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Chapter 2: Lies For Safety, The Formalities Aside
I was Basileus, I was now Basil. Jack passed his mind, to who now was Basileus was in charge of my choices. Basileus would be my method of journeying high to gain the contacts I would need, and to attain the funds I would bring back.
Maybe I should try to fit my role more naturally, test the waters. The waters being the ease of spell cast or lack that I may have. Let's get some basic understanding of who I am and build on from there. As Basil I will have to at least know levitation, I have a laptop and a mouse I will be needing to do work with and hooves may be an adjustment that magic may easily nullify. But what would I use...
The pills. I should try to levitate the pills like I read in a Fanfiction one time. Maybe magic in this universe would be that simple that levitation would work in manor of an authors interpretation.
I trotted over and lay the pills on the centre of the bed.
Now...what was it I read? Visualise a field around it and emit something towards the object to entice the field to operate it where you request. Or something similar to that.
First I focused myself on it. I chose and measured it in my minds eye, visualised a field around it and begun to try to force something through my newly acquired horn. As I did, I noticed something, an aura of a sense. Seeing this aura, I forced further efforts into it. The more I focused the more something begun to happen.
Something sparked. From the small view I had, I could see in the mirror that something had enveloped my horn, a colour similar to that of my...mane? The same soon enveloped the box. With the box enveloped, I soon concentrated some of whatever was happening to lift it to a mid-point between the bed and ceiling. With a bit of concentration this did happen.
I dropped it. Cutting the flow was as simple as cutting concentration to the enveloped object. Didn't foals easily...oh right. Foals could do this with little understanding. It made sense if all you had to do was focus on one thing and funnel the idea through. It also made some sense that, even if it were just a raw magic field, that it was freely cast: as raw magic would be something that would be the easiest aspect of naturally occurring magic to find and warp. I had a way of reaching from A to B I found even confusing to myself but found it was worth it.
I performed the lifting and manoeuvring of the object, then a few larger ones, to ensure I had some grasp of magic before I moved onto a more practical use. I directed my attention to the case where I used the magic to unlock the numerical lock so I could detach the main locks. I spun the flight case locks the opposite ways before I lifted the Fed-Ex delivery safe casing open. Inside was my powerhouse of a laptop, in a thicker shell by personal request. The thing weighed similar to some older laptops but it was mostly for a couple extra add-on ports and the aforementioned tougher exterior. The thing came with a custom made larger mouse, not because I had large hands but because I feared if I ever bulked up that a smaller one would be easily destroyed. The screen was touch, I had brought a pen mostly because screens were a complete and utter annoyance to all who wanted a pristine one. The large case also fitted, into the foam I had in it, three large calibre external drives and a charger with both US and UK plugs: hopefully one worked here.
I used magic to loosen it from the foam. If it took five years with fingers it would take twenty with hooves to get that git out. One corner was all I needed for myself to get a grip to hold and place the thing on the bed. One other sign I held respect for the older laptops had been the fact I had to flip a small latch to raise the screen, which shown no signs of damage. If cases could mate than that case was the top of it's gene pool.
Booting the thing up, I was presented with a lock screen. That was all the proof someone needed to know it was my workstation. I never password protected anything other than my phone.
Come to think of it, I remembered having it left behind the bar and only now remembered that I left it there. Well...the only things on there were several games where I had a rebuilt the Byzantines and one that had been a rather funny life simulator where my character became an AIDS patient at three and died age 7 by the exact same disease, before you could do anything good with your character.
Once the password was put in, I also noticed the user name was my old one of Jack. That would need to be changed for now, the pictures on there would have to be put in a password protected folder as well. Once logged in, all I set myself was soon completed in quick succession. My laptop had been using the pen and touch function so far, mostly because pen and mouth seemed to be easier than risking putting that mouse in with novice magic knowledge.
My desktop had to be changed also, but that was an easier task as I could revert it to the fantasy scene album art used in my third album. The album title of 'Merchant's Blockade' near perfectly fit with the bottom of the screen. For my desktop it was a satisfying sight.
As I checked the functions, I saw nothing had failed, nothing was damaged and nothing was not being read or operating at anything less than the efficiency the cost demanded. It was as I went through the folders of the latest album that I recognised something, I had six albums, fifteen singles and several EP's that were already produced and ready to be put out. They needed tweaking first, but would be a hard task made easier. Each song and album had with it both my singing and instrumental files in separate ones in case I felt like altering.
I needed a high end microphone...
Crap.
I clicked the instrumental for one lyric featuring song not long before rushing to turn the volume down. I listened through the thing as I altered some lyrics in a Libre document also located within song's the subfolder. Two good things came from the alterations, by testing the tune I shown myself the speakers were still working and with the lyric alterations I could show I had a pilot song once I recorded the vocals.
The song, of around six minutes in length was reaching the four minute thirty point where it would reach the pinnacle of it's energy before starting a well-paced descend to the end of the runtime.
I opened the programme to pause it before looking up. I was set back to see someone standing in my doorway. It was the alabaster white mare DJ known as Vinyl Scratch. Blue hair, glasses, wild look, everything associated from what I could see and remember was there. The DJ was there and in some form of shock, from a shock which would not register with me.
I was sent back slightly, not a leap from my skin but close enough. That was what I assumed got us both to snap out of whatever we both had our minds on.
"No freaking way!" that pony exclaimed with a squee sounding noise joining the 'way' part.
"That sound came from that!"
It was also followed by squee noise.
That noise made me grin. I can say what I want about Friendship is Magic and how I became disenfranchised with it, but that noise always brought some stupid grin to me. It's so bloody cute I can't contribute fully to any emotion but the odd joy it gives.
And that noise can come from me.
Damn it.
"What do you mean?" I asked, wanting to know without assumption.
"What I mean is, how did you get a laptop to sound that good? Where did you get one like that? What speaker and sound card does it use and where can I get one?"
"I don't understand what you mean," I answered, partly to play along and partly for personal inquiry into measuring technological advancement via the subtler methods.
"I got this from a small business a while back, if what I remember is right. Why are you shocked, I thought anypony could get something like it?"
"You're joking right?" Vinyl Scratch seemed to connote I was blind to facts in the tone of voice: most people would say it is the type of voice you give as a polite way of responding to naive or moronic people.
"A laptop that can make any sound, aside from a hum, cost a tonne of bits. Even without that, have you heard the sounds of normal computer speakers?"
"Vinyl."
The voice which complained shown itself to be that of Octavia, who followed on with the unamused inflictions in her voice in saying, "I thought I told you not to bother him, he's had a lot to drink and--"
"It's fine," I interrupted.
"Whatever you got for me worked wonders. I'm still aware of everything existing in my head but it isn't like earlier. Thanks."
"Well, if you're feeling better, I think we should properly introduce."
Octavia followed herself with, "My name's Octavia Melody and this here is Vinyl Scratch."
"Nice to meet you," I begun, reminding myself to remember my current identity.
"My name is Basileus Mousiki, but if you want, Basil works for me."
"Mousiki? Correct me if I am wrong, but Mousiki is an older way ponies said music?" Octavia inquired.
"That is what I know. Although, I don't think I do the word justice."
Vinyl pointed towards the laptop and remarked, "If you made what came out of those speakers then I'll say that's not the case."
That song was worth a compliment? Really? The song which was not that memorable to me was the song that this DJ liked? I wanted to call bullshit but something stopped that. Why was that some-- Never mind.
Instead I remarked myself, "It needs a lot more work on it. It's not exactly something good after you've listened to it enough times."
"Hey Octi, if you ever go back to stallions, I think there's someone you can call on now."
The eye Octavia gave looked like one that would make a masochist moist.
What she spoke fitted the annoyance she held, "Not everypony get's the opportunity to write a symphony for the Princess on her 1000th year of ruling Equestria alone."
"I was talking about your part on Sapphire Shores' al--" Vinyl joked.
The joke was followed by a hoof to the back of the head. The old idea that Vinyl had red eyes was confirmed for me that day as the glasses that covered had fallen. I chuckled at the scene.
"We all agreed to never speak of that song again," Octavia reminded through gritted teeth.
"I can't believe they still aut--"
Another whack ended Vinyl from saying another stupid thing.
"I get it! I get it! We never speak of it again!" Vinyl submitted.
The vivid mare soon turned to me. Somewhat wanting something, she soon directed her horn to the laptop and remarked the expected.
"Show Octi what the sound from that is like."
I played an entire scenario through my head of how what could be said in the time I took myself to locate a more quality instrumental, one of the songs from the latest album. From what my mind cut out, I barely heard something about Octavia saying Vinyl may have misheard the laptop's capability.
In the music player my file opened into, I waited until they finished talking. I only then felt the time was right to raise the volume slightly and use the pen to press play on the screen.
They let the song play and, given it was only the three minute into song to the album, they shown raised eyebrows in a fashion that did not come across to me as opposing in any way the music which I had played. When there was a repeat of a rise, but in a much grander tone, I caught a pure white hoof tapping along to it. I was quick to pause before another track in the file loaded.
The first letters of a question were barely heard before I gave the response, "At this point in time I have no memory of where I bought this from, just that this machine was something I had specialised. Now, as something made to be an instrumental, how can I make it better."
Vinyl looked over to the other mare in the room and chuckled as she remained fixed in the surprise. If what I think I heard was right, the clarity in the sound had been a shock she had not fully been ready for. This was understandably high definition for them if their technology sounded pre-2000's.
Vinyl tried to crack Octavia from the shock of the leap forward and for a brief moment was unsuccessful.
A cheeky grin came with the input, "Sapphire Shores and Fifty Bits, Maelstrom, featuring Octavia."
Next came a death stare from the grey mare. Followed by the laughter from the other. Now I had the song. There's a remix I will be needing to make before I leave.
"Thank you for allowing me to bring up your collaborations with Saddleback."
I take it there's a Nickleback of the pony world...
With that saw the end of Vinyl's remarks for now.
After waiting the correct time before saying anything, which normally leaves an awkward silence for about fifteen seconds, I begun shutting down my laptop so I could have it remain in it's vault. With the light brush over it to ensure it was level, I slid the case under the bed before redirecting myself to the two mares.
The realisation hit me it was the first time I had two females in my room who were people I knew. Drunk me would be trying to convince at least one to do something, or at least contemplate making that scenario in greater detail.
Getting back to the point at h...
Then it hit me. What was I supposed to do? What was I supposed to do in a world with no money, no house and no job. At least if I had a job or house I would have money, that would allow me to try to pursue music here. Then there was the fact I already put Octavia under the presumption I had money. Moreover, I gave the idea that I had a place to return to. With a name, general location and presumption of money I had declared that with small effort that I could be traced to live somewhere. The only thing I held as value was my only chance at a decent life, otherwise I would lose my entire original plan to get home.
That in itself triggered the realisation that I had left myself trapped. If I joined in the lowest classes then I would live wage to wage. If that happened then I would be working essentially dead end waiting for a chance. If that happened then I would likely never have the funds to run a project to get home. Without that there was no chance of living how I knew how to. Without getting home there was no chance for me to see my family, no chance to keep them united when they would eventually start to fracture, no chance to give final farewells when the times came.
Looking up I noticed they had noticed something with me change.
Quick. Think of something before they ask. Think. You need to think of somethi--
Temporary memory loss?
Make them think you can't much from before last night. It's only until you can get back.
Wait...
North leads to the Crystal Empire, at least to what the fandom last knew from what the map allowed. Maybe...
Maybe going North could have meant north of somewhere else.
I don't even know where I am. I could make it that I don't know anything local to Equestria. I didn't get their technology, I overestimated and they know that. That could give some leeway.
I was stuck in the North of Scotland and had no idea of where I was geographically, or by settlement. I might be able to pull this off.
"...you alright?" I missed the beginning of Octavia's question.
I missed it but the concern meant it was not the first time she had asked the question.
"I take it I'm in a city?" I asked in earnest.
"Yes, you're in Manehattan, why did you want to know?"
"The name doesn't ring a bell. Equestria, yes. Manehattan... I've gone further than I know."
"How's that? I thought you said you once went far North and was trapped in snow. Then you said your voice might be odd to me because you thought my accent is around somewhere south of where you live? I don't claim to be an expert on geography but that would place you somewhere between Canterlot and a Northern Outpost."
"Canterlot sounds familiar, but I could not point out where it is on a map."
I then had a spark of brilliance.
"Where do the longest train routes go?"
I had Vinyl answer, "Appleloosa, there's one line which cuts through some of the Griffon Kingdoms to a territory known as Spiceland, then there's the start to the Pear State Colony, but it's not finished yet. First two are around eighteen hours with delays and the last, is ten but with days of unfinished journeying."
I brushed it off as that she tours, it makes the most sense to know the routes for efficient touring of the known world.
I then continued with, "You're saying places and all I can hear are the same a foreigner would. Vaguely familiar places and no idea of where they are.”
“I know I probably shouldn't ask, but why did you think you came South?” Octavia inquired.
“I...I want to say that from what I remember from where I lived... I want to say that the people further South were more typically upper class sounding. The North was the more common sounding accent area. But I could just be remembering it wrong,” I answered, somewhat the most truthful thing I had said so far.
“Do you remember the last place you were?” Vinyl asked, probably in an attempt to help.
Before I could answer I had to make it like I was thinking, so I did. I actually thought of the layout for what I remembered Equestria to be and came out with an answer.
“The last place I remember being at was a few streets from a bar somewhere. For all I know, I spent a long time moving around and selling stuff for another drink. It would explain why I feel like I'm not remembering a whole lot. Also explains why I still have the laptop, it's always been one of the things I'd not sell.”
For a short while we continued talking. I was trying my best to flatten and perfect the base for which my new life would be built. The two of them had been metaphorically prodding and found little of which could lead them to believe I was trying to deceive them.
As the time for rest came closer, there had been some small talk regarding what would happen going on from here. The two said they'd help until I was back on my hooves and that there could be some help with getting more acclimated to Equestria.
Music had been a topic that had always crept back, with the final discussion on it being related to a music deal. I'd mentioned I only needed a good microphone and was left wondering if the entire discussion around the deal was anything more than just a passing of an idea.