I felt a grin on my face as I looked down at the pony I drew. I was so satisfied with his pastel colors and little smile on his face. Though, as I thought something was missing I picked up my brown marker and filled in some markings into his coat. What would his name be? Peachy. I made several other sketches filling up the page, his story and scenarios filling my head as I went along. Everything was just flowing, even the idea for his cutiemark I made up on the spot. I had basically his color scheme memorized when I was done and put my sketchbook aside as I felt my eyes burning for sleep. I let a yawn escape but I didn’t want to sleep yet. Maybe I could think about his story when I went to bed?
I did exactly that, and eventually fell asleep, thinking about his life in Equestria.
I threw my eyes open at a sharp thud that came from the other end of the room. A yawn escaped me, but the room was dark. I attempted to sit up, and found myself swaddled in the blankets that constricted my movements. Getting out of them was a hassle and I fought with them, eventually throwing them off but fell face first onto the carpet. But my bedroom was tile? As my eyes adjusted to the room, I noticed two glowing green eyes, at first they frightened me but my conscience soon reminded me of my cat Jinx and I relaxed. “What did you do this-“ I cut myself off at the sound of my voice. It was deeper, more masculine. I put a hand to my-that didn’t feel like a hand? I had no fingers. I struggled to see in the dark as anxiety was creeping up on me. A meow that didn’t sound like Jinx made my panic grow much more and I found myself fumbling for a light, any light.
A brilliant light shone from above my forehead the next second dousing the room in a blue light and then a reflection-my-no a pony’s reflection in the mirror by the bed made me scream, the luminescence cutting out. I curled up in a ball as the image lingered. This is a dream right? Surely it can’t be real, right?
I heard hooves running and my breath hitched as the door swung open revealing more light from the hallway. “Peachy? Are you okay?”
I turned, craning my neck to look at who was talking and I swallowed. Seeing her made me do a double take. A mare stood there with a multicolored blue and two toned purple mane as fluffy as Pinkie Pie’s, and her coat looked reminiscent of black berry juice shining in the light. Her yellow eyes sent me breathless as they chased away the darkness of the room. I know who this is. “Water…” My throat was dry and I attempted to clear it. “Water Rush? What time is it?”
“Hah...you’re probably just disoriented like everyone else. The sun didn’t come up today. No pony knows why. I’ll fix you breakfast.” She giggled.
I slowly stood up, eyeing the feline as I stumbled out of the room. I was struggling to walk, tripping over hoof after hoof. Eventually, I fell down, but got back up feeling dizzy in my own right. I never drew Peachy with a pet cat last night. In fact, all the drawings I drew, were kind of fuzzy in recollection now.
“I hope Ash wasn’t too much of a pain last night. I didn’t notice I closed him in your room until I was in bed.” She spoke. Oh, so the cat was Water’s pet? I never delved too deep into her character. “What do you want? Eggs? Toast? Pancakes?” Her voice was bubbly, on the high side. Not at all how I imagined her to sound. “Peachy?” She grumbled. I was relieved when I could stop the walking trial and sit down at the table.
“Toast with some jam is fine.” I’ll play along for now. If this is a dream, I hope I wake up soon. Though, if this was real, how did I get into this predicament? Is this a reward...scratch reward, more like punishment for sketching Peachy over and over again? Filling a whole page and a half of doodles of him? I wanted to ask questions but I didn’t know how without giving out that something was amiss.
“How did you sleep?” I could only stare as her horn lit up, throwing the slices of bread in the toaster. Then she didn’t even look as she levitated the teapot on the stove. What was her talent again? Something with water? The grogginess of the morning was getting to me and being in a pony body.
“Good.” I nodded. I examined myself. I was a fuzzy pony, all the character traits I had drawn Peachy with, I had. Down to the brown body markings. Wisps of his pink curly fluffy mane fell into my left eye and I reached up slowly with a hoof feeling his horn. This dream was almost too real.
“Oh! I forgot I’m out of jam.” Water’s voice brought me out of my stupor. “Could you run into town and get some?” What was the relationship here? “I’ll give you the bits.”
“I’m still very tired.” I smiled, putting two hoofs over each other. “Butter will do.”
Her lips frowned and she levitated over a butter tray. “I’m outta butter too after that cake we stayed up to make.” She pouted. “Please, it’ll only take two-“
“Why don’t you go?” I pointed a hoof at her.
“I’m afraid of walking through town in the dark.” She sighed. “Please?”
I inhaled, swiping the bits but they all fell onto the floor because I had forgotten one thing. Hooves. “Uhh…”
“Saddlebag?” She looked confused. Her magic levitated over a purple saddlebag and she held it there for quite some time until she put it down in front of me. “Peachy?”
I was blanking. “Right, right.” I muttered, and attempted levitation. It wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be. After a few failed attempts and Water staring at me confused as Hell, I eventually figured it out and the bits secured inside the bag. “I’ll be off…”
Walking through town, I felt like a fish out of water. The only thing I really knew about Peachy was he was a party pony and his special talent was throwing parties rain or shine. His cutiemark was a storm cloud with a party hat on it, which was in vibrant pastel colors right there on his flanks. I let out a deep exhale, coming to a stop in front of a general store.
Where in Equestria even is this, because it certainly wasn’t Ponyville or Canterlot? I walked in, grabbing a basket and almost couldn’t stand my hooves slipping on the laminated tile of the store. It was harder for me to walk, but other ponies seemed to do just fine.
I walked up and down the aisles, looking at the prices and finding a few items I wanted but had to hold off because of the limited amount of bits Water had lent me. “Jam...butter…” I reminded myself as I took in the flavors of coffee in front of me. Maybe she already had coffee though.
I got the items I needed and after paying left the store. “Is that…” My voice trailed off as I blinked a couple times seeing another pony that was oddly familiar. I could go up and talk to her, but maybe it would be best to just go back to Water. Hah, go back…
I laughed to myself about my little joke and then getting used to walking, trotted back to her house. “I’m back!”
“Oh goodie! I was getting worried.” She beamed and then took the small amount of groceries from me putting them on the counter. “Oh good, you got more butter.”
I walked over as she prepared the toast and sat down. I thought for a minute. “So...what are the plans for the day?” I asked when she placed the plate of toast in front of me.
“Well, I need to go to work but you should continue planning the party.”
I blinked, almost choking on the toast I took a bite out of. He was planning a party? I mean, of course he was a party pony but I was no party pony. I hated parties. In fact, I only made Peachy as a comfort character. I hyperventilated. “What?”
“The party for Marcysia? Her cafe's grand opening?” She looked annoyed that I supposedly forgot. “What we made that cake for?”
“When is it again?”
“It’s all in your logbook, Peach. Remember?” If she was going to work, won’t she have to leave into the dark? Where she was afraid to walk before?
“Right, right. So you’re leaving?”
“No. I’ll be by my radio.” She muttered, rolling her eyes. “Though, it should be a clear day. I’m not feeling any tsunamis on the coastline today. If you’re feeling unwell, you should visit Doctor Ozheart.” She said, then gave me a kiss on the cheek. Are they...are they a couple? I was stunned for a minute and she seemed to blush as she walked away.
I shook my head, shaking away any lingering thoughts. She was cute and adorable. “So we’re most likely on a coastline town of Equestria…” I mumbled, taking another bite of my toast. “Or a small island…” I added. “Why am I here?” I asked aloud, but I almost knew I wouldn’t get any answer.
A meow came from beside my chair and I looked down seeing Ash from earlier looking up at me with a glare. His piercing green eyes stood out from his fluffy black fur. He reminded of Jinx if he was covered in charcoal. “Are...you hungry?” I asked and got a meow as a reply.
I walked over to the counter grabbing a new can of cat food and then I was soon reassured this wasn’t a dream as claws clawed into my coat, Ash climbing up my legs to stand on my back, pawing at the can as I levitated out the tuna onto a plate. “Wait-wait!” I said, holding it away from him and put both him and the plate on the floor. “Cats…” I grumbled, hearing him purring loudly eating his food.
I rubbed at a couple spots where it hurt the most from the claws and then walked back to the room I woke up in. A big binder book sat on the far dresser along with other belongings. I could only imagine the binder was Peachy’s logbook. Walking closer and opening it up, I was assaulted by confetti. “Classy…”
I paged through, coming to his latest parties and skimmed the details of the one he was recently planning. Do I take over? Or tell Marcysia to postpone? I could act like I got sick or-
My thoughts were cut short when I heard the doorbell go. I walked over, opening it and saw Marcysia there holding what looked to be paint swatches in her hooves. Her pale yellow fur, heterochromatic blue and pink eyes, even her pink mane with the lighter streaks through it was in the classic bun. She was the pony I saw earlier on, but I had to blink again. “Uh-uh...Marcysia-“
“I hope I’m not interrupting.” She said, as she let herself in. “I wanted to drop by and drop off the color scheme for the banner you requested.” She smiled. “How’s everything coming along?”
“Everything...is peachy.” I smiled. “Peachy keen.” I had no idea what I was doing or saying. “The cake was made last night...and now I have a color scheme.” I said, levitating the swatches from the earth pony’s hooves. I eyed them, do I even have the supplies to make a banner?
“You only say everything is peachy when it’s not.” He does? “If something is wrong-“
“Nothing is wrong…” I waved a hoof. “Nothing to worry your pretty little head about. I’ll take care of the party and you can continue...prepping for the opening.”
“Okay.” She didn’t seem that reassured, but walked out anyway.
Somehow, I have to plan a party for a cafe’s grand opening. I walked down the hallway, hearing the radio talk but I let it go. I needed an out, needed to tell someone. I didn’t think it would be safe for the town if I pulled Water away from her radio. “Who...to tell…” I mumbled. “Who wouldn’t think I’m crazy…” I went to the bedroom, getting the logbook again. These were all ponies Peachy knew. “Creamy Mix?” I said the name, almost finding the whole thing absurd at this point.
Creamy Mix was another pony character of mine. A stallion who works in a bakery making delicious strawberry cream. I only recently developed the headcanon that Marcysia and him could be cousins due to the similar streaks in their hair. “I’m crazy…” I mouthed, going through Peachy’s logbook. Almost every pony in here is a name I recognized.
I laid down, feeling dread wash over me. “I don’t know…” I admitted. Then in a last ditch effort, I closed my eyes pointing to a random name. I opened them, having to move my hoof and swallowed. “Strawberry Mint?” I ran my hooves down my face, looking at the details in the logbook. Apparently, Peachy threw a party for her so she could gain confidence with her new manestyle. That was two months ago. Were they friends though?
I stood up, taking down the address and then walked out. This wasn’t getting any party planning done, but the sun wasn’t up anyways. Actually, why isn’t the sun up? I stopped to ponder it over looking up at all the stars. “Mmrgh…” Celestia raises the sun, Luna raises the moon, so why isn’t Celestia raising it? Unless-
I never did set an era for Peachy to live in either. I grumbled to myself about that for a minute and then continued on. “Who’s ruling Equestria?” I asked, no one in particular.
“Maybe Princess Twilight is exhausted.” A soft voice said to my right. “I’ll give her a day’s rest.” I looked seeing another mare I didn’t recognize. She had a red coat, a long dark blue mane that fell almost dragging on the ground and a light blue pillow for a cutiemark that matched her eyes. A candle sat atop of her head, unlit like a weird hat.
If Peachy is a party pony, does that mean he knows everyone in this small town? “Maybe…” I laughed. I continued walking and then soon found myself in front of a mint shaped cottage. Should I even bother her? I rose my hoof to-no it wasn’t mine it was Peachy’s. I was only occupying him for the time being. Then, a thought came to mind. If I was Peachy, what about back home? Was he me? I knocked twice and once more for good measure. Though, a thought came to mind. Strawberry was only an Earthpony...what could she do? I needed to find an alicorn or unicorn.
I began to walk away looking back seeing no one coming to the door. “Maybe she wasn’t even home.”
I would wake up. That still seemed plausible right? I passed by the pillow mare again, looking at her skeptically. Who was she? She made eye contact with me as I trotted by, and we shared a glance until I was on the path back to Water’s home again. Maybe she was just a random mare.
I decided the best thing to do was to test Peachy’s special talent and get started on making the party banner using the supplies I found in his room. Yay…
Could I even find a way to get back? I let myself meditate on the possibilities as I cut out pieces of cardstock and other paper based on the colors Marcysia gave me. I spent time gluing, cutting and making sure everything was well put together even double checking when I strung it all together.
“Peachy! Do you want some lunch?”
I walked out seeing Water cutting up some sandwiches. “Okay.” I looked outside, and the sun was now beyond the horizon like it was raised but it was setting instead. I checked the clock, it was around 3PM so it was still wrong. I smiled as a sandwich was placed in front of me. A small flower poked out along with some hay and lettuce. Right, pony diets. I picked it up, biting some off, my right eye squinting as the bland taste overwhelmed me but I kept chewing. “So, Water...what exactly is this…?” I asked.
“A hay sandwich.” She blinked.
I face hoofed. “No, like us.”
“Us?”
“Our...relationship?” Was it really my place to pry? “You kissed me this morning.”
“Because last night you admitted you had feelings for me. Were you that sugar high?” She laughed. “We were icing the cake and you kept staring.”
“Oh.” I chirped. Come to think of it, I never did give Peachy a love interest but I thought about it. Their color schemes didn’t even match except for the purple in their manes. “I…”
“Is somepony feeling flustered?” She gasped, annoyingly feigning surprise. I could only watch as she slowly walked up to me putting her face in front of mine. She was so close, I could feel the heat of her. I was turning red. She was teasing me and her yellow eyes went half lidded as she brushed her cheeks against my face. Butterflies… “I had feelings for you too…” She whispered.
No wonder Peachy liked her. “Water…” I squirmed in the seat feeling uncomfortable but kissed her the next second.
She broke the kiss, looking me in the eyes. “Whenever you say my name you make it sound like you’re dying of thirst.” She laughed. “Are you thirsty?” Even though her voice was playful before, her tone turned seductive.
I think there is a double meaning to that. How did this happen? “Rain check!” Then, I darted out of the house. “Oh…” I just realized what I did but I wasn’t going to follow through with it. “Uhh...um…” I darted my eyes around looking for an objective. “Sweet Tooth?” My voice came out in a mix of surprise and disgust. Not sure why that was.
“Hi Peachy!” She yelled, and I tightly closed my eyes as I cringed feeling the ponies around us staring. I opened one eye stepping back as somehow she ended up being right in front of me pushing her face up against mine. Her soft blue eyes had taken up my whole vision but my mind still reeled from her character traits. Chocolate brown fur with white creeping up it in some places, her soft fluffy mane that was a mixture of silver and blue. The candy in her mane, “How are youuu? You seem different.” She chirped. She had a slight accent that sounded british.
“What are you doing here?” I asked.
“What do you mean? I’m visiting my friends for the week. I’m staying with Cocoa and Creamy.”
I rose my eyebrow looking at her untamed mane for a bit before settling back on her blue eyes. “Right…”
“There’s enough room for the two of us in this old town.” She said, turning her voice to a southern twinge. Darn, I was hoping she would mention what this town was called. “Oh! Do you need something? I know you were asking yesterday about pick up sweets.” She smiled. “Something about exploring food options for Marcy’s cafe opening.”
“I don’t remember.” I shook my head. “I’m sure Marcysia has that covered.” I muttered.
“Wow, you turn around fast. Creamy kept insisting that Marcy had it covered, but you kept badgering.” She paused, tapping her hoof on her chin. “Something does seem weird about you. Your...whole essence is wrong.”
“Well, it was nice talking to you.” I started walking away, but soon a long piece of candy rope wrapped around my barrel. “Hey!” I looked back and Sweet Tooth had it by her mouth and started pulling me against my will along the ground.
“Come with me!” She bounced, dragging me like the candy rope was a lasso.
I pawed at the ground in an attempt to get out but it was useless. I could eat the candy rope but something told me not to. This whole thing seemed ridiculous. “Sweet Tooth let me go!” I cried, but she had already pulled me through the front door of the house.
She put me on the couch, ripping the candy rope with her teeth and then ate the rest. “Now, Peachy…” She squinted her eyes, licking the rest of the sugar off her lips. Will I be telling her? She seemed the most unreliable. Of all my characters, she was the most chaotic. “Tell me the truth.”
“What truth?” I deadpanned. Then, I took a moment to look around the house. What I could see anyways. Small living room, with some treat magazines laying around and a quaint kitchen that needed a deep clean. Someone made candy and didn’t clean up. The mare in front of me still stared in interrogation. “There’s nothing to-“ I stopped talking when her head pressed up against mine, eyes looking into mine.
“They say the eyes are the windows to the souuul.” Oh dear Celestia. “Tell me or I have some spicy candy in the drawer.”
“Spicy?” I asked. “Look little pony-“
“Little?”
“I don’t have anything to tell you. I am just trying to get Marcysia’s grand opening party done.” I said, waving my hoof in the air. “Can I go now?”
“No! You’re not telling me something.” She stomped her hoof.
Sweet Tooth...another comfort character of mine. I got her made as a custom candy pony. I stared at the chocolate chip clips in her hair and the half eaten lollipop sticking to her mane. “Would you even believe me?” I sighed.
“What?” For all I know this could just be the Equestria in my head. Maybe I’m in a coma. Maybe when I tell someone, everything will crumble and I will wake up.
“I am not Peachy.” I admitted.
“Changeling!” She screamed. I found myself facehoofing.
“The changelings were reformed you sugar brain!” I spit. “I’m not a-“ I was thrown for a loop when a piece of candy was shoved into my mouth hotter than a chili pepper. “Ack!” I cringed, collapsing on the couch. I had a strong spice tolerance but Peachy? He must be used to sugar. “I’m not a changeling but I’m not Peachy either!”
“Mmm...then a…” She thought to herself. “I don’t get it.”
“I somehow ended up as Peachy.” I explained. “Possessing him.”
She plopped down to a sitting position looking like I had just deflated her balloon animal. “So, you’re not Peachy?”
“No.”
“Where is he then?”
“I don’t know.” I was telling the truth but she didn’t see it as that I guess. “I wish I could tell you more but I don’t know how I got here or what happened. I just woke up here.”
“Does Water Rush know? If you’re not Peachy, how do you know my name? How do you know anypony’s name? Who are you really?” Her questions were flooding my headspace.
“Water doesn’t know. I might have known you before, but you were just…” I trailed off, silencing myself. If anyone would have an existential crisis, I was talking to her.
“Just what?”
The door opened, and I sighed a relief as Creamy Mix walked in. He was wearing headphones, bobbing his head to some loud music playing in his ears. I rose my eyebrow watching the pegasus dance his way to the kitchen and pick up a spatula. Then, he left as swiftly as he came in. Well, that wasn’t very helpful. I was hoping I could dash out while Sweet Tooth was distracted but all the while she was still staring at me.
“Peachy…” She grumbled, then gasped. “What do I call you?” She asked. “If you’re not him.”
How advanced are teleportation spells? I wish I could do it. Charge up my horn and get out of here. “Call me Peachy.” I chuckled. “I don’t want anyone else finding out.”
“That you’re a changeling?”
“I am not a changeling.” I repeated. “Think of me as another soul, possessing your friend.”
“Get out of Peachy you ghost!” She cried, socking a hoof right at my jaw. The pain radiated and I cried out.
“Ow! Sweet Tooth!” I whined, and then darted for the door before she could do anymore damage.
I got out and closed the door before she could chase after me. This is still Peachy’s body. My jaw was sore now. I could feel a bit of a loose tooth as well. So much for returning his body in the same condition. I better get the rest of the party supplies. Something tells me Peachy’s special theme in his parties were the party hats.