//------------------------------//
// getting to know you 
// Story: Bleeding Strings: Man in a box 
// by The Drifting Bard 
//------------------------------//

There was a sudden lurch as Trixie's horn light up with a strange aura. then the room began to move. 
"what the hell? Trixie... What's going on?" She looked at me for a moment before sitting down and smiling. 
"I just cast my autopilot spell, what of it?" I blinked in confusion before the answer became apparent. 
I stood up to look out of a window, clearly seeing the bitter cold winds blowing the ice and snow in all directions. 
at least we were safe inside this... wooden trailer. "Wait a minute... shouldn't we still be freezing to death? unless...Heating spell?" She nodded. 
"Trixie thinks you catch on quickly, Gimli" I gave a bashful smile.
"New world, New rules... best way to learn" I decided not to question her little tirade into third person. 

I gave the azure mare a look over, noticing little bits and pieces, she looked slightly malnourished. 
"You look hungry, give me a second" I walked over to my bag of food, thanking the fates for careful planning and heat. Inside the bag were granola bars, assorted bags of crisps (potato chips to you Americans) a few bottles of power-ade (godly blue liquid) and a few bits of fruit. That's when I noticed the glass bottle sitting there, its brown liquid filling me with unbridled joy. Placing the bottle back in the bag, I handed a granola bar to Trixie. "there ya go, hopefully this should fill the empty stomach for a while" 
She looked at me for a moment before leaping at me, tackling me into a hug.
"Food must be scarce here?" she shakes her head as she buries her face in my chest. 
"No-pony else has done anything like this for me" I felt hot tears seep through my black shirt.
To say I was shocked would be an understatement. "so, all the other ponies treated you like shit?"
"Trixie... I deserved it, every moment of it"

As the journey went on, She took small bites of the granola bar, telling me of how she used to be known as the Great and powerful Trixie. "To be honest, Trixie was a cheat and a liar, I once arrived to a small town near Canterlot, and left such a bad impression that they run me out of town" 
I placed a hand on her shoulders, as she lowered her head to the floor. "then to make things worse Trixie returned two years later to challenge the librarian to a magic duel... I won...but in hindsight.. I had already lost"
I took in the information. "why are you  telling me this?"

"Trixie feels that.... I mean... I feel like I can trust you" she looks up to me and smiles sadly. 
I give her another granola bar and then finally replace pensive look with a thoughtful one as the bizarre wooden trailer stops. "You're not going to... run are you?" 
I shook my head. "I'll tell you my story later, but first... I think we're in the Crystal Kingdom" 
She opened the door as she levitated a granola bar in front of herself. I left the half full box for her. "keep the rest" I said as I grabbed the rest of my things. I looked out as Trixie stood next to me. That was when I laid my eyes on the diamond spear pointed directly at my face. "Spears aren't exactly friendly" I frowned as I tapped the tip of the spear.

I felt a jab from behind. "Move, freak" I turned to face the pony who jabbed me. 
"manners my good stallion" I felt a second jab from the same pony.
"I'M A MARE!" The Mare shot me a very angry look.
"oh, sorry" I chuckled. I faced forwards once more. "as for you? Lead on, See you In a bit Trixie" I waved goodbye to my friend. 

While we walked, I began to simply hum a small tune, one of great significance. "Silence creature" the mare spat.
"grant me this one freedom" the leader then turned to me and then shrugged his shoulders. 
"you may do as you would usually when arrested from where you come from"
Now... having been never arrested... I decided to just make shit up as I went along.
"depends, How long will this take to get to where ever your taking me?"
He turned back tot the front and began to walk. "a few minutes"
"good" I began to hum once again, using the same tune. but then I began to sing. 

"Far over the Misty Mountains rise
Leave us standing upon the heights
What was before, we see once more
Our kingdom a distant light

Fiery mountain beneath the moon
The words unspoken, we'll be there soon
For home a song that echoes on
And all who find us will know the tune"

We continued the journey. the Mare then Pulled the Leader to wards herself and began to argue. 
"why are we headed toward the castle? we should be dragging this thing to the dungeon"
"because the Prince and Princess need to hear this for them selves"

I continued to sing as we walked, that is until I felt myself being thrown too the floor.
"Guard score, what is the meaning of this?" A new voice entered the fray as it scolded the mare. 
As she tried to argue her point he simply sighed. "I'll speak to you later," 
The Leader then helped me up off the floor. "Sergeant, what is this thing?" 
I heard hooves come closer to wards me. "what... are you?" 
I gave the pink mare a smile. "just a humble musician, your highness"

I extended a hand to the mare. "Mr Bolton, at your service, you must be..."
"I am Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. but I prefer Cadance"
"ah.. one with rhythm, I like it, and this one?" I said as I pointed to the white stallion heading towards me.
"That is my Husband, Shining Armour"  I looked at the stallion, considering Cadance never took my hand, I offered it to him. 
"Nice to meet you, sir" I gave him a slightly worried smile 

He simply sized me up, but then returned a smile and gave a hoofshake. "Likewise, Sorry about the guards, they tend to get a little bit overzealous" 
I gave a small chuckle. "not the word I'd use but hey, they're just doing their jobs" 
I then watched as a Grey Mail-Mare came flying in. I say flying, but it looked more like she was about to crash.
quickly jumping into action, I ran towards the falling mare. I jumped up to catch her as she fell. 
landing on the hard marble floor, I quickly regretted my decision.

"Thats going to be sore in the morning" I grunted as the Mail-mare scrambled to her feet, whimpering and apologizing.
and thats when she said a line that I'll never forget. "Please don't eat me!" 

I began to laugh.

more than I ever had done back on earth.

Then I collapsed, shortness of breath coupled with a newly cracked rib tends to do that to people.