Friends in High Places

>Day Unidentified Flying Object on Earth

>Be Anonymous

>You are a woodsman, proud and strong, living on the fringes of a small city at the summit of a modestly tall mountain

>You care not for the trappings of society and live life in the most natural way you can think of

>Today is another excellent day to gather fruits and fish

>You take your well-crafted fishing pole in hand and a small bag of night crawlers with you to spend the cool morning by the lake

>The hike through your forest is simple and your bare feet know the ground well

>You smile as you come upon your small stone chair and prepare for a relaxing day

>The water is still and the air is calm

>For the moment, you realize a bit too calm

>It is too early for the birds to be migrating, but perhaps they have sensed a possible storm in the making

>As for now, you do not feel anything out of place

>You cast your baited hook into the blue waters and sit back

>You nod in and out of sleep as the warm sun shines easily

>It is not long before you feel a tug at your line and you land your first fish

>Two more follow soon after as you fill your small pail with the bounty

>Three fish should tie you over for the day

>You begin trekking off towards home when your ears catch the sound of something not unlike thunder

>A ball of fire fills the sky and you trace this meteor through the air

>The tail seems to swish on its own in a zigzag pattern, leaving a purple and red trail in its wake

>It soon becomes apparent that the meteor is heading dangerously close to your home

>You run swiftly on tiptoes through the dry forest in the vain effort to ensure your dwelling's safety

>The object hurtles toward the mountain side before making contact with another loud booming noise

>You listen closely to nothing in particular as you approach the crash site

>You move closer to the hole as your heart pumps and adrenaline readies your muscles

>The dust slowly settles from the air as you peer over the very edge of the crater

>To your astonishment, something purple and small is laying neatly in the middle of the destruction

>You can't quite make out what the thing is, but you know for certain it is not of this world

>You watch intently for a moment longer as your courage builds to approach the strange object

>Slowly, carefully, you inch your way over to the center

>A knife finds its way into your hand as you take a deep breath

>You close within a meter of the creature to see that it looks like a rather colourful horse, albeit very small as if it were but a pony

>You freeze in place as you try to piece together what the thing at your feet may be and, more importantly, what it may do if it is still alive

>Before your imagination takes complete control, the beast stirs

>Your eyes go wide as you watch it stand

>A long, dark mane with two coloured stripes hang from its head with a tail matching in appearance

>Two disproportionately large eyes fill the creature's face and shine with an unnatural lavender hue

>If all these oddities didn't concern you already, the creature does something to completely unnerve you; speak

TS: Ohh... my head... that spell might be a little harder than I though, Luna...

>The creature looks up at you while you stare in abject horror

TS: Wait, you're not Princess Luna... this doesn't look like Canterlot at all!

>You clutch the knife tighter still and hold it at your waist

>The beast stares at you for a while longer

TS: You don't look like a pony

>The small horse sizes you up before smiling and extending a greeting

TS: My name is Twilight Sparkle and I am from Canterlot. As you are some new species not yet discovered, I cordially wish to extend a welcome hoof from equinity to, um... whatever you call yourself! So... what -do- you call yourself?

>It has been a long time since you have spoken to any other person, let alone some alien being

>Your voice comes across as grunts with a gruff tone

A: Anonymous... just Anonymous. What are you?

>The alien speaks to you with a smile on its elongated face

TS: Well, I'm a pony, of course!

>You have seen horses and ponies in your time

>None have ever looked like this, let alone speak

A: What's on your head?

>You point with your knife towards the creature's forehead, just between the mane

TS: Oh, that? My horn. Don't tell me your kind doesn't know what a horn is?

>The creature is rather sarcastic for an alien

>You almost instantly remember why you don't like dealing with your own kind

A: What do you want?

TS: Want? I... don't really want anything! I guess a snack and a drink would be nice. I am really tired after studying all day. Luna can be a hard teacher sometimes!

>You are not sure what this thing may eat and you find yourself clutching your blade once more

TS: Oh, and some paper and quill would be great so I can rewrite the spell and go back to Canterlot! Not sure if you have those things in this place

>She turns around in place a few times

TS: Are we in a forest? I've read a lot about forests! Did you know that there are over four hundred and seventy-two different species of beetle in the Everfree Forest? Not only that, but there are over forty species of trees with no two beetles living in any given tree at any given time!

>You stare in awe as this horse begins spewing -facts- about nothing you know or care to know about

A: Stop...

TS: Stop?

A: Stop

TS: Oh... OK... um, so... do you live out here?

A: Yes

>You point your knife to your home not but ten meters away

TS: Oh... it looks... nice?

>The horse tilts its head left to right as it judges your handcrafted house

TS: I live in the castle with the princesses. You wouldn't happen to have a princess here, would you?

>You stare for a moment into the creature's curious eyes and realize you do not know

>Instead, you shrug, grunt and begin circling to your home

>You keep a careful eye on the creature as you move away

>Without warning, the creature begins to follow you from a moderate distance

TS: So... would it be alright if I stay with you until I get some materials? I have a few bits on me to pay for a night or two? Unless there is an inn around here?

>So many questions, your head is slightly hurting from all this talking

A: No...

TS: No, there is no inn?

A: No, you can't stay here

TS: But, I can't just stay out here! It's not even civilized! Where would you even go to the bathroom in the forest?

>You stop to think only to find you don't really understand what living in a city means anymore

A: I said, "No"

>You attempt to walk on only to be dogged by the alien known as Twilight Sparkle

TS: Please, sir! I don't want to be left out here! It looks like it's going to rain and I don't come from... wherever this place is!

>The sobbing hits you first as you have not heard another person cry in a long time

>Though you are not certain of it, this animal may actually be some kind of mutated person

>It may even be some kind of alien that can impersonate human emotion

>You become increasingly distant as you imagine what cruelty this alien may be planning, if it is planning at all and not already enacting its treachery

>Your eyes shift in their sockets from the creature to your door and back again

>As if by instinct, you sprint to your front door and pull it open before bolting yourself inside

>It doesn't take long until you hear a pawing at your door

TS: Anonymous! Please! Let me in!

A: No

TS: I want to come inside, Anonymous!

A: Please go...

TS: Why are you being so mean!?

A: I am not mean

>You hear the creature's frustration now as the tapping at your door increases

TS: What if there are timber wolves out here? Timber wolves -eat- ponies! I don't want to be eaten! If you let me in, I'll, um... I'll show you some magic tricks! Please!?

>You don't trust people and certainly not aliens

>But, the feminine voice echoing in your head makes you second guess yourself

>While there are no wolves you know of, there are bears that roam the wood

>You know a bear would make quick work of you and quicker still of this small creature

>A defeated sound of sobbing begins at your door now and you lean your head in closely against the grain

A: Stop...

TS: S-stop? Is t-that all you can say?

>She chokes and sniffles a bit

TS: I d-don't understand w-why you won't l-l-let me in

>Her crying escalates

A: Please, stop crying...

>You can't stand it any longer and open the door

A: Please...?

>She looks to you with swelling eyes and a running nose

>You just stare at this beast

>Why is it so... depressed?

>Has it never experienced rejection before?

>Surely, everything has at one point or another

>You think of why you came out here to live alone so many years ago before looking back to the broken pony at your doorstep

A: Come now...

>You stand to one side as your mind races with questions

>You haven't had to think so hard about another person in so long and this causes you a mild bit of confusion and pain

>The horse looks up to you with wider eyes now

TS: Do you... do you mean it?

A: Yes... move...

>Twilight slips in carefully away from you as you close the door again

>You stand at the threshold and stare strangely at her for the moment

A: Hungry?

TS: Ah... a little, yes

A: What do you want?

TS: Um, hay fries? If you have them...

>You don't even know what that is and shake your head

TS: Oh, um... a dandelion sandwich? Maybe just an apple?

>You have none of these things on hand

A: Pears

TS: Oh, you have them?

>You go to a small cabinet and reveal a dozen or so ripe pears on the verge of becoming preserved

>Drying fruits is the best way to make them portable and increase their longevity way out in the forest

>You pick up three and present them to Twilight

>You mind parting with so much food when you barely forage for more than a few days worth of supplies for one body

A: Here, don't eat too fast...

>You place them on a small stool that is about head height for Twilight

>What happens next makes you wish you had left the creature outside

>The strange horn on its head glows an eerie purple glow as it spies the food

>You step back as a slice lifts into the air on its own and flies effortlessly towards the beast's mouth

>You shake in parts suspicion and parts fright at what you just witnessed as you try to put your table between the two of you

TS: Oh, these are good! Thank you so much!

A: You are a witch...

>It makes sense now!

>A human with the ability to change their shape and still speak

TS: A witch? No, I am a unicorn. Haven't you ever seen a unicorn before?

>The beast looks at you with a genuine curiosity

A: If you are a witch, you must want something from me. What do you want?

TS: You know, you keep asking me that same question and I keep telling you the same thing

A: I do not have paper or pencils here. You need to go into the town to get those

TS: Perfect! how do I get there?

A: The forest ends at the base of this mountain. There will be a city road

TS: Yeah, that doesn't explain it. Could you take me there?

>You find a rusty laugh escape your throat at the very idea that you would go anywhere near that place

A: No...

TS: What is wrong with you and being civilized?

A: Why do you want to be amongst the noise?

TS: Why do -you- want to block out everything?

>You have had enough questions for a lifetime now and simply sigh as you try to maintain yourself

A: What does a witch want with me?

TS: I told you, I am -not- a witch! I am a unicorn and I have a name!

A: This is my house and now I ask the questions. You can leave freely...

>The beast seems to back down at your threat and you feel slightly safer

A: If you are not a witch, then touching this iron pot will be simple

>You hold out an old cooking pot and push it towards Twilight

TS: You are a strange creature, Anonymous. If it makes you happy...

>You see Twilight lift the pot with magic and bring it close to her

>She holds it in her hooves and stares blankly at you

>She does not burn from it or even so much as smolder and this upsets you for a few reasons

A: Fine... Unicorn. What do you want?

TS: Ugh, you sound like a broken record! I told you what I want and I would be well on my way back to Canterlot if you would just go to your silly town and get me some paper, a quill and ink pot so I can write a counter spell to go home! I'd be happier if you...

>This beast, whether of this world or a dozen others, does not stop speaking for some time as you fall silent

>After a few more minutes of unending exposition, you slice your hand through the air and grunt

A: Stop...

TS: And another thing...!

A: No... no more. I can't... I don't like people. I don't like this! Stop talking so much. My head is hurting...

>Twilight becomes strangely quiet for the moment before looking carefully at you

TS: I am sorry...

>You don't really listen as you walk to another room where your bed is and lay down on your back

>For the moment, there is a surreal quietness to the whole world

>There are no birds, no bugs, no sounds at all that would bring you some peace

>As if the very heavens themselves heard your plea, the pitter-patter of rain becomes apparent

>You breathe easily again as the world is filled with the ambience of nature like you know

>Unfortunately, a voice picks up over your soothing rainfall

TS: Um, Anonymous... hey, just me...

>The small horse walks slowly into your diminutive room

>You feel that you should have more doors in your house

TS: Didn't know where you were... and it's raining... so, yeah. Rain's a good thing! It's natural. We have rain where I am from too

A: Does it hurt?

TS: Does what hurt?

A: To be silent for just a moment?

>Twilight scowls at first, but her expression slowly shifts as she stands in your doorway

>Her eyes close and she sways lightly on her hooves as her ears spin in all directions

>You smile and sigh contentedly at the calmness now, but can't close your eyes with a unicorn in your home

>A small sound lifts above the rain

TS: Where can I sleep? Just for tonight?

>You don't really have space to fit any other body in your home comfortably

>It takes you a great deal of kindness, but you get out of your simple bed and move along side Twilight

>You point with a hand outstretched to the now empty space

A: Here...

>She looks up at you with a sort of disbelief

TS: Where will you sleep?

A: Somewhere. Anywhere...

>The rain is all that can be heard for a time before Twilight and you find yourselves in the kitchen again

TS: Do you like the rain?

A: Sometimes...

TS: When don't you like the rain?

A: When it comes inside...

>She looks at her hooves nervously before looking out a window

TS: Is that often?

A: No...

>You draw a sharp knife from a wooden block and retrieve your fishing pail from earlier

>You begin to cut and remove the skin on your small morsels

A: Do you eat fish?

TS: No, I don't eat any kind of meat, actually

A: Dinner tonight...

TS: What about the pears? I can pay you for some more?

A: I don't want money. Useless for me...

TS: Oh, yeah, right... I suppose you don't go into town. I guess my money wouldn't even be very good in your world anyways. I don't even know if these coins have value here

>Twilight produces a small sack of coins and lays them on the table

>She spills them out to reveal a bulk of gold coins with a stamp of some other horse on them

A: People like gold. Buy lots of paper with that...

>She smirks a bit and bobs her head

TS: Are there a lot of creatures like you?

A: Human

TS: Oh, OK... are there a lot of humans

>You nod as you remove some fish heads and place them to one side

A: Yes, I think so. Enough, at least

TS: Why don't you live with them instead of by yourself?

A: Don't like the noise. No humans, no noise

>You feel eyes on your back staring deeply into you

A: Another three hours of light at most... rain will keep it darker. I will take you to the edge of the mountain tomorrow

TS: You mean it!?

>Excitement bounds in Twilight's voice and you feel something suddenly press into your leg

>You swiftly kick it off and spin in place with the knife ready

>Twilight stands a few meters back from you with a bruised shoulder and it takes you a moment to realize what you just did

A: I... I didn't mean that

TS: I was only trying to hug you... that really hurt

>She rubs her shoulder lightly and her eyes hang heavily

A: Sorry... I am sorry. I didn't know it was you...

TS: I'm going to just stay over here for the time being

>She moves slightly further from you and to one side while you continue to stare at her

>You can't form the right tone or words to express how accidental this was

>In frustration, you go back to cleaning your fish with your mouth tightly shut

>The rain mocks your foolish actions now

>Darkness falls over the next silent hour as you cook your dinner and retrieve more dried fruit for your guest

>Twilight stands a distance from you as you set the table with what few items you have

>You give her your only cup with some fresh water from your reserve

>You motion for her to come over and eat

>Twilight slowly approaches the table, making sure to keep her distance from you

>You stare across the table silently as you pick at white flesh with your fingers

>The fish is really tasty at the very least, yet it does not seem to still your nerves

A: I am sorry, Twilight Sparkle... I did not mean to hurt you

TS: It's fine... I overacted

A: I... don't... I haven't touched another body in years. I was nervous to have something touch me...

>Twilight sits very quietly eating a pear

>She tears it into tiny strands and eats it bit by bit

TS: Why is it so hard for you? I just don't understand

>You silently chew on a piece of fish

>You ponder what words would make sense or help her better understand

A: Recluse... I'm a recluse

TS: Were you always like this?

A: No... I just... I didn't... I can't say

TS: It's fine... I don't think I would understand your reasoning anyways

>You finish your meal and clean up what little you have dirtied

>You sit in a chair for reclining as you rest your eyes for the first time today

>It is still raining

TS: It's pretty dark... do you have candles or something?

A: No...

TS: How do you see at night around here?

A: I know my home. There is no need to see

>You stand back up and move close to your guest

>She flinches a bit as your hand touches her back

A: I am very sorry and I wish I could somehow tell you better. I did not mean to hurt you

TS: I'm fine, really

>Your hand runs along her flank and back to her withers in a reassuring petting motion

>Her fur is very warm and surprisingly soft

A: Come...

>You lead her with a hand on her back to the small bedroom

>Twilight climbs into bed and rolls about to get comfortable

A: It's... not very soft. Not a lot around here is...

>You feel a cool hoof rest on your hand

TS: Thank you, again, for letting me stay the night. Will you really take me into the town in the morning?

A: I will try...

>You try to smile as best you can, but the darkness obscures all

TS: It's a lot to ask, I realize

>Her hoof slides from you as she curls up

>It is then you hear something incredible in your dark home

>For the first time in memory, you hear the soft breathing of someone nearby

>Your tension is released in a single breath as the rhythmic echo soothes your weary head

>You lay upon the floor beside Twilight Sparkle

>Maybe... maybe there is good in company after all