FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

I was awoken by the sound of an alarm clock that sat beside the dresser. Groaning, my eyes still closed, blankets over my head, I blindly threw my hand down around the area where the clock was. After missing a few times, I managed to shut it off. Blindly reaching for my phone, it's only purpose being a clock, flashlight, camera and stopwatch due to the lack of cell reception in Equestria, I saw that the time was about nine thirty in the morning.

Hmm, I wonder what kind of food they have for breakfast? Sure, lunch is only a few hours away, but whatever. As I sat up in bed, my yawning and stretching popping various joints, I slowly climbed out of the rather large bed in nothing but my boxers and went toward the bathroom for a quick face wash. When I arrived, I tilted my head up, down, left and right, examining the ever-more prominent stubble growing on my face. Not deeming it thick enough for a shave, I simply shrugged before quickly brushing my teeth.

After slipping on a pair of faded blue jeans, which had a few tears in them and a simple black shirt that had the bottom slightly ripped, I made my way toward the door and left satisfy the growing hunger in my gut. I found the dining hall rather easily and noticed that there seemed to be two kitchens, one having a human chef, the other; a pony. Luckily, everyone seemed to be mingling in rather nicely.

However, thinking about how humans and ponies mix together now, working with each other, eating together, creating friendships and relationships, I remembered that it wasn't always like this. From what I've heard, ponies hate change. They feared it. And now, a whole new world is merely a step away. I'll admit, it is rather scary, in a way.

I once overheard some humans talking, before I started to sign up to see if I was even eligible to enter Equestria, that ponies were.. racist, in a sense. I'm honestly not sure how to properly explain it, but here's my take on it.

First off, ponies fear anything they can't control; the Everfree Forest as a prime example.. In fact, there were some theories that somehow, maybe hundreds, if not thousands of years ago, a portal opened from Earth, and the Everfree Forest was from our world. I think it's farfetched, but that's what a lot of humans and ponies are now saying. If anything is not a pony, they think it's some sort of monster. I mean, when the first human came through and ventured far away from Equestria, he was captured and seen as a monster.

Then, there is the 'everypony' crap. I mean, really, does a dragon say that? A gryphon? No. So, in a sense; they are singling others out in the way that we say 'everybody'. We don't say 'everyhuman', do we? No, we don't. As I said before, if this is their custom, I won't go around calling every pony, dragon and griffon a racist. I believe in 'it takes respect, to get respect' - as long as anyone here gives me respect of not judging me as a human, then we're good.

"Oh, hello there!"

I turned and soon found myself looking down at Nova Star, the unicorn pony looking up at me, with a smile that would, to me; make anyone smile. It was strange, as I was now looking at her, she seemed... different. It was strange, however, it might just be me. Either way, it didn't matter to me.

"Hey there, Nova.. was it?"

She smiled and nodded her head as I smiled back. "Nice to see you again, Brandon." I remembered that last night she told me she was staying here until her home in Canterlot was finished being built. She must be a rich pony if she can afford to live in a hotel such as this until her home is done.

Either way, it was nice to meet another pony who was nice to me. Sure, there was my ex Lyra, and a few ponies back home I knew, but as I said; some of these rich ponies were so... stuck up. Her plate of food looked like pancakes with.. flowers? Bah, I cared little what one ate. When I looked back to her, I noticed something that I didn't see yesterday: her Cutie Mark. It was... strange. I could've sworn there wasn't one yesterday. Oh well, my mind must be fucking with me.

It looked to be a simple scroll, with that of a writing quill along the top of it. Maybe she's a writer? I don't know, maybe I'll ask her one time when I get to know her more; if I can. We found a table and a few chairs, and she sat in front of me. On my plate, I had about two and a half fried eggs, hash browns, bacon strips, and a glass of coffee.

"So, Nova," I asked as she sliced her pancakes up using her magic to do so. Her pink eyes looking up to me as she did, her utensils covered in her magical pink aura. "Sleep well?"

"Oh just splendid," she answered with a small smile as she took a bite out of her meal, I watched for a moment as I went to eating as well. "And you?"

"Surprisingly good," I answered truthfully. "Best night I had in a long time."

"That is no doubt because of Princess Luna," she said as I took a sip of my coffee as I made a 'hrm?' sound as she went on. "Princess Luna is the Princess of Dreams, and can enter and change somepony's dream at will; so I am told. Ever since her return, she not only blankets the world in the darkness of night, but also peaceful slumber for all of her subjects. What of your world? Who lowers and raises the sun and moon?"

"The Universe," I half joked before she blinked.

"They sound... powerful."

"No, no, no!" I slightly laughed at her answer as she just looked to me. Her eyes half closed in a bit of anger I believed at the time. "It's.. ahh.. bear with me as I try to explain what I mean." she only nodded her head softly as I asked her of such.

For a little over the next half and hour I explained how there wasn't anyone that lifted and lowered the sun, that it was just the way the world and the orbits of the planets and such worked. She slowly ate her food as I explained more; she even asked me questions of what Equestria and Earth lacked. As soon as the food was done, as I started to clean my cheeks and lips with my cloth before picking up the plates, as well as her own when she was done and took it to where they needed to be dropped off.

"So, your world doesn't have Princes, Princesses, Kings or Queens?" she asked.

"Oh no, they are still there," I answered, "Just not as they are in this world. It's hard for me to explain - you're better off just coming to Earth and learning about it one day."

"No no, it's understandable," she answered walking beside me as we left the dining area and walked toward the main lobby. "You may be human, but that does not mean you know everything about human history; just as I do not know everything about pony history. It is kind of boring, if you ask me."

"Tell me about it," I added with a sigh. "I can understand history is important and all, but sometimes..."

"You want to kick it where it counts?"

"Bingo."

"So what, will you do now?" she asked looking to me as she smiled. "Perhaps we could meet up some other time?"

"I would like that, Nova. You're fun to talk to." she seemed to blush at this as she rubbed her mane. Heh; it was rather cute how she did that. However, the way she did that, reminded me of... "I have to go, either way. There's something I have to go and look for."

"Oh?" she asked. "Maybe I could help?"

"Well, I'm looking for a clothing store. I kinda want to see how they could make human clothing, you know?"

"Hmm..." she then tapped her chin for a moment before then exclaiming. "There is a pony here who works with other clothing designers, his name is Fancy Pants. His shop holds many different clothing designs, and I believed that they started to sell human clothing quite recently. Though... it is rather pricey."

"I'll see what they have to offer." I told her with a smile. "But, thank you either way."

"It was my pleasure, Brandon," she then reared up on her hind legs and placed her hooves on my chest. I leaned down a bit out of habit when I was dating Lyra, as I was surprised when she kissed my cheek. I blinked a few times as she smiled and simply walked off, and my eyes couldn't help but eye her flanks.

After commanding my legs to move, I shook my head and made my way out of the hotel. The sun was high in the sky, no doubt noon by now. Again, many of the ponies I saw walking about seemed to have an atmosphere about them that screamed 'snooty'. With their nose held high like that, they would probably drown if it was raining. Either way, with a pocket full of bits and my face clean and a belly full of food, I made my way into the city of Canterlot.

The city was amazing, I'll give it that much. Shops had their windows open to allow any race that passed by to see what they were selling. The smell of baked goods flew through the air as I passed a place called 'Donut Joe's'. I made a mental note to go there later, as I could use a good donut. Soon I came to a large building that fit the description of what I was looking for.

The front of the rather large store had a rather large window display, one side showing human wear, the other pony wear. Each set of clothing seemed to be that of a different make, as if different ponies, or whoever, made them. I guess this Fancy Pants is the sort that gives ones he thinks have talent in clothing a chance and sells them in this shop to establish a reputation for themselves. Smart man.

Pushing the door open, I swear it was like walking into the hotel all over again. The inside was that of a crystal blue, a rather light, clear blue, mind you. There were dresses and suits, for different races and sizes. If it existed, whatever it was on Equestria, it probably had clothing there. Some sections were marked with names of what could be fashion designers, some with species.

One rather large section held the name Rarity, with the clothing painted in an amazing gold coloring. I am no expert on fashion. To me, as long as the clothing fit, felt nice, and looked good, then it was good enough for me. Hell, the only time I put on anything fancier than jeans and a shirt was for my Uncle's wedding, when a family passed, or an interview I had. I placed a hand under my chin as I scanned the clothing, most of them being dresses, before I then heard a rather over-the-top gasp from behind me.

"My word! Just look at how you are dressed!"

I raised an eyebrow without looking at the source of the voice, before turning to look down, to see a unicorn. Fun fact, Canterlot is filled with them.

The unicorn in question, which seemed to shield her eyes for some reason, held that of a rather light gray coat. From far off, I bet she would look white, marshmallow white even. Her mane was that of a dark purple or a moderate indigo styled in curls. Seeing her Cutie Mark (as she STILL shielded her eyes from me) I saw three diamonds. At last, she removed her hoof from her eyes.

As she gazed up at me, her azure eyes were looking right back at me, but she was eying me up and down. "My word, what horrid clothing! Do all humans dress as such? I mean look at you, these ripped and tattered.. Is that a stain on there?"

I blinked as I looked down, not seeing a single stain on anything. "And what are you doing here? A pony or human dressed of the likes of you can no doubt no afford anything from this fine shop!"

"Excuse me?" I asked, not believing that, before she even knew who I was or what I did for a living, she claimed I couldn't afforded anything. Okay, maybe not, but still. And just because of how I dressed?

"What seems to be all the noise out here?" Both me and the annoying unicorn turned at once to the sound of the voice, to see yet another unicorn come out. He was male, that much was identifiable just by the way he looked. His eyes and mane were that of the same shade of azure, his coat a light gray. Perhaps these two were related somehow? He wore a tux, the kind that would have a set of 'tails' going along the back. A white shirt underneath with blue seen and a pink bow tie. He had the softest smile on his muzzle as he walked up as I saw a set of three crowns along his flank for his cutie mark. "Oh, a human customer? I rarely have the pleasure of working with you all, welcome to my-"

"Fancy Pants, how can you claim him to be a customer? I mean just... look at how he keeps himself!" she pointed a hoof at me as I just glared. "I dare say he couldn't even afford hoof shoes!"

"I would gladly ask you stop talking about me as if I am not even here!" I answered, glaring at her as she seemed to recoil from my words. "First of all, you don't even know me, second, what gives you the right to nitpick at what I choose to wear everyday, you overly egotistic unicorn?"

"What did you just call me?!" she screeched out as her left eye twitched.

"Oh, you heard me!" I answered back pointing. "I bet you think that just because you can, you can put down anyone you want, just because of how they dress! I do have money and I have come here to ask mister Fancy Pants for help in acquiring a suit to attend the Grand Galloping Gala!"

"You.. were invited sir?" Fancy Pants asked as I looked back, my gazed soften.

"Yes," I answered. "Well, part of a draw made by the princesses. I was one of the lucky ten humans." I saw the mare look with wide eyes at this as I went on. "So I was-"

"Oh, you were invited? Well.. if you like-"

"Hell no," I looked to her, "The first thing you do is go on about how I dress, and now that you know I am invited to a so-called 'grand' party that only a few are selected to attend, you care? Thanks, but no thanks!" I crossed my arms. "Clothing does not make the one wearing them any more better then what they already are. I came in here simply to see what there was to be sold."

She and Fancy Pants just looked to me and she gave a small glare before huffing, and with a flick of her mane she turned and walked out, the door slamming behind her as I sighed. Before I could say sorry to the owner, he stopped me.

"You had all the right to say what you said. Although Rarity is a friend of mine, I really wish she would stop acting as if she was raised like these others high class dolts."

"Beg pardon?" I answered with the tilt of my head. I never heard of one high class calling other high classes dolts. "I would think that you-"

"Would be on her side?" I blinked before he laughed. "Do not worry sir, I am no mind reader. Now, you said you needed a suit for the Gala, correct?"

"Yes, but it seems you don't have a lot of suits for humans, Mister.."

"Just call me Fancy Pants, no 'misters' or 'sirs'."

"If will do the same for me, then my name's Brandon Casey, a pleasure." I held my hand out and he shook it with his hoof.

<<>>

It was only a matter of time when I found myself stepping onto the train platform in Ponyville. Fancy Pants and I spoke a bit more over some tea. We spoke mainly about the Gala, and he even said himself that it was rather boring, but went all the same. How he convinced me to at least go down and talk to Rarity, to give her one more chance, I have no idea. He has a way with words, I guess.

Ponyville was not large. It was no Canterlot, that was for sure, but it was a nice size overall. It would be a great place to live, seeing how there were many ponies, and a human or two living here, from what I could tell. And the ponies were rather friendly, waving and smiling as I walked past them. I smiled and waved back, before stopping to ask to where I needed to go. I asked a very large pony, whose name was Big Mac, where I could find Rarity's shop. I thanked him, but when I tried to give him a tip, he just smiled and gave me an apple. Best apple I've ever had!

As I made my way down the path and out of the center of the town, it was easy to see that her store was not a main part of Ponyville, as it just stood out like a human. Going up to the door, once more saying to myself how I couldn't believe that I was going to talk to her after what she said to me, I saw an 'open' sign. I pushed myself inside, the soft sound of a bell rung out from above me. "Coming!" I heard her voice as I closed the door, as I crossed my arms and waited.

I didn't have to wait long, she came over, seemingly about to say something, but she stopped when she noticed me; our eyes locked.

"Oh.. Uhm, hello there." she started slowly as I just nodded. "I don't believe I caught your name?"

"Maybe it was because you were ripping on me for the clothing I wear instead of getting to know me."

"Well, they were rather dirty. I mean, what sort of... oh." she stopped when I started to tap my foot on the floor. "I'm doing it again, aren't I?"

When I didn't answer her, she sighed and waved her hoof over and asked. "Please, make yourself at home." I raised a brow but did so all the least.

Sitting on a sofa, with her pulling up a chair, she brought a cup of what smelled like tea and passed it to me. I thanked her and waited for her to sit before taking a drink. "I.. I am truly sorry. It seems Canterlot brings out-"

"You're not sorry," I interrupted as she looked at me. "Believe me when I say that I know when someone is sorry, and you are not. Tell me, Rarity, if you had known I was invited to the GGG, would you have said those things?" she looked down and shook her head. "I may have been invited as a raffle winner, but it doesn't matter either way. Look, you are always entitled to your own thoughts, but I am not from a rich family. Hell, I'm not even on speaking terms with my own mother at the moment."

"What..? Why?"

"Long story. It involves one other person. I will not specify who for their privacy - you'll have to ask them." She seemed more confused of my unwillingness to speak of that, but I held my ground. "Look, dressing up all pretty and stuff is alright up in Canterlot, but would you say anything like what you did to me here in Ponyville? Besides, ponies don't even wear clothing in the first place!" she seemed to look away and blush at the truth.

"Look, I came down here only because Fancy Pants thought it would be a good idea. I'm going to be here for a few weeks, and I plan to come down here a lot, because, well, I had a friend who lived here before."

"No humans have-"

"Pony."

"You have pony friends?"

"Isn't that just what I said?" I sighed again before standing up. "Look, I just came down to tell you that, you never know what someone is willing to do if you've wronged them. Think of that. Either way, I bid you farewell." as I turned to leave, I was stopped by the grip of her magic around my lower right arm as she called out.

"Wait! Would you let me buy you lunch?"

"Why...?" I slowly rolled the question off as she kicked along the floor a bit.

"Because you were right... I am sorry for saying such horrid things to you. It is unbecoming of a lady such as myself. So please, allow me the pleasure of at least saying sorry over a nice lunch?" before I could even say anything she then offered one more thing. "And.. and, I could design your suit for the Gala? Please, just allow me to show you better side. Can we start over?"

I had to admit, when it came to trying to right what she did wrong, she was doing a good job at it. When it came to the suit for the Gala, however, I wouldn't take her up on the offer, but the lunch sounded great, and she was giving me these large, puppy dog eyes. Damn cuteness. "Fine," I agreed. "As long as I pay for half."

I swear, it took me nearly half an hour to convince her to let me to pay for half of the lunch. She was so keen on being generous, and if my friend Devon was here, he would no doubt have made a joke of how giving she was. But after the deal of payment was given, and another half an hour to get ready, we were on our way to the café.

Very little was spoken between us, the air still tense about what happened earlier. I never forget when I've been wronged, and it usually, depending on the severity of the situation, took a lot to gain my good side back.

"Brandon, hey Brandon!" both me and Rarity turned at once, and I smiled at who I saw ran over as I went down on my knee so she could throw her arms about me, a soft nuzzle to my cheek.

"Lyra! It's good to see you again!"

Lyra, my first ever real relationship, you know, the one I told you about where we both just ended it. We both realized that we were better off at being just friends. Some may find it strange or idiotic, but I was glad for this. I didn't want something that I had with Lyra to be tainted. Her coat was a light mint green, her mane a two-tone color of light blue and white, or maybe a very light other color. Her horn, was sticking out of her mane as I softly ran my fingers through the soft hair. "What are you doing here? I thought you had fully moved to my world?"

"Oh, I did," she responded as she moved away from me, and back on all fours. "I'm just here visiting my old roomie Bon Bon."

"You know Brandon?" both me and Lyra looked back to see Rarity looking at the two of us as Lyra only nodded.

"Yeah, we use to date a while ago. That's over, but there was nothing wrong with us, it's just.. well, we both consider ourselves as friends more than a relationship."

"Lyra, you know that it wouldn't have mattered because of what happened..." she looked up at me with large amber like eyes as I heard Rarity cough.

"Excuse me for intruding, but what exactly do you mean?"

My ex-girlfriend decided to join us for lunch, and after she gave Rarity a earful for when she found out the reason why she was paying for my lunch, we were soon sitting down as we waited for our order to arrive. Lyra sat next to me as Rarity from across from us. After removing her hat, she asked. "So... what is it that you meant about something that happened in the past being the reason for your separation?"

"It wasn't that," Lyra told her as I remained silent. "It's just, I thought it would be easier for Brandon and his mother to patch things up."

"Whatever do you mean? What did happened?"

"I dated Lyra," I answered as she nodded.

"Yes, yes, I got that part, but what... oh, OH!" she then looked between us with a wide eye expression as all I could do was nod.

"See, it happened like this..." I started as I closed my eyes, fingers interlaced with one another as I started to remember what happened.

<<>>

"Come on Lyra," I laughed softly turning to look at the pony who was now softly rubbing her mane with her hoof, she was worried, and why wouldn't she; she was going to see my mother for the first time. "You're fine, don't worry too much. You act like you're about to meet the bloody Prime Minister of England." she only released another short whine as she looked to me, and then the apartment before us. Mom would be on the top floor, so we still had a bit to go, seeing how it was a three floor building.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" she asked me as I sighed and knelt down beside her. "I mean, someponies still think ponies and humans shouldn't date and... I don't-"

"Lyra," I then stopped her by placing my hand over her muzzle as she looked to me. "My mother isn't like that. You could have three heads and it wouldn't matter. As long as you make me happy, and I am treating you right, she has nothing to say about us, alright?" she only smiled softly and nodded before I then made a small joke. "Just don't talk about your fetish for humans."

"I don't have a fetish!"

"Says the one who wanted to hold and pet my hand for an hour?" her horn softly started to glow as I raised my hands up in defect. "Kidding, kidding." I softly laughed again as she just glared. By this time we had been dating for a few months now, some of my friends told me that the unwritten rule was to wait a year, but I think having a unicorn for a girlfriend throws those rules out of the way; don't you think?

Walking up the stairs, and knocking on my mother's door, we waited just a few moments, before the door opened

.

My mother's hair was brown, I gained my black hair mostly from my father. Her eyes were light brown, and skin slightly pink; her hair reaching a bit below her shoulders, having just gotten a haircut. She held a smile when seeing me, but when she looked to Lyra... I don't know, it was like the smile went down a small tad. "Brandon, so good to see you," she smiled as she reach over and held me in a soft embrace, I held her back because I never liked giving hugs to my mother, but something about what was going on with her made me want to. As I said, I was a bit taller then her and the top of her head touched my chin.

"Hey mom, how's it going?"

"Good, good, supper is almost ready. So, uh.. you are Lyra?" she asked looking to my pony girlfriend. Again, that look came over her face. When I told mom that I was dating, I may have left out the part that she was a pony from another world; but that shouldn't matter... right?

"Yes, I am Lyra Heartstrings. Nice to meet you."

"Alice," she answered. It was rather funny how mom had to shake her hoof with both hands. "Please, come in."

After walking in and taking off my shoes by the door, the smell of food whiffed through the air. I was glad that Lyra was okay that humans that ate meat. Many ponies thought as humans as monsters for eating meat. But that was only short lived, seeing how they could eat grass and we thought of them as strange. Looking toward the kitchen, I noticed that she took my advice on making salad. The sound of meat sizzling in pans echoed through the house. Lyra was leaning on me as I wrapped an arm about her shoulder as she sighed. I smiled and rubbed her mane softly before I heard her whisper. "I don't think your mother likes me."

"What?" I asked looking to her. "Come on, she's just worried about, that's all."

"What do you mean?" she asked as I softly sighed again.

"You know, I've never had a true relationship before. Either they said I was just a friend, or like a brother to them. Hell, at one point I tried dating a guy."

"You're bi?"

"Yeah I guess so, but nothing happened really, maybe a few kisses on the lips; but we weren't 'dating', he was just using me to get back at his ex."

"Ouch."

"Yeah... So, seeing how you, to me, feel like a real relationship, she's just worried I'll be crushed again."

"You know I wouldn't do that unless it was for a good reason right?" she reminded me as I just closed my eyes and softly laughed.

"I know.. thanks,"

"Any time. But, uh.. where's the bathroom?"

"Down the hall."

We both jerked and looked behind us to see mom standing there, a small smile on her lips. "Dinner will be ready in about half a hour."

"Okay, thank you," Lyra answered as she jumped off the sofa and trotted off.

I watched her go and she looked back at me with a small smile before closing the door behind her. Feeling the eyes of my mother on me, I turned to look at her. Mom raised both me and my brother on her own. My father, whom I hated, hasn't seen been seen in ten years, and I really don't care. My brother's father, (half brothers I guess) still sees him from time to time, but he lives in Canada so I let than slide on not always seeing him.

Mom was now sitting on her single soft chair, looking at me with a soft gaze, concern written all over her face. "Mom?"

"I don't think you should be with that... horse."

I blinked, rather surprised by the way she said it. Cold, uncaring, hostile. "What?" I asked just to make sure I was hearing right. "And why do you think that I shouldn't date Lyra?"

"She's not human, that's why." she answered quickly.

"And what about 'I don't care who you date'? What happened to that?"

"I said who, not what." she pointed out. "Brandon, she is a.. a horse. Why are you dating her anyway? Is it because you think that you're not good enough for your own race or something?"

"That is way under the belt, mom!" I raised my voice up from what she just told me.

"Don't you dare, raise your voice at..."

"No," I cut her off as I stood up. "No, you don't get to make me feel like I'm the bad guy here!" I pointed a finger at her as I watched as she flinched back a bit. "How dare you talk about Lyra like that! I care for her greatly, brought her here to meet you, and you talk behind her back as if she is nothing but an animal!"

"She is!"

"No, she is not!" I slashed the air before me with my hand. "She can speak, she is smart, hell, she's smarter then me, and she gets who I am. She's the first person that cares about me, other than family!"

"If you think, for a moment that I will be accepting her-"

"Oh god forbid that the one person who I care for, you don't like. Just because she's a pony, of all things! You're nothing but a racist!"

"How.. how dare you!"

"How dare I?" I repeated. "You tell me I shouldn't date her just because she is a pony? You have no idea who she is, or what she does! All you care about is how she looks, well news flash, I don't give two fat shits if she is a pony or not! I care for her as she is, not how she looks!"

"Brandon?"

We both looked over, seeing Lyra just standing there in the hallway, her eyes widen in shock and small fear before I looked to my mother and then the pony. "Come on, Lyra. We're leaving."

"But... your mother... "

"If she is can't accept us dating, then I don't want to be here another second."

"Brandon, just listen to-" I cut off my mother again as I put my shoes on and Lyra stood beside me.

"No, I've listened long enough." I looked back at her and glared hard at her, I could feel the heat on my cheeks and the fury in my eyes. "Don't call me, don't message me on Facebook, don't even try and come to my house; because I will not answer to any of them!" after Lyra walked out, I did as well and slammed the door hard.

I just walked, Lyra, not following after me for a moment before catching up, my ears were ringing as what transpired rolled through my mind, over and over again. Once outside, and the cool air hitting my face, I sat down on the stairs, and took a large, heavy breath, my hands shaking.

<<>>

During the telling of the story to Rarity, the food and drinks arrived, and the whole time we ate slowly, as I told the story. Now that I think of it, it was almost a year ago today when that happened. Mom tried to contact me, and I thought that she was trying to say sorry, but no, she kept on defending herself on why she was right. It fueled the flames even more than when we broke up. So, I cut myself off from her and I didn't even care. I'd told as much to the two mares before me, shocking them even more, Lyra, her head was down even more.

I remembered the next days after that fight, she had tried to break up with me, I asked why, and her same answer was that she wanted me to have a good relationship with my mother. I simply told her, I would, when she accepted who I cared for. "My word..." I looked up as the white unicorn held a hoof to her mouth. "You.. you fought your own mother, the one who gave birth to you... for Lyra?"

"Of course I did," I answered with a nod as I turned to look at my ex; she smiled but was looking down all the same. "I cared, and even still do for Lyra. We may just be friends, but I'll be damned if anyone hates on her just because of what she is, I'll show them what it means to hate me myself!"

"I... I am so sorry," Rarity answered looking down. "You have a heart of true nobility, and I treated you as if you were nothing but a common-"

"It's okay," I cut her off as she looked up. "How about we start over fresh?"

"I... I would like that very much," she answered as she held a hoof up towards me as if to shake, but I surprised her as I took it, and placed a soft kiss to the top as she giggled a bit and blushed.

And so, the three of us spoke more as we ate what was left of our meal. Rarity asking mostly questions to Lyra, about how I treated her and all of it was good. Perhaps Fancy Pants was right; maybe it was a good idea that I gave Rarity another chance. Sure, first meetings are always the worst, even more when you start it off such as we did; but still, it could've been worse.

"So... Lyra?" Rarity spoke up after a small pause. "May I ask you something about Brandon here... and promise you wont be offended if I ask?" I saw the two looked to me as I simply shrugged; I really didn't care what someone said about me. When Lyra nodded Rarity gave me a coy smile as I raised a brow at her.

"Is it true humans last longer than stallions in bed?" I nearly choked on my own spit when she asked that, and she said it with such ease, as if it was a normal everyday thing! My ex girlfriend looked over to me again as a coy smile came to her face before saying.

"Oh yes, though the first time was rather short. Brandon was a virgin when we started to date."

"Oh, and how old was he?"

"About twenty two just about to turn twenty three. Oh, you should've seen him, so worried he couldn't even get it up."

"Lyra!" I hissed softly as she only giggled.

"Rather big for a human I might add," she whispered when someone's head, a yellow pegasus with a pink mane passed by. She seemed to hide behind it when I looked to her. "Sure the first time he 'popped' rather quickly but after that first night... ohhh"

"Lyra!" I whispered harshly again.

"How long was our record...two hours?"

"T..two hours and he did not... climax that whole time?" the dress-making pony asked with a wide eye expression. I knew a few guy ponies, or spoke to them when I rarely went to bars. One was so drunk he was saying he lost his mare friend when she left him for a human, because he could only last about five minutes, if lucky; while the human counter part... well, you get the picture. Sure, the ponies were bigger in the junk department, but the humans had much more.. endurance.

"Oh he did, I did way more, but he just kept making me cum and cum and-"

"LYRA!" I screeched loudly before throwing my hands over my face. The screeched reminded of when I was reaching that age where my voice would crack. All heads about us turned as I was just blushing, the two mares rolling on the floor, laughing their ass off.. or flanks, in the matter of speaking. "You will pay... dearly for this!" I whispered harshly at her as she only smiled, the smile of a kid that seemed to know, the threat was hollowed.

After their laughter had died down quite a bit, me just fuming in my seat, arms crossed and my cheek hot from the embarrassment of them easily talking about.. that... I ended up paying for the meals, aside from Rarity's protests. I made sure I took the bill, and sure, maybe I was throwing my money about, but I wasn't planning on doing this all the time! Rarity, after getting my measurements told me she would make me something for the Gala, I was glad Lyra didn't want to go, so I didn't have to say no to her, even though I wouldn't, but still..

"I shall make you something both grand, but also simple for you, Brandon." She proclaimed as I only smiled. "It seemed only right after all the rude and unlady like things I poorly pushed onto you."

"Thank you then, Rarity," bowing my head slightly. "I do hope we can see each other again."

"Well then!" she clapped her hooves together as me and Lyra tilted our heads. "Myself and dear Fluttershy will be having our weekly spa day the day after tomorrow, why don't you and Lyra come?"

"Oh, I don't think we should-"

"Nonsense!" she nearly yelled out. "You paid for lunch, even though I made it quite clear that I would! And I will not take no as a answer, I simply must repay you for what-"

"Okay, okay," I held my hand up. "Very well, I shall come. Lyra?"

"Oh, why not," she also answered with a small shrug of her shoulders. "Not every day one gets a free spa trip."

"So, what will you do for the rest of the day, Brandon?" I made a hum sound as I looked down toward Lyra, smiling softly as she was looking up toward me.

"Perhaps go back up to Canterlot, see what's what. I like Ponyville, don't get me wrong, but I want to see more before the day ends. Besides, I'll be back in two days time because of Rarity."

"That's good," she answered looking to me as I smiled down at her. She walked with me toward the train station, sitting next to me on the bench like a human would, but soon, she fell along her side, her head landing along my lap. I smiled, looking down and softly rubbing her mane out of her face. I heard a soft cough, looking up to see a pure black earth pony staring back at us. I frowned, as I said, a lot of humans, and ponies, thought that human/pony or any other race that had the same brain thinking as us, shouldn't be together. A stay with your own kind of thing. I raised an eyebrow at him, he returned it, and I raised mine higher, before he snorted and walked off. Asshole.

"I missed this...you know?" I made a hrm sound as I looked down toward the mint green pony laying on my lap. "This... I know we both agreed to be friends and to stay friends but..."

"I miss it too," I agreed as she looked up to me. "But, you're right, I value our friendship too greatly." she only simply nodded her head as she laid back softly along my lap.

"Sorry about that whole sex thing..."

"I will get you back for that, Miss Ass Smacker." she blushed hard at this, as I found out that her love for humans, well, let just say she squeals when you either pull her tail because it's the hand, or louder when smacking her flanks. But didn't hear that from me!

"You have to understand, sex is a rather open topic, and it's not taboo like how it is in your world!"

"Sex isn't taboo, it's just..." I sighed and looked away before chuckling. "You know how it is in our world, sure; I'll admit that when I was in high school me and my friends joked about sex, but we were very.. self-centered.. Even more so when my friends went into relationships, it became harder for them to joke about sex, for reasons I'm sure you understand." She only giggled at my words as I flicked her ears making her yelp. "Just... don't go around talking about our sex life, well, our past sex life."

"What if I wanted to hook you up? I heard Bon Bon is looking for-"

"I'm not going to be dating one of your friends, which are both weird and awkward!"

"How so?"

"Women talk. A lot."

This caused her to laugh softly as she kept on lying along my body, my hand softly running along her soft coat, as her eyes closed, softly humming as my fingers rubbed along her chest and belly.

We stayed like this until the rain came. I gave her a goodbye hug, and a promise that I would be back within the next few days. I boarded the train and it left with a loud whistle.

Leaning back along my seat, I heard a cough and opened my eyes, once more seeing the same black earth pony from before. The way he was looking at me... I couldn't even tell what he was thinking. "Can I help you?"

"What's the deal between you and her?" he asked his voice a bit rough and demanding.

"Who?" I questioned.

"The green one," he retorted.

"We're friends."

"Never seen a friend act like that toward another friend."

"We used to date."

"Used to?"

"Where is this going?" I demanded, getting rather annoyed now.

"The train ride will take a while. Why not kill time? We don't even have to use our names, seeing how I'm just going to be calling you human."

"Whatever you say, pony." he seemed to smirk at this as I rolled my eyes. "So what does it matter if we dated. Got an eye for her?"

"And why does that matter?"

"Because she is my friend, so if you hurt her..."

"Peace, human." the pony raised a hoof and waved it. "I'm not into her, she's not my type." I simply crossed my arms and gave him a firm glare, he seemed to look at me more, his eyes along my own, before giving a small huff and looked away for a moment. A great deal of puzzlement written along his face.

He said nothing for a few moments before then asking. "You do know that a lot of ponies and humans think that a human and pony shouldn't be together; don't you?"

"What's your point?" I asked tilting my head to look at him. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but I've seen a pony and a gryphon kissing, hell a dragon and a pony.. Of course the dragon wasn't full size, but either way. Different races have been together before."

"Your kind scares Ponykind."

"Oh?" my body fully turned to look toward him as he was simply looking out the window.

"All those weapons.. all the tech you have... what you have given us.. We have evolved quickly because of this. Dragons have stayed the way they are as they care not of these small things. The Gryphons enjoy this greatly; they love change. But ponies, not so much."

"There are also many members of different races, your kind included, that wish for the Gate to be closed. Too much is happening to quickly, and many are scared." he turned to look back at me as I looked toward the window, watching what flew past. "What do you think?"

How did I get myself into talking with this pony? I mean, just who is this guy and what gave him the reason to ask me all these questions? Sure, everyone, (or everypony) should be allowed to speak their minds. However, I don't even know this pony. And the fact that he wouldn't give me his name is also waving a rather large red flag for me. Truthfully, I wondered why he just didn't give me a fake name. Though, after thinking about his question, it took me but a moment to think of an answer for him.

"I'll admit," I spoke as his ears perked up, fully turning once more to face me. "Humans, we have built many horrible things that can destroy, kill, and cause war. I will not defend my race for that. And the thought had crossed my mind to move here to get away from all the things I dislike about my world. Maybe we humans giving technology to this world is evolving it quicker than it should, and yes, change can be scary, but also good."

"The world always needs change, if change didn't happen, we would be stuck forever in a loop. Ponies, gryphons, and dragons themselves have given us great ways to better help my world, and also the other way around. Besides, this opening of our worlds is still new to both sides, it will take years for anyone to get used to it." I simply shrugged my shoulders after a moment before saying. "I'm not sure if this answers your question, and frankly I don't care ether way. I consider the Gate to be a great change. And besides, our world leaders must ALL agree if any new technology is introduced to a world, it must be proven safe before being put into use. With that said, there's no way any of our superweapons would make it through the Gate. And before you ask, what does it matter if a human or pony dates another race?"

"No matter what, we are all the same. We have the same heart, same blood, and same brains. If two sentient beings can decide they want to express a feeling more than friendship, or any other relationship; let them be! It shouldn't make them an outcast because of such!"

We stared at each other, before the train jerked; stopping at Canterlot. The male pony seemed to smile as he stood up and spoke. "You've got an interesting point of view. I'm sure anypony will enjoy having you as a equal, or as a friend. And at some point I do agree with you, but you should also know one other thing, human." he looked back at me, his face a bit blank, but still held power for what he was about to say. "Be sure you know what you're doing. You never know what someone who heavily believes something will do." And with that, he simply left the train.

What the hell was that about? This is what I thought as I stepped off the train, moving out of the way as ponies made their way inside the train. I kept saying what he said over and over again in my head, trying to figure out what he meant, but I couldn't for the life of me. Was he giving me a warning? Would ponies who think cross-species relationships were wrong get back at me for it? Or was this pony just off his rocker?

Sighing softly, I simply just made my way deeper into the city, not sure what do to. Maybe a nice cup of.. "Help!" I blinked as I shot my head up, looking about, I noticed not a lot of ponies heads looked over as well, did they not hear? Looking over toward a ally way, my eyes grew wide in shock, as there was Nova, curled along the ground as a human towered over her!

This human, was pale, even 'whiter' than me, in a sense. He was completely bald, so much so that the sun shone on his head. He wore a white beater, tattoos covering his arms and neck as he loomed over her. Nova's coat was a mess, she had a black eye, and.. did he..? Without thinking I ran over, even then I knew this guy was a good deal larger then I, in both height and muscle mass, but I had my ways of dealing with thugs. The slapping of my shoes along the ground caused the man to turn, his clear chin pointing to me as I threw a right hook hard to his jaw. I hit him so hard that I think his feet left the ground. Trash that was strewn about, and there was the thud of his body cracking along the ground. Nova looked over to me, a look of surprise and glee as she saw a familiar face. "Brandon! Oh, thank Celestia!" she cried out before she hugged me.

"Go get some guards, quickly!" I ordered her. She gasped for a quick moment before running, yelling out for help. The man, standing up slowly, rubbing his jaw; he looked to me in shock before saying.

"Hey man," his voice was almost deep, but a little high as well. "What are you...?"

"Nopony move!" eyes tracked toward behind me, I looked back quickly to see two guards, whom I could tell were the Sun Knights, or the Walking Dawn; Celestia's day shift. Both wearing golden armor from the guards I've saw all around, spears at the ready, one an earth pony, the other a unicorn, grabbed the man with his magic. Nova was standing behind them, as she pointed a hoof at the man.

"That's him!" she yelled out. "He attacked me, demanding any bits I had! He tried to drag me away, but luckily my friend got here first!" the bald man seemed to try and say something, but was cut off, as the same magic that held him prevented him from speaking.

"Save your words for your police force," he hissed before saying. "We shall see if you have any sort of identification back at our HQ, and if not, and even then, you shall be sent back to Earth, charged and fined!"

Struggling, and a muffled scream heard, any ponies that were watching moved out of the way, as the guards took in the crook. I sighed, my hand hurting a bit from the attack before I made a grunting huff as Nova jumped into my arms; nearly pushing me over.

"Are you sure you will be okay?" I asked her. After Nova gave the guards her version of the story, and also the fact her eye was closed over where the man hit her, they found all the proof they needed to fully exiled him from Equestria. With a bag of ice over my hand, to try and bring down the pain, I watched as Nova placed magic over her face, watching as her black eye, slowly returned to normal. Man, I wish I could use magic. It'd really come in handy right about now.

"Yes, I'm fine," she seemed to laugh a bit before saying. "You've asked me that a lot, you know." We were in my room, as it was considerably closer to the front entrance than hers. A few eyes watched us as we made our way inside and up the stairs. She didn't want others to see her eye. And when did stairs become so taboo that barely anyone knew where they were?

"Well... I worry." I simply answered as she seemed to raise a brow.

"We hardly know each other."

"Well, when someone as pretty as you goes and gets mugged, I tend to worry." The unicorn blushed, not the same blush I've seen before from her, but a bit... darker, maybe.

"Oh please," she waved a hoof toward me, as she walked over, a noticeable sway in her hips. I just blinked. You remember when I said I'm a bit weird? Well, when a normal guy sees a women sway her hips they would feel aroused or think of them... never mind. I bet she was trying to do that to make herself more appealing, but it didn't affect me. Sitting before me, as I sat in a chair, she took my hand in her hooves before looking it over. The red coloration was getting more intense than it was earlier. I think I may have done more then just bruise it. "You're just saying that,"

"No, really," I countered as she looked up toward my eyes. "Anyone would be lucky to have you."

"Guess I haven't found mister lucky yet.. still single." she then looked up again as she smiled, almost coy like. "What about you?"

"Me? Well.. uhh.. yeah, I am, but I'm not looking for a relationship yet,"

"Too bad.. you're rather handsome for a human." this caused me to blush softly, the way she smiled at me, the way she was looking at me as she said it. I only gave her a small smile, before seeing and feeling my hand tingle and glow softly in the hue of her magic. I watched as the redness went away, as well as the pain. After only a few seconds, her magic was released as I flexed and moved my hand. "Much better then human doctors, am I right?" I chuckled softly once more.

"Yeah, much. Thank you, Nova Star."

"Well, you did save me.. you should get far more than a simple healing spell."

"All I did was punch a dude." I countered rubbing my hand. "I'm sure anyone would've done the same."

"Did you see anyone else come to my rescue?" She did have a point, maybe they didn't hear her, but if they couldn't, why could I? Was I just closer to her than I thought, or was I able to hear better than a pony can? Either way, I was glad nothing worse happened. "Hey, I know!" she perked up, walking to me and placed her hooves along my knee. "Why don't I treat you to dinner tomorrow?"

"Dinner?"

"Well, yeah! They do have a nice diner in Canterlot; it is a fancy city and all. And besides, the one that I have in mind also has dancing and other such activities."

"I.. uhm.. can't dance."

"Neither can I." she released a small fit of the giggles as I too joined her laughter.

"Alright, but as long as I pay for it."

"But.. you-"

"It doesn't feel right that I'm not paying, so please, allow me."

The look she gave me, it was that of shock, confusion, before a small bit of happy. "I'll admit, no one has offered to pay for dinner for me. It would always be me, or half of it, if I was the one who asked for the date."

"Date..? Is that..."

"Oh, nonononono." she laughed nervously. "This isn't a date, or... considered one, or.. oh my." she was rather cute when she was flustered.

"How about two beings who just want to share a dinner?"

"Yes, that!"

"How about five?" I offered as she seemed to think on it and nod.

"Five is good. I'll meet you there?"

"I'll be waiting."