Fugue - Volume 1

"You know," Huey remarked, while gazing out of the window at the scenery rolling by. "This is the first time I've ever been on a train."

"Oh?" Twilight queried, while sat next to him. "You mentioned that you had trains back in your world."

"Yeah, but I don't actually remember if I used one," Huey explained. "Maybe I did, but I'm going to consider this my first time."

"I see," Twilight mused quietly. "I must say you seem to be coping really well with being... You know..."

"The only human?" Huey replied to save Twilight from having to dance around the topic. "The stares and whispers weren't helpful, but... Since I can't really lock myself away forever out of fear someone might be curious, why should I do so anyway?"

"Fair point." Twilight said before looking out of the window too. "Still, when we get to Ponyville, I'll introduce you to my friends!"

"They're okay with you looking after me?"

"Well, I'm sure if there's any complaints, I can smooth things over with them." Twilight countered with an awkward smile and chuckle. "Still, I doubt there'll be any complaints, they're very understanding."

"Didn't you say you'd only known them for four days?"

"Yeeeeeah, but I still trust them!" Twilight responded defensively. "What we did together on the first day we met really bonded us together."

"I can see how that might work. Admittedly, it's unorthodox to go on an adventure to topple the reign of a mad tyrant as a way of bonding on the first day, but then one can't argue with the results."

Twilight shot an unamused glare at Huey and jabbed him in the side, causing him to yelp.

"Ow!" He complained. "I'm sorry, I was only teasing! It's not the kind of thing my kind would do."

"And what would your kind do?" Twilight queried, the traces of annoyance still present in her tone and expression.

"Nothing that interesting, perhaps go and do a group activity like bowling, watch a movie or just go and grab a meal at a fast food place to hang out."

"Hmph, you're not that different then." Twilight remarked proudly, however she was unaware of a playful grin playing across Huey's lips.

"If one disregards the tyrant toppling adventures," Huey teased again. Twilight shot another glare at him, but then shook her head and rolled her eyes.

"Just my luck to be saddled with a joker."

"Hey," Huey interrupted. "Celestia was more than happy to have me stay with her back in Canterlot. YOU decided to bring me back to Ponyville for further observation and so forth."

"You say that, but I can't just refuse a request from her! She's my mentor!"

"She said she was fine with you refusing!" Huey argued. "Celestia even mentioned that she understood studying the magic of friendship... Whatever the hell that is... Could be time consuming!"

"That's not the point!"

Huey grimaced at the stubborn unicorn and folded his arms in defeat.

"I wouldn't have minded staying," Huey mused. "I have some worries about Celestia."

"You do?" Twilight probed. "What kind of worries?"

"Well, it's just what happened with her sister. I can't put my finger on why, but I just get the feeling that things aren't going so well with her return."

"I was there when Luna returned." Twilight interjected. "I was one of the ponies who enabled her return! She showed genuine remorse, even though it wasn't necessary!"

"I guess, I just... I don't know..." Huey mumbled. "It doesn't seem right to me. Celestia was really upset about what she did."

"She said herself that if she could have done something else, she would have!" Twilight replied forcefully. "I know I'm not really qualified to make a judgement, but it was either let Nightmare cause chaos with eternal night or..."

"Banish her to the moon for a thousand years."

"It sounds so awful when some states it so bluntly," Twilight remarked. "The fact remains it was the lesser of two evils! Are you saying Celestia should have just let Nightmare Moon do whatever she pleased!"

"No, I'm not saying that, Twilight," Huey huffed, his hands rubbing his temples in exasperation. "I don't know what I'm trying to say at this point. All I know is that I'm sure something's wrong, I think..."

"Look, if you are worried about Celestia, there's no harm in sending her a letter!" Twilight suggested. "Spike can send one to her for you, if you think that will help?"

"Actually, that will help!" Huey exclaimed, a spring now inserted into his tone. "Although I still wonder how you are okay with a fire-breathing dragon sending and receiving mail via belches of flame... In a library that's in a hollowed out tree."

Twilight raised an eyebrow at Huey's statement, clearly unsure what he was attempting to highlight. Upon noticing her confusion, Huey adopted a similar expression in response.

"It's a house made of flammable material, filled with flammable objects," Huey said in an exaggerated tone. "Don't you ever worry about fire?"

Twilight looked away and tapped her chin in thought for a moment. Huey was aghast when she eventually shook her head. Sighing loudly, Huey slouched in his seat as he resumed looking out of the window. Much to his surprise, a small village comprised of thatch-roofed houses was coming into view.

"Is that Ponyville?"

"It is!" Twilight chirped excitedly. "My friends should be waiting for us at the station!"

Suddenly, a shrill whistle sounded, signalling the trains imminent arrival. Huey remained seated. Twilight and he hadn't brought any real luggage, so there was little need to begin preparing it for a swift disembarkation from the train once it stopped. With the ceremonial jolt of the train coming to rest at the station, the pair finally got up and headed towards the end of the carriage. Much to his delight, they had been provided with first class tickets, so they had the carriage all to themselves due to the train they caught being a quiet one in comparison to the ones that were used by some long distance commuters to Canterlot. Even then, the price of a first class ticket was prohibitively expensive, further reducing the possibility that they would have to share the carriage with strangers.

Stepping off the train, Huey noticed that the station was a very modest one. The platform was open-air and the stationmaster's office was incredibly small, fitting for the size of Ponyville and it's status as a rural town. He then followed Twilight, who was bee-lining towards her friends. Even though he had not met them yet, Twilight had described each of them at length, so it was not hard for him to deduce who in the relatively small crowd of ponies embarking, disembarking or waiting were the equines they were looking for.

"Twilight!" A sky blue pegasai with a rainbow mane cried out. "Hey girls, she's over here!"

A group of five ponies and a small purple dragon swiftly rushed over to Twilight and smothered her in a group embrace. Huey stood close by and watched the friends greet each other and chat for a few moments before they then turned their attention towards him. Privately, he was grateful that each of Twilight's were so unique in appearance, making identification much easier.

"Huh..." Rainbow Dash remarked once the greetings had concluded. "You said this human was strange, but I didn't think it would be THAT strange!"

Huey raised an eyebrow and gently smacked away Rainbow Dash's hoof, which was reaching out to touch him.

"Firstly," He began in a deadpan tone. "You're strange to me too. Secondly, I'm a he, not an it. Finally, my name's Huey."

"Yeesh, touchy!" Rainbow Dash snarked, causing an orange earth pony with a blonde mane to step forward.

"Now hold ya horses, Rainbow," She chided. "You wouldn't want some stranger touching you, would ya? So, don't be like that."

"But have you seen this guy?" Rainbow Dash countered. Huey rolled his eyes and stepped forwards.

"Applejack, Rainbow Dash," He said authoritatively. "I understand you're curious, but let's head home first before we ask any of the questions you all probably have about me, does that sound reasonable?"

The two mares nodded, causing Huey to smile and turn towards the rest of the group.

"As I mentioned to Rainbow Dash, my name is Huey," He greeted politely. "Twilight has already told me a bit about all of you and it's a pleasure to meet you all."

The group, excluding Twilight, murmured their own personal greetings. However, a pink mare, who had been practically vibrating on the spot with pent-up excitement, squealed and began bouncing around Huey.

"Hi!" She squeaked. "My name's Pinkie Pie! Twilight told us a lot about you, but I still have some questions, such as when's your birthday? What kind of cake do you like? Do you enjoy balloons? What kind of party do you consider to be a perfect party where you come from? Can I see what it's like to have my ears scra-"

"Pinkie!" Twilight interrupted forcefully, causing the party mare to stop bouncing and focus on Twilight.

"I'm just getting some important detail-uhhhh..." Pinkie began, but suddenly trailed off as Huey deduced her final query and softly scratched her ears. Pinkie's eyelashes fluttered and her ear twitched as she let out a drawn out moan of approval.

"Soooooo magical!" She cooed, her eyes threatening to roll into the back of her head. However, Huey stopped the scratching, causing her to whine at him pleadingly.

"Later." Huey said passively, causing Pinkie to gasp in delight.

"Pinkie Pie Swear?"

"Um... I guess?" Huey replied with a hint of uncertainty. "Never heard of a Pinkie Pie Swear."

"Oh, it's easy!" Pinkie explained before reciting the pledge with gestures. "Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!"

Huey blinked. The pledge was absolutely childish, completely beneath him as an adult. However, since he wasn't in the presence of humans and the culture of the equines was different, he sighed heavily and felt a twinge of pain as some dignity within him shrivelled up and died as he repeated the promise, gestures included.

"I'll hold you to thaaaaaaaaaat!" Pinkie sang. "Alright, let's go!"

The group watched as the hyperactive earth pony began to bounce away. Some shook their heads, while others glanced at each other with a look of bewilderment. Despite the varied responses to Pinkie Pie, they all began to follow her through the streets of Ponyville. Huey let his gaze wander across the buildings and their inhabitants. There were mares and stallions of varying types and colours bartering with stall owners, doing the gardening or just enjoying the pleasant weather. Naturally, upon noticing Huey, they glanced over or shared a hushed whisper with each other, but Huey had experienced the same behaviour before. Given time, it was certain that they would stop wondering and consider him just another part of the town's population.

Finally, the sight of a massive tree materialised before him. As Twilight described, it was a giant oak tree peppered with small circular windows and a door. Much to his amazement, there was even a few small balconies built onto some of the larger branches. It truly was a sight to behold, a testament to architecture that wove the modern home into the current landscape. Inside was just as impressive, shelves for the numerous books being stored there were carved into the tree, instead of nailing crafted ones to the walls.

"So, darling!" A white unicorn with a beautifully styled, purple mane said once the door to the library had closed. "May we begin the questions now?"

"I don't mind at all, Rarity!" Huey replied with a shrug. "Once we've made ourselves at home, I'd be more than happy to answer any questions you have about me."

Noticing a group of chairs being levitated towards him, Huey ducked so that they would sail harmlessly over his head. The chairs, bathed in a light pink aura, arranged themselves neatly into a circle. The group thanked Twilight and sat down.

"Now, let's start clock-wise from me and you can all ask a single question each." Huey stated bluntly. "I am sure you have loads of questions, so we'll keep going round in a circle until they're all answered, alright?"

The group nodded their heads and murmured in agreement. They then turned towards a butter yellow pegasus, who had been slow in taking her seat and had unwittingly ended up sat next to Huey. Upon noticing that everyone was staring at her expectantly, she swiftly lowered her head and let a mass of pink mane cover her face with a terrified whimper.

"It's okay, Fluttershy," Huey comforted. "If you're nervous, we can skip your turn and come back to you later. How does that sound?"

At first, Fluttershy didn't answer, but after another strangled squeak of fright emanated from the curtain of pink hair, the group interpreted it as an agreement and turned to Rarity.

"Now, Huey," Rarity began enthusiastically. "I must ask where you got those clothes from. I don't know about the fashion conventions where you're from, but they look awfully drab. Do humans normally dress, and in such a manner?"

"Disregarding the compound question," Huey chided gently, causing Rarity to smile apologetically. "Yes, humans do wear clothes normally. As you can probably notice, I don't have a coat of fur to keep me warm, so it's necessary to wear clothes to survive. It's also unacceptable to be naked in human society, making clothes even more necessary."

Huey then glanced down at his clothing. Covering his torso was a dark burgundy t-shirt, which connected to a pair of black tracksuit bottoms, plain black socks and a pair of brown and white trainers.

"As for my clothing, it depends. The rich usually have the money to buy some truly spectacular clothes. In the case of what I'm wearing, it's just something cheap and simple to cover myself up."

"Thank you," Rarity said with a polite nod. "For a moment I was worried that your land had a rather skewed vision of what fabulosity is!"

"I don't think that's a real word," Twilight and Huey both muttered under their breath. The group then looked at Pinkie Pie, who was glancing around in what appeared to be a fit of outright panic. Beads of sweat poured down her forehead as her teeth ground together.

"Pinkie?" Huey asked. "Are you alright?"

The party mare suddenly clasped her forehooves against the sides of her head and screeched in frustration.

"I have too many questions to ask!" She wailed. "I don't know which to ask first!"

"Calm down!" Huey ordered to no effect. "If it helps, I remember your questions at the train station, so I'll quickly answer those. First, I don't actually remember anything about me specifically. The name Huey was given to me by Twilight. So, I don't know when my birthday is."

The group looked at each other sadly and murmured in sympathy towards the amnesiac.

"Next, I don't remember anything about what I ate before coming here." He continued. "So, I can't really answer the question about what kind of cake I like. I'm not entirely sure what enjoyment one can get from balloons, and it depends on what kind of party is being held. My kind can have incredibly informal affairs that basically just lets the guests make it what they want, but some can have many rules and traditions, such as dress codes."

"Wait, wait, wait!" Pinkie Pie interrupted. "Let me take down notes!"

Lifting her right hoof, Pinkie took a deep breath and then blew into her hoof. Four fingers suddenly erupted from her hoof, accompanied by the sound of bubbles popping. Huey stared in disbelief, followed by glancing at everyone else. To his amazement, they didn't appear fazed by the sudden addition of digits to Pinkie's hoof at all. When he looked at Twilight, she looked back at him with a small shake of her head and an expression that clearly stated "Don't think about it". Uneasily, Huey looked back at Pinkie, who was now holding a notebook in her unchanged hoof and a pencil in her "hand".

Huey's gaze fixed on Pinkie's hand as she scribbled records of what he had just said to her into her notebook.

"Okie dokie lokie!" Pinkie chirped. "And what would do you, personally, think makes a good party?"

"Again, I honestly don't know," Huey repeated with a hint of exasperation. "So, I think I'll leave the planning of my 'Welcome to Ponyville and Equestria, Dear Human!' party to you, Pinkie. We can then see if you made the right choices afterwards."

Pinkie gasped in surprise.

"How did you know the title of my party!?" She questioned. "Do you have super-duper psychic powers?"

Huey shook his head and pointed at Twilight.

"She made an educated guess."

"Nice one, Twilight!" Pinkie chirped before putting her notebook away and inhaling deeply, which caused her fingers to suddenly be absorbed back into her hoof.

"Now, I guess it's my turn," Applejack drawled. "I ain't got much to ask, stranger, but what's ya thinking towards apples?"

"Well, I'd have to try one before I could pass judgement, Applejack. I'd be lying if I gave you an opinion when I've yet to eat one... To my knowledge."

Applejack nodded slowly and thoughtfully before turning towards Twilight.

"I think ya got a keeper there, Twilight," She said. "He appreciates how much honesty means to somepony."

The group then looked towards Twilight, who had been taking notes of her own. After a few moments of silence elapsed, the lavender unicorn finally noticed it was her turn and swiftly put her stationery away with a nervous chuckle.

"Oh, d-don't mind me!" She burbled. "I'll be asking Huey my questions later. He and I have already gone over a lot of things regarding human culture, but there's still plenty more!"

"True," Huey added. "I don't think we finished the cataloguing of anatomy either, which reminds me, you need to teach me the skeletal system of ponies."

Twilight nodded before looking towards the next individual in the circle, Rainbow Dash. It was clear that she was the impatient type due to her bored and annoyed expression, accompanied by her folded hooves. Suddenly, she threw her forehooves into the air.

"Urgh!" She exclaimed. "Finally, all I wanna know is how do you humans control the weather, if you don't have wings?"

"Ah, yes, Twilight told me that pegasai can manipulate clouds and stuff." Huey began. "However, where I'm from, we don't control the weather. It is dictated by a number of different factors like which season it is, pressure levels, it's not really something I know much about, however I can definitely say we don't control the weather.

"Woah, weird!" Rainbow remarked in surprise. The group then looked over at Spike, who was sat next to Huey in the final position of the circle. He glanced around at the group and then shrugged.

"What?" He asked. "I don't have anything."

With the first circuit of the circle completed, Huey breathed a heavy sigh.

"Does anyone have any more questions?" He asked. "Anything at all? No?"

The ponies looked amongst themselves and shook their heads. Either they'd already asked what they wanted to know, weren't willing to ask or had reserved their questions for later. With the realisation that the questioning had ended faster than expected, Applejack and Rarity stood up.

"Well, I better be gettin' back to the farm." Applejack said with a stretch of her legs. "I'm sure Granny's got some more chores for me to do. So, I'll see ya'll around, alright girls?"

The group paid their farewells to the apple farmer and watched her leave.

"I'm afraid I must dash too!" Rarity explained apologetically. "I have a very important order to complete and I can't delay any longer!"

The unicorn then stepped towards Huey.

"If you are ever in need of a new set of clothes, darling. Don't hesitate to drop by Carousel Boutique. I'd be more than happy to tailor something to you."

"I'll keep that in mind. Thank you very much, Rarity."

With a gentle nod of her head, Rarity lifted up a solitary hoof and presented it to Huey. Recognising the gesture as one similar to one he'd seen in his own world, Huey reached out and grasped the underside of the hoof tenderly. He then bent down and kissed her hoof. Rarity giggled with delight, her excitement so great that she began to dance on the spot.

"Oh, you're a true gem!" She remarked. "And a gentlecolt too! You really have struck lucky, Twilight!"

With a friendly wave to everyone else, Rarity swiftly made her way out of the library.

"Well, I'm not interested in hoof-kissing stuff, so..." Rainbow Dash began indignantly. "I'll see you guys around. Also, Huey, catch you later, okay?"

Huey nodded and happily accepted the hoof-bump the blue pegasus offered. With her farewells taken care of, she swiftly zipped out of the open door. The only guest left, who had yet to say anything at all, was Fluttershy. Huey looked towards her and found she was still concealed behind the curtain of pink hair. After glancing over at Twilight, who merely frowned and shrugged, Huey addressed the yellow pegasus.

"Fluttershy, would you like me to escort you home?"

The pink mane shifted from side to side, indicating a shake of the head.

"N-No, I-I'm okay." A barely audible whisper replied. "Th-Thank you for offering though."

After muttering a hurried farewell and bowing her head numerous times apologetically, Fluttershy backed out of the library and disappeared. Huey frowned and looked back at Twilight, who shut the door with her magic.

"Is she always that nervous?" He asked. "Or is it just me?"

"I think it's a bit of both?" Twilight mused. "She was like that with me when we first met. So, I guess it's a bit more scary for her since you're not another pony."

"Hmmmm... I guess so," Huey mumbled. "Still, what now?"

"Meeeeeeeeeeeeeeee..."

Huey yelped and leapt away from the voice, realising that Pinkie had left her seat and was stood right next to him.

"What the!?" Huey cried out. "Pinkie don't do that! You nearly scared me to death!"

"Sorry, Huey!" She apologised. "But there's something I'd like you to dooooooooooooo!"

"W-What?"

Pinkie half-closed her eyes and waggled her eyebrows at him. Huey stared back blankly as Pinkie's ears began to twitch.

"You've lost me." Huey said, causing Pinkie to huff slightly.

"Cross my heart..." Pinkie began slowly, causing Huey's eyes to widen. With a smack of his forehead, Huey remembered the promise he had made to her.

"Ah, of course! Sorry about that!" Huey replied before reaching down and scratching Pinkie's ears. The pink earth pony's eyes rolled into the back of her head again.

"Oh gooooooooosh!" She cooed. "Your fingers are awesome!"

"What?" Huey asked in surprise. "I never told you what these were! How did you know!?"

"Lyra..." Pinkie burbled, her back-leg twitching slightly before she forcefully tore herself away from Huey.

"Sorry, that just feels so good!" Pinkie gushed with an ecstatic grin. "It's like eating spare buttercream from the mixing bowl, only a hundred times more awesome!"

"Um... Glad you like it?" Huey said with a hint of uncertainty.

"I do, very much!" Pinkie replied and gave Huey a hug that proved to be tight enough to squeeze the air out of his lungs. "If you get the chance, visit a friend of mine called Lyra Heartstrings! She'd be delighted to meet you!"

"I'll... Keep it in mind!" Huey wheezed. "Can't breathe!"

Pinkie giggled apologetically as she let go of Huey, permitting him the ability to breathe again.

"Anyway, I'd better get going too! I have your party to plan!"

Huey gave Pinkie a thumbs up and a wave as she bounced out of the library. With all of the guests gone, he breathed a sigh of relief and turned towards Twilight.

"Now! What's next?" He enquired.

"Firstly, bedroom!" Twilight stated. "We need to figure out where you're going to sleep!"

"Well, how many bedrooms does this place have?"

"Just the one, I'm afraid," Twilight replied with an awkward smile. "My room."

"I'm not sharing with you."

"What!?" Twilight spluttered. "I wasn't even going to... What!?"

"Just preempting a possibility," Huey said nonchalantly. "Where does Spike sleep then?"

"He sleeps in his basket in my room!"

"Fair enough. Well, are there any empty rooms kicking around?"

"Not really, none that would be appropriate for a bed."

Huey sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Okay, what about somewhere temporary?" He suggested. "Why not just give me a sleeping bag and I'll sleep on the floor or something?"

"Are you sure you're okay with that?" Twilight asked. "The floor is solid wood, you know?"

"Eh, I've been camping before." Huey countered. "Same thing, I'll be fine. All I need is a sleeping bag big enough."

"Ah..."

The human glanced over at the unicorn, who was looking down at the floor.

"There aren't any sleeping bags in my size, are there?"

"No."

"Great," Huey stated in frustration. "We leave a castle filled with gigantic four-poster beds without even thinking about the sleeping arrangements!"

"I'm sorry, I've got a lot on my mind!" Twilight snapped back. "All of this stuff about looking after you has been really sudden! I've not had time to plan or be organised."

"Alright, fine!" Huey replied with a slightly raised voice. "Let's just calm down before this becomes an argument and we just think of a solution to this problem. How does that sound?"

"Sounds good to me!"

"Yeesh, you guys are perfect for each other," Spike remarked nonchalantly, causing both Huey and Twilight to look at him in surprise.

"You're still here!?" Huey said. "I thought you'd wandered off!"

"Nope, still here." Spike replied. "But I'm going now. Best of luck!"

The pair watched as the baby dragon wandered to the kitchen. They then looked at each other.

"Right..." Twilight began awkwardly.

"Sleeping arrangements." Huey said in an equally unsure tone.

"We need something that will allow you to sleep somewhat comfortably for a little while. I know a stallion who has a quill and furniture shop that we can look around in for a proper bed." Twilight mused. "But what do we use now?"

"Sleeping bags are too small, and I don't think we even have one." Huey added thoughtfully. "Do you have any spare quilts?"

"I think I do. Why?"

"Well, we need something temporary." Huey explained. "Why not sew two quilts together so that they're long enough for me to lie on. That can act as a temporary mattress!"

"And another pair of quilts are sewn together to act as a quilt fit for your size too?"

"Perfect!" Huey congratulated. "As for the pillows, they'll be fine as they are. As for the sewing, it doesn't need to be that good, since it's just temporary. Do you have a sewing kit?"

Twilight nodded and levitated it into the room from the kitchen.

"Alright, let's do some sewing!" Huey declared authoritatively.