I awoke much as I feel asleep, on the couch with a yellow pegasus snoring on top of me. It was actually quite adorable if not for the fact that I really needed to make use of the facilities. With as much care and gentleness as I could muster I lifted Fluttershy in my arms and laid her back on the couch. She was so lightweight that it took almost no effort on my part to not wake her. I carefully covered her with a blanket as to not rouse her and smiled as she nestled in to the warm spot I left behind.

After taking care of my morning business I stepped outside and saw the sun just starting to peak over the horizon. The morning air was crisp, summer was beginning to turn towards fall. I walked around to stretch my legs, after a month in the hospital I was still working the kinks out. I looked around me, the outdoor animals just starting to come awake. Deciding to make good on pulling my weight I set about feeding the animals.

It was hard and sweaty work and some were wary of a self-righteous plains ape feeding them rather than their yellow mistress but they all seemed to take it in stride after a time. I lost myself in work moving from feeding the animals to mucking out pens and collecting eggs from the chickens. When I finally set down the tools of my labor I looked up and saw the sun well over the horizon. I turned to go back inside and was determined to make a breakfast of these fresh eggs after taking a shower to remove the stink of my morning chore.

As I approached the cottage I noticed the top of the Dutch door open and Fluttershy sitting behind it, her forelegs propped up on the sill and her muzzle resting on them. She was watching me with a strange smile and a faraway look in her eyes. As I approached the door I smiled back at her, "Good morning sleepyhead. Rest well?"

She gave me a look I didn't really comprehend, pony facial expressions weren't exactly the same as human and she simply intoned, "Hmm yes, I slept very well."  

Holding up the basket of eggs I had gathered I simply said, "Mind if I come back in?"

This seemed to snap her out of whatever woolgathering she was doing, maybe she isn't a morning person, err pony. She opened the bottom half of the door and I walked in placing the eggs in the kitchen and then heading to the shower. Twenty minutes later I felt refreshed and famished. Slipping back in to my clothes I realized soon I would need to obtain more garments as these were about ready to walk off on their own.

I made my way back downstairs and found Fluttershy with her nose buried in my tablet hoofing through a book on North American flora and fauna (seriously how does she work the tablet with hooves?). Making my way to the kitchen I prepared a simple breakfast of scrambled eggs, toast, and apple juice. I found it fascinating that even though they lacked major technological advances they had practical magic like perpetual ice boxes to keep food fresh.

Fluttershy made her way to the table and began eating her breakfast and after sampling everything proclaimed it good. I shrugged and dug in with gusto. Looking up from my meal I noticed Fluttershy was staring at me. Were she human I would say she was making moon-eyes at me. Probably some cultural thing I am not picking up on.

As I was washing up the breakfast dishes I felt something poke me in my back. Turning Fluttershy was standing there with an outstretched wing and looking at the floor seemingly very interested in a little spot of dust.

"Yes?" was my response.

"Oh, um, today is mine and Rarity's spa day and um I was wondering if you would like to come...if you don't mind." She said in a quiet little voice.

I pondered a moment. I really had nothing better to do, all the grooming I had wanted done had been accomplished the day before at the hospital, however this would give me a chance to get out and see the town a bit. Weighing the pros and cons I decided that I would go and said as much. Her reply was to give me one of those smiles that were it weaponized would stop your heart from a thousand paces.

Fluttershy gathered her things and I grabbed my bag and we made our way in to town. We walked in silence though occasionally Fluttershy would brush her shoulder against my leg. Sometimes I wonder if ponies have more in common with cats. Speaking of, Tripod sat happily on my shoulder, his eyes wide, taking in the world. I think we all long for that sort of return to innocence at times.

As we entered the town proper I took in my surroundings. I hadn't paid much attention the day before having been badgered with questions from a gaggle of pastel mares. The town was small by American standards though being a Southerner I had seen and lived in smaller. The overall structure of the place reminded me of an old world village with Tudor style buildings being the most common.

Fluttershy and I met Rarity at the spa and pleasantries were exchanged. The spa was run by a set of twin ponies that for lack of a better description I would call "palette swapped". I sat back with my tablet out ready to read a bit while the girls had their time but was surprised and annoyed to see it float out of my hand and hover in front of Rarity.

"Now now Mister Bear! It is rude to ignore a pair of ladies in your company and don't think that I am just going to make you wait out here on us. You will be getting a full treatment too!" Rarity exclaimed.

Not knowing what to make of this I snatched my tablet back from her magical grasp and put it in my bag. "I am afraid I don't have any of your local money Ms. Rarity." I said in an even tone.

"Oh think nothing of that Mister Bear, it's my treat. After we are done we will go back to my boutique and see about putting together a new outfit for you too. With your welcome party tonight you should simply look your best!" She replied back to me.

"Kind lady, I do not wish to be any trouble. I cannot live off of the hospitality of others forever, I have to earn my keep." I said back to her.

"That is true and an admirable ethic but please allow us to treat you some, you did save our dear Fluttershy after all..." she retorted with a hint of a pout.

With a sigh I said, "Alright, today you all may treat me as you will. But tomorrow I will begin looking for work around town."

Her eyes lit up, "Splendid! I can't wait to see what kind of outfits I can put together for you!"

Shortly thereafter we were called to the back. Yvette had once dragged me in to a spa and between hot stone treatments, massage, and rubdowns of scented oils I came out feeling at once refreshed and somewhat emasculated. This...not so much. I was first led to a room and provided with a towel to preserve modesty and disrobed, my clothing being whisked off to parts unknown in a bag that may have had a biohazzard symbol on it. Next I was shoved in to a steam room with Rarity and Fluttershy who had the towels wrapped around their manes while mine was hiding my meat and two veg. This was awkward to say the least as I at once was uncomfortable with my quasi-nudity in mixed company and the fact both ponies wanted to...cuddle. As I have said, a very tactile culture.

I was saved from further embarrassment when we were led to what I recognized as a massage room. The spa twins looked me over and after a brief discussion wheeled out a table surprisingly my size. It was then explained they kept it on hand for a regular minotaur client.

Minotaurs? I guess steak is now off the menu too.

While Rarity and Fluttershy were attended to by a pair of on-staff masseurs the pink spa twin, Aloe I believe her name is, took me on as a personal project. I did not really know what to expect. I really did not expect for her to hop on my back and begin using all four hooves in a Chinese style massage.  I did solve at least one mystery of the hoof. They didn't feel like hooves. Rather than the hard keratin I expected it felt more like a firm marshmallow and seemed to have some ability to suction cup and grip. After about ten minutes of such treatment a familiar batch of hot stones was laid across my back. I admit I almost drifted off.

I spared a glance at the mare's beside me and saw Rarity and Fluttershy conversing quietly. Occasionally Rarity would look over at me and suppress a giggle while Fluttershy would shrink down in to her mane and blush. I have no idea what they were talking about, maybe what stallion Rarity fancied or some such. Women will always be a mystery to the male mind.

After having our muscles tended too Rarity and Fluttershy were taken for a mud bath which I declined. I had my clothes returned to me freshly laundered, thank God for small favors, and was allowed to relax in the waiting room while Rarity and Fluttershy finished their day.

We made our way through Ponyville, our little trio garnering the occasional sideways glance and surprisingly a friendly hello or two. I inquired as to why the town seemed to be so welcoming to someone so different and was told of a lesson the town learned in judging on appearance when a zebra came to visit. Note to self, zebra also not on the menu. Further note, I am not a lion.

We arrived at Rarity's shop and I was rather impressed with how much its edifice did in fact resemble a carousel. On entering I found myself in possibly the most dreaded place I could be, a clothing store. Oh how I loathed clothes shopping. I am a simple man with simple taste. Jeans and t-shirt for everyday wear, a nice dress shirt and slacks for when I need to look nice. Boots are fine for all occasions.

"Now," proclaimed Rarity, "Let's design you something tres chic for your coming out party tonight!"

I let out an audible groan and looked to Fluttershy who just shrugged and told me to roll with it. I will say one thing, these ponies are very accepting of other's quirks. I stood stoically as my measurements were taken by a levitating tape measure. That was actually kind of cool until it got a little too close for comfort in the inseam. "Getting a might friendly there Ms Rarity..." I said.

A slight blush came across her marshmallow features, "Err sorry sometimes I forget Stallions can be a little sensitive about being measured there."

I chuckled, "Well I have never had any complaints about any measurement down there." I replied in a saucy voice.

At my off color joke, which seemed to perfectly translate to their culture, Fluttershy did her impression of a fainting goat again while Rarity turning a shade of beet red scurried in to the back to begin designing an outfit. I busied myself with relaxing on one of the many couches and reading some of the fashion magazines scattered about trying to get a feel for what ponies wore when the occasion called for clothes. Needless to say I was not very impressed.

Fluttershy, after deciding it was OK to come out of her shell, hoped up on the couch beside me and began flipping through a magazine as well. She sat quietly a faint blush on her face still. Both of us jumped with a start when the door to the shop slammed open and three young ponies came bounding in, a small white unicorn bellowing, "Rarity we're home!"

All three stopped and froze when they noticed me. A little yellowish earth pony, a little orange pegasus, and the little white unicorn all looked at me unblinking then in unison screamed at the top of their lungs. Not knowing what to do I did the only thing that seemed logical. I screamed back.

After a moment the young trio stopped and stared at me, the orange one seemingly the bravest of the bunch finally spoke, "Um...mister monster...why are you screaming?"

I replied back quite logically, "Well it seemed the fashionable thing to do at the time."

With that Fluttershy who has been looking nervous gave a small giggle that was nothing compared to the outright laughter of the little fillies in front of me. I held my fist out to them and said, "My name is Bear O'Hara, but you can call me Bear or Mister O'Hara as you please. I am a friend of Miss Fluttersy and Ms Rarity."

The little orange pegasus was the first to step up and bumped her hoof to my fist. "I'm Scootaloo!" she said with enthusiasm.

Next was the little white unicorn and with her bump said, "I'm Sweetie Belle!"

Lastly the little earth pony with the yellow fur gave me a hoofbump and said. "And ahm Apple Bloom!"

I looked at the little earth pony with the ribbon and country twang and said, "Let me guess, Ms Applejack is your sister isn't she?"

The youngster looked at me her eyes going wide, "H-how didja know that?"

I replied, "Lucky guess." Then gave her a bit of a grin.

At that moment Rarity walked in, "My goodness what is all this noise? Girls are you bothering my guest?"

"No Rarity we were just surprised to see it, him, um this thing." Sweetie Belle said.

"Now Sweetie Belle mind your manners, he may not be a pony but Bear is certainly not an 'it'!" Rarity scolded the little foal.

Sweetie Belle looked back to me and said, "Sorry Mister O'Hara."

I smiled, "I took no offense, I am the stranger here after all." I reached out and ruffled her little mane and she playfully swatted at my hand with her hoof.

Taking that as a cue that it was alright to approach the little fillies hopped up on the couch with Fluttershy and myself and began poking and prodding, "So what are you Mister O'Hara?" asked Scootaloo?

I began telling the youngsters about earth and humans, omitting non-child friendly details. Meanwhile Rarity went back to work on my outfit. After a time the girls stopped pelting me with questions as they settled around the kitchen table for milk and cookies that Fluttershy prepared from the cupboards. I admit I indulged in this guilty pleasure when I saw and tasted that they were a fair approximation of Oreos.

There is something wrong on a fundamental level with anyone who dislikes Oreos.

After snack time we all settled back in on the couch, Fluttershy leaning against me, very friendly mare that one. I was prepared for more questions to be peppered at me but not the one that I received. It was Applebloom who spoke up, "Can yah tell us a story?"

I sat there a bit dumbfounded, "A story?"

"Yah!" she said with enthusiasm, "Ah story from tha hoot-man world. Somethin we ain't never heard before!"

The other two fillies nodded enthusiastically.

I thought for a moment, I did rather like children, in fact I used to volunteer in a local program helping children learn to read. This would be like reclaiming a bit of my old life I suppose. "All right then. I said, I will tell you the story of a farmer who goes on a quest to save a princess from a dark lord." All eyes in the room were on me this point.

"A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away..."

It was approaching early evening and I was wrapping up the tale of the farm boy when Rarity proclaimed my outfit finished. She handed me a bundle and ushered me behind a changing screen just tall enough to keep me decent. "Oh I do hope you like it, while you were in the hospital Twilight showed me some pictures in that marvelous magical book of yours and I based this on them." I was informed.

As I stepped out from behind the screen I briefly wondered exactly which book she had gotten her idea from. I was dressed in black slacks and shiny black shoes that resembled leather but were decidedly something other. The tips of the shoes had little silver points on them. The top was a black double-breasted jacket with silver buttons over a blue silk mandarin collared shirt. Completing the ensemble was a black flat cap. Looking in the mirror I found I actually liked the look.

With questioning eyes rarity stared at me until I said, "It's perfect."

She gave a "squee" of delight and clapped her hooves together. Fluttershy just stared with her eyes wide and unblinking. I was honestly unsure if she had gone fainting goat on me again. Rarity proceeded to present me with a small package of shirts that were pretty close copies of my much mended t-shirt in several colors. I was unsure I would wear the neon pink one but I thanked her regardless.  Included in the bundle were as few pairs of socks, some underwear, and a few more pairs of jeans. How she figured out my underwear size is a mystery to this day. I suspect witchery.

Stuffing the contents in to my bag and zipping it shut our little group of one human, two mares, a kitty, and three fillies, made it's way to Sugar Cube Corner. I learned had learned this was not only the local bakery but also home of Pinkie Pie, and the venue for my party. I was unprepared for how many ponies were here.

By my guestimate at least half the town was milling about outside the bakery while music was playing that reminded me of a mariachi band. In short order Pinkie Pie came bouncing up to me and gripped me in a rib cracking hug. It was at that moment I realized just how strong earth ponies were. This hug was genuinely uncomfortable. "Pinkie....ribs..." I croaked.

Pinkie let go and stepped back a sheepish smile on her face, I vaguely noticed Fluttershy giving her the stink eye. She really is protective of her patients it would seem. "Sorry Bear! I am just so happy you made it!" Pinkie explained.

I chuckled, "Nothing to apologize for Miss Pie, I wouldn't miss this for the world."

Grabbing my hand in one of her hooves, yes definitely feels like a gripping marshmallow, I was dragged through the crowd and introduced to more ponies than I can remember. I do recall meeting the Ponyville mayor (oddly enough named Mayor Mare) the local mail mare (ok I chuckled at that) named Mrs. Doo as well as her husband Time Turner (who looked oddly familiar), and their two children Dinky and Sparkler. Also present were Fluttershy's other Friends Rainbow, Twilight and Applejack. Twilight was doing her best wallflower impression and seemed to be studying me while Applejack and Rainbow were having...a drinking contest it would seem.

As the party went on in to the night the younger ponies headed home including the three fillies that had been almost glued to me for the evening as well as those who cared for said fillies. It was nearing midnight and I sat outside the bakery munching on some delicious fresh baked bread, since I had my fill of sweets far earlier in the evening. Beside me was a bottle of hard cider and a slightly sleepy Fluttershy.

After finishing my cider and bread I looked to Fluttershy and scratched her behind the ear. She gave a happy little hum and leaned in to it as I said, "It's getting pretty late. I suppose I should escort you home."

She yawned and gave a little nod. I stood up stretching, joints popping that I didn't even know could pop after the massage earlier in the day. Checking my bag I found Tripod sound asleep on my new clothes and suckling on my old t-shirt. Yep, I am his pet human alright.

I found Pinkie Pie, who seemed to be having a blast poking a passed out Applejack and Rainbow Dash with a stick, while Twilight seemed to be making meticulous notes on the effects of stick poking and intoxicated ponies. Yep she is a weirdo. I never did find out who won the drinking contest.

Fluttershy and I said our goodbyes and began walking home at an easy pace. I noticed her leaning up against my leg as we walked, I idly scratched her mane and asked, "Did you have a good time at the party? I didn't see you mingle much."

"Oh yes I had a very good time, it was nice just being in you---everyponies company." She said.

We crossed the bridge over the little stream near her cottage and finally crested the small hill at the top. What I saw made me top dead still.

"Fluttershy."

"Yes?"

"When I tell you I want you to fly back to town as quickly as possible and get Twilight." I said gravely.

"But what's..." Then she too saw them.

Three timber wolves. Each the size of a Volkswagon, easily dwarfing the earlier ones. I admit I was terrified looking in to those baleful green eyes. Fluttershy shrank back as I handed her my bag of clothes and kitten, mentally readying myself to give them a chance to flee.

The largest of the three stepped forward and then in a voice that sounded like someone gargling gravel growled out, "We have come for retribution...killer of your own kind." Next Chapter: 08 - AΩ Estimated time remaining: 4 Hours, 29 Minutes