A ranch-hand finds himself in Equestria, how will he survive knowing that the animals he once raised are now sentient?
Terrence found himself lost in a sea of solitude while living his dream. Until a chance opportunity forces itself upon him. Now he finds himself in Equestria, where the horses and ponies he grew up raising are now sentient and find him to be... rather odd. Except one. And she finds him to be her one chance at happiness.
Author: This is my first fic EVER, so yeah. Props go to tallestbrony, he helped me through all this.
Friday, the final workday of the week. Tomorrow was going to be Saturday. The weekend would begin and all the farm-hands would be home with their families. Working at Lucky Stables was a good job, and it gave good pay. That is, if you worked diligently enough. For most, this was no problem. But for a certain man, this was a bit harder than usual.
For 34 year old Terrance, working hard was not on his agenda. At this point in his life, he had hit a rut. He felt alone... not that he didn't have friends, his co-workers all liked him enough. As it was, he didn't have anyone to come home to. Sure, he was good looking: shoulder length brown hair, hazel eyes, tall, broad shoulders, well muscled, deep voice, but he was also very shy around women. Whenever one approached him with 'that' look, he would always find some excuse to get away from them. They intimidated him for the most part, and to be honest... he had never really felt attracted to any woman he had seen.
Terrance felt more at home with animals than he did with people. They calmed him, made him happy. The animals he loved the most, were the horses he had raised. “Buttercup”, “Rosey”, and “Mikey” were Terrence's horses. The boss had allowed him to raise them from the moment they had been born, and Terrence had done so with love and care. They had known him from the beginning, and they always trotted up to him when he called, happy to see him again. The three of them always put a smile on his face whenever he saw them. They meant to world to him.
On this day however, his smile felt forced. Seeing one of his colleagues getting picked up by their wife had really hit home for him. They had seemed so happy, so carefree, so joyful to be in each other's presence. So feeding the horses had him in a lack luster kind of state.
“Now... why can't ah find someone like that?” he muttered to himself.
Pushing open the door to his home later that day, Terrence let out a sigh. Maybe some music would get his mind off things. Traversing his messy living room, Terrence found his guitar and tuned it. Sitting on the couch, he started strumming an old tune his pops had taught him when he was only a kid. Letting the sound wash over him, Terrence's eyes began to droop closed, his day's work causing him to succumb to the sweet embrace of sleep.
Silence. Terrence stood in nothing. Nothing but a black abyss of solitude and calm. He was standing, that much was certain, but on what he couldn't say. No noises, no sensations at all. Until he saw a light, like one you would see at the end of a tunnel.
Well ain't this just frightenin'... iffin I didn't know any better... I'd say I was dead. Well, t'ain't nothing to do 'cept follow it I guess...
Taking a couple steps forward, Terrence felt himself getting lighter. It was as if his body was returning to his early 20's in condition. Wherever he was going... he felt better. Lighter, healthier, all around stronger. And he was beginning to feel happy, like he hadn't felt in years.
Guess I did die... kinda wonder how though... last thing I remember I was playin' mah guitar, then I fell asleep... Now less see here, white light, Ahm feelin' better than ah have in years, and... huh?
Stopping for a second, Terrence realized he was still holding his guitar by the neck. What happened to no worldly possessions in Heaven?
Shrugging, Terrence kept walking. Pretty soon he found himself at the precipice of the light. One more step, and he would be inside the blinding brilliance.
Guess this is the end of mah road. Kinda weird that ah died, but what the hell, might as well accept mah fate.
Terrence's eyes shot open, then had to squint due to the brightness. Shaking his head to clear the glare, he heard a gasp. Opening his eyes again, he found himself face to face with an angel. Feeling overwhelmed by... something... Terrence fell to his knees, tears welling in his eyes. His guitar fell to the ground with a wooden clatter, and his hands clasped together in silent prayer. After a few moments, Terrence looked up at his holy apparition.
“Yer beautiful...” he whispered. At this the angel... blushed? Yes, that was a reddish hue adorning it's cheeks. And then Terrence got a better look at his angel. Pure white in color? Check. Impressive wings? Check. Horn, four legs, fur coat, large colorful eyes, with rainbow hued hair, and generally resembling a horse? Wait... what.
“That is... nice of you to think so?”
AND IT TALKS!
“AAAGGGGHH!”
Terrence screamed, then fell backwards. Landing hard on his back, he looked back up.
“Yer a- you look like a- why're you a- HORSE?!? Angels ain't suppose' tah be talkin' horses!”
Looking around, Terrence got a better layout of where he was. It seemed to be a bedroom of sorts. A large circular bed was in the middle of the room with a chest of drawers in the corner. Large double doors leading to what Terrence could only guess was a balcony, and a great many of decorations littered the room. It was shiny, glittery, sparkly, and VERY fancy looking. Not to mention his... equine... acquaintance was wearing golden horseshoes... kinda. They wrapped around her hooves like a shoe for a human, not just on the bottom like an actual horse's shoe. There was also a golden tiara, and a golden breastplate that adorned her.
“What did you call me?”
His attention drawn back to the horse-like creature, Terrence cringed. Her face (at least Terrence assumed it was a she from “her” voice) was twisted in confusion, and was looking at him.
“Well, it just seemed weird to me that angels would be horses Ma'am... Ah mean, not many religions ah seen that wershipped talkin' horses...”
“I'm not a horse... I'm an alicorn... a pony. I'm also a Princess, and I believe you need to explain a few things. One of which would be telling me how you got past my guards and into my room, only to appear out of thin air on my bed.”
This time it was Terrence's turn to blush.
“Beggin' yer pardon, ma'am, but ah don't rightly know HOW ah came to die... Last thing ah remember ah was playing mah guitar and fell asleep... And ah also didn't mean tah disrespect yah... Please don't send me tah Hell miss angel... Ah swear ah been good all mah life, been treatin' horses and the like very well for ah good couple years now...” Terrence drifted off, contemplating his predicament. On one hand, if he was dead, then maybe he would be able to get past his issues. But on the other hand, if he wasn't... he was in an... existence that included colorful talking horses... He wasn't sure if he could handle that.
“You... fell asleep... and woke up here...?”
“Ah know it don't make much sense but that's all ah know ah swear...”
“Well... sounds like you have been through... something. In any case, you look tired and confused. Perhaps you would like to rest? We can discuss this more in the morning?” The creature asked with a smile.
“Thank yah kindly, Ma'am. Maybe this is all just a dream... and ahm still sleepin'...”
“Maybe...” she said with a giggle. “And please, call me Celestia...” --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equestrian Archives, Equestrian Archives...
Celestia was galloping through the halls, twisting and turning her way through the castle. When she had crept out of her room in the dead of the night, then preceded to run full-tilt towards the Equestrian Archives in a cold sweat, her guards were naturally concerned. They followed her, not saying a word, but curious all the same. Arriving at the Archives, Celestia paused and composed herself.
Ok... calm down... look refined as to not cause alarm...
Taking a deep breath, she reached forward with a hoof and pushed the door open. At the same time, Luna had swung the doors wide open in a frantic haste. She had a manic look in her eyes, one Celestia had seen before.
Her sister was freaking out.
Noticing Celestia's presence, Luna looked up with a bit of a whimper.
“Sister! Hast thou felt it too?”
“Felt it? 'IT' is sleeping in my quarters!” At this, Luna cocked her head to the side, confused.
“A temporal anomaly is resting itself in thou's bedroom, dearest sister?”
“He just... appeared... and he was...” Celestia then turned a light shade of pink. Luna leaned forward.
“'He'?” Celestia's eyes widened, then she shook her head, clearing the blush.
“The voice would indicate that he is male, and he was very...” Celestia wandered off, remembering how he had nuzzled her wings. “...Gentlecoltly.”
“Sister, forgive me... but thou simply LET a strange creature stay in thine own room? Tis... an odd decision, We must admit...”
“Which is why I was coming to the Archives to look up information until I had a better idea on what he is. Yet I see you have beaten me to it.” Luna nodded.
“Indeed, however until We have a better grasp on the type of anomaly, We cannot find any proper information. However, thou says it is a 'He', and that 'he' was... nice. That means it's sentient, and we have never had a sentient anomaly in Equestria before! Sister! This is something new!” Luna's excitement was very noticeable at this point, and Celestia could only giggle.
“Oh, Lulu. You remind me of Twilight sometimes when you're given something that interests you. The only thing that's missing is her 'Yes Dance'.” At this, Luna giggled too.
“Well, it has been a while since We have had a chance to try out something new. To expand Our horizons a bit.”
Celestia's face became glum at that. “Lulu I just want to say that I'm-”
“Sorry? Again? Sister, We have long since forgiven thou for what thou did. It was necessary at the time and We are back now, and better for it thanks to young Twilight Sparkle and her friends. There is nothing to be sorry for, Sister,” Luna interrupted. Celestia gave a small smile.
“I know, but I still feel bad about back then.”
“Now, now, Sister. Enough with this glum atmosphere. Time for research! Now tell Us, did 'he' say anything else?”
Brought back to the current issue, Celestia shook her head to clear it.
“Well, he did call me an... 'angel' I think it was. And he seems to not know how he came here. Says he fell asleep and just woke up here.”
“He knows Equestrian?”
“Yes! However he does sound like one of Twilight's friends. Applejack?”
“The country pony?”
“Yes, that one. Oh, but he was very confused when he saw me. He even called me a...” Celestia trailed off.
“A what?”
Celestia stayed silent.
“Sister?”
“He called me a... a horse.”
Luna's jaw dropped. Her face slowly turned into one of rage. A temporal anomaly had the GALL to call her sister a HORSE?!? That was just... crude! Not to mention racist! That little... that little....
“HE WILL REGRET THE DAY HE EVER-”
"Lulu! Hush! Ponies are trying to sleep!”
Luna stopped using her Royal Canterlot Voice and took a breath.
“But Sister! That is just unforgivable! Calling thou such a thing!”
Celestia shook her head.
“I don't think he actually knows what that means here, Lulu! He seemed very confused...”
Luna breathed for a couple seconds, calming herself.
“We shall ask him ourselves what he does and does not know. Then We shall judge him accordingly. Sister? Please lead the way.”
“Very well, but please, remember that we are Princesses first, Judges second?”
Luna nodded, agreeing. “Understood, Sister. But one wrong move, and We shall not hesitate to protect thou.”
Celestia nuzzled her younger sister. “I couldn't ask for anything more.”
Arriving at Celestia's bedroom, Celestia released her guards for the night, promising that nothing would happen to her and her sister. Royalty they may be, but they could hold their own against most anything.
“Now Luna, I do warn you that he is asleep. Your sudden appearance may surprise him,” Celestia warned for the third time that night.
“Sister... please. Thou hast reminded Us of this too many times. We promise that we shall go slow and not attempt to frighten your pet.”
Celestia shook her head fervently. “He's not my pet, Luna. He's obviously sentient like us, if his speech patterns mean anything. Besides, I don't think he'll appreciate being called such.”
Luna laughed lightly. “Of course... Sister.”
Pushing the door open, the sister's were greeted by the site of Terrance sprawled out across the elder sister's bed, mouth gaping open and snoring.
“Well he certainly has Miss Applejack's bed manners,” Luna whispered quietly. Celestia giggled.
Approaching the bed slowly, the sisters were treated to a snort as Terrance changed position, but otherwise the room was silent. When they reached to edge of Celestia's circle-shaped bedding, Luna gave the man a sharp poke with her hoof.
“Awaken, you who sleeps in mine sister's quarters. Tell us what thou is.”
“Ya'll're... loud...” came the mumbled reply.
Now awakened by a new voice, Terrance sat up. Rubbing his eyes, he looked blearily around the room, noticing that nothing had changed from his previous surroundings. He was still in the shiny bedroom, along with the horse angel. Only this time there was a new addition. A blue horse. Well, this was a new color for him, usually it was white, black, brown or spotted. Oh well. About as normal as anything else that was going on, he supposed.
“Our volume has naught to do with Our question. Now answer.”
And it spoke in Ye Ole English it seemed. Wonderful.
“Well Ma'am, Ahm a... wait. Ain't yah suppose' to know what Ah am? Ah'd think yah would, seeing as how ya'll are angels and all... Ah dunno, Ah always thought God remembered us...”
Exchanging a look with her sister, Luna shook her head.
“We are not 'angels' or whatever it is thou has labeled us as. We are ponies. Royalty yes, but nothing more. Now thou shall answer Our question, or We shall hold thou in contempt!” Luna replied fiercely.
A little taken aback at this new personality before him, Terrance shook his head to clear his thoughts and decided to answer as plainly as he could.
“Well then, Ahm a human. A male one at that, and mah name is Terrance. Um... mind if ah ask a small question?”
Luna nodded. “Within reason.”
“This ain't all in mah head is it?” Terrance asked with a flat expression.
Celestia shook her head. “I'm afraid not, Terrance... You are in the land of Equestria, which is ruled over by the two of us. I am Celestia, Princess of the Day-”
“- and I am Princess Luna, Herald of the Night.”
Terrance tilted his head in confusion. “Princesses? Ya'll are horse princesses? Now ah've heard everythin'...”
POW
Now, having one's face slapped hurts. Especially when the person slapping you keeps their wrist limp for maximum lasting effect. The sting is painful, and the blow to your pride may hurt even more. But you have not felt pain akin to being slapped, until you get “slapped” by a hoof. A hoof attached to a very angry Lunar Princess. Only after you have had your face collide with the surface of bone, can you say you have been slapped properly. Such a slap is what Terrance experienced directly following his “horse” statement. And boy did it hurt.
Recoiling from the blow, Terrance rebounded with the anger one might expect from being hit in the face with no warning. Holding the cheek that got assaulted in one hand, he pointed in anger at Luna with the other.
“The HELL'D you do that for!?”
“THOU WILL NOT CALL US SUCH THINGS, IGNORANCE OR NOT!”
“What'd ah possibly call ya?!?”
“Thou labeled us as a 'horse'! Such a thing is crude, uncouth, and just... just...”
“It's known as a kind of racist term around here, Terrance,” Celestia cleared up.
The pain in his cheek forgotten, Terrance's eyes went wide. He'd been rude... to a woman... well, a female at least. His mother had raised him to give utmost respect to women, and he had followed her advice and her warnings all his life. And now he had just broken the most important rule she had taught him:
“NEVER insult a woman, even if she deserves it. Prove you are the better person, and treat her with respect.”
Now he was being told he had just done the equivalent to calling a black person- yeah he'd screwed up. Reaching forward, he grabbed Luna's hoof from where it was resting in the air. Luna was shocked at first and tried to pull away, but Terrance held on tight.
“Release Us! We hath not given thou permission to-”
The remainder of Luna's words were lost in her throat as Terrance gave her hoof a small kiss. Terrance might not now what was equal to a "hand" around here, but he could guess. He also might have been afraid of women who were bold, but he knew how to be chivalrous and a gentleman to them. Now was one of those times to be extra nice. Letting her hoof go, Terrance got off the bed. Standing tall, he took his Stetson off, held it over his chest, and inclined his head in a sort of apologetic stance.
“Ma'am. Ahm rightly sorry for being rude to ya'll. Ah was raised better than that, and ah messed up. And ya'll're right 'bout ignorance bein' no excuse. Ah 'pologize deeply... Mah bad.”
It was quiet as Luna was taken aback by his response. He really was a gentlecolt like Celestia had said. Maybe she had been a little strong with her actions.
“Well... we thank thou. And we're... sorry for striking thou so harshly. Twas not our idea to leave a bad first impression...”
Celestia smiled between the two of them. Looks like first contact wasn't going to go horrifically wrong after all. After a brief moment of awkward silence, Celestia cleared her throat.
“Well... I must say you are much taller than I took you for at first. What would you say your height would be?”
“Ahm six foot five, ma'am,” Terrance responded easily.
“Now, now, what did I tell you? Call me Celestia, please.”
“OK then... Celestia.”
Something about the way he had said her name made her feel a little fuzzy.
I can't be... No it's not possible. I only JUST met him!
It certainly SHOULDN'T be possible, Sister Dearest.
Celestia's eyes widened when she realized she had thought within the confines of her and Luna's mental link.
Lulu! I- uh-
If you start falling for this thing Sister...
I'm NOT! ... Am I?
Your thoughts are beginning to betray you, Sister.
Hush, Lulu! I'm trying to figure this out!
While you 'figure this out'-
“Well Terrance, what do you expect to do... here?”
Luna's sudden question caught Terrance off guard a little bit. What WAS he going to do here? He now resided within the confines of what seemed to him to be the greatest dream a little girl ever had. Not to mention that he was a grown man, and all these colors were a little odd to him. He wanted to get home that was for sure...
Or did he? He had to face the facts, the only thing he had back home were his horses. And to be perfectly honest, his workmate Tommy loved them almost as much as he did. Tommy'd be able to take of them in his place, but even if he stayed, what could he do? He wasn't especially smart so teaching these ponies anything more than they already knew seemed out of the question. Guessing from the harsh connection to the word horses, they probably didn't have animal farms, let alone horse raising. Maybe a vet? He did know his way around critters pretty well...
“Terrance?”
Looking up, he saw Celestia's face was showing a mask of worry. He had been standing there quiet for a while now...
“Well, nothing really tah go back to... but tah be honest, if Ahm thinking of stayin' Ahm not sure what Ah could even do for ya'll... Ah mean, Ahm used to hard work, Ah like critters a lot...”
“Wait wait wait wait... Thou means to tell Us that thou has nothing in the world to return to? No connections thou wishes to keep?” Luna also had a small face of concern at this.
“No Ma'am... The last of mah kin died a couple years back. And ah don't have much in they way o' friends. So, ah was thinkin' of a fresh start anyways... Why not here?” He asked with a small grin.
Hearing the poor man's explanation gave Celestia a deep heartache. Luna had explained the same thing to her not but a couple nights ago. She had come into Celestia's room in the dead of night, crying her eyes out. When asked what was wrong, all Luna had said was: “They're all dead! All gone to the years! Everyone we held camaraderie with is gone!” Realizing that the death of her friends from old age had just then sunk in, Celestia opted to stay up with her sister, if only to sooth her pain.
Looking at her sister, Celestia saw with shock that Luna was actually... smiling?
Turning to her sister, Luna broke out in a wider grin. “Sister! He has no friends!”
“Luna! How could you be happy about that! I thought you of all ponies would understand and be solemn about this!”
Shaking her head, Luna continued. “We are! But we just remembered! Who was it that helped us find friends when we thought we had none? Who is actually studying the Magic of Friendship right NOW?”
Understanding twinkled in Celestia's eyes. “Twilight Sparkle!”
Luna nodded furiously. “Indeed!”
Turning their attention to the confused bipedal in the room, they gave him two smiles of equal mirth.
“Terrance!” Celestia said, catching his attention. “How would you like to meet my student?”
The time was set for the next day, since Celestia had lost sleep during the interesting events that had unfolded. Terrance was given a room directly next to Celestia's (much to the chagrin of Luna who believed he should have at least been sent to the guest wing), and considering he was now in a new plain of existence, he slept well.
Waking up early was never an issue for the rancher, he usually had to be at work by at least five in the morning most days anyway. This morning though, was a little different than normal for him. Stumbling out of bed, he found his way to the bathroom. Looking at himself in the mirror, he noticed that he needed to shave... at least a little. A beard was nice, but not when it went wild. Didn't need to look like one of those moonshine making hill-billies now did he? After taking care of his business, Terrance walked back out into the room he had stayed in. It was still weird, knowing that he was now in a world of bright colors and ponies. Maybe after a couple days he'd get used to it, Celestia seemed glad he had decided to stay.
Celestia...
Why was she so nice to him? If their positions had been reversed, he probably would have freaked out and sent her out of his house at least. Maybe after a week he'd be able to accept she was real, but she had accepted him almost immediately... it was nice, not to be shunned. In fact, Luna's reaction had been more logical. Maybe she was the more... technical of the two? She sure acted like it.
Terrance's attention was then drawn to the balcony. Celestia had walked out onto her's and was staring at the sun. Well that wasn't good for her eyes. Walking out onto his own balcony, Terrance opened his mouth to address the safety of her eyes, when she closed her eyes and began to glow.
It started slowly, with the air seeming to vibrate and waves of... sensation seeming to roll off of her. Little waves of air began to circle her hooves and her floating mane started to shimmer itself. Terrance had to shield his eyes as she gave off a bright flash of light, and when he looked back... his jaw dropped. Her ethereal mane had turned to a color of pure gold and it flowed around her face, as though she was underwater. Her white coat seemed polished, and it gleamed like the cleanest ivory. Her hooves had also changed to gold in color and they seemed to radiate heat, even from the distance Terrance was at. When she opened her eyes, they were glowing white, fueled by whatever unknown force dwelt inside her. And as he watched, the sun began to rise. Celestia began to raise her head, and though it seemed impossible, the sun seemed to follow her.
Celestia... was raising the sun.
As her head stopped raising, the sun reached the apex of it's journey. The sheer brilliance of it all was pure beauty, nothing Terrance had ever seen before even came close to it. And Celestia looked even better, if that was even possible. Head raised, she slowly began to close her eyes once more, her mane lessening its glow and her hooves growing colder. Soon she was back to her original state, and Terrance found himself still staring. Shaking his head to clear the haze her little "show" had put him in, he raised his hand and waved.
Celestia turned her head to leave, then noticed Terrance waving his hand. Had he been watching?
Oh dear! This wasn't just my normal Raising! Normal ponies aren't supposed to see that!
"Terrance! Were you watching me? You're not hurt are you?"
Terrance shook his head. "Nah, ahm fine! That was beautiful! What was that!? That right there was amazin'!"
Celestia stared back wide-eyed. "You aren't blind!? How can that be? Normal ponies aren't able to watch me when I Gather!"
Terrance tilted his head, confused. "But... ahm not a pony. And what do yah mean 'normal' ponies?"
Maybe being what he is... a 'human' he called himself?... maybe his kind are... immune to magic? "Perhaps we should discuss this over breakfast?" she asked with a smile.
Breakfast consisted of several different fruits and what Celestia called "hay fries", which actually weren't half bad once you got past the grainy taste. Proceeding their meal, Celestia offered Terrance her accompaniment on the trip to Ponyville. He accepted on account that he felt like he owed her that much, she had been really nice to him since he arrived here. The trip was nice, and the company was very pleasant. Plus, Terrance had his fair share of questions answered.
"Ya'll said something about normal ponies? What did ya mean by that?"
Celestia had a small sad smile on her face when she answered. "Me and my sister... are the Princesses of this land, of Equestria. This is not because we were born into a higher social status than most. The fates, whoever or whatever they are, decided for all intents and purposes to make me and my sister immortal." Terrance had a flat expression on his face at this. "I know how hard it is to believe for one who does not know of us, but it is the truth. Us two have ruled Equestria for the past 20,000 years since it's creation. It is all we have known, yet we are very good at it... and we enjoy it. I have been content seeing this country flourish through the years. So many new inventions, new ideas, new ponies! In fact, just last month, a new bill came in that-"
"Ya'll sound so alone..."
Terrance's sudden statement caught Celestia off guard. His face, which had been turning happy, froze. She turned her gaze back from the window towards Terrance. She gave him a look of confusion.
"Pardon?" she asked, giving him a forced smile.
"Ma'am, ah don't mean to go pokin' mah nose into any o' your business, but ah know a mask when ah see one. Been wearin' one meself for the past ten years. All this talkin' 'bout how happy yah are? Hell, ya'll're hurtin' me, and ah ain't even in ya'lls position! Ahm sorry but ahm not buyin' it... not one bit. Ya'll're hurtin' pretty bad on the inside. Yah can lie to yourself and yer servants and yer sister... but ahm seein' right through yah. 'Cause ah know what it's like... hidin' all yer feelin's from everyone..." Terrance looked at Celestia straight in the eyes. Then he acted a little shy. "OK, Celestia. Ahm gonna do somethin', please don't hit me." And before she could speak, Terrance wrapped his arms around her neck, and hugged her. It lasted a few seconds, until Terrance felt wetness on his shoulder. Celestia had began to cry.
"You're the first... *sniff* ...to have noticed... *hick* ...in 5,000 years..." Then she began to cry in earnest, draping her forehooves over his own shoulder in a return hug.
Landing in Ponyville went pretty smoothly, considering the whole town turned out to welcome the Princess. After a brief explanation by Celestia, Terrance exited the carriage to the shocked gasps and wide eyes of the locals. It was to be expected and Terrance dealt with it just fine. He understood their slight panic, if the roles had been reversed and all that. Several introductions later and Terrance found himself in the house of a mare called Twilight Sparkle... well, less of a house, more of a library really. And the kicker was, it was built from a tree. No not like it was made of wood, but actually carved out of a tree. Truth be told it was an incredible sight to see.
"Well I must say, Mister Terrance. Your outfit is very drab, is it not? And that hat! Oh dear it looks like it's been through quite the ordeal!"
"Several actually..."
"Well then, you'll just have to come by my shop sometime this week so I can get your measurements, hmm? I will create a whole new ensemble for you! And get you a better hat besides!"
"Beg yer pardon, Miss Rarity, but Ahll be keepin' mah hat just the way it is. Been through too much with this here piece o' headgear and ah don't see meself changin' that anytime soon."
"Oh phoo... you're as bad as Applejack..."
A raised eyebrow from an orange mare. "And what does that mean, Rarity?"
"Nothing, Darling~!"
As the white mare cantered away, a pink one took its place.
"Wow Terry you sure are tall I mean of course you're taller than us you're not a pony you're a human- Oh! Are there more of you? If there's more of you then that means more humans and THAT means more friends and more friends means more parties and more parties means more smiles and more smiles means more up votes and more up votes means a happy author and when he's happy that makes us all happier and when we're happy good things happen! Like Twilight believing in my Pinkie Sense! Or Rarity making twenty dresses in an hour! Or Applejack finishing a hard day's work and still having enough energy for a party! OH! Do you like parties? Cause I like parties and if you DO like parties then we can-"
"Ok there Pinkie, give him room to breath..."
Saving Terrance from the onslaught of the (several confusing) questions was Twilight. Sighing in relief, Terrance nodded his head in thanks. Looking around the room, he was in the company of about seven mares... and one very scrutinizing tiny purple and green lizard. Bending at the knees, Terrance got within a foot of being level with the little thing's eyes.
"Can ah help ya li'l fella?"
The lizard crossed its arms in front of its chest, eyes narrowing. Tilting its head it asked: "Are you like a dragon? Just no tail and no scales? Cause you walk like me, and you got arms and claws..."
Smiling, Terrance shook his head. "Nah. Ahm more like one of them monkeys than ah am a purple lizard."
"I'm a dragon! Not a lizard!"
Laughter enveloped the room, making the little dragon's scowl deepen even more. Laughing heartily, Terrance patted the young drake's shoulder.
"Ahm sorry... Spike was it? Ahm sorry fer makin' light of ya Spike. 'Specially when there are ladies present, huh?"
Spike nodded fervently, his face lighting up a little. "Yeah!"
Nodding to show he was a man of his word Terrance stood up straight, returning to his former height. Celestia smiled at the proceedings. Terrance was molding in with her closest subjects quite well it seemed. Clearing her throat, she got everyone's attention.
"Well Terrance, have you given thought to where you would like to be staying while you are here?"
At this, Applejack stepped up. "Well shoot, Yer Highness. There's always room at mah farm. How else do ya think ah host mah reunions?" The others nodded in agreement.
Celestia smiled and turned back to Terrance. "Does that sound agreeable?"
Terrance nodded, smiling. "Sounds like a grand plan, Celestia. Be nice tah be in a familiar lookin' place. That is... um... this is an odd request ah got fer ya but..."
Celestia tilted her head, confused. "Yes?"
"Could ya maybe... visit me? From time to time? We can... ah dunno... talk ah guess. Since ya'll found me first and all."
Inside, Celestia was hopping around wildly in glee. However on the outside, all she gave was a smile. "Of course I will. Maybe sometimes I can send you a carriage and you can come visit me and tell me how you are adjusting personally?"
After some more conversation, most of which was Terrance answering questions about where he came from, (Dash was really interested in the story he told of when the Blue Angels did a practice routine right over the farm he had worked on) Celestia left after giving one more hug to the bipedal cowboy.
Directly after Celestia, Pinkie decided to exit the group, much to surprise of the others.
"Pinkie? Where are you going?"
"I have to go get some burritos, Twilight!"
"Burritos, why-?"
"BURRRRIIIIITTTOOOOS!" She then preceded to run out of the room.
"Whatever," Twilight sighed, shaking her head.
"She do that often?" Terrance asked. Nodding, Twilight sighed again.
"More so than is usual for others. I just explain it as Pinkie Pie being Pinkie Pie..."
"Sounds fair enough," Terrance responded, nodding in approval.
Silence permeated the room for a few seconds, until Applejack cleared her throat.
"Well, uh, we best get goin', huh Terrance? Should get you all cozy before nightfall, right?"
Terrance nodded and smiled. "Yeah, and thank you again."
"Ain't nothin' to it. Glad to help ya out. Any friend of the Princess is ah friend o' mine." Applejack replied with a smile.
Terrance nodded again and turned to the others in the room. "Well now! Ahll be here for a fair while, probably until ah die, so don't be strangers!" A couple laughs in the room. "Ahll be glad for any visits, so long as ya'll don't just stare at meh while ah work, so come on by. See ya'll later."
Assorted farewells later found Terrance and Applejack jogging/trotting their way to Sweet Apple Acres. A silent challenge between the two had them both running full-tilt towards the apple farm in a race. Arriving at nearly the same time, Applejack took a victory lap around Terrance's legs.
"Not bad, Applejack. Not bad," was all Terrance could say while regaining his breath.
"Thank ya kindly," came the reply.
After getting a small breather, the two arrived at the front door of Applejack's home. Knocking on the door brought with it a small yellow filly, who saw Terrance, stood stock still for a few seconds, then sprinted back inside, crying for a "Macintosh". Terrance found out that "Macintosh" was actually a large red stallion, and he was very protective of his family, which he demonstrated by taking a defensive position over the little one, staring daggers at the tall fleshy creature his sister had brought with her.
"Now, now Mac... Bloom, just calm down there. This here's Terrance and he's gonna be stayin' with us until the Princess says otherwise. Ahm not gonna have any o' this 'Alpha Stallion' hooey while he's here... got it?" asked AJ with a glare aimed her older brother.
Not taking his eyes off Terrance, Mac gave a slow nod and came forward. Terrance reached out a hand in a friendly gesture towards the stocky pony.
"Terrance, and ahm guessin' ya'll're Macintosh?"
"Eeyup," came the drawl reply. Seeing the hand extended towards him, BigMac took a guess and held out his hoof, allowing the human to grasp it. They shook, and a small smile appeared on Mac's face. This creature had a good grip, surprising since the little fleshy appendages looked so weak.
Terrance then approached little Applebloom, who began to shake in fear. Terrance gave a smile to the frightened filly in an effort to break the tension.
"What's yer name li'l un?"
"...Applebloom..."
"Ahm sorry ah didn't catch that..."
"Ahm Applebloom..."
Terrance smiled again. "That's a pretty name. How old are ya Applebloom?"
Applebloom uncoiled a little. "Ah turned eleven just two months ago..."
"Eleven, huh? Yer gettin' ta be a big girl ain't ya?"
The little filly nodded, getting excited. "Uh huh! Soon ah'll be big enough to help on the farm more!"
"Well, Ah'll be! That true? Yer family work hard 'round here?"
Applebloom stood up, her fears forgotten. "Yeauh huh! We buck apples everyday! Then we sell em!"
"That's amazin'! Now, can ah ask ya'll a question?"
Applebloom tilted her head, slightly confused. "Sure?"
A sly grin appeared an Terrance's face. "Why were ya so scared o' me before?"
Applebloom thought for a second, then gave a shy face. "Cuz you're so tall... It surprised me..." Terrance gave a small laugh.
"Would ya like to see what it's like? Bein' tall?"
"How?"
"Ah'll just put ya on mah shoulders, like a piggyback ride." Applebloom thought for a second, then gave a slow nod.
"Ok... so long as ah don't fall.."
"Don't ya worry bout that, these," Terrance wiggled his fingers in her face. "Are stronger than ya think."
The next ten minutes or so, the air was filled with the cheerful shrieks of a filly having the time of her life as Terrance ran around the homestead, sometimes jumping over a log, sometimes sprinting hard, and occasionally bouncing to give her some air. After the excursion, Applebloom was winded from laughing so much, and Terrance was winded for obvious reasons. He let her down inside the door to the house, she thanked him, and then left for the kitchen. Terrance caught Big Mac's eye and smiled.
"Cute girl."
"Eeyup."
"And she's yer-"
"Sister."
"Ah. Same with AJ, there?"
"Eeyup."
"Good to know..."
The two stood there in the doorway, looking inside the house as the night grew darker behind them. Terrance had to admit, he was enjoying himself in this place. The locals hadn't attacked him, this pony had offered him a place to stay, and even the Princesses had been polite and kind to him.
Which brought him back to Celestia, and the way she had been acting with him. Even though he had appeared in her bed of all things, she hadn't screamed, alerted the guards, hit, or show in any way that she did not want him there. She had accepted him into her world, introduced him to her closest subjects, and even agreed to stay in touch, all with a smile on her face. It seemed like she had liked him since she first saw him. And it was bothering him. He had, for the better part of 20 years, raised animals that looked eerily similar to ponies like her. Having one that was now talking to him... and smiling at him... was a bit unnerving. Not that he wasn't comfortable with staying here, he'd get used to it in time, but it seemed like Celestia... was kind of interested in him... and that was throwing up all kinds of red flags in his mind. She was, for all intents and purposes, a talking, winged, horned HORSE. Unbidden, thoughts and images arose in his mind, making him shudder. Mac left to go inside, and unknown to Terrance, another took his place.
"Thinkin' bout a mare there, sonny?"
The sudden voice made Terrance jump, and his eyes sought the origin of said voice. He found it, and an old faded-green mare smiled back at him.
"Names Granny Smith, but you can just call me Granny. Can ah take yer shudderin' for the fact that ya'll were thinkin' bout a pretty young thing?"
"Don't." Was Terrance's reply.
Granny was confused. "Don't what? Help ya? Well, too bad. Ahm here, and yer talkin'. Now spill it."
Terrance looked at her, giving her a slight glare, but she held strong and glared right back. Sighing, he gave up, and began to tell her about where he had come from. About the job he had had, and the animals he had raised. Then he told her of Celestia, and the way he thought she was acting towards him. And how that made him feel.
Granny was silent for a good while, thinking on what Terrance had told her. She "hmm'd" and "haa'd" and gave an occasional "ooh", but she was silent otherwise. After a good five minutes, she beckoned him to follow her. She led him to a small doghouse out back, and whistled. A small collie pup came bounding out, tail and tongue wagging in time, happy to see someone new.
Gesturing at the dog, Granny spoke. "What is Winona here?"
Confused at the question Terrance merely shrugged. "A dog?"
"Yes, but what else?"
"I dunno... brown?"
"A critter, Terrance, an animal. Smart to a point, yet completely obedient. Now lemme ask ya this. Am ah like Winona? Or is Applejack? Or Mac? Or Bloom?"
Terrance shook his head, petting Winona. "No, ya'll can talk."
Granny laughed. "Yeah, ah guess yer right there. But that's close, just not there yet. We can think."
"Well, sure. Gotta think before ya talk, might say something bad..." Terrance knew that lesson well.
"Uh huh, now can you talk? Can ya'll think? Do ya behave in ways that are accepted by most ponies... or whatever it is ya'll are?"
"Human, and yes ah do..."
"So does that make us so different?"
"Completely different bodies fer one, different social norms fer another..."
"Oh hogswallop! Outward appearance don't matter, how ya'll behave does. Ah learned that when ah was just Bloom's age. Surprisin' somepony yer age don't know that yet. In fact, ah read in the paper that a griffin recently got married to a diamond dog. And that's a odder pairing than you and a Princess."
Rubbing Winona's belly, Terrance looked up at her. "Also that fact that ya'll look like animals ah used to raise don't help."
"Well, ya don't need all the answers just yet. Ya'll don't even know if the Princess really feels that way. Wait and see, if ya'll're still against it, then go from there. But iffin ya change yer mind..." at this she dropped a wink. "Invite me to the weddin'."
Terrance got flustered, and Granny simply trotted off laughin'. Applejack called out dinner was ready soon after ("SOUP'S ON EVERYPONY!") and Terrance left the cold night air and Winona (much to Winona's disappointment) to go inside and enjoy a warm meal. It surprisingly wasn't all that cramped inside the house and Terrance could eat comfortably. The meal consisted of several apple related dishes, and some mixed vegetables. Terrance found that he did not need meat to feel full, and it might even be better to eat this way for his health. Applejack led him to the barn after the meal, and pointed him to the loft.
"Plenty o' room up there, plus less of a chance fer critters tah find ya. Ahll wake ya up nice an early fer work. We'll find somethin' fer ya. Sound good?"
Terrance nodded. "Sounds real good... and Applejack?"
"Hmm?"
"Thanks again fer this..."
She smiled at him. "Well ya know, us farmin' types gotta stick together right?"
"Just give up, t'ain't no way yer winnin' this one..."
"Ya might as well just finish me off, AJ. Cause you'll never hear this man surrender. Ahm iron-willed, clear-headed, and ahm gonna-" THUD "DAMMIT!"
"Ah HAH! Ah won! You do mah indoor chores fer a week!"
Massaging his hand, Terrance looked at her incredulously. "Ah thought it was only three days?!"
"Nnope... Ya'll doubled down after that last one..." The referee, Big Mac, corrected Terrance.
The three of them had been enjoying their afternoon off by arm wrestling... except here it was called "hoof wrestling". Terrance was able to show that his arms packed a punch, and was even able to beat Big Mac twice before he grew tired and started losing one after the other. To make the games more interesting, they had started to make bets. And Terrance had just lost big time.
"So that means sweepin', cleanin' the fireplace, moppin' the kitchen floor..."
"Aaaaaand... ya'll gotta wash Granny's back when she bathes..."
Terrance shuddered. Granny will love that... he thought to himself.
Once, when he had been too impatient to wait for the restroom, he walked in on Granny getting scrubbed by Applebloom, who was making a face the whole while. Seeing the door open, and her escape route, Applebloom bolted from the room, leaving the human with the old wrinkled pony. Seeing him standing there, she beckoned him over, and he spent the next 10 minutes finishing the job that Bloom had run out on, while Granny enjoying the ministrations his fingers were giving her. She brought it up constantly, hoping he would do it for her yet again, and he would always politely decline such an offer. Now he had to... a bet was a bet after all.
"Well then... do ah start tonight?"
Applejack nodded. "Yup! Have fun!"
Terrance sighed. Until he noticed a little purple dragon waddling up the road to the farm.
"Terrance! Terrance! You got a letter!" Came the winded shout. Leaving the stump they had been seated at, Terrance intercepted the drake, holding out his hand for the paper.
"Quick question 'fore I read this."
Spike looked up wheezing. "Yeah? What?"
"Why didn't Twilight just teleport this to me?"
"..."
At this, Spike silently stormed off, probably to interrogate a certain lavender mare. Laughing silently to himself, Terrance opened the letter.
Dear Terrance,
You forgot this. See you tomorrow.
Your Princess, Celestia
And before he could ask, his guitar materialized out of thin air next to his head. With a couple minor additions to it.
P.S. Sorry about the scuff mark... and the slight crack... and the scratched paint... I tried to fix it... I'm sorry.
Terrance was only slightly miffed, and not even about the damage to his instrument.
It took her two weeks ta send me this? Why'd it take her so long?
Terrance had left Canterlot half a month ago, and had fit in with the Apples quite well. They were used to him by now, and almost considered him a member of the Apple family. He had grown used to the ponies and their ways in turn, and magic had lost a lot of it's surprises. It no longer shocked him when things appeared nearby, or when Twilight 'popped' in for visits. She had been a life saver to him, calming the locals, teaching him the social norms, showing him around town. She had even helped him get a second place of employment in order to make some actual money. Aloe and Lotus had found his fingers carried strength behind them, and had seen fit to give him the task of seeing to their more durable clients. Most had denied his services as his fingers still creeped them out, but many had accepted them as the lovely instruments they were.
Big Mac and him, however, were a different story. The two had bonded like blood-brothers, and the two of them couldn't be more inseparable. They would stay out after work and just chat. Most time it was short, but sometimes Terrance could get him to open up a little.
Speaking of the red stallion, Big Mac trotted up with his sister.
"What's that ya got there, Terrance?" asked Applejack with a curious look in her eyes.
"Well, AJ, this was-"
"Ah guitar..." Big Mac interrupted.
Terrance blinked at the red stallion. "Uh, yeah... How'd you kno-"
"Used to have one... Smaller than this one though... Nasty crack there... Gonna need it fixed..." Big Mac stated, inspecting the instrument.
"Yeah ah will. Reckon ya know a feller?"
Mac looked at the guitar some more, then nodded. "Eeyup, feller knows his way 'round... sin... the... sis? He fixes things, s'all ah know. Fixed the plow a few weeks ago. Name's Fix-It."
Terrance nodded as well, hefting his guitar onto his shoulder. "Shall we go see him then?"
"Sure..." And the two walked off...
...leaving Applejack behind.
The orange mare huffed. "What am ah, chopped hayseed?"
The two walked along the road toward town, enjoying the small silence in the air. However, the silence began to get a little unbearable, so Terrance decided to strike up a conversation.
"So... anyone special in yer life?"
Big Mac kept a flat face at the sudden question. "Not... 'specially. There's one gal ah got my eye on... and ah think she's doin' the same tah me... but we're keepin' it quiet fer now. How 'bout you?"
"Ah might. But ahm not sure how she really feels bout me just yet..."
Big Mac gave a small shocked face at this. "You? Interested in ah pony? Now that's somethin' right there."
Truth be told, Terrance was still a bit uneasy with his suspicions about Celestia. About a week ago, she had visited out of the blue and offered him lunch. He accepted, and the two sat down to a salad... that she had made herself. The sauce had been too strong, the tomato chunks were huge, and she had added far too much salt and pepper. And yet, when he had stated that it was good, she had become so bubbly and happy that she brought a smile to his face. But she still looked like a horse. And it still creeped him out a little.
"Not so much interested as wary, Big Mac... Still not exactly ready for that just yet." Mac's only reply was a nod.
The conversation was thankfully short as they arrived at their destination. Looking at the sign, Terrance read:
"Fix-It's Fix It Shop"
Well, it was catchy, he had to give the guy that.
Walking into the store, a little bell rang above the door, signaling their entry. Mac left to see what was on display as Terrance approached the counter. No sooner than he arrived at the wooden counter-top, then did a dark brown unicorn stallion walk in from the back. Terrance only had time to see his jet black hair before the stallion propped his forehooves in the surface between them and addressed his issue.
"Now then, name's Fix-It. What can I help you with, sir?"
"Well, ah need mah guitar fixed," Terrance replied, setting his instrument in front of him. "And ah gotta say ahm glad ya'll aren't treatin' me different... like everyone did when they first saw meh..."
"Ah, I don't judge ponies based on appearance. Just the actions. And you're a client, so right now your actions are good for me. Let's see the damage here..."
Fix-It took a few small looks and a couple measurements, then looked back to Terrance.
"What kind of wood is it?"
"Uh... lacquered wood."
"Mmhmm... what kind of metal are the strings?"
"... Tough yet springy?"
"Yeeeaaaahhh... can't help you if I don't know the components."
Terrance swore under his breath. "Well, is there anyway-"
"Nah, I'm just joshin' ya! Got you pretty good, huh? No, I can tell just by looking. Give me a couple minutes, I'll bring it right out." Still chuckling to himself, Fix-It picked the guitar up in his telekinetic grasp and carried it into the back. Looking over, Terrance couldn't help but notice Big Mac chuckling to himself.
"He usually like that?" he asked, eyebrow cocked.
"Heheh, Eeyup. Been that way since ah first met em."
"Pretty unique... ain't he?"
"Ah he's alright. He is tricky though, Ah'll give ya that."
"AND DONE!" came Fix-It's shout, as he re-entered the room.
"That was quick," Terrance replied, turning back around.
Fix-It hovered the guitar back over to it's rightful owner. "Eh, easier than I thought it would be. Pretty common ingredients are used to construct it. Go ahead, give a test run."
Terrance draped the strap over his shoulder and hefted his guitar into his arms. Felt good, no weight missing at least. Testing the strings for a second, he tried a small riff. Had to admit, Drop D always sounded good.
"Sound fine to you?" inquired Fix-It. Terrance nodded.
"Ya do fine work there Mister Fix-It. It sounds beautiful. Not a single thing outta place. Thank yeh."
Fix-It waved his hoof nonchalantly. "Nothing to it."
Sliding his guitar behind his back, Terrance brought his bit-pouch out.
"So now. What do ah owe ya?"
At this, Fix-It smiled. "Not a thing. First one's free."
Terrance's hand froze as it was about to open the pouch. "Ya sure? Magic ain't cheap iffin ah heard correctly..."
"I'm absolutely sure. I'm satisfied just hearing you play. You are skilled, Mister Terrance." Fix-It replied, smiling. Terrance put his bit-pouch away and scratched the back of his head, embarrassed.
"Aw, ah ain't nothin' special. Thank ya anyways." Terrance nodded his thanks and was about to leave, when an idea struck him. "Hey, Fix-It... ya enjoy a good bar?"
"What, you mean alcohol? Celestia, no! That stuff is horrible for you!"
"Oh, nevermind then..."
"Nah, I'm just yanking your chain again. Yeah, I like a nice stiff drink every now and then."
Terrance blinked slowly. "Ooookay then... care ta join me and mah friends tomorrow at 'The Sink'?"
Fix-It nodded happily. "Sure! I'll be there right after I close up shop tomorrow!"
Terrance smiled. "Sounds like a plan... C'mon Mac! Let's head back so ah can get started on AJ's chores..."
"Sister... he sent thou a personal invitation! Go! Enjoy your evening, We shall take care of proceedings and We shall even make the night look more beautiful than usual for thou."
Celestia and her sister had been debating about the legitimacy of Terrance's idea to "come drinkin' with meh and friends" that he had sent in a scribbled note. His suggestion had changed Celestia's plan for that day, but she couldn't deny that the idea intrigued her. It had been a fair while since she had cut loose and just enjoyed a good drink. The only thing that held her back from agreeing, was that she tended to get... frisky while intoxicated. And Terrance still seemed to be apprehensive around her when she tried to get closer to him.
"I must say, Luna. You changed your mind on me and Terrance much quicker than I thought you would."
Luna waved a hoof nonchalantly. "Your dreams are beautiful-" Then she froze and her eyes grew wide. Celestia turned her head slowly and looked directly at her sister.
"Luna... did you dream-walk... in my head?"
Luna only smiled meekly. "We told nopony..."
Celestia snorted and looked away. The silence grew until she took a side-long glance back at Luna. Her sister looked back with a cheeky grin. Celestia could only giggle.
"Oh, you are just incorrigible... Very well, you are forgiven this once." she stated, nuzzling Luna. "But please... don't stay up waiting for me. I can raise the sun from anywhere, and I'm sure Twilight will want me to spend some time with her."
"Of course, sister. Now go enjoy yourself."
Celestia nodded, and launched herself out of the nearest window in the hallway, leaving Luna alone in the castle for the night.
"Now this here is nice..." Terrance muttered. He sat at a bar counter, cold ale in his hand, while his friends were all clamoring around behind him. Twilight had shown up, along with the other Elements. Mac had tagged along, if only to join Terrance in some silent drinking, and only Spike had not shown up as he had pet duty. All in all it was a healthy turnout, and yet Celestia had not shown up yet. Terrance felt slightly bad about that, since he had sent her a note and all.
The music started to quiet out, and many of the ponies were upset that the band had grown tired. Pinkie only knew one bar song, and nobody wanted to hear it again... it was very repetitive. That's when Twilight, in all her drunken glory, had an idea.
"Hey, Terrance... HEY! You should sing us a s-*hic* sing us a song. I'm shure you sound AWEsome... *hic*..." she slurred out. Terrance actually smiled at the request.
"Glad, SOMEone finally decided to ask. Was thinkin' AJ might, but no~. She's still butt-hurt 'bout leavin' her behind yesterday... Ahm just glad ah remembered tah bring this."
Then he grabbed his guitar from near the door, and walked calmly onto the stage. Testing the microphone, he cleared his throat.
"How ya'll doin' tonight?"
A round of cheers and applause answered him.
"Now most of ya'll know me, but fer those who don't, mah name is Terrance and ah've been asked tah play a song fer ya'll."
A couple more cheers and a loud "WOO!" from Twilight. Terrance could only chuckle.
"This here is a nice li'l ditty that folks like me like to listen to, and dance to, while enjoying a cold one-" Then Terrance noticed the newest patron to the bar. Celestia had walked into the room, and the room had gone silent with her.
She saw him and smiled. Terrance smiled back and gave her a nod, then plucked a string on his guitar, getting the attention of the bar again.
"Alright ya'll, hope yer not all too tipsy to 'preciate this one." Then he began.
"One, Two, Three, Four...
Got a little boom in my big truck
Gonna open up the doors and turn it up
Gonna stomp my boots in the Georgia mud
Gonna watch you make me fall in love
Get up on the hood of my daddy's tractor
Up on the tool box, it don't matter
Down on the tailgate, girl I can't wait
To watch you do your thing
Shake it for the young bucks sittin' in the honky-tonks
For the rednecks rockin' 'til the break of dawn
For the DJ spinnin' that country song
Come on, come on, come on
Shake it for the birds, shake it for the bees
Shake it for the catfish swimming down deep in the creek
For the crickets and the critters and the squirrels
Shake it to the moon, shake it for me girl, aww
Country girl, shake it for me girl,
Shake it for me girl, shake it for me
Country girl, shake it for me girl,
Shake it for me girl, shake it for me
Somebody's sweet little farmer's child,
With a gattle in her blood to get a little wild
Pony tail and a pretty smile,
Rope me in from a country mile
So come on over here and get in my arms
Spin me around this big ole barn
Tangle me up like grandma's yarn, yeah, yeah, yeah
Shake it for the young bucks sittin' in the honky-tonks
For the rednecks rockin' 'til the break of dawn
For the DJ spinnin' that country song
Come on, come on, come on
Shake it for the birds, shake it for the bees
Shake it for the catfish swimming down deep in the creek
For the crickets and the critters and the squirrels
Shake it to the moon, shake it for me girl, aww
Country girl, shake it for me girl,
Shake it for me girl, shake it for me
Country girl, shake it for me girl,
Shake it for me girl, shake it for me..."
Terrance then spent a little time strumming his instrument in a small solo, and took a look around the building. Twilight was dancing with Pinkie, and even Rarity was swaying her haunches a little. Celestia had blended into the dancing crowd well, and was even doing a two-step with AJ and Mac. He was glad to see that she was having a good time, she needed to loosen up a little.
"Now dance like a dandelion
In the wind on the hill underneath the pines, yea
Move like the river flows
Feel the kick drum down deep in your toes
All I wanna do is get to holdin' you and get to knowin' you
And get to showin' you and get to lovin' you 'fore the night is through
Baby you know what to do
Shake it for the young bucks sittin' in the honky-tonks
For the rednecks rockin' 'til the break of dawn
For the DJ spinnin' that country song
Come on, come on, come on
Shake it for the birds, shake it for the bees
Shake it for the catfish swimming down deep in the creek
For the crickets and the critters and the squirrels
Shake it to the moon, shake it for me girl, aww
Country girl, shake it for me girl,
Shake it for me girl, shake it for me
Country girl, shake it for me girl,
Shake it for me girl, shake it for me
Country girl, shake it for me girl,
Shake it for me girl, shake it for me
Country girl, shake it for me girl,
Shake it for me girl, shake it for me."
Concluding the song, Terrance was met with loud and cheerful applause. Bowing and exiting the stage, AJ and the others crowded around him, eager to congratulate him.
"Well, I must say Mister Terrance. I, for one, did not know you could sing so well!"
"Wowie Terry! You're good at songs! You should sing more often!"
"You... freakin' ROCK..., Terransh!"
"Pretty good, Terrance. Yer not half-bad."
"Eeyup..."
"Terrance... that... was so... awesome!"
"Go, Terrance...!"
"Well done, Mister Terrance. You are quite the lyrical prodigy."
Terrance gave a small blush and chuckled. "Aw, thanks ya guys. Song ain't mine though... kinda just used it."
"Nonetheless, you did an amiable job re-creating it."
"Heh heh, thanks Celestia."
Then Pinkie hopped up in between them, giddy and giggling. "Hey! We should go see the stars, you guys! I wanna see what Luna did tonight! I'll bet it looks amazing! I mean, it always looks amazing, but since we're all celebrating maybe she did something even MORE amazing! What do ya think? Huh huh huh?"
Terrance nodded. "That actually sounds like a nice idea, Pinkie. Good call. Let's go people. Twilight could use some detox."
"Hey!... I'm not sober, I'm drunk!..."
Terrance rolled his eyes. "Obviously..."
So the group of friends left the bar and headed for the park... except Terrance was going a little slower than usual. It had been hitting him more and more recently, but after tonight's performance he was feeling more drained than before. Attacks of fatigue had become a usual thing recently. And at night he sometimes couldn't keep his legs from shaking mildly. But he had been putting on a smiling face and working normally, in order not to worry AJ and the rest of the Apples.
Celestia looked back and noticed Terrance had fallen behind. "Terrance? Are you alright?"
Terrance wiped some sweat from his brow and jogged to catch up. "Yeah, yeah... ahm fine..."
Celestia merely replied with a worried face.
Catching up with the others on a nearby hill, Terrance and Celestia sat together, with Celestia draping a wing around him to shelter him from the cold night air.
The others were all laying on their backs, looking up into the night sky.
"Sure is pretty... ain't it?" Terrance asked, a little hitch in his voice.
"Yes indeed. My sister did a wonderful job tonight. It's gorgeous... Terrance?"
"Hmm?" Terrance turned his head, only to be looking straight into Celestia's eyes. She had sidled closer to him than before. "Uh... yes? Celestia?"
She leaned in a little.
"How are you enjoying your time here?"
"It's good."
Leaning a little more.
"And the locals?"
"They treat me better now."
Her eyes got a bit of a sultry look.
"That's good... Have you thought about what you're going to do for the rest of your life here?"
"Not really..."
She was leaning really close now.
"About who you'd like to spend it with?"
"Uhhhhh..."
And that's when Pinkie Pie... was Pinkie Pie.
"Oh, just kiss her you silly filly!" And clapped/bumped Terrance on his back, forcing him forward... right into Celestia... who caught him... with her lips.
"Mmph!" But that was all Terrance could say, given his situation. Which was him, currently kissing one of the Rulers of Equestria. And... It actually wasn't all that bad. Her lips were soft and she was humming slightly, as if happy that she was finally kissing him. Then she pressed the advantage, opening her mouth and squeezing her tongue into his. It felt just like a human tongue, except a bit more flat and broad.
Through all of this, the others simply watched with mixed emotions, ranging from embarrassment to shock and all the shades in between. The only one not watching was Twilight, who was still watching the stars, giggling. And Mac only looked for a second, then turned away again, not wanting to watch one of his sister's friends making out with his closest buddy... Princess or not.
Well, Ah guess it's not so bad after all...
Not so bad? NOT SO BAD? Yer kissin' a horse!
Yeah, but it ain't killin' me is it?
Check again, wise guy.
And that's when the dizziness hit. Terrance pulled back abruptly from the facial embrace and, losing his balance, rolled backwards down the hill until he hit the bottom.
"Terrance!" Seeing him fall, Celestia ran after him and reached him as he was pulling himself back onto his feet. "Are you OK?"
He was pale, sweating heavily, and short of breath. Not to mention, he was swaying side to side like a beanpole.
"What... what did ya do ta me?"
Celestia recoiled from the accusation. "W-what?"
"Ah feel like shit all of a sudden... What'd ya do... poison me?" His eyes were getting cloudy and his voice was wavering.
"No! I'd never do that!" She tried to approach him but he took a wobbly step back away from her.
"Don'tchu fuckin' touch me... You fuckin'... talking... horse..." It was obvious he was acting delirious now, but all Celestia could hear...
... was her heart breaking. Letting out a wretching sob, tears began to flow as Terrance turned away.
"...Why?..." was all she could whisper.
Terrance tried to take a step to leave, but simply crumpled to the ground in a meaty THUD. Celestia only heard this, however, as she herself had turned and galloped away, taking flight at the edge of the field. All was quiet on the hill... until Rarity broke the silence.
"Oh... my..."
And Rainbow took charge from there.
"That... was so not cool of him."
Fluttershy approached Terrance's crumpled form upon the ground.
"I mean... how could he say that!?"
Fluttershy turned Terrance's head, and let out a small gasp.
"C'mon! We're not horses!"
"...Um, guys..."
"We look nothing like those dumb animals!"
"...Guys, he needs help... he's burning up..."
"And I've got wings! Horses don't have wings!"
"GUYS!"
Broken off from her tirade, Rainbow Dash ceased her rant and looked down the hill at her friend.
"What is it, Flutters?"
"Guys! He has a horrible fever! And his pulse is really high! He needs a hospital!"
Mac was instantly by her side. "Ah got 'im," he stated, and using his impressive muscles, Big Mac lifted Terrance from the ground and draped him across his back. Turning towards the right direction, he began to run... directly towards the Ponyville Hospital. "Ah don't know what's wrong with ya..." Mac muttered to his friend while he ran. "But ya made a right mess outta this fine evenin'. Celestia- er, Luna knows yer gonna be answerin' fer it later... but fer now... just stick with me. Don't you be givin' up yet."
Arriving at the glass double doors, Mac pushed them open with a shove, deposited Terrance onto the floor, drew in a deep breath, and bellowed.
Everything felt fuzzy. Everything looked fuzzy too. Arms were numb. Yep... legs were too. Well that's just great... Where was he? White ceiling, white walls, and sky blue bed sheets. Terrance was in a hospital room. He tried to sit up, but his body was too weak. In fact, even the attempt to move was-
Oh God...
Stomach heaving, Terrance could only turn his head to the right and throw up... right onto a unicorns head. Said pony was (thankfully) not Twilight, but since her cutie-mark was a scalpel pointing into an eye, it was obvious that this was a doctor. Everything was quiet for a moment as the doctor used her magic to remove the puke from her face... and existence.
"Sorry 'bout that doc..."
The unicorn took a slow, shuddering breath, then broke out in a grin.
"Quite alright, should have said something when I saw you open your eyes. I am Doctor Precision, and I must say I'm surprised you didn't come in sooner."
"That bad, huh?"
The pony nodded. "Indeed. How long have you been feeling ill, or at least some negative effects on your body?"
"'Bout a good week... maybe a little longer... Can ah have some water? Mah throat hurts."
"Hmmm, you can have some, but I urge you not to drink it quickly."
A small glass was levitated to his lips, and Terrance drank greedily, albeit slowly. The sensation of cool water running down his irritated throat was sheer bliss to the human. After swallowing his salvation, he returned to the matter at hand.
"What happened...?"
Dr. Precision took a look at the clipboard on Terrance's bedside table. "Well, you seem to have fainted-"
"Obviously."
"-due to a protein deficiency."
Terrance blinked a couple times. "Protein... what?"
"A protein deficiency Mr. Terrance. Tell me, is your species usually vegetarian?"
"Uh... well, no. Ah used tah eat meat before ah came here. But ya'll don't, so ah changed."
The doctor hmm'd and uh-huh'd, making some marks on the clipboard. "Well, did you take proper dietary procedures to transfer your eating habits? You stopped over time, yes? Ordered meat from some griffin establishments to get the carnivorous sustenance you needed?"
"Uhhhh... no?"
"Well there's your problem! Your species needs meat, Terrance! You can't just cut it out of your diet, cold turkey like that!"
Terrance only nodded slightly. "Ok..."
Making a few more marks on her papers, Precision stood and made her way to the door. As she opened it, a small "Oh!" escaped her and she turned back to Terrance.
"By the way, do you feel well enough for a visitor? I warn you, you may need a healthy amount of energy to deal with this one."
Terrance thought for a bit, but eventually he agreed to a visitor. The doctor nodded, and left the room. Terrance was left alone with his thoughts, and his regret.
Did ah really do... what ah remember myself doing? Ah kissed Celestia? Ah can't believe ah actually did that... Ah mean, it wasn't so bad. Fer kissin' a hor- pony, it was actually kinda... nice.
But Terrance's mellow thoughts were shunted aside by the entrance of his visitor.
A certain blue alicorn.
"Rest assured, Mister Terrance, that were you not already in a hospital bed: We would put you in one," came the vehement hiss.
Terrance could not wish to be in a hole anymore than he did at that moment. Not only was he helpless, sickly, and frightened, but he was also stuck in a hospital room with the sister of the pony he had cussed out. Yeah, Terrance wasn't feeling on top of the world at this point.
"Hiya... Luna..."
"HIYA!? TERRANCE... YOU HAVE HARMED MY SISTER IN THE WORST OF WAYS! SHE HAS NOT SPOKEN TO ME SINCE YESTERDAY! AND WHEN SHE RETURNED, SHE CRIED ALL THE WAY TO HER ROOM. WHAT- DID- YOU- DO!?"
That pony could yell. Ow. Terrance was surprised he didn't puke again after the amount of pressure those words put on his inner ear. His sense of hearing was still a little numb when he gave a small nod.
"Ah fucked up..." came the labored reply. "Ah wasn't in mah right mind... since ah got here, ah gave up eatin' meat... not the best plan since now a got an issue with mah protein levels... made me all woozy and delusional. Ah said some things... and pointed fingers at all the wrong folk... mainly yer sister." Terrance slowly sat up and cradled his head in his hands. "Oh God... what have ah done...?"
"You broke her heart, Terrance. Rather harshly I might add..."
Terrance looked up and trained an eye on Luna.
"What happened to yer talkin' thing? No more 'thou' and 'thee' and stuff?"
Luna gave a small cough, and Terrance could see a faint blush on her cheeks. "We- I have been getting lessons from a dear friend, and I decided yesterday after my sister left to attempt my change from now on. And when my sister DID come back, I decided to do my trial run on you."
Terrance could only swallow in fear.
"So... not in your right mind, huh?" Luna asked after a small pause. Terrance nodded.
"Doc said ah should start eatin' meat again, ah guess..."
Luna scrunched up her nose at this. "So you are an omnivore? Ugh, the act of devouring carcasses disgusts me..."
Terrance gave a small chuckle. "Well, when ya put it like that... yeah. But where ah come from the food couldn't talk before ya ate it..."
"Indeed..."
"Ah regret everythin' by the way. What ah said... what ah did... ah regret it all..."
The room was silent for a good while. A nurse entered and took some notes on his health, turned a dial or two, then left again. Luna coughed and looked out the window, suddenly interested in the clouds outside.
"Even the kiss...?"
Everything went silent. Terrance managed to turn his head without throwing up, making him able to stare at the younger Princess.
"Um... W-what?"
"The kiss... do you regret that?"
"How... did you-"
"I'm the Princess of the Night... my domain is the evening hours, and my eye is the moon... not to mention that you dreamed of it last night... and I can dream-walk." The last bit was said in a hush.
"Dream... what?"
Luna sighed. "Dream-walk, I can enter and view anypony's dreams. And if I see fit, I can intervene. Last night, you repeated the kiss... over and over again." Luna was blushing again at this point. "I can tell you don't remember such a dream."
Terrance was blushing hard as well now. "Uh...no. Ah don't remember that..."
"So now I require an answer to my question: Do you regret the kiss?"
Terrance thought for a good while on that. The meetings he had had with Celestia, her demeanor and how she acted around him, even her smile.
Still a horse... his brain kept repeating.
But was she? She had a mane and a tail and she definitely looked looked equine in nature, but was she really just a horse?
No... she's more than that... they're ALL more than that. They don't just winny and snort, they talk and have opinions... Miss Smith was right. They're more than just mere beasts of burden. And Celestia...
"No."
Luna turned back to the human. "No?"
"No, ah don't regret it... Not even fer a second. She means more tah me than that. Sure she looks like an animal ah used tah work with back where ahm from, but she ain't that animal here... She's her own bein'... ya all are, and ah would be insultin' ya if ah still didn't think that."
Luna nodded, seemingly approving of his declaration. "Good, now what are you going to do about it?"
"Ahm gonna fix it... after ah get better enough tah do so..."
Luna smiled. "Of course... I shall see you again, hmm?"
"Heh, ah'll invite ya fer dinner..."
Luna leaned forward, placing her horn on Terrance's brow. "Sleep well, little human."
And with a little glow, Terrance fell back asleep.
Spike had been in the room with Terrance, joining the human in a shared lunchtime. After a couple days of resting and recuperating his strength, Terrance had been allowed to eat some actual food and not the "food smoothies" the doctors had insisted on feeding him. He was now enjoying a medium-well cooked cut of beef, directly sent from "Chez de Gustave le Grand". That griffin knew how to make more than just eclairs, and Terrance was enjoying his meal.
"Cuz ahm gonna pay you. 5 bits a letter, everyday until she writes back."
Spike looked up from his "Crystal Empire Sapphire" with a dubious look. "Really? How do you know she even will write back? You might just end up in debt to me."
"Spike... ahm serious. Ah want to fix this, and this is the only way ah know that ah can contact her directly. So will ya help me?"
Spike sighed and wiped his mouth free of gem dust, setting his snack aside. "So let me get this straight, you want me to send your letters to Celestia, ignoring anyone that asks me to stop, even her, until she sends you, personally, even one word?"
Smiling, Terrance nodded. "Eeyup."
Spike shook his head. "You spend too much time with Macintosh..."
"So will you?"
"Yes! Fine, I'll help you... but I want 5 bits up front."
"Haha, fair nuff..."
Reaching over the side of the bed,Terrance rustled around inside his bag and pulled out his bit pouch. Tossing Spike a 5-bit coin, he smiled and continued eating his meat. Greedily stuffing the coin away, Spike brought out a quill and paper from his small shoulder bag.
"Alright," he started, licking the quill tip and preparing to write. "Whatcha got?"
Terrance stopped chewing for a second and stared at the drake. Reaching up with one hand he wiggled his fingers and, while swallowing, Terrance took the quill and paper from him.
"Ah can write mah own letters, thank you very much. What ahm writin; ah don't want ya ta know about. Not fer yer ears, little lizard."
Folding his arms on top of his chest, Spike grumbled. "I'm not a lizard..."
"Maybe not, but ya are young. So thank you, but ah will only need ya'll's sendin' skills."
Taking a rather big bite of his jewel, Spike gave a small huff and stared at the ceiling. Propping the quill in his hand, Terrance started to write.
Dear Celestia,
I'm sorry for what I did. What I've done and said to you, I know it hurts. I'm hurting about it myself so I can't even imagine how you feel at the moment. I just want to say that I apologize for what I've said and that I want to talk to you. Please send me a letter back as soon as you can.
Please forgive me,
Terrance
"Alright, Spike. Please seal this and send it, if ya will."
"'Kay." On went the ribbon, on went the wax seal, and in a puff of green flame, away it went. "Need anything else?"
Terrance scratched his chin for a second, then nodded. "Yeah ah do. C'mere a second."
Curious, Spike drew near.
"Closer."
Spike went over to the side of the bed.
"Closer."
Spike, ever curious, leaned onto Terrance's pillow to get closer. Then, in a flurry of movement, Terrance wrapped the little drake in a hug.
"You're a good kid, Spike. And a really cool, unique dragon. You're really helpin' me, so thank you again for doin' this."
Spike's face flushed to a slight hue of red, and embarrassed, he returned the hug.
And so it continued for days, Spike would walk by the hospital to send Terrance's letters every day, and after each one, he got five bits. Everyday it was the same: One Apology Letter for Celestia. After about a week, Celestia started to send warning letters to Spike, asking him to stop sending her, "these flimsy parchments" as she called them. Spike replied that Terrance was making him, and he was sorry for the inconvenience. After another week of letters, not only was Terrance starting to get the most of his energy back and walking around a little, Spike started to get the angry responses.
Dearest Spike,
Stop sending them. I am no longer asking as a friend, I am ordering as a Princess of Equestria. To continue sending Terrance's letters is now considered an affront to the crown and will be dealt with as such. You have been warned.
Celestia
But still Terrance did not stop. Every day, an apology letter. After five more days, he was walking on his own power, even running short distances, and though he had not ceased the letters, no action had been taken against him. However, Twilight had been scolded by her teacher for letting him continue, and when she came to him (in tears) and asked him to stop, he told her no. Explaining himself, Twilight gleaned some answers, and with a quiet, "Okay...", she had gone back home.
Finally, after weeks of letters, Terrance was feeling 100% again. He was back at working at the Acres, and the Apples were happy to have him back... so long as he ate his meals outside from now on. Healthy for him or not, the smell of cooked meat unsettled their stomachs.
On one such day of hard work, a parchment 'popped' in front of his face. This was different, usually they went through Spike first, sometimes literally. Putting the bushel of apples down from his shoulder that he had been carrying, he picked up the scroll and opened it.
Inside were only two words that crushed Terrance to his core.
Please stop.
The only other additions to the paper were some spots that were undoubtedly tear stains.
Sighing, Terrance rolled up the letter and stuck it in his back pocket. Turning to Big Mac who was nearby, Terrance gave a nod. Big Mac nodded back, and Terrance took off for the house. Rushing past AJ, she hollered out a "Good Luck!", and Terrance ran all the faster for it. Entering the house, he caught Applebloom's attention. Looking up, she noticed his urgency.
"Did it happen!?"
"Yup."
"Eee! Yay! Tell me what happens when you get back!"
"Sure thing, 'Bloom." Then, after grabbing his bit-pouch and coat (Rarity had made it while he was in the hospital), he rushed back out the door. As he began to run towards town, he was stopped only by the shout of Granny Smith.
"Go get her, sonny~!"
Pausing only to turn around and give her a salute, he yelled back a response. "Yes, Ma'am!"
Continuing his running, Terrance sprinted through town, dodging ponies and market stalls, advancing on his target of the town's train station.
"One ticket to Canterlot, please." Terrance requested, slamming the bits onto the counter. "Here's the money, keep the change."
A hurried exchange later, and Terrance was on a direct train to the capitol of Equestria. He arrived on the station's loading bay to a flurry of "Ah!"'s and "Eek!"'s, probably since none of these locals had ever seen a being like him before. Let alone seeing one sprinting through the crowds and streets towards the castle like a bat out of Tartarus.
"Move, please. Ahm sorry. Watch yer feet!"
So the apologies went down the street, until Terrance made it to the front gates.
"Terrance here to see the Princess."
One of the guards stepped forward and inspected him closely. His scrutinizing eye looked Terrance up and down until they came to rest on his face. After staring into Terrance's eyes for a good thirty seconds, he took a step back.
"Nope. She doesn't want to see you."
Terrance rolled his eyes in an attempt to seem irritated.
"Not Celestia, the other one!"
"Oh! Princess Luna? Well, uh, okay then... I guess. LET HIM THROUGH!" the pony shouted to the other guard at the gate wheel.
The wheel creaked and groaned,opening the gate in agonizing slowness. As soon as Terrance saw enough space to fit, he squeezed himself through the opening and resumed his sprint into the inside of the castle, dodging castle staff and random guards until he made it to the location that was his target from the start.
Celestia's room.
Luckily for him, this had been one of the stops on the tour she had pointed out the last time Terrance had been here. Just before Terrance started pounding on the door, however, he was interrupted.
"She's not in there you know..."
Terrance spun around and nearly fell over from what he saw. Luna had stumbled down the hall, her tired groggy voice calling him from down the hall. She was obviously still tired and was still in her sleep wear; fuzzy shoes, sleeping cap, and a rather cute teddy bear sticking out of her mane. Terrance did his best not to laugh at her demeanor, but when she yawned and nearly fell over, the battle was lost.
"...Huh?..."
Luna rolled her eyes, an act that did not go unnoticed by the bipedal.
"It's still daytime. I'M about to go back to sleep myself. The only reason I'm up now is that you ran right past my bedroom. Your feet are loud..."
"...Oh! Uh, sorry."
Luna rubbed her eyes with a hoof and yawned.
"Aaaawwwhh... Just wait for her... She'll be here around nightfall..." Luna turnedand just like that, trotted down the hall, swaying from side to side as she fought off sleep.
Terrance stared after her for a second or two, before turning back to the door. He contemplated what would be the best option at the moment, then chose the least hazardous one. Taking station at the opposite side of the hallway across the door, Terrance sat... and waited.
Terrance was starting to doze off by the time night came around, but just he was about to close his eyes, the sound of hooves on tile reached his ears. Looking up at the approaching individual, his eyes met with the one he had come for. Freezing in place, Celestia's eyes were wide as she realized who was sitting in front of her room.
But before Terrance could speak, she disappeared with an audible 'pop'. Before Terrance could utter any kind of expletive, he heard a similar 'pop' inside her bedroom. Getting up and rushing over the door, he gave small knocks on its surface.
"Celestia. Ah know ah just saw you. And ah heard ya go in there. Please, ah just wanna talk to you..."
Silence was all that returned to him. Exasperated, Terrance allowed his forehead to 'thud' against the thick wood of the door. A sigh escaped his lips as he leaned there, upset at himself. Then an idea came to him. Pulling back and putting a hand on the door, he tried his best to project his voice into the sealed room.
"Ahm gonna stay here, Celestia. Right here. Ah ain't movin' from this spot til ya talk to me... See if ah don't... What ah got to say... ah gotta say it to yer face fer it mean anythin'... So please... please talk to me..."
Still, only silence replied to him. Sighing once more, Terrance returned to his spot on the opposite end of the hall. Sitting heavily, he closed his eyes, and fell asleep.
Terrance stayed there all through the night. He slept quietly, and even the night guards did not remove him for the premise. Luna had ordered them not to. In the morning, Celestia did not leave her room, not even a 'pop' of a teleport came from her quarters. And so Terrance sat, unmoving, and waiting. Servants walked past, some looking at him, some not even caring, some accidentally kicking him, and still he did not move. His stomach growled, he did not heed it. His bladder groaned, he did not squirm. He merely breathed, and sat, and waited. Another night, more sleeping,more waiting.
The next day traveled the same route as the first. Celestia again did not leave her room either, however servants did bring her food, so Terrance knew she was there, and had not flown off. The day was long, and by the end of it, Terrance was quite parched. He still slept however, even it if he did toss and turn. The following day, Terrance's breath was shallow, and his eyes were refusing to stay open. He was hungry, thirsty, and his bathroom needs were getting unbearable. But still he remained, unmoving.
It was about midday when a servant came to Celestia's room, a tray of food in her telekinetic grip. As she approached the door, she noticed Terrance and almost cringed. His hair was scraggly and was now growing out from under his hat, and his facial hair was beginning to get longer too. He gave off a slight smell, and his eye movements were getting erratic. It couldn't be good for him to stay there much longer, ponies needed food and water at least once every two days, and here was, going on three days without either.
The maid, Kindred Spirit, entered the room, and shut the door quickly behind her. Approaching the bed, she laid the tray at the foot of the sheets, bowed, then turned to leave.
"Is he still there?"
The sudden question made the maid stop, and turn back to her Princess. Bowing once more, the maid gave a nod.
"Yes, Ma'am."
If Celestia was shocked, she didn't show it. Instead, she merely bowed her head.
"Miss..."
"Oh! Um, Kindred Spirit, ma'am."
"Miss Spirit, can I ask you to do something for me?"
Kindred nodded quickly. "Of course Your Highness, anything."
Leaving the room, Kindred ran down the hall and straight to the kitchens, stopping only to get a pitcher of water and a glass, she ran back to where Terrance was now slouching against the wall, barely able to keep himself up. She approached him carefully, slowly bringing the water near his face.
"Um... here..."
Terrance's gaze flicked to her for a second and she froze, frightened by the look he was giving. But the tense feeling soon disappeared as he reached up and stole the pitcher from her magical field, and then proceeded to guzzle the water down in great haste. He froze and coughed harshly, but soon returned to emptying the pitcher of its liquid remains. Finishing the container off, he handed it back to Kindred. She took it, wary of him still.
"...Thank you. Means a lot. No one else even asked..."
Setting the pitcher down, Kindred took a seat where she was, in an attempt to not smell him.
"It... actually wasn't from me... though I was thinking about it..."
Terrance looked up once more, but all he saw was Kindred looking at Celestia's door. Terrance followed her gaze, and suddenly understood. Moving a hand underneath himself to steady his ascent, Terrance began to shakily raise up from the floor. Kindred gave an "oh!", but otherwise did not move. Moving a little sloppily, Terrance managed to make it to the grand oak doors that were Celestia's. Leaning hard against it for support, but trying hard to not make a sound, Terrance leaned in close to the wooden doors. Listening hard, Terrance could hear the breathing of someone on the other side. Smiling, Terrance addressed them.
"Thank you... Celestia..."
A gasp came from the other side, and in a flurry of movement, the doors were swung open, sending Terrance flying onto his ass. There, standing in the hallway, was a very disheveled Celestia. Her eyes were bloodshot, and her hair wasn't even flowing, it merely hung limp along the sides of her neck. Kindred quickly got up and bowed, but Celestia paid her no attention. Her attention was solely on Terrance.
"You idiot! What did you think you were doing!? Killing yourself outside my bedroom! Do you know how worried I've been!? Get inside! Now! You need a bath and food!"
Without even waiting for a response, she pulled him inside with her magic and slammed the door, leaving Kindred bowing. Once inside, Celestia half-dragged half-floated Terrance into the adjoining bathroom and deposited him in the bathtub.
"Get clean! I'll not have you stinking up my room!"
And with this, she shut the door and left Terrance to fix himself up. He merely sat in the porcelain tub for a few seconds, trying to register what just happened, but just shook his head and stripped for a bath.
"Oh! And don't use my-"
Terrance's hand froze on the tub's handle, hot water already rushing out of the faucet. Turning his head, he saw that Celestia had reentered and was now frozen in place. She was simply staring at him, eyes wide on his naked body. Terrance himself began to blush.
"-designer shampoo... So... your kind doesn't have a sheath... that explains the clothes."
"Celestia! Ahm kinda naked here! Privacy!"
Her gazing was cut short as she shook her head fervently, a blush blossoming on her face. Without any further word, she shut the door once more with a slam. Blushing himself from her antics, Terrance drank some of the clean bathwater quickly, before lowering himself into the tub. Enjoying the temperature, he washed himself with proper scrubbing and rubbing... no need to smell or seem unkempt in front of royalty, is there? As he was finishing, a robe appeared on a nearby stool. Another "gift" from Celestia, he guessed. Putting it on, he noticed it actually fit perfectly to his form. As though it was meant for him or something. Shrugging, Terrance left the room, hair still dripping. What he saw almost put a stop to his heart. Celestia was curled up on her bed, wings tucked, head hanging low, with a teary look in her eye. All around her were Terrance's letters, a few of them still untouched, but most of them were unrolled and looking very read through.
"Did you just-"
"I'm sorry!" Celestia cut him off, tears beginning to stream down her face. "I didn't want to read them in case it was you telling me that you wanted to leave! Or die! Or anything that would have meant you were going to be gone! I was scared! I didn't want to lose you, even you had been cruel to me! I care about you too much for that! I'm sorry I threatened Spike and yelled at Twilight! I'm sorry for not responding to you sooner! I'm-"
The rest was cut off as Terrance crossed the room in a few quick strides, and pushed his lips against hers. As the two of them came into contact, Celestia's eyes grew wide, then fluttered closed. Her hooves came up and wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer, and he let her. Terrance was enjoying it. The moment, the kiss, the emotions swirling around in his head, all of it was coming together in a way he had not felt in a long time.
Happy.
Terrance was happy, truly happy... for the first time in years. After a few moments, he pulled back and looked at her. Both of them had tears in their eyes, though now for different reasons than before.
"Celestia... You. Are not. A horse."
Celestia blinked, surprised that he chose those words to say in their little moment.
"Um... thank you?"
"No, no..." Terrance responded, shaking his head. "Ya didn't hear me. You are not ah horse. You are more than that. Back when ah first came here, ah didn't know what to think. Intelligent animals, that what ah thought ya were. But livin' here has taught me a lot, and shown me a lot too. Now that ah know what ah know, ah can't look at ya'll and see critters no more. Ah see a wider view. All of ya opened mah eyes, Celestia. And now, lookin' at ya again through these new eyes o' mine... ah don't see a horse. All ah see now is what ah saw when ah first arrived here, right here. Ah look at you and ah see an angel. A beautiful being, whose very existence brightens up mah day. Celestia, ah don't regret comin' here to Equestria, and ah certainly don't regret meetin' you... Ahm sorry fer mah actions that night... can ya ever forgive me?"
Sparing no words, Celestia merely nodded rapidly and hugged him close. Terrance added his own arms to the hug and the two of them simply sat, holding each other. Then Terrance spoke.
"Celestia... will you be mah angel?"
And Celestia merely uttered the one word that needed to be said.
Six months is a long time. Especially when you count in the fact that you recently accepted the love of your new life into your heart. Those six months, coupled together with the fact that you married your love, your best friend and his girl (or mare) finally came out of hiding and tied the knot themselves, and when one of your other friends enters what everyone else called a "50 year nap", could be the most tiring you've had in a while.
Such was the way Terrance felt when he fell down onto his bed, the covers fluffing up and over him, covering his body almost completely. Entering the room behind him came the one he loved. An alabaster winged unicorn, or alicorn to be precise, with flowing rainbow hair and a wide smile on her face. Previously being a ranch hand, Terrance had come to terms with his placement in this new reality, and as such had come to enjoy having this wonderful creature as his "special somepony" as they called it here. It wasn't weird to him anymore, having a relationship with an equine-shaped individual. In fact, it made the more... physical aspects of the relationship more interesting.
"Tired, Mister Solare?" asked the mare of his dreams as she entered the room. Terrance smiled and patted the bed next to him. She smiled and entertained him, trotting over and flopping down, draping herself over him.
"Yes ah am, Missus Solare. Ah fergot how exhaustin' weddin's were. Ours wasn't nearly as bad."
Celestia giggled. "That's because ours was held in secret with only our closest friends and family. You know that the presses would have had a field day if they found out that a strange being married their Princess."
Terrance narrowed his eyes and put on a devilish smile. "So ahm a 'strange being', huh? That all ah am to ya?"
Celestia giggled, then leaned over and kissed him softly on the lips. They stayed like that for a few moments before pulling apart, smiling at each other.
"Is there anything you wanted, before we spend the day in each other's arms?" she asked, her smile still visible on her face. Terrance looked thoughtfully up at the ceiling, intrigued by the question. Disheartened by the amount of time before his answer, Celestia began to pout.
"Seriously, Terrance? I finally have you in bed again after three weeks and you want me to get up and actually get you something?"
"No, no..." Terrance said, shaking his head. "Ah don't want you to get up at all, ah want you right where ya are. Ah was just thinkin'... Ah kinda want mah own place. Ah mean, ah like the palace and all, very fancy, but it just ain't... me... ya know?"
Celestia nuzzled him and laid her head down on his chest. As much as she hated to admit it, he was right. His temperament and lifestyle just didn't match the "cushy-life" of the castle. He was one to go and chop his own firewood, instead he had maids lighting one with magic. He was the kind to make his own dishes, not have them prepared beforehand by castle chefs. The kind to make or take what he needed, not have it handed to him. And Celestia loved him all the more for it. She nodded against him.
"Yes... I understand. What do you say we talk more in the morning? Right now I have an itch you just need to scratch."
Terrance laughed softly, trailing a hand down her side.
"I must say, I never realized how big the interior of the castle was before. The rest of these are just... cramped in comparison..."
The unique couple had been wandering among the available houses in Ponyville for the past couple hours, with no luck on locating one that would actually fit the human. All the availabilities were crafted to pony standards. Not 6'5" human standards. Terrance was being forced to bend over almost every room they looked at, and by the end of the showings, his back was obviously sore.
Stretching himself out as they left the last house, Terrance managed to pop a couple vertebrae back into face, which resulted in Celestia making a face.
"Ow, sweetie, you know that even hearing that gives me the shivers. No normal pony can do that, and for good reason."
Terrance gave her a look. "You sayin' AJ ain't a normal pony? Ah hear that girl do it more than me!"
Celestia replied with a look of her own. "She's one of the bearers of the Elements of Harmony, none of them are normal ponies."
"Point taken," Terrance agreed with a nod. They began their way back down the street towards Twilight's house, deciding to drop in for a surprise visit. They always had a giggle when Twilight got all flustered at their sudden arrival, it was cute. As they turned the corner, however, they bumped into a familiar face.
"Oh, howdy Big Mac!"
And said stallion's new wife.
"And a howdy to you too, 'Missus Apple.'"
The candy-maned mare blushed slightly and shook her head. "Please, Terrance you know me, just BonBon will do."
Giving her a nod, Terrance focused his attention back on Mac. "What are y'all up to? No work on the farm today?"
"Actually, ah came by tah offer ya sumthin'" came the drawled reply from the crimson stallion.
"Hmm? Offer me? What?"
"A place tah stay, a house o' yer own."
Terrance simply stared for a moment or two, before he gave a small laugh.
"Mac, Ah've been all over Sweet Apple Acres. If there was a building, ah'd have asked about it already."
Big Mac shook his head. "Ya never been in the old fields then. Just south of the west fields is the old barn we used to run. When our fields expanded, we ended up havin' to move our house too. That barn's still there, and it's still kickin'. Apple Family craftsponyship ain't nothing to shake a stick at. Ahm sure you could fix it up as a house almost good as new iffin ya put yer back into it."
Terrance gave him a look of surprise, genuinely shocked that there was such a building out there. Turning to his mare, Terrance gave her a smile.
"Well? Want to come see with me?"
Celestia nuzzled him and gave a small giggle. "Of course, I have all day. Court was cancelled for me."
Returning the nuzzle, Terrance turned to Big Mac and gave him a nod. "Alrighty then, let's go."
The trip was short, surprisingly enough, as the road to the older fields was just beyond the western ones. The actual plot of land however, did need some work as Mac had warned. The trees nearby looked a little sickly, the walls were old and the paint was peeling. A quick look at the insides showed some small issues here and there, but nothing too serious thankfully. All in all Mac had kept his word that the old building still functioned, and if Terrance did indeed put some work in, the building would be refurbished to its younger state, and would house Terrance just fine.
"Well Mac, Ah must say that this is mighty enticin' fer me. What would yer offer be?"
Mac shook his head and smiled at BonBon. "Nnope. Free. We all agreed. Yer an Apple, Terrance. Whether ya like it or not, we're family now."
Terrance was taken slightly aback at that. Sure he had considered them like family for a while now, but to hear that they had actually accepted him into it, it meant a whole new thing entirely. A warm smile spread across his face as he soaked in this news. Not only was he getting a new house for free, but his blood brother was now his actual brother. The day could only get better if-
"Well, Brother. Wanna help me fix this beautiful ol' barn up?"
Mac smiled at the word 'brother' and gave Terrance a smile and a nod. "Eeyup, sure thing... brother. Jus' lemme go grab a few things and ah'll meet ya back here, with some help."
The two ponies ran off towards the Apple house, and Terrance turned to Celestia.
"Whatcha think?" he asked, looping an arm around her neck. She leaned against him, draping a wing of her own around his shoulders.
"I think it's perfect."
They stood together, waiting for Mac and the tools, until Terrance noticed the cans of paint stacked on the side of the shed. He took a second glance at them, and got a crazy idea.
"Hey... Celestia?"
A nuzzle accompanied the reply. "Yes? My little human?"
"See those cans of paint, over there?" he asked, pointing.
"Yes I see them, what about them?"
"Wanna... start early?"
Celestia gave Terrance a startled look. "But we have no brushes... we would get paint all over ourselves!"
Terrance looked back at her with a sly grin. "Maybe ah wanna take a shower with ya later...?"
He jumped a little when she batted with her wing, a fierce blush erupting over her face.
"Terrance! How could you say such a thing in public! Someone might hear you!"
Terrance only sidled in closer. "Maybe ah want em to hear us. Then someone would know how dirty their Princess is..." At his continued advancing, her resolve weakened, until he was breathing on her neck, and her own breaths were shallow and heated.
"Maybe ah wanna take you right here... right now..." At this point she was whimpering, and her face was radiating heat with her blush, eyes fluttering closed as his lips approached her fur...
Until he was caught off guard with a sudden cascade of paint being poured over his head. The culprit was one smug looking Princess, who only grinned at him, eyes twinkling with mischievousness.
She leaned in and simply muttered: "Gotcha~"
Terrance calmly reached up, wiped the coat of paint off his mouth, and muttered three words.
Applejack had seen a lot of things. Celestia knows the sort of things she's walked in on the Cutie Mark Crusaders trying to pull off, let alone anyone else. But this was a definite first for her. Before her lay Princess Celestia, covered in red paint, and, currently tangled in a sea of limbs, was an equally coated Terrance. Yep, this was a first for her, and she hoped not to see it again.
"But- But-"
"No 'but's! Ah can't believe ya'll made a mess with the paint! That's three cans ya wasted! What are ya, foals?" Applejack trudged up and knocked Terrance on the head with a hoof, making him let go of Celestia and grasp his head in pain. Pony hooves hurt when they connect with your skull.
"Now ah gotta go get more! An yer payin' fer it!"
Rubbing his head, Terrance gave her a solemn look. "Ahm sorry, AJ. Should've found a better way tah get dirty with mah mare..."
Blush aside, Applejack nodded her head. "Yes, ya should'ave!"
Looking around at the mess he and Celestia had made, a question formed in Terrance's mind. "Uh, AJ?"
"What?" came the strained reply.
"Is this here paint washable? Or am ah gonna have red skin fer a while?"
Shaking her head, Applejack calmed Terrance's fears. "Nah. This here paint's enchanted to not dry on skin or hair. Or so Twi' says... Speak of the Devil, here she comes!"
Looking over his shoulder in the direction Applejack was facing, Terrance caught a glimpse of a small multitude of ponies coming their way. In the lead was Rainbow Dash (obviously), and following behind her were all the others: Twilight, Rarity and her sister Sweetie Belle, Pinkie Pie (towing behind her was her party cannon and what looked like a wagon overflowing with red burritos), Fluttershy (who was wearing a large sun hat), BonBon's roommate and best friend Lyra, and pulling up the tail-end was Fix-It, who was giving a piggyback ride to very cheerful Applebloom.
They all crowded around the couple, intrigued to say the least. It wasn't everyday you saw your Princess and her stallion (husband, human, lover, whatever) covered in paint, now was it? And after a few laughs, the two were hosed off (much to Rarity's chagrin, as she expressed the need to bath properly), and Applejack left to go buy some new paint. While waiting for the orange mare, Pinkie thought it best to show off her new invention, a cherry filled and flavored pastry.
"And... what did you call it again?" asked a concerned Twilight, as she eyed the thing in her hoof.
"It's a Chimicherrichangarrito! It's suuuuuper yummy, you guys have to try one!"
Almost as if it was orchestrated by some cruel god, everyone leaned forward at the same time and took bites of their own 'Chimicherrichangarrito'. The effect was instantaneous, as the group spat was in their mouth all over the ground, and began scraping their tongues in an attempt to get the taste off. Pinkie, however, was unfazed by the act and even seemed to smile a little wider.
"Do you guys not like it?"
Turning to Pinkie, Terrance scraped his tongue one last time and glared at her.
"Pinkie... what's in these things...?"
Pinkie scratched her chin, looking thoughtful as she ticked off the ingredients out loud. "Cherries, tortillas, cherries, sugar, cherries, vanilla, cherries, some honey, and some cherries. Why?"
"Too sweet Pinkie... too sweet..."
Pinkie's face broke out in a toothy grin. "Silly! There's no such thing as too sweet!" And with this exclamation, Pinkie proceeded to flip several of the beastly concoctions off the wagon and into her mouth. Chewing for a second, she swallowed and then sighed in what could only be called a state of 'Pinkie Bliss'.
Allowing the rest of the 'Cherry-burritos' to be devoured by the pink menace, the others simply waited for Applejack to return, and upon her arrival they all began to fix up the old barn. Terrance and Mac were the heavy lifters, along with Twilight who was using her magic. The build went steadily, repairing some fixtures, replacing others that were beyond fixing. About halfway through the repairs, Pinkie went missing, only to return with her christened 'Party Cannon'.
"For later," was the only reply they got from her. And still the building continued. Boards got replaced, paint was used, laughs were had, and the old barn was looking better and better.
The group project went well into the night, and the friends lit a campfire out front of the barn for heat and light. Around 9 o'clock at night, they finished... and it was beautiful. All the forward hanging eaves had been ripped out and replaced with fresh posts, all the siding to it had been replaced and painted a lovely shade of red. A new door had been installed, as were new windows, several new walls, fixtures and rails, and to finish it off they added a porch after the backdoor that gave them a great view of the sunset (courtesy of Celestia). The group was exhausted, the house was finished, and everyone felt no small amount of accomplishment.
After a short rest wherein everyone regained their breath, a familiar sound graced their ears.
The creaking of the wheels on Pinkie's Party Cannontm.
"Now that we're done, we need to have a 'Finished Terrance's House So Now Let's Shake Our Groovy Hooves Because He Didn't Get One In The First Place' PARTY~!" she shouted, kicking the cannon and forcing it to spew out an arrangement of tables, chairs, punch bowls, food, streamers, and balloons all over the yard.
"How... specific," Twilight murmured.
The party picked up quite quickly, and soon ponies were dancing to music, eating some proper food, and enjoying the punch. Having a sudden idea, Terrance left the party and walked to Applejack's house, taking care to look up and enjoy the night Luna had summoned in her full glory. The stars were bright and easy to pick out, and the moon was a giant pool of light that spread from the ephemeral heavens, lighting his path. Finding AJ's house quickly, he ducked inside, located the cabinet that held his guitar, and left again before he made too much noise and woke up Granny.
As he made his way back to the party, a shadow kept darting back and forth between the trees, following the trail ahead of him. Catching up to it, Terrance recognized the familiar shape of Princess Luna.
"Howdy, Princess. Out fer a stroll are ya?" Luna jumped at his sudden appearance, and shot a glare at him.
"You scared me..."
"Should've been more aware then... If ah can catch up to ya and jump ya, ya'll need more practice."
Giving a huff, Luna tossed her mane over her shoulder, a small blush decorating her cheeks. Noticing her reddish hue, Terrance gave her a curious look.
"Ya'll okay?"
Luna gave a quick nod, then a shake, then another nod. Terrance raised an eybrow.
"Not sure?" Another nod.
"Wanna come join the party and hear the song ah got fer Celestia?" Luna nodded feverishly.
"Oh yes, please!"
Leading the way back, Terrance entered the clearing, Luna close behind him.
"Princess Luna!" came Twilight's excited cry, who ran up and hugged the Night Pony. Celestia joined in the hug, happy to see her sister.
"Lulu! What are you doing here? No Night Court?"
Luna shook her head. "No, I cancelled it in lieu of the party that Miss Pie told me about. Also, Terrance mentioned a song for you, sister. And as I missed his last one, I simply could not pass this opportunity up."
"Pinkie told you about a party that we just started?"
"You didn't hear his last song? It was so cool!"
"A song for me, Terrance?"
The questions were quick, but Terrance only answered the one he cared about.
"Yeah, Celly. Ah was thinkin' of singin' it fer ya tonight, considerin' that mah house is done and all..."
At the whole groups insistence, Terrance laughed, agreed, and sat down on a stump, tuning his guitar.
Giving the strings a couple strums,he looked out at all his friends who were sitting in a crescent shape around him.
Like kids an' their camp counselor. he giggled to himself. Meeting eyes with Celestia, he gave her a wink. Her face instantly flushed lightly.
"This song also ain't mine, but ah couldn't think of a better one for ya Celestia. For us. Song's called 'Cowboys an' Angels'. Hope ya'll like it."
"There's a want and there's a need
There's a history between
Girls like her and guys like me
Cowboys and angels
Staring at Celestia, he could only smile at her, and her at him.
I've got boots and she's got wings
I'm hell on wheels and she's heavenly
I'd die for her and she lives for me
Cowboys and angels
At this, Celestia gave him a sad sort of smile, but he merely shook his head and mouthed: 'I love you'
We ride side by side
A cloud of dust, a ray of light
My touch is her temptation, her kiss is my salvation
She's sweet, I'm wild, we're dangerous
Cowboys and angels
Terrance gave a flirtatious wink at Celestia, inciting wolf whistles and a couple laughs. Celestia,on her part, flushed an even deeper hue of crimson.
Not sure why her path crossed mine
Accident or grand design
Aw, maybe God just kind of likes
Cowboys and angels
We ride side by side
A cloud of dust, a ray of light
My touch is her temptation, her kiss is my salvation
She's sweet, I'm wild, we're dangerous
Cowboys and angels
There's a want and there's a need
There's a history between
Girls like you and guys like me
Cowboys and angels
Cowboys and angels"
Leaning forwards, Terrance planted a kiss on her cheek, whispering "I love you."
"I love you too," came her whispered reply. The others cheered for him for another song well done, and sooner than later the party picked back up and the others were all enjoying themselves once more.
Terrance merely sat on his stump, leaning back and taking in the whole scene. Applejack, Big Mac, and Applebloom... three out of the four ponies that had offered him a home when was new to their world. Rainbow Dash, the one pony who had been impressed with him from the start, and had never doubted him. Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie, the two mares that were capable of cheering him up, no matter his current mood at the time. Twilight, Fix-It, BonBon, and Lyra... Terrance owed them a lot for befriending him when the other ponies still stared at him awkwardly. Luna, his sister-in-law and another of his closest friends. Though she had regarded him with caution when he had first arrived, she had soon warmed up to the human, and the two of them now carried conversations easily, no more oddness between them... usually.
And finally there was Celestia. That mare meant more to him than all the others combined, though he'd never say that out loud. Too heartless. In effect though, to him she was an angel, though she still denied it to that day. She was his guiding light, his savior, his salvation. She gave him companionship when she didn't have to. She gave him permission to stay among her subjects, when she didn't have to. She gave him her heart, when she definitely didn't have to. She had given him so much, and he was going to spend the rest of his life proving that to her. He was her cowboy, and she was his angel.
Chuckling a little to himself, Terrance looked out amongst his friends. His family. His wife.
