While Soarin was sitting inside, ordering who knows what, I decided I would take it upon myself to try and, well, come to terms with what I've seen so far. This wasn't an odd thing for me to do honestly. While doing my studies I fount taking a break every now and again and evaluating what i've learnt as a good way to get on top of things and mentally file things away.
Starting from the top, how I got here. Honestly the only thing I can recall was a sense of falling, then that bright light and next thing I know a comfy feeling below me. Somewhere between laying on top of a cloud in a world inhabited by ponies with wings and horns, and sitting on a railing above a beach inhabited by humans, I had become a pegasus. Maybe i'm actually in a hospital right now, and I really did fall and hit my head? Honestly though i would rather no risk that and stick to this is actually happening.
Next, I have managed to get a job under what seems to be the equivalent of a cross between some famous flying team and what I imagine a band to be like. Laid back, team oriented and a mixture of personalities. Among them, Spitfire who I do honestly owe my life too. Then there’s Soarin, the great friend, probably team moral and now it seems he’s the kid of the cloud city mayor. I would comment on the other’s, but I haven’t really got to know them yet.
Moving on. Cutie marks and magic. Starting off, ‘cutie marks’ seem to be from what I can tell imprints on flanks representing something about the individual. I wonder if I could get one for what i'm good at. Actually, no.. judging from Spitfire’s reaction, my profession, my studies that cost me probably several years of earnings, means absolutely naught here. Luckily so does the cost, I doubt my university’s reach for paying back debt stretches out to here. On that note, right now I essentially have zero skills. Anything physically I was good at before, like sports, doesn't really count when i don’t have hands or feet. There aren't any computers that i've seen so there goes that option. I can't even fly, what am I good for? Honestly I think if Spitfire didn't give me this job, I wouldn't last a day. More debt to her I guess.
As for magic, I think i'm going to leave that for now too, until I see a pony walking around with a horn on it’s head and doing, uh, magic? I'm going to stay impartial too it.
“You know someponies might think you fall asleep with your eyes open” Soarin’s little quip startled me again out of my daydreaming. At some point he had got back, sat down, began eating, gave me my food, all without me noticing.
“Just thinking about everything that’s happened since I, um, set out from the farm.” I looked backed at him with a blank expression, in my defence even if my story was true, a lot has actually happened.
“Fair enough, anyways food’s there” he said motioning his head towards a plate on the white, cloud table. The meal consisted of one slice of bread at the bottom, some cucumbers on that, leave petals and a sprinkle of something, pepper maybe? Looking over at soarin, he had folded his in half, essentially making a small sandidge. Mimicking this, I took my impossible hooves and did the same, raising it to my mouth I took a sizeable bite. Tasty, juicy, a little after taste, what is that? It’s building at the back of my throat, it’s kinda hot.
Taking a quick look towards Soarin, who was sitting there with once more that smirk, I finally realized what I had just eaten, well, what that mystery ingredient was. Hot. Really hot. Getting hotter. Dear god, get me some milk.
“You're looking a little red there Lucid, something wrong?” Soarin’s smirk grew. My hoof was to my throat, my mouth, gasping for air. Slamming my hoof down gasping, I looked around for something, anything to drink, my throat felt like it was literally burning, Jumping out of my seat I looked around at the surrounding tables, right now I was willing to steal someone else’s drink and deal with them after. Nothing, either this place doesn't actually serve liquids, or my luck just came to an end.
“W-water!” I managed to say gaspingly towards Soarin. Soarin just raises his own sandwich, which unsurprisingly lacked whatever was making me pant like a dog on a sunny day. I didn't want to take any chances and I ran straight inside the restaurant. The interior was just as bland as the outside, but the time for critique was over. Running to what was presumably a counter, I shouted at the poor innocent mare on the other side, who currently was looking at me like I was just let loose from wherever they keep crazy ponies.
“W-water, please, anything!” I begged, the mare’s gaze broke as she realized my situation. A moment later she was holding out a glass from under the counter, oddly full of water. Greedily I snatched it from her hoofs, fell back and held it towards my mouth, I wasn't going to take the time to aim it, so I just held my mouth open and let the water drop over my face. Sweet relief~
I placed the glass down, panting still more so from running in here and thrashing around than anything. “I prepared this glass the moment Soarin ordered that. You're not the first to fall victim to that” the olive mare giggled behind her counter. Mentally I was picturing myself holding soarin down and dumping a barrel’s worth of whatever was on that sandidge into his throat. Though on the outside I was smiling, if what she’s saying is true then maybe Soarin see’s me more than just some guy passing by, and feels brave enough to pull a prank on me.
“Thanks, anything else I should know about? oh, My name’s Lucid” i held my hoof out, she shaked it, still retaining that smile.
“Sorry, customer, waitress trust, I can’t go out and blurt secrets now can I” So yea, keep my guard up. Sighing I turned and left, I wasn't too concerned about my face being drenched, after all it's pretty sun out, it should dry off pretty quickly.
“Flying is one thing, but drinking too?” Soarin’s smirk remained.
“Haha, very funny, just remember who’s going to be ordering your food from now on” That’s actually true. Though despite the urge to get him back, I think i'll retain from annoying my employer for now.
Soarin stood up, leaving his now bare plate on the table and walked past me, hitting my right fore hoof with his own as he did. “Come on, I need to get some stuff sorted so I'm going to dump you off on Fleet for a while” Nodding I followed, maybe not the best of wording but I'm sure he doesn’t mean any harm with it. After all, I can’t be that much of a burden. Sure I can't fly, don’t know anything about this place, honestly know less that apparently a foal here and maybe I keep spacing out. How the hell was I not fired yet?