//------------------------------// // Chapter 5 // Story: Coming to terms with reality........ // by Furstreak //------------------------------// The following morning was quite a welcome one when Kami awoke to the chirping of birds just outside his home. Although the prior day’s events seemed to have caused him some slight annoyance, it had ended on a high note with the princess welcoming him into the lands of Equestria. The morning proceeded as it normally would, with him getting out of bed, taking a shower, taking some time to thoroughly dry off, and then making his breakfast for the day. Which consisted of a poptart, a glass of milk with a straw in it, and some buttered toast. After fixing the light breakfast, he pulled a saddlebag onto himself before putting a few apples and a couple of carrots in it for a midday snack. “Alright then, time to get to the library!” He smirked as he made his way out of his new home and toward the small town of Ponyville. A short trot later and he had arrived at his destination, however, he noticed that the town didn’t seem as lively as it had the previous day. There were no ponies out and about doing anything. In fact, the streets were completely barren. Not giving it much thought, he trotted up the Golden Oaks Library and gave the door a quick knock with his hoof before carefully opening it. “Twilight? You home? What’s up with the town? There is literally no one...” “SURPRIIIIIIIIIIISE!” Shouted a library full of ponies causing the blue stallions horn to explode in magic as he screamed out in surprise. “AAAAAHHH!” *flash* Everyone within the library blinked a few times before they noticed a large burned mark on the floor where the stallion had just been. Twilight stepping forward, giving a worried expression as she looked the spot over only to see the remnants of a failed teleportation casting. “HEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLP!” Came the cry of Kami from outside the library, causing many of its occupants to rush through the front door to try and locate him. As they exited they heard him yelling once more, looking up to an adjacent building where a weather mane was placed on the roof. Kami hanging from it by his saddle bags. *rip* “Oh crap!” He squeaked out as he looked up to the saddle bag as it began to slowly rip. *riiiiiiiiiip* It continued but stopped just short of coming completely apart. “Shew!” Kami let out a relieved sigh as he wiped his brow with a hoof and then giving it a single sling to the side, gently turning him just enough to... *SNAP* “AAAAAAHHH!” He shouted out as gravity began to quickly pull him toward the hard ground below. He covered his face and curled up awaiting the impact which never came. After a second of falling, he felt a weightlessness takes over. Opening his eyes he looked to see himself enveloped in a purple aura, a slight tingling sensation running all over his body as he was slowly being lowered to the ground below. As he made contact with the ground the aura vanished, a soft sigh being released by a lavender unicorn as she pressed through the crowd, quickly sweeping Kami into a hug. “Are you alright?!” She stated quickly before releasing him and pulling back. “I’m... fine... I guess. But you guys nearly scared me to death!” He spoke out in shock causing the crowd to visibly lay their ears back in embarrassment. “Soooooorrrryyyyyyyyyyy!” Came a cheerful voice as a certain pink earth pony bounced up to beside Twilight with a huge smile plastered across her face. “Pinkie, he’s fine now, so let’s all go back inside and start up the party.” Rarity stated as she trotted up next to her giving a soft smile. “And besides, we need to introduce ourselves as well, and what better time than one of your parties.” She tittered slightly as she gave a gentle nod to Kami. “Uh...” Kami began, cocking a brow at the two before being pulled into a rough sideways hug by Applejack. “No fussing now, Pinkie throws everypony a welcoming party that moves to Ponyville. Ya’ll ah break her heart if’n ya don’t come in fer at least a few minutes and introduce yerself.” AJ smirked, catching his attention and nodding to Pinkie who had the saddest expression across her face. Kami felt his heart sink at such an expression before giving a soft smile himself, nodding and causing the crowd to cheer. After a few minutes, everypony had made it back inside of the library where refreshments were being served, along with quite a few confectionary delights that Pinkie had painstakingly made just for this special occasion. Kami was sitting with Twilight who had just pulled out a book to teach him how to do a levitation spell. After a few attempts he finally managed to get the hang of it. Pulling a drink up to his snout and gulping down the liquid, even pulling a small piece of cake to him and using a fork to cut a piece of it before being consumed. “Twilight, this is some party. I’ve never seen so many people come out just to meet and greet a single person before.” He stated while smiling to another couple of ponies who introduced themselves, he doing the same. “People? Person? I’m not sure what that is.” Twilight stated with a look of slight confusion. “Um... I meant ponies, and pony. Sorry, I guess learning to speak as another species may take some time to adjust to.” He stated with a soft chuckled. “Still though, it’s very nice to know that every... pony, is nice here. If it were back in my home town, most people wouldn’t even spit on you if you were on fire.” He chuckled for a moment as he took a drink, then noticed how quiet it got all of a sudden. He pulled the cup back down from his mouth, taking a slightly loud gulp as he looked around to all of the semi shocked faces that were staring at him with wide eyes. “That’s horrible!” Twilight stated with a slight gasp of disbelief. “Y-yeah, I didn’t come from a nice place. I’m probably the only nice being to have ever come out of my city. But don’t worry, none of those nasty pe... ponies can follow me here. So no worries every... pony!” He stated giving a big smile to the party goers. They giving a smile and nod in return before turning back to their friends and picking up where they had left off within their respective conversations. After a couple of hours had passed by, Kami had been introduced to everypony, along with introductions being given to him in return. The party had lasted for roughly four hours before it began to dwindle and ponies began to leave the party and head back home to continue their normal daily routines. The last few ponies to remain at the party were of course, Twilight, Rarity, Pinkie, and Applejack. As the conversations kept going, it had finally lead to the point where Twilight brought up his employment status from when he spoke of it to her the previous day. “Kami, didn’t you say that you were looking to find a job the other day?” Twilight asked as she looked from him to her friends. “Yea, I’d like to find one as quickly as I can. I don’t want to end up having to starve because I can’t find a job. Seeing as I will probably have to wait a couple of weeks or longer in order to get my first paycheck.” He groaned. “Paycheck?” The group asked in unison. “Yea, a paycheck is what you get after working for a certain period of time with a company or business before cashing it in at a bank.” He stated with a confused expression. “Sugarcube, ah don’t right know how things’er done in the big city. But’round these parts everpony gets paid at the end’o the day, in bits.” AJ chuckled softly seeing his confusion. “Bits?” He asked. “What is a bit?” “This is a bit, silly!” Pinkie stated as she pulled one from out of nowhere and tossed it to him, he caught it within his magical grasp and floated it in front of him, looking it over. After a moment though his eyes went wide in surprise as he realized what the yellowish bit was made of. “T-this is gold!?” He squeaked out, losing focus on his magic and letting the bit fall to the floor. The others gave him a queer look before Pinkie picked up the bit and held it out again while speaking around it. “It sure is!” She giggled. “Why is that a surprise, darling? All currency in Equestria is made of gold, silver, and copper. Although gold bits equal a hundred bits, while silver is ten bits, and copper is a single bit.” Rarity stated with a curious smile. “Well... Gold is extremely rare where I’m from... But before I get into that, let me ask you something. How much does a pony normally get paid while working at a job here in this world?” Kami asked while rubbing his chin in thought. “Well, I normally get paid five bits an hour at Sugarcube Corner. But that’s because I usually end up eating a lot of the sweets the Cakes make.” Pinkie giggled. “I would guess that a normal salary would be around eight to ten bits an hour Kami. Why do you ask?” Twilight finished. “Well, on my world, the average salary is around eight dollars an hour. So considering that it seems pretty even with the pay here. The only thing that is odd though is why your rulers would use gold as a coin that would equal to a hundred bits.” How is that odd?” Twilight asked giving a curious smile. “Well...” He paused for a moment as his horn lit up and he pulled the bit gently from Pinkies mouth, she giving a smile as he did so. Considering the weight of this bit, it seems to be around four ounces if I’m correct.” He stated as he placed it onto his hoof before lifting and dropping it gently to judge the weight. “And believe it or not, an ounce of gold in my world is worth almost three thousand dollars.” He chuckled as he watched the girls eyes go to pinpoints as their vision trailed from him to the bit in his hoof. “WOOHOO!!!! I’m rich!” Pinkie shouted as she snatched the bit up and bolted out of the library, leaving the rest of the ponies stupefied for a short moment. “Uh... She does realize that I’m not from this world right?” He chuckled seeing the others laugh. “That’s Pinkie for ya. Always a few apples short of a bushel.” AJ Chuckled. “I do say, if we were to go to your world with a bag full of bits, we could live a life of utter luxury.” Rarity swooned as she thought of all the things she could have. “Yea, but the only problem would be that you would have to change species in order to use them.” Kami chuckled. “I don’t know, from what you’ve told us about your world, it doesn’t seem like such a nice place to live, and definitely not worth changing species over.” Twilight groaned, rolling her eyes at the thought. “You never know, if we had enough gold, we could own our own island in a tropical paradise, and have everything delivered to us. We’d never have to deal with any other living soul ever besides the delivery people. That would be very seldom in the least as well.” Kami laughed thinking of how pleasant life would be being rich. “Well, I wouldn’t mind being rich and having my own island to live on. But I would need to at least have friends living on that island with me. Otherwise I would be ever so bored.” Rarity groaned slightly thinking of the possibility of actual drawbacks from being rich. “Yep, I’d prefer to live in a small community with plenty of family and friends. Except...” He trailed off for a moment before softly picking back up. “I don’t have any family here.” He paused again as he gave a saddened smile. “But at least I’ve made a few friends. That should suffice until that pivotal moment when I can start a family though.” He chuckled softly before coming to a stop as he noticed the bright red faces among all the mares in his presence. “Uh... did I say something wrong?” He asked, feeling a pang of nervousness. “N-no darling, it’s just that... Most ponies don’t normally talk about starting a family. They would normally keep quiet about such a thing considering...” Rarity trailed off giving a brighter blush. “Considering what?” He asked, clearly curious. “Considering the fact that the stallion to mare ratio is around one to every seven mares, if not a little more depending on the town or city they live in.” Twilight stated with a slight giggle. “Ok, that still doesn’t clear up why you girls are acting so... odd.” He sighed in slight annoyance. “Well, uh... Most stallions won’t ever say if’n they want teh start a family til they get teh know a mare they’d been courtin fer a while.” AJ chuckled slightly as she pulled herself from the shy demeanor that had overtaken the group of mares. “And if he states the same thing I just did?” Kami asked, cocking a brow, now slightly nervous. “Well darling. Knowing that you want a family will cause quite a few mares to become... interested in you. That plus being a unique pony from a different world... well... You can guess what that means.” Rarity giggled, covering her mouth with a hoof to prevent him from seeing the wide smile that was slowly overtaking her face. “Oh boy...” Kami sighed as he rolled his eyes. “Can I take it that you four can keep this to yourselves? I honestly don’t want a gaggle of mares chasing me down just to attempt to win my affections and marry them to start a family.” The four mares went a little wide eyed as they looked to one another before smiling and looking to Kami. “You have nothing to worry about Kami. We can keep a secret.” Twilight smiled, covering her mouth with a hoof as she gave a giggle. “Yep, we Pinkie Promise!” Pinkie stated as she went through the motions. The rest of them doing the same. “Cross my heart, hope to fly! Stick a cupcake in my eye!” They spoke in unison, eliciting a laugh from the stallion sitting before them. “You girls are too much.” He chuckled. “I don’t think I’ve ever met a bunch as happy as you in my entire life. It’s rather refreshing to know that I have such good friends.” He smiled, happy to know that his newest friends were such nice individuals. “It’s no problem at all darling.” Rarity beamed. “But I do have one question though.” She asked causing everypony to look at her. “Have you taken a fancy to any mares since your arrival?” She smirked slightly causing him to blush brightly. “I... uh... well...” He stammered as he attempted to diffuse the question. “N-not really... The only ponies that I’ve had enough time to get to know are Twilight and Fluttershy. But Fluttershy seems a little timid for my tastes.” He smiled sheepishly. “So Twilight has the lead then, does she?” Rarity grinned toward the lavender mare. “Well then, a little competition never hurt anypony, now did it?” Rarity giggled softly causing Kami to squeak out in surprise. “What!?” The mares all giggled softly to one another seeing his embarrassment. “Well, considering us four know ya’ll want a family, it’ll be like ah contest a’tween us all teh see if’n ya’lled be interested in any’o us. I doubt Rainbow’d mind since she is more inteh the pegasus type ponies. Having a fella that’s grounded all the time tain’t too appealing to the girl. Plus ah don’t think she’d want teh start a family. That girl is goal oriented.” “Oh boy, what’ve I started?” Kami groaned out as the mares all giggled at his plight. “Well, just think of it this way. At least you know that wanting to have a family means that it will make finding a relationship that much easier for you.” Twilight beamed. “And I take it that you already have us four as a good starting point.” Rarity giggled softly as a blush tinted her cheeks softly. “Well, maybe just you three. I don’t think I’d have time to start a family, with all the parties and keeping everypony happy.” Pinkie stated as she rubbed her chin in thought. “Really Pinkie? I thought you’d be all for it?!” Twilight said in surprise. “Nah, after taking care of Pound and Pumpkin Cake for the past couple of years, I already know what a mother will have to endure, and some of the time, it’s not pretty.” Pinkie stated as she crossed her forelegs and nodded at the thought. “Still though, I have taken care of Sweetie Belle most of her life. I’ve even had to change the poor darling when she was but a young foal, barely able to walk. I admit that it wasn’t the most pleasant of times. But keeping her happy and seeing her bright, wonderful smile just warmed my heart every time.” Rarity swooned remembering all the years she had taken care of her sister while her parents were traveling due to their jobs. “If you don’t mind me asking Kami, but, how many foals did you have in mind?” Twilight asked causing the others to stare at her for a moment before looking back to Kami; he was blushing furiously at that moment before words finally found him. “I... I was considering having maybe two or more. I wouldn’t want my first to be alone without a sibling to play with, or wreak havoc with depending on what gender they were.” He smiled shyly as his vision never left the floor. “Two or more eh? Well now, that sounds right up the Apple family’s ally. We got relatives aaaaaaalllll over Equestria, heck, even a few in some’o the other nations as well.” She smirked to the rest, knowing Rarity may only put up with one foal, maybe two if she could get past the fear of how much pain the first one would cause her coming out. “Oh... dear...” Rarity stated with a little nervousness showing in her features. “Rarity?” Kami asked, curious by her sudden nervous reaction. “Oh, it’s nothing darling. I was just thinking that maybe one foal would be enough. Two or more however... I do believe I would develop quite a set of hips from such an event.” She stated as she looked back to her flank, giving it a slight wiggle. “Then again, having a large family is what my parents always wanted me to do. I guess the thought of having several grandfoals running around is quite the prospect to have when you realize that your own foals have grown up and moved on with their lives.” She sighed. “So I’m not totally against the idea. I’ll just... have to think on it... quite a bit... actually.” She stated nervously causing the rest of the girls to giggle softly. “Well, ah know ah’d love teh have a bunch’o youngins. The bigger the family, the happier I’ll be.” AJ beamed. “So long as mah stallion is a hard worker. Being a unicorn though...” She trailed off squinting her eyes slightly toward Kami, he cocking a brow back in return. “Well, ah’d have teh see how ya handle yerself afore ah’d decide. Ah may want ah big family, but ah ain’t gonna just up an marry any stallion who says they do to. Seeing as yer a big fella...” She trailed off as she let her eyes linger over his frame, finally realizing how big he actually was. “Yer actually a bit bigger than mah brother!?” She spoke out in slight shock. Big Macintosh is the biggest earth pony in Ponyville and Appleloosa put tegether. How in the hay can a unicorn be bigger than mah brother?!” She stated in shock. “Well, I was a big guy back on my world. I played sports and such, so I guess that, plus my height was transferred into the pony I was made into.” He chuckled. “Anyway, we’ve gotten waaaaay off topic here.” He stated, causing them all to snap their attention back to the subject at hoof. “So where can I find a job?” “Well.” AJ began. “Ah could use an extra hoof on the farm seeing as its coming harvest time for some’o the trees. Plus it’d be a good chance teh see how much dexterity ya’ll got when working. Cain’t have no lazy stallion moaning and whining like a foal that just scrapped their knee from working too hard.” She chuckled seeing him facehoof. “I would offer a position at the library.” Twilight began, his attention snapping to her as he beamed happily at the thought. “But I already have one assistant, and I don’t even pay him anything because I’m his guardian. You remember Spike right?” She asked only to see his smile fade. “Yea... That’s a shame though. I’d really like to have the opportunity to work in a library. Then again...” He trailed off. I doubt I’d get anything done because I’d be reading all the time.” He laughed. “Heh, ah figgered ya’d like books just like Twi, being a unicorn an all.” AJ chuckled. “Well, if’n ya’d like teh work on the farm, just come by in the mornin. After a long day of work, ya’ll can stop by Twilights here afore ya head home so ya’ll can grab a book er two.” “That plus we need to get you up to date on some more spells. You’ve only learned two so far, and the teleportation spell still needs work before you can come out of it without singed fur.” Twilight giggled as she looked at a few of the dark spots in his fur that had been burnt earlier upon his surprise teleportation. “Yea, I’d like to have plenty of time to study some spell tomes. How long would I be working for Applejack?” He asked as he looked back to her. “Well, how about ah go easy on ya the first day. Ah’d say maybe ten hours’d give ya enough time to get enough bits and read a book afore ya fall asleep from exhaustion.” She chuckled back seeing him roll his eyes. “A ten hour work day as my first time job here in equestria. I feel honored that you would be kind enough to give me such a lenient amount of time my dear.” He spoke in a mock upper class tone causing Pinkie to hold both hooves over her mouth as she attempted to hold in a giggle. “Now don’t ya’ll be getting all fancy talking here. Mah family don’t think them high class snobs work as hard as they should. Ya might get some nasty looks from mah brother and granny if’n ya do.” She smirked. “Well how’bout this then?” He spoke out in a more southern tone causing the girls to literally gawk at the elegant way he spoke in while throwing in the accent. AJ’s cheeks burned brightly for a moment before seeing his mouth slightly crack into a grin. She quickly raised a hoof up and pulled her hat down over her face as she looked to the floor “A-ah, guess, ya’ll could talk like that. B-but, ah don’t think mah brother’d approve’o such a thang. So ya’ll might wanna just talk all normal like, ya hear?” She sputtered slightly as she attempted to hide her growing blush. “Alright, I guess I could just speak normally if it wouldn’t cause you any trouble. Then again...” He trailed off seeing her look out from under the rim of her hat for a moment, her blush evident as he began to speak once again in his southern tone. “Ah think ah ight just talk laike this when ah seeya in town... sugarcube.” He grinned like a bandit as he watched AJ pull her hat completely over her face as she got up from her seated position and headed toward the door. “Nah! That’s awright. Ya’ll just talk normal like when ya get teh the farm tomorrow. We start work at six in the mornin. So don’t be late and make sure ya have a good breakfast.” She blurted out as she quickly exited the tree house library, leaving a group of laughing ponies in her wake.