Paradox in Purple (Sardonyx in this World)

Twilight Sparkle eyed the cave entrance warily. A cozy glow could be seen just a few feet in, presumably made by a nice warm fire in a big hearth. She stamped her hooves, first the front two, then the back to shake off any snow matted into the fur. She was thankful for her winter garb. Up here in the mountains the nights got very cold, very fast. The fat wet flakes of snow that covered her brown winter coat and hood seemed to weigh her down and sap the warmth from her bones only made her feel more miserable.

Stomping a front hoof again she wondered for the thousandth time why in Celestia's sake did she send me on this mission? The rumors abounded before she left on her long voyage. Strange beings tumbling out of portals all over Equestria! And if the rumors were to be believed, even one in Canterlot itself. By the time she was able to organize a meeting with Celestia, she was given this mission, find the source of strange magic in the mountains, hurriedly told it was a matter of utmost importance, and pretty much shoved out the door, not that much wiser for her efforts.

Feeling the growing cold as the sun sets behind her, Twilight finishes grumbling to herself she steels her resolves and walks slowly into the cave. A pleasant chime could be heard, an alarm spell at the doorway she realizes. Harnessing her magic, she conjures a thin protective sphere around her and continues further in.

"Hello?" She calls before stepping over the threshold into the cave. A few more feet and she stops. The ringing sounds of her hoof falls on the stone ground were now replaced by the distinct clacking sounds of her hooves crossing a wooden floor. Looking down at the seamless transition from stone to wood, her suspicions were confirmed. There was strange magic a-hoof. Continuing on down the now hallway she is greeted by an open doorway a few more feet ahead to her right.

Peeking around the corner she sees the source of the light. It was a fireplace indeed. It seemed molded out of the wooden wall itself, more sculpted then built into a recess. A cheery fire sat burning merrily in an ornate fireplace, on top of a stack of good sized logs. A large pot with a lid half removed bubbled happily within. She could smell the vegetable stew and it made her stomach rumble lightly. Chagrined she hoped that no one was around to hear it.

Two old fashioned high backed chairs sat a few feet apart from each other in front of the fireplace. Comfortable if not a little worn cushions on the seat and back. A small sitting table between them. A few pieces of paper, a couple of writing quills, and a pot of ink all rested on it. She took a hesitant step into the room, then another. Using her magic she removed her hooded coat and floated it to a nearby coat rack. Her boots followed, levitating with purple auras to go under the rack.

"Make yourself at home, Daughter of Magic". A voice could be heard from a little chamber to the right of the 'sitting room'.

Twilight jumps, but keeps her composure. Facing the doorway she calls out "Thank you. There's quite a chill out tonight". Whatever Celestia wanted her to find, she probably didn't expect a pleasant living room, much less a pleasant voice talking to her. "The storm is going to pick up really soon. Maybe another foot or two of snow". She finishes. Shivering she takes the unseen voice up on his offer and walks over to the chair that faces the open doorway where the voice came from and hops on. Comfortable at least.

"Sorry for the lack of hospitality, I haven't had guests in the hat for a long time..... Oh holy shit a unicorn" The man stutters out the last few words of the previously pleasant sentence.

Twilight looks at this strange new being in front of her. Is this being one of the things that has caused all the rumors around Canterlot? He stood maybe two or three times her height, and only on two legs! Light brown hair pulled back into a small braid with leather straps over one shoulder. Light grey eyes sparkled just as merrily as hers. Pale skin with various abrasions and marks on his arms. "Are you a human?" She asks him, eyes aglow with excitement. Wait, what did he say? "And yes. I am a unicorn. My name is Twilight Sparkle. It's nice to meet you!"

Shaking his head, he blinks a few times to process. The alarm spell at the door told him there was a caster arriving, and pretty strong one too, but it neglected to mention it was a unicorn. And a purple one at that with large, lavender eyes. "I'll never complain about things not getting weirder ever again." He says keeping his tone light. "The names Sardonyx. Pleasure to meet you. Milk?" Holding out the tray in his hands, offering his guest a large brown pottery glass full of cold milk.

Twilight nods "Thank you" she responds using her magic to lift the cup and place it on the table before her. "Wait. What was that you said about a hat?" She tilts her head and looks up at him again. Focusing her magic again she realizes just about everything in the room has a faint glow of magic around it.

Walking over and taking a seat on the unused chair he places his glass on the table as well. "Yep. Hat." Putting a finger in the air he draws a circle encompassing the room. "Lucky I had it on when I ended up here. I hate the cold."

Understanding dawns in Twilight's eyes. "Dimensional pocket space? Teleportation bridge? Reality overriden...." She claps her hooves happily and tries to eye everything in the room all at once.

"More of the first, none of the latter?" He says biting back a grin. Curious one that she is! "It usually takes the form of a well worn, but very comfortable peddler's hat. But that too, can change. Are their such items of magic on your world?"

She nods in agreement more to herself then him. "A few objects here and there. Although the creation of such items is time consuming and exhausting work, most magicians here don't bother overmuch". Still craning her long neck to stare intently at just about every object in the room, Twilight realizes she's being rude to her host and looks back to the being sitting on the chair across from her. She notices him intently watching her, studying her like a teacher watching his pupils reaction to something it seems. Well fair is fair she surmises while staring back at the strange being.

"So." He starts. Stops. Clears his throat and gives a small smile, and looks away.

"So." She as well looks down from his gauze, running a hoof up and down her other foreleg nervously.

Sardonyx clears his throat again. "I'm feeling a bit out for asking this, but where exactly am I?" He finishes.

Twilight can tell from the relaxed tone he asked that question, he was feeling anything but. Smiling at her host she responds. "You are in Equestria. It's a world populated by earth ponies, unicorns, alicorns, pegasi, a few dragons, and so much more! " Clapping her hooves excitedly. "Strangers in our world! It's so wonderful! Have you traveled to other worlds?"
She catches herself and stops. Organizing her thoughts she tries again. "I was sent on a mission to find out this weird magical reading, which is I'm guessing was your hat." She smiles at the small nod he gives her. "And here we are."

A chime not unlike a grandfather clock rings gently through the room. "Oven's done, be right back." Sardonyx stands up quickly and heads towards the kitchen. "Help yourself to some stew if you like. There's plenty. Just save some room for dessert". He calls out over his shoulder, he can hear her hop down and trot towards the cooking pot eagerly, ears twitching in excitement at the prospect of a warm meal.

A few moments later Sardonyx finds himself standing in the kitchen doorway just quietly watching his house guest. A plate of chocolate chip cookies rapidly cooling on a plate in his hands. In that moment something stopped him from crossing that threshold into that cozy sitting room. Later he would reason it was perhaps all the days events finally catching up to him, culminating in the fact he was about to share a dinner with a purple unicorn the size of which could barely come up past his waist, sans horn.

Her purple fur given a cozy glow from the fireplace light. The shadows dancing on her form creating such deep pools of color it was almost an impossible shade likened to ripened mulberries. Dinner spoon glowing with it's own faint purple magical aura surrounding it as she would use her magic to scoop up the stew as she ate. It was her eyes though. The lavender pools reflecting a myriad of colors. Deep and radiating. It was something the man had never seen before. Awestruck, he reasons is a good word for it.

There were very few noises, aside from her regular breathing. 'She was a quiet eater, thank the gods for that' he though to himself. Nothing worse than bad table manners. Although in this case it really shows a level of magical dedication to her craft. The fact she could eat so quietly using whatever spell that was, spoon barely scraping the bowl while she ate. A lifetime of dedication and casual use of such precision was impressive.

Clearing his throat quietly as much to inform his guest he was returning into the room, as to help gather his nerves before returning. Setting the plate down on the little table after moving the papers and quills out of the way, he turns his head towards his guest. "You can eat chocolate?" He asks her.

Her little nostrils flaring quickly catching the scent of the treats cooling on the plate made him bite his lower lip hard to fight the urge to laugh. Guess that's that.

Twilight's eyes look up at the humans face seeing the mirth in his eyes and she gives him a lopsided grin before nodding. "Very much so!" she says enthusiastically.

The pair eating quietly, the occasional praise for the food, some weather small talk infrequently breaking through the warm fireplaces burning logs crackling cheerfully to themselves. The dessert passed just as quickly and quietly. Two beings from different worlds watching the chaotic dancing flames lost in their own thoughts.

Sardonyx quietly stands up, gathering the plates and sliverware to take to the kitchen. Before reaching the mugs a purple nimbus of magic surrounds them lifting them in the air a few inches. "Let me help you with that" Twilight tells him, jumping down from her chair to stand next to him, stew pot ladle now floating next to her. With a nod, he leads her into the kitchen.

It was a small affair, and pretty simple looking Twilight noticed upon entering the room. A few closed wooden doors promised more exploration beyond the confines of the little kitchen, but for now she satiated her curiosity by watching her host. She gave him a small smile when he looked her way, pointing to the sink where the floating objects she held in her magics grip should go. Gently bobbing through the air they reached their destination and gently landed in the sink with nary a sound.

An open pantry with a long set of shelves on each side, seemingly going on forever. Burlap sacks, wooden crates, barrels of all shapes and sizes lined the shelves and floor. Even a few hanging baskets of vegetables and herbs. She even noticed more than a few wheels of cheeses in various packages.

The kitchen itself was a small affair, compared to the pantry. A stove not unlike one from her world sat next to one that looked like it could belong in an antique museum, all dark iron and grim stature. Even still, it radiated a seemingly cheery warmth and bathing the room in a cozy 'i'm home' kind of feeling. Twilight found herself thinking of fond memories of home with her family while following the human back into the living room.

"I like your house. Hat. Sorry. It's very cozy." She says, jumping onto the chair she previously occupied. Settling herself in she faces the man.

"Thank you. It's been a boon to have, let me tell you." Sardonyx tells her, sitting down as well. "More than once it's saved me from sleeping in some flea bitten tavern bunkhouse." Idly itching his arms at the thought he continues. "I'll give you the tour if you like, sometime. Only two of us in here, but it can host a bit more if needed. But some of the rooms are always available. Like the kitchen. And the library."

With a whooshing noise and an audible 'pop' his guest vanishes from view, only to reappear again mere inches from his face with the same 'pop' that makes him blink. "Library?" Twilight asks him, her voice barely containing her excitement.