//------------------------------//
// Chapter 6 - This was a horrible idea! 
// Story: Drifting Through Realities 
// by Thadius0 
//------------------------------//


Drifting Through Realities

Chapter 6 - This was a horrible idea!


All said, a night at the home of the two mares was not all that bad.  Sure, the bed was small, but, ponies.  It was made for them.  A bit of curling up and creative use of blankets saw me relatively comfortable.  Far more comfortable than I'd be under the stars, at any rate.

The morning started off boring.  I was an early riser because it'd been drilled into my head in...one of the worlds I'd visited, I'd forgotten which.  Listening at the door revealed that there were no sounds of the mares moving.  I therefor concluded that it was far too early to be up by their standards and decided to, in the privacy of the guest room, remove my pants, cover myself with the blankets, and finish off my sewing project.

I'd already gotten the strands and sewing kit out again when I paused.  My song didn't fit anymore.  Or at least, the lyrics I'd written for it didn't.  I could still hum it and try to come up with new ones.  After a second to ponder it, I decided to go with that conclusion and started to hum while I worked.

Hmm.  Something...upbeat.  Cheery.  Something that talks about hope for the future.  Maybe touch on my issues?  Eh...maybe not.  I'm sure it'll come to me.

So caught up in my thinking and work that I didn't notice that the door was open.  At least, not until Octavia spoke up.

"That sounds like a nice little tune."

I looked up at her, nodded, and then returned to my work.  "It's an earworm song."

The term clearly threw her.  "I beg your pardon?"

"An earworm song," I said while finishing off the lower portion of the legs.  Moving the pants a little, I picked up the conversation as I started on the upper portion of the legs.  "Basically, a song that burrows into your ear, hooks into your brain, and doesn't let go.  You'll find yourself humming it or singing it later on, merely because you heard it once.  A song only really earns this distinction if it does it across a majority of the ones who hear it."

I could hear the curiosity in her voice.  "Interesting.  Perhaps Vinyl would like to hear it?"  Yeah, like you wouldn't listen in as well.

I smiled as I continued my work.  "How do you think she found me last night?"

"Oh.  Well that makes sense."  There was a pause.  "Would you mind terribly singing the song?  Assuming it has lyrics."

I started to nod, before remembering and shaking my head.  "The original version of the song, yes.  My version, no.  The lyrics for my version...I kinda-sorta made up a set after so many Drifts that would tell anyone who heard it how, despite how I've been kicked around by almost everything, I wouldn't give up hope at seeing my world again."

I looked up briefly before returning to my work.  "Vinyl's kinda given me a reason to stop singing that song, at least for now."

"Oh."  Silence for a moment more, and then, "Perhaps the original version, then?"

I paused for a moment before nodding.  "Fair warning, it's highly contextual, but I can do that."

"Fair enough.  I'll hold all questions and ask later."

I nodded again and began to think.  Now...how did this song go, again?


I dig my hole, you build a wall,
I dig my hole, you build a wall,
Some day that wall is gonna fall.

Gon' build that city on a hill,
Gon' build that city on a hill,
One day those tears are gonna spill.
So build that wall and build it strong, cause we'll be there before too long.

Gon' build that wall up to the sky
Gon' build that wall up to the sky
Some day your bird is gonna fly

Gon' build that wall until it's done
Gon' build that wall until it's done
But now you've got nowhere to run
So build that wall and build it strong, cause we'll be there before too long


As the song finished, I looked up to see Octavia's eyes were closed as she merely listened to my singing.  After a moment where she realized the song was done, she opened them and looked up at me, and I smiled softly and huffed in amusement.  "I take it the lady likes the song this poor soul was able to provide?"

She blushed a bit at that.  "Ah, I do apologize.  It was an interesting song, and I would love to hear it put to instrument.  I assume it had one when you heard it?"

"Guitar," I said quite firmly.  "Guitar or some other sort of string instrument like it.  That's the only way that song should be played, and if I hear anyone else has taken those lyrics to another instrument, I will complain for weeks."

She nodded at that.  "Duly noted."  Then she frowned as she properly computed something else I said.  "Why did you do that?  Demean yourself like that."

I shrugged at that.  "Eh, getting treated like less than dirt in some worlds probably didn't help.  Most of it was due to the influence of the Fae, honestly.  Certain mannerisms became engraved into me as a part of my time there.  Most of them have been excised, but sometimes they flare up.  Once I get properly acclimated into any world, my initial attitude of 'crystals-food-shelter' gets replaced with 'do not piss off the natives'.  Turns out, acting meek and like I'm not very important?  Helluva way to make due until the next Drift.  Sometimes, though, I would act like a merchant and sell the crystals, then go from one town to the next with my wares.  At least I could always acquire startup funds."

I moved the pants across my lap when a hoof touched my knee.  I looked up to see Octavia's violet eyes staring at mine.  "We're going to need to fix that."

I blinked as my brain literally stopped for a moment as it tried to compute her words.  "I beg your pardon?  Fix what?"

"Those attitudes, those...defense mechanisms.  You put up a shell, multiple shells, to protect yourself.  You never let anypony get close, so that you don't have to say goodbye to them.  And it's been that way for a while, hasn't it?"

I didn't reply.  I couldn't.  She was right so far.  What was worse was, at some level, I realized it had been a conscious decision.

She continued.  "I'm not sure what sort of human is under those defensive layers, those walls you throw up to keep everypony away from you...but I'm willing to help you find out."

I slowly brought my left hand over to her and cupped her face.  "You remind me so much of her, it's uncanny."

She blinked at that.  "Who?"

I sighed and returned to working on my pants, it only needed a few more strands to be considered done enough.  "Jessica.  My oldest female friend back home.  We grew up together, we got on each others' nerves together, we fought, we played, we agreed, we disagreed.  It was a friendship born in infancy and one that never faded as we grew older.  Hell, we were practically brother and sister."

I smiled as I finished my pants and put the kit back in my pack.  "Any time we had a problem, the other would know about it and deal with it their own way.  Jessica tended to hide her problems, saying that I wouldn't understand.  I usually managed to bribe her into telling me what the issue was, and then she got a male perspective.  Whereas when I had a problem, there was always this...funk that surrounded me.  Jessica would notice and say one phrase that got through to me."

I dropped the leftover strands in the bag and looked at Octavia.  "She'd say 'Don't block me out, don't wall me out.  Tell me what the problem is, or it'll only get worse.'"

I smiled and looked to the ceiling.  "Musically talented.  Pretty good at wind instruments.  She played the flute, but she also could do a mean piccolo and a decent oboe as well.  Flute was just her preferred instrument."

Octavia actually smiled as I finished my minor opening up.  "This is turning into a conversation for the breakfast table.  Would you care to join us at it?"

I nodded and made a shooing motion with my hands.  "Yes, but I need to put these back on first, and I'd rather be alone for that bit.  G'on, make sure Vinyl isn't burning the house down while I properly dress myself."

Octavia let out a small laugh and left me alone again, and my smile dropped.  I reached into my pack and looked for all of thirty seconds before I found what I was looking for.  I pulled out a small journal that had a pencil attached and flipped to the last page, then began to write.



I am well and truly stuck here, in this final realm that I have Drifted to.  I know because none of the forces from all my journeys could accelerate my travels, nor could they find my home.  The forces in this world, until proven otherwise, will be assumed to function under the same limits.
I did not make the travel unscarred, but thankfully, a priest of Celestian in the last world was capable and willing to heal away my physical scars for a song.  Only the mental ones remain now.
The natives of this place are kind and loving to almost appear innocent.  However, assuming that they are naive would be a monumental error.  And while I still do not trust magic, magi, or deities...

...Something about these two mares makes me want to give them a chance.

Who knows.  They might actually be good for me.  I opened up about Jessica to Octavia, and Vinyl managed to convince me to come to their home last night, in spite of her being a unicorn.
Could it be I might actually like it here?



I looked over my entry and nodded, then dropped it and the pencil back into my pack before slipping my pants on, followed by my shoes.  I grabbed my pack with one hand and made my way to the most delicious of bounties:

Breakfast made by other people.


-----


The mighty force of the third pancake brigade had met their match in the fork Vinyl provided me.  I'm pretty sure the airstrike of butter and syrup shells didn't help their odds any either.  They'd attempted to call for backup with the second coffee platoon, but a quick smattering of cream and sugar grenades had dealt with it handily.

I relaxed and sighed as I patted my gut, feeling the weight of the pancakes settle within it.  I slowly sipped my coffee while the other mares ate their breakfast.  "Forgive my manners, but it has been a while since I could have a proper breakfast.  When one that looked as delectable as that was placed before me, I just...lost myself."

Vinyl waved a hoof at me.  "Eh, no big deal.  I mean, 'Tavi here might get bent out of shape about it, but I can understand wanting to tear into my pancakes."

The both of us stole a look at Octavia, who daintily sipped at her coffee while raising an eyebrow at us.  Something about her pose made me think both that she was goading us, and that it would also be a bad idea to fall into the trap.  Thus, I held my tongue, and so did Vinyl.  Possibly came from living with her for...however long they've been doing it.

"So ladies," at this Octavia smiled while Vinyl snorted out a laugh, "Now that I have concluded breakfast, I have a few questions."

Octavia nodded and put her coffee down while Vinyl picked hers up.  "By all means, Eric."

"First," I held up my left pointer finger, "I'm going to need books or a crash course on day-to-day interactions, pony history, and other important cultural information."

Octavia nodded.  "I am certain that Vinyl and I can provide lessons in culture.  Combined, we cover a broad scale of Equestria's society."

Vinyl took a gulp of her coffee and nodded as she set it down.  "Yeah.  Octy here's got the snooty information all up in her noggin, while I've got the know-how of where to go if you want a good time."

Octavia shot a deadpan look at Vinyl, and I snorted a laugh.  "Okay," I said while trying not to giggle, "but that still leaves me with history as a thing I have to learn."

Octavia turned to look at me again and held a hoof up to her chin.  "Yes, it does.  You could request permission to browse the Archives, I suppose, but such permission is not freely given to all who ask.  As well, as they are the Royal Archives..."

I sighed and put my head in my hands.  "I'd have to meet with your rulers.  Great."  I picked my head up and stared at the mares.  "We'll burn that bridge when we come to it.  Number two."  Here, middle and pointer went up on my right hand.  "Smiths.  Are there any good ones in town?"

Vinyl nodded.  "I got the layout all up here, dude," she stated while pointing a hoof at her head.  "There are a few smiths in town, but the Princesses have the best guy in the castle making armor for them."

I sighed again, it was starting to look like a trip to the castle was in my future.  "Well then.  I suppose number three can wait, it looks like I'm writing a letter to royalty."

I reached into my bag, found the journal from earlier, flipped until I found a blank page and carefully ripped it out before composing a letter.



To the Goddesses that rule these ponies,

Greetings.  I am Eric O'Mally, and I would like to...apologize for my actions.  While my journeys may have colored my views on deities, that does not give me free reign to disrespect any of you before I even meet you or get to know you.
As such, I would like to request permission to visit the castle.  While I will freely admit that I will have ulterior motives behind my visit, such as accessing your vast supplies of stored literature and the talents of an individual under your employ, I do truly wish to meet with you as well.
I'm trying out this whole 'trust' thing for the first time in a while, so please forgive me if I'm not exactly the best at it yet.

Sincerely,
Eric O'Mally



I went over the letter twice before folding it up and looking up to Octavia.  She had procured from...somewhere an envelope with the addresses already written and a stamp on it.  I shook my head and put my document inside, causing her to nod, take it in her mouth, and go outside.

A moment passed, and then I heard a sound from the front door.  That sound was Octavia speaking in a strained voice.  "Eric, there's someone at the door for you..."

I got up and walked over to the front door, and instantly, I activated my clothing's abilities.

Standing in front of her was a lavender unicorn mare, with a six-and-a-half foot elf standing next to her.  Dressed in blue robes and wearing a pointed yellow hat, it didn't take long for my brain to make the connection that he was a black mage.

What caused me to reflexively activate my clothing was the sheer amount of power radiating off of the elf, which instinctively caused my thaumometer filter to activate.  Around him, through the slight haze, it looked like a storm was about to break out at any moment.  He seemed like a towering thunderhead, a hurricane just on the horizon.  I would not be surprised to find that he had Thor somewhere in his family tree.  He was quite strong.  The mare next to him seemed to glow as well, shining brightly through the haze of violet like a miniature star.

Thankfully, once my clothes were active, the moment passed, the filter flicked back to normal, and they looked at me in slight shock at what I'd done.  "Did he just?"

The elf nodded at the mare.  "It would appear he has an ability to render himself immune to magic."

I shook my head.  "It's the clothes, not me.  And it also runs off a bit of my internal energy as well.  Too much time spent with it on will burn up calories like nobody's business."

"Making you hungry faster, thus costing you in the long run," the mare deduced.

I nodded at them, then scrunched my face up in thought.  "So, uh.  Who are you, and why are you here?"

The two let out a short giggle, and the mare pulled a scroll from her bag and started to float it to me with her magic.  I eyed it and her warily until it was hovering in front of my face, at which point I put my hand under it to catch it.  Catching on herself, the mare let the scroll drop into my hand, and I unrolled it and began to read.



To my most faithful student, Twilight Sparkle.

A new Jumper has appeared, this time in Canterlot.  However, it would appear that this one has Thaumaphobia, as well as Theophobia.  I also believe I made less than a good impression on him when I met him, briefly, during his initial stay in Canterlot.  To be blunt, after we met, he yelled at me as he walked out of the city.
However, Luna informs me that she was looking out of her tower that night and happened to notice the human returning to Canterlot in the company of a pony later identified as one Vinyl Scrach.
I would ask of you, if you feel up to the task, to come to Canterlot and attempt to show this Jumper that magic need not be feared.  If he feels willing, I would also appreciate it if Trace would accompany you.  Hopefully, by showing this Jumper that not all bipedal mages are things to fear, he will start to settle in Equestria.

Your teacher,
Princess Celestia



I lowered the letter and looked at the mare and elf in question, then wordlessly handed it to the elf.  He put it in his robes, and I turned to the unicorn to respond to what the letter had said.  "For the record, I don't fear magic or deities.  I merely have an intense dislike for them.  I've not feared them in some time."

Twilight pulled a list out from her saddlebags and crossed a few things out with a quill and inkpot that had appeared from...somewhere.  Probably the same saddlebags.  I turned to 'Trace' and crossed my arms.  "So Celestia's grand plan for getting me used to magic and magi is to expose me to the very thing that I haven't had much reason to trust for Joseph knows how long?"

The elf nodded with a slight smile.  "I believe it's called acclimatization."

I sighed and rolled my eyes.  "I call it throwing someone who hates swimming into the deep end of the pool without a life jacket.  Sure, he'll survive, but he'll hate you for it."