Here it is, my first day in Canterlot.

I woke up even before the alarm clock rang. The day was dawning, the weather outside looked fine. Well, it will be a good day for sure!

I walked to the bathroom and entered it, toothbrush and toothpaste in one of the pockets of my hoodie. After all, I've got some time before school starts, and morning showers are one of the best things to do. And I need to clean my teeth. I don't want my breath to smell bad, after all.

So, I locked the door, undressed myself, stretched my wings, and... Wait, what are those?

I looked closer at my wings and saw that some of my feathers seemed to be out of place. And that it itches a little in those places. Ugh, do I have to preen now? Ah, I'm part bird. Well, it seems I just have to fix this mess.

Using my magic, I carefully removed all the feathers that looked bad. Unexpectedly, it didn't hurt. Instead, it felt like a good massage. Relaxing, I suppose. With each bad feather I take off, I feel better and better, especially my wings. Maybe that's why they were itching most of the time?

Well, that's better now without some of those feathers gona. But what do I do with them now? I can't just leave them here for Moonshine to see. Instead, I packed them into the pockets of my hoodie. I guess I'll take care of the feathers later, dumping them somewhere.

Anyway, time to get cleaned up. I got into the bathtub, then turned on the water, letting it fall on me. I was surprised to find out is that the water is still as warm as when I showered yesterday. Hm, has to do something with magic for sure... Not that I dislike it! It’s actually really good, 'cause I hate when water gets warm too slowly. It seems that this problem has been solved here. Nice!

Anyway, I picked up a shampoo and poured some of it on my mane. This time I tried not to get any in my eye, I don't want to startle Moonshine again with my loud yells full of profanity.

The water quickly makes the shampoo go away, leaving my mane straight and soft. I need to get used to washing it everyday, 'cause it feels awesome. Not to mention that I look much better like this.

Ending my showering procedures, I turned off the water, got out of the bathtub, and dried myself with a towel. I pulled my toothbrush out of the hoodie's pocket, as well as some toothpaste. Time to get my teeth cleaned!

I opened my mouth and saw something I haven't noticed before. My canines are bigger than my other teeth. Damn, I think that thing about horses' teeth growing all their life is true after all. Oh, and I haven’t had any meat in ages! That will be fixed later.

Well, no matter what my teeth look like, I must clean them. White teeth are healthy teeth, and they look much nicer like that.

After cleaning my teeth, I put on my hoodie and exited the bathroom, leaving my cleaning supplies on a shelf there.

Moonshine was waiting for me, and oh boy, her mane's messy! Sleep does that, I guess. Although she looks like she didn't really have much sleep.

She silently passed me and into the bathroom, closing the door behind her. It seems she hasn't fully woken up yet. Well, until I got used to getting up early, I was like her.

I looked at the clock and saw that it was fifteen to eight. Well, I have almost a full hour before the classes start, and the school is just in front of the hostel.

I still don't get why are kids living all alone here. Maybe they are more responsible than on the Earth? Well, I’m responsible, but that’s only because I was put into a body of a foal. What of the others? Are they just as responsible because they are taught to be?

Equestria just can't stop confusing me all the time.

I was thinking about that while drying my mane. Some say that thinking is often done in showers or on the toilet seat. Well, I can get lost in my thoughts anywhere, I think.

Anyway, Moonshine has just come out of the bathroom. Her mane isn't a mess any more.

Wait, how did she come out this fast? I thought females of all races spend literal hours in bathrooms!

Nah, that's fine. So, today's two Maths, Commonlang, Physical Culture.

So, what do I do now? I think I should wait for Moonshine and then go to school with her. After all, she knows where the lessons take place.

After Moonshine took care of her mane, we picked up our stuff for our lessons and headed to school.

"Are you in my class?" I asked her. She nodded weakly. "Um, aren't you a year older than me?"

"I, um, I’m taking the same class for the second year..." she muttered. "Please, I don't want to talk about it."

I guess she feels uncomfortable about that. All right, no need to push the issue more. She'll either open up to me or not, but that'll take time.

Sighing, I looked forward. The school is just a minute of walking away, and I'm eager to see it.

I entered the school. Well, it certainly looks grand and old from the inside as well. There are two royal guards standing near the exit, bearing really serious faces. The hall itself is rather long, wide, and tall. I guess two average cars would fit between the walls. And the floor is covered by a soft-looking orange carpet.

However, instead of stepping on it, Moonshine led me to the side. She opened the big wooden door with her mouth and gestured for me to enter after her.

The room she led me in is what I think is some kind of public bathroom. There are cabins with showers, but the showers are placed at the height of my hooves.

"Um, we wash hooves here before walking further." she told me.

I nodded, then proceeded into one of the cabins. Using my magic, I turned on the water. Well, it's temperature is not exactly comfortable, but still okay.

After washing my hooves, I followed Moonshine into the main hall. I stepped on the carpet, and oh damn it's so soft!

I followed Moonshine further. The hall is even bigger once you start walking through it!

Chandeliers on the arched ceiling give only some dim light, barely illuminating the hall, leaving some dark corners. The big windows on both sides of the hall provide some morning light, but it's still not enough to be comfortable. I don't really care as I see fine in the dark.

Moonshine led me further into the hall, eventually coming to two halls that are perpendicular to the main one. There is also a big double door at the end of the main hall, and I think it leads to some kind of concert hall or something like that.

Wait, is this building cross-shaped? Creepy. I don't want to, say, find any Celestia's Witnesses. That would be ass-exploding for me. Although, at least Celestia actually exists.

Anyway, we turned to the right, and eventually came to the Math class. Strangely, we've met only a few ponies on our way there. I think it’s because we are kind of early here. I glanced at the clock that adorned the wall and saw that it was ten past eight. Huh, early indeed.

The math class is like a big auditorium, each row placed higher than the one before. Overall, the shape of the room is a semicircle with a teacher's table placed at the centre of the circle would be, and the exit is to the right of the table.

"Good morning, students." our teacher said to us. She is an earth pony mare. Her fur is pale-blue, her mane is of brighter blue, her eyes green. Her cutie mark is an equation A + B = C. Then the teacher addressed me: "You are Flame Metal, I presume?"

"Yes, ma'am." I replied.

"My name is Snow Emerald, and I welcome you to your first math lesson at Canterlot Primary School." she told me with a smile. "I will be your teacher during the first five years of your study here. I'll be teaching you Algebra, Geometry and several other subjects.

"So, take your seat. However, the only one available is near Moonshine."

Something tells me that was to be expected. And I think Moonshine muttered something, certainly in a sad way. Anyway, I nodded and took a seat near Moonshine, which is in the back row, rightmost desk. She and I pulled out our quills and ink wells from our saddlebags, as well as our notebooks. The textbooks for math were laying on the desks already.

Slowly, the classroom began to fill up with students. Most of them gave me a glance or two, some stared, some whispered to each other, some pointed their hooves at me and Moonshine, certainly making a comment about me sitting with her. However, I wasn't listening to them, preferring my music instead. After all, I hear people all the time, even if they're ponies. And I don't like listening.

I also noticed that one of Moonshine's ears was turned towards me. She was certainly hearing some of the music that has been playing, and I certainly could see how she bobbed her head slightly.

Some time later, I could hear a bell ringing. I turned off my music and put everything in my pockets. Can't let the teacher take away what little I have to entertain myself, can I?

First, I was told to introduce myself to the class. I told them exactly what I'd told Cheerilee back at the Ponyville Schoolhouse, albeit I've added a bit about the successes that I’d accomplished there.

As I told my story, one hoof raised. I looked towards it and saw a unicorn colt with fur of white and mane of blonde. I also noticed that his mane was slicked back in aristocratic manner.

"You want to ask him a question, Blueblood Junior?" Snow Emerald asked him.

"Yes, ma'am." he replied. "I would ask you, Flame Metal, can you play an organ?"

"Yes, I can." I replied, earning gasps from ponies. Well, I played a few times, and I was told I'd been good at it. Shame that I’d only got to play the magnificent instrument only five times in my whole life.

"How is this possible?" the colt asked, his eyes wide. "Only those who pass Grand Canterlot Academy of Music are allowed to be taught to play organ, and only if only excellent marks were earned. Members of my family, of course, can play this grand instrument, but how can you? I see no aristocratic roots in you." he narrowed his blue eyes at me.

"It mattered not from whence I came." I replied. "I did learn how to play it without any academies."

"'Tis certain you're lying." Blueblood snorted. "You words are without proof. Say, if you can play the organ, you'll have to prove it here, in the school."

They have organ here? Daum, that's awesome!

"Concert hall, and especially the organ, is off-limits to any student." the math teacher told us. "No student is allowed to play any of the instruments we have. Some of them are over one thousand years old and require special attention. And our school cares not for any arguments you have whether one of you can play an organ or not.

"So, any more questions to our new student? No? Good, let's get to Math already."

Teachers sure know how to ruin all the fun.

The Math classes were uneventful and straight up boring. Well, they only did some dividing and multiplying, nothing I couldn't have handled. And I got to help Moonshine a little with Math, as she sometimes didn't understand what the teacher was trying to explain.

During the break between the Math lessons, no one talked to me. As in Ponyville, foals only talked about me to each other, but that was expected. After all, I'm new here, and I am the only one wearing clothes.

Well, the first two lessons were not that bad.

The lesson of Commonlang was rather interesting, as was our teacher, his name is Chocolate, by the way (I know it's a strange name, but he does look like some kind of chocolate. Brown fur, light-brown curly mane, and a cup of chocolate as his cutie mark. Not that I want to eat him!), and he is a really good teacher! He talks about what he wants to teach us with emotion, not just in a monotone. He makes a joke here and there, and overall seems closer to students than to actual teachers. He sounds and looks rather young, too.

So, now it's Physical Culture, and somehow it is the first lesson in this year. The lesson is held at one of the stadiums where the Royal Guard trains. And that is kinda cool, I want to know how is the military here doing.

I was greeted by three teachers: a pegasus stallion by the name Blitz, earth pony mare by the name Gentle Shovel, and a stallion unicorn by the name Max Books. As many would've guessed by now, all ponies will be trained according to their race.

And damn, I don't get to learn how to fly with the others! I wish I could, but, well, I can't hide my horn, nor can I reveal myself. I don't know what consequences might be. Better safe than sorry, after all.

"Gather 'round, unicorns!" Max yelled. Quickly, all the unicorns, a total of eight, stood before him. The teacher is slightly taller than most adults I've met. He has gray fur and brown mane, his eyes are brown, and his cutie mark is a pile of books. "So, we all know that we, unicorns, aren't exactly the strongest among ponies. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't stay healthy! In fact, we should train ourselves to be at least at basic earth pony level of strength and basic pegasi level of stamina. That means we'll be doing push-ups and trotting, to keep our legs, lungs, and heart in shape. So, today I'm going to see just how well you already are. So, do as many laps around the stadium as you can, just don't overexert yourselves! Now, go!"

Well, not a bad start, I suppose. All of us started trotting along the track, and the teacher was actually trotting with us.

"Faster!" he yelled, making us increase our pace. "I know you all can do better!"

And encouraging... Certainly Equestria's teachers are much better than those I met on Earth.

Anyway, I trotted just fine. I used to jog in the morning while I was still a human, maybe that counts.

Breath in, breath on, eyes focused forward, not on the ground. Steady pace. I'm good, but I can't say the same about others. Two kids have already slowed down, sweating hard. Both of them are a little bigger than others, and not in a good way.

"Don't overexert yourself!" our teacher reminded us. "If you feel you can't move along with us, slow down or stop!"

He's not calling those who stopped losers, setting others against them. That’s a good thing, too.

"Bluebloods... aren't... supposed... to... run!" Blueblood Junior said between breaths. "Ugh, the... sweat!"

"Yes, most of us prefers living lazily, but you'll become one of the slime ponies if you keep telling yourself that."

"Not the slime!" Blueblood yelled, his eyes widened. His pace quickened and he was almost instantly ahead of us. Well, I wouldn't like to become a slime myself, no surprise here.

"What'cha waiting for?" Max yelled. "Keep it up with that colt!"

Okay, then. I quickened my pace, others soon followed. And I still don't really sweat. I feel myself better with my legs moving, too. This certainly has to do something with me being alicorn.

"Hey, Flame!" the teacher moved closer to me. "Ain't it hotter with that thing you wear?"

"I'm fine." was my short reply. "I always wear it."

"Fine, then. Just made sure you're alright." Max moved even closer, and whispered in my ear: "If you keep doing this right, your body will be fit, and all mares will be after you."

I blushed. "Um, I'm not thinking about the mares..." Especially considering that I still don't want to get involved romantically with a female of any pony species right now. Well, maybe I'll bed a mare, just not now. First of all, I'm physically young. Second, I was a human, and a thought about fucking any animal-like creature is really disgusting. Well, maybe I'll get used to my new body someday, just not now.

"Yeah, too early." Max chuckled. How does he do it without losing his breath? "Just remember that, pal."

About half of the lesson passed, and I hasn't stopped trotting yet. Only three of us remained, including me. Surprisingly, Moonshine and Blueblood were still running while others were resting.

"Let it be slime..." Blueblood muttered, slowing down. Well, he's out, now it's just me and Moonshine. And she doesn't look fine. In fact, she’s breathing fast, sweat is rolling down her body like a waterfall, and her face is really red.

I slowed down and said to her: "Moonshine, you don't look so good."

"I'm... fine!" she replied aggressively, glaring at me. What did I do wrong?

"Flame's right." Max said. "Moonshine, you look terrible! Trust me, you don't want to overexert yourself! That might get you in the hospital for days!"

Sighing, she slowed down. Her breath was rapid, her legs were shaking. I think she's going to—

Quickly, I moved to her side as she was about to fall. Propping her, I didn't let her fall.

"Flame, help her to her room." Max told me. "She needs rest. Will you make it without my help?"

"I will." I nodded. "Moonshine, you hear me?"

"Yeah..." she muttered weakly. "I feel so tired..."

"Get on my back, I'll help you get to our room." I told her. She nodded slowly, then got on my back and wrapped her forelegs around by barrel. Damn, my wings are now under her weight, and that isn't really comfortable.

Anyway, I need to carry her home.

*Sniff*

Ugh, she smells worse than a wet dog!

Moonshine started to feel herself better once she spent about fifteen minutes on my back as I carried her to our room. She's not really heavy, so that wasn't a problem.

Once we got home, she climbed off my back and went to the bathroom unsteadily. She entered it, forgetting to lock the door. I guess she just didn't have the strength to.

Not that I would peek! After all, all ponies are nude most of time. And I'm not some perverted or lascivious teenager either!

I’ll... I’ll just listen to music until I get these strange thoughts out of my head.

Moonshine came out of the bathroom about ten minutes later. She was dry, but her mane was a complete mess. Shyly glancing at me, she made her way to her bed, opened her chest of drawers, and got a brush. Unsteadily, she started fixing her mane-mess.

Sometimes, she glanced at me. I gave it no attention as I was listening to music. Nothing can get me until music no longer plays in my headphones.

So, it's time to do homework. Tomorrow has Math, two Histories, and two Magic lessons. The last ones help unicorns develop their magic so that they don't have any problems with it in the future. I don't know what will I be doing there, maybe they'll let me go. Maybe I'll be assisting the teacher, and I'm not really looking forward to that. I don't really like to be in the center of attention or explaining things to others. I'm just not very good at it.

Anyway, I'll just do my homework and then explore Canterlot a little. I still have about ten bits, and I'll see what I can buy with them. Maybe some candy.

Mmm, candy...

Some time later.

I'd finished doing homework by one pm, so now it's time to go see the city. I put some of my things in my pockets, and exited the room.

***

Whoa, Canterlot is even bigger than I thought! There are loads of shops, houses, and all sorts of other buildings!

Right in front of the school a big marble statue stands. It represents a student: there is a desk, and two foals, colt and filly, sit on the chair at the desk, reading books. The foals have translucent wings and horn, and I think that means that knowledge is available to all ponies.

Anyway, just in front of the statue a shop that deals in books, quills and all that stuff is situated. I don't need anything there, so I go to other streets. Maybe there's something interesting.

The other street has a food store, a cafe, and lots of other houses where ponies live. And I can see the Canterlot Castle from here. The castle isn't the biggest one for sure, or at least it seems that it's rather small from afar.

These streets are really noisy. Ponies are everywhere, and all of them are chatting to each other about something. Some ponies wear clothes, mostly some kind of suit. And... Damn, that's a monocle!

It seems I'm in eighteenth century or even earlier. All of this just doesn’t seems real. I don't know, I just still can't’ get used to Equestria. I would need years, perhaps decades. Well, I accepted the thought that there will be little to no chance to see Earth again, but this turning into pony stuff, magic... It's really confusing, and that is understatement. Acting normal is a little hard for me, especially in the body of a colt. One of the most powerful types of ponies, no less! It just seems like some kind of dream, but much more realistic. I'm not walking through haze, everything seems more or less logical. Overall, Equestria makes some sense...

Oh, here's a candy shop. I'll see what I can buy there. I entered the shop, and a smell of chocolate assaulted my nose! Mmm, smells tasty! It's been awhile since I last had a piece of chocolate.

So, what do they have here? Chocolate, marmalade, and all sorts of things made from them. I think I'll buy that chocolate bar with nuts in it.

After I bought it, I undid the wrap and took a bite. Holy heavens, that is delicious! I LOVE chocolate and nuts mix! The most delicious thing in the whole world!

Mmm, yeah, I love it so much! Chocolate! Mmm!

...

Anyway, it's time to go back. I had my share of chocolate, and maybe Moonshine would like some. They say that chocolate is good for your mood, and I think she's not in the best of moods right now. She has some problems, and I see that. I'll try to help her.