//------------------------------// // The Origin: Part 2 // Story: Between Worlds // by Vohira //------------------------------// The Origin: Part 2 Harry woke up in his new unicorn body the next morning, feeling well rested. When he looked at the shutters he could see the morning sun’s rays. If he had to guess, it was late in the morning. With a look at his hooves he assured himself that the last few days were not some crazy dream. “This is going to take some time getting used to…” He said, as he swung his body out of the simple bed. Standing on all fours was still new to him, but at least now he didn’t wobble on his legs like he did after his arrival. The doors creaked, as the young filly, Golden Harvest… opened them with her hoof. She was balancing a fruit bowl on her head and had the look of utmost concentration on her young muzzle. Harry didn’t wait for her to drop it, with a bit of thought, he approached her and took the bowl from her. Holding it with his teeth, as he had no other idea how to grab it, he put it on his bed. When he turned around he saw the filly smiling at him. “Thank you Golden.” Harry said smiling himself. “You and your mother are too kind.” “That’s no problem mister, we had a really good harvest this year.” She said as she almost bounced up to him. “Besides, my mother always says to be polite and helpful.” “Are all… ponies... so generous around here?” Using the term ‘pony’ left him feeling rather weird. Despite this he couldn’t help but think, that maybe being thrown into this world wasn’t such a bad thing, if this first impression was anything to go by. “Well…” Golden scrunched her little muzzle in thought, which to Harry looked rather cute he had to admit. “There's this old, grumpy pony… And a couple that settled in the last week, that keeps complaining about things… Oh, and there's that strange pony that lives on the outskirts that keeps to himself. But other than those ponies the rest is really nice.” As she was talking Harry decided to eat some of the fruits. He saw a couple of oranges and cherries in the basket but he went for the apples, that looked far more shinier and healthier than any he had seen. And as it turned out they also tasted much better. In no time he devoured the three apples that were there. He looked at the filly again, when he heard her giggling. “What?” He asked a bit playfully with a raised eyebrow. Suddenly he realized that he got carried away in his eating frenzy. A small blush showed on his dark gray furred cheeks. “You got something stuck over here mister…” Golden said still giggling, but she pointed with her hoof at her lower left jaw. She laughed, when she saw him sticking his tongue out and manoeuvring it to the right place to get rid of the offending apple piece. “Now that that's taken care of, care to show me around the village?” He asked with a small smile. “Sure! Mom is on the fields with dad, so we can go to her later on, if you want to.” Harry nodded as an answer to that. The filly jumped up excitedly, and then pouted. “There's really not too much to show around here. But common…” Golden said leading him out of the room. For the first time, Harry got a look at the rest of the house. It was simple in design, and had simple furnishings. In the the far end of the moderately sized, rectangular room, he saw a fire pit and near it some cauldrons, blackened from the fire. There was a table with two chairs, on which he spotted a large bowl filled with fruits. There were two chests at to his left, probably with whatever was needed around here. Across the room he could see another door, he guessed that it was Golden and Summers room. On his left there were two windows, with wooden shutters and a door. The room was surprisingly dim. Golden went to the door on his left and opened them, flooding the room with light from outside. She waited for him just outside as he moved to stand at the entrance. What he saw made Harry, sigh sadly as it started to sink in that he could be very well stuck here. A dozen houses, made from clay bricks and with thatch roofs were arranged in a circle, creating a large square, with a well in the middle and some randomly set up stalls. He could see that the ponies sold mostly fruits, vegetables or even baked goods, but he could see one pony selling pottery and some tools. The square was not even paved with stone, it was just dirt hardened by the hooves of the villagers that he saw walking around. As Harry and Golden began their tour she pointed out the vendors and named them, giving him a short, if sometimes humorous description of said ponies. Not even twenty minutes later, the grand tour was over, as the two stood before the doors to a comparatively larger house than those surrounding it. What piqued his interest was that he could see glass windows in this house. “Who lives here Golden?” Harry asked even as the filly knocked on the doors. “Glimmer.” Was the fillie's answer, as they heard a muffled “Coming!” from behind the doors. When the door handle glowed with a pale blue aura the doors swung open, revealing an aging unicorn mare with silvery mane and indigo colored coat, that had a more than a few gray hairs in it. “Golden my dear child, who have you brought with you this time?” The second thing that stood out to Harry was the accent. Compared to those in the town he manage to listen, Glimmer’s voice spoke of nobility, or so he imagined a noble would sound. “You know how we found the exhausted pony on the fields. It’s him.” “Good morning.” Harry decided to be polite and greeted the other unicorn with a nod. Glimmer sized her guest with a quick look, before stepping aside. “Come in, come in. Golden, why don't you go play with other children, I heard they’re at the orchards.” The filly didn’t protest too much at being dismissed. When Harry entered the well lighted living room, first thing he saw was the bookcase filled with scrolls, and more than a dozen books. Other than that the furnishings weren’t that different from those in Summer’s house, if one ignored the wood covered floor. “I must say, I didn’t quite expect such a young handsome stallion to be the reason for my killer headache a few days ago…” He almost jumped when he hear Glimmer’s voice to his right. Somehow without him knowing it she settled on a blanket near hers fire pit. “What do you mean by that?” Harry asked immediately turning suspicious. “The magical discharge. My special talent is sensing magic young one.” She said pointing hers flank with a hoof. Now that she pointed it, he saw what looked like wisps of glittering smoke forming a vague eye shape. “Whatever method you used to come near this village, was powerful beyond anything I felt in a very long time.” “Is that what this… mark of yours mean?” Finally Harry would get an explanation about his own mark, he could feel it. “Mostly yes. That’s why I moved over here… I noticed that as I aged could not handle magically rich environments as I could in my youth. Too much… noise, one could say.” The elderly mare said, as she levitated a steaming cup of something that smelled vaguely… fruity. “Tea? My own blend.” Harry nodded. He closely observed the kettle beginning to glow with the same pale blue aura that Glimmer’s cup was surrounded in. The kettle began to pour hot water into another cup. With a quick glance at the other unicorn he saw how her horn was shrouded in the same pale blue aura. Before he knew it, a second cup was floating before him. Then he realised his mistake… “I don’t…” Harry licked his lips nervously, when he saw his host frowning slightly at him. “I don’t know how to use my magic.” Now that he thought about it, he could feel the warmth he always associated with his magical power, but without his wand he was lost as to how he was supposed to access it, or even use it. And being in a body so different wouldn’t make it easier. “Interesting…” Glimmer put the second cup before him. “Sit down, this is going to take longer than I thought.” The ex-human looked at how Glimmer sat, and did his best to imitate it. With a blush he quickly fought down, he realized how embarrassing this position was for a stallion. Before he could really began to ponder the sense of modesty and intimacy among ponies, he shot that thought down. He could have a philosophical debate about his state of undress later. Getting a grasp on his magic was the biggest issue he should be thinking of right now. “You know, in my youth I heard of a case in which a spellcrafter miscalculated in his new formula and the magic involved in the casting drove him mad.” She took a sip, after she voiced her thoughts. “It’s possible that what you did resulted in memory loss.” Internally Harry sighed with relief, the old unicorn basically created his back story for him. He could think later on how to improve upon it, to make it more authentic. “All I remember is a magical crystal, and then I found myself in the forest.” Harry tried to sound thoughtful and a bit unsure. “That would fit then.” Glimmer sighed as she put down her own cup of tea. “I can help you relearn a few things about magic, if you want to.” “Yes of course.” He answered hastily. “But before that… Show me your cutie mark, and try to remember your name. I have to call you something, and young stallion is too cumbersome.” Harry blinked, and then it clicked. It was such a strange name for the thing that was supposed to show his special talent, which still felt off somehow. He stood up took a step closer to the older unicorn and showed her his flank. “Hmmm… Definitely something tied to magic.” He saw how a moment later her eyes narrowed, and without warning she prodded his cutie mark with her hoof. “Hey!” Harry jumped out of hers hooves reach and glared at her. “Oh don't be such a prude, young stallion. One would think you would like mares touching your flank…” Despite it sounding as if she tried to joke, however the seriousness he could see on her muzzle unnerved him. “There is magic, powerful magic lingering around your cutie mark, what it is I don’t know. But it’s… revolting to my touch.” He could hear the worry in her voice. Harry’s own muzzle twisted for a second into a look of loathing. Always something went wrong for him sooner or later. Quickly a look of resignation settled into his features. Glimmer looked at the unicorn before her with sympathetic look. Cursed cutie marks were a rare thing, and a sign that the young one had powerful enemies in the world, if they were able to do that to him. She stood up and went to give him a reassuring hug. “Every magic has its counter young one, it’s just a matter of finding it. I will help you to the best of my abilities, but your best bet would be to go to Everfree City, the seat of the Royal Sisters power. There is a vast library there with books and scrolls about the arcane arts. You will probably find your answers there.” Harry stiffened after the initial contact, but then relaxed and sighed deeply. He listened with attention to what the other unicorn said. What the older unicorn said sounded almost like a plan. “Thank you.” He raised one hoof, balancing on the other three proving a bit less challenging than he thought it would be, and briefly returned the hug. After that he took a step back, out of her embrace. “Well then… what now?” Glimmer smiled sadly, at least he wanted to do something. “Now we begin your lessons…” She stopped and tilted her head slightly to left side. “Blackmane…” “What?” Harry asked not catching on immediately. “Well I have to give you a name, if you don’t pick one.” The older unicorn said with a stubborn look on her muzzle. He looked at her and sighed in defeat. She really looked like she would just name him without his input, if he didn’t pick something. “And you did it again, all that sighing and being all somber…” “What now?” Harry didn't exactly see where she was going with all this, given his situation he had a right to behave like he did… didn't he? And it wasn't like he was somber before this talk... “Somber Blackmane.” Glimmer said testing it out. “Sounds almost noble… For a unicorn it will do.” “Now stop right ther-uff...” Before he could continue a levitated apple found its way into his mouth. “Shush you. If what Golden told me yesterday was true, you had almost two days to think about your name. First lesson in magic Somber, if you are going to do something, do it. Being uncertain or indecisive while wielding magic can be disastrous. For example, it’s better to finalize a spell that you realized too late will drain you to the point of exhaustion, then cut the flow on such a powerful spell.” She looked him in the eyes. “Because believe me, you are powerful and the backlash from such a spell, that would drain most of your power, almost certainly would be fatal.” All Harry could do was nod in understanding. Finally he was able to chew his way through the apple. “And what about Harry Blackmane?” In his opinion that wasn't half as bad as the one the older unicorn came up with. “I’m still calling you Somber.” Glimmer said in a bout of stubbornness, as she quite liked the name she came up with. “Anyway back to the topic of magic…” By the time Harry managed to get out of Glimmer’s house, the sun was low on the horizon. It was almost terrifying how the old unicorn became excited about teaching him magic. But he could somewhat understand her. Her sensitivity to magic, meant that she was on a self imposed exile. With most of the villagers being earth ponies, and a few being pegasi… she was the only unicorn in town, him not counting. She hadn't had the occasion to chat about magic with anyone in years. At least now, after hours of lectures, discussions and exercises he was able to use levitation like almost any other unicorn. It still required a bit more concentration on his part, compared to the almost instinctual use Glimmer seemed to show. From what Harry gathered, the older unicorn could tutor him for almost a three months before she run out of material to teach him safely. He guessed that it was also long enough to learn the customs of this world, and get used to the idea of being a unicorn. On his way to the fields, he noticed for the first time the curious glances the other ponies gave him. He answered to those glances with a small smile. When he went past the ring of houses, he could finally appreciate the nature around him. Fields of wheat, and young orchards. In the distance he could see young fillies and colts running around in the shade of the orchard trees. In the fields ponies worked, plowing, harvesting and generally tending to the plants. He saw Summer Harvest with another, bulkier pony in the wheat field constructing what looked like scarecrows. In no time he approached them. “Hello Summer.” Harry said looking at the pony by her side. The stallion was also an earth pony, and stood almost a head taller than Harry. His coat was light brown mostly save for few white spots on his rear and back. He had a dark brown mane, that looked almost as unruly as Harry’s. He had a hoe and what looked like gardening scissors as his cutie mark. “Hello there… This is my husband, Keeper.” Summer said with a bit of an embarrassed laugh when she couldn’t come up with something to call Harry. “I’ve finally decided to go by Harry Blackmane.” “Nice to meet you… well, when you're awake.” The stallions voice although having a rough quality to it, was quiet and calm. Keeper extended a hoof, which Harry hesitantly shook. “We are almost finished here Harry, if you want you can wait or help putting up the last few scarecrows.” Summer said waving her hoof at the pile of sticks, straw and strips of material that laid a near her side. “I can help, finally.” Harry smiled as he concentrated. His horn began to glow a with a vibrant emerald aura. Under the instructions from both Summer and Keeper, Harry helped them on the field for which both of them were grateful. But on their way to the village Keeper decided to share with Harry a bit of his social knowledge. “It’s an earth pony village Harry, you will get far more respect if you do most things earth pony way. Not that we don't appreciate magic.” That gave Harry something to think about, apparently some prejudice was present among ponies. When the trio arrived at Summer’s and Keeper’s house, Golden greeted them with the energy that only a child could posses. Over the course of the following supper, the filly regaled them with the tales of her plays with other village youngsters. And it was when Harry thanked them all properly and voiced his plans to leave in a few months. “If you plan to stay for three more months, you can live with us. We have the room.” Surprisingly it was Keeper that proposed this. “I couldn’t, it’s too much to ask of you.” Harry answered a bit embarrassed that some...pony would offer such a thing to him, a complete stranger. “If it would make you more comfortable, you could always… work it of on the fields. However… We still have lots of grain to sell, but don't have the time right now to travel to the mills in the neighbouring towns to trade.” Summer offered with a thoughtful expression, looking at her husband. “You could do it, if you’re up to it?” “That’s not a bad idea Summer. They would think twice before cheating a unicorn…” Keeper added. So Harry agreed to help them out. Having the next three months planned, he guessed he would have little time to himself between his magic lessons and helping the earth pony family. But maybe that’s what he needed right now. He just hoped that everything would be all right at Hogwarts in the meantime, and that he could find a way to return to his world.