Title:           Goldilocks: A Tatzlpony Tale (Part 1)
Author:          AngryWino
Pastebin link:   http://pastebin.com/HXj9WLY0
First Edit:      Saturday 16th of January 2016 11:26:47 PM CDT
Last Edit:       Last edit on: Monday 15th of February 2016 03:40:33 PM CDT

>You groan quietly as you regain consciousness, wondering what the hell happened.
>The last thing you remember was driving home late at night.
>Now you're lying amongst a litter of leaves and ferns in what looks like a sun-drenched forest.
>And you feel really woozy.
/Ohshit, I fell asleep and crashed my car!/
>You try to sit up, but the fireworks going off in your head immediately inform you that this is a bad idea.
>Something deep inside hurts - your body would clearly be much happier if you just lay still for a bit.
>You hear a rustling near your head.
>You turn to look at it.
>A long, sinuous, muscular black shape is draped across the leaves, its bulbous tip looming above you.
>Deep in your subconscious, a primitive fear is awakened.
/OHSHITSNAKE!!/
>Fireworks or not you roll over away from the snake until you hit a large tree.
>You sit up, back to the tree, wincing in pain, eyes fixed on the snake.
>The snake seems to regard you curiously, but then you realize that it has no eyes.
>Nor any tongue flickering out of it.
/What the hell is this thing?/
>It approaches you, and you realize that you may have made a tactical blunder backing yourself into a corner the way you have.
>You try to stand, but your legs aren't really ready to answer the helm yet.
>So. weakly you hold up a hand in defense against the approaching - thing.
>Blindly, it bumps into your hand, recoiling momentarily as though surprised.
>Then, suddenly, it wraps itself around your wrist.
>Not tightly. It feels warm and slightly moist. The tip explores your hand and fingers.
>It seems - curious about you.
>At the same time you sense - reassurance?
>The bushes nearby rustle, and the rest of the creature emerges...
 
>It's a - well, you're no zoologist, but even if you were, you'd probably have no idea how to classify what you see.
>It has hooves, and the overall shape suggests a small horse.
>But the tail looks like it would be more at home on a dragon.
>It's long and muscular and covered in the same gray fur as the rest of the creature, with a reddish crest and tuft at the end.
>And the long, black - tentacle? That is currently holding your wrist, appears to issue from the creature's mouth.
>It's a tongue?
"Don't hurt me..."
>At your words, the creature ceases its approach, and two oversized fluffy ears atop its head swivel in your direction.
>It tilts its head to one side, it's green eyes seeming to regard you with a quizzical expression from under its honey-colored mane.
>The tip of the tongue plays over your fingers again, then it releases your wrist and tentatively approaches your face.
>You can't help but recoil a bit, but the broad tree trunk at your back leaves you no real avenue of escape.
>The tip of the tongue brushes against your face, and once again, you get a sense of reassurance, stronger this time.
/Is it trying to communicate?/
>Carefully, it touches your face gently in several spots, probing you.
>Each time, you sense that benevolent spark of reassurance.
>It's green eyes are locked on yours, and you notice the red markings at their corners.
>It takes another couple of steps in your direction, and seems to be sniffing the air around you.
>By now you are as curious about it as it seems to be about you.
>The tongue touches you once more on your forehead, conveying this time a feeling of curious excitement, then retracts into the creature’s mouth.
>It takes a couple more steps, now making it close enough for you to touch.
>Tentatively, you reach out and gently touch it on the nose.
>It sniffs at your hand.
>You slide your hand along its muzzle towards its ear, and it leans into your touch, seeming to smile.
>Taking a deep breath, you skritch its head behind the ear.
 
>The mystery creature reacts in surprise at your gentle touch, its eyes going wide.
>Thankfully you've always loved animals, so you know a little bit about their body language.
>The creature leans into your touch more and closes its eyes.
>A deep rumbling sound comes from within - the creature sounds as though it's purring?
>It approaches you closer, clearly enjoying your touch, as you shift to the top of its head and neck.
>It returns the gesture by nuzzling you, eyes now open again.
>You feel it give you an affectionate lick on the neck and chin, as you look into its eyes.
"What are you?"
>It sniffs at your head and ears, then takes a step back as you ruffle its golden mane.
"I guess you don't mean me any harm, do you?"
>Suddenly it opens its mouth impossibly wide, the lower jaw bifurcating.
>Three long black tongues dart out and wrap around your wrists and neck.
>It lunges forward and before you know what's happening, it has already stuffed you head-first into its maw.
>Suddenly deprived of vision or clear breathing you panic, but your body responds sluggishly.
/Ohgodno Idon'twant to die.../
>You try to push yourself free, but you feel the tongues working their way down your body, grasping your torso and limbs and stuffing you further in.
>You can't breathe, but it smells sweet...
>You start to feel dizzy, sleepy.
/Welp - gameover - badend/
>As consciousness drifts away, you feel the tongues wrap around your ankles, pulling the last of you inside the creature's maw...
/It can't end like this.../
 
>You awake with a start, gasping lungfulls of delicious air.
>You open your eyes, and see that you are still in the forest, except now it's night.
>You stumble to your feet and look around you.
>No fireworks this time.
>Your head is completely clear, and you don't seem to be in any pain.
>By the dim moonlight, you conduct a quick inventory - nothing is missing, all fingers and toes accounted for.
/So was that just some sort of weird dream?/
>As your eyesight becomes accustomed to seeing by the moonlight, you start to survey your surroundings...
>...and you find yourself face-to-muzzle with the creature that had eaten you.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!"
>You stumble and trip in shock, falling on your butt.
>The creature pounces forward and extends one of its long snake-like tongues, wrapping it loosely around your neck.
>You grab the tongue with one hand, preparing yourself to do battle.
>The tip of the tongue presses against your temple, and again, that warm spark of reassurance enters your consciousness.
>Accompanied by words.
**Please, calm down!
**I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you.
>You freeze.
>The voice is calming and distinctly feminine.
>You cease struggling and look into its eyes.
>It returns your gaze with concern.
**I promise, I won't hurt you.
"You're speaking inside my head?"
**Yes, but only while I'm in contact with you, like this.
>The tongue tip moves away from your temple, and the voice falls silent.
>You let go.
>She smiles, and the tongue presses against your temple again.
**You seem nice, I'm sorry if I frightened you.
"It would have been a lot more reassuring if you had said something before..."
**I couldn't, I didn't know your language.
"Huh? Well then how did you..."
**I went into your mind, while you were inside me...
>You jump up at this, startling her.
"YOU ATE ME!!!"
 
>She reacts as though you'd slapped her.
**I didn't eat you! I just swallowed you.
"What? Well... okay, but why?"
**I was curious about you. I've never met anything like you before, and that's how I learn about things really quickly.
>You stare at her, dumbfounded.
"So you swallowed me and went into my mind?"
**Was it so bad?
"IT WAS TERRIFYING!!"
>You crawl backwards on your butt.
>She follows you, and the tongue strokes your temple, spreading more vibrations of reassurance.
**I won't hurt you! I promise! Just please, don't run. I've never met anything like you. I've been on my own for so long...
>You stop crawling. She comes closer to you, another tongue extending to lick your face.
**Please... Anonymous...
>You freeze.
"How did you know my name?"
>While one tongue remains in contact with your temple, the other one continues to gently probe about your face and neck.
**I told you, while you were inside me I went inside your mind. I found your name there.
>You take a deep breath, relaxing a bit.
"Well, what's your name?"
**I don't... have one. I don't know, I've been on my own for so long.
>She looks downcast. The tongue not pressed against your temple ceases exploring your face and retracts.
>She looks as though she might be on the verge of tears.
>You sit up, getting a little more comfortable.
"I think maybe you had better explain a few things to me, now that you can communicate."
**O-okay. Um, before I do, could you do something for me?
"What's that?"
>You keep your eyes on her, warily.
**Do you remember what you were doing before... with your - hands?
>You nod.
>She looks into your eyes.
**Could you, maybe, do that again? It felt so good...
>For the first time, you favor this strange creature with a smile.
"Sure."
>You reach out a hand and stroke her muzzle.
>She immediately leans into your touch.
 
**Oh - oh my-y-y-y, that is just the best thing ever. Please, keep doing that.
>With that she sinks to her haunches and lays across your lap, the whole time keeping her one tongue pressed gently against your temple.
>As she purrs loudly, you feel her tail wrap gently around your leg.
>She raises her head a bit and nuzzles against your chin, and you feel another tongue lick your neck.
"Heh, it feels good to be needed. I don't think anyone ever really needed me before."
**Mmmm, well, you're stuck with me now, if I have anything to say about it.
"And you won't try to eat me?"
>She looks you in the eyes.
**Well, no, unless you're a fruit or corn or something like that. I never heard of talking corn, though.
>You rub her ears.
>Her voice practically melts inside your head.
**O-o-o-ohh yeah.
>You have a lot of questions, but they can wait.
 
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