''Can we get our ball back, sir?''

From the direction of the park and from between the houses, came running out a trio of young little pony girls, all of them being different from each other. A normal pony with yellow coat, crimson mane and tail, with a ribbon on her head. A pegasus with brown coat, purple mane and tail. And a white unicorn with multicolored mane and tail.

They were running next to each other, racing towards where the ball bounced. Their laughter died out after realizing whose hand was on their toy...

''Girls, come back here!'' A female voice, then the source of it caught my attention. Snow-white unicorn, well made hairstyle/manestyle, deep-blue - nearly purple from her mane color - eyes with eyelashes. A well decorated hat was what she was wearing. Appearance: Ladylike...

Her look of worry further expanded, when she laid her sparkling eyes upon me. Her breath got stuck inside her and not daring to move, she waited for my move, just like the other ponies around me...

I crouched down and rolled the ball back to them, making sure to not hit them, and to not force them to come closer to the 'monster' of the town. ''Stay safe, young ones.'' I told them and resumed walking, past the dumbfounded trio and glancing at the white unicorn, who now wore a thankful smile, I nodded at her.

''Thank you stranger!'' And they were already kicking the ball away, which elected a sharp gasp from the elegant female.

''Sweetie Belle! Apple Bloom! Scootaloo! Come back here!'' She tried getting their attention with forced back shouts... just like every noble lady...

If she succeeded or not, I did not know, for I was already out of earshot. Then again, I ignored the expressions of the ponies, getting tired of seeing the same thing. Dumbfounded expressions, gawking, wide eyes, frozen in place and the rest. Like they were working by the same mind, their reactions were the exact and same, if not different for a certain level...

''I don't understand you.'' Surprisingly, Twilight Sparkle was still following me, stubborn to be in my company. ''First you're rude, then you just change to friendly. What is wrong with you?''

''I have many things to do, Twilight Sparkle, too many things. And in order to get them done in time, I need time. I cannot be bothered for being rude to the children.'' I told her, putting away my map and sighing once.

''Then you're just rude with mares and stallions?'' Ah, the grown up male and female names amongst the equines. How could I forget? Anyhow, I expected more from her than that...

''No, I'm just not open like others. And I'm not one to cause misery to the innocent... something you ponies cannot realize as of right now. A ball just happened to bounce in my way, it means nothing and speaks nothing of my personality. Everyone-... everypony would have given that toy back to the young ones, no matter what they had done in the past. So do not feel offended when I say... your confusion is all because of a foolish misunderstanding. And the word foolish does not fit you well, Celestia's student...''

''Alright... alright...'' She took in a deep breath, collecting her thoughts. ''You're right, this WAS foolish. I just can't understand this whole thing with you and lying to us. It wasn't nice of you, you know?'' Now that is what I expected from Celestia's personal student...

''If only you could know why I did it... then you would understand why I feel no shame in doing it...'' I replied to her, definitely picking up her interest. And what I had recalled from that memory of mine... it started to erupt out from me...

''Why did you do it, then?'' And that was it for me...

The words of Thelestial were echoing through my head, ever since that flashback. I had to ease up and take things a little more easily. It was just a reason, nothing I couldn't share. I could leave her with this knowledge and maybe, she will figure it out on her own, what NOT to do with this knowledge. A more open approach, just with this pony! I could allow that to myself and she was Celestia's student! And given how she had reacted when she found out about my reputation with Celestia, she will think twice before trying to ruin my status... more like further ruining it...

I sighed, still feeling like I was about to self-pity myself. ''Many times where I came from, the following happened to me, every time I shared information with someone. Let it be my name or anything else, they've taken advantage of it and used it against me. The misery they brought to me, the harsh moments thrown right at me... I don't need that in here, if you excuse me.'' I really wanted to just shut up and tend to this problem like I did back then. I wanted to leave her like that and help her forget about me.

But Thelestial... my once mentor's words were like a law to me for some reason. And what confused me more, was how hard it hit me. Right there, when I was not distracted by a threat! The answers to her questions nagged me to be let out, yet I forced them back. Technically, I was fighting with Thelestial from the past. Like he was there, punishing me at last, for not taking his advices into count, after his passing...

''W-why would they do such a thing? And how could they do it by knowing your name?'' I did not look down, but I could certainly feel the aghast expression she was directing at me.

''For entertainment, to get something they don't have, to see me fail in something or because they were bored and knew nothing more interesting, but choosing to ruin the life of a soul. Where I came from, is a place you can't imagine living in without these and I cannot even start describing it for you. It would take too much time for me and I don't feel like wasting anymore of it... nor you could understand these things. So let's just say... if you are there, you are a target to these things and SOMEHOW, they're gonna use it against you.''

''By just telling your name?'' She questioned, now sounding rather taken aback.

''By just telling my name...'' I confirmed her question.

''And what happened to those who hurt you like that?'' She asked for it...

''You don't want to know...''

She fell silent for a while, trying to imagine what could those worthless soul have done to me, to build up such a passive wall around me. That, and she was probably trying to figure out what could I have done to those, who dared to ruin my life.

I found no reason to tell her anymore, so I too fell in silence, thinking over my answer. I did went through it in my mind, but a last checking was still useful to do. And after I had played down our conversation, I found no flaw in my speech. I shared her enough to make her think, for educational reasons. I sounded honest, yet remained strong, not looking like a pathetic self-pitying teenager. And in the end, I managed to eased up, if not completely, then slightly, just like Thelestial told me... more like how he predicted, but now that he wasn't there to see my present self... how much I changed from the pure teenager, into the cold and nearly balanced man...

It was a start, fair enough for me to not ignore my mentor's words and to remain mysterious. She got the point, I was strict in her eyes, while I was actually brutally equitable in my own philosophy. The third-aspect, which I had used to analyze our situation, it told me that I was playing a dangerous game right there. The middle way was in action, but one, that could easily turn to the right or the wrong way...

''But you don't have to worry about this, in here. The ponies are not mean like those... meanies back where you lived, wherever it is. And until you not share any way how to hurt you with your name, I won't do it. And anyways, why would I do that? It's wrong...'' She reassured me, which I was glad for, yet I had to keep my third-aspect and not let my emotions and feelings about her to decide on my answer. Equality, that is what I had to remember, strictly keep up and use...

''Believe me, Twilight Sparkle. Your life would be ruined faster than you can start ruining mine, if you would try to do anything wrong with this knowledge. With that said, I think I don't have to remind you about the importance of this secret. Do not feel offended, I am talking to you just as equally like I did with anyone else. I hold no grudge against you, no matter what you had done... tried to done. That misunderstanding was just as my fault as yours, so we're equal. Furthermore, those who disrespect me or try to bring misery upon me... only they suffer consequences, when I unleash my wrath upon them. In short: Stay on my good side and you'll be fine and receive the same amount of respect from me, like I receive it from you.'' Brutal honesty, was what I was using and it should not be mistaken to threatening...

I looked down at her and I found her blinking at me with wide eyes. ''O-okay. You don't have to worry about it that much. You have my word, I won't disrespect you.'' Thankfully, she regained herself from the shock and to my delight, she started smiling. ''Thank you for trusting in me.''

And it was time to remain silent, before I say something that I will regret. I did not want to get into an argument about why I can't just trust in her or feel terrible, when she finds out I lied again. I just left her without no reaction, that was the only solution I could think of at that moment.

''By the way, the unicorn with the three fillies was Rarity. You know, the Element of Generosity.'' And now I just had to recall how the male child was called amongst the equines and I should be fine. ''She... actually reacted pretty well when she saw you. Believe me, she could be a real drama queen.'' It wasn't new for me. Those women on Earth tended to be overdramatic all the time, with all of their money, clothes and jewelry...

''Hmm, I could only hope I'll be accepted sooner than I expect. I won't be about to cause trouble and instead, be helpful for the town. If what you said is true and they are not 'mean', then I'm telling you, that group of ponies better be just curious or I won't be tolerant towards aggressive approach from their part.'' The unicorn was about to look back, but I quickly stopped her. ''Stop. No. Let them think I haven't noticed their attention. I don't want to share this information with them...''

I glanced down at her and saw her realizing just a portion of what I was talking about in my explanation... at least I hoped so. The only think I needed is her, freaking out...

At last, we arrived at the house, which Celestia chose me to live in. The building, that the Mayor marked on my map. The residence, which I will call home for the time being in Equestria.

It looked like Celestia had mercy on me and gave into my antisocial self, seeing no point in putting me into a discomfort by arranging me a house so close to the other citizens. The house was standing alone, far away from any other houses. The two neighbours from both sides of my house were a good twenty meters far away, and the houses on the opposite side of the road were far away as well. Perfect for me to spend my time in it in peace and quiet, thanks to Celestia... or she thought I was the loud one? I did arrived in Equestria with a big bang...

The house itself reminded me of the medieval eras, when the houses upper side were the ones that got expanded, while the bottom remained small. Although, this house's expanded top wasn't immensely big, compared to the bottom, it did remind me about Humanity's past...

The front door was on the right side of the house, to it's left, a large window, probably for the livingroom. And that was pretty much it for the lower part of the house.

The upper part had a balcony on the right side, one of its edge just above the entrance door. A bit to the left and above the grand window from the bottom part of the house, there were several other windows to illuminate the other rooms, which I yet had to check out and unlock.

Pale walls; brown, wooden beams and window frames; clean windows; steep roof made from tile. Simple, yet big and prominent.

''The time has came to say goodbyes, Twilight Sparkle.'' I stopped before the entrance door to the house... MY house! It was an amazing sensation to think of it in that way...

''I wish you success in your studies and stay safe.'' I planted one knee on the ground and extended my hand for a handshake... hoofshake?

She looked at it and her smile became larger. ''Thank you, Adam.'' She extended her own hoof, allowing me to grasp it. Her eyes wandered down to our touching limbs in wonder and pleased surprise. It was probably a new sensation for her, to experience Humanoid fingers around her hoof. Skin covered for that matter and not furry or scaly...

I suddenly felt the urge to pull her to myself and hug her, saying 'thank you' for letting me hear my name from a stranger's mouth. There are only eleven souls, who know my name and only nine of them know my family's name. Not including Celestia and Twilight Sparkle... I preferred to keep it that way...

However, I forced it back down, thinking over how she would misunderstand my sudden move. It would have raised more questions for her and I was too damn sure that she had thousands of it already... and I haven't mentioned that she would have thought I trusted in her completely, further leading into misunderstandings and later she would realize, that I played with her cruelly. I wanted none of it. Nor her attention, nor her sorrow...

I sighed. ''I would highly appreciate, if you keep my name to yourself. You cannot forget it now, it is impossible to, after how much big of a deal you made of it. The only thing I ask from you, is to leave my personal informations to be shared on my own. I rather tell my name by myself when the time comes... and that time may never come...''

''I promise I won't do it, but you will need to tell the others one day.'' Her eyes left my hand and looking at me somewhere between serious and pleading, she waited.

But it wasn't working for me. The ice in me was impenetrable and looks cannot hurt me enough to unseal this ice. ''I can't promise anything. I will see if I give in one day...''

I stood up and inserted the main key into the entrance door's lock, twisting and opening it. Twilight Sparkle's next question made me stop and look back to her...

''Will I meet with you again?''

I turned around to look at her saddened form. It wasn't the question, but the tone of her voice... it highly reminded me about a soul from my past. But having experience with these sudden flashbacks taught me to not dwell on them all the time. Mentally shaking my head, I ignored her troubled expression and answered with the same coldness...

''My time is short, Element of Magic. The upmost importance of the things I'll have to do in Equestria, are too important. You can't expect me to waste my time on stopping and just talking. The emphasis is on the actions and not on the words. To put it lightly... I can't promise anything...''

I stepped inside the house and under the process of closing the door, I avoided looking at the unicorn, who was putting the pieces together with troubled expression. To my luck, I managed to talk myself out from this ably and not ending up crushing the hopes of Celestia's student. She had so many questions and I don't know about you, but meeting with an alien is one thing. Talking with it is something beyond interesting.

And what was interesting for a mage, is something they would do anything to just see...

Also, behind the unicorn and on the other side of the street, I spotted that group of ponies. Their faces were priceless, given how shocked they were to see me having a house in town. They didn't expect the 'monster' to live here, ehhehhehe. Alright, I actually started to have second thoughts about their intentions. I was leaning to curiosity now, instead of violence. They were just interested in the source of the panic and they pretty much just wanted to find out what the fuck was I still doing in the town, forgive the vulgar word...

Another prediction of mine, was that they were looking after the town. They were the males, the ones, who need to protect the females, their homes and putting up a fight for the safety of their children. And given that I was the biggest attraction in town, they watching me for the sake of the town was an understatement...

Hopefully, they will realize that I wasn't about to destroy the town, leveling every building just for entertainment. For both reasons, since I still kept my previous prediction in mind. One, if they realize I mean no harm for them, then they stop following me to find out the reasons of my stay. And two, if the stop following, then that means they trust in me and won't think about resorting to violence...

I turned around in front of the door, taking a look at the house from inside... my house... sorry, I'll be saying this many more times. You have to understand that always moving from location to location and finally having a whole house to yourself, is a fantastic experience. I could start leading a household on my own! Everything I bring home, everything I add to the house... all by me and it is my responsibility. No one else to make my daily routines, but Dhuradhan and me. On my own, finally!

As I thought, the living room area was on the left side of the house, to the right of me. Two green couches, one placed before the grand window and one against the wall, in a ninety degree position to the other couch. A coffee table before them and the fireplace was in the corner, where the two couches met with their corners.

The dining area was between the living room area and the kitchen. A dining table, along with four chairs for it... like I was about to invite people... ponies...

The kitchen was on the other side of the room, a bar counter separating it from the dining area. To my biggest surprise, there was a fridge, cooker, microwave and not some old styled cupboards. I had no idea how they used electricity for those, with the lack of wirings around the town.

Though... I had a prediction... two actually, but one of them seemed more logical for me. And if that prediction was true, then that meant these equines figured out electricity gathering's most material saving method... something, that the Mortals still cannot figure out. And here were these ponies, already using that method...

If my prediction will be proven true, THEN I can say that the ponies are much more advanced in technology, than the Mortals on Earth...

To my left, the wall ran all the way to the the end of the room, only breaking up for a narrow path for the stairs. The floor was a normal wooden and the walls white, simple as that. No decorations yet, not like I was about to start planting decoration plants or putting paintings on the walls. While it would have been more homey, I simply found no use of it. I may finally had a house, but I knew that I will leave it one day and I took a mental note to myself, that I will only buy what I need. That included food, clothes and a few more useful supplies, nothing more...

When I walked up to the the orange curtains for the grand window in the living room, I came across another surprising thing... a light switch on the wall... will Equestria turns out to be superb, compared to Earth? Likely...

I pulled away the curtains, breaking the sunlight from outside and covering the room in some darkness. I needed no pony to peek inside my house and watch me what I was doing. Though I didn't see that group of ponies, I wanted some privacy at last... just a few more things and I will be able to chill out...

I climbed up the stairs and found the bedroom to my left. Checking the other room on the right, I was pleasantly surprised to see a modern bathroom, with a large bathtub by the window. The room was white and they probably cleaned it before I arrived here, given how I was able to see my blurry reflection on the white tile floor.

And finally, I took a quick look at the bedroom, which had a big bed for my pleasure. Nightstand by the bed and another one on the right. Chest of drawers; wardrobe; desk and shelves and a bookcase, empty of course.

It was time to get to that place of the house, which interested me the most. The balcony and it was large enough to contain a group of people... in that case, a group of ponies...

I stepped through the glass door, took a seat behind that small table, getting quite comfortable on that chair - which was a big surprise, since I expected these equine sized furniture to be a pain to use - and slid down the small backpack from under my hoodie. Tugging lose the straps from my light armor, I released it from its place, putting it onto the table. It was a really small one, useful to contain tiny objects like my phone, binoculars, watch, domestic lighter, zippo lighter, storm lighter and many more little surviving or handy gadgets and objects... including the most needed thing at that moment... my cigarettes...

Pulling out a portable ashtray, sliding it open and placing it down on the table, I lit up my cigarette, thinking over everything I had done so far...

This 'argument' with Twilight Sparkle was still fresh in my memory, so I recalled it first...

I tried doing what Thelestial told me back then, but no matter how much I want to lean back and just don't be passive with souls... I just couldn't. I got used to behaving like that and as you could tell, I could act hard enough to make myself believe that I was actually feeling what I am acting. It's a personal preference and the non-personal, tactical advantage of this acting, is that I won't get into trouble. So again, I couldn't help it, but to do this. I was gentle with her, gave her a proper reason and left it like that. I was perfectly fine with what I had done. I had my own rights to stay silent, just like she had all of it to be curious and feel offended. Not a pleasant situation, but it was either me or her... yet I chose the middle way.

It is a completely other topic, if that middle way was both good or wrong for us. No matter which one it was, we were equal in the end...

And just to punctuate it for the hundredth of time... I. Had. Important. Things. To. Do... That was more than enough to get away from the blame...

She will get over her disappointment, it's not like she wanted something else. I saw no sadness on her features, only a frown, while she was deep in her thoughts. And actually... why would she want anything from me? From me?! From the one who scared her several times now? I may or may not did that on purpose, but thinking it over and feeling a rush of deja vu... I went with the first one...

Back on Earth, when one of those bitchy teenager girls tried to get to know me, I showed her how much I wasn't a fun to hang out with. And I did the same with every other female and showed the males a side of mine, which wasn't interesting for them. So yeah, I handled myself perfectly at not letting anyone to get close to me...

And with Twilight Sparkle, it was even more easier to scare her away, given how I wasn't the same specie as her... and an unknown specie for that matter....

Well, things were looking good, so far. No major screw ups and my actions only scared the town once... and that occasion was a misunderstanding, so it did not count into my mistakes. I may be over-thinking all of this and could easily let go of myself, with all of this hiding and distrust... but first things first, I had plans. After that, I was in a new world, where I could build up my reputation as I would like it. No past events to change the opinions of the citizens about me, only my actions in the present and future...

And I was planning on making the flawless first impression and opinions about me...

For the shortest moment, I wondered how will I visit Celestia. Thinking of it, it promoted me to remember her saying things about making friends and such... two of my previous plans changed from my part at that moment...

First, making friends from the citizens? Unlikely, if you ask me. And no, I'm not planning on doing that in the future, neither. I had my house, I had my cigarette to clear my mind and after all the hectic events, I could finally think this over. When I thought about this before, I was busy doing something completely else and the thought was just bugging me the whole time... the reason why I decided upon actually making friends so suddenly...

But now I know, that I will NOT become friends with any of these equines. I held no grudge against them, but seriously... what is the point? I'll leave them in the future and will probably visit ONLY Celestia and not this overreacting town...

Twilight Sparkle made no difference for me, so I safely declared that I will not do ANYTHING to make friends. If they want to ask something, I will give them enough information, nothing more. They could try getting closer to me, but my permanently created wall of passivity won't allow them to get into my circles.

And that place only belongs to my loved ones, not to 'friends' and to equines, that I will never see again...

Anyways, when they ask something, I'll answer neutrally... and JUST MAYBE try to make my response to lean to the friend side, just to make enough for Celestia's request... or my 'got-used-to' mood will make me forget to do that. Either way, I won't move a finger to make friends...

Hehh... making friends? I didn't even know how the fuck should I do that! Like I know how to start a friendly conversation, without giving the impression of a pushful freak. It's creepy to walk up to one of the scared ponies, starting to just talk about something. Celestia gave me a start, yes, but these ponies didn't seem to help me much or planned on giving me start, as well... or I was still socially retarded... nevermind, I cared less about it anyways...

I mean, why should I try to be friends with them, by just deciding it? I thought friendship comes from life, not by forcing myself onto the other one... I thought, becoming friends with one of the neighbours will happen like this: We say hello, live next to each other, eventually ask each other about stuff or for help, say hello in an even more friendly way, then in the end, we eventually become friends. A time consuming process, but one that I find the most appropriate and logical. It just happens... like love... right?

I finished my cigarette and in my now clearly flowing thoughts, I needed another. Black DunHill was a great help at figuring out this topic. Talking about friendship in my mind? Much easier than having company beside me, me and me...

With all of this plan changing and realizations... I got stuck on a point...

What if I was just saying and not believing in the promise for Celestia? My promise to become her friend and actually accepting it. I had received advice, encouragement to willingly become her friend... yet now thinking about it... why should I bother reaching an unproductive relationship, while I have essential plans for the future. Isn't it enough to help out each other and stay on each other's good side? And these ponies, too... why bother making friends, when simply staying good in their eyes is enough? I'll leave this place one day and my time is short. I can't go around, crafting connections with the inhabitants, only to cut them away from me...

In the end, my respect towards Celestia and great gratitude for her caused me the final outcome of my thinking...

''Equines, no. Celestia, I'll see where time takes us.''

My mind stopped going with the speed of light and I only listened to the clip-clopping sound of the ponies below me on the street. Just hearing them, doing their daily things and from time to time, glancing up at me. After a while, they got used to me, just like I got used to them, being there.

It felt... natural...

The road makes you happy, not the destination. So with that in thought, I did my best to change back to optimistic and I decided to look for the good in this town and not for the bad, like I usually do with things...

I shouldn't have let myself to get carried away that much. Nevertheless, I knew how to approach the following days' trials with this new culture. And for Thelestial's sake, it was just some useless relationship type! I only considered it, because I was told to try it at least. Well, I tried THINKING about it, but doing it action... that was something, which I will wait with. As I said, Celestia gave me a start, but these ponies didn't. When they will give me a PROPER start, then I will see if I want to try this friend thing...

But who knows... time could change the mind...