The Gray Area

Due to the slow pace at which the ponies walked they didn't make it out of the forest until Celestia had already started to raise the sun. It had been rather late when the three had made it back to Zecora's in the first place, only to add on the slow and careful trek through the forest. It wasn't the best of times even with the well traveled path they had taken.

Krysta had eventually fallen asleep against the warm Applejack, her tears having stopped about half way through the journey making it a much more comfortable situation. Twilight and Fluttershy looked rather tired by now, each giving Applejack a look of wonderment as she didn't look the least bit tired. And that was even with carrying the human around. Growing up on an orchard has it's pluses after all they guessed.

“What now Twilight? Where do you think we should take her?” Fluttershy piped up with a slow, tired voice. Though she would have loved to go to bed she would not rest until Krysta was taken care of. Applejack and Twilight seemed to have the same thought as they stopped, taking a bit of time to figure out a plan now that they were out of the forest.

“Well, we can't take her into Ponyville. I don't think that would be the best idea. What about your house Fluttershy? It is close by and a ways from Ponyville.” Twilight offered her idea with a motioning hoof towards the cottage that was a mere few minutes trot away. Fluttershy looked on before slowly shaking her head.

“I don't think that would be a good idea either. I have all the animals I need to take care of. If she doesn't like animals or acts like she did at Zecora's, the animals, or even her, could get hurt. It wouldn't be any better than Ponyville....at least that is what I think...” She whispered on at the end as if she didn't believe her input had value.

Fluttershy and Twilight both sighed before they looked over at Applejack. The orange earth pony blinked at them before their looks caused something to click in her head. Her head moved between Krysta and her friends in disbelief, wondering if they were serious. A raised eyebrow from Twilight and a small meep from Fluttershy due to Applejack's stare caused the cowpony to groan.

“Alright. Ah'll take her to the farm. We have a room open anyways. But ah won't be baby sittin'! Me and Big Macintosh still have a lot a work to do. If she stays with me y'all are gonna have to come and work with her proper until we can figure out somethin' else.” Before Applejack could even finish her stipulations Twilight and Fluttershy smiled and gave Applejack half hugs as to not wake the sleeping human. Applejack smiled and hugged back before continuing.

“Ah mean it though! Y'all will have ta keep an eye on her while she's there. I won't have her disturbing mah family's work or peace. Not that I won't help sometimes. This poor thing'll need everypony she can. We just gotta be careful is all.” Both mares nodded in total agreement. Krysta had already proven herself a hoof-ful.

“Fluttershy, go ahead and go get the others. Applejack and I will take her to Sweet Apple Acres. Meet us there. Oh, and also...” Twilight looked at Krysta for a moment, watching goosebumps rise on her skin as a cool morning breeze passed over it. “Have Rarity bring some sewing stuff. I think that getting this poor thing something to wear would be nice. She doesn't have the luxury of fur.”

Fluttershy nodded and took flight, albeit only a few feet from the ground. Applejack and Twilight didn't wait to watch her go, moving on towards a dirt path that led to the orchard. Both remained relatively silent, the only action outside of walking being Twilight using her magic to steady the sleeping human on Applejack's back.

“She sure is a heavy sleeper.” Applejack commented, surprised Krysta could stay asleep this whole time. Twilight just smiled at that, giving AJ a gentle poke to her ribs.

“I know somepony else who was a heavy sleeper too. So much so that she fell asleep upside down attached to an apple cart.” Twilight snickered as Applejack winced, red tinting her cheeks.

“Ah don't know what your talkin' bout.” Applejack simply stated, eyes looking to the side in embarassment. Twilight just giggled, always finding it entertaining when Applejack tried to fib, even in jest. She guessed the Element of Honesty would have trouble with that after all.

Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie had very different reactions to Fluttershy's early morning call. But after about 45 minutes of being lectured on the importance of beauty sleep, complained at about it being a certain pony's day off, and Pinkie Pie, the four friends made their way to Sweet Apple Acres. Well, four friends and a large covered cart that was being hauled by Rarity.

"What do you need all that for?" Rainbow Dash finally asked, unable to stop her curiosity. Rarity gave Rainbow Dash a sly smile before motioning a hoof to the cart.

"Behold! Fabulous clothing gone mobile! After our visit to Appleoosa I realized that some of the smaller towns might not have a proper clothing boutique! Which of course is simply dreadful! Since then I have been working on this! It has everything I need to make beautiful dresses on the go. Twilight even helped me with it, enchanting it so it doesn't make a lady work too hard in pulling it." Rarity struck a pose in her jewel encrusted harness, further inspection of the cart showing it to be, as Rarity would say, "in" this season.

The three ponies who were present could not deny that it was somewhat impressive. Even Rainbow Dash, who didn't care for dresses all that much, nodded her head in approval. It was one thing to be good at something and a whole other thing to be good at something and mobile enough that there is nowhere in Equestria you couldn't work. Rainbow Dash was one of the few who knew of this freedom, being a performance flier and all.

The farm came into view within a few minutes, the four ponies bantering back and forth as they walked. Coming to a stop in front of the house Fluttershy helped Rarity out of her harness while Pinkie Pie and rainbow dash zoomed inside, eager to meet this new "friend" of Fluttershy's. They were met with a very peculiar sight once they got inside.

Krysta had awoken by then and was sitting at the Apple Family's dining table, a slice of apple pie in front of her. Twilight and Applejack sat across from her, amused smiles on their faces and pieces of pies of their own, partially eaten. Krysta was fidgeting uncomfortably, staring down at the piece of pie with a mixed expression.

She didn't dare eat it. It was obviously poisoned, as it had just been given to her without a demand of payment. But then again, the ponies had taken slices from the same pie and ate them without any ill effect. And it smelled simply divine. It was Krysta's uncertainty that gave them such amusement, especially since the small girl was actually salivating at the sight and smell of it. The growls of the girl's stomach didn't help much with this either.

"Okay, so..." Rainbow Dash spoke up, walking over to the table next to Applejack, giving Krysta a momentary distraction. And she thought the other ponies were colorful! Applejack noticed the change in attention and loudly cleared her throat, tapping on the table with a hoof. Rainbow Dash watched this with her own amused grin. "What are you two doing? What is that? Kinda funny lookin isn't she."

The cyan colored mare began to walk around the table giving everyone present a minor panic attack. Krysta for the reason of the multi colored pony with wings getting suddenly closer and the other two because of Krysta's probable reaction. Applejack grabbed hold of Dash's tail and yanked her back.

"Hold up there Dash. This one's trouble. She aint eatin' so me and Twi here have been making her sit here. And she will stay here till she eats. Don't go rilin' her up. She aint used to us yet. Can't give her any surpri- hold the wagon where's Pinkie Pie!?" Applejack asked, looking around to see Pinkie Pie was nowhere to be found. She thought the place was a little too quiet while occupied with the constantly excited pony. "Oh pony feathers..."

The pink pony in question walked out from a hallway just then, raising an eyebrow at the cowpony. "Whats up AJ?" There was a party blower in her hoof. At the same time Twilight, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash cried out in one loud, desperate voice.

"NO SURPRISE PARTY!"

Pinkie Pie's grin lessened some at that. "Awwww, why not? I am sure she would love it!" The earth pony hopped towards the group, Krysta watching this all and wondering if she shouldn't be trying to leave while they are all, well, doing whatever they are doing. Deciding that that was indeed her plan Krysta made a move to leave the chair only for a swell of purple magic to push her back.

With a groan and a whimper Krysta sat back in the chair, looking upon twilight with a distasteful expression at being caught. The unicorn in question sighed and gave her own groan, this one being frustration.

"Why won't she just eat!? We aren't getting anywhere at this rate!" Leaning back in her own chair Twilight looked at a very amused Rainbow Dash. "And what is so funny? You get her to eat then!" The unicorn snapped at Rainbow Dash, only causing the cyan mare to laugh all the harder. It was at that moment Pinkie Pie spoke up.

"Why don't you try taking it away from her?" With her signature grin the pink earth pony said it simple as can be as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Twilight rolled her eyes at that. "Pinkie Pie, she is malnourished and wounded. We WANT her to eat. What good would it do to take it away?" Next to Twilight Applejack face hoofed hard enough to actually make an audible thud.

"Of course! When ah was a filly, ma an' pa always used to take mah food when I didn't like what was for supper. They always said, fine! Then yah don't get to eat tonight! Y'all can bet your buttons ah ate up like it was my last meal whenever they did that." The four present looked at each other in turn, throwing it around in their heads.

"Well, I guess it is worth a try. Rainbow, will you try to take her plate from her?" Twilight looked towards the fast flier, Applejack nodding in agreement at her choice.

"Yeah! Well be rootin' for ya!" Both Twilight and Applejack gave large, nervous grins. They didn't want to be 10 miles near the title of food thief to Krysta. Look what trouble she caused WITHOUT a genuinely good reason to? And taking someone's food isn't just a good reason, it is a time honored declaration of war!

It was Rainbow's turn to roll her eyes, eventually turning towards the human. Krysta had gone back to ignoring the ponies and staring at the by far cold piece of pie, her inner debate still going strong. It made all ponies present a little sad. What kind of life must she have led if there is THAT much distrust?

Sighing, Rainbow dash used a wing to quickly scoop the plate up, sliding it out of arm's reach of Krysta in the blink of an eye. Krysta's reaction was, surprisingly, exactly what they had hoped for. She reached for the plate in a desperate grab, held back by Twilight's magic. With the plate just out of reach the small girl grew beyond frustrated in only a few moments, especially since she could only really stretch out one arm at the moment. Had her shoulder not been hurt she might have been able to reach it.

To add a little more incentive Rainbow Dash took a bite of the pie, making it seem like she was going to eat it right in front of her. The poor girl began to loudly whine, turning to Twilight with tear filled, pleading eyes.

"Ok ok! I will eat it! Please give it back! I said I will eat it!" She continued to move her gaze from Twilight to Rainbow, cursing the gods themselves for the fact that they could not understand her. A particularly loud growl of her stomach made her flinch and only served to further her want for the now taken food. Her mother had always told her that, "You don't miss it until it's gone." Why did that have to come true now?

Rainbow Dash grinned at Twilight's nod, gingerly nosing it into rand of Krysta's frantic hands. As soon as she had a grip on it she held it close to her, sniffling some. Such cruel creatures these were! Looking to the ponies around the table she was met with expectant expressions. Wiping at her nose with her forearm Krysta looked down at the plate and the piece of pie, cringing some.

With a shaky hand Krysta took hold of it and raised it to her mouth, taking the tiniest of bites out of it. As soon as the taste hit her a small bite turned into a larger one. Then two bites, then five. All four looked on in disbelief as this tiny thing scarfed the piece down in what translated to a mere few seconds. Pushing a glass of water towards her Applejack practically grinned ear to ear.

"Thats it. Nothin's gonna hurt ya here sugarcube. Eat up." Slicing the rest of the pieces of the pie she just set the whole thing down in front of Krysta, resisting an urge to laugh. She had downed the glass of water almost instantly and was attacking another piece of pie. It was at that moment that Fluttershy and Rarity finally decided to show themselves.

Turning to them Twilight smiled. "Hello girls! What took you so long? Didn't you arrive with Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash?" Nodding, Rarity pointed a hoof outside, the cart having transformed into a violet tent trimmed with gold thread.

"Sorry girls. I had some trouble getting set up. But I think you will find it worth the effort. So, where is our patient?" Rarity looked about for this supposed mare with no clothes. Though clothes weren't really needed the idea that a pony could live without even one single outfit was pure hell for the fashionista.

Twilight, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie all scooted either to the left or right, making an opening where Krysta could be seen from where Rarity was standing. To say the unicorn was surprised would be putting it lightly. Not only had she never seen any creature like this before, it's hoofs(?) and face were positively covered in apple pie filling, the bandages around it's shoulder were dirty and loose, and it's entire body from head to toe had some form of filth on it.

"Applejack, please be a dear and go run a bath please." Rarity's voice was slightly strained as she looked upon Krysta, a nervous smile plastering her face. "I think a bath would be prudent before I even think about making a dress for this obviously tortured dear." Applejack began to argue about being too sensitive to a little dirt while Twilight started on about the bandages and how careful they should be about the human's shoulder. It turned into an all out argument by the time Rainbow Dash came in bragging about how easy it would be just to take her outside and let her do all the work.

Krysta, at least right now, looked anything but tortured. She had finished off the pie and another glass of water and was looking like she had died and gone to heaven. The girl could hardly remember when she was THIS full on such delicious food! Not paying the ponies any attention at that moment Krysta thought of the food from her world. The scarcity and quality. How her family would have loved this delicious food...

A soft sniffling arose from the argument, causing the participators to cease the debate and look towards it's origin. Krysta was looking at the empty pie plate, tears falling from her nose onto it's surface. For the first time since she arrived everything began to hit her. She was far, far away from a home that was probably burning. Sure some of the villagers probably fought back, but there were so many of those horrible men.

Even if they did survive the attack, so much was probably lost. Their meager food supply would have been the first thing to either be taken or destroyed, and here she was, gorging herself on a delicious meal without thinking of them even once while doing so. Though it wasn't a particularly uncommon thing to do it still hurt her inside. She had always tried to at least keep her family close to her. But it was only after she was fat and happy that she bothered to give them a thought.

Guilt and loss began to eat at her, sounds of grief escaping her shaking chest. What was she going to do? How could she live with herself knowing that everything she knew was either gone or suffering still in that wasteland that used to be her home? Could she get back? How far away was it? Surely nowhere near here. The green grass alone proved that. Green was not a color one saw often in the land of humans these days.

The ponies all shuffled a little uncomfortably, unsure of what to do in this case. They couldn't just sit down and comfort her like they do each other, especially if they didn't know what was wrong. It was Pinkie Pie who made the first and only move towards the human, producing a sack of flour from nowhere. Tapping Krysta on the shoulder she waited for the crying girl to turn to her before offered a large smile.

In one motion Pinkie brought the bag above her head and undid it's seal, a wall of flour cascading down and covering the earth pony head to hoof. Striking a pose Pinkie grinned down at Krysta, waiting for her reaction. Krysta was utterly bewildered at Pinkie's antics, unable to fully process it. Turning to look at the other ponies around her they all simultaneously shook their heads and shrugged, admitting even they didn't know what went through Pinkie's head.

The combined effect of the flour itself and the reaction from everyone in the room did it's job, causing Krysta to crack a smile. A small smile, but a smile none the less. Applejack excused herself to go draw the bathwater while Fluttershy went to get some new bandages, leaving the rest alone in the room with the petite human. Twilight, being inquisitive as she was, decided it was about time they started chipping away at this huge wall between their communication.

Trotting over next to her Twilight smiled and pointed a hoof at herself. "Twilight." She drew it out a bit so Krysta could hear how it was pronounced, repeating it once more before moving onto her friends. "Rainbow Dash. Rarity. Pinkie Pie." Twilight then pointed her hoof at Krysta, a hopeful smile upon her face.

Krysta watched the unicorn with unsure eyes, looking to wherever the hoof pointed to. It took another pass for Krysta to understand, her eyes lighting up somewhat from their previous dull, sad state. That last thing one could say about Krysta was that she was unintelligent and uninquisitive. When the hoof came back to her she held a hand against her chest and began to speak.

"Krysta." The human then pointed a finger at Twilight and the rest of the ponies in turn. "Twi-light. Rainbow Dash. Rarity. Pinkie Pie." Her slightly strange accent, strange to the ponies and their language anyways, caused some difficulty in pronouncing them at first. Parroting Twilight back and forth however made the process easier as the lavender unicorn ran her through each syllable. Soon she was able to fully pronounce them, getting smiles across the board.

"It is very nice to meet you Krysta."

"Yeah, nice to meet you!"

"Charmed darling. You have a lovely name Krysta."

"This is so exciting! We are talking! Well we aren't really talking but we can call each other over now! I am so happy I could just scream! Or jump! Or spin around! ORRR I could spin around while jumping and screaming!!"

Once more Krysta turned to look at the others, receiving the same shrug as before. She couldn't help but giggle some at that, the pink pony somehow exuding an aura that encouraged laughter. It was near that time that Applejack and Fluttershy arrived. With a somewhat proud voice Twilight spoke up, ecstatic that she was able to bring about some form of communication, even if it was just names.

"Applejack, Fluttershy, meet Krysta!" The human looked to the two of them, watching carefully to who Twilight spoke to. Without the need of the parroting act Krysta pointed to each of them.

"Applejack. Fluttershy." A sudden bout of laughter came from this, causing her to become slightly confused. The two mares in question suddenly switched places, both quietly laughing a bit themselves. Realizing her mistake she pointed to Applejack first. "Applejack?" The earth pony nodded and tipped her hat. "Fluttershy." The pegasus mare beamed at Krysta, happy to finally see something positive out of all of this.

With another exchange of small, only slightly unsure, smiles between the ponies and the human Rarity finally stepped up and nodded towards the hallway that lead to the waiting bathtub.

"Come on now Krysta dear. Let's get you into a bath."

For some reason, Krysta had a sudden feeling of dread at that sentence. It was probably nothing. After all, she couldn't know for sure what the white unicorn had said. Right?