Midlife Crisis

Chapters

2 - Early to Bed and Early to Rise
3 - Flight of Fancy
4 - Great and Powerful Introductions
5 - Cloth Herd
6 - David!
7 - Finding a Path
8 - Flowing Words
9 - Character Moments
10 - Awaken
12 - Read a Book
13 - Welcome Welcome Welcome! I Say, How Do You Do?
14 - Slipping out
15 - That Dreadful Bell
16 - Signing Up
17 - Smile and Wave
18 - First Day
19 - Welcome
20 - We're Home
21 - School Waits for No Pony
22 - On Being an Uncle
23 - Checking In
24 - Learn
26 - Human Condition
27 - Like an Open Book.
28 - Fiery Temper
30 - Checking In
31 - One Day and So Many More
1 - Buying Toys
11 - Welcome to Ponyville
25 - Meet the Family
29 - Puberty Sucks

2 - Early to Bed and Early to Rise

With a loud click, my power shut off. My battery began beeping in quiet lament.

Twilight's wings shot out either way. "What's that?! Did I do something wrong?"

Silly pony, she wasn't even touching the computer. "That means it's nine, and I should be going to bed. I have that timer set up to remind myself, by force."

"Oh." She tilted her head slowly. "Good... idea actually. I stay up late at times when I get caught up in research. Maybe a sleep-timer is something I should look into." She tapped at her chin as she hopped down on her three other legs. "Does that mean you're going to sleep?"

"That's the idea." I stood up stiffly, fresh aches distracting me a moment with little pops only I could hear. "Let's..." I held down the button on the battery a moment to send it to bed, the computer already safely shut down.

But there was a problem, several, actually... "Let me close up." I gave Twilight a gentle pat and slipped from the room.

With the door closed, I strode through the house with a purpose, checking that all the locks were, well, locked.

"Going to bed?" My mother was there, laying on the couch, watching something on the television I had little interest in, especially at that moment.

"That's the idea," I repeated, not that she knew that. "Everything's locked up."

"Thanks. Good night."

"Good night." Making sure the proper lights were flicked off, I headed back to my room. Bringing up the magical pony plush felt... No, she'd actually probably think it was amazingly cool, come to think of it.

She'd also be useless. Did I want to dive into that, right then?

In the morning, yes. That was a fine time...

I slipped back into my bedroom and leaned back against the door, ensuring it was closed. "Everything alright?"

Twilight was sitting attentively on the edge of the bed, her plush hooves dangling. At my question, she perked up.

"Oh yes, all good here! I was just thinking about proper sleep routines and how I might implement them back in Equestria." She tilted her head. "But nevermind me - how are you doing?"

I rubbed at my neck, rolling my head side to side to stretch tense muscles. "Oh, well enough I suppose. Did my nightly lockup rounds, had a quick chat with my mom."

Twilight's eyes widened. "Your mother? Oh goodness, we should bring her in to meet me! She must be worried about your wellbeing with everything you described." The pony made to hop off the bed but I quickly went over to stop her.

"Whoa now, slow down there! I know you want to help but..." I hesitated, thinking how to phrase this. "It's getting rather late for big shocking revelations. And I worry all this magical talking pony business might be, well, too much to process this late at night. Besides, she knows about the MS thing. She was third to know behind me and my doctor at the time."

Twilight looked uncertain but nodded. "Yes, you make a fair point. I should adhere to the sleep schedule guidance rather than pushing late night excitement." She smoothed out the rumpled blanket and settled back again. "Perhaps tomorrow then!"

I smiled wryly with a nod of my own. "Yeah, tomorrow is sounding better and better. But the good news is, now you have a comfy bed ready for you tonight, your highness." I gestured grandly at the thoroughly normal sleeping space.

Twilight giggled. "Why thank you, my kind sir! With such royal accommodations, I shall surely have the sweetest dreams."

I couldn't help but laugh along too as I started my own bedtime prep routine. This whole fantasy scenario was just so surreal - but in the best possible way.

I sank... to the floor.

Twilight inclined her head down at me. "What are you doing?"

"Going to sleep." I didn't even have a blanket, that being on the bed Twilight was using.

"Why are you sleeping on the floor?" She folded her wings up tight. "That doesn't look comfortable."

It wasn't, relatively. "I've had worse, and you're the guest. You have dibs."

"I surrender my 'dibs." She backed into the wall and gestured at the available bedspace. "You're sick. I'm not going to send a sick creature to sleep on the cold ground when there's a bed right here."

Ah... dang it. Someone going and putting me ahead of themselves? Who even does that? It wasn't a common occurence. Fighting her about it felt silly. I kicked off my pants, leaving me with a shirt and boxers. Such was my sleeping attire.

"Alright." I reached over to click the light off with a satisfying chunk. "I don't snore."

"Good... But I already invited you." Twilight even got to tucking me in as I settled onto the bed. "So I don't care if you do." She rolled her eyes. "As if a little snoring will bother me after years with Spike."

She flopped down, plush head on my belly. "I hope he's okay," she almost signed out, wistful look in her eyes. "He was with me last time I went dimension hopping." She giggled sleepily. "He was a cute little dog, like yours, actually. Different color though..."

I gazed up at the darkened ceiling, fingers absently stroking Twilight's yarn mane as she used my belly as a pillow. Her concern for her dragon assistant was just plain cute. I, too, hoped Spike was alright. Would I get to meet him?

"I'm sure Spike is okay, probably just worried about you," I soothed gently. "Were you alone when you appeared?"

"I didn't see anycreature I knew." She nuzzled gently against me. "I tried to use my magic, and threw myself a few times. The last time, you found me." She looked up in the darkness. "I'm glad you did. Though I do hope the magic fizzle just left him safe in Equestria..."

I gave her a reassuring pat, wishing I could truly banish her worries. I adjusted in a vain attempt to quiet my complaining spine. We both had those we fretted over and parts that pained.

"However this magic mishmash shook out, we'll figure it out come morning. But now time for rest, yeah?" I said gently. I could already feel myself sinking deeper towards slumber.

Twilight nodded against me, her plaited mane tickling my arm. "Yes...rest..." she murmured, a note of contentment entering her voice as we both let the grip of sleep take hold.

So... That was why people liked sleeping with people. It was kind of nice, having a living, thinking, creature there to be close to. I didn't get to think about it for too long, sleep claiming me.

I woke in the early hours of the morning, as I made a habit of doing. I could hear taps at my keyboard, plush hoof meeting them awkwardly.

That had me 100% awake in a sharp snap before I remembered what the taps were. "Twilight, what are you doing?"

Twilight looked over her shoulder at me. "Oh, did I wake you? I'm sorry... I just wanted to continue on my own, but I can't get it to work... I tried every button!"

I slid my legs around and stood up smoothly. "That thing's a bit special." I held down the battery until it beeped to life. Then I pressed the dangling button to get the computer to turn on. Then key. Then a password, then a click. There. "Here we are. Before we get to researching though..."

I picked her up and sat down, placing her in my lap as I sank into the available spot. "I need to get my writing done."

"Writing?"

"I write, every day." I stroked her gently with one hand as the other moved my mouse to get some music playing gently. "2000 words, or what was I even doing?"

One could almost see Twilight working out how many words that was. "That's... a lot. I thought you were sick?"

"Being sick and being unproductive are two different things." I tickled under her chin. "Now... is it alright if I put you on the bed? I need my fingers free to get the writing done as quickly as possible, then we can get to researching."

Twilight smiled up at me as I tickled under her plush chin. "Of course, work away! I know all about the drive for productivity." She hopped down, making herself comfortable atop a pillow. "We ponies have a saying: make hay while the sun shines! So please, shine on my friend."

I chuckled at her enthusiasm, flexing my fingers over the keyboard. "Well, let's hope some decent prose comes out anyway. I may not have literal magic, but sometimes tapping into the creative flow feels close."

Twilight nodded sagely. "Oh creativity can have a magic all its own too. Now excuse me..." She pulled out a small notebook from somewhere, tongue sticking out in concentration. "I have some theories and metaphysical hypotheses to jot down!"

We shared a grin before the comfortable silence settled in, both engrossed in our respective writing and musing. My computer keys clacked steadily, the tap of Twilight's tiny quill accompanying them.

I typed busily as inspiration struck, the familiar joy of building new worlds line by line washing over me. Having a kindred spirit nearby, even a pony one, seemed to make my imagination shine brighter.

Now, one might ask, David, how did inspiration strike while you were typing? That's just how I work. I type. I make the words. Writing is an act I decide to do. Sometimes I get inspired, and especially nice prose comes out that I feel super great about. Sometimes I just write, but I write.

And seeing Twilight's own scholar's passion ignited in turn, what could have been a lonely morning now just felt cozily productive. For the first time in awhile, my usual hurts and exhaustion ebbed to the back of my mind, overtaken by creative momentum.

Maybe my magical friend was the cure I needed not for physical maladies, but for lingering isolation. A prescription filled not through medicine but the power of togetherness. As the minutes flew by, I sure was feeling the healing magic.

A chime shattered that nice feeling. I knew that chime.

I brought up the message from my mom, copy and pasted from the day before with her request for breakfast. "My mom's a bit sick herself, joint issues. She relies on me to do breakfast and things."

"Don't let me stop you." Twilight tucked her notebook away. "But... if you've stopped typing, may I use that?" She was looking at the computer hopefully.

How was I going to say no to Twilight? "Alright, stay here, and don't close any windows. Just open things, and maybe you'll find something."

I took a moment to weigh myself. Gained half a pound. "It goes up and it goes down," I sang to myself as I nudged the scale away and slid into my pants. There, I was ready to face the house!

Oops, almost forgot. I grabbed my headset and turned it on. "Tell me the news," I said to the assistant in the headset.

"I don't know the news." Oh, Twilight had heard me. "I can try to search for it..."

"No, no. I was asking these." I tapped at my headphones, already playing the news. "But, thanks."

I left Twilight in my room, door closed, and went to start the morning ritual of doing dishes and preparing breakfast.

I bustled about the familiar motions of breakfast-making, keeping half an ear on the chatter of news headlines piping into my ears. The anchor's voice droned on about politics and economics - nothing too earthshaking.

As I sizzled bacon and got eggs prepared in a bowl for cooking, my thoughts kept drifting back to my unexpected houseguest. Had any luck with research awaited me back in my room? The odds felt dim.

Hopefully, Twilight hadn't gotten too overwhelmed trying to operate my finicky computer. Visions of error messages and crashed programs flashed through my mind. Maybe I should have written down some instructions for the not-so-tech-savvy pony.

The boiling water in the pot shook me from my worried ponderings. I limped over to pour hot water through a filter to get the tea leaves out, the heat seeping comfortingly into my knuckles. The simple task reminded me to stay focused on the now.

With practiced movements, I arranged breakfast on the plate and put a bowl over that to keep in the heat. Twilight's mysteries could wait - I had my own caretaking duties to handle first.

I just had to... wait. She eventually came out and sank onto the couch, sitting. With her there, I came out and poured her water in a tall glass.

I gave her the tall mug of tea and poured some creamer in it. "How are you feeling?"

"Eh..." I rarely got a positive answer from that question. And yet, I kept asking it. A sign of insanity?

We chatted lightly about her plans for the day as she ate. When she finished, I whisked away the dirtied dishes and excused myself.

Those little rituals done, I finally could hurry back to my magical research assistant. What discoveries might we uncover today? As I entered my room, I felt a fresh spark of excitement kindling inside me despite my knots of nerves and tiredness. Or perhaps because of them.

I did not expect to find Twilight reading my fanfiction.

Author's Note

There are so many ways this could go...

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3 - Flight of Fancy

Django came in, the door not closed. He circled around my feet before hopping onto my bed to claim it as his spot for the moment.

But his presence meant that Twilight wasn't moving. But... "Twilight?"

"Yes?" She wasn't moving, but she could still speak.

I gently picked up Django and set him at the door, shooing him into the rest of the house. With the door closed, I turned back to see Twilight had clicked on to the next chapter. "Um... Like... it?"

"Very imaginative." Twilight rolled the mouse wheel, keeping the words scrolling up the screen. "Wildly inaccurate, but imaginative... For not having been there... a decent vision, but still, not accurate."

David chuckled, though looked unsure of where to park himself. Moving Twilight? That felt rude in the middle of her reading. "Like it?"

"You asked that." She turned, chair spinning to face David. "I'm far more curious about you."

"Hm?"

She pointed at me with a plush hoof. "You are not a pony."

"I am not." That felt like a silly thing to argue. "And?"

"You like them." She looked me over appraisingly. "A lot. Enough to write millions of words, which is more words than I can even dream of penning." She let out a woosh of breath. "How long have you been writing? How fast do you write? I saw you working before, you just kept... typing. Typing is the word, right?"

"Right?" I felt tense, but also a little happy. Twilight was complimenting me, I think? "If I had a cutie mark, it'd be that. Oh... This is very silly, but I have a ponysona. Me, if I was a pony."

Twilight burst into giggles, felt hoof over her snout, even if no air was passing. "That sounds cute. I have a humansona, but I actually was that, briefly. May I see your ponysona?"

David reached over and around her to pull up the page with the image of his Ponysona.

There was an earth pony with dark brown and grey pelt, splattered with ink, with a quill in his snout. He was holding a book, crooked up between his arms, hooves dangling below. He was, as the human him was, busy writing.

They had a cutiemark of a scroll, filled with words, with a quill scribbling on it.

I rubbed the back of my neck self-consciously as Twilight peered at the image of my pony doppelgänger. Maybe having a whole pony persona was a silly thing for a grown man. But her eyes were bright with interest rather than judgment.

"Oh, I love his ink splattered coat and that scribbling cutie mark is perfect!" Twilight gushed. She turned the screen back towards herself, scrutinizing closer. "Hmm, I'd guess his special talent would have to be...creative writing?"

I chuckled with a hint of embarrassment. "You got it in one. I wasn't super original there - the quill and book motif gave it away. But I figure he balances out my clumsy human hands with actually being able to grip a pen in his mouth."

Twilight giggled at that. "Well, I think he's wonderful. Though, I admit I’m curious..." She used a hoof to spin the chair fully towards me and fixed me with an intent gaze instead. "What made you so enamored with ponies in the first place?"

"That's...a long story," I admitted, eyes darting away shyly as memories flooded back. But maybe it was one worth telling with an actual pony here wanting to listen. I leaned back against the bed frame getting comfortable.

"See, it all started years ago in my lonely college dorm room when I fell into a deep dark pit of people who are enamored with talking animals. Furries."

Twilight rubbed her cheek, more felt than furry at the moment. "Humans are only furry in a few places... You like... fur?"

"It's not fur, really." I mussed the strandy ropes of her hair. "It's an escape from humanity, if I get down to it. The idea that I could live in a different society, less tied down by a million, bad, human rules that keep people miserable."

Twilight cycled her hooves. "I see... But how did that turn to ponies specifically? Surely humans have more 'furry' ideas than just ponies specifically."

"Oh, yeah, sure sure." David waved that idea away. "We've had them for about as long as we've had humans. Our oldest tales involve creatures that aren't us, but talk and act in human, and inhuman, ways. Furry is an ancient tradition, if often maligned these days."

"Maligned?"

"Let's not get too deep into that." I went ahead and picked her up, sitting and offering my lap as a resting place. Standing was becoming painful. "Either way, when this show came out that promised to be wholesomely entertaining, but also have talking animals and was cute, how could I say no? I never looked back."

Twilight nodded along thoughtfully as she settled into my lap. "Mmm I think I understand better now. We ponies certainly love our stories too about legendary mythic beasts that walk and talk like us. There's something just so wondrous about those fantasies."

She gently booped my nose. "And I'm honored you find us wondrous too in that way! Even without fur," she added with a wink.

I laughed, giving her a gentle scritch along her plush back. "Yeah, you ponies hit that perfect sweet spot - you talk and emote just like people, but with cuddly coats, magic, and your cheerful kingdom, things just feel...brighter."

Twilight preened, puffing out her chest. "Well I can't argue Equestria is pretty great. I knew we must spread friendship for a reason!" We shared a smile before she adopted a more puzzled look.

"But David, if you don't mind me asking...why were you so lonely back then in the first place? You seem perfectly friendly to me." She placed a tiny hoof over my larger hand comfortingly.

I hesitated. Even simple questions carried complicated feelings. But if anyone could understand isolation amidst crowds, it was Twilight Sparkle.

"Well you see, the thing is..." I slowly opened up about those painful early memories. The anxious kid who never fit in. My stranger-turned-savior pony who was there when no one else seemed to be.

Twilight listened with patient empathy in those stitched eyes, like she could see that lonely boy in me still. Finally I trailed off with a self-conscious cough. "Uh, anyway, guess your show was in the right place for me at that time. It became a job even."

"I'm very glad it was," Twilight murmured. "But... job?"

I pulled up another image of Ponyfinder's front cover. "I write books, not just stories. Does Ogres and Obouliettes exist in your Equestria?"

"Of course?" She inclined her head, then smiled brightly. "Wow. I didn't expect anycreature here to sound familiar with the concept of parralel realities. 'my Equestria.' That term is so loaded with ideas. There are other Equestrias, that belong to other Twilight Sparkles. I can only claim the one I came from."

I leaned back in my chair. "And infinite Davids. I hope they're doing alright."

"As I can only hope for the other Twilights." She poked me in the chest, a light motion with a plush hoof. "You are just another step, this whole world. Does it bother you?"

"Why should it?" I shrugged at that. "There are infinite mes, until there aren't any mes, and that's that."

I nodded along to my own philosophical musings, amused a bit by how readily I accepted the notion of alternate realities and other versions of myself out there. Though perhaps that openness to strange concepts explained why I took Twilight's sudden appearance in stride.

"A practical perspective," Twilight praised with an approving smile. "No sense worrying about that which we cannot control or even comprehend." She gestured expansively with her hooves. "Why, just unraveling the mysteries of this one world will likely take all of our combined lifetimes!"

I had to chuckle at that. "Too right you are. More than enough mysteries right here to occupy us without wondering what's happening to other Davids across the multiverse." I playfully booped Twilight's nose, amused by how she scrunched her snout.

"Still, I'm glad imaginary tales about you and your pony pals could be there for other lonely souls," I added more softly. Twilight gazed up at me with those big embroidered eyes full of empathy. I felt my cheeks flush slightly.

Clearing my throat, I rubbed the back of my neck and turned our talk back my open writing documents. "But uh, multiverse ponderings aside, let me tell you more about turning pony adventures into a whole fantasy tabletop RPG..."

As I enthusiastically described building imaginative realms, Twilight nestled comfortably against my chest. I felt warmed to provide some real magic in return for someone whose stories had long enriched lives, mine included.

She was more interested in the idea of pony roleplaying that I'd have guessed at first. "So, are there human games too?"

"Huh, tons." I sat up with her. "Most of them. The ones you play a pony are by and far considered odd compared to most of them."

"But you kept writing them." She inclined her head. "As if it were a calling."

"Destiny?" I hiked a thumb at myself. "My name works out to DMS. DM is short for Dungeon Master, which is the person who runs such roleplaying games."

Twilight laughed at that. "I thought only ponies had such on-the-nose names. Are you responsible for multiple 'DM's?"

Actually... "My book inspired a whole new segment of them, so I guess I am?"

"Then you lived up to your name, DMs." Twilight nodded with satisfaction. "I am Twilight Sparkle." She pointed back to her cutie mark. "I am the Twilight that brought Night and Day together. I am the sparkle of friendship in many creature's lives." She colored faintly, her felt changing hues. "Sorry, not trying to boast."

I waved a hand, touched by her sincerity rather than perceiving any boasting. "No need to apologize - I think it's really neat how ponies' names and cutie marks reveal their destinies. Shows how in tune your society is with everypony's talents and purpose in life."

I glanced down ruefully at my own hands. "We humans don't get any magical insight into what we're meant to do or be good at. Makes it easy to feel lost sometimes." I blinked as an idea struck. "Hey, if you were to give me a human cutie mark, what do you think it would look like?"

Twilight tapped her chin, scrutinizing me with those button eyes from top to bottom. "Hmm, let's see...I think for you it might be..." Her face lit up. "A magical portal with words streaming out! To represent how your writings open doorways to other realms."

My own face split into an excited grin. "A magic portal cutie mark? I love it!" Impulsively I grabbed the keyboard and got to asking a polite machine to doodle the idea out. "I'll have a real artist take a crack at this later, but there."

We admired my newly generated insignia for a moment before bursting into laughter at the whole fanciful notion. But even as we dissolved into giggles. She leaned in over the keyboard, studying the graphic. "How did you do that? Are you an artist? I didn't see your hooves, er, hands moving."

Oops. "That." I pointed to the computer. "There are many like them, ready to think things. I asked one to give an image to my description, putting words to image. It's crude and awkward, but it'll do to send to a real artist to imagine properly."

"Fascinating." She tapped at her chin. "Do you have something like that, for magic?"

"I wish," I got out emphatically. "Magic isn't a thing in this world. That you have some, even weakened, makes you the strongest wizard on the entire planet."

"Wow." Twilight looked up to her flickering and weak horn. "That is a lot of responsibility."

Author's Note

A little philosophy in the middle of things. Always room for that.

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4 - Great and Powerful Introductions

"One thing." As if prompted, the chime that meant my mother had sent a message sent a cringe through me. "Sec."

I swooped my mouse to see the message. "Amazingly, related. Want to meet my mom?"

"Certainly." Twilight reached up her plush arms for a ride.

It was cute. I gently plucked her up into my grasp and made my stiff way out of my room. Why did turning have to hurt half the time? "You call?" I asked as I came down the hallway.

"Yes, did you read..." She trailed off, spotting what was in my arms. She laughed. "Where did you get that? Look at that pony."

I held up Twilight. "I wanted you to meet Twilight."

"Hello, Twilight." She sounded like she was playing along. It struck me a moment after she said that... she was doing that. Twilight wasn't moving.

I gently tapped her. "You can talk around her."

"Are you certain?"

Mother sat up with surprise. "Do you have you phone on you?"

I held out the toy that was also a new friend. "As I said, this is Twilight. Twilight, this is my mom."

"Hello." She didn't wave. She couldn't.

"Very funny. Can you make some tea?"

Right, that was what she had messaged about... "On it..." I carried Twilight with me into the kitchen and parked her on a cutting board. "Sorry."

Twilight inclined her head, able to move with only me in view. "Aren't you worried she'll... hear? She didn't sound very accepting of my... existing, for lack of better words."

"She can barely hear." I got to seting up a pot with water and warming. "If she hears anything, it's just that some talking is happening."

"Did you say something?" came her voice from the next room.

"Just talking to Twilight." I fired finger guns at her, not that she could see me.

"Okay," she laughs out, her attention sliding back to the television without much of a pause.

"I... feel good that you told the truth." She rubbed behind her head lightly. "Tea, she said? Can I try some?"

She sniffed at the container the moment the leaves were exposed. "Smells delightful."

"You're a doll, at least physically." I stroked once down her back. "How can you taste it without just hurting yourself?"

"Point," sigh sighed out. "I want to live again. I like... all the living things."

"Eh." I shrugged. "There are some parts of living that I could do without."

"Don't be like that." She pawed at me with her soft hoof. "You don't seem that sad."

"I am very good at keeping a cheerful face." With the tea created, I wandered out to place it in front of mother to loop back into the kitchen and grabbing some creamer to splash in the tea. "Here you go."

With a little thanks received, I tucked the cream away, grabbed Twilight, and headed back for my room.

Django was back. "Silly dog." I couldn't not pet him a little. "Can't have you around right now." I got him out of the room and closed the door.

"I didn't notice those before." Twilight was looking up at the wall, where two pictures rested among many others. Those two pictures had Twilight. One had an adventurous Twilight among adventuring remainder of the Main Six. The other had the Main Six around the crystal map, looking proper and cute.

"That is me, right?" She pointed at the her at the crystal map. "Uncanny, and yet, inaccurate."

I rubbed my neck, feeling suddenly self-conscious about the colorful pony portraits watching over my room. Maybe having images of your new friend plastered up before you even met her was a bit awkward.

"Heh, yeah that's meant to be you and your palls. I bought those drawings from a convention - guess I always liked having a little piece of Equestria in here."

Twilight approached to inspect her illustrated double closer while I hastened to tidy away some lingering plushies. Having the real pony see herself fictionalized was a bizarre reversal I was still wrapping my head around.

"I can see why you enjoy imagining us if that's the art you humans create. Such vibrant style!" Twilight mused. She indicated to her crystalline throne. "But what are we all doing in this scene?"

"Oh, that's based on the castle you take over ruling Equestria from eventually," I explained. Seeing her puzzled expression, I elaborated sheepishly on supposed future events from the series...including her princess coronation.

Twilight blinked. "A princess? And that's meant to be my throne?" She looked back at the image, stunned. "Goodness, I know I take my studies seriously but I never envisioned myself rising quite that high up!"

"Wait." I checked to be sure. Yep, she had wings, flapping gently as she studied the pictures. "You have wings. You are an alicorn."

"Yes?" She looked over her shoulder at me. "What does that have to do with it?"

"Don't... ponies become alicorns only after they prove their worth?" I rolled my hand lamely in the air, feeling quite silly.

"No?" She turned towards me. "Your Equestria is so similar to mine, and so different at the same time." She spread her wings. "I received these from nopony other than myself. They're a symbol of my mastery over magic arts. Any pony..." She frowned. "Come to think of it, is that what you meant? You made it sound like a rare and unheard of thing."

"It isn't?" The nature of this Twilight's world was becoming more fascinating by the moment. "I'd love to hear about it."

"You are remarkably alright with that." She hopped when I sat down, casually taking my lap as a seat. "I thought you'd be more upset, hearing your fantasy was just a fantasy. Most creatures don't like being told something they beleive is a fabrication."

"It is my job to make fantasies. Finding out they're a fantasy is hardly new." I ruffled over her head gently. "But I do love learning."

I spotted the time. "Oh. What day..." I checked the calender. "Crap."

"Something wrong?" She leaned in around me for a look at my computer, as if it'd reveal the secret.

"I have to run a game." I got the webpage up and reached for my headset. "Which means I'll be busy a while. So you don't die of boredom..." I reached for my table that was usually running a game and flicked it to its homescreen. "You can play with this."

But she didn't. She was far more interested in watching me as I greeted my players and got the game going.

"O&O," she whispered to herself. "The human variation, how fascinating." She clapped her soft hooves together, quite riveted as I spun the tale of adventure for the people that only existed on the computer.

I couldn't help an amused grin as I glanced over to see Twilight utterly enthralled by my humble Pathfinder game. Her shining eyes were glued to the computer screen as she watched my players' avatars navigating the fantasy scenario. The engrossment of her expression as she eavesdropped on our escapades was downright adorable.

During a lull, I leaned over and whispered "Having fun over there?"

Twilight started, pulled from her deep engagement. "Oh tremendously!" she whispered back. "Seeing this collaborative storytelling unfold is remarkable. And the way you adapt elements from our world yet make them your own..." She smiled ear to ear. "You have a real gift, David!"

I flushed at the effusive praise from someone who lived and breathed the literal magical world I was borrowing from. "Aw heh, thanks," I murmured. "That means more coming from someone from a world like that."

Twilight nodded firmly at that. "Well from what I've witnessed, you succeed wonderfully at most of it, even if the specifics are skewed." She pointed at the pictures. "Like those, close, but so far off."

She playfully saluted with a hoof. "Carry on, Dungeon Master! I shall watch your fray with bated breath." With that, she resumed leaning eagerly towards the monitor as I wove merry mayhem for my party, buoyed by my small pony cheerleader.

She cheered when the party got a critical hit and winced when the monsters did. She tried to urge them away from danger she could see, but they couldn't. Silly thing could see everything, having the GMs view of the map. It took a while for her to figure that out, but it didn't stop her from rooting for them go to the 'right' way.

The hours slid by, about three of them, before I was asking each player for who or what got their 'star' for the highlight of the session.

After wishing them all a wonderful day and promising to see them next time, I set the headset aside with a sigh of relief.

"I thought you were a writer."

I perked at Twilight. "I am. I'm a lot of things." I sat up, some of that fatigue fading. "Writer, publisher, storyteller, game master, small business owner... I wear so many hats I don't know how they haven't fallen off already."

Twilight reached up with both hooves as if to check for the hat she didn't have. "I also thought you were sick. Shouldn't you... be not doing half of that?"

I chuckled. "Hey now, I didn't say I was on death's door or anything. Besides, I gotta keep myself busy somehow."

Twilight didn't seem assuaged as she settled back into my lap, peering up at me. "Yes, but that looked rather draining running this big gaming event for three whole hours! Surely such demanding mental exertion is taxing on your health?"

Her plush brow was creased with honest concern. I found it both sweetly endearing yet also nagging. I sighed and rubbed at at the sore part of my lower back.

"Well, it's certainly not easy all the time," I admitted to her. "But, to be honest, I like running those games. I enjoy it. If I didn't also need to make a living, I'd probably stop charging money for them. But, besides that..."

I shrugged, offering a self-deprecating smile. "People have come to rely on me for their weekly adventuring escape. I'd feel worse letting them down because I was tired. Tired is an excuse I don't like using, for writing or running the games."

Twilight's frown softened to something more thoughtful as she tapped her chin. "Hmm, I hadn't considered that angle...you do provide a creative service your players clearly cherish."

She placed her hoof over my hand. "Just try not to overexert yourself too long without rest, alright? Even us princesses and writers need to recharge our magic sometimes..."

Twilight hiked a brow. "Speaking of that... as I just mentioned, I'm not actually a princess."

"Well, then what are you?" I gave her a little pet as I brought up a screen of textual chatter. "Just have to tell me."

"I'm Twilight Sparkle." She put a hoof at her chest. "Librarian, and student of Princess Celestia."

"Her successor?"

Twilight blinked, stunned. "I should imagine not... Just a student, one of many. She collects students like you collect players of your game." She hopped suddenly, standing on my desk over my keyboard. "I am not royalty, nor in line for it. Just a pony that loves books, and magic. I hope that's good enough?"

She looked up and spotted one plush Twilight I had failed to put away. "Is..." She tilted her head left, then right. "Is that me?!"

That plush wasn't nearly as detailed at the moving Twilight. Still, it was Twilight.

Seeing no way to avoid it, I reached up and snatched the little plush, not even half the other Twilight's size. "Twilight, meet Twilight."

Of all the things I expected, the little Twilight responding wasn't very high on the list. "A pleasure to meet you." The little Twilight sounded, well, like Twilight.

The larger Twilight hopped back in shock. "Is that a changeling?!"

Author's Note

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5 - Cloth Herd

"I am not a changeling." The other Twilight's wings were limp, flopping about as she sat properly, a feat I wasn't even aware she could do. "I am Twilight Sparkle."

"No, I am Twilight Sparkle." The larger Twilight pointed at herself. "Where did you come from?"

"I've been here." Little Twilight pointed up at the shelf she had been pulled from. "He doesn't do much with me, until now. What changed?" She turned back to me. "Is it her?" She pointed to Large Twilight.

That put me on the spot. It also meant I had two Twilights. That was... good, right? "Hello, Twilight... So, are you from another world too?"

"No." That Twilight shook her head and rolled her fabric eyes. "I'm from here. I suppose, technically, that makes her more valid."

Large Twilight looked so very pleased. "Good! You are... some sort of magical... thing? David, you just said your world has no magic." She pointed at Little Twilight accusingly. "Explain this."

But I had no explanation. So I tried to make one up. "Well, you've been trying to get yourself back to living, right?"

"Yes?" Large Twilight glanced up at her horn. "Are you saying I did this?!"

I held up my hands placatingly as Big Twilight glared accusingly down at her miniature doppelganger. Having two Twilights at odds put me distinctly on the spot.

"Now now, let's not jump to conclusions," I said gently. "I'm sure there's a perfectly reasonable explanation here besides tossing blame around."

Little Twilight peered up at me with those familiar embroidered eyes. "David's right. I honestly have no idea why I can talk all of a sudden...I didn't before."

Big Twilight continued scrutinizing her smaller self warily. "Well, how long have you supposedly been...conscious then? Do you have thoughts? Memories?"

The micro pony shrugged. "I remember David finding me in a box with such a smile when he first saw me. But everything between then and now is...fuzzy." She rubbed her head. "Kinda empty really..."

I frowned, suddenly feeling rather guilty looking at the barren, forgotten toy I'd gotten and then mostly forgotten. Had my recent renewed attention somehow catalyzed deeper magic?

Big Twilight also seemed to soften as Little Twilight related her patchy existence. The latter scuffed a hoof, almost bashful. "Sorry...I know I'm probably weirding you out, suddenly coming to life and looking just like you. Believe me, it's weird for me too!"

With a sigh, Big Twilight relaxed her wings and gave a small smile. "No apologies needed...In the realm of strangeness, you talking isn't actually that odd given present company." She extended a hoof. "Any fellow Twilight is a friend. Let's figure this oddity out together, shall we?"

Pleased with how things were turning, I reached for the little Twilight. Would she be as alright with it? I dared patting her. "Let's. If it helps, I'm not upset you're moving."

"You really should be." Little Twi stands up. "All of this should be quite upsetting."

"She has a point." Large Twilight nodded slowly. "This is quite beyond the bounds of what I know of your world. You're taking this too easily."

"Explain." Little Twi frowned at me. "Now, kindly."

"Kindly," echoed the larger.

They had met in argument, but were completely unified in grilling me. I wanted to laugh more than anything else. Being interrogated by them was just so... Seriously, laughing felt like the best option, but I kept it straight. "Alright, look. I prefer to see life as a nest of solutions. If I can fix something, fix it. If I can't, why worry about it? Move on to something that can be fixed."

"That's quite a mature outlook," Big Twi mused. "Though I suppose as an adult dealing with health troubles, you've gained that perspective from experience."

Little Twi fluttered up with a flap of wings to perch on my shoulder. "Still, isn't all this..." she waved a hoof around, "bothering you even a teeny tiny bit?"

I chuckled, giving the micro pony a gentle scritch. "Oh it's bizarre for sure. But like I told your big sister here earlier - talking to cute ponies isn't the worst problem I could have."

That made both mares blush, eliciting another laugh from me. "But in all seriousness - whatever freaky magic is at play, it gifted me friends, so I say bring on more of this kind of magic." I gave Big Twi a meaningful smile.

"So, strange or not, I'm just glad to have you two around. We'll sort out the weirdness in time." I gently booped Little Twi's nose "And if we can't, such is life!"

The two ponies shared another look, though they seemed convinced of my sincerity if still bemused by my nonchalance. Finally Big Twi cracked a smile of her own.

"Well, I'm very glad my unintentional magical malfunction led me to such an open-minded new friend." She floated Little Twi down into my hands. "And I suppose if I somehow brought you to life, I'm happy to have another friend too."

Little Twi beamed eagerly. "Friends then!" She extended a tiny hoof. Big Twi completed the shake with her own hoof, giving it a firm but gentle pump.

That left a question for me. "How did you fly?" I reached the free hand up over Little Twilight, feeling the limp little fabric flaps of her wings.

"Like this?" Little Twilight flapped those wings that had no right to enable any amount of flight. She launched into the air and came down on my computer. "I'm an alicorn."

Large Twilight directed an ear at her smaller self. "You may not know this, but are you a princess?"

"I am." Little Twilight curled a hoof to her chin. "That you're asking implies you may not be?"

"I am not, hm." Large Twilight suddenly smiled. "Little Twilight, can you do magic?"

Little Twilight turned her eyes up to her horn, which glowed dimly. She pointed to a bottle of Vitamin D pills on my desk and willed it up into the air, hovering it around slowly.

My breath caught. As wonderful at the two dolls were, that was... That was literal magic. It wasn't being decribed to me, it was happening, for real, in front of me. I reached out and put my hand in the bottle's way.

It bumped into my hand and I smiled even wider. I had just felt magic. That bottle had no other reason to be moving, and only I stopped it. I had interacted with magic. Real magic. I did it...

Little Twilight set the bottle down. "You're looking very happy. That was just some basic telekinesis."

I hastily wiped the dopey grin off my face, though sheer elation continued bubbling up inside me. I shook out my hand, still tingling from where the magically levitating bottle had nudged against it. Real magic - not some fabricated fiction but the genuine article!

"Sorry, yeah, just your basic telekinesis - no big deal!" I babbled, failing to suppress another delighted chuckle. The two ponies regarded me with amusement as I tried and failed to play it cool.

"It's rather endearing to see you so enchanted over a trifle cantrip," Big Twi remarked kindly. Little Twi nodded, kissing the air with a tiny fwap of her wings.

"I'll say! But I guess magic really doesn't exist here." Her horn glow intensified, bathing us all in its violet aura. "In that case, as royalty of Equestria, I hereby dub thee Sir David, Friend to Ponies!"

"Um..." When had I earned such a fancy title?

She beamed proudly at her impromptu knighting.

Big Twi raised an eyebrow but smiled. "The title suits him methinks," she praised while I rubbed my neck self-consciously. "Sorry to overwhelm you Sir David, but I must admit it's rather touching to see someone appreciate magic so keenly, however small."

The sincere sentiment behind her words helped settle my giddiness. I felt my neutral face returning. It was the face I wore most of my life. Cool, casual, nothing to see there. "You're being a bit too kind. I do love the magic, really, but that isn't worth a title. Besides, having the two of you kind of outranks that anyway."

And strangely, I meant every word - thaumaturgical trickery paled next to having real heart-to-heart talks with living, er, plush? heroes. Even plush, they were the real magical gift.

"Little Twi?" She perked at me. "Since you seem to be... mine, for lack of better word, do--"

She landed in my lap and nuzzled a hand. "I am yours."

Oh, well, that was...

Big Twilight frowned a little. "That is certainly not me. I am happy to call you a friend, but you don't 'own' me. I would hope nocreature would own any pony."

I held up a hand at Big Twilight. "I didn't mean it like that. Besides, she was a doll this morning."

"True... Little me, come here." She waved until Little Twilight landed in front of her. "You are, asked for or not, a reflection of me." She grabbed the little Twilight with her hooves. "Which means you have to act with some amount of decency. If he abuses your kindness, you must speak up, and you must not accept it, no matter if he did own you as an inanimate object."

I winced as Big Twilight laid down the law, feeling duly chastised by her firm tone. But I wore a silly smile. The whole thing was a bit absurd.

I held up my hands deferentially. "Little Twi is very much her own mare regardless of origins. So, sorry if I implied anything indecent - got a bit overeager with neat magic and all." I offered the tiny alicorn an earnest nod. "You're free to do and say as you please."

Little Twi beamed back gratefully before giving Big Twi a tiny salute. "Don't worry, I'll uphold Sparkle dignity wherever I go! We unicorns know our rights." Her face scrunched suddenly. "At least, I think I do...still fuzzy on the personal history bits."

"So... any ideas how to fix Big Twilight?" I gestured at the larger of the two dolls. "And, just asking here, but are my other dolls going to come to life?"

"Probably not." Little Twi considered her larger copy. "Unless she continues the experiments that resulted in my animation." She lifted and descended onto large Twilight's back. "Used again, I imagine she could animate all your toys. Do you feel any drain from continuing my animation?"

Big Twilight frowned at the idea. "My horn isn't glowing. I feel no drain... I don't think this is a persistent spell."

"That's bad."

Big Twi tilted her head. "Why is that bad, Little Me?"

"It means you could animate as many things as you cared to." She pointed to other dolls I had tried to hide. "Things could become very crowded if you continue the same avenue of exploration."

I glanced around my already cluttered room, imagining multiples of anthropomorphic creatures suddenly bursting to life. As awesome as that might sound, tighter living quarters plus potential magical chaos did not seem a wise combo.

"She makes a good point, eh Twi?" I said. "Maybe best to figure out what woke sleeping beauty here before we - "

"So, hypothesis time!" I stood and faced the Twilights. "Let's puzzle out what magic, or other action, brought Lil Twi online before more we make things worse." I swept an arm inviting their brainstorming. If anyone could reverse engineer an unplanned enchantment outcome, it would be two famed wizards of Equestria.

Big Twi's eyes lit up as she began scrutinizing her mini-me more closely, magical senses clearly tingling away in analyzation mode. Little Twi practically quivered under the attention. Me, I just tried to wrap my brain around a doll downloading consciousness and searched for initial patterns. Hectic mysteries scarcely left time for my lingering chronic pain now!

"By the way." Little Twilight pointed at me. "He's been restraining himself."

"Pardon?" Big Twilight raised a brow at me. "What have you been restraining?"

Author's Note

Hi Twilight... again?

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6 - David!

"David!" came a voice, a plaintive cry from elsewhere in the house.

A chime had sounded informing me of Mother's attempt to message me, but I'd missed it as things were happening. "You two be good." I hurried to my feet and power walked briskly out into the living room. "What's up?"

"Did you read my text?" my mother was laying on the couch, looking at me tiredly.

"No." On one level, I felt asking what was up had answered that question before it was asked, but it was a tradition... Not one I enjoyed, but a tradition none the less. "What's up?"

"Is there something we can do to help you hear the texts better?"

"Sorry. What's up?" It was a fine time to not have an expression. Fortunately for me, that was the default more often than not. Since I was there, and I could see a few dirty plates, I grabbed them and started them towards the kitchen.

"Are you running a game? Thank you."

"No, finished that a little bit ago." I returned, without the dishes. "What's up?"

"I'm tired. Not doing dinner today. Was something taken out for dinner?"

No, nothing had been taken out to thaw. "No."

"I'm just going to order something."

Internally, I sighed. It wasn't like we had money to eat out all the time, but she liked doing that anyway. Skipping dinner entirely felt like a better option, but arguing about it... "Sure. I'll have whatever you're having."

"If you could send me some money, I'd appreciate it."

I was barely keeping myself afloat, financially. If we could just work a little harder on such banal things, we could not spend money on it. A thousand irate thoughts came and fizzled. "Alright."

That wasn't a promise. "I should get back to things."

I moved with purpose back to my room, ignoring the mild aches of walking. Nobody had time for that. Debatably, not even I did.

I opened the door to be flashed in the face. "The heck?"

"Sorry," chimed the voice of Little Twilight. "We were playing."

"Apologies." Large Twilight closed the door with a kick of her hoof. "It was nice to have somepony around I could have a proper magic duel with."

I blinked the dancing shapes away from my vision, the result of being caught unaware by twin flares of magic bursting joyously across my room. The two beaming Twilights peered up at me with mixtures of pride and sheepishness at displaying their talents so openly.

"No harm done!" I assured, a good natured smile finding its way through lingering tension from that uncomfortable money moment with my mother. Hard for dour moods to stand up to such bright vibrancy for long.

"Glad to see you two getting along so well. Just maybe give a guy some warning next go before unleashing the magical light show, eh?" I winked playfully.

Little Twi fluttered up to me with an apologetic grin. "Next time we'll put a sock on the door...or whatever the human equivalent is."

I had to laugh at the mental image as I reached down to affectionately scritch her chin. Big Twi ambled over, a sheepish but eager look in her eyes. "Truly though, having a capable magical ally makes it feel a little less lonely being the only enchantress around."

My mirth softened to an understanding smile. I gave her shoulder a supportive pat "I imagine so...we plain old humans must seem so mundane by comparison. But anytime you want to liven things up sparkle-wise, feel free!"

My smile turned impish. "Just maybe give the resident muggle a heads up so I can watch from a safe distance."

Both ponies shared a giggle at the prospect. And with further chaos presumably on hold for the moment, my own lingering tensions began to drain away.

But a question pestered at me. "So... You have your magic going?"

Large Twilight sighed at that. "I never had no magic, but so much less than I used to."

Little Twilight inclined her head. "I was facing you with a hooficap? That does not make me feel confident..."

Large Twilight patted her smaller self gently. "It may be, in part, due to size. I have more magic, since there's more me to make the magic."

"Logical." Little Twilight fluttered up onto my shoulder. "So, as I was saying, how long are you keeping this a secret?"

I sank onto my chair. "What secret am I keeping?"

Little Twilight shook her hoof out in front of me. "The longer I'm aware, the more I remember. I've seen things, David. I know your habits." She leaned in, cloth brows wagging. "I've seen your browing history."

Large Twilight hopped up onto the desk. "I also saw that, but most of it didn't make any sense... You understand those words, Little Me?"

My face erupted in a sudden flush as Little Twi smugly alluded to witnessing embarrassing browsing trails from her shelf perch over the years. Even inanimate objects apparently knew more than they should in my small private space.

I coughed, giving the micro alicorn on my shoulder a half-hearted glare. "Yes well, a guy has...needs. And occasionally curiosities better left unsearched." I shrugged trying to play it casual while avoiding looking directly at either Twilight.

"Nothing weird or untoward I swear! Just...you know..." I waved a hand, keen for a quick change of subject. The browser history of the desktop shouldn't have had anything too strange, right? But how would one ask without making it even more strange?

Big Twi tilted her head, seeming more puzzled than judgmental. "I'm afraid I don't know about typical human male browsing habits. But I take it the concern is privacy?" At my quick nod she smiled reassuringly.

"Well, fear not! Us princesses know a thing or two about preserving confidentiality." She mimed sealing her lips as Little Twi followed suit with a giggle.

I had to chuckle at the gesture, my embarrassment already melting away in the face of their humor. "Glad to hear it, but it's not just about who you go sharing it with, but how it could color how you see me." I turned the chair into position and pulled up, ready to type and mouse waggle anew.

I had few too few tabs open. "The heck happened here?" I waggled a finger at the lack of tabs. "Did the browswer crash or something?"

Little Twilight hopped down onto my lap, sitting on one leg. "Having less tabs should let your computer operate faster."

Large Twilight nodded. "That's just logical. There's no way you could use so many tabs at the same time. We figured it would help you to clean up."

I laughed in a sort of chuckle as I mashed ctrl-shift-tab until my old tabs were summoned back from their digital graveyards. "Thank you both. That's really sweet of you two, but I want them there."

I grunted as my other leg also gained a Twilight, and I couldn't even be mad. I spent a moment petting the two Twilights, smiling and happy. Of all the horrible curses that could befall a person, an overabundance of Twilights felt pretty manageable. "Hey, did either of you find Discord?"

Both squeaked in alarm.

"Not that Discord." I pulled up the program and its various chat rooms. "This is where I speak to most of what is closest one could call to friends I have."

The Twilights leaned in with mirroring curiosity as the Discord app opened before them, chat channels flickering to life on the screen. Big Twi raised an inquisitive brow at the mentions of voice calls and instant roleplaying exchanges amidst streams of lively text banter.

"So strange symbols aside, I surmise this application serves a similar social function to our Ponyville square or Canterlot gardens?" She tapped a hoof on the desk. "A virtual gathering ground to converse and entertain each other?"

I nodded, scrolling through various chat logs featuring everything from writing discussions to gaming trash talk from online acquaintances. It was delightfully chaotic communication if nothing else.

"That's the gist of it - servers on topics folks enjoy where we can all connect and chat in one spot." I shrugged self-consciously. "I know it's not the same as in-person friendships, but hey, takes the edge off feeling isolated out here you know?"

Little Twi placed a consoling hoof over my wrist. "It seems quite friendly indeed. And a very smart system allowing conversations to flow freely!" She smiled up encouragingly. "I can see why a social scholar would appreciate such ready exchange of thoughts and ideas."

I flushed a bit at the praise even as I continued browsing animatedly. "Well, I dunno if I'm a scholar, but it does scratch that itch to chat about magical writing ideas without boring normal folks around me."

Big Twi smirked knowingly. "Oh I'm quite familiar with that sentiment too. Just be glad we arrived before you resorted to further inanimate conversationalists!"

I glanced over at the other dolls. They were all where I'd left them, and none of them were moving or talking. Phew. I started typing busily.

Large Twilight stepped off my leg onto the desk, watching the word appear. "I thought you typed earlier today."

"I saw that too." Little Twi smiled impishly. "But he does that sometimes. Some days it seems he just can't stop writing. I'm unsure if this is a great habit, or a worrying one."

Large Twilight curled a hoof to her chin. "It could be both... What are you working on?"

"I'm writing a story." I was quiet a moment before I swished my mouse over to start some background music and back to the typing. "This one's about Equestria, actually."

Both Twilights perked at that. "I doubt it's the one either of you are from, but close, from what I've gathered. This one's about a human that ends up there and gets into trouble." I paused a moment, but the next sentence found me quickly enough. "Don't worry, friendship saves her day in the end."

Large Twi claps at the summary of the plot. "Wonderful. But you aren't female."

"You are male." Little Twi nodded at this obvious fact. "Why are you writing about a female's adventure?"

I snorted gently at that. "You never write about things you aren't?"

Large Twi shook her head slowly. "To be honest... no. I write about things I can see and feel and have confident knowledge about." She tapped herself on her cloth chest. "I wouldn't write about a stallion's experience, not being one."

Little Twi bounced up next to her large twin. "I wouldn't write about being a human."

I paused in my writing. "Huh." He gently pet both of the curious alicorn plushes. "I love writing about things I have not and likely never will experience. I could tell you some theories I have on the idea."

Large Twi leaned up, wings spreading. "I'd love to hear them." But an idea struck her. "David!"

"Twilight?" I slowed the writing I had just restarted. "What's wrong?"

"You are the secret." She almost danced in place, bouncing from hoof to hoof. "You crazy alien genius. If you can see things that aren't there, you could be my path to home."

My fingers paused over the keys as I swiveled my chair to face the eager ponies, intrigued by the larger Twilight's enthused exclamations. Clearly an epiphany was dawning in those googly embroidered eyes.

"Alright, ya lost me," I admitted with a light chuckle. "How does my overactive imagination connect to getting you back to Equestria specifically?"

Big Twi practically vibrated with building excitement. "Don't you see? Your ability to vividly conceive of lives and scenarios utterly alien to your human experience could be the key!" She fluttered up to tap my forehead meaningfully.

"Somehow in your odd brain lies the capacity to link to other realms - it's why you create such elaborate fantasies, and how you could see me where others only view a doll." She grinned. "We just need to harness that innate magic."

I rubbed my head where she had touched, intrigued but puzzled. "So you think because I'm kinda odd and creative, I can what - somehow psychically connect to pony worlds?" At her eager nod I frowned thoughtfully.

Sure my writer's imagination was vivid, but tapping different dimensions? That seemed a stretch even factoring recent strangeness. Then again Twilight was the interdimensional expert...

I met her shining eyes - whatever link allowed me to glimpse her hidden self must be meaningful if she had such faith. I smiled and rolled up imaginary sleeves. Maybe creativity really could spark literal magic!

"Alright miss magician, what have you got in mind? This 'alien' is open to discovering if his weird wiring can help lead you Pony-ward!"

Author's Note

Sorry for the delay. I have a story getting daily updates on top of other updating stories. But still, we continue!

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7 - Finding a Path

"Your mind." Large Twilight waved a hoof slowly at David. "Is a portal. You already know that."

To an extent, I did. I liked to imagine such a thing when I sat down and let the words come out. It was easier, in a way to imagine I was just seeing what could be, instead of spending time deliberating on it. I didn't plan or hem or haw, I just wrote, and the words came out as quickly as my fingers cared to move.

"How does that help you get home?" I gently pet the smaller Twilight. "I am listening, promise. Tell me."

"Glad to hear it." The Larger Twilight directed a hoof at her own head. "I can't do that. I can imagine only what I know. I can imagine things I know doing other things that make sense. I can't imagine a thing that doesn't even exist. That you can is the key."

Little Twilight frowned with a little hum, not moving from my lap, but clearly thinking big thoughts. "I never sat and thought about thinking about..."

"I have." I tickled down her back. "All the time." I reached past her, resuming the typing I had been in the middle of before the big thoughts started.

Large Twilight nodded. "I should imagine so, given your condition. That precious machine is being damaged. Now..."

She pointed to the monitor. "You've seen many Equestrias. You've even written about some of them. They've been kinder, and crueler, and some libidinous and others chaste."

I warmed at her talking. "I thought you just peeked at a fanfic?"

"I'm a fast reader." Twilight looked quite pleased with herself. "And you have an active imagination. As I was saying, you can see many Equestrias."

I chuckled, equal parts abashed and impressed at Twilight's apparent whirlwind delve through my pony fanfic archive. Well, she was never one to leave a book unopened after all.

"Fair enough, oh scholarly one," I teased gently as I gave Little Twi's mane an affectionate ruffle. "Though maybe we keep the racier realities on the down low, eh?"

Big Twilight simply smirked and continued. "The point being - somewhere in that kaleidoscope mind lies the coordinates to my Equestria specifically." She tapped my forehead again. "You mentioned already grasping at visions untethered to this world. Well, isn't that what brought me to life before your eyes?"

She swept a hoof around dramatically. "The creative channels that envisioned me also see endless alternate worlds. Mine must simply be one of them...we merely need locate the right frequency!"

I sat back, intrigued by the notion my writing tapped not just imagination but literal alternate universes. Could focused energy pierce the dimensional veil again if these visions held deeper truth?

Little Twilight glanced between us curiously. "How do we sniff out the proper You Equestria dimension though? His head's already rather crowded in there from what I've gathered..."

"Worry not! I have some theories..." Grinning eagerly, she dove right into dense arcane babble that surely made sense, if you happened to be Twilight Sparkle.

I was not that. I wasn't even a pony. Just a human that wrote about ponies. I had no idea what she was going on about.

She seemed to notice this as she reached a spot to take a breath. "So... You... did not catch any of that."

Little Twilight shook her head. "I didn't either. Do you have that in book format? I could read it."

Large Twilight sighed. "I didn't think to pack that book with me... Now, let's back up a step. My world."

"Your world," I echoed. "What about it?"

"It is, by the terms I've seen, fairly 'realistic'. That is a spiteful term." She rolled her eyes. "Even simple worlds are entirely 'real' to the ones inhabiting them. Calling one more realistic than the other is a crude way about it. Either way..."

She cycled her hooves. "Before I was a doll, I was a pony. I had to eat, breath, and make use of a bathroom on occasion to maintain homeostasis. Should I fail to do any of these things, my biological systems would begin to fail, ultimately resulting in a complete shutdown, and the creature known as 'Twilight Sparkle' would cease to exist."

Little Twilight angled her head. "Bathrooms are where you take baths, right? I don't want that." She felt over her own cloth exterior. "I'd get soggy..."

Large Twilight gestured at her smaller twin. "There. She is living a simpler life. She does not eat, breathe, or any of the other things. It is a simpler life, but a life. She could be killed, and she doesn't want that."

"I do not!" She stomped a hoof on my leg. Fortunately, it was a soft plush hoof. It didn't hurt, at all. Just a little thump.

I winced in sympathy and reached to give Little Twi's back a reassuring scritch. "Easy there, no stomping required. Nobody's getting unalived on my watch."

Though the existential crisis of a possibly immortal doll confronting her ephemeral nature almost made me chuckle despite the tension. We living folk did tend to forget not all things feared the void.

Big Twi gave her own head a rueful shake as if chiding herself. "Sorry, that came out rather heavy hoofed. I sometimes get caught up itemizing differences in an abstract sense without considering emotional impacts."

She offered her tiny doppelganger a conciliatory nuzzle. "You're as real and valid as any pony, my little friend. And we'll certainly ensure no harm comes to you either way."

Little Twi leaned into the comforting contact, the fear in her button eyes already receding. "Yeah, I know, I'm being silly...not like I have organs to damage." She managed a plush smile. "Forgot myself for a minute there!"

Seeing the two reaffirm their bond helped settle my own briefly frayed nerves. Last thing I wanted was the Twilights questioning their right to existential security under my roof. They deserved gentle assurances, not detached analysis...

I gave Little Twi one more reassuring scritch before smiling back up at her big sister. "So, trying again - let's talk dimensional mechanics in nice calming terms, yeah?"

Big Twi nodded, fluffing out her wings with renewed focus. "Quite right. Now, what I was getting at was that we don't want a world devoid of lustful thoughts. My world had them. That's how you got more creatures. Two met, and more result, younger, of course. The cycle would continue in perpetuity."

She rolled her eyes. "I don't want to return to a world without it, even if I don't partake in it often myself. It's still part of my world."

"Following you." I was typing even as she talked. The words had to flow. "So, how does this help?"

"We begin with explaining." She tapped at her own chest. "I can't imagine what I've never even conceptualized, but I can certainly describe and imagine what I know. I will describe my world. I will go over it in exhausting detail, until you, strange alien, feel like you're walking in it."

I paused my steady stream of key clicks, swiveling to face Big Twi with fresh intrigue. "Get to know your Equestria inside and out you say? Well, I am always eager for more insider pony lore straight from the horse's mouth..."

I smirked playfully at the common phrase while Twilight simply rolled her eyes with a snort. Clearly some idioms didn't cross dimensions cleanly. But her blunt honesty about a world where basic animal needs were met without fuss or filtering sounded good. She was not a 'simple world' denizen. Her world had complications.

"Please, educate away!" I encouraged. "The more facets I understand about daily life there, the more immersive scenes I can envision. Tiny telling details really hook the imagination." I steepled my fingers eagerly as Little Twi also scooted closer, just as keen to hear her sister's world brought to life through words alone.

Big Twi lit up at having such an intent audience. With a slight glow Enhancing her imperious air, she launched into a vivid oral treatise on Equestria's lands, customs, flora and fauna. No tidbit was too small or mundane - with scholarly attentiveness she crafted a rich tableau of a living realm complex, colorful and wonderfully commonplace. Just the way she clearly loved it.

And with every new elaboration, I felt stirred to manifest this world made word and picture in my mind to the fullest sense...what better guide back home than one who knew every inch of its fabric? If I could card and spin such fleece into being, perhaps together we'd weave the way for a long lost pony to step back into her rightful place at last.

Her Equestria was not the one, or any of the ones, I knew. Sure, some of the people were there. She was still friends with Rarity and the rest of the girls. She was not the direct heir of Princess Celestia. She was just one of many talented unicorns to emerge from that school. She eagerly searched for new magical data, working in Ponyville's library.

She had lived a life of adventure, her world just as magic as the one from the show. With every detail, my interest grew and grew. "One thing."

Twilight paused in her droning. "Yes?"

"Once I have it all locked in." I tapped at the side of my head. "What do we do with it?"

"I use magic." She lit up her cloth horn softly. "It's a much simpler version of the spell if we have a good lock on our destination. If you're already shoving a hoof in, bridging that gap will be simple. I'll hold onto you and shove you the rest of the way. We'll both fall into the world you're seeing."

I blinked dumbly at that. "Um..."

Little Twilight arrived at the problem swiftly. "That means he'll be in your Equestria."

My own blinking slowed as the implications sank in right behind Little Twi's frank observation. In our creative eagerness to pinpoint Big Twi's home realm, somehow we had glossed right over the inevitable outcome - me hitching a ride with her across dimensions. Leaving everything I knew behind for the pony promised land.

"Oh...so it would seem," Big Twi conceded, a touch sheepish. "In my fervor to explain planar passages, I failed to consider the passenger implications." She gave me an apologetic smile. "Though I suppose that would solve your health woes..."

I chewed my lip, visions of my mother and unfinished manuscripts swirling with tempting equine eternity. To abandon all I'd built or to be made whole and unencumbered? Did I dare entertain notions of...

A tiny hoof tapped my wrist gently. Little Twi gazed up with those reflective buttons that still somehow held such emotion in their sheen. "What do you want?" she asked simply.

A good question indeed. Even without the permanence, did curiosity and my longtime imaginative affinity beat out duty and hearth? With possibilities unknown but eagerly offered, what DID my wandering spirit crave most?

"One thing..." I pointed at the larger Twilight. "You said it would cure my health. Sounds great, but how?"

"How? That's obvious." She clapped her hooves together. "Once we're back in my world, and I'm not a doll, I'll have full and complete access to my considerable arcane knowledge. I will, gladly, assist you." She buffed her chest with a hoof. "I don't mean to brag, but I do have quite a few awards in the field. I won't stop until we have you in top physical condition."

Little Twilight frowned with a loud hum. "But your magic, not to put you down, Large Me, is made for ponies."

"Yes, and..." It was at that moment Large Twilight remembered that I was not a pony. I was a strange interdimensional monkey with fingers and a strange brain she wanted to make use of. "Oh... That does complicate things."

She crossed her plush arms, wings flapping slowly. "Let me think..."

Author's Note

What would you do?

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8 - Flowing Words

So I went back to writing. It's what I did. I typed idly to my online friends, telling them about things. I'm not sure they believed me entirely... But I told them.

"So, if I drop offline a while, you know why..." I leaned back at the words I had typed, considering them with a soft hum.

Big Twilight let out a similar hm. "Your device." She pointed at the screen. "It's already so removed. That may be in our benefit?"

9 PM]David Silver(He/Him): So, I've been hesitating to mention this, but I have Twilight here, watching me type. She can see the words I'm mashing, but I'm not letting her type, as I'm in the middle of writing an update too.
[7:31 PM]RadicalDishonesty: oh?
[7:36 PM]David Silver(He/Him): She said something about typing through dimensions? So she wants to get home, and she plans to use me to do it.
[7:37 PM]David Silver(He/Him): So, you know, if I fall off the Internet, you know why.
[7:38 PM]Dim Lib: Oh dear
[7:38 PM]Dim Lib: I know an elven witch and a pixie that could help get you back if needed David
[7:38 PM]Dim Lib: :Arywuv:
[7:39 PM]David Silver(He/Him): I'll hold you to that, but this is Twilight. Will I want to escape is a big factor, yeah?
[7:40 PM]Dim Lib: If escape isn't wanted I'm sure we can arrange to get you back in touch with us on the regular then.
[7:41 PM]David Silver(He/Him): That's what Twilight seems to be hinting at. 'electricity is very small' being what she was getting at, with the smaller the easier for cross-dimensional stuff.
[7:41 PM]Charlie Noone: You obviously have not tried to build a sensory dreprivation chamber with a mirror ball, because you ignore your friend who keeps saying he knows how this works. Silly Charlie...
[7:46 PM]David Silver(He/Him): I'm not sure where you're going with that.
[7:46 PM]David Silver(He/Him): That won't help me get there, or back.
[7:47 PM]David Silver(He/Him): But I did want to get it out there, if things go awry, you know why. You can let my poor players know what the heck happened.
[7:49 PM]Charlie Noone: The trick is to get the discordant sounds tosych up with the lights. It actuallly does work.
[7:50 PM]Charlie Noone: And the chamber has to be isolated from other sensory input.
[7:50 PM]David Silver(He/Him): Your words are English, but the meaning is something else.
[7:51 PM]David Silver(He/Him): Anywho, just wanted to leave a warning instead of just poofing abruptly.
[7:51 PM]David Silver(He/Him): Oh, one thing.
[7:51 PM]David Silver(He/Him): No promises... But should I be asking if others can come?
[7:52 PM]Charlie Noone: I mean, that's how you build a time machine. It's worked at least twice that I know of.
[7:52 PM]David Silver(He/Him): Oh, right, warning, this isn't cartoon Equestria. Think more Everglow Equestria, horses that look and need to do horse things to keep on horsing.
[7:53 PM]Charlie Noone: That makes zero difference.
[7:55 PM]Charlie Noone: Twilight will not take my advice... prolly because I am insanely tired. It's crazy late for me,
[7:56 PM]David Silver(He/Him): I don't know what you're saying. The look she's giving me implies she doesn't either.
[7:59 PM]David Silver(He/Him): Anywho, figured I'd check. (back to writing)

"How so?" I alt-tabbed to my story and got to typing away at it. "That sounds like you have an idea."

"I do," sang out Big Twilight. "The less information you're trying to get through a dimensional barrier, the easier, and that--" She pointed to the keyboard. "--is about as small as it gets. What you're sending is just electric magic, and not much of it."

David alt-tabbed back, adding that little fact to the ongoing chat. Twilight hiked a brow at the conversation. "I can't say I understand all they're saying... The words, individually..."

"I get that feeling." He switched back to his words, working on his update. "Just felt rude to vanish on them. I try to take my responsibilities seriously."

"About that."

"About that!" squeaked up the smaller Twilight. "What about your mom?"

"That was what I was going to ask." Large Twilight tossed her head towards the door to the room. "What about her?"

"What about her?" Things grew quiet as I typed. "Not the right answer?"

Large Twilight shivered softly. "That was... cold. Aren't you worried about her?"

I sighed, ceasing his typing to put his hands flat on his desk. "She did a lot for me. She created me, and raised me for 6 years, and another handful on the other end when I got here."

I leveled a finger with Large Twilight. "It went downhill from there. Her world shrank by the year. And my world got swept with it. I am only here because I didn't have the guts to run like my brothers did. She will sit on me until the day she dies. That will be the first day I first truly know freedom as an adult. The very first."

With a thump, I leaned back in my chair, back howling with fresh pain. "Dang it... Everyone around me approaches me because, ultimately, they want something, and that something isn't just my company."

Large Twilight raised a hoof slowly. "I want many things, but..."

"Not you." I put a hand on her head, ruffling before I realized she was the larger one, not the smaller one. "Sorry!" I yanked my hand back. "Didn't mean anything."

Large Twilight smiled despite it. "I am charmed, and pleased. It means you aren't angry with me. Kindly, in the future, ask, but I understand why you did it this time, and forgive you."

"Not sure if you're paying attention..." I resumed typing busily. "But this story involves you."

"It does?!" She flared her cloth wings wide. "I thought it was just another fanciful tale. Magic in their own way, but..." She leaned in for a better look. "How does it involve me?"

"It's your world." I kept writing busily. "The only way I'n going to get the details down is by working with it. Writing a story set in your Equestria feels like the way to go."

My keys clacked steadily as paragraphs detailing Twilight's Equestria spilled forth - fresh pages filled with produce carts, clothing boutiques, and cafes lifted straight from her wistful wandering accounts. Even impromptu worldbuilding carried me away from lingering frustrations into lands alive with magic, untouched by earthly burdens.

"What do you think so far?" I asked during a brief pause for fingertips, spinning the screen her direction.

Big Twi leaned in, tongue poking from her plush muzzle as she scanned the manuscript in progress. Little Twi hovered eagerly behind her shoulder to sneak her own peek.

"You have the geography of Canterlot's markets perfectly placed!" Big Twi gushed enthusiastically. "Why, reading this passage I can practically smell the baked goods and bloom perfumes in the air!"

Her praise brought an embarrassed chuckle as I rubbed my neck. "Well, you set the scene extraordinarily well. I'm just regurgitating details - though glad they ring true..."

"Are we characters too?" Little Twi suddenly chimed in hopefully, waving a hoof between herself and her twin.

I smiled and gave her soft head an affectionate pat. "But of course! What's a pony tale without its most important magic of friendship?"

Large Twi nudged little Twi back. "About that. This is quite good, excellent, but it's varying. You can see anything, so you... see anything. You're taking liberties. This is my world. I need it to be perfect, or I'll end up in some other world." She crossed her arms with a soft huff. "Please omit any flights of fancy. Permission to revise?"

Huh. I didn't generally have an editor. "Well, okay?" I pushed back from the desk. "Go ahead. I'll read what you did and work from there."

"With pleasure." Large Twi's horn glowed as she floated the keyboard into range of tapping with a combination of her plush hooves and her more precise magic as she erased bits and added other bits.

Little Twilight hopped up and flew to my shoulder. "She didn't mean it."

"Mean what?" I gently stroked the back of the little Twilight. She was simpler to get along with, I decided. She was simpler...

"She didn't mean to push you like that..." Little Twi touched her nose to my cheek. "She's just stressed out... I understand that."

Stressing out was a Twilight thing, I decided with a smile. Of course Twi would know, large or small. "That does mean you won't be in the story."

"Yes I will." Little Twi sat on my shoulder. "I'll be with you, when you go. Then I'll be in the story."

I chuckled at that. "Point..."

Little Twi nuzzled against me contentedly as we watched her bigger self intensely edit away, magic sparks flying in tempo with her rapid hoof strikes against the poor keyboard. I had to suppress another chuckle - even plush, Twilight wielded a red pen like no pony's business.

Still, I felt a small twinge of hesitation knowing she was divesting the draft of my imaginative flourishes. I created worlds for a living - having a backseat driver of dream crafting, however well meaning, was an odd sensation. This was meant be my conduit to focus...

As if sensing my hesitation, Little Twi patted my arm gently with a tiny hoof. "Creation should be collaborative don't you think?" she offered softly. "Your visions shape the realm, hers ground it..."

I blinked, tension easing at the simple profundity offered from such a small friend perched upon me. Collaborative creation bridging realities...how fitting for a princess of friendship.

I smiled and scritched Little Twi behind her ears. "You always were the wiser Twilight deep down you know."

She giggled, leaning into the touch before meeting my gaze thoughtfully. "Then together we will melt away the dark..."

The familiar words kindled long dormant memories of a lonely boy imagining himself a magic user with an internal system complicated enough it felt like it worked. Complex enough he got his friends into it, before they got bored and stopped without ceremony.

Good times...

"Editing done?"

Large Twilight set the keyboard down. "Please re-read the chapter and take note of my edits."

So, I did just that. I read through carefully, noting where things had changed. It was a good reminder in a way. I wasn't writing a story for fun. It wasn't creative writing. It was a test. And we were waiting for an A+, or it'd be an F. One or the other.

No room for flourishes there, just the facts that led directly for Twilight's home and, with it, perhaps a world that wasn't drowning in pain. That would be nice.

I nodded thoughtfully as I reached the end of Twilight's revised draft, eyes lingering on her insert describing intricate star alignment patterns unique to her Equestria's celestial sphere. Meticulous details down to exact magical wavelengths pulsing from each constellation.

Clearly Twilight was leaving nothing to chance in ensuring absolute accuracy, her changes transforming fanciful flourishes into an academically rigorous dossier of home reference coordinates. Cold, clinical facts for a textbook interdimensional chart rather than a story menagerie.

I supposed such hyper fixation made sense given the monumental stakes. Without total precision guiding my imagination, her one chance to leap dimensions into a welcoming hug rather than howling void could be lost in chaotic variability.

Still, I couldn't shake a lingering wistfulness for what creative magic we were leashing. The sanitized world on the page now felt drained of much intrinsic life that first called from foreign soil. Streamlined to mechanics alone absent the soul.

But, I reminded myself, the cold facts governerd the same world I lived in. A thousand cold facts led to a wonderous place, full of life and love and people living their lives.

The howling void of random change led, eventually, to all that I knew. The same void would take it away again.

It from that same void, the one I could reach into, that I hoped to pull Twilight's world from.

I had one chance.

Author's Note

Don't mess it up, David. What would you do?

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9 - Character Moments

My computer and phone chimed as a message arrived. I checked it quickly, though I knew who it was from. My mother had a noise nobody else got.

"Can you warm me some tea?" it asked.

I grunted with annoyance, pushing away from my desk and grabbing for my headphones. "I'll be back."

I stormed out of the room so hard, I fell out of focus.

Large Twilight pulled the keyboard over with her magic, tapping gently. "This world... It's missing something."

"Ponies." Small Twilight nodded to herself. "It's an empty world with no ponies in it."

Large Twilight cringed. "How am I going to impress on him all the details of living ponies?"

"He already has a knack for that." She booped her larger version. "Tell him what you know and trust him, a little. Let him have a 'flight of fancy' as you called it. When he's going the right way, you'll know."

"I'll know..." She tapped her smaller self with a hoof. "Smart. Alright." She turned in place for the door. "Now we wait."

I returned to my room having delivered the freshly microwaved mug to my mother directly. Despite having completed her minor request, simmering annoyance still gnawed at my frayed patience. Every motion was a fresh little pain, and they weren't... the end of the world, but that she didn't care was quite obvious.

I nudged my door open, the creak of hinges mirroring my creaking joints. I expected to find the Twilights still immersed in cooperative editing. But oddly, I was greeted by silence instead - no furious typing or fluttering wings stirred the air.

"Anyone here?" I ventured lightly. "Back and ready to type."

I trailed off as I spotted the pair seated together beneath the glittering constellation map they were creating with their glowing horns, gazing upward with focused expressions belying the quaint peacefulness of their plush forms. Two resolute explorers finely tuning the coordinates for a journey home.

My own flare of annoyance cooled, replaced by uneasy questions churning silently. Would accompanying Twilight lead me to better horizons too or merely uproot the tenuous stability my roots still struggled to cling to?

Either way, no map could yet chart the course fate had suddenly laid before us. With mute uncertainty, the Twilights and I sat studying the stellar signs glowing above our heads - strange beacons leading to unspoken futures.

But what stability was I worried about?

If I vanished, my life insurance would kick in. Managed well, the house could be handled.

The odds of it being handled well were slender.

But did that matter? If I left the world, for much any reason, it became beyond my caring. Death, trans-world location, did it matter? I had done what I could do for my family behind me. If they figured out how to use my computer, they could get another good chunk of change out of it...

No, I wasn't leaving them with nothing. Bonus, no body to tend to.

But would any of that be handled well? Unlikely...

"David?"

I started. Both Twilights were staring at me. Large Twilight took a step forward. "Are you alright? You look... I can't tell. I just feel you're feeling something. You are difficult to get a read on at times."

I shook myself, casting one last lingering look at the glittering chart before turning my full focus back to my guests. "Yeah...sorry. Just thinking about practical considerations if this fantasy quest of ours proved one way tickets, that's all."

My blunt honesty elicited a soft "Oh" from Big Twilight while Little Twi simply flew over to offer a comforting hoof on my arm. I patted it gently, my anxieties already receding under the contact.

"Nothing worth worrying over," I assured, my easy smile returning. "Just my boring grown up responsibilities briefly feeling heavier than normal while cosmic power literally hovers overhead."

Big Twilight nodded. "I wasn't joking. I don't think you have to abandon this world, nor do I think you should."

I started at that. "You have my attention..."

"Excellent." She looked like a pleased teacher in front of a listening student. "This room. I want to check something."

She swept over me with her magic, then scanned with the same sweep of magic over the room, and things began to glow, mostly my chair and my bed and a little of other things. "Lovely. You have left your print quite firmly. We can anchor with it, so when we return to my world, we know the way back here."

I raised a doubting finger. "You want to hop back and forth?"

"No, no. That would be far too strenous." She shook her head with a huff. "But sending little things..." She pointed at the keyboard. "That feels possible."

I sat back, eyebrows rising in surprise as I processed Twilight's words. The notion that magical anchors could enable travel without forcing a one-way ticket caught me off guard.

"So just to clarify..." I began slowly, "you're saying with enough of my 'essence' imprinted here to act as a homing signal, we could still zipline messages or bits of items back and forth as needed?"

At Twilight's eager nod I felt the knot in my chest finally untwine fully, tension draining away. I wouldn't have to choose between worlds - I could enjoy both! It was almost too much to take in.

Little Twi gave voice to my stunned relief with an enthused "Hooray! We can have our cake and eat it too!" She danced a little aerial jig.

I reached out impulsively and pulled her and Big Twilight into an elated hug. "Thank you." Tears stung at my eyes, overwhelmed in the moment. I didn't cry very often, but when I did, they were hard to stop. "Thank you."

In my giddiness I didn't hear the approaching hoofbeats halt outside my door. But swiftly three sharp knocks rang out, preceding it suddenly swinging open to reveal a new pony, not made of plush at all.

"Twilight." An elderly stallion with a long beard stepped in, the bells of his robe jingling along with the bells of his hat. "I've found you."

"Starswirl, sir." Large Twilight bowed to him quickly and deeply. "How? I'm not upset... but how?!"

Little Twi pointed at the stallion. "You're not a doll."

"I am not," noted the gruff stallion. "With the proper preparations, dimensional re-alignment is avoidable. Now, I knocked out that other alien, I'll take--" With a little twinkle, I passed right out in the chair. "Hm, easier than usual. Weak bodies, these creatures."

He turned to Twilight. "Ready to return home?"

Twilight could only stare slack-jawed as her teacher fluttered about David's darkened room gathering up assorted items for transport home. That he had successfully tracked and reached her himself after all this time was astonishment enough without his abrupt neutralization of her first real human friend.

"Wait wait, let's slow down!" Twilight insisted, trotting over to hover protectively near David's gently snoring form. "David has been my faithful guide and gracious host here during this predicament - we can't just abandon him unconscious!"

Starswirl paused to glance back, bushy eyebrows raised in surprise at Twilight's evident protective attachment. Little Twilight just watched anxiously from the sidelines.

"My dear, I simply ensured his rest to avoid thrashing interference with delicate casting," Starswirl explained not unkindly. "But if you insist, I suppose we can accommodate this creature and establish communications once we're home."

Twilight nodded firmly. "I do insist - on both accounts! Safe travel for all and answers for my questions." She pointed demanding hoof his direction. "You owe me long overdue explanations first and foremost!"

Starswirl inclined his head appraisingly. "And explain I shall! But for now, take hold..." His horn flashed, only to be snuffed out as a small doll crashed into him.

"Stop!" cried the smaller Twilight. "I'm his!"

Large Twilight colored swiftly. "We went over this. You're not his. You can think. You are sapient. You belong only to yourself."

"I'm sapient." Twilight curled a plush hoof at herself. "Which means I can choose to be his. I know he won't abuse me, and if he does, then I can leave. I have magic, and he doesn't."

Starswirl's horn glowed, grabbing Little Twilight and hovering her in front of his face. "What is this, and should I tear it in two or three pieces?"

Twilight stared in dismay as her mentor grasp Little Twilight threateningly. How had a joyous reunion gone astray so swiftly?

"Starswirl, stand down!" she commanded, adopting her most authoritative princess timbre. "There shall be no destroying my companions against their will!"

Starswirl hesitated, bushy eyebrows lifting in surprise at Twilight's defiance. "You would lecture your own teacher on comporting with strange entities?"

Twilight stood firm, unwilling to relent. "And I think after abandoning a student for this long, you owe said student patience instead of attacking her newfound friends."

She fluttered protectively nearer to David and Little Twilight. "Please allow civil discourse Master Starswirl...too long have mysteries stood between us."

The elderly unicorn gazed back uncertainly before finally nodding acquiescence. "You make a reasonable case, Student. Come - while your pet rests, let us talk."

Sparing one last concerned glance David's way, Twilight soon found herself seated across from her long lost mentor at last. "Wait, pet?"

Starswirl shrugged. "That one?" He pointed at David. "This one?" He pointed at little Twilight. "I care not which, only that we leave while we can. This world itches, at best."

With a bright flash, he ended the conversation, leaving the room empty of all living things in it.

As the glare of teleportation faded, Twilight's eyes rapidly adjusted to reassure herself that David and Little Twilight had also made it through Starswirl's wormhole unharmed. To her relief, both figures laid nearby atop a grassy hillside, stirring slightly at the jostling journey. But things were different. One was a stallion, curled and sleeping. The other was a little filly Twilight, looking quite confused.

Taking quick stock of broader surroundings, however, unsettled Twilight's momentary and already fading relief. The landscape surrounding them was a distinctly alien patchwork clashing violently with her memories - no Ponyville or Canterlot familiarity here, but eerie distorted dimensions.

Jagged spires pierced angry scarlet skies while the stars wheeled too rapidly overhead. Cubic flora sprouted to illogical symmetry as crystalline creatures scurried by without greeting. It was a psychedelically unsettling fever dream facade mocking Equestria's beauty - her heart sank realization dawning.

"Some world, eh?" chuckled Starswirl, evidently pleased at her speechlessness. "Come my long lost pupil, and behold the jeweled flower I cultured in isolation!"

As he eagerly led a shaken Twilight towards a massive structure throbbing with eldritch light, apprehension gripped her - just what had twisted creation had her mentor unleashed? And could this fractured realm ever feel like home?

Starswirl snorted softly. "You look stricken. This is my home away from home. From here, I can access most places I care about far more easily, and from anywhere, I can come here trivially."

Twilight blinked. "Oh... So this isn't Equestria after some nightmare scenario?"

Starswirl grabbed Twilight with his magic, pulling her to her hooves. "Student, I expected better insight from you. Now... Shall we proceed home? To the proper Equestria, I mean. I will only visit briefly. I have my own studies to perform."

Twilight waved at her two friends, transformed as they were. "What happened to them?"

Starwirl narrowed his eyes. "Considering you were just a doll, you know what dimensional alignment is. This world is a pony world. Those that come here, get to join us as us." He thrust a hoof at David. "Pony." Then at little Twilight. "Pony. Just as well. They'd have a hard time fitting into Equestria as too many other things." He snorted. "Would you have preferred a donkey? Really..."

Without asking or waiting for Twilight, he brought them all to a grassy hilltop, with Ponyville down below. It wasn't the Ponyville from the show, but close enough, and Twilight's brilliant smile was hint that it was the right one for her.

Author's Note

Starswirl messed it all up. Man, that guy... I want to ruffle his mane and pinch his cheeks in revenge.

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10 - Awaken

Now, an important thing about me. I don't do the waking up ritual that many people do. When I wake up, I'm up.

So I woke up. I opened my eyes, my dreams fading. I always had dreams. Even short naps had them, but they faded quickly as a rule. I sat up and yawned even as I stood up, and fell over.

I laughed at my stupidity. Who falls standing up? I shook the grogginess away and tried that again. I was awake enough to realize that things were just not in the right places. My feet were on the ground but my legs were not supporting me and strange sensations my brain didn't even have inputs for were arriving.

I was lost in my own body.

I stopped.

Since moving felt out, I decided to sink back into the bed I had started in. It wasn't even my bed. I sat on the edge of it. That much I could do. I reached to feel over my rebellious legs.

I had no hands. I had no fingers.

I had no hands or fingers. I had hooves.

That part wasn't actually as shocking as one might imagine. I'd written plenty of stories of such things. I had hooves.

"Hello." I was talking to my body. It wasn't even the first time. "How did you get there?" I curled my arms and paused, really looking at them. They weren't human arms. I threw off the blanket to confirm.

I was a horse. Well, a pony? An equine, for sure. I had a snout that hogged up a good portion of my view, but my clever brain was already working hard filtering that out. Only when I thought about it could I see that snout there, and I reached to rub along it slowly. "I'm a horse." In case the universe needed a reminder of it.

"You are a pony." The door to the dim room swung open, glowing with Twilight's magic as she entered with a smile. "And you're awake, good. How do you feel? I was very disoriented when I visited your world."

Twilight was not her plush self. She was a horse, er, pony. A type of horse called a pony. She was an alicorn, with folded wings and a long horn. "If you're hungry, Spike is preparing a breakfast. I can ask him to make one more portion."

I blinked slowly at Twilight, this new yet familiar form of her. My brain was still rebooting, synapses trying to make sense of equine limbs and the lack of opposable thumbs. But the promise of food stirred my attention.

"Spike is here too?" I asked slowly. My voice sounded strange emerging from a mouth not designed for human speech. I gave my pony muzzle an experimental rub with a hoof. This would take some getting used to. A pony tongue and lips were actually quite able for speech, but they were subtly different motions than human ones. I'd have to adapt.

Twilight smiled gently. "But of course! We're back in Ponyville now thanks to Starswirl's spellwork. All your old friends are here and quite eager to meet you." Her smile turned impish. "I may have raved a bit to them about the noble creature from another world who aided me."

I ducked my head, feeling suddenly self-conscious at the thought of facing Twilight's famous entourage. "You, uh, might have oversold my helpfulness a bit..." I mumbled.

My stomach growled loudly just then, making us both laugh. "I suppose proper introductions can wait until you've had something to eat," Twilight acquiesced. She turned towards the door. "Now, let's get you up and at 'em the Equestrian way!"

Her horn flashed, yanking the blanket fully away. I yelped as I was abruptly levitated, limbs dangling clumsily beneath me through no will of my own. Such casual magic would certainly take adjustment! But the scent of pancakes and syrup wafting in motivated me not to complain too hard.

A brief thought tickled at me about my diet. Pancakes and syrup? Surely full of carbs. Then again... I curled to look back at myself. I was standing, on all four hooves. Ponies used hooves, four of them. That was why I had fallen over, trying so hard to stand the human way.

I was a pony, a slender one. A few carbs wouldn't kill me. "Tell him I said thanks."

"Tell him yourself." Twilight casually made the bed with a whistle. "He's very eager to meet you. I apologize, I was just thinking to start drilling you about the creatures that live on this world when... Here you are. Are you mad?" She pinned her ears. "We didn't even ask if you wanted to be here..."

It was hard to be angry at first insinct at Twilight. Besides... "I don't have a headache."

"Good?" Twilight inclined her head. "I'd hope not."

"I did before." I tapped at left temple with a hoof. "Forever, always. 24/7, headache. Now it's gone. I don't have a headache." It was such a simple thing to be amazed about, but it filled me with a radiant joy. Bouyed by it, I started towards that smell. "My back doesn't hurt either... I'm... This is a new chance in every way."

Twilight's eyes softened, her earlier uncertainty melting away in a wave of palpable relief.

"Oh David, I can't tell you how wonderful it is to see you up and about with no troubles!" She quickly trotted over to fall into step beside me. "When Starswirl brought you through, he assured me the translation spellwork was seamless. But I still fretted something might have gone amiss!"

She gave me a cautious sidelong glance, earlier enthusiasm turning apprehensive. "Is everything really feeling normal though? Proper quadruped form, senses all aligned, magical essence stabilized?"

I took quick inventory, still marveling at my headache's absence and strange new energetic hum thrumming through my veins. "Seems right as rain from what I can tell! Although..." I smirked wryly at her while nearly tripping over my own hooves. "Might need to practice with these parts.

Twilight laughed brightly, relief returning. "Well you've come to the right place for that! Pony mobility is our special talent after all." She steadied me as we reached the kitchen. "Now then, let's start your education on Equestrian culture with the most important meal of the day!"

And there was Spike. That wasn't Spike. At least, that wasn't the Spike of the cartoon. That was a dragon. A dragon over a story tall, slaving over a stovetop that seemed comedically tiny for his massive claws. Despite that, he was making good progress on producing a great pile of pancakes. "He's up?" asked Spike with the voice of an adult dragon, no child dragon. "Good. I made plenty for everycreature."

Twilight went for her table, unbothered by the presence of a dragon. "Is Twinkle awake?"

"Nope." Spike turned, carrying the platter of breakfast goodies. "Hello, David. Thank you for taking care of Twilight. That sounds like it was a scary trip. Wish I'd been there."

David reached to help, but his hooves were the ultimate mitts, quite poor for anything he wanted to manipulate. He let Spike handle it. "I was just living, and Twilight showed up. How can I not help her?"

Spike smiled at that. "She is kinda special." He placed a jug of syrup and other condiments there, doublechecking forks and things on the way. "She mentioned you weren't a pony before? What were you?"

I rubbed the back of my neck with a hoof, still stunned to encounter the looming dragon form of Spike so casually puttering about the kitchen. Clearly, this Equestria played by somewhat different rules.

"I, ah, was a human before," I explained. "Don't know if you'd know what that is. Kinda like a hairless monkey with some odd extra features, like walking just on our hind legs."

I nodded to the generous spread Spike was laying out with appreciative hunger. "Gotta say, though, I could get used to being pony-fied if it comes with feasts like this!"

Spike chuckled at that, the low rumble sending soft vibrations through the floorboards. "Well, from what Twilight told us, your human world sounded crazy and confusing. So make yourself at home here!"

He leaned down to give me an appraising sniff. "Hmm, yeah, I can still detect some weird alien aromas. But nothing a good dousing in pancakes and our sunshine can't fix!"

I lifted a hoof self-consciously but had to laugh. "Can't argue with that logic, oh wise dragon chef! Work your breakfast magic - I'm eager to sample genuine Equestrian cuisine."

Twilight smiled happily from her seat, clearly delighted to see me already adapting to her unconventional household. As odd as it felt fumbling through feeding myself without fingers, for the first time in forever I felt simply at peace.

Well, almost. "Twilight." She perked. "You mentioned there was a way to reach back home. I don't want to sound ungrateful, but I owe people typed words." I lifted my new hooves at her. "How do you type with these?! No offense, they're neat." I even nuzzled one. I could feel it both ways, from my snout and from my hoof feeling my snout. "Neat... But how do I type with them?"

Twilight waved over me. "I'm afraid you're just a pony right now. With proper diligence and work, you could advance." She pointed to herself. "Like me. Not to show off, but I earned my wings and my horn. With a horn, typing would be easy. Without... I imagine it would be quite slow and imprecise..."

The rules of that Equestria didn't scare me. I wanted to know more. "So all ponies are born as earth ponies?"

"Yes." Twilight tapped her chest. "Earth is the element that comes naturally to us. Some rare few ponies are born with a different elemental alignment. Airy pegasus foals, for instance, but most are earth to start. If they devote themselves to self-perfection and knowledge, they can gain other elemental attributes."

Spike hiked a thumb at himself, great and sharp. "I'm fire, but dragon, fire, kinda goes together, you know?" He huffed a warm breath at me. "How's breakfast?"

Oh! I had gotten distracted.

I still had hooves. "Still learning, alright if I shove my face in?"

Spike snorted at the mental image. "If you really want..."

"Spike!" Twilight grabbed a fork in her magic and offered a bit towards me. "Say ah..."

I was no young thing... But it was also Twilight, taking time to feed me. I saw no good reason to decline her. I said 'ah' each time and enjoyed the delicious fare. It was... fresh, and untainted. There was nothing artificial there, and it all tasted so dang good. "Love it."

Twilight beamed as I enthusiastically slurped up another levitating bite of pancake drenched in sweet syrup under her attentive care. As novel as manually manipulating equine eating utensils seemed, I had to admit there was something charming about simply relaxing into being fed by an attentive friend.

"Wonderful! I figured you'd enjoy genuine Equestrian home cooking," Twilight praised. She used a napkin to dab a stray smear of syrup from my muzzle. "Once your energy is restored, there's plenty more where that came from," Twilight assured.

As she turned to gather another forkful for me, I shifted to address her previous insights about pony self-actualization. "So all ponies can eventually obtain horns and wings if they work at it?" I marveled. "That feels pretty fair... More fair than most Equestrias I know!"

Twilight laughed lightly as she lifted another bite my way on magical currents. "I suppose you could see it that way, though it's really more about pursuing one's innate talents and purpose rather than just achievement for its own sake."

She shrugged fluidly. "Most earth ponies are quite content focusing on their physical labors and deep connections to nature's bounty, of course. But exceptions crop up now and then..." She winked playfully.

I chuckled through another mouthful of sweet cakes. Clearly, this reality played by very different rules - but at least hard work and bettering oneself seemed valued by its remarkable denizens. As bizarre as my future path remained, I strangely felt this new world suited my sensibilities well.

That and I had someone that wanted to feed and house me as a start. "Am I sitting on my tail?" The pain signal was finally getting through, a new connection to my mind that wasn't ready to receive such a signal from a part I didn't have before. "Funny." I shifted so that stopped. "I have so much to learn."

Author's Note

Welcome to Equestria, but this one plays by its own rules. It isn't a cartoon, but it offers a warm hearth and open arms.

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12 - Read a Book

Twilight pressed a book against my side. "Pinkie won't be finished right away, so..."

I took the book, or rather, I tried to take the book. "Okay, seriously."

I gave up the attempt. "Show me how to hoof properly. This can't be how people around here work." I pawed at Twilight. "This is only good for maybe hitting someone and I don't want to do that."

Twilight's horn lit up as she took both hooves and drew them close enough to look them over from up close. "They appear to be in good... condition." She released them. "You are just entirely unfamiliar with them. A foal would figure this out during their first year of life. Technically, we're in that right now, pony-speaking."

I shook my head, not to argue, but because an ear swiveled and that felt funny. I was not used to having a pony body just yet. "Well, that gets tricky. I bet you don't really 'teach' little kids things they all figure out on their own."

"Lucky for you--" She put aside the first book and brought a second book flying over with her magic. "Sometimes, a foal needs a helping hoof, and we've made helpful books for parents to use with them, to get over such little problems. Usually, a little guidance is all you need for the foal to go on with a happy life."

"It's strange for me too." Spike chuckled softly, looming over it all. "Glad I have hands." He flexed his powerful digits. "The better option, if you ask me."

I snorted at the admittedly accurate observation, rather pleased at how readily I was picking up typical equine vocalizations. "Easy for you to say, oh mighty dragon. But I suppose relearning basic motor skills is going to happen when one changes species."

Taking the children's book in hoof, awkwardly, I had to laugh self-deprecatingly. "Never thought I'd be back to early reader fare, but desperate times and all that."

The illustrations made grasping the fine intricacies of proper hoof positioning much easier. And Twilight's attentive guidance as I slowly went through the motions proved just as valuable. Her light telekinetic touches helped me find the balance points and weight distributions natural quadrupedal gaits relied on that bipeds didn't need to worry about.

In between practice toe touches, head scratches with added wrist flick, and other foundational maneuvers, I joked about adding occupational therapy to Twilight's myriad magical specialties. But my sincerity shone through the humor - her caring patience providing a safe space to fumble unjudged through such a vulnerable growth process was a precious gift.

As basic grasps, trots, and canters began feeling less alien, I found myself embracing life's simple joys discovered by a foal but forgotten by most adults blinded by expectations of dignity - joy like a body free of chronic pains liberated into playing the fool without shame or hesitation before dear, understanding friends.

That I could close the book, knowing I could open it again later, was a moment of resplendent joy. "Thank you... That... actually wasn't all that bad." I opened and closed the book again, to show I could, and to practice. "You know, I practiced this a while."

I cocked up my right brow at Twilight.

She returned the gesture. "Not everyone can do that. You practiced it specifically?"

"Specifically," I echoed at her. "Worth the time and effort. Now I practice this." I held up the book, actually able to hold it properly. "This is already better... Twilight, even if I complain, and I will, I want to be clear I'm happy." I stood up, balancing awkwardly on three legs. "This pony body has a lot to learn, but it works. My old one was not, increasingly."

Twilight snatched the book with her magic and sent it flying back to wherever it came from. "I meant to ask. I couldn't tell... alien and all... but what stage of development were you in?"

"Age wise?" I lowered the freed hoof. "Middle-aged. I doubt our years are the same length, so I won't bore you with that."

I tapped my new chin thoughtfully trying to approximate equivalencies. "I suppose in pony terms I was somewhere between a mature adult stallion with a good chunk of life behind me but still a few decades ahead health permitting..."

I trailed off realizing with mildly dizzying implications that timetables had possibly reset with this improbable transformation. Heck, by Equestrian gauges I might now stand before them with a blank foal's slate!

Noticing Twilight scrutinizing me anew, I hastily waved a hoof. "Of course I still have all my prior memories and stuff in there either way! Just suddenly find myself lacking, uh, certain telltale markings of advancing age if you take my meaning..."

I coughed, feeling a touch self-conscious under such an inquisitive magical gaze. Still, rejuvenation had its perks, and second chances waited for no pony. Straightening, I met Twilight's eyes with building excitement at the newfound horizons spread out before these youthful hooves!

"I was about to bring that up." Twilight reached out, trailing a hoof along my front. "You are a young adult pony. You're not even finished growing, technically... Legally an adult." She tapped at her chin. "Considering there's an adult mind in there, double the reason to not worry about that. Still... It's a pony body. Human mind or not, it's stewing in our hormones. What I mean is..." She grabbed a fresh book and pushed it into my chest. "You may want to read that."

"Approaching Pony Maturity," read the front of the book. It was a book about pony puberty, starting from later foalhood right on through young adulthood. I flipped through the pages curiously. My newly functional hooves let me do that, slowly, perusing the diagrams of young colts and fillies experiencing the various changes that came with such developments.

Twilight's magic encased the book as she flipped rapidly ahead. "This."

That proved to be about hormonal changes and how that might affect the behavior of a pony. I was just old enough for a young stallion to start looking at mares. I'd get urges to do what stallions did. I might get into fights with other stallions.

The book was swift to note that generally well-behaved stallions are unlikely to get into any real fights, but it was just a sensitive time where emotions were very easy to set off. "Oh..."

Pony puberty! I was in it... "Oh... Um, sorry." I looked up at Twilight, examaning her. I didn't know nearly enough about pony anatomy to even guess. "What life stage are you in?"

"I'm an adult." She nodded firmly. "Just a step or two past that." She pointed to the book in my hooves. "I don't know how long a human year is, so I can't translate, sorry.

I was an 18-young 20 year old pony. Twilight was a later 20 to early 30 year old pony. Relatively? "I get it..."

My cheeks flushed with sudden self-conscious heat as the abrupt reminder of just what fresh biological cocktail now coursed through my new equine shape drove home. Part of me was alright with that. I wasn't actually a kid. I understood what was going on in there, and having a young body again? Worth it.

I could already envision awkward cracks in composure and judgment fueled by inopportune wanderings of the eye. At least Twilight's graceful maturity would provide reasonable counterbalance to such foalish impulses...I hoped.

I would have to hope that this Twilight, like the original, was a gentle and caring soul. "Forgive me if I do anything stupid, alright? If I do, grab a paper, roll it up, and bop me one. I'll know I did something dumb then."

Spike laughed softly. "Wow... I kinda like this guy. That's a mature take on it."

Clearly consciousness transcended simple chemistry. For whatever inexplicable reason, she still only registered as the caring scholar faithfully guiding me rather than eliciting anything so base as carnal appraisals. Then again, my sex drive was already screwed up. I barely looked at anything as a viable target, and that didn't change, even with young hormones. Was that more of a foul-up with my personality and mental makeup?

I met Twilight's eyes again easily. "Apologies for the awkwardness... I'll do my best not to make this strange." I craned my head up towards Spike. "I don't think this really applies to you."

Spike snickered at that. "I doubt it, unless you're into that kinda thing? Not my speed."

Was I just shot down by Spike? "Technically, as a human, I was bisexual, Demisexual, and operated as an a-sexual."

Twilight tapped her hooves with each word. "You can be all of those sexual things at once? That would drive me to distraction!"

Spike casually brushed Twilight aside. "This is not her specialty. She has no idea what you just said. Let me break that down."

Twilight huffed at Spike. "Please... And no pushing."

"Bisexual, David likes mares and stallions. Demisexual--" Spike counted on a large finger as he went. "David only gets interested in people he's already very familiar with." A last finger went out. "A-sexual, He doesn't get that interested, but that could just be being demi, uh... What about your friends?"

"I didn't have any friends I could reach out and touch." I turned an ear back. "It's complicated... But assume I didn't, so no friends, so nothing to Demi on, so Ace."

"Makes sense to me." Spike shrugged, understanding it all easily. "With us, Twi?"

"Mostly..." Twi cocked a brow. "Does that mean, as you get to know us, you may later find you're attracted to us?"

My face heated. "Technically, yes... Could... happen." A small part of me admitted, if Twilight made the first move, I'd be terribly unlikely to deny her. I'd just be very, very awkward... Wait, was that pony hormones talking?

I shuffled a hoof self-consciously as we moved past the awkwardness. While pony maturity clearly came bundled with its own quirks, I trusted Twilight to steer me right if lines risked getting crossed.

Glancing around the cozy library space, I felt suddenly curious about my new mentor's living situation. "So Twilight, do you live here alone or with family?"

She smiled, levitation-tidying a few piles of scattered books and scrolls. "Oh it's just been Spike and myself since we moved to Ponyville to oversee local issues, starting with running this library."

She took a deep, cleansing breath. "I never had a chance to oversee the development of a young pony, also an alien or not. It is a pleasure to fix that."

Spike snorted softly. "Don't listen to her. She just likes trying new things with books." He leaned in, breath warm like standing near an oven. "If you need an escape, let me know."

I reached up and hovered my hoof. Spike didn't resist, so I closed the space to touch him under his chin and feel his scales. They were warm, less hot than his breath, but warm to the touch and very soft and smooth. Like a snake, a very warm snake, that had wings and could set things on fire. "Wow."

Spike perked with a laugh. "Dragons are pretty great. I'm sure, uh, humans was it? I'm sure they had things going on."

Twilight twirled on Spike. "This one." She pointed at me. "Can see other worlds! They can see things they never actually encountered. They can see things they had never even imagined before that very moment!"

I chuckled self-consciously as Twilight extolled my supposed singular talent, now feeling rather ordinary under the crushing weight of her words. "Well I wouldn't say THAT exactly...sure I loved imagining and describing fantastical settings, but that's not quite the same as physically stepping into entirely new realities..."

I reached to stroke Spike's warm scales again, finding comfort in their solid yet soothing texture that assured me at least some wonders here were no mere abstraction. "Maybe unconsciously my writer's eye for envisioning has the tiniest gap to peek through," I allowed. "But nothing compared to a true unicorn's raw magical gifts like yours!"

The front door exploded open. "It's party time!" shouted a voice from outside.

13 - Welcome Welcome Welcome! I Say, How Do You Do?

I left the library as the others waved me along. The sounds were already growing loud. Big, loud, busy parties were not where I usually lingered. Was retreating to the books Twilight was offering an option?

"Hey there!" Pinkie threw an arm over me and started guiding me right into the crowd. "Now, if I understand right, you may already know some of these ponies."

That was a challenge I could accept. Human names, easily forgotten. But pony names? I already knew most of them. Bless Equestria, at least, in this, it was a clear win. I began to point at the ponies as I picked them out. "Bon Bon, Lyra." Both beamed, as if proud to be the first picked out.

"Oh, Rarity!"

Rarity fanned herself. Her mane was curly, as one would expect, done up quite well, wearing a full dress over her equine form. "Darling, I've been teased with so many hints. It appears Pinkie wasn't lying about that one. So you've heard of me?"

She was a horse, as were they all. We were all magical horses, and that was pretty cool. "Nice to meet you, Rarity. Um." But there were plenty more waiting for me. I went on. "Derpy."

"Muffins," she giggled out. "Muffins 'Derpy' Hooves. How'd you know my nickname?!" She looked right at me, or at least tried. She had wall eyes, and they were still adorable. "Nice to meetcha!"

"Fluttershy. I'm sorry you got pulled to this loud thing too."

Fluttershy seemed surprised. "Oh, um... You don't like parties either?"

Pinkie gasped with scandal. "No way! He's already the life of the party."

I ignored Pinkie. "Given the choice, quiet things with people I know are better, but I can deal with louder, bigger, events. I just tend to focus on the people I know well."

I chuckled self-consciously as more and more familiar faces seemed to recognize and greet me in turn. Clearly word of the visitor from another world had disseminated swiftly through Ponyville's tight-knit community.

Pinkie was bouncing eagerly between groups, evidently thrilled at both introducing me and at having an excuse to have set up this lavish affair on such short notice. That she managed to do that for, one assumed, a lot of ponies all the times was still amazing.

I smiled over at the bubbly pony already breathlessly regaling some enraptured foals with what were likely exaggerated reenactments of my earlier arrival. "It's really nice, all the work she puts into each of these."

Rarity sauntered over, delicately balancing a cup and saucer in her telekinetic grip. "But of course, darling! Here in Ponyville, any new arrival is cause for fanfare." She indicated the motley festivities filling town square with a graceful hoof.

"Although I must say, you seem to be settling in remarkably swiftly, humbly speaking. Why I'd scarcely guess you weren't born Equestrian!" She smiled over her cup's dainty steam. "Clearly Twilight took wonderful care showing you the ropes."

Internally, I could feel a happiness growing thinking of the undeserved patience Twilight had already shown me. Outward, my smile relaxed to my steady neutral default. "She really did...both she and Spike both. I'm lucky they..." I was interrupted by a bouncing Pinkie sandwiching me into what I realized was an eager conga line!

I had never been part of one of those. Keep your hooves on the pony ahead of you and just move along, right? Rarity ended up in front of me, which meant I had my hooves on Rarity's rump. One small part of me noted this was a fine place to have one's hands, or local equivalent. The other shot it down. As if Rarity cared that way for a strange alien pony that was physcially younger than her and maybe mentally older? No, she had plenty of other things to pay mind to.

Ardor snuffed firmly, I did my best to not make a mess of myself as the line wove about the square with the music thrumming along.

The party was, as promised from the start, loud but welcoming. Countless ponies had questions, and I was happy to chat with each.

I blame my sales days, but chatting with each didn't bother me. It was more of a problem when I assumed things...

"You two are... a thing?"

Lyra burst into laughter, rolling on the ground.

Bon Bon colored. "Excuse me? We're friends. Nothing more than that..."

Lyra sat up on her haunches. "Aw, come on. I'd be a great girlfriend and you know it."

Bon Bon whirled on Lyra. "I imagine you would be. I'd never recover..." She turned back to me. "What even gave you that impression?"

I hastily backpedaled, cursing my clumsy presumption as Bon Bon's shock turned swiftly to scrutiny while Lyra looked on with abashed hopefulness behind her. Clearly I had intruded on more complicated dynamics than I grasped.

"Oh, sorry... I wasn't trying to imply things. Uh, it's... complicated?" I hastily offered with a clumsy half bow. "Feel free to ask outside the party and I'll run through it, or maybe Twilight will just spill it."

I looked between them anxiously, feeling about as small as I was currently feeling inside. "I didn't mean to bother either of you."

Lyra finally broke the tense silence by bursting into renewed guffaws. "Are you kidding? I think it's hilarious you saw through our little ruse right off the bat when half of Ponyville still buys that 'just gals being pals' song and dance!"

She threw a leg playfully over a furiously blushing Bon Bon who pointedly refused to meet anyone's gaze. "Buuuut I suppose we haven't exactly updated our mailing labels either, so fair play on the both of us, really..."

My eyes bounced rapidly between Lyra's mirth and Bon Bon's mortification, unsure if I had somehow improved or worsened matters with my thoughtless guesswork. But talk of labels sparked an idea...

"Well, either way, no offense meant...and congratulations being happy together, openly or not!" I gave a weak conciliatory smile. "I think it's great. Um... Can I ask a question?"

Lyra hopped to her hooves, leaning in close. "Please do. What's on your mind?"

Bon Bon buried her face in her hooves. "You would ask that."

"So! I'm going to assume everything I know is a big fat 'Maybe'. This Equestria." I waved around a little. "How does it feel about same sex marriages?"

Lyra's eyes widened. "Wow, straight to the point." She threw herself to my side. "I like this guy. Pity he's a stallion."

Bon Bon snorted softly. "I'd hope there are other reasons you might not..."

"Yeah yeah." Lyra stepped away from me. "Love is love. We're not hurting anypony, so nopony's getting in our way. Is it... not like that somewhere else? Harsh!"

That answered a few questions. "What about species-wise?"

Bon Bon hiked a brow. "You have a lot of questions about romance." She snorted into a snicker. "Typical teen... Since you asked, that usually isn't a big deal either. There's a few exceptions. Ponies and donkies are off the table... Ponies and zebras are also out..."

Lyra bobbed her head. "There's good reason on those. You put them together, you don't get foals that can make foals. Dead end, super bummer. Friends, but not wives or husbandos, right?"

I politely excused myself from the curious couple, giving them space to resolve lingering tensions or questions my intrusion had stirred. But their answers echoed intriguingly as I mulled over societal standards regarding pairings here.

My ruminations were interrupted as a rainbow streak abruptly cannonballed into the punch bowl I was absently approaching, splashing us all with sugary shrapnel!

"Ha! Nice try slowpoke!" the damp pegasus crowed at a pursuing Applejack while hovering cockily. "Wanna go double or nothin' ah can snag a dance before you?"

Her competitive taunting trailed off in puzzlement as she registered me wiping futilely at my sodden fur. "Uh...heh don't think we've met before..."

Applejack shouldered up next to us, effortlessly balancing the punch bowl atop her hat as she passed me a towel. "That's 'cause he just got to Ponyville today, Rainbow." Her smile turned impish. "In fact, I think he's none other than that alien Twi brought!"

"No way!" Rainbow zipped in to scrutinize me more closely as I returned Applejack's smile in bemused gratitude. "So you're that a-lie-in dude who...acks!"

Her physical appraisal became magical as Rarity abruptly collared Dash midair in a shimmering lasso with a wink my way. "Now now, darling...nopony wants your sweaty scrutiny before even exchanging names."

She turned us gracefully back towards the fracas. "Applejack, Rainbow - meet our new gentlecolt caller. Sir, the rascal and the ruffian." Dash stuck out her tongue.

I knew those ponies! Even if I was wet, and a little sticky, I smiled at them both. "Rainbow, AJ. Hi."

"Howdy."

"'Sup." Rainbow shook herself dry like a dog. "You look bedazzled. I get that." She buffed at her chest. "Not every day you run into a Wonderbolt, right?"

That Rainbow was a Wonderbolt? That was surprising... At least in that things felt random in what matched and what did not. "It is not. But I'm not fanboying over that."

Applejack waved Rainbow away. "'Course he ain't. Look at 'em! All four hooves on the ground. Ah bet he'd rather do somethin' straight forward."

Rarity slid between the mares. "Now now... We've scarcely met the dear. Why don't we ask instead of assuming things, hm?"

I took in a bracing breath as three vibrant mares turned my direction expectantly. Seems even in mystical lands mundane treads hold sway - new kid still got scrutinized.

"Well, Rarity hit closest on why I'm a bit dazzled...not every dimension you become a horse, I guess." That elicited a knowing chuckle. Dash still looked mildly skeptical.

"I only just got these under me properly." I lifted a hoof playfully. "But I won't lie, almost everything about me, and about this world, is fascinating." I turned thoughtful, rubbing my chin.

"Suppose in terms of straightforwardness - " I flashed Applejack a grin. "I like writing. I like helping out with small groups of friends, and telling stories."

Rainbow pouted while Applejack returned my smile with a friendly nod. Guess that was a connection. Twilight hadn't mentioned if there was some counterpart assignment system for new arrivals or if I could somehow get a job writing, or move my money from home, somehow? Perhaps best saved for later.

"Anyhow!" I straightened up, shaking off contemplations. "Main thing is all I know about myself or you all could be miles off here. So I really am just keen to take things as they come and get to know everypony fresh."

I looked to each in turn. "That fair?"

Rarity nudged forward. "No. I've been quite patient, dear." Her eyes wandered over my form. "I will not wait a moment longer. You're naked."

I... was naked. I thought that was normal. Twilight was naked. So were most of the ponies there. Was I supposed to not be naked?!

My face burned with shame, wondering if I'd managed to ruin everything.

Rarity fanned at my face with a hoof. "Darling? I'm offering to fix that. Do you have a fashion style you prefer? Simply let me know so I have a direction to follow."

Rainbow rolled her shoulders. "I have to get dressed for each show. Skin-tight suits, you've seen 'em! Only way to get the drag down when you're doing stunts. Outside that, pretty happy letting the fur show." She turned to display her side. "What have I got to hide?!"

Applejack swatted at Rainbow with her hat. "Ya cut that out!" She plonked the hat back on her head. "Sorry fer that. Rarity's tryin' ta help, so just tell her what kinda clothes ya want."

Rarity was still the same Rarity. "Thank you. I'm pretty basic with that. Black? Durable. Stain resistant if that's an option?"

Rarity inclined her head slowly. "Hm... That is simple... Hm..." She curled a hoof to her chin. "Are you certain you're not a Pie? Pinkie was pondering the possibility, and your fashion only makes me more uncertain."

Author's Note

Glam up time? There are many options ahead.

Join the special community of folks who like my stories and/or get your own here at atreon!

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14 - Slipping out

Spike perked as I entered quietly. "Party's already over?" He cocked his head, listening. "Still sounds like a party. Bathroom break?"

"I'm filled up on party." I nudged the door shut with a hind hoof before advancing. "Introvert, that battery runs down."

"Huh." Spike hiked a thumb at himself. "If it was a party for me, I'd be the last creature to leave." He rose up to his haunches, considerably looming. "But we're not all the same."

"No..." I mosied up to Spike with hesitancy. "I'm going to touch you."

Spike blinked. "Thanks for the warning, uh... go ahead?"

I reached out, running a hoof over his leg, then belly. The feel of warm dragon scales was just... Look, I like touching things, and Spike was great to touch. The pattern of his scales, how comfortably warm he was to touch, and even that he was a living creature helped make it better. "Am I bothering?"

"No." Spike curled to get his face close to me while keeping his belly and legs within reach. "It's just... Most ponies don't do that." He kicked one of the legs, massive claws scratching the ground. "It's kinda strange. Not awful, but strange."

I was making it weird... I drew my hoof back. "Anyway, hi."

"Hey." Spike snorted softly. "You were just outside, you don't have to say hi."

"Habit." I shuffled in place. "I will say hi, often. I like saying hi. If I see someone again, I say hi."

"Huh." Spike sat up, scratching at his neck. "I've heard of stranger habits. So, you ran away from the party. What're you looking for now?"

"I was thinking--"

The door opened, allowing Twilight to scurry inside and close it swiftly with a wheeze of gratitude. "Finally... Spike?" She turned around to see Spike and Me. "O-oh! David, you're... here? I thought you'd be outside, at your party?"

I chuckled wryly at Twilight likewise having extricated herself from the crowd milling about outside. "Guess we introverts think alike - parties only in small doses before the energy gets to be a bit much."

I smiled, larger internally than not, over at her. "I just got caught up chatting a bit with Spike here after stepping out for a breath. But it sounds like you had a similar idea on needing a recharge break!"

Twilight sighed but smiled back. "Too true...as wonderful as all our friends are, larger groups really drain me without some quiet time between." She gave Spike an affectionate scritch behind his ear frills. "Something Spike has always understood perfectly."

Spike leaned into the contact with a happy grumble before giving me a knowing look. "See? Us lone dragon types get it too. Not that I don't enjoy a Pinkie bash myself, but everything in moderation and all that."

He stretched with a squeaky yawn. "I was just asking your alien pal here what he's up to, ducking out the party early." He raised a scaly eyebrow my way. "You never actually answered, that come to think of it..."

"Oh, yes, please share your thoughts!" Twilight trotted over eagerly. "Did you have questions on anything? Or perhaps were interested in a particular conversation starter you'd like my perspectives on?" She was already magically shuffling through a mini library worth of books mid-sentence, ever the ready scholar.

I rubbed my neck, unsure how to present my still formless thought processes. But the patient expectation in both their eyes stirred me sharing those halting mental steps. "Well, truth be told..."

I pointed at her. "I think it's becoming a teen, but strange thoughts keep turning up. I will ignore them." I sat firmly. "That is a specialty of mine."

Twilight hiked a brow. "I'm not sure how good a habit that is... If you have questions, Spike and I are happy to help."

I considered a moment before it came to me. "I am still earning money home. I should get to typing to keep that up, since we're on that topic, uh... But I can't get that money here, right? Right? Pretty sure..."

"Right," she echoed at me. "That would be difficult. Nopony here is looking for human currency, even if we transported that currency from your old home to here, which would be hard..."

Spike shrugged expansively. "Why are you still working your old job? You're not there. Isn't that about the most official 'I Quit' situation ever?"

I blinked, realizing the purely logical conclusion to my ongoing remote work quandary even as Twilight gave me a gently chastening look. "Spike does raise an entirely reasonable objection...with your abrupt dimensional transition, any professional obligations or income streams tied to your old situation are presumably quite defunct."

She tapped her chin thoughtfully with a hoof. "While temporarily communicating with your world to provide closure explanations seems only proper, beyond that point, I cannot foresee a meaningful way to keep performing this writing work remotely."

I reached to where the keyboard lay nearby. "So long as this works, why can't I?"

I peered up, suddenly resolute. "But can you understand if it still feels important. Besides, these people paid, and besides that, if I don't earn a living until the house is paid, my mother is immediately screwed. She's already in an awkward place with me not there to take care of her. The least I can do is keep the bills paid until then."

Spike and Twilight exchanged one of those wordless glances before the latter stepped forward with a sympathetic pat to my shoulder. "Of course, that impulse does make great sense as well. My priorities simply shifted to concern over possible stress if unattainable..."

Her tone became resolute as well as she smiled. "But easing transitions and minimizing overwhelm is my purpose currently. So if writing still provides therapeutic stability, let's by all means continue pursuing options!"

Spike rubbed his cheek thoughtfully. "Also the whole family thing, which I don't entirely get. Were you the bread winner of the house?"

"One of two, my mother being the other of the two." I hugged the keyboard without really thinking about it. "I can't let her just... die."

Twilight cringed, driven silent a moment. "I... See..." She cleared her throat softly. "I see..." She looked to the keyboard with renewed focus. "How long until this is done?"

I threw my mind back. "Um... 20sh years?"

Twilight jumped. "That long?! I would never want to pay for the house I lived in for so long..."

Spike poked me with a long claw. "Your world sucks."

I laughed at that. "Ain't that the truth? I don't miss it."

Twilight mirrored my unease, likely realizing similar shackles stretched across my old life. "I...apologize for not fully understanding sooner how big the fear of loss still haunts despite distance..."

She floated the keyboard over, face hardening with fresh conviction. "Your dedication speaks volumes to cares and hurts left unresolved." Light bloomed across her horn and the device. "I cannot stand idly by a friend tormented so."

Spike punched a flaming fist into his palm with a steely grunt. "Darn right! It'll take some real magic mojo but we'll figure something out." He thumped my back heartily. "No way you escaped one bad scene just to stress over another long-distance."

"You two are great." I reached for the floating keyboard. "But I don't mind writing, or running games. I like both... I'm looking forward to when I can do both without money floating over my head."

Twilight bit her lip and said nothing as I left, leaving the perspective with her. She turned to Spike. "I am sorry he's going through this, but this is his choice."

Spike inclined his considerable head. "Wouldn't be the first time you dragged somecreature out of a bad problem they weren't quite ready on their own to leave."

Twilight laughed at that. "True... true..." She took a breath, standing straight. "I should talk to the others. They're probably wondering where the party stallion ran off to."

She left out the front, leaving me to set down the keyboard and press my hooves into it. My senses were gone from my pony body. I was sitting at my computer, basically. I checked email, replied to the few that needed replying.

I checked Fimfic for updates, yay comments! Comments were half the fun.

I checked my schedule and the date. Ah, time to write that update. I got to typing. It was a curious thing. It felt like I was moving my fingers, but I had no fingers. Thinking about it harder, I realized there probably wasn't a keyboard, or a computer. It was all magic, translating what I wanted into the keyboard motions which became words to be entered into Fimfic.

What did Twilight see when she gave it a try?

I finished my 2000 words and alt-tabbed over to Discord.That reminded me, I had a game to run in not too long.

I pulled my hooves out. "Spike?" I stood up and opened the door. "Spike?"

"Still here." He hadn't moved, quite comfy where he had started. "What's up?"

"I'm going to be busy for a few hours." I threw my head towards my room. "Gotta run a game."

"Gotcha." He let me head inside.

Turning for my room, I noticed Twilight had returned as well, though she lingered uncertainly nearby as if not wanting to intrude.

I paused, suddenly conscious again of the strangeness this endeavor must seem trying to cling to routines from a life left behind. But her eyes held no judgment, only empathy tinged with pensiveness.

"You gonna be alright if I dive into my game stuff for a bit?" I asked gently. "Sorry if it seems silly keeping up old habits. But it means a lot to folks I've run games for weekly back home."

Home. That word had become fuzzier than it already was. I was working to pay for 'home', and I didn't live there.

But Twilight simply stepped forward to give my shoulder a bracing squeeze. "No apologies needed for finding comfort where you can amidst transitions. I, of all, ponies understand obligations outside immediate presence." She smiled. "While I ponder possibilities, please enjoy time with faraway friends."

I smiled gratefully back with a mirroring hoof squeeze before moving to activate the keyboard connection once more. Hopefully game voices could help anchor me until more permanent solutions manifested...one hoof forward through the uncertainties.

As magical currents carried me back to familiar digital meadows, some tension unknitted from my brow. Twilight was right - for the time, I just had to wait, to work, and to be patient. I couldn't let my family down.

Twilight slipped back outside, closing the door behind herself with a worried sigh.

Rarity cocked a brow. "I've heard that sigh before." She trotted to Twilight's side. "Is this something I can assist with, dear?"

Pinkie popped up next to Rarity without any hint of her coming. "Yeah! And where's David? What's a party without the party pony?!"

Twilight tensed, but then laughed. "Well, it's about that. He's run down from the party, which he seems to have enjoyed quite a great deal."

Pinkie puffed up proudly at that. "Good! I don't run bad parties, or I try not to... So is he taking a nap? I'll--" She paused, grabbed in Twilight's magic. "Or not?"

"He's stuck." Twilight frowned faintly. "He was stuck before I found him, and it's just even more obvious to me now. He's working for a life he isn't even living, feeling duty-bound to..."

Rarity raised a brow. "Families are precious things, dear. Is it so unusual that a pony feels attached to them, even a world away? Surely you were still thinking of us at David's side, were you not?"

Twilight threw one arm around Rarity, hugging her. "Of course I was... But you all bring a smile to my face. I don't think he had, or has, the same relationship. It's different."

Pinkie hummed softly. "Tricky..."

"That's putting it mildly." Twilight released Rarity. "Anyway, I wanted to let you all know, tell the other girls, so we can keep an eye on this."

Author's Note

The past is not always easily dropped.

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15 - That Dreadful Bell

I woke up with a yawn, stretching and rolling over onto my hooves. Even if alien, everything moved. Nothing screamed. My back, it felt great. My head, clear. It was already a great day. I tried to count my blessings, even back when I was a human. Count those blessings. "This counts." I was a healthy teen!

Teens often had no idea ho blessed they were. I did. "Another blessing." I made a check swish with a hoof. "And... bathroom time." I trotted out of the room, eyes on the door I needed. I spotted Spike, his tail more specifically, working on breakfast. Smelled good... Less sugary than the day before. "Morning," I called.

"Morning," echoed Twilight from above. "Don't go anywhere. I have news."

News? I went into the bathroom and closed the door. Ah, the bathroom, a safe room where few would intrude on someone. I went to the curious long tray that was a pony toilet and made use of it. Feeling the pressure abate, I shook myself out and headed back outside.

Twilight was waiting behind the library counter. "There you are." She waved me closer. "I found a lovely way, I think, for you to get familiar with this new world. You can make some friends while you're there, and learn more about us."

Theories of what she meant came and went in a rush as I wandered towards her. "Hi. Good morning. What do you have in mind?"

Twilight laughed gently. "You didn't have to greet me before you got to your question."

"Habit," called Spike, still in the kitchen.

"Really? Hm. Well." She set down a single paper. "Princess Celestia started a school of friendship. I think it's a wonderful idea, and I can think of a new pony that might be served quite well there."

Wait. School of friendship? A world away, Twilight was the dean of that school. She wasn't? "Who's in charge?"

"Celestia. Princess Celestia." She inclined her head. "I know you know about her. You brought her up enough times in your stories."

I blinked in surprise as Twilight revealed Princess Celestia herself was running this school of friendship. My mind raced trying to slot this new information into my patchwork understanding of how hierarchies and systems operated in this alternate Equestria.

Clearly, if even magic prodigy Twilight wasn't involved in such a major venture, Celestia held central authority without distributing too many administrative duties. But then why suggest sending me there? Did Twilight know the Princess well enough to secure enrollment favorably on her recommendation alone?

I rubbed my chin, mulling over the possibilities. "So let me get this straight - Princess Celestia started up a friendship school and you want me, a newcomer alien pony, to attend? Do you think she'd even accept a total stranger as a pupil?"

Twilight smiled patiently. "Of course! The whole point of the school is fostering cross-cultural understanding. As the first human-turned-pony ever in our world, you'd make for a perfect candidate."

She patted the brochure eagerly. "Plus Celestia and I exchange regular correspondence given my diplomatic role here in Ponyville. I'm happy to send along a letter of introduction on your behalf."

My eyes widened at that. Direct personal access to Equestrian royalty via Twilight? Far be it from me to turn down such an opportunity, even if trepidation stirred too. Everything was moving so fast!

But I didn't want to seem ungrateful when Twilight was trying her best to help me adjust to unintended new circumstances. School did sound like a supportive transitional environment too while I found my hooves...

"Alright, you make a convincing case," I finally said with a conceding chuckle. "I suppose getting to directly experience your world through an educational lens is an invaluable chance. And making new local friends sounds nice too." I smiled over at her. "So sign me up to be a school of friendship student!"

Twilight's smile grew even brighter. "Excellent! I'll send the letter right away so you can start this term." Her horn lit up as she began magically preparing writing implements. "You're going to have such an enriching experience, I just know it!"

I smiled and nodded along to her clear excitement over this new opportunity as scrolls and quills zipped about overhead. It was that moment I realized I had done something so very dumb. "Uh, I still have appointments. I can't just not show up, and I don't even know how dates work here." I laughed nervously. "Too late the back out?"

"No, of course--" Twilight paused as flames licked over her her. Spike had puffed some fire, sending the scroll up in mystical smoke. "Now it's too late..."

Spike smirked as he settled there. "No excuses. This is your life now. Your old one can take a hike."

Twilight twirled on Spike. "Spike! That was... extremely rude, at best."

I could feel heat rising. Part of me wanted to be very... very angry... But it fizzled limply. Spike was trying to help me. I was the one being unreasonable... "I can... Do you set up schedules in the school? Maybe I can work around it?"

Twilight rested against a hoof. "I admit, I never attended the school myself, only serving as a teacher at times. I have little experience with what it's like from the student perspective."

Spike reached to pat me on the head. "Good pony." Okay, that was irritating... I was an adult, darn it! "Time to go school shopping." He turned and made his way back to the kitchen.

I sighed with defeat. "When would I even start?"

"Not today." Twilight scowled at where Spike had gone. "For now, eat breakfast, then I'll call Applejack over. She can take you shopping. You got along with her, didn't you?"

"Sure." I struggled to imagine too many ponies I didn't get along with at least on a surface level. "She's great. More active, physically, than I'd been... but I'm younger now." I cantered in place. "A little activity won't kill me."

Twilight snorted softly. "Less activity, more shopping, for school. She may try to lasso you over to her farm though... Don't resist her too much. It's a fine time to make friends."

I nodded, returning to the table where we all sat to enjoy breakfast as Twilight sent word for Applejack. Soon enough, the farm pony arrived with a knocking. "Ah know yer in there," came her muffled voice before she nosed the door open. "'Sides, it's a library, public buildin' an' all."

She fixed her eyes on me. "Eatin'? Good! We'll need energy to get through the day. Go on!" She clapped her hooves, settling to watch me.

Fortunately, I was in the habit of eating quickly, so I made short work of the food, chugged down some apple juice(coincedence?) and hopped to my hooves. We headed into town to pick up school supplies. Along the way, Applejack was brimming with questions. "So! Yer from another world, huh? Was it a nice one?"

"Eh?"

Applejack hiked a brow, a motion she was practiced at. "Eh? If I were in another world, ah'd have a lot more than 'eh' to say 'bout this one." She shook herself with a snort. "Well, welcome to 'Questria! We're better than 'eh'. 'Least, if ya asked me, which I just did mahself."

She leaned in closer. "So, what's it like? Ya enjoyin' yerself here? Everypony bein' nice?" We were making our way through the roads of the town, towards somewhere only she knew for sure. "Jus' makin' sure! Ah wouldn't stand fer people pickin' on a foal."

Foal? "I'm not a foal..."

Applejack burst into an uproar of a laugh. "Sure, ya say that... Most anypony your age would say that. But yain't no 'dult just yet. Yer right on the edge." She wobbled left and right to emphasize that. "Still a foal in my book, and ah ain't gonna left nothin' hurt ya." She waved ahead. "Welcome to Sofa and Quills. Jus' the place to grab some writin' supplies to be ready fer school."

I blinked up at the storefront as we arrived. Sofa and Quills? There it was, sprouting from the show to a fancier situation in front of me. But before I could dwell too long, Applejack gave me a hearty nudge towards the entrance.

"Go on now, lotsa shoppin' for you to get done!" She trailed after me shaking her head. "Still can't believe yer startin' from scratch gettin' ready fer school. Ain'tcha got no supplies where yer from?"

I rubbed my neck, taking in the cozy rows of stationery wares. I considered saying I was an adult, but would that help? "Well you see, where I'm from we usually have...flashier tools." I clopped my hooves together awkwardly. "Like, solid magic boxes you can use to write, or talk to ponies far away!"

Seeing AJ's incredulous look I coughed self-consciously. "Eh, anyway, yes - very different from quills and parchment...What would you recommend?"

Applejack took charge guiding me through selecting a new book satchel, notebooks, and pens. As we browsed, my earlier grousing over the abrupt enrollment faded. There were good odds I had just forgotten about it. Applejack also had a way of making any job feel like a sunny adventure with a friend.

"Thanks for all this, AJ," I said finally as we stepped back out into the street, my packed bags held firmly in my jaws. "You really helped get me excited for classes now - never would've managed all that setup alone!"

She waved dismissively but smiled all the same. "Ain't nothin'! You just come find me if them fancy classmates give you any trouble, ya hear?" She laughed, but I didn't. I began to wonder if I actually should be worried or not.

It was Equestria, even an odd one. Surely any classmates would be nice folk... I hoped? I returned to the library and quickly set the bag down in my room, rubbing my jaws firmly to work out the stiffness. Coming out, I saw Spike enjoying a comic. The comic was far from me, in his hands as he enjoyed it.

Big adult dragon or not, Spike still liked his comics, clearly. "Hey."

Spike looked down at me. "Hey. Got everything?"

"Everything we could think of, I should be ready." Uh, wait... "Except text books?"

Spike peered at me with confusion a moment. "You plan to start a school?"

"No?" I sat down, head craned to face up at Spike. "Don't I need books to read, for class?"

Spike pointed off. "Yeah, and? You'll read them at school, duh. I have no idea what you have in your mind." He reached, stroking down my middle towards my back. "You are a very funny pony. Never change."

I chuckled self-consciously as Spike gave me an affectionate pat. Clearly my lingering Earth logic was still misaligning expectations about school procedures. I made a mental note to curb assumptions, even as I knew I would likely make many more.

"Heh, will do my best not to change too much," I replied, leaning into the contact. "Though some kinda class syllabus might still help me wrap my head around what I'm in for at this friendship academy."

I glanced around the cozy library interior, hoping inspiration on lesson planning might strike from the numerous books filling the shelves. But academic mysteries still lingered.

"So will I get assigned a schedule on arrival?" I wondered aloud. "Or do we set our own class lists? Are there grades? Do you get...I dunno, extra friendship credits for doing extra well?" I laughed awkwardly. "Clearly the curriculum framework still eludes me..."

Spike snorted in amusement. "Dude, chill. It's not that complicated." He rolled the comic up with a flourish worthy of Rarity herself. "Just show up, join what looks fun, make some buddies. Easy stuff."

He cocked his head at me knowingly. "It's Equestria - friendship just kinda comes natural around here once you open up." He thumped his barrel chest proudly. "Trust your dragon - you'll be starring in no time!"

I couldn't help but grin wryly at Spike's contagious casual confidence. Perhaps I was overthinking things trying to map formalized structures atop such an organic concept...if anyone in Equestria breathed right friendship vibes intuitively, surely Celestia's school exemplified that spirit.

I met Spike's eyes with fresh boldness. "Lucky for me to have a seasoned expert like you guiding this lost alien then!" I reached to bump our offered fist. "Alright bud, I'll follow your friendship insights to keep me chill."

Spike smirked approvingly. "Now you're getting it!"

A pity Spike had never gone to that school, or any other that was made for ponies.

Author's Note

Seems ponies around here are eager to thrust me into productive things in this world. Dang ponies...

Join the special community of folks who like my stories and/or get your own here at atreon!

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16 - Signing Up

As it turned out, Spike had spoken out of place. I woke up to find a paper resting on my side. I rolled to my hooves and turned to look at it.

Hello David,

You're an adult, so I figured I'd just tell you. Stop by the school when you can during the day to finish signing up. It is then that you can also schedule which classes you are taking at what time. I hope you can fit things into your schedule.

I admit, working for a world you'll never see is a curious thing, but I can understand not wanting to abandon your family, even a world away. You're a good pony for that, better than many. I don't think everypony else would arrive at the same conclusion.

Wishing You Well,
Twilight Sparkle.

PS: Got called away on an urgent request. You're on your own for breakfast. There are supplies in the kitchen.

I looked up from the paper and trotted out... to the door. It took a moment to get that open. Outside, there was no Spike. It was an empty library, with only me in it. "Hm..." Back home, such a day of isolation was a welcome bit of a break. It was time to work on my various words without being interrupted constantly with needs and motions that made my failing body scream with every motion.

In that library, I found myself more wishing for company. I liked Twilight, and Spike. Their voices hadn't become attached with a demand. They talked because they wanted to hear what I said in return.

My eyes stung.

Oh, I was starting to cry.

Right... It just wasn't terribly fun to think of interactions with your mom that way. I didn't want it to be that way, but it had been. Her voice meant a demand. It was so rarely without one. I even made bets with myself on the odds that it'd be a request. I so very rarely lost that wager.

And I hated being the winner of that gamble...

With a sigh, I shook myself out. I wasn't home. She wasn't there. I lived with Twilight and Spike and both seemed to care about me a lot. A little smile emerged as I wandered into the kitchen and began nosing around for food.

Nothing was prepared, but there were plenty of ingredients. I decided to cook the Bachelor way. Take thing, apply heat, wait, eat, yum!

With a plate of roasted hay and veggies, I chewed with a pleased smile. It was better than I would have guessed. Pony food was pretty good to pony tongues. I wouldn't starve.

Still chewing, I placed my hooves on the keyboard. I had words to write. I checked the calender. Oh, no games to run, just words to write. So I wrote them swiftly out. Would they get better for having first-hand...hoof? experience with ponies? Maybe. I could hope. Did their opinions even matter?

I suppose they did, as I had to keep the bills paid for mom until that was done.

That reminded me. Since I seemed to have control of my computer, or at least an interface much like it, I pulled up my phone control and checked my text messages.

Wow.

Wow....

Mom had sent quite a few, looking for me. At first, annoyed demands, but turning into more worried prods and pokes. I hadn't replied. I was gone.

I should reply, right? Yeah... I jammed out a quick message.

Hey Mom. I'm not there, and I won't be there, but I'm okay! I'll keep paying my share of the mortgage. I'm okay. I will not be returning home.

I pressed send, then removed my hooves from the keyboard. That was enough earth for one day.

I had other things to do! I headed for the door and stepped out. I would have locked it, but Twilight had not given me a key. Did ponies lock their doors? I couldn't do anything about it, so I tossed the thought aside. With my saddlebags full of the things I'd gone to shop with Applejack for, I turned until I saw the school, wedged in the hillside, jewel encrusted, and headed towards it through the town.

I made my way up the winding path leading towards the Friendship Academy, taking in the sights of the magnificent crystal entrance embedded in the hillside. Other young ponies and creatures mingled and chatted amongst the ornamental gardens surrounding the entrance, likely fellow students enjoying some fresh air between classes.

A few shot me curious glances, no doubt noticing the unfamiliar face passing by. I felt suddenly self-conscious, realizing I still had no idea what enrollment procedures were like here or what would be expected of me. Would they judge a random new pony trying to join mid-term?

Swallowing my nerves, I pushed through the ornate double doors hoping I looked more confident than I felt. The interior opened up into a grand lobby with hallways branching off it to further wings of the building. Young ponies strode about with books and supplies, filling the space with lively energy.

Nearby, a pink coated earth pony with a blond mane and freckles sat behind a large desk, cheerfully sorting papers. She seemed a good bet for a guide. I headed over, clearing my throat awkwardly to get her attention when I arrived at the desk side and realized I had no clue how to gracefully ask for directions.

"Um, hello!" I started in what I hoped was a friendly tone. "I'm new around here and Princess Twilight said I should, uh, sign up for some... friendship classes?" I trailed off lamely, feeling my ears heat with sudden embarrassment. Maybe I should have planned an introduction...

The pink secretary pony turned from her paperwork and met my stumbling query with a huge, welcoming smile!

"Why, of course, new student! Professor Twilight mentioned we should expect you." She stuck out a hoof eagerly over the tabletop. "I'm Dawn, one of the school office team and happy to get you started! First, let me just say welcome..."

I shook Dawn's offered hoof, relief washing over me at her warm greeting as she babbled on about signup procedures with continued pep. So far, so welcoming! With ponies like her guiding me, perhaps I could make a smooth enough transition into school life after all.

Though part of me wonders, who was Dawn? She wasn't one of Twilight's friends. Had all the teachers been scrambled in that Equestria? "I was hoping to make a schedule around other things I have planned. Is that alright?"

She inclined her head. "Well, when are these other things?"

Shoot! A fine question! I frowned, thinking back to the times I had seen, and the times it seemed to be in Equestria. Equestria seemed to be at about Eastern Standard Time, a few hours off from where I'd been back on Earth... but that actually worked in my favor. "Actually... I only need a few days worked around." The others were so late, later afternoon, they wouldn't bother with school.

"But, and this is going to sound stupid... But what are the days of the week around here?"

Dawn blinked in surprise at my question before giving an understanding laugh. "Oh that's quite alright! I can only imagine how many differences there must be between worlds. Let me explain..."

She slid a calendar chart over, tapping various squares. "We follow standard decimal timekeeping just like your 24 hour day, but our weekly cycles are eight days currently. They used to be ten days about a century back until revised for simplicity."

She indicated each column. "So the days progress Sunrise, Garden, Festival, Study, Harbor, Market, Performance, and Restday before repeating." She looked back up with a smile. "We set our class schedules using those as reference points. Does aligning your prior commitments around that make sense?"

I examined the new weekly layout with interest, mouthing the uniquely pony day names to memorize them better. An eight day week would take some realigning for my inner clock indeed! But the whimsical titles felt comforting in their familiarity - trusts these names captured the rhythms of idealized village living at heart.

"I think I've got it, thanks Dawn!" I said, pointing to a few work blocks that seemed safest to schedule around without risking magical disconnects mid-session. "If you could schedule classes avoiding these windows, I'll manage the rest."

"Excellent!" She eagerly noted down the openings I indicated. "We'll find some nice sections for you in no time..."

She paused as she worked. "Wait... Why are yours in... Oh. Your hometown used seven day weeks? Interesting." She did her best to work around that. "First day here and already giving me plenty to do. We're going to love you, David."

I smiled awkwardly. "I hope that's not sarcastic."

"No! No... If you want sarcasm, look for Gallus, or Smolder. Those two... Um... Not that I'm bad talking them. They're lovely creatures! Are you scared of not-ponies?"

"No way." I looked around for more creatures amidst the pony-dominated hallway. "I'd love to meet them, later. Today, we're scheduling."

"That we are," she sang, sliding a paper towards me. "Your schedule for this month. Now, since you've made this tricky, remember to stop by once a moon for a new schedule. Oh, or I could give it to Professor Twilight? She stops by at least once a moon, often more often."

I examined the schedule Dawn provided, smiling to see she had managed to smoothly work my outside obligations into the mix across a nice spread of classes. Ancient Runes & Languages, Cross-Cultural Customs, even Mythic Creatures Biology...it made for an intriguing academic blend with time still reserved for my remote writing work.

"This looks perfect, thanks so much Dawn!" I said sincerely, truly impressed by how handily she had pieced together a curriculum catered to my unique needs on such short notice. Perhaps the administrators here were used to out-of-the-box enrollment cases.

I noticed an open Empathy & Emotions seminar still had space mid-week. On impulse I decided to add it - Starswirl knew I could use all the insight I could get into the psychological intricacies connecting creatures here. Getting schooled on pony feelings might provide clarity to ease my own lingering inner knots too.

"Let me get you the reading lists for these..." Dawn slid an intimidatingly tall stack of books from under the desk with an energetic wing flap, the miniature tower nearly toppling twice before she secured it in her telekinetic hold. "Just some light background for your first classes," she assured with a cheery wink.

Stumbling only slightly under my suddenly cumbersome laden saddlebags, I had to laugh. Apparently studying friendship was serious business even in whimsical Equestria! But with guides as openly upbeat as Dawn facilitating things, I felt any academic or social hurdles couldn't overwhelm me too badly. This was already shaping up far less stressful than anticipated!

"One question." I shuffled in place, getting comfortable with the great load of textbooks. "I don't even know if this is a known 'thing' in Equestria, but I have autism." She stared at me blankly. "It means I'm a bit awkward. My reactions aren't quite right, and I don't pick up on the same social cues. It's not because I'm angry, or don't like people. I do! I just suck at... expressing that, and understanding what other people are tossing back at me sometimes."

Dawn burst into merry laughter. "Well! Then you're coming to the right place. Helping all creatures, ponies included, deal with friendship problems is exactly what you're here for." She pointed at my schedule. "And you just took the right class. Just be honest, with yourself and with us, and we'll be a helping hoof forward to a better you."

I wandered out of the school with a silly smile. They were just... accepting me. It was--

"--Hey," called a voice behind me. "New?"

Author's Note

Who that? It could be near anyone! Well, except Twilight. That'd be odd.

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17 - Smile and Wave

I turned, hoof raising in an idle wave. "Hi?" Smile and wave. That was a shortcut I had learned long ago to avoid trouble. Smile. And wave.

"Hey." A griffon was standing there, looking me over. "I said, are you new? Don't recognize you."

An actual griffon. Gallus? Realistic Gallus looked different, but kinda awesome.

"Why are you staring at me. Cat got your tongue?" He smirked at that. "Not giving it back."

I decided that was probably Gallus. "Nice to meet you."

"Is it?" He shrugged and started towards me. "Just another pony from here... You picked up a lot of books, you a nerd?"

I started, but my expression was flat despite my internal surprise. "Yes." Why argue that? "Gallus, right?"

"How do you know that?" He's on me in a flash, poking at my chest. "Who told you?!"

Crud, how did I tell him that I knew him from a cartoon show? "That's a yes." Operation, change the topic. "I'm David."

I extended a hoof, willing to overlook brusqueness for what lay below. "Nice to officially meet another student around here. How about a proper intro?"

Gallus eyed my offered hoof warily before his beak finally quirked with a wry chuckle. "Heh, you got guts, pony boy, I'll give ya that much." He clasped my hoof - firmly but no longer confrontational. "Name's Gallus. Griffon, obviously. Don't take claws personally though - gotta be sure you're not just more deadweight 'round here."

He tilted his head with a trace of actual curiosity now mixing with lingering sarcasm. "So whatcha about then? You some 1st Generation prodigy on soul-seeking vision quest or just looking to cozy up and snag an easy diploma?"

I had to bite my tongue to avoid another presumptive character slip. Griffon friendships clearly operated on different wavelengths - but having an insider ally could prove invaluable navigating school dynamics. And beneath the bluster, something about Gallus' loner loyalty called - perhaps we misfits might teach other a thing or two after all...

"Let's just say I never claimed friends easily anywhere," I answered carefully but sincerely, hoping candor might continue bridging divides where assumptions still lingered. "But fresh starts and all that." I reached for his clawed hand. "Claws don't bother me."

Gallus seemed surprised at that. "Yeah? Most ponies don't want to be... What are you doing?"

I was examining his hand and those sharp claws. Each talon had a pattern I was hoping they'd have, and the claws were sharp enough to pierce if one pressed. Fortunately, hooves were tough, and I was careful, which let me examine without an issue. "A real griffon," I spoke quietly.

Not quietly enough. "Am I the first you saw?" He yanked his hand back. "Cut that out! I bet Ocellus would get a real kick out of you."

Visions of the changeling, Ocellus, danced in my mind. "I'd love to meet her, um... tomorrow? I don't have any classes today."

"Suit yourself." He shrugged expansively. "See you later then, newbie. Don't go grabbing griffons by their claws though. They won't all take it so nicely."

I watched Gallus stride off down the hall, doing a poor job suppressing a satisfied smirk at having apparently impressed the prickly griffon by meeting his confrontational probes head-on. Seems even in a curriculum dedicated to harmony, the social dynamics of youth couldn't be magically waived.

Still, I had to admire his blunt sincerity cutting through the usual game faces and small talk - aggravating as the posturing could feel, it spoke of someone unwilling to exchange vulnerablity for superficial status. A rare quality in the cliquish halls of adolescent politicking...even if it did threaten to leave him isolated.

I hoped our testy exchange might plant seeds of comeraderie to help offset loner tendencies - having an ally who watched one's back held undeniable appeal, especially entering unfamiliar waters. Of course befriending the resident rebel risked catching some flack by association...

...but since when had I cared overmuch for peer approval anyway? I never shied from questioning orthodoxies - and the School of Friendship was nothing if not progressive in principles. Such stances surely allowed space to nurture candid spirits rather than demand mass conformity of thought and personality?

With building excitement I consulted my schedule again, satisfied to already feel less adrift in uncertain social currents. Even prickly people had potential for connection if you weathered deflections with empathy first. And Equestria had felt ripe for bonding ever since I set hoof inside its whimsical borders.

"Tomorrow though," I mused eagerly as I traced the lines marking my first class bright and early. Plenty awaited before speculating further on the curious changeling or glowering griffon's overtures of friendship...odd bundles as such marvelous gifts may appear on first glance!

I returned to the library. The door still wasn't locked and the inside was darkened with only a single light in the kitchen offering any hint of where to step.

I made my way to my room and touched the light there, causing it to flare to life. "Better." I looked around the empty library from the door to my room. "And... alone." On one hoof, good. On the other...

Part of me wanted to...

I didn't know what I wanted. Go meet a pony? What would I say? Why would they want to talk to me?

But that wasn't earth. I reminded myself of this fact. If I just... talked... They would probably say hello back.

Maybe a friendship? Maybe...

I was a gangly teen. Actually, I had no idea if I was gangly or whatever else. I had no concept on what the normal pony physique was and where the dividing lines were.

Rarity. She'd know.

Wandering back outside with only lingering hesitancy, I struck out towards the most likely source of stylish insights to help this newly minted colt put his best hoof forward, both externally and socially.

The cozy Carousel Boutique soon came into view, its namesake sign cheerily beckoning. Within lay my target - an elegant mare well versed in aesthetics and no doubt arched eyebrows of good taste to go with. But also one displaying depths of empathy and village wisdom far beyond fussy fashionista impressions.

Drawing a steadying breath, I pushed through the door unannounced, sending the cheerful overhead bell tinkling brightly. "Good afternoon, Rarity!" I called towards the back workshop. "I was hoping you could provide some...cultural feedback. I want to make sure I'm presenting properly to meet new ponies but still have so much to learn about, well, me." I coughed awkwardly under her surprised gaze swiveling my way.

"So...what do you see?" I added simply, turning slowly so she could take in my full form. "Any glaring flaws beyond the obvious alien anatomy?" I chuckled but couldn't fully hide lingering self-consciousness with looks and berry-sweet charms suddenly feeling pivotal cargo for this collaborative crafting journey ahead...

Rarity peeked out from the back, looking me over with a hum. "Hello, dear... I don't think we have an appointment, but clearly you have need of my services." She stepped into the front room in no hurry. "Alien anatomy? Perhaps to you, dear, but you appear to be a strapping young colt, soon to be stallion, from where I'm standing, darling."

I smiled at the already helpful information. I felt like I was smiling on the inside, but it didn't all make it out. "Really?"

"Really." Rarity nodded solemnly. "I don't fib about appearances, dear. A bad practice in this business."

I raised a brow at that. "I've worked in sales long enough to know a little fib closes a sale."

"Well... point." she laughed nervously. "But let's put that aside. Now, what is it your little heart desires?" She circles around me, looking me over. "Are you wanting to look your best at school? They don't have a dress code, something I've bothered their dean about for some time now..."

I had to chuckle at Rarity's evident priorities ranking proper presentation over curriculum concerns when it came to administrating an avant garde academy. But such steadfast standards spoke to her drive towards excellence in all pursuits.

"Well, nothing so formal as uniforms on the agenda today," I reassured with an easy grin, already feeling tensions unwinding in her bubbly presence. "Really I'm just hoping to get the info on making sure I put my best hoof forward for mingling in this brave new pony society."

I rubbed my neck self-consciously with a hoof. "I know back home first impressions and looking sharp went a long way towards good relations. Is it the same here? I don't wish to commit some foalish faux pas without even knowing. That gives off the wrong signal."

I met Rarity's eyes hesitantly. "I know there's far more to respect than appearances alone...but they... I don't know," I amended, uncertainty mixing with hope of guidance. "I only want to show Equestria my best self in what ways I'm able while learning the rest. Does that make sense?"

Rarity rested a hoof on my shoulder. "Darling, worrying about appearances is hardly foalish. Why, paying attention to how you present yourself shows admirable consideration towards the company being kept."

She gently turned me towards a mirror, letting me view myself fully while she subtly shifted my posture with minute touches. "See here? Simply standing a bit taller with ears pricked already enhances your image quite nicely. Confidence begets confidence after all..."

I followed her lead straightening slightly, surprised by the noticeable difference in bearing. Just that subtle change erased any lingering gangliness into fineness. Rarity nodded approving approval.

"There! Now that's a gentlecolt ready to make acquaintances." She smirked impishly. "Why, I'd gladly be seen strolling about town with such an eligible well-turned out escort." My cheeks heated slightly even as I barked an embarrassed laugh. Trust teacher Rarity to pierce through both armor and airs at once!

She turned me around for the door. "And now, you go to school. You go and knock them out, dear. Leave them dazzled!" She clopped her hooves together. "I look forward to their jovial report."

I could read between the lines a bit. Rarity had things to do, and I wasn't a customer. I couldn't think of something to buy. I was still a simple person of clothing. "Thank you, really." I trotted out of the store with Rarity's farewell drifting behind me. "That felt worth it," I told myself, beatboxing a random song as I made my way down the street.

I didn't expect another pony to join the beatboxing, even less for them to follow the song as if they knew it. The odds of them actually knowing a human song felt low... "Hi?"

"Hiya." The little colt, smaller than me be a few multipliers, grinned with his beanie's fan twirling on his head. "You a fan of Ultimate Lore 4?!"

It had a different name on Earth... "I heard the song and I love it."

"Cool." He bounced about my even as I walked. "I'm Button Mash. Nice to meetcha! I heard about your party, but I wasn't invited, boo."

I inclined my head faintly. "Bad on Pinkie. We can meet now."

"Sure can! What's your name?" He thrust a hoof at me.

I met it with my own, larger, one. The two met with a hollow clop. "David. Nice to meet you, Button."

"So, like videogames?" He leaned forward at me. "Most foals your age are too busy chasing mares. Ew. I don't even gat it." He squinted at me. "Is that where you're headed?"

The child only amused me. Sitting down to play videogames sounded tempting... But going to another world just to play videgames, again felt... "I shouldn't. I have school tomorrow."

Button flashed an even larger grin. "That sounded like you want to! I'll find you when you don't have school, okay?!" He didn't even wait for a reply, bounding off with a triumphant laugh.

If nothing else, I had made that colt's day.

Author's Note

Rarity and Button Mash. Let's continue this bingo set of ponies, though we met Rarity before. She's worth meeting twice.

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18 - First Day

I glanced at the calender, caught up on the words I was due, and did a few extra, so there.

Then... I realized I was still behind on how Equestrian calenders worked.

An idea came to me. I moused over to the calender. "You are what I think you should be, I think... You're Equestrian magic, soo..." I right clicked it. Yep, an option I hadn't seen before. I switched it from Earth Time to Equestrian time. Pow, there, it showed what day it was and everything.

"Thank you, Twilight." She wasn't there. I was just talking to myself, alone, in my room. That wasn't a new thing. The day revealed... I had class! I wasn't late, but I wanted to be early, I had to move.

I pulled my hooves free of the keyboard and nudged it under my bed where it could wait for me. With an adventurous game tune on my lips, I got what I'd need for that day, leaving the other books behind. That left me fairly unburdened as I trotted from the room.

I hadn't eaten. I just realized that. "I won't die." I huffed, pushing forward towards the school.

I hurried along the garden-lined path towards the crystalline towers of the School of Friendship, eager to make a good first impression arriving early on my inaugural day of classes. The spires almost seemed to shimmer brighter under the golden morning sunlight as I approached.

Checking my schedule one last time, I saw my first seminar for the day was to be "Empathy and Emotions" with Professor Gentle Heart. I wondered idly if that meant we had a literal care bear on staff as I trotted through the ornate archway into the vaulted main hall.

Not that I'd mind a care bear. They'd be adorable, but maybe out of place for Equestria? A little... Less than I was, thinking it over.

Other early bird students milled about, chatting amiably amongst themselves or looking over notes. I felt suddenly self-conscious realizing I hadn't prepared at all not knowing what to expect. A pencil and a notebook would have to suffice. They wouldn't expect more, I hoped.

Glancing around, a kindly older mare with a salt and pepper mane called for everycreature's attention from near the lecture hall entrance. I gravitated that direction along with the rest of the foals and took what I hoped was an inconspicuous seat near the front.

The mare smiled warmly as we settled in. "Good morning everypony! I'm Professor Gentle Heart and so pleased to see you all here bright-eyed and bushy-tailed to explore pony emotions today." A few polite greetings echoed in response.

"Now then, let's start by going over the foundations of sentiment and how our feelings form. Readiness to engage?" A small glow lit Gentle Heart's horn levitating a piece of chalk to begin illustrating concepts across the blackboard.

I diligently took notes, but despite the early hour felt my own sentiments drifting elsewhere. Schoolwork felt trivial set against interpersonal hurdles still lingering outside these comforting walls where judgements stood readier to emerge...

This was on top of the fact that I hated writing. Not the act of making up words. I loved writing. I hated writing. The physical act of writing could jump in a lake and drown. Alas, ponies were not known for using keyboards at school, and I didn't bring mine, and I couldn't use that and also pay attention to the teacher, so--

A light tap at my shoulder interrupted my brooding. I looked up into a pair of vibrant fuschia eyes set in a minty face. My head jerked slightly in surprise. I had to focus - my notes were suffering. Still, making local friends felt important too, however casually such connections sparked.

The mare giggled, resuming her own notes. "She will ask questions of ponies not paying attention," she warned. "Just so you know. Nice to meet you." She was speaking quietly, her notes unbothered by her efforts.

"David." Wait, she hadn't said her names. "You?"

"Grass Hill." She turned her notebook to the next page with a brush of a hoof. "Let's focus."

"We have a new student." Gentle Heart was looking right at me. "Please stand and come to the front, dear. We'd all love to get to know you."

Wow, that... I hadn't been to school for longer than I had been in school. Old feelings surface, but I did stand and hurry to her side. I turned to face the class. I wasn't afraid of a crowd. I didn't know how to make friends with them all in any deep way, but just talking? Easy. "Hello, I'm David. David Silver, but David's fine. It's really nice to be here."

I smiled out at the class, hoping my introduction hadn't come across too stilted. Public speaking would never be my strongest suit, but the curious eyes peering back seemed more intrigued than judgmental.

Professor Gentle Heart gave me an approving pat on the withers. "Excellent! We all know introductions can be intimidating, but you handled it wonderfully." A few friendly murmurs echoed agreement making me relax slightly.

"Now David, would you feel comfortable elaborating a teensy bit on where you're visiting from?" the professor prodded gently. "We always delight hearing perspectives from beyond Equestria's borders."

I shifted awkwardly, the simple request sending my thoughts momentarily scattering. Gathering composure, I focused back on Gentle Heart's kindly face. This was hardly an inquisition.

"Ah well, I guess I should clarify I'm actually attending classes now, not just visiting," I managed. "But before that, I was from...well, the human world originally."

I paused, wondering if that revelation would be met with disbelief or laughter at such an outlandish claim. But the class remained attentively silent, a few eyes widening with interest. Buoyed by the lack of mockery, I pressed on.

"It's been quite an adjustment waking up suddenly a pony one morning out of the blue. But everycreature has been really welcoming so far about the whole thing." I finished with a self-conscious chuckle, rubbing my neck. "So yeah, here I am!"

Gentle Heart smiled warmly. "A visitor from the mythic human realm now embraced as one of us - how marvelous!" A smatter of impressed murmurs rippled through the foals. My cheeks heated a bit at the unexpected praise. She reached over and patted my shoulder gently. "I thought Professor Twilight was pulling our tails with those stories. You look like a pony to me, I confess..."

Oops, I had just said a lot of things maybe I shouldn't have? "You'd have to ask Twilight for the specifics of how that works." With warm cheeks, I returned to my seat as the class continued.

The class was called Empathy and Emotions, and they were going over how to read faces and body language and it was... amazing. Ponies had a lot of expressive points. Not that humans didn't, but ponies had different ones. The lay of ears, the movement of a tail. Even combinations of them spoke of different emotions and meanings, combined with all the words of English to create a dizzying array of potential meanings.

What dictionary of emotions was playing out of me?

Probably not many. I was still the same, mentally, which meant, I figured, I was broadcasting mutely and likely the wrong thing half the time. Becoming a pony didn't suddenly take away my autism. I'd have to learn to work around that. Human or pony... That was why I picked the class.

I couldn't help a rueful smile glancing down at my own neutral posture giving little indication of my racing thoughts. Years conditioned to keep vulnerabilities veiled clearly left me sending flat signals unlikely to inspire companionship's deeper bonds.

But sensing truth through silence proved a talent distinct from emoting oneself for all to easily see. And Celestia knew suppressing outward display came natural as breath by now. I fancied the thought that maybe the ponies would drag me free of my shell. I wouldn't mind... willing victim, right here.

For once social directness stood the cultural norm rather than awkward anomaly. What a hilarious upending of maladapted mores to find acceptance by exposing rather than hiding rare wiring of the mind! I had to chuckle at how perfectly absurd this classroom promised revelations my human therapists never managed to uncover regarding the odd eggs that were autistics. Truly I had found asylum in the most unbelievingly congruous sanctuary of all - chock full of guilelessly friendly equines.

My neighboring student raised her hoof. "Teacher."

"Hm?" Gentle Hearts smiled so kindly. "Did you have a question?"

"Sort of." She points directly at me. "I think I noticed something."

Gentle Hearts puts her hooves together, seated behind her desk. "You've put David on the spot. You can see him tensing." She was giving the rundown of the emotions she could see. "And now he's even more nervous. What did you see about David?"

The student made an embarrassed noise of her own, ears swiveling backwards. She felt bad about calling me out? Good. No... She didn't mean harm. There was no reason to be mad at the ponies. "He's having a hard time, ma'am."

More eyes were on me. They were all looking at me. That wasn't the bad part. A hard time? "It's my first day."

"It is that." Gentle Hearts pushed to her hooves. "But I think Grass Hill is onto something. If you would, see the guidance counselor after class. She may be able to help. Now, as I was saying..." Gentle went right back to her sermon as if nothing had happened.

I blinked in surprise as Gentle Heart seamlessly resumed her lecture without further comment after Grass Hill's blunt observation and referral suggestion. A few foals continued peering my way curiously before likewise reengaging with the lesson.

I breathed a muted sigh of relief at the lack of any rising confrontational air - just acknowledgment then graceful continuation. Clearly accentuating struggles garnered caring identification not stigma in that school.

Still, being so transparently read stirred disquieting vulnerability I had not anticipated facing so immediately. Seeking clinical guidance implied deficiencies needing corrections - and I felt a strange... joy. The ponies were looking at me and seeing. I felt seen. It was rare I could use that saying.

What human therapists too often misspoke as obstacle, equine empathy recast as opportunity waiting patient embrace. With cautious hope buoying nerves, I committed to hear out whatever peer insights this counselor might uncover that I alone could not parse from my distinctive vantage. Insights revealed not through cold analysis, but the gift of stepping into another's frame of reference to help expand their solo lines of sight...the very magic of friendship manifest.

Perhaps even emotional lexicons foreign at first glance might speak cherished wisdom to patient hearts yearning connection across divides only surface-deep. If openly walking Equestria's lands could heal bodily divides, so too might honestly engaging its denizens' care dissolve distorted self-perceptions still clinging to my uneasy transition in ways no medicine could fully mend.

I would listen and carry onward.

The class was over. I folded shut my notepad with its messy scribbles. "Ma'am?" Gentle Heart looked over. "Which way is that counselor?"

"Just that way." She pointed. "Down the hall, third down on the left. Tell them I sent you, and you have a wonderful day. Thank you for coming."

With a direction secured, I turned to head that way. I was going to be diagnosed, or helped? Maybe both? Having a pony mental expert felt extremely silly, but also exciting in good ways. I wanted to meet this pony and talk to them.

Would they understand the workings of a broken human mind? Could they repair it? I felt powerless to guess, but equally ready to find out. The door had writing on its covered glass. Starlight Glimmer.

Right. She had been the counselor before... Why not there?

Author's Note

I have now had more years of life out of school than in it. Welcome back!

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19 - Welcome

0"Come in," called a somewhat familiar voice.

I got the door open on the first try. I sang out the electronic beeps of a victory fanfare as I stepped inside.

A mare was there, smiling at me. "Hello there," she greeted. "What brings you here? Close the door, no need to share your business."

I closed that door and kept turning back to Starlight. "Nice to meet you, Star."

Starlight inclined her head. "Did somepony else give away my name? Curse them." She snickered as she waved to an open chair across from her. "Who do I have the pleasure of talking to? New student?"

"Yes." I took the offered seat, even if I fidgeted in it. Given the option, satanding was fine while talking. I didn't bring that up. "Gentle Heart said I should come here."

As if timed, a letter popped into being. "I'm going to bed." She grabbed it with her magic and read over it with quick sweeps of her eyes. "Yep, and... Looks like you were looking uncomfortable." She put the letter down, hooves together. "We can't have that. What's wrong? You can be honest with me. I'm here to help, promise."

It was Starlight. The Starlight Glimmer. I wasn't big on stars, human ones. She wasn't a human one. She wasn't some voice actor that got paid to say Starlight's lines. It was the Starlight, in the pony flesh. A thousand thoughts ran through my mind, but no words came out. It was the first time I felt star struck, and I wasn't sure what to do about it.

"Are you alright?" She reached, placing a hoof on one of mine.

I jerked my hoof back, feeling awful a moment later. "Sorry. You, sorry. That was me. I shouldn't do that." Freaking out at such mild touch? Some adult... "It was my first day of class."

"Congratulations." Starlight clapped gently. "First day of any class, or just class here?"

"Here." I had more words, but they didn't come out.

"I... would like to cast a spell on you." She leaned forward with a smirk. "But the dean made me promise to never cast it, so... I won't cast it unless you first let me, then promise never to tell them. How's that sound?"

I hesitated, surprised by Starlight's abrupt suggestion to secretly cast an undisclosed spell on me. As eager as I was to witness more real magic, the unexplained nature of this proposal stirred unease. Still, Starlight had proven herself reformed from past missteps - perhaps this spell acted akin to a magical counseling aid? Curiosity warred with caution in my unsettled mind.

"I, uh...before agreeing, could I ask what exactly this spell does?" I ventured carefully. "Not that I assume anything untoward!" I added hastily, seeing her start. "It's just, you know, informed consent and all..."

I gave a feeble chuckle. Seeing Starlight's inquisitive gaze, I blew out a short breath and tried a different tack. "I really do appreciate you offering to use your magic to help me somehow. Magic still blows my mind after the world I knew." I met her eyes. "I'd just like to better understand what I'm getting into."

I attempted a comforting smile, hoping I hadn't offended her sincerity. Starlight possessed enviable abilities, true, but ethical questions lingered on misapplying such gifts without transparency. However anxiety stirred uncertainty in me, I desired building trust most.

Starlight perked right up. "World you knew? Oh! You're that thing Professor Twilight mentioned." She clapped her hooves with a bright smile. "She said she returned with a living creature. Look at you." She scanned over my body with her eyes. "What were you to start?"

I felt more relaxed as she became the fangirl in the situation. "Bipedal simian, now quadraped equine." I waved a hoof at her. "And okay with that. Was middle aged, now not even fully an adult."

Starlight blinked at that second part. "Really?! Wow." She turned a hoof on herself. "Almost that old myself. Almost." She glared with a friendly smirk. "If you ask me how old I am exactly, I will turn your organs inside out."

Part of me felt she might do that if angered enough. I didn't plan on doing that. "I'm 43 earth years, which means nothing around here."

"Yep... No way to know if your years and our years are even kinda close." She shrugged at that. "But you are talking now, so maybe no spells are needed. Wonderful! Now... Let's meet."

I chuckled along with Starlight's playful organ-inversion threat, the humor putting me further at ease. Still, her casual interest in my unique situation pleasantly surprised me. I had half expected disbelief or dismissiveness regarding my improbable interdimensional metamorphosis.

"Yeah, from middle-aged human to teenage pony overnight does take some mental rewiring," I acknowledged with a self-conscious hoof rub to my neck. "Like you noticed though, I'm getting more used to things bit by bit. Ponies are quite welcoming overall, really."

I cleared my throat, realizing we had rather skipped formalities in our curiosity. "But I should actually introduce myself properly. I'm David. Recent transplant here from, well, Earth we call it." I extended a hoof her way.

Starlight took my hoof and gave it a firm pump and release. "Well, David was it?" She waited for my nodding confirmation. "I'm the pony that brought a whole village back in time to try to force them not to change cutie marks. Mockery is something I'm not unfamiliar with."

She smirked at that. "I learned better. Changed my whole world, really." She rested back in her seat, looking me over appraisingly. "So, you have two choices I can see." She lifted a hoof, counting off points. "One, awkardly try to force who you were to fit who you are now." A second hoof went up. "Two, embrace who you are now, without limitations your old form had."

I colored at that. One problem I had, I imagined things. They were good things, and bad things. Looking at Starlight, a thousand potential options came and left. Lewd things, violent things, and just strange things. The same imagination that let me write stories also played out in my mind, and my mind had all my sensations in it.

"Well... I am a pony now. I'm okay with that... That's the first step, right?" I casually didn't mention the many improper thoughts.

Starlight nodded approvingly. "That's right, realizing you're okay with your new form is key! Much better mindset for tackling all the changes when you fully embrace it rather than wrestle."

Her expression turned thoughtful. "Which isn't to say it's effortless adjusting to a quadrupedal body of course. Even the simplest muscle memory actions must be re-choreographed after bipedal starts." She gave a playful wiggle attempting to scratch under her own chin with a hind hoof. "Why, something as normal as casual touch could be disorienting with mismatched intimacy scripts!"

My face heated slightly at how swiftly she had pinpointed one subtle area of uneasy transition. But that one was my fault. "I have intimacy issues... I never had a girlfriend, boyfriend, or any other romantic partner." I rubbed nervously along one arm with the opposing hoof. "Sorry." Was it her fault? No, but I felt bad.

Starlight waved a hoof dismissively. "No apologies needed - navigating intimate connections can be complicated territory regardless of backgrounds or burdens." She tilted her head consideringly. "Although, if you've never had relationships before, suddenly becoming a different species with very tactile physical modes of interaction could stir up extra vulnerability..."

Starlight smiled compassionately. "Well, just know there's no shame if it catches you unexpectedly off-guard. Pony contact habits can overwhelm those more used to personal space bubbles." Her expression grew impish. "Why, I still sometimes get self-conscious when Pinkie Pie goes full snuggle mode out of nowhere!"

I had to chuckle, envisioning the effusive pony glomming onto a stiffly tolerant Starlight. Just imagining that vibrant mare could lighten moods. Part of me wondered if I should look for Pinkie and see if...

"Thanks for the reassuring perspective," I acknowledged sincerely. "You definitely peg how suddenly being a snuggly race can stir mixed signals for me, not raised that way." I lifted a hoof in twitchy evidence. "Probably part of why everything feels so emotionally turned on its head, really..." I coughed, feeling unexpectedly lighter having voiced those vulnerable hindrances hampering things.

Starlight smiled warmly back. "Indeed they do. And remember, you've already shown more openness to change in a day than some do in a lifetime. That courage deserves applause regardless of any lingering bumps ahead." She mimed clapping proudly. "So kudos to you, good sir! That special spark will see you through, I have no doubt."

"So, about class." I smiled, brightly I thought, it probably wasn't much of a smile. "I'll admit it. I hate writing."

"Hm?" Starlight raised a brow. "Are you still learning your alphabet?"

That teen ponies could potentially have that problem felt amazing. "No. I love the idea of writing, but I hate holding a pencil and actually writing. Back home, I could write without it, and I did, a lot. I'm a writer even, as a job, back home."

Starlight tapped her chin thoughtfully. "A writer who hates the physical act of writing by hoof - that does present an intriguing conundrum. Yet clearly the creative passion remains strong if you pursued publishing."

She brightened, sitting up. "Well, there may be solutions if we get imaginative. For one - dictation spells!" She lit her horn, swirling magical energies gathering as she gestured dramatically towards a quill waiting on her desk. It promptly sprang upright, hovering expectantly.

"Behold! Now you can simply speak your compositions aloud while magic captures your words in written form." The quill danced an eager jig as Starlight withdrew her glow with a satisfied nod. "Admittedly such enchantments only create rough drafts, but having me, Twilight, or another skilled unicorn proofread and polish things up afterward is certainly doable."

That was... very neat, but there was an obvious problem... "I can't talk in the middle of class. I'd annoy everyone around me, and the teacher."

"True," Starlight admitted, waving the magic away. "A quick fix isn't going to do this... Hm. Well, what did your creatures back home use? Maybe we have something like it?"

I doubted that, but tried. "Like a typewriter?"

Starlight jerked at that. "Really? Wow. Those are expensive. Hmm... I'll... have to talk to the dean, but I'll try my best." She reached for me, just to hesitate. "Permission to touch?" When I nodded, she patted me on the shoulder. "Have faith, I'm on the case! go on home for now, if you're done with classes. I'll try to have an answer tomorrow."

I blinked in surprise as Starlight made her bold pledge, wondering if that dean would be willing to go so far just for me. Also who was that dean?

"I really appreciate you bringing up my situation to the higher-ups," I said earnestly, shoulder tingling slightly from her gentle contact. "I should have known Starlight would come through."

I returned her pat with an awkward but sincere one of my own. "And here I was just hoping for some counseling coping strategies or self-advocacy scripts, maybe." I gave a self-deprecating chuckle. "Should've known better than underestimating Starlight's creative problem-solving moxie."

I made my way over to the door, smile lingering. "Anyhow, I'm happy to leave you to pull your mentor magic leveraging whatever resources around here can adapt."

With a grateful swish of my tail, I pulled open her door with my teeth - still easier than manually. "Good luck with the Powers That Be! However it pans out." Humming softly to myself, I felt ready to patiently tackle more mundane matters back at the library while awaiting what news came the next day.

But, before that, I had to check in on the online world I hadn't given up on yet.

Author's Note

Accessibility! Students need such tools at times.

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20 - We're Home

I woke up early in the morning. That was the time I usually woke up, so that wasn't unusual. I slid from bed and shook out, taking a moment to be thankful that nothing hurt. My young body wanted to move, so I obliged it, trotting to the door of my room and opening it with my hooves.

The library was brightly lit. Twilight and... Twilight mini were at the dining room table, chatting. I could smell and hear Spike working on breakfast.

"You're back?" I trotted free to join them. "Good to see you all."

Mini Twilight waved excitedly. "Hi! Dave! David! Oooo, it's been too long." She bounced up onto the table, just to pounce against me, hugging firmly.

I was surprised, but not displeased. My brain organized her into the bucket of eager child, and the only answer to eager children was to be nice, so I hugged her back as I sat down on my haunches. "Glad you're okay."

"I am!" she sang. "I have a new name, Twilight Twinkle. You can call me Twinkle." She pointed a hoof at Twilight. "She calls dibs on Twilight."

"It's true, I do." Twilight inclined her head at me curoiusly. "Did you join school while we were away?"

"Doubt it." Spike emerged with a platter of hash browns. "Bet he was using that keyboard the whole time."

I chuckled along with Twilight and Twinkle's cheerful banter, the easy camaraderie warming my heart after the solitary evening. Scooping up some crispy hashbrowns with my fork, I paused thoughtfully chewing over recent events along with the fluffy spuds.

Swallowing finally, I turned to Twilight with a small smile. "I did get signed up for some friendship classes actually thanks to our counselor Starlight's encouragement. First day went pretty well!"

My smile turned a touch wry. "She's already going to bat helping me negotiate accessibility barriers being handless in paperwork-heavy coursework contexts. So that's a load off while I explore if dictation spells could assist."

I took a sip of juice before continuing. "Oh, and I met a rather prickly griffon named Gallus who I suspect hides big heart behind his standoffishness. At least I hope so! Either way, classes seem engaging already even just sampling."

Turning curious eyes Twilight's way, I tilted my head inquisitively. "But enough about me for now - how did your big important out of town thing go? Was it a magical emergency or bureaucratic congress?"

But her tired smile radiated reassuring warmth. Crisis had come, but this alicorn thriving under pressure. "Oh, a touch of both emergencies and congress I suppose you could say! But all sorted now." She reached to pat my shoulder comfortingly. "And Ponyville continues bright as ever thanks to reliable friends. So no fretting required."

Twinkle glided over to perch across my back, tiny hooves scrunching my fur happily. "Yeah, new guy! I'm new too, in this world, but I know more than you." She gently bopped the tip of my ear. "Even fussy old Bell-Bore was impressed how fast the professor pacified things."

Twilight colored slightly. "Yes well, Starswirl can be particular in his procedures but means well underneath bluster..." She trailed off with a soft laugh directed my way. "Anyway, I'm just pleased to be back on home soil with my favorite creatures, however briefly." She lifted the glowing keyboard device with her magic. "Shall we see if your writing world remains intact after my hurried absence?"

I tensed. "When did you grab that? Wasn't it under my bed?"

Twilight inclined her head. "I just picked it up?"

Spike snorted amusedly. "Twilight, most creatures don't want you creeping up on them like that."

I colored faintly, not very visibly. Twilight sneaking up on me actually didn't even sound that bad... "I'm not mad... Just surprised, is all."

"Well, I can't resist this entirely." She tapped at the keyboard. "This is the only physical link to your world, you aside. And I can access the information in this a lot more easily than sitting you down for a few days asking questions."

I imagined how that would go... "Actually, since we're on the topic. I love friendship lessons. I still want pony lessons." I waved my hooves at Twilight a bit overdramatically. "How do I get a horn or wings? Teach me! Please."

Spike nudged Twilight with a claw. "You owe me."

Twilight sighed, surrendering a few bits into Spike's grasp.

Twilight gave a resigned yet excited little shake of her head, clearly equally eager to launch into magical mechanics lessons despite the playful grief over losing her apparent wager.

With an eager swish of her tail, lecture mode engaged. "Very well, first session on tapping Equestria's elemental forces is underway!" A floating chalkboard popped into being nearby as she pivoted seamlessly from casual conversation to scholarly pontification.

"Now as you likely know, all ponies harbor intrinsic earth energy as a baseline..." Diagrams sketched themselves out illustrating the interwoven aspects of reality itself according to pony paradigms. Twinkle made silly faces, gently poking fun at her sister's serious studiousness. But I listened raptly.

Even Spike seemed interested despite standing apart from the power sources described. And I felt old passions stir - perhaps awakening my abilities would flow easily immersed in such uplifting energies after so long squelched? The prospect of moving lives more meaningfully with magic left me grinning broadly.

Noticing my zeal, Twilight's eyes shone bright. "So tell me, my pupil - are you prepared to unlock forces that transcend mere utility and reshape our very reality through provocative new potentials?"

"Yes, um..." I tapped my hooves together. "This will sound silly... But I had a way of 'doing magic' as a little kid. It never did a lot... My world isn't very magical."

"It was not." Twilight inclined her head. "But, still, potentially useful. Why don't we start there? If you already have arcane methods worked out, let's see how good they are, in a more pliable environment? Go ahead and cast one of your human child spells. Nothing may happen, or something might, but watching you try could be useful."

Her horn glowed as she swept over me with fine lines. "Monitoring... started. Go ahead."

So I did, closing my eyes and imagining a little rock with a number, a small number. I put a little fire next to it, and a cloud, and some water. There, my elemental scores. I reached, mentally, for my spellbook. Wow, I hadn't used that in a while.

I always imagined I had a spellbook in my mind. Flipping it open with imagined fingers, there were countless spells, but most of them were blurred out. Mastery would reveal them. That was the rule I set for myself.

"Hm." Twilight made a note on a floating paper, not that I could see it.

I was an earth pony, so... I grabbed the rock bookmark and pulled it, revealing...

Spells. Actual spells. I could read them, clearly. I opened my eyes in surprise. "I could read them!" I felt silly even as I said it. They couldn't know what I was imagining.

Twilight's eyes widened in evident surprise as well, chalk clattering forgotten from her magical grip. She shared an astonished glance with Twinkle before refocusing intently on me.

"You...could actually visualize arcane writings appearing clearly?" She whispered almost reverently. Horn aglow, magical scans swept my form once more. "Simply extraordinary...by delving your childhood imagination, you tapped into the ambient etheric currents subconsciously!"

Twinkle fluttered up, tapping my nose playfully with a hoof. "Ha! Lookit you, Mr Sprinkle Sorcerer getting all glowy on your first try!" Her grin turned impish. "Sure you haven't secretly been a pony all along playing pretend human?"

"I wish." I smiled at the hovering little Twinkly. "But thanks."

Sensing my marveling, Twilight floated over a mirror, angling it to highlight a faint shimmer emerging around my form. "It's simple but elegant - you used the focusing methods inherent to you. Let's build on that intuitive start!"

She turned the mirror, meeting my eyes with building excitement. "What you inwardly held as whimsy, this realm fuels openly as natural energy currents commanded by perception and will. Shall we see what other spells your sleeping talents might awaken?"

My eyes shone back, strange eagerness rising to tap long-buried stores of creativity now stirring forces once deemed mere flights of fancy. "If it means... actual magic, then absolutely!" I enthused. "Weave your wizardry, Professor..."

She bade me close my eyes, so I did. "You said you can see spells, look at the first one, tell me what spell you see."

I pulled that rock tab. The first spell... "Throw rock."

Twilight inclined her head. "Not the first spell most ponies learn, or even one a lot ever learn... I will put that down to your unique origin. Capture that spell in your mind, then open your eyes."

I leaned in, at least imagining it, and saw the icon of the hurling rock. I felt like I knew that spell, somewhere deep inside. I opened my eyes with a sigh. "And cast it?"

Twilight blinked. "Yes, but--"

I was already trying it, focusing on a bucket and locking onto that image of the hurling rock, the icon I saw in my mind. Energy rushed through me like a giddy tickling thing and a stone appeared from the stones of the ground, bouncing off the bucket with a clang.

Twilight and Spike stared stunned as well before whirling my way.

"That wasn't meant to actually work!" Twilight blurted, dumbfounded. Recovering swiftly however, analytical intrigue lit her gaze. "Yet you intuitively wielded real thaumaturgical currents as a total beginner via unusually concrete childhood spell symbols..."

Spike scratched behind a frill skeptically. "Yeah, no newbie starts hurling random debris. That's advanced manipulation!" He snorted, smoke rings puffing. "Sure you didn't secretly swap species ages ago?"

But Twilight was already scribbling observations eagerly. She glanced between the bucket and me excitedly. "Utterly fascinating..."

I stared down at my own hooves in bewilderment. Somehow linking juvenile pretend rituals to genuine magical rules unlocked uncanny quick proficiency never remotely approached back on Earth. I just had to not mess it up in any grand ways.

"Glad you find this so academically intriguing..." I ventured carefully. "But maybe some safety guidelines before we get too deep?" Visions of battered structures or concussed ponies emphasized my caution.

Twilight waved dismissively. "I can erect wards against any mishaps, don't you worry." Her eyes practically glowed eagerly already leafing through advanced arcane arts volumes piled before her. "In fact I insist on recording the entire process scientifically! This could revolutionize instructional spellcasting frameworks!"

Ah. Well, that decided things. I glanced over at a facehoofing Twinkle but couldn't help an eager grin myself. After all, how many got to pioneer magical arts guided by the Legendary Princess of Friendship herself?

"Safety first, of course..." I affirmed, meeting her luminous smile. "But if even my silly childhood delusions might feed into expanding pony perspectives, I'm honored to help, Professor!"

I found Twinkle nearby and took a moment to gently ruffle the top of her head. "Are you really okay? You got about as much warning as I did, coming here. This isn't Earth."

"It's better!" Twinkly giggled with a smile. "I'm alive. That was hard to get used to. I still forget to breathe sometimes, but then I remember when I start choking. That's hard... You have to do so much to keep living."

"A real drag." I pet slowly down her back. "But worth the price. I want to study that book... But I should check what I owe in words first."

Twilight hiked a brow. "Really? You have potential keys to arcane knowledge and you defer it to go work in another world?"

"That's my habit." I slid to my hooves. "I'll be back after I finish my daily writing, then we do more magic."

Twilight sighed, but let me go. "Gives me time to get those wards up..."

Author's Note

Maaaagic! What would you do with this power?

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21 - School Waits for No Pony

I did it, I had magic. I had magic and a lovely family. Twinkle seemed to adore hanging on my head, and I... didn't mind that at all. A warm, caring, weight was the good kind of weight. She even hung around when I did my typing.

It was a curious thing, since I could feel her sitting there patiently even as I worked out the words I owed. I supposed being a doll had given her plenty of patience, as she waited for me to be done.

I blinked my eyes open and she reacted instantly, nuzzling at my face. I laughed and nosed her back. I couldn't even fight that smile. "You like me?"

The question seemed to baffle Twinkle. "Yes. Of course."

"Why of course?" I reached up a hoof, rubbing her smaller snout. "You owe me nothing."

"I owe you everything," she countered with a roll of her eyes. "If you hadn't picked me, and took care of me, and picked me when Twilight was there, I wouldn't be having this life I'm having, and I like this life." She kissed me on the forehead. "So I do owe you."

I flushed, surprised at the intensity of devotion in one I still thought of as a novelty toy brought somehow to impossible life. But she felt so serious. How did one turn that down?

"I just did what felt right in the moment," I demurred. "Nothing so special in that."

She simply leaned firmer into me. "Kindness is plenty special, you goof." Her tone allowed no argument. "Let me care without all the self-doubts, okay?"

I shifted, emotions churning at such open display. I scarcely understood my own role in her awareness. But questions could wait with acceptance so unabashedly offered. I drew her slight form closer, silent thanks exchanged without need for clumsy words.

She asked nothing but my own happiness, caring incarnate cradling impossibly rekindled hopes close. I smiled finally through lingering hints of tears. However she came to be, her guiding innocence lit the way where sight alone failed to see frail new chances worth nurturing still.

"Stay," I whispered simply. And with laughter in her eyes, she did.

I put the keyboard down and slid it with a push of a hind hoof. "I have questions."

"I have answers." She giggled at that. "I heard you say that, before I moved. The beforetimes are fuzzy... but a part of me."

"I do like saying that." I touched noses with her. "So, how much of me do you know? Everything?"

"Not everything." She rolled her eyes. "Where you put me, I couldn't see what you saw. I couldn't see what you were reading, or typing... But you talk to yourself. You still do that." She rolled onto her back on my bed. "It's cute."

Cute wasn't the word I would have picked. But being mad at her felt hard. "Twinkle, I'm not entirely innocent."

Twinkle raised a brow. "I've heard you talking about that. You made games, naughty games. I never saw the game, but the way you talked about them, they were very very naughty." She waved a hoof up at me as if chastising. "Is that what you're working on?"

"No." I rubbed behind my head. "But I wanted to know if that bothered you, that side of things. As a doll, you didn't care."

"Still don't," she sang out, rolling upright. "I don't understand most of that, still getting used to being alive." She inclined her head. "I'd be willing to try it with you. I trust you."

Oh. Oh... I was just given permission to... She was too small. She wasn't built like a filly. She was built like a very small mare. But she talked like someone new to the world, and she was. She was new at life, and she just invited. No... No... I couldn't.

I could not. Some parts of me thought that hesitation was dumb... But no... "Thank you for trusting me."

Seeing her about to protest, I raised a forestalling hoof. "The care you give is a gift - one I'll treasure through all troubles. But real friendship brings insight as much as joy." I booped her nose playfully. "Let's focus discovery elsewhere, hm?"

She wrinkled her snout cutely from the boop but sighed understandingly. "Fiiine, no funny business for now. But you owe me cuddles later!" Suddenly she grinned impishly. "And I can still pick your brain on past naughty game design whenever. For academic curiosity!"

I flushed, largely internally, at the threat, spurring her laughter anew. Still, residual tension eased as we settled back into our casual banter. However tempting, I wouldn't trade that easy rapport we'd found by overcomplicating her proffered affection. She extended unconditional trust; the least I could do was honor that grace by meeting it with protective compassion. However playfully she now teased my lingering awkwardness, patience and harmony held sway. Our connection ran truer than any fleeting impulse ever could.

"You scamp will be the death of me, you know that?" I mock-grumbled, tousling her mane. But inside warmth bloomed realizing I could enjoy sincerely nurturing something innocent again without reservations. That rediscovered paternal contentment meant more than any lingering what-ifs.

"You know, I had a niece."

She perked. "Ja... Jas, Jazmine! I remember her." She rubbed at her head, teasing out the information from the depths of the before times. "She was pretty, and small, like me. Where did she go? She's been gone a long time, before we came here."

"She grew up." I gently pet along Twinkle's side. "She went to college, more school. When we left, she was just finishing that. She's... I raised a great person right there. I have all the hope in the world for how she's going to do."

"Aw!" Twinkle suddenly jumped at me, hugging around my neck. "I knew I picked the right pony. You'll take care of me."

"I do call myself a trained uncle..."

"Uncle it is." She slid down onto the bed. "Uncle David, I like the sound of that."

Warmth swelled in my chest as Twinkle happily adopted the familial title, nuzzling in contentedly as my hoof resumed gentle strokes along her back. Somehow this small creature's unabashed delight over something as simple as an affectionate nickname both amazed and filled me with bittersweet echoes of a beloved past role.

"You know, Jazmine called me Uncle David too when she was just a tiny tot like you," I mused softly.

Twinkle glanced up, eyes alight with curiosity. "What was she like back then? Did you teach her lots of stuff and take care of her?" She paused, expression turning solemn. "Do...do you miss them, your human family?"

I stared into the middle distance, immersed in memories as a smile ghosted my muzzle. "Miss them? Every second. But, I got to help raise that extraordinary little girl for years with the help of my mom..." I wiped suddenly misty eyes, voice thickening. "We shared so much joy and laughter together through good times and bad."

Twinkle snuggled closer under my chin as emotions crested. "You'll have that again with her someday, I just know it," she declared fiercely. "And until then, you'll have me to fill some of the smiling and hugging!"

As she squeezed tighter still, I found myself returning the embrace just as firmly, skull pressed to hers overwhelmed with gratitude.

"Thank you, Twinkle..." I whispered finally. And as sleep's first tugs came to claim us there still entwined, I knew more fiery truth lived in one small faithful heart than a hundred hollow platitudes.

Though I doubted I'd see Jazmine again. She was a world away. Such were the flows of life. I surrendered to sleep with a loving creature in my arms, knowing I had slammed shut the door on one option, but opened wide another. A new niece? I... was alright with that.

I woke up the next day. "Do I have class?" I asked myself as I reached for the keyboard and my written schedule. "Let's check."

"Let's check," repeated Twinkle, awake and watching me. "Keeping it on a schedule is a good idea. Something tells me I'd agree with that... I should get a schedule."

I chuckled softly, scrubbing sleep from my eyes as I booted up the keyboard schedule interface. "Well aren't you just little miss maturity this morning?" I teased. "What's next, tax paperwork?"

Twinkle blew a raspberry even as she scampered over to watch me login, hoofs pressing into their spots on the keyboard. "Bleh, boring adult stuff! I just wanna help my favoritest uncle get to magic class on time." She nudged the keyboard eagerly with a hoof. "C'moooon, queue up our epic school adventures for today!"

Her infectious enthusiasm ignited my own growing excitement to see what magical mysteries the day held. "Alright alright, let's take a look here..." I began navigating to my class calendar before pausing. "Actually, do me a favor and go make sure Twilight's up too? Might need her academic expertise navigating campus without getting lost on Day 2."

Twinkle zipped out the door with a brisk salute. "You got it Uncle D! Be back in a jiffy! Maybe even with pancakes if Spike is mixing batter..." Her voice trailed off already distracted by kitchen possibilities. I just chuckled and shook my head continuing mission class confirmation, Twinkle's joie de vivre making for the best sort of bright beginning.

A quick schedule review confirmed Ancient Languages first thing followed by a Magical Creatures Biology lab. My grin widened imagining putting esoteric book learnin' into some hand-on practice at last. That just sounded fun.

Not a bad notion waking up reborn as an equine in a land literally flowing with magic where intrinsic talent suddenly stewed. What would reveal more magic spells in that book? Practice? Probably practice, but just practice?

I snapped the interface off, drawing my hooves free as voices approached down the hall - no sense getting distracted from the here and now when strange roads already beckoned just outside the door!

I grabbed my saddlebag and took a moment to check which books I needed to have in it. "I ruined my back once as a human. I won't as a pony." Books I didn't need, I left behind, leaving me with saddlebags only mildly burdened as I trotted out of my room.

There was Twinkle, chatting animatedly with Spike. Spike seemed to be eating something that glittered. In front of him was a big plate of steaming veggies. I hurried towards the table. "Morning, Spike."

"There he is." Twinkle pointed at me. "I was just telling Spike that I had an uncle now."

Spike inclined his considerable head. "Yeah, Uncle D, is it?" He chuckled at the very idea of it. "Are you my uncle too?"

I served myself some of those veggies with clumsy hooves. "If you want, but I don't think you do. Awkard, maybe, but how old are you? Adult?"

Spike huffed, a little smoke escaping him. "Right, new to this world. You can't tell looking at me." Spike put a hand on his chest. "Twilight summoned me as a familiar years and years ago. I'm as grown as I ever will be, unless she puts more magic into it, which she might. So I'm as adult as I'm going to be."

"Still..." He munched on the glittering stuff, crunching loudly as if it were gravel. "I never had an uncle before... Pity you aren't a dragon."

Even larger, Spike was Spike. He was still exploring himself, even if he was an unaging magical construct. There was a comfort, knowing that. "If you want one, you know where to find one. You deserve one if you want."

"Aw, thanks." But he was looking at Twinkle. "You were right. He really is into that."

"I told you." Twinkle burst into little giggles as she landed beside me and started stealing bits for herself with her magic. "Trained uncle, right here."

Author's Note

Awkward question perhaps, but would you have turned Twinkle down on her proposition?

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22 - On Being an Uncle

Twinkle wandered outside with Spike. Good, distracted. With them out of the way, I made my way to Twilight. "Got a moment?"

"Of course." She put the book down she had been reading. "What's on your mind?"

She raised a hoof. "Before you ask, it's my fault you're here. I'm not sending a foal of my own creation out into the world on their own. You're staying where I can see you until you're an adult."

I blinked. "Not what I was thinking about, but thanks?" Part of my prickled. I was an adult, dang it. An adult in a teen's body. "About Twinkle. She puts out a lot of crossed signals. Is she an adult or not? She's fired kid signals and adult signals and all I can land on is dumping her in the kid bucket and calling it a day."

Twilight perked her ears as she sat back. "Oh, well... She is, mentally, an adult." She curled a hoof at herself. "But, by nature of her upbringing, she is immature. Much like you, if you think about it. You know a lot of different things, but you lack a lot of information even a foal half your age would know as a matter of fact."

"A foal half my size, Twinkle aside, wouldn't casually ask me about adult games I wrote before," I noted flatly. "That isn't cool."

"That is... not 'cool'." Twilight cocked a brow. "I'll talk to her. I'm sure she doesn't mean to make you uncomfortable, but that's no excuse for her. Are you mad?"

"I'm not." I sat up with a little huff. "I just want to be clear. If she wants to be my niece, great. Niece she is. If she wants to be an adult, then she has to be an adult full-time, not sometimes. We'd have to reset our relationship from the start before that even became an option."

Twilight inclined her head slowly. "Is that possible?

I pondered carefully. "I suppose if Twinkle consciously chose that route, we could rebuild the whole... relationship... appropriately from scratch. But she seems less specifically attracted than just craving unconditional affection."

I sighed, shoulders slumping wearily. "I don't wish to deny her joy discovering herself or risk spoiling innocence just charging ahead. I feel I could mess it all up. I don't want that."

I met Twilight's eyes earnestly. "For now, I'm honored by her trust and wish only to nurture her safely at her pace. Does that make sense?"

Twilight smiled gently. "It speaks well of you - caution that guards rails not bonds. Shelter her growth, and in time her path forward will unveil itself."

She patted my hoof. "Cherish this opportunity, awkward as it can be. Together, we'll guide life's next phase once she's found her footing."

I covered her hoof, smile returning as nerves settled. However strangely composed, this patchwork family seemed so warm and welcoming. Feeling nervous about it seemed... silly in the end.

I nodded firmly, resolve restored. "You're right - this family offers more than I'd dreamed possible." I would focus on planting seeds, not judging fruits prematurely.

"I have a class." I stood up. "I should head to school. I'm done with my daily writing."

"Glad to hear that." Twilight waved past to the door. "Good luck then. See if they have your accessibilty tool ready."

Oh! That! I had entirely forgotten it. "Good idea!" I hugged Twilight before fleeing out onto the road. It was only when I got there that I realized, I hugged Twilight. That was not a permission given specifically to do randomly.

Why had I hugged her? I wandered towards school, pondering that. Twilight was like the mother of our family. Hugging my mother was entirely alright. But she wasn't my mother. I didn't even want her to take that role with me. I'd rather be way more on even footing.

Still, I had hugged her. I'd apologize later, or so I assured myself. It was time to go to school.

I continued towards the School of Friendship feeling lingering self-consciousness over my presumptuous display of uninvited physical affection. What right had I to such casual contact with Twilight so quickly? The reminder of my current adolescent state brought uneasy pause - new dynamics clearly still left much to navigate in this second social upbringing.

And yet...no offense lit her eyes in those startled moments afterward. Had my impulsive gesture landed differently than pony propriety would predict? I knew human cultures maintained contrasting intimacy standards and cues. Perhaps I afforded more leeway as an alien still learning the relational ropes?

I shook my head with a wry snort. Either way, apologizing for any misstep later seemed the proper path rather than ignoring potential discomfort. Consent culture spanned dimensions regardless of my awkward reacclimations.

Still...an unlikely new herd welcomed me without qualifications as one of their own. If opening fresh emotional avenues meant occasional faux pas along the way, patient guidance waited back home. For now, weren't wonders awaiting within academy halls to unwrap fully the mysteries of this world and myself reborn brightly upon its stage? My smile returned picturing mentors eager to aid dreams, not douse overzealous sparks still seeking purpose.

The crystalline spires of magic and knowledge soon glittered ahead through pleasant autumn trees as I crested the last wooded hill separating village from institution. With classes awaiting and inspiration still lighting my gaze, I put aside tension allowing fresh eagerness to reignite. The dean surely had curiosities to share from Twilight's unusual requests on my behalf! What fantastical insights or custom tools this day held in store I could but trot briskly onward to uncover.

"Hey." Gallus spotted me, but he wasn't alone. Next to him was Yona and Ocellus. "There's the guy."

Yona thundered towards me, her considerable yak frame making the ground tremble beneath her. "Hello! Yona happy to meet you." She thrust forward a hoof. "Hear you from another world."

I met her hoof with one of my own. "Let's not focus on that. I'm here to live in this one."

Ocellus fluttered closer. They looked like, well, a wasp. They were a pleasantly colored wasp pony. "Hello. I know what that's like. My family changed their situation quite recently. We don't like talking about the past either." She put a hoof on her chest. "So consider that dropped."

Gallus chuckled softly as he joined his friends. "That was a lot of words putting it down. So..." He looked me over appraisingly. "Earth pony, figures. That's where ponies start, right?"

Yak shrugged unknowingly. "Still learning how ponies work. Ask Sandbar?"

I was a little excited. People I knew, sorta. I knew all their names, and their general attitudes seemed intact. "It's nice to meet you all. I'm still learning pony tricks, but I am learning. Oh, wanna see?"

Yona gasps. "You know pony magic? Show."

Ocellus bobbed her head. "I'll show you some changeling magic if you show yours. Fair trade."

I rubbed the back of my neck shyly, keenly aware of how paltry my novice abilities likely appeared set beside changeling shapeshifting or yakian brute strength. Still, fair was fair. And this was the first step, right?

"Alright, here goes." Closing my eyes, I visualized the stony throwing projectile exactly as before. Arcane pressure built behind my eyes faster this time as magical logics clicked - soon a dense pebble hovered inches from my muzzle encased in a wavering hoofprint aura. I opened my eyes with a concentrating grunt and flung the stone across the empty yard to clack solidly against a distant flagpole, scuffing the metal with a resounding clang.

As my friends turned back from observing the impact, I let the aura dissipate with a tired yet proud smile. So I had more to progress up to compared to some students here, big deal. Magic flowed in my earth pony blood all the same!

"Well, small magic, but earth pony magic always gladdened Yona's heart!" She thumped me approvingly on the back, staggering me slightly with casual yak strength.

Gallus sniffed, betraying hints of impressed acknowledgement beneath his standard aloofness. "Not bad slinging pebbles, buddy. Bet I could chuck things faster with these claws though."

Ocellus, however, cocked her head, seeming to study me with deeper scrutiny. Her broken horn flashed as in a blink a perfect replica of myself stood there, eyeing me up and down. "There, glimpse for glimpse - your turn again!"

My jaw dropped, seeing this doppelgänger turn and swish its tail at me with an impish grin. Clearly changeling talents had adaptable applications well beyond mere disguises! Envy stirred brighter than ever towards such easy transformation...

But before I could respond to the wonderous display, a nearby clock chimed the quarter hour, signalling my first class commencing soon. "Whoa, would you look at the time!" I exclaimed. "Really gotta hustle but let's definitely continue after school?"

With excited promises to share and explore magic further, I galloped off thinking how even small steps here somehow felt grander when taken with newly budding friendships lighting the way forward together.

I hurried towards my class, my mind wandering towards my spellbook locked in my mind. I flipped through the first pages, blurred nonsense.

I grabbed the earth-magic bookmark and gave it a tug. There was 'throw rock'. It felt glossier somehow.

What did that mean? I didn't have time to ponder it, sinking into a spot behind a desk.

Starlight poked her head into the class and looked around. She spotted me and hurried over, a heavy contraption floating behind her. Without a word, she set it in front of me with a 'ta da' gesture. "Here you are. You can take that home, but bring it to school every day. If it's too heavy, leave it in the office."

My eyes widened, speechless delight welling as I took in Starlight's floating offering - a genuine antique typewriter, ivory keys peeking out from under a rich oaken case ornately engraved with vines and flowers along metallic frames. It looked straight out of an historical drama backdrop!

I reverently ran a hoof across the slick black body adorned with elegant golden lettering spelling "Remington" amidst serial numbers and patent seals in flowing script. This had to be museum grade craftponyship...

"Starlight, this is..." I shook my head slowly looking back up. "It's beautiful work but too fine a treasure just for some writing rough drafts!" I hesitated imagining imperfection mussing such exquisite engraving. "Are...are you certain the school goes through this just for me?"

But she simply smiled and nudged the gorgeous machine closer gently tapping aged keys with a hoof. "Oh it's had plenty active years service already - a little more scholarly creativity won't spoil anything. I know a collector who was happy to loan this out to a good cause."

Her eyes grew fond regarding carved surfaces. "Besides, just because something is old doesn't mean it can't still serve proudly given right conditions. That's true for machines and ponies both yes?"

I nodded slowly considering her words as my own hoof returned almost reverently to framing engraved edges where legions of brilliant ideas had first flowed into physical form just as mine now could thanks to generosity spanning ages to aid one small struggle.

"Yes..." I murmured. "Yes it can." I looked back up meeting her eyes directly. "Starlight I can't thank you enough, seriously, thanks." I reached my hoof to grasp hers. "I owe you a ton."

She flushed faintly but warmly returned my hoof clasp. "Most sincerely you're so very welcome. Now let's get your lesson underway, hm? I'll get out of the way before the teacher tans me."

She nodded at the teacher, scurrying out of the classroom and blocking the way no further.

The only challenge that remained was figuring out how to type with hooves. I knew how to grasp something, but typing? I tentatively mashed at it, trying my best not to damage it. This would require... practice. I should just thank all the gods out there that it had a QWERTY layout.

Author's Note

Keyboard! What is a writer without a keyboard? Sad, that's what. At least this writer.

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23 - Checking In

I mused on the strange keyboard, pondering it. The teacher had begun her class, and students were writing down notes. Starlight had brought him that... thing. I had to use it!

I reached for it, feeling it with my hooves. But... how?

The only keyboard I knew in the pony world was Twilight's. It had two big pads. I just had to put.

The world became a headache. I knew that sensation well. I waited for it to pass, but things blurred. A device like Twilight's contraption was left. "What?"

I glanced at the rest of the classroom before I put my hooves into the pads. "Okay?" And that was typed silently onto a paper with only the faint noise of a quill scratching. "Neat." and so that was written. Was it following my voice?

That was also written. That thing wrote whatever I was thinking about, so I turned my attention to the classwork and joyfully taking notes went from a horror to quite simple indeed. It seemed almost a crime that they didn't have enough of those for every student.

But that answer came clearly enough. They were expensive, heavy, and rare. Was mass production much of a pony thing? Perhaps not. I dutifully finished the class and picked up the keyboard. It wasn't even heavy. Had that all been in my head?

All of it. That was me. I had linked to the thing and put myown thoughts on it. I'd dreamed up a big, human, keyboard. It was a slender and pony one. I laughed at my foolishishness as I tucked it away.

Feeling far better about how it worked, I trotted towards home with my new treasure. I considered stopping by Starlight's office to thank her.

I smiled fondly regarding the sleek device as I made my way back towards Starlight's office, still hardly believing such an elegant solution existed for my writing needs. The ponies had their own ways. They weren't dumb, it was just a different world.

Nearing the counselor's familiar door, I couldn't help a wistful pause considering the stark contrast between accommodations appearing almost effortlessly here versus exhausting access appeals back on Earth. This world clearly harmonized help readily wherever possible.

Shaking ponderings off, I tapped cheerfully on her office door.

"Starlight?" I ventured when no answer came. Testing the handle revealed it unlocked so I peeked inside. "I just wanted to thank you agai--"

I flushed abruptly seeing she wasn't alone. Professor Twilight looked up from their evidently cozy chat over steaming drinks. Clearly I had interrupted informal discussions not limited to my academic situation.

"Oh! Um, begging your pardon Professor," I stammered, nerves overriding fledgling etiquette. "I can come back another time..." Moving to discreetly withdraw, I hesitated when Twilight waved me over with an amused smile instead.

"No need to rush off! In fact I should be the one apologizing." Her expression turned wry, if warm. "I've been remiss introducing myself before now with duties keeping tight schedules."

Rising gracefully, Twilight approached offering a hoof. "But please - join us! I insist on hearing how your transition here has unfolded..."

I entered the room, but didn't move for a seat, just standing there. I did nudge the door with a back hoof. "Always nice to see you, Twilight. You're a professor here, I hear?"

"That I am." Twilight nodded to Starlight. "We are cohorts, banded together to be sure all the creatures of this school receive their proper education."

"Different branches, of course." Starlight sipped from her mug. "I tend to their flagging minds, and she fills those minds with new knowledge. But we do work together to see it done." She perked. "Oh, how'd it work out? Take lots of notes or get lost using it?"

I swung my saddlebag around, awkwardly fishing out the papers I'd filled. "Here."

Twilight's horn glowed as she claimed some of those papers. "Oh, looks like you took quite a few notes. I had a feeling! You were using the crude makeshift one I had fashioned, so you knew how it worked. I imagine you had no difficulty at all."

Actually... "The strangest thing happened. When I first saw it, I thought it was a human typewriter and I was so confused."

Starlight blinked as she leaned back. "Really? Odd. It's supposed to receive your thoughts, not send any back." She sighed with frustration. "It's not new... That explains why he even let us have it... Most ponies would have tossed it out if it started acting like that."

Twilight made a tut tut motion with a hoof. "But not David. I think he's quite happy with it."

Well, I was, and said as much. "It's great. I love it."

Starlight clapped her hooves together. "Fantastic! Now, if I recall, you have no other classes today, so you can run on home if you like."

Twilight's brows came down as her eyes half closed in a sultry look. "Or, we can dig into that magic of yours. I want to know so much more about this spell book of yours."

Starlight inclined her head. "Spell book? Fill me in?"

I chuckled a bit self-consciously as Professor Twilight's evident fascination at my strange magical manifestations stirred Dean Starlight's curiosity in turn. I still scarcely believed the bizarre mental spellbook myself - hardly fodder for serious scholarly consideration, considering it had lived as a fantasized object in my mind for so long.

"Well, it's nothing so formal as an actual tome," I explained with an awkward hoof rub to my neck. "More just pretense and imagination games from when I was a kid dreaming up magic back on Earth."

I waved a casual hoof. "Somehow though, when Twilight had me reach for those childhood memories, the 'spells' I visualized took on this weird extra vividness here..." I trailed off with an uncertain frown. "Is...that not normal?"

Twilight practically vibrated with academic excitement as I reiterated the odd awakening process. "Normal? Perhaps not in exact form but the underlying principles align perfectly with classical arcane awakening theory!"

She began vigorously scribbling notes with a floating quill, pages filling swiftly. "You see, he intuitively constructed inner perceptual frameworks as if gesturing towards latent activation across real magical fields!"

Seeing Starlight and I sharing bemused shrugs at the jargon barrage, Twilight paused and took a steadying breath, clearly attempting to shift into more plain pony speaking.

"That is...by believing so deeply in imagination's inner magical legitimacy, once immersed in Equestria's innate etheric energy, David's childhood delusions abruptly aligned with very real spells!" She grinned at me. "In short, your pretend wizard games registered as technical blueprints here catapulting astonishing awakening!"

My jaw slackened at the assertions as I turned to Starlight wide-eyed. But the counselor simply pursed her lips thoughtfully. "Twilight has seldom steered me wrong regarding the arcane..." She met my own shocked stare. "So I'd keep that spell book close at hoof, however that... works."

"I'd love to experiment." I looked between the two. "With either of you. But maybe on a day without classes?"

Starlight smirked faintly. "It's a date."

I trusted she didn't mean that the way that flashed in my mind's eye. I quickly fled the office and through Ponyville, zipping right... "Hey Spike."

"Hey." He didn't stop me from marching right past.

I settled down and got out the other keyboard to check on other things. I made sure I was caught up on words, oops, a little late in the day for some, but I got on that. Oh, mortgage. I should be sure that's paid.

I send a quick SMS to my mother in reminder with the amount.

Her reply doesn't take long:

David.

I'm glad that you're alright, but this isn't funny. Where are you? When are you coming home?

I take my hooves off the keyboard and take a slow sigh. How did I even begin to explain it to her?

I could try telling the truth. She wouldn't believe a word of it, but it would be the truth...

Well, better than nothing. I told her I was on another world, but I was fine. I'd keep paying bills, but I couldn't come home. Taxes would be paid, and all would be well, but I wouldn't be there.

There, the whole truth. I turned my attention towards--

I was back in Equestria, being knocked over with a Twinkle in my face. "Mmf?"

Twinkle stepped back off me and sat down. "I wanted to talk to you, but you're very hard to reach when you're really busy."

"I can feel. You could have just poked me."

"Oh. Right." Twinkle looked abashed at that. "I didn't think of that... I want to apologize. I sent very crossed signals... Twilight made it quite clear that I was unkind to you as a result."

I turned an equine ear at her. "You're speaking a bit more... ornately today."

"Correct." Twinkle turned both forehooves on herself. "I am an adult. But, coming here, so small... It was easier to pretend with a lot of ponies, so I did. And I did with you, and I feel bad about that, now that its negative impacts have been made clear to me."

That was... "It doesn't quite work like that."

"Like what?"

I point a hoof at her small form. "Once you get put in a bucket, escaping it isn't easy. You are a precious child I want to protect very much."

"I don't want to be a precious child. You already admitted you don't own me." She turned her nose upwards. "I didn't forget, David."

"I didn't own my niece," I chuckle out. "But she was in the same bucket."

"How... do I escape this bucket?" She turned one eye on me squarely. "Hypothetically."

"Not pretending to be a child is a good first step. Act your age." I put the keyboard away carefully for later. "Show me you're an adult and things may change, with time."

"Very well." She took a little breath. "Growing used to breathing is still interesting. Magic."

"Magic?" That sure was a word. "What about it?"

She pointed at me. "I would like to become your magical tutor. That will help relocate myself out of that bucket."

I chuckled softly. "Okay. You know about my magic?"

"Twilight was quite fascinated by it. It was harder to not hear about it." Twinkle tapped her hooves. "An internal spell book? Quite useful, in some regards. It means you can't leave it behind. Now, you have a simple, yet normally advanced, spell. Ponies don't tend to lean towards offensive spells."

Throwing a rock could hurt someone... "It's one of the most basic... human tricks."

"That's what I thought." She smirked, as if she understood the idea. "You are a human, inside. You went down human lines. I bet if you reframed your imagination, you might find other human magic."

I stood up from the bed, pacing the room. "Like?"

"What are basic human drives? Make those your bookmarks, and reach for them, instead of the elements. You got lucky. Humans like throwing rocks, and earth is where we start. A happy coincidence." Twinkle launched herself, landing gently on my end table. "Time to go beyond."

Human drives... I pondered those, pacing back and forth. Eat, hunt, mate, fight... Those were the super basics, right?

A step above that, Protect, perhaps a subset of fight? Grow, food, or small people, the urge to grow was a powerful one.

Further away from the basics... art? Expression. Yeah, that felt like a better word. That was a keyword I was quite familiar with.

Expression, a human trick. A few other animals had touched it, but none rolled around in it quite as joyfully and constantly as humans. We loved leaving our marks on things, wanted or not by the rest of the world.

"You look inspired." Twinkle rubbed her hooves together with a sly smile. "I'm looking forward to what new spells you can find."

Author's Note

The keyboard's illusions are beaten, and it's kinda nice!

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24 - Learn

"Learn." I nodded to myself. How had I forgotten that? More modern than the other drives, but quite central to how humans worked, and how they had done all they had done.

I wiped my hooves off on each other. "Alright, I think I have quite a collection of chapters." I whistled a soft victory ballad. "That's something, I think."

Twinkle clopped her hooves with a smile. "Great. That's a nice one." She inclined her head. "I don't think I can say that's a pony-wide drive, just an individual one. I like learning quite a bit." She put a small hoof on her chest. "As I'm enjoying doing right now. Now, enough for today."

She hopped to the ground. "You've had a hard day's work. Let's get a snack, maybe do something fun afterwards?"

I chuckled as Twinkle pivoted swiftly from the studious prodding back towards youthful priorities like snacks and playtime once more. Still, apples sounded good before dinner. Was that a pony urge?

Scooping her up, we made our way to the kitchen where fresh harvest bounties awaited thanks to Spike's gathering. "Thanks, Spike."

Spike looked up. "Hm?" He spotted the apples was busy picking up. "Oh. I just stopped by the market. Big Mac was selling them today and we were running low."

"So, thanks." I offered an apple over for Twinkle before taking my own juicy bite as late sunlight slanted through the window glass. I felt... good. Yes, good. The usual pressures were gone for the moment.

Twinkle nestled against me after her last nibble. "Shall we tell the others about your strange magic next?" she murmured around fruit bits. "I bet Pinkie has insights on Fun..."

I chuckled at that. "Are we asking Pinkie for insights, or talking about my magic? I don't think both are--"

"--Tell me what?" Pinkie leaned in from behind me.

I yelped in surprise, dropping Twinkle to the ground in my shock.

Twinkle gathered herself up, glaring at Pinkie. "I was comfortable. Hello, Pinkie."

Pinkie winced as Twinkle righted herself, clearly abashed realizing her sudden appearance had Twinkle to the ground.

"Whoopsie my bad, didn't mean to spook you right out of your cozy cuddle nook!" Pinkie hastened to assure. In a blink she whip-snatched a fluffy pillow from elsewhere in the room wordlessly offering it as replacement cushioning.

I regained my own balance, one hoof still pressed dramatically to my chest as adrenaline eased. But Twinkle simply rolled her eyes accepting the peace pillow-offering before directing a wry smirk Pinkie's way.

"Startle reflexes aside, those are just hazards of your unique talent keeping everypony on their hooves after all!" She flapped up to reclaim her a roost across my back. "To what do we owe the pleasant popping-in then?"

Pinkie beamed back clearly relieved by the swift absolution. "Well I was just bakin' up some yummy welcome wonderfulness for our newfound pal here when my tail started going all a-twitcha-twitch!" Her curly hair vibrated in emphasis. "And a twitchy tail means stuff's astir, so here I am! Hi!"

She loomed in eagerly. "Soooo what friendship fun times are brewing in this neck of the woods anyhow?" Noticing my lingering wide-eyed stare, she winked playfully. "C'mon, out with it!"

I had to laugh at her flawless bouncing between impromptu party planner, fate-sensor and chipper questioner all within seconds. Truly, Pinkie danced to the beat of her own drum - or twitching tail rather - heedless hindering limited mortal realities. Perhaps that made her the perfect pony to broach deeper dimensional truths with!

"Well to catch you up real quick..." I began slowly. "It seems awakening my own magic accidentally tapping old childhood imagination games. Twinkle thinks certain...concepts...could unlock more advanced spells intuitively." I cleared my throat self-consciously with a half-grin her way. "She suggested Fun and Games are your wheelhouse for inspiration if you follow me...?"

Pinkie's gasped loudly, cotton candy mane somehow extra poofing in her sheer delight! "You're accessing foalhood creativity fields anchored to higher harmonies? And looking for my fun Thoughts to catalyze bigger breakthroughs?" She seized my head smooshing overexcited nuzzles into both cheeks at once! "David you brilliant blank flank, count me SO in!!"

On one hoof, I was being grabbed. All my danger sensors were blaring. Being touched was dangerous. On the other hoof, it was Pinkie.

She was grabbing my face with a big smile and she radiated happiness. I wanted to be held like that... forever. Was that an option?

I realized I was just being quiet. "Sorry! Oh, Pinkie. Do you know magic? Did you try to push past earth pony?"

Pinkie blinked at that. "Push past earth pony?" She gigglesnorted at the idea. "As if earth pony was a simple thing you just worked right on past." She swooshed with an arm. "Not hardly. I know tons of earth pony magic. It runs in the family." She hiked a brow at me. "And you too, from what I'm hearing. Are you sure you're not a long-lost Pie?"

Still partially flattened under her casual smoosh, I shot Twinkle a helpless but amused glance. Twinkle simply smirked back from my shoulder, clearly quite content witnessing Pinkie's peerless persona in action herself.

"Well you've got me - I can't actually prove or disprove any latent Pie lineage..." I admitted finally with a snort and self-conscious hoof scritch. "Though I expect most family trees don't cross across whole realities."

I perked up at her confident earth pony assertions however. "But if you're familiar with the fundamentals yourself, maybe you can help me stop fumbling my way through ad hoc spell slinging blind?" I leaned in eagerly. "What does it feel like tapping the bedrock magics most ponies seem to take for granted?"

Pinkie preened proudly. "Why it feels like playtime and happy jigs with an extra oomph of glowy zig-zag zings inside always itching up for more fun!" She clasped her hooves dreamily clearly reminiscing brighter innocent days. "Mama Pie called it satisfying an itch by itching ever more till suddenly POOF - pie to the skies!"

She loomed closer right up to my muzzle, narrowed eyes belying her fixed grin's mania. "Course too much scratch n' sniff without respectin limits lands you straight in the muddy goop...or upside-down over the barn!" She burst into cackles likely recalling such slapstick escapades before sobering slightly. "But watch'n'learn the safe bubbly way sure is a blast!"

I stared back wide-eyed as Pinkie rattled off her rather unorthodox takes on earth magic's essences in explosions of enthusiasm and folksy kitchen wisdom both. I struggled to dig through it. "That... sounds like you do you." I was still held, but I wasn't resisting.

Pinkie squealed with laughter. "Wow, most ponies struggle a lot harder to get that." She leaned in, smooching me on the nose. "Yep. If you can do that, the magic should come. Oh! Oh! You can do some right? I wanna see! I wanna see an alien doing earth magic. C'mon!"

My cheeks flushed faintly at the playful smooch even as elation swelled inside at her eager request. "I'd be happy to demonstrate if you're sure you want a face full of flying pebbles..." I chuckled. "Gotta warn you though - I've barely got the one trick so far. Not exactly fireworks and lightshows here." I scuffed a self-conscious hoof glancing her way. "Still wanna spectate my fumbling baby steps getting schooled by a real earth pony dynamo?"

Pinkie just waved a dismissive hoof. "Pffbt, pebble schmebbles! You're accessing whole new planes of potential - that's WAY more exciting than any old lightshow." She straightened with an authority belied by her frizzy bedhead. "Now c'mon Professor Pie is waiting! I gotta see what alien magic looks like up close and personal."

She leaned in with a manic giggle. "What if your spells come out rainbow colors or make cats appear or fill the room with cotton candy clouds?!" Clearly fantasizing every more improbable outcome, Pinkie vibrated and grinned wider with each thought. "Only one way to find out - on with the show already!"

I doubted any of her options, since I already knew throw rock, well, threw rocks. I finally seperated from her hold, turning fror the door. "We'll be back."

"See you later." Spike waved gently. "You know, most people don't say bye like that."

They didn't? "I say hi, I say bye... Um, sorry?"

"Nah." Spike shrugged. "Get going before Pinkie explodes."

Twinkle tapped at my shoulder. "Go on. I'd like to see you accessing your magic too."

"Going, going." I trotted out after Pinkie, leaving the library. There was plenty of space there, so I looked for a good target. But what wanted to have a rock slapping against it?

"Right here!" Pinkie reared up, a catcher's mit at the end of her arm, covering her hoof. "Throw it!"

Well... That worked? I pointed at the mitt. "Please be good at catching. I'm not promising to be a good thrower." I focused on the image of the spell as the magic whelled up from my hooves upwards. A rock that hadn't been there a moment before surged from over my shoulder at Pinkie.

I winced instinctively as the conjured stone hurtled with greater velocity than intended right towards Pinkie's eagerly outstretched mitt. But in a blur of bubblegum pink, the party pony easily snagged the projectile out of the air with a resounding smack of leather on mineral!

"Nice heat, Uncle D!" she cheered, not even seeming to notice the force behind the wild throw. Tossing the rock casually skyward again with nonchalant confidence, it *poofed* out of existence seconds later at the arc's peak. "Solid spell slingin for just gettin' those basics down - OOH, watch the glittery trail when it goes!"

She pointed wildly in the air, where indeed the faintest shimmer of dissipating magic could be seen wafting in the fading projectile's wake. My eyes widened mildly, taking in the sight of the faintly glimmering remains of the spell in little swirls!

"Ha, take THAT, you stuffy unicorns!" crowed Pinkie gleefully. "Normally, only horns get glowy signature traces, but lookit what we earth ponies can cook up too with some creativity juice flowin!" She danced eagerly around me. "Again again! What else'ya got stashed in that crazy brain book of secret spells, huh?"

I smiled a little at her mocking bravado towards the mystical aristocracy, finding her flippant flaunting of social propriety as amusing as it was infectious. "I only have one spell, right now."

"So far," sang out Twinkle. "But the flow of that spell was nice. I feel you've got it down fairly well. It's time to flip to a new page, I think."

"Ooo." Pinkie pronked closer. "You, where? Where's this book? I wanna see!"

I pointed at my own head. "Hard to look at it. It's in there."

That's when Pinkie shoved her head right in one of my fuzzy ears for a peek.

I could feel her moving around, peeking around as if my head were much larger, but I could also feel her brushing around, tickling fiercely. Violating was barely the start of it, but it was... Pinkie... as I had mentioned. It was Pinkie being 100% Pinkie. I didn't want to be mad at her, so I just stood there and hoped it would end shortly. I'd suffered greater things.

Pinkie popped her head back with a big gasp as if she had been holding her breath. "Wow... Interesting." She tapped at her chin. "It's... like you got ouchies in there."

I raised a brow at Pinkie. "Who needed an MRI with Pinkie on the case."

"What's that?"

Twinkle echoed the sentiment. "A human invention? I feel like you've mentioned it before..."

"A machine to look inside someone, without doing what you just did." I rubbed just in front of my ear. It was like I changed elevations too quickly. "I had Multiple Sclerosis as a human. That caused literal brain damage. Not too surprising there are still hints of it, even if I don't have it as a pony."

"Bummer." Pinkie pouted, just to smile. "Glad you're fixed now!"

Twinkle leaned against me. "I suppose it's better that it isn't repaired, or you'd have arrived in Equestria changed. Which you still did, technically..."

How far that went, I couldn't know. Every day, a person died.

Author's Note

Pinkie is a good pony. Could you resist her urgent joy?

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26 - Human Condition

I hurried into my room just in time to flop down, get my keyboard out, and connect to my game. "Thank goodness..."

I was pretty sure that... whatever it was I was connected to, wasn't my actual computer back home. That was turned off. It'd stay off, likely forever. It turned itself off automatically each day and nobody but me knew how to turn it back on again.

Fortunately, the server my players connected to was hosted online, and I could connect to it without an issue. I got right into running the game. "Sorry I'm a minute late there, I was practicing my magic." It was the truth, but they laughed it off. It was absurd, and funny, and I didn't argue the conclusion they reached.

When the game was over, I withdrew the money. Money that I could never actually have anymore. Still, I deposited it off into my account and checked those accounts. My account was fine, even better than usual. I wasn't there to touch a single dollar of it. It was 100% profits!

I moved things around, putting that idle cash to work. Dang money should be working as hard as I was...

I took a moment to wave and chat idly on Discord. No reason to ghost all of them, since I had the option not to. "I should go, I smell dinner." Which I did! "Later," I typed, releasing my hooves from the keyboard and sliding that contraption away.

There, human world obligations, met. I trotted out to the smiling faces of my new Equestrian family and had a happy dinner with them.

Twinkle pointed at me. "He went off with Pinkie to meet her sister, Maud." Or I'd be ratted out, not that it was a secret or anything.

Twilight clapped gently. "How lovely. How is Maud doing? Did you get along well?"

Spike hiked a heavy brow. "This is Maud we're talking about. How would he know?"

There was some truth to that, but I shook my head. I saw my nose. I had a big equine snout, and I had just remembered that. I raised a hoof to feel over it as I talked. "I think she likes me, as a new friend."

Twilight smiled warmly. "Well I'm so glad to hear you all hit it off! Once you get past Maud's initial stoicism, she's actually quite sweet in her own way."

Her expression turned curious. "Did you have a chance to connect over her rock studies at all? I know they're a core passion for her and she has so few opportunities to really open up on the subject."

I chuckled wryly. "Oh yeah, we definitely dug deep there - quite literally in fact!" I proceeded to enthusiastically regale my impromptu underground magical experiments in Maud's crystalline cavern classroom as everypony listened with rapt amusement.

"She really seems intrigued by the intuitive style of my spellcraft," I explained after describing another feat of pulled crystal projection from ancient bedrock. "Something about 'ad hoc thaumaturgical articulations reflecting innate cognitive chronicles'." I shrugged and grinned helplessly Twilight's way. "I just nod and smile politely whenever she delves too deep into the arcane semantics."

Twilight returned my smile with a knowing one of her own. "Our Maud does have a tendency for overly elaborate technical explanations I'll admit, when she's speaking much at all. But I'm thrilled to hear you're bonding so swiftly!" She gave me an approving pat on the shoulder. "Having a family connection already should ease this dramatic transition wonderfully."

I flushed happily at the praise, only to double-take at her last sentiment. Family - not just friends but actually honorary kin? "Pinkie did mention me being a lost Pie, but that was Pinkie being Pinkie, nothing official, just Pinkie." I gently elbowed Spike next. "You know what it's like with honorary sibs."

Spike looked at me with confusion. "I'm Twilight's familiar, not her sibling. I dont have one of those." He scratched at the underside of his snout. "Hm... No... No relations, really, just Twilight as my creator." He snorted in a half-laugh. "Most creatures don't know their creator, but I do, and she's a nerd."

"Hey!"

"Just telling it like it is." He smiled at Twilight, unphased. "Fortunately, most ponies are alright with that."

I blinked in surprise at Spike matter-of-factly clarifying his created status separate from familial bonds. Oops, I had entirely forgotten they'd mentioned it before. My youth-if-ication didn't make my memory a steel trap.

"Ohh, my bad, I totally forgot that," I hastily backpedaled. "Where I'm from, Twilight hatched and raised you almost like surrogate siblings." I rubbed my neck awkwardly. "I guess I carried over a bunch of preconceptions that don't translate cleanly."

Twilight touched my shoulder gently. "No need to fret - you weren't to know. Besides, Spike and I share a profound arcane connection closer than any biological relatives." She smiled fondly his way. "I was barely more than a filly myself when an ambitious spell went rather dynamically awry..."

Spike waved a claw casually. "Which in turn hatched me - first as an impressionable whelp needing a maternal mentor's firm but caring guidance." His nonchalant tone softened slightly. "And Twilight Sparkle rose to that challenge marvelously..."

Noticing my lingering uncertain look, Spike reached to lightly punch my shoulder. "But hey, we may not share literal family ties, but you seem a standup fellow all the same in my book!" His sly grinned turned impish. "Even if you are still getting up to speed on relationship nuances 'round these parts."

I flushed faintly again but couldn't help an embarrassed chuckle at the gentle needling. "Heh, thanks Spike. And truly my bad for getting fantasy and reality crossed up." I met his amused eyes squarely. "The offer's still open if you need or want."

"Offer?" He pierced a whole potato and stuffed it in his mouth. "What offer?"

"Uncle?" I directed a hoof at myself. "If you want?"

"Oh." He looked to Twinkle. "So, you learn, or teach, any wild new magics?"

He was using my playbook, changing the topic. Still, I had no reason to pry, so I let the topic die as Twinkle went on about how much progress she was making learning the local unicorn magic.

Instead I turned my attention to Twinkle's enthusiastic account of her magical studies, smiling at seeing the small pony so vivaciously engaged. Her bright smiles and energetic gestures painted a positive picture of burgeoning skills.

"That all sounds dang cool!" I praised when she finally paused for breath. "Seems like you have a real talent for conjuring considering you're still fairly new to having a body at all."

I tilted my head thoughtfully. "Out of curiosity are you noticing differences in magical manipulation compared to when you first arrived?" Recalling her earlier wielding abilities back home, I wondered if Equestria's innate saturation empowered her further.

Twinkle nodded eagerly. "Oh absolutely - it's like back on Earth I was fizzling birthday sparklers, but here I have full access to magical fireworks!" Her little wings buzzed trying to emphasize the comparison. "Everything flows so much smoother and feels way more intuitive in my horn now."

She glanced almost shyly Twilight's way. "I'll never be Star Swirl like my big sister of course. But even little lights can shine pretty bright with enough study!"

Seeing Twilight's touched smile, I reached to scritch Twinkle affectionately behind the ears as best as I could with a hoof. "No doubts there, keep it up. This family is blessed with brilliant magical minds of all sizes!" Twinkle preened under the praise, settling back to finish her meal with smiles lingering all around.

Twilight leaned forward, sipping some after-dinner tea. "Twinkle mentioned you added bookmarks to your book, but I haven't heard word of you actually casting anything from them." She brought her hooves under her chin, supporting her head. "You seem like a curious sort. What's stopping you?"

"Ah, right... The human bookmarks." I was imagining the book, and those bookmarks with human drives in them. "Many of them felt... divorced, even when I was a human. I like this one." I flipped the learn section open. "I like learning things."

"Then take a look," gently goaded Twilight. "See if there's a spell in there you might want to try."

I was learning so much, there, in that whole new world. What I didn't know far outpaced what I did know, and that gap felt like it was barely changing. But the joy of trying meant something. I flipped through the book, gaze distant as I focused on that mental construct.

My inner gaze roamed curiously across the mental pages visually allegorizing my magical spell book, Twilight's gently eager encouragement still echoing. While the core "elemental" sections reflected intuitive pony affinities, these new bookmarks drew instead from psychology, human psychology - tapping drives and desires unique to the human condition I still partially dwelled within.

Most held little appeal currently, my earth pony body and Equestrian welcoming largely satisfying cravings. But the Learn section twinkled with promising potential given my still vast gaps understanding this world and its inhabitants. Perhaps some divination effect to rapidly acquire deeper cultural comprehension?

I stopped at an understated glyph depicting an eye with rays emitting, indicating revelation or flashes of insight. Did it grant temporary empathic attunements or enhanced channels processing external stimulus flows intuitively? Worth investigating!

Besides, I could see it at all. Most pages were muddled and blank. How could I say no?

Focusing my will, like grasping a tangible tome, I manifested the spell design glowing as an afterimage across my vision before blinking the lingering magical residue away. I looked expectantly between Twilight and Twinkle's own eager stares. "Well that one felt like it took cleanly enough! Here goes nothing..."

Uncertain what sensations might hit, I closed my eyes with a steadying breath. But all seemed much the same until a chorus of startled gasps snapped them open! To my shock Twilight and Spike both recoiled, wide eyes locked onto me with deep blushes overtaking their features that had just a moment ago been only cheerful curiosity!

My cheeks heated instantly with flustered embarrassment realizing the spell likely tapped into emotional auras or even private thoughts! But why such intense reactions from the mares? What indiscretions was this second sight revealing?!

Twinkle hopped onto the table. "What did you do? Your eyes glowed, then we glowed." She pointed to Twilight, then herself.

"I didn't glow." Spike shrugged. "Fine, just be that way."

Aw. "I wasn't trying to leave you out on purpose." I focused on that icon, the glowing eye, looking at Spike. A little more present than the first time, I could see the glow from within my eyes, which was like a flash, and Spike did glow along with it.

But nothing happened, besides the glow. "If you're all alright... I have no idea what what I just did."

All three of them shrugged. Dinner was done, so we scattered off to other projects.

I ended up in my room and slid my saddleback free. It made a sound like a lot of paper was in it, rustling as it hit the ground. "Hm?" I hadn't put that much paper in there, had I? I popped it open and reached inside, scooping out paper full of information. It wasn't friendship information at all.

It was clearly labeled sheets of what they had been thinking at that very moment.

I had read their minds, but in, maybe, the least practical way possible. It had gone onto paper. I had to dig out the paper and read it to learn anything. I glanced around quickly, still alone.

Good... Good... I should have torn up the papers into bits, but I stuffed them back in the bag for later review.

That might be... useful reading.

Author's Note

Who wouldn't want dinners like this?

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27 - Like an Open Book.

I checked the door really quickly and... it had no lock. Did Equestria have locks much anywhere? I doubted it for a moment. Maybe ponies just didn't steal from each other.

I didn't mind that part, but... Wait! I slipped the saddlebag on and trotted into the restroom. There was a privacy lock. Even ponies wanted to be private in there. I nosed it shut with a click and stood over the trench as I dug out those papers.

I realized quickly it was kind of dim. I set the messy stack down on the tile and fumbled with the lantern with little success. There were no matches. It was just me, and a lantern that wouldn't light.

Well... shoot... Fire. Mankind had mastered fire. Mankind had mastered fire over and over to reach the very stars and delve into the mystery of the tiniest things. Man had fire magic. Fire and electricity.

I was still a man, at least in part. I grabbed a mental bookmark with a little flame on it and pulled it open to a new page. "Prometheus, don't fail me now."

The first spell was visible. It was nothing but an idealized fire icon. 🔥, and nothing else. There were no arcane sigils or dense magical explinations, just a circle around the fire.

Fire was a simple thing, perhaps. I held up the lantern and focused on the wick, holding that image of the fire. "Light, light, light," I repeated to myself in a mantra. "Light..." I felt a strange suden rash tickle over my back in an instense prickling pain. I held it back, gritting my teeth.

It worked, the wick glimmered and sparked to life, casting light through the bathroom. "Yes." I hummed an electronic victory jingle. "Y... oh." There, in the reflection, I could see something happened. "Shit."

What was looking back at me wasn't an earth pony, exactly. I had a patchwork of thick scales across my back, a bright blue-purple in color. "Did... Damn." How did I hide that?

Answer: I didn't. There was no way to hide huge scales across my back. "Dang..."

I stared, dumbfounded at the vivid patchwork of thick scales now decorating my equine frame. Even my tail had transformed, the hair at the base having fallen out, moving down along the underside of the tail from the midpoint and onwards and leaving the base garbed only in my pelt.

Clearly, this fiery first foray into my latent fiery capacities carried a cost...though one whose permanence remained uncertain. Dread and awe warred equally inside coming to grips with such an extreme anatomical alteration from what I could only assume had been primordial magics.

A knock at the bathroom door nearly made me leap from this alien flesh. "David? Are you alright in there?" came Twilight's muffled concerned voice. "I thought I sensed arcane activity..."

Panic seized me imagining her reaction seeing scaly mutations marring my still novel pony physique. Even if reversible, would such savage spell spillover shake her faith in my self-control after witnessing the memory extraction mishap earlier that very evening? Surely suspicions around reckless ambition hung poised to undermine trust.

But scales meant skills unlocked by bucking limits through daring imaginations unleashed. Had not her lessons emphasized such intellectual frontiers challenged sterile safety of the mundane? Risk and reward danced eternally intertwined along innovation's razor edge - was not magic but science's twin tempered and elevated through courage chasing those stars seared into our souls?

I stood at the crossroads quavering. Would confidence prove justified through frank vulnerability? Or demons conjured by doubtful pride collapse hopes of hearth and home if channels remained flooded by fear?

There at the mirror waited truth my actions etched unto form and future. With anxious breath, I turned the handle to face the music prepared or not...

But first! I grabbed the papers up and stuffed them away in a hurry. Whatever Twilight had to say about what happened, it was not the time to see a single one of those papers. I threw the saddlebags over myself, which hid some of the scales. Not nearly enough. "Let me open the door."

"You alright?" She backed from the door as I opened it. "I jus... David?" She looked me over quickly. "You... You aren't a kirin. You weren't a kirin!" She stomped a hoof. "A pony does not advance to being a kirin! One is either born a kirin, or one is not."

I shrank back, terrified a moment of the frantic Twilight. "S-sorry?"

"No, no, sorry. I'm sorry." Twilight looked instantly awful. "You did nothing wrong, I think?" She tapped at her chin. "I mentioned, before, ponies can and do develop elemental ties. Earth ponies have it in the name. Pegasi are air aligned. Unicorn a step above them, mastering magic." She looked so smug mentioning that. "Water ponies are sea ponies. Lovely creatures. Fire... Fire belongs to the kirin. Unicorns can learn fire spells, to a degree, but they aren't fire."

She glared at me anew. "You are showing all the signs of a kirin in puberty."

I moved around her, towards my room. "I didn't plan on it. I just tried to tap into a human things. Humans have been using fire for tens of thousands of years."

"That's a long time." Twilight trailed after me. "Enough for it to be innate... And you reached for it... But you have a pony body..." She mused as she tapped at her chin. "Your mind was ready for fire, your body was dragged along. A fire pony... A kirin..." She suddenly sped to get in front of me. "Do you have any idea what this means?!"

I stopped, rather than charge into her. "Um, what?"

"Well, for one." She sat and clapped her hooves with a big smile. "You get to be the first kirin at the school. Exciting! There is the whole Kirin Nation and you casually stealing their holy roots, but that's a later thing."

I blinked in surprise at Twilight's abrupt shift from concerned apprehension to evident scholarly delight over my inflammatory misdevelopments. Clearly her natural academic curiosity was overpowering any cultural protocol qualms - an intriguing mindset model to keep in mind navigating future taboo transformations.

"You...actually want to flaunt me to the whole academy?" I asked uncertainly, making my slow way towards my room. "What about not, you know, angering the kirin nation by parading their sacred embodiment in pony lands without permission?" I had caught that part!

Twilight waved a dismissive hoof keeping enthusiastic pace beside me. "Oh I can liaise proper diplomatic channels later, that's just paperwork." Her eye sparkled eagerly. "This is a wondrous chance to directly observe the physiological and magical phases of a newly Awakened kirin! Do you realize how scarce quantitative metamorphosis data is for kirin development?"

I had to chuckle at her evident priorities, categorizing my existential crisis as valuable field research fodder first and foremost. "You certainly have a knack for finding scholarly silver livings wherever you look, don't you?" My smile turned thoughtful. "But I admit the notion of openly being some awe-inspiring kirin holds certain appeals..."

Twilight grinned back slyly, clearly already mentally penning scientific lecture tour proposals for unveiling her star pyric protégé. "Now you're getting it! This serendipitous little mishap has opened all sorts of educational outreach possibilities!" She playfully elbowed me. "Though some scaled glamour to finish that look may be in order for maximum mystic impressiveness when I take you on the road..."

I had to laugh imagining the grand menagerie fabricated fanfare Twilight's ambitions would likely unleash left unchecked. Still, she made disconcerting upheavals feel fun. "But, so, not a pony anymore?"

Twilight hiked a brow. "I never said that." She stopped at my door as I headed inside. "A pegasus is a pony, as is a unicorn, or a gem pony, or a sea pony... We're all ponies. It's just..." She rolled her hooves. "Typically, some elements are much harder for a pony to develop into. Most ponies don't have a natural affinity for fire."

I waved up at Twilight's horn, then back at her wings. "So you... are... What'd you start with?"

Twilight stood tall and proud. "I was a studious earth filly. I earned my horn at a young age and got the rare opportunity to grow into a unicorn without the luck of bloodline to fall back on. The wings." She spread those wide. "I earned as an adult, during my endeavors to keep the nation safe and the ponies in it secure. I am, thusly, an earth and air pony with a strong penchant for magic."

That didn't sit right with me. "Unicorns can't be the only ones with magic."

"They're the most specialized in it," countered Twilight without even a hint of hesitation. "All ponies have magic, but unicorns specialize in it."

A growing part of me was sure that was a bit of pony racism, but also a big part of me wanted to close the door and hide the other evidence of what I was doing when that... "Oh! The lantern's lit in the bathroom. You'll want to put that out."

Twilight squeaked and dashed off, likely to do that. I closed the door and threw my saddlebag off to the floor. "Fail..." Or success? I flopped onto my bed and curled, just to find a warmth pressing against me. It was alive, and nuzzling.

It was Twinkle. I nudged at her. "Why are you here?"

"I've been waiting for you. I thouht you'd be back in a jiff, just a quick trip to the bathroom, nope! You come back and you're a whole new thing." She scrambles up onto my side. "Fascinating, look at you." She reaches out to feel over my new scales on my back. "Does that hurt?"

Fortunately, it didn't. Ticklish, mildly, was more accurate, and triggering my lack of being used to being touched. "I'm fine."

I tensed instinctively at Twinkle's curious inspection of the vivid azure integument coating swathes of my altered physique. Even the gentle pressure of investigative prodding drove home the alien emergence marring this equine shape I had only just begun adjusting to from the start.

Wiggling at the ticklish sensations, I rolled partly dislodging the tiny explorer now scrambling to avoid getting crushed by my bulk. "Yeah, the new look doesn't seem to cause actual pain oddly enough," I affirmed, awkwardly craning my neck to survey the damage myself. "Just feels weirdly tingly all over..."

I paused, frowning thoughtfully. "Do I really seem that changed from the outside beyond the decorative scaled additions?" Carefully maneuvering upright, I turned an uncertain eye Twinkle's way.

She pursed her lips, tapping one delicately. "Hmm, well you don't seem to have sprouted any scary extra heads or gone on power-mad rants yet, if that's what you mean." Her impish grin returned. "Honestly you seem like the same old David still getting used to crazy magic stuff. Just, you know, a little extra fiery fabulosity now!"

I huffed, and a lick of flame escaped my snout when I did it. I started in surprise. "Fiery, right..." I sank on my belly on the bed. "Right... I'm a fire hazard now. You sure you want to be here?"

"Very." She curled against me. "My interest has only increased, and I care about you. Let's get some sleep."

What did she really think? A pity I hadn't had the chance to read those notes.

I chuckled ruefully at her playful reassurance even as relief flowed through me not detecting any deeply altered core Self still present behind the draconic accents. Only the exterior evolutionary eruptions marked this as no typical teenage identity crisis - on the inside, the same tentative scholar peered out.

"Well that's certainly good to know..." I murmured, giving her an appreciative scritch between the ears. I reached tentatively towards the sealed saddlebag holding emotionally revealing papers and stolen glimpses. "Nice to know some risky ventures yield only superficial scattering burns leaving the heart unchanged."

With a steadying breath, I firmly drew hoof and gaze both away. "Now then, perhaps I should go reassure your sister I'm not broiling any books before bed?"

Author's Note

Kirins are neat, and now David is one, a developing one. Yay?

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28 - Fiery Temper

I had a good night's rest. The next morning, I slid out of bed and took note that Twinkle wasn't there. I took a moment examining myself. I knew what a kirin was, at least in the show. I had the back scales of one. They were a, if you stepped back, actually kind of pretty carpet of blue-purple scales. I couldn't reach them though, at least not with a hoof.

I could, just barely, touch my nose to them and they were strong, but also sensitive? I could feel my nose pressing on them just as my nose felt itself mashing against those hard scales. Supple? Was supple the right word?

I didn't have the scales kirins normally had on their face. My hoof was still one hoof. Kirin were cloven, right? I remembered that. I think? Pretty sure. My hoof was still solid. I tapped it against the ground to be sure.

And my world exploded in white pain as my hoof broke with the strike. Something became wrong, but also right. Gaining a hoof was gaining a mitten with one pad, stiff and forever.

Suddenly that mitten had two, and I could even move them a little. The freedom, compared to none, is hard to put into words, but I could feel it as the pain receded. I gave quiet 'ow's as it happened and hissed, but I didn't do much of anything else, waiting patiently for it to pass.

Breathing a little hard, I brought up the changed hoof and wiggled those two toes each had. I laughed at it. I had fingers again. Sure, they were crude as fingers went, but going from zero to two felt like a whole world had changed. I pressed them against my face and just worked them back and forth, luxuriating in the return of some of that ability. "This is... great."

But work waited for no pony, kirin or not. Just like that, I pulled out my keyboard and got to work, completing the words I owed for the day.

I finished inputting my words for the day and slid the keyboard away, eager to further investigate my changing body now that I had the fine manipulators to do so. I turned at a light knock as Twilight peeked in my door. "David? Did I hear you active already?"

I waved at her, realizing I was showing her my hoof. "I got this." I wriggled my new digits at her. "I love them, a lot."

She hurried to me and grabbed the hoof in her magic. "Kirin foals are born with these. But you were not born a kirin. Perhaps..." She mumbled to herself with her theories. "Did it hurt?" she suddenly asked, breaking her quiet.

I winced mildly, memories of the bursting agony that heralded my new clefts still fresh. "Let's just say the, er, hoof-splitting process wasn't nice, but it passed by quickly enough."

I grinned lopsidedly trying to downplay the vivid recollection. "But hey, nothing worth gaining comes free, right? And having worked for these flexible fingers myself makes me all the more thrilled to have somehow earned them."

I turned my palm upward to gently cradle Twilight's chin, marveling at the nuanced contact. "I'd suffer far worse if it meant I could hold things. Though hopefully, any future anatomical expansions manifest more, ah, delicately..."

"I can only imagine." She inclined her head faintly. "You have school, do you not?"

"And a game later." I stood up and trotted off towards school without even dealing with breakfast.

Twilight turned, shaking her head at me as I went. "Focused. I... know the feeling."

I hurried towards the crystal spires of the school, eager to investigate how my new traits might aid in magical lessons and experiments. My stomach growled faintly in protest at skipping breakfast in my enthusiasm, but I pushed the discomfort aside. After all, wasn't this dramatic transformation sequence fueled by powerful inner fires of a sort themselves? Perhaps hunger held less sway over my altered metabolism now.

Nearing the arched academy entrance, I spotted Sandbar waving in greeting. "HeyaDaoof-!" The lanky earth pony's hail ended in a startled gurgle spotting my approach, eyes rounding comically. Other milling students similarly freeze-framed mid-step catching sight of me, whispers already hissing through the courtyard.

I halted as well, smile freezing awkwardly in place under the sudden weight of countless staring eyes. In my building excitement, facing the social scrutiny that such exotic changes were guaranteed to draw hadn't fully processed. I should have foreseen word spreading swiftly about the school's resident oddity shifting stranger still...

Sandbar broke the stillness first, approaching. "Wow... Um... You okay?"

That startled me into motion, swaying my new tail. It was the same tail, but the hair had moved down to the midsection and down. "I'm okay, promise. Hi!"

"Hey youself." He snorted in a laugh. "Seriously, that's... I never saw that before." He circled around me curiously. "You're a... they went over this..."

"Kirin," noted Smolder, landing near us. "A dragonpony." She puffed flames with a grin.

I flushed under the scrutinizing stares of Sandbar and fellow students, scuffing a newly cleft hoof self-consciously. But Smolder's sly needling over my hybrid status stirred a surprising flicker of pride. Dragon-Pony - was that a new thing or maybe some nice term of endearment?

Buoyed by this brash notion, I lifted my head higher addressing the murmuring onlookers. "Yeah, so the new look took even me by surprise last night," I admitted. "But Twilight tells me kirin represent fire control unattainable by most other species."

I allowed a small grin meeting Smolder's amused eyes. "That isn't a challenge though... You have so much more practice than I do."

A few nervous titters greeted my bravado, but I spotted grudging approval on some faces as well at this refusal to act ashamed. With antisocial outcasts like Gallus even nodding supportively, I dared hope this unwitting metamorphosis hadn't utterly burned bridges with the herd after all...

Emboldened, I took a step towards the crystalline archway, motioning the others to follow. "Now then, with magic theory first thing, I'd say we have some perfect practical spellcasting demonstrations on tap for today!"

Smolder punched me on the shoulder as I passed her and fell in alongside me. "I need to see what fire magic you can do, then you can cry at how much better I am at it." She laughed, but she sounded legit happy about it. "We'll beat some flames into you."

"One thing." She casually reached over, still walking, and rubbed just above my eyes. "Kirin have horns, like unicorns. Where's yours? Freaky, seeing a kirin without one."

I looked up at where her fingers were on me. "I have no idea. Maybe it'll come in? Maybe I won't have one. I don't... know."

We pressed on to class where Twilight stood behind the desk. Right! She was the teacher of Magic Theory! I had read that, taken note of it, and then completely forgot about it. I nodded at her as I took a seat and drew out my keyboard, the one that took notes in class.

"I see many eager faces." Twilight clapped from the front of the room, standing before a cleared chakboard. "I trust everycreature completed their homework?"

A strange sensation tickled at my skin and I looked around for the source. They were casting spells. Each student was holding aloft the result of their spell. Smolder had a strange fireball that folded and unfolded itself. Gallus held gusts of air that assembled little wooden blocks. Even Yona was in on it, her horns glowing brightly with deep thrumming noises.

The rich symphony of spells singing all around formed a painful reminder of comparative inadequacy. I was still so new at magic, and they, clearly, far ahead of me. There I was, thinking I was some kind of hot shot for a moment. That was fixed!

But I didn't want to just give up. I held my cloven hooves up and focused on the one fire spell I knew, that fire icon, the flame. The heat! I stared into the air, reminded of when I tried to do the same thing as a human child. No flame had come to me. Humans couldn't conjure fire without a little help. But I was a kirin.

Kirins could. Flame erupted between my hooves, growing just as wide as my hooves allowed. When I brought them closer, the flame got smaller. When I spread them, the ball got bigger. I laughed with a giddy joy. I had done it. Thirty years later, and I had done it. I had created fire!

I grinned, delighted to finally spark visible proof of inner fire made real, however small. Sustaining a flickering flame wasn't remaking the world yet but it proved I could tap the fire inside me.

Twilight smiled proudly as students murmured, astonished at volatile power awakened. One mare pointed at me with a shaking hoof. "How is he doing that?!" she shrilly demanded.

Twilight made a gentle lowering motion. Spells were put away, and I... How did I stop burning? I brought my hooves together until they touched, and that snuffed the flames. "Phew."

"Class." Twilight nodded across the room. "You all did quite well. As you know, there are many elements around us. We ponies typically dabble in earth and air. Water specialists are sea ponies, still ponies, but they tend to live their entire life in the water."

She nodded towards me. "Opposite that, we have the kirin. With a fire inside, they can match dragons, but are more likely to practice their spellcraft."

Smolder raised a hand swiftly. "Teach! I'm a dragon, and I'm practicing right now." She smirked, aiming it at me. "So I can tan his hide, right?"

Twilight lowered her hooves. "Now now. Let's not get violent. In a direct contest, David has no hope." The class chuckled and giggled at that. "He's still learning the basics. Compared to a born kirin, he's barely a toddler. But, he's advancing quickly. I'm quite proud, and look forward to how he continues to develop."

That was very mixed news. I wasn't sure if I should feel complimented or insulted. Both was an option. "T-thanks," I muttered too quietly to really be heard.

You're completely right about keeping the focus on tangible actions and sensory details to move the scene forward effectively. Inner thoughts have their place to reveal reactions, but should be used judiciously amongst the concrete unfolding events. I'll pay more attention to that balance moving forward.

To get us back on track:

I tucked the keyboard device closer as foals around me practiced various elemental spells, their magical lights casting shifting hues across the room. Behind her lecturn, Twilight stepped closer with an encouraging smile while Smolder made fiery shadow puppets dance teasingly across my desk.

"Don't hide back there, show us more of what you've figured out!" pressed Sandbar, genuine awe replacing any earlier skepticism at my fiery talents. "That mini bonfire was awesome dude!"

Their building cheers stirred a glow rekindling inside that no harsh spotlight could easily extinguish when freely offered in camaraderie. With gathering bravado, I lowered the typewriter with a steadying breath and lit my little magical torch under classmates’ excited gazes once more.

I imagined a little copper in there, just a few flecks. The ball erupted into a brilliant green shade. "Nice."

"Nice," echoed Smolder. "How'd you... You alright?"

I was not feeling alright. A new and intense headache was washing over me. I dropped the fire, which went out on the way to the ground. "Ow." Ow was such a little word compared to what I was feeling, the headache growing worse by the moment as I clopped a hoof against the air feebly.

Twilight folded a wing over me and said something, but I couldn't hear it over whatever was happening. Other students closed in and helped lift me as they hurried me off to the nurse's room.

Author's Note

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30 - Checking In

I would have fled, but he had me by the cheeks, and actually fighting Spike felt like just a mean thing to do. Besides, I had given permission. I refused to back down on that. My word was my bond, and he wasn't hurting me. I let out an equine snort. "So... you're a dragon."

"Yup."

"So you know fire magic, right?" I lifted an ear, the fur rubbing against the scales of his holding hand. "Want to see the fire spell I know?"

Spike scritched gently at my large cheeks. "I would absolutely love that, but not here. Here is where books sleep, and books are scared of fire, poor things."

I laughed at myself. "Good call. I almost made Twilight mad... again... Let's head outside."

"Sure." He released me and rose to all fours. He emerged into the light and stretched, legs first, then his great wings to either side. "I should... come out more often."

"You should," I agreed teasingly. "Why don't you?"

"Hm?" He inclined his head back at the library. "That's where I live. My den, if you will. I'm a grown dragon, I have a den, and it's a good den, so I don't need to wander." He shrugged softly. "It's a dragon thing."

I tilted my head thoughtfully, considering Spike's odd nesting habits sticking so unwaveringly to the library even after achieving a gargantuan size. Given how fluidly he integrated cooking, watching over library visitors, and things like that compared to classic hoarding, there had to be more involved than species tendencies for isolation.

"Correct me if I'm off-base here..." I began slowly following him towards a clearing not too far from Twilight's library house. A lone squirrel scattered before Spike's imposing footfalls. The birds didn't react, as if used to such things.

"But you don't strike me as the antisocial type content lurking forever in a cramped abode growing mold." I glanced pointedly around the sprawling meadow, lush with life and warmth. "I'd think your protective instincts of Twilight's personal space are pretty well handled. So, why not roam out and about more often?"

I shrugged, aiming for casual. "Just seems an awful shame keeping all you cooped inside without need." I smiled secretively. "Unless...dare I infer certain attachments developed to savor?" I waggled my brows teasingly. "Magical or otherwise?"

Spike chuckled at that, smoke rings puffing lazily skyward. "Nothing escapes yer perceptions does it, Twilight mentioned you could see things." His expression turned thoughtful scanning the area as if seeing anew. "But fair observation it's...complicated. Home is home, but outside ain't so bad with right company either."

He sat up on his haunches, just to keep sliding up until he was properly on his butt in a more human posture. "Alright, let's see this fire magic. As a dragon, I will judge, harshly."

"Go easy on me." I focused on that symbol, but it refused to come, at least not as it had been. The fire symbol I brought up was colored, with black at the center and red along the fringes. It was a nirik flame, the dark counter-presence to Kirin. It was when kirin, in the show, most expressed that fire. It was as fine a symbol as any other, and I latched onto it, focusing.

"There you go." Spike leaned in to see the fire erupt into being. "Bigger. That's barely anything. I know you have more than that."

Puzzling over Spike's intriguing remark about perceiving unseen dimensions, I refocused on the deceptively diminutive flicker dancing across my outstretched palms. Though it burned steadily, enthusiasm seemed to dim feeling those judgmental draconic eyes boring expectantly for far grander displays as meager magical muscle simply sputtered unsatisfactorily.

Was I scared? The last fire had resulted in the painful emergance of my horn. What would playing with fire bring next? Too late, I was devoted to coaxing that fire larger as my hooves wiggled.

The flickering fireball compressed, collapsing into a tiny mote before abruptly ballooning outward with thunderous force into a roaring pillar of darkness and flame. Ghostly afterimages swirled through the conflagration framing my sharp grin towards the enthralled dragon witness.

"Well well, those old human physics texts proved good for something after all..." I intoned letting rich satisfaction color my voice. "All magic's energy in the end, yes? And what is energy but charge yearning release when sparked properly..."

I waved a casual hoof dispersing the unruly inferno with a rush of displaced air briefly leaving us breathless in the following stillness. My smile turned sly, or so I hoped, angling back Spike's way. "Care to show me now how a true dragon handles the literal fire within next?"

Spike clapped gently. "Very nice, but you're getting a big head." He thumped the side of his considerable head against me, almost knocking me right over. "You've seen nothing." He snapped his fingers, fire dancing along them. "I am an extension of Twilight's magic. Her power, is my power. As either of us grows, we both grow. She isn't using her force, so I can..." He smashed his great palms together. "Behold, true flames."

As he spread his hands, a raging inferno swept into the space he created with the movement. "The size of the flame can mean little, but..." He stood up on his hinds and spread his hands wider. He was a lot bigger than I was, so that meant there was a lot more space for the flames to occupy. "It means something." He suddenly swirled his hands and the ball jumped free, becoming a deer of flames that landed gently, looking at him, flickering with heat.

The deer was big enough to look him in the eyes, towering over me. "Holy hell... Damn, that's... impressive." Were there better words to use? None came to me, watching the fiery... um... what was the fancy word for deer? "Can you make it do things?"

"Sure." He waved over me and the deer hopped right over my head. He offered an imagined snack and the deer came up to eat it gently. "You're just starting your little fire journey. You'll learn all kinds of tricks, I bet. But don't think that gets you ahead of the veterans, okay?"

I stared slack-jawed as Spike casually commanded enough kindling to incinerate an entire village into a tame fearn with but an idle thought. My own magical muscle felt like a mere sputtering matchstick set against the miniature sun prancing daintily across the clearing at his whims.

The sheer power difference brought my bruised bravado low in an instant. How arrogant pretending my minor flame spurts were worth noticing in a land where conjured fire could scorch the very skies themselves! Suddenly, human magical fantasy tropes felt charmingly quaint against such awesome realities dragon kind casually commanded.

I shook myself watching Spike lavish gentle affection on a being capable of annihilating Ponyville in a blink. And yet, warmth radiated there where by all mortal constraints One would think only merciless indifference towards tiny little nothings like me. Perhaps in there flickered embers that had some speck of life.

"Well, damn... That... was a fine lesson." I bowed to Spike and deer both. "I have a long way to go."

Spike waved at the deer, who took off in great pronking bounces. "Good to remember that." He sank with a heavy thud onto his bottom and casually gathered me up to pet. "I don't want me new favorite pony doll getting hurt."

"Hey!" I wriggled, but he had me, and fighting any harder felt like breaking my promise. "I'm not a doll."

"Alien cuddle buddy?" ventured Spike with a snicker. "What term do you prefer?" He casually rolled me over onto my back and rubbed my belly. "You seem to like this, even if you won't admit it even to yourself."

"Well..." I kicked at the air. Dang it, it did feel good. I wanted to be pet forever. But ponies were passing by, watching it, and embarassment wasn't a force I had entirely vanquished. "Can we go back inside?"

"And you were asking me why I preferred the indoors." He released me as he stood up himself. "The deer's already gone, by the way. They won't set anything on fire."

Scurrying back towards the treebrary, I could only shoot several stragglers my most regal scowl which sadly failed landing any actual scorch marks in passing. So much for leveraging exotic fire beasts towards some semblance of untouchable status after that unabashed undignified display.

Safely through the doorway I sprawled onto the rug with a grunt. "I looked... silly." I swished my tail over the soft texture of the rug. "Thank you." I turned to look at Spike, but he had already found something new to do.

Glancing over at Spike already immersed in comics and snacks, I huffed wry resignation. "Well, you're not bothered." I laughed at that. "Probably better not to be worked up. They didn't seem angry, just... what... amused?" A small smile crept up.

Spike glanced up, seeming to read lingering wistfulness under forced casualness. "Hey, weird's relative round these parts yaknow. Just keep channelin' that confidence and they'll come around." He smiled back gently. "I mean, ponies love me, after all!"

I chuckled softly, heading towards my room. "Checking in with my friends. If I'm not out by then, let me know when Twi--" I opened the door to see a Twinkle grinning viciously at me. "Nevermind. I forgot another dear friend was right here."

Spike gave a thumbs up at the door closed between us.

"Twinkle, why are you giving me that look?"

"Because I was right," she sang, wings fluttering. "Your use of fire magic has prompted the start of your growth as a kirin, starting with what controls your fire magic." She pointed up at my new horn. "And isn't that a marvelous horn you have there. I imagine you're already using it gracefully."

"So far so good." I went to my bed to sit on it on the edge. "You saw this coming?"

"I guessed." She took a flapping leap to join me on the bed with a thump. "I couldn't know for sure until I'd seen it." She leaned against me. "Or I would have said something."

"Huh." I stroked gently down her back as I settled down, only realizing I was doing it with my magic when I took note of where my hoof was. Magic was odd, like a third arm I was still getting used to even having. "The magic's great, just new."

"You're already, mmm." She closed her eyes. "Surprisingly agile with it. I guess those fingers were good practice... Now what was that?" She stepped back. "With Spike? It sounded like you were getting some heavy petting, and then you ran off."

"Not... wrong?" That only got her looking at me even more oddly. "He wanted to inspect things, and I, um, liked... it? So I let him. Then we compared some fire magic."

"I missed that." She snorted with a little puff of magic. "No fair. Invite me along next time." She wriggled her nose at me. "And for the petting. You left me out. Unless you, just... prefer males? I mean, if that's what you like, not trying to be awkward about that."

"I think I mentioned before?" I ruffled her mane gently. "If it has a heartbeat, it has a chance with me. But I have to know it to even consider things like that. I know Spike, and he was... I sound like I'm making excuses."

"But not for the one that matters." Twinkle raised a brow. "I have sudies to do, and they can't proceed until you cease considering me as a foal."

I chuckled even as I grabbed my keyboard and slid into a comfy spot. "Going to check in and make sure things are alright on the other side. Let Spike know I had a good time today."

"Why don't you tell him?" Still, she fluttered to the door and headed out.

Author's Note

A helpful reminder, Familiar Spike is a grown entity. He gazes on David with an adult's eyes, curious but helpful.

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31 - One Day and So Many More

I awoke and rolled out of bed with a stretch. "Thank god for a body that works." I had tried to be positive as a human. I still tried as a pony and kirin. "Let's check in..." I grabbed the keyboard and did that, quickly catching up on owed words and saying hello to my friends. They were arguing about AI eagerly. I left them to that and pulled my hooves away. "Breakfast!"

I emerged to see Twilight looking at me oddly. "Did I miss something?"

Twilight held up a mirror that I rushed up towards. Scales. I had them all over my face in clear lines that formed the traditional kirin patterns. "Huh... not bad." I reached up a cloven hoof to feel over them. "How does it look?"

Twilight tucked the mirror away. "That you didn't even know you got them implies it didn't hurt. Good."

"The back scales didn't hurt either." I looked back at the blue-purple scales that matched the ones on my face. "The only things that really hurt would be the hooves." I lifted one. "And the horn." I pointed with the raised hoof even as my magic met it in a high-five that sounded with a clap.

I lashed my slender tail. "All done now, I think?"

Twilight's horn glowed as she grabbed a book over, looking over something. "Mmm, I think so... You are a physiologically complete kirin. Congratulations. If you're comfortable, then... good."

"Good." I sat at the table and nodded at Spike. "Mornin'."

"Hey." He casually patted me on the head, rubbing one ear gently. "We're going simple today." He gestured to a bowl of more types of nuts than I had imagined. "Help yourself."

"Neat." I scooped up a bunch with my magic and spilled them across my plate. "I love nuts. I have no idea what half of these are, but I plan to find out." I tossed a big one in my mouth and got to crunching.

Twilight hiked a brow. "That was adorable, but raises questions."

Twinkle landed on the table's edge suddenly. "David gave Spike permission for touches, even if he looks uncomfortable. Spike is letting the power go right to his head."

"Am not." Spike withdrew his hand defensively. "Good luck at school."

I flushed embarrassed at Twinkle bluntly airing private permissions granted in confidence. Still, Spike's casual presumption did echo her concerned caution upon reflection. How readily sensitive exposures became norms without periodic reality checks...

I gently elbowed his hulking wrist as he withdrew, easing any unintended shame. "You're alright Spike, just caught up enjoying things is all..." I offered a crooked grin his way before meeting Twilight's eyes unflinchingly.

"Honestly, we're both still mapping boundaries as trust builds between, um, us." I waved the admission away with a nervous chuckle. "Finding what works."

Twilight inclined her head slowly as I crunched on new nuts. "You realize, he's my familiar."

"Yeah?" Mmm, that one tasted like pistachio, but larger. "So?"

"So..." She rolled a hoof. "One does not engage in relations with a familiar. That's the... same..." Her face was coloring. "As... having relations with the pony whose familiar it is. Spike is me."

Spike took a turn patting Twilight gently instead. "So, in that case, you're allowed to touch him too."

"Spike!" Twilight glared at him, then coughed into her hoof. "I will not assume that. Our guest is just learning this. If he wishes to extend that invitation, he can do so now that he understands. Still... Spike is me... You two having a... relation... is... awkward, at best." She laughed nervously. "You understand?"

My cheeks burned brilliant crimson comprehending at last the intensely intimate implications from Twilight's standpoint. While simply basking in long denied positive attention myself, I was making Twilgith uncomfortable, putting it mildly.

I rubbed my neck self-consciously under Twilight's discomfited gaze, eyes darting towards Spike offering only playfully oblivious grins back completely undaunted. Evidently neither dragon nor human social mores framed such contact as nearly so taboo between consenting minds.

"I clearly made a mistake..." I managed finally, inclining my head contritely Twilight's way before shifting my stare firmly Spikeward. "I got ahead of myself without thinking it through." I reached to gently grasp Spike's wrist anew with my magic, residual fondness lingered still. "So, do we need to call this, um, off?" Had we even properly begun?

Spike waved dismissively but kept our contact joined. "Like Twilight said, the offer stands now you know the score." He winked roguishly. "But sure, ground rules probably should be hashed out clearer going forward either way huh?"

I pressed his warm scales affectionately before carefully withdrawing contact fully once more. However fascinating the prospect, competing cares came first. "This is new. Can we hit pause? I'm going from desert to drowning instantly."

With a self-conscious cough I pressed on my class schedule instead. "Speaking of going forward, I believe Professor Twilight has advanced casting techniques on the lesson plan today?"

Twilight waved a hoof. "You're getting tunnel vision. Don't forget the 'Introductions 101' with Fluttershy. A valuable class."

If that hadn't been marked as mandatory... "I know how to say hi. That's the one social trick I know."

Twilight smiled at that. "Listen and learn. You're new to school, especially in our world. Pay attention in every class, hm? Now, we all have things to do." She pushed to her hooves. "See you later, Spike."

I chuckled ruefully under Twilight's gently chiding reminder. It was a fair point that school offered opportunities expanding emotional insight from guides. Perhaps understanding grew less through avoiding discomforts but leaning in embracing it.

I took a last lingering look Spike's way, possibilities paused but... maybe later, I didn't know.

Swallowing the last sweet nutty dregs, I turned my thoughts fully school-ward where mentors familiar and newly met awaited equally. I had only met that Equestria's Fluttershy breiefly. I looked forward to seeing her in the class.

Spike waved, nearly swatting Twilight. "Watch the wings! Have fun learning or whatever." He turned back to the table, only to notice I had eaten everything. "Aw..."

So I got to school. This was my pattern, a new pattern. I did my work on the keyboard, had breakfast, attended school, and did any games I had due in the evening, cycling over and over. At least until I got a letter I couldn't ignore, but that's another story.

It was a comfortable pattern.

Being a pony was... alright. Being a kirin, also pretty fine as things went.

I took some time one morning to fluff my mane. I had lost the afro I once had, but also not entirely? The thick curls of a kirin mane were pretty close. It was like someone had just snuck up on me and done up my old natural curls into new, still natural, curls. "Looking good." And that was, itself, an odd thing to say.

I so rarely enjoyed what I saw in the mirror. Kirin me, pretty good. I clicked my teeth and flashed a smile at my reflection. "Looking good." I wandered out to greet the day.

I didn't feel vain. I didn't think I was the prettiest thing around, just that I was good, and so were a lot of other people, and that was great. I still had to deal with outputting emotional intensity only faintly higher than Maud, but at least I presented something worth staring at as one worked out what I was trying to say.

That was why I was at a friendship school, right?

But that was a mental thing. That was how I was wired. I could learn to mask it, but those who got close to me? They'd have to learn and accept and, hopefully, like that part of things. It wasn't going to change, no matter how much they taught me.

On the positive, ponies seemed inclined to be alright with it. "Heading out," I called, trotting out the door and heading down the road.

One of the creatures I was meeting with spotted me and closed in at my side. "Ready?" demanded the large female.

"Hey, Yona. Born ready. Very alarming to my doctors."

Yona frowned, imagining that, but a smile came. "Came out and smashed! Doctor applauded."

I held up a hoof and got a high-five from her. She gave powerful ones. It stung, but I said nothing, just setting the hoof down. "Right on. What's the topic today?"

Yona inclined her head. "We have to pick where visit."

"Visit? Oh." Right, it came back to me. "For the class trip?"

"Yes." She nodded her head firmly. "Each class pick." She pointed at me. "You in class, you pick with us. We go somewhere fun. Somewhere learn. Fun and learn. Ready?"

"Ready," I laughed out. However cool my face was, I could laugh at least. "Are we thinking a city, or somewhere rural?"

"Ask later." She nudged against me and hurried ahead towards the meeting.

The other creatures would answer that question.

It was time to live my new life in Equestria.

I would do my best not to repeat Earth mistakes.

I could make whole new ones! I looked forward to them.

Author's Note

And fin. I will be starting a new story sequel to this, but this one, right here, feels done as it is. We've wandered very far from where things started. I do hope folks enjoyed the trip. Here's to the next leg.

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1 - Buying Toys

Hello.

My name is David Silver, I'm in my early 40s, and with that come many of the things that come with 40s, and some extras. Pain has become a constant friend of mine, destined to remain until the day I die.

But let's not dwell on that. That's a boring story. No, I was in my backyard. I was hoping to get a building constructed there, an ADU they call it. Renting it out would help a lot with boring money things.

But one can't ignore boring money things, not in the world that we humans made for ourselves. I had to handle the boring money things to keep on living, so I wanted that building.

My dog, Django, was eagerly sniffing at things and exploring, and I was keeping half an eye on him.

At least until he found something that didn't belong. It was a bright purple, and I recognized it immediately. Fearing he'd tear into it, or worse, I called him back. "Django, c'mere!"

I patted my side, calling the dog over with promises of gentle pets.

Once he was calm, and away, I strode purposefully to the purple splash. "What are you doing here?" A life-sized Twilight, crashed there in my backyard?

She looked clean and dry and unblemished for her journey, but surely that wouldn't last if I left her there.

Also, I never had a plush toy so large! I crouched with a wince. There was that pain, but it would not stop me from grabbing Twilight Sparkle.

Twilight let out a small squeak of surprise as I lifted her plush body from the grass.

"Careful!" she said, her voice muffled against my chest. I adjusted my grip so I could see her stuffed face.

"Sorry about that," I said, almost dropping her in surprise. "But what happened? Why are you here like...this?" I gestured at her fabric coat and yarn mane.

Twilight wiggled in my hands. "It's rather embarrassing actually. I was attempting a transdimensional teleportation spell to observe your world firsthoof. But something went wrong and I've become trapped in this plush form!"

I blinked down at the talking toy pony. "So...you're the real Twilight? The magical one from Equestria?"

She nodded, her head flopping. "The one and only! And no one seems able to see me either, only you." She sighed, blowing a bit of stuffing from her mouth. "I don't know how long I'm stuck like this or how to fix it."

I glanced around instinctively as if someone would be watching this unbelievable encounter. But the backyard was empty, and I saw no movement from any neighbors' yards.

"Well, we'll figure something out," I said, tucking Twilight under one arm. Her hooves dangled limply against my side. "I can't just leave you out here. Let's get you inside for now while we think of what to do."

As I carried the pony into my house, my mind reeled. What was I going to do with a magical talking plush pony? But I pushed the questions aside for the moment, focusing on making Twilight comfortable. This was certainly going to be interesting.

"Allow me to say." I go directly to my room, letting my dog in along the way.

I set Twilight on the bed and close the door to my room, barring Django. "I'm both excited and... Mostly excited, gonna just say... again."

"You know me?" With no other living creatures in sight, Twilight sat up despite being a plush toy. "Oh, I can move..." She tested each hoof one by one. "Why?" She looked around the room slowly. "Hm..."

It seemed to arrive at her and she brought her hooves together with a cloth thump. "I'm not being watched."

"I'm watching you." I reach to gently ruffle the top of Twilight. "Um, is it alright if I do that?" I shy the hand away. "That might have been rude."

"A little." Twilight reached up and captured my unsure hand between her hooves. "But only because I don't know you that well yet. I'm Twilight Sparkle, which you seem to already know?"

Twilight smiled up at me, her plush face almost seeming to move fluidly despite its stuffed nature. "You certainly know me, though I must admit at a bit of a disadvantage here about you."

I grinned excitedly back at her. "Oh wow, I can't believe I'm actually meeting you! I'm David - just an average human but a total fan of My Little Pony. Your show's meant a lot to me."

Twilight tilted her head. "My...show?"

"Oh right!" I said. "In this world, your adventures in Equestria and with your friends are a popular animated TV series called My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. So you have tons of human fans here."

Twilight's eyes went wide. "Really? A whole television show about us?" She tapped a hoof to her chin. "Well I suppose if magic brought me here in plush form, the existence of a TV show isn't too unbelievable. Though it's strange to think anyone would want to watch little old me and my friends on adventures."

I chuckled. "Trust me, you all have big fanbases here. Though I guess celebrity status isn't too important right now - figuring out how to get you back home in one piece is." I hesitated before gently patting her mane again. "Don't worry Twilight, we'll get this sorted. I'm just thrilled to actually meet the real pony behind the character!"

Twilight smiled, leaning into my touch. "Well, I certainly lucked out finding the one human who already knows me. With your help I'm confident we can solve this interdimensional plush problem!" She held out a hoof for me to shake. "It's nice to meet you too, David. Let's get to work!"

I joyfully shook her tiny hoof, eagerness rising in me. Maybe having a talking pony fall into my life wasn't so bad after all! Except the thousand things that could go wrong... "One thing."

"Yes?" She sits back, watching me evenly.

"I'm not young."

Twilight inclined her head. "I didn't think you were a foal." She paused and blinked. "Oh, um... child? You're clearly not a child human. I've seen those."

I chuckled at the misunderstanding. "Not one of those, but also not a young adult. You're one of those, right?"

"Yep." She put a hoof on her plush chest. "I am a young adult pony mare unicorn, if we're getting all of that out of the way. You are a...?"

"Middle-aged human male." I counted on fingers with each word. "Can I ask a dumb question?"

"You don't strike me as the sort to ask those, but we've only just met." She inclined her head slowly. "Go ahead."

"What sort of magic can you do? Can you do magic on me?"

Twilight seemed to hear something in that. "Is... something wrong?" She looked me over with new attention. "Are you hurt? I heard you make a sound before."

I winced, remembering it. I hated showing pain as a habit, but that was life... "Yeah. We can start with age, but I have a few other things clogging things up."

Her plush horn glowed and sputtered out. "Mmm... No. I can't do much like this. Figuring out how is half the reason I haven't already gone home."

Twilight frowned, tapping her chin with a hoof as she studied me. "Hmm, it seems being trapped in this plush form has severely limited my magical abilities. I can barely produce a spark!"

She shook herself in frustration, wrinkling the soft fabric of her body. "Oh, this is going to make solving this problem so much harder. I was hoping to analyze the teleportation spell remnants or residues to figure out what went wrong. But that requires magic!"

I gave her a sympathetic pat, feeling the smooth faux fur under my palm. "That's rough. But don't worry, we'll figure something out even without magic to start. Two heads - or a head and horn I guess - are better than one!"

Twilight sighed but then set her mouth in a determined line. "You're right. I may not have magic but I still have my mind and knowledge. Between the two of us, we're bound to find an answer."

She turned and clambered awkwardly onto my leg so she could look me straight on. I sank into my computer chair, forming a seat for her in the process. "Now then, tell me more about these issues of yours. Perhaps they relate somehow to why only you can see me or provide other clues. Don't leave anything out!"

I chuckled at her sudden intensity. Even without spells, her thirst for information and solving mysteries was clearly unabated. And her close attention made warmth spread through me despite the oddity of the situation.

"Well, it's kind of a long story regarding health stuff," I said. "Might take a while to get through it all. But for my favorite pony?" I gently booped her plush nose. "I've got all the time in the world."

Twilight sparkled, grinning up at me as she pulled out a miniature notebook and quill from...somewhere. "Excellent! Now start from the beginning while I take plentiful notes..."

"So, I have Mulitple Sclerosis. Do ponies know what that is? I'm just as happy if they don't."

Her flat expression was answer enough. "It means my body, my immune system, is attacking me. Specifically the nerves in my brain and spine, which is bad, since I need those."

Twilight winced, plush nose wrinkling. "I should imagine so... Did you anger a wizard into cursing you with this malady?"

"That would be easier on some levels." I imagined such an irate spellcaster. They could be reasoned with, in theory, and asked nicely to undo the hex. "It's a disease, with no cure. I take drugs to slow it down, but that's the best we have."

"Mmm..." She stroked at her chin thoughfully. "That is an unkind disease, to put it mildly. I am happy to report that no such thing exists in Equestria."

"Good."

Twilight shook her head slowly. "You look happier that we don't have it than you seem upset that I don't know how to fix it right away."

I cupped her round cheeks. "I woke up this morning not expecting to be cured. That hasn't changed."

Twilight leaned into my touch, her eyes full of sympathy and determination. "Well, uncurable or not, you've still helped me when I mysteriously arrived here as a plush stranger. So now allow me to return the favor!"

She dramatically swished her tail as if casting a spell, though sadly no magic came. "I, Twilight Sparkle, pledge myself to doing everything I can to research the ins and outs of this MS disease. Perhaps I can uncover something that helps make it more manageable!"

I smiled at her earnest proclamation. "Twilight you really don't have to - "

She raised a hoof, cutting me off. "Tut tut! I absolutely do have to. Because that's what friends do - we look out for each other!" She playfully booped my nose back. "You have been more than kind already David so please, allow me to shoulder some of your troubles too. After all..." She glanced down at her plush body, shrugging with a sheepish grin.

"...it seems I'll be relying on your help for a while yet. So let me contribute too! I may not have magic but I can certainly put this brilliant mind of mine to the task of learning everything there is to know about Multiple Sclerosis and exploring ways to improve life with it."

I could feel a blush spreading over my face as I rubbed the back of my neck. "That's...really thoughtful of you, Twilight. If anyone can pull new insights from books and research, it's definitely you." I put my hand gently on her back. "Let's start with an idea I had. Maybe the literal brain damage is why I see you?"

Twilight blinked slowly at that. "Brain... oh! Yes, you did mention your body... is attacking itself. Up here?" She pointed at her head.

"Yep." I pet Twilight idly. Having a Twilight to pet was even better than a dog. Yes, I was quite happy to keep on petting her if she was alright being pet, which she seemed to be. "I've already had extensive damage up there and along my spine, so my brain isn't where it started. So I'm talking to a plush doll now. I've heard of more horrible fates."

Twilight skewed an ear back. "I'm not sure if you're joking, and that's the worst part... I know I'm real, but are you really comfortable not being as sure? Would you really talk with a toy?"

"If it talked back," I reasoned. "Why not?"

Twilight considered my words, idly leaning into my pets. "Hmm, I suppose that's a fair perspective. And I imagine having a disease attacking one's brain could make questioning reality more understandable."

She tilted her head. "Though for what it's worth, I can assure you I am indeed real and not a manifestation of illness or injury." She gestured down at herself. "Well, real in the sense of who I am, if not my current plush appearance."

I chuckled. "Don't worry, I believe you Twilight. Like I said, talking to a pretty pony isn't the worst hallucination I could have."

At that, her cheeks seemed to flush deeper purple under the faux fur. "Oh, um, pretty? That's kind of you to say." She ducked her head, scuffing a hoof self-consciously.

My own face heated again. "Well, yeah. I always thought you were the cutest on the show too." I coughed. "Anyways..."

Twilight shyly tucked a strand of yarn mane behind her ear. "Ahem, yes, anyway... While brain differences could explain why you see me, we should test that hypothesis further. Learning more about your illness may provide more clues too."

She tapped her hooves together eagerly. "Ooh this is so fascinating! Interdimensional magical malfunctions meets unknown neurological disorders. We have so many avenues to investigate!"

I smiled wryly at her enthusiasm. "Take it easy there. Let's start slow with seeing what resources we can find first." I patted her back. "But it'll be nice having help looking into all this."

Twilight smiled back brightly. "Absolutely! This is why research is always better with a trusted friend by your side."

"Now..." I twirled the seat towards my computer and reached around her, moving the mouse and clacking the keys. "There are a thousand websites about this, filled with dense technical information. No cures, but a lot of medical analysis. Is that... helpful?"

Twilight's eyes shined as information came up on the screen. "You're good at that. For having brain damage, you're better at that than I ever was." She made pawing motions at the keyboard. "You should have seen the last time I tried to use one of these... Not my best day..."

"I wasn't made stupid. I... Ugh, it's frustrating." I slow to a stop in the research. "Like I'll think of a word, and know the word, but can't remember how to say or spell the word I have the concept of in my head. I'll sit there feeling stupid for a minute or two until the connections come together again."

Twilight reached out a hoof and gently rested it on my arm. "That does sound deeply frustrating. I can't imagine what it must be like to have your mind rebel against you so."

Her eyes were soft and understanding. "But for what it's worth, I certainly don't think you seem stupid at all. On the contrary, you've been remarkably thoughtful, articulate, and yes - skilled with that computer contraption."

She nodded firmly. "So please don't ever feel stupid on my account. Everypony...er, everybody has strengths and weaknesses. Why if it makes you feel better, I'm still getting the hang of this toy body myself!"

She held up her hooves and flexed the soft plush hooves. "Not very dextrous I'm afraid. But together we balance each other out!" Her voice took on a soothing tone.

"Also, please remember frustration and difficulty concentrating can also be symptoms of the disease itself. So don't judge yourself harshly over what you cannot control."

I sighed but gave her a small smile. "That's good advice Twilight. Having an outside supportive perspective really does help. Thank you." There was also the fact that I had a Twilight Sparkle to talk to, and pet. That was a plus.

She beamed. "Think nothing of it! That's what friends are for after all." She leaned in to examine the screen. "Now then, shall we dive into researching this tricky condition? Between unicorn brains and human fingers, I know we'll make progress."

I couldn't help an eager grin back. "One thing." I hiked a thumb at myself. "I love that you're thinking about me. I appreciate it... But I'd rather get you home."

Twilight's eager expression faltered. "Oh...of course, you're right. As curious as I am to learn more about your illness, the priority should be figuring out what happened to trap me in this form and get me back to Equestria."

She sighed, glancing down at her plush body. "As helpful as you've been David, I'm sure my friends are worried about where I am. And there are my royal duties to consider as well."

Looking back up at me, she set her mouth in a determined line. "So you're correct - solving the mystery of my magical mishap comes first. Once I'm restored, I can better assist with research from my end."

I nodded, minimizing the medical websites to pull up some physics and magic reference sites instead. "Don't worry Twilight, I understand. Friendship is magic after all - so we need to get you back to give your pony friends some hugs. Maybe we can find some clues about interdimensional teleportation tricks."

Twilight smiled, placing her hoof over my hand on the mouse. "Thank you for understanding...and for being such a good friend yourself." Her eyes softened. "Hopefully I can repay the favor someday. For now though..." she rubbed her hooves together, "let's study some science and magic!"

I really wasn't sure what I could find that would help a unicorn with their magic... But I was determined to give it my all, helping her navigate from page to page and helping her search around. Hours slid by without either of us noticing or caring much.

It was the start of a lovely relationship, if one asked me about it.

Author's Note

It's a story about me, literally. Me and Twilight, trying to figure things out. But what lies at the end of this path?

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11 - Welcome to Ponyville

There was one part of my anatomy that had not changed at all. Having enjoyed some fresh... grapefruit? I wasn't sure, some kind of mildly sour citrus beverage, it went right in and wanted to come out in short order. "This is a stupid question coming from any grown person, I imagine... But I need to go to the bathroom, and I don't know where, or how."

Spike snorted as if holding back laughter. "Right there." He pointed to a door easily overlooked. "Not locked or anything."

Twilight advanced towards the door. "Spike, he just said he doesn't know how. He'll need a little more help than pointing the way if we don't want a considerable mess afterwards." She waved at the door. "After you."

I was being potty trained, by Twilight Sparkle. Another check off the bucket list, though that one hadn't existed on there until it came up. I was adlibbing it, forgive me.

I felt my face flush even as I laughed self-consciously at the necessity of my new friend tutoring me in basics typically mastered much younger. Still, given Erquestian plumbing doubtless differed greatly from human, I swallowed back further embarrassment and made my way towards the indicated door.

Twilight maintained a polite hover nearby as I awkwardly maneuvered my unfamiliar frame into the small room beyond. "I know this must seem silly, but every creature has learning curves adapting to new forms," she reassured gently. "Just try to mimic what feels natural and we'll gauge from there."

I nodded, nerves and fascination mingling as I confronted the strange open-air toilet and array of cleaning implements awaiting me. I hoped occult forces had preserved my human dignity somewhat during this improbable transformation. But either way, when in Equestria...

My eyes couldn't help wandering to Twilight lingering patiently by. "You'll, uh, give me some privacy though, right?"

Twilight blinked before flushing herself. "Oh, horseapples, yes! I'll just...let you figure things out." She pulled the door hastily closed behind her with a glow of magic. "Call if you need anything!"

I sighed in relief and turned my full focus to the task at hoof. The biology couldn't be too radically different could it? Fortunately determination and curiosity trumped my lingering embarrassment. When one somehow wound up the first human turned pony, it was time to simply embrace the adventure wherever it led!

I took time to examine that toilet. It was one, but it also wasn't one. It was far too long. It was designed for one to... stand over, I guessed? Twilight had led me to stand over it, so there I was. "Just relax." So I did... and things happened. I won't bore, or gross you out, with details, but things worked.

It was a curious sensation from both sides. I'm really not sure how much detail I should go into, but I did notice one thing. I was still a male. Having a sheath meant that part of me had to come out a little, or I'd just be making a mess of myself.

It all worked. "All done?" Was I supposed to clean up? I had no idea what to reach for or how... "Little help..."

The door cracked open as Twilight floated a small bucket and brush in surrounded by her magic's glow. "We each take care of the cleanup - it's only polite!" She passed the implements over before discreetly pulling the door to close again.

I peered uncertainly at the simple wooden brush and little pail. "Oh, guess that makes sense..." It turned out the necessary motions weren't too far off from cats' litterboxes as I gingerly tried scooping and scrubbing.

In short order I had the facilities tidy again. I stepped back outside with a relieved sigh, the chore nowhere near as awkward as dreaded. Twilight waited patiently across the hall, simply smiling in encouragement rather than any judgment.

I tossed my mane back casually. "Well, one more thing to check off the Equestria life skills list at least!" We shared a laugh, both appreciating the humor in my unlikely education.

Twilight inclined her head. "I'm actually relieved. It means your digestive system isn't in shock. I've heard stories... Now..." She took a slow breath. "You were patient when I had so many questions. I should return the favor a little?"

"I still want a working keyboard, even if I have to hunt and peck at it." David snorted, which was a very horse noise. He learned he could do a proper snort. "Neat."

"Neat?"

"The sound I made." David looked around the living area with all its books. Right, library. They were in one of those... "Can you make that keyboard?"

"I... think I can..." Her horn glowed with concentration. "First..."

I smiled as Twilight's horn took on an intense glow, magic clearly gathering to reshape available implements into some kind of keyboard configuration for my clumsy hooves. While still no match for dexterous human hands, even awkward typing would be better than nothing for recording my wild thoughts.

The front door exploded open, allowing a pink horse to come trotting in. "Where is he?! Oh, there he is!" She accelerated into a quick, if brief, gallop.

"Hiya!" she greeted with a dazzling grin, not winded in the slightest. "I'm Pinkie Pie! Which means you gotta be that alien critter Twilight told us she brought back, hm?"

Without waiting for confirmation she seized my hoof in an enthusiastic pump that nearly shook me off-balance. "Name's David right? Well nice ta properly meetcha!"

I blinked down at the gleeful pony as she continued jostling my hoof. Apparently word of my arrival had spread quickly if this bombshell was any indication! I could remember Pinkie from the show. She was an overpowering energy, but not an unwelcome one.

I managed to reclaim my tingling hoof after a moment. "Nice meeting you too!" I echoed gamely. Well, might as well roll with the chaos already unfolding around me. "Is this about a party?"

Pinkie blinked with amazement. "Wow, how did you know that? I usually have to tell a pony about the welcoming party first." She threw an arm over my withers and drew me closer to her side. "I can tell, I'm going to like you. Your head feels familiar."

Twilight raised a brow at that. "You haven't even felt his head."

"I'm talking about the inside, silly." Pinkie gigglesnorted, bouncing in place, releasing me in the motion. "He's just like me."

I was like Pinkie? Of all the ponies, I would have rated her near the bottom for similarity. "How do you mean?" I asked, genuinely curious. "I always saw more of Twilight and Rarity in me."

Twilight colored at that. "Me? Really?"

"Can't say I've ever gotten compared to a Pinkie before," I admitted with another wry laugh. "No offense, but you seem way more, uh, zany than me..."

Pinkie just smiled knowingly, not at all bothered. "Oh, I know I give off total random party pony outer vibes - though weirdness is in the eye of the beholder too!" She playfully booped my nose.

"But trust me, deep down in that noodly alien brainspace we're like two cupcakes from the same frosted batch." She loomed in, narrowed eyes suddenly sharp. "I can just tell...you're not quite fully an alien at all anymore, are ya?"

I shifted back, unnerved by her uncommon insight coupled with this world's magical forces. Just what WAS pinging her uncanny detection? But her show's melody theme choose then to play, interrupting my unease.

"Oh cupcakes, oven's ready!" Pinkie exclaimed. She zipped off, pausing at the door to blow me a playful kiss. "See you soon you silly sandwiches! We'll chat more at your party!"

And with that she was gone in a pink tornado. I stood stunned, feeling mentally winded in her wake. "I've been Pinkied."

"She's a verb?" Twilight dusted at me with her magic lightly. "Now, I made this." She floated over the strange keyboard. "But it does nothing without use. So..." She pressed it against me. "Go on."

I took the keyboard in my hooves, and almost dropped it immediately. It took some awkward shuffling to cradle it against me as I sank to my haunches.

By the way, sitting on haunches? Feels about the same as sittting on your butt. Your butt just moves when you're a horse to including more of your leg and less of what you'd call a butt. Technically, a leg was already part of a butt.

I shook away that distrction and pawed at the strange keyboard. "It's... How do I use it?"

I was ready to make a qwerty keyboard sing with life. That one didn't have a single labeled key...

I frowned down at the mystifying device now cradled against my barrel. Twilight's magical craftsmanship had clearly created something amazing attuned to my unique situation. Wide spaces separated the unlabeled keys as if molded precisely to accommodate clumsy hooves.

Yet for all its considerate ergonomic design, the featureless buttons baffled me. I awkwardly prodded and pressed to no avail, unable to rediscover familiar typing flows without my usual alphas in place. For all its promise, Twilight's gift may as well have been abstract modern art.

"Uh, thanks for this," I began haltingly, not wanting to seem ungrateful, "but I can't get it to actually do anything. Could we maybe label some letters first before I make progress writing again? Might just need that reference point..."

I peered up hopefully at Twilight who simply tilted her head. "Label them how? Pressing those nodes conducts direct thought conversion for writing - surely you just wish to share ideas from your mind?"

At my confused head shake she frowned. "Is...that not how your human devices function? I presumed typing was mental inscription. Is there more to it?"

I blinked, intrigued by this insight into pony text interfaces. Perhaps we had severely mismatched user expectations around computerized writing. Still, conveying unfiltered thoughts posed its own challenges, namely in keeping a straight uninterrupted thought as I got through my writing.

I placed the keyboard down and put my hooves in the pads. "Alright, let's try."

And I was trying. It was going in both directions. It felt like I was seated at my computer. My programs were there. "Holy shit..."

Twilight swatted at me, not that I could see her with the vision of my computer's desktop taking up my mind. "Language."

"Sorry." I moved the mouse around by thinking about it and began to giggle as I got things going properly. I checked in with my friends and moved to start the day's updates that I didn't get to finish on account of being kidnapped to another world.

[4:47 PM]David Silver(He/Him): Hey, checking in from that other world. Twilight hooked me up with a keyboard, sorta, so I can still chat and such from there. Equestria, with an Internet connection.
[4:49 PM]RadicalDishonesty: o.O
[4:50 PM]David Silver(He/Him): Seemed it would be a nice thing to check in, let people know I'm alive.
[4:50 PM]RadicalDishonesty: I suppose so...
are you alright?
[4:51 PM]David Silver(He/Him): Pinkie's already planning a party. I'd rate that as better than alright, even if it sounds overwhelming by basic nature.
[4:51 PM]David Silver(He/Him): Realistic Pinkie is charming and mildly terrifying.
[4:53 PM]David Silver(He/Him): Must have picked a bad time. I'll check in later.

Having checked in and caught up with his words for the day, he pulled his hooves back and the image blinked away, allowing his normal senses to return. "That was a trip, but a good one. Twilight, you're amazing."

"Thank you." Twilight tipped her head. "But, I meant to ask. You seemed keenly interested in being more than just an earth pony. How eager are we talking?"

Spike leaned in over her. "Are you trying to get more ponies to read books?"

"Yes." She shoved his massive head back with a hoof. I felt sure Spike could have resisted if he wanted to. "What do you think?"

"I think I'm keenly interested... but also need to meet people. Pinkie's already preparing."

25 - Meet the Family

"That's it." Pinkie bounced towards me with a big smile. "You're meeting Maud!"

"Your sister?" I imagined the emotionless pony, then realized. She was kinda like me, though maybe with the dial turned up higher. Was she autistic? It fit the patterns I knew. "Does she live close to here?"

Pinkie inclined her head. "Wow, is this what ponies feel like? Yes, but how do you know her?" Pinkie raised a doubting brow, then looked to Twinkle. "Mini-Smart pony! Reveal the secrets!"

"I'm still studying." Twinkle crossed her arms as best she could while dangling off of me. "Give me time to properly investigate." She slid down to the ground, wings slowing her descent. "Why don't you visit this Maud then? Could be fun, and educational."

It felt like cheating a little. Meeting ponies was not like meeting new humans. Assuming Maud was like the Maud I knew, it was more like re-meeting someone I already knew. That lowered the tension considerably.

"Well, I suppose properly meeting more of Pies would be the nice thing to do," I finally acknowledged, shooting Pinkie a timid smile and an electronic woosh of agreement.

She responded by seizing me up in an exuberant hug. "Yay, new friend's gonna love my favoritest super special sister!" Releasing me from her crushing embrace, Pinkie proceeded to bounce around the yard in her excitement, rattling off details about Maud's many stellar qualities.

I shot Twinkle a helpless shrug and chuckle. "How could I say no after such a glowing intro?" Twinkle simply smirked back knowingly. Still, seeing Pinkie's childlike joy was just nice. I already wanted to meet Maud and it was growing by the moment.

Stepping closer, I gently touched Pinkie Pie's shoulder bringing her bounces to a pause. "Just lead the way to her, and I'll be happy meet her."

Pinkie loomed right up to my muzzle with a squeal. "Wow, she is gonna flip seeing a real live alien pony! C'mon c'mon!" Grabbing me by a foreleg, she took off at a gallop, enthusiasm dragging me stumbling behind towards whatever lay in store at Maud's cave!

It was not easy rushing along while one leg was held captive. I awkwardly staggered after her. Credit to her, she seemed to notice when I was toppling and caught me each time. She never got upset about having to do it, but she also refused to slow down. It was, somehow, endearing. She really wanted me somewhere, and was deadset on it.

We left Ponyville, but not very fair. We curled down a sharp embankment to where a door was implanted in the dirt itself. It smelled of earth, and a small lizard scuttled away, surprised by our arrival. Pinkie released me at last and giggled, rushing the door. "Maud!" She knocked on the door with firm clops. "I have somepony you have to meet."

"Or what?" The voice was even and female. The door opened, revealing Maud Pie. She looked to Pinkie, then me, no expression on her face. She stood there silently.

This didn't bother Pinkie at all. "Sis!" She grabbed Maud in a great big hug, much like she had given me. "So good to see you."

Maud smiled, just faintly. It was gone in a moment. "Or what?"

"Or... You'll miss meeting an alien pony!" Pinkie waved at me dramatically.

I waved a hoof awkwardly as Pinkie introduced me dramatically. Maud simply stared, face impassive.

"Nice meeting you," I finally said into the silence. "Pinkie speaks very highly of you."

I tried a friendly chuckle, hearing it echo hollowly back. Behind Maud I spotted geological equipment and rock samples - clearly I was interrupting work.

My ears pinned back, recognizing the invasive faux pas. "Apologies for disturbing. I can see you're busy-"

But Maud stepped forward, gently bumping her forehead to mine in traditional pony greeting, maintaining the contact a few beats longer before pulling back. "It's fine. Come in."

I smiled. It was brief, but I felt good. She had accepted me in her own way. She was... like me. What she said, she meant, so I followed her inside. If she wanted me to leave, she would have said so. "I admit, I don't know a lot about rocks, but they are pretty."

Pinkie bounced along behind me. "They're more than that. You should hear Maud go on and on and on about all the different rocks she's come across."

I had a hard time imagining Maud 'going on' about anything. I hastened to Maud's side. "Really nice to meet you. No pressure, seriously... You say what you want, when you want. I won't be mad if you don't."

She glanced aside at me, then forward, saying nothing.

I had just said she had that option, so I stomped down the initial annoyance and followed along to where the cramped tunnel opened up into a brilliant cavern. I stopped, amazed. "Wow." I had never been in an actual cave before, and the cartoon did not do it justice. The wet walls in places, the different colors, and the smell... I didn't know what I was smelling. It was all new. "Wow."

Maud looked over her shoulder. "Pretty."

"Yeah..." I turned away from it, resuming our trek into the earth. A smaller cavern ended up being our destination, where Maud sank onto a plain, but quite large, pillow.

Pinkie joined her an instant later, hopping over me to get there. "Ooo! Did you make some of your rock biscuits? David, you gotta try them! They're so good!"

I looked around the comfy little nook curiously as Pinkie enthusiastically extolled Maud's baking skills. I didn't see any biscuits. I assumed if she wanted me to have one, she'd offer it to me directly. I stood there, near them, but didn't sit on anything, even with the pillow right there.

"So...you mentioned collecting rare mineral samples? That sounds interesting," I began politely. "As a newbie 'round these parts, I'd love to learn what draws you to studying stones?"

Maud blinked slowly. For an uncomfortable moment the soft dripping of water into pools was the only response. But finally she spoke tonelessly. "Rocks are steady. Dependable. They endure...patiently allowing ponies to uncover their hidden truths."

She picked up a nondescript fragment and offered it my way. "This is gypsum - hundreds of shards fused by pressure over millennia leaving few traces of its origins." Running a gentle hoof across the subtle bands and ridges she continued softly. "But with care and the right tools, even shyest stories emerge in the end."

She met my gaze evenly and I sensed whatever remote emotional spectrum she possessed had just opened mysteriously to embrace another wayward soul. Behind her Pinkie beamed proudly through a mouthful of crumbs.

"That is legit cool." Fortunately, I liked learning things, even random things that didn't always align with my focus. "Oh! I learned an earth magic, my first."

Maud inclined her head. "Who taught you?"

Pinkie burst into fresh giggles. "That's the best part! He taught him! He has a real Pie spirit."

Maud hummed softly, staring, as if she could see through me. "Show me."

I imagined that icon, focusing on the rock throw--Maud was suddenly in my face, head to head, not in greeting, but she was staring at me intensely. "Sorry?"

"You did nothing wrong." Maud sat. "Why did you stop?"

I flushed, abashed by my instinctive hesitation. Of course the stoic scientist would pounce at a chance for direct empirical observation! I took a slow breath and nodded. "Sorry, you're absolutely right. Let's try that again!"

I inclined my head respectfully her way before closing my eyes, visualizing the stony spell symbol that was rapidly becoming second nature. The subtle surge of magic tingled down to my hooves as I manifested a loose stone from the cavern floor into my telekinetic grip.

I opened my eyes, meeting Maud's intense scrutiny. "It's a simple spell, I imagine," I explained, turning the levitating pebble between us. "But a handy little trick with room to grow I hope!"

I let the rock drop and dissipate before any wayward throws could damage anything, or one. "There now, that's the full trick - throwing rocks. I don't know exactly how it works, just that it does." I chuckled self-consciously with a helpless shrug her way. "Like I said, early stages yet!"

Maud blinked languidly. "In its infancy...but promising." She pointed to a shelf lined neatly with geological textbooks. "Have you consulted resources explaining underlying magical principles?"

Behind her Pinkie already energetically shoved an armload of dense manuals my startled way. "Ooh, Maud's super smart about all this science-y magic stuff! She'll have you spell slinging like a champ in no time!"

Maud simply inclined her head calmly. "We will...educate."

There was one pony I hadn't seen. "Forgive my changing topics, but do you know a Mudbriar?"

Pinkie inclined her head.

Maud went the other direction. "He lives in town. We don't get along."

That Maud wasn't with Mudbriar. Good to know. "Thank you, for the offer." I rubbed at the side of my head. "But I have a book, and I have no idea if it works with those books or not."

Pinkie bobbed her head. "It's in his head! How crazy is that?"

Maud tapped at her chin a quiet moment. "You are not making rocks from nothing."

"Nothing comes from nothing," I agreed. "Where are the rocks coming from?"

Maud studied me intently. "The stones start here, on the cavern floor. You loosen crystals with magic to grab and fling them."

I followed her gaze, considering. "I never thought about each piece. I just grab and throw without wondering too hard."

I met Maud's eyes. "But you understand magic better. If we break down each step, maybe I can control finer details?"

Maud nodded once. "Practice and try." She levitated a textbook over along with paper and pencil. "Basic principles first, then we test."

Settling onto a pillow, she opened the book for me. I joined her eagerly as Pinkie giggled, happy to see her sibling bonding over science and spells.

I realized she was using me. I did something useful for her, and I was alright with that. She showed me specific stone.

I'd examine it intently, its bumps and colors and even how it smelled. She encouraged me to taste it too, but licking rocks was a step too far. It was enough. I was conjuring those stones. The farther away they were, the harder it was.

If it was too far away, I just couldn't, like pulling against an iron wall, or a granite one, I supposed. She made notes on what I could find and what I couldn't, and kept all the rocks I made.

Pinkie tilted her head left and right. "I love that you two are getting along, but Twilight will be mad if I foalnap her alien for too long."

Maud turned to Pinkie. "Foalnap him again."

Pinkie giggled, pushing me towards the exit. "You got it!" Soon she had me outside. "She likes you! Aw, nice." She bounced right past me. "Back to the library!"

I allowed Pinkie to enthusiastically herd me from the cave, casting one last glance Maud's way. Her invitation to return stirred was a simple warmth. She wanted me around, it was as simple as that.

Perhaps those patient hours coaxing truths from stoic stones cemented unexpected rapport, or she just found my magic useful enough? For all her detached airs, flickers of warmth glimmered under that implacable surface.

Pinkie slowed, falling in beside me. "You're smiling! Maud didn't freak you out with all her technical jargon?"

"That was fun, seriously." I laughed, giving Pinkie an impulsive hug. "You Pie sisters balance each other wonderfully." I nodded back towards the cave. "She's really focused, I can understand that. Not my focus, but I get it."

Pinkie just shook her head, eyes softening. "Don't sell yourself short. Maud doesn't open up that quick without reason." She elbowed me lightly. "Maybe she... likes another pony that's a little shy, like her. Points for not pressing her."

Something in her bittersweet tone kept me thoughtful and quiet all the way back to Ponyville.

Author's Note

Hi Maud! The meeting of two autists can be a chancy thing. It helps if their focuses align.

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29 - Puberty Sucks

Blood ran down my face. Blood wasn't supposed to do that. "Ow, damn, ow..." I kicked lightly on the bed they had set me on. "Ow." I hissed and grunted, but didn't scream. Who wanted to her screaming? Nobody, not even me, so I didn't scream.

Twilight was there, ear turned back. "I've seen this... I've felt this." She reached up to rub around the base of her horn. "When I earned my horn, it came with this price, and it, to put it lightly, hurt." Twilight pet over my mane with her magic. "Be strong, it's almost over... I should have seen this coming."

But it wasn't just the pain that distracted. I could feel something new. It was like I got a new limb, and you never did that, and neither did I, so what that felt like, I was only just discovering. The bizarre new reality was actually quite distracting from the pain. My noises faded as I tried to figure it out.

What was I even feeling? It was part of me, I knew that. I knew it was on my head, where all the pain had been coming from. It still hurt, but that felt unimportant to figuring it out. "The... heck?" It felt, in some ways, like I had a new arm. I didn't see any arm. I looked up as hard as I could and saw it, still bloodied. I had a horn, curved with little juts emerging from it.

An ornate kirin horn, if bloodied, was what I had on my head. "Oh..." Gorey, but also kind of neat. Why did it feel like an arm? Surely it couldn't flex. I sat up slowly, the pain ebbing, and the curiosity was overwhelming.

Twilight smiled, brightening as I started moving. "Are you feeling better? You look... better?" She grabbed a towel and got to cleaning me of the mess I had made.

That was annoying, but the kind intention behind it kept me from complaining as the towel brushed and cleaned, even stinging where it hit still mending flesh. "It feels strange. I was trying to figure it out."

"Is your headache past?"

I had to stop and think on that. I had gotten so used to having some kind of headache, as a human. "Mostly..." The towel tickled my nose. I pushed it away. But I hadn't moved my hoof. I had moved to brush it away, or so I had imagined doing, and it moved, but my hoof was where it started.

I stiffened in alarm as the towel abruptly swung away without any hoof touching it. Had I unintentionally lashed out physically in my distraction? But my legs remained stationary - only thoughts of brushing aside its nagging presence had flashed impatiently before witnessing the fabric seemingly heed mental urging alone.

My eyes darted to Twilight's knowing smile as she gently extracted the cloth from where it now hovered amid faint wobbling magic. Understanding dawned - somehow that blossoming horn's completion integrated this human mind to innate conduits enabling wordless will externalized. Reflexes bypassing physicality completely colored simple wishes to reality!

"Were you this happy, when you did it the first time?" I let the towel fall back where it started, held only in Twilight's magic.

Twilight nodded enthusiastically, discarding the soiled towel as her own telekinetic grip took over gingerly examining the new spiraled protrusion crowning between my alert ears. "The horn's integration taps you directly into ambient etheric currents effortlessly converting conception to manifestation."

She seemed to probe for fever or fractures carefully despite scholarly zeal bright in her eyes. "Right now, instincts likely overwhelmed any barriers between impulse and magic. In time, you'll consciously hone intentions before projecting through proper practice."

As her assessment soothed remaining aches, warmth kindled within and without. She couldn't heal the split skin. Only time would mend that. But the excitement had driven away most of the thoughts of that ache. "Wow."

"I said that a lot too." Twilight crossed her arms. "It really is amazing." She gently pulled me forward. "But you look like you're past the worst of it. You can go home, or return to class. Which would you prefer?"

"There isn't much of a class if you're not there."

"True." She turned in place for the door. "So, we can return together and get it back in motion, or you can head home and I'll go on my own. We're both adults, I think I can trust you that far."

Twilight. She had a butt. Most animals did. Perhaps it was the hormones, but I took a moment to appreciate that Twilight had one.

"Hey." She looked over her shoulder. "That is not a place you touch without asking." She raised a brow. "If I didn't know you were just learning how that worked, I'd be irate at you. Keep your magic to yourself without asking, hm?" She trotted from the room without another word.

Well, shoot. I had annoyed Twilight and maybe came off as a super perv with boundary issues. Fantastic. As a human, I had been operating nicely as an ace with no real interest in anyone. With the option to flee, I took it, emerging from the school and heading straight towards the library.

"You! Woah." Pinkie landed right in front of me, emerging from nowhere. "What's with the fancy horn?" She reached up to tap at it. "It's... really kinda kooky. Cool, but... odd. I thought unicorns had straight ones."

I froze as Pinkie eagerly tapped at my fresh horn, frustration simmering under her invasive poking so soon after Twilight's incident. But seeing her innocent excitement, I dampened my reaction and managed a shaky smile instead. I wasn't going to snap, not over something so harmless.

Gently lowering her hoof, I stepped around Pinkie's bouncing bulk hurrying away before she rallied more eager questions. "Rough magic lesson," I tossed back. "I'll show this weird thing off properly once I figure it out!"

Slowing my pace as the library's familiar form came into view, I felt tensions uncoil under the warm sunlight. However confusing pony dynamics still stretched ahead socially, quiet comfort awaited at this cherished haven. "You're early." Except there was Spike, watching me. "Cool horn." He inclined his head towards the kitchen. "Want some lunch?"

"Um, sure?" I gave up for the moment on escaping. Equestria had it in for me. "What are you making, or did make?" A thought struck me. "Actually, no."

"Not hungry?" Spike sat up. "So, why are you back early?"

"No, I'll cook myself." I put down the saddlebag with the help of my new horn. "I've been getting lazy. I want to cook."

Spike perked at that. "Alright! Sure. Do you know where things are?" He watched me wander the kitchen aimlessly. "That's a no. So..." He started asking questions and prompting in turn, working out what I needed and pointing the way patiently. "You know how to cook?"

"Basically." I placed a pan on the stovetop and got it warming up. "I tended to cook simply, before, but it was tasty enough."

I dumped the veggies into the heated pan, letting them sizzle. "So what do dragons eat anyway?" I asked Spike over my shoulder.

He lounged back casually. "Ah, got a taste for gemstones mostly." He crunched something glittery for emphasis. "But pony grub's fine too in a pinch."

I chuckled. "Is that so?" The cooking was calming. "Well, maybe rubies in the salad next time then." It was nice making casual conversation after the morning's chaos.

"Don't make that a habit. Ponies don't eat rocks except a little salt." He casually patted me on the back. It was annoying, in that moment. I went tense, but he kept petting, and the tension melted away. It was... kind of nice actually, being touched, being... "Thanks."

"Hm?"

"Nothing." I turned my attention to the cooking.

"You know." He leaned in at me, a thing a long-necked dragon was good at. "You don't show a lot of emotions. Kinda like Maud, really. No wonder you two hit it off."

"What?" I imagined Maud's impassive face. "I have way more emotion than that."

"Not really?" He shrugged. "It's okay. You seem like a nice pony under it."

"But..." I pondered that. Even as a pony, my emotions struggled to come out? Maybe I was Maud, in denial. "I don't want that... I'm not trying to hide it all."

I frowned at the vegetables, Spike's words stirring reflections. He had a point - outward displays took effort despite inner feelings. But I didn't want to seem indifferent or unavailable.

Spike kept gently patting my back, chuckling softly. "No need to get insecure. Not judging either way." He gave a final, reassuring scritch before withdrawing. "Just saying as a fellow low-key guy, it takes one to know one."

I huffed a small laugh, glancing his way gratefully. "Fair point..." I transferred the finished veggies to a plate. "I just don't want ponies thinking I don't care because I'm less dramatic."

Spike nodded. "Overthinking it..." He snatched a pepper piece, crunching loudly. "Quit fretting and eat! Plenty of time to worry about that stuff later."

"Sure." I grabbed a veggie, not in my newly dextrous hooves, but with a grab of my magic. It was like a hand I couldn't see. I kinda liked it. "But you're not that... Maud is a stone. You're, at best, just relaxed."

"Really? Well." Spike shrugged softly. "Maud's a high bar. You match it a lot of the time. When you do get excited, it's easier to tell sometimes, just because it's so different."

"Autism." I huffed softly, chewing my food. "Being a pony didn't fix it. My broken brain's still doing what it does." I walked past Spike, just to be caught.

He was holding me right where my hair started on my tail. This proved to be a mildly sensitive point. There was an urge to kick, but I didn't want to kick Spike. "Yeah?"

"You have an interesting tail." He began patting it without even a hint of shyness. "I like it."

"Is this revenge for when I was touching you?" I stilled, letting him explore as I ate. It was kind of nice, but I didn't say that out loud. "Am I that nice to touch?"

I stood frozen letting Spike scrutinize my odd transformed tail, nibbling the speared vegetables in my magical grasp. Intellectually his curiosity made sense, I supposed. Emotionally though, his tactile interest stirred very mixed reactions in me. Part of me hated it. Another part was loving it.

"Just kinda interesting seeing you grow like that before my eyes," Spike remarked, focused cataloging each ridge through gentle presses. "Rapid transformation holds that appeal, you know?"

I swallowed dryly. "Well, when you frame things that way..." As a dragon, maybe such dramatic changes carried less shock value. Getting Spike's approval wasn't a bad thing, right?

Spike withdrew with a final pat, smug amusement lingering even as he tidied my unfinished plate. "There - documenting complete!" His expression softened slightly. "Anyway, point just being that you're valued either way. Don't worry what others project onto you overly much, yeah?"

I laughed tensely, but maybe it was just a laugh? What I felt internally clearly wasn't what other people heard. "Spike, I enjoyed that. I may complain, in the future, but I'm giving you permission right now. If you want to pet, go ahead and pet."

Spike inclined his head. "Thanks, but what?" Still, permission had been given, and he grabbed me by the cheeks. I hated and adored it. "If you don't like it, why tell me to go ahead? You feel tense?" His fingers wandered slowly, tracing tensed muscles. "They're more honest, in here, than your actual expression."

I flushed as Spike's fingers intensely mapped tense muscles, exposing vulnerability no casual facade could disguise. Dragons clearly latched fiercely onto the slightest weaknesses shown through contact.

Resisting overwhelming impulse to pull away, I managed a shaky approximation of nonchalance despite thundering pulse. "...Perhaps I crave certain connections..." I conceded vaguely, gaze darting aside under redoubled heat.

Spike's claw gently traced down one burning cheek. "Suspected as much," he remarked neutrally, though his probing intensity remained steady. "So permission despite reluctance. You're fighting. You're fighting yourself." He slid in closer and ran a hand over my belly, which was more sensitive in different ways. I danced, in both rapture and torture.

He hmmed knowingly. "Wow... You really don't know what you want, but you know you want it..."

Author's Note

A helpful reminder, Familiar Spike is a grown entity. He gazes on David with an adult's eyes, curious but helpful.

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