"Little Pony"

I was out and about today, walking along the streets of Canterlot. Mother was at work once again and I was tasked with buying some things she would need for dinner tonight. This morning before she left, she sat me down and gave me a paper with a list of items that would be easy enough for me to carry back home.

Already used to the idea of going out and buying groceries, I simply smiled and nodded when she asked me if I understood.

The whole stranger danger thing existed here, but it was a little different. She had a lot more trust in the ponies out in the world than I would ever have about the people back on Earth. Especially when it came to a child.

I guess that’s a given when you have no ongoing wars or an active military.

Oh, right. I forgot to mention that. Did you know that Equestria has no standing military? They have royal guards, but the textbooks told me absolutely nothing about their military power. Or any of their ranks. I only saw them mention the Royal Guards.

They’re at the forefront of their law enforcement, political, and national affairs.

But it still gets me, no standing military? That’s like asking for you to be invaded. Or at the very least, flexed on by other global superpowers to have you do whatever they want you to do for them.

That’s happened more than once on Earth.

But I guess them having an immortal being that is in control of the sun and moon, does ward off any other countries from trying anything. For all they know, Celestia could pull up with the sun and erase your country off the face of the planet. Hm.

I guess that makes Equestria the only nation with weapons of mass destruction, right?

Anyway, I was getting too ahead of myself. All this internal monologuing while walking is bound to get me lost. I especially didn’t want to wander my way into the upper sections of Canterlot. That’s where all the bad eggs with silver spoons live. And like I’ve said before, they look down on ponies that aren’t rich or unicorns.

They don’t look down on me because I’m short or anything, remember that.

I stepped to the side as a carriage made its way down the street, the two ponies controlling the buggy gave me a friendly smile that I returned. While the pony riding inside raised the window. And wow, like that window would stop me. I could rob you so easily.

I’m kidding.

Turning my attention back to the street signs overhead, I smiled as I noticed the grocery store sitting at the very end of the street. All I needed to do was walk a few more feet across this next intersection. I came to a stop on a street corner, looking around for any more surprise carriages before walking forward. My attention turned from the clear space to my thoughts, wondering if I would be able to sneak some candy into the shopping list.

Now that I was able to eat candy without much consequence, I wanted to en- “Oof,” a noise left my mouth without my permission.

My thoughts scattered as I walked into something tall, vision blurring for a few moments as I fell backward onto my back. I blinked a few times as I was now staring up at the sky.

How fast was I walking for my chest to hurt like that?

I let out a soft groan as I made to sit up.

“Oh, my sweet Celestia, are you okay?” a very concerned voice surprised me as I picked myself up, steadying myself on my feet and looking up to see a very concerned mare leaning down to my level. Oh, so that’s who I bumped into.

I blinked, getting a weird sensation as I looked her in the eyes. Weird.

“Oh, I’m okay!” I said as I jumped back into that childish demeanor. I smiled at her, hopping in place.

“Are you sure you’re okay, little one?” she asked as she tilted her head, looking me up and down as I narrowed my eyes slightly. “That was quite the stumble.”

I fervently shook my head, and although my chest still throbbed, I wasn’t in any major pain. Not enough to surrender myself into her care, at least.

“No, I’m okay! I’m strong,” I puffed out my chest. Watching her chuckle softly to herself, her voice a little deeper than when she asked if I was okay.

She was also wearing a piece of clothing, one of the fancier pieces, too. Though I figured she would’ve gone for a piece of a dress, she was wearing a bowtie. Not that it was weird or anything, it just, didn’t seem like it fit someone who seemed so upper class like she did.
I’ve seen other mares dress in over-the-top outfits, even one change outfits mid-walk! So I’m a little surprised at the simplicity.

“Well, if you insist,” she smiled. “Though, do you mind answering me a question?”

That was a pretty quick demeanor switch. Asking how I was with such a concerned look on her face to sussing out my intentions was strange enough. However, this concern could also be out of me being a little foal walking around by myself in such a big city like Canterlot.

After all, I hadn’t seen any other children walking by themselves.

Oh, maybe this was because I wasn’t in school.

“What’s that Miss?” I asked with a head tilt, searching her expression.

She blinked, blinking about three times. A bit weird, but I didn’t speak about it as I shifted my stance, lightly kicking the cobblestone road as I waited.

“What is a small colt like you doing all by himself?”

Hm.

“My Mommy needed an errand done, so she sent me to go take care of it,” I smiled innocently. The answer was truthfully vague. No intention of where I was going or where my Mother was.

Her smile dipped into a frown for a few moments during my answer, if you were paying attention you’d notice it. But it happened a few times before she closed her eyes and smiled.

“I see… well, how very nice of you to do that for your mother, aren’t you such a sweet little boy?” She chuckled to herself, her deep voice slipping into her soft one, sending a small chill up my spine. “Well, I guess I won’t keep you any longer, have a very good day!”

And just like that, she rose back to her full height and walked around me. I turned to watch her walk away, she softly hummed to herself before she turned down another street corner.

She’s got a very weird vibe to her.

“Bye, I guess,” was what I muttered before turning around and continuing on my way.

Getting closer to the store, I walked passed a variety of ponies. Not in their race, but in how ridiculous their outfits were. The top part of a tuxedo, a vest, dresses. And... was that guy wearing a monocle?

I paused, turning and watching the pony with a monocle twirl his mustache, causing me to snort. I bit back a laugh as I turned back around and softly giggled to myself. The automatic doors were just in front of me now, so pulled out the list I had stuffed into my mane and looked down at it. The cold air buffeted my face as the automatic door slid open and I walked into the store.

“Welcome in!” the cheerful voice of an employee standing right by the entrance made me look up from Mother’s handwriting. I looked up to see a teenage pony looking down at me in some surprise.

“Hi!” I gave her a diabetes-inducing smile.

“Oh! Hello there,” she said as I approached her. She leaned down as I stopped right in front of her and held out the list Mother gave me. She looked down at it before giving me a look.

“Do you think you can help me with this, miss?” I asked her with a hopeful expression. Trying to persuade her to do all of the work for me. “My Mommy asked me to help her, and I don’t want to mess up my responsib-bleh,” I pretended to mess up the word. Shaking my head as she chuckled.

“Responsibility?” she offered. And I was quick to nod my head and bounce up, “Yeah!”

She gently took the paper from my smaller hooves and looked it over, then she looked over at the front door, then back at the registers.

“It’s been a pretty slow day, so I guess I can help you out, little guy.”

“Hurray!” I threw both hooves up in the air.

Hurray indeed. I left the grocery store with everything I needed, a singular bag sitting on my back as I enjoyed a lollipop the worker gave me. Shining Star was her name. I also got to ride on her back the whole time she was pushing a cart around and looking for my items.

It was a good deal.

What was also a good deal were the prices, they were so low in comparison to the prices I’ve seen back home. It only took a single bit, the currency that these ponies used, to buy five different things!
I was even able to slip some candy into my bag at the end there. The lollipop was one thing, but there were so many different kinds of chocolate that I’d yet to taste that were just calling my name on those aisles. I couldn’t help but guilt-trip her into letting me add them to the cart with the unbeatable puppy eyes.

Either way, these bags weren’t all that heavy. It was surprising, considering my average-sized body. I didn’t think I would be able to carry these bags all the way home all by myself. But I guess I’m just that good.

I shook my head. That was stupid.

I continued down the road, walking by a few more ponies meandering about. Tracing my steps back home, I hummed a little tune in my head to pass the time. Along the way, I stopped right next to a shop window, some pony mannequins were wearing some of the most ridiculous outfits I’d ever seen. I stood there and wished I was able to take a picture of just how bad these things looked.

I didn’t even notice the person standing behind me until my shadow grew ten times, I paused. Sitting there where I was leaning up to look at the windows before narrowing my eyes, I got down onto my hooves and turned around. Only to immediately jump as that same mare’s face appeared right in front of me.

“Hol- ho,” I said as I bit back the curse that fired up. I put a hoof on my chest and looked up to see her standing there with a soft smile.

“Oh dear, are you okay? I’m sorry for frightening you,” she said as she leaned down. Those weird eyes made me take a step back as I shook my head.

“I’m fine, Miss. You just surprised me,” I smiled.

“Well, I apologize. I just wanted to know if you were alright carrying that bag all by yourself?” she asked as her gaze trailed onto the grocery bag.

I think it’s kinda crazy how she disappeared around one corner and probably did a whole circle just to meet up with me once I got out of the store. That concerned adult was slowly starting to turn into a weirdo the more I looked at her.

“Oh, well… Miss, uhm?” I said as I tilted my head.

“Aurora Crescendo Borealis the Second,” she said simply. Almost as if that long-ass name was normal to have. Heh. Kinda reminded me of Jugemu-jugemu.

But either way, I couldn’t help but give her a small look. Tilting my head in as I registered the name before nodding. Let’s give her my much simpler, one-word name.

“Oh… well, it’s nice to meet you, Miss Aurora. My name is Speckles!” I said matter of factly. Watching her face flush as she cooed.

“How adorable,” she hummed. “It’s very nice to meet you as well, Speckles.”

Eh… the way she said my name didn’t sound all that good.

“Your question, Miss Aurora?” I reeled the conversation back in.

“Right, right,” she said after blinking. “I was wondering if you needed any help carrying that bag back home. It does seem a little heavy for you.”

Ah. No thanks. Didn’t need a weird stranger knowing where I lived.

“That’s okay!” I chose to say instead. “I’m big and strong, I can carry these all the way home by myself,” I assured.

Probably not the answer that she wanted, I could see her expression twitch. Her eyes widened and that same droop of her smile wasn’t able to slip past my eyes. She was disappointed.

“Oh… are you sure?” she asked.

“Yep! I’m good,” I said with a smile.

“Well… have a very good day, then, Speckles,” she gave me a toothy grin before turning around and walking off in the other direction. I stood there and watched her for a few moments, getting a better look at her just in case I needed to describe someone shortly.

Tall, a bright pink coat, neatly brushed maroon mane… picture of an actual Aurora – the phenomenon.

“Right…” I muttered before turning back around, and transitioning the grocery bag into my hooves, I fluttered my wings and flew up into the air. It’d probably be best not to take my time and sightsee this time around, who knows if I’ll run into her a third time.

Hopefully not.
I made sure to lock the door and close the blinds when I got home, just to be extra safe.

.