Finally, I'm resting on my bed after satisfying Night Breeze. She was definitely pleased by my, uh, abilities. I hope that the anti-pregnancy spell I used actually worked that time (or multiple times, come to think of it. Does it work per ejaculation?), otherwise there's no chance I won't be a father. As I previously mentioned, I'm not ready to be one for at least a few years, possibly more.

Anyway, I'm thinking about different things that have happened to me recently and not so recently. I breathed lightly as I lay, the sun shining through the window, illuminating the surroundings and casting its light on me. To my side, Moonshine lay, sleeping peacefully, her eyes closed and a small smile on her face. As it turned out, both of us needed rest.

My life has turned to a direction I've never expected it to. I mean, getting into new world, having a new body, discovering a vastly different culture, and then finding a love interest that is twice as young as me is... interesting to say the least. I don't really know how I feel about all of this. I mean, I do know how I feel, but... While I accepted ponies as, uh, my new... specie, I can't begin to describe how weird it is to experience something like this. I can describe my own experience but...

...

Let's stop here, it becomes too confusing for me.

Anyway, I think many people would've done differently. I don't really have a way of knowing it for sure, though. I can only speak for myself, after all. I have no idea if there are more humans around, living their own lives and looking like native ponies. There could possibly be hundreds if not thousands of humans living in Equestria and possibly other countries. There aren't just ponies, after all. Griffons, minotaurs... Some other intelligent species I missed. Oh, horses!

Yes, they do have horses. I remember seeing pictures of horses, and I can say they have more in common with what we have on Earth. And those horses live in... Saudi Arabia? Wait, there's a horse pun to it... Saddle Arabia or something.

I have no idea how such names came to exist.

...

Yeah.

Also, I've never thought I'd love someone who's way younger than me. Even in pony years, um, in pony culture, this is... questionable. It would be completely illegal in human world. In its more civilized parts, at least. I don't know if what I do is alright. I became a child again, true. But my consciousness is way older than my body. Or is it? I think I became like a child but also retained some of my maturity.

If I only knew how that body transformation worked and what was done to my brain to make me accept things others would consider questionable at best. Questioning myself isn't something I usually do but I feel the need to do it. It's not really a need, actually...

Anyway, I've already accepted everything but... my mind returns to it time and time again. That's how my mind works — I tend to trail off from different stuff and think about, uh, distant and strange things.

I can't help but think that I am no longer welcome on Earth. I don't really want to return, but what would my family think of me if I'm suddenly back? What would my friends think? Would they understand my situation? People tend to assume and not investigate the situation to see what it truly is, after all. Even I am guilty of it, though I try to act reasonably and logically.

I... I don't know why I'm thinking about this all of sudden. Maybe I'm being homesick? Maybe because I've still not done what I promised myself to do — bring metal to Equestria? I got what I wanted — a good relationship, but that's not all there is to life. I still want to play songs, to entertain thousands upon thousands of different people, let them enjoy music that I'm enjoying. It would be very nice to meet ponies, probably griffons and other intelligent beings that share my tastes.

I got up from the bed and walked to the window. I opened it and inhaled the fresh air, the sounds from the streets filling into the room. I watched as ponies passed by on the streets, chatted with each-other or worked.

Equestria is very strange. Would it be able to coexist with humans peacefully? I can see how many people wouldn't like this place. Politics, resources, economy, all that stuff aside, there are more things to talk about. The culture is different, and people often can't accept even each-others' opinions. Some people can't accept that, for example, someone doesn't like soups. That's ridiculous, right? I know I can't accept opinions on religion and other stuff, that's true. I'm definitely not perfect myself of course but I see some things.

Sometimes, people have way too much freedom. I guess I think like that because of my distant German and Russian roots. Possibly British, too. I've not looked into my family's history in a long time, but I'm pretty sure I come from at least one country that used to be very oppressive towards its citizens. Isn't that interesting, huh?

There are cultures that are, well, disturbing. Would Equestrian culture count as disturbing? Well, some things from here were okay in Medieval times and early Renaissance as far as my history lessons go, but those times aren't as well perceived nowadays, and frankly, I'm glad they aren't. A lot of messed up crap had happened during those times.

Anyway... Equestrian culture is something to get used to, definitely. If I stayed a human and with humans, I would probably never accept ponies. After all, people tend to stick with those they know and they don't accept those too different from them. Look at all those ghettos and chinatowns, those are the definition of sticking with what you know.

I think I shouldn't let negative things affect me. My life has become much better than it used to be, and letting past go is very important in order to embrace a brighter future. I should do just that.

Alright...

I sighed as I leaned on the windowsill. I need to ease my mind.

Music. I still haven't done it. I've been focusing on different things, and most of them concerned my relationships and thoughts. It's time to return to something that I like just as much as sex and whatnot.

I've always dreamt of becoming a musician. While I was and still am shy, I often imagined crowds of people listening to the songs I play, banging their heads to them. They would try to sing the lyrics only to be very off-key and have no rhythm, but it would be alright. It would mean that they love the songs even without the ability to play or sing them.

I dreamed to inspire people to create music, be it metal or otherwise. However, I can't perform on stage while everyone's looking at me. I can sometimes play in front of a few dozen people and even sing while doing so but that's it. I think I did it once in Ponyville. If my memory doesn't fail me, that is.

Anyway, all I need is a mask and I can play whatever in front of anyone. When people don't see your face, it's easier to do things you wouldn't do otherwise. Internet is a large proof of that.

Maybe that's why I chose Ghost to represent metal in Equestria. They wear masks, no one really knows who any of them are. There are unconfirmed speculations and guesses since there were a few people who were invited backstage to see the Ghost members without masks on.

I don't really want to know who they are. Mystery has its charm, after all.

Aaaand that's how my mind easily went from my life to music. Ain't that something?

I smiled slightly. I'm really weird sometimes, and that's a trait I won't get rid of.

Besides, I'm happy.

After resting for some time and waiting for Moonshine to wake up, I decided to clean the room. There's some dust, and besides... Yeah, Night Breeze forgot to clean the litter box.

Molniya curiously looked at us as we used magic to clean dust. It's a neat spell we use that creates pressure differences, allowing us to sort of vacuum-clean the room without actually using anything but our magic. We collected dust, some crisps, a bit of spilled litter, and then proceeded to dump everything into a plastic bag.

Equestria is weird like that. They have some of modern technology but their capital is medieval-like city. I've never really liked modern architecture that consists mostly of squares. It's practical but not very beautiful. You can paint the walls with colors but it won't change the fact that the building is just a large rectangle.

After the cleaning was done, Moonshine and I went to the bathroom to wash away the dust we managed to catch. Also, I think we'll be having some squeaky fun...

I feel as good as new now. What we did in the bathroom was rather relaxing, and now all the tension in my body is gone. There wasn't much but still, it feels good to have a very nice kind of addictive fun.

It's not like I can't control my urges but I'd rather have sex when I want to than not. I don't think anyone would disagree on that matter unless they're asexual or... whatever kind of people don't like consensual sex.

I know what the two of us haven't done in a while. We haven't really played music together for some time, and I think now it's time to do it. Practice makes perfect, after all.

"Hey, Moony?" I called my fillyfriend.

"Huh?"

"Would you like to play some music?" I asked her, levitating a bass guitar to myself. I need those fat and low tones.

"Yeah, why not?" Moonshine replied, getting behind the synthesizer.

Together, we started to play. I made a simple rhythm while Moonshine improvised a melody. All of it resulted in an atmospheric, ambient-like tune one is likely to hear in a sci-fi game or movie. I don't know how to describe it, really.

Synthesizers can do a lot of things, truth be told. They can be used as a substitute for piano or any other classical keyboard instrument (sometimes even stringed ones) or it can be used to create something completely new. Sounds is a wave, and it can be tweaked in a lot of ways.

I remember handling an analogue synthesizer, and it was a blast. It had a lot of knobs, and the sound could be changed in so many ways I can't even think of right now. Make a sci-fi theme? Easy. Something aggressive for metal? No problem. Scary music for horror? A cakewalk. Really, a synthesizer can do a lot.

While I prefer metal, I don't understand why some people hate electronic music. Sure, it's an easier thing to do sometimes but effort must be put into any kind of music to make it sound good. Give a guitar to someone who has never handled it before, and you'll end up wishing you had no ears. Same with piano, drums... Anything that can be played.

But when there is effort, things become beautiful. Even simple tunes need effort put into them. Work, work, and work. Nothing is ever done without it.

Speaking about work, Moonshine had become a good synthesizer player in a short while. How? She learned and didn't give up. The beginning of pretty much anything can be frustrating. You just need to continue moving forward until you become good, and that's it. Some people have it easier, sure, but it doesn't mean no one but them can do it. I have some very interesting natural abilities (changing my voice, remembering notes, etc.) to play well, but there were a lot of people who didn't have that natural advantage, and... They are creating bands, thousands of people enjoy them.

It all depends on your will to go forward. While I can't draw or write or, hm... Do other things I don't do already, I am able to learn those things and eventually become good. If I ever want to do that, I will succeed.

The key is — don't give up and manage your expectations. No one was a pro from the very beginning. Frustration, anger, all those things you'll go through will eventually disappear once you figure out what to do and how to do it.

Time and effort is what everything requires.

Author's Notes:

Well, it's time to return to this story's roots. I hope clop wasn't too distracting or frustrating, and I also apologize for having almost no updates for a long time. I had doubts about this story but everything is clear to me now.