Author's Note

While editing these two chapters I marathoned some of Rocko's Modern Life.
Its a classic, and makes me wanna make a cartoon like it. but the main character is a NEET (just like meeeee ).

Act 6 - Working On It

The door swings open to Non's and Rainbows house, no remnants of the party that took place left. Excluding some snacks left wrapped up on the kitchen table. "You ponys should start locking your doors. Never know who might just walk in." Leo said attempting a joke, as well to try and get the attention of the houses residents.

In the living room, Non and Rainbow both lightly cringed at the familiar voice. Twilight's ears involuntarily tried to pin themselves to her head. The three were not looking forward to the conversation, and maybe had put off going to get him from Pinkie Pie as a result. "In here Leo." Rainbow called out.

The soft foot falls signaled Leos movement into the room. His head peaked around the door frame, the three sitting on the couch and arm chair. All staring directly towards him.

-"Oh Twilight I need to talk to you."-
-"Leo, We gotta have a chat"-

The two humans said at once. Looked at each other, then looked back to the two pony's. "Uh, let me go first Non. Twilight, I owe you an apology." The shock on the other threes faces didn't stop him from continuing. "After I sobered up, and talked to Pink a bit I. I realized I was letting my anger at my.. No, no excuses. Regardless of what. Am going through, It was wrong of me to act out like that for something so dumb. Also, sorry to you two. I left you two to pick up a mess and, well I didn't think before I just got myself blasted."

There was short silence, until Rainbow spoke up. "Leo, we need you to stay somewhere else tonight."
"Oh okay. Kinda short notice, where am I supposed to go?" he asked with concern, wouldn't be the first time he slept outside, but probably the first time he had done so sober.

"That's why I am still here." Twilight chimed in. "The Mayor told me about one place that is vacant. However, It was a storefront so its not really ready to be a home yet, its going to need to be remodeled, and reconstructed. But since you have a job now the town Hall can start getting paper work to get it turned into a proper home. You can, um stay there tonight."

As the words hit him, Leo moved silently to pick up his small pile of clothes, and his coat. Then walked right out of the house and stood outside. Shortly after Twilight, and the other two walked to the doorway. "Well, aren't you going to show me where this place is?"

"Oh, yeah right." Twilight timidly responded, following him out the door. It took a bit of time before Twilight found the courage to speak again. "I really do appreciate the apology."

"Well, that's good. I meant it, I have been dealing with alot. Even before I ended up here, and its made me a real act like an ass."

Twilight giggles "I mean maybe a little. But, I owe you an apology as well." This got Leo to raise an eyebrow.

"Well, I did all those tests on you, and never really got to know you. So instead of asking for your view I asserted my own. I never gave you a chance to explain why you thought different."

"That's quite a stretch there Twilight. But if it makes you feel better, Thanks. How did those tests go anyway?"

“Well its quite Interesting. It seems your body is taking the change really fast. The samples I got from you are showing a rapid amount of change. Which means your body has already started to adapt to magic. Which took months for Non, its like you’ve been in Equestria for months already.”

“Huh, I have no idea what that means.”

“Neither do I really. You haven't noticed any change? And way magic might be affecting your mind or body?”

“Besides that Blue Princess that keeps messing with my dreams. Mind and body are as cruddy as they always been.”

“Oh Princess Luna has been visiting your dreams?” She then changes to a quieter tone, even though there is no-pony else around. “Have you been having a lot of nightmares?”

“Thats my business.” He says as the Twilight stops. Looking in from of him he sees what Is supposed to be his new home.

A large single floor building is what meets his eyes, it sits a little out side of the market place in town. And a fair way away from most of Ponville’s residential area. It looks more like a garage with two large rolling bay doors being the only way of entry. Only two windows can be seen, one on the left bay door. And another on the left side, which seems to have long been boarded up.

Leo gives out a long whistle. “Wow, Twilight don't you think this is a little much. I mean I would never feel at home in a castle like this.”

Her response was a nervous smile, “I actually haven’t seen it until now. The mayor said it would need work but. This seems like it might be better off condemned.”

“Well not so fast, it’s probably in my price range. How much would I end up having to muster up for castle el dirt here?”

Twilight gives him a puzzled look before a metaphorical light goes iff in her head. “Oh right, things are different in Equestria Leo.”

“Yup, I got that. How dense do you think I am?”

“No I mean.” She huffs and calms herself before continuing. “Here as long as you have a job in the community, the town gives you a place to stay. But fixing it and anything else besides the four walls is up to the owner to take care of.” She says this as the doors slide open and lights her horn to brighten the inside.

“Ah so I am guessing that Big Mac told you I got a job at Apple Acres huh?” Leo says as he walking in ahead of Twilight, and keeps the door held up, for her to walk through.

“Well Applejack did, can’t say I am proud about HOW you got the job but..”

Aside from piles of wood planks the concrete floor is bare. Covered in only dust and the back wall has a tool bench. Long since striped bare. On the far left it looks like the only other room is an office area the door to which is missing. Showing the boarded up window, with a desk pushed up against it.

“Well I guess beggars can’t be choosers. So this place is just mine now? Thats it?”

“Well there will be paperwork to do tomorrow to put it in your name. Otherwise, essentially yes. However this is worse then I though, there is nowhere for you to sleep. I can’t just leave you here.”

“Well it’s to late now. It’s the dead of night and Non and Rainbow are no doubt celebrating my departure. Ill make due, and after my first paycheck. Ill get myself a blanket! ~Fancy livin, here I come!” Leo practically shouting the last sentence walking over to the office room and finding the desk.

“Nonsense, you can stay at the library. At least it’s insulated.” She says with a small shiver from the cold concrete beneath her hooves.

She does not get an answer, she hears a creaking and then walks into the office to find Leo laying down on the desk. Facing the ceiling, “I am gunna spend the night here, Its late and I need to make sure I make it to work tomorrow.”

“Leo, you could get sick. Or worse spending the night here.”

“I most definitely could.”

“Then why don’t you just-“

“I am tired, and I actually had a nice talk with Pink. Along with that, Pink kinda helped me realize that I was being a jerk, to little to late I guess. Then, on top of all that, imagine my surprise finding out this dump is to be my new ‘home’. I just wanna go to sleep Twilight, go home. Ill see you on the weekend for more tests.”

"But you really coul-"

"LEAVE!"

Twilight's ears pin themselves to her head, understanding that Leo might just need some time to himself for now. So she starts on her way back home. Leaving Leo in the black darkness of the night.

As he slumps onto the cold wooden desk, he moves his clothes into a pile to work as a pillow. With nothing else but his coat to work as a blanket he starts to rest.

————

It wasn’t odd to Leo that he could tell he was dreaming. It seemed to be happening more often now that he had some interloper interested in his dreams. What was odd to him was his lack of control. For this was much less like a dream, and more him being forced to relive his memories.

If he could, he would have been yelling or screaming. Anything to get him to wake up, or get out but he couldn't. She wasn’t about to let him. Princess Luna, it seemed wherever she was hiding, wasn’t going to stop until she got what she wanted.

Luna was enthralled with the oddities of the human world as she was watching from behind Leo’s eyes. The darkness around was cut by lampposts and the glow of the gas station. As Leo passed the large metal box on wheels on his way to the building, she recognized it as a vehicle of some sort, from one of Non’s descriptions she'd have guessed truck. She did not however recognize the items displayed across the large frame.

She didn't have long to decipher them, again this was not her goal to identify the cylinders of swirling color and ice on this metal wagon. It was to find out just how Leo crossed over. He had claimed to not remember, but she had to be sure. Her sister had asked her to double check, it seemed that her student was still unsure of this new creatures honesty. Not to mention Luna’s own skepticism, one does not have that many nightmares without the matching demons.

Having moved inside the building Leo started to move toward some sort of food display. Grabbing some sandwiches, then looking up both could see his reflection in the chrome on the top of the oddly cold display.

He was unkempt, not totally unlike he was before the doctors took him in after his crash. His long hair was un-brushed and seemed to have been for several weeks. His face was un-evenly shaved. The worst part for Luna to see was his eyes. They were bloodshot, and his face was red. The smile he wore did not match anything about him.

Moving away he grabbed a few large brown bottles, before paying and walking back outside. Getting into a much smaller metal wagon with someone else inside.

“Jesus man, you spend the whole twenty I just gave you?” The other human behind the wheel asked.

“You gave me a twenty, didn't say I couldn’t.” Leos voice was different, less focused. After he seemed to be having a real issue with getting the odd rope over himself.

“You can be a real asshole Leo, If I had anyone else that could help me today I would gladly toss your ass on the side of the road.” The other human said, while clicking the belt in place.

“Id rather you had someone else to, but I need the cash.” Leo started in on his food, as the other human began to drive.

“So, whats this thing supposed to do?” Leo asks as he taps the odd metal contraption in the back seat.

The other human smacks his hand. “Don’t do that. Besides with how much you've had already you'd forget and ask me again in four minutes.”

Leo simply grumbled as he finished his food. The driver taking them farther and farther into the Forrest. The only lights coming from the vehicle that was going down the dirt road.

Then near a lake the car stops. The other human starts barking at Leo to move the machine and other parts from the car to set up. Leo starts in, having a bit of trouble managing the exact orders of the other.

Once they were finished the machine started to run. It was about the size of a small boat once it was completed. Green lights started to blink. “Alright, Leo stand over here”

“Alright.” As Leo got into the seat, “So you mind telling me the deal here? Is this supposed to be a boat? Id be offended if you thought I wouldn't get the concept of a boat.”

“Not a boat. Well not exactly. See ya in twenty Leo.” The other human flicked and the machine lurched. Backwards then forwards.

“What!? Is that supposed-“ Leo was cut off as the machine pulled backwards, the lake disappearing as a rainbow of colors started to swirl around him. He fell to his knees, fighting back the urge to vomit. Before the pain became to much. Severing Luna’s hold and waking up Leo.

—————

“Oh god. *UUR*” It was the same thing Leo had said five or so times already this morning. Having vomited on the floor with a massive headache being his wake up call. He was currently halfway to his first day of work, understandably in a bad mood.

“I just hope shes as sick as I am. Uugh.” Another close call with last nights pastries.

Mentally Leo started to go through his days todo list. It took him a bit , but he got it.
Work, town office for paperwork, and then visiting Pink. Just in time as well he had finally reached the farm. This time he was met with the orange mare who had promised to help him in the first place. With Big Mac no where to be seen.

“So where is Big Red?”

“Its Big MAC, and hes nursing a hangover in bed. Looks like you got one yourself.”

“Huh, yeah right. A hangover.” Leo learned that day the ponies seem oblivious to sarcasm.

So began a day of apple farming. Leo was to hand pick, and gathered quit a few barrels worth. Enough to make the day pass quickly. Having been busy he was surprised when around noon a small yellow pony had brought him something to eat. He thanked the small filly, and felt pretty good about having something productive todo. Not really noticing that the amount of work he was doing wasn't in the least bit tiring. Then only a few more hours passed until he was done. Once he was given the go ahead, as well as a days worth of pay, he went straight to the town office.

“Sooner I get this paperwork done the better. Then maybe some food.” he mumbled to himself on his way to the Town Hall he was walking through the vendor spaces. Seeing flowers, food as well as the odds and ends the ponyfolk sold. The rumble if his stomach gets him to stop rethink the order of his list.

One particular stand seems to have eggs and a variety of other produce. So he stopped to browse, the bright red mare with a blonde mane, standing behind the counter looking like shes about ready to bolt.

“Miss, how much are eggs?”

“Eep” she responds. Hiding under the counter.

Leo leans over the counter to look down at her. His tone showing his lack of patience. “And just how many bits are in one Eep?”

She doesn't respond. “Please Miss? Uh whats your name?”

She shakily responds “Brandywine”

“Ah yes, Miss Brandywine. I would like to purchase some of your produce here? Would that be okay? Or would you rather I shop somewhere else?”

“Of course. I- I was just.” She quickly grabs a cloth and pretends to be dusting the floor. “Cleaning! How can I help you.”

“Well I'd like some of these eggs, and maybe some tomatoes. Maybe a onion or two.”

“Oh planing on making some omelettes tonight?”

“Now that's an idea! If only I had cooking ware.” He finished with a light chuckle.

That got a giggle out of Brandywine. “Well a dozen eggs, a couple of tomatoes and an onion is all you need! That will be 10 bits.”

Leo wasn’t really sure if that was a good price or not. So he just paid it, and grabbed his food. Said his goodbye’s and left. Eating one of his tomatoes, getting him a odd look from Brandywine.

Town hall was surprisingly empty. And Leos meeting with the Mayor went swiftly. She wasn’t nearly as timid as the other members of the town. The paperwork however, ended up taking a few hours. Leo had to register as a citizen. Which when he thought about it, was good time compared to how long he had to wait to renew his license back on earth.

It had to be close to quitting time for Pinkie at this point, so Leo decided to head over to her work. Admittedly a little worried about meeting again.

The quite ding of the doorbell rang through the Sugarcube Corner. As Leo bent down to walk through the door. Most of the ponies inside ended up looking over at him.

Leo decided to ignore them, and head over to the counter and see if Pinkie was off shift or not. He was greeted by the mare he was looking for. Popping up from underneath the counter.

“LEO! Good to see you, *GAAASP* Its not 5 already is it!?!” She zips impossibly fast over to the clock, then back to Leo. "Silly Leo its only 4:45, unless you came for for something sweet to eat!"

“Yeah, no, well lets just say both. Do you have coffee here? Id like a cup of that with one of those cupcakes. I need something extra, had a busy day of paperwork today.”

"Yep! Okie-Doki-Loki, coming right-" She zips to the back room and then to the counter. "-UUUP!" Handing Leo his drink and cupcake with a little smile added with chocolate frosting.

"Hey, thanks Pink. Whats the charge?" Leo went ahead and paid her and took a seat in the booth he used last night. She telling him that she would join him a the booth once she was done with her shift, and Mrs. Cake would take over.

Leo was surprised at himself, he had managed to keep his temper. It seemed to also get him results. Although that Mayor had tested his patience a few times. Now that it was done however, he had his own little place. Even if he though it was a shithole. He had a job, even if it was temporary. He might dare say he made a friend in Pinkie Pie, even if she was a pony. He was actually in a pretty good mood, and he felt as if things would actually get better for him.

As that's when a royal guard came into Sugarcube Corner. The Guard looking around the storefront and as soon as his eyes landed on Leo, shouted. "Leo the Human, You are under arrest by the order of Princess Luna! For the crime of keeping secrets from the crown!"

His response was to drop his coffee on himself, and swear at the hot beverage.