Chapter 3 - Hand to Hoof
A tower of literature stood proudly over the desk of Twilight Sparkle. It wasn't structurally stable, but the placement was temporary as always. Each book was chosen in context of the following: How magic works, Creatures of Equestrian lands, and candy cookbooks. The first two fit together in some form of research, but the cookbook was out of place, yet that is what she wanted, so the little dragon obeyed.
The owner of the library appeared in a flash of teleportation by her desk, startling Spike who was slaving over choosing the next book for the tower. Spike signed, disappointed at himself for being startled by something he should be used to by now, but put on a welcome smile for his friend. “Hey Twilight! I’m assuming you just came back from the castle, correct?”
Twilight looked at herself in various ways to try and see what might have given such an accurate assumption away, “Why, yes...I did, but how–”
Spike shook his head in a casual way. “You’ve been going there for the past two days spying on a giant, I figured today was no different.” Spike proudly tapped on the leaning tower of knowledge, causing it to wobble but it still remained standing. “These are all the books I’ve found on creatures, magic, and...candy...why candy?”
Twilight trotted up to her desk and sat down, making sure her posterior was nice and cozy on the pillow seat. “Pinkie wants to make a variant on the orange pill candies he has, so she asked me if I could find anything while she would try to recreate it herself.” Picking the first book from the top, it was revealed to be a book on magic. One she had read many times before, but that wouldn't stop her from reading it again. “To be honest, I actually like the idea of treating myself to one of those.” Twilight’s voice sounded fond of the orange candy in her memory.
This was a painful reminder to Spike that Pinkie did not save one for him, causing his facial expression to sag slightly. “Yeah, they sound really good…”
Cursing herself for bringing him down like that, Twilight tried to brighten his mood. “Tell you what, I can take you to him and maybe he will give you one. Sound good?”
Spike liked this plan. It sounded fun and it involved food. The only thing it needed to be prefect was Rarity, but that was an ingredient that was needed with almost anything Spike did outside the library. “That would be awesome! When can we go?”
Sparkle had already begun reading. “We can go tomorrow with the rest of the girls, I’ve been planning a proper course of diplomatic action.” The pages of her book flipped as she knew a certain page by heart, and had no reason to read it.
Spike felt slightly disappointed knowing he’d have to wait for tomorrow, but now that he knew Rarity was involved, the plan was declared perfect. Therefore he decided to change topics. “So, what did you learn from him this time?”
Twilight stopped reading for the topic that Spike chose happened to peak her interest. “Not much, Spike, today he was just trying to make more covers for the windows. Its surprising how dextile his digits are yet I wonder why he did not evolve with claws.”
“His situation of hunting and gathering is pushing him away from interacting with us. This is why I’ve organized a plan of action, I think it would better us to try and teach him Equestrian and offer him some help so he wouldn't be so burdened.”
Twilight picked up her research notes under her desk and shuffled through them, changing a word or two along the way thanks to a nearby quill. “My data suggests that he is a social mammal who may be the last of his kind from my observations on his many incoherent ramblings and my...previous encounters. So in turn, we need to be more social in order to become good friends!”
Spike wasn't so sure of this. “Are you sure he is social, or do you think he just wants to be left alone like you suggested before?”
Sparkle shook her head. “He is social, but I hypothesize that he has never seen ponies before, so he is just being cautious.”
Spike still wasn't so sure. “If he is friendly then you shouldn't have to hide from him!”
Her response was one she had explained before. “I’m not hiding! I’m just trying to observe his behavior in an unbiased environment! This is simply part of my research.” Done arguing, she returned to her book.
The baby dragon could do nothing more than walk out of the room to attend other chores.
When he heard his footsteps go down the stairs,Twilight took a deep breath and was reminded of a minor matter, “Spike, did you eat the last of the cheese by chance?”
“-BELCH-” Was the response.
“Humph, well that explains it.” Annoyed by his vulgar but masculine choice of communication, Twilight made a mental note to buy more cheese. That is, until a royal scroll popped into her field of view.
Spike held the scroll in his claws, waiting for her to take it. However, he did answer her enquiry. “To answer your question, Twilight...yes, I did eat the cheese.” When she did take the scroll, it was unfurled to reveal itself to be a message from her idol, Princess Celestia.
Sparkle read the message over, before suddenly leaping out of her comfy seat and scrambling to get books reorganized and the tower straitened and stable even though it will never be. Spike had already reorganized the shelves while she was away, thwarting his effort, but it was something he was used to. “Spike, she is coming!”
“Who?” He already had a good idea about who it was. After living with her for all these years, one can become quite adept at recognizing certain behavior patterns connected to certain events.
“Celestia! She’ll be here any moment!” Even as an ex-student, Twilight still went over the top whenever a princess was involved.
Spike ducked when a book flew over his head. He stayed undercover until a flash of soft white announced the arrival of the princess. Celestia stood proudly at the entrance to the stairway, and right behind her Luna teleported in a dark void. Both saw Twilight frozen in surprise with books in the same state floating over head in a stage of disorganization.
Spike, Luna, and Celestia took only one look at Twilight's face of absolute horror from the situation she found herself in and then glanced at each other in a “Typical Twilight” moment. Disregarding organization, all books were immediately shoved into an open slot clearing the atmosphere of obstruction, and a countenance of a happy awkward grin snapped onto her face in an instant.
She bowed in respect, as did the visitors, before asking meekly. “Hello Celestia and Luna, I wasn’t expecting you both here…”
Celestia smiled in her benevolent way. “I’m sorry the letter did not detail Luna’s company. It was a decision made last second.”
Her smile gave way to Luna’s intervention. “I’m afraid we can't afford to idly chat. Your letter detailing the appearance of an unknown species of giant animal demanded immediate attention. The description included with your letter doesn't exactly match with our records. Can we take a look at your research notes on this new creature?”
It had been a while since a princess asked to look at one of Twilight’s notes, but as a pony of inherent tidiness, she believed her work was still of great quality. “Of course!”
Celestia grabbed the papers with her magic and held them so that she and Luna could both peer at the information. They both mumbled words to one another in privacy whilst Spike and Twilight waited patiently for them to finish. It was at this point Spike believed it was safe enough to stand up again.
The sisters blazed past the pages at an alarming rate churning information around their lips like a vocal typewriter from Manehattan. Eventually Celestia looked up from the book with an unusual expression not seen often: Fascination. “Twilight, this creature’s description is something I have ever heard of.” Celestia quoted the text directly. “Its body is similar to a minotaur, but it uses two legs like Discord or a diamond dog.”
Luna continued the thought without skipping a beat. “As immortals who have lived in this world for thousands of years, neither of us have seen anything remotely close to what you have described. It is for this reason, that we both are intrigued by this...Giant, in your reference...yet equally concerned.”
Again the sister picked up the topic without even blinking, the smoothness of the switch between speakers was unnatural. “The last time a creature from lands beyond our own arrived here…” –The sisters shared a glance– “He tried to steal Equestrian Magic. We need to make sure that this giant is not a threat to our little ponies.”
Taking this as seriously as her fellow alicorns, Twilight stood up straight and succeeded in sounding noble. “Of course! My friends and I have made contact with him and know that he has accepted us as friendlies. His social approach appeared to be very traditional, so I can have the gang assemble some food and material to offer. He should understand it as a gift.” She turned to Spike, who was sitting on Twilight’s pillow watching this conversation transpire. Normally he wasn't allowed to do this but he knew that Twilight wouldn’t be thinking about that in this moment.
Showing that in fact she did think about it, Twilight purposely put her pillow away under the desk with Spike on it, making him plop on the floor. “Spike, get my little note pad!”
With haste Twilight sent letters to her friends via begrudging dragon fire detailing the importance and special guests who will accompany them on the trip to the castle. She had AppleJack pulling a cart of apples, corn, and carrots, and pies as gifts. Rainbow Dash was pulling a cart of rope, large tarps, and an equally large map. Finally, Spike had to carry ink, parchment, and the little note pad (which was anything but little) for more notes inside a little backpack.
Now gathered at the foot of the forest, greetings were shared from Elements to Royalty. At the sight of the goddess icons there was the customary bowing, followed by a more casual set of conversation from Pinkie. “Hiya Luni! Did you enjoy las–”
Her speech was cut of from a dark hoof covered with a royal horseshoe. In this Luna winked at Pinkie as if saying, “Lets keep that to ourselves.” Her response was a small fit of giggling muffled by the closed lips.
However, the damage was already done as Celestia noted this behavior. “Did you visit Pinkie last night, Luna?”
Her ears folded back in slight embarrassment but the smile on her face made it clear that the assumption was correct. “Her dreams are most entertaining…”
A long and mostly silent trek through the forest then transpired. Only this time the forest was alive and well with sounds of insects, monsters, and certain types of unique plant life. The forest of the supernatural was now in its natural state.
.
The main six and the Princesses stood before the Castle door. Celestia and Luna stared at the ruins with untold memories flowing back to them like a roaring river filled with unpolished rocks and broken thoughts. Opening the door Twilight led the way through the castle down the shortest path to the Dining Hall.
At almost every turn into a new room or hall the two siblings either looked at the area in a distant space or with faces of occasional regret. The emotion the pair shared was reasonable, it was the first place they had called their home so many, many, many years ago. Now it was nothing more than a largely forgotten collection of broken walls, ceilings, and profuse rubble.
Interpreting this emotion as worry towards the Giant, Pinkie Pie hopped into conversation. “You two shouldn’t be worried! I let him pet my mane…” At memory of the stroking hands her face softened and she began to cuddle into Fluttershy next to her, who could do nothing but humor the ecstatic comrade. “Ohhh, it felt soooo-gooood!”
Wanting to make sure that her former teacher was as comfortable as possible Twilight added to the topic. “He is really nice-” She suddenly became quiet as a thought to be spoken retracted back into her chest. In recovery her voice became fragile and cautious. “Uh...The sense of reason he has is very much like a ponies’...in that he understands a lot of traditional ways of communication without having to know the opposing language!” Her eyes darted around the room like a fly was buzzing around her face at the speed of sound.
AppleJack felt that something was at hoof in this pause of Twilights. “What was that you were gonna say?” When Twilight’s eyes continued to frolic and her mouth emitted a mumble too quiet to hear, AJ took comfort in to hoof. “It’s alright sugarcube, you can tell us if it helps the Princesses any.”
Embarrassment impeding her speech, Twilight tried to convey the event. “Well...after we had left him to settle into the Dining Hall two days ago when we first found him...I kinda took a close look at him while he was laying down...and I….” She gulped and spit out the truth in a burst, “I stumbled and fell over his lips from there he gave me a belly raspberry!”
Rainbow dash immediately burst into hysterics, causing her to almost fall over in the process. “Bwahhh-hahahahaaa!” And while the other ponies and dragon did not react quite as flamboyantly they partly restrained themselves in laughter.
Celestia giggled softly and put her hoof on Twilight’s shoulder. “The fact that he seems playful towards you is quite reassuring.” Feeling that she succeeded in making the princesses feel better, Twilight smiled.
Upon this reassurance Twilight began to proudly recite information out loud. “The five digits that branch off his forearm resemble claws of multiple varieties, but they are not claws. Each edgeless claw is soft and resembles that of skin, actually I have good reason to believe that it is skin, but I digress.”
Upon approaching the Giant’s lair heads peered around the corners to see if it was safe to enter. The Man sat upon a bed made of several large logs, rope, and tree canopy. His legs were in a way that one leg was crossed over another creating a slight brace for the hard backing of the sketch pad that was being drawn on with a large pencil.
His clothes appeared to be slightly different judging from the shirt changing from black to green and the pants were a slightly darker shade of blue.
The Man’s his immersion in his work appeared to distract him from the world around him yet again. Princess of the Day and the one of Night did not show an immediate sign of any outstanding emotion.
Twilight whispered to the ponies. “Just to be safe its best if we stand out in the open and call him out as subtly as possible. The last thing we want to do is startle him.” The company maneuvered into position as quietly as possible...
Until Pinkie could not contain herself.
Nopony knew how she appeared behind his boot without anypony noticing, but the fact remained that she was there. Everyponies’ heart skipped a beat when they saw this, but before an alicorn could pull Pinkie back, she said hello. “Hi! Its me Pinkie!” Her high pitched voice immediately caught the Man’s attention. “Remember me?”
He then spoke his language, and seemed content to see a friendly face again. Pinkie sat on her haunches and opened her hooves upward as if awaiting a hug. Hands hugged her before lifting the pony of the ground and placing her on his lap.
A welcome hand came to pet the pony who happily pushed into it like a cat in desperate need of attention. While this was happening the Man looked up to see a congregation of horses had arrived. Apart from the two bigger ones, he recognized all of them. Peering eyes scanned the newcomers up and down as much as possible from their current position.
In this, his hand froze, prompting Pinkie to bump his fingers. Drawing his attention again, Pinks rolled onto her back and pointed at her upper belly/chest with the biggest pleading eyes she could muster. “Tummy rub?”
Ask and receive. And receive did she get. “Ohhhh! Yesssss~”
So goddamn adorable! He heard Purple’s distinctive voice call over to Pink, who did not pay her any heed. Looking over to the ponies, the Man saw that they had returned with carts full of-Are those apples? And is that yellow stuff corn?! Purple presented herself and the newcomers with a wave of her hoof. In turn the guests bowed in greeting.
Those two are taller and more regal than White. Perhaps they are giving me a gift! And they brought their leader to make it formal! Thoughtful, but I’m just happy to see some friendly faces other than Purple spying on me for once.
Orange trotted forward and unhooked herself from the cart of food. Sadly for Pink, the Man stopped rubbing her and placed her back on the ground where she protested for more attention. Picking up the cart he noticed that the majority of the products were indeed apples. Picking one up with two fingers and chucking it into the abyss that is the mouth, the man chewed...as much as he possibly could.
Not much “meat” on these. The core is like a chunk of ground pepper but it feels like I’m eating a small cherry….this is really depressing…I can never enjoy the feeling of biting into a juicy apple and feel the liquid drip down my neck….He picked up a piece of corn and did the same. I can't eat corn like a typewriter in those old cartoons...or butter it up as much as I like...and the cob core doesn't taste very good either...he picked up a carrot. I never was too fond of carrots so no loss there. Regardless he ate it anyway.
The last thing that remained was a small grouping of- Apple Pies….One of my favorite foods...Grandma makes pies...She always insists on eating it ala mode with her homemade ice cream as well… that woman, always made the deserts herself...I...miss her already… He ate the pie like a small cookie. It tasted good, but not as good as the one in his memory.
Realizing he must look like a sad sap eating his cares away (and he did) in front of guests, he straightened up and showed his appreciation to Orange in the only way he knew how. By setting the cart down and giving her a dual hand petting. She seemed nervous once she found herself up on his lap like Pink. This made sense because only two ponies had ever been picked up before. All worries melted away when one hand stroked her back and mane while the other rubbed her belly.
However a flapping noise caused him to pause when Blue buzzed next to his ear like a humming bird. Twisting his neck to see her he found a large tarp almost as big as his shirt in her mouth. This was when the Man noticed the second cart full of other supplies. Orange yelled at Blue for ruining her petting session, but she merely scoffed back with a full mouth. Grabbing the tarp the Man felt tempted to leave Blue without a petting, but once she had a free mouth the pegasus darted away back to the group below.
Huummm… A tarp like this may prove to be a useful item, should it prove strong enough. Testing the strength of the cloth he carefully tugged on it harder and harder until he heard a small rip, prompting him to immediately stop. Looks like this will suit my minor needs nicely, how many of these are there? His inquiry was answered upon examining the second cart. Just two? I must make make these last then. And what’s this?
His examination revealed the other items in the cart. Inside was a rope that could also be referred to as a piece of sturdy string Rope? Well, more like length of twine but still its the thought that counts. The last item was paper and had inscriptions on it, upon completely unfolding it a map appeared in his grasp. A map! Is this the land that I now exist in? Looks nothing like home…
Purple happily flew up to him and pointed at a area made of dense forest southeast of a town. She seemed to be explaining something, but not a word was understood. I am going to assume that is where we are. Seeing the Man’s stagnant face Purple pointed at the same group of forest and repeated a word multiple times. Quickly she deflated in defeat and dropped down onto his lap where Orange still sat.
This barrier is, quite frankly, a royal pain in the ass! If I am to interact with these creatures for any extended period of time then I must learn their language… Ironically, I need to find a way to ask them to teach me… hmmm, lets try the only reference I have to a situation like this: that one scene in Tarzan… That might work!
Purple eeped in surprise when the hands found a new pony to carry. After being placed into one hand she stared at his eyes in curiosity. Liking the other hand he put it on his chest.
“Barin.”
The little pony blinked before the action was repeated. “Barin.” Cocking her head to the side indicated that Purple did not know what this meant. Perhaps something more direct? Grabbing his sketch pad from the side Barin quickly drew a tree upon the paper. The drawing wasn't bad, it was clearly a tree, but the haste in which it was drawn showed. Showing Purple this picture she still looked confused, trying to piece together what in the world the giant was doing, but the one who wore the golden decor did.
She called her name from the floor “Celestia.” Her hoof rested upon her chest plate in replication of Barin’s position. “Celestia.”
Barin attempted to pronounce the word. “Celfistia?”
“Celestia.”
“Shellestia?”
“Cel-es-tia.”
“Cel...es...tia?...Celestia!”
Celestia nodded her head in yes. In turn she tried his name. “Bear-gryl?”
“Barin.”
“Bar-shin?”
“Bar-in”
“Barin!”
It was his turn to approve of the pronouncement. His attention went back to Purple, who now understood what was happening and tried to teach him her name. “Twilight.”
Barin’s memory recalled that word being heard before in recent past, therefore he only need to try it once. “Twilight?”
Her rapid nods told him that it was correct. Adjusting his position in bed to lay down, taking the ponies on him and pouting them on his chest, Barin figured that he should get comfortable for this session of learning.
The one established as Spike ate a Tic Tac while Celestia chatted with her student. Yet it so happened that the only word Barin recognized from the talk was “Twilight.” By this point she had taken her place on his chest and did appear quite comfortable in her little nest of paper and cloth. Celestia stood next to her college during this talk, all the while taking care to not poke the petting hand over Twilight with her horn.
Pinkie was having fun with the rising and falling of the belly. Thankfully she wasn't hopping on it. Rainbow was making circles in the room trying to see how fast she could go in the enclosed area. Rarity was examining the old and dirty clothes from some days ago, and much to her noses’ demise, found the armpit area. AppleJack had gotten very board and was currently bucking the steel toed boot as exercise.
Fluttershy had found comfort sleeping on Barin’s forehead. Yes, on his forehead. He could feel the heat from her and the occasional twitch from dream induced events.
Without a watch it was difficult to tell how long they simply sat around and taught one another words. Time had passed by quite quickly, the sketch pad had gone through many pages of words ranging from apple to fan to mountain and so on. While these words were sticking like post it notes to his vocabulary Barin was determined to study the strange language before him.
The ponies had entertained themselves in the meantime by cleaning his den for him. They evidently had left the cleaning supplies back in the throne room and brought them out to tidy the space up a bit. From the Giant’s perspective the changes were minor and somewhat obsolete, but he could not refuse their help.
Barin’s stomach growled indicating the lack of nourishment it had received over the past days. Gah...Precious time lost...I need to get more water and then start hunting, the food they brought will sadly not be enough to support my nutritional demands.
Putting his pad down on the floor and reaching up to Fluttershy, he felt for her back but by mistake started to rub her lower belly. Unknown to the human this is actually a sensitive part of a horse's body, in a tickleish way. Instead of a calm and peaceful wake up call he felt her hooves thrash and an indistinguishable sound of laughter.
Not expecting this Barin tried to lift his head to get a better view, but instead caused the mare to roll over his glasses, much to his despair, and land on the upper chest where the pony found her bearings. Hovering above him she then softly “booped” his nose playfully before backing away.
Glancing at Twilight again one could tell she was half listening to Celestia and Luna who were amused seeing her clock-out of reality and melt into the stroking hand. Her tail flicked to and fro while the ears twitched in ecstacity whenever the head received a small scratch. Her notes were still active though but appeared to be in a lucid state of zen. Not known to Twilight her thoughts and emotions were being transferred into the quill. This would become a good foundation for Spike’s antics later on.
Is she nosey? Yes, and she will always be. However it appears to be all in the name of research, and personal gain it seems...I digress, this mare-actually-almost every mare in this room is of good company, so long as they don't appear in the middle of my work at least. Alas I have delayed long enough. Survival is survival.
Barin waved his hands at the opposed. “Shoo! I have work to do!” The alicon sisters got the message despite the lack of any recently shared words, but Twilight seemed determined to get more attention.
She refused to move, looking upward with closed eyelids in protest. “No!”
Gently he nudged her flank but the tail whipped at the fingers like they were flies. “No!” She continued to refuse.
Taking this vocal statement he threw one back at her. “Yes!”
“No!”
“Yes Twilight!”
She shook her head in defiance. This is a new side of her, resentful and stubborn to the bone to get what she wants. But I have a clear advantage…
As quickly as possible, he shot up from the laying down position. This launched Twilight into awaiting hands. Now your punishment! HAHAHAH!
Seeing herself in belly up position, it immediately clicked into her head what was about to happen and in panic did not think to teleport away. A poor mistake for such a dutiful mare. She yelled in pleading while flailing helplessly. “No!-No!-No!-No!”
RASPBERRY! FIRE TWO!!!
There was a scream of laughter. It rang long, loud, and clear…