Amareican Glimmer

Starlight trotted across the balcony and opened the door to her shared apartment, entered, and went to the couch to collapse on it. It had been a long and wonderful couple weeks since Starlight let Alex into her growing circle of close friends and she was ready to expand it some more, she was just very anxious to do so.

“What the hell, Starlight? Were you born in a barn? Close the door when you come in, it’s getting cold out there.” Amy chastised her tired friend as she closed the door and turned to look at Starlight. “Woah, you look tired. Why don’t you take a nice hot shower while I finish cooking supper?”

Starlight sat up halfway, resting on her elbows with her legs curled under herself. “Is Alex coming over again?”

“I don’t think so. He said it was going to be a long week since it was nice out… well, nice enough. It might start frosting soon, then he’ll be getting ready to start his winter job and we’ll see him even less.”

“Well,” Starlight laid down and sighed, “shit.”

Amy stopped on her way to the kitchen and stared at the mare for a long few seconds. “Are you okay? You almost never swear; at least not like a human.”

“Sorry. Horseapples. Better?”

“That’s not what I meant and you know it. C’mon, where’s that magically powerful mare that’s got hope in her eyes?”

“She’s just feeling like she should be doing something more than… this,” Starlight gestured in the air vaguely. “I mean, it’s great that I’m as strong as a regular unicorn now, but being a janitor just isn’t as fulfilling as being a school counselor was. I wasn’t the best at it, but I was learning and helping.”

“Then why don’t you try for the school counselor at your school?”

“Ha! Because, I need a degree in psychology to even have a shot, and I don’t have the energy to spend years in school learning about how to be a human counselor when I barely could handle the creatures I did work with back home.” Starlight finally pushed herself up and looked at Amy. “I’m 26 years old, Amy; I can’t start my life over like it’s no big deal.

“I have about 40 years left before I’m too old to do anything worth while and have to prepare to pass on, and I don’t want to do that here. I,” she hesitated, “need more friends to get my powers back and open the portal before I turn 28, or I might as well settle down here and give up.”

Amy glanced back at the stove and held up a finger. She moved pans off the burners and returned to her friend. “Why two years? That’s kind of specific, or is it a goal?”

“It’s a goal, Amy. If I don’t make a portal home by then, I’ll just find a stallion and make a home somewhere here in America.”

“I believe in you, Starlight. I’ll make you a bet that you can do it within a year. How about a hundred bucks?”

Starlight giggled. “You don’t even have a job, how are you going to pay me if I win by losing?”

“I’m looking for a job. I’ll have to start small, maybe fast food, but I’ll get on my feet, too. We can’t all get a job at a school while being homeless,” Amy snarked back.

“I just got lucky. I used my past work in Equestria on my resume at job services. You should go there, too. I bet you could get a good job, too.”

“Ha, yeah,” Amy rolled her eyes, “like there’s a job for a deadbeat job hopper like me out there. I’ll just apply at the McDonald’s down the way and hope for the best. They start at sixteen an hour, and I might be able to bring home some food, too.”

Starlight smiled. “I think free food is a huge plus. You’re a great cook, why not try for a real restaurant?”

“Been there, done that. I was a server and I hated it, I can only imagine how being a cook would be.”

“Don’t knock it until you try it. Back when I had Our Town, everypony was equally as good at everything, and it showed. The baker wasn’t a stand out, but she had good ideas with her muffins sometimes. It wasn’t until they were all free from my spell that she really shined. She made all kinds of treats and desserts that made me feel ashamed for what I took from her.

“My point is that just because you don’t think you’re good at something everypony else does, doesn’t mean you can’t find something that makes you special in your own way. Try something new before it gets too late and you never get to experience what your true calling is.”

Amy smirked. “You really were a counselor, weren’t you? Alright, fine, I’ll apply for a couple cook jobs, just for you. But if I get one and don’t like it, I’m going to take a crappy job wherever I can get one. Hey, did you know it might snow some next week? Just a little, but they’re expecting some.”

“I didn’t think about that. Let me check my phone,” Starlight said as she levitated it from her chest pocket and used the stylus to swipe around. “Huh, mine doesn’t show anything next week but colder temperatures. What app are you using?”

Amy pulled out her larger but crappier phone. “Just what came with this piece of junk. I’d show you, but it’ll take almost a minute to load. I think I’m gonna apply for a government phone like you have. At least I’ll get my own service and a better phone.”

“Wait, who pays for your service now?” Starlight asked, looking up from her phone.

“Daddy does, but we haven’t talked for over a year. And no, I don’t intend to start now. He’ll just be disappointed in me for losing everything and living in a tent by the river for several months.”

“He doesn’t have to know about that part, just tell him you got a new place that’s river adjacent,” Starlight smirked at the memory of her friend.

“I’ll tell him, I can’t keep secrets from him, he’s always been my most trusted person. I used to tell him about everything short of my sex life, and even then,” she crossed her arms over her chest, “I did tell him about my lovers and my plans with them.”

“Okay, that’s normal in pony society. I don’t see why you can’t trust one parent over the other, and besides; he’s still supporting you, even if he doesn’t know what you’ve been up to. Give him a call and be honest, I’m sure he’ll be happy to know you’re okay, at least.”

Amy looked into the kitchen and thought it over. “I’ll think about it. Anyway, what would you like for dinner?”

“Hmm, a hay burger with extra oats, please!” Starlight laughed at Amy’s expression and shook her head. “I’ll take whatever you make. And don’t forget to thank Alex for taking us to the food bank the other day. Our fridge is full thanks to him.”

“Yeah, yeah. He’s a saint, I get it.”

“He’s not a saint, he’s just a good man.”

Amy mumbled something under her breath Starlight’s ears barely picked up. “Oh, really? How would you know he’s good in bed?”

Amy blushed as she sputtered. “I didn’t! He isn’t… oh, shut up!” Amy shouted in embarrassment as she turned the corner as Starlight laughed.

Sitting in a coffee shop Alex met a new friend. “Hi, Alex. I’m Frank,” the older man introduced, “it’s nice to meet you. I hear from Starlight you’re a good friend.”

Alex shook Frank’s hand. “I am, or so I’ve been told. I’m just helping her get on her hooves and make friends, it just happens that it might be the key to getting some ponies home. I can’t say it doesn’t feel good helping with that.”

Frank smiled showing his teeth. “I’m one of the ones that helps her with her magic, getting it better anyway. Ever since that day in the cafeteria she’s been happier than I’d ever seen her, so I guess I’m a source of her growing abilities, too.”

They took a seat at a booth and began small talk about their jobs while they waited for Starlight to arrive. They looked at the door anxiously, not for the first time, as it opened and the mare walked in followed by Amy who was holding the door open. With smiles both men waved at the two.

“Hey, you made it!” Alex said as the two approached the men at the booth.

“Yeah, I’m gonna order a small coffee. Want anything, Starlight?” Amy asked.

Starlight shrugged. “I’ll look at the menu. Maybe they have something with oat milk that’ll be tasty.”

“Okay, we’ll see you in a minute,” Frank said as the females left them to order. “It’s nice to see her getting on her feet. When she started at the school she barely talked and had to hide from the kids trying to ride her, or ask her for a ride. Why, just the other day she let a girl pet her for the first time, I think.”

“Really? She didn’t tell me about that,” Alex said with a smirk, “I should ask to pet her and see how she reacts.”

“Better than asking for a ride, huh?” Frank offered, laughing when Alex’s eyes widened at the implication.

“I don’t see her that way, she’s just a friend.”

“They all are at first, but don’t put her off. I can see the way she looks at you just from those few seconds.” Frank said, sitting back and looking to see them at the counter talking with the server.

“I’m more likely to get with Amy, she’s at least the same species. Sheesh, why am I letting you talk to me like this?” Alex said in a whisper. “I’m not into ponies.”

Frank chuckled quietly and leaned in to Alex across the table. “I said the same thing, once. If nothing else, it’s just sex.”

Alex sighed and glanced at the mare whose dress and tail were thankfully covering her privates. “Yeah, but at the risk of friendship with a great mare and probably her friend; I wouldn’t risk it. Shh, here they come.”

“So, what’d you gals order?” Frank asked as he scooted aside so one of the two could sit next to him.

“I ordered a caramel macchiato with oat milk and Amy got a small coffee. Almost fifteen dollars?! Can you believe these prices?” Starlight exclaimed as she pushed her way onto the seat by Alex. “I hope it tastes better than the price.”

Amy rolled her eyes. “It’s a luxury purchase, we aren’t coming here every day. Live a little.”

Alex scooted over a little more than he might have needed to as his elbow rubbed against the windowed wall. Frank noticed but didn’t say anything as the gap between the two grew almost uncomfortably large. “Yeah, you only get to experience the joys of coffee once in a while. Savor it.” Alex said once he stopped scooting.

Starlight looked at the gap between them and raised an eyeridge. “So, are we expecting a fifth?”

“No, why?” Alex answered.

“Because we can fit a whole human in between us. Stop cowering and get comfortable.” Starlight said, lighting her horn and gripping Alex’s hand. “I won’t bite. I really can’t with my flatter teeth,” she said before lowering her jaw to show off her lower teeth.

Alex scooted closer to the mare. “Sorry, I just didn’t want to crowd you.”

Starlight leaned her head on Alex’s shoulder with a smile. “You can’t crowd me, I’m a pony; we love closeness. Right, Amy?”

Amy nodded. “Yeah, she likes to rest her head on my lap sometimes and she loves random petting for attention.”

Starlight sat up and narrowed her eyes. “You’re not supposed to mention the petting! They’re more like pats, I’m not an animal.” She said to the guys.

“Hey, I don’t judge,” Frank said, “as long as I get to pat you once in a while I’ll be content.”

Starlight leaned her head back and groaned. “Great, now I’m just some play thing to you all.”

Frank laughed while Alex forced a smile. Amy chuckled. “So-”

“Don’t. Start,” Starlight directed to Amy.

Amy raised her hands in earnest. “Hey, you said it; I was just asking.”

“Well don’t,” Starlight interjected, “I’m not into humans like that.” Everyone laughed at Starlight’s declaration. “What’s so funny?”

“You don’t have to be into humans to find love with one,” Frank replied. “And you don’t have to have sex to be into someone that way.”

“Not in my experience,” Amy quipped.

“Ugh, anyway, let’s get to business; shall we?” Starlight asked. Everyone calmed down and focused on Starlight. “Now, with your friendship I’ve been able to regain some of my magical power. I think, with the right ritual and application I can open a small doorway to Equestria and send a letter through.”

Alex raised his hand a little. “So, how do you know it’ll get to the right pony? What if it appears in the middle of a forest?”

Starlight opened her mouth but froze for a couple seconds. “Dammit.”

Just then a woman arrived with two drinks in her hands. “Here you ladies go; enjoy.” She stated before leaving the cups and returning to the kitchen area to prepare more coffee.

Amy lifted her cup to her lips and took a sip, smiling after she did. Starlight did the same using her magic, grinning after the taste washed over her tongue. “Wow, this is as good as any coffee I’d get in Equestria!” Starlight announced loudly before clamping her lips shut. “I mean, this is really good.”

“Yeah, we gathered,” Alex said. “So, about my suggestion?”

Starlight groaned and rested her chin on the table. “I just don’t know. Maybe it’ll land in a town and eventually get to Princess Twilight or Celestia… but when is the question. What if it does land in no mares land between towns and gets destroyed by a storm or ignored?”

“Then we make it weather proof,” Frank said with a shrug. When Starlight looked at him from her resting position he clarified. “Just laminate it and maybe tie a balloon to it. Do it in a couple places with a couple copies so there’s a better chance it’ll make it to a pony that’ll know what to do.

Worst case, we try again every so often and drop letters until you get a response, or something happens that lets us know your plan is working.”

Starlight shook her head in disagreement. “We need something better than taking a chance and traveling all over the country. We’re not rich, we can’t just take weeks off work to experiment with ways to open a theoretical portal to a reality that isn’t this one. Between Sunburst and my spell, anything could have happened. There are variables I just don’t have.”

“What about Sunburst? Can’t you just get with him and ask, compare notes, and try the same thing you did to get you here?” Frank asked.

Starlight felt her chest tighten and her voice strained a little. “N-no. I don’t think he made it. There’s no way he’d have not sought me out as soon as we arrived, plus we fell in through the portal together; we should have arrived in the same place.”

“Where did you arrive?” Alex asked.

“Some place near Virginia,” Starlight tapped her chin with a hoof, “it’s hard to recall because I was so scared I just ran. I couldn’t believe what had happened and my magic wasn’t working. I thought I could just get to Ponyville if I went in the right direction. I must have ran for half an hour before I was stopped by local animal control and,” she chuckled, “talked my way out of wearing a rope collar.

“I mean, I understand why they’d use a rope to control wild animals, but I was quickly taken to the local police offices. A half dozen ponies were there scared and afraid, just like me. It wasn’t like it was a relief to see them, either. I haven’t been the best at making friends and letting others in.

“I don’t really remember a lot of that day because it was all so busy, but I know I didn’t see Sunburst when I landed so what are the odds he survived or even arrived here. Maybe he didn’t even fall in with me, he could have held onto the edge of the portal and climbed out and has spent the last eight years looking for me.”

Inhaling deeply, Starlight felt ideas running through her mind along with scattered memories before she sighed out a lungful of air.

“So, what town were you near when you landed, or when you were taken to the police?” Amy asked.

Starlight shrugged. “Something like Lankey.”

“Langly?” Alex asked.

When Starlight grinned and nodded. “Yeah, that’s it! And I went to the Wheaton police station. I remember that now because I like fresh wheat and… why’s everyone so quiet?”