Chapter 7

Baldon

“Um... sorry about that.” Colten apologized.

I found myself smiling at the dark figure before me. He might’ve not looked like it, but his voice was very gentle.

“Oh, it’s no problem, Flora is just silly.” I assured.

“Huh, she does seem a bit off when around me.” He said, watching her hide timidly on the other side of the campfire.

“Well, if you weren’t so scary then maybe it wouldn’t be that way!” Flora defended.

With an awkward looking shrug, Colten turned back to me and sighed. “I think it’s about time we talked.”

We’d been walking for a while now. We didn’t know where... but that wasn’t stopping us.

“I don’t get it, why are they coming with us?” Zack questioned.

Colten laughed. “I like to think of it as them guiding us to where we’re going.”

“Yeah, not to mention you wouldn’t last ten minutes without us here,” Flora teased. “Face it, fluffy, you need us.”

Zack scoffed. “Are you kidding me? I don’t need you guys, I nearly took on that Manticore all by myself. I think I can handle anything else this forest has to throw at me.”

“Heh, keep telling yourself that, we’ll see how far you get,” Flora said, continuing to lead our group on the expedition, to Bastet knows where.

“Guys, come on, let’s not fight the whole way there, please?” I pleaded.

“I agree! This argument is pointless,” Colten chipped in.

Zack and Flora caved, looking away, disgruntled.

The next few days were filled with nothing all that interesting. Just a bunch of questions asked, and not enough answers given. Plus the never ending walking. Wasn’t the most exciting time I’ve had.

I do have to say that it’s gotten increasingly easier to talk to Colten lately. Usually, I’ll just wait for Flora and Zack to doze off before I get to start a conversation with him, but I think the wait is worth it.

Colten has pretty interesting stuff to talk about. I’m learning a lot about the apparent ‘alien world’ that they come from. Not to mention all that I’m learning about Chimerae. Did you know that they share stomachs? How does that even work?!

Anyway, this day had started out like any other. Flora and Zack bickering about random stuff, complaining about each other and at each others throats, while Colten and I try to keep them on track.

We’d gotten a couple miles into our walking session, when we saw a clearing coming up close. I didn’t think anything of it, but Zack suddenly seemed ecstatic for some reason. He was quick to rush past the field and out of view. His departure was followed by a very high pitched squee.

Curiosity getting the better of Flora and I, we raced to catch up.

The instant we cleared the brush blocking our view, we got a good taste of the sun as it suddenly blinded us both. After taking a second to readjust our vision, it all came into focus.

Turns out, the clearing was larger than I had initially thought. There was a large field, scattered with dead brush and brown earth. The sound of insects buzzing filled the air. In the center of it all was a village unlike any I’d ever conceived possible. Dozens upon dozens of buildings, big and small, some stacked on top of each other, some side by side. On the horizon, I spotted a few colorful specks roaming around the buildings.

“Wha-What are they?” I asked, blown away by the massive builds and colorful inhabitants.

Zack only laughed at my question as if it was simple.

“Hehe, It’s about damn time!” He cheered.

“Zack, what the heck are you talking about?” Flora pitched, almost or just as confused as I am.

Taking a deep breath he screamed out as loud as he could. “PONIES!!!!”

Zack

And I was like, ‘Oh my god, I’m so in love, with you~’

This is the best thing ever, of all time. I was convinced that we were sent to a different world and that Tivo had lied to us, but here it is. Living proof as to where we really are. Ponies, everywhere! This town  speckled with em. All living out their lives, unbeknownst to them that  thousands, if not millions watch their every move. It sounds creepy now, wait till I tell them that we supposedly ‘created’ them.

Right now, I’m living the dream right here. So many people have wondered what it would feel like and I’m about to experience this shit for real. Fuck fucking fuck yeah! Okay, breath, keep calm, act cool.  You got this.

Another loud squee escaped me as I jittered with excitement. Calming down was definitely not going to work now. What I needed was a good slap, which Flora more than happily provided.

“Would you calm down!” She said, cocking her hand back for another smack. “What is wrong with him anyway?”

Colten sighed. “Well, you remember the other night, right?” He was met with two slow nods.

“Well, we’ve known about these creatures on our world for a long time. Zack here is a big fan of them and is currently having a fanboy moment.” He finished explaining with another exasperated sigh. “I for one, don’t care for them too much.”

“Know about them? How did... Did you know about us beforehand too?” Flora quipped.

“Well, no, on the count that we freaked out when we saw you and even had to ask what you were. We didn’t know about you guys.” Colten answered.

“Hey, not to interrupt your heart to heart conversation, but what are we doing still here?” I interjected.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Baldon asked.

“It means, lets go! I want to get there TODAY you know.” I spat.

Before they could ask anymore unnecessary questions I had rushed off towards the town as fast as I could.

“Zack, wait!” Was all I could hear as I bounded towards paradise.

Quickly, I dashed past the muddy waters and stumpy trees. I was on a mission. A quest to finally reach my dream. Nothing, not even the gods could stop me now. This was my journey, my reason, everything I’ve done has lead up to this moment. I will hug a pony or die trying.

Once I was close enough all I had to do was choose. Easy enough right? Wrong. It’s impossible to choose. Each one is special and cute looking in it’s own way. Even when they try to look badass, wearing armor and all, they still look adorable.

“Ah ha!” I yelled, changing my direction slightly.

I’d found my victim. A small framed earth pony, just going about her everyday life. Cute red coat and yellow mane design and everything. She’s mine.

Poor thing couldn’t have seen it coming. I was quick and precise. I lept into the air at the final moment and glomped the pony to the ground. Huggling her like my life depended on it. After a moment of silence my actions were met with mixed results. All of them leading up to a random guard pony bucking me in the face.

I was sprawled on the ground looking up at the sky with my one good eye. The other one wouldn’t open for some reason. Laying there, I felt comfy and distraught at the same time. Very weird feeling, wouldn’t recommend it. My face hurt really badly, but for some reason, that didn’t matter. For, I had accomplished something today.

A life time goal, and I saw it through. How many people can say that now and a day? It felt so good, the ponies fur I mean. It was as soft as I thought it’d be, but with different texture than what I would have expected. Very smooth, but still rigid in some places. Like, some of her fur was sticking out a bit. Just, those kinds of imperfections are what made it all so real.

If there was a way to describe bliss while experiencing it,Yes then that would be the answer to the universe. I have no doubt in my mind... Okay, the buck might’ve rattled me up a bit.

“Ugh, what hit me?” I groaned.

“Ma’am, are you alright?!”

“N-No.... It... it was feeling me up. I was scared.”

“...”

“Private, hold him down, I’m gonna show this creature a thing or two.”

“That’s Chimera to you sir. And I was not ‘feeling her up’. It’s called a hug, bro.” I corrected.

I could feel a set of hooves grab onto both my arms, restricting me from moving. This is was bad.

“He-Hey, listen, I didn’t mean anything by it, I was just being friendly, honest.” I defended.

I finally lifted my head to get a good look at guard who kicked me and the mare standing shyly behind him.

“Um, if I told you I was drunk would that make the situation better?” I asked sheepishly.

Shaking his head, the armored pony slowly walked towards me. “You’ve committed a perverted crime and deserve punishment.”

“What, I don’t even get a trial? What kind of bullshit is that?!” I think that might have just pissed him off some more. Great.

“...No.” And suddenly I was given a swift kick to the unmentionables.

Okay, so, that quickly got ugly. I’ll admit, not the best first encounter. I know I’ve read better that’s for sure. Also, like to point out that that guard pony hit me twice for giving another pony a hug. What the hell happen to friendship is magic!? Love and tolerance!

After my party arrived and somehow talked the guard out of arresting me we actually got him to be a little nicer. He gave us the town name, some directions to nearby shops/hotels, and privilege to explore it all on one condition. Once we leave, we never come back. Which made me wonder, what was the point in telling us about the hotels?! Anyway, I had to sign a few papers and stuff promising I wouldn’t return. And by ‘sign’ I mean I just pressed my paw in ink then stamped a piece of paper labeled contract.

Finally, we were out of that and ready to go. Before we left however we were offered a tour from our oh so caring guard. Yeah, that’s not happening. I graciously declined using native sign language. I guess flipping the bird has universal meaning cause he looked pretty offended, as he should be.

And now, today shall mark our first and last visit to the wonderful town of Wethoof.