//------------------------------// // This Is Who I Am // Story: This Is Home // by Melody Song //------------------------------// Limestone looked over at Marble, sleeping peacefully in the bed at the other end of the room they shared in their family home. Limestone sighed and closed her eyes, ready to rest for the long day of work to come. A week or so later, Limestone and Marble, along with their parents, were visiting their sisters in Ponyville. Limestone was greeted by the overly-excited hug from Pinkie, as usual. “Hi everypony! I’m so glad you’re all here! I can’t wait to show you around, we didn’t get much chance during Hearthswarming and…” It was here that Limestone drowned out her sister’s blabbering, so used to the noise she didn’t pay attention much unless necessary. “...And you have to meet Cheese Sandwich! He’s going to love you!” Limestone jerked her head up. “Who’s Cheese Sandwich?” “He’s my boyfriend silly!” Limestone didn’t know why, but Pinkie’s words felt like a cold dagger being plunged into her heart. She recalled feeling the same way when Pinkie brought word to them that Maud was dating a stallion. Limestone knew she should be happy for her sister-sisters, now-but everytime she tried to say it her throat closed up. What was wrong with her? “Cheesie is the best! He loves parties just like me, he always cheers me up when I’m sad, and he’s the best coltfriend in the whole world! Don’t tell Rainbow though, she thinks Soarin is.” “Why can’t I fall in love like everypony else?” Limestone thought. She took a deep, shuddering breath, then let it out. She saw Marble glance her way, obviously concerned, but shook her head at her. “Guess it just avoids the stress of falling out of it.” Limestone muttered, trying to convince herself. -------------------------------------------- “Limestonia.” her father said as they unpacked their things in the hotel that afternoon. “Yes father?” “Thou aren’t thinking of cutting thou’s mane again, art thou?” he gestured to her mane, which had grown out recently. “I was.” Limestone admitted gruffly, not facing him. “Thou must uphold the family name Limestonia.” her mother chided, joining in. “Well I don’t care.” Limestone thought bitterly. That night, Limestone pulled out her journal. She turned to a fresh page and began to write. Have you ever felt...just uncomfortable in your own coat? Like no matter what you do, something’s wrong? My parents don’t get it. They say I look normal. They say I’m average. That I was born a girl and that’s how I’ll stay. But I don’t get it. I’m not normal. That’s why I crew-cut my hair. Not to save time brushing it like Marble and Maud have to. But because it just felt right. I just told my parents that because of how they reacted when I showed up to breakfast with it cropped short. I also don't let the innate magic that hide my mare parts wear off, even when I go to sleep. I just find them awkward, even to myself. I’m not normal, but everyday I promise myself I’ll figure out a way to get myself out of this trap I’m in. -------------------------------------------- Limestone woke early the next morning, while her parents and sister were still asleep. Grabbing some scissors, she headed for the bathroom. Snip Snip Snip It was the sound that comforted Limestone the most. She watched the longer parts of her mane she’d been itching to remove fall to the floor. Limestone swept the locks of hair into the trash can before leaving. “Limestonia Delilah Pie!” her father yelled when he saw her. “This hast gone too far!” Limestone bit her lip as her parents yelled, making her chest tighten. Marble crouched in a corner. Limestone eventually couldn’t take it. She ran. Limestone ran into the town, pausing to take a breath. All around her ponies were going about their day like nothing was wrong. Everything blurred together as her eyes stung, until they were a mix of colors threatening to blind her. Limestone laid down on the hill and closed her eyes. -------------------------------------------- “Is she dead?” Limestone heard a filly ask after what seemed years, though it had probably been hours at most. “She is dead!” another cried “Girls, honestly. She’s just resting.” a pony answered in a very proper tone. “Limestone? Is that you?” Limestone opened her eyes and sat up. Three fillies and three mares stood before her. She recognized two. Applejack and Apple Bloom, her possible cousins. “She wasn’t dead!” the pegasus filly cried “Sometimes I think I am.” Limestone murmured “What was that darling?” the unicorn mare asked “...I can feel the ghosts and ghouls wrapping around my head.” Limestone mumbled, turning. “But I don’t wanna fall asleep just yet.” “What is she talking about?” the pegasus mare asked Limestone ignored them and trotted away, breaking into a canter. She ended up running straight into her parents, who were alone. “There thou are. We have been searching for thou.” her father said. Her parents took her back to the hotel, where they stayed for the day. Limestone forced herself to sleep that night. Her pupils dilated from shock when she awoke, seeing her mother and father watching her. “What do you want?!” “Thou must act how thou art supposed to.” her mother replied “A lovely mare. Not the stallion thou pretends to be.” Limestone woke again to find it was just a dream. She heaved a sigh of relief, but then began to consider her dream. “A...stallion?” The word felt right on her tongue, like she was meant to say it. Limestone didn’t sleep any more that night. Limestonia Delilah Pie That’s the name my parents gave me when I was born. It became shortened to Limestone. I used to think that was my perfect name. But now...it just doesn’t feel right. I don’t know why. But...is it maybe because I’m not right? The next morning, Limestone wandered through Ponyville with her sisters, eyes lined from lack of sleep and her mane messed up. Ponies kept glancing at them. “Are you okay Limey?” Pinkie asked “F-fine. I’m fine.” Limestone replied, choking back a sob. “Just didn’t get much sleep last night.” “You usually sleep like a rock.” Maud replied She was making one of her jokes. Pinkie laughed and Marble smiled, giving a soft chuckle. But Limestone couldn’t respond. Her lips refused to go up in a smile, vocal chords refused to laugh. “Limestone? Are you sure you’re okay?” Pinkie asked again, this time more concerned. “It’s nothing Pinkie.” “No it is not nothing!” Pinkie blurted out. “Usually you’ve already made a snarky comment to Maud’s joke or laughed or done something! Now you’re just following us and staring into space more than Rainbow’s pet tortoise!” “I-I’m okay.” Limestone replied as they entered the park. “Hey Pinkie.” the mares from the previous day trotted up, followed by Princess Twilight and another pegasus mare. “Hey guys.” Pinkie greeted. “Limestone, Marble, these are my friends. Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Twilight. You already know AJ.” “Is something wrong Pinkie?” Fluttershy asked “Limestone was just about to tell us if something’s wrong.” Maud replied “Yeah...go on Limey! Spill!” Pinkie ordered, making her sister flinch. “Get a load of me, the monster. I can’t even talk to my own sisters.” Limestone thought “I think her mind’s in a different place.” Maud told them “Well then can everypony give her just a lil’ bit of space?!” Pinkie asked loudly, startling random ponies away from the four siblings and Pinkie’s friends. “What's wrong dear?” Rarity asked “I’m not her.” Limestone mumbled “Hmm?” Marble hummed questioningly. “I’m sick and tired of being called her!” Limestone yelled, stomping a hoof on the ground. “I’m not her! I don’t know what I am but I-I don’t want to be a mare!” They all froze, then Pinkie stepped forward. “Limey...is that what’s been bothering you? Is that why you were being so weird?” Limestone’s throat closed and the pony gazed at the ground. “I just...I feel wrong.” “Wrong how?” Rainbow Dash asked “I don’t belong in this body.” “Are you saying you’re trans?” Maud deadpanned “...Maybe? Is-isn’t that wrong?” “Oh Limey!” Pinkie hugged her sibling. “Of course it’s not!” “I just want to feel normal.” Limestone sobbed, pressing into Pinkie’s neck. “You are normal. If you prefer being called him because it makes you happy, you’re normal.” Maud replied Then, a voice came from behind them. “Get a load of that train wreck.” it was issuing from a hot pink mare with a snub nose and a purple mane. “Her hair’s a mess and she doesn’t know who she is yet.” a gray mare with a white mane agreed. “Well little do we know the stars welcome him with open hooves.” It was Marble, speaking in public, and leaping to her sibling’s defense too. Limestone gazed at Marble, that was the first time she’d ever spoken in public for a long time. Pinkie’s friends went after the mares, while Limestone was comforted by Maud, Marble, and Pinkie. “Mom and dad said it wasn’t okay.” Limestone whispered “I’ll handle them.” Maud told Limestone, not a shred of malice in her face but a determined air to her emotionless voice. “Th-thank you…” “It’s no trouble…” Pinkie told Limestone, smiling. “Brother.” “Time...slowly...traces my face.” Limestone murmured. “But, strangely I feel at home in this place.” -------------------------------------------- Ponies say you’re born to be who you are now. That your destiny is set from the day you take your first breath. Some creatures would rather change their destiny. Take a left where they’re supposed to go right. Forge a new path instead of taking the well-worn one. Well, then I guess I’m one of them. Because somewhere along the way in my story, I decided that instead of going around a boulder...that I was going to break it into dust. I am Limestonian Demantoid Pie Pronouns He/Him