>Twilight looks up at you, “Seriously?”
“Hey! You’re the one who wanted me to bring up anything that I felt was weird. Don’t look at me.”
>She picks up the garments and scratches her head, “And… Ugh, what’s the problem? I’m sure Rarity can get these fixed up for you.”
“I already told you it’s not- How do I explain this?”
>You lean against the wall, your fresh clothes nearly driving you up the wall.
>”Aha! I see what the problem is.”
>Thank Christ. You were getting worried.
“What is it?”
>She hovers the shirt over to you, “The tag’s still on.”
>You glare at her and she grins smugly, “Warmer?”
“I can end you.”
 
>She lobs the clothes onto a chair, “What do you want from me Anon? Do you want me to tell you that your clothes don’t fit? I’m not a fashion designer.”
“Look,” you pick up your clothes, “I don’t feel right without these. It feels like I’m shedding off a layer of skin when I take it off.”
>She takes them from your hand and brings them to the light.
>”That sounds like something I can go with. An extra layer of skin huh?”
“I know it sounds crazy-“
>She stops you right there, “Trust me, this is far from the craziest thing I’ve seen since you’ve arrived.”
>Twilight moves to the other side of the room and folds your clothes on the table.
>”I’ll get to this as soon as I can. In the mean time, how has everything been?”
“Fine I guess.”
>”Details…”
“It’s easy enough living at Rarity’s. She always has something for me to do or to critique.”
>”Sounds about right.”
 
“I get a square three meals a day which is a nice change, although my stomach doesn’t necessarily agree with the choices.”
>”How’re you handling it?”
>The low rumble sounds off as she asks. You rub your stomach over your shirt.
“It’s getting worse. I’ve been trying to keep it back, but it’s only a matter of time before it takes over.”
>She grabs hold of her notepad, “And when was the last time you… consumed?”
>It’s been a few days since you got here and since that first time with the bear.
>You shiver at the memory, the pained whimper as you feasted upon-
>Stop thinking about it Anon.
“Not since the first time.”
>She nods, marking off her notes, “And the hunger has intensified since, correct?”
“Yeah.”
>She sighs and sets down her pad and quill.
 
>”This isn’t good Anon. You need to be able to control your craving.”
>Myself? Hasn’t she been listening?”
“What do you think I’ve been doing?!” you snap. “Do you think I’m not trying? Do you think I want to be like this?!”
>”I never said that-“
“But you were thinking it! I can smell the vibe seething off of you.”
>”I think you should try and calm down.”
>Calm down?! You are fucking calm!
>Twilight takes a step back, “Please…”
>You clench your fist, the tips cutting into your palms.
>Looking down at the claws you pull yourself back, the abomination receding back into hiding.
“I’m sorry.”
>”I think you should take some time to cool off.”
>You nod and walk out the door.
>She’s always right.
 
>Ponyville is peaceful at this hour.
>Not dead mind you, just calming.
>The morning’s just past, but the afternoon rush hasn’t quite arrived yet.
>In the meantime you’re allowed to walk through the streets without much fuss.
>Albeit, the p0nies here don’t seem to mind your unique appearance.
>In fact they almost welcome it.
>It’s quite the opposite off life back in New York where every person was liable to stick it to you.
>And the outbreak didn’t make it much better.
>But here there’s certainly a different atmosphere.
>You run your hand across one of the decorative toadstool tables and take a seat.
>Shame this place wasn’t filled with people.
>At least the p0nies can hold a half decent conversation.
>”What can I get for you sir?”
 
>You’re taken by surprise when the waiter speaks up.
“Actually I was just resting my legs. Is that alright sir?”
>”Of course, if you change your mind just holler.”
>You nod a thank you and go back to admiring the scenery.
>A couple passes you chatting about the day’s weather and you sport a grin.
>Who talks about the weather anymore?
>The grin fades. You never get to talk about the weather.
>”This seat taken?”
“Not at all,” you reply to the mare who sits across from you.
>She sets her bag to her side and smiles, “So what’re we having?”
“Oh I didn’t order.”
>Rarity looks at you curiously, “Then why are you sitting here?”
>You shrug in response.
“Just looking around.”
 
>”Well, I’ll order something if you don’t mind.”
“Go right ahead.”
>She motions over the waiter and orders an herb salad with a side of dandelion.
>”Anything for you sir.”
“No thanks I’m fine.”
>Rarity digs through her bag and checks her mane.
>You twiddle your fingers as you wait.
“So… how about that weather?”
>”I had heard from Rainbow Dash that we were expecting a light rain. I had to change my whole attire when the I saw the sky so clear.”
“Can’t be that bad. At least it’s sunny.”
>She nods as the waiter plates her food, “Quite, but in that time I could’ve made it to market at a decent hour.”
>Well there is that.
>She delicately takes a bite of her salad, “How delightful.”
 
>You watch as she works the greens away and soon you catch her eye, “What?”
“What what?”
>”You’re staring.”
“Staring? I would never- I was simply observing.”
>”Would you mind stopping?”
“Stopping what?”
>”Observing. It is quite unnerving.”
“Look at that. You’re a poet and you didn’t even now it.”
>The tries to stop a laugh, but a hint of it get out.
“Ahhh I got you there.”
>She smiles and tries her best to keep a straight face through her laughter.
>”I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Oh I think you do Ms. Chuckleworth.”
>”Is that supposed to mean something?”
“I don’t know it just popped in there.”
 
>She shakes her head as the waiter comes over with the bill.
>Rarity looks to it and then back to you.
>She doesn’t honestly expect-
>”Care to take care of that.”
“I didn’t even eat anything.”
>This of course doesn’t work, “Is it not polite to pay for a lady’s meal?”
“Well it is, but I can’t exactly pay with the skin of my back.”
>She catches that, “How could I forget you’re still new here. You’re off the hook this time.”
>But next time she’ll ride your ass.
>She plops a line of bits on the table and you pick up on of the pieces.
>”If you like them so much you should get a job and earn some. Then maybe you could buy a mare some dinner.”
“Yeah yeah…”
 
>You fiddle the bit in your handle before setting it back down.
“I haven’t seen a gold used as currency since I visited Medieval Times.”
>Before she gets the wrong idea you tell her it’s a restaurant.
>Don’t want anyp0ny thinking you’re a time traveler.
>That’s all types of attention you’d love to avoid.
>”What is it you use then?”
“Paper currency. It’s light, easy to handle and identifiable.”
>”Paper? How absurd, I’ve never heard of such a thing.”
>Of course she hasn’t.
“Give it a few hundred years. I’m sure you’ll come around.”
>”We’ll just have to wait and see.”
>She gets up and walks down the street, you joining her.
>”So how do you like your new clothes? I’m sure they fit well.”
“Yeah, of course,” you lie.
 
>The fabric scratches up against your skin unnaturally, though you yourself found it soft to the touch.
>”Marvelous. Now, two pairs of clothes simply won’t do. When we get back to the boutique I’ll want to take some more measurements.”
>Please god, have mercy.
>”You can never have enough clothes.”
“I’m sure the male population would disagree.”
>”And that’s why I never take no for an answer.”
>She’s real stubborn like that.
>An idea suddenly dawns on you to delay the coming of the tape measure.
“Actually I have to head back to Twilight’s real fast.”
>”For what exactly?”
“I told her I’d meet her you know, for book stuff.”
>By the look in her eyes she’s going to be praying for you.
>”Well, try not to have too much fun,” she manages to get out.
>You both part, Rarity heading home and you to Twilight’s library.
 
>You note the swift clopping of hooves before you enter which strikes you oddly.
“Twilight?” you call out entering the door.
>She’s running all over the place like a madmare.
>’No. No. No not there. No. No. Please be- No.”
>She almost flips over her table in a frenzy.
“Uhm, you alright?”
>She looks at you and only freaks out further, speeding up twofold.
>”No no no!”
“Is something wrong?”
>”Of course not!” she snaps. “Why in Equestria would you think that?”
>Her eye twitches every few seconds.
“You’re so calm and collected but now-“
>She slides to her knees in front of you and grabs hold of your feet, “Please forgive me. I don’t know what happened.”
 
“What are you-“
>”I was looking at your clothes like you said,” she says between breathes, “I put it under the microscope and couldn’t believe my eyes.
>She continues before you can stop her, “I went to get my notes and looked back but- I’m not crazy. You understand? I’m not!”
“Slow down Twilight. Take a deep breathe and sit down.”
>”O-okay,” she does as you ask, her heart beating like a drum.
>When you’re sure she’s calmed down some you ask her what happened.
>”I made sure to double check I really did.”
“Just tell me step by step.”
>”Well I went to get my notes like I said. I looked back to the table…”
>Her legs shake nervously and you pat her back.
“Annnnnd?”
>She looks to you with a straight face, “They were gone.”
>You blink as you search for something to say, one finally coming up.
“Bullshit.”
 
>”I knew you wouldn’t believe me.”
“So what? They just got up and walked away? I’m not buying it.”
>”I know how it sounds, but it did happen. I’ve been looking all over for them.”
>You can’t believe she managed to misplace your clothes and doesn’t have the decency to make up a good lie about it.
>Amateur level stuff.
“Have you looked upstairs?”
>She goes blank in the face, “Uhhh-“
“Thought so.”
>You walk up the stairs and look around.
>Finally you move to behind her bed, your clothes thrown out by the closed window carelessly.
>You turn to the railing.
“Found them! I can’t believe you didn’t,” you turn back, “look… upstairs…”
>The hell? They were right there.
>Must’ve been imagining things.
 
>”Did you find them?”
>That’s a first. Must be the water, shit’s making you trip out.
“No, I- Minds going crazy you know?”
>”Uhmm, Anon?”
“What?”
>”I think I found them.”
>About damn time. You walk down the stairs, Twilight looking off to the door.
“I thought you said you got them.”
>She points her hoof, “I just did.”
>Off by the creaked open door rests your clothes, the mess laid out nearby.
“Can’t believe I missed those when I walked in. Good eye-“
>A quiver catches your eye, “I’m not crazy right?”
“Did- Did my clothes just twitch?”
>The bundle twitches again and shoots outside.
>”And ran off. Yeah, we’re both crazy.”
 
“Okay. So I’ve got talking p0nies, mythical creatures, magic and now sentient clothing. Are you sure I’m not dead?”
>”I’m right there with you,” she says still stunned.
>You rub the outside of your mouth as you too try and comprehend the gravity of the situation.
>”Do you believe me now?”
“That they just got up and walked away? No, they fucking squirmed away like a snake.”
>She frees herself from her paralysis and gets back to the microscope.
“I think we have bigger problems right now. Like mutant clothing on the loose.”
>She puts in a slide and nods, “I thought as much. Your clothes, the ones that just wiggled out of here, they aren’t clothes.”
>You let your head wrap around that one.
“Yea-no. What does that even mean they’re not clothes?”
>”It’s not just fabric anymore. It’s- I truly am going crazy. They’re part of you. I’ll explain on the way.”
 
>You exit the library and follow the trail of disturbed dirt.
“So how’s that explanation?”
>”When I looked at the clothes the first time I had to double check to makes sure I was seeing it right, and I was. That pair of clothing, when viewed down at the microscopic level, contains remarkable similarities with your blood.”
“This isn’t the sci-fi channel Twilight. In fact, it would make more sense if this was on the sci-fi channel.”
>She ignores your remarks, “I went to check if my hypothesis was correct, but the ‘clothes’ disappeared before I could check the results.”
“So what? The clothing is part of my body?”
>”I can’t say for sure, but you said that it felt like you were shedding when you took it off? This could explain why.”
>That… does make some sense. It would also explain why these clothes felt unnatural.
>”When your hands morphed into those claws,” she makes sure to keep her voice subtle, “Your clothing shifted as well.”
 
>You faintly remember that. At the time you were more focused on the visceral knives that were replacing your fingers.
>”My theory would be that if you consumed this set of clothes, they would feel just as natural as your last.”
>Interesting hypothesis. It would certainly save you some time changing clothes.
>You duck into an alley where the trail leads and give it a try.
>Twilight looks on as your skin bubbles and rises over your clothing, the deep recesses of your being taking over them.
>You exhale as your skin returns to its normal hue and you can instantly recognize the difference.
“Next time you have a theory don’t be afraid to share it.”
>”Feel better?”
>You stretch your arms, the layer of clothes almost feeling nonexistent.
“Hell yeah.”
>”Good, but we’ve still got a pair to track down.”
>Ugh, you hate shopping.
 
>You tear the alley apart in search of it, but to no avail.
“Christ, if Rarity was here there’d be no hiding from her.”
>This statement gets her attention, “You haven’t told her have you?”
“About me? Oh hell no. I’m not stupid enough to do that.”
>This seems to put her at ease and you can understand why.
>The more that know about this the harder it’ll be to cover it up.
>After a continued search Twilight speaks up again, “I’ve got another theory if you’re up for it.”
“I’m all ears.”
>”If they’re a part of you, shouldn’t you be able to track them down?”
“They’re clothes, not a dog.”
>”I’m saying this wrong. Couldn’t you sense where they are?”
>You don’t think they’d work like that but you can try.
“Just give me a second.”
 
>You close your eyes and phase out your other senses.
>This is a stupid idea now that you think about it.
>How in the hell is this supposed to work? You just concentrate and you’re able to feel the fine grass brushing underneath its-
>Well fuck you sideways.
>”Did you get it?”
>You refocus, the grass evenly cut. A field of some sort, perhaps-
>The sensation quickly changes again this time to a hard almost grainy texture, the smooth bumps rubbing against the fabric.
>You open your eyes, Twilight waiting for an answer.
“How many tracks are there near P0nyville?”
>”There’s two, one west and the other farther south near the forest. Does that mean you found them?”
“It’s a hunch, but it’s better than nothing. You head on west and I’ll go south.”
>”Just be careful.”
“You too.”
 
>You jog off down the street, your mind constantly tuned to the fugitive garments.
>This would make an exceedingly strange episode of Cops.
>Keeping your speed under control you keep your eye out for any visual cues that could help guide you.
>It’s not like there’s going to be a sign that says ‘Athletic Track 50m’ on your left hand…
>Fuck it you’re just going to stop thinking.
>You slow down and stop behind a tree on the edge of the track grounds.
>It looks deserted. Strange, what reason did it have to come here?
>You grab hold of your stomach, an intense pain shooting through you.
>”Feed,” the voice echoes in your skull.
>No. Not now…
>You fight through it, a muffled yell barely catching your ear.
>Oh shit it better be what you think it is.
 
>Still holding your stomach you run across the open track from where the yell came from.
>Your nose picks up the heavy odor of sweat, the moisture thick in the air.
>Someone was here and you can only pray they’ve left already.
>More yells, muffled through the bushes, the masculine cries of both rage and fear.
>Cutting through the brush you find the source of the voice, an impossibly muscular white Pegasus, his muscles definitely compensating for something.
>Your clothes wrap around him in an attempt to tangle the stallion, but he’s far too thick for it to work.
>He pins a portion under his hoof and bucks it away, raising his hooves in the air, “YEEEAAAH!!”
>The pair of clothes slithers to your feet weakly, “Whoa buddy watch out! Those things are crazy.”
>The voice rings in your ear, your control slipping away.
>”Buddy, what’s with the smile? Didn’t ya- Holy hay…”
>You step towards him, claws sprouting forth once more.
>”Feed.”
 
>You suck on your thumb as you rest, a faint drizzle reaching your cheeks.
>A sense of fullness overtakes you and all you feel like doing is sleeping.
>Hmmm, so quiet and peaceful.
>”My word…” a voice says over you.
>Your brain kick starts back into gear and you sit up, Rarity once again over you.
>”Twilight!” She calls out, “I found him.”
>She knows, oh fuck this is bad.
>Rarity leans down next to you, “And to think that I gave you a fresh pair of clothes only for you to slip back into your old ones.”
>She runs a hoof up your arm, “I must say though, I never realized just how muscular you were.”
>What does she- You look down at yourself, your body thick with added muscle mass.
>Shit! Roll with it Anon don’t freak out.
“Yeah uhh, how couldn’t you notice that?”
>Fucking genius.
 
>Twilight breaches the bushes and looks at you both relieved and shocked.
>”Anon, it’s good you’re alright.”
>”And what big arms he has.”
“The better to…”
>”Carry things with. He’s been working out, haven’t you Anon?” Twilight plays damage control.
“Of course. You know, gotta keep in shape.”
>”Well if you’re going to keep looking like this then I need to keep you around for some heavy lifting.”
>Rarity seems to buy it, and that’s good enough for you right now.
>She hover his umbrella over you and helps you up, though you have to crouch underneath it.
“I guess Dash was right after all huh?”
>”Quite,” Rarity says leading you two out back to P0nyville.
 
>Rarity heads off to the boutique. Twilight almost had to pry her off of you to get going.
>Twilight said you two still had bookwork to do so you’d have to stay a little longer.
>Needless to say she wasn’t happy about it, but she left without much fuss.
>When she closes the door, she whips back around, “What happened this time?”
“I don’t- I remember tracking it down to the southern field when I felt the hunger rise back up.”
>”And you didn’t think of finding me?”
“I was too close and then I heard someone in trouble.”
>”So you tried to help them with your stomach?”
>You cast your head in shame.
“I should never have stayed here. I’ll only endanger the p0nies here.”
>She shakes her head, “No. You’re safer here where I can try and keep an eye on you then out in the unknown.”
>Her logic is sound but it doesn’t make you feel much better.
 
>”It was Snowflake wasn’t it?”
“I never asked his name.”
>”Pegasus, white, thicker than a manticore?”
>You nod, “Yeah that’s Snowflake. May he rest in peace.”
“If I hadn’t gone to him…”
>”You can’t change the past Anon, but you can alter the future. You need to keep a tighter leash on this hunger of yours.”
“They’ll be looking for him soon won’t they?”
>She nods, “It’s alright Anon. Just try not to think about it.”
>How can’t you? It’s not like his memories aren’t flowing through your mind.
“What if I said he was leaving overseas or something?”
>Twilight once again has a look of curiosity, “I doubt they’d believe you.”
“What if I said it *as* Snowflake.”
>”What do you mean?”
 
>You shift your weight from a foot to another.
“I haven’t told you everything about what I can do. You know about the claws, the speed, strength, hunger that stuff, but that’s not everything.”
>”Anon, if you want my help you need to tell me everything you know.”
>You nod and step towards the window.
“When I consume- God I hate that word. I’m not an animal.”
>”Continue…”
“I don’t just end that hunger, they become part of me. I absorb their strength, their memories, all of it.”
>You focus all your efforts once more, limbs wobbly as you fall to all fours, two fins sprouting from your spine.
>This new form isn’t easy to walk in, but you’ll learn in time. “Anon?”
“I can also change into them,” you say turning back to her.
>She holds a hoof to her mouth, “You’re…”
“Yeah…”