//------------------------------// // Mother Knows Best // Story: The Night Train // by SociallyAwkwardPegasus //------------------------------// Chapter 3 Eric shielded his eyes from the blinding-light as he took a step off the train and onto the platform. He was quite eager to see the city before him, being that the only place he had seen so far was the rural town of Ponyville. Lost in his thoughts and eagerness, the human suddenly lost his footing, as he had yet to realize the slight drop from the train to the platform. Luckily, he was able to catch himself with a few skips and a minimal amount of flailing, though at the cost of some of his dignity. “You ok there?” Lilith asked in a tone laced with amusement, as the mare effortlessly stepped onto the platform with ease before venturing next to her new friend’s side. Eric responded with a simple nod of his head as he took in his surroundings. “Yeah, I’m fine. Wasn’t expecting a drop so it caught me a little off guard,” he stated aloud before growing hesitant. “Hey Lilith, if you are a demon and this is where you live, then where is all of the brimstone, fire, and death?” Lilith stared incredulously at the human for a few moments, Eric catching the mare’s eyes with his own before she was brought to her knees in laughter. “Y-you honestly believed that I lived in a place like that?” The mare questioned, unable to comprehend the silliness of the question. Eric’s cheeks flushed a light shade of red in embarrassment before giving her another nod. “Well, yeah. It was one of the similarities between my world and Equestria. Demons lived in a place that resembled what many ponies call Tartarus. It’s a place filled with a sea of lava and innocent souls being tortured by demons. I guess I shouldn’t have assumed that. Looking back now, it does seem a bit silly for a mare like you to live in a place like that.” It took a minute or so, but Lilith soon regained control of her giggling sides. “Next thing you know, you are going to say you thought I was a thousand years-old or something,” Lilith added playfully while nudging her friend in the side with her flank. Turning her attention back to the human, the mare noticed the hesitation and darker blush on her friend’s face. The next thing Eric knew, Lilith was on the ground quite literally rolling around as she laughed. “Y-you did! I can’t believe it!” The mare continued her onslaught of ROFLing as Eric scoffed at the childish mare. “Not my fault I was raised believing demons were blood-thirsty creatures from the pits of Hell itself. Just goes to show you that you can’t trust something without seeing it for yourself,” Eric added as he began to walk away. Pulling herself up from the ground, Lilith quickly joined the human while trying to stifle a few giggles every now and again. The two friends had made their way around the city for a good twenty minutes. Not much was said between the two, as Lilith allowed her new friend time to take in all of the sights around him. The silence, while awkward at first, was very welcoming as Lilith watched the joyful expressions of the human change with the different areas of the city. The first thing Eric noticed about the city, was that it was situated on an island surrounded by crystal red water. At first, Eric assumed the water was actually blood from all of the creatures that had lost their souls one way or another. Lilith was quick to correct him on the matter, stating that while the water was red in color, it was still the same as any other ocean. This clarification helped relieve some of the worries of the human, who also made a mental note to check out the beach sometime to further validate this piece of information. The next thing to catch the human’s eye was the architecture of the city itself. It was quite different than the small and rural town of Ponyville. Shops and small businesses lined most of the inner area of the city, which is presumably where most of the citizens did their shopping. Eric was also pleasantly surprised that the city had a massive arcade built just a few years ago for a lot of the younger population. Though not as heavily invested in videogames as he used to be, Eric was most likely going to be spending some time there for ‘Scientific Purposes.’ “Hey Lilith, I have another question. If all of you are demons, then why do you all look like the ponies in Equestria? You know, instead of like a griffon or something.” Eric questioned, noticing that many of the citizens could pass for a normal, run-of-the-mill equine. “And who is to say that we look like Equestrians? Maybe it’s the Equestrians that look like us?” The mare countered. Eric was about to comment about his new friend’s response, though stopped himself as he thought more about it. It was true that he just assumed she looked Equestrian based solely upon the fact that he had seen an Equestrian first. Maybe the Equestrians did take after the demons, and were just some faded out and diluted form of an earlier bloodline of demons, though Eric couldn’t be sure. “You know what I mean. Why do you all look so similar? If it wasn’t for the fact that I already knew where I was, I would have just assumed I was in a new city in Equestria.” Lilith playfully giggled as a response. “I was just messing with you Eric. And to be honest, I understand where you are coming from. I don’t really remember it all too well, since it has been a few years since my school days, though I believe it happened some couple thousand years ago.” Lilith soon trailed off as she tried to remember any more details on the matter. “From what I can recall, something major happened during that time which caused a rift between the demons and soulful. It might have been the practice of harvesting souls. I honestly don’t remember exactly what it was that caused this rift, though because of it, our leader decided it would be best to separate the two worlds from one another,” Lilith finished. Eric soon grew silent again as he mused over the answers and more importantly, the questions he had been given. “Interesting. I guess if I want to learn more, I will have to ask somebody with a little more knowledge about the subject,” Eric stated with a sigh. Lilith’s smile soon grew into a frown as she lightly prodded the human’s side with a hoof in mock annoyance. “Hey, I’m a twenty-three year-old mare who hasn’t been in school for years. I’m not some all-powerful all-mighty demon with the wisdom and knowledge of the ancients. Cut me some slack here,” Lilith retorted. It was now Eric’s turn to lightly bump the mare’s side with a smile. “Don’t take it personally Lilith. I was just saying that I kind of want to look into it. I am rather curious as to why an entire population of ponies decided it would be a good idea to seal themselves away from the rest of the world.” Before Lilith had a chance to add another snarky remark, the two came to a stop in front of a small shop. “Well, here we are. Home sweet home,” the mare pointed out, watching as Eric took in the full view of the building. “It looks a little small,” the human commented as Lilith rolled her eyes. “I prefer the term, homely. Now come on, there’s somepony I want you to meet,” Lilith added before walking through the front door of the building, a small little bell jingling as the two made their way inside. Looking around the store, Eric noticed that the feeling was very similar to a mom-and-pop shop back on Earth. As assortment of commonly used items and foods littered the shelves and racks. Walking towards the back of the store, Lilith looked around before noticing the pony in question was missing. “Where did that mare go?” Lilith mumbled to herself, stepping into the back storage area as she rummaged around in search of her mother. Eric however, had been taking his time looking around the store, admiring the little odds and ends that caught his eye. It wasn’t until a small tap on the human’s leg brought the man from his thoughts and towards an older mare. “Excuse me young stallion, but could you help a mare reach something on the top shelf,” she politely asked. Looking around the store, Eric soon noticed that Lilith had disappeared and nopony else seemed to be working the sales floor. “I would be more than happy to help,” the human replied, giving the older mare his best smile. “Mom! Where the hay are you?” Lilith called out through the back of the storage area in the store. The young mare was momentarily startled as another mare stepped out behind her. “I’m right here sweetie. Did you have a fun day at work?” Lilith jumped at the sound of her mother’s voice from behind as she turned around with a small glare. “How many times have I told you not to scare me like that mom? One of these days It’s going to get you hurt on accident,” Lilith added with mock annoyance. The mare in question just beamed her usual smile with a light giggle. “What can I say? You are just like your father. You scare so easily.” Lilith could only roll her eyes with a small blush and scoff as she leaned forward and nuzzled her mother’s cheek. “Yeah, yeah. Anyways, there’s someone I want you to meet.” “Oh really? Is this perhaps a coltfriend?” Lilith could only groan in annoyance from her mother’s question. “Mom, I don’t have a coltfriend,” the mare deadpanned. “Well you best get on that sweetie. I’m not getting any younger and I need grandfoals to spoil.” Lilith could only facehoof as a response, before walking past her mother. “Just come out and meet him.” The mare could only giggle again as she followed her daughter out from the back of the store and into a sight that surprised her. A large, bipedal creature was happily conversing with one of her regular customers as he used his height to reach anything she was unable. This lasted for only about a minute longer before the elder mare and human made their way to the checkout. “Talia my dear, how have you been?” The elder mare questioned as she received a small smile from the storeowner. “I am doing quite well actually. It seems you brought yourself a helper today,” Talia said with a small giggle. “Actually, I thought he was one of your employees. Very helpful young stallion,” the elder mare stated as everypony turned their attention to the human who had just finished emptying the contents of the basket onto the counter before looking towards Talia. “I’m actually one of Lilith’s friends. I take it you are her mother?” he asked with a polite tone. The mare nodded her head, giving the human a once-over before smiling ever so innocently. “Yes I am. My name is Talia and it is a pleasure to meet you...?” the mare trailed off, waiting for the human to fill in the blank. “Eric Lancer,” the human responded with an outstretched hand, as he gently shook the mare’s hoof. “Oh, so polite. Are you sure he isn’t your coltfriend Lilith? I mean, you do need to find a nice stallion and start popping out some grandfoals for me,” Talia stated. “Mom!” Lilith practically shouted, her face beat red with embarrassment. Eric was faring no better, as his pale cheeks were crimson red, earning a few giggles from both the elder mare and Lilith’s mother. “Come on Eric, we’re going upstairs,” Lilith quickly said, yanking the human by his shirt with her magic as the two disappeared into the back room and up the stairs to the living quarters. “Have fun you two. And don’t forget to not wear protection. I’m not getting any younger!” Talia happily yelled, earning her a loud slam of the door. Talia and the elder mare could only laugh at the response and flustered cheeks of the their victims. I think things are going to be a little more interesting around here now. Talia thought with a devious smile.