Kaffein

“So, where are ya from, Kaff?”

Kaff trotted alongside Jace, finding the dirt path easier to trot upon than the swathes of undergrowth he’d gotten used to traversing. Thus far, the walk had been uneventful. Jace had mostly been quiet up until just now.

Kaff did not initiate conversation simply so he could see how friendly Jace truly was. If human body language translated well into these equine bodies, then Kaff would assume the mare had started to feel uncomfortable with the growing silence between them.

By the looks of it, Jace likely didn’t realise what Kaff was doing either. He wasn’t exactly tactless in the way he did these things. There were many things you could catch just from your peripherals if you knew what you were doing.

Other than that, Kaff couldn’t find it in himself to wipe the smile off his face. He was simply overjoyed to find his life expectancy soaring. Because of this, his facade of ignorant joy was all the more convincing.

“Oh, I believe it’s very far from here; way beyond your borders. It’s unlikely I’ll ever go back there. Not if I can help it.” Vague but to the point, just the way he liked his introductions. He still needed to make sure Jace harboured no ill intentions.

“Mind if I ask what you do for a living? I mean, ponies our age still go to school and all, but you get what I mean.”

Kaff stepped over a pothole as he answered, “I have experience in a few professions, both formal and informal in many places. But it’s likely most obvious that I was a soldier at one point.” He motioned his head to his sabre, currently sheathed in its scabbard. “How about you, Jace Barred?”

He had yet to know where he was or what constituted the norm here. Anything from home could very well be taboo to these ponies. After all, he had only met Jace moments ago. Distrust and paranoia went a long way towards security.

“Well, I ain’t got as much experience as you do, that’s for sure. But I’m still pretty happy with what I’ve got. I just help around in my pa’s inn when I can and go to school when I’m not. Should be graduating this year, though.”

He nodded once more. “Education is a very important part of one’s life. Although it may not seem like it, I did spend time attending university at one point or another. It is admirable of you to take part in your father’s business while you enrol.”

She shook her head. “Nah, I ain’t in college. Probably can’t anyhow with how old pa’s getting. I’m still trying to get through high school just like other ponies our age, but sometimes stuff gets a bit hectic at the inn. Wouldn't've figured you for the bookish kinda pony though. Must be a bright one yourself if you’ve already finished college.”

“Tis unfortunate, but no,” he corrected. “I did not graduate. Life dealt me a different fate it seemed. I was forced to… how do I say? Take charge of the helm for the family.”

“Oh.” An uncomfortable pause hung in the air. “Sorry to hear.”

Kaff waved her off. “I spare no love for any of my remaining family members, so do not fret about it.”

He was looking ahead while he talked, so it took him by surprise when Jace placed a hoof on his shoulder. It took a bit of restraint for him to not immediately reach for his sabre. Thankfully, she didn’t notice.

“Now hold on there, pal. I know it ain’t my place to say, but I’ve still got my two Bits to say.” It was strange seeing such concern from someone he met only moments ago. Stranger was the fact that he spotted no insincerity behind her words. That, or Kaff wasn’t perceptive enough. “I’m sure they—“

“They do not,” Kaff cut her off mid-sentence, shrugging off her hoof respectfully. “I appreciate your concern, but I’ve made up my mind. Let us leave it at that.” His voice was clear and concrete; it signalled that there was nothing she could say or do to change his mind.

Jace bit her tongue. “Alright. Sorry I brought up bad memories.”

“Tis fine, you did not know. Conversation is how one learns of another's past.”

She shrugged. “Guess I can’t argue with that.”

With someone to talk to, it didn’t feel nearly as dull trekking down the mountain as it did hiking up it. A bit of friendly company was always appreciated in Kaff’s travels. It never failed to give him a sense of appreciation for the locales he passed through.

The town Jace called Railcrossing was in view not long after their walk through the forest. It was just on the other side of the artificial clearing some distance away. He could see the town just fine without the spectacles he’d lost.

The hill he was standing on had apparently obstructed his view from the mountain. His previous assumptions had also been correct as the town sat right next to another river. Lucky that Jace found him before something else had.

From here, it was visible that the town was growing. Structures in the midst of construction dotted the outskirts as other bright, newly-painted buildings sat firmly in between cobblestone streets. Brick chimneys spewing smoke scattered about the tiled roofs of the many homes within the town. Most of the buildings were at least two to three storeys high, adding more bulk to the already modestly sized town.

From afar, it looked just like any other town in Europe, architecture including. But when one looked closer, it was as if a nearby estate forgot to lock their stables.

Kaff held nothing against these ponies, but their bright pastel colouration was something to get used to. If Jace had been one of the bright pink ones, Kaff would’ve likely ran away thinking she was poisonous.

“I imagine a local artist decided to start using live animals as canvas,” Kaff joked to himself. “Then again, more lunatic than artist. As if the line wasn’t already blurred enough.”

“Here she is. Smack dab between Las Pegasus and Canterlot and the only stop if your train cabin’s getting a bit stuffy.”

Kaff sighed in relief. Maybe he could finally get a good night’s rest. It would be his first since Nantucket. From Prussia to the Colonies was already halfway around the world. From the beach to Railcrossing felt like the other half. It was safe to say that he was now both a literal and figurative globetrotter.

“Thank you, Jace. I do not think I would’ve made it all the way here without your help.”

Her lips curled to a friendly smile. “Nothing to it, partner. I’m sure a pony like yourself could’ve found your way around.”

Kaff was about to say otherwise, but decided against it, simply returning her smile. “Is your inn perhaps still accepting guests? It would save me plenty of trouble if that’s to be the case.”

She placed a hoof under her chin. “Yeah, I think we do. It is a weeknight, after all. But before we go on, I need to ask you something. Don’t take this the wrong way, but Pa’s a bit strict when it comes down to ponies staying the night. Have you got at least four Bits to spend?”

“Erh…” Kaff had a few Pounds meant for the Colonies, but he doubted the King had any say on how much those are worth here. “No, my money isn’t in your currency, unfortunately. Though, I do have a few items I could sell.”

“I could get you to a pawn shop bright and early tomorrow if you’d like. But for now,” she produced a pouch of what sounded like coins from her saddlebags, before promptly tossing it over to Kaff, “don’tcha worry none. I’ve gotcha covered for tonight.”

Kaff eyed the pouch and then looked at Jace. To say he was surprised would be an understatement. “I… Thank you? I really wish to decline the offer out of simple courtesy, but I know that my options are limited. Are you sure to lend a stranger your money, Jace? I wouldn’t hold it against you if you’d like to have these back.”

She waved him off. “Of course I’m fine with it. What kinda person would I be if I didn’t offer to help the pony I just spent time conversatin’ with.”

Just when he thought his smile couldn’t get any bigger and more genuine, his very rescuer went out of her way to help him and then some. Hospitality-wise, this place was already faring better than the Americas.

“Thank you, Jace. Truly kind of you to lend a hand. I’ll be sure to repay you as soon as I can.”

“I have no idea what a hand is, but I hope you find yourself better here than you did back home. For now, welcome to Equestria, Kaff.”

Unfamiliar stars shone brightly upon the sky as murmurs died and residents turned to slumber. Outliers pranced about the street as magical—so Jace said—lamps illuminated their path. The town was uncannily European in its aesthetics. If he hadn’t known, he would’ve guessed this place to be anywhere between London and Berlin.

Kaff had also drawn his sabre against a lamp post when it flickered alight without the need of a lamplighter. Jace had laughed when that had happened but was otherwise concerned that Kaff didn’t yield until a minute had passed as the pole was unresponsive to his challenge of a duel.

Jace did her best to hide her giggles as Kaff kept steering both of them away from other lamps as they trotted. Frankly, she was not all that covert.

It didn’t take them long to reach the aforementioned inn. It was easy to spot as it was located in the corner of a fairly large street with many other buildings nearby advertising their own businesses with large, eye-catching signs above their front. However, the inn was the only building that had its lights on as well as the lively sounds of patrons socialising from inside.

Again, from afar the signs looked fine, but read them and you’d see the language was not quite English. From Kaff’s perspective, it wasn’t unintelligible, just that it looked like some letters were changed with different symbols and the writing had a more condensed style of calligraphy to them. Strange, but a problem to tackle at another day.

“I’m gonna head inside. You should probably wait a minute or two just so Pa don’t think nothing of us. He can be a bit protective at times. Celestia knows what he’ll think if he sees me with a colt at this hour.”

“Understandable, I’d likely be suspicious as well if I were him.”

Jace offered him a comforting smile. “I’ll catch ya tomorrow morning, Kaff. I’m keeping that promise of mine earlier about getting you to a pawnshop bright and early. See you soon, partner.”

Kaff waved her goodbye as he waited just outside of the inn’s window view. He double-checked everything on him in case anything was unsecure or had fallen off him on the way there. As a precaution, he took off the bayonet from his musket before finally heading inside.

Looking around, the inn doubled as a tavern on its first floor. The place was as lively inside as it had sounded from the street. There were few seats left unoccupied as patrons drank and ate their hearty meals while a single waiter merrily refilled their empty mugs.

He made his way to the counter without much of a fuss where he found a gruff-looking stallion chatting with some of the patrons. There was even a countertop bell like he’d seen before in Britain.

Ding.

“‘Scuse me, fellas,” the stallion said in a strong, gravelly voice, before turning to face him. “Evening. What’ll it be?”

The stallion was far more imposing up close than he was from a distance. A full head taller than Kaff, the brown stallion required little effort to intimidate.

Kaff didn’t break eye contact as he kept up his friendly and approachable demeanour without falter. This pony’s golden irises were clearly shared with his daughter’s.

“Any vacancy in this establishment? A room for the night would be lovely.”

He nodded. “We have one room left available. Four Bits per night, non-negotiable.”

Kaff handed him the coins, noticing a few more left in the pouch, and the stallion placed a key on the counter.

The stallion also pulled out a piece of paper and quill. “Room six, you won’t have a problem finding it upstairs. A name for the receipt, please.”

“Kaffein with a K.” Seeing the stallion grasp the quill and effortlessly write with a single fetlock and no fingers was unsurprising by now.

“Here you are. You have the room until eight tomorrow morning, breakfast not included. Oh, and try to not injure anypony here with that sword of yours.”

Kaff cheerfully nodded and gave his thanks, before finding his way up to his room. Not how he would have handled guests, but who was he to tell these ponies how to run an inn. The most surprising thing out of that whole interaction was the fact that he had let Kaff keep his sabre.

He took a peek at the receipt. ‘Kaffeine. In: Thursday, 74th of Aprimay 999. Out: Friday, 75th of Aprimay 999.’

“Another soul misspells my name.” The door closed behind him not with a thud, but with a loud creek. The key had no problem locking, however. He sighed. “And another night not in my bed.”

He placed his saddlebags beside the bed, and moved to stretch his body. The action wasn’t met with bones aching or muscles screaming, but a satisfied feel encompassing his limbs and a pleasured sigh. How he missed being young and spirited.

Just as his eyes saw better, his nose too improved. And currently, he smelled that the lake’s work had already been undone. He had little energy left to care, however. Frankly, he’d prefer shivering than sweating. His subordinates too were quieter and less foul in winter than they were in the summer.

He sat down on the bed all too happily, finding his head on the pillow not long after. The day’s events, though unexciting, took a toll on him even with this new body.

There were still many questions left unanswered, but yet he couldn’t find himself to care. He was safe and sheltered, everything else was, and should be met with indifference. Let slumber take him and the future to be taken one step at a time.

He was satisfied.

Dawn’s faint rays cracked through the blinds and upon the empty pillowhead. The bed was already made as Kaff dried himself off after using the washroom. Such a luxury came as a surprise as he thought that door had led to a closet and not a properly plumbed latrine and showerhead, an exceedingly hard sight to come by in Europe.

When he stirred awake earlier he thought it had all been a fever dream. Unbelievable as it was, this was all very real. The cold shower assured him so. Even with a clearer head than yesterday, he found more questions than he did answers.

As he continued tidying his belongings, he supposed the only way to find answers was by simply carrying forward. There was no use squandering second-chances. But of course, he could also go look for a library to improve his chances. If they even had those here.

Yes, maybe that was it. He’d spend today just exploring the town and finding more about the world he was in. Finding firm footing as he’d usually put it.

He got himself some light stretching done to prepare for the day ahead. The satisfaction thereafter was almost nostalgic as the years hadn’t all been too kind to his older self.

He had also found a way to better grip his musket. Granted, it required him to be on his hind legs and therefore some effort to balance, but you work with what you have. The same was said for his sabre if he wanted to actually win a duel. Lunging forward while balancing on two and a half legs while holding a sabre was already a challenge in theory.

Everything was stiff and clunky. It was going to take him time and practice to once again be proficient with his arsenal. He wasn’t planning on duelling every pony he saw on the street, but preparation was what separated survivors and carcasses.

His thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. He opened it to find Jace all too cheerfully energetic for the time of day. “I see you’ve already got your wits about you. Ready to head out?” said Jace, looking inside and finding everything already neat and tidy.

“Yes. Though, I think I might stay for another night. My legs are still rather sore and the hospitality has simply been stellar.”

The grin on her rivalled the rising sun just outside his window. “Ain’t nopony in Equestria more accommodating than us folk down south if you don’t mind me tooting my own horn.”

He locked the door behind him and donned his saddlebags as he quipped, “By all means, toot-toot away.”

She let out a suppressed chuckle. “Pa’s already on the counter downstairs. I’ll be waiting outside. The weather’s just gonna be lovely today.”

An odd way to phrase it, but perhaps it was just part of her dialect. Nonetheless, Kaff made his way downstairs and handed the stallion the rest of the pouch. Kaff caught the mild surprise on the stallion’s face when he wrote him another receipt.

He pushed past the front door to see Jace leaning on the neighbouring building. Her gaze was not focused on anything, merely watching the streets as ponies went about their day. She started trotting and Kaff followed.

The morning breeze was alien to his clothless form. He got himself a few glances from passersby, but assured himself that it was the missing leg rather than the nudity. Like many things here, this would take some time getting used to.

“Bet you ten Bits half these ponies are headed for the station for the morning train.”

Kaff made himself aware of the people around him. Packs, saddlebags, and luggage all being towed by ponies that had a hint of hurry in their step. It took effort to not stare at the ones with wings despite him having a pair of his own. He couldn’t decide which was weirder, the inhabitants or the town itself which looked extremely European.

The balance was tipped when he saw a unicorn levitating an overstuffed portmanteau behind him. It was hard to keep his eyes to himself to say the least.

“I’d rather not wager against the local’s knowledge about the town she lives in.” Also, what did she call it? Train? Another item he’d need to research.

She chuckled again. “Well then you’d be smart. Judging by the cloth on their fur, I reckon most of them are Canterlotian.”

“Where and what is ‘Canterlot’?” By the sound alone, he’d guess it was a poor attempt at wordplay with the fictional city of Camelot, which bothered him greatly.

“Yeesh, you travelled far, didn’t you? It’s the capital of Equestria. Big city on the side of Mount Canterhorn. I reckon it’d take you a couple of hours to get there if you’re a fast flyer.”

It was worrying statements like those were surprising him less and less.

“By the way. What’ve you got to pawn off anyways? I’m mighty interested in seeing what a pony like yourself might be carrying in those saddlebags.”

He let out a fake worried laugh. “Here I was hoping I was uninteresting enough to fade into the crowd.” He cracked her a smile and shook his head. “Nothing in my bags other than supplies. However I do have this.” Kaff opened the flap to one of his bags so that only Jace could see what was inside.

“Yep, quite an interesting pony, you are.” Jace looked at the necklace Kaff had usually hidden under his uniform. “I’m not gonna ask if you’re not gonna tell.”

“Oh hush, it’s something from home. It took a lot of effort for me to acquire. Thankfully I hadn’t encountered any pickpursers bold enough to take it from my neck. Not that I’d let anyone know of its existence in the first place, you being the exception.”

Jace admired it for a few seconds longer before breaking eye contact to meet Kaff’s gaze. “I reckon it’ll be worth a hefty amount if it’s real.”

“It is. I have and will bet my life that it is real. I only need to determine how much it is worth in your currency.”

“Well, I’ll try and make sure you ain’t swindled by the shop pony. But just so you’ve got an idea, that waiter you saw at the inn makes about half a bit an hour. An average pony’s pay, I’d say.”

“Noted.”