Anthony was standing in front of the anomaly, getting ready to go through it. None of the researchers knew what it would feel like, but they assured him that he would live through it with little to no damage. Because that is so comforting, He thought. He wasn’t scared so much as nervous, the first human to step on a foreign planet, maybe even dimension. The feeling to run was coming from the anomaly, every time he came near it, all he wanted to do was run. He couldn’t do that though, he had a job to do.
Anthony was surprised to be flanked by two men in suits without ties. The CIA told him that they were bodyguards in case anything went wrong. Bet they’re Secret Service, they definitely look it, right down to the P229’s they carried. He didn’t really know much about weaponry, but he did pick up a few things from the news, and his wife. The plan was for him to go through first and if there were any problems, his guards could use the M.A.L.P.’s telemetry to figure out how best to enter.
The step in front of the anomaly had been removed, without a step on the other side; all it would have done was make it more awkward to step through. A small step would be sent over with their supplies once arrangements had been made for his stay. Thankfully it was only a foot off the ground and not that difficult a step to manage for a fully grown human, just awkward since nothing was known about what happened if you touched the outer edge of the anomaly. The white tent that had previously been housing the anomaly had also been moved so that all the staff could watch this historic moment.
Anthony approached the anomaly, he really wanted to quote Henry V, but that one would require having gone through this thing at least once already. He almost lost his balance when putting his right foot through the anomaly, the sudden chill and electric shock his leg received, nearly made him lose his balance. He could still feel the foot, but anything that passed through or was touching the anomaly was affected by these sensations. When he felt his foot touch down on the other side, he ducked his head to pass it through next. Anthony ducked his head in the hope that it would protect his eyes from the chill and shock of passing through the anomaly, it didn’t work and he even felt it in his teeth. Wanting to get it over quickly, he finished stepping through the anomaly, first his arms and then his body and other leg.
Anthony stood on the other side of the anomaly and looked about the white room. He saw the M.A.L.P. off to the side, camera pointed directly at the two unicorns that were sitting down fifteen feet in front of the anomaly. He recognized the one on the right, it was the same purple one that he had seen on the video. The other one was completely new though, it was a white and purple unicorn, the mane looked styled and he could swear that it had on blue eyeliner. But, he thought, I can look at that later, first there is a job to do. He took a few steps forward, making sure to keep his hands at his sides to appear as less of a threat.
“Hello.” He spoke calmly, trying to imitate their speed with his speech; he would have to go completely off of memory for this. “My name Anthony Marcus. In peace come.” He may have made some slight alterations to the CIA’s suggested language structures, but if he was to truly figure out this language then he needed to play with it.
Anthony was a little surprised when the white one stepped forward and spoke up instead of the purple one. It spoke in a slow and methodical manner, but not like it was trying to make it easier to understand. The linguist clearly recognized the first part as a greeting and self-introduction; he’d heard enough of them over his life. The second part was a little harder to discern, but he heard the words for ‘group’ and ‘diplomat’ and was able to piece the rest from together from that.
“No. Two more.” Anthony replied. At least they don’t seem hostile, he thought. He heard soft footsteps coming from behind him. The bodyguards flanked their charge and just stood there observing the room for threats. The linguist then turned to his right to see which guard had positioned himself where. “This one Avery Anwar.” He said, pointing to the blonde haired guard. He then pointed at the person on his left. “This one Victor Sizemore.” He returned his hand to his side and looked back at the two unicorns. “We come learn.”
Anthony was surprised to see the two unicorns start to talk to each other, initiated by the white one. He was able to pick out a few words like ‘clothes’ and ‘weapon’ and a few glances from the two in his direction. I really hope clothing isn’t some sort of taboo here, that could get really awkward. He dreaded. About half way through their talk he spotted a new unicorn at the back of the room near the door. When the heck did she enter? This didn’t seem like the introductions he was expecting.
Anthony was broken out of his train of thought when he heard a gasp coming from the first group of unicorns; he quickly looked over to see the white one staring at the purple one, who looked like it had no clue what just happened. A sharp, short sound emanated from the back of the room; it could only come from the green unicorn by the door. Why do they have to use such big words? He asked himself as the green one went into a long speech with very few recognizable words outside of their Deity’s name.
After a few minutes, Anthony heard a voice in his right ear; Avery was asking, “What are they talking about?”
Anthony turned his head slightly to the side to make discussion easier. “I believe they are talking about us, judging by the direction of their gaze and the occasional hoof pointing.” He wanted to get the obvious out of the way first. “They started with greetings and then the first two starting talking about our clothing and some other things I couldn’t translate.” There was no way he was going to tell two bodyguards that weapons were being discussed if he didn’t know the exact context, that would only prove detrimental to their current goals of establishing peaceful relations. “But this current one, I have no clue what it’s saying and I doubt the folks back home will have any more luck than I am.” Anthony hoped that wouldn’t put the guard too much on edge.
Anthony looked back just as the talk between the purple and the green one was broken up by the white one. That was when the green one stepped around the other two and came within five feet of the visiting humans. “Greetings. My name is Lyra Heartstrings and it is my pleasure to welcome you to Equestria. I would like to invite you to our cafeteria to have some dinner; I am assured we have quite the selection of food.” Lyra stated and pointed a hoof at the door. “However, you will not be allowed to eat meat outside of this facility and preferably not in any common areas, for now at least.”
“How know eat meat?” He asked and hoped this wouldn’t cause too many issues. There were still al ot of words in there that he didn’t understand; but surprisingly he understood enough of what she was asking to get that she was offering food and what sounded like a slight concession.
The mint green unicorn then pointed at its mouth and said one word. “Teeth.” The Lyra walked to the door and opened it. “Coming?” She asked.