Maya patted her brother forward. "Go on," she encouraged, tossing her head at the house ahead of them. "This one feels good." The boy giggled, charging ahead to try his luck with knocking on the door. She was to lead a few eager children along as a favor for her mom. She didn't regret it. Kids were fun to hang out with.

She was even dressed for the role! It was amazing they had the perfect outfit, Posey Bloom, from that show she liked. That pony was usually dour, for good reason. Maya wasn't that, but she understood the feeling, and felt a connection with the animated pony. "If we were in the same world, I'd sit you down and have such a chat..." Oh, that'd be such a great first client. But it hadn't worked that way so far.

She even had a tail to sway with her steps, fake as it was, but it had a ribbon, and it came with a clover necklace. Maya loved it. "So good." She fiddled with it as her brother rushed back to her side with the others, weighed down with some new candy. "Good haul! Onwards!" She pointed the way, corralling them all towards the next house. "Ooo, look at that one."

The kids laughed and cringed in equal abandon at the spooky house she had pointed towards. It was all in good fun.

A pity it had to come to an end. She was frozen in place. No, the entire world was frozen. The only movement were strange runes that glowed and sizzled, forming around her in patterns too complex to even imagine drawing. They ran in a circle around her, then raised, creating a beam that ran over her form. Scanning? Taking a picture? As soon as it ran up and back down, darkness came.

She hit the ground with a loud clop, several of them. She lashed her tail. "What's going on?" she demanded, her voice sounding a bit off. "Where am I?" She didn't see any of the kids, let alone her brother. "This isn't good."

"This isn't good," echoed a voice. Looking up, Maya saw a unicorn looking confused. It was a familiar unicorn. A mare that had shown up a few times. "This was supposed to... Hm..." She looked towards a book, peering at notes. "Spike!"

"Yeah?" A small dragon peeked into the room. "Oh, hey." He was looking at Maya. "Um. You have company? Hi."

"Hi?" ventured Maya, raising a hand... That was not a hand. She had no hands. That was a hoof. She had several of those. She had twitchy ears and an equally eager to swish tail. "What is going on?! Why am I in front of Twilight Sparkle?"

Spike fired a thumbs up. "Great, at least you know who she is. I don't know the specifics, but pretty sure this is an accident. We'll send you home in a moment."

"It's not that easy," sighed out Twilight. "If she was a pony, sure, but she isn't."

Spike rolled a hand at Maya. "Looks like a pony to me."

"She isn't." Twilight stood up and circled to in front of Maya. "Are you?"

Maya blinked, looking down at her hooves again before raising her eyes back to Twilight. "I...I don't know what's going on," she stammered. "Last thing I remember was taking my little brother and his friends trick-or-treating. I was dressed up as Posey Bloom for Halloween."

She gestured awkwardly with her front hooves at the flower-patterned outfit she now wore. It certainly looked like something the dour pony from that show would wear.

"Now I'm here, and you're Twilight Sparkle, and I'm some kind of pony too apparently?" Maya shook her head in disbelief. "This has to be some kind of crazy dream."

Twilight nodded thoughtfully, her horn glowing as she levitated her spell book back over. "It seems my transportation spell must have accidentally pulled you here from another world," she murmured. "But turning you into a pony is unprecedented..."

"Another world?" Maya interjected with alarm. "You mean like the human world? Where the show comes from?" She had so many questions swirling in her head.

Spike stepped forward curiously. "You look like an earth pony to me. But Twilight says you aren't? How does that work?" He cautiously reached out a claw to poke at Maya's shoulder. It certainly felt solid.

"Well in my world, I'm a human...not a pony," Maya explained slowly. She tenatively tried standing up on all fours, wobbling a bit. This would take some getting used to. "Can you really send me back?"

Twilight rolled a hoof at Maya. "She's from another world. Like the mirror, remember that?"

Spike suddenly looked less confused. "Oh, yeah! The mirror. Are you from Canterlot High? We should get her to the mirror so she can go back to normal. Wow, you must be so disoriented right now."

"I am!" Maya stomped a hoof, but immediately began breathing patterns, calming herself. "I am... Sorry... This is a lot, but I can take it. I can take it... So..." She turned to Twilight. "You can send ponies home, but not me. Let me guess. You can teleport me to somewhere in Equestria, but not somewhere on Earth."

Twilight inclined her head. "Basically, yes. Exactly that. You're catching up with this quickly. Now... This is my responsibility." She raised a hoof to her chest. "I won't abandon you. You're not alone."

Maya smiled at that, sinking to her haunches. "That... is actually comforting. Look... I just need to know my brother's alright. I'd be a terrible big sister if I just forgot him. Can you help me make sure he's alright?"

Twilight clopped her hooves together. "Anycreature more worried for their little brother than themselves right now is a creature I want to have as a friend. Now, I have a spell that may help. If you would, keep the image of your brother centered in your mind." She trotted off, looking around for a particular book.

Spike stayed with Maya in the spellcasting room. Similar runes were on the floor Maya stood on, circling her. "So." He was orbiting Maya slowly. "Human, huh? Fingers, arms." He wriggled his own fingers. "Bet you miss those."

Maya cocked a brow at the dragon. "Yes." She raised a hoof and shook it around slowly. "It's like my hand is stuck inside a mitten, forever... I can't say I'm a fan of that." She lashed her tail behind her. "You're showing off, finger-haver."

"Guilty." Spike grinned at Maya, chuckling. "Really though, you okay?"

"Getting used to standing. How about..." She took a step and almost toppled over. But she was trying and pressing despite it. "One step at a time..."

"Nice. I was clumsier when I was a dog. Say, you look... kinda like Fluttershy?"

Maya perked a yellow ear. "Flutter... I know I heard that name before..." But she was too young to really be into G4. Still. "Right, the toy! The, uh, pegasus? I don't know her very well..."

Twilight returned levitating a large mirror, its surface swirling with magical energy.

"This scrying spell should let us peek at your world and see that your brother is okay," Twilight explained. She set the mirror down in front of Maya. "Just focus on him and the image should appear."

Maya stepped forward anxiously, concentrating on her little brother. Suddenly the mist in the mirror cleared, revealing a street at night filled with kids in costumes. Maya gasped as she saw her brother happily walking down the sidewalk, bucket full of candy. Next to him was...herself? The human Maya laughed and smiled, continuing the trick-or-treat route.

"What? But how?" Maya blinked in confusion at the sight before her.

Twilight peered closer. "Fascinating...it seems when I summoned you here, it created some sort of residual echo of you in your own world. Like a temporary magical projection." She tapped at her chin. "Or... this one is the magical projection of that one?" She looked between the two Mayas. "I can't say for sure which is which."

Maya let out a sigh of relief. "So he's okay...and I'm somehow also still with him. This is so strange." She shook her head, missing the existential horror of the situation.

"It confirms the transportation spell is functioning bidirectionally between our worlds," Twilight mused, scribbling notes with her magic quill. "Don't worry, once we return you, your echo will vanish. The connection is still intact."

Maya managed a small smile. "That's reassuring at least. Thank you for showing me he's safe." She paused, thinking. "So then, any idea why or how you summoned me specifically? And if I'm the echo--" She had heard that. "--Sending me back means I vanish... I'm not sure I like that idea..."

Twilight tilted her head apologetically. "I'm afraid I don't know yet. But now that I've seen the bridge between our worlds, I can study it until we find a way!" Her tone was optimistic.

Maya nodded slowly. "Well, one step at a time then..." She glanced down at her hooves. She sure hoped the answer would come soon, but the ponies seemed friendly enough, to her relief. She might have to get to know them a lot better. "Look." She turned to Twilight fully. "Right now, there's two of me. Creepy, but we're in different worlds." She cycled a hoof, balancing awkwardly on the other three. "It hardly counts. Once you get past 'there are other worlds', then there are infinite mes. There are infinite yous. One more isn't hurting anything. The choices you're giving are 'maybe get rid of one of me, and oops, that one may be this one talking right now.'"

She took a slow breath. "So... Better idea. If I can peek in on my brother once in a while, I can see what's going on. If the other me suddenly vanishes, then you send me back." She thrust a hoof at Twilight so hard she toppled over with a thud of hitting the crystal ground. "Ow... Then, only then. Until then... Well..." She cycled a hoof from the ground, in no risk of toppling then.

"Until then, guess it's time to figure out a new life."

Twilight nodded at the life she may have created accidentally. "I am so sorry, for all of this. I can offer you a room, at least." She waved over her castle. "I have plenty of room, and you're welcome to share it with me. We'll get you settled in. I have some great friends who will be so eager to meet you."

Spike chuckled at that. "You're from a human world. Like comics?"

Maya climbed to her hooves. "A little, why?"

Spike clicked his tongue on his teeth. "I have just the thing then. Prepare for a comic bonanza!" He ran off, giggling.

Twilight rolled her eyes at that. "He's not kidding. Let's get you a room to read in." She led the way, taking her time for the slowly moving new pony behind her. "I'm Twilight, by the way." She paused. "And you know that. How do you know that? And what's your name?"

"We'll start with the name." Maya did her best to keep up with Twilight. "I'm Maya. Nice to meet you, Twilight. Where I come from, you're children's media."

Twilight turned an ear back at Maya. "Children's media? Really? Not to... brag, but I go through a lot of genuinely terrifying things. You share that with foals? Your people must be very brave." She willed open a door with her glow. "You can have this room, if you like?"

Maya advanced to see the room. It smelled... of stone, actually. That made sense, as it was made of some kind of crystal. The bed, thankfully, was not. It looked soft and inviting. There were books, there was a desk. There was... a quill? "No pens? Is that for show?"

Twilight inclined her head. "Oh! Right. Those are expensive. Only city ponies make use of them."

Maya laughed nervously. There were things to get used to beyond being put in a pony's body.

She still had to explore that part of things...

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Maya looked intently in the mirror. The pony in it moved as she did. She tried each leg, and it imitated each perfectly. She tried poking the reflection, but it was safely behind the glass. She turned her attention to herself, feeling her face, ruffling her fur and patting herself down.

"Thank God..." She could feel through her hooves. Whatever she pressed them against, she could feel the texture and warmth and everything one would expect placing fingers on something. "Could be worse..." She had imagined hooves just not feeling much. They didn't in real horses, right?

Real was a bit of a tricky concept... Surely she was real? She could feel her pony self, see it, smell it, touch it... It was hard to argue. She was a pony. A yellow pony with a pink mane and tail. She still had those ribbons holding her mane in a pony tail and her tail in... also a pony tail?

She even still had her dangling clover and a basic dress. She was a pony. "I did not sign up for this..."

"I hope you're ready to sign up for this." Spike staggered into the room, burdened with a sizable box of comics that he spilled all over Maya's new bed. "Because I have a big treat for you!"

Maya blinked down at the pile of comics now scattered across the bed. "Oh, uh, thanks Spike," she said, picking up one of the issues with her hoof to examine it closer. The glossy pages and colorful panels showed what looked like pony superheroes battling villains.

"Yeah, I figured with you being from a human world, you must have some cool comics there too!" Spike said enthusiastically. He held up one titled 'Power Ponies.' "This one's my favorite. Maretropolis gets attacked by monsters like this evil mane-iac stylist."

Maya chuckled, settling in on the bed to flip through the comic. She took a moment to amaze that her hoof seemed to be pretty dextrous despite being firm and immobile. It was like whatever she wanted to do, she could, to things touching her hoof. The pony heroes did remind her a bit of comic books back home. She felt a pang of nostalgia looking at the vibrant pages, a piece of familiarity.

"We've got tons of great series here in Equestria that I can lend you," Spike continued. "Just say the word if you want mecha, magic academies, pony noir..."

"Those sound amazing, Spike," Maya said sincerely. As bizarre as her situation was, she found herself comforted that this world had its own unique culture. She wasn't totally alone. Turning a page, she asked, "So which Power Pony is your favorite?"

Spike's eyes lit up eagerly. Finally, someone who spoke his language! He plopped down on the bed beside Maya and launched into an excited description of each hero, happy to share his passion with a new friend.

Maya nodded along, listening, but also scheming quietly. "Spike."

"Hm?"

Maya waved a comic at him. "May I ask how old you are? Are you...A young child? An older child? A..." Was teenager the right term? "Young adult? Adult?"

Spike frowned at the question. "Wow, not many would ask that, uh..." He stroked at his chin. "And I'm not 100% sure... We don't have a lot of dragons to compare to." He spread his wings wide. "I got these a bit ago. I was told they're a sign of... puberty. It means I'm growing!"

Maya clapped supportively at Spike's sign of growth. "Good for you, very nice." She meant her words, feeling warm in joining the little celebration. Spike was a child, reaching a new level of maturity. That was always worth being happy about. "We'll put you around... 15?"

"Uh..." Spike shrugged helplessly. "Sure. Your guess is as good as mine. Twilight hatched me, so... Uh, I could be a lot of things. Dragons don't normally hatch by pony magic, you know?"

"I don't know," admitted Maya flatly, but her smile returned. "That must make you and Twilight very close."

"We're sibs!" He fired both thumbs up at his own chest. "She's my sister, I'm her brother."

"That's so sweet." Maya reached a hoof to rub along Spike's fins. They were softer than they first appeared, bending around the touches and springing back upright. "Thank you. You've been very inviting, especially now that I know more." A child of his develpment? It would have been very easy for him to be guarded, maybe jealous? Of anyone just... walking into his life and taking up space like that. "You're a nice dragon."

Just then, Twilight popped her head into the room. "Oh good, you two are getting along!" she said, smiling as she saw Spike enthusiastically showing Maya his comic collection.

"Yeah, Maya thinks the Power Ponies are really cool!" Spike clapped his hands with a bright smile. "Did you know she comes from a place with human superhero comics too?"

"Fascinating," Twilight entered the room, ears perked and alert. "I'd love to learn more about your world, Maya. But first, are you settling in alright? I know this is still a lot to take in."

Maya gave a small smile. "It's...strange, but everyone has been really kind." She gestured to the comics. "Spike was just telling me how you hatched him when he was an egg. That's amazing, and it's clear you two share a special bond."

Twilight laughed. "Oh yes, it was... almost a miracle it happened like that. But it was worth it." She nuzzled Spike affectionately. "I hope you'll feel at home here soon too. Friendship is the most important thing in Equestria."

"Well, you've all already made me feel very welcomed." Maya meant it sincerely. She was still reeling internally, but the ponies' openness and Spike's enthusiasm warmed her heart. This truly was a land centered on harmony.

Twilight nodded gladly. "Have you given any thought to what you'd like to do here? I'm sure we can find a way for you to pursue your passions, even if they're different from back home."

Maya paused. She hadn't expected an opportunity like this. "Well," she began thoughtfully...

"Darling," called a new voice, hoofsteps coming closer in the hallway. "Where are you hiding? Have you forgotten?"

Twilight winced. "I did forget," she miserably sighed. "In here," she called out to the new voice. "This is Rarity, a dear friend of mine."

Rarity walked in with a bright smile. "There you are, and with somepony new." She looked Maya over curiously. "A fine time for introductions, hm?"

Twilight nodded quickly. "Of course!" She waved at Maya. "This is Maya. She's from a human world, not the one I've visited before, near as I can tell... She's out of place, so be gentle with her." She switched hooves to wave at Rarity. "As I mentioned, this is Rarity. She's a close friend of ours."

"Oh dear." Rarity came in closer, ignoring the idea of personal space. "You must be quite upset, poor thing. Did Twilight lend you those clothes?" She glanced away and back. "Very kind of her," she whispered harshly. "But she has no sense of style."

"I heard that." Twilight rolled her eyes. "You two get to know one another. I should..."

Rarity grabbed Twilight by the shoulder. "Our date?"

Twilight sighed. "Maya's appearance has thrown off my calender, I'm afraid... But she could use your help?"

Rarity twirled on Maya with a beaming smile. "That I can do. Are you ready for some fashion?"

Maya blinked slowly. "The way you say that makes me a little nervous..." The pony who she had only seen once, in a movie, was living and standing before her, acting like a living thing. "How do I 'do' a fashion?"

"Fashion is my life's passion, darlng!" Rarity declared. Her horn lit up as ribbons flew around Maya, taking measurements. "I design the most glamorous outfits in Ponyville."

The ribbons tickled as they wrapped around Maya's legs, chest and neck. She couldn't help but giggle and squirm a little.

"Now now, do stand still," Rarity gently chided. "Hmm, you seem a slim figure. Perfect for showing off the lines of a dress."

More ribbons surrounded Maya, floating fabric samples in different colors and patterns. Maya blinked, amazed by the shimmering magic display.

"Perhaps a nice spring green to complement your coat..." Rarity murmured to herself, critically comparing her selections.

As the ribbons swirled around Maya taking measurements, she found herself occasionally distracted by the unfamiliar feeling of having four legs. Lifting one hoof off the ground to reposition herself made Maya suddenly aware of how ponies balance on the remaining three. She wondered how ponies coordinated their gaits and movements so seamlessly compared to humans.

When a ribbon tickled her back leg, Maya involuntarily twitched it. Having two more limbs she was unaccustomed to controlling would clearly take some practice. At least she didn't have to stand fully upright and rigid like real horses. The pony way of resting part of their weight on all fours came more naturally.

Catching herself getting lost in thought, Maya tried to focus again on Rarity's creative process unfolding around her. The beautiful shimmering fabrics and flashes of magic were mesmerizing. Maya felt optimistic that Rarity could help her adjust to having not just arms and legs, but front and back hooves working in concert. But she waited for the dresswork to be done first.

"Let me start with a thank you." Maya stepped foward, moving to the mirror to behold herself in her green dress, tailored for her body specifically. "Wow, that was fast... Do you always make dresses in minutes?"

"No." Rarity tucked her things away, somehow getting needles and thead and fabrics away into herself, vanishing into her form. "That was a favor for a new friend, dear. It takes a bit of effort to work that fast, so don't become accustomed to it."

"Wow." Maya tried to imagine a human going that fast. No, impossible... "Wow... Um, so." She cycled her hooves off the ground. "I'm new with these, and everything else." She lashed her tail. "That too. Pony, in general."

"Don't ask me." Spike slid to the ground. "Happy being a dragon. Tried a dog for a while, no thanks." He bat his lashes at Rarity. "Need anything, Rarity?"

Rarity ruffled Spike's head much as Maya had earlier. "I'll be fine, Spikey-Wikey. Go on and play."

Spike rushed off with hearts in his eyes.

Maya inclined her head at that. Would that humans showed their emotions so clearly... "Rarity, how old are you?"

Rarity recoiled. "Darling! That's an imporper question to ask a mare, especially one you're just meeting."

"Oh gosh, I'm so sorry!" Maya apologized. "I didn't realize asking a pony's age was rude. Where I'm from, it's just a normal way to get to know someone." That wasn't entirely true, but it felt like a safe little lie to take pressure off.

Rarity's expression softened. "No need to apologize, darling. You're still learning our customs." She gently touched Maya with her hoof. "If I may ask, why were you curious about my age?"

"Well, back in my world, I was studying psychology," Maya explained. "So I'm interested in understanding personalities and how age shapes life experiences."

"How fascinating!" Rarity replied. "We ponies certainly gain perspective as we mature as well. I'm considered quite youthful for all I've accomplished." She flipped her mane proudly.

Just then Spike returned, carrying a towering stack of books. "Hey guys, Twilight wanted me to...whoa..." He stumbled, sending the books crashing down around Maya and Rarity.

Rarity sighed, her horn glowing as she neatly re-stacked the books. "Thank you Spikey, but do be more careful."

Spike rubbed his head sheepishly. "Heh, sorry about that!"

"It's okay to slow down a little." She ruffled him anew, but let him scurry on with what he was up to. Her attention slid to Rarity. "I was more curious if you were an adult, or not an adult."

"Well, that's a fair enough question. Far less troubling. Really, dear..." Rarity fanned herself with a hoof. "I am an adult. You'll get nothing more specific than that."

Maya smiled gently, laughing on the inside. Pony females were like many human females, not eager to share their specific age. "A young one, obviously."

"Obviously," sang out Rarity in agreement. "Now, let's talk about getting you comfortable in Ponyville. Are you a creature of culture?"

A creature of culture? "I like fashion enough."

"That's a start." Rarity walked from the room, waving with her tail for Maya to follow. "But how about plays, having one's hooves done, being pampered, and sharing the juiciest of gossip." She was more excited with each thing she went over. "Are you a city pony, or a country pony, to put it simply?"

Maya followed where Rarity led, soon stepping out of the castle Twilight lived in. That let her take in Ponyville in the fading light of late afternoon. It was the same time she had been trick-or-treating before... Everything... "Wow..."

"Hm?" Rarity turned to see what Maya was looking at, then turned back to face Ponyville. "Welcome to Ponyville, our home." She waved out at it. "Quite charming, is it not?"

Maya took an uncertain step forward. "I really am here... I... am here..."

"You certainly a..." Rarity didn't finish her word, seeing that Maya was crying silent tears. "Darling? Are you alright?" The answer to that was quite clear. Maya was falling apart, where she had been fine a moment before. "Dear? Oh my..." Rarity floated out a napkin and gently dabbed at Maya's face, at least trying to clean things. "We can wait..."

Maya's new reality was crashing on her. She had been strong, but she had limits. She had tried to act firm, but she was glass. She was shattering. Just as hard, but broken. She was a pony, in a world of ponies. There was a little pony town, right in front of her. She lived in magic pony world. She was probably never get back to Earth. She was never to be a human again. All her plans, lost.

Rarity's heart ached seeing this poor creature so distraught. She knew the pain of having a dream snatched away all too well.

"There there, let it out," she soothed, floating over the handkerchief for Maya to dry her eyes. "I can't imagine how difficult this is for you. But you don't have to face it alone."

Maya dabbed at her eyes, taking a few deep, shaky breaths. "I'm sorry, I just...it finally sunk in that everything is different now. You've all been so kind, but..." She trailed off, tears welling up again.

"Of course, darling. We may be ponies, but we understand heartbreak." Rarity gestured towards town. "Come, walk with me. The fresh air will do you good."

As they slowly wandered the streets of Ponyville, Maya found herself comforted by Rarity's presence. The elegantly dressed pony just listened, letting her share fears, hopes and memories when she was ready.

Rarity pointed out landmarks and waved to neighbors, subtly assuring Maya she had a place here. Eventually Maya's tears dried, and she managed a small but genuine smile at a group of fillies playing tag.

"Better?" Rarity asked gently. When Maya nodded, she smiled. "Don't lose heart, my dear. Though the path ahead is long, with friendships such as ours, you'll never walk it alone."

Maya waved the fillies closer. To her amazement, they came, no fear in their eyes. She was a total stranger, but they came rushing up like they were all old friends. "Hello there." Her smile grew by the moment. "I'm Maya."

One of the fillies nodded, her bow dancing. "Ah'm Apple Bloom." She pointed to the others. "That there's Sweetie Belle." She pointed to Rarity. "Her little sister. And that one's Scootaloo."

"Yo." Scootaloo bounced in place. "What's up? Nice to meetcha."

Rarity nodded at them. "You getting into any trouble, Sweets?"

Sweetie giggled. "As usual."

Rarity rolled her eyes at that. "At least you're honest about it." She slid in closer to Maya. "Feeling better?"

"A little, yeah... Yeah..." She took a slow breath. "Yeah. Hello girls. What game are you playing?"

"We're playin' hide and seek!" Apple Bloom explained. "Do ya wanna join our game?"

Before Maya could respond, Sweetie Belle rushed up and pointed to Maya's flank. "Hey, why doesn't she have a cutie mark ?"

Scootaloo gasped. "Whoa, you're right! She's a blank flank." The three fillies circled around Maya excitedly.

"A cutie mark appears when a pony discovers their special talent," Rarity explained kindly to a confused Maya. "These three are specialists when it comes to that. Why, they're called the Cutie-Mark Crusaders for a reason, dear."

Maya looked over her flank, noting the blank yellow coat. "I guess becoming a pony made me a blank flank too." She smiled softly, realizing how little she knew about this world and herself then.

"Awesome, you can be part of the Cutie Mark Crusaders!" Scootaloo cheered.

"We help ponies find their cutie marks," Sweetie Belle added. "And maybe find yours too!"

Maya laughed as the infectious enthusiasm of the fillies lifted her spirits higher. "I'd love that. Lead the way!"

Rarity slid a hoof between Maya and the Crusaders. "Darling, don't be too hasty. That sounds like a very productive meeting, and you really should consult with them, but... let's put a pin in that, as a friend of mine would say." She reached to pat each Crusader gently. "Our friend here has just arrived. They weren't a pony before."

All three fillies blinked in confusion. Sweetie inclined her head. "She's one now."

"That she is." Rarity gestured with a toss of her head. "But she wasn't before. So she isn't a lost soul just yet. We should give her a chance to discover herself at her own speed before you all hurry it along."

Apple Bloom curled a hoof to her chin. "Huh, good point. She don't need us jus' yet."

Scootaloo flashed a smile. "That doesn't stop her from playing if she wants to."

Maya felt that smile catching. Such lovely energy the fillies had. Such a wonderful world they must have grown in. Was that the world she was in? Maybe it wasn't... all bad... "I want to join your games, but Rarity's showing me around, so let me do that. Later?"

"Later!" all three cried with perfect harmony, giggling and hurrying back to their games.

"Darling." Rarity resumed their trip through the town. "Pardon for assuming, but were you a teacher, or a foalsitter? You strike me as a pony that gets along quite well with foals. It was lovely to see, that natural connection."

Maya felt her ears go up without her input, that was an odd sensation. "Y-yeah, sorta..." She wobbled a hoof, managing to walk and do that at the same time. "I'm someone--"

"Somepony," corrected Rarity.

"Somepony." Maya coughed into a hoof. "That helps other... ponies... to understand themselves and the world around them. If they're feeling sad, I'm there to help. If they don't understand something, I try to help bridge that. Beat bad habits, figure out why they think a certain way... Do ponies have that?"

"A therapist?"

Maya blinked dumbly. Oh, they did have those... "Yes, like that." She bounced with joy. "I learned how to be one of those! Can I still do that job here then?" Her spirits felt lifted. Perhaps her dreams hadn't been entirely dashed!

Rarity considered Maya's question carefully. "While harmony is our ideal, ponies still face struggles like any creature. Some may cope with anxiety over cutie marks. Others have self-doubt. speciesism and even tribalism and prejudice exist, if less than in darker times."

She gave a sad smile. "I confess, in my youth I contributed to the bullying of a dear friend for being different, allowing my ambition to blind me. It is a shame I carry to this day. So I understand the need for those like yourself who guide others towards compassion."

Maya listened thoughtfully, reminded not to view this pony world through too rosy a lens. Where there were thinking beings, there would be misunderstandings and pain, if unintentionally.

"I appreciate you being open about that," Maya said. "It's important I don't make assumptions. Each world has its challenges, but I want to believe kindness and empathy can prevail."

Rarity nodded. "As do I. My friends and I strive to foster those values in Equestria. Your profession is so vital to that cause." She rested a hoof on Maya's shoulder. "I have faith you can make as much a difference here as in your world." She patted Maya gently. "But put those thoughts aside. This evening, we're going to soak in some culture."

Maya followed curiously behind. "What kind of culture?" Well, pony culture, clearly. But Maya had no clue what that could mean.

"Music." She led Maya to a grassy field where ponies sat, facing a stage. "Your timing is fantastic. They're doing a show tonight, and I insist you enjoy it." With a pop of her magic, a blanket appeared and sank to the grass, making a clean place to sit herself. "Oh, hello Octavia!"

The pony she had greeted nodded just slightly. The earth pony mare's attention was largely on her cello. She tuned and prepared it and herself along with the other orchestra members. They began playing, producing sweet and gentle notes the lifted into the evening air.

Maya began clapping her new hooves gently to the beat. "I love classic..." It wasn't an earth song. She had no idea what song it was, but the melodies were delightful, and just sitting still and letting it wash over her felt nice enough. "You are a real treat, Rarity."

"I do try, dear." Rarity smiled knowingly. "Would you care for a treat while we enjoy this?" She inclined her head at some street faire being offered.

"I'd love a treat, thank you," Maya said, touched by Rarity's hospitality. As the fashionista trotted off, Maya let the music wash over her. She was accustomed to blaring pop songs and car horns, not gentle strings played in the open air. It was peaceful.

Rarity returned levitating two ice cream cones and passed one to Maya. "Vanilla chamomile - a delightful melody for the palate."

Maya took an experimental lick, ears perking up at the sweet floral flavor. "Mmm, that's really good!" The cold sweetness lifted her spirits even higher.

As the performance went on, Rarity pointed out ponies in the crowd she recognized. Maya got to know more of the vibrant personalities around town. She waved to a boisterous pegasus named Rainbow Dash flying overhead. They didn't get to meet, but at least she saw them.

By the time the musicians took their bows, Maya felt far more at ease. For the first time since arriving, thoughts of home didn't weigh on her as heavily. She had a full belly, a clear sky above, and a new friend at her side. It was enough for now.

"Did you enjoy yourself, dear?" Rarity asked as they strolled back.

Maya smiled warmly. "I really did. Thank you, Rarity. I needed this."

Rarity gave her a gentle hug. "It was my pleasure. I know the path ahead is long, but you needn't walk it alone. You have ponies in your corner now."

The hug reminded Maya just how... different things were. She was an alien, being hugged by another alien. Still, the emotions were all positive. It was an alien embrace of kinship and kindness. It was one part lovely and another part terrifying.

"Dear?" Rarity noticed the tenseness in her new friend. "Are you alright? Don't push yourself on my account." She stood up. "Is it time to retire?" She pointed up to the tall tower of Twilight's.

Maya's new home. "Y-yeah... Good idea." She took a shuddering breath. "But thank you, again. This has been wonderful. I'm the problem here, not you."

"Perish the thought." Rarity tapped at Maya's chest. "You've been through quite a bit. Having feelings about it doesn't make you a bad pony. You go back up there, get some rest, and look forward to what tomorrow will bring." She kissed either of Maya's cheeks. "I had a lovely time. The original plan was to haul Twilight out her for it, but that mare, I swear..."

Maya shook herself out, getting her legs working after lounging through that show. A brief glimmer got her attention. Why did her hooves glow like that? It was a fleeting moment, there and gone again. She hadn't seen any other pony with glowing hooves.

What was up with hers?

My patrons got to vote on how the story went. Actually, everyone did, but the patron votes counted the hardest. This was the result.

I decided to puuuush to 4k. Who's gonna stop me?

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