Chapter 1: Turbulence
There are few times in your life that seem to pass more slowly than when you’re waiting on a new college roommate to arrive.
I’d already gotten the room set up, my posters hung, clothing unpacked, and computer plugged in. I waited patiently for my roomie to show up, a smile on my lips.
I’m kidding. I was on Facebook.
Can you believe this, Nathan? I typed to my boyfriend.
We’ve been over this before. No, I can’t believe your roommate is a pony.
I heard the clicking sound of steps in the hallway. I typed, Hang on, this might be her.
I leaned back in my chair and looked towards the open door. The noise turned out to be a girl wearing high heels.
Not her. I typed.
Lol. Good luck, babe. I’ll be back later.
Bye. XO
I pushed back from the computer. While my roommate wasn’t late, the waiting was still killing me. I grabbed some earbuds and plugged them in, aiming my mouse at the iTunes icon. I didn’t own an iPod, the program just came with my Mac.
Opening a drawer in my desk, I took out some yarn and a crochet hook. I was attempting to get the framework of a hat started when I thought I heard a voice. I jerked out one earpiece and turned my head.
The pony I had been expecting was standing in the doorway. Her coat was a pale blue with like-colored wings folded close to her sides. Five brilliant colors decorated her mane and tail. I guessed that she probably weighed roughly the same as me, but was lower to the ground, about eye-level with the doorknob.
“You’re so cute!” I gushed.
Her magenta eyes narrowed. “Do you say that to all your roommates?”
I felt my face flush. So much for making a good first impression. “I’m sorry. This is all new to me.”
“Tell me about it.” She slipped off the saddlebags she was wearing. I saw that on each hip, she had a mark that looked like a colorful lightning bolt.
I got up from my computer chair, extending a hand. “I’m Denise.”
“Call me Rainbow.” She frowned at my hand. “Ponies don’t shake. Make a fist.”
Once my fingers were folded up, she tapped my knuckles with her hoof. It was surprisingly like a brofist.
Rainbow abruptly turned away to begin unpacking her bags. I noticed that there wasn’t much inside them.
“Is that all you have?” I asked.
She glanced around the room at my decorations, computer, minifridge, microwave, and stuffed closet. “Yeah, it’s all I have. Why did you bring so much?”
“I just…have it,” I answered. “If everything managed to fit it in my car, it’s not that much, is it?”
“You humans are all the same,” she snorted. “Clinging to your material goods when you should be focusing on more important things, like friendship.”
“You don’t sound very friendly,” I pointed out.
“Fine, you want to be friends? Help me pick up my computer and ID card.” She put her saddlebags back on and we walked out of the dorm building together.
When doorways to another universe had been discovered a couple of years ago, the last thing on my mind had been getting a pony for a roommate. Now, here she was. I’d gotten an e-mail from the university about random roommate assignments a month ago, but the situation was still a little surreal. Ponies were still an uncommon sight on Earth.
“So what made you decide to pick Purdue?” I asked as we walked. I dug in my purse looking for a smoke.
“Aeronautical Engineering,” Rainbow replied. “The campus is also close to doorway number one.”
For some strange reason, the first portal to another dimension had been opened at a military research facility in southern Indiana. While there were other colleges closer to the doorway, none of them had significant Engineering courses.
“I’m studying Animal Science. I want to be a veterinarian,” I told her. I managed to find the pack and pulled a cigarette out. I began looking for a light.
“That’s nice,” Rainbow said, eyeing a small plane passing overhead.
“The airport southwest of campus gets almost constant traffic from student pilots,” I said helpfully. “Airplanes are flying over all the time.”
“I know,” said the pegasus, sounding somewhat annoyed. “I’m not allowed to fly around here. They say I might disturb the traffic patterns at the airport or something.”
“I don’t really like to fly,” I said.
Rainbow looked at me in surprise. “How can you not like flying? Didn’t you humans invent airplanes for a reason?”
“I get airsick and they don’t let me smoke.” Speaking of, I found my lighter.
“Well, I’m getting a pilot’s license,” she said.
“Why do you need a pilot’s license?” I asked. “Can’t you fly already?”
She rolled her eyes. “It’s a long story.”
We went on in silence for a few minutes. It was against campus rules to smoke outside a designated area, but I’d never seen the harm in it. The wind was blowing the cloud away from Rainbow, and she appeared to ignore the cigarette in my fingers.
The pony asked, “Where are we going again?”
“Stewart Center,” I said. “That’s where the computer shop is. It’s a big brick building.”
Rainbow glanced around. “All the buildings are made of brick.”
“It’s a Purdue joke,” I told her. “You’re a freshman, I couldn’t resist.”
“Then what are you?” she asked.
“I’m a junior.” I tried not to sound conceited about it.
Rainbow thought about that for a moment. “Did you have a roommate before?”
“Yeah, but she was deported unexpectedly.” I sighed. “Chen was great to live with, but not very good with visa paperwork.”
We passed by Loeb Fountain, which was located in a small circle between buildings. A lot of students used it as a place to hang out and relax amid the sound of flowing water.
“What’s that smell?” asked Rainbow.
I figured she knew what tobacco smoke smelled like. It took me a moment to figure out what she was talking about.
“It’s probably the chlorine they put in the water to sanitize it,” I told her. I realized then how overwhelmed a pony on Earth must be. Even the tiniest things, like chlorine in the fountain water, were something new. I saw Rainbow’s head continually moving, looking at everything.
I realized something else. It was my responsibility to make sure Rainbow didn’t get into trouble because she didn’t know something. The last thing I needed was for my roommate to get arrested or worse. After Chen had left, my dorm payments had gone up to cover the difference. I couldn’t afford for that to happen again.
“There’s Stewart,” I said, pointing. I tossed away the filter of my used smoke with the other hand. We reached the building and I held the door for Rainbow.
The inside of the building was done in cheesy ‘50s style. The computer center in the basement, however, was decorated with sleek glass and stainless steel.
The computer salesmen seemed surprised when we walked in. Judging by the looks the multicolored pegasus had received on our way over, that’s about how I expected they would react. The real fun started when they found out she wanted a computer.
“I came to pick it up,” said Rainbow. “It was ordered a couple of days ago.”
“Uh, your name?” asked one of the salesmen as he picked through a file of paperwork.
“Rainbow Dash,” she answered.
The man found the correct forms and laid them on the counter. “I need your signature.”
Rainbow grabbed a pen with her mouth. I’m not sure how else I expected her to hold it, but it looked kind of weird. And unsanitary.
Once the paperwork was signed, the man got her brand new PC laptop from the back room.
“How are you going to use that with hooves?” I asked.
“You’ll probably want an external mouse,” said the salesman to Rainbow. “I don’t think a touchpad will work for you. As for typing, you’ll either have to use the onscreen keyboard or some kind of voice-to-text program.”
“Mouse? Touchpad?” asked Rainbow in confusion. I got the feeling that we might be there a while.
Luckily, the computer people were used to dealing with clueless customers and got all her questions answered. It probably wouldn’t have taken half as long if she’d bought a Mac.
“But you can’t do anything with Apple,” said the salesman when I pointed that out. I decided against a retort and waited around with my hands in my pockets until Rainbow was finished.
The laptop she purchased was small, and fit neatly in one side of her saddlebags. Until the pony figured out some other way to use it, it looked like she would have to press the buttons and keys with the rubber end of a pencil held in her mouth.
As we walked away from the computer center I asked, “Why are you buying a computer if you don’t know how to use it?”
Rainbow looked at me in annoyance. “How else am I going to learn how to use one? Besides, my eggheaded friend Twilight said I was getting a grant to buy a computer, so I might as well.”
“Did you get a lot of grants?” I asked.
Rainbow paused for a moment. “I think so. I heard that tuition for foreign students is a lot higher than it is for locals. Twilight somehow figured out how to get everything paid for. There isn’t enough money to pay for a single-occupancy dorm room, though.”
Well, I knew that feeling.
We climbed the stairs out of the basement and walked next door to the Memorial Union. The architecture was significantly older and more angular than Stewart. It looked like a castle made of red brick.
“We’ll need to go to Card Services,” I said. “It’s just inside the door.” Rainbow and I found the office and got in line with other students who needed ID cards.
The brightly colored pony stuck out like a sore thumb, and everyone that passed through the hallway gave her a look. I felt like I was under scrutiny just standing next to Rainbow.
In only a few minutes, the line ahead had dissipated, and we were left facing an old lady. She asked for Rainbow’s passport casually, like there were foreign students from Equestria enrolling every day. Once the proper information was filled in, she asked Rainbow to step into the photo area.
Due to Rainbow’s shorter stature, the camera had to be adjusted. I noticed the background they photographed students against was a blue color almost the same as Rainbow’s coat. The woman assured me that it wouldn’t be a problem.
After the picture was taken, we were shooed off to the side and waited a few minutes. The woman came back and presented Rainbow with a plastic card with her name, photo, and student number.
“Welcome to the university,” she told the pony.
Rainbow accepted the card and tucked it into her saddlebag. I opened the door and walked out into the hallway.
“I’m kind of hungry,” said Rainbow.
I glanced up at the decorative clock hanging from the ceiling. “It’s almost dinnertime. Why don’t we go back to dorm? There’s a dining court in the basement.”
“What do they have?” she asked.
I thought quickly. “There’s a vegetarian section.”
She eyed me apprehensively. “A vegetarian section? Are you saying the rest of the dining court is filled with meat?”
“Well, not filled…” I stammered
“What’s your obsession with eating animals anyway?” she asked. “Do you just kill anything that can’t scream ‘No!’?”
Luckily the last few years of college had been preparing me to give an emotionless, scientific answer to her question. Too bad I couldn’t resist escalating the argument. “You’re just jealous because you have to stick to plants.”
“What is wrong with you?” she shouted. “Do you treat all your roommates this way?”
“No, just you,” I shot back. “Do you want to keep trading insults? I can do this all day.”
We glared at each other for several seconds. I heard a polite cough.
A janitor stood there. “Pardon me ladies, but if you’re done here, I’m trying to sweep the floor.”
My face went red as I realized what a scene I must have just caused. Seriously, arguing with a pony? I really needed to have better control of myself.
Rainbow and I left the building, irritation still brewing between us. We didn’t talk all the way back to the dorm.
In the room, she slipped off her saddlebags and pulled out the computer, laying it on her desk.
“I’m going to dinner,” I said. I gave her a look, but stopped just short of telling her what tasty animals I would be eating.
“Fine,” she replied, rising to my unspoken challenge. “I’ll go, too.”
Stepping into the hallway, I locked the door. We headed downstairs to the dining court.
Oooh, pretty nice so far. However, I don't think RD would say "You need to focus on friendship". That doesn't seem like a line she would say...
For some reason when I read the description I thought there was going to be some weird pony on human action. Then I saw that there was no Romance tag...I was relieved yet oddly disappointed.
Needs more tormenting of the ickle freshie.
742417 I can second that
About the story. I like it. But is it just me, or does Denise seem a little not-shocked for just finding Rainbow Dash as a roommate?
i believe rainbow dashs mane has 6 colors
the writer makes rainbow sound like a bitch
Lol, I just finished my sophmore year of High School, and I know that pleasure of making fun of the freshamen. Kinda glad I don't have plans to go to college so I don't have to be a freshman again.
I…will…KILL THAT SALESMAN!
742417
As soon as I read "pony on human action" I started choking.
743263
she can be.
YEA SCREW APPLE!!!!! PC FOR LIFE!!!!
It probably wouldn’t have taken half as long if she’d bought a Mac.
It's the simple, honest truth. and even Skrillex knows this.
I have an iPad I use for everything, but I would stick to pc. there easyer to use. And waaaayyy cheaper.
Purdue University, as in Indiana state? Hell yeah, about time my homeland got recognized for more than just Indy Car and corn! Good choice, Rainbow Dash.
Wait, her old roommate was Chen?
YUKARI, I BLAME YOU!!!!
“You humans are all the same,” she snorted. “Clinging to your material goods when you should be focusing on more important things, like friendship.”
You seriously expect me to believe that this line is coming out of Rainbow Dash's mouth?
I wonder if they're going to kill each other.
I was going to upvote this until I noticed they attend Purdue.
I kid, I kid.
Pretty interesting! This chapter kinda struck me about the computer salesman.
For my job, I am a computer salesman, and you kinda nailed that section about the different type of people that have no freaking clue on what they're buying and giving the tips on external mouse ect. For that, I tip my hat to you!
Girl as protagonist. So fresh. So cool...
Mentos!
>"You humans should focus on friendship!"
>Is total bitch.
Because fuck logic.
Rainbow sounds way to much like a wise crack to be Rainbow.
Damn, i was expecting a male main character so there would be romance...
...
I need a new hobby.
744615
I am oddly disappointed that it is a female character.
This is going to be good.
I bought a Mac.
Then immediately installed windows.
Yes...Eat the tasty animals...
Heavy already likes this story.
Hmmm.. Is the main character a girl? (besides dashie)
Interesting so far... I think that Dashie would be more used to omnivores, considering Gilda is a freakin' Griffon.
I've got to agree that Rainbow Dash sounds a little off, especially with the "clinging to your material goods" bit.
Interesting start.
Now kiiiiiiiiiiiiiss...
Yeah, I really can't commit to reading a story of this length when your interpretation of Rainbow is not only OoC, but incredibly unlikable to boot. I'm not fond of the narrator either.
"clinging to your material---"
OH COME ON.
This crap from a pony who lived in a FLYING CLOUD MANSION? Best friend owns a whole damn FARM? Other friend owns a LIBRARY full of books?
It would have been feasible for her to make an issue about humans wearing so much clothing. But COME ON.
btw: mac is crap. I've looked under the hood. Same features as a PC, costs 5 times as much, components even more overpriced, ruinously expensive to upgrade.... if the mac OS is so special, well surprise, it runs on PCs too. You're not paying for a better machine, you're paying for a LOGO.
“What’s your obsession with eating animals anyway?” she asked. “Do you just kill anything that can’t scream ‘No!’?”
Fluttershy raises carnivorous pets, has been shown feeding them meat. Every member of the cast has a carnivorous pet. Dammit, her best friend from school was a GRYPHON. Think those things lived on carrots?
I wish people would quit writing the ponies as if they were all Berkeley hippies.
743624 Yes, because Macs can only do one thing.
This is a bit unrealistic... I mean... some things Rainbow says like that friendship stuff are just OOC.
TLTR
Meh. Not fantastic. Not bad, either.
7/10.
Dash sounds a bit too egghead here, yo. She'd be acting with more bravado, telling stories of her exploits, challenging the people in the halls giving her looks with looks of her own. She'd be sticking closer to the character, but treating them like a fan she didn't really want buzzing around her even though Dash'd be beyond grateful for the friendly face and assistance.
And let's face it, Dashie just isn't this smart. I mean, goddamn, her first book was Recolored Rainbow Dash and the Sapphic Stone by Butch Flannel.
SPOILER ALERT!!!
(Note that most of the questions I ask are rhetorical. It could be good to consider each one for if the overall story should answer it at some point, either in something you already have up, or if I inspired you to make an edit/include something in a later chapter. Only if you AREN'T would I expect you to consider answering in the comments, although if I inspire you I would at least like to know THAT.)
-Guess before reading: She is majoring in aerospace engineering, but is really there for the ROTC program... either that or her existence is a secret and she is just hiding in the mane character's dorm room.
We’ve been over this before. No, I can’t believe your roommate is a pony.
-Right, not a secret then. Probably a cross-planar cultural exchange, or a world where ponies and humans have always co-existed.
Opening a drawer in my desk, I took out some yarn and a crochet hook. I was attempting to get the framework of a hat started when I thought I heard a voice.
-Let me guess... author appeal? Nice characterization, but I doubt it will be central to the story. Such details really DO bring the characters to life sometimes though.
“Clinging to your material goods when you should be focusing on more important things, like friendship.”
-Ok, Rainbow Dash has the most obviously awesome house of any of the Mane Six, and Rarity is a pony too. This doesn't really fit for me.
When doorways to another universe had been discovered a couple of years ago, the last thing on my mind had been getting a pony for a roommate.
-Interesting... I assume you are going to gloss over the CDC (and similar organizations in countries other than the US, not that we are to freaking out about disease transmission in two directions, plus security concerns about letting individuals who can teleport/walk through walls/possibly cause brain aneurisms with TK just by looking at someone wander around? Sure these could be resolved, but it would probably take more than a couple of years.
“So what made you decide to pick Purdue?”
-Ok, so confirmed this is happening in the US.
“Aeronautical Engineering,”
-Called it!
For some strange reason, the first portal to another dimension had been opened at a military research facility in southern Indiana.
-Probably because finding a world with sapient creatures in all the vastness of space, let alone the vastness of multiverses makes choosing a method that locks onto someone using a similar method for picking the endpoints of the portal. After that, you can extrapolate to open other portals on the same planet (assuming it turns out to be a planet, but let's not get into that level of complexity beyond saying that opening a portal that might end up leading into an anti-matter universe is best done very very far away from anything so fragile as a tectonic plate), fairly easily, which keeps you from getting locked into one nation or other group of people. For this reason I am suspecting that most of the portals were opened from the Equestrian side or they would be limited to the US (and all in heavily defended locations with the defenses facing INWARD, to as to prevent invasion if things go bad, of course, knowing Equestria they WOULDN'T but a certain level of paranoia is a job requirement for this sort of thing).
“I’m studying Animal Science. I want to be a veterinarian,”
-Good match! Somebody in the Foreign Relations office of the President may have set this up with Celestia or something so the assignments WEREN'T actually random in these cases. Also, I wonder if Dash's presence is a sign of good faith, or if the humans don't know about the Equestrian super-weapon? Granted said super-weapon probably CAN'T be used for evil, but, again, productive paranoia.
I managed to find the pack and pulled a cigarette out. I began looking for a light.
-I imagine that Rainbow Dash will chide her for that, although it is BARELY possible you will go for "smoking is cool"* and Rainbow Dash will pick up the habit herself, not understanding about lung-damage, or figuring she can just get Twilight to heal her when and if it becomes an issue for her flying.
*It isn't to me.
eyeing a small plane passing overhead.
-Yeah, she would be interested in that sort of thing.
“The airport southwest of campus gets almost constant traffic from student pilots,”
-Yeah, she is probably going to want to arrange a tour, perhaps including the maintenance areas to get a first-hoof look at the innards of the engines and/or control surfaces. I wonder what her classification is as a pilot at the moment? If I were in charge of that, I would classify pegasi as model airplanes right out of the portal, with a caveat about not peeking into anyone's windows or whatever. They would have to pass the communications portions of the pilot's exams to get more than that and carry transponders and probably ATC radios when going above a certain altitude. I think aircraft are also required to have at least a watch and a compass, but given that pegasi in most areas can land and ask for directions or rest if they "run out of gas" without causing property damage I don't think those would be as necessary. Pegasi might even have magnetic compasses built into their brains the way some ornithologists suspect(or have proven?) pigeons do. Weather work (if pegasi can even handle earth clouds) above a certain scale would probably require permission from NOAA/The National Weather Service just so you don't go stealing one farmer's rain to give to another farmer, or more minor issues in urban areas. Of course, that is minor stuff compared to what the weather patrols do where they have to work every cloud. Bet NOAA would be drooling over the idea of hiring them to remove some mass from any thunderheads big and "angry" enough to produce a tornado... and the Marines would be drooling even harder over the idea of a low radar cross-section soldier who can strike with lightning (IE something that most armor isn't going to be designed to stop) and doesn't need re-arming. The fact that they can live off the land by grazing is just added icing on the logistical cake. Of course, the diplomats are going to be telling the Marines to not bring the matter up, since these ponies seem to be ridiculously peace-loving, and it wouldn't do to give them the wrong impression.
In the end though, I suspect this is all dealing with stuff that you are being much too casual to give a flying feather about.
“I’m not allowed to fly around here. They say I might disturb the traffic patterns at the airport or something.”
-As I said above, the flight restrictions for a model/drone airplane should be fine. Actually a bit looser since MOST pegasi don't crash into people (Dash only does it when pushing the envelop with tricks, which just means she needs a designated area to work in... which might not have been set up yet). Basically, if she stays below the minimum altitude for planes (which means staying away from the immediate area of the airport), and doesn't go peeping in any windows, she should be fine.
“How can you not like flying? Didn’t you humans invent airplanes for a reason?”
-Yeah, but the coolness factor went away for most people long ago, plus I think a lot of the inventing was for military observation/scouting (biplane era), followed by transportation and warfare (everything after that). Don't know when taking a plane ride ceased to be awesome for the average person, but it did.
“I get airsick
-If Dash can lift her while NOT under the influence of a Rainboom, she might avoid that (I think airsickness has something to do with being in an enclosed space, but looking at something very far away... or maybe low pressure? I dunno... but flying with Dash would have neither of those things as long as she stayed as low as she usually does.
and they don’t let me smoke.”
-And here we get to find out what Dash thinks of smoking?
“Well, I’m getting a pilot’s license,” she said.
-Again, I would expect that to NOT include most of the requirements of getting even a fixed-wing license. Then again, you might be taking this un-seriously enough that you wouldn't have the necessary changes rushed through congress/the FAA yet.
“It’s a long story.”
-One I look forward to hearing... maybe her wings don't work without ambient magic? Or maybe Celestia just knows how much trouble she is capable of getting into and wants her to be slow down a bit before she accidentally kills a human in a crash by collapsing part of a building when she hits.
and she appeared to ignore the cigarette in my fingers.
-Set up for later, or is it never going to really be discussed between them?
“I’m a junior.”
-Useful information for the reader.
“Chen was great to live with, but not very good with visa paperwork.”
-
A lot of students used it as a place to hang out and relax amid the sound of flowing water.
-I sure know about that effect...
Even the tiniest things, like chlorine in the fountain water, were something new.
-I guess earth-pony magic (or unicorn-made filters that allow water but keep out harmful bacteria) takes care of making sure the ponies don't get sick, one way or another?
It was my responsibility to make sure Rainbow didn’t get into trouble because she didn’t know something.
-Well, hopefully she had at least six months of training before coming through the portal... of course even that wouldn't handle everything.
The inside of the building was done in cheesy ‘50s style.
-Given the following sentence I recommend "Most of the inside of the building..." or something along those lines.
The computer salesmen seemed surprised when we walked in.
-Salesmen? Based on the location, decor in the main part of the building, and the term "computer center" I thought it would be were she would be ISSUED a computer. Guess it is something that only someone who has been to that particular college would realize?
And unsanitary.
-Yeah, I mentioned this on one of the pony threads on forum.rpg.net and someone said that mononucleosis might be one of the banes of pony society. I also find myself wondering if she will be using a pen to type, like she was a paraplegic, or if she will use one of the "two-giant dome joysticks" input devices I saw at a job-fair focusing on manufacturers of devices for the disabled, or if it will be put down to "tactile telekinesis".
“Mouse? Touchpad?”
-Oh dear... here is hoping for tactile telekinesis...
it looked like she would have to press the buttons and keys with the rubber end of a pencil held in her mouth.
-Ah, paraplegic method... not so bad for somepony just learning anyway.
Twilight somehow figured out how to get everything paid for.
-... Rarity and Spike can dig up enough gems in an afternoon to pay tuition from undergrad through PhD for at least all of the Mane Six, if not all of Ponyville. Of course the American government might have concerns about casually wrecking the price of gemstones (and gold if bits really are solid gold) like that and may have agreed with Celestia and Luna on import restrictions. Of course, that wouldn't stop Celestia from extending the same stipends to the rest of the Mane Six that she does to Twilight (the mad scientist laboratory in the basement was probably NOT purchased on a librarian's salary).
There isn’t enough money to pay for a single-occupancy dorm room, though.
-Of course Celestia wouldn't provide enough for that... she wants her ponies to get to KNOW the humans! The Chessmistress is only caught off guard very rarely.
Rainbow and I found the office and got in line with other students who needed ID cards.
-Why would the human need a new ID if she is a Junior? Also, I wonder if they are going to have to get a chair for Rainbow to stand on so that the camera can actually be dropped low enough on the tripod to catch her face? Maybe she can just hover? If she does and isn't winded, it will mean it is legal restrictions, not differing (meta-)physics that is keeping her grounded.
In only a few minutes, the line ahead had dissipated,
-People leaving the line to rubber-neck/out of mild xenophobia? Or is the ID line really that fast? Maybe if they issue new IDs every term, but don't redo the photographs or taking down of personal information, you just give them your name and/or driver's license, they check you against the picture and hand you your card? But even when picking up my ID for a Con the line was always really slow.
She asked for Rainbow’s passport casually, like there were foreign students from Equestria enrolling every day.
-Perhaps someone circulated a strongly worded memo to the staff about treating the Equestrians exactly the same as everybody else and she was paying attention?
the camera had to be adjusted.
-Ah, no BIG deal then.
I noticed the background they photographed students against was a blue color almost the same as Rainbow’s coat. The woman assured me that it wouldn’t be a problem.
-Just a random note for realism, or will this actually turn out to be an issue after all?
There’s a dining court in the basement.
-I wonder what she will think of the selection? She should be able to eat from the salad bar, desert tray, and any breads. Seeing first-hoof proof that humans are omnivores who, if given an option, will show carnivorous leanings may spook her, and I wouldn't be surprised if she finds the produce inferior. I also wonder if she is going to have to order a hay-bale to keep in the room to supplement her diet. If the cafeteria provides oatmeal to mix with hot water (the same hot water used for hot chocolate?) she may eat straight from the packet (the sugar/dried apples/cinnamon will not alter this), and not bother with the water. If they serve pre-cooked oatmeal at breakfast she might try to ask for raw oats. She could also try to ask to replace the lawn-mowing for a certain part of the grass on campus, but I think that getting wild plants from anywhere near a highway to feed a horse is generally lethal to the horse. Of course that could be more due to poisonous species of plants in the mix, rather than car-exhaust/pesticides/herbicides.
“Do you just kill anything that can’t scream ‘No!’?”
-Yeah, pretty much...
Luckily the last few years of college had been preparing me to give an emotionless, scientific answer to her question.
-Good!
Too bad I couldn’t resist escalating the argument. “You’re just jealous because you have to stick to plants.”
-Not so good...
“Do you want to keep trading insults? I can do this all day.”
-Yeah, so can Dash probably...
“Pardon me ladies, but if you’re done here, I’m trying to sweep the floor.”
-Nice out... I wonder if he trying to earn brownie points for easing a transition? Actually, before that, I wondered if he was an undercover agent defusing a problem that could leave an extra-dimensional VIP with a bad first impression, but that seems unlikely.
Seriously, arguing with a pony? I really needed to have better control of myself.
-I am curious as to the SPECIFIC reasons she considers it worse than arguing with another human. Maybe she knows how inoffensive ponies tend to be compared to humans? Maybe she understands the importance of making a good impression in cultural interchange (actually, the fact that she has previous experience in that is more indication that someone went in manually and picked her as the best candidate for Dash's roommate, rather than relying on random selection).
“Fine,” she replied, rising to my unspoken challenge. “I’ll go, too.”
-Along the lines of "Can Rainbow Dash physically fly on earth?" I am now given to wonder if the (earth-)pony rapport with animals works with earth animals and/or on earth. Note that this is two different things. It is possible that bringing an earth rabbit to Equestria would allow Fluttershy* to communicate with it just as well as any other animal. It is possible that Rainbow Dash would still have the same rapport with Tank** if she had brought him with her. It is possible that neither of these things is true. It is possible that pony-animal-empathy works just fine on earth-creatures. Curious to know what will turn out to be the case. Don't bother answering in the comments if you are going to answer in the story, including if I inspired you to answer in a later chapter or edit.
*AKA "the Earthpony who was born with wings so she could take better care of birds"
**Will Tank be showing up in this story? If not, is it only because you were far enough along in it when that episode came out that you are ignoring it?
-Faved this story so I can find it later, can't promise I will keep reading, but if I do, I will PROBABLY keep commenting.
743283
-Well, depending on WHICH college you go to, it isn't really a problem. A serious college mostly has students who are too mature to do that sort of thing.
746593
Preach it Brony!
Although, as an EXTRATERRESTRIAL, she should be plenty interesting. She is of course, but not as much as you would think. No paparazzi for one thing. Guess there must have been a lot of touring ponies in earlier years (probably with police escorts most of the time)? Or maybe the author just wants to write a relaxed story, and accidentally picked two years instead of ten or twenty because (s)he is coming at this as a friendship/odd couple/light adventure writer (don't remember the tags, beyond the fact that there isn't any Romance tag, which warms my heart)?
743452 Hot Skitty on Wailord action!
749084images5.fanpop.com/image/photos/30100000/Dafuq-random-30168694-460-335.jpg
tall me, cuz i dont fell like reading you story of a comment
749130
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749389
"tall me"? I suspect either some lingo I am not savvy to, or, more likely, a typo.
I do realize my comments are not for everyone, but I figure that since they ARE comments (in addition to technical corrections such as for typos I happen to notice), I should go ahead and post them publicly rather than PMing the author.
749460
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oh and btw i said "tell me"
743233 I gathered from the beginning bit that A) ponies in Earth were - now, at least - a somewhat ordinary occurrence, albeit rare, sort of like finding a five-dollar bill on the sidewalk, and B) she had known about this for a little while, so she probably got over her shock before and now just had excitement.
Why does a majority of PC users hate Mac so much when allot of them haven't even used one before, if it wasn't for Steve Jobs (founder of apple and inventor of computers), computers might not even exist. And even Bill Gates admires Steve's accomplishments.
The only problem I have with apple is it's overpriced as (insert swear word here), but it's still a great brand.
I'm not saying people can't have their own opinions, i'm saying don't go overboard with you're remarks.
One chapter in, and I can't resist dropping off some props for our gracious author. Reading about ponies at my alma mater is pretty fun so far!
Boiler Brohoof!
i imagine "you" as Stocking. why? i have no idea.