The World Hereafter. [Ch8] Introductions are in order.

>The door knocks once more before you finally answer it.
"Come in!"
>Twilight pushes her head in through the small gap after opening the door carefully.
>She looks over at you with worried eyes.
>"Uhm... did you sleep well?"
>You sit up on the side of the bed and slide your pants on.
>Standing up, you begin the process of getting dressed while replying.
"Don't worry, Twilight. I've had the chance to do some soul-searching."
>You turn around while tying your tie and you give her a genuine smile.
"With the help of a certain someone.. or somepony, I realized, I wasn't being honest with myself."
>You don the vest and button it up.
"You see, princess Luna came and had a chat with me in my dreams."
>Twilight enters the room and she perks up at your last statement.
>"Princess Luna? What did you talk about?"
>You roll the sleeves of your shirt up and put the golden pocket watch into the vest chest pocket.
>Now you looked quite dapper and you walk up to Twilight.
"We didn't really talk about much. I think she mainly just broke down my reasons to be morose."
>Twilight tilts her head.
>"What?"
>You chuckle and open the door, it wasn't cold inside the castle so you leave your suit jacket and coat on the hanger.
>Twilight follows you as you begin walking through the castle halls.
"You know what, I'm not gonna beat around the bush. I like it here. I just didn't realize it. I was stuck idealizing the old world when the truth is; I didn't like it at all."


>She looks at you, an incredulous expression lingers while you explain.
>"You didn't like your home?"
"No Twilight, I didn't. I had to lie, cheat and be generally unpleasant in order to achieve anything there."
>Your arms fold over your chest as you stop by the same fountain you had seen the same night you had arrived in the castle.
"It's a cruel world. Sure, it has it's beacons of good, but compared to this world, it's horrible."
>You watch the water flowing from the pitchers the princess statues are holding, imagining the water being your delusions pouring into oblivion.
"I don't know how I got here, but I'm not gonna look a gift horse in the mouth. I've found a beautiful world with wonderful people and ponies. I'm done sulking. I'm gonna enjoy this as much as I can."
>You mean it. You don't know why, but somehow this place made it hard for you to be negative.
>So why even try?
>This was nice after all. The colors were vibrant, you felt and looked better than you can even remember.
>Why deny yourself happiness now that you seemed to have found it.
>"Gift horse what now?"
>You blink. Oh right.. probably not the right metaphor to use here.
"Uh.. old world saying. What I mean is that I've been given a new chance and I'm gonna take it."
>"That's great to hear. I'm glad you're feeling better."
>She smiles and puts a hoof on your leg.
>You chuckle and nod.
"Me too."
>You stand there for a bit, looking out over the courtyard.
>Twilight then speaks up again.
>"So, what are you going to do about the offer?"
"I'm gonna accept."


>"Really?"
"Are you kidding? I'm here for two days and I've been offered a job as a royal envoy."
>You laugh.
"I'm pretty stoked actually. Ambassador Anonymous. Got a ring to it, don't you think?"
>She laughs as well.
>"I guess it does. I'm surprised how well you're taking this."
"Me too. I don't know why, but this place seems to have some kind of effect on me."
>"Effect?"
"Yeah. Ever since I've arrived I've felt better than I've had in all my life. I feel like I could take on the world."
>She raises an eyebrow.
>"That's odd."
>She pokes her chin with the tip of her hoof.
>"Would you mind if I did some tests on you when we get back to Ponyville?"
>You blink and suddenly this little pony gives you a bit of the rustles.
"Uh.. tests?"
>She nods.
>"Just some basic ones. I'm interested in these effects you're talking about."
>You're not sure if you like this idea, but she seems harmless enough.
"As long as you don't try poking me with any needles."
>She gasps.
>"Why would anypony poke you with needles?!"
>You shrug and look back at the fountain.
"No idea. Just saying, I don't like needles."
>Except for sowing needles, you like those.

>You agree to let Twilight have a few tests. She's been nice enough and you feel like you can trust her.
>With not much more to say, you two begin walking towards the throne room.
>The large doors slide open and the white princess gives you a warm smile as you walk into the chamber with Twilight in tow.
>You give her a slight bow, remembering that she didn't require it, but damn you if you weren't going to be nice to her.
>"Oh come now, Anonymous. You know you don't need to be so formal."
>She chirps and stands up from her throne, walks down the steps and stops before you and Twilight.
"Sorry, but my inner gentleco..gentleman won't let me."
>Oh great, now you're starting to talk like that too.
>Though it doesn't sound as corny as you thought it would.
>Still, nope. You're not a pony so it's not happening.
>Celestia giggles and nods.
>"Very well. Now, how about breakfast?"
>You nod and you see a table made for three set up near the window where it had stood yesterday.
>The three of you spend an hour eating breakfast, a little small talk between Celestia and Twilight comes up about.. things.
>You weren't really listening. You were too absorbed by the bacon and eggs to really pay attention.
>After breakfast, the three of you go on a stroll through the castle.
>"So, about the offer, Anonymous. Have you made up your mind?"
>You nod and stop before a pair of white doors.
"I have, princess. I've decided to take you up on it."
>You feel a bit of a nervous knot in your stomach.
>It's still a big responsibility.
>You hope you're not going to let them down.
>Celestia seems happy though.
>She's literally beaming.
>"Wonderful! I'm glad to hear that."

>She looks at Twilight.
>"How about you, my faithful student?"
>Oh, she's good at this.
>Twilight nods eagerly.
>"YES! .. uh.. I mean, of course, princess."
>Twilight smiles awkwardly at her outburst but Celestia seems to have expected it and only replies with a nod and a smile.
>She then continues.
>"By the way, Twilight. Your friends arrived this morning. They seemed a bit worried that you had not sent them any letters since you left to come here."
>Twilight's ears shoot up and she lets out a nervous giggle.
>"Heh.. oops. I guess I was so distracted by yesterday that I forgot to let them know things were okay."
>Celestia doesn't seem to think much of this and with her horn, she opens the doors to another courtyard.
>Outside you could see four ponies.
>One you recognized as Rarity, who was standing near a statue, inspecting the fine details of cut marble.
>Another one was Fluttershy who was hovering mid-air, busy talking to a small group of birds in a tree.
>Two other ponies were busy hoof-wrestling on a nearby table.
>Then suddenly, pink, pink everywhere.
>"HI!"
"GUH!"
>"BLEH!"
"AAAAAAAAH!"
>"AAAAAAAAAAAAHehehehe!"
>You flail your arms and fall backwards while the pink fluffy thing clings to your neck, giggling like crazy.
>After a second or two, the thing releases you and you open your eyes again.
>She's hovering in the air above and Rarity is standing beside you.
>"Pinky. That was not very nice of you."
>The pink pony unzips...what? She unzips the magical aura and hops out of it, landing with a honk on the ground.

>"What do you mean, Rarity? Everypony likes hugs!"
>Rarity lifts you to your feet and levitates a brush up to clean any dust that may have gotten on your clothes off.
>"He's not a pony."
>Twilight interjects, apparently these details were crucial to her.
>The pink pony's poofy mane deflates and she looks up to you with puppy eyes.
>Oh god, how does she do those quivering eyes?
>"Y-you don't like hugs?"
>She looks ready to cry.
>Think fast, Anon!
"O-of course I like hugs!"
>Smoothoperator.rar
>Pinky's mane fluffs up again and she starts bouncing in circles around you.
>Confound these ponies.
>While this is going on, the two other ponies has stopped hoof-wrestling and have walked up to the rest of you.
>Fluttershy remains with the birds, but she waves a hoof to you.
>You return the wave and she goes back to talking to the birds, throwing the occasional glance over to the group.
>You didn't notice it earlier, but one of the ponies is wearing a stetson.
>She's looking up at you with wide eyes.
>"Well, butter mah biscuits! He's ev'n taller than Big Mac!"
>You have no clue what she's talking about.
"Uhm. It's nice to meet you. I'm Anonymous, Anon for short."
>You guess from the southern belle feel of this pony she'd probably want a shorter name from you.
>"Well I say, nice to see ya got manners. It's a pleasure to meet ya Anon. I'm Applejack!"
>Applejack, three apples on her flank. Why not.
>She offer her hoof and you take it.
>Your arm now feels a bit sore from her powerful shake. She has some serious strength in her despite her small frame.

>The blue pegasus next to Applejack looks at you for a bit.
>She seems to be inspecting you.
>After taking a small stroll in a circle around you, she finally speaks up.
>"Are you fast, Anon?"
>You blink, not sure what to say.
"What do you mean?"
>She sighs and rolls her eyes.
>"I mean can you run fast?"
>She's an odd one.
"I don't think so. I haven't really done any running since gym class in school."
>She chuckles and takes to the air, hovering in front of you.
>"That's a shame. Oh well, guess I'll have to remain the fastest in Equestria! I'm Rainbow Dash, by the way."
>Wow, big head much?
>"Only the fastest in the air, Rainbow."
>Applejack gives her a wide grin.
>Rainbow Dash flies down and puts her nose against Applejack's.
>You guess they're rivals.
>"Oh yeah? I guess all the dust I made you eat in the race must have clouded your head."
>"Issat so? You'd like ta go again without cheatin' this time, suggarcube?"
>They growl at each other but suddenly Twilight chips in with a grin.
>"If I recall, I beat you both. So doesn't that mean I'M the fastest?"
>RD and AJ both give her a deadpan stare.
>"uhm..." Twilight gives them a nervous smile and scrapes her hoof.
>Suddenly they all burst out laughing.
>You can't help but join them, it's pretty infections, the cute laugh they seem to share.
>Especially the pink one who occasionally lets out a goofy snort.

>The pink, fluffy one suddenly begins bouncing up and down in front of you, reaching head height with ease.
>Each bounce is joined by a squeaking noise.
>"ItotallyforgottointroducemyselfhiI'mPinkiepPieandsinceyou'renewIshouldthrowyouaparty!"
>Brain, can you decrypt that?
>lol no.
>Oh well.
>You try to catch her name but it all ends up garbled in her rapid speech.
"Uh, nice to meet you... Hanky Pank, was it?"
>She nearly falls over, giggling.
>"No, silly! It's Pinkie Pie!"
>Balloon butt. You also heard party. She must be some kind of party arranger or something.
>It certainly fits her personality.
>With all of them introduced, you look to Celestia who's just smiling at this point.
>Apparently she was used to this kind of behavior.
"So. When do I start?"
>She snaps out of it and turns to you.
>"Oh, yes. You'll get a letter with your official badge and secondary citizenship in Ponyville once Solaris is done with the paperwork."
>Twilight taps her hoof on the floor and continues once Celestia is done.
>"You're welcome to stay with me. I have a spare guest room. Though the bed isn't really in your size."
>Celestia nods.
>"How kind of you, Twilight. I'll have a minotaur-sized bed delivered along with you. I assume the room is big enough?"
>Twilight does a little jump and returns the nod.
>"It will definitely fit and leave room to move about. It's were my lab was before I moved it to the basement."
>They nod in agreement.
>You nod as well, why not?

>Later that day, you and the six ponies are on a train, heading towards Ponyville.
>Rarity is constantly talking about ideas for dresses she had gotten from inspecting your clothes.
>You would normally listen with interest, but your mind is busy.
>You look out through the window down at the approaching town, Ponyville.
>It feels like you're on an adventure.
>Heh, Anonymous adventure in Equestria.
>You like the sound of that.