My dramatic exit soon backfired. While I was in the mood to look for trouble, and dressed to match, being in Equestria meant I’d have to lower my expectations for the kind of trouble I was seeking. I didn’t feel like returning to the Grain Bucket, but I didn’t know where else to go. I wandered the streets of Ponyville, looking for something to catch my eye.

A scruffy-looking green mare waved at me from a dark corner, "Hey. Hey! You're the new hyooman, right? Looking for a good time?" She had a sly grin on her face and a heart twinkle in her eye.

I nodded. That was exactly what I was looking for. "Yeah. I just need to blow off some steam." I said, hoping she had something interesting in mind.

"Then you’re in luck. But… my memory is a bit hazy. A few bits might jog it..." She said, rubbing her hooves together.

I rolled my eyes. "Fine, but it better be good." I tossed her a five-bit coin.

She snatched the coin eagerly. "Hey, I'm a mare of her word. Follow me." She said, trotting away.

She led me to a bright and clean alleyway. There was a single empty cup lying on the ground.

"Sorry about that." The mare grabbed the cup and tossed it in a garbage bin.

I heard a low thumping of dance music. Now, this is what I'm talking about! I thought, feeling a surge of excitement.

The pony knocked on a nondescript door, hidden behind a stack of crates. She whispered a password, “A friend of a friend sent me.” The door opened slightly, and a pair of eyes peered out. They widened when they saw me, but then nodded and let us in.

The door opened to flashing dance lights and loud, thumping music. I could see a white, blue-maned mare with magenta sunglasses spinning a DJ turntable and several ponies dancing to the music.

I made my way to the bar and scanned the crowd. With a sinking feeling, I realized I had stumbled into the local “under 21” club. I wasn't any better at guessing pony ages than I was at guessing genders, but I could sense the youthful energy and excitement of the ponies around me.

As I reached the bar, the teal unicorn behind it gave me a curious look. He flipped his mane aside and asked, “What drinks would you like, stranger?”.

“Surprise me,” I said, tossing some bits on the counter. He had a cocktail shaker mark in his rump.

He nodded and grabbed some bottles. He poured some of the contents into a cocktail shaker, shaking it vigorously before spinning it in the air, and putting on a show for me. He poured the drink into a glass and garnished it with a slice of orange and some mint leaves before topping the decoration off with a tiny umbrella. He slid it over to me with a smile.

I took a sip of the drink and almost choked. It was very potent. "Wow. Sorry, I forgot about the alcohol/salt thing. Can I have something non-alcoholic? Getting hammered and waking up in a strange bed somehow doesn't seem like a smart move right now."

He arched an eyebrow at me before whipping up another drink. I put down some more bits but he dismissed them with a wave of his hoof. He placed a new glass in front of me with a red liquid in it and the same decorations as the last.

This time I took a more careful sip of the drink. I didn’t taste any alcohol, but the sweetness was overpowering. Still, I decided to settle for this. Who knows what the next concoction would be like? I grabbed my glass and retreated to a table in the corner.

As I sat there, I felt a dark cloud of brooding envelop me. My night was ruined, and I had no one to blame but myself. I had been acting out of anger and hurt, trying to either hurt someone else or find a temporary escape with a stranger. But I knew that would only make things worse, and I couldn’t expect to escape the consequences like I used to.

How could I be so careless with the feelings of others? I was ready to do something cruel just to get back at Blitzen for breaking my heart. I was supposed to be better than that. It was a bitter irony that I was still human, and still capable of being petty and vindictive. My mood plummeted to new depths. I buried my face in my hands, resting my elbows on my knees, while my drink remained untouched on the table beside me.

Eleanor depressed.

I looked at the crowd of young and happy ponies dancing to the music and felt a pang of envy. I wished I could still feel that joy and freedom.

I heard a voice, “Miss Eleanor? What are you doing here?”

I looked up to see an orange pegasus with a magenta mane and her friends. My memory gave names for three of them. The pegasus was Scootaloo, the white unicorn with the purple/pink mane was Sweetie Belle, and the yellow earth pony with the red mane was Apple Bloom. The other two were new to me. There was what seemed to be another of the same Changeling Kith as Dr. Emerald. The other was a humanoid wolf. I didn’t get the same visual weirdness I did when looking at a changeling so she likely wasn’t a shapeshifter.

“Let’s just say, not what I thought I’d be doing. But that’s probably a good thing,” I said, forcing a smile. “You know my name, and I think I know some of yours from the show. But that’s not really you, is it? So perhaps introductions are in order? Eleanor Asher, walking disaster area.”

Apple Bloom stepped forward, "Apple Bloom, Cutie Mark Crusader and member of the Apple family. Pleased ta meet ya!"

"Sweetie Belle, Cutie Mark Crusader, and Rarity's sister. It's very nice to meet you. I like your mane!” she said.

Scootaloo nodded, "Scootaloo, Cutie Mark Crusader, daughter of Rainbow Dash and Alex Roberts. Mom talked about that show, so I kind of get it. She didn't have, what do you call it, a high opinion of it. Were you on it too?"

I cringed a little inside. God, I hope not, I thought to myself.

Sapphire looked up at me with a genuine grin. She didn't say anything, but I understood her message. She was greeting me warmly, telling me her name was Sapphire, she was Dr Emerald's daughter, and she wasn't a fan of that silly show either. She had a curious and intelligent look in her eyes.

The tall humanoid wolf bowed respectfully. Her silvery coat made her violet eyes stand out. "I am Summer Blossom, adopted daughter of Alex Roberts and Rainbow Dash, sister of Scootaloo, friend of the Cutie Mark Crusaders. I greet and welcome thee. Father has spoken highly of you."

I opened my mouth to reply, but the music changed to a new song. It was a loud and fast techno beat, not something I would choose to listen to. But it had a catchy rhythm. The lights flashed in sync with the sound, creating a colorful and energetic atmosphere.
Scootaloo’s ears perked up. “Oh, this is my jam! Come on! Dance with us! You too, Summer!" She said, grabbing my hand and pulling me towards the dance floor.

Summer looked reluctant. “Do I have to?” She asked, hoping for an escape.

Scootaloo nodded, “Yes! Come on. I want to have fun with my sister and the new human!” She said, using her other hoof to drag Summer along.

Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, and Sapphire all chanted, “Join us! Join us! Join us!” They were eager to share their friendship and joy with me.

I let them drag me onto the dance floor, feeling a mix of nervousness and excitement. Unfortunately, the only dancing I knew was better suited to a ballroom than a nightclub. I flailed my arms and legs, trying to keep up with the rhythm of the music. It probably looked like I was fighting off a swarm of bees. A small part of me noted that before my change, such exertion in a crowd like this would have had me wiping away sweat. But now, I felt cool and comfortable.

I noticed more than a few ponies staring at me when the music stopped. Some looked amused, some looked confused, and a few looked at me in a way that had me considering that I may need a way to gently turn down some advances. Scootaloo and her friends formed a protective circle around me, daring anypony to laugh. They glared at the onlookers with fierce loyalty, making them look away.

I touched Scootaloo’s shoulder gently. “It’s okay. I don’t normally dance to this kind of music. I’m sure I looked ridiculous. If they laugh at me, it’s no big deal.” I tried to sound casual.

Scootaloo looked at me with a mix of admiration and pity. "No, Miss Eleanor. You're dad's friend. That means you're our friend. The Cutie Mark Crusaders have your back."

“That’s really not necessary,” I said, feeling touched by their gesture but also wishing they didn’t have to defend me.

Summer sighed as if speaking to a young foal, "It is simple. Father considers you a friend. That makes you part of our pack. We protect our pack mates." She said, her voice deep and authoritative.

I was stunned, "He... worries about me? What could possibly hurt me?" I asked, incredulous.

Scootaloo nodded, "He's worried that you will feel, what's the word he used?" She carefully pronounced the word her father had used, "Alienated. Yeah, that's it. He wants you to feel comfortable around us. He wants you to find a measure of happiness. He said it might be harder for you on account of your, " the little pegasus screwed up her face in thought, looking for the right word, "modifications."

Summer agreed. "Little sister is correct. We will help you however we can. You are one of us, now.” She said, placing a paw on my shoulder,

"Sorry, I forgot things are different here. Twenty-something years of being an outsider, I was laughed at more than once.” My cheeks heated as I recalled past humiliations. I’d been bullied, rejected, and ostracized in my birth world and so many others.

Summer gave me a fierce, almost haughty smile, standing tall and towering over me, "You should get used to having friends. We will not abandon you just because you do not know the intricacies of this world.” She said, her eyes shining with confidence.

"You said this isn't the kind of music you normally dance to, so what kinda music do you dance to?" Sweetie Belle asked, curious about my musical preferences.

I thought for a moment before answering. "Depends on whether you mean formal ballroom dancing or dancing for fun."

Sweetie Belle didn’t hesitate, "Fun." She said, eager to learn more.

"Well, I used to listen to heavy metal, though I'm not sure you'd call a mosh pit 'dancing'." I explained, trying to find the right words to explain the chaotic and exhilarating experience.

"What's a mosh pit?" Apple Bloom asked, tilting her head in confusion.

"I'm gonna get in trouble for this, I just know it…” I said to myself. “A mosh pit is when a group listening to heavy metal or punk rock, starts pushing, shoving, and slamming into each other in a circle. There are some basic rules. If you’re in the pit, you mosh or try to get out. If you’re outside the pit, don’t mosh. If someone falls, help them up and get them out of the pit. It's a way of expressing yourself and having fun with the music and the people around you." I said, hoping they wouldn't think I was crazy.

Scootaloo thought for a moment, "Heavy metal? That's what my Dad calls slingstone. You're a rock-head?" She asked, using a term I had never heard before.

"Maybe?" I said, unsure of what she meant. Slingstone? Was that a different name for a similar genre?

"One sec," Scootaloo said as she ran off to the DJ, who was getting ready to start another song. She said something to the DJ and trotted back with a grin. "Wait for it..." She said, winking at me.

A sudden loud metal chord rang out, making everyone jump. The kids cheered. "That's slingstone!" Scootaloo shouted, pumping her hoof in the air.

After a few bars, I recognized the tune, it sounded like Paranoid by Black Sabbath, but it wasn't them. Whoever they were, they were doing a cover! How in the heck did they get a hold of that to cover, and how the heck did they record that? Maybe I won't need to worry about getting in trouble about the whole mosh pit thing… I thought, feeling a mix of surprise and nostalgia.

Fortunately, it was pretty easy to make clear what was going to happen and what the rules were. I demonstrated how to mosh by gently bumping into Scootaloo, who giggled and bumped me back. Soon, a circle of ponies formed around us, and we were moshing to the beat of the music. Of course, being taller than the average pony meant some of the moshing hit me low enough to knock me down. I saw Summer having similar difficulty, and after the third or fourth time,, we both decided against going back in. While the ponies were quite enjoying the experience, it was just too difficult for us to stay upright.

“Do you have anything that isn’t super sweet and doesn’t have alcohol?” I asked the bartender, who looked amused by the scene.

He nodded and poured us some sparkling water with a slice of lemon. As he handed us our drinks, I turned to Summer. “So, I kinda misjudged how that’d turn out. Still, I’m glad the ponies are having fun.”

Summer leaned back against the bar, drink in paw, "Yes. Scootaloo and my friends are certainly enjoying themselves. We, however, share the bond of being too tall." She tittered kindly at her own joke.

I grinned. “Which is not usually the case for me. I’m on the short side of average for humans. Bit too tall to mosh with ponies though…” I let my words trail off as thoughts of what could be done with various charms went through my head. I could use charms for precise balance and hyper-flexible joints to keep myself from falling, but I didn’t want to use my powers like that. A mosh pit shouldn’t be a place for my weird mechanical gifts.

I sighed and took a sip of my water. I felt a pang of nostalgia for my old life when things were simpler and I didn't have to worry about becoming some kind of mechanical demigoddess. I looked at Summer, who seemed to sense my mood. She gave me a sympathetic smile and said, "You can talk if something's bothering you. I'm here to listen."

“It’s just… I was thinking about what charms I could use to keep from getting knocked down. And then I realized how much I’ve changed, how I’m not really human anymore. And that scares me, more than I’d like.” I let my hand revert to its mechanical form.

Summer put her paw on my hand and squeezed it gently. "You worry about being human. It makes no sense. I'm not human. Scootaloo is not human. Almost all of this world is not human. So you're not human—it doesn't mean you're bad.”

I nodded, feeling a bit of comfort from her words. “I don’t know why it bothers me. I’ve known so many good people who weren’t human. Maybe just because it’s all I’ve known.”

Summer smiled. “You’re still you, no matter what you look like. You’re a good person, and that’s what matters.”

The last song ended with a roar from the crowd. The music had been intense and energetic, and so had the audience. As the lights came on, I saw ponies of all colors and sizes heading for the exit. Scootaloo and her friends were among them, making their way to the bar. They looked like they had just run a marathon, their coats soaked with sweat and their manes disheveled, but their eyes sparkled with excitement.

Scootaloo had a big grin on her face as she approached me. “That was awesome! Thanks for showing us how to mosh! Sorry you kept getting knocked down.” She gave me a friendly nudge with her hoof.

I chuckled, glad that all that was hurt was my pride. “Heh, don't worry about it. Haven't had fun like that in at least a decade. Just didn't consider how it'd turn out with bipeds and quadrupeds in the same mosh pit. Live and learn."

Scootaloo tilted her head, her expression turning concerned. "Miss Asher? If you're not going home, did you want to crash at our place? I know my parents won't mind.” She offered, her voice sincere.

I thought about it for a moment, tempted by the idea. But I didn’t want to impose on Alex. Surely he had better things to do than deal with my drama. I wasn’t sure what I would do tonight, but it would hardly be the first night I’d spent outdoors. I had survived worse.

“That’s ok, I got a plan for the night.” I lied, forcing a smile. I hoped she wouldn't see through it.

"My sister would say that was a load of horseapples," Applebloom said with a look that all too clearly said I would have to try harder to pull the wool over her eyes.

"Applebloom!" Sweetie Belle exclaimed, shocked at her friend's rough language.

“No, she’s right. I don’t have plans so much as a vague idea to wander till morning and then crash in my bed. I’ll be fine, don’t worry, not my first time doing this and this town is much safer than some of the places I’ve wandered around.” I told the young unicorn.

I thanked the Cutie Mark Crusaders for their kindness and bid them farewell. I walked out of the club, feeling the cold night air on my face. Given my outfit, I was thankful my new form kept me from being chilled. I started to wander the streets of Ponyville, aimlessly. I had no destination in mind, just a vague hope of finding some peace.

I passed by various shops and buildings, most closed for the night, some in the process of closing. I saw ponies of all kinds, some laughing and chatting, some hurrying home. I tried to avoid eye contact and blend in, but I knew I stood out. I was one of the few humans in this world, after all.

I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts. I didn't want to think about anything beyond putting one foot in front of the other. I just wanted to forget. Forget the pain, the loneliness. Forget the harsh words of Blitzen.

After some walking, I found myself in front of Sugarcube Corner. The whimsically decorated bakery made me smile a little. No mistaking it for anyplace else.

I was about to walk away when I heard a voice from inside the bakery. "Hello? Is anypony there?" It was a sweet, motherly voice, with a hint of concern. I looked through the window and saw a blue mare with a two-toned pink mane and a cutie mark of three cupcakes.

She saw me and smiled warmly. "Oh, hello there, dear. You look like you could use some company. And maybe a bite to eat. Why don't you come in? I'm sure I have something that will suit you." She said, gesturing me to enter.

I hesitated. I didn't know this pony, and I didn't want to impose on her. But she seemed so kind and genuine, and I was hungry. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to accept her offer. Something told me she’d make the same offer to anyone who looked as troubled as I surely did. Given what I’ve seen, most ponies would.

I felt a pang of pained nostalgia as I remembered my hometown and the bitter circumstances that forced me to leave. I had been outed as a lesbian when a spiteful ex-friend had caught me with Beth, and the backlash was swift and cruel. My mother had disowned me, and I had no place to stay and no friends to support me. I spent a few nights on the streets, cold and hungry, until one of my few remaining friends offered me a couch to sleep on. But it was only a temporary solution. He told me to pack my bags and catch the first bus out of town for my safety.

As I was about to go inside, I heard a familiar voice behind me, "There you are. I've been looking all over for you!"

I turned to see Roseluck galloping towards me. “Looking for me? Why?" I asked, trying to sound casual.

"I couldn't just leave you wandering the town all night. You can stay the night at my place.” She said, smiling warmly, her emerald eyes sparkling with kindness. That heart-shaped twinkle was more pronounced than the mare from earlier.

I was torn between going into the bakery and going with Roseluck. While the mare in the bakery sounded kind enough, I’d felt a spark with Roseluck and I was curious to see if there was something there. I gestured to Roseluck so the bakery owner could see, and she nodded in understanding, giving me a friendly wink.

I turned back to Roseluck and followed her through the streets, feeling a mix of gratitude and apprehension. “Why does everyone think I shouldn’t wander around all night? It’s not like there’s much chance of me getting hurt.” I asked, feeling a bit defensive.

Roseluck gave me a look of concern and compassion. “After what happened? Eleanor, you shouldn’t be alone to brood on what Blitzen said. She was wrong, and she had no right to say things like that about you.” She said, her voice gentle but firm.

“Maybe, but it’s not like there wasn’t some truth to it. I am weird, Roseluck. I’d be weird even in a human world. Even before I became an Alchemical Exalted.” I said, lowering my gaze to look at my mechanical hand. “Usually, I’m okay with it. As the saying goes, I let my freak flag fly.”

I sighed, feeling a wave of sadness and frustration. “It’s just… I’d hoped that it’d be okay to be a bit weird here. That it wouldn’t be held against me.” I said as I held back tears.

Roseluck reached out and touched my shoulder with her hoof. “Eleanor, listen to me. If you’re weird, it’s a good kind of weird. You are amazing. You have a gift, and you’re brave enough to use it to help others.” She said, her voice sincere and earnest.

Roseluck smiled softly and leaned in closer. “You don’t have to be afraid, Eleanor. You are not alone. I’m here. And if Blitzen’s too salt-addled to know how lucky she is, then she’s a fool.” She said, her breath warm on my face.

I felt my heart skip a beat. I felt a pull towards her. I felt a spark ignite. I closed my eyes and leaned in, meeting her lips in a gentle kiss.

We broke apart after a few seconds, both of us blushing and smiling. We held each other’s gaze, feeling a connection that was deeper than words. And once again, I was feeling guilty for kissing a mare other than Blitzen.

We resumed our walk, and we made our way to Roseluck’s home. The night was dark, but the stars were bright. We saw Rose’s sisters waiting by the door, silhouetted by the light from inside their cozy-looking cottage. Daisy greeted us with a cheerful smile.

Lily, however, was less enthusiastic. She eyed me with distrust and disapproval. “Rose, are you sure about this? You know how I feel about humans. They’re dangerous.” She said, her voice low and stern.

Roseluck rolled her eyes at Lily's comment. "Lily, stop being paranoid. Eleanor isn't going to hurt us." She said, gently nudging her sister aside to make room for me inside their home. She smiled warmly at me, inviting me to follow her.

As we entered the cozy living room, I noticed that everything was perfectly organized and decorated with various flowers and plants. It smelled amazing, like a fresh garden in spring. I sat down on a plush couch while Roseluck and her sisters went about preparing something to eat for me.

"So, Eleanor," Daisy said as she placed a steaming cup of tea in front of me, "I’ve heard that you’ve got magical powers that aren’t normal for a human. What’s that like?" She exclaimed with wide-eyed curiosity.

I smiled at her enthusiasm. "Well, it has its moments. But mostly, it just means I have to deal with a lot of responsibilities and expectations." I replied, taking a sip of the tea. Whatever herbal blend it was, I couldn’t place it. It was sweet and soothing, though, calming my nerves.

“Who is placing these responsibilities and expectations on you? I can’t imagine anypony asking much from someone who just arrived.” Daisy wondered, tilting her head in confusion.

“No pony. I’m the one placing responsibilities on myself. I even submitted myself to Princess Celestia to use my abilities. I’ve met many beings of great power. Some were feckless layabouts, mostly the ones who claimed to be gods. But others, the ones I want to be like, felt it was their duty to use that power to help others. To work to make the world better.” I explained. I thought of the heroes I had encountered in my travels, ones who were brave, selfless, and inspiring. And I thought of the villains and tyrants I’d met, the ones who saw power as an end unto itself, abusing their power and causing suffering. Now that I had power, I knew which kind of person I would rather be. I just wasn’t sure I was capable of it.

Lily walked back into the room, still looking skeptical about my presence there. "Well," she said coolly, sitting down across from me, "I hope you know that we're only letting you stay here because Roseluck insists." She glared at me, trying to be intimidating. I tried not to laugh at the cute pony fluffing up her dander. She clearly didn’t trust me. Or humans in general.

I chuckled softly at her bluntness, not taking her hostility personally. "Hey, I appreciate the hospitality. And honestly, I get it. You’re protecting your sister. I promise I don’t want to hurt Roseluck and will do what I have to to make sure I never do." I said, trying to ease some of the tension between us.

Lily narrowed her eyes at me. "Since you've been here, the town was attacked by a catoblepas, then you went swinging through the streets with your magic, and after that, your house rampaged through the town square." She said, listing the events that had happened since I arrived in Ponyville, making them sound like they were all my fault.

I sighed, with a mix of guilt and frustration. "I know. All I can say is the catoblepas wasn't my fault. But from what I've heard, those incidents were all pretty mild for Ponyville." I said defensively, knowing this town had seen much worse than the damage I caused.

Roseluck chuckled, joining the conversation. "She's got you there, Lily. A couple of cracked walls and a knocked-over market stand are pretty tame. Remember what the parasprites did?” She shuddered at the memory of the tiny, colorful creatures that had invaded Ponyville and devoured everything in sight. “They ate half of my roses, and the other half were trampled by the stampede. It took me weeks to restore my garden. Don’t forget about the bunny colony stampede.”

As we continued talking and getting to know each other better throughout the night, I began to realize that maybe Lily wasn't so bad after all. Sure, she had her flaws and prejudices, but there was also a kind heart beneath her paranoia. And who knew? Maybe someday we could even be friends. For now, though, I was just grateful for the warmth, comfort, and acceptance Roseluck and her sisters had shown me.

I slept on the couch. Roseluck seemed disappointed but I didn’t want to jump right into bed with Rose no matter how attractive I found her or how attractive she found me. I needed to sort things out with Blitzen first. Bad enough I was kissing other mares without learning what the boundaries were. But sleeping with another mare, even if we just slept in the same bed, just seemed a step too far. I didn’t want to complicate my life any more than it already was.