//------------------------------// // Chapter 2: Ponyville's Visitor // Story: To Be Human // by Bastinator //------------------------------// These ‘legs’ will certainly take some getting used to. It is an odd thing, the simple yet complex nature of this foreign attachment, and what of this odd sensation at the tips of your feet. Toes, if that is the correct word to describe them as they attempt to balance each step. Every sensation so familiar yet so strange at the same time. Had you not ears could you appreciate that gentle rustle of the trees, the softness of the wind’s pitch that flows across the landscape? Had you not a nose could you have ever sensed the tantalizing wonder that the flowers grace the land? If not for the eyes… you fingers work around the skin of your face as they memorize every detail, even the two shallow indents where those orbs should rest. How does one see without the eyes of the living? A minute detail in the grand scheme perhaps. Trivial as it may be, you cannot seem to rid yourself of a sense of disappointment. To enjoy life, mustn’t one be equipped as one of the living? Only time will it seems. “How much longer will it be before we reach the town of P0nyville?” ”A few minutes at the most. Umm, do you think I can ask you something?” Do I think she can ask? An odd question. “Is that not a question within itself?” Your attention is quickly stolen by a flock of birds sailing through the sky. Isn’t it the simplest things in life that astound and amaze? ”Why did-” “What is it like to fly?” you interrupt her, “To beat the wings given from birth and ascend to the sky?” ”Uhm, I- I wouldn’t uh, know how to describe it.” An understandable predicament. When one is drowned in the sensation it becomes quite easy to lose the ability to describe it. If she were to ask you what it is like to, be you, could you give a better answer? No, you simply could not. The flock retains your attention until they escape from view, but even still you sense them, the numbers atop their heads a constant reminder of your duty. How unfortunate, but if not for you, then who would fulfill this task? No one, it must always be you, as it has always been. Just beyond the tree line, through the thicket of leaves and branches lies the town of P0nyville. The chatter of which they speak reaches your attention even from this distance, the happy tunes and dreams of what is to come. You have never experienced a true holiday before and you find yourself wondering how it would feel. Rainbow Dash, as her name is, stops you before you cross the bridge to town, “Let me go first. They might be a-“ You understand what she means, this form was shocking to her and you have no range to gauge how the rest will react. “Go on, I will be with you shortly.” You stop her before she’s off and give her one warning. “Should you attempt to flee, you will fail and rest assured, there are fates worse than death…” As if nothing had happened you admire the bridge’s architecture, the Pegasus crossing back home. You caress the smooth stone of the bridge before bringing your hand to your nose, inhaling the earthy residue upon your fingertips. Tentatively and with minute curiosity you take the dust into your mouth, the eccentric coarseness of it not entirely a pleasant taste. However unpleasant you find yourself enjoying the strange new sensations that this experience brings. The remains on your fingertips have darkened with moisture and yet retain their rough texture when you rub it between your fingers. You peer over the bridge and into the flowing water beneath you, a school of fish swimming along with natural grace. Your own reflection catches your eye, the jade faceless being that stares back at you so familiar and yet he is without memory. Extending out with your hand you could almost… Pointless. Reeling back you turn away from the being in the water and back to the town. By now there are a few that have taken notice of your behavior as they look to you with their strange glances. Cocking your head to the side you mirror their own motion until a group of fillies come out from the brush, their parents quickly shuffling them along, one eye still on you. Delightful group of p0nies indeed. You walk down Mane Street as it is called and look at things in a new light, the homes, the bushes, trees, squirrels, grass, dirt… P0nies of different shades and tints, each staring yet ignorant of your presence in such a peculiar manner. The ends of your mouth curl upwards into a grin as you give each a short overview all the way from their head to their tail. The road before you clears granting a clear pathway down through the town. Metallic clanks and bolts sound from the homes nearby and you turn back in time to see the last group move back inside. A filly waves her hoof, you mirroring the gesture just before she’s pulled back inside by her parent, that same bolt sounding from their own house. The scene replays over and over again as you look to your own hand, the image of the filly’s hoof still playing in the background. Rainbow Dash’s question comes to the forefront of your mind, ‘Why aren’t you a p0ny?’ Hoof vs Hand, why the difference? Should you not appear as them? Curious, very curious. You continue to gaze absentmindedly at the digits upon your hand until Rainbow Dash returns from her trip, “Where’d everyp0ny go?” “In their homes of course. Why am I not a p0ny?” ”I- I don’t know, why aren’t you?” “Ah but that is my question?” ”I already asked you that so, how should I-” she pauses at your look of displeasure, “I don’t know, alright?” “Fair enough I suppose.” You let her lead you through the town, a fair portion of her kin giving you the same warm treatment of clearing a path. “I must say that their behavior is most… kind, yes that is the word, wouldn’t you agree?” She responds with an odd smile, “They’re just uh- Not used to seeing something like you.” Something, is it? Well that is not the most satisfying name, though fairly accurate in this case. “If I had known they would do me the honor of clearing the streets so that I might stretch these limbs of mine, then I might have appeared earlier for such a reception.” Rainbow Dash opens her mouth to say something only to give another strange grin, “Yeah, that’s it. Just good old p0nies being neighborly, hehehe,” the strain of her laughter quite amusing. You think you’re starting to get used to these limbs of yours. What is the phrase you once heard? Like riding a bike. Actually, what is a bike? “Rainbow Dash, have you ever heard of a bike or bicycle?” ”You like asking random questions, don’t you?” “I ask what is on my mind.” ”That was a rhetorical question, and no, I don’t think I’ve ever heard of a bike.” Disappointing. Your eyes catch the glimmer in the sky, the golden sky chariot sifting through the air by the two stallions at its head. Nine thousand fifty- You turn your head to cancel out the image only to have your vision rest on yet another set of numbers. This predicament is most unkind to you and you must learn to bear it, even when you would have it ignored. ”I’m going to hit the stall, do you- you want anything?” You look to the wooden stall she refers to at the side of the street, the mare behind it selling what appears to be some sort of fruit. She doesn’t appear to have wronged Rainbow Dash in any way, in fact appearing what they might consider ‘chipper’ or ‘bubbly.’ “Why is that you would cause harm to her place of business?” She throws her head back in what you think is shock, “What? Why would I do that?” “That is my question. What has that mare done to cause your action of hitting her stall?” ”Ar- Are you being serious right now?” “Quite wholly. Such reckless acts, however entertaining they might be to you, are ultimately uncalled for I would assume.” She throws her face in a hoof, “That’s not what I meant. When I said ‘hit’ I meant that I was going to the stall.” Hmm, such an interesting dialect that these p0nies use. “I figured you would understand, but I guess not.” “I have much to learn it would seem.” ”So you want anything or not?” A pink blur shoots past you and down the street almost faster than you could keep up. Somep0ny must be in quite a hurry. ”Hello?” “Oh yes, let us move along.” Rainbow trots up to the stall, the mare behind the counter only widening her smile, “Oh hi Dash, how’s the practice going?” ”Great you know, only a matter of time before they decide to pick me up.” You observe how excited the mare gets, “Oh I just know you’ll get in. Nop0ny deserves it more than you.” ”What can I say? All it takes is time.” “Time is not always the solution, Rainbow Dash.” The mare turns her attention to you as she slinks down in her booth, “I uh, didn’t see you there. Are you a friend of Rainbow Dash’s?” ”No-“ “Yes,” you smile innocently at the mare and inspect the fruit behind her, “What produce is that, may I ask?” ”Ahh this uh,” she looks down your waist, “Sir, is a nectarine, fresh and juicy that’ll make any mouth water. Only 2 bits a pop.” “Pop?” ”She means each,” Rainbow cuts in, “We’ll take two.” They exchange hooves, trading the two reddish orange fruits for small golden coins. ”So… You going to the Summer Sun Celebration tonight?” the mare asks you as you observe the strange orb in your hand. “I thought I might, yes. Thank you madam and may you have a prosperous year.” ”Well, thank you sir.” Three hundred seventy five. Sitting down on a bench next to Rainbow Dash you press the nectarine to your nostrils and inhale that lovely aroma it emanates. Heavenly. You lower it and gaze around the barren street with what you think is a look of bliss. Are normal p0nies able to gauge their own facial expressions? How? Do they have some mirror technique? “Rainbow Dash, might you describe how I look.” ”Green,” she doesn’t hesitate to answer and bites into her tangerine, “Go on, it’s not getting any younger.” You wipe the juice off the side of your face and take a small bite, finding it quite satisfying to the tongue. ”So, just out of curiosity-“ “Fear,” you correct, savoring this delightful fruit to its fullest, “One should not fool themselves.” Rainbow Dash looks to the ground, letting you know that you were in fact, correct. ”What are you trying to achieve, by following me that is?” Did you not tell her? You must have forgotten. “If eternity was your workplace and each day you performed the same task as the previous, would you not be entitled for a retreat?” ”Wait- So this is a vacation for you?” “To put it simply, yes. I have grown tired of the mundane and wish to enjoy ‘life’ as you do.” You find yourself humming as you take another chunk off the side and work it in your mouth. “Rainbow Dash,” you call her to attention, “What is it that you practice for?” ”Always got to keep on top of the game, besides, the Wonderbolts don’t take any slackers.” “What are these Wonderbolts? Do they hold similarity to the night’s lightning bolts?” Lowering her hoof the best you can describe her expression is shock, “You don’t know who the Wonderbolts are?” “Save for the ones who keep me occupied then I cannot say that I pay much mind to the ever-changing roster of life.” ”Spitfire? Soarin? Neither of them ringing a bell?” Unless they had reached a count comprised of double digits, no, you inform her, you have not. ”They’re only the most flank-bucking flying team in Equestria. I’ve wanted to team up with them as long as I can remember.” “Then much practice you will need. Speed is one thing, expertise and discipline should be your focus.” ”Are you trying to say I’m not good enough?” her cheeks flush red. “I say that your talent is boundless, but like any metal only by tempering and sharpening your quality will you achieve greatness.” She flicks her mane to the side, “I’m not some piece of metal, and I’m more than worthy of being in the Wonderbolts. Ten bits say I can get to the end of the street and back before you can recite the alphabet.” “Bits?” She chuckles and stands up flaring her wings for a quick stretch, “I’ll tell you later. I’ve got a challenge to win.” “My words were not meant-” but before you can finish she’s taken off down the street blowing a gust in your face. You hope she notices the unicorn and baby dragon crossing the- Nope. Like you said, expertise and discipline. She would do best to remember that. You observe the mess she has made of the two of them and continue to eat, the muddy residue left by her impact soaking the two of them. Ah just look at that sky, cloudy and covering the land in a pleasant shade. That unicorn does not seem to enjoy it as much, perhaps Rainbow Dash is flying up to- Her hoofs pound against the cloud wringing it out onto the mare leaving her drenched but effectively clean. That did not seem to do the trick as even you can see how irate the mare has turned. The transpiration of events is most entertaining and you find it nigh impossible to turn away, even as Rainbow forms a mini tornado and transforms the mare’s mane into… Words cannot describe it. Ahh but should turn your attention elsewhere, like that cloudy sky where Rainbow Dash takes off. One by one she demolishes each cloud in her path in a feat of speed that would leave many jealous. However, you think to be one of the few to see the limitation of her ability, her recklessness. The mare and her companion are left dumbstruck by her display, Rainbow giving her a nudge before speeding off right back towards you. Landing beside you on the bench she stretches out, hooves behind her head, “I told her, ten seconds flat.” “Did you know you could accomplish it in such a time?” ”Pssh, of course I could.” Disappointing, it is one’s abilities to test their limits that demonstrates quality, not being content with your skill. A wise man knows there’s always more to learn, and it appears she is far from it. ”What?” “Did I speak?” She turns away, “N-no.” Your gaze fixates on the mare and her dragon as they move to the town hall in the middle of town. You’d long sat there, so to speak, and watched the residents as they went about their life. “Who was that mare?” Rainbow Dash nudges your shoulder, “Looks like someone has a crush.” “Crush?” ”By Celestia, you’re hopeless. A crush, someone that you like but don’t have the guts to fess up to.” So she believes you to have a covert affection for the unicorn. What a strange assertion. “I find her interesting though I cannot place the source. She is part of the bigger scheme; I sense it.” Her eyes roll in response, “I hope you at least know what denial sounds like.” “Denial lies in the statement, not the-“ ”I know what denial is.” You turn your head to her, a spark igniting inside. “Do not interrupt me again,” the words freezing her action and sending shivers up her spine. ”A-alright.” You smile and set down the core of your nectarine, looking to her own. “Are you going to finish that?” She hands it over, having lost her appetite. Hmmm, juicy. ”But uh, she said her name was Twilight Sparkle. Some hotshot from Canterlot I’m thinking.” Twilight… What role do you play? How are you connected in the grand scheme? T’would be an interesting discovery, but she is not your person of interest here, the Pegasus is. “I seem to have grown bored sitting here. How might we remedy this?” She pops off the bench, “You ever been wasted before?” “Wasted?” Rainbow Dash grins, “Thought so. Come on, I kno- *poof* ”Rainbow Dash! Did you see there’s a new p0ny in town! I didn’t know her and asked everyp0ny I knew if they did, but they didn’t know so now I’m asking you and-“ This must have been the pink blur to shoot down the street a while back. ”Jeez calm down Pinkie, I just met her a few minutes ago. Her name’s Twilight.” ”Why didn’t you tell me!? Now I have to go change all the banners from ‘Welcome new p0ny I don’t know’ to ‘Welcome Twilight!’” “Banners for what?” The p0ny turns to you, eyes slowly widening until her eyes are two orbs of black. ”Whoooooah, I’ve never seen something like you before.” Something, do they lack the utterance of ‘someone?’ No, as it is more likely that they are flummoxed by your appearance. ”He’s certainly- certainly something else.” ”DAAASH! I thought I was your super secret best friend!” ”I told you this Pinkie, it’s not a secret so you can’t call it that.” The pink one jumps on her back and whispers in her ear, “Super secret.” “This one appears to be a bundle of fun, if I may say so.” ”Oh my I almost forgot to introduce myself,” she leaps back off of her with a smile that’d outshine the brightest stars, “My name’s Pinkie Pie.” “It is a great pleasure Ms. Pie.” ”Ooooh he’s fancy like Rarity, what’s his name Dashie?” ”His name’s…” her mouth hangs open as she lost her thought, or rather, the fact she doesn’t know. This could be equally amusing as getting ‘wasted.’ “Go on.” Pinkie gasps, “Is this a guessing game? I love guessing games. Umm, Sherbet Cream? Cheddar Bing?” Rainbow Dash lightly laughs, part because of the humor and part because she’s trying to buy time to think of a name. ”Darn you’re a hard name to fit mister. You look super secret too, OH! Anny? No that’s not it. Ano- Anony- Anonymous! That’s it!” ”His name isn’t Anonymous, Pinkie. That’s just weird.” Anonymous. Anon for short. Yes, you could get used to that. “Yes. My name is Anonymous, though for you I believe you can just call me Anon.” Pinkie’s excitement quintuples as she begins hopping at near supersonic speeds, “I knew it! I knew it!” It appears her joy is contagious as you find yourself smirking as well. ”Oooh, you should come to the super secret totallycan’ttellanyone party tonight at the library! We can make it extra super special, and if we combine both of them…” her head can barely contain it, “It’ll be the Best Party EVER! Gotta plan!” And just as quick she appeared, she’s gone leaving only a trail of confetti in her wake. ”So, Anonymous huh?” “I deemed the name fitting. Would you not agree that it fits my personality, as Rainbow Dash fits yours?” ”Well if you put it that way…” You do, so you did. Tossing out the remains of your nectarine you find yourself thoroughly satisfied. ”Well, I was going to try and get a few drinks into you, but it looks like you’ve made other plans.” “Which are? Oh yes the party. It has been quite some time since I last attended such a meeting.” She raises a brow, “I would definitely not pin you for the party type.” “Of course I technically couldn’t attend, although I did hear that the punch was to die for.” … “…Did- you just make a joke?” “I take my work very seriously Ms. Dash. It is my deepest hope that I not have to take time off my break should the punch be as killer.” You stand there in silence while she lets it sink in. ”Are you sure that one wasn’t on purpose?” “What wasn’t?” She must never know. Rainbow Dash takes you around the town to let you get to know the town. It takes considerably longer than it would to simply fly around, but this form seems to lack such capability. With Rainbow by your side the p0nies around don’t seem to disembark as they would when you were left alone. Originally you thought it was mere courtesy that they moved from your path, but perhaps their motive was not as innocent as you had come to believe. “Am I unpleasing to look at, Ms. Dash?” ”You? No, of course not,” her voice spikes at the end, “What would ever give that idea?” Ahh, you see how it is. This is what they would call sarcasm. The last time you brought this up she had the same tune as well. “If I were to tell you that lying brings out my bad side would you continue to do so?” This turns a fair amount of p0nies attention to Dash who gulps audibly, “No need to joke around, hehe…” The fear is not of you now, but of others. It is her reputation that you encroach. ”Look over there,” she attempts to change the subject, “It’s the library Pinkie was talking about. We should check on that right, right?” You allow her to pull you away to best keep her status untarnished. Such a strange ideal, that she cares less of the threat you pose as she is the threat of shattering her reputation. As someone once said, A reputation takes a lifetime to build and mere seconds to destroy. Now if only you could remember who said it. Rainbow holds the door open for you and you step through as a group of p0nies are in the act of setting up. ”Thanks for not making a scene or anything,” she remarks before shutting the door. “You are most welcome.” ”That was sarcasm.” “Oh yes, I’m growing quite keen on noticing it. Just ‘being good old p0nies’ were they? I learn fast Ms. Dash.” You look up to Pinkie reaching up in hopes of trying to place an end of the banner. “Would you like some help Ms. Pie?” ”Hiya Anon! That’d be super duper.” You nod with a smile and use your height to aid her, soundly pinning the end against the board, “We’re going to be the best of friends Anon.” “The ‘super best’ of friends?” you ask remembering how she had spoken with Rainbow Dash. ”The super secret bestest,” she whispers putting an even bigger grin on your face, “But first, we must party!” More p0nies begin funneling into establishment until you find yourself quite packed. Strangely no p0ny seems to care so much when they’re en masse. You make your way over to the punch stand and pour yourself a cup, the fruity mixture most pleasant to the palette, “She’s coming! She’s coming!” >The lights go out as you wait for the guest to arrive, the door opening and closing. ”-alone so I can study without a bunch of crazy p0nies trying to make friends all the time. Now where’s the light?” *click* ”Surprise!” “Surprise,” you tag on and sip at your drink, “Do take care with the punch lest it be your last.” ”Oh come on!” Dash hollers out at you. Tonight feels… it feels nice.