Tracy stumbled inside, heart still racing and head pounding. He smacked the door closed behind him, securing both locks. He slid against the cold metal, flopping weakly to the floor.
Someone knew. Not his Ely friends, who had no interest in revealing his secret. Steven, who was always worried about visas, whose family was a thousand miles away and who basically lived in his cubicle.
This is the beginning of the end. This is when the men in black show up to burn the whole block to the ground and erase all our memories. If there was enough magic in the world for portals to open to other universes, someone had to be dealing with it, right? Now the secret would be out.
Tracy locked the inner door, lifting his phone carefully onto the table in front of him. He could think of only one way to hedge this off. It was probably doomed, but that didn't mean he wouldn't try.
Steven's phone was trashed, after all. But so long as he stayed inside the house, signals from his world reached in here just fine. So he called his boss.
Janet answered after exactly two rings, same as she always did. "Tracy? How's it going?"
"Recovering," he said. "Listen, you... probably know this, but Steven was just here."
There was a brief pause. "I sent him to see how you were doing. You sound like something's wrong."
He nodded, then realized that was stupid. The day he accidentally pressed video call, God have mercy on his soul. "Yeah, it's... look, keep an eye on him when he gets back. He freaked the hell out in front of me, some kind of... nervous episode. Felt like crunch had really been getting to him."
There was a long silence on the other end. "That's the kind of thing better taken up with HR. I keep telling corporate they're pushing us too hard. But launch day waits for no man." She sighed, and he heard her expensive chair springs shifting and adjusting.
"Did he talk to you about going remote? I'm not sure if you'd prefer to do things that way while you heal up. And if I'm about to lose my other draftsman for a few days of wellness leave, I'll need someone to pick up the slack. Can you still work with one arm?"
"Not fast," he admitted. Though even if he had both forelegs, his work would've suffered. The laptop's magically modified interfaces worked well enough, but human hands were just better. Maybe if he'd been a unicorn... "But I'm willing to try it. I've got pretty good hardware here already, if you want to send me license codes for Autodesk."
Rose emerged from the stairs, a robe on over her shoulders. She took one look at the phone, and didn't speak, though she did stop just a few feet away.
"Appreciate the attitude, but no. Work files don't leave work computers. I'll bring you a laptop after work—they're upgrading the department anyway, you can just be the first. Well, second. I got the first one."
He winced, mind spinning as he reached for any excuse he could find. For better or worse, Steven wasn't terribly articulate, and had about as much clout at the company as Tracy did. But if Janet saw him, he would have to convince her or give himself up as doomed.
All that's assuming Steven doesn't bring the police here, or something worse. Maybe Shane was right, maybe he should run as far away from the door as possible.
But Discord would still be expecting rent. I should've paid the whole year. Did he have three months’ rent in savings by now? He'd have to check into that.
"I'll see you after work," Janet went on. "Oh, and if she's around, I'd like to meet your girlfriend. I know how hard it can be to take care of someone with a serious injury—she deserves a medal."
"I can be there!" Rose said from over his shoulder. "No problem!"
"She heard that? Great, I guess. But don't forget your NDA while working from home, Tracy."
"I know," he said flatly. "I haven't."
"Good to hear. See you tonight." The phone clicked, then fell silent.
Tracy took a slow, deliberate breath, turning towards Rose. "You know what you just agreed to, right? You can't meet her in here. You'll have to visit my world."
Rose shrugged. "I thought you said your boss would be fine with Equestria."
"She..." He looked away. "She might've been, before. But someone else from work saw me. If anyone else finds out, it's gonna be... it's probably going to be hell either way. But the more people know, the worse it gets. If somehow they don't drag me away before dinner, I'm not going to make it worse."
Rose considered that. He tensed, preparing for the argument, or at least the deflection. She'd been putting off the cross to his side for months. How would she do it this time?
"After work," she began. "Is that... that's around dinner time, right?"
"Breakfast over here, but yeah." He glanced at the phone again. "About six hours from now. Maybe seven, since she'll take some time in getting here."
Rose smiled nervously. "I did promise I'd let you take me on a date over there. We could go after she leaves."
She leaned forward, resting one hoof on his shoulder. "It doesn't have to be as fancy as Canterlot. I kinda... hoped it wouldn't be. I want to see what things are normally like in your world, not where you go for special stuff."
You've been waiting for an excuse, he realized.
"I... Sure, I guess." He sat up, mind running rapidly now. "We can't let her see us leave the house. We'll have to be waiting for her before she gets here..." There was some lawn furniture outside, shared with the neighbors. He'd never actually seen any of it used.
"If you're sure," he said again. "I'll make some arrangements. But I'm going to need you to promise a few things. First, you have to be careful with what you tell Janet. Can't tell her you're a pony, can't tell her about Equestria."
She nodded once. "I understand."
He silenced her with his hoof. "Second part probably won't matter. But if I say so, you need to be ready to run back into Equestria and not look back. Can you do that?"
She nodded again. "Are you worried about something?"
"Yes. I told you—my friend who visited saw me. It might make this whole thing pointless, depending on what he tells Janet, and who she believes. But if the human authorities get involved, I don't want you getting hurt. Forget about me, run right back here, and lock the door tight. I have a feeling Discord's new security will deal with any intruders."
Rose nodded, though her confidence was melting rapidly. He could probably press that angle, maybe scare her away from the attempt. It was probably the worst possible day to make the trip. But if he did that, she might never visit Earth. He'd never get to see what she looked like.
"You said six hours? If you don't mind... I'm going to get some sleep. You should too." She turned, flicking her tail at him.
The gesture was as deliberate as ever, but for once he was too distracted to stare. "I'm not tired anymore," he said. "Besides, I might need to be up if something happens. Just remember, you have to be dressed first. It's not 'fancy' on my side, it's essential."
She nodded, stalking back up the stairs. With as much nervous fear as he felt, he could only wonder if Discord was somehow behind all this. He was furious with Tracy over the loss of potential thralls, he knew that much. Maybe this was his way of getting even.
What was Tracy supposed to do, ask?
He spent the next few hours searching for places he could take Rose. Assuming he wasn't dragged off by the SCP before nightfall, he needed to make the date count.
Just like that, it was clocking out time at work, and time to prepare for Janet's arrival. Rose appeared from the stairs at almost that exact moment, grinning at him.
She was gorgeous, but that hadn't changed. The dress didn't have as many layers as the one she'd worn to Canterlot, but that didn't matter. Despite all known laws of aviation, the clothes only made her seem more attractive. How could she do that?
"We have to wait for her on the other side, don't we? I thought I might want to cross a little before she got there. I should've done this days ago, but..." She shrugged. "I'm not as brave as you are. Going on adventures into other worlds was never my thing. That's why we keep the Elements around."
They walked to the outer door together, and Tracy stopped just beside it. "I'll go first. But once I open it, you have to come too. If you stand on this side, people nearby could see you. Straight out, okay?"
She nodded nervously, touching her head against his. "We're the same ponies on that side, right? You don't turn into someone else?"
So close to her, he could feel her racing heartbeat where her skin met his. She was terrified. "Yes," he said, without hesitation. "I did this every day, Rose. You don't—" Then he stopped. He wanted to say that crossing didn't change anything about the way he thought. But it wasn't true. He hadn't had a steak in the last four months.
"You don't what?" she prompted, forcing him to meet her eyes. "What is it, Tracy? Tell me everything."
"I feel more like a pony, even on that side," he said lamely. "It's mostly been food. Some of my old favorite foods make me queasy, and I don't know why. I looked it up, even. Horses can eat meat, it's just that they—"
Her eyes narrowed. "I'm not asking about the menu! Just promise I'll still be me, that's all."
"You will be," he said, more confidently this time. "I still feel like the same person I was when I moved in. I assume it's the same in both directions."
"Alright then." She patted him once on the shoulder. "Then let's go. I have the whole day for this, but Daisy made me promise to tell her everything. We have to get some good stories out there."
"Whatever happens, I think we'll manage that." Tracy didn't fling the door all the way open, even if he didn't have as much dexterity with one leg in a sling. He opened it about a foot, then stepped out through the gap.
Curiously, he felt the same vertigo he had earlier, even though he wasn't rushing this time. His head swam, and he touched the wall with his good hand, steadying himself. He didn't turn around, instead standing in the opening and scanning their surroundings for danger.
There were no mysterious unmarked vans, or circle of a dozen police. The street looked the same as ever, in fact. He'd remembered a jacket this time, so he didn't even shiver in the cold. "Looks good," he said. "She's not here yet."
Rose made a nervous squeaking sound, muttering to herself. "Now or never, now or never, now or never..." She stumbled out abruptly, so fast she smacked into his back. He backed away, but managed not to fall over. He'd been doing two legs for his whole life, he could manage it now!
Then he saw her. Her clothes had transformed as seamlessly as his own, into a strapless green dress. She wore ribbons in her hair, which streamed down her back in a protrusion of impossible reds.
It was a beauty the Earth had never seen, a pale unseelie queen come to dance in the meadows and make all the flowers bloom.
She stared back at him, lips quavering. She stared down at slender arms, flexing her fingers like they were the gloves of an EVA suit. "That bad, huh?"
He answered the only way he could think of; he kissed her.
Well Rose looks lovely, and good job by Tracy getting out ahead of the drama.
Better think fast, Tracy!
Well, THAT all assumes anybody ever believes Steven enough to go and investigate it for themselves, or Steven ever dares to get more involved in the matter than he already has (and considering how terrified he is, that doesn't seem especially likely just yet).
Wuh-oh. Okay, that might be a problem.
I mean, it makes sense. Give herself that extra justification to commit to it and all.
You know, a part of me actually kind of does want to see that? Because, knowing Discord, it'd probably be amusing. He may be sadistic, but doesn't mean he doesn't also try to make it fun...for himself at least.
And risk giving Discord ideas if he's actually not behind it?
...knock on wood...
Well, so far so good, then. Hopefully that remains the trend.
Another straightforward chapter today, which seems a little weird considering the subject material, but can't really think of anything else to say that hasn't already been said before.
10577605
Okay, that was perfect.
amazing chapter.
Looks like one of two things is about to happen. Either the shit's going to hit the fan, or the fit's going to hit the shan. Whichever way Discord gets the biggest laugh out of, I would think.
Rose had hands! Lyra is going to be jealous!
Hmm. Might wanna make sure she has a full outfit. Shoes are necessary too
Hot damn, Rose is a looker. Gonna have to explain that two-toned hair, though— all the
maresladies are gonna be jealous and want tips. ("It's just my natural hair." "BULLSHIT.")Now to see how quickly she acclimates to walking on two legs.
Unseelie? Why, that description typical for a seelie, a Light Court, not a Dark Court.
Is the world ready for ponies? Janet will certainly come to the conclusion that Rose is a primary reason why he hasn't been as work oriented as he could have been.
Of course "It was a beauty the Earth had never seen, a pale unseelie queen come to dance in the meadows and make all the flowers bloom," could be a symptom of an unreliable narrator.
Unseelie?
The negatively-driven Fae?
I think you probably meant Seelie.
I'm curious to see how this will go. I wouldn't be surprised if Discord has manipulated things to place Tracy in awkward situations.
Hmm, how dexterous are his wing-fingers? They any good on a keyboard?
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Unseelie works fine -- I am certain Steven would go with that monicker. The unearthly beauty would probably heart attack the poor guy. In essence she is just so over the top that it is alien, jaw-dropping, and ... unseelie...
She could certainly get a modelling job on this side of the mirror for more bits than her flower shop would ever net.
I guess she could look pretty fly... but I think that's a typo?
So she's an 10 then? I'd say 11 but that's uncomfortably beautiful. (it exists and according to her it's actually a curse.)
10577714
Except the Unseelie were harbingers of Death, Decay, Toxicity and so forth.
The Seelie were of Life, Growth, cleansing, etcetera.
Spring and Autumn, to oversimplify.
i.imgur.com/Eh3EYOD.jpg
10577753
her eyes actually kind of work there... You should have left his as is to make it weird
Now for the part where Janet insists they go inside to go over things and get setup.
10577753
Tracy looks like a cyclops.
10577727
Nope, not a typo. It's bee-cause she's bee-autiful.
I'm not sorry.
Boy, human Rose sure is pretty~
I get it, though. Human hands suck.
I think this is our first look at human Spark Gap, innit? He's pretty cute, too.
Awwwww you can be romantic!
Tracy is going to have to fend off all the lookers Rose will get. Janet will lose her mind!
Nice Evangelion ref there too. I haven't watched the original series in ages but lookin forward to seeing what they do with the final reboot movie. They just had to make Shinji back to the way he was in the third movie.
10577714
10577730
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classifications_of_fairies#:~:text=The%20Seelie%20Court%20were%20described,could%20be%20prone%20to%20mischief.
A little more complicated than that but kinda yes.
Unseelie is very not apt for her description.
10577780
At the very least she'll insist he take the laptop inside instead of bringing it with on date night.
10577712
Considering his keyboard has shifted to work with hooves, probably not well?
Welcome to Earth! Might be the art style but she does look a little muscular. Then again she is Earth pony.
You watch too many movies, Tracy.
Might be a liability but if he has his own personal issues, he probably wouldn't risk bringing attention to himself, if not sound crazy to everyone.
I honestly don't know what a realistic first contact would be. No doubt such a situation would be treated with caution but curiosity might also lead to meaningful contact.
Got it wrong again. Tracy would be amnesticized, Rose would be amnesticized and returned, and the house secured and made to look as innocuous as possible. Sure Discord might make things interesting because no doubt he wouldn't want people interfering with his tenet but that'll just up the object classification one or two bits.
Unless, of course the date ends in a hotel bed where Rose and Tracy try certain things out.
I can begin to imagine the sort of exotic appearances the children of a Tracy-Rose union would have. It would be interesting if Discord allowed or was allowed long-term contact instead of this temporary project. No doubt a few generations of human-pony intermingling would change both sides forever.
10577873
If Rose ends up pregnant Discord would have a hot mess on his hands from both parents and a seriously angry Princess of Love if they had to split
Hopefully Janet doesn't insist on setting it up inside.
10577968
Capitalism simping is eternal.
I'm working poor - I know how bad it is, and if anything happened to me I'd be screwed. I've already had several close calls that in another country would have been survivable if I had been in a health crisis. I stand by what I said.
Okay, that art is incredible. I absolutely love it, the art is a highlight of this story, but that’s the first time we’ve seen human art, and it doesn’t pale in comparison.
10577985
We actually saw Spark Gap's friends as human in an earlier chapter, but this is the first of the main character, I believe.
You know if Rose is a 10 as a human, I wonder what Fluttershy, Rarity, or say Fleur would rate as a human? It could be scary. I mean if the average pony is a 9 as a human, and some even above 10, you'd have guys lined up around the corner for dates, relationships, and marriages to ponies if there was a permanent portal.
That is some awesome art however I feel the background doesn’t really match up to what we’ve been described about that area the house is in looks more like they walked out of an apartment building in NY.
Bronies are asking that question for years...
Good, because that is the only appropriate response.
10577753
Still no idea why you are doing this, but I'm glad you do.
Once this story is over consider making a collection of those.
You just HAD to reference that movie, didn't you? I was having such a good time, and then you reference the FYAYING Bee Movie.
You're lucky I'm a sucker for good art.
I like roses hair it looks good
Whew, what a place to catch up on chapters at. Really enjoyed this so far! Discord as an illusive landlord is something I never knew I needed in my life. =D
And she's finally on Earth.
Well, this should make for quite the experience for Rose. Looking forward to the date. A lot could go wrong; here's hoping it doesn't.
I was expecting her to fall, to stumble, going from four legs to two legs. I guess... neural motility adjustments and homuncular grace are part of the transformation?
10577818
I did say that I oversimplified.
10578220
Don't see why not. It happened to him after all.
10578229
You did! I thought it was the Spring/Autumn comparison you were saying was oversimplified. My bad.
10577687
Being described by a bat?
Hehe, Janet will take one look at her and go, "*whistle* alright, I can see why you've been getting so distracted..."
10577873
You know, you reminded me of an exchange from another fic.
I think that kind of thinking would prevail if the government ever found out.
Buttercup from PPG gonna want her dress back Rose
10578241
The Spring/Autumn was just a summarisation, but I meant the whole thing was oversimplified.
Also, I can already imagine Janet being all *looks at Rose* "Oh, now you being weird the last nine months makes sense."
10578400
I mean...
*gestures to the current US government*