I woke slowly, painfully, what might have been a few hours later or days later. I wasn't sure at the time. To my relief, I was in my bed. My shirt was missing, and my wounds were bandaged up. To my surprise, I didn't feel as much in pain as I had earlier.

Feeling something at my feet, I looked down and saw a very familiar Zebra lying down at the edge of my bed. Her eyes were closed and she was breathing peacefully. Next to her were the earrings and necklaces she was wearing the night before. Unfortunately, she was sleeping in such a way that her…private area, let's say…was exposed.

Looking away quickly, I felt something fall off of my forehead. Reaching down, I caught it, only to see it was a slightly damp small towel. One of my nicer ones, actually. Ones I brought home from my childhood home after my parents' deaths. I looked back at the Zebra in front of me, at least at her sleeping face. She wouldn't have known I never use these towels often since they were one of mementos I had of them. I reached over to stroke her mane, but stopped.

Instead, I quietly got out of bed, trying my best to not wake my guest and savior. Unfortunately, she must have been a light sleeper, since she slowly opened one eye, then the other. Looking at me, she slowly stood and stretched. "I'm very glad to see you awake. You had me worried, for goodness sake!"

I sighed. "Um…I apologize for worrying you."

"'Tis well and good now, my savior. Now tell me, are you feeling better?"

"I am," I replied. Then, pointing to my bandages, I added, "I assume you're responsible for this? If you are, you have my utmost gratitude."

"You are my savior, after all. I had to do something after that fall," the Zebra replied. "By the way, what are you? I have not seen your kind before." A slight frown creased her brows.

"I'm a human being," I said. "My name's Jethro."

"Zecora is my moniker," she replied, "and how did you come to this forest?" Now, she had a look on her face that was one of worry.

Ignoring her half-spoken rhymes, figuring it was some kind of unique way this Zebra talked, I sighed, shrugging. When she looked at me curiously, I nearly facepalmed. Of course they wouldn't know what a shrug was with their biology. "I'd tell you if I could, Miss Zecora, but I'm afraid I'm just as lost as you are. I don't know how I got here." Which wasn't a total lie. Athena had said she hadn't brought me here, only made certain arrangements to create a safe space for my future in Equestria.

Zecora raised her hoof and, in a relatively human gesture, rubbed her chin. "I see, I see…that is a shame. Perhaps some evil is to blame?"

Frowning, I shook my head quickly, only for the pain in my shoulder to return in force. "Ack!"

Zecora was immediately by my side, placing two gentle hooves on my shoulder and pushing me down. "Oh no, you don't. You rest in bed, until I give the go ahead." She had a stern but kindly older woman look in her eyes. "You're still injured. The potions need a day to heal you."

"A day, huh…?" I groaned, but obliged as I propped myself up against the pillow. "Alright…I guess I can do that." Grabbing my remote, I turned the TV on and selected Netflix again.

Zecora watched this in utter astonishment. "Pray tell, might I ask what you do there? It's not something familiar to this mare."

"It's a television," I said. "Oh wait, I assume you don't have such things here. Um…how to explain…? Do you know what a play is?" She opened her mouth to reply, but to my confusion, closed it again and simply nodded. "Okay, that makes it somewhat easier to explain. It's a device from my home…land…that allows me to observe plays without having to leave my house."

"A magic mirror on the wall?" she asked. "Does it tell who's fairest of them all?"

I held back the sudden urge to smirk. "Unfortunately, no. It's…well, the plays it shows aren't live, and there's nobody in the mirror to ask questions to." When Netflix loaded, I began scrolling. I almost stopped on My Little Pony before I remembered my visitor. I tried to quickly scroll over it, but it was too late. The moment the icon scrolled over the show, an image of the cartoonified Nightmare Moon showed on the screen before vanishing, replaced by the next preview image.

Zecora, who was now standing next to my bed, whirled her head towards me. "I beg your pardon, but what did I see? It struck me with some familiarity."

I groaned, and moved back up. The image of Nightmare Moon animated and began, "Muahahaha! Why? Am I not royal enough for you? Don't you know who I am?"

I muted the TV as the animated preview continued. Zecora watched with some confusion mixed with fascination as the animated versions of the Ponies. "What in Tartarus…?" she said.

"Yeah…I'm guessing you'll want some explanations, huh?"

She jumped onto my bed and kneeled all four of her legs down. Her expression was one of serious contemplation. "Please," was all she said.

Appreciating her politeness while at the same time understanding her tone, I inhaled deeply. "Miss Zecora, before I do tell you, I ask one thing: please don't tell anyone else about what I'm going to tell you. I'd rather this be kept a secret, along with my existence for the time being. I highly doubt others around would be as kind as you've been to me."

Zecora's serious expression softened, and a kind smile crossed her face. "If it's a secret you wish for me to keep, I promise I won't make a peep."

Her rhyming was beginning to grow on me, so I began my best to explain a few things. I started with as much of an in-depth explanation of what a television show was. Zecora asked plenty of questions, and I did my best to answer them.

As the morning turned into afternoon, Zecora paused the explanation and made me some lunch. She was going to use her own supplies, but I insisted she could use mine. She was a bit concerned when she saw all the meat I ate, but I quickly explained that back on my world, no animals could talk. She made me two grilled cheese sandwiches anyway, and I had to admit, they were extremely delicious. She made herself food using her own supplies, however. When we were finished, I continued the explanations, going over some basics about Earth as well as the My Little Pony TV show. She listened intently, asking question after question, half the time using a rhyming scheme, and other times not. There was a break for dinner in between, where she used the last of my potatoes to make some lovely mashed potatoes with butter.

When the sun began setting on the horizon, Zecora looked over at the open window, then at the clock. "Oh my, has it really gotten this late? I did not realize it was past eight."

I chuckled. "It's alright. You're the first person I've met since I got here. And you say your house is in the forest?" I held out my hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, new neighbor."

She smiled, extending her hoof. I took it and shook it gently, unsure just how strong she was. Her hoof was a bit coarse, but not too unpleasant to hold. After a bit, I released it. "Listen, Miss Zecora, it's a bit late to be heading back to your place, wherever that is. I don't mind if you stay the night. You can have the bed. I can sleep on the couch."

I started to get up, but she was in front of me nearly instantly. "Oh no, you don't. I'm just the guest. The couch is where I'll get some rest."

I shook my head. "I'd feel bad. The couch isn't exactly as comfortable as my bed, but I'm used to it. I've slept on it all night in the past."

"Please do not fret, my injured savior. We Zebras are tougher than you give us credit for," Zecora said in an insistent voice.

I immediately felt guilty at that. Mom always said 'An assumption makes an ass out of you and me.' I lowered my head. "I'm sorry…I made an assumption." I looked back up at her. "But I still want you sleeping here. After all you've done for me, I want to return the favor."

"A good night's rest is what you need, a couch won't do, no indeed." She rubbed her chin with her hoof again. Seeing such a human gesture on a equine was still a bit unusual to me. "What if we slept together here? Forgive me, but would that be queer?"

Had this been ten years ago and if I'd been single, the thought of a girl in my bed with me would have caused me to blush up a storm. However, with age comes wisdom, as the old saying goes. I thought about it for a bit. If I think of her more as an animal…no! That's not fair to her. Besides, it's not like we're dating. I chuckled a bit. "I think that would be a good compromise." I held up my hand again.

Zecora nodded, shaking my hand again. Yawning slightly, she got up and began closing the open windows in the room. I lay down further on the bed, getting more comfortable. I closed my eyes. A little while later, someone got into bed next to me. Turning, I found myself gazing into Zecora's kindly dark aquamarine eyes. "I'm grateful for your hospitality. When you are well, would you like to visit me?"

I smiled at her. "You know, that sounds nice, actually. I'd love to visit you, if you're willing."

"Of course I am," was all she said, yawning again and closing her eyes. "You are my savior…" she said in a tired voice.

I chuckled, pulling the covers over my sudden guest. "If anyone's my savior here, it's you," I replied just as sleepily as I felt myself sink deeper into the pillow. Soon, I was in a deep sleep.

"First person you've met, huh? What am I? Chopped liver?"

I was in the throne room of the Palace of the Sisters once more, sitting on one of the thrones when I opened my eyes to find myself staring into the narrowed but amused eyes of my little goddess. She was standing on her haunches and had her front hooves on what on a human would be her hips.

I backed away, somewhat nervous now. "Hey, what was I supposed to say? 'Yeah, I met a banished Alicorn princess before I met you, Miss Zecora'?"

Athena moved back, throwing her head back and laughing heartily. "Relax, relax. I'm just teasing you." She walked over and sat on the other throne, peering out at the half complete room. "I'm glad you met someone today, at least. Although, I didn't exactly plan on you being nearly eaten by Timberwolves."

"Timberwolves? Of course, I should have guessed," I rolled my eyes. "Whoever names things in this world has got to be, what, ten?"

Athena laughed and stamped her hoof on the side of the throne in utter amusement. "Oh my…Jethro, you're definitely an amusing human. I haven't laughed so hard in years."

I chuckled as I stood. "Glad I could make you laugh a bit."

Athena walked over to me suddenly, looking at me with a serious look. "You did have me worried there. I was afraid they'd throw you over the cliff and dash your body against the rocks below." She lowered her head. "I wish I could have helped then, but I am only able to exist in your dreams, much like Luna."

"Huh? What do you mean?" I tilted my head.

"Luna's powers have to do with the night," Athena explained. "She is able to enter the dreams of anypony in Equestria, not just raise the moon. I'm only able to do something similar because of all the magic I've absorbed before."

"That means…I won't be able to actually see you in person?" For some reason, one I couldn't explain, the thought tore at my heart. I realized she reminded me of my mother in that moment, and it took all my self-control to keep from breaking down.

She shook her head. "At the moment, I'm afraid that's impossible." Turning towards me again, she gave me a loving motherly smile. "Just doing what I did to give you the comforts of home took a lot out of me."

"Oh…" I felt guilty. She'd been doing so much for me, and I'd not done anything for her in return.

Seeming to sense my feelings, she chuckled. "Hey, don't look so down. I did what I did of my own free will. Imagine if you'd only come to this world with the clothes on your back. That was what was going to happen originally had I not intervened."

"And I'm really grateful. Truly, I am. Even so-"

"Shush, my little stallion," she said, and her tone was instantly a motherly, loving one. "You have the blessing of Obsidian Star with you. Even if I can't visit your dreams every night, I will always be watching and helping where I can. Now, I must go."

"Wait, Athena!" I stood and reached out as she began glowing and floating up.

"Zecora has invited you to her home. Go with her. You will not see me for some time, but just know I am always watching over you…"

I watched her go, frowning sadly. Soon, I was all alone in the castle again. I collapsed back into the throne again, sighing. Through a crack in the stone wall, I saw the rising moon. Standing again, a small smile formed on my face, widening as some of the fallen stones around me began to levitate off the ground. "Alrighty, let's git 'er done!" Hovering in the air, I lifted my arms up majestically, stones circling around me…

I woke to find Zecora slowly removing the bandages she'd put on me the day before. It was just past nine. She was using her teeth to pull off some of the bandages from my upper shoulder when our eyes met. With her mouth full of a bloody bandage, she smiled. "Good morning, my savior. How did you sleep? I hope I did not make a peep."

"I slept very well, thank you," I said as I slowly sat up. Reaching around, I began helping her to remove the bandages on my body. Aside from a few scars, courtesy of the scratches and bite I received from the Timberwolves, I looked relatively unscathed. The scars were actually fairly faint, too. "Wow…whatever you did, it works wonders."

"Thank you for your kind words," she said. Once more, she frowned.

Ever since I'd met her, she'd frowned anytime she didn't speak in her rhyming scheme. I frowned in response. "Miss Zecora? Is something wrong?"

"…What magic do you possess?" she asked. "My Equestrian has been disrupted ever since I met you."

I tilted my head. "Disrupted?"

She nodded. "You've noticed my speech patterns, have you not?"

"You speak in rhymes some of the time," I said, continuing to remove the bandages. The only ache I could feel now was a slight stiffness in my upper back.

"My speech has been like this for many years. I never broke from this way of speech, but I meet you and it becomes all tangled up," she said louder, almost in a frustrated tone.

Startled, I turned to face her fully. "Miss Zecora? Did I do something to anger you?"

She looked up at me, eyes wide. "No! No no no, of course not! You are still my savior, and for that I am eternally grateful. It's…I'm just a bit unnerved at the way I'm now speaking, is all." She bowed her head. "My apologies if I was rude. Speaking like that was extremely crude."

I pointed. "See? You haven't exactly lost the ability."

She nodded, then sighed. "I suppose not…" We finished taking off my bandages, and I hesitantly stood up. The stiffness in my back was still there, but other than that, I felt perfectly healthy. I stretched and cracked a few bones before heading to my dresser to throw on a t-shirt. Hearing Zecora clearing her throat, I turned. She was standing in front of me now, an unreadable expression on my face. "Do you have any plans today? If not, would you care to visit my home? Maybe we can get some answers there."

Immediately, Athena's advice came back into my mind. I smiled and nodded. "We are neighbors now, so I wouldn't mind at all. How about after breakfast? Can't exactly walk there on an empty stomach, now can we?"

She chuckled good-naturedly. "No, I suppose that is quite true. Alright, we'll leave after a brew."

"You're just forcing it, aren't you?" I asked as I put on another hoodie.

She then did something seemingly out of character for someone like her (not that I knew much about her, only that she seemed like the older mentor-type, like Yoda). She raised one of her front hooves and scratched behind her head. "I suppose I did," she said, sounding sheepish.

"Well, come on! I'm sure I have something you can eat in the kitchen. What kind of diet do Zebras eat?" I asked as I walked out of the bedroom and down the hall.

"A Zebra's diet is quite simple. On plants and foliage is what we nibble," she replied as we reached the kitchen.

"Again, I think you're really forcing that rhyming stuff," I said as I looked in the fridge again. "What about stuff like eggs and milk and bread?"

"Yes, Zebras can eat such things," she said.

"Well…would scrambled eggs and buttered toast sound alright for you?" I asked, bringing out a carton of eggs.

Zecora smiled. "It is not a normal breakfast for me, but I will eat it happily."

I chuckled, rolling my eyes in amusement as I grabbed a large bowl and skillet from my cabinets. "Then that's what it's gonna be."

"Is there something I might do to help?" my Zebra guest asked.

"There's no need," I said as kindly as possible. "You're my guest. Let me take care of you." I saw her ears droop slightly and she looked down. I never really pegged her as that kind of Zebra either. Feeling bad, I lowered myself slightly to be on her level. "Please let me do this. Back where I'm from, if I had a guest over, I would feel guilty about asking a guest to help while in my home."

I saw a small smile cross her lips. "I do apologize for assuming. The same is true back in my homeland."

"Thank you for indulging me. Besides, I know how the appliances in my kitchen work. I wouldn't want you getting hurt."

She chuckled, holding a hoof to her mouth. " Quite right you are, my savior."

"Oh, that's another thing," I said as I began cracking eggs into a mixing bowl. "There's no need to keep calling me your savior. I acted like an idiot yesterday. You can just call me Jethro, Miss Zecora."

"Foolish or not, you rescued me from those monsters. But, if it's your wish, I shall call you what you have asked…Jethro. But only if you call me Zecora."

"Heh, okay…you have a good point. Habit," I said as I placed some salt and pepper into the eggs before whisking them. "If you want, I have a bookshelf in the living room you can browse while I'm making breakfast."

Zecora nodded. "Reading books from another world intrigues me. Thank you for this opportunity."

There was a pause where we turned to face one another. We both burst out laughing before Zecora went back to the living room. Soon the kitchen was full of the smell of my signature eggs and toast. I grabbed two plates and walked over to the small kitchen table. Realizing I had no second chair for Zecora, I rushed into the garage and grabbed a folding chair I reserved for such emergencies. I set a place for her at my normal spot. When I went into the living room to fetch Zecora, I saw her looking over one of the books that was a memento from my parents: Part Z of the Encyclopedia Britannica. "Mi-um, Zecora? Breakfast is ready. What are you reading?" I knelt beside her and looked over the article. "Zebras, huh…"

"After what you told me, I was curious," she explained, looking up at me. "I wasn't too sure I believed you about your world."

I chuckled. "I can understand that, believe me. Well, if you want to learn more about my world, feel free to stop by and read all you want."

Zecora chuckled. "I will take you up on that offer. But for now, I smell…ah! What rhymes with offer?"

"Coffer?" I offered with an amused smile. "But yes, breakfast is served."

Leading her into the kitchen, I pulled out my chair. Smiling gratefully, she sat down and looked at her portion. It was then I realized that, out of habit, I'd set the table with human instruments. Before I could apologize, she reached down and took the fork in her hoof. It came up, almost as if she was holding it. I must have been staring at her for a while, because Zecora looked up at me, her fork full of egg. "My sa-apologies, I mean Jethro? Is something wrong?"

"Well…nothing. I just…how are you doing that without hands?" I picked up my fork and demonstrated. "It just doesn't really seem possible."

"What you see is normal here. We do use magic, my dear." She chuckled in an amused manner before taking a bite.

"Guess I've got a lot to learn about this world," I said as I ate as well.

"If to learn more is what you seek, why not go to Ponyville with me in a few weeks?" Zecora asked.

I frowned. "Me? Well…"

"Is something wrong?" Zecora asked, looking at me with concern.

"It's just…look at me," I said, spreading my arms wide. "As far as I know, I'm the only human here. I'd stick out like a sore thumb."

"A sore what?" she tilted her head in confusion.

"Er…a sore thumb. It's a human expression that basically means I'd be a strange sight," I said, trying to explain. "And if my personal experience and knowledge of people is any indication, strange can equal dangerous in other people's eyes."

"Ah, I think I get your meaning," she nodded, understanding coming into her eyes. "Every time I go to Ponyville, it's quiet and the shops are closed."

"Really? Do you know why?" I asked, covering my mouth with my napkin to be polite.

"I assume it's because I visit there on Wednesdays," she explained.

"Ah, the middle of the week…I mean, maybe?" I took a bite, chewing thoughtfully before taking a drink of my orange juice and swallowing. "Hey, do you want to try visiting on a Saturday or Sunday?" I asked. "Back where I'm from, those are normally the busiest days of the week."

Once more rubbing her cheek with her hooves, she thought about it. Swallowing, she said, "To change my schedule? That is a quandary. Saturday is when I do my laundry."

"Zecora…" I frowned slightly at her.

She nodded. "I know, I shouldn't force it. But even so…speaking like that brings me comfort."

"There's nothing wrong with changing your schedule, you know?" I said, before putting my hand in front of my mouth. I'd just spoken a whole new language.

Zecora was frozen, one of the pieces of toast in her hooves halfway to her mouth. It fell out of her hoof and landed on the plate. In the same language I'd just spoken, she whispered, "You…You speak Farasi?"