Chapters My night was restless. Though I slept, my mind found no rest as it constantly ran through the past few weeks again and again. Apple Cider is never far from my thoughts. It's like she's there with me, only just ahead of my closed lids. Dancing out of sight. Taunting me.
I wake in a cold sweat, panting. As my eyes adjust to the gloom of the barely furbished motel room, I see several loose objects fall from the air with a devastating crash. With a sinking feeling I realise I have been 'dream casting.' (Picking up objects with my mind without consciously realising it! I can still hear the crashe echoing around the room, I pray that the landlord beneath me was a deap sleeper, or I was in for a rough night!
I try to fall asleep again.
After half an hour of uncomfortable writhing beneath the covers, I decide it's obvious I'm not going to fall under again.
I glance at the clock and see it's reaching midnight. Wow! My first day and all I've done is sit in this darn motel room! I need to get out! What was the point of moving here if not to wander the streets and discover a side to myself I never knew I had?
I hop out of bed, with a quick glance I look to the opened suitcase on the table in the centre of the room. Ehh, I could always unpack later! So with that, I swipe up my keys and leave the dark and dreary room.
You can always tell what a town or city is like through it's nightlife. In the city there were clubs, block parties and endless streams of bars. But in this town it becomes clear all too quickly that this is a quiet and peaceful place.
With my spirits quickly fading, I walk down a hopeful highstreet. To my luck, I see a sign "Open" So without hesitation I go in to investigate.
It's a bar. Not a very large bar, but still a bar, serving alcohol! I glance around and see a few sould drowning whatever problems they had in the bottom of a glass. As I expected there aren't very many. My hoofsteps echo slightly against the cold tile floor. A single bar stallion is behind the counter. He glances up. "Well hey there stranger! What'll it be?" I spy a bottle of cider on the shelf behind him. I silently gesture to it and he obliges me with a smile as I take a seat.
I take a moody sip from the lip of the bottle as I glance around at the other patrons. There are only a few. A stallion next to me is the most noticeable, with a vibrant yellow coat and a strikingly blue mane. His cutiemark is of a shooting star, or a comet, or something like that.
I glance up and smile half heartedly. "You're the second pony to say that to me today." I chuckle dryly.
"So..." The bar stallion begins, trying to continue the convocation. I'm not sure if I want to though. Not that I'm antisocial, it's just the gloomy mood is fast approaching due to the drink. "You know... You've got the look of a pony who's lost." The odd comment makes me look up at the barkeep in surprise. "You're eyes, they're far off. Thinking 'bout something too painful. I'm guessing that's why you came here?"
I can't help but let out a sarcastic chuckle. "What is it with bar ponies that makes them able to read minds?" The stallion laughs as well.
I get up. Drinking suddenly doesn't seem like too great an idea right now. After all myself annoyance with staying in my motel room, I suddenly yearn to go back. The dark cloud of my own self loathing has now come back to full power, and is bringing my mood to an all time low! I stand, toss a few bits onto the counter and make my way to the door.
"Hey, listen..." The bartender cries. At a glance back, he smiles at me. "You're obviously a bit down on yourself right now, and well, if you're planning on staying in Ponyville you're gonna need some money. So if you're looking, I wouldn't mind helping a stallion down on his luck. You up for working here?"
I stand there, a little shocked at how suddenly and out of the blue this act of generosity had appeared. "Umm... Well I wasn't LOOKING for a job, but I guess I kinda need one." I give it a second of though, figuring if I want to work here. It was quiet, so I'd have a lot of time to think through what I wanted to do with myself here, or if I was going to move on to another town. Plus the bartender was a nice guy, and the first real person to show me kindness in what seemed like a lifetime. "Yes. Thanks." I give a faint grateful smile, the stallion nods, returning to his work.
The cold of the outside air is refreshing. At night, this little town looks beautiful, each soft glowing light behind a window signifies a portal into another's life. A single town with thousands of stories to tell!
The walk back to 'The Sleepy Mare' isn't too long. Anyway, the cool night is more than familiar to me, in my younger years I would run out to the surrounding fields around Manehatton and gaze up at the starry skies. I glance up. My mood darkness almost immediately as I see the moon.
Only a few days ago I had waited for her, prepared to surprise her with a moon lit dinner. The silver Orb twinkles back at me. Mocking me, and soon the happy nostalgic feeling of only moments ago, was replaced once again with bone chilling misery and regret. I hadn't cried, not once since before that night, and even now, when filled with all the memories, every heart breaking image as vivid as the day I saw it, not a single tear comes to my eyes.
I begin to move again. Just get back to the room darn it!
When I reach the room, I enter without even turning on the light. As I enter the darkness and begin to nudge the door shut, I catch a glint of white on the floor, I go over and inspect the sight. I find it to be a small square card of paper.
I pick it up and read it.
"HEY ZOMBIE! YOU RAN OFF SO QUICK THAT I"- The writing is so large and flamboyant that already with that very small message, there is no more space on the sheet. No sooner do I finish reading, I spot another card only a few feet away. Already knowing who these were from by the use of the name "Zombie" I sigh and go to the next message.
It resumes from the last card.
"COULDN'T EVEN WELCOME YOU TO PONYVILLE!" I give a half hearted smile and make for the door to shut it finally. When yet another card catches my eye, illuminated by the outside moonlight.
Amazingly, for the first time it what seems years, I'm laughing. The very fact that the yammering pink pony I had met was rambling even in writing, entertained me hugely.
It feels good to laugh for a change.
"SO WELCOME!" It says, I can see it from here. It's placed just before the door to the bedroom, as I lean down to pick it up. I notice a glimmer of light between door and floor. Did I leave the light on? I open the door.
For a second time I let out a short happy breath of laughter. Before me lies my bed, atop it: a mass of cakes, muffins, taffy, lollipops and all other kinds of treats. The bright colours hurt my eyes slightly and I need to squint slightly in the highlighting light.
It seemed this town's residents were a lot kinder, and warmer than the city I had once called home. Maybe, this was a sign, things... could they possibly be getting better?
The weekend passes, and with it comes more misery, obliterating all happy feelings brought on by my arrival in the new town. Will it ever end?
A small cardboard box addressed to me lies outside my door when I rise on Sunday. My mood had been unusually chipper since my first night here. The treats that that mare had sent me were more than appreciated, and I'd already made a sizeable dent in them, but all the treats, job offers, and hope would be able to stop what the box brought.
When I open it, my heart shatters more than I thought possible. Our memories! Our pictures, our gifts. Even the ruby necklace I bought her for her birthday, here they all sit before me, crammed and shoved heartlessly into the small container. Atop them all lies a note. The swears and the curses I can deal with, but the message is what cuts deepest.
Basically, she never wants to see or hear from me again. SHE doesn't want to see ME, just one final insult to hammer in the nails of my coffin! With a heavy heart, I pick up the box and take it inside, my heart and insides quickly freezing over, going cold and numb.
.....
Tuesday, my second day at work, and still that numb feeling hasn't left me. All I can say is, at least I'm serving a bunch of ponies who look as bad as I feel. I don't speak much, I simply serve the drinks. The stallion who hired me is called Liquid Pours, what a slick name (Pardon the pun) He's cool, he permits that I'm in a bad place at the moment, and he ensures his schedule works around that. It's a small comfort to know he's looking out for me, but it doesn't really do much.
I leave after my shift, picking up my pay as I say goodbye to Liquid. With that I'm outside in the night. The beauty I noticed before doesn't seem as important now. I just begin to make the robotic journey from work to home.
A light rumbling sounds from overhead. I look up to see a Pegasus -her mane and tail made of every colour of the rainbow- pushing a dark rain cloud in to place amongst a large clump of dark water vapour.
The Pegasus glances down at m as she kicks the clump into life. I realise it's a female. She gives a short wave to me -probably warning me about the rain- then zips off into the distance at breakneck speed.
Before I can lower my face, the first drop of rain strikes my muzzle softly. It's cold, I can feel it trickling down my chin towards my chest. Another gentle tap signifies another drop falling to the spit just beneath my eye.
Soon a gentle blanket of rain begins to fall from the sky, light and cool. I close my eyes, the feeling of the cold water is actually...relieving! For the past two days I'd been walking around without feeling. The cold helps me believe I'm still here, still able to feel! I'm not gone, not yet.
I don't know how long I stand there but soon from the gloom behind my eyelids I hear splashing hoofsteps as well as a giggling voice singing quietly.
"Splish splash splish, the rain comes down!
I open my eyes, and sure enough it's who I'd guessed it was from that high pitched carefree voice.
The pink mare was happily trotting through the puddles while singing her song. The sight brings a faint smile to my lips. It's wiped and replaced with confusion, why did that make me smile? when I've been feeling this bad? But when I look again, the smile comes out again, maybe it's just some emotion brought on by the rain. I remember the welcome gift and realise I haven't actually seen her since I'd received it.
"H-Hey..." I shout gruffly, a lack of use making my throat sore when suddenly called upon. I cough, conscious that the pony was quickly disappearing back into the rainy gloom in the distance. I try again.
"Hey! Blinkie Pie!" I see the pony stop and turn in the direction of my voice, she looks confused. When she spots me, she gives a little skip of glee.
"Oooh Zombie, hey!" She sais happily as she makes the wet journey towards me. Suddenly she changes to a state of bewilderment, she halts and tilts her head to one side, her brow furrowed in a frown. "I'm not 'Blinkie Pie' silly! That's my sister!"
"Okie dokie lokie... Go ahead!" She sais beaming up at me from the ground like a young filly. Now I'm the one who's confused.
Her mane still looks dry and bouncy as the day I met her, her fur seemed fluffy and soft even in this downpour. I note it as yet another odd characteristic of this strange mare.
I open my mouth to speak, but she cuts me off almost immediately with a giggle. "Oops silly me, I mean, what are you doing in Ponyville, not HERE her like this exact spot of grass, hehehe." Still she's so close, all I can see are those bright blue irises, shining and glinting just ahead of me.
I swallow hard and try to remember this isn't my e I'm talking to!
She backs up slightly, giving me some personal space again. I cough slightly then answer. "Well... yeaqh." I open my mouth to continue explaining, then bite back thinking otherwise. It doesn't go unnoticed.
I can feel the gloom mood that goes with my name fast approaching at the mere mention of my past.
"Hey mister moody muzzle!" She suddenly sais to me in a soft tone that I have yet to hear her speak in. I glance up, and though her big blue eyes are filled with sad sympathy, her lips are curled in a smile. "I know how to cheer you up!" I raise an eyebrow in question.
"Just smile."
Though her words sound childish and naive they still seem to hold some obvious truth behind them. When I don't respond, she continues. "Just smile, and everything bad just washes away with the rain!" The words make me let a small laugh, which makes my lips curl slightly.
When she sees, she smiles even wider, as though competing against me, which brings an even bigger smile from me in reaction to her odd antics. Surely enough the smile fills me with a little warmth. "See!" Pinkie exclaims to me, beaming all the more brightly .
The end of the rain sparks movement in me. "Well..." I say ruffling my mane with my right hoof to make it resume it's natural spiky look. As I did, light little droplets fell around me from the soaked hair. "I'm pretty hungry, so I think I'll head home and make some"-
She came behind me and surprising strength, began to push me towards the centre of town, still talking about what we could do.
.....
"And eat cupcakes, and carrot cakes, and potato cakes, oh silly me they're not sweat, their savoury, plus where would we find some potatoes at this time of night? Oh we're here!" Pinkie had been babbling giddily the entire time she'd guided me through town, and finally once we reached a crazily bright and flamboyant building topped with novelty icing, she stopped and beamed at the place.
'What a suitable place for this mare to live!' I think silently before we enter.
"Oh Mr and Mrs Cake!" The mare calls as she crosses the threshold. I hear movement from within some unseen kitchen. "I'm back, is it ok if we have a dinner guest?" Soon a bright blue -slightly tubby, but still wonderfully kind and warm looking- pony poked her head out from arounf the corner.
"Ooooh Pinkie dear, o'course we can!" She came out and held out a hoof. "I'm Mrs Cake, pleased to meet yah deerie! Please excuse the mess!" She gestured down at apron coated in what looked like orange slime. "Feedin' the twins is hard work!" She finishes.
I stretch out a hoof and shake hers gladly. "Pleasure Mrs. I'm Sombre, Sombre Mood."
"Okie dokie lokie!" Pinkie chirrups and bounces into the next room, her eyes shut as she smiles widely and enters the dining room, followed cautiously by myself. "Here yah go Zombie! You get the chair of honour!" The mare cries happily, pulling out an unassuming chair from the dining table.
As my flank touches the chair, a bright yellow, skinny stallion enters the room with a tray of sandwiches clenched between his teeth. I immediately realise this must be 'Mr Cake' so I stand and rush over to him, smiling politely and taking the tray with my magic.
Once I place the tray on the table, to an approving smile and nod from Pinkie, the yellow stallion reaches out his hoof, "Mr Cake, pleased to meat you, and your name is..." I open my mouth to speak, but as I do I catch a glance from the pink pony in her seat.
In response to my word, Pinkie bursts into fits of giggles, punctuated with the occasional adorable snort. Mr Cake glances over to her and smiles. "I see, one of Pinkie's nick names?" he asks of me, I smile and nod. "Fai enough." And with that, Mrs Cake enters.
The food isn't extravagant, but its barn well good! The sandwiches go down at a terrific pace, and soon nothing is left but crumbs. Pinkie suddenly lets out a long and loud belch, I can't help but laugh at the loud deep noise coming from such a femininely coloured and looking mare.
"Impressive!" I compliment her, to which she actually blushes! Or at least, her already pink cheeks went a little darker. She adopts a very serious and formal tone, looking down her nose at me, she says slowly. "Why thank you dear Zombie!" To which we both laugh.
As I fill with the warm feeling of joy I had thought was long gone, I notice the Cakes exchange knowing and smug smiles. I'm not sure why they do it, Pinkie doesn't even seem to notice, so I dismiss it.
A few more minutes, and the convocation turned to the establishment they were now sitting in. "Me and my sweetheart here built this place, we just wanted a fun place where ponies could come and eat with friends and family." Mr Cake explained.
I glance over at Pinkie, who beams to me and nods, agreeing with the blue mother figure. So she wasn't actually joking when she called this the 'Chair of Honour.' I turn to the Cakes. "Really? So who is it who sat here, if you don't mind me asking that is."
Half an hour later, I find myself leaving. Mr and Mrs Cake give me a warm goodbye before heading to bed. As I'm heading for the door, my heart shudders slightly after such happiness when I realise what's waiting for me back at the Sleepy Mare, that box. As Pinkie opens the front door to let me out, a cold wind breezes through the hall. I give a small sigh.
"Zombie?" I look up to see a concerned look on Pinkie's face.
"Do you want to talk about it?"
"Y-you have helped!" I stutter, backing awayto try and keep my head about me after that delightful smell. "Tonight was great, it really got my mind off of stuff! I loved it!" That seemed to make her happy.
As I move out I smile to her. "Thanks Pinkie! See you round?" She begins to shut the door, but stops it just with a crack of space and peeks through.
I couldn't understand how it surprised me so much. It's my actual name after all, so why was the absence of the pink mare's nickname affected me so? Could it be I was beginning to like it as much, if not more than my own name?
As I walk back towards the Sleep Mare, I try to understand what had happened back at the bakery. Something seemed to be brewing within me, was it her eyes that made all this strange to me? Seeing as they were so much like Apple Cider's? No.
As my mind tried to process my thoughts, a new image flashed across my mind's eye. That smile. The lack of caution, the sheer joy behind it, she didn't hold anything back, she simply let all know how she felt. As my nose twitched, I remembered that smell of candy on her breath, and my ears flicked as they played over that word she had whispered. "Sombre!" I feel a faint reflection of her smile flicker across my own lips. The thought of a girl who doesn't hold herself to what is expected is... refreshing.
I reach my room quickly, I almost glide in, after the happiest night I've had in far too long, nothing can phase my unusually happy mood. With a flash of my horn, the box containing our memories -which was nestled on the bed- flew through the air and landed on the floor across the room. I take no notice of the spilling contents as I flop onto the bed and give a kind hearted sigh. I gaze up at the ceiling, I think I'm starting to like it here!
My sigh begins to fade as I drift off to sleep. Fleetingly, the final thing I remember of that night, is that glimpse of pink through the crack in the door, and how she had said my name!
Sombre
.....
It feels as though my eyes have only been closed for a second before I'm woken by the pounding hooves against my door.
I glance to the window, and see that it's now day time, had I overslept? Was I late for work and Liquid was here to kick my ass?
"Pinkie what is it? What's the matter?"
"Pinkie?-" I try to speak, but am cut short as we burst through the front door into the hall. A explosive wall of sound screamed into existence, exploding all around us. My ears scream in protest, but I ignore them, I grab Pinkie to try and pull her to safety. Just as my hoof meets her soft pink fur however, she squeals with joy, all horror gone and replaced with genuine amusement and excitement.
"SURPRISE!" She shouts along with about forty other ponies who had seemed to have materialised out of nowhere.
"It's your welcome party Zombie!" Pinkie pipes as she pulls me across the large room.
"I was worried you were going to be late to your own party!" Pinkie explains as she helps me up from the ground. Only her facial expression is what proves she's being truthful and not joking. As though missing a party where the worst act a pony could commit!
"I see..." I mumble rotating my now sore shoulder, checking it hadn't dislodged itself in the hard encounter with the ground. I begin t look around. "But... who are these ponies? I don't know anypony here besides you I don't think."
"You see!" Pinkie puffs as she waves a casual hoof through the air. "Being a Gloomy, gussy, saddy, frownfrown face may be your thing, but when it comes to parties, you're looking at the best!" I simply stare at her. "P-Pinkie...I..." I swallow. "Thank you... I couldn't have even thought..." I look around in awe, this time -unlike her welcome gift basket- the bright colours don't make me shy away, but actually enhance my quickly growing good mood! Finally, my vision falls back to her, this wonderful, amazing, unfathomable pony. She's looking at me with her head tilted slightly to her right, her lips parting in a huge toothy smile.
"You really like it?!?!" She asks overjoyed at my speechless, incredulous reaction.
Suddenly, my less emotional side kicks in once again, and makes me pull away. I give a quick cough and suddenly find myself unable to look at the wonderful mare. She merely laughs harder at my show of embarrassment, and takes hold of my hoof again, lighter than before.
.....
"Hey! Fluttershy!" Pinkie drags me over to the corner of the room, where a timid looking yellow Pegasus stands alone, looking quite lost. "O-oh... Pinkie, how are you?" I have to actually crane my ears to even tell she's saying anything over the dull roar of the surrounding party.
"I'm superduper!" Pinkie chirrups before pulling me in-between the two of them. The yellow mare gives a small squeak of fear and backs away, using her long pink mane to hide. "It's ok Fluttershy, he's my B.N.U.G.S.F.Z!" Pinkie reassures her. Slowly she peaks back out from behind her pink fringe. I can tell from the politely curious expression on her face, that she has no idea what the letters meant either.
"Oh... ok...ummm... What is that exactly?" I look to Pinkie who's now taking a deep intake of breath. 'Oh Celestia here it comes!' I think to myself. Bracing for whatever random thing is about to happen.
"Myyyyyyy
Brand
New
Unusually
Gloomy
Stallion
Friend
ZOMBIE!
With each word, she flings out her legs at amazingly impossible angles. To my utter amazement, on the word gloomy she comes behind me with tremendous speed, took my cheeks and pulled them down in a frown, and on my name... confetti! Lots and lots of confetti, bursting into the air behind me with a loud bang before floating down like florescent snow.
If the yellow mare before me had been a little shy before, she is now utterly terrified by the loud and boisterous display. I realise, I need to ensure I make a good impression. So I step forward, my hooves crunch over the layer of confetti now on the floor.
Before I can ask. A voice just off to the side of me calls out to the bashful yellow mare. "Come now Fluttershy, we came here to welcome the young man, surely you can be brave enough to give him your name? Remember what we said at the spa? 'Confidence!'" I turn to find a radiant platinum coated pony, her mane was fashioned in loose purple curls that hung beautifully around her head and beside her slim figure.
"O-oh, hi Rarity..." the apparent 'Fluttershy' muttered smiling at the approaching unicorn grateful for a more talkative friend to speak for her. The new arrival smiles back before stretching out a waiting hoof.
I glance back to the Pegasus, who gives me a shy, silent and agreeing nod. I smile, "That's fine really." the hunched Pegasus seemed to loosen slightly with relief at my acceptance of her, and returned the smile sheepishly.
Then I realise something. I turn back to this new pony.
"Rarity? As in the clothes designer?" The platinum pony looks surprised, her eyebrows vanish underneath her mane as she looks at me in a new light.
I notice she's looking back at me with curiosity . With a little jump, I realise that I've left the three mares hanging on my last words. "Oh, well you see, back in Manehatton the singer 'Sapphire shores' is a massive celebrity and she mentioned you at a few of her concerts." Rarity stands there obvious awe shining in her eyes. "so," I continue, wanting to add to her good feeling even more. "You're quite a big name where I come from."
That did it.
Her face burst into a huge smile, her eyes slightly misty with happy tears. "Really?" She asks, obviously grateful for what I just said. "Thank you dear, so much." She quickly wipes her eyes and composes herself.
I hadn't thought of her all day! How? She was so close to my mind everyday here so far, so why had she just vanished to the point where I could mention her so casually? Yet again however, my mood must have shown on my face, because as her face began to swim across my mind once again, Pinkie grabbed me again.
"Oh no you don't Zombie!" She says in a sing-song voice. "Today is a happy day, you don't get to go all gloomy guss on us!" With a smile to her two friends she trots away, dragging me with her, the sudden surprise wiped all my thoughts clean, and only gave me time to call back to the two mares stood by the wall.
Yet again I'm dragged through the crowd, but I glance up at my transport this time. From this angle I can only see the left side of her face, and her usual excitable smile. She had pulled me away all to keep me happy and preoccupied, I know that. All to keep my mind off of Apple Cider. Why? What could she have to gain from me being happy? I was sure there was nothing, and as that thought takes hold, it brings with it a new feeling towards the pink mare. Appreciation, I want to thank her, but as I open my mouth I realise I have no way to word it.
"Here we go! TWILIGHT! DASHIE!" Pinkie screams to two ponies I can't quite see at this angle. When Pinkie finally stops, I stumble again, trying to my hooves again. I think I have it, but my right foreleg gives way and I fall. I cry out, but before I hit the ground I feel a hoof catch me.
As it helps me up I see it holding my chest, a cyan furred Pegasus is hovering just ahead of me, obviously there to catch me.
When she lands, the mare laughs at the pink earth pony. "Oh come on Pinkie! You know I love you!" I glance at my host, who explodes into giggles and jumps onto the Pegasus. "You better! Hehehehee!" They both collapse as they hug. I laugh at the outright display of friendship between the two.
As she stays still, I notice the mare's shockingly vibrant mane, all the colours of the rainbow. Then it clicks, Rainbow! Huh, pretty cool name I suppose. "Come on Pinkie!" The purple unicorn laughs as she pries Rainbow free. "I don't think she can breathe!" Once liberated, the Pegasus springs up panting. All three mares straighten up and give out another laugh as they see each other's flustered faces.
Honestly! What is with everypony here? Why are they all so happy? I don't think besides the ponies in the bar, that I'd seen a single sad face. This is nothing like Manehatton, what's more... I think I like it more than my old stomping grounds!
The purple unicorn nods and addresses me. "My name is Twilight Sparkle, resident librarian and personal student under Princess Celest-"
"Heh, well sorry 'bout that it's just..." Rainbow scratched her neck bashfully, "It wasn't anything personal, promise. It's just I thought you'd know the schedule up at the weather bureau..." She gives a week laugh. "I didn't know you were new... sorry hehehh." She finishes. Before I can explain how it was fine, Pinkie was in with a wild happy reason of her own.
"It's ok Dashie! Zombie loves the rain as much as me, and afterwards he came back to Sugar Cube Corner for dinner!" The rainbow maned Pegasus gives a relieved sigh at this, and her purple friend pipes up.
"Ok then, just don't start with your name if you see my assistant Spike. He kind of has a ... thing about Zombies." She looks a little sceptical at her Assistants attitude towards the mythical monsters.
"Ohh, sorry Rainbow." Twilight says unable to hid the falseness of the apology. As Rainbow opens her mouth to yell, Twilight gasps as she seems to spot something. "Oh look, is that Rarity? Come on Rainbow you said you needed to speak with her remember?" Rainbow looked bewildered.
I turn to Pinkie. "You... talk about me?" I ask, curiosity mixed with worry quickly setting in.
I look at her and open my mouth to remind her we had only met on three occasions, but as my tongue curls to start the sentence, my brain is overruled by something else. My heart. Before I can stop to think, my voice is rushing to reassure her.
She giggles. "Hehe, c'mon I have one more friend I want you to meat!" This time she doesn't drag me, she doesn't need to. After these last four ponies, I'm sure the next will just be as wonderful. I wasn't about to disappear on her. I'd never do that, not to Pinkie! So we walked back into the throng of the crowd, looking for this final friend of hers.
.....
A few ponies stop me and introduce themselves, all of them as friendly as the last. A pair stop me, one an earth pony with a dark grey coat with a long flowing mane, the other a unicorn with a white coat but a shocking blue neon mane.
As I watch, I'm sure I notice a hint of sudden insecurity flicker across the usually confident Pink mare's face. I glance to the dark mare, she has a look all too similar to the city ponies I had escaped by moving here. Superior and condescending.
"Pinkie." She eventually acknowledges cold and utterly devoid of emotion.
"Dude, Pink this party is EPIC! You really outdid yourself this time!" The white pony says, shooting an annoyed glance at this 'Octavia.' I'm glad I'm not the only one annoyed by her cold attitude towards my pink friend! Her words seem to raise Pinkie's spirits slightly, she smiles at the unicorn then glances to me.
"Charmed." Octavia says to me, holding out an expecting hoof.
Suddenly, I feel my city self rising again. Turning back I look straight at Octavia. "Well I have no idea what you're talking about, because as this is a welcome party for me, there's nothing more important to me! So... what exact purpose does standing there complaining have?" My words hit her like a tonne of bricks! she obviously wasn't expecting somepony to fight back. Her mouth opens in surprise, she breaths in. Her eyes glint with anger, I prepare for an argument for the ages, but Vinyl intervenes.
"Hehehh, well look at the time! We better get going!" She slams her head hard into the side of her friend's flank, pushing her away hurriedly before an all out flame war exploded between me and her. "Come on Octy! See you two later!" And now they were gone.
"You ok?" I ask, returning to Pinkie as I calm down slowly.
"Yeah, she isn't I guess hehe."
So we set off again, but this time we're stopped only when Pinkie's ears prick up at the sound of a voice over the crowd's roar. It makes her beam with joy, but as my ears twitch and listen, it strikes nothing but horror.
"Whooooooowee! That Apple bobbin' sure is a hoot an' a half!" Is that... it couldn't be. But sure enough, as the crowd parts creating a single pathway, I see a tub of water with the delicious red fruits bouncing gently on the rippling surface. And though her back is turned, I recognise her immediately , that orange fur, and the Stetson hat.
Pinkie trots a few steps forward, but as she does, she realises I'm not with her. I'm still stood still, reeling at my impossibly bad luck! Cider's cousin, here? "C'mon Zombie! I want you to meet her!" I open my mouth to try and explain, but how could I do it quickly enough? There was too much to explain.
I shake my head, trying to focus on what's going on. The first thing I notice is Pinkie has vanished. Guessing what was coming I turn back and sure enough she is there. Her hooves reaching out towards my back to push me forward. "Pinkie! Wait a second!" I try to protest, but it's too late, she's pushing me unbelievably fast towards the country pony ahead. I dig my hooves into the ground, trying to push back, to halt the advance, to no avail, the polished surface gave no grip for my hooves to hold on to!
She recognises me, almost instantly her jaw drops. The recognition doesn't register with Pinkie. Her eyes are closed in apparent joy as she smiles at her friends meeting. "Zombie I'd like you to meet-"
"You two know each other? OH MY GOSH!" Pinkie cries in surprise. She begins to bounce side to side. "Iiiit's a small world after-"
Silence.
Pinkie looks from me to Applejack naively, unable to notice the tension between us both.
"Yeah AJ?"
"Ok then, be back in a minute Zombie!" Pinkie smiles, skipping off towards the refreshment table, leaving me alone with Applejack.
"I guess you're right." She says slowly, taking a light hold of my shoulder, and guiding me away from the on looking ponies of the Apple bobbing. When a little less exposed, she speaks again. "But I've been hearin' all sortsa names for you over the past two weeks partner. Guess you can't help that either." My heart sinks even lower.
"I kind of got that message already." I say glumly, remembering the box of memories and the note it came with.
"You don' know? Fair enough..." She glances back towards the crowd. "Would you say... your happy here?" What was with the twenty questions?!
"Excuse me?" I ask, bewildered to the highest degree. She glances at me, and to my utter astonishment, she smiles at me.
For a moment there's silence then. "What does Zomie blame himself for?" I whirl round to see Pinkie stood a few feet away, I'm sure it had been taking her too long to get a drink! How long has she been there? If she'd heard about... Did she think I was keeping secrets now? Judging by her face, she does.
"Y-you told AJ?" Pinkie mumbled, this time her mane wasn't subtle, it shook slightly in fact, and threatened to straighten completely! Her face far worse than when her sister insulted her, it was the face of someone who felt betrayed. "You told AJ what happened to you back home, but... you won't tell me?"
"Pinkie! It's not like that." I explain.
.....
I shut the door to my room, and breathe a sigh of relief that Pinkie had decided to come with me. She stands there for a moment, looking around from wall to wall curiously. On the way up, she had calmed down a little, but she was still upset.
After a moment, Pinkie asks the question I knew she would. "So, who's she? The other Pony?" I take a deep breath, preparing to finally tell the story for the first time.
.....
"PERFECT!" I cry happily, standing back to admire my work. The perfect balcony pick nick! I glance back and look at the city skyline, I think to myself. 'I'll never get tired of this place!' I think it, because as I watchI see something entirely new! I see a griffon soaring from the ground into the sky, then through an open window of a nearby apartment complex. Moments later, the lights within the room began to flash, and a bassy beat came bursting out through the open window.
I then glance up at the moon in the sky, Princess Luna had done a perfect job, the best night of the past month, so everything was set. A perfect night, for a perfect surprise meal. I'd set it up perfectly, told Cider that I was going to be out all night with some work friends. Then I'd snuck back in after she'd left for work. Now it was approaching the time she'd be back, and with it, I'd surprise her with her favourite meal, on this romantic setting of our balcony. I hope she likes it!
An hour passes, and I slowly become worried, why isn't she home? I hope she hadn't made plans to go out now that I was supposedly not in. Please Cider, get home soon, you're going to love this!
I hear a key in the front door, I smile and spring up. Taking a shaky breath, I push myself against the outside wall, ensuring that all she would see would be the pick nick, then I would jump out and surprise her even more! After a moment, I hear a small soft giggle, Cider? Yes that was definitely her laugh... but why is she laughing? Never mind, It's nothing.
Then I hear the other voice.
It's low, deep and gruff, I can't hear what it says, but I can definitely hear Cider's response.
Silence for a moment, then I hear the ruffling of fur, the occasional step of a hoof gently on the carpet. Then, the unmistakable sound of Cider, letting out a soft pleasured moan.
I can't move, all I can do is listen, My ears are now radars, swivelling for the slightest sound from within my apartment. I hear her let out another soft giggle, then I hear a soft smacking of lips! My heart seems to stop beating, as the floor falls out from beneath me, letting me fall into the darkness of my mind, they were... kissing?!? Something is tapping against the wall, I look down and see that it's my own hoof, shaking in horror. I try my best to steady it. I don't know why, if they hear me they'll stop surely! That is if they can hear me. They're getting louder.
I look to my right to the glass door that separates the outside world from the interior of the apartment. Horribly, it's angled perfectly to reflect the image from inside. My best friend Jolly stands there, kissing my girlfriend of the past two years. His red foreleg is rubbing her back as he kisses her, touching her everywhere. The sight makes my skin crawl. Maybe it had been his idea, after all it was him being the most forceful of the two. Maybe it was only him who'd betrayed me so.
That fantasy doesn't last long. I watch as the reflected Cider, suddenly pushes his chest away from hers, bringing me slight hope. Before turning and walking towards the bed, it's just in view of the door from this angle. She hops on, turns over and lies facing up towards my friend. She spreads her legs slightly. Then whispers "Get over here!"
Jolly comes over slowly, that's the worst part, it all seems like it's happening in slow motion. Every little moment elongated to torture me. Finally he's at the bed, he leans down, and climbs over her. Then he dives his muzzle into the crook of her neck, kissing it passionately. How could they do this to me! The way they were acting, suggested it wasn't the first time, how long had it been going on, how many times had me and Cider come to meet up with Jolly, and the two had shared secret glances and silent laughs at my ignorance? HOW LONG?!
Jolly raises his head, and looks to his right. Towards the open doors of the balcony, I pray my dark coat blends with the shadows to ensure I'm not reflected back. It doesn't matter, the patchwork quilt and food was enough to say I was here, if not to him, then definitely to her. "Oh, food for afterward huh? You really thought of everything!" I hear him say huskily. Celestia darn it! Here it comes.
"Uhhh... Don't stop...uhh wait... what?" Cider says between moans. Then I see her reflection look up from the pillow and stare at the display on the balcony. I see the realisation strike her. She flings a hoof up to Jolly's chest and pushes him to the side. A moment of silence passes, then. "Sombre?" She breathes. Well, the jig is up now.
I peal myself from the wall, and walk around the corner, into the living room. As I step in I feel how hot it is in here, the thought of why it's like this makes me feel physically ill! I stand by the glass door, simply gazing at the two ponies who I had once trusted more than anything in the world. Nopony speaks.
I wait a moment, then take a step forward. "W-why?" I ask shakily, I'm not nearly crying, I'm no way near it, in fact I simply feel numb. I feel as though I have died and simply stayed stood up. "Moody! Buddy, look... it's not what it looks like!" Jolly shouts as he hops from the bed, and comes a few steps towards me. The everlasting cliché!
"What's the matter Jolly?" I ask, "Weren't you just saying you not afraid of me, that you can handle me?" Jolly looked to Cider fleetingly, silently beseeching some support. She stays silent. "Go on then." I whisper, causing both to stare at me in surprise. Jolly splutters slightly.
"If you can deal with me, then do it." I say simply. "Do me in, beat me up, throw me out, anything. Just do it all ready." Jolly frowns at me, unable to understand why I'm saying this so calmly, I think I'm freaking him out, good! He deserves at least that. "Go on jolly." I goad him. He backs away slightly looking rather frightened. I turn my head to Cider.
"Is that true?" I ask her, to which she nods.Another crack. "I see..." I glance back at my supposed best friend. Then back to the love of the last two years. "You could have just told me you wanted to date scum." I say coldly.
I keep walking on, until I'm mere inches from him. "M-Moody, buddy." I don't even look the taller stallion in the eyes, I simply stare at his neck, knowing that just behind it was the handle to the door. I was basically seeing through him almost. Now in every sense of the word, he wasn't who he pretended to be, he wasn't a friend.
.....
Pinkie sits there staring at me, her eyes clouded with tears. She sat there silently the entire time I explained what had happened, and still she stayed quiet. Making sure I had let everything else out. "I went to my parent's house after that." I continue, my voice low. My head hangs moodily and I stare at the picture of the two of us, had she been with Jolly before it had been taken? "But I couldn't stay in the city, it all hurt too much. So I decided to move. I heard as I was leaving that Jolly had decided to move as well, and I guess that's why Cider now hates me, she lost both ponies she had now because of it." I gesture at the note she wrote, lying at the foot of the bed where it had fallen.
Pinkie doesn't even look at it, she still simply watches me. Her hair, to my surprise, had long since exploded into long, straight strands, she looked far more like her grey sister now. But she was still Pinkie. "I..." I try to speak, but am stopped by the sudden appearance of an unexpected event, tears. My own eyes finally brim with pearly drops for the first time in what feels like a life time. Why now? Is it because I had described what had happened? No, it's Pinkie, each time I glance up at her, I hurt, knowing that what I had just told her had made her this way.
"I-I just don't understand why!" I finally say for the first time. There's a faint pitter pat of tears as they fall onto the picture of me and Cider. The coloured ink runs slightly as they fall. My face begins to blur and fade as the drops wipe me from the image. Like rain, washing away a stain. Is that all I am? A stain? A thing needed to be wiped away eventually because it's unwanted by all? It feels that way.
As I sob, I feel something soft on my chin, I open my teary eyes, and see pink. I look up to see Pinkie, a lot closer than before. She's dried her eyes, and she's looking at me caringly. "Hey..." She says, I can't speak, so I look her in the eye to show I'm listening. Still so much like Ciders, yet not, they don't hold scorn or hate, only caring, and concern. A new sob comes, and my shoulders bounce slightly, I look away, ashamed I've gotten in this state!
"Hey," I hear her say again. "Sombre." I can't help but look back in surprise at my own name. She locks gazes with me, shrugs, and says simply. "Just smile." I look at her for a moment amazed at how hard she's still working to make it better, even before I told her, she had been trying, that made me feel amazing, to know that somepony still cared. As I think that, I remember the others I've met tonight, how they're all kind, happy, and how they all treat me with the same feelings they do their closest friends.
With all those thoughts, I can't help but give a shaky smile. Pinkie sees it, and smiles back at me. Then for a moment we sit there, inches from each other, smiling. Then Pinkie's gaze changes slightly, her eyes droop, and she leans closer. Not slowly, she does it fast which catches me by surprise. So by the time I notice, I feel her lips against mine. I fall back on my bed, with Pinkie atop me. The smell of candy fills my nostrils again, and I feel her tongue against mine. I close my eyes, feeling sudden relief for the first time in so long. As though she's feeding me her positive feelings through the kiss.
I let my foreleg travel down hers, I feel her tense her muscles slightly at my touch. I continue to stroke, and as I reach her hoof, I let mine drop to the cover of the bed, I find what I'm looking for immediately, the picture of me and Cider. I take a grip on it, and slide it off, all caring for the memory gone in a flash. I'd felt it for the last two days, the feeling that I couldn't explain. But in this second, in this kiss, it all becomes clear. The feeling, even after so soon a heartbreak as mine, was love.
Love for this beautiful, kind, marvellous, random, smiling Pony.
Pinkie.
How could she do this to me? After so long, so much time spent together, so much time supposedly in love!
My hooves feel heavy, it feels as though lead weights are tied to each of my shins, making me drag them slowly and painfully. I'm cold, not just from the approaching winter, but cold inside as well, that kind of cold that one those who have experienced true heartbreak can know.
So lonely, so cold, so miserable! I had to get out, get out of the city and find a new place, too many bad memories in Manehatton, or at least... they're bad now, every happy moment tainted by the truth. So I left my childhood home, said goodbye to my folks on the other side of the city, and left on the train with only the bare essentials. Even without my magic, the meagrely packed suit case would have been easy to carry. Not much to take with you when you give everything to somepony you love.
The train finally dumps me in a Celestia forsaken town, well out of the way of any modern day comforts, not to say it isn't old fashioned. I can see from here that it has plenty of everything I'd possibly ever need, all it lacked in were the towering skyscrapers, and the massive bustling crowds of ponies. It's missing the feel of the city, which I guess is both a blessing and a curse. It can help me move on from my previous life, but it also makes me feel horribly home sick!
The train moves on to some other stop I don't really care about, leaving me to cough as the steam from the engine swarms around me. When it clears I'm alone. It's the early hours of the morning, and the sun is just beginning to creep over the horizon and shower the little town in its early morning glow.
Already I can see the appeal of such a place. It's quaint, each terraced cottage looks unique, and in the far distance I can see a farm with thousands of Apple trees. With a glance to my left I see the sign emblazoned on a soft, white metal sign. "Ponyville" I laugh a little to myself, what a... unique name for a town.
I begin to move towards the town centre from the station, not a very long walk, and I can then check into the local motel and just sleep! As I walk however, my mind begins to wander back to those sad memories, and my attitude quickly grows dark. What a surprise! With a name like "Sombre mood" How else am I supposed to act?
The town is interesting, a few of the buildings stick out comically with their bright colours now highlighted by the rising son. The beginnings of the town commuters begin to drift out and around, flicking their shop's signs to 'Open' before heading in for the working day. I notice a few glances my way, that's to be expected, judging by the size of the town, it's very likely everypony knows everypony around here.
I'm a new freckle found on the face of this town, welcome, but odd. 'Geez I'm getting way to figurative these days!' I think to myself. 'Next I'll be writing some sappy poem about my heart brake fuelled travels! Then I'll be'-
"Oooff!"
Something large and pink collides with my chest at quite a pace. I fall backwards from the collision and blurt out an apology without the slightest thought. Only when I begin to get up does my city upbringing kick in, this pony ran into me! Why was I apologising? I open my mouth to give them the tongue lashing of a life time, but as I take a breath the pony pulls herself up to.
"Oh oopsie! Clumsy me! Sorry about that Mr..." The pink mare stares at me, her facial expression frozen in a half smile. The dazzling blue of her eyes is what stopped me from yelling, so much like hers... so much like Apple Cider's! But now that I'm not yelling, I'm a little unsettled by this mare's demeanour, still she's just frozen, her face completely motionless, she didn't even blink!
I move to the side and see her hind legs are actually hovering off the floor, she was completely balanced on her forehooves, and yet so still! "Uhhh..." I begin, my voice gruff and croaky after such a long trip with no need to use it. I nudge her slightly, checking she hadn't just died on her feet!
My nudge sends her tipping backwards, I watched as she began to fall. Expecting her to collapse I take a step towards her to catch her, but no sooner had I made a step forwards, she bursts to life with a large gasp. The loud noise makes me jump and I back away slightly. The pony bounced up as she gasped, and it scared me how long she seemed to be able to hang in mid air with no magic or wings of any kind!
"YOU'RE NEW HERE!" She squeals with excitement, finally dropping back to the floor.
"My name's Sombre." I say simply, then trot quickly around her making my way to my awaiting bed.
"Name's Pinkemeana Dianne Pie, but everypony calls me Pinkie, so you can too!" the pony seemed to be bouncing as she talked, I was getting motion sickness just from watching her. 'Gee, yeah and MY name's weird!' I think.
And so began my first day, of my new life in Ponyville. Little did I know, that random mare, that strange, odd, unbelievable, indescribable pony, would change everything!
