"So you're serious about not remembering anything?" Sunny Flare asked after returning from the somewhere she called the "vending machine".
"Yes, I am serious. I can't remember anything about this place because I'm not from here."
A look of confusion crossed the pink-haired girl's face as she sat down on the chair next to my bed. "What do you mean you aren't from here? You live in the school dormitory."
"No, I mean that I am not from this world. Some... something went wrong and I am apparently stuck here in a human's body." I explained again, trying - and likely failing - to convince her that I was sane.
That look of confusion quickly morphed into one of shock. I reached over for the cup of water on the nightstand; I figured that more explaining was clearly in order. As I did, another twinge of pain shot through my neck.
"Here, let me get that for you." Sunny said as she handed me the cup, "Are you sure about all of this. Couldn't that just be a dream or something?"
"Thanks and no, I wasn't dreaming. That all certainly happened; I remember that all perfectly. I am supposed to be a unicorn; not a human. Somehow I was put here in the body of what I think is my human counterpart."
"Well, um alright then? So you don't know anything about Crystal Prep at all?" The girl asked as she attempted to open some brightly wrapped packet.
"Crystal Prep? I know about the Crystal Empire, sure, but not the school version, no. But if you want to explain anything, go right ahead."
"Alright then, Mirage." Sunny paused briefly before offering me the contents of the packet, "Do you want any?"
The packet seemed to contain a multitude of small, oval disks. They were a pale yellow in colour and their delicious smell kindly reminded me that I had not eaten for about twelve hours. Trying not to move my neck, I stuck my hand into their container and extricated a handful. Crunchy, salty and highly addictive. If the rest of the food in this world is as good, I would almost consider staying here; Prince Imaginos' rule that all government employees have to eat the same food makes for extremely boring cuisine.
"They're called potato chips, dearie." She explained as I ate another few of them. She thought briefly, before opening another little bag and handing it to me, "So I suppose we might as well start with questions. What would you like to know?"
"Well, could I get back home?" I inquire.
"Perhaps, I think. If you're correct about your... condition, then surely there exists a way to reverse it."
So she doesn't know. Just perfect. Although I doubt that my world's Sunny Flare could work out how the teleporter works; I could barely understand it myself when Electrum told me. Apparently the device is intended to bend space and then pokes holes it it so ponies can get to places faster or something in that vein. Well, if a quick trip back home is off the table, I best start figuring out how to pretend to be a native of this place - that should allow me to make a proper plan in peace.
"Hello, Mirage. Are you here?" Sunny said, waving her hand in front of my face.
"Yes, I am just thinking of what to ask next. You said that I am a student of some kind. Could I talk to Prince Imaginos then; he should know what to do."
A flash of disgust passes past her face, "You could talk to Mr Imaginos certainly. I cannot imagine why you would want to though; the people he mixes with: Eugh!"
Apparently this world's Imaginos was not a Prince. That is strange; I can't imagine why he wouldn't be.
"So if I'm not a student of Prince Imaginos, under whose tutelage am I?" I ask, hoping that they are at least competent. Or open minded, either work well enough.
"Well, Ms Cadence is the school principal. I suppose all of us here at Crystal Prep are 'under her tutelage' as you so put it."
"I see. So who is in charge of the country. I think that this qualifies as a matter of national importance." I ask after devouring another mouthful of potato crisps. I really must take a few bags of those with me when I get back to Chevallia.
"This isn't really that important, Mirage. I don't think that the King would care about a case of amnesia."
Apparently this place has a king. A stupid king at that. "Very well then, so why are you here?"
"Because you're important to me." She quickly correct that to "Well, because doing this sort of thing is important to me. I want to be a doctor after I leave school so I help out with first aid and whatnot."
"Sure. That makes sense, I think. Now what do I do all day; school I would guess."
"Yes, most days we have school to attend." Sunny answered, her tone suggesting that this was some great tragedy, "Don't worry though, you're still rather new here so I think you'll be forgiven for forgetting where a few classes are."
Well that seemed encouraging. I am apparently a new student here. That all I can handle. I wonder if my human counterpart is having the same problems?I hope he does not mess anything up; it took me weeks to finish my last carving and I would hate to have anything happen to it. I think I'll call that version of myself Mirage Nocturne: Human Edition. That seems like a fitting title.
"Well, that is certainly convenient. Still, once I recover, would you mind showing me around this world?"
"Of course, dearie. In fact, I volunteered to do just that when you arrived Crystal Prep." My apparent guide explained, a prideful smile across her face.
It seems that the roles have been reversed; back in my world I was responsible for guiding Sunny Flare and her friends/gang of idiots around Chevallia. How fortunate that my hard work paid off. I think that will need all the help I can get if I am to survive in this land.