Anon whistled tunelessly as he walked home from work, occasionally jangling the keys in his pocket. On either side of him the tall, grey, concrete faces of the city’s buildings reached into the sky, while trash and other detritus spotted the sidewalk and road next to him. An array of cars and people walked past him, going about their business. He sidestepped with a barely concealed grimace as a man walked by with a worn looking pegasus pony in a frayed sundress following dejectedly behind. After he passed the two he shook his head and continued to walk.
He hated to see the way so many of the ponies ended up after the gate collapsed 11 years ago. With the portal to their home gone, the ponies weren't able to make use of their innate magical abilities, and the list of ways they could support themselves diminished. Anon supposed that if the gate had been open for more than 6 years before the collapse, the ponies might have been more integrated into society, and been viewed as something more than unwanted immigrants and illegal aliens by the majority of humanity. Thanks to their place on the fringes of society, and their lack of skills that would make them valuable in standard human jobs, many of them ended up in the underworld. The ponies were forced into roles in the sex industry, as drug mules, and other tasks left to the downtrodden and forgotten of society. Some of these ponies stuck in the underworld were lucky enough to end up as a muscle for local gangs, and a few of the smarter ones ended up manufacturing illicit substances, but even these were seldom treated kindly or with any sense of dignity and respect.
After a few more minutes of walking, a smile briefly drifted onto Anon’s face as he passed a happier scene, a well dressed mare giving a ponyback ride to a smiling child as she walked alongside its parents. Things weren't terrible throughout, there were still small patches of happiness and light that gave hope to the rest. Many wealthier families hired on ponies like the mare to act as nannies for their children. They made excellent caretakers and companions for the children due to their size, bright coloration, and most importantly, the fact that they were ponies. Most had some trouble around the house, but they were effective enough for people to continue hiring them, albeit for what usually amounted to room, board, and a minuscule salary. Others, especially ones that had moved into the country after immigrating over while the gate was still open, found work on organic farms and other places that prided themselves on selling ‘pure homegrown products’.
Anon sighed and his smile disappeared as soon as it had appeared when he saw a woman walk by with a meek looking stallion on a leash following at her side. A number of desperate ponies had begun to act as obedient pets for anyone who would provide them with food and shelter. For some ponies lucky enough to find a generous, caring person willing to take care of them they were able to carve out a little slice of kindness and stability. Many, however, ended up as little more than sex slaves or toys, minds warped and drained of emotions thanks to months, or even years of abuse. Anon grimaced as the thought reminded him of a recent news story. A man had been arrested for kidnapping and brainwashing ponies to sell as absolutely obedient pets to the highest bidder, and the poor things had attacked the police to try to defend him. Most of them had ended up in psychiatric hospitals, their conditioning leaving them unable to function in society.
A quick shortcut through a dirty and dark back alley, sidestepping a homeless man and pony huddled together for warmth, and Anon had almost reached his destination. He quickly began to walk down the beaten path that ran by his apartment building, an old memory from when this city had just been a suburb, from back before the gate. The back sides of city buildings rose up around him as he walked, trash and other detritus littering the area. A few sparse patches of grass grew out of the gravel that flanked the path in between the backs of the buildings, precociously holding on and fighting to survive in the inhospitable environment.
He finally reached his destination after passing a few more ragged homeless people trying to sleep through the afternoon chill. Anon paused briefly, staring up at the stained concrete facade of the apartment complex, the surface marred from years of rainfall and bad weather. A brisk walk through another alley brought him out in front of the building, where a few people walked by on their daily routine and cars went about their way on one of the city’s innumerable roads. He looked around as he moved to the front door and fished his keys out, but stopped when he noticed the lone pony in sight, standing quiet and rigid at the street corner bordering his apartment.
Anon let his eyes wander over her as he fiddled with his keys. She stood at the corner, almost statuesque, her gaze locked forward. She wore a tattered looking lace saddle over her grimy and marred light grey coat of fur, and her badly cropped lilac mane and tail were cut short. Her undergarments looked to be in the same bad shape as her saddle, and her knee high socks had numerous holes in them.
Anon briefly considered walking over to her, but shook his head and looked away. It had been a particularly exhausting day at work, he told himself, and he wanted to get some sleep. He quickly unlocked the door and entered the small and sparsely appointed apartment lobby, heading to the elevator and hitting the call button.
He tapped his foot impatiently as he waited, and finally the door slid open. A skinny looking man that Anon recognized as one of the residents on the floor below him stepped out, and the two exchanged a curt greeting.
“Hey,” Anon muttered.
“Hey,” the man returned back in a monotone drawl as he walked past Anon.
Anon shrugged and entered the elevator, hitting the top floor button and leaning back against the wall with a yawn. The doors slid shut with a soft whoosh, and a moment later the elevator jumped slightly as it began to ascend.
=========
After a little fiddling, Anon threw open the door to his apartment with an irritated mutter. He walked in and shut the door behind him, stretching and yawning as he briefly looked over his home. The place was technically his parents, but they had made a mint during the housing boom when the gate first opened. They had retired and moved to some villa in Italy with an impossible to remember name right after the gate collapse, and left Anon with their penthouse suite.
He began heading to his bedroom, but stopped with a sigh as he saw the kitchen out of the corner of his eye, complete with breakfast dishes unwashed and scattered about the otherwise clean white room. He glanced longingly at his bedroom door on the other side of the spacious living room before turning and heading to the kitchen with a sigh.
He quickly washed and dried the dishes, setting them away in their cupboards, before turning and heading straight for his bedroom. He pushed open the door and headed to his bed, flopping down on it and rolling happily in the sheets.
“I love you, bed,” he sighed happily as he squirmed under the covers.
He opened one eye as he quickly checked his alarm. 4:00am , the downside to working in a bakery was definitely the hours. He fidgeted about a bit more to get comfortable, closed his eyes, and began the process of drifting off to sleep.
*bzzzt* *bzzzt* *bzzzt*
Anon groaned and slapped his hand on his clock’s snooze button.
“God dammit,” he muttered, “I feel like I only went to bed a few minutes ago.”
With a heavy sigh, he swung his legs out of bed and stood up, stretching his back and neck with few audible pops. He quickly went through his morning routine, grabbing his second uniform and apron, eating a quick breakfast of instant sausages and cereal, and heading out the door.
He flipped open his phone as the elevator descended to the lobby. 4:23am. Running a little late. He started stepping out of the elevator before the doors even finished opening, squeezing his way out and into the lobby. He quickly walked to the front door and pushed it open with his shoulder to avoid touching the frigid metal handle, stepping outside into the cold autumn morning air. He shivered briefly as his body accustomed itself to the change in temperature, before making his way to the side alley leading to the old path.
In his rush he missed a small, huddled form curled up next to a dumpster, his foot catching it with a pitiful pained yelp, and causing him to skip forward a few feet before regaining his balance. He quickly turned around towards the shape, eyes widening slightly as he recognized the grey pony that had caught his attention last night, now sprawled on the ground and looking even more tattered than yesterday.
He quickly crouched down and extended a hand to her, and she slowly took the offered appendage and got to her hooves. She wobbled slightly before sitting down on her rump with a quiet groan.
“I’m really sorry about that, I didn’t see you. Are you alright?” Anon asked, looking over the mare. Her saddle wasn’t sitting correctly now, and he was pretty sure her undergarments and socks had more holes in them than before. A concerned look came over his face as he noticed her ribs showing through her skin, and the hollow look in her eyes.
“I’m...I’m fine...” she stuttered quietly, looking away from anon and at her hooves. She briefly raised a shaky forehoof to her mouth to suppress a yawn as she remained sitting, still averting her eyes. The mare bit her lip as her stomach suddenly grumbled loudly, almost startling Anon.
Anon’s eyes drifted back over the mare’s abused and starving body, her dishevelled clothes, and the patina of weariness surrounding her. “H-hey,” he said hesitantly, a few shaky breaths running through him.
“Y-yes?” she asked nervously, “Are you...looking to hire me...? I...I don’t normally work mornings...”
Anon took another shaky breath, hating that the mare’s situation made her immediately think of that.
“No,” he stated, adamantly shaking his head. “I...w-would you like something to eat?”
“Something...something to eat?” she asked with a small spark of enthusiasm in her eyes and her ears perking up slightly.
Anon smiled slightly at her reaction, a little bubble of cheer welling up inside him from the hope in her eyes. “Y-yeah. I, er, you seem hungry.” He answered trying to sound comforting and safe.
“Please...something to eat would be nice...” she said, her stomach rumbling again.
Anon nodded and stood up with a smile, “Alright, come on, I’ll get you something filling.” He began walking slowly back through the alley, mumbling to himself as he ran through a mental checklist of the food he had in his apartment that was suitable to be consumed by a pony. He grimaced as he realized he probably only had milk, cereal, and peanut butter and jelly to offer the pony.
The mare got up to follow him, but only succeeded in taking a few wobbly steps before her knees buckled and she fell on the hard asphalt with a quiet grunt. Anon moved to her side, thoughts of food forgotten, as he looked at her with concern.
“I-I’m sorry...” the mare apologised shakily before trying to get back to her hooves, only to have her legs give out again. “Just...I just need a moment to gather my strength...”
Anon reached out his hand instinctively before realizing what he was doing and pulling it back. “I...is it okay if I carry you?” He asked softly, concerned that she might hurt herself if she tried to stand again.
The mare bit her lip and looked away, thinking, before turning back to Anon with a look of resignation. “Yeah... yes, it’s okay... thank you...”
Anon nodded and gently slid his hands under the mare, lifting her up and holding her to his chest. She was as light as she looked, her malnourished body hardly weighing more than a small child. The mare closed her eyes and let out a heavy, tired sigh, as Anon started walking back to the apartment complex entrance. He reached the door and shifted his hold on the mare to one arm, clutching her tightly as his other hand fished his keys out of his pocket, struggling slightly to unlock the door.
The pony’s eyes opened at the noise of Anon’s keys jangling in the lock, locking around to see where they were and why they had stopped after such a short walk. “W-where are you taking me...?”
Anon grunted briefly as he finally got the key to turn, pushing open the door with his shoulder and walking through the lobby to the elevator. “My apartment,” he answered, slightly distracted as he pushed the elevator call button.
“Your apartment...?” she asked in a resigned tone, “I t-thought you didn't want to hire me...”
“Oh, fuck, I’m sorry,” Anon began, flustered and worried at the miscommunication, “I, well, we were right next to my building, and I have food there, and there aren't many places open this early in the morning, and the ones that are are a long walk away, and, well, I’m sorry. I’m not going to hurt you.” The elevator door slid open in front of them, but Anon did not notice, instead looking at the mare with an apologetic gaze.
“Okay...” the mare returned quietly, resignation still heavy in her voice.
Anon bit his lip as he nodded and noticed the waiting elevator, stepping inside and hitting the button for the top floor. The mechanical whirring of the elevator filled the otherwise silent air as the pair waited to reach their destination. With another soft whoosh the door slid open and Anon stepped into the small, empty hallway leading to his suite. He fished his keys out of his pocket again as he made the way to his front door, this time getting the lock open on the first try. He quickly moved inside and shut the door behind him, the latch audibly clicking shut as the lock engaged.
The mare tried to look subtly around the apartment’s entrance hall and the portion of the spacious living room she could see from Anon’s arms. “I didn’t see any other doors in the hall from the elevator...”
Anon nodded as he made his way to the living room, past some couches, and then into the kitchen. “Yeah, it’s a penthouse suite,” he stated as he pulled a chair out of from the small dinette table and gently set the mare down on it. He moved over to his fridge and cabinets, pulling out bread, peanut butter, cereal, milk, and jam. “I’m sorry, this is all I have,” he shrugged sheepishly, motioning to the food, “um, what would you like?”
“Do you...have any tea, please? Toast with jam as well please...it reminds me of dad...” she asked hesitantly before seeming to change her mind and looking away. “A-are you sure this is okay...?”
Anon nodded. “It’s fine, you need it more than me. I don’t have any tea though, I’m sorry.” He answered as he popped a couple slices of bread into the toaster and grabbed a knife and plate.
“Oh, well, no tea is okay, thank you anyway...could I have some milk instead?” She asked.
“Sure,” Anon replied with a comforting smile, opening a cupboard and pulling out a glass. He quickly filled it and set it in front of the grey mare, “here.” He turned as the toast popped up, grabbing them and slapping them on the plate before slathering them with jam. “I only have strawberry, I hope you don’t mind,” he called back over his shoulder as he grabbed the peanut butter and scooped some out onto the side of the plate.
“N-no, strawberry is fine,” the mare answered quietly, “I like all types of jam...”
“Alright then, here you go,” Anon said, smiling kindly as he handed over the plate, “I figured you could use some protein, so I put some peanut butter on the plate. You aren’t allergic or anything, right?”
“No allergies... just never really got the taste for peanut butter... I know some ponies are loopy for the stuff, but I always had jam...” she answered as she carefully picked up a piece of toast in her slightly trembling hooves and lifted it to her mouth, closing her eyes and smiling briefly before taking a bite.
Anon, smiled for a moment as the mare chewed her food, before he pulled out his cell phone. “Hey, I have to call in to work, alright? I’ll be back in a bit,” he said as he walked out of the kitchen and through the living room, pausing briefly to pop a couple more slices of bread into the toaster. A glass door slid shut behind him as he stepped out onto the apartment’s small balcony, leaving the mare alone for a bit at the other end of the apartment.
She hesitantly glanced around the spacious place, still nervous about the strange man’s intentions, but starting to feel slightly at ease. A few couches and an armchair were arranged behind a dining table in the beige living room, facing a large television. To her left, on the living room wall opposite the way she came in, were two doors evenly spaced along its surface. Another two doors were on the right hand living room wall, spaced a little closer together. Across from her she could see the man talking in the cold morning air, his hand tapping impatiently on a glass table resting on the balcony. She quietly chewed her toast and drank her milk, relishing the feeling of food finally being in her stomach. It had been going on 4 days since she last ate, and from the way her limbs were shaking, this meal was the best thing to happen to her in a while.
The balcony door slid open and shut behind Anon as he walked back to the kitchen. “Sorry about that,” he began, moving over to her and taking the empty plate and glass, “let me get you some more.” He grabbed the two pieces of toast he had started before making his call, coated them with jam, and refilled the milk. “Alright, here you go,” he smiled, placing the plate and glass in front of his guest before putting more bread into the toaster.
“T-thank you for this... it’s not often that I get treated like this...” the mare said quietly, looking into Anon’s eyes briefly before tucking into the toast and milk. Once the next set of toast was ready, Anon added it to her plate, and refilled her milk once again before sitting down across from her.
“What, um, what’s your name?” he asked after a brief silence filled only with the sound of crunching toast.
“O-oh, I forgot, sorry... not many people ask my name. It’s Moongazer... ummm... what’s your name? I really should have asked sooner, sorry...” she rambled, turning away with an ashamed look.
“N-no, it’s not a problem, you had other things on your mind. I’m Anon,” he said earnestly. “You have a very nice name, Moongazer.”
“Thank you, Anon... the ‘Moon’ part of my name has been passed down from the mothers to their daughters in my family...” she briefly exposited before returning to her milk and toast.
He chewed at his lip briefly before speaking again. “S-so, if it’s okay for me to ask, how did you end up like this?”
“How I ended up like this? You mean... how I ended up in... the business of selling myself?” She asked with a pained expression, before she forced a smile onto her face.
“I-I’m sorry,” Anon stammered gently, concerned, “I didn’t mean it like that...”
“No, it’s fine,” Moongazer sighed. “Most people who are kind to me are curious how I ended up...doing what I do...”
“If you don’t want to talk about it, I understand,” Anon said softly, not wanting to make her relive any painful memories.
“You picked me up off the street, brought me into a warm home, and fed me...the least I can do is tell you my story, Anon...” she said quietly, almost as if she were talking to herself.
“Alright,” Anon returned with a gentle nod, leaning forward onto the table.
“I... I was only two years old when Princess Twilight Sparkle opened the portal between Equestria and Earth, so I don't remember anything from back then, or how Equestria was before...” she began, leaning back in her chair. “Doesn't really matter what happened between then and coming through the gate. I grew up in old Ponyville, on the outskirts of Ponyton, Princess Twilight's scientific settlement... I got my cutie mark when I was eight years old. My mum and dad... they'd also grown up in Ponyville, and always said about how things had changed so much...” She paused and drained the rest of her milk, which Anon promptly refilled.
“Anyway, where was I...? Oh, yes, my cutie mark. I got it while gazing into Luna's sky... funny, isn't it? My name matches my cutie mark... To celebrate getting my cutie mark, mum and dad booked a trip through to Earth, to let me see the stars from a different world... I was so excited about it, telling my friends, bouncing around at school...” she paused and bit her lip before continuing.
“I remember it... so clearly, the day I went through the portal... the smiling technicians, humans and ponies, in their bright visibility jackets... everyone was so friendly. So cheerful. The Princess wasn't in Ponyton that day, she'd gone north to visit her brother and Princess Cadence.” She sighed again, more heavily, and took another drink of milk before continuing.
“As I was saying, I was excited... mum and dad had us cleared by the border agents. I rushed on ahead. The termini were always safe places, so no one minded that I trotted through to the other side. I was greeted by more smiles from workers on this side. I was gazing around in wonder, I remember. The architecture was different. I'd never seen anything like it outside of pictures. I was on a whole new world... a world inhabited by another race, whom we'd forged a peaceful relationship with. A whole new world, maybe even a whole new galaxy or universe... only Twilight knew the specific details.”
“My wonder was... short-lived. I can still hear and feel it now... my ear turning towards a gasp before my head turned to the source, one of the previously-smiling technicians. He was running towards the gate, and I turned to look... I could see my parents... my dad, his pale-grey coat and blond mane, a tub of jelly sticking out of one of his saddlebags, alongside my mum... Her coat, the same grey as mine... her purple mane under a wide sunhat... it was meant to be sunny where the portal was on Earth that day...” Moongazer continued, her voice trembling as a few tears started forming in her eyes.
She reached up and wiped at her tears with a fetlock, “S-sorry, it's... it's been a while since I last told someone about it, or even thought about it...”
“It’s alright,” Anon reassured Moongazer softly, reaching a hand across the table and gently grasping one of her forehooves, only to have the mare pull back in surprise at the unexpected contact.
“Can... can we take a break, please? Between your generosity and... thinking about how I got here...” Moongazer trailed off with a deep sigh, turning and looking away from Anon.
“I-I’m sorry,” Anon apologised as he brought his hand back to his side of the table. “I...should have realized that would make you uncomfortable.” Anon continued with concern, getting to his feet and taking Moongazer’s dishes. “You still hungry? Want some more toast or milk?”
“Oh, no, you've given me so much already, thank you...” She began, climbing carefully off of the chair and getting to her hooves, not quite as wobbly as before. “I... I guess I should be going now... is there any way I can repay you...?”
Anon moved to put the dirty dishes in the sink before pausing and turning to face the mare as she finished her question. “You don’t need to repay me,” he began, shaking his head and placing the dishes on the kitchen counter, “and...and you don’t need to leave yet, either. You don’t look like you’d make it very far in your state.” He motioned towards her slightly trembling legs.
“M-maybe not... but I can't sit around here... I've already sullied your chair by sitting on it...” she protested weakly.
“You getting things dirty isn’t a problem, I’m not going to kick you out my door when you need help. If, well, if you would like, you can use my shower.” Anon suggested as he cleaned up the rest of the counter.
“Shower?” Moongazer suddenly looked up, hope filling her eyes. “Y-you mean it? You’ll let me use your shower?” she exclaimed happily, quickly stumbling towards him and hugging his waist.
“W-woah,” Anon yelped, his face blushing deep red. He went to move her forehoof, but stopped when he saw the hope filled look on her face.“Yeah, you can use my shower, I don’t mind,” he answered the exuberant pony, hesitantly petting her head with a smile.
“Thank you... it... really, thank you...” Moongazer sighed happily, nuzzling his shirt.
“I...your welcome,” Anon returned as he continued to pet the grey coated pony.
“It’s this way,” Anon said as the mare released her hug, walking out of the kitchen, through the living room, and pushing open the door of the room next to his. “Right in here,” he said, walking to a door on the right hand wall of the small, sparsely furnished bedroom and pushing it open to reveal a modest bathroom. He hit the light switch and glanced in briefly as Moongazer walked inside. “I’ll go grab you a towel and some toiletries, alright?” Anon asked over his shoulder as he left the mare alone in the bathroom.
Moongazer removed her saddle, socks, and undergarments with practiced efficiency as she glanced around the bathroom. She left the clothing in a pile on the white tiled floor and stepped into the shower, her legs still slightly shaking. She briefly ran her hoof over the faucet and smiled to herself.
“Alright, here you go-” Anon began as he walked through the door, averting his gaze and blushing. “I-I’m sorry, I didn’t know you were undressed,” he stuttered, placing the towel on the bathroom counter, and looking confused as to what he should do with the bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and body wash in his arms. “I, um, I didn’t know whether you used shampoo or body wash for your fur so I brought both...” he trailed off, continuing to look away from the naked mare.
“Y'know back before the gate closed, a lot of us ponies went nude, there's no need to be embarrassed. I came through the gate as naked as the day I was born,” Moongazer stated with a light smile. “Oh, and thanks, but you don't use body wash on fur.”
Anon’s face flushed red at her casual manner but he turned back to look at her. “H-here you go,” he stuttered, holding out the bottles.
“Thanks again, Anon... if there's any way I can repay you...” Moongazer suggested as she reached out and took the bottles one at a time between her hooves, setting them in the shower.
“I...it’s fine, you don’t need to repay me. It’s been awhile since I’ve had company, so...I guess just having someone to talk to is nice.” Anon said, face still a bit flushed.
“I'll just have to owe you one, then, Anon,” the mare says with a wide smile before she turned to the shower faucets, opening them and releasing a torrent of cool water. She sighed blissfully and tilted her head back, letting it rush over her.
“I, um, I’ll leave you to your shower, then,” Anon blushed anew, turning and leaving the mare to enjoy her shower in peace and closing the door behind him.
He bit his lip and went back to the kitchen, washing the dishes and putting them away with the rest in the kitchen cupboards. Anon briefly opened his fridge and sighed. The mare had eaten most of his bread and jam, and there wasn’t much else available. He had meant to do his weekly grocery shopping on his way home from work today, but that was out of the question now. Maybe he could go now, he thought, there’s a 24 hour supermarket nearby and Moongazer looked like she would be in the shower for a while. He sighed and grabbed a piece of paper, scrawling a quick note for her. Gone shopping. Be back soon.
He placed the note on the kitchen counter before running to his room and quickly changing out of his work clothes and into something more casual. Then, he grabbed his wallet and his coat and headed out the door.