A Word of Caution

by Eighth

Chapter 13

"Where is Anon?" You ask the wildly grinning Applebloom.

"Up in the far west field, where the cows usually graze."

As you get up, Applebloom remains seated. She watches you leave and you wish she would have actually came with you. This way you'd have someone or something to focus on. You could carry on the conversation or even just pay very close attention to the smug grin she had. At least that way your mind would have something to stew on and wouldn't be alone with itself.

"He was mocking me."

"Thank Twilight, yeah, thank thick-headed Twilight. That's what he really meant."

"Anon was just laughing at my expense. Silly, stupid Twilight."

And other similar thoughts echo through your mind over and over. They seem to feed off one another as you get closer to the field so you're practically ready to burst the second you get there.

Once you arrive near the herd, you notice they've all gathered around something. In the centre of it looks to be Applejack, Granny, and Anon. Pushing past, and a little shoving, you get to the commotion where one of the cows in on her side. In labour. Anon looks to be up to his elbows inside guiding the calf in its birth.

"Hey Twilight," says Applejack as she leads you back a bit, "Gertie here was having a bit of trouble, seems her poor little calf was coming out backwards. And a little slowly, which can mean all sorts of trouble. We were about to send for Dr. Fauna or maybe even Fluttershy but Anon here seems to know what he is doing. Those arms come in real handy, look."

You do. And wish you hadn't. The look of all the slime, ooze, and mucus unsettles your stomach and you dry heave. Even looking away doesn't help as you've already burned the image deeply into your mind.

"Oh, don't be like that Twi', birthing is as natural as it gets."

Gertie lets out a groan as she tries to push the calf and curiosity betrays you. You look and it sets off the dry heaving again. AJ rolls her eyes at you. Then the two of you wait patiently in silence. Even the cows wait with bated breath until the final push.

A few of the cows shove through to begin licking the newborn calf. Applejack is quick to grab and lead you out of the enclosing herd where Anon joins you. You're about to fire back up again when you notice all the... stuff is still all over his arms. It's even on his shirt, pants, and shoes. Anon kneels down with an expression of worry, he even puts a gooey hand on your withers. Which deals the final blow to your already unstable gut. As you free yourself of breakfast, Anon cleans himself off with a nearby bucket of water.

"Please don't ever, ever touch me with something like that again," you croak and shudder.

"Could Anon talk to Twilight?"

"Of course," you reply before realising he was actually talking to Applejack.

"Of course," she repeats.

There's a moment of silence as she walks away but once she disappears into the tree line, your eyes meet with Anon's for the first time. Just as you are looking him over, his eyes seem to be doing the same to you.

"What did you want to talk about?" You ask, finally cutting into the silence.

"Applebloom?"

"We talked, about you. But I think you knew that."

Anon just tilts his head with an expression of curiosity. And you remark to yourself how once upon a time his face was so foreign to you that his expressions always seemed a little off. But now that you've seen him every single day, it's as plain as the muzzle on your own face.

"For one thing, 'thank Twilight'."

As if to add insult to the injury, he laughs. Loudly. He throws his head back to send the bellowing chuffs into the sky as his belly shakes with the effort.

"Thank was... not understand."

"A misunderstanding."

He nods, "But was fun."

As takes a seat in front of you he also chuckles a little more. Yet the laughter is nothing more than innocent happiness. You sigh and shake your head at yourself as you think how Anon wasn't the only one misunderstanding.

"Sorry."

"It was just a joke," you immediately reply in order to dismiss the apology, "Nothing wrong with that."

"No. Sorry for no talking. Anon and Twilight."

"I'm sorry too," you answer as you too sit down on the soft grass with Anonymous, "I should have tried pushing conversation over learning in recent days."

You look away slightly, a little embarrassed with yourself.

"But," you add, "Your speech has progressed great. Still broken but you're very easy to understand now."

"Apples helped... Twilight?"

"Yes?"

"Can we talk?"

"Of course, what about?" you ask eagerly.

"Anonymous."

"About you? You want to talk about you?"

"Yes."

"I want nothing more, but... Why now?"

Anon gives your question some thought. His face hardens like stone as he looks for the words then he takes a deep breath and begins.

"Afraid."

The single word is so final and broad of an answer that it takes you a moment to catch on.

"Of what?"

"Of here. I... Did not want it to be home."

"I don't understand."

"Anonymous... I was afraid that... If all knew then this would be home."

"You didn't want to get attached?"

"Yes. But I think... I am ready to be known."

"Then why me?"

"Remember book?"

You nod vigorously as the possibilities of its contents have plagued your mind so often that it's impossible to forget THAT book.

"It is my... book of you."

"Me?"

He nods, "And Apples, and all ponies."

Then it is your turn to throw your head back and laugh into the sky above. Based on what you heard from Applebloom, it seemed the obvious explanation but even then you didn't expect it. Even though he is an alien, you can't help but laugh as the similarities. The both of you were making notes on one another, trying to learn to communicate, and all the while you never got around to having any conversation that would answer any questions.

"I want Twilight to know. Twilight is..."

His face creases as he struggles to find the word. You lean forward in anticipation and try to fight back the urge to give possibilities in fear that would influence his answer.

"Twilight is help... Twilight gave Anonymous words and words make Anonymous able to make here... Home."

He smiles at you warmly which you return in earnest.

"Thank Twilight."

"Hello Anonymous," you reply, somehow unable to resist the urge or even stop yourself before the words escape you. But Anon laughs, and you join in.

The two of you laugh for a little while then let silence fill the space between you for a moment. Only the cows off in the distance mooing softly in celebration of welcoming a new calf into the herd can be heard. Then Anon takes a deep breath and begins to speak with a smile.

"My real name is..."

---END---

Author's Note:

So this will be the final chapter however I think this will come across as unsatisfying, especially to those who have waited so long for any kind of update but I'd like to explain a little.

I started this story on a whim, little snippets at a time with no direction or plan. Even the original idea was just "write a language barrier story." Might not sound like an issue but it's not how I write. I think out the big plot points, come up with ideas for little scenes, write jokes, and many more notes. But I always plan the meat of it.

A Word of Caution was written, deliberately, in a way that I don't write to try something new. I wasn't expecting people to enjoy it, or even that it'd be one of my most popular stories. Around Chapter 7 I tried to come up with an actual plan for it but nothing felt right for the story and at the same time I disliked going against the method I started this with.

In the end, giving the story so much freedom in direction left me unsure of where to go so I'd usually leave the story untouched. Which is why I wrote this ending. It's open ended because in part that was the way it always was written and also because I might come back to the idea through a sequel but if I do it will be with a plan and end-goal in mind. Or doing the language barrier idea in a whole new way, cause I like those stories.

Anyway, I'd like to thank those of you who read all of this and especially those who were patient for updates. Though I bet a lot who will see the update will go either "Oh, yeah. That story." or forgot entirely.

Hopefully I can interest you with another one of my stories.

Comments

[Aurora Dimmet]

Wait, what? The 'problem' of the story's been solved for awhile now? We don't get past this part? You leave it on a cliffhanger? He still sounds like a caveman, how do we know if he's going to become fluent and integrate more fully into pony society? How old is he? What was his favorite webcomic? Did he like pepperoni or Hawaiian?!

Curse you, Eighth! Now I will forever wonder! Also, thanks for the story and all. That, too.

[Dustchu]

Hahahaha, awesome way to end this story, nicely done dude! Man this was a wonderful read, and adorable as heck.
Good show!

"Oh, don't be like that Twi', birthing is as natural as it gets."

I mean... this is true, but it's still gross

[Soviet Pone]

I like how the story is so simple but it's still great...
It's a shame that it came to an end but all good things must come to an end... Cheers

[Von Voctavia]

Did you forget cows are fully sapient in MLP? Why give birth in the middle of a field and not a hospital? Why ask for a vet and not a doctor?

[J-TBone]

I think you did the right thing. Thank you for writing on here. I look forward to your next store.

[mustangdrew4]

This is a nice story. It was something relaxing and interesting at the same time to read. I know for some it's not what they were hoping for but I think you ended it in nice enough spot to be fair. Thank you for the read! It was something I quite enjoyed . I look foward to whatever you'll write next.

[Techpriest Eh]

"My real name is..."

Bitch why you dragging me on!

[Doomgooey]

Im happy that this was finished. I do wish it would go a bit farther than this but this seems like a decent place to end it. Thanks for the story.

[soulpony]

I definitely hope there is a sequal this was a great story and I would love to see how the interactions could go now that they all have a better understanding so to speak of each other.

[Jirodyne]

Wow I wasn't expecting that.

I didn't think any parent would name their child ---END---.

[Fireeaters]

I didn't know the government would let you put the double dash punctuation in your name.

[ClosetBrony]

Good stuff as always 8th! Thanks for creating and sharing.

[Edgeblackstar]

Finally it finished

[Eighth]

9022625
I didn't forget and it was in the field because in the story earlier it's mentioned that they graze there. Sometimes a birth can happen anywhere.
And the vet is because ponies have a vet and took spike to him in secret of excess even though he is sapient.
I don't see the issue with the vet.

[tkepner]

9023082
In the US there is no law regarding what you call yourself (look up "the artist formerly known as Prince") as long as there it is not an attempt to commit fraud.

[Gyro Pony]

"Remember book?"

You nod vigorously as the possibilities of its contents have plagued your mind so often that it's impossible to forget THAT book.

"It is my... book of you."

"Me?"

He nods, "And Apples, and all ponies."

. . .

"My real name is...
Sethisto."

"Sethisto ?" asked a confused Twilight.

He nods again, "Yes Twilight, my book of ponies is actually an iPad. I have an extra-cellular link to the Equestria Daily website... this book is literally a book of all ponies."

Twilight lands her rear to the ground, slightly dumbfounded.

"By the way Twilight," says Anon Sethisto as he opens his iPad, "Have you seen my fanart collection of Trixie?"

[Eighth]

9024220
The worst possible ending.

[Rubahhitam]

sigh

Always a bittersweet day when you read the last chapter of a story.

Enjoyable read, though.

-Ru

[Viper Pit]

oh that ending you son of a

[Strangelove]

This was a pretty fun story, and i wouldnt mind you taking another shot at this concept

[Scarves]

No, I liked that ending. It's nice to not have some epic quest or major problem and then suddenly surprise I can talk. It was just Anon messing with Twilight. Nice. I'll probably read it all again someday soon now that it's completed. Also, I wouldn't mind a sequel, more like a collection of short stories than a sequel. The chance to mess with other ponies and such. But it's not required. But please do consider it!

[Eighth]

9027037
Rarity is the element of generosity so I bet she pays for all those spa days.

[JohnIsOffline]

One day.

[WorldWalker128]

Well, I am a tad disappointed that this just kind of ended here without us really finding much out about our wayward Anon, but I still had fun getting here. Life's not about solving all the mysteries, and sometimes it's just better to settle with what one has instead of driving yerself nuts trying to learn something that doesn't exist to be found. So, thanks for writing this.

[Jake Witt]

John Wick. What Twilight do with dog?!
John Cena. Can’t see me. *Vanishes.*
Tom Riddler. *Dies.*
Scat Man. Sheebee deebee doo!
Dr. Bright. Twilight is going to “Camp”.
Jason Borne.
Ash Ketchum. *Throws pokéball at Twilight.*
Alucard The Crimson F*ckr! Follow me on Twitter.
>Rape Implying. I hear Twilight play soccer?
The Doctor. I have an imposter to get rid of.
Iron Man. *Armor flies onto him before he flies off.*
Batman!

[Juggalomalice]

Damn, I kind of knew it was going this way, but still. After all this time, I still was sort of hoping for something a bit... I don't know, a but more dramatic I guess. Feels like the bang isn't worth the buck. I like the story... I just kind of wish there was more to it. As it is, it just seems very... normal for lack of better words.

[Detsella Morningdew]

I like this end. I feel that it's a good ending, especially for a second-person story. While I tend to avoid the format, you're supposed to put yourself into the character. This sort of end is a good way to do that.

Leave it up to the individual.

I mean, I had the benefit of reading the story from start to finish in one segment, but still. Nice.

[Dreamer of Dragons]

Oh god why am I reading this at 4 am. Worth it but why???

[Officer Hotpants]

At least you came back to give it an ending, however abrupt.

[Nilam]

Thank Eighth

[SPart]

Thanks Eighth.

[Shadowshame]

Noooo that ending is pure evil

[pickletickle]

9029321
thank mr skeltal

[Lupenndawolf]

9958838
This. This right here. BIG mood.

[Dashnyymi]

Not a bad story, little slow. Ending was a big middle finger rubbing in my face but hey, you write what you want. Thumbs up anyway.

[Ali della Morte]

Cute little story.

[TRUSTeT34M]

"My real name is..."

Is there gonna be a sequel?

[Baree]

I just found this story today and read it in one sitting. Maybe that's why, but I really don't see an issue with the ending. Sure, there might still be questions. But the main theme was obviously Twilight's paranoia and that gets resolved fine this way. I enjoyed the tale and I enjoyed the ending.

[Aldon]

Thank Eighth

[IronTitan]

Please tell me there is a part 2 now I have to know where this one goes

[Green121]

This was better than expected, ended up reading all of it in one sitting

[TheAbsoluteRadiance]

Cute story.

[KvAT]

Aww, this was nice