Possibilites

Applejack’s ears folded over her head and winced as Big Mac’s voice bellowed through the house. Stomping was heard as he came up the stairs and trudged to Applejack’s room. He entered with nary an expression on his face, making it difficult to guess what he was thinking; it was unexpectedly intimidating.

“Applejack. What did I say about this pony?” He said plainly.

“But Big Mac, he just needed a place to stay for the night!” Applejack pleaded.

“How do you know? He could be some sadistic serial killer or rapist for all we know. Or maybe he’ll kidnap you in the middle of the night and we’ll never see you again! I’ve never seen him around here before, have you?” Big Mac said sternly. He had a point, even I barely know who I am. Applejack was about to say something before Big Mac looked at me like he had before, examining me closely.

“Now listen here, it’s all just a simple misunderstanding.” I said, hoping he would take into consideration my words. “I’m just here to stay the night, I mean no harm to you, Applejack, Sweetie, or Granny. I just want a place to lay my head down. If you’d be so kind as-”

Big Mac rose up hoof, signaling for me to stop talking. I compiled, not wanting to infuriate him further.

“Applejack, do you trust him?” He asked, turning to look at his sister. She looked at me, then back at Big Mac. She seemed torn, like she didn’t know what to say. I understood her hesitation; she hardly knew me as it was. I was anticipating her to say no. Not many people enjoyed my presence anyway. She stood in silence for several seconds as she looked back and forth between me and her brother, God knows what going through her head. Eventually, she sighed and rested her eyes on Big Mac, nodding slightly.

My eyes widened and I let my mouth go slack a bit. What could have driven her to such an answer? She didn’t seem like she was as misguided as the other three and she seemed a lot more realistic and down to earth. Maybe I’ll have to ask her later.

Big Mac nodded silently back before turning to me once more and nodding to me, and soon after, leaving the room. Applejack looked at the floor for a moment before shouting her brother’s name and dashing out of the room, her hat blowing off of her head and onto the floor at her sudden burst of speed. Raising an eyebrow at the doorway, I meandered over and picked up her hat, examining the cotton fabric it was fashioned from. After doing that for moment, I placed the hat on my head, walking in front of a small mirror that was stationed in the room. It seemed to fit fairly well, although it was little small on me.

“Maybe I should get my own Stetson while I’m here.” I thought as Applejack walked back into the room, seeming more content with herself than before we saw me wearing her hat.

“I beg your pardon, but that’s mine.” She said, frowning and pointing at the article atop my head.

“Oh, sorry.” I answered, taking it off and handing it back to her who promptly placed it back on her head.

“If there’s one thing you must know while you’re here, it's that this hat, is my hat. Got that, boy?” She commanded.

“Right…” I sighed, looking back in the mirror to check if I needed a shave when I saw an infuriated Big Mac standing way back in the hall. He didn’t do anything, he just stood there watching, but left down the stairs after he saw I noticed him.

“So what do you do for a living?” She asked, at which I turned around.

“I don’t really have anything definite, I bounce around doing all sorts of things. I like to keep rooted in the sciences though. Fascinating field it is.” I said. She began to twirl bits of her mane.

“Oh. I was just wondering.” She said. “Just because you don’t have your Cutie Mark and all.”

“What’s a Cutie Mark?” I asked sincerely. She looked at me and scrunched up her nose.

“What do you mean ‘what’s a Cutie Mark?’ You been living under a rock?” She said, utterly bewildered.

“I just don’t get around much is all…” I said, shifting in my position. She sighed and began explaining what Cutie Marks were. They were simply some tattoo-esque symbols that appeared on your flanks when you discovered something you were good at, the symbol resembling something that is associated with that talent.

“Ah.” I said, rubbing the back of my neck and biting my lip.

“It’s strange you didn’t know about this before. Where did you come from?” She asked, tilting her head.

“Just from a small place in the forest to the south.” I fibbed. I didn’t know what was anywhere really, so I just spoke of the place I set up camp.

“So the Everfree Forest then?” She questioned, her voice faltering slightly.

“Um, yeah. The Everfree Forest.” Her eyes widened at hearing this.

“Is it difficult to live there? There must be all manners of critters you have to worry about in there…”

“It's not too hard, just takes bit of getting used to.”

“Hm.” She huffed, turning away slightly. “I didn’t know there was a town there; I’ve never seen anything there on any maps.”

“I actually didn’t live in a town. As far as I know, I have never met my parents. I grew up in those woods alone for as long as I can remember, too frightened to leave the solitary protection of the trees. Living off of the land and not even encountering others much.” Applejack looked at me, with a sense of awe and concern.

“You lived out there all by yourself for your whole life?” She asked. I nodded.

“That explains why you don’t know a lot of things…” She whispered to herself. “You’re a stallion of the land then, aren’t you?”

“You bet.” I said. Finally, something I wouldn’t have to lie about. I absolutely adored nature and always made sure to go camping once in a while to remind myself of the world that was out there. “Speaking of land, why don’t you show me around this farm of yours?” I asked. She perked up from her previously dreary state.

“That’s a brilliant idea! Come on, I’ll show you the ins and outs of Sweet Apple Acres.” She said excitedly. She happily made her way downstairs and out of the house as I followed. As we were leaving, I saw Granny and Big Mac in the kitchen, Mac glaring at me as we passed.

Applejack showed me around the farm, telling me what types of produce they grew and what kind of animals they kept. She even went into detail on some farming and raising techniques she found useful and that I tried to remember for my own use. We eventually came to a stop inside the barn and I laid down on a pile of hay. Applejack was tending to a few of the animals, so she didn’t notice me right away. I closed my eyes and just lost myself in thought, doing what men do best.

Nothing.

I suddenly realized I felt rather odd. Rather…good actually. I’m not sure why, but it was nice at least. I opened my eyes again to see Applejack looking at me.

“Are you comfortable?” She asked.

“Quite.” I replied. She started walking toward me when she stepped on a broom on the floor. She slipped on the broom and fell on top of me with an “oof,” knocking some of the wind out of my lungs. Applejack shook her head and she chuckle when she realized she was on top of me.

“Um… Hi…” I said warily.

“Hey there.” She spoke before rolling off of me and lying beside me, the both of us staring at the wooden ceiling. We’re both silent for good long while, although I’m not sure specifically how long it was. My eyes began to feel heavy from the extended period of silence and the comfortable position I was in.

“So what kind of music do you like?” Applejack asked, jerking me suddenly from my sleepy state.

“Well…” I started, sitting up and propping myself on my elbows. “I enjoy most forms of music, although not much rap. Some metal and all—if not, most—rock suits me.” I answered, yawning shortly after. The orange mare nodded while she listened, twisting onto her side and facing me.

“Metal isn’t really my cup of cider, although I do enjoy some rock songs. As you may have guessed, I’m more of a country gal, but I’ll listen to most anything.” She said in response, making me chuckle a bit.

“Yeah, I sort of figured.” I said before turning to look at her. She seemed deep in thought about something.

“When you were alone in the Everfree, how did you defend yourself?” She questioned. I wasn’t really expecting that.

“Being that I have these wings here and have some rather strong legs, I just book it when I see something a little too much for me to handle. However, if I can’t run away or is it’s small enough, I have a bow and a few arrows in my bag that I use.”

“So you’ve killed things in their before?”

“Oh yes, many a time. So much so, blood doesn’t startle me too much, not even my own when it's drawn sometimes.” She gave me an odd look.

“Um… That’s interesting…” I turned to look at her.

“What? Something wrong?” She shifted in her position.

“Well, if I started to bleed or something, I would be at least a little worried. Even if it were a small cut, I’d get myself patched up as soon as I could.”

“Oh I put dressings on my wounds when I must, but I don’t worry about them all too much. They merely hinder progress.” Laying back down on the hay, Applejack simply stared up at the ceiling as she processed the information that I had given her.

“You’re an odd one, you know that, right?” She suddenly asked.

“I guess I am.” I sighed, actually enjoying the small talk we were having more than I had expected to. In fact, I enjoyed it so much, I felt like I could take on the world.

Shortly after that exchange of words, we both agreed to head inside. Once we had returned to the cozy house, Applejack went to help Granny and Big Mac cook something in the kitchen while went upstairs to prepare my sleeping arrangements. There, I saw Apple Bloom rummaging through my things. For what end, I wasn’t sure, but it certainly made me feel clammy.

“What do you think you’re doing?” I asked with a mildly shaking voice, furrowing my brow. She stopped looking and turned around slowly, chuckling and smiling nervously.

“Uh…hi… This isn’t what it looks like…” She said.

“Sure it’s not, and I’m Nikola Tesla.” I said sarcastically, attempting to lighten my mood. Apple Bloom cocked her head to one side and looked at me puzzled.

“Nikola Tesla? Who’s that?” She asked. I suddenly realized who I referenced and that he may not exist in this realm.

“He’s someone I know,” I said quickly, “now step away from my stuff.”

“Why…? Got something to hide in here…?” She said with a smirk. She turned around again and continued to search through my things.

“Get out of there!” I yelled walking over and picking her up by her back. I turned her to look at me, revealing that she was holding a battered iron helmet that had since lost most of its original green hue and a chinstrap that was surprisingly still intact between her hooves. Apple Bloom looked over it with a most intrigued look plastered on her face.

“Why was this in there? Why is it so beat up? I’ve never seen such an odd hat before…” She rambled in an attempt to elicit some sort of explanation from me. It didn’t work as I only grew enraged at the ignorant child, the very sight of the headwear making my pulse race through my veins.

“Why don’t you put that back before I get really pissed off…?” I seethed through clenched teeth. She wasn’t expecting such a reaction, evident by her folding back her ears and solemn expression. Setting her down on the floor, she returned the helmet to where she found it in my bag before backing away from me, trembling softly and avoiding eye contact with me. I stared knives at her the entire time, making sure she didn’t damage nor run off the with article. “Will you ever go through any of my stuff ever again…?” I miffed, my rage ever so slightly melting away.

She shook her head as a response, still not having looked up from the floor.

“Good. You may leave now.” Turning around and not so much as giving me a second glance, she silently sulked out the room. Once I was certain she had completely left, I made my way over to my bag and stuffed the helmet as far down as it would go. “I have no idea why I still have that fuc-bloody thing…” I whispered to myself, once again avoiding a slip of the tongue.