Chapters Prologue
Prologue
"Ahhh!"
I quickly take my hoof back from the screaming kettle on the hot stove as I plug it to my mouth for a moment. But, the pain and the inability to cope with how dumb I feel right now brings my voice up as I turn to the counter beside me, "Spider Mane! I told you to tell me when this was ready!"
No response comes from the large brown taranchula, truthfully I knew it would not. But yelling at the little thing has always helped blow off some steam...Steam! My eyes rapidly snap back to the red hot screaming kettle as the sound of my magic comes up to wrap around the kettle's frame, "Finally."
As the trail of steam turns a little in front of him I turn back to the stove to turn the flame off. All the while holding my attention to the brown saucer sized spider I still do not fully understand why I kept, "Do not light yourself on fire, I refuse to put you out agian."
The spider's seven legs tighten back to its body as it just stares to me.
"Ah good, you understood me..." I squint to it as I cock my head a little, "...That or you have good timing."
My eyes shift from the speechless creature as I turn my attention to the floating kettle that I have hovering of the table I had laid out.
"Back to the task at hoof."
The blue magic around the kettle slowly brings it down to sit on the slightly burnt pot holders I placed earlier as I trot over to the table to examine my craft.
I roll my neck a little as mentally plan out my next step. After a moment I again spark my horn up to put the short stool that laid hidden under the table, as it comes into place in front of me I raise my first hoof to bring me on it.
Truthfully, the stool is not wide or long enough to really give me much room to work, but seeing as how i'm too short to reach a hoof across the table and i'm far too lazy to just walk; the stool comes in handy.
Firmly standing on my step up I turn my eyes back to the table as I look over my ingredients, "Wheat powder..." The mortar and pestle on my right float past me as I move to the next time, "Poison Joke buds..." I focus a little more to the cover less blow of blue bulbs as I float it to my left, "Vanhoover Fall's water..." The crystal flask only makes it have way past me as I cock an eye to the lack of liquid. But after a few moments of studying it I float it past me as I turn back to the last item, "And finally prunes."
As the dried dark purple fruits float past me the light chime of magic from my horn comes over the kettle. With the magic firmly over it I turn my attention to the items on my left as they float up from the table, the lid to the kettle comes open as I quickly stuff everything inside the pot.
A slight smile comes up from my face as I stand up and turn back towards the kitchen, my sight turns to the cabinet with the three locks as I spark my horn up. However, before I continue with the spell to unlock it I turn back to the spider that has yet to move, "Look away Spider Mane, you know I hate something watching this spell."
The spider's eight dark black eyes just stare back to me as I reluctantly turn back around, "No fireflys for you tonight then..." As my words come to an end the cabin's locks come undone as they fall to fall to the ground, I quickly move the door as I reach in for the book.
Within moments the dark maroon and purple termed tomb comes out as I turn back towards the table with my magic flipping through the pages, "127...127....12-..Ah here it is.." I lower my head towards the kettle on the table as I the magic wraps around the kettle. The spell takes a few moments to spark up, but as it does the room rings out with the pop of my magic.
The sound brings a wide smile to my face as I rush a little over to the table and hoover the kettle to follow next to me, "Spider Mane I will be back in a moment..." I turn back to him as my hoof comes up, "And if I find that whore Black Widow in here I will kill you, hopefully before she eats your face...Hm, perhaps not. Oh well."
As my final comment rings out I charge from the house with my feelings soaring high and giddy.
End
Chapter 1 -My eye level or yours?
The later day sun has come over the world with the light sweet smell of the wildflowers that grow around the hill side house I call home. Truthfully I have never been one for a sunset or colorful flowers that have no actually uses, but there is something about living far away from the town that I do enjoy.
My thoughts pause for a moment as I shift my eyes to end of the dirt path that turns into a slightly grassy field running all the way to the edge of the cliff.
This sleepy little town of no more then maybe sixty or seventy ponies at the forgotten base of Equestria's capital may not be the best play for a mortician to try to find work. But at the same time it beats living in Neighagra Falls.
My coat shivers with memories and my hooves immediately feel clammy, almost as if I have running in rubber boots all day to keep the snow off of my fur. "Ugh snow..."
As the words escape my mouth an unpleasant cool reminder that winter just ended rolls through my fur.
A slight groan runs from my mouth as my slightly excited gaze over the hill becomes a little more lapsed, "You would be a great town...If it were not for the dummkopf who are in charge of weather patrol." The normal half ass smile comes to my face as I turn my attention to the few clouds in the sky that still remain, clear skies today my flank...
With a slight sigh I turn my attention away from the cliff and back to the reason why I currently am trotting with a hot kettle so close to my body. As my eyes turn back to the backmost part of the north archers of apple trees my neighbors grow I set my sight to the shady path next to them as I start the long trot.
Really the distinct between this cool dirt path spans is not really too long, but of course being a rather short stallion has never made any trip, even the shortest something of ease. Sure being a unicorn I have the ability to teleport, but I never had the opportunity to go to one of Princess Celestia's fancy schools. Truthfully not really the worst thing that happened to me, especially seeing as how the vast majority of mares I come in contact with are at flank level to me, I can only imagine the amount of missed lectures I would have sat through. Still...Princess Sunny Butt as a teacher.
My eyes halves as that thought continues to bounce around my mind, however my happy little mind teasing is brought to an end as I look over the sight a little down the path from where I am.
In the middle of the dirt road even from my distinct I can already make out his outline. A tall red coated and dark blonde orange haired, muscle fastened to the brim of his frame, the epitome of a stallion's stallion. With the kind of strength and determination that you could probably pull a whole house. And finally, fitted with a brain...Five sizes too small to ever hold a conversation without getting angry; the one flaw in this stallion, I heavily exploit.
As usual my half eyed gaze and magically glowing horn perk out a little more as I near the wood cart the stallion is hitched to.
My approach slowly comes under the tall stallion's radar as he turns his head towards my trot. The southern hospitality I was told exist in Ponyville is quickly washed away from the stallion's face as he just stares me down.
Naturally I shift my hooves to him as I slow my approach, "Hello groß ."
The stallion holds his already annoyed gaze, "Mah, name is Big Mac."
"Of course it is Groß Mac."
A little grain runs from the stallion as I quickly continue, "Sooo..." I look over the cart for a moment before I speak up, there are a few baskets with some green, yellow and red apples along with some baskets of eggs, "Going into town are you?"
"Got the last of um Big Mac."
The feminine southern drawl flicks my ear as I rapidly change my stance to make myself look a little taller, all the while trying to make sure I do not turn too eager to the sight of the cowgirl hat wearing orange mare, with locks so gold that even the freshest fields of wheat look as dull as stone...Or in my case, makes my plain light gray fur and dark mane look almost like a dead pony in comparison.
However, before self pity can settle in my eyes dart to the what looks like heavy baskets of cider the mare looks to struggle to balance to her back.
This sight quickly sparks my magic up a little more as I take the woven basket from her back.
The mare immediately takes notice as she gives a slightly relaxed sigh, "Why thank ya Stony, I was worried I might end up droppen them things." A slight laugh comes up from the mare as she taps her hoof to adjust the hat on her head, "...And that would have been bad seen as how Rainbow's been asking for the first bit of cider." She brings her hoof to one side of her mouth as her enthralling accent continues to ring to my ears, "...Just don't be tell'n anypony we started harvesting the trees this early."
I bring a slight smile to my face as I shake my head, "Of course."
Applejack nods as she turns her head back towards the farm, "Alright, better get back to work...Oh, and Granny Smith is by the chicken coops, she's been expecting that tea stuff."
The words snap me back to reality for a moment as I adjust my magic to bring the items a little closer to me so that I will not strain my horn, "Thank you Applejack."
The mare nods as she turns tail and starts to trot back towards the bright red house in the middle of the farm. However, my eyes stay locked to the mare's tone and firm back leg and body that I stands perfectly flank level at. A slight shiver rolls through my body as my eyes continue to drink in the golden tail that drapes down from her-...
"Stony!"
The voice breaks my thoughts as I turn back to the staring red stallion, "I swear you had better not been looking at mah sister."
His stare brings a casually laugh from me as I float the basket over to the cart, "Oh no...Of course not, now you have fun in town and-..."
"Stony, I'll have you know I can stomp a puddle dry." Despite Big Mac's tone I bring up a slight laugh as I reply, "Strange, I would just wait for the sun to evaporate the water."
"Well, actually you need it to grow apples." I hold my smile for a moment, but only a moment as I notice the stallion's flared out nostrils, I clear my throat a little as I give him a half eyed smile, "I should get this tea to your grandmother."
"You should." I can feel his eyes continuing to burn on my back as I bring my trot up a little more with one last comment, "Until later Groß Mac."
I can already feel the heat boiling to his head as I turn my trot a little past the white fence border.
End of chapter 1
Chapter 2 – Lying through your false teeth
My trot around the farm towards the chicken coops on the opposite side has come to its end as I turn my attention to the light lime green coated and white maned mare. She does not immediately notice me as the older mare continues to toss some chicken feed from the saddle bag that sits around her.
However, her light orange eyes slowly takes notice of me. As she does I float the tea kettle that has now cooled a little to my left, "Hello Mrs.Smith."
The old mare's shaky hoof comes up to point at me, "What's all this Mrs talk, you know you can call me Granny."
Her words bring a slight smile to my face as I just nod, "Of course." I shift my eyes towards the kettle as I speak up, "I have that tea you wanted."
My words slowly bring the older mare's friendly smile down as she gives a little sigh, "It's already been a month hmm?"
I lower the kettle to her sentence, knowing that I no longer need to continue the little cover up ploy to the pony-less area around us, "Yes."
The mare turns her attention back to the pecking chickens as she toss a little more feed to the ground before turning towards the dull red house, "I suppose I should sit down..." Her old lady grumbling runs up from her a little as I patiently wait for the old mare to trot past me.
It takes a few moments for the older mare to bring her slow trot to the wood rocker that sits to the porch, but she does as she eases the feed saddlebag to the ground gentle below her.
As the old mare settles into her seat I trot up and onto the porch as I float the tea kettle to the empty rocking chair's seat that is next to where Granny Smith sits.
Just as my magic drops to the kettle I speak up, "The tea should help with any of the side effects you talked about last time should they arise."
The mare gives a simple nod as she stretches her front legs a little, "I do hope there won't be any of those leg cramps...They were terrible last time."
I give a respectful smile as I speak up, "Hopefully not."
However, my smile does not hold for long as I clear my throat, "Alright, now just clear your mind and relax."
To the words the light lime mare closes her eyes as she sits a little hunched over in her chair. My horn sparks up with the same spell I have used since the old mare found out about it; and like normal the spell runs through its motions. Granny's white mane gets a little less snow white as my spell continues to glow to the mare's body, the loss skin around her body does not tighten but it does look to become a little more faded.
After about two minutes of hold this higher kind of spell I feel my mind starting to pound and my legs starting to tremble. I slowly break the spell as I feel my heart starting to race a little more than normal, with a heavy sigh I speak up, "How do you feel?"
The old mare opens her eyes a little more from the relaxing magic that encumbered her only moments ago, her voice comes up a little more cheaper as she nods, "Why I feel like a spring chicken." She quickly hops from the seat, but the sound of something popping sends her back into the seat as she rubs her left hoof to her right leg, "I guess maybe i'm not that young no more."
A slight smile comes to my face as I shake my head, "I would suggest just taking it easy for a little." As the words sink into the mare I lower my voice, "You do understand that this spell is not really designed to keep a pony young correct? It's only to help a life extend, as long as the pony lives a healthy lifestyle."
"I know..." Granny Smith's voice gets a little shaky as she rubs her hooves together, "I just want to do anything I can to be their for Applebloom...I know that Applejack and Big Mac always act so mature, but they both had to grow up so fast to help me on this farm when their parents.-.."
The old mare stops as she just shakes her head, "I-I just want to make sure I can stay here to help as long as I possibly can."
I nod to the comment as I bring my voice back up, "And I hope you are to."
A slight smile comes to the mare's face as she rolls her hoof to me, "Your uh to kind Stony...Now how can I repay you?"
The word bring the same reaction I always give as i shake my head, "I already told you, it's no trouble."
Granny Smith rolls her hoof again as she speaks up, "Don't give me that, you've helped me and this family more than you could ever imagine the least I-..."
"Hey Granny!..."
The voice from inside the house gets a little louder as the door to the porch comes open to the orange coated and blond maned mare, "There ya are Granny, do you think you could lend Applebloom a hoof with the apple pies? I need to got and check on them darn fruit bats."
As the words come down the old mare nods as she points her hoof towards the tea kettle, "Could you take that inside Applejack?"
The orange mare trots a little more out of the house as the old mare slowly brings herself from her seat, as she does she speaks up, "Thank you again Stony."
I just give a little nod to the comment, "Of course." As the words come to an end the old mare trots into the house yelling something about pie, or something like that. My attention though has switched to the orange mare that stands a little closer to me as she brings her hoof to the tea kettle.
"So, you must be pretty good huh?"
The mare's comment brings a quick response from me as I continue to just stare to her, "I've had a mare or two say that."
“Beg your pardon?"
The mare's confused stare turns my voice as I clear my throat, "The tea, I've had a few ponies talk about my tea."
Applejack gives a little smile as she nods, "Huh, funny you know the last few months you been bring this stuff around the farm I have never had a taste-...."
"You can always have a taste." My slightly wider smile holds to my face as my mind quickly realizes the choice of words I used. Luckily though the mare's attention has been held by the item in her hoof as she nods.
"Um, what other kinda remedies you make?"
The mare's slightly lower and unsure tone sticks me a little off, but I speak up as I shift a little, "Well it depends."
Applejack shrugs as she cocks her head, "This here is one of those relax teas right?"
"Well, yes but its only for pain more or less." I hold my smile as I raise my hoof to point a little at the pot, "Its just a little think I learned."
"Ya." Applejack nods as she looks over the kettle again, "Well...I should get this inside before it gets colder then a lizard in snow. Bye Stony."
I nod to the stranger exit as i reply, "Good by Applebottom - Apple jack!"
The misshapen in the name brings a slight chuckle from the mare, as she returns back to the house. As the sight of the mare leaves my vision I give a little sigh to myself. Truthfully, helping Granny Smith has its own moral reward...But seeing Applejack and making fun of Big Mac definitely has some added benefits.
I hold the thought as I turn my head towards the path back to my own house.
End of chapter 2
Chapter 3 – Working is like doing stuff without fun
The trot from Sweet Apple acres has come to its end as the later day sun continues to peek over the mountains in the distance. Its ray pound to my dark gray coat, leaving my body with a nice warm feel that almost makes me want to stay outside a little longer. Luckily though that insane thought comes to an end as I finally bring my mind to reality. I quickly take notices of my house and begin to bring my trot up a little more.
Sure the dark wood made house is a little out of the way, especially for somepony who takes a bit more time to get places. But, not having to deal with a lot of neighbors and being able to keep a well tended to garden is always a plus. As that thought stay to my mind I shift my eyes to the brown, shriveled up roses and tulips that poke out just enough from the back of the house to been seen in front, "Ah good, almost ready."
I hold my eyes to the plants for a moment as I bring my hoof to the door. However, it is at this point I realized something...It is unlocked.
With a quick push of my hoof I bring the door to my house open as I dart inside. My eyes scan the table I was working at earlier, I lock to the book as I speak up to the one other creature that lays somewhere in the house, "Spider Mane! Why is my book out!?"
Like I expected, no answer comes up and I bring my trot to the table as I spark my horn up. The book floats next to me as I look around the floor to make sure my faithful little do nothing is not in my path, "...Look Spider Mane, I have the book and you're no where to be seen!?"
As I continue my walk into the kitchen I swing my head around the mostly clean counter tops, "Spider Mane i'm starting to think that- *Crunch*."
The sound shoots my ears up and my head down as I look to the spider legs that involuntarily twitch beneath my firmly planted hoof, "AH!!"
I wiggle my hoof as the smashed mass of spider guts fall back to the floor, "W-what were you doing there you dumb spider!? W-what were your thinking??" My voice is quick and my legs shake a little, most out of annoyance though as I slowly float the open next to my face and open it.
The mass of spider legs continue to twitch on the floor as I give a little huff, "Maybe next time you will not get in my way, yes?" I shake my head as I turn my attention to the right of the kitchen where the few locked spice cabinet sits high up on the wall, luckily though my magic has no height limit as I open it and bring the jar I wanted out.
As the jar of dark blue strains of mane with the label, not spaghetti floats over to my I speak up again, all the while continuing to just blankly stare to the dying spider on the ground, "Really this is your fault..."
My magic makes quick work jar's cap as I pull out a good sized clump of the dark blue mane. With the hair now in my ever straining magical grip I quickly bring my head to the page in the book I have book marked with a bright red strip of paper that holds one of the spider's originally eight legs to it.
I shake my head as I speak up, "I really am considering leaving you like this...But, then I would have nothing to yell at." I cock my eyes back to the mass of spider guts as I float down the clump of mane and single spider leg. The blue glow of my magic takes on a purple shine as I run through the spell on the book that I have learned to master.
The mane sparks up in a low orange flame that slowly burns away into the center where the spider leg was placed. Within a few moments the mane and leg have been completely engulfed in the small controlled flame, and after a few more seconds my magic flashes a little brighter as I now stare unamused.
Where the broken and squashed spider laid now sits the normal eight legged saucer sized brown taranchula.
My magic lowers to the room to hold only the empty jar and the book as I sigh a little weaken, "Ugh...I'm too small to do spells..." That fact dwells a little in my mind, but I extend my hoof as I speak up, "Come one Spider Mane get on my hoof. You should be five percent smarter now, so you should know why I need you..."
The spider slowly brings its legs forward as its shaky and slightly lop sided walk comes to my hoof. As the hairy and slightly tickelly legs come to my hoof's center I bring my three legged trot up as I now turn my attention to a clear spot on the counter.
I float the book and jar down as I raise my hoof to the counter, "Now get off of my hoof, you were dead a few seconds ago."
The spider slowly moves from my hoof and towards the counter. However, before it can scurry away my magic comes around it like a cone of blue that now traps the spider in one spot.
I clear my throat as I open one of the drawers that sit in front of me, my eyes quickly roll over the various labeled spoons and knives. But it only takes me a moment to located the white tape that says, No Use.
My magic comes over the knife as I turn my attention back to the spider, the cone of blue that held it in place drops as I speak up, "Leg."
The spider's legs with drawl a little closer to its body as I just roll my eyes, "It will be the knife or the spoon."
The words do little to the spider as it blankly just stares to something in front of it.
"Alright...I'm going to spoon you." As I turn my head a little the spider's legs extend as I smile, "Good, now do not move."
"On three..." I bring the kine over the tip of the further sprawled out leg as I clear my throat, "Three..."
The knife quickly comes down to sever the leg as the spider jumps a little and starts to run away on the counter. I watch a little confused as I speak up, "What? I said three?"
I shrug the words off as I float the new spider leg into the book and quickly close it. The knife floats back to the drawer as I turn back to the locked cabinet to place the book away.
However, as I put the book back I hold my eyes to the empty jar, "Oh great...Empty."
I sigh as I float the jar up and then turn back towards the room behind me, "Oh well, I had to go to the library anyways."
I hold my gaze to the clean and neat dark blue couch in the room a little in front of the empty fire place as I speak up, "Now Spider Mane, while I am gone you are to guard my house...Bite anypony that comes in understood? And do not let me catch that black widow in here...Or I will let her eat your face."
As my commands come down I turn my eyes to the saddle bag that sits on the couch as I bring it up and around me. With the bag now around me I turn my attention to the book on the side table underneath the magically run lamp as I bring the book up to read the title, How to train your ferret by Strokes .
I squint to the book title, but I shrug it off as I float it to a side pocket. As I do this I dig my hoof to the special compartment on the right as I pull out a slip of paper with a few strains of the same blue mane poking out from the folded paper, "Goodbye Spider Mane."
As my words ring out my magic sparks up to the paper, and the enchanted teleportation spell I crafted on it runs its course as the room becomes a cloud of rushing magic.
End of chapter 3
Chapter 4 – Mane your manners
The rush of magic quickly comes to a stop as a slight popping sound rings up from where I now stand. As the world around me becomes unclouded and my hooves now feel firmly planted to the ground I roll my neck and give a relaxed sigh, "Much better than walking..."
As I bring my head to a steady level I look around where I stand. It is at this point my slightly excited expression drops back to my normal half glazed stare...I'm still far from where I need to be. Another sigh comes up as I shake my head and start my trot up, so much for being a unicorn, I can not even teleport the correct distinct.
However, I push my thoughts aside as I start my trot up towards the library tree that sits a decent sized gallop away.
Despite the fact that it is not really that late, the sun's light does not fully hold its grip over all of Ponyville like it does around my house. Not really a bad thing seeing as how I do not mind walking around at night, but I would rather it not be cold.
The pace I hold quickly brings me within hooves reach of the bright red door of the library as I knock my hoof to the door and wait.
As the door opens I shoot back a smile to the unique cream colored stallion with dark blue mane that stand next to a smaller light purple filly with the same kind of dark mane.
"Hello betrunken."
My words already start to wash away the faked friendly smile that every business owning pony puts on when they believe they are going to make a sell. The filly however is unaffected by my words and I turn my attention to her as I speak up, "And hello little unwanted."
The cream stallion at the door shakes his head as he speak up, "No Stony, I'm not helping you..."As his words end the door starts to close, I quickly react as I put my hoof to the door and spark my magic to the saddle's pocket, "But you don't even know what I need you for?"
The stallion nods as he speaks up, "I know and that's why I don't want to help."
I hold my hoof to the door as I speak up, "Oh don't worry, you don't have to come with me." I turn my attention to the filly as I continue, "It obviously looks like your mare has you foal sitting again." I shake my head as I shoot him a smile, "You really are the mare in the relationship hmm?"
"Good bye Stony."
The stallion's force on the door increases and I quicken my magic as I speak up, "Shhh....Don't fight it...." I jet out a small open jar and a pair of scissors as I quickly snip off a good length of the stallion's mane that falls forward.
He takes a step back from the door as he speak up a little annoyed, "Dammit Stony-..."
Our conversation has brought forward another pony inside the house as I, the stallion and the filly turn to the light purple mare, who seems to be giving a death stare to cream stallion.
Her look brings the stallion's voice back up as he clears his throat, "I mean darn you Stony..." His little chuckle goes unanswered by the mare as she just rolls her eyes and turns her attention to the little filly, "Come on Violet, you can help me and Spike."
As the happily smiling filly trots away I shift my eyes to the stallion as I speak up, "You seem to be in trouble betrunken, so I'll make this quick...Here you go." I float out the book as I hold a little smile to the stallion, "On time and everything."
The stallion rolls his eyes as he takes his hoof to the book, "Good bye Stony."
I wiggle my hoof to him as I turn my attention to the mane that sits in the glass jar, "Yes yes, now hurry back before your mare gets mad."
He just sighs as he shakes his head and turns back into the house. As the door closes I float the scissors and jar back to my bag, although my thoughts start to change as I actually try to remember the stallion's name. Luckily though I shrug it off before I could care too much.
With my little task complete I turn back to the town behind me as I sigh and start to dip my hoof into the side pocket where I keep my spell papers.
However as my hoof just wiggles in the empty pocket I give a little goran, "I forgot to bring another?!...Ugh..."
I shake my head as I start my trot up. But I only get a few hooves out before I turn my attention towards the sky, "Well...it's not too early for a drink right?"
The thought holds to my mind as I swing my head towards one of the side streets that I can see on the main street of Ponyville.
(A little later)
The walk from the library took a little longer then I would have wanted to, sure my usual bar is a little off the beating path of Ponyville but at least I'm closer to the road leading to my house. I just wish I was not as sweaty as I am now.
I push my thoughts aside as I turn my attention to the dark hay covered building that sits at the end of the dirt path. Ponyville does not really have a bad part of town, but the building is a little different than the norm. Half because it is pushed so far out of view where anything can go on and also due to the bright neon sign that lights the building's darker brown wood frame.
Pub A Pony... When Stream water is not enough.
The sign has always brought a slight smile to my face, which I hold as I start into the open door were a two stallions stand holding a conversation.
Truthfully the first time I found this little watering hole outside of town I was surprised to see how many stallion actually try their luck in a bar. I would think seeing as how the ratio of mares to stallions would make it a lot easier...But after living here for a little I realized something, Ponyville’s ratio has made the rolls of mare and stallions switch, for the most part.
As I come in side of the low ceiling room I take a deep breath all the while continuing to look around the bar at all the ponies that already sit in here. Sure it is not a lot but that is just because it is too early, I personally have never come here for any hunting of my own. Instead I come here for a drink and the entertainment of all the mares that actually try to coax a stallion along.
The trot across the bar floor comes to an end as I pull myself onto one of the higher up bar stools with a little effort.
Of course, my slight struggle brings up a familiar slightly feminine voice from in front of me, "Sorry sweetie we don't serve colts."
I turn my eyes to the minotaur in front of me as I look him over. Tullroy may be short for a minotaur with really undefined horns. But seeing as how he is still tall, a minotaur and has midnight blue colored fur along with his exposed light gray chest's color, he stands out like a puffy ear.
One good thing about him being one of the very few none ponies living in Ponyville as well as being a coltcuddler does give me the advantage of making a lot more jokes in defense.
I hold a smile as I speak up, "You do not serve colts? But what if I promised to show you a good time afterwards?"
Tullroy waves his hand towards me as he speaks up, "Oh little Shrimpy has jokes? Okay, okay." He brings his arms to his hips as he continues, "First off, I'll have you know that their is a height limit for all of this."
I squint to the comment as my eyes are slightly drawn to the bright earrings that sit in the minotaur’s ears. However, my thoughts are cut off as I continue to listen to his voice, "...And that height limit is that you can't trip and immediately be on the ground."
Hs word bring my head back to him as I raise a hoof, "Hey, i'll have you know it takes a good half second before I hit the ground when I fall."
"Mmhmm..."
Tullroy's stare brings a little sigh from me as I wave my hoof, "I'll take my normal, and this time do not put anything in it."
The minotaur just shrugs as he turns around towards the multi-colored bottles behind him, "Oh honey that was just your coltish tolerating limit."
I shrug the comment off as I slowly look down to my bottom legs that have been swaying in the air above the ground like an excited little foal. I quickly stop their motions as I try to stretch out my bottom half to touch the ground, or at least the brass bar that sits up against the bar's top.
But no success comes up and my attention turns back to the drink in front of me as the minotaur speaks up, "First one is on the house, mainly just because maybe it will loosen your little flank up to actually go home with some somepony tonight."
I give a little chuckle to the comment as I nod my head and take the drink a little closer, "Thank you, but I like my flank tight."
"Mmhmm..." Tullroy turn his attention to somepony else down the bar's length as I now stare into the drink’s yellow liquid.
End of chapter 4
Chapter 5 – Looking for something else?
My eyes half have started to droop a little and it now takes a little bit more effort to keep my flank on the seat as I continue to just stare into the bar behind me. I may not know what time it really is, but I do know it is later in the night seeing as how every time the door opens I get a good look of the outside world.
The inside of this one floor building is nothing really special, a small corner in the room where a few ponies always come to play some less then amazing music, some booths with a horrible color scheme and a few tables, that always end up being pushed together for some kind of drinking contest.
A contest much like the one I am watching now.
The two stallions at the table that I can only barely see behind the surrounding mares and other stallions look to be getting really strung out.
And as the little crowd continues to scream up, "Chug chug chug..."
As the words ring out one more time the sound of the one of the pony's head hitting the wood table shoot the crowd of ponies into a loud cheer.
A bring my own smile to my face as I shake my head to the sight of the mob of ponies move the slightly passed out stallion from the chair and to his hooves. The stallion's dopey smile says it all as he just wobbles himself to a near by empty booth as he plops down.
The winning stallion fairs no better as he just stands up and tries to talk, only to slump over into the mod of ponies around him that now try to hold him up.
I have always found humor in the sight of all of these younger ponies drinking themselves stupid, not because it reminds me of my earlier days but instead because just because of how everypony reacts different.
As I turn back to my drink on the table my ears flick to a higher pitched far too excited tomboyish voice.
I quickly turn towards the contest table as I watch the familiar cyan pegasus with rainbow mane sitting herself to the table, all the while taping the basket of drinks in front of her, "Alright, who thinks they can drink three of these before I can?"
The words from the newest entertainment bring a little cheer from the group of surrounding buzzed ponies. However they just confuse me as I squint to the cyan mare, it is not that I have never meet this pony before. Seeing as how I live close to one of her best friends and the majority of ponies I know also know this mare, and one thing I have learn from this pony is that she loves speed...Now why can I not remember her name?
As my mind continues to rack itself for a name the mare's voice comes up, "What no pony?"
Despite my better judgment and my own thoughts about that I make about the ponies I see at this table I bring my trot up.
The saddle on me now feels a little bit more heavy to my slightly buzzed body, but for the most part I feel fine.
As I near the table the mod of ponies opens up and I take my seat across from the mare.
"Ha ha ha!" She holds her hoof out as she speaks up, "Come on, nopony else?"
I nod as I speak up, "Hello Blue one."
The mare just rolls her eyes as she speaks up, "Do you like know any pony's name Stony?"
I squint to the comment as I shrug, "I do not need to know your name to beat you at this little game."
My words come off a little more bold to the mare then I had thought and she now speaks up with her wings sprawled out, "Oh ya?" She taps her hoof to the basket as she continues, "This is the first taste of the new season, meaning this cider is the best and strongest." She puffs her chest out as she continues, "And I may have done my own special little tweak to it."
Her comment does little to me as I shrug, "Point?"
The mare blinks to me as she nods, "Pff, i'm not scraping you off the table you know."
I give no response to the comment as I just stare to the mare.
She shrugs to my stare as she hoofs over one of the bottles from the basket, "Alright, my guess is you will get through only one."
One? I cock my head to the normal sized bottle in front of me and her as I try to wrap my brain around her logic. But I push it aside as I know start to think to myself, she is all about sports she knows nothing about how drinks affect a pony. Obviously her heart will pump this stuff far faster into her veins than mine.
With science on my side I wrap my hoof around the drink.
The crowd around me start up in a little cheer as they start to countdown, "Three...Two...One!"
As the word hits my ears I bring the drink to my mouth just like the mare across from me. However my inexperienced chugging slows down a little as the almost too sweet taste makes me gag a little...But for some reason I find myself unable to stop as I down the whole bottle and then quickly jet my hoof to one of the other drinks in the basket.
The mare across from me just holds a smile as she does the same thing.
Like before I take the bottle to my lips as I suck down the bottle, spilling a little to my snout, which makes me cough a little as I take the bottle from my hoof for a deeper gasp of air.
It is at this point I realize the mare across from me has not even started on her second bottle. I spark up a smile as I speak up, "I will win this blue one."
The mare just smiles as she watches me quickly bring the bottle back to my mouth. The last bit of the bottle comes down with ease as I slam it to the table and stare to the still full bottle in front of her.
However my stare is brought to an end as my head falls limp and I fall face first into the wood of the table. The ponies around me get silent and my mind blanks for a moment.
(A few minutes later)
A sudden jab to my side brings my head up as my wide eyes stare to the mare in front of me who has only a little sip of the liquid left in her bottle.
She cocks a smile as she nods, "Hey, there you are." She tilts the drink back as she takes the last bit into her mouth and out of sight.
I just stare to her confused as the crowd around us cheer loudly. As my head pounds I turn my eyes to the three empty drinks in front of her as I blink to them with a thought in my mind, h-how did she finish them? How long was I out??
My head pounds as I feel my body being pulled up by one of the younger stallions.
As I come to my shaky hooves the cyan mare speaks up, "Alright who's next!"
I slowly move from the group of ponies as I shake my head to get my bearings. As I stand next to the seat a darker colored stallion sits down behind me.
"Hello Thunderlane." The cyan mare holds a little smile as she nods, "What's that challenge?"
Those words where the last that I hear as I stumble a little towards the door, only stopping to check and see if I have my bag on or not.
As I continue my lopsided walk outside I turn my attention down the road on my left. I blink my eyes hard as I try to hold my mind straight to allow me to walk home.
End of chapter 5
Chapter 6 – Better than the alternative
The trot up the dirt path onto the slight hill outside of Ponyville took a little longer and a little more out of me then I had expected. My head is swimming and my body feels a little weak, but I continue to push on words with the thought of not wanting to sleep in the dirt driving me forward.
Although, this thought does not keep me from complaining about it as I continue to stumble a
I stop my trot as I swing my head around, "Oh Luna, I hope neither of you can hear me."
"Ugh...I hate being drunk." My trot continues onward as I try to just push through my heavy and slightly tired mind, "I should move into town. Oh wait, then I would be early for work.."
The words bring a little confusion to myself as I begin to reject my own comments, "But I'm the head mortician who am I showing up for? I mean-HEY!"
My trot stops as I tap my hoof to my chest, "Do not complain about-about things."
I bring my hoof to my head as I groan, "What was in those drinks?"
I give no answer to my comment as I set my eyes to the house still a little ways down the road.
It only takes about a minute or two to reach the house as I sigh and dig my hoof to the key in my bag. Key in hoof I unlock the door and start inside, "Spider Mane I'm home."
My eyes fall to the floor as I continue in, "I hope you where good." As the words ring through the house I bring my trot to the kitchen, my horn sparks up as I float out the jar from earlier. I direct the floating jar of mane into the cabinet.
As the deed comes to an end I turn my attention to the coffee pot against the wall near the sink as I trot over to it, "This should help..." I put my hoof to one of the drawers in front of me as I pull out a pre-made coffee pack I had planned to use in the morning.
My eyes are half shut and my mind still is almost absent from my motions, which only makes me dread the impending hangover I will reluctantly receive tomorrow.
It takes a few extra seconds to actually unravel the thin paper cloth I had the ground up coffee beans in, but I manage to free them as I spark my horn up to open the slot on the coffee maker.
However, just as I do this a hoof to the door steals my attention. This also brings up a sharp thought to my mind as I stare to the open door, "Oh Luna, i'm going to be robbed..."
I lower my voice as I slowly and quietly try to trot away, in the hopes that the pony would just go away, "Spider Mane, ready your fangs!"
My movements have slowly brought me behind the couch as I spark my horn up, all the while continuing to look for the attack spider.
"Spider Mane?"
As my whisper comes down my eyes locate the hairy spider, who is curled up behind one of the pillows on the couch almost as if he were hiding. The sight of him brings my voice up as I squint to him, "You are a worthless little-.."
"Stony? You home?"
The souther feminine voice flicks my ear as I stop the glow to my horn, "Oh, female."
With my newly sobered attitude call back, "Just one moment." As the words leave my mouth I show the spider from the couch.
To the absent spider I bring my trot up to the door as I spark a friendly smile. As the door comes open I stare to the orange coated and blond maned mare standing in front of me, it is a little weird to see her without her hat; but I speak up all the same, "Ah Applejack, guten abend."
The mare blinks to me as she cocks her head, "Oh sorry, I know it's late in all. Did I wake ya?"
I shake my head as I speak up, "No, I said good evening."
"Oh, well a mighty fine evening to you um..Stony."
As her comment comes to an end there is a slight moment of awkward silent as I just stand in front of the doorway.
"Um...Can I talk to you?"
Her words snap me to reality as I move aside, "Oh, yes sorry..." I move aside as my thoughts now start to bubble up into questions as to why Applejack wants to talk this late at night.
The mare does not however go too far into the house as she turns back to me, "So um...I had a question I wanted to ask ya."
I nod my head as I wait for her to continue.
However, she hesitates and starts to rub her right hoof to her left leg, "Um..." I quickly take notice of her averted eyes as I cock my head, "Is it something bad?"
The mare quickly shakes her head as she speaks up, "No no, it's just kinda something I probably should not go around tell’n everypony."
A slight chuckle comes from me as I hold my hoof to my chest, "Well you have nothing to worry about Applejack, I'm hardly even one pony." My own words and the fact that I have to slightly look up to the mare in front of me quickly make me regret the comment.
But, my back firing joke does bring the mare out a little more as she speaks up a little sheepish, "Well I know Granny said that the tea you always bring her is a special kinda sort that helps with pain right?"
I nod to the comment as she continues.
"...Well I was kinda wondering if you could make that sort uh tea, but not really for pain but more as just a relaxing kinda thing." She gives a little smile as she hesitantly waits for a reply.
Applejack's posture comes down a little as she shrugs, "Well...I have always had bad um...estrus periods, so ah kinda want it for that."
The word flicks my ear as my mind finally picks up to the reason why the last few times I have gone to the farm I have been staring at this mare a little more than normal, "Oh..Well I'm sure it should help."
"Thanks." Applejack gives a little smile as she takes an almost sigh of relief at finally just speaking up.
I do not take to her moment of relief though as I instead try to rack my brain for something I could use to make a potion with.
However as I come into the kitchen Applejack's voice rings out, "I hope this wasn't too strange of a request."
I shake my head as I pull a small glass cup from the cabinet, "No no, it's fine. But I can't make a lot until tomorrow, it should help you for a few days though."
As my words come down I turn my attention to my locked cabinet as I open it and begin to search for the book I want.
My actions however spark a little interest to the mare as she takes a few steps towards the kitchen, "You keep your books in the kitchen? Is it for cooking or something?"
I give a little chuckle as I float one of the books next to me, "No, no these are just some important books I keep."
She squints her eyes to the book as she reads the title out loud, "Mind control spells for mares?"
To her words I turn the book from her as I speak up, "I lock my books because they are special." I turn back to the cup as I set the book to counter and open it.
As my eyes run through its contents Applejack gets a little closer as she just watches.
It only takes me a few moments to look through the book, seeing as how I always try to learn every spell in my books by heart. "Here we go...West Equestrian red bulb, some pounded valerian root ginger and some magic."
I float the book and cup close to me as I turn my attention to the table the mare stands a little next to. However, the next part of my motions takes a little courage as I pull the step stool out from under the table.
Avoiding eye contact I bring myself on it to better reach across the table; with my hooves firmly on it I turn my eyes to my spice cabinet as I pull out the jar I need.
Applejack just stares as she speaks up, "So you just got all these things around your house?"
I give a slight chuckle as I start to combine the few ingredients, "Well most potions call for the same few things, and for things that I do not have. I came up with a clever way of getting around them." I hold a little smile to the mare as I float the cup of powdered plants towards the sink to fill it. The small cup quickly becomes filled as I float it back to me, however my horn's blue glow gets a little brighter as I float out a little stirring rod.
The cup now sits in front of me on the table as I turn my attention to the mare, "Now for the part I have to substitute. I do not have any ginger, so I need a strain of your mane."
Applejack just blinks to the comment as she cocks her head, "Why?"
I hold my smile, half heartedly expecting the comment, "Everypony has their own magic in their body, and it is always unique to the pony. But the only way to get that magic is by using a piece of said pony." I poke my head a little closer to her as I speak up, "I could always use a leg."
Applejack gives a little giggle, which brings a wider smile to my face and also reassure me that my unthought out joke was at least tolerable.
"I guess that makes sense..." She brings her hoof to her mane as she wraps it around the bulk and then pulls forward a little, bring a few strains out.
My magic quickly comes over them as I float them a little close to my face to study them.
Applejack squints a little confused and creeped out to the stare, but she speaks up in a friendly tone as she nods, "Heck Stony, I didn't know you were so good with magic. You should meet my friend Twilight."
"Yes yes the betrunken mare." I drop the strains into the cup as I continue, "I have met her."
Applejack does not fully listen to my words as she nods to the cup, "Um...D-did you just put the mane into the cup?"
I turn back to the cup as I nod, "Yes."
"And am I supposed to drink that stuff?"
I pause for a moment as I slowly nod my head, "Yes."
The words bring a slight giggle to the mare as she cocks her head, "And you're sure this will help?"
I spark up the most serious face I can as I nod, "Trust me."
Reluctantly she nods. To the nod I speak up, "Good, now I'll complete the spell." As the words end I try to clear my mind as I try to follow the spell on the book.
However, Applejack's voice comes up as she holds a friendly smile, "Well ah gotta thank you Stony, I know this whole situation must be a little weird for you...Seeing as how you're not really into mares and all. I'm sorry if it was-..."
The words flick my ear as I turn my head to her, "Not into mares?" My horn continues to glow, but my thoughts have completely shifted from the spell as I wait for a response.
Applejack cocks her head as she speaks up, "Y-ya, that's why you and Big Mac always go back and forth right?"
I blink to the mare's serious tone as I think to myself, my Luna...She thinks that I'm a coltcuddler. I-I never even had a chance with this mare...
To the lack of response Applejack rubs her right hoof to her left as she sheepishly lowers her head, "I-I take it I was wrong...I uh...Hope I didn't offend you or anything."
The words bring a slow reaction to me as I turn my head back to the cup my magic now glows to, "Oh no no...W-why would it?" A slight laugh comes from me as my mind continues to think over the fact that I never had a shot with this amazing pony.
However, as another few moments start to pass I run the spell though its course.
Applejack holds her eyes to the glowing cup as my magic slowly starts to lower its ringing.
The spell takes about a minute and as the magic leaves the now steaming cup Applejack speaks up, "So is it done?"
I do not move my eyes from the cup as I nod, "Yes."
"Alright, so ah just drink it?"
The mare's voice slowly brings my head up from the cup as I speak up, "Yes. This potion will trick your body so that it stops producing and hormones, you should feel better within a few minutes."
The orange mare reaches her hoof to the hot cup as she nods, "Okay." She takes the cup a little more to her as she rings out another comment, "Well bottoms up I guess."
She quickly brings the cup to her mouth as she downs the thick dark green liquid.
It only takes a second for the drink to be downed and I now blink to the mare's tightly closed eyes and face that just screams that she hated the way it tasted.
The expression brings my voice up as I hold my hoof out a little, "Are you okay?"
Her eyes do not unclench as she quickly drops the cup back to the table and starts to dart towards the door like she is going to be sick. Her quick motion grows my concern as I start to think about the possibility of messing up the spell, "Applejack? How do you feel?"
I hop from my step up stool as I follow after the mare, "Applejack?"
The mare holds her hoof to the door as she leans over a little with a slight shake runs through her whole body.
"Maybe you should try to throw up the potion if feels weird." I hold my hoof to the mare as I wait for a response.
However, her slightly hunched over posture is brought to an end as she turns back to me with a half glazed stare, "I feel finer than pig's hair."
I nod to the comment as I speak up, "Oh, well thats a good thing."
The mare's stare quickly starts to make me feel a little uncomfortable as I shakes my head, "No thanks is necessary it was-..."
"Really nothing?" The mare lowers her head a little to eye level with me as her voice gets a little lower, "Because I was thinking about something."
My ear flicks to the comment as I take a step back blindly into the room behind me, "Oh Luna...Applejack I-I think I messed up that spell."
The mare's slow trot towards me does not alter as she smiles, "Now why ya'll think that? I feel much better."
My blind retreat comes to an end as my back legs get pinned to the couch I have backed up to, a slight laugh comes up from me as I clear my throat, "J-just let me go and get the book and I will-humffp!"
My words are brought to an end as Applejack quickly pushes me back to the couch with alittle more force then I would have expected.
"A-Applejack I really think that-..."
Agian my word are cut off, but this time by my own accord as I watch and feel the mare sitting to my lap.
My eyes widen as my heart now thumps hard in my ears, almost blocking out all of the sound around me. Her tail flicks between my legs as she continues to put her body's pressure over the lower parts of my lap.
A slight giggle comes up from the mare as she presses her hooves to the back of the couch, leaving my head no option but to stare into her far off looking eyes, "A-Applejack it would only take a minute to get the-.."
One of her hoofs comes over my mouth as she shakes her head, "I hope it don't take just a minute, i'm looking for a ride.
Sweet Celestia....The words roll into my ears as I feel my body already starting to react to the mare on top of me.
Applejack turns her head down between our two bodies as she gives a little giggle, "Well there you are."
I tighten my gaze as I try to scream a thought into my head, this is a dream I passed out when I got home...T-there is now way this is happening....But OH Celestia if it is!
Applejack slowly moves her hoof from my mouth as she starts to coax me along a little more.
However, her absent hoof just brings my shaky voice up as I try to talk through my pounding heart, "Y-you are not yourself and I think-..."
"You talk too much." As her words end my eyes widen to the pillow she now brings over my mouth and snout. For a moment I feel like she is about to suffocate me, but I quickly realise she's just trying to shut me up. That thought is quickly reassured as I feel her push the pillow into my mouth a little, "Like I said, ya'll better be ready for a ride."
"Mhmmfp!?" I try to talk through the pillow as she continues to play with my growing member. Which is both humiliating, seeing as how I am in no way the proper size of stallion a mare like this deserve. However at the sametime, the fact I have no control over the situation and the pleasure from it only makes me close my eyes as I try to force some kind of growth spert to my body.
Applejack on the hoof, does not seem to mind as the spell I failed continues to just push the mare along. Each motion of her hoof entices my body and brings a giggly smile to her face, however sadly I do not really need as much stirring as she probably would have wanted.
I can already feel my hard fully extended member being messed with, and I clench my eyes hard almost expecting to her a laugh to the tool I actually can offer.
Within moments I reluctantly forced to listen to the mare's voice as I continue to hold my eyes shut.
"I see why your name is stony huh?" The slight giggle dampers my mood, but not as much as I expected as i slowly peek an eye to the mare's smiling face, "...I'm not picky."
My eyes almost roll back in my head as a thought bashes itself to the front of my head, sweet Celestia please do not let this be a dream.
The weight on my lap slowly starts to shift and for a moment I feel like she's going to just leave me here like this. But that thought is quickly brought to an end as I feel a warm, slick and inviting feeling come over my exposed member.
Applejack gives a little giggle as she stare to my expression. Every shift of her firm body against mine sends waves of pleasure to my mind as I feel my body almost beg for her to do something. The worst part about this whole situation is that even if I wanted to try and take control I would not be able to, her weight and my awkward position has made me a slave to her speed and desires.
However, all of my thoughts are flushed from my mind as she adjust her weight a little more to my chest as she starts to slowly rock her hips over my buried shaft.
She does not moan, but instead just gives a content little pant as she closes her eyes to focus on her own motions.
Her pace slowly starts to increase as she continues to find the best position over me. However, her search quickly comes to an end as she plants her front hooves firmly into the back of the choch beside my head. Her own head hangs a little over the back of the couch as she speaks up, "Oh ya...there we go."
Just as the words ring to my ear I feel her speed over me starting to build a little more. The feel of her already wet marehood sliding me deeper and deeper with every bounce of her tight muscular flank sends shock waves through my spin as I find myself biting the pillow she put in my mouth.
Applejack's speed continues to hold at a steady space as she now starts to fall into a steady low whispery man, "Haah....That's it..."
The steady speed, the current situation and my own position sends my mind into a blank as I find myself starting to enjoy this more and more, despite the fact I know she would never do this if I had not messed up that spell.
My front hooves starts to move from where she has me pinned as I wrap them around her wide hips to better hold her in place.
However, my hooves that brush against her cutie marks only bring the mare's voice up as she almost stomps her front hooves to mine, pinning them to the cushions, "T-this is my ride sugarcube...And ah I want it my way!"
Her steady up and down motions starts to change as I feel her starting to grind on my member with every bounce.
The new found pressure of her body pressing me even further into her, sends my head back as I let go of the pillow with a louder moan than even she has given.
My noise seems to have opened the mare's flood gates as she now starts to rise her own light and controlled panting.
The sound of our bodies clashing bounce from the wood walls of the house as her speed no longer stays held to her own pleasure but instead to the desperate need to climax.
Her moans and slightly tighten inner walls start to quickly tease my mind and body as I clench my teeth hard just trying to prove to her and myself that size does not mean I can not give her a good time.
Thwap thwap thwap
The noises in the room now pound to my head as I feel the burn to my member starting to reach its boil.
I grunt out her name as I close my eyes, "A-Applejack I-..."
The sentence does not even comes to an end before the small trigger that was holding me back quickly breaks and I feel my rod starting to twitch with every shoot of warm liquid.
My body shudders as I slam my head to the couch just riding the wave of pleasure I was able to hold back for a little while longer.
Applejack's eyes widen and her mouth hangs open as her motions quickly stall to the torrent of warmth that fills to her marehood. Despite the fact she was not fully to her own orgasim her walls clamp down and start to spasms as she pulls herself free from the stallion that impales her.
The last shot of my seed splashes onto the pillow mashed between us as the mare that has me pinned quivers from her own slight climax. Her mare hoodwinks hard to the dripping white liquid that slightly drools out from her wet nethers. For a moment she is left over me, but her locked body is quickly broken as she rolls to the empty spot on the couch next to me.
However as mine and hers panting starts to ring around the room her eyes start to widen a little as she looks around the house she sits in.
My head is still hanging over the back of the couch as I continue to try and catch my breath. But before I can even bring my mind back to reality Applejack stands up as she looks me over, "O-oh Celestia...I-I am so sorry. I-I just don't know what came over me."
Her tone brings my head up as I pant a little, "Applejack it was the-..."
Her almost panicked voice breaks through my high as she shakes her head, "I-I am so sorry I-I really don't know why I forced you to do-to..." Her run on voice is stopped as she quickly turns towards the door.
I quickly sit up as I turn my attention to the mare who quickly opens the door, "It's al-.."
"I'm so sorry Stony." She does not turn her attention back to me as she quickly rushes from the house with the door closing behind her.
I sit in the empty house as I continue to just stare to the door she ran out not really knowing what to do.
End of chapter 6
Chapter 7 – What to do
The morning has rolled around as I expected, my head hurts and every quick turn of the head makes me want to throw up. However, there was one unexpected feeling that still tugs against my muscles, and that would be my lower body's soreness. My initial thoughts about last night's little encounter was that I had been dreaming...But waking up and having to clean my self and the couch assured me that everything that happened last night was real.
This however does not bring some stallion pride of getting with the mare I have admired from a far, instead my mind has not stop replying her actions when she left last night. And now I am wrapped in guilt and shame; the sound of her voice last night said everything. She may have remembered it, but from her point of view she took advantage of some small and helpless pony.
Worst still is that I do not have the courage to go and face her, seeing as how I would have no idea as to how to deal with that amount of akward silent. Especially to a mare who up until last night thought I was gay.
I push the thought out of my head as I instead turn my attention to the last little bit of of coffee in my cup.
As I take the final few sips of the warm and bitter liquid I turn my eyes towards the clock that continues to tick away.
A faint sigh comes from me as I stand up to ready myself to go to work. My horn sparks up as the saddle from yesterday floats over to me, it only takes me a moment to put the bag around me as I stretch my back legs out.
I give a little goran to the stretching as I roll my neck, "Now...Where did I put my tie?" I quickly turn my eyes around the room as I look for the light maroon red tie I thought I sat out. Turthfull a mortician is supposed to wear something more than just a tie, but seeing as how I am the head mortician I figure I should be given some slack.
My search comes to an thought as I hear something in another room crash to the ground. My ears go straight up as I just stare to the hallway that leads to three three other rooms in the house.
Strangely enough though the first thought that run through my mind is that Applejack has come back for seconds. Quickly though that thought is chased from my mind as I call back, "Spider Mane do you break something?"
I bring my trot up and into the hallway as I continues to speak up, "If you broke something important I will be putting you in a jar until I get back today. So you had better home you-..."
My sentence comes to an end as I now stare into the room, "The demon spawn!"
Sitting on my windowsill just a few hooves from the drawer that was pushed from the dresser sits a fluffy tailed white bunny, with a light maroon tie hanging in its mouth.
This bunny is no stranger to my, but at the sametime that does not make him a friend. I lower my head as I try to hold a smile, "We meet agian demon spawn, release my tie!"
Angel bunny brings his front paws to his mouth as he pull the tie from his mouth, and for a moment a smile crosses my face. But, my lapse in judgment is quickly lost as the bunny sticks it tounge out at me and in one motion kicks my window open and jumps outside.
"MY tie!" I charge forward into the room as I poke my head out of the window and towards the bunny that hops away.
Truthfully this one tie is meaningless seeing as how the drawer he knocked over has spilled out the almost pack rat amount of other ties and tops I have. But that fact this vermin just broke in my house and took the tie I had laid out has taken my attention.
I squint my eyes to the bunny as it continues to hop away as I smile, "Yes...Run little demon spawn...I know where you live." I turn my attention back to the cluttered floor as I float up another tie and quickly stuff it into my bag.
As my magic comes down I turn back into the hallway with my voice ringing out, "Spider Mane, I have to borrow some of your breakfast. Do not ask why just know you are helping the cause."
The words ring around the house as I quickly bring myself into the kitchen. As I reach the counter top I see the hairy brown spider out of the corner of my eye, I turn to the tight legged spider as I speak up, "You are not a very good watch spider do you know this?"
No answer comes up from the creature as its dark eight eyes just stare off into different directions.
"But I still like you..." I pat my hoof to the spider as I turn my attention to the black painted jar I have pushed up to the wall, "Ah here we go..."
I float the non transparent jar into a side pocket as I hold my devious smile, "Good bye Spider Mane."
With the jar now in place I start out of the door and into the early morning day. However, my quicker pace does not hold as my eyes set to one of the bright red apple trees that sit at the edge of the farm in front of my house.
I freeze as I feel my tongue slightly swell, my destination maybe faster down the path. But at the sametime I would most likely have to see Applejack. My shifty stance holds for a few moments as I try to build up the courage to travel down that path, however after a few good moments I turn my attention towards other path on my left.
I clear my throat as I start to bring my trot up agian, this path may have to go around the farm, but it is not like i'm going to be late to work or anything...As long as I do not waste time with my plan.
(A long and tiring walk later)
I hate that bunny...My head hangs low and my legs already have started to hurt, and the worst part is that even after this little stop I have to still take another ten minutes or so trot down the hill.
However, as the tree like cottage come into view my weakness starts to be pushed aside as the constant chatter of birds now ring to my ears. I turn my eyes towards the vast amount of bird houses that sit in the trees around the cottage, all the while as a thought comes to my head, who keeps birds as pets? They do not even do anything?
Luckily the trot up to the door is short as I knock my hoof to it.
"Um...Hello?"
The low voice from behind the door is almost impossible to hear over the birds, but I speak up as I wait, "It's Stony, your neighbor?"
"I'm sorry who?"
I clear my throat as I ring my voice out agian, "The stallion your rabbit always bothers."
The sound of the lock on the door coming undone ring out behind it as the mare's voice gets a little more audible, "Oh..."
Within a few moments the shy yellow mare with pink mane has opened the door, however with the door open her voice is still low, "...Sorry, its just the animals don't really like meeting new ponies when they are eating."
I cock an eye to the comment, but as I look around the room to all the different animals that gather around a few food dishes I nod my head, "Right..." It has always struck me as odd as to why this mare keeps so many animals around her house, but stranger still is how her house always smells fresh and clean.
"Um...What brings you by?"
The mare's voice nods my head as I straighten my posture, "It seems that your rabbit has taken one of my ties, and I would like to get it back."
"Well actually he's a bunny." Her voice picks back up from her correction as she contuines, "B-but i'm sure he didn't mean to take it."
"No he broke into my house got my tie and then kicked my window out." I hold my stance as the mare in front of me loses her firmness a little.
"T-that doesn't sound like Angle."
I shrug to the comment as I speak up, "Perhaps I could see him?"
Fluttershy gives a little smile to the comment as she shrugs, "Well he I suppose, but he really doesn't like to meet ponies before he's done with his breakfast."
"Okay..." I sway a little as I slowly bring my voice out, "Could you get him then?"
Fluttershy nods as she turns back into the house, "I'll see if he's done. Um, make sure you close the door please."
A slight smile comes to my face as I spark my horn up to close the door, "Yes, wouldn't want an animal to get out would we tierhorter ."
The mare's ear flicks to the word as she cocks her head back to me, "What?"
I stutter a little as I clear my throat, "It means someone who really cares for animals." I hold my little smile as the mare shoot back her own little grin.
"Well thank you, oh and how is your tarantula?" The mare's trot has stopped and she now waits for a response.
"Spider Mane, he's fine. I stepped on yesterday but he's-..."
"Oh no!" The mare brings her hoof to her mouth as she takes a step back towards me, "Is he okay?"
I wave my hoof to the comment as I shake my head, "Nothing I could not fix."
Fluttershy cocks her head as her low voice comes up, "I didn't know you were good with animals."
A slight chuckle comes up from me as I nod, "I have my moments."
The words hold the mare's smile as she turns back to get the bunny. As she does I slowly starts to just look around the room, it is at this point I realize all the eating animals staring at me.
My eyes lock to a certain little group of black and gray ferrets whose wide black eyes just pierce through me. The unsettling feeling holds to me as I wiggle a hoof towards them to try and get them to stop looking. This however does not help as they stop eating now just stare to me.
Their dark eyes start to freak me out a little as I instead turn my eyes to another little group of animals, only this time I find three mice just staring at me.
I squint to them as I whisper a little sentence to them, "Spider Mane would suck you dry..."
"Come on Angel."
The voice quickly snaps my head forward as I stare to the yellow mare that trots back into the room with the white bunny riding on her back. However the sight of the bunny brings a wide smile to my face, "Hello Angel, remember me?"
Fluttershy brings a hoof to her back as she pulls the bunny from her and gently places him on the ground, "Angle, Stony says you took something that doesn't belong to you."
I look over his dirtied paws as I speak up, "And by the looks of your paws you ran pretty fast."
The bunny just cross his top paws as he closes his eyes.
Fluttershy however look over the dirty paws as her voice gets a little loud, "Angle, did you take something?"
The bunny just shrug as he continues to hold his shut eyes and crossed paws. His action holds my smile as I start to slowly dip my hoof into the side pocket on my saddle.
Fluttershy's voice comes up once more as she lowers her head to level with the bunny, "Angle if you tell me where it is I will fluff your tail later."
My ear flicks to the comment as I think to myself, he steals and gets rewarded? This is why he is demon spawn.
The bunny opens an eye as he nods.
"Now where is it?" The mare's voice holds a cheerful tone as she watches the bunny starting up in a few motions of his paws.
I on the other hoof just stare to the bunny's little jumps, however before I can think to much on it the mare's voice rings out, "Oh, I know where it is...I'll go get it."
I know to the comment as the mare starts to trot away agian. To the mare's turned eyes I bring my hoof out with the black jar firmly in my hold as I look to the little bunny, "Hello demon spawn, will you saw you are sorry?"
The bunny sticks his tongue out as he cross his top paw closes his eyes and looks away. This however, is exactly what I wanted him to do as I quickly spark my magic up to open the jar and pull out a large and very alive mealworm. I quickly drop the bug into the bunny's fluffy tail and watch as it buries into the soft plush.
Angel's eyes widen as he starts to quickly scurry away, all the while give a few hops not really knowing what is in his tail.
I hold my smile to the animal's reaction as I quickly cap the jar and float it back to my saddle.
All the animals in the room have stopped eating and now stare to me, almost with a slight smile to their faces.
"Um Stony..." The sound of the mare's hooves and voice returning to the room takes my attention as she trots over with the now ruined and dirty tie in her hold, "I'm really sorry but I think Angel ruined your tie."
I shrug to the comment as my magic comes to the tie and quickly stuffs it into my bag, "It's alright. At least you will have a talk with him."
"Oh I will, Angle knows not to take things." The mare immediately nods her head as she continues, "I could fix it if you want?"
I shake my head to the comment as I smile, "No need. Just knowing he will be dealt with is enough."
Fluttershy holds a little smile as she speaks up, "Okay, is there anything else?"
The comment flicks my ear as I slowly bring my voice out, "Actually...now that you mention it, do you have any tips about Applejack?"
The words cock the mare's head as she speaks up, "Tips?"
I choose my words carefully as I continue, "I-I may have done something that has put us in a certain situation that is not really the best sort of thing. But I can't really apologize for it because it wasn't completely my fault." I nod to the words as I think to myself, perfect sentence.
Fluttershy just stare to me as she shrugs, "Um...Well maybe you should just wait a few days and then talk to her. Applejack is very honest so you apologizing would be important...i-if you did something."
The yellow mare nods as she gives a little smile, "Or I could tell her that-.."
"No no, that's fine." I wave my hoof to the comment as I speak up, "It's nothing that bad, just wondering is all."
"O-okay. Well, good bye then Stony."
The nod to the comment as I turn back towards the door, "Good Bye." As the words come to an end I bring myself out of the house and back into the bird chirping chatter of the outside world. I sparky my horn up as I bring out the other tie I grabbed before I left the house, my magic makes quick work of the tie as I start down the road for the rest of my day. All the while allowing Fluttershy's tip to roll in my head.
End of chapter 7
Chapter 8 – How stomping apples
It has been a three days since I took Fluttershy's advice. Which to me seems like the right number to wait, especially seeing as how my legs are starting to hurt from having to walk around the farm.
Luckily today I do not have to go to work, but at the sametime I feel almost forced to stay in my house. Again just not wanting to get into an awkward staring contest with the mare that lives literally just a short gallop from my own home. Worst still is every time I think about her I can only remember her face when she left, and her words that have lead me to believe she took advantage of me. Which, technically is not really the case...And if it was I still do not think I would complain.
I continue to blankly stare into the book that sits in my lap like I have been for the last few hours as my mind just stays consumed about my own guilty conscience.
A little groan comes from me as I close the book in my lap, "I'm never going to get this out of my head...I have to talk to her!" I stand from my seat on the couch as I puff my chest out and hold a stern face.
However, this burst of energy quickly fails as I flop back to the seat, "Oh who am I kidding, she doesn't care. She just did it out of pure lust brought on by my spell..." I sigh as I shake my head, "She probably already pushed her mistake out of her head. Heck she probably doesn't even remember that night for all I know."
A little chill rolls up my back as I think over that night agian, "Oh Celestia, w-what if I got her pregnant?!" As the words bounce back to me from the walls I immediately shake my head, "No no, even if it was the wrong spell that potion would have stopped her from being in heat right when it touched her lips."
I give a slight chuckle as I continue to shake my head, "...That's it, I need to get out of this house before I kill something."
"Wait..." I tap my hoof to my mouth as I think out loud, "I could just squish Spider Mane again...Hm...Too messy."
Once more I stand up as I take a deep breath, "Alright, it's settled I will go and say hello to Applejack. Just a simple hello nothing special." My legs start to move a little slower as I trot forwards towards the door, all the while still planning what I'll be saying, "...Hello Applejack, nice day isn't it. I was wondering if you would like to talk about our little encounter the other day."
My trot comes to a halt as my extend hoof rest to the wood door, my mind wraps to the previous sentence as I try to think about what she would possibly say.
However, as I stand their I continue to planned out conversation this time trying to copy Applejack's voice, "Oh Stony, ah hope you didn't think anything of it. I was just using and there is no way I could even remotely like a small stallion, who can't even reach across his own table without a stepping stool and- OH Celestia! Spider Mane hold me!"
My voice rings through the house as I gallop back towards the couch, "No no, buck me like a tree, I can't do this. It will be far too maddening!"
I rub my front hooves to my head as I close my eyes and just try to chase the bad rendition of how the conversation might go.
As I do this I bring my bottom legs from the ground and to the coach, my size even fully extended just barely reaches the other side as I continues to rub at my head.
But with a sigh I start to open my eyes, "AH!"
I jerk my head back a little more into the cushion as I stare to the spider that clings to side of the couch I lay against.
Its black eyes stare back at me as I watch my own reflection moving from the seat, "I did not really want you to hug me Spider Mane...Your hairy and ugly."
The spider just stares back to me as it continues to cling to the coach's back cushion.
I squint to its unfazed stance as I repeat myself, "I said you are ugly...and small."
Again the spider does not react to me words, and for the moment I just stare to it as my mind begins to clear, "My Luna...I am scared about what somepony would think of me...I mean really? I open dead ponies for a living and stuff them full of stuffing and then paint them with makeup! And i'm worried about some mare saying I was a mistake?!"
The words bounce back to me as I slowly start to smile, "Ha ha! W-why do I care?" I hold my head up high as I speak up with a little authority to the spider, "Spider Mane, for this I will reward you with fresh fireflies tonight."
I start my trot up towards the door as I holds my smile, "Wait..." I again halt my trot as I think over the scenario that brought by my confidence, "On second thought Spider Mane, I am talking to an arachnid...And you are allowing this." I point my hoof to the spider as I squint my eyes, "You are aiding in my insanity and I do not appreciate that. So you will get recently dead fireflies tonight, NOT alive fireflies." I nod my head as I set my hoof back to the ground, "But, you get my thanks."
The spider just stares to me unmoved from where it clings to the coach as I turn back towards the door and then quickly outside.
The later morning sun hangs over head and the weather outside is a spring warm, which helps my courage burn to my legs as I hold my eyes to the path in front of me that leads to the farm. However, my mind still clings to the fact that I did just hold a conversation with my pet spider.
Hmm...Perhaps I should test myself before talking to Applejack.
(A short trot and a few mental strains later)
The white fence's opening has come quickly within hooves reach as I hold my head up high and my head on a swivel for any sign of the mare I seek.
However, for the moment all my sense bring is the smell of barn animals, sweat and some kind of cheese. Luckily though my eyes do bring a big red pony into view.
Big Mac stands with his back turned from the farm's entrance as he continues to what looks like water the yellow plants that grown in front of the house.Groß Mac."
My words quickly bring the stallion's head up and back to me, however my confidence and swagger I hold of the stallion is quickly lost as I stare to his almost death stare, "I mean Big Mac."
"What you want Stony? Granny didn't say you would be stopping by today." Despite the bright and happy yellow and flower print watering can in his hoof the tall and big stallion glares down at me with a stare that would shatter even the toughest of walls.
Luckily I am no wall, "Um...Well I wish to talk with Applejack."
"No."
I nod as I speak up, "Why?"
"Because Stony, I said so." Big Mac impatiently await the quivering in my lips to become words as he stares to me.
Obliging his stare I speak up as I clear my throat, "May I please speak to Applejack."
My selection in words and slightly less confident voice cocks the stallion's head as he speak up, "No, for the last few days she has been quite only comes out to do her chores and I know it's your fault somehow."
"M-my fault? How." My voice rings up a little faster as my ears perk up, "What's wrong?"
Big Mac shrugs as he speaks up, "I don't know she won't say. But if you are to blame I want you to know Stony, I know where you live. And I don't be thinking them legs can carry you to far."
A slight chuckle comes up from me as I nod, "Can you at least tell her I wish to talk with her?"
The stallion squint to me as he looks me over, "Why do you need to talk to my sister so bad for?"
I clear my throat as I shrug, "I uh, gave her a potion for a problem and I just wanted to check up on here."
Big Mac's ear flicks a little as he takes a hoof forward, "You been do'n that magic stuff on my sister?!"
I shake my head as I speak up, "No no, a potion. Like the tea for Granny Smith."
The stallion squint to me as he speaks up, "Stony I will-..."
"Oh hello their Stony."
The shrill older sounding voice rings over Big Mac's as the older lime green mare starts to trot over towards where we stand, "What bring you by hmm?"
I lower my voice to a more respectful tone as I nod, "I wanted to talk to Applejack."
"Oh really?" The mare cocks her head as she continues, "I think she's a little busy right now, but i'll tell her you stopped by."
I nod as I speak up, "Thank you."
"No problem Stony." The old mare's shaky trot comes up as she taps the stallion on his side, "Come on Big Mac, you need to help me get that bee nest off the barn."
"Yes Granny." The stallion holds his gaze to the older mare as she continues to trot away, however before he follows after her he takes a step towards me as he speaks up in a lower voice, "Stony, you know I don't like you very much right?"
I nod, "Yes."
"Good, remember that then." He brings his head up as he turns and trots after the older mare.
To the trotting ponies I turn back towards the path as I speak to myself, "Well this was a waste of time...Dumb spider." I hold that thought as I continue, but my trot pauses for a moment as I turn back towards the closed off windows of the house.
My eyes squint to them for a moment before I bring my legs up again.
End of chapter 8
Chapter 9 – Fireflies
The day has rolled out without a hiccup since I was able to bring the courage to try and talk to Applejack. Luckily that courage did not have to be put to the test today seeing as how she apparently is too busy to talk with the stallion she had her way with the other day. Not that I would complain by any means.
However, for the moment my thoughts are not dwelling on earlier today. Instead my mind much like my eyes have focused on the small little light bugs that continue to pour into the room darker room from the open window.
Sure the night time air continues to loft into the room with a slightly unwanted chill, but seeing as how I am using my fireplace's light to attract the fake star light bugs.
I hold my eyes to the window as the crack of the low and controlled fire continues to dimly bring more flashing bugs into my dark house. The fur around my eyes has been painted with a dark green almost forest coloring that I sometimes use on the bodies I work on at my job. Around my neck and my body sits a makeshift leave suite I crafted for reasons I cannot recall right now...But seeing as how I did it I know my reason made sense. Even if the plants do itch against my fur.
My stance in the room has been motionless, even if one of the mindless flickering bugs lands on my snout I stand like a statue; just biding my time.
By my count there has to be a least ten or so flashing bugs to the room now. With another slow and methodical count I slowly start to reach my hoof to the chair I pulled close to me.
My hoof quickly finds the half full jug of water as I continue to slowly count the bugs in the room. As the last count comes down I spark my horn up and throw the jug of water into the fire as I scream out, "Now Spider Mane! Claim your pry!!"
The smoke in the room starts to make me cough a little, but I maintain my held stare as I now watch the stunned bug falling to the ground from the smoke that runs into the room from the quickly put out fire.
For a few moments I stand there just watching my plan come into action, but the dark of the room gets the better of me as I spark my horn up to eliminate the area around me.
My magic quickly turns on the lights of the living room as I look around to all the small twitching bugs on the ground, "Ah...This worked out nicely."
I nod my head to the bugs on the ground as I slowly turn my eyes around the ground for the spider. I quickly locate its wood brown hair as I watch it dragging a silky web behind it as it collects all the bugs on the ground.
This action, even though smart sparks my voice up in a little disappointment as I shake my head, "I told you to put a web across the window...You are half Garden Orb Weaver, you make your mother sad Spider Mane." I click my tongue a little as I continue to judge the spider's plan.
However, my silent stare is brought to an end as my ears flick to a sound at the door.
I quickly turn my head as the hoof knocking to the door rings around the house, "Quick, Spider Mane make yourself look decent! We have company-..Wait..."
The flies still flapping their tiny wings to the ground are quickly scooped up as my magic swings one of the windows of the house open, "Um, j-just one moment!"
My magic bolts the bugs out of the house as I turn my attention to the spider and its web sack that has not moved from the room. I panic a little not wanting to make who ever is outside angry, so I quickly scoop the spider and the web up as I toss both a little more into the hall an out of sight.
The spider quickly scurries away with the web still attracted to itself as it disappears into the darker hall.
To the absent spider and cleaner looking house I try to fix my mane, it is at this moment I realize I still have my plant covered outfit around myself. I toss it to the side as my magic brings the door open and I give a little smile to the orange coated blonde hair pony I halfheartedly expected to see.
However, despite my smile her emotionless and slightly worried face quickly ties my tongue as I try to speak up, "Hello, pleasant day we might could have had correct?"
The mare does not take a hoof into the house as she just blinks a little confused to the comment, "I-I guess..."
"Um...W-would you like to come inside?"
My words do not bring the mare in as she rings her voice out again, this time with a lower tone that I never in my wildest dream could I have imagined, "I'm surprised you didn't call the guards on me Stony..."
The smile to my face fades as I rub my hoof to my neck, "Y-yes well...You have nothing to worry about."
Applejack's head lowers to eye level with me as she shakes it, "I-I really am sorry Stony, I ju-just don't know what in tarnation came over me."
I nod to the mare's deeply concerned voice as I speak up, "Actually Applejack I believe it is my fault."
The mare quickly shakes her head as she speaks up, "Don't try to be neighborly Stony, I know you can't even more a few baskets of apples without your magic. I know what I did."
"No Applejack." I sigh already feeling this round about conversation ending with us parting ways to never talk again. Which of course would prove a horrible thing seeing as how close we actually live near each other, especially in a small town like Ponyville.
My voice rings out a little louder as I clear my throat, "I was the one that messed up that spell...I know you would have never had done what you did if it weren't for that."
The mare is silent as she just tries to soak in what I told her. Her silence of course only reassures my thoughts as I stare the the beautiful gold hay and bright coated mare.
Applejack slowly starts to bring her voice back up as she turns her eyes from me, "W-well Stony ah wouldn't just do some'thin like that...I mean i'm not saying your not a nice pony I just-..."
The words bring the mare's head down a little more as she slowly brings her voice out, "Why ya'll saying so down like? Y-you didn't do that spell on purpose did ya?"
I quickly shake my head as I wave my hoof, "No no...I was just distracted by your comment."
"I didn't say anything that offended ya did I?" The mare's face slightly tightens as she looks to be racking her brain for the night she seems to have pushed out of her mind.
"It was nothing, just a lack in judgement is all."
Again my words bring the mare's voice back up as her low tone comes up, "It wasn't about the you being into stallions right?"
My nose slightly scrunches up to the comment as I shake my head, "Like I said, it was just a lack in judgment."
The mare blinks to the words as she cocks her head, "I didn't mean anything by it Stony, I mean its fine if you like stallions, I know-.."
"I don't!" My voice rings over the mare's as I stare to her, but my tone quickly changes as I shake my head, "I lost focus because...Well I always kind of thought you were interesting and tall and I don't know nice."
Applejack's eyes widen a little as she takes her head back a little more, "O-oh Stony...I'm so sorry."
I give a little groan to the apology as I roll my eyes, "Really I think we should be over that by now." My heart no longer cares what my mind speaks up, instead my slightly shaking body from admitting my feelings, even if they were obscure continue to dwell within me.
My voice continues as I slowly extend my hoof to the open door, "It is not your fault Applejack, it is mine for having a fault in my judgment and focus."
As the door starts to close Applejack brings her hoof to it as the normal commanding southern tone comes out a little more, "Hold your horse feathers their Stony, you shouldn't beat yourself up over this. And closing the door in my face isn't very neighborly of you."
I shrug to the comment as my eyes halfen their gaze, "Neither is forcing yourself onto somepony who really likes you and then just saying you're sorry for doing something amazing."
The mare's eyes widen as her strength to her hoof laps a little.
Her lacking in power allows my to push my hoof a little more as I start to close the door again. However, my plan is cut short as the mare's strong body holds the door, "I...I didn't know it was like that Stony...."
I sigh as I roll my eyes, "Sorry to make it awkward, it's fine really." I try to push my hoof forward, but the working mare's leg is just too firm for me and instead i'm left just staring to her as she continues to look me over.
"L-listen Stony, I don't do what I did with just anypony...And I can't be honest to myself nor can ah be fair to you without giving this a chance...I-its just not me." Applejack's words are a little unsure, but she holds her stern face.
The mare's expression loosens my hoof as I blinks to her, "W-what do you mean?"
Applejack shrugs as she speaks up, "Maybe we can try this." She puffs out her chest a little as she turns her eyes from me, "I can't live with myself with having something like this on my mind...And at least this way you can't send no guards on me."
I continue to just blink to the mare as I slowly bring my voice up, "Y-you want to go on a date?"
The mare immediately nods her head as she speaks up, "It's only fair for me and you."
My mind blanks as I just stare to her, but I ring out a simple response as I set my hoof back to the ground, "W-would you like to come in then?"
Applejack's ear flicks to the comment as she pauses, but she brings her voice out as she slowly nods, "Y-yeah, why not."
I blink to the comment still not completely sure as to if she really is going to go through with this or not. But as I step aside she comes in and closes the door behind her.
I stare to her for a moment before speaking up, "Um...I'll make some tea I guess."
Applejack gives a simple nod as she holds a slight smile, "Sounds nice."
Again I just stare to her, now focused on the smile for the moment as I slowly turn towards the kitchen.
However, as I start to trot away Applejack's voice comes up, "And Stony...No magic, cuz if you do anything to the tea, i'll hog tie you to a tree."
A slight smile comes to my face as I nod, "And how do you know I wouldn't like that?"
Applejack blinks to the comment as she rubs her hoof to her head, "Uh..." She pauses for a moment before she brings her voice up again, "J-just know i'm keeping an eye on ya."
I nod as I start up into the kitchen with a slight spring to my step.
End of chapter 9
Chapter 10 – By the crackle of the fire
It has been a little over a half an hour since Applejack showed up at my house, and since then I have tiddey up a few things and hid a few others. Luckily though, the crackling fire that sits a little from the couch; which has done a really good job of warding off any chill as well as help to set a relaxing mood.
The tea on the little table in front of us that I may have made to hot still cools as I hold the conversation with surprising ease, "...So how come you're not wearing your hat?"
Applejack cocks a slight smile to the comment as she speaks up, "It's not bright out, why would I need it on?"
I shrug to the mare as I continue, "I have seen plenty of ponies wear sunglasses when there is no sun out, worse still even inside of a house."
The mare gives a little smirk to the comment as she speaks up, "Well ah never been one for sun glasses. Mah friend Rarity would be that kinda pony." She turns her gaze fully back to me as she continues, "Have ya'll ever meet Rarity? I mean shoot everypony in Ponyville probably knows everypony."
I nod to the comment as I slowly start to spark my horn up towards my own tea cup, "Actually she made my ties..." I float the cup up to my snout a little, but I do not take a drink as the lava like heat hits against my snout.
My previous sentence continues as I casually float the cup back to the table, "...I personally do not understand why everything have to be so flashy though."
Applejack's ear flicks to the comment as she slowly brings her voice out, "Well...I have never been one to speak ill about anypony, but sometimes I think she should realize not everypony in Ponyville needs to look like they're from Canterlot."
Trying to push her honest opinion of her friend aside Applejack continues before I can speak up, "So is that why ya'll don't wear them ties?"
I shake my head to the comment, "Actually no, I only wear them for work."
My words slightly bring the mare's smile down a little as she cocks her head, "Ah don't really know what you do." The mare slight rubs her hooves together as she gives a little laugh, "Ah mean shoot you seem to know everything about me, and all I kinda know is what Granny Smith says."
A slight smile comes to my face as I nod, "I'm a mortician."
Applejack blinks to the comment for a moment as she lowers her head a little, "You mean like you work with d-dead ponies?"
I nod completely unfazed by the mare's slow voice, "Of course." I proudly bring my hoof to my chest as I continue, "I cut them, drain them, stuff them and fluff them." I smile as I wiggle my hoof a little, "I also have to get the color just right."
My slight smile fades as I look over the mare's expression, "Well at least you know now." I turn my attention back to the tea as I float i back to me.
Applejack's voice comes back up as she cocks her head to me, the emerald green rims of her eyes almost looking through me, "How can ya'll be so happy when you have to do stuff like that? A-and in Ponyville, you had to have seen just about everypony at some point."
The cup of tea floats beside me for a moment as I think over her words, however turn back to her as I shrug, "I have just never had a problem with death. We all have to face it at some point in time, no sense in getting worked up about it."
The orange coated mare just blinks to me as I continue, "...It also has its own benefits."
My sentence pauses for a moment as I take a sip of the tea, not bad by the way. But as I swallow the little sip I bring my voice up, "...I have learned that life is to short to be sad, so I always try to find the brighter sides of things."
"So ya'll just put on a smile at everything?" The mare shakes her head as she speaks up, "I could never find the brighter side of things if our apple trees stopped making apples."
I crack a slight smile to the comment as I float the cup back to the table, "At least you wouldn't have to send all day in the hot sun, and you would not have to hurt your back bucking trees."
A slight laugh comes up from the mare as she rolls her eyes, "Ya but then we would not have much of a farm would we?"
"Hey, I said I find the brighter side. I never said it would stay bright."
My words bring a little laugh from the mare, which actually catches me off guard a little as I just perk my ears up to the unique sound of this serious mare's laugh.
However, the sound is quickly lost to the room as she looks me over, "Alright then Stony, what would've been the bright side of our little situation. Because for the last few days I've been worried to show my face outside, think'n that you would've called the guard."
I blink to the comment as I bring my voice up a little, "Well at least I got lucky."
The mare shakes her head as she speaks up a little though a laugh, "You're a bold little pony aren't ya-..I-I mean not that your small I just you know-..."
I wave my hoof the mare's stuttering as I shrug it off, "It's fine Applejack."
A fading one ha laugh comes from the mare as she rubs her hoof to her neck, "Sorry."
That word slightly rolls my eyes as I speak up, "Like I said Applejack, you really don't have to apologize."
As my voice comes down there is a slight moment of awkward silence, which I hope was not brought up by that fact of the couch we sit on.
However the silent is quickly brought to an end as the mare turns her head towards the dark window, "Well Stony, I think i'm gonna have to head home soon. I wouldn't want Big-..."
Before her words can come to an end the booming sound of the front door comes to the room as we both quickly turn our heads to the panting red stallion that stands in the doorway.
The stallion just pants as he blinks between me and the mare, however as I hold eye contact I spark my horn up as I slowly float the tea cup towards me, "Yes, hello Big Mac."
My words bring the stallion's winded voice up as he speak to the orange coated mare, "A-applejack what'cha doing out so late?"
The mare's stance shifts a little as she speaks up, "Ah was just talk'n with Stony. Now what are you doing galloping all over Equestria? You know them Zap apples could come in any day. You did stretch before running right?"
Big Mac just blinks to the mare's response as he takes his head up, "S-sure but-..."
Applejack waves her hoof to the comment as she speaks up, "No buts Big Mac, you know it's important to stay ready for the next few weeks."
The big stallion nods to the smaller mare as she continues, "Now i'll meet you back at home."
Big Mac slowly turns from the door as he turns his eyes towards me for the moment. I naturally just smile to him as I take another sip of tea.
But as the stallion moves from the doorway Applejack turns back to me, "It was nice to talk Stony..." She slowly continues as she rubs her left hoof to her right leg, "...Although maybe next time I'll make the tea."
The words flick my ear as I think her comment over for a moment, she actually wants to go through with giving this a chance? My thoughts quickly bring my head into a motion as I nod, "O-okay."
Applejack gives a little smile as she nods her head, "Night Stony."
I nod back as I bring my own voice up, "G-good night Applejack."
As my words ring to the room the mare torts towards and then out of the door.
I stare to the door until it closes, and when it does I continue to just stare to it as I run through everything we had talked about. Most of which I still can not believe, however I clear my mind as I speak up to myself, "Next time..."
End of chapter 10
Chapter 11 – Looking on the brighter side
The new day has rolled by rather slow for me since Applejack left my house late last night. Mostly due to the fact my mind would not shut off; until I could come up with the perfect things to say, the perfect things to wear and the perfect gift to present to her.
But, even a night and morning of planning has really yielded no results as I tort though the shade tree covered path towards the farm's entrance with nothing but the fur on my back a nice bright tie around my neck. Worst still is what I bring to this supposed first date, which is a mouth full of giddy gibberish all the while with the gift of nothing more then my presents. Not because I have no bits to buy anything, but because running all over town to get sweaty did not really seem like the smart thing to do, especially seeing as how I have no idea what today entails.
My mind slowly starts to push out all the negative thoughts as I slowly being to come within hooves reach of the white picket fence opening. As I do this, I turn my gaze to the farm's yard, but I it is at this point I notice that there is no pony in sight.
I hold my gaze as I start to turn into the dirt yard of the farm that leads up to the red house in the center.
The sun beats hard on my fur with an above average warmth not usually know to early spring. However, this warmth does little to me as I just let it soak into my fur to help my burning mine decide whether or not to knock at the door or just continue to stand like a dummkopf.
Luckily though, my judgment is not needed as the sound of buckets crashing to the ground from the side of the house comes up.
My ear flicks to the noise as I start my trot around the corner of the house. The short trot only takes a few moments as my eyes land to a young pale light olive coated mare with bright reddish mane that almost blends in with the pink bow that pokes up from her mane.
She however, does not take notice to me as she quickly scrambles to try and pick up the few woven baskets that she had dropped, "Oh horse-feathers..."
I bring my voice up as I trot forward a little, all the while trying to recall the younger mare's name, "Hello Apple Bloom."
My voice slightly startles the mare as she quickly snaps her eyes to me, "O-oh hi um...."
"Stony."
The mare nods her head as she gives a little smile, "Oh right, well can't talk gotta get back the Zap Apples bloomed early this morning!"
Her words have almost no affect on me seeing as how it is only the second time I have heard them in my whole life, "Nice, is Applejack around?"
Apple Bloom blinks to my unchanged tone as she starts to balance the baskets to her back, "Mah sister?"
I give a simple nod to the mare as I wait for her to continue.
"Um...She is pick'n the trees a little more towards the Everfree Forest." Her hoof comes up to point towards the tree line of normal looking apples, "Its just a little past those trees, why?"
I give a little smile as I shrug, "Just wondering." My eyes take notice to the slightly sliding baskets on her back that was brought on by her three hoof stance, I spark my horn as I adjust the baskets a little more on her her.
"Thank you Apple Bloom." As the mare puts her hoof back to the ground she nods, but her confusion is still a little evident on her face.
But I do not hold my stances long enough for her to bring her voice up as I start my trot towards the thicket of picked apple trees.
My pace holds steady even as my hooves start to meet with the under brush of fallen leaves and twigs from the trees around me.
It takes a few moments of pushing my way through the slightly rolling ground of heavily packed plant droppings, which is definitely not something I want to do. Seeing as how every time I go down a slightly larger hill I start to lose sight of the farm's dirt yard...Sometimes being small sucks, a lot.
However my trot is quickly brought to an end as a sharp pain slams against my horn, which sends a shock wave through my body.
"OW!" I quickly rub my hoof to my head as I close an eye.
"OH dag nabbit, there goes a zap apple." The southern voice brings my head up as I stare to the orange mare coming off the wood ladder I must have missed.
However, despite who it is my voice comes up, "There goes an apple? That could have broke my horn off."
Applejack moves from the ladder as she adjust the hat on her head, "Sorry Stony, I didn't see ya down there and i'm kinda rushed seeing as how Big Mac ended up hurting himself. Help let me give you a hoof."
As her words come to an end her hoof comes to the apple that has lodged itself onto my horn. However, despite her strength the apple proves a little more formidable than I would assume she thought.
She brings both hooves to my horn as she pulls, "It's really on there huh?"
My eyes widen a little as I feel her pulling just to the horn, "Ow ow ow, my horn ow ow!"
"Just hold still Stony I think I got it." The slight sound of some kind of magical zap rings from my horn as the apple is pulled from my horn.
However the sound brings a slight laugh from Applejack as she looks over the apple in her hoof, "Huh, well what do you know these things really do bind to magic like Twi says." Her smile slightly fades a little as she looks back to me.
Her gaze only makes me tighten my back legs as I try to hide the strange erection that slightly formed from her pulling on my horn. Truthfully I am not sure as to why being held down or somepony pulling on my horn would do this to me...But for the moment my mind is held from its thoughts as I clear my throat, "Yes."
Applejack cocks her head as she speaks up, "You alright? That apple wasn't too hard was it?"
A slight laugh comes from me as I shake my head, "It was just an apple."
My laugh brings a little giggle from the mare as she wiggles the apple towards me, "Ya and it put up a fight." She tosses the apple to the ground as she speaks up, "What brings ya by?"
I blink to the comment as I regain control of my body, "Our date?"
Applejack takes her head back as she straightens her posture, "I'm mighty sorry Stony, but the zap apples came in today and with Big Mac hurt I can't really leave the farm anytime soon."
I nod to the words as I speak up, "Big Mac hurt himself?"
The mare blows to the comment as she starts to pull the ladder to the next tree, "Ya he tripped on the stairs this morning because he was walking half asleep." She shakes her head as she continues, "Ah told him not to worry."
She rolls her eyes as she moves the ladder into position.
However as she does this I tilt my head down the vast row of trees that still sit just in this row, "Y-you are doing this alone?"
Applejack starts back towards the half filled baskets as she speak up, "Well Big mac and Apple Bloom are working together on the other side, but ya I got these here."
I blink to the comment as I shake my head, "All this by yourself?"
The mare just shrugs the words off as she places the baskets down, "Well usually I have mah friends help, but Twi is busy with the family, Pinkie and Rainbow can't help today and Rarity and Fluttershy are not really the best of help."
"Not the best of help." The correction that just rolled from my mouth falls under my radar as I continue, "Maybe I can help."
Applejack blinks to me as she gives a loud laugh.
However as she realizes me just staring back to her she brings her voice back up, "Y-you're serious?"
I nod as I puff my chest out a little, "Yes."
Applejack wiggles her hoof to the comment as she smiles, "Ah can't ask you to do that Stony."
I spark my horn up as I start to already pick a few apples from the tree, "Well I don't have work today so why not?"
My words hold the mare's gaze as she watches the rainbow colored apples float into the baskets. However she slowly brings her voice out as she shrugs, "W-well I guess I could use the help."
(A long and hot half a day later)
The sun's constant beating on my back has started to turn into weight as I feel my shorter legs starting to buckle. Worst still is that fact that Applejack has me pulling along the small cart full of zap apple baskets.
I have no idea how long I have been out here, all I know is that I am sweaty and tired. Luckily I was able to tie the bright tie around my head to keep the sweat out of my eyes.
"Come on Stony one last tree."
The mare's chipper voice brings me to pull a little harder on the cart as I shoot a panting response back, "Y-yay?"
A slight laugh rings up from the mare as she slows her trot and looks back to me, "Come on Stony, it helps build muscle."
A wheezing chuckle rolls from my throat as I speak up, "A-a dead pony's rib cage puts up little fight...I don't need muscles for my job."
The comment slightly flicks the mare's ears as she speaks up, "Uh Stony..."
"Too much information?"
The mare nods to my words as I continue "...Fair enough."
Applejack cocks a slight smile as she turns her eyes to the last zap apple tree on the very back most part of the farm, "Alright, last one."
I stare to the larger tree as my mouth drops a little, "T-this one is bigger?!"
My comment brings a happy response from Applejack as she nods, "Yep, we call her Bessie, it was the first tree Granny Smith planted when she got the seeds from the Everfree Forest."
I slowly move from the cart of heavy apples as I try to stretch my legs, "Alright...Let's do this."
"Yep." Applejack wiggles her hoof towards the tree as she speaks up, "Just float them apples down, it's a lot easier then use'n the ladder."
I groan a little to the comment as I spark my weaker magic up to my horn, for a moment nothing happens. But my low magic wraps to the apples in clumps as I start to pull them from the tree and then into the baskets.
Applejack just watches for a moment as she starts to trot towards the cart she had me pull.
I do not watch to see what she is doing as I clump all of the apples from the tree into one big ball of magic.
As I get them all together my horn's magic start to falter, but i'm able to drop most of them into the baskets as I pant hard and flop to the ground to exhausted to continue.
My heavy panting rings though my throat as the sound of my heart beats to my ears.
However, the thumping of my heart is quickly replaced as the southern voice comes up again, "Alright Stony, we've earn ourselves a break."
My ear flicks to the comment as I sit up a little from the ground, "B-break? We're not done?"
No response comes from the mare standing next to the wooden cart as she just smiles.
I immediately flop back to the cool grass as I pant, "I think this is the worst date I have been on..."
A little laugh comes up from the mare as the sound of her hooves crunching against the grass gets a little louder, "Come on Stony, you didn't really help me because you thought this was a date right?"
For a moment i'm silent, but I shake my head as I close my eyes to steady my breathing, "No."
"Good, now get up cause the rest of the zap apples won't be ready till tomorrow." Applejack's words bring a sigh of relief from me as I now enjoy where I lay.
But my relaxation is brought to an end as a cool liquid splashes onto my face. I quickly sit up as I open my eyes wide to the mare.
However before I can speak up the mare holds out a jug of water as she speaks up, "Here drink something."
I wiggle my hoof to the comment as I flop back to the ground, "No thanks, i'm too tired to drink anything."
The mare squint to the comment as she shrugs and torts back towards the cart, "Whatever Stony."
A little sigh comes from me as I continue to just lay on the ground, but like before the mare's voice comes up as she trot back over to me, "You should at least get out of the sun."
"Mmhmm...Too tired to move."
"You really are lazy aren't you?" The mare's voice brings a little chuckle from me as I speak up, "Maybe..-Hey what are you doing?!"
My eyes fly open as I feel a hoof pulling my back legs as the mare drags me towards the shade of the tree with ease.
As her hoof moves from my legs I roll over onto my stomach as I speak up, "I would have moved."
The mare cocks an eye to me as she adjust the hat on her head, "Well then you should have moved sooner." She nods her head down a little as she speaks up, "Not very neighborly for a stallion to just lay all out you know."
I blink to the comment as my eyes widen a little, "Why are you looking?"
Applejack just rolls her eyes a little as she speaks up, "Never said I was." As her words come to an end she start to bring herself down as she eases her back against the tree's bark, "Now if ya'll excuse me, I'm gonna take me a little nap."
I watch her for a moment until she brings her hat to cover face, however as she does this I roll my self over onto my back as I ease myself towards the tree's base.
Just as my back comes to the tree I start to close my eyes as I try to invite a little rest in.
(A little later)
The blissful little rest is quickly brought to an end as a hoof knocking against my bottom legs shoots my eyes open.
I now stare to a big red stallion whose figure is a little obscured from the lower sun's position in the distance. However I can clearly see the stallion's face as I start to raise my head, but it is at this point I realize that my head was slightly resting on the mare who still cat naps beside me.
The absent weight of my head though slowly starts to stir the mare as she brings a hoof to her hat and looks to the stallion with a little yawn, "Hey Big Mac, all done?"
"Eeyup."
Applejack continues as she starts to bring herself from the tree, "Time to sort the good'ns from the bad?"
Again the stallion repeat his one word sentence, "Eeyup."
"Alright, i'll meet you back at the barn." The mare's words turn the stallion's eyes as he starts to turn, but he stops as he gives me a little look.
The look start to bring my legs into a motion as I roll myself onto my stomach and then quickly up onto my hooves.
Big Mac now turns his eyes as he start to trot back down the path he came.
To the absent stallion Applejack brings her voice up, "So Stony what did you have in mind with our date?"
I shrug to the mare as I speak up, "Maybe a lunch or something."
Applejack gives a little smile as she shrugs, "Didn't sound like a bad idea. Sorry that didn't happen Stony."
A slight chuckle comes up from me as I wave my hoof, "It's fine, maybe some other time. But right now I think i'm going to go get cleaned up."
The mare gives a little laugh as she looks over my dirty coat, "Yep, bye Stony."
"Bye Applejack." As my words ring out I start my trot up.
End of chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 12 – Really taking this serious
The setting sun reach the end of its journey fairly quickly after I got home. Not that I would notice that is, seeing as how my neck hurts from the hours I spent just staring up to the apple trees for my magic to really be effective.
The cold pack I have wrapped around my neck does little to negate the still sore muscles as I sit quietly on the couch in front of the comfortable fire. No book even sits to my hooves thanks to the slight stiff neck I have.
A little groan rolls from the back of my throat as I speak up, "Trees should be shorter..."
My comment brings a smile to my face as I continue to think out loud, "...Or I need to learn a growth spell."
The words flick my ear as I tap a hoof to my mouth, "Hmm..."
However before I can make any real progress on my thoughts the sound of a hoof to my door turns my head as I study the closed door for a moment.
"Ya'll gonna let me in Stony?"
The voice from behind the door quickly brings me to stand as I forced my tired out muscles into motion, I stagger a little as I try to balance the cold pack to my neck. Luckily though I spark my horn up to the door only half way across the room.
My magic makes quick work of the door's lock as the light orange coated mare comes in, all the while balancing something in her hoof.
But before I can speak up the mare starts up in a little laugh as she looks over the cold pack around my neck, "Ha ha ha, did ya have fun today?"
I squint to the mare trying to plan out a response, but my quick wit gets the better of me as I shell out the first thing that comes to mind, "I was hot, sweat and sore, and not in a good way."
The mare holds a slight smirk to the comment as she shrugs, "Fair enough, thanks for your help though. That makes everything a little easier for tomorrow's bunch."
I wave my hoof to the comment as I speak up, "It wasn't that bad..." I hesitate before continue, "Will you be needing any help?"
Applejack turns her sight towards the wood table in the kitchen as she shakes her head, "Naw, the next bunch of Zap Apples won't be that much." Her long firm legs quickly bring her to the table as she places the tin foil wrapped item onto the table, "Besides, I didn't come here to talk about tomorrow."
Her hooves come up to the tin foil of the item, "Ah came here because ya'll ran off before you got to sample the fruits of our labor." The silver foil comes undone to resolve a small round rainbow colored pie.
"We always make a few pies for us, it's how we know if the harvest was good or not..." She wiggles her hoof to her mouth as she continues, "If your tongue gets tingly you know you got your self a good apple."
I just blink to her as I nod, "Alright."
Applejack holds her smile as she nods towards the chair at the table, "Well come and get it, I guarantee you will enjoy it fresh."
Despite her smile I move a little slow towards the table as I spark my horn up to pull out the two chairs from underneath it. Truth is, I rarely ever eat at the table seeing as how the feeling of having my legs dangle towards the ground is not something I really enjoy.
But, I get onto the chair as I slump a little so that my hooves only sits an inch away from the floor.
The mare looks me over for a moment as she turns towards the drawers and cabinets behind her, "So where ya'll keep your cutting knives and plates?"
I spark my horn up to the a cabinet and drawer as I float out the items she just said. However, the simple task brings an unexpected sound from the mare as the big brown spider jumps from the cabinet and onto the ground.
"Whoa Nelly!" Applejack's eyes are wide as she watches the spider quickly running away on the ground, "Did ya'll see the size of that thing?!"
Trying to copy her tone I nod my head as I give a simple laugh, "Oh, I-I know...I wonder where that could have come from?!"
I hold my smile to the lie as Applejack starts after it for a moment, "I'm gonna see if I can get it."
My ear flick's to the mare's words as I wave my hoof, "No."
Applejack blinks to my quick response as I slowly bring my voice up, "I'll get it, wouldn't want you to get your hooves dirty."
The mare just cocks her head to the comment as she speaks up a little confused to my choice in words, "You're kid’n right?"
I jump from my seat already knowing from her tone that this mare has her mind set, I quickly bring my voice up as I trot towards the hallway Spider Mane ran to, "I'll get, no sense in killing a dumb creature."
Applejack blinks to my quick trot as she takes the plates and knife I got out, "Alright."
To the mare's averted eyes I dart into the hallway as I look for the brown spider, "Where are you...Oh."
My eyes quickly lock to the spider that has stopped to the sound of my voice, "Ah there you are..."
The mare from the kitchen speaks up as she tilts her head towards the wall way, "Did ya say something?"
I quickly turn back as I scoop the spider up and hide it behind me, "Oh no, no...I was just saying that the spider went into my room. I'll get it." I hold the faked smile as I dart into my room in search of anything to put the spider in. My eyes quickly lock to a jar holding some dust I collected, for reasons that escape my mind for the moment.
Either way, my magic quickly takes the jar and cap next to it up and over to me as I poor the dust out and drop the spider in. I cough a little but I bring that jar to my eyes as I speak up in a whisper, "I will be back for you in a little okay?"
The spider just stares to me in silent through the glass.
The stare brings my voice up a little dramatic as I call back into the hall, "Oh! I was able to catch it." I tort back into the hall with the jar floating close to me as I continue towards the front door, all the while trying to put the show on for the mare, "I'll just dump him outside."
Applejack just blinks to me as she shrugs, "Um...Okay?"
I nod to her words as I dart through the front door my magic has opened, I stand a little out of the doorway as I quickly locate a little bush to hide the jar in. As I put the jar down I whisper, "This hurts me more than it hurts you...I'll be back when she leaves."
Spider Mane just curls its legs up as I take my head from the jar and trot back inside.
To my newly reappeared body the mare at the table speaks up, "Well, come on and try it."
I nod as I trot towards the table and retake my seat, "Alright..." I stare to the bright cake for a moment as I slowly bring my voice up, "Eating this will not turn my mane into your friend's right?"
Applejack gives a slight laugh to the comment as she brings her hoof to scoop up the piece of pie, "You mean Rainbow Dash?"
I just blink to the name as I slowly nod my head, "...Yes..."
"Nope, this is just a piece of pie." Applejack quickly brings her snout to the pie as she takes an unladylike like bite of it and beings to talk, "Mhmm, and good to."
A slight smile comes to my face to the mare's bold personality, but I avert my length stare as I float the pie to my mouth as I take a bite. However as my teeth sink into it my horn pops and the pie falls back to the plate.
Applejack give a little laugh as she nudges me with ease from across the table, "That good huh?"
The tingling in my mouth keeps my mouth shut as I try to chew through the slightly bigger bite then I should have taken, "Mhmmm...."
"Glad you like." Applejack proudly straightened her posture as she reach to another piece of the cut up pie.
I swallow the piece I was chewing as I feel my horn's magic starting up without my consent.
The steady chime and glow of my magic catches the mare's attention as she just smiles to my confused face, "Well the zap apples are magic."
I bring my hoof to my horn as I flick it a little to shut the consent chime up. This action brings Applejack's full mouthed voice up as she nods, "Don't that like...hurt?"
"Hm? Oh no, it only hurts if somepony else does it."
My comment cocks the mare's head as she swallows her bite of pie, "But it hurts?"
I nod to the comment as I stare back to the little bit of pie I have left on my first piece, "Yes."
Applejack cocks her head as she speaks up, "But ah thought horns was like wings, and ya'll get some kinda joy out of uh...flicking it?"
A slight laugh comes up from me as I shake my head, "Not at all...That would be like saying you get enjoyment out of rubbing your hooves or something."
My words bring a coy comment from the mare as she smirks, "Well ah mean having somepony rub my hooves is nice...But I can't do it myself."
I squint to the comment as I cock my head, "So you're saying earth ponies like their hooves being fondled?"
"Pfff, you don't gotta go and make it sound like that." Applejack's quick comment brings a slight smile to my face as I nod back to her, "Oh? But it's fine to stay flicking my horn?"
The mare shrugs as she turns her attention back to the little bit of pie on her plate, "Sounds better than rubbing your horn right?"
"Fair enough." I shrug to the comment as I bring my hoof back to my own piece of pie.
For some reason we both hold our gaze to the other pony across from us as we take another bite of pie.
However unlike before this one is a lot slower...At least, until Applejack brings her voice up, "You know something Stony, that spell you did a few days ago did really help." She puts her head down a little as she continues, "Uh...Even if we did kinda do some other things."
I slowly nod to the comment as I shift my eyes a little, "Yeah."
"Um...T-there has been something I have been wondering though." Applejack bites her lip a little as her normal in control demeanor falters, "I-I can't be pregnant right?"
The words pound against my ears as I swallow a little, but my always logic seeking mind comes back into control as I speak up, "N-no. All the spells on that page help with heat...Some just have side effects like um the one I accidentally did...But no. All of them negate conception."
For a moment the mare just blinks to me as she slowly brings her voice out, "S-so no?"
"Yes, you are not pregnant." As soon as my words ring into the room the mare across from me gives a loud sigh of relief as her once tense face now becomes smooth and calm.
The sigh however does have an impact on me as I look her over, "I-is that why you wanted to spend time together Applejack?"
"Is that why you wanted to spend time together?" My voice my have come up a little faster, but it still holds its low tone as I wait for a response.
Applejack looks me over for a moment as her emerald color eyes just walk over every inch of my face. But she sighs as she nods, "Ah can't lie Stony...It was, but I mean...this isn't because of that."
I nod to the comment as I shrug a little saddened, "Because ten percent of something is an effort."
The mare lowers her head a little as she speaks up, "I mean...I don't have a problem continue to give this a shot Stony. You're a great guy and all Stony."
My ear flicks to the comment as I look back to her.
She continues as she now starts to wiggle her hoof towards me, "Sure you're a little different but it's kinda interesting."
I look her over for a moment as I nod, but just as I do a twinge of pain runs through my neck.
Applejack notices the slightly pained expression on my face as she rubs her hoof to her own neck, "Uh, this doesn't really seem like something I should just offer after what we were just talk'n about...But I could give you neck a little rub down, i'm pretty good with muscles."
My ear flicks to the comment as I speak up with a slight laugh, "What, is this the part I invite you into my bedroom?"
The mare gets a slight smirk to the comment as she laughs, "You really are a bold little thing aren't you?"
"Ha." I wiggle my hoof to her as I continue, "Well I did just find out that the only reason I even had a chance with you was because you thought you were pregnant. I figure I have nothing left to lose seeing as how your mind is clear and there won't be any reason for us to continue this."
Applejack holds her slight smile to the comment as she looks back to me, "Uh huh? And was that the brighter side of this?"
I shrug to the mare as I speak up, "No sense in not being honest."
For a moment we just stare to each other, but that moment ends quick as the mare stands up from the chair, "Tell you what, I do your neck and you do my hooves. Kicking trees all day is not really something I enjoy...Deal?"
My eyes widen a little to the mare's words as I speak up, "Wait what?"
Applejack nods towards the hall as she speak up, "I am offering JUST a friendly gesture Stony."
For a moment I just continue my stare but my flank is pulled from the seat as the orange mare tugs me along, "One on the left is your room? "
I nod my head as I continue to be lead to my own room by this mare. However, despite my shorter legs the trot across the room is quickly brought to an end as she turns her gaze into the bedroom, "Huh...I am actually surprised you keep a clean room."
I clear my throat as I speak up, "Why is that?"
She shrugs as she trots a little more into the room, "I just didn't think you would be that kinda stallion."
"I label my spoons also." The comment blurts out of my mouth a little faster then I would have liked, however it brings a slight laugh from Applejack as she nods, "Ah saw."
She holds the little smile as she nods to the bed, "Uh, you can just lay down. The way I do it won't take long."
The mare's choice in words flick's my ear as I just stare to her.
My unmoved stare brings the mare's voice up as she shifts a little, "You know, for a massage."
"Oh...Yes, right." I slowly trot past the taller mare as I bring myself to sit on the bed and remove the cold pack from my neck.
Applejack wiggles her hoof to the bed as she speaks up, "Just lay on your stomach."
"Yes..." I slowly move into the center of the bed as I do what the mare said, all the while just trying to rack my brain as to whether or not this is just going to be a massage.
Before I can think to hard the weight in the bed shifts as the mare comes into the bed beside me. My head faces away as I just flick my ear to the mare's approach.
"Alright Stony..." As her words come down I feel her hooves come around my neck as she starts to push against my tense muscles.
The mare's position is still next to me, but her weight now comes to her hooves as she continues to push the tension at the base of my neck.
A low exhale of pleasure comes from me as I close my eyes to the hooves that fight against the pain in my neck.
My sound brings a slight laugh from the mare as she starts to press a little harder, "Feeling a little better?"
"mhhm...."
My nonsense nods Applejack's head as she starts to move her hooves up my neck.
Her motions start to bring my head forward a little as I stretch to the loosening muscle the mare's soft but firm hooves have started to break out.
However, as her hooves come to middle part of my neck I feel a little warmth starting to grow to my horn. Despite my turned gaze the low light of my magic that sits to the bed shines a little to my field of vision.
Applejack must have noticed the magic as she starts to massage a little harder all the way up to the base of my spin. This new attention starts to make me close my eyes as I fall victim to the relaxing feeling.
For the next few moments her hooves continue this little motion. But as she start up at the bottom of my neck one more time I feel the burning on my horn starting to get a little warmer as I find my eyes clenching shut and my breathing almost stop.
Applejack's hooves quickly shoot up to the back of my head like before, however this time my horn sparks up with a faint popping sound as little wisp of magic start to jump from my horn. My mouth opens wide as a loud moaning exhale escapes with the breath I held.
My back legs jiggle a little to the magic on my horn as Applejack takes her hooves from my neck with a little laugh, "There, feel better?"
I'm silent for a moment as I just blink to the side of the wall I stare at from my down position on the bed, "MhMhhhHmM..."
My wordless sentence brings another laugh from the mare as I feel her weight starting to shift from the bed. As it does I bring my head up as my half eyed gaze turns to the mare, "A-am I doing you?"
Applejack looks over my face as she cocks a little smile, "How about tomorrow?"
The words immediately nod my head as the mare starts to trot from the room, "Sounds good to me. Night Stony."
I start to move from the bed as my wobbly legs plant to the ground, "Y-you’re leaving now?"
Applejack nods as she continues into the hallway, "Yep, don't want Big Mac to come looking for me again. All I said I was doing was dropping the pie off."
I continue to follow after the mare as she comes to the front door and opens it, "A-alright...Good night Applejack."
She nods to the comment as she smiles, "Night Stony." As her words come to an end she closes the door.
The sound rings through the house for a moment as I turn my wobbly trot to the couch for a moment. I flop onto with my head to the ceiling as I blink my slightly tired eyes, "Uhhhh....That was amazing..."
My eyes slowly start to close for a moment as I feel a strange tiredness drop over my body.
(An hour or two later)
The sound of my slight snoring shakes me as I jerk my head up from the back of the couch.
"OW!!!" I rush my hooves to my neck as I rub it and scream to myself, how long was I sitting like this?!!
I look around the brightly lit room for a moment as I try to think, however my eyes lay to the fire-less fireplace as a thought comes to my mind, "Ah! Spider Mane!"
The sound of crickets in the trees around my house ring to my ears as I turn my head to the bush as I float out the jar.
However as I start back into the brightly lit house my smile fades as I look over the curled up unmoving spider in the jar.
I blink to the spider as I tap my hoof to it, "Spider Mane?"
My hoof to the glass does nothing as the motionless spider just sits there. But, my voice quickly comes up as I sigh, "Did you die on me?!"
My voice doesn't alter the spider as I groan a little, "You dumb spider! I put you in this jar to keep you safe-Oh..." I look over the cap on the jar as I nod and lower my voice, "Yes...Well tomorrow I will put holes in the jar."
I sigh as I turn my trot into kitchen, "But don't think i'm not mad at you still...You know not to hide in the cabinet." My magic comes to the locked cabinet as I unlock it and float out the book, "...I mean really Spider Mane, I can not trust you can I?"
I trot over to the table as I pull out the step stool and uncap the jar to poor the dead spider onto the table, all the while continue to scold him, "...Perhaps next time you will hide somewhere else hm?"
The curled up spider just sits on the table as I rolls my eyes and open the book to the page I have book marked. I float over the spider's old leg as I run turn my attention to the other ingredients I need.
The whole process of this spell only takes a few moments as the dead spider is wrapped in the purplely magic.
As the pop of my spell comes undone I stare to the spider that continues to lay on its back. However an unamused groan comes up as I roll my eyes, "Get up Spider Mane."
My voice quickly springs the spider back to life as it flips back to its legs.
I rub my head a little as I sigh, "Alright Spider Mane I am very tired, so let's make this quick...hold out a leg."
The spider curls its legs to its body as its black eyes stare up to me like he always does.
End of chapter 12
Chapter 13 – How to move forward
The last few weeks have started to blend together into a routine. Go to work, come home, meet with Applejack. Sure it is a little strange that we only get to see each other at night, but seeing as how that is the only time we can truly hold a conversation without being interrupted by work does have its benefits.
However, anytime of day is fine with me, even midnight if Applejack wants to. It is still a little amazing to me how well me and her get along, and some days I find myself still questioning why or how she could bare to be seen with some small stallion like myself. But I have been unable to come up with anything, and really I do not want to.
My trot from my house starts to near its end as I set my eyes to the opening in the picket fence. As I near it my legs start to move a little fast and the floating tea kettle beside me comes up a little more.
The sound of my magic and the sight of my figure coming into the farm's grounds takes the large big red stallion's attention as he turns himself from his panting of one of the house's overhangs.
I cock a little smile to the stallion as I nod. One thing that has not changed is how Big Mac looks at me, although I could care less. Especially seeing as how after spending time with Applejack I have learned that she is much more of a threat then this flower planting, doll keeping stallion....Not that I still would want to test that theory.
As I start to turn my sight from the stallion I think over my last thought, why do I like Applejack if I'm afraid of her? A slight chill comes over my body as my eyes halves to a relaxed and slightly playful stare as I start to picture the orange mare's toned and firm body.
However, my thoughts do not stay long as I find my trot coming dangerously close to the big stallion, I halt my legs as I speak up, "Ah, hello Big Mac." I turn my head around the farm as I speak up, "Where's Applejack?"
Big Mac looks me over for a moment before he turns back towards one of the house's small wood columns that support the hangover, "She didn't feel well this morn'n so she's up stairs."
My ear flicks to the comment as I speak up, "Oh? What's wrong?"
"Stomach ache."
The words make me take my head back as I quickly think over the diner date we held last night where I actually took the lead and cooked. I rub my hoof to my neck as I cock my head, "W-what did she say was wrong?"
Big Mac shrugs as he speaks up, "Don't know..." His eyes turn to the tea kettle in my magic as he speaks up, "If you're look'n for Granny Smith, she's out back."
I nod to the comment as I start to bring my trot up, "O-okay."
My trot quickly brings me around the house as I now turn my attention to the old light lime green mare going about her normal routine of feeding the chickens.
As I look over the mare I bring my voice out, "Good morning Mrs.Apple."
The sound of my voice brings the mare's lowered head up as she turns to face me, her old slightly saggy face turns into a smile as her happy voice comes up, "OH hello there deary..." Her eyes drift over to the tea cup as her smile slightly fades, "...H-has it already been a month?"
I nod to the comment as I speak up with a smile, "Yes it has."
The mare's eyes turn to my smile as she rings out a slight giggle, "And what makes you so happy?"
I just shrug to the comment as I wait for the mare to trot over to me and then to the rocking chair she usually sits to.
However, as she does this her voice continues out, "I've noticed you've been come'n by the farm a little more." She cocks an eye to me as her voice comes out, "...Do I need to watch out for Apple Bloom?"
The old mare's sense of humor brings a slight smirk to my face as I shake my head, "No ma'am."
My words roll the mare's eyes as she takes her seat in the chair and starts to move the chicken feed holding saddle from around her, "How many times I gotta tell you that you can call me Granny?"
I shrug to the comment as I speak up, "We're not family."
A slight giggle comes up from the mouth as she smiles, "Mmhmm..."
I float the tea to the small table as I speak up, "Just wondering, what's wrong with Applejack?"
The old mare holds her smile as she rolls one of her old hooves, "Oh don't you worry about Applejack, she's fine."
I blink to the mare's words but I nod all the same as I slowly continue, "But she is sick right?" As my words end I turn my head towards the door of the house.
"Oh she'll be fine tomorrow." Granny rolls her hoof to me as she holds her smile.
To the words I nod again as I turn my eyes back to the mare and straighten my posture, "Alright, well are you ready for the spell?"
The old mare eases her back to the chair as she speaks up, "Whenever you're ready dear...I have been feeling even more weak lately."
As the mare's words come down I lower my head as I spark my horn up to the spell I have been using for the last few months.
It only takes a few moments for the spell to run its course as my magic starts to fall away from the mare's body. However, as it does I realizes Granny Smith does not jump from her seat like she usually tries to do.
I blink to the mare as I speak up, "A-are you alright?"
Granny nods to the comment as she flashes a smile, "Why yes I am." She happily stretches her front hooves out as she continues to speak up, "If ya want to go and talk to Applejack now you can. Her room is the last on on the right up stairs."
Granny keep the smile as she watches me trot into the house.
Truthfully I have never really spent a lot of time in the Apple family's house, but it is not like I cannot find my way around the simple wood made house.
I quickly come into the family room as I turn my head towards the stairs up to the second floor.
Despite my short legs I quickly trot up the stairs as I turn my head into the hallway, my eyes fall to the last room on the right.
As I near the room I take notice to the closed door as I knock a hoof to it.
"Its open..."
The mare's slightly annoyed tone flicks my ear as I open the door to the mare that still sits in the bed. However, I can not help but give a laughy smile to the mare's completely bored expression as she blinks to my, "Stony?"
I give a little chuckle as I speak up, "So Granny Smith says that you're dying."
The mare rolls her eyes as her front hooves cross a little annoyed, "Ya, die'n of boredom..." She shakes her head to me as she continues, "All ah said was that I didn't feel to good this morning and Granny said I had to stay in bed until midday." The mare sits up a little as her voice reaches a peak, "I mean come on, I don't care if I'm not needed today, but at least outside I can walk around?!"
A slight laugh comes up from me, but it only flicks the mare's ear as her sharp eyes turn to me, "What you laugh'n at? I wasn't the one who cooked that dinner last night."
My ear flicks to the comment as I wave my hoof, "Yes, but I didn't tell you to try everything before it was cooked."
Applejack rolls her eyes as she speaks up, "Pff ya ya.."
The mare's words hold my smile as I look her over.
However, my silent stare takes the mare's attention again as she gives a little smile, "But just in cause i'm sick and it's not that cook'n of yours. You should get go'n, I'll stop by if I feel better."
I blink to the mare for a moment as I let her words roll in my mind, but I nod as I speak up, "Alright Applejack...Bye."
The mare nods as her voice comes up, "Bye."
End of chapter 13
Chapter 14 – The things we wait for
The day has rolled on fairly well since this morning, not that there would be possibility of something bad happening, especially seeing as how I did not have work to day and just lounged around my house. Well, for the most part.
"...Jump Spider Mane!"
I continue to hold an annoyed stare to the unmoved spider on the table as I squint my eyes, "Spider Mane, just jump." I wiggle my hoof to the makeshift hoop I have in front of him on the table as I speak up, "...How do you expect Applejack to like you if you can't do any tricks?"
The spider just curls its legs up a little more as its eyes stare back to me.
Its insubordination brings another groan from me as I bring my hoof to my face, "Ugh..." My horn sparks up to float the book I had out, my hoof taps to the words on the page as I speak up, "Look, it says right here that a pet is more likeable when they do things."
Again the spider just stares to me as I hold my hoof to the paper.
"You're not going to do the trick are you?"
My words slowly start to move the spider's legs as he continues to just stare at me.
I roll my eyes as I speak up, "You could at least make words in a web."
As my voice comes down the sound of a hoof knocking to the door takes my attention. My eye widen as I turn back to the spider, "Okay Spider Mane jar or-..Oh, okay you're leaving." I watch the spider quickly moving from the table top.
I give him a few moments as I turn back towards the door, "I'll be right there." The words ring to the house I brush my mane down a little as I trot towards the door.
With a little sigh I bring my hoof to the door as I open it, "Hello Appl-...Applejack?!"
Before I can bring another word out the orange mare has lunged forward with a heavy and tight hug. I stumble back a little as I try to hold the weight of the mare that has wrapped herself around me. However as she holds me my ear flicks to the sound of her sobbing.
I quickly bring a hoof to the mare to look her over as I speak up, "What? What's wrong?"
The mare's life filled and joyous emerald eyes are puffy and a little red as they continue to shine from the tears that fill them, "G-Granny Smith passed away..."
Her words despite their low and sorrow filled tone boom to my ears as I shake my head, "H-how? When?! I-I just saw her??"
Applejack nods as her lips continued to quiver, "I-it was a little while ago, she said she was gonna take a short nap...And then she wouldn't wake up." Her emotions continue to run high as she pushes through, "B-big Mac ran into town to get a doctor a-and when he got here he-he said-..."
The mare's voice falters as she lunges forward to hug on me again, but her voice does not stop as she cries out, "I-I know she was old, but she was all we had after my parents di-...." Her sentence stops as she whimpers and shuts her eyes tight.
I manage to free one of my hooves as I rub it to her mane, all the while backing up to the couch to take a seat.
Applejack's head still holds close to my body as I continue to rub my hoof to her mane, "I'm so sorry Applejack..."
I know my words are trivial and do little to the mare, but this is the first time I have ever seen her upset...And the sight of her sad eyes has washed my mind clean of any other sentences.
The mare continues to sob as she holds her eyes shut and her mouth tight.
This light whimper starts to pound on my own heart as I rack my brain just trying to recall the spell I used on Granny Smith. I know it was correct, but at the same time I can not bring my mind to understand why there would not have been any signs of it not fully taking effect.
As my mind continues to replay images of the old mare that I saw just this morning starts to weigh on me a little more as I find myself starts to break a tear.
However, I continue to try and console the mare beside me as I speak up, "I'm so so sorry Applejack..."
The mare just nods to the comment as she slowly brings her head from me, "I-I want you to do everything for Granny Smith...S-she liked you, a-and I don't want just anyponies's hooves on her."
I nod to the comment as I speak up, "Of course."
My words quiver the mare's lips a little more as she buries her head back to my with a slightly louder sob.
The mare's wet eyes start to pour into my coat as she finally starts to break down a little more. Without a hiccup I continue to rub my hoof to her mane as I nuzzle the mare's head, "I'll make sure she's okay Applejack..." As my words ring to my own ears I turn my eyes towards the kitchen and then quickly to the locked cabinet as I continue, "...I promise."
Applejack's sobbing voice comes up as she moves her head a little from me, "E-everypony should hopefully be in town in a few days...I-is that enough time?"
I turn my eyes from the cabinet as I look over the mare's heartbroken face, "Of course..."
The mare nods as she wraps her front hooves around me a little tighter, "T-thank you Stony."
End of chapter 14
Chapter 15 – Peaceful
The new day's sun has come up with its warm orange and yellow glow holding high in the sky. However, the warmth of its life giving rays bring no joyous feeling or relaxing enjoyment of the new day.
Instead, my thoughts, much like my eyes and trot are locked to the large one flat story gray stone and dark wood building that stands out a little from the surrounding dull gray tombstones that sit behind the locked gate. Around the length one story building sits an array of colorful potted plants, most of which that have been magical enchanted to release their unique sweet and fresh scents year round.
However, their aroma holds no power over my focused mind as I start into the doors of the the building.
As I start into the room I turn my attention to the bright pink coated mare with a magenta and white mane as I speak up, "Hello Zinnia."
The earth mare's ear flicks to my voice as she almost jumps to the edge of her reception desk, "Oh Mr.TombStone, the pony you requested has arrived."
The mare's cheerful smile to the words makes me twinge a little as I realize that if this where any other pony it would be just another simple job. I bring my hoof to the small satchel around my body as I adjust it a little, "Y-yes...Thank you."
"Your quite welcome Mr.Tombstone."
As her words come down I start my trot further into building, however I only get a few hooves away before the mare's voice comes back up, "Um...Will you be needing any assistance? Mr.Waddle is not in, but I would be happy to help?"
I shake my head as I speak up, "No need."
The mare blinks to the comment as she nods, "Yes Mr.Tombstone."
Again as her sentence ends I start my trot up as I hold my sight to the door at the end at the hall that reads, Staff Only.
I bring my hoof to the door as I open it to the staircase down into the well lit basement. However, before I continue down I turn my attention back to the door as I lock it and close it behind me.
To the closed to I spark my horn up as I float my satchel from around my body.
However, my trot comes to a hold as I reach the last step on the stairs, leaving nothing but the open room left to look at. In the middle of the room sits that long silvery metal table, where the sheet covered pony lays. The room is cold, and smells of gauze, embalming fluid and other things used in my line of work.
I avert my eyes a little as I sigh, I have done my job for years and I have even unfortunately had to do what I do on foals from time to time...But this is the first time I have ever done this on somepony I knew.
Luckily though, I was able to keep that facts from surfacing, especially seeing as how no pony can see what i'm about to do.
My eyes turn to the two pony lift on the right side of the room as I spark my horn up to cut the power from it. To the powerless lift and the locked door I start to open my satchel a little, all the while continuing my tort towards the cold table.
The satchel float next to me as my magic quickly pulls a small tray table to roll over to me.
However, I hesitate before continuing as I just stare to the white tarp that sits over the pony in front of me. Although as I look over the covered body I bring my hooves to it as I reveal the head just to make sure i'm sad for the right pony.
As my eyes lock to the older mare's paler green face I turn away as I shiver a little, "I-I'm sorry my spell did not work..."
My horn sparks up as I float out a very small jar of maybe two or three gold hay colored pieces of mine that I was able to pull from the couch Applejack was sitting at. The next thing to float out is the dark maroon colored book, which I float over to me as I spin it to the a worn down page with a few side note scribbles I have put in over the years of having it.
Truthfully, this page has always scared me and the book as a whole as terrified me. Not because I'm afraid of it, but rather because i'm afraid of being caught with it. Necromancy has never been viewed an acceptable form of magic, and the things created from it are usually destroyed.
However, as I stare between the book and Granny Smith's face the only thing that comes to my mind is the burning image of Applejack's sad face.
I clench my teeth as I look over the older mare that lays before me. "I-if this was anypony else I..I would never do this..." The thoughts of all the foals and young ponies that I have seen being put into the ground flash through my mind as I stare to this old pony that has maybe a year or two left.
How can I do this for her? When I have allowed so many to be put away?
That thought burns to my head as I spark my horn up to uncap the jar of Applejack's mane, "If this where anyone else..."
I steady my breathing as I turn my head back to the book and begin to read. The truth of this matter is that magic like this I have tried before, the first time I saw a foal who had died of ammonia. Which was a common thing for young ponies in Neighagra Falls.
When I had tried my spell those few years ago it was my first time ever really trying necromancy, and I let my feelings get the better of me....
I close my eyes as I try to push the scene from my head, instead I just speak up with a positive sign, "I did not have anything to use..." My eyes look over the few strains of Applejack's mane that I float over to the book.
Although as I look over the book and read to myself, just to make sure i'm on track.
...To bring back a pony or larger creature the spell user must provide some form of that pony's living self. With simpler spells an exact match is not need, an example would be if a fly dies and the spell users provides any other body part of a fly of the same species (from when living). However, for this spell it is recommended to have something of said pony or creature to be used, for the best results. Resurrection spells are made simpler with the addition of sacrifice spells, see page 130. If no sacrifice is available please see below...
I swallow as I nod to few strains of mane that technically are poor examples of what to use. But not having anything from the old mare when she was alive, and not wanting to put the Apple family at risk if somepony finds out about my secret obsession with this magic makes this the only option.
"Applejack is her granddaughter...That should be fine."
As my words come down I turn my attention back to the book as I locate the instructions for the spell.
I clear my minds of any doubt as best I can as my horn sparks up in a brighter blue glow. The few stairs of mane on the book come up as they start to spin a little and a ball of magic start to form.
The chime of my magic rings to the room and resonates to the lift's shaft with an almost booming sound that I am sure must be at least heard up stairs...But I continue the spell as the swirling ball of magic comes up from the book and starts to take on a purple coloring.
I feel my horn starting to tense up and my mind starting to pound from the intense and higher level spell as I slowly float it to the mare.
The book is dropped from my hold along with the glass jar that now shatters to the ground, but I hold my spell as I bring my hoof up to open the mare's mouth for the approaching ball of magic.
I force the spell ball into the mare's mouth, as it passes into her the mare's coat glows a little. I stomp my hoof back to the ground as I clench my eyes and focus my weakening magic to continue onward with the spell.
The intense chime of my magic rings to my ears as I clench my teeth harder to my whisper, "Please work..."
The few moments of my spell starts to feel like somepony screaming right into my ear and I now start to feel a steady stream of something warm flowing from my nose.
But just as the spell start to get to much my horn pops and I take in a deep breath as I fall back to my flank.
I pant hard as I bring my hoof to my slightly bloody nose.
However as I stare to the unmoved mare on the table I feel my anger and sadness starting to bubble over as I slam my hooves to the floor like a little foal having a tantrum, "That has to have worked!"
No answer comes from the table as I stand to my shaky hooves and trot over to her again, "It has to!" My horn sparks up again as I wrap my magic to the mare's head; the purple glow like before comes up as I lower my head and try to bring the spell into gear again.
My breathing is heavy and my eyes are shut as I push forward with the weak spell I can muster.
But, my stamina catches up to me as I drop my magic and take in a deep breath of defeat. My head hangs low as I stare to the floor; however, as I do this my ear flicks to a sound, "What's wrong Stony?"
I snap my head to the mare's unmoved face as the voice runs to my head. However the mare's eyes stay closed and her mouth is unopened. "G-Granny Smith?"
"I see you finally said my name."
The voice takes me back a little as I step away from the table, "W-where are you?"
"Why are you upset Stony?"
I shake my head for the moment as I try to locate the sound of the voice, however as I stare to the full pony in front of me my eyes pick up a small white almost thin cloud like thing above the table.
"Y-you need to come back."
My words bring a slight echoed laugh as the old ponies voice continues to chime to the room, "It's my time Stony, thank you for making it easier for me these last few months."
I shake my head to the comment as I speak up, "Please, I-I can't stand to see Applejack an-and Big Mac and Apple Bloom upset."
For a moment nothing comes up as I just sit in the quiet room, "You have to."
"They're big ponies...And I know that now."
My head sinks to the words as I nod knowing what she means.
"Stony...Do watch after Applejack for me."
The words flick my ear as I speak up, "Of course..."
Just as my words ring out the mist over the body comes to an end, I just stare to half covered mare as I close my eyes and regain my thoughts. My lips quiver and my nose is a little sniffly as I try to bring myself back to a professional mind set.
I try to pull myself together as I turn my sight to the shelves that stand behind me with all of the equipment I'll be needing. I slowly bring my trot up as I move my hooves over the broken jar on the ground.
A shaky breath comes from me as I look over the selves, "Lets make you look good Granny Smith..."
End of chapter 15
Chapter 16 – Short but not sweet
The day has roll on with its normal speed for the process I usually have to go through. For the most part I have always worked fast, seeing as how fur generally does not take that much time to work with, especially on an older pony.
I have however be a little slow to give the attention to the mare's face.
"Excuse me Mr.Tombstone? Are you okay?"
My ear flicks to the voice as I turn my head towards the stairs as I stand from the high top chair I was sitting at, "Oh yes I'm fine."
I quickly come to the stairs as I bring my magic to unlock the door, but just as the pink mare starts into the staircase I shook my head back to the room as I flick the switch to the power of the lift.
"The family has started to arrive, is she ready to be moved?" The mare's voice rings in from the staircase hall as she quickly comes into the room.
I nod to the comment as I give a simple smile, "Yes, she is perfect."
"Oh good." The mare turns her head back into the stairs as she calls out, "You can bring the casket down now."
The words turn my body as I bring my trot back to the satchel I put on the bottom of the work shelves. I float the bag up to me as I adjust it to my body, "Oh and Zinnia, you can tell Mr.Waddle that I will be taking over this funeral."
The mare blinks to the comment as she nods, "O-okay Mr.Tombstone, but there is a lot of ponies for this family-..."
"It's fine Zinnia." I give her another little smile as I pull out a colorful but not flashy tie, I quickly bring the fabric around my neck as I move past the mare and start up the stairs. Ponyville is a quite town, and on a regular week no more than one or so ponies ever really pass away. Although as I come into the upstairs room my ear flicks to the sound of everypony's voices.
I look around to all the ponies as I start to put on a the rarely seen friendly smile I bring up to all the ponies I have never seen before.
The chatter in the room of all the sad ponies does not even really alter to my short frame as I easily pass through everypony to the group I really care for.
After weaving around the few ponies I quickly latch my eyes to the three familiar ponies as I look over their worn out eyes. Applejack's normal cow girl hat has been replaced with a black version that I would say looks good on her, if this were any other event that is. Big Mac has a nice tie around his neck and the younger mare on his side has a black bow on her head instead of the normal pink one.
I hold myself from them for a moment as I shift my eyes to the older light orange mare that stands next to them with a sorrow filled face
However, the older mare's conversation comes to an end as she moves to another group of family members off a little more towards the side of the wall.
My voice turns Applejack's head first as she looks me over and takes a step forward, "H-how was it?"
I hold my comforting smile as I nod, "She is fine."
The mare nods her head as her gaze falls a little to the ground. However before I can bring my voice up another's rings out.
"Applejack."
I turn my gaze to the approaching lavender mare as I take a step back.
The orange mare in front of me turns her head to the voice as she gives a little smile to the pony, "Hey Twilight."
Before she can even really finish the sentence Twilight has wrapped her friend in a hug as she speaks up, "I hope where not too late."
Applejack pushes away from the hug a little as she shakes her head, "You're on time, everypony should be here in a little."
As the two mares start to drift into a conversation I turn my head to the other two ponies that came in with her. My eyes drift to the familiar light cream colored stallion and light purple dark purple bow wearing filly next to him, who has start to swing her head around all the sad ponies faces a little confused.
I give a little smile to the stallion as I take that extra step towards him as I speak up, making sure not to call him by the pet name I gave him, "Do I receive a hug."
He gives a little smirk to the comment, but his solid demeanor to the area and situation around him holds the smirk to a low point.
Before I can bring my voice back up a feminine voice has chimed over the chatter the of the room, "May I have everyone's attention please..."
The room starts to get a little quite as everypony turns their attention to the pink mare that has came out from the staff only door, "...You may all come to the viewing room, if you wish to follow me."
My ear flicks to the comment as I take on a more professional persona and turn back to Applejack and the few ponies around her, "Would you like to go now?"
Applejack hesitates for a moment as she moves to Big Mac's side, but she nods as she speaks up in a low tone, "Y-yes..."
I turn my trot as I speak up, "Follow me then." I hold a slower pace as I bring the lead the ponies through the few ponies that have not yet decided what to do yet.
End of chapter 16
Chapter 17 – A tale to be told
The sun continues to pour into my bedroom as I slowly start to stir to life. Truthfully I should not be this tired, but yesterday's magical attempts and all the emotional roller coaster that I was exposed to have taken their toll on me.
And as I move to the edge of my bed I feel my head starting to fill with the strange pressure that always precedes a failed spell. A slight groan comes to me as I start out of the window of my room, "I want Applejack's hooves again..."
I slowly move from my bed as I turn my head back to make it, however as I try to spark up the spell I find the pressure in my head to great. So instead I bring my hooves to the covers as I try to pull them into place, but after only a few moments and realizing I would have to actually walk around the multiple times to actually get the dumb thing made me quit.
A little goran comes from me as I turn into the hallway and speak up, "Spider Mane if for some reason you figure out how to use your hairy spider legs to make my bed I'll put you in a jar of several female spiders...And I may even fix your face afterwards."
I stretch my legs as I start to trot into the living room, however before I ever get have way into the living room a thought rolls through my mind, "Oh...Forgot to brush my teeth."
(A short morning routine later)
My normal short routine has started to come to an end as I hold my hoof to the almost empty coffee cup in my hoof. I have already mentally planned to go and check on Applejack and everypony else, but I had not planned on still feeling this tired.
Half of my mind screams to just go back into the hall and flop back into the probably still warm bed. But, I hold that thought from taking control as I down the last little bit of my drink.
A hot breathed exhale runs from my mouth as I set the cup back to the bed and start to stand, my early morning sounds ring out one last time as I stretch my legs out the last time and start to trot towards the door.
My trot brings me out into the early morning world fairly quick as I turn my head towards the warmth of the day's rays.
A pleasant sigh rolls from the bottom of my throat as I start my trot into full gear, all the while locking my eyes to the shady tree path that lays in front of me.
The simple path has started to bloom as the later spring month starts to bring out the small patches of flowers that grow around the tree line to either side of the road. Despite the fact that only a few patches of flowers have fully opened this early on, although the smell of wild flowers has always been something that has slightly messed with my nose.
Luckily through, my few minute trot starts to come to its end as I near the opening to the farm. However, as I look around the area I quickly near I find no sign of anypony, which starts to slow my trot as I realize that maybe they still have family over.
But, despite my thoughts I continue to trot on as I drift my eyes to the house in the middle of the dirt yard area.
I still however continue my trot a little as I look around for any pony, but as I realize no pony is out here I bring myself to the front door as I knock.
The door quickly comes open to the younger light yellow coated mare, "Oh...Hello Stony."
I hold my original question back as I look over the young pony's face, "Hello Apple Bloom...How are you doing?"
The mare shrugs as she slowly bring her voice out, "Ah the same as everyponie else."
Her low words bring another nod from my head as I just stand at the door way. Luckily though the need for me to speak up does not arise as I listen to the mare, "If you're look'n for mah sister she's upstairs, but she's not really up for talk'n right now, see'n how she's sick again."
I blink to the comment as I speak up, "Really?"
Apple Bloom nods her head as she takes a step aside, "But, we're all kinda down though."
To the mare's position from the door I come in, but I swing my head around the room as I speak up, "Where's Big Mac?"
Apple Bloom starts her trot back towards the kitchen as her lower voice comes up, "Ah think he went to go and talk to Mrs.Cheerilee about me not going to school for a little or something like that."
I nod to the comment as I close the door behind me, "Alright." As my words come down I turn my tort towards the stairs as I start up them with a slower pace.
My trot up the stairs only takes a few moments as I take my first hoof into the hall and towards the last door on the right in the hall.
However I only get halfway before the sound of a toilet flushing and the sight of one of the closet doors opening almost in my face stops me. I quickly jerk my head back as I watch the frizzed maned orange coated mare stepping out.
Applejack quickly takes notice to the stallion next to her as she speaks up, "What are you doing here Stony?"
I shrug as I speak up, "I wanted to see how everypony was doing." I hold my eyes to the mare as I look over the slight bags under her eyes, "...Are you okay?"
The mare turns back towards the other end of the hall as she nods and starts to trot away, "I'm just as good as everypony else."
Her long legged trot brings me forward as I speak up, "Are you feeling okay?"
My words halt her for a moment as she cocks her head back to me, "Well no, me and Big Mac didn't get any sleep last night on account of poor Apple Bloom." She shakes her head as her voice lowers, "She may not be a filly anymore but this was not somethin' age don't prepare you for."
I nod to the comment but I continued my assault of questions as I look the mare over, "But are you okay?"
Applejack blinks to me for a moment as she nods, "Ya, just a little stomach thing is all."
The mare's nonchalant voice squints my eyes as I look over the mare, "Have you been checked out later?"
My words rolls the mare's eyes as she starts her trot back up, "It's not that bad."
"What?" I spark my horn up as my magic wraps to her uncombed tail, "...How long have you been feeling bad? I know it's been more than a few days."
Applejack moves a hoof to pull her tail from my magic as she speaks up, "Not that long it's fine."
I straighten my posture as I speak up, "I'm going to take you to the doctor's."
A little laugh comes up from the mare as she cocks her head, "What are you gunna carry me?"
My stance is unchanged as I stare up a little up to the taller mare in front of me. The stare brings the mare's voice up as she shakes her head, "I'm fine Stony-.."
"Oh and wasn't Granny Smith fine just a few hours before?"
Applejack's ears flick to the words as she puts her head down a little, "S-stony that was really bold you know..."
I wave a hoof to the comment as I speak up, "Good, then you should be listening now. You should make sure there is nothing wrong with you, that way no pony has to feel any worse."
The mare's head stays down as she looks me over, "Y-you're really not being the most supportive friend at a time like this..."
The comment flicks my ear as I speak up, "I like to think of myself as something more than just a friend...Now come on, I'm taking you to the doctor's."
My unmoved face holds to the mare as Applejack shifts her eyes a little.
But before she can speak up I spark my horn up to tug a little on her as I turn back, "I can still drag you if In need to."
"Hold your hooves! I'm coming." The magic around her is dropped as she gives a little sigh and starts in front of me, "But you're paying, there's nothing wrong with me and ya'll dragging me from everypony here."
I shrug to the comment as I follow after the down the stairs.
However, the sound of our hooves brings Apple Bloom back into the room down stairs as she speaks up, "Where you two go'n?"
Applejack's trot comes to an end as she turns her attention to the young pony in the room, "Uh..."
To her stall I speak up, "I'm taking your sister to the doctor's."
Applejack shoots a little annoyed stare to me as she trots towards Apple Bloom, "There's nothing wrong, just got to make sure we got all the paperwork and such."
The young mare just blinks to the comment as she slowly nods, "A-alright? Can I come?"
Applejack shakes her head to the comment as she speaks up, "No, um...You should be here in case Big Mac comes back early, wouldn't want him thinking something happened you know?"
"Alright."
To the mare's answer Applejack turns her trot towards the door as she opens it, "I'll be back soon."
I follow the mare out of the house with a burning question to my mind, however as I close the door behind me I speak up, "You lied to Apple Bloom?"
Applejack's ear flicks to the comment as she speaks up, "No I didn't...We can still make sure we got all of Granny Smith's paper work while we're there."
I blink to the mare as my fear to something being truly wrong starts to grow a little more, I hold my voice down as we start towards the opening in the fence.
(An hour or so later)
The bright plain white walls around us are a dim reminder to how long we have been sitting in Ponyveille's hospital since the doctor first came in to get a few samples from Applejack.
The chair I have been sitting in no longer gives me any support to my lower body, and as a result I find it a little harder to keep my back hooves on the ground instead of a little above it like they usually would be.
However just as I start to feel the burn to my back the mare at the examining table speaks up.
"How long have we been here?"
I turn my head to the mare's hard stare towards the door as I speak up, "Um...A little."
Applejack continues to tumble her hooves in her lap as she nods, "Well how come they ain't come back yet?"
As her words come down the door opens to the caramel colored unicorn that comes into the room with his snout buried to the clipboard in front of him.
My eyes, much like Applejack's lock to the stallion as he slowly bring the clipboard from his face, to reveal his stern staring eyes, "From what we can tell you seem to have the first stages of Neoplasia cancer."
Applejack's ear flicks to the comment as speaks up, "What?!"
The doctor looks back to the chart as he nods, "Yes, it is a skin cancer brought on by the sun-...Oh wait."
His pause brings my voice up now as I stand from the chair, "What? Wait what?"
The doctor's face comes up from the clipboard as he speaks up, "OH my, y-your Applejack right?"
The mare quickly shakes her head as she speaks up, "Yes?!"
"Oohhh..." The doctor waves his hoof as he gives a shaky little smile, "I am so sorry, this is the paper for the other room..." A nervous laugh comes up from the stallion as he turns his eyes quickly back to the paper and away from mine and Applejack's angry gaze, "Yes, here we go, Applejack..."
The stallion clears his throat as he nods to the paper, "Yes, i'm so sorry about that, but congratulations you're pregnant."
The stallion's words freeze mine and Applejack's voices and stares as we both just blink to the stallion in front of us.
Doctor Stable blinks between us as he puts the clipboard down a little, "Um...I take it neither of you knew?"
I flop back to the chair as all of my rage and anger from the first diagnosis quickly turns into a confusing relief and joy.
Applejack shakes her head as she stutters out a questions, "S-so i'm pregnant?"
The stallion clear his throat again as he nods, "Yes, your morning sickness and fatigue has just been made worst by all the stress you have been under the last few days and also from your daily routines on the farm." The stallion floats the clipboard back to his face along with a pin as he speaks up, "Which reminds me you should take things slow until you body gets use to itself, and you should not eat any apples for a little, the acid in the apples will make the morning sickness worse."
Applejack just gives a slow nod as she speaks up, "I'm pregnant?"
Doctor Stable's smile slightly drops as he speaks up, "Y-yes..."
Aigan the orange mare at the table rocks her head a little as she speaks up, "Pregnant?"
The mare's voice starts to make the stallion at the door feel a little uneasy as he nods, "Um..You know I think i'm going to give you two a few minutes. S-sorry about the mishap early, um no charge if you don't tell anypony about that."
The doctor slowly moves back to the doorway as he close it and disappears behind the safety of the wood door.
To the closed door I slowly turn my head to the mare as I bring my voice up a little, "W-well you're okay."
My voice slowly turns the mare's head as she stands from her seat at the examination table, "Okay? OKAY?! You said that spell would mean nothing would happen?!"
I nod as my ears flop down, "Y-yes but that doesn't mean it would work the other-.."
The mare's rant continues a little as I swallow a little, "Applejack..."
My voice doesn't nothing to the mare as she continues to pace, "How can I possibly look after a foal with all the crazy things that happen in Ponyville?!" She turns back to me as she points a hoof to me, "Have you ever seen a change'lin?! Or-or that Discord?"
Her pacing around the room comes back up as she shakes her head, "I'm mean sure Twilight can do it b-but look at everything that she's gone through!"
"Applejack..."
"...I-I don't even know how to-.."
"APPLEJACK!"
My louder shout halts the mare as she turns her head back to me. The mare's pinned eyes make me shake a little as I stand up from my seat, "Y-you're not alone in this..."
The mare just blinks to me as I continue, "...I'll be there for you." I rub my hoof to my neck as I realizes the ability to find the right words starts to falter a little, "I-I mean it is my fault to y-you know? And I am not going to just let you-..."
My words are cut off as the mare in front of my lunges at me and bring me into a emotionally shaking and tight hug, "OH Stony!"
I feel my eyes being squeezed from their holes from the mare's strength as I just pat her back, "Y-yep."
The mare's hold does not alter as I feel it harder to breath, although I do not complain as I continue to just rub the mare's back, "I-it's alright."
The death grip around me starts to come undone as she takes herself from me and brings a hoof to her water filling eyes.
Her voice comes up with a shaky tone as she speaks up, "I-I sorry I got you into this Stony... I s-should have never had bother you those few weeks ag-..."
I cut her voice off as I stand to the tips of my hooves and plant a kiss to her.
Granted, my stance does not make it the most magical of things and I find myself stumbling a little as I break it, but the mare's voice has gone silent as I speak up, "It's alright Applejak."
The mare blinks to me for a moment, but her stare only last a few moments as she again lunges forwards to lock me into another hug.
A slight laugh rolls up from me as her weight to my unbalanced hooves sends me flopping back to the chair, but I rub my hoof to her all the same as I stare through the golden hay colored mane that lays over my face a little.
End of chapter 17
Epilogue
Epilogue
The later morning sun has now started to come over Ponyville, which begins to bring out everypony in town. Truthfully I do not like to trot through the main street of Ponyville, mainly because of how many other ponies use this as their only way to get from place to place.
But, right the decision on which way to go back home with is no where near the front of my mind. Instead, that spot has been taken by the fear of becoming a father.
I can only assume the mare beside me is having the same thoughts, seeing as how we have not really said anything to each other since our break down in the hospital.
However as our tort nears the end of the main street the mare beside me speaks up, "Can we go to Granny's grave?"
The stranger comment after what we have gone through today takes me a little off guard, but I give a simple nod as I speak up, "Yes."
My words nod the mare's head as she picks her speed up a little and starts to drift away from our current path towards one of the side street outlets of the town's main street.
(A little later)
Our trot has quickly brought us to the long one story building that yesterday was a buzy with apple family ponies; however, today it lays still and quiet.
My eyes drift a little from the building though as I direct the trot towards the locked gate that sits a little behind the building. Normally the rule is that no pony is allowed on the grounds without some kind of previous arrangement, but seeing as how I work here I naturally do not have to follow that rule.
I pause for a moment as I bring my magic up to the locked gate, normally I would have a key but seeing as how I was the one who put this lock and it's magical charm on it it poses no problem to take off. The gate swings open a little to my hoof as I trot inside and wait for the mare beside me to continue in.
As she does I close the gate and hook the lock to one of the bars for when we leave.
I turn my attention back to the mare as we begin to trot down the path towards the new graves area.
Despite all the colorful flowers that sit up against the well kept grey gravestones this area of Ponyville seems a lot less friendly and inviting than the rest. Which of of course is to be expected, still though as I trot next to the silent mare I can not help but feel upset to her down expression.
The decent paced trot we hold quickly brings us to the newer graves, however my trot stops as the professional side of me allows Applejack to continue forward alone.
The grass in front of us has been freshly laid, and the flowers set in front of the engraved stone are unwelted bright orange and yellow. From my spot I can hear Applejack's voice, but I can not quite make out what she is saying.
I hold my head to a respectful low as the murmur of her voice continues to loft into the world towards the grave.
For the next for minutes I just stand there, letting the mare continuing to say whatever she needs and at the same time allowing my mind to settle with everything I have learned lately.
However, Applejack starts to turn I speak up, "Ready to go?"
The mare nods as she speaks up, "Ya."
Her trot comes towards me a little, but she stops as she looks me over. As her emerald eyes roll over my face I shift a little as I speak up, "What?"
Applejack continues to look me over as she shrugs, "Just look'n."
I blink to the comment as I turn to trot with her, "Alright."
As my words come down Applejack sets her sight back to the gate, "You know you're gonna be the one to tell Big Mac right?"
My ear flicks to the comment as I speak up with a slight laugh, "So...You want me to die early?"
The comment cocks a slight smirk to the mare as she turn her head to me. I hold my own stare to the mare as we continue our trot towards the cemetery’s gate.
End
