> Adjusting
>  by StoryPow
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Act 1 - Well You'd Be a Bit Grumpy To
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

A flash of rainbow light broke open the sky, and for the first time it wasn’t Rainbow’s fault. With a loud crash a bipedal creature was lodged hard into the ground. Pulling himself out with a grunt and a fair amount of blood dripping from his head. He gives a good shake of his head he turns toward the sky and begins to shout. 
“Finally! I am home!” Before giving a good laugh as laying on his back.
As he finished his shout a little pink pony popped next to him and asked “Who are you talking to?” in a voice so bubbly the human was astounded such happiness could come from a voice. 

“Well, to..” then he stopped and tried to think for a moment and realized he had no clue who he was supposed to be talking to. The human looked around to see nearly a dozen colorful horse creatures starring. Directly. At. Him. 

“Uhh, I don’t know” he finally managed to respond, sounding rather nervous. However, with all these eyes on him he began to feel very worried. “This isn’t earth is it?” 

“No silly, you’re in Equestria. Also, do you know Non? And OH you’re bleeding! OMIGOSHLEMMEGETSOMEPONYTHATCANHELP!” and then disappeared almost instantly. Leaving the poor human there, confused.

‘This cute little bouncy.. yes that’s right she’s bouncing now. Do horses bounce here? They talk to apparently. Well anyway she just talked to me, what the hell horses talk here. Definitely not earth.’

Confused about a lot, and deciding to not be in a crater anymore he goes to stand up and is greeted by a quick shot of pain. ‘Ah, that’s not how legs work’ is the only thing he can think as he falls on his face for the second time today, but this time he falls unconscious. 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Another Human, Non will be so excited!” 
“Ah I don’t know about that. Not if he just up and dies as soon as he gets here.” 
“He’s going to live, for falling out of the sky like he did he’s surprisingly not hurt……. aside from the head and leg of course.”. 

The human opens his eyes to see four mares, all of them still talking among themselves. 

“You know it’s rude to talk about people like that.” The Human sputtered out. He started to sit up, his body feeling heavier than it should as he shoved a pillow behind his back to prop himself up. 

The mares moved their attention from each other one to the human, who was having quite a bit of trouble in the small bed. The purple one started in first, with a barrage of questions. 
“Oh thank goodness your awake, how did you get here? Can you go back? Non’s been stuck here for so long and he has told me so much about humans I’d really like to be able to see more of the technology he’s told me about and-“ she was stopped by an orange hoof in her mouth. 
“Now Twilight, maybe we should start with introductions?” The orange pony said in a thick country accent.

The human responded by grunting and with a twisted frown on his face he was more concerned with getting some water down his parched throat. “Water first.” the human said trying to deal with the bright lights. 

“Oh sure!” The purple one said as a glass seemed to be floated into the human’s hand. As he drank and got his vision back the purple pony started to introduce each of her friends. Pointing to each one as she did.

“This is Applejack, she helped move you here.” 
“This is Pinkie Pie, you’ve kinda met”
“This is Rainbow Dash.”
“And my name is Twilight Sparkle”said the Purple mare as she pointed to herself.

The humans only response was to frown, as he tried to commit these ridiculous names to memory in some way. 

“So this isn’t Earth!” He said with annoyance, falling back into the pillow. “Dammit, why I was supposed to go to earth after I ...” then a rather odd feeling overtook the human, having a hard time reasoning why he should share anyhting with these creatures.

“Uhh, you okay there sugarcube?” Applejack waved a hoof over the humans face bringing him back from his thoughts. 

“Don’t call me sugarcube, that’s weird.” The human said as he looked over himself seeing if anything else was broken or harmed, only to see a cast on his leg and some other wraps for his cut's. “I have no clue where I am, or why I am even off earth in the first place. Or why I am now talking to a horse” 

The mares recoiled at the use of that word. “Don’t call us Whorse’s, That word isn’t appropriate.” Twilight explained. “Non made that mistake too, just say pony. And you still haven’t told us your name.” 

“Leo, call me Leo” he said proud that he could still remember his name, although he still felt odd, like his brain was fuzzy. Noticing where he was for the first time he was in a hospital but as if everything was made for midgets. He ran his hands through his long hair it was shoulder length and a light brown color. Messing it and scratching his scalp to try and reduce that fuzzy feeling. And scratch at the bandages they had managed to wrap over his cuts. 

But at that moment the hospital door practically busted open as another human with a wild look on his face ran in and the sounds of pony's yelling at him to not run. “Oh my god.” The human said under his breath. 

Rainbow Dash rushed over to human, “Don’t get your hopes up big guy. He doesn’t know how he got here.” The room recent addition tussled the rainbow colored main with a frown “Dammit, guess you’re all stuck with me for a while longer.” 

Leo’s fuzzy head was working its way through a lot at the moment but luckily was able to put enough together. He was one of two humans in a ponyland. With no way out. 

“So I am stuck here.” Leo said defeated, Laying back into the hospital bed. 

“Oh don’t look so sad!” Pinkie said pushing on the edge of the bed. “We get throw a welcome party for ANOTHER human! Oh the HUMANITY!” She all but shouted with a smile that honestly looked like it hurt. 

“Then we all be the best-est of friends and make cakes and cookies and!” She was cut short by the purple aura that surrounded her and pulled her back. As Twilight walked to the edge of the bed. 
“I know it’s a lot to take in but as far as we know there is zero way for us to bring you back to your world. We had looked into it for Non, but found nothing.” She said trying to be sympathetic, “But we will all do what we can and be as good as friends as possible to help you adjust.”

As Leo looked around to the mares in the room they all gave him light smiles, as did Non.  “Do I look like I want friends?” Leo said with a bit more venom in his words then he intended. “I don’t like any of this, this is nuts. Why are you all so damn calm?” The distraught look on the previously happy mares only deepened as he went on. “I don’t know why your so chipper. Especially you, we're stuck here in colorful horse hell?” His finger pointing straight at Non. 

Rainbow Dash placed herself in front of Non as if to protect him. Then shouted “Non isn’t in a whorse hell!.” 
“And if I am in hell, I am so happy I don’t care.” Non added in only to receive some pouting faces from the mares in the room. Except for Dash who decided Non had earned a nuzzle for his comment.

Leo started to calmed down a bit, realizing that if they wanted to hurt him they would have already. He was unconscious after all. Seeing how the only other human in the room was practically holding Dash Leo turned to Twilight and asked “Is being that affectionate to each other a thing here? Cause I don’t really do that.” Leo asked Twilight as Rainbow continued to nuzzle Non. 

“Well they ARE dating” Twilight says with a little giggle. The look of disgust on Leo’s face ended that giggle. 

“Thats...” Was all Leo could say before the only noise he could manage in his confusion and frustration was a low grumble. He didn’t want just keep being an ass but this human had resorted to horse fucking. ‘I mean every man has needs but, gross. Oh god is that going to be a thing here, am I going to.. no.’ was what Leo wanted to say. But he bit his tongue, and said instead. “Adjusting to life here is going to be... really.... difficult.”
> Act 2 - Comfort Zone
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Act 2 – Comfort Zone

Over the two days Leo spent in the hospital, he was able to recall all sorts of things about his life on earth. His family, his friends and his job. He had told Twilight that he was basically a retail worker, but at an electronics shop where he had to often repair new and old electronics. Twilight had hoped he would have a skill that would translate well to pony society, but the closest thing they had to electronics were radios, and even they ran on magic. Leo described his place of work as a ‘Getto Radio Shack’, the term didn’t even get a snort out of Non. 

Try as he might however he could not remember how he got off earth, let alone how he ended up in Equestria. During this time he also got to meet Rarity, who took his measurements for new clothes. As well as being introduced to Fluttershy who had tagged along with Rarity to ‘See the new human’ she barley spoke to Leo, which honestly was the highlight of Leo’s day.

Now that Leo’s ’totally not broken at all according to him’ leg was fixed, he would soon have to go out and greet the world. So with nowhere else to go Non and Rainbow offered to open their home to him. To which Leo replied with he would have rather slept outside and took his chances with Mother Nature. But when being told manticores and cockatrices and other things were a very real thing in Equestria he decided to swallow his pride and accept.

Seeing as today was they day Leo would finally leave they gave him back everything that had been on him when he landed. Which was a nice little box with his coat, a ring, phone, wallet, keys and all the other various other crap he had in his pockets. Such as candy, a pocket knife and random small tools he had. 

“Here are your dismissal forms, just sign below and your free to go.” The doctor pony said to Leo. He quickly signed away and walked out without saying so much as a thank you. Meeting with Twilight outside to walk around Ponyville and get to know the place. ‘Guess I wasn’t too far off when I said ponyland’ Leo chuckled to himself. 

“So where do we go first?” Leo asked the little purple pony of a thousand questions, he felt it only fair he ask one once and a while.

“Well I figured we could walk to town hall and work our way out from there! Then we can wait at the library until Rainbow Dash gets out of work.” Twilight said with a chipper tone. 

“Alright, I just want this over with. “He said fiddling with his ring as he put it back on. As Leo felt his ring roll over his finger a thought came to him as they began walking. “Hey Twilight uh, are there any pawn shops?” 

Twilight looked confused, “What’s a Prawn shop? Like a fish market?” 

“No, like a cash for gold place?” Leo responded. 

“Well our money is made of gold, so not really, why?” 

“Well I don’t like being broke and I don't like the idea of having people-“ 

“Ponys” Twilight ‘corrected’ 

“....Ponys, pay for things for me. On earth there are places were people bring precious metals and can get some money for them. I’d really rather not if I could help it but…” he motioned to his ring “I was thinking I could do that with this and at least have SOMETHING to my name here.” 

“Oh! Well you’d definitely want a jeweler for that. But that’d be only if your right and we value the same metals. What’s your ring made of?” Twilight was happy to help and if she was learning a bit about human culture at the same time she figured that wouldn’t hurt. 

“Platinum” Leo said “Its valued highly by humans, I don’t really know why thou.” 

Twilights ears go straight up and she says “Oh!” Turing around to look at the ring.

“You’re in luck we very much do, how big is the stud of Platinum in the ring?” She asked looking over it to see where it would be as Leo explains. “Stud? The whole ring is just platinum, you put studs of metal in your jewelry? weird..” 

“Leo don’t be silly, there is no way that is solid Platinum. Enough with your weird jokes. Come on let’s get back to the tour.” With a grumble of annoyance Leo decides to just drop it. 

So Twilight dragged him around the town basically giving the poor human a history lecture, but he did manage to learn were most things were. Leo tried his best to keep conversations with the locals to a minimum. He had managed to avoid too much conversation while in the hospital but now he didn’t have an excuse. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“And that’s most of the town, except way down that road is Sweet Apple Acres, that’s where Applejack and her family lives.” Twilight says as the two sat on a bench talking a break from the walk. Leo thought he had managed to be decently polite. Meaning he had managed to answer most questions without having a breakdown. He had put up with the whispers of ponies all day and they were starting to grate on him a bit. 

‘Why does he sound so annoyed’  ‘Maybe some humans just look like that’
‘He seems okay, Non is nicer’  ‘Wish he’d been made to clean up that hole he left in town’ 
‘Does he always look so mad?’

Leo’s mood was only soured by this, but the day was almost over so he resolved to just deal with it. “Okay, so how would I go about getting a job?” 

“Well you’ll just have to look really. Applejack helped Non when he first came before he started working full time at that pegasus restaurant. Maybe you could ask her?” Twilight clearly was trying her hardest but had no clue where Leo could work. 

“Worth a shot, I am guessing its mostly farm work?”

“Well yeah, that and applebucking.” Twilight said trying to comfort the human she reached out and gave his leg a light pat. 

Having no clue what ‘appplebucking’ was he was about to ask when he felt Twilight's hoof on his leg. Forgetting his question he stands up and asks “How about we just go to your Library and wait. I have had enough of this sun in my eyes.” Leo stood up rubbing his eyes, having been inside for a few days left him a little sensitive to natural light. 

“O-oh, okay. We can do that, and have something to eat before Dash brings you to her house.” She said a bit disappointed that Leo still seemed uncomfortable.

As she led the way to her home Twilight asked. “Have any requests for lunch?” 

“As long as it’s not made of flowers I think I’ll be good.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“These are all of our books, the Daring Doo series is really Awesome. If you wanna read them sometime go ahead just be SUUUUPER careful with them.”  

It was the fifth or sixth sentence Rainbow Dash had used the word ‘awesome’ in while she was giving the ‘tour’ of her and Nons house. Leo was beat, all he wanted to do was sleep, he had no idea how Non was able to match these ponies energy. 

“And here you’ll be sleeping on the couch here. We sleep upstairs, and DON’T wake us up in the morning we like to sleep in.” 

“Okay, I got it.” Leo said before face planting onto the couch. 

“Uh dude, the tour isn’t over yet.”

“Yeah it is, sleep now. Stupid rules later.”

“You know maybe you should be more polite. We are letting you stay here after all.” Dash said as she poked the lump of a human, who was currently face down in her pillows. 

“I neeeed sleep, I haven’t gotten an actual nights rest since I got here.” Leo pleaded from beneath the pillows 

“Fine, but if you’re going to be up early tomorrow help yourself to some eggs in the fridge. But DONT make any noise.” Dash said as she walked out of the living room. 

A half hour later Non came back home, seeing leo face down with the lights off he heads straight upstairs. To find his love reading one of her favorite Daring Do books. Feeling playful he sneaks up behind her and grabs her flank, causing her to yelp and zoom to the other side of the room. 

“What! I- Hey DONT do that.” Dash said with a pout, “Now I lost my place….” 

“Oh? So you dont want my hands on your flank?” Non teased her knowing that the mare loved it, even if she would never admit it. 

“Alright you got me” Dash flew back onto the bed to nuzzle up with her coltfriend. “I am sure you saw Leo settled on the couch. I still don’t get how the two of you are so different.” 

“Dash, that’d be like me being confused as to why you and Rarity aren’t the same. Humans are all different, just like Ponys.” 

“It’s just weird, he acts like talking is painful for him.” 

“Give him time, was I really all that pleasant at first?”

“Well, actually yeah. After you had that one mini freak-out you were pretty cool.” 

“Huh” was all Non could say. It had been over a year but yeah he wasn’t nearly this distant.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Downstairs Leo had been trying his hardest to fall asleep. He hadn’t move an inch from when he first fell on the couch. Although he felt like he was about to pass out, sleep still eluded him. 

So his mind was left to wander. 

‘This couch smells like horse fur. Maybe they were lying about the woods being dangerous. Doesn’t the yellow one live in the woods? What was her name? Butterfly? No that what her ass tattoo was. She was nice, she didn’t talk.’ 

Rolling onto his back hoping that might help. All it did was allow him to stare into the pitch black room. 

‘Well they don’t seem so bad but, why are they so energetic? That pink was acting like a kid trying to get their older sibling to laugh or pay attention to them. Uhh maybe I’ll laugh the next time she makes a joke and she’ll be satisfied and stop. Also there was all that stuff the town ponies in town were saying today. Well at least I don’t have to worry about them like I do the pink one.’ 

Finally sleep started to take him, and for the first time since coming to Equestria Leo was able to dream.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Screaming without making a sound, that’s what it felt like. Dirt stuck under his fingernails as he tried his hardest to crawl out of the ground that was sucking him in. The faceless features of those standing above him using shovels to pour more dirt over his screaming mouth. Leo begged them to stop to let him out, asking for some reason any reason to why they wouldn’t. No answer came, only looks of disgust from the humans above. 

Frantically clawing barley holding his head above the dirt. This continued long after the people above him left, and after what felt like hours a new form came up. As the form leaned over him, it simply placed its hands on his head pushing Leo further down. Leo started to sink deeper having stopped clawing at the sides, as he silently agreed. As the dirt covered his face the form disappeared to be replaced by one concerned looking blue pony before Leo woke up. 

His eyes shoot open, laying on his back completely still. Leo could feel the cold sweat cling to his shirt and it made him feel as if he had just jumped out of a pool. ‘Damn ponies, even in my nightmares they-‘ 

“Oooohh~”

A sound came from a certain blue mare upstairs, and interrupted Leos train of thought. Replacing his nightmare with something just as unnerving to him. Gabbing a pillow and sandwiching it over his ears he grumbled out in a mocking tone “You just need time to adjust” 

_____________________________________________
> Act 3 - Work With Me Here
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Act 3 – 

In short last night sucked. Leo managed to get a few more hours of rest before waking up from another night terror. ‘It’s maybe four-ish?God I don’t wanna go back to sleep. Maybe I’ll just go for an early walk, have some alone time before everypony wakes up. Oh no.. it’s rubbing off on me’

After making himself some eggs and a quick sink shower (because Leo couldn’t be bothered to actually ask where the bathroom was). He was out and headed to town, it was before the crack of dawn so no stores were open yet. Leo couldn’t help but curse his nightmares. 

‘Okay, job means money, money means I get a place of my own. A place of my own means I can finally be left alone. So be nice so you can be left alone, good plan brain.’ 

However, he looked as if he was standing in a ghost town. ‘Maybe I’ll try that Apple farm, at the very least by the time I get back maybe some stores will be open’

The trail to the farm was actually pretty nice, Leo noticed how everything seemed brighter in this land of equines. ‘Well at least they didn’t pollute everything they touched like humans.’ As he neared the farm he noticed the place was filled with nothing but apple trees. All tall and brightly colored, the sound of nature filled what would otherwise be silent. The sun had just started to shine as he saw the sign ‘Sweet Apple Acres.’ With fantastic large red barns just behind it. 

Seeing the orange pony who apparently helped drag his unconscious body to the hospital coming out of one of the barns, he decided to go and greet her.

“Hey” Leo said waving his hand as he jogged over to the orange mare. 

Applejack was shocked to hear any voice that didn’t belong to family this early, and was even more shocked to see whose voice it was. “Oh hey there..” She had forgotten his name. ‘Darn it all.’

“Yeah, sorry if coming unannounced is a problem.”

“It’s no problem sug... uh, what brings you here?” ‘Crud he doesn’t like to be called sugar cube. That’s what ah always do when ah can’t remember someponys name’

“Well I am looking to see if I can find some place to work. I’d like to get my own place as soon as possible.” a cold shiver runs down his back as he recalls the sounds his ‘roommates’ made. “Twilight told me you helped Non out, so I figured I’d ask.” 

“Huh, well we can always use ah extra hoof around here. But nothing’ permanent, tell ya what, come back later around 3 or so, I’ll show you apple-bucking and have you that for a few hours for some bits.” 

“I have no clue what that is but sure.” Leo said, glad that his trip out here wasn’t a total loss. “Alright, I’ll see ya later then.” Applejack called out as he started back toward town. 



‘I really should have asked Twilight were I could get drinks. I may be broke but once that’s fixed I’d like to let loose some.’ Lost on thought on the trail Leo was now just getting back into town, he didn’t notice however the little filly rocketing toward him on a scooter. 

She tries to stop but ends up sliding, hitting Leo under his legs causing him to flip forward and tumble over the ground on his back, with the filly crashing into a nearby tree. 

“FUCKING HELL, WHAT BRAINDAMAGED FUCK HIT ME” Leo shouted as he got back to his feet, seeing the offending scooter, and its driver on the ground. “YOU COULD HAVE KILLED ME.”. Leo shouted more out of reflex then thought, moving over to the filly. The poor filly scared out of her mind tries to run away only to fall over under the pain of her leg. But in her terror she tries to crawl. 

‘Oh fuck we crippled it. Wait no it crippled itself, yeah that’s what well tell the doctor. Shit, maybe we should try and get it some help.” 

Crouching down some Leo decided to try a kinder approach, “Hey Kid stop you’ll hurt yourself worse.”

“No! I AM SORRRY GET AWAY, DON’T HURT ME” she screamed. 

“I am not going hurt you, Sorry that I yelled. I am Just kinda on edge here” Leo said with the best ‘I am trying to not to be scary voice he could muster. Luckily the little filly stopped crawling once she realized she wasn’t being chased. “Looks, like you hurt your leg pretty bad.”

With a few sniffles and a nod she managed to say “It hurts.” Leo looks to her side and there is a very bad scrape and a blood has started to mat into her foot. 

“Well, guessing from how you fell you’re not going to be able to walk. I guess I’ll have to carry you.” The last half was grumbled out, Leo was not in the mood to get his only shirt covered in blood. 

The little filly looked scared at the idea but nodded, and allowed Leo to pick her up. “Okay…. Now where the hell do I take you?” He asked as he started to walk further into town, with only a few other ponies out and about. Leo could already hear the whispers. 

“Umm up that street. That’s where the hospital is.” She said pointing a hoof in the direction. Trying to move herself so that Leo wasn’t holding her on the bad leg. 

‘Should have known that, I was there like yesterday’ 

After a few seconds of silence she asks. “What’s your name?”

“Leo, and yes I am a human.” Leo had gotten used to the standard questions ponies asked. 

“Sorry for hitting you Leo, I didn’t see you were there until I was about to hit you. You’re not going to hurt me are you?” 

‘Dammit, that’s the last thing I need. To think everyone here think I beat up some kid’. “No. Listen I didn’t mean what I said there. You just surprised me is all.” The little pony did not look convinced. “Uhh,.. sorry. But maybe Yell or something if your about to hit someone.” 

It was lucky a short walk the doctors and nurses took her off his hands as soon as he got there, turned out to be nothing more than the scrapes and a twisted leg, hoof? We’ll all Leo could remember was they said she wouldn’t be walking on it for a day or two. The doctors made him wait until they looked her over, and no doubt asking Scootaloo if they should be calling the guard. During that time he met the filly’s school teacher, who apparently was told that it looked like Leo had “abducted” her. So she ran as fast as she could and after a bit of yelling and an explanation she calmed down but still gave Leo the stink eye on her way out. 

‘Well there went the whole damn morning.’ After all that Leo finally got the chance to ask around town about work. Which ended up being mostly a waste of time. Either the local businesses weren’t looking for help, or said they weren’t to get him to leave the store. 

But the day wasn’t over as he made it back to Sweet Apple Acers and wandered up to the barns he didn’t see the farm pony anywhere. ‘Well she did say to meet her back here right? Well I got nothing better to do. I can sit down for a while.’

That as it turned out was a good thing because it turned into him sitting there for a few hours past when Applejack had said they should meet before a large red stallion saw the human sitting there waiting. Not one to waste time Big Mac was going to find out just who was on his family property. 

Big Mac was still attached to a cart as he came closer to Leo, saying a quick “Hey” to catch his attention. “What are you doing here?”

“Oh, I am looking for Applejack.” Leo answered happy to see someone and not to have to sit in the dirt any longer stands up, and dusts himself off. 

‘Great,’ Big Macs mind started to put the pieces together. ‘Another human looking for a hand out. We could barely afford to pay the last one. Now AJ has gone and promised another one. No, this ends here.’ Big Mac’s answer is short and his tone leaves no room for conversation. “She’s busy, go home.” 

“Sorry, she just told me that there might be some work I co-“

“Nope, go home”

Teeth clenched, and stomping his way back to his temporary ‘home’, Leo made good time taking Big Macs advice. ‘Hell, she could have just said no instead of wasting hours of my time. She couldn’t even tell me herself, coward. OOOh no Instead send the large ‘scary’ stallion to spook me away’

So lost in his anger Leo didn’t noticed the pink pony who had tried to get his attention a few times on his walk. Bouncing along progressively shouting ‘Hey’ louder and louder. Until she stand in front of him and says it loud enough to leave a bit of a ringing in his ears does Leo finally stop and notice her. 

“What?” Leo says as he uses a finger to try and clear out the ringing in his ears. 

“I need to know when you want your ‘Welcome to Ponyville party!” Pinkie asks excitedly, happy to finally have his attention.  

“Oh? How about never. That work for you?”

“Of course not. You have to have a party silly, I always make sure to have one for every new friend who comes to Ponyville.”

“Pinkie” Leo said as his fingers pinched the bridge of his nose “I am not the kind of person anyone wants at a party. So can we just not?”

Scrunching her nose Pinkie responds “We can not ‘just not’, and everypony loves a party, it’ll be fine!” 

“You’re not gunna let this go, are you?”

Leo swears he hears a little squeak sound as her smile comes back full force, “Never ever”

“Fine, let’s get this over with. How about tomorrow?”

“Perfect! I’ll just get you when everything’s ready!” She says as she starts to bounce off.

“Oh Pinkie! One condition! There better be alcohol!” Leo yells as she bounces off, he can only hope she heard him. 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Finally back at the house, Leo kicked off his boots and found himself to be the only one home. Not wanting to wait he decided to just find the shower and then pass out before he had to talk or deal with either of the two who actually owned the place. So he started searching the downstairs for a shower, no luck. His search upstairs proved to be successful, and he hopped right into the shower. Trying his best to wash away the stress of the day. 

Rainbow Dash just got home, seeing Leo’s boots and hearing the shower she can only hope he doesn’t use all the hot water. Sitting in the chair across from the couch she thinks back over her day. It was rough setting up the weather, winter would be coming soon and she and the weather team had been working hard on getting everything set up. 

The water stops and a few minutes later Leo come down dressed in the same clothes as before, greets Rainbow with a “Hey there” as he sat down on the couch, leaning into its soft cushions. 

“Any luck finding a place to work?”

Leo’s mind runs over the entire day and answers with a simple “Nope”

“Well, don’t pass out there is something Non, needs to talk with you. So at least wait till he gets home before you pass out again.” Rainbow says as she walks out towards the upstairs. 

Leaving Leo to sit on the couch, he heard the shower start again and laying down waited for Non so show up from his job, ‘Lucky bastard’. After a short amount of time Non finally did make it home and after kicking off his shoes sees Leo in the living room, and sits across from Leo. 

“Hey, so there is a few things I’d like to talk about” Non said taking Leo out of his thousand yard stare. 

“Yeah Rainbow mentioned that before she disappeared upstairs.” Then with a grunt leaning back into the couch adds “Didn’t find a job by the way, thanks for asking.”

With a long sigh Non decided to just start into it. “The thing is, when I came to Equestria some things about me started to change. Magic here does stuff to humans, we think.” Non was having a hard time explaining what he wanted to say. 

“What so magic kills us or something?” Leo asked hoping that wasn’t the case, he might not be comfortable but he didn’t want to die at 25. 

“God, I am doing a bad job at explaining this. Why didn’t Twilight just do it?” After a long breath he continued. “What happened to me was as I spent more time reading and then I started getting really smart. Like Masters Degrees level of knowledge retention.”

Scoffing Leo interrupts with “And it made you real humble too I bet.”

“That’s not-, Jeez man. What I am trying to say is the longer I have been in Equestria the Magic here kinda builds itself into humans. The reason I say we think is that until now I have been the only one. But Twilight and I had been running tests and it was changing me. So it COULD happen to you.”

“So what? One day ill wake up and will be able to long division in my head?” 

“Your not getting it,-” Non starts but is Interrupted. 

“Sorry I am not as smart as you Einstein.” Leo Quips.

Standing up and running his hand over his head Non tries again. “No, I ended up figuring out a strategy to help defeat an Invasion that happened not too long ago. My memory went from okay to Photographic.” Sitting back down hoping that Leo will finally listen. 

“Huh” Leo sits quietly for a moment, before finally saying “That’d be kind of neat actually.”

“Well now that you understand, Twilight would like to monitor you to see how the change starts. We didn’t notice with me until it already happened, so she wants to see if anything can be learned from it.” 

“Sure, with no job I gotta do something.” With that Leos stomach growls reminding him he hasn’t eaten since breakfast. “Sorry, I haven’t eaten since Breakfast.”

“I would have thought Applejack would have given you some apples or something” Non said with a chuckle getting up to walk over the kitchen. The only response from Leo was a grumble. The Non hears from the Kitchen, “Pinkie has some welcome party thing for me tomorrow, what are pony parties like?” Calling back to answer Leo Non says “Guess you’ll find out tomorrow” then calls upstairs “DASH WE ARE STARTING DINNER” To which she darts back down stairs as fast as she can.

“Asshole” Leo mumbles, crossing his arms. 

______________________________________________________________________________

The thick black fog was all Leo could see. He could feel it again, that pain in his chest. Looking down he could see the blood leave the gash. The ponies in front of him taking turns slicing away his flesh. From the base of his neck to his ribs, straight down the middle. The pain was much worse than the last two dreams he had that night. This one felt hot, but with the odd addition of the rest of his body growing cold. His legs and arms weakening as he felt his blood drain from him, his ability to hold on slipping. It was the third time he felt himself die in his dreams that night, and each time he woke up he wished he had a strong drink to make them go away.
> Act 4 - Whatever Makes You Numb
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was silent. Leo was sitting in a fold out lawn chair looking out at the lake. Two older gentlemen were talking, about how when the wind comes in from the south the fish just seem to bite better. The simplicity, the calm it was one of his happiest memory’s.  

Thats how he knew something was very wrong, looking at the two old white haired men. “So Leo, how was your winter?” The one on the right asks. 

“Who are you? Your not john..” Leos face isn’t one of anger or hate or fear. He knows this isn’t right. And stares down the man, for what feels like hours, until the form relents and the world starts to shimmer and fall apart.  

Before him the old men with him on the lake were gone. They had been replaced with one Black and Blue mare. The one an only Princess Luna.

“We sought to relive you of your nightmares, this is pleasant. Did you have many moments like this on earth?” 

“Oh, so your using magic to mess with my head huh?” 

“What?! No, its so you can have a sound sleep. Is tha-“

“What gives you the right to see whats in my head huh?” 

“Our title! It is our role as Princess to watch over the dreams of our subjects.” 

“Ya well, not mine. No more.” 

“Our you not our citizen?” 

“That may be, but I REFUSE To let you in here, these are a private matter. My nightmares are just that MINE, and you will leave them. I don’t need your help”

“Your nightmares are... You really do need help Leo. Why do you reject someone who would help you?” 

“Fine then, I WONT Accept your help. Better? That a more proper way to say it? And why? Why should I let you help? You maybe a Princess but I don’t know you. I don’t know any of you!” 

“Why are you so defensive? We have only offered to help!” 

“You wanna know why? Is that what you want Princess-?”

“Yes” 

“Too bad” 

—————————————

As his eyes shot open, Leo couldn’t help but realize that for the first time in a very long time he felt well rested. Although, he would never tell that to Luna. Was she even real? Was it just another weak nightmare messing with him? Then a loud grumble sounded from his stomach, realizing how much he had to do today. 

‘Okay, first white ponies place for the clothes.. wait how am I going to pay for.. hope she will take a IOU. Then Twilights to become a lab rat. And then.... maybe I can trick the pink one into a trap of some sort.’ Leo tried his best to map out a decent schedule for his day while frying up some more eggs. He was getting sick of eggs.. 

After finishing his meal and tossing the dishes into the sink he noticed that it was overflowing with un washed kitchenware. ‘Well it not like I am in a rush’ , so he cleaned them, took a shower, then took off. 

————————————————

“Oh right no one here starts working this early” he grumbled as he sat down on a park bench. Looking at the empty market stalls. ‘I don’t even know where, uuh crap why are names so hard. The white one’s shop even is.’ 

A light pink mare with white and green hair was walking by, she was one of only a few ponies up this early. She seemed to be in her own world as she stumbled her way past the bench. 

“Hey, excuse me miss?” Leo said as she walked by, she stopped and looked over her shoulder at Leo. “You don’t happen to know where the.. Where I might find a clothing store? The mare who works there is white with purple hair?”

Her otherwise plain face soured as Leo fumbled over his question. “Rarity’s Boutique is what your looking for.” She said said with a huff before going about her business. Motioning down a street Leo can only hope is the right way. ‘Well that solves one problem’ 

Shuffling his way down the road he notices other ponies are starting to walk about and open up their stores. ‘Heh must be nice’. He remembered how Non described the place, but seeing it was a different experience all its own. 

The odd manikin horses that paraded the outside of the building looked like they belonged in some weird creepy porcelain carnival. But there was no mistaking it, this was Rarity’s place. 

Calmly Leo when to knock on her door, hearing voices from inside made him fell better about being so early. ‘Well at least I wont be waking anybody up’. Three quick knocks on the door made their intended sounds. 

After a few moments the white unicorn answered the door “Well you are certainly up early!” She started to say before she realized who it was. “Yeah, I am a bit of a early riser.” Leo said looking down to meet the eyes of the now worried pony. 

“Oh, well um. Your clothes are done. I am sure you can’t wait to get something clean on you. Why humans feel the need to cover themselves up is beyond me.” 

“Well if you ever saw one of us naked you’d understand.” Leo said with a chuckle. Looking around the inside as he was allowed to walk in. It was so clean and to Leo, the while place felt like a jewelry store you couldn’t even afford to look at. 

Rarity cleared her throat and with a light blush she responded. “Yes well, let me show you what I have made so far.” As the clothes float over held in her magic aura, landing softly in Leo’s hands. 

Slowly looking at the clothes in his hands Leo noticed there where three shirts. Two plain black and a white collared shirt. Two pairs of what seemed like jeans but were a much brighter blue and felt too soft. A few pairs of socks. “Hey, I can work with this.” Leo said rather pleased. “Now I don’t have a job yet but..” 

Then before another word was able to leave Leo’s mouth Rarity chimed in “Oh don’t you worry about paying me. You need the help darling let me help.” 

Leo’s response was a lower grumble. Looking at the clothes in his hands he was silent for a moment. “No, I don’t do hand outs.” He said not in a angry tone but a stern one all the same. “Give me a bill, and ill pay it as soon as I can.” 

“Oh its quite alright, besides if you need as much clothing as Non says humans do you’ll be back here in no time.” She says in a vain attempt to still be generous.

“Nope, either you give me a bill or I don’t take the clothes.” Rarity’s face changed from pleasant to confused and a bit frustrated. 

“Now I am just trying to be generous to somepony who needs it. Why is that a problem?” She asks her tone matching her expression. 

“Simple.” Leo coughs a bit and straightens himself. “Its either Ill be indebted to you from your generosity, or Ill owe you money. Money I can pay back, generosity.... unlikely.” 

“Darling, you don’t do go things expecting some pony to repay you.” She says regaining her composure. “You do it to help and forge friendships.” 

Leo was unmoved, his face holding a light frown as he looked down at the white unicorn. “Your like Pink right? Not gunna let this go until I relent?” 

“Pink? Oh! You mean Pinkie, yes she can be quite ‘pushy’ when it comes to party’s. But she does mean well. Just like I do with my gifts.” She says letting her hoof come down, to emphasize her point. 

With a long sigh Leo drops his gaze to the clothes in his hands. His grip on them tightens. “Fine then.” After a another short pause he quietly says “Thanks..” 

“Oh don’t be so down! Besides your having your welcome to town party today! I do hope to see you in some of your brand new clothes!” 

“Uhhh yeah, I gotta meet Twilight for something.” Leo says as he starts to shuffle out of the shop, holding onto the clothes. He doesn’t even hear Rarity call after him asking him something. 

—————
Slowly and with his clothes under his arms Leo makes it to Twilights little library. Knocking on the door with three quick knocks its answered by a rather short dragon. 

“Hey Leo, good to see you outside the hospital.” Said Spike, motioning for Leo to come on in. “So you agreed to twilights experiments? Thats a new one.”   

“Good to be out” Leo walked in and took his coat off using it to store his new clothes before tucking it under his arm again. “So whats she going to do exactly?” 

A shrug was his response, then Spike turned to walk upstairs calling up “TWILIGHT LEO AGREED.” 

“Ohmygoshohmygosh” and the sound of hooves hurriedly making their way down the stairs. 

“Thanks so much for agreeing to this Leo, There is no telling how much this could end up helping us understand the world you come from. Not to mention how magic works in our world and-“ 

“It’s fine. Haven’t found any work yet so not like I have anything else to do.” Leo decided cutting her off might be the right thing to do. Else she would never stop. 
“So what kinda stuff are we doing?” 

“Not too much, blood samples, skin samples and a few scans and some notes on certain things like memory, problem solving. Just so we can measure change overtime.” She topped it off with a smile that looked like it hurt. 

“Thats not bad, I have had to deal with worse. Lets get to it then.”

What followed was exactly what Twilight said, memory games puzzles that measure IQ and odd things. Finishing up the day with some blood tests. 

“So how are things going living with Rainbow Dash and Non?” She asked as the syringe filled with a small amount of blood.  

“Fine.” Which had been Leos answer for most of Twilights questions. Or some variation of ‘Okay’ or ‘Could be worse’. 

This had been unfortunate, Twilight had hoped to get Leo to open up some. “You sure? You don’t sound to thrilled about it?” 

“Besides being woken up from their LOUD love making at night. Yeah, its fine. About as good as I would expect.” That comment made Twilight blush and stutter out “Oh, yeah that must be awkward.” 

“Yeah, not exactly jazzed about it.” 

“Well I mean, they do love each other. Its only a healthy way to express it.” Twilight says sounding more upbeat.

“Sorry but the idea of a human fucking a pony makes my skin crawl, beasteality is not my thing.” The two now facing each other and the pricked spot on Leos arm being covered by a cotton ball.

“WE are not animals.” She says with a huff looking right into Leo’s eyes. Unnerving him some.

“Well.. thats.....” unable to look her in the eye he faces away “Your kind doesn’t talk where I am from, so even though you may NOT be. You all look the part it just....doesn’t feel right.” Turning to look back at her, and seeing her pet owl perched. “Id be like you ended up somewhere and no one was a pony. And the only other pony you know was in a relationship with a sentient owl.” 

Nodding Twilight looks back from her pet to Leo. “Yes, I understand. Its hard for you to accept but.. pony’s are pretty open minded. They often have relationships outside our species. Not like with animals, but with other creatures like gryphons or dragons. The only thing thats important is that they are both in love.” 

“Wow, thanks for that very special episode Twilight.” With a huff he continued, “As nice as that is, I know better then to get into relationship ever again.”

“What wrong with finding your special somepony?” 

“Because it’s always doomed to fail.” 

“What? Thats ridiculous, surely you cant mean that.” 

“Twilight, people hurt one another all the time. Eventually they get sick of each other... or just one does and then wanders.” 

“Well my parents haven’t gotten sick of each other, In fact I don’t know of a single PONY who hasn’t stayed together and made a marriage work! And Non and Rainbow Dash are happy whats so wrong with that?” Twilight began to raise her voice.

“Well how nice for you PONYS. You all get to trust each other, and just wait it’ll happen. Or maybe its just a human thing, so just watch Non and Rainbow real close. And just wait.” Leo said standing up, his voice having been raised.

“Maybe its just a you thing! Your so sour who could stand to be around that!” Twilight said with a shout. Both their eyes widened, Twilight could see the anger in Leos eyes wash away and be replaced with something else. He almost looked hurt to her.

“Uhhhhhhh” Spike standing in the doorway with some water and snacks breaking their silence. The two looked to him then back at each other. 

“L-leo I didn’t mean-“

“Shush it.” Leo said regaining his composure, “Don’t wanna hear it. Maybe magic pony land is perfect, and I am just a  broken toy. Huh?” He says looking down as Twilight refuses to look him in the eyes.

Leo walked out having drank the water that spike offered him. At a loss for what to do next standing outside the library. 

‘Well there seems to be either go the party or avoid the part to wander around getting more dirty looks from the towns-folks. Wait.... where is this stupid party supposed to be?’ “Ha!” Leo laughed putting his hand to his head as he walked back toward Rainbow’s and Non’s house. ‘She never told me where it was going to be! If I just go back and stay at the house I’ll have an excuse. Thats the first bit of good news I have gotten all day! Hell how about all week! Year even!’ 

Leo did think himself lucky, For the entire walk back through town. He hadn’t realized how much time he had spent at the library. It was late evening and the sun was just starting its decent. As he walked up to the unlocked door and opened it the room inside was completely dark. Perfect, Leo had figured out a nice little path he could follow to the couch. So he started to walk in and not two steps in he hit something.

“Ow”
“Ow?”

“What the?” Leo quickly switched the light on and was greeted by a loud “Surprise!” Being called out from various ponies which now filled the house. All except a light brown earth pony who was rubbing his front hoof. 

Leo’s happy day just couldn’t last, he knew it wouldn’t be that easy. It never was. ‘Why did I go and get my hopes up like that’.

“Hehe we sure did surprise you huh?” Pinkie pie said poking Leo until he turned to face her.

“Yeah you could say that Pink.”

“Come on lets get you to meet everypony!” 

Then Leo was forcibly introduced to a bunch of ponies in quick succession. His eyes traveling to the snacks table every few minutes. Trying his best attempt at small talk.

“So Non says Earth has like 7 billion of your kind on it? How is there that much space?”

“There really isn’t”

“S-so h-humans eat meat? N-not ponies though right?” 
“If you think i’d eat you, why did you come to this party?” 

“Leo huh is that short for something?”
“Yup”
“What?”
“Leon, but don’t ever call me that.” 

“Oh I hope you didn’t leave anyone important behind.”

“Me too”

The Ponies started to really grate on Leo, their questions were getting annoying. Normally he would have some ‘liquid courage’ to help in these situations. But the pink one was determined to get him to say something to every. Single. Pony. It was time for a break.

“Hey pink, you think I could get something to eat? I haven’t eaten since breakfast.” 

“Okie- Wait didn’t you eat at Twilights? Wait WHERE is Twilight? She was supposed to walk back with you” Pinkie breathes in really fast. “Oh my gosh did something happen.” 

“Well, we had a bit of a disagreement.” Leo says rubbing his hand on the back of his neck. 

With a loud gasp Pinkie looks taken aback, “And you UNINVITED her from the party!” 

“What? No I just walked out. I just think she doesn’t wanna come.” 

“Thats silly, friends have disagreements all the time. I’ll go get Twilight, and we will fix this whole thing up!” Then she zipped away. 

‘Okay you do that, I am going to devour that table of snacks.’ As he begins to fill a plate up with cakes and cookies. He looks at the drinks available and see punch and a barrel marked cider. ‘Oh that would be too good to be true’. Pouring himself a cup he drinks. ‘My god, it IS alcohol! Okay pony land has booze, weak booze but it’ll do.’ Setting down his plate he quickly downs four cups in quick succession. ‘Gotta make up for lost time.’

—————-

“So THATS what happened?” A confused Pinkie asked Twilight.” That doesn’t seem so bad. Plus he’s not even mad about it now.”

“I don’t know Pinkie he seemed really upset about it.” The two of them were on their way back toward the party. “I mean why does he have to be so negative about everything. I even got a letter from Princess Celestia this morning saying that he’s been refusing Princess Lunas help with his dreams.” 

Bouncing along side of Twilight Pinkie ponders for a moment. “Well, maybe he’s just afraid that he’ll hurt somepony.”

Before Twilight has enough time to work through what Pinkie Pie has said Rainbow Dash lands right in front if them causing them to stop short. “Hey thought you guys would be at the party already, whats up?” Non was panting trying to keep up with his marefriend. 

The four finished the walk back fairly quickly, Twilight retold the story if what happened today. Much to the embarrassment of Non and Rainbow. “I didn’t think he’d hear us. That’s definitely something he could have done without.” Non said rubbing the back of his neck.

“So? It is our house, I don’t wanna change our whole routine just cause he’s around. Besides, he expects us to break up, who even says stuff like that.”  Rainbow Dash responds. 

“Its just until the town sets him up with a house. Which how is that going Twilight?” 

“Not the best, there is only one place vacant, but it was built to be a store so it really doesn’t have things a home should.”

On that note the four make it back
to the party and as the walk inside they are greeted by something they didn’t expect. Most all the ponies were silently listening to Leo as he seemed to be telling and lightly acting out some sort of story. 

“Then the Spaniard started to move like a man possessed saying ‘My name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die!’ Fencing back toward his enemy.”

Some of the Ponies listening intently, others were a little uncertain what was going on with the human. His words were slightly slurred and his movements were slow, but to most of them he seemed nicer. 

“Whats wrong with him?” Twilight asked looking to Non. “He’s drunk, we gotta get him outta here.”

“Why? he looks like he’s enjoying the party finally.” Pinkie said happily bouncing, feeling victorious.

“He may seem happy now but, when humans get drunk a small thing can set them off. He could get violent for no reason. His mood could swing back and forth in a second, or he could really hurt himself.” 

“Awww, but he looks so happy.” Pinkie wined a bit as she pouted. 

“Doesn’t matter lets get him.” 

As soon as the story was over, the went over Non decided it would be best to start and try and lead Leo out of the party. “Heyy there guy, got a bit tipsy huh?”

“Maybe...” he responded making himself stand up some. 

“How many cups of cider have you had?”

“Pffft not enough to look at your ugly mug. Hheh” Leo continued to laugh until non asked again.

“How many cups have you had.” 

Blinking a few times he squints his eyes in thought. “Uuh 4 then it was another 5. At least 14. Maybe” He managed to slurr out, “stuffs fruity.” 

“Thats quite a bit, how is he still walking?” Twilight asked, looking to Non for an answer. “Hey Purple.” Leo said, in a tone that quickly turned flat. 

“I can explain that later, come on Leo we are gunna go outside.” 

“Yuus” he said as he grabbed a plate full of cupcakes and stumbled toward the door.

Once outside Non, Twilight and Pinkie were trying to explain to Leo that he had to go to Twilights to sleep off until the party was over. While Rainbow Dash ran damage control inside. Leo however was having none of that. 

“I’d rather sleep in the forest.” 

“Is it because of earlier, because I am sorry abo-“ but Twilight was interrupted by Non. 

“NO, you should want people to be happy. Leo was just being a jerk.”

Barley above a whisper Leo says “Well this jerk speaks from experience.” 

“How about he stays with me for a few hours?” Pinkie chimes in. “I mean I am supposed to watch the Twins tonight anyway. The Cakes are out it would be just us in the shop.” 

“Will you go with Pinkie Pie?” Non asks Leo.

“Sure, Pink ish fine. Don’t want a babysitter though.”

“Then its settled, don’t worry we will pick up the party for you Pinkie.” Non says with a nod, silently thanking the pink mare. 

Pinkie starts to walk Leo toward her home but decides to ask Leo a question. “Why do you call me Pink?” 

“Cause your Pink, and your names Pinkie. Pink ish easier to say. That okay?” 

“Hmmmmmm.” She does put on a good act for the dunk. “Sure, but that means were friends!” She says poking his leg, then hurrying them along to the sugar cube corner.
> Act 5 - It’s My Party
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Bouncy Bouncy Bouncy” The pink mare said over and over. As she led Leo through the town. Hopping and saying hi to everypony they passed. The human stumbling along side her. 

Normally this would be enough for Leo to start to get agitated. However just like it was on earth for him, others became increasingly more tolerable, the more he drank. 

‘Heh dumb Non. I drank barrels. No booze for you loser. Didn’t mean to thou, damn small barrels.’

While lost in his thoughts one pony stood out to Leo in his drunken haze. Pinkie was talking to a very purple pony. And as much as Leo tried to figure it out he wasn’t sure why she was staring at him like that. 

“Pinkie what are you doing walking around town with.. him?” 

“Oh Leo just had his WELCOME TO PONYVILLE PARTY!” Then breathing in to catch her breath hurriedly before continuing. “And Non thinks he had a bit too much cider so I am taking him with me to sleep it off while I watch the twins.”

“I wouldn’t trust him around filly’s or colts. After how bad he scared Scootaloo I-“

“THATs IT!” Leo said a tad louder than intended. “You where the teacher that chewed me out for helping that little one to the hospital.”

“Well you were the reason she was there in the first place!” Cheerlie defended, walking past Pinkie to face Leo. 

“She ran into me, should have been wearin knee pads or somthin.” 

“You scared her half to death with the way you yelled. That's no way to talk to a little filly!”

“I know that, I just f-“

“Oh do YOU?, Who would ever let you near kids? You probably scare and yell at everyone you met.” Cheerlie interrupted. And at this point a small crowd had started to watch the two. Pinkie had elected to start eating popcorn rather then intervene.

“Your the one yelling.” Leo managed to say, with a small pout to his lip. 

“Thats because I am their teacher. Its my job to make sure they are safe and I am VERY protective of my students. And if you so much as speak out of tu-“

“I used to do that” 

“W-what?”

“Teach. Er, kinda I mean. I was good at math, so the school asked me to tutor on weekends some. Well till I had ta move.” 

“Whats that have to do with anything” 

“Do with what?”

“Whats wrong with you? Whats wrong with him?” She asked turning to Pinkie. Who responded with. “I think he drank all the cider at the party, so he’s a biiiiiit tipsy.” 

“Of course your a drunk to boot. Well glad to have you here in Ponyville!” She said sarcastically.

“Thanks, thats, thats.. “ ‘oh wait that was sacasm.’ His mind slowly caught up with her tone. His demeanor leaving indifference to a much more somber appearance. “Damn thought someone said something nice.” He said just under his breath. Before Pinkie decided to start dragging him toward the bakery. Leaving a very confused crowd. And a more perplexed Cheerlie. 

Once Inside the bakery Pinkie very calmly told Leo to just stay in one of the booths while she watched the kids in the house. Leaving a pile of sweets that didn’t sell through the day for him to eat if he got hungry and bolted to the back. He waved at the cakes as they left, Pinkie having explained why he was there to the Cakes. Who shot him sideways glances as they left. 

Leo wasn’t paying attention to that, he was to busy mentally chastising himself. 

‘Why cant I just not interact with these ponies. Wait job. There was something about work. No. Don’t wanna go back and listen to more of.. more of that. Plus I ruined the party. The one I DIDNT WANT. Whatever its over.’ 

Most of his thinking went on the same way, as he stared are the sugary pile on-top of the table before him. Never really a stress eater but realizing that he was still hungry from not really eating over the past few days he started to mindlessly eat

The sugar and crumbs stuck to him, as he rested his unshaven and scraggly face on the table. Quite a bit also getting into his hair. He stayed like this for a long while before he began to nod off. Sleep claiming him. 

———————————————-

He was laying down, in the dark. That was all. 

For the first few minutes Leo didn’t question it. Then as his drunk mind started to sober up he realized something was off. Sitting up felt weird like his body was covered by the blackness that surrounded him. Looking at his body he noticed that was the case. Thick oily sheets of black rippled over his body. Wrapping him coiling around around his arms. 

“Stuck.” His voice bounded around inside his head until the sound itself came back thick and unrecognizable. 

Looking up and forward as the cold slick continued to wrap around him. A small green light blinked. The light came from a broken metal contraption not two feet from him.  He quickly reached out pain shooting through his arm as the dream faded. He felt himself being shook. 

———————————

As the two re-entered their home to see Ponys still chatting. And having a good time not noticing, or not caring that the recipient of the party wasn't in attendance. 

“There you two are!” Applejack exclaimed.  Causing Non, Rainbow and Twilight to turn to face the farm pony. “I need the two of you to help me get Big Mac back to the farm.”

“What? Why?” The three of them asked, almost in unison. 

“Well ya see him and Leo got into a bit of a bet.” 

“What kind of bet?” Rainbow asked.

“Well...” 

———

Rubbing his eyes Leo took his third cup of the party and tried to seem civil. He may not want this party but he still recognized the time and effort that went into doing it. 

That was until he saw Applejack, apparently having arrived late with Big Mac. Seeing him she went over and started to greet him but Leo interrupted. 

“Save it, don’t need to hear any excuses.” 

“What? Oh that sorry for not meeting you when Ah said. Lost track of time.” 

“Suuure, you mean you didn’t wanna tell me you didn’t have work so you sent big, red, and doesn’t talk much after me.” 

“What are you on about? You been hittin the cider?” 

With a scoff Leo continued very slowly and deliberately reiterate his words. “You left me waiting, then big red there.” He said pointing over to Big Mac who now looked to be sweating a bit, looking back and forth from his sister to Leo. “Told me you really didn’t have any work for me.”

“Ah said no such thing! Big Mac?” Applejack turned to her brother “Why would you do that? We Apples have always help when we could!” 

While the two of them argued Leo had decided to self medicate his ever growing headache with more alcohol.  ‘Maybe I could try and talk to some of the ponies here. Find some place that’s desperate for work.’ His thoughts were cut off as he realized as he moved toward anypony they all sort of moved away in reflex. All watching him nervously. At first glance it looked like they were all talking and acting like there wasn’t a problem. 

But under that was a worry he didn’t see before, like they were afraid, as if the second something went wrong they were ready to bolt. ‘Maybe I should just stay near the cider then’ 

It wasn’t long until the two apple themed ponies had gotten Leos attention again. 

“Ah Am really sorry about what my brother Big Mac here said to you. You are welcome to work at the farm if ya still need a job. He went and decided something that wasn’t his to decide.” With a snort from the Big Red stallion Leo shook his head.

“No, I don’t have a job yet. But no, I am not going to work on your farm.” 

“Well now you can start- what now?” Unlike Applejack, Big Mac seemed to be happy with this. 

“If a member of your family doesn’t want me their, why would I try? That's just askin for trouble.” Big Macs response was to nod. It had looked like he had won.

“Now wait a tick here, Leo you don’t have to worry about that. Ah would-“

“Don’t care” he said rubbing the bridge between he eyes. “I know I need a job to get my own place. Trust me I don’t WANT to be a burden on anyone. If your brother doesn’t want me there its not like he’s just gunna be okay with it cause you say so.”

“Probably couldn’t handle the work anyway.” Big Mac said feeling confident in his victory. 

“Big talk for a guy who has to go around his sisters back.” Leo shot back.

Another snort was his response. “Now thats enough. Your both acting like colts. Leo, you really need this. Its going take a lot of good faith to get the town to start to accept you. Ah don’t know if ya noticed but, ponies are talking.” 

“Oh I noticed. I noticed the first day I was here, none of you can whisper that well.”

“Thats what ah mean, with no pony to vouch for you, your stuck.”

With a long sigh Leo stayed silent. He knew she was right, he didn’t like it. But she was.

“Fine.” He said through gritted teeth. “You gunna be decent about this Red?”

Much to Applejacks surprise he responded with, “Nope.”

“Now what did Ah just say about you acting like a foal?” 

“What if we have a little wager then huh?” Leo said looking at the large red stallion. “Pick something we can do here, if I win. I work like AppleJack he wants. And you gotta get over this petty shit your doing. If you win, I’ll just go without a job for awhile longer.” 

Without a moment of hesitation he responded with “Deal.” 

“You shouldn’t have done that, Leo Big Macs no push over.” She said worried about what BigMac might pick. 

Looking over Leo and as he went for yet another cup of cider Big mac had decided.

———-

“Wait, he drank BIgMac under the table?” Rainbow interrupted her tone matching the level of shock on Non’s face. 

“That he did, then he went on about human movies and kept telling stories. Some of the folks here actually enjoyed it. It was nice seein him not so.. um mean? No thats not right. Relaxed, he seemed relaxed.” 

——-

“Waaaaaaaake uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuup” 

“Uuugh” which is followed by a very heavy belch.

“Eeeewwww, smells like those sour liquor candy’s Rarity buys.”

Rubbing his face and slowly lifting his head from the table. The skin slowly pealing itself away. “What? Oo that is rank.” He states as he starts waving his hand to remove the odor. 

With a giggle pinkie nodded. “I was really worried cause they say its bad to sleep with your face down like that in case you throw up! Cause then you could get stuck and drown on your vomit and thats no good cause it could-“

“Can I use the restroom?” Seeing the odd and maybe a littles miffed look she was giving him spurred him to add. “Sorry, it couldn’t t wait.”

After a short while in the bathroom, Leo comes back out to the bakery with a somewhat washed face thanks to the sink. Sitting back down and seeing how dark out it is he realizes its probably time for him to get out and stop being Pinkie Pies problem. 

“Getting dark huh? Is it time for to go?”

Surprisingly Pinkie had waited patiently in the booth and only really roused once she realized Leo was back. “Oh not really! I just got the twins to lay down and wanted to chat! I was so busy introducing you to everypony that I didn’t even get to talk to you!” 

“Oh okay. What do you wanna talk about?” He asked clearly surprised that he wasn’t being shoved off. 

“Well Twilight told me about your little fight, what was that all about.” 

“Your rather direct huh?”

“Well I heard her side, I wanna hear yours. You seem nice but, what you said was reeeeealy mean.”

“I lost my temper its just. People suck okay? Not everyone but It just seems every time something good happens, it goes sour.” 

Pinkie nods slowly but doesn’t say anything. So Leo takes that as a sign to continue.

“I also was going off humans, so ponies are probably different. I mean everything else here seems so damn perfect, should have assumed you all have fairytale romances and live happily ever after with your soul mates.” 

“Not always.” Pinkie, finally interjects. Her tone turning more somber “Has anyone told you how ponies date, or court or anything?” 

“Well Non and Rainbow sure gave me a few sounds, but thats it.” 

She gives a half-hearted giggle “Yeah, well I am sure that hasn’t helped your attitude. But when two people are soulmates here they share a song, its kinda like their magic ties together. Thats what happened to Rainbow and Non. They had this whole ballad in the middle of ponyville.” 

Leo snorts, “Wait your telling me the two of them just started to sing like sone Disney cartoon. I cant picture either of them singing, let alone like that.”

“It was really nice, two ponies sharing a love song isnt super common. Everypony else usually a find a heard.” 

“A what?”

“Its a group of ponies who get along, and decide to be with each other.”

“Well thats, different.”

“Yeah, Non told us how humans are. Mon-monga monagamaus? I think it was.”

“Uuh yeah, most of are anyway. Or at least try to be.” He adds on quickly, starting to wipe of the flakes of food stuck in the wiry hairs that have started to grow on his face. 

“There you go making yourself sad again.” She says with a pout, “Why are you so negative about marriage?”

“Thats my business.” 

A silence overtakes the sweets shop, Pinkie seems lost in thought. Then she starts again. 

“Ill tell you a secret if you tell me yours. And I Pinkie Promise I wont tell anypony your secret if you wont tell mine.” 

“What? Why would I?”-

“I am jealous of Rainbow Dashs special somepony.” 

Leos face scrunches a bit. “Why?”

“I work hard everyday to make everypony smile. Is my job, I make everypony happy. And it keeps me reaalllly reaallly busy. So I haven’t had the chance to.... find somepony. And she got herself a LOVE song. Being just as busy, just like that. and she just. She just GOT one. While I still come home, and... somethings missing. I can feel it and. I dont like it.”

Pinkie seemed on the verge of tears. Leos face softened as she spoke. He barely knows this mare but yet. Maybe its because these pony’s are so  adorable, yeah that must be it. 

He hurriedly takes his ring off his finger and places it on the table between then. Pinkie looks at it and back to him with a questioning glance. 

“What did Non tell you about human marriage.” 

“Uum,” she think while she wipes away some of the tears. And a good breath in clearing her throat. “That the mare wears a white dress, they exchange vows.”

“Did he tell you how they propose marriage?” She shakes her head from left to right.

“The guy, presents the girl with a ring. And they both wear the rings to show they are married.” Shes nods in understanding. 

“Oooooh, OH! NO! Your special Somepony  is back on earth thats awful.”

“Not quite, we were but we split.”

“Oh, so thats why you said..”

“Part of it was, I am still trying to get over what happened. She, cheated on me Pink.”

“What like on her diet?”

“No, I caught her in bed with another man.”

“Did she not tell you? Or? ooooh thats right monogamy.” 

“Yeah, it messed me up. Twilight didn’t do anything wrong. I was just being to sensitive.”

“Yeah, see though. Talking it out is good! Don’t you feel better!” Pinkies cheer coming back to her voice. 

“Meh, maybe a little.” Leo says deadpan, shocking Pinkie a bit. Before a smile starts to creep on his face. Then the two start laughing. The hard and loud kind that comes with talking over stressful things. 

As they start to get their breath back. “Don’t feel bad about being a little lonely, but if I may can I give you some advice?”

She nods, “Give yourself sometime to look. If you really wanna find someone, give yourself the chance to. I know its hard to say no sometimes but, you gotta make sure your happy too.”

“Yeah, your right. Guess I just needed to hear somepony say it. It is pretty late I wonder whats keeping them.“

“I wish I knew. Maybe they just assumed Id come back once I sobered up?” 

“Maybe, wanna go ask?”

“Not really, but it is getting late. And I think I have a job to go to tomorrow.” 

“Yeah, and it is getting late I guess.” 

As Leo got up to leave he turned to Pinkie, “Mind if I come and see you tomorrow, Pink?”

“Not at all! Come here around five!” 

“So long as I can.” He said with a wave as he left and started the walk back. Not looking forward to the conversations to come. 

So Leo walked back to Non's and Rainbows house. The pitch black night engulfing the colors of the normally vibrant town. Leo felt lucky for the town lights, for without them he would be lost in the dark. The dark, just like before. His moderate pace slowed as the reminder hit him. He felt bad for lying to these creatures, but it was safer that way. So much better if they never had to know how he got here. Maybe he was just scared, that if they ever tried to send him back, he would end up back. Back. 'No, don't even think about it'
——
> Act 6 - Working On It
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The door swings open to Non's and Rainbows house, no remnants of the party that took place left. Excluding some snacks left wrapped up on the kitchen table. "You ponys should start locking your doors. Never know who might just walk in." Leo said attempting a joke, as well to try and get the attention of the houses residents. 

In the living room, Non and Rainbow both lightly cringed at the familiar voice. Twilight's ears involuntarily tried to pin themselves to her head. The three were not looking forward to the conversation, and maybe had put off going to get him from Pinkie Pie as a result. "In here Leo." Rainbow called out. 

The soft foot falls signaled Leos movement into the room. His head peaked around the door frame, the three sitting on the couch and arm chair. All staring directly towards him.

-"Oh Twilight I need to talk to you."-
-"Leo, We gotta have a chat"-

The two humans said at once. Looked at each other, then looked back to the two pony's. "Uh, let me go first Non. Twilight, I owe you an apology." The shock on the other threes faces didn't stop him from continuing. "After I sobered up, and talked to Pink a bit I. I realized I was letting my anger at my.. No, no excuses. Regardless of what. Am going through, It was wrong of me to act out like that for something so dumb. Also, sorry to you two. I left you two to pick up a mess and, well I didn't think before I just got myself blasted."

There was short silence, until Rainbow spoke up. "Leo, we need you to stay somewhere else tonight." 
"Oh okay. Kinda short notice, where am I supposed to go?" he asked with concern, wouldn't be the first time he slept outside, but probably the first time he had done so sober. 

"That's why I am still here." Twilight chimed in. "The Mayor told me about one place that is vacant. However, It was a storefront so its not really ready to be a home yet, its going to need to be remodeled, and reconstructed. But since you have a job now the town Hall can start getting paper work to get it turned into a proper home. You can, um stay there tonight."

As the words hit him, Leo moved silently to pick up his small pile of clothes, and his coat. Then walked right out of the house and stood outside. Shortly after Twilight, and the other two walked to the doorway. "Well, aren't you going to show me where this place is?"

"Oh, yeah right." Twilight timidly responded, following him out the door. It took a bit of time before Twilight found the courage to speak again. "I really do appreciate the apology." 

"Well, that's good. I meant it, I have been dealing with alot. Even before I ended up here, and its made me a real act like an ass."

Twilight giggles "I mean maybe a little. But, I owe you an apology as well." This got Leo to raise an eyebrow.

"Well, I did all those tests on you, and never really got to know you. So instead of asking for your view I asserted my own. I never gave you a chance to explain why you thought different."

"That's quite a stretch there Twilight. But if it makes you feel better, Thanks. How did those tests go anyway?"

“Well its quite Interesting. It seems your body is taking the change really fast. The samples I got from you are showing a rapid amount of change. Which means your body has already started to adapt to magic. Which took months for Non, its like you’ve been in Equestria for months already.”

“Huh, I have no idea what that means.” 

“Neither do I really. You haven't noticed any change? And way magic might be affecting your mind or body?”

“Besides that Blue Princess that keeps messing with my dreams. Mind and body are as cruddy as they always been.”

“Oh Princess Luna has been visiting your dreams?” She then changes to a quieter tone, even though there is no-pony else around. “Have you been having a lot of nightmares?”  

“Thats my business.” He says as the Twilight stops. Looking in from of him he sees what Is supposed to be his new home. 

A large single floor building is what meets his eyes, it sits a little out side of the market place in town. And a fair way away from most of Ponville’s residential area. It looks more like a garage with two large rolling bay doors being the only way of entry. Only two windows can be seen, one on the left bay door. And another on the left side, which seems to have long been boarded up. 

Leo gives out a long whistle. “Wow, Twilight don't you think this is a little much. I mean I would never feel at home in a castle like this.” 

Her response was a nervous smile, “I actually haven’t seen it until now. The mayor said it would need work but. This seems like it might be better off condemned.”

“Well not so fast, it’s probably in my price range. How much would I end up having to muster up for castle el dirt here?” 

Twilight gives him a puzzled look before a metaphorical light goes iff in her head. “Oh right, things are different in Equestria Leo.” 

“Yup, I got that. How dense do you think I am?” 

“No I mean.” She huffs and calms herself before continuing. “Here as long as you have a job in the community, the town gives you a place to stay. But fixing it and anything else besides the four walls is up to the owner to take care of.” She says this as the doors slide open and lights her horn to brighten the inside. 

“Ah so I am guessing that Big Mac told you I got a job at Apple Acres huh?” Leo says as he walking in ahead of Twilight, and keeps the door held up, for her to walk through.

“Well Applejack did, can’t say I am proud about HOW you got the job but..”

Aside from piles of wood planks the concrete floor is bare. Covered in only dust and the back wall has a tool bench. Long since striped bare. On the far left it looks like the only other room is an office area the door to which is missing. Showing the boarded up window, with a desk pushed up against it.

“Well I guess beggars can’t be choosers. So this place is just mine now? Thats it?”

“Well there will be paperwork to do tomorrow to put it in your name. Otherwise, essentially yes. However this is worse then I though, there is nowhere for you to sleep. I can’t just leave you here.” 

“Well it’s to late now. It’s the dead of night and Non and Rainbow are no doubt celebrating my departure. Ill make due, and after my first paycheck. Ill get myself a blanket! ~Fancy livin, here I come!” Leo practically shouting the last sentence walking over to the office room and finding the desk. 

“Nonsense, you can stay at the library. At least it’s insulated.” She says with a small shiver from the cold concrete beneath her hooves.

She does not get an answer, she hears a creaking and then walks into the office to find Leo laying down on the desk. Facing the ceiling, “I am gunna spend the night here, Its late and I need to make sure I make it to work tomorrow.” 

“Leo, you could get sick. Or worse spending the night here.”

“I most definitely could.”

“Then why don’t you just-“

“I am tired, and I actually had a nice talk with Pink. Along with that, Pink kinda helped me realize that I was being a jerk, to little to late I guess. Then, on top of all that, imagine my surprise finding out this dump is to be my new ‘home’. I just wanna go to sleep Twilight, go home. Ill see you on the weekend for more tests.” 

"But you really coul-"

"LEAVE!"

Twilight's ears pin themselves to her head, understanding that Leo might just need some time to himself for now. So she starts on her way back home. Leaving Leo in the black darkness of the night. 

As he slumps onto the cold wooden desk, he moves his clothes into a pile to work as a pillow. With nothing else but his coat to work as a blanket he starts to rest. 

————

It wasn’t odd to Leo that he could tell he was dreaming. It seemed to be happening more often now that he had some interloper interested in his dreams. What was odd to him was his lack of control. For this was much less like a dream, and more him being forced to relive his memories.  

If he could, he would have been yelling or screaming. Anything to get him to wake up, or get out but he couldn't. She wasn’t about to let him. Princess Luna, it seemed wherever she was hiding, wasn’t  going to stop until she got what she wanted.

Luna was enthralled with the oddities of the human world as she was watching from behind Leo’s eyes. The darkness around was cut by lampposts and the glow of the gas station. As Leo passed the large metal box on wheels on his way to the building, she recognized it as a vehicle of some sort, from one of Non’s descriptions she'd have guessed truck. She did not however recognize the items displayed across the large frame. 

She didn't have long to decipher them, again this was not her goal to identify the cylinders of swirling color and ice on this metal wagon. It was to find out just how Leo crossed over. He had claimed to not remember, but she had to be sure. Her sister had asked her to double check, it seemed that her student was still unsure of this new creatures honesty. Not to mention Luna’s own skepticism, one does not have that many nightmares without the matching demons. 

Having moved inside the building Leo started to move toward some sort of food display. Grabbing some sandwiches, then looking up both could see his reflection in the chrome on the top of the oddly cold display.

He was unkempt, not totally unlike he was before the doctors took him in after his crash. His long hair was un-brushed and seemed to have been for several weeks. His face was un-evenly shaved. The worst part for Luna to see was his eyes. They were bloodshot, and his face was red. The smile he wore did not match anything about him. 

Moving away he grabbed a few large brown bottles, before paying and walking back outside. Getting into a much smaller metal wagon with someone else inside. 

“Jesus man, you spend the whole twenty I just gave you?” The other human behind the wheel asked.

“You gave me a twenty, didn't say I couldn’t.” Leos voice was different, less focused. After he seemed to be having a real issue with getting the odd rope over himself.

“You can be a real asshole Leo, If I had anyone else that could help me today I would gladly toss your ass on the side of the road.” The other human said, while clicking the belt in place. 

“Id rather you had someone else to, but I need the cash.” Leo started in on his food, as the other human began to drive. 

“So, whats this thing supposed to do?” Leo asks as he taps the odd metal contraption in the back seat. 

The other human smacks his hand. “Don’t do that. Besides with how much you've had already you'd forget and ask me again in four minutes.”

Leo simply grumbled as he finished his food. The driver taking them farther and farther into the Forrest. The only lights coming from the vehicle that was going down the dirt road. 

Then near a lake the car stops. The other human starts barking at Leo to move the machine and other parts from the car to set up. Leo starts in, having a bit of trouble managing the exact orders of the other. 

Once they were finished the machine started to run. It was about the size of a small boat once it was completed. Green lights started to blink. “Alright, Leo stand over here”

“Alright.” As Leo got into the seat, “So you mind telling me the deal here? Is this supposed to be a boat? Id be offended if you thought I wouldn't get the concept of a boat.”

“Not a boat. Well not exactly. See ya in twenty Leo.” The other human flicked and the machine lurched. Backwards then forwards.

“What!? Is that supposed-“ Leo was cut off as the machine pulled backwards, the lake disappearing as a rainbow of colors started to swirl around him. He fell to his knees, fighting back the urge to vomit. Before the pain became to much. Severing Luna’s hold and waking up Leo. 

—————

“Oh god. *UUR*” It was the same thing Leo had said  five or so times already this morning. Having vomited on the floor with a massive headache being his wake up call. He was currently halfway to his first day of work, understandably in a bad mood. 

“I just hope shes as sick as I am. Uugh.” Another close call with last nights pastries. 

Mentally Leo started to go through his days todo list. It took him a bit , but he got it. 
Work, town office for paperwork, and then visiting Pink. Just in time as well he had finally reached the farm. This time he was met with the orange mare who had promised to help him in the first place. With Big Mac no where to be seen. 

“So where is Big Red?”

“Its Big MAC, and hes nursing a hangover in bed. Looks like you got one yourself.”

“Huh, yeah right. A hangover.” Leo learned that day the ponies seem oblivious to sarcasm. 

So began a day of apple farming. Leo was to hand pick, and gathered quit a few barrels worth. Enough to make the day pass quickly. Having been busy he was surprised when around noon a small yellow pony had brought him something to eat. He thanked the small filly, and felt pretty good about having something productive todo. Not really noticing that the amount of work he was doing wasn't in the least bit tiring. Then only a few more hours passed until he was done. Once he was given the go ahead, as well as a days worth of pay, he went straight to the town office. 

“Sooner I get this paperwork done the better. Then maybe some food.” he mumbled to himself on his way to the Town Hall he was walking through the vendor spaces. Seeing flowers, food as well as the odds and ends the ponyfolk sold. The rumble if his stomach gets him to stop rethink the order of his list.

One particular stand seems to have eggs and a variety of other produce. So he stopped to browse, the bright red mare with a blonde mane, standing behind the counter looking like shes about ready to bolt. 

“Miss, how much are eggs?”

“Eep” she responds. Hiding under the counter. 

Leo leans over the counter to look down at her. His tone showing his lack of patience. “And just how many bits are in one Eep?”

She doesn't respond. “Please Miss? Uh whats your name?”

She shakily responds “Brandywine”

“Ah yes, Miss Brandywine. I would like to purchase some of your produce here? Would that be okay? Or would you rather I shop somewhere else?”

“Of course. I- I was just.” She quickly grabs a cloth and pretends to be dusting the floor. “Cleaning! How can I help you.”

“Well I'd like some of these eggs, and maybe some tomatoes. Maybe a onion or two.”

“Oh planing on making some omelettes tonight?” 

“Now that's an idea! If only I had cooking ware.” He finished with a light chuckle. 

That got a giggle out of Brandywine. “Well a dozen eggs, a couple of tomatoes and an onion is all you need! That will be 10 bits.” 

Leo wasn’t really sure if that was a good price or not. So he just paid it, and grabbed his food. Said his goodbye’s and left. Eating one of his tomatoes, getting him a odd look from Brandywine.  

Town hall was surprisingly empty. And Leos meeting with the Mayor went swiftly. She wasn’t nearly as timid as the other members of the town. The paperwork however, ended up taking a few hours. Leo had to register as a citizen. Which when he thought about it, was good time compared to how long he had to wait to renew his license back on earth. 

It had to be close to quitting time for Pinkie at this point, so Leo decided to head over to her work. Admittedly a little worried about meeting again. 

The quite ding of the doorbell rang through the Sugarcube Corner. As Leo bent down to walk through the door. Most of the ponies inside ended up looking over at him. 

Leo decided to ignore them, and head over to the counter and see if Pinkie was off shift or not. He was greeted by the mare he was looking for. Popping up from underneath the counter. 

“LEO! Good to see you, *GAAASP* Its not 5 already is it!?!” She zips impossibly fast over to the clock, then back to Leo. "Silly Leo its only 4:45, unless you came for for something sweet to eat!"

“Yeah, no, well lets just say both. Do you have coffee here? Id like a cup of that with one of those cupcakes. I need something extra, had a busy day of paperwork today.”

"Yep! Okie-Doki-Loki, coming right-" She zips to the back room and then to the counter. "-UUUP!" Handing Leo his drink and cupcake with a little smile added with chocolate frosting. 

"Hey, thanks Pink. Whats the charge?" Leo went ahead and paid her and took a seat in the booth he used last night. She telling him that she would join him a the booth once she was done with her shift, and Mrs. Cake would take over. 

Leo was surprised at himself, he had managed to keep his temper. It seemed to also get him results. Although that Mayor had tested his patience a few times. Now that it was done however, he had his own little place. Even if he though it was a shithole. He had a job, even if it was temporary. He might dare say he made a friend in Pinkie Pie, even if she was a pony. He was actually in a pretty good mood, and he felt as if things would actually get better for him. 

As that's when a royal guard came into Sugarcube Corner. The Guard looking around the storefront and as soon as his eyes landed on Leo, shouted. "Leo the Human, You are under arrest by the order of Princess Luna! For the crime of keeping secrets from the crown!"  

His response was to drop his coffee on himself, and swear at the hot beverage.
> Act 7 - Pa-thet-ic
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Act 7 - Pa-thet-ic

Leo's head makes a loud thud as his head connects with the table he was sitting at. The remainder of his hot drink falls all over his shirt, staining it and burning his skin. The guard with a dark grey coat, whom Leo has become acquainted to shouting in his ear. "DO NOT RESIST. WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN PERMISSION TO USE NECESSARY FORCE." The guard pushes harder after saying that. Feeling something in his back crack and the situation dawns on him, and his body goes into self preservation mode. He rolls off the table and onto the ground, "Get the FUCK OFFA ME."

The guard falls with him, hitting the floor. Leo falls face down but surprisingly doesn't feel any pain. The guard stumbles a bit as he falls. Leo feels the grip lessen and uses this to roll out of the guards grip. Facing up he looks the guard in the eyes as he kicks him square in the jaw. Then in the barrel, knocking the wind out of him, causing the guard to go tumbling into the table across from him. Getting on his feet he backs up to the wall, seeing the other guards move to him he falls to his knees and puts his hands behind his head. "I'll GO JUST DON'T GET ROUGH." 

The other two guards stop and look at him, one with a blue coat using his magic levitates hand cuffs over to Leo, to which Leo stands up and lets his hands be cuffed. The third guard gets up, and practically tackles Leo. " YOU HAVE ASSAULTED A GUARD OF-" 

"ENOUGH SMOKEY! OFFA HIM, NOW!" The gray colored earth pony gets off the human, grumbling. "I think the Ape, bruised a rip." He said clutching his side. 

"I don't care!" The blue colored stallion continued, in a low tone close to the earth pony. "You barged in ahead of Shades and I  again. Didn't even give the charged a chance to come peacefully! As far as I am concerned he had every-right to kick you like he did." With a huff he turns to Shades, the matte black colored Pegasus. "Go notify the pony's on the list. Smokey and I will lead the accused to the chariot. Then escort them to the train." With a Nod Shades trotted out of the store. 

Looking down at Leo as he laid on the floor, it wasn't his proudest moment as a guard. The human, as the princess called it, somehow got it's face covered with someponies cake. Shirt still dripping wet with hot coffee and whatever was supposed to be in the remnants of that shopping bag. As the human leaned against one of the chairs, his eyes moving from pony to pony. 

Leo could see the fear renewed on the other pony's faces. If they didn't like him before they sure didn't now. "So lead away." He said as he stood up, which went alright considering he couldn't use his arms. Following behind the two guards out the door. 

As the door shut, Pinkie came back from the kitchen with a small basket of pastries as she looked around the store she looked at the confused looking ponies and asked. "What just happened? AND WHO MADE THIS MESS!" She shouted and dropped the frosted treats on the floor only adding to the mess. 

Leo and the guards walked into the chariot placed outside the store in silence. The blue pony closing the door roughly with his magic and the Pegasus team pulled the chariot away and into the sky, Smokey decided to speak up. 

"Sorry, Bluebottle I just." But he was cut off by the other guard. "Quiet, this is not the place to discuss." He said motioning to Leo. Nodding the red pony gets quite. 

Bluebottle turns to Leo, "So you did assault a member of the royal guard. With the witnesses its going to get reported, but I will make sure it's striked from the record as long as you don't press charges against Smokey." His green eyes stared directly at Leo's. Bluebottle was clearly a older stallion, a little bit of white mixing in with his coat, making the blue seem lighter. 

"Seems like a pretty shit deal to me." Leo said in response, "Even if he is a guard I assume what he did would count as brutality right?"

The old blue stallion didn't flinch, but he did nod just the slightest bit. His voice quite and slow. "That it would, and it could get my friend here kicked from the guard for good." 

Leo looked over at Smokey, who was currently trying his best not to look worried out of his mind. He was not doing a good job. 

Leaning back against the side of the chariot,  Leo answersd"Fine, but you gotta apologize and make it up to Pinkie Pie." 

"What? Who?" the two guards asked in unison. 

"She works at the bakery that just got trashed. So that means she has to clean up your mess, literally." 

The two guards just shared a look and nodded in agreement. The rest of the ride to Canterlot was quite, only the wind and the occasional creak of the chariot was heard. 





After landing the guards moved Leo into a cell. It was small maybe a ten foot by nine foot cell, with only a cot the was attached to the gray walls. The thing that surprised Leo was that there wasn't anyone else in any of the other cells. Every one of them was empty, leaving the place quite. and after a few hours Leo fell asleep on the cot. 

The rattle of keys unlocking the door started to get Leo to stir as he woke up. Turing to see Bluebottle standing there, he rolled out of bed and stood up. "So whats the deal? Am I going to a different jail or something?"
The blue ponies eyes widened, then he looked away in shame for a moment. "Sorry, we forgot to tell you, everything happened so quick I forgot." Moving his attention back to Leo. "You are called to be seated before the princesses in court of equestrian law. Your accused of lying to the princesses on matters of importance that could cause great harm to Equestria. So we are taking you to night court." 

"Night court? Was day court booked up?" Leo chuckled a bit. 
"Yes, the nobles tend to bring their business up during the day."

A couple of slow blinks blinks later Leo was being ushered out and up stairs, through the castle into the throne room. "So do I get a lawyer or anything?" He got no response from the guard, "Bummer."

As he walked into the throne room he noticed that quite a few pony's were already inside, talking.

He heard a loud female voice, "Thank you all for bringing us up to speed. He should be here In just- Ah fantastic."
It was Princess Luna, "The accused is finally here." Leo saw not just Princess Luna but also a large white alicorn, as well as Rainbow Dash, Non, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Twilight and Rarity. 

"Great lets get this over with, hes wasted enough of my life as it is." Rainbow Dash quipped. Non, nodded in agreement. Looking just as displeased as everyone else in the room. Well almost everyone, Pinkie was waving at him so not everyone seemed mad. 

"So the trial begins." Luna said in her royal voice. In response all but Celestia covered their ears. "The accused is Leo the Human from Earth, the crime, knowingly withholding dire information from the crown."

'Dire? what have I gotten myself into here?' Leo thought as he was lead to sit down on a bench, which had this odd red stone in the center. "Leo, we have heard from every pony about your actions while staying in Equestria! We have concluded that you pose no direct threat to our citizens. But require you to tell the truth about how you came to us. We have seen enough of your dreams to know you have lied about a matter of great importance." As she pointed to the crystal in the bench Leo sat on, she continued. "This gem has a very specialized magic to it, it will prevent you from altering, embellishing or changing events of your memory so that we know what we see of you will be the truth. It will show us all the events leading up to your arrival, and we will truly know of your intentions." 

"I only caught about half of that." Leo responds, the red crystal glows and hums for a moment after he speaks.

"That is what it does when you tell the truth Leo." Luna states, just as much to Leo as the rest of the room. "Now you will tell us everything that led to you coming here, and hopefully answer a few other questions about your character in the process." 

"So you just want me to talk?" A nod from the Princess was his answer. 

"Alright, So I guess it started the night you saw in my dream when-" He was cut off by a loud buzzing from the crystal. 

"Remember, I said Everything that lead you to coming here. Not just the act that sent you here. Any detail no matter how small could be of great importance." 

"Okay, so then it all started when my roommate got -" Again the loud buzzing went off. Frowning at it, Leo tried again. "It all started when got my new -" again the buzzing. Pushing his hair away from his face and mumbling. "What does this thing want from me?" and after a short pause he tried again. 

"It all started when I found out that my fiance fucking some other guy." The Crystal once again, glowed and hummed. Everyone in the room looked uncomfortable at the new information. Including Pinkie, even though she already knew. "Yeah, no I don't wanna do this. What happens if I refuse?" 

"Well you'll be banished to the deserts on the edge of Equestria, or imprisoned for very a long time."

"So it's basically spill my personal business or go to jail?"

"If it wasn't for the fact that other humans could start coming to Equestria in droves, and the danger that poses. We would not ask this."

Rubbing his hands over his face wiping away the odd feeling of scratchy hairs just tickling his skin, no doubt caused by dried food that was stuck to his face. He rather angrily started "Fine, it all started when I found out that my wife to be, was fucking around on me." 




Three Months before leaving earth 

“What the fuck Racheal?”

“Oh fuck, Leo. I- Its-.”

The door slams shut. Leo walks over the the kitchen opens the pantry and takes out a bat sitting inside. Racheal comes out of the bedroom. “Leo don’t I.”

“Get the fuck out. Now, or I swear to god.”

“Leo dont,”

He swung the bat into the wall, ripping up the drywall. Knocking framed pictures to the floor. “Out now! Or the next thing I hit will be your fucking face.” 

With little more then a sheet covering her she goes and leaves through the door. The other guy coming out having managed to get his clothes on. “Listen man I.” 

That was all he managed to get out before the bat connected with his head. Dropping him straight to the floor.

Leo dragged the guy out the door and threw him outside. “Take this shit with you.” 

The next few day his phone kept buzzing with texts and left voice messages. 

-I am so sorry, we can move past this-
-dont throw away what we have-
-that sucks man, I don’t know what to say-
-just forgive her-
-I just heard that guy is gunna try and sue you?- 
-so that means the money I spent on the wedding was a bust then?-

Leo felt his only blessing was that the apartment was solely in his name. So when it came to kicking out Racheal. There was nothing she could do. 

He tossed everything that was hers out the window, about half of it broke, or got rained on. She came the next day to get her things. She tried to talk to him through the door but he didn’t break. He let her pound on the door and try but he didn’t let her in.

Ten years worth if a relationship thrown away. Ten years of building and making a life. He didn’t want to hear any excuses, he didn’t care why. He didn’t want to build again, he just wanted her gone. 

While working on some guys cracked phone screen he lost it. The guy was complaining about the cost to replace the glass and Leo overreacted. 

So here he was, talking to potential roommates. So he could afford the rent, his saving where really good, especially considering he wasn’t going on a honeymoon anytime soon. 

“So yeah, I make about $3,900 a week. So making rent isn’t an issue for me. I really like this place because its close to where I work.” 

“Uh huh, thats nice. Are you currently in a relationship?” Leo asked interrupting. 

“Exscuse me?” 

“I just want to know how often you’d be inviting people over. And if you had an SO, i’d like to know if they would be here often.” 

“Oh, well there isn’t anyone. But the occasional person might stop by. Only to pick something up, not to hang out or anything.” 

“Alright, I’ll level with you. Your the first person I have talked to today who hasn’t reeked, or a college student so you got it.” 

“Sweet” And thats when things started to really go down hill. Still without a job Leo stopped trying to really find work. On top of that he also started to turn his savings into alcohol. Drinking just enough that he didn’t have to deal with his issues or get employed. The unemployment checks managing to pay his half of the rent. 

A knock on the door roused him from the nest he made for himself on the couch. “ALEX DOOOOR!” He said as he rolled over. The light from the tv casting over his body, as he rolled to cover his head with the pillow. 

Alex walked out of the bedroom and opened the door. Stepping out for maybe a minute, before walking back in and looking at the lump he once called Leo. 

“Heeey man. I had a question.” The response was a low grumble. “I wanted to ask, why did you give me the master bedroom? Not that I am complaining but just seems odd.” 

“I can’t go back in that room.” 

“Is there a reason for that or?” He waited to hear a response from the lump. What he got was a arm reaching out for a bottle, and then that arm retreating under the covers. “That bad huh?” He said as he got up, patting the lump. “Don’t drink that, you have interviews today.” The end of his sentence was met with a pressurized pop as the cap came off the bottle.  

Another knock at the door, and away Alex went. 

Eventually his parents came to visit him, worried that their son had really gone off the deep end. It turns out they were right. 

“Just go and ask for your old job back! Its not that hard, you were good at it!” His father yelled at him. His mother already went outside, not wanting to hear them argue. 

Thats when it really hit the fan. Outside someone came to the door looking for Alex.

“Hey, uh do you got it?” This stranger asked Leo’s mother.

“Have what? What do you want?” 

“Uh is Leo or Alex here?” He asked as he opened the door. “Oh Leo! Wheres Alex man?” 

“And who is this? Some other lay about?” His father started in. 

“You Randal?” The man nodded, “It’s the bag on the table.” He said pointing at a plastic shopping bag his roommate had left.  It wasn’t until now somethings started to fall into place for Leo. If he was bring honest he was so drink most often that he hadn’t noticed. 

His parents however put it together way faster. He father grabbed the bag and sure enough, it was filled with wrapped up little tin foil squares.

Randal quickly grabbed the bag from the father and bolted. The looks on his parents faces would be burned into his memory till the day he died. His parents left after that. He didn’t hear from his parents again after that. 

The argument with his roommate happened when he got home. Or at least it started but, it ended with Leo starting to sell with Alex. He was just so done with everything else in his life and just staying at home and giving the supplies to runners it just so easy. 

Then came the night when a old work buddy asked him to test something. When everything collapsed into a rainbow covered wormhole. 





"I remember vomiting all over the place every time that thing started up. That damn space boat is probably lodged in the side of that snow-pile I passed before slamming into the sidewalk."

"Wait, so the thing you came here in is probably crashed into a mountain, and is probably still operational?" Non Stood up from his seat, hysterical. "So you could have just told us, from day one! That I could have gone home! I could have seen my family!"

"Well I-"

"NO!" Non walks up to the bench, slamming his hands on the table. "You shut up, I let you in my house. Had I know half of what I do now I would have let you die in the Everfree. You were nothing but a fucking drug smuggler back on earth. Unlike you I had a life to go back to, I have people who I didn't treat like trash, who would have been happy to see me." Stepping away from the bench and turning, " I gotta go I can't be here right now." 

Non walks out, and the rooms silence starts to cut through Leo, it reminds him of the time his parents visited, the tightness in his chest growing. It was starting to fall on him again, he felt like he was going to vomit, his nose twitched, and his hands started to feel cold and wet. His breath grew heavy, panting as he spoke. "There was a reason I didn’t say anything." 

"I think that will be enough, you'll be released and sent home." Luna said.

"What? After everything I just told you, your just sending me home?" Leo was feeling the cold on his face now, trying to wipe it away with his hands, it only caused him to feel the sweat wipe across his face. 

"We cannot arrest you for crimes you did not commit on Equestrian soil, Its a old law, but a law none the less. As far as what brought you here today, you have atoned for that, and I like to believe in second chances. Which means you'll have the choice to stay in Equestria should the device function once we find it." Luna descends from the throne,  before she is in front of Leo. Her hair taking up his vision so he has nowhere to look but her face. "However, if you ever fall back into old habits, or hurt any of my little ponies, we will not show mercy." She goes to leave with her sister, Celestia's cold glare following him as the two sisters left. "The guard will be back in to get you to do some release paperwork." The rest of the pony's also go to leave, except for two.

Pinkie Pie and Applejack walk up to the very quite human, staring at the crystal on the desk. 
"Listen ah Leo?" Applejack slowly taps at the top of the desk, getting him to look at her. His face having lost a lot of its color. "Ah want y'all to know you still have a job at the farm. I'll have to tell Granny and Big Mac, but I don't want you to, well you know. Also, it would probably be best if ya stayed away from my sister Applebloom too, it'll be hard enough convincing my family to let ya stay as it is." A slow nod was her answer, before he went back to looking at the crystal. Applejack just shurgged to Pinkie as she left, Bluebottle waiting by the door. 

Pinkie just sat there across from him, tapping her hoofs together, looking for a way to start. So she did what she did best, and tried to get him to smile. "Well good thing you landed in Ponyville huh? We wouldn't want you having turned into a LeoCicle, huh?" His lips flattened together and he looked over at the pink mare. 

"I really didn't want to have to share any of that. I really was hoping I could leave all of that behind me. Part of me really though I could-" He cuts himself off, sitting back against the chair. 

"Well I am happy you landed in Ponyville. I have met a lot of bad pony's, It happens when you party as much as I do. You made a pretty big mistake but, I don't think it makes you a bad person." 

He doesn’t say anything, just looks down at his hands. "So do you think you'll be staying in Equestria if the thingy works or?" 

"It does't matter. I'll still be just as pathetic either way. Nothing changes if I am here or there. He used me because there was no one left that would have cared if I disappeared."

"Well i'd like you to stay, I hate saying goodbye to a friend." She says offering a smile before she leaves. "I'll see you tomorrow?" She asks before she leaves through the door.

"Maybe." She smiles and nods before she leaves, Bluebottle holding the door for her. 
"Alright, lets get you outta here." The old Guard says as as he unlocks Leos cuffs.





It was now pitch black outside, as Leo and Bluebottle walked out of the gaurd barracks. "Ya wanna follow that road straight down and you'll start seeing signs that will direct you to the train station. Here's the ticket, it leaves in four hours."

"Four hours? What do you guys only have one train running at a time?" He questioned the pony, taking the ticket. "God, what am I supposed to do for four hours."

"I suggest wait for the train, also here." The old stallion handed a small bag of bits to Leo, "This is for what smokey ruined on ya, should be enough for new clothes and to replace whatever food got wasted on your shirt." Taking the small bag and looking inside it was indeed  good amount of bits. Almost as much as as Applejack had paid for his one day of work. 

"Thanks, but that doesn't mean Smokey gets out of owing Pink a solid." Bluebottle chuckled at that, "Oh, don't worry about that. Ill make sure he covers that debt."

With a nod Leo starts to walk, following the old stallions directions he gives himself time to look at the stores and shops he passes. Afterall he’s got plenty of time before his train.

Although they are all closed by now he begins to have looking through the windows. Being able to look around the world he’s been dropped into without the gaze of other on him for the first time. 

That is until he comes across a building with all the lights on. He could hear a lot of music playing from it, And that smell. He knew exactly what he was looking at. 

A bar.

A place to get shit faced and forget. 

As the door opened a small jingle from the bell on the door violently rang. At first only the bartender and a waitress noticed. Both shocked at the visitors appearance. Leo wasted no time talking a seat at the bar and ordered. “Whatever you got thats close to hard liquor. No Ice.” 

The pony next to him turned “Nice order, trying to impress, some, pony?” The mare next to him slowly looked up at the much taller human.  “No, trying to get a drink.” 

“Holy! Your that Human they had on trial today aren’t ya?” The yellow furred, red haired mare gave him a punch in the arm. It didn't hurt but it made a good thud against him. 

“Yeah thats me.” Leo said as the bartender gave him a drink. It was a good sized glass. 

“Welp glad I don’t have to read the paper tomorrow. You got yourself a pardon, congrats.” The mare said as she raised her glass to his, before downing her own drink. 

“Also heard you kicked a a greentailed guard through a window back in ponyville?” She said as she elbowed him. 

Leo hadn’t expected to have anyone talk to him. He was hoping just to down 20 bits worth of liquor and beat it. Starting on his first glass with a good couple of chugs. Feeling that tightness in his chest finally start to ebb. 

Slamming the glass back down on the table, “Well I did kick’em, but not through a window. His tail was also white, not green.” 

That got a good laugh from the unicorn mare, as well as half the bar. Leo, looked around to see almost all of the bar was looking at him now. “Names Cherry Lemon”, the mare put out a hoof which Leo shook. “Leo, nice to meet you.” 





“No way!” 

“Yes way! Tyler wasn’t even real! So he shot himself to get rid if him!” 

“Why?” Cherry asked, “That’s so messed up!” She says as she puts her hoofs over her head on the bar, trying to playfully shake out the image. 

“I know right, it gets ya right at the end.” 

“Yeah” She says, thinking about the story Leo just shared. 

Leo had managed to waste almost all the time he had to wait for the train in the bar chatting with Cherry, and a good amount of the bar, mostly about human things. She was really curious about human stories and goodness did Leo seem to know alot of them. 

“Alright what about music?”

“What about music?” He said as he finished another drink. 

“Whats human music like? Is it as hardcore as those stories?” She asked, a small slur to her voice. 

“Sometimes, but alot of it is really similar to music here though. Like, catchy and the same thing a few times over.” 

“Thats sounds super laaaaame.” The mare said as she slumped onto the table. 

“No, not all of it. I mean sure its sappy. But alot if its nice.” 

“Ill take your word for it big guy.” She laughs with a small snort. 

“Oh? You want proof of a good human song then?” Leo leans in, “You sure? Pony music will never do it for you afterwards.” 

She gives that laugh snort again. “Yeah? From what I hear they aren’t half as long~” She teases back, her meaning going right over Leo’s head.

“Oh yeah?” He motions for the bartender to come over, which he does. “Can patrons play the piano in the corner?” 

“Not usually but, I think with the looks the ‘patrons’ are giving me they might riot if I don’t.” He chuckled Leo once again realizing half the bar was following along with his stories again. 

With a small stumble Leo makes his way over to the piano. With Cherry shaking her head as he finally sits down. One of the stallions sitting next to her saying. “Kinda dense ain’t he?” Which gets another laugh out of Cherry. 

Now with the whole bar looking at him, Leo feels glad that he had enough liquid courage in him to drown a pig. As well as wasted a lot of time at piano lessons.

“This songs called Dancing In the Moonlight, by uh. I actually dont remember the bands name.” Dragging over a seat he slowly starts by finding the key, and then begins playing the music. His voice is deeper then the original but it doesn't sound bad. 

He forgets where he is for a moment as he starts singing. His energy helping to carry the song. His foot tapping along the beat, and he is brought back to the bar as he see’s most of the Ponys stepping with the beat. Most even managing to sing along After the first verse. Once he finishes he gets up and bows dramatically. Before walking back up to his bar stool, looking Cherry in the eye as picks up his next drink. “See told ya.” 

She giggles and is about to say something as the bartender interrupts. ”Leo! Your gunna miss the train if you don’t leave now!” 

“What? Its only.” Looking at the clock Leo’s face looks sober for almost a full second. “Shit, and I got work tomorrow.” He quickly starts to pay off his tab and the other Pony's in the bar say their goodbyes. 

Cherry still trying to say something but Leo couldn’t hear over the bar. “What?” He leans in so he can hear her better.

“Am I ever going to see you again?” She asks, to which Leo shrugs. Then using her magic she quickly jots something down on a napkin and slips it in his pocket before he runs out the door.   





“Uuuhh” Leo moaned as the train shook again. With nothing but pretzels and beer in his stomach at this point he was having a hard time keeping it down. “I thought trains were supposed to be smooth.” The empty train car didn't answer him. But it did slow to a stop. The loud speakers hurting his ears. 
“Last stop Ponyville.” 

“Finally” Leo slowly got up and out of the train. Stumbling through the station almost falling down the short stairs he started walking home. 

Outside of his house he saw some ponys. Thats kinda odd, he thought to himself. As he got closer he started to see writing on his place. 
-Send the monkey back!- and -Leave Ponyville- written over and over again across his house.

“What the fuck?” He startled the pony’s but they quickly turned and started after him. Some throwing rocks with magic. Shouting at him, Leo couldn’t hear what they were saying. Running on instinct he ran and stumbled around in the dark. Until they stopped chasing him. Looking around all he could see where trees and plants. “Where the fuck am I?”
> Act 8 - A Night in the Woods
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The sun was beating down hard on the orange mare as she went about her chores. With it getting so close to winter Celestia started to raise the sun a little earlier. to help let the snow gather from the weather pony's work. Which to Applejack just meant that she had daylight as she started her day. 

After the first hour she was't worried. Leo has shown up early the first time sure, but she told him that coming that early was't necessary. 

Then after two hours she started to think maybe he slept in. He did after end up having to take the last train back. So she figured she'd let him sleep in. After yesterday if she had to go through what he did, she wouldn't be able to get out of bed either. 

After three hours however, she stopped making excuses. Hoping that Big Mac and Appleboom would be able to handle things until she got back she went out looking for Leo.

As she wandered through Ponyville she asked the pony's she knew if they had seen Leo at all. Most just shrugged and said no. A few mentioned the paper, apparently it had talked about the trial that took place yesterday. 

Knocking on Twilight's door and being let inside by Spike, who invited her to sit down for a late breakfast. 
"So Leo didn't show up for work today? That's not good.." Twilight said as she ate her pancakes. 
"At first ah wanted to believe it was just because he came back so late, but the hours just kept ticking by. Ah never did see where he's living now that he moved outta Rainbow's place."

Coming back inside after getting the mail spike sits down and starts eating his breakfast as he reads the paper. Placing the letters before Twilight. Who shuffles through them, before teleporting them away somewhere. 

"I mean, we should just check his place out. he most likely would be there. If he was still in Canterlot for some reason I am sure the Princesses would have sent a letter."

Spike hiccups as he gasps and chokes on a pancake, quickly catching his breath back he looks at the two mares. "Hey guys, I think I found a clue." He slides over the paper, the second page having a whole spread titled. HUMAN SENT TO ROYAL COURT : Nuisance or Threat?  "Ya that's a clue alright" 





"I was there, Leo apologized and didn't even complain about leaving their home. I can't believe Rainbow Dash would say this." Twilight started reading over the paper for the fifth time since they left the breakfast table.

"Ah know Leo wasn't her favorite person but, this is a bit much. We are trying to get folks to like him, er or at least tolerate the guy." Applejack added, looking at the ground. 

"Aggressive,abusive behavior toward himself and others? I mean sure he was rude but this is blowing it out of proportion." Twilight added with a huff. "I mean the whole thing about him being an alcoholic turned out to be true, BUT SHE DID'NT KNOW THAT YET." Taking a deep breath, and calming herself. "Let's just hope we get to Rainbows house before Leo really does something stupid... if he hasn't already."

Finally making it to the house they notice nothing is wrong with it. So they go up and open the door to see Rainbow Dash sitting at her kitchen table. Slowly eating a bowl of oats. "Hey don't you guys knock?" 

"Sorry Dash we thought, well. Have you seen Leo today?"

"No? why would I? I have been home all day, took a sick day." She grumbles going back to her oats. 

"Oh? Sorry your feeling under the weather there Sugarcube." The two mares each took a seat down at the table. 

Without wasting another second, Twilight dropped the paper down over Rainbows bowl. "This is why we are here, we guessed that as soon as Leo saw this he would have come straight over and well, been himself."

"Why?" She said, somewhat dejectedly. "He can't read Equestrian."

"What?" The two mares said in succession. "But can't Non read?" Twilight asked.

"Yeah, but only because I taught him. That's actually how we started hanging out. He was embarrassed, so - You now what it doesn't matter." She said changing her attitude and moving the paper so she could back to her oats. 

"That don't excuse the things you said about Leo!" Applejack said. "Why would you even say those things? I mean this interview had to happen before we went to night court? You basically lied!"

"Well I was right, well more then I was wrong so, whatever." The mare finished her bowl and goes to get up and leave the room. Before she can, a purple glow pulls her seat back up to the table. "I know last night was rough for you with what happened with Non, but Leo is MISSING. You understand? I know he isn't the nicest stallion, but this could ruin any chance he has for getting any better." Twilight looked at Rainbow as her magic let go. "I know you are right about some of the stuff you said but." The look of anger left as she softened up, "Can you blame him? I mean you heard the same story I did yesterday right? When he hit rock bottom he had nopony to help him. No friends. I couldn't imagine." She stops as takes the paper back from the floor and folds it neatly in-front of her at the table. 

"I know you and Non are having a disagreement right now. You too didn't say a word to each other the whole train ride back. We will be there for you if you need it, but just imagine for a second right now if we weren't." Her words slowly reaching the Pegasus. "Imagine you had no pony, and Non just, left." Rainbow started to shake her head hard. "Stop, I don't want to hear this."

"Even after you shared a love song, and knew you were meant for each other he still jus-" 

"I SAID STOP!" She says crying, covering her head as she places her face on the table. "That might be happening" She whimpers, covering her ears. 

The other two mares look at each other then back to Dash. "What?" "What are you talking about Non loves you?"

"Didn't you hear him last night? When he yelled at Leo? He said he wants to go home. To his REAL family." She sobbed into the table. "Then last night that's all he talked about, and I got mad and we-" She stopped herself as she went back into the table. 

"Rainbow, I am sure Non just wants to visit, take the chance to see those he cares about. I don't think he would just leave you." Twilight said trying to comfort her friend.

"You don't know that. What if he goes back and decides he doesn't want me anymore." She cries, the other two mares at a loss for how to comfort their friend. "It took so long before he was willing to-" She hiccups "Be intimate with me. Even AFTER the song. What if that was all because he didn't have a choice and now. Now he HAS a choice again." Her two friends hug her as she weeps. Consoling her as she lets her emotions out.





Leo is getting really sick and tired of these living plants. After crawling out of the maw of the fifth one that has tried to eat him today. Lucky for him he was to big for them to clamp down onto. Unlucky for him he was unable to sleep at all over the night due all the creatures that kept turning up. So he was indeed, very tired.

It seemed all the little squirrels and birds wanted to meet this new lumbering creature. Although, it didn't look like Leo wanted to eat them, they kept a distance after he swatted a few chipmunks away from waking him up. 

"Damn crazy forest, I feel like I am going in circles."





Twilight and Applejack hug Dash again before they leave her house. Dash's eyes red and still wet, but she's smiling. "Now make sure you talk to Non when he gets home tonight. Not just yell and kick him out again." Applejack says as she lets go of the hug. 

"Yeah, I- I will." She nods. "And I'll talk to the paper about running a retraction about, some of-" A glare from Twilight changes her words. "Okay, okay, All of what I said about Leo." She starts to rub her hoof against her leg as she looks at the ground. "Thanks for being here for me, I really needed it, and good luck finding Leo."

"We will always be there for you." Twilight says as she goes to give a goodbye hug to her friend. "Whenever you need us. I am sure Leo is at his house, where else could he be at this point, right?" She lets go as the two leave to check Leo's house next, Rainbow closes the door. 

Once the two are out of ear shot, Twilight sheepishly looks at Applejack and says "I really hope Leo is wrong about relationships.". Which gets a nod from Applejack, "I still can't believe y'all didn't tell me about that before the trial." 





Meanwhile in the Everfree. Leo thinks about how all he wants to do is sleep as he continues to walk in what he hopes is a straight line. The creatures in the Everfree kept coming up to him. Curious about the creature they haven't seen before. He would Shoo them away, but he didn't get violent with them. He was just making it clear he didn't want them on him, or near him. He was really surprised with how intelligent they seemed, he could have sworn he saw the chipmunks nod when he told them to stop climbing on his back.

 Wandering around probably isn’t the best idea, what did that drunk of a scoutmaster used to say? Find water and follow it down stream. Or was it upstream? Dammit, why didn't I pay more attention? 

Turing to the small mob of critters Leo asks. "Uh, do you guys know where a stream might be?" They nod and start to slowly lead the way.  Holy shit I am in a damn fairy tale 





Twilight and Applejack make it to Leo's home, and they have been staring at the outside of it in silence for a few minutes now. Seeing the writing as clear as day across the outside they can't help but feel disgusted anypony would do this. The two finally start to walk closer and call inside but no answer. 

So they let themselves inside so they can hopefully find Leo. Instead inside near the desk they find a pile of vomit on the floor, and his clothes neatly folded on top of the desk. 

"Oh sweet Celestia, What happened?" Twilight starts to freak out. "Did a bunch of ponies really, no I refuse to think that."

"Now Twilight, lets not assume the worst. Now I am no detective but it doesn't look like there was a struggle." She sits next to her friend as she tries to think of another solution. 

"I failed the Princess, She asked me to make sure that Leo after the trial. That Leo could still make friends, that he'd have the chance to do better. She wasn't certain that it was possible but, she wanted us to try. It hasn't even been a full day and I failed. I should have taken the train back with him, I could have done something."

"Enough of that." Applejack shook her friend, "As far as we know he's just passed out in a dumpster or somethin. Until we find out there will be no more failure talk, ya hear me?" With a nod the mare gets back up, and quickly adds. "So where do we go next?"

"Ah got an Idea, how about we ask Fluttershy to ask some of her critter friends? Maybe they have seen him walking around?"





Back in the Everfree. 

Why the fuck is there a gay sea serpent in the lake?

And when I called him gay it only laughed and said he was indeed very happy. As well as a homosexual. He offered to help me get back to town which was cool. Then he went on and on about his hair, and then left, what? Whatever he probably was so absorbed in himself he forgot, besides I don't think I could look myself in the mirror if I rode a gay water dragon back into pony town. What has my life become? 


Leo was one thing he really didn’t want to be right now, and that was sober. Checking his pockets again he had the same things that were always there.  Front left keys, useless. Front right pocket, a dead cellphone and his old wallet. Why do I keep this shit? Coat pockets, bits, and some crumbled paper. Why do I always stuff receipts into my pockets? Wait, they don’t have recites here. 

He pulls out the paper and sees a napkin with something scribbled on it. Its definitely a note, but he can’t read Equestrian. “How did I get this?” He shrugs as he puts it back in his pocket





Making it to Fluttershy''s cottage in record time, the two mares run into her house to see her and Pinkie talking over a nice smelling cup of tea. "Fluttershy, we need your help. Somethings happened to Leo." 

Pinkie turns her head dropping her tea cup. "What? Whats happened to him this time?"

"He's lost and his place was trashed, we need to know if any of the critters saw where he went or what happened?"

"Oh, my. Okay, Angel go and ask every creature outside, if they saw anything bring then in, please." The small pet rabbit salutes as he hops off on his mission. Then shortly returns with a little birdy, with a very interesting story to tell. 





Well definitely missed work. And getting chased by wolves was not how I saw today going. 
Stupid wolves made of wood. 

Leo was fast but not fast enough. He gets pinned by one of the timber wolves. Instinct takes over again as he pushes against the wolf and kicks at it. Once his kick lands the wolf yelps gets off him. 
Without wasting a second another timber wolf jumps toward him, he manages to kick the next one square in the maw as it tries to pounce on him and the thing splinters apart. 

"Woah, that was unexpected." Leo manages to get to his feet, three other wolves circling him. Now hungry for revenge on their fallen pack mate. Then two jump, one behind the other in front. Without enough space to move, Leo decides to try and swing at one. The large log that made up the maw of the one jumping at him connects with his swing. cracking it. the wolf falls to the ground and whimpers as moves toward the other. The one from behind lands straight on his back, making him face plant into the dirt. Its claws manage to tear through the shoulder on his jacket. 

Pushing up from the ground he knocks the wolf off and manged to get a solid hit on the top of its head with both hands locked together, splintering that wolf. The other two seeing they are out matched decide to leave, having lost fellow hunters, they decide to move for easier prey. 

“Wow, even the dangerous animals are meek. Why was I worried?” Leo pants as his habit of talking to himself seemed to get worse the longer he was in the Forrest. 

Manticores and cockatrices my ass. 

He continues following the river upstream. And eventually runs into twilight and co. Who are excited to see him alive still. The first thing out of Twilights mouth was, "How did you survive in the Everfree by yourself all night?" 

Thats when one of the left over timberwolves jumps out and they yell at Leo to get away. Knowing better Leo decides to step up. 

“No worries, they are all bark!” He laughs. The others just stare at him shocked. 

"What are you doing your gunna get yourself killed." He swings and catches it mid jump as it goes for him. The sound of wood snapping is heard as the head rolls off the wolves body. and the torso falls to twigs on the ground. 

Twilight starts asking him all sorts of questions and wants to run strength tests and the like on Leo as soon as they get back. 



He also tells then was honestly surprised anyone ended up looking for him. Aside from the whole ‘falling into old habits thing’. He ends up talking about how he went to a bar before coming back to Ponyville. Then getting run out of town in the middle of the night. They ask him who ran him out of town. He simply says it was dark, and he couldn't see them. Having talked with them about his night which reminded Leo of the odd note. Then he asks Twilight what the note in his pocket says. 

“Oh it’s.” She clears her throat and she gets a little blush on her face. As does the other two mares. “It says, 'Nice chatting with you tonight, send me a letter sometime stud.' Then her address, then it says ‘And next time you get me all *cough* Gingered Up, don’t leave me hanging.  XoX Cherry” 

“Gingered up? What does that mean?”

“Well uh,” “You see when a mare” "oh my" The mares tried to explains through their blushing. 

“It means you get her tail to flag~” Pinkie says, poking Leo in the tummy. “Naughty~ Naughty~” She wiggles her eyebrows. 

“Flag? What? Wait you mean she.” That pale look comes back to Leo’s face. “DO NOT TELL NON, OR RAINBOW.” He said a little louder then he meant to. As he starts to walk back toward town again. “OR ANYONE FOR THAT MATTER.”
> Act 9 - Snowball
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Twilight had him start with weightlifting, then the endurance tests. Test's, test's and more tests; It was eating up the rest of the day. Applejack had decided to go back to the farm and finish up work, and asked Leo to be ready good and early to make up for lost time. 

Twilight really wanted to see just how much Equestria’s magic had effected Leo. According to him before he left he would have been lucky to run for 20 minutes without feeling winded. Now, he had been maintaining 50 kpm for hours without any issue. 

“Hey Twilight.” Spike whispered to her as she was setting up a large weighted pulley contraption for Leo. “Have you noticed anything, off about Leo?” Twilight didn't even glance up from her work as she added hooks to the walls of her basement, running thick black ropes through them. "Hmm? what do you mean Spike?"

"Like, hes been really quite, and just kinda. Going along with things. That's kinda different for him right?" The small dragon kept shooting glances over to the human that was working down to a jog. 

Twilight placed her hoof to her chin for a minute before saying. “I really don’t know, I mean maybe he is still a little shaken up about what happened to his place? However, I am going to take advantage of this while it lasts!” She sqees a bit as she gets the next sections of tests ready. “I still don’t know why magic is effecting him so differently then it did Non. No wonder my first tests didn’t show any abnormal results. I was looking at the brain when I should have been looking at the muscle.” Her face seems to have a smile plastered to it as she takes notes with her magic. 

Spike just shook his head, “Well maybe you should look at the brain again. Because since you got back he has been real quite." With a pause the dragon moves himself so that Twilight's body blocks him from the humans vision. "Its kinda scaring me.” 

Still setting up what looks to be some sort of punching bag Twilight stops for a second and whispers to Spike. “Why not ask him then?” It's as if a light bulb goes off in her head, "Spike that's a great idea. Go talk with Leo, maybe he will open up some. And who knows maybe the two of you will be friends." 

The skeptical look Spike gives does not make Twilight's energy waver. Then with a roll of her eyes she uses her magic to drag him over a bit. "Come on now spike he’s not dangerous." So the dragon slowly walks toward the human. 

“Hey Spike. Is Twilight's next thing set up?” Leo says as he drinks from a good sized glass of water. 

"Almost, actually I wanted to ask you a question." His claw scratches an itch on the back of his head as he moves his vision back to the floor. 

"Shoot" 
"Huh?' 
"It means go ahead."

"Oh um, You seem. Quieter then usual is something on your mind?" Then as soon as the words leave his mouth the dragon starts to back pedal, "I mean you don't have to tell me but I was just wondering because last time Twilight did all those tests you were very uh, different this time."

Getting off the treadmill Leo grabbed a towel wiped a good amount of sweat from his face, his hair had started to stick to his body. "Well to be honest with ya, I have had a lot to think about, and mindless tasks help me think. Did ya hear what happened to my place?" 

"Yeah, Applejack mentioned some ponies had made a mess of the place." 

"That they did, and I have been thinking alot about that. About my new 'home', about what I do next, and about Cherry."

"Who's Cherry?" 

"Some mare that hit on me in a bar, and I was to drunk to realize it at the time, and I, Might have led her on." He tosses the towel back over to the rack, and sits down. "Why are you asking me anyway? Twilight put you up to it?"

"N-no, I just. You were acting different and it was weird is all. Also, a word of advice about mares." Leo raised an eye brow at his comment. "Be honest with her, worst case you still have her as a friend?"

Leo chuckled at that, "You've been turned down a lot haven't you?" 

At first Spike pouted and was going to retort but then a smile came across his face. "Hey that's more like you. Feeling better?" Leo rolled his eyes as he walked over to Twilight's contraption. "This looks like its gunna kill me." 

"With your bodies physical resistance? I doubt it." She laughs with a snort, "Honestly you might be able to live through a cave-in the way these tests are going. Now strap in, next is to see how much of hit your body can take!" 



 

“Leo, how did you do all that paperwork for your citizenship if you couldn't read?” Spike asks as the human that was on his back in a fair amount of pain. Ice packs on his chest soothing some rather dark bruises. Turns out there is a limit to how much his body can take, and as impressed as Twilight was he still ended up pretty bruised. 

“Oh, well the mayor just said sign here. Initial here, date and so on. She was required to read the whole thing out anyway so, it never came up. She did give me funny looks whenever I wrote my name though, guess she figured I was writing it in my language?” The little dragon laughs at that. 

"Ya know Leo you really aren't such a bad guy. Well, when your not drinking, or lying, or mad, or-"

"Okay, I get it Spike." He grunted as he managed to get back on his feet, "Well I better go before I spontaneously become one of those things. Twilight's been gone for awhile so I figure shes done with me." 

"Well okay, but come back to visit. Not just for tests okay?" That got to Leo, Spike was obviously still a child but it didn't seem like he had many guy friends. Maybe he just needed a guy to talk to?  Am I really a good choice of friend little dude? 

"Sure, once I stop hurting I’ll think about it." With that Leo hobbled out into the town, with high hopes of replacing the food he lost yesterday. 

If Leo had to guess he'd be getting these glances even after the paper printed that retraction. Or maybe the town just wouldn't believe it. Either way he was getting so many side glances from the towns ponies that if it wasn't for the grumble of his stomach he would have just gone home. He was wishing he had taken a chance on some of those odd looking berries he came across in the Everfree when he saw the food stalls. His gaze looking over, until he found that same little stall. 

A simple wooden stall painted a pine green, where the bottoms were just starting to show the signs of erosion. It seemed the same mare was working there still. Brandywine looked like she was just getting started packing up for the day, her mane tied back and partially hidden in a sun hat. Leo hadn't got a look at her cutie mark because he really didn't want to stare at any of the ponies butts, but a her cutie mark was clear as day as she stood on the other side of the counter. It was of a plump pink tomato, with little green vines and leafs wrapping around it. 

Three light taps on the side of the stall caught her attention, quickly she turned. "Hey, I was hoping I could still get some food?" Leo tried his best to sound polite, but Brandywine closed her eyes and gave a turned back to her stall. slowly walking around behind the counter. 

"Possibly, that depends." She started, grabbing a paper from under her booth. "I want to know just how much of whats in here is true." The newspaper is placed hard down on the counter, she looks at Leo expecting some sort of answer. Rubbing his neck he picks up the paper placing the pages back into alignment. 

"I'd love to but, I can't read any of this."

Brandywine’s eyes go wide as she leans back. “You’re illiterate? H-how?” 

Leo’s hands go up in a stopping motion, “Woah, I don’t know how to read YOUR language. Not from here remember?” 

“Oh thats right. So you have zero idea what the paper says about you?”

“Well not zero but, I don’t know the details exactly.” He said dropping the paper back to the counter. “I was told a little about what it said. Most of its stretched truths, I am no saint but, nowhere near as bad as that paper makes me sound. I just wanna go home clean off the graffiti off my house and pass out on my cement floor.” He coughs as he hands over the bits, stacking them on the the countertop. “I would like to do that with something to eat, if thats still possible.” 

Looking at the bits she nods and gathers a bag close to what she remembers him getting the other day. after placing the bag on the counter she moves her weight back and forth on her front hoofs looking at the ground.


“So what does this paper say exsactly?” He leans in as he tries to look in her eyes. Which she narrowly avoids. 

“I was just worried that what the paper said about was true. I just, I know I wasn’t the most welcoming when you first came to my stand but, you didn’t seem that bad once we started talking. I thought you were nice, but then I read what Dash claimed and I wasn't so sure.”

“Wait, so It was Rainbow Dash that told the paper all that stuff?” 

Brandywine nods, “Yup, right here it says. ‘According to Dash, Leo has a severe inability to make the right decisions. His Drinking problem became clear when, at his own welcome party, he got so drunk that his own safety was in question.’ Is that true?” 

“Well, no but also yes?” The itch on the back of his neck started to feel a bit raw from rubbing. “I did get drunk, but I wasn’t a danger to anyone.” 

“Well, thats really the most dismissible thing she accuses you of.  If I am being fair, the bit Cheerilee says about you is pretty bad as well. Maybe she and some of her friends messed up your place?”

He winces as he remembers, “Yeah, I could have handled that filly crashing into me a lot better. I did make sure she was alright before I left though. So far she seems like a real possibility.”

She nods reading over the section again. “The only ponys that talked well about you were actually the hospital staff. They say you were very professional and helpful. Both on your initial visit, and when you dropped off Scootaloo.” 

“So it’s not all bad?” He asks leaning over the counter to see the text shes reading over. 

“Well, thats really is the only good thing said about you in the article.” Leo’s interest deflates as he moves back and grabs the bag of food. 

“Well, Ill be sure to send the hospital a Christmas card.” Sarcasm clear in his tone. 

“What’s a Christmas card?” 

“Of course you don’t celebrate Christmas.” Leo shakes his head, “It’s a winter holiday.” 

“Oh, hy-man thing right?” She asks as she moves the weight on her front hoofs again. 

“Yeah, and it looks like winter isn’t far off here so it should be coming up.” He gave a small chuckle. “Hey? Where can I get some strong alcohol?” 

“Here.” She says as she places a few large containers on the counter. They share her cutie mark on them. “I have to keep them under the counter because of the foals.” She giggles at Leo whose face has met with his palm. 

“So, do you want any help with cleaning the graffiti from your house?” She asks, as he buys three bottles of her wine. “I don’t have any plans for the night. Well aside from doing some reorganization of the cart.” 

“No. I’d rather just clean it myself.” Leo answers quickly. “You should look after your cart.”

“Well at least let me walk you home. Can’t have a colt like yourself walking home alone at night.” 

“I can handle myself thank you.” He stands up straight and holds the brown bag of bottles close to his chest. The light shaking of his hands causing them to rattle against each other. 

“I am sure you can. However, what if those ponies come back? Having a witness might help your story.”

Leo’s eyes squinted down at the mare. She wasn’t wrong, going back ‘home’ would be bad enough. What if they were vandalizing the place again. If he did defend himself and really hurt them, he really didn’t wanna go back to court. 

“Fine, but we gotta get cleaning stuff” Brandywine quietly squeed as Leo turned around to continue walking. 





It was getting darker and cold as they walked back to Leo’s home. Brandywine had insisted on carrying the cleaning supplies. The closer they got to him home Leo’s speed slowed, just around the corner he’d see his place. The thought scared him, as he slowly looked around the corner. Would they be there again? Would a whole new bag of problems be thrown onto him again after being back for so short a time? 

As he saw his place a breath he didn’t realize he was holding was let go. No one was messing with his house, everything was just as it was left. A mess, but no worse then before. 

“Wow, they broke your windows too?” Brandywine asks as she looks over to the human. “Large glass windows costs so much to replace.” 

“Oh, that was like that when I got the place.” 
Brandywine turns to Leo placing a hoof on his leg.

“Hey, you don’t have to joke about it. What happened here is a disappointment. Ponies should know better.”

“I wasn't joking. This was really how they gave me the place, the tagging and spray paint is really all they did.” Shrugging as he walked up to the bay door and used his back to hold it up for the pony.

“Thanks, oh my” as she walks inside she sees that his home is barren. “You weren’t joking about not having any cookware.” 

“Hm? Oh yeah.” Putting away the food he grabs the bag of cleaning supplies off Brandywine. “Well made it home safe, so your good to go.” Quickly filling a bucket with water in the bathroom, leaving Brandywine pushing her weight back and forth. trying to figure out how to say what she wants to say.

As he returns to see her still standing there looking at the floor. "Uh I said you can go?" 

"I' She starts but then stops herself, looking up from the floor and directly at him. " Who left you here alone? This place isn't even insulated, you have no way to make or even store your food." She points to the bag of food siting on the counter. "Your going to end up getting sick, I mean do you even have a bed?"

Running his hands through his hair and taking a deep breath, Leo ignores her as he grabs a bottle and walks outside. crawling under the bay door. She then follows him outside, continuing. "I don't mean to make you mad but, you have to realize this right?"

Leo turns to her mid way through scrubbing some writing that he can't read. "I do, but you know what you, Twilight and not a single one of you crazy ponies realize?" He stops and grabs his drink and the bag of bits he kept in his pocket. "This." and then pointing to the house, "and this, is all I have, period. I can't just fix it, I will fix it, but at my pace and by earning it. I will not live off charity." He then pops the top off the bottle and quickly drinks about half of it before returning to working. 

Not sure how to take this Brandywine goes back inside before coming out with another sponge and stating to scrub a section next to Leo. Leo quickly grabs the sponge from her, "Didn't you just hear what I said?" She grunts and tries to take the sponge back from him, unsuccessfully. She tries to jump up and grab it with her hoofs but ends up pinned on her back with Leo's arms crossed over her barrel pinning her down. His weight locking her in place. "Just stop it okay? Its gonna take a few hours to clean this and I have work tomorrow." 

She tries to struggle out of the hold but realizes the only way out would be to buck him with her legs but she doesn't want to hurt him. Leo can see her trying her hardest to think, her muzzle scrunches up the tiniest bit before. "Your a customer." She says with a new confidence. Leo's eyebrows raise, letting her know to continue. "W-well, you buy from me, so if something happens to you I lose out on sales." She squeaks out, her confidence waning as she squirms a bit under his hold. "Eggs aren't a big seller here in Ponyville so, I'd be missing out on o-on." Leo starts to laugh as he lets her go, a chuckle turning into coughing fit. as he drops the sponges back into the bucket. Brandywine quickly grabs one back and holds it close. 

"Okay fine, whatever you say." Leo says as he regains his composure, sitting up and going back the spot he was cleaning. She looks at him carefully as she slowly starts back up scrubbing a section that says, 'Shit Slinger'. Wincing at the vulgarity, happy that Leo has no idea how bad some of the graffiti is. A small smile grows on her face as she watches Leo down the rest of the bottle before going back to focusing on scrubbing away at the home. 





Sitting at her desk Twilight Sparkle reads a book about the different kinds of magic found in ponies when Spike comes into her room with a letter. She takes it in her magic and reads over it, nodding as she finishes it. Before returning to her book, handing it back to spike for him to read. 

 Twilight, I have started getting the guard ready for the journey to Mt Everhoof, Although I wish for this to be done quickly to secure the item in question, it will have to wait until after Hearthswarming when the weather starts to warm up. For the winds have been especially dangerous as of late and do not want to risk the lives of you or my guards. 

In addition, I will be requiring that both Leo and Non go with you. Non, because he has shown himself to be a great alley in the past and we trust his judgment as much yours. Secondly, Leo will be required to guide in some manner to where the craft fell, as well as ensuring that it is safe for transport, we don't want any of our subjects ending up in a different dimension.' 

We know you'll succeed, but please be safe. 
-Princess Celestia 
> Act 10 Much Ado about Non
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Leo's mind was wandering as he quickly picked the apples off the trees and filled the basket. Ponies seemed to have fridges, so maybe that would be the first thing he should get. His place had power and he had yet to get a bill for it, so he hoped that was included with his place. 

Finishing the fifth wheelbarrow of the day he starts walking back to the farm, hearing the same rustle in the brush that he's been hearing for the past four days since starting work again. 

Ignoring it he drops them off with a very displeased Big Mac, before returning to the fields. 

Back in Ponyville Spike who was sharing breakfast with Twilight. Was also having an argument with her, one that the two have been having everyday since the Princess's letter. 

"You have to tell him today!" Spike pleads with the purple mare, "If you don't I will, and I'll tell him you were stalling." 

"I know Spike I just, the last few times I worried it was going to make him mad. I mean I didn't want to make him feel worse after Rainbow Dash yelled at him at the market." 

"Yeah, seems Non still has been staying at Roses place after their argument on the train." 

"Your right, he is probably going to be mad either way so, best to just rip the band-aid off." 





"Definitely a bed first, then a fridge." Leo nodded to himself as his back cracked placing another bucket of apples into the wheelbarrow. Happy with the barrel full, and knowing that mid-day was approaching and he would be done  for the day, he decided to go back to the farm a little early. 

Back waiting for him that barn was Applejack, just like usual. But Twilight was also there. 

Dropping off the buckets, he walked over eyes squinting. "Hey Twilight, what brings you here?"  Don't be something to do with me, Don't be something to do with me, Don't be something to do with me. 

"There is something I have to talk to you about." She says as Applejack practically forces bits into his hands before trotting off. 

"Dammit, what is it? Someone break into my place again?" 

"No, its actually. *cough* The Princess are requiring you to be on the group sent to retrieve what you came hear in." She winced ready for his ire, but it didn't come.

"What the boat? Good I was wondering when they would finally ask me about that. That thing is dangerous, if you push or pull the wrong thing. It could send you god knows where." 

"Oh, well wonderful! The trip is going to be after hearthswarming." Smiling as she spoke, Spike was right she didn't have anything to worry about!

"Ah okay, so in about a month. How long are we going to be gone?"

"Well it could take a month, or two to properly search the mountain." 

"WHAT! A whole month? I can't afford that, what about work!" 

There it was, she winced as he raised his voice. "I already got the okay from Applejack, so your covered. No reason to be-"

"Twilight, I can't afford to not get paid for a month. I am this close to getting an actual bed." His fingers pinched with a small amount of space between them, in front of her face. "A trip like that would put me back to square one just buying travel supplies and a coat." 

"I am sorry Leo, I'll do what I can to help but you have to go." 

"Yeah, I get it, When the Princess's say jump the only response is 'how high?'." He grumbles as he leaves, going on with his to do list for the day. He had gone to great lengths to figure out exactly how much Rarity would have charged for his clothes, and today he would have had enough to pay her back without leaving him broke. 

One of the only items he owned was a notebook, and inside was a list of what some ponies had managed to give him before he noticed. Pinkie managed to sneak a frying pan and a bread box into his house without him noticing. She would have gotten away with it to if it wasn't for the curly pink hair stuck in the bread boxes lock.

Then there was Brandywine, that mare had been ruthless, she managed to get blankets in the place along with pillows. That was mostly it, Leo had managed to stop them from doing much more. Every time they managed to slip one by him, he wrote it down, and was going to make sure they were paid back. Starting with Rarity, who he felt he still owed for the clothes she made. 

The hard part was how, her  friends would end up telling her if he asked for help. He thought about just leaving the money in an unmarked envelope, but that would raise more questions. He managed to save the money, but had no clue how to make things even. So of course, he grumbled as he walked up to the only place he seemed to be getting food from, Branywines cart.

"Well, it seems you somehow found away to be unhappy on this beautiful day." She greets him as he walks up and leans against the cart. 

"Apparently I am going to have to leave for a month after the holiday. To go be stuck in some mountain." 

"You know, I think that's the first thing I have seen you upset about, that makes sense to be upset about." She says as she places a brown bag with some tomatoes and a few bottles inside. Which was quickly becoming Leo's everyday order. 

"That, or your getting jaded like me. Better make it three bottles for tonight, I think I am gunna need it." she giggled in response, but didn't put anymore in the bag. 

"You know I won't sell you more then two a day, I told you that after you nearly passed out after cleaning your house." Leo grumbled into the wooden counter of her cart. 

Peeling his face off the cart, he started again. "Also, I finally got enough to pay Rarity for the clothes." He takes the notebook out of his pocket. Checking over it again.

"Your still on about that?" She shakes her head. "Don't you ever get tired of beating yourself up? I sure get tired watching you do it." 

"Ah, quit teasing and help me think of a way to get her the bits."

"I got a better idea, use the bits to buy yourself an actual bed to sleep on. Or better yet, save it for your trip." She says as she gets another customers order together and they pay her and leave. Shooting Leo questioning glances as the two talked.

"Your probably right, I have enough time to get more bits. The closer it gets to winter the less chance I have to make money at the farm." 

Applejack had explained the farm really couldn't use him during the winter months, so he would be with out a job, but some occasional things could be done, and he would have to save up bits for when that happened. So Twilight's trip meant that if he really wanted to have a chance at having enough money to even feed himself he'd probably have to save it all. 

"I hate this, so much." Leo slumps onto the ground next to her cart, and chats with her for the next few hours.





Non, stands outside of his house. It has been days since he and Rainbow fought about what he meant at Leo's trial. He cursed the other human under his breath. "If it wasn't for him we wouldn't be having this problem." 

Non remembers how Rainbow asked if he meant what he said at the court. Of course he meant it, why wouldn't he want to see his family again? 

He walks to his door and stops himself from knocking. It's his home after all, why did he feel like he should knock. It's only been a few days, he opens the door and takes off his shoes. Shortly after the door clicks shut, he can hear her running down the stairs. 

She stops three feet away, Non still standing in front of the door. Her expression unreadable as she stares, waiting. 

"Hey Dash."

"Hey. Hey? That's how you wanna start this?"

"Sorry, I." He stops mid sentence, why is he apologizing? He did nothing wrong. He begins to say so but stops. He can see the red strain in her eyes, she's really is messed up about something. This wasn't just Dash over reacting to something. 

She was scared. He could see it.

"I came to talk to you, we need to talk about this."

"What's there to talk about? You wanna go back to Human World, go on. What's stopping you? You seemed pretty set on it." Her hoarse voice cracked a bit, she tried to stay angry but her emotions were to close to the surface. 

"You need me to spell it out? I love you Dash." Non started, walking toward his marefriend.

"Oh, don't think that this is going to be that easy. I heard you that night, I-"

"I was mad!" He said rather loudly, "Since I have been here my family has probably written me off as dead. Can you understand what that feels like? Having to except that, to everyone you cared about you might as well be dead?" He paused as Dash closed her eyes. 

"Then you find out, that there might be away to see the again?"

"Then go,it sounds like you'd be-"

"I want to say goodbye to them Dash!" Non shouts again.

She grows silent as her gaze meets his, she allows him to close the distance between them. 

"Just to say goodbye, I don't wanna leave you. I miss my family, and if I can visit them, then that would be amazing, but I don't want to leave you Dash."

"Non I." She quickly fly's over and pins him down, nearly strangling him with how hard she's hugging him. "You better not leave me, or I will kick your flank."

"I won't." He quietly whispers to her as he hugs back. "After all we've been through?" 

"Oh yeah? Just waht have we been through?" She teases as her hoofs work off the top button of his shirt.

"Need a refresher?" He teased as he let her nuzzle into his chest. 






 The First Day 
"Where? Where did my bed go?" Non turned over, and got onto his feet. Feeling the dirt on his back. Slick wet dew clings to his skin making him shiver. Sitting up and seeing that he has somehow woken up in the middle of a forrest, in nothing but his pajama bottoms.

"If this is a prank I am going to strangle my roommates." He started looking around, trying to see a road or any sign of recent movement. 

Coming up empty, he decides to pick a direction and walk. So he does and has no clue as to where he is. 

"If I am late for classes I swear, I have put up with their pranks enough. This is dangerous, I mean what could they be thinking."  Oh no, have I been out here long enough that I am going crazy? No talking to myself like this is normal. Completely normal.  

That's when he heard a rustle in the bushes. And a hushed tone quietly says. 
"Stay low and quite, unless you want to be part of this creatures diet." 
"He doesn't look so tough, I can take this monkey."

Turning and looking at the bush his brows raise. "I am not a monkey." He says flatly before the two small equine creatures walk out. One a bright blue, the other clearly a zebra. 

"It seems lucky we were caught at a in between, and found something truly unseen." 

"So, uh." He crossed his arms over his bare chest. "Either I was drugged or, I am not on earth."

"Twilight's gunna freak."

The Thirty Second Day
"Seriously dude? You have no clue how you got here?"

"For the 100th time Dash, I don't." Not feeling to bad about thing seeing as most of the town seemed decent to him, plus he wasn't sick. And Twilight, the local crazy magician had said she'd find away to get him home. Assuming they could.

"Well, Non what are you doing after work today?" She asked while lazily letting her hoofs sway as she laid on a tree branch. 

"Non?" He stopped picking apples as he turned and looked up at the mare. 

"What? You shortened my name, thought you'd be okay with the nickname. Its waaay easier to say." 

Shrugging it off as he continued working "I really didn't have a plan. Probably just pretend to read a book at Twilight's?" 

"Pfft, sound lame. How about you come with me to Cloudsdale? There is this new restaurant that serves fish, and little purple dragon told me you eat meat~"

Stopping as he struggles to drag the basket to the wheelbarrow. "You know what? That sounds awesome." 

The One Hundredth and Twenty Seventh Day 
The main six and Non sit as the train they are in moves toward Canterlot, a box car full of Diamond Dog prisoners. 

"So you figured out they were gonna burrow into town because you saw the same diamond dogs in the forests patrolling?" Twilight asked.

"Yeah, the same ones." Non nodded confidently, the two dogs in question having been arrested and chained and collared in front if him. 

The diamond dog that looked like a pug with a breathing problem spoke first. "That was months ago, and we only saw each other for a minute." The poor dog wheezed out. 

"Yeah that's pretty convenient Non, I mean it turned out to be true. How did you remember them?" 

"Well if I am being honest, I have been remembering everything really well. Its like if I focus enough, I can recite a whole book  after reading it once." 

"That's pretty crazy, is this a new thing for you?"

"Pretty much, it was kind of freaking me out to be honest."

 The Two Hundredth Day 
Music fades as Non grabs Dash and slides into his house panting. The door slams loudly as he locks it shut and tries to collect himself.  The mare in his arms squeeing with delight as she tries to nuzzle into his neck. 

"Dash what the hell just happened to us? I was just singing in the middle of town about how-"

He was cut off as the mare grabbed his collar and brought her lips to his. Greedily wrapping her hoofs around his neck. Just long enough for her to moan the tiniest bit before pulling back. 

"About how much we love each other, I am so happy you feel the same way." She goes in for another kiss but is stopped by Non's fingers. 

"H-how, did we just sing out of the blue like that? Is that some magic thing? Is that normal here? Because from how your acting-"

"You don't know what a soul song is?" The mare lessens her physical assault as she back up just a tad. Not letting her grip around his collar lessen. 

He shakes his head no, which lets Rainbow know she has to explain. "When two ponies love each other, sometimes their magic makes a song. A love song, and if they share that song." She stops for a moment her eyes getting dreamy again. "It means they are meant to be together, and well." She coughs to clear her throat before continuing. "I feel that way, do you?" 

All Non can manage is to silently nod as Dash pins him to the floor. "Good~ otherwise this next part might have been uncomfortable." Her hoof popping the button on his pants.

"Whoa, hold it." He says stopping the mare, I don't think I can do, that, yet."

"That's okay." She says leaning in for more kissing, I can be patient. "We will take it nice and slow." 





 Present Day 

As Leo shambles his way home grumbling. Visiting Pinkie and Brandywine was nice but he was not happy about having to go on some trip to a cold mountain. Loosing his meager saving in the process. It was dark out, the lights the only way for him to see his way. Walking by homes and hearing small snippets of conversations as he passed. 

"I really don't know what going through her mind, she used to behave so well."
"Come on love, it won't be that bad."
"Glad we got rid of that old fridge, this new one is much nicer."

Leo stopped, listening to the mare inside continue. 

"That old one was so ugly, this modern design is much better." Then what Leo assumed was the husband spoke up. Simply by grunting then saying, "Well glad you like it, it was a bitch to get it in here. Almost as bad as throwing out the old one." 

During this Leo couldn't help but sneak closer to their home seeing that next to their garbage cans was a perfectly fine refrigerator. The thing was only about four foot tall, and a bright pink with oddly round doors. The two inside continued, unaware of the human listening. 

"Well I love it." The sound of one getting onto a couch and shuffling in place, paper ruffling. Then followed by some whispers Leo couldn't hear, but he had already stopped listening. He was too busy trying to quietly pick up the fridge, which felt pretty light. Coiling the cord around the doors to keep them from opening he manages to silently sneak away with his prize. 

Back at home he slid the new appliance into the office, which he renamed his bedroom. Pushing it up against the  corner that had a plug, and its motor started quietly, the fans blowing chilly air. He smiled as he moved his eggs and the loose food that had been sitting on his counter into the fridge. Chuckling to himself, humming a song as he filled the bottom racks with the wines he had been hoarding from Brandywine.  Perfect 
> Act 10.5 That First Night (clop)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Three Hundredth and Fifth Day

"When I said slow I didn't me THIS slow. It's been three MONTHS." Rainbow whined while talking to her friends. Rarity had managed to get get all six of them to the spa on the same day. Currently they were all enjoying a good steamy room, and the conversation had lead into Rainbow's progress with Non. “I mean, fingers are awesome on my ears but, it doesn’t feel intimate.”

"While I agree you should never rush a stallion, this seems a tad much." Rarity muses as she moves in her seat. 

"I have never heard of a couple moving in together before rutting." Applejack scoffed. "Its about time you made clear to him. Ya have needs." 

The other mares all nodded, even Fluttershy who was blushing and clearly uncomfortable with the current topic.

Rainbow grumbled as she continued to paw at the floor. "I tried that, but he seems ashamed of being with me." Then as Twilight was about to say something she was stopped, "I know Twilight, is a big jump for somepony who is from a world where no other creatures are capable of even talking." A small hush overtook the group as what was said set in. 

"Darling, after this your going to be looking your best. Believe me tonight, you are going to break down that barrier." Rarity said with more drama and flair then needed, but it got Rainbow to smile. 

"Yeah! No way Non's going to be able to resit, all this." She says as she runs her hoof along her backside, before giving it a slap against her muscular flanks. Getting all the girls to blush and giggle. 





The sizzling sound of frying fish is the only sound to be heard as Non works. In the back of the restaurant he thinks to himself about what his life has become. Was he happy? did he know what that even meant? 
To make things harder he had noticed Dash's increased attempts to get him into bed with her. He didn't want to blame her, she was young and decided that HE, of all choices was going to be hers. He liked that, the idea of being with who he considered to be, his best friend. 

The issue was he really didn't want to have sex with a small pony. Sure she was cute but, every time he tried, he had frozen up. Or worse had a breakdown, which after the first time he refused to ever let that happen again. 

He pushed down hard on one fillet, making the sizzle turn to a small steamy scream as he pushed the memory away.  Excuses, I have given her nothing but excuses. I know it won't hurt either of us but I, god I am being such a bitch about this. The smokey smell breaks him out of his thoughts, just barley being able to save the food. Pulling it off the stove with the long handled spatula. I guess they are getting a little more then just a light sear "Damn it." he whispered to himself, checking the clock. If this was just the start of the day he was in trouble. 





Taking the day off was proving to be the best choice for Rainbow Dash. She embarrassingly borrowed a book from Twilight titled ‘Getting Stallions in the Mood’, and had just spent 5 hours getting everything just right. 

Some things definitely were not going to work, like putting her sent on his night robe. Non’s sense of smell wasn’t as good as a Ponys. Plus he didn’t even have a nightgown! 

‘I think this book is a little dated but, its got a lot of good points! I would have never thought of clearing the room of distractions. That is sure to help!’ 

The scene was one of perfection in the blue eyes of the Pegasus. The room had the light smell herbs, the dimly lite room had one light leading to the stairs where the bed was made with freshly clean sheets. Low lighting and not a thing out of place. The two of them had nothing to do other then each other. 

“Heh” she couldn't help but giggle at the thought.





Hot sweat was pouring off of Non's face. he could swear he sweat so much his forehead felt numb. Finishing the bootle of water he had sitting on his lap. It was emptied as the loud speaker on the train crackled to life. "Ponyville, Last stop. Everypony off."
Wiping the sweat with the edge of his sleeve, the smell of grease hits his nose again. 'I am so tired of coming home smelling of a grease fire.' 

Only a few other ponies hopped off the train with him, giving the human a good amount of space, Non had learned that pony noses were much more sensitive then a humans. He didn't mind it, it assured him a quite train ride home every day. Which let him de-stress from work. As for today. It gave him time to think, he was doing a lot of thinking lately. The biggest thing on his mind was Dash. 

He knew she really wanted to, be intimate. But he kept freezing, they may not look like horses exactly. but the fur was a hard thing to get past. Another thing that he had realized however, was that it had been so long since he last had sex. He started to have actual wet dreams again, which felt demeaning. 

His thought busied him so bad he hadn't noticed he had already gotten home. Ponyville was a small town after all, still in his daze he walked inside and smelt, lavender and, Pumkin? Looking around the house he saw that much of the decorations were gone, and there was a light path of... flowers petals leading to the stairs.

"Fuck" the words quietly falling from his mouth, barley a wispier. 'She Pulled out all the stops on this one.' The immediate response was to avoid but, he didn't. Standing in the doorway like an idiot, he was just thinking about how he has strung her along. Disappointment filled his heart. 'She did this, for me.' the words quite, but unlike before, these came with conviction. He was going to do right, by his mare. That's right, no more excuses, if he wants to be in a relationship that means everything that comes with it. He was going to give her what she wanted. Dropping his bag, and closing the door he marched up the stairs. Making it clear he was home, and wanted to be heard.  

{Clop start}

Reaching the top of the stairs, and throwing open the door to their room he stops. On the bed the to share, Rainbow was wrapped up in blankets. Not asleep, surprisingly. Her ass up in the air, poking out of the covers ever so slightly. The blue fur parted ever so slightly in the middle revealing a pink rosey center, a slow wink parting it before it became thin again. Only her cheeks were visible,  even her prismatic tail looked to be wrapped up and hidden under the sheets.

"Rainbow, why-" He started but quickly with a voice that sounded strained and needy. "This, should be easier for you r-right?" Nervousness over took her voice as she continued. "This way it wont feel, to much l-like a pony. I though it might be easier if you couldn't see me as much."

Silence, under the blankets Rainbow fidgets. It took a long while to get the blankets like this. As uncomfortable as it felt, she knew it was a long shot worth taking. The book she got had a whole section titled "Shy Stallions" and although Non was not a stallion. She hoped it could still apply. It pained her to think her first time might be like this, but she was hopeful it would led to many more nights. The book talked about how sometimes stallions have  hang ups about sex, it talked a lot about abuse and how to make environments that would help. Its main point, which she hoped she got right, was to make the stallion feel safe, and in and environment that was comfortable for them. 

But above them she couldn't see Non's reaction. Which was not much better. Tears were running down his face, if before he felt like shit, this was the last straw. Leaning, over grabbing the sides of the blanket that she had covered herself with. "Get out from under there" A shaky voice pleaded with the mare underneath. 

'Dammit, you knew it was a long shot dash.' She wiggled out from underneath the blankets, expecting to see the same disappointed look from Non. Then she felt something, touch her lips as her face started to pop out. 

Pushing into her Non, showed no reserve in his embrace. His hands holding her in place at her withers. Shock grows across her face for only a moment until its replaced with bliss. Separating finally she looks up to him. "You smell like hay burgers." Letting a little giggle out. 

"Ill Shower before we start." 
"Wait, you mean? We actually are going-"
He stops her putting a finger to her lips. "Yes, but not with you covered up. I don't want you to EVER feel like you have to do that. Okay?" Silently she nods, then Non gets up to go to the bathroom.

Once in the bathroom Non stripped down, letting the shower run the hot steam fogging the room fast. He then realized he had spaced out as the light sound of hooves on title broke his fog. His soon to be mate waiting in the door way. 

Quietly the little blue Pegasus inches next to her human and above a whisper asks "So what changed your mind?" 
"What?"
"Like I know I did everything to set the mood, and it worked flawlessly" Her worry dissipating as she spoke, "But what was the tipping point?"
"Honestly? It was you, I was thinking about it today at work. I still don't feel ready, I don't think I ever will. I need to just move past this block if I want to be able to ever do it. I want to, its.. God I am not explaining this well am I?"

She smiled up to him, beaming before nuzzling into his side. "Your explaining it perfectly, ya big lug." Her smile hidden under his waist, her back legs shaking with anticipation. I can't believe it finally! We get to actually have sex!

"Just uh, let me shower off the work sweat. Don't our first time to be any more uncomfortable then it needs to be." 

"Well, you don't want any help washing your back do you?" Her back legs shaking a little to much leaving her to sit down looking up at Non, with her best faux sultry face. 

Chewing the side of his cheek for a moment before leaning down. "Sure, even though you really can reach my back." 

With that they entered the shower, the hot water, almost instantly relaxing the muscles on his back. Letting the stress roll off him along with the thin layer of sweat clinging to him. A small tug from behind motioned him to sit down, doing so he felt two legs steady themselves on his shoulders. "See, I can reach your back." The quite tone was firm but playful, as was the feeling of a soft soapy cloth scrubbing his back. Her hooves pushing just hard enough that the skin felt like the pores were cleaned. The feeling was surprisingly relaxing, and he realized he felt safe, the tenderness in her motions showed how much she care to be careful with him. Taking another cloth he worked on his chest, the water hitting him just under his neck. 

Having finished she drapes her legs over his shoulders, resting her head on top of his. "All clean back here, Oh I see you took care of the front. Ready, to dry off?" 

"Hmm, no." For a brief second confusion crosses her muzzle. "I want to return the favor first." His hands lowered her and shifting his body to face her he leans in meets her muzzle, for a quick but deep kiss. "I'll wash yours if you wash mine." She chuckles at the bad joke, but turns and lets him wash her back. 

He is less confident, barley scrubbing hard enough to get below the fur. Slowly he gets more sure with his movement, getting more around the barrel and letting her back meet his chest. The warm bodies close to each other, his hands trailing up and down her stomach, moving a little further down each time. Lightly nickering she turns her head up to the human, her back legs twitching a bit. "Do it, I wanna know what your fingers feel like.." 

Slowly, he moves further, a shaky hand runs over her mound. He looks for a second for the top, he notices something feels missing. He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath, 'its okay things are bound to be different.' 
He continues on and parts her with one finger, and his back straightens as he feels something run over his finger. At the same time the mare he is holding shakes a little harder and moans. "Yess" She hisses out. 

His back still straight he slowly starts to move his fingers, with the occasional brush over his finger beginning to feel normal.  
"B-buck, I am so happy we finally get to share this." She pants out eyes closed as she leans into him, his larger weight letting her go slightly limp. 

The fur on his chest, the size difference between their bodies. Was starting to rattle him, his hands still moving and he started to listen to what she was saying. "B-buck, I am so happy we finally get to share this."  The most important thing in his world was in his hands, and he was making it work. He was doing it! Still un-sure but with renewed confidence he let his fingers move more, and embrace the moment. 
"I love you." 
Those simple words, left her purring into him. Her body quivered, "Slow, slow down I-'m" 
He did and he could feel her pull on his fingers, her insides doing everything to keep him inside. 

"I think I am ready to dry off now" His voice more confident then he feels, grabs Dash's attention. Her moment slow, but resolute. Hopping out of the shower and grabbing a towel, she jogs to the bedroom calling over her shoulder as he gets out and turns off the shower, "Just don't take to long, you've got me started. So you better finish~"

Finding himself excited he quickly drys off, and hurry's to the bedroom finding the room empty and the window open. Silence is fills the room for only a second as Dash comes back in. Having used a quick lap around the house to dry quicker. 
She quickly deposits herself on the bed, her but ever so slightly raised. "I tried to dry off but it seems I am still a little wet ." Her words punctuated with a wink. 

Non quickly finished drying himself, quickly getting to the door frame. He felt, excited. He felt excited! Still worried but he was ready, he was going to make that blue ass his. Officially. 

Said bottom was currently, playfully swaying back and forth. Its owner couched on the bed, tail flagged on her back. With her legs spread the way there were it was clear she was ready, and he had made her wait long enough. Making short work of the small distance he stands behind her, amazed that he was lined up almost perfectly standing behind the bed. He was only half ready. The time in the shower was exciting but he distracting himself. Taking one hand on her soft blue cheek he let his thumb slightly spread her open. His other hand working to stroke himself. That's when he saw it, her lips winked and the mystery of the curious movement he felt earlier was solved. Thoughts of what that was going to feel like on him spurred him. It was not long after that thought he was now hard, and he was ready to make that leap. The mare beneath him however, was growing impatient. 

"I love your hands and all, but I am ready for it." She said so with a great need present in her voice, and she winked even harder against his thumb. Non removed his finger but kept the one hand on that beautiful round form in front of him. Steadying her as he slowly entered, careful and unsure of how he measured up to stallions. 

"Buuuuck" She hissed out as she felt his head slide in, her body providing plenty of natural lubricant. The odd Mushroom shape felt different that was for sure, but not in a bad way, it was satisfying but didn't feel like it scrapped her walls like a stallions would. As he bottom she could feel he was definitely not as long as a stallion should be but it was enough. She could feel it it hit the right spots for her. Making her feel more confidant Non was the perfect stallion for her, she knew emotionally that was the case but now she knew he was physically as well. That thought set her heart all the more aflutter, right as Non started to move. "Fuck." He whispered as his other hand grabbed her flank. With both of his hands steadying her as he moved. 

Hissing under her breath at his slow pace, Rainbow stayed and let him do what he wanted. She wanted him to grab her and plow her into the bed sheets, making her a sweaty mess after filling her. She knew it was important to make sure her stallion felt good first, and once he was more comfortable. There would be plenty of nights in the future for her to get him on the right track. "Oh, sweet Celestia." She moaned, her original thought of the head not running along her sides were wrong, unlike a stallions it seemed to only feel that way going out, but when going in. The smooth head spread her open with little resistant, only to hit everything on its way out. Causing her legs to shake. If it wasn't for her position she might have pushed back harder against him. 'I hate going slow, maybe  he just needs a little bit of encouragement."  

Moaning loudly to her lover she trys. "Non, Buck me, harder! faster!" It came out a little harsher then she meant, her ears pinned themselves to her head, hoping she didn't just ruin the mood. before that thought could take hold Non's grip tightened and he did exactly what she asked. His body, making a heavy slap as skin met fur, their sweat matting rainbows fur. She wouldn't last much longer, and lucky for her Non was close as well. "Rainbow?" he asked through a pants, never slowing his moment, in fact they were getting faster. "Where should I finish?" 

Almost immediately she nearly shouted "Inside! It's not Etrus so-. Buck It! I want it inside!" 

That was the tipping point for the both of them, a wet feeling started to trickle down Non's leg as he let out everything his body could. The warm liquid filling dash was blissful. It was odd to think that in this moment there was never a time the two didn't show love this way, and any other way to do so felt pointless. She wanted to go again. Feeling her lover leave her felt uncomfortable. Her legs dropped down so she could lay down on the bed, the stiffness slowly ebbing away. Then falling on the bed next to her Non breathed in deeply. "Get me up early tomorrow so I can shower again." His chuckle sending shivers up her spine. "Well we can always rut until dawn? that way you wont be late again." 
"Sorry Dash, but I am spent. It's been awhile since I had sex, so I kinda forgot to pace myself."

{Clop stop}

Cuddling up to him she nicked as she found the perfect spot for her head between his shoulder and neck. 
"Don't worry, we have plenty of more nights to cum~" 
"God that was awful." They both tiredly laughed and soon fell asleep, in each others embrace.





The next morning Dash awoke earlier then normal, her body a tad sore. Seeing her love breathing so lightly made her smile. Looking out the window it was already close to 8, Non was gunna miss the train if he didn’t hurry. 
“Hey ya big lug, its time to get up. Your gunna be late for work.” She shook him lightly. Getting him to wake up, “We can’t have that can we?”
> Act 10.8 That First Night (Leo)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

That very same night, someplace else. 

Leo was tossing and turning out on his couch. Nearly a week since he last used his 'sleep aid', and it was annoying. He knew the bed might help, but he couldn't bring himself to sleep in there. Perhaps he should have thrown it way and gotten a new one. But then he'd have to go into the room. He wasn't ready yet. No not yet, the couch was fine. It didn't matter that it twisted his back up so much he couldn't stand straight the next day. His neck almost always hung off at some point in the night waking him up, and making it stiff. The TV being on in the living room all the time didn't help either. The bedroom doesn't have a TV for that very reason. Plus it also had a bed, a nice soft long enough to lay down in bed, but that would mean going in the room. The couch was fine...

And thus the cycle of perpetual sleep avoidance continued. Rolling around to face the cushions placing the pillow over his head.  The apartment feels so empty,Cleaning up is proving to be hard, who knew even after being clean for a week that you could still fail a piss test? That's something McGruff never taught me. Hey kids, drugs can stay in the system for months if your a constant user, can't really envision that afternoon special.   

Wả̸̱l̵̘͍̄l̴̮͊o̶̞̰͒w̴̖̒̓

"What?" He sat straight up, looking around the empty apartment. The edge of his mind still living the nightmare, he tries to leave the bed but his legs are to heavy, and he realizes he's not on the couch, He's still in the boat. 
Still on the boat. 
Still stuck in the boat. 
How long has It been?  





Leo was back in the apartment, there was no power they cut it off, he figured paying rent was more important then power. he could smell his food had rotten in the fridge, it was a sickly smell. He knew the ground beef had to have gone bad, he should throw it away. Then why was he shaking at the thought of cleaning it out, it was just spoiled food. It needed to be thrown away, it was going to make him sick if it stayed in the house. 

Tentatively he goes to the handle, a scream from some part of him tells him not to open the door. With trash bag in hand the door opens, and the fridge is full. Heavy red meat spills out of the door and onto the floor, the soup like rot rolling over the wood floor. The smell making him gag, his eyes water. It's to much he waited too long to fix it, he couldn't now. It wouldn't ever be better. He had ruined it, everything. 

Wả̸̱l̵̘͍̄l̴̮͊o̶̞̰͒w̴̖̒̓

Still his legs were stuck to the boat. In front of him was the control panel, the button he was told to hit to return. He couldn't, it was to far away. Since when did the boat get so long? He realizes he's still in the boat. 
Still on the boat. 
Still stuck in the boat. 
Everything Completely still. 
 I need to get out, I need to get home please 

W̷h̷y̸?̷ ̴t̷h̷e̷r̶e̴ ̸i̶s̶ ̵n̷o̷t̶h̷i̷n̴g̴ ̶f̵o̶r̵ ̶y̵o̵u̴ ̵t̷h̸e̷r̵e̸,̷ ̴s̷t̷a̴y̷ ̶h̴e̷r̵e̷.̵ ̸I̸t̸'̴s̶ ̸w̵h̸a̵t̶ ̴y̵o̷u̴ ̵d̷e̶s̷e̵r̴v̵e̷

 Fuck you  Weak but still defiant, broken but still unwilling to die. 





"Leo, Wake up your gunna be late for work" A female voice said to him, her hand moving his shoulder. "You really need to head out to work." 
".....No" I know this isn't real, but I still hate it.
> Act 11 - Second To Last Day of Fall
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The wind felt cool against his hot skin sitting under the summer sun. He could hear the light creak of the trees next to him as he waited on shore for the boats to come in. The light smell of last nights campfire still hung in the air, the wind still kicking up smoke from the smoldering pit. 

The Leaves and tall grass were making the smallest noise as the wind rippled through them. Then finally, after what felt like the entire day. The boat came back, its bottom sprayed with an ugly safety orange, peeling off into the water revealing an old ugly green. 

Leo slowly stood. His body cracking, pleading for him to lay back down and sleep. Although he was tired, he was excited for work. To be able to do something besides sit and wait. Although if that ended up being the case, he wouldn't complain. 
Yawning he felt his hair pushed around him in the wind. The breeze felt almost like it was pulling his breath away, it was so serene it felt like a vacation. 

KLANG KLANG KLANG KL:ANG KLANG


With a start Leo's body jolts, his legs comically going stiff as his blanket rockets off his body and his hand reflectively slams into the makeshift alarm clock. It was an odd thing, a circular clock with some discarded metal noise toy welded to the back of it to make that awful noise to ensure Leo wouldn't be late to work. After starting a habit of having a few too many drinks before bed, followed by a few to many mornings filled with a 'The Importance of Showing up on Time' monologue. He decided that sleeping in wasn't worth loosing his job. Standing up off the desk he make shifted into a bed with plenty of blankets he cracks his back. 

A few short days of what he started to affectionately refer to as 'digging', he had managed to get himself a great many necessity's for living. However, the nature of his procurement resulted in every single item not matching in the slightest. Turning on the 'Little Filly's First Science Kit' hot plate and placing his purple coffee pot on top he hurried into the bathroom to do the morning ritual. Managing to grab some stale donuts, no doubt left sometime in the night by Pinkie, on a broken footlocker that was made a functional living room table by the addition of a quite fantastic blue sequence cloth draped over it. Giving it the appearance of a table. As he turned to his fridge he stopped for just a moment, slowly opening the door. As he opened it to find it unchanged from last night a breath he didn't realize he was holding was slowly hissed out. Quickly adding the creamer to his drink he rushed off to work with his coffee pot and bread in hand, glad that Applejack started just before dawn. It gave him sometime to adjust his eyes and stave off the impending light sensitive hangover headache that always came. 



 

Whistling as he filled another basket of apples up on the cart. The heft of the cart didn't bother him. As the day went oh however, the sun sapped his strength slowly as the bushels filling the cart only got heavier as he grew more and more worn from the day. 

His ear twitched as he heard movement in the nearby bush. Sighing as he moved onto the next tree. It wasn't the first time he heard it, and he figured out what it was pretty quickly. Seeing as the white, yellow and orange furry bodies were not hidden by the foliage that easily. He left them be, knowing that even if he told them to leave the would just do it again. Better to feign ignorance, in the case of one of the ponies showed up. 'Better to seem oblivious then get chewed out for talking to them." 

How they even were out of school at this point made no sense to him. Applejack said winter break was starting soon, but it still looked like it was the dead of fall. 

Apple Bloom and her little friends liked to spy on Leo for some reason. Unfortunately for him his attempts to shoo them away only seemed to work for minutes until they tried to hide outside his vision once they thought it was safe again. 

He had really been trying his best to stay away from the children. ‘“Dammit” he Cursed under his breath as his distraction caused him to drop the empty barrel on his foot. ‘I am not going to lose what little I managed to build for myself here’. 

So he continued on his work filling up the carts with apples before he knew it, it was already near the end of the day so he started to walk back towards the farm. Those three little stalkers only now running away to their clubhouse knowing he was soon to be off to his home. Looking at the the dark colored leafs and wondering just how in the world they hadn’t fallen off yet. 





“Hey there Leo, looks like you’re on time for once.” Applejack teased calling out to him as she saw him pulling up to the sorting barn. “And you even managed to get all the trees we marked by the looks of it! Good on ya.” She said through a very uncomfortable looking smile. 

“Okay, whats going on?” He asked as the cat creaked under its weight being placed in the barn.

“Going on? Just giving you a much earned compliment.” The smile on her Face growing small. Small as the beads of sweat she has running down from just under the brim her hat. It could have been from a long days work, but Leo knew better.

“Okay, thanks. Now say what your leading up to.” His tone was curt but not rude. He legitimately wanted to know what she was getting at. He had found a nice 'digging' spot the other day and was hoping to try it again tonight. 

“Now what makes you think there is somethin' being lead to?” 

“Because.” He started wiping his face on his shirt trying in vain to get the gross feeling of sweat off himself. “Whenever you have to tell me something you think I might not like, you sugar it up with something beforehand.” 

She stopped for a second, like she was a child caught in a lie. Eyes darting to the floor before looking back up. Meeting his eyes she becomes quite as she takes of her hat and wipes her forehead. “Do I really always do that?” Leo nodded.

“Not just with me, you do it with Big Mac. Right before you make him go do something, or right before he has to go and delivery you cant do.”

She stood silent until Leo snapped his fingers bringing her attention back to the world around her. “So what is it? I wanna get home so I can shower off the smell of apples.” 

Placing her hat back on top of her head she stands on all fours. “Well the weather team got back to us today. Seems like they planned the snowfall for this Friday. So this is you only have the rest of this week. This weekend is the running of the leaves and then. We will be up to our heads in snow. Well, most of us.” She tried to chuckle on the joke she shoehorned at the end. 

Leos face scrunched up, ‘So they control the weather? Just go with it. You have a little saved up. You can make it.’ 

“Oh, okay. Guessing that means next payday is my last huh?” She nodded. 

“Yeah, then we will have hearthswarming at the end of the month. Which means by the time your back from the ‘ahem’ trip. We will have a little work for you, but not as much as we got right now.” 

“Well I’ll just have to last till then huh?” Leo said as he walked out. Calling out a see you tomorrow as he walked back toward town.   





He lamented as he thought about the trip.  The very thought of having to spend probably a week or two with Twilight irritated him. The only thing that kind of brought a small smile to him was the fact that he did manage to have a cure for this growing headache waiting for him at home. 

Then out of the corner of his eye he saw a mare taking out her trash bins for the morning. Leaving a nice looking trunk next to it. He’d have to keep that in mind for tonight. Even if it was pink, he could always throw a blanket over it. Use it to store the ripped apart kitchen appliances he had found, he was going to get a working toaster one of these days. Or fix one of the 5 broken ones he had found.He knew nobody was going to come back asking for it and it was something he needed. Or well in this case he can use it. 

"That was the rule, only if you need it." Grumbling as he thought back to the last few times his home had visitors.

Saying to stop asking how he started getting stuff, apparently, wasn’t a way to get Pinkie nor Brandywine to stop asking how he had managed to get these things. They did seem to drop it pretty quickly when he started getting mad, so that was a win. 

Finally making it home he walked in and fell on the half of a bean bag he was using as a chair. His arms and legs resting on the floor as just his body was held by the small cushion. Damn thing still smelt like hot chocolate, no matter how much he scrubbed. 

After laying there for about an half hour he heard the familiar three quick knocks on his door. Followed by said pony entering. Then poking him, no doubt trying to get him to move. Did he promise to go do something again and forget? Probably. 

It was odd Seeing Brandywine just pop in at his place every now and again. He understood why Pinkie did it, some strange need to make the world smile or something. Plus she made it a mission to figure out how to get Leo to laugh. She had yet to succeed. Although, when she popped out of his fridge spilling the raspberry tea on the floor and gave giving him a full blown panic attack, she stopped with the surprise tactics.

No, Brandywine was the unknown here, she would often stop in after she was done with work. Trying to give him, then relenting to selling him discounted things that would go bad if not eaten. At first he refused, strongly. Not soon after the odd things started to happen. She would sneak it into his fridge or his pantry. It started out as small things that he Just barley noticed, but it quickly became noticeable. Day one, she sneakily added a few eggs to a half full carton, by day three there was an whole extra carton of eggs.

She poked him again. “Leo I know your not asleep. I want to ask you something so face me dammit.” He hated how she started to use his words against him. 

His first plan was to get locks on everything. Keep them out and his life simple. However, that fell apart when he learned the only way to get a lock was from a smith. Which Ponyville apparently didn't have. So unfortunately he couldn't get any real locks for himself, all the ones he found in the trash where always missing their keys. It wasn't that big of a deal though, it wasn't like he minded her company. It was just, odd. At least the two ponys that liked him where somewhat tolerable. Or did they become tolerable over time? 

“Ouch!” Leo jolted as he felt a small bite on his leg.fliping himself around to be met with a very serious looking red mare. “Okay fine! What is it?”

“Right." She started sitting down on her haunches, keeping her neck straight and looking directly at Leo. "Running of the leaves is this weekend. And you should go.” She said moving stray hairs out of her face and re straightening herself. Her head holding up her stern expression, doing its best to leave no negotiations.

“I don’t even know what that is? It's a holiday right? If the towns gunna be out partying id rather be here away from all that.” 

“That is exactly why you should go. You need to get Ponys to warm up to you so you can get a real job. One that doesn’t leave you dead tired, maybe even one that will make you happy?”  her sternness fading ever so slightly at the last of her words as she breaks eye contact for a second.

Grumbling to himself as falls onto his stomach and crawls on the floor over to the fridge. Growing A little smile as he takes out a bottle from the bottom drawer. Too much thinking wouldn't do him any good. “Fine, but the second you look away I can’t promise I wont come right back here. And just sleep the day away. Like I was planning to.” 

"That's no good silly, and besides if you do that you'll miss my commentary! Spike and i do it every year now!" Jolting to his feet and turning to see the pink mare already on his kitchen table he shouts in response. "When did you get in here!"

"Oh! I came in with Brandy, just went straight to the kitchen to make sure you got those doughnuts!" She said excitedly holding up the empty box. Before continuing with a sing-song voice. "I see you ate them this tiiiiime." clearly gleeful that her kindness was accepted. Before tossing the box into the cardboard box Leo had designated his recycling. 

"Yeah, I don't like having food go to waste." He mumbles as he rights himself. "So if I have to go to this leaf running care to explain what it is?" 

Taking over the bean bag Brandywine siting down and getting comfortable. "Well, its a race that ponies do to get the leaves to fall from the trees. so we can start winter." Leo couldn't help but shake his head, "So leaves don't just FALL off the trees do they?" 

Brandy shook her head, "Guessing they did back home then huh? your world just sounds stranger the more you talk about it." 

"I think the same thing about here." Settling onto the floor leaning up against the wall in his make shifted living room. The hard concrete compelling him to grab a pillow. "You look real comfy on my chair by the way." 

Leaning down into the soft cushion she teases. "I do, don't I?" Her forelegs tuck under her and she has fully loafed. 'No chance of getting my seat back now.' "So its a fun thing to go and watch and my sister will be running in it. So I wanna show her support." 

"Support? do you win something for coming in first?" She shook her head no. 

"She has just been feeling dejected. Lately it seems Rainbow Dash and Applejack have been taking first and second in everything. Shes always been the sporty type, and lately she feels like she can't break down a wall. I just wanna be there for her you know? Show her its okay? I don't know."

Half paying attention Leo gets the main idea finishing his drink. He places the empty bottle on the table, chewing his inner lip as a way to punish himself for drinking it so fast. He has been limiting how much he drinks each day.

Brandy wont sell him more then two a day anymore. He needed to make sure to have enough for later, and Berrypuch was catching on to him. 

Who knew this town had such strict laws about how much booze you could sell at one time. Even though no one seemed to chide Berry-punch for drinking whole barrels on the street. 

"What do you think Leo?" Pinkie asked bringing him back to a conversation that seemed to just go on without him. 

"Your going to have to run that by me again. I wasn't paying attention." With a huff Brandywine repeated herself. 

"There is a new place getting set up in Ponyville just in time for the running." Her eyes seemed to expect something from Leo. 

"What kinda store?' He asks slowly. 

"They said it was called an arcade!" Pinkie said excitedly, "The owner talked to me because they are a BIG spot for little colts birthdays in Canterlot. So he wanted to get to know the local party planner!" 

"Well that's very good for you Pinkie. Sure to get you both great business." His tone staying even, he knew where this was going. So he felt content to let it play out as it had the last few times those two mares tried this. 

"Sooo, he said he needed some staff to cover the snack bar and maybe a technician. Aaannnnd I may have said I knew a man who might be qualified." Her excitement was ruining the aloft demeanor she was trying to hold. 

"I'll meet with him." Leo watches as the two hoof bump as if they have won before he continues. "But Its gunna go like the last few. I'll show up and then he'll freak out or play along. let me know that I just don't seem right and I'll be right back where I have been." 

"OR! You two could hit it of and you'll show him that your an invaluable asset and you'll have a real job!" Pinkie squees before looking at the mangled alarm clock just behind Leo. "Gosh! Is it that time already! Sorry got to go! Lots of things to get ready for this weekend!" Then in a flash she is gone out the door. Leaving Leo staring at Brandywine. 

"I am not getting off this chair. Too comfy." She rests her head down giving pleading eyes. 

"Fine, I'll get the chessboard." Her smile nearly rivaled Pinkies.