>It's weird traveling between worlds. It's one of those things I never imagined doing.
>It's like when you're little and you see an older pony with braces, and you think you'll never get them yourself. 
>But then suddenly you're thirteen and wearing them and it's somehow normal.
>You know what I mean?
>Now I'm getting off a train at the portal dock to earth.
>Perfectly normal. A lot of ponies do it all the time.

>I got a letter from a friend last week. 
>I haven't seen her since she moved to earth with her family.
>We were both just fillies back then.
>We used to write all the time and always said we'd be best friends forever.
>I guess I forgot to keep writing. I hadn't heard from her in so long.
>She heard about the us losing the shop and offered me a place to stay.
>It was that or try out for the town weather team. 
>Dad always said I was too delicate for cloud kicking.
>Too soft.
>Maybe...

>I just saw my first human in real life while waiting in line for boarding.
>He—I think it's a he, can't tell with humans—he's punching everypony's tickets and checking their passports.
>So much clothes... They really do wear a lot of them.
>A lot of these ponies are wearing clothes too. Weird.
>You know how everypony talks about how cool it is watching them use their hands? 
>The way they say it you think you'd have to stop from staring. I don't get it.
>It's neat I guess, but their faces are weirder. This human's nose is, it's so big and flat.
>And those eyes, so tiny and beady looking. He's kinda funny looking.
>All the humans in the pictures I've seen looked much prettier.
>Oh gosh I'm staring and he just noticed!

>I duck behind the tall Stallion in front of me.
>Oh gosh, he's next in line! I'm after him.
>Calm down Pillow, nopony's going to eat you. No matter what Granny says about humans.
>Just be polite and show the nice stal—Man your ticket.
>I dig through my smaller saddlebag for it. 
>Ah, there it is! Tucked into my passport book.
>"Tickets and passport miss." A bored voice asks.
>Oh gosh! I'm holding up the line. 
"Em forry" I said holding up my passport in my teeth.
>Why does is that making him smile?
>Oh gosh he just grabbed it with his hands! Eww! No way I'm putting it in my mouth again now.
>"Here you are miss."
"Thank you.
>I'll just hook it in my hoof and slip if back in my bag. There we go.
>"Platform 4, welcome to earth."
"Umm, thank you."
>Looking back I can see the ponies behind me passing him their passports. 
>Not even the earth ponies are using their teeth.
>Oh...
>Oh gosh, there was a human just four places behind me in line! And another!
>I think that ones a Woman, she's pretty.

>Platform 4, right. There it is! 'Platform 4: Chicago, Illinois, USA'.
>There are too many places on Earth. I wonder if this city's close to London.
>I read a book about that place once. It sounded neat.
>Oh well, this is where Strawberry Jam said she lived. She said it was nice enough.
>Weird. This platform is really crowded. 
>I guess a lot of ponies do commute. 
>Dad always said he felt like work and home life were different worlds but I don't think he meant this, it's just weird.
>Oh no! they're boarding already! "Wait!"
>"No rush miss," A unicorn by the gateway says. "You have five more minutes before we close the gate again. Ticket?"
"Oh yes sorry" I hoof him my ticket, he takes it with his magic, punches it, and passes it back. I tuck it under my wing.
>"Here you are, make sure to keep your passport on hoof for immigration. Just follow the green line after you pass through."
>The gateway starts glowing and sparkling. It remind me of a unicorn's horn lighting up but more sparkly and swirly.
>It's so crowded. Hey, stop pushing!
>Oh no, I'm getting close to the gate. Everypony is just disappearing inside. 
>I once saw a unicorn teleport but this is just creepy. It's the same but, like, in slow motion or something.
>Come on, you can do this, just a hop, skip, and a jump. You're going to hold everpony up if you stop.
>...Or they'll just push you. Oh no I'm not ready! I don't want to go to Earth yet!
"No, please, Waaaiii—"
>...
>Oh, I'm through already.

>Humans! Everywhere! Aaaauugghh!
>They're gonna eeeeeat meeee!
>"Welcome to America miss."
>AAUGHHHH! 
"Oh, um, thank you." 
>AAAAAUUGGHHH!!
>No! Calm down Pillow! Nopony's going to eat you. No human. Whatever.
>Just relax. There's no going back anyway, that portal was way creepy.

>This place is big! I bet this is the biggest building in the whole city. 
>It's definitely bigger than any build I've been in. 
>There are just as many ponies here as there are humans. 
>Oh, 'this way to immigration', and there's the green line. So helpful.

>Immigration wasn't so bad. There was actually a pony working in one of the lines.
>I wonder if he commutes too.
>It was real boring though. It took me almost an hour just to get my turn.
>Everything checked out though,
>I already got all the paperwork and stuff done a month ago.

>Strawberry said to wait at this place afterwards because it's right outside.
>It's good because there's no way I'd see her with all these po-people around.
>It's a nice little restaurant. They opened a few of them in Equestria. 
>I went to the one in Manehattan when visiting granny. 
>They had those awesome tofu patty sandwich things. 
>They come in little buns with ketchup and mustard, cheese, and pickles and all that.
>They also come with a soda and either hay fries or those potato fries that are really good.
>I got in line to get some food. Strawberry sent me some human money to use.
>Weird, I thought they were all the same, but this one only has one type of soy burger. All the others are...

>Oh. OH! Oh..
>I bought a sandwich anyway. I could smell the... other things cooking.
>I'll just try to eat and ignore the smells.
>Except the smell of fries. Those smell reeeeeal good.
>Not many ponies like them, mom said they were too greasy for her.

>Why do humans use weird green paper as money?
>I guess not just anypony could copy the designs on them.
>I pick up the tray in my teeth and find a table to sit at.
>The chairs and tables are all so high up.
>Humans always make things too tall. 
>They just like to pretend they're bigger because they stand on their hind legs.
>Freakishly long hind legs...
>I'm pretty sure that's cheating. If I stood on my back hooves... 
>I'd still be shorter than that human at the counter.
>I'm not a good example though, I'm the smallest in my family even.
>Second born with four brothers and they're all bigger than me. Mom is too, even though she's also a pegasus.

>These chairs are hard to sit in. I should have picked one of those booths. I can barely fit here on my haunches.
>I'm munching on the fries and trying to unwrap the sandwich with my mind. 
>Why would they seal the paper with a sticker? It's sort of hard to open with hooves guys!
>You and your silly hats and polo shirts.
>"Pillow! Squeeee!!"
>Wow! Strawberry's changed a lot! 
"Stawberry!"
>I stumble off the funny human chair just as she gets to me, dodging around the humans and occasional pony in her way.
"Oh wow, it's really you!"
>She pulls me into a hug, I hug her back. 
>It's weird seeing her now, she had her red mane styled and cut weird. It's combed over her head more. 
>I haven't seen her since before she got her cutie mark but I still can't see it under the dress she's wearing.
>Did all ponies here wear so much clothes or was it just really cold outside? I hope not. I've heard what Earth weather was like.

>Seeing Strawberry again just made everything so much more surreal.
“It’s good to see you too Berry.”
>She stepped back and looked me over.
>“Oh, Casey, you’re still the same as I remember, just a little taller. And I totally love your cutie mark! I totally laughed when you told me what it was but it suits you so well!”
>She wasn’t the first to laugh at it...
>I glance at her fabric covered flank trying to remember what exactly she had said hers was. It was some sort of cup glass with a strawberry or something. 
>I’m don’t know.
“Yeah well... Yeah.”
>It seems like more people were coming through the station.
>Everywhere I look there were tall humans striding around with a few ponies mixed in the crowd. The humans towered over them enough though that there could have been more.
>“Are you ok PC?” She glances around at crowd behind her. “Oh I know what you’re feeling. I know right? Humans everywhere! Almost everypony feels intimidated their first time on Earth. You get used to it.”
“You’re right, at least I’m not some poor little filly moving here with her parents before I got my cutie mark. Tragic!”
>“Oh, if you think that sounds bad,” She says giggling. “try imaging my first day of school! At least on the trip over I had my parents around to hide behind. There were a few other ponies in my school but not in my grade. It took me forever to get used used to the clothes too.”
“Clothes? Oh, yeah, you mentioned that.”

>She did mention it, in her first letter forever ago. I figured it was a school uniform or something. I remember writing to ask if they were human clothes or pony clothes.
>“I did? Wow, I don’t even remember. Yeah, I had never even had a formal dress before and suddenly I’m always wearing something.”
>Really? 
“Even outside of school?”
>“Oh yes, my parents insisted I even wear more at home just to get used to it. And no, it’s not the weather. Honestly all my relatives make that joke when they visit, but they’re always coming in the fall so they think it’s always cold here. It took me forever to explain to my aunt that the seasons change on their own.”
>My wings twitched just thinking about that. 
“I’ll never get how humans stand not controlling the weather, it’s so wild.”
>“Usually by rolling up the windows and ignoring it. After a while here you’ll forget what a reliable weather forecast is like. You just put on a raincoat if it’s bad enough.”

“Wait, but I thought you said it wasn’t because of the weather?”
>“Oh no, I mean, not always. Sometimes it is but that’s not the real reason.”
>I think I could guess. Humans seemed to have a thing for clothes. No that’s not it, I read about it before.
>It’s because they don’t have fur so it has to be really hot out for them to be comfortable without anything on, 
>but they’re so used to wearing clothes they have all sorts of taboos against not wearing them in public. 
>I guess if you hang around humans long enough they’ll get angry and get mad at you until you start wearing something.
>“It’s just hard to be taken seriously on Earth without clothes.”
>Wait, hold on...
>“People here don’t mind ponies not wearing anything, or at least they’ll say they don’t. But trust me, it’s usually only tourists that go around naked. If you dress like you’re used to wearing clothes it’s much easier fitting in.”
“Oh.”
>I’m not sure if that’s right but I’m also not sure no humans going to eat me, so I’ll just take her word for that.

>She was right though. I think I was the only pony to step through that gateway without so much as a hat or a scarf. 
>No wonder everypony was staring at me then. I must have stood out like wings on a unicorn.
>Now that I think of it, no one stared at Strawberry like they did me. Somehow she just blended into the crowd of humans. 
>Oh Celestia! Which bag did I pack my sweater in! Did I even bring it? I feel like I’m walking around without fur.
>“PC, you ok?”
>No I’m not ok Strawberry! 
>My voice is a slight and urgent whisper, 
“I’m not wearing anything, Jam! Everypony is staring at me!”
>Hey stop laughing!
>She kneels down a little to hide her laughing fit. “We-w... heehee, w-hahaha” She takes a deep breath before spitting it out, “Welcome to earth Pillow.”
> I don’t get it.
“I don’t get it.”
>“Oh you will soon enough. Now don’t worry, I told you no one will really mind. And I’d hate to see you cover up that adorable little pillow on your flank.”
>There was a weird noise coming from a small purse she had hanging over her back. I hadn't noticed it there with the dress.
>It sounded like a swarm of bees trying to sting their way out, and I swear I saw the bag move too!
>“Hold on, let me get this”
>Sitting on her haunches, she reaches her hoof into the bag and slides out a weird little black book hooked in her hoof. 
>No, wait. it’s not a book. It’s hard, made of rubber and plastic, humans make everything out of plastic.
>The front of it has a glass screen with a bunch of glowing words and shapes. She taps one of the words with the other hoof and holds it to her ear.

>“Hello?”
“Hello?” 
>Strawberry flashes me a look like I did something silly.
>Oh wait. Is that modern human tech? Like the things rich ponies in the cities like to buy? 
>The only human tech I ever got to see was supposedly outdated, like the computer dad bought. 
>It was all really expensive too, something about their more complicated technology not working well around Equestria’s high magic levels.
>They have to be specially made I think, which means they’re not as good as the stuff they make on Earth, usually years behind.
>Usually they just take their older devices and remake them to work in Equestria.
>It cost a lot of bits to get anything as good as what they had on Earth but even in a town like ours it popped up.
>Dad’s computer was a lot of fun, even if it was supposedly years behind Earth computers. How much could they change in fifteen years anyway?
>I wonder if Strawberry has a computer. She probably does.
>I bet she has games too. If she does, I hope she has Frogger.
>“No Michael, I’m picking her up now.”
>Michael? That’s a human name right? 
>“No, don’t worry, Em is picking us up at the station.
>Hold on, is that a telephone? Where’s the cable then?
>“Yeah I know.” Pause. “I know, we’re just going to drop by and then head out to show PC some of the sights.” 
>I can hear a voice coming from the device but can’t make out what it’s saying.
>“No not downtown, we’re already downtown

>“That’s very rude Michael.” Her voice is stern and her she starts frowning. “No... No, It’s a slur! I don’t care if Star uses it all the time, it’s still a slur.” her smile starts to come back after a pause. “It’s alright, just don’t use it again please. Uhuh... no. We’ll be out late... Ok, just as long as it’s not at our place, I just cleaned up... You too, have fun with the guys. by... No it’s fine... I said it’s fine! Goodbye Michael!” Her hoof hits the glowing screen on her ‘phone’ thing.
“So what is that?” 
>“That was Micha-”
“No not who, what.” I point a hoof at the black device she’s slipping into her bag.
>“You’ve never seen a smartphone before?”
“No, only regular telephones. You know what it’s like back home”
>“I keep forgetting how behind Fetluck is. I thought they’d at least have cell phones by now. Wow. Well deary, it’s sort of like a really small and compact computer that also makes phone calls.”
>She gives me a worried look.
>You do know what a computer is right?”
>Hey! 
“Of course. Dad bought one ages ago. I use it all the time.”

>From the look on her face that answer wasn't impressive enough.
>"Did you at least get internet?"
"That's where you plug in the phone line and other ponies can see what's on your computer right?"
>That wasn't the right answer. I've only ever seen anypony smile like that to foals who've said something... foalish.
>I probably shouldn't tell her that I taught myself C++. I bet Nopony even uses that anymore. Oh ponyfeathers.
>She's still giving me that "You're such a silly little filly" look. Oh come on! I get enough of that at home!
"So that smart phone... Does it have any games?"
>She rolls her eyes and laughs, "Yes. Yes it does. But we'll have time for that later, we've got a train to catch."
"Oh. Okay." 
>We start walking towards the crowd. I try not to get nervous from all the humans surrounding us.
>That reminds me... 
"So is 'My-kell' a human friend of yours?"
>"You could say that, yes. He's human and a kind of friend."
>Strawberry and her silly recursive speak, she still hasn't changed. 
"Oh? What kind of friend is that?"
>"He's my boyfriend."
>A what now? 
"Oh. Wait..."
>"It's the human version of a coltfirend Casey."
>Oh. That makes sen- 
"WAIT, WHAT?!"

>We make it to the part of the underground building place, whatever, that has the trains in it.
>I've read about the underground human trains before. They're supposed to be smaller than normal trains and for getting around huge cities.
>They sound much more fun than the street cars in Manehattan.
>No, not now, stop getting distracted Pillow, we got a crisis here. Berry is dating a bipedal carnivore. What the hay. 

“You have a special somepony. And he isn't even a pony."
>Is that even legal?! 
“I... How does that even work?”
>“It works very well. Really he’s a nice guy, and plenty of pony/human couples work just fine. Most states even let them get married. Even this one.”
“Yeah but... with a human?” That last syllable was a squeak and my voice lowers to a whisper. 
“I just don’t get how anypony could like humans 'that' way. What is it you even like about them?”
>Strawberry sighs. 
>"Look, PC. I've lived here most of my life now, ok? Here, ponies are the minority. Most of my friends have been human. That's why I loved getting letters from you so much for a while you were the only pony friend a had. It's not as weird as people make it out to be. We're just two 'people' who are very happy together."

>She stopped and stared ahead of her and her voice became softer than mine.
>"Also their skin so so smooth..."
>Ewww! No, you're giving me creepy, bad-gross thoughts Strawberry! Ergh. 
>Great, now I've got the mental image of Strawberry nuzzling a human.
> ...Her hoof running across his long bare legs.
>His hand combing her mane, blunt claws scratching her back softly. 
>Her presses his big nose against her snout, beady eyes staring gently into hers as he tickles her ears...
>EEEEEEEEWWWWWwwwww!!! Nononononononono! Stop! Stop thinking! Thinking about... cats now. Cute fluffy kittens. They're chasing some string.
>...
>...
>...The little tabby has a bow in her hair. Awwww...
>...
>Strawberry looks over at me. I must have had a weird and conflicting look on my face because hers turns to a frown.
>I don't want to push her on this. She's sort of right I guess, on some things, and I really don't know anything about humans do I?

>I'm such a doormat.
>"You're a silly little filly Casey but don't beat yourself up. My parents reacted worse to my first human boyfriend. And his flipped out when he told them. This is your first time on earth and dealing with humans and you haven't said one racist thing yet. You're already lightyears ahead almost anybody else."
>Lightyears measures time not distance. No, wait, that still makes sense I guess.
>"Ok, you've only ever seen those old Equestria railways right? Not even the new electric rails?"
"Um, yeah. Also the streetcars in Manehattan."
>"Right, well check this out then!"
>She leads me to the right and into a different long hallway, except it's not a hallway. 
>It's a street with big metal buildings on either side.
>Wait...
>Sweet Celestia, those aren't buildings! They're trains! I thought these were supposed to be smaller trains. They're way to tall.
>I guess they're not much bigger than the one I took this morning, relative to human I that is.
>They're just so shiny...
>She's eating up my reaction, sitting there smirking at me. Yeah, yeah. Make fun of the country pony in the city.
"So..." 
>My voice doesn't want to come out. I think part of me is still in awe. 
>"So, which one's ours?"
>"This one right here. It shoots straight out to Cumberland and then my friend Emily is picking us up from there."
"Also human..?"
>"Yes. She is. I've known we were roommates in college."

"You went to college?"
>"For two years, yes. Emily started at a different school though, she's working on a bachelors."
>Wow. I guess it's easier if you're already in the city. I wasn't nearly a good enough flyer for a scholarship in Cloudsdale Academy like mom.
>Oh and we're boarding now. Ok. 
>The automatic doors are scary. The way they just hiss open like that. What's to stop them clamping down on somepony's tail when they're too close?
>It's too crowded in this train. I guess it's easier if you're human. You take up all your space vertically. 
>They stand so tall and straight.
>I saw a bunch standing in line for tickets further behind us. I wonder if you pushed one of them would they fall like dominoes?
>I'm giggling now. Strawberry is rolling her eyes.
>I'm like a little filly getting all silly on a train.
>Eww these seats are dirty. And old looking.
>Maybe that's the real reason ponies wear clothes here. 
>Then again, Manehattan's streets weren't the cleanest either.

"Woah!" 
>We're moving. That was sudden. Wow, we're gaining speed so fast.
>Now Strawberry is giggling at me.
>"Just wait. You're about to see the best part in a little bit."
>Alright fine. 
>Wow there are a lot of humans in here. They can pack so many into such a small space. 
>Are those other ponies there? 
>Awww a unicorn filly and with her mom. She has such a cute little dress.
>"Pillow Case! You're missing the it!"
"Missing what?"
>"The city you silly filly. I let you have the window seat for reason."
>Oh wow! I didn't even notice we were above ground already! 
>You can see forever here. Back home was flat too but it was all fields. It's like they're growing buildings here.
>"That direction PC, the way we came from."
"Yeah I know-OMIGOSH! THEY'RE HUGE! HOW ARE THOSE BUILDINGS SO HUGE?!"
>It's like if you took the tallest building in Manehattan and stood it next to these buildings
>It'd be like standing a little pegasus like me next to a tall human.
"Stop laughing Strawberry! Those are a lot of buildings!"
>"Hee hee. Silly little country pony... I'll never get tired of that reaction."

---

>“No it’s not working. Try it without the hat.”
>“I think the hat looks cute, don’t listen to her Casey, keep it on.
>I don’t like this dress either way. The hat isn't even a factor.
>It’s like, why are all the prettiest clothes so uncomfortable? 
>Humans had a lot of clothes and wore them all the time, they couldn't all be this bad.
“I like the hat but not the dress. Can I just have the hat?”
>“If you want to be taken seriously in this world hon you need to at least be comfortable wearing casual clothes.”
>That’s the problem Strawberry.
>I pull off the dress and they both cringe a little.
>Why are humans so weird? And yes, Berry counts as a human in this case.
>It’s not like I was wearing anything before, but they insist on making me go into that little closet room to change.
>“Not entirely sure on your philosophy Jam,” Strawberry’s human friend says, “but I can’t argue with clothes shopping. So I’ll just pretend I agree.”
>I look at the hooded jacket the human girl is wearing.
>That seems much more comfortable.
“Do they make anything like that in pony sizes?” I gesture with my hoof.
>“Sure,” Emily says, “I think they’re over this way”
>She leads us through the maze of clothes, further from where they kept the dresses Strawberry liked.

>I see more comfortable looking human clothes here.
>She finds a rack with the magenta “Mares” sign that was common in distinguishing pony clothes here.
>Strawberry had told me that some stores had the pony clothes all in one section but that usually meant they didn't have very much of it. 
>It should be easier though. If we didn't have a tall human with us to see over the racks I don’t know how we’d find anything.
>At least the pony clothes racks weren't so tall, but that was mostly because the clothes on them were smaller anyway.
“Ooh! I love the colors on this sweater.” 
>It’s so very blue. I knew a pony that was this color once. He was nice.
>But I never met a pony who was this soft before. 
>How did they make the cotton here so fluffy? I could just rub my face in it all day.
>“PC, stop rubbing your face on all the clothes!”
“But it’s sooooo soft Strawberry.”
>“Oh, so that’s what the cutie mark is for.” Emily says. 
>I blush with embarrassment and stop. But now I feel wrong. It was so soft! I need to wear it!
>“No you don’t want that one,” Strawberry says as I hook my roof around the hanger.
“Why not?”
“Because it’s way too big for you, and it doesn't have wing holes.”
>“I always think it’s weird how they organize some of the racks.” Emily muses, rummaging through the clothes higher up. She stands on the tips of her shoes to reach and pulls something down. “Have you ever noticed it Jam? Whenever they get the chance they put the pegasus stuff on the higher shelves.”

“Yeah, it’s not like we can fly up there with their ‘no flying in the store’ signs all over the place.”
>Seriously, those signs were getting annoying. And apparently there were altitude limits too depending on where you lived.
>So I wouldn't get to fly around those buildings tall buildings without a permit or something, and you needed to live here to get them.
>Though Emily said there’s less human sky traffic in a lot of places now anyway with pegasus powered carriages and stuff becoming popular. 
>Which is sad because I wanted to see a helicopter. They sound really cool. Even with the spinning blades of death.
>But apparently getting a job as a pegasus on Earth is easier than for unicorns even.
>Even with most of the weather being ‘untameable’.
>It was all about being able to deliver small amounts of stuff faster and more direct than other human transport 
>And without using gasoline or anything like most cars did.
>I don’t think I could ever do that though. I’m too small for a one pony cart and I’m always the weak link on the team pulls.
>I’d hate to be a delivery mare but I don’t know what else I could do here.
>I was asking Emily and Berry about it on the way over. Emily seemed to know more somehow. 
>I think she mentioned some pegasus friend of hers. I hope she didn't mean coltfirend...
>Except I’m not judgmental! Stop being judgmental Pillow Case! You’re a terrible friend!
>Ponies can be with whoever they want! You've been alone since graduation. Stop judging others!
>Oh Celestia I've been alone since graduation...

>“Try this one on Casey. It looks about your size. A ‘pXS’?”
>Pegasus, Extra Small, with fries. That’s me.
“Yes. Aww, what a pretty stripes.”
> I take the sweater from Emily and it instantly becomes fused to me face.
>OMIGOSHTHISISTHESOFTESTTHINGEVEROMIGOSHOMIGOSHOMIGOSSSHHH!!!
>“Pillow..?”
>“Casey are you ok?”
“Yes.” I say, my voice muffled in the fabric. 
>“Why don’t you, you know, try it on..? Or at least stop breathing into it please”
“Sorry Berry.” I say to her, “It’s just so very soft.”
>I hug it one more time before putting it over my head.
>Once my hooves are through the sleeves and my wings find the holes I start hugging myself instead.
>So. Very. Soft!
>I squee with joy and Emily starts laughing along.
>Strawberry rolls her eyes and smiles. 
>“What am I gonna do with you Casey.”
“Lend me some more American bits. I still need to get what I brought exchanged.”
>“They’re called Dollars. Bits are just Equestrian currency, no other country uses that.”
>Always lecturing ponies Berry, lighten up. Wear softer clothes instead of itchy dresses.
>I need more clothes now.

>Emily pulls down something else from the out of reach rack. “Why don’t they make anything like this in human sizes?”
>Maybe because you don’t have fur on your arms? Or do you?
>I swear I saw a human with fur on his arms. There wasn’t much but I thought they were supposed to be balder than that.
“Is it my size at least?”
>“No but I think there might be another one that is. Hold on.” 
>Her fingers have trouble grabbing the edge of the hanger. 
>She’s not very tall compared to most other humans I've seen. I think she’d actually be just as big as me if she were a pony. 
>That makes me feel more comfortable around her. 
>Even if I might maybe be sort of, a little bit, maybe, still, kinda, afraid a human will eat me...
>I blame you granny. You crazy old mare.
>“It might be a little loose but I think this one will fit fine.”
>I take the weird hooded vest from her. 
>It’s such a small silly looking thing.
>It’s not as soft as the thin sweater but it’s still a nice cotton.
>I pull it on over my head and put my limbs through the appropriate holes.
>I think I meant to take off the sweater first but I’m going to pretend I didn't.
>It’s half a size too big but it works with the sweater.
>I try out the hood and play around with the drawstrings.

>Why don’t they make these in Equestria? They would be perfect for flying. 
>And it’s so soft and warm...
>“Casey, are you ok in there?”
“Yes, but I’m never coming out. You can’t make me.”
>Emily laughs and Strawberry sighs.
>“Come on Jam. You’re the same about those dresses. Casey just has a softer side. You should get something like that, maybe show off that cutie mark for once.” Emily lowers her voice a little, “And I bet Michael would like it if you showed a little more tail too.”
>I’m so glad they can’t see me blushing inside this hood. Though I bet Strawberry is even more red, if that’s even possible for her. 
>She’s sort of already red.
>“You know how I feel about... that, Emily.”
>“Sorry Jam, I think you overreact though. I don’t know many ponies who worry about clothes as much as you, but that’s part of what I like about you.”
>I pull the hood down. 
“So can I get these then? Are we done looking at clothes because I know what I want now.”
>Strawberry Jam smiles smugly. “Oh we've barely even started Pillow! We still have more shopping to do before you’re ready for life on Earth.”
>I guess that’s not too bad. I only have on condition. 
“Okay but I’m not taking these off.”
>She and Emily both start giggling together.
>“Fine then!” Berry says, “Let’s go look at socks!”
>What.

>“Don’t act so disappointed Pillow, I was only messing with you. I didn't think you’d actually ‘like’ looking at socks. I didn't know you were like ‘that’.”
“I’m not! I am not Strawberry! ...They’re just so—”
>“Yeah, we know Pillow.” Emily giggles. “The cutie marks says it all.”
“It’s not like I’d wear those things in public anyway. I just like human made fabrics.”
>I’m no ‘tail lifter’.
>Unlike some ponies in my family. 
>Stupid cousin Cross Stitch. Slut.
>What did he even see in her anyway...
>Beside, socks wouldn't look nearly so ‘provocative’ with something like that dress Strawberry’s wearing. 
>They’re only slutty if that’s all you’re wearing. That’s what Stitch always said at least.
>Gah! No, no more thinking about her. She makes me so angry!
>I could just... I don’t know what, but it wouldn't be very nice.

>We were done shopping and moved to checkout.
>Strawberry said not to worry about paying her back when I got my bits exchanged for American money. That was real nice of her.
>Ugh! That checkout line!
>It looked so short with only humans waiting in it, but you can fit so many humans in one space. 
>If there was that many ponies, the lines would have already stretched across the store!
>It took forever!
>Then we had to go outside to the parking lot again.
>They kept telling me not to be afraid because the cars had to stop at the crosswalk in front of the doors no matter what. 
>But those things are scary when they’re moving!
>They just growl like some kind of monster and they could trample a pony easily, even at their slower speeds. 
>Riding in them isn't so bad though. They can move super fast but aren't stuck on a track or anything.
>I liked Emily’s car though. It’s a lot smaller than any others I've seen, and it’s such a pretty light blue color.

>Strawberry was telling me on the ride over about all the complicated rules they made so the cars can move so fast without crashing.
>They’ll stay in nice neat lanes, flash some lights to move to other lanes or turn, there were signs everywhere saying so many things that you had to obey, and there were the red lights that turned on when you have to wait your turn so others could drive in front of you.
>There was so much, I don’t think I could ever learn enough to drive myself.
>Strawberry said very few ponies drive anyway, especially in the city, and especially pegasi.
>The three of us are getting in the car again. Berry opened the door for me because I couldn't figure it out.
>How was I supposed to know that you needed to lift that tiny metal handle with your hoof? I guess it makes more sense for human hands.
>The same goes for the seatbelts. They are so uncomfortable, but Emily said she’d have to pay a fine if anyone in her car didn't have one.
>How would they even know that anyway?

>As soon as I get in I dig through the bags for my new sweater and hoodie. 
>I had to take them off until we bought them and it’s a little chilly outside, but I don’t need an excuse. 
>I tear their tags off with my teeth and slip them on.
>Much better. I almost feel safer with them on somehow. 
>I don’t know. 
>It’s probably a psychological thing. 
>Like that blanket that I carried everywhere when I was a little filly. 
>Whatever happened to Blankey? I bet mom threw her away. 
>She always complained about me dragging the thing across the ground.
>I lean back in the seat and hug my forelegs again.
>So soft.
“So where are we going now?”

>“Well Emily has plans later so she can’t drive us around all day. So I was planning on keeping things simple for today if that’s fine. I was thinking we’d go out to eat and then head back to my place.” 
>Berry looks back at me for confirmation and I just nod. I was already feeling overwhelmed just watching everything fly by the window of the car.
>I’d also forgotten about my lunch back at the station. I just left it there when I saw Strawberry.
>“So what were you thinking then?” Emily asks.
>“How about that vegan place Becki's been talking about?”
>“Yeah, she took me there. It’s alright I guess. Their only selling point is ‘being vegan’ though. They’re really sort of bland.”
>“I guess I should have assumed that with Becki. I was just worried about Casey.”
>She looks back at me.
>“I’m used to it but I’m not sure how you are around the smell of meat. I've known some ponies to be a little touchy about it, and this is your first day here.”
“Oh. Umm. I guess I’ll be fine.” Just as long as I don’t have to eat any.

>I don’t know if I’m just being a pushover or if I’m actually ok with it. 
>Hey! I already decided I wouldn't judge anypo-anyone. If humans have an... interesting diet then that's fine! They don’t eat hay right? I bet they’d feel just as weird being in an Equestrian restaurant. 
>Except hay isn't part of an animal...
>No. I can handle it. I've got my new security sweater to keep me safe right? I had Blankey to hide from the monster humans under my bed as a filly. 
>This is just like that except they’re not really monsters anymore.
>Because that was racist Granny. 
>Shame on you. You shouldn't tell those horrible stories to impressionable little pegasus fillies who are afraid of the dark.
>“So how does Chinese sound?” Strawberry asks, looking back and forth between the two of us.
>Emily just shrugs.
>I have no idea what that is. It might be good if Berry likes it. I’m in the mood for something else though.

“Um, would it be fine if we got some pizza?”
>I read a thing about Chicago when I was trying to decide on coming here. It said something about pizza I think. No wait, was that another city? I don’t know. They all sound the same sometimes.
>“Really? Pizza?” Berry looks at my skeptically.
>What? It’s not like they can put meat on something as good as pizza right?
>“Actually I’m feeling in the mood for pizza too.” Emily says.
>“You sure that’s what you want Casey?” Berry asks.
“Yeah. I like pizza.”
>“Alright then. Pizza it is. You know is area better than me Em, but pick something pony friendly.”
“There are places that aren't friendly to ponies?” 
>“What? No, well yes, I mean,” Berry facehoofed and turned to look at me. “I meant with a pony friendly ‘menu’ Casey, I don’t know any pizza places that hate ponies. A lot of them love hiring pegasi for deliveries. There are people that don’t like ponies, just like how there are ponies that don’t like humans, but most of both are very friendly together. So don’t worry about it, alright?”
”Alright Berry.” 
>“And some ponies and humans,” Emily said flashing Strawberry a sinister grin, “are a little more ‘friendly’ together than others.”
>I try not to giggle. I’m not sure if I should laugh at that, but it is funny.

>Berry’s getting all flustered now. Awww. How does she even get more red than that anyway? That’s just making me laugh harder.
>“Not you too Pillow.” Strawberry says sounding wounded.
“Sorry Berry.”
>“She’s right, Casey, you shouldn't laugh at ponies just because they keep their roommates up all night shouting their boyfriend’s name.”
>“ALRIGHT THAT’S-that’s quite enough.” Strawberry’s voice gets really high when she’s upset.
>I giggle some more for that.
>Wait. Why was she shouting his na-OMIGOSH TOO MUCH INFORMATION EMILY! 
>Sweet Celestia I need some brain bleach or something. 
>Bad thoughts! Bad thoughts! 
>Not that there is anything bad, wrong, or immoral about what two sentient adults of any race do together in the privacy of their homes of their own volition.
>Or even showing a small amount of affection in public as any more ‘traditional couple would.
>Nice save there Pillow Case. Nice save. Fight the racism.
>I thump my head lightly against the glass window stare out at the city speed by.