Lunch shouldn’t have been that exciting, really. Rose could’ve eaten at the stands with her sisters the way she usually did, but she wanted a little privacy. It was hard to stand out there selling flowers and listening to Lily completely ignoring the obvious signs of their ship sinking.
At first she was pleasantly surprised to see her new roommate was still awake, and that she might be able to learn a little more about him. Then she saw what was behind him, and was entirely overwhelmed.
Screaming usually helped when something crazy happened—which was more often than not in Ponyville. Screaming got the attention of the authorities, and gave her a second to compose herself.
The bat had opened the large package they’d had sitting in the living room, and it was… something incredible. Possibly it was the most advanced bit of magic she’d ever seen, a far-seeing spell that showed… creatures, fighting and dying in perfect clarity. He really was a guard. He has some secret assignment from the princess, and he’s watching the enemies of Equestria from afar.
“Sweet Celestia, we have to help them!” She hurried past her forgotten lunch, over to the side of the far-seeing spell. Its surface didn’t seem terribly magical to her, so it probably didn’t go both ways. Not that she’d want it to—she wasn’t the kind of pony who would go help. But Ponyville had some she could call.
The spell stopped, capturing the purple-faced creature in gigantic size and frightening visage. Like he was looking directly at her. The pony called Tracing removed his foreleg from a machine, then met her eyes. “No one is in danger.”
“What are you talking about?” She was hyperventilating now, gesturing urgently at the spell. “That thing just… hurt… whatever those are.”
He reached to the side, and the spell ended. The far-seer became just another flat surface, faintly reflecting the inside of the room. The bat rose to his hooves, watching her with—frustration? Why don’t you care? What kind of guard are you?
“This is a movie. Do you not have movies here?” He lowered his voice, but like most bats he seemed to think that his low muttering was too quiet for her. Unfortunately for him, she was still close enough. “Christ it’s like that train arrival thing from the eighteen-hundreds.”
That only confused her even more, but she didn’t question him. The bat had started pacing now, glancing between her and the television. “Look, I’m not sure if I’m allowed to… fuck it, why should I care?” More words that made no sense, though maybe he was just mispronouncing his vulgarity? That wouldn’t be very dignified and proper for a royal guard, even if he wasn’t on duty!
“I was just watching a movie. A… play. Do you have plays?”
She nodded. “You mean like… Briddleway?” She raised an eyebrow. “Sure, ponies put on costumes and… but that wasn’t a play at all! It was real!”
“No.” He settled down on his haunches, sighing deeply. She recognized that look too—like most bats, staying up during the day took effort from him. He was probably just staying up a little for the weekend. “It’s just a very convincing fake. It’s supposed to seem real, so you can enjoy the story more. But it isn’t. No one is hurt, and none of the stuff in it is real. Just pretend.”
That sounds an awful lot like what you’d say if you didn’t want to scare me. But it wouldn’t be polite to just call him a liar. She barely even knew this pony, there was no reason to suspect he wasn’t honest. Maybe she could invite him to tell the truth? “Why would you want to watch a play about creatures getting…” She swallowed, feeling sick. “Hurt? What a nightmare.”
The pony only shrugged, picking up the spell’s manipulator and settling it beside the enchanted view frame. “That’s not what it’s about, really. Movies are…” He shook his head. “I dunno, overcoming adversity? Cool special effects. It’s not about people getting killed. Okay, maybe this one is a little bit, but that’s because it’s about a villain trying to end overpopulation by killing half the life of…”
Rose backed away from him, eyes widening. Movies about… Tirek? No, worse. The purple thing wasn’t stealing magic, it was far crueler than that. “That sounds horrible. What part of Equestria makes… those?” She still wasn’t sure she believed him, but he hadn’t shown any of the usual signs of dishonesty.
“Nowhere.” He glanced towards the back door. “But thanks for telling me where this is. ‘Equestria,’ huh? Your country is a pun, that’s fantastic.” He turned for the stairs. “I’m going to bed.”
“Nowhere?” She followed him to the stairs, glaring up after him. And that was the only reason she followed him, there weren’t any others. “What does that mean, Tracing? They had to come from somewhere… everything comes from somewhere!”
Things were edging far enough into the esoteric that she felt out of her depth. She needed Lyra for this conversation. Or maybe her conspicuously competent fiancé.
The bat stopped, turning towards her—and nearly falling on his face. He caught himself on the banister, flaring both wings instinctively. Like a foal, or somepony who had too much to drink. But he doesn’t smell drunk. “Tracy,” he declared, as though that meant something. “And yes, they do come from somewhere. The same place I come from, out that door.”
He pointed towards the shut door to the back of the house. “My world, your world. I know, it’s fucking confusing. I’m still trying to process it myself. But if it’s any consolation, I probably won’t be sticking around all that much. Being a horse is confusing, and I wish people wore more clothes here.”
Rose was so stunned by his response that she hardly noticed his retreat. Soon enough he was back up the stairs, and she heard his bedroom door snap shut, leaving her alone.
My world, your world. The words echoed in her head, not wanting to stick.
But by the time she decided to argue, the bat was already gone. From as exhausted as he sounded, he’d probably be asleep soon, so she wouldn’t be getting any answers just now.
She should finish her lunch so she could get back to the stand, but Rose’s curiosity couldn’t be shoved aside quite so easily. Her roommate had just made a claim even more absurd than what he said about “movies.”
Rose slunk over to the second door, glancing around as though she expected somepony to be waiting there to order her to turn around before she could reach it. Her landlord had warned her against going back there—but she didn’t have to go outside, right?
I’m just going to see if I’m living with a liar, that’s all. Look through the door, see that it’s the vacant lot, and I’m done.
Rose pushed the door open, staring beyond at the inner hallway. There was very little to see, just a drab tile hallway leading to a door. The window beside it was a little too fancy for the back of the house, maybe; stained glass instead of clear. Even so, what she saw beyond was enough to give her pause.
There was no sunlight streaming through that window, exactly like the bat’s bedroom window. The same spell? Or much more likely, it supported what he said. A different world. The bat doesn’t even come from Equestria.
There was only one way to be sure, though. Rose reached the door, took the knob in her mouth, and pulled it open.
There was no vacant lot outside, no field with hidden patches of poison joke. It was the landlord who’d lied, not her roommate.
It was the dead of night out there, and a strange coastal chill drifted through to make her shiver. Even orange light came from a towering streetlamp high overhead, along with a strangely black street as wide as anything in Canterlot. Massive metal objects sat beside the street, like predators resting until their prey returned with morning.
Roseluck shut the door, then reached up to twist the deadbolt with her mouth. There was little reason to lock the door in Ponyville—if there was any crime, it was the kind of magical disaster that wouldn’t be stopped by a door.
The bat is from another world, and he’s living with me. She couldn’t have said if that made the aloof thestral more interesting to her, or just terrifying. Maybe a little of both?
Rose hurried back across the second door, wishing she could lock that one too. I’ll ask him about it when he wakes up. Maybe that’s why he’s been so unfriendly—he’s new in Equestria. If he’s from somewhere as dangerous as that movie, he’s probably terrified of everything. I would be.
Rose took another look at the seeing spell, staring at the control device. Maybe she didn’t have to wait for the bat to wake up, if she could use the magic of his world to see it.
I don’t have time for this. The flower stand needs me. Rose’s curious new roommate and her lying landlord were both worth investigating—but there was the weekend for that, she didn’t have to do it now. Daisy would want her own time for lunch, and she wouldn’t get it if Rose just didn’t go back to work.
She ate quickly, but not quickly enough for her salad not to feel soggy with dressing. She ground her teeth together in annoyance at another salad ruined. Generally it had been stress that kept her from eating, as she poked at her family’s books to try and find some bits that just weren’t there. At least this time it had been something interesting. Terrifying, yes. But if Roseluck wasn’t at least a little interested in danger, she would’ve moved away from Ponyville years ago.
She tossed most of it, and hurried back to the stand as quickly as she could. There was no danger in Ponyville today, except for the danger that they wouldn’t be selling many flowers. So far, that fear was coming true.
“You took long enough,” Lily said, as Rose slipped under the canvas roof of the stall. “Getting to know your new bat a little better?”
“Got to hurry if you want to make Hearts and Hooves day,” Daisy added unhelpfully.
Rose glared at them both, stomping one hoof. If there were any customers out front, she probably would’ve restrained herself. But as usual, there weren’t. “That wasn’t what I was doing. He’s…” She hesitated. How much should she tell them?
Anything she repeated to Lily would probably be halfway around Ponyville before the day was out. Did she really want ponies finding out she had the door to another world in her house?
Maybe the princess should know about this. Twilight would probably know what to do. But that seemed impolite—she should at least ask the landlord about it before going all the way to the princess. For all she knew Princess Twilight already knew what was going on, and some state secret was involved. That could be why she’d been given such a silly cover story, about dangerous plants growing so close to town.
“He’s what?” Lily skipped closer to her, leering. “Dark and brooding? Secretive and batty?”
“Those are stereotypes,” Rose said, stiffening. “And that’s not very nice. Besides, what’s ‘batty’ even mean? Just take your lunch break, sis. And instead of trying to play matchmaker, think of some ways to sell more flowers.”
Ooh, close one. She didn't actually step outside.
I'm surprised that Discord didn't put any countermeasures in place to prevent ponies from noticing that Tracy's an alien, or stopping them from seeing his world. He's just trusting Roseluck not to do it because he warned her not to?
Unless he's counting on her curiosity to get the better of her. That would certainly lead to more chaos down the road...
I expected Tracy to be more surprised at Roseluck screaming, instead of that, "Oh, how weird" sorta look.
Meh.
----
So, they don't have films? Very interesting.
And, Roseluck almost trying out the TV for herself...
With Magic, they could revolutionize the tech industry and Roseluck's family can get good money?
Very nice!
Also, what scene did Roseluck saw in the movie? From the sound of things, probably the war in Wakanda and the fight with Thanos on that dead planet.
At least its not the snap scene. :D
10147185
I think at this point he's less surprised by Rose's screaming and more confused by it
That is some awesome art, and much appreciated! When I first saw this story I thought it had potential, and I’m not disappointed!
Considering how this must be nearly every other day at Ponyville at least, I bet said authorities get real weary about it real quick...
"Hey guys, a mare was heard screaming two blocks over from here. Sounded like one of flower mares."
*collective groans from all present*
"...I suppose one of us ought to go check it out then...just in case."
"Yeah...I suppose one of us ought to."
*nobody moves for a long moment*
"1-2-3 not it!"
"Not it!"
"Not it!"
"Not it!"
"Not--DARN IT!"
Marvel Studios is feeling rather flattered right about now.
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Oh, it's definitely the latter. He told Tracy straight up he could bring guests to Equestria if he really wanted, he just had to be careful to not bring too many through at a time. I think he fully expects the so-called "secret" to get out eventually.
Art is friggin' fantastic. Good lord. And the dynamic between Tracy and Rose isn't exactly starting off on a great hoof...
Also:
One 'd' for 'bridle'.
10147185
I remember in 'Hurricane Fluttershy' (pretty sure that was the name of the ep) they had reel films when they showed the pegasi how to fly the lake water up to Cloudsdale, but I don't think it's really the same thing.
More often, though...
Okay, the latter two aren't Roseluck, but I think you get the picture.
Quoting from Nox,
All this makes me wonder -- is there a reason Twilight couldn't bring over tech from the Equestria Girls world through the mirror? Or did they not have the same kind of tech? (I'm not particularly familiar with EqG).
In any case, it seems Roseluck is in for a few more revelations, and Discord is going to have some explanations to make.
In case anyone else was wondering what this was referencing, it might be alluding to L'Arrivée d'un train en gare de La Ciotat. From Wikipedia:
This is a rather odd thing to say if Bridleway plays are anything like the Broadway plays here, since I'd imagine this kind of conflict isn't exactly unknown in those.
Busted!
We still don't know what form Discord took when renting out the house to Roseluck, right? And he probably can't pull the "this business/person doesn't exist" thing he did to Tracy because Roseluck is in Ponyville with relatively easy access to Twilight and friends.
10147188
I'm guessing the start of Infinity War when Thanos attacks the ship carrying the Asgardian refugees:
(Disclaimer: I haven't actually watched Infinity War)
Explanation: It's pretty muc a book that you watch instead of read. Instead of using your imagination, the images are provided FOR you.
(Microphone drop)
Geez is Tracy a jerk xP
10147185
Well, they have films, and Ponyville does have a movie theatre, but that's a whole different experience from a TV in your living room.
Ah like this! Another!!
... please. :)
Please sir, I want some more.
Being diametrically offset in time kinda sucks here, the time for being fully awake and chipper is not proving to have good overlap.
You know, Edible Arrangements would probably go really far in Equestria...
Rose sure has a lot to munch on. Will it end up enhancing his allure in her eyes?
Keep going! ;)
Yes, but it's entirely possible that the flower sisters have never set hoof in the local cinema for this exact reason.
In other news, the Secret Monster Intelligence League of Equestria has released an official statement denying its own existence. More at 11.
Ah, the thrill of the exotic.
Not an unreasonable assumption. Just like that mare who keeps showing up at the School of Friendship. Sunspot Skimmer, I think?
In any case, an entirely reasonable reaction. Some people are happier leaving mysteries unsolved and their worlds kept right side up. Though Rose may not be able to enjoy those luxuries for much longer.
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Well it was past midnight for him, after an exhausting day and a frustrating shower. Maybe the morning will see his head a little straighter.
Guess it'll take a couple more days before Tracy wraps his mind around this and opens up to Rose a bit more.
Good thing Rose knows the full extent of the situation. Makes it easier for both people.
Surprised Discord didn't try to import movies into Equestria. This film is probably the first film he'll show. A bit mean-spirited but the reactions would be interesting to see.
Lyra, I would support, being our fanon resident human expert. Bonbon... that one might bring headaches for everyone.
Guess Roseluck is on the clock now if she wants to know him.
You're not wrong there.
Discord would probably tell the truth if you asked him. Why wouldn't he once the cat is out of the bag? Twilight though... will close the property off to the public and study the portal and Tracy closely or deem both unpredictable and possibly dangerous and then return Tracy and attempt to close the portal. Either way, Rose won't see Tracy again.
This was another good chapter and I'm glad to see that Roseluck managed to calm down. I wonder what will happen if she talks to Discord he just might be completely honest for a change. I'm also curious if and when she learns about the landlord being Discord which she probably wouldn't take well.
10147176
They could always be in the contract and he is accruing penalties. An interesting chapter or blog would be his legal document that he signed.
How interesting. One concept I’m interested to see is if the portal’s transformative properties are two way. This chapter left it somewhat ambiguous as Roseluck never crossed the threshold which seems to represent the barrier between the two universes. It would seem logical that if Tracy transforms into the dominant species upon his arrival into Equestria, any Equestrians would experience the same effect upon arriving to Earth, but in all fairness this is Discord we’re talking about, an inherently illogical creature. It will be interesting to see how this piece implements the concept going forward.
I cannot believe that it took me this long to notice this. Have you given any thought On the Implications of Parallel Worlds, and a gate in your backyard? Lyra would would probably love to find out about this :-)
10147579
According to this from Chapter 2, the transformation properties only works with Tracy or those with a contract with Discord.
10147699
The bit you quoted actually shows that anyone who steps through the threshold of the door is subject to the transformative properties. Within it, Discord is noting that if Tracy attempted to bring a squad of police officers into the house, they would be transformed into ponies. The quote above shows what the contract part of your own quote is meant to mean, in which Discord was essentially trying to say that by bringing a multitude of people into the house Tracy would be violating the terms of his lease, and considering that those people wouldn’t have separate contracts with Discord allowing them free access to the property, they would be permanently transformed. That was a bit of a run on sentence but my point is that the quote you brought up actually implies that anyone who steps through the portal will be transformed, they may just not be able to transform back.
Now the question is what are the details of Roseluck’s contract. If there was something in the contract saying she could not go through the back door I could imagine there being some sort of odd punishment, such as no transformation occurring or, similar to the punishment we see for the police in the quote above, a permanent transformation. But the author implies that there is nothing expressly forbidding Roseluck from going out the back door, Discord simply told her she shouldn’t.
Uhh what is his cutiemark? (I blame being half-blind for not being able to see it clearly) also what does it represent while we're at it?
10147786
Hmm... Seems like I failed to convey the right message, let's try that again. XD
What I tried to say was that only Tracy seems to be able to transform two-way from what we've seen. Bringing police officers into the property would change them into ponies, but when they leave, they don't change back like Tracy would.
Certainly should be more careful on my wording next time. Sorry about that.
That is a good question, whether or not she'd be subject to the same rules Tracy's under. Best case scenario she's still a pony on the other side, worst case, she likely transforms permanently.
And it finally starts to take off.
It's a slow burn, but I like it. I'm looking forward to the ride.
10147786
Strictly speaking, the contract only stipulates that the Leasee transforms when entering/exiting the property; it doesn't say anything about whether anyone else would transform, even if they were the one allowed houseguest. It's implied that said houseguest would also transform when entering/exiting (as long as it's within the given time limit), but it's not spelled out as clearly as one might want for a contract.
10147901
Good point. This is Discord of course, so who knows what will happen.
I guess ultimately this all boils down to the nature of the contracts. If Roseluck’s contract doesn’t forbid her from going out the back door, then it is possible she would experience the same two way transformations as Tracy. We do know that Discord told Roseluck not to go back there due to poison joke, but we have no idea how serious he was. Was he just trying to keep her out of there while he set things up on the other end? Or does he actually not want her in the human world? Discord’s motivations are, like the contracts, somewhat ambiguous, and so it’s hard to see what sort of permissions he would give Roseluck.
The questions here are:
Does Discord have anything against Roseluck being in the human world?
What are the specific details of Roseluck’s contract?
With this information my overarching question would be answered. Ultimately though, it is up to the author to decide where they will take this, and I’m excited to see this story as it moves forward.
That was a bit long winded. Sorry!
10147655
Rather, you should not let either Lyra or Twilight find out about this. Or you wouldn't have a peaceful life ever again. (they will transform your house into a lab)
10147970
Indeed, there are still a lot of unknowns that can drive the story in a lot of different ways. Only time will tell!
And no need to worry about long-winded responses; I'm equally guilty of them
10147260
Back in the 80s, Worlds of Fun had this inflatable attraction with a 360 degree projector. Everybody came in, stood in a muddle of about 50 people, and they played a series of movies all around you with suroundsound and various other tricks. The main 'bit' was a fire engine zooming down a narrow road, making sharp turns, and every turn, everybody in the theatre stumbled to the left or leaned to the right, followed by an embarrassed chuckle at the neighbor you had just bumped into.
Then a baby carriage rolls out into the street, and the fire engine slammed on its brakes.
EVERYBODY stumbled forward into the front part of the theatre, tripping and falling down, even the people who had been through it several times. I think somebody eventually got stepped on enough to shut it down, but it was awesome as long as it lasted.
I finally realized. Discord told Roseluck that there was poison joke out in back?
That was his joke. It's not the plant Poison Joke. It's Discord's poison of a joke.
So one thing that upsets me. A day-shift person and a night-shift person are not 12 hours off, with no shared time.
If Tracy comes home, with no time to socialize, and heads off to bed, then in the morning there should be shared social time.
9 hours at work, one hour travel for Tracy, basically minutes for Rose, there should be at least 4 hours shared between morning and night. There should be time to talk and compare notes, unless Tracy is deliberately avoiding the house except to sleep.
10147970
I feel like that contract is explicitly vague on purpose. I know contracts and legalese can be difficult to understand or decipher, but the ones properly written, while perhaps intentionally confusing, are rarely vague on terms, since vagueness suggests a lack of enforceability. Of course Discord isn't a lawyer, and plays by his own rules, particularly since he's the one responsible for enforcement, but still...if only Tracy had bothered to read the fine print first rather than after signing the contract.
10146538
It's still is, nothing was changed in rules :P
Same about Ethernet, etc. If you speak about network as proper noun, it capitalized, if you use in generalized form in place of adjective, it's not
Lyra would have an field day with this...
10147176
I'm sure he is
countinghoping for it.Go ahead and laugh, mister "United."
Why are her friends trying to set her up with stallions?
Oh, he's gonna appreciate that next time he tries to leave.
Hey where is the art on DeviantArt? The link you gave: viwrastupr just goes to viwrastupr's main gallery and I can't find the art there. I want the direct link to the DeviantArt page so I can get the high resolution image.
Oh yes. Bring those two.
He is mysterious and maybe dangerous, definitely the unknown. Oh whatever will a horse the jumps to screaming in all surprising situations do?
Now that raises some eyebrows.
10147529
Yes, it would. HEY, STARSCRIBE, YOU HEAR THAT?! A CHAPTER OR BLOG OF HIS CONTRACT WOULD BE REALLY INTERESTING! HINT, HINT, HINTY HINT HINT. HINT!!!
10149009
"United" isn't a pun, it's an adjective. The United States of America.
10172226
US education for you
10149009
Pretty sure the fiancé being mentioned here is Lily's, not Rose's.
10170631
idk if he would enjoy writing that though. Who gets all excited about writing legal jargon even if it has extra bullsh*t in the form of magic and chaos :P
At the end of the day he needs to enjoy what he writes so it does not burn him out.
10149009
Lyra's fiance.
I'm excited for the Tracy and Roseluck vs. the world when they become friends. Maybe more? (I see that romance tag, not shipping it yet but I am prepared)