"Please be okay. Pleeeaase be okay."
"Rainbow you are carving a rut in my floor do you mind staying still? I know it is bothering you, but you have to relax. You look like you haven't slept in days." Twilight complained.
"I'm sorry but what if I really hurt it. I didn't hit it that hard. Ok yes I did, and after what it did for Fluttershy. I have been trying to get it out of my head ever since, but I just can't."
"Look dash you just didn't know. From where you were it looked really bad. Anypony could have made the same mistake. Plus even though you and I have been too busy to go and see him, I checked and the doctor said he was reacting very well to the treatment and will be fine."
Rainbow Dash sighs and lays in a chair.
"You’re [c]right Twilight, thanks for agreeing to talk with me. Ya know, Fluttershy said it talks like we do but walks on two legs. Do you know what it er he, well I assume it was a stallion didn't get that good a look at it before I....., anyway do you know what he is?"
"Yea I think I do in fact. I do believe he is human and I think it is my fault for bringing him here" She winced a little as she said this.
"What! How did you bring him here? Why did you bring him here?"
"I didn't mean to Lyra asked me if I could teleport a statue she made to her house, but when I tried nothing happened... or so I thought. At the time it appeared that a lot of energy released but did nothing. I think instead of the statue I brought the real thing over. He must have been the one who most resembled the statue. I guess I ran out of strength before I could bring him all the way to Lyra's." A flash of guilt washed over her. "I can't send him back either without a good picture of where I am sending him. I plucked him from his home and may never be able to send him back."
"Don't be so hard on yourself. I mean this stallion is sucked into another world and still has it in him to swoop in and awesomely save a pony's life. Then I buck his lights out and give him a mortal wound in the process.
"I think now would be a good time to go check and see if he is awake."
"Good idea." agreed Dash.
* * * * *
Sirlen cracked open his eyes. I have got to stop waking up like this, he thought. Though the pain is a bit less than last time. That is funny because I am sure I had added a few injuries since last time. "What hit me? Felt like I got hit by a hammer, a fuzzy one.
He shrugged and looked around he appeared to be in a really nice clinic. The room was primarily white with a desk with some flowers on it. He also noticed that he was nude from the waist up except for a bandage around his middle. He was about to panic it had been along time since he had been without[d] his weapons and his cloak but calmed down when he saw it all piled up on a chair across the room. On the wall above it was a very peculiar painting it had a bunch of the small horses like the one before some had wings and some had horns. If a pegasus is here could unicorns be real too? Surprisingly unicorns and pegasi were not the oddest things, some of the horses were wearing outfits and doing things humanlike. On was holding an ice cream cone with nothing but his hooves.
"That is some artist."
"I Know, right!?"
Sirlen jumped. "I didn't here you com..... "You're a horse!" He was dumbfounded. Standing right there was a talking horse. Well not quite a horse, a little on the short side, and the anatomy doesn't quite match up. Like it's big eyes. All in all though, it was a horse.
"Hey I'm Nurse Redheart and no, I'm a pony. I imagine you aren't from around here, but didn't think you could go anywhere under the sun and not see a few ponies."
"Ponies?"
"Yes that's right, now let me exchange that bandage for a new one, ok."
"....sure..." So talking ponies is normal here and apparently widespread, Great! "No I guess I am not from around here. Where I am from there are no talking ponies."
"What do you mean no 'talking' ponies?"
Best not get into that here it might lead to some awkward questions.
"I just mean there aren't any that's all" Sirlen said rubbing the back of his head. It didn't look like she bought it but decided not to press the subject. That could have been bad.
She finished up and said, "Anyway you never told me your name."
"Oh, I am sorry. I think that bump to my head must've knocked something loose. I am Sir Sirlen but please just call me Sirlen."
"Ok Sirlen it is then" ,She replied with a smile that matched her coat.
"Hey Miss.. er."
"Please call me Miss. Heart."
"Ok Miss. Heart. I have a question for you. Do you happen to know what hit me or what happened to that yellow ...pony?”
"The Yellow pegasus is a dear named Fluttershy. She is Quite alright and feels really bad that you were injured protecting her. As for your first question I don't think I am the right pony to answer that question."
"Well as long as she is alright" So she was the one yelling for help. It makes a lot of sense now, guess I chose not to see it at the time. "So if you can't tell me then who can?" Sirlen was slightly confused by her dodge of the question.
"We can."
Sirlen turns his head to see two ponies walk in the door. Damn three ponies managed to sneak up on me on a hard floor. Either I am getting rusty, or that that bump to the head did a lot more damage than I originally thought. I guess that would explain the talking ponies. One of them was purple with a purple mane that has a pink streak. Oh and a horn, it was a real life unicorn! It, well I guess 'she' would be more appropriate, came in cautiously but with a smile. The other was a cyan blue pegasus with a mane straight from the sky itself. Gees, those ponies eyes, incredible, but the blue one seemed to be trying to avoid his gaze. Sirlen had spent enough time in the queens court to know something was not right in that shifty glance.
"Twilight how long have you been standing out there? I mean I could sort of see Rainbow Dash eavesdropping , but you should know better."
The purple pony blushed and kicked the floor a bit with her front hooves. The other one didn't seem to react to Redheart's words; she was still looking anywhere but at him. So, the purple one is Twilight and it doesn't take a genius to figure out who Rainbow Dash is.
"I'm sorry Nurse Redheart. I just didn't want to interrupt."
"Well no harm done I suppose, but don't let me catch you at it again. Well I best be off I have other ponies that need my help so you three talk and Mr.Sirlen you can go soon as you like."
She left and the silence after was beginning to get uncomfortable. So I decided to break the ice. "Hello I'm Sir Sirlen Queen Vanneta's Royal Sleuth.”
"Are you a human? You work for royalty? What did you do? What is a royal sleuth? Who is Queen Vanneta. How does...." "BWAHAHAHAHAHA!" Rainbow interrupted Twilight's stream of questions. "Sir Sir-len .That's hilarious.”
"You know for somepony named Rainbow D...." Twilight Faltered as Rainbow Dash's voice cut off as quickly as it began. Her eyes were locked on the bandages around Sirlens chest. She immediately looked back to the ground. She kicked her right forehoof back and forth. Things started to get awkward again.
Mistaking her look Sirlen said, "Don't worry about me I'll heal in no time. However your healers do it, they do it right." By the looks of it he was making it worse somehow. "Sooo..um.. I have introduced myself, but have yet to officially meet the two of you"
"Oh! I'm Sorry! I am Twilight Sparkle, personal student of Princess Celestia and the element of magic, and this.., she gave Rainbow a worried look, is Rainbow Dash, one of the fastest fliers you will ever meet and the element of loyalty. Apparently satisfied with her brief intro she got right back to the questions. "So, Sirlen do you know how you got here?"
"I don't know, I just awoke in that forest. I have no idea how or why I was there."
"Wait, you just appeared in a strange place with no idea how you got there, and the first thing you do is save somepony’s life." The pony called Dash said, sinking even lower to the ground.
"Well yea, I guess so. It is kind of my job, but at the time I didn't know it was the pony who called for help."
"That was still very noble of you Sirlen you saved a very good friend of ours. She would've come herself but.. well you'll see soon enough. If you don't know where you are, then I guess you have nowhere to stay" Twilight suddenly grinned real wide. “You can stay with one of us until we figure out how to get you back home, it is the least we can do."
"One of us?"
"Yea me and my friends."
"Ok that...is very hospitable of you it would be an honor." What could go wrong, he thought. "Let's get going then."
* * * * *
Twilight watched Sirlen from the corner of her eye. He had donned his clothing. Quite a lot of clothing, but I guess if you have no fur and a very small mane one would need it. He also had re-equipped his 'gear'. Which was surprisingly a lot for someone who didn't even have a saddlebag. She was sure she had never seen a pony,
"Can I call him a pony?", as well equipped as him. She would have to ask what it all was, later though. He caught her staring and she quickly turned away with a blush.
Twilight and Sirlen were walking to Sugarcube Corner to see Pinkie pie; Rainbow Dash had gone to get Fluttershy and Rarity. Saying it would be faster, but Twilight thought she was just uncomfortable around Sirlen after what she had done. Dash was worried about how Sirlen would react if he knew the truth, so was Twilight, but she hid it better. Twilight was also a little apprehensive about how Sirlen might react to Pinkie, "please do not pull out the cannon", but might as well get it over with. At least they could get a meal while their at it. Hmmm, that brings a question to mind, what is the human's diet? "You hungry Sirlen? I was thinking about getting us something."
"Yea, I'm so hungry I could eat a h-h-h.....ouse. I feel like I haven't eaten in a week. Thanks."
"That would be because you..haven't." Twilight winced as she said this, not even noticing his slight pause. "I probably should have told you sooner but it just kinda slipped my mind.
"So, I was out for a week well, that would explain why I feel a lot better than I should."
"Actually, if you were a pony you would still be in that hospital bed. Your body reacts really funny to magic. Which is one thing I would like to find out about later, if you wouldn't mind."
"Well you are treating me to lunch and have done more for me than most people would do for a stranger who just dropped from nowhere even if I helped your friend, you have still been great to offer to help me any way you can. It is the least I can do.”
She instantly felt guilty. "We felt bad about what happened and were going to commission a healing potion to make your recovery faster, but it seems are local potion mixer, Zecora, has unexpectedly went home for a visit."
"Well then all is for the best, because I would never been able to accept your offer had I been conscience, and there is no reason for you to feel bad or responsible. You can not control attacks from wild beasts even in a town."
"Well it was kind of my..." She was almost relieved to get cut off by a practically euphoric Pinkie pie.
"Oh! Oh! HimynameisPinkiePiebutjustcallmePinkie.Areyounew,becaseifyouare.Iwillhavetothroughyouthemostsuperfantasticlypinkierificwelcomepartyever."
* * * * *
Sirlen was stunned by vibrating pony before him. They were in front of a candy house but Sirlen didn't notice; he was too busy watching the candy(filled) pony that that was spouting an almost unintelligible stream of words. "Hello." He said backing up a step.
"Slow it down Pinkie. You are scarring him. We just came to inform you that we are meeting at my house tonight to...well try and help Sirlen here and we hoped to get a bite to eat while we were at it."
"Oh! I have never had a whatever-you-are here before. You have to try everything! Then tell me how you like it. Oooo do you even eat cupcakes? Have you ever had a cupcake? Oh my gosh you just have to have one right now!
Sirlen doesn't resist as Pinkie tries to pull him inside. "It is very nice to meet you Pinkie. My name is Sirlen, and I am sure whatever you give me will be just fine."
"Okey Dokie" She replies right before he hears someone inside call out her name. "Oops! Sorry we are kinda busy at the moment. Come in and have a seat and I will get you something scrumdiddlyumptious."
Sirlen and Twilight did as she asked and were served two giant cupcakes. Sirlen was sure this was more sugar than he had ever had in his life. When he said so to Pinkie she just beamed and bounced away laughing. After they finished they thanked Pinkie and made their way out of town a ways. "Where are we going now?"
"We are going to see Applejack, another friend of mine. We should have just enough time to get there and back before it gets too dark."
"Not to be rude, but why are we telling all your friends about me? I kind of feel on display. I appreciate what you did and all, but I am uncomfortable in the surroundings."
" I know this is all strange to you, but it is a small town and you will need to get to know ponies, so I thought why not start with my friends. Also, I want to say some things that involves everyone."
"Sirlen wasn't sure what that meant but didn't press. I guess I will find out tonight. He refocused to find that he was walking in the biggest grove of apple trees he had ever seen.
"Whoa, this is the most apple trees I have ever seen." He whispered to himself.
"Well thank ya kindly. I will take that as a complement."
Sirlen was a little surprised. For one, he didn't think anyone was close enough for him to be heard, and for two, someone was. He had been so awed at the sheer size of the farm, he didn't see the orange pony in the stetson hat pull a cart out onto the path. "Well, you should. Where I'm from food like this is hard to come by. The apples are the biggest I've ever seen."
The pony blushed then beamed so hard she was practically breaking the laws of physics.
"My name’s Applejack, and who might you be?" She said extending a hoof.
"My name is Sirlen and it is a pleasure to meet you ma'am." The words rolled off his lips without thought , royal sleuths were sometimes used as envoys to other nations. It always served to speak there language. He gave her hoof a firm shake, and she seemed to approve.
"It's nice ta meet ya as well, Sirlen."
"Glad to see you two getting along so well. I was afraid you might not." Twilight was thrilled, if a little taken aback by his speech. Ponies had surprisingly readable faces.
"Well, to tell ya'll the honest truth, I probably wouldn't have behaved anywhere near as good if you hadn't been here Twilight."
"I would probably acted worse if I ran into anyone like you were I come from." Sirlen said.
"Any what?", They said in unison. "Oh, I think he means anypony."Twilight corrected.
I'll have to ask about that later, Sirlen thought.
"Well ok then" ,Applejack replied. So what brings ya'll round?"
Applejack after you're done could you come to my house, so we can talk about some things." Hinting not so subtly in Sirlen's direction.
"Ok, just let me take this last wagonful to the barn and I'll walk with ya."
"Would you like some help, ma'am?"
"Naw, I can handle it ma'self but thanks, and no need to be so formal call me Applejack."
As they walked to Applejack's barn and started back Sirlen's mind clouded a bit as Applejacks words reminded him of his last chat with Vanneta. His world would be lesser without her. It seems he had failed again, just like he had failed his sweetheart, his Samantha. Her death had hardened his heart, to a degree that made him the worst adversary. For years, he performed his tasks as efficiently as possible without remorse, no matter what it was. That was until he was assigned to Vanneta; she had a smile like a hearth fire , and a personality to match. She became like a grandmother to Sirlen, who had no family of his own. The thought of her dead almost made Sirlen push all the pain away and become that familiar stone figure he once was. His thoughts were once again interrupted. He was dragged to a halt by Applejack, who was looking up at him, eyebrows bent in concern. "Someth'n wrong sugarcube?"
"Just taking it all in that's all. I'll be fine."
If ever there was a no nonsense pony, it was Applejack. "No that is not all, I can tell there is someth'n eaten at cha, but I can understand you not wantin' to talk about it." She said giving him a stern but somehow caring look.
Sirlen couldn't think of a reply, so he just nodded and walked on. I will have to put on my royal court face when I am around that pony. Most trained men couldn't divulge his emotions from one moment to the next.
Twilight had watched this exchange in a little too avid of an interest for Sirlen's taste, but the rest of the walk was uneventful. Until they had arrived at the giant tree, that was their library. How is this tree still alive. Twilight opened the door, and they were greeted by..That is a small dragon isn't it. Whatever why start asking questions now?
"Twilight oh, good your here, and Applejack too that is great the rest are already here so.." At this moment Sirlen stepped into the light of the open door, towering behind Applejack. "Cool, you must be that guy that fought the manticore."
"Spike this is Sirlen, Sirlen this is Spike. Now lets go introduce Sirlen to the rest." They walked into a room lined with books in the middle was a circle of cushions, four of witch were occupied. Sirlen recognized three of them Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and the yellow pegasus from before, but there was also a white unicorn with a purple mane. "Alright everypony I am glade you could make it. Some of you already know, but this is Sirlen. He is the reason I invited you all over. A week ago he mysteriously disappeared from where he lived and was transported here to Equestria. The other reason I invited you here is because Princess Celestia wants all of us to go to Canterlot at the end of the week to meet are new friend here." This got everyone's attention. Sirlen was especially confused, his appearance was enough to attract the eye of royalty. The most a talking horse would have gotten back home was a sideshow attraction.
"Now that that is out of the way, Rainbow Dash and I have something we would like to tell you, Sirlen." Twilight said, looking like she wanted nothing more than ball up and cry. Rainbow Dash wasn't faring too much better, but she stepped up first. Taking a deep breath she said, "Sirlen I am kind of the reason you were in the hospital. I heard Fluttershy scream and I rushed to her house as quick as I could, but by time I got there all I saw was you standing over her. I assumed you were the reason she was screaming. Then I sort of bucked you into a tree as hard as I could." She looked really bad, like she was about to throw up.
That was what she was so worked up about. "Rainbow Dash" Sirlen said. She looked up. He gave her a warm smile and said, "I would have done the same thing had I been in your place instead. I can not be mad at you for protecting your friend." She looked at him with eyes brimming with something close to joy. " You're not mad? Awesome!" She looked like she was going to hug him but thought better of it. She coughed into her hoof the hide it.
"No, not at all. Half of the injuries I obtained before that little encounter."
"Wait, you rescued Fluttershy while you were injured. That is totally awesome! "
"Thanks, but it wasn't anything special." He said thinking on how he almost got his butt kicked by the beast. Well, she seemed to be feeling better. Sirlen then looked to Twilight." So, what was it you wanted to tell me? She looked a little more confident after watching me with Dash, but she still looked scared.
* * * * *
Twilight was shaking throughout Rainbow Dash's confession, and was now near a meltdown. What have I done I tore this stallion from his home and possibly his family. When Sirlen finished with Dash she felt even worse. He is so nice and I have possibly doomed him to a life forever alone. No one deserved that, especially somepony willing to risk themselves for a stranger. Sirlen looked at her then asked, "So, what was it you wanted to tell me?"
She looked at her hooves as she spoke to him. "I think I accidently brought you here from your world, and I don't know how to send you back. You could be stuck here forever." The silence in the room seemed to drag on for an eternity. There was a collective gasp. She looked up to see Sirlen towering above her. She closed her eyes tightly, deciding to accept any form of punishment he chose for ruining his life. She took in a deep breath and "EEP!" She couldn't help letting out a squeal as he..., laid his arm across her back? She opened her eyes and was greeted by Sirlen's deep brown ones. He was kneeling with his right arm over her shoulder, looking her right in the eyes. "You saved my life for that, I am forever grateful."
"This was not the response she was expecting. Save his life, how? "What? How?"
"If you hadn't brought me here when you did I would be dead right now, and so might Fluttershy. Even if it was not your intention you saved my life and your friends."
Twilight struggled to accept what she heard "What about your family or your special somepony. Won't you miss them?"
His eyes saddened a bit. "I don't have any family left, and the only special one in my life died long ago. Don't you worry about it though it was quite a while ago."
"I am so sorry I didn't mean to bring up bad memories"
"No, not bad memories. Good ones, for the time we spent together was the best I ever had. Samantha was the sweetest girl, untainted by the world. Just being in the same room was enough for me to be happy, and I think she felt the same. We were to be married before she died. Alas, it is no good to dwell on the past." Sirlen seemed to literally have to drag himself back to reality.
Everypony in the room was misty eyed, except for Rarity, who was crying and Rainbow Dash, who was fighting it with everything she had. After everypony got ahold of them selves, Rarity and Fluttershy officially introduced themselves. Rarity was simply insistent that Sirlen stop by tomorrow and let her make him some new clothing. While the ones he wore were no longer bloodstained, thanks to the nurses, they were tore up in a bunch of places. Fluttershy managed a thank you loud enough for Sirlen to hear, but barely and said nothing else. She seemed content with it, and he didn't pressure Fluttershy for more.
* * * * *
The rest of the night Sirlen spent asking and answering questions. He was asked Questions like. "What is your diet" "I am omnivorous and I don't eat grass or hay or jewels for that matter." Apparently spike does. "What is your species." "Human" "What is a royal sleuth?" He told them that "Over the years the meaning of the word grew and warped into something else entirely. What a sleuth dose is much easier to tell. We were charged with any and all jobs that the average soldier, scout, or even diplomat , in some cases, couldn't or wouldn't do. We were known to use unorthodox methods to achieve a goal by any means, most of the time without being seen, if at all possible. The command of a sleuth was second only to the royalty he served and those above the one he served in the royal line. He himself being the Queens answered only to her. Most of these questions were asked by Twilight who along with poor spike was jotting down every word. He even read her describing his facial expressions then she wrote down that he was reading it over her shoulder as he was.
It was beginning to get really late. There was talk of heading home, which again brought up the question. "Were am I going to be staying?"
"You can stay here, we have a guest room" Twilight said. Rarity was appalled by the idea though. "No, darling that simply will not do. You can't sleep in the same house as a stallion that you don't know unsupervised. Spike is one thing, but he is just a baby."
Applejack spoke up. "I'm sure he can sleep in ma barn if'n he don't mind that is."
"That will be just fine, thanks for your hospitality." God knows I have slept in worse places.
"Then it's settled." Applejack said. Rarity seemed content with this. The little gathering started to disperse. Just before Sirlen got out the door Twilight pulled him aside and asked him one last question. "Why did you tell us about Samantha, I mean I'm glad you did but we have barely known each other for a day. I have to know why."
"It just felt like time to stop running away, time to let it go, to accept it." With that he said his goodbyes and followed Applejack down the road.