Title: Captain Anonymous - Chapter 6 - Out of Left Field Author: somewritefag Pastebin link: http://pastebin.com/SpbP7j8p First Edit: Sunday 9th of August 2015 09:52:59 AM CDT Last Edit: Last edit on: Sunday 9th of August 2015 12:17:41 PM CDT                                         Captain Anonymous - Chapter 6 - Out of Left Field -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   >Twilight finally agrees, and the two of you are off on a walk through Ponyville, walking side by side, neither of you saying much, just taking in the scenery as you lazily saunter through town. You smile and wave at some of the ponies that you pass, with mixed reactions, scowls, some curious looks, and even a couple of smiles back. You really should have spent more time out in public these last couple of months rather than letting your depression get the better of you. A daily walk through Ponyville might have been enough for more of them to accept you than not by now.   >Your train of thought is interrupted when a ball bounces off Twilight's side and comes to rest at your feet. You look up and see three earth pony colts in the distance, two of them hiding behind the third, all of them shaking as they look at you wide-eyed.   >"You go get it!"   >"No, you go get it!"   >"No way, I don't want to be his dinner."   >"What are you, scared?"   >"N-no, of course not! Why, are you?"   >"N-not at all!"   >"Then why don't you both go get it? I'm not afraid to say I’m scared, and I’d rather be a coward than become dinner because of a stupid ball.”   >As the three colts argue back and forth they don't notice you casually approaching them, stopping only a few feet away.   "Hey, is this your ball?" you ask, offering it to them with a smile, and kneeling down to get at their level, trying to seem less imposing.   >Twilight watches you from a distance, ready to step in if necessary. The three colts seem petrified, none of them moving or saying anything. You move to sit down in the dirt, crossing your legs and letting the ball rest in your lap.   "I won't hurt you, boys," you say, maintaining your smile, "You can come get your ball, I don't bite."   >Still none of them approach you. You wait for a few minutes, hopeful that one of them might step forward, but they never do. With a sigh of disappointment you gently roll it to them before standing up and dusting yourself off, walking back over to Twilight feeling a little dejected. Even after all this time stuff like that still gets to you sometimes. Is Twilight really going to be your only true companion in this place? Twilight nudges your hand with her muzzle and looks up at you with a sympathetic smile, a friendly gesture to try to cheer you up a bit.   >"They'll come around eventually, Anon. They all will, you'll see."   "Time will tell, I guess," you sigh. You continue your walk in silence, your good hand in the same pocket as your radio, keeping a light grasp on it. As the sun begins to set and the first stars appear in the sky, you catch yourself staring upward, wondering if one of those stars might be home, clutching the device in your pocket a bit more tightly and trembling a bit.   >"Are you cold, Anon? You're shivering, why don't we head home?"   "Right," you weakly mutter, pausing as you fix your gaze on the evening sky, "'home.'"   >The walk back to the castle is completely quiet, save for the chirping of crickets and the hooting of an owl in a far-away tree. When you arrive, Twilight casually follows you into your room, watching as you unwrap the bandage and remove the splints from your injured hand, flexing your fingers, feeling a little pain but not so much you can't move them. You shake your head and call yourself an idiot in your mind for punching that wall. What did that accomplish? Absolutely nothing. You hurt yourself for no reason. Your self-scolding is interrupted when Twilight lets out a loud, exaggerated yawn, stretching her wings to their apex and arching her back.   >"Well, I don't know about you, but I'm completely exhausted," she says as she sits on her haunches by your bedside, looking up at you expectantly. You give her a puzzled look.   "Exhausted? Why? Today really wasn't very eventful," you say, reclining in your bed after having picked up the scattered components from earlier, and returning them to the tray in your lap along with the radio, once again taking your attention away from Twilight. After several minutes of working, you look down to see her still sitting there as if she’s waiting for something.   "Something bothering you, Twi?” you ask with a raised eyebrow.   >"Oh, no, nothing at all! I'm just watching you work. That's okay with you, isn't it?"   "Well of course it is, but I’m not quite sure why you’d want to though, you’ll just get bored."   >"Oh! No, I don’t think I will,” she says with a cough, “that device is, well, it’s, pretty interesting!”   "Why are you so fascinated by it all of a sudden?" you ask with a raised eyebrow, genuinely curious.   >"Um, well," Twilight rubs the back of her neck and looks away "it's just, interesting?"   "Twilight you just repeated what you already said, you didn't really answer my question, but okay I guess, knock yourself out," you say with a shrug as you go back to work. After a few more minutes pass you feel the mattress sink under some additional weight at the foot of your bed. When you look up you see Twilight laying at the end of your bed, her hooves tucked underneath her as she nonchalantly averts her gaze away from you, trying to play it cool.   "Uh, Twilight?"   >"Hmm?"   "What are you doing?"   >"Oh, nothing. Just watching you work, like I said! The floor's cold, you know. I was getting a chill sitting there. Besides, it's not like there's not enough room up here for both of us," she says casually, though a faint blush appears on her cheeks as she ruffles her feathers a bit. Your attention returns to your work as you continue talking to her.   "I thought you said you were exhausted."   >"Yeah, I did say that."   "So why not go to bed, then? I promise you’re not missing anything exciting or interesting here."   >An eternity of silence passes before you finally look up at her, waiting for a response.   >"I'm just not ready yet, that's all. I just, well, I thought I'd keep you company until I am."   >You notice she's scooted a few inches closer to you, but you think nothing of it. You’re so focused on your task that you’re too stupid to pick up on the obvious overtures she’s making, or attempting to make. Eventually she lies on her back with a loud sigh and looks up at you, upside-down.   >"Anon?"   "Yes?"   >"If you could ask me any question right now, with no consequences, what would you ask me? It can be anything, anything at all. Is there something you're curious about? Anything you've been wondering about but just didn't feel comfortable asking?"   >You look at her perplexed, wondering where the hell this came from all of a sudden. She keeps her eyes on you, waiting for you to respond, so you begin thinking of something to ask, rubbing your chin and tilting your head slightly.   "OH! I've got something," you say when you finally come up with a question.   >"Yes Anon? Go ahead, ask away," she says, her blush becoming more noticeable.   "Well, I've been meaning to ask something, but, well I don't know, it just felt awkward and inappropriate, and there was never really a right time to bring it up."   >"Go on," she giggles.   "And I didn't want you to think I'm some kind of pervert or something."   >"Never crossed my mind," she coos   "I've been wondering about it, well, almost since the first day I got here. You’ll probably think it’s silly."   >She rolls over and flutters her eyelashes at you.   >"Mhmm?"   "I hope you don't think less of me for asking this but,"   >"Yeeees?"   "Why do all of you ponies have tattoos on your butts? I mean, it just seems strange... every one of you I've seen, except for some of the children, has something tattooed on their behind. Is it some kind of cultural thing? I don't get it."   >Twilight's expression immediately goes dull with disappointment as she lets out a deep sigh and rolls her eyes.   >"They're called cutie marks. They represent a pony's special talent. Whenever a filly or colt discovers his or her special talent, their cutie mark appears. It's not a tattoo or anything, it's a part of our bodies, a representation of who we are and what our life’s purpose is."   "Oh, so I guess it's kind of like puberty then, right?"   >Twilight tilts her head   >"Puberty?"   "Oh. In humans, puberty is a time of transition from childhood into adulthood throughout the teenage years. The bodies undergo growth spurts, as well as physiological and hormonal changes that prepare them to be able to reproduce when they eventually reach sexual maturity."   >"Oh. Well, most of the fillies and colts that get their cutie marks here aren't adults when they get them, so it's not really an accurate comparison. We don't reach that point until, um, well it varies with colts but for mares, it's when they have their first estrus. It’s their body telling them they’re ready to bear a foal if they decide to become a mother."   "I see. Well, I guess it's your turn now."   >Her pupils constrict and her jaw drops slightly.   >"What? What do you mean it’s my turn?"   "Well, I got to ask you a question, so it's only fair if I let you ask one too, right?"   >”Oh no, you don’t have to let me, I just thought, I only wanted to, I just,” she stammers.   “Come on, Twi, surely there’s something that’s been rolling around that little pony noggin of yours for a while that you’ve been dying to know about.”   >”That’s… that’s true, there is one thing that I would really love to ask you, but I’m so scared to…”   "Okay then, so there is something. I’d really like to know what that something is, now I’m curious. So, Twilight, with no judgements or consequences at all, what do you want to ask me? This is your chance to get it off your chest. I promise I’ll answer whatever it is completely honestly."   >Twilight hides her face behind a wing and starts to tremble. The amused expression you’ve had on your face while she’s been squirming is instantly wiped away when you see her like this. She really is scared.   “Are you okay there, Twi? Whatever this is, it must be really bothering you. Come here," you say, patting the bed next to yourself, motioning for her to get closer to you   >She does so, but keeps her back to you. You gently rest a hand on her back, eliciting a quick, short, surprised gasp from her. She keeps her face hidden by her wings and continues trembling. You think she might even be crying.   >"P-promise you won't be mad?" she sniffles.   "Twilight come on," you roll her over to face you, "you're the only being on this entire planet that even cares I'm alive. Do you really think I could get mad at you just for asking me a question? Whatever this is, it's clearly upsetting you, and you're starting to worry me."   >She keeps her face hidden from you, despite your best efforts   >"I...I feel sick to my stomach..."   >You gently push her wing out of the way and speak softly to her.   "Twilight Sparkle, nothing you could say or ask right now would make me think any less of you. Absolutely nothing."   >You place a hand on the side of her head, scratching gently behind her ear. If these ponies are anything like the horses back at home this should relax her a little. She leans into your hand, closing her eyes, her wings flapping involuntarily, but she stops trembling, practically melting in your hand. Oh yeah, that did the trick.   "Feel better?" you ask with a chuckle, amused that she enjoys it so much.   >She nods sheepishly.   "Now go on, ask your question."   >After a great deal of struggle she manages to force herself to look into your eyes   >"Anon..."   "Go on," you urge.   >"Would you ever... could you ever... do you think..."   >She continues to hesitate, so you rub her ear again, eliciting a gasp and a shudder from her, and she finally spits it out.   >"Could you ever love a pony?"   "What do you mean?"   >"Could you ever have feelings for a pony?"   "Well sure, I care about you don't I? That wasn't so bad wa-"   >"That's not what I mean…"   >It finally dawns on you what's going on just as she says the words.   >"Could you ever have romantic feelings for a pony?"   >She immediately hides her face again in shame. You feel a tingle travel up your spine.   "Twilight?"   >"I'm sorry, I’m sorry, I shouldn't ha-"   "Twilight, are you in love with me?"   >"Yes" she squeaks, on the verge of tears   "Oh wow,” you say still in shock.   >Sensing she may burst into tears at any moment, you pull her close to you and hug her tightly.   "I'm not quite sure what to say, Twilight."   >You begin stroking her mane and her back to try to comfort her.   >"It’s okay, I don't expect you to feel the same way, it was stupid of me to ask, we're not even the same... the same... species... it feels so wrong, but I can't help it."   "Twilight Sparkle. Princess. Twilight Sparkle. Is in love with me. Me."   >You keep her close to you as you speak to her, unable to make heads or tails of your own emotions.   "Why me?"   >She shakes her head   >"I don't know, I really don’t."   >Every hair on your body is standing on end. You push your tray and your tools aside for later.   "Do you want to stay here with me tonight?"   >"Do you want me? I mean, do you want me to? I don't want to make you uncomfortable, I should probably go to my own bedroom now and leave you alone," she tries to get up but you pull her right back into your arms.   "Twilight, this doesn't change anything okay? I'm glad you told me," you say as you continue stroking her gingerly.   >"I need to know. I need to know how you feel. You never answered my question. Could you ever love a pony?"   "I feel really good right now, holding you close to me. To be perfectly honest, I've found females of your species to be attractive for a couple of months now. I've just sort of been in denial about it I guess. I mean, I definitely wouldn't be the first human to have feelings for a member of another sentient race, that's for certain. But you of all ponies, I never would have expected."   >"You're skirting around the question, Anon."   "I guess I'm just still surprised is all. Among my species, when a male and female become close friends, most of the time it negates the possibility of any kind of romantic interaction between them in the future, the longer the friendship the more so this is usually true, and it usually ends up hurting one of the two if their feelings ever come out like this and destroying the friendship as well."   >She begins trembling more hearing those words.   "But that's not going to happen here, Twilight, let me make a few things clear. I care about you too much to hurt you, and I hate myself for some of the things I've said and done to you in the past. If I hadn't been such a self-centered prick maybe I would have picked up on your feelings sooner. For another thing, damn it Twilight I'm lonely. How could I possibly push you away knowing what I now know? I can't express what it means to me to hear someone say they love me after how isolated I've felt all these months. I've always felt affection for you, I just never expected what we had to turn romantic. To be perfectly honest if I had fallen in love with you first, I probably never would have said anything about it. I wouldn't have thought I'd have the slightest chance. It really took a lot of courage for you to come out and admit it, and I admire you for that. So, in summary I guess the answer to your question is 'yes, yes I CAN love a pony romantically.'"   >She gives a deep, relieved sigh as she relaxes into your embrace. You continue to hold her close to you, running your fingers through her mane, rubbing her back, scratching her ears, trying to soothe her and make her feel good.   "So, Twilight, you know I have to ask this. What exactly were you hoping would happen here tonight?" You ask as you gently pull away from her.   >"I, I don't know," she says, her blush returning.   "Well, if you don't mind me asking, how do things usually go? What usually happens when you've told a stallion you had feelings for them?"   >She winces and gives a nervous laugh.   >"Well... um… you see…. the thing is… I... I've never told anypony something like this before..."   "You’ve never had a boyfriend!?" the sudden surprised elevation in the volume of your voice causes her to jump.   >"Coltfriend, and no, I never have."   "You never dated when you were growing up? Never had your first kiss? Your first anything?"   >"I was a little awkward growing up... and something of a loner, I was always more interested in books and learning than making friends. I had a couple of crushes, but was always too scared to say anything to them. My brother tried to help me a little bit, but following his advice just caused me to make a fool of myself and get my heart broken. But everything was okay! I had my mom and dad, and my big brother, my best friend in the whole wide world, I didn't really need anypony else I guess... though... I guess it sorta would have been nice... nice to..."   "Be loved?"   >"Oh, I was loved, Anon, I really was, like I said, my family, and even Princess Celestia... and now all my friends..."   "C'mon Twi, you know it's not the same thing. You can have all the friends and family in the world showering you with their love and still feel lonely. There's always that space in your heart that friends and family can never fill."   >"I suppose you're right. Hearts and Hooves day was always a little hard on me, seeing most of all the other fillies and colts with a special somepony... wondering what was wrong with me that all the colts I ever liked never liked me back, or worse, were mean to me when they found out. But I... it's okay I guess, I mean, once I became Princess Celestia's student I barely had time for anything else anyway, I always had to do my best to make her proud of me."   "I see. I just still find that really surprising that there’s never been a single colt or stallion out there that was able to love someone as sweet, pretty, and kind as you are."   >She shudders in pure joy at your compliment.   >"What about you, Anon?"   "Hah...me? I was an awkward little bastard until I matured a bit. Didn't go to any dances or anything, always nervous around women. MY first time was... well... I kinda had the hots for one of the instructors at the academy. We had a thing that lasted almost a year but we broke it off for fear of getting caught - me getting expelled and her being demoted. But, you don't really want to hear about my past romances, none of that matters right now."   >"Well, I was just curious, I was hoping to get some ideas on what to do."   "There's not exactly a manual for this sort of thing, you know. You just do whatever feels right and whatever you feel comfortable with. Don’t feel like you have to rush anything, we’ve got all the time in the world.”   >Twilight closes her eyes, swallowing a lump in her throat, scooting closer, slowly nuzzling your cheek, letting out a contented nicker. To anyone else, noises that are identical to Earth horses would be a mood-killer, but in this case you can't help but to find it cute considering that most of these ponies seem to go out of their way to avoid making such noises most of the time. You smile, placing a hand on the back of her head as she rubs her cheek against yours, you can feel her quivering. She pulls away suddenly in embarrassment after a minute or two.   >"I’m sorry, that wasn't too far, was it Anon?"   >You can't help but to give a warm hearted sympathetic laugh at her innocence before replying.   "No, not in the slightest," you say to her warmly, bringing the back of your hand to the side of her face and stroking her gently, "in fact that was pretty adorable."   >She gives a relieved sigh and a bit of a giggle.   "So how much further do you want to go?" You ask her in amusement. "The initiative is yours to take."   >"I think that's... I think that's enough for right now... I'm feeling a little.... a little woozy..."   "That's fine, we'll take this slow," you reply, rolling out of the bed and stripping down to your underpants, turning out the light and returning to the bed, pulling the blanket and sheet over top of yourself and the sweet little mare lying next to you. You roll her over, pressing your crotch against her rump, intertwining your legs with her hind legs as you reach around with your left forearm and place it against her stomach and chest, pulling her against your body, enjoying the sensation of her warm fur and silky smooth feathers against your bare chest, resting your chin on top of her head. You begin to knead your fingers against the little tuft of fur on her chest, rubbing and scratching her gently. You can feel her heart racing, her body shaking in sheer bliss as you touch her. She places one of her forelegs over your arm, holding it against her chest, not saying a word. Within minutes she's sound asleep in your embrace, an ear flopping as your breath rolls over it.   >Holding her like this feels so much nicer than any woman you've ever held. Her entire body feels so good, she's so unbelievably soft, and her mane smells wonderful. You gently kiss the top of her head before closing your own eyes and allowing yourself to drift off to sleep. It’s already quite apparent to you that you're going to have no problem taking your friendship with Twilight to the next level.