Crossing Over the Arcane Hiatus

Chapter 12: Leaving the Nest

Well, it’s my one-week anniversary. I’ve been here in Equestria for a whole eight days and much to my surprise I have not gone completely insane yet. Or maybe I am and just don’t realize it.  After all, I’m in a cartoon show. And supposedly I am destined to save Equestria from something that no one even has a clue about. It was early in the morning, and here I am lying in bed staring at the ceiling. My internal clock seemed like it finally adjusted to the time so hopefully I shouldn’t be having any insomnia anymore. Shifting out of bed I looked down to my cast which was really starting to annoy me now.

SO. ITCHY.

I collapsed to the ground desperately trying to scratch underneath the cast.

“Damn.” I rolled over the floor onto my stomach. This itching is getting intolerable. Maybe Twilight knew a spell that could do something about it?

“Hey Twilight?” I called out, but got no answer.

Still on the floor, I reached over and grabbed my crutch and noticed somepony had written “Crutchy” on one of the sides. It was probably Pinkie Pie, but I don’t really know anypony’s hand… hoofwriting. Mouthwriting? If you wrote with magic, is it magicwriting?

Oh wait, I have their signatures on my cast.

I sat up and examined my cast, looking back and forth between the writings.

So this was likely either Pinkie Pie or Applejack, but I’m not too sure.

I stood up and called out to Twilight again but still didn’t get an answer.

Downstairs, the purple unicorn was passed out on the floor. Looking at the clock, it was about nine in the morning, and she’s usually up by now. There was a book about the moon opened laying on top of her, and I nudged it off exposing the rest of her head. She had her face planted into another open book and was drooling all over it.

“Twilight?” I gently nudged her with my leg.

“Hnngh. Five more minutes…”

“Twilight, it’s almost nine. Can you help me with something before you go?”

“Huh? Oh my Celestia! It’s morning! I’m going to be late!” Twilight jumped up with a surge of energy. “I got to go!” She quickly threw on her saddlebags and ran out the door.

The past two days have been like this; Twilight runs off early in the morning to meet up with Princess Celestia for ‘official business,’ Spike is either really busy or is out hunting for gemstones, and the rest of the Mane Six are out doing something else leaving me all alone in the library.

And it gets boring all alone in a library.

*CRASH*

“What the hell?” I cried out falling to the floor. “What was that?”

“Sorry…” I heard somepony say with a muffled voice. A bit of silence followed, but that crash sounded like something hit the library. I got up and went over to the front door to see what just happened.

“Hey Derpy. What are you doing here?”

The gray pegasus was on the ground desperately trying to pick up the several dozen letters she must have dropped. Her mailbag sat on the porch as she ran back and forth seizing the letters before the wind could take them away. I bent down and picked up her mailbag just as she returned with a mouthful of envelopes.

“HANKE-YOT!” She smiled releasing the wad of assorted paper back into the mailbag. “Sorry, I accidently fell.”

“I’m sure it wasn’t your fault. So what brings you here?”

“I got a letter for a… Twilight Sparkle.” Derpy spoke, one of her eyes lazily looking into the mailbag I still held. She drove her head into the bag, coming back out with a single white envelope. I took it from her, and she eagerly retook her satchel from my grasp.

“I’ll be sure to get this to-“

“Why so sad?” Derpy interrupted me, tilting her head.

That’s two for two. How does this pony read my face so well?

“Oh, I’m just bored.”

“Well, do want to help me deliver letters? I only have a few places left on today’s route.”

“Sorry, but I can’t really move that well with my broken leg. I’d probably just slow you down. Thanks for the offer though.”

Derpy kept her innocent smile, unfazed by my decline. “Well how about when you feel better? Do you want to help me deliver letters then?”

“Eh. Sure, why not?”

“Do you promise?”

“I promise.” Those words made her squeal with joy.

“Yay! I can’t wait!”  She smiled back to me nodding her head excitingly, only to turn away and run into the library sign that stood near the front door. She stumbled back, shook it off and giggled to herself before flying away.

I turned back inside closing the door behind me. Something about that mare has brought a smile to my face every time. I set the letter down on the kitchen table and took an apple for breakfast. I really need to find something else to eat beside fruits and pastries; this couldn’t be good for my diet, and I’ve already given up meat. Sitting down I decided to look at the letter, and I don’t know how mail in Equestria is different from Earth, but other than Twilight’s name on it there was no indication of a return address or a stamp. How does everything work around here? I sat the letter back down and pulled out my phone expecting it to get reception. It didn’t, and I slid it back into my pocket in disappointment.

*knock knock*

“Now who’s here?”

Great, I’m talking to myself again.

I slowly got up and walked back to the door and opened it, half expecting to see Derpy again. It wouldn’t surprise me if she forgot something. But no, instead it was Lyra accompanied with Bon Bon and the two were really nervous about something.

“Do you know where…? Aha! I thought you were staying here!” Lyra eagerly stuck her head in the doorway and looked around. “Are you alone?”

“Lyra…?”

“Lyra? No, it’s called a ‘lyre’.” Lyra flashed her side showing me her cutie mark. “My name’s Heartstrings and this is Bon Bon. Although I kind of like ‘Lyra’. You can call me that if want.”

“I like ‘Lyra’.” Bon Bon commented, “What’s your name again?”

“It’s Chris.” Lyra answered for me. How the does this pony know me already?

Oh right… the party… A cold shiver ran down my spine. I am never drinking again.

“So what are you two doing here?”

“I was hoping you could tell us more bout Humans!” The two mares grinned from ear to ear. “I mean, it’s always been said that Humans are just legends; some old filly’s tale, but then you showed up! I always thought they were interesting creatures.” She blushed and backed out of the door onto the front porch beside Bon Bon.

“…That is, if you don’t mind.”

“By the way, what was that scatterbrain doing here?” Bon Bon intrigued.

“Scatterbrain?”

“You know, that pegasus that was just here.”

“Bon Bon, Derpy’s a mailmare. My guess is that she was just delivering mail.” Lyra sarcastically addressed her friend.

“She’s really nice.” I added followed but a short, awkward pause.

“So anyways, can we come in?”

“Sorry, but I’m not so sure Twilight would want anypony in the library right now. I think it’s supposed to be closed while she’s out.”

“We can sit out here then! And there’s a café down the block, we can talk there too and I’ll buy you some breakfast, my treat for the talk.”

“Uh, sure, I guess. Let me just leave Twilight a note in case she comes by while we’re out.”

Lyra had that creepy grin again and Bon Bon nodded happily.

“We’ll wait out here!”

Okay, if I remember correctly Lyra is supposed to be obsessed with Humans, and so far that seems like it’s holding up. I’m not too sure about Bon Bon though, but she seems interested too, and a bit mean.

I pulled out a napkin and wrote a small not on the table for Twilight;

Twilight,

Heartstrings and Bon Bon stopped by and wanted me to tell them more about humans. They invited me for breakfast at a café down the block, so that’s where I’ll be if I’m not here. Hopefully I’ll be back by noon.

~Chris

“Hey Chris, what’s taking you so long?” Lyra appeared outside the kitchen window shoving her face up against the glass.

“I’m coming, just hold on a minute.”

I sat my note down on the table beside the letter and looked back up to the clock. There’s no way Lyra and Bon Bon could drag out a conversation for over two hours.

“Can I see your hoofs?” Lyra asked.

“My what? Why?”

“Hey, we bought you breakfast and lunch!” Bon Bon snapped. They did, but garden burgers didn’t exactly taste that well. My lunch was still half eaten and sitting on the table. No doubt its cold and dry right now; not that it wasn’t cold and dry to begin with.

“Fine…” I complied, taking off ones of my shoes and a sock, setting my foot up on the table. “I warn you though; human feet don’t always have the best smell.”

“Oooohh.” The two mares stared intently at my foot.

“What are these?” Bon Bon asked as she prodded my foot.

“They’re called ‘toes’. They’re like smaller fingers but I can’t control them that well. Can I bring my foot down now? It’s starting to get cold.”

“Hold on…”

It was two in the afternoon right now. Somehow our conversation dragged on for over five hours.

“Hello Chris. What are you doing?” Rarity walked up to our table outside the café carrying a shopping bag through the air behind her. Fluttershy was with her and two were very surprised to see me here talking to Lyra and Bon Bon.

“Hi Rarity. Hi Fluttershy. We were just…”

“Don’t you know you’re going to be late? Come on, we have to get going!” Rarity warned getting a confused look from Fluttershy and the table.

“Late? For what?”

“Don’t tell me you forgot! I’m sorry girls, but I need to take him so he’s not late.”

“Aww…” the two mares groaned. Rarity rolled her eyes at the two and Fluttershy tried to get her attention.

“Okay…” Lyra sighed. “But thanks for the talk! We’re kind of running late too…” The two smiled, got up and left in a hurry. Rarity motioned for me to get up as I was pulled my leg down and slipped my sock back on. Fluttershy still looked at her friend in confusion who was now intently watching me as I tied my shoe.

“What am I late for?” I got up, wrapping what’s left of my lunch in a napkin.

“Oh nothing. It’s just that you looked so forlorn, and those two are really obsessive about humans. I was thinking that you must have been here for a while, and I just had to rescue you.”

“Rarity!” Fluttershy made a small outcry in a menacing voice. Rarity and I were stunned by this, and the pegasus quickly realized her tone and immediately quieted down. “I-I’m sorry about that. But that was mean what you did Rarity, breaking up their conversation.”

“Oh shush Fluttershy.” Rarity scoffed. Fluttershy shot her head back in surprise and then glared to Rarity. “I think we both know that he would have never escaped them.”

“B-but...”

“I did the right thing. Didn’t I Chris?”

“Well, this was only supposed to take-“

“See, dear? Come on Chris, let’s walk.”

“Sorry, but I need to get back to the library. I left Twilight a note saying I’d be back hours ago.”

“Why don’t you come with us? I was hoping we could talk.”

Fluttershy and I both looked at each other in confusion. First Rarity takes me out of one conversation and then tries to bring me into another? What is she trying to do?

“Rarity, I-“ both Fluttershy and I spoke at the same time trying to divert whatever the unicorn was trying to do. I really needed to get back to library, but Rarity did not let up.

“Please?” Rarity asked tilting her head.

“Oh, don’t give me that look,” I told her. Rarity stared at me, her pupils were widening and she started to pout.

“Nope. Not falling for it.” Rarity groaned and continued trying to suck up to me. Fluttershy sighed and stared to the ground shaking her head. Rarity got closer and brought her face about a foot from mine, blinking affectionately.

“Do… do you not like me?” Rarity muttered, trembling her lower lip.

“Yes, I like you... as a friend… but I’m not falling for your antics.”

“Ugh, fine.” Rarity backed off obviously upset. “You sure are stubborn, you know that?”

“Rarity, you’re the one being stubborn.” Fluttershy said in a sarcastic tone.

“Well I just thought he could help me with something.”

“With what?”

“It’s nothing, since you really don’t seem to care. Come on Fluttershy.” Rarity motioned to her friend as she walked away head held high. Fluttershy rather reluctantly turned to follow her.

“The goodbye! I guess I’ll see you two some other time then.”

“Wait!” Rarity, now about fifty feet away, turned back around and ran after me leaving Fluttershy confused. The pegasus was obviously irritated. She sighed, hung her head, and flew away. Rarity was now standing at my feet.

“I’m sorry about that. Do forgive me, please.”

“It’s… fine. But I think Fluttershy is the one you’ll need to apologize to.”

“Never mind her,” Rarity sighed. “Look, can we talk please? I really need some help.”

“What kind of help?”

“Well, I see you have fingers and that you also only seem to have a few old, torn outfits…”

My clothes are a little beat up… “Your point?”

“I could give you a discount for new clothing…”

“Thanks for the offer Rarity, but I don’t have any money to begin with.”

“I could give you some…”

“For what?”

“Let me cut to the chase. I’ve been getting swarmed with orders lately at my boutique and I have been very busy. The only reason I’m not working now is because I had to go and purchase some more fabrics…”

“Rarity…?”

“Oh right. Chris, how would you like to serve as my apprentice?”

I didn’t see that one coming. Actually, of all possible outcomes that was one of the least expected. I stood there for a second to process what she just offered.

“As my apprentice, you would get an employee discount.” Rarity continued, “There would also be pay, and I’m sure it beats sitting around in that library all the time. You could also create your own clothes with any of my left over fabrics.”

“Thanks for the offer, but…”

“Oh please do help me,” Rarity said pathetically, practically crying. “I just, it gets, it’s late summer and ponies are going to be wanting new autumn clothing soon. Sweetie Belle isn’t enough, and it’s just… Please?”

“Rarity, I-“ I was about to answer but the unicorn kept going on.

“I’d ask somepony else, but nopony seems to have any knowledge about fashion in Ponyville. And those who do are either unskilled or they are not unicorns, so they can’t use magic to do anything properly!”

“Rarity, can you just-“

“I saw how you tied your boot with your… hands and I just thought that you’d be exceptional and that you’d have the ability to-“

The only thing I could think of to shut her up was to shove my half-eaten burger in her mouth. That did the trick and she stumbled back in shock, spitting it out.

“Rarity, Listen! If you want help from a friend, I’d be more than happy to oblige. Just calm down, please.”

“Oh thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou! You have no idea how much this means to me!”

No, I probably don’t…

“Come on then! I need to start teaching you.”

“Wait, Rarity. I should check up with Twilight and tell her-“

“Oh don’t you worry about her. I’ll be sure to take care of it. Come on!”

It was late in the evening when Twilight got back to the Library. She left with her saddlebags empty and returned with them filled to the brim on books about electricity, astronomy, and the Old Kingdom; what the civilization the existed before Equestria is commonly referred to as.

“Chris? Spike? I’m back!” Twilight called out but got no reply. “Anypony?”

The unicorn sat her saddlebags down and walked into the kitchen to find an envelope on the table.

A letter? From whom? She sat the envelope back down on the table and saw a note that was hastily written on a used napkin. Something else had been written above it but was crossed out and faded with what looked like a coffee stain.

Dear Twilgiht,

Chris will be in my company for the time being until further notice. I am training him to be my apprentice, he requests that bring over the remainder of his belongings over to my boutique in the morning.

Sincerely, Rarity.