In Another World with Equestria Girls

Although I'd seen plenty of the self-propelled carriages that humans called cars since coming here, riding in one for the first time was not an altogether pleasant experience. The airships of the Royal Equestrian Navy, much like its watercraft, were subject to the various eddies and currents that surrounded the vessel in the air, and were often a bit turbulent. Even on deck, the feeling of inertia was muted, but still there. It was also nothing like flying, where the wind was enjoyable while in my face, and I could feel my momentum with ease.

In Cadance's car, however, I found that it barely felt like we were moving. The only movement I could feel was during curves on the roads with higher speed limits. It wasn't necessarily bad, but it was disorienting enough that I was starting to feel a little motion sick as I watched the road. It was definitely something I'd have to get used to.

At the very least, the woman seemed conscious of my plight. "Feeling a little car sick?" she asked, glancing at me in her peripheral vision. When I nodded, she smiled, and reached her right hand over to depress a button on the console. Immediately, cool air started blowing from a vent in front of me, washing over my face. I was almost able to shut my eyes and imagine I was once again soaring through the skies on my own power. It brought forth a genuine smile, the likes of which I hadn't felt since before I died.

It took a little bit, but my stomach began to settle. "Better?" she asked? I simply gave her a thumbs up. That got a chuckle from her. "My fiance, Shining Armour, used to be the same way when we were your age."

I kept my eyes shut and tilted my face away from her in order to mask the shock. Although I'd never met Princess Cadance, I'd met the Captain once during a joint Guard/Navy exercise not long before their marriage. To hear that this woman was also engaged to a Shining Armour struck me as more than just a little coincidental. I almost want to ask if his sister's name is Twilight Sparkle, but that's a terrible idea. Even if I could ask, what happens if the answer is 'Yes'? She'd be a lot more suspicious of me.

I quickly got lost in my own thoughts, only loosely aware that she'd begun speaking to somebody on her phone. That actually brings up a very important question. If that really is the case, does that mean I'm in some sort of parallel reality? It honestly sounded like the sort of thing I might've seen in one of Crescent's pulp-fiction stories. Stuff about space, what's out there, and whether there were other universes were some of that lunatic's favourites, but would this make this world a parallel one? It's definitely not a mirror, because I'm pretty sure this woman is no princess, and her Shining probably didn't lead a task force to hunt down the changeling queen that spoiled his wedding.

For that matter, if this world did have counterparts for everypony in Equestria, was I at risk of meeting myself? If so, was she the same age as me, or older? Did she even have the same useless parents? Or was she long dead? There wasn't really any guarantee that things would just line up so that my counterpart would exist at the same time as those of the royal family. The Eventide of this world could very well have died a century ago, or at birth, or any number of other complications.

Ugh, this is making my head hurt.

Opening my eyes, I watched the streetlights as we passed and listened to the staccato of the rain on the hull of the car. Honestly, I still wasn't sure this would be a good idea, but maybe it would be a good first step in the right direction. This kindness she was showing me—trying to set me up with her in-laws so that I'd have a fighting chance in my new life—almost reminded me of the idealised Equestrian goodwill that outsiders believed in. These were people who were willing to take a chance on a complete stranger, a homeless youth who by her own words should have raised red flags, with nothing to really take away from the deal. Where was all that Equestrian goodwill when I was a foal?

The ride took us out of the industrial district, and through the Central Canterlot commercial district before finally into the fancy part of town. I didn't catch the name of the gated community, but I did notice the street name: Golden Oaks drive. These weren't quite up to the level of the Equestrian nobility, with their fancy mansions and estates taking up the entire upper plate of the Equestrian capital, but they were still nonetheless well-kept and large compared to some of the townhouses I've seen in this Canterlot.

The home that she parked in front of had a driveway large enough to fit about four cars parked two by two, by my reckoning, however there was presently only one other besides Cadance's two-door. It was a two-storey home with a detached garage and a sizeable yard surrounded by a privacy fence. Interestingly enough, I could just make out a sign on the garage that proclaimed it to be someone's lab, warning others to keep out.

When Cadance got out of the car, she opened an umbrella and quickly made her way around to my side of the car. Much like I had when getting in, I struggled a bit with the buckle for the crash harness—or the seat belt, as she called it—but if she thought anything of it, she did a really good job hiding it. Then again, maybe it wasn't unusual for street kids being unfamiliar with being in cars. All I know is that she's way too patient with me.

Still, once I freed myself—I was very insistent on doing it myself—she covered me with the umbrella and started leading me up the steps. To my surprise, she didn't even need to unlock the door. Given all the petty crime I'd witnessed since coming here, I was honestly kind of surprised that anyone trusted their neighbours enough to leave their doors unlocked. Then again, this was a gated community, so maybe there was justification for trust.

"Shoes off," she instructed once we were both inside. I watched as she took off her pumps before stepping out of the entry-way in her sock-clad feet. I quickly followed suit, but now I was somewhat embarrassed revealing that I wore nothing inside the sneakers I woke up with. In my defence, though at the time, I was convinced socks were still lingerie to be worn only for a hot date. Instead, it was just a protective covering. "Mom, we're here!"

I thought we were going to your mother-in-law's home.

"I'm in the kitchen, Cadance," came an older woman's voice. Even though I hadn't been paying the least bit attention over the car ride, I still recognised it as the voice that'd been on the other end of the call made during the trip.

It didn't stop me from quietly following the pink-skinned woman through the house. We passed a staircase that led upstairs. Several family photos, many of which included a much younger Cadance and a white-skinned boy who was almost assuredly Shining Armour, dotted the wall. We moved through a dining room with a fancy hardwood table and into a large kitchen, which had its own smaller table.

Seated at that table, with a steaming carafe of coffee and two mugs was a grey-skinned woman in a sweater. She greeted Cadance with a smile, but her expression fell slightly the moment her kind blue eyes locked on me. Immediately, I could tell she was taking in the state of me and my clothes.

The ratty white t-shirt bearing my cutie mark—a half-sun and a cog—clung to my skin, revealing there was nothing beneath. Three weeks of stone-washing my shorts at the lake showed through in the thinness of the fabric across the thighs. Then you had my unbrushed mane pulled up in a high ponytail. On top of that, I had healing scratches all over the place, the result of a fall from a tree the first time I tried sleeping in one. Simply put, I was a mess.

As she took a seat across from the woman, and without prompting, I took a seat beside her. "Mom, this is the girl I spoke to you on the phone about: Eventide Construct," Cadance said before retrieving the notepad and pen from her purse. Turning to me, she presented me with them before continuing, "Eventide, this is Twilight Velvet, the mother of my fiance and the woman that practically raised me."

The name sounded alarmingly familiar, but I quickly put the thought aside. I gently accepted the pen and paper, and then immediately scratched out a greeting while Cadance poured herself a cup of coffee. It's a pleasure to meet you, Ma'am. I apologise for my inability to speak, and I don't want to be a bother. I'll understand if this is too sudden and you cannot provide a berth for the night. If you wish it, I can make myself scarce as soon as this weather lets up.

When I slid the notepad across the table to Mrs. Velvet, the rest of her smile fell. Worry quickly rushed in to replace it, even as she turned it to the other woman so she could read it. "Eventide," she began in a strained tone as the pad was passed back to me. "Cady wouldn't have brought you here had I not agreed to this. I'm not going to change my mind or the conditions after she's already brought you this far." She seemed to consider something for a second before asking, "Have people done that sort of thing to you before?"

Yes, a long time ago as a preface to press-ganging me into working at a factory in Manehattan, I thought drily, but I wasn't about to explain something that happened seventeen years ago. It would be a bad idea to make any sorts of claims that could be easily verified or disproved. Instead, I wrote out a different truth. Nobody here has really given me the time of day outside of a group of homeless veterans who took me in, a lady who rewarded me for getting her purse back from a snatcher, and a few creeps who clearly wanted something else from me.

That seemed to mollify them both, though Cadance did ask, "Is that why Violette told me you went after a gang member?"

Although that immediately brought Velvet's hackles back up, I tilted my head in contemplation. Guy was escalating quickly, and I thought he might hurt her, so... I just reacted. Even if she was a vet, she's not young anymore, and he had her on the ground. At that moment, it felt like it was my duty to help, consequences be damned.

I eyed up the carafe of coffee and debated reaching for a mug myself. It wasn't late, per se, but I knew how late I could get away with drinking caffeine without affecting my sleep in my old body, and it was now well past that time. There was no way to be sure the same would still be true in this body, but given that I'd made my choice—such as it was—it was clear I'd be spending the night at the very least.

"Do you have any questions for us?" Cadance asked, perhaps noticing me stifling a yawn. "I need to get back to the apartment soon, and then swing by work to grab some things for you tomorrow."

Actually, I did have a few questions. I flipped to a new page in the notepad and prepared myself. It took me a few minutes to collect my thoughts and write them out. When I did present it to them, they seemed surprised by the list of questions.

1. If I am to stay, what expectations do you have of me? E.g. Chores, curfew, education.

2. Although I eat fish, I don't eat meat. Will that cause issues?

3. Who else lives here?

4. Where is my berth located?

5. Where is the bathroom?

6. This is a gated community, and I quite clearly don't belong. Until people aren't about to call the police about the vagrant child doing morning runs, is there somewhere I can discretely exercise?

7. What exactly does getting shot mean, anyway?

As I relaxed in the hot bath, a damp washcloth draped across my forehead, I stared up at the ceiling. How long has it been since I got a chance to actually soak in a hot bath? To be honest, it was hard for me to even judge. It had to have been the last time I was on shore leave before I died. How long ago was that now? I was reborn three weeks ago, and I think the last time I was off the Resplendent for anything other than a supply run was two months before that. Sweet Celestia, has it really been that long?

On a patrol airship like the Resplendent, things like a hot shower were considered a luxury. There were no heating enchantments, and unlike a seabound vessel, water was at a premium. You either learned to appreciate a short, cold shower, or you'd have to find alternatives for maintaining proper hygiene. Those lucky unicorn bastards could at least use a cleaning cantrip on themselves. It was no good for pegasi though. Even if I invested in one of those rechargeable spell crystals, that spell would just end up stripping out all the waterproofing in my feathers and then I'd need to preen.

It was weird how something as simple as hot water could become a novelty. It was almost enough to distract me from everything that Mrs. Velvet told me. After all, the woman had all but confirmed that this was indeed the home of the counterparts of Princess Twilight Sparkle's family. In fact, looking at the family photos as she led me to the upstairs bathroom, I could see the similarity. While none of them had a fur coat like a pony, I could see a parallel in their skin-tones, and the girl in the pictures even had roughly the same ~~mane~~ hairstyle and colours as the princess.

What do I actually know about the princess? I mused as I decided to actually start cleaning myself, rather than just soaking. The most obvious thing was that prior to her ascension, she'd been a personal student to Princess Celestia. She was considered to be the most accomplished mage of our time, having taken that title from the princess's previous (missing) apprentice. Other than that, she had a young dragon as her personal attendant. That was about the extent of what I knew.

This reality didn't seem to have any sort of magic—Why would they need it with the technology they've been able to create?—so it seemed highly unlikely that the Twilight living here would be a mage. Similarly, there was no little dragon. Aside from her father, Night Light, the only other creature that lived here full-time was a small green and purple dog who'd been kennelled for the evening. Her brother and soon-to-be sister lived in their own apartment, although on weekends I would see Cadance and Shining Armour joining us for dinner. Twilight and her father wouldn't be back until later, having gone to see a film called the Martian not long before Cadance brought me here.

Y'know, if I stick around. Still not sure I want to take advantage of their kindness. Fact of the matter was that I was still an adult at heart, and I felt guilty making them think I was just some confused, hurt kid. At the same time, though, three weeks of consistency made things clear that this wasn't just some dream. I really wasn't in Equestria anymore, and I'd seen other youths of this species in the meantime; at a developmental level, I seemed to match them which did make me a kid... and I was certainly confused and hurt, if not physically, then emotionally.

With a tired sigh, I drained the water from the tub and grabbed one of the towels that Velvet provided. I carefully patted my more sensitive skin dry, and then wrapped my hair up in the other. Once my body was dry, I wrapped the towel around myself and meandered over to the sink. On the counter, next to a pair of pyjamas that she also provided, was a brand new toothbrush made with red and white plastic like my red-streaked white locks. Maybe it was the realisation of just how nasty the inside of my mouth actually felt, or I was just emotionally exhausted, but as I brushed my teeth, I could feel tears beginning to spill down my cheeks.

Am I crying because—for the first time in weeks—I'm actually starting to feel like a normal pony person again? I wondered as the toothpaste coated bristles scoured my teeth free of weeks of grime. Or do I weep for this chance at a new life I've been given? This second, albeit limited childhood? Or is it just guilt?

If I was being honest with myself, it didn't seem fair. Cantata and I never got this sort of life-changing opportunity when I was just a filly. Back then, I was just a street-rat whose only purpose in life was to keep her safe. Nopony ever cared about us enough to offer such a chance. Then... she was gone, and I was alone.

I spat out the toothpaste and then gazed at my reflection. Even in this new body, with light amber skin instead of a slightly darker coat, I could still make out familiar traits. Those were definitely the same cyan eyes I used to see in the mirror as a pony, and it was unmistakably me. They were also her eyes and face that I saw. It should be her here... Not me. But she made her choice.

Once I splashed cold water onto my face to get any remaining toothpaste from my lips, I turned to the pyjamas I was provided. It was just a simple long-sleeve grey shirt and green bottoms, both in cotton, but they may as well have been an offering of the finest Neighponese silk when I put them on. The top was a bit large and hung off my shoulders, and I had to cinch the drawstring in the waist of the bottoms a bit, but they felt brand new, with no sort of wear-and-tear from being the only thing I've worn for weeks on end.

Mrs. Velvet suggested I just leave my clothes in the laundry hamper with the towels, so I did just that before making my way to the spare bedroom she set aside for me. It was such a plain room—little more than a bed, a nightstand, and a dresser—but it was pretty amazing all the same. Already sitting on the night stand was the notepad and pen that Cadance had given me. Is it really as simple as just keeping my space clean, helping out where I can, being home by nine, and... going to school?

Without even bothering to get under the blankets, I flopped down upon the bed and rolled onto my side. Burying my face in the pillow, I let out a sigh. Just this morning, I had no idea where I was getting my next meal. There was no guarantee I would wake up safe—or even still in the tree, really—but now, I thought I might just have a chance to get off on the right foot in this world. I'd have to see what would happen next come the morning.