Writer's Block

Rays of sunlight beamed through glazed windows and colorful curtains, basking the wooden floor in warmth. The rays revealed bits of dust that drifted through the air, bringing an old and homely feel to the living room. As the sun continued to rise, the angle of its light shifted slowly across the house. Minutes passed and the beams eventually shined upon pieces of glassware atop fabric that decorated a standing table. Reflecting off the multifaceted glass surfaces, spots of light were scattered across the room. The glass was purposely placed there due to the spectacle it created from the sun every morning; performing a display of light and wonder. However, there were no observers present to enjoy the sight this morning, save for one, who was currently fast asleep and unaware of the show. Or at least until one of these spots shined directly on closed eyes, causing them to squint in agitation.

James flickered his eyes open, only to close them tightly immediately to prevent exposing himself further to the sudden glare of light that awoke him. He let out a groan of discontent as his groggy mind focused on the single goal of sleeping in more. But the light was growing more bothersome with each moment.

With a grunt he flipped his body away and stuck his nose against the back of the couch he laid upon. With a relaxing sigh he shifted into a comfortable position and attempted to fall back asleep. However as his mind began to sink back down into slumber, a single thought nagged at him. Why am I on a couch?

James reluctantly opened his eyes again to verify that what he had seen was right, and was met with a back cushion decorated with flowers.

He stared at the floral fabric until his brain fully began to comprehend he was not in his own bed. With the sudden realization, James immediately propped himself up onto his elbows and looked about the room. He was indeed on a couch that was slightly tacky for his taste, set up in the living room, surrounded by other various furniture and antiques. It took him a few moments for the memories of last night to finally catch up in his head. Right, slept over at the Apples’. After remembering where he was at, he slowly laid back down on the couch and began to stare up at the wooden rafters and ceiling.

Still tired, his eyes absently traced the various notches and marks of the wood above him, his mind recalling every detail of last night that he could remember as he slowly became more awake. Memories like the food Granny Smith made that somehow turned out delicious, the laughter around the table as they played games, all the way to the Apples letting him crash on the couch when they all realized how late it was. But the memory he focused on the most was the very embarrassing and regretting event before any of that had happened. When he and Applejack were alone in the orchard, talking about him.

Oh god, he thought as he recalled all the details. Why did we have to have that conversation? He placed his hands on his face half in regret and half in tiredness. Groaning in contempt, he slowly pulled his hands down, drooping his face along with it. I can’t believe that happened. What was I even thinking? James sourely reflected on the conversation, still causing him to cringe at some of the things he had revealed last night, his insides becoming a knot as he played the memory over again and again in his mind. What am I going to do now? .

But after a minute or two of self-loathing, a different perspective popped into his head. Maybe… she’s right.

Applejack’s words from the night before still struck loudly in his head. How she said that he did not have to keep everything to himself, bottling everything up until he explodes. That he could open up to others that would help him, that there were ponies around him that he could trust to do just that and confide in. That he didn’t have to be alone through his pain.

But as nice as all that sounded, the idea of repeating anything like last night did not seem worth the effort to achieve. I do not want to go through that again, he thought. He hated feeling exposed and vulnerable, no matter how much good it might bring. Just the idea of letting everything out immensely bothered, and also scared him. The more he thought about it, the more he hated it.

However, as he dwelled on the idea and consequences of going through it again, he did have to admit —albeit slowly— that he did feel different than yesterday. Possibly even better than the times he tried to get through everything by himself, he realized.

No… there is no way in hell I am going to acknowledge the ‘magic of friendship’. It can’t be that easy. There’s no way it could work like that, that is not real life. James thought about the last sentence in his head for a few moments before correcting himself. Okay, so I thought talking ponies weren’t part of real life too. Turns out they are. But just because they are real and make some sense, doesn’t mean I can accept the ‘magic of friendship’ as something tangible and that easily.

Despite any revelations that happened last night withApplejack, James was still unwilling to let loose the emotional pressure inside to another soul. But as much as he tried to push it away, everything Applejack had said to him still nagged on him. But on the one chance that isn’t even remotely possible, what if she’s right?

His mind spun in every way to figure out his full thoughts and feelings on the matter. But no matter how he looked at it, he still couldn’t figure out if he would be able to go with it or not. Letting out a sigh he defeatingly thought, Lying here while going in circles is not going to help figure out what to do next. I need to get up and move around, figure this out while I do other stuff.

As much as he hated to admit it right now, he wouldn’t get any closer to figuring out this self conflicting mess he was in until he let it go. Something like this will just has to take time to figure out. Turning away from the ceiling, he looked out the window, where the deep blue sky seemed to bring about the promise of a new day. It was so blue that he couldn’t help but get lost in it, attempting to push away his worries and troubles. A day like this would be perfect to just find a spot to sit down at and work on some of his writing. What with the sun shining brightly and— SHIT! THE SUN’S UP! his brain finally clicked.

James jumped off the couch and rushed to the window. Looking out across the farm, he figured it might be nine or ten o'clock in the morning. “Dammit, slept in again.” With a grunt he made his way out of the living room in silent frustration. Seriously, how many times do they expect me to be okay sleeping in when they all get up before the sun does? If she wanted help in the orchards she should have just woken me up.

As tempting as sleeping in was, the idea of the people —or ponies— that hosted his stay while they worked made him feel to guilty to just lie around. Especially if they gave him a free meal to boot. He could never stand the idea of lazing about when others were doing something productive.

He was determined to get outside right away and see if there was anything he could still help with. As he moved into the kitchen and towards the porch door however, a voice stopped him before he headed out. “There you are, James, how did you sleep last night?”

He turned his head to see Granny Smith sitting at the kitchen dining table, a cup of steaming tea on a coaster beside her and the newspaper sprawled out in front on the table.

“Oh, morning, Granny. Sorry I slept in so late, I’m on my way outside right now.”

“Nonsense, they got it all under control,” she said, waving a hoof dismissively. “There’s not too much work fer today so they all will probably be done and back in before noon. Come, have a seat and keep me company,” she said while motioning for him to join her.

“Oh, um… okay.” James walked over and pulled out a chair that was on her right.

“So,” Granny Smith began after he settled into his seat, “how did you like mah dinner last night?”

James put on a friendly smile as he spoke. “I already told you, it was delicous. I was pretty surprised by it.”

“Oh?” Granny Smith asked with a raised eyebrow. “Why did it surprise ya?”

Shit, James thought. “Umm, because… I … don’t really like avocados,” he said. ”But I could barely taste them and when I did, they actually tasted good!”

“Ah see,” she said. Reaching down for her teacup she gave him a curious glance. James held his smile straight as she took her time to sip from the cup and set it back down on the table. After smacking her lips a few times from the drink she asked, “Ah take it you had fun last night then?”

Relieved to not have to come up with any more excuses for dinner, he replied, “Yeah, it was fun. I always love hanging around the table with everypony. Some of the word games you guys have are pretty interesting I think.”

Granny Smith laughed at that. “We Apples got quite a few of them. Helps pass the time in the orchards. But Ah already know everything after dinner was a good time, Ah’m talking about before.” She gave James a knowing smile as she waited for him to reply.

“You mean picking the apples?”

Granny Smith’s smile fell. He can’t be this daft, she thought. “No, not that, Ah’m talkin’ about you and my granddaughter. Did you two have fun last night?”

“Applejack? Yeah, we did,” James automatically responded. Granny Smith’s devious smile came back, only to vanish as quickly when he continued. “We just hung out by the trees and talked while stargazing.”

She gave him a dissatisfied stare before speaking. “Jeeze boy, you don’t have to hide it from me. Ah’m just asking if tha two of you had fun.”

“Fun?” James repeated the word, not quite sure what she was getting to.

“Yes, fun,” Granny Smith implied, adding a small wiggle with her eyebrows to send the point home.

“Oh… OH!” James exclaimed in sudden clarity, his cheeks beginning to bring a lovely shade of red to his face. “NO, OF COURSE NOT!”

Granny Smith’s mouth fell slack before she scrunched up her face and gave him the stink eye. “Why? My granddaughter not good enough fer ya? Is that what you think buster?”

James waved his hands in front of him. “NO! It’s not that! Its just...why are you even asking this, Granny!?”

“Sheesh, I used to be young too you know,” she said. “An old gal is deserving of knowing if her granddaughter had a good time with a stallion. Er… I guess a human in this case.”

James could not believe where the conversation had just taken a turn to, rapidly becoming more uncomfortable and awkward with each passing moment.

“G-Granny Smith!” he stuttered. “I don’t think this is appropriate for us to talk about!” he said as politely and frustratedly as possible.

She raised her eyebrows curiously. “Hmm? And why’s that?”

“B-because! People, I mean ponies, don’t talk about stuff like this!”

She stared at him for a few moments, the look on her face as if she had just seen a timber wolf dance and ask if she would be its dinner. “Why sure we do, it’s just casual conversation folks have. You saying they don’t talk about stuff like this back at your home?”

“Of course not!” James immediately replied.

“Well that’s odd of ya, why not?” she asked, genuinely curious.

“Because it’s embarrassing! And private!”

“Why is it embarrassing?”

“I-it just is!”

Her face turned to a thoughtful look as she asked, “Is this here one of them taboo thingy’s you humans have? Like always wearing clothes and what not?”

“Yes! It’s exactly like that,” James said, desperately reaching for anything that might end this conversation.

“I’d sure hate to be where you’re from then. Can’t go walking outside unless you’re dressed for a blizzard, and can’t talk about good old-fashioned sex? Sounds awfully boring to me.”

James cringed slightly at hearing Granny Smith use the ‘S’ word.

“So what did you two do then? You were out there fer a long while, Ah could have sworn you had finally gotten used to your predicament and took tha chance to relieve yerself.”

“I told you, we talked! That’s it!”

“Hmmm,” she hummed. Granny Smith held a thoughtful face before continuing. “So Ah take it you haven’t been told how it works here then? What with how ponies are open folk? Which is odd to say because I’d never consider something normal to be ‘open’. But Applejack convinced me not to talk about it and leave ya be.”

James would rather confess his feelings to Applejack a hundred times over if it got him out of the talk he and the senior family member were having.

“Ah guess it’s up to me then. Don’t worry James, Ah’ll explain it all to ya,” she continued. With a small cough to clear her voice she said,“You see, when a stallion and a mare are friends with each other—“

“IT’S ALRIGHT! TWILIGHT ALREADY COVERED IT!” James nearly shouted, his whole body stiff and straight against the chair.

“Oh, she did? Well good, saves me the trouble of explaining. Now Ah just gotta do the asking. Why didn’t you to do it then?”

James’ face became beet red. Think of something think something think of something… James fumbled as he tried to find the words. “Uh… because we… weren’t…. married. YES! Married. Can’t do it without marriage,” he said, hoping that this would bring about the end of the talk.

Granny Smith leaned away slightly as she looked at James with the strangest of faces. “You wait till you’re married?”

Oh lord, James thought.

“Sheesh, no wonder you’re so pent up. So you’re a virgin then?” she asked, not skipping a beat.

“Of course not!” James said automatically, immediately regretting it.

Granny Smith let out a chuckle at his growing fluster. “Relax boy, it’s nothing to be ashamed of if you were. But Ah know you’re not married and haven’t been, but you just told me yourself that you're also not a virgin. Which Ah’m assuming means you can still have fun in the sack. So why didn't ya rut with my granddaughter?”

James was unable to continue anymore, it was just becoming too much for him. As politely as he could as to not offend her he said, “G-Granny... this is really uncomfortable and I don’t think we should continue this conversation. Ever again.”

Her face fell away slightly. “Why’s that? James, you're more wound up than a snake wrapped around a bed spring.”

“Look, I don’t know how it is here… well actually I think I do, but back where I’m from, s-se-… that!” he emphasized, not able to say the word in front of her. “Is something between two people in a relationship. Yes, sometimes people do it now and then for fun, but it’s for people who are dating or are married.”

“You mean you only do it with one pony? And you have to be dating or married?”

James’ face became redder as he tried to explain. “It’s considered cheating if you do it with another person while in a relationship,” he said, not even attempting to address her second question. He was trying to keep his voice calm and level, his throat already tired with the repeated outbursts she solicited from him. I just shouldn’t be surprised by anything she says at this point.

“Hmmm,” Granny Smith hummed while leaning back in her chair. James waited patiently for her to speak, half tempted to get up now and out the door before she could ask another question. Unfortunately she had finished musing over whatever she was thinking and spoke before he could move. “Ah think Ah know your problem.”

Here we go. He mentally sighed, not in the slightest looking forward to receiving a lecture from her. Especially about sex of all things. “What’s my problem?” he asked.

“You only do it with ponies that are closer than friends. Which is something Ah’m having a hard time getting past because if you can’t have fun in the bed with somepony and have it feel right, how do you know you're even dating the right pony to begin with?”

“We just do,” he said with an exasperated voice, his will to fight the strange conversation diminishing.

“Fer some reason, Ah don’t think you do.”

He opened his mouth to try and find the words to counteract her, but the ordeal of it all was making it difficult to come up with something that he could actually use against her.

“In case you haven’t figured it out,” Granny Smith said before he could speak, ”friends bed with other friends here. It’s just one of the ways we bond. There’s nothing wrong with working out your natural needs and pleasures with another you’re close with. But Ah think that there’s another problem of yours.”

“And that is?” James asked, regretting pushing the conversation further.

“You are emotionally closed off.”

James’ embarrassment calmed down a notch as she confirmed the very thing Applejack had tackled last night. To have Granny Smith point out the same flaw right off the bat was a little jarring to him.

“It also sounds to me that humans are only able to open to one soul at a time if at all. Whether that’s from being a human or you all just never learned how to be open to love more than one, Ah don’t know. If it’s the latter, than that’s an unfortunate thing for you and all of your kind.”

James stared blankly as she continued.

“Let me clear some things up for ya. For ponies, being connected to each other is one of the many things that make us who we are. We share the good times and laughter from them with one another, to feel happy and close to them. And that includes tha more intimate things. Now don’t get me wrong, we don’t do it with everypony that comes our way. We’re not mindless beasts who are slaves to our instincts and passions.”

“We do it to strengthen our already existing bonds. To become closer to tha ponies around us, and in turn, deepen our relationship. Just like sharing a good meal together in merriment, or dancing a jig to a good ol’ folk song. It’s nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed of, but somethin’ to appreciate and enjoy with one another.” Granny Smith paused for a moment as James took in what she said. “But hot damn if the act itself ain’t one heck of a stress reliever! Ah can’t imagine how stuck up and tightly wound up everypony is where you’re from.”

James had never had the urge to facepalm before in his life, but the last thing she had said gave him the strong desire to perform one. He resisted the urge and instead forced himself to think about what Granny Smith said while she reached down for another sip. As much as he wanted to end the conversation, it was something he couldn’t pass up if it was important to know. As awkward as it was, having both Granny Smith and Twilight mention it showed how important it possibly was to their culture, something he at least realized he should attempt to understand.

As much as it bothered him to explore said knowledge from the source next to him at the table which was definitely not a first choice, he was becoming genuinely curious and it was already the topic of the conversation. James turned back to Granny Smith as he spoke. “But… aren’t you worried about hurting others that may already be in relationships? Doesn’t any rivalry happen?

“Why not at all! It’s something to pass the time with and have some fun while you’re at it. Normally you’d only do it when your special somepony isn’t available, but it isn’t a big deal. You’d probably do it with a close friend.”

“How on earth, I mean, Equestria, does that work?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, how does nopony get emotionally hurt from it?”

“Why would that happen?”

James stared at her, brow furrowed and mouth ajar for a moment before replying, “Because you’re doing it with somepony else. Doesn’t that say you don’t love your special somepony that much?”

“Of course not. Like I said, most ponies would rather do it with their special loved one.”

James stared at Granny Smith for the longest time before dipping his head into his hands. “I don’t get this. Even when Twilight explained it, it sounded unbelievable.”

“What did she say to you?”

“Something about how it’s basically a popular recreational activity and is very normal.”

“And Ah take it that it’s not that popular back at your home?”

“No, it is, it’s just… it’s hard to explain. People just aren’t that open about it.”

“That’s a shame.”

Deciding to continue to at least attempt to figure ponies out, James said, “So even when married, you can still do it with others?”

“Well sure, but like Ah said, your loved one is much more preferrable, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a close bond with others. Sex is something friends do. Love, well thats something that can only happen with your special somepony.”

“And there’s a big enough difference between the two for you that ponies don’t get them mixed up?”

“Yes, very much so. It’s all about the heart and emotions behind it. It’s a physical need most of the time. That’s not to say that it isn’t special with your close friends of course. But when you add your very being to it for your special somepony, well… it definitely becomes something special.”

“And what happens when you get the same feelings with another pony?”

“Can’t seem to think of a time that happened that it caused any issue. There are friends who are closer than others, but I think there will always be that one who holds your heart the most.”

“And if they don’t return it?”

“That’s a part of life,” she said flatly. “But Ah am a firm believer that somewhere out there, there’s a pony who will love ya just as much as you love them.”

James looked down at his hands as he thought it all over. The whole concept seemed so simple and alien at the same time, that it just didn’t seem possible. After a minute and another sip of tea, James spoke slowly. “I don’t know if that’s something I could do. The idea to be able to have s… sex with those around you so carefree, hell that might be every guy’s fantasy, I’d be lying if I didn’t imagine it myself.” James let out a breath as he formed his words. “But in all honesty, I don’t know if I could do that. The whole interspecies thing alone is hard to handle.”

“Do you think it’s better for… people,” Granny Smith said after a pause, “to be doing as you’ve told me now?”

He continued to look down at his hands as he tried to work that answer out. How much would society change if we were more like ponies? I guess things like rape wouldn’t exist. A quick flashback to him talking to Twilight ran across his mind. But… who knows how it would actually be. James lifted his head and stared at Granny Smith, his face held a mixture of confusion and defeat. “I don’t know,” he said simply. “I can’t even begin to answer that question… not in the slightest.”

Granny Smith nodded as she reached for her cup again. “To be honest mahself, Ah don’t think anypony could. Who’s to say for an entire race?” She took another sip and held the cup in between her hooves as she stared into its brown colored surface. Both of them were at a loss at what to say next from the question that was too big even for the both of them to figure out.

Eventually Granny Smith set down her cup and looked at James with a smile on her face. “Well this isn’t about what everypony at home would do, it’s about what you would do.”

“And exactly what am I supposed to do?”

Granny Smith shrugged her shoulders as she spoke, “Beats me. That’s fer you to decide. You’re in a new world, and that requires changin’ some things about you. The question is, what will you change?”

James was again lost for words as he considered what she said. How the hell is someone supposed to answer questions like this? I love philosophical discussions but this… He wasn’t sure what he could change, or would be willing to. The words from Applejack last night and Granny Smith minutes ago came back to his mind once again. Both of them separately picked on a single issue that he had, one that he felt maybe he could get an answer to. “How am I supposed to just open up to everypony here? How in Equestria do you love more than one person let alone a single one?” God that’s a stupid question, he thought immediately, feeling foolish in even asking something so cliché.

Granny Smith gave him a smile as she responded, “James, there are many types of love. There’s the love of a hobby, the love of your family, the love of your friends, and the love of your special somepony. It’s really not that hard to open up to those around you. Sure it might be scary and leave ya vulnerable to all kinds of pain. But to share those special connections with somepony else? Why, Ah think that might be even better than eating one of my Zap Apple Pies.”

“But if there’s one thing Ah gathered from ya it’s that you’re a pretty closed up fellow. Oh, you may laugh and have fun around us, but when you’re my age, you’re able to pick up on the small things. Now, Ah know you shouldn’t be pushed into it. You are a human after all and you gotta do what’s right for yer kind. But you should know there are ponies out there right now you’ve managed to become close to, my granddaughter being one of them. Ah can’t tell you how happy it would make me to see a smile on her face from becoming closer to another friend, especially one like you that has my full blessings if they would even matter. But it’s all up to you if you want to pursue that or not.”

She reached out a hoof to his hand, gently grasping it in the odd way ponies could. “Ah don’t think you should shoot down this opportunity. Now Ah don’t know how ponies, er people, in your world are. But there’s good folk here that won’t do you wrong, and they're willing to let you into their lives. So why don’t you do the same?”

James looked up, hoping to see something in her face that revealed some perverted nature or demented expression that would betray her line of reason, that she wasn’t right about the whole thing. Something to confirm his suspicion he had deduced so far that ponies are secretly sex addicts.

But when he looked up at her in return, he found nothing but a genuine smile and caring eyes on her face. As odd as their conversation was, she really meant it as something normal and heartfelt rather than dirty and vulgar. She fully believed that it was something that could bind ponies together in more meaningful friendships and relationships, and that she believed it would help him.

Do they really view it so differently than humans? That it’s something so natural and can be acted on without worry? That… there’s more to it than just a physical act? That it doesn’t ruin a friendship or make it awkward, but rather strengthen it and bring it closer? James would be lying if thoughts of being so close to Applejack didn’t run about his head just then. It was immediately followed by the memory of Rainbow Dash and the actions he shared with her two days prior. Does... this mean she only wanted to become closer to me? And I wasn’t just a fling?

Granny Smith interrupted his thoughts as she went on. “You really shouldn’t be afraid of letting others into your heart. You’ll be surprised how heartwarming it can all be when you do. And you never know when you’ll find that one that makes it spark more than a fire on Hearth’s Warming Eve.” She gave him a reassuring and warm smile, the kind only a grandmother could pull off. Conversation aside, he felt like a kid talking to his grandparents again. Albeit perhaps dirty grandparents, but it felt similar all the same.

She held an air of wisdom and sweetness about her. She seemed so sure of herself talking about being closer to others and opening your heart, that it was hard to say anything against it and you should just accept it as a fact of life. It was something a wise elder would pass on to their grandchildren that could very easily be the secret to happiness or something along those lines.

James gulped as he dared to ask a question that had been creeping up on him after remembering Rainbow Dash. “Do… would, a pony do it with those that aren’t their friend? Like, without the intention of becoming closer?”

Granny Smith looked up to the ceiling while she replied. “Ah don’t think so. There might be a few exceptions here and there. But in all honesty, Ah’d say anypony willing to bed with ya is just trying to be a good friend and become closer.”

James felt a mixture of tightness and emotions swell in his chest. His wall was still there keeping everything in check so it wouldn’t spill out, but after hearing Granny Smith confirm a growing feeling, he couldn’t help but feel a small weight lift off his chest.

“Besides,“ Granny Smith continued. “Ah don’t think you will have a problem getting other ponies with ya. You look something of an exotic experience if you don’t mind me saying,” she said while giving him a sly wink.

And the moment’s gone, he thought dryly.

James sighed and leaned back in his chair. His eyes returned to the wooden ceiling as he sat deep in thought of everything they had just talked about.

Granny Smith gave him another small smile before sitting back and picking up where she had left off on her newspaper. They both sat there for minutes in their own thoughts. James trying to piece it all together, and Granny Smith giving him all the time in the world as she read the latest town gossip. Eventually, noon rolled around and sure enough, the rest of the Apples’ voices could be heard from the orchard as they came trotting back towards the farm house.

“Goodness does the time pass, looks like they’re done now,” Granny Smith said. “Ah better start some lunch for everypony.” Granny Smith pushed herself out of the chair, a small crack emanating from her joints as she made her way to the kitchen counter. She turned her head towards Jame before she got started. “Will you be staying for lunch, dearie?”

James opened his mouth to answer that he should probably head on home, but instead he paused for a moment. After which he gave her a weak smile and replied, “Yeah sure, why the hay not. Just make sure I can do some work next time to repay you for all the food.” And never bring up this subject again if possible.

Granny Smith returned it with a grin of her own. “Sure thing.” She shuffled about the kitchen gathering various items to begin cooking before looking over her shoulder and calling towards him, “Could you fetch me a wooden spoon from over there?” She motioned to the jar of utensils across the kitchen

“No problem,” James replied.

Granny Smith watched James from behind as he went to the task, her own mind looking back at the moment shared between the two. Fella’s got some growing to do on the inside, but he’s getting there, she thought to herself. James had grabbed the spoon and was on his way back just as the porch door opened. Big Mac, Apple Bloom, and Applejack all walked in together. James moved to greet them as they entered, all four of them exchanging good mornings with each other. He gave a small scolding to the elder sister and brother about leaving him to sleep in and not letting him help about the farm, but the laughter between his and their words as they bantered showed that there were no hard feelings, and that it was all in good and playful nature.

Granny Smith watched the scene in silent amusement, paying close attention to the human chatting away at her grandchildren. A small twinkle in her eyes shined as she regarded his behavior. The grin he had on now, she noticed, wasn’t the one he normally wore. She wasn’t sure if he even noticed himself, but the smile he held now was one of true and genuine happiness, something she had failed to see in such a way in the human since he had arrived. It was a hopeful smile, the kind one would give after a heavy burden had been lifted, even if it was just for a moment.

Ah think Ponyville’s going to be good for you, sonny. You’re gonna be just fine here.