//------------------------------//
// Making a Stand 
// Story: To Find Home 
// by Selena Quintanilla 
//------------------------------//

Celestia's sun once again returned, making night into day. Lighting Ponyville's streets with life and energy. At this time most merchants and purchasers would rise early, so that they could receive the best itmes and spots in the market. However, one particular stallion had different intentions.
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Curly Note, as bubbly and anxious as he was seemed rather nervous for today. To start, he abruptly woke up from bed, causing Fluffball to be startled. After calming him down he made haste and hurriedly entered his bathroom and fixed himself up. 

Ten minutes later he dried off and applied conditioner to his puffy hair. Once he was done combing his hair he exited his bathroom and made for the hallway. Fluffball followed in a brisk pace behind Curly. Curly tip-toed down the hallway as to not disturb Salient Crisp's slumber. He could faintly hear the snores from the mare inside the guestroom. He opened the door and took a glance inside. Sure enough Salient was sprawled over the bed, snoring aloud in her sleep Salient definitely would not be waking up any time soon. Fluffball yapped at Curly, indicating that he wanted his breakfast. 

"Alright! Hush now, Salient is still sleeping," Curly whispered in a quiet tone. However, Fluffball gave a deadpan look at Curly, obviously he could care less, life as a dog must be simple; pets didn't have any secret lives, did they? 

Curly trotted into the foyer and made his way to the kitchen. He grabbed Fluffball's bag of " Yummy Food" from the counter and poured it's content inside the bowl that lay on the floor next to the refrigerator. Next he filled his other silver bowl with water and placed it next to his food. 

"Happy now?" Curly question the small pug with a quirky look. Fluffball panted excitedly and dug into his breakfast. 

"Ok, I'm going to head out, be good," Curly said as he pulled out a pad of paper and pen from one of the shelves in the counter. He delicately wrote from his mouth on the paper. The message read:

Dear Salient, I'm going to head out to meet with Zecarius, the zebra I saved. Make yourself comfortable, I know you must be exhausted and you will leave in the next day or so, but I enjoyed our time yesterday. There is food in the pantry or if you want to make something there is raw ingredients in the fridge.
Love you,

P.S- Mind Fluffball he can get a bit irritating at times.

Content with his message Curly left the paper on the refrigerator. Sooner or later Salient would read it. 
Curly sighed and walked to the front door and pulled the window drape to the side. It looked chilly outside, so Curly grabbed a scarf from the coat rack and opened the door. He exited his house and pulled the house key from his hair and locked up. He placed the key back into his hair and headed towards town square where the hospital was. 

Ponies were already bustling about trying to go about their business.Vendors, merchants, and every day buyers were preparing to purchase and sell. However, Curly's only intent today was to meet with Zecarius and take him to eat at a nice restaurant. Curly walked past the town hall where the obscure pony statue was. Although, Curly believed it really was not necessary to have a statue that large take up so much space. Curly finally arrived at the hospital and entered through the sliding doors. He walked up to the receptionist desk and the mare took notice of him and smiled. "Hello, can I help you?" The mare asked politely and Curly replied, " Umm yes, is it possible if I could see one of the patience that came in yesterday... his name is Zecarius. He is a zebra." 

"Oh yes, I heard about him. Nurse Red Heart said he seemed apprehensive to speak, but I'm sure he will be fine. Would you like me to take you to him?"

"No," Curly replied curtiously,"I was here yesterday and I know where his room is at, thank you though."

"Alright dear, oh but here make sure to wear this pass, don't need ponies going about willy-nilly." The receptionist gave Curly a necklace pass that read Visitor, and Curly snapped it on to his neck.
"Ok, thank you again," Curly said before walking to Zecarius's room.

"No problem dear," the receptionist replied.Inside Curly's head many thoughts clouded his mind with nervousness, anxiety, fear. All Curly could do was try to be relaxed. Although, Curly knew that would be a challenge in itself.
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The morning blaze of the sun illuminated Zecarius's room. Zecarius stood upright on his bed, expecting a certain stallion to arrive. He couldn't contain his excitement, and he wouldn't deny that seeing the Curly again made his heart flutter. As if on cue the doorknob jiggled slightly, and in popped Curly's head.

"Hello, Zecarius, how do you feel?" Curly asked politely before stepping completely inside the white tiled room.

"Alright, ah suppose an' how are yah doing?" Zecarius replied with a grin on his muzzle. Curly blushed a bit and looked down to hide his face, Curly retorted," Good... good."

Zecarius fully smiled and asked"Are yah ready to take me out of here, it is kind'a boring."
"Yes I'am, I hope you're ready for a tour of Ponyville, the sights are beautiful even if it is a relatively small town." Curly jumped with joy on his hooves and went over to Zecarius's side. "Come-on I'll help you up." Curly offered a hoof and assisted Zecarius out of the bed. 

Zecarius stood a good two feet from Curly's head. All Curly good do was marvel at Zecarius's broad shoulders and thick, toned muscle that was hidden underneath his coat. Curly took a step back and let Zecarius have some space, didn't want him thinking he was weird. Zecarius stretched out, showing how toned his body was. If Curly wasn't​ dieing from seeing this amazing sight, he sure as Tartarus should be burried underground.

Zecarius glanced up at Curly and noticed he was blushing slightly. He chuckled and walked towards him, making sure to keep his eyes on that warm, amazing, cute.... "Wait what, where did dat come from?" 
Zecarius was perplexed by his sudden urge of affection towards Curly. He certainly didn't think of him in any meaningful way that would make him want to be with the stallion. However, feelings were the reason he ended up in this situation. Zecarius quickly disregarded any feelings that he had felt, and only focused on his mutual relationship with Curly.

Curly noticed that Zecarius's smile faded into a neutral position, had he don't something wrong? Curly couldn't tell, but he was cautious about what troubled the zebra just now. " Come on," Curly asserted as he went to the door and held it open, " let's go."

Zecarius indignantly walked forward, exited the room and said out of generosity, " Thank yah,.... for everything." Turning around and giving his best smile he could muster. Curly looked into his eyes and become lost in a trance, not noticing that Zecarius saw as well. Curly changes his expression, as not to make the situation any more awkward and replied, " Anytime."
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Curly and Zecarius's day had gone splendidly, Curly took Zecarius around Ponyville; showing him the different attractions and sights. It was mid-morning and Curly felt it was a good time to rest and have a relaxing lunch. Curly looked over to the zebra who was gazing out at the long grassy fields. Curly thought that maybe they should have a nice picnic out by the river. Although, first he had to get to know the zebra a bit more.

Curly asked, " Is it alright if we stop for a bit and eat lunch?" Zecarius stopped for a moment and looked down at Curly. He replied, " Ok, what do yah have in mind?" Curly smiled a cheeky grin and said," Follow me."

Curly bumped Zecarius with his full weight and jogged down the dirt path they were on and crossed onto the bridge. Zecarius took this as an initiate to follow suit of the stallion. Up ahead Zecarius could hear Curly giggling as he ran across the granet made bridge. Although, Curly​ made an abrupt turn to his left after crossing the bridge and stopped to take a breath. Zecarius came up and beamed at him, looking like he didn't break a sweat. 

Curly composed himself, he wasn't an athlete or in any physical shape, that was certainly obvious now. He glanced at Zecarius who had a cocky grin, Smug ass, Curly thought to himself. 

Curly regained control and turned towards the street up to the left and said to Zecarius, " Come on, this way," in the most relaxed voice he could muster. Curly stood by Zecarius again and both made their way to the restaurant. Taking the left dirt road at first glance it seemed like there wasn't much to do. On the contrary, many ponies at mid-evening we're still buzzing about, either to dine a exquisite restaurant or local bars. The name of the street obvious described it perfectly, Martini Lane.

Zecarius laid mesmerized at the fact that such a small town held a variety of shops, confectionary store, restaurants, etc. He couldn't believe that his previous experiences led him to Equestria, memories and experiences he would rather forget as Zecarius described it. 

Curly brought back Zecarius to his senses by motioning with a hoof in his face. " Yohoo, hey don't space out on me, I know it's lovely, but we still haven't arrived yet." That was true, and Curly wouldn't take no for an answer. So onward the boys walked down the road, occasionally looking into specific stores or restaurant. They finally arrived to a restaurant on the left side of the road named, Savor Inferno. The place was quaint with a Mexicolt vibe to it. The banners and outlining of the restaurant were in red, white, and green. The logo had a white coated stallion with black hair, also he was adorned with a stereotypical sombrero, giant mustache, and poncho, while eating a taco.

Zecarius was confused by the asthetic appeal of the restaurant, for had never eaten any Mexicolt foods or delicacies. He looked at Curly with a puzzled expression and asked," Umm.. sorry to ask, but um, what exactly is this place?" 

Curly forgot that Zecarius had never seen any other cultural foods, or another culture in general. Curly mentally slapped himself and looked at Zecarius and said, " Oh, sorry I forgot that to you haven't seen anything like his before. Well, it is never to late to learn about a new culture. If you would let me of course." Curly gave his best puppy eyes to Zecarius, so he could guilt-trip him into agreeing. 

Zecarius notice the stallion's face changed into a pitiful expression. Damn those beautiful blue eyes, was all Zecarius could think. " Ok, sure I'm ah' interested." Zecarius replied and gestured towards the red doorway, " shall we?" Curly got giddy and happily answered, "Yes!" 
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Inside the restaurant the stallion and zebra had made themselves comfortable in a wooden bench outside that viewed out into the river. A large canopy overlapped the entire outside deck so they could have shade. The new friends were lost in conversation about the food that they had recently eaten. Curly was laughing historically because Zecarius had vicariously eaten a salsa chip with, Pico de Gallo, which is a traditional Mexicolt dipping sauce that contained different spicy concoctions. Although, Zecarius wasn't aware when the mare brought out the appetizers, and he simply assumed it was some regular dipping sauce. However, he was terribly wrong, and Curly was practically pissing himself. 

Zecarius scowled at Curly, his face was sweating from the extremely spicy flavor. Two glasses of water were brought out for him to replenish himself.

Curly stopped laughing and smirked saying, " I told you that it was really hot. But, no it's fine he said." Curly mimicked Zecarius, grabbing his own chip and dipping it into the sauce and eating it whole without hesitation. Zecarius huffed and said, " Yah' whatever, ah' didn't know ok." Curly completely stopped and apologized for his immaturity. Zecarius accepted it and they moved on to a new topic. 

Since Zecarius's arrival Curly had been skeptical about how and why Zecarius was here. Furthermore, not that he had mentioned it before, but he had clearly seen the scar on his left eye, and if that wasn't incriminating, then nothing was. Curly didn't want to press on that subject too much, but the least Zecarius could repay him was some background about himself.

Curly made himself comfortable and asked unsurely," Hey, Zecarius, can I ask you a question? I mean if you won't get uncomfortable with it that is." Curly asked timidly on the last part, he was shaking vigorously, scared and afraid what Zecarius might say.

Zecarius looked quizzically, raising an eyebrow, he replied, " Uh, yah', umm what does yah' question pertain to?" 

Curly faced quickly turned pale, clearly shaken by the fact that his question was extremely personal. Curly began to shake from anxiety and dodged the question by saying, " Nevermind,..... it's nothing important." Curly said this sadly, knowing that he had no place to ask the question he had. Although, Zecarius wasn't having any of it, he gave a stern expression and replied with a hard face," No, yah' had ah' question, an' ah' intend to answer it." 

Curly sighed, gaining back some color into his fur. He cleared his head and asked in a serious, " Zecarius, I know it is not in my place to ask, but I trust that you won't get offended. *Sigh* "Ok, from witnessing your fall at the train station I reacted with what I thought was best." Curly continued trying to stay calm," And, I freaked out, nothing had ever happened like that in my life. After I took you to the hospital I noticed your eyes for the first time, the left one to be exact." Zecarius turned shocked that Curly would care about his scared eye, but he let Curly continue. 

" And, here is where I ask my question,..... why?" Curly looked at Zecarius with pleading eyes, making Zecarius rather confused. " How? Why?!" " Who would do that to you?" 

Curly couldn't contain his composure and started breaking down into a sob, " Zecarius, I have seen and experienced seen some troubling things, but nothing like this." Zecarius looked down to his chest, shading his emotions. 

The air stood still, no one moved, except for the slight breeze. Curly continued to search Zecarius's face for see type of reaction, none came. Suddenly, Zecarius lifted his head, and if Curly hadn't know who Zecarius was, he sure as Tartarus wouldn't now. Zecarius face was dark and bitter, tears were dropping from his eyes, and his lip quivered. Curly was taken back, he didn't know what to say. 

" Curly,.... ah'," Zecarius tried his best to relax, but there was the sudden urge of terrible nostalgia. He didn't want to remember, but damn it, the stallion who saved him deserved to know. However, Zecarius's conscious fought against him, and ultimately made him cold again. 

" No!" Zecarius boasted, catching Curly of guard, to which Curly replied, " What?!" 

Zecarius looked Curly dead in the eye and said again, "No!!!" " None of yah' have dah' right to know what happened." Zecarius voice grew at an alarming tone, one that Curly didn't know he had. " Not, yah', or da' the nurse, or anypony!!!"

Curly was hurt by this remark, and Zecarius noticed but continued on his bantering, " What gives yah' the right to know, huh, what?!!"

This is what ticked off Curly, and forced him to retaliate, " What right!!! What RIGHT!!! Zecarius, I saved from dieing out on that train platform!! You can't possibly think that didn't mean anything to me!" By now Curly was practically leaping across the bench, his face right up at Zecarius's face. 

" How could you possibly think that I can't be trusted,..... z-Zecarius, I care, Salient my best friend cares and she hasn't even met you yet!" Curly said all this in a calmer tone, with a little chuckle at the end. " Zecarius, please, let me help." Curly stooped down and walked over to Zecarius and extended his hoof. Zecarius looked at it for a few moments. In his head alarms went off, but his heart said otherwise.

Oh gods, help mah'