Prologue (1st person, Fluttershy)
Twilight had rushed into my cottage and yanked me out of it. She was talking about a new species they couldn’t Identify, but was of no harm. He could speak our language and seemed very sophisticated and intelligent. This made him a very rare case, and I was very intrigued by it.
Once I arrived at the situation however, I was still struck with fear. There was nothing particularly scary or dangerous looking about him and all was well, until I saw him smile. They weren’t big, but his teeth were four sharp canines paired with rows of molars. That would mean he is omnivorous and thus eats meat...animals... however nobody seemed to notice. I couldn’t say a word about it, because I was so nervous. I just stood there a bit awkwardly with a fake smile on my face. I wanted to ask him, but I didn’t have the courage.
He wasn’t better off than me though, as he seemed frightened as well. He was nervous the whole time, fiddling with his strange hooves, and kicking at the ground most of the time. I could see he wasn’t enjoying this at all. So I did what I had to, I brought up my courage and told them to stop, and that they were making him uncomfortable. Not that anybody heard my whispering...
After a while of Twilight thoroughly questioning the human, she came to the realization that he had nowhere to stay, and that it was getting fairly dark already. They would have to improvise a place for him to stay. Yet with his appearance, and the fact that nobody had seen him before... They came to a quick solution, he could stay at applejacks barn until he was introduced and trusted by the ponies. It was then that we parted our ways, I still had so many questions, that I hadn’t asked. As I... asked none when I was there...
I decided that I would ask Twilight to ask them for me.
<_~~/[ ]\~~_>
Time flew by and I didn’t hear much from the human, I had heard that he still slept at the barn and I went to his, Welcome to ponyville, party. But nothing more in particular. That is, until Twilight stormed in again. The moment she saw me, she instantly dove to my hooves and began pleading and repeating the phrase “Please, Please, Please, at least think about it before you decide.”
I asked what she meant, and what I got as a response, well. I would have never expected it, to say the least.
“Can Anon stay here in your cottage? I know you have a spare bedroom and he can’t stay in the barn for much longer, it’s almost harvesting season.” Twilight said. She spoke fast, and a little desperate actually. I really didn’t want to though... So I tried to talk to her.
“Oh, well, um... I’m not so sure about-” But to no avail as she cut me off halfway.
“Besides, it’s only until princess Celestia is done searching for the correct spell, and is able to send him home. He’ll be gone before you know it!”
“Umm, well... If you say so.”
I really, really couldn’t turn her down. Not only her, I couldn’t turn down anybody, actually. It can bring me in a lot of trouble sometimes, let’s just hope it doesn’t this time.
<_~~/[ ]\~~_>
When he arrived, packed with nothing but a bag of spare clothing and some apples. Was it that I noticed how timid he actually was as he hesitantly stook out his ‘hand’ (Twilight corrected me on that) while staring at the ground and whispering “Hello”. It actually made me feel a little less nervous, so I accepted the friendly greeting and shook his hand with my hoof. He and Twilight followed me into my cottage and I showed him where he would stay. Judging by the look on his face, I think he was a little surprised. Of what, I don’t know. I couldn’t ask...
Even though I felt a little less nervous, I still couldn’t really talk to him, let alone start a conversation with him. Meeting new ponies is difficult enough for me, him theoretically being an alien didn’t help with that. What didn’t help either, was that Twilight immediately said her goodbyes and said she had some stuff to do, leaving the two of us alone.
“W-well, if y-you need me...I-i’m off feeding the animals...” I whispered as I slowly retreated out of the room. Before I lost him out of sight I could see him nod slightly, and with that, I was gone.
This is going to be so weird.
<_~~/[ ]\~~_>
It proved quite the contrary though. True that the first few days, we hardly even spoke to each other. Leaving it with the casual ‘Good Mornings’ ‘Hellos’ and ‘Tastes good’. Every time he spoke those words ‘Tastes good’ it made me think about his teeth. I still hadn’t asked him nor Twilight. But seeing the position I was in at that moment, with him living in my cottage, I just let it be.
After those few days, we both started loosening up a bit. I got used to him being around the house, and we actually started having some casual talk. This leaded up to him saying that he didn’t want to be a ‘freeloader’. After he explained what it meant, I could understand why he didn’t want to. I tried to reassure him that this was not the case, because, well... I don’t know. But I told him that I really don’t mind him being here, and that it isn’t a burden at all.
He still kept protesting, though. So we came to the conclusion that he could help me out with the animals a bit. So he wouldn’t feel like he was just leeching around.
To my surprise, him taking care of the animals actually went pretty well. For some strange reason, they didn’t fear him at all. They were at ease when he was around and even angel had taken a liking of Anonymous. I even started to admit to myself that he was fun to talk to.
<_~~/[ ]\~~_>
Two more weeks passed, with still no word of princess Celestia. Anonymous was starting to get bored. He said he wanted a job. I tried to stop him at first, thinking it was because he wanted to repay me or something. But he told me that If I didn’t wanted to, it was okay, and that he just wanted to have something to do.
He left early that morning, confident that he would be able to find a job that same day. Honestly, I really had my doubts that he would be able to find a job that easily. Not only because he was different than everypony, but also because he mentioned not having, and at first, not even knowing what a cutiemark is.
He proved me wrong later that day though, as he came back happier than ever.
“I got a job as a waiter at the lucky clover!” He happily said.
I could only stand there mouth agape. The lucky clover was a relatively fancy restaurant and he managed to get a job there within a day. Naturally I questioned him how he achieved that. Receiving a smile as response as he wiggled with his fingers.
“These little guys over here.” He said, still moving his fingers back and forth.
That made me chuckle a bit, It does give him a big advantage over earth ponies, so it’s actually very logical.
“And what I think is the best part, is that I get two three course meals absolutely free every week.” He said pridefully “So what do you think? Wanna come with me?”
So that was his plan, he ‘is’ trying to repay me. He’s just masking it with delicious foods... Well, if he really doesn’t mind.
“I’d love to, Anon.” I said.
“Anon, huh. Sounds good, you can call me that.” He smiled.
Now that I realized that I just gave him a pet name, I blushed slightly. I was really getting fond of him at an extremely high pace. (For my doing)
<_~~/[ ]\~~_>
So it happened. The next week he treated me to a free meal at the lucky clover. It was the first time I had ever been there, so after the waiter gave us our menus and left, I didn’t really know what to choose. Looking over to Anon (I’m really starting to like that name) he had a puzzled look on his face as well. The fact that he probably didn’t even know what half of it was made me chuckle a bit. When the waiter returned, he first asked Anon what he wanted.
Anon looked at the waiter quizzically before simply saying. “What the chef recommends, please.” and giving the menu back at the waiter.
Smart move, very smart I thought to myself. So I did the obvious and told the waiter the same.
<_~~/[ ]\~~_>
After finishing our meals, Anon knew he didn’t have to pay for the meal, but he still tipped the waiter. Receiving a grateful nod from the pony in question, we trotted outside in to the m-moon light...
We stayed there way longer than I thought, as it was already extremely dark outside. As if that wasn’t bad enough, Anon said he wanted to stay outside a bit longer and relish the moment for a bit...
Of Course, I wanted to protest. However, before I knew it, Anon had already trotted off to a nearby hill and was already lying on the ground.
I hesitantly walked over, and lied down as well. At a fair distance, of course. My heart was pounding severely and I was starting to breathe a bit heavily as I could barely make out anything in the darkness and worried thoughts started to slip in to my mind.
Anon seemed to notice.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” He asked, shifting a bit towards me. I think...
“N-nothing, it’s just... Eh, it’s a bit dark youknow...” I mumbled.
“Are you afraid of the dark?”
That question, I couldn’t really answer it.
“W-well, I’m not afraid of the dark, it’s just-” Anon suddenly laid his hand on my hoof, making me flinch a bit as I felt heat rising to my face.
“Good, because you shouldn’t be afraid in the dark.” He began
“Back in my world, if you’re alone and in the dark, in an unknown place. You should. But here... Everything is so peaceful here... So calm... There’s basically nothing that could happen.”
I hadn’t even noticed it, but my heartbeat dropped and I started to breathe normally again. For that moment, I wasn’t afraid anymore...
After a minute or two, he let me go. Not without consequences, however. Immediately I could feel my heart pounding again. I inadvertently let out a small squeak, which seemed to catch the attention of Anon. Who Immediately grabbed ahold of me and pulled me close, directly against his side. My face went beet red once again and I was silently grateful that he probably couldn’t see the massive blush on my face.
He felt so warm. I didn’t know why, but it made me feel so happy, so safe, so protected...
<_~~/[ ]\~~_>
Later that night.
After we reached my cottage we parted ways, both going to our own bedrooms. I had to admit, today was fun. Not only the food... I still don't know what happened back there, I was pretty sure I was already used to Anon being around all the time. But that feeling I got... It felt so strange...It was pleasant nonetheless.
I decided to go to bed and think about it tomorrow. However, when I finally lied on the bed I couldn’t really sleep, as thoughts took over once again. I had some sort of feeling, as If I were missing something... Something very important... It was pulling at me, as if something was rumbeling inside. With that, I finally dozed off.
<_~~/[ ]\~~_>
After that night, me and Anon got a lot closer. Apart from the days he had to work, we would be together all the time, he would help me out with the animals, take me out once a week or just lie down outside and talk. Not before long, I couldn't even imagine how it would be without him around.
Things seemed to be going our way and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. That is, until word from Celestia arrived...