Chapter 7
Dilemma
As I approach the edge of the forest, I see Rick looking around the sky, "You loose something?" He turns to face me
"Didn't you hear the thunder? There is no cloud in the sky big enough to create lightning or even thunder, but it happened," How should I approach this?... 'Hey it was me!' like that's going to work.... I know!
I raise my fist showing him the back of it, specifically the game controller, "It was me. This place gave me videogame powers, including the shouts from Skyrim," I wonder if he got powers too
Rick the holds his own hand up and shows me a similar mark, It looks like a black box... disapointing, "I have one too, but mine is a command prompt," That makes a ton more sense! I'm an idiot. Wonder what it means, "But I don't know what it means," Just what I was thinking...
I move my left arm across my chest and place my right elbow on my hand while having my right hand under my chin, feigning deep thought. I look at the lowering sun, Definitely way past noon... "How about we go into town first, you know? Put some distance to the Forest"
"That sound good, buddy. Just one question, doo you have any food? I haven't eaten anything in two days," we both start walking to town
I raise my pip-boy and look into the 'aid' tab, finding only the most popular drink in the wasteland, "I only have nuka-cola, but not sure how good that would be for you." I look at him lowering my arm, "Not only is it an acidic drink, which would do you no good with an empty stomach, it also has radioactive isotopes, sooo.... not good for you," I look away from him, I definitely don't want my friend to die of thirst, but I sure as hell don't want to be responsible for poisoning him!
"You're probably right, but I still need to at least drink something," He sounds so disapointed
Not much happened on the way to Sugarcube Corner, although the town seemed to get lonlier by the minute. As we passed Townhall, we found Twilight and Spike, the former who had her mane all messy. Spike gave me a bag of bits saying they were from the Princess so I could get lunch, how nice. Also, the whole time I've been thinking of what Rick's power might be, and I think I've found a possible answer.
I stop infront of the gingerbread building known as Sugarcube Corner. I look at Rick who's staring directly at it, probably since he saw it, of course Rick all ways has to make a comment, Three, two, on- "I'm feeling diabetic just looking at this place," And there it is
"Come on, we're getting breakfast for late lunch," the bell rings as we step in, the smell of baked goods assaulting my nose, The place is completely empty. Not what I was expecting
"I'll be with you in a second, deary," That was Mrs Cake in the kitchen, I hear her aproaching the counter from the other side of the door, "Just letting you know, we will be closing soon for the summer sun celebration," That sounded a bit forced, then I hear something somewhat heavy being place on a table, That would explain it, "How may I help-" she walks out the door and sees me and Rick standing by the counter, freezing on the spot, Just like a deer in the headlight
Mrs Cake, AKA Cup Cake, is a chubby light cerulean blue earth pony mare with a red-ish pink mane and tail, both with a lighter coloured stripe. She has a yellow polo shirt with blue jeans and a mustard yellow apron with pink frills at the shoulders.
"Hello Mrs Cake, the princess told me I could get lunch here for me and my friend," I have to difuse the situation, "And the locals really recommended this place," Hopefully that works, saying we've interacted with others, also... compliments?
"Right..." she pauses to compose herself, giving a slight nervous chuckle, "Right now I only have crepes for lunch, chocolate, strawberry, and rainbow. We also have milkshakes, same flavours plus vanilla,"
I turn to Rick, his expression blank, "So what do you want?"
Rick's face twists into confusion, "You understand it??"
Ok, what?? They're both speaking the same language, so how..? I mean..., nothing can describe how confused I feel "What do you mean you can't understand her?!"
I hear Mrs Cake go "Oh dear" under her breath, but that's not important right now
"She sounds like someone imitating a horse to me. She sounds human tho." But I... Him... Them... I can't right now!
I sigh, "We'll deal with that later, She's about to close for the day. Now she has chocolate, strawberry and rainbow crapes, same with milkshakes plus vanilla, what do you want?" I sigh and think, Did I sound annoyed? Probably
He thinks for a second, "Strawberry and vanilla for my milkshake"
I turn to Mrs Cake, "Two strawberry crepes and two milkshakes, one vanilla and the other chocolate. How much would it be?"
"That would be 16 bits, dear"
I reach into the pocket were I place the money bag Spike gave me only to find exactly 16 bits, So... I just have what I need to pay? or what?, I place the bits on the counter and Mrs Cake takes them and does the transaction on the register with a satisfying 'Katching'
"Take a seat, dearies, I'll be back in a minute," she then walks back into the kitchen
I direct Rick to the nearest table, "She's gonna bring our food soon," we then take a seat an wait
How the hell is this happening, me understanding two different languages while both sounding like English... I mean, how can I begin to understand that. Maybe Twilight can come up with a reasonable explanation, she's really good with reaserch. She'll probably get exited a bout the new academic challen-
"Are we going to talk about it?" Rick broke my consentration
"About me understanding their language? Our being here? About what your powers might be? WHAT?!" I have too much on my mind right now, GOD DAMN IT!
"I guess we can start with the most simple. What do you think my powers are? You have a videogame controller and have the power of some games you've played. I have a command prompt and I haven't seen a single computer around" While he has a fair point my theory doesn't need computers
"I have videogame powers. Something I could only access while playing games on my computer and console, but here I can use them how I want to use them. So you might not need a computer to program shit"
"How would that even work? Do I just write it on a piece of paper and turn it into a program?" How would that even work?
"No... probably. But I have another thoery, what if you power is to program abjects to do stuff within it's capabilities. Like a book to turn it's pages when you say 'next page', or a cart to move while pressing a button, or something of the sort"
Mrs Cake surprises me a little bit as she places our food on the table, "Enjoy your meal"
"Thanks, we will," I see Rick give a polite nod
Rick then looks at me a bit concerned, "They're horses right? I hope this isn't some sort of hay-based batter"
"Ponies actually. And no, they use wheat flour for pastries and baked goods... If it's anything like the show," I sigh
During our lunch we kept throwing theories around for his power, and me being able to understand Equestrian. We decided the may theory about his power was the most plausible one. As for the language barrier, well, we came out empty handed.
I stand up and grab our empty plates and glasses, and head for the counter. As I near the counter, Mrs Cake comes out of the kitchen and looks at me, "Yes?"
"I have to say, that was delicious. I'm definitely recomending you to may friends,-" Even if I only have one "-anyways, here are the plates"
"Oh, you didn't have to, dear"
"It's OK," I give a dismisive wave. I then turn to Rick and motion him to follow me
"Have a good evening," she says as we reach the door
I turn and wave, "Good evening to you too, we'll come back sometime," Rick just gives her a wave. As we walk into the street and start walking towards the library, I need to get him some sort of translator