//------------------------------// // Equestria // Story: the traveler // by AkiraRealHuman //------------------------------// "Well then..." Before he could ask his question, Twilight interrupted the traveler. "Aren't you going to jot down the answers?" she asked. "Sorry?" Green was already accustomed to Twilight's random interruptions. "I mean, since I see you don't have anything to write with," the human shook his head. Twilight looked contemplatively at her own materials. "I've got it!" "I don't think it's necessary," Green interrupted. "I don't keep records of the worlds I visit. Understanding the basics is enough for me." As he finished this sentence, Twilight began to write fervently with her quill, leaving the human perplexed. "Are you seriously writing that down?" "It's just that what you just said is very important for understanding you," the alicorn replied with a semi-embarrassed smile. "And I was supposed to be the one learning from you now," Green said with a smile. His priority at the moment was to learn about the other human, but for now, he would start with simpler questions. "So... and I hope this time someone doesn't interrupt me," he explained, looking at Twilight with humor. She nodded in understanding. "Where am I?" The alicorn pondered the response for a moment. "Now that I think about it, I haven't formally welcomed you," she rose and cleared her throat. "I, Princess Twilight Sparkle, formally welcome you to the nation of Equestria." During that moment, her voice was firm yet friendly, her wings extended, and her confident face exuded an air of grandeur. Admirable, thought the traveler. "Well, now you really look like a princess," I must be more respectful! Green thought quickly, silencing himself. "What do you mean?" Twilight's tone of voice didn't betray any signs of anger, yet the human chose to be more careful from now on. "It's not to be rude, it's just that you don't act with the standard of princess that I know, at least," Green replied cautiously. "Well, I'm still somewhat new to this whole princess thing," that comment prompted the human to make some conjectures. I assume Twilight was imposed the role of being a princess, she wasn't born into it, and this means that in 'Equestria', power isn't inherited, he concluded. "So, this brought me to the world of Equestria," Green said, changing the subject. "Not exactly... Equestria is just our kingdom, it's rare for you to call it a world," she stood up, heading towards Zecora's library. Upon returning, she placed a book on the table, showing a double-page spread of a world map. "If you're referring to the planet, this would be Pangea, and it's comprised of 76 kingdoms and 23 independent colonies." "I am an example, plain to see," Zecora spoke, who had remained on the sidelines for the moment. "Crossing borders, other realms we can decree. But if you wish to learn with glee, Certain ponies you must meet, agree?" "Yes, but first let me clarify any doubts you have," Twilight explained, then drawing a cross with a marker on one of the locations on the world map. "This is exactly where we are." "Ponyville?" Green asked. "I suppose the girls explained a couple of things to you, didn't they?" The human nodded, turning his attention to the map. ‘Equestria’ is one of the largest countries shown, and it seems to be close to several resources, so this kingdom must be very powerful in that world. "And what would be the capital of the country, if it has one?" "Our capital is Canterlot," Twilight explained as she made another mark on the map. Ponyville wasn't far from that mark. "That's where the main princesses reside..." "More princesses? How many are there?" Green interrupted. "We are 4 princesses," she said, then frowned slightly. "Well, and one prince, although he doesn't matter." "And the kings?" At the question, the alicorn simply shook her head. "We don't have kings, Equestria is more of a principality than a kingdom." "And what do you mean by the main princesses living in Canterlot?" "I mean they are the closest thing to kings we have, they are in charge of governing," her expression changed to one of admiration as she spoke proudly. "Princess Celestia and Luna have been the ponies who guided Equestria since its birth. We, on the other hand, have more of a role as symbols and protectors for now." "We? Who else?" "Princess Cadance. She is in charge of the Crystal Empire." "What do you mean by Crystal?" Green interrupted. "Well, obviously it's called that because the place is made of crystals." "Crystals? Really?" I expected that, this world is truly the most fantastic,"Green thought. "Yes." "Wow, this place is difficult to understand, you know?" She looked at him somewhat puzzled. "Can I tell you something curious? The other human..." She hesitated for a moment, but continued. "Tofi didn't have trouble understanding our kingdom. In fact, it's as if he knew our world from before." I guess he was luckier than me then, Green thought, relieved that Twilight finally mentioned him. "Wait a moment, Tofi isn't a strange or difficult name," Green indicated with an inquisitive tone. "Just as you hid your true name," Zecora said. "He also introduced himself with a nickname." "Did you just cheat with the rhyme?" Green asked playfully, chuckling to himself. "Anyway, so what's his name then?" "Tobias Othello Faust Isaac," Twilight added hastily. "Tofi is his nickname." "What?!" the traveler exclaimed in a tone louder than he would have liked. "But what kind of name is that?" Twilight and Zecora exchanged confused glances. "And why did you memorize his full name?" "Hmm... science?" Twilight still looked puzzled by Green's reaction. Is that name German? If that's the case... well, it makes sense that some have survived. "Have you noticed a different tone of voice from mine?" the traveler asked fruitlessly. Twilight turned her head, trying to grasp the question. "Well... they do have something different, but I couldn't tell you exactly," she replied. "I see... if I recall correctly, Sweetie Belle mentioned that he does magic similar to yours," he said, gazing at the ceiling. "It's not similar, it's the same," she said, tilting her head and resting it on one of her hooves. "I confirmed it myself... although I haven't been able to understand how." Did he want to hide his own accessory? I can understand that; it's certainly prudent. the human thought as he raised the accessory in front of her. "Are you absolutely sure he didn't have anything like this?" She shook her head. "His magic came from within him, not from an external source," she said, looking at the accessory with renewed curiosity. "Why do you ask?" "These accessories can mimic some abilities of beings from different worlds, perhaps magic works the same way," the human inferred what Twilight would want to ask next, so he decided to anticipate. "But it's a complex and lengthy process; it would require spending a lot of time in this world for this to happen." "That wouldn't be possible with Tofi," Twilight looked at Zecora for a moment until she nodded. "During his arrival, all magical beings could feel... some sort of irregularity in their magic, so we found him as soon as he arrived in our world." Twilight looked uneasy; Tofi was indeed a mystery to all present. "It's strange that your arrival didn't cause any anomaly either." That's certainly strange. The accessories are almost undetectable. Maybe his malfunctioned, Green speculated. "And where is he now?" "I only know he's traveling through Equestria looking for something," she quickly closed the book, as if fearing the traveler would know the location if he kept looking. "I'm sorry, but I can't tell you where; we promised him we wouldn't tell anyone." Her face clearly indicated that she no longer wished to discuss the matter. "Alright, don't worry. What's he like? Besides being mysterious." Twilight pondered her response for a moment. "He's a good pon... person. He has a knack for making friends; if you knew him, you'd surely like him," Twilight said with a smile. "I think you two would be good friends." "If doubts arise and his nature you can't see, I urge you to understand, for he's stayed near us, so free," Zecora added. "Then he has become your friend," Green affirmed, and the girls nodded. "Still, I find it hard to understand what kind of person he would be." "Twilight wasn't lying when she said he's a good friend, I'll do my best to explain, though it's hard to comprehend," Zecora placed her hoof on her snout. "He's someone I've admired, with traits of daring and flair, yet words alone can't capture his essence, I declare. For he's left his past behind, a tale of sorrow and care." "Well, yes, he's somewhat melancholic about leaving his world, but my friends and I support him as much as we can," said Twilight determinedly. The rest of the time, the traveler spent talking about more superficial topics. At one point, Twilight told him about her group of friends, which, as he understood, consisted of a party-loving mare, a fashion enthusiast, a workaholic, a competitive spirit, and a pony who was overwhelmingly adorable or something like that. She also mentioned some details about the castle and that she shared it with a dragon, of which Green didn't understand if it was her brother or some sort of servant. "Well, I think it's time for me to go," Twilight said, getting up from the table. "But before that," she turned to the human, "I hope you don't mind, but today I'll have to inform the princesses of your presence through a letter. I'll mention a bit of what you told me, and they'll probably want to meet you tomorrow." Twilight noticed the apparent discomfort of the human, so she added, "Don't worry, I'll accompany you tomorrow so you won't feel so uncomfortable, and if you want, I can also introduce you to my friends. Would you like that?" "Sure, no problem." She nodded with a smile and headed for the exit. "Goodbye, Zecora, goodbye Green Mist," she bid farewell with a wave of her hooves, and both of them waved back. After that, Zecora led the human to the guest room. "This humble chamber is yours for the night, I hope the bed suits you, everything's right," she said before leaving, giving him one last glance. "Rest well, till morning light, we'll meet again, with dawn's first sight." After she left the room, the traveler ran his hands over the bed and realized it was filled with hay. Nonetheless, he lay down and, contrary to his expectations, found it quite comfortable. Next to his bed was a bedside table with a gas lamp. The traveler picked up the handle and, with its light, carefully examined the symbols and rotation speed indicated by the horizontal line of the device. He did this for five long minutes. Eighty days, he repeated in his mind. If he remembered correctly, there was a very popular book in his dimension whose protagonists had to travel around the world in that amount of time. The human didn't have to aspire to such a feat. It's enough time, he thought relievedly as he closed his eyes and prepared to sleep. 80 days remaining