How I Fell In Love With A Pony

The first thing I noticed about this new pony other than her physical appearance was that she was incredibly kind. She seemed to have the best interests of all the ponies in the room locked away in some secret part of her heart, and she tended to them. She ensured that all of them were alright before turning to me. Once again, I saw the sparkle in her purple eyes and I wanted to know more about it. My thirst for knowledge based solely on this particular pony was ravenous. I wanted to read book after book about her and not stop until I had drunk in every last thing there was to know about her.

She smiled and my heart skipped a beat. Wait…what? I asked myself, I mean, she’s kinda pretty, but…why is it that I’m so drawn in by her? Is it her looks? Her smile? The way she treated the other ponies? I was at a loss for an answer to any of those questions, so I looked back and tried to reflect her gesture. The silence between us was rather awkward, but it only lasted a few seconds before she broke it. “So…you’re the pony who ran into a tree?”

“Um…yes?” I gulped. I figured that this was an extremely important pony, maybe even the ruler of Equestria. I hoped I had not violated some law or destroyed some very special social cue by my clumsiness. My lips shook, and my hooves followed suit. “I…I’m so very sorry,” I managed to sputter out, “I didn’t mean to!”

She laughed. That seems like a very simple statement, but it was the way she laughed that sent my emotional machinery into a frenzy. It was a soft laugh, yet filled with all of the happiness that her pink friend had exuded before. Her vocal tones were sweet, yet salty at the same time. She sounded as if she were at Ponyville’s best comedy club, and the headlining act had just launched into a rip roaring set. I didn’t know how to feel, so I just sat there like a blubbering idiot until she finished her outburst.

“I’m so sorry,” she said as she calmed down, “I didn’t mean to laugh. It’s just…I’ve never had somepony apologize to me for running into a tree before.”

I realized that I had made a complete fool of myself. Of course they weren’t going to put me in jail for accidentally banging my head on an oak tree! You stupid, stupid person…er…pony! I scolded myself, you just apologized for your own incompetence! You idiot! You moron! You dumbass…er…pony! STUPID! STUPID!

I suppose my internal shouting match became apparent, because she put a comforting hoof on my shoulder. It wasn’t rough, as I’d expect a pony’s hoof to be, but smooth and soothing. It was almost like a small cloud had lighted on me, and I didn’t want it to go away. I looked back into that kind face and noticed, once again, the sparkle in her eyes. It was a happy sparkle, and I suddenly thought that life would be very satisfying if everyone had eyes that sparkled like hers.

“Do not take it out on yourself,” she said soothingly, “everypony makes a mistake now and then. But from now on, you should probably watch where you’re going.”

I nodded. “Yeah, that’s probably a good idea. Now, who are you, again?”

The other ponies gasped and I felt completely out of place. Shivers took their time running up and down my spinal cord, and my mouth went dry as the Sahara Desert. My eyes grew wide and I realized that I had probably just cemented my status as Ponyville’s newest punching bag. The ponies began whispering among themselves, and the purple one silently put her hoof up. When she did so, they fell silent and she smiled down at me. “My name is Princess Twilight Sparkle, the ruler of Equestria, and the former Princess of Friendship.”

Her voice was so kind and it didn’t judge one iota of my being. I was in shock. I had just inadvertently insulted the ruler of Equestria, and her response was one of complete friendliness. Back in the human world, even an accidental bit of mudslinging was enough to get you sent to the gallows of society. You would be slaughtered, especially online. It was a product of the times we lived in, yet it still didn’t feel right. No one would even accept an apology. Wow, I thought as I reflected on the differences between my world and this one, these ponies are so much better than humans! I mean, really, she’s the ruler of a nation, and she treats me as if we’ve been close friends forever! Okay…now I HAVE to know more about her!

“I’m so sorry if my question sounded insulting, Your Majesty,” I said quickly, “but I really meant no harm by it.”

“I understand,” she said, “and it’s no problem. New ponies in Equestria are quite common, and it’s completely understandable that you wouldn’t have known me.”

“Yes,” I said, going along with her, “and thank you for your kindness.”

She smiled again. “You’re welcome, and now that you know my name, might I ask yours?”

“Certainly,” I said, “I’m Stony Tail. Fluttershy found me in the woods and led me into town, which is where I had the whole run in with the tree.”

I’m certain that my blush could be seen by everypony in town, and I couldn’t help but notice the rainbow maned one sniggering a bit. This was quelled by Rarity’s swift hoof swipe to her ear. “OW!” She complained, “what was that for?!”

“Rainbow Dash, I swear to Celestia, you need to show some respect!”

“And you need to get caught up on current events!” The blue mare responded, “I mean, really! Celestia and Luna haven’t ruled in four months! Get with the freakin’ program!”

“I AM with the program!” Rarity retorted, “but maybe it’s YOU who needs to have her mental capacity checked!”

“Are you calling me stupid?!”

“No…I’m merely observing that you could do with a good psychological checkup.”

“AHHHHHHHH!” Rainbow Dash screamed before going after the pretty white mare. As quick as lightning, Twilight stood in between the fighting friends and glared at both of them. Once again, my mind went into shock as I witnessed the kind, gentle princess turn into a fierce warrior. She looked very brave and regal, like the walls of everything could come crashing down around her and she would still stand for what she knew was right. She didn’t look savage or hateful, but rather inspiring and valorous.

“Rainbow Dash!” She barked sharply, “Rarity! Stand before me!” The two friends silently obeyed the command and stood in front of Twilight. “Now,” the princess continued, her look softening, “you two are some of my closest friends. I can’t stand to see the two of you fight. You teach in Starlight’s school, and you represent two of the Elements of Harmony. If two harmonious beings are fighting, then the rest of the Elements are thrown into imbalance. You know what happens then. Please, for the sake of Equestria and our friendship, don’t fight.”

I immediately garnered more respect for her. She spoke fiercely and with great courage one moment, but then the very next she turned into something like a teacher gently chiding her students. Her tone turned soft as velvet and I wanted to hear more of it. Her flowing mane, which had been imbued with magical lightning only seconds before, returned to its peaceful state and I thought I could look at it all day. My nerves, which had been tossed into chaos on meeting her, returned to normal. She is the greatest being I’ve ever met, pony or person, I told myself, and I need to know more. I have to know more…