3. Sonata

>The entire night was absolutely boring, and no matter how hard you tried, you couldn't go to sleep

>The blanket you stole proved to be a little too thin for your tastes, but it was better than nothing

>You eventually start to see the light on the horizon, and that's when you figure that you should probably head back

>So, you rise up from your spot, slightly damp from the morning dew that surrounded you without notice, and start walking

>You can see the library tree from where you started, so making it back wasn't much of an issue

>You do notice that the town has started stirring just a bit, but you manage to make it back without being spotted out

>You open the door, slowly and quietly, looking around a bit, before sneaking inside and shutting the door

>Alright, looks like no one's awake yet

>You smile as the warm of the home fills you up, and you sigh comfortably

>That pile of books is still there, guess you have nothing better to do

>You park it on the ground and pick up a book at random. By now the sun was up just enough that it provided enough light to read

>"Potions for the Poor"

>You skim through it. It's a book full of recipes for potions that have components that are commonly found in the wild

>It seems useful, but probably not what Twilight was looking for

>You set it aside, grab another

>"Predictions and Prophecies of Star-Swirl the Bearded"

>You chuckle at the ridiculous name, and thumb through some pages

>Let's see what you got, oh great Bearded man

>Or, maybe pony

>Probably pony

>"The Elements of Harmony will face many trials and tribulations, but the power of friendship will conquer them all."

>That's rather corny, you think, this sounds more like a kid's moral lesson or something

>You flip through more, yada yada friendship is magic yadayada

>Then something catches your eye

>"When the world faces an unexpected change, the monarchy retrieves an anomaly in order to restore balance."

>You stare at this for a moment, eyebrow raised in contemplation before eventually dismissing it

>The rest of the prophecies bore you, so you set the book away

>To your right, you hear shuffling, which in turn takes your attention

>It's Zecora, her mane was a bit shuffled but it still kept it's form, for the most part

>She picks at it with her hoof and shakes her head, giving a small yawn, eventually straightening it out

Morning, Zecora.

>She shakes her hoof in your direction, you take it as a wave

>"It would seem your mind was in this book instead of sleep, from how you look."

>You nod, pulling another book from the top of the pile

Couldn't sleep. I only just got back in from laying in the fields all night. It was... an interesting night, to say the least.

>She sits beside you, peering at the book you opened. "Outside in the cold all night long?"

>You nod again, flipping a few pages. This book was more of an atlas with historical facts. It holds your interest for the moment.

I'm fine, though. I met a peculiar pony last night. Luna, I think her name was.

>More shuffling from upstairs, and another yawn. "Did you say Luna?" It was Sparkleface. Her expression was a drowsy one, but full of curiosity as she made her way towards you.

>Zecora rubbed her chin. "The princess... My interest is strong. Tell me, Anon, what did she speak? You have caught the eye of the mystique."

>You tell her about your conversation, at least, the better parts. You leave out Luna's explanation of the world and some of how it works

>You do mention how she reacted when you told her about the creature Zecora fought off, and what she said afterwards

She also said something about how we'd find out sometime today, so I guess we should expect a visit or whatever.

>Twilight, who was in the middle of a yawn, perked up instantly. "The princess is coming to visit? Today? Oh no, this is such short-notice!"

>She starts to panic a bit before heading upstairs. "Spike! Did we get a letter from the princess last night?"

>You hear a childish yawn, and then what you think was a belch coming from upstairs

>You and Zecora just kind of look at each other

>Spike groans. "Well... we have one now."

>What?

>"Let me see." You hear paper rustling before Twilight is once again visible, heading downstairs with a pamphlet floating in front of her.

>"Dear Twilight, in a few hours I will be arriving in Ponyville to visit the new creature you have taken up in your quarters. Give Zecora my deepest gratitude for retrieving and protecting him from harm. I do not plan to stay for long, so formal preparations will not be necessary. I will see you soon. -Princess Celestia."

That's Luna's sister, right?

>"Yes, PRINCESS Luna's sister, Princess Celestia. Not only is she one of the rulers of this land, she was also my teacher, and one of my only friends before I came to Ponyville."

>She rolled up the letter and set it aside. "She is highly respected in all of Equestria, and I can only ask you to do the same. But, before that... I'd like to apologize. We started off on the wrong hoof, and I'm sorry if I acted a little harsh towards you. Your name's Anonymous, right?"

>You smile and nod, the relationship between the two of you finally evening out. She's not so bad now. Spike is finally arriving from upstairs, he's clearly not a morning person.

Yeah. Anon for short, and apology accepted.

>She smiles back and pulls open a book from the piles on the table. "Did Luna-"

PRINCESS Luna.

>You grin at her. She rolls her eyes. "Okay, I admit, it's a lot easier in normal conversation to drop the title. Let's move on. Did Luna say anything as to why you caught the interest of them?"

Well for the most part it was kinda difficult to understand what she was saying half the time, but for the other half, no she didn't.

>Twilight chortles, shaking her head. "She is still getting used to common talk. She'll talk normally after interacting with more people. And since you didn't mention it, I'm assuming she didn't speak in her Royal Canterlot Voice, so she's making progress."

Royal Canderlot Voice?

>"CanTERlot,” she corrected. “That's the city the princesses live in. It's a massive place, full of royalty and most of the higher classed citizens in Equestria. It's also where I'm from. ... But, I'm getting sidetracked. Essentially, it's her normal voice but, you know, yelling instead."

Oh... yeah she didn't do that. She probably would have killed me.

>Twilight laughs, “She did put off a lot of ponies when she visited here before.”

I can imagine. She seemed nice though, even with the odd speech.

>You rub your temples a bit, subtle pain lingering in your forehead as you remember your situation. It's still a lot to take in

>Your hear a small jingling of rings to your front left. You move your hand to meet Zecora's gaze, a look of concern.

>”A conflict goes unresolved in your mind,” she starts. “If only my herbs were not left behind, a remedy for you, I could find.”

>Triple rhymes, whoa

I'm alright, Zecora, but thanks. Still not used to all this.

>”Oh you'll adjust,” Twilight interjected. “I can't imagine it's much different from your world.”

We don't have magic. That's a major difference.

>Twilight just stares at you. “... Really?”

Really. No magic, no talking ponies, no manual night and day. Probably a lot of things I haven't seen yet that we don't have.

>”Ah... Hmm, I see. No offense, but your world seems pretty rotten comparatively.”

>You sigh and lean back against your hands, staring at the ceiling.

You're probably right, Sparkles.

>You can feel her glare at the nickname, but you just grin and ignore it.

I can't remember anything that I did in my life before I got here. All I can remember is the world, and my name. I guess my impact on the world was just too... minuscule, you know? Or everything I did wasn't really important enough to remember.

>You stand up and stretch, ignoring any pity the others might have towards you.

>Spike chirps up after a moment of silence. “Hey Anon-” You raise your hand at him.

Spike, do you mind showing me around town? Maybe I can find something to pay you back for last night.

>”Oh, uh, alright. Do you mind, Twilight?”

>Purple shrugs. “Go ahead, but don't stay out for too long. Celestia's coming, remember?”

Oh. Right.

>Spike waves it off. “Yeah yeah, don't worry.”

>You duck down and head out, the chill from last night still lingering a bit, but the morning sun was about to change all of that as it started to peak over the hills

>Spike walks out after you, leaving Zecora and Twilight to their studies.

>You walk out ahead, watching all the other pastel colored ponies start their daily routines

>It was interesting seeing how they all interacted, using their mouths and tails to grab things. You saw the three kinds of ponies Luna mentioned, unicorns using magic, pegasi flying, earth ponies... walking.

>Most of them gave you looks, but it didn't really stop them from going on with their business

>You find it odd, but you're not going to argue. Makes your visit here that much easier.

>”Hey! Wait up!”

>Oh crap Spike.

>You look behind you to see his stubby legs trot towards you, a little annoyed.

Sorry dude, I guess I just walk fast.

>You kinda had to in order to keep up with Zecora, but you were always a fast walker. You blame your long twig legs.

>”Well slow down, alright? My legs can't keep up!”

Alright, alright. Lead the way.

>Spike huffs and walks in front of you, strutting like a champ

>As he's going, you soon grow exponentially impatient with how slow the dude's walking speed is, and you're trying your best not to express it

>He points out the areas of interest, and mentions that he has friends that work here and there. He says he could probably pull a favor or two for you since you just got here to help you settle in

Aha, thanks but I already owe you, I don't want to get myself into a debt I can't repay.

>Spike stops and ponders, a claw against his chin. Then, his face lights up. An idea.

>“Tell you what Anon. I'll help you out around here, and all you have to do is get me a nice basket full of gems!” He starts drooling. “Mmm, I prefer rubies and sapphires. Those are my favorites.”

>Okay, two things come to mind instantly. How in the hell are you going to get something a valuable as gems? And what was up with that expression?

>You just kind of look at him, puzzled.

Um... that seems kind of steep, don't you think?

>He shares your look. “What do you mean?”

Gems! Those are like, way too rare and expensive for me to acquire normally. Come on, give me something more reasonable.

>”Haha, no way! Besides, gems aren't really that hard to find. Really!”

>You sigh, unconvinced, but whatever.

Fine. I'll get you some... gems. Somehow... Eventually.

>Spike grins from ear to ear, making a fist and pulling it down. "Yes!"

Save the celebrations for AFTER I get situated. First things first, I need some cl-...

>You hear a growling noise coming from the little guy. Wow, you didn't even realize you skipped breakfast.

>"Maybe we should eat first. Come on, I know just the place."

 

--

 

>This town isn't so bad

>Spike's a pretty cool dude, on top of the fact that he's, you know, a motherfucking DRAGON

>Then again, Barney was a dinosaur

>Along the way you keep signaling the guy that he's such a slow walker, compared to you anyway

>He doesn't seem to pick up on it

>The spot he chooses to eat was interesting. A bakery. And holy Jesus what a sweet tooth. He pulls some form of money out from seemingly nowhere to pay for the stack of sugary pastries, and you decline his offer to get you something as well.

>You're not that hungry anyway, surprisingly

>So now he's even slower with the plate of food, and it's getting to you

Okay look, am I going to have to carry you or something? I feel like I'm going in slow motion.

>Spike shrugs. "I'm okay with that."

I, uh... what? Really?

>"I ride on Twilight all the time." unintentionalinnuendo "It's a lot easier than walking, that's for sure. I just hope you don't mind me using your head to steady my plate."

>You kinda do mind, but you'd rather walk at full speed, so you nod and crouch down, grabbing his plate.

>He climbs up on your shoulders promptly, gets situated and you hand the plate up to him

>Securing his plate of goodies he wiggles in places and you hear him munch on a doughnut. Thankfully the plate is bigger than your head, crumbs would just be awful

Okay, clothing. Where to?

>"The Carousel Boutique! Rarity will fix you up no problem."

>The kid sounds excited, so you head out in that direction

>The walking is better, but now you can't really turn your head too much

>Still, you make it there pretty quickly

>This thing is CLEARLY effeminate, bright pony shaped silhouettes are plastered with hearts on various areas, and, of course, a carousel on the top floor.

>By the time you're done watching staring at this place, Spike gets done with baked goods and you feel the plate lift from your head

>You think you hear him throw it, and hear it break to your right

>But when you look, nothing is there

>dafuq

>The door to the boutique opens, and you redirect your attention accordingly to see some more purple, but it was countered with a shining white coat. The purple in question was fashionably curled in two different directions, and her tail was rather swirly and springy

>This unicorn was absolutely gorgeous, by pony standards anyway

>She shrieks and shuffles backward, but as soon as her sapphire toned eyes glanced upward she stops, and her face becomes mixed with horror and confusion

>"Oh, uh, hey Rarity!" says the dragon over your head.

>Her mouth sort of twists, planting her bottom in the doorway. She shakes her head rapidly before sputtering, "Uh... eh... ... Ahem, um, Sp-Spike? What in all of Equestria is this?"

>"This is Anon! Short for Anonymous. He's a hyoomun! He's new in town so I thought I'd show him around! He said he needed clothes, and I led him here. So whatcha think? Think you could help him out?"

>At the word "clothing" the unicorn's expression instantly shifted from confusion to intrigue, her eyes darting over your body

>Then her lips pursed, eyes narrowed, and a hoof goes to her chin before she approaches you, circling you slowly, making several, "hmmm" noises as she does

>She brightens up quickly. "Ahah! Yes, of course! I've never had to do a set of clothing for somepony with such a... unique shape such as yours, but this... this INSPIRES me." She gasps. "IDEEEEAAAAAA! Perhaps there is a whole NEW demographic that I could begin marketing my designs to! Yes!"

Um... unless there are other things that look like me, I'm afraid I seem to be the only one around here.

>"Oh?" She perks up for a second, but looks to the side and waggles a hoof at you, brushing the problem aside. "Well, no matter. This is still a wonderful opportunity to see how broad my design horizon can be."

>She gives you a look of slight disapproval as she eyes your clothing. "In any case, I'm sure whatever I create will be miles better than whatever you are wearing now."

Hey, I like these clothes!

>"Then you'll absolutely LOVE mine. Now, please, come inside."

Wait, wait, I don't have any money. Like Spike said, I just got here.

>"Oh please, do not fret over something so meaningless as money. You sir have instilled a flourish of ideas that I absolutely MUST act upon. Now, inside!" She prods your lower back with her horn, which jerks you forward.

>Spike gets caught off guard and desperately clings to your hair to hang on, causing a ripple of pain from your head.

OwowowowowowowSPIKE!

>"Ah! Sorry Anon!" He rebalances himself before you duck inside, an extra bit for Spike. Inside you find pretty much exactly what you anticipated: a handful of materials, several mannequins in one corner with a few out to display some dresses in the window, and one that has a half-finished dress near a wall. There are several mirrors and movable screens here and there, and a drafting table with paper and an inkwell sitting neatly beside each other.

>Rarity turns to you, or, rather, Spike. "Oh Spike, dear, could you do a small, teensy little favor?"

>Spike slides around on your shoulders, sitting on your right one, feet kicking idly. "Well, ah... Sure Rarity!" He seemed a little giddy. "What is it?"

>Rarity's horn thing starts glowing, similar to Twilight's except with more of a blue tint and in the distance you spot something move. "I was just about to head over to Twilight's to borrow a couple of book on foreign designs. Could you run on over and grab them for me?" A parchment and a quill float over to her face, and you see the end of the quill shiver as it juts across the paper. "These are the book names. Take your time if you need it." The paper rolls up on its own, and floats up to your shoulder, where Spike nabs it.

>You here him sigh, and he seems a little bummed. He hops off of you, and salutes with the roll. "Anything for you, Rarity." He darts off.

>"Anonymous, was it? Could you stand over here?" The white minihorse walks over to her drafting table, where a fresh canvas was laid out in front of her, quill at the ready. She points to an open spot in front of a couple mannequins, and you take your place. She dons a part of fashionable looking glasses, and turns to you.

>"Good, now, please take off your clothes."

... All of them? Right here? Now?

>"Why yes. I cannot draw the basic form of your shape with your clothes in the way. Off with them."

Absolutely not. No way.

>"Anonymous, I don't think you quite understand. If you want new clothing, I NEED to find out what shape I'm wrapping my precious fabrics around!"

>Fucking... why does she have to have a good point. Your mouth crunches into a grimace, and you look at yourself

>You slowly start to take off you shirt when an idea smacks you in the face

Oh, uh, wait. Do you mind if I could draw the hyoomun figure instead?

>Rarity was caught off guard. "I... uh... suppose you could. BUT! If you do, it absolutely must be as accurate as possible and I mean it! I want every little detail!"

Okay okay, geez.

>You're totally not going to give every detail. Hell you're not even sure you can do this right, but it's better than getting naked in front of a pony, holy fuck how awkward would that be.

>You walk over and take the floating quill, and dip it in the ink. At least that's how you think it works. You get on your knees, with Rarity right beside you.

>You start with the head, drawing as light as possible since you don't want to fuck up and waste a piece of paper. Circle, extend the bottom of the circle, draw a line or two where the eyes and nose would be. You're not going to draw details for the face since that's unnecessary. You do draw in some ears though

>You extend on the circle by drawing, very lightly, a wire skeleton of a standing pose, and circles for hands, feet, shoulders, and knees. Oval for the hips. Rarity is highly analytical, watching your every move.

>No pressure

>Now for a little more detail. You dip in the inkwell again, and with fast, clean lines, you spread the ink around the lines to flesh out the shape. You draw the fingers, thumb, arm, chest, stomach, hip, leg, foot, rinse, repeat for the other half. Your lines connect right at the crotch of the drawing, and you just make it into sort of a very wide 'u' shape, enough to connect the lines.

>You lean back, readjusting your cramping legs and move for her to get a better look. It doesn't look half bad, you think

>Maybe you were some kind of drawfag before?

>Rarity glares at it, then looks at you, and then it. Her horn shines the same transparent color, and you notice a stirring movement on the wire skeleton lines you drew before to help you flesh out the shape. The lines peel off slowly before you, and the black sinks into the inkwell.

>"This... will do. For now." Your pride aches. "But honestly, darling, you should consider being my model, WITH your clothing removed. Just once! Otherwise I cannot insure you the BEST of quality, and I simply won't stand for that."

>Jesus this girl is persistent. But you're fully clothed, and you're glad to have that much. She whips out a flexible yellow tape with markers on it, and begins holding it up to you, wrapping it around certain areas over your body, and you retract a bit whenever the tip of the tape bats you on your loins as she measures your inseam

>She doesn't seem to notice you cringe, and perhaps that was for the best

>Still hurt a bit, though

>"Hmm. You will take quite a bit more fabric to cover than normal... But, sacrifices are to be made in order to satisfy one's indulgence." She walks over to your side. "Thank you, Anon, but now you must leave so I can work. Come back at a later time today, and I'll have some designs for you to try out."

But I really just wanted some more shirts and p-

>"No buts! Now, shoo." A sharp horn prod to your side jumps you towards the door, where your legs run into something small, but sturdy enough to send you headfirst to the ground

>The ground must love you or something, dude

>You manage to crash into your shoulder instead, but it still hurts like shit

Owww... god... damnit! What the fu-

>The thing you ran into was Spike, who has several book thrown around the little guy and has a hand gripped to his head

>Aw man, now you kinda wish you watched your step, you're like a giant to him

>The books around Spike lift up and into the boutique, where Rarity just has a big grin on her face. "Oh thank you, Spikey!" She kisses the bottom of a hoof and blows it to him. "Buh-bye~!" The door slams.

>Your eyes squint at the door. You have... mixed opinions about this lady.

>Spike is up now, and dusting off.

Shit, Spike, I'm sorry about th-

>He holds a hand up. CAN YOU NOT GET A FUCKING SENTENCE OUT, HOLY SHIT. "Apologize later, Princess Celestia's waiting for you back at Twilight's!"

Oh, uh, well let's go then.

>You crouch, he hops on, and you take off in an instant.