>The morning light falls through the window and wakes you with it's harsh glare.
>You really need some blinds, the positioning of your apartment relative to the rising sun sucks.
>After taking a moment to gather your thoughts, you sit up and toss your sheets away.
>A small movement at your side reminds you of your new pet, who snuggles closer into your side in an attempt to recover the lost warmth.
>As you blankly stare at the little pony, she rolls over and puts her belly to the ceiling, her ruffled chest continuing to rise and fall slowly in her sleep.
>...
>She looks WAY too comfortable in your bed.
>Slowly rising with the sound of popping joints, you walk to the closet to change into the days clothes.
>When you've finished, you notice the mare has woken as well, and is now watching you with sleepy eyes and a small, content smile.
>Smiling back, you give her a warm greeting.
"...Anyone ever told you that you snore like a stallion?"
>You would take note of how that content smile has morphed into an annoyed scowl, but a launched pillow currently occupies your face.
>Chuckling as it falls away to reveal the pony walking out of the room with that haughty expression that suits her so well, you shake your head and make to follow her.
>Only to be met with the sound of your bathroom door closing, and somehow being locked as you exit the room.
"...Damnit..."
>Making your way past the bathroom door and into the kitchen to prepare some coffee, you shake your head in disbelief.
>How the hell did she even use a lock...?
 
>After taking your turn to perform your morning duties following the little mare, you rummage around in the kitchen once more to see if you can't procure some breakfast.
>Bisquick, cheap and effective.
>Milk and eggs are for suckers, just add water and you're good to go for some easy pancakes, even if they're slightly less than fluffy.
>Shaking the box, you find that there's only enough remaining for 2 or 3 of the things.
>Looking between the box and the pony at your side who stares back up at you, you sigh and get to work.
>A quarter of an hour later, and you set the plate of food down for her.
"I don't have any syrup, but I did have some honey packets that I jacked from a restaurant."
>She gives her breakfast a cautious sniff, before taking a bite and sighing in happiness.
>Taking another bite, she looks up to you and tilts her head in curiosity.
>She points a questioning hoof at her plate, and then to you as you tilt your own head to match her angle.
>Waving a hand at her dismissively, you continue to sip your coffee.
"I don't want any."
>Looking back down to her plate as though in deep thought, she eventually perks up with a smile once more.
>Gripping one of the pancakes in her teeth, she trots over to you and presents the gift with a happy face.
"..."
>Ignoring the honey dripping onto the carpet (for now, you don't want ants, after all), and the fact that she carried this in her mouth, you accept the pancake with a pained smile.
"Thanks..."
>The little pony beams at you expectantly while you grimace at the sticky mess in your hand.
>Shaking your head with a shrug, you take a bite causing the mare's smile to widen as she gives a satisfied nod and returns to her own breakfast.
 
>After finishing off your food and cleaning up the mess on the carpet, as well as the mess on the pony's face, you put on your shoes and your largest hoodie and stand by the door.
"It's the weekend, let's go to the lake or something."
>A somehow awkward silence is your response from the silent mare, as she raises the pony equivalent of an eyebrow and looks at you like you're insane.
"...What, you don't like the lake?"
>Heaving a silent sigh with an expression as though a child has said something ridiculous, she moves to the bin used to store her things and begins digging around inside.
>Apparently finding what she was after, she trots up to you with a hair brush in her mouth.
>Blinking at her as she stares back at you, you slowly nod.
"Yeah, good idea. You really need it."
>Her eyelids lower and her face takes on an unamused appearance as you take the brush and pick her up.
>Sitting down on the couch, you set her in your lap and begin to brush through that vicious bed head of hers.
>A relaxed air settles on her as she snuggles into your lap and leans into the brush, seemingly enjoying the simple mane maintenance.
>What a spoiled kid.
>Finishing with her mane and taking a few extra minutes to smooth down the mare's coat, you unzip your jacket and motion for her to climb in.
>Once more looking at you like you're a few cards short of a full house, she blinks at you slowly.
"No-one is supposed to know that you're here, remember? Unless you feel like taking a duffel bag ride, just get in the jacket until we're in the car."
>Still seeming unsure, she gently steps onto your stomach and lays against your chest while looking up into your eyes.
>Carefully zipping up the jacket after giving her a pat on the head, you support her as best you can and make your way outside and to your car, being sure to lock up behind you.
 
>After slowly climbing into the drivers side of your affectionately dubbed "Champagne Tank", you unzip your jacket and place the pony into the seat at your side.
>She takes a moment to circle around and get comfortable before sitting as a dog would and looking back to you.
>Lifting her mane out of the way to avoid getting it tangled, you slide the seat belt across her barrel and and click it into it's slot, snugly securing the little mare.
>You turn the engine over and set the car rumbling before taking a moment to flip through your collection of CD's, finally settling on some Bloodbath.
>Popping it in and cranking it up enough to make the windows vibrate, you nod your head to the blastbeat of the drums and the growling vocals.
>As Ominous Bloodvomit begin to pour through the car, a glance to the side tells you that your passenger is hardly appreciative of it's soothing, melodious sound.
>With folded ears and a grimace of displeasure across her muzzle, she shuts her eyes and sinks back into her seat, seemingly trying to escape the sound.
>Rolling your eyes at her, you eject the CD and begin rifling through your collection once more.
"Well there's no helping bad taste..."
>One of her eyes slowly cracks open to look at you as you pull out a second choice and put it into the player.
>As it slides into place, her eye slams closed once more in anticipation of whatever new torture you have in mind to put her through.
>Soon enough, a silvery voice begins to sing over clean guitars and the gentle beat of Opeth's Damnation.
>Ever so slowly, the little pony opens her eyes, lifts her ears, and begins to sway with the music.
"That better?"
>Giving you a nod with a relaxed, content smile, she releases the tension that had built from the former audible assault.
"It's the same guy singing as the last CD, you know?"
>Her face changes to a look of shocked disbelief as you put the car in reverse, and pull out of your parking spot while chuckling at her expense.
 
>Nothing much worth noting happens during the transition from your complex to the lake across town.
>You got stuck next to a minivan toting a small family during a red light, and the child in the back began babbling excitedly while pointing and waving at the mare to your side.
>She gave a shy smile and a small wave of her own before you were on the move again, and the moment was quickly forgotten.
>Easily finding a parking spot and climbing out of your car with the pony following quickly behind, you make your way down a grassy incline to the walkway surrounding the lake.
>Taking a seat on a bench, you heave a peaceful sigh before looking to the pony now seated at your feet and staring up at you expectantly.
>With a nod of your head, you motion out to the surrounding area.
"You can go play, just don't wander off. If you get lost or kidnapped, I'll just chalk it up as you finding a more suitable home."
>She gives you a slightly disappointed look while scuffing a hoof along the ground, before smiling once again and galloping off towards the lake.
>Looking around, you take in the general peacefulness of the area.
>There's no one around at this time, aside from the occasional jogger that passes you by.
>On most days, there was a homeless person who would sit on this very bench and play an acoustic guitar for tips.
>He was really amazing, and you must have dropped at least a couple hundred dollars into his case since you first had the pleasure of listening to him play.
>Sadly, it seemed that he wasn't here today.
>Turning your gaze down to the little mare, you smile as she happily looks at her reflection in the water, occasionally poking it with a hoof and silently giggling at the cascading ripples she sets off.
>And then a sound you've come to associate with the wail of a dread siren echos through the air.
>As cold fear takes hold and a scar on your arm begins to burn, you glance towards the noise's source as the pony does the same.
>And there it is...
 
>Giving a honk like the bark of the devil, a single goose pulls itself from the water a ways away.
>Slowly rising to your feet, you look back to the mare to find the little idiot slowly trotting towards the fell beast with a curious expression.
"God help us all..."
>Making a sign of the cross in a bid for divine protection, you launch yourself into a sprint, praying that you won't be too late.
>Now standing a few feet away after having closed the distance between them, the pony tilts her head and offers a hoof to the goose.
>Staring back with dead eyes, the pit spawn turns it's body towards your mare fully and lowers it's head.
>You aren't going to make it...
>Dark clouds circle in the sky above as an ominous choir fill the air with it's lamentation, and though staring down death itself, still the pony smiles.
>You aren't gonna make it...
>With a dramatic flare of it's wings and a hiss, it's neck extends and and it's beak snaps around the empty air where your pony's throat was moments ago.
>Not bothering to slow down as you hoist the startled mare over a shoulder and continue sprinting, you don't look back.
>A guttural roar from rage incarnate tells you all you need to know, that you're being followed.
>Picking up speed with the now terrified pony bouncing against your shoulder and flailing her hooves, you run.
>...
>After you're finally sure that it's given up and went off to find another poor soul to terrorize, almost a full lap around the lake, you fall to your hands and knees.
>Sliding to the ground, the mare stumbles unsteadily before dropping to her rump in front of you.
>Gripping your head with her forehooves in a tight hug, the little pony nuzzles your sweaty cheeks in concern and thanks as you pant uncontrollably.
"Don't... Fuck... With... The geese..."
>Feeling her nod against you, you decide to stay in this position for a little while.
>Until you can feel your legs again, anyway.
 
>Stumbling to your feet with the help of your pony companion, you notice that a good amount of time has passed since you arrived.
>Doing a lap around the lake takes a little bit, it seems.
>Looking down to the still slightly shaken mare, you decide it's it's time to conclude your time here.
"So... You ready to go? Almost getting murdered by a devil bird really takes it out of me."
>Quickly nodding her head in agreement, she rubs herself against your leg like a cat, though probably more out of worry than pleasure.
>With a reassuring pat to her head, you start the small walk back towards the parking lot, and your car.
>Passing by the area of your encounter with the goose, you notice the little mare folding her ears and pressing further into you while nervously glancing around.
>You'd be lying if you said you weren't doing the same.
>The glancing around part, you mean, not the pressing and folding.
>Okay, you're leaning back, herd mentality or something.
"If we see it again, I'm tripping you and running."
>You can't help but chuckle as you feel one of her forelegs wrap around your calf, and the slight tremble of genuine fear.
>Slowing down a bit so that she can hold on comfortably, you continue on your way without further incident.
>After making your way up the hill and climbing into your car, you once more securely strap the pony into her seat as she watches you.
>Turning the key in the ignition, you switch the music player mode over to the radio as you look to your passenger.
"How about classical for now? Just to, ya know... Soothe the nerves..."
>She answers your question with a small, grateful smile, before looking out the side window back towards the lake, no doubt thinking about how to attain bloody revenge against the beast that managed to best her.
>Nah, she just likes the scenery.
>As soft toned orchestral music flows through the car, you pull out of your spot and begin to drive away.
 
>A tap to your side draws your attention to the little pony for just a moment as you're cruising down the road to your next destination, the grocery store.
>Glancing down at her, you see the huffy mare wearing a pouty, scolding expression.
"...What?"
>She has the good sense to wait until you're stopped at the next traffic light before pantomiming whatever nonsense it is she's trying to convey to you.
>Giving the mare your full attention, you watch with raised eyebrow as she points at your speedometer with a hoof, her annoyed eyes never leaving yours.
>You nod slowly to show that you're following, if only for the moment.
"Riiiight...? That thing shows how fast we're going."
>Her eyelids lower into a glower as she then points out the window to the nearest speed limit sign without breaking eye contact.
>...
>Is she seriously being a backseat driver?
>Giving her a flat look in return, you slowly turn your gaze away and make it clear that you intend to ignore her.
>As the light turns green, you once more pick up speed to coast exactly 5 miles over the posted speed limit, which is the correct speed as written in the good book.
>Though shalt not annoy thy fellow man by driving too slowly, nor endanger them by driving too quickly, so it is written, so shall it be.
>A slightly harder, more insistent prod in your side causes your own eyelids to lower in annoyance, but you refuse to spare the little pony another glance, only a suggestion.
"If it really bothers you so much, you may enjoy riding in the trunk. You won't be able to see how fast we're going from there, now will you?"
>And as you assumed would be the case, you remain unmolested for the rest of the trip.
 
>Pulling into a spot at your local grocery store, you lower the windows a crack, kill the engine, and unbuckle your companions seatbelt.
>She begins crawling over your lap, making to jump out of the car as you open the door, but you hold a hand to her chest to stop her.
>As she looks up at you with a blink and confused tilt of the head, you shake your own in reply.
"This is a grocery store. No pets allowed, you know?"
>It takes a moment for the thought to process, but it hits hard when it finally registers.
>Ears slowly flopping down, pinpricks of tears forming in her eyes, and devastated look greets your vision.
>Giving the little pony a gentle scratch behind her ear, you smile down at her in sympathy.
"It sucks, I know, but I won't be long. It's not like I have money for a lot of stuff anyway..."
>Her head lowers into your lap as you continue to scratch, but her forlorn gaze never leaves as she looks up at you.
>Maaaan, you can't deal with sad pony, you should have brought her a toy or something to pass the time with.
>Well, bribery works with children, and she's like a kid, so...
"Tell you what, if you wait here patiently, I'll bring you a treat when I come back."
>She maintains her sad look, no doubt through years of practice, but you don't miss her ears perking up in interest and her now slightly wagging tail.
>Scratching down her back as her rump to wiggles a bit in pleasure, you sweeten the deal.
"I won't ruin the surprise, but... You'll like it."
>Finally seeming to relent with a small smile, she nuzzles into your hand before returning to her seat and curling up into a ball.
"Good girl. I'll be back soon, okay?"
>Smiling back at her and opening your door after receiving a meek nod, you climb out and shut it behind you before walking towards the entrance to the store.
>Looking back as you walk, you see that she's moved over to your seat, and is watching you go with her forehooves pressed against the window, but is still wearing that smile.
>Alright, so she's a bit cute.
 
>Exiting the store with a substantially lighter wallet, and only a couple of bags full of canned goods, marked-down bread, produce, and a few other things to show for it, you make your way back to the car with head hung low.
>There was a particular item that was more expensive than the rest, and you're regretting promising that mare a surprise.
>At least you didn't buy enough to warrant a cart to return...
>So... There's that.
>Sighing as you spot your car, you take notice of the little pony watching with neutral expression from your seat.
>As she catches sight of your approach, her fore-hooves once more brace against the window as she smiles brightly, tail beginning to sway behind her before turning into a full blown wag.
>You weren't aware that pony tails did that until today, she really is like a dog.
>Pretending to ignore her for the moment, you open one of the back doors and place the bags into the vehicle.
>Glancing to the side from the corner of your eye as you do so, you notice the little mare staring at you with a bright smile, fore-legs hanging over the back of the seat as she inspects the bags you're setting down.
>Arranging them in a way that they won't fall into the foot-space if you need to stop suddenly, you close the door move to the drivers side.
>As you open the door and climb inside, the little mare scampers to her own seat before turning back to you with wide eyes and expectant smile.
>Meeting her excited gaze with your own deadpan expression, you blink slowly.
"Ready to go home?"
>Her tail stops mid-wag and her ears flop down as she freezes up, but she quickly recovers and gives you a joking prod in the arm before continuing to stare at you expectantly.
"Alright, let's go then."
 
>Facing forward once more and making to put the keys into the ignition, you feel the sudden weight of a righteously upset pony leaping into your lap.
>Placing her hooves against your shoulders and rising onto her hind-legs to look down at you with a glare, she puffs out her cheeks and stares into your eyes.
"...Yes?"
>Narrowing one eye at you, probably questioning if you actually forgot her surprise, she lowers herself back down.
>As you watch on, she clops her hooves together a couple of times, rapidly spins in a circle, then plants her rump on your lap while lifting her fore-legs high into the air, once more giving you a bright smile.
>...
>You know exactly what she's getting at, and you still have no idea what the hell that was supposed to be.
"If you need to go to the bathroom, I'm sure it can wait until we get home."
>Her ears fold and she starts to get teary eyed as she places her chin against your chest and stares up at you in sadness.
>Chuckling at the pony's behavior and deciding that she's had enough, you pat her head and place her back into her seat before reaching behind you.
>Digging through one of the bags, you open up a box of ice-cream cones, chocolate dipped and covered in nuts.
>The mare's tail once more begins to wag, and her joyous expression returns as you pull off the wrapper and present her with the treat.
>Carefully taking it between her two hooves as you proceed to buckle her in, she looks at it in wonder for a few seconds before taking a small bite and sighing in happiness as the flavor melts onto her tongue.
>As you start the car, you see her holding the cone out to you with a happy smile and tilted head.
>Laughing and taking a small bite yourself, you begin the drive home while sharing an ice cream with the cheerful little pony at your side.
>You can't remember the last time you've had icecream.
 
>It's a little past 2 in the afternoon by the time you make it back to your apartment, and the day has turned out to be a bit of a warm one.
>All that running you did this morning really took it's toll, and you can't help but take a longing look at the community pool conveniently located across the street from your building.
>You can almost feel it now, that sense of peace, solitude, and coolness that can only be found at the bottom of a pool.
>Unfortunately, you're sure that your new pet would lose her mind at the thought of you going swimming without her, and you certainly couldn't bring her along.
>Actually, staring at the pony in your passenger seat as she makes ineffectual attempts to unbuckle her seat belt, you wonder if she can swim at all.
>A mental image of the little mare happily doggie-paddling through the water, complete with water wings and an inflatable tube around her midriff comes unbidden to your mind.
>...
>...
>A rapidly waving hoof breaks you out of your reverie, before receding to allow you to see your pet staring back at you with a questioning glance and tilted head.
>It seems that you zoned out for a moment.
>You have no idea what came over you.
>Shaking your head with a blink to clear your obviously sunstroke induced thoughts, you unfasten the mare's belt before donning the large hoodie once more, and motioning for her to climb in.
>She climbs into your lap with a smile, allowing you to hide her away with no hesitation this time, which you're thankful for, because it's way too warm to sit around in this thing.
>Climbing out of the car as you support the bundle underneath the coat with a hand, you quickly proceed to make your way to your doorstep, and then inside.
 
>With a tired sigh, you unzip the jacket and deposit the pony onto the couch before removing the article of clothing and lazily tossing it to the floor.
>This earns a raised eyebrow from your companion, who really has no business pretending that she isn't one giant mess just waiting to happen.
>Whatever, you'll put it away later.
>Making your way back outside, you return to your car and retrieve the groceries, being sure to lock up the vehicle before heading back into the house to put them away.
>As you nudge open your partially closed door with a foot, you catch sight of the little mare neatly folding the jacket that was thrown haphazardly to the floor.
>You're really not sure how hooves can be used to do something like that, but you'll let it go.
>She finishes her handiwork and looks up to you with a proud smile as the neatly folded cloth square is set onto the couch.
>Nodding in thanks, you decide that praising her for neatness is the way to go in this situation.
"Thanks. I was going to take care of it, but you saved me some time."
>She puffs herself up at your words and smiles even more brightly.
>You don't have the heart to tell her that the jacket was something that was supposed to be hung, not folded.
>It doesn't take more than a few minutes to put away the few meager items that you've purchased, and in short order, you've sunk into the couch in exhaustion.
>A shower sounds particularly appealing, and you know you could use one, but you'll wait until this evening.
>The pony hops up next to you before splaying across your lap looking pretty beat herself, and you wonder if she's thinking the same thing as you.
>Do ponies shower, or bathe?
>Deciding to deal with it later, you lazily stroke through her mane and lightly scratch behind an ear, causing the pony to sigh in content and push back against your hand.
 
>Using your free hand, you reach for the remote and turn on the TV before cycling over to Netflix, which you can only afford because you're completely justifiably bumming off of your neighbors Wi-fi.
>If they didn't want network leaches, they should learn to use a password.
>Looking over your options, you consider turning on something by Pixar for the innocent pony currently nuzzling her cheek against your palm.
>...Nah.
>Navigating to the horror section, you eventually settle on a movie you've seen many times before, but has always been one of your favorites.
>Just before you hit play, a grumbling sound that can actually be felt reverberating against your lap draws your attention to the now slightly embarrassed looking mare.
>Well, it's been a while since breakfast, and you can't expect ice-cream to do much to stave off hunger.
>Chuckling and giving your pet a gentle pat on the head for reassurance, you lift and set her to your side before rising.
"Yeah, me too."
>She hops off the couch to follow at your heels as you head into the kitchen to prepare a quick lunch, and within just a few minutes, you're both seated once more.
>In your lap lays the pony, a bowl of various vegetables chopped and assorted on top of lettuce balanced in front of her on one of your thighs.
>And to your side is a plate containing a basic bologna sandwich, nothing fancy.
>Nodding to each other with a smile as you take your first bites, you once more pick up the remote and press play to start the movie that you're sure will be immensely enjoyed by everyone involved.
>As you both chew in content and look to the screen, one of you in questioning interest, the other in building excitement, Event Horizon begins to play.
 
>She made a good effort, she really did.
>But as you expected, the petite mare cracked and folded under the pressure as you continued to watch, the graphic content of the movie proving to be too much for her.
>The frozen bodies suspended in slow, spinning silence before falling to shatter against the floor caused her to dig her hooves into your legs, pressing her side into your stomach as far as she was physically able.
>You're sure she would have been making fearful squeaking noises if she could have, but as it was, she could only hyperventilate a bit as her small form shivered against you.
>Wrapping a comforting arm around her back and across her chest, you managed to comfort her enough to continue onward.
>Her breaking point came with an audio recording of "hell", which, mind you, was still quite early on in the film.
>As awful sounds began emitting from the TV speakers, she stopped her quivering and froze up completely.
>You were actually a bit concerned for her until in a sudden flash of movement, she was off your lap and scampering across the floor, tripping over her limbs as she made her way to your bedroom.
>Well, at least she didn't keel over from fright as you had thought.
>Shaking your head at this with a sigh, you turn off the movie and stand up slowly.
>It seems that you're going to have trouble watching your favorite genre from this point forward.
>Following the trail that the terrified mare took, you walk into your bedroom and look around.
>Your first assumption would be to check under the covers, but it's obvious with a glance that your bed is empty, the sheets and bedding lying flat as you left them this morning.
>Falling to your knees, you check under the bed to once more come up empty handed, finding nothing there but dust and a few articles of clothing.
 
>Rising to your feet once more with a huff, you glance about and quiet your breath for a moment, listening for anything that will give her away.
>The room is small, so there's not too many places she could be, and a slight rattling coming from your humble walk-in closet narrows the search down even further.
>Walking over and looking inside, you find that the source of the staccato is being caused by your shaking dirty laundry basket repeatedly tapping against the wall in it's tremors.
>With a few short steps, you're standing over the basket and looking down at your huddling pet.
>Curled into a small ball on top of your dirty laundry, she holds her fore-hooves over her head, pinning her ears down as she violently trembles.
>Sitting down at the side of the hamper, you reach a hand in and gently rest it against her back.
>Her muscles tense further than you could have imagined in her already spring-loaded state, and every hair on her body rises up at your touch.
>Slowly moving your hand down her back in a gentle stroking motion, you quietly hum a bit, a lullaby that your mother used to sing for you when you got like this.
>...
>Not that you ever got like this, you were the toughest kid around.
>She slowly calms her shaking as her hair once more lowers down, and the tenseness evaporates at your ministrations.
>As her body begins to relax and unfold, she removes her hooves from her head and looks back to you with tear stains matting her cheeks.
>It seems the film had a worse effect than you could have predicted.
>Staring into her eyes as you continue to rub her back and hum, you eventually manage to get a small smile, albeit accompanied by a sullen sniffle.
>You smile back at her while raising a hand to rub your thumb against her cheek, just beneath an eye in an attempt to dissipate the moisture.
 
>Leaning into your hand and raising a hoof to keep it pressed against her cheek, she allows her smile to widen ever so slightly.
"No more horror movies I think."
>She lets out a puff of air that may have been a laugh before nodding to you gratefully, eyes narrowing a bit in happiness.
>Nodding back to her, you address the next issue that comes to mind after having successfully calmed your mare enough for her to realize her position.
"You know... If you didn't smell before, you probably do now. My dirty laundry? ...Really?"
>She once more bristles, this time in embarrassment before playfully nipping at the palm of your hand with a scowl.
>Chuckling to yourself, you lean forward and lift her out of the basket, and out of your clothes, before gently setting her on the floor next to you.
"Well, I'm sure we both do, so let's get started on that. You can bathe yourself, can't you?"
>Lowering her eyelids and staring at you flatly, she once more gives you a look like a mother scolding her idiot child.
"...Alright... You first, then."
>Bracing a hand beneath you and standing, you make your way to the bathroom, the pony following quickly behind with a happy nod.