>be anon
>in just a few short minutes, you'll be taking your first trip to Manehattan.
>you decided a while back that you needed a vacation from the arduous trials of Ponyville.
>and by arduous, you mean Twilight's constant nagging to be your marefriend.
>today was not unlike the rest.
"Oh please anon?"
>"No, you are not coming with me."
"Whhhhhhy!?"
>you let out a deep sigh.
>"Because, I need this trip to get away from your constant advances."
"Maybe I wouldn't be so forward if you'd just accept my love for you."
>letting out a groan, you turn away from your packing and face the purple menace.
>"It's not love, Twilight. You started pushing for this relationship between us after that night with Rainbow."
>she stomps her hoof in irritation after you say that.
"It is love! And I will not stop pursuing you until you accept it."
>this is getting you nowhere.
>you decide to pull out your "get out of jail free" card.
>you reach your hand out towards her head and start scratching her behind her ear.
>she tenses up at your touch.
>you can see her trying to fight the sensation that is taking over her.
>her body starts to shake as she loses the conflict inside herself.
>she finally breaks and leans into your fingers while letting out a cute little coo.
>"I knew I would win. Now lets stop this before it becomes an argument."
>you pull your hand away, much to the disappointment of the princess.
"I hate when you do that."
>she has a slight blush on her cheeks.
>you kneel down in front of her.
>she looks into your eyes, a hint of sadness in hers.
>"Sorry, but I didn't want us to fight. Now, how about you help me finish packing, and then we'll head to the train station."
>she lowers her head a little and sighs.
"Ok anon."
>the next few minutes go by without a hitch.
>after the packing is done, you and Twilight start to leave your house.
>It's not much, but you didn't care.
>It was a place you could call home.
>you lock the door on your way out, as Twilight has your luggage in her magical grasp.
>not much happens between you two on the way to the station, besides a little small talk.
>as you arrive at the station, you notice that Pinkie Pie and Rarity are waiting for you on the platform.
>they both wave when they notice you approaching.
>you give a little wave back as you get closer to them.
>as you reach them, Pinkie is the first to talk.
"Oh anon. I'll miss you."
>you give her a questioning look.
>"I'm only going to be gone a week, Pinkie."
"I know, but don't you worry. I'll have an awesome "Welcome Back!" party ready for you when you get back."
>you reach over and pat the top of her head.
>"I look forward to it."
>she giggles as you ruffle her already ruffled mane.
>you look over to Rarity who is observing her friends petting with a small smile on her face.
>you clear your throat to get her attention.
>she looks at you for a second before she realized that was directed at her.
"Oh, my apologies, anon."
>"It's ok. Did you get it set up?"
>she nods before pulling out a piece of paper and floating it over to you.
>you take the paper from her magic, and give it a once over.
"It's all ready for you, darling. I got you the finest hotel room so you can truly relax during your trip."
>"Thanks Rarity. You truly are generous."
>she shakes her hoof at you, brushing that comment aside.
"Oh pish posh. Anything for a friend."
>you pocket the paper with your hotel info on it.
>"Still, I really would like to pay you back."
>she smiles deviously towards you.
"Oh, you will, darling. Your clothes are made by yours truly. Wearing my brand and letting the ponies of Manehattan see it is payment enough."
>...
>"So I'm your personal billboard."
>she opens her mouth to speak when the train whistle interrupts her.
>Twilight starts pushing your luggage into your hands.
"Anon, you have to get on the train. Hurry up."
>you grab your luggage and start heading into the train.
>you find yourself a seat by a window.
>the three girls are still on the platform.
>you open the window and stick your head out.
>"I'll see you girls in a weeks time."
>as usual, Pinkie responds first.
"Bye, nonny. Don't party to much!"
>"I won't. And Rarity, when I get back, we'll be having a talk about this free advertisement."
>she sheepishly grins and waves to you.
>Twilight steps a little closer to the train.
"Now be careful, anon. Don't get yourself into trouble. And no bringing home any strange ponies."
>"I'll remember that, 'Mom'."
>her ears drop and she looks a little irritated at that remark.
"ANO-"
>(insert train whistle here)
>the train starts to rumble as it begins to take off.
>you wave once more to the girls.
>they wave back, although Twilight looks a little irked, but she just shakes her head and smiles.
>you bring your head back into the train and close the window.
>you recline in your seat, letting out a contented sigh.
>looking out the window, you can see Ponyville starting to shrink in the distance.
>you really needed this vacation.
>as you watch the landscape shift outside, you think about Twilights comment.
>strange ponies.
>now what are the possibilities of that.
>as the train slowed to a stop at the Manehattan station, you gather your two pieces of luggage.
>with your suitcase in your hand, and bag slung across your shoulder, you depart the train onto the crowded platform.
>some of the ponies start to stare, while others give you a wide berth.
>when you first came to Equestria, that bothered you a bit due to you becoming the center of attention.
>now, you look at it as a blessing as you quickly make your way out of the station.
>as you step out into the city, you put your free hand up to block the evening sun.
>as you admire the sunset splashed behind the towering city, a sudden yawn catches you by surprise.
>train rides are more tiring than you thought.
>you decide that it'll be better if you head straight to the hotel and rest up after your trip.
>there are a few taxis lined up at along the street.
>you start heading for the one nearest to you.
>when you are just a few feet from the taxi, the driver notices you.
>he then speaks with a generic Manehattan accent.
"Hey, no freaks allowed."
>you stop and look at him.
>"And what exactly determines if I'm a freak?"
>he gives you a 'you can't be that stupid' look.
"Well, it's obvious, ain't it? My patrons must have two things. Four hooves and a cutie mark. And seeing as you have no hooves, I ain't gonna let you on. Understand, stupid?"
>your about to say something when a deep, gruff voice sounds from behind you.
"Hey, is he giving you any trouble?"
>you turn around to see another pony.
>the pony that stands in front of you is a earth pony stallion.
>his coat is a rust brown, while his short mane is black, with streaks of silver starting to form near the hairline.
>he has a lit cigar in his mouth.
>but the one thing that got your attention the most, was his size.
>he looks like he might be about half a foot taller than Big Mac.
>and Mac just about came up to your neck when standing upright.
>this one could just about look you straight in the eyes.
>the driver speaks up before you can say anything.
"Nah, boss. In fact, I think he was about to get on his way."
>the 'Boss' gives you a once over before speaking up.
"Well, I heard what this fellow said to you, and it was rude on his part."
>he looks towards the cab, then back towards you.
"But that's our policy. So why don't you just go about your way and avoid making a scene."
>he then turns around and climbs into the cab.
>he lifts his hoof and taps it twice on the front rail of the cab.
>without a word, the driver takes off into the street.
>…
>what the hell just happened?
"Are you ok?"
>you turn around to see another cabbie looking at you.
>"Yeah, I'm just trying to figure out what happened."
>the cabbie, who happens to be a zebra, looks at you sadly.
"Don't let it bother you. That one is not the nicest pony around. Anyway, I take it you might need a ride?"
>you pull out the paper Rarity gave you, and show it to him.
>"Yeah, I was trying to get to this address."
>he looks at the paper and then smiles and nods.
"I can get you there. Get in, my friend."
>"Thank you."
>you set your bags in the cab before getting in yourself.
>the driver starts to take off towards your destination.
>a couple minutes into the ride, he decides to strike up a conversation.
"So, is this your first time in the city?"
>pulling yourself away from the scenery, you look towards him.
>"Not really. I've been in a city before, back where I'm from."
"Oh? Is it anything like here?"
>"Sorta, but I see guys like the one back there are just like back home."
>the driver lets out a sigh.
"Hopefully, that is the last time you see him."
>you lean forward in you seat and rest your arms on the rail.
>"What do you mean by that?"
>the cab slowly comes to a stop.
>"Why are we stopping? Did I say something to offend you?"
>he just chuckled and pointed to his right.
"No, my friend. It is because we have reached your destination."
>"... oh."
>you depart the cab and turn to grab your belongings.
>as you're unloading the cab, the driver clears his throat.
"I don't know much about that pony, but if you do see him again, avoid him at all costs."
>you look into his eyes and nod.
>"Thank you for the warning. Now, how much for the fare?"
"Fifteen bits, my friend."
>you pull out your bits and give him twenty.
>"A tip for the advice."
"Thank you, my friend. And I wish you happy times during your stay."
>he then starts to head down the street, merging into the rest of the traffic.
>you turn to look at the hotel.
>Rarity really outdid herself.
>you start to head inside.
>as you enter the lobby, you admire your surroundings.
>there would be more here, but the writer isn't to good with room descriptions.
>you make your way to the front desk.
>as you reach the desk, the receptionist looks up at you and smiles.
"Good evening, sir. How may we help you?"
>You pull out Raritys paper and hand it to the receptionist.
>"Yes, I have a reservation."
>she looks at the slip then looks at the registry.
"Ok, sir. We just need proof of identification, and we'll get you to your room."
>you pull your wallet out and show her your Equestrian ID.
>you're happy that Celestia decided to grant you citizenship.
>mostly due to Twilights insistence that you were a sentient species.
>you never really thanked her for it.
>the receptionist writes something down on some paperwork, then turns around and grabs a key.
>she then puts the key on the counter.
"Here you go sir. Room 625. I'll call a bellboy down, and you can head up to your room. Is there anything else you need?"
>you grab the key and pocket it.
>"No thank you."
>she then smiles and rings a bell.
"Enjoy your stay sir."
>you turn around as another pony is headed in your direction.
>you always thought those bellboy uniforms looked funny, but it's hard not to laugh when a pony wears one.
>as he reaches you, you can see him tense up at your sight.
>great. another one of these.
"Good evening, sir. If you'd just follow me, I will take you to your room."
>well, he's hiding his fear really well.
>he turns and starts heading for the elevator.
>you follow behind him, looking around at the lobby again.
>he is already waiting for the elevator when you catch up to him.
>the elevator signals its arrival to this floor before the doors open.
>you both enter, while the bellboy pushes a button for the desired floor.
>the doors close and it starts to rise.
>neither of you say anything.
>you decide to break the ice.
>"Hi, my name-"
"Please don't eat me!"
>he has his hooves over his head.
>"I'm not gonna eat you. I swear, you ponies come up with the strangest ideas."
>he lowers his hooves and looks at you.
"You mean, your not gonna eat me?"
>"No, never eaten a pony and I never will."
>well, that's not entirely true.
>you tasted the rainbow.
>he seems the relax at this.
"Sorry about that. I'm not the bravest one. If you couldn't tell."
>"Nope. Didn't pick up on it at all. Anyway, my name's Anon."
>you put your hand out to shake his hoof.
>he seems hesitant at first, but he slowly puts his hoof in your hand. and shakes it.
"Baxter."
>you let go of the shake, right when a bell signals you arrival to the floor.
>the door opens and Baxter exits first, and you follow shortly behind him.
>before you know it, you're in front of your room.
>you pull out your key and unlock the door.
>you enter the room and Baxter follows behind you.
>you look around the room and come to a decision.
>if this is what you get, you have no trouble being Raritys personal billboard.
>once again. room description.
>you set your bags on the only bed on the room.
>when you turn around, Baxter in standing by the door, waiting for any further instructions.
>you head over to him, pulling out some bits.
"Do you need anything else?"
>"No, I think I'm just going to get some sleep."
>you hand him a few bits.
>he pockets them and nods before heading out the room.
>you head back to the bed, and pull some sweatpants out of you bag.
>after organizing your stuff a bit, you lay in the bed.
>as you lay there, you think about the events that transpired earlier today.
>that is the first time you have ever been intimidated by a pony.
>you push the thoughts aside before they keep you up.
>you get comfortable in the bed before you feel sleep starting to overtake you.
>tomorrow's going to be a full day.