Tracy settled back into his seat, watching as the lights of another world blurred by. His exhaustion was palpable, and the rhythmic motion of the train threatened to settle him to sleep. Far away down the distant mountain he could see little villages, surrounded by fields and orchards.
“Am I losing you?” Rose asked, waving something in front of him. A glass, with steam rising from within.
He flushed, realizing she’d been offering it to him. “Tea?”
She nodded. “You look like you’re going to sleep in your seat. Classroom can’t be that exhausting, can it? It’s barely nightfall.”
“Means I’ve been up all night,” he said, taking the glass and sipping cautiously. It took all his concentration to hold it with one hoof and not drop it, sipping slowly. So there were still annoying things about this place. Maybe if he could levitate things around like the horned ones could, maybe it wouldn’t be so bad. Or if he’d had claws like Giselle.
The tea tasted vaguely leafy, but he didn’t question what might be inside. Only a few sips, and he already felt more awake. Probably placebo, but he’d take it. “Remember, your world and mine are twelve hours off. My daytime is your night. Over there, I’m not a bat. I have the same sleep schedule as everybody else.”
Rose nodded absently, disbelieving. “I mean, you say that. But I don’t think you’d be a bat here if you weren’t a bat there. It means something, which tribe you are. It’s your heritage, where your parents were from, the things they believed in, the things they fight for. It’s why Ponyville still wraps up winter the old-fashioned way, why we keep our dirt roads. We’ve got traditions.”
He finished the glass, feeling a little more awake the longer he gave the tea to kick-in. “I think my family was from, like… Holland or something? It’s been a long time since I asked. Wasn’t really on my mind before, and now…” He sighed. “What you wish you did, right? Can’t change the past now.”
Rose reached over, resting a hoof on his leg. She met his eyes, her own oversized and watery. “Did something happen?”
He never would’ve answered that question a month ago. But the Roseluck who sat beside him wasn’t the same creature anymore. After working together on her stand, and coming all this way out with him, Tracy was a little more willing.
“Mom and Dad…” He sniffed, wings folding tightly to his sides. “Car accident. Some lunatic coming the wrong way down the interstate at a hundred twenty…”
He should’ve realized that wouldn’t mean anything to her. Rose stared blankly back at him, mouth hanging open. “What’s that mean?”
“They’re dead,” he finally said. “Both my parents. Coroner told me it would’ve been too fast for them to feel any pain. I guess I’m supposed to be happy about that or something.” He looked away, staring out the window. “Sorry. I know your world is like… perfect or whatever. Literal magical unicorns and fairytale castles. I shouldn’t talk about where I came from.”
Rose didn’t say anything for a long time. She didn’t touch him either, though her chair never squeaked. She remained beside him, probably watching. Or maybe as unsure of what to do as he was.
“Mine too. Er… gone, that is. During the changeling invasion. They were in Canterlot, providing flowers to the Royal Wedding. Not that I’m trying to say I know what it’s like. I have my sisters. Do you have any siblings?”
Changeling Invasion? Didn’t she think I was related to that when I first got here? Maybe that was why she’d been so painfully insistent about Tracy’s background. She didn’t want more ponies to lose their families.
He turned back. He should’ve known from her voice, but she was crying too. She hadn’t fought it as well as he had, and he didn’t blame her for that either. His tragedy had just been an accident, not some invasion. Equestria seemed so peaceful—he hadn’t even seen weapons here until the royal guards. How could they fight off invaders with an attitude like that?
“No immediate family left,” he answered. “A few distant relatives, but we were never close. My grandparents died when I was little, all natural. Both my parents came from small families. No aunts and uncles, no brothers or sisters for me.”
Roseluck reached out again, patting him on the shoulder with one leg. “I’m sorry I… asked,” she said. “I know most ponies don’t like talking about painful memories. I don’t.”
He chuckled. “Me neither. We could talk about something else, like…” He reached to one side, hefting the oversized flying book out onto his lap. Despite the dense print and diagrams inside, the cover was mostly dedicated to a cartoonish flying pony with bat wings like himself.
The title Thestrals Fly, Too! was printed in exaggerated, cartoonish letters. “Like learning all this in one week. I’m an okay reader, but not this good. Do you think our local library has the SparkNotes?”
Tracy made it back home, probably thanks to the tea. He wanted to go right to bed, but fought off the exhaustion as long as he could. All this time in Equestria was going to wreak havoc on his sleep schedule.
Getting up for work certainly wasn’t enjoyable after the weekend, but he managed. His new “guide to flight” handbook was as unaffected by the transition as paper money, plotting another variable in the “inconsistency of gateway” tracker. But that was alright.
With the help of a few early morning espressos from the work barista, he managed well enough. It wasn’t quite quitting time when he got his first call of the day, so surprising that he nearly fell out of his desk. Who would be calling him now, instead of just sending messages via the company Slack?
He blushed, answering as quickly as he could.
Anton’s voice answered, as casual as it was abrasive. “Tracy, buddy! Been awhile since we talked.”
“Yeah,” he agreed. “Look man, could we do this in an hour or so? I’m still at work, can’t talk.”
“Sure, sure,” Anton answered. “But one question, real quick. You’re working at Apex still, right? That big campus with the fences and lots of security?”
“Yep,” he answered. There was no sense trying to argue with Anton. But if he could satisfy the questions fast enough to bore him, he’d give up. “Wait a minute. How’d you know that?”
Anton didn’t answer for a few seconds, but Tracy was sure he heard other voices in the background. Muffled laughter, maybe? “Do you know where the Stonefire is? Pretty close to where you work?”
“I pass it every morning.”
“And you probably get off at five, right?” Anton didn’t wait for a response. “When you get off, go straight there. We’ll have a table waiting.” He hung up.
Oh shit. It took Tracy all of a few seconds to realize what that meant, and to think through some of the implications. His friends had come all the way down from Ely, without telling him.
He floated through the last hour of work, accomplishing very little and hyperventilating quite a lot. He caught Janet’s eyes as he passed her desk on the way out, waving weakly. She didn’t wave back, watching him with obvious concern.
It felt like his brain had locked-up at the arrival of a single incongruous fact. They couldn’t be here, and he didn’t know how to possibly get rid of them. But he’d have to think of something, right?
They’re the only friends I’ve got left. I can’t lose them too.
The place was packed, so Tracy had a few seconds to wait in the back of the line and make his order. He scanned the restaurant, and eventually found where they were sitting off in a corner.
They already had their food, for who knew how long now. There was Shane’s bright red hair, just as disheveled as ever. And Marshall’s drawl, somehow loud enough to carry over so many other conversations.
Eventually he ordered, got his plastic number, and made his awkward way over. “Hey guys,” he said, arms folded as awkwardly as his wings the first day of flight-class. “Been a minute.”
They scooted down, making room for him. “Sure has,” Anton said. “We were starting to wonder if you died.”
“Or just hated us,” Shane said. He shifted uneasily, sipping once from a glass of ice and a little layer of brown at the bottom. There were a few empty glasses beside him. “Why’d you stop gaming, exactly? You made us start looking for a second random every match.”
“Shane means, we’re happy to see you again,” Marshall said. “Ain’t that right, Shane?”
He nodded faintly, though there was little sign of acknowledgement there. “Obviously we’re happy to see you. Happy that you’re… living the dream out here in the big city. Anton, can we eat now?”
Anton shrugged. “I’m not your damn mom.” They ate for a bit. Tracy’s food arrived and they went through that too. His friends looked and smelled like they’d been on the road for a long time, and probably could’ve eaten twice as much.
They chatted about everything and nothing—the way things were going back home, how Ely was always the same and all the same local characters were causing all the same chaos they always did.
But then glasses emptied, and the subject turned to something closer to home. “Some of those things you said about your place,” Anton continued, as though they’d planned that the whole time. “That duplex you were sharing with some stranger? You said they had to be seen to be believed. So we’re here to see it.”
“Mostly we’re here to make sure you don’t forget about us now that you’re rich and famous,” Shane said, a little later. “But something so crazy you couldn’t take pictures of it sounds pretty cool too.”
Tracy’s face went bright red. For a split second he thought he felt his tail moving too, though that was obviously just his imagination. He was in the real world, he obviously couldn’t have a tail here.
“Oh, that! It’s nothing, I don’t know why I said it. Just like, uh… big bedbugs. You should’ve asked before coming all the way down here, saved the trip. Nothing to see at home!”
The three of them shared a look, one he recognized instantly. Utter, instant disbelief.
“Grow op?” Marshall suggested. “Maybe they got you in on the profits in exchange for shutting up?”
“Couldn’t be,” Anton added. “We saw the listing. Not big enough to grow much. Isn’t it legal in California?”
“I have no idea,” Tracy answered, without a hint of irony. “I’m not getting a share of any—” Then he stopped, words catching in his throat. Technically he was getting a share of the profits. The profits of Rose’s flower stand, which went into paying for his night classes.
Shane folded his hands on the table, glaring. “I see how it is. You take one trip out of a town as wholesome as ours, and you’re already a criminal kingpin. You probably don’t even need to work, do you? It’s just for show.” He was grinning, but Tracy could never quite tell with Shane. Sometimes he was joking, and sometimes he only sounded like it.
“I’m not growing anything in the house,” he declared, loud enough that a few people at nearby tables turned to stare in his direction. He winced, but surged ahead anyway. “It’s nothing guys, honest. I’m just… living the dream, just like you said. I got the job I always wanted, I’ve already paid off most of my college debt. There was never really that much from community college, but still! It’s all ordinary and boring and not worth investigating at all.”
“So you expect us to believe the bedbugs thing?” Anton said. “Come on, Tracy. We came out all this way, you can at least show us what was so crazy.”
He sighed, glaring down at his empty plate. But these were his friends, and they’d traveled so far. Maybe it was time someone else confirmed the absolute insanity of his contract. At least then people he knew were real could make sure he was feeling the same things.
“Tell you what,” he began, scooting out of the seat. “I know you guys probably want to pub-crawl for a bit, right? Wouldn’t you rather do that?”
“Nope,” they said together.
Shane finished for them. “Drink later. Magical mystery tour first.”
“You guys came in the middle of the week, you realize.” But even as he said it, Tracy was fully resigned. It was time for someone else to know the truth.
Wait, so nothing disastrous happened to the flower shop at all?
Yay! Made my lunch break! Best part of Thursday 🙌.
Isn't he only allowed one visitor at a time?
Visitors...but the contract! Wonder if one of them will end up a changeling when they walk through...
Ah dang, no wonder Rose is in such dire financial straights Losing both parents (who were probably the ones managing the business) so suddenly, the sudden funeral costs, then managing a business she probably wasnt intended to take over for years to come. Makes sense how they ended up losing the house
10335757
I guess probably did, but probably was also handled by the mane 6 within a half hour episode
To quote from Here Comes Garfield,
INB4 Discord Shenanigans...
betting that when he shows them his place it looks like an perfectly normal apartment
Let's hope they listen to him and go one at a time.
"It's not just to screw over the unicorns?"
"That's more of a side benefit."
And the him sitting by Roseluck wasn't the same either.
Ah. That does explain why Rose was so paranoid at first. As for Tracy's end of things, I can't help but wonder if Rose will read too deeply into the term "lunatic." I imagine it's rather charged in Equestria.
"I suppose anything she writes down qualifies as Spark notes."
Oh, if only you knew...
Yeah, there's no way this is going to end well. The question is just how ridiculous things will get. Looking forward to finding out.
I get that reference!
Tracy better reread his contract about visitors before bringing his friends across.
No, but Twilight might be able to hook you up with some nice, color-coded, flash cards if you asked nicely.
Okay, but only one at a time, though--I haven't forgotten about that little stipulation Discord mentioned (only in passing, because of course he did) way back at the beginning about only keeping guests down to one at a time or Bad Things could happen with the portal. And we can't have that.
Or maybe we can. I dunno. Depends on how it fits into the overall plot, I guess.
Oh yeah, no way they're buying that, Tracy.
Funny you should say that...
...wonder how Roseluck will react to all of this...
10335757
Well, that Tracy knows of. Sounds like he didn't get to stick around long at the house before he left for work. Probably is going to hear about it next time he sees Roseluck and she fills him in on what did or did not happen while they were in Canterlot.
I assume if something did happen, though, it wasn't anything too major that couldn't be fixed again relatively simply at this point.
Sooo is this fic based in the human world, equestria or both?
If it is based in both, is there a rough ratio someone can post here very quick?
Thank you!
leaves a few brownies
Three friends? Would be funny if they end up with one pony from each tribe.
Doom
Shane doesn't know how accurate magical mystery tour is for what's going on. I wonder if Discord appearing to meet them would be good or bad.
Bad idea, Tracy.
10335843
It's based in both. A lot of the story is him trying to balance his dual lives in Equestria and Earth. It's split roughly 50/50.
10335843
So far there's been no indication that he is from the EQG world.
Yeah, time to test those consequences. That contract was written with this possibility in mind! Now we get to see...
The real question is: Does the contract permit visitors from this side? (I lost track)
10335941
From what I remember it does, but only one visitor at a time.
I knew this was going to happen when they called the first time...
Also, I really don't believe that anyone would keep dirt roads around for "tradition". Dirt roads suuuuuck, especially after water events (not just rain but, for instance, snow melting). This is probably somewhat less of a concern for ponies than humans, since they schedule their rains and know when the seasons end, but there's a reason dirt roads only really exist in areas that are too thinly populated or too poor to pay for even gravel roads.
Does a three-headed hydra still only count as one visitor?
10335847
4 tribes. Unicorn, pegasus, earth pony, bat pony
Staying up all night is rarely the problem. It's lasting through the day after staying up all night before allowing myself to sleep that is the challenge.
If they don't, you could leave it overnight and they'd have it by morning.
The problem you'll run into is that the SparkleNotes™ version will be a full 20% longer than the text itself. Before you include the index and citations.
Watch out! Remember that limit on the number of guests in your contract, Tracy. Discord is always watching!
This can only end well.
10336079
Absolutely nothing can go wrong.
It's simple. Tracy has Discord's phone number, right? Give him a call, and ask what the limit on visitors is.
No answer? Ok. There's always this approach.
At the bar: "Ok, but I need you to agree to an NDA on anything and everything you see at my place. I am serious -- full NDA or I won't show you my place."
(NB: This is guaranteed to get them to agree, if they are engineers :-)
At the front yard: "Ok, you wanted the magical mystery tour? You will get exactly that. First, you will wait out here, and I will go inside. You'll stay outside, and just look in. I'll see if I can get my roomate to come by the door. Either way, if you decide to come in, after what you see, it is one at a time. I cannot give you a guarantee of it being safe, my landlord might very well be the real version of the devil for all I know."
Then, Tracy just trots in, in full view of them. If he can get Roseluck to the door, fine, if not, fine.
Trot back out, walk up to them, and ask "OK, what did you just see? And remember the NDA you agreed to."
All of their questions "How" / "What?" / "How!?" etc are met with "I don't know. It's a magical mystery."
Are you suuuurrre?
10336111
That's a good idea, if Discord wants to play landlord then he can act like it.
Chapter 2 was extremely explicit about the guest thing.
10336111
I was going to say pretty much exactly this, but you beat me to it. He could bring them in one at a time until they all have a chance to get a good look.
Just hope he doesn't bring all three through. Personally I find that clause onerous.
Nice
10336213
Trace, he's going to need to call Discord next chapter, isn't he?
CRAP! I'm all caught up! No more binge reading.
I love this story. Also... The contract! What'll happen when his friends all come over?
I support Tracy bringing Anton over for a look but not Shane or Marshal.
Shane seems abrasive in his demeanor and not sure what Marshal might mistakenly say.
Tracy should show them the contract before the trip only so no one gives Discord a reason to steal Tracy's soul for torment.
I hope Tracy's friends are understanding.
I'm still sour that Discord is in no danger of negative consequences for his contract. Still think an order spirit should pay Discord a visit for his meddling and intimidation.
Twilight would be offended by the existence of SparkNotes.
The quickest way to make a landlord angry, have more than one arsehole of a friend over at one time.
And now it all goes to Hell in a Handcart. Things were going so well for Tracey too.
Luck and weekends keep Tracy rested enough to live on both sides but it won't be long until the toll gets too large. No doubt will Tracy break the one visitor clause. It won't even be intentional as well. He'll just have to bite the bullet when Discord shoots it.
10336332
"I will not tolerate SparkleNotes in my class!"
his friends are going to lost their shit and end up going through the door and it going to create nonsense.
Pretty sure that if there are SparkNotes, it was written by Sparkle herself.
Only other choice would be Agatha, or Gil, or Tarvek, or ... Naah, Martellus wouldn't write that stuff.
10335843
It's a brilliant story that takes place in both worlds, but mostly Equestria. I would put the percentage at 80% Equestria, 20% Earth. Starscribe is one of the very best authors here, talented and capable of skilled, emotional, and solidly written prose. Just read the damn story. It's fucking great.
10335781
Yup
10335908
It is, in fact, explicitly confirmed that Tracy's world is not the Equestria Girls world.
This is a wonderful complication - fantastic development, Starscribe - filled with possibility. I love the overall arc of the storytelling here. Just as Tracy becomes complacent, the monkey wrench is tossed. And a big one too.
If Tracy forgets the One Houseguest Only clause in the contract, his friends become permanent ponies forever. There is no way any human would believe the contract, even if he shows it to them, without a demonstration. It has not been determined what a person outside would see, looking in the door. They might not see the transformation through the portal aperture. Or, if they did, they might do anything - imagine a screaming run and phonecalls that result in a police incident? What if the police wanted to search the house?
Even if he takes them in, carefully, one at a time, there are issues. One big one would be if one of his friends ran like hell into Equestria - I can think of many reasons. Being wanted for criminal charges, trying to escape to a new world for any number of reasons, sheer terror and blind running. Another possible complication could involve one of his friends freaking out after being transformed, and the other friends rushing in to help... and becoming permanent residents by accident. Discord could show up with anything from new contract offers to punishment for breach of contract.
So. Many. Possibilities. I am positively giddy at the thoughts of them all.
Or - or Tracy could come to his senses, realize the terrible danger of the situation, and absolutely refuse to protect his friends, and his own life. They would feel scorned, and he could lose his friends in a fiery and bitter argument. This would serve to cut even more ties with earth for Tracy. Or what the friends see if they do witness the transformation could cause them to reject Tracy and any thought of returning.
Or, the More Than One Guest Rule isn't just some arbitrary clause. The portal between worlds could have a hard transport capacity limit, which once passed, collapses the wormhole forever. This could put Tracy in a bad place with regard to Discord: he might have to find a way to pay not only his rent, but damages for portal reconstruction. That could lead to some very intriguing events... because all of that wealth would have to be generated entirely within Equestria - all while he has to cope with his friends being trapped and perhaps unable to cope.
Oh, gosh, there are so many ways this could go.
Have I mentioned I am absolutely loving this story?
Ruh roh.
10336213
Well as none of them are staying for any length of time it shouldnt be an issue on the houseguest part if discord can be trusted by the wording of the contract.
10336031
Don't Chrystal Ponies count!?