Friends in High Places (Full)

>Day Unidentified Flying Object on Earth
>Be Anonymous
>You are a woodsman, proud and strong, living on the fringes of a small city at the summit of a modestly tall mountain
>You care not for the trappings of society and live life in the most natural way you can think of
>Today is another excellent day to gather fruits and fish
>You take your well-crafted fishing pole in hand and a small bag of night crawlers with you to spend the cool morning by the lake
>The hike through your forest is simple and your bare feet know the ground well
>You smile as you come upon your small stone chair and prepare for a relaxing day
>The water is still and the air is calm
>For the moment, you realize a bit too calm
>It is too early for the birds to be migrating, but perhaps they have sensed a possible storm in the making
>As for now, you do not feel anything out of place
>You cast your baited hook into the blue waters and sit back
>You nod in and out of sleep as the warm sun shines easily
>It is not long before you feel a tug at your line and you land your first fish
>Two more follow soon after as you fill your small pail with the bounty
>Three fish should tie you over for the day
>You begin trekking off towards home when your ears catch the sound of something not unlike thunder
>A ball of fire fills the sky and you trace this meteor through the air
>The tail seems to swish on its own in a zigzag pattern, leaving a purple and red trail in its wake
>It soon becomes apparent that the meteor is heading dangerously close to your home
>You run swiftly on tiptoes through the dry forest in the vain effort to ensure your dwelling's safety
>The object hurtles toward the mountain side before making contact with another loud booming noise
>You listen closely to nothing in particular as you approach the crash site
>You move closer to the hole as your heart pumps and adrenaline readies your muscles
>The dust slowly settles from the air as you peer over the very edge of the crater
>To your astonishment, something purple and small is laying neatly in the middle of the destruction
>You can't quite make out what the thing is, but you know for certain it is not of this world
>You watch intently for a moment longer as your courage builds to approach the strange object
>Slowly, carefully, you inch your way over to the center
>A knife finds its way into your hand as you take a deep breath
>You close within a meter of the creature to see that it looks like a rather colourful horse, albeit very small as if it were but a pony
>You freeze in place as you try to piece together what the thing at your feet may be and, more importantly, what it may do if it is still alive
>Before your imagination takes complete control, the beast stirs
>Your eyes go wide as you watch it stand
>A long, dark mane with two coloured stripes hang from its head with a tail matching in appearance
>Two disproportionately large eyes fill the creature's face and shine with an unnatural lavender hue
>If all these oddities didn't concern you already, the creature does something to completely unnerve you; speak
TS: Ohh... my head... that spell might be a little harder than I though, Luna...
>The creature looks up at you while you stare in abject horror
TS: Wait, you're not Princess Luna... this doesn't look like Canterlot at all!
>You clutch the knife tighter still and hold it at your waist
>The beast stares at you for a while longer
TS: You don't look like a pony
>The small horse sizes you up before smiling and extending a greeting
TS: My name is Twilight Sparkle and I am from Canterlot. As you are some new species not yet discovered, I cordially wish to extend a welcome hoof from equinity to, um... whatever you call yourself! So... what -do- you call yourself?
>It has been a long time since you have spoken to any other person, let alone some alien being
>Your voice comes across as grunts with a gruff tone
A: Anonymous... just Anonymous. What are you?
>The alien speaks to you with a smile on its elongated face
TS: Well, I'm a pony, of course!
>You have seen horses and ponies in your time
>None have ever looked like this, let alone speak
A: What's on your head?
>You point with your knife towards the creature's forehead, just between the mane
TS: Oh, that? My horn. Don't tell me your kind doesn't know what a horn is?
>The creature is rather sarcastic for an alien
>You almost instantly remember why you don't like dealing with your own kind
A: What do you want?
TS: Want? I... don't really want anything! I guess a snack and a drink would be nice. I am really tired after studying all day. Luna can be a hard teacher sometimes!
>You are not sure what this thing may eat and you find yourself clutching your blade once more
TS: Oh, and some paper and quill would be great so I can rewrite the spell and go back to Canterlot! Not sure if you have those things in this place
>She turns around in place a few times
TS: Are we in a forest? I've read a lot about forests! Did you know that there are over four hundred and seventy-two different species of beetle in the Everfree Forest? Not only that, but there are over forty species of trees with no two beetles living in any given tree at any given time!
>You stare in awe as this horse begins spewing -facts- about nothing you know or care to know about
A: Stop...
TS: Stop?
A: Stop
TS: Oh... OK... um, so... do you live out here?
A: Yes
>You point your knife to your home not but ten meters away
TS: Oh... it looks... nice?
>The horse tilts its head left to right as it judges your handcrafted house
TS: I live in the castle with the princesses. You wouldn't happen to have a princess here, would you?
>You stare for a moment into the creature's curious eyes and realize you do not know
>Instead, you shrug, grunt and begin circling to your home
>You keep a careful eye on the creature as you move away
>Without warning, the creature begins to follow you from a moderate distance
TS: So... would it be alright if I stay with you until I get some materials? I have a few bits on me to pay for a night or two? Unless there is an inn around here?
>So many questions, your head is slightly hurting from all this talking
A: No...
TS: No, there is no inn?
A: No, you can't stay here
TS: But, I can't just stay out here! It's not even civilized! Where would you even go to the bathroom in the forest?
>You stop to think only to find you don't really understand what living in a city means anymore
A: I said, "No"
>You attempt to walk on only to be dogged by the alien known as Twilight Sparkle
TS: Please, sir! I don't want to be left out here! It looks like it's going to rain and I don't come from... wherever this place is!
>The sobbing hits you first as you have not heard another person cry in a long time
>Though you are not certain of it, this animal may actually be some kind of mutated person
>It may even be some kind of alien that can impersonate human emotion
>You become increasingly distant as you imagine what cruelty this alien may be planning, if it is planning at all and not already enacting its treachery
>Your eyes shift in their sockets from the creature to your door and back again
>As if by instinct, you sprint to your front door and pull it open before bolting yourself inside
>It doesn't take long until you hear a pawing at your door
TS: Anonymous! Please! Let me in!
A: No
TS: I want to come inside, Anonymous!
A: Please go...
TS: Why are you being so mean!?
A: I am not mean
>You hear the creature's frustration now as the tapping at your door increases
TS: What if there are timber wolves out here? Timber wolves -eat- ponies! I don't want to be eaten! If you let me in, I'll, um... I'll show you some magic tricks! Please!?
>You don't trust people and certainly not aliens
>But, the feminine voice echoing in your head makes you second guess yourself
>While there are no wolves you know of, there are bears that roam the wood
>You know a bear would make quick work of you and quicker still of this small creature
>A defeated sound of sobbing begins at your door now and you lean your head in closely against the grain
A: Stop...
TS: S-stop? Is t-that all you can say?
>She chokes and sniffles a bit
TS: I d-don't understand w-why you won't l-l-let me in
>Her crying escalates
A: Please, stop crying...
>You can't stand it any longer and open the door
A: Please...?
>She looks to you with swelling eyes and a running nose
>You just stare at this beast
>Why is it so... depressed?
>Has it never experienced rejection before?
>Surely, everything has at one point or another
>You think of why you came out here to live alone so many years ago before looking back to the broken pony at your doorstep
A: Come now...
>You stand to one side as your mind races with questions
>You haven't had to think so hard about another person in so long and this causes you a mild bit of confusion and pain
>The horse looks up to you with wider eyes now
TS: Do you... do you mean it?
A: Yes... move...
>Twilight slips in carefully away from you as you close the door again
>You stand at the threshold and stare strangely at her for the moment
A: Hungry?
TS: Ah... a little, yes
A: What do you want?
TS: Um, hay fries? If you have them...
>You don't even know what that is and shake your head
TS: Oh, um... a dandelion sandwich? Maybe just an apple?
>You have none of these things on hand
A: Pears
TS: Oh, you have them?
>You go to a small cabinet and reveal a dozen or so ripe pears on the verge of becoming preserved
>Drying fruits is the best way to make them portable and increase their longevity way out in the forest
>You pick up three and present them to Twilight
>You mind parting with so much food when you barely forage for more than a few days worth of supplies for one body
A: Here, don't eat too fast...
>You place them on a small stool that is about head height for Twilight
>What happens next makes you wish you had left the creature outside
>The strange horn on its head glows an eerie purple glow as it spies the food
>You step back as a slice lifts into the air on its own and flies effortlessly towards the beast's mouth
>You shake in parts suspicion and parts fright at what you just witnessed as you try to put your table between the two of you
TS: Oh, these are good! Thank you so much!
A: You are a witch...
>It makes sense now!
>A human with the ability to change their shape and still speak
TS: A witch? No, I am a unicorn. Haven't you ever seen a unicorn before?
>The beast looks at you with a genuine curiosity
A: If you are a witch, you must want something from me. What do you want?
TS: You know, you keep asking me that same question and I keep telling you the same thing
A: I do not have paper or pencils here. You need to go into the town to get those
TS: Perfect! how do I get there?
A: The forest ends at the base of this mountain. There will be a city road
TS: Yeah, that doesn't explain it. Could you take me there?
>You find a rusty laugh escape your throat at the very idea that you would go anywhere near that place
A: No...
TS: What is wrong with you and being civilized?
A: Why do you want to be amongst the noise?
TS: Why do -you- want to block out everything?
>You have had enough questions for a lifetime now and simply sigh as you try to maintain yourself
A: What does a witch want with me?
TS: I told you, I am -not- a witch! I am a unicorn and I have a name!
A: This is my house and now I ask the questions. You can leave freely...
>The beast seems to back down at your threat and you feel slightly safer
A: If you are not a witch, then touching this iron pot will be simple
>You hold out an old cooking pot and push it towards Twilight
TS: You are a strange creature, Anonymous. If it makes you happy...
>You see Twilight lift the pot with magic and bring it close to her
>She holds it in her hooves and stares blankly at you
>She does not burn from it or even so much as smolder and this upsets you for a few reasons
A: Fine... Unicorn. What do you want?
TS: Ugh, you sound like a broken record! I told you what I want and I would be well on my way back to Canterlot if you would just go to your silly town and get me some paper, a quill and ink pot so I can write a counter spell to go home! I'd be happier if you...
>This beast, whether of this world or a dozen others, does not stop speaking for some time as you fall silent
>After a few more minutes of unending exposition, you slice your hand through the air and grunt
A: Stop...
TS: And another thing...!
A: No... no more. I can't... I don't like people. I don't like this! Stop talking so much. My head is hurting...
>Twilight becomes strangely quiet for the moment before looking carefully at you
TS: I am sorry...
>You don't really listen as you walk to another room where your bed is and lay down on your back
>For the moment, there is a surreal quietness to the whole world
>There are no birds, no bugs, no sounds at all that would bring you some peace
>As if the very heavens themselves heard your plea, the pitter-patter of rain becomes apparent
>You breathe easily again as the world is filled with the ambience of nature like you know
>Unfortunately, a voice picks up over your soothing rainfall
TS: Um, Anonymous... hey, just me...
>The small horse walks slowly into your diminutive room
>You feel that you should have more doors in your house
TS: Didn't know where you were... and it's raining... so, yeah. Rain's a good thing! It's natural. We have rain where I am from too
A: Does it hurt?
TS: Does what hurt?
A: To be silent for just a moment?
>Twilight scowls at first, but her expression slowly shifts as she stands in your doorway
>Her eyes close and she sways lightly on her hooves as her ears spin in all directions
>You smile and sigh contentedly at the calmness now, but can't close your eyes with a unicorn in your home
>A small sound lifts above the rain
TS: Where can I sleep? Just for tonight?
>You don't really have space to fit any other body in your home comfortably
>It takes you a great deal of kindness, but you get out of your simple bed and move along side Twilight
>You point with a hand outstretched to the now empty space
A: Here...
>She looks up at you with a sort of disbelief
TS: Where will you sleep?
A: Somewhere. Anywhere...
>The rain is all that can be heard for a time before Twilight and you find yourselves in the kitchen again
TS: Do you like the rain?
A: Sometimes...
TS: When don't you like the rain?
A: When it comes inside...
>She looks at her hooves nervously before looking out a window
TS: Is that often?
A: No...
>You draw a sharp knife from a wooden block and retrieve your fishing pail from earlier
>You begin to cut and remove the skin on your small morsels
A: Do you eat fish?
TS: No, I don't eat any kind of meat, actually
A: Dinner tonight...
TS: What about the pears? I can pay you for some more?
A: I don't want money. Useless for me...
TS: Oh, yeah, right... I suppose you don't go into town. I guess my money wouldn't even be very good in your world anyways. I don't even know if these coins have value here
>Twilight produces a small sack of coins and lays them on the table
>She spills them out to reveal a bulk of gold coins with a stamp of some other horse on them
A: People like gold. Buy lots of paper with that...
>She smirks a bit and bobs her head
TS: Are there a lot of creatures like you?
A: Human
TS: Oh, OK... are there a lot of humans
>You nod as you remove some fish heads and place them to one side
A: Yes, I think so. Enough, at least
TS: Why don't you live with them instead of by yourself?
A: Don't like the noise. No humans, no noise
>You feel eyes on your back staring deeply into you
A: Another three hours of light at most... rain will keep it darker. I will take you to the edge of the mountain tomorrow
TS: You mean it!?
>Excitement bounds in Twilight's voice and you feel something suddenly press into your leg
>You swiftly kick it off and spin in place with the knife ready
>Twilight stands a few meters back from you with a bruised shoulder and it takes you a moment to realize what you just did
A: I... I didn't mean that
TS: I was only trying to hug you... that really hurt
>She rubs her shoulder lightly and her eyes hang heavily
A: Sorry... I am sorry. I didn't know it was you...
TS: I'm going to just stay over here for the time being
>She moves slightly further from you and to one side while you continue to stare at her
>You can't form the right tone or words to express how accidental this was
>In frustration, you go back to cleaning your fish with your mouth tightly shut
>The rain mocks your foolish actions now
>Darkness falls over the next silent hour as you cook your dinner and retrieve more dried fruit for your guest
>Twilight stands a distance from you as you set the table with what few items you have
>You give her your only cup with some fresh water from your reserve
>You motion for her to come over and eat
>Twilight slowly approaches the table, making sure to keep her distance from you
>You stare across the table silently as you pick at white flesh with your fingers
>The fish is really tasty at the very least, yet it does not seem to still your nerves
A: I am sorry, Twilight Sparkle... I did not mean to hurt you
TS: It's fine... I overacted
A: I... don't... I haven't touched another body in years. I was nervous to have something touch me...
>Twilight sits very quietly eating a pear
>She tears it into tiny strands and eats it bit by bit
TS: Why is it so hard for you? I just don't understand
>You silently chew on a piece of fish
>You ponder what words would make sense or help her better understand
A: Recluse... I'm a recluse
TS: Were you always like this?
A: No... I just... I didn't... I can't say
TS: It's fine... I don't think I would understand your reasoning anyways
>You finish your meal and clean up what little you have dirtied
>You sit in a chair for reclining as you rest your eyes for the first time today
>It is still raining
TS: It's pretty dark... do you have candles or something?
A: No...
TS: How do you see at night around here?
A: I know my home. There is no need to see
>You stand back up and move close to your guest
>She flinches a bit as your hand touches her back
A: I am very sorry and I wish I could somehow tell you better. I did not mean to hurt you
TS: I'm fine, really
>Your hand runs along her flank and back to her withers in a reassuring petting motion
>Her fur is very warm and surprisingly soft
A: Come...
>You lead her with a hand on her back to the small bedroom
>Twilight climbs into bed and rolls about to get comfortable
A: It's... not very soft. Not a lot around here is...
>You feel a cool hoof rest on your hand
TS: Thank you, again, for letting me stay the night. Will you really take me into the town in the morning?
A: I will try...
>You try to smile as best you can, but the darkness obscures all
TS: It's a lot to ask, I realize
>Her hoof slides from you as she curls up
>It is then you hear something incredible in your dark home
>For the first time in memory, you hear the soft breathing of someone nearby
>Your tension is released in a single breath as the rhythmic echo soothes your weary head
>You lay upon the floor beside Twilight Sparkle
>Maybe... maybe there is good in company after all

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

>Day Hitch To Hike on Earth
>Be Twilight Sparkle
>You toss in your bed as the morning sun peaks into your window
>Celestia allows makes sure you rise and ready for your studies ahead and you great the golden dawn with a tired smile
>As you lift the pillow off your head, you look around to find that last night was not a dream
>You sigh a bit as you step out of the small cot
>A sound draws you to the kitchen area as you see the odd creature known only as "Anonymous" hurrying around for items
>He has a sack of some kind with many pouches and a smartly dressed strap on the back
>You imagine it is a saddlebag of sorts, but made for bipedal creatures
>He notices you with a grunt and a nod of his head as he continues
TS: Good morning, I think...
A: Leaving soon...
TS: Oh? Where are you going?
A: We
TS: Where are -we- going this morning?
A: Town
>It frustrates you at how he speaks
>You've met guards with more personality than this human!
TS: Thank you, again, for all of your hospitality. Quick question though, if you would?
>He stops for a moment to make eye contact with you
TS: Um, where's the little mare's room? I, uhm, need to -go-
>You let go a nervous chuckle at the topic itself
>Anon just looks at you with unwavering indifference
>He quickly holds up his hand and points towards the door
A: Outside and back
>You nod and head out the door with a bit of urgency
>An outhouse is not the worst, you hope
>As you wind around back, hope disappears as you behold nothing
>You stamp around as you pace quickly and decide that Anonymous must have pushed it a bit deeper into the woods
>You step into some bushes and pass through
>Nothing of particular size or shape catches your attention and you are starting to worry what could have happened to Anon's outhouse
>A quick gallop takes you back to the front where Anon is already standing outside
>You tip-hoof in place as your bladder threatens you
TS: Anon! I can't find the bathroom!
>He looks at you with a bit of puzzlement before waving you to follow him
>You are taken to the back of the house once again and shake your head in frustration
TS: See? Somep0ny misplaced your outhouse!
>A sound not unlike a choking cat rings from Anon in what must be laughter
A: There
>He points to a small hole dug towards one side of the grounds and you look up at him in utter confusion
TS: You can't be serious... it's... it's a hole! In the ground!
A: Don't fall in...
>He chuckles as he disappears to the front again
>Uncomfortably, you figure out the grand use of the hole and do your best to stay sanitary
>Urinating out in the open like this is so uncivilized that it makes your skin crawl
>There's not even a door to keep prying eyes away from you!
>Where do you wash your hooves when you are done?
>You sigh heavily as you finish up and ponder why anyp0ny would do this to themselves
>You make your way back to Anon at the front of his home
>He holds up a few pieces of some hard treat that smells nutty and sugary
A: Food. Good for energy...
>You take it from him in your magic and give it a bite
>While not delicious, it certainly stops the grumbling in your body
TS: Thanks...
>Anon draws a small pouch out his pocket and opens it
>The smell turns your nose around as you watch him
>He pulls out a few pieces of shoulder meat that looks sun dried
>Your stomach flops once as he puts it in his mouth and starts chewing with a depraved contentment
>You hold a hoof to your mouth as you try to keep your own food down
A: Oh... sorry... I forgot
>He turns from you and stuffs the meat pouch into his pocket once more before pointing his hand into the air
A: Good weather today
>With that, he starts walking off into a direction seemingly choose at random
TS: Do we have a map?
>Anon looks at you curiously before shaking his head
TS: What about a compass?
>Again, he confirms that you don't
TS: How are we suppose to find our way without tools?
A: Knowledge
>You sigh and drop the topic as he moves through brush
>As you walk on, you can not help but allow your scientific mind to take in all you see
>The flora is very simple in color, not too many flowers spring through the denser green shrub and tall trees
>The species of tree is, in fact, oak and it makes you wonder about other similarities that may be presence
>You sit and marvel at the tree for a moment and examine a bit of sap leaking from one side
>You realize Anonymous could not keep all these plants alive himself
>This place must be akin to the Everfree Forest
>A chill runs up your spine just thinking about the possibility of timber-wolves prowling about
>You turn about as you search for Anon, but find yourself alone for the moment
>A nervous chuckle escapes you
TS: No need to worry... Anon is probably right around this bush...
>You quickly maneuver through the brush only to find more forest before you
TS: OK, he'll notice I am not behind him any minute and call out to me...
>You stand perfectly still and your ears pivot about in search of any sound
>The forest answers in derisive silence
>You tap your hooves against the soft ground and continue to slowly circle around yourself
>The quiet forest begins to irk you and you are the first to sound out in protest
TS: Anon! Anonymous! Where are you!?
>You shout in no particular direction and await some response
TS: Anon!? You there!?
>You listen carefully for a moment before you hear the rustling of leaves
>A smile parts your muzzle slowly as the sound grows near
TS: Thank Celestia, I was starting to think...
>You look towards the noise and see a small creature approaching
>The black fur and white stripe are all you need to see before you begin running
>You know all too well about mephitis mephitis after your brief encounter as a foal
>You plow through the thick woods, searching desperately for a path or some sign of Anon
>A rock catches your hoof in your panicked gallop and sends your rolling down a short hill
>You land with a thud on your side and lay in place for the moment
>Everything hurts
>It takes a few moments, but you wobble to your hooves and blink the spots from your eyes
>Another sound catches your attention from behind
>You spin in place and lower your horn at whatever may be sneaking up
A: You stopped following... thought you got lost
>Anonymous stands before you again and for the moment, your heart soars
TS: Why didn't you answer me when I called out?
A: I don't like screaming...
>You don't even care about this silliness right now
>It's just great having somep0ny around again in this scary forest
A: We aren't much further
>Anon points to a small clearing in the trees and begins moving forward again
>You hold your curiosity in this time and allow the scenery to pass
>It only works for so long as you become comfortable with Anonymous nearby again
TS: So... who raises the sun?
>Anon's face twists a little as he searches for words
A: Who raises the sun?
TS: Yeah, that's what I asked. Where I am from, Celestia does it. She's the Princess of the Sun after all!
A: ... No one
TS: What? No one raises the sun here? But, how does it come up and go down?
A: I... I don't know... it does
>Anon shrugs and looks a bit embarrassed for the moment
TS: Well, OK, I see. What about the seasons? Who changes them?
>Again, Anon looks intense as he thinks hard
A: Stop talking...
TS: Oh, I am sorry? I didn't mean to offend you
>He grits his jaw and you swear he looks like he is going to cry
A: No one... everything here just changes. M-maybe time?
TS: And time changes by itself?
>Anon nods a few times without looking at you
TS: I know a lot about time, actually. I have a book here all about the theory of time travel. It was written by Starswirl the Bearded. He was pretty great, you know?
>Anon doesn't seem to reply
>Possibly, he does not actually know
TS: I could get it for you... um, maybe. If you want it? It's a really good read!
A: I don't...
TS: Oh, OK, you don't want it and that's fine...
A: No, I can't...
>You raise an eyebrow
TS: You -can't- want it?
A: ...Read. I can't read...
>He keeps a gruff expression on his face and does not turn to face you
>You are taken aback for the moment
>Maybe education isn't as common and freely given as in Equestria?
>Whatever the case, you do not push further
TS: So... nice day, right? No rain
>He nods carefully as he climbs over a tree branch
>You wiggle underneath the same and step out into a small clearing
>The trees are much less dense and the ground is more even
>Anon is frozen in place
A: There
>He points a finger to a grey road with yellow stripes
A: Follow...
>You do as commanded now, thankful for this small hint of civilization
>It is a bit more quite on your side as the two of you trek along
>Anon seems to fidget now and then towards the woods and you are uncertain what is making him so jumpy
TS: Hey, Anon? Who built this road? Or do roads just happen here too?
A: Someone...
>Well, that was almost an answer
TS: More humans built this road, right?
A: Yes
TS: What is it used for?
>As if the world was truly automated, your answer begins to sound from a distance
>The ground shakes lightly and you hear the rev of a very powerful engine
>In the distance, an orange colored machine peaks out from a corner and moves at a phenomenal speed
>It passes you so quickly, that the force traveling beside it booms in your ears and throws your mane backwards
>Anon, on the other hoof, dives to the floor and cups his hands over his ears
>After that extremely brief encounter, Anon is back to his feet and marching quickly towards the tree line
>You call out and chase him as he slips past a tree
TS: Anon! Wait! What was that! What is the matter!?
A: Don't want to do this... I am sorry
>He is still moving quickly and you begin to lose some ground to his agile stride
TS: Anon! Wait up! Don't leave me!
>He doesn't seem to respond and wears a frightened expression on his face
>As he slows a bit, you recover some distance
>By the time you reach him, you are far enough into the woods to lose the road
TS: Anon, please! Tell me what is wrong?
A: Too loud... too many people... I can't. I don't
>Anon sits and curls his legs into his chest
>You see he is scared to a level you would deem as, "irrational"
TS: Anon... Anonymous, look at me. You don't have to be afraid
>He grunts lightly at you as his eyes focus on your own
TS: I know this is asking a lot of you, but I need you more than ever to get to your human town
A: I... I can't
TS: Yes, you can. I know you can. I believe in you!
>You carefully approach him where he can see you and rub your head against his
TS: It's going to be OK. I'm scared too in this new world, but I trust you enough to help me through it. Will you trust me? Would you call me a friend?
>Anonymous looks at you with watery eyes
A: F-f-friend?
>The word sounds jagged and slightly unpleasant as he says it
TS: Yes, Anon... I would be your friend if you would be mine?
>He drops his gaze to his knees for the moment and nods into his legs
A: Alright... trust you...
>It takes him a minute to stand back up and calm his breathing, but he does manage to lead you back towards the road once again
A: Cars... cars are loud
TS: So, that's what it's called! It's a type of automobile. How can it go so fast?
>Anon shrugged to you and, given his current assumed level of engineering, you don't press the issue
A: Cars go fast... planes go faster... rockets go faster than planes
TS: So, rockets are the fastest?
>You understand what little rocket science you have read, the subject is not well studied in Equestria
>Anon nods to you
>You follow behind him once again as you walk through the wood and down the road
>It takes an hour, or so the sun would imply, of plodding along until you finally come upon a sight to behold
>Humans, like Anon yet so different, walk and drive and fill every conceivable space in their human town
>The buildings rise to the clouds and some even pass them on their way up
>All manner of electrical devices fill every sidewalk
>You try to take it all in before recoiling from the vast amount of information
TS: Anon... I... I don't know what to say...
A: Nothing...
>For the first time since you've arrived, you felt being awe-struck was the perfect answer
>You watched as the humans passed each other, as they went into stores, as they sat in their cars, and as they ate their lunches
>So many of them in so many colours with any manner of mane the imagination could conjure
>They didn't seem so different to ponies after all, at least, from what you could see
>Anon stood around by the entrance beside you with his body leaning away
TS: So... where do we shop for quills?
A: S-shop? I can't...
>You look at Anon as he flitters between facial expressions
>This must be very hard for him
TS: What if I just go ask another human for some help? You can stay here and be away from the noise?
>For a moment, Anon looked to you
A: We should leave...
TS: What? We just got here. I'm so close to going home
A: It's not safe... too many people. So many...
TS: I know you're scared, I understand, but I am a big pony and I can be trusted on my own
>Anon's face twisted for the moment as he began speaking in the loudest voice you have ever heard from him
A: No! It's not safe! We should go! They'll hurt you!
>He finished his sentence with a bit of spittle hanging from his mouth and his breathing was labored
>Anon stood there with a fearful look on his face and his hands outstretched as if pleading
TS: Like they did to you?
>He stopped at your words and took them in
TS: Y-yes... they hurt everyone who is different
>You look at Anon and feel a sense of pity in your heart
>You wish there was a way to talk to him, to make him see that not everyone is bad
>He looks to you with a broken smile and points towards his home
>You look to him and shake your head sadly
TS: Anon, I must get my materials. I have to go home
>He clenches his hands together and continues to silently beg
>You turn slowly from him with pain on your face as you slowly begin to walk into the town
>You stop after a few meters and turn your head back
>Anon is just standing there with tears in his eyes and unspoken words on his lips
>This is how you will get home
>You must do this

>A week later in a cabin on a hill
>Be Anonymous
>Another one is gone, you think as you prod the fire
>Just another creature in your life who would drift by
>You hang a small metal pot with water on the pit and await for it to boil
>A week ago, your lonely cabin was so comforting
>Tonight, shadows cast silent haunts on the walls and the stillness in the air bothers you
>Sound is infrequent
>There is no rain these days
>You take a mild comfort in the sound of the popping fire wood at your feet
>It is lonely on your island
>Her name was Twilight Sparkle and she was a witch or a unicorn or something likewise fantastical
>She moaned like a child, yet spoke like a scholar
>She ate all your dried fruit and talked endlessly about nothing in particular
>And she was the nicest creature who ever spent time with you
>You stir your pot of water and add a few berries and a nice carrot you had found
>At least a soup will calm your stomach
>You look to the crater by your house and spy the prints of horseshoes in the dirt
>They made a nice sound on your floor
>A sort of clacking, clip-clop as she walked by
>You smile as you think about the lovely noise
>You stir the pot again and sniff the air
>For no reason you can understand, you use all the berries and the full carrot on this pot
>A third and eighth would have been fine for one person, but something tells you to cook more
>You look to the sky and see the stars hanging lazily in their place
>No shooting stars tonight
>You take your cup and scope at the boiling water
>All you need is one cup for dinner
>You sigh between a hot sip and blow gently at the steam
>A noise deep in the wood catches your attention for the moment
>You draw your knife and listen intently
>A moving object, not too far from you
>It's moving swiftly, like a bird, but the sound of beating wings is too low and too large
>You steady your resolve and crouch low by the fire
>A final rustling of the forest trees finds you face to face with something wholly unknown
>It is blue in colour, the body is familiar
>It hovers in place and looks around a bit before you see lavender eyes staring back at you
>The creature makes a quick dive to you and you stumble backwards a bit
>A face illuminates by fire light and you stare awkwardly
>A sudden voice startles you as you stare down the new beast
RD: Hey! Twi! I think I found that -thing- you're looking for!
>The trees and growth shake from all sides as the sound of beasts running approaches
>A new host of colourful aliens burst from the brush and surround you
F: Oh, my... there is somep0ny living out here after all
AJ: Well, ah'll be! Not ev'ryday ya' see a barn so nicely built
>This one points at your house
PP: We found the weird thing Twilight was looking for! Oh, can we name him!?
R: Darling, I am sure -he- has a name... um, what was it again?
>Then you see her stepping toward you
>He purple body blends into the darkness as her horn glows
>The alien who crashed at your door and changed the very sounds of the world for you
T: His name is, "Anonymous" and he doesn't like a lot of noise. So -please- use your indoor voice, Pinkie
>You stare at all the creatures before you in their crescent formation
>A small smile plays over your face as you see Twilight Sparkle move closer to the fireplace
A: You came back...
T: I thought it was only fair. I left without being able to say, "goodbye" to you! Friends don't leave friends like that
>A smirk crawls up one side of her mouth as she looks at you
>You want to stand up and shout and yell and raise your voice to scare away the shadows and quiet that has consumed your nights
>You want to run to her and hug her like a friend would and tell her how terribly quiet everything is when she was not around
>There is so much you want to do that you simply do nothing
>You finally stretch your hand out towards the pot and offer simply
A: Soup?
T: I would love some, Anon... the trip here was so exhausting. Oh, also, I brought some friends with me. I hope it's OK with you? I know how you don't like a lot of noise and I explained as many rules as I could for everyp0ny, but they were all interested in the story about the human's world that...
>You look at her with raised eyebrows
>She giggles nervously before cover her mouth with a hoof
TS: Oh, sorry... I'll stop
>You shake your head
A: No... please... continue
>You find a nearby bowl and fill it with soup
A: I want to hear it. Everything...
>You listen happily to Twilight's tale as the night rolls on and the fire fades
>For the first time in a week, your home feels right again
RD: Well, yeah, so that's about everything -we- did. Tell us about yourself!
PP: Yeah! Tell us, Mr. Human Anonymous!
F: If you want too, that is
R: Yes, we'd simply love to hear what you've been up too
TS: Now, girls, Anon doesn't like to talk all that much. He's more of a...
>You hold up a hand and stop Twilight midsentence
A: For my friends? I will try...
>Twilight's mouth hangs open in surprise before she smiles and sits comfortably
>You look to the sky carefully and smile
>It's always nice to have friends in high places