Somehow, I expected something to go wrong on the trip to the mall. Either I'd get separated from her and get kicked out by mall security, or get accused of shoplifting or something like that. It was a Saturday morning, so it wasn't like I had to worry about truancy officers, but I was still somewhat cautious of the police and mall security. Doesn't matter what world you live in; people get these misconceptions of people like me in their head, and suddenly I'm being viewed with all the suspicion in the world. Funny, that.

Of course, I did the only thing that made sense; from the moment I got out of her SUV on that gorgeous sunny Saturday morning, I stuck close to Mrs. Velvet. Admittedly, it wasn't just because I didn't wanna get into trouble that I stayed near her. I'm pretty sure it's been years since I've been in any sort of shopping arcade, but I still remember how easy it was to get lost in the tight press of bodies. Being shorter than all the adults and a handful of other teens meant that it was even easier.

Our first stop was a place called Victoria's Secret. It was, somewhat to my surprise, a lingerie shop. It was my first time ever being in one as a human or pony. According to my memories of Equestria, I'd been basically married to my job, but I wasn't ignorant about these sorts of things. Had I still been a pony, I might even have found bringing me here to be questionable. To ponies, lingerie meant socks, lacy saddles, and panties, and the idea of bringing a foal to buy some would be absolutely scandalous.

As a human though, it made sense. Despite being a chiefly pony nation, Equestria did have other races around. There were even a few minotaurs enlisted throughout Her Royal Highness's various service branches. It was only because of the fact that a minotaur cow served on the Resplendent for a time that I understood not only the concept of a bra, but the necessity for them. It was a matter of comfort and support, and there were even different types for different purposes.

It didn't change the fact that it was weird having to be fitted for one. I still didn't entirely get how or why bipedal mammalian races like minotaurs, the cat-folk of Abyssinia, or even humans evolved mammaries that grew regardless of whether or not they were pregnant or rearing young; even three weeks after joining that category, I wasn't entirely comfortable with the fact that my ~~teats~~ breasts were larger than that of a mare with foal.

Just as unsettling was the sheer price of bras. Even getting a number of plain ones under a special offer was a lot of money, if my understanding of the American dollar was anywhere close to accurate. Why is she willing to spend money on a total stranger like me? The thought caused my paranoia to prickle, because I still wasn't sure what she was really getting out of this. Nobody in this world can be this generous.

After a quick trip to a public restroom to put on a sports bra—They're comfy, so sue me—we moved on to a place called Walmart. It was there we acquired some more basic clothes and underwear, including a wine-coloured track jacket and matching running shorts, a few plain white tees, and even a couple of pairs of shorts that matched those I was wearing. Other accoutrements included some jeans, a black vest, a pair of boots with neon green laces, a pair of blue-black high-tops with cyan laces, some finger-less gloves, and a black hoodie with green internal lining. Oh, and socks. Can't not have socks.

Then of course, there was this fascinating machine that was able to take a person's emblem and either print it out on clothes, or spit out patches and pins with them on it. Yeah, humans don't have cutie marks, but I've found that most of the people I've met in this city tend to have some sort of personalised mark somewhere on their clothes. For example, Mrs. Velvet was wearing a blouse with a trio of indigo stars over the left side of her chest, while Ms. Cadance was wearing a brooch with a blue heart-shaped gem clasped in gold yesterday. It was something I wanted to look into later on, but until then, it was nice getting a few more shirts with my mark and a few patches for future clothes.

Even now, my mind was composing a few different outfits. In fact, when we went out to put our load in the vehicle, I kept the gloves and the vest to put on, because those felt like what my current ensemble was missing. Plus, having pockets made it easier to carry the notepad and pen. Then, it was back into the mall. This time, however, we were headed to a café somewhere in the mall. Time certainly flies when you're trying on clothes and shoes.

The second trip through the mall, it was more noticeable how many more teenagers were around. Every so often, she led me past small groups of them. Outside a music store, I saw a girl with rainbow-coloured hair and a sporty outfit conversing with a blonde in a flannel jacket and jeans, the latter of which seemed to do a double-take when I passed, going so far as to point me out to her compatriot. That was certainly odd.

Apparently, the café we were visiting was attached to a bookstore. Somehow, without ever being told, I got the impression that the book store was one of Twilight's favourite places in the mall. I wouldn't mind perusing their wares later, but for now, we were supposed to be meeting up with Cadance. Reading could wait until I was granted some free time. Who knows, maybe Twilight might have some recommendations; she certainly seems pretty knowledgeable.

Upon entering the café, I was greeted by the heavenly aroma of coffee. Off to one corner, I could see a familiar pink woman was already set up with a coffee and some stacks of paper. She waved at us both, and I hesitantly waved back.

"You go on ahead and join Cadance at the table," Velvet instructed, giving me a kind smile. "Is there anything you'd like to eat or drink?"

I retrieved my notepad from the pocket of my new vest, and—after glancing at the menu behind the counter—scratched out a quick answer, before tearing the sheet out and passing it to her. Coffee, black + breakfast sandwich (no meat) + salad, please.

Before she could question my coffee infatuation—Celestia knows they're gonna notice sooner or later—I quickly moved over to the corner table where Cadance was sitting, and took a seat in the chair to her right. If I was to be taking some written tests, I imagined she'd likely want to watch over it.

"Hello again, Eventide," she greeted. "You're looking well today. How was your night?"

It was good. You never realise how much you miss having access to a warm bed and a hot shower until you spend time on the streets. I wrote, giving her a bit of a smirk. Mrs. Velvet is very kind and generous. It took a little bit for Twilight to warm up to me after a bit of a misunderstanding this morning, but she seems like a good kid. Bit skittish, but what girl who finds a stranger making coffee in her kitchen at 5 am wouldn't be? Her eyebrow slowly rose to meet her hairline, so I quickly added a clarification. Relax; I slept fine. I'm just an early riser and she was doing an all-nighter in her lab... I think.

Cadance chuckled at the explanation. "That sounds like my little Ladybug, alright." She set a packet of papers in front of me, as well as a rectangular device with buttons decorated with numbers and mathematical symbols. Wait, is this like one of those calculation machines some inventor in Detrot has been trying to popularise? "This test is designed to test your knowledge in order to help determine where you are in your education, and how you should be placed in a school."

I nodded, but before I started filling in the name field of the sheet, I gave her a worried look. Just so we're clear, I'll likely do miserably on the history and sociology portions, but I'm a fast learner. If I need to, I'm willing to do catch-up work

At that, I quickly leafed through the packet to scan the contents before putting a pen to the paper. Not long after I started, Velvet arrived with drinks and food. Rather than continuing to write with my right hand, I switched the pen over to the left and used my right to handle eating. It was an action that didn't go unnoticed by the others, but they refrained from making any commentary on it. Ambidexterity was a skill that any pegasus who used their wings for more than flight picked up quick, but it seemed to be a bit less common among humans. Regardless, it felt rude to put my food and drink between Cadance and the papers I was filling out, so it was easier to switch up.

While I worked through the packet, I found a lot of what was being asked to be pretty familiar. The mathematics and physics portions of the test were a breeze, although I found myself quickly figuring out the calculator when I realised I couldn't clearly remember the logarithmic tables for sine, cosine, or tangent. In my defence, it wasn't needed as much for what I did, so I usually had a copy stashed away in one of the cabinets in the Resplendent's logistics office. Chemistry didn't seem to be all that different, although I'm pretty sure the periodic table I was supposed to fill in the blanks on had several elements that Equestria didn't. I wonder what this uranium is. Most of the sciences except for space were much the same; Equus didn't have any neighbouring planets in its solar system, and I was unfamiliar with Earth's neighbours. At least I remembered humans use the heliocentric model.

My biggest struggles were, as expected, sociology, geography, history, and technology, and while I struggled through those sections, I noted Velvet and Cadance going through some other paper. It was probably something to do with foster care or medical stuff. That's what I assume, because at one point, they had to interrupt me in order to ask my age and birthday. I doubt they were expecting me to tell them I had no idea about the former, although by some miracle, our calendars lined up enough for them to get November thirteenth out of me. I think the second packet they gave me was some kind of psychological assessment, but I was just focused on the work put in front of me.

"So, Eventide," Cadance began as she accepted the finished packets. "Is there anything you want to do when you're an adult? Any professions you have your eye on? It could be helpful in determining where we send you."

I considered that for a moment. I had no idea how long schooling was here, and I still didn't know enough about the world to make an informed decision, and I didn't want to make an uninformed decision. My cutie mark was for working with machines, but I still chose to serve in the Royal Equestrian Navy. That was because I wanted to do my part and help protect ponies in whatever way that I could.

At the same time, though, humans don't have cutie marks to point them towards their destiny. Just because my emblem is the same as my cutie mark, it doesn't mean that I had to become a factory machinery technician or do maintenance on an airship's skiffs. Cantata wanted me to join the Royal Guard because I'd be helping ponies every day, and then fight for Equestria if the need arose.

I like working with machines and learning how they tick, but at the same time, I kind of want to help people. Despite getting lectured about upsetting the mob, protecting Violette felt right. Same with catching that purse snatcher that time.

Both women shared a smile and a knowing look as they read my answer. With a bit of a chuckle, Velvet looked at her future daughter in-law and asked, "Does that remind you of anybody we know, Cady?"

Cadance just grinned before resting her chin on your palm. "So, you're thinking about going into law enforcement?" she probed with a tone of curiosity. When I nodded, she continued, "Is it simply day-to-day patrol work that interests you, or would you like to solve major crimes as a police detective?"

That actually caught me off guard. Equestria's Royal Guard agency didn't rely on the investigative abilities of the rank and file to solve crimes; rather, the crown employed reputable private investigators to solve major crimes. It never crossed my mind that human law enforcement might internalise its investigations with the police. For that matter, I also recall hearing of the 'alphabet agencies' like the FBI, the CIA, and the NSA. Were those investigative branches that were higher up? Something to consider, I suppose.

When I was a filly, there were two book series that held my interest. The first was Daring Do, but I mean, there wasn't a foal alive who hadn't at least heard of A. K. Yearling, and that mare's adventure series was fun for all ages. More importantly, though, was the Adventures of Shadow Spade. Those detective novels were superlative, and they really made a pony think—not just about the whodunit, either. There was always the question of 'What would I do in that situation? How would I go about solving this mystery?'

Then of course you had the rumours floating about the service, ones regarding well-dressed mares and stallions who solved problems involving magical monsters. If there really were mares in black, they were a well-kept secret. Still, the idea of a pony in a black suit and shades fighting crime and monsters was too neat... and how would that look as a human?

Completely unbidden, the mental image of an older me in a dark jacket and pants and aviators surfaced in my mind. At my waist was one of those equipment belts I always saw beat cops wearing. To round off the look, this version of me was aiming down the sights of one of those 'guns' that humans used. After the discussion last night, I now understood just how dangerous a situation I'd been in yesterday, but at the same time, it just made the image of myself wielding a portable hand-held cannon all the more impressive.

Being a detective sounds pretty neat.

Cadance giggled. "Oh, I think Shiny's going to like you."

Once all was said and done, Ms. Cadance had to pack up. We were left with the promise that she'd have an answer for us by Monday. One way or another, I'd be joining a school by the end of the week. Personally, public school would have been fine with me, if for no other reason than I was still having mixed feelings about them spending even more money to send me to a private school with Twilight.

Don't get me wrong; it'd be great to have at least one person there that I knew. It's just that...I still remember how the whole factory thing went. When a street urchin is starving, we don't always think clearly about the consequences of our actions, or the motivations of others. It's why I swore I'd never let myself get suckered in a second time. The last time I got lured in with the promise of food and shelter, I started getting extorted with fees that I could only ever work off in the factory, and even then, those fees only ever grew. Boy, the Royal Guard was pissed to find out about that.

I don't want to believe that's what Velvet and Cadance are trying to do to me, but... You don't survive that sort of thing by being trusting.

As we made our way out of the cafe, and back out through the mall, I noted that same pair from earlier loitering near the exit to the parking lot. The rainbow haired one had her phone held in front of her, but when she noted our approach, she elbowed the girl in flannel. Over the din of the crowd, I could just make out a comment. "You go ask her; you're the one that brought it up in the first place."

The blonde sighed, before locking her emerald orbs on my own. She quickly made her way over to me, and then coughed into her hand. "Ahm mighty sorry ta bother ya," she said, thrusting her hands into the pockets of her jacket. isn't that the Ponyville accent? "Mah friend an Ah saw ya earlier, an' almost mistook ya for someone we know. Kinda an uncanny resemblance. Y'all don't got a sister—" She held up one hand a few inches higher than my head, but I froze up upon hearing the word sister. "—'bout yay high, red an' gold hair, kinda ornery? Heck, ya's even got the same eyes."

I pulled my goggles up from around my neck so they'd rest atop my head, whilst displaying the scar on my neck. In that same movement, I used my thumbs to wipe away some accumulating moisture. I hate being asked that... I shook my head and then took out my notepad. None living, and certainly not matching that description. However, the person she described did match someone I saw just yesterday, and come to think of it, she seemed to do a double-take upon seeing me too.

That said, just because she knows that girl, it doesn't mean her interest in her is friendly. Still, if they were a friend and they didn't know she's squatting, it might be useful to tell them just enough to figure it out. On the same page, I scrawled, I may have seen someone like that hanging around in an industrial neighbourhood near Central Park, not far from a soup kitchen. Might not be the same person, though.

"Ah see." The strange girl's demeanour changed, but I couldn't tell if she was relieved or worried. "Thank ya for yer time, an' Ahm sorry fer botherin' ya."

As the blonde ran back to her friend, my apparent new guardian—I'm pretty sure that one of the papers the two of them were going over was for guardianship—looked at me, although her gaze momentarily drifted toward the notepad before I could change the page. "Well, that was unusual," she commented as we resumed our trip out to the vehicle. "I wonder if you're related to that girl's friend."

I waited until we were in the car before I started writing an answer to her in the notebook. Mostly because I was thinking about how to frame it so as to not make me sound crazy. Once I was strapped in, I tapped her on the wrist before she could reach to put the key in the ignition. Mother ditched us with our Father when we were just foals infants, so I never knew her; she certainly didn't give a damn when he died. It's possible she had other children before or after, but it seems unlikely the person that girl was describing is related to me. It's probably just one of those weird eccentricities in the universe.

Once she read the message, she remained quiet. Based on the sad expression she wore as she started the automotive, I probably revealed more about my childhood than I'd have liked, and it was clear what I let slip worried her. The entire drive back was quiet, save for music on the radio. That was probably for the best. It's not like I could talk back to her if she wanted to have a conversation.

It was nice just listening to the music and feeling the breeze from the cracked window blowing in my face. Admittedly, I might've dozed off at some point. One moment we were on a highway, and I was watching a man on a sleek motorcycle going at excessive speeds as naturally as a pegasus flies, and the next moment, Mrs. Velvet was gently jostling me awake.

Upon our entrance, we were greeted by Spike, as well as Mr. Night Light. Although we briefly met this morning before the mall trip, I didn't really have much to say. Go figure, the involuntary mute had nothing to say. In part, it was because I wasn't really sure where I stood with the man. He didn't say anything about it in front of me, and I had no idea if he was as into the idea of taking me in as his wife was, or if he was just being stoic about a potential nuisance. Still, I returned his greeting with a meek smile and a wave.

At least the dog was easy to please. He got all in my face when I crouched down to remove my shoes, demanding attention even as he licked my face. In fact, if I'd been just a bit more off-balance, he probably knocked me over, which is kind of funny in retrospect, since he's by no means a big dog. Still, the fact that the dog trusts me is a good sign in my book, because people tend to notice things like when animals don't like a person.

I quickly made my way upstairs so that I could start unpacking my new belongings in the room I'd been granted. Across from my room's door, however, there was another room, which had been pointed out as Twilight's. It sounded as though there were two voices present, although there were no extra shoes downstairs. Out of curiosity, I stepped closer to the door.

"... and that should be all the adjustments the app should need, Twi. Just give her a few days and the predictive algorithm should make things a piece of cake for her, even if she's got the tech knowledge of the Amish," came a girl's voice that, even through the door, I could tell was coming through a speaker. "Now that that business is out of the way with... The rentals really just brought in a strange girl out of the blue, huh? Is she hot?"

There was an audible groan from Twilight, followed by the sound of something thumping against wood. "Why are you like this, Starlight?" demanded a somewhat annoyed-sounding Twilight. "Mom and Cady brought home a mute homeless girl with an unknown past that could be rife with trauma, or danger following in her wake, and you're concerned if she's hot?"

Starlight could be heard giggling. "I didn't hear a no~!" she teased. "Have more confidence, girl, and you could have that harem you always wanted!"

The banging sound got louder, and I could swear I heard Twilight chanting, "I hate you," over and over. "Okay, first: I do not want to live in a harem anime. Stop projecting onto me just because you're a pervert," she groused. "Second: I'm not just going to make a pass at her out of the blue. I don't even know her, and she might not even like girls. Third: She looks like she's fourteen. If I so much as catch wind that you're writing weird ship-fics about me and her, I'm going to tell your Mom where you hide your dakimakura."

I slowly, quietly backed away from the door, unsure of what I was even listening to at this point. What in Tartarus is a harem anime, a ship-fic or a dakimakura? I wondered as I noiselessly opened my bedroom door, entered, and closed it behind me. I immediately started putting my clothes away in the dresser provided. For that matter, that Starlight girl was correct in that Twilight didn't deny it; does she find me attractive? Or is her friend just a pervert like she said?

A sigh escaped me as I took my goggles off and set them on the bedside table. At least I think I've got a better measure of my age. The bed springs creaked softly as I sat myself down on the edge. That would probably make Twilight... what, sixteen? Even if we do end up going to the same school, she'll probably be in a separate grade. Finally, I simply let myself fall back, atop the comforter. At least Twilight seems to care. Not just about me, but the absurdity of me being here. I knew from our conversation this morning that she had a sharp mind, but she's cautious, too.

Author's Note

I wanna address something before we get too bogged down in the story. You may have noted that Eventide died during Tirek's rampage at the end of Season 4, while she arrived in the human world shortly before the Fall Formal. To quote a wise man, 'Time isn't made of lines; it's made of circles. That is why clocks are round." I'd like to think that if there's a cycle of life and rebirth, you get no guarantee where or when you're reincarnated.

We also get to see one of our first deviations from canon: Twilight already has a friend, and it's Human Starlight Glimmer? Oh no, she's got terminal anime-fanitis!

Yeah, as someone pointed out, an isekai isn't complete without some sort of anime bullshittery, and Otaku Starlight and Twilight felt like a fun way to do that. I figured that since the Crystal Prep dynamic isn't going to be a 1:1 match anyway, I might as well give something for other students to bully Twilight over than than the usual "Competitive environment, and she's super good at everything so she must clearly look down on us," attitude crystal prep is often depicted with.

So, we get a good idea of what kind of anime fan Starlight is, but what about Twi? Does she like a good mecha or military anime? Or maybe she likes anime that explores technology like full-dive VR. Perhaps she and Starlight secretly cosplay at conventions! Who knows?

A bit more about the world. The date is, as of this chapter, the 10th of October, 2015. Canterlot is, as hinted in the previous chapter, located in California. The world is our earth, but with the colourful humans using the pony naming conventions.