//------------------------------// // Rick and Rara // Story: Rara's Reality // by Gear Works //------------------------------// After a lengthy discussion, Twilight and Applejack were able to explain to the others, minus Rick and Rara, about all the details and how they should explain it to the couple. Coco, who was going to be around them most of the time, decided to tell them that it was to help them live together in both worlds without any problems. They would still need certain passports to help them get around as a safety measure, which would be easy for Rick in Equestria, but they hope to get Rara’s passport for Earth soon. And it could also help them in creating music based on the experience that they share together. Rick and Rara wasn’t sure if they believed her, but decided to go along with it and hope for the best. Since Rick was cleared to come to Equestria, he decided to move in with Rara for the time being. With the help of his pony friends, they were able to help him move some items from his apartment in Franklin. “Thanks for helping me with some of the items I’ll need while I’m here,” Rick said as he was carrying a suitcase with some of his clothes. “Oh it’s no problem, Rick. We’re happy to help out,” Rarity said as she was using her magic to carry another suitcase of Rick’s clothes. “Eeyep. We know you’ll be her a while until Miss Shores can get something established for both of you to live in,” Applejack added as she and Pinkie Pie were carrying a trunk with some of Rick’s possessions. Twilight was carrying a box that had some electrical stuff that Rick wanted to bring. Rainbow Dash decided to carry Rick’s guitar and laptop. And Starlight and Fluttershy decided to carry some bags of food from Earth so that Rick would have something to eat, since ponies don’t eat meat and they weren’t sure what food Rick would like in Equestria. As they finally made it to Rara’s floor, they saw the door to Rara’s room open, revealing Coco at the doorway. “I thought that sounded like you girls,” Coco said. “Come in. We just getting things ready for Rick.” The group went on in and started to place Rick’s belongings in place. Rick looked around to get an idea of Rara’s room, which was a bit simple, and maybe old fashion, than Rick’s apartment. He saw Rainbow Dash placed his guitar next to Rara’s upright piano, which Rick was glad to see in the room. But he was surprised to see that the living room, kitchen, and bedroom was all in one big room. The bathroom was the only room he could see that could offer him some privacy. Twilight placed the box that she was carrying next to a desk in the room. “Where’s the outlet?” she asked. “Right under the desk,” Rara replied. “But do you think it would be OK for him to use this kind of…equipment here?” “Oh don’t worry,” replied Twilight. “The magical energy in this world is just like the electrical energy that is produced on Earth. All we need is the right surge protector to handle it. Luckily, I already did this some months ago with some of the same stuff that the humans were able to give me. There shouldn’t be any problems with this kind of stuff. The only catch is that we don’t have Wi-Fi in this world.” Rara had a confused look on her face. “Wi-Fi?” “Another name for the internet,” Rick said. “It’s how we communicate with the entire world, to some degree. When we start touring on Earth, I’ll show you some of that stuff. Right now, I need my computer to help with writing my music.” As they were unpacking some of their items, Rara took noticed of a strange purple and black box. “What’s this?” she asked. Pinkie noticed what Rara was pointing at. “Oh, that’s a GameCube. It’s like those arcade machines you find at some stores, but smaller. And you can insert your own game into it.” “I know you don’t have televisions in here, and that the only kinds of entertainment would be movie theaters or arcade games,” said Rick. “Not to mention we have radios and vinyl record players to use at home,” added Applejack. “Well, I really don’t have a problem with the old stuff since I remember seeing it when I was much younger, but I would like to have some of the common stuff every now and then,” explained Rick. “Plus, I was lucky to have a portable monitor to go with that unit.” “Is this everything from your home?” Rara asked Rick. “Not everything. Just the basics. I was able to explain things to my landlord, and he was able to let me keep it with a slight discount, since I won’t be there often, but I needed a place to keep the rest of my stuff until later on. I’ve already paid in advance for the next three months, and he plans to make sure that it’s left untouched. So we have a place to go to on Earth if you ever want to get away.” “That’s…nice,” replied Rara. With everything finally unpacked and put away, the other mares said their goodbyes and left the room, leaving Rick and Rara to themselves. Both of them looked at each other, trying to find a way to break the ice into the so-called relationship. Rara was the first to speak. “So, what do you want to do now?” “Well…” Rick looked around to see if there was something to do, but somehow couldn’t find anything that stood out. “Is there…anything you need done to help with you music career?” Rick just mentally face-palmed at what he just asked. ‘Good job, loser.’ “Actually, I had some lyrics that I’ve been working on, but it doesn’t sound right.” Rara went to grab a stack of papers that she had on the coffee table. “Do you think you can help me with it?” “Um, sure,” replied Rick. ‘OK, maybe I’m not a loser,’ he thought. So they spent most of the day looking over some of the lyrics and added music to them. By the time the sun had sent and the moon risen, they were able to get a couple of songs done and called it a day. Rara grabbed a change of clothes and went to the bathroom. Rick took the time to get changed himself. He decided to grab a white v-neck shirt and a pair of dark blue boxer shorts and got out of his usual t-shirt, pants, and shoes. Once he finished getting changed, he went to grab a can of fruit punch from the refrigerator to drink and walked to the balcony to look at the view. As he was taking a sip from his drink, he hear the sound of a door opening. He looked behind and was shocked at what he was seeing. Rara walked out wearing a black sports bra and black running shorts. “Enjoying the view,” said Rara. Rick shook his head, snapping him out of what he was seeing. “Which view are you referring?” Rara let out a small giggle. “The view out there, silly,” she replied as she pointed to the park outside. Rara walked over to stand next to Rick and looked at the park across the street. Rick decided to turn around and do the same. Rara decided to asked Rick a question. “So, how was it that you met Applejack?” “Happened some months ago,” Rick replied. “She was with Rainbow Dash looking for farm land in hopes to bring some of the fruit trees from Equestria to Earth to see how well they would grow in my world. I hear that there were some unique fruits in this world.” “There is,” replied Rara. “Well, they decided to get something to eat in downtown Franklin, not far from where I live. I was also at the same place that they went to just to listen to some local entertainment while getting some things done on my computer. I needed to go somewhere to help clear my head anyway. As I was working, both AJ and Dash are walking behind me and were curious as to what I was doing. I was startled at first, but was able to explain what I was doing. They asked if they could sit next to my at my table, and I just said yes. Told me what they were doing in the area, and I gave them a few ideas to look into, since I used to live in the farm area with my father before he passed away.” “Oh, I’m sorry to hear that,” replied Rara. “That’s OK. Age and health finally caught up to him a few years back. At least he was able to die in peace. I was stuck with the family estate, since my mother passed away decades ago while I was still younger. Dad never re-marry in the first place, so I was left the house and everything that was with it. I was able to finally get everything taken care of and sell the house so I can finally move on with my life. But back to the story. “All three of us spent the time talking about the similarities between our worlds and more about each other. AJ asked if there was a way for us to keep in touch if they every return to the area. So I wrote down where I lived and how to contact me, knowing that someone from my world would be able to help them get in touch with me. A week later, AJ came back with more of her friends with her. They finished up with some foreign exchange business early and wanted to see me. First time I saw them use that new portal system that Twilight invented. They even gave me one of those crystal commutators to help find me and talk to me whenever they want to.” “I have one as well,” replied Rara. “Applejack gave it to me so I can keep in touch with her. I think Coco has one to keep in touch with Rarity if she needs to.” “Hopefully, everyone will be able to have one to use. But right now, it’s only limited.” Rick looked at Rara and said, “I’m just curious, but how did you get into music?” “After my time with AJ at Camp Friendship, I knew I wanted to get into music. Once I got older, I performed at some local restaurants here in Manehattan. That’s when Svengallop noticed my talents and helped me get my first record deal. He got a staff to help me with my image and music, and was able to have them as my backup dancers. I was able to make it big time in under a year. But I make sure I also help out with other charities, which Svengallop tried to cancel at times. I just never knew that he was just using me to get all the perks in my life.” “Well, he got what was coming to him for what he did,” Rick replied. “Now he’s out of a career, and all of his clients work under Sapphire Shores.” “True. But I wonder what happen to his staff. I hope they were able to find new jobs to work on,” said Rara. “Maybe Sapphire Shores hired them as well to help out her clients,” said Rick. “I hope so,” replied Rara. She started to feel tired. “Well, I think I’m going to get some sleep. Have to stop by Sapphire’s office tomorrow. You going to join me?” Rick was surprised at what he heard. “In your bed?” “Yes. There’s nowhere else to sleep on expect for my bed, and…” She started to look down for a moment. “Well, we are a couple anyway.” “You still want to go through with this?” Rick asked Rara. “Well, AJ did say we should give it a shot, and Rarity did tell me that you’ve been having a hard time with finding a mate.” Rick face-palmed and said to himself, “Really Rarity? You just not going to give up are you.” He let out a sigh and looked at Rara. He could see the beauty in her, and it was something he hasn’t seen in anyone, human or pony. ‘Every risk has its reward,’ he thought. “Sure. I mean, I may never get another chance to fall in love with a pony in my life.” Both of them giggled, then started to make their way to bed. As they laid down and pulled up the covers, Rara leaned over and gave a peck on Rick’s cheek. Rick looked at her and asked, “What was that for?” “I don’t know. I just thought that it was the right thing to do. You don’t like it?” “No, no. It’s OK. I just didn’t expect it so soon,” Rick replied. “Night…sweetheart.” Rara let out a small giggle. “Night.”