I walked into the kitchen, reaching the source of the mouth watering deliciousness that was called tilapia. The aroma was more intoxicating than it was when I had my human nose, not that I was complaining one bit. The fish itself made my taste buds tingle, complimented nicely by the light breadcrumb crust and basil that sent it over the top.
“This looks delicious,” I said taking my seat, the aroma luring me in like chum attracting a shark. “compliments to the chef.”
“Much obliged,” Robert said with a chuckle as he scratched my ear, making me and Tammilya hum in unison. “Seems that you woke just at the right time, Jackson was about to get you up from your nap. How did it go?”
“That was, without a doubt, the best rest I’ve had in a long time.” I said with a warm smile. Inside our mental link, however,
me and Tammilya were holding hooves.
>”You do realize Jim...”< Tammilya said over our link as she rested against me. >”That technically me and you, by Equestrian law, are now legally married.”<
>”I do realize that Tammilya,”< I replied while nuzzling her. The fact she was now my wife had grown on me, and gave me a new outlook on life, one that I looked forward to having. >”but I am not going to tell them that just yet. As soon as we eat, the primary focus will be to get us to our home. Once we get separated, we can start planning our future together, just like in your dream.”<
>”Mind if I take control for a bit?”< Tammilya asked, as she nuzzled under my chin. The feeling of her coat rubbing against mine was better than the softest silk, and one that made me happy.
I gave her a reassuring smile as I started to nuzzle her as well. I could practically see the love in her eyes as I made slow, deliberate motions across her cheek and kissing her on the forehead. >”I got no problem with that, after all this is your body and I feel bad by being in control all the time love.”<
>”Thanks dear.”< She gave me a kiss before blinking twice, our visual cue that we had swapped roles, clearing her throat to address my coworkers as she dug into the fish. “I must say, this actually beats some of the tilapia I’ve had back home.”
Everyone took note of the voice change and knew they were now speaking with Tammilya, giving her a nod as Robert chuckled. “Well, that's might kind of you, Ms. Tammilya. I'm glad you enjoy it and there is plenty more where that come from, so help yourself. Do you have any plans for today?"
For the next several minutes Tammilya didn’t speak. Any words were squashed by the adorable nomming noises she was making as she ate, making everyone chuckle at the cuteness on display. The only time she stopped was when she had finished the first helping and was waiting on the second. “Well, me and Jim were thinking about trying to find out how to get home. Time is of the essence, and the only reason we’re not working on that now is because I’m as hungry as a thestral during the mango off season.”
“Thestral?” Jackson asked confused. “What is that on your world?”
“Close relative of pegasi actually,” Tammilya said as the second helping of tilapia was placed in front of her, making her answer in between mouthfuls of fish. “However, they tend to have bat-like instincts, like loving tropical fruit for an example. Plus, they are normally nocturnal, have a set of fangs, bat wings, and can echolocate despite having the sharpest vision in Equestria. You could call them batponies, since that is the general term that is used.”
“Quite fascinating,” Becky, our resident biologist, said making herself known. “you're quite a marvel yourself, but you make it sound as if there are a lot of different, unique species where you are from. How many species do you know of?"
“Want the full list?” Tammilya asked with a raised eyebrow, then gave a sigh of mild annoyance when Becky nodded. “Fine… In addition to normal forest and farm animals, we have: intelligent felines who walk on two legs, griffins, dragons, hippogriffs, seaponies, breezies, buffalo, yaks, changelings, zebra, batponies, crystal ponies, five alicorns, unicorns, pegasi, and -ironically- Earth Ponies.”
The room was dead quiet as my coworkers processed the list Tammilya gave, which I would have a hard time believing myself if not for my encounter with Princess Luna and the fact I was in a pegasus suit. The silence started to make me feel awkward, something Tammilya picked up on as she spoke to break the ice. “I hope that answers your question Miss.”
“Yeah, it does…” Becky said, still dumbfounded as she sat back in her seat for balance. “It’s just that almost every single one of those that you mentioned are something out of folktales, myths, or legends here.”
“Just like humans are a myth back home,” Tammilya replied in a matter-of-fact tone. “In fact, there is one particular unicorn I have heard about who claims that humans exist, but everypony says she is crazy. So who really is on the short end of the stick, Earth or Eques?”
“Seems both of us are in the same boat,” Jackson said while drinking some of his tar that poorly imitated coffee. “based on your explanation anyway. Humans are myths on your world and your species is a myth on ours. all I can say is I hope National Security doesn’t get involved in this, that would be a disaster for all involved. However, I noticed you used the phrase “our home” earlier when you were talking about getting back where you came from, care to elaborate?”
“Jim is coming with me,” Tammilya said in a tone that showed she was just skimming the iceberg. “he really has no choice in the matter if he wants to have his own life again does he? Besides, there is no telling when or if a safe portal to return him here would pop up so he will need a home in the meantime.”
“You got a point,” I knew the tone Jackson used, it was one of caution when he suspected some fishy business, and warned Tammilya to watch her back from here on out. “although it doesn’t add up. You say there are unicorns, then why don’t they use magic to force open a portal?”
“I have thought about that too,” Tammilya conceded with a sigh, now on a third helping of the flavorful fish. “but that would be quite risky due to the fact the fabric of space-time does not like to be tampered. That puts us back at square zero, so unless you can think of an alternative I am just going to have to do it during my power nap.”
Stephanie cleared her throat, and suddenly all eyes rested on her. “I have been thinking about our earlier conversation, specifically about how you came here, and I might have found the answer. You said you fell back into your reactor correct? Well, why don’t we somehow recreate the set up?”
“So you want me to have a tornado hit this facility?” Tammilya asked in shock. “No way! I can tell you now that the pattern for the atmosphere is stable with fair weather for the next week at least. I think it would be strange for a storm, let alone a twister, to pop up out of nowhere and I am not a pony who wishes destruction on anyone.”
“Not what I meant!” Stephanie waved her arms in front of her, showing that the idea had been misunderstood. “If you could somehow communicate with your home world, see if that princess of yours can cause another flare. If the conditions there are matched up just right…”
“Then the flare would hit the facility, causing the same chain reaction and briefly opening the portal!” Tammilya leaped for joy, flapping her wings for a few seconds before she landed. “ That idea is crazy enough to work, considering I can communicate back home but only while I am asleep, I will make sure to pass the message along.”
Jackson gave a nod of approval, satisfied with the cooperation that he was receiving. “Good, now we got a game plan, now how do you think Jim can be safely returned once you two are separated?”
That question made my temper boil, Tammilya having to mentally pin me down to keep me from lashing out at the sorry excuse of a boss. “Don’t you think that should be a decision for him to make on his own? He might want to stay in Equestria, then again I am just asking from experience.”
“I am his boss,” Jackson replied in a cold, steeled tone. “So it is also in my best interests that I have him back here. Hard workers are few and far between, and it will be hard to replace him since very few have the same qualifications. He is a very valuable member to my staff Miss Tammilya, so either he comes back… or you replace him.”
“You can’t be serious Jackson!” Robert said jumping to his feet, the whole crew shocked by the proclamation. “That is wrong on more than one level, how would you react if it was you in Jim’s position?”
Jackson softly chuckled as he put down his brew and started circling Tammilya. “Please Robert, what could Jim possibly have in a world where humans are myths? He would have no home, no job, no friends…. basically be seen as a freak of nature that would be nothing more than a bizarre tourist attraction in some carny show.”
“He would have ME!” Tammilya growled, her tone protective as one guarding their loved one. “I am his friend, and if he chose to stay in Equestria I will personally ensure that he is treated fairly.”
Jackson got nose-to-muzzle with Tammilya, the two of them locking eyes in a silent war of wills. Neither wanted to give, and neither backed down as their glares pierced into each other’s souls. Time seemed to temporarily stop, that was until Stephanie pulled her boss back.
“I suggest that you go an head back to bed Tammilya,” The woman said as she forced Jackson to go outside for a breath of fresh air. “The sooner that this situation ends, the sooner everything resolves itself and things return to normal. Of course, it is nothing against you but I think Jackson feels that you have overstayed your welcome.”
“I-I understand…” Tammilya replied as she trotted out the room, head hung low. I could tell that Jackson had struck her deep, and despite me wanting revenge, my primary focus was to make my wife feel better as we started our journey to the Land of Nod.
>”Don’t worry dear,”< I said in our linkscape, holding her to my barrel as I wrapped my wings around her as a comfort blanket. >”Soon this nightmare will be over and we can live happily ever after.”<
>“Happliy Ever After? You make this sound like a fairy tale Jim,”< Tammilya said with a sniffle, but a small smile had formed at the corner of her mouth. >“question is, who is the fairy tale for?”<
“That would be for the both of you,” Princess Luna’s voice signaled her arrival, and showed that we were fully asleep on the bed. “have you made any progress for how to return to Equestria?”
“We’ve made some progress your Highness,” I said with a bow, Tammilya doing the same. “one of my coworkers suggested we recreate the circumstances on Equestria that led to Tammilya coming to Earth.”
“That is not a bad idea, but alas is not a safe one…” A voice I didn’t recognize said. Tammilya knew, for she locked in place and deeped the bow as a pony came up beside Luna.
The pony was a full head taller than Luna, her white coat brighter than the most polished ivory. Like Luna, a pair of strong wigs adorned her back, a horn that looked even deadlier than the Princess of the Night’s was on her forehead. The tricolored mane and tail flowed in the same invisible wind as Luna’s, but radiated heat instead of the coolness night brought.
“Are you Princess Celestia?” I asked in an awestruck tone. When the alicorn before me nodded I dropped to my fetlocks. “It is a pleasure to finally be in your presence your Highness, Tammilya has told me a lot about you.”
“Just as my sister Lulu has told me about you Jim.” Celesta replied as she motioned for us to rise. There was something about her tone, very mother like, that struck me deep in my core and reminded me of my own. “However, I wish to see you as you are now, considering we are in this dreamweave would you please show me your human form.”
I did as I was told, concentrating and altering my appearance to my old self. To my surprise, Celestia was eye level with me, her deep purple eyes glistening like amethyst as she took in my features. It was a look I had seen before, it was a look of wonder, broken as she cleared her throat to address me. “So much for humans just being a myth I see…”
“I could say likewise for yourself, ”I replied with a chuckle, earning a giggle from the others as well before l shifted myself back into a pegasus. “but I think we should get down to business since we are low on time.”
Celestia nodded in agreement, knowing that I had my priorities in order. “Right, well since recreating the flare would cause a panic, we’ll have to think of an alternative method. I already have the best pony I know on the job of trying to create a portal to your exact location. She’s close, but she tends to crack under pressure so I have been doing my part in keeping her calm. We should have it within the next 19 hours or so, that’s a rough estimate so don’t quote me on it.”
“That is cutting it pretty close your Highness,” Tammilya said joining the conversation. “and I am starting to feel unwelcome because of Jim’s boss. Since I have nowhere else to run and hide to, I’m starting to feel trapped.”
“Just as I am dear,” I said with a sigh before addressing Celestia. “Keep in mind, Tammilya and I are becoming more intertwined by the hour. I’d really hate for our lives together start off together. I fully trust that the princesses will be able to solve this dilemma before it is too late. Although the portal idea seems risky, even Tammilya said that when one of my coworkers suggested it.”
“Don’t worry about the risk involved with the portal, my star pupil knows more about magic than even I deemed possible. I also want to say thank you for that trust Jim,” Celestia said putting her wing over my back and pulling me close to her. I could have lost myself in the warm embrace if I wasn’t careful, but I was able to keep myself focused. “I will thank you in full when you come to Equestria. Luna has told me about you two declaring each other as husband and wife, so I offer my congratulations, I will personally perform the ceremony once all this is over and done with.”
“That would be a pleasure Princess Celestia,” Tammilya said nuzzling me, both of us emitting a purr that sounded strangely cat-like. “but what do I do about Jim’s boss? His ultimatum was very threatening and I don’t want to lose my husband.”
Celestia’s features took on a slightly darker expression as a fire literally ignited in her eyes. “Stay clear of him as much as possible, keep your distance and I will deal with him personally when the portal opens. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes your Highness.” Me and Tammilya answered in unison before I started telling Princess Celestia more about myself, and my life. A lot of things I brought up was my knowledge in science and chemistry, areas Celestia said her protege would be vastly interested in and would take a lot of detailed notes. After that, I moved to the more difficult experiences I had, including my mother’s passing.
-meanwhile in the waking world-
Jackson was in a highly pissed off mood. Everything had been perfectly fine amongst his staff until that pony arrived, and since then he had started losing control of his staff one by one. Whereas before, his staff would do what he asked immediately, now he could see the disdain on their faces with each task he gave.
To make matters worse, it seemed that the pony was going to take the best worker he had away from him, something that he was not going to take lightly. Reaching his office, he dimmed the lights and locked the door before pulling out a secret phone that he thought he would never have to bring out of retirement.
“Hello,” Jackson said leaning back in his chair. “Get me in contact with the Department of Homeland Security…”