The Visit

The next day, Frances slept in. Fluttershy let him rest, even when Applejack arrived to assist him while she went to the market.

"He's upstairs, third door on the left. His breakfast is on the counter. Don't be worried if he doesn't eat too much of it, he's still regaining his strength."

Applejack nodded. Fluttershy beamed, glad she had such reliable friends, then left. Frances appeared an hour later fresh as the morning dew thanks to Rarity. Applejack guided him to his breakfast, which, as his caretaker predicted, he did not finish. Unlike Fluttershy, the farmer was quick to notice his predatory teeth and cautiously offered him an apple in lieu of his meal. When he didn't suck it dry (he preferred to eat it later instead) she breathed a sigh of relief.

"Do you want to go outside?" she offered. "We can walk laps in the yard."

"Sure."

Applejack decided to keep it simple and walked in circles in the patch of green between the chicken coops and the cottage. Frances kept pace just fine, an observation she was sure to share with Fluttershy when she returned. Now, however, it was time for a break.

"Alright, give a good stretch and settle down now."

Frances obeyed right next to her. His body was cold, but that was comforting in the summer heat.

"How're ya feeling?"

"Fine, Miss Applejack. It's nice out here."

"Just Applejack, hon. I ain't that special."

"Applejack." He breathed the name, then looked into his hooves.

Applejack felt a twinge of guilt. It was vain of her to think she drew a lonely sigh from the colt. It was even vainer of her to wish Frances would describe his marefriend in detail, to see how she measured up, if she did remind him so much of her. She blamed Rarity for it. She didn't have feelings for Frances, but the fact that nearly everyone had someone—Pinkie Pie had Cheese Sandwich, Twilight Sparkle was the apple of some royal guard's eye, Rarity had a new beau every month, and even Fluttershy had her heart set on her own brother—cut into her like a knife. The last pony to view her romantically at all was some fetishizing loser and the farm didn't leave much time for crushes. She tried to recall if she had ever been what he was, young and lovesick. No such memory existed.

But that wasn't her fault! They were old wounds, made back when the girls were still getting to know each other, but Rarity's comments still got the better of her sometimes. If only someone liked her from skin to core, pined for what she represented, then maybe she could put these demons to rest.

"Kassandra," he sighed.

"Don't worry none, sugar. You'll be home soon."

"I know." He rolled over onto his side. "At least you make it feel like she's here. You're just as warm and firm as she is."

"Oh?"

He nodded. "Same bright orange coat too, but her eyes are the color of tempered steel, and her name is always pulled into a tight bun if she doesn't leave it loose..."

Roused by the thought of her, he continued. Applejack didn't stop him. "Her back hooves could make an indent in the thickest of oaks. Her voice could command armies, charm demons! And she has such a way with the earth! If it wasn't for her, we would have starved to death years ago. I guess it makes sense, considering she used to live on a farm."
The mare smiled in spite of herself.

Frances suddenly stood. "Determination is in her blood, so it should be in mine! Let's walk again!"

Applejack laughed and got to her hooves. "And how!"

The farmer left in the late afternoon happier than she was when she arrived, and told Fluttershy about Frances' progress with the warmest smile the pegasus had ever seen. "Ah'll come back tomorrow with Rainbow Dash! If’n you're up to it, Frances, we can trot n' fly!"

"I'm looking forward to it!" he called back, then Fluttershy closed the door and trotted into the kitchen. Frances followed, ready to ask for a glass of water.

"I'm glad you had fun today," she chirped.

"As am I. Miss Fluttershy, may I—"

"And I— Oh, my, I interrupted you. Sorry."

"It's alright. I was going to ask for a glass of water."

"Oh, of course! Just a second."

They sat at the breakfast nook again as Fluttershy placed a straw in the glass. Frances thanked her and drank slowly.

"As I was saying," Fluttershy continued, "I'm glad you had fun today, and I hope my little surprise makes your day even better."

He released the straw. "A surprise? For me? Miss Fluttershy, I'm touched."

Grimacing, Fluttershy craned her neck down to the mound of cloth beside her and lifted it to the tabletop. Frances waited with bated breath as she untied the corners and led them away from the offering. He recognized the smell, but he sincerely doubted this gentle soul could even approach…

The last corner fell away. In the center lay the fresh carcass of a vole.

Silence prevailed for much too long as he stared at his gift and Fluttershy stared at him.

"Do you prefer mice?" she asked at last.

Frances shook his head. "No, no, this is wonderful, but... Miss Fluttershy, I hope...I didn't mean to..."

She knew what he meant. "I asked Miss Falcon to do a little extra hunting for me. My home is a safe space, but I can't change the laws of nature. Go ahead. I hope it helps."

Even while tearing into a dead animal, Frances was still a neat and conservative diner. When the hour of lunch had passed there was a mangled skeleton left on the table and a very satisfied Frances lounging in the nook. "Thank you," he sighed. "Thank you." He eased himself out of his seat and excused himself, thanking her once more and announcing that he was going to take a nap. Fluttershy disinfected the nook before mixing a salad to eat in the living room.

At that same moment, Twilight Sparkle opened her seventh book on illusions. It would be so much easier just to confront Frances about his wings, but it wasn't exactly polite, so she was on her own until she could visit. Starlight Glimmer assisted her since Spike was embarking upon a new campaign of Ogres and Oubliettes at Sweet Apple Acres.

"You don't have to be mean about it," her student insisted. "He let you examine his horn, didn't he?"

"Yes, but that only highlights the fact that he's still injured, Starlight. I can't demand discourse from him if he's not up to it."

"Not even for a couple of keywords?"

"I already know what happened: his wings were broken, then he fixed them, then they disappeared. The wings in question resembled bat wings. He claimed they were mostly illusory. Ergo, any preliminary research on the subject should be about illusions."

Starlight nodded boredly. "Right."

Twilight didn't find anything useful in this book either, and asked for another one. Starlight offered it to her, but withdrew it before her mentor's hoof could touch it. When Twilight turned for a better view, Starlight held the book a little higher.

"There's something you're not telling me, Twilight. I would understand if this guy was laid up in the hospital, but based on what you've said he only suffered a couple of scratches. He could walk. He could talk. Why not just ask him?"

Twilight considered chasing after the book but knew she and Starlight were too skilled for her to succeed. Sighing, she closed her current book and stared at the blank page of notes. "Something's wrong," she murmured.

"Come again?"

"Something about his aura made me uneasy. It was a vague feeling, but it was strong enough for Pinkie to pick up on, and we both agree it's not good."

"All the more reason to confront him, no?"

"No! If we're right, we put lives at stake! If we're wrong, we destroy somepony's trust. Neither of those worlds are one I want to live in. I've got to be gentle with this."

Starlight's gears were turning, so she didn't notice Twilight take the book until she heard the pages turn. Once she ruffled all the fur of her chin, she gasped. "I got it! You said he was messing with multiverses, right? Why not work it into a conversation about that?"

"Bu—" The Princess of Friendship considered this. Her eyes widened with revelation. "That's perfect! He has to go home, but he's apprehensive about using his own magic! He'll need our help! Pack your bags, we're going to Fluttershy's!"

Her hopes were dashed when the pair arrived at the cottage and Fluttershy told her Frances was asleep. Disappointed, she was ready to turn back until Starlight asked if they could stay until he woke up.

"But I can't do that," Twilight argued. Her royal administrative duties were just too demanding.

"But I can," Starlight offered. "I can invite you back as soon as he wakes up."

It took some wheedling, but in the end, Twilight agreed and left.
Since Starlight was the only pony not present at the initial meeting, Fluttershy was happy to fill her in on everything that had occurred.

"I wonder if he was being pursued..." the unicorn mused, but then shuffling was heard from upstairs.

"That must be him. You should tell Twilight."

Twilight practically ran back to the cottage. Starlight could barely keep up. Frances and Fluttershy were waiting for them. It was evening by the time the group was reunited, and Frances seemed reinvigorated by the absence of natural light. He bowed to the guests again, and Starlight was chilled by the mechanical grace of the gesture.

"This is Starlight Glimmer," Fluttershy introduced. "She's another friend of ours. She came with Twilight so she can help you get home."

Frances clapped his hooves. "Wonderful! I was actually going to ask you to invite her again for this!"
Twilight stepped forward. "Great! Now, Starlight and I have some background in alternate timelines. With the right literature—"

"That won't be necessary, Your Highness. I know exactly how to get back."
Twilight closed her mouth.

"You do?" Fluttershy and Starlight asked in unison.
Frances nodded. "It's quite simple. It just requires a bit more power than I'm willing to sacrifice right now."

Twilight cocked her head. "O...kay... What do we need to do?"

"All we have to do is enchant a mirror. Once the enchantment is properly drawn, we have to trigger it with a great release of energy. When the spell is complete, all I have to do is think of where I want to be, it appears, I walk through, and I'm home!"
The mares blinked. "How long will it take to enchant the mirror?"

"Thirty minutes?"

"How big is the enchantment? Where should we draw it?"

"It depends on how big the mirror is."

"We have to find a mirror?"

"We could use mine, but it broke in transit."

"There's a full-body mirror in the castle no one's using..."

A new castle mirror had to be selected because the one suggested was actually Spike's favorite. The remaining logistics, to Twilight's chagrin, had to wait until Frances saw the mirror in question, but she lobbied for a departure date.

"Mi—I mean, Applejack and Rainbow offered to help me exercise tomorrow. I would hate to cancel our plans."

"Okay. Not tomorrow. How about three days from today?"

He seemingly looked to Fluttershy for permission; when she nodded, he nodded too. Twilight also nodded, then made a mental note to bring the mirror to Frances (or vice versa) the day before.

"Good," began her parting words. "I'm glad we've got this straightened out and you can find a way home. Starlight and I will come back in two days with the mirror, then the following day for the incantation. Goodnight, Frances."

"Goodnight, Your Highness, Miss Starlight."
Starlight's gait quickened at the address. Once well on their way back to town, she shivered.

"Now I get it. I mean, he sounds harmless enough, but..."

"I'm sending a letter to Princess Celestia so she's aware of the situation. Or do you think that's an overreaction?"

"Wait a night, Twilight. Maybe write it in the morning."

Twilight nodded and they entered the castle.

Fluttershy went to bed as soon as they left, and Frances also retreated to his room, not to sleep, but to write. Fluttershy was such a dear, energizing him with that vole. He licked his lips as he pulled his notebook from his worn saddlebag. There was no doubt the pegasus had seen the accessory, but in her panic fortunately never touched it. Not that it's contents were meant for anypony else but him.

The bed was too lumpy, so he laid on the floor. Quill in mouth, he began with a summary of his experiences up until that point, adding notes in parenthesis about the ponies he met. For instance, Applejack was a "rise-with-the-sun mare, just like Kassy, and I'm sure just as stubborn at times too". Princess Twilight was a conundrum since current observations proved she was not responsible for the raising of the sun and moon, as he once assumed. He was hesitant to believe the alicorn sisters were still alive, though. Fluttershy received a gushing review, for obvious reasons, and Frances was actually going to miss her.

Satisfied, he put the notebook away and pulled out a leather-bound journal.