Yes, I Am A Brony, Let Me Stay In Equestria

TD took another spoonful of soup before speaking. “So how long did it take you to fully adjust to life here?” he asked.

I put my hand to my chin and pondered, trying to remember. “If memory serves me correctly it must’ve taken me probably a month or so to become completely adjusted but emotionally it was a lot sooner,” I explained. “I still needed to find work and it didn’t feel right sitting around all day. Luckily I had my opportunity.”

I spent the next two days meeting the locals from Derpy who gave me welcome to Ponyville muffins to Filthy Rich who was generous enough to lend me some bits to use. While I was grateful for the hospitality, I felt like I needed to do something with my life. One day I was eating breakfast with Rarity while reading the want ads in the newspaper. “So Edward, any idea what job you would like?” Rarity asked.

After taking another bite of my toast I sighed. “Well the weather team is out of the question,” I said. “Not much of a farm guy and I don’t have the best experience with baking.” I could work the register at Sugarcube Corner but I still think I need a bit more time for the locals to get used to the second human in Equestria. “Maybe Twilight or someone in Townhall can help.”

“Well you won’t have to worry too much about being a burden to me, but if you want you can have the last job TD had and that was helping out around town,” Rarity suggested.

“I’ll save that as a last resort,” I said.

Just then Sweetie Belle trotted in with a saddlebag, I looked at the calendar and it was Monday which meant school for her. We both looked at each other for a split second before she awkwardly looked away. Rarity levitated a small bag for her. “Here's your lunch Sweetie Belle,” she said.

“Thanks,” she softly said before turning to leave the kitchen.

I then had an idea. “Hey, would you like me to walk you to school?” Both the unicorns looked at me. ”I don’t think we were properly acquainted plus I’m going out anyway to job hunt.”

Sweetie Belle looked unsure but after what I heard I sort of understood why. “Sweetie dear, at least get to know him a little, it's just until you get to school.”

Sweetie thought for a moment before deciding. “Okay…”

A little later we were out walking to the school house. It was an awkward silence but I somewhat let my inner fanboy out and broke the silence. “Okay, I’m gonna come out and say this, you’re adorable.”

Sweetie looked up at me surprised. “Really?”

“Yeah, you’re as cute as a kitten. You and your two friends,” I said, earning a blush and a giggle from her.

“Thanks,” she said. She sounded a little more comfortable now. “So how long are you planning to stay?”

“Oh I don’t know until I buy my own house in town or something. I need a job first,” I said.

“No, I mean how long are you planning to stay here in Ponyville?” she said, sounding a little disappointed.

I looked down and her sad face returned. I knelt down to her level and placed a hand on her head. “I don’t know how much Rarity told you about me, but I’m not leaving this town anytime soon.”

“How do I know that when you’re the second human here?” Sweetie asked. “How do I know humans aren’t nomadic species that constantly wander?”

Wow the fandom joke about her and the dictionary is canon here. “Good point,” I said. “Look, I don’t know enough personal stuff about this guy but he sounds like he was a good friend despite being violent with royalty. The point is we are all different from each other. TD obviously had a good life on earth growing up while I had a…not so pleasant life.” I then stood up. “I know it may not mean much but unlike him, I want to make a life here. Now come on or you’ll be late.”

We soon arrived at the school and the children stopped playing the moment we strolled up. “I should probably go now. Have a good day Sweetie Belle,” I said.

But just as I turned to leave I felt her hoof tap the back of my leg. I stopped and looked down at her. “I’m sorry I’ve been reluctant to meet you,” she said. “I was afraid of losing another friend but now I want to know…will you be my friend too?”

I smiled warmly, knelt back down and patted her head. “I’d be happy to, my little friend. I’ll see you later,” I said before leaving. I took one last glance to see Apple Bloom and Scootaloo gallop up to her and began talking. Probably about me. I sighed and started my trek towards Ponyville.

“Come on mister,” I said to the restaurant owner. “There's gotta be something. A dishwasher maybe?”

“No sorry, got plenty already,” he replied.

“What about another waiter? Doesn’t it get busy here?”

“During the time when we have tourists flocking here yes, but not at this time,” the owner replied.

I sighed and looked down. “Right, thanks anyway.”

“Look it's nothing against your species but this is just one of those times I’m overstaffed. If you want I can give you a free drink for your troubles.”

“No, that's fine, thanks,” I said leaving. And here I thought the job market in America was bad. At least here ponies can get jobs the old fashioned way by just waltzing up to a manager and asking about employment opportunities rather than submit an application on the internet and wait weeks for a reply.

It was late in the afternoon when I decided to sit down on a bench. I pulled out a notepad which had a list of many stores and other places. I placed an X over the restaurant I was just at. Barely a few places left but I was starting to doubt myself. “Maybe I should take that guy’s old job,” I said to myself.

I then heard hoofsteps approaching and saw Cheerilee approaching me. “Oh hi,” I said.

“Hello, you must be Edward,” she said. “Sweetie Belle told me all about you.”

“So it seems she’s another wildfire that spreads the news,” I said, smiling a little. “Too bad your school doesn't have a career counselor.”

The teacher raised a brow. “What do you mean?”

“I’ve been trying to find a good job most of the day but it would seem not many are hiring,” I said as I looked back down at my list.

“That's actually why I’ve come to find you,” she said. “I would’ve offered TD this, but he already had a job and he’s gone, but how would you like to be my classroom assistant?”

“Huh?”

“I’ve been teaching the students for a long time and I could use some assistance. Did you know when I started teaching I only had five foals in my classroom? It certainly has grown.”

“And you want me to assist you? Does it pay well?” I asked.

“It might but if you don't get enough you can do TD's old job as a side hustle,” she suggested. “Plus you can learn more about the world as my assistant.”

That was actually a good point. The show might’ve shown me enough about the science and history of this world, but if there were more seasons beyond season four I could become well prepared. So I made my decision and stood up. “Very well, I accept your proposal,” I said, offering my hand. She took it and shook it. “When do I start?”

“How does tomorrow sound?” she asked.

“It's a deal,” I said as I went off to inform Rarity. A teacher's assistant, what could possibly go wrong?

I would be so sorry I asked as I stood in front of the classroom with many fillies and colts looking at me. For some odd reason I felt like I was being viewed by a jury and not a class. While some looked at me with slight concern there was a small minority that viewed me with judgement. “Now remember class, Mr. Richards is our new assistant so I expect you to give him the same respect as you give me,” Cheerilee said addressing her class.

“Yes Miss Cheerilee,” the class responded.

“So Mr. Richards, mind telling the class a little bit about yourself?” she asked.

I tried to shake off the shock as I stood up from the chair, took a deep breath, and cleared my throat. “Greetings class I came from a place called New York City. From my understanding it’s a lot like your city of Manehattan. Lots of streets, tall buildings, and lots to see and do.”

“You lived in a big city?” asked Snips.

“That I did,” I responded. “But it wasn’t quite the glamorous life. Sometimes the city gets so noisy one can hardly get a wink of sleep at night.”

“If you had a cutie mark what would it be and what would it mean?” a random pony asked. I didn’t see who but I assumed it was Silver Spoon.

“Well if I had a cutie mark it would either be a calculator or an abacus,” I replied. “I always did have a thing for numbers. My old job was working in finances for some fancy company. Then again it might not be for it wasn’t my passion.”

“No wonder you lost it,” TD interrupted. “I’d lose my mind too at a job like that.”

“My cheating girlfriend and rotting sanity caused that,” I said annoyed.

“It may have been boring but he at least had a pretty good skill,” Twilight said.

“Yeah this guy is good at math. Like scary good,” Rainbow added. “Watch this,” she then turned to me. “What's one hundred twenty three times sixty five?”

“Seven thousand nine hundred and ninety five,” I responded quickly.

“That's true?” TD asked.

“Yes,” Twilight responded.

“That's amazing.”

“It's a gift,” I said.

“So what is your passion?” asked another student.

“I guess you can say my passion is learning about the many wonders that make life worth living,” I responded. “When I was your age, I was always a curious kid always wondering many questions like what is the meaning of life? Why is the sky blue? Can you put anything on pizza?” The last question got everyone giggling. “But I guess my goal in life is to change the world with something no one has ever thought about and make everyone’s lives better even if it's a little.”

The class was silent but somehow I had the feeling they actually understood. Cheerilee soon began normal class lectures which was soon followed by lunch and recess. Cheerilee asked me to keep an eye on the kids while she gets some paperwork done. But as I watched the kids play I had a feeling someone was watching me closely. I soon noticed at one of the tables Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom were looking over some drawings. Probably another crusade planned for after school. “Wait a second, where's Scootaloo?” I asked myself.

I then turned and saw half a face quickly vanishing from around the corner. Curiously I went over and peered around to see Scootaloo. “Hello?” The filly jumped and quickly turned around. “Whoa! Sorry about that,” I apologized. The filly just stared at me for a bit before turning away with a pout and her fore legs crossed. “Hey what's with the case of the grumps?” I asked.

“You know why,” she snapped. “You say you’re friendly but the moment you go homesick you’ll leave us in the dust like he did.”

“Geez, was this TD guy a really good friend?” I asked.

Scootaloo was silent for a bit but after a minute or two she spoke up. “He loved teaching us,” she began. “He introduced us to a new game. We thought if he would one day leave us he would tell us or at least have Pinkie throw a farewell party. But he didn't, it was like…he didn’t even care.”

TD frowned sadly and looked over to the filly. “Oh Scoots…I did care but well…It’s just…It's not like I…”

“Yeah, sounds like you totally screwed up in the friendship department,” I said. “Honestly, have you ever thought your journey around the world would've been slightly easier without a guilty conscience? I mean you made history by being the very first human to walk in a world we all thought was fictional and you couldn’t have left on a better note.”

“Thanks for the tip,” TD sarcastically said.

“No problem, but don’t worry I made sure everyone had no sour feelings towards you.” TD just raised a finger and pointed to Twilight and Scootaloo who both had a look of slight regret. ”But it may have only lasted until today.”

“I’m sure he did care,” I assured the filly. “I bet he’s thinking about you and the little adventures you’re going on with your friends.”

“Do you really think so?” she asked, cheering up a bit.

“Oh yeah,” I replied. “In fact he’s probably thinking about you crusaders right this minute.”

Scootaloo was about to say something else when we heard Cheerilee. “Recess is over children! Time to get back to class!”

The rest of the day went on smoothly until it was time to go. The parents and older siblings came and picked up the children and I had the chance to meet them as well. Just as the last of them were leaving I felt Scootaloo tugging my pants leg. I looked down and asked what was up. “Sorry about the cold shoulder treatment but if Sweetie Belle trusts you then maybe I should and maybe Apple Bloom would too.”

“If you’re asking me to be your friend too then my answer is yes,” I said before patting her head. “And I do believe you three will get your cutie marks.”

The little filly beamed and quickly got on her scooter. “Thank you! See you later!” she yelled as she sped away.

Cheerilee stepped outside as she too watched the filly sped away. “Well I think you did well on your first day,” she said.

“You think so?” I asked.

“Absolutely,” she said. “Think maybe once in a while you can teach us more about Earth?”

“Only if there's a topic TD hasn’t covered,” I replied.

“I’ll have a list ready for you by tomorrow. You can go back to Rarity’s. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

I nodded and waved goodbye as I left the schoolyard. I must say she was right, it felt like a good start. “No worries,” I said to myself.