//------------------------------// // Ch 2. Lost and Found // Story: My World, Our Life // by CEverw00d //------------------------------// Ch. 2 Lost and Found The following morning felt much different from the rest. Without even thinking about why it was different, it just FELT different. I tried to go about my morning routine as I did every day, but I couldn’t get into it. It was all far too different. Stardust was still asleep in the chair, curled up in the blanket. She looked so sad and scared. I had to do everything I could to help her. She doesn’t belong here; this is a dangerous place for her, a place where the magics of love and friendship just won’t cut it. Still, I had no idea where to begin, and I don’t think she had any ideas either. All I could do is get to school and think of something when I get back. I left a plate of a couple more apples and 3 carrots on a plate on the arm of her chair and went out. Class went as normal. I tried to be my usual fun-and-friendly-teacher self, but I just couldn’t get into it, I was thinking about Stardust the whole time. The students seemed to notice and didn’t seem as energetic either. Time couldn’t have pass fast enough as the day dragged on. I went back to the apartment as quickly as my bike would take me, I was ready to answer any questions she had, entertain any theories, discuss with her, and find a solution with her. All that awaited me was my already-unlocked door. I opened the door and looked around. She wasn’t here. I dropped my bag to the floor and frantically looked around; maybe she was sifting through my things out of curiosity? Did somebody come in and take her? I was sure I locked my door, I always do. Please let her still be here. She wasn’t. She had eaten one of the apples I set down for her and left the rest. What could have happened? The door didn’t seem to be broken into, the door must’ve been unlocked, but by whom? I went to the front desk and asked who might’ve been able to unlock my door and if they had done so. That didn’t seem to be the case. It must’ve been unlocked from the inside. It then occurred to me. Stardust must’ve gone out to search for her brother. She’s a unicorn, maybe she could have unlocked and opened the door. Yes, that must be what happened. Without wasting any more time, I took off running down the sidewalk. Where did she go? When did she leave? Did anybody see her? Did anybody pick her up? Should I put up fliers for a lost animal? I thought these questions while I ran and ran and ran. I looked down every alleyway I passed, thinking, hoping I might see her there. How would I find her in a whole town? Whatever the case, she wouldn’t take the sidewalks; she would probably avoid people at all costs. She must be using the backstreets and alleys to get around. I went down the closest alley I came across and began searching the backstreets. What if I can’t find her? She’ll be cold and starving and alone. I have to find her, but where is she? I searched and searched and searched. I had to slow my search to a walk. Exhaustion was setting in. The sun was setting. What do I do? Should I just give up? As I sat down to rest for only a little while and think, I heard something. It sounded like whining, crying. I looked around, it was coming somewhere from my left. I got up and moved towards it. The sound was coming from behind a couple of trash cans. As I got closer, I could see her mane, my heart leaped with joy. I got closer and peaked over the garbage cans, looking down at her. She didn’t notice me. I reached down as slowly and gently as I could and patted her head. She jumped with fright, moved away and looked at me. When it finally registered who she was looking at, she only cried that much more. I moved over to her and picked her up, holding her in a gentle hug as she whispered out between sobs, “I’m sorry….I’m so sorry….I’m sorry….please don’t hate me….” We made our way home I set her back in her chair. She was dirty and had calmed down for the most part. I just sat on the floor next to her and gently stroked her fur. She avoided eye contact as best she could, ashamed, and mumbled out, “I’m really sorry….I…I just….” I shook my head, “You don’t have to explain yourself. I’m just glad you’re okay. You must be hungry.” As I said that, my stomach growled. She let out a slight giggle, then her stomach growled too. Then she giggled more. I couldn’t help but let out a light-hearted chuckle. It was good to hear her laugh. I set about putting the food I’d laid out earlier back into the fridge and got her some fresher apples and carrots. I was beginning to run out. Still, we both ate and enjoyed each other’s company, though neither of us spoke. After finishing eating and doing the dishes, I said, “So…you’re kind of…dirty. Would you like to take a bath?” It never occurred to me about ponies and cleanliness, how much dirt is considered “dirty” or whether they care about cleanliness. Still, she said, “Yes please, thank you.” In those words, though still speaking politely, I could tell she was more confident in talking to me now. I got the warm water running and she enjoyed herself quite thoroughly. The tub was too small for me, so I never took baths. Still, her enjoying herself was good enough for me. We splashed each other and played “catch the soap.” I imagine this is what it would be like if I had a child of my own. It was a lot of fun. All clean and dried-off, she sat in her chair, pleased, having had a simple and fun time. I wanted to ask her more questions, now that she was in a good mood, but I didn’t want to ruin said mood. As I thought about what to say, she spoke up. “So what do you normally do? Where did you go today?” “I could ask you the same thing,” I thought. “I went to school. I’m a teacher.” “Ooohhh. What do you teach them?” “All the basic stuff. Math, English, Science, History.” “English? What’s that?” I then remembered, while they speak, write, and read like we do, their language isn’t English. “English is the language that most people around here read, write, and speak. It’s a lot like yours.” “Oh yeah, it’s weird how we’re from different places but can understand each other.” “Not as weird as you’d think,” I thought. “And what about my first question? You never answered that one.” “Which one?” “What you normally do. I doubt you just sit here doing nothing when you’re not at school.” “Oh, I go on my computer and watch movies and play games and such. Nothing amazing.” “Computer? Movies?” Agh, I forgot they don’t have that kind of stuff in Equestria. Or do they? I’ve only seen Ponyville, I don’t know what the other places might have. Civilization seems to be all over the place in Equestria. “Uhhh,” I started, “A computer is….a gizmo…thingy….that…uh….does lots of other things. Like, you can write stuff without using paper, watch movies without going anywhere, play games, and talk to people far, far away without seeing them.” I guess I’d have to explain the internet at some point. Maybe later. “A movie is like a play, but the actors don’t have to be there for you to watch it. It’s kind of like a book, you can read it without someone reading it to you. You can watch a movie without the actors performing It for you.” This analogy sucks, but I just can’t think of anything else. “Sounds really cool! Can we watch one of those movie things?” “Sure. What kind of stories do you like?” “Uhhh I dunno. You pick one!” Hmmmm, what might she like? I don’t watch too many movies, mostly just anime. I don’t care much for theaters so I don’t keep track of what new movies come out. I thought about the movies that I actually owned. “Ah, I know one,” I said, “But where do you want to watch it? In here?” “Your bed! I wanna watch it in your bed!” My bed? Well, I guess most ponies did have beds, so sleeping in a chair would be weird. “Okay,” I said. We went over to my bed, which was really just a mattress in the corner of the other room with some blankets and pillows. I brought my laptop to my bed and sat with my back to the wall; Stardust came over and sat next to me, bouncing a few times on the bed. She noticed the laptop, its bright screen and simple flatness. It was strange to her. I popped in the DVD for the Disney movie, “Tarzan.” It was one of the few movies I actually owned, and I liked it very much. So did she. We watched the movie, she frequently asked about the animals, such as gorillas, leopards, and elephants. She remarked about how the images looked more like her than they did like me. I did my best to explain everything, how this was a cartoon, the images were all drawn. Actually, I think they were computer generated, but I don’t know. She enjoyed it with its talking animals and silly antics; she ended up falling asleep near the end. I tucked her in, closed my laptop and went to sleep as well. Sleep tight, Star. See you in the morning.