Moondancer Green WIP


                                            >Ah, Canterlot.

                                            >It's not normally within your price range, but your employer gave you a bonus for the extra effort you've been putting in.

                                            >Those crops won't pick themselves, and Carrot Top is a sucker for ear scritches.

                                            >You've decided to celebrate the fat payday with some donuts and a milkshake.  Fancy dining isn't really your thing.

                                            >Enough time has passed since your arrival that you don't get strange looks anymore in Ponyville, but Canterlot is a different story.

                                            >Even if Celestia made a huge deal about her citizens being kind towards the strange bipedal alien that woke up in their world.

                                            >Donut Joe is cool enough at least.  It's nice to have met another guy you can just shoot the shit with.

                                            "...and then Spike burned up an entire bouquet!  Rose and Lily fainted on the spot!"

                                            >You recall to the proprietor, giving a hearty chuckle.

                                            >"Heh.  That kid is a loose cannon.  Damn near wiped out my stock on the night of the Gala a few years back."

                                            >Some giggles from a group of three a few tables down tickle your ears.

                                            >Man, mares are cute.

                                            >"So, what brings you to Canterlot, chief?'

                                            >You try your best to ignore the laughing ponies.

                                            "Not much, I guess.  Needed a change of scenery?  The architecture's nice."

                                            >"I hear ya.  Sucks that mostly everypony here is pretty snooty.  I feel like a fish out of water all the time."

                                            >"Makes for good business at least."

                                            "I bet."

                                            >As you take another generous bite out of your glazed treat, you hear a few energetic clip clops followed by a tap on your shoulder.

                                            >"Anonymous?"

                                            >You turn to meet your eyes with your visitor and are greeted with a sweet looking blue mare with a white streak in her mane.

                                            >"Omigosh, I thought that was you!  I mean, who could mistake it, amiright?"

                                            >She has the pearliest, whitest smile you've seen on a mare.  What a cutie.

                                            "Yeah, that's me.  I'm sorry, have we met?"

                                            >You inquire, scratching your head.

                                            >"Oh, doi.  Where are my manners?"

                                            >"I'm Minuette!  My friend Lyra told me all about you!"

                                            >Lyra...you shared your oatmeal lunch with her when you were on break a few weeks ago and popped in for Ogres and Obuliettes that one time.

                                            >You remember that she was floored by the sight of your hands.

                                            "She said good things, I hope?"

                                            >"Of course!  She thought you were really nice!"

                                            >"Sorry for my intrusion, but would you like to have a donut with us?  I've never met a human before!"

                                            >She combines her offer with another adorable smile.

                                            >Who could say no?

                                            >You turn to your previous conversation partner.

                                            >Donut Joe gives you a look and a nod, nonverbally telling you to "go for it".

                                            >Many donuts were already consumed by you, but you think that there's room for one more.

                                            >Especially when cute mares are involved.

                                            "Why not?  I'll order another round for all of us."

                                            >You slide four bits over to the owner as he levitates some plates with fresh treats over to the party's table.

                                            >"Yay!  You're so kind!"

                                            >Minuette looks back at her two friends with a wink.

                                            >You're hoping the toothpaste-maned mare isn't just trying to get free donuts.

                                            >The two of you make your way over to the table.

                                            >One yellow and one white unicorn flash you a grin as you quickly introduce yourself.

                                            "Hi, I'm Anon."

                                            >"Lemon Hearts."

                                            >You extend your arm for a hoofshake, and do the same for the white mare.

                                            >"Twinkleshine.  Nice to meet you!"

                                            >Comfy in a chair with a new donut, the ponies begin prodding you with questions.

                                            >At least they aren't looking at you like you're a circus attraction.

                                            >Minuette starts the friendly interrogation.

                                            >"So, um, what's it like being a human?"

                                            "Cool, I guess.  Earth ponies always ask me for favors because of these."

                                            >You explain, quickly showing off your hands.

                                            >"I'm sure they do!  I'd like a pair of those!"

                                            >Lemon Hearts chimes in.

                                            >"Bet they'd look weird on a pony.  Could you imagine?"

                                            >You and Twinkleshine give a chuckle.

                                            >"Our friend Lyra thinks they're the coolest thing ever."

                                            >"She gets frustrated having to use magic for everything."

                                            >After another round of giggles from the group, a slightly awkward silence falls over the atmosphere.

                                            >The sound of donuts being munched on drags on until you notice Minuette and Lemon Hearts whispering to each other.

                                            >You can barely make out a few words.

                                            >"Pshpshpsh...just bring it up...pshshshsh"

                                            >"No, you tell him Minny...pshspshpsh"

                                            >The two mares quit their whispering when they notice you looking towards them.

                                            >A bead of sweat trickles down from Minuette's forehead.

                                            >"Sooo, uh Anon..."

                                            "What's up?"

                                            >"I have to be honest, I invited you over here for a reason..."

                                            >"See, our friend Moondancer is a real shut-in, and she could, uh, use a date!"

                                            >"Think I could maybe introduce you to her?"

                                            >You blink a few times.

                                            "Umm..."

                                            >Minuette's two friends are giving you a look that screams "Pleeeease?"

                                            >Considering the possibilities of being set up, a few thoughts flash in your head.

                                            >She can't be that weird, right?  Well, she must be if her friends want an alien they just met to date her.

                                            >Still, you haven't met a mare you hadn't liked yet.  What's the harm?

                                            "Eh, why not.  You owe me a donut if it's really awkward, though."

                                            >"Deal!  You won't regret meeting her, I swear!"

                                            >The other two ponies are ecstatic that you're giving their friend a chance.

                                            >"Yay!"

                                            >Minuette finishes the last bite of her sprinkled pastry and rises from her seat.

                                            >"I'll see you later, girls!"

                                            >Lemon and Twinkleshine wave to both of you as you exit the donut shop.

                                            >"Bye Minny!  It was nice meeting you, Anon!"

                                            >"Good luck!"

                                            >You politely wave goodbye to the similar looking mares.

                                            >Donut Joe gives you a nod on your way out.

                                            >The streets of Canterlot pass you by as you walk with your new friend.

                                            >Minuette is happily trotting beside you, humming a cheerful tune.

                                            >You feel pretty nervous and uncertain about the situation.

                                            "What's Moondancer like?  Is she nice?"

                                            >The blue mare pauses her hums.

                                            >"Well...usually, yeah."

                                            >You raise an eyebrow.

                                            >"She's been pretty bitter for the past month or so."

                                            >"See, we have a friend named Twilight Sparkle who threw a make-up party for Moondancer awhile ago."

                                            >Twilight...the purple alicorn who lives in the crystal abomination in Ponyville.  Who could forget her?

                                            >"She really missed Twilight after she left Canterlot without saying goodbye, and it took a lot for her to come back out of her shell."

                                            >"Twilight told her she'd come back to visit really soon and poor Moonie hasn't heard from her since.  I'd be bitter too!"

                                            >"I know she has weird princess duties to attend to, but she could at least come say hi to us.  Not like she's never in Canterlot."

                                            >Minuette's ears flop downwards as she explains Twilight's flakiness to you.  The princess of friendship at her best, huh?

                                            "Damn...I'm sorry to hear that.  I hope we can cheer her up."

                                            >"Me too."

                                            >The two of you walk in silence after that exchange until you arrive to a dingy and lonely looking cottage.

                                            >It's sandwiched in between two much nicer looking buildings.

                                            >"Wait out here Anon, I need to make sure she won't bite our heads off for bothering her."

                                            "Alrighty then."

                                            >Minuette nervously approaches the front door and gingerly taps her hoof onto it.

                                            >A voice rings out from within the dwelling.

                                            >"What do you want?!"

                                            >"M-Moondancer?"

                                            >"Oh.  Hey, Minuette..."

                                            >The door creaks open revealing an unkempt, cream colored pony.

                                            >She's sporting a messy mane and crooked glasses.

                                            >Minuette greets her depressed friend with a quick, yet comforting hug.

                                            >"What's up...?"

                                            >The blue mare begins sweating and lets out a nervous chuckle.

                                            >"I was just in the neighborhood and thought I'd say hi!"

                                            >"Heh..."

                                            >Moondancer notices you standing about a yard away from her house and raises an eyebrow at her friend.

                                            >"Is that so?"

                                            >Minuette spits it out.

                                            >"Fine...you got me!"

                                            >"I met a new friend today and thought you'd like to meet him!"

                                            >"You could do with some outside time."

                                            >The messy mare rolls her eyes.

                                            >"Ugh."

                                            >Moondancer almost slams the door, but her friend grasped her hoof with magic before she could.

                                            >"Please?  It'll be good for you!"

                                            >Your new friend cocks her head in your direction, causing Moondancer to glance once more.

                                            >Noticing Moondancer's gaze, you politely wave at her.

                                            >Moondancer awkwardly returns the wave, sealing the deal.

                                            >"Fine.  If it will get you off my ba-"

                                            >The cheerful blue unicorn cuts off her friend and locks her hoof onto her front leg.

                                            >"Great!"

                                            >Moondancer is quickly dragged to your position as Minuette almost cartoonishly makes herself scarce.

                                            >"Byehavefunyoutwo!"

                                            >The uneasiness of the situation is so thick that it could be cut with a knife.

                                            >Both of you are really caught off guard.

                                            >"Uhh, hi?  I guess."

                                            >You try your best to salvage any semblance of social skills.

                                            >Not like it matters too much when talking to a greasy geek.

                                            >A cute, greasy geek.

                                            "H-hey.  I'm Anon.  I'm sure you've heard about me being thrown into Equestria."

                                            >Moondancer returns your assumption with a scowl.

                                            >"No, I haven't actually."

                                            >Crap.  This is going well.

                                            "Well, forget that last part then.  It's nice to meet you."

                                            >"Ugh.  Likewise.  I'm Moondancer."

                                            >She reaches her hoof out for a hoofshake.

                                            >A really half-assed, flimsy hoofshake.

                                            >"Look, I only came out here because Minuette wouldn't let me hear the end of it if I didn't."

                                            >"Can I go back inside now?"

                                            >Her annoyance at the situation is palpable.

                                            >Sweat drips from your forehead.  You're blowing it!

                                            >As your vision shifts around your surroundings in a slight panic, you notice a set of eager, blue eyes looking onto you from a nearby bush.

                                            >This just might be your way to extend things for a bit longer.

                                            "I mean...yeah, if you want to.  Something tells me Minuette will know if you do, though."

                                            >You casually tilt your head towards your spy's direction.

                                            >Moondancer picks up on this and glances towards the bush.

                                            >"That pony...I swear."

                                            >"Whatever."

                                            "So, you...uh, wanna grab a donut?"

                                            >Moondancer rolls her eyes and pokes at the ground with her hoof.

                                            >"Why not."

                                            >You've eaten enough donuts today to satisfy you for a whole month, but you could wolf down one more if there's an adorable nerd in the equation.

                                            >The two of you begin walking together.

                                            >As you do, you faintly hear the bush say "Yes!"

                                            >Paying it no mind, you attempt to break the uneasy silence that's plaguing the atmosphere.

                                            "So..."

                                            "How did you meet Minuette and the girls?"

                                            >"We're foalhood friends from the gifted unicorn school."

                                            "Oh, that's cool.  You good at magic?"

                                            >"I guess."

                                            "What kinds?"

                                            >"Manipulation, conjuration, transformation, et cetera."

                                            >"The usual stuff."

                                            >She's not making a whole lot of effort to have a fulfilling conversation.

                                            >Scratching your head, you try to come up with any way to turn this around.

                                            "It may be the usual stuff for you, but I think it sounds awesome!"

                                            "I learned a little bit about unicorns from Ogres and Oubliettes and their abilities interest me a lot."

                                            >Moondancer perks up after that sentence, her facial expression changing from a frown an 'ooo'.

                                            >"You play O&O?"

                                            >Bingo.

                                            "Yeah!  A friend invited me awhile back and I was skeptical, but I ended up having a lot of fun."

                                            >For the first time, you see the faintest smile form on Moondancer's lips.

                                            >"That's awesome!  What kind of character do you play?"

                                            "On our current campaign I'm a unicorn paladin.  I like the idea of blasting skellies with magic beams and stuff.."

                                            "I think it's badass that unicorns can actually do that.  Well, if skeletons existed, of course."

                                            >Moondancer giggles.

                                            >"You know there's a skeleton inside you right now, right?"

                                            "Whoa!  Spooky!"

                                            >All it took to get this nerd to be friendly was talk about nerd things.

                                            >You can't say you're surprised.

                                            >"I know, right?"

                                            >"Anyways, last time I played I was a bear rogue.  Maxed out on disguise and ended up convincing all the NPCs that I was a regular pony."

                                            >"My stealth check failed once and a random stallion saw through the illusion.  Everypony else kicked him out and apologized to me."

                                            >"The entire table was dying of laughter!"

                                            >You give a hearty chuckle, trying not to erupt into a belly laugh.

                                            "I might have to try something like that next campaign."

                                            >"Heh, yeah.  I regret that I quit showing up to those sessions."

                                            "Hey, if you want, you could come play with my group.  I'm sure Spike could make room for one more."

                                            >"I'd love to-"

                                            >Moondancer's expression sours.

                                            >"Oh.  Spike..."

                                            >"Yeah, maybe sometime..."

                                            >You're initially confused by the sudden change in tone, but you quickly remember.

                                            >Twilight.

                                            >You have a hasty debate with yourself on whether or not it's a good idea to talk about her friendship problem.

                                            >Deciding against it, you come up with another solution.

                                            "If that wouldn't work, maybe we could start our own session."

                                            "You could DM for us and maybe Minuette would want to join."

                                            "Only if you're comfortable with it, of course."

                                            >Moondancer's sadness fades as you throw the first idea out the window.

                                            >"I'd like that."

                                            >Right as your date(?)'s happy expression returns, you find yourselves a a couple yards away from Donut Joe's.

                                            >Continuing with her cartoon antics, you spot Minuette outside of the window, signaling her friends to scram.

                                            >In a puff of dust, Twinkleshine and Lemon Hearts dart away from the establishment.  Moondancer didn't even notice.

                                            >You walk up to the entrance and hold the door open for the lovable geek, as a gentleman would.

                                            >Moondancer's cheeks turn slightly red at the chivalrous act.

                                            >Both of you make your way to a table and settle in.

                                            >Without having to say anything, Donut Joe levitates two more plates with sugary goods over to you.

                                            >You look up to him and he mouths "It's on the house" to you.

                                            >As you give him a quick grin and nod, Moondancer messily takes the first bite of her donut.

                                            >She begins talking with her mouth full.  Crumbs and sprinkles find their way onto her itchy looking sweater.

                                            >"I wanted to ask, what are you?  Never seen anypony who looks the way you do."

                                            >Any Canterlot citizen would be appalled at her lack of table manners.  You think it's adorable, however.

                                            "I'm a human, obviously not a pony.  I just woke up in the Everfree Forest and have been doing my best to get by ever since."

                                            "It's nice here.  Once ponies get past the fact that I'm different, they're really nice.  A lot nicer than the other humans back home."