Music Makes The Heart Grow Fonder

by Yzanburg

Reminiscent Of a Different Time..

Chapter 22

The crisp autumn air was a refreshing change to the warmth that used to be summer. The sun was just beginning to peek above the mountainous horizon as the birds sang their morning chorus. A gentle breeze brushed past and knocked off a few unsettled leaves from the branches above, sweeping them away from their homes and out of sight.

The forest was a peaceful and soothing place in the early light. Dew softly sparkled as the sun crested over the fantastic view, painting the sky a brilliant array of oranges, yellows and reds. A few birds could be seen flying north for the winter, silhouetted by the light of the sun.

A few dead leaves crunched underneath my feet as Fluttershy, Twilight and I made our way through Whitetail Woods.

When I first asked Fluttershy about the prospect of camping, she jumped at the idea, sputtering off all kinds of things about the 'woodland creatures', and the 'adorable little critters' out there. I figured she would feel better if some of her friends came along too but when asked, only Twilight and Spike were free.

We decided to go that following weekend, packing up the night before and setting of in the wee hours of the morning. Spike slept for the first little while on Twilights back as we walked in a tired silence, just listening to the sounds of nature as it woke up around us, sending a feeling of calmness and serenity through out the air.

Walking along the leaf strewn path, I couldn't help but feel that I was being watched. The hair was standing on end at the back of my neck. Taking a quick scan of my surroundings, I noticed a curious looking Twilight staring up at me, seemingly in deep concentration. When she finally noticed my confused gaze, she quickly turned away, a crimson glow flooding her cheeks.

"Something on your mind?" I asked the blushing purple unicorn as we trekked through the now brightly lit forest.

Twilight couched awkwardly, trying to bring the flush out of her cheeks a bit before she replied. "Oh, ahem, yes, there is, actually. It's just that we still know nearly nothing about you or where you came from." She gave me a perturbed look as I scratched my chin in thought, a light layer of stubble pushing it's way through my once smooth skin.

"That's true I guess, although to be fair, no one's really asked about my home, or me for that matter." I gave a sly sidelong glance, bringing another, more embarrassed blush to her face.

"Oh my gosh, I'm sorry! That's so inconsiderate of me! How did I not notice this before?" Twilight was getting really flustered, rambling off all sorts of apologies left and right before I put a hand on her shoulder to calm her down.

"It's alright, Twilight. I haven't exactly been around town all that much any ways. I more or less just stay at the cottage or where ever Fluttershy goes." I looked back and gave The yellow mare in question a grateful smile which she returned in kind before turning her attention back to a passing butterfly, full of blues and greens. "So don't beat yourself up about it. Besides," I said, flashing her another smile, "We've got all weekend for you to ask what ever you want to know."

She smiled at this, the flush in her cheeks finally dissipating completely as she walked with a little skip in her step.

"That sounds like a great idea! Thank you, David!"

"No problem, Twi."

We walked in relative silence after that, just enjoying each others company and the serene backdrop we found ourselves in. I couldn't help but marvel at how pristine the forest was compared to any I really saw back home. I frowned at this. After all this time in Equestria, this is the first time I've really thought about home at all. What were my family and friends doing? Did they think I was dead?

I guess my sudden mood change showed on my face as Fluttershy nudged me out of my stupor.

"Something wrong David?" Twilight looked over with a concerned expression upon hearing Fluttershy's concern, inching closer and looking up at me with worry in her eyes.

"Hmm? Oh, no I'm fine, how are you?" I gave her the best smile I could, and let out a little laugh at the confused look on her face.

"Oh... uh, I'm good... Thanks?" She seemed even more confused now than before. With an awkward silence falling over the three of us, we finally came across the place we would be camping for the night. The sun now sat high up in the sky above the tree tops, sending shadows across the leaf and twig strewn forest floor. A cool breeze pushed it's way through the trees, sending a shiver up my spine, making me shake involuntarily.

"Hey girls, I'm gunna go grab some fire wood. I'll be back to help set up camp in a little bit." I waited for they're nods of approval before I began to wander around Whitetail Woods. I Didn't have any specific direction chosen while I trekked through the forest, picking up random sticks and smaller pieces of lumber as I went. I was more focused on my thoughts of home though.

Did anyone miss me?

I picked up a few more twigs as I continued to wander aimlessly. Finding a sizeable tree that had fallen down some time ago, I decided to take a break and just think.

I've been here for a solid few months now. Chances are, no ones looking for me anymore. I'm probably presumed dead somewhere in the forest. What did my old band mates do? Hopefully they found someone to replace me. They were actually getting somewhere before I came here. I wonder what they're doing now.

I let out a weary sigh and laid down on the fallen tree, folding my arms behind my head and staring up at the clouds through a break in the canopy. The wind gently carrying them to some unknown destination in the world. I tried to clear my head for a little while but my thoughts kept drifting back to home. Now that I thought about it, I missed my family and friends quite a bit. It'd been quite a while since I've had a hug from a human. I even missed the mundane things I took for granted, like driving, or television. And bacon... Oh sweet jesus did I miss bacon.

I let out a little chuckle at the thought of eating bacon in front Twilight or Fluttershy. The looks of horror on their faces as I munched on a greasy piece of cooked pig. My chuckle turned to guilt at the thought of exposing my new friends to something like that. But it was a fleeting thought and I was back on the train to home soon enough.

"Maybe Twilight knows a way to get me home?" I thought allowed as a flock of birds passed by high over head. "Just to see what's going on, and maybe grab a few things. I know opening old wounds would probably be a bad idea. Chances are, everyone I knew has moved on with their lives and me showing up would only cause more hurt and confusion."

With those dreary thoughts out in the open now, I let out another sigh and began my trek back to Fluttershy and Twilight. I don't know how long I as gone exactly, but they must be a little worried by now.

I took a few steps before looking down into my hands at the meager pile of wood I was carrying.

"Maybe I should get some more wood first..."

---

I was greeted back at the camp to looks of relief and worry on both Twilight's, and especially Fluttershy's face.

"Where have you been!" Twilight all but yelled at me as soon as she noticed me meander through the foliage. "We were just about to come looking for you!"

I dropped the pile off wood I was holding and held up my hands in a placating gesture. "Sorry, heh heh, I guess I lost track of time..." I rubbed the back of my neck and look down bashfully, hoping to reduce her anger and worry a little.

"David, It's been three and a half hours. What took you so long?" Fluttershy seemed deeply concerned, taking a few timid steps towards me and keeping eye contact with those sincere teal eyes of hers.

"I just uh...Found a cool rock and got a little distracted?" I looked around nervously as I let out another rather strained chuckle. I wasn't fooling either of them.

Twilight stepped up to me and tilted her head to one side. "David, we're your friends. You can talk to us if something's bothering you. You know that."

"You're right... I was just thinking about home, and what's been going on there." Fluttershy and Twilight exchanged looks before glancing back up at me with even more concerned looks on their faces, as if they knew exactly how I felt. But how could they?

As I continued to recap what I was thinking throughout my escapade through the forest, the two ponies expressions went from concern, to sadness, to pity, and then to sympathy, all in about five minutes. There was silence for a little while. Me just sitting there with my thoughts out in the open, and Fluttershy and Twilight thinking about what I had just told them.

Rather abruptly, both of them got up and hugged me. My eyes shot open, not knowing what was going on. It took me a moment before I just broke down and started to cry. It had been such a long time since I vented like this that I guess something just snapped. This carried on for a little while, their gentle murmurs of reassurance and comfort helped greatly as I let out my pent up emotions.

When I finally came back to my senses, my eyes were all puffy and I had a bit of a runny nose. I quickly wiped it on my sleeve, subtly of course, then stood up.

"Well... Thank you... Both of you." I just looked at he ground, or the trees. Anywhere but the to mares in front of me. They accepted my thanks in kind. It was then that I noticed how hungry I was and the lack of fire. Thinking that Twilight and Fluttershy were probably just as hungry as I was, I offered to start the fire while they grabbed the snacks.

Once the fire was roaring and marshmallows were roasting, we shared stories of our past. We stayed up late into the night exchanging stories of school, and old friends and family. Really just anything we enjoyed from old times.

The moon was high in the sky and the stars where shining their beautiful glow as I looked into the flames of the camp fire, a smile on my face. Fluttershy and Twilight had fallen asleep an hour or so ago. I was content in my thoughts to just stay up and enjoy the tranquil night.

Eventually I stood up and put out the fire. With that out of the way and blankets in hand, I bundled both Fluttershy and Twilight as best I could and gave them a kiss on the forehead each. This was a good first night, and I think I'm going to enjoy the many more I plan to have here in my newly accepted home.

As I laid down and let my eyelids close, I had one last lingering thought. It was of my family. It wasn't a sad thought, just a little goodbye to them before I settled in under the stars and peacefully fell asleep.

Comments

[Brother Roga]

And the next thing we know, Twilight will start working on a spell that can create a temporary portal between Earth and Equestria

[djElectrOctavia]

2659939

That was the joke. lol

[Yzanburg]

2672916
The most recent chapter touches up on this, yes it's quite a few chapters down the line, but it's more of a suppressed state of shock he's in.. I guess? oh dear

[dargondarkfire]

can't wait for more.

[HIEfan]

Me really likey this fic.

[Yzanburg]

2806760
Holy crap, people still read this? guess I better get this update out soon!

[INACTIVE_ACCOUNT]

Me likey likey!

[Angels]

there both gonna be sleeping with him in the morning

[frenchfriegy]

I don't think I could go that long without the comforting taste of meat.