Twilight's POV.
It had only been a few minutes since Daniel left, I had to admit, I was pretty nervous being here alone. Me and my friends started on the rooms right away, Rarity was certainly in her element. She had already started the cleaning, while Applejack had started to carry the boxes and other stuff out.
Fluttershy was hovering above us, dusting the corners of our new rooms. Pinkie was cleaning too, in her own way. I'm not sure how she managed, but somehow she had managed to tie sponges to her hooves and was now skating around on the wooden floors like if she was on the ice. She seemed to be totally comfortable here, not afraid to explore or enjoy herself to the fullest, even in this strange new world.
I've always envied that about her, able to always stay positive, to put on a smile for your friends, even when times looked the darkest. I was happy I was not stuck here alone, though I would probably have been fine with Daniel, but I would have been lost without my friends. They had changed me so much, shown me so much, and I had been able to grow because of it. Friendship, it was a beautiful thi-where is Rainbow Dash?
"Uhm, Rainbow Dash?" I called, looking around to see if I had somehow missed her.
Pinkie came skating by me, happy as ever. "She said she needed some air! Wheeeee!"
I noticed Applejack and Rarity exchanging glances, then looked to me with concerned eyes. It seemed they were thinking the same thing, but, but surely Rainbow wouldn't break rule one? Not on the very first day, surely!
"I, better go check on her.." I said nervously, then hurried down the stairs. There was a chance we worried for nothing, but we all knew Rainbow well enough to know that she is not the biggest rule follower. I hoped I would be wrong this time, I hoped she was hanging around just outside, trying to collect her thoughts, or whatever she would do.
Unfortunately, it seemed, once again, I was proven right. She was nowhere to be found, I looked in the courtyard, around the house, even in the... Stables.... But she was nowhere to be seen, not even the garage or barn. I huffed, frustrated that we could not keep a promise we made not even an hour ago! What was she thinking!?
Rainbow Dash was a great and loyal friend, always willing to help out when we needed it. But she was reckless too, back home she was always doing stunts, pushed herself to the limit in the most dangerous ways. By now I had lost count on how many times she had gotten herself hurt, thankfully nothing more serious than a broken wing. Up until now she had been very lucky, but, Twilight knew full well that one day, her luck would run out.
It was about then I was about to turn back into the house, when I suddenly saw her. Flying in the sky towards the farm, of course with great speed, as always. I was disappointed in her, and I was going to give her an earful when she got down here.
However, Rainbow seemed to think better of it, that stubborn Pegasus saw me looking sternly towards her, and she flew behind the house to get through an open window!
"Rainbow Dash! You get back here!!"
* * * *
Back to Daniel.
"...So...Much...Food..." I groaned as I pushed my heavy shopping cart towards the checkout line, which, thankfully had no line. I had gotten lucky, I just finished getting everything when the afternoon rush began. With me being first, I could pretty much slip out with all my goods without anyone taking too much notice.
Arriving to the cash register, I put the products up on the small belt, and the cashier started to scan them one by one. I sighed, this was more than I usually bought, but I had six mouths to feed back home, so there wasn't really much of a choice.
"Hosting a party or something...?"
Came the almost dead and lifeless voice from the cashier. I looked up, saw a teenager, only 17 if I should guess. He looked like his attention span could break at any moment, or like life itself had given up on him. I didn't blame him, I worked behind that very counter when I was his age, and it did have a way of sucking every spec of life out of you. It was a small town, so most of the day it was pretty dead. Poor guy..
"No." I said, putting on a small polite smile. "Just, filling the pantry." He made some sounds of recognition, but I don't really think what I said registered in his mind. 'Stay strong, soon, you will be put out of your misery, soon.'
When he had scanned everything, he keyed in something, and the price showed. "767.."
I paid, glad it wasn't as expensive as I had feared, but it was more than I would normally buy when I was out. Packing everything into the cart, I got out and pushed the cart across the parking lot and towards my truck. As I was about to reach it, a familiar voice called out.
"Oi! Hermit!"
I turned, spotting Micheal walking towards me, a big smile on his goofy face. "Hey Mike, what's up?"
"Nothing." He replied. "I tried calling you yesterday, and today, but you didn't pick up. I wanted to know if you were okay, the weather got pretty nasty after all, I saw lightning."
Fuck, I had completely forgotten my cellphone. I hadn't thought about it since yesterday before I found Twilight and the others. It probably still laid on some table back home. "Oh, sorry, I have completely forgotten to turn in back on yesterday." What a shitty excuse.
"You also have a weird voicemail, dude."
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Well I called, and it sounded like a girl answering. She kept saying hello, and for a moment I thought you were playing a prank, but then it hung up." He sounded confused, but also a little amused.
I tried to keep a straight face, but I could feel my eyebrow twitching slightly. "Wow, how about that? Well, I should be getting home anyway, you know, and change that stupid prank voicemail, ahaha!" Smooth, he probably didn't think I sounded like a complete maniac.
He looked to my cart, let out a long whistle. "What's up with all your groceries, preparing for world war three?"
"No i'm just, you know, I have a lot of work ahead of me, and I want to make sure I have enough." I hated lying, but even worse, I hated using such a blatant obvious lie!
Somehow however, Micheal didn't seem to notice, or either choose to ignore it. "Alright, you must be busy. But hey, let me know when you can hang out dude, I hate to think you turning into an old man alone out there."
I couldn't help but laugh at that. "This is the last time you will see me." I made a crazy gold digger voice. "I found the secret of eternal life, ehehe, mushrooms sonny."
He raised an eyebrow. "That's the best joke you got? Shit, if that's the sort of humor to develop out there, then we better get you out drinking more often."
We shared a laugh, and after I gotten everything inside the truck I drove off. Now finally alone with my thoughts, I knew just who to scold for picking up my phone and answering it.. PINKIE PIE!
* * * *
Rainbow Dash's POV.
"How could you be so irresponsible? We all agreed to lay low, and not leave the farm, what if you were seen? What if some human reported you, or saw you as a danger? We promised Daniel to-"
Twilight kept talking, and talking, and, talking... I had tried to slip in through the window upstairs, but Applejack was quick to capture me, so now I'm forced to sit here and listen to Twilight scolding me! I get it already, I shouldn't have left, it was stupid, but come on Twilight! No one saw me, and nothing happened.
Well, something had happened. Though I have not known Daniel for a day, his outburst kind of shocked me. I understand it was dangerous, but I had it under control, I'm Rainbow Dash after all! But, I get that doesn't mean much here..
He looked so angry, but even if he was yelling at me, I could see something in his eyes. I'm not one for all that sappy stuff, but I could see I scared him, and it reminded him of something, something that was hurting him inside.
I didn't like to admit it, but him yelling at me had scared me at that moment, and his words did make me react.. But he was cool enough to ignore it, and not rub my face in it. He even made me feel better, and I think he and I will become great friends! Maybe then I can find more out about what hurts him, and then I.. Is she still talking?
"And I fully understand your need for speed, but if we could just please be more care-are you even listening to me?"
I let out a groan. "I get it Twilight.." Leaning back into the couch, I crossed my front hooves and looked away. "I just needed to talk with him, and he said it was okay.. After scolding me.."
Twilight became silent, when she didn't answer after a few moments, I turned my head and looked to her. She seemed concerned, and it kind of made me feel bad. I had worried her, just like with Daniel, but she seemed more concerned about I had actually flown out there to talk to him. I knew what she was thinking, I had known her long enough, she was worried because I didn't like to talk about anything too... Uhm, private? I guess that was a bit out of character, but, I didn't want to feel like that, and I thought Daniel could fix it, and he did! Problem solved, right?
"Are you okay?"
Of course she asked that, not that I minded, but the problem was already solved. So I sent her my award winning winner smile, and nodded. "Of course I am, we talked, and everything is cool! Nothing to worry about!"
She looked like she wanted to say something, but was interrupted as our friends entered the living room. "Uhm.." Fluttershy didn't look like she wanted to intrude. "I'm sorry, but, I think we might have made a small mistake.." She hid her face behind her mane and the others came in behind her.
* * * *
Back to Daniel.
As soon as I had pulled up in the courtyard, I got out, got some of the bags, and started to walk towards the house. I certainly did not expect my front door to slam open, almost making me fall, but it seemed Twilight was going to correct that mistake.
"Daniel!"
She exclaimed, and before I could react, she jumped on me, making me fall back. "Ow!" I groaned, looking up, confused to her worried face. "What the hell Twilight..?"
"We're so sorry!" She said, making me flinch in confusion.
"Uhm, what?"
Her mane seemed frizzled, her eyes seemed bigger than normal and she was pretty much shaking with tension. What the fuck happened while I was gone? The house was still standing, so I assumed whatever they had done couldn't be that bad.
"I'm sorry, it hasn't even been two hours, and already we are breaking the rules and promises, and we simply-mfph?!" I placed a hand over her muzzle, trying to absorb everything she was saying.
Looking her in the eyes I replied. "Twilight, calm down, take some deep breaths, and get off me. Then we talk, inside."
She nodded, though a little embarrassed as she realized she had me pinned down on the ground. When she moved off, she blushed, looking away as she could not face me right now. "S-sorry..."
I shook my head. "It's fine, come, help me with these and let's talk."
We gathered everything I had dropped, thankfully with Twilight's magic it was a snap. When we entered, I noticed the others in the living room, they all looked pretty, nervous? I guess that was the best word for it, but, was it really that serious? Could it be Rainbow leaving? Or was it the phone?
I put the bags down, following Twilight into the living room. "Uhm, hey guys? You doing okay?" There was silence, and I noticed even Rainbow Dash looked worried, not daring to look at me. Even Pinkie, who was usually the more relaxed and positive one, even she looked nervous.
If this had been about Rainbow she would have told them it was okay. Then could it be the phone? But, nothing had happened. "Come on, is this about the phone?" They all looked surprised, but then looked away again, embarrassed.
I was about to laugh it off, telling them that neither Pinkie or the others were in trouble, but then, Fluttershy trotted over to me. Her head hanging as low as it could get, her mane hiding her face, but I could tell she was nervous. "Fluttershy?"
Me speaking her name made her jump just slightly, but otherwise she was fixed in place. "I.. I picked up that ringing, thing.. I thought it was you, there was an image of you and some other human..."
Ah, the caller display was a picture of me and Micheal together, making peace signs, smiling. It made sense now, not knowing what a phone was, she thought it was me who tried to communicate with them or something. Since they had never heard another one from this world, then I guess at first hearing one could mistake his voice for mine. But she must have figured it out and then hung up.
"I'm so sorry!"
She blurted out with as much force her nervousness would allow, which was not much, but enough to show me she was really scared about the consequences. These ponies, they were really sensitive. Or maybe they were just emotionally exhausted? Being overly stimulated and overly careful? I had no clue, but, one thing was clear, and I knew what I had to do.
I got down on one knee, I was still taller, but we were still more leveled now. Then slowly I brought up my hand, and like the other night when she came to me, I placed it on top of her head. She looked up, and I smiled warmly at her. "Fluttershy.. Once again you show how brave you are.. You have not done anything wrong, you couldn't have known. So, don't sweat it, okay?"
She looked up at me, her eyes wet, but then, she launched into me, making me fall back and landing on my butt. Her hooves were wrapped around me, and I could feel her cheek against mine. I was a little taken aback, but I should probably expect these kinds of things from these ponies.
Besides, it didn't feel half bad..
Wrapping my arms around her, careful with her wings, I truly felt how soft her fur were. She was soft and fluffy, I bet all of them are. Then, after maybe a minute, she pulled away, wiping her eyes with a small smile.
"Feel better, Flutters?" I asked.
She confirmed with a single nod. "Mhmm."
I smiled, placing my hand on her head again, which she leaned into a little. Then, as I looked up, I saw the girls blushing, but, not scared of what might happen now, they knew they would be fine. I finally stood up, looking at them all, knowing I had to make my point clear.
"Listen, you've been busy, you've been through a lot, we all have.. I know you might be nervous around me still, or simply being in this world, but just relax. I wont kick you out of here, I said I was going to help you, so that is what I am gonna do." I said confidently, knowing I full well I was once again talking myself into a serious promise, but at this point, I was alright with that. "Now, I'm starving, so how about we make some dinner, then watch a movie?"
They all looked confused, and it was Rarity that asked the question. "What's a, movie?"
* * * *
Me and Pinkie made dinner, in the meantime, Twilight and Rarity set the table while Fluttershy finished up with Rainbow Dash upstairs. They cleaned the rooms, and even made the beds, only a few things were missing, and I told them where they could find pillows and other items they might need.
Right now the rooms were pretty standard, a bed, a closet, a window, that was basically it. There were little to no decoration, maybe a picture or two, but nothing much. I did not know how long they would be living here, I was pretty sure if Twilight was working on getting them back home, surely her mentor was working on a way to get them home as well? At any rate, I told them during dinner that they could decorate their rooms however wanted, within reason of course.
I had decided to make pasta and tomato sauce. Normally I would add ground beef into it, but I've decided to just enjoy a meat free dinner with them today, didn't want to make the day anymore awkward than it had already been.
During dinner we all talked and got to know each other a little better, needless to say the girls had lots of questions about my world, and I did my best to answer them to the best of my ability. I got to know them pretty well too, as I never actively watched the show, I got to know them better through them, and not the show.
It was fun, learning about the sonic rainboom, Pinkie Pie's and Applejack's family farms, Rarity's shop, Twilight's time under Celestia, and Fluttershy's animals. There was a lot to learn, and I listened, truly interested in what they told me, it was also pretty fun to learn about them, and the lives they lived from the, excuse the expression, horse's mouth itself.
I don't know how long it was, but before I'd noticed we had talked over two hours, laughing, talking, telling stories. I don't know when I last done something like this. Sure, I had dinners with friends, but, never like this, not in this sort of setting. Like Fluttershy's hug, it felt good..
When dinner was over, and after the dishes were done, the girls, all except Pinkie, sat excited around the living room, finding what had become their favorite spots.
"So, this movie." Rarity began. "It is like a play?"
"Yes, but it is recorded, and then we can re watch it after it has been in the theaters." I said, finding the DVD I had been looking for.
"That sounds exciting!" Twilight said, clapping her hooves together. "Humans are truly fascinating. What are we watching?"
I smirked, holding up the DVD. "Well, I thought the first movie you should watch is the movie I loved as a kid." They all looked interested at the DVD box, and I walked closer so they could see.
"The Mask Of Zorro.." Fluttershy read.
I nodded. "It's a great movie, i'm sure you will all like it."
While I got everything set up, Pinkie came in, walking on her hind legs while balancing three big bowls with popcorn. Funny, I was sure I didn't have any, but maybe it was better not to ask, it was just Pinkie being Pinkie. When everypony, and myself, got comfy, I hit play, turned down the lights and let the movie speak for itself.
* * * *
Everything went as expected, the sword fights and action scenes made Rainbow jump and cheer for the hero. Rarity seemed to be focused on the passionate love story, and I was pretty sure she was gonna squeal when the actors kissed for the first time, or even faint.
What was more funny was they both seemed to blush, and be intently focused during the sword fight between the two main actors. How Antonio Banderas would show off his skill, cutting pieces of clothes, teasing the beautiful Catherine Zeta-Jones, who, and I'm not ashamed, was my childhood crush for a time. But I think I broke Rainbow and Rarity when the scene ended with a DEEP kiss. Rainbow would never admit it, but I think she liked it.
Applejack was much the same way, cheering, and even made punching motions whenever Zorro was engaged in a longer battle. I think what she loved most was the ending, the final kiss, the confession, I'm pretty sure I saw her and Rarity almost hug one another.
Fluttershy seemed more interested in the animals, there was not many, but she did like the story and seemed interested enough. She even leaned into me whenever the bad guys were on screen. It was pretty cute.
Pinkie was being Pinkie, she cheered along with Rainbow Dash whenever the hero outsmarted the bad guys, laughed whenever there was a joke, or not for that matter.
As for Twilight, well, though she seemed to blush during the tango scene, she was mostly interested in how the technical aspect of the movie worked. A bit dry, but that was who she was.
When the movie ended, Rainbow, Rarity and Pinkie Pie all applauded, Rarity even wiping some tears away. "That, that was truly marvelous darling." Rarity said, smiling. "It was a performance of high quality, I do not think anypony could make something like this back home.. Ah, wonderful."
"Well I'm glad you enjoyed yourself, Rarity." I barely managed to say before Pinkie started to bounce around.
"Oh my gosh that was so much fun, can we see it again, can we?! Can we?! Pleeeeease???!!!"
"Well, that wasn't half bad." Applejack smirked and walked up beside me. "Bet ya wished to be just like that fella when you grew up?" She chuckled and bumped her flank against me.
"Duh, who wouldn't?!" Rainbow exclaimed, flew to us and had the biggest smile on her face I had seen since she got here. "I mean, it was totally awesome! The fights and explosions were so cool!"
I smirked. "And you seemed to enjoy that kissing scene a lot too, huh?"
"Yea it was-!" She stopped, blushed. "No! That is just something for Rarity!" She protested, turning away and crossed her hooves.
"Whatever you say, lady Dashie." We all shared a small laugh, but then I yawned. "Well.." I looked at the time, it was almost midnight. "I'll clean up down here. You girls should probably think about heading off to bed too, I got you some towels and some toothbrushes, they are upstairs in front of the bathroom.."
They all looked grateful, and I think they were a little surprised too. Didn't they expect me to provide for them? Of course I would! They thanked me, and after saying our good nights, I got to work on cleaning up after our movie night.
It didn't take me long, and after finishing up the living room, I slowly started to turn off the lights. The last thing I did was to clean the bowls from it left over salt and such. I thought the girls had all gone to bed when I suddenly heard a voice behind me.
"Excuse me, Daniel?"
"Hm?" I looked behind me, surprised to find Applejack standing in the doorway, her mane and tail untied from her ribbons, and without her hat. It was almost like seeing her naked, even though, they were all naked. "Applejack? What's up?"
She let out a sigh. "Well, ah just came down to tell ya that.. That was a real good thing ya did for Fluttershy.. It meant a lot to her, and to us.. Ah know it wasn't an easy choice for ya to make, letting us stay here and all.. So, thank you.."
I smiled a little, not sure what brought this on, but I sent her a grateful nod. "Don't mention it.. In truth, I still don't know what I have gotten myself into, I don't even know if I can really be of any help.. But, I will do my best to make your stay here in my world as comfortable as possible."
I could hear her chuckle a bit, then smile warmly at me. "At least ya honest, but ah don't think you know how much yer doing.. Opening up yer home requires trust, it is something my family would have done.. Ah think we will get along just fine, partner." An with that she turned around and walked towards the stairs. "Sweet dreams, sugarcube."
I watched her go, then smiled. "Partner.. Well, we'll see what the future has in store for us, won't we? At least none of us will have to face it alone.."