//------------------------------// // Comfort // Story: Everlong I Waited // by Doctor Elite //------------------------------// Anonymous stumbled around the alleyways of Ponyville, searching desperately for something to eat. It probably wouldn't digest correctly, but he was starving. He hasn't eaten in the past week, after being kicked out of the home of the pony who was sheltering him. He doesn't understand why he was thrown out, but he didn't want the pony calling the guard. It was pouring rain, pattering against the cardboard box he was residing in. Whether it was permanently or not, he didn't know. It all depends on the hospitality of the ponies in this town. While Canterlot was the worst of all of them, he's never been in Ponyville before. It was by wandering without recognition that did he stumble into this town. He's been here for a few days at most, and he only came out at night to look for food. None of the ponies have spotted him yet, so he didn't have to scramble out of town soon. Sometimes, if he was lucky, the restaurants would dump leftovers that no one ate, and he would be able to get to them before the stray animals did. Unluckily, though, most of the time they were already rummaged through. Anon looked up at the night sky, almost as if the stars were shining down on him. When he arrived here, in Equestria, the princesses were the first to meet him. Since he knew they were royalty, he tried his best to be respectful and well-mannered. It didn't go so well, and he was thrown out of the castle by the guards. From there, he wandered the streets. He did wish he could go back to his own world, back to Earth. At least there, he was accepted and he had somebody who would help him out if he was in a bind. But, here? No, he was rejected left and right, the ponies not wanting anything to do with him. There wasn't time in the three years he was here, except one, that helped him out. The one who did help him out, who took him off the streets and gave him a place to sleep she and food to eat, was a pony named Butterscotch. While he was shy and very, very quiet, he opened up up around Anon. He could even say they were friends. Why Butterscotch kicked him out was beyond him, but he was still shocked. It wasn't like the kind Pegasus. Anon's stumbled growled in protest, reminding him he needed to eat. But, he scoured the whole alley and some more for food, and didn't find one crumb. It's almost like someone purposely went out here into the alley and stole all the scraps. But, who would do that? Truth is, there was ponies that out right hated Anonymous, but he didn't know why. He didn't do anything to nopony. His eyes teared up as he curled into a ball, shivering due to the unrelenting rain showering him in cold water. He hated the fact that the ponies controlled the weather, making it rain or snow whenever they felt like it. If it was up to him, it would be sunny skies all day, every day for the rest of his time alive. Which didn't seem long, if his situation didn't improve. Anonymous heard the tell-tale sound of hooves, the loud sound of clip-clopping on something solid rang in his ears. He lifted his head to see a lavender unicorn stallion looking at him. This pony's cutie mark was a big pink star with small whiter ones surrounding it. The pony's eyes were full of what seemed to be... Concern? Why anypony would care about him is a question he asked himself now. "Do you need help, sir?" It was a simple question, yet it was so important to Anonymous. Somebody asked about him, somebody is concerned with his well-being! He wanted to jump up and hug the stallion right there, but he would probably scare the pony away. Anonymous thought for a second before deciding to answer the purple unicorn's question. "Yes, please." Anon croaked, his throat hoarse from the lack of hydration. The pony frowned for a second before trotting over and helping the mysterious man up. Anonymous gladly accepted the stallion's help, lifting himself up off the ground thanks to the unicorn's help. He dusted himself off as he looked down at pony, his eyes glancing down. "Well, uh, do you want to come over to my house? I have food and an extra bed." The lavender stallion said, looking up at the strange bipedal creature. Anonymous nodded so fast he thought his neck would snap, and that wouldn't be good. The unicorn smiled and started walking towards his humble abode, Anonymous in tow behind him. The rain poured on both of them, but they didn't mind that much. Anonymous glanced around the small village, taking it all in. It reminded him of the medieval villages from the video games he used to play, back when he was still on Earth. He half expected there to be a dragon swooping down and setting fire to the houses, but that would be bad. He shook the crazy idea out of his head. They soon arrived at a tree house and Anon checked it out. It was pretty large and he noticed that there was lights emanating from inside. So that means that this stallion lives inside a legit tree house and that made you smile. The stallion didn't catch his smile, though, as he was busy opening the door and inviting Anon inside. Anonymous said thanks and walked inside, looking around. The stallion closed the door and walked past Anonymous, and into the kitchen. Anonymous observed his surroundings, amazed at the architecture. It was all one big room, with bookshelves engraved into the wall and a staircase leading upstairs to a balcony with two doors. There was another door in-between two bookcases, but he assumed it lead to a basement. He didn't notice the unicorn poking him with a hoof. "Here's a daffodil sandwich." Anonymous looked at the sandwich for a second before grabbing it gently and taking a bite. Since he's been living in Equestria for three years, it was obvious he had to adjust to their diet. While he didn't care for hay or grass, flowers actually weren't that back and they didn't make him sick like they did on Earth. This sandwich is delicious, Anonymous thought to himself. It had a spicy kick to it, but there was this sweet taste in there as well. It tasted great and after eating fully, he saw the stallion sitting on the couch and he patted the spot next to him. Anonymous hesitated for a second before walking over to the lavender unicorn and sitting next to him. "I'm, uh, Dusk Shine." "I'm Anonymous, but you can call me Anon. Or Mous, if that strikes your fancy." Dusk Shine smiled that and Anon returned it. Anon was so ecstatic right now, he didn't know what to do. Here he was, being welcomed into a home with open arms and not being ridiculed or rejected, he was so grateful to Dusk Shine right now. He should say thanks. "Listen, Dusk, I can't thank you enough for helping me. If there is any way I can repay you, just tell me." "Don't worry about it, Anon. You would have done the same thing."