No birds, no crickets, no roosters, nothing, nothing is making noise outside this room. The same goes for inside this room since the clock on the wall stopped working last night. People never believed me when I told them silence hurts. I guess it's not the silence that hurts, it's the loneliness. That old TV show I saw on youtube, a clip anyways, hit the nail on the head when it talked about loneliness being a disease of the human spirit. It is true, when humans are young, we're taught not to talk to strangers and told to keep quiet and not to talk to our classmates, and to stay focused on our work, and then, after all of us have grown old, we're told not to talk to ourselves. At that point, what does a person do, exactly?

I hate being alone because I'm afraid. Right now, sitting in this hospital room, I'm afraid of being alone in this new world, for today is the day I'm released from this room and this hospital.

"Hmm?"

That sounded like a soft knock on the door.

"Mr. Chris, may I come in?" a voice said. I could see the door handle turn, and then the door creep opened. "Are you alright?"

"Y-Yea, I'm just anxious." I said.

Those nurses no doubt told Doctor Transfusion about what happened last night, about how I kept tossing and turning. All I could do was think about what to do with my life. It had to be around midnight, when the clock stopped, that I experienced an epiphany of sorts: my life is a blank slate right now. I've received a second chance at life, in a weird sort of way. Though my second chance represents the positive side of things, there are some massive downsides, too.

"Do you mind if I pull up a chair?" Doctor Transfusion said. I shook my head. "Though I am not a psychologist, I am your doctor right now, and I am more than willing to listen to your concerns."

Right now I feel like a child who's in trouble, just gazing at my hands. This might be why so few people are willing to talk about their problems. They feel like they're in trouble for something and will get punished for it.

"You look like a human with a lot on his mind, love. What's going on?" Doctor Transfusion said.

"How do I put this..." I said. There's no real way to say it except to be blunt. "For starters, I'm concerned about being naked. I mean," Doctor Transfusion looked at me like I was crazy, "I know that I'm not technically naked since I have this gown on, but I arrived in Equestria naked. And, not to mention, there's no doubt it would be inappropriate to take this gown with me as I'd look like some escaped mental health patient. Beyond that fact, there are two, huge, overwhelming issues. I have no money, and I have no place to stay."

"Those are valid concerns." Doctor Transfusion said.

"There's also the matter of my debt to the hospital. Healthcare is neither free, nor exactly cheap." I said. The part about healthcare concerns me the most. It's not just the fact I don't have any money. I'm in debt, too. "If I were to give a ballpark estimate on my situation, I'm probably in debt to this hospital for one-hundred-thousand, maybe two-hundred-thousand dollars with the treatments, private room, your expert medical care, and so-on."

"What are 'dollars,' Mr. Chris?" Doctor Transfusion said.

"This is not good." I said. Things have grown even more complicated. "I just wish I knew what --"

"Love," Doctor Transfusion placed her index finger on my lips, "if I might get a word in edgewise."

"S-Sorry, I apologize for rambling. " I said, Doctor Transfusion having removed her finger from my lips.

"It's alright, your concerns are valid and understandable." Doctor Transfusion said. She smiled, and then put her right hand on my shoulder. "First," the mare placed a small gold colored box beside me before she removed her hand from my shoulder, "I have a little present for you. It should help alleviate your first concern."

The sunlight reflected off the beautiful gold colored box and its similarly colored ribbon. With the gold colored ribbon removed and the lid slid off the box, I can see what Doctor Transfusion was talking about.

"I, I don't... know what to say except... thank you." I said.

These clothes, they're amazing. The fabric is so smooth to the touch; this white buttoned shirt feels like silk, and the black pants are stylish too. Sweet, there's even a black belt with a gold buckle to go with the pants. That's a relief, there's some underwear in here too. Hell, the ensemble includes some black shoes, and some white socks. This is awesome.

Oh my god, I'm excited about getting clothes. I am an adult. This sucks.

Meh, whatever, this shit rocks.

"Just, just wow. Thank you so much for the clothes." I said.

"You are very welcome, and I'll be sure to tell Mrs. Rarity you liked them." Doctor Transfusion said. She gave a firm nod, and then stood up. "As an FYI of sorts, Mrs. Rarity is a seamstress with her headquarters in Ponyville. She happily donates some of her unsold clothing to local charities, helping out those who are down on their luck. When word reached Mrs. Rarity about your case, she was more than happy to modify some old colt clothes."

Man, these clothes feel great. This fabric would put anything on Earth to shame. That Armani stuff wouldn't even compare to these clothes, if I could have afforded that expensive crap.

"I'm just glad I won't be walking around with my junk hanging out." I said. It looks like Doctor Transfusion turned around to let me change in privacy. "All done."

"I must say, those clothes do look rather marvelous on you." Doctor Transfusion said. She took off her glasses and pulled a handkerchief out of her lab-coat pocket. She put the handkerchief back into her lab-coat pocket, and then put her glasses back on. "As another FYI, it wouldn't have been a problem if you were to walk around naked with your, ahem, 'junk' hanging out as you put it. In Equestria, there's no firm dress code, so some creatures do go natural. There are only a few instances where proper etiquette and attire would be necessary. Such instances would include parties and banquettes, or for certain jobs, like doctors."

Now that Doctor Transfusion mentions it... yea, that makes total sense. I remember, Gusty Breeze, she was naked the first time we met. Then again, there was also the time I remember her being clothed when she came to visit me in the hospital? I'm so confused.

"Onto your second concern, I would like to alleviate your concerns about the hospital bill. It is not only rude but inappropriate to discuss options at this current point in time. So, we will discuss those matters at a later date when you're holding down a steady job, alright." Doctor Transfusion said. She placed a gentle hand on my shoulder. "For a final FYI of sorts, several jobs pay a rather acceptable living wage of around one-hundred bits per week, some jobs even higher. At sixty-five to seventy-five-bits for weekly expenses, that leaves you some good wiggle room to save up your money."

"Thanks Doctor Transfusion, I promise to pay my debt back, in full." I gave a firm nod to Doctor Transfusion. I'll always remember the lesson my mother taught about how a person should strive to stand on their own two feet and find a tool to do a job vs. finding someone to point a finger at and demand they find a tool to do that job. "Wow, these clothes do fit like a glove. Are you sure Mrs. Rarity didn't measure me in my sleep?"

"Positive. Your masterful clothes are what you get from the Element of Generosity and a 'Couturier d'excellence.'" Doctor Transfusion said.

Geez, this is one tight hug. It feels nice and soft though.

"Listen, I know I'm not the easiest person to deal with or take care of in the best of, even in the best circumstances. I truly appreciate what you did for me." I said. Doctor Transfusion nodded at me. "It might seem odd, but I'll just take this box with me."

"Ready?" Doctor Transfusion said

"About as ready as I'll ever be." I said.

Hmm, the coast is clear, no one is on this floor. If it wasn't for this giantess of a creature standing next to me, I'd swear this was a hospital back on Earth. There's even that nasty odor of disinfectant and antiseptic.

I guess we'll be taking the stairs. It's not bad though, just a few floors, maybe two or four at the most.

Weird, this stair well looks like at typical stairwell in any office, hospital, or wherever on Earth. It's hard to say what I'm expecting at this point.

Man, Doctor Transfusion's heels are definitely clacking against these hard steps. That sound just resonates off the stairwell walls.

Ground floor, time for us to head out. Hell, at this point, I'm just glad to be leaving this hospital upright and voluntarily vs. involuntarily and in a body bag, or an urn.

Toto, we're not in Kansas anymore. I'm starting to see how this is a hospital in another world. There are dozens of these walking, talking, anthropomorphic equines just going about their business in this place. At this point, I'll be sticking as close as possible to the doc until we're out the front door.

"Uhh, hi." I said. All these things in the waiting room, they're just gazing at me. I can't be the weirdest thing all of them have seen in Equestria. I mean, is my fly down? Nope, it's zipped up for sure. "Nice to, umm... see you all. This is a great hospital by the way, good care."

Now I feel like some pitchman who made a complete ass out of himself. So much for making myself look "cool" with this second chance at life.

Okay, damn it, this is starting to get on my nerves. These hospital doors just slid open. You don't have sliding doors without some level of technology. Whatever, I'm not getting into it. It's not worth it to think about this sort of thing at this point in time.

Ahh, that feels so good. It's great to get some honest to goodness, pure fresh air.

"Hey good-looking, glad to see you're up and about." A voice said.

"Gusty?" I said.

"Mr. Chris, did you honestly think I would let you go unsupervised?" Doctor Transfusion said. This is not happening. This is so not happening. "As you two are already acquainted, I believe there should be no objections, right?"

Gusty Breeze is going to be my guide and caretaker?!

What in the hell is Gusty Breeze wearing? She's just standing there in a tank top with short-shorts on. Wow, those shorts are like bell-bottom short-shorts or whatever those damn blue jean, butt-floss type shorts are called.

"Hey, it's all good here, 'Mister' Chris, heh heh. Fu-Fu told me about how you'd be getting out today, and, well, it just so happens I had put in for some vacation time from the factory for this week." Gusty Breeze said. Wow, her wings are huge. She's just stretching and unfurling them like it's nothing. To be honest, her wings do look pretty. Her wings and body have the same color as fresh fallen snow, her tail and hair being a nice shade of semi-dark blue. "I bet you're ready to cut loose and hit the town. Hmm," Gusty Breeze pressed her left middle finger against her left thumb, "I got it. How about a drink?"

"I umm, don't like the taste of alcohol." I said.

"What?! Are you a stallion or a foal? Come on, I know this great bar in Ponyville." Gusty Breeze said. Shit, she's latched onto my wrist. No, no, no... she's extending her wings. "Ow, what did you go and do that for, Fu-Fu?"

Holy hell, how strong is Doctor Transfusion anyways? She just grabbed Gusty Breeze's dark blue tail and made this flying mare fall flat on her butt like it was nothing.

Is it too late to go back inside the hospital and just rent out that private room?!

"Gusty 'Elegance' Breeze!" Doctor Transfusion said.

"Shhh. Please don't use the 'E' word, Fu-Fu. I don't want those ponies in the waiting room to know who I am." Gusty Breeze said.

"Listen love, I am leaving Mr. Chris in your care. You 'will' be mindful of my patient and the fact he's recovering, and you will 'not' endanger his health with your pseudo stunt flying. Do I make myself clear." Doctor Transfusion folded her arms underneath her breasts. Gusty Breeze received a stern, powerful gaze. "Do not make me repeat myself."

"Alright already, geez. I'll chill." Gusty Breeze said.

"Yes, you will chill. I do not want to take a chance on you running into Rainbow Dash and trying to race that mare again with this human hanging on for dear life." Doctor Transfusion said. She bent down and took off her glasses. Damn, the doc's cleavage would make the Grand Canyon look like a crack in the sidewalk. Doctor Transfusion pointed her glasses at Gusty Breeze, "And, need I remind you -- for what seems like the one-hundredth time -- it is 'Doctor Transfusion' when I am on duty, alright."

Doctor Transfusion put her glasses back on, nodded, and extended her hand.

"Spoil sport." Gusty Breeze said. She dusted herself off, stood up, and then walked forward. Gusty Breeze and Doctor Transfusion look like they're at eye level, their breasts almost touching. I'd dare say both mares are eight-feet tall. Of course, it'd be nice to actually, clearly see both of them since I don't have my fucking glasses. All of this squinting just hurts my eyes. W-Wait a minute, what's going on? Why did Gusty Breeze smirk? No way, did she just plant a quick kiss on Doctor Transfusion's lips? "Hmm, I thought so, 'love.' You do like that dark-green colored apple lipstick."

"Gusty Breeze!" Doctor Transfusion yelled. She's, she's actually blushing.

"Alright, we're off." Gusty Breeze slung me over her back. "Hang on!"

"No, no, no... shit!" I said. I have no choice. I'm hanging on for dear life at this point. Damn, we're already like one-hundred feet off the ground. "Please, no. I'm not good with rides. W-What do I need to get you to stop? Is Equestria like the reverse of my world? Do I need riding crop to make you slow down and hopefully stop?!"

"Nope, it'd only make me go faster, heh-heh." Gusty Breeze said.

"I want off this crazy ride!" I shouted.

Author's Note

Again, I do apologize for the wait on this chapter. Things got a little hectic with Dorian, so I had to put a minor delay on writing the next update. I'm super thankful it's not going to hit my area.

As for this chapter, I decided to split it into a two part update for two reasons. First, if I hadn't, it would have been over 7k words and, imho, it would felt rushed, which I hate rushing stuff. Second, I want to include some more scenes in this chapter. If this update remained intact as it is right now, all of it would have made things felt jumbled together, again being imho. The bonus is that by splitting it up, I can catch up and release the 2nd part this weekend on schedule.