> Snap To It
>  by David Silver
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> 1 - Ow
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Princess Celestia stretched with a wince. Her back throbbed with a pain that refused to go away. She sank miserably to the floor and closed her eyes, trying to dispel it.

When she opened it, she was not in her room, but some other strange one. The air was clean and a little antisceptic. There were diagrams on the wall of spines, but not pony ones at all. She didn't recognize the creatures they belong to, and their presence was not putting her at ease.

A door slid open softly, allowing a strange biped to wander in. "What?" He peered at Celestia about as confused as she looked at him. "I don't remember an appointment... Who left you here, little girl?"

Celestia rose with alarm, just for blinding pain to force a shrill whinny from her as she collapse on the chiropractic table.

The strange creature was on her in a moment, murmuring soft nothings as he stabilized her back. His hands moved to rub along her spine and rump, easing the pain for a moment.

It was just releif, but compared to the pain, it was a rapture. Celestia relaxed under the care, confused, but not entirely displeased.

Celestia gazed up at the strange biped with wide, questioning eyes as his hands worked their magic along her spine and haunches. Though perplexed by her unfamiliar surroundings, she felt reassured by his gentle ministrations that eased her pain.

She let out a soft whinny, arching into the warmth of his touch. Her wings fluttered slightly in growing comfort. She studied her caretaker curiously, taking in his strange appearance so unlike her own kind.

How had she come to be here? And who was this being that radiated such kindness as he tended to her hurts? She longed to ask him, to understand what forces had conspired to bring them together. But for now, she held her peace, letting his gentle touch speak where words could not.

"I won't let you suffer." Had someone just abandoned a horse in his office? "I'll get you sorted out." At the worst, he would see the horse get somewhere safe.

He brushed along her spine and hit her mane. It was voluminous, and motive. It flowed around and through his fingers as if teased by a breeze he didn't feel. It had the colors of a sunset, and smelled like a summer evening.

She was also warm, even her mane. "What a lovely mane."

Celestia gave a little nicker of approval. Her mane was lovely! She delighted in that being made clear, but shifted a little. Did the curious creature have more tricks to abate her discomfort?

Celestia nickered softly as the strange creature complimented her flowing, ethereal mane. She arched her back encouragingly into his touch, hoping he would continue his ministrations. Though still unsure of how or why she had come here, his gentle voice and healing hands were comforting. 

She studied him with curiosity glimmering in her violet eyes. What a curious being! Bipedal, with clever fingers and a soothing voice. He radiated kindness and compassion as he tended to her. She wrinkled her muzzle, sniffing curiously at his clothes and skin. An unfamiliar scent, but not unpleasant. 

Celestia shifted her wings, relieved to find the pain fading though not yet gone. She whuffed gently at her caretaker, nosing in an effort to convey her desire for him to continue his mystical healing art. Where it not still for the lingering ache in her back, she might have believed herself dreaming. But the firmness of the table beneath her, and the solid reality of this creature before her convinced her this was no fantasy.

She waited patiently for him to resume, hoping too to someday uncover how she had come to this place and been blessed by the mercy of this benevolent being. For now, his gentle ministrations spoke more eloquently than words. She sighed, letting tension drain from her body under his soothing care.

"Now... I doubt you've visited one of me before." He stood up straight and worked out his fingers. "This may feel uncomfortable a moment, but then you'll feel better." He patted her considerable side. Do you understand?"

No words had been shared between them, but her calm demeanor felt like answer enough. He leaned in over her, taking firm grasp of one of her legs with one hand and her lower back he propped with a knee.

"One two..." With a sharp pull, he snapped things out of place. Celestia's perceptions just went blank a moment in shock.

But even more surprising was that when she was again aware of herself, the pain felt... distant. It was there, but it had been chased further away, its howls changed to distant barks. Had she been cured?

"Feel better?" He rubbed gently along one of her ears. "You look better, but we're not done. If you liked that, be calm and let me keep working."

Tentatively, she shifted her weight. The previous sharp, stabbing torment was now little more than a dull ache.

She looked at the creature with newfound awe and gratitude. This marvel had eased her suffering with his bare hands! She whickered softly and extended her neck to nuzzle against his chest. Although she still did not understand his words, his gentle tone reassured her.

Settling once more upon the table, Celestia resolved to place her full trust in this healer. She relaxed into his touch as he rubbed her ear, conveying her assent through gentle nickers and sighs. Whatever magic this entity wielded, she welcomed its blessed effects.

Eyes slipping closed, she yielded wholly to his ministrations, infinitely thankful for his beneficence in assuaging her pain without expectation of reward. She hoped one day to repay his kindness, once she uncovered how she had found her way into his tender care.

"What a lovely horse." He patted her cheek gently. "If I had one, I'd want one like this." He grabbed a strange apparatus that he clicked against her, punching into her deep muscles. What that was doing, she couldn't say, but the click click click was relaxing on its own.

She felt she could trust this strange... doctor? Were they a doctor? Whoever they were, they had already made her feel better than she had all week. She yelped as he dug into her.

Those ministrations were painful, but he seemed to be adjusting her insides, and setting them a little better than where they had begun. He was fixing her directly, not with scalpels, but firm grasps. "So good." Most horses, he knew, were far easier to spook.

That one seemed an angel in comparison, tolerating his work without a complaint. "Someone deserves a sugar cube after this."

Sugar cube? Celestia had a more refined pallette... But one sugar cube wouldn't hurt. She licked her lips, imagining the future treat.

Celestia whickered softly as the kind creature continued his ministrations, deftly realigning her insides with firm but gentle skill. Though some motions caused momentary discomfort, the lasting relief was immense. She felt her pain and tension gradually melt away under his soothing touch.

She studied her benefactor with growing fondness and gratitude, appreciating his patience and care. He seemed to understand her equine nature, touching her with confidence but respect.

Celestia nickered at remembering the offer of a sugar cube. Though her royal tastes tended towards elegant pastries and tea, she would not refuse his humble offering, envisioning it as a symbol of the sweet kindness he had shown in healing her hurts.

She resolved to find some way to reward his selfless aid once she returned to Equestria. For now, she expressed her thanks by relaxing fully under his ministrations, trusting in his healing gifts. Closing her eyes with a contented sigh, she let waves of warmth and comfort wash over her as the last remnants of pain receded.

It was then he found her tail. A pony's tail was part of their spine, and so had to be included in alignment.

Most horse tails did not billow so much. He had to push his hands past that fur and get lose in the cloud of tail fur before he could even find the nub of her dock. He was silent, just amazed at what he was feeling and doing. "You are... very special."

Celestia turned an ear, not ruining the little deception, but wanting to know what the creature was doing back there. That was her back end...

When he grasped the dock to adjust it, she startled slightly, unused to such handling. But no lasting discomfort resulted, just a mild twitching sensation. She sensed no violating intent in his touch - only precise therapeutic purpose.

Settling once more with a soft whicker, Celestia relaxed into his ministrations. She felt immensely grateful for the relief he had brought her, musing that perhaps her arrival here was fortune rather than folly. Never before had she received such attentive, skilled care.

She hoped dearly to repay his kindness someday. For now, she conveyed her thanks through gentle sounds and small motions, trying to make her comfort and trust apparent. She marveled at how fate had entwined them, leading one so versed in equine wellness to tend to an injured princess of ponies.

Truly miraculous. She sighed blissfully, all pain now gone from her body thanks to her mysterious benefactor's therapeutic touch.

His fingers trailed along her spine from the base to the end of the tail. "Mostly... alright." He got his other hand in there to perform only minor adjustments. Enough to make her jump slightly, but no major pains there. "Such a good girl..."

He clapped his hands together gently, drying them of nothing. "Alright, girl. Can you stand up for me?" He clicked at her, bidding her up to her feet carefully. "There you go... Much better."

It was that moment he noticed the big sun of a brand she had. "Don't recognize that one... Huh, not like I have them all memorized..."

Celestia rose gracefully to her hooves at his gentle urging, flexing her body experimentally. To her delight and relief, she felt nary a twinge of the previous agonizing pain. She turned to face him with sincere appreciation shining in her violet eyes.

"That is mine and mine alone. Thank you," she spoke clearly. Surprise flickered across his features at her words, but she continued sincerely. "I am Princess Celestia, monarch of Equestria. I know not how I came to be here, but I am deeply grateful for the healing you have bestowed."

She regarded him thoughtfully. "Might I know whom I have the honor of addressing? And perhaps, if you are willing, you could enlighten me about this realm I find myself in? It seems vastly different from my pony homeland."

Celestia nodded politely to the creature, hoping he would not be too shocked by her ability to converse intelligibly. She sensed great compassion within him and believed if any in this strange land would understand, it would surely be the one who had already helped her so selflessly.

The poor chiropractor flinched back at her words. "Oh, uh... Hi. I'm Doctor Samson, and this is... Earth?"

"Earth? A curious place." She leaned in towards the doctor. "Beyond another mirror, perhaps. I don't want to lose you, so take this." With a glowing horn, she wove a golden needle in the human's hair. "There. Wear that, and I can find you in the future. I make good on my promises."

Dr. Samson blinked in bewilderment as the radiant winged unicorn addressed him plainly. He stumbled back in shock when she lit her horn and magically wove a golden needle into his hair.

"I...wha...you can talk!" He rubbed his eyes before gingerly touching the glimmering thin metal shard. "And you...you have magic? Real magic?" His scientific mind reeled, all his notions of reality crumbling.

Celestia inclined her head graciously. "Indeed, dear doctor. In my realm, magic is commonplace among my kind. As is the gift of speech." She smiled, hoping to reassure him.

"I understand your surprise. My arrival here was rather...unexpected. But now that you have eased my suffering, I must return home." Her horn glowed brighter. "Thank you again for your kindness. The spell I cast will permit me to reunite us, should you be interested in visiting my world one day."

The doctor gaped wordlessly as reality warped around the stunning winged unicorn. With a burst of magical energy, she vanished, leaving only a lingering fragrance of summer blooms.

He stood frozen for long moments before a giddy laugh escaped him. "No one's ever going to believe this!" Shaking his head in awe, he returned to his mundane tasks, fingertips straying occasionally to the enchanted needle in his hair.
> 2 - Invitation
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Doctor Samson had many other clients, largely animals. He adjusted ponies, dogs, cats... Cats were interesting, being such flexible creatures by default. Most were brought by attending humans, worried for the health of their furry companion. Some of them were almost as furry.

But he did his best to get their bones and muscles back in order. That was his job. His line of work didn't usually involve a lot of physical mail, but one arrived.



Doctor Samson,

I hear you can cure pain where others fall short. Equestria needs your talents! At least, I do. I can't get there, but the princess owes you, so she can get you here. I'll pay! My daughter really needs some help, and I've tried everything else at hoof.

I Just Don't Know What Went Wrong,
Derpy "Muffins" Hooves.



Part of him laughed it off, but he hadn't forgotten the princess. But he also had no way to contact her. How did he use that gift? Who could know?

So he put that aside and got back to work. At least until another letter arrived, and another. The fourth had a very royal seal on it.



Dear Doctor Samson,

I have been informed that news of my recovery has spread, and with it, rumors of your talents. My faithful subjects have been pestering you, and for that, I apologize. There are two circles below. Please fill in the one that better matches your feelings and I will see that it is done.

Princess Celestia



There were two empty holes, with some words over each. Forbid ponies from contacting him, or visit Equestria to tend to the hopeful ponies. There were terms. If he went, he'd be given an office and a house and a stipend enough for a 'comfortable life' to be kept in addition to anything earned performing his practice.

But it would mean the office he was already in would be in trouble. He frowned with consideration. He just had to fill in one of the holes with a pen and make a choice, but both felt awfully permanent in their own way.

Princess Celestia had been kind, and if she was any hint, ponies responded well to techniques used on horses, so he could do it, he felt sure of that. He clicked on a television in the office and the news steriley noted that the world, was, indeed, still quite on fire.

It... was probably silly anyway, but if it worked? He scribbed the go circle, filling it with his pen mark. He'd regret it forever if he refused, left wondering what could have been.

He didn't even get to finish putting his pen down.

The entire office came with him, landing with a soft thump somewhere new. He rolled, seated on a wheeled chair. "The heck?" He stood up and went for the window, peeking out past the blinds to see a brightly colored cityscape of ponies trotting along towards whatever they had in mind. He had visited Equestria. Or moved to it?

A soft knock came from the front door and he jumped in surprise. "Jeeze... Get it together." He took a soft breathe and marched to it. "We're not open yet," he called as he opened the door.

A golden-armored.... soldier? of a pegasus saluted with a wing before backing to the left. Behind him, Celestia stepped forward. "Are you safe, your things?"

Samson took a moment to look around the office, then back to Celestia. "A few things fell over, but I've seen far worse. Did you... just yank whole office? It's part of a building!"

"It's alright." She stepped inside, dominating the room with her bulk. "You have full control over your presence here." She directed to a knob that hadn't been there. On one side of it had a cheerful pictograph of a smiling pony. On the other, a simply grey circle. "Just turn that. and you, and the office, will be in the right place. You can hear knocking  from either world, so creatures can reach you, and you can go as you please."

Samson rubbed the back of his head. "That... is actually amazing. If it does that, that covers the office, and I can stay in my own house. Why'd you even offer that?"

Celestia smiled radiantly, as was her fashion. "Because it felt polite. You don't have to accept that. Stay in your Earth home, or allow us to arrange one for you. You are welcome either way. Now, I should be away. I'll scare away the ponies that could use your help. I'll be certain they know where to find you." She turned, just to pause.

"Oh." She lifted a hoof to direct at the city outside. "That is Canterlot. If you look, you'll see a castle, that's mine. If you have need of me, go there and ask for me. I hope things go well for you and those that come for you."

She left, door closing behind her. Samson laughed a little tensely. "Well... I signed the paper." And he could go back and forth... That was a... win? He dug out his phone and checked. It had a single bar, but it had a bar, which was more bars than he had expected. "This won't be so bad. I can set some ponies straight, sure."

He just had to make a price sheet that worked for them.

He went to the door and flipped the sign over to 'closed' and stepped out. "Time to get a lay of the economy." He locked up the office and turned to face the bright equine landscape. "Be kind to me."

He needn't have worried. That they were curious about him was the worst he had to face as he browsed shops and services, checking out their prices. The most awkward thing was when a pony decided sniffing him was just the thing to do, and that felt more like a curious horse. Amusing, not terrifying. He pushed them away, softly but firmly, just as he would a horse. "Easy there."

Equipped with the power of knowledge, he was able to type up a basic price sheet and print it out. He put it beside his human one. The human one was clean and clinical. The pony one was colorful with a leaping horse. He had gone through the effort of Photoshopping a cutie mark on that horse for the finishing touch.

Yep, ready! "Bring on the first client."

A single knock, and the door opened. "Doc." A pegasus wandered in, a light cyan in shade. "You gotta help me. I'm Zephyr Breeze and I can't work."

"Can't work?" He looked over the pony. Unlike Celestia, Zephyr seemed mussed and his mane didn't flow. A glance confirmed Zephyr was a male. Samson gestured up at his price sheet. "Tell me what's bothering you and I'm sure we can do something."

Zephyr turned his eyes upwards, scanning the price sheet. "Oh, not cheap..." He curled on himself and got out a bag. His wings quickly got out some coins and set them down. "It's, uh, sharp? Right around here." He pointed towards his lower back with a wing. "Can you help? I don't wanna be fired!"

"So tell me more about this pain," Dr. Samson prompted gently, gesturing to the area Zephyr had indicated on his lower back. As the pony nervously explained his symptoms, the chiropractor began carefully inspecting the site of discomfort, fingers probing with practiced expertise for any misalignments.

He offered reassuring smiles whenever Zephyr winced, even as his mind sorted through likely diagnoses and gentle manipulation techniques to try. This certainly wasn't how he envisioned his day going when he'd woken up in his Earth apartment that morning. But as Zephyr gazed at him anxiously, he felt that same instinctive caring that had first drawn him to practice medicine.

"Well, let's get you up on the table and see if I can't help get things realigned..."

So he led Zephyr up onto the large table. It was designed for humans, to be clear. Animals, usually, didn't tolerate its use. Ponies were not animals, at least no more than a human was. Zephyr slid right up and even put his snouted face in the right spot. Samson ran his down carefully to a specific spot on Zephyr's back. "This will make a sound, a loud sound, and it may feel odd, but it's part of the process."

"Whatever you say--" His words were cut off with the loud crashing clunk of the table beneath him, leaving him to fall against it, a sharp sudden adjustment in his posture. "Woah, what was that?"

"Forcing your spine to adjust for us. It'll take a few more times. Relax, let it happen." Samson raised Zephyr up with the angled table. "We're putting things together, one little step at a time."

Zephyr winced at the loud cracking sound, feathers ruffling instinctively. But the doctor's calm, reassuring demeanor kept panic at bay.

"O-okay Doc, I trust ya..." He resettled himself upon the table as guided, taking deep breaths to stay relaxed per the instructions. 

Another sharp adjustment made him jump, but already that stabbing pain in his back seemed a little less fierce. Dr. Samson sure knew his stuff! Zephyr found his initial anxiety fading to curiosity and hope.

"So this is really gonna fix me up all nice? Cause I wasn't kidding 'bout needing to keep my job..." He trailed off, distracted by the strange implements and charts decorating the clinic walls.

"Hey, what's that pointy clicky thing do? And those pictures of weird skinny horses - are those humans? Boy they look funny!" His eyes shone with innocent fascination at these alien things.

"Oh, those are me, or things like me." Samson grabbed the tool Zephyr had pointed at. "And this helps me make smaller adjustments in specific places. It's not just your spine that needs a little love." He pressed it firmly against various parts of Zephyr's back, clicking it with thumps as he forced things around carefully. "Feeling better? You feel like you're relaxing."

"Oh, yeah.. Actually..." Zephyr started to roll, but Samson had a hand on him, stopping the motion. "Not done?"

"Not done, but if you want to roll." He let Zephyr flop on his side. "Put this leg." He tapped at one. "Down. Keep the rest of you facing the same way."

It was a new thing. A horse couldn't even make that motion.

Zephyr showed a pony could. They had far more human physiology, which meant he could use human techniques he'd normally leave at home when a horse was involved. "Now this will have a feeling, so be strong for me, but relax."

Samson moved in aside Zephyr, leaning over them and grabbing firmly. With a sharp twist, he bent Zephyr's entire body in a new angle for just a moment, letting the shocked Zephyr flop awkwardly. "Wow... That... Wow..." With sparkling, dazzled, eyes, he took a shaking breath. "That was intense, doc..."

Zephyr blinked dazedly up at the doctor from his awkward sprawl across the table, hardly believing the sudden intense realignment his body had just undergone. He experimentally stretched one wing then the other, marveling at the sensation.

"I gotta admit, I wasn't sure 'bout all this at first," the pegasus confessed. "All you otherworldly types seem so...well...weird!" He flushed, hoping that didn't come out too offensive. "But horsefeathers, I think you actually fixed me right up!"

He gingerly rolled off the table, landing gently on all fours. To his delight, that persistent ache that had plagued him for weeks seemed to have vanished completely. Zephyr capered around joyously, all hesitation gone now.

"Wait 'til Mom and Dad hear 'bout this! And my sis - she's gonna want ya to work your magic on her for sure." His eyes shone with gratitude as he regarded the doctor who had eased his misery. "Seriously, thanks a million, doc. However can I repay you for this?"

"You already paid me." He patted Zephyr on the back as they headed for the door. "But I suggest you come back to keep things properly aligned. Up to you, I suggest weekly, but biweekly or monthly is also an option that can work."

"Uh... Gotta check on that..." Laughing tensely, Zephyr made good his escape.

Samson returned to behind his desk with a content sigh. So began his practice on Equestria.
> 3 - A Mother's Love
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Samson settled into his new life, twisting the knob to see to customers on either side of the dimensional divide. Equestrian coins, as it turned out, were worth less than their weight in gold. Not because of the picture, that meant nothing to anyone on Earth, but because they had a core of platinum. At least, that's what an appraiser informed him.

"Prices do change over time. I'd stop by before you move to sell them," advised the appraiser. "Unless that's the only one? In which case, go ahead and get your money and have a great day."

Samson flicked the coin, catching the significant coin before it hit the ground. "Thanks. Alright if--"

"If any future coins are exactly the same, here." He scribbled out some numbers, outlining the weights of various metals in the coin. "You can save your money and use a calculator. But only if it's exactly the same." He snorted. "Where did you get these, anyway?"

"Foreign clients." Samson nodded, satisfied with that entirely true statement. "People get a bit odd caring for their horses."

"Nice." The appraiser waved Samson along, their business complete.





Back in his office, he settled down with a salad he planned to demolish for lunch. He didn't get to finish it with a knock. A single clop. "Hello? Are you open? The sign says open..."

Having just come from earth business, the knob was still set to earth. Samson abandoned his salad dreams for later. Hurrying to the knob, he flicked it to the Equestrian side. "Come in."

The second pegasus customer entered with a package attached to her back, a parcel wrapped in cloth. "Excuse me?" She was extremely wall-eyed, with only one eye focused on Samson. "I heard you can help ponies?"

"I try to help everyone that comes through that door." Samson smiled at the curious mare. "Do you work for the post office?"

Derpy looked up at where her hat hung enough forward to see. "Oh! Sorry." She swatted it off with a wing and caught it with a hoof to tuck away. "Yes. Um..."

"Mom," spoke her bundle, a much younger voice? "I'm really... I can't even walk."

Samson tensed. "That sounds serious..." Samson gestured at the price sheet. "Let's start with a basic examination and adjustment and see what we can discover. Hopefully, that will be enough, but I need to see what we're dealing with.

A small purple unicorn poked free of the cloth, looking around until she got her eyes on the prices. "Okay. Mom, pay him."

The mother rubbed her cheek, looking abashed. "I'm sorry. I get overwhelmed by these things. Little Dinky here gets it so much faster than me... Oh, I'm Derpy."

Samson marshaled his willpower to not note that Derpy was, indeed, derpy. He accepted the coins she was offering and waved them towards the back. "Let's get started. We can't have any little person suffering."

Dinky locked eyes with Samson, waiting until he looked back at her. "If that's true, why are you charging?"

"Ow." Samson laughed, patting the chiropractic table. "I have my own bills to pay."

"You do?" Dinky didn't fight as Derpy put her on the table.

"I do." Samson began examining the little pony. Besides being a smaller pony, she was still maturing. But there were things wrong he could see. "I don't think this is normal..." He ran a finger gently along her little spine, trailing where the discs were clearly out of order. "Does that hurt?"

"Yes!" Dinky scowled with a little huff. "A lot... Can you make it better?"

"Fortunately, this is entirely within my grasp to get started with. Let's begin." He gestured to the front. "You don't have to stand there, ma'am."

Derpy inclined her head. "I'm alright."

Samson smiled at that. "I am going to have to circle the table frequently. Why don't you..." He pointed to a chair normally used by patients. "Have a seat there?"

Derpy wandered over to it and looked baffled. "This chair is... small." She hopped up onto it and slipped right off of it. It was not designed for a pony resting on their haunches. "I'll stand."

Derpy shuffled her hooves, looking awkward as she stood back up from the too-small chair. 

"Oh geez, sorry about that!" Samson rubbed the back of his neck. "I should've realized that wouldn't work for a pony." 

He glanced around, eyes lighting on a low cabinet near the wall. "Wait, I've got just the thing. Be right back."

Rummaging in the cabinet, he pulled out a large circular pillow, typically used for pregnant human patients to sit on. It was just big enough for a pony.

"Here, try this." He set the pillow on the floor. 

Derpy eyed it dubiously, then carefully lowered herself down. To her surprise and delight, it made a perfect little pony seat.

"Oooh, so comfy!" She wiggled, getting comfortable as she watched the doctor begin examining her daughter.

Dinky winced as Samson's fingers prodded along her spine. "Can you really fix me, mister?" Her voice quavered slightly.

"I can certainly try my very best," he assured gently. "Now just relax and let me see what's going on here..."

He carefully felt out each vertebrae, frowning at the clear misalignments causing poor Dinky's misery. But he believed he could realign things properly again. It would take patience and care, but that's just what this job called for.

Speaking soothingly to the little unicorn, Samson slowly and methodically began applying targeted pressure and adjustments along her spine. Dinky gasped and flinched at first, but soon grew used to the strange sensations under his confident touch. 

"There now, we're making progress already... You need some..."  He pressed firmly at her, each stroke pressing deep into her flesh, unpleasant in the moment. "This will..." He worked along her back towards her shoulder. "Let your muscles get back in order after so long being  out of place."

"Kinda hurts." Dinky rolled an ear back. "But if it works... worth it."

"That's the spirit." He gently pat her back. "This is as much as I'd want to do in any one day. We have to let your body adjust to the changes we've made, and we can push further next time." He turned to Derpy. "Ma'am, can you bring Dinky back once a week?"

Derpy hopped to her hooves. "Of course!"

"Mom." Dinky forced herself to her hooves, trembling lightly. "Huh... I'm standing."

"We can do better, but feel free to start light exercise. Nothing better than just getting some movement to help get things in the right place." He waved towards Derpy. "Your mom's waiting for you."

Dinky sprang to the floor, just to wince faintly. "Not... all fixed... But better..." She took slow steps towards Derpy with a little smile. "Look... I can walk."

"You sure can." Derpy grabbed up her daughter in a firm hug, nuzzling at her. "Do you want a ride, or are you feeling like walking?"

They left, satisfied customers. This meant Samson could take care of that salad.

"Letter!" That postal carrier wasn't Derpy. They weren't even a pegasus. The earth pony dropped a letter on Samson's desk. "Here you go." With a light hat tip, he turned about to get back on his mission.

Samson reached for the letter curiously. "Thank you..."



Oh wow!
Celestia's open border policy has really reached a new level, and I'm all for it! I hear you're putting smiles on pony's faces, and that's my job! I'll be visiting shortly.
Let Them Eat Cake,
Pinkie Pie



Samson blinked at the exuberant letter now resting on his desk. Apparently word of his unusual talents had spread rapidly across Equestria if even this 'Pinkie Pie' had caught wind somehow.

He chuckled softly. Well, he had wanted to explore life in this magical land. It seemed eager to welcome him with bright smiles and boundless curiosity.

Having lost track of time while working, Samson's stomach rumbled loudly once more. Right, his long delayed salad! He grabbed the takeout box and eagerly dove in, thoughts drifting between nibbles.

Who was this Pinkie Pie gal that would be visiting shortly? She sounded quite...unique. Though with a name like 'Pinkie' she was surely just as colorfully hued as the other ponies he had met so far. 

He imagined another patient soon trotting in, some minor ache or pain for him to gently realign and smooth away. It gave him satisfaction being able to offer such relief from suffering. Maybe that was a small way to make up for the many troubles happening back on Earth right now.

A thunderous series of knocks suddenly rattled his door. "Knock knockity knock knock knock!" sang an exuberant voice. "Special delivery for one magical migratory medicinal mammal mechanic!" 

The door flew open and a beaming pink pony pranced inside, soggy boxes and bins somehow balanced impossibly on her back. 

"Name's Pinkie Pie and I heard you like cake, so I brought every cake in Ponyville!" She deposited the mountain of desserts onto his desk with a splat. "Now let's get this party started!"

Pink and white frosting sprayed over Samson's salad as the hyperactive pony began excitedly bounding around his office.

Samson laughed at the sight. "That is more cake than any man... or pony, could hope to eat."

Pinkie plopped to her haunches. "Well, go ahead and find your favorite." She leaned forward, brows wriggling. "Because I wanna know which one that is. This does not count as your official party, but I can't do that without knowing more about you."

Her eyes wandered upwards. "Doctor... Samson? Neat! Hi Sam!"

"Hello." He took a bite of his salad, which seemed destined to not be enjoyed that day. On the other hand... There were cakes right there. "My absolute favorite is ice cream cake."

"Ooo!" Pinkie grabbed one and plonked it down on Samson's desk. "Fancy! I had to pick this up locally, but I had a good feeling." She winked. "Princess Celestia also mentioned your world has a lot of gizmos in it, so having things hotter or colder than normal? Natural fit!"

"Huh,  I can't argue that logic." With a pen, he flipped up the cover of the box to reveal the happy birthday cake. It had nobody's name, but it was clearly designed for birthday celebrations.

"It doesn't have to be anypony's birthday to enjoy cake!" Pinkie declared cheerfully, watching Samson inspect his gift. 

"That's Chilly Cob's famous Fudge Ripple Confetti Crunch Cake - best ice cream cake in Equestria!" She bounced on her hooves excitedly. "Go on, try it!"

Samson couldn't suppress an eager grin. It did look absolutely mouthwatering, studded with sprinkle-coated brownie chunks and swirled with rich fudgy ripples. Retrieving a fork from his desk, he carved out a huge creamy chunk. 

One taste and his eyes widened in bliss. "Oh wow...the fudge...the crunch...it's incredible!" He hastily shoveled in another sumptuous bite, then another. Perfection!

Pinkie beamed, delighted at his reaction. "I knew you'd love it! Anypony with good taste goes ga-ga for Cob Cake." She watched him devour more, bouncing in place. Then with a little gasp her tail twitched.

"Ooh! New idea!" Before Samson could react Pinkie had snatched up the remainder of his abandoned salad. In a blur she tossed it into the air, added various cake crumbs and frostings from her hoard, doused it in sprinkles and whipped cream, then let it all splat onto Samson's plate.

"There ya go! Salad a la Pinkie - the only way to properly enjoy your greens." She nodded with great self-satisfaction and held out a fresh fork expectantly. 

"C'mooooon, just one little bite..." she wheedled, wiggling her brows. "You'll love it, Pinkie Promise!"

Samson chuckled with soft trepidation. A horse would know the best way to prepare a salad, right? He plunged a fork into it and took a bite. Savory Flavor exploded with a pleasing crunch. "Mmm, that is good. You could sell this on Earth, I imagine."

Pinkie crossed her arms. "Open borders, but one way. Princess Celestia lets creatures come here, but ponies outside of a few special ones aren't going to the others." She casually gathered all the cakes save the ice cream one, making them vanish into her floofy mane as if that was normal. "Now, when is your birthday? Do you like soda, what flavor? What's your favorite game!"

She had many questions to prepare for the ultimate Doctor Samson introduction party.
> 4 - Apple a Day
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

A knocking came, right on time. It was his first actual appointment made for an Equestrian client. "Come in."

A pony nudged it open with their face, then held it open for their bright red friend. "Howdy there."

"Ayup." The larger of them, the red one, nodded towards Samson. He pointed to himself, standing in the main room. "Big Mac."

"Applejack," completed the smaller one, female. "We're siblings, Apples, both of us. Now, we done heard all kindsa nice things 'bout this place. I wanted to know, what could ya do for healthy farmin' ponies, like us? Is this another fancy city waste a time?"

Samson set his hands on his desk. "You came a long way just to ask if the trip's worth it. Why didn't you ask while you were setting the appointment?"

Applejack rubbed at her warmed cheek. "Well... Figured you didn't wanna be bothered on the phone long."

"Nope."

Applejack nodded at her brother as if he had just said some profound truth. "So, whattaya say?"

"Besides treating immediate spinal-muscular issues." Samson stood up, leading them towards the examination room. "We are a preventative service. They come to get adjusted so that things don't go wrong in the future. So, to knock the ball back in your court, what problems are you experiencing right now, if any?"

Applejack scoffed at that. "Me? Ah feel fit as a fiddle jus' after bein' polished!"

Big Mac pushed forward. "Nope."

"Nope, you have no problems?"

"Nope." He pointed back at his own rump and gave it a shake for emphasis.

Samson smiled at that. Big Mac was, in a way, far more like the horses he'd dealt with on earth, quiet and less able to express themselves what was wrong. Still, this one was pointing, already a step up. "Let's get you on the table. Applejack, this'll start with a basic examination and adjustment."

At his pointing to the price board above, She craned her head to have it a look for. She whistled softly. "Ain't cheap... But if mah brother wants it..."

"Ayup."

She sighed, digging out coins to place in Samson's waiting hand, where it vanished away a moment later. "Treat 'em right."

This was a new sort of pony for Samson. This one was tough, with every inch of him being a wall of muscle. If they were a horse, he'd guess they were a well bred draft horse, ready to haul heavy loads easily. "I'm just looking, with my fingers. Don't mind them as I see what's working, and what isn't. If it hurts, let me know." A big difference from ponies and horses. A pony could just say when they were uncomfortable.

Samson gently ran his fingers along Big Mac's spine, searching out any signs of muscle tightness or skeletal misalignments. The stallion flinched slightly as the doctor's careful prodding encountered a particularly tender spot above his left hip.

"There we go," Samson murmured. "Found an issue already. Looks like this side's hips aren't lined up quite right." 

He glanced up to meet Big Mac's green eyes. "I'm betting that translates to stiffness and soreness hauling heavier loads, doesn't it? Probably feels worse at the end of a long day working."

Big Mac blinked calmly back at the strange bipedal creature, then gave a slow nod of confirmation. "Eeyup."

From her seat nearby, Applejack leaned forward, squinting with concern. "Ya say his hips ain't squared up proper? Well fiddlesticks, small wonder he's been wincin' come evenin' time." 

She watched the doctor resume his examination of her brother's robust frame. "Can ya fix 'im up good as new, ya figure?"

"I can certainly try." Samson carefully mapped out the network of muscles and joints comprising Big Mac's hips and thighs, determining the precise realignments needed. "Now just relax for me, big guy. This may feel and sound a bit odd, but I promise it'll help get things smoothed out again."

Bracing himself, he applied a few swift, firm adjustment presses. The stallion flinched and sucked in a sharp breath at the sudden odd sensations, but quickly relaxed again at Samson's reassuring pat. 

"There we go...easy does it..." Checking his handiwork, Samson gave a satisfied nod. "I'd say that's significantly more aligned now. Give me a holler if any lingering soreness crops up again though." 

He glanced to Applejack with a smile. "I think your brother will be feeling his oats again in no time after a little rest."

The farm mare grinned widely. "Well butter my butt n' call me a biscuit, ya done worked some real magic here, doc! Can't tell ya how much I 'preciate ya squarin' up my kin."

She stood and clapped Big Mac's shoulder fondly with a hoof. "C'mon now Mac, let's getcha home an' kickin' back them heels!"

Big Mac tossed his head at Applejack, standing again. "Nope?"

Applejack turned an ear back. "Me? C'mon now. We only got so many bits, and ah ain't hurtin' nowhere. Let's save them bits in case you need it again."

Big Mac lifted his great shoulders. "Ayup." Apparently agreeing with Applejack, they made their way out with a parting wave.

Samson sank back into his seat with a smile. "This is nice..." He was treating humans and ponies and leaving both happy. His bank account also approved of the whole thing. "Nice to help."

Samson leaned back in his desk chair, feeling a glow of contentment. Maybe this really could work out - maintaining his practice on both sides of the dimensional divide, easing suffering wherever he found it.

Humans and ponies weren't so different after all. Both simply sought relief from the myriad strains and pains that befell mortal flesh, whether frail or sturdy. He could offer that relief with his caring touch.

The faint click of the portal knob turning drew his gaze. Ah, back to Earthside for a while then. But soon enough Equestria would call once more, offering up new friends and experiences. For now though, it seemed his home realm needed him as well.

Rising with a smile, Samson opened the door to greet what patient awaited now beyond, prepared to soothe hurts with strong but gentle hands. Later that day, a gentle knocking came from the Equestrian side.

He hurried over to flick that knob. "It's open."

"Wow!" The one that came in was not a pony. She wasn't even half a pony. She was half though. Half bird of prey, half lion, and all smiles. "This is just amazing!" She twirled in the office, taking it in. "I am... Oh! I'm Gabby, nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too." Samson offered a hand, soon accepted. She had a firm, but not too firm, grip. "How can I help you today?"

"I... was actually looking for work." She scratched her cheek awkwardly. "You're a doctor, right? I'll be your nurse!" She somehow worked up an extra-bright smile. "I will greet your patients with kindness and a smile. I'll help them, and you. Wouldn't that be nice?"

Samson blinked. He had meant to get a receptionist, but... "How are you at typing?"

"Typing?" She inclined her head sharply, as only a bird could. "I didn't expect that question, but I'm okay at it. I've done a job or two with that. Did you need me to type?"

"My work has a lot of paperwork, especially where I'm from. If you can help me tame that paperwork, then we may have a deal."

"You're the best!" She grabbed Samson, hugging him tightly. It was a curious thing, being hugged by her. He knew she was a female, but her body gave so few hints of it in the press. She was a strong androngynous creature with a female voice. "Where do I start?"

Samson smiled kindly at the eager griffon, gently returning her enthusiastic hug. Her powerful taloned forelimbs gripped fiercely, but her fluffy feathered chest and sharp beak afforded little overt clues to her gender. Yet an undeniable feminine energy radiated from his new volunteer nurse.

"Well first, let me show you around and we can discuss your duties." Samson gestured about the office interior. "As you can see, at the moment paperwork is ah...a tad out of control."

He indicated the mound of haphazard forms and folders burying his desk. Insurance documentation from Earth patients mingled messily with colorful flyers and pamphlets from Equestria. Post-it notes clung for dear life amidst the teetering towers of treatment reports, handwritten appointment logs, supply invoices and more. 

Gabby gasped dramatically, raising both forefeet to her beak. "Sweet Celestia, it's...it's..." Her amber eyes shone with wonder. "The most wonderful mess I've ever seen!" 

Clapping her talons together, she strode decisively to the desk and cracked her knuckles. Bracing herself, the eager griffon pressed both paws beneath the middle of the towering stacks and heaved with all her might. Reams of paperwork went flying in a chaotic burst as she grunted with effort.

"Just...just gotta...get this...this sorted!" Gabby huffed amidst the swirling white flurry now surrounding her. One final forceful flap of her wings and the last forms settled in haphazard drifts about the office floor. She dusted her paws, grinning in triumph. 

"There! Now I can start organizing!" Whipping out a notepad and pen, she began scrutinizing the scattered documents, brow furrowed in concentration. "Lessee...treatment reports go here...invoices there..."

Samson smiled, watching her already dutifully working. "We should go over a few things. Your payment, to start."

Gabby perked. "Oh, right!" She slapped her forehead. "I forgot all about that part."

"It's an important part..." Samson patted her shoulder gently. "How does five bits a day sound?"

"Like a dream." She clapped her hands with a little giggle. "I'll take the job!"

"One more thing. Two, actually." He raised one finger that became two. "First--" He lowered a finger. "Does Equestria have paperwork when it comes to hiring, firing, and such like that?"

Gabby stroked at her beak. "Not that I know of? I've been hired a lot of times, and we just shook hands, or hooves, and called it a day."

"Great, we did that." One less headache to deal with. No employee taxes to be worried about. "Second!" Up went the second finger. "Equestrian rules are that you can't come to my world. So long as you stay in my office, it should be fine, but when I close for the day, you have to go home, to Equestria. In the morning, I'll let you back in."

Gabby pointed to the front. "I saw your hours. Okay! I didn't plan to live here. I have an apartment not far from here." She began to clap with building excitement. "That's two, and we did both, so I'm hired?"

"You're hired." Samson nodded firmly. "Here's your first day." He put a five bit coin in her eager hand. "Nice to have you aboard."

Gabby's avian eyes sparkled as she clutched her gleaming pay. "Yes, captain!" She gave a mock salute, feathered appendages fluffing proudly. "I won't let you down!"

Racing to the desk, the eager griffon set to work sorting scattered stacks of rainbow-hued flyers, pamphlets and brochures while humming cheerfully to herself. With practiced talons she neatly filed document types together, wielding staplers and hole punches like a warrior with precision tools.

Before long, orderly categorized piles took shape across the desk and surrounding shelves. Gabby surveyed her progress with a pleased nod. "There! Now to tackle those intimidating stacks..."

Flexing her powerful shoulders, the dutiful nurse hauled over one mound of insurance forms and invoices. Meticulously she began referencing dates, patient names and ID numbers to file each sheet correctly. It was almost like solving a wonderful riddle!

As she filled various cabinets and drawers, Gabby's keen eyes darted periodically to her new employer. What sort of being was he, so alien yet kindly? She had only glimpsed a few humans during brief jaunts to Canterlot, usually from a cautious distance. They seemed such peculiar creatures. But fine folk if Princess Celestia welcomed them.

Samson certainly felt friendly enough, and his magic skills at banishing pain warranted respect. Gabby hummed happily as she worked. Yes, this would be a great opportunity to understand humans better while assisting a compassionate healer. Win-win!

"Hey boss, quick question!" She fluttered up some stray coins from the desk into one talon. "Should I set some kinda petty cash drawer up? Y'know, for little incidentals and such?"

Samson started with surprise. "I've been working with myself for so long, I never really thought about that.." He curled his fingers to his chin. "Having an employee will require a few changes..."
> 5 - Earth Patients
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Samson had patients on both side of that dimensional divide. He had a human female scheduled that day. He looked between the clipboard that announced this fact and Gabby, smiling and sitting behind the front counter, eager to help. "We have a little problem."

"Hm?" Gabby looked up, still smiling. "How can I help, boss? I'm here to do that!"

Samson chuckled, unable to find fault in Gabby's work ethic. "Humans aren't used to griffons. You're fine once they know you, but we don't want to startle people who are coming for help."

"Oh." Gabby's ears drooped slightly. "I guess I could just hide in the back when humans come."

"That won't work either." Samson sighed, setting his hands on the counter. "If they come in, and you're not here, they'll think something's wrong. We need a solution that doesn't involve hiding you."

Gabby tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Hmmm...I know!" She snapped her talons. "I could wear a disguise!"

Samson blinked. "A disguise?" Visions of Gabby wearing a rubber robber's mask over her face came to mind. "That could scare them for other reasons, but I like that you're thinking about this."

"What if I'm just really super nice?" She offered her brightest smile. "I'm ready to greet them with all the hospitality in two worlds!"

Samson laughed at that. "You are very kind. Maybe that will be enough." He glanced at the clock. "We'll try it, and see how it goes."

Gabby bounced eagerly on her chair. She quickly organized the papers there and assumed a ready stance. "They will feel so welcomed, they'll rush to come back again."

The knock came when Samson had already retreated into the back. "Come in," sang out Gabby, almost sparkling with readiness to greet the potentially startled human. "We can't wait to help you feel better."

The woman stepped in, just to start, pausing her progress. "Hello?" She looked at Gabby with undisguised amazement mixed with a thick dallop of terror. "Are-- You talked, whatever you are."

"I sure did." Gabby set down the patient intake form. "You only have to fill out the first part, since you're a returning customer. My name's Gabby! Nice to meet you."

The woman nodded, slowly stepping closer. "I'm... Rosemary. Nice to meet you too." She reached for the form, glancing at it. "You're... A griffon?"

"I sure am!" She almost bounced in her chair, but resisted the urge. "And I work for Doctor Samson, who is super nice, and good at his job. I'm sure he can help you."

"He has before." Rosemary scribbled the quick answers on the sheet. "But, a griffon?" She set the clipboard down in front of Gabby. "A nice griffon."

"The nicest, I hope. If I'm ever not nice, please tell me, so I can get better." She nodded with sureness at the logic of her words.

"That's..." Rosemary took a seat, still staring. "You're a talking griffon, and you're worried about being nice."

"Of course I am. I don't want to hurt anycreature." She took the clipboard and tucked it away in its proper home. "Doctor, she's here and ready when you are," she called out. Straightening herself out, she nodded to Rosemary. "Please, relax and he'll be right out. Oh! Enjoy the magazines if you like."

But Rosemary seemed far more interested in Gabby than any of the outdated magazines on display. "How... How did you end up working for a human?"

"Well, I was looking for work, and I heard he needed help, so I volunteered." She smiled. "I'm a nurse, and I love helping people." She tapped at her beak. "Wait, no. I didn't technically volunteer, since he is paying me." She frowned as she sifted through her words. "I'm more of a, what do you call it, admin assistant? I sort papers and things, and say hello to everycreature that comes in!"

"So you're like a receptionist?" Rosemary's brow furrowed in confusion. "I've never seen a griffon like you before. You're not going to eat me, right?"

Gabby gasped in horror. "No! I would never eat you!" She held her talons to her chest. "I'm a vegetarian."

"Oh." Rosemary relaxed slightly. "I guess that makes sense. Griffons don't eat meat, do they?"

"Oh, they do all the time." Gabby shook her head at the idea. "But we're different. I'm a vegetarian, most aren't. Most of them just eat whatever, but they wouldn't eat anything that asked them not to eat them. That'd be so gosh rude." She waved the idea away. "I'd much rather make friends with things like that."

"That's... I've never met a griffon before." She leaned forward. "Do you know many griffons?"

"I know plenty." Gabby nodded. "I'm from Griffonstone, so I know a lot of griffons. But I'm the only one that works here."

"I see." Rosemary glanced towards the back. "Is Doctor Samson in?"

"He sure is!" Gabby hopped to her feet. "I'll go get him." She vanished into the back with eager sways of her long tail.

It was Samson that emerged. "This way." He led her into the treatment room and got right into business. It was all delightfully normal, but Rosemary couldn't forget who she just had a conversation with. 

"Sorry to distract you, but I have to ask. You have a griffon for a receptionist. She's very nice--" Rosemary laughed tensely. "--but she is a griffon."

Samson nodded. "She is. I'm not sure what to tell you. She needed work, and I needed help. We were both lucky to find each other." He smiled. "She's been nothing but helpful."

"I can see that." Rosemary shifted, letting Samson adjust her with snaps and pops. "She's a nice griffon. That's all I wanted to say."

"Thank you." Samson worked busily, flowing between examining and forcing motions to get Rosemary where he wanted to see. "And I can see you've been moving more."

Rosemary smiled gently at that. "I've been taking your advice and getting out more. It was hard at first." She winced at a firm adjustment. "Oof, but I think it's really helping. Thank you."

"You're welcome." Samson stepped back, gesturing to the door. "I'll see you next month."

"I'll be here." Rosemary walked out, stopping by the counter. "Goodbye, Gabby."

"Bye! Oh, you want to set an appointment?" Gabby pointed to a hanging calendar. "So we know when you're coming."

"Can we do the same time?" Rosemary looked to the calendar briefly. "Same date, same time."

"Okey-dokey!" Gabby quickly made notes about it. "And--good, nothing else is taking up that spot, so see you then. Have a nice moon!"

Rosemary made her way out, chuckling softly. "Met a griffon," she murmured, the door closing behind her.





On the Equestrian side, a soft knock came from the door, then a large form poked in, Celestia occupying much of the entry hall. "Is the doctor in?" She nodded at Gabby. "I didn't expect he'd hire a local creature."

"I'm a receptionist!" Gabby hopped to her feet, standing at attention. "It's nice to meet you, your majesty."

Celestia nodded, smiling warmly. "It's nice to meet you too." She examined the griffon curiously. "You are very chipper. He's lucky to have found you."

"I'm lucky to have found him." She smiled at the princess. "I was looking for work, and I found him. He's really nice." She turned to the back. "Doctor, Princess Celestia is here!"

"Princess?" Samson emerged to pause at the sight of the great Celestia. "Oh! Hello there. Did you need an upkeep adjustment? Pain still gone or come back to bother you?"

Celestia shook her head gently. "I am pleased to report that my pain has remained abated since your treatment. It was exactly as the doctor ordered." She winked at Samson, the doctor that had ordered it. "I've come for other reasons." She raised a hoof at his hung price sheet. "That."

Samson came out further to where he could see the price sheet. "Something wrong with that, ma'am--Highness?"

Celestia smiled gently. "I am not your princess. You can simply call me Celestia. But--" Her horn glowed as she conjured images of several ponies; Lyra, Twilight Sparkle, and Moon Dancer, all former students of hers. "Citizens of Equestria don't expect to pay for needed medical care."

Samson frowned. "But I am charging them. They're paying me." He pointed to the price sheet. "That's what I charge."

"And you should be paid." Celestia shook her head. "But not by them." She leaned in closer, easily putting her head far closer with her long neck. "If they are a citizen of this nation, it rests on the nation to care for their basic needs. If the treatment is for their health and well-being, take that bill and set it aside." She pointed off. "--and send it to the castle. I will pay it."

Samson nodded slowly. "I see. So, you're saying that if they are a citizen, and they need medical care, I should treat them and not charge them, but charge you?"

"Yes." Celestia stood at her full height with a smile. "Precisely so. As a doctor, you deserve to be compensated. I am not trying to change that. Do you understand?"

"I think I do." Samson looked to Gabby. "You heard her. Make receipts, but if they're from--" He paused. "What is this nation called again?"

"Equestria." Celestia nodded with satisfaction.

"If they are from Equestria, they don't have to pay, and put it aside to send to the castle instead." Samson turned from Gabby to Celestia. "Does that cover it? And how long should I expect for the turnaround when we submit receipts?"

Celestia chuckled. "We're very prompt. Within the week." She winked at Gabby. "I'm sure you'll have no trouble sending the bills to us."

"I won't!" Gabby saluted with a wing. "I will get started on that right away."

"Very good." Celestia turned to Samson. "But allow me to ask, have my little ponies been kind to you?"

"Kind?" Samson started at the question. "They've been great so far. Some in great need, others small, but all polite, nice even. I have no complaints."

"Then I am gladdened." She turned for the door. "That is all. I'm happy that you've settled in, I just want the proper ponies to actually pay the bill in the end." With regal steps, she was soon outside and her magic glowed on the door as she closed it with a click.

Gabby clapped with a big smile. "I'll have to ask where the patients are from." She paused, humming. "Not the human ones. They're not from Equestria."

"That would be odd." Samson frowned with no thoughts. "I think the only humans are visitors, like me. And we're just visiting. Do we have a patient scheduled today?"

"No." Gabby pointed to the calender. "The next one is tomorrow. A mare named Lyra."

"Lyra?" Samson rubbed his chin. "That's a name I've heard a few times." He had just seen her, but the image hadn't been wearing a nametag, and he didn't know. "I hear she's already familiar with humans. That should get us to treatment that much faster. Be nice."

"Always!" Gabby saluted sharply. "Oh, maybe somecreature will wander in. That happens sometimes too."

"It does." Samson shrugged. "If it happens, we'll be ready." He retreated to the back, leaving Gabby to her work.

Gabby looked up as the door opened about half an hour later. "Welcome! How can we help you feel better today?"

A mint-colored unicorn poked her head in, looking around curiously. "Hello there." She waved at Gabby. "I didn't know they had a griffon here. I thought humans were scared of things with too many sharp parts."

Gabby colored at that, trying her best to hide her claws with minimal success. "The boss is very understanding and appreciates my hard-work more than worrying about what kind of creature I am. Um, so, how can I help you?"

The unicorn advanced on the counter. "That's completely cool. Love it. I'm Lyra."  She pointed at herself. "I came to scope this place out before my appointment. That alright?"
> 6 - Minty Fresh
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gabby gently shooed Lyra off for her proper appointment. This delayed her coming for a whole day. "Today's the right day. With Celestia as my witness, I demand satisfaction!"

Gabby inclined her head at the energetic unicorn. "Did he do something to upset you?"

"Upset me? Hardly." Lyra waved that way. "He's going to make my everything is what he's going to do. I want to see his tricky human fingers go to work."

Gabby stroked along her beak. "Well, he does have those. Let me tell him you're here. Doc! Lyra's here early."

"Do we have other patients scheduled?" came his distant reply from the back.

"Nope! Some after her, but none before her." Gabby kept her smiling eyes on Lyra as she shouted.

"Give me a moment."

"Okay, I can wait." Lyra looked at the griffon. "So, you're his nurse or something, right?"

"Something like that." She pointed to the board. "I welcome them in, answer any questions, and when he needs to go into the back, I let him know. It's a team effort. Doctor and receptionist, both to make you feel better."

"Nice. I'd love to be a part of that team, even if it's just a volunteer thing." Lyra giggled with growing excitement.

"I'm not a volunteer." Gabby dug out a bag, jingling with coins as she set it down. "He pays me. But it is nice to work here. I like it!" She leaned in at Lyra. "And I get to see some other human creatures. I startle them a little." She nervously laughed at that. "I try to be nice, but they're not used to seeing anything but other human creatures."

"Ah, yeah. They're the only ones over there." She sighed, shaking her head. "I guess that means it's my lucky day, since I do get to see more. What's your name?" She thrust a hoof over the counter at Gabby. "I'm Lyra! But you know that."

"Gabby." She took hold of Lyra's hoof and shook firmly. "Nice to meet you." She perked an ear tuft. "And he's ready. Go on into the back."

"Yes!" Lyra pumped a hoof. "Gonna feel me some fingers." She trotted into the back with her tail wagging eagerly behind her. She poked her head into the examination room and looked around briefly before she spotted the doctor. "There you are. Wow, look at you." She spread her hooves with awe. "Please hug me."

Samson regarded his smiling patient curiously. "Sorry?"

"Nothing to be sorry about." She waved her hooves gently in the air. "Bring it on in here!"

Samson chuckled, dazed. "You are the first pony to ask that as their way of saying hello. I'm Samson, and I'll be performing a--" He paused to check the chart dangling on the wall. "Oh, a new client initial visit with full hand-on adjustment requested. That's more detailed than I'm used to seeing."

Lyra rubbed her hooves together, looking perhaps a touch too eager. "Yes, both hands, kindly. So, about that hug?"

"Huh. I thought that was a joke." Samson laughed with a shrug. "Well, okay then." He extended his arms towards the waiting pony.

"Yes! The human touch!" She dived into his waiting arms and wrapped her arms around in kind, snuggling up to him with happy little purrs and whickers. "This is better than I hoped."

Samson kept the hug brief, setting Lyra down on the table instead of the ground. "Now, what's bothering you today, if anything?"

Lyra's eyes sparkled with delight. "I was just hugged, so nothing." She dreamily melted against the table, flopping over onto her back. "You have a nice, firm, grip. Oh!" She sat up so sharply she almost collided with Samson. "A shake!" She thrust a hoof out. "Human shake, hand, two if you like."

Samson obliged the eccentric pony's request, wrapping his hand around her hoof in a firm shake. "Pleased to meet you too. But you already said that. Do you have any trouble you'd like me to fix? Anything you know about that I don't?"

"Not really." She tilted her head with a happy sigh. "But if you want a problem... I have an itch?" She offered a hopeful smile.

Samson perked a brow. "Let's begin with an adjustment and we'll have a look at things as I go."  It was standard, especially with new patients, that they may make little uncomfortable noises as he began and made the rougher changes, but Lyra seemed to enjoy every touch and every firm shove. The noises she made was far more pleased than pained, and she only got happier the more he worked.

But one thing she did not seem to have was any back problems, or muscular-skeletal issues of any kind he could spot easily. "Miss Heartstrings, you are a pony."

"Yep."

"As a sapient species--" He crossed his arms. "Telling your doctor what problems you want fixed helps the process along. You appear to be an entirely healthy pony. Is this simply a preventative treatment?"

Lyra bobbed her head quickly. "Yep! I'll be back a lot, so you can keep everything working just perfectly." She held up a hoof as her magic formed a glowing hand with a big OK sign at Samson. "You're already doing so great. I feel like a new pony!"

"But you are a new pony to me. I haven't touched you before now. That was the first time." He pointed to the door. "Your friend was in yesterday, and she seemed happy."

Lyra perked at that. "Minny? Sweetie? No, she woulda told me. She really should stop in here, feel those hands. She could use it."

Detecting an opportunity, Samson pat Lyra on the back. "Send her this way then. I'll be glad to help her. Now, you're all adjusted--"

"--Wait!" Lyra hopped up to her hindlegs on the table, standing like a human might instead of the pony she was. "Please? Can we chat? I wanna talk about your world." Her tail swayed with hope, leaning in a little. "Please?"

Samson checked the clock. "You booked a solid hour. Sure, we can talk for a little while." He gestured to a chair. "Have a seat."

Lyra sprang from the table and threw herself into the nearby seat with gusto.

This surprised Samson. She was seated in the chair easily, like a human would. It was quite a difference from when other ponies found the chair too narrow to plonk their haunches on. "Have you tried a human chair before?"

"Nope." Lyra kicked her legs, looking comfy indeed. "Just the way I like sitting. Which makes this kinda magic. I found a chair that really fits me. Can I buy it?"

"I'm not selling my furniture," laughed Samson, taken aback at the idea. "Now, you had questions about my world?"

"Right, yes." She clapped her hooves as her glowing horn pulled out a clipboard dense with writing. "Your fingers, how sensitive are they?"

That had him pondering. "Compared to what? From what I know, our fingers are close to the most sensitive part of us, at least the fingertips." He splayed his fingers of one hand and pointed at the tips with the other. "And lips." The pointing turned to his lips.

"Lips, sure." She made notes quickly. "We have those, plenty sensitive. But we don't have fingers to have tips." She waggled a hoof at Samson. "Do you find yourself ever being distracted by them?"

"Distracted?" Samson blinked with puzzlement. "No more than the average person does." He leaned forward and cupped his hands. "I mean, look. These are your hooves, right?" He pointed at the underside of the one with his index finger. "Ever get distracted by these?"

"Never had that happen before, nope. So, when it comes to human beings, you tend to keep your attention focused on what you want it to be on." Lyra nodded with confidence. "A human super power!"

"Do ponies not also do that?" He snapped his fingers by her ear, but she was fixated on him entirely, not even glancing. 

"See?" She turned an ear at the snap but not her hear. "That sound. That was a human sound."

"That--" He chuckled, unable to find an argument. "That was a pretty human sound, yes, but you just did the super power. You kept focused on me even when I made the odd human noise."

"Oh. I see your point." Lyra scribbled a note. "What about the rest of you? Do you all have the super power?"

Samson stared for a moment. "Yeah, I'd say that's mostly right. Humans are in general good at focusing on tasks, even with the distractions. But I hope ponies can do that too, or you'd get into trouble."

Lyra made a firm scratch. "Nevermind that, getting distracted. Pony hooves are big and round." She displayed one of hers. "Human hooves, er, hands, can get way more precise. I would like to experience this precision. How precise can you be?"

"It depends on the task, but for a fair measure, I'd say with my eyes closed and hands tied behind my back I can probably still write my name." Samson grinned. "You know what's even more impressive? I could write it in cursive with one hand and print it with the other, like a mirror image of each other, all blindfolded and bound."

"That is really impressive. Like, way better than we can do." Lyra made quick notes of this super power to look into later. "Now, if you had to pick one thing--when you first see a pony--you'd like to use your hands for regarding them, what would it be? Go on, I'm a clear canvas with no such thing as boundaries."

Samson nodded, even as he narrowed his eyes. "Well, a proper adjustment, obviously. See if you can get rid of any little pains, stiffnesses and such, anywhere."

"Spoken like a true doctor." Lyra made new notes with a whistle. "But we did that already, so, after that?"

He reached for her, placing his hand on the top of her head and gently ruffling her mane like she was a good dog, or horse as the case was closer to being. Lyra shivered with a little giggle, allowing the petting to proceed with a smile that only grew with time.

Samson drew his hand back. "Now, I should get ready for my next client. Talk to Gabby on the way out and she can set up a new appointment, if you like. I should warn, unless you're actually in need of me, you'll have to pay yourself instead of Princess Celestia."

Lyra hopped down to her hooves. "Worth every bit. See you next time, doc. Keep those fingers warmed and ready!" She trotted from the room, doing a poor job of concealing her giggles.

She hurried to the front desk. "I'm back, Gabby! He handled me." She shivered at that word. "And I want the next appointment." She curled on herself and dug out her coin pouch.

Gabby pushed it away. "You live in Equestria, so--"

"I'm here because I want to be, not medicine." She pushed the bag forward. "I insist. Not making Celly pay for my fun, that'd be rude."

"Huh, okay." Gabby accepted the payment and tucked it away. "So, see you in a month?"

"A whole month?!" Lyra clopped a hoof to either side of her head. "Can I see him next week?"

Gabby flipped through her papers. "Next week, this time? Mmm, could you come when you were scheduled? This exact time, there'll be somecreature else seeing the doctor."

Lyra leaned in. "Ooo, what kind of creature?"

Gabby held up a hand. "I'm--" Lyra had grabbed her hand. "Sorry?"

"Nothing to be sorry about. Griffon talons are not the same." She felt over the texture of Gabby's hand softly a moment. "Yep, not a human hand, but close. I get why you two work together so well. Mmm, but maybe he'll warm up to me over time."

"Maybe?" Gabby inclined her head with confusion. "See you next week?"

"Next week!" Lyra trotted out with a big smile.
> 7 - Secret Agent
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lyra didn't give up, but she wasn't always in Samson's office. She was in town, and that meant she had friends she could go to with her strange ideas. "Guys, listen!" She leaned in with a huge smile. "He has fingers, like a minotaur, but they're all smooth, and so good. We've gotta try it."

Bon Bon raised a doubting brow at her girlfriend. "Did you just trot up to your girlfriend and start gushing about the touches you got from some strange creature like it's no big deal?"

Lyra blinked, stalling for a moment. "No. Yes. Maybe?" She swished her tail with a little laugh. "But it's really nice, and you have to trust me on this."

Bon Bon prodded Lyra right between the eyes. "Did you forget our night jobs? I know about humans. I know about Princess Celestia's plans for them. I also know there are limits to them, both just to be polite ponies, but also much deeper ones. Did you read any of the briefings I've been piling on your desk?"

Lyra floundered awkwardly, scrunching her muzzle in thought. "Uh. Well, they were kinda...dense...and boring...but I read a bit, sure! Wait."

Bon Bon rolled her eyes. "They are delicate creatures that react oddly when exposed to too much Equestrian magic. If you want Doctor Samson's wonder fingers to hang around, you need to tone down the crazy and ease him into things."

"Fine!" Lyra tossed her mane. "But when you see him work, you'll know I was right!"

"I just need to be in the room for an adjustment, fine." Bon Bon rolled her shoulders with a few pops of various stiff joints. "I planned to visit on my own, for medical reasons. Secret Agenting takes it out of a mare. Besides, you're supposed to be keeping an eye on the guy. It's only natural."

Lyra sagged. "You're just saying that because you're jealous I got a hug before you."

Bon Bon leaned in, brows lowering. "There was a hug involved?" She hissed softly through her teeth. "Do expand on that."

"He hugged me!" Lyra thrust a hoof into the air. "Because I asked for a hug! He did it without complaint and it felt fantastic!"

Bon Bon clopped a hoof to her own forehead. "I swear. Alright, at least it was all your fault. Let me visit him and don't make a mess until we catch up after that, alright?"

"Alright." Lyra tapped a hoof to her chin. "I have an appointment to see him in four days. I can still go to that, right?"

Bon Bon rolled her eyes with a grunt. "Cancel that. No talking to him, or going near him, until after I check him out for any damage you may have caused him already."

"He hasn't broken yet! I'm telling ya, he's a tough customer. You can't just break Samson with a hug. That's silly." Lyra splayed her hooves, waving them gently in emphasis.

"I hope that's true." Bon Bon trotted for the door. "See you later. Be good." She shut the door firmly behind her and made her way through the city, not stopping until she reached Doctor Samson's office.

Samson answered the knock, stepping out of the way for the cream coated pony. "Oh, welcome in, miss...?"

"Bon Bon. I'm Lyra's, uh, good friend, and I heard about your establishment from her, so I was hoping we could get acquainted." She spotted Gabby behind a desk. "Oh, I have an appointment. Verify this."

Gabby looked over at the calendar and ran a finger along the dates. "Mmm, yep, right here!" She tapped at the current day. "Bon Bon, two o' clock!"

"Thank you, Gabby." She gave the griffon a friendly nod and stepped inside. "Let's get right to it. I'm here for a little problem I'm having, and I am told you're the right doctor for the job."

"If it's a problem you need adjusting for, I am." Samson waved towards the back. "This way. You have great timing." He nodded at Gabby on the way past her, leaving the main room. "Now, hop up onto this table." He pat gently at the examination table. "If you want to describe your symptoms, that would help me help you. If there's a part you think is important, let me know, and I'll add that to my examination."

Bon Bon leaped up and settled in. Her eyes wandered over the decor, consisting of both human and what seemed to be various critter anatomies and skeletons. "You don't have a pony one."

"I'm not sure where to get one." He wiped the table down on the places Bon Bon wasn't already sitting. "Now, please, tell me what brought you in."

"It's my back, more than anything. I've been moving a lot lately, and I think I may have twisted something." She arched her back as far as she could in both directions with a series of soft pops and cracks.

Samson hummed with thought, reaching to gently pet along Bon Bon's back in careful touches. "Let's have a closer look. Lay on your belly as straight as you can." He stepped back as she rolled onto her stomach. He examined the shape of her spine and carefully felt along her vertebrae with an investigative press here and there. "I think I can see what you're feeling."

His presses became firmer and more focused, adjusting her with painfully deep pushes into her furry body. "This will hurt at first, but it's worth it in the end. Bear with me."

"I'll...bear." She tensed and gasped with pained groans as Samson pressed along her back, wiggling her around slightly as he forced her into position. "You are a lot rougher than pony doctors."

"I have to be, or it won't help." He shoved a little harder, eliciting a squeak from the pony. "A little bit more." He leaned into her, applying his whole weight to a single point where her back cracked and she let out a strangled scream.

She felt dizzy and stunned, but the pain was just, like magic, banished. It was almost as if the shock of what had just happened was so much her brain couldn't fit the discomfort she had been feeling. Laying on the bed and just existing felt like all she could do for a long moment.

"I know that was rough. Are you alright?" Samson spoke softly, and with concern. His hands moved over Bon Bon, helping to lift her back onto the table properly and shift her slightly off center to avoid pressure on her adjustment.

Bon Bon dared a little smile. "Yeah, yeah. Wow." She shook her head slowly. "The longer we wait, the more I just feel better." She reached back, only to be gently swatted by Samson. "Hm?"

Samson shook his head. "You've had a serious adjustment. Even if you feel great now, I want you to rest, at least an hour."

"An hour." Bon Bon eyed the doctor curiously.

"Let things settle before you go reaching. An hour, at least." He ruffled her mane gentle, an act he'd found a lot of ponies seemed to enjoy and was a shortcut to gaining some connection with them. "You want to feel better, right? Then you have to leave things alone. Give it an hour, and if you need further treatment, we'll see what can be done then."

"An hour? That sounds fine to me. I'll be alright to stand?" He helped her down to the floor where she did a slow circle, perhaps testing how well her body was responding. "You do good work. I can see why Princess Celestia's approved of you."

"She's a nice princess, and very polite. She visits a lot and she's never a bother." He chuckled. "You know, she's been the most frequent visitor I've had here so far, besides my receptionist."

"Hm, interesting." She flexed a little, stretching out her limbs in different ways. "So, you don't have any other patients lined up?"

"I've gained a few regulars." He snapped his fingers in a way only humans could do, among the species Bon Bon had seen. "Like your friend, Lyra. I think she just enjoys it. Some are like that."

Bon Bon smiled with a fond roll of her eyes. "So she's not the only one?"

"Not at all. And she's a regular enough she's starting to make suggestions for me to try, and for other patients to tell me about." He let out a sigh, thinking of the hyperactive unicorn. "Now, is there anything else I can help with? You're all adjusted."

"That's a nice thing to be." She took a seat in the chair across from Samson. "And you've already treated my other need, but, just to be sure, do you do massage therapy too?"

Samson perked at the question. "You're the first pony to ask, but, yes. Besides adjustments, I do massage therapy. The two are often quite related, just more focus on muscles and more skeletal work with the other."

"Then, that's something I'd like to try. My legs are so tired. So very tired. Could you help with that?" She smiled at the human, though she hid the mischievous twinkle in her eye behind an innocent smile.

"Certainly." He pointed towards the front of the office. "Talk to Gabby and she'll get you scheduled in."

Bon Bon started at that. "Not today? Right now?"

Samson shook his head. "Afraid not. I have other patients today. Get an appointment and I'll be delighted to be of assistance."

"That's disappointing. But, if that's the best I can do, I'll take it." She smiled at the doctor. "Thank you for helping me. I'll get that appointment." She started for the front, examining the walls as she went for any further clues on the nature of this doctor. She emerged from the hallway and went over to Gabby to set that appointment.

The griffon looked at her curiously. "Hi! Back so soon? I can schedule you right in, but, well, I just talked to the boss, and we're all booked for today.

Bon Bon waved that away. "Not today, he told me that, but when's the soonest you have, for massage therapy?"

Gabby peered at the calendar, flipping between a few pages before she selected one. "Okay! I have an opening this week. Can you do that day, at that time?" She pointed to the specifics of the day and time.

Bon Bon nodded. "That sounds fine. Is this an authorized Equestrian medical facility?"

Gabby blinked, caught off guard by the sudden pivot. "Actually, yep! Princess C came in here and made a big deal about not charging ponies for medical care, so, yupyup! We're official."

"I see, thank you." She glanced down at the appointment slip, giving a curt nod. "Then, I will see you next week. Have a nice moon."

Gabby pointed at the clock. "It's sunny today."

Bon Bon smirked. "Is it? My mistake." She trotted for the door before she stopped and turned. "By the way, Gabby. Have you received a letter from anypony with special wings in the last few days?"

Gabby blinked with confusion. "Um, no?"

"Just checking." Bon Bon closed the door with a click and made her way back towards the hotel she was using. "Nothing wrong with that human, so far."

She drew a secret communicator from her side and whispered into it, "Contact made with Samson, situation Sea Blue."

"Sea Blue, copy that," came the radio voice. "Continue monitoring for loose tails."

"Will do, Bon Bon out." She tucked the device away and set about the rest of her day, returning to her real duties of being a spy and not a patient.
> 8 - Ultimatum
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

When the time came for another adjustment, Lyra was there eagerly bouncing as she waited to be called. As before, she was ushered in promptly and to the back for treatment.

"What is it you'd like today, Miss Heartstrings?" Samson cleaned his hands as he entered the examination room.

Lyra shifted on her hooves, smirking. "The works! Kindly."

Samson made a flat gesture with a hand, and she flopped right onto her back without a word. "Alright, let's adjust." He bent her and twisted her, as she seemed to enjoy, making sure every bit of her was moving properly. "I hate to point this out, Miss Heartstrings, but your back does seem to be in good order. Is it bothering you, or is this entirely preventative?"

"Oh, no, not at all. It's just a lot of fun, that's all. I've never really had it before, and it's amazing." She beamed with pride at the doctor.

Samson wagged a finger at the unicorn. "I already made you start paying for yourself. I can't charge Celestia for your good time, but you keep coming."

"Because it keeps being great." Lyra hopped down to the ground with a big stretch. "I feel alive." She glanced around as if checking for something. "But I want to talk to you."

"We are talking?" He sprayed the table with a cleaner and gently wiped it down for the next patient. "What's on your mind?"

"It's about you, and here." She pointed at him, then down to the ground. "Humans are interesting creatures, from a world without magic. I want you to keep those fingers." She directed a hoof at his hands. "Which you won't."

Samson blinked with surprise, then looked at his hands. "You think my fingers are gonna go bad?" He waggled them with curiosity. "I guess you're right, in that they could be lost or broken. But I certainly wouldn't do anything to up those odds. Why do you sound so certain about it?"

"You're not the first." Lyra put her hooves at her hips. "Celestia's been dealing with humans a while. The more magic they rub up against, the more likely it is, until they pop to the other side, and we end up with an Equestrian creature, probably without fingers, and even if they have fingers, they aren't your fingers, and have big claws, or fur, or whatever." She jabbed a hoof at him. "But that won't happen to you, because you have me. And I know how to keep fingers nice and safe."

Samson paused his cleaning at that. "And how do you plan to—" He took a sudden inhale, perhaps overwhelmed by the idea that he was visiting a world with some kind of harmful radiation that would catch up to him eventually. "I like me just the way I am, if we're being honest."

Lyra tapped her hooves together. "Of course you do, silly! I want to protect those fingers!" She shook her head. "Oh, sorry, I know this is a little sudden, but I'm here to save your life, and maybe the rest of you too." She easily stood up to smirk at Samson from a closer vantage point. "I'm working on a doohickey that'll help! I think. Just be patient, and don't hang around magic if you can, alright?"

Samson nodded dumbly. "I promise I will not actively seek magic to hang around with. Sounds like a poor idea. Now, do you have another request, or have you satisfied yourself today?"

"Well! If I had my way, we'd go another round." Lyra started for the exit. "But you have others to get to, I know how it is. You keep safe, and I suggest a 'no magic' sign on the door." She waved a hoof. "Later, doc! Don't touch the magic!" She trotted out and headed for home.

Gabby watched Lyra leave with a raised eyebrow, then looked to Samson. "She looked even more determined than usual. You okay?"

"Yes, and I think so, but her warning is still ringing in my ears." He pointed at Gabby's feathers. "Any chance those will fall off too?"

Gabby checked herself, looking over her feathers as if for the first time. "Wow, I hope not! Why would my feathers fall out?" She ran a hand back over her head, smoothing things out. "I'm not sick or anything."

"Right. Neither am I." He gestured to the front door. "It's just a one-off suggestion from her. I'm sure she'll be back when she gets whatever gadget she thinks will help me."

Gabby looked to the calendar. "She was the last planned pony of the day, and I don't see any humans on the schedule either."

Samson considered things. "I think I'll get lunch from my side of things." He flicked the knob back to Earth. "Keep an eye on the office while I'm away." He stepped out into the hallway, with no hints visible that his office was sometimes a world away.

Samson walked to his car, and from there it was a quick drive to his apartment to have lunch. A nice sandwich and a can of soda to wash it down. He took the time to ponder things, like why had Celestia not given him any warning, or was Lyra making things up?

He had no real proof either way. All he could do was make sure he didn't do anything foolish. He relaxed after eating, content to simply sit and think about what he would do that afternoon.

His cellphone starts its ringtone suddenly, making him jump. He snatched it off his belt and held it up quickly. "Hello?"

"Hey." It was Gabby. "Sorry to bother you while you're out, but somepony was hoping to talk to you."

Samson rose to his feet and headed for the door. "Tell them I'm on the way." He didn't live very far from his office, a short drive back to where he had started. It was, however, the first time he got to interact with the door to his office while it was set to the other world. The knob refused to turn and it almost looked closed.

He rapped the back of his knuckles on the door and, with a heavy thunk, it unlocked and gabby pulled the door open for him. "Thank you." He stepped inside to spot Lyra's plus one with a serious look on her face. "Oh, you were waiting for me? Hi."

"Samson, I presume?" She trotted up to him with a polite smile. "I'm Bon Bon, remember?"

Samson bumped the door shut behind himself. "I do. How can I help you today?"

Bon Bon stared hard into the doctor's eyes. "How many ponies have you seen?"

"I'd have to count. Lyra's been showing up quite frequently." Samson shrugged, fingers dancing as he made an attempt to count through them. He ultimately looked to Gabby. "How many this week?"

Bon Bon thrust a hoof in his way. "Ever, not just this week, or moon."

Gabby started counting on her own hands. "A lot!"

Bon Bon shook her head. "Lyra's a bit, hm, odd at times, but she has a point. It's not fair to go snatching a human doctor away from them without warning." She pointed to the dimensional hopping knob. "My personal suggestion? You send Gabby home. You flick that to your home, and you never touch it ever again. I'm certain you had a good time, and made some good bits, but all good things come to an end, doctor."

Samson shook his head at the mare. "I'm sorry, but I'm afraid that's not your decision. This is my office, and my livelihood. I like being here."

Bon Bon shrugged lightly. "Not kicking you out of your office, or anywhere else, really. But I am suggesting, for your own safety, that you make the only reasonable option. Go back to your world, make your living there. I don't know what Celestia's plan is, and it's above my paygrade to guess." She hiked a brow. "Technically, it is in my paygrade, but it'd also be a dereliction of duty." She poked him in the chest. "Do what I say, not what I do. Please consider it."

Samson crossed his arms, still firm in his resolve. "What's it to you, anyway? Why should I worry?"

Bon Bon nodded, leaning in with a hushed tone. "Because what Lyra failed to mention. Humans can only visit our world safely for six months. And time is ticking, and that six months is just an estimate. It varies on the human. No, if you want to keep your human'ness, you go away. I'm saying this for your benefit. Ignore me if you'd rather. Won't hurt me." She spun on her hooves and trotted for the exit. "By the way, Lyra says hi. Good day, Doctor." She left quickly, shutting the door with a click.

Samson blinked. "So, that was weird. Hey, Gabby. You're from the other world, so, any ideas?"

Gabby lifted her hands in a grand shrug. "If you're going to be hurt, Doc, I don't want that. I'd rather find another job than you getting hurt." She paused with a shrug. "It's not like we were super busy, anyway. I think she has a point. I'm glad we met. Now go do human stuff, and be a human."

He smiled at his receptionist that was also a griffon. "You are a treat. If I did leave, hypothetically, want to come with?"

Gabby frowned with thought on that one. "I'd be the only griffon on the entire planet! That's a big responsibility. I'm not sure I'm cut out for that." She stroked over a beak with a talon. "I appreciate the offer though. Nah, don't worry about me! It'd hardly be the first time I had to go find something new to do." She offered a thumbs up. "I'm a strong, independent griffon. I don't need no human doctor to get along!" She flexed her arm muscle for effect.

Samson chuckled at that. "I haven't made a choice yet." He let out a slow breath. "But it's sounding like I have to, one way or the other."
> Epilogue
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The slender unicorn stallion nodded to Celestia. "I have some questions."

"I imagined you would." Celestia brought her hooves together. "Please, I owe you at least that much. Begin when you are ready."

The unicorn was quiet a moment, right ear twitching. "Let me begin with asking what you knew ahead of time?"

"I knew what a human was when I first met you." She leaned in with a gentle smile. "It's why I was so calm about it. You were a skilled touch, beside that."

Samson rubbed a cheek with the flat of a hoof. "And you didn't tell me, why?"

"But I did." She pointed at Samson. "You decided to stay, and I welcome you. The ponies of Equestria are glad to have you, as a pony, and a doctor."

"Well, yes. But I might have changed my mind, knowing." He waved a hoof about vaguely. "Or do you not have a choice? Is it only Equestria that decides this?"

Celestia inclined her head as she sat back. "You made the choice. And I didn't want to put any pressure. You were warned with plenty of time. You could have walked away. I would have been sad, but that would have been that." Her horn glowed as she ruffled Samson's mane. "But you decided to stay."

He laughed at the fussing, leaning into her magical touch. "Yes, I did. I like it here, I like Equestria. I'm a pony."

"And you are welcome to continue calling this your home." She turned a hoof around, flatside up. "It is an unfortunate habit of cross-dimensional travel. Ask Twilight, a student and other princess. She transformed the moment she stepped into another world. It was only through some work, and magic, that we kept you whole for as long as we did."

"That reminds me!" He swung a hoof as if snapping fingers, but he didn't have those anymore. "Lyra said she'd make a fix. Any idea what happened to that? She stopped coming by."

Celestia shook her head. "No. She's busy elsewhere, and I am grateful for her help." She swept a wing wide. "And I am pleased you have enjoyed the benefits of this world." She curled that wing at Samson's head and his new horn. "Speaking of that, the odds of you becoming a unicorn were small. I have a feeling Lyra may have come through in at least one way."

Samson looked up at the horn on the upper edge of his vision. "I'm glad for that, whether she was responsible or not." He lifted a hoof at Celestia. "I'd rather my fingers, truth told, but unicorn magic is a second, at least." He swished his tail thoughtfully. "I miss a lot of things. My sense of smell seems to have improved in some ways. Taste has gotten a little more limited." He sat up, tossing his head. "But I have a tail. And I have friends."

"I'm sorry you didn't keep your fingers." Celestia sank to her belly, then rolled away from him. "I have a selfish request, Doctor. I haven't received an adjustment in quite some time."

Samson nodded and got up onto his hooves, shaking his head out and approaching the alicorn. "Princess Celestia needs an adjustment." He made sure the door was closed, and he checked it for security. "It's been a while since I saw you in my office." He proved his horn's magic was capable of reaching, poking, and twisting just as well as his old fingers had been. The curious part was that he closed his eyes during it, thoughts turned entirely to the act of the work he was doing.

Celestia giggled and squirmed with delight. "Still very good at this. Thank you."

Samson leaned on her side, staring into her eyes. "So, is that it, Princess?"

She pressed a hoof against his snout. "If another pony saw you being this familiar, they'd die of shock." She pushed him back to his own hooves. "But that will do. Mmm, very nice. If you need anything else, I am a letter away, if you can't make the time to come to the castle." She leaned forward, placing a kiss on Samson's forehead. "We'll speak again soon."

Samson nodded with a smile. "You are a lot easier to get along with compared to my old government." He trotted past her towards the door. "She's all done," he called to the guards waiting just beyond the door.

He left the castle and rejoined his new life, curious as it was. "Any new clients, Gabby?"

"Bon Bon at 4pm!" Gabby reached out, ruffling Samson on the way past. "I'm so glad you decided to stay. Means I keep my job, and I like having you around."

Samson rolled his eyes. "Thanks for the vote of confidence." He chuckled as he returned to his own office, waving to a few ponies he recognized as he passed. "Welcome home, Samson," he muttered to himself. It only clicked a moment later. "Bon Bon?" Perhaps he'd find out what happened with Lyra? He sat with a nod, looking forward to that appointment. "I'd better snap to it."