Of Marshmallows and Men III

>Night Splendid and Dapper on Earth

>Be Rarity

>Anonymous and you sneak from the apartment room

>You are clad in a simple, if not beautiful, cloak you whipped up

>You are truly a fashionista!

>Anon has a brown trench coat on

>You are not entirely sure why he needs a disguise in his world, but to question Anon is to invite confusion

>The two of you do an admirable job of getting past any other humans

>It's quite easy when the rest of the world is sleeping

>Actually stepping outside for the first time in Anon's world is humbling

>The large white buildings touch the sky and the stars seem to spread much wider in the night

>The level of magical technology his world displays is beyond anything you have seen in Canterlot

R: Anon, where are you taking me?

A: I said it was a surprise

R: Well, I do enjoy a surprise every now and again

>You follow Anon closely around his building and you walk across a paved sidewalk

>Small lights flicker aimlessly in reds or greens

>You try and take in as much as you can in this strange land

>The remainder of the trip is easy enough and goes by in minutes

A: We're here... just hang on a moment

>You look at "here" and are still confused

>Anon opens a door slowly and peaks in

>He looks back to you after a minute and waves you to him

>You cross the threshold into the darkness of the room

>Anon follows behind you and the door shuts

>You whisper with a bit of concern

R: Anon, I can't see a thing

>A light suddenly flashes on and you see the room for the first time

>Mannequins! Human in shape, but still

>You notice sewing machines and fabrics and so many various costumes laying around

R: What is this place, Anon?

A: The local theater thingy. This is the "art" room where they store dresses and stuff. It's hardly used these days since so many people moved out

R: Well, it is lovely, though I am not entirely sure what you wanted me to see?

A: I thought you enjoy the uh, the art and sewing paraphernalia

R: Oh, yes, it's lovely but... well, as you said, not much is going on here. What is art without an audience?

>Anon hangs his head

>You think you might have hurt his feelings

A: Yeah, this town is pretty boring... well, maybe we can...

>You hear voices coming from another room

>A door leading to the upper floor opens up and light shines down the steps

Person: So, I says to them, I says, "Doll, if ya think ya can handle the big apple, get ya'self on the train tonight". And would'ya believe it, but she just left!

Person Also: Oh, wow, ain't that the story. Half the peoples I know are already moving to da' city for'a betta' life

>Two women stop halfway down the steps and Anon scoots you behind some junk

>That was quite rude!

Person: Hey! Who'a you? What'a ya doin' in here?

>The second human seems to be a bit more frightened of Anon

A: Oh, uh, I was just... um... looking for a bathroom?

Person: Can't ya just pee on the building like all the other bums?

A: Hey! I ain't a bum!

Person Also: Ease up, Shirley, I'm sure dis guy here's just some lost mook

Person: I don't know, Jan, he's kind'a got mask like a robba'?

A: What mask?

Person: The one on ya head, dummy?

A: I'm not wearing a mask

>Anon picks up a half mask that is painted white

A: But, now I am the phantom! Bring me my piano so that I may lament!

Person: OK, ya cuckoo, get out or I'll call the feds

A: Fine, fine

>Anon speeds over to the light switch on the wall

A: I bid you "ladies", good evening

>Anon lets out a disturbing laugh and flicks the light off

A: Rarity, come on!

>You run to the exit

>The light flips back on

Shirely: Nice try, creep, but we got two switches here!

>Everyone sees you run from behind the boxes

>You stumble over some clutter on the floor

>You look up to see Anon grimacing and race over to you

A: Smooth, Marshmallow...

>He gets you to your hooves

R: I am a lady. We don't just go around hiding and escaping from things

>You both stampede out with the two humans gawking your way

Shirley: Was... was the a horse?

Jan: I dink so...

S: Sickos in this town...

>You and Anon escape with what dignity you managed to keep

>You both race to another part of the building

A: OK, so maybe it's more active than I realized

R: Who were those humans, Anon?

A: No clue

R: Did you hear what they were talking about?

A: About heading into the city? Yeah, I've given it thought before

>You hear the female voice coming from around the corner

A: Shiiiiii~, we gotta hide you!

R: Oh, no, I am not being stuffed in another tiny place, especially out here in all this filth

>You spy garbage littering the ground and tip-hoof away from it

A: If they see you... no telling what they'll do

R: Please, Anon, I am a lady of class and sophistication. Surely, I will have no trouble in dealing with a few more humans

>The first human rounds the corner and sees you two

S: Stop right there, you'se guys!

J: If ya don't mind, that is

>The human known as Shirley seems to be a strong runner and closes the distances with you in no time

>The other, Jan, is slowly trailing behind her

S: The jig is up

>Anon brandishes a foam sword and is wearing the half mask from earlier

A: Back! Back I say!

>He lunges and weaves in a silly fashion

S: That horse talked, I heard her

R: Well, of course. I am fluent in multiple languages

>You bounce your mane on a hoof and pose ever so slightly

>The human stands a little awkward now with her mouth hanging open

A: Oh, boy... this is the part where we go to jail...

J: Shirley, stop runnin' every where *pant*, ya know I'm not as fast as ya

S: This horse can talk! That's crazy!

J: It really can? No foolin'?

S: Yeah, yeah, watch it!

>Every human on the street is now watching you and you do not want to disappoint

>You lean in and whisper to Anon

R: What do I say?

A: How about, "You are both hallucinating?"

>You shake your head and chuckle

>Anon is so silly sometimes

R: My name is Rarity and I am from Ponyville. Pleased to meet you two

S+J: Noooo~ way! That's crazy!

>Anon holds his hand to his face

A: And we have a long trot back home, so if you will excuse us...

S: Wha'? Ya can't leave! We wanna see ya pet!

>You scoff at that remark

R: Pet? I am no pet! Anon here is my friend, no my owner

>Anon places his hand to his face and pushes his checks up

A: The best of friends!

>The two humans stare at you in amazement

S: So, what's the trick here? How're gettin' her to talk?

A: True AI and the miracle of Chinese laborers

>Everyone looks at you skeptically

A: Fine, the truth of the matter is that she is a pony from a magical land known as Equestria and that she was teleported here by mistake by yet another talking unicorn while trying to send me home from that magical land of ponies and rainbows.

>How does Anon so accurately mimic Pinkie Pie?

S: Ya really want me to believe that? I think that mask is too tight on ya, pal

R: But, it's all true! I am a unicorn from the land of Equestria. Have you never seen another unicorn before?

SS+J: Another?

R: Oh my, I see why you are confused. You must only have earth ponies here. That would explain why it's called, "Earth" after all

>You give a false laugh at the play on words

J: I-if you're a unicorn... can ya show us your magic?

>You think for a moment

>Your public is expecting something grand

>Wouldn't want humans to think unicorns were hacks compared to pegasi and earth ponies

>Your horn glows intensely as you focus

>A solid beam of light engulfs a nearby trash can and beautifies it

R: Voilà! Not the easiest thing to tidy up, but I think you understand now, hmm?

J: I always believed unicorns were real...

S: Don't be a suck-up! Besides, unicorns are totally not like dis kind of unicorn

J: When did ya become the unicorn-expert?

S: Since always! Unicorns are like... virgin detectors and stuff. I figured hangin' out with'choo long enough would run me into one

>Shirely gives a small laugh through her teeth

J: H-hey! Ya promised not ta mention that!

S: Sorry, sorry, my bad

>These girls are clearly confused on unicorns

R: Girls, if I may be so bold as to ask you. What were you doing in the theater?

S: Ain't it obvious? We're gonna be stars on Broadway after this week's big performance

J: Well, maybe not stars. All the cameras in ya face all the time can be scary

>The more you speak with these girls, the more you are reminded of somep0ny

S: Come on, Janet, stop with all the butterflies

>Shirley nudges Jan playfully

J: Oh, well, I guess if you're with me that'd be a different story

S: Dat'a girl, now come on! We got more rehearsin' ta do! You'se two can come along and watch us if ya want

>Anon looks to you

R: I do so love stage production. You wouldn't mind, would you, Anon?

>Anon looks at you with a hint of boredom in his expression

A: Fine, if only because you're going to pout and make me feel bad anyways

>You clap your hooves together and smile widely

>To the stage tonight!