Three days had passed since you had told Lily and Blackstar’s parents the truth about their son. Things didn’t go that bad all things considered. Blackstar’s mother and friend Lily seemed to like you, but his father had been rather distant. You couldn’t blame him though. You had told him the worst news a father could hear. You gave him plenty of space and tried not to bother him. You tried to avoid thinking about that and looked out the window of Blackstar’s room and wondered what you were going to do with your day.
If you were back with the Apple family you would’ve been working already. But here, you had no real responsibilities. You walked over to the closet where you kept your bag and jacket and opened your violin case. When you did the instrument fell out in pieces. You grimaced at the sight and sighed as you used the repair spell on the instrument again. The process took more concentration and energy than usual, but it barely registered to your magical reserves.
You looked at the fully restored instrument and knew you’d have to replace it soon. But for now you made do with what you had. You used your levitation to bring the violin into the familiar ready position and closed your eyes. You don’t know how long you were playing. You lost yourself in the music and were only brought out by a familiar voice.
“Wow, I had no idea you were so musical.”
You looked over your shoulder and saw that Lily was standing in your doorway. “Hi Lily, how’d you get up here?”
“Your parents let me in. They’re starting to get worried. You haven’t left the house since… well, you know.”
“I didn’t mean to worry anypony. I’ve just had a lot on my mind. That and I don’t know anypony in town. I don’t want to do anything that’ll give me away.”
“Cooping yourself inside all the time isn’t going to help. Come on, let’s go do something. If anypony bothers us, I can do all the talking.”
“Do I have a choice in the matter?”
“No, you don’t.” Lily said with an eerily enthusiastic smile.
“Alright then, lead the way.” You said with a fake sigh.
Lily led you around Hoofington, and the two of you looked at the various stores. Normally the idea of walking around stores would make you want to claw your own eyes out. But Lily helped make it enjoyable. After a few hours the two of you decided to get something to eat. You paid for the two of you and the both of you sat on a bench near a fountain. There seemed to be an enjoyable atmosphere between the two of you.
“Hey, can I ask you something?”
“Sure, what do you want to know?”
“What were you doing before you came and told us about the real Blackstar?” Lily whispered, not wanting to be overheard.
“Well, after I died and made that deal, I woke up in Celestia’s castle. I didn’t know that at the time though. I started to look around the room, and that’s when I noticed my reflection.”
“I bet you started freaking out.” Lily giggled.
“No way,” you said with a cheesy grin. “I just smiled and said ‘Huh, I thought I was feeling a little horse.’”
Lily groaned and rolled her eyes. “Sheesh, I think your jokes are actually worse than Blackstar’s.”
“Thank you.” You said with a chuckle. “Anyway, a guard came into the room and took me to meet Celestia and Luna. I told them about my situation… and my past.” You added slowly. “They decided to help and started teaching me about magic and Equestria in general.”
“You actually learned magic from the princesses!” Lily gasped. “Ever since Blackstar had heard about the Elements of Harmony and how Twilight Sparkle is Princess Celestia’s personal apprentice, he’d always wanted to do the same thing.”
“Yeah well, they didn’t teach me because I was particularly talented. They taught me because they pitied me.”
“Don’t sell yourself short. I haven’t known you very long, but if you’re anything like the Blackstar I remember, then you proved yourself through sheer determination.” Lily said with a reassuring hoof on your shoulder.
A part of you noticed some odd ticks in Lily’s body language. She was definitely trying to hold something back. Somehow, through what could only be described as a miracle. You were able to put two and two together. You gently brushed her hoof from her shoulder and stared deep into her eyes. “Lily, were you and Blackstar… more than just friends?”
Lily was taken aback and started to fidget a little. She avoided making eye contact while she answered. “I… I guess you could say that. Blackstar had been my best friend since we were foals. We did everything together. I think I’ve had a crush on him for about five years now. But, when he started to go through puberty… he started hitting on just about every mare in town.” You couldn’t help but think about Flarewing at that moment.
“I don’t know if he ever actually did anything with those mares. Whenever I asked him about it he would just ignore me, or change the topic entirely. I had given up hope on ever being more than friends with Blackstar when he said he was going to Canterlot to study magic. But, right before he left… he kissed me. It was the greatest moment in my entire life. Of course, that was the last time I ever saw him. Say, do you think Blackstar and I could’ve made it work if he hadn’t… you know?”
“Well Lily, if I’ve learned anything from my death and my time in Equestria, it’s that just about anything can be possible if you have a little faith and determination.”
“That sounds like something Blackstar would say.”
“Well, I am an alternate version of him, there are bound to be at least a few similarities between us.” You said,
uncomfortable with the look Lily was giving you.
“I guess you’re right. Umm, [Your Name]. Thanks for hanging out with me like this. I’ve been really lonely ever since Blackstar left, and you’re a lot of fun to be around.” Lily whispered through heavy lidded eyes and a light purr to her voice.
Even with how socially illiterate you were, you could read Lily’s body language like a pop-up book. She was trying to seduce you. A strange tingle started to spread along your body, and you could feel your face flush. You did your best to shake off the primal urges. Or maybe they were some sort of residual emotion that Blackstar had left behind. Either way you knew what you had to do. You gulped and took Lily’s fore-hooves in your own and started to tremble like a leaf in a hurricane.
“Lily, I think there’s something important you need to hear.”
“You can tell me anything.” Lily exclaimed eagerly.
“I think you’re a very nice mare, we seem to get along extraordinarily well, and I really do seem to find you very attractive.”
“Why thank you, I do try my best.” Lily giggled, making what you were about to say even more difficult.
“But I don’t think we should be anything more than friends.” You blurted out.
“What? But… what about everything you just said?”
“You’re right, a part of me might want to try and be more than friends with you. But, ask yourself, Lily. Do you want to be more than friends with me?”
“Of course I do. You’re so…”
“…So much like Blackstar. That’s what you were about to say, wasn’t it?” You said with a determined look in your eyes.”
“N…no, I wasn’t going to say that.” Lily hesitated, her eyes darting back and forth.
“Lily, it’s ok. You’re attracted to Blackstar’s body, and the fact that I remind you of him even a little must help.”
Lily burst into tears and threw her hooves around you. Just like when you had first told her about Blackstar’s fate.
“You’re right.” She sobbed. “I… I just miss him so much. I thought that if I could just… sleep with you just once, then maybe I’d be able to get Blackstar out of my head. By Celestia, you must think I’m horrible for trying to use you like that.”
“Not at all,” you reassured her, returning the hug. “You knew him for so long, had been through so much together. It’s understandable that you’d try to do something a little crazy now that he’s gone. Everypony deals with loss differently. I won’t hold what you did against you. And I’m sure Blackstar wouldn’t either.”
Lily lessened her grip on you so she could look you in the eyes. “Thank you for saying that. I’m sorry I acted like that.”
“You don’t have to apologize,” you said with a warm grin. “Although, I think that we should just be friends. I mean, we did just meet. We should actually get to know each other, and if you like the real me and not just the parts that remind you of him. Then we can see how things end up.” You said with a slight ache starting to form in the lower half of your body.
“You’re right,” Lily agreed a little sadly. Then, her expression radically changed and shot you a goofy grin. “Well, I am a little impressed. You had the perfect opportunity to take advantage of a beautiful young mare, but did the very noble thing instead. Either you actually are very noble, or you’re just a complete blockhead.” Lily said with a chuckle, ending the hug.
“I prefer to think of myself as being a little bit of both.” You said with your own chuckle.
“So, can I start to get to know the real you right now?” Lily asked.
“Sure, what do you want to know about?”
“Can you tell me what your life before you came to Equestria was like?”
You froze up for a moment. You knew if you said too much then she might start to worry about Blackstar’s safety. But then again, if you wanted to make your decision of whether or not to stay in this town, you had to know if Lily and Blackstar’s parents were willing to accept the darkest parts of your life.
You steeled your nerves and started to tell Lily everything about your old life. You left out some of the more gruesome details, like how your father had died, but other than that your story was pretty much complete. Lily looked a little disturbed, but never voiced her opinion until the end of your story.
“I can’t believe how tough you had it. And you’re sure that Blackstar’s really fine?” Lily asked worry etched deep into her features.
“I’m positive. He’s staying with the nicest family I’ve ever known.” Your answer wasn’t a complete lie. You only had vague suspicions about whether or not Blackstar had your Thread of Fate or not.
“That’s a relief. Still, you’ve been through so much. How are you able to stay as cheerful as you are?”
“Honestly, I’m still dealing with a lot of stuff from my old life. But, the princesses helped me deal with it a little. And my friends from Ponyville have been a big help.” You’re smile momentarily shifted into a frown as you remembered your friends back in Ponyville. You started to wonder how they were all doing, and if they missed you at all. Lily noticed your expression and raised an eyebrow at you.
“Hey, are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. I was just thinking about something, that’s all.”
Eventually you and Lily had to go your separate ways and waved goodbye. You walked in to where Blackstar’s family was and started to tell them about your past. Except for Ginger, she was too young to understand and still thought you were the real Blackstar. They seemed to understand, and Blackstar’s mother tried to be supportive, while his father just nodded and occupied himself with a newspaper.
You spent another three days in Hoofington and continued to hang out with Lily. Although, you never got the same reaction that you did when she had hit on you. You guessed that the reaction might have been your body finally getting completely used to the pony anatomy. It made sense. You seemed to be able to gauge attractiveness far better and you sometimes had to stop your gaze from lowering too much. Even with your new acclimation to pony society you couldn’t help but feel uneasy.
Your mind kept drifting to your friends back in Ponyville, which always caused a small ache to form in your chest. You also couldn’t help but feel like a stranger among Blackstar’s family. They seemed a lot like your parents, but deep in your heart you knew they weren’t really your parents. In the end, you decided to sneak out in the middle of the night and head back to where you really felt you belonged, Ponyville. You had almost made it to the edge of Hoofington when a voice called out to you.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
You turned around and were surprised to see Blackstar’s father had followed you. You didn’t bother with lying and replied, “I’m going back to Ponyville. I don’t think this is going to work.”
Blackstar’s father let out a deep sigh and shot you an expression that was difficult to read. “I understand, you’re a full grown stallion now and are free to make your own decisions. I just want you to know that you’ll always be able to find a place with your mother and me.”
“I appreciate the gesture but… wait a sec; did you just refer to her as my mother?”
“Yes I did. Your mother came to the conclusion that it doesn’t matter what universe you came from. You’re still our son. And you know what… I have to agree with her.”
“You do? But I thought you hated me?”
“I think I might have at first. And I apologize for my behavior. It took an unprecedented amount of courage to tell me what you did. And the amount of control you showed at my outburst was nothing short of impressive. I’d be proud to call somepony like you my son.”
“Th…thank you. That means a lot.” You couldn’t believe what you had heard. They actually considered you family? But you had hurt them so much. You turned your head back towards Ponyville for a while and stared.
“Is something wrong? Weren’t you just about to leave?”
“I… I don’t know anymore. I mean, I miss my friends back in Ponyville so much, but I’ve always wanted a real family. Agggh! What should I do?” You screamed.
“Relax; you’re making this more complicated than it has to be. You should go live with your friends back in Ponyville. And every now and then you can come and pay us all a visit. What do you think? Does that sound like it could work?”
“I think so. Thanks, you just took a huge weight off my mind.” You said with a slight grin.
“That’s what a father is supposed to do. Now come here.” You did as Blackstar’s father asked and he put his fore-hooves around you in a brief hug. “Come home soon, son.”
“I will, dad.”