Somewhere... else.

[calmhrtprevails]

Fawkes had spent quite a lot of time working in Megaton, looking after his friend's household, her Brahmin, and her plot of slowly-greening plants outside the city walls. But she'd been missing a month and more now, and it was beginning to worry him. Best, he'd thought, to see if something had gone awry at Milliways.

And it had. For him.

The place he found himself instead of his intended destination was... some sort of forest. The trees were too thick all around him to be anything else. Their branches were leafless, weighed down by heavy winter snow. The snow on the ground would have come halfway up a human's leg, he thought. On him, it was only deep enough to get into his boots.

This would not do at all. This didn't appear to be the area behind the Bar. Perhaps he had better look for someone to identify where it was.

Comments

[calmhrtprevails]

"If you're willing to go to that trouble for me," says Fawkes, "then I would be glad to follow you. Thank you, Pinkie Pie."

It's going to be more than a little jarring going back to the Wasteland after being treated like this. Really, she might be weird, but Pinkie Pie is an incredibly nice pony.

[no_vampires_plz]

You've only known Pinkie for half an hour, Fawkes. We'll see if you feel the same way later.

Twilight walks in a sedate pace behind Pinkie, leaving plenty of room for the invisible Fawkes to walk between the two ponies.

[calmhrtprevails]

It's an odd way to walk, and Fawkes really isn't used to snow at all, but he'll manage. Pinkie Pie seems to be enjoying the process, anyway. And there's a lot around him to pay attention to as he travels; he might be safely invisible for now, but mindfulness in all things is key.

[no_vampires_plz]

The streets seem deserted, for the moment; it seems the townsfolk haven't recovered from the earlier fright. Still, the town is picturesque enough, with row after row of thatched-roof wooden cottages with smoke puffing lazily out of the chimneys.

As they approach a elaborately decorated, multi-tiered shop, Twilight looks around a little nervously. It's only been ten minutes but she swears she can already see Fawkes's silhouette in the air in front of her...

[calmhrtprevails]

"Is this your friend's home?" inquires Fawkes as quietly as he can. It's difficult, but he's trying.

[no_vampires_plz]

"And where she works," Twilight murmurs back.

Pinkie Pie hops up to the door and raps on it. "Just a mo-ment!" a slightly deeper and very feminine voice sing-songs from somewhere inside.

[calmhrtprevails]

Fawkes edges carefully towards the door, glancing over his shoulder worriedly. You know. Just in case.

[nponyc]

The door opens and a white unicorn with an elaborately curled purple mane peers out. "Oh, Pinkie, Twilight, hello! What brings you by the shop today?"

"It's... kinda complicated," says Twilight with another glance over her shoulder. "May we come in?"

"Oh, of course, of course!" The white unicorn stands aside and holds the door open. "Don't forget to wipe your hooves, I just had the carpet cleaned..."

[calmhrtprevails]

Fawkes will come inside as quickly as he can clean his feet and do so. There's no reason to push things any farther than absolutely necessary.

Especially because he's almost positive he can see his own hand again, albeit in a ghostly fashion. If he can just direct Twilight's attention his way so she knows it's starting to give...

[no_vampires_plz]

"I was actually just putting the kettle on for tea," says the white unicorn as the two ponies enter. "I just got a new variety from Loose Leaf's shop..."

"Actually, Rarity," Twilight interrupts, "I have a friend who just came to town and is looking to update his wardrobe."

"Oh? You didn't mention anypony coming to visit." Rarity gives Twilight a knowing look. "Is this a special friend?"

Twilight is taken aback. "What? No, it's nothing like that, he's just--"

[calmhrtprevails]

Despite never having experienced magic before, Fawkes senses that the spell is about to give way. He clears his throat and says, as politely as he can, "I don't know if 'anypony' is exactly the word you want to use."

... yup, there goes the spell.

[nponyc]

And there goes Rarity, jumping back with a shriek.

"Rarity, calm down!" says Twilight.

"Yeah, he's not a monster, he just looks scary," adds Pinkie.

"He may not be a monster," says Rarity, still looking horrified, "but his attire is positively monstrous! When was the last time you saw a seamstress? Or a washtub??"

[calmhrtprevails]

"I'm afraid I can't recall," says Fawkes, "but it was certainly a very long time ago. The opportunity doesn't arise often for me."

It's better than the shrieking, at least?

[nponyc]

A look of grim determination settles onto Rarity's face. "I cannot allow this to go uncorrected. My honor as a fashionista forbids it!"

"Thaaaat's kinda what I figured," says Twilight with a wry smile. "He's all yours. --um, assuming that's okay with you," he adds as an aside to Fawkes.

[calmhrtprevails]

"Most certainly," says Fawkes. "Although I don't know how to properly return the favor."

He has something of a feeling that his usual defensive skillset isn't really in high demand here.

[nponyc]

"Oh, think nothing of it, dear." Rarity strikes a dramatic pose. "It is my duty. A duty to fashion."

[calmhrtprevails]

"Far be it from me to interfere with your duty," says Fawkes solemnly. "I place myself at your disposal."

And he makes a mental note, should he ever find his way here again, to bring Ellen with him. He has a feeling this Rarity might want to help her out as well- and that if anyone can come up with an appropriate repayment for all this, it's her.