My Little Brony: The Orion Paradox

by The Unknown Brony

Rating: mature
Tags: Rainbow Dash, Comedy, Derpy Hooves, Violence, Sex, Twilight Sparkle, Gore, Screwball, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Alternate Universe, Human, Doctor Whooves, Narcotics
Length: 5114

He's back! Thanks to a little tear in the space time continuum, Doctor Whooves and Screwball are picking up the pieces to secure a better tomorrow. Our human friend Orion is sent back to the moment of time before the disturbance. What could go wrong?

The balance of Equestria is at a standstill, a paradox unraveling due to a certain pink mare. Who'da thought a human in Equestria could cause so much distortion! Our mare thirsty friend Orion caused a little too much trouble on his first arrival, perhaps a second chance could grant a perfect future? Check it out, as this unlikely hero gets to decide what romances should flourish, or perish. Doctor Whooves may help him yet, but with Screwball lurking in the shadows, what could possibly go wrong!?

Published 2020-11-25 06:20:00 UTC
Last updated 2020-11-29 21:41:51 UTC

Chapter 1 - Buck To the Basics

"But Daddy, I'm not finished with my playdate! It was just getting interesting too..."

"Now now darling spawn of mine, the time has come to stop playing with such childish things...besides, it's way past your bedtime."

"Oh fine! I guess I'll have to wait until tomorrow for more chaos..."

+++

The night summer breeze graced my face, a soft sudden embrace of what felt like an arm nudging me. It felt like what was a dream, yet reality hit me all to quick as I recall what I had done and where I was...In a bed, window side to a beautiful starry night, full moon gracing down to the quaint village. Minute after minute, I began to question and worry about my current predicament...and the last actions I took to get here.

"Ponies? Friendship is Magic is just a show! I'm Orion Cornelius, a quirky brony with a food handlers license and a knack for the unknown. At this point, living in a dirt town from Texas feels like a century ago...But it's only been a week since my arrival!

So why the long feeling of such disparrow, and home sickness?"

I stop thinking, and turn over in bed, a rude awakening following my sudden realization. The next few minutes I remain blinking slowly, take a deep breath and contemplate what I was staring at. It was a fuzzy figure, but the more I gazed, the more I remember where I was, and how I got here. The truth couldn't be harsher, almost unbelievably ridiculous of how obvious my life had turned.

"Oh yeah, that's right...a book from my local library...A twenty-three year old sent into a world of technicolor ponies. Fictional talking ponies from a television show, and me smack dab in the middle."

I bit down on my lip and thought loudly, coming to terms that this was my life. The resting purple unicorn sharing her ber and home with me, a bipedal freak of nature that shouldn't be here. The nice ponyfolk of Equestria welcomed me with open arms, and earlier today was a grand celebration; hell, their equine leader granted me citizenship today! I have been living in Equestria for a solid week, with almost no inspiration to go home.

So why this pit of anxiety in my stomach? Why couldn't I remember a memory other than just waking a few moments ago?

The more I thought, the better I felt, but as I continued, a sleeping Twilight Sparkle began to fidget and squirm. It was unclear what our relationship was at this point, she had given me a place to sleep, some oats for nourishment...but why? I remember how I arrived to Ponyville, but what was the connection between this purple unicorn and myself? I stubbornly came to the decision to wake the turned over mare, my hand slowly running against her mane, up to her ears.

"Twilight? Hey Twi."

"Wha? What's wrong, Orion? It's the middle of the night..."

Twilight eventually replied back, her back still turned from me and the yawn practically escaping her muzzle.

"W-Well, I was just wondering why you're so nice to me. You may have summoned me here, but you didn't have to take care of my silly self...I shouldn't have even took that book home."

I nervously choked, my hands slowly wrapping around her soft waist while she snuggled close to me. This tired mare slowly rolled over and locked eyes with me, very heavy hazed eyes.

"You act like you're aburden, but you are a blessing! I don't know much about where you came from but I know I'm glad you're here with me. I've never seen a being like you before."

*SQUEE!*

The quick embrace of a tiny mare locking her hooves around me was so adorable it even made a sound! A long slow nuzzle at my neck followed before she stared back at me, the moonlight shimmering in her eyes...but was it alright to pursue this askew friendship.

"Umm, Twi...Are we?"

Before I could even finish my question, a big smirk grew on this gorgeous mare's face. The tension grew in my stomach while she sat up right, leaning closer to me with such a look of eagerness to it.

"You don't remember your first night with me? Granted I was under the influence, I recall you really enjoyed yourself..."

She softly spoke while a hoof rubbed against my shirtless chest, the blanket enveloping both of us from the waist down. This arrangement however, would not last for long!

"Well, we may have already experienced eachother...but we don't have to complicate this..."

"Shh...Let's just sleep on it! Tomorrow is a new day..."

Twilight cutely chimed, her warm breath gracing my cheek as she came close to cuddle with me. The night came to an awkward silence while we began to lie together, her head resting on my chest as I slowly ran my fingers through her pinkish purple mane. I didn't know why I had such a sudden rush of amnesia, and why this felt so dreamlike. I was exactly where I was when I woke, thinking to myself in self doubt.

Welp, not only am I stuck here in Equestria, living with the smart bookworm mare Twilight Sparkle...apparently I have a repore with this purple unicorn...I am currently living and sleeping with a talking, spell casting mare...

Buck my life.

+++

Little did I know, the same night, a quirky brown colt was conducting an experiment in his lab. An experiment that would shake my very existence to it's core.

+++

"Gee, Doctor! What's with all the blinky lights!?'

"You see my dear Derpy, an anomaly of high chaos energy has just spiked! This alone is nothing too bizzare in Ponyville, but with the arrival of that bipedal chum, I fear the worst is yet to come!"

"D'oh, you mean that long haired foreigner!? He's silly looking!"

"Although different, that creature may be the very reason these tachyons are forming! We must investigate this Orion fellow for questioning... See what he knows."

+++

Chapter 2 The Mysterious Mare

The warm sunlight peaked down the library window-side, gracing my tired face. For a moment, just a small second, I felt back at home in a dry heat. These small fractions of home-sickness would often get to me, and often only when waking up. I slowly come to and lean up, surprised to not see a certain purple mare next to me.

The next moments after putting on my clothes, and parting my hair I began to peek down to the lower level of the library. I creep down the stairs in what seemed like the crack of dawn to an eerily quiet library. The kitchen, study, and bedroom all empty without a trace of my fair mare.

"Twilight! Oh, Twilight!? Any pony here?"

...

I wait for a good long while before coming to terms that I was home alone, all to my lonesome. The empty library almost echoed an awkward silence as I found a seat at a quaint wooden table smackdab in the center of the library.

"What a cute little pony table!"

I smiled to myself while fidgeting around Twilight's small furniture arrangements. A large stack of thick brown leather bound books peeking my curiosity, yet I remained hesitant. A book is what got me here, and I'm not about to go meddling around again with some hoodoo voodoo! The second I shut down my own interest, I swear that I heard an ominous voice whispering in my ears.

"Read it...Go on! We both know you want to..."

...

"W-Who's there? Twi, is that you?"

I nervously wept as I shot up from my seat, the table loudly sketching across the floor. This voice was obviously female, but it didn't sound like good ol' Tara Strong... No this sounded oddly familiar, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it...

"Twilight!? You think I sound like that egotistical egghead?"

The voice snapping replied back, a puffy purple smoke cloud forming on the table. The more I stared at it, the more my heart began to race, as I could tell who this mysterious mare was. The silhouette of a cute little mare with a funny looking hat and a curly mane stood on the table in front of me...and just as the smoke finally cleared, I knew who I was speaking with.

"Screwball!? But, you're not even canon!"

I stupidly blurted out, to my surprise the quirky mare slowly stretching out and laying down on the wooden table.

"Oh, you wanna talk about canon? You're still stuck in season two, babe. Spoiler alert, your friend Twilight isn't a unicorn forever."

The pokey pink mare smiled, her hoofs holding my face and bringing it closer. It was so awkward to be this close to what was honestly, the spawn of a god of chaos. Time seemed to stand still while Screwball gives me this face, a smirk face with her tongue playfully sticking out.

"W-What do you want with me? I'm not reading another fucked up book and damning myself to some other TV show."

"Hmm, honestly...What don't I want? Hehe, but in all silliness aside, I do need you to read a small itsy incantation..."

"Oh hell naw! No way I'm reading some spooky spell that'll do who knows what!?"

"I know what, silly, and it's just a simple passage that allows me to maintain a physical form for more than a day! You do wanna help me, don't you Orion?"

The moment she spoke my name, her slick eyes swirled and twisted hypnotically. I couldn't help myself to her charm, and I leaned in close, her warm breath hitting my face as I was just inches away from her muzzle. It was hopeless at this point, I decided to come close enough to lock lips, this mare and I were practically kissing.

"Release me, Orion...So I can release you...If you know what I mean!"

Screwball mouthed into me, her tongue playfully licking my lips every word...I wanted nothing more than to smooch this mischievous muse...I was gonna do it! I was gonna make my move and smooch this-

POOF!

...A second after my decision, she was gone! Heavy clouds of smoke trailed off the table and rolled down to the creaky floorboards...

Did that really just happen!? If so, even if she was serious, which one of these books was the one!? What the hell was even happening!?

THUNK! THUNK!

I slumped over and laid my weary head on the wooden table where the mysterious mare was, not even caring that the front door had a knock. This wasn't even my house, let alone my neighborhood! I don't think answering the door was even on my agenda, but alas, I knew I couldn't ignore this friendly citizen. I finally get the nerve and perk up, giving myself a good slap to the face before walking over and answering the front door.

To my surprise it was everyone's favorite cross eyed mare, Derpy Hooves! Her golden mane glistened in the morning sun, her cute little mail mare outfit shimmering as she fidgeted.

"Howdy,howdy! Got a special delivery for you!"

The ditzy mare chimed, slowly leaning over and pulling out a sleek purple clothed book from her mailbag. I cringe in delight as she "mouthed," me the book, an adorable little squee emitting as I reached for the book.

"Oh! And my good friend Doctor Whooves said he wanted to meet ya! He was busy for that whole coronation party and wanted to make up for it!"

Derpy said while giving me a gorgeous smile, her nose scrunched up as she finished her invitation. I didn't know what to say! I didn't exactly want to make plans without Twilight present, that would be rude to impede on her plans...

Fuck it! I'm sure nothing bad could arise from something like this! I nodded and replied to the grey mare.

"S-Sure! I'll stop by later tonight...Where exactly is his lab?"

"Here! I made you a map! And feel free to invite Twilight...hehe or should I say your marefriend!"

...Twilight Sparkle...my marefriend? Perhaps I really should straighten this things out before more townsfolk allude to this...

+++

Chapter 3 - Here For A Buckin

Chapter 3 - Here For A Buckin

The day lingered on after Derpy's delivery, both the purple book and Screwball's antics keeping me preoccupied until Twilight's return. What did this all mean? Was I gonna be allowed to see everyone's favorite british science pony? All of these thoughts raced and continued to rush to my head, one after the other until I decided to lay my head down on the wooden table.

The very same table I had saw the pink and purple apparition before...

"Screwball, if you're there...Give me a sign! Anyhing!?"

"You rang?"

My heart sinks and I feel a deep pit in my stomach while I stopped to think this over...A mare that shouldn't even be here in a place that I'm a guest in...fully spread and presenting...

"Are you trying to seduce me, Screwball?"

I smugly choked, attempting to get ahead of this absurd situation.

"What do you think, silly? I may only have five minutes before I poof but I sure know what to do with them..."

The mischievous mare mocked, a pair of warm panties being tossed at my face. These delicate little undies were small, but oh so important...and dare I question even real!? I pocket the undies and wrap my arms around this mare's waist, lying her down and positioning her legs around my neck, hooves on each shoulder.

"You're gonna tell me what's going on and how I can stop this or I'll make you cum..."

"Or you'll make me cum? Either way we're both getting what we want..."

Screwball cutely said as I lean up, face buried up her skirt and into a soft fuzzy crotch. I began to breathe hard as I forced my lips against this mare's, slowly mouthing words along her labia. This was far too familiar theough muscle memory, and soon enough I was passionately eating out this spawn of chaos with ease!

"Gah...That...Feels really ticklish! Welp, let's just say I'm not the only force out there who misses your touch!"

Screwball whined out, slowly becoming putty in my hands...or should I say my mouth! The moment then turned into a loud messy eating session, I grab her stubby cute legs and angle them straight up. I then get the spectacular idea to spread her precious pink pussy open with my fingers. The tastes, satisfying groans and sighs all led up wonderfully! I tugged her tail harshly while I continued sucking and slobbering all over her mare hood.

"Mhmm! You're more than just a human in Equestria cliche, Orion...You can set me free, make me real...Release me!"

I closed my eyes and had a moment to myself, relishing in ecstacy that this naughty mare was starting to climax. The more I ate, the more information I got out of this premonition pandering pony! I grabbed her tail again, this time leading to a gush of warm cum squirting out.

"Awe! I'm cumming! I'm...cumming..."

+++

Screwball had told me what she could after coming to, and even hearing a full explanation, I still was left with many questions. Why me? How many times had I been through this exact scenario? Was it really a good idea to break the cycle?

And could I really trust this mare?

It wasn't until afternoon when Twilight returned home, and with some good news! I then decided to berate her for abandoning me earlier today...

“Twilight, tell me this...Where have you been all morning? And are we having the gals over dinner tonight?”

“Why, yes! And well I trotted into Rarity today...She’s sewing up some custom garments per your...size. How exactly did you guess that?”

She paused and smiled awkwardly to me, a levitated, glowing brown bag of groceries landing on the table. I then proceeded to help her wash some lettuce, cucumbers and tomatoes in the kitchen. As the day progressed into night, I told her about the ominous purple book, and of my strange giddiness. After peeling the cucumbers and explaining what I meant more to her, I could see she was growing skeptical.

“Listen, everything will be fine! My friends wanna get to know you and our relationship, and if anything odd comes up, I’ll know you and I can handle it.”

Twilight said while I had finished dicing up the cucumbers, she cheesily hugged me before I could finish up setting the table. It was interesting that Applejack would not be present this time around, as I could’ve sworn I had seen this exact scenario playout before...

+++

"Orion! You havent even touched your cucumber celery salad!"

Twilight sassily proclaimed while I fidgetily forked with my food. I didn't exatly want to spill my guts about the prior events while i was home alone. Twilight had returned to my unsure aid moments after Derpy, and now with the mane six. Who knows how this elegant sofisticated mare would handle my shenanigns. Was whe really my marefrined? Was this more than a one night stand!? And if what Screwball told me earlier was true...

I have a chance to prevent this reality from imploding on itself...

"Listen everypony, I've been having a familiar mindset of this evening and-"

Before I could finish speaking to Twilight in private, the conversation had sparked and we were in the thick of it now! This was to be a post meeting about me and my arrival of living in Equestria, bunked with Twilight Sparkle in the library. The more I thought to myself, the more a sudden rush of Deja Vu came. I continued to tune in and out, staring down at my plate of delicious looking veggies and cherry tomatoes. It was at this point I listened to the ongoing conversation, where Twilight had just thanked Rarity for crafting my new threads!

...and for the strangest reason I knew exactly what to say...or dare I mean what Rarity was about to say! Without even thinking I suddenly shouted across the table:

"Why thank you for the custom jeans and T shirts...and yes that is my actual skin color.."

...

The table goes to a dead silence, you could hear a pin drop...and it was such an off feeling...Deja Vu...

"Oh, aheh, I assure you darling it was only in good fun...but how uncanny..."

"I get it! Rarity! Cuz he's weird lookin!"

Pinkie Pie cutely quipped, she even giggled! The genuinely honest sense of humor made me feel a whole lot better than how cringey this dinner just got.

"Pfft, we've come across much stranger looking creatures, honestly he's not half bad...Maybe if he walked on all fours..?"

Rainbow Dash stopped to smile at me, a certain quirk that I could tell was playful. I stared back for a little longer than I should have, as she winked at me while Fluttershy began to give her "two cents."

More like two bits!

This was far too strange, I can recall all of this, maybe not every little detail but I can guess how most of this will play out...I certainly remember saying, or rather thinking, such a cheesy joke! Two bits? That's a dad joke.

"I thought it was pretty funny! Hey Orion, try to see if you can change these mare's actions! Try bringing up Doctor Whooves!"

The transcending sinister tones of Screwball crept through my head, such absurd timing! I smiled down at my plate and picked at a cherry tomato, chewing the plump lush delectable. I couldn't believe this, and how strange this was, already stacked upon a bizzare scenario.
I continued to hastily eat my salad, tomatoes and lettuce gone within minutes.

If this is anything like I remember, I'm gonna need all the energy I can get! I then decided to chug down the glass of water, to the point where just three bottom ice cubes remained. By this time, I had just enough time to tune into the end of Fluttershy's beautiful soft spoke speech.

"So I think that Orion living here is a great addition to our already diverse ecosystem."

"D'aww! Well thank you Fluttershy! I appreciate being welcomed in such a glorious...country? Yeah, and I really appreciate the citizenship...big thing where I'm from."

The admiring attention from everypony while I finished my response was such a delight to my senses! Even Rarity looked genuine, and not fainting interest just for facade. I felt so much better than earlier, but it was nagging at the back of my mind to bring up my sudden Deja Vu. I quickly ended my pandering, and decide to bring up the nerve to ask...

"H-Hey, by the way, do any of ya'all know that whacky Doctor? By the outskirts of the forest?"

...

"Oh! Isn't that egghead with the lab next to Zecora? I'm surprised you haven't had lab studies with him before, Twilight."

Rainbow Dash smugly said, a fun little joke at Twilight's expense. I immediately cringe and smile at Twi, what a zing! I was blown away that they knew about him and his lab! As if I could recall correctly, this is season one or two!?

Golly, what a bizarre adventure!

"The reason I ask is because we got an invitation earlier today! The good Doctor didnt attend my party yesterday and wants to see me."

I finally said, after stressing about all day, I finally decided to break away from what I remembered eventfully, what was apparently set in stone. I possibly had done what Screwball mentioned earlier, I may have changed the timeline!

+++

Instead of sending everypony off, and Twilight and I having a steamy session, we were all off to see Doctor Whooves. This surely was a different path than the last time I was here...How strange and compelling! But what could it mean?

Chapter 4 The Quantum Entanglement Device

"Well, I must admit, I did not expect the whole mare brigade, but nonetheless your presence is welcome!"

The british colt remarked, openly inviting a whole gang of us, mane six, minus Applejack, plus me. It was just before midnight, and we had a decent walk over from the Library in Town Square, all the way to the outskirts of the Everfree Forest. I made sure I kept my left hand on Twilight's cute back the whole walk over, even when we all crammed into the narrow doorway to the Doctor's Lab. She was the only one that really shared the same concerns and well being of my presence here in Ponyille.

"Y-Yeah, I wasn't exactly sure on how best to get here...So I figured this was a team effort."

I sighed out while the seven of us walked down the steps, to a cold open room of gadgets and Tesla coils. It was apparent that this was the main room of operations, as there was even a long, cold gray, steel table, with Derpy Hooved already seated! She was obviously an assistant to Doctor Whooves, but I wonder if that's all she was!?

"Well regardless, my reasoning for bringing you here is of the utmost importance! For you see, your existence here in Ponyville, nay, Equestria is a mistake! And the consequences...if not properly balanced could be dire!"

"Woah there, buster brown colt! You sayin' that Orion living with Twi could be disastrous!? Now I know you're just crushing on her!"

Dash cutely pointed out, everypony then taking a seat and discussing this issue at hand...or issue at hoof!

"No no, it's nothing like that! This is an abnormality in our reality, and Chaos Theory supports the idea that the longer you remain here, the bigger the impact will get! In all eventualities, this Chaos build-up will lead to the end of our world. Extinction of pony kind."

...

"Hehe, this is where it gets good! Ask him about how we fix this "unmeasured," problem..."

"Uhh, Doc, what about if we balanced out my...coming here? You said before if not properly balanced...How would we straighten this out?"

SQUEE!

The moment of tension stops after my question was answered by the most unlikeliest of mares, and we all stare over to a smiling, wide grinned Derpy Hooves.

"Wuvv! Heh, Orion needs to love everypony as much as possible!"

Derpy cutely chimed out, as she scooted out of her seat and trotted over next to Doctor Whooves to take the stage. A large white projector screen then unraveled and graced the floor. We all leaned close as the good doctor pulled out a long retractable pointing prod, hitting the blank projector screen causing the image to appear. The image showed a circular rod, a grey and white capsule with several rods on one side, and what looked like a screen on the opposite side...

The bottom footnote read, "The QED,Quantem Entanglement Device."

"This device shown here, though just a theory in play, will operate during certain...engagements...and will dissipate, extract, and funnel the chaos from love. It is with this "love energy", that we can balance out the universe and preserve our safety in the space-time continuum!"

...The whole room grows quiet as the revelations are set...and oddly enough I know where this goes...and I hope and pray this won't escalate!

"Oh wow, I think I understand what he's saying...Twilight, the next time you and Orion...umm..."

"Buck! Breed! Ride the mare!"

Pinkie Pie chortled, Fluttershy interrupted and all of us seriously embarrassed. I knew exactly what would follow next, and the idea that I couldn't do anything to stop it only made it so so so much worse! I then know what has to be done, and decide to get over with...I nerve up the courage and put my hand on Twilight's mane, giving her pets and rubs behind her left ear.

"D-Doc, do we have a QED set up?"

"Why certainly! Only a prototype, and it works on the most minimum specifications, so for now, just a quick kiss should get us started!"

Everypony then looks over to Twilight and I, already sitting next to each other, but now the tension was on us. It was apparent that the two of us were testing out this QUD device, yet I still felt so embarrassed and on the spot! It was just a kiss, not even the real deal, but I still was so hesitant.

I turned to Twilight and grabbed her hoof, holding it while she stared up at me, those beautiful eyes sparkling back to mine. It was cringe, but I really did have affection and repore for this little unicorn, she took me in and nurtured me, even got Rarity to make me some clothes. She really was the best thing to happen to my absurd brony life, and I was ready to provide back some love.

"Twilight, I wanna thank you for having such a big heart to match that big brain of yours..."

I quietly sighed, hoping this whisper was just for the two of us, but as Pinkie, Derpy, and Rainbow Dash all giggled, I knew I was bucked! It didn't matter to Twilight however, as she just stared at me and batted those eyes. A comfortable sigh from her was emitted as I came closer to her, and we were within breathing distance.

"You keep thinking that you're a burden, Orion, but you're not...I love you, and you're my responsibility! Now come here and gimme a kiss in the name of science!"

Twilight cutely protested, pulling her hoof off my hand and wrapping it around my neck while we slowly shared a soft kiss together. I slow my roll and attempt to calm down while we both mouthed along, my lips and her muzzle lovingly locked in embrace. This kiss started off neutral, but as we progressed, it evolved into a passionate session.

SKKIRTCH! THUNK!

The chair slides back and eventually hits the floor as I stood up with the perky purple pony, embraced in my arms while continuing to makeout. It was quiet, yet ever so loud! The room echoed with our constant moans and sighs, the whole room just listening to our tongue smacking, saliva swapping experience. I kissed and kissed, even after the machine lit up and hummed, I couldn't stop tasting my magical murmuring mare! One of us eventually had to stop this, and Twilight took the reigns first, putting a hoof on my cheek while whe slowly drew her head back and stared at me.

"Wow, that was certainly some kiss..."

Twilight passionately sighed, giving me such a heated look, biting down on her bottom lip still glistened with my saliva. I too had noticed some spit hanging off my lip, but I loved knowing it was there. It was such a heartwarming experience, none of us even gave the now lit up device on the table a second glance. I sat back down in what was now Twilight's chair, her hoofs gripped to my shoulder and her head against my chest. This mare was holding onto me, still lovestrucken and smitten with emotion. With this mare dozing off in her own world, the rest of us looked over to Doctor Whooves, who fiddled with the QED.

"There! You see, the circular blue flashing indicates that a charge has been preserved, and when we press this button at the bottom of the device..."

KLINK!

As he pushed the button with his hoof, a puff of familiar purple clouds emitted from the device. After doing so, the lights went from a flashing blue, to a solid pinkish purple magenta, constantly lit. This was the love energy, captured and secured in the QED, and ready for use. The idea that "love," could be physically captured and stored into a Pokèball like device was still puzzling to me, but the more the Doctor explained, the more I understood.

"So you see, Orion, if I manage to build a bigger storage device, and a bigger QED, it won't be just kisses powering my device...but rather something more potent and passionate! With enough love energy, we can cancel out all that Chaos radiating off you."

+++

But why did I have Chaos oozing out of me!? Why did this have to happen from my arrival here? And did all of this have something to do with Screwball?

I'm gonna need alot more explaining tone had before I was ready to save this universe!

And possibly alot more energy if I'm going to make love to this mare...