Another pony, a gray one, 'like herself', Rose noted, 'without any wings', carried in a bundle. The pony set down the bundle next to Rose’s cleared place at the table, and she recognized that it’s her clothes. Another pony, this one with a horn, steps up next to her. He’s wearing a butler’s uniform, and sporting a fine mustache.

“Will madame require assistance with her garments?”

“Umm... no thanks. I’m pretty sure I can handle this on my own.”

“If madame needs any assistance, simply call.”

The unicorn (that’s what he has to be, right?) bows curtly and steps back.

Rose simply gives an awkward smile and attempts to grab her clothes with her hooves, forgetting her non existing fingers.

“Right, no hands.”

Frowning she uses her mouth to take the garments. Unfortunately, she realize she can’t put on a shirt of any kind using her mouth.

“Were du ah gu to channgu?”

“I’m sorry?”

Rose spits her clothes out and restates her question.

“Where do i go to change?”

“Change what?

“Into my clothes.”

“If madame requires somewhere to change, would a lavatory suffice?”

The butler speaks up again from his position by the door.

“Is it private?”

“Ineed.”

“Then that works.”

She pushed away from the table and grabbed her clothes with her mouth, carefully following the unicorn butler as he leads her towards another door. He stands at attention outside it once arriving.

“If madame will require assistance, I could call ms. Maidsquire to help madame into her garments.”

“I’m pretty sure I’ll be fine, it’s just clothes after all...”

Five minutes later, Rose is trying to untangle herself from the choking confines of her jeans, her forelegs bound together by her tank-top. Somehow, the jeans had managed to find their way over her head.

“Agh! Damn it!”

“Does madame require assistance now?”

The butler had remained outside the whole time, it seemed.

“No! I don’t need any help! it’s just a pair of jeans and a shit! I mean shirt!”

“As you say, madame.”

Fucking calm, composed ass-hat. So damn smug in his whatever-the-hell makes him smug! Rose silently railed at the unfairness of the situation, extremely confused as to how the hell she’s supposed to get the damn things off again so she can get the on right this time.

Using her teeth she attempted to pull the garments down only to hear the sounds of ripping fabric. There goes the collared shirt. Pulling the ruined cotton mess from her front legs, she sighs. Maybe I should ask for help, I’ve got one other shirt, and only one set of pants. And a pair of sneakers, but I can just slide those... wait, there’s four. Odd... but alright.

“No. Not gonna ask for help. I hardly know them and I still have no clue of where I’m at exactly- nor why the hell I’m a freaking horse.”

Muttering to herself didn’t help though, and she couldn’t figure out how to get the damn things over her hooves and head without catching on anything. After a further forty minutes of trying, she’s still not gotten any closer to figuring it out. It just does not seem possible.

But how the hell is that unicorn going to do it? lift the stuff into place with his horn? How could they think these are real clothes? How are these supposed to go on? They look like they’re for a pony...

“Oh right, I’m a horse.“

At this point the garments were before her in a mess, the jeans inside out and the tank top in a knott. Frowning she tried to undo the knot with her teeth, again being greeted by the sounds of tearing fabric. She let out a yell of frustration and finally gives up.

“Ah! that’s it! I’m just gonna walk out naked! I don’t care anymore! I’m just gonna be a nudist from now on!”

Looking down at the clothes on the floor, she sees one article of clothing she’s pretty sure she can put on: her velcro-strap sneakers. They were on sale, and the right color, but it looks like that bargain shopping might just come in handy now.

Slipping the now boot-like shoes over her hooves, she found that they fit snugly, and don’t even need to be adjusted.

“At least one of these things fit...”

Looking at the mess she created, Rose groaned in annoyance and quickly slipped on the shoes before taking the ripped garments in her mouth and preparing to toss them aside. Before she does, the butler calls from outside.

“I take it madame is finished clothing herself? If so, I have madame’s bag here for her.”

“Thanks.”

Her words were strung with annoyance from her failed attempt to dress herself. embarrassed by her inability to do a simple task as put on a shirt she dragged her hoofs to the main door.

Outside is the unicorn butler, and what he was doing shocked her.

Levitating a bag without holding it. Fucker didn’t even need hands.

Stuffing the shredded clothes into the bags with a growl, she waits for a moment as the butler lifts the bag effortlessly, and lets it sit on her back, where it seems to settle naturally.

“Man, why couldn’t I have been turned into one of you guys?”

“It’s doubtful, madame, that anypony would wish a noble-born child into being a servant, outside of fairy tales.”

“Right...”

“If madame would accompany me? I’ve been instructed by the lord of the house to escort madame and the young master from the premises.”

“Do you guys really need to do all that stuff? I mean, really? It’s just over there.”

Rose stops for a moment, having realized she’s not actually sure of where the exit/entrance to the place is.

“Yes, madame, it is required. In your case, because the master of the house has requested you leave, now that you have recovered, and in the case of his son because it is commanded by the Living Gods, long may they reign.”

“Living Gods? You gotta be kidding me...”

“I am not. Queen Tenebrous herself rules this land.”

“Geez, this sounds like my grandma’s religious force feeding all over again.”

“If your grandma was perhaps deluded into thinking such heresies as disbelieving in the Living Gods divinity, I must wonder at how she survived to produce foals. The Queen raises the moon every night, after all. The King of the Imperium Sol raises the sun. Such is the way of the world.”

Rose opened her mouth to argue but just grunted.

“Just get me out of here.”

“Of course, madame.”

The butler stiffly walks off, Rose following behind. The sneakers really made walking easier, gripping the wood-shaving floors and cushioning the soft inside of her hoof, making it hurt a lot less.

A few minutes later, Rose had arrived at a massive double-door, Moon Herald waiting there as well. He smiled at Rose, making her blush, though she wasn’t exactly sure why, and she turned back to the massive door as a gray aura envelops the butler’s horn and the doors, as the doors swing open.

Followed closely by the butler, Rose and Moon walked to the edge of the property, over rolling green hills, accented beautifully by the moonlight, until they reached a gate, which was opened by that gray glow again. They stepped through, and the gate closed slowly behind them

Rose took one last look back, and gasped as she realize the entire mansion was actually a huge, squat tree, with at least four floor’s worth of windows, a few of them with lights on in them.

“Woah... That- that’s a nice treehouse.”

“Mahogany Manor was grown by my father, as a wedding gift for my mother. She said it was the silliest and nicest thing anyone had ever done for her. He made his fortune by helping others and making a business of it. It’s going to be a tough legacy to follow, but one I hope I can exceed it one night. Even if I never make a coin from it.”

In the moonlight, his corded muscles and smooth coat positively gleamed, and Rose felt her breath catch for a moment when she saw his wings open, a brilliant, fiery orange and black pattern on the underside, like dancing flames.

“I’m sure you’ll do fine. I mean, you’re a nice looking, uh, guy. Plus you know how to act so I’m sure it won’t be too hard for you to get somewhere fast.”

“I suppose. But I really just want to help others. Not much room in the world for a self-sufficient stallion, though. Most mares just want a buck who’ll stay in the kitchen and cook, or look nice and give her foals.”

“So, this place expects the guys to be... housewives?”

“I believe the term is ‘housecolts’, but I believe you have the right idea. It’s rare for someone like my father to only herd with a single mare, but she never minded him taking care of her, even if society said it should be the other way around.”

“Man, that’s the complete opposite of where I’m from- well, kinda. Back home the girls are more the stay at home type and guys go work, but things are evening out between the two.”

“Must make it hard for the mares to find bucks, then, if they all stay away from the few out there to tend the home.”

“Not exactly.”

She gave a little laugh.

“You don’t really have a hard time meeting people because they’re everywhere. I mean, it’s hard not to since it’s so over populated.”

“Ah, you’re from one of the cities, then? I hear there’s nearly three thousand ponies in some of the largest.”

He sounded entirely sincere, and the two of them began walking as they spoke, the beautiful moonlight shining down on them.

“You don’t get out much do you? Three thousand is a small town in comparison to what I’m used to. Try millions of people in a single place.

“Impossible! Except maybe in the five capitals, there’s nowhere in the world with enough space for that! A single city would have to stretch out over hundreds of thousands of miles for that many ponies to live in it all at once, not including travellers passing through to elsewhere. I may be noble-born, but I took my studies seriously. Even with the tallest non-magic, pony-made living area structure duplicated endlessly, there’d still be no room for more than perhaps a hundred thousand ponies in one city.”

“In your world maybe, but I’m not from here, rememeber.”

“Hmph, whatever nation you’re from, it’s simply impossible to build a structure over sixty hooves tall without it collapsing or requiring magical support, or being made of very large bricks! Even castles are rarely more than a hundred hooves in height, and usually only sit on higher elevations to make up for this.”

“My world is also bigger than yours. Plus, our living spaces aren’t as... generous as yours. Most of the time it’s only a few feet and a toilet.”

“A few what? I’ve seen the living quarters designed for cities, my father is an architect, that’s what he does, and yes, they are tiny. Usually barely as tall as they are wide, I know.”

“Well, imagine what your dad does but, ten times bigger.“

“I can imagine that just fine, it sounds like what used to be my room.”

“You- nevermind.”

Looking around, Rose saw that they had left the woods. Looking back, they’d actually left them a bit ago. There was no sign of the moon either, but it looked like the sun was preparing to rise.

“Ah, we seem to have stayed up rather later than anticipated. Sorry, I hadn’t meant to make you stay awake for the day. I- I have a tent, if you’d like to borrow it. The day will be rather warm, I believe, so I won’t mind sleeping outside.”

Moon makes the offer generously, even though he really didn’t have to. Rose’s eyelids are a bit heavy, after all the walking and all the good food, and everything.

“Thanks, I appreciate it.”

She gives him a smile, realizing how generous and handsome he was finally. Why couldn’t anyone be like this back home?

Moon Herald carefully set up the tent as the dawn slowly sets in. Rose yawns widely, looking at the poor, suddenly-deposed buck, empathy ringing in her heart. He’d have to go straight from luxury to sleeping in the grass, all for her.

“How big is that tent?”

“Well, it’s technically a couple’s tent, big enough for two if they don’t mind being, uhm, close, but I figured you’d want it to yourself.”

“That’s really nice of you... But you don’t have to give it up for me- I mean, I’ve slept on worse. Besides, you’ve done enough for me so... you take it.”

“I couldn’t, you seem to have even less than I do, and really... I’ll be alright.”

He seemed to genuinely believe Rose deserved the tent more, for some reason, in spite of her protests. The early morning light, all purple and gold, reflects off his dappled coat, his muscles visible in the dawn glow.

“Well, I’d feel bad if i kept it to myself...”

She bit her lip eyeing his form. He was quite magnificent, really... for a horse.

“Do you wanna split it?”

She quickly pressed her lips, not meaning to say her thoughts aloud.

“I- uhm... I would be honored... but you shouldn’t feel pressured to, i-if you d-don’t want to, th-that is.”

He had started stammering and blushing, his brilliant jade eyes wide as his gaze matched with hers.

“No, it’s- it’s fine, really. I uh...”

She looked down and kicked a rock shyly, silent for a few moments.

“I’m just gonna go to sleep...”

“Do- uhm, that is, uh, do you want me to accompany you?”

Moon sounded hopeful, his ears, one smooth brown and the other silver and black, perking up. Rose looked back to see his hopeful eyes, biting her lip again.

“Just... Just get in here before I change my mind.”

He scuttles in after her, as she wriggles into the small tent. As advertised, Moon Herald has to lay with Rose pretty much in his arms for there to be enough room to breath. He bright eyes almost seem to glow in the dark of the tent.

Feeling his warmth on her neck sent chills down her body, something she hasn’t felt in a good while. She gulps and take a deep breath, her mind wandering and beginning to fantasize.

As her mind begins to traverse the darker, warmer alleys of her thoughts, Moon Herald simply holds her, his strong form a source of comfort as the two lay down in the quiet warmth. Taking a risk, he nuzzles her ear, then waits for her reaction.

Rose’s body tensed up instantly, her body freezing in position. Not quite sure of what to do as she twitches, Moon simply holds her, hoping he didn’t mess up.

Rose opened her mouth to say something, anything to make the male back off, but she hesitated, thinking about his situation. He was exiled because of a stupid ritual or tradition, and now he’s being forced to sleep in a tent with a complete stranger... which he saved. Her.

“T-thanks for saving me from, well, dying in the cold.”

“It’s what anypony should do, even if most wouldn’t.”

“Well, you’re a really nice guy and, I’m glad it was you...?”

She was lost for words, the awkwardness making her sound stupid.

“Well... I’m glad it was you I saved. There’s a saddening few in this world who wouldn’t simply take advantage of me being of the weaker gender, who would help keep me safe through the forest and make me laugh instead of run in fear.

“I’m glad I saved you, Rose... I’m glad I met you, even if it was the night... I became nopony important...”

He was falling asleep and pressing his face into her shoulder, tears running down his face into her fur. The female took his words in carefully. From what she gathered, it seemed that females were the dominating race, something she would otherwise jump for joy from but strangely isn’t.

“Nopony important?”

Nobody important. she frowned at his depression.

“Look, don’t go feeling down in the dumps because your ‘rents decided to follow some old crap from an outdated book. It only causes problems and conflict.”

“Outdated book? The proclamation is renewed every year by Queen Tenebrous. If any family tries to break the laws of the proclamation... well, let’s just say it hasn’t been done in the last two thousand years for a reason. Tenebrous has never been a very lenient ruler.”

“Bleh, she sounds like that crazy old geezer on my street who thought the world was gonna end in 2012 with Natzis riding dinosours strapped with AK-47s.”

“That would have been awkward if she did, considering she was busy preventing the world from collapsing, with the other Living Gods. The Spider Legion was defeated in a mere decade of battle.”

“I highly doubt that.”

“It happened. There’s six immortal beings who corroborate the story, it’s taught as a part of history, and there’s lots of evidence, such as the Legion Remnants in the old forests.”

His breath keeps ticking her ear. It almost made her want to keep him talking just for that reason alone, but it was wrong. She had to shut him up before her body could react to his overall temptation.

“Well, whatever you believe, it’s your call. If you wanna be an outcast to your parents th-”

“Parent.”

She stopped and held her breath.

“Mother or father?”

“My mother died to get me away from one of those Legion Remnants you’re refusing to believe in. I was seven at the time.”

“I- I’m sorry.”

She bit her lip and stayed silent.

“Don’t be. It won’t bring her back. All that can be done is remember her.”

He hugs her tightly for a moment, his muzzle still buried in the crook of her neck, the tears streaming into her fur more quickly now.

Oh, real smooth you idiot!

“I-I know how you feel.”

It was a lie. But it was the only thing she could think of to make him feel better.

The poor buck just clung to her, though, like she was a life-preserver in a stormy sea, as if his life depended on it. Her mind raced trying to think of what she could do to make the colt feel better. A hug? She quickly squirmed around, their eyes meeting. A sorrowful gleam rests in his otherwise dulled eyes, their glow diminished.

She opened her mouth to say something but quickly closed it knowing her lack of cheering-up skills. With what little movement she had in the cramped tent, the mare wrapped a hoof around the male, patting him gently on the back.

“It’ll be okay...”

“Y-yeah, I g-guess. But no mare would want me... I’m too learned, and I can’t cook at all. I haven’t got a coin to my name... I’m nothing...”

“Well then it looks like you and I are on the same boat. So... How about we stick together? I mean- Who knows how long til i get home right?”

Rose’s voice trailed off, realizing the truth behind her statement. Damn.

He just sniffles, holding her close.

“Y-yeah... I guess... And I c-can stay with you ‘till then, right?”

The unspoken please? hid behind his words, and she realized he’d opened his heart and soul to her, in the dark confines of the tent.

Rose gave him a slight squeeze before looking back up at him, seeing the glow in his eyes returning.

“Of course.”

I just hope you can handle it, I barely can.

The two of them slowly drift to sleep as the sun rises over the mountains in the distance.

Author's Note

So, that was chapter two! Many thanks to my co-writer, Rosethorn101, whom I need to find the fimfiction account of so I can link it here. I hope you enjoy this, and please mention any changes or corrections that are needed to fix up this fic!