'This is a lot more than I expected I'd get,' I mused as I flipped through the pages of the massive book that had been attached to my hip. It admittedly took a bit of finagling to figure out how to unlatch it, but thankfully I got it. Currently I was propped up against the tree I'd woken up near, trying to ignore the gazes around me as I read through the tome I'd been given.

From what the table of contents showed, this book has all the biblical, mythological, scientific, and historical knowledge of humanity. Though when I flipped to the last page of the table of contents, I found a section that seemed wholly committed to describing the technologies that humanity had only dreamed about having. Or at least, that it had dreamed about having before I was dropped here.

I would definitely be reading more from this book in the future.

Closing it for now, as I was overwhelmed enough, I went through the rest of what I had. First was the Greatsword. It looked just like it did in Dark Souls 2, made of and seemingly chiseled from luminescent blue crystal - and somehow not in a knapped fashion, meaning it actually had a solid and not serrated bladed edge that most carved blades had - and after some inspection, it seemed to be real. Whether it was the Bluemoon or true Moonlight Greatsword, though, I wasn't sure. I had trouble telling the two apart even in game, and it was worse in reality. My katana, though, was arguably much more ornate and likely more storied than the greatsword.

For one, the blade had the same texture as Dragonbone from Skyrim, with the edge seemingly made from ice. I wanted to say it was Stalhrim, but decided to leave that actual idea up for when I had this thing inspected by an actual smith. The handguard was arguably the most alluring thing about it, though. Why? Because it looked like it was made out of a ring of teeth. Not human or pony, but some kind of carnivore. Wasn't sure what kind, mainly because I don't know shit about animal bones, I only knew they were certainly carnivorous. The handle though was thankfully simpler, being made of what looked like wrapped feathers. Golden ones, at that. So, simple, but still fancy.

Honestly, it didn't feel right to me to own something so grandiose. It felt like it should go to someone more worthy, but...whenever I thought that, I immediately felt like it was still mine, and mine alone.

Another thing I was going to have to think about.

The other items on my person were at least more familiar. And...more personal. One was a necklace of black tourmaline in the shape of a crescent, which I was glad was still around my neck like it had been for some time. The last ones were the Victorian-style pocket watch I'd gotten from a con years before, my old MP3, and a music box. The music box I found after rifling through what was in my pouches. Because, apparently, I had pouches. Like I was about to go on an actual adventure.

Anyway, the music box was...special, to say the least. One I'd gotten from my sister, on my birthday. One that played a favorite melody of mine - the Song of Storms.

I won't be losing any of these. That much I was going to make sure of.

They were all I had left of home, after all.

"A home I've left. Technically willingly, at that," I muttered. I'd always dreamed of coming here, to Equestria. But...now, the reality had really hit home. I had no support here. No one who knew me. Yeah, I had more and greater opportunities here, but...was that really the case? Part of me argued that I could have made just as big a difference back on Earth if I'd only tried, but...now, that chance was gone. Even if I did make it back home, there would be no guarantee it would be the same.

Or that I would.

Sadly, or maybe thankfully, before I could get too much deeper into thoughts about home, I heard figures approaching. Putting my music box away, I looked up to find the Elements not far from me. Maybe they'd all been teaching classes today? That was the only idea I could come up with for how they assembled so quickly.

Nonetheless, most of them seemed surprised to see me as I stood up, towering over them by...Wow, I really was taller. It looked like I'd grown a good few feet, though I could be wrong. Either way, they were all the same height as a German Shepherd, at least.

"So, this is the guy you were talking about, Star?" Rainbow asked, rainbow mane set up in the same way Spitfire's was in the show.

Starlight nodded. "Yup. This is..." Starlight stopped short, hoof hanging in the air, then blinked. "Oh, wow. Just realized I never asked your name, big guy."

I gave a small smile, trying to hide the sadness behind my usual mask. "Just call me Hamin."

"Well, it's nice ta meet ya, Hamin," Applejack greeted, tipping her Stetson up and offering a hoof. "Put 'er there!"

Hesitantly, I knelt down and grabbed her hoof, shaking it...and breathed a sigh of relief when she didn't shake back so hard that my arm would pop out of its socket. Small victories, I guess. After letting go and standing back up, I regained my smile.

"Good to meet you too. Good to meet all of you, really," I said genially, before pausing as I finally noticed that all the kids were gone. "Where'd the kids go?" I asked, looking around the courtyard.

"Considering you came along out of nowhere, and the fact that this is pretty urgent, we canceled school for today," Starlight explained.

"Unfortunately, yes," Rarity sighed, deflating a bit. "And I was so looking forward to showing my students how making quilts together can be such a good bonding experience..."

"We were all kinda just sleeping," Pinkie admitted.

I opened my mouth to say something, then immediately thought better of it. It was Pinkie, after all.

The others seemed to agree, as they all sighed.

"What? Sleeping can be a bonding experience too!" Pinkie argued.

"Let's just get going to Canterlot. Hamin, mind getting a bit closer? I'm going to teleport us," Starlight said, horn lighting up.

I winced. "Well, never been teleported before, but sure, let's cross that off my list." Hopefully it doesn't make me feel nauseous like so much media says. Stepping closer, and even kneeling down a bit to their level, we all grouped up, Starlight's horn glowed to a blinding degree, and then, there was a deafening silence. It was like all air and matter had been sucked out of where we were, because I swear I felt like I just had all the air in my lungs disappear and constrict at the same time. My vision didn't swim, but just seemed to...halt, or stop, for a strangely long yet short amount of time. Then, it all came rushing back.

Now, I didn't feel nausea, thankfully, but MAN did my vision swim, and MAN was I out of breath. I practically collapsed on the floor, taking in heaving breathes and coughing like something had gotten stuck in my throat.

"Sorry about that, I forget that some ponies, er, creatures, tend to have that reaction when they first teleport," Starlight apologized, laughing nervously.

I didn't respond for a moment, still trying to get my breath back, but when I did, I let out a final breath, if a bit shaky, whilst I stumbled to get back to my feet. "I-It's fine, just... Warn me next time...or better yet, d-don't teleport me at all."

A familiar voice giggled, bringing my attention to the throne ahead of me, and the large purple alicorn on it, a robust purple drake standing next to her.

"Well, that's certainly a different brand of humor than I'm used to," Twilight said, a smile on her lips. "I take it you are this human that Starlight told me about?" She asked.

I swiftly bowed, even though I was still a bit shaky and nearly fell on my face. "That would be correct, Your Highness. Hamin. I...don't recall my full name, I'm afraid, so if it pleases you, just call me Hamin."

All present giggled or laughed, making my cheeks heat up. I remained bowing, however.

"Well, yer certainly more formal than ya were with us," Applejack noted, probably smirking as she held back more giggles.

"I almost feel slighted," Rarity said, probably smirking too.

"Heck, if I had recruits bowing to me like you, dude, I'd be way over 20% cooler," Rainbow said, snickering.

As they all calmed down, and my cheeks continued to burn, Twilight spoke, "You don't have to be so formal, Hamin. I might appreciate it, but I appreciate familiarity more."

I blinked, more heat coursing through to my cheeks as I looked up finally. "I...don't understand. Why would you want to be so familiar with a stranger?"

Twilight only smiled as the rest laughed. But...it didn't feel malicious. "Because strangers are just friends you haven't met yet."

My eyes widened. That was something I always liked to think of. People would always say it and I'd agree, but...whenever it came to be used on me, I...

I shook my head forcefully, then managed a smile. "Thank you." I shifted on my feet. "So... Aren't you guys going to ask my intentions, or something?"

Twilight laughed this time. "Hamin, by this point we've all learned to tell when somecreature is hiding something." She lightly tapped a golden shod hoof to her horn. "Masked casting helps with that."

My eyes widened. "You...used a mind reading spell?" I shook my head. "That's...all kinds of messed up. I didn't even feel it!" I took a step back, shaking slightly. What had she heard? What had she seen?

Twilight's smile changed. I could tell. Everyone else's had too. "I'm sorry, Hamin. I really am. But, you must understand, we've had to resort to a lot of different means to keep the peace." She sighed, looking out of the stained glass windows I only just now noticed.

Much as I wanted to admire them, I was too caught up with the fear and revulsion of having my mind read.

"That's...that's still too far," I said shakily.

"It is," Twilight surprisingly agreed. I thought she'd disagree, but...

I shook my head again. "Just what kind of political hellscape have you all lived through?" I breathed, looking around.

Twilight sighed again. "Again, I'm sorry, Hamin. The reason you had to be brought to me is simply because Starlight, while she may be a very powerful unicorn, doesn't have the full experience to be able to do masked casting. Yes, we do also have to introduce you to the World Council, chiefly we had to make sure you didn't have any ill will." She frowned, eyes hardening. "The only concern I have is that I could only read certain thoughts. You have high level wards in place, so, while I do trust you a bit better now, and I believe you won't harm us..."

"You want to be certain, yes?" Rarity supplied.

Twilight nodded. "Yes."

I clenched my fists. "...Just... Can we just get this over with, then?" At their slightly widened eyes, I raised a hand. "I'm sorry, but...having my privacy broken, and the shock of being in a new world...I need time to myself."

I could feel and see their gazes shift as they looked at me. I hated it. I hated making others worry about me. Hated them worrying about me in general. But I needed time. I knew I did.

Spike spoke up. "I'll show you to a room, then. We can all talk again tomorrow."

I sighed in relief. "Thank you." With that, the older drake and I left the room. I didn't want to see their worried faces.

They all felt too fake.

Next Chapter: 4th Meditation (NEW: EDITED...again) Estimated time remaining: 46 Minutes