on my stomach. "Dark."

If I can understand him now...

"Do Ray Me Fa So La Te Do. Do te la so fa me Ray do." I screamed excitedly, running around the tree, screaming my name.

"BALADIA BALADIA BALADIA!!"

The male stopped me by clothes lining me as I ran, I fell straight to my back and groaned.

"Stop!" He shrieked as he covered my mouth gently. I gave him an excited stare, my eyes smiling for me. I could barely contain myself. I took my hand off my throat and the next word he said was clear as day. "Griffon girl."

I jumped up and looked at him.

"Name. Your name. What is it?" He made a face and I looked at him patiently. He didn't respond.

"... Name?" He sounded confused, and he sat down, his head at my waist.

"... Imma call you Dun." I sat next to him and looked ecstatic. He glanced at me before moving a few inches away.

"You... You not like me. Why? Why dark?" He pointed at my hand and I lifted it up and waved it around. He gave little look of fear, and I reached my hand out. He cringed back with a snarl.

"No! I'm not bad, just... Hold your hand out like me. Copy!" He looked at me like I was insane for a second and then he held his hand out too. I gently took it and shook his hand.

"This means hello. Nice to meet you. I don't want to hurt you, and I just want to say hello!" He looked at me with an even more inquisitive look. His hand squeezed mine, making me whimper and I pulled my hand away shaking it, trying to make the pain go away. He looked at me with urgency.

"No hurt. No hurt?" He looked at m hand and I cracked my knuckles, gripping it so the pain could fully retreat.

"No. I'm not hurt Dun. Come on, lets go see if we can't talk to ponies too!" I stood up and turned to run, and he stopped me by grabbing the back of my poncho and forcing me to sit down.

"No. Girl mine." He boggled me and I looked at him, confused.

"No. Girl NOT yours. Let me go." He growled and grabbed my wrist.

"Dark Griffon girl MINE!!" He roared violently and punched a hole into the tree next to us. I looked at him, making a strange face, a mixture of confusion and fear drifting through my body. I sniffled, trying to jerk my hand free. It angered him more and I was thrown to the ground. I looked at him and became fearful. He was reaching for me. I turned and sputtered, screaming for help from a passerby. A young feverish man on a leash with tanned skin charged the taller man.

"Run! Run! Don't just stand there GO!" He looked back at me and I froze up. I looked around at the crowd forming around us, filling the air with whinnies and squawks and other things of that nature. Through it all though I spotted...

I spotted Rue!

I chittered to her, and she chittered back looking terrified.

~Is the human attacking the big one yours?!~

~Yes why?! What's happening Baladia?!~

~I can talk now, but I can't talk to you apparently!~

She looked shocked. This was fucking gold.

Author's Note

-message-
Ubi es? Filia mea? Ubi, quaeso te? Locus est nobis ignota. Redi ad nos. Et Pater tuus I.
-End message-
Fuck my life. :3.

Tortured Flowers Finally Bloom

Warning on the content here. It gets a little intense.

I was awestruck, gawking at the easy transition between the two languages as I sipped my tea in contemplation. One poke to the marking and I can hear Humans. Another to speak to the Gryphons with beak language and writing. My hand was getting sore from the pen so I had Rue translate. Apparently Rue was here with her parents. Although... She seemed thinner. She seemed scared over, little bruises under her coat barely visible under her fur. This brought a sense of concern over me, but when I asked her in her beak language, she just... Visibly drained. She looked scared. Wench seemed far fonder of the little filly than before, and I looked at her with a look of sadness. She still hadn’t trusted me. I’m only human after all.

I don’t want to think about it. I pressed my scar while Rue sat between Medallion and Wench, giggling at their loving embrace. I turned to Rue’s confirmed Guard Human. I had fallen ill recently after arriving in the mainland of the small country. My throat had began to burn as I spoke to him.

“You. Your name?” I looked at him, listening to the strange accent my voice seemed to take on. I was fascinated with the vibration of my vocal patterns after almost 3 months of silence other than groans.
“My name is Fylakas Agori. The little one is mine..” His head shook as he scratched at his collar. I chuckled, making Rue jump. She clicked to me.

=What the heck was that?! What if he tries to copy you?!=

I sipped my tea and prepared the revelation.

“You want me to tell them you’re intelligent?” He looked at me boggled at how casual I was about the subject.

“You can SPEAK to them?! How?!” His voice raised slightly in either excitement or intense desperation.

I set my tea cup down and looked at him with the intent of the stupidest answer in my mind.

“I’m bilingual.”

He burst out into laughter, making Wench jump and move her wing around the little filly while chirping in fear.

=I take it she didn’t like that?=

Rue shook her head with a mane fluffed in shock.

“Hold on Fylakas, I’ll explain in just a sec.” He looked confused as I poked the scar and listened in on their conversation.

“-romise me and Wench are doing everything we can to get you out of there. You’re going to be safe, just hold on a few more days. I promise sweetie.” Medallion nuzzled her as well as Wench, making me clap. They looked at me and I gave a gentle smile. Rue looked at me with a smile as she trotted over.

“She’s... Intelligent. She’s going to catch on sooner or later. This won’t be easy to tell her, no, but it will certainly help. She can’t understand me right now. Right? The scar thing? She explained it to you?” Wench and Medallion nodded and I tilted my head in confusion.

=Baladia? It’s me, Rue. I want to tell you something?= She clicked to me, and I reached down to pick her up. She didn’t object, and I buried my face into her soft fur.

=Yeah Rue? What’s up? What do you need?= She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. I could hear her speeded heart beat.

=My parents... They-=
She hesitated.

=They beat me. They barely allow me food. Medallion and Wench are going through the paperwork to adopt me without my parents knowledge, but they have enough evidence against my parents. My parents came with yours, and they’ve been making me stay in their second room. Dylan gets fed and... That’s the only time I have the opportunity to eat. He shares.=

=Sweetheart... I had no idea oh my god... Dylans name is actually Fylakas... He’s intelligent, like me, but he can’t understand ponies.=

My stomach churned slightly.

Fylakas chirped loudly and continuously tugged on my arm, pointing to an oozy black cloud that appeared from the cracks in the wood. I screeched and poked my scar rather hard, and looked at him shocked.

“What is that?!” The eyes slowly appeared from the mist, the yellow and red eyes.

“I... I think... I think it’s been following me from Gryphondor!!” A look of terror came across my face, and Fylakas picked Rue up. I would be facing this alone. My stomach churned.

A strange darkness surrounded me until I could no longer hear or see Medallion or Fylakas.

“You won’t escape me. Not again.” I backed away and a ring of fire appeared. I was stuck with this oozy monster. It circled me, quickly coming face to face with me. It smiled at my hidden hysteria.

“... What are you?!” I could barely keep my voice from crackling. I stared at it, a look of fear came into my eye as it turned into a Boa Constrictor and it began to coil me slowly. Squeezing the life from my body. Then it took the form of Medallion with red eyes. Then the monster I saw, one with mismatched limbs of all different kinds. And then... It took on Slasher. With her throat cut. It stayed in that form.

“Achlys. I am the personification of your deepest fears. I am every primitive thought you have. You have no escape anymore, little Ballerina.” Fear practically dripped from my body as I shook, sweat colder than snow dripping down my face and body.

“You... You d-don’t... You don’t scare... Me.” My bluff was easy to call. I found my reward for the lie to be punched in the stomach back and to the wall of flames, hitting my back against it and making my body limp. It oozed up to me, slowly absorbing my body, making me shiver at the weak coolness that spread through my leg. I froze up. It snapped over to the left, and I screamed, dragging my hands down my face as it was undone, and the oozing figure fled backwards laughing evilly. The fire began to burn, and I swore I felt every feeling of fear and primal fight or flight that was possible to feel. I threw up, and the vomit disappeared. I chose fight.

Weakly standing on the tortured leg, I roared and charged it. The monster chuckled and oozed behind me, taking my arm I had thrusted towards it, and then it snapped my elbow backwards. A shriek of pain was emitted from my body, and I looked up, falling to my knees as the slammed back into place with rubber band accuracy. I thrusted fists into the oozing darkness until I struck something. I struck something soft. I was weak. I could collect that I was under an operation light, and I was weakly struggling against a nurse. They were popping limbs back into place. Trying to funnel food into my mouth through a tube, and I wasn’t accepting it. I tried to chitter, but it was caged by something... Primal. It was dragged out my response, and all I could hear was my own chirping screams. I heard Rue’s voice.

“This can’t be happening... I’m so sorry!” I heard her apology, her voice and clung to it. I focused on her, and saw my own yellow pale tint. I was back. I would fight.
The oozing darkness was clawing, pulling me back into my primal mind. I clung to the thoughts of Rue and they could see me becoming more and more responsive. Re was able to push past the nurse and rush to my side. My head was beating and I could barely hear her anymore. She began whispering in my ear, a spell or incantation. Then the pulling stopped and I was better. I was conscious and aware. She cried in happiness that it had worked and I sat up, astonishing the nurses.

“How.... How did you cure that?! She had Girafferican Bullseye! That... She should be dead!” The nurse and the doctors were excitedly astonished. I had a feeling that this was something more, but I stayed silent and weak, emotionally drained from the horrific battle. Fylakas looked at me like I was ready to attack at any second.

=Rue... you saved me...=

She blushed.

=That automatically makes you family, Rue. You are always good to tell me anything.=

Welcome to the family Rue... Welcome to the family.

Breaking Down and Moving On

Warning, explicit description of physical assault.
There was a long silence after we left the hospital, not even Fylakas chirped as we left. the old hospital room. We were on our way back to the cruise ship, and I became worried more and more about the two young passengers we were bringing back with us. Both Rue and Fylakas were cause to be worried about. Did they seriously decide that... That this was going to be a good idea? I poked my scar and just closed my eyes. My battle with that demonic force drifted through my thoughts. I could still see the form of Slasher. Her throat slit. My stomach churned. I closed my eyes and clenched my fists in anger. That's never going to happen to her. I promised myself that I would protect her. Next comes my conversation with Fylakas.

"Fylakas. I need to ask you something." My throat was still scratchy, this only having been my about third time using my voice officially. I blinked and grunted, feeling the vibrations in my vocal cords. He looked at me distractedly as he held Rue protectively. He held her so her front hooved were over his shoulders and her head was in the crook of his neck.

"Yeah? Whatcha need Bal?" My eyebrows rose at the strange nickname, but I took it with a grain of salt.

"What do they... What do her parents do to her and you?" His head swerved to me, his eyes seemingly boggling out of his skull. I knew I had just asked the worst question imaginable for him, the poor guy.

"Why...? Why do you n-need to know...??" He was biting back tears. I knew this was hard.

"Because the princesses... They won't take kindly to the treatment of her." He closed his eyes and took in a huge breath, trying to get his thoughts together completely. I pat his shoulder.

"Soon you're going to be moving on. Living with us." He nodded thoughtfully and looked at me. He knew about the princesses. He knew- somehow in that moment -that they were never going to hurt him again. He nodded once and whipped away a tear, closing his left eye and inhaling sharply. This slightly scared Wench, who was dozing off slowly.

"They... He would... Her father would stumble in and... He would come in, the first night I was home with her. I went into her room with her and she had set up a pillow and blanket for me... I was grateful. That had been the best night sleep I had had for... Weeks. Possibly longer." He was getting choked. "The-the female stumbled in and whinnied something to her, and Rue was frantic to hide me. She used her weird... Levitational magic t-to move me into her bed and she jumped up into the bed in front of me. I heard heavy stomping and the female horse... She looked terrified. She gained a look of horror as soon as the male came in the door, leaving a huge thud or something. He came into Lily's room- that's what I call her, lily because she likes flowers." He closed his eyes and tears broke for a moment. "He finished the bottle of gin or something. Then he threw it at the females head." He looked off to the side. "Then he... He looked at Rue. He saw her and he saw me... He became raged. He was... He began screaming and whinnying and stamping his hoof.. Eventually... Eventually he hit her. He Lily. Blood came from the tip of her horn as well as some sparkling liquidy stuff. I shouted for him to stop, but he didn't listen. He turned to the female- she was bluish violet so I just called her Blueberry. He just... Wailed on her. Nonstop beating, for almost five minutes. I... I jumped up and.. And I just screamed in rage and... I kicked him. I kicked him out the door. He grunted in... Surprise? I'm guessing." He gained a look of pride in his eyes, however it was vague and faint. "Then Lily and Blueberry began to whimper and cry, huddled on the bed. I just... Stood there defensively. In the doorway. He glared at me in pure rage. Pure unbridled rage. I saw his eyes go a slight red? I don't know. But he just began screaming and charging, and... I slammed the door... I locked it... And he... He pounded for hours. Hours on end. He finally stopped around midnight." He blinked and strained visibly, trying to remember. "The two had fallen into a restless sleep, and I peeked out and he... He was waiting. He kicked in the door and began to beat on me, stamping on my legs and my arms and they... They shattered... They shattered. The bones in my arms and my legs all in fragments. When he was done he burned me with a cigar and then just... He just walked out and went to bed. Lily woke up and watched, crying and screaming and shrieking with her whinnying. She was less worried about her horn then she was me. She used everything she had, even with that weird sparkling magic shit pouring from her fracture. She undid the damage. She fixed my shattered limbs." He was fully crying now, and I was in no better shape. He sobbed quietly and I sobbed with him, smothering my grief with my hands. He tried to stop his quivering, but failed. Yet he still wasn't done. "The next day, she left. And so did her father. And so did Blueberry. I was left alone, next to a pitcher of water and a weird obsession causing pepperoni stick. I could barely move. My limbs they were... Horribly sore. Soon Lily came home, and saw my sorry state on the floor and she.. Gave me some milk with... With pills in it to make the pain go away. Her father must have been a doctor or something, and then a few hours later he came back in, snorted at my form curled around her and he just... Walked out. He stopped there." He closed his eyes and I continued to giggle. Rue looked at us both and we both froze, I looked at her, tears dripping helplessly down my face as tears dripped down his face too. We both had the look of crying children, no doubt. I desperately apologized for waking her with my beak language, and she was equally as confused.

=Oh stars Rue I'm sorry! We were trying so hard not to wake you!=
She shook her head and she gave a small grumble.

=Baladia, you're fine dear. Just... Try not to cry like that.=

I stroked her mane until she finally fell back to sleep.

"You'll move on. You're not alone."

=You're not alone.=

Author's Note

You are not alone.
Call this 24 hour hotline: 1-877-988-5559
To report any abuse. Domestic or not. You are NOT, alone. You understand me? You are never alone. You have those who will help you. Just get out of anywhere you don't feel safe and go. You will be safe. Find someone who will love you. You deserve betther than this and the way you are being treated.

A Sense Of Normality

I waited for the moment to come where I could truly close my eyes and relax. The past few hours had been hellish, me staying awake all night in the Flower's spare room that they had rented for the cruise. I had locked the door, and when there was a constant angry banging on the door and screaming to match, I panicked and made Rue and Fylakas stay covered in the bed. He had used his magic several times to open the door, but was stopped by the chain lock and magical barrier Medallion had set in place. He caught site of me, and I knew if he could get in, he no doubt would have gone in for the kill. He had given into the demonic force that attacked me. He was to far gone.

I thought the name. Alchys... It sent horror up my spine making me shiver. My blood turned to ice, and my skin became paper thin. Time seemed to freeze as I saw the oozing mass take form in front of me, an evil wicked smile appearing on it's bulbous melting flesh that was where it's head should have been. I cringed, blinking away the thought as a figment of my imagination. It had to be, my eyes were playing tricks on me. I wouldn't really be seeing this. Couldn't really be seeing it. began to pace, the stallion had left the door, probably to sulk and stalk outside until I was stupid enough to open the door. I wasn't though. My body became heavy as a feathery feeling draped itself over my shoulders. I struggled against it, chirps becoming audible to my own ears as I continued to try and pace. This earned a chuckle from the darkened figure, and I was soon lifted, making me yelp at the unexpected movements. It became clear this was Wench. I was set on the bed and had found myself drowning in covers and fur from Wench climbing onto the bed next to us. I could feel my mind drawing blanks and I resorted to a weak struggle. Fylakas and Rue were fine with their placements, but I was not. However, before I could struggle any longer, my arms found a particularly comfy spot under my head. I could no longer move. As my defiance drained, so did my consciousness, and I was left to sleep. I scoffed at myself in lucid sleep, having so easily been defeated by... a comforter.

The next day, I still found myself under a blanket snugged against a feathery surface that was Wench. I couldn't think completely right with my groggy mind as I struggled with the blanket for freedom. I tossed it off my body and groaned at the cold air, and looked down at Rue and Fylakas. They were still cuddled together just at the other end of Wench's little protective semi circle. I was horrified at how cute this scene must have been. It was practically giving me a cavity, this was horrible to think that I was a part of this. I hated being called cute. I hated being labeled as such. It was inconceivable!

I moved off the bed and eyed Medallion, who had- to my absolute horror -a camera. He had taken pictures before I awoke. He was sitting and sipping his tea, reading the papers that were on the table. I saw the pictures and gave a horrified gasp. This was so much worse than I could have ever anticipated. The pictures were the most adorable thing I had ever seen, and this was starting to get old quickly. I couldn't risk these getting out to the princess or even to Slasher. Not even Claw could know. Medallion seemed to pick up on my desperation and he gave me an evil teasing smile.

"Ohhh this is perfect." His muzzle twisted into an evilly playful grin. I winced back, pulling the pictures with me. I was chirping, and I hadn't even noticed. I don't even know what I was saying, but it was strange enough for Fylakas to cackle as soon as he awoke. This was becoming a strange morning, filled with ight hearted moments. I was becoming skeptical it would last. Everything was going to well. Everything was settling back into normalcy?

"We're back in Equestria now Baladia. I hope you're OK with walking on a leash until we can get off the boat. Fylakas too. Could you tell him?" Wench was stretching on the bed as she spoke, making me gasp in fright. I was amazed by the figure, unkempt and unpreened. It was rather humorous to see her crest involuntarily flex. She was probably the whole reason the pictures were so cute. I poked at my throat and nodded, signifying I was now only in the world of human speech.

"Fylakas. Fyyylaaakaaaaaas. Wake uuuup." I poked at his ribs and slowly up to his cheek. He grunted and curled up, making me smile as I poked his ribs. His eyes shot open and he pulled away, hissing slightly, as if I had done something to offend him. He glared at me and covered his ribs. I realized what I had done and my smile became wicked with my new found power. "Ohh... Oh that's precious~."

"Don't you even fucking try." He spat back with a hard glare of panic. I continued smiling like a predator, and I began to stock closer. He backed up again, hissing in warning until he was cornered against the wall. "If you even so much as try I'm going to-"

Soon, his words were cut off with intense laughter. I had to turn around to see the source was not from myself or Fylakas, but it was Medallion nudging Rue to wake up and move faster, and this triggered a whinnying snorting fit of laughter. I smiled sweetly at her. Her laughter was cute, even by being filtered through a veil of language. I turned back to my own prey... To find him prepared to attack.

I screeched with surprised laughter as the war began. Minutes of struggling to gain more laughter from the other was evident, and the others just watched in morbid curiosity. This was going to be extremely fun. After our war, we truced long enough for our leashes to be connected to our collars, and allowed our collars to be tightened very slightly so that they could not come off. Rue fumed slightly with amusement and confusion, and I knew why. She eyed me and Fylakas, and we eyed each other. My hissing and tounge insults were returned from Fylakas.

=Enough you two, behave yourselves!= Rue clicked aggressively, and our fun and games were cut short then and there, making both of us just back away. I glanced at the floor and Fylakas did the same, but it was hard for both of us not to continue to silently make faces at each other. This was going to be fun. A new wrestling partner who isn't Slasher dressed in a badly made zebra costume!

We made it off the boat, and the rest of the day was uneventful. It was now night and I was sitting sleepily on the windowsill. I fell asleep quickly after that, before dinner was even served.

Uneventful indeed.

Bonding with New Aunts

Annoying sounds echoed through the marble hallways. I could barely think past each thunk of each hoof-step, followed by the sounds of grunting. Humans wearing suits and collars made me get a slow look of disgust as I growled. Seeing them treated like this, made me uncomfortable, but I was treated no better by the other races. I was looking around, trying to remember my own name from Slasher. Mikros? Yeah that's it. Dylan is Fylakas's human name. I clicked to him, and he was fluent in beak language now.

=Are you good? Nervous?=

He nodded once, making it look like more of a twitch up and down, and he was sweating now from trying now to smile.

=I'm used to being treated like a guard human, not a normal pet. This is awkward for me.=

A look of anxiety was coming onto his face as his eyes darted around, and I moved over to pat his head as we walked, and he seemed to relax. The pony guards chuckled as they glanced back at us. They were female and slim, making me believe they were fresh from some sort of training camp. This was not inaccurate, as they had the lighter starters armor. I glanced at them, and tilted my head at them. There was a second where Fylakas stopped and stood still, refusing to move. He was tearing up and beginning to sniffle and whimper. The guards both stopped, and looked at him in alarm. They readied their spells and I rolled my eyes, scrunching up my face in disgust towards them. I tugged out leashes off their hooves, and they yelped, tumpling to the floor.

"Hey!" She stumbled forwards and used the other mare to keep herself upright. I poked my scar and looed at him.

"What's wrong Fylakas?" He was sitting against the wall, and I walked over to hug him. He was crying and sobbing, attracting the attention of other ponies and human workers tasked with cleaning. Mostly young females, coming over and staring blankly and curiously.

"I... I've never been away from Lily for so long.... I was conditioned to always be with her and to always protect her and- now I can't stand being away from her. I'm terrified, what if I'm not there and her father comes back, and- and what if a guard thinks she's a trespasser and I can't be there to pick her up and take her to Metal?!" He was crying hysterically, hyperventilating, and I gave a small sigh as I rubbed his back. I was really surprised he made it this far without having a melt down.

"It's OK, it's OK. Hey- hey listen to me alright? Hyperventilating will only make you sick. It'll make you light headed. Come on, copy me OK?" I took in a deep breath as he sobbed and took in aa shaky and choked breath. I took in another breath, and he did too, this time less shaky and choked, calming down a bit. The mares were looking astounded, making it hard not to crack a smile. The other human females were copying, and a few males were walking around the outskirts. They observed with blank faces. One male, big, strong, and intimidating pushed his way through the crowd and walked up to Fylakas.

"Weak." I stood up and hissed at him, glaring angrily.

"Back up Neanderthal. He doesn't need you crowding him-" He grabbed me by the hair and lifted up, making me yell in pain. My head hurt. I screamed and kicked him in the stomach, mildly irritating him. He was getting angry, but I kept up my assault. Other females began growling angrily and protectively, they were older. I keep forgetting I'm rather young compared to these ones. They were protective.

"You weak. Alpha strong." He grabbed me by the throat, getting ready to squeeze the windpipe. I threw the one move I knew best from my years learning to take care of myself on my walks home from school. I kicked him in the groin. He shrieked and crumbled to the ground holding himself and this caused the mares to begin to giggle, and I grunted angrily as I hit the ground. I stared down at him growling dominantly, baring my teeth, mainly my canines, trying to make them gleam in the light.

"I am alpha now. You got that?! I am alpha!" I roared deeply and glared around, snarling to all those who tried to stop me. The male whimpered and slinked back into the crowd, still cradling his aching groin. The females were all mesmerized and confused, mumbling around themselves, and the males were angrily snarling.

"Now get back to your tasks from the..." I looked to Fylakas, who had cooled off and was staring in a daze at me.

"P-pony guardians..." He was now standing up, no longer crying,

"Get back to your pony guardians! NOW!" My voice echoed, and they all screed and ran, scurrying off behind their handlers and hiding. I grunted and turned to the mares. "Some help you two idiots were!" They froze when I looked at them. I walked up to them, and quickly found the spears at my throat, and I gently pushed them to the side. I walked up and gently stroked behind their ears, earning a satisfied purr from them both. One human copied on her pony, and this earned the same reaction. I looked back at Fylakas.

"These things are the dorkiest two ponies I have ever met." He nodded and I walked down the hall, glad the horrible moment was over. I continued walking down the hall holding my leash off the floor and holding it through the handle at arms length to look like I was walking myself.

"Remind me not to get on your bad side..." He sounded disturbed. The mares were quick to follow after I poked my throat. I heard chatter from the human handlers about the fight, and how I single handedly took down the strongest human in the castle. This was going to get a tad annoying.
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After I had finally found my way to a room that I was originally being guided to, I plopped down on the bed and curled up with my head on a pillow. The guards swatted me though, pushing me off the bed and making me growl. I obeyed though, and sat on the carpet next to the bed, closing my eyes. I realized though, that the reason I wasn't allowed on the bed was because.. I smelled. A horrid oder reached my own nose from my own body, making me gag. I stood up and marched to the bathroom in the room. The ponies were surprised by this, and I motioned Fylakas in after me. He followed, looking wary.

=We smell like trash, and they won't let us on the beds unless we're washed. I'll take the tub, you shave with the closest thing you can find to a razor. Be careful.= He nodded once, and I started up the warm water and pulled off my poncho. I threw it in the water below me, deciding to wash it with myself included. I pulled down the shampoo and looked in the fogless mirror. Impressive. I saw the two faded scars on each side of my jaw line, and the little slash marks from all my scuffles. I saw the delicate skin of my more tender parts of my body. This was strange. I hadn't seen myself in a while. My how the African goddess from beginning had matured, her eyes still twinkling with mirth. They showed more wisdom than before too, and they showed the pain of almost six months. Six months away from home. Away from mama and Popi. Mother and Father. The aging goddess, seemed to age more and more with each second, and I held myself higher up and closed my eyes. I began to wash my hair, and wash the poncho below me at the same time. There was a faint banging on the door, and Fylakas locked the door. The ponies were frantic with the sounds they heard. I washed the faded belt until it gleamed, and washed the faded greenish blanket what was my poncho for so long. I couldn't even think of what I would do if I were to have gone all winter without any type of insulator. This would have gone terribly.

There was a massive bang from the door, and I jumped, not stopping from my self deep cleanse. I finished myself, and jumped out of the water, allowing Fylakas enough time to look away from me and take off his own loincloth shorts, and wash them in the bathtub after I had emptied it. I set mine up to dry, and began to work on shaving my underarms and parts of my nether regions. Fylakas had used hot steaming water to heat the blade to cut smoothly, but all I needed was a few inches gone. A little gross to say, yes, but you're probably a big boy/girl.

Another loud bang, and this time I let out a loud snarl at the door, causing a yelp from the other side. Finally, they backed the fuck off and let us be for a few minutes. Fylakas had worked hard for the next few rushed minutes, scrubbing his every inch of skin and his feet. He scrubbed his hair, legs, nether's and back with every inch precision. It was well passed time for a thorough scrubbing.

There was a gentle knock from the other side of the door, and a soft voice. I realized the voice was familiar, and panicked slightly. It was Celectia. She was cooing something softly from the other side of the door, and there was a golden aura on the lock. It snapped open. I locked the door again, right as the doorknob went to turn. She let out a confused 'huh?' and tried again. I locked it again, and giggled, this becoming a game for the next few minutes until Fylakas's clothes dried. He took up the game so I could get dressed, and I took the game back over so he could get dressed, and soon there was a bluish aura in the room. It was accumulating near the leashes, and I freaked out as they began to come to life. I dried my hair and made it frizz, I loved the look of it while its frizzed. I did the same to Fylakas as his hair spiked up instead at the uneven haircut. It suited his style. I opened the door before the leashes could come close.

"MIKROS!" Before I could register the thought, the little Griffon was crying and clinging to me, holding on tightly and purring into my newly cleaned poncho. "I cannot believe YOU! What have I told you about bathtubs?! No! Bad!" She winked slightly, hiding it well, and I let out a small fake whine as I carried her to the bed. She had gotten bigger since last month, and this startled me. Growth spurt's were expected, I suppose, but this was unexpected. She was a little taller than my waste now, and my eye's widened. I was surprised I could even carry her. I suppose se had only matured physically, but mentally she was still my little fluffy griffon smol. She giggled and nuzzled me, and I nuzzled back.

=Do the princesses speak beak language?= Fylakas clicked as he threw himself onto the bed next to us, watching the heartwarming reunion. Claw and Talon were here, smiling their broad smiles. She looked stunned for a sec before squawking and responding.

N-no... I don't think so.= She just stared at Fylakas with a dropped jaw, making me grumble and bury my face in her feathers so I could properly smile. Rue jumped into Fylakas's lap, mumbling and sniffling.

"Dylan smells like flowers."

This made everyone laugh and I too, inserted my own chuckle too. There was a moment of remembrance where I recalled the princesses being in the room. I was quickly levitated up, and she looked me over, gawking at me with wonder in her eyes.

"A... A brown human? Where does one find such a human?" I could hear the curiosity in her voice. This would later spark something larger than expected to happen with a purple Alicorn.

The princess looked at me, and I looked at her, and she set me down. She looked to Fylakas, and I hovered just in front of him, protectively. He didn't seem to pick up on the excitement.

"Let's go get some food my new nieces." She cracked a smile, and changed the focus off us. Slasher pranced around the room squealing in excitement as Rue clipped the leash to Fylakas. I was extremely excited, and it was getting hard to contain my own smiles, but I still managed. This was going to be fun!
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Have you ever tried to carry a baby Griffon that weighs as much as a barbell weight on your back, down several halls, AND carry a filly at the same time?

It's hard. Really hard. Especially when the other human next to you could have easily carried his own owner. I poked my throat and passed by the humans from earlier.

"Having fun there Bala?" Fylakas was staring blankly, but his eyes were showing his true emotions.

"Fuck... You... Fy." I groaned out.

"Alpha carry pony guardian? And big bird?" A young female was walking next to me, and I grunted for a moment.

"Yes." I could only muster one word responses due to my immense load of weight.

"Me help alpha?" She was seeking approval from me, and I grunted, and was going to say 'no' and trudge past, but she took my grunt as yes and began to help me lift Slasher making her squawk and her crest fluff up.

I poked my throat, and she looked down at me.

"What are you doing?! Let me g-O!" She was cut off by the large male from earlier helping me to lift her, he looked at me warily, and I growled assertively. He cringed and I pat his head. He seemed satisfied with the sense of general approval.

"Interesting. Veeeeery interesting..." Celectia was smiling amusedly, making me glare and growl. She glanced back with a raised eyebrow. We were almost to the cafeteria in the garden. This made me give a sigh of relief.

As soon as we were out in the garden I grunted and the other two set Slasher hind quarters down, and I crouched to set her front down without hurting Rue. Rue was giggling wildly at the situation involving the other humans. I plopped her down on the floor and dropped to my hands and knees, whining at the feelings around my arms and legs. That was the most strenuous activity of my life. I was weak, and the other humans were tracked down by their handlers and dragged back to their tasks.

Celectia laid down under a tree on a blanket and Slasher laid with her, and Rue between the princesses front hooves.

"You have suffered much, my little filly... But you are a survivor. You and your human." Fylakas was wondering around, following a butterfly stupidly.

He quickly was enveloped in a golden aura, and sat down with the little Filly in his lap just in front of Celectia between her forelegs.

=Awww... That's adorable. Fy got his snuggles in for today after all.= He flushed and responded with an angry retort.

=Shut it you plucking ass hat!= Before I could respond I was surrounded in the same aura and dropped in Slasher's front legs, making me raise my eyebrows in confusion. She nuzzled Celectia and then me, and Rue did the same with Fylakas and Celectia.

Karma isn't as cruel as I thought it'd be.

Fun with Mr.Murderous Feather Brain

I sat with my thoughts slowly drowning my less intelligent urges out of my brain. I was currently stuck in the corner of the dining, because Celectia didn't allow me to come to eat at the dinner table with them because I was human. Other humans tentatively stood and sat with me, chirping. Some were extremely young, a little younger than 5 years old in human years. I looked them over and stood tall over the little ones. I was their alpha, I thought. Regardless of who their master was, I was their alpha.

This thought frightened me, that it was this easy. Fylakas had rarely left my side, but that was not the same for Slasher, who had seemed to in fact, forget my intelligence. I could barely feel my heart beating as I ate the annoying same meal as yesterday. My meals had switched from 3 meals a day, to two meals a day consisting of a scrap of meat and an apple. This had led to me waking up in the middle of the night crying in painful hunger. The princess, herself, doesn't understand that they treat me differently. Talon had began to sneak me extra food during the night, and I took to it with an intense liking. After, he would turn to leave, and I would hug him as tightly as I could.

Talon had openly protested to the small twice a day feeding that I was receiving. Celectia assured him I was fine, but he insisted that I be fed more. Claw silently agreed, and Rue as well, but Slasher remained blissfully unaware. This began to annoy me beyond thoughts.

But... It was showing talon cared. He nuzzled me, and openly trotted up to me with a bowl of mashed potatoes and carrot stew. It smelled divine... It was enveloped in a golden aura before I could take a bite. I let out an audible whine of frustration. She trotted over and whopped me in the back of a head with a scroll gently.

"What have I told you about feeding her? Griffon and Pony foods are bad for humans without the proper preparations!" She glanced at Talon with a small look of disappointment. He was shaking as he snatched the stew back from her, and handed it to me.

Talon had finally had enough, and he blew up on the princess. He blew off his frustrations on her, and I shook slightly behind them. I felt a whimper from beside me and I looked to my left, seeing a little kid look at me with pleading puppy dog eyes and a quivering lip. I blocked out the fight, and started portioning out small bites to all the little ones who eagerly ate and waited next to me. They had their fill soon enough, and I took one of their faces and pressed my forehead to theirs. I closed my eyes, and offered the rest of my meal to Fylakas. He took it, also finding it hard to resist the food. Claw was astonished from across the room, and the children were gasping and chirping as they scampered off to their handlers and mothers. I remained, closing my eyes. Fylakas chirped to me, and I listened.

=Baladia? why'd you give up your meal like that?= I shook my head and noticed that Talons screeching had turned to quiet argumentative speech with the princess.

=Well... Because I know the other Alpha never would have done that. I want respect.= He nodded in understanding as I tuned back into the argument.

"How could you possibly know more about MY human than ME?!" Talon was snarling.

"If I recall correctly, your younger sister claimed the human as her own, Talon!" She looked like she was slightly offended.

"That doesn't matter! She's been FINE with the diet that my family provided her! Do you have any idea how loud she howls at night when she wakes up SCREAMING for FOOD?!" His tears threw me through a loop.

His words through Celectia through a loop. She had never heard me howl in the night, and neither has Luna I presume. Everything was mostly silent for a few minutes, and then he nudged me back onto his back. "I didn't think so... I'm going." He lifted up and trotted out of the room, slowly trotting away from the dining room. Fylakas followed, but Rue clicked for him to stay.

He looked at me unsure, but did as Rue requested. I was left alone with the murderous Griffon that dragged me into this mess at the very beginning. I couldn't say I wasn't a bit scared. My heart pounded for a second, but then I remembered all those times he brought me food in the middle of the night. I leaned upon him and relaxed. He looked at me, and gave a dry, hollow coo. He stopped in front of the door to the gardens, and I gave a small sigh. This was going to possibly be relaxing.

He trotted out into a more secluded part of the gardens, laying with a book in his front claws, and me sitting in between his front claws as he read aloud. He was rather slow, making me be believe I knew what he was doing. He was using me as a wind down tool. He had never done this before, but I'm guessing he did it to the egg before we arrived here in Canterlot. He read slowly, stumbling over big words like "extraterrestrial" and "environment". It was understandable.

I became bored though, and began to fidget with his feathers. His crest fluffed and he purred, slowly leaning down and just laying his head on my body, trapping me. I was unable to move now, and I was forced to pet him. I rolled my eyes, and continued to pet and try and smooth out his feathers. They had a pinkish undertone, while Slasher and Claw had orange. Wench had a greenish undertint to her white patches of feathers too.

I began to feel the urgent need to squirm. I began to silently cackle, the purring had began to tingle for a moment. He nuzzled me, making the feeling worse. I was glad his eye's were closed, and he wasn't paying attention. He slowly began to slip into a sleep, a peaceful light purr was heard from him. I let out an audible groan before letting her go. I readjusted myself to a more comfortable position and began to doze. I liked finally being able to sleep with a griffon who wouldn't treat me like a baby.

I found myself in a white void in front of a golden griffon statue. It was engraved with some sort of inscription. Something that felt familiar. Soon, I began to find myself falling from the golden statue, and falling towards a more gray void, where I passed a pair of red and yellow eyes, and I fell straight through the ring of fire, the battle arena as I labeled it was impressive. It really was. I fell, calmly, through the grey and straight into the black abyss below me. It was pitch dark here, and I could barely make out a form in the darkness, strange and twisting, like a river. It felt like I was being watched, and my fall slowed to a hover. I could squinted, watching the approaching figure. A gasp erupted from me as I saw the equine form of Luna with ponies with vampiric fangs, red eye's and bat wings behind her. It was all I could see for a while. A white unicorn appeared with strange electric blue, unruly hair glared from the darkness, and with one word, they began to attack and feed on my blood.

I awoke with a start and clung to Talon, and Talon jolted awake and nuzzled and nudged me, trying to help me calm down. I held on to his feathers, sobbing like a baby as I looked around with fear. There was a glimpse of something darting behind the tree, and I screeched, cowering behind Talon. Talon lifted me up, and trotted back to his room as quickly as he could, and I looked back to see things darting into shadows. I whimpered and shook, feeling only safe when the door was locked with the magic password that Talon had set. He crawled into bed, and only fell back to sleep with me after I had been calmed to the point of just shaking.

Long nights are to come.

Abduction

There was little to no understanding what had happened last night, what with the weird shadows, with the strange unicorn with white fur and blood red eyes. Her electric blue hair made me a tad concerned. Things were still confusing, especially when I could still see her.

She only circled, and I only stared, looking at her with extreme concern, wary of her intentions as the last time we had met I was attacked and feasted upon like a slab of meat. I could barely think, and much less comprehend the endless phrases and words that shot through my head. I would sit dumbly, almost drooling, listening to the endless streams of consciousness calling, some screaming, others chanting and some even laughing merrily. There was a quiet, yet constant beat in the background, reminding me of a DJ club. I felt dizzy and tired, red and blue and purple spot lights shined around the room around us and I sat still next to the pony that I had seen the night before in my nightmare. There was a disco ball, showing large dots on the walls. There was a dance floor as everything became clearer. I began looking around, blinking my eyes.

My mind began to process what was happening. I was still in a sedated daze, and I looked around, with a confused look. There was a moment here and there where I could decipher my own thoughts. There was one reoccurring thought, asking where I was and where Talon or Wench were. I couldn't see any clear faces other than the unicorn next to me with electric blue hair. She held a leash tightly in her magic, made of leather and fabric. It reminded me of a BDSM kind of leash, and that genuinely concerned me. I traced the leash until it dipped towards the pitch dark abyss towards the floor. I felt my neck and felt a collar around my neck. I forgot I had been wearing the damn thing. I felt something when I felt around my neck, and I pulled on it. It was the leash connected to my collar. I blinked and everything became a bit clearer. Less fuzzed. I appeared to be in a night club.

The strobe lights blinded on occasion when they zoomed past my face making me have to squint. I blinked and covered my sensitive eyes, realizing now that I was with a total fucking strangerin a totally foreign place. There was a moment of concern before I was hushed and offered a drink. I hadn't realized how thirsty I was, hungry too. I took the drink and chugged it, but spat it back out when I tasted the fowl taste of alcohol. I coughed and sputtered, this being the firs time I had anything this strong. She looked at me, with a surprised look and raised her eyebrows. She nodded to the bar tender and he gave me a lighter drink, wine.

Still strong, as I didn't like the red wine, I rejected it, gently. It didn't occur to me that this was rude. They however, looked amused if anything. They slid me a cup of white grape wine and I took a sip, loving this drink far more than expected. I noticed the faucet and motioned to it. There was a mumble and a shake of the head from the unicorn, smiling as she motioned me to drink my drink by levitating the cup to my hand, and levitating my hand to my face so I would drink. I chugged, drinking so fast I had drips of the sweet wine dripping down from the sides of my mouth and onto my torso. There was a massive smile on her face when she slapped my back with a hoof, and the ponies around us clapped for a moment.

The next thing I remembered was stumbling to the bathroom and locking the door. I was panicking for some reason. I didn't even know why. I took a deep breath and relaxed my lungs for a moment. I looked into the mirror, and the African goddess that once stood there had a look of distress and confusion, like me. Maybe this was the true me? I was sobering up. I was slowly coming out of the deep and horrible drunkard stumble mindset. One thought popped into my head. Where am I?

The door glowed with the magenta aura, and I looked frightened, running to the toilet to empty my stomach of the alcohol. I forced the fowl contents out of my system, making me groan. I spun around and drank as much water as my stomach could hold. As soon as the water started up, the magenta aura disappeared and the door was forced open. I coughed and looked at them fearfully, falling flat on my ass as I gulped, backing into a corner. There was a security guard there, at the door. He was big, buff, and angry looking. The unicorn trotted in and levitated me out of the room. She knew something...

I coughed as I was dropped onto a pillow on the floor, my stomach sloshing with the life giving liquid that I had filled myself with. I felt like I was going to be sick, but I kept it in. She genuinely confused and terrified me, for what reason I didn't know. She looked at me and then began to pace, mumbling in a different language I could not- and don't think I should even try to -understand. She looked at me and sighed, levitating a bucket of popcorn in the air, catching my attention. She levitated a piece into her own mouth, and took notice of m intent look on the bucket.

"You want a piece?" She looked at me and I stared at her with a dazed look. I still felt as if I was in the ethereal plain of existence that the wine had me in. "Um... Can you hoofshake?" She looked skeptical, and I held out my hand with a dumb look. She gained wide eyes and an amused smile. I was sober now, and I still couldn't question where I was or why I wasn't with Talon. She shook my hand and gave me the entire bucket of popcorn. I groaned and dug in, letting out little sighs of contentment. She smirked and rolled her eyes, levitating her magenta shades off her face.

"He always spoke of people your color back on his planet, but he never gave any real proof. And yet.. Here you are! This is... Unbelievable! Incredible! A brown human!" She was smiling, and she looked at me with a smile. I didn't smile back, what with the fact that humans here couldn't smile. She smiled happily. "Twilights going to have a heyday with experimenting on you!" She smiled happily, picking up her phone and calling someone. She trotted away and out the door, turning off the light in the room and keeping the dim night light on for me. She slid me a wine glass full of wine before she left, smirking back at me.

This had to be a dream. This just had to be. Right?

Right??

Author's Note

And here's the reason to be excited.

Hell...

Hell can take many forms for every individual. Someone obsessed with their fortune and greed could be forced to give their fortune up upon death and be forced to live in poverty for eternity. A gluttonous man or woman might be starved for eternity. That's what Donte's inferno taught me. Well that and the fact that he was a fucking loon. Where would I end up? Would I end up in the fiery pit?

No no. But my hell? My hell was this. Being poked endlessly with needles, examined and having bags of blood taken at a time. I swear if I lost any more blood, she would have turned me white. I was feeling dizzy. She had three bags of blood and four vials. I coughed loudly and removed the needle. My body slowly made more blood. Doubting she actually knew beak language I clicked to her.

=Seriously pluck you. Who even are you? Who's that white unicorn? Never mind you don't understand me anyways.=

I hadn't expected to go FUCKING DEAF.

"FLURRY FLAKE COME TAKE A LOOK AT HER REFLEX TIMING!" I was shaking with a groan, shivering to the point I could have died if given the chance. Their magic- sadly -prevented me from ding by speeding up the blood creation process. They freaked out over the little slip of paper, what could initially be considered excitement was beginning to turn to panic the closer one looked.

There was a single moment to have click what had just happened. When had my arms been tied down? When had my left leg been restrained, and when had my right thigh been strapped in place by a metal tube? I felt my foot dangle. I blinked softly and looked at her. My vision got sort of fuzzy. They gave me a drink of something, and it tasted sweet. I had had this once before. But when?...

Oh my god... The bar. This was grape wine! They were only giving me intoxicants!

I spat out the wine and coughed as more slowly poured into my mouth, and I spat that out too, coughing and choking. They looked up at me and gave concerned mumbles to each other. I tried to move my head, and true panic began to set it once I found my head strapped down to the head rest of the chair. I couldn't properly breath, I couldn't communicate, and I couldn't see. They were trying to test my reflex timing while I was drinking wine, and while I was off. I thought that was scary.

I let out a blubbering scream, blood curdling and horrifying, quickly followed by gurgling and crying, still trying to spit out the drink.

Finally the wine stopped flowing. The bottle was empty. I felt hot tears begin to drip down my face as I coughed and gagged on the taste of the awful drink. It was once nice tasting, but now turned foul by the interaction. Sobbing followed as I weakly struggled.

Memories of the slaughter room entered my mind and my throat seized, and I moved to cover my throat. The straps prevented me from moving. I felt the beating of wings on the back of my neck, and heard the banging of little Rue's father on the door. I felt the burning of the fire on my spine. Phantom pains from my scars across the jawline of my face began to flare, adding to the intensity. The two poor mares were backed against the wall in fear, the snow white one with a blonde main's horn slowly activated.

She released my head. I cried and shook my head back and forth, trying to bite through the belts on my shoulders. They were slowly released, leaving me wriggle room. Then came the belts holding my forearms and just below my elbows. Tears came into my eyes as they were released. Even more than before. Then there was the wrists. They were ripped off like band aid's, and there was a weapon ready for whatever I did next. I fling my hand up to my neck and held my face in the other. I soothed the phantom pain with tears in my eyes, and swiped away the imminent threat of the phantom knife nearing my cheeks. The beating of the wings disappeared, and all that left was the banging on the door. This slowly faded, just as well as the constant heavy beating of my heart. I wanted to scream, cry, and call out for Slasher. Anyone.

I released my leg and freed my other leg from the strange metal restraint, and dragged myself into a corner, sniffling pathetically. I cried hysterically and rocked back and forth. I just cried. In the corner.

The mares on the other side of the room just stood, shocked and staring at me like I had just told them I was a pony to their face. One moved, and I jolted into myself, crying harder and screaming as soon as she made the slightest move. She gasped out and her tail went between her legs. She slowly approached, making cooing sounds. I screamed louder, and she flinched, her ears laying back and she tried to cover her ears.

"WE HAVE TO GET HER BACK TO HER OWNERSS BEFORE SHE SCREAMS LOUD ENOUGH FOR THE ENTIRE CITY TO HEAR!!" I quieted down and sniffled at the mention of the word owner. I wanted nothing more than to get back to Slasher, get back to Fylakas, get back to my home among the griffons. I cried myself into a trance, and everything was blurry after I was given a shot. Blurred lights, blurred faces, crates, boxes, hours of transport, and hours of travelling later, and now I was back here. The castle.

Blurry. Everything was blurry and I couldn't hear anything. The crate and blankets muffled the sounds.

There was a sound of screaming and crying heard as I looked out of a hole. The box was pried open and suddenly, everything was visible. Crystal clear. The crying was from Medallion. The crying was from Slasher, Claw, Rue, and Wench. Talon was standing back, a guilty look on his beak. I looked at him and the others. Something was off. Different. Fylakas was weeping too. I climbed out weakly, and hugged him. He looked shocked, and I was shocked at my own actions. I was ready to collapse. I weakly turned to Fylakas and chirped something. His face flushed, but I was to weak to ask for right now. There was a moment of fear. But then... Darkness.

Trauma

I was starting to become far to familiar with the darkness behind my eyelids. I let out a loud groan as I sat up. The sedatives had worn off a long while ago. I could hardly think properly. I blinked and coughed, and my head hurt. I opened my eyes, and the light had hurt them slightly. I was still to weak to stand because of the intense blood loss I had suffered. I sniffled slightly and opened my eyes despite the pain in my head.

I could barely sense the pitiful stares of Medallion, Wench, Slasher, Rue, and Fylakas. I began to sniffle. I began to sob. I had cried only a few times since my arrival. Everything just weighed down to much on my mind. Everything just weighed down on my body. I was weak. I was tired of life. I just wanted to sleep. To be alone. To go a few days without a hellish event. I was getting sick. My mind couldn't keep blocking those thoughts from my head. Nothing could spare me at this point.

I had suffered more than any one person should have in their lifetime.

I had been ripped from my life- which was shitty to begin with, what with the racist teachers and the bad situation with me being an immigrants daughter.

I had been hunted buy a murderous griffon. I had been rescued by an overworked mother of three. I had been turned into a pet, and agreed to be sold like a piece of life stock. I had a huge scar on either side of my face. I had been forced to deal with a monster in my head, which back home would have meant I was going to be sent to the happy house for a while. I had been forced to endure savagery of the Equestrian Royal guards. I had been shoved into a tiny cage in the hull of a cruise ship. I had been forced to sit through both a griffon and a unicorn having sex. I had been challenged by a human almost 3 times my size. I had been forced to endure the horrible sounds and threats of Rues father. I had endured starvation by the hooves of the Solar Princess. I had been kidnapped by weird bat things. I had been given nothing to drink but alcohol, which was to limit my cognitive function so I would be docile while they took my blood and tried to experiment on me. Then, after I had become overwhelmed by fear, I had been sedated and sent back to the ones I had met for the first time in this land.

Slasher looked at me and sniffled. I looked at her and sobbed quietly. Medallion took a breath and looked at me. He cleared his throat and shakily, he smiled.

"I have... Someone we want you to meet." Wench moved closer to me, nudging a tiny package with the word 'Vinny' written on the side towards me. I looked at it, and tilted my aching head. The trauma of the past months could easily be worked on in a few moments. I pulled the box closer and looked inside to see a nest. The nest was covered in the bottom by fluffy blankets and little sheets, with a little swaddled baby in the middle. I pulled back and covered my mouth, my eyes going wide. I teared up, choking back sobs of joy as I heard small sounds of a baby whining and whimpering. I picked up the swaddled bundle and sniffled.

Realization crossed my mind.

For every trauma and trial... There was another to match.

I had been blessed by being sent here. I got to leave behind a bad life and receive a new start. I had been able to make a little Griffon understand I was intelligent. I had gotten to learn a new language- beak language to communicate. I got to help a couple get married. I got to save Slasher from a very touchy teacher. I got to help save a filly from an abusive home. I got to beat up and save my friends from bullies. I got to dance to help my friend get a message across to Medallions aunt. I got to protect another friend from the pony that wanted to harm her. I got to make a friend. I learned I could speak- in my own... Baladia-y way. And finally... Finally... I got to hold a hatchling griffon in my arms.

My sobbing awakened the baby, and he looked at me with little blue orbs. He had white fur and little front paws, and the beak of an eagle. His back legs were paws as well, but the top of his head had feathers. The hatchling cooed and bat at my face like a kitten, pawing at my tears. I looked up at Fylakas, gaining a look of recognition. I poked my throat, and the little hatchling kept making little chirping sounds.

"F... Fylakas... What did I say to you under my breath back when you guys first opened the box?" He looked at me and his face- if possible -drained of all color, but also flushed fully red. He bit his lip and looked away, and then looked back at me with closed eyes.

"You said 'I love you'." He looked at me, and my face burned brightly. I looked at him and coughed slightly, looking away.

"I was... I was under the influence." He nodded wildly and the little one began to cry and whine, screeching slightly. I poked my throat and slowly removed the swaddle. His little wings spread and flapped as fast as they could, and he was lifted mere inches off the ground. Wench squeaked loudly and tried to stop him, and I giggled.

He giggled back, and I looked surprised. I began to giggle and laugh, the same way the hatchling was. He sat on the blanket next to me and I laughed with him. I laughed into tears and stood up. Laughter turned to sobbing. I charged Slasher into a hug, and she let out a loud squawk. I held my face in her fur. She was my best friend. She may as well have been my sister. I hugged her as tightly as I could and she looked at me like I was crazy.

-I've been through a lot lately Slasher, forgive me if I want a plucking hug!-

She looked shocked and slowly began to laugh, and everyone else began to giggle too. They began to huddle around us, and smile and slowly sink into tears. Fylakas held Vinney tightly and smiled. Vinney cooed and hugged him. Rue lit up her horn and Fylakas was dragged into the hug by his shirt, and everyone welcomed him with happy tears.

-Welcome to the family Fylakas... And Vinney too.-

Welcome to the family.

Bath Time

Slasher, Medallion, and Wench were all sitting there at the other end of the table looking at me with a solemn look. Our conversations about me telling Claw and Talon had all fallen flat upon their face. They did not know beak language, and they did not have the slightest clue- to my knowledge at least -that I am intelligent. I would sigh and hold my head, rubbing my temples as they pestered me to tell. I told them that I would do it when I felt comfortable, but they would not stop. There was a time where I actually hit my hand on the table and aggressively clicked at them to leave me be. They looked shocked, and dropped it for a while, but it always returned next time they needed to talk. They wanted me to tell, and I didn't want to yet. I looked around the room with a stressed look, groaning as I stood up. I stretched and walked to the kitchen in the little servants cottage that had become our secret conference room. I made some coffee because it was getting later and later in the night, and I had to stay awake for the painful conversation.

"You can't just... Hide it from them. They NEED to know!" Slasher was adamite that I tell Claw first, and Talon later.

=I don't intend to hide it forever. I just want the time to be right. I need to be alone when I tell her. make her think that this is a thing that only she knows so she won't tell everyone.= I looked at her as I sipped the aggressive and bitter liquid. I choked on the taste and coughed for a moment, making a face of slight disgust. Medallion levitated me a spoonful of sugar and I smiled at him a weak tired smile. It was later than I probably expected. It was around 9:00-9:30. I took another sip, the bitter taste barely changed. I made the face again and set the cup down.

"Why? Would it not be easier to tell them together? With us present? Why are you dragging this out? It makes no sense, Baladia!" She looked at me and scoffed a bit. Her crest fluffing in overly exaggerated disbelief. This made me chuckle. She had a real flare for drama if you sit and listen to her talk. She was an overly excited griffon, smiling at even the mention of the word gossip. She eves dropped on the guards at times, something about the "New Dawn" every now and then. I could barely hear myself mumble at times, maybe subconsciously saying things about how she should mind her own business. I wondered about the bar back in Griffondor. The thought of even speaking still felt strange.

"It's important that they know. They will come to accept it, slowly yes, but they will. I can help you if you need it, I can make it easier!" Medallion flicked his tail, delighted at the idea that he could help me settle a secret that could very well mean my death if taken the wrong way.

=No Medallion. I appriciate what you're doing, but no. What if they think that you trained me to write, or are using magic to control me? What if they get angry because you had to be there? No no, it has to be more personal than that. It has to be private. It has to be alone, one on one, or maybe both at the same time if I decide. Talon has a growing soft spot for me, but Claw? I still have yet to establish a bond other than occasional feedings.= I paced as I sipped my coffee, becoming more focused and energized as the bitter liquid gave me life saving caffeine. I could think clearly after a while. I could have small ideas like going on a walk every day, but I wasn't going to be up to that on the hotter days. I could... I could go for flights? But I was scared of heights. This was hard. They looked like they were having ideas too.

"What about a bath?" Slasher tilted her head and my body froze up, and I couldn't breathe. A plucking what?! Do I look like a pet do you?!… Don't answer that. They couldn't even hear me anyways. This was a good idea, an idea to see if she trusts me in the water. An idea to see if she trusted herself with me near water. It would be good bonding, and it would raise her self confidence to the point where she would possibly have one of 50 possible outcomes I had come up with that were pleasant. There were the... Rest of the options that were violent natured.

=Why. Why would that be a good idea. Why in ANY world would this be an intelligent idea?!= I'm glad I'm black, and they couldn't tell I was flustered. I was glad that they could only tell that I was a bit agitated and surprised.

"Well... It'll give you an intimate interaction, and that is the ultimate bond between owner and human. She'll think you trust her so much that she could see you at your most vulnerable, and you'd be OK with that." Slasher smiled at me, her beak widening, and seeming to know what I was thinking. Like... Like she could see that I was flustered. Oh my god why?!

=Yeah, I guess... I hate you sometimes, but yet I love you too. There is no in between, there's just love or hate. You need to stop doing that.= She gave a snorting giggle and I huffed. She looked at me like I had told the funniest joke in the entire western hemisphere.

"It's settled then! Bath time with Claw!" Medallion used a teasing voice and Wench looked at me with a look that apologized for their rude jokes.

~~~~

I hate this. I regret every decision I have ever made up to this point. Medallion had asked Claw to bathe me a while ahead of time, the next day before dawn even arrived, Claw was in the room with starry eyes and a huge fluffy towel with a human grooming kit, and a friend I had seen her moving around with. I sat up when she clipped the collar to my neck and I whined, trying to keep up with the Griffoness. She squeed with hastened speech, to fast for me to understand.

Before I could properly register the sound of water, I was set into a warm tub. It was relaxing, for a moment. And then, they wet my hair into a straight, matted mop. They brushed and brushed, earning loud groans when the snarl was to hard, resulting in them cutting the sides of my hear to completely remove the hair in general. The top of my hair was styled to the side, stylishly if I might add. They took away my poncho and replaced it with a silky set of human pajamas, which sincerely surprised me. They brushed my teeth for the first time in what? Eight months? They massaged scented oils into my scalp and I couldn't help but make audible purring sounds, making them giggle. Soon, they began shaving me. This I wanted to object to, but I allowed them to shave my skin bare- except for my nethers -with a magic razor. They said my hair should never grow back on my legs. I began to doze as they gently massaged my shoulders with strange scented oils, and when they finished, I was in a deep full sleep.

I awoke in a human floor bed wearing the cool , silky pajamas. There was a heavy comforter firmly on my back, and tucked around my body until I was snug in the blanket. The pillow was cool and soft, possibly. This was incredibly amazing. Claw was sleeping in the bed above and next to mine, snoring quietly. The sun was out, but I was still tired. Claw was nothing more than a big kitten, and this became clear when she purred loudly and kneaded the bed in my view.

I regret regretting this decision. I would tell Claw first before I told Talon.

Closet Discoveries

I had a cup of steamy coffee. It was drowned in milk and sugar. I took a sip and became pleased by the taste. I had a large pad of paper, and I had compiled a list of questions that everyone had asked me when they found out. I sat calmly and carefully, the pencil tucked behind my ear. I was wearing the silky pajamas from earlier. Medallion had stopped by to drop off the proper supplies yesterday, and I got to work in secret while her and her friends were sleeping over in the room. I worked carefully and quietly. It took me a week just to set everything up due to her friend loving to use me as a practice doll for grooming humans. Usually it felt good, but she tried to dye my hair and it burned, so I hissed and shoved my head under the water. Now I had partial blonde streaks in my hair and that made me mad.

I tensed up every time I heard more than one set of hoof steps coming to the door. I started to think of backing out. Should I? No of course not! I had endured a WEEK of her shit. It felt good to have my hair played with, as much as I hate to say, but it was starting to make my scalp sore. I set the coffee down and looked at her closet door, slowly standing up and taking a few steps towards it. I glanced at the bedroom door, and shifted. I opened the closet door and found something shocking. It was a walk in closet with clothes and outfits filling the shelves to the brim. She had a mannequin of a horse, and a larger one of a Griffon with a half done suit, and then, there was also a female human mannequin. It had my body type with the same type of silky fabric on it. I looked around and found a container. It was old and dusty. It was filled with yarn and there was along, strange piece of wood in the corner. I grabbed it and analyzed it, remembering roughly what it was from my village back in Africa. This was a loom. Was Claw studying fashion? I pulled off the shirt she had made me, it had a built in bra somehow which was a god sent miracle. I looked at the fabric tag stitched into the back and saw the same tag I had seen on the dress back at Wenches and Medallions wedding. Had Claw made these? Was Claw making all of these?

I remembered the loom in my hands and the giant, box of yarn that was neatly wound into tight spools. I froze when I realized what I could be doing. I dragged them out of the closet filled with a chaotic yet harmonized mess of cloth and fashion. It was beautiful. Maybe me and Claw could bond over fashion and-

The door began to open. I rushed to the table after closing the doors, leaving the loom dropped on the floor next to the yarn. I sat stiffly with my back straight up and down, looking at her with a solemn look. I looked at her and took a deep breath. Claw stepped in and didn't seem to notice me at first, distracted by setting aside a large and strange box she had somehow dragged in from the hallway. I smiled and looked at her. Her beak twitched into a fearful glance when she noticed my smile and my position. I slowly tore off the piece of paper after writing choose a question and I will answer as best as I can."

She seemed to be normal. She looked at me, then at the note confused. She chuckled at first and her wings fluttered. I took a sip of coffee and smiled again, and she laughed harder, more confused and hysterical. She looked at me then at the note.

I began scribbling a note out in pencil for her, giggling along with her. She read it out loud.

"Hey, what are we laughing about? Aha... AhA… AHAHAHAHAHA?!" She fluffed her crest to the point where I couldn't help but be worried. I stroked her feathers and calmed her down slowly. She looked at me and gave a squawking cough. I stroked her crest until she purred. She calmed down, and I circled the first question.

I smiled and looked at her. She smiled even brighter and giggled, becoming manic. I pat her fluff to calm her down a bit more. She didn't calm down. She pulled back.

"HAHAHAHA. WHERE ARE YOU MEDALLION?! RUE? RICHARDO?!" She was freaking out, looking everywhere and looking at me like I'm crazy. She was going to go cry if I didn't do something. I hummed to her a calming tune. She looked down at my horrid physical appearance. I looked at her hand she looked back. I gasped quietly when I saw her tears. I was right about the crying.

I wrote for her to read my note carefully. I wrote things that she and I would have known from out experience together. On Crystalmas, we went into a store. I thought as hard as I could so I could get it right. I couldn't remember what I had done with her. I couldn't.

Soon, she I could feel the hope drain from my eyes.

"I... I guess... I knew you were intelligent. It really isn't a surprise... The way you respond to questions. The way you respond to orders. Things ponies passively say to us about you... Last night you fell asleep so easily. Humans, after being groomed so much, are usually whimpering. Crying like pups.. You? You seemed to enjoy it. The bal... The dancing. The way you look at Fylakas when you're not fully there? It just proves to me. It proves everything I guess I subconsciously knew." She was tearing up and smiling slightly, her feathers around her eyes a bit damp. Getting wetter.

I wrote to her, deciding it was within the best of interests if I told her the truth about the others.

"Everyone knows about this but Talon now. He's in for a surprise." She laughed and her feathers fluffed as she laid down on the carpet with tears. I looked at her, feeling guilty. "You also may want to learn beak language."

This made her sobbing turn to giggles as she lowered her head to my level. She had a huge smile on her face as I smiled and she looked at me a bit frightened. I looked at her with a realized look.

"You clearly aren't from Equestria. You clearly aren't from anywhere on Equus. Where are you from?" This would need to be discussed later, and I wrote that, stretching tensely. I laid down on the human bed next to her and she crowded into the bed next to me, squishing me against the wall as she purred loudly and tiredly, content to fall asleep.

The darkness was pleasant this time.

Hours of Fear

I closed my eyes and opened them again, seeing my new surroundings. Hoping it was a dream. Was I here? Was I really back in that awful place? That awful place with the two unicorns from before? I felt my chest throb and surge with pure fear. I was terrified to death of these monsters. They looked at me like I was a perfect T-bone steak. I began to freak out, squirming a bit in the seat. I was scared. So, so scared. They were just a nightmare right? My silky pajamas were gone, and they were replaced with a stiff, dirty, and lice infested shirt. I could feel them biting and crawling over my skin. They looked darker than I could have ever assumes. They were towering above me, taller than before when I looked into the darkness. They plunged a needle into my arm. My mouth was sewed closed. I tried to scream, but it hurt to much. It hurt to try. I screamed into my sewed closed mouth. These ponies made me scream. The scream was, again, silenced by the wire they had used to sew my mouth closed with. I had to find a way to get free. I had to find an opening. An escape. But the more I thought that, the more I felt the striped tighten. The more I felt the needle plunge into my arm. The more I felt the wire in my lips keep my mouth burn my face. This was no mere horror. This was... This was a torment. Straight from hell. From Tartarus. These weren't ponies. They weren't unicorns. They were demons.

I awoke crying and bellowing for someone to help me. I sounded like the children in the human pens at night when they screamed and cried for their mothers because of their nightmares. Except I had no mother to comfort me. I was alone. I was alone in a world filled with humans who didn't understand anything. With humans who weren't humans like me. Except... Except for Fylakas. Claw had woken up after my blood curdling scream and covered her ears, whimpering as she had to listen to my screeches. I jumped up and ran into the bathroom that was jointed to the bedroom. There was a constant throbbing in my head, showing me the nightmare. I leaned over the toilet and screamed until my voice cracked. I screamed until there was no air left in my lungs.

There was banging on the door, making me cry. There was cooing from the other side, from Slasher, from Rue, from Claw, and finally even from Wench. Not Talon. But Medallion was there. I continued to scream, screeching into the toilet until a tiny speckle of black spittle flew out of my mouth. I darted my eyes around the room and saw a shadowy figure in the corner. I heard clicking, and then loud chirping with the sound of knocking knuckles on the door. I saw the figure look toward the door, and its aura changed to fear. I rushed to the door and yanked it open, pulling the random human in by their hand and slammed the door closed with fear, staring at the black figure and the way it moved and silently screamed with fear. I touched the cut on my throat and looked at the human I had yanked in.

"Fylakas... Help me-" I got an urge to scream, turning myself towards the toilet and screaming until I felt my vocal cords change. The scream became deeper. The scream became not my own. It became one of demonic origin, and the intense deep grate of the voice destroyed my vocal cords. I could barely scream even harder. There was nothing I could do. I screamed harder. Louder. Black spittle began flying out of my mouth. I couldn't find any way other than my own mind to distract myself from the burn in my throat. I was throwing up something. Something evil. Eventually, the spittle turned into a monstrous and solid spew of black ink like vomit with little tints of red. Fylakas watched, in awe and horror as I had tears in my eyes. This must have been that.... Monster. The one with the fire ring in my head. The one who wanted to make my rational side die. To become one of the humans in this world. I had fought it off. Was it trying to get ahold of my sanity? Was it finally bored and trying to escape my body? I felt a burning sensation from my scar and I rubbed it. Fylakas was crying in confusion as he tried to soothe me.

"What's happening?! Are you OK?! Talk to me, I-I don't understand!" I heard him whimper as he tried to take my shoulders. He cried into his hands, resolving to cry. The stream of black ooze had gone. It was now just bloody saliva dripping out of my mouth. I cried and looked around, trying to find the shadow figure. There was nothing. I looked in the mirror and saw my skin had gotten a bit paler from the interaction, and my scar was gone. I became frantic. It burned to try and speak, but I could understand Fylakas. I panicked, looking at him like I was afraid. Which I was afraid. I just couldn't voice it. He hesitantly hugged me, looking at me in the eyes. He was scared. I was scared too, looking at the black ooze in the toilet. I felt hungry and I clicked that to him. He looked at me like I was crazy, but I didn't really mind. I felt insane. I felt crazy. I clung to him like I was a child. I had my arms wrapped around his neck and my head on his shoulder. I had my eyes closed when he opened the door to leave the bathroom. Tense silence had fallen upon the room outside the door. He clicked to them, that I was OK, but he clicked for Medallion to go in and use his magic to contain the contents of the toilet bowl.

I so badly wanted to hug Fylakas and have him carry me to the bed and hold my and tell me I was OK. The last few hours were pure hell for me. The nightmare? Was that a final hoo-rah for the beast? Was it just my mind? or... Or was it a premonition of what is to come after I died. I felt tears slink down my cheeks and I clenched Fylakas's skin. He flinched and winced, muttering little 'Ah's!' and 'Oh's!' and 'SSS ow!'. My grip loosened when Wench came by, asking if he could move me to her back so she could take me to get some warm milk and something to eat to make me sleep. I could understand Rue, what she was saying a few hoof beats away. I froze. I felt my body being moved to the soft warmth of Wench's back, and I shook a bit. What? Did this mean I could talk to both species now?

She trotted out, making me bounce slightly on her back as she trotted. I clenched her feathers and laid my head on it's side so that I could close my eyes and rest for a moment. I found that we were in the kitchen far quicker than I had expected. I felt my head nudged by something. I opened my eyes and took a hot glass and a few graham crackers with honey on them. I ate the graham crackers, finding they had mint too, and drank the water. It was hard to think for a second. I felt my brain start to slow down with a tired chemical called Melatonin. I downed the hot glass of milk in a few gulps and shifted until I was comfortable. There was another time jump and I was in a bed with Wench curled around me, reading a book about parenting a half pony half griffon hatchling. I looked down to see a blanket tucked around me along with a comfortable set of fuzzy pajamas. I would really have to talk to Wench and the others about changing my clothes while I'm sleeping.

I noticed a bundle tucked under my arm. It was little and fluffy. I lifted the blanket a bit and saw Vinney. He was curled up, cuddling up to my body. I lifted the blanket a bit more and looked surprised. Wench glanced down at me and Vinney, smiling a bit. I looked up at her with a raised eyebrow and stretched a bit. She offered me a book, one that she had obviously picked out a while ago. She thought I was a child, which to be frank, I guess I am in a form. I picked up the book and read it quickly. Daring Doo? It was a fun read,action packed. But... Done in an hour. I hadn't read or gone to school since... Oh good stars knows how long. I didn't really want to go to school either, but a book like this was good to stay sharp on. I had to get used to reading again. Look at me, after throwing up probably a few gallons of black goo, I was lecturing myself about staying sharp on my reading skills, instead of worrying about why I flipped over to Hug Wench and slowly fall asleep with Vinny curled up next to my chest. He had an adorable tiny snore when he slept. It told me I was going to be at peace. That everything was fine.

Hopefully it stays like that. Like this. Forever.

But it won't, I'm sure.

Singing in the Moon Light

I was pacing the room and holding my chin, looking at the ground as I walked. I had snuck off while the others were arguing about whether it a good idea that I go for a walk. They thought I should tell someone about my predicament. My "ability" to comprehend intelligently. It still hurt to speak, but I could try. I only did it with Fylakas, and there was a few moments of silence when I looked behind me at Wench. She seemed to be sleeping.

Back to the matter at hand though, about why I snuck off. What had brought me and Fylakas here? What had brought me here? What was trying to control my brain? Why was I getting so many nightmares? What was wrong?

What was wrong with me?

This question was hard to ask myself. This question was hard to comprehend. I don't think I'll ever get my answer. But I would like to say thank you to them. Because of them, I had received a family. A support structure so strong, I could never have imagined being this happy. Despite being plagued by nightmares. Despite everything, I learned that friends could be made anywhere. And by anyone. If all of this is a dream... It's going to be an educational dream. This is going to be a beautiful dream when I wake up. If I wake up. But for now? I would stay in the moment.

I smiled at the beauty of the stars, hoping Luna was currently not using the moon to spy on the landscape. It was a night, yes, but it was only 4 P.M, I guess Celectia agreed to turn in early. To my surprise, I was happy to see the stars this early. Medallion and Wench had been handling me with kitten gloves since the bathroom incident. I was fine now. I hadn't had nightmares since that night. I was getting stronger again, and regaining energy. I smiled and looked behind me at the room I was pacing in. It was a small guest room. I had found it happily. It was like they had forgotten this wing of the castle, the room was almost coated in a thick layer of dust. I cleaned it up, yes, but I was glad to have found a room the ponies didn't use. I could talk to Fylakas by myself here.

I heard Medallion calling for me from the castle courtyard. I backed out of the balcony and ran out of the room, and made my way to the court yard. He smiled at me and looked at my reaction. It was difficult to understand at first, but he was extremely upset that I had managed to get away.

"You're as bad as Vinny sometimes, you know that??" He levitated me onto his back and I gave a croak, showing I understood. It hurt my throat to try and speak, as usual. But I could. I could speak if I wanted. He began trotting back to the room Wench and him shared with Vinny, and where I had been kept cooped up like a dog. They didn't want me to go out without someone with me. They were afraid of my actions.

"You found her?" Wench was cradling Vinny, who was squirming and fussing as they tried to settle him for his evening meal. He had moved on to baby food rather quickly. As soon as he even had the faintest scent of me he squealed with laughter and flapped his little wings to get himself over to me. I walked over and picked him up out of Wenches arms and held him as I offered him a spoon covered with he baby food for griffons, mixed with griffon formula. He bit it and giggled as he gulped it. It was gone in mere minutes. There was a shocked silence from Wench, but then she broke out into laughter.

"If you were a pony I know exactly what your cutie mark would be! A Nanny!" She laughed and Medallion chuckled. I rubbed the back of my head and chuckled too. I walked over to the window after setting Vinny down to play with his toys. I don't understand why I was so drawn to the stars at the moment. They just seemed beautiful. I stepped out onto the balcony and stood at the railing with my eyes closed and my arms open, taking in a deep breath. I opened my mouth, and before I could even think, I was singing. I couldn't stop myself. Not now anyways. When I started I couldn't stop. It was a wordless song, but it held my hum and my voice. It was beautiful.

I kept it up for a few minutes before covering my mouth and turning around to see Wench and Medallion with their jaws practically unhinged and on the ground. I blanked and froze up, staring back at them and laughing nervously.

"S... Sorry..." My voice was shaken and scratchy, and I covered my mouth with a look of shock. The next few moments were blurred to me because of the deafening screech that came from Wench. Medallion used magic to place a soundproof bubble around his head and then a soundproof bubble around mine.

From inside the tinted red dome, all I could see was Wench screaming and freaking out, her crest fluffed to the point I could only see her beak. She hid inside the room and I looked at the floor. The soundproof bubble remained, but Medallion's did not. His was gone, and he was trying to calm Wench down.

Dear stars what have I done. I need to get myself out of here now. But there was no time to move, because I was levitated into the room and sat down.

"How long have you been able to speak?!" He looked at me with a look of fear. I shrugged a bit and froze, staring at the floor as I heard him walk by, like he was pacing.

"Oh no. No no no. You're going to tell us when you figured it out!" His mane was disheveled. I looked at him with a look of terror. I had never seen him so distressed.

"I- I don't know when- hurts to talk for long!" I responded and held my throat, looking at him with a whimper. His eye twitched and I groaned. There was little to do with the conversation. I could not believe that this was Medallion.

He did something that I had no idea ponies could do. He...

He fainted.

Confessions and the Elephant in the Room

I was holding Vinney with an embarrassed look on my face while I watched Wench fan Medallion with her wings. I felt terrible. I felt so so bad. How could I do that to the poor stallion? Of course all I did was speak to him, but still. It was awful. Vinney was laughing and wriggling around, giggling with little bits of gibberish. He was smiling and jabbering. He fit in little words like "Baba" and "Binky".

"A-are you sure I can't do anything to help?" Vinney squealed and babbled at the sound of my voice. It was a strange deep-ish accented voice of someone from West Africa. Wench looked at me and her eyebrows furrowed, as if she were angry or deep in stressed thought. Or both.
"Y... You could... You could get two glasses of water. One for me, and one for Medallion." I nodded and set Vinney down, leaving him to squeal and squeal like a baby bird. I walked into the bathroom and searched, finding a few cups, for some reason, in the bathroom cupboard. I filled three with water instead of just two, and carried them out and set them on the table. I carried one to Wench and handed it to her.

She looked at me with a smile and nodded once, and threw it on Medallions face, making him wake up with a loud yelp. Vinney began giggling loudly with happy little claps from his paws. I chuckled too, but in a more nervous and scared type of way.

"I'm OK... I'm all good. It was just a dream, that's right? Baladia can't really talk?" He was looking at Wench and I, smiling. Vinney squealed and jabbered some more in the back of the room. I felt extremely nervous.

"Oh no... I can. I j-just... Don't think it's a good idea..." I was smiling extremely nervously and looking at them. Wench took a breath and looked at me, wandering her eyes to me.

"Let me... Let me go take Vinney and put him in his playpen, and then we can talk. Baladia, why don't you put on some coffee." She was smiling calmly, but I could feel her panic. She was as alarmed as she tensely walked over to the door with the baby gate in front of it, and she opened it, then closed it again behind her. I looked at her and took a deep breath as I heard the door click closed, and I was left alone with Medallion there, sitting still. He was nervously staring at me with his ears laid back and his smile quivering. I stared at him and smiled a bit, looking at him.

"Th.. The coffee. I have to make the coffee." I walked over to the counter with nervous hands and shakily began working the old fashioned coffee kettle. It was strange to make coffee this way, but the room didn't have much that was up to date. I guess you don't need it to be for it to be beautiful. I was smiling the whole time, my smile fake and plastered nervous across my face. I shook a bit and set the kettle on the stove, and searched for a way to light it up. He looked at me and used magic to move my face and hands back, and then he lit it with his magic. It burned on its own. I nodded a bit and slowly made my way back to the table and sat down.

"S-so... Um... N-nice... Night huh?" I was looking at my hands tightly being clenched in frond of my on my cup of now room temperature water.

"Y-yes... Indeed it is... The constellations are in full view." He was looking out the window, trying to distract himself from the what was speaking, but the words themselves.

"Constellations? Could you... Could you maybe show them to me?" I nervously stood up and walked over to the window, and sat next to him. I was shorter than him, to the point where I felt I was to small. Or he was to big? Either way, he was strangely absorbed into the stars. He started using magic to hover some in my vision, outlining them using his magic, and bringing them down in a magic hologram.

"This is Odysseus. He sailed the Siren Seas to get back to his home, but... I don't know the full story. I didn't pay attention in literature class as a colt." He laid his ears back and looked at the floor, a blush coming across his fur somehow. He looked back up and pulled down another constellation, this time it was a young filly with a bear standing next to her. I vaguely remembered this one, looking carefully at it. I liked this one something about a girl being raised by a bear for the first part of her life and then meeting a tribe of warrior men.

But all of this was a distraction from the main topic of the night. The elephant in the room, which Wench wanted to leave us to discuss.

"Medallion, please don't be upset with me because I can talk." I was looking at the ground and tearing up in nervousness. I stood up and moved to the coffee pot. I began pouring two cups, one for me, and one for Medallion. I knew what he liked, two lumps of sugar, a little milk, and a bit of cinnamon. I liked mine... Pumpkin spice. That's how I liked mine. You can't stop me. You can't. No one can! I shook myself out of my self monologue.

"You.. You don't need to accept it yet.. You don't need to do anything for me. But I want to let you know, that back in my world, where I'm from, people that looked like me... People that sounded like me were... Hurt. hated. They were oppressed. They were killed because others thought it was best to do. I was always being thrown through a loop to... To just get food every day at lunch. That name, Mikros? That was a... Place.. I went to that was for kids who were seen as... Bad. Troubled youth is what we were called," I chuckled a bit. "But then I was brought here. Then I had... Everything I knew thrown to the ground. Then I had everything I've worked for thrown up into the air, destroyed, and handed back to me on a shit stained carpet in place of a silver platter." I was tearing up and clenching my cup, sniffling a bit. Medallions ears were laid back, tightly against his head. I stopped making my coffee and looked at Medallion.

"I'm sor-"

"And I have never been any happier in my LIFE."

I heard something from the door and slowly turned to see Talon standing there with his eyes wet from tears, and his jaw dropped to the floor. Oh boy.

Shaken

I was drinking a bit of the strange tasting sour liquid that was the hard apple cider. I was setting down the bottle as Luna levitated it closer to her to muzzle, shakily taking another sip as she blinked away the redness in her eyes. She smiled and looked at me, breaking into another fit of hysterical and maniacal giggling.

"A talking human. A talking HUMAN!!" I covered my ears as she shouted out into the rooms solid marble walls. I freaked out, getting a bit spooked by her reaction. "Who would have guessed that this was possible! AhHAHAHA!" She had narrowed eyes as she hicced with drunk happiness. She turned her head towards me and looked me over.
"I should have guessed you were special, after all, there are no dark skinned humans here!" She had a bit of a crooked smile as she looked me over, noticing my scars as I sat silently and patiently waited for her to calm down enough to speak. She just kept cackling and howling with laughter as I waited. She slowly levitated me a whole new bottle, unopened and full. My stomach became queasy.

"I... I really shouldn't drink much more Princess Luna." I held my stomach at the thought of the drink. I held my stomach and groaned. "I would love to have more, but I can't stand that. Is there anything lighter?" Luna looked amused and surprised, with her eyebrows raised a bit. She lit up her horn and a large selection of apple ciders appeared.
"Oh dear stars what in the hell Luna?!" This burst her into a fit of giggles as she looked over my reaction. The strongest option was the one we had just drank, and the weakest was mild cinnamon cider. I picked one of the stronger ones than the, but not super strong. It was decent, it tasted bitter with a sweet aftertaste. I took a few sips and groaned. "Luna, please promise you won't tell anyone. I still have to figure some things out while I'm here." I was looking at her pleadingly, begging her to agree.

"Hm... Alright..." Yes! I breathed a sigh of relief, smiling suddenly as I held my head. "If you tell me something." My soul died at that thought, and I felt my shoulders slouch. I nodded silently and defeatedly. "You are intelligent. How?" She tilted her drunken head.

"I was born in another world where humans are the dominant intelligent species and animals like ponies are not able to speak. They're like livestock." I spoke blatantly, clearly, and lifelessly. She looked a bit shocked, but generally was unaffected until a few minutes later, after i swigged thd bottle, she responded by levitating me into the air and throwing me onto her bed, keeping my arms pinned to my sides as she aggressively stomped towards me.

"You say that ponies are treated as livestock?!" I immediately regretted speaking those words.

"To be fair, I had a similar reaction to finding that humans here are treated as... Well everything except equals." I gently tried to resist the magic hold, but she used it to clamp around my neck. I went as stiff and as limp as I could. It felt tight, but not enough to suffocate. "Princess, you're hurting me- Ngh!" She tightened when I spoke, glaring down at me drunkenly as I looked up at her with panicked eyes.

"Silence. You will not speak." I gasped out and struggled a bit, holding my hands around my throat, trying to kick. She raised an eyebrow and blinked, shaking her head a bit and letting me go. "I'm sorry I'm a bit of an angry drunk..." She sighed. I sat up quietly as she levitated me another bottle of hard cider, opening it and setting it in my lap as she levitated me to a sitting position. I took a few more swigs and gulped it down.

In about an hour, I had drank so much apple cider that I was having trouble seeing straight. The princess had made me drink with her until she passed out, and I dragged myself out the door along the wall. I was fogged with my thoughts. I fell to my knees, and hiccupped, holding a half empty jug with disheveled hair. I looked like one of the drunkards that wasted their paycheck at Wench's bar. It was quite the sight for the night guards as they watched me go by looking increasingly concerned. I was clicking in beak language, something about cider. I can't remember. My stomach churned, and I leaned over the edge of the closest balcony I could find, and I hurled up whatever I could. It didn't help much, but at least I don't feel as bad. My stomach settled enough for me to walk around without having to worry about throwing up again. I stumbled into Fylakas's and Rues room- which also happened to be where Slasher was sleeping, groaning as I slid down the wall. Fylakas was the object of the two in getting his hair brushed. He seemed to enjoy it, but my stumbling in ruined the moment.

"You've been DRINKING?!" Slasher's crest fluffed up as Rue closed the door and put a soundproof spell on the room. I felt my body become weightless, and that made my stomach churn. Fylakas ran up and looked me over fearfully.

"Luna... Made.. Me drink... After monster attacked... Hrngh!" I covered my mouth as I stumbled to the trashcan. I sat there, unable to hold my contents any longer. I coughed up some gross bile and whined, leaning my head back to stare at the ceiling. I felt something wrap around my neck as I looked wearily around. I assume that it was a collar. Or something of the sort.

"Did anyone see you? Did they hear you talk?" Rue was looking frightened as I shook my head. She cast a spell on my body, soothing my body of the feeling of the alcohol. I wasn't sober, but I was definitely better than I was two minutes ago. She sighed at me, levitating the bottle close to her, reading the label. "Oh my god! This- this is poisonous for humans!" Slasher began to panic when I blinked.

"All alcohol is poisonous for humans... Even back in my world. I wouldn't have drank if Luna hadn't been so intimidating as she got drunk..." I held my head and let out a groan. Fylakas lifted me up and set me on his bed. There were two in the room- one for Rue and Slasher, a queen size, and one big enough for one human, a twin, maybe with a second if done right.

"Just uh... Just get to sleep. We'll talk in the morning." He clicked for Rue to teleport the hard cider away and hide it. She did so, and I blacked out after that, unable to hold on to reality.

Fylakas's First Words

I woke to a warm blanket of feathers over me with Fylakas's face a few inches from my face as he slept. I looked surprised, and turned to see Slasher had Rue closely cuddled to her, and Slashers front paws gently wrapped around me. I became amused and slowly began to slide my way out of the situation. I looked around the room and just held my head, having a stomach ache and the light hurting my eyes. The sun was far up over the horizon. Rue gave a little snort when she noticed the disturbance of my warmth missing and Fylakas was woken up by this. I felt my hung over mind come up with the most dastardly idea. I pushed Fylakas until he was in the place I was, and he realized what I had done a bit to late, now completely trapped in a prison of feathers and fur. I walked over to the bathroom, made myself upchuck what I hadn't digested last night, brushed my teeth, and felt much better- except for the headache. I slowly started making coffee, and the smell alone seemed to soothe the headache. The bean water made me feel great today.

I picked up my cup and smiled, feeling the weight in my hands. I took a breath and stretched. Today, I didn't even WANT to speak. I felt around my neck and blinked a bit, feeling a tightness that hadn't been there before. I walked back to the bathroom mirror and held up my chin to notice an easily unbuckleable styled collar around my neck, a bright color of pink around my neck. I unbuckled it and Rue jolted awake with a yelp after her horn flared, and this shocked Slasher awake and made her fall off the bed in a mess of feathers and tired blanket. I doubled over laughing at her, dropping the collar when I saw it. Rue hid her face in her hooves and moaned loudly in embarrassment. I walked out after I picked up the collar and snickered quietly. She glared at me and huffed, noticing the collar was in my hand. She looked surprised, slowly illuminating the thing in a very light aura, and levitating it closer to her. I smiled and moved tot he coffee maker, pouring a cup. I looked at Fylakas, asking if he wanted to have coffee. He blinked, confused.

"Why didn't you just speak? You can you know." I looked at him like he was dumb, taking a breath and sighing, and looking at him. I hoped the princess would have drank herself to a blackout so she wouldn't remember me speaking. I poured another few cups and set them down on the table.

"You guys want Omelets?" I smiled, and flinched at the staring I got from Rue and Slasher, and the intense gasp of happiness I got from Fylakas. He seemed overly excited about eating that named food.

"That was my favorite food back in our world Baladia!!" He ran to the cupboard and grabbed out a pan, some oil and eggs. He ran over to the stove and seemed to stiffen. I suddenly got an idea, dripping with the possibility of not only embarrassing myself, but Fylakas too. I walked over to Rue and leaned into her ear, not really thinking right for a moment before looking at her.

"I have an idea to give Fylakas the power to speak, but it may require some privacy and a soundproofing spell." She blinked at me and looked surprised. She nodded in contemplation and looked at Slasher, speaking to her aloud, so Fylakas couldn't understand it. Fylakas looked a bit confused, and I smiled at him and knew how weird this was going to be for him. I took a few minutes to rethink the idea, and nodded once. I'd do the idea. Slasher looked like she was about to die of laughter, which as soon as the soundproof spell was back in place, I knew she'd succumb to. She nodded and I motioned to Fylakas to follow me. He walked with me and I locked us in the bathroom, knocking on the door twice signaling it was ready. If I had magic in me, it would be easy to transfer if it manifested physically. The only way I could think of was... Well.

"Fylakas I need you to trust me. I think I may have something that will make you able to speak. I need you to close your eyes in order for me to try it. Alright?" He nodded in confusion, looking at me with a smile before he closed his eyes and waited. It was quick, enough so I couldn't really get into it. I pulled back and looked at his shocked face, his blushing made me want to do the same. I had kissed him. I had kissed him and he was shocked. I was too, but only for a moment. I opened the door, breaking the spell on the bathroom.

"Rue, you're going to be the first to speak if it worked." She nodded and walked over to him, smiling nervously. She opened her mouth and held her breath.

"Fylakas... Can you understand me?" He jumped back and stared at her, freezing. She did the same, both of them staring at the other. Then Fylakas opened his mouth and swallowed. I took a breath in and closed my eyes, expecting him to speak only to me.

"I can..." Slasher screeched with excitement and tackled me, congratulating me on how my idea had worked. He smiled and let out a disbelieving laugh. "I can understand you... Can you understand me?" Rue nodded and teared up, and ran to him, hugging him tightly. He laughed and teared up, hugging her and closing his eyes. "Your voice is so pretty... So pretty." He choked out and hugged her a bit tighter. He picked her up and smiled.

"You're bigger than I remembered last time... Oof…" He struggled to lift her a bit more, holding her up like he did a few months back at the Cruise. My lord has she grown. Slasher looked almost like an adult now, in only a few months she'll be able to cuddle me like Wench can. And yet I am still the exact same. So is Fylakas. Like we're frozen in time. Slasher nudged my arm with a little whine.

"Why don't we do that anymoooore??" Nevermind. She's still the exact same baby she's always been.

"You'd crush me if I tried! If anything the more likely scenario is you picking me up!" I laughed for a moment and slowly eyed the smile on her face as it turned evil. "Slasher no. Don't you dare!!" I backed away as she flapped her wings and snatched me up with her back claws, picking me up and tossing me up, and catching me in her front paws in a hug, and landing on the bed. I was shrieking the entire time, flailing a bit and squirming. Fylakas carried Rue to the bed and sat down laughing at something they had shared in the past. How long has it been since I've been here? Quite some I know that much. Either way, I wasn't going anywhere for quite some time. I groaned and closed my eyes, relaxing into the prison of feathers that karma had trapped me in.

Realizations and the Finding of Another Lost One

I slightly pulled at the collar that had been secured around my neck, tightened to be snug but not strangle. Claw had made it as a special fitted collar, bedazzled with jewels for special events. She was also trying to get me to change into a pair of overalls with a shirt on over my body. She revealed to me that she had taken up fashion, for owners and their humans. Slasher was wearing a hat, and smiling at me. Fylakas was wearing the same outfit as me, forced into it like I was. Rue was awkwardly wearing a necklace, one that matched Fylakas's collar. Me and him were the exact same, and I just sat stiffly after she placed the outfit on my body.

"You look good Fylakas! You too, Baladia! Ready to go outside and play!" Claw was trying not to laugh at how much I was shifting uncomfortably.

"I look ridiculous." I looked at my outfit and grumbled, and Fylakas was sitting with a bit of a red face. He obviously hadn't worn clothes like this since he was young. My face became flushed as I glared at Claw, and began shifting a bit more. She noticed Fylakas's flush and became confused, shook her head, and turned around to go out and trot off. She had a smile on her face.

"Slasher, I'm going to murder your sister." She giggled at my response to the situation, picking at something that had landed on my shoulder. She nudged me onto her back and smiled. "Do we HAVE to go out I public like this?"

"My first outing, able to talk... And I'm wearing toddlers clothes." I scoffed at Fylakas as he spoke.

"What are toddlers?" Rue looked back at Fylakas as she and him walked, looking completely puzzled.

"Uh... Kinda….. They're like... Babies, but as they just started walking. You would call them foals. I think?" Fylakas looked at me and tilted his head in thought.

"Like.. Terrible two's age, or..." This conversation was lost on Rue and Slasher. They just eyes each other back and forth.

"Yeah, like... From one to three years old is the age of a toddler." I smiled and the two of them looked surprised, and Fylakas looked me up and down.

"Yeah, this is toddlers clothing." He shook his head, sighing as he looked at me.

"Damn straight. I don't know WHAT Claw was thinking. Bedazzled collars? Seriously? How ridiculous. Of course, it's just a trial. It's meant to help us look more... Natural among other humans I'm guessing." I sighed and looked down at Slasher. She had stopped to look back at me, staring with a look of amusement.

"Hey, don't you look at me like that you fluff ball. I remember when you were the size of a tiny filly. You remember that? Where's that stuffed bunny you used to have huh?" She blushed and hid her face under her hat, looking away. "That's what I thought. Hey, Fylakas, you have embarrassing stories from back when Rue was smaller?" I smiled evilly, and Rue went pale, flaring at me.

"Where do I even begin?!" He laughed. Luckily, we were in a private section in the castle that was assigned specifically to Rue and Slasher, because they "wanted lots of privacy to independently study". Really they were just getting enough room for me and Fylakas to wonder around and talk, human to human. "When Rue was tiny, and after she first got me, she would randomly jump into my arms and cuddle me until she fell asleep." My eyes lit up with happiness.

"That is literally the most ADORABLE thing I have ever heard." She blushed and looked off to the side, hiding her face with her hat, similarly to Slasher. I laughed at them, and Fylakas did too. Slasher huffed.

"Well- I remember when you and I danced at the Gala!" She huffed and smirked, obviously thinking it would affect me.

"Well, I only did it so you could meet the princesses you little brat." She squawked at the name I called her and reared backwards, causing me to fall on my back, and she pinned my arms to the ground.

"Well, you seemed to have forgotten about our wrestling session. I'm not that little chick anymore so it'll be hard to pin me down now tha- AHH!!" I blew air into her beak as she was talking, and tackled her, pinning her to the ground. She squawked as her crest fluffed in surprise and I laughed.

"Come on guys, we're going to be late for the chariot to the human park if we don't hurry." Rue rolled her eyes and I groaned, getting up and looking at her.

"I don't want to go to the royal outdoor banquet. All those damn nobles are so stuck up." I rolled my eyes as Slasher got up and knelt back down, motioning for me and Fylakas to climb on. I climbed on towards her head and sat with my legs hanging off her right side and Fylakas sat with his legs sitting on the opposite side, leaving Slasher with enough room to run as fast as she could with Rue beside her. I had to clutch her feathers as we ran, closing my eyes as I felt the small breeze hit my face.

We stopped few minutes later and I opened them, noticing a two tiered chariot. The back seat was caged in with enough room for me and Fylakas to sit in the back. I sat looking unamused as I stared at the caged in area. My eye twitched, an obvious look of distain on my face. Fylakas opened his mouth and I quickly clicked for him to hush. Apparently, the "royal" human park had literally everything you could imagine for the luxurious lifestyle of the humans of the nobles. Also, there was a special event going on where the humans that were accidentally bred on the Castle grounds would be adopted out to the nobles if any seemed to catch their eye. He nodded and went quiet again, and I climbed into the cage before Fylakas, getting the seat with the best view of the ground below us.

~Fylakas, when we get there, be careful not to talk in front of any of the nobles. They'll snatch you and demand you be theirs.~ I looked at him carefully and he nodded, and I looked out side of the cage. Off we went, feeling the wind beat against my face. In a few minutes we landed at the park and the guards unhitched themselves, and opened the side of the cage. Fylakas jumped out and I was soon to follow, looking around, excitedly spinning in circles to see the area. There was a fenced in area, that barely stretched above my knees, and inside were little children, pouncing and playing with each other. I went over and sat down, watching them directly off the bat. This must be the open for adoption pen. Some took notice of me, and others just continued on with themselves. One came over and tilted their head.

"Why different?" I froze up, and raised my eyebrows, staring in concern. "Why different??" The little one raised their arms to me and I stopped, glancing around to look for anyone who was watching. I hesitated to step into the pen when I noticed no one watching, and I picked up the small child, glancing around. It was a little one from the castle grounds, I remembered vaguely that I was the alpha of the castle, somehow. Something about kicking a guy in the balls.

"I'm different because I am." They grunted, and I set them back down. They ran off and pounced to another child, who barked like a puppy and pinned them down. I heard a giggle from somewhere in the pen, and I jumped up looking around frantically. I blinked for a moment and listened for something. I heard it again, and off to the right of me, and I panicked and looked at the little cluster of kids. I heard it again, and I ran over to the cluster, looking in. I heard it from the center, and I looked for a little smiling face. He was so tiny.

I found him. He was a little blonde white boy, with wild long hair, and his face was covered in a bit of filth. He had been playing in the dirt. I started breathing heavily and clicked as loudly as possible, trying to get the attention of Fylakas. He ran over.

~There's a bucking CHILD in here, Fylakas! One who can laugh and smile! Go tell Wench and Medallion!! Now go! Hurry!~ He nodded and ran with a look of panic on his face, and he ran up to the red Clydesdale Unicorn, and clicked out the message to him and Wench. He spat out his tea and stared at me, and then back to Wench, and Wench looked concerned and frightened. He said something to Wench and she nodded. Quickly they ran over and nodded. Wench looked over at me and nodded me closer.

~You're absolutely SURE the child is giggling??~ She had a bag of bits that had been given to her by medallion materializing it from nowhere. I nodded urgently and glanced back. She trotted over to a table, hidden in the shade and bushes of the pen, and stared talking to the ponies there. They all looked surprised, and were worried, and I walked quickly around the pen to keep my eyes out for the little one. He ran around playing with them, and Wench walked in, after a small debate with the ponies, and huffed.

~He'd the blonde one, with dirt al over his face. His hair- it's long. Maybe a few inches past his shoulders. He blended right in with the crowd, except he's the only one of two in here with blonde hair.~ She nodded once and started looking around, and quickly, picked him out of the crowd. He was eating an apple that Rue had given him, and she cooed at him. Wench trotted over and nudged him towards the table, and he looked scared. He didn't seem to want to come, so Rue levitated him up and over to the table. Medallion had told Rue, and Rue had told Claw, and Claw told Talon, and Talon told Slasher, who was sitting with Celectia, ruffling her wings in excitement over the situation. Talon pulled Slasher aside and whispered it to her, and I heard an audible squawk of shock, and I rolled my eyes at the noise.

"What would you like to name him?" The pony behind the table was a grape green, smiling, with a collar and leash around a bone. Wench's crest fluffed a little, and smiled.

"What's the name you've been calling him?" She was smiling pleasantly as she spoke, a soft hum in her voice as she glanced at the little boy struggling in the magic of Medallion, who had taken him from Rue.

"Well we've been calling him Xander, is that what you want to keep calling him?" She nodded, smiling happily. I saw, behind her façade, that she was terrified she would slip up. She dropped the large bag of bits on the table and smiled. The jaw of the grape green mare hit the ground before she spoke in a jittery voice.

"Y-you- you kn-know h-he's only- the adoption fee is only- 3 bits!" Her ears laid back when she looked at Wench.

"Well, there's 75 bits in the bag. And so, whatever next 24 ponies decide to come and adopt a pup, will do so on my tab, only paying one bit, because of my stark over estimate." She winked at the mare, and got the harness, nodding to Medallion to have him attach the harness to Xander's body, who had a small smile on his face. He was amused, just as much as I was.

She nodded faintly as she slowly and, in a daze, attached the leash to the harness, and Medallion allowed him to stand on his own, and he ran as fast as he could, being caught by the harness and magic. We had successfully taken in the newest member of the Eye's family. Now I could rest properly until the end of the picnic. Rue and Slasher kept feeding him little bits of apples and pieces of cake, and even little bits of the chicken and cheese sandwiches from the buffet bar. He warmed up to Rue quickly and stayed right near her.

I felt Claw attach something to my collar, and I looked back. I raised my eyebrows in surprise when I was being dragged towards a white unicorn with three sparkling diamonds on her flanks.

"So, Rarity, do you think my idea could have a chance?" She was looking at the white unicorn with excitement, and she seemed thrown off with my skin color. I huffed and tried to back away, straining against the leash. It was humiliating enough to have to deal with this. The unicorn spoke with a posh accent and I sighed for a moment, expecting a huge ass hat of a reply from a stupid stuck up noble.

"This- this seam work, on human clothes? Cross stich, it's perfect for working humans! It provides protection from the sun on some arts, and - oh dear... It's stain resistant, correct?" The mare was looking me over from head to toe while she analyzed the outfit. "The straps, they are human proof, yet simple. They are loose enough to allow comfort but not enough to slip off! This is the most intelligent idea I have EVER seen! And you say they are based off of Coveralls?!" Claw nodded excitedly and I started rocking back and forth in boredom. I saw the food table, and Fylakas being given food from the table by Medallion, on a plate with some napkins, pretending he trained him to eat with utensils. He sat him down next to some of the nobles as they ate, and I pulled the leash to get Claws attention, hoping to interrupt the conversation as briefly as possible.

"-Yes! Yes I am so excited to hear that! You won't regret this- what, what is it Bala- Mikros!!" She corrected herself and I flinched a little, looking at her with a blank expression as I pointed to the food table. Rarity seemed perplexed, looking at me and her like I was some sort of piece of modern art. "Oh- uh, yeah I forgot you haven't eaten. Head over to Medallion, he'll get you some food." She unclipped the leash and I walked over to Medallion, leaving behind the shocked look of Rarity as I walked over to the stallion. He was in the middle of a conversation, smiling and nodding along with the words said, maintaining a fake smile.

"You trained him... That quickly? A mere guard human?" A pure white unicorn, one in similar stature to Medallion, questioned in surprise. "A rather… Good looking human as well." He gained a slightly lustful gaze, for mere seconds, before returning to normal. I became disgusted and stared at him angrily as Fylakas's face flushed a bit. I saw Medallions smile vanish when he subconsciously levitated Fylakas closer to himself.

"He's not that kind of human. He's been rescued- along with his owner from an abusive situation. She is now my daughter, Blue Blood." He seemed to be trying to hide his obvious malicious intent for the conversation. The newly identified first party of the conversation scoffed and shook his head.

"What a waist of a good human." He stared at Fylakas in longing for a moment, before levitating some black berry cupcakes onto his plate, looking a bit deep in thought. His eyes locked on me while he was in mid bite and he froze, and I snorted, gently poking Medallions side and holding a hand on my stomach. He looked at me for a moment, and then levitated me a plate with a piece of steak, some chicken, peas, rice, and corn stir fry, and a big piece of buttered bread, and I stared at it as he set it next to Fylakas, and I sat down, glaring at Blue Blood nervously. I was levitated a steak knife and I gently took it ion my hand. I picked up my fork and carefully cut my food, my steak and chicken at least, into tiny bite sized pieces. I felt the eyes of dozens of nobles bear into me as everything went silent. I looked up and set the knife down. I had trouble keeping from smiling as I stood up and looked to Wench. I clicked aloud, to Medallion and Wench.

~Bring me my drum.~ Wench smiled wide and Medallion looked to Wench, and she gave an affirmative crest fluff, and his horn flashed suddenly. The next thing I knew there was a small gasp from the nobles when they saw the crude home made instrument. The Cellist and the entire orchestra of music players stopped what they were doing to stare at me in confusion as I walked up to the stage. I walked up, and Wench was trying to hide her laughter in the very back of the silence. I took one of the drum sticks from the xylophone player, who had been playing the same note over and over, and took the other one too.

I sat down straight backed and stared out into the crowd, and made direct eye contact with the princesses, who were sitting in the back with wide eyes. There was four of them, one was pink and another was purple, with a human dressed in a burlap sack sat next to her. I began beating the drum in a slow steady beat.

Bum bum bum.
Bum bum bum.
Bum bum bum bum bum bum.

There was a collective gasp of disbelief from the nobles in front of me. I tried not to smirk, as I bit my lips to the inside. Slasher's eyes were wide in happy excitement. Wench nodded to Rue, and Rue shook her head, whispering something quietly with a blush. Wench rolled her eyes and laid next to her with her wing over her and Slasher. Fylakas stood up and began to walk up to me, raising some eyebrows at our behavior. He walked over the piano and played some simple notes, setting the tone for the song. He started using the ponies hooves to do so, and I looked at Medallion, nodding for him to take the drum in his magic. He did, and levitated a single playing stick back to the xylophone player. I held my straight face as me and Fylakas stood face to face.

He held out his hand and I took it, earning another gasp from the ponies around us making us both almost snicker. We started to dance to the piano music, and I gave a small snort as the cellist, a gray earth pony, began to play slowly, then son after the violinist, until we were both dancing to the sound of the full orchestra, playing romantic music as we danced back and forth. Around and around, twirling, him lifting me up, and me lifting him up. I never broke eye contact with him, and when we were done dancing around the crowded audience, we ended back on stage and I had him in a dip, holding a rose in my hand, and sliding it behind his ear. I must have blacked out a little bit because of the attention. My heart was beating beyond all compare. The world melted away.

Something came to my realization...

I'm pretty sure I had fallen in love with Fylakas, for a single moment. My heart soared beyond my body and I stared into his eyes with a look I couldn't muster or describe other than pure shock. He was the same way. The world jolted back into both of our minds when we heard hoof stomps from the very back, from the Princesses table. We just stared at the back with wide, owl like eyes. I saw the pink one with a white unicorn siting next to her, stomping her hooves with intensely happy and focused- and sparkly -eyes. She was impressed, and o was every one at the royalty table. I stood Fylakas up and I clicked to him.

~Should we head over to the table and do something or...?~ Fylakas stared at me blankly, and took my hand, leading me to the table, with me standing before Princess Luna, and him staring at the pink princess. I turned to the purple one and looked her human over with slight scrutiny. He clapped, and the purple princesses ears flicked in response. I clicked to Fylakas again. ~Her human, I think he's intelligent.~ The purple ones eyes got wide for a moment before going back to normal- or slightly narrower -and she shifted her hooves to make tapping sounds. I took Fylakas and we went back to our plates, ate, and walked off to explore the park, playing frisbee with each other while avoiding the other humans.

Today was a bit of a weird day. But I realized some things that I needed to start questioning sooner. With all the humans here, two of us were confirmed intelligent, and the other two were still unconfirmed to be intelligent. I gulped and played frisbee, continuing on as the last thing seemed to sink in, weighing down on my mind and body. The worst realization.

I liked Fylakas, and I had to tell him. At some point. And somehow.

Xander

We had brought them around, and I was flustered as I stared silently in the opposite direction that Fylakas was. He was chattering about how much he loved the dance, and how much he danced back in our world, albeit quietly. He was a ballerina. I was genuinely surprised by that, but I shouldn't have been He was graceful. I just hadn't been one to notice. However, today, it was forced into my attention. After the dance, the only part that kept playing in my mind was the ending.

The kiss.

I remembered something about his lips. they tasted like candy. Probably from the food he had been eating before... My eyes went wide and I looked at the ground far below. My first instinct was to grab for the nearest body to me- which would have been Slasher. She was smiling as she sat next to me, purring in content. She was excited about another speaking human. It never seemed to occur to her that there had to be something that brought us all here. But what was it? And- and if there's a way to get home, would I even want to? Maybe Fylakas would, and definitely Xander, but me? I don't know. There was another intelligent human, next to the purple alicorn. I swear there was. I froze myself up when I thought about what we all might have in common. Before I came here, all that while ago... Right before I got here... I made a wish. To leave the place I was in and go somewhere better. Had Fylakas made that wish too? And Xander made a wish to his parents that he could go somewhere magical, not knowing it would come true?

I felt the carriage jolt to a stop and I gave a yelp, flying forwards a little, and going from the back seat to the front by doing a flip. It was far to abrupt, almost like it had been done deliberately. Slasher squawked angrily, her feathers ruffled as she kicked the door open. Fylakas had been holding his head in pain. He looked at the door with me, and we both saw the two were being surrounded by Nobles. They were making offers on us, hundreds of bits for Fylakas, and hundreds of thousands for me. I scoffed and looked at Fylakas. He was glaring out the door. The guards couldn't proceed without someone getting hurt. That's why the carriage had stopped so abruptly!

They backed back into the carriage and let out a cry as they slammed the door closed. It was like waiting for the zombie herd to clear out and get bored. I wanted to scream, freak them out so they'd leave., But I said nothing. Fylakas just laid his head on the seat next to me, closing his eyes and falling asleep. I was just to stressed and distracted by this. I remembered the little kid, Xander, and I took a breath.

"We need to get home. You have wings, Slasher. You can tell the guards you're flying home and fly home as fast as you can, and leave me and Rue and Fylakas here alone while you do." She looked at me, then back at her wings, and then became flustered with herself forgetting she could fly. She hadn't flown in a few weeks, and had gotten used to hoof travel. She was smiling at me.

"Great idea!" She opened the door a little and peeked out, noticing the waiting crowd that was desperate to get the guards to open the door. I smiled as she opened the door and closed it. I pressed my ear to the wall and peeked out the window. She told the Guard she was flying home, and before he could respond, flew off. A few minutes later, there was a loud shout. I recognized the voice of Luna, and I felt the color almost drain from my face, not wanting to have to deal with the princesses for a second time. I covered my face up and laid down near Fylakas, pretending to sleep. There was lots of panicked galloping, and panicked yelling and shouting. There was a loud yell from another princess. I closed my eyes and waited.

After a few minutes of silence, the door opened and I was lifted by magic, and carried away. I actually did fall asleep when we got home, and stayed passed out for a few hours. When I awoke, it was because Wench was shaking me awake, with a look of pleasant joy on her face. She smiled and nudged me into a sitting position with her wing, and I gave an exhausted mumble.

"Hey- it's time to see if the human we adopted is smart like you!" I blinked a little and nodded groggily and stretched. She let me get up and move slowly, but she ended up dragging me along. I snickered in amusement when I entered her and Medallions room, and I smiled as I saw the little fluff ball of giggles squirming around and giggling on the floor in a play pen, near a little human boy who was watching him with wide eyes. He and Vinney got along so well!

"Go ahead, see if you can talk to him. Get him to chirp!" She was smiling excitedly when I rolled my eyes and glanced back at her.

"Fine fine, just cool off a bit alright? You're hovering!" I laughed when I saw her check to see if she was actually off the ground, misunderstanding that I meant she was to close. She flushed a bit and looked away, mumbling about how she was in fact, not hovering.

I giggled and stepped over the gate, and got Vinney's attention. He squealed in happiness and kicked his back paws and widened his front paws like a kitten, kicking uselessly in excess energy. I sat down and picked him up, holding him in my lap and letting him "attack" my hand as he played.

"Hey there..." I looked over at Xander and his eyes widened, smiling happily.

"You can talk! And smile! And - and are you like me?!" He seemed desperate for answers, leaning forwards now, and starting to panic. "Where are we? Why are there unicorns, and horses with wings? Why do they put collars on us, and- and why do they make us walk with leashes?!" I was bombarded with endless questions, slowly feeling his panic starting to build. I sighed and shook my head.

"Hey- Xander- deep breaths!" I covered his mouth quickly and smiled softly as I held his hands and pulled him closer. He relaxed a little as he sat next to me. "In and out like this you see?" I took a breath in and then held it for a second before letting it out. He went quiet and I took a breath as I watching him bury his head into my side. "Better little buddy?"

"Mhm..." He nodded and I gave a happy sigh.

"Alright. My name is Baladia. That big fluffy bird cat over there? That's Wench. She adopted you from the other ponies back in the park a while ago." I smiled, and Wench waved and Xander looked nervously.

"Adopted like... New mommy?" He looked confused, and I shook my head.

"Adopted as in, adopted a new pet." He looked upset, and spoke before I could clarify.

"I am not a pet! i'm not a puppy or a kitten!" He glared at Wench, and I hushed him a little, as to not alarm Vinney.

"No no, she knows we're smart. You're just like me. We're smart, but we act like pets." I smiled at the little ones face contorted into a scrunched up look of confusion.

"But... Why?" I smiled at him, pouring all of the wisdom I looked like I had out into my answer.

"Just like where we're from, there are ponies here that would hurt you for being different. Even if you are just a little kid, or a teenager like me." He looked shocked at my response, looking at Wench.

"Is she like them?" He had fear in his eyes.

"Absolutely not! The only reason she would ever hurt anyone is because they threatened her family! And only enough to make them leave!" Wench looked at me, shooting a look at me, and I stuck my tongue out at her.

"If you give me a moment, I think I can have her ask a pony to bring us ice cream. Vanilla? Or maybe chocolate?" His eyes lit up at the idea, and Wench smiled at the idea too. My plan was to spread the ability to speak with my "magic kiss" by not actually kissing him, but instead licking his ice cream.

"Both! I want both!" He held up two of his little fingers and I felt my heart melt as I nodded.

"Both it is. one chocolate, and one vanilla. We'll share." He giggled loudly and so did Vinney. He looked at me, forgetting his worries.

"So, Xander, what's your real name?" I smiled at him and he froze for a moment. He looked at me and then tilted his head in thought.

"My name is Vrika." He looked at me and I smiled.

"That's a very pretty name. Or excuse me- a very handsome name." I smiled and he hugged me, looking at Vinney.

"Thank you, I like yours too!" He giggled and started petting Vinney.

"Hey Vrika, I have a question." I tilted my head, remembering my theory about making a wish.

"Yeah?" He tilted his head as he looked at me.

"Can you tell me how you ended up here? What the last thing you remember before getting here was?" I looked at him. "Did you make a wish?"

"I wished to be taken away so my daddy would be able to take care of the rest of the people in our house without being stressed about me." He looked at the little fluff ball in my lap giggling, and smiled. So it was true? I would have to see if it was, by seeing if it was the same with Fylakas.

Wench walked back in with three fudge sundaes. One that was strawberry, one that was vanilla, and another that was chocolate. He ran over and smiled, taking the chocolate one and I smiled happily. I took the strawberry and took a bite, and it was absolutely delicious. I scooped some off and offered him the bite off my spoon, to transfer the magic. He did the same, and at the same time, I took a bite off his.

"Thank you to Wench!" I waited for her to respond, and smiled until I did.

"You're welcome!" Vrika dropped his spoon when he heard her speak, and his eyes went wide. With his mouth still full of chocolate ice cream, he pointed at her and shouted.

"BSHE TALKED!"

My smile grew more at this, and I sat smiling at Wench, who was just as shocked as Vrika.

Another day in chaos.

New Chaos

I smiled as I watched Xander stare dazed into the distance, curled up in Wench's wings. She had wrapped her wings around him so he could be calm. He had just gone into a silent stupor.

"You- how did you make him able to talk?!" She looked at me with a small suspicious glare, and I gave a happy sigh. She looked into my eyes as I smiled.

"Well... You see, when I kiss or transfer saliva with a human, I can make them able to speak and understand a language. When he ate off my ice cream spoon..." I smiled at her as she gave a look of sudden understanding. Xander gave occasional shivers of shock, and I smiled softly at him. He would look at me like I was insane.

"I'll go get Fylakas, and you stay here. Alright?" Wench nodded and gently rubbed Virka's back to soothe him. She handed him a human treat, holding right below his nose so he could smell it. he took it out of reflex and started gnawing on it like I used to when I had mine.

I walked out the door and smiled, wondering through the castle, heading to the wing of the castle that I needed to go to. I wiped away my smile and walked, until I heard strange voices. I heard some strangely familiar voices, ones that made me feel nothing but fear. I stopped in my tracks as the memories of a horrible night came flooding back all at once. needles, blood, and a panic attack. Alcohol, a red eyed electric blue maned white unicorn popped into my mind. Strobe lights. Darkness. A leash. I shook as I looked at the ground. I slowly turned my head and saw two ponies walking, with saddle bags full of paperwork.

One was a snow white unicorn with a blonde mane, and the other was a bluish unicorn with an extremely light red mane. One had a quill writing on a scroll as her cutie mark, and the other had a potion vial with sparkles around it as a cutie mark. They were speaking amongst themselves.

"I'm still upset that we had to let that human go so soon." The white one was grumbling as she trotted.

"it was months ago, get over it Snow Quill." The light blue one looked at a scroll she was levitating in front of her face.

"That's easy for you to say Sky Scroll! You weren't the one who saw the vitals I did!" Her ears laid back as she lowered her head in a clearly upset look.

I let out a small gasping sob as I felt the pains in my arms from the memories that I had felt. They stopped and blinked, looking around. Sky Scroll was looking in the opposite direction of Snow Quill, who was staring directly at me. I took a few steps away as I saw Sky Scroll's ears slowly turn towards me. next followed her head. And all in an instant, I was stuck in an unspoken stand off with the two. Sky Scroll dropped her scroll as she started at me in awe.

"She's here... It's here... It looks so much more... Broken in the proper lighting." I backed away and stiffened as I cried out. She yelped as I charged past her, down the hall, past the two.

"Ah! W-wait- heel! Uhm- stop! HEEL!!!" I heard one of them try to yell at me to stop as I ran down the hall, stumbling a little over my own feet. I shouted as I slid around a corner, using the pillar to sharpen my turn. They gasped as I tore off down the hall, shouting and hoping Fylakas would hear me. I rounded another corner, and came up on the private sector of the castle where only Slasher and Rue were allowed to be with me and Fylakas, and on occasion some maids to clean and restock the bathrooms. Fylakas was out in the hall, eating a chocolate bar as he saw me, and I shouted at him, waving my hands wildly. He looked at me and a look of pleasantries entered his face as he smiled, but I clicked loudly for him to not do that, and he looked confuses for a moment before he looked behind me. he heard the sound of the hoof beats of the ponies behind me, and I panicked s I slit to a screeching halt next to him, and held him, whimpering and whispering to him the horrors they were responsible for while I was missing.

"Sky- SKY- Stop!" Snow Quill used her magic to force Sky to stop running, motioning to me clinging to Fylakas. Fylakas started to look genuinely angry as he pulled me behind him and offered me his chocolate bar to finish, and I did so, fighting tears. He stood up as tall as he could and growled, but to be honest it just made him seem more... cute than anything. I've not said that before. But after the kiss, I feel like it's ok to say that.

"Snow... Snow is that her mate??" She looked terrified as I looked at her. Fylakas gave an offended scoff as he glared at them and stared. His face wen't a bit red, which I found to be actually quite cute for a moment.

Slasher came out the door next to us and stopped, making eye contact with me and then turning to the ponies.

"Can I help you two ponies?" She looked frightened as she wrapped her wing around me like Wench does when she's being protective.

"Fylakas- calm down." She used her other wing to wrap it around him as the ponies backed away. he gave a snapping growl, and this startled the two ponies.

He whispered to her what I told him and I gained a look of terror and embarrassment. Her eyes narrowed and her wing tightened around me.

"Why don't you two come into my room and we can have a little talk." She tried her best not to sound malicious as she smiled and motioned her claw to the door. They didn't dare to refuse, looking scared as they galloped inside the room. We were quick to follow, and when we entered, rue was looking surprised. She trotted over to Slasher and she whispered my dirty secret to her too, and her eyes got narrow. She twitched and put on the kettle to make coffee as Slasher slowly went over to sit at the table, making sure I was sitting on the ground close to her under her wing, with Fylakas next to me.

"I have something to discuss with you." She smiled, having trouble disguising her obvious hostility. The two ponies flinched.

"W.. What would that be?" They looked at her with their ears flat backwards. Slasher smiled and nuzzled my cheek.

"Your actions against my human." She looked scary, no longer hiding the intense hostility in her voice. "give me one reason not to report you both to my aunts?"

They both had tears in their eyes as their ears folded back further. I shook a little angrily.

"Stop." She looked at me like I was insane for talking, and the ponies froze up.

"B-but Baladia-" I held up a hand to stop her and sigh a little. I shook my head and shook my head. She sniffled as I looked at the ponies.

"No Slasher. They need to know. They need to know that what they did to me was wrong." I stated. "They need to hear it from the victim, not a middle man."

The ponies looked dazed and Fylakas took my hand as my cup of tea was presented to me. I took it and took a sip, closing my eyes in pain at the scalding liquid.

"What you did... That night... You stuck needles in me. You took over four gallons of my blood, 75% in bags, the other 25% in vials." I teared up and stared directly into their eyes, respectively. They were just looking frightened as I spoke. "You tried to keep me intoxicated so I wouldn't fight. You tried to make me docile by force feeding me wine. You strapped me into a chair where I couldn't escape. You are truly... Absolutely despicable. I'm not going to let them tell anyone about this, because I don't think you deserve life in the dungeon for animal cruelty, as you did not know I was intelligent. You took care enough to use a spell to make my body accelerate the blood production rate, and I forgive you. But... I don't forgive you. I'm not ready yet. But when you leave here, if you tell anyone about me or our secret... I'll make sure you're sent away forever for being insane. Is that understood, Sky Scroll? Snow Quill? You're going to be held in high regard as someone I can rely on for information if I ever need it, because of what you did. But you will never tell anyone of this. You will move to this end of the castle, and you will swear not to tell anyone. Is that clear?"

I would need their help determining how I got here and when.

The ponies sniffled as they nodded, crying a little in sadness as they sobbed, Snow Quill hiding her face in the neck of Sky scroll. They both sobbed.

It was time move on and try to recover. For both parties.

Walk in the Park

"I don't want to go!" I was straining against the leash, trying to get her to stop as she pulled.

"It'll be fun! I promise it will! Fylakas is going!" Wench was trying to drag me, but struggling as to not hurt me more than a few tugs. I was groaning as I tried to stay pulled back. My face flushed with a bit of anger, and i tried to kick at her.

"Come on! Wench, I don't want to go! I don't even like parks!" She groaned and continued pulling me.

"You're going! I don't care if you don't want to! It's called a Pet Play date for a reason!" She went behind me and pushed me, making me yelp as I was lifted off the ground. They had put a type of charm on my collar to make my English sound like chirping to those who didn't know my secret, so I could go outside and talk like normal. They did the same with Fylakas and Xander.

"I'm not a pet!" i whined as I was dumped into the back of a carriage and the door was closed behind me.

"You're right, but unless you want to be found out, you're going to have to behave like one!" Wench turned away and stormed off in a huff as Slasher curled up around me, surrounding me in warm fluff. it was better than the cold silk pajamas Claw had made me to wear for every occasion. I made a face, feeling my eyes squint a little. I grumbled as I tried to look at her.

"I hate your mom sometimes. She's usually right." I closed my eyes and grumbled to myself. She quickly gave a small nuzzle to my cheek.

"Yeah, but what can you do?" I hear the smile in her voice as she purred.

"Overly affectionate today are we?" I shifted strangely and raised an eyebrow as she giggled.

"You deserve it. I don't show it enough. And... I miss cuddling you sometimes, like when I was really little." She smiled as she laid down, smiling as she curled up around me.

"Good lord you never really grew up did you." I rubbed her feathers and she purred more, leaning into my touch. We took off into the distant as we started to ride, making me smile as she cuddled. Fylakas and Rue were flying in the front seat, quietly talking back and forth about plans they had about going to the royal palaces movie theater, and watching the newest horror that had come out, an old fashioned horror movie about an intelligent human being found in Griffondor, and being adopted by a family of griffons, and by the end, having to sacrifice themselves to save the family. Does that story sound even remotely familiar? I hope it does, because it's me. I really do think someone looked at me and decided, hey that sounds cool! And then made me into a movie. I mean seriously, be more original!

"Twilight's the one who invited us." Slasher looked at me and I gave an intense look of horror, showing I was fearful of meeting her and her human. Her friend's were scary, to be honest, and she was too. The idea that an Alicorn can exist, completely based off the fact that they are good at magic. It's impressive, because it means she has intensely magical abilities. I can't wait to practically die today. We landed, and I froze up in fear with a gulp.

"We're here. Let's go." She gently nudged me until I was almost out the door, and I stopped moving when I felt eyes on me. I stopped resisting and became passive, to maintain my reputation as well trained. I went as blank as possible, so that I could be as quiet as possible. It had been getting harder and harder to stay straight faced when Slasher and Rue had friends over, and that surprised me. I glanced at Fylakas, who seemed to be having no trouble keeping a straight face- even though he had Rue on his back for a piggy back ride. My face darkened with hesitation to follow after Slasher when I saw Twilight and her human, glancing back and forth to each other as they stamped and clapped.

"Fylakas, watch Twilight and her human." He stopped and looked at them as they stopped and looked at us, glancing back and forth between each other. Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie and Apple jack were playing with... A Toothless... Alligator... A flying tortoise... And a dog. My eyes went wide when i saw the dog, and I immediately tried to walk over to it, unclipping the leash and walking over to the two. They stopped what they were doing and looked at me in curiosity. I looked around and picked up a stick, looking at it. I glanced back at the dog and waved it a little. Apple Jack looked at me with her eyes narrowing, and she stepped forwards, to warn me not to try what she thought I was going to do.

"Fylakas- let's play catch. They obviously aren't going to want to let us play." He walked over cautiously, and I held it up, and threw the stick. He bolted off after and caught it in the air, and ran it back, and we continued back and forth, having trouble keeping our faces straight. Pinkie bounced up to me smiling freakishly large as usual, and I got a sinking feeling in my stomach. Fylakas stopped throwing the stick and looked at me.

"Uh... Hi?" I pat her mane and picked her up. Her mane felt like how stuffed animal stuffing felt. It was buoyant, able to retain it's springy nature, even after it's been flattened by a hand. Even if it took a moment, considering I left a hand print in her mane. She purred like a cat and I rolled my eyes.

"Fylakas she's just like a fucking cat come look at this." He walked over and held back a laugh.

"He's like you when someone scratches your head." He scratched behind Pinkie's ears as I pat her mane.

"I do not purr you, asshole!" It took everything I had not to smile at him, but instead I scoffed, standing up and putting her down.

"Oh you think you're tough?" He got into the playful mock aggressive stance we read about in the human behavior books so that we could copy what was listed and act more like normal humans.

"You think I can't take you? I can beat up a griffon!" I copied and Pinkie backed away, looking a little worried. So did everyone there.

"Prove it!" He got a little lower.

"That's it!" I tackled him and we rolled around on the ground, battling and kicking up dirt as we playfully punched at each other. I was able to pin him for a few moments, but I was over thrown quickly, almost as soon as I had him down. He pinned me and I couldn't get back up. He held my hands down above my head, and off to the side a little, and I stared up at him. He looked into my eyes, and I looked into his. We were close.

Extremely close... I was about to lean up, and steal what I assumed was coming, but as soon as I twitched to, he leaned up and covered his face, his face burning red as I looked up at him in a daze. I looked away and sat up, pulling away from him as I sat holding my knees to my chest while covering my face. Does he... Does he not like me? Oh god, now was not the time for me to be having a moment like this! Not when I'm trying to be like a normal human from this world!

"I- uh... I'm going to... Going to go sit next to Twilight and see if I can't pick up on some communication." I looked at him, and he nodded, not taking his hand from his face. His face was burning, I could tell. I turned away and quickly walked, holding my hand to cover my face from the side, so they couldn't see how flustered I was as I walked by. I looked away and huffed a little as I sat down next to twilight, looking at her and her human. They stared directly at me. I approached him and stared, watching for a moment.

I put my hand on his face and pushed open his upper lip, looking at his teeth. I had read that Equestrian Humans teeth are flatter than ours, due to them mostly only eating vegetation because of what they are fed. I stared at him and what I found. I shook a little and my heart beat. I saw a sharp canine tooth. I moved his hand to his mouth, and put his index on his canine tooth, and moved my upper lip up, and put my same finger on my canine tooth, to show him that I knew where he was from. He just stayed in shock.

He pointed to me, and his eyes went wide. I held my thumb up and then pointed to Fylakas, who was playing with Xander off in the corner by him trying to teach him to speak in beak language. He had been having a little difficulty, making it hard to keep him understanding why we need to not smile. Why we need to be careful.

"Um... Hello there..." Twilight caught my attention and stamped her hooves weirdly, and I backed away a little. "N-no-! Don't go!" Her ears laid back and she levitated me a crayon and a piece of paper. "Don't worry, I won't hurt you! Just... Draw. Copy?" She levitated another crayon and drew a stick figure on the paper. I took the crayon from the air and glanced at me. I took a breath and drew a solar system, with an arrow pointing to earth, and a McDonald's M in the middle, to be an indicator. He let out a scoff and pointed, his eyes wide. I nodded and he looked at me, then clapped to Twilight, who gasped out and her wings fluttered out a bit

I backed away and stopped for a moment, and drew a picture of the moon above a clock pointing to six PM, and two human stick figures shaking hands. I stood back up, and he glanced at it and nodded, and clapped it to Twilight, and she nodded for a I turned back to Fylakas, who was playing with Xander instead of teaching him beak language. He froze when he saw my stare, and blushed again.

The day ended, and both Rue and Slasher were in the back seat, silently staring at their human respectively, with Xander sleeping between the two, using Slashers wing as a blanket. I was just kind of... Not talking. So was he.

"So... That wrestling match hu-"

"NO!" We both cut Slasher off before she could finish, and her crest fluffed in shock, and Rue was trying not to laugh.

We have a long carriage ride ahead.

Talking

I paced nervously as I walked back and forth. I looked off and to the side as I paced in front of Wench, biting my lip as I stared at the floor. I stopped for a moment, but then continued, as if I was a humming bird with no idea whether I was OK to fly or rest. I walked back with a look of fear. It wasn't exactly fear that I was feeling, but it was anxiety.

"Um... Baladia, is... Is something wrong?" I flinched at the sound of Wench's voice, glancing at her as I bit my lip and continued to pace. It was kind of late at night, and it was hard to really understand what was happening. My thoughts were always so focused on the park, and that single moment of closeness between me and Fylakas. I wanted him to tell me he had forgotten, say something, but so far, the only thing he's done is avoid me. This made sadness swell up in my chest when I thought, but I couldn't really do anything could I? I finally stopped and looked at her, feeling exhausted as I sat down on the ground and held my head in my hands groaning.

"No, Wench. I'm a complete mess. I'm a total jumble of emotion." She looked at me like I had just splashed her with acid, horrified and worried. I looked up at her and showed nothing but complete embarrassed dishevelment. She trotted up and I let out a small groan.

"M... Maybe you should talk to me?" I looked at her, feeling a sense of trust, but also embarrassment fill my chest. I looked at her and bit my lip. I looked at myself and sighed.

"I... I don't think I'm comfortable with that. Maybe I'll talk to Rue... She might know how to handle it. if not, then I'll come back here, to you, OK?" She looked a little disappointed, but nodded in acceptance. I smiled and stroked her fluff, smiling as I looked at her. I stood up and stretched a little, turning away. She nudged my back and I glanced at her.

"Do't be afraid to talk to me alright? I'm here for you." She smiled as I smiled back, and she nudged me out the door. She turned back and started to play with Xander, and I watched her with a smile as I turned away.

I started creeping down the hall and peeking around corners, watching out for any sign of Fylakas. There was none, but a suspicious glimmer of a sound proofing spell over a door. I crept closer to the door and carefully pressed my ear against the wall in the darkened library next door, the one that neither Rue or Slasher used. I listened as closely as I could, hearing Fylakas's voice through the wall quite clearly. it was a rather thin wall, considering it was stone. I suppose that was for the best in this scenario.

"-nd with the thing that happened back at the park, how could I not react the way I did?! I'm so conflicted! I... It's so weird! She makes me feel weird inside, weirder than anything I've ever experienced in this crazy place! Like... Seriously! I'm concerned I'm turning into some sort of... I don't know! It's just like back on the stage, everything melted away!" I felt a vibration against the wall, like someone was punching it. "What should I do?!"

I furrowed my eyebrow. the only one who should be in that room with him should be a unicorn, like Rue or Medallion.

"Maybe you should just tell her how you feel." I froze at the sound of the familiar sound. I gave a small gasp as I listened, with my mind going a little blank. It was Snow Quill! This can't be right!

"It's not that simple Snow... Well it might be, but I just- I can't yet!" I felt mad that he was talking to her, maybe even feeling a little... A little tiny bit... Possessive? I don't like feeling like that, but it's not like I had a choice!

"Well... Maybe you can tell her in a little while?" I felt my heart freeze. It was Sky Scroll this time! I can't believe this! They were both in there with him alone! I pulled my head away from the wall, scoffing as I stared at the wall. I listened back in, looking a bit angry.

"It's obvious she likes you, according to what you say. And, you like her, according to the symptoms you're describing." I felt my heart stop when Sky Scroll spoke, making my face twist into a mixed look of exasperation and confusion. Symptoms?! Is that how they're describing the emotion of infatuation? I scoffed and took a breath. He was more scared than I was for the situation. I stood up straight and decided to start hyping myself up for my decision. I was going to tell him tomorrow night.

It was a few days before our meeting with Twilight and her human, so I decided not to be to worried. I struggled not to, but I cracked a smile of excitement. I was waiting in the doorway in front of the room the three were talking in the night before. I had it closed, and I was backed up enough so I could miss the door when it opened. it was getting hard to keep my excited spirits high, the more time that passed. I felt anxiety take its hold as I waited. I heard footsteps outside the door, making me freeze up in a cold sweat when I stared at the door. It opened, and in he walked, the boy i had been waiting for. I felt all of my confidence fall away when he opened the door and locked eyes with me, him freezing up in the same anxiety freeze. It was time had slowed to an absolute crawl. I swallowed my fear and looked at him, taking a breath.

"I-I need to talk to you. Please?" I shook as I looked at him, feeling my heart swell as his face flushed and he closed the door. I swear I heard a gasp from outside the door before it closed. I took a breath and looked at him.

"A... About wh-what?" I felt my face flushed with his boldness, able to speak while seeing me in a cold sweat.

"I-I um... W.. Well... I um.. Come on Baladia, just say it!" I was giving myself a quick pep talk as he stood there, watching my pathetic attempts at speech. Or stringing together a sentence. "I've been trying to..."

"You... You OK, Bala?" He looked concerned as he stepped forwards, holding out a hand and setting it on my shoulder, making me tense up. I gained a burst of fire and energy, the kind I had never gotten before. The kind that said"Your life depends on this very moment".

"Fylakas, ever since the day we found Xander at the fall adoption festival, I've realized I've had feelings for you that cut to deep for me to keep hidden for much longer!" I kept my eyes closed so I couldn't see his face. The cold sweat had turned from cold to anxiety sweat. I covered my face as I looked at the darkness behind my eyelids. "I just... It's impossible. Fylakas, I like you, and I can't hide this anymore. You understand? I can't hide my feelings any longer."

I felt his grip tighten as he looked at me, making me peek from behind my hands. He was tearing up.

"Why are you crying?" I felt a feeling of anxiety creep into my chest.

"Because I feel the same way." He hugged me and I gave an intense, happy sob as I hugged back. I heard the door creak, and I froze, and he tensed up too. He and I slowly, looked over his shoulders back at the door.

In the doorway was all the griffons and pony I did NOT wanting knowing about this... Rue, Slasher, and Claw.

"oh my sTARS!!!" I was about to scream as Rue had stars in her eyes, and Slasher was smiling from ear to ear. Claw was staring at me and Fylakas with a fiery inspired look as I backed away. I hated that look on her because she always made me stay still for hours on end to tailor an outfit for me when she got inspired.

But what really made me scream?

Snow Quill and Sky Scroll were standing in the side of the doorway, smiling at Fylakas.

Embarrassment

I had locked myself away from the rest of the palace for a few hours now, and the reaction everyone had was to just wait it out. I curled up, not speaking as I had tears in my eyes. I had humiliated myself. For what? An infatuation? I found my situation easily laughable when it came down to the facts. This could never be considered true. I was positive. There was a quiet knock on my door after everything had gone quiet.

"Hey... Are you alright?" Of all the ponies or griffons I had expected, it was Snow Quill. I looked at the door and froze up a little, shaking. There was the sense of intense fear. Why would Snow Quill want to talk to me? Especially about this!

"I'm opening the door." I became alarmed when I looked at the door, feeling my heart rate increase when Sky Scroll spoke, and the door opened. The light flooded the room and I gave a quiet and pathetic whimper of discomfort. I had been crying. I sat up as the room was lit by the lights above, having been lit by magic flames in a chandelier.

"Sky you can't just-!" She was cut off by her own yelp, the door closing with a relatively loud slam. I looked shocked as Sky Scroll trotted over to me, levitating me up and setting me in the nearest chair, rather aggressively.

"I can, and I did." She looked at me like I was some type of monster. Like I was an animal. "Alright you listen here. You might be able to talk, but your reaction to this situation is no different from any other human I have ever seen. When a youth is discovered expressing interest, and if caught, they hide. You have to rise above your urges to remain hidden, and go out there and face it. You will not get ANYWHERE with this, if you don't tell them how you feel. You'll drive yourself crazy."

"Sky Scroll!!" Snow smacked the mare on the back of her head, making her grunt. She puffed out. "You have to comfort not insult in this situation! Human behaviors are more complicated than everything we've seen!"

Sky scrunched her muzzle and looked away, brooding silently as we stared at each other. She laid her ears back and sat down on the ground, looking away. I felt a little bad for her. I still had little to no idea what was happening, but I still felt bad.

"You're alright. Right? Nothing's hurt?" She seemed worried that I had hurt myself when I landed in the chair. She sighed in relief when she did a magic scan over my body. I shivered and blinked. "Listen ok? Sky is... Sad to say... Correct. You can't just hide in here when the situation gets unpleasant. You'll live past this moment, you will. But for now, it's better to face it instead of ignoring it and letting the feeling fester. You have to talk it out!"

I made note of their opposites. They were completely different, yet trying to complete the same objective. One was more tough, cold, and blunt. And the other? The other was easy going, soft, warm, affectionate and compassionate. More empathetic. I much preferred the latter of the two.

"Look, if you were a human with my experiences... You'd understand. You'd understand my choices, my actions. But you aren't... But I do want to thank you for trying to make me feel better. Sometimes humans have nervous breakdowns. they need to be left alone for a while until they can sort themselves out. Then they'll be a lot better. Sometimes, they need comfort, and other times they need space. It's just like ponies." I smiled at her and stood up. In no way did I like them, or want to get along with them, but I was grateful at their attempts to comfort me. It took a few minutes of shocked silence from my words, but they eventually recovered and nodded softly to each other. I smiled at her and I stood up.

"Where are you going?" I looked at Sky Scroll and smiled.

"I'm going out to take a walk. And... probably be mauled by a few worried griffons, and two unicorns." They looked at me, and Sky looked perplexed. Snow was smiling as she looked at me, enjoying my humor. I smiled and waved to her, walking out the door.

I walked down the hall for a few minutes, lost in thought while I wondered and thought. I eventually dragged myself back from the depths of thought, and opened the door to the room I was dreading entering. It was dimmed, and it was filled with the sound of sleeping. Everyone must have been sitting in here. Rue was curled up with Slasher covering her with a wing, mumbling quietly to each other. Medallion was with Wench, and Claw was with Talon, cuddled up like they never had any issues. They were sleeping. Xander was hugging Fylakas's side, asleep with Vinney next to him. I watched them with a look of slight fear. When I closed the door, making a small thud sound, they all looked at me. I froze up and felt my throat close up, and my face heat up.

Fylakas stood up and walked forwards. He had tears in his eyes, and I clenched my fists. I walked up to him, keeping my gaze off of him, and on the floor. When he and I reached each other in the middle of the room, he hugged me. I was so glad he wasn't to upset with me.

"I'm sorry..." I whispered to him so he would hear it, but no one else could. He shook his head and hugged me tighter. I closed my eyes and enjoyed the moment between us. He brought me over to the bed everyone was curled up on. It was massive, and hard to get onto. he climbed on and dragged me across the bed, making me laugh a little in shock. My smile grew when he looked over at Slasher. He held me there, in silence until everyone else was asleep. I was silent for a large portion of this time, while I was listening to them all talk. Then to hear it slowly fade, and then to hear nothing? It was a truly strange phenomenon. I smiled and listened to everyone's steady breathing. I started to doze off, myself, and enjoy the feeling of sleep. But I kept myself awake for a while as I got a little cold. I blew my hair from my face as I leaned against Fylakas. He pulled something warm over us in the dark. it had feathers. I assumed it was someone's wing.

"It's ok."

The Awkward Transition

I shifted uncomfortably when the entirety of the group continued to spy on us when we were alone in the same room. There was a few moments when i thought that we were alone, but Wench was there hiding in a bush. It was like they didn't trust us. I took up teaching Vrika how to speak beak language. Our meeting was tonight, and our relationship was not ready to endure that kind of pressure so soon. If we could barely sneak around without Virka with us, how could we get out to go to the meeting?

Virka, as I had to adjust myself to calling him, was Xander's real name, by the way.

The answer of course, was that they had to bring the little boy with us. It was the only conceivable option we had. I gave a small sigh and looked at the little boy with blonde hair as he played with a dog that looked suspiciously like Winnona. I gave a small chortle when he fell over, and I covered my mouth. We were outside, and we were vulnerable. I stopped dead in my tracks when that thought occurred to me. He was... He was laughing.

I ran over and picked him up in a panic, covering his mouth so he couldn't make any sound. He gave a confused squeal as I tried to hold him in place.

"Buddy remember- humans here can't laugh or smile. You just laughed. What if someone heard?" I felt adrenaline press through my veins as I started running. His face turned pale and I felt the sweat of fear drip down his face. I ran as fast as I could, looking around. I had to get back to the room. I ran through the hall, tearing down the halls like a race dog with the child on my back. I never stopped, even if we got the worried attention of the guards around me. I could feel the fear in the air as I slammed open the door to Fylakas's and my room. He was sitting alone and reading. He jumped, yelping when I slammed the door open.

"What are you doing Baladia?!" He looked at me like I had just tried to kill him, but he saw me carrying Virka on my back, looking terrified and pale. Him, not me.

"He and I were outside and we laughed and I panicked and came here." I glanced around, hoping no one was here.

"We have to bring him with us or we'll never be able to sneak out." I closed the door slowly and glanced around with a look of fear.

"But you know how he gets at night. He fusses to much, you know that!" His voice quieted like he was being monitored by the FBI. I set Virka down and he looked confused.

he sat down on the floor and looked at us as we moved to the corner, hearing the previous things we had heard. He knew that right now, something was going on and it involved getting home. The poor little one just wanted to be involved in his own future, more than likely.

"I... I won't fuss! I won't cry tonight! I swear! I promise! Please let me come!" We both stopped our quiet argument in the corner and we just looked at him. I felt my heart break when I looked at him. We were talking in front of him how we would talk in front of Vinney. He's not a baby. He's like, what, six years old?

"Al... Alright buddy. It's gonna be OK. You, me and Fylakas are going out tonight, and you're coming along. I promise we won't leave you out of our plans anymore, but only if they're for something like this. Alright? You have to promise me that you won't tell anyone about plans like this." It took only a mild nod from him and we both let out a breath of relief. I was glad he was going to be more involved in what we had planned in the future.

"Alright. Let's get some sleep, and then we'll meet tonight at midnight." Fylakas spoke as if he were just coming up with that part of the plan, so that we could make Virka feel even more involved. Virka nodded and went straight to the bed, climbing in and under the blanket. I climbed in next to him, and Fylakas was across the bed, still standing. Virka stretched and curled up so that he could get comfy. He ended up cuddling as close to me as he possibly could. He smiled and closed his eyes, hugging me tightly. I relaxed and rubbed his head, tilting my head with a small yawn. I felt the bed dip behind me, and then something wrap around my body. I felt my face flush for a moment, but relaxed and closed my eyes as I drifted off to sleep.

When I awoke, it was dark, and there was a soft snoring sound from behind me. I bit my lip to keep from laughing, and gently squirmed to wake them both up. Both of the beings in the bed awoke, grumbling a little when it happened. I clawed my way out of the bed and began quietly stretching. Fylakas was the second one to stir, and he slowly got up. He gently shook Virka awake, and Virka was ready to go as soon as he saw me standing up with a blanket over my shoulders, and Fylakas wearing a warm coat on, both of us holding up a sweater for him. he ran over, pulled it on, and we all three set out for the night meeting.

We waited for a few minutes, in the cold of the night, and waited. It was only a few weeks before Crystalmas, but here in Equestria it's called hearths warming eve. I loved that. it was the same thing, but a different name. A few different traditions. Kind of like Christmas and Hanuka.

There was the crunch of snow, and we pressed ourselves into the darkness, me using my blanket to shield us all from the oncoming viewer. Me and Fylakas kept our eyes out. We saw a purple glow and the tall figure of a human along side a silhouette of a purple alicorn. I wrapped the blanket back around myself and sighed with relief. I took a shaky breath and glanced at Fylakas. All that stared back was a ball of anxiety.

"H... Hello." Her voice was a little shaky and easily cracking. I shook a little, either from the cold or the fear.

"Hello, Twilight." I did it. I mustered speech. I mustered the ability to talk. She and I made eye contact, and she stayed frozen. We stared at each other like we were waiting for an alien invasion to happen. Her human gave a small gasp when he heard me speak. I felt my anxiety raise when she took a step closer to look at us. Her gaze wondered across the different body shapes of us, stopping last on Virka, who was in the middle of us.

"Can all three of you speak?" I stopped and shook a little, glancing at her.

"Yes. But they might be absorbed with shock. Can yours talk?" I looked at him like he was ready to attack us. He shook his head no, obviously dazed.

"You... You wanted to meet us. Why?" I calmed myself and looked at her. She smiled and I did too, trying to make her feel more calm.

"We wanted to know... How did we get here? Do you know how many more of us there are? And why we were brought here?" Fylakas looked at her in despair as Virka spoke, his little voice shocking Twilight like a bolt of lightning. she didn't expect him to talk.

"I... I don't know... Anything. I know as much as you do..." This made us all flinch in despair. Virka teared up and hugged Fylakas's leg. She looked upset, like we had just called her something racist, as far as ponies go.

"I'm sorry... I am." I picked Virka up and held him with me under the blanket. He fell asleep, shivering a bit. I gave a small sigh as he hugged me.

"Come by again soon ok? To the west wing of the castle that's been isolated for the Rue and Claw. Come by and we can chat more." She nodded, looking shocked and dazed. We turned around and walked back inside, quickly running back to our room as to not be suspected.

We were freezing cold, and needless to say, we were tired again.

Author's Note

if this wasn't made clear I was trying to make it so this is an AU... Of the AU this is based off of.

Cold Days

I shivered as the snow was thrown down so suddenly. This strange blast of cold really messed with my scheduled. It was a strange and terrifying day today. Slasher had no studying to do with Rue, because their tutor was unable to make it to the castle because it was almost within the negative temperatures. We were stuck inside the rooms, because even the hallways were to cold to walk in because of the weather. The one time solid stone walls were a bad choice. No maids were in the hallway, no servants to bring us food, and nothing to do left all five of us on edge. Virka was starting to get whiny and ready to run around. Fylakas was sitting near the window reading a book with bags under his eyes, and I was sitting off in the corner, dozing in and out of consciousness due to boredom. Slasher was sitting on the bed and Rue was tending to testing out magic, tilting her head at the lack of results. Lunch would be delivered soon through a pulley system that was set up.

"Can we go outside Abayomi?" I tensed up at my name and turned to stare at the little boy who had questioned me for the fifth time.

"I keep telling you we could die if we go out there, Virka. it's just to cold." I sat up and rubbed my forehead, the boredom of sitting in the tiny room was about to kill me. I was ready to scream with boredom and frustration.

"We could try to make it to Wench's room so you can play with Vinney... If you'd like." Fylakas was looking at us with a look of contemplation, and I knew it would likely stimulate the three of us. Slasher had no problem staying in the room, and staying put, but we humans were not. I nodded to Fylakas and stood up, taking a blanket and wrapping around my shoulders.

"Alright, I suppose that should be fun." Virka's little face lit up with excitement as Fylakas wrapped him up in a blanket. He carefully made sure he was wrapped warmly. He wrapped himself last and picked Virka up, and smiled.

"You're going that far?" Rue seemed a little scared as I nodded, pulling the blanket tighter around me.

"Yeah. Virka needs to do something. It's not healthy for him to be stuck in one room for this long. And it doesn't help that I'm getting really frustrated as well." I rubbed my forehead, my inactivity likely the cause of my oncoming headache. "We'll just be heading over a few halls. It's not that hard to find our way."

She nodded slowly and sighed, her horn lighting up and the three of us were engulfed in something warm.

"I cast a warming spell on you. Keep yourselves covered and you'll be warm. It'll be enough to send you there." She smiled slightly and nodded as she continued reading her book. We walked out the door, and I gave her a thankful nod.

"Thanks!" I wondered out into the hall, the chill of the hallway making me shiver as I pulled the blanket around me.

The door closed and it was just us in the eerily silent and empty hallway, leaving us to stand there in the brightness of the light from the windows. Despite the grey sky, the bright white fluffy substance outside left us with an illumination brighter than single torch could burn. I shivered again, this time from the eerie quiet that filled the halls.

"Well... Lets get going shall we?" We started walking slowly, chatting very little as to avoid being heard. The collars we were wearing kept others from hearing us, but they were still cautious.

A few minutes passed by and we were left to our own devices as we walked, being quiet as we took step after step, smiling a little together as we enjoyed each others company. I should have brought some food for Virka, but I suppose he'll just have to do. I wonder if they'll be as irritable as we were. I hope not, I really hope not. We were ready to snap by just sitting there for a while with Virka whining. But them having to deal with a hungry Vinney and a hungry Virka? That might be to much.

"Alright, we're here." I stopped when Fylakas stopped suddenly, he having somehow moved in front of me while I was deep in thought, he smiled and knocked softly on the door. There was a gasp and the sound of hoof steps with a worried flutter of feathers and a small sound of concern.

"Hello? Who's there??" Wench sounded concerned as we opened the door, me smiling softly at her same old concerned voice. I let out a small whistle as I knocked.

"Hey Wench. It's me, Baladia." I smiled a little as I spoke, and the door opened quickly. I was covered in a blanket of feathers, and all I heard was the sound of Virka yelping over the flurry of ruffling.

"Wench! Wench calm down!!" Fylakas was struggling to stand up again after being knocked over by the attack of fluff that was Wench.

"What on Equss were you doing out there?! it's below freezing!!" She looked freaked out, her feathers fluffed up to the point of being awful. We looked at each other and I sighed.

"Virka wanted to play with Vinney, and it's not healthy for him to stay cooped up for to long." She looked a little more relaxed now that she saw we were both wearing heavy blankets around us while Virka was wrapped up in one. She let us go and I let out a sigh of relief as she did, and I unwrapped myself from the blanket and setting it near the door. I gave a small sigh at the warmth of the room, the fireplace blazing. It felt nice.

Off in the corner, I saw a little griffon. They were sitting up by themselves, smiling as Virka approached, offering him a toy with some baby talk. Virka nodded as he listened, as if he could understand. I sat on the bed and watched them as Fylakas talked in the background.

Virka seemed to be babbling a little like Vinney as he talked, and Vinney responded with a giggle and more baby talk. Could they really be talking together? That's strange. They started throwing stuffed animals at each other playfully, smiling and laughing. They were trying not to make a huge mess, but it ultimately failed. They ended up overall, throwing enough toys at each other to cover the floor. I started to get tired as I watched, my mind still numb from the lack of stimulation, adn I fell asleep quickly.

Boring day for a boring week.

Author's Note

Hey guys I'm sorry! I went on hiatus without saying anything! I'll try to get a little more motivated! Love ya'll!

Show and Tell

Warning! Dark themes ahead! You can't say you haven't been warned!

Slasher whined as she looked at her mother and Medallion.

"Please mama?! I promise I won't let her hurt anyone!" Her voice was heart breakingly cute, and I felt my heart drop. I didn't want to go, but that voice is eventually going to force me into a corner.

"No, Slasher! You don't know how she'll react to the hatchlings, and you KNOW how she gets in cold air!"

I freak out ONE time and suddenly I get the label of a weatherphobe. Talon was glaring at me as I sighed and stroked Wench's feathers. They fluffed under my touch and she purred quietly.

"Talon's right dear," She purred. "We don't know how she'll react to the little ones."

"I'll keep her on her leash and everything! I'll even bring a muzzle! I'll bring her food and her treats and her drum! I promise I'll keep her under control, and I'll drag her in the wagon!" She was whining desperately and begging for me to be allowed. Slasher looked at Medallion and gave those sickeningly cute eyes. Every time she uses them, I nearly die inside. Why. Why do birds have to be so cute?!

"I don't know dear... You should listen to your mother... Although, she is very instinctual... Maybe she'd be able to protect Slasher from those older griffons she's always running into. What do you think Wendy?" Medallions large icy blue eyes drifted over to Wench, and she smiled dumbly as I stroked her feathers.

WENDY. HER NICKNAME IS WENDY. OUT OF EVERYTHING YOU COULD HAVE CHOSEN FOR HER, IT'S WENDY.

Seriously, these griffons had a sweet spot on their heads and they LOVE being pet there. Talon was the worst about it, and just to tease him I would tackle him out of nowhere and pet him. There was a time where he was doing the dishes, he bumped into me, and I scritched the back of his neck basically disabling him. It's like scruffing a kitten, only cuter and with giant birds of prey that can eat you.

"Yes... Yes I suppose. That makes sense. You can take Mikros to school with you for show and tell on ONE condition." She eyed the hatchling with an amused look at her eager celebration.

"Yes mama! Anything!" She giggled excitedly and I whined.

"You bring back your little friend Rue."

Rue? That's a new- non griffon talon inspired -name.

Slasher clicked her bead to me and I looked at her skeptically. Before I forget to mention, I think it's the time for me to say something weird.

I was learning beak language. Apparently, every dominant species on Equss had a type of sign language. Ponies have hoof language, Griffons had beak language, where you click your beak for speech because there was never a deaf griffon in the entire history of Griffondor, only mute ones. Minotaur ... And you heard me. Minotaur... Use body language like normal. And others... Make me feel weird to talk about.

I clicked back with skepticism.

=You're not REALLY going to make me wear a muzzle are you??=

Slashers feathers fluffed.

=No!...OK well... Maybe just until e get a little ways into the trees, but not all the way!=

I glared at her and huffed as Wench clipped the leash to my collar.

"Alright, sit! Sit girl," I did as commanded with a grunt as I looked straight ahead with a small glare. "There a go! Now stay. Stay here so I can get your coat." Medallion levitated them over before Wench could move, and he nuzzled her cheek, making me want to throw up. He levitated the winter wear over my skin and I huffed as the hat was put on my head and clipped under my chin via a "human proof" chin strap, and boots were nearly levitated onto my feet before I hissed and grabbed them from the magic hold.

I would like to keep my remaining dignity, thank you!

I pulled my boots and huffed as gloves levitated in front of me. I sighed and put those on as well, and stood up. The coat was thin, and comfy and warm, and the clothes were warm enough to protect me from the light flurry of leaves outside. The hat, boots and gloves were over reactions, but hey it showed they cared.

"Did you know humans have the mind of a hatchings?"

FUCK YOU, I AM MUCH MORE MATURE THAN YOU KNOW!

=I'm going to plucking kill you Medallion!=

I really wanted to learn the word for fuck, not pluck, but she didn't know what the letter F was.

I was quickly levitated up and into the wagon, and this made me growl. Slasher fastened the muzzle to my face and I groaned at her, now unable to click for communication. There was a smile.from Wench as she handed me an entire stick of hard pepperoni. This was... A guilty pleasure of mine that I allowed myself to enjoy. Slasher strapped the human wagon around her waist and I was given a blanket and my bed, which I had also taken to when I wasn't beating my drum for the amusement of the guests.

"You remember, if sh gets aggressive, you put the muzzle on her instantly!" Medallion warned and I glared... Knawing on the stick of meat.

He eyed me back and we just stared at each other. Wench pulled him inside and then we started off on our journey to the school. I pulled at the muzzle and coughed on the pepperoni stick slightly.

=Slasher, how far is the school anyways?=

"Oh... About a 18 minute walk." My smile was evident as I began to climb out. of the blasted wagon and walk on my own-

"No! You're staying IN the wagon! I don't want anyone to suspect anything!" She snipped at me and glared back twisting her head around and glaring back at me like Wench would, like I was an animal.

=I'm not an animal. I'm not like the humans here you've seen that!= She could see the look I was giving her, and I started to feel resentment.

"Just... Stay in the wagon." She looked back ahead and I looked her up and down. What's gotten under her crest and stayed?!

I leaned back into the pillow bed and ate my stick of pepperoni and I looked at the clouds. I'm not sure when, but I had dozed off and woken up with a blanket over the top of the wagon, and the muzzle was left on my face. Precaution of the school? Maybe. I sat up and poked at the blanket, clicking my teeth and trying to chitter.

=Srsher?? Were urgh we??=

My beak language was obviously broken because of the muzzle, and my L became R, but she still knew what I was chittering out I hoped.

A few moments passed...

Then a few minutes...

=My school room, don't move around to much. I don't want anyone getting suspicious.=

I grumbled and looked around through a hole in the wood. I could see a little. I had paper and pencils in here with Slashers backpack, so I grabbed the nearest pencil and began to write everything I saw, the alphabet of the natives here. I wrote down the alphabet, and smiled through the muzzle. That's a weird sentence to say if you don't know the context heh...

I scribbled down the writing and behaviors of the teachers. They seemed uninterested unless they got to a subject they adored, like science or math.

A bell rang after a little while, and I found myself looking around as I began to move. Everyone left the room but Slasher, and she came over to hand me my pepperoni stick. I had taken off m coat now, and smiled up at her.

"Everyone's gone to reading time, use the bathroom quick and then jump back in the wagon. The bathroom is in the corner so hurry." I set my pepperoni stick down and jumped out, running to the bathroom to go.

Great. I thought to myself, Now I go on command. How fun.

"Slasher, where are you- oh... Oh I see.." The teacher walked in and saw me with the door slightly opened to make sure no one was coming. It didn't work.

"That's very clever Ms. Griff! How did you teach your human to use the Griffons room?" She was mildly amused as I closed the door a little more.

"Th-the old, good girl bad girl routine Mrs. Pigeon!" She was trying to sound smart and big, and I flushed the toilet and washed my hands, opened the door, and stood dumbly waiting for the conversation to end and Slasher to 'command' me back into the wagon.

"I see... Why is it here?" The teacher looked at Slasher with a slight look of predatory gaze, and I could tell something wasn't right.

"U-um... F-for sh-show a-an-and t-tell..." Slasher mirrored a look of a mouse against a cat, ready to run at any second.

"I see." She purred and walked up to the small griffon and I watched in fear and horror at what she was doing. She cornered the little griffon and kept her there, nipping and biting at feathers on her neck. She was getting to her underbelly now. Se had her claws around her throat.. She was going to... This had happened to me once while I was first moving to America... A teacher cornering me... Doing things without my consent.

Not a second goes by when I don't regret not kicking that guy in the balls.

A pang of rage burst through me and I picked the small griffon up and held her away from the massive towering beast that stood before me I turned with my back towards the corner and straightened out the little griffons ear, chittering to her that it's OK and that it was over as quietly as I could as I preened her feathers and dried the tears streaming from her eyes. There was a gentle moment of silence between each hic and sob that I felt more and more rage build up inside me. I was definitely going to write an... anonymous letter about this to Medallion, Talon, Wench, and Claw. That should get this taken care of...

Pigeons feathers bloated up in a horrific show of 'dominance' and she glared at me.

"Bad! Bad human! Put her down this instant!" The predatory look never faltered and I feared what would happen if I followed the order.

=Surck a sarck you dirty old hag!= I clicked to her and she fluffed up in repulsed surprised shock.

"It... It knows beak language?!"

I took off my muzzle and glared at her.

Don't tell anyone you piece if scum, because no one will believe you in the slightest. Think of how you'll get your daily dose of sick twisted perversion then huh?! You'd be in the looney bin, so I suggest you shut the pluck up, before you get smacked the pluck up!=

She looked at me, completely shocked as I held the little griffon behind me. There was a moment of silence and she huffed angrily before turning.

"SECURITY, WE HAVE A HUMAN ATTACKING A STUDENT! HELP!!"

Ohh you sonnofa BITCH!

I sat down as quickly as I could and started rubbing Slashers back to release tension building. Several griffons, big and burly burst in and held spears inches from my face as I continued to pet the griffon in front of me. Luckily, the teacher didn't notice my actions, and when I tilted my head, the principle walked in, and looked at me. She was unamused by the fake call for help.

"B-but it was towering and growling and ripping out feathers!" She looked shocked as she looked at me and I cooed softly and dumbly at the griffons, signifying docileness. There was a happy moment of me getting to flip her the bird as the guards dragged her out and to the front.

The bell rang, I sat the griffon down, and dove back into the wagon as she fixed the blanket. The rest of the dy was unevenful except for when one of the little hatchlings decided to peek in the hole and look at me as I pretended to sleep. She became all giddy and happy, and I was amazed at her cuteness.

Slasher got her to swear not to tell anyone, and she nodded enthusiastically on one condition...

She got to be the first volunteer for our little presentation.

She clicked to me, asking if it was OK, and I clicked back a muffled 'Yers' and she agreed.

Slasher was excited.

I was excited...

What were these little shits doing to me?!

I sighed and smiled as my wagon began to move. We moved... And moved... and moved... Until we made it to a darker room on a stage. Slasher told me I'd be preforming.. Just not for the whole school.

I was quickly unveiled to the mass of fluff and fur that was the adorable young audience. They all gasped at my skin color and I peeked out comicaly, earning a giggle from everyone.

"Alright everyone! It's time to meet.. MIKROS!" I hopped out and looked around. The look everyone gave me was either amazed or bored...

Until I pulled out my drum and wooden spoon.

I began to beat a simple beat.

Bum

Bum bum Bum

Bum

Bum bum Bum.

Everyone became amazed, and I began to walk around, carrying the pot under my arm and the old in my arm. Slasher began to tell a story.

"Once there was a griffon!" Bum "Who's life was gold and fun!" Bum "She played and played and played her games!" Bum bum Bum "But they could not be won!" Bum "She worked so hard to find a way to win the games she liked to play." Bum "But she couldn't find one. She searched all day and searched all night." Bum bum Bum She clicked for me to stop and I did.

"But the search was a loss. She tried and failed and tried again, but nothing seemed to work. She looked low and high and high and low, then low and high again... But all she found was the sky. She saw the sky for the first time in months, and she wanted to fly. But all of that searching had hurt her wings and weak they had became! So she watched the birds and cried and cried, but finally something came to her.She didn't have to go to the sky.... She could see it perfectly with her eye!" She smiled and looked back at me.

"The moral of the story is to stay positive and do what you like, and try to enjoy the path on your way to your goals."

Everyone cheered loudly and clapped and clicked their beaks in applause.

"And now for what you've all really been waiting for, believe me I have too... Human wagon rides!!" The first claw up was the little griffon from before and another few. They could all fit, so Talon chose them all.

They cheered and jumped into the wagon and I began to allow Slasher to harness the rungs to my shoulders, and off I went. I pulled my cargo with precious precision. I walked around, exploring the school and moving faster when asked and slower when told by the teachers, and not a single one complained. By the end of the day I had given everyone a ride in my wagon, and they were happy. All of them.

Now it was time to go home, and I was exhausted. Dragging toddlers around would do that. Now I rested in the back of the wagon and sleepily dozed off.

Half way there, I was jerked awake by Slasher crying out and a loud male jackass laugh.

"What's the matter baby feathers?! Can't handle a little teasing?!" The voice was grating.

"Hey, lets see whats in lunch meats wagon!" My wagon was shoved over and my muzzle came flying off. I looked around confused as I sat up and rubbed my eyes.

"Holy pluck! Lunch meats actually got a pet LUNCH MEAT IN HER WAGON!" The three guys started laughing their asses off and I looked at Slasher and her friend. The smaller one was wearing a flower necklace and wearing glasses. She wasn't a griffon though... She was a pony. I aw blood dribbling down the both of their legs and cuts on their faces.

I clicked to her.

=I'm gonna ask you once... Please let me kick the guys ass.=

A moment of silence.

=Go for it.=

I snarled loudly and pounced on the largest, biting and punching and scratching like a feral ghoul from Fallout. I screeched and he screeched and it was a jolly old time of me kicking the leaders ass. The other two left after that, and never bothered to come back. I walked over with a little bump and a scrape.. and another slash across the right side of my face like the one from talon when I was almost literal lunch meat.

"WHATEVER LUNCH MEAT, YOU'RE NOT EVEN WORTH THE BLOOD ON MY TALONS!"

With that little break down I assume he flew home to mommy and cried about getting his ass kicked by an exotic human owned by a poor girl named Slasher.

I roared after him and he shrieked in fear as I took a step after him. I'd never really give chase, but still.

The little unicorn levitated back into place and I was son to follow. The muzzle was not placed on my face, but instead in the bag. I knawed on my pepperoni stick which I had been trYING TO WIDDLE DOWN SINCE BREAKFAST!

=Hey Slasher?=

=Yeah Baladia?=

=I'm hungry...=

There was a groan and I smirked.

For me, today was a productive day. Took down the Griffon alphabet, took down a pedophile teacher, and saved my friend from a bully. Now I could sleep. Sleep peacefully.

and maybe get this FUCKING PEPPERONI STICK GONE!!

Author's Note

Here you go have that. This was an emotional one that I decided to write to help me out of my tight spot. Don't forget to leave a like or something, point out mistakes and misconceptions, and let me know if anything needs clarification!
Bye bye!
3000... 3028 words.
*tiny confetti popper* longest chapter yet!

Finally Fleeing To Freedom

My heart sagged as I watched the others sleep. I had become afraid to sleep while we were on the boat, moments like what happened the night before were littering my mind. Where he, Rue's father, would buck and kick the door, hammering his drunken skull into the door to get in. I could still hear his banging. I had given myself insomnia just to stay up and protect the two poor sleeping souls. Fylakas had tried to tell me that I didn't have to, but I refused. I had to protect them, and they needed to feel safe. I had started teaching Fylakas beak language. He slowly began to understand more and more what me and Rue were saying. She was less than pleased for a moment. The beautiful little filly was kind though, and she became more and more lenient with the intelligent behavior of Fylakas. I was excited to learn more about his story, and how he began his adventure here. Was it like me? Was he with someone? How do other humans speak? Would anyone believe me if I told them??

I decided to tell Wench just not to tell anyone yet. There was a moment of relief from my own thoughts when the tall mare with lanky legs, who was jet black trotted in with a bright smile to hug Medallion, and get a proper look at Wench. Wench looked a little scared at first, but I went over and hugged her, and she cooled off quickly. She was shaking like a school filly meeting her teacher after school. Her shaking was stopped by my own simple action.

"Uncle Medallion~! So good to see you!" Her voice was that of excitement, and Medallion was pleased to hug his niece.

"Hello to you too, Violet Star." His smile was smug, and his horn lit up and she levitated a few inches off the floor. She squealed and her limbs desperately tried to touch the floor. She giggled after a moment, and she realized she was OK. I looked at Wench, and she was smiling very gently. I heard her snorting giggle, which was the same as Slasher. I shook with a small repressed chirp as I tried to hide my own reaction. Fylakas looked at me shocked before he looked hurt. I blinked and poked the marking on my throat.

"What? Did I say something?" His nod signified I indeed, had said something hurtful.

"What'd I say? I can't understand what I say to myself when I'm listening to-" Wench nuzzled me gently and cooed as I tried to continue. "-mmh! Them talk because their a different language."

He looked as if he had forgotten that little bit of information.

"You said something about slashing a throat?" My eyes went wide.

"You mean Slasher?"

He nodded and I gasped.

I had somehow mentioned her even when I wasn't in the right language? Wonderful. Now I have to keep from chirping subconsciously as well. Fylakas ran up and looked at me as we conversed. He was excited, but not to much.

"What are they saying? What are they talking about?" My mind went blank as I faintly remembered the others were conversing.

"Um... Let me listen back in. I'll be unresponsive, but I'll do my best to click whatever they say..." He was becoming more and more curious about these beings. I poked my throat and listened in to them. His speech became meaningless chirping and the useless whinnies became full blown speech.

This hit me like a freight train what I could do. I could be an ambassador... A bridge. Hell I might even be a missing link between the ponies and the humans in this world. However, it was practically impossible to get them to believe my intelligence. I coughed slightly and began to translate.

"So uncle Medallion, where did you find such a... Delectable female like herself?" I couldn't tell if she was talking about Wench or me. Either way I nearly broke down laughing as I buried my head into Wench's feathers. I clicked to Fylakas about the sentence and he bit his lips and covered his mouth.

"Well you see, I was summoned by the local Lord, Feathercrest Wingston the III, to look through the catacombs of his oldest castle. It's quite fascinating, but I'll get into that later." He shook his mane with a prideful smile. "But on the way I got lost in the rain after defeating this weird hybrid mix of a Timber Wolf and an Aconite- closely related, but still different. I twisted my back leg, and I was limping through the woods when I found her inn. This was before Slasher had B... Mikros." He smiled back at me and I gave him the smallest nod I could muster. "Anyways, I stumbled up right? In the dark, the doors closed, the fires out and Wench in just sitting there in the dark reading how to skin a human-" I gave a much less supportive look and then a look of stress. He saw this and smiled reassuringly, and I didn't react. "And then I buck open the door. She jumps out of her feathers- I mean there's just feathers flying everywhere." She gave a snorting giggle and I clicked the story to Fylakas, and he nearly broke down, covering his mouth to hide his smile. Wench fluffed her crest and she squawked slightly. "Then she throws her claws around my barrel right? And I'm laying there, panting in exhaustion and she's towering over me. I felt her ease her weight and let me go, and then she says one thing. "Lay down and I'll get the medical supplies." And I resisted at first, because you know me, but then it proved useless to resist so she just tended to the back leg and brewed a potion to heal my leg." He was beaming brightly. "So then at that moment I knew there was something special. Special about her, and her alone that night, made me spark so much that I left the next day, but came back a few nights later... And then I came back every week. I just never stopped." He looked at her with a smirk.

"We couldn't have made you stop even if we wanted too. You were like a stray puppy~." He flushed slightly and his tail flicked, and they just stared in silence for a moment. They gave each other... The Look.

"U-um... Violet dear... Cold you please take the humans and Rue here out to get some food from the deck?" Violet got the picture and said no more as she attached my leash to my collar and Fylakas's leash to his. She picked Rue up on her back and connected me and Fylakas's ends of our leashes to hooks on her saddle bags. We followed out and into the hall way. I quickly found my hands encased in a restrictable fabric like they had been when we first arrived.

The joy of being a human.

The Darkness Harnessed and a Swig of Apple Juice With the Moon

I shrieked as I ran around the room, and Medallion had to put a sound proof spell over the entire room to keep my screams from escaping the room as Talon chased me around the room screeching like an eagle with his claws out.

"TALON I REALLY THINK YOU SHOULD CALM DOWN SO THAT WE CAN TALK ABOUT THIS-" I ducked under his attacking wing as it swooped over my head and pelted my back with a cool blast of air that would have felt nice had I not been in danger. He kept this up until I dove behind Medallion and he screeched with a fluffed crest as I tried to stay behind the large stallion. I had never taken into account my size compared to him, but it's a large difference. Medallion took on his step father role and puffed out his chest.

"Talon, if you don't stop this nonsense NOW I WILL ground you!" He blinked and went silent, looking at Medallion in shock. His crest slowly began to relax and he took a step back. For a moment I saw the old Talon. The one I met my first night here. The one who was out for blood and the one who wanted me dead. Who was more than ready to kill me and bleed my corpse until it was completely lifeless. He was willing to kill me all the way back then, and right now.

"That's it... That's it. There's the Talon I know." His voice became like silk, smooth and relaxing, when I noticed his horn was glowing a bit. He was using his magic to make his voice more... Soothing. He was talking Talon down from a type of rage? How strange. I backed away and stared at the area behind him. There, in the shadow, was something I hadn't seen in... Maybe a short few days. I felt my blood run cold when I saw it.

The tall black shadow figure. It was behind Talon and had it's hands clawed into his back, trying to stay attached to him. I shook when it turned it's head to see me, locking it's eyes into mine. It stared at me, before an evil eerie smile appeared from it's darkness that was it's face. I was alarmed by the strange things demonic smile. Slowly it let go of Talon, leaving dripping sticky black ooze on his feathers. I held my hand on Medallions leg.

"Medallion... Look behind Talon... And tell me... Do you see it." He looked back at me and tilted his head, looking me over like he was trying to tell if I was crazy. He turned his head back behind Talon, who was laying, exhausted on the floor breathing heavily. I panicked a bit and backed away when it took a step towards me. I took a step back. It took a step forwards.

"What are you doing Baladia... Baladia what are you seeing?" This response told me that he wasn't seeing the figure. He wasn't seeing the obvious terror that was washing over my face and body language. The thing slowly touched Medallions horn and he shook, going a bit pale, and Medallion looked terrified. "No... Not you..."

I ran out the door, getting the idea it would follow wherever I was. I ran as fast as I could. It wasn't easy to maintain on solid marble floors. If I was correct we were in the guests wind of the castle and it wouldn't take long to get to the princesses room if I ran up the stairs and kept my pace. I took a deep breath of air and hurdled over a night guard- who had fallen asleep on the job, by the way. I'll have to tell Luna about that. It was the middle of the night, so if I ran around maybe I could stumble into her. I had tears dripping down my face as I looked back, noticing little movements in the darkness behind pillars. It only showed itself if I wasn't in the light. That's useful. Very useful. I took a breath and ducked into the great hall, which was bright with torched. I took one and smiled. Now it couldn't get me. I hated Celectia, but she may be the only hope I had for any type of salvation. Luna could help too, possibly, but only for a while. I stepped out of the room and looked around, seeing the darkness around me. In the dark, waiting, was the tall dark figure. I stepped out and held the torch out, staring at it "fearlessly".

It had... Weird... Oozing holes in it. And it was smiling with big, bright eyes, with it's fangs showing. It had strange big green and red eyes. It was... Equine in shape... But everything else about it was just alien. I backed away and held the torch closer to myself. I slowly turned away, and walked down the hall, with the monster close behind. I looked a it's hideous face and it was still there, slowly pulling away from me with a small growl because of the sudden shift in light from the moon.

I looked tot he sky and smiled quickly when I was greeted by a twinkling star, seeming to renew my decision to find Celectia or Luna. I ran until I found a steep set of stairs with a label on the door that read Dungeon and walked in the other direction. It was a small door with two night guards near it- both... Sleeping. On the job. This was... Becoming a bit to upsetting. I peeked into doors, seeing bathrooms and seeing different rooms, some filled with books and other seemed to be living quarters. Possibly for servants? I felt the carpeted floor under my feet, and it was perfect. It was a much welcome relief compared to the horrible stabbing that was the marble floor. I looked up and saw the hallway branched off to two sides, two separate doors at the ends of the branches. One had a moon, and the other, a sun. I turned and ran towards the door with the moon on the door, and there, I found Luna sitting on her balcony with her eyes glowing bright milky white with her horn glowing something fierce.

The monster growled angrily and looked at me, as if to threaten me that if I took a step, I would be making a mistake, and I looked back at the thing and revealed my teeth in a primal snarl.

"Fuck you, you disgusting monster." I was grateful for being able to make that statement, seeing it roar in anger was a blessing. I ran as fast as I could, before it could try to attack me. I ran and as soon as I felt the cool air of the night hit my face, and the moon light illuminated my every move. I was no longer holding the torch. I was holding nothing. It was on the ground, with the fire out. I grabbed Luna's fur and shook her, looking at her fearfully and shaking her as gently as I could. My hands were shaking enough to make it more harsh than I wanted in the first place. Luna's ears laid back and she glared around her angrily.

"What is the MEANING OF THIS-" She stopped herself when she saw me, and the look on my face. She blinked a bit and raised her eyebrows. "How did you get passed the guards??"

"They were asleep-" I gasped for air as the fatigue filled me. "There's a monster chasing me-" Another gasp for air. "Big, scary, gives off black ooze-" I took in another gasp of air not noticing her obvious shock at my ability to speak. "Big fangs, big green and red eyes-" I gasped again and leaned against her for support. She was looking down at me and my form like I had been crazy. "Please, you're the only one I think can help... It's been after me since the beginning!!" I was tearing up and clinging to her fur standing on my knees in front of her pathetically. "I can't sleep... I can't eat... I can't turn a corner without wondering if it's there... Please, I'm begging you, help me!!" I rested my forehead on her barrel, and she was still sitting on her haunches. I was crying now, and shaking. She used her magic to slowly pull at my clothes to pull me backwards away from her.

"What's... Happening...?: She looked dazed. I was so scared she wouldn't believe me, and now, here I am, and she probably doesn't even think this is real. She looked down at me and knelt down to my level, on her front and back knees. She was at my level and smiling softly.

"Luna, it won't leave... You have to do something, it's there right now!!" I heard the laugh from inside the pitch black room. There was no sound other than that awful, gritty laughter as the eyes appeared.

There was a look of pity that came across her face as she saw my fear. She stood up and I grabbed her hoof in fear, and she looked back at me. She levitated me up and onto her back and trotted into the door. Right into the claws of the beast. I waited to be snatched up and tortured, or to be eaten, or to have to appear in a ring of fire and fight the monster, and instead, there was nothing but light. There was a bright light in the room, except for one corner, and there was a shrieking hiss. It was trapped. Luna had trapped it in less than a moment. She surrounded it by a bubble of darkness that it couldn't break. She gave it nothing to hide under, and stared at it eye to eye. Her horn lit up even brighter and it was just... Gone.

"It has been banished to Tartarus." She said simply, like it was easy and plain to understand. I sniffled and laughed at the same time. She veered back and I fell off, yelping and looking back at me. I landed flat on my ass and groaned, looking up at her.

"That hurt Luna." I huffed as I looked at her, and she looked a bit scared and shocked. Like she just remembered my presence.

"You... You an speak... You.... Are smart... You... Ha... HahahaHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA." She backed away and her ears laid back. I squeaked and backed away from her, covering my head as I curled up. Her laughter died into giggles as she levitated me some sort of sweet but bitter smelling liquid in a bottle with a golden apple on it with two shot glasses under it. It was... It was alcohol. She levitated me a shot glass and I looked at her with a surprised look. "Here take some! It's not the craziest thing that's ever happened to me tonight!!" She had furled and fluffed wings, which told me, as she down half the bottle in less than two gulps, that she needed it if I were going to talk to her.

I took a swig myself, knowing full well my mother and Wench would kick my ass if they figured out I had any alcohol. But hey... It's illegal to disobey a princess.