Isaac had woken up later than usual, he put his shirt back on and looked outside to see that the sun was shinning brightly. He made his way down stairs to see Twilight at the front desk stamping some books.
"Morning." He said as he yawned.
"Good morning. Sleep well?" She asked in a cheery tone.
"Yeah." He said as he got to the ground floor.
"How are you feeling? Y'know since the fight."
"Fine. Why?"
"I'm just surprised how you can just walk away from that." She said in amazement.
"I've had closer calls." He said as he made his way into the kitchen. "Hey you wouldn't happen to know anyone who's hiring would you?" Isaac asked as he walked into the kitchen.
"Why?"
"Well, since I gave all my bit's to the owners of the bakery, I need a source of income." He said as he sat down with an apple in his hand.
"Hmmm.....Oh! You could probably help AJ on the farm."
"She's the orange one right?" Twilight nodded. "Yeah well....She doesn't exactly like me."
"Why?" He shrugged at the question. "Well, just tell her I sent you, she'll understand."
"Fine. Where's the farm?" he said as he walked towards the door with a groan in his voice.
"Just keep going up the road, you can't miss it." She said as he left the library. Isaac plugged in his P-pod and walked by the bakery, he poked his head in to see the Cakes. "Hey." He said.
"Oh...it's you." The mare said in surprise.
"Yeah...sorry about last night, were the bit's I gave you enough to cover the damage?"
"Oh yes. Thank you." The woman said with a smile. She tossed him the bit bag. "There's you change."
"No, you keep it I-"
"We just don't feel right taking money that you don't owe us." The mustard yellow stallion said.
"Well,...Okay. If it's not enough then just tell me." He said as he put the bag in his pocket.
"Of course. What's your name?"
"Isaac. Glad to meet you two." He said as he shook their hands. Isaac soon left the shop and continued on his way towards the farm. As he approached the settlement his eyes fell upon hundreds of rows filled with apple trees, the morning sun was just peeking over the mountain in the distance making the light reflect on the red delicious fruit. He continued down the path until he felt something hard hit the back of his head. Isaac instantly hit the ground and cried out in pain. "What the hell was that for?" He looked up to see a frowning red stallion with blue overalls on glaring down at him.
"Who and what the heck are ya?" He said as he cracked his knuckles.
"Whatcha doing over here Mac?" a familiar voice said. "Oh it's you." She said in a less than pleased tone.
"Nice to see you too AJ." he said in a sarcastic tone. Isaac looked up to see the orange colored mare sporting cowboy boot's, short denim shorts, a light orange flannel top and a brown Stetson hat. He got to his feet he noticed that the red stallion spoke in the same accent as the orange mare..
"You know him sis?"
"Yeah, he's the guy that clobbered those three pegasi last night." The red stallion looked back at Isaac in confusion. "Ah don't know why he's here through."
"Twilight sent me over to give you a hand." He said as he brushed the dirt off his pants.
"Oh..ah see." She said as she bit her lip.
"Look I know that you're not to fond of me, so let's try to keep things civilized for the time being." He said as he looked at the two.
"Fine. Follow me." She said as she turned around and started to walk down the path. She stopped in front of a row of apple trees.
"So what are we doing AJ-" she instantly grabbed him and forced him against the tree. He stared back into her rage filled emerald green eyes.
"Listen here! Only mah family and friends can call me AJ. Since you ain't neither ah suggest you don't call me that!"
"Fine. Let me rephrase that, what are we doing here Applejack?" She released her grip and took a step backwards.
"We're apple picking."
"Easy enough." He said as he started to climb the tree and pick the apples off the branches.
"Ah think you got the hang of it, when yer done the row come and see me for the next job."
"Roger." He said as he climbed the next tree. Applejack left him to it and walked down the road. Isaac continued with his task. As noon slowly crept around he finished off the last tree. He started to walk up the road when he saw the red stallion walking up to him. Isaac got into a defensive position as the red stallion raised his right hand.
"Ah don't want any trouble, just here to apologize for earlier. Ah thought you were an apple thief."
"It's fine." He said as he relaxed his stance. "What's your name?"
"Macintosh, some call me Big Mac."
"Nice to meet you Mac. My name is Isaac." He said as he shook the stallions hand.
"Lunch is being served at the farm house." Isaac nodded and walked down the dirt road until he reached the farm house, he made his way inside to see an elderly green mare in the kitchen. Applejack came down stairs and looked at him.
"You finish with the trees?"
"Yeah." He said in a less than enthusiastic tone.
"Good." She said as she walked in front of him. He took a few steps inside until he was stopped by an orange hand on his chest. "Where do ya think you're going?"
"I WAS about to get some lunch." He said as he narrowed his eyes.
"Not in here yer not."
"Okay now your just being unreasonable!" He said in a stern tone. Applejack took his hand and pulled him outside.
"Look it's not that ah want to, it's just that-"
"It's just what?"
"You see that old woman in there?" she said as she pointed into the kitchen. Isaac gave her a nod. "That's Granny Smith, she's getting along in her years and the last thing she needs is to be scared by some human."
"How am I scary?"
"You clobbered three stallions last night!" she exclaimed.
"Ugh! Still with this? It was self-defense. They hit me and I hit them back." He said as he rolled his eyes.
"Ah still don't see why-"
"Who're you talking to honeybun?" and elder green woman said as she looked at the two. Applejack's eyes shrank at the mare. "Who's this then?" she said as she looked at the stranger.
"Hello ma'am. My names Isaac, I was helping out Applejack and Macintosh in the field today." He said with a weak smile. The green mare looked at Applejack with a raised eyebrow.
"Why didn't you tell me we had company?" she yelled at the cowgirl.
"Well, um....."
"It was really lat minute." He interjected. "Sorry for not telling you earlier."
"Oh don't fret there boy, c'mon inside and get yer self some food. Y'all can call me Granny smith." She said as she walked back inside. Applejack looked back at him in shock.
"Looks like your grandma doesn't scare so easily." He said with a smirk. Before she could retaliate he quickly stepped inside and sat down at the table. Applejack sat next to Mac and glared at the human.
"So sonny, Ah've never seen any-pony like you before."
"That's because.... I'm from out of town."
"Really?"
"Yeah, Twilight's an old friend of mine and she's letting me crash at the library while I'm staying here." He said in a calm tone.
"Oh, well where did you grow up?"
"New Jersey."
"Ah think he means New Jersneigh, right?" Applejack said quickly.
"Oh, well that's interesting." Granny Smith said. Isaac was trying to muffle his chuckles.
"Yeah.....it has it's perks." He said with a smile.
"You ever been to Detrot?" she asked. Isaac bit his lip to muffle the laughter.
"Nope, never been there." The group continued to eat in silence until it was time to work again. Applejack led him out tot he barn, he began to laugh hysterically.
"What's so dang amusing?"
"New Jersneigh? Detrot? You guys have got to be kidding me!" he said as he tried to calm himself down.
"Big deal they're cities."
"Oh you're serious? HA!" he said as he calmed himself down.
"What ever. C'mon we gotta bail some hay." She said as she walked over to the massive pile of hay. Applejack looked over to see the humans sheathed knife "Why in the hay do you have something like that?"
"Like I said I have to deal with pest's where I live." He said as she cut open the bag. After she gave him back his knife the two began to pile the hay. Isaac looked over to her and noticed that her denim shorts clung to her well toned body.
"Just what are you staring at?" she said as she narrowed her eyes.
"I was wondering how you ponies can deal with having tails." He said as he pointed to the blonde extension.
"Oh, ah guess you just get used to it." She said as she shrugged.
"Does it do anything?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Like does it serve a purpose, or is it just there because it it's part of your physique?"
"It has some uses." She said as she moved closer to him.
"Like what?" the mare's tail quickly wrapped itself around his leg and pull it out from under him. Isaac fell onto his back with a loud thud.
"Like that." She smile as she helped him to his feet. Isaac brushed the dirt off of him and continued working. "Listen. Ah want to apologize for mah behavior earlier." She said as she rubbed her arm.
"It's fine, tell you the truth I'm still wrapping my head around the whole 'ponies being the dominant species' thing." He said as he kept his work ethic.
"Ah suppose that's fair. It's only your second day and Ah'm surprised that you've adjusted to us so well." She said as she returned to shoveling the hay.
"It helps that you guys look somewhat human, apart from the fur and the tail you seem pretty normal by my standards, plus I'm used to being the outcast." He said as he continued to bail the hay.
"What do you mean yer used to it?"
"If you must know I'm not the most popular guy around back in my world. In a way, I've always been on my own." Applejack fell silent and searched her mind trying to change the subject.
"Why did those two stallions pick a fight with you yesterday?"
"Cause I beat them up." He said in a stagnant tone.
"Why?"
"They were picking on Ditzy so I defended her."
"Why would they go and pick on Ditzy? I mean she can be a bit goofy sometimes but she would never hurt another pony's feelings." She said with a raised eyebrow.
"They were making fun of her eyes." He said as he wiped the sweat from his brow.
"Well, that's mighty sweet of ya for helping her out."
"I just can't stand guys like that. They REALLY get under my skin."
"You've dealt with guys like that?"
"All my life."
"Sorry to hear that sugar cube."
Sugar cube?
"Thanks Jackie." He teased.
"Why you!" she pushed him up against the wall again. Isaac looked into the mare's eyes which were burning a hole through his own. There was also a hint of redness under her cheeks.
Is she blushing? She slammed him again to snap him out of his dazed state.
"Now listen here you-" she was cut off by a loud cracking noise, Isaac looked up to see that one of the beams had been compromised a large crate was falling towards them, he grabbed the mare and jumped out of the way just in time. The crate smashed on the ground sending splinters and Isaac was on his back with the orange mare lying on his chest. "What are you trying to pull?" he pointed over to the smashed crate.
"We would've been crushed."
"Oh...thanks." she said as she looked down at him.
"Um..could you please get off-"
"OH MY GOSH!" they both looked up to see Rainbow standing in the door way with her cell phone drawn. A light on the cell phone flashed as Rainbow started to walk away. Applejack and the human quickly gave chase, Rainbow looked behind her to see Isaac gaining on her. She quickened her pace and began to fly away, Isaac launched himself at the mare and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her back to the ground. "Get off of me!" she yelled. As he pulled her back on the ground and subdued her.
"Give me the phone!" He ordered.
"No!" She said as she stuck her tongue out at him.
"Rainbow!" Applejack yelled as she caught up with them. Isaac put the cyan mare in a full nelson and held her still as Applejack took the phone from her and started to scroll through the photo's.
"Hey! Don't go through my stuff!" she said as she squirmed.
"Found it?"
"Yeah...and deleted." She said with a grin. Isaac released the Pegasus. She looked back at him with a frown on her face as Applejack handed her phone back to her.
"Kill joy." Rainbow spat out.
"You didn't give us much choice." Isaac said as he crossed his arms.
"Hey, not my fault you guys tried to get it on in the barn." She said with a smirk. Applejack's face turned crimson.
"That ain't what happened! He saved me from a falling crate."
"So that's how you were thanking him?" she cooed.
"Keep talking Rainbow." Isaac said as he gritted his teeth. "It's like Applejack said I just pushed her out of the way otherwise we would have been smashed. We even have proof." He led her back to the barn and showed her the smashed crate.
"Yeah, yeah what ever. I know what I saw." She said in a cocky tone. Isaac looked down at his shirt and saw a massive hole in it.
"Oh hell." He said as he examined the hole.
"What?"
"This is my only shirt." He said as he let out a sigh.
"Relax, I'm sure Rarity can fix it." Rainbow said as she rolled her eyes.
"She's the one with the purple hair right?"
"Yeah."
"I'll head there after I'm done here." He said as he looked at the crate.
"Don't worry about it, Mac will take care of it." Applejack said.
"You sure?"
"Yeah. I'll be fine, thanks for your help." She said as she walked back inside the barn.
"See you later Applejack."
"Y'all can call me AJ." she said with a smile. Isaac looked at her in surprise and gave her a nod.
"So where is Rarity's shop anyway?"
"I'll show you." Rainbow interjected. "Follow me!" she said as she took him by the arm and led him away from the barn. Isaac shook free from the mare's iron grip and looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "What?"
"Why would you automatically assume that Applejack and I were....you know."
"Hey I just walked in on you guys, she was on top of you, in the barn, no pony around. You do the math."
"Ugh, you have an over active imagination Dash." He said as he continued walking.
"So what were you and AJ doing?"
"Picking apples and bailing hay."
"Why did you go there?"
"I needed a job. In case you forgot that I gave away most of my bit's to the Cakes." Rainbow remembered the events that occurred the previous night.
"Oh yeah. You really beat the living crap out of those guys. Where did you learn how to fight like that?"
"I been doing MMA since I was ten."
"MMA?
"Mixed Martial Arts. It's a fusion of some of the most lethal, and well executed fighting styles on the planet." He said as he put his hands to the back of his head.
"Are you any good?"
"I'm average."
"You pulverized those guys last night."
"I just did a few punches, kicks and grapples. Basic stuff." He said as he shrugged.
"Wow. We should totally spar sometime!"
"What?"
"I can hold my own in a fight." She said a she struck a kung-fu pose.
"Two things Rainbow. One I'm not gonna hit a girl and two, MMA isn't a game. If I hit you the wrong way you could be seriously hurt."
"You're just scared that I'll beat you." She teased as they stopped in front of a shop. "This is the place." She said as she walked inside. "Rarity? You in here?" she yelled.
"Yes, I'll be with you in one minute Rainbow!" a voice said from up stairs. Isaac looked up to too see the white unicorn wearing a sleeveless purple blouse with a dark blue skirt.
"Now what is so.....Oh you brought him along." She said with an eyebrow raised.
"Yeah, I need my shirt fixed." He said as he pointed to the hole.
"Let me see." The human took his shirt off and handed it to the mare. Rainbow looked at the humans well chiseled body with her mouth agate. Rarity levitated the shirt in front of her and examined the hole. "Nothing too bad. I can probably fix this in five minutes."
"Thanks, that's the only one I've got." Rarity looked at him in surprise.
"You meant that you only have ONE outfit?"
"Yeah, I didn't exactly have my wardrobe on my when I came here."
"I will have to remedy that." she said in a bold tone.
"You don't have to do that, I can manage."
"I insist, you are a guest after all!" her nose suddenly wrinkled as she smelt a faint odor. "Um, I don't wish to offend anypony but what is that smell?"
"Sorry, probably me. I was working with Applejack today on the farm." He said as he scratched his head.
"Oh,....I see. You can use the bathroom upstairs if you want to wash up." She said as she pointed to the stair case.
"I couldn't intrude like-"
"I insist. Besides it'll be easier to work without that....aroma looming in the air." She said in an annoyed tone. Isaac narrowed his eyes and let out a sigh.
"Where's the bathroom again?"
"Upstairs, third door on the left."
"Thanks." He said with a nod. As he made his way upstairs he felt eyes on him, he turned around to see that Rainbow quickly adverted her gaze and began whistling a tune. He shrugged and continued upstairs. He opened the door to find the well furbished restroom complete with bath salts, scented candles and a large assortment of soaps and conditioners. "What is this? A day spa?" he said as he removed his clothes.
Back down stairs Dash and Rarity were waiting for their guest to come back down.
"Honestly Rainbow how could you befriend that thing?"
"So what if he looks weird. Besides he and AJ REALLY hit it off." She said with a chuckle.
"What do you mean?"
"Check your phone." She said with a laugh.
"You sent me a picture... OH MY CELESTIA!" she said with shrunken eyes. Rainbow started to laugh hysterically. "Are they-"
"No, he pushed her out of the way of a falling crate and she just landed on top of him. I couldn't resist!" she said as she clutched her sides.
"It is rather humorous." Rarity said as she smirked. The door opened to reveal a mint green unicorn mare. "Hello Lyra." she said with a wave.
"Hey guys."
"Did you need something darling?"
"I just wanted to pop in and-" her eyes then fell upon the shirtless human descending the stairs.
"Oh hey Lyra." he said with a nod.
"What is going here?" she asked as she looked at Rarity.
"Rarity allowed me to use her shower while she fixed up my shirt." He said as he came to the bottom of the stairs and stood next to the mare.
"Oh....for a second there I thought that something else was going on." She said with a laugh.
"What else would be going on?" Lyra pulled out her phone and showed him the picture Rainbow had sent her. "RAINBOW!" he yelled at the laughing Pegasus. "It's not what it looks like. I pushed AJ out of the way of a moving crate and she accidentally landed on me. Rainbow just happen to walk in at the wrong time and she assumed that-"
"Relax Isaac, I saw the falling crate."
"Then why did you take that photo?"
"For fun." She said with a smile.
"You're killing me Dash." He said in a smug tone. He then noticed that Lyra was looking him over. "Why are you staring at me?"
"Oh....um, just the first time I've seen a human's upper body." She said trying to hide her blush.
"I guess I can understand that. Any major differences?" he asked.
"Not really, apart from the fur."
"You're shirt will be ready shortly." The white mare said with a smile. Isaac then noticed that she had a tattoo of three bright blue gems on her shoulder.
"Hey what's with the tattoo?"
"My what?"
"The mark on your arm." He said as he pointed to her shoulder.
"Oh! That's my Cutie Mark."
"A what?"
"A Cutie Mark shows what your special talent is." Rainbow said as she pulled up her sleeve to reveal a thundercloud with a rainbow colored lightning bolt shooting out of it. "Cool huh?" She said in a cocky tone.
"Where's yours?" Lyra asked.
"Don't have one."
"Why?"
"Um.....I'm a human." He said with an eyebrow raised.
"So how do you know what your special talent is?"
"I don't have a special talent."
"WHAT!" the three mares exclaimed.
"Most humans go through their life not knowing what it is."
"So how do you find work?"
"We take what we can get and make the best of it."
"Wow that must-" the group was cut off by three small girls entering the boutique. One was a white Unicorn with a light purple mane, another was yellow with a deep red hair being held by a red bow and the last was an orange Pegasus with a purple mane.
"C'mon girls theres gotta be something we haven't-" the white unicorn stopped as she saw the group of adults. "Hey Rainbow Dash, hi Ms. Lyra." she said with a smile. Her eyes then fell upon the tall stranger. "Who's he?"
"This is Isaac, he's visiting for a few days." The human gave a nod at the three girls who looked at him in amazement.
"Hey! He doesn't have a Cutie Mark either!" the yellow one said with a smile on her face.
"That's because I'm not a pony." He said in a flat tone.
"Then what are ya?"
"I'm human."
"No way." The orange child said as she rolled her eyes.
"He's telling the truth squirt." Rainbow interjected. The girls looked back at him in surprise.
"Wow! I've never seen a human before. I just though that Ms. Lyra was crazy and-" the white filly shut her mouth as Lyra looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "Uh..sorry." she said with a sheepish grin. "Well, we have some work to do." She said as they made their way upstairs.
"Done. Here you are." Rarity said as she levitated the shirt over to him. Isaac put the garment on and smiled.
"Thanks. How much do I owe you?" He said as he withdrew the coin pouch.
"Three bits will do." Isaac handed her four. "This is four-"
"Think of it as a tip, for fixing it on such short notice."
"Any time darling." She said with a smile. Rarity glanced at the clock and realized how late it was. "I'm terribly sorry dear but I must get this order done by tonight. Could you come back tomorrow and I'll make you some more clothes."
"I couldn't-"
"I said that I would and I meant it!"
"Um...okay. At what time?"
"Ten o'clock sharp would be divine."
"I'll see you tomorrow then." He said with a smile. As Isaac walked out the door Lyra and Rainbow looked at one another in shock.
"Wow."
"I know right." Rainbow said with a smile.
"Oh will you two please control yourselves!" Rarity said as she rolled her eyes.
"C'mon Rarity, even you have to admit he looked good." Rainbow said with a smug grin.
"I'll admit he knows how to take care of himself physically, but he's still a brute for attacking those poor stallions last night."
"Those stallions started the fight and he defended himself." Lyra interjected.
"Yeah and he defended Ditzy from the same goons yesterday!" Rainbow said as she stared at the mare.
"Physical ability is only half the battle Rainbow Dash. What truly matters is if he is courteous and kind to a mare. Which is what I will be assessing during his fitting." She said as she walked back upstairs. Rainbow and Lyra rolled their eyes and let out a sigh. As they left the shop the mares felt three small fillies squeeze past them and run out into the street. The three fillies suddenly ran into a hard object causing them to fall over.
"Ow, what did we-" the yellow filly was cut off as she saw the human lying on the ground in front of them. "Sorry about that mister."
"It's fine." He said as he got to his feet. Rainbow caught up to the small fillies and landed in front of them.
"Where are you three going in such a hurry?"
"We're going into the Everfree Forest to see Zecora." The white filly said with a smile.
"Are you three crazy? That place is way too dangerous for you three."
"We've been to Zecora's hut before and I know the way like the back of my hand." Sweetie said in a an annoyed tone.
"No way am I letting you three go into that place alone."
"I'll go with them." Isaac interjected.
"WHAT?" The group said in surprise.
"I don't mind."
"That place is really, really creepy!" Dash said.
"I'm sure I can handle a forest Dash." He said as he raised an eyebrow.
"I'll come too." She said with a grin. "It'd suck if you got killed on your second day here."
"All right! Lets go!" the orange Pegasus said as she and the other two girls ran ahead.
"Kids, what can you do?" he shrugged.
"Tell me about it."
"I take it that the yellow one is AJ's sister?"
"Yeah that's Applebloom and the unicorn is Sweetie Belle, Rarity's sister." she said as she pointed to the girls.
"I see and the Pegasus?"
"That's Scootaloo."
"Let me guess. You're sister?"
"No, but she looks up to me like one. What about you?"
"Nope, it's just me." The two suddenly came upon the forest's edge and ventured in after the fillies. Isaac felt the forest engulf him and the others as they made their way through the maze of trees and shrubs. As they went deeper into the brush Isaac felt Rainbow grab his arm once or twice when she heard a noise or saw a bush move.
"Here we are!" Applebloom said as they stopped in front of a hut. "Hello? Are you there Zecora?" The door opened to reveal a slightly taller pony with stripes running across her body, tail and mane which was styled in a mohawk fashion.
Must be a zebra. Isaac thought.
"What have we here? Why it's Applebloom my dear." She said with a smile. The zebra then noticed the familiar cyan mare and the guest. "Who stands before my hut? Rainbow who is this nut?"
"This is Isaac."
"Hello."
"I have never seen another pony like you. This is true." She said as she looked at Rainbow.
"Well, I'm a human." Isaac said with a weak grin. Zecora nodded and the ponies went inside and started to chat. Isaac explained his trip into the magical land and what had happened to him since his arrival. Rainbow glanced at her phone and her eyes shrank.
"Uh-oh I gotta go! See you tomorrow Isaac." She said as she raced out the door.
"C'mon girls it's time to go."
"Awwe, do we have too?" Sweetie Belle whined.
"Sorry but yes. Your sisters will kill me if you weren't home on time." The fillies sighed and got to their feet. Isaac said goodbye to Zecora and the group walked out of the forest in silence. As they reached the edge Sweetie Belle let out an audible gasp. "What's wrong?"
"I left my bag back at Zecora's hut." She said as she face palmed.
"Can we get it tomorrow?"
"No. My bag has our school project that we've spent weeks working on." Isaac scratched his head and let out a heavy sigh.
"All right. I'll go back and get it. You three head home, tell the other where I am and if I'm not back in an hour then bring the Calvary." He said as he made his way back into the forest. Luckily it was still somewhat light out and he could see the path way with ease. He soon reached Zecora's hut and knocked on the door.
"What a surprise, what brings you before my eyes?"
"Sweetie forgot her school bag here and I came back to get it." The zebra nodded and handed him the small back pack. "Thanks." He said as he began to walk away from the hut, as the sky got darker it became increasingly difficult to see the path in front of him. He tripped over a log and fell into a patch of plants, he quickly got up and continued on his way. As Isaac neared the exit to the forest he heard a few familiar voices coming from it. He emerged from the forest to see Rainbow, Rarity, AJ and Twilight with worried looks on their faces. Isaac walked up to them with a raised eyebrow. "Sup?"
"You're okay!" Rainbow yelled as she flew up to him.
"Why wouldn't I be?"
"That place is dangerous!" Twilight exclaimed.
"Seems like your average forest to me." He said as he handed Rarity the bag.
"I'm terribly sorry about this Isaac." She said in a sad tone.
"It's fine, nothing too bad in there." He said as he walked past the mares and made his way back into town. The mares quickly caught up to him and the group waked until it was time to go their separate ways. Isaac walked into the library and let out a yawn. "Well, night Twilight. I'm gonna hit the hay early."
"Okay, see you tomorrow." She said with a smile. Isaac retuned the gesture and entered the guest room. As he removed his shirt three blue petal fell to the floor. Isaac picked them up and threw them in the garbage can. He felt a little odd as laid his head on the pillow and drifted off to sleep.