I awoke in the middle of the night, nature calling. As I got up I noticed Twilight wasn't in her bed. Down below in the library there was a light. I headed down quietly to find Twilight with a pile of books at her desk reading and writing away.
"Oh! I'll need the Zoological guide to Equestria as well please." She said. I wasn't sure if she was talking to me.
"Pardon?" I asked.
"Ah! Rick! You scared me!"
"Sorry! Sorry, I thought you were talking to me." I apologised.
"No I was talking to Owloysius." She gestured behind me. I turned and noticed an owl swoop over to one of the bookshelves and grab a text in his claws and fly back to Twilight then settling down on a stand near Twilights desk.
"He helps me when I work at night... Oh! I didn't wake you did I?!"
"No, no. Just needed the washroom is all." I noticed she was looking at me strangely. "What is it Twilight?" I asked.
"Hmm… Oh, I just never knew humans grew fur as well." At that moment I remembered I wasn't wearing my shirt. Feeling a bit embarrassed I backed slowly towards the washroom.
"Well yes, I guess you'd just call it hair. We do grow it on some parts of us. Males more so."
"Fascinating. But you don't grow enough to keep warm in the cold weather? That’s why you wear clothes all the time right?"
"Not quite the whole story, but close enough.” I chuckled as I headed into the washroom, ahh Twilight so curious about everything. I finished up and washed heading back out. Twilight was back at work, I walked up to see what she was doing. A lot of graphs and diagrams of star positions, she was making notes and flipping through the books quickly.
"Do you stay up working late a lot Twilight?" I asked.
"No, not too often. But sometimes I wake up with an idea and I have to work on it quickly before I forget it!" She replied without looking up from her work. I put my hand on her shoulder squeezing it gently for a second.
"Well don't tire yourself out too much Twilight." I yawned. "I'm going back to bed, Goodnight Twilight." I headed to the stairs.
"Rick?..." I turned to see her studying me with those big beautiful purple eyes of hers.
"What is it Twilight?" I asked.
"Um… If you want to that is. You can call me Twi. My friends do. Sometimes..." She blushed slightly, her ears folding back in that so cute way.
"Twi..." I said, testing the word out. "I like that. Thanks Twi." I smiled at her and she blinked.
"Thanks for what?"
"Well, if your friends call you Twi. I guess that means you consider me a friend? Right?"
"Oh." She said blushing again. "Yes. I do."
"That makes me happy Twi, goodnight." I said heading back up the stairs.
"Night!" I looked down the stairs and she quickly turned getting back to her work. I laid back down, friends eh? As I slipped back into sleep I thought, well everything starts somewhere…
I woke with a start in the morning to Spike yelling to Twilight that he was coming! As I rubbed sleep from my eyes I saw him rushing down the stairs a bundle of scrolls in his arms. I got up quickly putting my clothes on, as I descended the stairs Twilight was heading out the door saddlebags crammed with books.
"Were running late Rick! Sorry! There’s food in the kitchen." And with that she and Spike were out the door and gone.
I walked down to the kitchen and grabbed a couple of apples for breakfast and headed out the door. I had some time until I needed to be where Jet Set and told me to be for his plan. I walked through town nodding and saying hello to ponies I passed, most greeted me in return. I was glad I wasn't freaking anyone out, as I walked I found myself near Sugarcube Corner so I stopped by to say hi to Pinkie Pie. She was zipping around the store putting goodies on display and taking customer orders. She was like a wild pink whirlwind!
"Hi Rick!" She zoomed by me greeting me quickly.
"Hiya Pinkie. Wow your busy today." Then I remembered my promise to Sweetie Belle. "Ah right I have to get Sweetie Belle five cupcakes..." I whispered to myself.
"Five cupcakes for Sweetie Belle?! How sweet! In more ways then one! Here you go!" Pinkie was somehow standing right by me pressing a package into my hand.
"What the?! How... Thanks Pinkie but I don't have any money to pay for these."
"That’s ok! I love to help out my friends..."
"Pinkie Pie! No more free samples!" A light blue pony with a dark and light pink mane and tale came storming out of the kitchen. Pinkie hung her head down looking sad.
"But Mrs Cake..." She began but I interrupted quickly.
"No that’s quite all right. I am more then happy to pay when I can. I just haven't found any jobs yet. I've only been here for a few days after all." I explained. Mrs Cake stopped and looked at me a second.
"Well that’s different then. And we could use a bit of help... What do you think Pinkie? If he does your deliveries he can have the cupcakes for free. Any a few bits too." She offered.
"Okie dokie with me! Rick?" They both turned to look at me.
"Uh, of course. I'd be glad to help out." That settled Mrs Cake and Pinkie loaded me up with a dozen packages as well as a list of where to take them. Finally Mrs Cake placed the package of cupcakes on top and tucked some bits into my pocket.
"Thank you! Feel free to come and help again if you have the time." With that she pushed me out the door. Ponyville isn't a huge town but definitely big enough for me to get a bit lost trying to find the addresses I needed to deliver to.
I started to get my bearings and with a few helpful ponies directions after a few hours I managed to deliver the last package. As luck would have it I wasn't far away from Carousel Boutique, I would have time to drop off the cupcakes and still make it to my appointment. I walked up to the door and headed in the little bells above the door jingling announcing my entrance. Rarity came trotting in from a side room.
"Oh, Rick. So good to see you again so soon. How may I help you?" She said again extending her hoof towards me.
"Milady Rarity, so nice to see you again." I said kissing her hoof electing a small blush from her.
"Ooh Milady. I like that one!" She exclaimed. I grinned at her.
"Then that is how I shall refer to you from now on with your permission."
"Please do! Say, darling... Aren't those the same clothes you were wearing yesterday?" I looked down at my clothes, definitely not fashionable but good enough for work.
"Well yes... Their all I have here you see..." She gasped levitating a measuring tape and clipboard over to her.
"I can make you new clothes! Ooh I can see it now! Human fashions! For the only human in Equestria! It will be fabulous!" She immediately began measuring me and taking down notes.
"Well that’s very kind of you, but I really can't afford..." I remembered the few bits that Mrs Cake had given me and dug them out. "Well at least let me give you this little amount. As a down payment!" She looked at me a moment the bits in my hand.
"Darling. I didn't ask for any money. You are a friend, and I insist you let me do this for you." I stood there shocked for a moment.
"Really? That’s so nice of you Rare… I mean Milady Rarity. I will repay you in kind someday." I bowed to her putting the bits away. "Oh yes I have something for Sweetie Belle, is she here?" Finishing up her measurements Rarity started heading towards her workroom.
"Yes, she's just outside with her friends. Please do come back tomorrow and I will have something made up. Take care." I wished her a good day and headed out behind the store to look for Sweetie Belle when I suddenly heard.
"Look out!" Just as three little fillies crashed into me from above knocking me off my feet and sending the cupcake box flying into the air. Apple Bloom hopped up catching it easily on her head and deposited it on my chest.
"Sorry bout that mister." She then turned to Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle. "Anything?" They all turned and checked each other flanks; apparently they weren't happy with the results as they all hung their heads low.
"Nothing. I guess base jumping isn't our special talent... Or maybe we just need to jump from a higher height!" Scootaloo said.
"Whoa, whoa girls. That sounds a little dangerous. How about you do some more brainstorming and have some cupcakes? Just like I promised Sweetie Belle." I said unveiling the cupcakes to them. Pinkie the little devil! Somehow she knew all three of them would be together and included another cupcake so they would each have two.
"Thanks Rick! Your secret is safe with me." Sweetie Belle said with a wink.
"What secret?" Asked Scootaloo. "Ya what!" Apple Bloom chimed in.
"I'll tell you later." I gave Sweetie Belle a fake shocked look.
"Sweetie Belle!"
"Oh… I mean I won't tell you later." She said grinning cutely up at me. Now how could I resist that? I gave them each two cupcakes and excused myself rushing off towards the train station.
I arrived a bit early and took a short breather. Then I tossed dirt all over myself and messed up my hair trying to look as gruff as I could.
Right on time the train pulled up and Jet Set came out of the train office to greet some posh looking ponies who disembarked. As a group they headed my way as I waited around the corner of a building, I rounded the corner bumping into Jet Set again just as they were walking up.
"I say! How rude." His friends backed up a few steps clearly never having seen anything like me. He glanced back at them and with a sneer and said. "Now why would Ponyville let a beast like you wander the streets is beyond me. I invite my colleges here for a nice lunch and you get in our way. I must insist you apologise immediately ruffian!" I had my part to play and did so up to the hilt.
"Uh, you be quiet pony. You get out of way." I then tried to brush by him and was topped by his extended forehoof.
"How dare you! Monster I challenge you to hoovesicuffs!" I stared at him dumbly. "A fight you idiot." I raised my arms up menacingly.
"Me smack you round pony!" He held up his hoof haughtily.
"Not here fool. Let us retire to behind the train station. I wouldn't want you to get drubbed in public." He laughed and turned walking away his friends far less convincingly laughed and followed him keeping an eye on me. I followed dimly. We went around the building and his friends formed a small semicircle with us in the middle, he rolled up his sleeves tossing his sweater to one of his friends.
"Now let’s see what you've got beast. If you’re as tough as your stink I may be in trouble." He snickered. Standing on his Backhooves he put up his forehooves up in a classical fighting stance. I moved up mimicking his stance awkwardly, and he zipped in with a quick one two hoof to my face and chest. I let my head roll with the punch but it had still hurt a bit, he might be a pansy of a stallion but he still had hard hooves. I growled menacingly and took a few swings at him which he ducked easily, he then came back with a few jabs in my stomach and then a uppercut which dazed me momentarily, despite the lack of authority it had.
I stumbled back and then with a roar rushed forward swinging wildly, he ducked my clumsy swings striking me once more across the face opening a small cut and again in the kidney stumbling me forward. With a laugh and cheers from his friends he kicked me in the rump sending me sprawling. I lay there groaning in very real pain but feigning much greater. He sauntered over dumping a small pouch of coins over my head.
"See how gracious I am in victory my friends. Go get yourself fixed up at the hospital weakling." With that he kicked me in the side and dismissing me grabbed his sweater knotting it around his neck and walked off with his friends laughing all the way.
I lay there a second making sure in his playacting he hadn't really damaged me when out of the blue Pinkie Pie was at my side.
"Rick! Are you ok?! That big meanie! I'm going to go and give him a piece of my mind! Or maybe even my whole mind! Or maybe I'll round up some other ponies and give him all their minds too!" She turned and started stalking off after him, I managed to grab her tail, she started to slowly drag me along seeming not to notice.
"Pinkie..."
"He can't go beating up on my friends!"
"Pinkie!"
"What? Oh I'm sorry are you ok?" I calmed her down explaining the situation to her. I somewhat unsteadily got to my feet with her help and scooped up the bits Jet Set had dumped on me, waste not want not. I then went over to the case he had left and carefully opened it. The dress was in it, I sat down heavily, relieved. I admit I had doubts that he would go through with giving me the dress as he seemed hardly a trustworthy type.
"Pretty! So let me get this straight. You let a meanie stallion beat you up for a dress, so you can give it to Twilight, so she can turn around and give it to Rarity, who made the dress in the first place?!"
"Uh… Yeah that’s about it Pinkie." Pinkie stared at me for a second.
"Makes perfect sense to me!" She stopped and looked at me strangely for a second. "Ooooooohhh… Now I get it." She giggled.
"Ok… But Pinkie, you can't let Rarity know ok? Or Spike. Promise?" She nodded her head.
"Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!"
"What was that?" I asked.
"That’s a Pinkie Pie promise! I won't break that no matter what!" She grinned at me. I struggled to my feet and picked up the case.
"Well that hurt. But it was worth it. I'd better get back to the library. Hmm I better try to stay out of sight so I don't worry anypony right? Wait a minute. How did you find me?"
"Oh! I finished work and went to see if you had any trouble making those deliveries. Here let me help." Pinkie let me lean on her and together we made our way thru town in a meandering fashion finally arriving at the library late in the day. I peeked in the door and came face to face with Twilight.
"Rick! What happened!?” Her magic glowed as she pulled me thru the door and quickly sat me down on a chair levitating a cool wet cloth over and putting it on my bruised face. Pinkie popped into the room as well bouncing over to us.
"Oh! Rick let a mean unicorn stallion beat him up so he could get a dress for you to give to Rarity!"
"Pinkie!" I shouted.
"What? You said not to tell Rarity or Spike. You didn't say anything about Twilight..." She looked at me confused while I slapped my palm into my face. Ow.
"Is that true Rick?" Twilight asked, staring right into my eyes. Nervously I answered.
"Well yes… But Twi, it’s not a big deal. Really! He didn't hurt me badly and you should see the dress. Rarity made it for his wife, but she loves it so much, she'll be so surprised!" She stared at me for a moment more some tears forming in the corners of her eyes.
"Why would you do that? It’s not worth you getting hurt. What if he had hurt you badly! Never do that again!" Her tears were flowing freely now and I felt like a real heel. I leaned forward and wiped the tears from her eyes.
"I'm sorry Twi. I never wanted to worry you. Forgive me?" I held her hooves in my hands staring into her beautiful eyes. Then I noticed Pinkie Pie sitting right beside us looking quickly from one of us to the other a huge grin on her face. Twilight noticed her as well; clearing her throat she gently pulled her hooves away.
"I forgive you. But don't scare me like that." She playfully nudged me in the arm with her hoof; I grabbed my arm in mock pain.
"Ow!" Then I stuck my tongue out at her and grabbed the case opening it for her. "Take a look." She gasped.
"Beautiful! Oh Rarity will be surprised. Thank you… Pinkie do you want to have dinner with us? Spike should be here soon." She got up and headed to the kitchen Pinkie following close behind.
"Sounds good Twilight! What are we having? Cake?" Pinkie and Twilight quickly set the table just as Spike entered; we all sat down and ate, Spike looking at my bruises strangely. I explained I had taken a bit of a fall, nothing to worry about and he seemed to accept that well enough. After dinner Spike headed up to bed and Pinkie headed back home. I helped Twilight clean up feeling quite a bit better already.
"So where are you going to hide the dress." I whispered to Twilight. She levitated it up to the top of the room tucking it between a pair of branches there. She giggled.
"No one will notice it there. I'm bushed Rick. That all nighter sure tired me out." She turned to go but then turned back to me. "Thanks again, really." She leaned in and gave me a quick hug, blushing slightly she turned and headed to her bed.
I finished cleaning up and headed up myself. Twilight and Spike were both sound asleep when I got up I just stood looking out at the night sky for a bit lost in my own thoughts. After a bit I got undressed and laid down. Tossing and turning a bit I wondered to myself how I’d gotten so lucky to be brought to this place. Then I remembered that I had to go back eventually. Somehow the thought of going home didn't appeal to me as much as it had a few days ago.
I shook my head. I guess I don't really belong here...
But still...