The second month I spent in the hospital was interesting, to say the least. I spent nearly every waking moment being poked, weighed or prodded by Haywick and his team — all of whom were hell-bent on learning as much as they could about my anatomy. I lost count of how many times one of the nurses – Redheart or Tenderheart – came in with a needle and an apologetic smile.
Twilight was pleased with my grasp of Equestrian history and culture, and reported as such to Celestia and Luna. Both Princesses granted me full citizenship rights, though the question of where I was going to live still hadn't been answered.
But at least I could rely on Twilight. Day after day she would come in and visit me, despite not having any need to. I had told her everything I knew about human history, culture, science, technology and religion — so it was good of her to come and see me. I began to see her as a friend – my best, in fact – but I knew that I couldn't rely on her kindness forever.
Once visiting hours were over, and the medical staff concluded their examinations of me for the day, I spent a lot of time sleeping. Early one morning, however, I was woken up by the feeling of something tugging on the sheets of the bed.
"Be careful, Scootaloo," a voice whispered. "Y'all are gonna wake him up if'n ya don't watch what you're doin'!"
"I know what I'm doing, Apple Bloom," Scootaloo retorted. "Just take the sheet and use it to climb up."
I felt more weight on the sheet, as something climbed onto my chest. I had no idea what was going on, but I was determined to find out — though I decided to feign sleep for a while longer first.
"Why are we here, anyway?" a third voice chimed. "I thought we were going out to Sugarcube Corner for milkshakes?"
Scootaloo sighed. "Because, Sweetie Belle," she replied. "This 'human' might be the key to us finally getting our cutie marks!"
There were now three ponies on the bed with me. From the way they were talking, I could tell that I was dealing with three fillies, no doubt curious about the strange new arrival.
"Oh, I get it," Sweetie Belle said eagerly. "Cutie Mark Crusader Human Examiners!" She paused. "Wait, what would a cutie mark in human examining look like?"
"Like a human, perhaps?" I opened my eyes, which proved to be a bad idea; the three of them were inches from my face. All four of us promptly screamed with fright, the fillies shooting to the foot of the bed while I pulled my knees up to my chest.
"Sorry, sorry, sorry!" Sweetie Belle said. "We didn't mean to wake you up, mister, it's just that... we... uh..."
"Twilight has been telling everypony about you," Scootaloo interjected. "And we just wanted to see you before they got a chance to. It's not like we were gonna do anything bad."
"But Ah thought we were gonna study him?" Apple Bloom queried, cocking her head in confusion. "We all decided ta try an' get our cutie marks in human fizzy-queue."
"I think you mean human 'physique,'" I offered. "And it's no problem at all, you being here — I just wasn't expecting you to be that close to my face, that's all." I chuckled. "Anyway, my name is Geo, and I'm pleased to meet some new ponies at last."
"Ya probably know who we are, since you heard us talkin' and all, but..." Apple Bloom cleared her throat. "I'm Apple Bloom."
"I'm Sweetie Belle."
"And I'm Scootaloo," the pegasus finished. "Together, the three of us make up the awesomeness that is..."
"THE CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS!" they bellowed together, causing me to cover my ears and grit my teeth.
"Wow, that sounds great." I stuck a finger in my ear to clear the ringing sensation. "So what do you do as a 'Cutie Mark Crusader?'"
"Everything!" Sweetie Belle said, her voice cracking. "If there is even the smallest chance of us getting our cutie marks, we'll do it!"
Apple Bloom tapped her chin with a forehoof. "Dog walking, abseiling, bungee jumping, rocket science..." she trailed off. "We've done so much, an' there still ain't no sign of our marks."
"That's a real shame," I said comfortingly. "I'm sure you'll get your cutie marks eventually, but for now you just need to keep on working at finding your calling." The three of them nodded eagerly. "Anyway, enough of that for now — since you've went to all this effort to come and 'study' me... what would you like to know?"
Three pairs of eyes lit up at this statement, and I was soon being bombarded with all sorts of questions.
***
"Good afternoon, Twilight," the doctor said to the unicorn as she entered the hospital. "I'm guessing you're here to see Geo?"
"Good afternoon, Doctor Haywick," Twilight replied. "I am indeed here to see Geo, though I'm sure we can both agree that was a silly question to ask me." She giggled at her joke, and Haywick smiled.
"Of course it was," he chuckled. "Room 203, as per usual."
"Thank you, Doctor," Twilight nodded, walking through a set of double doors. She smiled politely at staff and patients, the sounds of a busy – for a small town, at least – hospital filling her ears. As she entered Ward 2, snoring could be heard.
"I'd know that sound anywhere," Twilight said to herself. "Sounds like Geo is sleeping again. Oh well, I'm sure he won't mind if I popped in to check how his injuries are healing." She paused for a moment. "And I'm doubly sure he won't mind me waking him up so I can share some good news with him."
She pushed open the door to room 203 and stepped inside, closing it softly behind her. As her eyes fell upon the bed, she stopped in her tracks at the sight which lay before her.
Geo was asleep, as she thought, but what struck Twilight was the fact he was not alone — as three little fillies were tucked up with him. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo were underneath an arm each, while Sweetie Belle was curled up on the human's chest.
"Aww, that's so sweet!" Twilight squealed, unable to contain her glee. Her outburst woke Geo, who muttered incoherently for a moment and looked around the room, his eyes soon meeting hers.
***
For the second time that day I found myself locking eyes with a pony, as Twilight was standing a few feet away with a small grin on her face. I felt trapped by her gaze, and found myself mesmerised by her soft purple orbs. Eventually, she spoke up.
"I'm sorry," she mumbled, tearing her eyes away. "I don't mean to stare at you. It's just... you seem to have made some new friends." She paused for a moment. "Oh, who am I kidding? That was, without a doubt, the most adorable thing I've ever seen. You're really good with foals — although I guess what I should be asking you is why they're even here in the first place."
I waved a hand dismissively. "They wanted to 'see the human before anypony else,'" I replied. "So they decided to sneak into the hospital. They told me that they searched every room they could before they found me — which is determination if ever I heard it."
"And you don't mind at all?" Twilight asked. "About them effectively invading your privacy like this, I mean."
I shook my head. "Nah." I shrugged. "They're good fillies; they didn't mean any harm by it. And I could do with some other company besides the staff... and, might I add, your good self." I looked at the three sleepy fillies. "I've actually had more fun with them in the last couple of hours than I have in the two months I've been here. It makes you think, doesn't it?"
"Has it really been two months?" Twilight asked, surprised. "Wow, time flies when you're having fun... well, if your idea of 'fun' is being cooped up in a hospital and having doctors poke you all day. As for me, I love studying; the last two months have been great!"
"I'm sure they have." I chuckled. "Although I have to admit that I'm dreading the day when I finally get discharged, since I still have no idea what in the hell I'm going to do with myself."
"That's actually why I'm here," Twilight replied. "I've been talking to the Princesses, and they've both agreed to let you move in with me — which solves your housing problem. And as for a job... well, I could use some extra help around the library. Spike is a great help and all, and he tries really hard, but he refuses to admit that he's overworked and needs somepony to help him take the strain off. So, if you want, that somepony could be you?"
I bowed my head gracefully. "Miss Sparkle," I said. "I would be honoured to take you up on both of your offers. Thank you, yet again, for looking out for me."
Twilight beamed from ear to ear. "Great!" she said excitedly. "I'll let the Princesses know that you've accepted. I'd better go back and get a room ready for you... as well as clean the entire library from top to bottom and reorganise the books."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa," I said, holding out a hand. "I can understand the room, but you don't need to go to all that extra effort for me."
Twilight giggled. "Silly Geo," she said, waving a forehoof. "Spike and I do those things every week!" She grinned, and I returned it. "Anyway, if you would be kind as to wake up the Crusaders, I can take them back to their respective homes."
I nodded and gently roused each filly, who yawned and stretched. The three of them wiped their eyes and looked around, eventually noticing Twilight standing there.
"What time is it?" Sweetie Belle asked.
"It's time you three were going home," I replied. "Twilight came by to tell me that I'll be moving in with her when I get out of the hospital, as well as tell me that I've got a job working as her second assistant, and now she's going to take you all home."
"Can we come back and visit ya again?" Apple Bloom queried. "I gotta say that it was mighty fun hangin' out with ya."
"Of course you can come back and visit me!" I said, ruffling her mane. "Just make sure you do it properly this time, with no sneaking about the hospital. I'm sure Nurse Redheart or Doctor Haywick would be happy to tell you when visiting hours are."
"Awesome!" Scootaloo cheered. "Next time we visit, I'm gonna show you all the tricks I can do!"
"I'm looking forward to it," I grinned. "Now you three had better get going, and I'll see you all again soon."
The three of them waved eagerly as they trotted out of the room. Twilight watched them leave and then turned to face me.
"Has anypony ever told you that you're really sweet?" she asked, to which I shook my head. "Well they should, because you are." She turned to leave. "I'll see you tomorrow, Geo, okay?"
"Uh, sure," I said, somewhat stunned. "I'll see you tomorrow, Twilight. Make sure those fillies get back safe."
"I will," she nodded. "Don't worry about them, Geo, they're in safe hooves. Anyway, I'd better get after them. Bye!"
She trotted out of the room, closing the door behind her. Plumping up the pillows, I lay back in bed and allowed myself some time to think about the news Twilight had shared.
Living with Twilight, I mused. Of all the things done for me during the course of my life, this has to rank as the best. But I wonder what it would be like? Okay, pros and cons... well, I'd be out of the damn hospital for a start. That's definitely a pro, as is the fact I'd get to see new faces. I'd also get to spend more time with Twilight and the Crusaders when they come over.
I screwed my face up in thought. As for cons... well I wouldn't have much privacy like I do here. And it'll probably be a smaller room than I'm used to, but I'll learn to live with that in time. Then there's Spike, whom I've never met, and how he might react to me.
But I guess the main thing would be the fact that I have been given a chance to start a new life in this wonderful place, with one of the best individuals I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. Twilight has been a great friend to me, and I hope I get the chance to show her just how much I appreciate all that she has done. She is perfect friend material: smart, funny, kind, generous, cute...
Wait, what?