Twilight's POV

While Rex was sleeping I talked to Starlight. We spent most of the night talking, actually.

I could tell she didn't believe half the things I said, and she still couldn't believe that she was no longer on Equus. I know I told her I wanted her to help me find a way back home, but I don't believe those words. As weird as it sounds, I've already given up trying to find a way back home. I mean, the one chance I had to getting back home is gone because she didn't simply tell Celestia or Luna before she came here. It wasn't like Starlight at all.

Rex was also right. He had taken me in when I was scared, and Starlight is just as scared as I was.

The best thing to do for her, is to simply help her adjust into this new life. She's stuck here with us now, whether she wants to be or not. I have a feeling she'll have an easier time adjusting into this new life better than I have, due to her past experience being alone in a tiny town in a flat desert. Still though, she will have a hard time accepting her new life here.

A lot of the night was her crying.

She told me that everyone had been searching everywhere for days. That she felt so alone and afraid, despite having the other girls there with her. She missed me, and I honestly missed her too. I guess I wasn't able to focus on how much I missed everyone back home because I had other things to do. Yet, now opening that door once more, I found myself crying along Starlight. We made sure to keep quiet, as to not disturb Rex.

"So.." Starlight started, wiping the tears from her eyes with her hoof and looking over to Rex. "Who is.. he?"

"Rex.. He was here when I got here. He took me in and helped me, and is honestly a really good person, despite being a little rough around the edges. He's been here way longer than I have, and I'm thankful that he's a friend instead of an enemy."

Starlight smiled lightly at that comment. "I'm glad he's good. I thought you might've been held captive by somepony evil."

I chuckled lightly. "They'd have to get through Rex before that happened. And even then, I've learned to hold my own here. Things are obviously much more difficult without most of my magic, but I can use some spells. Healing spells, scanning spells, and I can pick things up. Other than that, it'll fizzle out or cause a big wave to be sent throughout the land. Rex doesn't like that when that happens, so, I stopped."

"What about your flying?" Starlight asked.

"Magic related, and won't work. I'm stuck on my hooves for now."

Starlight shook her head, giving a sigh. "Well.. how about you tell me about the place. I know you've only said bad things, but, there has to be some good, right?"

I breathed in before giving a sigh, shaking my head. "Honestly? No, not really. Everything here is a downgrade from Equus. There are murderers, cannibals, slavers, giant insects, dangerous plants and animals, and plenty of other things that are out to get us. This place knows no peace."

"It's.. hard to imagine a place like that. I just... We have lived a certain way for so long, so I can't really understand the concept of this new world. It doesn't make sense to me."

"I know."

We kept talking for hours on end, probably somewhere early in the morning. We talked about what happened without me on Equus, and what everypony else has been up to. We talked about what I had to go through, along with Rex. We talked about random things, and talked about things that made no sense. We just talked.

Eventually, we both passed out on my bed. It was big enough for the both of us to sleep comfortably on. Tomorrow was going to be an interesting day. It was going to be the introduction of this new world to Starlight. She was going to see and experience what I've been having to deal with for the past two plus months. What are we going to do..?

Rex will have an idea, I'm sure.

I awoke to a crashing sound coming from storage. My eyes instantly shot open, and I sat up quickly, only to see that Twilight was peering her head out of the doorframe with an awkward smile. "Sorry, did I wake you?"

I nodded my head with a sigh, yawning loudly and stretching my legs out. My head felt a little dizzy as well after sitting up so fast. Twilight stepped out from storage into the main room, and walked up to me. I felt the back of my neck with my hand, still feeling my muscles ache a little. "Where's your friend? Star... Star-"

"Starlight. And she's currently in storage. I was showing her the blueprints of the stuff I've been researching. She seems super interested in them, so I just let her look through them all." I nodded my head, standing up and shaking my head awake.

"Breakfast, then?"

"About that.." Twilight said, looking over to Storage before looking back to me and whispering. "I'm not so sure if Starlight will be okay with the whole.. meat thing."

"Try to convince her. If she can't handle it, then we'll simply rely on vegetables to feed her. As inefficient as that might be, it'll have to do." I said while walking over to the kitchen, Twilight following quickly behind.

"How am I supposed to convince her to eat meat, something that's.. really taboo in our world?"

I shrugged. "I dunno. Show her you eating it, and offer it to her. If she knows how much you like it, she might be more willing to try it out. And if she doesn't like it, then as I said, we'll rely on vegetables for her. Although, I think you ponies have a craving for meat that you don't know about, because you eat it like it's the greatest damn thing ever."

"Well I'm sorry for liking something that tastes so good."

I shook my head before flapping my hand at her face. "Now shoo, I'm trying to cook. I'll give you a little piece to bring to Starlight to see if she likes it." Twilight smirked at me before making her way back into storage. I looked over at the pan that laid on top of the stove, and shook my head.

We should have something different instead of the regular old meat and potatoes, but what?

We've got rice, potatoes, some corn, and even some berries and other things. Definitely got a good selection of meat to choose from, so I know that won't be an issue. I'm thinking some of that Muffalo meat might go well with some rice. So, that's the meal for today. Muffalo meat over rice, along with a couple berries on the side or something. I dunno', I'm just hungry. Anything will do.

Dinner was ready, and I had already plated the food. I set Twilight and Starlight's food on their bed, and I had already sat down to begin eating mine. They both were still in storage, probably talking. Though, after a minute or two, Twilight walked out with what seemed to be a nervous Starlight. I raised an eyebrow at them, gesturing my hand towards them in question. "What's up?"

"Starlight is willing to try the meat." Twilight said before turning to look at Starlight, who nodded hesitantly. Twilight then looked over to her bed, seeing the plate of food that sat there. Her eye's widened. "What kind?" She asked, looking over to me once again.

"Muffalo. Decided to change it up."

"Well, it smells wonderful." Twilight said, walking over to her bed and taking the food into her magic before sitting up onto her bed. She patted a hoof next to her for Starlight to come sit with her. Starlight made her way slowly, physically showing to be nervous with each step. She stopped in front of the bed, looking at the plate of food that I had made for her. She hesitantly enveloped the plate with her magic, and sat next to Twilight.

Twilight nodded to her with a smile before taking a fork-full of rice and meat into her mouth, doing it slower than usual to show Starlight. Starlight stared at her, a little in shock from what she saw, but it seemed to have worked. Seeing her friend eat it must've calmed her down a little bit, because she poked a tiny bit of meat with her fork and scooped up a ton of rice along with it, sending it straight into her mouth.

"How is it?" I asked.

Starlight stared down at her fork, then to her plate, and then finally onto me. She opened her mouth to say something, but nothing came out. She then stared down at the plate, shaking her head. "W-Why.."

Twilight cocked her head. "Why what?"

"Why is it.. actually good?"

I gave a light chuckle. "I'm telling you, there is something in you ponies that make you have a hidden craving for meat. Just because it might be perceived as taboo from wherever you are doesn't mean that it isn't good. Just isn't the norm."

Starlight then shook her head. "I-It's good, but... I hate the fact that something died for me to eat it. Something intelligent.."

I shrugged. "When in times of need and survival, you have to learn to get rid of your morals. I've learned that you can worry about morals only when you have the luxury to do so. Besides, I always make it quick. I always try to make it as quick and as painless as possible."

Starlight stared down at her plate. "It still doesn't feel right."

Twilight placed her hoof onto Starlight's shoulder, giving her a nod. "You don't have to eat it. There are other things that we have that you can eat instead. If it makes you sick, or upsets you, don't force yourself." Starlight kept staring at the plate before turning her head up to her friend, giving a slight smile.

"I'll eat it. I just have to get used to it first.."

With that being said, she continued to eat her food. With each fork-full of food, she began to become more and more comfortable in eating it. She wasn't hesitating with each bite, but she was definitely examining the cooked meat. She looked at it as if it were some rare artifact.

With my plate now finished, I was ready to go and continue working on the extension. I stood, heading to the kitchen to clean off my plate before making my way to my rifle. I picked my rifle up, retrieved some tools from storage, and headed to the door. Twilight spoke up before I left out the door though.

"Rex?"

"Yeah?" I asked.

"Oh, you're going to continue the extension, huh?"

"Precisely." I said with a nod.

"Alright, be safe. Starlight will stay with me for the day."

I nodded towards her and headed outside and to the back of the house. The extension of the house was coming along now. It would definitely provide a good amount of space. After I'm done adding the extensions, I'll be able to start building the bedrooms. That won't take as long, as it won't be as large as what I'm currently doing, but I'm estimating that it'll be done right before the end of summer. That's what I'm hoping for, atleast.

Working out here in the sun is exhausting, but it does give me time to think about what to do next. With only the sun, the wind, and the landscape to accompany me, it makes for a soothing experience. I would wish the wind would kick up a little bit, because it is a little hot out.

With it now being around, I'd say, 5:00pm, I was ready to take a break. I usually continued to work and work until something was done instead of taking breaks in-between. The breaks just made me relax too much, and slowed down my process of working afterwards. However, I can officially say that the extension is 90% completed. Oh, and I fell through my scaffolding. Yeah, the frame wasn't leveled correctly, and the right back-side slid back a little bit. The board shifted and- I fell right through.

I came out fine, except for a bruise on my back. It wasn't anything to complain about.

As I had all my tools in hand, along with my rifle on my back, I was ready to head back inside before I saw a significantly large group travelling off in the distance. I stopped, setting down my tools and pulling my rifle into my hands. I eye'd them for a little while, seeing that they had pack-muffalo's. As they walked closer and closer, I saw that they were dressed in traditional tribalwear.

Then, a couple familiar faces were visible.

I smiled and slung my rifle onto my back, making my way towards the tribe. They could see me approaching, and smiled at me. I could see one of the small children that was on the back of a muffalo carry a flashlight, examining it like it was the most magnificent thing it'd ever seen. A man, dark in skin-color and with his hair put into a sort of tribal-ponytail approached me with a smile, extending his hand out.

I shook his hand. "I haven't seen you in a long while."

"Not seen you in a long while as well." He said with a smile, before gesturing over to the small child. "You have given us something magical. It has helped us in times of darkness, and for that I thank you."

I shook my head. "No need to thank me. The trade benefited me as well. The food you gave me will someday save me from starving. In fact-" I said before pausing, rummaging around in my pocket for my flashlight before pulling it out, showing it to him. It was in much worse condition than the one I gave him previously, but with two flashlights, it'll last them quite awhile.

"No- no I will not accept another one. You've already graced us with a generous-"

I grabbed his arm, forcing his hand open and placing the flashlight in it. "This is not a trade. It is simply someone helping out another survivor. Use it to force the darkness away. We all know that there is too much of it in this world." The man simply looked down at the flashlight in his hand before examining it up close, and then smiling at me.

"I understand we do not interact much. That is because of our distance, but I will always consider you as somebody who'm I can trust even my youngest with." The man said, gesturing to the small child once again. I looked back to the small child, before looking at the rest of the group. There were dozens of them, when before it was only a good ten of them.

"I see that you have expanded your group." I said, nodding to the rest of the group. Some of them seemed very tired, while others were rummaging around in the grass nearby, looking for berries or other plants and flowers. Some were also talking amongst themselves.

"There was another group that were alone, and needed help. Without us, they would have truly died alone during the winter. We are all family now."

I nodded. "I'm glad you helped them. If you trust them, they must be nice."

"Indeed. They are kind souls."

Suddenly, a little girl ran up to the man, hugging onto his leg and pointing outward behind me. "Papa, look." Both the man and I turned around. I smirked, seeing both Twilight and Starlight stare over at the group with slight confusion and intrigue. They must've heard the group talking, and saw me talking with them. I turned over to the man.

"Do you wish to meet my two friends?" The man nodded. I motioned over with my hand for the both of them to come over to where I stood, to which they both walked towards us, a little hesitant. As soon as they got close, I smiled at them and turned to the man. "I'd like you to meet Twilight-" I pointed to Twilight. "and Starlight." I pointed to Starlight.

The man gave me a curious expression. "You are friends with horses?"

"Ponies." Twilight said with a little smirk. The man looked over at her in surprise, his mouth hanging open a little.

"They can talk?" He asked.

I nodded my head. "Yes, they can. They are just like you and I, except not in human form."

"Have they come from an Anima?" He asked, staring at both of them curiously. I shook my head. Anima tree's were regarded as special trees. If one were trained in meditation, they supposedly could conjure that energy into other things, like magic. I never believed in such a thing, but seeing Twilight and Starlight use magic, I'm thinking otherwise.

"They arrived one day, and now they live with me." I stated. "They've been.. well, amazing."

The man nodded his head, before turning to me. "It was only a matter of time before you were given a blessing. You've blessed my people and I, and many others who you've traded with. You deserve some company."

"I don't think I've done anything to earn it, but I will say they have been a blessing." I said, glancing over to where Twilight and Starlight stood, only to notice that they were no longer there. With a quick scan around the caravan, I found them playing with the small children of the tribe. Twilight was playing with them the most, probably happy to have some other company than simple me. Starlight, on the other hand, was hesitant to join in with Twilight.

"Do you mind if me and my people stay here for a little while? We'll be gone before it becomes night, but it would be a good thing to let them rest. We have been walking for a long time. We are moving from our previous camp to another. It's not closer than the previous, but it will be better for my people and I."

I shook my head. "I wouldn't mind at all. You are always welcome here."

"Thank you." The man said, before turning to the rest of the caravan and walking off into the group, talking to them. I glanced back over to Twilight and Starlight. Twilight and Starlight were now playing some sort of.. stick game, with the children. I expected the parents of said children to be afraid or concerned, or even cautious of both Twilight and Starlight, but I suppose I had that much of an influence on them. If they were with me, they could be trusted, I suppose.

I shook my head with a smile, before I turned around and started to head back to the house. Starlight and Twilight could play with them as long as they'd like, and with the group, they weren't going to be in any trouble. It's good for them to converse with others, and to have a little fun. I'm not into playing around all that much, but I'm different than them. I'll let them have their fun while it lasts.

I made it to the door, and opened it slowly. I stepped inside and closed the door behind me, my hands aching. I did a damn good job today, but my hands and other parts of my body were definitely feeling the pain. I made it to my bed before I collapsed on top of it. With my muscles beginning to relax, I could feel the pain start to settle in even worse. I hated that feeling. The feeling of working all day, and laying down in a comfy mattress only to feel your back begin to relax. It's always painful.

I didn't fall asleep, and instead just buried my face into my pillow. I don't know how long I was there for, but I wasn't concerned with time at the moment. My mind drifted onto other thoughts.

You know, after being here for years, I've noticed I'm constantly thinking about things. Before, on the ship, I didn't have to think. It was mind-numbing, and there was always something to keep me distracted. But here, I'm constantly thinking of the future. I'm reviewing things in my head that I've reviewed hundreds of times over, and constantly thinking of the littlest things. I suppose it's not as big of a deal as I'm making it, but it's something that is strange to me.

After what felt like hours of simply laying on my bed, my face buried into my pillow, I heard the door open. I didn't even bother to check, as I heard the distinctive sound of hooves on the wooden floor instead of feet or shoes. It was a soft sound, each step having a feeling of being padded. I wonder what it must feel like to have fur. Is it like hair, just.. a lot of it? I'll never know, I suppose. Unless I turn into one of them.

Pffftt- could you imagine? I think it'd be cool, and yet terrifying both at the same time. I'd love and hate it.

I could feel a poke at my side. I flopped onto my back from where I laid, and looked at who'm the culprit was. Twilight stared back at me with a smirk. "I was just making sure you weren't dead."

"Oh, well thanks. You don't really have to worry about it. I'll send you a notice telling you before I do."

"Ah, good to know." I looked up ahead of me, to see Starlight laying on their bed. She was looking at both me and Twilight, giving us a slightly weird look.

"You two are close. Like.. the sass, and all that." She said, to which I gave a light chuckle to.

"When you're out here on your own, and your spending everyday together, you tend to become close. Especially when you got no other choice."

Starlight nodded. "I suppose."

"Hey-" I sat up in my bed. "How are you handling all of this?"

Starlight shrugged. "It feels like a dream and not reality. None of this feels real."

Twilight nodded. "I felt the same way. It'll go away after the first month." She said before hopping onto her bed with Starlight. "I hate that you're here, and I'm glad you're here. I'm glad because I get to see one of my friends again, but I hate it because you're just as stuck as I am. And, in a world that wants to kill us."

I chuckled. "Nah, It's just trying to... I dunno', butter us up."

"Mhm.. And that's why that cannibal came through to skin you?"

I shrugged. "Could've been worse."

"I suppose." Twilight said. "Also, when is that extension going to be done?"

I smiled. "I'd say another two hours or so, and I'm done. All we gotta' do after that, is to take down this wall. Then we'll have.. well, a lot more space. It was fine when I was just alone, but then you two just had to come and make yourselves at home, huh?" I said teasingly. Twilight shook her head with a smile.

"And what if I said I wanted to move out?"

"I'd block the door."

Twilight smirked. "Exactly." She opened her mouth to say something, but instead yawned loudly, shaking her head. "Jeez, I suppose we should all get to sleep, huh?"

Starlight tilted her head slightly. "It's not that late though."

I flipped onto my stomach and buried my face into my pillow. "Going to sleep early never hurt nobody." I could feel my body start to relax further, as I got that familiar feeling of falling. I suppose falling asleep almost instantly could be considered my superpower.

"Night." I could hear Twilight say, though it was muffled as my mind began to drift into sleep.

"Melissaaaaa~" I said with a groan. "Come on, come over just once. You haven't been over in ages!" I complained. Melissa shook her head with a smirk while cleaning a small glass, whipping her head to me.

"I already told you, I have a date."

"Bring 'em along."

"Rex, no."

"Melissaaaa~" I said with another groan. "We planned for this day to be a hangout day, didn't we? I already got that shipment of weird drinks in my room, along with some really good movies. We planned this like, a week ago!"

Melissa shrugged. "Well, the guy asked me out two days ago. And, if I'm lucky, he might be worth my time. We can always hangout sometime later, I promise."

I pouted like a child. "It was supposed to be today."

Melissa shook her head before setting the small glass onto the counter, and hanging up the little rag she used. She turned to me with a smile. "I asked Jake if it was cool for me to leave early to get ready for the date, and he said yeah. You don't mind working the last hour by yourself, do you?"

"You need an hour to get ready?"

"At minimum, yes."

I groaned. "Yeah, fine, yeah. It's not like if I said 'no' you'd change your mind all of a sudden. Go, and hey, don't put out on the first date!" I said whilst she was making her way away from the bar.

"You 'aint the boss of me!" She said sassily before she disappeared out of eyesight.

God, that woman.

Author's Note

Another day, another chapter.

I hope you guys liked this one. I know it took awhile for me to get this out, but some things in real life just couldn't wait! So, I had to take care of all of that first.

If you have any words of encouragement, politeness, or even criticism, be sure to comment. I always read the comments, and sometimes I respond. If you have any words of criticism, I try to tell you what I was going for, and address it. Any criticism, whether nice or rude, is criticism that'll help me become a better writer.

Thank you for reading this chapter!