My Little Journal

by Brolkier


You want fries with...

I just want to start off by saying; "Why can't finding jobs in the real world be as easy as finding them in Equestria?"

On a side note; it's now been over a week since I came into this world, so this wasn't just a few day excursion. I have no clue what's been happening back in the real world, if anything, since I don't know how time differs between here and home. If this is anything like "My Little Dashie", I think it's safe to say that I am well past being out of a job. Guess it's good that I've finally found one here then.

With that said, this marks my first journal entry from my newest abode. Although, I haven't really been keeping up with my entries lately, since I've been so busy trying to find a job here, and then doing the job(s). I suppose a recap is in order. Cue lights, curtain rise, and narrator Spike me.

After my first few days living as a pony here, I had decided that I needed to find myself a job, if I was ever going to get enough money to buy a train ticket to Canterlot. While I could have just flown there by now, and camped along the way, I still didn't know exactly where to go, and I had nothing in the means of camping materials. I had asked Twilight if she knew of any job openings in the area, or if there was anything specific for a Pegasus to do. I was surprised when she told me about all the different jobs going on in Ponyville, and how just about every pony was looking for a little help here and there. I felt kind of glad that the stigma that you needed to have such-and-such experience/degree just to get a decent job, was about gone in this world. While I'm sure having a background in certain things would help you achieve, like Rarity and the fashion ponies in Manehattan, it didn't seem to be a requirement around Ponyville. That, and the only local school I know is the one for little colts and fillies.

Twilight also told me that I could try finding a job at the Cloudsdale Weather Factory, but that I'd probably need to study up on how to work with clouds first. While I knew that I was capable of interacting with clouds, the only interaction I had so far was standing on them. So after having breakfast with Twilight and Spike one morning, I set out to try and find a temp job.

Now, I wasn't expecting to find some high paying job right away, so I decided to look around Ponyville, and see what kind of small jobs I could find.

I tried working as a waitress at the local Café, but quickly found myself dropping dishes and forgetting orders. I'd even been warned by the owner, that my Pegasus body might not be able to carry some of the dishes, and I had forgotten that I was still getting used to hooves. It was easy enough to place the light plant appetizers on the tables, but everything else went downhill. When I felt a dish began to teeter, I went to widen my grip with my fingers, but that obviously never happened, and I ended up dropping it. As for the orders issue, since a lot of the customers were whom I would consider the "other background ponies", I had a hard time keeping the order with the face.

I then stopped by several different small shops, seeing if there was any menial task that I could do. There were a couple where I almost had a chance at sticking with, but whenever somepony would try to get my attention, I'd either ignore them at first, since I was still not used to hearing Cloudy Airy yet, or in a sudden reaction, my wings would open, and I'd almost knock something over. A couple of times, I even ending up slapping a pony in the face with my wings by accident. Needless to say, while I was thanked for what little work I did, I didn't end up getting any of those jobs.

I decided to find my way to the town hall, and see if Mayor Mare knew of any jobs that I might be able to accomplish. She offered to let me try organizing some of the scrolls that she had laying around in the archives room, so I gladly accepted. Of all the jobs I had attempted so far, I rather enjoyed this one the most. I have always been one for organization, and working in a setting like this seemed right up my alley. I even had the opportunity to use my wings to lift me up to the higher cubby holes to put scrolls away, which proved both good and bad. It had been good, because I was able to try flying some more, and didn't need to try and work with the ladders. It had been bad however, because the breeze that I had created with my wings, by putting too much force to keep myself up, had caused scrolls in other cubbies to blow out of their holes.

I hadn't been thinking about it at the time, but the way I had put too much effort into keeping myself in the air, was the same way I had always had a hard time scuba diving in the real world at first. I needed to find a good middle ground (so to speak) for flying, without putting out too much, or too little energy from flapping my wings. It had been fine when I was first learning to fly out in the park, since it was a relatively open area, but within the confines of the archive aisles, I needed to be more careful.

Going back to the scroll job at town hall, while Mayor Mare was happy that I had been able to organize the scrolls on one given side of any aisle, she was a bit concerned about the mess I had made of the other scrolls behind me in the same aisle. She thanked me for trying, and gave me a bit for my effort. My first bit! Woohoo! I was excited, and thanked her for her generosity. I made my way out of the town hall, and was about to jump for joy...when my stomach started to rumble. It was a little passed mid-day, and I hadn't eaten any lunch yet. I considered going back to Twilight's to get something to eat, but felt bad about bumming off of her more than I should have. I then looked down at the bit, still in my hoof, and sadly knew what I had to do.

I made my way to the marketplace, and tried to find something that I could get for one bit. Everypony seemed to be selling their produce for two to three bits or more, which was unfortunately out of my range. I thought about Applejack's stand again, and tried to find her. It didn't take long to find her stand, as she had a small line in front of it. Just as I was about to make my way into the line, another pony jumped in. Now, this wasn't like the instance, where Fluttershy had been taken advantage of for her timidness. I was still a few feet away from the back of the line when the pony got in line. I wasn't sure of Applejack's prices for her apples, and I didn't want to hold up the line by trying to bargain for a single bit, so I waited to make sure no other ponies jumped in line, before I got in line myself. Besides, there were plenty of apples for her to sell, so I didn't need to worry about them running out.

Eventually, and luckily, I got to my turn in line, and there weren't any ponies behind me. I don't think Applejack recognized me at first, since I was still relatively new to the town, but after trying to ask if I could get an apple for a single bit, she soon remembered that she had talked to me my first day here, and that she also vaguely knew that I had been staying at Twilight's. She didn't seem to have a problem selling one of her apples for one bit, and I was able to finally get something to eat.

I took the opportunity, while I was standing there eating my apple, to talk to Applejack. It's not every day you find yourself in the world of Equestria, and have the opportunity to talk with one of the mane six, so I decided to try and make small conversation. I asked her how her business was doing, to which she replied that it was doing pretty good. She asked me if I was enjoying Ponyville, and I told her I was, and that I was also currently looking for a job here. She began to say something, but was quickly drowned out by Pinkie Pie screaming "PINK MINT!" in the distance. Out of reaction, and a little paranoid fear, I quickly spread my wings and took off up into the sky, dropping my apple in the process. I thought I heard Applejack saying something along the lines of; "That's not gonna do ya much good." on my way up, but I was moving too fast to tell.

Once up in the air, I looked around down at the marketplace, but didn't see Pinkie anywhere. I gave a sigh, and wiped away the imaginary sweat from my brow for effect, before turning around to head back down, and coming face to face with Pinkie Pie...literally. I backed away a bit, and realized that she was in a hot air balloon smiling at me.

I should be used to this by now, I really should. I've seen this kind of thing happen plenty of times in the show, and in cartoons in general, but when it happens in person, it just throws you through a loop. I mean, where did she and that thing come from?

That aside, she said hello to me, and told me that she was having a party for somepony I didn't recognize, and that I was invited. I thanked her for the invitation, and asked her to wish the pony a happy whatever kind of party it was for them, but that I couldn't make it today. Her face then turned puppy dog sad, and asked why not. I told her that I was busy all day trying to find a job, and wouldn't have the time to make it. That, and I wouldn't even know where to go. Pinkie smiled and told me that it was alright, before giving me a hoof drawn map of how to get there, and saying that I could stop by if I had the time. She and her balloon then ascended into the clouds, and I took a look at the map she had given me. Surprisingly, it showed my starting out exactly where I was up in the air, and had a dotted line leading down into the town, and then to a house circled in red crayon that said "PARTY!" next to it. One of these days while I'm here, I'll have to figure out how Pinkie does all this crazy, breaking the walls of reality stuff.

I flew back down to retrieve my apple, but found that it was gone. Applejack then offered me a new one, and told me that it was on the house. I thanked her, before accepting the apple, and flying off to start my job search again.

The search went about as well the rest of the day, as it had so far that day. I found plenty of almost chances, but couldn't find anything that stuck.

Remind you, I'm not trying to be picky at all here. I'm still new to this world, and this town, and I don't have a cutie mark yet to tell me what my talent is, so I'm trying to find whatever I can.

The sun had started to go down, and I figured I wasn't going to have any further luck that day, so I decided that I might as well stop by that party Pinkie had mentioned. I didn't have a bag, or anything to put the map in, so I had continued to hold onto it the rest of the day. I flew back up to where Pinkie had given it to me, and followed it all the way to the house. There hadn't been a timeline on the map at all, so I hoped I hadn't missed it. I arrived at what I thought was the house, based on the map, and knocked on the door. A blue earth pony answered the door, and asked if he could help me. I asked him if this was the house where Pinkie was throwing a party. He told me that it was, but that the party had already ended, stating that it was his wife's birthday party. I apologized for being late, and asked him to wish her a happy birthday for me, even though I didn't know who she was. He told me that he would, before saying to have a goodnight, and closing the door.

I returned to Twilight's, and we exchanged how each other's day went, before eating, and then turning in for the night.

The next couple days were roughly repeats of the same day. I went out looking for jobs during the day, made a couple bits out of kindness from attempted jobs, only to spend them on lunch, and then returned to Twilight's at night. It wasn't until I reached my first week mark being here, that I finally caught a break. During my job search in the couple days prior, I had even flown up to Cloudsdale, to see if I could find any jobs up there. While I had just about as much luck up there, as down in Ponyville, I had found another archive job that had caught my eye. While at the time, the Pegasus ponies there didn't need much help, they told me to come by again, since you never know when something might come up.

I returned to the Cloudsdale archives on my week anniversary, and inquired if they needed any help. I was approached by the curator of the archives, and given the same task as the one that Mayor Mare had given me. This time however, things went much smoother. Due to the architectural layout of the archives, everything was situated around the walls of the giant dome shaped building. Thanks to this, whether I flapped my wings hard or not, I wouldn't have to worry about blowing any scrolls away while I was organizing them. The curator was delighted with my performance, and how quickly I was able to organize all the scrolls that had been laying around, and offered me a job working at the archives. I gladly accepted, and was given a starting pay of one bit an hour. I jumped and cheered for joy, and was met by several "Shh's!" from the ponies reading. Slightly embarrassed, but still happy, I began working on whatever tasks needed to be done in the archives. I did everything from cleaning, to organizing, to even being a greeter for a little bit. At the end of the day, I was congratulated, and paid for the hours that I worked by the curator. I gave my thanks, and asked if I could take a bag from the gift shop to hold the bits in. Confused, but accepting, the curator let me take a bag, and I was on my way.

Upon arriving back at Twilight's, I burst through the door, still feeling giddy. I saw Twilight reading a book, or at least attempting to before I barged in, and apologized, trying to regain my composure. I must be letting my new mare pony side get to me, since I'm not normally this excited and giddy about things. Twilight asked me what I was so happy about, and I told her all about my success at finally getting a job, and how it had gone. She was very happy for me, and congratulated me on my success. Spike came into the room and congratulated me too, but told me that Twilight's library was his turf, so I'd have to stick with the one in Cloudsdale. I gave a snicker, and soon the three of us began laughing, although Spike not as much.

That night I slept the better than any night thus far, happy that I was assimilating more and more into the My Little Pony lifestyle. I still wanted to get home, but I was enjoying myself while I was here, since I figure it may still be a long while until/if I leave.

One strange thing I haven't mentioned so far is what dreams are like here. Since I've lived in the real world for so long, I still dream where I'm a human being, but sometimes I find myself in pony form, and not always as my pink mare self. I think one night, I even dreamt that I was a pony back in the real world, and then switched to a human in the pony world, receiving weird looks in both instances. No Lyra though. Not sure if I should be glad or disappointed for that version. Either way, it's an interesting experience.

I also haven't seen Princess Luna in my dreams yet either. Not sure if she just hasn't shown up yet, or if maybe something about me once being human prevents her from entering. I'll have to look closer next time I fall asleep. I may be able to pass/receive information between Princess Celestia on my situation faster that way.

The next morning I awoke early, ate, and then hurried off to work at the Cloudsdale archives. Although, before I left, Twilight gave me an old saddle bag of hers, so that I wouldn't have to worry about borrowing bags again from the archives. I continued performing my different tasks until I broke for lunch, and returned back down to Ponyville. I went and bought another apple from Applejack, and was able to avoid any Pinkie sightings so I could finish eating this time.

A single apple is actually decently filling here. Probably due to my stomach being much smaller than it was as a human, but I've found that I don't really need to eat a whole lot during each meal as a pony. It's convenient and cost effective, but it still leaves my mind thinking that I'm supposed to eat more. Hopefully I'm not completely malnourished when I get back to the real world, if my body's just been sitting there.

I returned to work, and continued working throughout the day. At the end of the day, I was once again paid, and then I returned back to Ponyville. I suppose it goes without saying that due to my working all day, I was pretty tired by the end, and as such didn't have much time or energy to make a journal entry.

The next day, being yesterday for me now, went about the same as the previous day, only during my lunch break, I decided to look around for an apartment or something up in Cloudsdale. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy staying at Twilight's and receiving her hospitality, but I couldn't burden her by sheltering me forever here. Like a little filly who's all grown up, I needed to move out on my own at some point or another. Besides, I had already told Twilight about this idea, and she seemed supportive, if not a little disappointed that I'd be leaving.

I'm pretty sure I couldn't afford a house like Rainbow Dash has...although I'm not sure how she would have paid for it, since I'm not sure how much/if any a weather patrol pony pays, and that she sleeps on random clouds most of the time. She might have built it herself, but I kind of doubt it.

Anyway, while looking around, I found a nice looking apartment in Cloudsdale, and would be able to afford the first month's rent by my next paycheck (so to speak) after that day. I'm not quite sure what to compare it to back in the real world, but it had everything a just starting out pony like me would need, and a lot of the stuff inside was made of clouds, so I could easily rearrange things if I wanted to. After checking the apartment out, I quickly ate lunch, and then headed back to work.

The rest of the day went about the same, and just as smoothly, but I did get a shocker that I wanted to avoid for a while here...my first hit on. Girls, a guy hits on you, and it can be everything from nice, to whatever. Guys, a guy hits on you, and you don't sit on that same side of the fence, you're pretty creeped out. I don't remember who the pony was, and I will continue to try and block that memory from my brain, but he gave me a compliment, and tried to flirt a little. Keeping my best surprised "mare" look, I told him thank you, but that I was already with somepony else. It worked in discerning him, and he left. I don't remember which pony must have gone through my mind when I said "somepony else", but I feel like it might have been either Rarity, or Twilight. Regardless, I was relieved that he was gone, and quickly returned to my work.

If I can't get back to the real world, I'll have to think upon this topic again, but I'll just keep it in the back of my head for now.

I finished another day's work, and returned back to Twilight's, for what would be my last night staying there. I'll admit that the atmosphere and dinner were a little quieter this time, but I reassured Twilight and Spike that I would visit, and that I'd just be up in Cloudsdale, so they could ask Rainbow Dash or Fluttershy to check on me if they really wanted to. I tried writing a journal entry that night, but I was still tired, and I didn't want to feel like it would be my last entry there. Instead, I found another piece of paper, and wrote a letter, thanking Twilight and Spike for helping me, and letting me stay there. I thought about leaving it in one of Twilight's books, but I couldn't tell if she read them in order, or if she'd lend out the book I'd put it in, so I kept it in my giant journal scroll.

This now brings me to today. I awoke this morning, had breakfast with Twilight and Spike, and then left off to work. The morning went the same as it has been thus far, maybe a few more ponies than normal showed up, but nothing out of the ordinary. However, just before lunch, I magically received a letter, just as I was coming down from organizing some scrolls. Judging by the way it had appeared, it looked as if Spike had sent it. I opened it up and it read; "Come by the Café today for lunch." It didn't have a "From" section, but I assumed that Twilight had sent it. I'm not sure if she's aware or not that I know how the way Spike sends letters works. Either way, I put the letter in my saddle bag, and headed down to Ponyville.

I arrived at the café, and found it about the same way I had when I tried working there. There were a few ponies eating at other tables, and the waiter was walking around. I looked around, but didn't see Twilight or any other of the mane six, so I decided to sit down at a table and wait. The waiter came by and asked if I was here to try and wait tables again, but I told him that I was just waiting on some friends to show up. He seemed slightly relieved, and asked if he could get me anything in the meantime. I asked for a glass of water, and he left.

For those of you reading this who get the reference, yes, I was hearing Jaws music in my head the entire time I was sitting there too. This felt way too easy and quiet. I get the feeling that if I was being watched from a TV perspective, that there would probably have been a Pinkie Pie haircut slowly pacing back and forth from beneath a ledge or something behind me. This feeling prompted me to quickly turn around in my seat, when the music reached the climax in my head, but there was nothing there. You can guess what happened next.

I slowly turned around, and was met by Pinkie's party cannon going off, shooting out confetti, and then she and the rest of the main six (plus Spike) yelling "Surprise!" I almost jumped out of my seat, but managed to hang on, as the confetti began falling down. Twilight, Spike, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Fluttershy were all standing around the table. Pinkie began to take a deep breath, like she was about to sing, but Rarity closed her mouth, and instead, Pinkie's hair flapped and extended out like a blowout party favor, complete with the same sound.

Twilight was the first to actually speak, by saying that even though I already knew of them, that she wanted me to actually meet her friends, and that she wanted them to meet me too. I was met one after another with; "Nice tah see ya again, and glad tah meeth'cha Cloudy." "Always nice to meet an awesome friend of Twilight's!" "Charmed to meet you my dear. Have you been in Ponyville long? You simply must let me style your hair." "Umm, hello. Nice to meet you Cloudy." "Hi Pink Mint! Are you excited about meeting us, because I sure am excited! I've never been so excited about meeting the friend of another friend! Well except for that time I met." Pinkie's mouth was closed this time by Applejack.

I greeted them all, and we all sat down to eat. The conversations with each of them were simple enough, but I could tell by the way her friends were speaking to me, that Twilight had told them the same story that she had told at the party Pinkie had thrown for me last week. I had the feeling that I would probably have to tell the rest of them the truth eventually, but I kept with the charade for the time being. We continued to talk and eat, until I looked at my watch, and saw that I had to get back to work soon. I told them that I had to get going back to work, and began to call for the waiter, so that I could get the check, but Twilight stopped me and told me that she and her friends would get it. I know that the entire surprise had been Twilight's idea, but I felt kind of bad leaving the whole check on them, even if they did decide to go Dutch in the end. I thanked them for all for the good time, saying again that I was glad to meet the rest of Twilight's friends, and then flew off back to Cloudsdale.

The rest of the day seemed to fly by, and before I knew it, I was leaving work and headed to my new apartment in Cloudsdale. I spoke with the owner of the building, paid my first month's rent, and received my key. I opened up the door to my room and walked in, shutting the door behind me. I turned on the light, and was surprised to see a small present on my bed. I walked over, opened it up, and looked inside. Inside was my giant journal scroll, a pencil, a quill and bottle of ink, and a letter. For a second, I thought that the letter was the same one that I had written, but I noticed that there was a little seal on the back. I opened up the letter and it read;

"Dear Cloudy,

Spike found your letter when he was putting your journal scroll away as part of the present that you undoubtedly found. We were touched by your words, and were more than happy to have you with us. Even though we're sad to see you leave our home, we know that you'll do just fine, and will enjoy living in Cloudsdale. Spike and I will always be here whenever you want to visit, and I'll continue to look for anyway I can to help you get back to your world.

We wish you the best of luck, and can't wait to hear from you again.

Sincerely,

Your friends Twilight Sparkle and Spike."

A tear ran from my eye, and I wiped it away before putting the letter down. If reading this letter brought a tear to my eye, I didn't want to imagine what would/will happen if/when I read the final goodbye letter from them before I leave. I know it could be a sad reality, but I'll face that day if/when it comes. I sat the letter down on the small desk that was in my room, grabbed my pencil and journal scroll, and began to write my first entry in a while.

I wonder, if I stay here long enough, will I even be able to leave?


From a fellow Brony in Ponyville;

Cloudy Airy.