The Problem of Other Sapients, Memoirs of a Man

One advantage of talking to yourself is that you know at least somebody's listening.

-Franklin P. Jones

Much of the day passed me by quickly. I continued to read the history book until the pain in my limbs flared up again. After drinking the potion, I inquired about books other than herbs and histories. Turns out, she had a copy of the first two books in a best selling fictional series called 'Daring Do.' The series intrigued me, at first as a glimpse into Equestrian culture, and later, after the first few chapters, because it was awesome.

Let's put it this way: Indiana Jones+Pegasus+Demon Cat... thing+ I was going more easy on it than normal from sheer boredom.

I was about halfway through it when dinner was served, and boy was I hungry. And a little bit nauseous, which, according to Zecora, was a standard side effect when given to mammals.

The food was more porridge. Yeah. Personally, I had hoped for something with actual flavor, but then again, I am freeloading.

After dinner, Zecora decided to talk to me, seeing as we had little else to do (although I was itching to get back to the book).

"I noticed something odd when you talked to the ponies, you said their  magic was a phony," she said.

"Yes, I did. Where I come from, magic is naught but a silly tale to tell to children before bedtime."

"Why to you not believe in magic? To me, this seems tragic."

"Because we have explored our planet and found no such thing. No monsters, or wizards. No fairies or sprites, nothing. That is why I came here, you see. I was walking through the woods and saw a floating light. I chased it and fell off a small cliff. When I came to, I was here."

"Tell me, how you can control day and night? A world with the heavens stuck in place would be quite a sight!"

"Control day and night? Are you mental?"

"You mean to say that the sun and moon are stuck in the sky? How do your people survive?"

"They are not stuck! We move around the sun through gravity, and the moon moves around us for the same reason."

She seemed troubled by this.

"Do you have a cutie mark on your flank? Or is your skin blank?"

"A what?"

"I guess not," she paused for a moment. "Something to say, I have not."

I thought for a moment, "Tell me, you said something about controlling the sun and moon through magic. How do you do this?"

"The princesses have the power to move the heavens every few hours."

"Are they gods?"

"Perhaps, perhaps not, the truth? I know not."

"That's helpful. I'm assuming you are a monarchy then?"

"Diarchy, to be more precise, a princess of day and a princess of night."

"Wait, the princesses are the rulers?" She nodded. "I wonder, who used to be king?"

"I don't know, but it must have been long ago," she replied.

~~~===***===~~~

Spike was asleep by the time Twilight returned.

After visiting Josh, the girls went into town and talked about what had happened. It was fairly late by the time they had finished their dinner, or rather, finished the hours long talk following it.

It was good that Spike was asleep though, she hated keeping secrets from him. While nopony insisted that she didn't speak of it, she felt it was wise to reveal as little as possible to Spike, or anonymous else that wasn't involved.

Nonetheless, it was confirmed that the human did indeed exist. Twilight needed to write a letter.

Dear Princess Celestia,

In the forest today was a strange creature, a human. I know that I already sent a letter about this, which you dismissed, but today I saw him with my very own eyes.

He suffered terrible injury at the claws of a pack of timber wolves, and is currently recovering in Zecora's hut.

I am asking that either you, Luna, or both of you come and meet him. Despite what the few sources that speak of humans say, he seems nice enough, and even forgave Applejack for her inhospitality, despite it indirectly leading to his injury.

He says his species lacks magic completely, something which is entirely impossible. Even what few records remain say that humans had only a little magic, but certainly not nothing! If what he says is true, it could fundamentally alter our perception of reality as a species.

Aside from my obvious giddiness at the prospect of such a groundbreaking discovery, the human, Josh, is seriously injured, and cannot seek medical assistance from Ponyville General. He is in no state to be moved anyway, as one of his legs is incapable of supporting his weight. Given that he has only two legs in the first place, he really cannot move from his mat in Zecora's place.

I suppose I could teleport him, but the fact that he (supposedly) lacks magic could make the process difficult or dangerous.

Back to the main point, you do need to visit. The alien does indeed exist, that should be reason enough to come. Even if that is not reason enough, (although I can't imagine why it wouldn't be) I haven't seen you in quite a while. Perhaps some tea?

Your faithful student,

Twilight Sparkle

Without Spike to send it, she would have to do it the old fashioned way, long-distance teleportation. A draining spell, to say the least, but she didn't want to send it through one of the various post offices.

Casting the spell was tiring, so she decided to go to bed a bit early tonight. After all, she had a big day tomorrow. She was practically salivating at the chance to analyze the blood samples from the human.

Yes, tomorrow would be a good day.

~~~===***===~~~

It was late, nearly midnight, but I couldn't sleep.

I had been pretending to be asleep for about an hour, waiting for Zecora to nod off. Judging by the faint snores coming from the other side of the hut, she had finally fallen asleep.

I sighed.

"Why..?" I whispered. "Why me?" Tears began to form in my eyes. "Why did I chase the fairy? I had a good life, pleasant, uninterrupted by the troubles that plagued many. All of that gone now," I said.

By now, the tears fell freely. "I likely will never walk again. Stuck here forever, in more ways than one." I turned up to the sky, "If this is for some higher purpose, tell me, whatever's up there. I know I rarely pray, but please, give me the consolation of knowing. Was this unintentional? Why am I here? To teach? To learn? Both? Neither?

"Bah," I said, "Whether this was intended or not, I've already found purpose. I simply have a new setting. Life goes on, I am simply a fish that strayed down the wrong branch of the river."

I wiped my eyes, "Where is my optimism? In the face of dire circumstances, I have always believed that each day is better than the last. It seems that even that has been robbed from me.

"I miss home. Even the paperwork. Never thought I'd say that. I even miss Mill, that lousy cat. That poor cat, no one'll feed him.

"This is a good opportunity, though. I can use all my abstract thoughts and musings in reality. I wonder, does anyone openly disapprove of the diarchy? I shall have to meet with them."

I sighed, "Nonetheless the primary course of action is clear, find a way home."

Zecora began to stir. I decided that I had monologued enough, and I closed my eyes. Tomorrow would be... interesting, to say the least.

I fell asleep quickly.