//------------------------------// // Don't Judge A Book By It's Cover // Story: A Human's Guide To Equestria // by Hidden_Blade_Attack //------------------------------// Everywhere hurt, it was like getting pricked by 1000 needles all at once... okay maybe I'm over reacting, but the point is, it isn't very comfortable. I had loads of cuts and slivers all over my body and Lyra looked after all of them with that stingy stuff, well almost all of them. You know the less so nice ones... Anyways, after that I had a quick bath and I tried to clean up Riley but he never did like baths. He seems unscathed which makes me think he has better super powers... unfair. I tied a towel around my waste. Pony towels are a bit too small. But it gets the job done. I walk out of the bathroom and find Lyra sitting in the chair doing nothing in particular. "Hey, you look nicely refreshed." Lyra commented. I did feel better. "Yeah, it did help. Anyways where are my clothes?" Lyra gave me a confused look. "You mean those ratty looking rags? I was going to wash them for you but they're way beyond repair." She said with a smirk. I could feel my face go shocked. "But I need those clothes! I don't want to wear your towel around!" I exclaimed. She giggled. "No, silly. Just take it off." "You mean you want me naked?" "Is there a problem with that?" I could feel my face heat up. "Yes!" I said putting my hands on my towel, as if I am scared it'll disappear. "But I'm naked right now... is this bothering you?" She asked looking at herself. "No... it's different... your a pony..." She looked at me questioningly. "I'm confused...it isn't a big deal. Ponies are naked all the time. Trust me, no pony will care." She got up and went over to me, I backed up but hit a wall. "N-no. I-" "Stop being so weird, you can't just wear a towel, maybe I can get some clothes for you or something." She said. Without warning she grabbed the towel with her mouth and pulled it off. I could feel my face heat up much more. "See, was that so..." Her face contorted and looked away. "Uh... is it suppose to be... all... showing and there..." I could see her blush. I snatched back the towel and wrapped it quickly. "It's apart of my culture to wear clothes, trust me, mine will do." "R-right. I'll just go get them." She said quietly as she trotted off. I stood there trying to contain my blush but I was very embarrassed. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I was back in my clothes and we were sitting in chairs around a fire place she had with Bon Bon laying on the couch close by. We knew she would wake up soon. We were't talking, I don't think it was from earlier, probably, like it wasn't too bad right? She just saw my stuff, not all bad. I think she was just thinking of what to say. the fire place wasn't lit, there was no need, I think it was kind of symbolic for a peaceful place to think. I was petting Riley who had camped just beside my chair, this must be stressful for him as for me. But it's good to know Lyra's got my back. I'm surprised she's not exploding with questions like in fanfics. Maybe I should stop using that as my 'guide'. Maybe the ponies are much different. Well they are, most fanfics are all happy and the human is friends with the main six and gets Rainbow Dash to fall for them or something. But, I guess fanfics are really just fiction, to a point, there are lucky guesses. Maybe I should make my own guide. 'A Human's Guide to Equestria'. Yeah, awesome name! And when I go back home I can post it on sites and spread the word, because if I can get here, others must be able to as well. I was just about to ask if I could use a book and quill to jot stuff in but Lyra beat me to the question. "You know... uh... Sam. You really are a dream come true." She said. I was actually quite flattered. "How?" "My whole life, I was fascinated by the myth of humans. I thought, knew, they existed but was always ridiculed for it. But now that your here... my whole life was not a waste and all the research and countless attempts to find one was not for nothing. But I was right all along." She said almost tearing up, for joy I would assume. I reached out and took her hoof in my hand. She smiled for a moment. "But now, there are ponies after you because they judge you too quickly and think you are a monster. It's not fair! They're trying to take you from me!" She said before beginning to sob. I didn't know I meant so much. I got up and went over to her. "It's okay Lyra, I'm here and you were right all along. Listen, nothing bad will happen to me, do not let me ruin your life. If they find out your helping me, it could be horrible." I explained. I didn't want her to put her life on the line for me. She looked me straight in the eyes. "But you are my life!" She dove into me and hugged my tight. "I've spent my whole life hoping to find a human... I don't want to lose you." She said before crying into my chest. I carried her to my chair and rested her in my lap. "Lyra, I won't allow you to do anything for me. You've already done lots. But if it comes to a point where protecting me can cost you everything... don't. I'm not worth it." I explained as she hugged me crying into my shoulder. She said something but it was muffled by my chest so I couldn't make it out. "Shhh. I'm not going anywhere right now. I'm here. And we will get through this." I promised. I patted her back and she squeezed harder, again, like she thought I could disappear. Riley was watching us, but didn't do anything, I guess he's learning to trust Lyra. It was unfair though, I was judged to fast, I couldn't prove myself. But when i think about it, humans are just like that. If an alien came to Earth we wouldn't give it a chance, the government would capture it and experiment on it.Or if it was in public, the military would probably kill it. It isn't fair. But even i judge people quickly too. That's a good note for my guide. Don't judge a book by it's cover, that is very true and now do I really realize what that means. Although unfortunately, my cover is an unknown threatening beast never seen before. But there is hope. Lyra gave me a chance, maybe other's will too. They just need to get to know me. Maybe Lyra will know a pony who can really help and won't judge. But she needs a good cry. We both have are dreams turned nightmares. Her human discovery is being hunted down and my brony paradise is trying to kill me! I look to Riley as Lyra continues to embrace me. I wonder if Riley's dream is to finally catch his tail which can never happen, then I guess it makes three of us. Although at least his tail isn't trying to kill him. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I'm not sure when I dozed off, but at some point me and Lyra fell asleep in each other's embrace. I woke up to the sounds of hoof steps. Lyra is till peacefully sleeping on my lap. I look over to the origins of the sound and see Bon Bon had awoken and was eyeing me. "Uh, hi there, Bon Bon." I greeted awkwardly. She looked at me for a couple seconds in silence. "Er, hi. So, uh. Lyra was right about humans then?" She asked. I nodded. Bon was obviously taking it in. "Listen Bon. I mean no harm. I don't know how I got here, well, Lyra has a theory. And I just want to go home. I won't hurt you or anyone. But ponies are after me due to I'm unusual." I explained in a quieter tone that usual. "Okay." Bon said still taking it in. "I need to hide here for a bit until things get figured out and it would be amazing if you didn't anybody, please." "Okay, okay. So your going to stay here for a while?" Yes, if you don't mind." "And your being hunted but you didn't do anything bad." "Correct." "As long as Lyra takes care of you. I don't remember your name though." "Oh right. Makes sense, I'm Samual, but just call me Sam." She nodded. "I bet you've made Lyra very happy. I don't want to ruin that. But don't you dare make her do anything dumb!" "I won't. If worse comes to worse, I will turn myself in, and not lead anyone to believe Lyra was involved." She thought for a moment. "Deal." She said walking off. Hopefully that won't bite me in the butt. "You know there's a loop hole to that." I heard Lyra say, I never noticed she woke up and I don't think Bon did either. "What?" I asked looking down to a sleepy Lyra. "She never said I couldn't do something stupid without your influence."