The Sixth Day: It's All Fun and Games
You Do (Not) Belong
The Sixth Day: It's All Fun and Games
The door to Golden Oak lit up with magic, easing inwards and allowing Twilight to poke her head inside.
“Spike! We’re back!” she called out as she walked past the threshold, followed by Connor. The unicorn breathed deeply, taking in the comforting, familiar scent of her library, and cantered over to the table in the center to put down the box containing Spike’s present.
Meanwhile, Connor looked around the room, noticing that it was empty. Just as he started to wonder where the dragon was, an excited shout drew his attention to the stairway.
“Twilight!” Spike cried out from the top of the stairs, before he ran down the steps as quickly as his little legs could carry him. He wasted no time rushing right up to the pony and grasping one of her legs in a tight hug. “Twilight, I’m so happy to see you! I got really worried when you didn’t come home last night!”
“Oh, Spike...” Twilight said, shaking her head in amusement as she leaned down to nuzzle him affectionately. “I’m glad to see you, too. I’m surprised, though; didn’t Fluttershy come by to explain everything?”
Spike pulled back, quickly rubbing his face with a claw to remove any evidence that he might have been crying a little. “Uh, well, yeah, she did. But I was still worried. I mean, timberwolves! A whole pack of ‘em!”
“I’m fine too, by the way,” Connor spoke up, waving a hand to get the dragon’s attention.
Spike’s eyes were drawn to him, and with a jolt, he stood up perfectly straight. “Oh, right! Good to see you too, Connor,” he mentioned, sheepishly smoothing back the spines on his head. Connor merely rolled his eyes.
“I’m sorry we made you worry, Spike. But I think this ought to make up for it,” Twilight said with a grin, as she drew Spike’s attention to the box sitting on the table. Using her magic, she levitated it up and brought it to his outstretched claws, his eyes wide with wonder.
“You mean, you really…?” the dragon replied breathlessly, slowly undoing the ribbon on the top of the box. Connor and Twilight stood by and watched as Spike took off the lid and reached inside, pulling out a teal-blue, sapphire-encrusted cupcake. The pupils in his eyes dilating, he held the glittering treat away from himself reverently, as if it would break into a million pieces from the slightest impact. That, and the sublime expression on his face, made it seem like he considered the thing to be a gift from God. “It’s… beautiful…”
“And it’s all yours,” Twilight added with a smirk, while she proceeded to move past him into the library. Meanwhile, Spike’s mouth opened slowly, and he was just about to sink his teeth into the cupcake when the unicorn spoke up again and interrupted him. “By the way, did anything happen around here while we were gone?”
Spike’s eyes shot to Twilight, then he hesitantly lowered the cupcake from his mouth with a modicum of disappointment. “Uh, not really. It was a pretty boring day. The Crusaders came by to take out a book, but that was it.”
Connor cocked his head to the side. “Crusaders?” he asked, his mind conjuring up images of ponies in white robes and chain mail, carrying swords, shields, and flags emblazoned with red crosses.
“Sweetie and her friends,” Twilight explained quickly, but Connor was still confused.
“...I’m still confused,” he said plainly.
Twilight let out a light sigh. “Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, and their friend Scootaloo are the only ones in their class who don’t have cutie marks yet. So they’ve teamed up in trying to figure out what their special talents are,” she told him. “They call themselves the ‘Cutie Mark Crusaders.’”
“Ohhh, I see.” Connor nodded his head in understanding, then chuckled. “That’s actually kinda adorable.”
“Yeah, right. It’s only adorable until they get into trouble because of one of their half-baked schemes.” Twilight bowed her head down in exasperation. “And then it usually falls to me or one of the girls to sort everything out.” She went off in thought for a few seconds, before shaking her head and looking up at her assistant. “What book did they check out of the library, Spike?”
“Whuh?” Spike looked around, his mouth completely stuffed with what used to be the cupcake he was holding only seconds earlier. Hastily, he finished chewing and swallowed it all in one big gulp that could be seen traveling down his scaly throat, then he sighed in satisfaction before he answered. “It was a book about… radios, I think? Like, how to put one together and all that stuff.”
“Really?” Twilight raised an eyebrow skeptically.
“What would a bunch of kids want with a book about radios?” Connor asked.
“Beats me,” Spike said, shrugging his shoulders. “I wasn’t paying a whole lot of attention ‘cuz I was busy looking for Peewee at the time.” The baby dragon perked up a little, as if something just occurred to him. “Yeah… Hey, Twilight? I kinda wanna talk to you about that. Do you have a second?”
“Can it wait until later, Spike? I need your help with something before we set out for the schoolhouse,” she answered.
“Oh, yeah, it’s Wednesday,” Spike said, scratching his chin with a claw. “Sure, Twi. It’s not that important. What do ya need me to do?”
“I need you to send a letter to the Princess,” Twilight told him, and right away, Spike nodded his head and dutifully ran over to a nearby shelf to obtain something to write with.
“While you do that, I think I’m gonna take a shower,” Connor mentioned, pointing a thumb behind him towards the bathroom hallway. He really felt like he could use it, too, since he suspected that he still reeked of sweat and forest grime from the day before.
“Go right ahead. It shouldn’t take too long to get the book delivery ready afterwards,” Twilight said back to him, when she took note of her assistant returning to the center of the room with a quill in one claw and a sheet of parchment in the other. “Ready, Spike?”
“Ready!” Spike replied enthusiastically, putting quill to paper.
As Connor left the foyer and turned down the hall, he didn’t get to hear most of what Twilight dictated to Spike in her letter. All he managed to catch before slipping inside the bathroom and closing the door behind him was the sound of the unicorn loudly clearing her throat, and the very first words of her message: “Dear Princess Celestia…”
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Freshly cleaned and eager to get a move on, Connor spent a couple of minutes after his shower outside of the library, waiting patiently for Twilight to bring the last remaining books out to the tow cart she had set up near the door.
He’d have offered to help if he thought he could make a difference over Twilight’s telekinesis. As it was, Connor was sure he would just get in the way, so he was content to just hang out by the entrance, leaning against the tree’s trunk and keeping himself occupied. He was entertaining himself with thoughts of all the cool stuff he could do if his horn actually did anything besides take up real estate on his head. The ability to move stuff with the power of his mind -- in addition to everything else Equestrian magic was capable of -- would almost make up for being forced to have it in the first place. Almost.
“It would be nice to at least know why you don’t work,” he muttered scornfully to nobody in particular, tapping the side of his now invisible horn.
“Who’re you talking to?”
Connor was snapped out of his ruminations by Twilight’s voice, turning to see her standing just outside the door with a stack of books hovering next to her.
“Nobody, uh...” The teenager scratched the back of his head in embarrassment. “I just talk to myself sometimes.”
“Apparently so,” Twilight noted with a tiny bit of amusement, before shrugging it off like it wasn’t important and returning her attention to her books. She used a hind leg to edge the door closed behind her and walked over to the cart, placing the last of the books on top of the ones she had brought out earlier. “And that’s the last of them.”
“So, you’re really going to hitch yourself up to this thing and pull it?” Connor remarked as he made his way to her side, looking over the wooden-wheeled vehicle dubiously.
Twilight looked up at him with a puzzled expression. “Of course. How else am I going to bring them across town?”
“I dunno, magic?” The human tossed his hands up in a shrug.
Twilight rolled her eyes and stepped to the front of the cart, slotting herself into the harness and securing the straps. “Magic isn’t the solution to everything, and I’m perfectly capable of moving this with pony power.” She allowed herself a private snicker. “Besides, I learned my lesson the last time I tried something like that, and I’m not eager to repeat it.”
“Alright, it’s not a big deal,” Connor said, backing off. Truth be told, he found it a little odd that a pony like her would act so casually about performing the work of a beast of burden. But then again, he figured, in a world where most of the creatures were sentient quadrupeds, what other choice would they have? He was just glad she didn’t expect him to pull it.
Twilight shifted around to make sure the harness was secure around her back and belly, then took a couple of slow steps forward to test it. The cart followed her smoothly, and she nodded with satisfaction. “All set. Let’s go to the schoolhouse.”
“So, what did Spike want to talk about? If it’s okay to ask,” Connor questioned offhandedly as the two of them set off into Ponyville, with the sound of the wooden cart creaking along with them.
Twilight breathed deeply out her nose, like she was concerned about something. “It’s about Peewee. Spike… doesn’t think he can take care of him all on his own anymore.”
“You mean he doesn’t want Peewee?” Connor asked, surprised at this news.
“It’s not that he doesn’t want him.” Twilight shook her head. “I think it’s just too much responsibility for him to handle right now. Spike’s still just a baby himself, even if he doesn’t like to admit it.”
“Maybe he just misses doing this stuff with you. He practically said so himself yesterday, and I am kinda monopolizing your time.”
“Yeah…” Twilight said noncommittally, looking off to the side. “In any case, I told him we could talk more about it later.”
“Mm-hmm.” Connor looked at Twilight for a few seconds, noting that she had her gaze set straight ahead, and seemed to be thinking intently about something. He decided to ask her about it. “What’s the matter? You look a little distracted.”
“Hmm? Oh… it’s nothing,” she said, shaking her head. “I just have a lot on my mind right now.”
“Heh,” Connor chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. “When don’t you?”
“Hmph,” came Twilight’s unamused response.
Not one to be discouraged, Connor put a hand on his side and gave her a slight frown. “Hey, come on, lighten up. It’s gonna be great day!” He cast his arm out, motioning at the town and the liveliness of the activity around them. “The sun is shining, everyone’s happily going about their business, and we get to go play with some school kids later. What’s there to be worried about?”
Twilight turned her head to him, an expression of acute concern on her face. “Are you feeling alright? You seem unusually peppy today.”
“Do I?” Connor said with a grin. Although he had to admit to himself, he was acting a bit more wistfully than usual, especially considering the fact that he still had the horn problem to deal with. He paused for a second to give it some thought. “You know what? It just might have something to do with almost getting mauled by a pack of wolves, and then almost plummeting a hundred feet off a cliff. Two near death experiences in one day kinda puts things in perspective, don’t you think?”
“I suppose that’s one way to put it,” Twilight halfheartedly agreed, slightly unnerved by his choice of words.
“Yeah, I mean, horn and all, as bad as things are…” Connor paused, taking a sharp intake of breath. “Aaaand I’m not going to finish that sentence.”
To that, Twilight couldn’t help but let out a small bout of laughter, which Connor immediately capitalized on.
“There we go. That’s what I wanted to see.” He smiled approvingly. “Happy Twilight is best Twilight.”
“...I think I have a different theory,” said Twilight, as she tried her hardest to ignore her friend’s obvious grammatical misstep. “It’s more likely Pinkie put something in that cupcake you ate.”
“Ha! Maybe.” At that, Connor’s smile fell slightly, and he went quiet for a second. “Wait, would she really do something like that?”
“Who knows? With Pinkie Pie, anything’s possible,” Twilight answered with humor.
“Well, whatever,” Connor said, ending that particular line of conversation.
At this point, it really didn’t matter what the specific cause was; Connor felt good. Optimistic, even. About the day to come, and whatever events this town had in store for him and his furry purple companion. And at that moment, he couldn’t wait to get to the schoolhouse to see Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom, as well as all of their young classmates if they were anything like the fun, downright adorable fillies he’d gotten to know at Pinkie’s party.
It was subtle, but Connor couldn’t help but come to a certain realization.
For the first time since he’d arrived in Equestria, he was actually looking forward to something.
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The air was tense and thick with concentration, the only sounds to be heard being that of pencils scribbling across paper. From behind her desk, Miss Cheerilee stood facing her students arrayed in front of her, each one focused intently on the math quizzes she’d handed out some time earlier. While she had been patiently watching them tackle the assignment, it filled her with no small amount of personal pride to notice one or two of the children put their pencils down early while the rest were taking a little longer to finish.
Not too long, I hope, the cerise-coated mare thought to herself as she glanced up at the clock on the wall. In just a few short minutes, time would be up. “Four more minutes, class,” she cautioned helpfully.
At her announcement, a few faces in the room turned up at her, eyes widening as they absorbed this information, then returned to their quizzes, pencils moving that much quicker. Suddenly, there were a few quick knocks at the schoolhouse door, jarring Cheerilee a bit before she relaxed with realization.
“Oh! That must be Twilight. I’ll be right back, kids.” The teacher turned towards the door and started walking towards it. Resting her hoof on the knob, she craned her neck around to look back at her students. “And remember, no cheating~”
Even as Cheerilee had prepared to leave, the eyes of some of the colts in the back had started to wander off their own papers. Her subtle warning served to correct them however, and with a nod of contentment, the teacher twisted the knob and pulled the door open before slipping past and shutting it behind her.
Outside, just as she was expecting, was the local unicorn librarian standing next to her cart containing this month’s literature. But what she wasn’t expecting was the tall, lanky, two-legged figure standing next to her, admiring the school building until her arrival garnered his attention.
“Good morning, Cheerilee!” Twilight spoke up enthusiastically, and the teacher’s slight distraction, caused by the sight of the human visitor, was immediately replaced by a more welcoming expression.
“Good morning, Twilight,” Cheerilee responded with a friendly smile. “I didn’t know you would be bringing, um… I’m sorry, what was your name, again?”
“Connor,” he answered for her. “Nice to meet you, Miss Cheerilee.”
“Right, Connor. I’ve heard quite a bit about you, and I must say, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you myself. And please, call me Cheerilee. Only my students call me Miss,” the mare said with a casual wave of her hoof. She then turned back towards Twilight. “The kids are finishing up a quiz just now. We can start swapping out those books once I let them go for recess.”
“Works for me,” Twilight said back.
Cheerilee nodded as she turned to the door. “Come on in, don’t be shy!” With Connor and Twilight following a little ways behind, she opened the door again and reentered the schoolroom.
“Alright, pencils down! I’ll be around to collect your quizzes,” Cheerilee called out as she walked, causing a couple of disappointed groans to emanate from the desks near the front of the class. “Oh, don’t worry, I’m sure all of you did great. And guess what? We have a surprise guest today!”
Following her announcement, some of the students’ ears perked up, wondering what she meant by “surprise guest.” As it turns out, they didn’t have long to wonder.
Connor ducked through the doorway, followed by Twilight, as he got a good look at the inside of the building. As far as classrooms went, it looked fairly standard: There was the blackboard, the ever-present big globe, a telescope by the window, and two big shelves along the walls that were crammed full of books and assorted school supplies. And sitting right in the center of the room were twelve small wooden desks, all lined up neatly in rows of four, the occupants of which were now staring right in his direction as wide-eyed wonderment slowly dawned in their features.
Right away he recognized Apple Bloom and Sweetie in the middle, while all around them sat a mix of pony species, fur colors, and genders. Each of the young ponies seemed to have rather distinct physical characteristics compared to the average adult pony, but the effect was probably just exaggerated by their smaller frames. There were some with glasses, some wearing tacky-looking jewelry, a few outliers on the scrawny/bulky spectrum of body types, and all but three had cutie marks adorning their flanks: Apple Bloom, Sweetie, and an orange-coated, purple-maned pegasus filly he assumed to be Scootaloo, rounding out the Cutie Mark Crusaders.
...He still couldn’t get over how ridiculous that group name sounded, but it didn’t matter, for as soon as he was finished making his observations, the class erupted with activity.
“Connor!” the cream-colored Apple filly and her unicorn friend shouted simultaneously as they sprung from their seats and ran up to greet him.
“Wait, that’s the guy you were talking about?” asked Scootaloo, getting up herself along with a majority of her classmates.
“Whoa, hey!” Connor said, grinning and taking a short step back as he was set upon by the cutest mob he’d ever seen.
“He’s really tall...” one of the foals, a thin, beige pegasus, remarked in awe, drawing a heavy bout of nodding from a few of his classmates.
Standing off to the side, a pink earth filly wearing a short tiara held a hoof up next to her grey friend. “He’s kinda freaky-looking,” she whispered quietly, a hint of wariness in her eyes.
“You said it,” her friend said back in the same tone of voice. But Connor didn’t hear their comments over the kids jockeying his attention right in front of him.
“Whatcha doin’ here, Connor?” Bloom asked, looking so excited she was bouncing up and down on her hooves.
Sweetie Belle edged in next to her friend. “Yeah, we haven’t seen you since the party! Are you okay? How’s your head?”
Oh, yeah, they don’t know. Connor thought quickly, knowing he’d have to watch what he said around these ponies. Ponies who’d already demonstrated they were more than willing to talk about him with anyone who’d listen.
The teenager reflexively rubbed the side of his forehead, careful not to accidentally bump into his invisible horn. “I’m… feeling better. Nothing to worry about,” he said to placate them.
“That’s great! Oh, by the way, this is our friend, Scootaloo!” Apple Bloom pointed out, rapidly changing the subject. She reached out a foreleg to the orange pegasus and dragged her over. “Say hi, Scoots!”
Scootaloo reeled for a moment from the sudden movement before she recovered, looking up at Connor with her bright purple eyes. “Uh… hi?”
“Hello,” he returned with a wave of his hand. Meanwhile, Twilight was watching with interest, standing clear of the activity, and Cheerilee was making her rounds on the edge of the crowd of little ponies, rolling her eyes with amusement.
“Class, class. I know you’re all very excited, but please try to calm down,” the teacher cautioned them. “You’ll have plenty of time to get to know each other during recess.”
At the very mention of recess, there was a noticeable change in the demeanors of the students. Any small amount of unsure apprehension they might have been feeling in the presence of this stranger was swept away by the prospect of having some playtime after their grueling test. Moving as one, they all galloped towards the open door, cheering with delight.
“Come on, Connor!” Sweetie beckoned with a flick of her head as she bounded after her classmates.
“Hah! Alright, I’m comin’. Just gimme a second to hang up my jacket,” he told her while he unzipped his coat. He was able to stick it on a hook conveniently located near the door before he felt something tugging incessantly at his pant leg.
“Hurry up! Yer movin’ too slow!” Apple Bloom said, her voice slightly muffled by the denim of his jeans that she had secured between her teeth, playfully tugging him closer to the exit.
“Alright! Jeez, hold your horses!” Connor took a quick second to look back at Twilight, flashing her a sly smirk. “I’ve been waiting forever to use that one. See ya outside!” And with that, him and the Crusaders slipped out of sight, leaving the room almost deafeningly silent compared to moments earlier.
Twilight was left slightly speechless, taking a little while to completely make sense of the whirlwind of activity that had happened around her while Cheerilee returned to her desk, a stack of papers balanced on one hoof.
“...Well,” she finally said, incredulously, for lack of anything better to say.
“I know, isn’t it sweet?” Cheerilee commented with a smile. “I haven’t seen the children this excited since last year’s field trip to Canterlot.”
Twilight moved to peek through the window at the playground behind the school. “They sure seem pretty happy to meet him.”
“Oh, it’s not that surprising, really. After all, foals will be foals,” Cheerilee said knowingly. “Now, the sooner we get those books put away, the sooner we can join them outside. A nice day like this shouldn’t be spent indoors!”
Twilight took a hesitant extra second or two to tear herself away from the window before looking to Cheerilee and smiling. “Of course. Let’s take care of that right away.”
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Just like each time during the months before, the library’s stock was switched out with the previous books in short order, and once the work was done, Cheerilee invited Twilight to chat with her while they sat back and supervised the students enjoying their recess. They exited the schoolhouse, walked around the outside wall, and parked themselves in the grass nearby, affording them a full view of the whole playground and what was taking place there. Even at this distance, the two mares could easily overhear the intense discussion occurring between the children and their new human playmate.
“I think he should be on our team,” Scootaloo spoke up as she grabbed Connor’s arm and pulled him towards the group that included herself, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Twist, and Featherweight.
“Nuh-uh! You guys won the hoofball game yesterday!” Snips shouted back, shaking his head in defiance. He and his partner in crime, Snails, both grabbed ahold of Connor’s other arm and tried to bring him closer to their team. “This time we’re gonna win for sure!”
“But that’s not fair!” The orange pegasus filly was joined by Sweetie in this game of Tug of War. “You have more boys on your team already!”
As entertaining as it was to let this schoolyard drama play out, Connor decided it was time to voice his own opinion instead of staying silent. “Hey, here’s an idea: why don’t I just take turns?”
The grip on his arms loosened slightly as this suggestion was considered.
“Uh, Ah guess that could work,” said Apple Bloom.
“Okay, but only if he’s on our team first!” Snips argued.
“No way! We’ve known him way longer than you!” Sweetie shot back, as the back-and-forth pulling match resumed.
Connor could only roll his eyes and smile, relishing the experience of actually being the one in demand when it came time to pick teams for playground games. That never happened when he was in elementary school himself.
He looked up to notice the two adult ponies sitting back and observing, and he attempted to wave to them, only to realize both his hands were now firmly secured by the two warring groups of brightly colored foals. He settled for flashing them an acknowledging smile before he was inevitably tossed in another direction.
From their vantage point, Cheerilee couldn’t help but raise a hoof to her muzzle and snicker in amusement. “Isn’t that just the cutest thing you’ve ever seen?”
Twilight looked over to the teacher for a moment, then back to the action. “Maybe not the cutest, but it sure is up there,” she said in agreement.
“What a nice young colt Connor is. I’m glad he’s getting along so well with the students. You can tell a lot about someone by how they interact with children, you know,” Cheerilee mentioned offhoofedly. She gave Twilight a gentle nudge with her shoulder. “You’re a pretty lucky mare.”
“Mm-hmm.” It took a second for that statement to sink in for Twilight, and when it did, she did a double-take. “Wait, what? Just what do you mean by that?”
Cheerilee’s smile instantly fell. “You mean you’re not…?” She gave a short, bashful chuckle and waved her hoof. “Oh, I’m so sorry, Twilight! I just assumed that you two were something of an item.”
“What!?” Twilight pulled back as she loudly cried out in surprise. She looked around nervously to make sure her outburst hadn’t drawn any attention, before leaning over and talking again in a lower tone. “That’s-- Why would-- How could you even assume something like that in the first place?”
“Well, to be honest, it’s not a hard conclusion to come to. I’ve heard ponies talking in town.” Cheerilee got a suggestive look in her eyes. “Ever since he arrived, the two of you have been spending all of your time together. You’re even letting him stay in your home.”
“And there’s a very good reason for that,” Twilight explained quickly, folding her forelegs together and tossing her head indignantly. “It’s not what you think, and it’s definitely none of your business.”
“I suppose not, but there’s more to it than that,” the teacher continued. “I’ve also noticed how you’re always sneaking looks at him every chance you get.”
“I’m just trying to make sure he doesn’t get into trouble!” Twilight argued back, starting to feel a little uncomfortable. “You’re reading way too much into this.”
“Twilight, trust me, I know what I’m talking about. I mean, Celestia knows I haven’t had the best of luck in the dating department…” Cheerilee sighed as she remembered one particular incident involving three overzealous fillies and an ill-begotten love potion. “But I’ve spent most of my career working closely with other ponies. I have experience with this kind of thing, and I can tell there’s something going on between you two.”
“There’s nothing ‘between’ us!” Twilight stressed again, flustered.
Cheerilee tilted her head a bit. “But isn’t he your friend?”
“I… Of course he is.” Twilight grew quiet, her eyes starting to drift towards the playground before she redirected them to the ground. “I’m not saying he’s a bad person,” she felt compelled to say. “Far from it, actually. There’s a lot to like about him. He’s compassionate… intelligent… honest… funny-- Well, sometimes. And...”
Twilight trailed off as she thought a little deeper. She found herself thinking back to the day before; about how it made her feel to know the hardship Connor endured for her sake alone. It was something she’d been thinking a lot about recently, and the more she thought about it, the harder she found it to deny one simple conclusion.
“...and he’s a good friend,” she finished, still looking at the ground in an unfocused gaze. Then, she realized how quiet it had gotten aside from the jubilant sounds coming from the students and their game, and she snapped out of it, shaking her head roughly. “But that’s all it is. Just friends, nothing more.”
“Alright, alright, I believe you,” Cheerilee finally conceded, much to Twilight’s relief.
Now that the most uncomfortable part of the conversation was past, something about what Cheerilee said was still bothering the lavender unicorn, and she had the urge to ask a related followup question in a more casual manner.
“How would that even work, by the way: me and him?” she asked, wondering how Cheerilee could find the idea so plausible. “I mean, what with me being a pony, and him being someone from a completely different--” Twilight stopped herself short of uttering the word “world,” and quickly chose a suitable word to replace it. “...species.”
“It shouldn’t really matter, should it?” Cheerilee remarked matter-of-factly. “Now, I realize everyone’s tired of trotting out this example, but Applejack’s cousin Braeburn has been in a steady relationship with that charming buffalo girl for more than a year now. They sure don’t seem to mind.”
“Well, yeah, there’s that... But this is different.”
“How so?”
Twilight wanted to say how there were many ways this was different. How she and Connor were so completely different even in physical characteristics alone. How he had come from a place that was so alien to her she had trouble even imagining it. And most of all, how utterly improbable it was for something like what Cheerilee had suggested to even take place in the short time since she’d met the human, regardless of what transpired since then. The very idea flew in the face of logic and reason.
She looked out onto the playground as she thought about her answer. There, she could see Connor running in a slow jog around the field, a hoofball tucked securely under his arm. She watched as Scootaloo ran up behind him, buzzing her small wings in order to boost her just high enough to wrap her forelegs around him in a tackle. With feigned shock, Connor let himself fall to the ground as the rest of the opposing team dogpiled on top of him, and she could just barely make out his voice ringing out amid the chorus of laughter.
Try as she might, she just couldn’t bring herself to voice any of those reasons.
“...It just is,” Twilight said, and she ended what remained of the conversation by turning away and hoping she hadn’t just opened a can of worms by asking that question.
The unicorn would thankfully be spared from any further discussion on the matter, as the small white form of Sweetie Belle extricated herself from the pile of bodies on the field and started to canter over to the two mares.
“Miss Cheerilee? Can I go inside to use the little filly’s room?” she asked innocently once she got close enough.
Cheerilee smiled sweetly at her student. “Of course you can, Sweetie Belle.”
“Thanks!” the little pony chirped, and she wasted no time in running off around the side of the schoolhouse to go heed the call of nature.
Meanwhile, in trying to get her mind off of the conversation she’d just had, Twilight had a sneaking suspicion as to where Cheerilee’s so-called “experience” was coming from, and made a mental note to make sure not to put any of the library’s cheesy romantic fiction in next month’s book delivery.
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Standing in the doorway of the school building, Cheerilee waved a hoof as she watched Connor and Twilight depart with last month’s book delivery.
“So long! It was nice meeting you!” she called out to them, and they both gave her a wave in return.
There was a flurry of movement from behind the teacher, and now Connor could see the crowd of students jockeying for position in the small space. The Crusaders were near the front, but almost all of their classmates were also present, all of them wearing a mix of cheerful and melancholy expressions.
“Bye, Connor!”
“See ya later!”
“Thanks for playin’ with us!”
“Yeah, thanks!”
“Please come back soon!”
Connor couldn’t help but smile as the foals continued to call out to him, even as Cheerilee attempted to shepherd them back inside the schoolhouse, eventually succeeding and closing the door behind her. He kept looking back at the charming red-painted building as it receded into the distance until his neck started to hurt, and he semi-reluctantly faced forwards again.
He sighed contentedly, looking over at Twilight as she continued to push ahead with her cart of library books in tow. “Man, I’d say that was definitely worth the trip. Thanks so much for letting me tag along.”
“Sure,” Twilight replied shortly, and Connor took her general lack of response as license to continue talking.
“I mean, I never expected to just, you know, hit it off so easily with them,” he rambled on, trying to put words to the incredible amount of good feelings he had left over. The only negative aspect he could think of was when the occasional roughhousing brought forth a complaint from the bruise on his side, but it was a small price to pay for what he took away from the experience. “Did you see those kids? They just couldn’t get enough of me.”
“Yeah… I saw.”
“I can’t remember the last time I had that much fun just playing,” Connor said, not caring in the slightest how childish it sounded.
“Well, I’m glad you enjoyed yourself.” Twilight looked up to see her human friend with his hands behind his head in a carefree manner as he walked along, almost radiating positive energy by the looks of him. She too started to turn a smile at the corners of her mouth, but stopped herself when she was once again reminded of what Cheerilee had said about her, and pointedly set her eyes back on the road.
Her rational side kept reassuring her that the schoolteacher’s “observations” were nothing but baseless conjecture; that it made no sense that she could be developing… feelings for the alien, much less outwardly presenting them. And yet, Twilight couldn’t stop thinking about it for the life of her, like a particularly stubborn mathematical equation lodged in the workings of her mind. It was obviously not true, so why couldn’t she just let it go?
“So, what were you and Cheerilee talking about?”
Connor’s question took Twilight off-guard, and after fully registering what he’d just asked, the mare hesitated a bit before answering.
“Oh, you know… stuff,” she replied, communicating in one sentence how she was not all that interested in discussing the finer points of the conversation with him.
Something that Connor thankfully picked up on, and he let it slide with a shrug of his shoulders. With nothing else to say, really, the two continued on their way back to the library to drop off Twilight’s cart, after which they could move on to the other things on her list of things to do that day.
They carried on in silence as they started making their way through Ponyville just as the noontime rush of activity started to hit, and multiple groups of ponies could be seen going about their business up and down the streets. While Connor was busy taking in the sights and sounds, Twilight was still mulling things over, trying unsuccessfully to think about anything else. It kept gnawing away at her, growing to the point where she felt she had to do or say something, if only in an attempt to sate her own curiosity.
“Um… Connor?” Twilight spoke up suddenly, grabbing his attention.
He looked over in her direction. “Yeah? What’s up?”
“Mind if I ask you something?”
Connor lightly shook his head. “Nope. Go for it.”
“Okay. Kind of a weird question, but… um…” It was too late to back out now. Twilight breathed in and out through her nose before continuing. “Back on Earth, do you have a… marefriend?”
“Marefriend?” The teenager tossed her a confused glance.
“A special somepony,” she clarified. Connor’s expression remained the same, however, and Twilight rolled her eyes before putting it in terms that he could understand. “Significant other.”
Connor’s eyes widened with realization. “Ohhh, you mean a... girlfriend.” He reached up to scratch his neck nervously. “Uh… Well, not that it’s really any of your business, but no, I don’t. Never have.”
“I see,” Twilight said simply, and she left it at that, placing an awkward silence between them as Connor puzzled over her sudden interest in his social life.
“Why do you--”
“No reason. Just curious,” the pony swiftly cut him off.
“Uh-huh.” Connor raised an eyebrow, not the least bit convinced this was the case. It didn’t feel right to just leave it at that, though. His interest piqued, he decided to follow up. “What about you?”
Twilight eyed him suspiciously. “What about me, what?”
“Do you have a ‘special somepony’?” he asked in a slightly glib manner, earning him a chafing glare from the unicorn. “What? You got to ask me, it’s only fair.”
Twilight sighed, having to at least concede that point. “I… No, I don’t either.”
“I see…” Connor said in the same tone she had used as he rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Why not?”
“E-excuse me?” Twilight stuttered, caught off-guard by the question which, if interpreted in a certain way, might have even sounded insulting.
“Well, I’m just saying I’m surprised,” Connor tried explaining himself. It was then that he realized he should have stopped talking a while ago, but now he had Twilight’s full attention. And the look she was giving him communicated in no uncertain terms that he was treading dangerously. “I-I mean, that you don’t… yet.”
“And just what is that supposed to mean?”
Connor could feel his face starting to heat up. “Well, uh, it’s just that… there’s a lot to like... about you.”
He sincerely hoped that he could end it there, but no such luck as Twilight breathed in, preparing to say something. Yet, while he was still expecting her to be annoyed, her tone was instead much more subdued.
“...Like what?” she asked curiously, finding herself keenly interested in finding out what he meant.
“Well… jeez, uh…” Feeling put on the spot, Connor nervously adjusted his glasses. “You’re nice… funny… smart -- like, crazy smart. Uh...”
Man, this is getting awkward, fast. What else can I say? Would it be weird if I also said she was cute? Yeah, that would be kinda weird. Connor’s mind scrambled as it chartered unfamiliar territory, while simultaneously wanting nothing more than to finish his point and be done with it.
“And… you’re an amazing friend. One of the best I’ve ever had. That’s gotta count for something, right?”
For Twilight, Connor’s complements sounded instantly familiar to her ears, and she instinctively looked away in order to mask her embarrassment, as well as the blush that was coming through on her fur.
Trying to make it sound less like he was -- God forbid -- coming on to her, Connor continued talking against his better judgment. “I mean, if I knew someone like you back on Earth...” No! Don’t say that! You’re just making it worse! “...You know what? Let’s just stop talking about this.”
While Connor stuffed his hands inside his empty pockets, resisting the urge to smack his own forehead out of self-flagellation, Twilight couldn’t be more relieved. “Yes, I agree. Let’s do that.”
They continued walking in absolute silence, both of them desperately trying to move on and forget what just happened. But try as he might, Connor couldn’t help but think to himself, Man, what the fuck is wrong with me?
And just a few feet away, Twilight happened to be thinking the exact same thing, albeit with slightly less-colorful language.
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Connor... word of advice: RUN!
*charges off with a whinny* THE SHIPPERS ARE COMING! THE SHIPPERS ARE COMING!
aw man, I hope this doesn't progress in any kind of serious direction. there's few things that'll make me stop reading a fic faster than any kind of serious pony x human romance.
I don't mind some teasing, but... well, I hope it doesn't go beyond that.
Cheerilee's hoof, meet Cheerilee's mouth. You're going to be spending some time in there!!
And that, my brony friends, is bullshit. A well read mare line her? Her thoughts would be much more colourful!!!
Not a lot going on in this chapter...feels kinda like a filler, not that there's anything wrong with that. But we NEED to know what's up with Spike.
I don't care whether or not if it does turn to romance. Just do what you do. and do it right!
Yes, update! Freaking love this story. I wish it would update moar :(
NOOO NOT ANOTHER TWILIGHT STORY
3324121 Everyone, flee for your sanity! Hurry!
Now, while I don't like shipping, at least it's well written- I'll give you that. I'm just not a shipper (or a fan of ships). I've seen plenty of shippings where the grammar and flow is so bad that it makes me shudder, never mind the actual plot (which makes me shudder again, usually.) Thank Celestia that this isn't one of those.
this looks like the kind of story i would love to read....but i have 40 storys im currently reading *deranged laugh* its poetic really i start reading a story and then hate it then come back and love it! i absolutely love this! HEHEHEHEHE fc08.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2013/129/5/2/evil_rainbow_dash_by_ruby1221-d64n8t0.png no fear me for i have slain the mighty dash!!
~Nightmare demon of the shadows
I for one like a bit of romance in stories as long as it has action to temper it. I'm all for a romance between him and Twilight buuuuut, the main obstacle is how you built him. He completely freaked out about the horn it's gonna take some life-changing events to look at Twilight more then a friend. Of course getting almost mauled to death is well on the way. All in all I think you should go ahead and have them start "seeing" each-other in that way. You have my support in this endeavor
If your just teasing then shame on you.
See, this always confuses me. In Hearts and Hooves day, Scootaloo actually says girlfriend in regards to Caramel and his partner
3324121
Coming? Friend, THEY'VE ALREADY ARRIVED!
If you are planning to do any romance stuff in this story. Be a kind man and try to do it at least after few months of him living there. If not year and something at least.
3324605 But when the world needed him most, he vanished.
Good god that's cute.
Innocent comment, or terrifying foreshadowing?
3324178 3324314
In response I ask that you please read the recently added author's note.
3324200
There's nothing "up" with Spike. I'll admit that I kinda wrote myself into a corner including Peewee in the story, because it necessitated him being a factor in what happened to the other characters who live in the library. It conveniently gave me something to keep Spike from being present all the time, but it also meant I had to take Spike's feelings about it into account. In this chapter I'm sort of starting the chain of events that would lead to him returning Peewee to his real parents before the start of Season 3.
Twilight/OC ship! Called it! Thumbs down! This is the worst fic ever now. I hate you author, pulling romance into this story. You are a horrible person for doing that!!!!!
3324903 I KNOOOOWWWW....lol
3324903 Curse you for beating me to it. We must do battle for troll honor! *whips out his rat flail* En garde!
*A human pops into Ponyville through a random portal!* Huh? Ponies? They're weird and alien, but also kinda hot.
*Pinkie Pie jumps up* Hi! Yer new! Let's screw!
*human shrugs* Eh, ok.
And then they had sex and defeated the giant monster, the end!
(A brief summary of every HiE shipping fic)
I really like this fanfic keep them chapters coming!
3325051
*slowly and methodically pulls out a crowbar, striking a dramatic, fear-inspiring pose while tilting my head to look at you*
Yes... Let's...
3325200 Heh heh heh, you underestimate me...
*holds out the rat flail* Bankai...
3.bp.blogspot.com/__nBDalsnbdE/SwGCxVb2fPI/AAAAAAAAACs/hf0_zjVgJXE/s1600/rat+bankai.jpg
3325413
Meh.
*grabs random Master Chief from a nearby dimensional hole*
Can you do this?
screenshots.filesnetwork.com/31/potd/1103077736.jpg
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With JUSRT A FUCKIGN CROWBAR?
3325448 3325413
Guys, please. If you're going to do this, do it in PMs, not taking up half the comments page with irrelevancy.
Oh the people that can't read Author Notes. They make me laugh...at them.
In other news I really enjoyed this chapter. Even if you don't through in a little romance into the story I'm glad you're at least talking about the subject. The topic would come up between the two of them, since they are living together, and it's kinda a natural thing to wonder (at least I think it would be) about when you've been put into a strange new world with different creatures and cutlers...well at least once you stop freaking out about it I mean.
3325465
But but, the art of trolling is at stake here.
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If I recall, you had said in one of the earlier comments on a previous chapter that the focus was going to be solely on Connor and his own feelings. A character analysis, so to speak. So it should come as no surprise that if a human were to find himself trapped in this world, feelings like this would crop up at least once. It's a good idea to explore.
Can I get one of those cupcakes?
3324772
oh, glad to hear it! the author's notes wasn't there when I commented.
3324527 marefriend, girlfriend, special somepony... I am sure there are filly friends and colt friends too. Probably just a slip of the voice actresses tongue, like when a pony says 'hand' or that one time that Twilight said 'Somebody' rather than 'Somepony' (Bonus cookie to first to name the episode in question)
The single
tag is starting to unnerve me... this story could go in any direction...
im beginning to lose interest in this story
3324574 Long ago all of fimfiction lived together in harmony
Then everything changed when the shippers attacked
Only the author, master of all genres could stop them, but when the fic needed him most he vanished
I'm bored. Let's grow another body part.
Augh! I think my heart might have exploded. Twice.
The entire scene at the Schoolhouse was too much cute for one heart to handle. And then you had to salt the wound with flailing romantic/embarrassing feels between Connon and Twilight? We all know those feelings won't actually go anywhere but it's still painfully adorable. I can see those two years down the road sharing a lunch or casual dinner over drinks, never quite a pair but always leaning on each other in times of need, even after Twilight finds a stallion and Connor... well, whatever special someone Connor finds.
(I wonder what femme minotaurs look like? Heh. At least he wouldn't have more horns than she would
).
If this was meant to be a feel-good chapter, you knocked that sucker right out of the park to score a grand slam.
3324583
My exact thoughts. Besides, I cannot see any believable reason for what any of them would feel attracted to each other in that way: Connor is a teen confused alien, who is starting to interact and bound with the natives; still a fish out of water.
Twilight is a twenty-something old, experienced scholar and renowed hero, to whom would make more sense for her to feel attracted to someone more mature and with some more traits in common with her, rather that with the poor, moping kid living in her house.
Note: I´m not against shipping itself, just the circunstances.
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3327028 It is too fast that's the only problem. They really don't know each other. She can't tell how the kid actually act when he is not depressed, angered or scared. Such things needs time even on the platonic sphere of this things. Even if humans were living in Equestria in ancient times and were simply excinct Twi would not be so fast to be atracted to strange looking being. Personality, maybe. But like I said earlier, they don't really know each other. Twi is certainly not a teen anymore, maybe not experienced in dating,love and things like it but I doubt she would be so fast to fall in love with anyone no matter the species or how exciting discovery such a person would be.
nope, We area ll bigots, So Roll out the HATE!!
Jk, I've liked it so far, not a lot can ruin it.
Still loving this. It's one of the truly 'serious' HiE fics on here. I wouldn't leave this even if it did go all mushy. I just look forward to the next chapter.
The only thing that would make me quit this fic is if you tried to include an episode storyline or introduced changelings into the mix. By Celestia's Sun and Luna's moon, I loathe those vile bugs. 
Keep going, I demand more updates.
Yes!! An update to this fic is Always such a joy!
I was going to freak out a little, but then I read the author comments. It's all good.
Am I actually the only one looking forward seeing those two actually going in a romantic relationship?
Keep going this way, I say.
3336090 You're not the only one. Somedays, the only reason for me to shlorp out of bed is for a good shipfic. Love is my life... blood... Good god I'm a changeling! Why didn't I realize this before?!?!
3324378 Eeyup.
Man, that was Spaghetti incarnate.
I could totally see a comedy tag being added...maybe even a slice of life tag. Also, I don't care what happens in the story...as long as it's good, I'll read it!
So far, the only bad thing I seem to have with this story is Spike thinking that he can't look after Peewee anymore, I mean, he's about 14 years old, and is perfectly capable of looking after a pet, and he's not really a baby, even though the producers can't really make up their minds about that, though...
Plus, I didn't really like that "Sidekicks" episode so much anyway, especially since it didn't seem to fit that well with the main storyline and Spike's persona.
However, apart from that, this chapter was okay, I'd like to look at it some more, but I'm low on time, here....
3355621
Well, the main point I'm trying to get across is that he's simply not ready for the responsibility. In almost every episode featuring him, he's always out in town doing things with Twilight or just hanging out and having fun. I purposefully portrayed Peewee as a mischievous, in-constant-need-of-attention type in order to keep Spike out of the picture so I could focus on the dynamic between Connor and Twilight. (Also, someone needs to stay behind and help people when they need something in the library. I always assume that whenever Twilight or Spike isn't present, Owloysius takes care of it. It's not really addressed in the show...)
So Spike can't do any of the things he used to without always keeping an eye on Peewee, and he's understandably bummed about it. Also, while he may be 12-14 years old generally, in dragon terms he's still a baby
3355669
But he actually is ready for responsibility, plus, he's the one looking after the library when Twilight and the others go on their adventures, not to mention what he has to do as Twilight's assistant, plus Owlowiscious is nocturnal and only helps Twilight at night, so helping ponies in the library wouldn't really fit, after all, he sleeps during the day...
Also, he doesn't really hang out and have fun, that was only in the "Service" episode and it was his day off, not to mention having Peewee around to keep him company would actually be of more benefit than hardship, because Spike has plenty of responsibility as Twilight's assistant, so having someone around as an actual friend, would be helpful. You don't really see Spike with any friends of his own, other than the Mane 6, that is... Also, again, he's not a baby, in the "Excess" episode, he goes through a sort of puberty there, and also we learn that dragon growth and maturity is a relative term, that isn't measured by age, much like human maturity....
P. S. I won't be to reply again until a few days or so, depending on what happens...