Sweetie Seed

The next morning, I found myself wandering into the town. It has been around a year since my last visit, so I had a curiosity to itch about anything that may have changed. Just as usually, Ponyville stayed it’s same rustic self, barely changing through time and destruction. Constant destruction. I walked the long dust path and began seeing the town folks. Although faces did seem to be familiar, I never cared much to catch their names. I did not take much time to chat with others of the town, so I tended to stay on my own or with my cousin. I have had slight conversations with the mane six, but never anything over small talk, with the exception of Applejack, of course.

My hooves pressed into the dirt as my saddlebags hugged my haunches. The sun marked the sky with a bright yellow blur as shadows of soaring pegasi danced on the ground. They pushed around the weather clouds, preparing for a partly cloudy day. The town folks walked amongst the town center going to their jobs or errands for the day. They mixed together like a spectrum of colors as unicorns and earth ponies walked together alike, even some walking pegasi dotted the mix. The crowd was not large. It was small and compact. That was something that appealed to me. Not being constantly shoved into every other pony and the loud yells of carriages ringing in my ears. I enjoyed the silence of it all. The town had a quiet buzz of noise as ponies chatted and did their normal everyday chores and that was fine for me. I was quick to feel a sweet sensation flow into my nose. Subconsciously my hooves began following the sugary scent gliding through the air.
Before I knew it, I stumbled upon the well-know bakery, Sugarcube Corner.

I walked into the building as the doorbell jingled for my arrival. It wasn't as busy as I have seen the place, with only a grey Pegasus with yellow eyes munching on a muffin and a light purple pony with a strawberry and grape cutie mark tagging her flank. The purple pony seemed to be downing some of my family's apple cider and the grey pony seemed to be watching her muffin intensely while somehow eyeing me with her other eye. I ignored it and went on my way. I stepped up to the counter and before my hoof even touched the bell a bolt of pink zoomed from the kitchen and stopped directly in front of me with no jerked stop at all. It was none other than pinkie pie, the earth mare that never got the memo on how physics work.

"Hiya Babs! Did you come to purchase one of our sugary snacks?!" Pinkie spoke excitedly. Well it sounded like an excited tone to me, but she is always excited, so that is kinda just her voice.

"Um, sure. I'll take a red velvet cupcake." I said, spacing a bit to think.

"Would you like to try our new spicy vanilla cupcake?" She said as she put the velvet cupcake into a bag then on the counter.

"Um, no? Why would you make that?"

"Well I was cooking regular cupcake and instead of grabbing vanilla, I grabbed hot sauce and poured the entire bottle in there on accident! Once I realized my mistake, I remembered how goooood hot sauce was on cupcakes and just threw some vanilla and BOOM! I CREATED SPICY VANILLA CUPCAKES!" She almost screamed as she looked off into space. The sudden loud tone caused me to back up, flicking my tail to hug my flank and cower slightly.

I replied with a small 'no thanks' and put my bits in the counter and snagged the cupcake in my teeth, placing it in my saddle bags. I liked Pinkie Pie, but her sudden bursts of energy catches me off guard sometimes. I lived in the city and was used to the loud noise and yelling of course, but when my father would get intoxicated and go from silent to ballistically yelling at me... My mom got him help and he has been a better father, but I still have some scars. Even joking yells make me unintentionally flinch, although I have gotten to the point where I can control it enough to not be seen. Plus school never helped when I didn't have my mark.

My train of thought had me mindlessly walking which was interrupted as I collided with another pony. I was a sturdy earth pony with more build then some stallions, so I barely bounced off of the other pony except my head seemed to hit something hard. I stepped back a few and closed my eyes, shaking my head. I could hear the pony fall to their side with a scoff and a loud thump hit the ground. When my eyes cleared up the blurriness, I saw a white unicorn with a familiar curly purple mane and diamond cutie mark. A sewing machine laid sideways next to the mare and she began to mutter, blatantly irritated.

"Why? What brute was unable to see.." She stopped her rant and looked up at me, recognizing me instantly. I recognized her just as fast. I had shoved Rarity into the dirt by mistake.

"Oh Babs! I didn't realize it was you, I apologize for my sly comments, I am just rather stressed lately." She said kindly. I never knew what to say to her and my mind liked to say the dumbest things.

"I-.. Yeah, I'm here for the weekend. I- I suppose." I replied unsure of myself. She was more of a dignified city mare than I was and she has shared her fair share of fooler-phobia comments. Not that she minds it, but would rather it stays out of her family. Which helps me none.

"So, where are you off too?" Rarity said as she stood up, brushing off the dirt clinging to her coat.

"I..." I began to think. I did not really have a plan. "I don't really know. Just taking a trot I guess." I looked to the ground as Rarity strained to pick up the machine in her magic. She was more used to the delicate motion of sewing with her magic than picking up large objects. "D-do you need help with that? You can just.. Float it on my back.."

She looked at me kindly, giving me a sweet smile. "Oh that would be lovely. I just came from Fluttershy's and she had this old thing which is exactly the antique machine I was looking for, but oh heavens if the mare lived any farther in the middle of nowhere, I'd never be capable of visiting! Let alone carrying this thing."

Rarity proceeded to lift the sewing machine on my back. It was lighter than I thought, considering how it felt when I bashed my head into it. We began walking, me following a few hoof steps behind. She tried to ignite some light banter. I should have paid of attention to her more. I didn't. I just watched my hooves step one in front of the other, replying as best I can with the chatty mare. I think she had started talking about seams? I really didn't know. I wasn't the strong-and-silent type, I was kinda the tough-and-too-painfully-awkward-to-speak type.. Which could be mistaken for 'silence because I'm too tough for talking', but in reality, I just don't want to sound stupid, especially around specific ponies.

We soon arrived at the Carousel Boutique. Rarity kindly opened the door for me, probably so I wouldn't shake off the machine when trying to open the door causing it to cascade to the ground.... Again. I would have broken the metal thing even further than I might of done when I smashed my thick skull into it. I made my way in and trotted to the couch, next to it I slowly lowered my haunches to slide the box off- and unintentionally my saddlebags too. It thumped lightly on the ground and I stood up straight, looking to my host. She had followed me inside and nodded at the place I had put it, then proceeded to trot to the kitchen.

"Would you like some tea?" Rarity insisted.

"I- I don't know. You seem pretty busy and I don't want to intrude.." I sputtered out. I was nervous to stay. I really never hung out with the other crusaders without Applebloom around and even more so their families.

"Nonsense! All my chores for today have been completed, you can stay for a little while, won't you? Sweetie Belle was rather excited upon your return. She barged in yesterday going on and on about it." She explained.

Sweetie Belle was excited to see me...

"I guess I c-can stay a bit." A little tea sounds pretty good.

"SWEETIE BELLE, WE HAVE A GUEST!" Rarity sang up the stairs before starting on the tea.

I felt awkward and made my way over to the couch. The time between my visits can get a little big from time to time, so it takes me a few days to get comfortable with the ponies and my surroundings. Sadly I'm only here for the weekend and I have no idea when the next time I can visit it. I should be leaving tomorrow, but I really don't want too.

When I sat down, I heard the noise of a pony coming down the stairs, presumably the same one I wanted to stay for. I turned my head to see Sweetie going down the stairs. Once at the end she looked and gave me a heart-melting smile. She said my name ecstatically as she galloped to me. She leaped over the couch and extended her hooves around my neck. I was pushed back slightly, but returned the hug, immediately.

"Hey Babs! I didn't expect a visit. Is Applebloom with you?" She said.

"I helped your sister carry the sewing machine here. She invited me to stay for tea, so I thought I might. Um, Applebloom is not with me. S-she stayed home and had chores." I replied.

"Oh" she said. I know it wasn't said it a disappointed tone, but I felt the need to keep telling myself that. "I was just curious if the plans are still a go." I have a confused look and Sweetie just laughed. "Wow, you really don't get told anything? Since it's your last night, Applebloom is having a giant sleepover in the treehouse! Just me, you, Applebloom and Scootaloo!"

"Huh, wish I would have been told that." I replied not really thinking.

"You have plans?"

"Oh no, I don't know. I liked being informed?" Even if she dated mares, she wouldn't date one this dumb.

Sweetie have a small giggle. "At least you're cute." She giggled again and looked at me with those beautiful green eyes. My heart sped up faster than I think medically okay.

I laughed with her contagious giggle as Rarity came into the room with the tea. She set the silver platter arranged with two white glass cups with a matching teapot, sugar container, and cream container. Steam rise from the spout of the out and the smell of tea wrapped around my muzzle reminding me of something. I...I didn't like tea. I was not sure what it was about the leafy drink, but it didn't sit well in my stomach and, even more, so my taste buds. Rarity generously filled our cups.

"Babs, the dear helped me bring in the sewing machine from quite a distance. I thank you again for that chivalry to make my life a little easier." She backed away and began to giggle. "If Babs was a colt, I would have pushed you two to be together in an instant!" Rarity nudged Sweetie and began trotting to her work room. Sweetie had developed a blush and I felt the heat on my own cheeks.

I wish.

"Just remembered I have an order I should get to. I have faith you two can entertain yourselves. Also Sweetie, if you want to walk over to Applebloom's with Babs. I would prefer it. There have been some grotesque minded stallions of late. Have fun." She finished going upstairs and closed the door behind her.

After a bit of silence and the blush washing away, Sweetie turned to me before giving me a goofy grin. Not this time. I tucked my back haunches behind me against the couch are. I then pushed all my strength to throw myself into Sweetie. My hooves landed on her shoulders and my back hooves held tightly at her waist. Her hooves tucked against her chest as it rose and fell quicker than before. She looked surprised at my sudden jump on her. Sweetie's eyes were soft and looked taken aback, but with a look that seemed she enjoyed randomly being taken over. Her muzzle lacked a smile and my smug smile slowly straightened as my throat filled with sand. There was a definite tension.

"Babs is fast." Sweetie broke the air before laughing.

"W-what is it now? Babs two and Sweetie zero!” I said adding a frantic tone to the end of it.

She gave a pouty face and wiggled to see if I would give way. I would not. Earth ponies are build with muscle and I desired to keep mine well. I crawled off when she mentioned the tea. She dropped a few sugar cubes into her tea and I did the same, although not as many, I barely touched my tea as we talked. I did attempt to look like I enjoyed it by taking a swing. Before I could swallow, sweetie spoke.

"So." She changed the subject. "Any stallions in your life??" She gave a suggestive grin.

I tried really hard not to spit my tea everywhere, but I couldn't keep it in. I gracefully shot it all back into the teacup, causing it to spill all over my chest. Sweetie covered her muzzle with her hooves, trying to sustain a laugh. Her attempts failed as the pressure that filled her face red, burst out into a loud laughter. A burn started to form on my cheeks and it reddened past my coat's color. She looked at me with tears in her eyes and she bit her lip at an attempt to stop. I lifted my hooves to cover my chest and felt my tail hug my side.

"N-n-no.." I sputtered out, cowering my head.

Sweetie recognized my embarrassment and was able stop completely.

"I.. I'm sorry I didn't mean to laugh. I'm used to laughing at things like this because Scoots can never keep food in her mouth." She apologized.

"Heh, no it's fine. I-I... was caught off guard." I said quietly.

"Humph, so really no stallion??" Sweetie said pushing the subject further.

"N-no.. I-.. Uh no." I hate this topic because all my family asks the questions why. "You?" I didn't expect much.

"Well..." My ears flicked. I was paying full attention. "There is this really cute stallion." She giggled a little. "His name is Magic Ash. I think he may ask me out or at least to the next dance. He only lives a few blocks from me."

My heart wrenched with anger. I wonder if I could scare him? "What's he like?" I tried to mumble through my teeth. She was too busy kissing him in lala land to realize how hard my jaws cemented to each other.

"He's a beautiful dark blue with a black, red striped mane and tail. He is a unicorn in my math class. Magic is tall and broad shouldered with a nice form. He could protect me from anything." She sighed.

Okay, this had differed as we grew. We weren't the little free-hearted fouls anymore. We have had our awkward moments and frustrations and obvious change in hormones. I could remember when Sweetie said she didn't need no colt. I guess that means she wanted a stallion. I did not know this pony at all, but I've already grown a dislike to him. This is for the better... I tried to reason it to be a good thing. I can get over this silly feeling and suppress it. Maybe find a nice stallion of my own... I didn't care for the thought. She hadn't stopped talking about him, some part about him using his magic to help her with her books, I wasn't paying close attention. I should be happy for her, I wanted too. Though I wrenched at the thought of him having her in his hooves. My ears dropped slightly, because I knew deep within me that Sweetie would never.. Never talk about me the way she basically sung about Magic..

Time had passed and we decided we should be on our way. Sweetie grabbed her saddlebags filled with what she needed for the party and I repeated her action by grabbing my saddle bags that rested near the sewing machine I dropped off. I walked out the door first, holding the door with my back hoof to allow Sweetie to exit behind me before letting the door shut. We walked in silence mostly. Not an awkward air, just quiet with a lack of anything better to say. It was comforting to be silent with another. Just knowing you're close enough without needing to say a word. That walk went fast, the next moment I looked up I was staring at the sign to my cousin's farm. We made our way to the offset treehouse and began climbing the stairs. Walking into the wood house, Scoots was resting on a bean bag and Applebloom was finishing setting up a snack table. The table hugged the wall with a layout of all sorts of sweet treats and drinks, with an exception of some healthy snacks shoved at the corner of the table. A recollection of an argument between Applejack and Applebloom passed through my mind. I was there for the argument, but I have arrived too late into the conversation to realize this was being planned. It was familiar seeing the siblings fight. I had one of my own and she hovered over me just as much. Sunflower had moved out within the past few years and I can say I miss her quite a bit.

"Hm, look they are even walking together.. I'm telling you.. We got a couple foolers..." Scoots stuck her tongue out at Sweetie and I.

I kept a rolled my eyes and kept walking. She made that joke a lot. It started around the same time Sweetie and I began play fighting that Scoots started making that joke. It was mostly to bother Sweetie, I know, but it tends to bother me more. The joke was funny at first, but when these conflicts arose at the end of middle school, it lost its humor for me. I'm not sure Scootaloo realizes what it does to me, but sometimes I think she knows. Maybe she does it to remind me how Sweetie feels about it? Rationally I knew she probably didn't know, but paranoia about anyone knowing really keeps its hold.

I followed behind Sweetie, dropping off my saddlebags near the door and made my way to the snack table. I looked at the layout of carrot cupcakes, apple fritters and the pints of apple cider, assuming they are the virgin kind. Seeing the cupcakes reminded me of the velvet cupcake I had gain from my visit at Pinkie’s. I trotted over to my bag, as every pony settled down, talking amongst themselves and chatting about some new blank flank in town. They took their crusading seriously, especially now since it is officially their forte. I grabbed the cake in my teeth and sat in a blue, vacant bean bag. Sweetie had jumped on the red one Applebloom had sat in and Scoots stayed in the bag across from Applebloom’s. My seat was near side the red bag and as I pulled out a bag with an unknown treat inside, a few curious glances from the others eyed it. My ears fell backward.

“What cha you got there?” Applebloom said.

“I got a cupcake from Sugarcube Corner. I wandered in there and didn’t want to leave without getting something. I can share if you wanta little. It's velvet." I took the cake out and separated it in fourths. Scoots gave me a warm smile as I handed her corner. I gave Applebloom the other two sides as I ate my own.

"Velvet is my top five favorite flavors!" Sweetie rang as she took her piece.

Applebloom finished her cupcake fast but looked up with a cocky grin. "Pretty good, but nuthin's better than anything made in this farm, especially the apples!" She gloated with her families name.

"You were prolly made on this farm, and everything's better than you!" Scoots teased.

Applebloom wore an irritated expression and stuck out her tongue, since she couldn't think of a comeback. We all laughed and talked for the next few hours. I had obtained a few ciders, one in my hoof while the rest dissolved in my belly. Applebloom had eaten so much sugar, she seemed to vibrate with energy, although she begged to differ. Sweetie Belle had stuck to the healthy snacks, claiming it was more beneficial for her mane and Scoots rested on the bean bag. She breathed heavily from showing off some scooter trick she had learned. Although it almost took off Applebloom's head, it was cool and we laughed it off. My ear flicked to the door to hear the clops of some other pony. I didn't question much, assuming it was just Applejack checking on us. Then Applebloom seemed to hear it and a smirk drew on her muzzle.

"So, Sweetie... We invited a friend of yours." She held a giggle.

Sweetie wore a confused expression. I had even grown some concern. I slowly turned my head to the door as a pony burst through the door. An obvious stallion with his bulky figure. He held some treat within his teeth. A dark chocolate dessert with strawberries lining the chocolate icing with a cherry on the center. There were about 5 aligned on the tray. He placed it softly on the ground. The stallion raised his head to show his strong form. He was a dark blue, similar to how the night turns just when the sun sets and his mane was a black, striped with red lines all down it and his tail. His cutie mark, was a red spiral, decorated with magic sparkles.

"Hi crusaders!" He said in a low toned voice.

Based on the ear-full I recovered earlier, it was easy to tell this was Magic Ash. My eyelids fell to an unamused look and my ears fell back too. (I probably would get my butt handed to me if I tried to scare and fight him.) I turned my head around to see Scoots about to lose it and Sweetie grow a blush on her muzzle as she stepped on Applebloom's tail. Applebloom contained a yelp.

"Hiya Magic! Glad you could make it." Scoots broke the silence as she jumped on her hooves. She walked over and took the treats to the table.

He trotted over, passed me and went to Sweetie and Applebloom.

"Thank you for inviting me." He spoke to Applebloom. Then he proceeded to turn to Sweetie before trotting off. "And good evening, Sweetie Belle." His low voice dropped further and I swore I heard it to be slightly seductive. I would argue sexual harassment, but hey what do I know.

She suppressed a giggle before saying hi back. I began to dislike the fact that the cider was not alcoholic as I began chugging my last bottle, then got up to the barrel to receive some more. My stomach had dropped upon his arrival and I thought maybe if I chugged enough cider, my stomach could float up to a more comfortable level. Rationally I knew that wasn't physically possible, but it was worth a shot. I turned to see Magic in my seat (not that I cared). I found a pile of blankets for the beds and laid myself on that.

"Sorry I was late, I ordered the treats yesterday and they said they forgot. This is why I typically go to Pinkie's place, but I try to let the underdogs get some business." He gave a warm smile. I could tell he wasn't a bad guy, but I still felt my gut clench.

Applebloom spoke after. "Nothin' had really happened. We are all just here to hang before Babs has to go home."

"Oh I was wondering who that little colt was." He smiled at me.

"Not the first time, won't be the last." I spoke with my tomboyish, Manehattan accent, although obviously not a colt.

His eyes grew as he realized his mistake. "Ah! I'm really sorry! It's late and I don't know what I was thinking! Please do forgive me!" His ears fell.

"No worries, Magic Ass." I said deadpanned. "Oh sorry, I meant Ash. You are clearly not a donkey."

"Uh, yeah.. Heh.. Sorry." He mumbled before dropping his head. I almost felt bad for his pathetic self. Almost.

Everyone seemed a bit confused at my sudden bitter attitude. All but Scoots seemed to chop it up as my mistaken gender nonsense. She looked at me with slight concern before shaking it off and looking at Applebloom when she broke the quiet.

"Well.. who wants to play a game?" She said ecstatic with her accent coating her words.

Truth or dare seemed to be the game of choice after some debate. Magic started and we played for around half an hour. Resulting in Magic getting his horn shoved into the wood of the ground, me gaining a large bruise trying to do a trick on the scooter and Sweetie revealing she once dropped Rarity's toothbrush into the toilet, only to put it back and pretend nothing happened. Applebloom was the last to go, gaining her turn by seeing how many Apple treats she could fit in her guzzle, Scoots had dared her that after she herself was dared to eat a pillow, talking with difficulty as she coughed up feathers. She has used a turn on Magic. He picked truth in which we learned he once accidentally got his horn stuck in a beehive, soon finding out he was allergic to bees. He debated who to pick.

"We need something every game of Truth or Dare has. Um.. Sweetie!" He pointed a hoof at her. Pointing is rude. I chaffed him only in my mind.

"Dare!" She said determined.

"I dare you... To... Kiss Babs." Magic stuck his nose up. "You can chicken out, but that means you are a chicken." He teased by making chicken noises.

My brow furrowed a bit. I literally was incapable of processing the words he spoke. All I know was he said my name and kiss.. And.. Had dared... Sweetie.. Oh Celestia. My jaw clenched so hard and my eyes shot open as my ears fell back and throat turned into a tundra.

"It's all in good fun, I realize none of you guys are foolers I assume, just thought this would make it interesting!" He grinned. "You don't have too if you guys are scared."

Sweetie was determined and attempted to whip the blush off her face. She stood and marched over to me. It wasn't hard to see my faced burned intensely and my jaw worked to say words that wouldn't come out.

"You don't have too, Babs. You are part of this dare too. All honestly.." She leaned in my ear. "It may help me impress him."

I ignored that part. Honestly I was fine with the idea, but with all these other ponies, thinking it's just a game, that's what made me such a mess. They had no idea how far this rabbit hole went, but I wasn't going to miss this chance.

I cleared my throat and found my words. "No, it's fine.. I'm just.. I don't kiss ponies." My ears fell slightly and my tail curled against my haunch.

"Well, it's just all in good fun." She said before leaning closer. Other than kissing Applebloom's cousin, she really felt no need to be nervous. Me, on the other hoof, had my heart racing faster than pinkies. (And that mare has candy running through her veins.)

"R-right.." I stuttered softly as Sweetie came closer.

Our lips met. It wasn't long, but it wasn't short either. It was a small kiss, I felt my heart lose a beat as we touched, both of our eyes closing. In that moment, I could breath in her familiar scent and feel her body so close to mine. I suppressed my urge to wrap my hooves around her neck. she pulled away and we locked eyes. Other than the blush painting my cheeks, I contained anything she may be able to read. She wore a blush as well, but a smile grew on her mouth. She laughed a bit.

"For somepony who doesn't kiss? You aren't half bad!" She joked, causing the others to laugh. My tail still cling to my haunches as I forced out a scoff.

"I never s-said I was bad!" I replied.

"Yay! No chickens here!" Magic horsed out.

"'Cept for Scoots!"Applebloom hollered.

"When will you let that go!?" scoots yelled, offended, but laughing all the same.

I kept a small laugh fling, but I still felt the kiss on my lips and a thing in my heart. That was the first and last kiss I would ever obtain from Sweetie, but oh Celestia, it was amazing. It wasn't a kiss of fireworks and a revolution of clear feelings. It more likely made my confusion worse. But, it was an intimate moment between Sweetie and I. One we had and I will never forget. And that was good enough for me.