//------------------------------// // What Are You? // Story: Berry's Burns // by ThatGirl2147 //------------------------------// After several hours, the mulberry mare awoke, stirring gently. She looked to her side and saw the black creature’s face near hers. “It wasn’t a dream,” thought she as she stood up lightly so as not to awaken the unconscious creature. Looking about, she also saw the open medical bag and scattered medical tools. “Definitely not a dream,” said she aloud as she thought, “I should probably make some food.” With that, she left the room to prepare a meal. Twenty minutes passed, and the large creature finally began to awaken. He took in his surroundings and said to himself, “it wasn’t a dream.” “That’s what I said,” remarked Berry Punch, startling the creature. He shook his head to clear his thoughts, and then replied, “too weird a day to be sure, eh?” This made the mare giggle. “Yeah, I guess so,” said she in return. “Oh,” added she as she turned and picked up a bowl in her hooves and held it in front of the creature. “Eat this,” ordered she, “you lost a lot of blood, and protein-rich foods help the blood supply to fill back up.” The creature used his hands to slide himself to a sitting position, leaned against the back wall of the room. “Thank you,” said he. Before he took the bowl into his hands, he removed the black husk of rubber, glass, and metal covering his head, revealing his true face. He had dark green eyes, a rather ape-like facial structure, and a none-too-impressive coat and mane. His pale tan face was barely covered by a dirty blonde stubble and an extremely short mane atop his head. The mare looked in awe at the creature’s features. She had no idea what he was, but she couldn’t help but feel that he was rather attractive for his kind. “N.. no problem,” stuttered the mare. “And,” added the monkey, “I’m impressed that you know so much about medicine.” This made the mulberry mare blush a rosy red. “Thanks,” said she, hiding her face, “I’ve learned quite a bit from Nurse Redheart, with how many times I’ve seen her.” “Hmm,” said the creature as he thought. “Interesting name, Redheart,” remarked he. “Speaking of names, have you got one?” The mare nodded. “Berry Punch,” answered she. “And yourself, Mr. Whatever you are?” Added she. “Burns, Marcus Burns,” said he in return, “Sergeant in Her Majesty’s Special Air Service.” A bit of pride leaked in his voice as he spoke. “Her Majesty?” asked Berry, tilting her head, “do you mean Princess Celestia?” The creature raised his eyebrow. “Princess Celestia?” questioned he, “I’ve no idea who that is. I was referring to Queen Elizabeth.” “Never heard of her,” replied the mare blankly. “You’re not from around here, are you?” Marcus chuckled at what Berry had said, “I’ve never seen a talking horse, so I’d guess not,” said he, still laughing a bit. “Where is ‘here,’ by the way?” “You’re in Equestria,” answered Berry, “Ponyville, to be exact.” She stepped toward a window in the room and continued, “a small town, but I think it’s cozy; not too exciting, you know?” She then looked to her guest and said, “well, except you, that is. Where is it you’re from if not here?” Finishing his soup, Marcus stood up, the room barely being tall enough for him to do so. “Very far away from here, I’d assume,” said he blankly as he sat down on the bed, which was only good for him as a seat. “And, umm,” stuttered Berry as she kept the questions coming, “and, what exactly ARE you? I mean, you look like a monkey, but I’ve never seen a giant, talking monkey that wore clothing.” “Oi, I’m not that ugly,” returned Marcus half-jokingly. “But, in all seriousness,” continued he, “I am what’s called a Human. You see, we Humans actually evolved from monkeys over the course of hundreds of thousands of years, so explaining the similarity in appearance.” For the next hour or so, Marcus and Berry Punch exchanged information about each other, such as where Marcus is from, what Humans were, and what his world was like. Berry, in return, gave Marcus a brief history of Princess Celestia and Equestria, as well as a basic explanation of the different kinds of ponies, what they did, and that lot. “Also,” thought Berry, remembering back several hours, “What’s a Wallcroft?” “A what?” asked Burns, needing confirmation as to what he’d just heard. “Wallcroft,” restated the mare, “what is it?” “Where did you hear that?” The man was sitting up now, looking at Berry intently. “When I first found you in the Everfree,” explained Berry, “you were limping around asking about it.” “Wallcroft was one of my teammates, and one of my best friends.” Burns drew a heavy sigh as he thought of his friend, whom he thought he may never see again. “He was the last person I saw before I blacked out and woke up in that Everfree Forest of yours.” “I see,” said Berry calmly. “I’m so sorry.” She cautiously climbed atop Burns’ lap and wrapped her forehooves around his chest. Burns returned the hug, and let his head rest on that of the mare. Her mane smelled of berries. It was a sweet smell, and Burns couldn’t help but smile. He smiled as he leaned back against the wall and drew a relaxed sigh. Berry watched the man, and asked, “are you okay?” Burns nodded. “I’m fine,” said he, “great, even.” “Why’s that?” The mulberry mare craned her head towards Burns in anticipation. “Well,” explained the man, “I’m relaxed here; completely relaxed. And, where I’m from, there was a war, a massive, bloody war from which nobody was safe. Being in the midst, I couldn’t go to sleep without worrying what I’d wake up to, if I did at all.” He looked around and continued, “I haven’t been able to relax, with little to no worry about my own life, for many years.” The small mare took in her guest’s words and said in return, “I.. I’m sorry.” With a few more seconds of thought, she added, “I couldn’t imagine what such a life is like.” “And I couldn’t possibly ask you to,” said Burns. “But, all that matters at this moment is that there’s no need for worry. I’m a guest at the home of a pastel-coloured talking horse in a world of pastel-coloured talking horses, and I couldn’t be more content. Thank you, Berry Punch.” His voice had shifted from one of calm reminiscence to deep sincerity as he thanked the small mare. He looked to the ceiling fan in the room, and sighed again in relaxation. Berry, without much more to do, started to tidy up the medical supplies, throwing the disposable things away, and general cleaning. “Hmm, what is this?” said she, looking to the device the creature had been holding, which was now lying on the carpet. She picked it up in her hooves, and it was very heavy. “What’s what?” asked Burns as he looked down, his heart skipping a beat at what he saw. “NO!” shouted he as he dove onto the floor and grabbed his device from the mare’s hooves. He sat up and reprimanded the small pony. “Don’t touch this! It’s dangerous!” Berry backed away quickly, tears in her eyes. “I.. I’m sorry,” said she, “I didn’t know!” As she finished her statement, she began bawling loudly, obviously hurt by Burns’ harshness. “Oi, oi,” pleaded Burns, holding his hands on the mare’s shoulders, “it’s alright, Berry. Just, please stop crying.” As soon as the mare obeyed, he explained, “I know you didn’t know, but you could have gotten hurt, badly.” Berry continued to sob. “Alright,” said Burns to himself and the mare, “you did it for me, and now it’s time I returned the favour.” With that said, the man embraced Berry tightly, lifting her off of the floor. Berry returned the gesture slowly. Digging her head into the man’s chest, she couldn’t help but cease to be sad. The man’s clothing did little to hold back the warmth that emanated from him, and the mare reveled in it for a few seconds. “I’m sorry,” said Burns tenderly, “I’m so very very sorry. I shouldn’t snap at my host; it’s simply rude.” Berry Punch giggled at the joke, and Burns drew a sigh of relief. Berry sniffled and wiped away the rest of her tears. “O.. okay,” stammered she, “but what is that thing?” She pointed a hoof to the device as she asked. Burns took a sigh, and then held the device in front of Berry. “It’s called a gun,” informed he. “And what does it do?” asked the mare, not satisfied with the man’s answer. Burns thought, and then gave a rather raw explanation. “Basically,” said he, “it hurts things. Whatever I point it at, I can hurt with a pull of this trigger.” he motioned with his finger towards the weapon’s trigger. “So,” began Berry again, “if it hurts things, then why do you carry it?” “Because, My Little Pony,” answered he, “there are things where I’m from that need to be hurt.” Then, a knock on Berry’s front door interrupted the discussion. “Don’t worry,” assured the mare as she left the hug and dropped to her hooves, “I’ll get it.” With that, she walked out to greet their guest.