Author's Note
Created as a byproduct of sudden inspiration. Criticism is welcome.
A Perfectly Normal Day.
“So you need me to stop by Pinkies to pick up a new Pie Recipe?” Aaron asked as twilight levitated a bag of Bits carefully towards Aaron. He grabs it with a hand deftly out of mid-air.
“I want to surprise Rarity for how well her boutique business has been lately,” Twilight responded. “So I need it. And stop by Rarity’s for some Crêpe paper. I’ll need that too. Remember; it’s supposed to be a surprise.” she reminded him.
“I won’t forget.” Aaron confidently replies as he turns to leave from the steps of that magnificently created Crystal Castle that his friends lived in. It was expertly carved with pristine elegance, beautifully blending in with the actual architecture of their home. They looked like cylinder pod-houses, but more regal and beautiful.
Aaron couldn’t afford to gaze at them though, as he shook his head and proceeded back to the task at hand. “I’ll see you within the hour for brunch,” Aaron called back at Twilight while walking away.
“Oatmeal, right?” Twilight yelled.
“Yep!” Aaron smiled.
“Okay, See you soon Anon!” She cheerfully waved a hoof at Aaron, to which he waved back. With that wave, Twilight entered back into the castle.
Aaron continued strolling down along the neatly paved dirt paths that dominated Ponyville. The various cots and shopping centers that were around him were created with a sort of… what could be best described as a modern medieval look. It looked - almost quite literally - unreal.
The weather was also pretty nice. A few clouds here and there, a nice and soothing breeze followed by a pleasantly warm sun. It felt perfect to him.
There were various ponies around him in idle conversation with one another, or perhaps just passing by. None he recognized. But they all noticed his presence and treat him with hospitality. A few of them actually waved at Aaron. He couldn’t help but wave back.
He continued his walk for about five minutes until a very familiar Carousel Boutique came into view of his short walk. He couldn’t help but smile. In his memories, he had greatly enjoyed Rarity’s company. Talking about different clothing styles, and comparing species clothing with her kind and his, was always fascinating for him.
He eventually made it all the way to the front door of the shop, to which he knocked politely.
Tap-Tap, Tap, Tap.
“Oh?” a muffled voice replied. “One moment, Darling! I’ll be there in seconds!”
Aaron took one step back from the front door. Not even ten seconds later he heard a couple of clicks and clacks before the door swung open - revealing a beautifully Snow-White Unicorn.
“Oh! Aaron Darling, what a pleasant surprise - I didn’t think you would come today!”
“Hello again, Rarity.” Aaron politely replies, before mockingly giving a solemn and regal bow. To this, Rarity chuckled.
“Oh please Aaron, you can cease the formalities. But it is so good to see you again after my trip to Canterlot.”
“How many trips is that to Canterlot now?” Aaron wryly asked. Rarity gave a short chortle.
“I don’t know, how many visits to my place is that for you now?” she wistfully replies. Aaron couldn’t help but feel a bit flustered on the cheeks. He scratched the back of his head.
“Yeah, well. I actually have a reason to be here this time.”
“Oh, what is it dear?”
“Twilight has me going on another Errand Run since Spike is away at the… what was it called, the Crystal Empire?”
“That’s right.”
“Yeah - so, she wants me to pick up Crêpe paper for a project of hers. You think you might have that?”
Rarity was genuinely surprised at the request that Aaron had to make. She took the time to ponder with a hoof under her chin. “Well, I may have to check the reserve fabrics - I haven’t pulled that paper out in months. Speaking of, what Project is she doing it for exactly?” Rarity asked, a tad curious.
“I have no clue, she didn’t tell.” Aaron lied through his teeth. Thankfully for him, she didn’t seem to notice.
“Hmm. Well, I will have to check. In the meantime Darling, I insist for you to come in for Tea!” Rarity politely beckoned.
“I’m not really a Tea person, Rarity - more of a Coffee kind of guy.” he answered while stepping inside the Boutique. The interior was just as he had remembered it; colorful and decorative. Perfect for a fashion designer’s shop.
“Oh, I have that too! Do you like Hazelnut.” Rarity called out from the other room.
“Hell. Yes.” Aaron slowly answered, in a tone that indicated an elated realization. Rarity peeked the corner of the wall with a small scowl.
“Language - sorry.” Aaron quickly apologized.
“You’re lucky Sweetie Bell is out with frolicking with her friends, otherwise I would’ve whacked you with a newspaper.” Rarity Bantered from the other room, which earned a quick chortle from Aaron.
Rarity came back a moment later with the mug of coffee in her hand, creamed and sugared good and proper. “It’s still warm if that’s what you like.” Rarity reminded Aaron.
“Thank you, Rarity.” He genuinely answered. Rarity neighed with delight.
“Think nothing of it, darling. Now, I’ll go see if I can find that Paper you were asking for.” She trotted away to the staircase down the hall on the left, while Aaron took a sip of his coffee.
Delicious.
Aaron took a moment to take in the scenery. The Boutique looked as if it was freshly cleaned and swept, the floors pristine and opaque without any sort of litter. The furniture looked as glamorous as ever, blending comfortability with an appearance that looked magnificent. Aaron took yet another sip, and a pleasant tingling sensation traveled down his torso.
Everything felt just right.
He suddenly heard the rushing sounds of clopping hooves trotting down the stairs. “Fouund it! Rarity sang with triumph. “Now, you didn’t say how much you wanted - so I brought 10 Meter’s worth if that’s alright with you.”
“That’s a perfect size actually, 10 meters. I’ll take it like that.” Aaron answered as he reached into his back pocket for the hefty bag of Bits that Twilight gave him earlier. Rarity realized exactly what the bag was for, and stomped a hoof down on the floor.
“No, I will not accept that!”
“Uh… what?” Aaron looked understandably confused.
“You shouldn’t have to pay for something that our friends need - just take it darling, it’s yours.”
Aaron couldn’t help but smile. Bearer of the Element of Generosity indeed. “Thank you so much, Rarity.”
“Oh, of course, dear - I wouldn’t dare to think of exchanging anything for something like this anyway - I mean,” Rarity chuckled just a tad “Crêpe paper is pretty easy to come by nowadays.”
“Hm.” Aaron nodded. Rarity levitated the large stream of paper in a neat pile atop the sofa cushion next to Aaron where he sat. Aaron took yet another sip of the coffee.
“Is the beverage alright?” Rarity asked.
“As always, Rares.” He answered.
“Oh, I’m so glad.” She answered.
“But if it’s all the same for you,” Aaron quickly added on as he placed the coffee mug down on the table in front of him. He stood up and stretched his limbs. “I must get going and finish the other Errand for Twilight before the afternoon.”
“Oh of course Darling. But it was so good to see you again.” Rarity trotted up closer to Aaron and gave him an adorable little side hug along his leg. “Do come back sometime soon.”
“I’ll look forward to it.” Aaron answered, crouching down to return the hug for Rarity. They stayed like that for a minute or so. Aaron couldn’t get over how soft these Ponies were.
But he couldn’t stay forever, and he knew it. He eventually parted the hug and eyed the pile of Paper.
“Oh, I’ll get a bag for you, dear.” Rarity piped as she quickly levitated a neatly oriented plastic bag, with colorful murals all over. She deftly inserted the paper into the bag with her magic - another feat of the Ponies Aaron just couldn’t get over of - and gave the bag to Aaron.
“I’ll see you soon Rares, take care of yourself!” Aaron called out as he walked out the front door.
“Goodbye Darling, come back soon!” she called back, and closed the front door.
One Errand down, another to go. His next location was the Sugercube Corner, the little bakery owned by the eccentric Pinkie Pie. he knew her well too, and she knew him almost too well despite him being from a different world.
The walk to Sugarcube Corner only lasted for about 5 minutes or so before the little shop was in sight. He noticed that the front door was also wide open, allowing him to walk in without having to knock. But he did it anyway since it felt like he was intruding. He gently set the bag down and tapped on the open door frame.
Out from behind the front counter, a little Pink head with a fuzzy and even pinker mane popped out like a little mole from a hole. “Oh hi Aaron!” she gleefully greeted her new guest. “I was just trying to make a batch of Snickerdoodle Cookies - you wanna help?”
“Normally I would Pinkie, but I can’t today. I’m doing an errand for Twilight.”
Pinkie gave out a noise - a noise that Aaron had not heard before and can only be described as surprised horse noises.
“Oh! Don’t tell me! You’re…” Pinkie closed her eyes and planted both her hooves on her temples, contemplating really hard. “You’re throwing a surprise party for Rarity, and you need my Secret Surprise Party Pie Recipe to get is started!”
Aaron stood there, dumbfounded. He took a moment to collect his wits and sighed. “You know, at this point, I shouldn’t be surprised.”
“Ohhhh! This is exciting! I knew Twilight would do this sooner or later! I have the recipe somewhere around here.“ she looked around with squinted eyes, before locking her eyes back on Aaron’s. “One second!” She quickly said, before she dashed away from the counter…
No, she literally dashed off - so fast it left a cloud with an outline of her physique in the spot where she left. Aaron wasn’t even sure how that was physically possible, but this was Pinkie Pie he was thinking about here - he should know by now that Pinkie was a tad bit impossible sometimes.
Pinkie returned back in a flash (quite literally) with the recipe clenched in her teeth.
“Here, Pfoot, found it!” she cheerfully announced as she bounced (yes, literally bounced) in place repetitively. The recipe was spat from her snout and onto the floor, which Aaron picked up.
“Thank you, Pinkie.”
“Yeah, sure! Parties are my Super-Duper Specialty. I’ll see you at that said party soon Aaron, okay?”
“Yeah, okay.”
“Great!” she bounced extra high that time. “Seeyousoonbyeaaron.” she spoke really fast, before dashing off again.
Aaron chuckled. Typical Pinkie Pie.
Aaron - with the recipe in his pocket, and the bag of Crêpe paper in his right hand - trekked off of the Sugercube Corner’s porch and back towards Twilight’s Castle. The walk would be somewhat lengthy, but he didn’t mind.
The town around him was buzzing with life, with more ponies all over in indistinct conversation with each other. Some of them looked very happy - the kind of happiness you don’t see very often. Where one’s soul just happens to be radiating with Joy to the point where it seeps into you too like a plague. But it was a good kind of plague, a Plague that Aaron could feel as he walked down the street.
He admired the Weather again. It felt radiant and temperate, as it had before. Yet the lengthy walk allowed him to bask in that beautiful sunshine for a little longer, and he was content to stay there for a while.
It was at this point in his walk, as he passed by the Boutique once again and continued walking, that he realized something.
Everything was absolutely perfect.
Today was a perfect day.
And with that very thought, Aaron found himself in bed inside of his apartment within, the window giving off cold light from the overcast sky outside.
Aaron found himself staring upward, toward the ceiling. He didn't move. his limbs layed stretched over the draped sheets and blankets and the cool Air Conditioning breeze was wracking his body. goosebumps plagued his limbs as well.
Aaron felt like his soul sunk the deepest abyss of his stomach. his head felt woozy and his eyes burned with fresh tears.
He was not in Equestria anymore...
