~Chapter 3: Book Worm to Book Worm, Crazy to Crazy~
I hobbled up to the door with the nurse close by my side and I knock on it, hoping the unicorn is actually in today. If not, well, eventually then.
I hear some footsteps getting louder and closer, until finally the door opens, revealing the lavender mare. She smiles at the the nurse and greets us with a welcoming hoof into the library, but she has a somewhat concerned look in her eyes when she sees me with the bandage on the side of my head and my wobbly steps. "Hello! It's so good to see you miss Redheart. Is everything all right? How can I help the two of you? In fact, may I ask your name? I fail to recognize you."
I smiled as Nurse Redheart replies. "Hello Twilight! It's great to see you two. Mr. here was just out on a walk to regain his muscle strength when he asked to visit the library." She looked at me upon finishing.
I wave to Twilight weakly. "Hello. My name is. . ." I think for a bit. I should come up with my Equeastrian, Ponified name. What had I been thinking of for an OC ages ago? Ahh, yes. ". . . Ink." I look to the nurse then, who looks at me with confusion. "It's better to get a proper name sooner than later, isnt it?"
She smiled. "I guess thats true."
All the while Twilight stared at us confused. "What am I missing here. . ?"
I laugh a bit, and explain. "I have been bedridden for a month thanks to this here head injury," I said tapping my temple lightly. "and it caused mild brain damage. I have no memories of being a pony." I tell the little white lie. Part truth, part not. I look at the nurse who has a slightly disapproving look, but she respects my choice. Doctor patient confidentiality, of course.
Twilight gets a saddened look on her face. "Amnesia?"
I laugh again. "Not quite. Anyway, I was just hoping to have a look in the library if you don't mind? No offence miss Redheart, hospitals can be pretty darn f- uhh- boring. . ." I kinda blush at the human slip up in language.
The two mares look at each other then me. "What were you about to say. . ?" Twilight asked.
I smile sheepishly. "Not important! Anyway, might I look at those books? Like I said, books are wonderful companions when bored."
Suddenly Twilight grins and hops cutely. "You are that into books?! Oh, I look forward to getting to know you! The conversations we can have!" She started to dance a little around the library now. "What genre? What author? What size? Oh!" She stops suddenly and looks me straight in the eyes, squinting a bit. I kinda back up a little, feeling somewhat weirded out by this point.
"Um. . . Can I help you?"
Twilight stares a second or two longer, then suddenly runs to a shelf, scanning the books on it. "I am going to assume fantasy, decent length to enable you to invest in the novel, one you can get easily attached to the characters. . . Aha!" She exclaims, yanking a book off the shelf with her magic and hovering it in front of my face a mere inch away, so close I feel myself going cross-eyed.
I pull back a bit to read the title. The Furies of Colteran, by Jim Broncer. . . My eyes grow to the size of dinner plates as I realize this is the ponified version of a series of books called the Codex Alera by Jim Butcher, one of my favourite series'. "How did you know?!" I exclaim.
Twilight smiled smugly. "I have the ability to gauge what kind of books someone is a fan of, and choose a suiting novel for them. Sounds like I hit the nail on the head."
"You have no idea!" I said as I hobble over to the shelf where she retrieved the book, looking for the rest of the series. I see all 5 of the other books, and rapidly grab them all up. THIS, will be an interesting read, I think to myself.
Nurse Redheart finally makes an action after mine and Twilights little byplay, and walks over to us. "How do you expect to bring those back to the hospital with out the strength to even walk yourself a decent distance?" She asked of me.
I look at her with a hint of sadness in my eyes. "I promise not to complain during the walk!" I say in a child-like voice, pushing out my lower lip in the cutest pout I can.
The two mares look shocked for a second before bursting into absolute laughter. I smile because I get the desired reaction, and then hear the desired results. "Alright, alright. But how will you carry them?"
Twilight walks away for a second. "Here, borrow one of my saddlebags. I have an inkling you will be back for more books at some point, so I have no doubt I will eventually get the bag back." She reaches a closet and rummages around for a second before returning with the article in question suspended in the purple aura of her magic. She lightly rested it on my back and then used her magic to take the books from my arms, depositing them in the bags.
I can't help the ear to ear grin currently displayed on my face. Twilight and the nurse chuckle at my childishness. "Well, Ink, it was great to meet you. I hope you enjoy your books, and I look forward to seeing you in better health. Bye!"
"See you Twilight! It was great to meet you!" I reply, waving and walking back out the door. "Do you mind if we return these books to my room quickly and then continue my walk?" I ask of the nurse.
Nurse Redheart smiles. "Of course not. I must ask though; why the name Ink?"
I smile. "I was an artist as a human, working with various artistic utensils to draw concept art for video games. Pens were my favourite medium to use."
The nurse gets an understanding but disbelieving look on her face. "I see. By the way; you can be quite the character."
I smile. I haven't even met the rest of the cast yet. What will she think of me after that I wonder?
~
After returning the books I was still surprisingly in good condition. The return walk with all the weight seemed to have no effect on me; I am recovering faster than anticipated. The good cheer that the collection of novels gave me likely contributed however. We left to continue the walk and tour of Ponyville, heading down a different route to see more of the town. Many ponies greeted Nurse Redheart along our walk, and nodded to me as well, still being somewhat suspicious of the newcomer walking around bandaged up and walking oddly. But as we progressed the look of wonder on my face for being in Ponyville simply grew and grew. I am still having trouble getting over the fact that I am actually HERE.
We take a corner and what do I see, but Sugarcube Corner. I can't help but grin even more, to the point that my mouth starts to hurt. "Nurse Redheart, can we check out Sugarcube Corner over there? I have a bit of a sweet tooth, and would like to see what is available for when I have the money." I ask, pointing to the store with a raised hoof.
The Nurse looks to the store and smiles. "You might not have to wait to long if Pinkie is in. She will more than likely throw a party to welcome you to Ponyville, and bring numerous confections with her." She replies with a laugh. She looks to me again. "Are you sure you can afford another little detour? I'm worried that you are walking too much."
I continue to smile. "I feel fantastic at the moment, but after this stop we can return to the hospital for the day if you would like. I am eager to begin reading those books."
"Alright, that sounds good. Lets go see who's in." We walk straight for the shop and enter, finding that yes, Pinkie is in. "Hello Pinkie Pie! How are you today?"
She looks up from the cupcake stand she was stocking up and smiles and waves at us. "Hi Nurse Redheart! How are yo- OH MY GOSH! THERES A NEW PONY IN TOWN! WhatsYourNameI'mPinkiePieIt'sWonderfulMeetingYouDoYouLikeCakeWhatKindWaitLetMeHelpI'llThrowAPartyToFindOut. . ." She continues to ramble without giving me a chance to respond, listing off all the different things she will have to get for the party. I look to the nurse who simply smiles and laughs, gesturing for me to say something to slow the supercharged pony down.
"Excuse me Pinkie, but the party can't be held right yet.-" She suddenly stops and looks at me with those adorable puppy dog eyes she's known to use when saddened. "-I am still in the hospital at the moment,-" Pinkie's jaw suddenly drops.
"OhMyGoshWhatHappenedAreYouAlright-"
I cut her off before she enters another tirade. "Im fine, I was unconscious for a month. Im just trying to recover my muscles at the moment. But once I am out of the hospital, I will be happy to attend your party." I say with another smile.
Pinkie suddenly gets excited again. "Oh! Right! The party! I will just prepare ahead of time! Let me know when you are out and we can have it then!"
The nurse and I chuckle, shaking our heads a little. "Alright, alright. I should get back to the hospital now, give my legs a rest. I am looking forward to seeing you again soon." I smile and wave, turning to head out the door again. The nurse waves goodbye as well.
"Okay! I will see you soon! Bye!" She says excitedly, returning to her cupcakes. We leave, and after walking a few feet she suddenly bursts out the door of the bakery and stops in front of me in less then a blink of an eye. I stop, caught off guard. "Here! Just a little welcome present!" She hands me one of the cupcakes. "On the house! Hope you like it!" She said excitedly.
I laugh. "Thank you Pinkie." I peel off the wrapper with my teeth and look at the cupcake. It's a vanilla cupcake, surprisingly white, with purple frosting elegantly formed on the top. Three light blue diamond shaped sprinkles are arranged on top as well.
"I themed these cupcakes after my friend to give to her as a gift, but I thought you would like one! Plus, the purple goes really well with the yellow of your mane!" She said.
"Thank you very much." I smile and bite into it. I find myself pleasantly surprised to find a vanilla pudding centre to the cupcake as well. I turn the cupcake around to see where she injected it. There was no hole. She is good at this.
"So whatcha think? How is it?" She asks of me.
"It's wonderful Pinkie. You are very good at this. Oh, and my name is Ink."
"Thanks! Nice to meet you, Ink! Bye!" She suddenly disappears in a flash like how she came, and I hear the door to the bakery close again.
Nurse Redheart laughs and resumes walking with me. I quickly finish the cupcake, relishing how well made it was. "You seem to have a way of getting along well with ponies. It's like you know exactly what they are like already."
I have to suppress my laughter. She has no idea how right she is. "Thank you very much. I have always been able to befriend people easily. Well, I guess it's ponies now." This time I do laugh.
The nurse shakes her head with a smile on her face. "No matter how hard it is to believe you, you definitely seem absolutely sure of what you say."
My smile fades a bit. "Well, unless I do have amnesia, and for the month that I was unconscious I had a 30 year dream about being human, then yes, I am certain I was one."
She seems somewhat skeptical still, but not as much. "Well, I suppose you simply have to get used to being here then, if what you say is true. I wish you the best for it."
I look at the nurse. "Thank you. I appreciate it." We finish the rest of the walk in silence until we reach the hospital.