It was nice to walk peacefully into the town, rather than the helter skelter run to the library. I smiled to see the shops, the carts, the people - ponies!- going about their daily lives. Most of the ponies on the street stopped to wave and greet us. Fluttershy seemed to know a good many of them about town. I was more surprised by how many came up to welcome me to their town, and didn't seem too weirded out by my appearance. I did notice a few lingering glances, but nopony made me feel like a freak.

One young mare came up to us saying, "So this is the stranger I’ve been hearing about!” She shook my hand warmly, eyeing me up and down. “I hope you like it here, however long you’re staying.” I thanked her and we continued on our way.

“Word can get around fast,” said Fluttershy. “Especially if Pinkie Pie is the one talking.”

“Hey, I’ve only talked with her for, like, five minutes and I believe it. How does she move so-?”

“She’s Pinkie Pie.”

“Right...Good...Glad she’s the cheerful one. I’d hate to see her down.”

“Well,” said Fluttershy, looking away. “It’s...interesting.”

“Oh.”

We continued on. Fluttershy pointed out a few places, walking me around in a tour of town. She showed me Rarity’s boutique, the Cafe Hey, Townhall, the beautiful park, the entrance to Sweet Apple Acres, the tea shop, and all sorts of little places. Fluttershy never gave much of a description, being content with “This is such and such,” but I came to expect this. I could see the self-consciousness in her, and I smiled, thanked her, and made sure I didn’t draw attention to it. I understood all too well. Finally she took me full circle to show me Sugarcube Corner, where Pinkie Pie worked with the Cakes.

“What kind of cakes?”

“Mr. and Mrs. Cake.”

“Ah. Should’ve seen that coming.”

“We, umm, we could go inside,” Fluttershy said, standing with her hands behind her and looking at the ground. “I’m sure it’s, uhh, very...nice. Inside, I mean.”

“You want to go in?”

“Hmmm? Oh no...I mean, yes. Yes, I think you - I - we should go. Inside.”

I chuckled. “Okay, okay, Fluttershy. You could just tell me you wanted to grab something sweet. It’s fine.”

“Oh. Yes. That’s right. I do need a...cake...cup.”

I smiled to myself as we walked in, but then I saw that all the lights were out.

“What the - ?”

“SURPRISE!”

“Gaaaaah!”

The lights flipped on, confetti and balloons flew through the air, and ponies seemed to be everywhere. I was dazzled by the colors of the decorations and even the ponies, themselves. In the middle flipped Pinkie Pie, dressed in party hat and blowing a kazoo. I was blown away. I’d never had a surprise birthday party, or a surprise anything before. My response was methodical and intellectual.

“But - wha -? How - uh - I - words - can’t - Why?”

“Because, silly, you haven’t ever had a party in Ponyville,” said Pinkie Pie, so matter-of-fact that I almost felt stupid. “What better way to start than to have a 'Welcome to Ponyville’ party and a ‘Welcome Back’ party at the same time! And besides, why wouldn’t I do this for a friend of Fluttershy’s? Any friend of hers is a friend of mine! Whooo!” And the pink mare hopped off to continue the festivities.

There was cake, cookies, cupcakes, confections carefully crafted for casual occasions; it was really something and I couldn’t believe anyone would do this for someone they hardly knew. I was still taken aback by Pinkie Pie calling me a “friend.” I had started working on a big slice of chocolate cake with strawberry filling when Fluttershy’s other friends crowded round to wish me well.

“But, really, why do this for me? I mean, look at this! The expense, I mean, you just met me...today, I think. It’s been a long day.”

“Aw, never you mind,” said Applejack, waving it off with her hand. “That’s just how we are in Ponyville. Always ready to greet you with a smile and a helpin' hand.”

“And a party!” added Pinkie Pie, somehow appearing in our midst as if from the ceiling.

Argh! She can teleport!

“Yes, that too,” nodded Applejack.

“It’s just...you have no idea what this means to me,” I said, shaking my head. “No one has ever done something like this for me.”

“Well, why ever not, darling?” Rarity said with a tilt of her head. “Giving is one of the best ways to show someone you care.”

“You care?” I replied.

“Well, of course we do!” she said with a smile and a flip of her hand. “You’ve been pulled right out of your home and you have to stay here with strangers, you poor dear. And Fluttershy clearly trusts you, and you’ve been nothing but gracious.”

“Yeah!” cried Pinkie Pie. “We can’t send you home, but we can perk up your day and put a smile on that face!” She reached out and put her thumbs on the corners of my mouth and “helped” me smile a bit bigger before giggling and running off to the next party goer.

“Hard luck, dude,” added Rainbow Dash, drink in hand. “No one likes to be taken far from home, and you’re really far from home. I mean -”

“Excuse me,” came a soft voice nearby.

“-that just stinks! Never to see your family again! I’d probably be crying my eyes out-!”

“Um, please excuse me…”

“I can’t even believe you're taking it so well -” Rainbow felt a tap on her shoulder and turned to see Fluttershy politely standing beside her.

“- thank you, Rainbow, but I think Brendon needs to take his mind off those things.”

“Oh. Uh, right, sorry,” Rainbow scratched the back of her head and looked down. “Hey, we’re all here for you!”

“That’s right,” added Applejack. “That’s what friends are for.”

“You mean, all of you, would make me your friend? Just like that?”

“But of course, darling!” said Rarity. “And speaking of which, you’ll need to stop by my boutique when this is over. I need to take some measurements to see about making you some new clothes. Can’t have you walking around in just those while you’re here, right?”

“Really? That’d be great!”

“Think nothing of it, dear. We’ll take care of you.”

Applejack nodded. “And you can count on the whole Apple family to help someone in need. You just stop by Sweet Apple Acres if you need anything.”

“And I’ll...uh…” said Rainbow Dash. “We’ll talk.” I couldn’t read the look on her face, but she gave me a big side hug and whispered in my ear, “I’ll see you later.” At that time I didn’t know why it sent chills down my spine.

“Umm, great!” I said. “It’s all so just...I can’t even…” I couldn’t keep the emotion out of my voice. I had to hold it in for a few more seconds or else I would break down. “Thank you…”

There was a silence where they all looked at me and simply smiled warmly. During this moment, Fluttershy came up and gently placed a hand on my shoulder.

“You’re most welcome, Brendon,” she said. “Thank you for being our friend, too.”

“Yeah...no problem…” I rubbed my eyes, and then clapped my hands together. “Alright! Let’s go have some fun!”

With that we went off into the party and enjoyed everything together. There was punch, games, a pinata, and more treats than I’d ever seen. Applejack showed me the ones she’d baked herself, and I couldn’t remember having any apple pie better than that. Pinkie pie occasionally shoved some treat or other in my mouth, to which I learned to just smile and nod a thank you. I shook hands with some locals, told them I'd remember their name, and then didn't. A few kept asking me about my world, and I soon had a little audience listening to stories of technology, cars, skyscrapers, handheld computers, and then I found myself hit with a barrage of questions on each of them. I tried to keep it simple, and when asked to go into detail I said that we'd probably be there all night and that I could tell them some other time, perhaps.

When my little group disbanded I realized I'd never see another TV show again. Never again would I play video games, surf the internet, or do any number of things I was used to. The immediate gratification was gone. Some of my primary stress relief: gone. The odd thing was I felt kind of relieved. I didn't have to go to my phone all the time. I could go out and be in the world. I had to. No hiding away.

At the same time, this scared a part of me that wanted to run away, needed to know there was a refuge that was mine, a corner where I could slink off to. And I hated that in such a fun time, with new friends (female friends), one phrase boomed through my brain like a craving for water: No Porn.

"Umm, Brendon?"

I started. Fluttershy had somehow snuck up on me.

"Are you okay?"

"I, uh, I'm not sure. I think...I'm starting to realize what I'll never see again back home."

"Oh. I'm sorry. Is there anything I can do?"

"You know what? There is. Do you mind if we get out of here? I'd like to… I don't know…take a walk or something?"

She smiled. "That sounds nice." She motioned to her friends. I was glad we both had the same idea. I wanted to be around people (ponies?), just not a crowd.

Pinkie said she had to make sure everyone else had fun and to clean up afterward, but Rarity, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash smiled and came with us. They suggested we walk to the park, which was a beautiful spot. On the way, I tried to make small talk.

“Princess Celestia was talking with me, and mentioned that I could trust the ‘wielders of the elements.’ Do you know who she was talking about?”

Everyone burst out laughing. My face was a deer in the headlights.

“Oh, Ah’m mighty sorry,” said Applejack, wiping her eyes, “But that really was funny. You see: that’s us.”

“You wield the...elements?”

“Well, not like fire and water, or something,” said Rainbow Dash. “We wield the Elements of Harmony.”

“What’re those?”

“Honesty,” said Applejack.

“Generosity,” said Rarity.

“Loyalty!” said Rainbow Dash.

“Um, kindness,” said Fluttershy.

“And the other two,” said Applejack, “Are wielded by Pinkie Pie and Twilight: laughter and magic!”

“I can guess which one is which,” I said, trying to take all this in. “What...what do they...do?”

They all launched into the story of how they all met and how they joined together to fight off Nightmare Moon, transforming her back into Princess Luna. I listened intently as we walked along the winding paths of the park. I was enthralled, even more so when they went on to share their experiences against Discord, god of Chaos.

“So, you’re, like, heroes?”

“Well, Ah wouldn’t go that far,” said Applejack.

Rainbow crossed her arms and nodded. “No, that sounds about right.”

“And all of you have remained best friends?”

Rarity waved a hand casually. “Oh yes, darling, we’ve had all sorts of adventures!”

“Sheesh, you really have a lot of questions, don’t you?” said Rainbow Dash.

“Well of course he does, silly,” said Applejack. “He’s in a new world, new creatures, new everything!”

“And now,” added Fluttershy, “He has new friends.”

“Yeah…” I was silent for a little while. “Okay. Two last things.”

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. “Oh fine.”

“First off, you guys are awesome! I mean really! I’m...I guess I’m humbled to be standing next to all of you.”

Rainbow seemed taken aback by this, but then smiled, her ears perked up, and she gave me a side hug. I was amazed at the crushing strength of this skinny, athletic pony. “Aww, don’t you worry about it. We’re just doing what we do, like any pony would do. Except maybe awesomer.” She grinned.

“And what’s the second thing?” asked Fluttershy.

“Well, it’s what you said Fluttershy. That you’re all my friends. I mean, do you mean, like friends like you guys are friends?”

Applejack flicked an ear and looked at me in confusion. “Well, yeah, why?”

“But,” I said, trying to keep my voice level, “You don’t know me! I’m a stranger. For all you know, I might be a horrible person, or pony, whatever. You’d all just accept me among you, and let me in your lives...just like that?”

From the looks they gave me, I could tell they were more confused by my question than I was from their trust in me. Fluttershy stepped forward.

“Brendon, aren’t the humans of your world the same?”

“Well, I don’t know. Some probably are, it’s just...I’ve rarely experienced that. The majority of my kind seem to hold people at arm’s length until they think they can trust them. Maybe I’m wrong, and there’s a lot who would welcome me like you guys. But…”

“It’s okay.” Fluttershy stepped closer and touched my shoulder. “We care about you.”

“To me...that sounds too good to be true.” Then I realized what I said. “No, wait! I didn’t mean that! I believe you, I do, but this is...hard for me. I’m so used to being alone, and you’ve come along and just welcomed me in with open arms. This is probably the most new of all the new things I’ve seen here.”

“Well, you’ve got all the time in the world to think about it,” said Applejack, not unkindly.

“And, my goodness, look at the time!” exclaimed Rarity. “I’d better get you measured before it gets late! Come come! My boutique is right over here.” And she led me towards her merry little shop.

“If ya’ll don’t mind, Ah think Ah’ll mosey on home,” said Applejack with a wave.

“Ugh, me too. None of that sissy, dress up stuff.” Rainbow put her tongue out.

Fluttershy, head down, was twiddling her fingers as she looked up at me from her pink mane. “I’ll...uh...I’ll see you back at the house…? Brendon?”

I stopped and looked at her. “Really? You’d let me stay another night? Uh, sure! I guess I'll see you back at your place. Goodnight everybody- I mean, everypony!”

All except Rarity wished me goodnight. I turned and walked into the boutique, muttering to myself on how I have got to get these new pronouns down. “Everypony. You ponies. A pony like you.”

Rarity politely opened her door and led me inside.

Author's Note

Well, this clearly is leading up to a boring story with absolutely no mix ups or bizarre interactions at all. Completely innocent times await our [hero?] in our next exciting chapter. *cue crickets in the background*