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// -39- The Guest 
// Story: The Anthropologist 
// by Weavers of Dreams 
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"Don't be so disgruntled," Lyra chided Henry as they trotted along the street on their way to her home. She had taken him to the local deli and allowed him to order a large sandwich filled with whatever fillings he wanted. Though needing a little encouragement, he managed to actually create a sandwich that would make most grown stallion's green with envy. Lyra was rather impressed anyway.

But, to his great dismay, he was unable to hold it properly. Most foods an earth pony or pegasus could just bend down and eat off the plate, but a sandwich, particularly his sandwich, had its own etiquette standards. This resulted in Lyra having to assist him in this endeavor, delivering a small blow to his young ego.

"I'm sorry you had to suffer through some minor embarrassment," she apologized, "but you needed to eat something. The only one who saw was the nice mare behind the counter, and she's not going to tell anyone."

Of course she wasn't. After Lyra had made a very imposing threat involving rats, parasprites, a mariachi band, and a homeless drunk cow, the deli worker was all too eager to keep quiet.

"Thank you," Henry said after a long pause.

"You're very welcome," the mare chuckled. "It's a small town, and it would leave a bad impression if an embarrassing situation like that spread around. Though, in hindsight, maybe I should have chosen a more earth pony-ish dish."

"Thanks for lunch too."

Lyra rolled her eyes with a broad smile. "It was my pleasure. Though, I must say, you're adjusting pretty quickly. I know plenty of adult humans who took weeks just to come to terms that they were in a different world."

He didn't answer, instead he lowered himself down until his chin was resting on the back of her neck.

"Oh, you're tired. I see. Home's just ahead, try and stay awake just a little longer."

And so it was, she simply turned left and was walking up the short stone path to the door.

"Bonny, ya home?" she called out after closing the door behind her.

There was the sound of hooves in the kitchen. "Lyra? What are you doing home so early?"

"Gee," Lyra teased, "I thought I was welcome."

"Knock it off, Lyra."

She chuckled. "Well, it was a very slow day. No new appointments, no humans suddenly appearing out of nowhere... except one. We have a houseguest by the way."

"Oh? Man or woman?"

"A little boy."

There was the clatter of a dropped utensil and the sound of fast approaching hooves. The creamy confectioner appeared soon after, a look of concern on her face. Which turned into confusion.

"Um, Lyra," she began turning in a small circle, "if I'm not mistaken, shouldn't there be a small human somewhere around here?"

Lyra held back her laughter and grabbed Henry in her magic, levitating him over to Bon Bon. "He's a little bit smaller at the moment."

Maternal instincts well in effect, the mare reached out her hooves and pulled the child into a gentle hug. "You poor thing. You must be so frightened. Have you eaten?"

"Yes," Henry answered tartly, crossing his hooves and looking at Lyra.

Bon Bon looked confused again.

"Doctor patient confidentiality," Lyra said, raising a hoof. "But, yes, I ensured he had plenty to eat, after taking him to a routine medical check-up."

"Ah, good," the other mare smiled as she smoothly slid the colt down onto the floor. "Now... um... name, please?"

"Henry Mindell," he responded immediately.

"Alright then, Henry, what's your favorite color?"

"Green."

"We have green sheets," Bon Bon thought aloud. "Would you like green blankets with that, or would you prefer blue to add some character?"

"Th-that sou-ounds fine," Henry yawned, eliciting a giggle from the mare.

"I'll to stop pestering you with questions, and just lay out some cushions under the kotatsu for you." Bon Bon got up to go fetch said cushions. "I'll set up the guest room while you rest."

"Your wife sure is nice," Henry complimented Lyra. Both mares froze.

"Woah-woah, woah-woah, kid," Lyra yelped in surprise, eyes wide open. "Hold on. She is not my wife. Let's brush that bit of nonsense out the door, right now."

"Agreed," Bon Bon coughed, trying not to choke up a lung. She noticed the colt's cowed state. "Now-now, no need to be frightened, Henry. We're not upset. Just caught unaware. So, let's just skip the lecture and go right out and say... I'm straight."

"As am I," Lyra said, lowering herself to eyelevel with Henry, so as to make him more comfortable. "It's big boys for these girls, and all that entails. And, what tails some of them have, heehee, ouch."

"No innuendos, Lyra, he's just a little boy," Bon Bon chided after giving her horn a good firm tap.

As for Henry, he sat there, head tilted to side with a confused expression on his face as he watch Lyra rub her sore appendage.

"You're a girl?"

Lyra froze, feeling a mixture of horror and emotional pain. She almost felt like crying.