The next morning came way too early for me, as if yesterday wasn’t weird enough, I somehow knew today would be even weirder. I absolutely had to go to the store, I was pretty much out of food and with Luna here I had to get even more. she also need clothes, because me walking around next to a woman my age wearing my clothes around the people I knew would cause me a great deal of grief. There was only one place I could go around here that would have everything I needed in one stop, Wal Mart. It was a twenty minute drive to get there, but at six in the morning on a Sunday, most guys and girls around here were getting ready for church. Normally I would be too but my priorities had drastically changed in the past twenty four hours.
I got up and tried to get all the kinks out of my body, I could literally sleep anywhere but that couch made me regret that ability. I walked into my room, expecting to see a human lying in my bed, but I saw a pony instead. Must revert back to her original form when she sleeps, I thought. In reality I didn’t want to see anything, I wanted yesterday to be a bad dream, but that’s not my luck, it’s never been my luck.
I walked over to her and sat down on the edge of the bed. “Luna.” I said nudging her gently, “Luna it’s time to wake up.”
Luna slowly opened her eyes and looked to me. I was then met with a look of complete shock. She fell out of bed covers following her to the floor. “GUARDS!” she cried “GUARDS! An intruder in the royal chambers!”
“Luna!” I said holding her down, “It’s me Aedan!”
“Lord Aedan?” she asked, “I… I thought you were just a dream…”
“Well that makes two of us.” I said shaking my head, “but now that we know that we’re both actually real, I need to get some groceries and you some clothes.”
“Can’t I just wear the clothing you have so graciously provided?”
“That would lead to too many questions, Luna.” I replied, “But to make sure I get the right sizes I need you to come with me.”
“I understand.” Luna said standing up, “Do I need to transform?”
“Yes… yes you do.”
“Very well…” she said with her horn starting to glow. “This will only take a moment.”
A moment was all it took, I was lucky that she hadn’t taken my clothes off from last night, or else it would’ve gotten awkward yet again, and we both really didn’t need that this early. After she was completely done ‘changing’ we went to the kitchen.
“What shall we have for breakfast?” she asked.
“I’m outta food, Princess.” I answered, “That’s one of the reasons we can’t stay here all day.”
“Where will we be going?” Luna asked her head tilted slightly to the side like a dog.
“The only place that has food, clothes and everything else we need.” I said.
“Lead and I shall follow Lord Aedan.” Luna said bowing.
“You can just call me Aedan.” I said, “I’m not royalty by a long shot.”
“As you wish.” Luna said, “We mustn’t delay, if we are in as dire need for supplies as you say we are.”
“Not just yet Princess.” I said grabbing her shoulder, “Yesterday I showed to the basics of getting dressed; now I’ve got to show you the harder parts.”
We went back into my bed room and I went to my dresser. I grabbed a pair of socks and showed them to her. “You know what these are?”
“Yes…” Luna said disgusted, “and I’m a princess, NOT an escort.”
“What?”
“Only escorts wear socks.” Luna said, “And I am insulted you think I would ever stoop to their level.”
“Ok…” I said putting the socks down, “Princess you’ve got to remember things here are different, if you wear socks here you’re not a whore.”
“I never was one.” She scoffed. “And if you believe that I was-“
“I never said you were one, but I don’t have a pair of sandals for you to wear…” I said trying to hand her the socks. “And these make wearing shoes a lot more comfortable.”
Luna looked to the socks for a few seconds then to me then back to the socks. “Very well…” she grunted taking the socks from me and putting them on without me even explaining how to.
“Wow, Princess…” I said impressed, “For not being an escort, you sure know how to put dem socks on.”
Luna glared back at me, but I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. It was funny not to mention that she had her cute angry look on. After a few seconds I regained my baring “Alright… Alright…” I said waving my hands passively. “Let’s get you some shoes.”
I went to my small closet and started to look through what I had in there, I knew that most of my shoes wouldn’t fit her, but I did have a pair that I kept as a memory that might fit her. It took a while, but I found the sentimental tennis shoes and made my way back to Luna.
“Put these on.” I said, “See if they fit.”
“Why do you have these?” she asked, “These are by far too small for you.”
“Just a memory.” I replied, “Nothing more.” She nodded and took the shoes from me, much to my surprise and relief, they fit perfectly. At least I knew her shoe size now.
“Are we ready now?” Luna asked looking back to me.
“Not quite yet, Princess.” I said, “I still need to get dressed.”
“But you already have clothes on.”
“I need to wear something other than this.” I said pointing to my attire, “It’s all sweaty from yesterday, to tell you the truth I really could use a shower, but that’s not really important right now.”
“What is?”
“Getting you home…” I said “And getting you better clothes.”
“I shall be waiting right here then.” Luna said taking a seat on the bed.
“I think not…” I said gently making her stand up. “You might be comfortable with a complete stranger seeing you naked, but for me I’ve gotta wait until at least the fifteenth date.” Thank you, rule number 17.
“We’re dating?!” Luna exclaimed, her face turning red, “I’ve never-“
“Oh no, no, no, no…” I said doing my best not to laugh, “That was just a joke… but I still don’t want you to watch me get dressed.”
“O-ok…” Luna said, trying to hide her face behind her hair, “I… I’ll just wait on the couch.”
“Thata girl.” I said patting her on the head.
Luna walked into the living space, leaving me to get dressed. Odd, I thought to myself, I’ve never made a girl blush that quickly. I shrugged it off though, and I didn’t want to waste any more time. I went to my dresser, grabbed a new undershirt, my Superman t-shirt, the only clean pair of jeans I had left and my shoes. When I was completely done I checked my watch, 07:00, it took a lot longer than normal, but at least I had a good excuse.
“Princess Luna,” I said walking out of my room, “I’m ready to head out.”
Luna was sitting on the couch, watching the T.V. Transformers was on, decent movie, but we needed to get going. Had to beat the after church crowd to Wally world, I didn’t like crowds, too many people staring.
“Princess.” I said placing my hand on her shoulder. “Come on, let’s go.”
Luna was glued to the T.V. but with another quick nudge she finally turned her attention to me. “Do you know any of those people?” she asked. “How many of those creatures are out there?”
“That’s not real, Princess.” I said, “None of those people actually exist, we made it for our entertainment.”
“Oh… ok.” She said turning the T.V. off, “I’m ready to depart when you are.”
She got up and followed me to my door, but when we started to walk out, I heard the one thing I didn’t want to hear.
“Hey neighbor!” Larry said, “You’re actually up late to-“
Larry froze the moment he saw Luna, she froze when she saw him, and all I could do was face palm.
“Well, well, well…” Larry said with an approving smile, “is this why you were acting so weird yesterday? If so that also explains all the loud noises coming from your apartment last night.”
“No.” I said sharply, “This is not why-“
“My names Larry.” He said extending his hand to Luna, “I live next door, what’s your name?”
Luna looked to Larry with confusion then back to me completely ignoring his hand she began to speak. “Greetings Larry.” She began “I am Prin-“
“LUNA!” I interrupted, “her name’s Luna, she’s an old friend of mine from back home.”
“I see…” Larry said, still grinning from ear to ear, “Does Mr. King know about your ‘friend’? You know his policy about opposite sexes in the same room.”
“No…” I growled, “He doesn’t…”
“Well… should I tell him?”
“If you do I swear to God I’ll-“
“Easy there Aedan…” Larry said between chuckles “I wouldn’t do that to ya, but it is fun to get you flustered, your secret’s safe with me.”
“You’re too kind…” I replied.
“Don’t mention it.” Larry said watching Luna and I make our way down the stairs. “Where you two headed anyway?”
“Wal Mart.” I said hastily. “Won’t be back for a while.”
“Ok.” Larry said, “You two have-“
SLAM! The flat’s door silenced Larry, for now. With Luna close behind I went to the parking lot where she was waiting. My 2012 Chevy Cruz, “You got things like this where you come from?” I asked.
“Somewhat…” Luna said examining it, “Where’s the one that pulls this peculiar chariot?”
“There isn’t one.” I said, “It moves itself.”
“In the same fashion as a train?”
“Yeah…” I said scratching my head “that’s not how it works at all but that’s the closest I could describe it for you.” I opened the passenger door for her and took a bow. “Princess…” I began, “Your 'chariot' awaits.”
“You’re very kind.” Luna said getting inside.
I kinda slid like Bo Duke to the driver’s side; we were still trying to beat the rush. Opening the door I saw that Luna was slightly impressed with my little stunt. With a smile I got myself in the driver’s seat and adjusted the mirrors. “You buckled up?” I asked when I heard my own seat belt click.
“Buckled up?” Luna asked, “I don’t understand…”
Yet again I face palmed, it was becoming a very constant event in my life given the past day or so. “Here…” I said unbuckling myself and reaching across her. “I’ll get it.”
It took a bit of tumbling around, but I managed to find the seat belt. I drug it across her chest, avoiding touching her I mind you and stopped from clicking it in for her. “You just put this part in the slot.” I said completely strapping her in. “And to get out you push this button.”
“Ok.” Luna said looking at the buckle, “Let us be off.”
“As you command your highness.” I said turning the car on, “Let’s…”
After some careful maneuvering I finally got out of the parking lot and onto the road. The ride was quiet for the first few minutes, but then I remembered that I’d left my iPod in here a few days ago. Luna watched with some confusion as I wrestled with the steering wheel and the adapter of the radio, but I finally got it in. smiling back to Luna I pushed the button, filling the car with the sound of music.
“How did you do that?!” she said jumping in her seat a bit, “is it like what you said with that T.V. thing?”
“Yeah.” I said putting my eyes back on the road, “Something like that.”
“What music is this coming from there?” she said pointing to the speaker.
“Breaking Benjamin.” I answered, “And the song’s called ‘Better Days’.”
“I find this music enjoyable.” Luna said looking back to me. “May I have one?”
“The car… no…” I said to her disappointment, “But I can get you an iPod when we get to Wal Mart, so you can listen to music whenever you want.”
“Oh thank you Aedan!” Luna said wrapping me up, “You have been so kind to me.”
“It’s just who I am…” I said shrugging her affection off, “I was raised to help those who need it, you needed help and so I’m helping you.”
“If only there were more ponies like you in Equestria.” Luna said releasing me, “It would be a much better place.”
“Somehow I doubt that…” I said smiling at the thought, me… a pony… ha, “I’m far from perfect.”
“But you seem close enough.”
“Maybe to you…” I said pulling into the massive parking lot, “But there are plenty of people who’d disagree with that statement.”
I finally stopped in a spot a bit away from the actual store; it’s easier to find my car that way. Taking a deep breath I looked to my passenger and nodded, “Well…” I began, “We’re here…”