Harmonics: The Accidental Project

I look around at the landscape and see Erin doing the same, she looks so excited and I have to admit that I feel similarly excited. We need to get to Ponyville, that should be the nearest town. Most of their pictures and videos of ponies were in Ponyville, some were in Canterlot and a few other places, but the majority were in Ponyville. That would mean that the portal usually opens up near there, if not all the time. I see Erin jump and I look at her curiously, she starts talking to herself and I realize that she’s talking to Dr. Velchiek through her headset. She starts eating plant life and I ignore her talk with Velchiek, he’ll contact me too if it’s important. It was unanimously decided that Erin would be leader on this expedition, she’ll brief me if Dr. Velchiek doesn’t.

“Skylar,” I perk up at the sound of Dr. Velchieks voice.

“Yeah Doc?” I ask as I continue surveying the area.

“We need you to try to eat any new plant life, I’ve told Erin likewise. Remember, it won’t hurt you, you just need to sample it.” He says.

“I’m not eating any poison joke,” I reply.

“Any what? regardless, you can’t get poisoned,” he says.

“We can’t get harmed by poison, but the poison is still there,” I point out.

“Precisely, so poisonous plants won’t be a problem,” he continues.

“Fine, anything else?” I’ll just have to head to the spa afterwards.

“Yes, we’ll be closing the portal now,” I look back to see the portal vanish, Erin also sees it.

“Alright, are you still there?” I see Erin still talking so I hold back until Velchiek decides to talk to me.

“Skylar? Why don’t you go with Erin, we need you two to get a look around. Try to stick together, or at least in each others general area until you’re better integrated into pony society,” I nod until I realize that he isn’t really looking at me.

“Yes sir,” I follow Erin and help her with the research, we eat various plants and eventually come upon a stream. Erin doesn’t say much to me, she mostly talks to Dr. Velchiek. I can feel my mood lifting as we continue to walk along, I can see Erin also flashing a smile. We continue to walk around until I see Erin start to trot. I pick up the pace, but she continues to gain more speed. i’m sure to keep her in my sights, but I don’t try and stop her. She seems to be having fun, and who am I to spoil her fun.

I feel myself enjoying our little excursion too, we maneuver over under and around various obstacles. I manage to keep her in sight, and then she stops after jumping off the top of a hill. I watch as she talks to Dr. Velchiek and I look around. She gets up and motions for us to continue moving, she starts heading for a grove of trees and my mind flares in recognition. I used my enhanced vision to scope out one of the closest tree’s, I see bright red fruit dangling from it’s branches.

Those trees aren’t a part of the everfree, and there’s only one farm that I know of that has apple trees. If I’m correct, then these are the best apples in all of Equestria.

“Wow, neat! Apple trees!” I hear Erin say as we draw closer. I look over to her, but she just continues talking. “Yeah, they look like perfectly normal apple tree’s” I watch her to make sure she doesn’t plan on taking any, I trust her, but I’m sure Dr. Velchiek will ask. "Um… This looks cultivated. Doesn't that mean it's someone's orchard? I don't know the laws, here. I want to get along with the other ponies, so I probably shouldn't start out by being a thief." just as I thought.

“You got that right, sugarcube!” I jump as i hear a familiar voice and turn to see a friendly face. I see Applejack sauntering up to us from behind an apple tree, she has her signature stetson perched atop her head. "I can appreciate folks bein' honest, though. So, as a reward for not stealin' an apple, how 'bout I just give ya one for free?" I smile as Erin stumbles on her words.

"Ah? Buh..?" Erin scrambled mentally as her train of thought derailed. "Erm... I mean.. Ok, thank you! I'd really appreciate that!" I watch as Applejack bucks a tree and tosses two apples over to us. Erin snatches hers with her teeth and I do likewise. I eat the whole thing in a giant bite and Erin finishes hers in a similar manner.

"That was... quite simply, the most delicious apple I've ever eaten in my entire life." Erin says.

“Thank you Appl-” I cut myself off before I can give too much away, No one notices.

"Well, now, that's mighty kind of you to say, missy! Even though I know it's true, it's sure nice to hear somepony else sayin' it! I'm Applejack, by the way." Applejack laughs and we just smile back.

"Sunflower! Um... I'm Sunflower. It's nice to meet you?" Erin blurts out, I hold back a snicker.

“My name’s Starlet, Starlet Mint.” I add with a smile. I’m sure Starlet won’t mind if I borrow her name for my stay.

"Mighty nice to meet'cha, Sunflower! You too, Starlet! You've gone and wandered inta Sweet Apple Acres, best apple orchard in all of Equestria! I don't reckon' I've seen ya 'round here before. You new to Ponyville?" Applejack shakes both of our hooves vigorously

“You could say that. I could rigthly say I’ve never been here before,” I answer.

“Ponyville? Oh, is that the nearest town?” I snicker as Erin shakes her hoof as if it were asleep.

"Yup, you'd be able to see it if we were on the other side of the farm. So, what brings you to these parts?" Applejack asks.

"Oh, well, we’re just exploring, I guess. We want to meet new people, see new places. I want to learn as much about Equestria as I can, you know?" Erin answers for the both of us.

"I can understand that. Why, when I was a filly, I thought it'd be a good sight better to live in Manehattan. O' course, I soon figured out that I belonged here, at home, and I ain't never looked back. But I recon' you gotta see those sights when you can, so you can remember what's so important about home. So, where ya from, originally?" I look to Erin as I realize the one thing I forgot to think of, a cover story from where we’re from. We can’t outright lie to the element of honesty, she would see right through it.

"I'd rather not talk about that, Applejack, I mean, if that's ok with you. I can't go back there now, anyway." Erin replies after a while. I nod in agreement.

“Oh, I see. Trouble at home them?” Applejack asks glumly.

“You could say that,” Erin replies.

"Well, I won't pry, but if yer lookin' fer a place to settle down, then' I reckon' you won't find anywhere better'n Ponyville! How 'bout we celebrate yer arrival by havin' you join the Apple family fer lunch? I was about to head back anyway, and if your headin' to Ponyville, it's in the right direction anyway!" Applejack says ecstatically.

"Oh, well, I wouldn't want to impose..." Erin says.

"Shucks, it ain't no imposition! Granny always cooks up a heap o' vittles more'n we can eat, anyways. Come on, then!" Applejack says.

I gladly trot after Applejack and Erin follows after us. As we trot along I see Erin giving Applejack sidelong glances, no doubt she’s worried over something.

"Erin, Skylar, listen. We're about to lose this window. You'll be on your own in a moment, but you're doing great! You've already given us tons of valuable data, such as the real name of this world, but there's so much more to learn! Remember, take care of yourself, and keep a low profile. You'll be-" I hear the connection fizzle out and I decide it’s a fine moment to show some of my knowledge, at least enough to ease Erin’s mind.

“Erin,” I lean close as we trot along and whisper to her, “The apples are good ponies, we’ll be fine. They’re all very kind, just so long as you’re as honest as you can be with them,” I say. She leans back and whispers in return.

“How do you know?” she asks curiously.

“Trust me, I just know,” I reply cryptically.

Now that Dr. Velchiek’s gone I can focus on doing a little thought searching. I wouldn’t have been able to handle two voices in my head, so I refrained from listening. that, and I don’t like to do it all that much. It just feels underhanded to read a ponies thoughts, so I use it only when I need to.

“Now that Sunflower is something, Starlet too. I wonder where they’re from, I probably shouldn’t ask again. Sunflower looked mighty uncomfortable about it,” I hear Applejack think. There are a lot of quieter thoughts, but nothing really important. I focus my mind on not hearing her thoughts and the voices recede.

"Well, would'ja lookie here, Looks like we're about to get us some company. Howdy, Rainbow Dash!" I snap back to attention to find that we’ve stopped and Applejack is waving towards the sky. I look up to see a familiar rainbow maned pegasus.

"Wow! A winged pony!" I face-hoof as I see Erin look over to Applejack guiltily.

"Sunflower, ya ain't never seen a pegasus pony before?" Applejack asks confusedly.

"Oh, um, er… No, actually... where I grew up there weren't any… Um... Just regular ponies kind of like you and me." thankfully she didn’t put me inside that group with her, I can still claim that I’m a normal pony.

"Really? No unicorns or pegasi, just earth ponies?" Applejack asks. Erin just shakes her head to Applejack, their conversation is interrupted as Rainbow Dash lands before us with a flourish.

“Cooool!” I roll my eyes as Erin no doubt feeds Rainbows ego.

"You know it! Hey, Applejack, who's your friend?" Rainbow asks, then she looks at me, “Friends.” she corrects.

"Rainbow Dash, this is Sunflower, and this is Starlet. Sunflower, Starlet, this is Rainbow Dash. Who, somehow, seems ta always manage to be just casually passin' by when it's about time for the Apple family to take a break and eat lunch." Applejack gestures to each of us in turn.

"Yeah, that's an amazing coincidence, isn't it? Does that mean that you're on your way to lunch now?" I have to say, Rainbow has some courage to outright lie to the element of honesty.

"Yup, an' like always, your welcome ta join us. Along with Sunflower and Starlet, here, who apparently ain't never seen a pegasus before!" I raise my hoof to object, but I’m cut off by Rainbow.

"What?! Seriously? What kind of a backwater village did you come from where you've never seen a pegasus?" Rainbow looks at the both of us.

“Actually, it’s just Sunflower, I’m not from where she’s from. We met up on the road,” Erin looks at me, but then she looks at her hooves embarassed.

"I was... um... ponies where I'm from are very different, I guess you can say. It's one of the reasons I left home. I mean, I'd heard about unicorns and pegasi, but I'd never seen them in person, and I wanted to." I can only hope that her story will go over well.

"I think I've heard o' that. Places where a group o' earth ponies all get together and try and do things on their own, without no help from unicorns and pegasi. Goin' it alone, if ya see what I mean." Applejack finally says.

"Yeah, but... who does their weather for them?" Rainbow says, “It doesn’t make any sense!” I watch her shake her head in confusion.

"Now, Rainbow, Sunflower's my guest, and she already said she don't wanna talk about her home town. I don't want ya pesterin' her with a bunch o' questions she don't feel like answerin', got it?" Applejack gives Rainbow a look.

“Yeah, but…” Rainbow notices the look and flinches, “Ok, ok, I got it! I still think it’s weird though.” Rainbow adds.

“Does it help if I do too,” The two ponies laugh at her remark and we hear a bell in the distance.

“Come on y’all, that’ll be the dinner bell. Race ya back to the Farmhouse!” Applejack runs off and Rainbow runs after her. I watch as Erin takes off and I just hang back, it’s time to have a little fun. I don’t usually like cheating, but just once should be fine. I disable my recorder and flare up my magic, I can feel the energies coursing all around me and I focus my thoughts on the barn. I can’t just teleport to outside, I have to teleport somewhere secluded. I focus my thoughts on inside of the barn and I feel myself blink out in a flash.

I flash into the barn and I walk out the door and towards a table with three ponies and an abundance of food. I flash them a smile as I get closer, they look at me in surprise. I can see Granny Smith dozing off, Big Mac and Applebloom are looking at me curiously.

“Who’re you?” Applebloom asks and Big Mac just looks at me in silent judgement.

“My name is Starlet mint, I’m a guest of Applejacks. She invited me and my friend Sunflower to lunch, if that’s alright.” I smile brightly to the filly.

“Where is Applejack?” Applebloom says and I look around, I see an approaching cloud of dust with three ponies at the head. I point my hoof and she sees them too, we watch as they get closer. They’re almost to the table and they don’t seem to be stopping, they rush by the table in a frenzy. They were so caught up in their race it seems that they didn’t even notice me, I just smile as they approach the table. The three ponies stop at the table panting, before anypony can say anything Granny Smith speaks up. It would seem that their antics have awoken her, and she’s pretty grumpy.

"Now, lookit what'cha did here, ya giddy buncha half-brained foals! Ya went and kicked uppa bunch of dust all over er vittles! Ain't a one o' you got a lick a' sense in yer silly heads! Rainbow Dash, Ah expect this kinda thing from yer, but Ah reckon' Ah expected more from you, AJ! And you Ah don't know at all, but Ah'd guess yer just as big a block-headed lump as these two idjits here!" I watch in silence as they get scolded.

“Yeah! Granny an' I worked real hard making this food!" Applebloom speaks up. it’s then that Erin notices me, she looks at me in shock but she doesn’t get the chance to say anything because Applejack starts on her apologies.

"Granny, I'm mighty sorry that we made a mess o' lunch. Tell ya what, Rainbow Dash an' I'll do the cleanup all by ourselves ta make up fer it." Applejack says, then she and Rainbow get into an arguement about Rainbow’s participation in the cleanup. Erin starts to say something about how she’ll help and I wait until the introductions are over to speak up.

“And what about me?” I speak up from behind teasingly. Applejack jumps as she hears my voice.

“Oh, you’re here, good. I thought we’d lost ya in that race,” Applejack says.

“Actually I’ve been here for a while,” I reply, Applejack looks at me weirdly.

“Yeah, she was here before you guys came and dirtied everything up,” Applebloom replies, “And she managed to do it cleanly,” she adds in an annoyed mutter.

“What? That can’t be true,” Rainbow moves away from an embarassed looking Erin to join in our conversation.

“Are y’all callin me a liar?” Applebloom challenges.

“Well…” Rainbow takes a look at Applebloom and decides to just let the topic drop.

“Well thats something... Must have overtook us while we were taking it easy, I reckon’,” I just snicker at her insinuation.

“Oh, well… I’ve had my fun, but now I’m famished. let’s eat!” Rainbow says enthusiastically.

“Oh no, this is my seat. Sorry, Sunflower!” I hear rainbow call, I watch as Erin sits right across from Big Mac with a blush on her face. I see Macintosh looking similarly embarassed and Rainbow nearly keeling over with suppressed laughter, I can come to the conclusion that Rainbows done something to embarass them both. I roll my eyes and move over to a hay pile, I grab some and carry it over to the table and sit on it.

“I hope you don’t mind if I use this,” I say.

“Nope, go right ahead,” Applejack replies.

The spread is very impressive. When Applejack says that there is plenty, she isn’t kidding. the table is packed with various a pastries, jams, and other forms of food. Though there was an abundance of apples, there was a good amount of variety. Applebloom assaults Sunflower with questions and when Applejack stops her she turns to me. I refrain from answering any of the questions in depth, except for the cutie mark question that I could see inevitably coming.

“Ah, that’s a good tale. You see, when I was young I never cared much what I would be good at, until I started to grow older and I couldn’t figure it out. I could never find my special talent, but it didn’t bother me much. I knew that it would come to me at some point. I had a way with words, which is to say that I wrote stories. I always loved to read stories too, and I loved many things. I was very vague in my preferences and personality, I still am. I don’t really know all of who I am, just that I’m me. Nevertheless, I still like to find aspects of myself that are a little more defined than others.” The filly and everyone is listening to me intently.

“I found out at one point that I have a knack for helping people, especially with my words. It ot to the point where people would confide in me and I would help them, it was an honest relationship, or, at least, honest as it could be. That’s not to say that I ever lied to them for the sake of lying, I just don’t like talking about my life. Yes, I must admit that I’m a liar, but I’m an honest person.” Applejack looks at me like I have two heads. “Yeah, I can understand how that might not make sense to the element of honesty. Just trust me when I say that I have no intention of any harm, but it’s in my nature to lie.” I give Applejack a reassuring smile, she awkwardly smiles back.

“Anywho, one day I came across a person like me, but also not like me. She grew to be a dear friend of mine, and we were very close. We had to help with a big problem, and it was a terribly hard problem to figure out. I hate to admit it, but we both had something to do with the problem in the first place. But it still wasn’t necessarily our fault, just that coincidence happened to involve us. Wow, the more I say this, the more it sounds like I’m guilty. Anyway, we worked with a few other ponies to fix said problem, and we eventually fixed it. we got everything back to the way it was meant to be, well… mostly everyone. Me and a few of the others helping us had a few changes, but no one really minded it.” A smile makes its way to my face as I think back on that day.

“Over the course of the journey, many things happened. We all bonded, we found ourselves. Well, everybody else said that they did, but, honestly, I still don’t know who I am. The journey did show me one thing, it showed me how I’m supposed to be. It showed me that no matter what I look like, no matter how I’m acting, I’m still me. It showed me that all I really need is to help others, because the one thing I can truly hope for in my life is hapiness. Helping others brings me that happiness, however I can help them. I am above all empathetic and I help to heal other ponies, that’s what I found on my journey.” I say with gusto.

“So, that’s what I found on my journey. I may not have found who I am, but I found what I’m good at. I realize that I may never find who I am, and that does disappoint me, but I don’t really need to know. My friend has the same problem, and she’s lived much the same way I have. We keep in touch, and we still are the closest of friends. Though, I must admit, I haven’t talked to her in a while. I’ll probably see her soon, she might even come visit for a while. If she does come, I’ll be sure to introduce you to her,” I finish my story and I look at everypony.

“Wow, that’s one heck of a story Starlet. That’s a mighty fine sounding talent you have there, it’s very kind of ya’. You do have a knack for story-telling too,” Applejack says after a while.

“It’s not much, but it’s okay,” I reply humbly.

“Wow, what was the problem you had to fix?” Rainbow asks.

“Sorry, I can’t really tell you. You probably wouldn’t believe me anyway. All I’m willing to tell is what I’ve told you, Princesses

orders,” I say non-chalantly.

“Oh really, which princess?” Rainbow asks challengingly.

“Both,” I answer coolly.

“You said it yourself you’re a liar. How do we know if you’re telling the truth?” Rainbow asks.

“Well, here’s two reasons. One is, why would I lie about an important moment in my life that I’m proud of. Two is, Applejack would know if I was lying. Ain’t that right AJ?” I turn to the farm pony and she just nods her head.

“I guess so, I don’t think you’re lying. Though, I must admit, it does sound awfully suspicious…” I just shrug.

“Take it as you will, I don’t need you to believe me. The stories there, you can believe it or not. Your choice,” I grab an apple muffin and bite into it.

Everypony drifts away from that topic and Applejack gets to asking us if we have any questions. I let Erin ask any questions we might need, I just listen absently. Applejack tells us about the guest house for Ponyville and Rainbow mentions help wanted signs. Granny smith eventually left to go take a nap and Applebloom left for crusading with the rest of her friends.

Casual banter was passed the whole time. Rainbow even gave us a time until we were fresh pranking material.

“You got two days, then BAM! all bets are off!" Rainbow and Applejack chuckle, and Erin joins in.

“Fine, two days.” Erin says in finality.

“You watch yourself for counter pranks Dash,” I retort, “I’ll get Pinkie to help me, maybe even Twilight. I’m sure she’d love to help get you back for all you’ve done to her, she could use her science to make complex pranks!” I mutter the rest to myself loudly.

“How do y’all know Pinkie and Twi’? Applejack asks, shocked.

“You six are the elements of harmony, how would I not know you?” I reply nervously.

“Yeah, but how would you know us like you do. You’re acting like you know who we are…” Applejack searches me for an answer.

“Well, Celestia has told me about her prized pupil and her friends. I think it should come as no surprise for the element of laughter to be a prankster,” I try to brush off the question.

“Yeah, but you mentioned all my pranks on Twilight,” Rainbow presses.

“I’ve caught word of more than a few of your excursions,” I say with increasing nervousness. Like I’ve said, I can hide my nervousness if I’m not being directly interrogated. Erin is giving me a look, but she says nothing. “My friend has been to ponyville plenty of times, a constant visitor,” before they can press me anymore Erin saves me.

“Why don’t we start clearing the table?” she says, Applejack and Rainbow give me a last look and then just shrug it off.

“Sorry, I guess I just got a little curious,” Applejack apologizes, “I didn’t mean to pressure you,” She holds out her hoof and I bump it.

“Yeah, I guess I got a little curious too,” Rainbow adds. I just nod and we start clearing the table. I think back on our conversation, That was close. It was worth it, know I’m allowed to know things. I just need to hope that they don’t start asking too many questions. I didn’t lie, so they shouldn’t get too suspicious.

Applejack let’s Rainbow go as there is no more room in the kitchen. I just hang around and pace as I try to think of something to do, eventually Erin let’s me take over her shift at the sink. As we finish up, Applejack wraps some leftovers together for us.

“Here, take this with you. Least I can do is make sure that you got a decent meal ahead o' you." Applejack says as she hands Erin the bundle.

"Oh, Applejack, you didn't have to do that! You've been so generous already!" Erin says modestly. I snicker as a picture of Applejack acting like Rarity enters my mind.

"Aw, shucks, it ain't a big thing. Consider it a 'welcome ta Ponyville' present, if you want. Now, I gotta get back to my chores, but I can point the way to town if'n you'll just follow me." Applejack heads outside and points us where we need to go. "Now, if ya head up the road that way, you'll find Ponyville. Won't take ya more than a half hour, at a good walk. Now, I gotta get back to work, but feel free ta stop by an' say 'howdy' once ya get settled!" Applejack smiles warmly and we return her smile.

"Thanks for everything Applejack! And, please thank your sister and granny for me, too, when you see them next. The food was really amazing!" Erin says.

"I'll be sure to do that. Oh, and when ya get to town, say 'hi' to Pinkie Pie for me." I nod and Erin just looks at her confusedly.

“What?” She asks.

“You’ll see,” Applejack says with a chuckle. she waves us off and we go our separate ways.