Cherry Red

Memories flashed back to me, from that fateful night. The fear and confusion of meeting the Draconequis, and the pain from my injuries were so vivid, it felt real. Soon those faded away, and I remembered the motherly nurturing of Cherry Jubilee, and her soft figure, huddled against me. I pictured her, laying next to me, with that lovely smile of hers, but everything got dark, and all I could see wash her sitting there, smiling back at me. Slowly I saw tendrils of darkness engulfing her figure, taking her away. I started shouting, begging for her to come back, bartering my very soul, when I woke up, in a cold sweat. I sat up in bed, wincing a bit at the pain in my midsection, which had gotten much better but still hindered my movement. I rubbed my eyes and looked around the room, to see Cherry Jubilee, and a tall, white, oddly familiar mare standing at my bedside. She had a flowing mane, that didn’t seem solid, but more like liquid light, flowing, even in absence of wind, a golden crown, and a gleaming sun cutie mark. I suddenly realized that the pony in front of me was none other than Princess Celestia herself. I sputtered, and tried to react, but only managed to say

“Y-y-your majesty!”

She smiled and cleared her throat. “Well, I see you’ve spent your time wisely” She said, gesturing towards the pile of books on a nearby table. “I came here as soon as I could, right after raising the sun. Now, I know above all, you’d want to return home right?”

I sat there and stared, mouth agape for a few seconds before quickly nodding my head.

“Well... I’m afraid there have been some... difficulties, and for the time being we...” She let out a solemn sigh, sad that she had to deliver such news. “Can’t send you back. The only magical being who could bring you here was Discord, and even a spell like that still weakened Discord’s powers vastly. I’ve had my highest group of scholars researching the topic to no avail, so for the time being you’ll have to remain here...in Equestria.” She finished, pausing at the last part. I felt a ball of ice form in my chest, as her words settled in my mind. As I felt tears welling up in my eyes I looked over from her to Cherry Jubilee, who had a sad look on her face, and walked over to me. She wrapped her forelegs around my neck, and gently patted my back, whispering in my ear

“Shhhh, shhhh, it’s okay sugarcube...”

Her sugar sweet, honey smooth voice lessened the depression, and I blinked the tears out of my eyes, sobbing gently into her shoulder. Princess Celestia looked down at the floor with a frown, before she let out a sigh, and raised her glowing horn. I felt a warm, tingly sensation as the bandages around my chest started glowing with a golden aura and fading away. I rubbed my eyes and looked at the princess, who’s horn was pointed towards me.

“This is the least I can do, considering the circumstances.” She insisted, lifting her head up, and looking at me with a smile on her face. “Your wounds and injuries are healed, and you should only feel a bit of soreness or stiffness.”

“Thank you, your majesty.” I said, clearing my throat, and wiping the salty tears from my eyes and cheeks.

“You’re very welcome, if you ever need anything, just send me a letter. Now if you’ll excuse me I’ve got some royal duties to attend to in Canterlot.” She finished. I nodded, looking over Cherry Jubilee’s shoulder as she disappeared in a flash of light, leaving the room in complete silence. Gently unwrapping her forelegs from my neck, Cherry Jubilee stepped back from the bed, grinning at me started to say

“Well, how ‘bout we get you outta bed and I give you the grand tour?”

“Sure!” I exclaimed, absent-mindedly lifting the blanket and throwing my legs over the side.
After the monotonous weeks of laying in bed I’d completely forgotten that I wasn’t wearing any pants or boxers, and my smile died when I realized I was sitting on the edge of the bed, exposed. I quickly pulled the blanket over myself and stammered

“Erm, I, uh...”

She giggled and shook her head “Oh sweetie, it’s quite alright, most ponies don’t even wear clothes! If you really want I can get you some overalls from downstairs, they seem like they’d fit you just fine.”

She returned a few minutes later with a few various sizes of faded, worn, light blue denim overalls, which were essentially the same as ones on earth, except for the angled midsection, and hole in the back for a tail. I tried a few pairs on, telling her which fit the closest, and where they needed to be re-stitched. I cracked the door open enough to stick my head through and saw her waiting patiently, humming to herself. I handed her the clothes, and she quickly got to work on her sewing machine, the gentle “clack clack clack” of her working echoed through the house, while I explored my room, glad I could walk again. I walked over to a desk, with a small reading light, a quill, and a few rolls of parchment on it. Quietly I unraveled one and started to read it, wondering what Cherry Jubilee wrote while I was injured.

The most interesting thing happened today, one of my farmhands was out in the field and stumbled upon a strange creature, quite different from a pony, but in an odd way, quite similar. It must’ve taken a nasty spill, after looking at the wounds and bruises all over it’s body. Most of them seem like deep cuts, probably from some animal. I should probably go and check on... him.

Well, I bandaged it up as well as I could, and it mumbled something, clearly he speaks Equestrian, but where did he come from? I guess time will tell.

He finally woke up! He seemed really confused, and after talking he told me he’s from a strange place called “Earth” and is a “human” or whatever that is.

I smiled as I skimmed the entries, remembering the conversations we had, and how she had comforted me, not exactly in a motherly manner, but somehow... closer. I stopped when I found a recent entry, from just this morning.

These past few weeks have been pleasant, I’ve been talking to him about Equestria and ponyfolk, and he seems to be catching up. He’s quite charming really, much more so than most stallions I’ve met, and I had a pleasant night’s rest, laying beside him. He sure can do a lot with his fingers, especially when he stroked my mane, I can’t remember when I’ve felt so good. I wonder what else those fingers could do... no, that’s wrong, he’s not even a pony for pete’s sake! I guess I’ve just been so lonely these years, it feels good to care for somepony and get something in return.

I stood there, re-reading the last entry, wondering how she felt about me, until I heard the gentle noise of her sewing come to a stop and a gentle clip-clop sound coming down the hall. I quickly rolled up the parchment and set it back on the table, and walked over to the door.

“Well sugar, I fixed these up, and they should fit you just right!” She exclaimed, as I took the overalls from her mouth. I put them on, while her words echoed through my head
she feel anything special for me? Did I feel the same way? Where would we take this? I shook those thoughts out of my head, and walked out into the hall, feeling the cold hardwood against my bare feet. She was standing near the door, looking up at me with those bright green eyes, and a wide smile.

“Alright, so how ‘bout I show you around the farm?” She asked.

“Sure!” I said, nervously suppressing any thoughts about the notes I read.

I followed her down the stairs, where she showed me the living room, a quaint little area with a few chairs and couches, all of which had cushions emblazoned with crimson cherries. The furniture was facing towards a brick fireplace, that had a mantle covered with family photos and antiques, but soon my gaze fell to one piece of furniture tucked away in a corner near the fireplace

A love seat...

She must have noticed me staring at it, when she tittered and said “Here, let’s grab something to eat, then I’ll show you the orchards!” I blushed and followed her into the biggest room of the house, the kitchen. There was a table in the corner, covered in a plain red and white checkered tablecloth, right next to the open window, which let in the warm, calming breeze that flowed through the hills. Across the room was a large stove, and a series of cabinets and shelves, all filled with boxes, jars, and bags. She trotted over to them and stood up on her hind legs, reaching for a loaf of bread, which was just out of her reach. As she struggled to reach it I saw her body in full view, which was surprisingly similar to a human girl’s body, she had curves from her chest to her... flanks. They were nice and toned, but not boney, and flexed as she strained and stretched. I shook my head, waving away any thoughts and calmly walked over, placing a hand on her back and saying “Here, let me help you.” I felt her skin quiver at my touch as I reached up, and pulled the loaf down. “My my, what a gentlecolt!” She said, batting her eyelashes.

She whipped up a few daisy sandwiches, which were crisp and had a taste similar to lettuce, but sweeter and with a hint of butter. After finishing up the meal I put our plates in the sink, and thanked her “Wow, that was delicious, thank you Miss Jubilee.”

“Oh it’s nothing dear, now how ‘bout I show you the orchards?” She said, walking to the back door and looking at me over her shoulder. I nodded and followed her outside into the wide rolling orchards. As soon as I stepped out the door I felt the cool breeze blowing across the pink treetops, carrying the sweet smell of cherries with it. We walked for a few silent minutes to a large hill overlooking the whole orchard, with a lone cherry tree on top of it. We both walked up the steady incline where we paused at the breathtaking view. “Miss Jubilee... this is amazing.”
I said, mystified by the dark orange sky over the bright pink leaves of seemingly endless trees.

“Yup, my great grandfather started this orchard almost a hundred years ago...” She whispered, eyes staring dreamily into the distance. Slowly walking over to the tree she looked it over, and continued speaking. “My daddy ‘nd I used to watch the sunset from here before he passed... I planted this tree here in his honor. Everyday since then I’ve came here, watered it, and made sure everything was just right.”

I speechlessly stood next to her, studying the large thick trunk and bright leaves. It wasn’t much taller than the other trees, but its bark was a dark brown, slightly red shade, and its leaves were a much more vibrant pink that set it apart from the rest of the orchard. Its branches were dotted with small red fruit, gleaming in the last of Celestia’s light. I turned my gaze to Cherry Jubilee turning around and lightly bucking the tree, causing a handful of cherries to fall to the soft, luscious grass. She calmly sat herself down, leaning against the tree trunk. Gesturing towards the cherries she commented “You’re welcome to try some.” I picked all of them up, dusting them off with my shirt before sitting down next to her, trying not to get uncomfortably close. I popped one of the cherries into my mouth my, and eyes widened at the amazing flavors and textures. Unlike the cherries I had tried in the past, from the rest of her orchard, and back home these had a stunningly sweet sensation, concealed beneath a smooth and tender skin, topped off with a pleasantly strong aftertaste. I leaned back my head and let out a deep sigh “Miss Jubilee... these... are amazing!” She grinned and chuckled at my comment.

“Oh sugarcube, please, call me Cherry. And I’m mighty pleased you like ‘em, I haven’t taken anypony else up here before, so as you’d guess not many have tasted my special stock.” She remarked. I felt my stomach flip, and my mind started racing.

Wait, what does that imply?
Why me?
Why open up to me about this?
I wonder...

At that moment I felt her slowly scoot closer to me, until I felt her warm, slender body pressing into my side. I started to smile, and began gently stroking her beautiful mane, while she rested her head on my chest. Slowly I made my way up her neck, finally reaching her velvety soft ears and caressing the base of them. I felt a slow vibration and looked over to see one of her hind legs was kicking slowly. I let out a chuckle and started to speak.

“Cherry, I... I can’t thank you enough for taking care of me over the past few weeks, without you I probably would’ve died out here. The pain of leaving home, most likely for forever, would be unbearable, but your generosity and kindness has shown me this is a wondrous place, and I plan to embrace it.” I said, staring into her gleaming green eyes.

Cherry’s eyes began to water, and without saying anything, she gently planted a kiss on my lips. The few seconds I felt her lips against mine seemed to last forever, and even after she pulled away I noticed a slight taste of cherries. Shocked, I looked down to see her gently nuzzling into my arm before letting out a sight and calmly drifting off to sleep. My heart felt like it was going to explode, so I leaned my head back against the smooth bark of the tree and shut my eyes.