Chapter 7

Dave walked down through the corridors before stopping in front of a unicorn guard. “I have no idea where I’m going” He giggled at the guard who replied with a blank stare. “Do you know where my friends are?”

“Follow me” the guard started heading in the opposite direction and led Dave to a set of doors with two guards standing outside.

“Thanks” Dave said to the guard as he carried on with his patrol. He walked up to the door on the left and pushed it open.

Once through Dave stepped into a long room with rows of windows that overlooked Canterlot. A long, white marble table sat in the middle of the room and the ponies and Spike were all sat around with a good two feet between them. The two princesses sat at either ends of the table, Applejack, Pinkie, Fluttershy and Twilight sat on the side closest to the door. Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Spike sat on the side closest to the window. A spare seat was sat in-between Spike, Princess Luna and was across from Twilight.

“morning everypony” Dave said happily as he walked in and they all replied happily. Dave walked around the long table and sat in the empty chair. “This food looks good” he said as he saw the arrangement of food that ran down the table. There was a large variety of breads, flowers, salads, some flavourings, drinks and some gems for Spike.

“I’m sure the chefs appreciate that compliment. How are you today Dave?” Princess Celestia asked from the far side of the table taking a sip of tea.

“I’m fine thank you” He returned to look at the food, the flowers looked pretty but he wasn’t about to eat them.

“have you met my sister Luna?” Celestia asked

“no he hasn’t” Luna quickly answered for him “Hello Dave it is a pleasure to meet you”

Dave decided it was easier to play along than to ask “The pleasure is all mine Princess” He looked away ‘maybe played along too much’ He didn’t notice her blush slightly.

“So what do you want to do today then Dave?” Spike looked at Dave as he started chewing on an amethyst.

“Well I’m not sure to be honest. I was going back out to the training yard for a bit but then afterwards I have no idea” Dave picked up a piece of bread and started to spread some butter on it. “what are you all going to be doing?”

“We’re all going into Canterlot to do some shopping” Pinkie said as she shoved a handful of daisies into her mouth.

“That sounds nice” Dave finished putting the butter on and started to eat his splice of bread

“I will be sleeping while my sister takes care of the royal duties for today” Luna yawned

“Wait sleeping?”

“why yes, I am in charge during the night and my sister rules the day” Luna sounded surprised he did not know.

“Ok that makes sense… I guess” Dave finished his bread before pouring himself some tea. ‘Damn this stuff has grown on me’ he thought as he took a large sip.

Spike looked at him “can I join you in the training area for a while?” he asked as he picked up a quartz out of his bowl and threw it into his mouth

“yeah sure” Dave relaxed back in his high backed chair with his tea

“Aren’t you going to eat anything else dear?” Rarity asked concerned “You have only eaten a slice of bread and butter”

“I don’t eat flowers unfortunately and I doubt I could eat a gem” He took another sip of tea

“well what kind of stuff would you like to eat for breakfast?” Twilight asked as everypony continued to eat

“Well I wouldn’t mind some bacon or sausages” Dave slapped his hand over his mouth. ‘Ponies don’t eat meat. Please for the love of god don’t mention venison or mutton around them’

“What the hay is bacon and sausages?” Applejack asked as she looked up from her dandelion sandwich

“It is umm…” Dave tried not to look at her “Pig” he whispered as quietly as he could

They all stopped and stared at him with some horrified looks. “Please tell me it is made by pigs and not from pigs”

Dave receded into his chair as far as he could but he could feel all their eyes on him. “made… from pigs” He whispered again.

“You’re a carnivore and you didn’t tell us?” Twilight almost shouted in alarm

“Well technically I’m an omnivore… I’m just a bit picky with fruit and veg” He realised that the last bit wasn’t going to be helpful

“Well are you going to try and eat ma pigs?” Applejack gave him a glare

“No I won’t eat anything anypony here doesn’t” He looked at them all “I promise”

Pinkie Pie suddenly appeared in front of him “Pinkie promise?”

“Yeah?” he looked at his little finger. ‘they don’t have fingers so how does that work?’

“fine repeat after me” Pinkie cleared her throat “Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!” She applied appropriate gestures as she went along

Dave repeated the words with the actions and accidentally poked himself in the eye. “Ow that promise hurts”

The ponies all calmed back to normal “That’s good to know you won’t eat anypony now” Rainbow Dash said as she resumed eating.

“wait what is stopping me from breaking the promise?” he asked rubbing his eye

“Pinkie will probably destroy you” Twilight said in a normal tone

Dave laughed but saw nopony else was “haha… Wait… Really?” He looked over to Pinkie to see her snap a breadstick in half. “Good thing I won’t though” he quickly added

“So what other animals did you used to eat?” Twilight asked

“are you sure you want to know?” Dave raised an eyebrow and Twilight replied with a nod “ok then… I used to eat pigs, cows, chickens, sheep, and sometimes turkeys for special occasions”

“really?” Twilight looked shocked again “all those animals?”

“yep”

“but not ponies right?”

“of course not” Dave rubbed his sore eye again

“Well you made a Pinkie promise so we can all trust you will never eat meat again” She returned to her plate.

Dave felt a little sad. ‘Never eat meat again. That will take some getting used to.’ His thoughts were broken when he felt something slide into his pocket and Princess Luna stood up.

“I am going to my chambers now, goodbye all of you” she walked to the door “see you later sis” She glanced at Dave “Bye Dave” and she left the room shutting the door behind her.

They all began to finish their breakfasts. Celestia said her goodbyes and left for the throne room. The ponies all said goodbye to Dave and Spike as they left for the city. Finally Dave and Spike left the room as the table was beginning to be cleared.

“So Spike, where to?” Dave asked as Spike started to walk upstairs

“I’m just going to grab something, you wait here I’ll be right back” Spike hurried up the stairs.

Dave turned to make sure nopony else was in the corridor before removing the object from his pocket. It was a small letter.

Dear Dave

I would like it if we could keep our little meeting a secret between us. If you ‘jump’ up to my private garden again tonight about midnight we can talk and I will be able to explain in better detail.

From Luna x

He read the letter through again and noticed the small kiss at the end. ‘Probably saying thanks for the compliment…. To the moon’ He placed the letter back in his pocket as he heard Spike coming back downstairs. “what did you get?” Dave asked

“A snack bag just in case I get hungry” Spike explained as he jumped onto Dave’s shoulder with a small brown bag. It rattled slightly which suggested that it contained a few gems.

“anyway do you want to go to the training grounds then?” Dave said as he started to walk in it’s direction

“sure” Spike said as he sat down on Dave’s shoulder.

They walked out onto the training area, it was slightly busier than last time but it was mainly unicorns practicing magic with each other. It looked like a form of arm wrestling, they would use magic to try and push the other onto the ground. The two Pegasi and the earth pony from yesterday were joined by two unicorns and they watched Dave as he arrived and laughed amongst themselves. Dave ignored them and walked over to the weights again.

He picked up the one he had used yesterday and found it to be strangely light. He hummed as he picked up the largest weight. The heaviest didn’t feel very heavy either. “Spike how heavy is this to you?”

Spike took the weight in his claws and as Dave let go and it dropped strait to the ground. “Very heavy” He grunted as he tried to lift it.

Dave picked it up in one hand and spun it round in his hand. Dave then picked up some of the heaviest weights. He laid down on his front and awkwardly placed them on his back, he then began to do push-ups and found it was still a little easy. He then started to use only one hand and chuckled to himself when he found that easy as well.

Spike had started to use one of the smallest weights and watched Dave effortlessly rise and fall. Even some of the unicorns watched as he easily pushed the weights up. The gang of five ponies gave him some glares.

Dave started to alternate hands as he pushed up so he was switching continuously from left hand to right hand. This went on for a few minutes and Spike eventually dropped his weight.

“Time for a break I think” He sighed as he opened his small bag of gems inside were five gems each a different type. Spike ate four and as he picked up the final one which was a ruby, it was levitated out of his reach by one of the two unicorns that was part of the small gang. “Hey give that back!” Spike demanded as he tried to jump for the gem.

Dave heard Spike and looked over to see the unicorn and the gang all laughing at the baby dragon’s efforts of retrieving his gem. Dave quickly stood up allowing the weights to slide off his back and grabbed the ruby out of the air in one smooth motion. “Leave him alone” Dave said angrily as he handed the gem back to Spike.

“Aww you ruined our fun” the white unicorn looked up at Dave weighing him up. “I bet you think you’re pretty tough don’t you?”

“When I need to be” Dave returned the stare

“Well how about you and me have a game of magic slam?” He twitched his head towards the other unicorns “See how tough you really are” he smiled

“I would love to” Dave said sarcastically “but I don’t have magic”

“fine if you remain standing for five minutes you can try to push me down any other way”

“Fine” Dave said as he walked over to where the unicorns were in a middle of an intense game. They stopped as he walked over and they all formed a circle around him and the white unicorn.

“three, two, one, go!” the unicorn said quickly as his horn began to glow.

Dave felt a large weight push down on his shoulders and the unicorn flashed a grin before putting on a determined face and pushed with all his might. Dave’s knees bent a little but stood strait again after a second. Dave stood there staring at the unicorn as he slowly felt the weight ease but the unicorns face tighten with determination.

He looked over at the other guards and called out “how long has it been now?”

One replied “about thirty seconds”

Dave continued to stand there as he felt the weight completely leave him and a bit of sweat rolled down the unicorn’s face. A unicorn called out when the five minutes were up and the tired one stared at Dave angrily. “Do your worst you freak”

Dave chuckled slightly as he walked over to the unicorn and grabbed his back legs and dangled him in the air. “How do you like it?” He dropped the unicorn on his face and picked Spike up onto his shoulder. “I think I made my point” Dave, Spike and some of the other unicorns giggled at the loser as he stood and angrily walked back over to his gang.

Dave and Spike spent the next few minutes walking around the castle before Strong Shield came around a corner. “Hi Strong Shield” Dave said happily

“Did you just drop one of my guards on his face?” He said with a serious look on his face

“Yeah pretty much” Dave shrugged

“well lucky for you the one you dropped is one of my slackers so I’ll let you off” Strong Shield tuned to leave before looking back with his good eye. “I like somepony who stands up for himself and his team” He then left down the corridor. “I’ll get you something heavier” He called out before he turned a corner.

“Well this day has gone quite well so far” Dave smiled up at Spike who stood on his shoulder

“yeah you rocked” Spike rubbed Dave’s hair

“nah it was nothing, I wish that group would leave me alone. They annoy me” Dave then sat down on some stairs.

“so what now?” Spike asked

Dave thought then looked over at Spike. “Does the castle have a library?”

“yeah there is one in the castle and a larger one outside but it is in the outskirts of Canterlot”

“lets stick with the one here for now” Dave said as he followed Spikes directions into a large library which had a wall that was one big window and a giant hourglass in the centre of the room.

“This is where it all began” Spike sighed as he remembered Twilight was looking for a book about the Elements of Harmony.

“Where what began?” Dave asked as he let Spike drop to the floor

“This is where Twilight and I spent most of our time before going to Ponyville and meeting the others” Spike looked in the hourglass “seems like so long ago”

“Do you regret anything? Leaving here?”

Spike shook his head “of course not I have loved every minute in Ponyville!”

“anyway you will have to tell me more about that later” Dave looked round at all the books “I need some basic knowledge”

They set about getting Dave some books about the basics of Equestria and of it’s inhabitants. Things like cutie marks, how pegasi control the weather, the basic wildlife and other things.

After an hour or two of reading they heard a door open up downstairs and some hoofsteps coming towards them. As the hoofsteps got louder Twilight came into view and saw the two boys surrounded by a pile of books.

“well I see someone has been doing homework.” she smiled as she looked at the books. “starting small are you?”

“well yeah just so I know what is going on in this world compared to mine a bit better” He closed a book that talked about different spells that unicorns could do. ‘Nothing about portals unfortunately’

“How is it going?” She sat down next to him

“It’s all simple so I think I have got most of it” He sighed as he rubbed his eyes, they were a little sore after reading non-stop for a few hours.

“Do you enjoy my old library?” She had fond memories growing up here

“yeah loads” He looked around as well “So many books”

Twilight looked at Spike who was replacing some books. “did you both have a good day while we were away?”

Dave nodded “yeah we had fun” he decided to leave the story for later “how was yours?”

“fine, we went shopping and Rarity got materials for a new dress she is going to be making while she is here. Apart from that we just had some lunch and walked back here.

“lunch… forgot all about that” To confirm his point Dave’s stomach rumbled “Spike had some gems but I haven’t eaten apart from that bread slice this morning”

“Oh dear we can’t have that… Spike is it possible you could go get Dave some food like some apples or any other fruit?”

“sure thing Twilight” Spike placed a final book on the shelf and walked down the stairs.

The door closed with a soft click an Dave and Twilight we left alone.

“looks like we are alone in a library again” Twilight playfully said as she shuffled closer to Dave

Dave didn’t notice as he got up and started to return some of his books. “yeah I guess we are” he started to climb a ladder and placed a book on a high shelf. ‘please don’t let there be any romance novels near by’ he pleaded in his mind.

“Well about that night… I’m sorry if I came over a little strong” She looked down and began to make small circles on the floor with a hoof

“A little?” Dave raised an eyebrow at her with a smile across his face

“Ok a lot strong… I just don’t know what came over me” She looked up at the book shelves “I guess a mood was set when we were talking about that novel and I just leapt in when I saw a chance”

“Right you said something about wanting something that the ponies in the novels had” Dave slid down the ladder and picked up some more books off the ground

“oh that… well I guess it was all the excitement the ponies all have in the story”

“Excitement? Coming from a pony that fights dragons and helps Princesses make friends”

“Yeah I know it sounds a little crazy but the ones in that story have somepony to share it with”

“well don’t you have your friends for that?” Dave reached up as he placed a book on a shelf above his head

“I mean a special somepony” she looked at Dave who had his back to her while replacing books “Somepony to love”

Dave stopped as he turned to look at her “well from what I was receiving we obviously skipped a couple of bases”

“Bases?”

“Yeah on my world first base is kissing and third base is well… what you were going to do” Dave returned a book before quickly turning back “and besides why would you try with me… I mean I’m not a pony if you haven’t noticed” he joked as he went behind some shelves

“yeah I know” Twilight looked at the floor sadly “when I saw you fall from the sky and when we finally caught you, I wanted to study you. But the moment you woke up you kept surprising me with things I couldn’t have known you could do and I just…” she trailed off

Dave peeked through a gap in the books to see her staring into the floor as if trying to remember what she felt. “and?”

“I just thought you were the most interesting being in the world and when we started to talk about that book… I just let my feelings take over” She raised her head to see a side of his face through one of the shelves.

“feelings?” Dave placed the last book on a shelf and walked round to her and sat down “listen I think this might be a phase of some sort, just try to put it out your mind”

She gazed in his eyes before shaking her head “I’ve tried but you end up being more amazing. I over heard a guard talking about what you did in one of the training grounds… And I have been thinking about you a lot to be honest, even without some of the feats of strength you keep performing”

“what are you getting at?” A concerned frown crossed Dave’s face ‘actually I don’t want to hear it’

“Well I think that I… I umm love you” She looked quickly at him before staring at the ground again

Dave placed a hand over his eyes when she wasn’t looking ‘and there’s the kicker’ He took his hand down from his face. “listen Twilight” She looked at him “I’m not a pony… this couldn’t work, you wouldn’t be able to have any kind of… of future with me.”

She shook her head again “I don’t care… as long as I’m with you”

“and what if I had to go back to my own world?”

“well I could… I could” Her face saddened as she thought about it.

“exactly” Dave picked her face up with his hand under her chin “The best thing you can do is to try and forget about me, I” Dave was cut off as Twilight gently kissed him on the lips.

She pulled away after a few minutes and said in a voice that sounded on the verge of crying “I don’t want to and I am not going to” She then got up and quickly left the room leaving Dave with the taste of her lips on his mouth.

‘great now a pony has fallen in love with me’ He rubbed his forehead with his fingers ‘what if she tells the others her feelings?’ he stopped rubbing his head as he opened his eyes “and how do I feel?”

He stood up before quickly walking around the room “Dammit don’t think like that, they are ponies and you’re a human” He placed his hands on either side of his head “Don’t tell me the others will feel the same”

“who feels the same?” Spike had came back with some apples and oranges. He had a very confused expression

“nopony just muttering to myself, thanks for the food by the way” He said taking an apple and setting the rest where they were sitting.

They both sat down opposite each other as Dave bit into an apple and he wiped the juices from his mouth.

“Where did Twilight go?” Spike asked looking around the room

“she had to go do something” Dave took another bite of his apple

“what did you two talk about while I was gone?” Spike took an orange and began to peel it

Dave decided not to tell everything that had just happened “we talked about Canterlot and what she got up to” he bit his apple again ‘at this rate all the food will be gone’

Spike took a segment of the orange out from the centre and threw it into his mouth. “anything interesting?”

“not really, just Rarity picking up some bits and bobs” Dave relaxed a bit. This conversation was taking his mind off of things.

“Is it just me or has everypony been acting strange recently?” Spike ate another segment

“how do you mean? I have only been here a couple of days so I haven’t noticed much” Dave took a final bite of the apple before deciding to leave it

“well Rarity seems to be daydreaming a lot more than usual, Applejack seems to be quite worried about something, Fluttershy seems more shy… if that’s possible and the others have been acting differently”

“Has Pinkie been acting strange?”

“not anymore than usual” Spike and Dave both laughed

“well anyway what time is dinner?” Dave asked as he stood up offering his arm out to Spike

“soon I think” Spike climbed up his arm and sat down in his normal place “we should start going actually”

They both hurried down the stairs and back to where the dining room was, they pushed open the doors and found the room empty. Dave sat down in his previous place.

“do you reckon we are early?” Dave asked spike as he slouched into the chair and put his feet on the table

“we must be” Spike sat on the edge of the table. The pair talked for a few minutes while they waited.

Meanwhile in Twilight’s room…

Twilight laid face down on her bed attempting to fight off the tears. She eventually lost and let out a large sob as the tears soaked into the pillow. “I don’t want him to go home I want him to stay here with me” She whimpered ‘you’re being selfish, he could be having a better life on his world and you want him to stay so you are happy’ Twilight tried to listen to the voice in her head but gave in once more.

“but I… I love him” She couldn’t believe what she was saying, she had only met him a few days ago and she was already falling for him. The things he could do danced around her mind adding to her fairytale.

She pushed herself off the bed and walked over to the mirror. Her mane was a mess from pressing her face into the pillow. She levitated the comb over and began brushing it slowly. “I can’t help the way I feel, and I know he feels the same way, even if he doesn’t realise it” She wiped the tears from her eyes as she set the brush down and walked outside her room to see the others all walking past her door.

“Hi Twilight” Dash said as she walked over “We are on our way to dinner, we thought you were already there”

Twilight smiled at her friends “I was now heading there myself, should we go?”

The group of six all turned and walked to the dinning room, as they reached the door they heard laughing from inside. Curiously Applejack opened the door first and saw Spike sitting on the large marble table which Dave was holding up with one hand in the air. “What the hay are y’all doin?” She asked slightly dumbfounded by what she was seeing.

Dave gently placed the table back on the floor and looked at the ponies as Spike went back to his seat. “well me and Spike showed up and we were early so he bet I couldn’t lift the table, so I accepted and lifted it above my head” Dave smiled as he ran a hand through his hair.

“Yea I think we all noticed” Applejack and the others all went to their seats as Dave returned to his.

“So what is on the menu for this evening?” Rarity asked as she looked at the empty table.

“Nothin by looks of things” Applejack looked around “the Princess ain’t here that’s why”

“Will she be much longer?” Fluttershy asked quietly nopony heard her except Dave

“I don’t think she will be Fluttershy don’t worry” Dave gave her a reassuring smile which she returned

The doors opened and two guards stepped in with butlers carrying some trays of food and pitchers of drinks. The Princess stepped in shortly after them and took her place at head of the table.

“sorry I am late everypony, I was held up by some important business” She nodded and the butlers left and the guard took their places outside. “so how was everyponies day? I hope you all enjoyed yourselves”

Everypony talked about what they had done that day except Dave who sat there quietly. ‘If Twilight has fallen for me after just a short time… what about the others?’ his gaze switched between all the ponies, as his view swept past Rarity he thought back to Spike. ‘Damn if she does then Spike will be destroyed.’ he looked at a smiling Applejack. ‘and what of her family? Wont they disapprove of their best girl going for me?’

“Dave are you alright?” Twilight asked staring at Dave, she hadn’t looked at much else since coming into the hall. He looked really concerned about something.

“yeah I’m fine” He didn’t look at her but instead reached for some tomatoes and placed them on his plate. His tone was definitely different. ‘oh no I haven’t scared him or anything by confessing my feelings have I?’ She could feel the tears coming around again ‘not only have I scared him away from me I have lost him as a friend?’

“How have you been since we talked in the library?” Dave looked up as he had made a tomato and lettuce sandwich. His tone returned to normal and looked up as if nothing had happened.

“Just been doing some thinking, you know.” She sighed as she realized she was overreacting and stared into his eyes before forcing herself away “You should try the strawberries I think you would like them” She levitated some food onto her plate. ‘you can talk to him later tonight when everypony is asleep’ She thought to herself.