"I don't think I understand... I mean you..." I watched Silver Blossom's puzzled expression from behind the counter. "You don't like the princess?"
I shook my head with a sigh. "No. I don't dislike her... she is doing a very good job after all."
Silver Blossom tilted her head. "Then why the sign?"
It took me a moment to realize it, but something about her was strange... I couldn't place it at first, but the way she tilted her head... and the way she moved her hands... I pushed the thought aside for a moment. "I don't want to meet her... that's all."
"Why?"
Why? I could think of a couple of good reasons, but I doubted she'd understand any of them. "I'm shy," I lied.
"You don't seem shy," Silver Blossom commented as she stepped away from the sign and back into my store. She took a moment to look around herself. "Is this really your store?"
"It is," I replied, feeling slightly uneasy as she seemed to study every detail.
"Huh..." she let one of her hands trail over the shelves, studying the wares on display. "So... about the human thing..." she gave me a curious look.
"What about it?" I asked.
"Do we have any special abilities?"
I raised an eyebrow. "Like what?"
"Well..." she put one of her hands onto her chin. "Can we fly?"
I felt my eyebrow go up even further. "No."
"Can we do magic?"
"No."
"Can we change our form or shoot fire from our eyes? Can we..." She started making wild gestures with her hands to accompany her questions, every question making my frown deepen. And at the same time... "Or do we grow really tall?" She held up her hands and mimicked what I could only assume to be a giant.
And then it dawned on me. The thing that had been making me wonder the whole time. The way she moved, the poses she struck... and how she didn't use her fingers when she moved her hands while talking... She moved like a pony, even made gestures like one. Any anthropologist would have had a field day just watching her. I couldn't help but wonder what other habits she had picked up from the ponies. At least the nudity thing seemed to have gone by her... I hoped.
Fun fact number twenty-two; Though ponies spent the majority of their life running around without clothing and with a concept of nudity that puzzles me even today, they still have separate changing rooms and a surprisingly human concept of peeping... I'm not even going to start explaining how I found out that one.
Silver Blossom was still ranting on with the excitement only a child could muster. "Can we..."
I held up a hand. "Hold it." She stopped talking and blushed at her own outburst. "I'm afraid I have to disappoint you, but we humans don't have any special abilities."
"We don't?" she seemed disappointed.
"None that I know of," I replied and rubbed my chin in thought as I observed the ceiling. "Not sure about the magic part though... haven't tried yet." Mainly due to the fact that trying would sooner or later have gotten me to Canterlot for sure. I shrugged. "We're pretty much normal then... Though we are known to be pretty clever and..." I paused as I looked down again. "Huh?"
Without me realizing it, Silver Blossom had walked up to the counter while I had busied myself with my ceiling. Taking into account that I was leaning on my counter she was now very close to me... and once again she was staring at me with utter fascination.
"Uhhmm... hello?" I asked out of nervousness.
"Your face..." she whispered.
"What about it?"
Carefully she reached out, her hand shaking as she did. I felt tempted to rear back to avoid her touch, but the moment passed and her fingers made contact with my cheek. It felt... strange. It was something I had not experienced in a long time.
"There are hairs growing out of your face!" she exclaimed with astonishment, running her fingers over the short stubble I couldn't even hope to pass as shaved. I shave every morning, every blasted morning and two hours later I'm already spouting an evening shade. These days I'm starting to suspect that the whole bearotaur thing may be responsible.
"It's called facial hair," I sighed as she continued to let her fingers trail over it. "All human males grow them... just like ponies. When they get longer, you call it a beard."
"That's so cool!" By now, both of her hands were inspecting my face. "Can I grow one too?"
"You can't, you're a girl," I replied with a sour expression as an image of her with a mustache flashed before my inner eye. "Or at least you're not supposed to be able to."
"Oh..." she put on a thoughtful expression before looking up and into my eyes. "Are there any more of us?"
The sudden seriousness of her question surprised me... I shook my head slightly, or at least as far as her two hands would allow me to. "None that I know of... you're the first one I met since I came here."
"But where did I come from then?"
"Can I get my face back first?" I asked, feeling more than uncomfortable at her close proximity.
"Oh! Sorry!" Her hands flinched back immediately and she watched her open palms for a second. "It's scratchy..." she giggled. "I've never met anypony with a beard before."
"Please don't say anypony when referring to me..." I whispered under my breath.
"So... where did I come from?" she repeated her question while I rubbed some life back into my cheeks. "I mean, where do humans come from?"
"When a daddy and a mommy really, really like one another very much..." I started.
"No!" she interrupted me with a heavy blush. "I mean what place did I come from! Where did we come from?!"
"That's probably the hardest one..." I leaned back and tried to gather what little knowledge I had. "There are a couple of theories..." Time travel, magic, death, portals... lost civilizations predating Equestria... The list in my head went on, pick your favorite. I sighed, "ultimately, there's no real telling why the both of us landed here... But concerning the where..." I paused, was I really considering this?
I took a moment to study Silver Blossom's desperate expression and immediately knew that I might as well. I carefully undid my apron and motioned her to follow me. "Come on, follow me."
She gave me a puzzled look. "What? Why? Where are we going?"
I started to trudge up the stairs. "Upstairs... I think seeing it will make it easier for you to understand."
---
Ten minutes later, Silver Blossom was still speechless. And while I had taken a seat in my attempt of an office chair, her eyes continued to fly over the walls of my small office in wonder.
"When I first came here, I didn't have anything with me other than my clothes..." I explained softly as I shifted in my chair, feeling nervous at actually having someone here. It was something I never could have imagined, but seeing how desperately she was searching for answers I had made an exception.
"No books, no pictures... nothing that would help me to remember where I came from." I carefully picked up a sheet of paper, inspecting the pencil lines that ran over it and as usual, feeling strangely tired as I did. "So..." I put the paper down again. "I drew them." I didn't even know why I decided to draw the pictures... maybe I just felt melancholic at being alone, maybe I just didn't want to forget... or maybe I just wanted to see another human being?
It started with paintings of plants... buildings and the occasional animal. But at some point, I started drawing humans too. Just humans doing human things... shopping, running, working... anything. Anything I could remember from my own life I had drawn. They weren't even that good, most of them were simple pencil sketches... I couldn't even afford ink when I had started.
And now, after three years every inch of wall inside my small office was covered with them. I had thought about taking them down on several occasions, but had never gotten around to actually doing it. To me... I'm not sure what they really meant to me and I'll probably never know.
To Silver Blossom though... it seemed that I had opened her a window to a completely new world.
"There's so many!" she whispered with excitement as her head continued to turn. "So many things I've never seen before!" she stepped up to one of the walls and inspected the scenes I had drawn. I briefly wondered how long it would be before...
"We're..." Her head dropped a little. "We're not from this world... are we?"
"We're not," I confirmed with a grave voice, feeling strangely sad for her. "Sorry."
"It's alright..." she sniffed and continued to stare at something I couldn't see. "I always wondered why Aunt Celestia had never seen anypony like me before... At least I know for sure now... though..."
"Though?" I stood up, wondering about the change in her voice... was she crying?
"Everypony... all of my friends... they were always there for me and still I... I still..." I carefully stepped a bit closer and was shocked to see tears streaming down her face. I followed her gaze and spotted the drawing she had been staring at... It was a picture of a mother holding her child...
"I still miss my mother..."
I don't know how long we stayed in that room after that... I don't know if it gave her any comfort, but when she clutched onto me I held her close while she continued to cry her heart out with heavy sobs. Two humans, stuck in Equestria... one crying for her mother and me trying to find a solution to both of our problems but failing miserably.
Had I known at that point who had just arrived in Shoretrot, I would probably have cried as well.
You can tell a chapter is good when you tear through it and go jeeze that seemed short what was that 500 words? looks at word count. Oh.
FUCK!
Why do you torture me with these short chapters.
Well, this was a sobering chapter... I was expecting more of Woodchuck's antics, not such a melancholic heart-to-heart.
3431502 The essence of a good comedy is drama... or at least I think it is... Is it?
Amazing as usual! Can't wait for the next chapter.
And here we get some character development, good job!
This chapter is to small. So no comments.
What he said, 3431499 but without the cussing.
Dun dun dun?
Feels man. I like how this story is coming along.
3431510 Don't think Gnoll! Just write, thinking will get in the way.
3431533
I'm sorry, I grew up around sailors...
This is sad
He needs to drop a knowledge bomb on her. You don't have to write it, just imply that he tells her the good, bad, amazing and terrifying aspects of our nature and history.
Had I known at that point who had just arrived in Shoretrot, I would probably have cried as well.
That last line just wasn't fair, went from sad to *face palm* lol. MOAR!
.....wait.....The shopkeeper must have jerky or something in the store...right?(He's pretending to be a bear-o-taur, so meat is somewhere in one of those diets, right?) What's gonna happen if the girl finds it?
3431547
Wasn't ripping on you for it. Just that I personally prefer not to.
Drama, drama, drama, then the last line makes me crack up.
Only thing that makes me sad is that I can't read more right now. Definitely one of the most interesting HiE approaches I've seen in a while.
MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR
3431510
GLaDOS: "Well, you know the old formula: Comedy equals tragedy plus time.[...]"
images.wikia.com/austinally/images/7/74/FEELS.gif
3431576 Well then he brings up that meat is a fundamental part of most human diets, and she either fails to comprehend or goes nuts.
Imagine trying to capture what it means to be human only going by pictures and a small mention of us eating meat. She will go nuts when it comes to her diet.
Second longest chapter. seems too short. There be mind magic at work here.
Dis author ees guuud.
Whaa... Is she his daughter? Man, with Gnoll I can't tell. So many curve balls.
Loving this story.
3431740
I believe that may be referring to Celestia's arrival.
I like the concept of the story and how it's developing. Woody should embrace more of the magic of Equestria and see what happens!
3431492
I agree completely.
Though to be fair, 1.9k words really isn't a lot. I think I finished reading this chapter in about 5 minutes.
1900 words. Too short, way too short
Obviously something changed if you hibernate. It is something to look into.
I finshed this in 2mins MAKE MOAR MOAR MOAR MOAR
awesome awesome and moar AWESOME! I gotta see what happens next!
3431576
Personally I've always thought that ponies panicking over people eating meat was kinda dumb. For one thing, while not common, there are intelligent Gryphons who live in Equestria, so I would imagine that some of the bigger towns and cities would have stores catering to omnivores if not full carnivores (Gilda ate an apple and sweets, and Gustav was a baker, so most likely Equestrian gryphons are omnivores). And that doesn't even take into account the possibility of dragons or other possible meat eating species. Fluttershy's even been seen feeding fish to some of her animals. Yeah they might not eat it themselves, but I doubt it'd have as big a negative reaction as some people think.
...Except maybe in Ponyville. That town's totally racist.
fuck. too long reading fics with chapters long as all hell. this one feels like having a light snack when used to large meals now. so more man! for the love of any 3 gods you care to name, more!
So about the beard thing. Several ponies in the show have facial hair. Flam, Starswirl, Apple Strudel, Fancy Pants, Rarity's Dad, Sheriff Silverstar, Discord, and several random background ponies all have beards and/or mustaches. So while they don't seem to be incredibly common, they're not unheard of either.
And it seems likely that Silver Blossom would know this guy pretty well ->
Argh! Stallions have facial hair! :twilightangry:
3431930 I wasn't talking about the reactions of the PONIES. I was curious how the Human girl would react. Having been raised by ponies and all, suddenly finding out she HAS to eat meat would be kind of jarring. She was raised by Herbivores.
3432028>>3432005
Dat Alternate Universe tag
3431770
No, because he knows Celestia is in the town. The phrasing suggests he doesn't know who arrived, as it is him telling it from a past perspective.
You sir have done an excellent job! Most comedies forget that how funny a comedy is ,is based on the drama preceding it as a reference for how funny it is. You have done an excellent job in this little heart to heart scene. I can only hope the next chapter is going to be a gut buster of a laugh.
This isn't a diary
Hello, Celestia.
This guy reminds me of an uncle. Can be sweet and understanding but is still invested in his own affairs. I like it.
3432141 priestjesse.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/ceci-n-est-pas-une-pipe.jpg
3432037
Well given that she's probably in or around her teens, it's likely an issue that's come and gone for her already. Most likely, if she eats meat at all, she eats fish, since it's probably the most readily available form in Ponyville(that isn't also sentient, though the jury's still out on pigs). I just hope Twilight had a non-pony cookbook laying around somewhere, cause I don't imagine most ponies would know how to cook meals like that.
3432037
Well, she's alive, and these ponies raised her from, what, toddlerhood? She'd have gotten sick without a proper diet by now, right? I think that her dietary needs can be assumed to be already accounted for, given that she doesn't seem malnourished.
Plus, you know, the canines kind of give it away.
Wait... can herbivores have canines?
*does cursory research*
Aha- wait... what.
3432353 CONGRATULATIONS! You figured out what I was referring to! ...no one else did....which is odd.
But you can get protein from stuff other than meat. I'm just saying....Imagine the ShopKeeper munching on a piece of jerky, and she comes out and asks what it is. But seriously, Jerky is....strange. You can make it out of EVERYTHING. Snakes, bears, deer, moose, ducks, chicken, beef, and even SCORPION. It's a vegan's worst nightmare....like Mystery Meat.
By all means, something this short should not be able to give me this many feels.
Ah, there we go, he gave her a hug!!!
Now, is it Celestia or Luna who has arrived? Or even Cadence, she'd probably be a better choice.
Such a wonderful fic.
3431510 it sure seems like that when i read your fics, Gnoll
3432227Dit is geen pijp
3432992 but that's dromedy.