First Steps Free

Standing just outside the main gates of the enormous castle you find yourself fidgeting nervously. Mentally going through your checklist like you've done a thousand times before you stop yourself and take a nice deep breath. Still feeling anxious you compromise with yourself to make sure you packed everything.

Removing your backpack you kneel on the ground and unbuckle the straps. Peering inside and rummaging around with your hands you find your spell book, two apples, some cheese and bread in wax paper, a modest sized bag of bits with the rest of your worlds coins thrown in as well. A handful of semi-precious stones in a smaller bag, a flint knife in a sheath, your clothes from your previous life, as well as some new from this world. Your ceramic teapot and four matching ceramic cups bundled carefully in your clothes. Sewing kit, a few small leather armor patches and that was about it. Resettling everything you stand up with a sigh and shoulder your backpack once again. Resting your hand on your ceremonial knife sheathed at your right side you start to walk down the road to your destination.

About an hour into your walk you come to an odd realization. You felt happy. Not a giddy drunk happy, but a simple kind of happy. Being a 'guest' of the ruler of this land was a surprise when you first arrived in this land, but it was a practical decision as well as your pragmatic side understood all to well. After all, what would you have done if you had some armed and armored being suddenly pop up in the fountain of your township? Celestia was a kind being, and a good ruler. But distant as the immortals on your world were apt to be. Luna her sister was a different story altogether. Her manner of speech reminded you of how the nobility on your world spoke, but there was a warmth and friendship in her voice you didn't expect to hear. You still were not why. Perhaps because of her history she understood you a little better with her being back herself to this world only recently. Or perhaps she was just this friendly with any being who found themselves thrust into a new world with no clear understanding of how, much less how to return. You shrug. Just another worry on the already tall stack of worries in your mind.

Most of the ponies you've seen on your travels away from the castle had heard of the guest from another world. Quite a few came around to gawk, like you were a sideshow attraction. It did make you uncomfortable then but you did understand why they did it. So you put up with it as good-naturedly as possible. Answering polite questions, ignoring others, deviating from a lot of your more colorful adventures (as Celistia) put it. Combat on the scale you had seen was all but unheard of here. Mostly in works of fiction in their movies and books. After a time the novelty wore off and you were allotted more time to yourself and your studies of your new world. And testing to make sure your magic worked in this one. It cost you some new burns on your arm and your eyebrows were growing back nicely, but you were pleased to find all worked as it should. So far.

Walking down the road you always made sure to smile, or wave, or at least nod your head politely to the oncoming ponies heading to the castle. You know the farther away from the castle the polite smiles and nods your way were going to give way to blank stares or even downright fear you worried. Proximity made the curious normal as time had shown at the castle. You however know wherever you hang your hat, it will be a good long time before you blend in. If at all.

Your casual pace walking has caught up with you, as you didn't make it as far as you planned this day. Celestia's charge slowly moving towards it's eventual vanishing act came a lot quicker than expect. Coming closer to a smaller gathering of buildings you see a few shops just closing up for the night, and what you hoped to find. A well cared for sign with a posted bed upon it above the door. A warm glow seen through the latticed windows gave the building a cozy glow. A faint hint of music could be heard from within. You reach your destination fairly quickly. Opening the door you hear the doorbell jingle pleasantly. Your first non-controlled interaction with the residences of Equestria is about to happen. Anxiety and anticipation in equal measure just end up giving you a strange queasy feeling. Muttering a quick prayer to your goddess worlds removed, you duck your head and step into the Inn.

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For a moment, you were in your own world. Walking into one of the countless Inns between campaigns. The dirty floors, unwashed humans and other races odors mingling with the scents of ale and spilled drinks. The smell of honest to goodness stew with meat it in giving you a queasy feeling. A horrible bard in the corner singing bawdy songs to a raucous crowd. You blink, and the vision passes just as quickly as it appeared.

A couple pony families were sitting at booths, enjoying a pleasant dinner in between their travels. An assorted few more were sitting at little tables nursing mugs of what you assumed to be cider. All of them stared at you for a few moments no doubt hearing about the tales of this tall human in their land. Nodding politely you make your way to the counter towards the Innkeeper who is unabashedly staring at you, mouth slightly agape.

Removing your backpack and placing it on the counter you lean a little forward and smile towards her. A messy bun of dark brown hair matching the color of her eyes. The rest of her was a light brown and a pleasant shade. Her cutie mark looked like a little red roof with a campfire underneath it. "Greetings, Inkeep." you lean forward, voice lowered from habit so no other unwanted ears would hear your conversation.

"H-Hello Stranger" she replies in a higher pitched but not shrill voice. Nerves you assume are not helping that at all.

"I'd like to get a room for the night, if you have one open." Pulling a few Bits out of your backpack from their resting place and putting them on the counter in a neat little stack.

She nods, and relaxes a little when she sees the Bits. "We do have rooms yes. But" She trails off looking you over. "Your very tall, I'm not sure any beds we have would accommodate you".

You nod "Been that way ever since I got here." Smiling again at her you continue. "An extra blanket or two and I'll just make a billet on the floor.

She nods in agreement "We can do that." and scoops up the bits to put them in the register.

You nod over your shoulder indicating the room behind you of the now silent ponies. You can feel all of there eyes on you. "If I could, I'd pay extra for a meal sent to my room. I don't want to be more of a bother to you and your business."

She smiles gratefully at you for a moment, and nods. "We can arrange that as well". Counting out a few more bits for the meal, she hands you a key and directions to your room. Turning towards the stairs you could almost hear the whip crack of all the ponies necks swivelling around looking at anything but you That is going to take some getting used to you realize climbing the small steps towards the room.

It was perhaps the cleanest inn room you've ever seen in your life. No dirty straw on the floor, and everything looked washed and polished to a shine. The furniture here was always so tiny! The beings almost half your size made some very sturdy things but just so darn small. You had dreams of a nice hot bath, but if you get on your knees in the shower, you will fit. Mostly. Sighing, you resign yourself to creating your sleeping mat on the floor. Sitting on the smaller bed you start to remove the few pieces of leather armor you wore over your travelling outfit. Left vambrace, both greaves, and your leather chest-piece. The rest was a mix of small leather plates sewn into the clothing. Not a lot of protection, but enough to turn an errant hit. Mobility was needed more casting spells, a trade off for using the Arts.

A quick knock at the door informs you that dinner is indeed served. Stomach rumbling in anticipation you answer. The Inkeep herself is standing there on all fours. "I'm sorry to disturb you, but I was wondering if you would reconsider eating in the common area downstairs. A few of the patrons felt rather bad about staring at you so, and would like to apologize."

You blink once quickly processing this. Apologize to you? Your the intruder in their land, not the other way around. You should be apologizing to them you think. Nodding once you agree. "Okay. That will be fine, but tell them no apology is needed".

She nods and gives you a friendly smile before heading down the hall to the stairs. "Dinner can be ready in five minutes or so." she says over her shoulder to you.

You changed before going down to the commons. Black tunic, dark brown breeches and tan soft leather boots. You kept your belt and ceremonial knife with you, but left your backpack in your room. A simple masking spell hiding it in the shape of a pillow in the pile of others on your mat. Tying the coin pouch to your belt you head out of your room and down the stairs.

More eyes on you then before. Word of your arrival here must have gone through the town like wildfire. All of the booths were filled with wide eyed patrons, and only a couple empty tables remained. Shrugging to yourself you make your way to one of the tables with polite nods and smiles for the ponies. Seating yourself in those tiny chairs gave you an almost comical look. A few of the younger fillies and colts present started giggling. That was much better than the staring you think. A tray of fresh vegetables and a small colorful salad arrived at your table by a serving pony, somehow carrying it all and a large mug of water to your table with only her mouth. She pivots one leg gracefully and sets the food onto your table with a little flourish. Politely adding a couple of Bits from your pouch to her tray you nod your thanks.

A feeling of almost normality crept into the room. The light conversational hum in the background so common for places like these finally arriving. Trying not to eavesdrop while you were eating was a bit difficult. A lot of the conversations were similar to your old worlds though, and that was reassuring. Most of it was about weather and the crops. Complaints about the weather control board and not enough rain in some parts this season. Gossip about the Sisters and Canterlot. All in all it was peaceful talk. No border raids. No invasions. No recruiters hiring sellswords for ruin delving or explorations into the unknown. Not even merchants hiring guards for caravans.

It's not the first time this line of thinking has you worried. There really isn't a need as far as you could tell here for adventurers. Even the idea of teaching magic is a bit spotty. There was a lot of finger waggling in what you did. Worry starting to kill your appetite about your not too distant future. You push your food around in your bowl a bit before stopping the pretext of eating altogether. Your considering getting up and heading back to your room when you feel a hoof tap you gently on the shoulder.

"Excuse me, sir?" You hear in a small voice behind you. You turn your head with a start and see the innkeep nearly at eye level with you now that your seated. "I don't mean to be a bother, but some of the patrons were wondering. Well, if it was true?" she finishes with a look half filled with embarassment, half with unbridled curiosity.

You realize the room was quiet. Not a lot of the patrons were looking directly at you. But you feel them staring out of the corners of their eyes. "Is what true?" you say politely to the mare, shifting your body halfway around to face her better.

"That you really are from.... another world?" the end came out almost breathlessly. You've heard this questions a lot of times, and you were about to go on auto pilot with your answer as you learned to do in the castle. But something in her tone made you pause. This was the chance he was seeking. Sink or swim in this new world.

You relax your shoulders and give her a warm smile. "Would you like to hear a story from my world"?

For a moment, the room was still as time frozen in place. You could swear you could almost hear their singular heartbeat in that span of time as they realize it was indeed, true. She sits on the chair across from you. Large brown eyes staring at you unblinking. You nod your head and stand.

You clear your throat and begin.