This was the first peaceful nights sleep I've had in years, but I still sleep with my trusty knife. A very nice piece. Default shape is a brass knuckle guard, leather wrapped handle, thick stainless steel blade, razor edge, the whole thing is magically enhanced with mental control and polymorphic capabilities. After years of surviving in all kinds of nasty places, keeping my knife handy at all times was second nature. Five years of being a slave in a copper mine because I didn't have it handy taught me that bitter lesson.

I was half awake, savouring the knowledge that I was in a safe place. I had rolled away from under the blanket and had my knife drawn before I knew it. I opened my eyes to see a small white rabbit sitting on his haunches, arms crossed, carrot by his side, and, I think, an angry look to him. He proceeded to put one hand on his hip, and pointed a finger menacingly at me with his other hand.

I sheathed my knife, "You're one of Fluttershy's animal friends, right?" His pointing hand dropped, and he nodded slowly. "Look, I mean Fluttershy, and any other pony, no harm. In fact, I'm grateful to your mistress. I know she's the kind to pickup any old stray, but I promise I'll repay her kindness. Even if it's just manual labour, I will repay her. She's lucky to have a protective friend like you, and I hope we can be friends too."

Angel's eyes narrowed, his expression hard. After a few moments, he snapped his hand to his eyes, pointing two fingers at his eyes, then pointed those two fingers to me, and I assume, my eyes. He dropped his hands and picked up his carrot. His eyes were rounder, as if he grudgingly accepted my words. He pointed one finger at me, cocked an eyebrow, and backed away, keeping eye and finger pointed at me for a few steps, before hopping off, satisfied to have made his point.

Mental note, do not, under any circumstances, ever, cross that rabbit. I like his spirit though, and I can totally respect wanting to protect Fluttershy. I always liked her on the show, but, now that I've actually met her, she has such a radiating warmth and kindness. I can see why he's so fearsomely loyal. How can any sentient not feel that way towards her.

So, now that I was awake, I think I'll get cleaned up properly. I clean up my bed roll and repack it. I get my last set of undamaged (and clean) clothes laid out, and I dig for my toiletries kit. Anyone looking at me while I was digging around in my back pack would see that, while the pack is about 30cm by 30cm by 15cm on the outside, I had my arm almost to the shoulder inside the pack. Once again, almost 59 years since you made this for me Mr. Richards, and it still amazes me.

I finally found what I was looking for. I stripped my shirt off and I found a nice spot by the stream, propped up the mirror, used some soap to lather my face, and using my knife, I shaved. I normally shave every two or three days, but it had been a week and a half since I had, and I was looking a little ragged. By the time I was done, I had only nicked myself three times. A new record, I think. Did I mention I hated shaving with the knife? I would kill for a safety razor and a pack of blades.

It was about this time I heard the gentle voice of Fluttershy calling for me. I called back, "Miss Fluttershy, over here, by the stream. I'm just cleaning up."

She called back the voice getting steadily closer, "Oh, good! I was wondering if you would like to come to the house for some breakfast. I know you l...", her voice trailed off.

I was wiping my knife on my pants and looked around for her. She was standing about 3m behind me, with a look of shock and horror on her face, tears forming in her eyes. "Hey Miss Fluttershy, what's wrong? I'm sorry, is the knife disturbing? I'll put it away." Damn, have I totally freaked her out? Her expression was slowly changing to one of disgust and pity. "Ah. Well, no worries, I'll get out of your way as fast a I can. I'm very sorry I upset you." I was crest fallen. I was hoping I could make friends this jump, rather than temporary allies. I hurriedly starting packing up. I wasn't even bothering to change clothes, I could do that later.

Fluttershy shook her head. "Oh, no. Don't leave. I didn't mean to make you feel bad. Those scars. How can one creature have so many scars?" I realized Fluttershy was looking at my back.

"Oh.", I said quietly. "Most of them are gifts I got when I was a slave in a copper mine. A few are from some 'adventuring', or 'running-for-my-life-ering'. I'm very sorry you saw them." I continued before she could speak, "They don't belong in a world like this. I don't belong in a world like this." I quickly continued to pack my things, my back to Fluttershy. Those years in the mine were very hard. I saw a lot of cruelty and death. I didn't want her to see my tears.

I felt what I assumed was her hoof gently touching my back. My body stiffened and I fought the urge to knock her away. "Oh, you poor colt. What happened to you? Some of these are fairly fresh, no more than a few weeks." She gently touched some of the fresher scars. She made little comforting noises "I'm sorry if I gave you the impression I wanted you to leave. Please stay. I think you're a kind person who was put in an impossible situation. Maybe my friends can help you get home? Please, don't go."

I was silent for a few moments. My body relaxed. "I really appreciate that. I really, honestly, do." I turned and smiled at her, looking her in the eyes for a few moments. Those eyes are so big. I gave my head a shake and put on the best smile I could manage.

Fluttershy looked at me almost angrily. "Now, I think you need a decent meal. I want you to march to my cottage right now, mister. I have breakfast ready for us and I will not take a no for an answer. Pick up your things and scoot," her expression changed to one of motherly concern.

"Well," I cleared my throat, "I certainly can't refuse a wonderful breakfast from such a lovely lady. How about after breakfast, I'll contact my family, then I can earn that breakfast. I'll be happy to help feed the animals, muck out stalls, whatever you need done."

Getting in the house was an experience and a half. The doors were tall enough, but narrow. I sort of scuttled in sideways and was able to make my way to the table. There were no chairs so I sat on my knees. I was pleased to not damage anything getting there. I chuckled, realizing I was like Gandolf in Lord of the Rings when he was in Frodos house, always bumping into something. This world was built on 2/3 horizontal scale.

I was a little surprised at breakfast. I didn't know what to expect, honestly. There was cereal and, what turned out to be cow milk, I noticed there was no spoon, cold hard boiled eggs, toast, a nice cheddar, and tea. I bowed my head and thanked the universe for its gifts. When I opened my eyes, Fluttershy was looking at me, a little perplexed.

"Heh, I'm not a religious person, but I always like to thank the universe for any gift I receive. In this case, good food and a good person to share with." I thought for a moment. "When I was growing up, the act of breaking bread with a stranger makes them your friend." I took a piece of toast, ceremoniously broke it in two equal pieces, and gave her one. I chuckled, "You would usually do it with your own bread, in your own house, but, I'm a little strapped at this moment." I smiled and looked her in the eye. "I promise to do it again before I leave, with my own bread, in my own house." I shrugged, "it may seem like a silly tradition, but it means something to me."

I noticed her irises were almost pinpoints. Fluttershy looked at the dry piece of toast, up to me, and back down at the toast. I realized she was blushing. Her voice was so soft and meek, I could barely hear her. "We have a similar tradition, but it's between married couples..." her voice trailed off.

"Oh! Hay! Whoa!" I pointed to my left ring finger. "Married man! Holy hanna, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to imply anything at all. If I had known this meant anything like that I never would have... I mean, I would never... well, maybe in different circumstances... but, whoa, hey, oy... ugh..., I've never had this happen before. I'm really sorry. Gah! I'm such an idiot.", I face palmed and left the palm where it was, shutting my eyes tightly.

"Um, Alex? It's ok. It was just a little miscommunication. No harm done, and now we have a joke to share." She was still blushing, but now she was looking at me with a friendly grin.

"Heh, I guess it is." I savoured the quiet for a moment. "Soooo, it basically means, 'Hi sweetheart, want to get busy?'" Fluttershy nodded.

"Good to know. Can you imagine if I had tried to 'make friends' with a stallion? I suspect there would be a me shaped hole in a handy wall and two horseshoe prints in my face." I chuckled at the imagery. "Or even worse, if I would have had all five of your friends around the same table, I shudder to think of the outcome. Especially if my wife found out." We both giggled at the imagery and in relief of an awkward situation resolved. For the first time in a very long time I was hopeful that I could let my guard down.

"Well, no point in letting this naughty toast go to waste!" I made exaggerated 'nom-nom' noises and more giggles ensued. "You know Fluttershy, I'm relieved that you have a wonderful sense of humour. I never got that from the show, and meeting you for real has shown me that I can't assume much. Going forward, I'll double check with you, or an other pony I trust, before making any cultural assumptions. I really don't want to propose anything untoward to some random pony."

I hadn't realized how hungry I was until I ate the toast, but did my best not to bolt my food. Fluttershy kept hovering over me, making sure my cup was always full, and my plate never empty. It was getting a little annoying.

"Fluttershy, as much as I appreciate what you're doing, I really feel like I'm monopolizing your time. Can you at least have breakfast yourself? I don't want you passing out from starvation because I'm too lazy to get my own tea." I cocked an eyebrow and smirked. Seeing her cup was empty, I reached over an filled her cup. "See? Long monkey arms come in handy. Now, sit and eat. Please."

Having finished our meals, I helped clean up, then set up to contact my family. "I think it's time for me to call home. I would be very pleased if you were with me when I do this. It would be nice to show them a friend instead of a dark cave, alleyway, or some crazy situation."

I took out my most prized possession. The most important gadget I had. The one I would do anything to keep safe. It looked like a thick plastic sheet, folded in half then rolled up like a scroll. I carefully unrolled it, then unfolded it to about a 100 degree angle. So, basically a laptop. Have I thanked Mr. Richards enough yet? Nope, not really.

I started it up, and started the sequence to make an inter-reality connection. It usually takes less than a minute, but this time it took almost 15. Still, I wasn't worried. I chalked it up to this being the first animated universe I was in.

I used Skype to make the call, but I put my thumb on the camera. I wanted it to be a big surprise. The other end was ringing, and I got an answer. "Hi sweetheart!" A look of concern crossed her face. "Why is it so dark? Are you in a cave again?", she lowered her voice, "Are you in a bad situation?"

I smiled, "No dear, I'm in a great place. But, I didn't want to surprise you too much. I'm in an animated universe. Everything is like a drawn cartoon. So, I'm pulling my thumb away, be ready to be surprised. Oh, and call the kids. I think they will get a kick out of it."

"Dan is at school, but Lily is here. Wait a sec." Ann left and a few moments later a rambunctious 3 year old was looking at the screen, sitting on Ann's lap.

"Where's daddy, mommy?"

I answered by removing my thumb, "I'm right here sweetie!"

In a fit of giggles only a toddler can produce, "You look silly daddy!"

"Lily, I have an other surprise. I met a very nice lady that has been very kind to me. You may know her. Miss Fluttershy, if you please." I turned the camera toward her.

Lily started hopping up and down with a manic grin, "Pony! Mommy, look! It pony! It Fuddershy! Fuddershy!"

Fluttershy said, "Oh, what a lovely daughter. So full of energy! She's a lot like the Cutie Mark Crusaders. And Mrs. Roberts, it's a pleasure to meet you. Alex has told me all about you. He's a very brave person and I promise to take him to meet Twilight Sparkle and maybe get him home."

"Ok Ann, now that I've checked in, lets do the time test. I'm going to help Miss Fluttershy feed and take care of the animals and I'll be back in about an hour."

The test was fairly simple, I would end the message, Ann would start a timer, I would wait an hour then call back. A little math, and I would know approximately how long until my next jump. Easy peasy.

I explained that if the time was less than an hour, I was in a time expanded reality, that is, the amount of time spent here was longer than "real" time. If it was longer, it was a time contracted reality. Like I said, simple.

So, with an hour to kill, I helped Fluttershy with her morning chores. It felt good to do something physical. I was always nervous when doing this. I didn't want to get stuck anywhere for 20 years again. That was a long time. Too long. Even in a paradise like this.

Anyway, we had to hurry. Fluttershy informed me the weather office had a rain shower planned for late morning, and that was coming up soon.

The rain had started, and it was getting cool. I reconnected, and Anne had her face away from the camera, she turned with a shocked look on her face. "Oh, sweetheart..." Tears were welling up.

I stayed calm, it could mean anything. "How long?"

She just looked and stammered.

I felt desperate, I raised may voice. I never raise my voice to Ann. "How! Long!"

She closed her eyes, "27 seconds.".

I did the math in my head and blanched. 27 seconds for an hour translates to about 60 years. I was in a daze, and mumbled, "Excuse me, I need to step outside for a minute." Fluttershy looked at me, not understanding, but she didn't follow. She was startled by a scream. A gut wrenching, primal scream full of anger, sorrow, and despair.

All I could think was, '60 apple bucking years. 60, years.'

The sound of a steady thumping began, with each thump accompanied with an angry muttering. After a few moments, Fluttershy stepped out of the door.

It was still raining. She found me standing by the tree methodically punching the trunk, my knuckles bruised and bloody. I had stopped saying anything, just silently punching, punching, punching, tears streaming down my face. Finally, I stopped even that, leaning my head on the tree an breathing hard.

Fluttershy tentatively came up to me, "Um, Alex? Is th..."

My head snapped in her direction. "WHAT DO YOU WANT?" My face was contorted with anger and grief.

Fluttershy cringed in terror. Realizing what I had just done I could only imagine how she saw me, twice her size, a mad scarred monster.

"Oh, dear Celestia..." I dropped to my knees. "F-Fluttershy, I'm so sorry, I... I..." I dropped my head. I sobbed. I was so tired. I missed my family. I just wanted to go home. I couldn't keep up the mask. Oh Celestia I was tired.

I felt her warm head on my shoulder and her forelimbs hugging me. It was a small but appreciated comfort.