The day of Tracy’s flying lesson arrived without much fanfare, all things considered. He’d forced himself to stay up quite a few hours the night before, so he could sleep longer the next day and not feel so much like a zombie while in Equestria.
One quick check of social media before he left to join Rose did leave him with something unusual to think about. There was a message waiting for him in group chat, sent by Keith from back home. “We haven’t seen you in too long, Tracy. It’s time for an intervention.”
His request for clarification went unanswered though, so he clicked the laptop closed and headed outside. He thought about fighting with the silly vests and socks, but ultimately it just seemed like more trouble than it was worth. He wrapped the elastic of the new camera around his foreleg, then met Rose in the kitchen.
“Was wondering if you’d given up,” she called, grinning weakly at him. “You’re not afraid of heights, are you?”
“I don’t think so?” He shrugged his wings weakly. “Mostly I’m afraid of getting lost in a world I don’t belong in with no way to make it back here.”
“Well that’s why I’m here!” Rose nudged him affectionately with her shoulder, grinning. “Just relax. We’ll be taking the train straight there. Class at four, so we should have time to get lunch somewhere first. I know a few places you might like, assuming you’re not going to spit it out again.”
“Just don’t give me bugs,” he answered. “I can do flowers and green stuff, but not bugs.”
“Green stuff,” she muttered, rolling her eyes. “You need some remedial education about food, while we’re at it. What do you even eat on the other side of that door?”
Things I’ve never seen here, he thought. Earth horses could apparently eat meat sometimes, or so a google search had told him. But he hadn’t ever seen any for sale in Ponyville. Or in their fridge, for that matter.
But as little as he’d enjoyed the interview with Lyra, part of him was excited to get a good look at the rest of Rose’s world. He’d never gone down the road that led to the train station, or seen the crowds of creatures thronging there. Mostly naked, though none seemed to care. He tucked his tail anyway, regretting that he’d left his not-socks at home.
“Canterlot Express, now boarding!” called a conductor with an adorable little train tattooed on his butt. Or… those were “cutie marks,” weren’t they? “All ponies aboard! Prepare to show your tickets!”
Steam billowed from an authentic-looking steam engine, which led only a single passenger car and half a dozen filled with cargo.
Rose hadn’t brought much either, other than a thin satchel over one side that Tracy took for a light purse. She flashed a few sheets of paper as they passed the conductor, and led him through the train to some empty seats.
“What is Canterlot like?” he asked, as the conductor shut the door to their car. There were only a few others with them—three children, with a blue pony watching them like a babysitter. He tuned their voices out easily enough.
“Canterlot is… wonderful. It’s where Celestia’s castle is. It’s where the best restaurants and fashion and other things fancy ponies all brag about are. My sisters and I used to go all the time, but now that things have slowed down… usually we can’t justify the expense.”
“You sure we can do this?” Tracy asked, shifting nervously in his chair. “I don’t want you to strain your finances taking me to this.”
Rose pushed away his wing with a foreleg. “Settle down, stallion. You eared those bits and way more. A few tickets and some night school are nothing. Just keep everything working, so we have the bits to spare, okay?”
He nodded weakly. He couldn’t quite tell how sincere she was being, but he didn’t want to ask. That would sound like he didn’t trust her, which wasn’t the kind of message he wanted to send before a trip into the capital of a foreign country.
Tracy had never been on a train before, but the trip wasn’t that different from what he’d expected. They rode for about an hour, past farmland and a few villages like Ponyville. The little engine seemed to struggle as they reached a set of craggy mountains, and finally began to climb.
He caught his first glimpse of Canterlot from the side, as they approached it over a bridge. Tracy stared, utterly dumbfounded by the engineering.
In less than an hour, Ponies had gone from simple farmers to creatures that could make castles out of mountainsides, and build a city into tiers cut in the rock. “Why would anyone want to build a city up here?” he asked, though his voice was still awed. “There’s no river, no farmland…”
“Dunno.” Rose seemed to be watching him more than the window. “It’s been the center of Equestria for ages now. I couldn’t tell you why they wanted to move. I do know they get most things up from the villages all around. Trains like ours come in with enough to keep the city fed, and go out again with clothes or whatever ponies want to buy.”
It wasn’t much detail, but she sounded bored even sharing that much. Tracy didn’t press, just waited patiently as they came to a stop in an impressive station of wrought iron and marble.
Tracy had never been to Paris, but he imagined the trip would probably go something like what happened next. Dozens of little avenues and boulevards were crowded with boutique shops and thronged by creatures who managed to make him feel underdressed. Many of the locals wore dresses or fancy suits, though few actually covered anything important.
Like clothes people sometimes bought for their dogs, and forced them to wear for photos online.
Granted, some of them pranced around a little like those dogs, moving about through invisible social circles of popularity and influence that were entirely inscrutable to Tracy.
“Should I have worn more for this?” he whispered, following Rose as close as he could through the crowd. “Most of them aren’t naked.”
“That’s an interesting choice of words.” Rose stuck her tongue out. “I guess maybe you’re from somewhere fancy after all? That little town you told Lyra about… did ponies dress like this?”
He barely suppressed a laugh. “No. Think more… Wranglers and cowboy boots.”
Rose grinned back, apparently satisfied. “So don’t change who you are for the ponies you’re around. We aren’t here for the Grand Galloping Gala. There’s a little cafe down this way, you’ll love it.”
She broke into a trot, forcing him to hurry to keep up. A few weeks ago, he probably would’ve just tripped on his face and looked even stupider. But he managed this time, weaving from sidewalk to sidewalk. Canterlot had proper streets in the way Ponyville hadn’t, though there was nothing like automobiles. Every vehicle was pony-driven, mostly rickshaw carts. A few were actual carriages, with staff who pulled it one minute then stepped aside to act as butlers for the creatures inside the next.
How does your society work, anyway? This whole time he’d just sort of assumed they were basically the same, maybe with a few puns in the names and a little less technology. But maybe this place wasn’t innocent at all, and he was actually an ant hovering under the magnifying lens of a vast system of nobles, ready to burn him to dust if he edged a footstep out of line.
But nothing came to crush them on the way to the cafe. He caught a few creatures in uniform, and maybe they were police. But they didn’t give Tracy a second glance.
He was certainly feeling hungry enough by the time they finally reached the cafe. Spice filled the air, and something sizzled from the back of the shop. “Equestria has burger shops after all?”
Rose stopped in the doorway, glaring. “You think we came all this way for hayburgers?” She slid past him into the shop, without any particular regard for his personal space. You’re doing that with your tail on purpose, Rose. Cut it out.
He followed her to a table, eyes going suddenly wide as he realized what was going on. Is this a date?
Restaurants weren’t really that different in Equestria, and the next hour went about the way he would’ve expected. The strange reliance on pictographs continued to Canterlot as well, which meant he could’ve ordered even if he couldn’t read the language. Which he still could, for reasons that made about as much sense as looking like a bat-horse.
Rose had looked a little annoyed when, despite her insistence, he’d found and ordered a burger anyway. At least it didn’t taste like some farmer had made it with the worst animal feed on their farm.
“We come all this way, and you still order that?” She stared across the table, eyes narrowing at the partially eaten burger. “Why?”
He shrugged. “Was I supposed to get what you’re eating? I, uh… can’t really tell one salad apart from another. I’ve never been a fan of leaves.”
Rose looked like she might be about to strangle him, or at least start throwing her utensils across the table in his direction. She didn’t, though maybe that was just because she hadn’t touched them at all.
Most of the other patrons had those weird horn-things, and levitated everything around the way Lyra had. That still doesn’t seem fair.
“Nopony who lives with me is going to call this ‘leaves.’” She took a few thoughtful bites, tail swishing forcefully back and forth. “From now on, quit buying rotten food on your way home. I’ll find something fresh and have it ready each morning until you don’t embarrass the Flower Sisters anymore.”
Tracy opened his mouth to argue—but stopped short. She might be saying it like she was a professor frustrated with his low performance. But she was actually offering to prepare who knew how many meals.
Are you just trying to get me to come home sooner, instead of eating out?
“I’m still not sure why that brisket sandwich was so awful. I used to get lunch at that Arby’s every day, and it was only good stuff.”
Rose waved a threating hoof across the table. “Well, you find Arby and tell her you don’t want any more of whatever a brisket is until further notice. It can’t be good for you, smelling that way.”
The urge to argue was rising, though the absurdity of what she said did temper his feelings a little. “Alright, Rose. But on one condition.” He spread his wings a little wider in his seat, turning to the window so he could look up at the sloped mountain terrace of Canterlot.
“When I finally figure out this flying thing, after however long it takes—you come with me to the other side of that door, and you let me treat you to dinner in San Jose.”
For a few moments she was completely silent, eyes widening with shock and surprise. Or… was that embarrassment? Horse expressions were sometimes so easy to read, but sometimes so arcane.
All the apparent indignance at his identification of “leaves” seemed to melt away, and her voice became suddenly timid. “I didn’t think you liked me, Tracy. Couldn’t really blame you. I did think you were leading an invasion of Ponyville.”
That isn’t the kind of like you’re asking about. Why are you saying it like we’re still in high school? It was almost charming. “I changed my mind,” he said, as confidently as he could. “Maybe you did too. Anyway, I couldn’t live with the guilt if you just kept treating me to things over here. Sooner or later you might as well cross over and see where I come from.”
“Not until you can fly,” she said, laughing nervously. “That way you focus on your lessons! Regular trips all the way to Canterlot mean my sisters need to run the stand on their own. I’m still not sure they’ve figured out the tablet.”
“Sure. That should give me more time to plan something fun.”
Yay new chapter! Made my lunch hour!
Holy thick eyelashes that picture. Rose I can understand as she's giving classic bedroom eyes, but why does it look like Scootaloo and Rainbow are wearing mascara in that image? Yes I know it doesn't match the context of the chapter at all, but still.
You are right it's amazing, not only the art but the chapter as well.
I call it now Tracy ends up staying in Equestria and marries Roseluck at the end.
Guess you didnt notice the looks Rose was giving you on the train ride after all, didja Tracy
Well, that's ominous.
On the picture: Yeah, I thought that was the CMC and RD Tracy noted was also aboard the train.
Now he asks.
See, I was wondering when that was going to come up. Because we all knew it was gonna eventually.
I'm getting the impression the prospect makes Rose nervous though, but considering the circumstances all around, that's certainly understandable. It's gonna be a heck of a culture clash for her, regardless--she still keeps assuming things in Tracy's world work like they do in Equestria, despite ample evidence from Tracy this couldn't be the case. Now she'll get her chance to see first hand just how different it is.
I'm more worried about the "something fun" Tracy is considering though, and I mean that in the sense that whatever it is, it'll probably be disastrous and not go like planned or envisioned...but still be hilarious to watch play out anyway. Inevitably, whatever it is, I fully expect it'll get them in trouble.
why do i get the feeling Tracey is going to get surprise human visitors
I hope you're following the guidance of Chekhov and put the Cutie Mark Crusaders and Rainbow Dash on the train for a reason.
I do want to see this intervention! It should be fun, perhaps even interesting, for Tracy.
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what, hoping for Scootaloo in her class at flight school? All the CMC are there and we can't see if they have their cutiemarks or not. I forget when this was set but "Cutiemark Crusaders aliens, yay!" would probably be a little much. I think they're just background.
Tracy is really starting to get serious with Rose. The image was nice too and I wonder what Rainbow and the CMC were going to to Canterlot for.
Woo! Intervention! Tracy's going to come home from flight lessons to find four extra ponies in the house and the lease only makes concessions for one.
That art, gah dayum.
I can't wait to see Tracy's first class. Guarantee it's gonna be a total flop.
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The question is. "Do they know where he lives?"
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In Ponyville of course
(sorry I couldn't help it )
Okay his coworkers are annoying me. Way to push. What he does when not on the clock is HIS
The intervention should certainly be interesting. Especially if a coworker tries to follow Tracy home. That could go very messily...
Oh, that's a nice background detail.
(sees illustration)
Oh, that could be a very un-nice background detail...
Yeah, that first glimpse of Canterlot does wonders for making visitors reassess their opinions of ponies.
What did you think the tail meant?
I do love romances where you can ask "Your universe or mine?" Definitely looking forward to more, especially as Tracy's work-life balance threatens to snap in half.
+1 bonus point for the awesome picture.
There is a river in Canterlot. It's featured heavily in the movie.
I smell chaos in the near future, perhaps with a side of interdimensional break-ins?
Took ya long enough...
Oh dear, Poor Rainbow's chaperoning all three of the CMC on a trip to Canterlot? Did she lose a bet?
Rincewind Arcology Syndrome?
(For those who haven't read The Great Alicorn Hunt, Unicorns (and Alicorns, by extension) like height. For example, Sombra hid the Crystal Heart in the tallest tower of the Crystal Empire. Twilight and Rarity live at the top of their homes. It would stand to reason that the princesses would react much the same.)
Or maybe...
https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/842801/the-reason-they-like-mountains
"I used to get lunch at that Arby’s every day, and it was only good stuff.”
Tracy confirmed for having bad taste, I'm afraid. I hope he gets to chat it up with Scootaloo in the next chapter, though. It'd be fun to see him interact with alien kids.
Gonna be an akwward date when the steaks come out.
The CMC and Rainbow Dash on a train to Canterlot. I hope the City survives.
I am waiting in anticipation for Rose's time on Earth. And terrified of her possible reaction to cooked meat. I really hope She'll accept Tracy for being an omnivore.
Coworkers, I presume? I'm surprised they're this worried. If Tracy's getting his work done, you'd think the coworkers would just assume Tracy's more of the introvert type and accept he wouldn't be joining the group outside of work. His private life is his private life. An intervention sound quite intrusive. Still, I guess this is an opportunity to bring Roseluck in. The clash of cultures will certainly be something Discord will enjoy.
If it wasn't for the picture, I would have never guessed it was Rainbow Dash and the CMC. Looks like they're off in their little adventure. I wonder if Tracy's and Rose's story will collide?
Tracy, you'll start many wars if you ever become an ambassador.
If this was the first time he brought food from the other side...
It should be easy to deduce the sandwich was either translated poorly through the portal or pony biology is simply not compatible for it.
If Roseluck gains a human form, that would certainly make a relationship easier. The two (and maybe their future family) can spend time on both sides. Also, I wonder what would happen if human Roseluck manages to try meat and actually enjoys it?
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Eh, I'd just chalk it up to artistic style as always. Otherwise, Scoot's life might actually be more intriguing than Tracy's.
"It's just a phase, honey!"
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Yeah, there's certainly social gatherings between coworkers after hours to unwind but I haven't heard of them ever being socially "mandatory". They're not business meetings.
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Yup, she does not look too happy. You'd think she'd take this opportunity to impress them with her moves when the group gets to wherever they're going.
I wonder if the new healthier diet and exercise to get in flying shape will translate to his human form. Is Tracy soon to be a pestered for workout tips?
Nice
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Deffo. And his lease only allows for one at a time, so that means he's absolutely gonna get multiple showing up together.
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Sure thing, guys:
So yet another reader who sees three children and a blue pony, thinks CMC/Rainbow, get a confirmation from the picture, and ...
Hmm, I must have misread something. I thought there was an authors note saying that the art didn't match the story, but was too good to not share.
Oh, and Tracy? Date? Did you even notice her eyes on that train picture? You're off to a fancy location, sharing a meal and time, then going to flight lessons.
Ok, it could just be a friend sharing the day with you. A girl. Friend. We just need the two of you to shout a denial at the same and we'll be all set.
Yea, the "intervention" worries me. He's going to the once a week team social. He's not going to any of the other social stuff. That seems fine to me, but for his co-workers, there's some sort of social obligation. That ... Well, it's one thing to offer social activities, but to assert that you can force it?
Don't blame Tracy for what happens next if you trespass. But hay, Discord wouldn't take advantage of someone's curiosity when they did not sign any agreements, and Tracy wasn't trying to make it happen, would he?
(Well, Q did, so ...)
(In fairness, Q never actually harmed the humans he was playing with, at least, not after the whole Borg incident where 17 (?) people died. But then, he was just trying to tell the humans how dangerous space really was.)
Are these his coworkers or his friends from before he moved?
Wee! Surprise CMC+Dash!
Everyone talking bout dash and the CMC, but no o lne talking about does bedroom eyes. Damn, she wants him baaaad.
His work "friends" are dicey. Some of those offhand remarks from Discord come to mind...
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You said what I wanted to say before I said it.
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I’m 95% sure they are his friends.
He eared those bits so hard!
My only complaint is that I am caught up with the story.
Yes, the art IS awesome! It's just too cute!
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I would agree. I reckon this is a group of his old friends who he used to game with. They are likely concerned that he has gone MIA in the city so they need to visit and remind him where he came from and who his ‘real’ friends are.
Classic case of foreboding.
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he says the message is from back home which could be interpreted to mean the other side of the portal or back where he moved from, I'm leaning toward back where he moved from as he mentioned he hasn't even tried to talk to his friends back home in chapter 6 and his work buddies are already seeing him for drinks like once a week so they wouldn't be that concerned.
Going to be interesting seeing how they manage to get into his house seeing as I don't know that he ever told them where he moved to.
Also the limit on number of visitors at a time but that could just be ignored like the mention of needing a UPS was.
As for the limit it's interestingly worded and we haven't seen what happens if anyone from equestria goes through the door yet or what happens to guests from earth.
back in chapter 2 the contract says
and then it goes on to say
which may mean that guests are not TF'd or a variety of much more entertaining options like the magic only being able to handle tf'ing one extra and only for a short time without interesting results, other possibilities? extra guests get merged into the first? door denies entry after the first guest? only the first guest is TF'd? guests are TF'd properly but they can't change back, TF doesn't work properly and they end up looking weird or TFTG'd. The guest limit only appears to apply from the earth side as he had the flower sisters in his apartment which was definitely more than one guest.
It also doesn't mention anything about going from the other direction as a pony visiting his world is most certainly not a house guest so anything could happen there but rose does mention that she has been told never to use that door.
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I assumed it was the cmc but I didn't get who the blue pony was, if it said pegasus it would have been obvious but this is told more from tracy's point of view and they are all ponies to him.
"He thought about fighting with the silly vests and socks" [...] "regretting that he’d left his not-socks at home." So is he wearing socks or not?
Anyway, I'm really excited now that there's a promise to see Rose on Earth soon! Regarding the art, I can't find it on Pony Way's gallery. The copy on Imgur is low resolution. Is it availabie in higher resolution anywhere yet? It's not on Derpibooru yet, either.
Holy chrome am I loving this story. And that artwork was indeed amazing and very eye-catching.
I wish, I must say, that your schedule was not so full. This is a very special story, I think. I wish you had more time to provide greater detail and texture for it. For example - I would have absolutely loved a more detailed exploration of Tracy's restaurant experience. I wanted to see his first taste of hayburger, his reactions. Perhaps dealing with how to eat in public without hands. Maybe being willing to try Rose's dish, with a clear description of what made it so special, and finding he liked it more than he could have imagined. Things like that.
But, that would have required the chapter be twice as long at least. It's just... frustrating. This is such a very cool story, with a premise I have never come across before. That makes it very original, at least to me, and I always want actual originality doted on and nourished by special effort. Because originality in concept is hard to come by... especially when it is this type of 'slice of life' story capable of special depth.
That said, of course this is good. Very good. It's compelling. But dammit, it teeters on the edge of being great. And such greatness is in the details of life that make slice of life so potentially powerful.
Sigh.
so this is personal pondering, will he get flying down faster than walking, trotting, and galloping? maybe, he has a teacher now so maybe... though, he is human so the lessons might not translate, therefore creating hilarity through shenanigans.
Did I just hear someone loading Chekhov's gun?
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here ya go, and for anyone else wondering https://www.deviantart.com/pony-way/art/Hey-look-847359048
Though seems Pony-way hasent posted it to derpiburoo as of yet.
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I was about to do it with the lower-resolution art from Imgur, and have it merged later when the higher-res turned up, but then I saw the DNP notice, which serves to put a delay on art appearing on the site.
This story is so much fun. It's really made me smile. ^^
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something tells me this is forshadowing an interesting situation... maybe even a disaster.
My bet is they run into Tracy while he is taking rose luck out on a date or they follow him to his house and see crazy stuff.
That art is indeed awesome! And poor Rainbow in the background fillysitting the CMC.
Never been on a train? That seems odd to me.
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Not in car country. The economics for trains just doesn't work in most of the US.
There's a train line that runs from San Francisco to San Jose, and another that runs from San Jose to Sacramento, but that one's mostly freight. They're slow and expensive, only good if you don't have a car.