First encounter

Sensation was shocking. Nereek didn't know there were such strong creatures in his world. It seemed like gods themselves came for him.

Knock-knock. Feeling of this raw power didn't seem to fade - just opposite. On his way to the door Nereek checked Rikka's room - she was sleeping peacefully and nor power, nor knocking could wake her up.

With his blade ready, he's opened the door. Here Nereek found some little filly with horn, little wings and transparent mane. What the hell?

"What do you want here?"

It opened it's mouth, but closed it again, giving frightened glance at your dagger. Nereek watched its eyes direction, and took away the blade.

"Sorry, so what do you need?"

"Umm, can we come in?"

"I can only see one of you."

Filly turned away and yelled for someone called Luna. Another creature of its kind appeared. It was almost the same, but a bit smaller and had different colours.

"My sister is a bit shy, sir. Can we come in, please."

Whatever, they didn't seem like they were evil or want to hurt someone. They were like children, more or less. Maybe Rikka would like such company - living so far from civilisation, she hadn't any friends, even if she'd never complained about it.

"Yeah, sure, come in."

Nereek made them follow him, leading them to the fireplace. Having started a fire he's turned to them.

"So. I've let you in. But I still know nothing about what you need. Care to explain?"

"W-we are sorry to disturb you, sir. We don't know how we've appeared here. We've travelled all day long, but found noone. We are just asking for a place to stay for one night. Then we'll leave."

"Well, i'm sure i can find a place for two little.. By the way, who are you?"

"We are Celestia and Luna, alicorns."

"Never heard of your kind. Where did you come from?"

"Equestria."

Whoops. They are not from this world. But how's that possible? He didn't know about any mean of travelling between worlds, the only thing he could think of was some kind of portal, but in this world no man or demon was able to open gate through the worlds.

"It's another world, there is no such place here."

Curse the gods. Now they look terrified. Curse the gods again. He doesn't know why, but he felt like he's going to help them. Plus, Rikka will get friends meanwhile.

"I think it's kinda bad news for you. But there is good thing too. I'll try to help you. Somehow. You can stay here as much as you want, only thing i'll ask is your help to grow your food. I'm farmer, living with my daughter, and even we can feed you for a long time, it won't last forever."

"Are you serious? We can stay?"

"Sure, my daughter will be happy to have new friends."

"Thank you... sir?"

"Oh, it's Nereek, my name is Nereek."

"Thank you sir Nereek."

Dumb, they've told they were travelling all day long.

"Maybe you want something to eat, you've said you spent your day travelling."

"Kind of..."

"It would be wonderful, sir."

Second alicorn, Luna, spoke for the first time.

"It's Nereek. Okay, I'll get something for you."

Today he and Rikka had vegetables for dinner and some leftovers were still present. He went to the kitchen, thinking of what he was doing. Trying to help them? Why would he think of it? He carefully checked their powers - not like they felt it, but it weren't them who was trying to persuade him into help, even if sense of raw power was obviously radiating from these two fillies.

"Here are some vegetables, if it's not enough, just ask, i'll get you more."

"No, thank you sir Nereek. It's fine."

"Well, I'm very tired, so I'll leave you for now. I think you'll be ok to sleep here for one night, then I'll prepare another room for you."

"Thank you, sir Nereek."

This time they've said it simultaneously, making him smile. Nereek lowered the heat in fireplace, said goodnight and left them alone for now.

*

The next day started as he felt someting heavy atop of him. Rikka was here, sitting on his belly, with a worried look.

"Dad, there are two ponies in the guestroom. What are they doing here?"

Nereek yawned.

"It's ok. They are our guests. And they are alicorns - well, i don't know exactly what are they, but it doesn't seem like they can cause us any trouble."

"Will they stay here?"

"Yes, i think so."

Rikka showed him a bright smile. Yeah, he was right when he thought about friends for her. He couldn't force himself to live closer to people, but he couldn't prevent Rikka from getting friends when these friends end up at their doors. Nereek yawned again.

"Time for us to wake up for us. As for our newcomers - let them sleep for now, they came late and i don't know how much of sleep their race needs."

"Sure, I'll make something for breakfast."

"Go ahead."

Nereek came downstairs a bit later, as he felt magic emission. It appeared to be nothing - just Celestia and Luna woke up.

"Woke up already? Go outside and wash yourself, then come for breakfast."

Still sleepy, they were very cute - no wonder Rikka was so glad when he said they'll stay. As if she waited for it, Rikka stormed inside room and with huge beaming grin started to spill words out.

"I am Rikka, Nereek's daughter, I'm very glad to have you here as guests, breakfast is almost ready, it's the best stew i can make, i can't wait for someone to taste it."

She catched the idea immediately, talking to them as to the equals, not like inferiors.

"I'm Luna."

"And I'm Celestia, lady Rikka."

"Oh, i'm just Rikka, not lady Rikka. Nice to meet you Celestia and Luna."

"Come on, Rikka, let them wake up completely, you're confusing them. What about you two - get up and let's eat."

"Okay, sir Nereek, we'll be ready in a minute."

"Ehh, i guess it's the same as for my daughter. Not sir, just Nereek."

"Okay, si.. Nereek."

Breakfast was rather quiet. Rikka was very serious, despite her loud and stormy introduction. Two fillies were serious too, trying to use spoons, but gave up and started to handle it with their magic. View was very adorable - eerie glow around their horns appeared everytime they've used their power. Rikka was fascinated by this.

"So you are mages? That's great. Father know some tricks too."

"Really?"

Awkward silence entered the room. Ponies didn't know where to start, it seemed that they have ton of questions to ask. Rikka saw Nereek with his glance frozen still and kept waiting for his response. As for Nereek, he completely forgot about this part. He never wanted to use any magic except for minimum he has to use to stay sane.

"Yes, kind of."

"That's really great, you can teach us, because all we know is just simple levitation, it's really great that we met you."

All three of children - two alicorns and one human - stared at him as if Nereek was some kind of god. Funny enough, considering these two ponies were much more powerful.

"Give me a break and finish your breakfast. We'll talk about it a bit later."

"Thank you, thank you, thank you."

Fillies were happy just because he said he'll talk about teaching them. Whatever. It was just the same as it was with Jeyna and Meriss. Well, maybe these both will die peacefully without any violence.

"Thank you, Rikka."

Nereek left the table, leaving others to finish their meals. Decision wasn't hard at all. He was eager to use magic, thirst he always felt before, desire and need bursting out from his very soul. He couldn't believe this two ponies awakened these feelings. Curse the gods - he'll do it. He'll teach them.

"Why am I doing this?"

"I thought you would be happy to do this again. Aunt Meriss told me some stories about how you've liked your skills, magic and life. I thought you'll like it."

"Tell me to mention your devious plans to Meriss, if she'll come anytime soon."

Rikka smiled at him, making him smile back. This child was never tired to amaze Nereek. If she only knew everything about his life, she wouldn't have done this. But despite all his scars and memories she was right - he was really eager to use his abilities.

"Time to tell your new friends that starting from today they are also my students."