I sat there, holding my old tin coffee cup in hand while I looked over the eight mares. All of them had various looks on their faces as they processed what I just spent the last half hour explaining to them.

Celestia and Luna were the two I sat unsettled most with, as the implications were such that it could change the way they viewed me. However, as said at the very beginning, the last thing I had in mind would be to sugarcoat things, and I was not going to hold back information just to save my own skin.

Applejack was the first to speak out, looking up at me as she tipped her stetson back on her head with a hoof. I liked that she looked me in the eyes sternly and showed respect.
“So, this here... 'tee-vee show' you called it, portrayed all of us and what we did in our lives?”

I gave her a nod of my head. “Yes, ma'am, and I know it’s quite the tall tale to believe. Heck, think about how is it to me! I am sitting here in a world that, just a few days ago, was a picture-show-fantasy made to sell toys to kids.”

Rainbow Dash twitched a bit, one ear lifting and going down a few times as I glanced over at her.

“And you said millions of... people, you call yourselves, watch me? That is so awesome!“

I couldn’t help but crack a small smile. Never change, Dash, never change.

I turned my head to look at Celestia, who continued to observe me suspiciously, I tried to read her face. However, her soft, almost-motherly smile just never seemed to crack.

“So, I guess, Princess, it comes down to... what do you think? I meant what I said. If you three feel that I am a threat, then I shall go willingly into your custody and not resist. I sure would rather not, but, I am the one that doesn’t belong here, a unwelcome guest in your house, so to speak.”

A tiny hint of thought showed on her face. A twitch of her lips pulling back some into a more-amused smile, before it rested back in that same motherly look.

“I have a few questions to ask you, Shane. I am sure my sister does, as well,” she paused, glancing down at the smaller purple alicorn to her left. “And, I am for certain Princess Twilight has thousands of them for you.”

This broke the silence as everypony there began to laugh at that. The mentioned purple mare blushed a deep red on her cheeks and gave a sheepish nod of her head. “Yeah.”

Once the tension was broken and the laughter died down, I looked back to the alabaster princess of the sun. “What is your main concern, Princess?”

She lifted her head some. Even sitting in her current position, she stood significantly taller than me. It hit me as strange, though at the same time not.

“My only real concerns are two in number, Shane. First, I have observed your teeth as we talked. You are omnivore, yes? You eat meat, much like the griffons and minotaurs? Should this be a problem for my little ponies? As I am sure you are well aware, we do not partake of such.”

I knew that question was coming, I knew this was a moment I had to choose my words very carefully. I sat thinking for a bit, looking down into the tea in the cup I held now in both hands.

“It shouldn’t be a problem, for the most part. While we humans require protein to survive, I can get such from eggs and nuts, if I have to. I am willing to give my word that I will not bring harm to any creature, save for defending myself.”

She seemed to think for a bit, before looking over at the butter-yellow pegasus who was looking at me, amazed she did not cower, but rather, she was looking at me with what I took to be a curious look.

“I am sure Fluttershy can provide you with fish. She cares for many animals and some, as I am sure you are aware, require the same as you.”

Glancing around at the collection of mares, I took note of no look of disgust or revulsion on their faces. I returned my gaze to Fluttershy, who gave a soft nod of her head. “The otters, seals, and bears all require fish. I can make sure you have some, if that is okay with you, that is.”

I gave her a soft smile. How could I not? Even here, facing a creature she had never seen before, her kindness stood strong, something I wish my own species had learned to be more of.

“Thank you, Fluttershy,” I nodded once, turning my head back to Celestia.

“And your other concern?”

At that, a more serious look appeared. Without meaning to, I gulped. I suspect if I had expressive ears like the ponies before me, they would be flat to my head now.

“We need to determine just how much you know. If you have a understanding of events that have not yet occurred in our world, your very presence could disturb them and end with catastrophic consequences.”

I let out the breath I had been holding. Taking a moment to take a sip of tea, and making note of the flavors. So far, it had not killed me, so it was pretty safe to assume the food here might be all right for me after all.

“Well, now I have been thinking about that, I figure the best idea is if I ask a few leading questions, and adjust to what your answers are,” looking back to her eyes. “Would that work for you?”

She glanced at Luna, then down at Twilight, before peering over the rest of the girls. She glanced back up at me once more.

“That will do, yes.”

I nodded again, pondering before I started.

“All right, I know I saw Apple Bloom had her cutie mark. So, it is safe for me to assume events up to that are known. Does the name... Starlight Glimmer mean anything to any of you?”

Twilight’s face lit up with a smile. “My student? What does she have to do with this?”

Okay, that saves me quite a bit of time. “Your student,” I said as I looked at the bookish mare. “Okay, how about you tell me of the last big event she was part of? That will help me understand where we are, compared to the timeline I remember best.”

With pride, she lifted her head. “She, just two weeks ago, helped save all of Equestria, and brought love and great change to the changelings.”

Once more, the breath I had not been aware I was holding escaped in a long exhale. That was a massive load off me, and my smile must have said something as Luna spoke up.

“We note you relax at that news, would it be safe for us to assume that is the end of... what was it you called it? The seasons?”

I shook my head with a light smile. “Just season, and yes, that would mark the last time I saw the show.”

Then the memories hit, and I must have gone very quiet. I didn’t even realize I was looking down at the ground, or that any of them had moved. However, I looked up to find a night-blue wing resting against my arm lightly, and a mildly concerned-looking Princess Luna standing right next to me suddenly, with a frown.

“Shane, what is it? You grew suddenly so quiet. We've said your name several times.”

I shook my head. Damn it, how long did I sit there being quiet?

“Nothing, just a memory that is all.”

“Ya gonna pull the other leg there, partner? Ya ain’t lied once but for just now. Don’t have ta be the Element of Honesty to see that.”

I found I could not look up to face any of them. So, I simply shook my head and took a sip of tea, keeping my head down, glad for once I wore my old stetson, as it helped keep my eyes hidden some.

“Ain’t nothing I want to talk about, okay? As to the show, and all of you, what I know is current as of this moment.”

I knew they were all looking at me, scrutinizing me, and more than one of them wore a look that displayed concern for me. So far, they were just about exactly like they were in the show. Even if it had been over ten years, I still sort of knew what to expect with them.

“Very well, for now, Shane.” Luna spoke, then retreated back. Things grew quiet for a solid few minutes, then Twilight spoke up.

“Celestia, Luna, what about the populous at large? We will have to find a way to tell them of Shane, at least, until we can find a way to help him get home, if that is possible.”

Lifting my head back up to watch the ponies across the little campfire from me, my eyes roamed to Celestia once more. She really was the one calling the shots here.

“I think it best if we announce this to the press. Shane, are you okay with your presence becoming public? Of course, your understanding of our world will be…”

She paused, glancing at Luna next to her, then speaking in a lower tone. “A crown secret.”

I gave a nod of my head. “I understand, and yes, I think that is for the best,” I looked out at the woods. “That brings up another little issue, my cabin, and the odd state of the ground around it. For that matter, trying to figure out why and how I got here, and where here really is compared to where I was.”

Watching her stand, I slowly stood, too, looking across the small space between us all, making note of the others starting to stand.

“I think, Shane, that first we should see this, cabin of yours, to determine what—if any—security measures we must take to keep it safe and hidden for now. Then, we will need to have you travel to Canterlot. All of you shall accompany him, there is something Luna and I must show you. “

I didn’t like that, not one bit. Ominous terms like that set me on edge.

---

As we walked through the forest, much of the worry disappeared. I was with eight of the most powerful creatures on the planet, and surrounded by what I had counted to be twenty guards in a blend of gold and dark blue armor.

“You seem to be taking all this quite well, Shane. I know if I were in your shoes, I do not think I would be quite as calm.”

I glanced down at Rarity who was walking at my right side. It came to me as rather amusing the sizes of the ponies around me. Rarity, among the taller of her friends and the same height as Applejack, came up to my belly, about what a Great Dane would be back home. On the flip side, Luna stood up to my neck with ease, and her sister, I looked eye to eye with.

“Well, ma’am, panic and stress ain’t going to help me much, now will it? I had a good idea of how y'all would react to me, and how I would be treated. I guess I just figure I need to go with things and hope for the best at this point. I am, as they say back home, up the creek without a paddle.”

The fashionista took a look where she was walking, then back up at me. “Darling, I mean this with absolutely no disrespect or concern on my part, but... your boots, the belt holding your weapon, is that... leather?”

I let out a exhale, I knew this was going to come up. I also knew a lot of ears were turned my way now.

“The long and short of it, ma’am, yes. I will explain a lot more later, I am sure. However, back home, cows and other creatures are not sapient, nor can they talk.”

I paused and looked around seeing many eyes set on me now. I tucked my hat down some, not ever did I like being put out under the spotlight like this. I noted the white unicorn didn’t quite turn green, but clearly she was not one-hundred percent okay with this.

“I... see.”

Well, now I felt lower than dirt. I muttered, “Sorry, ma’am, just the facts of life back home. What my world is and this world are, they really do not mesh well.”

I gave an exhale and grew silent, until Luna spoke up, dropping back to walk at my left side.

“We believe we understand, Shane. Thou must understand the differences will be shocking to us, as I am sure many here are to you.”

I shook my head. “No need to explain, Princess—”

She cut me off by pressing her wing to my arm. “Please, call me Luna.”

Glancing over at her from beneath my hat, I gave a nod. “Thank you, Luna. As I was saying, I understand. I am going to do my best to do things your way, to adapt as long as I am here, to the Equestrian way.”

Luna gave a nod. “We very much appreciate that, and in turn, we will do all in our power to help you adjust to life here. We have already said we will try our best to return you to your home, but if we cannot, we give our word to help you adapt to this world.”

I think perhaps the first real smile I felt like letting show proudly crossed my face, to hear how willing the ponies around me were to lend a hand—er, hoof—to someone so different. I sure as hell wasn’t back in the states.

Twilight had swapped spots with Rarity at my right side, glancing up at me time to time as we hiked among the trees and brush.

“Shane, I would like to sit down with you at some point soon, and begin to document everything you are willing to share with me about your own life and world. You must understand that you are the first alien species we have ever met... well, on this world, anyways.”

I glanced down at her and gave a nod. “Perhaps we can set up a regular thing, an hour or two every week, or perhaps as often as every few days. Once I get settled in some place, that is. Anyone—sorry, anypony—can join, like a question-and-answer session.”

Her smile lit up bright her face. “That would be perfect! Oh, and I can write it all down and record it! I might even be able to publish a book about it! I can see it all now, hardback versions in every library across the world!”

I chuckled and shook my head as she rambled on and on about it. I heard Applejack say from behind me. “That's our Twilight.”