Three weeks, three boring weeks it took for Alex wounds to heal, most importantly his cracked ribs. Of course they were not fully healed yet, but with the help of painkillers and sweet apple acres hard cider he managed to get by. To him the worst in those three weeks was how much he had been coddled by the CMC and Fluttershy. Especially her, whenever she would see a chance she would rush up to him to cuddle against him and ask all about his nutrition, his feelings and such, sometimes those questions went a bit to far, like the one time when she had asked him if his kind went into heat and if he were in his heat at the moment, followed by the question if so, which mare he would like to cool it with.At that moment he had picked up the mare, set her down besides him and locked himself in the bathroom.

The nursing of the three fillies however he found to be adorable. Sure they were a bit clumsy and sometimes made some mistakes, but they surely tried their best to help him recover. Only problem they seemed more interested in getting informations and stories from his world out of him than getting him back to help. Also they had long debates on what kind of cutie marks he could help them with, which while being funny and cute at the start, really got straining and almost unbearable after said debate would still be going on after three hours.

But all that ended on this day, today by Fluttershy's word he was allowed to get back to work again and more hard tasks. So after another delicious and wholesome breakfast with the Apples, he went out into the orchard and began his work again. Him and Applejack were a dynamic duo by now but the pain and hindrance of the injuries made the work a bit slower and him tire faster, yet none the less he loved his work. After a few hours of work Applejack noted.

"Ya know partner, i know you always shower and wash yourself, but still ya are startin to reek and it is not pleasant let me tell ya that." She giggled softly while Alex smelled his clothes and made a disgusted face.
"I know, i know, but it is the only set of clothing that i have and i don't know where to get any new ones." He shrugged unsure what to do about the truly noticeable stench.

Applejack smiled at that as she had a idea. "Nothin easier than that, we will just go to a friend of mine, her name is Rarity, she is this towns seamstress." To that Alex rose his eyebrow, unsure on how good this would go. " I'll admit, Rarity is a bit on the posh side, but i assure ya that she is in fact the most generous pony you will ever meet. If i ask her for it. I am sure she would not say no." She gave him a reassuring smile.

He decided that he could trust Applejack's decision one last time with this. That her friend however seemed posh to Applejack, that was what worried him a bit. If Twilight was like that to that lizard guy only after a month of trying to act like royalty, how bad would a mare be, that tried to aspire to be like them for years possibly? Still he believed that Applejack would settle the things with her friend.

After a few more hours of work the two of them were on their way through town towards a place that Applejack had called Carousel Boutique. This time however he had not gotten around being bound to Applejack, the rope around his neck was scratchy and sometimes scraped him if he moved to fast, not fast enough or if the mare made a too quick movement. A few moments later they stood before a house that truly screamed of poshness, it looked like a house build version of a wedding cake mixed with a palace. He took a deep breath when Applejack walked up and knocked on the door.

"It's oopen, everyone should know that by now!" sang a voice from the inside, it had some form or royal or formal tone to it. As they entered Alex took a look around the place. It was really fancy looking, everything looked like it had been placed on it's spot for a reason, be it something he did not know or visual effect, the were some mannequins on which clothing was showcased, all of them seeming very regal, none of them like suited for everyday uses. All of them were shaped to be made for ponies as they were obviously the primary costumers. There was also a small stage in the side of a room, Alex assumed this is where measurements were taken or costumers could try on their new clothes on. There was also a few mirrors, in front of some of them were seating cushions, did that mare also do hairstyles for her costumers, Alex was not sure about that. In any case all of it had a immediate effect on him, he felt his body move on it's own and stand up a bit more straight to make himself seem more formal.

"Rarity, are ya comin? I need your services for one of our new workers!" Applejack called loudly into the shop, a laugh answering her from upstairs.

"I am on my way Applejack, you really don't like waiting do you, but since you are here as a costumer i will hurry extra fast." In the same moment when the last words had been spoken a mare came down a staircase that was a bit further back in the boutique. At the sight of her Alex jaw almost dropped with such force, that if it did it surely would have broken a hole into the floor.

Rarity if he remembered her name right had pristine white fur, that showed not a single sign of dirt on either her fur or her hair or tail. Those were of a purple color and curled into a very stylish look. She carried herself with a obvious swing that was supposed to be regal he assumed but what did he know, he never had seen the princesses or royalty in general.

"Well, i did not know you were hiring anyone Applejack, i thought you once told me that only your family and yourself would be allowed to work on Sweet Apple Acres but i guess there is a first time for everything,now please tell me who that new....wo...rker...." Her look had fallen onto Alex, in her eyes flashed different emotions at the same time, but only two he could fully deduce, anger and disgust.
"Applejack, my word, what in Celestia's name did you think?!! Bringing such a dirty creature into my boutique, i can basically smell it's rancid stench from over here!! I am only happy that Sweetie Belle is at school so that beast has no chance to try to pounce on her and do....Luna knows what to her!!" In the moment of her pause her eyes had scanned him from head to toe.

"Rarity, ya gotta calm down, this is our new worker. His name is Alex and he had enough problems the last few weeks as it is. I only brought him in here cause he needs new clothes as his old are startin to reek as he had no chance of washing them! " Applejack stepped in but Rarity were still staring at the human.

"Y-you are Alex.....the one Alex Sweetie Belle told me off?" Now Alex stared at her, his mouth open in disbelief.
"You are Sweetie Belles sister? I mean yeah she told me she had one but....you are that sister? When she talked of you she always spoke of you in the highest regards!"

Rarity shook her head and body in what seemed to be pure disgust. "She did the same regarding you, but i thought you were some new imaginary friend she made up, like how kids sometimes do right? I mean if i knew she had been around a being like you i surely would have...." In that moment the door opened and the filly in question walked in.

"Sis? Who are you arguing....Alex? You are here, yay!!" Sweetie ran up to the man and jumped up, giving him a hug wich he returned with a chuckle. She suddenly wrinkled her nose at him. "You reek of sweat." He blushed at that and nodded.

"Yeah i sure do, that's why i came originally, i wanted to ask your sister if she could make me at least one set of fresh clothes, but it seems she really can't stand me at all. " he let go of her and she looked over at Rarity who had watched the whole spectacle with her mouth open.

"Pah-lease could you make Alex here a set of clothes, he is really really not a danger and really nice. A-and you always look for a chance to make new clothing designs right?" Sweetie pleaded, to which Rarity sighed deeply but nodded.

"Okay okay, i will take his measurements and make him a set, just know i would not do that if you were not friends with him. That hideous, wild looking thing." she then pointed at the little stage. "Get up on there Alex, but first take off those clothes of yours and lay them to the side, i can't work with the stench of sweat in my nose, also Sweetie Belle, go and do your homework you got in school, this is something no filly your age should see yet. "

Sweetie nodded with a small pout, but went up to her room as Alex undressed as soon as he was sure she was gone, once again he kept his boxers on.
"Loose those too, go ahead and the up on the stage." Ordered Rarity.

"Say what? Are you mad, why would i expose myself like that huh?!?" He blushed brightly and looked at her like she was a crazy mare.Applejack blushed brightly as well but had turned away from the stage, to shield her eyes and give him some privacy.

"Because i need to get proper measurements of all your body parts, now take em off!" With a little shake of fear Alex followed the orders of the mare and got up on stage.

Rarity got up beside him and began taking his measurements, taking every part into the equation, Alex almost felt like she was taking extra long,when she got around his crotch level she did use very much time down there, too much for Alex liking.

"A-a-are you done anytime soon, this is really not that comfortable you know?" he tried to speak up, his voice had become slightly more timid due to the situation and also the occasional warm breath around his junk, on which he did his dammed hardest to not get any perverse thoughts.

"Calm down you big baby, i am almost done. I also must say that you seemed less muscular under your clothes, so i need to take that into consideration when making the clothes, as your muscles will grow bigger the longer you work for Applejack." The disgusted look and sound she had earlier was now completely gone from her voice as she stepped back from the stage and allowed him to step down.

"Alright, you can clothe yourself again, i don't know exactly when your clothes will be done but it will be within this week." Alex nodded as he clothed himself, glad to be safe from the looks.

"How much do i owe you Miss.Rarity? " he got out his small bag of bits, Applejack had decided that he should get some kind of pay for all his work.

"None, just promise me you won't ever hurt Sweetie or any other pony, also because Applejack is a friend of mine, so even if i don't think you are most cultured or civilized being ever or even a acceptable worker, i still respect her decisions and those of my sister who she chooses as her friends." He nodded as he understood that this was a chance to show himself as a trustworthy person but also a silent warning.

With that the two turned to leave the boutique. As they did so, Alex noticed a strangely sweet smell lingering in the air, it was not strong but very noticeable. But he shrugged it off as part of his imagination as they left.

On their way home they walked by a familiar face. Berry Punch noticed the two and trotted over to them smiling happily.
"Hey you two, care for a drink? I always have some stored and drinking alone is soooo boring, i think you know what i mean eh stud?" she playfully jabbed her hoof into Alex side.

He looked in turn at Applejack who gave him a nod."That would be lovely Berry, problem with that is, we don't want ya to get more trouble than you did when you bought from Alex, so him going into yer house may raise some flags for some of them pansies."

To that Berry Punch only snickered but nodded. "I get what you two mean, then how about i come with you two to the farm and we drink some of hard cider, i will even pay, i don't want poor Alex to get himself into debt he could never pay." she giggled. Now Applejack looked at Alex with a raised eyebrow.

"Yeah why not, didn't had a drink for a while and i could use some relaxing but i gotta work each day so i don't know how much i can drink today." He spoke, looking a bit down.

"Yer getting the day off tomorrow worker bee." Applejack giggled as she slapped Alex on the back hard,making him wince and her apologize many times over.

With that it was settled and the three made their way quickly over to Sweet Apple Acres, once there Applejack got out a good four bottles of hard cider and a unbranded bottle.
"Uhh....Applejack....what is in that bottle?" Alex looked at the bottle worriedly while Berry looked at it, drool slightly forming around her mouth.

" It is somethin me and Big Mac have been workin on for some time, we hope we can sell it someday, we call it Applejack Daniels, it is a brand of whiskey we hope to make it big." at that Alex just looked at her then grumbled something to himself, something about copyrights and similarities between the worlds.

"What are we waiting for stud, let's get hammered!!" with that Berry took one of the bottles of hard cider and opened it, handing it over to Alex before taking her own. Alex himself grinned as did Applejack who had grabbed a bottle as well. They let the bottles hit then began drinking. This was the feeling Alex had missed, the alcohol rushing through his veins, taking away any kind of pain or hardship he had felt this day, he felt happy.

Two hours later only Berry and Alex were left, Applejack had went to sleep a hour ago. The two of them were heavily drunk and had emptied all hard ciders and half of the whiskey. Berry Punch stood up and waddled over to him, pulling him into a heartwarming and strong hug.
"Í...i like you s-ssstud, you are really okay, better than most poniesss i know." He hugged back and smirked, she smelled like wine of any kind.

"H...hey thank you for giving me a chance,witha-without that that day at the market would have been much worshe." He slurred a happy, goofy smile on his face.

"I bet it would have been, well i better get my flank ho...home now, gotta be back and somewhat sober before Pinchy awakes?" At his questioning look she answered. "My daughter."

This actually sobered him up a little bit. "You...you are a mom? And if yet, don't be mad if i assume,single?" she nodded, a dark shadow casted on her face.

"Yeah, i p-put her to bed before we met at the shtreet, she is the most adorable little filly, you should meet her."
Alex nodded and pondered over it all before a question rose within him.

"Wh-what happened to...the father?" she shook at the question a bit, touching her cheek with a hoof.
"I.....i don't wanna talk about it....." she then hugged him once again. "It has been a lovely evening but i gotta go, see ya
around shtud, next time....maybe you can taste the punch i make." she giggled and winked at him as she turned.

Alex sat there and looked after her, a bad feeling rising in his stomach and no it was not nausea, okay maybe a bit. But most importantly the way she had reacted had worried him.
"What happened to you....Berry Punch?" he mumbled before he stumbled down into the cellar and layed on his haystack to soon wake up in the morning with a major hangover, but that would be the problems of the future, as right now all he did was sleep and snore, feeling that happy feeling he had before once more.

Author's Note

Aaand the next one is ready, to be honest i felt like this is my weakest chapter yet, meaning i will take a break from writing everyday and replenish my energy, but dont worry i will keep writing. As always, criticism is welcomed, so are jokes or other comments, have a good one, see ya next time!