Breathtaking

It had been a month since Fluttershy took me into her home. I was pretty irritable for a while. When she asked me what was wrong, I told her I was out of cigarettes. 'Well why didn't you say something!' She had said. Her next trip into town brought back a huge pouch of pipe tobacco bought at some high class emporium. Forget being indebted before, now there wasn't a doubt in my mind this mare deserved thanks. Rolling my own cigarettes was a hassle and pipe tobacco was rough, but I made due. Hell, I even cut back considerably. One of these days I'll quit.

After that month, my ribs were healed, my leg was better and I was already up, moving around, and helping her with the animals. It was awe-inspiring. Not the taking care of animals, I did that at home too; it was her kindness. She was a sweet soul, giving care to them like this out of the goodness of her heart and asking for nothing in return. It didn't even matter what kind of animal, be it birds, mice, rabbits, bats, anything. It wasn't long before I discovered this extended to ALL parts of nature.

We were walking through her yard going to her chicken coup to feed the hens. Fluttershy was talking to me about her chickens and how they all had names and came when you called for them, when we came upon a snake in the yard.

I shouted out loud, "FLUTTERSHY! STOP!" and ran forward to kill it.

Before I could get close enough to stomp on hits head with my boot, Fluttershy put herself between it and myself.

"WAAAAAIIIIIIIIIT!!!!"

I stopped. "WHY?! They're DANGEROUS! GET AWAY FROM THERE!"

As if to illustrate my point, the snake coiled up and hissed, rattling its tail and producing a sound I was all too familiar with. Calmly, she tried to reason with me about it.

"You don't EVER hurt creatures like that! What did he ever do to you?"

I was dumbfounded. Well... I... Its a snake, right? A snake that bites you and hurts you. We just kill snakes like that. While I was having this internal conflict, she trotted right over to the snake and spoke to it. Talking to a snake? Really?

"Now, Mister Snake, could you please leave? My friend is scared of you and I don't want you to be hurt by him. Besides, this isn't your yard and you should go back home."

Then the snake did the damnedest thing. It relaxed and slithered off. Well.. No shit.

"Fluttershy.. How did you DO that?"

"Do what?" She asked.

"That snake... You talked to it... and then it listened to you."

"Do you remember when I asked you about your cutie mar- I mean your 'tattoos?' " I nodded.

"Well, I got mine when I discovered my passion for helping animals. All animals. My special talent for helping them has given me the ability to talk and reason with them too."

It made sense to me. I met people that could talk to their animals, you know, like dogs, cats, horses and so on. But snakes? I had to accept this was a different world and move on.

We finally made it to the hen house. The fence had huge gaps in it, the roof had damage, the walls were nearly caving in, the thing was in such disrepair. I looked around at the rest of the property and noticed similar things wrong with the main cottage and shed as well. As we started spreading chicken feed, I asked her about it.

"Fluttershy, how often do you have someone come to fix the buildings round here? I noticed you might need a little help maybe fixin' some of 'em up."

She paused and thought for a moment.

"Oh, its not often I have someone come out. I have a friend that is really good with things like this, but she's really busy with her farming and I don't want bother her with my problems. Really, its not that important anyway."

"Fluttershy, there's a hole in the roof of the hen house."

As if on cue, a chicken stepped out of the coup, soggy and shivering from the rain we got the night before. I looked at Fluttershy, my eyes saying 'see, I told you.'

"Oh. Well, I'm sure I could find something to cover it with. Its not a problem."

"Fluttershyyyyy... You helped me so much over the last month, it would be my pleasure to help you take care of the place and clean it up a little."

"Well, only if you don't mind," She said. "That is, if its ok with you?"

"Of course its ok with me, hun, I did offer to do it in the first place."

"Oh. Well, ok."

"Why are you so hesitant about takin' help from folks?" I asked her bluntly. She started to kick at the ground.

"Well, I just don't want to be an inconvenience to others. I wouldn't feel right."

"Then think of this as me repaying you for all of your help and you know, saving my life and all." She blushed at that. "Now, is there anything around her that needs work done?"

"Well," she started. "There are fences that need mending and in the woods a little ways are some dead trees that need clearing up. Other than the things you already mentioned of course."

"I'll get on them first thing, as soon as I can." As soon as I said it, a light breeze kicked up. The cool wind bit into my skin, causing me to shiver slightly. "You know, Fluttershy, is there any way I could get a shirt or something?"

She paused and thought for a second. "I've been thinking about that myself. I have a friend that is really talented with fashion, specifically making clothes. I'm sure she could make something for you."

I frowned. My presence at Fluttershy's house was still a closely guarded secret. Every time her friends came over I would either hide in a closet or slip outside into the woods to smoke and wait for them to leave. They always asked if someone was there or who Fluttershy was talking to. She would always say it was her talking to the animals, but the friends were starting to get suspicious. I'd almost bet they figured she was seeing someone and keeping it a secret. Now, we have to bring someone in on the truth. She seemed to think it was a good idea, and I needed a shirt. Reluctantly, I agreed.

"Ok, Fluttershy. I trust you. Can you trust them?"

"Oh, don't you worry," she said. "My friend Rarity is the most generous pony in Equestria. She would do anything for someone if they needed it." I laughed.

"She sounds just like you! If that's the case, I like her already." This was amazing. How could this place be like this? So much good. It just shocked me how such a place could even exist. She piped up again.

"Besides, if she Pinkie Promises, she won't be able to tell a soul."

At first I smiled, but I was quickly confused.

"But, y'all don't have pinkies."

"Well, no... We just have one. Pinkie Pie!"

I shook my head. I didn't want to hurt my brain today with too much thought. "If you say so." Fluttershy and I finished feeding animals and she left for town.

When she left, I decided to go inside and clean up a little before her friend (whoever the hell that was gonna be) came over. I was just finishing up dishes when I heard voices. I could hear Fluttershy and a voice I could only describe as "40's era movie star" moving closer to the cottage.

"Fluttershy, I still don't understand WHY you need me to come all the way out here to mend your dresses. It would have been MUCH easier if you could just bring them to my shop and let me work THERE, darling!"

"Oh Rarity, I know, but I needed you to come home with me... Some of the dresses are very valuable to me and I wouldn't want them to get damaged on the road."

"Fluttershy," the voice started flatly, "they're already damaged. Why else would I be coming to your home?"

I heard the ponies stop outside the door. "Rarity, before you go inside, I want you to Pinkie Promise you won't tell anypony what you see here, today."

"Darling, this is ridiculous..."

"PLEASE Pinkie Promise?"

"Well, alright. Cross my heart and-"

"Do the motions too!"

I heard a heavy sigh of exasperation and resignation.

"Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my- OWW!"

"Ok. Remember, you Pinkie Promised."

A vengeful voice spoke up from an unknown distance and location. "AND NOPONY BREAKS A PINKIE PROMISE!"

"What was that?" I heard Fluttershy say.

"Oh darling, you know Pinkie Pie." How that explained things was beyond me.

The front door opened as I closed the door to the guest bedroom behind me, shutting myself away from the ponies entering the house. I heard the front door close as the sound of hoofsteps traced their way through the room.

"John, you can come out now."

I opened the door slowly. Before me was a beaming Fluttershy and another mare, this one white with a well-styled mane and tail. The look on her face went from concern and curiosity to one of sheer terror. She swooned and landed square on the floor in a dead faint.

"Oh my." Said the yellow pegasus.

Fluttershy was fanning Rarity, trying to get her to calm down. After coming to and fainting for a second time, Fluttershy and I agreed that I should probably step out and let her collect herself. I was still in the back room when I heard voices again.

"Oh Rarity, I'm sorry, I should have warned you about him."

"FLUTTERSHY! ALL OF PONYVILLE HAS BEEN LOOKING FOR IT! It escaped the hospital, vandalized the place and scared the patients half to death in the process!"

"Oh, but Rarity, He was hurt in the forest. I had to help him."

"OH BUT RARITY NOTHING! IT could be DANGEROUS, Fluttershy!"

"No, he isn't! No more dangerous than my bears or a mountain lion!"

I heard Rarity sigh. "Fluttershy, those are some of the more DANGEROUS CREATURES IN THE FOREST! You NEED to tell the town!"

"No, I just couldn't! And neither can you! You Pinkie Promised!"

The room was quiet. Apparently, promises were kept in this world. That's a nice change. I decided that was when I should go ahead and interrupt. Opening the door and stepping out, I saw Rarity begin to flinch and ready herself to beat a hasty retreat.

"If I may, madam," I interjected, silently thanking all of the hoity-toity parties and bullshit formal dinners I had to attend there in Chicago, "I may be dangerous, but unlike the larger creatures your friend cares for, I am fully capable of rational thought and self-control. I promise you, I am indeed no threat to anyone."

The white mare looked at me with an expression of incredulity and surprise. Composing herself rather quickly and adopting an air of slight disdain, she looked down her nose at me.

"SO. It can speak. And it seems it has SOME semblance of manners and respect as well."

"Yes, ma'am. In fact, I am rather cultured for a man of my supposed status in your world. Might I persuade you to stay and listen to Fluttershy while I bring you something to drink. Lemonade, perhaps?"

She hesitated, but my charming (at least I thought so) personality finally worked its way through.

"Well, I suppose I could stay for just a few minutes.' she said with a sniff.

"Wonderful. I'll go fetch you both something to drink and be back shortly." With a slight bow, I retreated from the room. Hah, all those "girlfriends" dragging me to bullshit finally paid off. I went to the refrigerator to retrieve the jug of fresh squeezed lemonade. I could again hear voices coming from the living room.

"Fluttershy, I still don't understand why you took him here."

"Please try to remember Rarity, when he woke up, he was in a strange place. He's not from our world and he doesn't know how he got here. He was scared and hurt and he would have died if I hadn't saved his life." There was a slight pause before Fluttershy continued. "He came here with nothing but the clothes he's wearing. He has nothing, not even a family anymore! I had to help him." Another pause. I peeked around the corner and looked at the two mares. Rarity's face had changed. It wasn't a look of shock or worry for Fluttershy, but a thoughtful expression.

"That... That is horrible. I can see why he would be scared and run."

"Exactly." Fluttershy said. "And he hasn't told me anything specific, but apparently in his world ponies don't talk. he thought he was dreaming when he first woke up and saw Twilight in the hospital room and when he left later. Also," she said in a whisper, "his world is nothing like ours. He said its dangerous for people like him."

"What, you mean like he could be a criminal?" Rarity whispered back.

"No, he's not a criminal, he just said that there are a lot of bad things, but he won't tell me what they are. Please Rarity, he needs our help."

That seemed to be what changed her mind. Her face a picture of resolution, she jumped to her feet (uhhh.. I mean hooves),

"Well, then we must help! What did you say his name was?"

"John. John Marshall."

"Oh Jooooooooohn, could you come in here, please?" Carrying three glasses of lemonade, each with a straw sticking out, I strode into the living room.

"Yes ma'am?" I said, passing the glasses to the ponies and keeping one for myself.

"You can drop the 'proper' tone, though your manners are quite appreciated. Also, you may call me Rarity."

I smiled. "Its a pleasure, miss." I extended my hand in greeting. Instead of offering her hoof, Rarity looked at my hands.

"Oh my, you don't have hooves either. Like monkey hands."

I laughed at that. "Well, I don't mind. Fingers are good for a lot of the stuff humans do."

"Oh?" she said, lifting an eyebrow. Oh yes, lots of things. "Well," she continued, finally extending her hoof. "then I suppose that's fine." She squirmed when I wrapped my fingers around her hoof and gave it a light shake. Must be a helluva experience for a pony to have, shaking the hands of what was pretty much an alien.

"Well, I have decided to keep your secret safe and help you in any way I can. Fluttershy told me some of your story and I must say, I don't blame you for your reaction. I would also like to extend my hoof and say that if you need anything, I am right here to help you."

"Thank you. So much. Fluttershy told me you were the most generous pony around these parts. I had a hard time believing her. She was already more generous than I've ever seen, but I figure shes right! At any rate, she said that you were quite an accomplished fashionista and I desperately need some help in that department."

She looked confused. "Oh. Not to be frank, but you don't seem to be the type to go to formal functions around here."

I forgot. Fluttershy already explained to me that clothes served no purpose other than dress attire here.

"Well, you mighta noticed, but I don't exactly have fur." I said, looking at the hair on my chest. "Well, what I mean is A LOT of fur, like y'all. I lose too much body heat through my skin when its not covered by something. Apparently, I nearly died from exposure a couple of nights after I escaped."

She looked shocked.

"That must have been terrifying." I waved her concern off with my hand. I didn't want to get into how I pretty much wanted to die anyways at that point.

"What it all comes down to is I need a shirt. Something to cover up with while I work outside for Fluttershy." Rarity got straight down to business.

"Well, I'm going to need your measurements if I'm to make your wardrobe."

"Whoa whoa whoooaaaa... Wardrobe? I only need a shirt!"

"Well its not like I'm going to let you live on with only the change of clothes you happen to be wearing!"

Fluttershy stepped in and whispered in my ear. "I promise you'll be happy with the result. Besides, if you ever do decide to head into town, you'd be the best dressed there!"

I threw my hands up in resignation. "Why the hell not?"

"Excellent!" Rarity said, happy as a little schoolgirl. Fluttershy looked at me confused.

"What does that mean? I know you've said it before." I stopped.

Thinking quickly, I turned to her and said "It means yes where I'm from." Fluttershy nodded in understanding as Rarity began thinking of the task ahead of her.

"You will be more difficult to design for than the usual clientele, but I do enjoy a challenge. Now, measurements. Take your clothes off, now. Go on." I stood still. "Well, what are you waiting for? Go on."

I started to blush a little. "Well, you have to understand, in my culture, there's a modesty thing." She laughed

"Sir, I am a grown mare and in the interests of professionalism, there is no reason for you to worry about modesty."

"Okay. Fluttershy, could you step out please?" She kindly left us alone and mentioned something about relocating a family of bunnies. I pulled my boots off and dropped them on the floor. Rarity eyed them suspiciously.

"What are those made from?" I opened my mouth to reply, but stopped abruptly. "Uhhhh.."

"Fess up now!" Her tone got severe quickly. "What are they?"

"Well, you have to understand, see, where I come from, they're normal-"

"Tell me."

"You can't tell anyone. I don't even want Fluttershy to know about this. Either she'll be hurt or she'll hurt me!"

"Is it what I think it is?"

"... Leather?" She gasped. In a quiet whisper, she explained everything to me.

"THAT IS A HIGHLY ILLEGAL MATERIAL HERE! WHY, IF ANYONE REALLY KNEW WHAT IT LOOKED LIKE, YOU COULD BE IMPRISONED FOR YEARS!"

"I had no idea... They were waiting for me in the closet with my jeans while I was in the hospital!"

"That's probably because not a living soul has seen real leather in a century! You HAVE to get rid of them!"

Our hushed argument over my keeping the boots went on for another minute or so. In that quick span of time, the white mare learned just how frustratingly stubborn humans could be.

"Look, my boots are valuable to me. They're like the only thing I have left that is truly reminds me of home."

She thought for a moment. Sighing in exasperation, she finally admitted defeat and offered a little advice.

"Well... Its not likely, but if anyone asks, I've been working on a leather substitute and that's what you have, okay?"

"THANK YOU."

"Now, you can owe me. Down to business."

I hesitated just a moment longer. Finally, throwing my reservations to the winds, I removed my jeans and and turned to face her. Her eyes immediately falling to below the belt, so to speak.

"Oh my. This is... new."

"Yeah..." I laughed nervously. "Hehe, uhhhh I realize that I'm not much compared to a pony, but you don't have to stare."

She laughed, herself. "You would actually be surprised in that case." A tape measure materialized out of nowhere and floated towards me through the air. "Okay, so... waist, 32. Inseam, 36. My, you have some long legs." She continued like that for a few minutes as I stood still for her.

"So, what are these markings all over you?"

"They're tattoos. They're kinda like y'all's cutie marks except they don't just show up. We take a needle and ink and put them in our skin. Lots of humans got them. To some, they meant something to the person. Of course, there were always folks that got them just because they liked the way they looked."

"Sounds painful. What about yours?"

"All of mine have some meaning to me. The writings are different sayings and the pictures are my heritage."

"What does the writing say?"

"I don't want to lie to you."

"Then don't."

"Okay." I stood silent.

"Well, fine. If you don't want to say, don't. That's fine." I sighed. It was going to come out at some point or another.

"I was a soldier at one point. Very dedicated to my life and purpose. The writing on my back is Latin, a language from a long time ago. It reads, 'If you want peace, prepare for war.' The world I come from... Its a violent place. War comes to those who don't want it. More often then not, it came out of unnecessary violence. We all wanted peace, but there was always someone that tried to take life. In order to have peace, war was usually what it took."

"My goodness. Your world sounds like Ancient Equestria. It must have been a scary place."

"It was normal for us." I said with a shrug. "We never knew any other way."

"I'm scared to ask you about the ones on your arms."

I laughed. "Hah! Well, that one's actually a little more noble. A verse from a holy book." I could tell she was curious, so I continued. " 'And the light shines on in the darkness, and the darkness has never put it out.'"

"Much nicer."

"Well, thank you. I thought so too. I've always believed that good would conquer evil... At least I did for a while."

Rarity's tape measure snapped into a small roll and landed at her feet. Looking me dead in the eyes, she put a hoof on my chest and told it to me straight.

"Never think anything different from that. In this world, good does always win." Good to know. I looked into her eyes and could tell she was serious. Like she knew from experience.

"Okay."

She started to walk off as she spoke to me. "Now, I already have a diagram in my head for your shirt. I'm thinking something bead-"

"NO. NO BEADS."

"What!?"

"No beads, no sequins, no sparkles. Just a plain, dark blue, cotton shirt."

"Well that won't be fun to make at all." She said glumly.

"Also, if you could, I would really appreciate it if you could replicate the material and style of these." I held up my jeans and socks for her to examine.

"Simple enough. The material is denim, is it not? Old fashioned, but functional and possible. Could I PLEASE do you a suit?" She pleaded.

"Well, if you really want to. It'll just be modeled after the local style, right?" She nodded. "Okay, but no beads or jewels please. I'm still having nightmares about that hospital gown I woke up in." She looked offended.

"I MADE THAT SPECIFICALLY FOR YOU! The doctors needed something and they didn't have anything that would fit correctly, so I made one practically on the spot! I thought you needed a little sparkle."

"Well it was a nice gesture. Thank you. Now, are there going to be rhinestones on the suit?" She shook her head.

"No, formal attire here is quite understated unless you're royalty or a snob."

I relaxed. Before she turned and started to leave, I had a quick thought.

"Oh yeah! If you could please, I would very much like if you could make me some underwear. Just a few pairs of cotton shorts to put on under the jeans, ok?" She looked at me like I was strange.

"Why would you need clothes UNDER your clothes?"

I looked at her. Then to my crotch. Then back up at her before answering. "Friction."

She chuckled aloud "Sure, I can do that. It should be simple. If you'll give me a few days to take these to my home, I'll have the first copies out quickly. I'll bring them all to you by the end of the week."

I was overwhelmed. I was about to have my own clothes again.

"I really do appreciate this, Rarity. Your generosity is amazing to me."

"Oh please," She said. "This will be simple enough. I just have to adapt my usual style. I design for high class and divas constantly. Designing for a new friend will be a nice project." She called me a friend. Really?

She stepped outside as I stood naked in the cottage. Apparently, Fluttershy was waiting outside. Excited tittering and giggles were heard before Rarity left for her home. Quickly, I ran into the bedroom and jumped under the covers. I didn't want Fluttershy to stare too. She came in to the guest room with me and blushed.

"Ummm... So, how did everything go?"

"Just fine. What were y'all talking about outside?"

"Oh... nothing."

"Fluttershyyyyy." It never took much coaxing to get her to spill the beans.

"Well, Rarity said that after meeting you and hearing about how you plan to help around here, I should keep you hidden. She says that the rest of the mares in town would be all over you if they got to know you well enough."

It was my turn to blush.

"Whooooaaaaaaa... No. No no no... No." She smiled reassuringly.

"Oh, you don't have to worry about me, you're a good friend. I just couldn't think of you like that."

"You say friendzone, but what about the fact that we AREN'T EVEN THE SAME SPECIES?!" She rolled her eyes.

"Oh John, that's no big deal here. Ponies will even date gryphons if they love each other." I sat there. Dumbstruck.

"Did you just say... Gryphons?"

Fluttershy's giggles could be heard throughout the glade as I wondered to myself. Just what in the world was in store for me when I finally showed myself to this town? I shook my head and tried to forget it. One step at a time, John. One step at a time.