His ivory wings beat quickly as he sped through the air; he came to a stop at a lone cloud and took refuge on it. As he wrapped his scarf around his neck he peered over the side of the cloud down at Ponyville. He felt admiration for its neat, uncluttered layout that he easily identified from the sky.
So there is now a good chance I can never go back into town: guess I’ll just start a vegetable garden. There was one pegasus but I don’t think she saw where I went, maybe I can finally get some time to breathe.
Upon finishing that thought he heard the distinct sound of chewing: causing him to freeze in place. He turned around to see a blonde, gray, walleyed pegasus happily gnawing away at a muffin. She chewed messily as her cheeks puffed out and when she took note of him she stopped to wave. He waved back nervously: relieved that she was on a different cloud entirely. He sprawled out on his stomach wondering what to do next when he felt a gentle tap on his shoulder; turning to see a half eaten muffin being offered to him. Naturally he panicked and flew: his wing hit the muffin. He saw it begin to plummet with him as the well-meaning mare called out.
“My muffin!”, she held her head in disbelief.
Deep shame welled up inside him, he had just spurned an act of true kindness and his panic faded into resolve: his features hardened and his powerful wings launched him ahead of the muffin. He caught it delicately and sped right back up to the mare, pushing his panic down: even if for only a few moments.
“I’m so sorry… I’m not really hungry though”, her expression began to turn sad, “you’re giving me this muffin?”, she nodded yes, “Then it’s mine?”, again she nodded, “Then I want you to eat it.”
The mare grew confused.
“I’m not giving it back but it’s mine and that means I decide what happens to it: so I want it to be eaten by you”
With a slight understanding of what was going on she happily accepted it and hungrily gobbled it up. He gave a slightly less nervous smile and slowly began to drift off.
“Well… b-be seeing you”, he said before he took off full speed.
“Bye mister!!”, the mare called after him.
“Don’t call me mister!! I’m not that old!!”, he called back from the now vast distance between them.
Idiot! You almost made someone cry because you’re a coward. Your parents raised you to be a gentlecolt and that’s what you’re going to be. Maybe you’re not ready to be around so many mares but that’s no excuse for losing your head when there’s only one; who’s trying to be nice to you no less. Just find a quiet place to be pathetic.
He was disappointed in himself at being such a coward but he also had a tendency of punishing himself too much. He found a clearing by the forest and decided to land and gather his wits again. Upon landing he lowered his wings and stared at them. They were large, about as big as Celestia’s: he himself was extremely large and he despised that fact, he wanted desperately to be smaller. His large size made him stand out in crowds and he absolutely hated the attention it brought him. They lightly fluffed and he shook them; cursing them the whole time.
“Maybe if I was smaller I could just be left alone… I would take just being normal sized…”, a snapping branch caught his attention: a bear had made its way towards him. He was finally in his comfort zone: there wasn’t any animal that he couldn’t match or tame in his years of travel. It approached and he felt little to no hostility from it and imposed his dominance over it, to which it quickly yielded.
“*sigh* At least I still know how to handle animals…”, he walked over and began to pet the bear and it rolled over like a tamed house cat relishing in its master’s touch. “Aw you’re just a big softy huh boy? I could swear that you were already tamed. Haha who’s a good boy? Who likes belly rubs?”
He caught himself smiling: the most earnest smile he had expressed all day. It was a sad truth that he felt more comfort with this animal than he did with mares, maybe even with most ponies.
“Got a name big guy?”, he waited for a response; not knowing why but feeling that maybe he wanted to entertain his own joke. To his surprise the bear seemed to respond. The bear rolled back onto its stomach and began walking, turning back only to motion for Bo to follow him. He was quizzical as he followed the bear: it moved further from the forest than closer as he initially thought it would. They walked under the still prominent sun until they reached a hastily made shack that appeared to be the bear’s home and above the entryway was a name plate that read “Brownie”.
“Brownie? For a bear that’s not a very elegant name… nah a tough guy like you deserves a strong name… how about Bromas?”, he smiled at the bear but it seemed to like its none threatening name. “What happened? All the bears I’ve ever met were vicious and tried to attack me but you rolled onto your back and let me pet you… not that I’m complaining”
The bear again motioned for him to follow and he did until they came to a large tree. From the bushes they stared at the tree, Bo waited to see something miraculous but time passed and nothing special happened.
“Hey… Brownie, what are we waiting for?”, it merely jerked its head forward to say that he should approach alone, “Just me? Alright… but if this is just a joke…”
Bo approached hesitantly and noticed a door: it was a cottage, a rather nice one too. Whoever lived here had obviously tamed that bear and it brought him here so they could meet. Bo’s pulse raced and a grin spread across his face: finally someone he could relate to and maybe a chance to actually meet a Ponyville resident without acting like a fool. He now eagerly approached and knocked on the door, shifting his weight from hoof to hoof in anticipation. Finally he heard a soft thumping making its way towards the door and it cautiously opened to reveal a small white bunny with beady black eyes. Despite its size it displayed the ferocity of a full grown bear.
“A rabbit tamed a bear?”, he stooped over to meet the bunny’s gaze, exerting as much pressure as he could to assert his supremacy over the small tyrant. “You are a bundle of hostility and pride, like a monster trapped in a harmless form”, ultimately at seeing his scars and scarlet eyes the bunny turned away. Bo got up deciding that it was just a joke on the bear’s part and as he did his face stopped inches away from the face of a cream yellow mare. They both panicked and leapt away from each other: Bo dove into the bushes near the cottage and the mare leapt back behind a large rock. They poked their heads out of their hiding spots almost in perfect sync and when they saw each other they reeled back like turtles to their shells.
“What are you doing in my home?”, a voice squeaked from the mare’s hiding spot.
“A bear brought me here… does that sound as insane as I think it does?”, he called back.
“Maybe a little…”, she squeaked back, the bear made its way over to her. Bo poked his head out and watched the bear sway as it growled and grumbled something. It appeared they were communicating somehow.
I should learn to do that; it’d save me a ton of trouble when it comes to wild animals. This isn’t actually that bad, she’s scared of me so we can’t really speak close enough to cause me discomfort… maybe she’s nice.
“Really?”, she seemed to have finished her talks with the bear and came out of hiding. “You’re a nice stallion right? Why did you run away?”
“Why did you run away?”, he called back.
“Well I’m not exactly the bravest pony…”, she replied.
“Well neither am I… well, for certain things I’m brave”
“Brownie says you looked mean but you’re actually really nice”, she giggled a bit, “It’s not every day that a pony rubs a grizzly bear’s tummy like a puppy”
Bo pulled himself out of the bushes and brushed off the leaves that clung to his mane, “I guess you could say I’m not an everyday occurrence.”, she briefly marveled at his size and felt a little intimidated but Brownie just strolled over to him and they instantly became like a colt and his first puppy. Bo sat and began to pet the large predator: who squirmed around on his back like a dog, his leg kicking wildly as Bo scratched a spot at the center of his belly.
“You’re not scared?”, she asked gingerly.
“I left home for work when I was a colt… I’ve always lived around wild animals and creatures. Manticores, ursas, creatures you may have never even heard of… sometimes it feels better to be around animals than ponies, you know?”, she took a seat about two feet away from him and also took part in showing affection to the bear. The only sound was the bear’s responses and for a little while it was a very peaceful activity: despite them sitting in silence. Bo’s ears twitched as they had picked up a sound that had become far too familiar throughout the day.
“Hey! Fluttershy! Keep him there!", Bo turned in sync with his pegasus companion and saw five mares and a dragon racing towards them. He was about to run but the pleading eye of both the pegasus and the bear made him swallow his discomfort. He maintained his gaze at the ground: refusing to look up even when they had finally come to a stop. They attempted to look him in the eyes but the more they maneuvered the more he averted his gaze: hiding his eyes under his mane and wings because it was all he could do to keep from running.
“Fine… it’s clear you don’t want to see us but will you at least listen?”, Twilight asked. Still keeping his gaze off the mares, he nodded silently. “Alright then… here goes… we’re really sorry. I don’t know what we did to offend you, maybe you follow some custom we aren’t aware of but it seems that we did something wrong…”
“Maybe… maybe Twilight was a little pushy back at the library but she’s really nice… they’re all really nice: you should give ‘em a chance”, Spike pleaded. Bo decided he at least owed them the courtesy of looking at them. As he looked at them he could feel his blood begin to race and he took one step back. They took it as a sign that they weren’t wanted and all turned to walk away.
You wanted them to leave right? Then why does it feel so wrong? Why does it feel like you can’t be here without them? They look so sad and all they were trying to do was be nice to you. They wanted to throw you a party. They wanted to know more about you. Helped you look for your scarf. They treated you like you were already a part of the community. Your dad would be disappointed at this cowardice, heck you’re disappointed. Push it down… just for a little bit… push it down and tell them…
“You didn’t do anything wrong”, Bo finally managed to choke out. They all stopped and turned back around to see the quivering stallion. The bear had since stood up and gently nudged Bo from behind as the cream colored mare smiled.
“Alright, alright I’ll tell them”, he insisted to the bear before straightening is coat, “I- uh yeah, you didn’t do anything wrong… it’s just… a problem I have”, he rubbed the back of his neck nervously as he spoke.
“Ya shoulda said so earlier, maybe we can help ya out?”, Applejack started towards him.
His eyes widened a bit and he looked visibly distressed, “Stay there… please…”
“S’matter sugar cube?”, she stopped just short of him close enough for him to lose his cool.
“I-I-I-I’m gynophobic!!”, he finally belted.
Twilight gasped and magically dragged Applejack away from him.
“What the hay Twilight?”
“Didn’t you hear him?”, she replied.
“Yup, he said he’s gynophobic”, Pinkie said energetically, she then pondered for a moment and raised her hoof like a filly in school.
“Yes, Pinkie?”, Twilight asked with a hint of annoyance.
“What’s gynophobic? Is it anything about those balancing things?”
“No. not gyros, gyno: it means he’s afraid of mares”, the group let out a gasp, with such a high population of mares in Equestria such a fear was thought to be non-existent.
“Woah, woah, woah, back up: what’d ya mean he’s afraid? Like does he think we’re gonna hurt him or something?”, Rainbow Dash added.
“Phobias are irrational fears, there’s probably no reason behind it”
“The exact diagnosis is caligynephobia but that’s only a small part of the problem… it gets worse depending on how beautiful the mare is…”, he pushed his muzzle further into his scarf to stop them from noticing how red his cheeks had turned. They all slightly reddened: he had reacted adversely to all of them, which was some form of a compliment.
“So um… why could you talk to me?”, Fluttershy asked slightly self-consciously.
“When I first saw you I nearly jumped out of my skin… but you were scared of me and I was scared of you so we’re sorta on even ground”
“So if you’re scared of mares, how are you talking to us now?”, Rarity asked.
“I’m not a total coward; I can keep a cool head as long as I’m far enough away from a mare”
“Then consider us your immersion therapy!”, Twilight suddenly called out.
“You can’t be seri-“, a stern expression on Twilight’s face shattered the comfort Bo took in his belief that she was joking, “Oh dear buck she’s actually serious… be reasonable”
“Pinkie, please tell him why we’re going to help”, Twilight called back to her friend with a smirk.
“Cause I’m friends with everypony in town and everypony in town is my friend!!”
“And any friend oh Pinkie Pie’s”, Applejack began.
“Is a friend of ours!”, Rainbow Dash finished.
“You really didn’t think that you could live in Ponyville without excitement, now did you?”, Rarity smiled.
“Um you really don’t have to do that… really I’m in no rush to-“, Pinkie rushed up to him and cut him off.
“Then it’s a deal, we help you get over it and you have to stick around”
“Uh… uh… okay fine, just try not to scare me out of my skin before I even have a chance to move in…”, he looked back at Brownie who shrugged in response and glanced at Fluttershy,”*sigh* You trust her that much, huh big guy? A bear somehow got over his instincts in this town so guess it isn’t totally outrageous that I could too, so what should I do first?”
“Um… you could introduce yourself…”, Fluttershy timidly suggested.
“I suppose a formal introduction is in order: My name is Bo Minuano, I’ve been working since I was colt and I’m originally from Trottingham.”
“Really? You don’t have an accent though…”, Twilight tilted her head in confusion.
“I left when I was really young and neither of my parents were from Trottingham. My mother is from Cloudsdale and my father is from here”
“Well I am Twilight Sparkle: student of princess Celestia”, Twilight motioned to herself proudly.
“The name’s Rainbow Dash, future Wonderbolt and fastest flier in Equestria!”, as she hovered she folded her forelegs.
“Howdy, I’m Applejack. Apparently I’m your closest neighbor”, she tipped her hat and broke into a warm smile.
“Hello dear my name is Rarity and despite your problem I’m happy to have a real gentlecolt in town”, she held out her hoof to shake then pulled back with an embarrassed smile when she realized he couldn’t reciprocate.
“Pinkamena Diane Pie…”, the pink mare said coldly, “Pinkie Pie for short!”, she said, as she fell back into her normal behavior.
“I’m Fluttershy… nice to meet you…”
“And I’m Spike”, he positioned himself for a proud stance.
“Great!!! Now that everypony’s friends, how about that party?!”, Pinkie excitedly called, she was preparing to sprint back to Sugar Cube Corner.
“Keep it small?”, Bo asked hopefully.
“Hmmmm… no promises”
Bo hung his head and gave a grumble of surrender. They all began to walk back and gradually Bo raised his head in pride. It wasn’t much to anyone else but he had maintained a conversation with six mares and that was a marvel.
Most peaceful place in Equestria, huh dad? I guess I can’t disagree but I think that doesn’t apply to me. I can say for sure that it’s not like any other place in the world. Apparently I just made some friends, almost all of them mares and one baby dragon; they’re not that bad though. There is something magical about this place that just makes me want to stop being afraid and just relax, so maybe I can change a little. Maybe I can put this fear behind me. Maybe this place really can be a home for me. Maybe I can finally live a peaceful life.
Or maybe I’m wrong and I’ll never have a moment of peace again…