Heart Of Gold

A week had passed since I had moved into the library with twilight and spike. And man it has been a very interesting week. There were a lot of interesting events that happened with my new pony friends. I still laugh and then cringe every time I think about the first day waking up with twilight in my bed.

Flashback

*chirp* *chirp*

‘not know birds five more minutes… why do I feel like I’m covered in fur?’ opening my eyes I found twilight curled up and pressed into me. Smirking to myself I started to run my fingers over her shoulder hoping to wake her up. A few minutes later she started to stir speaking half asleep

“Mrrm not now shpike, five more min*YAWN*utes.”

“You know Twilight, I know this bed is comfortable and all but if you wanted to snuggle all you had to do is ask.”

She sat there for a minute still half asleep before the words registered in her head. Her hoof raising and pressing behind her until it prodded into me. I guess that was her way of finding out if it was a dream or not because in about a half second and a blue of purple she was out of the bed her face crimson red in embarrassment.

“Oh my gosh I’m so sorry I didn’t mean to I’m so sorry, I don’t even remember doing that. All I remember is you telling me to feel how comfy the mattress was and the next thing I know I was asleep.”

I chuckled to myself at her frazzled response. “It’s alright Twi, I know how it is to wake up and not remember how you got there. You’re not really in control when you sleep. We can just pretend this didn’t happen if it makes you more comfortable.”

The red of her face seemed to slowly start to fade. But a mischievous look replaced it “Ever the gentle colt aren’t you Derick. But I didn’t see you arguing about it at all. Maybe you just wanted to take advantage of the poor tired pony, I know you’re smooth with the ladies but tricking a poor defenseless girl into bed, tsk tsk.”

‘Uhh did the innocent bookworm just crack a dirty joke at me?’

I would’ve responded but that just seemed to be the exact moment that spike woke up and walked past my room hearing everything.

His eyes were as wide as saucers, “Did Twilight just make a dirty joke?”

‘Huh guess great minds think alike.’

Taking that as my cue to get back at her for the comment. “Oh she is just trying to cover up waking up curled up next to me I know I can be considered attractive but seriously to wake up with girls curled up to me is pretty impressive if I do say so myself.”

And bam the red returned. “I did not and you know it, I was just very tired and you didn’t get any blankets before tricking me into falling asleep on your bed. And it just so happens you are very warm.”

“Oh come now twilight that just makes you sound desperate blame the blankets, you know you just wanted to snuggle up to me.”

That seemed to put her over the edge as a devious smile appeared on her face. “Oh I’ll show you snuggle.” A moment later her horn started to glow purple.

‘SHIT NO, I totally forgot to warn her about magic around me I have to stop her.’ “Twilight wait stop don’t use magic I.” but I was too late as a purple glow appeared around me then faded a moment later she dropped to the ground.

“Shit, spike can you check on her? I forgot to mention that for some reason I’m absorbing magic and she probably just used up all her magic trying to get back at me. I’m so stupid to forget that even after the princess explaining it to me.”

He immediately rushed over to her before checking her over “She is fine just exhausted from overuse of magic.”

“Thank god” I walked over picking her up and setting her back down in the bed.

Looking back at spike I saw he had an angry and accusing look on his face at me.

“I’m guessing your wanting an explanation huh?”

Twenty minutes later after I had finished explaining to spike and he seemed to forgive me Twilight woke back up. “Uhh what happened, I feel like I just tried to teleport my whole house to canterlot.”

Another fifteen minutes of explaining and apologizing later Twilight forgave me after berating me for forgetting to mention that little detail.

End flashback

Yeah that was definitely an interesting morning to say the least.

It was almost as strange as the next day when he ran into Pinkie Pie again, he didn’t even want to remember that even because every time he did he somehow got a migraine trying to explain everything he witnessed. And he still had no idea where that cannon came from. And don’t even get started on what apparently everyone called the pinkie sense. It seemed to literally find laws of logic and break them just to fuck with his head, I mean seriously one morning he had been taking a bath in the mini to him tub when he felt something clamp onto his leg. Literally one second later Pinkies head popped out of the showerhead and asked if he had seen an alligator in the tub because her shoulder was twitchy. And sure enough a small toothless alligator had clamped onto his leg.

On other less mind melting topics he had grown quite fond of the Apple farm and had made pretty good friends with the interesting apple family. And even struck up a pretty good albeit quite friendship with AJ’s older brother Big Macintosh

Flashback

Derick had decided to go visit sweet apple acres again, last time he had enjoyed his time on the farm. Physical work always brought a sense of accomplishment to him and most aspects of a ponies life he had noticed didn’t include much. Magic probably didn’t help this feat, most people who could just make something happen with magic wouldn’t exert themselves to do it manually.

Making his way to the orchard he noticed AJ out bucking apples in an orchard near the barn.

“Heya AJ how’s the bucking going.”

Stopping her work for a second she trotted over to Derick. “Howdy Derick, going pretty good. Stopping by for a visit? Or hoping to make a few bits, not often we get someone who can actually keep up round here.”

“Well I could probably use the exercise so if you got something that needs doing I’d be willing.”

She put her hoof to her chin for a few seconds in thaught. “Well I have the bucking under control here but Big Mac may be able to use your help in the fields over yonder.”

“Sounds good thinking bout it though I don’t believe I’ve met Big Mac yet.”

“Well now’s your chance, he is the big red stallion in the fields over there.” She said pointing in a direction away from the barn.

“Sounds good I’ll go introduce myself.”

Heading over to the fields I soon found the pony in question. He was pretty large considering the average pony size standing a good foot taller than the standard pony. He was also pretty stocky built with muscle, which was reinforced by the huge plow he was pulling through the fields. Jogging up to him I saw him take notice of me stopping plowing to watch me approach.

Reaching him I waved to great him “Hello your Big Macintosh correct?”

Swishing a piece of grass in his mouth around for a second he replied “Eyup.”

‘Man of many words I see’

“Nice to meetcha my names Derick I’m friends with AJ, she told me you could use some help out here in the fields.”

Looking around the field which had a large area still to be plowed he nodded again “Eyup, I reckon I could use some help plowing iffin I want to finish today. You up to plowin?”

Giving my muscles a stretch I responded with a grin. “I bet I’m up for it, do you have any more equipment?”

“Eyup, seein as ya aint a normal pony I doubt a collar would fitcha right but let me go to the barn and check what we got available.”

A few minutes later he returned from the barn with a plow and a large horse collar and a large padded blanket.

“I wrecken if ya pad the collar with the blanket it should work fine”

A few minutes later I was rigged into the collar and led to a nearby field, it was a bit large for me but with the blanket wrapped over my shoulders it was a pretty snug fit. If I planned on doing this though I bet I could create a vest to attach the plow to.

I spent the next few hours pulling the plow through the dirt, it was hard work and required a lot of muscle but it wasn’t something I was completely unfamiliar with. Back in my training days there was a very similar exercise where you rigged a sled with huge amounts of weight and pulled it. One of the things the program always taught was that its movements were designed to help you in everyday life. Times like this I look back on that and think there more correct than they think.

Roughly four hours after we started I had finished with my area and met back up with big mac who was finishing his second. Walking up to him I gave out a friendly chuckle. “Dang I thaught I was moving pretty quickly too, you must be pretty dang strong.”

“Eyup, though I must admit I didn’t think you would do so well using only two legs.”

We spent the next twenty minutes bringing in all the gear chatting. Witch mostly involved me talking and him throwing in short responses, but it was a nice enjoyable conversation. He was actually a pretty cool guy, and he didn’t make you feel like you were boring or irritating him by talking too much. He just preferred to speak less, and he always made got more across with a simple sentence with each word than most people can with a small speech.

Back at the barn AJ was just finishing up bringing the last of the apples she had bucked in from the fields.

“Well howdy you two, howd the fields come along.”

Speaking up for the both of us I replied. “Pretty well actually, and can I say dang your brothers strong I thaught I was moving quick and he still did double what I accomplished.”

It seemed like a pretty modest statement to me so I was confused when AJ’s face showed surprise. “Wait you actually managed to plow half of what he did? I’m impressed I he is Atleast three times faster than me with that plow. There’s a reason he is in charge of plowing while I buck.”

Scratching the back of my head in a bit of embarrassment I replied with a friendly chuckle. “Well I have had some practice doing something similar to this, and besides I always liked a good challenge.”

She just shook her head in a disbelieving way “Well I wrecken you musta built up quite an appetite from the work how’s about joining us fer dinner. I’m sure Granny Smith and Applebloom would love to meetcha.”

My stomach decided to answer for me as a load grumble echoed from it. “Well I believe there’s your answer im starved haha.”

We made our way to the farmhouse and AJ pointed me to a washroom to get cleaned up. A couple minutes later I followed my nose to the kitchen.

I was amazed at the scene, there was a large table set out filled to almost overflowing with so much food I couldn’t believe it, it was like a Thanksgiving dinner on appleroids. I seriously didn’t even know so many things could be made from apples but my nose and my stomach weren’t complaining. It smelled and looked fantastic and I couldn’t wait to dig in.

During dinner I was introduced to the rest of the apple family. Granny Smith I took a shine to, she reminded me of my grandma. Old fashioned in her beliefs, a sharp and witty tongue, and a mean ass cook. It was also pretty amusing listening to her crazy antics through dinner. She also made me instantly feel like I was almost part of the family, treating me exactly like the rest of her family and completely ignoring my appearance as a non-pony. Come to think of it Big Mac hadn’t even brought it up either. Upon asking them about it she responded.

“I’ve seen many strange folk in my day sonny, and I wright don’t care whatcha look like, its whatcha are on the inside that counts. And you got guts specially after the way I herdja handled the plow earlier.”

It was a said in a completely no nonsense tone, and I practically translated it to. Don’t care I like ya, from the tone she spoke it. It honestly made me feel warm how these folks could just accept a stranger into their home without a batted eyelash.

Applebloom though was another story. Throughout the whole dinner I was bombarded with questions about my everything. What I was, what it was like to stand on two legs, how I got so strong. She even told me all about her club the cutie mark crusaders and seeing how I didn’t have on asked me to join her club.

“That’s something I been meaning to ask by the way, I’ve noticed all the marks on everybody. And I’ve kind of made the connection they represent that pony in some way, but what’s the scoop on them? If I’m gonna be living here seems like something I ought to know.”

AJ seemed to volunteer to answer my question. “Every pony gains there cutie mark when they discover their true talent. They are special and unique to themselves, like both mine and Big Macs symbolize our love and skill in tending to our apples.”

“Huh makes sense, but are they called cutie marks even on stallions? It seems kind of feminine. I personally wouldn’t go around calling anything about myself as cute. People from where I’m from would laugh at somebody like me having anything called a cutie mark, sorry I’m not saying that o be rude I’m just from a very different place.”

Big Mac took the turn to answer the question. “It’s just the way it is, every pony has one so no one has to be ashamed of nothing.”

“Huh I guess when you put it that way it sounds a lot better. Where I’m from no one has anything like cutie marks. Heck if a guy even got caught saying the words cutie mark he would probably get laughed at. But if every person had one then there would be no reason to laugh.”

The rest of the dinner continued and there was never a dull moment. Between Applebloom going on about all the crazy ideas her and her friends had concocted to get cutie marks. Granny Smith telling old stories and AJ and Big Mac getting in an eating contest. I still don’t know how so much food can disappear into a girl that smalls frame, I don’t think Big Mac does either from the look on his face after losing. It was all in all an extremely enjoyable evening for myself.

Flashback end

The day after that was another strange one. Pinkie Pie had… wait nope not touching that one I want to keep my sanity by not remembering. I still have no idea where she pulled that trombone from. Or where on earth she acquired a full-size medieval style trebuchet but something’s are better left unanswered.

Pending insanity aside there were a couple other events that had happened I smiled looking back on.

Flash back

The sun barely started to peak over the horizon and it was a beautiful morning.

I had woken at the crack of dawn like I used to and decided to go get some exercise, I always felt it was a great way to start a day. Although I still should look into finding something other than jeans to run in. not that I hadn’t done it many a time before it just felt better in a nice pair of shorts.

An hour job later found me down the path back to town after a loop around sweet apple acres. Halfway back to town though I heard a faint sound coming ahead. It sounded like. Singing?

Slowing down and approaching slower I could hear it slowly getting loader. It was a beautiful and melodic voice that seemed to be chorused by the sound of birds. Approaching quietly I soon found the source, it was Fluttershy.

Tucked back jut a ways off the path she was singing and dancing with a flock of small songbirds flying around her. Was this the same timid and scared stiff from being shy girl I met a few days ago? I was enthralled by her performance it was truly beautiful. I sat and watched from my hiding spot for ten minutes before she slowly came to a stop of her song.

Standing up I approached the edge of the trees I had hidden in and knocked on the wood of one hard enough for her to hear. She looked over to where I stood before pure shock and embarrassment flashed onto her face. Immediately she went to hide behind her long man covering her face. And dashed behind a tree, ‘yup saw that one coming if she was so shy she probably just got embarrassed she got caught.’

Deciding to take the initiative I walked over to around 20 yards from where she hid. Kneeling down on the grass I sat down to make myself closer to her size. Speaking in a very soft and kind voice I called out to her. “I’m sorry Fluttershy I didn’t mean to startle you, I just heard singing from over here and can I just say that it was absolutely beautiful, and I hope you’re not mad at me for listening to you. I enjoyed it very much you are very talented.”

She stayed behind the tree for a few seconds before I saw just the corner of her face poke out to look at me. “D-do you mean that?”

Looking back I gave a warm and friendly smile “Of course, it was great. I’m sorry if I embarrassed you though, I didn’t mean to spy but I guess I was just enchanted by your music. Would you mind coming out from the tree? It’s rather hard to talk to a tree.” I let out a small friendly laugh at the joke trying to coax her out. “Besides we are friends right? Or Atleast I would like to be considered your friend. And friends don’t need to hide from their friends, they support each other instead. And from what I heard there is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of with your singing, it’s a wonderful gift you have.”

After a minute she walked out from the tree and sat down near me still hid behind her mane. “Do you mean it?”

“Of course friends shouldn’t ever lie to their friends about things like this. “Thank you, nobody has ever complimented my singing before. And yes I think I would like to be your friend. That is if it’s alright with you.”

“Of course Fluttershy, I already consider you my friend, and if there is anything you ever need don’t hesitate to ask. Friends are always there for friends so you don’t have to be scared around me.”

“I don’t, well I was, but then you… I’m not scared of you, I was at first but for some reason I’m not anymore. I can see you are a very kind and good friend already. If you wouldn’t mind me asking though what are you doing all the way out here so early in the morning the sun has only barely been up for half an hour.”

“Well I decided to go for a run and get some exercise, other than working on the farm with AJ the two days I haven’t gotten much exercise since arriving in ponyville.”

It was at this moment that I noticed that I probably looked and smelled a little funny to her, especially if the sweat marks on my shirt had any say in the matter.

“Wow you must really enjoy exercise, especially since you worked on Applejacks farm twice, I know that the work they do is very tough so you must be very strong to be able to keep up and still do exercise on the side. I mean if it was me I probably couldn’t do anything to help on her farm, I’m really week and worthless like that.” She moped out at the end.

‘Dang this girl has some serious for real esteem issues.’

“And you know what Flutter, that’s completely ok. Just because you aren’t physically strong does not make you 1 tiny bit less of a great pony than it does anybody else. Everyone is special and unique in their own ways. Myself for example, if I tried to sing to the birds like you did they would probably all fly away so fast we would never see them again.”

This actually got both of them to share an honest laugh together.

“And besides the main reason I’m so attached to staying in shape and being strong is to protect and help those who aren’t. I’ve made mistakes and failed to help people before and I’ve promised myself I never would again. So like I said if you truly need anything Flutter just find me and I’ll be glad to help.” ‘Wow this is getting sappy fast I should probably find a polite way to excuse myself before it just gets awkward, damn this kind mind of mine.

Standing up I stretched out for a few seconds before looking back to Fluttershy who was still lost in thaught at my words. But I could see a small smile appearing on her face. “Well speaking of which I should probably get back to it then, don’t want to get too flabby by skipping the second half of my run. I hope to see you again soon Fluttershy.” I waved good bye and took off jogging and could just see her snap out of it and wave back to me before I lost sight of her.

Flashback end

I still felt bad running away like that but I didn’t want the situation to get awkward, and I’m definitely not trying to get into any form of a relationship right now especially due to my current condition. But I just can’t help myself, especially when faced with someone so innocent and just soo... I don’t know how to describe it. It’s just like an urge to protect her, she seems so helpless, innocent and vulnerable.

Overall running into her had been a really pleasant surprise during his morning workout. But the bundle in his hand made him smile. He was currently on the way back to the library from rarities and she had solved the jeans problem for him pretty well.

Flashback

*Knock* *Knock*

Derick stood at the entrance of Carousel boutique. Rarity had told Twilight to have him come by that day to look into some clothing she had been working on for him.

‘I wonder what kind of clothing a pony will come up with for a human, I don’t know whether I should be exited or nervous. From what I saw last time Rarity definitely favors dresses and less uhh manly designs to begin with. And I don’t even know if she can pull off my shape, oh well guess I’ll have to just find out.’ Right then the door opened.

“Welcome to Carousel boutique where everything is shic unique and magnifique. Oh Derick my dear wonderful to see you, please tell me you’re here to look into your new wardrobe. I’ve been playing with the measurements I took and have some things I would just love to have you try on.”

“Well twilight told me you wanted to come by so here I am, and I would love to see the clothing you’ve come up with. Oh and I’m sure twilight let you know but a reminder never hurts, do not use magic on me please for your own safety.”

She just nodded her head in knowing. “Yes darling I heard about what happened with twilight and I’ll be sure to be extra careful now come in I can’t wait to show you what I came up with.”

Following her into the shop I noticed several dresses on mannequins over what I assumed was her workshop area of her shop.

She walked off to a side room calling back to me.

“Please make yourself comfortable and I will retrieve what I’ve worked on for you. I noticed your very well developed body and assumed you live a very active lifestyle so I took the liberty of creating both an outfit I think will be simply stunning on you and something else for you to wear when you work. I assume you only have the clothing on your back and just couldn’t let someone like yourself be limited by your wardrobe.” She spoke as she walked back levitating some folded clothing with her.

“I hope I got these right dear, I’ve never had to create anything in a shape like this before but I think I nailed it if I do say so myself. First try these on.” And she floated over the larger portion of the folded clothes.

Grabbing them from where she set them next to me I went behind a screen nearby obviously set up for changing and put changed clothes. I was actually pleasantly surprised they fit great, the shirt was snug and fitted almost perfectly and the pants where a nice breathable fabric and fit great but were obviously made to look nice. And the last piece I grabbed to put on, wait is this a.

“Uhh rarity are capes common in Equestria? There pretty outdated from where I’m from.”

“Oh yes dear, there not too common but are indeed found in many high class places, and I just believe that you will pull it off fabulously.”

‘Alright if she says so I guess I’ll give it a shot.’ Fastening the cape into place I stepped out to show her how it looked.

“Oh my gosh dear you look absolutely dashing if I do say so myself, you simply must see yourself.” She seemed very excited about it so I followed her over to a triple mirror set she had set up obviously for people to check out their purchases beforehand.

‘Wow I must say it was a rather unique but nevertheless good looking ensemble she had created for me.’

It consisted of blue dress style pants, a white fitted elbow length shirt with a blue patterned design on it slightly resembling the diamonds of her cutie mark, it was a tight fit but made of a slightly elastic but high quality material so it didn’t feel restrictive at all. And a cloak that hung to around my knees, it was a brilliantly white on the back with an almost identical copy of her three diamonds on the back. And on the inside it was a silky bright blue. All in all it was an extremely unsubtle and flashy design while being pretty simple and not over the top. The garments were all fit almost to my exact size, I’m actually amazed she was able to get it so close to perfect with only a quick measuring. They were tight but only just so that it showed my toned muscles through the clothing.

“Its great rarity, and I’m surprised it fights almost perfectly.”

She made a modest gesture that seemed to say ‘of course darling what would you expect’. “I’m so glad you like it, I was so unsure about what to make but I decided since it was a welcome to Equestria gift to you I wanted it to be personal. I hope you don’t mind that it has my marking on it but I wanted you to remember me every time you wear it. And everyone else who gazes upon it will see my work and be just be simply amazed and ask themselves who created such a marvelous ensemble. But it is hardly a subtle everyday outfit so I believe you will also enjoy the other set.” She said gesturing to the second pile.

Grabbing them I headed back behind the screen and swapped the clothing out carefully folding the beautiful gift she had given me.

Stepping back out revealed a much simpler and more my style outfit. It was a black pair of shorts with purple stripes down the sides. The shirt was a t-shirt similar to the one I already owned but it was a dark purple tight but breathable and comfy. Stepping into the mirror set I noticed something else about them on the back of the right shoulder was a copy of what looked like Twilights mark.

“You added twilight’s cutie mark to these? Isn’t that kind of personal to her? With the other outfit you did it personally as a gift so I love it but shouldn’t I Atleast have permission to wear another pony’s mark?”

“Well darling Twilight actually came by yesterday and looked at the outfit I designed for you, after which she told me about your morning routine and commissioned me for an outfit for you and helped me design something she thaught you would enjoy. So if you’re worried about her mark on it it was her idea to begin with, she must like you to want to put her mark on you darling. The other ponies better keep an eye out it looks like there’s some competition for you.” She said in a teasing way with a wink. I didn’t even know if she was joking or not, twilight had never seemed to take an interest in me that way. I just decided to chalk it up to rarity teasing me and twilight being a good friend.

“Well rarity I must say I am thoroughly satisfied with both. And I can’t wait to show off your colors except I’m not entirely sure where I would they seem to be a little over the top for everyday life.”

She looked stunned for a second “Wait you mean Twilight didn’t tell you? And you’ve been here for a whole week!? Why it’s only in a week how could she forget? Darling the Grand Galloping Gala is coming up. It is the most prestigious and high class event in all of Equestria, only those specially invited by the princess are allowed to attend. Yesterday twilight brought the ticket that Princess Celestia sent for myself. And I know for a fact that there is one for you as well.”

“Huh I had no clue, oh well I’m sure she had a good reason or planned on telling me soon. I’ll head over to the library and ask her about it. Thank you very much rarity for the amazing outfit I can’t wait to show it off with pride.”

She blushed at my compliment but without missing a beat spoke back. “It’s my pleasure, and seeing you display it with pride makes it all worth it. Now I believe you need to head on back home and talk to twilight to plan for the gala.

Changing back into my old clothes I gathered up the two outfits and thanked her again before heading out.

Flashback end

Witch brought me back to now, I was heading on back to the library to ask twilight about the upcoming gala.

I had just arrived and entered to find twilight studying like normal.

Entering the room she set the book down before looking up at me. “Oh hello Derick I was wondering when you would get home, there’s something I would like to talk about.” She had an exited look on her face. ‘5 bucks says I know where this is going’ I chuckled inwardly at myself.

“Alright what’s up you look awfully exited, what happened did we get invited to a royal ball or something?”

Her face seemed to deflate a bit at my remark. “Oh rarity must have told you, I’m sorry I didn’t mention it earlier I just wanted to make sure you were invited before I brought it up and I just received the tickets yesterday.”

Sitting down on the couch next to her I pulled out the blue and white outfits bundle.

“Yeah rarity told me after she showed me this, and don’t sweat it I knew you had a perfectly fine reason, and seeing as you were probably about to tell me anyways no harm no foul.

“So what do you think about it? This is the grand galloping gala I mean, all the high class ponies and royalty will be there. You don’t actually have to go if you’re not comfortable with it, I mean outside of ponyville no one has ever met a human before.”

I just shrugged my shoulders indifferently. “It doesn’t bother me any, the ponies here adjusted pretty quickly to me, I’m sure they’ll get in there stares then go back to their own business. Plus I can’t let the outfit rarity prepared for me go to waste she would be so disappointed.”

We spent the next two hours talking about the gala. Twilight had told me about last year’s gala and how it had turned into a complete disaster for everyone. It was quite an interesting tale to say the least. Fluttershy the kind pony she is despite how good she was with animals had went berserk in the Castle gardens, Pinkie had terrorized the party hall, Applejacks Apple stand fell short and was ignore for the most part. Rainbow Dash despite meeting the group Twilight called the wonder bolts was disappointed in the end, Rarity’s I guess had a bad experience with a prince. And twilight who went to spend time with Celestia was disappointed because Celestia was too busy greeting the guests.

But from the sounds of it the group had already talked it over and decided to take another shot at it.

Well I guess no matter what happens it sounds like it will be an interesting night to remember.