I'll Meet You Back Home

It was a little past ten in the morning when we finally arrived at Applejack's farm, that is, if I read the time on the town's clock tower correctly. Turns out that we didn't come straight here after Pinkie Pie left us, as Applejack still had business to take care in town. It was just as well for me, since it gave me the opportunity of familiarize myself with Ponyville even more, and observe ponies and their day to day lives.

Interesting enough was when we stopped by a carrot stall on the market, while Applejack and the light yellow and orange maned mare chatted amicably I could sense a bit of rivality when the subject shifted to their respective crops. I was surprised when both suddenly snapped their gazes to face me demanding that I break the argument by deciding which was the superior crop, apples or carrots. I managed to smoothly defuse the situation, and probably save my job, by saying that I couldn't decide, because the reason I eat an apple is not the same reason that I eat a carrot.

Both of them just stared at me blinking, before falling into a fit of giggles. I was utterly confused until Applejack explained that they didn't expected an answer like that and just catch them off guard. Buying three carrots from the mare that I soon learned was called Carrot Top, we departed giving our farewells to the carrot mare.

On our way to the farm, Applejack also bought more supplies in order to fix her barn, which I offered to carry them for her, since her saddlebags looked about to burst its contents. And that’s how I found myself, standing in front of the entrance of the farm, along a white fence with a arch spotting an apple for a sign, several pieces of wood and nails stored in my saddlebags and side by side with the orange pony who will be employing me for the foreseeable future.

I was pulled from my reverie by said mare's voice. “Here we are, Sweet Apple Acres!” Applejack said somewhat enthusiastically as she waved toward with a hoof toward the farm. Right in front of us there was a big barn, painted red with white outlines. To its right was chicken coop and a few animal pens. Weird considering I am in a world of talking ponies.

But what really drew my attention was the several rows of apple trees, that sprawled as far my eyes can see, to the hills south the farm and beyond. An orchard this big must take years to harvest, and its production could easily supply Ponyville with enough food for weeks should all trees bear fruit at the same time. It was indeed a sight to behold and I made Applejack know my opinion.

“Shucks sugarcube, it's nothing that much.”she said rubbing the back of her head “Come on, let's unload all these things and then Ah can show you what you'll be working today.”

We made our way around the barn towards what I assumed to be Applejack's household. She pushed the front door open, allowing us into a quaint living room, sparsely furnished the room, like the rest of the house, was made of wood, with a sofa and arm chair to one side, a coffee table just in front of them. Across the room was a fireplace several framed photos displayed above it and a rocking chair not far from it.

Applejack lead me to a door to the right, arriving in the kitchen just in time for us to see an older pony pulling a pie out of the oven using her mouth, with nothing but a thin paddle between her and the hot pan, placing it on a nearby counter. “Hey Granny, I'm back from the market.” said Applejack, I probably also would had said something, but my mind was still cringing at the thought of the older mare severely burning herself on the pan. And to think she must do this everyday.

“Ah, Applejack.”said the elder mare as she turned to face my companion and employer. “Did ya brought everything y'all need from the market?”

“Eeyup!” chimed Applejack “Got everything to fix the barn, and Carrot Top made me a great deal on some fresh produce.” Applejack then proceeded to remove her saddlebags and placed them on the dining table. As she began to unload her saddlebags of several groceries, I moved to join her and she helped me unload my own cargo.

“That's good to hear, dear.” the green mare said. Eyeing me she took a few steps in my direction and asked “And who's this?”

“Granny, this here is Nero Swordhunter. Ah met him while back in town, and Pinkie Pie was showing him around. He just arrived in Ponyville and was looking for work, and since we got a lot more chores to do 'till cider season starts, Ah thought we could hire him for now and lower the load of work on everypony.” Applejack said stepping aside and motioning me to say something.

Trying to be polite I extended my hoof to the mare Applejack called Granny and said. “Hello, it's nice to meet you.”

She ignored my hoof, instead opting to look me up and down and then pacing around me, inspecting me with a clinical eye much like I would when appraising a new weapon or piece of armor. She hummed quietly and said “An earth pony would have made the job easier. But he seems sturdy enough.” she finished poking me at my side.

Stopping in front of me, Granny took my hoof on hers giving me a firm shake. “Welcome aboard, yongin. Hope y'all ready for a good day of hard work in the farm!”

“I will do my best ma'am.”

“Please, call me Granny Smith.”

I turned back to Applejack, who was smiling approvingly. “C'mon, you can keep your saddlebags back in the living room, while we work.” she said guiding me the way we came. I followed the orange mare through the living room of her household and, as she stoped to one side, I craned my neck backwards and bit down on my saddlebags by its strap. Then lifted it off my back and placed it by the door.

I was about to turn towards my employer when I heard a small gasp to the side. I looked at Applejack to see her with wide eyes, a hoof covering her mouth as she stared at my flank. I knew what was coming, and could only hope it wouldn't be too big of an issue. “Is something wrong?” I asked her, although I knew definitively there was.

“N-no sugarcube! there's nothing wrong. Ah was just, well, surprised that you don't have a cutie mark.” she spoke in a meek tone, as to not try to offend me, and although it made me wince to the possibility to be target of her pity, my mind was abuzz trying to process the information I received in the last few seconds. Cutie Marks? Was that what those tattoos are called? Do they really possess such significance that Applejack's reaction to me not having one is justified?

I took a deep breath to calm myself before I could say anything. “I hope it's not a problem.” I was nervous for her response, but I never expected to see a brief tinge of panic paint Applejack's features before she quickly tried to reassure me.

“No, no Swordhunter, this isn't a problem at all.” she then trotted to my side placing one of her forelegs over my neck and ito a side hug. “And Ah'm sorry if Ah made you feel it was, Ah shouldn't be prying into something you are uncomfortable with.

Once again I found myself a bit at lost on what to do, so I settled to a reassuring response and a quick change of subject. “It's ok Applejack, it doesn't bother me too much. So how about we get going, and you can show me what I will be doing today?”

As she let go of the hug, I could see that the orange pony was once again smiling. She straightened her hat, and with a nod she motioned me to follow her outside. Once she was out of earshot I let out a sigh of relief, that could have gone worse, much, much worse. But although these cutie marks do possess some significance, if Applejack's reaction is anything to go by these ponies were at least tolerant to their absence. One thing I knew for certain though, I couldn't keep ignorant to their customs forever. Sooner rather than later I would have to dive in research to learn more about this world.

I followed my employer outside ready to work. Whatever research I had to do, it still needed to wait until I could secure food and shelter.

Work on a farm was everything I could expect. After our little meeting with Granny Smith, Applejack briefly explained to me what we would be doing today, my job for the morning was to feed the farm animals and clean the chicken coop, while she would focus in repairing the barn. The job itself was easy, though I admit having to get a little creative when using certain tools, due to my new form, while I was cleaning the coop, but I accomplished it mostly without blunders.

I also had to feed the pigs, for whatever reason ponies would raise pigs in a farm I still don't understand, and I found it easier to deliver their food by hovering over their pen and using my front hooves to tilt the sack of food. As I said before, creative.

The major problem I faced was how much more sensitive my eyes were to the light, as time passed and the day progressed, it became very difficult for me to see due to the brightness. Maybe it's because the type of pony I've become is nocturnal, but my eyes were straining under the sunlight forcing me to shield them. Not that I couldn't see, but the clarity made my job more difficult that it should. Applejack must have noticed it, for she offered me a spare hat for me to use, which reluctantly I accepted. It helped a lot, but I will have to place ‘acquire sunglasses’ in my list of things to do, right after ‘rent a room at the inn’.

It was about midday, I had just finished my last chore picking up some crops from the fields a bit farther from the orchard, mostly corn and lettuce, the Apples didn't seem to grow much more than their name sake, but they have their bases covered, when I heard a loud clanging coming from the farm house, accompanied by Granny Smith's voice calling us for lunch. I picked the last of the crops, placing them in the basket given to me now strapped to my sides, and took flight toward the barn, where I could see Applejack just leaving it. I landed in front of her where she cheerfully greeted me.

“Glad to see you're still going, partner. The way you're working hard we'll be caught up on the day's chore right in no time!” she said, taking off her hat for a moment in order to wipe away the accumulated sweat.

“It's no problem, I think I can keep this up the whole day. Where do you want me to drop these by the way?” I asked pointing to the basket on my side.

“You can keep this here in the barn for now. But now, I think it's about time we treat you to genuine Apple family lunch.” at that moment my stomach decided that it was it best interest in agreeing with Applejack as loudly as possible. I awkwardly looked away as she snickered. “Seems that somepony is looking forwards to it. Isn't that right, sugarcube?”

I chuckled feeling my cheeks heat in embarrassment, but nodded in agreement nonetheless. After dropping the basket at the barn, we made our way towards the homestead. Applejack had offered me lunch, which I very much appreciated, but it keep me wondering what kinds of food do ponies eat. If the cupcake Pinkie Pie offered me earlier was anything to go by, ponies seems to possess cuisine similar to humans.

I was taken away from my musings by the appearance of a pony stallion, he trotted merrily in our direction from the orchard, his deep red coat glistened with sweat as he seemed to be working all day. He had an half green apple for a cutie mark, and was wearing a yoke around his neck. Applejack didn't take long to take notice of the stallion, and quickly brightened at his sight.

“Hey, Big Mac! Finished with the eastern orchard?” Applejack said, waving the stallion over.

He merely looked up to Applejack, giving her a nod and a reverberating “Eeyup.” Applejack snickered at this, and turning to me she said “Swordhunter, this here is my brother Big Macintosh. You can just call him Big Mac, though. Big Mac, this is Nero Swordhunter. He was looking for work in town so I thought it was a good idea to hire him to help out around the farm, at least until cider season.”

I faced the pony stallion, who observed me curiously. I smiled, giving him a polite nod and said “Nice to meet you, Big Mac.”

He merely nodded back, giving me another sonorous “Eeyup.”

The three of us proceeded to enter the household, where I took a moment to take out Applejack's spare hat off and hang it by the side of the door before following the siblings to the kitchen, there Granny Smith was already seated at the table, an array of foods in front of her, ranging from the basic salads and fruits, to a variety of pies and pastries and finally some sort of pasta glazed in a flowery sauce. It all looked pretty good, even the pasta smelled delicious, despite the flower sauce, and it was with great effort that my stomach didn't voiced its agreement.

“Hey sis, big brother. Who's that with you?” distracted as I was by the sight of food, I failed to notice the soft yellow filly seated at the table, until she had spoken. She was wearing a big pink bow in her red mane, and as she was sitting besides Granny Smith, her head slightly tilted to the side as she looked at me with big curious eyes, she looked positively adorable.

“Hey little sis. This here is Nero Swordhunter, a new helper Ah hired today. Swordhunter this is my little sister Apple Bloom.” Applejack said, once again introducing me to a member of her family, which by this point, I was thinking it was becoming routine.

“Hi, Mister Swordhunter. You know, Ah think it's the first time Ah've met a bat pony in person, can you, like, see in the dark or drink blood or anything like that?” the filly asked in chipper tone, her eyes sparking with childlike curiosity. Unfortunately that line of questioning left me in a delicate position, I didn't know enough about the type of pony I've been turned into, or ponies in general for that matter, for me to be able to answer properly. Thankfully I was saved for what could have been a disaster by Applejack as she chided her sister.

“Now Apple Bloom, he just arrived in town today. So don't come pestering him with questions like that.”

“Alright.” Apple Bloom said with a forlorn look, staring at her hooves.

“That's okay Apple Bloom. Right now I'm a bit busy trying to get settled in Ponyville, so maybe I can answer you questions another day?” I said to her. I couldn't help it after looking at her sad face.

That seemed to do the trick, for the little filly brightened up almost instantly. We moved to take a seat at the table where I took my place in front of Applejack and at Apple Bloom's side. Right after I sat down however, I heard a gasp coming from the filly. I turned my head to look at her, only to realize she was staring,wide eyed at my flank, right where my supposed cutie mark should be.

I sighed, placing a hoof over my muzzle, rubbing gently the space between my eyes. Even as Applejack glared at her sister, once again warning her to not be rude to a guest, I realized that this cutie mark issue could very easily become a major problem. The Apple family was understanding enough, never pressing the subject, but I could see how others could become wary of my presence because of it.

Despite the initial awkwardness, lunch was very nice. The food was delicious, between the freshness of the salads, the light but sweet flavor of the pies it was one the best lunches I have eaten in awhile. I even tried a bit of the flowery sauce of the pasta and found it to be surprisingly good, although I found the fruits dishes more filling.

In between bites, the ponies made small talk. Applejack telling them how she came across me at the market and her day fixing the barn, while Apple Bloom talked about school where her teacher named Cheerilee had assigned her class an essay on the history of Ponyville, the yellow filly requesting help from Granny Smith's apparent encyclopedic knowledge about the subject. There were also questions thrown my way, but I deflected them, having done that many of times, where I did not wish to reveal my true nature right away.

Questions like, ‘Where are you from?’ could be answered by saying that I've been traveling a lot and thus searching for a place to settle down. Others like ‘What do you do?’ or ‘What do you work with?’ are a bit more complicated, having need of a better understand of the world to make a proper answer, but it could be summarized in saying that I been doing odd jobs in the towns I've been. It was Apple Bloom's question of ‘Why don't you have a cutie mark?’ that really stumped me, causing everypony at the table to stop for a moment, and Applejack to once again come to my rescue.

The act of eating, wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. I had observed the ponies around me for a moment before trying myself, and copied them. It was a bit concerning how easy it was to pick up on their ways, I didn't bat an eye at using my mouth to grab a knife to cut me another piece of apple pie, or how I could sunddely hold a leaf of lettuce on my hoof without dropping it. I will not concern myself with it right now, but it is something to think about when I have the time.

In all, we were able to keep an amicable chatter throughout the lunch, and I was able to enjoy every single bite of it. After everypony was done I helped Applejack with the dishes, Big Mac gave a polite ‘Eeyup’ and returned to the fields, Granny went upstairs to rest and Apple Bloom said something about crusaders and then left. I was a bit curious about Apple Bloom crusaders, but I let it go, it's not likely it was the same thing like in other worlds, so I doubted it would affect me. Soon the dishes were done and both of us returned to our chores.

It was just before sunset, that I found myself back on the streets of Ponyville. Having completed all tasks of the day, Applejack thanked my help a payed me a small sack of bits (this world, or at least Equestria's monney). Twenty five bits to be precise, with the promise of a similar amount after every day of work. I don't know how inflation works here, but I'm hoping that is enough for me to pay for a room at the Inn.

There are fewer ponies around at this hour, the few that I found on my way to Ponyville's Inn greeted me with a smile and a wave, giving me a sense that this community was very friendly towards outsiders, quite the contrast between some of my earlier experiences. Or maybe Pinkie was right and this is this most friendly place in Equestria. Either way it was refreshing, and brought a smile to my lips.

Ponyville Inn was a quaint thing, a two storey timber framed building much like its neighbours, but inside the floor was of a dark hardwood, a nearby fireplace was lit bringing warmth to what appeared to be a decent sized living room decorated with comforters, a coffee table and a couch above a carpet, a set of stair to the side led to the upper floor. Just in front of the entrance there was a counter table, a little bell was placed atop of it. It's funtion obvious, I reached out and rung the bell and waited.

Soon a normal pony mare descended the stairs. She was a light pink colour, with a short green mane done in curls. She used a checkered handkerchief around her neck, and for what I could see her cutie mark was some sort of book with a quill on top of its open pages. She walked down, and smiled when spotted me.

“Hello! Welcome to Ponyville Inn, my name is Open Ledger, can I help you with anything?” she said.

“Yes actually. I'm new to Ponyville and I'd like to rent a room for a few days if possible.” I answered, giving her a polite, if tired, smiled. The effect was instant, as the mare seemed to brighten up and beamed to my words.

“Oh, certainly! It will be a pleasure to have you.” she said trotting behind the counter her smile becoming a bit sheepish. “You know, it's kinda hard to maintain this place, not many ponies visit Ponyville for fun or vacation, it's really luck when someponies from the bigger cities like Canterlot, come here for a festival or another.”

I definitely could sympathise. For all its perks Ponyville just didn't seems much of a touristic attraction. “Well, glad I could help.”

Open Ledger's smile became more genuine, and from behind the counter she fished her namesake, opening it in a blank page and grabbing a quill on her mouth.

“Name please.” she said, not even bothered by the quill she was holding as she spoke.

“Nero Swordhunter.” I said, and she wrote it down, managing an impressive calligraphy despite holding the quill in her mouth. Pausing for a moment examining my written name, she put down the quill and looked at me.

“Okay Swordhunter, here how it is. Here in Ponyville Inn we charge a price of two bits a day or ten for a week, you can pay up front if you want or after each day of yours stay. You have the right to a breakfast per day, but don't expect anything fancy. Also, it's just me here for now so I expect you to clean after yourself and after you leave your room needs to be in order. Is that agreeable?”

“It is Miss Ledge. With any hope I can get something more permanent after a while.” I said pulling out my bag of bits and promptly placing ten of the golden coins on the counter in front of her.

She once again smiled, placing the payment away before picking up the quill again and writing something else on the ledger. “A week worth of pay. Now let me show you to your room.”

I followed the mare up the stairs towards the room I would be staying for a while. It was quite simple, only a bed, a wardrobe and a bedside table with a candle on it but it would suffice. It was in an actual better state than most of hotel rooms in human worlds, so I definitely had nothing to complain.

Open Ledge turned to me after a moment and spoke. “The common bathroom it's just down the hallway. There are no other guests at the moment, but I still recommend you don't dally when using it. We don't have an endless amount of hot water you know.”

“I'll keep that in mind. Thank you Miss Ledge, for your hospitality.”

She giggled at this. “It's no problem Swordhunter, it's nice to have a guest here once in awhile. Also call me Ledge, Miss makes me sound old.”

I watched her go back down the stairs before entering the room and closing the door behind me. I let out a tired sigh, as the happenings of the day hit me like a runaway train, in one moment I was with my friends in Arton, drinking and having fun, in another I'm in a world of talking technicolour ponies, with more magic than most realms even dream to possess. I let my saddlebags fall at the foot of the bed while I crawled under its covers. I was tired, not only from working on Applejack's farm, but also from all the weirdness of the day.

“At least all these ponies seem nice.” I muttered before dropping my head on the pillow. I was asleep within seconds.