Anthropomorphism
Chapter One: The Grass is Always Greener
You stared out the window from the confines of your sleeping bag and felt the nice, cold breeze caress the fur on the exposed portion of your face. Sleep had eluded you; you weren't sure why, but it was probably a combination of the long train ride combined with the excitement of starting again. Scratch that: those were almost certainly the cause of your restlessness.
Huffing and blowing a lock of your mane that had fallen out of place, you turned over from your side onto your back, staring at the stucco ceiling and the ever-changing designs that melted and swirled. This new ceiling was far more interesting than your last one, you decided.
Without your permission, your brain decided to mull over the day's events; the good, the bad, and the strange.
Upon exiting the train, you were awestruck at the bustle of Ponyville. Ponies were moving to and fro, heading every which way, laughing and talking. It had all the aspects of a modern town: cafes, restaurants, a coffee shop or three, stores of all sizes and varieties, yet it still felt like a small, rural town. You guessed that there was at most a thousand ponies here, if that.
You were surprised to see unicorns, Pegasi, and earth ponies hanging out together. In Canterlot, each sub-species stuck with their respective group. A group of girls about your age and consisting of all three smiled and waved as you passed by. You smiled and waved back. You felt a large weight removed from your shoulders, one that you didn't know was there until it was gone.
The home your parents had purchased was located on the edge of the forest that surrounded half of Ponyville, the Everfree. You and your family had to walk for about twenty minutes through the town and up a winding dirt path to get there.
The house was both large and quite old, and looked like it had been abandoned for some time before being partially restored. The house, or rather, mansion, was two stories tall, made of stone and brick, and looked like something straight out of a Conmane movie. Some of the windows were boarded up, and there were guard towers—guard towers!—embedded along the corners of the crumbling stone wall that surrounded it, giving it a looming, unfriendly look. The path stopped at a large gate that barred entrance, though you probably could have climbed over the wall if you needed to.
"Well family, this is it," your dad said enthusiastically as he undid the lock and opened the rusted, wrought-iron gate. It swung out with an extended squeak. "This is our new start. It needs some tender love and care, but I thought the potential was too good to pass up."
"Oh my," your mom breathed once she passed the gate in front of you. She spun around in a slow circle. "It's... enormous."
"Y-Yeah," you sputtered. "Enormous. That's the word." It was just as large, if not larger, than the apartment complex you had lived in and shared with seven other families back in Canterlot. The front yard was overgrown with weeds and the grass that wasn't dead came up to your waist.
"It looks scary," said Zia from behind you. She was hiding behind your leg and peeking out with one eye at the mansion. "There might be ghosts in there."
"Don't worry, nothing can get you while I'm here." You bent down on one knee and patted your shoulder. Understanding what you intended, Zia jumped up onto your back and clambered onto your shoulders. She let out a contended hum.
Your parents were nearly at the door. Fortunately, you had long legs that enabled you to catch up quite quickly. Back in Canterlot, your friends had told you that you looked imposing when you walked. They had jokingly said that the only reason they stood up for you was because you were big enough to squash anyone who tried to push the issue. You never really understood the intimidation factor: you had never physically harmed or abused anyone before. Apparently, you were large even by earth pony standards.
You overheard a bit of their conversation as you approached.
"Dear, are you sure that we should spend the first night here?" your mother asked. "Our furniture isn't arriving until tomorrow."
"We have sleeping bags and we'll be inside," your dad answered. "It'll be just like camping."
Your hooves crunching on the gravel made your parents look at you. They both smiled when they saw Zia's head above yours. Your mom waved and said, "Hello up there!"
"Hello down there!" Zia replied, laughing.
"There's my warrior princess and her faithful steed," your dad teased as you walked neared. He unlocked the door. "Shall we take a gander inside?" The question was rhetorical, and he opened the door before anyone responded.
The inside was in better shape than the outside. The entrance foyer was large and spacious, with an arched ceiling that had a golden chandelier attached in the centre. Your gaze scanned across the rest of the foyer, taking in the dark coloured rug that served as a welcome mat and the intricate carvings on the wooden stair rails leading up to the second floor. Your father flipped the nearest light switch, but nothing happened.
"Power's out, but I guess that's to be expected. This place has been empty for a couple of years."
It was dark inside, but there was still enough light from the sun that you could look around without bumping into anything.
You and your family spent the next while going through the various rooms of your new home. There were four bedrooms, three of them equally large and one master bedroom. You were shocked to learn that there were four bathrooms as well, spread out over the house. Despite being old, it seemed to have everything: a kitchen, dining room, living room, pantry, and even a cellar. There were several objects remaining from the previous occupant, including some kerosene lamps, a few old portraits of landscapes and well-dressed ponies, and some old chairs with matching tables.
After having your fill of exploration in the dim light, you and Zia found your parents in the dining room, which was one of the brightest rooms due to there being multiple windows. Your father was lighting one of the kerosene lamps as you walked through the doorway.
"There you are. Thought I might have to call in a search party."
You rolled your eyes at your dad's bad joke.
"Would you two be alright going into town and picking something up for dinner while your mother and I get things sorted around here?"
You looked at Zia, who looked up at you expectantly. "Sure," you answered, looking back at your parents. "Got anything in mind?"
"Pizza!" Zia exclaimed, making everybody chuckle.
"Well, it is a special occasion, after all. Pizza it is, then." Your father took out his wallet and handed you enough bits to cover the cost, plus a little extra. "Maybe you could get a treat for the little one, too," he whispered with a wink.
You nodded and put the money in your pocket. "Come on, Zia!" you said with your hand outstretched. She took it happily and began skipping away with you in tow.
"Stay safe, you two!" your mother called down the hallway.
"We will," you both replied in unison.
/////
The two of you walked along the streets of Ponyville for fifteen minutes without spotting anything that looked remotely close to a pizza parlor. When you stopped a passerby and asked, they didn't even know what pizza was. Zia was nearly in tears when she heard that, but you comforted her by saying you could make some at home after settling in. You still needed to bring home something for dinner, so you wandered around the main roads until you smelled something that made your stomach grumble. You followed your nose which led you to a shop called 'Sugarcube Corner' which promised to be both a bakery and coffee shop. A soft strumming of music flowed out of an open window. You remembered seeing the building from the train window. It looked even more ridiculous up close, much like a gingerbread house, complete with frosting and candy decorations.
You and Zia walked inside with a jingle of bells denoting your entrance. You were immediately entranced by the aroma of freshly ground coffee mixed with fresh baked goodies. A shiver of anticipation ran down your spine and ended in a growl at your midsection.
There were a few patrons seated at various tables, some drinking, some eating. A turquoise unicorn was the source of the music you had heard from outside: she was plucking the strings of what looked like a harp, her eyes closed in concentration.
Ahead of you, in front of the counter, a light blue pegasus with a rainbow mane tapped her hoof impatiently. It seemed like you would have to wait a little bit before being served. You looked down to ask Zia what type of treat she wanted, but she wasn't beside you. You heard the music stop.
"I like your music," you heard her say behind you. You turned around and saw that she had snuck over to the harp player and was peering over the circular table where she sat. She had to stand on the tips of her hooves to do so. "It sounds nice."
"Why thank you," the unicorn replied with a smile. "I've been playing the lyre since I was younger than you, so hopefully I should be good at it."
You were glad that you hadn't commented on her 'harp' playing skills. That would have been embarrassing.
You walked over, taking a second to look her over. Her shoulder-length mane was a few shades darker than her fur and had a white stripe going down the middle. She appeared to be about a year or two older than you, either just about to graduate from high school or having just graduated. She was wearing a purple, well-worn sweater and faded black pants.
"Hello," she said as you approached.
"Hey," you replied, ruffling your sister's mane. "Hope the little one isn't bothering you." Zia glowered up at you.
"Of course not. Always nice to have another fan of my music." She looked at you for a second without recognition. "Are you new to town? I don't remember seeing you before."
You nodded. "We just moved here from Canterlot. Arrived earlier today, actually."
The unicorn visibly brightened. "Oh, well... I hope you enjoy living here. It doesn't have everything a big city does, but it makes up for it in quality. You still in school?"
You nodded again.
"Cool! Always nice to have somepony new around. It feels like the classes keep getting smaller and smaller. I had to be both the band leader and cafeteria manager this year." She laughed. "I would have been the only member of the chess club if Twilight hadn't moved here this year. Oh, my name's Lyra, by the way. Lyra Heartstrings."
School in Ponyville promised to be more interesting than you had originally thought. There had been more students than you could count at your school in Canterlot.
"Nice to meet you, Lyra," you replied. You wouldn't have any difficulty remembering her name. Lyra the lyre player.
You introduced yourself and Zia and made some more small talk before a commotion at the front counter made your ears twitch.
"Pinkie! You can't just change somepony's order without telling them!" a tomboyish voice yelled.
"But we're out of regular chocolate chip! Triple chocolate supreme tastes better anyways!" a higher pitched voice yelled in return, though it sounded like she had only raised her voice because the first one had.
You turned towards the noise, as did a few of the other patrons. The ambient chatter had quietened. The light blue pegasus was staring daggers at a pink earth pony behind the counter. They looked and sounded to be around your age. The pegasus glanced around, her eyes making contact with yours for a second. She turned back to the cashier.
"Raindrops doesn't like triple chocolate supreme, she likes regular chocolate chip," she said in a quieter voice.
"We're out! I don't know what else to tell you, Dashie—" the pink pony began before being cut off.
"Pinkie," the pegasus said through gritted teeth, "I told you not to call me that anymore! It's either 'Rainbow', 'Dash', or 'Rainbow Dash'!" Her wings fluttered in agitation.
"Sorry Dash." The cashier seemed almost in tears.
You walked a few steps, putting you back in line. The pegasus, Rainbow Dash, you presumed, looked over her shoulder at you. She sighed, turned back to the cashier, and grabbed a large paper bag from the counter. "Never mind, Pinkie. It's fine. Don't beat yourself up."
With that, she twisted around, her rainbow hair swishing as she headed towards the door. She didn't look at you as she walked by.
Was all of that really over some extra chocolate?
As the door swung shut behind Rainbow Dash, Lyra resumed playing her lyre, and the other patrons went back to reading or talking quietly. You walked up to the counter.
"Hi there, welcome to Sugarcube Corner! What can I get for you?" Pinkie asked before you could open your mouth. Her earlier demeanor had changed, and her tone sounded genuinely happy.
You looked at the menu hanging above and behind her. Something immediately got your eye.
"You sell pizza... rolls?" you asked, wondering if you had read it incorrectly.
Pinkie nodded rapidly, her curly pink mane bouncing. Her fur was a few shades lighter her mane, and she was wearing a pink-frilled apron that had a picture of several balloons on the front, along with a pink t-shirt. Everything about her was pink.
"They're about this big—" she motioned with her hands, "—stuffed with tomato sauce, cheese, and spices, all wrapped up in doughy goodness!"
"I'll take four," you replied. There may not have been a pizza parlor, but somehow, you'd still be able to get something with 'pizza' in its name.
"O—K! Anything else?"
You glanced at the drink menu. "Can I get drinks to go?"
"Of course!"
You ordered three coffees, one black, one with extra sugar and cream, and one regular. You beckoned to Zia, who was still beside Lyra, listening intently as she played. She trotted over.
"Do you want a hot chocolate, Zia-papaya?" you asked.
She beamed and nodded quickly.
"Oh, aren't you just the cutest!" Pinkie crooned. She looked back at you. "If you ever need a babysitter, let me know! Mister and misses Cake will vouch for the superior services of Pinkie Pie!"
"I'll, uh, keep you in mind, Pinkie Pie."
She grinned exuberantly. "Four pizza rolls, three coffees, and a hot chocolate, coming right up!"
In no time at all, you had a bag full of pizza pastries and an almost full drink tray. Zia was already working on her hot chocolate as you paid.
"Thanks, Pinkie," you said as you were walking away.
"Your welcome, —! Hey! Why don't I know your name?" she asked, seemingly genuinely confused.
You stopped and answered. "We just moved here today."
Her eyes went wide and she gasped like she had seen a ghost. Without another word, she made a squealing noise as she ran towards the back of the bakery.
You blinked several times, wondering what had just happened. You turned to Lyra, seeking clarification. She just smirked, shaking her head.
On the way back to your new home, you took a slightly different route, trying to get a feel for the town's layout. You passed the large tree located in roughly the centre of town, one of the landmarks you had spotted from the train. When you noticed the tree had steps leading up to a door and a plaque that read 'Ponyville Public Library' above it, you halted abruptly.
As you approached, you wondered if it was still open, as it was nearing dusk. All of your family's books were in transit, and Zia had trouble falling asleep when there was nothing to read. It was worth a try.
You knocked as best you could with both of your hands full. You immediately heard hoofsteps racing towards the door. It opened partway with a creak, and a purple unicorn looked up at you, wide-eyed.
"Uh... hi there! Can I help you?" Her voice had a hint of nervousness to it.
"Uh, yeah... I hope so. This is a library, right?" you said, pointing above you at the plaque.
"Oh!" she exclaimed. "Yes, yes it is! Come on in!" She opened the door the rest of the way and walked a few steps back. "Sometimes I forget this place is open to everypony. My name's Twilight Sparkle. I'm the librarian, but the only person I seem to sign books out for is myself." She giggled, but then her demeanor changed. "Nobody but Spike and I have entered the library in weeks."
Zia gasped. "That's terrible! All these poor books with nopony to read them..."
You scratched your head. "Weeks? What do ponies do with their time, then?"
Twilight shrugged. "Anything other than reading, I suppose."
You took a moment to look Twlight over. She appeared to be perhaps a year or so younger than you. Her mane was some combination of indigo and violet, along with some pink highlights. Upon closer inspection, you also noticed some faint darker purple streaks as well. Her fur was the colour of lavender. She was wearing a school uniform several shades darker than her fur, complete with white mini-skirt. It reminded you of what girls were forced to wear at your old school.
"So... what type of book are you looking for?" Twilight asked, snapping you back to reality.
"Uh—"
When you didn't respond right away, she rolled her eyes and crouched down, looking at Zia. "Or maybe I should be asking you! What type of books do you like to read, little one?"
"I like adventure stories. Ones with chases and dragons and exploring—"
"Daring Do is her favourite," you said meekly.
Twilight smiled and motioned for Zia to follow her. While they were picking out a book, you observed the inside of the tree-brary. The entire circumference consisted of bookshelves that seemed to have been carved from the tree itself, and were at least two times your height. A staircase also carved from the tree led up to a second floor, although you couldn't determine what was kept up there. The ornamentation was sparse, mostly rugs or vases and an occasional picture. The tree was definitely still alive, which you thought was pretty cool considering how much of it had been hollowed out.
Before long, Twilight had found a Daring Do book that had the plucky pegasus discovering lost secrets in the famous Zebrazil rainforest. Needless to say, Zia was thrilled and couldn't wait for bedtime.
"Thanks, Twilight," you said. Zia was hugging the book with open glee. "Do we need a library card or—?"
Twilight shook her head and waved her hand in dismissal. "Don't worry about it, I'll sign it out under my name. It's not like I'll be able to forget who took it."
"Thanks again." You and Zia walked towards the door. "It'll get returned as soon as we're done with it."
"I believe you! Take care!"
You opened the door and stepped outside, breathing in the slightly chilly and pollution-free air. You glanced up towards the sky and noticed that the sun had begun to set. It was time to go home.
/////
By the time you both arrived, it was nearly dark, and you were doubly thankful for the kerosene lamps that were left behind. Your mom had cleaned a portion of the living room and set up blankets and sleeping bags while your dad was busy tightening every loose handle and oiling every squeaky hinge.
The pizza rolls were delicious and satisfying, and the coffee was high quality. You and Zia told your parents about the ponies you had met and the things you had seen, and your father read the Daring Do story by firelight until Zia was asleep.
Blinking, you struggled to refocus on the ceiling above you. You seemed to have zoned out for a little bit. Sighing, you rolled over and felt your eyes finally close of their own accord. You felt your mind drift in the purgatory between consciousness and sleep.
With a yawn that would make a Manticore flinch, you snuggled deeper into your bed and fell asleep wondering what the next day would bring forth.
It was going to be interesting, to say the least.