Hello again. I'ts me, that one guy you know. I'm back with another chapter, possibly with some answers, and just maybe adding on more questions. Who knows? Hint, it's me. Anyway, here you go.
So, turns out Fluttershy did the right thing when she asked the others to withhold their questions, because holy shit, this girl does not stop. I think I've been here for an hour now, just answering and asking questions. Mostly just re-asking the same questions she asked me because that's much easier. I mean, it wasn't that bad, it just took a while. Thankfully it strayed away from more personal matters. Until this last question that is.
"I'm sorry, could you repeat that? I'm afraid I might have heard you say something else."
"Oh, well, I was asking what your family is like... I'm sorry, that's probably too personal, you don't have to answer it. I just wanted to learn more about you and what your species is like, and your social structure-"
"Hey, its okay. It's not something I normally talk about, but it's unavoidable. So, what do you want to know?" She shuffled briefly before answering.
"How does a human family work? Parental figures, siblings?"
"Oh yeah. You have a mother and a father, a female and male respectively. You can have a brother, sister, half-sister, step- brother, and so on. From what I hear, I think we have pretty similar family types. Different societies though." She stopped her writings then.
"Oh? How so?"
"Well, I apologize if this is assuming anything, but do yall perhaps use the 'Herd' mentality? Nothing against you if you do." That got a blush out of her.
"Well, some ponies still do that, but over the years relationships have gotten a lot more individual. It's uncommon to see one now, but not impossible."
"Ah, not too different from human standards then. I actually meant to ask Fluttershy that, but I forgot. So, anything else?"
"I hope you don't mind me asking, but how was... your family?"
"My family? Ooh wow, I haven't really thought about them in a while. Hmm. Well, you have my parents first. My mom, and man, she was the nicest person you would ever meet. Always there to help you, listen to you, whatever you needed. She was... well, she was a saint to me. That's basically a stereotype of a really nice religious man or woman. When she passed away, It destroyed me. I was only fifteen at the time, so... yeah. I don't know, I can't think of anything else to say. A lot of it is repressed." It was only when I stopped talking did I see the looks on their faces, as well as feeling something wet sliding down my cheek. I was crying. That tends to happen more often than not when I talk about her.
"My, uh, my dad was nice. He had a little bout with my mom earlier in their marriage so they separated pretty early. I got to visit him on weekends, and sometimes he would take us to places and stuff. Oh yeah, I had two sisters as well. I'll get to them later. So, we didn't get too much time together until my Ma' passed. Then he had to move in, and honestly, it could have been a whole lot better, but give or take a few years and we were fine. My sister left the house in search of a life of her own and I stayed. Eventually I grew too old for the house and I left. One of the most difficult decisions in my life, I'll tell ya that. But, my dad stayed and that was that."
"Not too much to say on my sisters, as one always lived far away and the other was always right next to me. We fought a whole ton, but it never got too bad. Anything bad happen and we were there for each other. When she left it kind of cut off our communication, as I didn't go out very much. When everything went to shit, we tried getting in contact with each other, but ultimately failed. To be honest, I don't really know what happened. I just knew I had to get out of there, so I went to Alaska. I made it there, settled in a nice town next to a mountain and waited it out. Met a few friends along the way, I met ol' Flutters over here and yall know the rest."
When I finally stooped lecturing my history I felt something wrap around me. I didn't have to look to see who it was. When I did look however, I noticed the very sad faces of my current companions as my story settled. They looked, like, really sad. I was still crying too, but the type of cry where you just kinda sit there and be sad. I finally responded to the hug given to me by also hugging her back.
"I'm not gonna lie, most that was rushed and I honestly can't remember a whole lot of the last few years. I don't like remembering those memories. Sorry for making you my therapist by the way, I just needed to get that out." I say, indicating the last part to Twilight.
"N-no, its fine. I'm glad you feel better."
"So am I. So, lets get past this awkward moment here. Any more questions?"
"I do have more questions, but I think we should save that for a later date."
"Ok. If its all the same to you, I think were going to bounce."
"Oh, ok. See you later!"
"Yeah. See ya."
We left the library and continued to walk around. We didn't really talk all that much, though honestly, I'm kinda glad we didn't. My thoughts, despite my attempt to dissolve them, continued to haunt me. No matter what I thought about, it always ended up being about them. In an attempt to distract myself, I spoke up.
"Well, that blew away a good hour or so huh?" When she didn't respond I looked down to see her head was down with a thoughtful look.
"Hey, watcha thinkin' about?" I asked, snapping her out of her trance.
"Well, since you were talking about your family, I realized I never told you about mine."
"Oh, is that all? I'm sure they're a fair bunch of people."
"Yes, they're very nice, but they can be a bit too... protective of me." She said, making me raise a brow.
"Oh, ok. Is it my kind of protectiveness or worse?" I asked, genuinely curious. She stayed silent for a moment before responding.
"Oh no, nothing like that! Er, I don't mean to say your too protective of me, I actually really appreciate how much you care about me, it's just, they might be a little... hesitant about you."
"You know, the way you said that makes me think that its a lot more than just hesitant."
"I think its because In school I would always get teased about my shyness and my flying. I never did like heights. Thankfully I had Rainbow there with me, so it wasn't that bad. My parents however, never forgot those times so they always made sure I was safe, even if I was fine on my own. When I moved to Ponyville, I think it got across that I was going to be fine on my own. Oh no!" She stopped in the middle of the road, stock still. Stopping there seems to be getting pretty common.
"What's up?"
"I haven't talked to my parents since I got back! They're going to be so worried! Oh what am I going to tell them?!"
"Just tell them the truth." She looked at me like I had gone crazy.
"Oh but what am I going to say? How can I explain you and what we went through? They might not believe me, or might think your a monster, or-." I put a finger to her lips to quell that tidal wave of words, stopping her erratic movements.
"If what you just said is true, I don't think you'll have much to worry about. Once we get talking I'm sure your parents will realize I'm not some god-forsaken demon lord out to steal your soul."
"That's... oddly specific. I think I see what you mean though. As long as everypony stays calm, there should be nothing to worry about. Oh..." She spoke with a wince at the end.
"Oh?"
"I just remembered my younger brother, Zephyr Breeze. He... might not be so willing." She finished, looking forward with a concerned expression.
"Well, he shouldn't be too much of a problem. I mean, he is your brother, how bad can he be?"
"Well, you see, there's a difference between us."
"Of course there is. What, is he a murderer or something?"
"No! Nothing like that! He's just a little difficult at times."
"You know, I could talk to him. I'm sure he'd be a whole lot less difficult when were through."
"Jorge, you are not hurting my brother! He may be annoying sometimes, but he does not deserve that!" By the end she was practically steaming. I held my hands up in surrender.
"Woah, I wasn't gonna do 'nuthin to the guy. You know me Flutters, I would never do that to a family member, especially yours." Her ears flattened to her head as she looked down.
"I-I'm sorry. It's just, he's my brother and I want you two to get along the most. If you did something like that, I don't think he'd ever forgive you. I certainly wouldn't." She regained her bearings during her speech and gazed at me with an unreadable expression. I kneelt down and hugged her close to my chest, feeling her relax in my arms.
"I wouldn't blame you. You've got nothing to worry about though, even if he turns out to be a dick. I still wouldn't do anything to him. I reserve stuff like that for people who really piss me off. Now!" I stand up with her still in my arms, electing an 'eep!' out of her. "Why don't we go somewhere besides the middle of the road? I'm sure the ponies around us would appreciate that."
And so, we did. I held her for the most part, eventually setting her down after passing by more than a few ponies raising a brow at our actions, but ultimately we didn't really do anything. We just kinda walked. I got to memorize the landscape, noting how surprisingly close some houses are to the forest, and I think Fluttershy was just having a fun time. We were just smiling, walking right next to each other, happy to be in the others presence.
We passed by Lyra once, had a lovely conversation, but for the most part uneventful. That isn't to say, however, that I didn't notice some particular stares I would get. Funnily enough, most were from guys. Maybe one or two were leaning towards aggressive, but they still stared intently. Maybe they thought I was gonna try to steal their girls or something, I don't know. Yet again though, I found that stallion with a brown coat and hourglass 'cutie mark' (I swear man) had a curious gaze. I should talk to him one day.
Before we knew it, the day was nearly over. We went to the party planned for me and had a blast, but it didn't last too long. We returned home, and were settling in for the night, the animals surrounding us already fast asleep, when I heard a noise. It was very faint, but it was there. I slowly crept my way towards the front door, where I heard footsteps. Or hoof steps, since that's the correct term. Again, very light. Without warning I swung open the door, my fists clenched and my body in a defensive position. What I saw confused me.
It was like a pony, but much different. It was considerably darker in fur coloration than usual, had leathery bat-like wings, and yellow slitted eyes. Said eyes were widened in surprise, but were quickly put back into fierce indifference. It was currently carrying a large box, made out of fucking metal of all things. The creature dropped the box and fished out a note, putting it on the box as well, before flying off. I stared as it left, brows knitted together in confusion.
I ceased my staring once it was out of sight and took a look at the box. Then, squatting down, I picked up the note, noticing two emblems meshed together as a seal. Breaking the seal, I unfurled it to reveal a letter. Addressed to me, written by both Princesses. It read:
Dear Jorge T. Milus, of Earth
Inside this secured package you will find what was promised to you days ago. We apologize for the wait and the attempt we have made to limit your access to your own belongings. It was not within our rights to do so and do hope you can forgive us for that. However, let it be known that since you have been officially welcomed and have become a citizen of Equestria, such rights can be taken away if necessary.
As per our agreement, nothing of your belongings has been touched, analyzed, or interfered with in any way, shape, or form. It is all inside the packaging, specially designed by ourselves to be virtually impenetrable, to ensure its contents safety. We cannot allow such dangerous technology to fall into the hands or hooves of nefarious individuals.
Rules of using such dangerous technology has not been changed and is only permitted in the most dire of circumstances. It is for not only our ponies safety, but yours as well, seeing as the reaction to such things can be unpredictable. Use of them inside the forest however is still under heavy consideration, but only because of the many dangerous beasts that lurk there.
Please let it be known that this caution we have regarded both you and your belongings with is purely for the safety of our people. We personally have faith in you Jorge, but only one pony has known you long enough to have it mean something. We do trust you to remember that, and urge you to try your best to make friends while your here.
Both Luna and I have trust in your abilities, and more talks about things like this are bound to happen. Believe it or not, we do care for you. It is just, with such a complicated situation, we all must show that you have earned it.
Have a pleasant night.
-Princess Celestia
-Princess Luna
After re-reading the letter a couple time, a few questions were still left in my head. This whole scenario was fucking ridiculous, but hey, whatever right? If I can have a good nights rest, I'll just think about it tomorrow. If not, then oh well.
I picked up the metal container and, after quickly checking its contents, carried it upstairs, sat it next to the bed, slipped into bed, and fell asleep.
Today certainly was confusing. Another day in paradise.