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Here I was, back in a world that I hadn’t expected to return to. I mused to myself as I stepped off of the hot air balloon that had transported me. Tender, verdant blades of grass were crushed under the sole of my boots that had once been pony hooves. The gravity of this world was unlike that of the one I had come from. The air, though rife with magic in its currents, felt thicker when I brought it into my lungs. How long had it been, I wondered idly, since i had last tread these once familiar lands? My head shook, as if to banish the thought. It didn’t matter in the least, I realized. I was here now. I was back.

Was it home? Perhaps not. I had left this world many moons ago, abandoning its inhabitants and familiar faces on a sour note. I had become a nomad, a traveler of other worlds and dimensions. I glanced over my shoulder at the pilot of the hot air balloon that I had stepped off of. A purple pony caught my gaze after closing the door on the basket, and smiled warmly. I wanted to reach out and ruffle her plum and hot pink streaked mane, but merely nodded My appreciation. “Thank you,” I hummed. “For everything.”

The magical unicorn nodded back and touched her chest with a good, her bright eyes twinkling like the aura of magic around her horn. “You’re welcome. And you’re welcome back in our world anytime. We’ll always be waiting.” She spoke gently.

“I know.” I breathed., my chest beginning to constrict. I watched her use her magic to create sparks in the gas chamber that would cause the balloon to ascend. I turned away, deciding that it would hurt too much to watch my friend depart for her own world. Courageously, I began my trek down the cobblestone road that would lead me straight into the town of Barton.

It appeared that the town still remained just how I had remembered it. A part of me was fortunate for the familiar scenery, but another part of me was a little disappointed. The joyful banner of groups of longtime friends milling about around the town’s gates greeted my ears. I spotted heavily armed Barton guards give me a quick glance, but continued their conversations as soon as they deemed that I was no threat to the security.

“Hey buddy,” a familiar voice caught my attention, and I glanced to my left to spot a grey colored tabby cat strolling leisurely up to me. “You new here?” he asked with a feral grin.

It was Rufus. I had heard of this feline, and vividly remembered seeing him around from time to time, but had never gone out of my way to interact with him personally. Until now. Or rather, it appears that I didn’t have much of a choice.

“Not really.” I admitted, finding myself crouching down to his level. I restrained the urge to pet his head and stroke his silky fur. “You could say that my travels led me back here.” I chuckled.

Rufus glanced me over and then made a noise that sounded as if he was preparing to cough up a hair all. “I can tell.” He spoke, a rough edge to his voice. I would swear that he had been spending his days keeping company with another cat- one who I remembered had been named Jet. And perhaps the star kitten’s attitude had begun to run off on him....

“Come with me.” Rufus decided. “Ian and I will get you out of those scruffy rags and into something nice.”

Was this his attempt at hospitality? I decided not to question it and followed the feline to his friend’s shop- soon finding myself standing before a shop whose signpost read “Barton Boutique” in stylized font.