//------------------------------// // Chapter 2: Better off alone? // Story: Unexpected Company // by Astiam300 //------------------------------// Psst! This is the author, before reading please take in mind that this haven't been edited by a native english speaker, so, if you find any mistakes, please tell me on the comments. --- “So, how long until we get there?” As we walked through the woods, my considered --and sympathetic-- brain began to process all the events that have unfolded since 10 minutes ago, and gave me this awesome conclusion: Today, I helped a stranger, a total stranger, without asking for money. I know I’m supposed to do that everyday, but it struck me once I realized, really. Yes I know, it's weird, but I'm serious about this, never before in my life I have “helped” anypony, or anybody, without asking for money, bits. I don’t ask for help, and no one ever asks me for help, putting aside my work. I’m helping someone, and I’m not asking bits for it. I can’t believe what I’m doing, it’s my job to give help for bits. I can’t believe I actually followed that advice of being ‘random’ sometimes. Maybe I’ll ask him for something later, I already feel funny doing this. “Dude, how long?” But I don’t know, it feels weird... Ugh I can already see the 'Hey who's your friend?' coming. Ponies always have known me for being always alone, and if somepony sees me now with a ‘friend’, I won’t know what to say. Even more when that supposedly 'friend' is that thing. “Dude.” Something’s really weird with this guy. Smells fishy. Oh I hope Karma will repay me eventually. Anyway, I need to stop thinking about the past or the future, now I need to know where should I go NOW, because, if I bring him to Fillydelphia first, I might not have enough time to go to Mr. Rustycrown’s house before nightfall. He's really picky with time... For example, the last time I got to his house a bit "late", I could almost tell from the looks he gave me that he was about to toss me an entire lecture about responsibility. And I’ve seen kids more responsible than him. Speaking of which, if go to Mr. Rustycrown’s house first, I might not have time to go to Fillydelphia, and find a place to leave this... “Human”. And if find that place, I need to convince the owner to let a monkey b-, wait a second I'm not going to pay for his stay!! ...So, what else could I do then? Hmm... Maybe I could use some camping, it’s been awhile since the last time I camped somewhere... I have everything on my cart ready to be used. Or I could even ask Mr. Rustycrown for... No, he’s way to stingy, he wouldn’t even help his own mother. “Hey.” Ugh. It's so hard to keep quiet?! “What.” “How long until we get there?” “...Depends.” “How much?” “Let me think.” We kept walking. I’m going to be honest with you, I don’t like to talk to ponies when I’m walking, my mind is somewhere else. When I speak to someone, I'd like to give them my full attention --or at least my 90% to them--. If can't give somepony or someone my full attention when I'm talking to them, better to me to avoid such conversation. If there is one thing that I hate the most is when ponies speak to you with false attention. I only see hypocrisy. Damn, I just want to walk quietly with myself, the road, and my cart. I turned my head back to my cart. Huh... Has seen better days. I don’t like it when other ponies, or, in this case, creatures, talk to me when I walk, it is something like personal to me. Yeah, I can carry a conversation with no problem, I even enjoy the conversation sometimes when the proper conditions are found, but there is always something bugging me, always something, deep inside, telling me to stop and do what is important. Sometimes I’d wish it could be different. That I could be different. I really do. But that's when I remember and I stop. A few minutes later, I heard the human inhale a lot of air and then give a long sigh, he muttered about something, maybe complaining. With my head still looking straight forward, I focused my eyes on him. He did not noticed my glance because of the difference in height, which I have to admit that it was a fair amount. My height reached him just above his waist counting my ears. He looked distracted, and... Somehow more calmed. His walking had a slight tottering pace as if he had not yet recovered. Though I think he was doing just fine. Then, I stopped looking at the human and raised my head to the sky, looking at the sun just behind the clouds. I could even watch some distant pegasi soaring through the sky, birds, more clouds. Amazing sight. I wonder how it feels... Say, flying, how does it feel? Lucky bastards. But I, myself, have... Have... What is he... "What are you doing?" - I asked a little confused. He didn't answer me very quickly, he was more focused on what he was doing. I'd say he was trying to pull something out of his pocket, I saw him do so, but I wasn’t so sure. "Checking my stuff." Oh, what else could he be doing? "Ok." He took out of his pants a strange blue wallet, an odd piece of what I think it was a black rectangular metal with the silhouette of a bitten apple behind it, and a pencil. He began to examine every piece with delicacy. Especially the metal piece, maybe it was an amulet of a culture I don’t know? Ha! What a curious choice of materials to do an amulet if that’s the case. And also where would you put it? I don’t see any chains or belts on it. "I’m asking you again, what are you doing?" “My phone..." - The human frowned. - "Maybe I have internet connection I dunno." A phone? Like... Like telephone, phone? That thing is a phone??!! I remember when I first saw one of those things, really impressive. I had to carry one of those with me in one occasion. It’s an invention of an old stallion that allows you to talk to other ponies by distance through a wire, it feels like you’re just next to them! Sitting next to them! And you talk to them as if it were nothing and stuff, and then the other pony hears you at the same time! Same. Time. And I’m not kidding. Or at least that’s what the owner told me. I wanted to try it, but I didn’t asked for it when I had the chance and the owner mentioned that it was still a work in progress. Next time, I've gotta try one of those. But that is not a phone, a phone is much more larger, full of electronics inside and with arcane indentations all over it. That’s a... A metal piece... A rectangular black metal, with a strange silhouette behind it. Maybe the silhouette was his cutie mark, or something similar, or maybe it was a family emblem, or maybe it was the logo of a multinational corporation... Pfft... What the hay are you thinking, Green. And the human is... Caressing it? “Maybe I could...” - He began poking the piece repeatedly and then pressed the top of the metal making a mild grimace while examining the thing... Then... Um... - “Damn it could you please work already!” - The thing... Exploded. - "Aagh!" The human dropped the item shaking his hands erratically, the metal let out a few but strong electric sparks and then blew up in a tiny explosion as it touched the ground. "GOD!! Please! Seriously!!??" The human placed everything back in his pocket as he watched the metal on the ground annoyed. "Man, you have got to be kidding me" And you are the one saying that? The human smiled at me awkwardly and ignored the metal that was already behind us. His face looked strange, he was hiding something. I just knew it, I swear I knew it. “Sorry.” Sorry? About what? About making my whole day different and making me rearrange my entire schedule? Or the blowing up metal? Also, what the hay was that thing? “And sorry about back there, I was just so excited!" - His grin widened. - "I just can’t believe it! I’m in the actual, real, Equestria! My god!” I took some slight steps to the side. I don’t know about you, but his weird talks are starting to freak me out, especially that last part, what does he means by the ‘real Equestria’ anyway? The human looked at the sky, cheerful yet composed, gave a sigh, and put his arms around his neck while grinning even more widely. I just looked at him sideways. This is something that really give me the creeps, why is he so happy? So full of happiness? Ah I need to stop thinking about that... “So awesome!! And the best of all, I can explore all of my favorite places with all the time of the world!! And not just that, I also have this awesome little big pony who is sooo gene-” “Woah!!! Stop right there!!!” - I halted as I got rid of his incoming hug. “...Oh...” I shaked my torso just like when you get out of the water and you need to dry yourself quickly, I felt the urge. I stomped the ground with my left forehoof, and turned to him angry. The human was petrified, and stared at me with a worried look on his eyes. He certainly wasn't expecting my reaction, almost nobody does, but I have all the right to react this way. Who the hay does he thinks he is?! Little big pony my flank! And hug me?! Why hug me?! He doesn’t have any reasons to hug me!! I don’t even know him!!! I huffed angrily, my heart rate was increasing, I felt it deep inside, my whole world collapsed into one single emotion that I couldn’t put my hoof on. I can’t let myself be treated this way. This, ridiculous way. I hate hugs. “Woah nelly, hey, don’t be so grumpy! Come on give me a hug!” - He opened his arms to me. “No," - I murmured - "please, no hugs.” “...Well, at least can I know your name? My dear savior?” Savior? He thinks I am his savior? I sighed, trying to hold back my urge to kick him... Strongly... Sweet Celestia, I really need to control myself sometimes. “Come on...” - He smirked. “First,” - I took a long breath following a short gulp. - “who are you?” I won’t answer any questions if he doesn’t answer my questions. “I’m... Um... Well...” - He bit his lip and rolled his eyes. - “Uuh...” This is really getting on my nerves. Come on, is this really that hard to answer? “I’m just a wandering human.” “Seriously? Tell me the truth.” There was a short pause. “I’m an alien.” "What." - I tilted my head, perplexed. The human grinned again and chuckled to himself, as if mocking me for something I said. "Just kiddin', I'm Eric, what's your name?" Eric... That doesn't sound like a real name to me at all. Ponies and other creatures are used to name their children over certain concepts, objects, things. Not random gibberish. Yeah, yeah, I know, that doesn’t mean we ponies don’t use original names sometimes or that I’m against them, lately it’s even becoming more and more popular to use those original names, and I’ve met a guy called Joe once and he was a pretty cool stallion. But, ‘Eric’? Is that even on this language? For some reason I don’t believe him... I don’t know why... "Green Mount." I hope my mind is just playing tricks on me and that this human is not an evil ancient creature of evilness. That would be a total bummer. "Wait, that stands for mount as a..." "As a mount." "So... Can I mount you?" - The human contained a laugh. “No.” The human chuckled, and remained quiet a few seconds. Then he began talking again. "What do you carry?" "Stuff.” "Yeah, but what kind of stuff?" "Supplies." - Like clothing, waterproof clothing, ropes, hooks, knives, small swiss army knife, sunglasses, water bottles, sleeping bags, headlamps with spare bulb and batteries, tents, small first aid kit which also includes magically enhanced bandages, health potions and healing rock crystals, travel bags with more random equipment and etcetera... Oh and my top 3 supplies? My books, my food and my bits... Oh yeah... "For what?" "You're really curious, you know that?" "Thanks!" "That wasn't a compliment." "Oh." I turned my head back to my cart and checked it swiftly. I didn’t needed to, but I felt the need. "I travel a lot, I need supplies." "Wait, so what do you do?" "I walk." "No," - The human chuckled. - "I mean, work." "I do errands, carry packages, actually I-" "Wait, isn't that a job for pegasi? But you're a-" "Do you have a problem with earth ponies?" "No! No! Actually they're just my favorite race!" Um... What. "Excuse me?!" "I-I mean, the peg-earth ponies! Yes! Yes!" “...” - I took a long deep breath. The conversation paused for a moment. I was expecting an apology, but instead, the human laughed loudly, almost hysterically. He was enjoying this quite a lot. And on my point of view, I really don’t know, this is the longest conversation I’ve ever had since... Last month? "Who are you?" - I spoke. "I already told you." I just simply responded by raising an eyebrow. "You wouldn't understand." Before I could even open my snout to ask something else, the human answered me quickly, almost as if he had read my mind. "Oh! The explosion?" - No, the meaning of life you idiot. - "Well, I have no idea!" What. You supposedly EXPLODE in the middle of a forest and survive as if nothing had happened, and you have NO IDEA??!! How did he...? I gave the human a second (or was it third?) glance sideways, and tried to spot any odd details on his appearance. The sunlight would allow me now to see better. The jeans had mud on the knees and some cuts, the hands had soft bruises, the sweatshirt was covered in soil and stains, there was little branch on his hair on which a tiny little leaf has hanging, and the shoes were so full of dust they almost looked brown. The only odd thing that I see here, is that he doesn’t look truly hurt at all, and yet his clothes were telling me that he was. Did he... Fell? Or maybe he teleported? But, if that’s the case, how did he made a teleport spell? And how does he even talk? He’s an animal! Animals don’t talk! This doesn’t make any sense at all! I’m beginning to suspect that it wasn’t really an explosion. This human is so damn obnoxious and yet, interesting in a way. Ok human, you have my curiosity, and when my curiosity strikes, it really strikes. Next question. "The clothes, why so many?" "Oh, you see, us humans are really... Bashful with our bodies, so we usually cover it up with clothes," - Being bashful is ok, but being bashful with your own body? That is just weird. -  "And not just that, if we take it off, it is considered 'sexual'." "What." - I’m naked all day! Does that mean that in his culture I’m a freaking exhibitionist? "I know right? We're just so awesome!" "Are you sure you're not making this up? This sounds too weird for me" "Pinkie Promise!" "What?" "Hey look at that!" - The human pointed to my left. We stopped, and I looked to my left. I didn't saw anything on my first look, but after some small moments I've realized where I was. Ugh, why didn’t I saw this coming? As I dropped a jaded grunt, I motioned the human to follow me. We walked again. Behind the bushes, and behind the trees, it laid a long thin stone path that lead into the entrance of what it seemed to be a large area of woods of a country house --the supposedly ‘yard’ of the house--, surrounded by a long white fence that came out of the entrance, that was marked by two big rock pillars on each side. Probably the fence was much more longer from what we could see at first sight. The woods also had some small buildings and sheds scattered around, and at the distance on the center I could see a small plain site with a white wooden house. No, scratch that, it was a mansion. Mr. Rustycrown’s mansion. I can’t believe we ended up here so fast. “"Private Property?’” “Private what?” The human was staring at the text of small sign that was nailed on a nearby tree. I walked to the sign to have a better look. It was old and it was painted with a familiar deteriorated red paint. “‘PRIVATE PROPERTY:’” - He read out loud. - “‘Do not enter without permission.’” Huh, I thought he removed that sign a long time ago. Oh Mr. Rustycrown, welcoming as always, and also the red paint gives the sign an very nice touch to the ‘Stay away’ feel. “Human, I need you to stay right here for a moment, okay?” “Um, okay.” “Thank you.” - I bowed slightly, and then rested a hoof on the fence gate. “Do you need any help with your cart? I can watch over it for you, if you want.” “No thanks.” “Ok then, good luck!” - He smiled. I closed my eyes, and I gave myself the time to feel the silence for a moment, so I could savor every single second of it. This won’t last so long, so I need to enjoy these little ‘moments’ as much as I can. “What are you doing?” I didn’t responded, I didn’t wanted to, and it wasn’t necessary. I checked the leashes of my cart to see if they were well adjusted, cleared my throat, and spoke clearly. “Hello? Sweetie Garden?” Silence... “Hello? This is Green Mount! I came here to see Mr. Rustycrown! I-” “Who is this Sweetie Garden?” “Sshh!” The human grunted softly, frowned, and then simply sat on a tree crossing his arms and legs. The movement reminded me a lot of those grumpy kids who just simply don’t want to eat their dinner. I’m not an expert on kids, but I’ve seen a couple of examples... “Hello?” - I knocked the pillars a couple of times. “Waaaaait!!!” - I heard a tiny voice of a mare by the distance, a teen. “Woah that sounds cute” - The human murmured, thinking that I wouldn’t hear him. Heh. A gallop, and then a fast flutter. And then, there she was, Sweetie Garden, as always, behind that fence, awkwardly holding a garden hose on her smout. Just out of her work as the gardener. Sweetie Garden is the smallest one of the 5 nieces of Mr. Rustycrown, she has long reddish hair, light green eyes, and a very pale yellow coat. The pegasus usually stays with his uncle on summers working with him, or for him in this case. What a nice summer, huh? “Good afternoon, Sweetie Garden.” - I don’t know her personally, but I think we get along well. The mare spat the hose and brushed off the water out of her snout with a hoof. “Good afternoon Green Mount, how may I help you?” “I’ve came here to see Mr. Rustycrown, is he here?” - I leaned my head over the fence as I looked from side to side. “Yes, please, come in.” Before she even raised a hoof to open the door, the human stood up very rapidly, almost fell on my cart, and then supported his weight onto the gate in front of me, blocking part of my sight, I even had to put my head back very rapidly to don’t get hit. The human then stared at Sweetie Garden, on a very, very creepy way, smiling, with a wide creepy grin. “Hi!” - He waved his hand - “Wow, she’s cute.” “Uh... T-thanks?” - The mare looked puzzled. I hit my face with my hoof. I’m gonna end up killing him if he keeps acting this way... Please somepony kill him for a while, I know it isn’t possible but let me dream... “I see you came with a friend?” - Sweetie spoke somewhat slow, almost as if not believing her own words. “He’s not my friend, he’s-” “A friend?” “No, he’s not my friend,” - I reaffirmed. -  “he’s... An acquaintance, he will wait for me here, and then we will be leaving.” The teen mare stared blankly at us, but mostly to the human, who was simply smiling. “An acquaintance.” - She spoke flatly. “Yes.” “You... Green Mount... Have an acq-” “Can I please come in?” - I interrupted her somewhat annoyed. “Oh! Right! Yes! Please, feel free.” - As she says this, she flies gently to the door and opens it. “Thank you.” - I said as I nodded. I walked through the gate and entered the stone path, it felt weird on my legs after all this time on dirt. “Can I come in too?” - The human poked my flank, making myself jump on the spot. I had to gulp a little yelp. - “Please?” I think I gave him a death glare. “Whoops, sorry I touched your butt, won’t happen again.” “Um... Are you two okay in there?” - Sweetie asked us from ahead. I took a breath and closed my eyes. “Yes Sweetie, we’re okay. And human,” “Eric.” “whatever, you can come in with me if you want, but please, please stay calm...” - I opened my eyes, and looked at him again. -  “Don’t do anything stupid.” “Ok!” - He saluted. “Or you know what? Don’t do anything, just come with me, and don’t. Do. A thing.” “He can come in, too.” - Sweetie commented. The human hopped and cheered - “Yay!!” I coughed. “Oh! Sorry... Yay...” - He cheered again, very softly, almost like a whisper. I heard Sweetie Garden giggle. “Um, nevermind him.” “Nah, it’s okay,” - She smiled. - “it’s good to see a happy face around sometimes.” Yeah, maybe. As we walked, the human kept the same grin on his face the entire time, it was more subtle, but it had the same radiance. I focused my eyes on the house that was already getting closer by each step we took. And suddenly, I don’t know how, I found myself staring at Sweetie Garden’s flank. No it wasn’t because of that, you dirty little readers!! I’m not that type of pony! Besides she’s too young for me! Too young, I swear!! It was something else... There was something odd about her, something missing... My goodness... She still haven’t got her cutie mark? “Mr. Rustycrown have told me that you’d visit.” - I quickly moved away my stare. “Really?” - The human spoke before me. - “And who’s Mr. Rustycrown?” “Mr. Rustycrown is the current owner of this very land, you see. He is also my uncle, and my boss.” “Woah, and what do you do here?” Ugh, they’re gonna start chatting. I told ya’ they would. “I’m... I’m the gardener.” - She sighed, not very enthusiastic on that last word. “Oh, cool! What else?” “Um, I’m... I’m also the housekeeper?” Housekeeper? “Really?” “Really. But it’s not always, just sometimes, when Mr. Rustycrown needs me busy.” “Isn’t that a bit too much?” “No, it’s not, I just help Minty when she’s tired, so that’s it.” “Minty?” “The original housekeeper” - I said. “And maid.” - She added. - “We’re friends. You will meet her soon.” We walked a little in silence, the human looked very curious, and I could see on his eyes how much he wanted to just ran off to somewhere, it was weird. He looked nervous, but very controlled. Ah, finally I was becoming a tad more comfortable, knowing that he’s controlling himself, and that he won’t do anything stupid. “Hey, where’s your cutie mark?” ... ... For crying out loud!!! Do you at least FILTER what you say?! Promptly after hearing him, I kicked to the side hitting right at his leg. “OUCH!!!” - The human squealed in pain - “Why would you do that?!” That was oddly satisfying to say the least. I pointed at Sweetie. “What?” I mouthed the words ‘Blank Flank’ to him, so Sweetie wouldn’t hear it. I didn’t wanted to hear it either, I hate those two words, even up until today I cringe every time I hear them, but that’s the only fast way to define that... ‘Situation’ some ponies have. The human eyes widened. “Oh god, I’m so sorry! I didn’t noticed that you were a bl-” I kicked again. “OUUCH!!!!” - He squealed louder. “Pfft... I don’t even care about that anymore, so it's fine.” - Well that was a rather unexpected answer, her tone wasn’t very convincing, but it was comforting nevertheless. - “And, we’re here.” Sweetie took a few steps forwards and opened the door. Mr. Rustycrown was standing just behind, looking at his watch, and not very happy. He was wearing his usual monocle, plus that expensive suit which he always brags about. “You have arrived... Finally.” - He said, still looking at his watch. - “We agreed that we would meet at 4, did something happe-?” As soon as Mr. Rustycrown moved his eyes out of his watch, his pupils became tiny little dots, his face became almost white, and he muttered something behind that mustache that I couldn’t understand. “...Hey," - He hid his shock. - "who’s your friend?”