differentiation

by Cos

Rating: everyone
Tags: Romance, Pinkie Pie, Twilight Sparkle, Sad, Applejack, Original Character, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Length: 7036

A stranger finds himself in ponyville to find the first shred of comfort in a while.

The run from town to town has stopped dead for Emerson, he finds that he cant leave due to the allue of a special mare. Will she accept his admiration?

Published 2013-11-11 03:50:01 UTC
Last updated 2013-12-21 06:48:13 UTC

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Um…………..well let’s do what I came here for, the words that I had been telling myself the walk over to her house. How could I tell her that I haven’t left town? That I had been making most of what I told her up, she won’t understand. She could never understand. I don’t have a home, well…………not that I want to go back to. This all sounds so stupid I haven’t thought this out right, I would be on to the next town if it wasn’t for her. Something in me does not want to leave……………. I’ll find a hotel room.

Damn, why do I have to do this to myself? I should have either dipped town or knocked on her door. The time is passing so slowly. I am not well-off, cool or successful, why did I tell lies to her? I should have just refused that dance, but her hair and her eyes disabled me to. That has never happened to me before; I have sisters and have been in long relationships, talking to women has never been an issue. I would have done absolutely anything if she had asked in that moment.

“So boy, tell me you ever had a job before?”

His voice was heavy and made me uneasy, how embarrassing that I never have.

“No, but I have done some volunteering.”

Don’t ask where, don’t ask where. I let out an obscenity in my head once I realized that he was going to ask.

“Where at?”

“ACU.”

“What are you doing all the way over here?! And why do you want this grunt work anyway?”

“I have a semester off and I need some cash.”

“If you go to ACU your parents should have loads of money! Just bother them, stop wasting my time.”

“My parents are gone.”

I really hate pulling that card.

“……….Ok, just work hard….Don’t let me down… and sorry kid.”

I don’t mind the job, it isn’t what I would call mentally stimulating, but at least in a couple days I will have my first payday. Then I won’t be as pathetic when I ask her out.

“Excuse me do you know much you guys charge for twenty pounds of Coal?”

I turned around and I was mortified, her friend, the one at the dance a little over a week ago. Maybe she won’t recognize me.

“Hey I know you hmmm… Emerson right? You were at that dance!”

Damn.

“Yeah and you are....”

“Twilight Sparkle.”

“Sorry about that I am usually better with names.”

“That’s just fine; you weren’t too interested in me that night. Can’t say the same about Applejack though”

She laughed a little. “Umm yeah” I laughed awkwardly with her.

“Applejack just couldn’t stop talking about you to the whole group! She was a bit down that she didn’t get any way to reach you before the night was over, didn’t you say that you were leaving town the next day?”

“I was, but I had some things to attend to in Ponyville.”

“Well how come you haven’t visited her yet? You walked her home that night, it’s a big red barn you can’t miss it.”

She said in an annoyed voice.

“And didn’t you say you worked somewhere else than a coal shop?”

She is good; I think she has got me figured out.

“Ok look, I really do like Applejack. She is the only reason I am still here, I am here to make money so that I can ask her on a date. I may not be as impressive as I made myself out to sound.”

“Well I know Applejack and she liked you for more reasons than the amount of bits in your wallet, if you go over there and let her know you are here and that you are interested in her. I know she will be pleased as soon as she sees you.”

Her advice was actually what I needed to hear.

“Ok I will….. As soon as I get paid.”

Twilight chuckled.

“Oh and Twilight?................. Could you maybe not tell her you saw me here?”

“Your secret is safe with me.”

I finally got off work with some money to show for it and tomorrow I am going straight to the acreage to see Applejack. This is the first time since that one night that I have felt comfortable to be myself. It is an exciting feeling, finally being able to see her astonishing green eyes and gorgeous blond hair. I miss her terribly. Every thought is gone………….not gone but taken up by thinking of her. I curl into bed and try to rest before the following day.

I open my eyes and it is a familiar setting, my dorm room.NO, why am I here, how am I here, I need to leave. I get out of bed and start running down the halls as fast as I can; ponies around me are snickering and laughing. I need to get out, but I thought I already was. I think I see somepony familiar, “Applejack!” she in smiling down the hall. She takes off before I have the chance to say anything else. I try to chase her but I can never seem to catch up.

I find myself deadened in an empty office. An office my father spent, what seemed like an endless time in. I had always wondered what was so important that he couldn’t leave it often. I hear whispers around me, my name. The walls and furnishing of the office turn grey and monotone. I feel a hoof on my shoulder and I become unable to move, all I can do is look ahead. A book on the desk opens up and flips slowly to a page at the end of the book. A “V” is the only thing written on it.

I wake up in a cold sweat. Not the ideal way to wake up today of all days. I wash up and try to shake the nightmare off. I grab my cap and head to the door. My mind is clouded only with the imagery of my nightmare and Applejack. I stop at a booth in town for some flowers; at this point I am still spooked. I feel at any time a hoof will rest on my shoulder and I will be immobilized. I see Apple Acres in the distance and run to the door, my heart is under so many emotions at this point. I take a long deep breath, and think about Applejack. I knock on the door.

Author's Note

Thank you for Your Valuable time.

Leaves

I can see the town just over the horizon; the walk has been just gorgeous and uneventful. I feel proud of myself because I have gotten a lot of thinking done, and I needed it. I can see the sun setting behind myself, probably have about thirty five more minutes before it is night. I should make it there in that time. I see a wooden sign on the side of the road PonyVille; hmmmm must have taken a lot of time to come up with that one. I am not very witty. I am quite glad I am almost there the trip has tired me up quite a bit. I step into town and admire the scope of it, where I am from it is not so quiet.

I build up the courage to finally ask someone where some decent food is.

“umm…. Excuse me do you know where I can get something excellent to eat?”

The slightly older mare looked towards me with an inviting presence. “Why yes I can. Me and my friends usually go to a really yummy place called the roasted turnip, and if you end up going promise me you will get the nine vegetable kabob! ”

“Thank you so much for the help, I will give that some serious consideration.” She let out a little laugh.

Of course I don’t ask her directions and don’t feel like asking anyone. The fifteen minute stroll around town finally paid off as I stood outside the restaurant. I start to walk inside when I start to hear loud music, I was a microsecond away from turning around when the hostess saw me. Damn.

“Welcome to the roasted turnip! You picked a good night to come here it’s our monthly dance fever night!” I was too afraid of offending her to leave.

“Sounds fun, but I came here just to eat though please.”

“No problem my names Melody, please let me find you a table.”

We walk into the restaurant, the environment is lively every pony looks like they are having a pleasant evening. She points at a table a couple feet from the dance floor.

“Could I perhaps get that table over there in the corner?”

“Oh I get it you are more of a booth kinda guy heh?” She said in a playful voice.

“Yeah that’s me.”

I eyed the menu down for what seemed like half an hour when I finally just picked what I had been recommended earlier. I actually didn’t mind the music being played in the restaurant it was easy listening fun pop-electronic stuff. It made me think of when I used to write music. Melody stepped over to the table cheerful as per usual of the short time knowing her.

“One nine vegetable kabob, for the handsome colt with excellent taste!”

The food sure looked good and it really hit the spot after the long walk, I started to be able to ignore my surroundings and think for a while.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

“Well you sure look mighty bored sittin’ there all by your lonesome.” A voice from across the table stated.

I looked up. Looked at the immediate beauty of her. Her eyes. Her hair. Her smile. Her warmth that she projected onto me. Everything about her ceased all my previous thoughts. My thoughts were all hers.

“The name’s Applejack! I don’t suppose I’ve seen you around here?”

Say something back you imbecile!

“Nope.” OH what an expert conversationalist. The most gorgeous mare ever across the table, she came up to talk to me and NOPE is the best that can ooze out of my mouth. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. She giggled to herself for a brief moment.

“ummmm. What I meant was no, I am from another town. First time in PonyVille, it’s my first time being here, ever.”

“Me and a few of friends saw you here by the wall all by your lonesome, just thought I’d come over here and ask if you would like to sit with me and my friends.”

“yes.” I answered it maybe half a second after she had asked; I usually think things through more than this. Strange. We walk over to a table with two other ponies, a purple mare that looked a little out of place and a pink pony who looked right in phase with the environment.

“HI! My name’s Pinkie Pie! I am soooooo happy you came to sit with us! You looked super sad when you were sitting over there, and we thought that you can have a bajillion more times fun over here.” Jeez she comes off strong, what have I gotten myself into.

“Bajillion isn’t a number Pinkie, what she meant to say is that you will have an exponentially better time here.” She turned toward me after that matter-of-fact correction. “My name is Twilight Sparkle and you are?” At that instance I realize how rude I was not giving my name to Applejack before.

“Emerson Edge, I apologize immensely for not telling you earlier Applejack.”

“Don’t give it a second thought, I won’t.” Of course I did anyways, but I believed that she wouldn’t. “So what brings you to PonyVille?”

“I have a semester off school and I wanted to travel a bit.”

Twilight was the first to answer. “What school? And what did you do there?”

“I came from ACU, and did mostly mathematics.” Her eyebrow rose.

“Wow I had always wanted to go there but it was always a bit too pricey. You must be pretty intelligent.”

“I’m not like a genius or anything plus my father teaches there. But anyways tell me about you. How long have you all known each other?” Good, keep the subject off me.

At that moment the music track stopped and the next one started. “OOOOOOOOHHHHH this is my jam!” Pinkie Pie instantly ran to the dance floor and started dancing.

“I’ll go with her……… Wish me luck!” Twilight went off to join the pink pony.

So there we were. Staring at each other, the way I was looking at her must have blown my not-so cool cover.

“A couple years.”

“huh?”

“I’ve been friends with them for a couple years since Twilight moved to town; usually there are six to the gang.” We continued to talk. She told me about her family, farm and the other three friends who weren’t there. “Shoot well enough about me tell me more about you.”

“Like I said before just trying to do some travelling, I like certain parts of it.”

“Why are you doing it alone? Most ponies travel with friends or family, why are you all by yourself? If you don’t mind me askin’.”

“I don’t know….”

Well I do know.

“I guess I need time to think about things, I don’t know what I want to do with my life. Where I come from the world around never stops, never gives me the time I need to think and be myself. I was going down a path I thought I wanted and it was making everyone around me happy. I took one step back and realized it wasn’t for me.”

She told me a story about when she left PonyVille, how she realized what was important to her.

“I am looking for that rainbow right now to guide me where to go next.” She thought that was pretty witty.

“When were you planning on leaving PonyVille?” I didn’t know what to say.

“Tomorrow.” I saw her mood go down. She perked back up hoping I didn’t catch her last emotion.

“Well let’s make the best of the night, would you like to dance?”

Again my mouth blurted out yes before I could take a moment to think about it. But that’s ok. She was impressed with my dancing, I have been to a couple dances in the past. Not by my doing. We danced for hours; I have never felt the amount of excitement and true enjoyment. Things around me slowed down and I could feel myself coping, not because I wasn’t thinking of my problems. I felt more comfortable being myself, ready to confront them; one day. The outside world slowed down with the final song of the night, Applejack and I held each other. Moving to the pace of the smooth, touching melody.

“I should head home after this Applebloom is probably worried sick by now.”

“You…….Care a lot for her, don’t you?”

“I need to look out for her, I am the closest thing to a mother she will ever have, shoot I can barely remember my mother.” Her mood dropped again. The only thing I could do at that moment was relate.

“My mother passed away when I was young as well, I try not to think of….”

She placed her hoof on my lips and looked into my eyes. I looked into hers, I hoped more than anything that she felt the same connection that I did at that moment. Her eyes told me more than our conversation earlier did. She looked like she needed me to hold her at that moment. And I did, we stood there embracing each other until the music stopped. I kissed her hoof, she blushed. The rosy color filling her cheeks were that much more adorable against her freckles.

“OOOOOOOOO LOOK AT THE LOVEBI-”

“Shhhhhhhh quiet Pinkie Pie.” Twilight sneered.

“Aw its ok, well um I suppose it’s time to go home.” Applejack said softly.

I picked up the tab knowing that I was spending way too much money and was running low, gave melody a hefty tip. We stood outside of the restaurant for maybe five minutes before we all parted ways, except for me and Applejack. I insisted I walk her home, for my own selfish reasons.

“Thank you for the wonderful night Emerson.”

Boy does she make my name sound good.

“Thank you for asking to join you and your friends, I would have had a pretty uneventful night without.”

“Emerson?”

I don’t think I will ever tire of that.

“Yes?”

“Will I see you again? You said you were leaving PonyVille.”

“I would really like to, if that’s ok with you.”

“Yeah, it really would be.” Her tone was still unsure but at least somewhat comforted by my last comment.

I really wanted to tell Applejack everything, but I figured it would need more time than we have on this walk.

We reach the Acreage, in the corner of my eye I see a leaf fall off an apple tree. I zone out for a couple seconds.

“What are ya thinkin’ about?” She noticed I was lost in thought.

“The leaves falling, that is the first one I have seen. I guess it is getting to be that time of year again. Do you know why my town is called Autumn Collision?”

“No,why?”

“There was a unicorn that lived there hundreds of years ago, he always loved the way the trees looked as the leaves would change color and fall. He placed a spell on the largest tree in the whole town, his spell kept that tree in a constant state of losing its leaves. They never grow back; they fall to the ground and rise back on the branches slowly to restart the process over again.”

“That sounds lovely, being stuck in one moment that you can choose.”

Yeah it sure does right about now.

We exchange our slow goodbyes, each knowing that we don’t want to part ways.

“……….I will see you again”

“Don’t keep me waiting too long.”

I turn around and start heading out….. Where? I have nowhere to be……. I should probably keep moving find another town, get some more thinking done. Damn this was a mistake wasn’t it? I can’t keep arguing with myself, I need to keep moving on. I don’t know what I am doing anymore and how can I keep moving on with her on my thoughts. Damn, Damn, Damn I need to head back and set this straight. I can’t leave town, not after that. Not after the first real connection I have felt in ages.

Let’s do what I came here for.

Azure

I hear her calling she is getting impatient, I am beginning to become weary of running around all over town with Stardust. She always keeps me busy with these events.

“Coming dear!” I reply.

“Hurry please! We need to make it to the gallery.” She looks quite nice tonight.

I run down the stairs and look once more into the mirror, I look pretty fancy.

“So whose art is this anyway?” All I know is for a week now she has been looking forward to tonight.

“Don’t know really, I read in an article that she was the next thing in modern art.”

Ah she must be going for some inspiration. I never really understood art, It seems to all be more reliant on who you know than how talented you actually are. Plus there is no right or wrong to art, so why do certain ponies get to decide what is hung up in a gallery and what’s not? We make good time and are only a few minutes late, busy looking crowd though. I can already see that Stardust is in her element, she is tugging me towards a group of ponies by one of the pieces.

“So Stardust, who is your date?” A distinguished looking mare asked.

“This is Emerson Edge, he is a brilliant student at ACU.” She nudged me a bit.

“Hello Emerson, my name is Union heart.” She gave me a smile.

“Pleasure.”

“So this is the pony that you always speak of? I feel like I know him already.”

“Yes he is, and he is all mine.” We all share a laugh.

We look at some of the pieces; Stardust is really trying to impress this group with her references and terminology. I suppose because they could potentially fund a gallery for her art one day. I break away from the group politely and go to drop off our jackets.

“Emerson!” I hear a familiar voice.

“Sis!” I turn around and see my sister Spindrift.

“What are you doing here?”

“What are you doing here?” I reply playfully.

Spindrift is the eldest of my two sisters only two years younger than I, she looks to be in a fantastic mood. But then again it takes a lot to lose the smile off her face.

“I am here because Dad gave me a ticket to come, but I wish I hadn’t its super lame here.”

“Yeah, yeah it is.” Me and her laugh at the situation of both not wanting to be here.

“I am here because Stardust is trying to cement herself in the community, she seems to be doing a good job of it too.”

“Ah, how is she anyway? Dad asks me about her all the time. I think he wants you to settle down once you are done school.”

That’s Dad, always thinking of where I am going next. I don’t know about settling down yet I really want to have some serious irresponsible fun, while I am still young enough to do so. I brush off my sister’s last comment and think of a scheme that could stir the pot.

“I have an excellent idea, Spin!” I let out a trouble-makers grin and start to devise a plan with her.

The plan is quite harmless really; we take an empty garbage can, flip it over, place my sister’s cap atop it, put the two items under a spotlight and stare at it as it were art. Spindrift was so down for this plan, we hyped each other up and preformed it. We stared at these two objects and drew in a couple unsuspecting ponies in believing it was part of the gallery. Spindrift and I tried to keep the immature giggles and snickers to a minimum, to get the best possible effect. My plan was coming to fruition when I heard Stardust behind me.

“Oh my look at this piece! It screams of the artist’s inner struggle, she wants to scream to her audience ‘Hats off to you’ but lacks the confidence hence the trash can. The trash can is also turned upside-down to suggest that she doesn’t want to discard these feelings of gratitude.”

Spindrift and I take one moments look into each other’s eyes and lose all the composition we once had. We were practically on the floor laughing when another voice crept up behind us.

“The only thing I want to ‘discard’ are these two miscreants from my show, they are taking my serious art and turning it into a laughing stock.” Damn, caught by the artist herself.

Me and my sister were asked to leave, I tried to apologize for Stardust’s sake, even though I wasn’t lamenting my decision. I told Star that I was going to be at me and Spins favorite spot and we left.

“Oh man she looked mad at you!” Spin said in a goofy tone.

I wasn’t too worried she will get over it; I will just have to make it up to her in the future.

“Yeah but it was totally worth it! Did you hear that pretentious exposition she gave back there! I don’t think I will ever get over that.”

“Bro?” Her tone became thoughtful.

“Yeah?”

“Are you doing ok?”

“What are you talking about? Of course I am! Couldn’t be happier.”

“Well it’s just that your whole life seems to be school and Stardust.”Hmmmmm.

“Well yeah I am a full-time student and I do live with the girl, they are going to occupy me.”

“But don’t you think it’s a bit much? Tonight seemed like the first time you had any shed of fun in a while.”

“That’s not true I have plenty of fun, but you are right I don’t get as silly as I would like to.”

“And what about your interests? When was the last time that you wrote music?”

That is one thing I love about Spindrift, she always asks about something other than school. She always loves my music, she is the first pony I will ever show a new song to.

“I was working on a new jam before I left tonight.”

“Make sure you show me when its ready.” Her eyes widened.

“Always.”

We stop outside of the milkshake stop and order a couple mixed flavors. The cashier recognizes us and gives us a free size up.

“How is your jewelry coming along?”

“Pretty good if I do say so myself, I got some new stones I am super excited about.”

I was always jealous of her artistic skill, I have absolutely no idea how she is so patient. She takes silver and gold wire and spends hours wrapping it in intricate patterns. Her knowledge of precious stones seems to know no bounds, she loves using them in her jewelry. I tried learning how to wrap from her once, my hooves were killing me after an hour and nothing looked any good.

“Like?”

“I got some fire opal, onyx and purple tourmaline Dad says it matches my eyes.”

“Dad is in his office I presume?” Please don’t tell me he is in his office.

“In his office, you know him. One track minded.”

Silence ensued; we sat there drinking our beverages.

“Let me take you home, I wouldn’t mind seeing Daybreak.”

We caught a cab ride down to my father’s house. I always thought that home was really cozy, I sure do miss this house. We open the door to see Daybreak’s cute smile, she was very excited to see me.

“Brother!”

“Daybreak!”

“Guess what I learnt today in school!”

“Tell me.”

“We learnt how to multiply! It’s really hard!”

Grade three math……..I envied her, I have a test on multiplying matrices at the end of the week.

“Aw I am sure you can do it!” Her eyes lit up when I gave her some reassurance.

I sat down on the couch, Spindrift made some tea and we all caught up. I need to do this more often. Daybreak was showing us some pictures she drew when my father came through the door.

“Ah long time no see!” He joked, he is one of my profs after all.

“Late at the office, you like your job way too much.” I joked back.

“That might be, but it isn’t liking me in return. I am working on a new formula with my colleague Dr. Thunderbird, no luck at all.”

I wonder why he spends so much time with that miserable old coot, I had Dr. Thunderbird teach one of my classes last semester and he is absolutely dreadful. He is an absolute genius though, I walked in on him trying to create a new mathematical formula and the work on the board was beyond even my comprehension.

“Cool, cool well anyways I probably should be heading out its kinda late.”

“Alright I will see you bright and early tomorrow at eight, don’t even think about showing up thirty seconds after!”

Worst thing having your dad as a professor, nothing gets past him.

I get home and start to ruffle through my keys when the door opens. It’s Stardust. She looks quite salty.

“Do you have any idea how embarrassed I was tonight?”

Here it comes.

“Never before have had I had the displeasure that I felt tonight. You make an absolute mockery out of me and my reputation.”

I step inside and close door behind me.

“I am sorry, I was just having a bit of fun with Spin.”

“So your idea of fun is ruining any chance I have of being successful when I get out of art school?”

I continued to apologize, she eventually settled down. We both got ready for bed, I decided to try my stupid charm on her.

“Quit that.” She said.

I turned the music up louder and proceeded to dance more ridiculously.

“If you think you can act like a fool and think that I’ll…..”

Oh man I just won the battle there, she totally cracked a smile.

“Come dance with me!”

She gave up her pouty mood and started to have some fun with me, I love it when she acts silly with me.

“How but I take you out for a movie this Friday after my test?” I twirl her around.

“You are lucky that you are hard to stay mad at.” She gave me an adorable look. Then out of nowhere it dropped.

“Are you ok? What’s wrong?”

“Well I don’t know, I feel we are in a bit of a rut. We have been together for three years now and I need a little more out of you, I love you but I need more support. You made me feel like you don’t believe in me today.”

Damn. The more I think of it she is right. She is behind every decision I make and I haven’t been doing the same for her.

“And after last winter….. I thought hard about what it would be like without you.”

She was by my side every day in the hospital that month. It was nothing really, I accidently hit a tree when we went sledding down a hill and hit my back pretty hard.

“I was fine dear I just injured myself a bit, it’s not like I was going anywhere.”

“Look, I just need you to be behind me is all. I love you.”

“I love you.” I pull her chin up and look into her eyes. “I promise to try harder.”

We shared a soft kiss; I held her in my arms and thought about what she said. She looked just gorgeous, her azure mane was a bit stressed, I don’t mind though.

StickerBrush

I could hardly wait for that door to open. Every fraction of a second seemed like eternity, waiting for this door to swing open feels longer than the two weeks I spent working up a bit of cash. I wait. Wait. Damn no one is here, this isn’t how I pictured it my head. Stupid, what did I picture in my head? I would just tap on the door, Applejack would be on the other side and we would be happy together forever? Idiot.

I hang my head and turn around, well my day opened up. I walk around town for a bit and overhear a couple ponies talking.

“I hear that the Everfree forest outside of town is super dark and scary.” A blue mare said to a pal of hers.

“I know, I walk by it sometimes and it gives me the shivers.”

A forest…………… Wonder how dangerous it actually is. I haven’t done anything reckless in a while. No, that’s just stupid I shouldn’t risk myself. But how dangerous could it be? I decide to find the entrance of the forest and see whether or not to take a hike within.

I walk around the perimeter of town until I find what I am pretty sure is the forest. Dark, she sure wasn’t joking. I really shouldn’t go in.

...........................................................................................................................................................

The inside of the forest isn’t as bad as I thought from the outside, it might be dark but I love the solitude it brings me. I walk around a stream of water when I hear a noise. The noise shook me; I was trembling and started running away. It was a howl.

I can’t run fast enough, but I instinctually stop. My knees locked, a second later my mind registered why; those howls were in pain.

I take a moment to work up the courage to make the first step towards the sound. My guard is still high. Why couldn’t Applejack just answer the door? I would not be here right now, I don’t want to die in this forest. I walk through bushes and they seem to get more jagged the closer I get. I see a brown body behind branches and leaves….. It’s a dog!

The moment I realized, I sped to its aide. The dog looked mortified. I made myself as gentle as I could, to not frighten it further. Her leg was caught in some bramble and could not set it free. I looked into her eyes and started to loosen her leg, she trusted me. I released her. She licked my face and we jettisoned.

We went into town and found some bandage for her leg, that was my first priority. We walked around town and I bought her some food, I wonder if she has an owner? Deep down I hope that she doesn’t, I wish I could keep her. We sit by a stream in town and I cracked open the dog food. She certainly was hungry she ate the whole can in no time. I and the dog just sat there and enjoyed each other’s company. A voice came from behind.

“Winona!” A white pony with stunning purple locks calls very relieved.

The Winona ran looked at me and ran towards the pony, they have met before.

“This---is your dog?” I paused for a second to take in her charm.

“No no no, but she does belong to a friend of mine. What is wrong with her leg?” Her look turned to concern.

“I found her in the forest outside of town, she was caught in some stickerbrush. I freed her from it.”

“What a hero!” Her eyes widened. “The Everfree forest is extremely dangerous!”

“I did nothing really, don’t give it a second thought.”

“How could I not? I cannot begin to thank you! Could I get your name sir?”

“Emerson Edge.”

Her excitement could not be contained.

“Whhhhooooaaaaaa!” She gasped. “You………You are Emerson!” She gave a look of disbelief as if I were too good to be true.

“Yeah that’s me.”

“You must know my friend, Applejack!” The moment she had said that, I recalled the night with Applejack. I remembered Applejacks summary of her friends, by process of elimination I guess this is Rarity.

“You must be Rarity.” A good guess from the dazzling description Applejack gave me.

“Why yes I am. Applejack must have mentioned me. She is going to be so pleased that you found Winona.”

“Winona is her dog!”

“Why yes she is, she and her whole family have been looking for her all day.”

Now that I think of it she might have mentioned that she had a dog. She didn’t mention that her dog was exceptionally good company. That also explains why there was no answer at the door earlier.

“We should go to Twilight’s house, we decided we would all meet up there whether or not we found the dog.”

“Sounds like a plan.” I contained my excitement, I couldn’t wait to see Applejack.

“So this is Twilights place heh?” Makes sense a library, no wonder why her intellect is so high.

We step inside with Winona, I see a pony I have never met before. She doesn’t even notice my presence, she races to Winona with love. She inspects the dog’s leg very thoroughly.

“Winona you had us all worried sick about you!”

“Fluttershy meet Emerson Edge, he rescued Winona from the Everfree forest.”

She looked at me with very uncommon blue eyes, well not like blue is uncommon; just that you don’t see that eye shape very often. It took her a moment to get a word out.

“Oh……..thank you.” It got harder to hear her at the completion of the sentence.

“Nice to finally meet, Applejack has told me so much about you.” I am starting to wonder if she is going to reply back to me.

“How……..nice of her.” I feel like I should stop trying to talk to her, for her sake. She lives up to the name for sure. “I am going to go make some tea.” She exited the room.

“She seems nice.”

“Oh yes Fluttershy is just an absolute treasure to have around. Would you mind me asking why you are in Ponyville? Last I heard you left town.”

I take two seconds to think of an answer and let out a bit of a smile, Damn. I can already see that I have been read like a book. Rarity’s eyes gleamed back at me.

“You are here for her! Awwwwwww! What a charmer you are.”

Ok now I am getting embarrassed. “Maybe so.”

“Have a seat please.” Using her magic she fluffed up a pillow before I could sit on it. “So tell me more about yourself, I hear that you are a student.”

It is only natural that I get a bit of a screening from one of Applejacks friends. A knock on the door interrupted, I glanced over to the door just Pinkie Pie. We greeted each other and she went to go help Fluttershy in the kitchen. I return to the conversation, no way that I would get off this easy. Especially with Rarity.

“Yes I am, I have a semester off and I decided that I want to travel around.”

“Oh my, and you can’t continue now that you met Applejack.” How is she so good at this? I give her a nod. “That is so romantic of you!” I haven’t thought of myself as romantic in a long time. Damn.

Fluttershy came in the room and handed us some tea. I feel very welcome from these two, Applejack is quite lucky to have this group. I am envious.

I can hear some voices walking up to the house three to be exact, and one of them is Applejack.

“I searched up from the sky and could not see her. Sorry AJ, just calm down we will grab something to eat and start back up after before night falls. We are sure to find her then.”

“Shoot, I don’t know if I can eat. I just gotta find her, I told my family to go home and rest while I keep looking. I don’t wanna let them down.” Applejack said in a disheartened tone.

“Rainbowdash is right. We need to rest up a bit before looking once more.” That voice was definitely Twilight.

The door opens and Winona greets them all first. They all instantly feel better, Applejack’s smile is the focal point of the room.

“Oh Winona I thought I would never see you again!” Her eyes fill with tears.

The moment was truly beautiful.

“Who the heck is that?” Rainbowdash very poorly whispered to twilight.

Applejack looked up at me.

…..

Our eyes locked, everyone disappeared. From space and time itself, or at least it sure felt like it.

It took me a bit to realize Twilight was introducing me to Rainbowdash.

“Hello! Nice to meet you, I’m glad to put a face to the name. I’m Rainbowdash.”

“Hi…..there.” I can’t function like this.

Applejack stood up and gave me a massive smile.

“What…..What are you doing here?” She said with a puzzled but happy tone.

“Why he is the hero who found poor Winona!” Rarity said in a split second.

“Where did you find her?”

“Can I take you out to dinner?” Oh my……. What did I just blurt out this time? I am such a jer-

“Yes of course you can…… Anything for the stallion who found Winona.”

We headed out after getting awed at from her friends. We took Winona with us while Rainbowdash went to go tell the Apple family that we had found her.

“Where did you find her?”

“In the forest outside of town.”

“Thank goodness you found her! I have had a couple ugly brush ups with that place.”

“She wasn’t in any real danger, She was just caught in some bramble that’s all.”

She took a look at Winona’s bandaged leg and started walking closer to me.

“When did you get back to Ponyville?”

Damn, what do I tell her? Do I tell her that I left town or not?.............

“I never left….”

My heart is true. To her.

“I was going to continue my travels, but after meeting you…… I couldn’t.”

She gave me a bit of a perplexed look.

“I found a job in town and decided to make some money to ask you on a date.” I can’t believe how much I am telling her.

There was a bit of a silence before we decided on eating at the roasted turnip. Sans dance night, this time. Melody greeted us and gave me a playful wink as congratulation on bringing a date there. She sat us at our table gave Winona a treat and we ordered our food.

“You didn’t need to do that, I would have really liked to see you sooner.”

“I know, I just thought you deserved more.” I should have just built up the courage earlier.

“Just where are you working anyway?”

“The coal shop.”

“That sounds like hard work, have you just been staying in a hotel all this time?”

“Yeah but the owner is throwing me a bargain since I have been staying so long. Nice of him.”

“You can’t just stay there forever, have you thought about what you are going to do till you gotta go back to school?”

“I won’t have to go back for another two and a half months, but I see what you are getting at.”

The food showed up, we stared into each other and had a lovely meal.

I tipped heavily again, Melody did a fantastic job after all.