Phase Shift

by redtau

Day 4 part 2: Race to the Party

Notes on another world day 4 continued

It should be noted, I feel, that my hosts are of a somewhat equine nature. They stand maybe a head shorter than me, but are more massive. I'd call them ponies if it weren't for the horns, wings, intelligence and the ability to move their limbs and pick up things in a way I have yet to understand.

I have had the chance, once or twice, to contemplate if I could beat one in a fight or escape from one on foot if the need arose. While I'm certain that the strength of those not gifted with magic or flight would would finish me in a fight, and those so gifted would easily defeat me, I've never been really sure about their general land speed.

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Blue pointed to me, then to the tree. I got the gist of what he wanted and looked around. About the same distance as the tree was a light post just down the street. I pointed to it then back to Purple. "<OK sure, whatever you want to loose at dude.>" He said, nodding.

I got into a running position, waiting for Purple to give us the go ahead. I didn't think I could win, but I did have a trick up my sleeve.

"<GO!>"

Wishing I'd spent more time exercising and less time scrambling around damaged conversion pods, I sprinted forward at my best speed. Blue matched me, but I got the sense he wasn't running all out.

"<Come on, is that the best you've got?>"

We were coming up to the lamp, and I saw Blue start to slow for the turn. At roughly my height he had to be almost double my mass, and my physics classes told me he would have a hard time turning on a dime without slowing first.

I didn't slow. Instead, I reached out my hand and caught the lamp post. The cool metal vibrated from the impact, and I used it as an anchor point to swing myself around until I was going the other direction.

"<Hey! That's not fair!>" Blue called out, rocketing past the post as he fought inertia to turn. I'd made it a quarter of the way back by the time I heard him coming up behind me. There was a blue streak, and suddenly I was running towards Purple and Blue. I slowed to a jog before finally stopping, leaning on a nearby building and huffing.

"<Not bad, but there is no way you are faster than Rainbow Blitz!>" Blue gloated. "<That wasn't a bad trick with the lamp post, though. I'll have to try it next time I race Applejack.>"

Purple was laughing about something, and I was finished catching my breath. I chuckled, feeling like a bit of a fool running around like that. After a few minutes of chatting Blue flew off and Purple motioned me to follow. I walked along at a casual pace, enjoying the warm of the afternoon and the quiet sounds of wind in the trees and birds singing.

As we walked I noticed that it was unusually quiet for the afternoon. Having gone through the market this morning I thought the town was bustling, but we had gone almost three blocks and I hadn't seen any creature aside from Purple, the dragon, and a few birds.

However, the strange quiet of the street was a mystery that would have to wait for a later time. Right now the main mystery I had to solve was why in the name of all that is holy would anyone build a house out of candy.

"<This is Sugar Cube Corner, where Barry works.>" Purple explained waving a hoof at the odd house. The only thing that came to mind was the story of Hansel and Gretel, and I was really hoping they weren't dragging me to a witch. What would a witch even look like? Would it be a pony witch? There were dragons and those were obviously intelligent, so I had to wonder what other creatures might live in this world. I was obvouisly unique, but still-

"<Are you just going to stand there?>" Purple asked. "<Come on!>"

He pushed me inside the darkened store, cutting off what little light there was when the door closed behind us. Suddenly there was a flash of light.

"<SURPRISE!>"

I now understood why the streets seemed so empty. The entire town appeared packed into this shop, all grinning and waving at me. A banner was hung overhead, though I had no idea what was written on it, and Pink was standing in front of a cake half again as tall as he was. From the way Purple reacted, I could tell all of this had been Pink's doing.

"<Barry! He can't speak, he's only been here a few days, and we don't know if he's dangerous.>" Purple chided Pink in a stern tone. "<Besides, when did you have time to deliver all the invitations?>"

"<Oh, I asked Elusive to stall you for a bit while I passed them out.>"

"<Yeah, and then she asked me to stall you so they could finish preperations.>" Blue said, grinning like the cat who ate the cannary.

Orange walked over to me with a couple of pieces of cake, taking a small bite of each and handing me one. "<Here, Ah know we got off on the wrong foot, so I want to tell you Ah'm sorry.>"

I nodded, he seemed very apologetic. I saw his brother Little Yellow playing with Little White and an orange pegasus I didn't recognize. It was becoming very apparent that a new naming structure would be needed if I was expected to meet and know every pony in this place.

Hours slipped away as I ate cake, drank punch, and nodded at ponies who came to talk to me. A few didn't come up to talk to me, and I got the sense that a small portion of town saw me as a curiosity rather than a sentient creature. There were even a pair of smaller colts who spent the evening pointing at me and snickering. I wan't thrilled to be the unintended circus animal of the party, but I did meet a few more friendly ponies.

An orange mare and a blue stallion seemed to be the owners of the candy shaped shop, and Pink was either a family member or an employee, possibly both. A grey stallion with some sort of ocular problem was kind, and kept offering me muffins instead of the sweeter treats available. A mint green unicorn stallion and a white stallion that looked like Little White all grown up but without a horn introduced themselves and were generally pleasant. A tan stallion with a grey mane spoke to me at length, alternating between a sort of pleading voice until I nodded and then changing into a more gregarious tone. I think he was the local lord or official of some sort.

By the end of the night I figured I must have either talked to or at least waved at nearly every pony there. All in all, a great party.

Comments

[Ariel Schnee]

"A mint green unicorn stallion and a white stallion that looked like Little White all grown up but without a horn introduced themselves and were generally pleasant."

Lyra and Bon Bon's counterparts. Hmmm, I wonder if they're into threesomes... Maybe he'll get lucky and they will be now.^_^

[sweet_dream]

Pretty interesting so far.

Oh thought I should point out that in a couple spots the gender pronouns are wrong for the mane six. It says "she" instead of "he". Sorry I can't quote the lines, I'm on my phone and copy pasting is wonky.