Alfonz's sleep was anything but easy. Even after contorting himself into a moderately comfortable position, he found it difficult to rest. His mind just would not stop. Rather than worry about how he had ended up in Equestria or how he could get back, he was instead troubled by the ponies' bizarre behavior.
As he debated the likelihood of being dead and enduring some afterlife torment, he barely noticed himself slowly falling into slumber. His thoughts became more erratic, and he found it difficult to focus, until finally, after what felt like hours of waiting, he fell asleep.
And even there he could not find peace.
Alfonz found himself in a beautiful dreamscape, unaware that it was not real. He sat atop a hill covered in soft verdant grass, in what appeared to be the dead of night. The light of the full moon was all that illuminated his surroundings now, casting a dim, atmospheric glow onto the land beyond. He was overlooking a field, apparently on the edge of town. And this wasn't just any town. Ponyville stood silently in the distance, giving no more light than the moon.
The man found himself quite at peace at first. He had never managed to appreciate the starry sky, living in the city as he did. The cool breeze, the dim glow, the beautiful display of stars above him; what else could he ask for?
"Its beautiful, isn't it?"
The voice caused him to jolt. He hadn't been expecting company. Turning his head to investigate, he found a large, blue-black pony sitting next to him, staring up at the stars just as he did. Luna, Princess of the Night, had graced him with her presence, it seemed.
"It is quite the sight," he replied calmly as he turned his attention back to the night sky. "The first time I've seen it so clearly."
"The night has always been so alluring, I assure you. It has driven many to its grasp with such brilliance."
Alfonz rasied a brow, finding the alicorn's words rather strange. She was Princess of the night, though. She obviously knew how best to describe her domain.
"I can see why."
"Oh, really?"
The way the alicorn responded prompted Alfonz to look at her again. She almost seemed nervous. When he saw her face, however, his confusion only continued to grow. She was blushing.
And she was staring right at him.
"What-" he began, before the events of the day rushed back to him. His eyes widened in horror as Luna stared, smiling.
"Are my intentions not clear?" she asked with clear sincerity, rising to her hooves.
"Oh I think I have a pretty good idea," Alfonz responded as he, too, rose to his feet.
"You should feel honored," she declared, taking a step toward him. "To be sought by royalty is a rare thing indeed!"
"Pass."
"'Pass'?" Luna repeated, shocked. "How can you pass on such an opportunity?"
"Sorry. Different species and all," Alfonz explained, slowly putting distance between himself and the Princess.
"I am willing to look past such boundaries!" the alicorn announced, grinning, expecting her words to change everything.
"I...don't think I'm willing to," the man replied with a nervous laugh, almost tripping as he backed away.
"Surely you can be swayed!" she insisted, advancing as fast as he retreated. Soon they were both moving steadily down the side of the hill. "Perhaps if you saw thine posterior..."
"No that's quite alright!" Alfonz replied urgently, waving his arms madly in front of him. Luna was half way through turning before she stopped. "I'm sorry, Princess, but I'm going to have to decline."
Luna did not follow after him. She merely stared at him with a strange look, one of sorrow and confusion. It was as if she couldn't comprehend his decision. He didn't know if she was heartbroken, confused, or ready to snap.
"Perhaps...if we spent more time together...?" she suggested, her horn beginning to glow as Alfonz was enveloped by its power. He slowly wafted uphill toward the alicorn, much to his dismay. "I'm sure, in time, you will appreciate my actions!"
"Wake up, wake up, wake up!" Alfonz practically screamed as he neared, trying to destroy his dream reality to escape. There was no way he could combat the powers of a demigod pony. It was his only chance.
Suddenly, the world went dark. No longer was he out upon the moonlit hill, but instead, inside the cottage, the wooden ceiling looming above him as he lay, mostly on his back, on the couch. He sighed, relieved, before his mind registered the pressure on his midsection.
Sitting up, he saw, even in the relative darkness of the early morning, the idle form of Fluttershy seated on his stomach.
"What are you doing?" he growled, glaring at her through half-closed eyes.
"Oh!" she gasped, evidently surprised at his awakening. "Alfonz...I'm sorry...Did I wake you?"
"No, it was clearly the wind that did," he replied sarcastically, his eyes slowly adjusting. The pegasus' front hooves were near his ribcage, while her back hooves were position on either side of his waist. He had a sneaking suspicion concerning Fluttershy's motives, but his dignity had not been breached yet, that much he knew.
"Oh, good," she replied, not detecting the true nature of his remark.
"So," he continued. "Mind telling me just what in the hell you are doing?"
"I was just...making sure you weren't having any bad dreams," the pegasus assured, blushing as she hid behind the part of her mane hanging in front of her face.
Alfonz casually sat up, grabbed the pegasus by her shoulders, calmly moved her over the side of the couch, and released. Fluttershy hit the floor with a squeak and a thud.
"Sorry...I'll let you sleep..." she murmured from the floor, getting to her hooves and slinking off into another part of the house. A few minutes after she left, the man let out a long sigh.
"Seems I'm destined for shittiness no matter where I go," he muttered to himself as he swung his legs to the floor. The sun was slowly peaking in through the windows by now, casting odd shadows across the floor in front of him. Already he could hear the sounds of voices and movement outside, even in a relatively isolated neighborhood as this. Alfonz slowly rose to his feet, stretching out all his limbs with a yawn, before moving to the window to observe.
It wasn't long before his dreary morning became one of danger.
Almost immediately, he spotted the form of Twilight Sparkle trotting around outside. She zigzagged through the streets, heading left and right as her horn gave off a bright glow. She seemed to be following something, and he had a hunch it had something to do with him. With a silent curse, he darted away from the window and out of the room, hiding behind the corner of the next room to remain out of sight.
A few moments later, there was a series of knocks at the door. Fluttershy reappeared behind him, moving uneasily around him before trotting toward the door.
"Fluttershy, wait!" he hissed, catching the pegasus' attention.
"What is it, Alfonz?"
"That's Twilight at the door," he explained. "Please, do not tell her I'm here. Don't give her any indication I was ever here."
"Why would I need to lie to Twilight?" she asked innocently, confused. "Shes a very understanding pony."
"Please, for me," he insisted, though he could see Fluttershy's indecision. "I'll...hold your hoof or something."
Fluttershy's face lit up at this, then became quite red. Suppressing whatever emotion the idea stirred in her, she took a deep breath and opened the door.
"Good morning Fluttershy," Twilight greeted with a smile. She almost seemed normal to Alfonz. "I just stopped by to ask...do you have any company over today?"
Suspicions confirmed.
"Company?" Fluttershy repeated quite innocently, looking confused. "Its just me and my animal friends here." Alfonz was surprised at how convincing she was.
"Like I thought," Twilight replied, looking unhappily toward her horn. "Thanks for your help, Fluttershy."
"Oh, its no problem," Fluttershy assured with a smile. "Would you like to come in for some breakfast?" What the hell was she doing?!
"No thanks," Twilight responded, much to Alfonz's relief. "I've got some personal matters to attend to. I'll talk to you later, okay?"
"Okay."
And just like that, the unicorn was gone. Fluttershy calmly closed the door, before trotting rather quickly over to where Alfonz was hiding. She looked at him expectantly, like a dog awaiting a treat.
"Thanks for the save," he replied with a nervous chuckle, stepping out from behind the wall. Fluttershy did not move. "Fine," he sighed, reaching out with a hand. The pegasus extended her hoof, and he took it into his palm, as if giving her a handshake. Fluttershy blushed, but said nothing. She merely stood in silence.
After a few minutes, Alfonz noticed his hand slowly being moved closer to Fluttershy, and moving closer to the floor.
"I will punch your face."
Fluttershy ceased her efforts and soon he released her hoof. She looked rather ashamed as he walked back toward the window. He watched as the few ponies that lived nearby went about their business. All mares, just like before. They looked so normal, like you would see in the background of the show itself. But he knew, as soon as they detected his presence, they would become something very different.
Alfonz would need to be careful. He was at threat at all times, even while asleep, if the previous night was any indication. For now, he would focus on the immediate problems. He needed food, and he needed to acquire it without being killed or molested.
Easier said than done.