John Sampson's Story

I was waiting at the Canterlot Train Station, wearing one of my pretty uniforms, for the noon train. AJ was coming for our first date. We had decided to explore Canterlot for the afternoon and have dinner in town. The train was on time and there weren’t a lot of passengers so I didn’t have long to wait.

“AJ?” I did a double take. “Oh my, AJ. you must do this more often.”

AJ had released her mane from the usual ponytail to a flowing cloud of blond matched by her tail. In the fashion center of Equestria she is getting looks.

We strolled casually up the main boulevard into town taking in the atmosphere of bustling city. Ponies were waving at us as we passed some coming out of their homes and shops to watch us go by. I waved and nodded to them. AJ was awestruck.

“John, is it like this everywhere ya go?”

“First, it’s ‘we’ and second, no. Ponies are here because they want to part of something big and you can’t get much bigger than Royal. ‘We’, the Royal Guard staffer and gorgeous Element Bearer, are a single step removed from being a Royal. That’s twenty steps closer than most of them will ever get. When we recognize them we validate their dreams. It’s a small enough gift.

“Do they know about all the hard work, boring training, risk to life and limb, sacrifice of friends and family? Of course they do. And they are quite sure that if the opportunity ever arises, they will do all that for the cause of greatness.

“It’s not all bad. If I take off the uniform they will mostly respect my privacy even though I could never hide who I am. The exceptions are almost all foals. And it’s almost impossible for me to buy a beer. Somepony else always wants to pay for it. You could cover up your cutie mark and be incognito. But when you are attached to the Royal Court there is always an obligation to uphold the reputation and image.”

“Ah’ve just never thought about it, John. Every time Ah’ve been here we’ve traveled with an escort. It must be hard on Twilight.”

“It’s far worse for Twilight. As a Princess she can give ponies substantial gifts. Celestia and Luna have largely withdrawn into the Royal Residences after centuries of this pressure. It’s the same thing you hear about the farm, “You have so many apples it couldn’t hurt you to give me a couple of bushels . . . a week.” They just get it on a much grander scale.”

“John, Ah’m really developing a new appreciation for Ponyville.”

“Treasure it, AJ. This is what drove me to abandon the land of my birth. The small town lifestyle where everypony knows and respects everypony was rapidly being replaced by the ‘What’s in it for me’ lifestyle.

“But we have a far more pressing question right now, AJ. Did you eat on the train?”

“No, John, but Ah could eat right now if ya wanted to.”

“You see that pointy building right over there? That’s my favorite ‘Why not a Burger’, the perfect place for a snack.”

“They got hayburgers?”

“And more.”

“Let’s go.”

She had a hayburger with apple slices and tea. I had a chicken salad with tea. She didn’t blink when I started putting away the meat with great gusto. Plus two points.

After lunch we drifted through the market district. I spotted a florist and steered her in. We picked out some blossoms for her mane and a box to snack on later. There was art to be admired and art to be ridiculed. Mostly we talked about the small things like Terran crops versus Equestrian crops. As the sun was sneaking down to the horizon we found ourselves in front of Smoky’s Bar B Que. Smoky is big happy Earth pony with an amazing ability to smoke absolutely anything. Service is walk through the kitchen and point. Seating is bench and there is a half block line waiting to get in. That is unless you are somepony who has shared some human barbecue recipes with Smoky.

We had the stew. There were baby carrots, baby corn, squash, okra, butter beans, broccoli, and baby potatoes in a sweet sticky sauce. It was made to get messy with and AJ loved it.

We walked out under a bright moon and turned toward the Castle.

“John, the train is tha other way and we had better hurry if Ah want to make it.”

“Why do you want to catch the train? Is there something Big Mac can’t do on the farm?”

“No, but Ah don’t want ta come between you and Swift.”

“AJ, between me and Swift is exactly where we both want you.”

“But Ah don’t want ta interfere.”

“AJ, if you want to join this band, the first thing you need to do is to spend some family time with us and find out what we are really like.”

“John, isn’t this moving a little fast?”

“What, having a sleepover with friends? I thought you’d done that with Twilight and the rest.”

“But . . . “

“But nothing, AJ. It’s time to trust.”

“John, there are so many things Ah don’t know and thought Ah had more time to find out.”

“You have all of the time you need. Let us show you why. You have the ability. Use it. Ask me my intentions.”

She stopped and look directly at me. “No, John, Ah don’t need ta do that.”

Swift was sitting in the main room waiting for us. I left AJ with her and went to the bedroom to undress. I came back and settled down next to Swift pulling her against me. She nuzzled my chest and I kissed the top of her head.

“Darling, I took AJ to Smoky’s. I think she liked it.”

Swift smiled, “And I bet you got the stew.”

“Of course.”

“AJ, did he tell you that the stew was his recipe?”

AJ was looking a little shocked, “No.”

“It is. I told him he should hold out for a partnership but he’s happy with unlimited free food.”

AJ giggled, “Ah was wondering how he just walked in past a hundred ponies like he owned the place.”

“Swift my love, I think AJ has some questions.. Could you maybe help her out from the mare’s point of view?”

“Certainly. What do you want to know, AJ?”

A rather fidgety AJ replied, “Ah’m not sure how ta ask.”

It’s not easy to see red on orange but I was seeing it on AJ. “AJ, Swift and I are old troopers. We tend to be blunt and direct. Just say it.”

Swift jumped in, “John, let me. AJ, let me tell you what he’s like as a stallion. He’s big. He’s unbelievably strong. And he is the most patient gentle stallion you can imagine. You’ve been hearing stories, haven’t you?”

Damned. I hope AJ doesn’t catch the cushions on fire. She nods. “Some ponies like it wild and rough.”

Swift is grinning, “We like it wild, just not rough.”

AJ was confused again. “But what about all the screaming and banging?”

“Banging? I don’t remember any banging.”

“I was banging you.”

“Yes, but all that made was squishy noises.”

“True.”

“The screaming, on the other hand, was very true. We both did a lot of that.”

“Did it hurt that much?” AJ asked with concern.

We both started laughing heartily. “I’m sorry, AJ. It didn’t hurt at all. I was screaming because I wanted everypony in the castle to know that I had just bred my mare. I’m damned proud of it. That’s why I had to apologize in Royal Court a day later.”

“And that’s how we got this sweet new apartment. Celestia wanted us safely out of earshot,” Swift grinned.

“I guess it might have worked out different if I hadn’t left the balcony door open.”

Now AJ was giggling along with us.

“Seriously, AJ, my soul is pony but my body is still human and there are some differences. For example, I don’t flare. On the upside, I last a lot longer. And the doctor has determined that I am super fertile. But best of all, I have hands.”

Swift chimed in again, “He’s not kidding, AJ. Hands are wonderful. You can come over here right now and find out for yourself.”

AJ is looking a little red again.

“AJ, we are going to bed shortly. We wake at zero four hundred with the help of a rather obnoxious alarm clock. We have tea and toilet here then breakfast at the cafeteria. PT follows breakfast and the actual day starts around zero seven thirty. You can keep up with us or sleep in. You can stay the day if you wish. Or the week.

“There are two brand new guest rooms behind you but I meant exactly what I said about wanting you between Swift and I. You are invited to sleep there tonight.”

“I want you there too,” Swift chorused. “I need your help with this band.”

“Can Ah shower first?”

“Of course. Would you mind if we all shower together? It’s another of those wonderful hands things. You’ll love it,” Swift promises.

AJ was nervous at first and tried to keep Swift between us so I sat on the floor and Swift practically herded her into my arms. I lathered her neck and one side of her barrel before I had to stand to move around. She watched me but stood as I lathered her other side and mane. She took a step but stopped when I started on her tail.

After we rinsed and stepped out of the shower Swift tossed me a towel and I went to work on AJ and her mane. Swift brought me another towel as I picked up a brush and I began moving the brush and towel together down her mane.

Swift threw a towel over my back and said, “I’m telling you, AJ, he has a compulsion to take care of us. He can’t help himself.”

AJ wondered, “Is he like this all tha time?”

About then I raised AJ’s tail and went to work on it. She started.

Swift reassured her, “Don’t worry. He’s like a super big sister until you throw the Stallion switch. When you move in I’ll show where it is.”

“Swift darling, you do know I can hear you?”

“So?”

“So I know where all the mare buttons are.

“AJ, this is what married life is like in Equestria’s most exotic band.” I smiled at her.

We finished in the bathroom and I led the family to the bed, settling on the pad first. I motioned for AJ and she laid down in front of me in the little spoon. Swift laid in front of her and we all snuggled tighter. I felt the last of the tension drain from AJ as she nuzzled under my chin. I decided that this was a very good day as I faded into sleep.