Placing the letter on the table beside him, Henry opened the door, keys and wallet in hand. Everything inside felt familiar—every card, every ID—but the names of the cities and issuing authorities had changed. Manehatten, it read.
"This name seems familiar… but standing here isn't going to solve anything," he muttered, shaking his head. Locking the door behind him, he stepped out.
The morning sun spilled across the street in gold and white. The air was crisp, clean, almost sweet, brushing against his enhanced senses like silk. From his elevated vantage, Henry could see the mountains encircling the city in a protective embrace. A deep breath filled his lungs, and he found himself grinning. This place… it's breathtaking.
His house stood proudly behind him, unchanged yet impossibly new: beige, three stories, a neat garden, a garage, a backyard stretching like a secret kingdom. It didn't matter which universe he was in—this was still home.
Henry moved toward the garage, stepping inside with a practiced familiarity. Rows of vehicles gleamed under the overhead lights: vans, sports cars, luxury sedans, motorcycles, even a bicycle. It looked more like a private exhibition than a garage. He paused, considering: which one would let him see this strange new city at a pace that matched his curiosity?
"This is nonsense," he muttered, yanking the black-and-red bicycle from its stand. Fast enough, familiar enough, and zero fuss. No helmet required—he'd be fine.
Sliding the gate closed behind him, Henry pulled out his phone. Time for reconnaissance.
A quick search told him where he was: Canterlot City. A proper city, not a small town, bustling yet serene from his vantage. The list of places made him pause mid-scroll: Canterlot Mall, The Amphitheater, Canterlot Natural History Museum, The Observatory, Animal Rescue Center… and then—Equestria Land.
His breath caught.
Equestria?
The name pulled him back to a memory of a world he'd only seen through someone else's obsession: ponies, unicorns, pegasi, and alicorns—the magical creatures of Friendship is Magic. Somehow, he was in an alternate version of that universe, but not quite cartoonish. Humans, real skin tones—but with hair colors pulled straight from a rainbow palette.
He let out a low chuckle. "So, AU Equestria Girls… humanized, but… this isn't a show anymore. Guess I get to rewrite the story, huh?"
With that, he hopped on his bike, mapping his route. The Natural History Museum was closest—an easy start.
Cycling down the streets, Henry's eyes absorbed everything. People moved calmly, happily, their colored hair standing out against familiar human skin tones. Buildings thinned as he neared the museum, replaced by neat greenery and open space.
At last, he arrived.
The Canterlot Natural History Museum rose before him: red-brown walls, a saddle-shaped roof, grand letters declaring its name. Passing the toll booth and paying the modest fee, he parked his bicycle and locked it with casual efficiency.
Inside, the museum was alive with quiet awe. A nearby volcano exhibit drew his eye, framed by T-Rex skeletons towering in silent majesty. Tourists wandered in clusters, cameras clicking, tour guides narrating with practiced monotony.
Henry wandered off the beaten path, drawn to a section on ancient flora. Nothing too exciting at first, just preserved plants and fossils. He snapped a few photos, letting curiosity guide him.
The museum was vast, a repository of life past and present: geology, paleontology, climatology, fauna, flora. Even the planet's name: Earth. Parallel Earths—no denying it now.
His attention shifted to the human voices echoing through the hall. A calm, monotone, feminine voice carried over the exhibits, almost robotic—but his senses told a different story. The woman's aura was peaceful, composed, serene—she liked this work, contrary to what her voice suggested.
Interesting specimen… I need to see her, Henry thought. The faint scent trailing from her, subtle but captivating, pulled at his curiosity.
As the guide dismissed the crowd, Henry moved closer. Most visitors filtered out, leaving him with the air between them thick with quiet intrigue. His heartbeat quickened—not from exertion, but from anticipation.
Time to meet the source of that presence.
Henry stepped forward, blending his instinct for observation with the subtle thrill of discovering something—or someone—new in this unfamiliar world.
When the crowd finally dispersed, Henry's gaze fell on the woman who had been speaking the entire time.
At first glance, she was… underwhelming. There was a plainness about her that people unconsciously recoiled from: dull, unremarkable, almost stale. Her long violet hair framed a pale face, eyes shadowed with the same hue. A dark green dress fell to her ankles, cinched with a black belt at her thin waist, paired with practical black boots. And yet, beneath the muted exterior, Henry could see the truth: thick, powerful legs, a wide-hipped frame, and a figure that suggested hidden strength. Her chest, full and firm, hinted at beauty that the casual observer would never pause to appreciate.
For the average person, the air around her was heavy with monotony—her flat, measured voice barely registering, her blank expression intimidating or simply ignored. But for Henry, her dull exterior was only the surface.
She's a gem, he thought, a soft smile tugging at his lips.
He stepped closer, drawn by her brilliant turquoise eyes. She returned his gaze with the same unreadable blankness that made most men falter. But Henry didn't waver; instead, he let his golden eyes, glowing like twin suns, meet hers. Her subtle heartbeat quickened under his scrutiny, faint and hesitant, and for a moment, a scent like cool mountain water reached him from her.
Interesting… he mused. She's hiding more than anyone realizes.
From her perspective, Henry's approach was unlike anything she'd encountered. Most men avoided her sharp gaze, but he came straight toward her, smirked faintly, and radiated confidence. Her heart betrayed her, pounding in a rhythm she could hardly control, the warmth and excitement rising before she could reign it in.
Why is he… so compelling? she wondered, struggling to maintain her signature calm. Normally, nothing fazed her—falling clouds, cracking earth, even demons rising from the depths—but this man, standing taller than her by over a head, radiating sheer power and presence, made her feel small. For a fleeting second, she imagined herself inside a cavern filled with exquisite gemstones, each one waiting to be discovered. His essence was like rich, untapped earth, endless and mysterious.
Henry, observing her, noted every subtle shift: the slight spike in heartbeat, the minuscule tremor of curiosity, faint excitement, and fleeting lust—all restrained under the guise of her stoic expression.
It was time for introductions.
"Hey there, lovely lady," Henry said, voice calm and resonant, stretching out a hand. "Henry Helving. You are?"
She raised a single eyebrow, blinked at his hand, then met his gaze again. Most people would break under such scrutiny; sweating and stammering are inevitable. Not Henry. He only noticed a subtle nervous rhythm in her heartbeat.
Pie? Henry thought. Could she be related to Pinkie somehow? One of her sisters… must be the opposite of that fourth-wall-breaking sugar rush.
Finally, she extended her hand, her touch surprisingly warm against his own. Stoic face, steady grip, but her subtle nervousness betrayed her calm.
"Hmm. Pleasure. Maud Pie. Now… what can I do for you?" she asked, monotone, perfectly flat. Yet, internally, she worried he might misinterpret her tone.
Henry's eyes flicked over her, analyzing. Ah… a kuudere in the making. Hot, cute, and actually readable. Lucky me.
"Maud Pie. Lovely name. Just moved to the city yesterday. Figured I'd explore—this is my first stop, and I'm loving it so far," he said with a wink, causing her gaze to dip for a split second while still holding his hand.
So… he's flirting? Maud thought, surprised at the gentle thrill it brought her. She looked up, catching his warm smile.
"Sure," she said flatly, voice monotone, but Henry noticed a brief, almost imperceptible smile flicker before disappearing. "Welcome to Canterlot City. I think you'll have an experience you haven't had before in a museum."
Without hesitation, she gently pulled him forward, hand still entwined in his. Henry allowed himself to be led, amused by her subtle insistence, and went with the flow.
Time passed quickly, and Maud's usual detachment slowly gave way to rare enjoyment. Each exhibit became more fascinating under Henry's presence—the warmth of his hand, his gentle compliments, the way he engaged with her in conversation. By the time she guided him through everything, she found herself reluctant to release her grip.
For a brief, fleeting moment, Maud Pie felt as though she belonged exactly where she was: right there, hand in hand with this golden-eyed stranger who had unknowingly unearthed her hidden depths.
Henry followed her through the exhibits, still holding her hand, feeling a strange but pleasant warmth from the contact. Maud, as stoic as ever, kept her face blank, but Henry could sense the small shifts beneath the surface—the quickened heartbeat whenever he spoke, the faint, almost imperceptible sighs when he leaned closer to explain something.
"Did you know," Henry said, stopping by a display of fossilized plants, "that some of these plants existed over 300 million years ago? That's… older than any civilization ever recorded." He leaned slightly toward her, voice low enough for only her to hear. "Imagine all the secrets they've seen."
Maud tilted her head slightly, still expressionless, but her scent changed subtly—calm, yes, but there was a hint of curiosity now. Secrets… she mused, and felt a strange pull toward the man beside her.
"You… you seem to notice everything," she said softly, finally breaking her usual monotone rhythm just slightly. Her turquoise eyes met his golden ones, and Henry caught the faintest flicker of surprise, like a gemstone catching sunlight.
"I notice a lot," Henry replied with a smirk. "Especially when it's… interesting." His gaze lingered on her, and she felt her chest tighten subtly, though her face remained an unchanging mask.
They moved on to the next exhibit—ancient minerals from across the world, sparkling under the museum lights. Henry casually reached out and brushed a finger over a rough-edged geode, then glanced at her. "You know, some people see these as just rocks. But I think every single one has a story. Kind of like people, actually."
Maud's hand, still lightly clamped in his, twitched—an unconscious response. He… compares people to rocks? Strange, but… comforting, she thought. Her heartbeat betrayed her again, faster this time, but she kept her calm, as always.
Henry leaned slightly closer, just enough that she could feel his warmth radiating toward her. "And some… are harder to crack open than others," he said, a teasing edge in his voice. "But once you do, the inside is always… worth it."
For a split second, Maud's eyes widened just a hair, and a faint blush colored her cheeks, though her expression stayed blank. H-He's… irritatingly perceptive… and oddly charming, she thought, internally flustered.
Henry chuckled softly, noticing the subtle change in her aura. "See? I can tell you're enjoying this, even if you won't admit it."
Maud's mind raced. I… I am not enjoying this… but… maybe I am. No, focus, stay calm, stay stoic. And yet, she found herself letting go of a tiny fraction of her restraint, curious about this man who could see through her like she was made of glass.
They reached the final exhibit, a large diorama of prehistoric Equestrian wildlife. Henry stepped behind her slightly, leaning just close enough that she could feel his presence brushing against her back. "So… Maud Pie, any favorite part?" he asked casually, though his tone carried an undercurrent of mischief.
She paused, caught off guard by the closeness, and felt her hands tighten slightly on his. "The… the minerals," she said quietly, almost to herself, though her eyes stayed on the display. But… he makes everything feel… more interesting.
Henry grinned, clearly pleased with the response. "Minerals, huh? I'll keep that in mind. You know, I think you're a lot like them. Strong, quiet… but full of hidden beauty."
Maud froze for just a moment, her composure faltering ever so slightly. He… he's ridiculous, but… maybe he's right… Her blank mask returned immediately, but the warmth in her chest lingered, a quiet acknowledgment that she had been… seen.
Henry, sensing her subtle shift, gave a small, knowing smile. "Well, I think that's enough museum for today. But I have a feeling… we're just getting started."
And as they left the exhibit hall, still holding hands, Maud realized something she hadn't expected: for the first time in a long time, she wanted to see where this… connection might lead.