Chapter one: Introduction

>it's the 3rd of january
>you are Anon
>it's about 11 pm, or even later
>you're walking the straight dark alley, making your way to the closest bus station so you can get home
>and there's nothing you'd want more right now, than to already be there, because it's damn cold out here
>you can already see the light of the street lamps, reflecting the glitters of falling snow at the end of your dark shortcut
>you're almost reaching there, about to turn right in the next three meters
>when out of sudden...
>something of skyblue color jumps from behind the corner and crashes directly into you, making you fall on your back and hit your head
>for a split second, there's dark
>as you vision clears from the shock, you can see what just happened
>a blue animal with rainbow colored mane and tail laying on your chest is picking itself up
>you also notice it has a strange collar, made of leather and metal, around it's neck
>before it's gone, you manage to glimpse into it's eyes
>and for that second, as if you've felt the very same fear the creature was going trough
>gave you a cold shiver on your back
>but before you fully process what's happening, the thing is already running the way you came
>another figure comes from around the corner
>it's a man of slightly above average figure, dressed as if he just ran in a hurry out of his house, not even closing his coat
>he's furiously tapping on some sort of remote controller
>>“Fucking piece of shit, work! Work!“
>he also notices you, laying there
>>“Don't worry, I'll get that cunt.“ he mumbles towards you as he runs past
>you don't have to be a detective to realize he's the one chasing it
>so you turn around to see what is happening
>the creature has a good ten meters of lead, but of of nowhere, collapses on the ground, screaming in pain
>and it's terrifying how human that scream sounds
>almost like a young girl...
>the cause of it's pain is in the man's hand, a remote controller for the electric collar
>nowadays, you try to avoid violence in all forms because it makes you quite uncomfortable
>not really giving you any traumas or anything, but sometimes it mentaly hurts just to see and hear
>and this is borderline unbearable just to listen to
>so you instinctively cover your ears, but can't look away
>he stops running and walks up close, still pushing the button, releasing always only when talking
>>“You like it?! Huh?! I'm gonna make you pay!“
>holding your ears is no good when it's still happening right in front of you, you gotta act
>so you make yourself stand up and run up to him
„Hey! Stop it. You're torturing the poor thing!“
>>“Yeah, I can see that and I'm enjoying every last bit of it. The unobedient bitch deserves it.“ he looks over his shoulder at you
>now that you see it up close, you remember an article
>it isn't that long since you read about it on the internet
>scientists somehow discovered or just straight up created this new specie
>there was a drawn picture in the headline, looking similiar to what you see now
>they should be availible to buy as exotic pets for a disgusting amount of money, some unspecified date in the future
>...where did he find it so soon, before anybody else?
>but this is no time to think about any of that
„This is no punishment. You'll kill her like that. Please, stop it.“ you try to talk some sense into him
>>“She can take it, just watch.“ he turns back around with a grin on his face, as if he was proud to demonstrate
„Just cut it out man, I'm not gonna watch you do that!“ you turn him around by his shoulder 
>but this time, you're faced with anger in his expression, because of what you dared
>>“If you don't like it, then just fucking turn around and go wherever you came from. This is MY personal bussines. Not yours.“
>he pushes the button again, looking you in the eyes
>>"What'cha gonna do, fuckwit?"
>yes, what you gonna do? that is a great question
>because your thoughts are a mess right now
>what IS the right thing to do?
>you don't want to start another fight, but you don't want to let this happen either
>deep inside, you were always the kind who wanted to be brave, save lives, create values, be the hero of situation
>but not like this, not trough violence
>you can't just punch him, or can you?
>you can, but you won't
>so you quickly smack the hand he's holding the device with, making him drop it
>and as soon as it lands on the ground, you stomp it, hoping to give the animal time to escape
>the flow of electricity from the collar stops, but she still lays on the ground, not moving
>the guy stares at you unbeleivingly for a few seconds, as the anger builds up inside him
>you did what you did and now comes the consequence
>>“You have made a huge mistake buddy. Huge, huge mistake.“
>and without any further hesitation, you're getting punched straight in the face
>it doesn't hurt yet, but your head starts spinning from the shock and for a half a second, you almost forgot what the hell is even going on

>>“What the fuck did you think in that stupid head of yours?"
>another punch, to the exact same place, but your hands instictively fly up to at least partly parry it
>and one more right after it, right trough your hands and to your brow again
>you stumble back, out of his range and breathe heavily, trying to calm down, that is now your top priority
>>"You had enough dipshit? Now, your money, you broke something I need to get repaired." he opens his hand, waiting for you to give him your wallet "I don't have all night."
>little does he know you only have some change for the bus
>you can feel some liquid, running down your face as he talks, but you're ignoring it, you're not even paying attention to his words, all you do is just breathe heavily and rhytmicaly to calm down your mind
>shh, it's okay Anon, you did what you thought was right...
>accepted what followed...
>and now, you'll do what you gotta do to survive
>suddenly, as if new energy of determination flew trough your body and you find courage to raise your head and face him
>this time you have no fear, no doubt about what to do
>you're almost unnaturaly calm
>“Why the fuck are looking at me like that? You're deaf? Your wallet!"
>he's definitely going to hit you again now
>but he has to do a step closer first
>breathe in
>and at the same time as his fist flies to you face it did before, you're already dodging to the left
>and with a breathe out, your left fist is buried deep inside his stomach
>he's actualy quite predictable with his angry movements
>breathe in
>but he's way too close
>you breathe out and your left fist hits the side of his head, allowing you to step back
>breathe in
>he tries to throw another anger-clumsy punch, but misses
>breathe out
>you hit his jaw from bottom with your right fist
>breathe in
>“You...fucker.“ he spits some blood out, wasting precious time on talking
>breathe out
>your left fist hits his sleep centre again without hesitation
>breathe in
>he falls to the ground
>breathe out
>...
>breathe in
>...
>...
>breathe out
>breathe in
>breath out
>time is back to normal and you're "snapped back" out of your trance, as if you awoke in he morning, day after party
“What did I just do...?"
>except you know well what you just did
>your head hurts and your brow stings, so you put your hand there
>the liquid dripping on a side of your face was your blood all along
>it shouldn't have been a surprise, what else would it be?
>...but it feels like a surprise, to actualy see it on your hands
>and it's ...uneasy, way more than you'd like it to be
>your head spins and you gotta lean on the wall for a second
>while doing so, you reach into your pocket for tissues and put two on your wound
>you close your eyes, waiting for the headspin to pass and when you open them again, you're staring at the guy on the ground
>...is he ...dead?
>omg
>you quickly check his pulse over a tissue, trying not to stain his clothing with your blood
>he's alive
>phew
>maybe you should at least zip his winter coat, make sure he won't freeze to death here
>but after then, your injury starts to sting again, interrupting your flow of thoughts
>you try to concentrate on the breathing to ignore it and recapitule:
>the thug should be fine, he's breathing and hopefuly awakes before he freezes
>you're kinda okay-ish too and-...
>...the animal, one because of which it all started... is she okay?
>you'd literaly almost forget about her in all this stress, if she wasn't laying few meters behind the beaten up guy
>but before anything else, you put away the tissues which are now soaked trough and touch your brow with your fingers
"Aw, shit. That hurts."
>it will definitely need some stitches, but at least it bleeds a bit less by now
>you still put new tissues on it as you move towards the animal
>notice she has wings and they are tied together
>feathers clipped very short
>strange though, that she's still laying there like that
"Oh no..."
>surely, her heart didn't make it
>all of this for nothing...
>MAN, you're so dumb!
>as you're running closer, your head is full of regret and dark thoughts about how you fuck up everything
>you kneel down, trying to check for pulse
>but where does she even have veins??
>no matter, her chest is moving, so she's alive - only passed out
>...
>phew...
>...man, you're a drama queen
>you have a little sincere chuckle of relief
>if nothing else, you saved a life - so it was worth it
>but maybe you should try to wake her up, make sure she's really okay
>so first you try to shake her a bit
>then a bit more
>after the second try, she flinches, and confusedly opens her eyes
>at the first sight of your bloody face, she yanks and breaks free from your hands, frightenedly backing away to the wall behind her
„Calm down. Ok? Just calm down. Everything's fine now." you talk to her like to a puppy and gesture with your hands, trying to force a smile
>but it's hard for you to look calming with your hands and face stained with blood
>“Pl-please, leave me be.“ she avoids eye contact, but still watches you
>wait, what? 
>is it actualy talking?
>like a human?
"...You can speak?!" you step back, but immediately do two more steps closer because of curiosity
>"Please, no..." she closes her eyes, turns her head away and presses herself scaredily against the wall, hyperventilating like a prey about to be mauled
>you shake your head to take in what's even happening
>maybe you really should go and leave her be, you're scaring the hell out of her
>but you're also so very curious, so you spit on another tissue, cleaning yourself as much as you can before talking to her again
„Come on, open your eyes. I'm not trying to hurt you, I just want to speak with you. ...Please."
>she carefuly opens her eyes and notices the guy laying on the ground next to her
>you can hear her gasping of shock
>"That's him..." she whispers to herself, then she turns her head at you "...Did you...kill him?"
"No, he's alive. ...Who is he anyway?"
>"I don't know..."
"How do you not know?"
>"I don't know, I swear! Please let me go!" she cries out in sudden despair
"Look, I'm sorry for stressing you like that. Just,.. go if you want to. I'm sorry." you step back and make enough room for her to leave
>she stares at you unbelievingly for a second
>"...You're not holding me back at all?"
"I told you already, I'm just curious what happened."
>she sits on her rump uncertainly
>"...I-I ran from him. And ate all the documents he got about me. I'm free now."
>her voice is strange, it's... a little raspy
>can imagine a kid in puberty talking like that
"You what?" you'd almost laugh "Oh, well,.. that's good for you I guess... eating the papers and all. But uh... what are you going to do now?"
>"...I'm gonna hide in the forest, somewhere far away."
"Don't want to dissapoint you, but there's no forest around. Just city everywhere in a circle of... well, quite a circle. And then just fields."
>"I'm gonna hide somewhere, even if I was to DIE there." she's filled with sudden repulsement towards you as she's saying that "Better than surviving among your kind as a property."
„Uhm, okay then. Guess you don't like people a lot." you'd smile with a mixture of dissapointment, then look partly away "...It's kind of understandable, really..."
>you were hoping for at least a little thank you, but who knows what that thing has been trough, you can't possibly blame her
"...What's your name anyway?“ you ask after a few seconds of silence and staring into a wall
>she hesitates at first, but seeing you still not being angry for busting out on you like that, she cools down a bit and replies in a softer tone
>“...It's Rainbow Dash.“
„Huh, did he name you like this?“ you point with your thumb over your shoulder at the unconciouss guy
>“No. That is MY own name. My real name." she frowns at you seriously
„Ok, ok. It just sounds a bit...funny. No offense.“ you smile sincerely „...My name is Anon.“
>and you offer her a hand
>she looks down at your hand, then turns her gaze on your face, looking you right in the eyes
>it's a strange way she looks at you, almost as if looking trough you, staring straight into your soul
>and for almost uncomfortably long time
>“You're different from the others...“ she exhales surprisedly
>...what the heck did she just see?
„Um,.. thanks? I guess?“ you put the hand away, because she likely isn't gonna shake it anyway
>"No,.. I mean, it's me to thank you." she continues in a different tone from before, almost... a little trusting "...I didn't thank you for saving me."
"That's nothing... I just wish it didn't have to come to this to make him stop. But-"
>“He deserved it, you know?... Don't feel bad about him." she interrupts you "...But you're kinda bleeding too.“
„Nah, that's alright. I deserved it just as much.“ you laugh forcibly and place another tissue on the wound because the previous ones are soaked trough yet again
>by now you're kinda used to the pain already
„...But I guess I should go now, I have a bus to catch.“ you stand up, about to turn around
>“W-wait hum-I mean Anon.“ she stands up as well and reaches out her hoof to stop you
„...Yes?“
>“I...I uhm wanted ask if I could...“ she sits down again
>...
>it's visible how she's forcing herself to say it
>„...If i could stay a night or two? I-I can do some housework in return.“
„Well, I can do housework by myself. I don't have a big house and-“
>“But there must be something I can do!"
„Hmm, I can't think of anything really." you raise your shoulders „I'm just used to living alone.“
>...
>oh well, that sounded a lot colder than you expected
>lol, what would Jesus do, Anon?
>...
„Uhh, look, if you need a place to stay, I'll let you stay in my house for some time. I just don't need anything in exchange. That's all I wanted to say."
>"Just like that and for real? That sounds suspicious." she frowns at you
"Hey, I wasn't the one who asked for a place to stay." you chuckle
>"Yeah, but...Ok then, sorry, you're right... Promise no sketchy bussines?"
„Sure.“ you laugh and raise your little finger "Pinky promise."
>you can see her cracking a half smile when you said that
>"You know my old friend used to-.....Nevermind, Pinkie promise."
"Ok, but first, there are two things I probably should do. Lemme get these things off you.“
>a bit hesitanly, she comes closer
>you reach for the rope over her clipped wings, which is pretty easy to untie
>then the collar, but-
„Hey, this thing is sturdy. I can't get it off right now. I'll need some tools for that.“
>“Well, at least those ropes are away.“ she sighs
„Yea. Now, for that ring of his.“ you move to the guy, still laying on the same spot
>for some reason, you name him Richard
>“Ring?“
„Yes. You don't know? While adoption documents are probably more important, I think it's like a small technical certificate for a car. It's on the internet. ....You'd seriously leave and wouldn't even throw it away from him? Or eat it too?“ you smirk at your own joke, but continue a bit more serious "...He might even start an official investigation if he had something that would connect him to you."
>“I didn't know any of that.“ she frowns
„Well, now you do. Also, I'm gonna take it, because the cheery fella torn my eyebrow with that thing.“
>“But if you'll keep it even after I'm gone, what's gonna happen?“
„Don't know. You can keep it when you'll go, but it probably won't help. They'll think you stole it, if you get caught.“
>you come closer to her ex owner and take the bloodied ring
>it's silver-like, a bit robust, but not too big to hinder on your finger
>you clean it with a yet another tissue
>there's a number imprinted on it, saying: „No. 369“
„Is this like your serial number?“
>“I'm not a machine to have a serial number...“
„Well you do have one. Look.“ you show it to her
>when she sees it, it's kinda like something broke inside of her
>“369...I'm the 369th…?“
>you wouldn't answer
>“....If there really is so many others of us here...How..?" she sits down, staring into the ground, but then lifts her head and yells out in the air, partly at you "How could you do this to us?! So many!!! Don't you humans have no mercy at all? No compassion?!“
>she's almost crying now, but she's holding it inside 
>something tells you she wouldn't cry in front of you
>but you can see how is her sadness turning to anger when she's about to look at you again
„Look, um Rainbow. I know you must feel pretty horrible right now. But-“
>“What?!“ she barks
„Just,.. try to keep it together. It sounds harsh, but anger won't do anything but make it worse.“
>she'd just growl even angrier at you, piercing you with a gaze
>but when your eyes meet, as if she somewhat "snapped out of it"
>“I-I..,..Y-...you're right. I'm sorry. It's not your fault, I-... just couldn't help it...“
>what does she keep seeing?
>her eyes are now even more watery, but she still isn't crying
>still holding all the sadness inside, looking away in shame
>now you can only wonder how tragic she really feels under that crust of pride
„I know, that's fine. But we should go, before someone finds us, or before he awakes. And we have to catch the next bus.“
>“R-right. You lead the way.“ she wipes her eyes with her hoof and stands up, trying to act like she's 100% okay
>you'd nod and stand up
>she's following you trough the empty streets to a lonely bus station nearby
>you're still feeling pretty tense though, your teeth even chatter while you're replaying the pictures of what happened in your mind
>maybe it's partly because of cold, but the stress has some part in it too
>as much as you hate to admit it, you're having a little trouble "not worriying"
>along the way, you'd walk past a nightly general store
>gives you an idea
„Wait here in the shadow, I'll be right back.“
>“Wait, where are you going?“ she whispers urgently in fear of being left alone again
„To that building over there. Just a few seconds.“
>you don't really give her choice, because you'd just run inside
>after not even two minutes, you're back with two 0.3l glass bottles
>she's hiding behind a trash bin
>"Where did you go?" she's still whispering
„Here. It might help you relax.“ you've opened both of them with your new ring, offering one to her
>“You bought it for me? And what is it?“ she comes out of the shadow
„Nothing special, just beer, but it's something.“
>“And you say it helps?“
"I don't know, if it does. But we can try." you say and take a sip from your bottle
>she takes one from hers to taste it
>“It's bitter...“ she looks a bit disgustenly at the bottle
>but then she starts forcibly gulping it down
>wouldn't finish it whole though
>"Yuck." she'd make even more disgusted face at the end, followed by a loud burp
"I'm not sure if that was what I had in mind, it's better to drink it slowly." you laugh softly "If you don't like it, just throw it away. It was a little stupid idea to begin with."
>“Hmpf.“ she throws the bottle into the bin she was hiding behind
>you'd then continue on your way with your beer in right hand
>having a sip it here and there
>and it actualy helps you to calm down
>but it's so cold your teeth chatter even more
>you'd purposely arrive just shortly before the bus actualy stops on the place, so you don't have to wait too long
>while entering, you have your scarf over most of your face and avoid to look in driver's eyes
>maybe you're just paranoid right now, but you'd be happier if nobody remembered you from this night, if you could be just another nameless person, walking trough shadows
>but not all things can always be avoided
>the driver would be blind if he wouldn't notice a skyblue creature with colorful mane and shock collar around her neck
>at least he couldn't connect your face with her if somebody ever asked him
>he saw only the scarf and importanly, he probably saw the ring, so it won't feel that suspicious if anyone should ask
>walking past him, there are three people sitting in the bus
>an old lady with an old man, most likely her husband. Probably coming from a cinema or something because they still have some popcorn
>they look so happy together and active, even after growing old and wrinkled
>it's reminding you of something that you used to crawe so much back then, but it always felt so distant from you
>....but you don't envy anymore, you're actualy kind of happy to see others have it
>you're content with loneliness now
>there's also some drunk guy who barely noticed you, or your new companion walking behind you
>even though you avoid consuming too much alcohol nowadays, there were nights in past, when you ended up the same
>although they all seem pretty harmless, you still make your way to the very back of the bus, so their company will be as far away from you as possible
>there, you'd sit on one of the chairs and silently wait
>it's warm in here compared to outside, almost relaxing to you
>even your teeth are now finally quiet
>Rainbow Dash is sitting next to you and stares in front of her with a blank look
>...maybe the beer wasn't the best idea
>you don't know what it does with her
>man, you're so-  .....well, calling yourself stupid won't do any good now
>you should at least talk to her, to keep her thoughts busy
„Are you alright? How you holding up?“ you whisper, so the others can't hear you
>“The beer thingy you gave me, did it help you relax?“
„A little..“
>“I just keep getting stuck on thougts.“
„...Then try finding a good one and stick on it.“
>“What's a good though in this situation?“
„Well,.. you probably flew in past." you'd point at her clipped wings after a second of thinking "Why don't you think about flying?“
>“I can't even remember the flying anymore...“
„Yes you can. I flew once in my life on a plane and I can still remember it." you smile now "For you, it must have been like riding a bicycle is for me... Close those eyes.“
>she does that, even though she still looks a bit worried about what is gonna happen next
>you're not sure what exactly are you doing right now, but hope for the best
>you did that with yourself before, kind of like meditating... visualisation?
>anyway, you'd start narrating a scenery, whispering very quietly and VERY slowly, to give her enough time to imagine
„It's the first day of a green, fresh spring, in a sunlit afternoon. Your feathers are grown back and you're strong and healthy as a first primrose, effortlessly making it's way closer to sun trough wet and heavy leaves. Where you're standing, the ground is soft, covered with the greenest grass...and under a few flaps of your wings, all the land suddenly becomes so small and distant........  The blinding sun is up in the sky with you, so beautiful and warm, caressing everyone with it's loving embrace. Neverending seas of trees with fresh leaves are rustling in the soft wind and they are singing... of peace... Surely, you can hear them...?“
>a faint smile appears on her face
>“I can.“
>a fine encouragement to continue
>you have a good visualisation, so you aren't even making it up, you can see it firsthand and merely narrate
>and you'd continue on narrating the scenery to the smallest details, for the rest of bus ride
>you wish you could give it to her for granted, but you have no idea what's really coming to this strange creature
>at least you can help now
>but how is she gonna end up?
>at this point you get distracted by your own dark thoughts that are invading your imagination with scenes of death, consuming the land and all it's habitants
>so you stop narrating at this point and open your eyes, realizing you're arriving to your bus stop
„We're here... Let's go.“
>she opens her eyes and the smile slowly vanishes as she comes back to the reality once again
>“Alright...“
>from here, it's not even a kilometer to your home
>she's shivering a bit, but you're almost there
"Hey, let's go faster, make the blood circulate."
>she silently follows your swifter tempo, lost in thoughts
>"This is it.“ you're pointing at your house while closing by
>the key in a lock turns and the door open, revealing the dark rooms of your home
>first thing you do, is switch on the lights, so you can see while untying your boots
„Could you clean your hooves a bit? It's messy out there.“ you'd give her a floorcloth before she enters
>“Sure...“
>when she's done, you're heading to your living/dining room to the left
>there, you'd close all the curtains so no one can see inside
„You can sleep on the couch, sheets and pillows are stored inside. But come to think of it, maybe you might wanna take a shower as well. How long is it since your last bath?“
>“I can't remember.“
„Well, you should definitely take a shower. There's even a bit of my blood on you over there." you point at her shoulder "It's those doors on the right. I'll go second. Towels are in the cabinet, right next to the entrance.“
>"Ok..." she tiredly goes the way you sent her
>in the meanwhile, you'd go look at yourself in the mirror to check the wound 
>it bled fairly before, but it doesn't look that bad now
>there will likely be a little scar above your brow in the future, reminding you of this night
>so you bring a needle with a thread and prepare for a sting
>a single stitch, or maybe two will be enough
"Ow!"
>yeah, two is enough, definitely not three
>then you head to your fridge
>few joghurts you've been saving for later, some cheese, butter, peanut butter, ghee butter, one more bottle of beer, blueberry marmelade, honey, mustard, ketchup, eggs and some fruit and vegetables
>come to think of it, you're not even really hungry, so you're about to close the fridge
>...but you bet she is
>so you slice some bread, put it in toaster, then spread some butter and honey on it
>leaving it on the table, along with two appless and a glass of water, you grab the other bottle of beer from the fridge and sit in your chair
>what a friday night
>with your eyes closed and beer opened, you patienly wait till she's finished showering and think about how lovely your bed will be once you get there
>now all the tiredness finally catches up to you and you can almost see yourself falling asleep
>when you're at half of the bottle, you hear the bathroom door finally open
„Check the table. Eat up if you're hungry.“ you murmur with eyes still closed
>“Is this for...?...Thanks Anon.„
>you can hear her biting a mouthful of apple
"No probs." you open your eyes and stand up to take a shower as well, leaving almost a full bottle on the table
„When you're done, just put it in the sink. I'll clean it later.“ you'd turn around before closing the bathroom door behind you
>and finally, it's here
>you're turning the water heat to the very maximum
>some really hot shower after the cold day
>feels good
>actualy, might be the best thing today
>so you just stand there for some time, absorbing the heat before getting to wash yourself
>after you're done showering, you'd brush your teeth and go back
>she's already sleeping around the time you enter the living room, so you don't even turn the lights on
>there's some light from the moon outside and you would find your bedroom door even blind
>the bottle is still where you left it, but you don't really feel like finishing it, so you just pour it down the sink
>when you finally get to bed, you're tired as hell but the little of beer you had still prevents you from falling asleep immediately 
>so you roll around for a few minutes, until the sleepiness takes over
>and eventualy, it does pretty soon...

Chapter two: Day Two


a couple of dreams you can't remember later...

>the sun shines trough the window
>you never close the bedroom curtains for the night, so you're used to this kind of awakening
>but the light lasts only for a few seconds, before the clouds hide it again
„Oh jolly.“ you're opening open your eyes
>it's feels like you could sleep longer, but you'd probably be oversleeping your restful sleep
>so with a loud yawn, you stand up and continue to your bathroom wearing nothing but your underwear
>completely forgetting you have a new roommate, laying on the couch in your living room
>while opening the door, you'd freeze and stare at her surprisedly
>that is, before the flashback of yesterday strikes you
>but just to be sure, you touch your brow to feel the two stitches
>right...
>so all of that really happened, eh?
>...
>...maybe you should get some clothes on you at least
>so you swiftly return for some pants and t-shirt
>then go do some morning hygiene, and now!.. it's time for breakfast
>what's it gonna be?
>on a draining board, there's a washed plate from yesterday and two apple cores in the trash
>half-filled glass of water is standing on the table, next to a couch Rainbow Dash is sleeping on
>what a strange name though..
>does she always get called by her full name or just "Rainbow"?
>that sounds weird
>she'd let out a little snore sound while you're thinking about her name, so you turn around to have a good glance who you even brough home
>the sight makes you chuckle a bit, she looks like a big puppy in a way
>fluffy ears, big eyes, gentle muzzle...
>now that you reflect on yesterday,.. you're kinda glad about all you did
>it could have turned out better of course, but you did the best you could, given the situation and mindset
>if you knew better, you'd do better
>suddenly your stomach gurgles, interrupting you from your thoughts
>need to eat something, something warm
>so you crack open a few eggs and slice the rest of the bread
>bread fried in egg it is for today
>the sound of oil crackling wakes your sleepy roommate up
>first it's just a flinch of her ear, then she registers the smell of the food being prepared
>at the first opening of her eyes, she'd yank in confusion and spring up
>almost immediately, in the „ready to run/attack" stance
>like a starled dog, almost
>then she notices you, making the breakfast
>„Oh....“ she exhales, realizing where she is
„'Morning. Slept well?“ you grin over your shoulder 
>“I think I-...almost did... Good morning.“
>gulping the rest of the water she left by the couch, she comes closer to see what you're preparing
>her mouth waters from the sight of the food and you can hear her swallowing down the saliva
>but she doesn't say anything, just keeps watching you
>so you put some slices of fried bread on a plate, which you slide closer to her, along with two plastic bottles
„Here, mustard and ketchup. And the rest is on the table already.“
>she wouldn't really move, just questioningly and suspiciously slide her gaze from the food onto you
"...What is it?"
>"...You're not planning something bad,.. are you?"
"Pff, the way you're asking almost sounds as if you're hoping for something bad to happen." you chuckle heartily and continue frying
>“All of this just feels so very unlikely... Almost if there was some betrayal planned in the future."
"...Care to share the experience that gave you this mindset?" you'd look over your shoulder at her
>"Let's just say I trusted a human once before. That's all." she retorts
"You did? Well, something tells me it wasn't the guy from yesterday. Was it someone who had you before him?"
>"No." she frowns "...And I'm not telling you more."
"Ok then, you don't have to." you crack a little smile, tending to the pan in your hand again
>but by now, you're almost finished frying, so you'd take your plate and continue to the table
>a little sheepishly, followed by her
>there you put some mustard with ketchup on your bread, placing a slice of cheese over it only to watch her silently copy you
"Well, enjoy." you announce amusedly before having a first bite of your bread
>"...Yeah, thanks. You too."
>"Oh my,..." she exhales when she has a bite too
>followed up with two more
"Try it with a tomato." you roll her way one of the two tomatoes you brough
>she'd look at it with a little doubt and wouldn't try it until you take one bite of yours
"It's not poisoned." you grin "Not even rotten."
>she wouldn't answer, merely glance at you with unreadable expression and continues stuffing herself
>...
>"So... this is what humans eat?" she then asks when she finishes her first slice
"Not too typicaly."
>"..So what's typical?"
"Meat probably. In all of it's different variations. Yeah, but bread in all different variations too..."
>"Meat?! From living things? That's disgusting!" she makes a "bleh" face while pushing the plate a little farther, even though there's no meat on it
"Is it?" you'd smirk at her before having another bite
>at this point, she'd slowly stand up from her seat, carefuly backing away to the main door while tensely keeping both eyes onto you
>"You're planning to eat me one day, aren't you?"
"..What, you seriously think I'd eat you?" you burst into laugh
>"Well, you tell me? Maybe that's why you brought me here and feed me!" she's already grabbing the handle, getting ready to escape
>maybe your little joke was a bit too much
"Come on, calm down. I was just playing with you."
>"You're telling me it was just a joke?"
"If I wanted meat, I'd just go and buy it. It's not like I couldn't afford it at all."
>"So you really ARE carnivorous?" she accusingly points her hoof at you
"No... At least not me. Some people prefer meat, I don't. That's all. And I'm certainly not going to eat you." 
>...
>she still lingers
"Come on, don't be silly. You can leave anytime. The keys are right next to the door." you point "I wouldn't try stop you."
>she tries the handle, realizing it was locked the whole time, so she grabs the key to see if it really fits
>and of course it does, you were telling the truth
>having the door opened, she sticks her head outside only to be slashed by a freezing wind and snowflakes right in her face 
>not exactly a welcoming weather this particual morning
>"Maybe I'll stay a bit longer... But no funny bussiness. I'm careful now." she closes the door and slowly walks back to the table to sit again
"Sure... Though, it's not like I'm the one in need here."
>"Why would you keep helping me then?" she asks and carefuly bites into a slice of bread she left there
"Do I need a reason? Ever thought I might just be like that?" you smile warmly
>she lifts her head and frows at you suspiciously, measuring you whether you're lying or not
"Well?" you glance her directly in the eyes
>but she looks away after a few seconds, with a little of guilt in her expression
>"...Damn you." she mumbles
"What is it?"
>"You look so trustworthy it's almost... off."
"I take it as a compliment." you chuckle and stand up from the table to wash your plate
>she then watches you walk to your computer while still munching on her last bread
>silently, you'd open your browser and check facebook
>zero messeges and notices
>no surprise, you never had too many friends
>only two or three real good ones, but you don't communicate a lot via facebook these days
>so you somewhat randomly open youtube with some videos, but you feel a bit uncomfortable when she's watching you
>"What are you doing over there?" she asks with her mouth full
"Killing time, I guess. Trying to have some fun."
>"How's this fun?" she gulps down what she was chewing and turns her chair around to see even better at you
"I dunno. It just keeps me busy when there's nothing to do." you pause the video and turn around as well
>"But isn't that kind of... boring?"
"When it becomes routine,.. yeah."
>"So why do that?"
"What else should I do in winter? In a city?" you shrug your shoulders, raising your palms
>"There's always something to do, you just gotta try finding it...."
"That's very vague and unspecific answer." you chuckle
>"For someone who doesn't want to try, duh... You want something specific? Well then, for starters, I can take you on a little stroll."
"You'd seriously wanna go there? I saw you poking your head outside and changing your mind about leaving a few minutes ago."
>"That was deciding whether I want to stay there for good. But a short walk is something different. Come on, do that for yourself."
"Jeez, I don't really wanna. It's nasty weather outside."
>...
>she lowers one of her eyebrows and pierces you with a judgemental, persuasive stare
>...
"What's your bussiness with it? I just don't see any vision of fun there." you'd turn your chair back around to face the PC, trying to ignore her
>to which she stands up and walks up to you to get back your attention
>"...You don't have to. Never know what will happen." 
"Yeah, like catching cold?" you wouldn't look away from the screen, hoping she'd let you be
>"...Come on, don't be a neighsayer."
"Was that a pun?" you'd snicker and actualy shift all your attention to her, pausing the video for a second
>"Well,.. not really an intentional one actualy. But uhhh..." she very faintly, almost sarcasticly chuckles as well, but then shortly glimpses you in the eyes again "....The truth is, I'd like to have a look outside too." 
"Wait, YOU would like to see the city? Why so suddenly?"
>"Well, it isn't that much about the city. I'd just like some fresh air... and I really don't wanna go there alone..."
>...
>..
"...Okay then,.. I'll go with you. Not for a long though."
>"Cool. Let's go then."
"Yeah, just lemme grab my jacket... and my other clothing."
>after a minute of putting clothes on, you grab the freezing door handle and open
>upon stepping outside, a cold, north wind slashes you across your face just like did her before 
>damn that's actualy cold
>"The winters here are pretty harsh eh? We don't have them like this at home." she looks up at you
"It's not always like this... You still wanna go outside?"
>"Sure, I'll get warm by walking. Only my ears might suffer a bit from the wind but that's all."
"I can see,.. with ears like that."
>"Hey, all ponies have ears this big!" she immediately defends herself
"All I'm saying is that ears like that must be pain to have in a cold like this. ...But wait, I'll be right back."
>and you slip back into the house, only to emerge a few seconds later with a thick winter hat
>"You brought that for me?...  It seems a bit small though."
>it's a human size of course, and she has a slightly bigger head than you do
"It's quite strechy." you'd try to put it on her, covering her ears and most of the mane underneath it pretty nicely
>"Oh well, wasn't expecting that. Thank you Anon..... That is... actualy very thoughtful of you." she smiles surprisedly
"What can I say? I'm nice like that." you smirk amusedly
>so finally, you set more than one foot outside of your house and go to the right, by the sidewalk
>your house is in a dead end, so it's not like many people walk trough here, but it still feels like you must be the only ones outside today
>not that big of a surprise though
"...So,.. "ponies", huh?"
>"What?"
"You mentioned "All ponies have ears this big." So is that how your specie is called?"
>"Yeah..."
"Hmmm."
>...
"And-"
>"-So where are we going?" she unintentionaly interrupts you
>you were about to ask more about her origin, but since she breaks the silence first, so you let her speak
>you can always ask later and it seems she isn't really talkative about this topic anyways
"...I thought you wanted to lead?" you'd ask confusedly
>"Well, I can, but I'll get us lost in this blocky labyrinth." she grins 
>this might be the most lighthearted expression you saw her make so far
"Don't worry, I know my way around here. You can't get me lost here." you smile back almost smugly, - almost
>"So if you're so local, is there anything interesting to see?"
"Unless you're a big ugly factory enthusiasist, then you're out of luck for like... 5 kilometres around here? 5 kilometres trough this wind and snowing."
>"There's literally nothing else? No trees? No lakes? Not even a tiny little park?"
"We are in old industrial part of the city. No flora or fauna around here."
>"Let's just go this way then, maybe we find something interesting." she leads on trough one of the alleys, completely random directions
>and you're following a step or two behind her
>“How can you live here?“ she eventualy stops, standing in a corridor between two tall buildings, out of the wind's way
"I get by." you'd stick your hands out of your pockets to blow some hot air from your lungs on them and then put them back
>"I mean, don't you ever crave something more than this?" she points at the view of a grey, snowcovered city block in front of you
"It's not always that bad... Sometimes I go skiing or snowboarding in winter. And I used to go motocrossing a lot in summer. But sure,.. I'd like to live somewhere else."
>"Then why stay here?"
>you've been avoiding to ask this yourself
"I-..I don't even know to be completely honest. Maybe I'm afraid of something new. This is pretty much all I know lately." you say without really thinking about it
>and it kind of hits the nail
>you feel like you shouldn't open yourself too much to random colorful creatures, but you don't really have anyone else to talk to, so it just slipped out
>"You know that'ss..."
>...
"Stupid?"
>"I was gonna say sad, buuut..."
"Yeah. I guess I should have done something with my life some time ago. But it's better than it used to be." you start walking away to avoid any further questions about this topic
>you're not lying about what you said either though
>there HAVE been some radicaly big positive changes in your mental health over the last two or three years
>it just feels like,.. like they still aren't enough
>you still miss something
>there could be more to hapiness than just "not suffering"
>.....
>...
>"Hey, what's that building over there? It looks abandoned." she nudges you to get your attention and indicates a direction with her head
"It is. They decided this big building wasn't big enough, so they made a new one and moved there. But nobody wanted to buy this one, so it's rotting here past few... tens of years. At least that's what I heard."
>"How about we check inside?" she looks up at you
"Since when you care about factories?" you stop and look back down on her
>"Since they got empty and left to rot. A working factory would be no fun, but an abandoned one? I wanna see some old stuff." she grins with a little spark of mischief in her eye
"Seriously? At this time of year?" 
>"Well, we are here now, aren't we?" she smirks
"Speaking of little strolls..." you grunt a bit grumpily, but then you think about it for a few seconds ".......But actualy, you bumped my curiosity. I kind of wanted to have a look inside myself one day. Why not today?"
>at which she'd give you this very approving look,
>and you're both walking up to the rusty front gate
>judging from a visible hole in the equaly rusty fence, you aren't the first visitor here
>and probably not the last one either
"At least we don't have to climb over it... So which way do we get inside the building?"
>but she's already trough the hole and on her way to the ladder that's leading up to the balcony
"Hey! Wait!" you're crouching trough the broken fence, running up to her
>the ladder under which she's waiting for you, is solid two meters and something more from the ground
"I pressume you need a hand here?"
>"Not at all. Watch." she grins and she runs up the wall, jumping from it just enough to catch on the ladder with her front hooves
>that was actualy pretty impressive
>“Come on, slowpoke!“
>but you merely gotta jump to reach the ladder, lift yourself up and you're soon catching up to her
>maybe too close for your likings
"Would you mind covering your rear next time? This feels pretty uncomfortable from here." you embarassedly face down a while climbing
>"What am I supposed to do?"
"You should wear something. At least a pair of pants or boxers. For some decency."
>“Do you put pants over dogs rear too?" she flicks her tail annoyedly
"That's an odd question. I thought you don't consider yourself an animal." you chuckle over your winning argument
>"I don't!.. What I meant, is that it's natural."
"Natural or not, on the way back, you're climbing down first. I don't need to be in this position again."
>up on the balcony, there's a locked door and a broken window with some sharp shards still sticking from it
„Careful, I'll get rid of-“
>but in the middle of your sentence, she jumps trough the hole, missing the shards with her belly and legs by mere few milimetres
„Are you nuts? You just almost gut yourself!“
>“Nah.“ she laughs at you from the other side
„You were this close." you're showing her, using space between with your fingers
>“Don't worry. I got that. I'm not as clumsy as you might think.“ she turns around with a grin, flicking her tail proudly, about to start exploring
„I'd just appreciate if you weren't so reckless, alright? I already put quite a lot of effort into keeping you alive...“
>“Alright, I'll try.“ she snickers behind her back as you're removing the shards so you can continue trough as well
>maybe it's true you just overreacted, you used to do a lot of dangerous stuff too in your life and got injured only rarely
>or are you just getting old in your head?
>isn't that a bit too soon for that in your 20's?
>nothing happened after all....
>...
>inside the building, it's just as you expected: mostly dark, almost empty, only some old stuff, some broken stuff and-... it's a bit smelly here as well
„Ugh, it's... in worse condition than I actualy expected."
>“It's perfect. So ugly you can't possibly make it worse!“
„What do you mean by- oh I see now."
>she's already smashing trough some half broken door like police into pedo's house
>then she's kicking around some old CRT computer screen that they left there
>she's basically destroying everything she can lay a hoof on and she's having a time of her life doing so
"Didn't know you had this kind of tendencies inside you." you'd walk up to her with a chuckle
>“Come on! Try it too.“ she yells with a laugh
>but you linger
"Someone might hear." 
>"Who cares? It's abandoned!"
>oh well, she's kinda right
>no one would hear in this weather and... it actualy looks like fun
>so you'd find yourself some half broken vase laying on a cracked work desk, just high enough for a good kick
>and you kick it with all your precision, sending it in pieces to the ground, where it shatters even further, accompanied with a loud noise
>it feels… somewhat nice
>being at it, you kick over the desk as well, flipping it over with even louder crash
>then turn over to Rainbow Dash,- who's watching you with expectation about what you're going to say
„I guess... this is the kind of fun I didn't see a vision of." you snicker and grin when you glance into her eyes
>"Exactly! You never know!"
>and you're grinning as you're picking up a brick to throw it against another CRT monitor
>“That's what I'm talking about!“ she grabs one as well and throws it against the same monitor
"Hey, hey. And watch this." you kick another piece of old hardware trough a hole in the ground
>you'd both run up to the hole and watch it shatter on the lower floor
>"Ha! Nice! But how many bricks do you think that door over can survive?" she snickers and picks one up
"Looks like we'll have to find out." you smirk, grabbing one as well
>and from then on, you unleash a carnage on the buildling, smashing, throwing, kicking and destroying things like hooligans, laughing and giggling all around
>it's taking you back to years when you were just a child
>only you and your friends, being brought together by some silly activity
>nothing else exists, but "now"
>and you haven't had this much fun with somebody in a long time...
>“This reminds me of when I was asked to destroy an old barn for my friend. Another friend of mine thought I'm doing it because I'm angry at her and was all: „Sit down, let's talk about it.“ By Celestia! Hahaha, what an egghead!“ she laughs while smashing a keyboard over a wall
>then she stops and frows with her head lowered
>„….But I really miss her. ....I miss all of them so much.“
>you'd stop too and for a few seconds, there's total silence
>just her, staring into the ground with a blank stare, while the wind outside softly howls
>you feel like you should say something, but before you open your mouth-
>“Screw it!.“ she angrily kicks the wall
>and you can swear you could hear a crack
>but not the kind of crack a wall would make...
>“Ow...Dammit!!!!!“ she falls down on her rump and looks at her leg, bent slightly the other way around
>she must have kicked it under a bad angle and too much strenght
>this is the first time you saw someone actualy  break their leg out of pure anger
>but it's not funny though
>at least not for you right now
„Holy shitfuck and tender beans! Are you kidding me!? Your leg is fucking broken!“
>“No, ow, it isn't, it doesn't hurt, I mean it's just in spasm, the muscles must be just shocked or something.“ she tries to hide the pain in her face with a very visibly forced smile
„Are you serious? Look at it! It's literaly bending the other way around! I have to take you to doctor!“
>“What? No way. I can put it back myself, then I just won't walk on it for some time. Look.“ she tries to fix the leg back to it's position but stops as soon as she touches it with her hoofs
>“Aaaargh! Ow, ow, ow, ow, for Celestia's sake that hurts!“
>she's starting to shake a little, realizing it's actualy serious 
>by that time you're already crouched next to her
„We gotta get you out of here. Can you walk on the other legs?"
>"Sure, just-just help me get up." she reaches her hoof to you
>but as soon as you try to pull her up, she starts collapsing to the front again
>of course you catch her, trying to keep her up on her three functional legs
>"My head's spinning! I -I don't think I can walk." she's quickly sitting down again "At least not yet, I just almost puked. S-so sorry for causing you even more trouble." 
"Shut up, I need to get you out of here. What if I'll carry you?" you're already lifting her up a little "Is that okay?"
>she just faintly nods in agreement, so you pick her all the way up like a bride, bringing her to the balcony you came here trough
"Hey hey, you're awake?" you're trying to nudge her head with yours to get her attention
>"I'm awake!... I just need a moment."
>by now you're finally at the balcony window again
>a cold, but fresh wind is blowing trough it, filling your lungs and breathing new life into the almost fainting pony in your hands
>since you've already moved away all the shards, you can step trough the window without having to lay her on the ground again, but then there's the ladder
"Now what? How do we get you down?"
>"Just give me a moment... I- I can make it down it's just..." she gulps, and breathes deeply in, trying to keep it together as good as she can "...I just need a little time and I can make it down. But the gap,.. between the ladder and the ground."
"I can catch you down there, you're not that heavy."
>"But! ...okay, okay that might work. Put me on the ground here. Just gimme a minute."
>so you'd carefuly lay her next to the ladder and watch over her while she's breathing as deep and rhytmic as she can
....
>"..Okay, I think I'm ready." she annonounces after a minute or two
"You're sure?"
>"Yes! Quickly."
>so you're climbing down first, checking above if she's not falling
>but luckily, she does make it down to the last step of the ladder using only three hooves, without tinging the broken one over anything
>"You're sure you can catch me?" she's yelling down at you
"Yes! Trust me!" you yell back while preparing yourself
>she'd look down first, cringing a little over the though of you not catching her, or catching her a wrong way
>but then she lets go, falling straight into your arms
"Ooof." you spring down a little to make the catch easier "...You okay?"
>and she nods, but in her expression, you can see it still might have hurt a little
>you wouldn't mention it, since she doesn't want to either and you're carrying her out of the area
>"What are we gonna do now?" she's clinging onto you in front of the gate in an open space
>the snow is falling now even harder, but at least the wind down here doesn't blow so fast anymore
"I gotta get you to the doctor of course."
>"What? No! No doctors, please!" she's looking you pleadingly in the eyes  with a genuinely scared expression
"You're kidding? What if it won't grow back correctly?"
>"Then it's my risk. C-c-can you try to put it back? I can't do it myself."
"Why don't you want to go to doctor?!"
>"I don't want any of the white robes to recognize me! Please just twist it back! We can harden it with some sticks."
"Forget about that, I don't like doctors either but-"
>"Then I'll do it myself!" she reaches to her leg, but wouldn't move it all the way because of the pain
>there's a tear in her eye, but she's still about to try again
"Stop doing that! You're only gonna hurt yourself more! God,.. okay I'll do it, but wait till we get home." you'd adjust her in your arms before you start running back to your house
>she wouldn't say anything the whole time from then on, only relax exhaustedly in your arms, silently watching the road
>luckily it isn't that far away, but you're still completely exhausted when you're back
>first thing you do is put her on the couch and run to the first aid kit for bandages and something to use as a splint
>soon you're back
"Are you sure you want ME to do this?"
>"Yes! There's only one bone, just snap it back."
"Okay I'll be counting to four." you kneel down next to the couch, grabbing her leg
>"And you're going to do that at "three"!?" she yells almost hystericaly
"What? No, I wasn't planning that." you look from the leg up at her face again
>"Yes you were! Why pick a four? I know that trick!"
"I was just trying to make it easier for you!"
>"But don't lie to me!"
"Then I'll do it now!" you snap it back
*a clank of bones*
>she'd look away with eyes tightly shut, clenching her teeth while a dampened squeal escapes her throat
>"Is- is it back?" she opens her eyes again
"Yes."
>"Good,.. good, thanks." she's checking it with a sigh of relief
"Now we gotta harden it." you'd put some sticks around it and start bandaging
>at this point she's just quietly watching the ceiling, trying not to think about what's happened
...
"It's done." you'd announce after few minutes
>"Phew." she checks out your work, then eyes at you "Thank you... for not taking me to the doctor."
"No problem,...but I'm sure it would have turned out better if we went there."
>"No, no this is fine, it's tight enough. I've seen it a few times..." she laughs a little painfully "......And,.. thank you so much for everything else too. Seriously.... I... should have trusted you sooner..."
"That's nothing." you're standing up with a smile, about to return the first aid kit
>but she stops you, grabbing your hand with her hoof
>"No, it's not. I cost you so much trouble already and now this. I promise I'll be gone tomorrow."
"That's like sending you to die or get caught again... Just-..." you sit down instead and lay the kit on the ground "You know what? Just stay here until it heals and you're capable of taking care of yourself, okay?"
>"But I'm already such a big bother..." she'd look guiltily away
"Maybe, maybe I'll have someone to talk to." you smirk and wave at her to make her glance at you again "Look, it won't kill, or ruin me, to let you stay some time longer. Seriously, no big deal."
>"...You know I really appreciate that. Not every human would give a damn..." she smiles at you faintly
"Don't even mention it,-"
>"-AND you have my word," she continues "that I'll be out of your life as soon as I'm capable of running, or flying."
>they way she says it sounds as if she considered herself to be a real burden to you
>but it's not how you feel
>if nothing else, past two days have been the most exciting ones in a long time
>...or maybe,.. is she just really eager to leave?
>that might be it
"...You'll have a world to explore then, eh?" you crack a smile
>"I guess. If.... If I couldn't make it back."
"Where is this "back" you're talking about though?"
>"In Equestria of course! That's my homeland." she smiles over the thought
"Equestria?" you're scratching your chin "Is that someplace over the sea? I never heard of it."
>"It's not here on your planet Anon..." she'd chuckle softly in amusement
"SO YOU'RE AN ALIEN!?" you blurt "Wooooah..... that sort of explains a lot... Where's your spaceship though? How did they capture you?"
>"I don't have one. I was dragged here trough a portal. Don't know if that counts being an alien." she grins bitterly "We ponies don't exactly travel trough space."
"I see. So, and um... do you have some clue about a way back?" you'd calm down again and sit comfortably next to her, so that you can conversate
>"I don't know. I don't remember that much. But since there was a way here, there must be a way back. And I hope to take as many of my kind with me if I find it."
"So you're planning a rebelion or something? Like in movies and games?" you chuckle over the cliché of your own thought and immediately go serious again
>"I don't know. I don't even know where to find a single one of us. It's just-... I really wish I could somehow fix this." she throws her front hoofs around helplessly
>...
"...So and what are the last things you remember about getting here?"
>"Well, my unicorn friend opened a portal here-..."
"Say what?! I though that humans invaded into YOUR world. Why did he even do that? "
>"It was she, her name is Twillight. -And sorry, I don't wanna talk about it."
"Come on, don't try to be mysterious. I thought we're past that." you chuckle  "...You didn't have any bad intentions, or did you?"
>"Of course we didn't." she looks at you shockedly, but not angrily "We had the best intentions. -Pinkie promise. But I won't answer any more."
"Okay then." you'd give up on asking, leaning into the couch next to her "..........but it's kinda funny, since you don't have a pinky finger."
>"What's a pinky finger?" she glimpses at you confusedly
"Well it's this finger." you point at your hand 
"That's why the saying about pinky promise, because you raise "the pinky" while you're swearing it... I think it means you cut it off if you break the promise?"
>"That's strange... I know it from a friend and it has a completely different meaning."
"Tell me." you'd adjust yourself on your seat with an excited smile, expecting a long story
>"Well she's pink, AND her name is Pinkie so that's where it comes from. It's probably her, swearing on her life, but other ponies sort of picked it up."
"..Huh, well, what a strange coincidence eh?"
>"Yeah..." she smiles faintly over it, then frowns, looking down on the ground, with the thought of her friends still in her head
>she looks almost the same as she did before she kicked the wall, but now the sadness isn't turning to any anger
>...it just stays
>right on her face
>...
>but before her eyes get watery, you'd start talking to distract her from that feeling creeping up on her
"If nothing else,.. at least we got a lot of time to figure how to get rid of that collar around your neck. I can imagine you'd want that off as soon as possible. What do you say we get to it now?"
>"Always gotta try finding something positive, right?" she looks up to you with a mixed feelings
>she's still holding back tears, but she's smiling as well
"Every coin has both of it's sides, good and bad..." you'd smile at her as warmly as you can, looking confidently in her eyes for a few seconds, because you mean it
>but when you do that, "it" happens again
>you can feel the sadness she feels, one that's ripping your heart out
>one that passes trough you like a cold shower on your back, making your eyes a little watery as well
>there's no use fighting it, can't even explain what is the reason, just a raw wave of emotion
>but once you've allowed it to pass, as if it dissapeared into thin air 
"I just want you to know,... there's no such thing as total darkness, till you carry your own light." you'd smile again, wiping your right eye
>she wouldn't say anything, but as if she found a courage in herself to agree, her smile somehow overpowers the tears
>for now
"...I'll just go get some of my stuff. I'll be right back, okay?" you'd then stand up
>while searching trough your tools, you're thinking about what just happened there, but you scrap all of it once you're back
"So, there must be some sort of weak spot on that thing." you'd move your hand closer to her neck "..Can I?"
>"Of course." she adjusts herself for you to have a better look at the collar
>so you'd gently grab it, inspecting how was it made, but it looks real sturdy
>pretty solid design, a fat leather, with a one piece of metal ring nailed around it
>on that metal ring is a box from some real hard and thick plastic with electronics, display and some buttons
"I suppose it's opening somehow inside that box." you tick on the box with a finger "But it's sturdy, might be even harder to break than the rest."
>"I can't even see it from here." she's trying to have a look at the collar curiously
"There." you hand her a small mirror from the toolbox "Figured you might want to have a look too."
>"Wow, thanks." she'd take it, trying to see her neck
"So, any suggestions where to start?"
>"Don't ask me. I have no idea."
"Hmmmm. I was thinking if maybe we could find some screws on it or gut the box trough the buttons. Or in the worse case, to try and either saw it, or heat it up a bit. But that's kinda risky."
>"Let's hope for the better scenario." she gives you a bit worried smile
"Yeah, let's try the buttons first." you take your plungers and grab one of the buttons "Hold steady." you'd tug with a force, but the plungers just slip
>so you hold it better this time and with a clank, the button goes out like a tooth
>but it doesn't really solve anything
>though, maybe there's some electric lock inside
>so you take a screwdriver and push it inside the box trough the hole
"Ha, there are some cables inside maybe if I- AAAAAAAH!"

>once you've torn one cable with the screwdriver, a swift electric surge goes trough your body, like getting zapped with a taser
>it makes you fall back, down on the ground with your butt
"Phew, sorry, that was dumb. Have you got shocked as well?" you're scratching your head
>but judging from her amused grin, she didn't
>"I think you might have rewired it." she laughs
"At least something." you chuckle back "But I'm not sure if this is gonna help anything... It looks like the screws are underneath it. Pressing on your neck." you slide a finger under the collar to check
>..
"Yup, there's... 4 of them. If we COULD turn it around and unscrew them, I would get inside the box and open it from there... But we can't. If only there wasn't that metal ring around. I wish they made cars as sturdy as this is."
>"...So,..what now?"
"The easiest way might be to simply saw it."
>"What?!" she widens her eyes
"I can't get to those screws and don't know about any other possibilities right now. Don't worry, it's gonna be fine." you're grabbing your saw for metal
>it's pretty sharp, you haven't been using that a lot lately
>"Oh." she gulps, watching the blade
"And it's gonna be pretty safe too. It'll probably just take a while. I don't want to rush it and cut you."
>"Take your time, please." she says, trying to sound like she's calm about it, even though she clearly isn't
>but you know what you're doing
"Okay, let's get to it." you smile "Could you bend your head down?"
>"Um, sure. Why."
"I'll have a better angle like that."
>"Okay." she carefuly lays on her belly, head resting over her front hooves 
>in the meanwhile, you get yourself a chair and put it next to her, slowly starting to work on the collar
>there's enough space for you to saw it without cutting her, but it takes time
>you're still very careful with every move, wouldn't want to hurt her even more after what she's been trough
>and after good 10 minutes,  you can feel you're finishing
>the ring is still pinned to the leather underneath, but the leather can be easily cut and then you can bend it open
"It's done."
>"Is it?"
"Not completely, I finished the sawing. But it's gonna be easy from here."
>"Nice! Can I help?" she instinctively tries to have a look over her shoulder
"Just hold still." you'd automaticaly, without full realization, pet her head, just like you would a dog
>that wasn't very appropriate
>but she probably didn't notice...
>anyway, now you're carefully cutting the leather strip to put both of your hands underneath the collar
"Now hold extra still please."
>with a loud "Hhhaaargh!" you pull the collar open, bending the ring and slide it right off her neck
>revealing that her skin underneath it, is pretty sore 
>you didn't even think about that before, but it must have been so irritating and maybe even painful to wear it all that time
"Oh. But that's-..."
>"It's gone! Yes! YES!" she rolls back, trying not to hurt her leg in the process
>and before you know it, she's spontaneously hugging you, not really giving time to react
>it comes out as a total shock, because you're not used to a lot of close physical contact
>it feels straight up weird at first, since you can't even remember the last time getting hugged by anyone
>but you'd still a little clumsily put own arms around her as well, trying to make it a little less awkward
>and it feel surprisingly.... good
>like, a real good
>her fur is mostly short, but really soft and very pleasant to touch, almost like some sort of kashmere
>but it's actualy longer at some places, for instance, you can feel a big "fluff" from her chest that's now being pressed against yours
>but the fur isn't the only soft thing about her, hew whole body feels... different than anything else you've ever touched
>closest association that you can think of, is when you're tripping on mushrooms, touching something you know that should be firm but it's still somehow "squishy" in your head
>the warming hug lasts for a few seconds, no longer than ten, but it felt a lot longer because of how strange and new sensation that was
>"I swear I will repay all of this someday." she smiles heartily with a little glitter in her eyes when letting go
"...That's fine, you don't have to. I beleive in karma." you smile back a bit dazedly
>wait, what did you say?
>"But I will. Promise." she insists, then thinks about the second thing you said "...What's karma though?"
"Yeah, I realized too late it would be a stupid thing to say." you scratch the back of your head
>"Why?"
"Because you can't possibly know what karma is."
>"Well, tell me." she smiles
"In short...It's like a universal law, that every action, good or bad, will eventualy be repayed to you in the same manner. In this life or the next one."
>"...That actualy works here?"
"I'd like to beleive it works. But there's no proof for others. Not a lot of people beleive it enough to actualy stop doing things they wouldn't want to happen to them. Of course sometimes I slip too but,.."
>"So... what made you beleive it?"
"Many things. I-.. it just makes sense to me. I got more reasons than one. But it makes me feel like there's an actual reason to do good, that we weren't put here just to hurt each other. If you know what I mean..."
>"I guess I do..." she looks down, thinking further about what you said "...But would that mean that everything bad that happens to us is... deserved?"
"Well,..... yeah. I try to think of that when I go trough hard times. Because feeling like a victim always made it all hurt more."
>"That's so harsh..." she frowns at first "...but also a bit calming... I..... don't know what to think of it."
"If it doesn't resonate with you, you don't have to think about it at all."
>"No, it's... it's okay..." she lays her head on the couch pensively
>accidentaly, she looks you in the eyes for a split second, making a shy smile, then looks awkwardly in other direction
>"...If that's true, I must have done a lot of both bad and good things in the past. Because I keep getting lucky in misfortunes." she puts her hooves together, gazing at them as if she was searching for some kind of answer there
>but after a few short seconds, she'd lay them down with a yawn
"...Are you sleepy?"
>"Maybe just a bit tired. But you must be a lot more than I am."
"No I'm actualy pretty fine." you smile "You should definitely rest with that leg. Also, your neck looks kinda painful too."
>"This?" she points the tip of her hoof at the collar mark and smiles, trying to look as carefree as possible "That's nothing. It just itches a bit now. I'm sure it's gonna be gone super soon."
"I might even have some oitment for it. ...Um and, if you get bored, I can leave you here some books too. If you want." 
>"That would be really kind of you, thanks." she smiles warmly
"No probs, I'll bring it right over. Because then I'll go shopping for some food."
>"No rush, it can wait. I'll probably go to sleep now anyway. Go buy the things first."
"Well,... in that case, see you later." you smile
>now comes the part where you'd usualy either do a bye bye handshake or something like that
>"Yeah, see you Anon." she raises hoof to do a gentle salute
>but at the same time, you'd pretty much automaticaly pet her again
>now that was really awkward
"Sorry, bad habit. I didn't mean to do that. ...My family used to have a lot of dogs, so..."
>"That's fine." she smiles and scratches her head at the spot where you've touched her softly enough to make that place itch
>so you'd smile a little more awkwardly and walk away, about to put on your clothes again
>most of it is still on you, just gotta grab a hoodie, a coat, some backpack and you're outside
>fast forward about 2 or 3 hours, you're back
>the collar is still laying on the ground where you left it and the cyan pony is sleeping
>it's about 3:30 pm, but in winter it means that it's gonna be dark in less than an hour
>maybe she'll sleep till morning
>your eyes shift back to the collar, you should do something with it
>so you fill a bucket with water and soap and throw it inside to make sure it's done for
>you can hear a bit of a buzzing as the collar short circuits
>then you pour all of it out, throw the broken collar in the bin, store all the stuff you bought and sit by the pc
"I forgot about the books." you realize while clicking on a videogame's icon "Well,.. it can wait a bit."
>you'd spend the rest of the day surfing or playing vidya and go to sleep pretty early too
>but when you're about to lay down on your bed, your eyes slide to the bookshelf
>you remember once again about what you've promised
>a few seconds of thinking whether you should leave it for tomorrow or not is ended with you, grabbing a few of your favourite books and bringing them to the living room
>oh yes, and the ointment, you remember
>you have stashed some herbal, skin healing one somewhere...
>after rustling trough some stuff in the bathroom, you've found it, so you put it next to the books
>and now it's finally time for bed
>today WAS a bit more full of action that your usual days are, so in the end, you are pretty tired
>but also glad you handled the all the situations well enough
>both the leg and the collar
>so you have a right to be glad about yourself
>thought, there's something else too
...
...
>you used to feel sort of lonely in your house, especialy during winters
>not sure what you'll do when she leaves, maybe loneliness won't be your thing anymore
...
>that's it! you gonna get yourself a puppy! A big huggable woofer
>maybe that's all you've missed, some company - of any kind
>with this warm feeling, you'd fall asleep almost instanly


Chapter Three: 

>you awaken in the middle of your sleep
>there was something happening in your dream
>but you sure as heck cant remember what exactly was it
>something about... bicycles and stuff?
>but that's not what's on your mind right now
>your throat is dry, you gotta drink something
>but there's nothing to sate your thirst around, so you'd have to get up from the bed if you want some hydration that bad
>for a minute, you're wondering whether is it worth it or not
>maybe you'll just fall asleep again with a dry throat...?
>but on the other hand...
>aw, heck, let's go Anon
>while at it, you'd check the time
>it's 5:20, almost morning
>if you were to go to work, you would be awake by now anyway
>whatever, you'll just get some water and go back to sleep
>but opening the door to living room reveals a light from shining bedlamp, illuminating the living room
>seems that you're not the only one up
>the pony is laying in her couch and reading one of the books you left her there
>"Oh, hi Anon. Good morning." she notices you and smiles softly, but warmly enough, while closing the book
>you'd raise your hand to wave and yawn before speaking
"Good morning Dash. Although, I'm not really sure it's morning yet."
>"Sure is for me." she grins "I slept more than enough... Thanks for the books by the way."
"You're welcome. How long you're up?" you've already walked over to the sink, pouring some water into a glass
>"Not that long. I just picked a book and started reading it's first few pages."
"-And what book did you pick?" you'd take a few big gulps
>"This one. Fellowship of the ring."
"Really?" you're quickly putting the glass down back down with growing interest "How did you choose that one?"
>"I opened a random page and read a bit of it. Also, I saw this map inside and thought it was kinda neat." she picks the map up to show you
"That's my favourite book! The whole trilogy, I mean. It's genial, if you ask me." you come alive suddenly, walking few steps towards her with growing interest "At which part you are?"
>"Still in prologue. But I like it so far..." she pauses, thinking for a second "...Care to join?"
"Oh well, I really sh-...... or......maybe,.. yes." you stutter indecisively "I mean, yeah, why not!? It's quite a time since I read it." 
>she'd just smile and move to the left, making you some space on the unfolded couch
>it feels a little strange come with her under one blanket, but... you're here for the book
>so you'd lie next to her and make yourself comfortable while keeping a few centimeters of space between you
>"All set?"
"Yup."
>"Alright,.." she grins at the book and starts reading with her rapsy voice "Concerning hobbits... I already read that, mind if I skip it?"
"No problem with that. And we can switch with reading after a few pages." you'd eye at her "To keep us both awake."
>"Sounds nice." she eyes back at you friendlily, then back at the book
>"Chapter one. -Long expected party."
>and so she reads until you'd switch and so on
>troughout the reading, sometimes you're explaining backstories or details regarding some characters and places, but only when she asks you about something
>having read all of that, including silmarilion, it's so cool to talk about it with someone who's genuinely interested
>after what seems like an hour, you've somewhat forgot about keeping the personal space and you're already lazily leaning on each other
>normaly, you're a little affraid of intimacy, but with her, being covered in fur, it doesn't really feel that weird for some reason
>but when the sun starts slowly rising, it's starting to turn that sleepy, cozy atmosphere of your dark room, iluminated only by a bedlamp,.. into a usual, foggy, grey morning
>in a way, it feels like morning after not sleeping at all
>you're not tired, but it has this strange kind of atmosphere
>so you'd slide your eyes on the clock, seeing it's 8:30 am already
>woah
>that also reminds you that you're a little hungry as you usualy would be in the morning
>so you'd finish the page
"Can we have a little pause? Just to get something to eat?" you're putting the opened book down on your chest
>"Oh sure, I'll wait... Or maybe one more page?" she eyes at you
"Or how about we finish this chapter and then have a breakfast?"
>"That sounds okays." she'd grab the book from your hands, giving you a slight grin before she continues reading
>after like 10 minutes, you're finishing the chapter
...
"And that's it. How do you like it so far?" you're closing the book for her with a booknote in it
>"I love it! Can't wait to see how's it gonna continue. It's really immersive."
"Sure is. And even on second or third read, you can find something new there." you chuckle and slowly lean up from the backrest, then stretch your upper body 
"W-what-" you're try to speak but get interrupted by your own yawn "-What do you want for breakfast?"
>"Me? Oh that's fine." she supresses her own yawn and carelessly shrugs her right hoof "You don't have to bother yourself."
"Come on I said WE'll have breakfast. I wouldn't let you starve while I eat." you smirk
>"Well,.." her stomach gurgles a bit when she thinks about food "...alright then. I'll have whatever you're having."
"Cereal it is then."
>"Oh nice. I haven't had that since foalgarden."
"What? That long? -Oh wait, I see, you're like 5 years old are you? -Because you're partly a horse?... -sorry if that came out wrong."
>"Pff, what? Seriously?" she covers her mouth, trying to suppress a laugh "You thought I'm that young? If I was 5, I'd STILL be in a foalgarden."
"Sorry... So how old are you really?" you chuckle
>"I'm 25." she snickers
"Say what? You're actualy older than me? AND you've been avoiding cereal for like... 20 years?" you'd widen your eyes with a surprised laugh "I don't know what's more shocking to me right now." 
>"So you're 24? Or less?" she's nudging your shoulder with an amused grin
"Yes 23, actualy... Now that's funny. I though you would be in puberty or something." you chuckle
>"Yeah, probably should have cleared that sooner" she chuckles back, pausing for a few seconds "..... And why did you think I'm in puberty though?"
"Well,.. mostly because of your voice. I thought it's a little raspy because it's not yet, uhh... settled?" 
>"Oh well, that's my normal voice." she scratches her head with a little embarassed grin "......Though, it's not really common among my kind either. Other mares usualy have a lot... softer voices."
"But it feels pretty unique,... I think I even kinda like the tone." 
>"You're just saying that." she chuckles
"No, I really meant that..." 
>"That's nice of you to say that..." her cheeks go a bit red even underneath that skyblue fur
>....but this is starting to feel like borderline flirting, so you'd rather change the subject
>that would be like,.. real weird, right?
"No probs..." you grin "...And what about your size, do you ponies stay like that?"
>"Yeah, we don't grow any more. How big would you like us to be?" she chuckles
"But you're tiny!" you laugh
>"Get outta here!" she's laughing back "It's only cause I walk on four. If I could stand on my rear hooves all the time I'd be almost as tall as you are."
"Almost, but not quite." you grin "But speaking of standing, I bought something yesterday. Remind me about it after breakfast."
>"...What is it about?"
"I got you a proper gypsum splint. We soak it in water and roll around your leg. It's gonna be a whole lot better than these bandages and sticks."
>"You shouldn't have... I don't wanna cost you more troubles. Seriously."
"It wasn't expensive. I saw it in reduced price and decided it must be fate." you smile humbly
>"But I'm not exactly doing in return. I don't think I deserve to be cared about like that."
"Karma, remember?" you'd raise an index finger, eyeing up for a split second with a little smile "Maybe you do, but you don't remember why."
>"Welp,. I guess, but it still feels like I should be doing something. ...-I'll clean this house for you when I learn to limp effectively enough."
"If you get bored, feel free to. Just don't overlimp yourself." you'd smirk and finally stand up from the bed to get the two bowls for cereals
>in the meanwhile, she moves herself on three legs from the bed to the table, where you've just put them
"Enjoy." you're handing her a spoon, box of cereal and a box of milk
>"You too."
>when you've both had enough lööps, you'd run off to bring the splint
>and by the time you're back, she's back in the couch
>knowing what's gonna happen, she's presenting the leg for you, slighty raising it up so you can put the towel you brought under it
>wouldn't want to stain the couch with a gypsum
>given she's basically naked, this feels somewhat wrong
>you can see practicaly everything from here
>what she said about dogs wearing pants clicks trough your head when you're seeing her like that
>and logicaly she might be even right, it shouldn't feel uncomfortable, but it does
"Hey, there's one more thing..." you'd stand up, running off for a second into your room
>returning with a pair of your biggest shorts
"Please put at least something on. This feels real weird."
>"What? No way, that looks pretty damn uncomfortable to wear." she's having a look, trying to stretch them between her hooves
>she's kinda right though,... in comparison to her thighs and buttocks, they would fit her real poorly
"Then at least put them on until I finish that.... Or cover yourself with your tail."
>"Okay. I'm going for the second option." she'd throw the shorts back at you and slides her tail trough her legs, laying it on her belly while covering her ladyparts
>guess that'll do
>so you bring a chair now, starting to undo the old bandages
"...Why do you always insist on being completely naked though?" you'd eye away from the leg, up onto her face
>"Not always. I have a few pieces of clothing back home too, but I wear them only rarely. It just feels natural not to wear anything."
"But why not at least cover your "thing"?"
>"Because it's also natural... and comfortable. And our tails cover it for most of the time. Other ponies aren't so weirded out about it like you are." she says so knowledgeably and confidently, it makes you feel like you're the one who's really wrong
>nonetheless...
"I guess, it's kind of a good point.... But this is Earth, not Equestria. We have different manners." you'd end the conversation and silently get to moistening the new, gypsum covered bandages
>she's equaly queitly watching you work on it when:
>"...Are you really so angry about it?"
"What? No I'm not angry, just-... forget it. -Anyway, the splint is almost done." you'd do the last few rollings
"Now it just needs some time to harden. It might take even a whole day or more to dry completely. So don't really step on it just yet."
>"Nice." she's vieweing her leg from all angles, then smiles excitedly upon finding no flaws "Thanks Anon!"
"No probs... Do you wanna return to the book now?"
>"Of course! I can't wait! Give it here."
>so you'd hand her the book with a grin and lie next to her, just like you did before
>soon it's almost 1pm, so you whip out 2 packets of vegetarian chillin sin carne you bought yesterday, heat it in a pan, eat it together and go back to reading
>and eventualy, you'd finish the whole book before 6 pm
>it almost feels like the whole day slipped trough your fingers
>but you wouldn't want it any other way, because even though you almost didn't move from the couch, you had a tons of fun
>"The end... That was SOOOO awesome! But poor Gandalf...and Boromir. I though Gandalf would stay there trough entire series." she frowns sadly, then looks up to you with a spark in her eyes "...And what happens next? Do you have the other two books?"
"Sure I do. I can bring them, but I'm a little bit tired of reading now. You can start without me if you want to, I might join you tomorrow."
>"I think... I'd rather wait for you with that. I can read something else in the meanwhile." she smiles
"Hey, that's awfuly nice of you."
>"I was always reading alone, but it's a lot of fun with somepony else! I think it might lose it's "magic" if I started without you." she simpers humbly, then blushes a little "To be honest, I didn't read a lot of books in my life. My whole youth - not a single one. Used to think it's all for eggheads."
"So, when and what made you change your mind then?" you'd adjust yourself to see better at her
>"I think I was about 17 or 18. Was in a pony hospital with a broken wing, bored to death, and by chance, one of my friends brought me a book which I fell in love with it."
"And what was the book about?"
 >"Basicaly, it was an adventure story about a pegasus mare, exploring old ruins, solving puzzles and fighting bad guys. But guess what?!" she inhales excitedly with a little squee "Later on I found out that she's real and all of it actualy happened! It was only pretending to be a fiction!"
"Wow, for real?"
>"Yes! I wanted to be just like her and it was so awesome to actualy meet her in person! She's so amazing: once she broke her wing and couldn't fly but she still managed to escape from a collapsing temple!.." she raises her front hooves dramaticaly and smiles so widely as if she was seeing it right in front of herself ".............But I'd have to show you the book with all the details and buildup, I know it doesn't sound that awesome when I'm just telling you about it..."
"Well, it has to be something if it hooked you up on reading overall." you'd nudge her shoulder with yours "...And you said you were in a hospital with broken wing?"
>"Yeah,. funny, now that I think about it. It feels as if there was some kind of pattern in life sometimes huh? Does that ever happen to you?"
"It does, sometimes. But it's not always easy to notice."
>"Tell me about it,... I couldn't think of anything else right now, even if you threatened to kill me, but could still swear things like that keep happening." she laughs
"Yeah, exactly." you'd grin back "...But I was wondering, what is Equestria like? And what did you do there?"
>"Equestria? Well, it was SO amazing there." she's now making a circle with her hooves "I used to live in a cloudhouse above a village of Ponyville,-"
"Wait. Cloudhouse?" you stop her "Like, made of actual clouds?"
>"Yes! I know right?! Can you imagine?" her eyes sparkle with even more excitement
"Hardly, to be honest." you'd scratch your head "It sounds amazing, but how do you make a house out of clouds?"
>"We pegasi can walk on clouds. Somehow we just do it. Other ponies like earths or unicorns can't, but we can shape them, move them,... all kinds of things."
"Woah, and you're not just making fun of me right now?"
>"Of course not, is it so hard to beleive?"
"Sort of. I've never hear of something so incredible. If you really are serious..." you'd look up, trying to imagine and actualy visualize such life "...Oh that must have been SO cool."
>"Sure it was." she grins under her hoof "And I'd just fly all day. It used to be my main job at some point of life, to manipulate the weather. Then I joined an aerobatic team. But working with clouds was always my speciality."
"That's amazing. ...But do you think our clouds here work the same?"
>"I don't know. I never flew here." she raises one of her clipped wings ".......I really miss flying."
"I can imagine, it must be horrible when someone takes something this important from you....... My whole life, I've secrectly wished for being able to fly."
>"You have?"
"Of course! Just to spread my wings, flap them see the ground shrinking. All the different perspectives! Actualy soaring trought the wind like swimming in water!" you'd close your eyes and raise your hands while mimicking it, then glance at her again "...Isn't that the best thing ever?"
>"It is... I mean, maybe. I loved flying and still do, dedicated most of my life to it..." she looks a little blankly somewhere else, but then smiles while glancing back at you "But sometimes, you can have just as much fun on the ground."
"I guess..." you'd grin a bit forcefuly, because you're having a hard time beleiving it "I never did fly for real, just in my dreams, so I can't really tell."
>"Oh, but you will!" she lightens up suddenly
"What do you mean?"
>"When all my feathers grow back and my legs heals, I'll take you with me on a flight!"
"Aren't you a little too small to lift me?" you chuckle "I mean, it's really kind of you, but I'll be too heavy."
>"Nonsense, I could pick up two earth ponies and still fly. And beleive me, they are heavy. You're talking to the best flyer in Equestria." she pats her chest proudly, then smirks "...Or at least the best I know of."
"Well, in that case I accept your offer Mrs. Rainbow!" you say jokingly and raise your fist as for a fistbump
>which she understands, bumping you back with her hoof
"...Funny, I don't know almost anything about you, or your home."
>"Well I didn't think you'd honestly care." she chuckles
"Of course I do. Entirely different new planet? That sounds amazing! You gotta tell me more."
>"What else you'd like to know then?"
"I don't know where to start..." you'd look outside the window for an inspiration "...How do your cities look like, for instance?"
>she thoughtfuly puts her hoof under her chin, scratching herself a few times
>"...That's hard to categorize. Most of them look kinda unique from each other. There's Canterlot, where princesses Celestia and Luna live. And it's hanging on a mountain! Everything is so...so... fairytale and picturesque! That is the right word I think. ...But there are also cities like Manehattan,.. which now that I think of it, look a bit like human cities. It's concrete and stuff, but not as ugly as this one."
"Manehattan? There's a city called Mannhattan here. Do you think it's a coincidence?"
>"I don't know. But it's odd, isn't it?."
"Yeah. -And what about the princesses you talked about? Are those your rulers? Are they ponies too?"
>"They are alicorns! They can both fly and use magic." she's raising her wings and drawing a long horn on her forehead
"I see. And what are they like? Do they care about their people- I mean ponies?"
>"Of course. Celestia raises the sun for us, and her younger sister Luna raises the moon."
"Wait, what? How do you raise a sun or moon? Sun stands still and the planet rotates around it."
>"I don't know, I'm not a study type. But she does it! There were times when she wasn't around and it was just dark."
"What happened back then?"
>"A long story... We had numerous invasions or attempts to destroy our harmony, but we eluded all of them."
"Whoa, wait, invasions? I was thinking of how peaceful and magical the land is. So you're in a war?"
>"No, no it's just that sometimes big things happen out of nowhere. Like a demigod awakening from his stone prison and collapsing almost whole reality. Yeah, that happened... But we took care of him."
"How do you kill a demigod?"
>"We didn't kill him. We befriended him." she smiles "To be specific,.. Fluttershy, my friend did."
"And you seriously weren't just making anything of it up the whole time?"
>"Of course not! Why would I?"
"Because it all sounds like out of some fantasy book. It's so weird and awesome." you're smiling excitedly "And you really live in a place like that?"
>"Lived..." she lowers her head down "Maybe I just wasn't grateful enough when I had the chance..."
"Hey,.." you'd place your hand on her shoulder "it was you, who said there must be a way back. And I trust that if someone was to find it, it will be you. Chin up."
>she'd look at you with her big magenta colored irises and you can see how she's struggling to at least fake a smile, but her eyes are already getting all watery
>maybe she doesn't really beleive what she said back then
>right now, her mouth is pouting as if she wanted to say something
>but she wouldn't, she looks away and you can see her face scrunching and cringing before-
>"It's all my fault!" she burst into a cry, sobbing uncontrollably "I thought I was the only one until now, but you saw it yourself! Three hundred sixty nine! Ponyville is gone!" 
"Don't be so harsh on yourself. It's not your fault..." you'd shake her gently with your palm still on her shoulder, trying to calm her down
>"You have no idea." she snivels "It was me who found him and brough him to Twillight to open the portal... Because I promised HIM to get him home!"
"What are you talking about?"
>she turns back at you, eyes all red from crying and her cheeks all soaked with tears
>she's desperately trying to hold it back so that she could at least speak, but she's still sobbing between words
>"A human. In Equestria. He was wearing that green uniform and said he just wants to go home! I though he was cool and I was so stupid to trust him! But when we opened the portal to that place he told us to, he turned on us!"
>out of nowhere she buries her face in your chest and continues crying even louder and forlorn
>never had anyone spill their heart out on you like that, but you'd still silently pull her closer and embrace her in a tight hug
>that's the least you can for her now
"Shhh, easy there." you're tenderly stroking her mane with one hand "...You only wanted to help. It isn't your fault. Please,.. don't torture yourself because of it."
>"Anon," she sobs into your shirt again with a shaking voice, then pleadingly looks up, straight into your eyes and- "...you're not going to betray me, aren't you? P-please, tell me I can I trust you..."
>the look in those big, magenta eyes is so hauntingly desperate and artless...
>how could you possibly even consider doing harm to this creature?
"Of course you can always trust me." you'd hug her even tighter and close your eyes, that are now filled with tears as well "I promise... Pinkie promise."
>leaning your head onto hers at first, she actualy slides back down on your chest
>and tears, that you saw her so many times hold back, are now all slowly soaking trough your t shirt
"...I'm with you. Everything will be alright." you're gently rocking her in your arms, but there's no point in trying to make her stop
>all of this needs to be let out, for all the times she had to keep it in
>and she continues crying on and on
>it could as well be for almost half an hour
>you'd stay with her, not letting go, until her weeping turns into mere quiet snivels
>and you're gently stroking her mane until she calms down completely, so that you're only hearing her heavy breaths and a pulse of her beating heart
"...Are you ok now, Dash?" you'd ask then 
>"I...feel a little better now..."
"Good. Relax now... Can you promise me something too?" you're fondling her cheek, trying to make her look up at you
>"W-what is it?" she wipes her nose, using her hoof
"Don't ever blame yourself for things like that again. Okay?"
>"But..." her head keeps dodging you
>but you'd softly raise her chin in your direction so that she really hears what you're about to tell her, waiting for her to look you in directly the eyes
"...Things may not always go as planned. But important is, what you feel inside. You didn't want to hurt anybody, did you?"
>"I didn't..."
"Then you don't need to blame yourself for that. You wouldn't do that if you knew what was gonna happen. Wouldn't you?"
>"No..."
"See? So can you forgive yourself?"
>"...M-maybe.." she sobs "I'll try....."
"That's my girl. Come here." you'd hug her tenderly with a smile on your face
>funny, a few days ago, never would you beleive it that you'll be comforting a lonely blue alien
>one that... you, strangely enough, really care about
>not only because she needs it, but because you want to
>and despite knowing her so shortly,.. you already consider her a dear friend
>so it doesn't feel strange or awkward at all
...
>eventualy, you'd let go from the hug again, but keeping your hands on her shoulders
"Look, you're strong and I'm sure everything will turn out alright. Didn't you say there have been multiple invasions or even a demigod attack? I'm sure it wasn't easy back then too."
>"Y-You're right. And everytime we made it. Somehow..." she's still wiping her eyes
"See? There's nothing as pitch black." you're now slowly sliding your hands from her shoulders back to yourself "Only shadows. But where's shadow, there's light. And if your Princess can raise the sun, maybe she can rescue the other ponies too."
>"Thanks,.." she snivels for the last time and lets go of you completely "...for beleiving, and for being here. I really needed it..."
"Don't mention it. I think I'm just doing my part in the universe's plan."
>"Universe's plan? ...What do you mean, like the universe out there?"
"...Yeah, pretty much. I believe the whole thing is a one consciousness, fully aware of itself and all of us living in it. And wants everyone to thrive."
>"....Then why doesn't it ever do anything?"
"I think it already did. It could have been it's mercy that you've happened to escape and wound up here of all places. Some things happen so miraculously, it's hard to consider them a coincidence."
>"If you put it that way... ,but it could have warned me not let this happen, in the first place."
"...Maybe it was just bound to be?" you'd shrug your shoulders cautiously, wouldn't want to hit her soft spot with what you're saying "Some things we can't avoid, because they might be pre-dictated."
>but surprisingly enough, she remains calm about it
>"...With karma, you mean? Even if I was to accept that, then what did others do to deserve this?"
"I-... don't know. Look I'm not trying to convince you into thinking like I do. It's just... sorry if this is uncomfortable."
>"No I,.. I'd just like to have at least some sort of explanation of things I can believe. Because nothing hurts more than being so confused."
"I understand... I was too, at my lowest point when I begin to search for answers of this type.... But I think you're really wise."
>"Wise? Me of all ponies?" she laughs with pure sincerement "What makes you think that?"
"Because of how you managed to overcome all this. And look at you, all smily now." you're grinning with her "That's wisdom and a lot of inner strenght."
>and really, her eyes may be still red from all the crying and her cheeks wet from tears, but in her smile, there's freedom now
>"Maybe you just know how to work with me." she nudges you, but she's still smiling
"Maybe I played a part, but the deciding is always here." you put your hand on her chest, right on her heart, then on her forehead "And also here. -If your heart was broken for good and your mind empty, I'd be here for nothing."
>and from her expression you can tell, this may be something she'll remember
"...........But now, I imagine you must be hungry. Because sure as heck I am." you laugh when the little "moment" ends
>"You're kinda right..." 
"You know what? Let's get pizza!"
>"Pizza?" she's eyeing at you curiously
"You don't know what's pizza?"
>"No, what is it? Something special?" her curiosity rises ever further
"Sort of." you chuckle "All the people may have different ideas about literaly everything, but most of them love pizza every now and then. Lemme get my phone." you'd stand up and start dialing
>"What is it lik-"
"Hello! Can I have one spinachi and one quatro formaggi?... Yes, that's correct adress. Thank you very much miss. Bye bye."
>and you hang up the phone
"Sorry for interrupting, -it's like a... salty dough with mashed tomatoes, basil and something of your choice. You'll see in half an hour." you grin
>and truly, in half an hour, there's a knocking on your door
>you both would come closer and you're opening with a wallet in your hand
>there's a kid about 16 years old with a pizzeria logo on his winter hat, carrying two boxes
>>"Good evening sir! Here's spinachi and quatro formaggi for Mr.- hey what is that strange animal?" the pizza guy interrupts himself when he notices Rainbow Dash, standing on three legs behind you
>"Hey you I'm no animal!" she defends herself immediately and if she was able, she might have even already been after him
>>"Yikes! You talk!" 
"Yes, she's a pony." you'd step between them "And she was quite expensive. But I'd appreciate if you didn't tell anyone about her or at least not mention my adress, wouldn't want to raise a fuss. And keep the change please." and you're giving him the money
>>"I won't,..mention the adress. Thank you mister."
"You're welcome." you close the door
"Now, let's get to eating!"
>"Show me!"
>so you'd open the upper pizza box, revealing to her a tasty looking spinachi pizza
"Ta-Dah! Yea, it's just food but I never get tired of it. Have a slice."
>"It smells nice." she's taking one slice to have a bite "And tastes even better! This is great!"
"I'm glad you like it." you're sitting down with it to the table
>she sits too, while already stuffing her mouthful with another slice
>it's almost funny watching her, she was always pretty modest in front of you, as far as food goes
>maybe she didn't trust you enough before to open up like that, or she just really likes it
>who knows
>but it somewhat warms your heart anyway
>you're finishing your slice while she finishes her second
"Try the second one too." you'd open the second box with a chuckle
>"Why thank you!" 
>and so it continues, until there's only about half a pizza left
>"You want the rest?"
"Nah, I'm fine. You can have it."
>"Well, as good as it is, I may have reached my limit." she's patting her stuffed belly and accidentaly let's out a loud burp at the end of her sentence
>"...Sorry."
"I don't mind." you'd burp a little more reservedly under your hand with a laugh "It's not healthy to hold it."
>then glimpse at the rest of pizza with a little grin
"But I think I had enough as well. We can just leave it for later. It's better when it's hot, but cold one isn't bad either." 
>and you'd stand up to put the box in the fridge
>while at it, you also check the time
>it's 8:36 pm
"How the time flies eh?"
>"Why do you check it so often?"
"I don't know. A bit of a habit. It's just that I should go to sleep around 10 pm."
>"Why so specific time?"
"I'm working tomorrow. Gotta get enough sleep, because I'm supposed to be there at 6:00 am."
>"What? Why so early? It's still dark by that time."
"I know. I'm really not glad about it either."
>"And what happens if you don't go?" she twitches her left ear curiously
"Well, I either get fired or taxed."
>"But if you get fired, you can work somewhere else, no? Somewhere better?"
"I can, but I don't know where. It's not like there is no work at all. But all I've tried felt kind of... same you know? In a way. Same working times. Similiar pays. Just different things to deal with. Where I work now, it's... okay, at least. People there are pretty friendly and,..." you wouldn't finish
>"...But you don't enjoy it, do you?" she's reading you like an open book
"I don't. But I need the money to pay the bills and buy food. I still got some reserves, but can't live from those forever."
>"Sorry."
"That's fine. Most folk are like that. Maybe one day I find something I'll be passionate about..." you smile "...Did you like being an aerobat?"
>"I loved it. That's why I was surprised people would do something they don't like. Ponies do what their talent is and they naturaly enjoy it." she points at her flank
"I was curious about that picture, but I wasn't sure if it wasn't something rude to ask. What does it mean?"
>"Rude?" she laughs, banging the table "That's everypony's pride. We get our cutiemarks when we find our talent."
"Cutie marks? That sounds funny, but kind of adorable. How long are these being used?"
>"What do you mean?" she tilts her head in confused curiosity
"Well, someone invented it, no? Painting a symbols of talent on your bodies?"
>"No. It's just the way we are. It's not a paint. It appeared on my flank when I did my first sonic rainboom."
"It appears just like that? With no one intervening?"
>"Yes. That's the way it goes." she smirks
"Can I have a look?"
>"Sure."
>so you'd slide your chair closer and drag your finger across her flank back and forth, trying to have a closer look
>"That tickles!"
"Sorry."
>"Don't apologize for tickling, Anon." she laughs, on which you return her a chuckle
"So it looks like it's on your skin and fur, both? Like a pattern on a cat? Wow, that's seriously neat. And how long does it grow?"
>"It literally just appears in a moment."
"That's like magic! I mean, it probably IS magic. Not that uncommon in Equestria eh?"
>"Yup."
"And what's that sonic rainboom you mentioned?"
>"I call it like that. It happened when I flew so fast the air exploded into a giant rainbow circle!" she excitedly draws an invisible explosion "I did it couple times more since that. Twillight would have some scientific explanation on it if she was here."
"A giant rainbow circle?"
>"And it spreads all across the sky with a big boom!" she continues gesturing "That's why "Sonic Rainboom""
 "After what you said, I probably shouldn't be surprised, but that still sounds unbeleivably awesome."
>"I know right?" she squees excitedly with her hooves covering her mouth "I'll have to show you one day when my feathers grow back... If it works here too. I hope it does."
"Me too." you smile "But I won't take your word for it. I don't want you to push yourself too hard or get in trouble because of it."
>"If I can pull it off, I can fly away from all the trouble." she laughs "Don't worry about that."
"Alright, jet pilot." you laugh back
>"...What's a jet, Anon?"
"Something really fast. But also kind of.. devastating. Nevermind,.. forget that."
>"It is an animal?"
"No, it's a machine. A military one, sadly. But here on earth it's taken like a universal symbol of speed. There's even a song: Wired were the eyes of a horse on a jet pilot. One that smiled when he flew over the bay." you make an intentionaly bad impression of Serj Tankian "It would probably be better if you heard the original."
>"The original?"
"Yes, a recording from the band that wrote the song. Wait, lemme show you." you'd head to your notebook and turn on the external speakers and subwoofer
"Here it is." you'd press play, letting the song start banging pretty loudly
>she yanks, as it starts really unexpectedly
>"Woah, didn't expected that thing to be this loud." she laughs when the initial shock falls off
>so you turn it down a bit, so that you can talk
"And this is how jet looks like." you're turning the monitor in her direction and point at the image you just found on google
>"So it's all made out of metal and the human is in that small part in front? I expected something small and light. How does something so big and heavy even flies?"
"Well, I'm not exactly a jet engineer, but if you look from behind, most of it's size is just the engine and wings. I think they had to make the engine big so it can actualy lift itself, if it makes any sense."
>"Sort of... About the song, is all human music like this?" she points at the speaker still playing
"Don't like it, eh?"
>"It's not bad actualy. It just really caught me off guard how it goes from harsh to melodic in few seconds. It's... exotic?"
"This band is a slightly exotic even to me, to be honest. That's why I love them." you chuckle while the song slowly ends "But the music varies. There's so many different bands, styles and voices you couldn't even count them. I can leave you here some songs to listen for tomorrow, if you wanted to."
>"I'd love to." she smiles "But how does this even work? And where is the music stored?"
"That's... kind of a hard thing to explain where is the music stored. If it's directly in the PC, there's physical harddisk inside on which is it written." you're pointing at the notebook "But this right here is playing from the internet, so it's not in there. See that cable behind it? The blue one. Trough it goes the information."
>"I'm not a tech type but I think sort of understand the concept...a bit. I saw some electric things before, even back home, but I never cared about them at all. So if you unplug it in the middle of a song, it starts playing trough the cable?"
"Well,.. no." you giggle "Trough the cable goes just information, 1s and 0s. Like a whole lot. And from it, it decodes into this." you point at the screen 
>"Welp, I'm affraid that this is where you lost me. How do you even- Wait, don't answer. I'm sure it'd get me lost even more."
"Alright." you laugh "It must be as strange to you as your world's magic is to me."
>"Spot on." she points her hoof at you with a grin
"So I guess it would be better if I left here some CDs with music instead of trying to teach you to use a PC in a hurry."
>"If it's easier?" she smiles awkwardly
"Definitely." you whip out an old CD bag you had in a drawer under the desk, - a relic nowadays "On each of these discs, there's music."
>"Hey it's like a gramophone!"
"You have that in Equestria?"
>"Sure! And where do you put these?"
"Either PC, or that old boom box over there." you point "The second option would likely be better." and you'd stand up to bring it closer to show her
>haven't used that thing in years, it's more of a remembrance item, but you're sure it works
"You'll just put it inside. That's all. Here's volume intesity and these buttons skip tracks. And play/pause is here."
>"Nice! And how long will you be gone tomorrow?"
"I should be back around 3pm."
>"Wow... I expected it would be a bit sooner."
"Yeah..." you'd scratch your head awkwardly "...Anyway, I should probably get myself a shower and go to sleep soon. I'm exhaused. How about you?"
>"Well, I can imagine laying on a couch and falling asleep in ten minutes too. But showering might be an issue here." she knocks with her hoof on her gypsum covered leg
"Not as big of an issue as you might think." you stand up and start searching trough your kitchen shelves
>"What do you mean?"
"A-ha!" you're victoriously holding a roll of plastic foil "We can cover it with this."
>"Do humans always have gadgets for everything?" she laughs
"Yeah. I think we compensate with them a lack of magic in our world." you laugh back "But anyway, here it is. Can you roll it around by yourself?"
>"I can. But to be completely honest,.. I kind of wanted to leave the shower for tomorow. I hate sleeping with my fur wet."
"That's... actualy pretty understandable. It must be like sleeping with my hair wet. But worse."
>"Exactly." she grins "But could you leave it here? I'll shower in the morning."
"Sure thing." you'd leave it next to the couch and continue to the bathroom
"About teeth, I got one spare toothbrush here, you want it?!" you yell trough the door while brushing your teeth
>"Yes! Thank you!" she yells back
"It's on the sink, next to the paste!"
>"Alright! I'll go get it in few minutes, I'll just take a look at these discs!"
>while you're showering, you can hear the bathroom door opening as she limps inside to get the brush
>your shower glass is tinted and matte so you only see a blue smudge moving around bathroom and hear a sound of teeth being brushed
>confident in your glass, you pay no attention to her being there
>and as she shuts the door behind her, you'd open the shower and step out
>you've prepared a big towel right next to you, so you reach straight for it
>but just as you're grabbing it, the door is opening again
>in panic, you'd forcibly pull on the towel
>but it's on the hook,... which goes with it, getting ripped straight out of the wall
>with the unexpected partial loss of balance, your legs slide on the water underneath you, so you fall on the ground with the towel landing onto you, covering most of your body underneath it
>including your crotch
>"Are you ok? I was just gonna have quick wee before going to sleep." she starts apologizing
"I'm fine. Nothing happened." you're picking youself up, rolling the towel around your lower part of the body in the process 
>then you notice the hook ripped out of the wall and chuckle, then laugh loudly, realizing what happened
"Ha-ha! Jeez, that was stupid... But also funny."
>"Sorry..."
"That's nothing. I just overreacted when it comes to hiding my junk. I see why you ponies have it easier."
>"Yea..." she smirks and dissapears behind the toilet curtain
>on the way back, she'd glimpse up at your chest while you're brushing your own teeth, waist naked 
>"...You too have more fur there?... Can I touch it?"
>the question is a bit strange to you, but ponies probably aren't that shy about each other
"Well, I guess." you'd kneel down so that she can reach with her right hoof onto your hairy chest
>"...It's a bit rougher than your mane."
"How do you even feel it?"
>"Um, with my hoof?" she chuckles obviously
"I know, but isn't it solid? Like a nail?"
>"Only the circle around it. The center is pretty sensitive."
"Really?"
>"Yes." she puts it right in front of you to have a look, while somewhat tottering on the remaining two, since she can't put much weigh on her right hind leg
>so you reach for the hoof it and try pinching it with a finger while helping her keep balance as you're holding her
"Heh, that's interesting. How much do you feel that?" you circle around the soft, almost spongy center
>"That tickles, Anon!" she giggles
"Curious." you chuckle and stop, just looking at it
>"It's also the part of hoof which lets us pick up things." she sits down finally, instead of trying to balance on two
"I wasn't even gonna point that out how strange is it that you can do that." you grin "It works like a magnet too?"
>"I don't know, it just works."
"Curiouser and curiouser." you'd let go of her hoof "You are marvelous creatures... I'm glad I punched that guy."
>"Me too." she smirks amusedly and adjusts her rump onto her tail so that she isn't sitting directly on the tiles
"I know you are." you laugh and rustle trough her mane while standing up "....Could you turn around now, for a few seconds, so I can cover myself?"
>"Of course." she does so and even covers her eyes with another towel laying next to her
"Okay. I'm done." you'd announce after few short seconds, when you're finished drying and slipped into your bathrobe
>"Sometimes I wish I could dry so easily too." she chuckles when she looks back
"Yeah, but then you'd have to wear clothing all the time in winter." you smirk
>"Everything has it's positives and negatives."
"For instance, I wouldn't mind having a fur like that. I hate cold. Although, it would probably make my face look a lot different." you'd glance at yourself in the mirror above the sink, then sit down on the tiles next to her "But maybe humans were just meant to be without fur."
>"Right." she smirks
"Can I tell you something?"
>"Of course." her ears twitch curiously
"I really enjoy chatting with you like that. ...I don't usualy get along with people this well..."
>"Why so?"
"I dunno,.. They just feel real distant. I like them and wish them all the best, even if they're bad, but I hardly enjoy long conversations... What I meant was just-... thanks for being like that."
>"Like what?" she chuckles
"The way you are." you chuckle back "Whatever it is."
>she'd simper in a very strange manner, one that you probably haven't seen her or just didn't notice enough
>and maybe she's blushing a little too
"........Well, but I guess I should go to sleep now." you'd scratch your head
>"Me too." she yawns and chuckles, together leaving the bathroom
"Goodnight, Dash." you're waving at her before turning off the lights
>"Goodnight Anon!"