//------------------------------//
// Cheese - Surviving 
// Story: Two Minds 
// by Thethhron 
//------------------------------//


How Do Magic?


Just as he said, the mayor had somepony over to my apartment at 9 AM sharp.

In a manner of speaking.

The sun shining through my window activated the two senses I had left to me. I felt at peace. Even if this was a different dimension or world or whatever, I was in Equestria! That was something to be excited about, regardless of some weird thing with humans going on. 

Oh, if only I could actually feel the covers! I bet I could roll up nice and cozy in a ball and just drift back to sleep. I didn’t, however, knowing I was expecting a visitor. Curses! I wish I had a clock to check the time.

 The room was fairly quiet and the street was starting to resound with hustle and bustle. However, a light breathing alerted me that someone else was nearby. I hadn’t initially realized it, as I thought it was my breathing, which didn’t happen anymore of course. Lifting myself and shifting my vision, I discovered half of my bed occupied.

By a mare.

If I’d still had a heart, my pulse would have sky-rocketed. But I didn’t, which was still rather disconcerting.

NOT HAVING ORGANS IS WEIRD.

The unicorn’s coat was a pale sea-green and her crazy mane was the bright blue of the sky on a bright sunny day. Her cutie mark consisted of headphones or perhaps a headset superimposed on a blue diamond. It looked like her mane was normally straight but she’d probably been drinking; that would logically explain her presence in my room. Knowing she hadn’t been there before I had slept, I was pleasantly surprised to find the door closed. I figured she would have been too drunk to close it. Huzzah. Testing led me to discover my voice was gone again, so I poked her with the beer stein I found on the side of the bed she had fallen asleep on.

She woke with a start and then groaned. Probably had a hangover. I went to the restroom, rinsed out the mug, and filled it with water. By the time I got back, she had started to cuddle with a pillow. Good thing I moved. Still kinda cute. I wanted to let her rest but at the same time, I was bored with nothing to do. Also, the mayor’s escort was supposed to arrive soon.

So, I poked her with the stein again, being careful not to spill. She woke again, and mumbled something about the light. Closing the curtain, I tried again. This time, I got her to roll over.

This would be so much easier if I could talk. Le sigh.

Realizing I would need it, I snagged the complimentary pencil and paper and wrote down a few questions and answers I anticipated. Then I tried once more; this time I was rewarded with open eyes.

After she stared at me, the mug, and my first question for a few seconds, she let out a squeek and hid under the covers. ’Adorable but...’ Sighing internally, I tapped her on the head with my pencil. She peeked out  from the covers. ’I really need to learn that speech spell.’ 

I hastily scrawled. I’m not angry. You were obviously drunk. What’s your name?

“Um...My name is Free Speech. Are you sure you aren’t angry?”

Yes. Also, have some water. You seem pretty hungover.

“Oh, thank goodness! Ow ow ow...” She had tried to jump as she spoke but the combination of sudden movement and loud speech made her hold her head in her hooves. I held the mug of water out for her. Surprisingly, she didn’t use magic but held it with her hooves. Must be part of the hangover. She drained the mug quickly.

Wait here, I’ll get more.

After her second mug, she seemed a little better. I asked my next question.

So, why are you in my room instead of your own?

I expected an answer along the lines of “I got confused” or “I couldn’t see the room numbers.” Instead, I got:

“Oh, well, I got a message from the mayor asking me to come and get you at 9 AM today. I was already here drinking, so I just paid for a room. I loved your singing by the way. As for your room.... I may have gotten drunk enough to decide it would be a good idea to just sleep in here to wake you up. Sorry...” I was mildly surprised.

At least I wouldn’t have to explain to the mayor’s representative.

How long til you’re good again? And is there anything I can do to help? She squinted at the notepad before pulling back and nodding. My Equestrian penmanship could use some work apparently.

“I guess some more water would be good. I should be fine by once I take a shower. Do you mind?

Not at all.

        While she took her shower, I leaned against the window. The populace was awake now, traveling about, doing their business. Certainly, it seemed emptier than even the small suburb I had come from on Earth, but the streets were still rather busy as shops opened, ovens fired up, and hawkers started calling. Free Speech took about half an hour before she wandered back into the room, her mane only barely damp.

“Sorry again for all this trouble. I’m going to have breakfast first and then we’ll be off.”

It’s fine. Kinda. Where are we off to? We walked down the stairs and sat at a table. She ordered some waffles.

“There’s a bulletin board in the town plaza for available jobs. We’ll also see if there are any signs on shop fronts or windows. By the way, why aren’t you talking?” As she ate, I noticed her magic aura was teal. Pretty.

Yesterday, the doctor overseeing me cast a spell to let me talk as I used to be able to. I need to go back later and find out who he learned the spell from.

“Dr. Quiet Peace?”

Yes.

“Oh, I know the spell then. He learned it from me.”

That’s convenient. Can you cast it? I fear I’ll run out of paper shortly.

“Sure.” The spell didn’t take more than a couple seconds.

“Better?”

“Immensely. Not being able to talk is horrible. I’m still planning on visiting the hospital. I’m keeping the guy I saved from being bored. I also need to go to the library to research magic, as I really don’t know anything about it. I barely figured out telekinesis. The mayor said they might have some educational books there. Come to think of jobs, what’s yours? I know it’s not escorting humans around for the mayor...right?”

“Well, you’re the first one to show up on Signal, so maybe this will become a thing for me. But you’re right. Normally, I act as long-range communication between Signal and other parts of Equis. If I’m not doing that, it’s boring paperwork. Still, it’s not too bad working here. The pay is good and I get to live on a tropical island! Living here is so much fun, what with the perfect beaches and fruit straight from the forest. And this place makes the best martinis!" She noticed me twirling my pencil and coughed. " Anyway, since I work directly for the mayor, I occasionally get sent on an odd assignment, like you.” She finished eating and we left, thanking the innkeeper.

"So you're kind of like a secretary."

She tapped her chin in thought. "Yeah, I guess so. Still a secretary on an exotic, tropical island."

“If you don’t mind my asking, what’s your special talent? I’m not sure I understand your cutie mark...”

“Oh! I’m very good at communication magic. Got into postal work a few years back and made a name for myself as a priority mailmare. Got paid extra for how quick I got get stuff where it needed to go. It’s one of the reasons I got to come to Signal.” She smiled happily as she talked.

“One of the reasons? What's the other?”

“I saw a fun time and took my chance.”

I learned a little more about her as we moved towards the plaza. She was all too willing to keep talking. I didn’t mind really; talkative people were easier to converse with.  ‘Free Speech’ indeed. I learned that her parents were reporters for a newspaper in Canterlot. She was only recently out of journalism school when the founder of the island stopped through on a band tour in Canterlot recruiting. Apparently he led a weird, not-quite freedom fighter group for griffins; they founded Signal with their efforts. Free Speech, herself a excitable, adventurous sort, "took up the call", so to speak. 

My job hunt was not as successful as my conversation with her. None of the shops had need for hired help, unfortunately. By the time we had reached the plaza, we had checked at least 20 different stores. The bulletin board in the square wasn't much more promising. The only listings were for manual labor to build new homes and other structures. 

"Can't say I'm surprised by that," Free Speech said. "There aren't many unicorns on the island who are unemployed, so manual labor falls to everyone else. Since the town is still growing, there are normally a lot of construction jobs around. Unfortunately for you, most consturction is on hold for the holidays. Still, better take what you can." 

We copied down the information for the small amount of locations and jobs that were posted and headed off to answer them. They were spread all over the town, so Free speech planned a path that would end us at the hospital, trying to be efficient as possible.

 As we progressed, I was actually able to take on more than one job over the next few days and still preserve time for the library and visiting with Connor; I was proud of myself for being so on of things. Unfortunately, all the jobs were one-time deals. I still needed a more steady station, even if it was going to be temporary. The whole path around town took us til about 1 in the afternoon, about three hours since we left the plaza. I took the time in between to get to know the streets better. Finally, we finished our loop.

“...And that’s the last one!”

“Great! Now I can get to the hospital and talk some with Connor.”

“What about the library? You said you wanted to research magic.”

“Phooey. I just have too much to do. I can get to it tomorrow. Anyway, I need to take a break soon. My magic is running a little low. I really need to learn a self-levitation spell, this telekinesis on myself is tiring. Don’t happen to know one of them by chance?”

“Hehe, unfortunately not. It is rather surprising though. Normal unicorns can’t just brute force magic like you are; at least, not after their first few magic surges. Foals can do weird things during surges, like fly. I suppose it might be due to the fact that you’re made of crystals or gemstones or something. Levitating yourself is generally regarded as impossible without correct spells, and even then, it’s incredibly difficult, just short of age-altering spells."

Free Speech paused and closed her eyes to smell something. "Mmmmm, why don’t we get lunch over there?” We wandered over to a cafe a couple blocks from the hospital.

“So...I’m super magical?”

“That’s one way to put it. I remember a teacher for health class or something mentioning mental limiters or some such thing I never paid all the much attention. Maybe you lack those? I dunno.” It’s weird seeing a pony shrug.

“I guess I’ll just have to see what I can find tomorrow. Can you teach me that speech spell now, before we get to the hospital? I don’t want it to run out on me.”

“We should have enough time over lunch. Technically, my only job all day is working with you. It’s been fun so far!” I tilted back in my chair after the waiter seated us. He then handed us menus. I took a look, even though I wasn’t going to order anything. The waiter didn’t even look twice at me. Pretty accepting here.

The menu had all manner of dishes, from the daffodil and spinach sandwich I remembered being classic pony cuisine, along with plenty of other dishes a human could never eat, to fruit parfaits and even some meat dishes. I was surprised to find cow on there as well, as I knew cows were sentient in Equestria.

“They serve cow here? Aren’t cows sentient in Equestria?” 

“Oh, yes, but only in Equestria apparently. In less magical places, cows don’t develop the brain power as in more magical infused lands. It’s sad really.” The waiter came back and I gave him my menu without ordering. I couldn’t really eat, so I’d be wasting food. I did get water, so as to at least seem like I was participating in the meal. People feel more comfortable eating when others are as well. I guessed eating was just as social an event for ponies. She ordered a daffodil and spinach sandwich.

“Mmm, I do love me my daffodils. So. Magic. Where to begin..."

"Perhaps at the beginning?"

"Oh ha ha. Well, magic is all about combining elements or at least unicorn and innate pony magic is. We can talk about gem magic later, though I find it unlikely you’ll use it. There certainly aren’t any books about it in the library as it was only recently rediscovered. Anyway, unicorns use a Rainbow Classification system for magic, which has six elements in it.” Her sandwich arrived and she began to speak in between mouthfuls - mostly.

“Only six? I feel like a rainbow should have seven...whatever.”

“Yeah, I always found it funny too. So, six elements Fire, Water, Earth, Air, Light, and Dark.”

“Because THAT set isn’t cliche as fuck. Continue, please. Ignore my ramblings.”

“Right... Anyway, many spells and other ‘element’ magics, like ice, are just a combination of some of those six. Unicorns, and the spell I’ll be teaching you, use light magic primarily, though unicorns are by no means limited to light alone; it’s just the one we start out with, as levitation, the most basic magic a unicorn learns, is a class of light magic. Illusion magic, such as this speech spell, is also a light magic and is often combined with other elements for effects.”   

She had finished her sandwich and ordered a fruit dessert. Ah, it looked so tasty. Almost made me wish I could eat again. Almost. “The speech spell is actually a little complicated but maybe you can work it out. First, you have to learn to harness your magic, which you’ve already done, obviously. Next you have to learn how each element ‘feels’ to you. Not everyone can feel every element either. Often, unicorns have one or two elements they’re very good with and don’t use the rest much or at all. For instance, my magic uses a lot of air and light, while a blacksmith’s might involve fire and water. The speech spell does take a little bit of water magic to access the brain. 

But back to feeling elements. Your connection to elemental magic is based on how you as a person view elements.  The less experience you have with each element, the harder it will be to use. There’s a simple test to check for affinities. First, find your magic and see if you can find a way to ‘connect’ with each one. Then try to focus it into a small orb or other representation. We’ll start with light, just as a test.” It’s a good thing I’m interested in this stuff, cause that was a lot to take in. If this was biology, I wouldn’t remember a quarter of it.

“Alright...Harness magic, elements feel different, combine for effect, focus into ball for now.” 

Light seemed easy enough, seeing as I had apparently already accessed my light magic before and did so constantly. So, I went to my magic and focused it into a ball like she said. I would not have been able to explain it worked to someone else. I was focused on happy feelings and brightness. When I opened my sight again, there was a small ball of light floating in front of me.

“Good. Release that, and next let’s try fire. It’s related, so it probably won’t be too hard.”

“Fire, huh? Let’s see....”

I remembered back to scout campouts of old. Ah yes, the hypnotizing flicker, the heat on my skin, the sweat drying as quickly as it came. The caress of the flame. Suddenly, a new, hotter presence was there, in such a manner that I couldn’t believe I hadn’t noticed it before. I felt as though it had always been there. Which probably means that the others are here too.... Air for the speech spell right? Air, air.... Running! Running with the wind and breathing in and out.... And there it was, a new presence making itself known, floaty and airy compared to the warmth of the other two and the sooty feeling from the fire. 

“Cheese? You’ve got the fire... It’s a little big...”

Unfortunately, I didn’t hear what she was saying, so enraptured in my discovery as I was. But how do I combine them? Just mash them together? Can I do it in small streams and portions like a chem set or something? Ugh, chemistry. At least it’s not biology.

“Hey, Cheese, What are you doing???”

I suppose I’ll just make two balls and shove them together. Or maybe weave? Let’s weave.

And then there was a small explosion right in front of me.

Frantically opening my sight again, I saw Free Speech putting out the singed edges of the tablecloth. My water glass had shattered, keeping some of the tablecloth from catching. Most of the other patrons were staring at us with surprised or angry expressions. A waiter was hurriedly walking over with what looked to be a manager close behind. Pre-empting anything he might say, I pulled out the coins I had gathered- Wait, where did I just pull those from? 

Anyway, I hovered out of my chair and pulled out a few bits I had earned from my singing the night before, and put them on the table. I wasn’t sure how much a glass and tablecloth costed but I put down 15 just to be safe. If a cherry was worth a single bit, hopefully my guesstimate wasn’t too far off. Even if I was wrong, I'd made an effort.

“Sorry about that. I am completely willing to pay for this. I’ve only just recently come into possession of magic and, well...I was experimenting. I’m sorry. Hopefully this should be enough.” If I’d had a mouth, I would have been giving one of the most awkward grins of my life. As it was, I just hovered there and picked up that glass so no one would step on it, setting it on the table.

“Uh, well...I guess if you can pay for it, it’s fine...” He was surprised I was willing to pay. Strange. I suppose I AM a little strange. What am I saying, I’m an anomaly.

But really, I only think in candy flavors once a week. 

Silently, he took the money and explained to his boss, who was also surprised at my willingness to pay. Really, what’s up with that?

“Anyway, If I may, I’ll take my leave. I’m sorry for causing so many problems.” With that, Free Speech, who had been silent for my entire conversation, paid for her meal and spoke up once we were out of earshot.

“What were you thinking?! You can only practice explosions OUTSIDE the city! I didn’t even get to Power, Pattern and Will. I think you’ve got the hang of the elements. Find the other three on your own time, sheesh.” 

Heh, I didn’t get berated for creating explosions. Success! We began moving towards the hospital again.

“Anyway, Power, Pattern and Will. Power is what makes magic work, the energy that makes it go. For you, that’s obviously what you gather naturally. That little warm feeling in your chest. Next is Pattern. Pattern is the method of how you direct the magic. For non-unicorns, this can take the form of words and such when used with a focus, such as gems.”

“So, wait, there are magic incantations?”

“Er, yes. According to the captain, there is a language known as Latin that can be used. Apparently you humans have some knowledge of it?”

“LATIN CAN BE USED FOR MAGIC!?” Free Speech tripped and landed on her plot. Can't take the Thu'um, get off the mountain.

“Um...yes?”

“Wow. Just like my Japanese mangas!" 

Oh Lord, did I really just say that?

"Sweeeet. You said my body was a massive focus?”

“Uh, theoretically...”

“So I can use magic two different ways! Score!” She raised her eyebrows at my enthusiasm. 

“Right. So. Like I was saying. Pattern is the way you direct your magic. For unicorns, after basic stuff, it often consists of mathematical formulas.”

“...Oh. How advanced? I’m not good at calculus...”

“I think only the higher level spells deal with that kind of math. But maybe you don’t have to do that. You aren’t exactly a unicorn. Finally, there is Will. Nothing works without willpower behind it; otherwise, magic would be going off anytime someone spoke something remotely resembling your ‘Latin’.”

“Awesome. This is going to be AWESOME! I live in a world where people don’t actually care if I create explosions and, if I can remember enough Latin, I can do magickyness of the highest degree! I live for teh beautiez.” I really want an arm so I can clench my fist.

She just stared at me. 

“BUT! I must learn my talky-talk spell. Please, continue.”

“I’m not so sure I should anymore, but okay... Back into elements, when you figure out how to access water, you’ll need to funnel a small portion to yourself, along with a lot of air and a moderate amount of light for power. Next you...” She gave me a formula that somehow involved determining the speed of sound and what I believe to be an estimate of the distance to Luna’s moon. Read: Confusing. “...and then you ‘insert’ the magic into the variables. It might be a little confusing but hopefully you can do something with it.”

“Yeah.....That’s going to take a while. Like, I only kind of understand what you just told me. Maybe I’ll find a way that I can understand better. But thank you for trying.” We arrived at the hospital.

“And we’re here! I guess you’re free to do whatever you want now Speech.”

“Please, call me Effy. My name gets easily mixed up in sentences. I’ll stay with you, I wanted to come in and see this guard you saved anyway.”

“Oh. In we go then.”

The nurse granted us access and we wandered back to where I had found Connor yesterday, knocked, and walked in.

“Heyo Connor! How are you doing?” I pronounced as I walked in.

“Oh thank Celestia! Hospitals are so dull!” Effy walked in behind me. Is that a blush on Connor’s face?

“So this is the guard, huh? He looks a little weak.” Ooo, harsh. Connor’s blush grew.

“Hey! S-Shut up! You wouldn’t look so great after those birds either! Who are you anyway?” What a precious sputtering face he has!

“Cute pouty-face. I’m Free Speech, your rescuer’s guide while he’s on Signal. I was just coming to see who you were. Do you have a problem with that?” Man, that blush on his face just won’t go away! 

“Okay, f-fine, whatever. You met me.” Poor chap. Effy turned to me.

“Hehe, you should keep him. I’ll see you later Cheese!” A distinctive sway in her hips marked her exit and...I need eyebrows to raise.

Tails. Tails are the reason we never see “things” in the show. Tails can move.

As the door closed, I shifted my vision to my beet red kitty friend.

“So!” I smi- I can’t smile! WORST. BODY. EVER.

“What?” He frowned, his head snapping to me. I want something to make faces with. Like, a holographic image of myself or something. Oh, I can do that with magic! Later though.

“So that. You’re into mares. Judging by your reaction, she’s pretty attractive...” Connor winced “or you’re inexperienced...” He winced again. “Or both.”

“No! Well, maybe...No! No, I, umm...” 

Oh, I should stop teasing the dear shouldn’t I?

Naaaaw.

“Haha, cute indeed! I could probably get her to stay for a bit next time...” He took a few breaths and calmed himself. Aww....

“No, it’s fine. Pretty she is. Very pretty. But with a name like Free Speech, I would guess she’s reckless, which will end up getting her hurt.” He sighed.

“...Do pony names really have that much to do with personality” I ‘sat’ down on a visitor’s chair.

“Most of the time. Not ALL the time but often it at least has SOME influence on their path in life.” Connor got comfortable in his bed, the straps around his legs jostling. “Now then, what did you want to talk about?”

“Yay! First thing. Humans. There are apparently a lot of them around here? I'm not the first to show up. What can you tell me about the other ones?"

“Not much besides what I know about the founders of Signal. The Griffin Pirates have been going around for nearly a year, freeing slaves from diamond dog dens and similar things. Signal is their first city in the new Griffin Dominion. My family and I were slaves at a den called Clay Pallor and the Griffin Pirates freed us. That was around three months ago. Signal was already named and quite well off. The pirates also did a tour as a band in Equestria and their last stop was at the Gala, which was apparently even more lively than normal. Something about a bunch of humans being there.” 

“So these other humans - you don't know much of anything about them? Mayor Bluebeak didn’t have much to say on them either.”

"Not really. A lot have been supposedly popping in the past year or so, all around the world. It’s why Signal has a protocol for them.”

“Does anyone know why?”

“I certainly don’t. I’ve heard the captain does and others also seem to have some idea but what exactly that reason is... You don’t know why you’re here?”

“Nope. I fell in a pit of rainbows and woke up here.” He stared at me. “Hey, that’s what happened. I didn’t say it made sense. So, humans appear around Equestria for unknown reasons. Cool.”

“Well, not just Equestria. They apparently appear almost anywhere in the world. I think someone said the captain dropped up near the edge of the Dragon Badlands.”

“Wait, there’s more than just Equestria?” He looked at me funny before understanding.

“Right, you wouldn’t know. Equestria actually is just the central country, and the only one with a government, on it’s continent. There are 6 other major regions surrounding it. In the north are, from east to west, The Griffin Dominion, Gem Fido, and the Dragon Badlands. In the south, from east to west, are the Black Marshes, the Feline Jungle or Southern Rainforest, and the Volcanic wastes. There is also a ring of islands around the world called the Zebrican Isles. Far to the south lies another continent but few know how big it is or what lies there besides desert. Not many travelers come or go that way.”

“Good gravy! Alright Connor. Exposition time. Tell me everything you can.” This planet must be huge!

“Uh, everything? I don’t know a whole lot about some of it though...”

“That’s why I’ll  be going to the library, to get what you don’t know.”

“Alright... Where should I begin?”

“Humbaba... How about the Dragon Badlands? Dragons sound fun.”

“Hardly. I don’t know much about the land itself, only that many dragons live there and travel in and out consistently. I’ve heard it’s full of exposed lava and active volcanoes. What I can tell you is about dragons. The vast majority of dragons are at the top of the slave trade.”

“Oh. Not fun.” I frow- I NEED A FACE!

“Yeah. For a very long time now, dragons have been forcing a tithe of gems or slaves from diamond dogs on threat of the den’s life. In turn, many diamond dog warrens enslave any other races they can to either give up in tithe or work in their gem mines. This lead to a drastic decline in the population of griffins, so I've been told. Their population has dropped to somewhere below 10,000 total in the world. Don't quote me on that.”

“Whaaaaaat? That’s ridiculous! How long has this been going on?”

“I recall hearing the griffin government being dissolved almost a thousand years ago after they tried to take over the world or something. Probably since then.”

“Damn. That’s depressing. But then,  why are the dragons doing that? Are they just that kind of people?”

“ I don’t know. Again, rumors say dragons might be running out of gems but no one knows. I think they’re just mean like that.”

“Kay. So. How do dragons threaten diamond dogs? It doesn’t sound like they live in the same area.”

“Actually, since Gem Fido, the diamond dog ‘country’, is directly east of the Badlands, it’s a primary target. Gem Fido is also the richest source of gems the world. Diamond dogs aren’t known to be particularly intelligent, beyond alphas. This can make them easy pickings.”

“I never did like dogs much. What do you mean by alphas? Pack mentality?”

“Exactly. The alpha, generally a dog both mentally and physically a cut above the rest, is the leader until another dog beats him. Most alphas are too strong for a takeover like that though.”

“So why all this fighting for gems? Are they just that shiny? Or are they hard to find? I know dragons eat them, but...”

“Diamond dogs also use them for food. Ponies like them for decorations and magic stuff. Hence, the are a valuable resource. So yeah, popular.”

“Alright then. Since we’re going that way, the Griffin Dominion is east of Gem Fido, yes?”

“Yep. The Griffin Dominion. A once proud country, it’s government dissolved, now home to the few free griffins left in the world. Their settlements are few and far between, mainly in natural caves or large trees. The captain aims to change all that, though he’s currently under the weather.”

“Under the weather?”

“Oops. Er... I guess it’s kinda public knowledge. A few months back, the captain admitted himself to psychological treatment in Canterlot. He’s a lot better now I hear.”

“Psych treatment? That’s some heavy stuff. Not something you can get over quickly.”

“I guess? Not my forte.”

“No, but it’s my forte. On Earth, my planet, I was going to school to be a psychologist. So yes, that kind of thing takes a while. Moving along, that leaves... three regions to talk about? Let’s talk about your region.”

“The Feline Jungle? Short version or long version?” It was still bright outside, though it was starting to get late according to the clock.

Eh, lateness.

“Long version. I have time.”