Apple Hospitality

Chapters

CH1: New Friends
CH6: Not So Rude Awakening
CH2: That Time of Year
CH3: Pony Down!
CH4: Family Discussion
CH5: Overworked
CH7: Rarity
CH8: Hostility
CH9: Rainbow Dash
CH10: The Predator
CH11: Token Bath Scene
CH12: Dinner and a Show
CH13: Lily and Pinkie Pie
CH14: Fluttershy
CH15: Escalation
CH16: Messy Aftermath
CH17: The Truth
CH18: The Old Mare's Tale

CH1: New Friends

"Oh howdy, Anonymous! You're a bit early, we're still settin' up for the day."

"Hi Applejack. Uh... Twilight did tell you I have no idea what I'm doing, right?"

"Yeah, but hay that's alright! C'mon, I'll show ya the ropes." She trots away, waving a hoof at you to follow. "Official Sweet Apple Tours, right this way!"

You fall in step beside her as she trots through a nearby field and approaches Big McIntosh. He's working with some kind of big... wagon-looking... machine thing.

Man. You really don't know anything

Applejack calls out in a sing-song voice, "Big Maaaac!" Say hi to Anonymous, our new minion!"

The red stallion glances up at you.

"Howdy."

He returns to his work and you sigh. You don't know how or when you upset him so much, but he never seems to want to talk to you.

Applejack, however, only chuckles and nudges you with a hoof, saying, "Oh don't y'all worry, he likes you, promise. He just ain't much for talkin'."

He doesn't even look up, "Eyup."

You shuffle awkwardly, not quite sure you believe her, and say hesitantly, "Well, uh... I guess in that case, it's good to see you again, Big McIntosh."

"Mac."

"Huh?"

"Just Big Mac."

"Oh shore," Applejack adds, "An' y'all can call me AJ! We're all friends here, ain't we?"

Seems southern hospitality exists here in Equestria, too. That's good... maybe you might finally befriend somepony. At least, somepony other than Twilight. You're pretty sure she's only nice to you because she feels bad about accidentally pulling you from Earth in the first place. You'd told her you didn't mind and actually liked it here, but she didn't seem to believe you.

Your attention suddenly snaps back to the present, "Oh, uh... I guess call me Anon, then."

"'Course," Applejack says with a smile, then continues walking, waving a hoof ahead of her. "Now we got a lot to go over 'round here, so listen up. First up here in front is the main apple orchard and 'course up ahead there's the farmhouse where we all live."

She gestures a hoof toward the fancy barn you saw earlier, which you suppose makes sense, them being horses and all. You idly wonder why ponies in town have normal-looking houses. Maybe it's just a country-pony thing?"

Applejack interrupts your thoughts saying, "An' over here's the pig pen, chicken coop, and sheep pasture."

You come up short, "Huh? What do you need pigs for?"

She gives you a funny look and says, "What d'ya mean?"

You grimace, realizing you probably shouldn't talk about why pigs are raised back on earth. "Uh... I mean, chicken for eggs, sheep for wool... I just dunno why you'd raise pigs."

"We don't raise 'em, Anon, we take care of 'em 'cause they needed a place to stay outta harm's way. They'll find us truffles from time to time as thanks, an' every now an' then there's a big competition for best pig. They love gettin' all dressed up for it."

You hesitate, still a little confused, but you nod anyways, "Okay, just curious."

She gives you an amused look, then shrugs and trots up a nearby hill. "Right, so over yonder are the rest of our fields." She stops and points a hoof at each field in turn as she says, "We grow barley, oats, some grasses for hay, celery stalks, taters, carrots, grapes, pretty flowers for the mares in town, an' when the time's right, zap apples grow in that field over there."

"Wow... I thought all you grew were apples."

"Most everypony does assume that at first, what with our name an' our fame thanks to zap apple jam."

"Plus your apple orchard is right in front for all to see, while your other fields are out of sight back here."

"Yeah, reckon the layout might be encouraging the idea a bit, but most everypony in town knows the truth." She waves a hoof in a wide arc, gesturing to the farm as a whole, "What ya see here provides food for... well, darn near all of Ponyville."

You whistle appreciatively and Applejack looks at you sharply, "Wha...? Did you do that?"

"What, whistle?" You whistle again, a short and simple melody this time.

"Well I'll be! You monkeys are full of surprises, ain't ya?"

You frown, "I thought Twilight told everypony... Look, I'd really appreciate if you didn't call me that. You wouldn't like it if I called you a mule now, would you?"

Applejack looks down sheepishly, her ears drooping. "No, 'spose not... Bein' honest, Twilight did tell me, but, uh... well, it kinda caught on when you popped outta that there portal an' uh... I just ain't quite broke the habit."

You sigh, "It's alright, I understand. Honestly it isn't even that big of a deal, I just wanted to try and keep it from getting too popular, y'know? Nip it in the bud, so to speak."

"Mighty sorry, Anon. Won't happen again, an' I'll try an' tell off anypony else I catch sayin' it too."

"Thanks, Applejack."

She turns away and trots toward the farmhouse, "Anywho, let's go inside and meet the rest of the family."

As you enter the farmhouse, you're a bit surprised to find the inside looks just like any other pony house. You were kinda expecting the inside of a barn or stables or something.

In the front room is a withered green husk of a pony slumped in a rocking chair, snoring loudly. Applejack walks up to her and says, "Now this 'ere's Granny Smith, my granddam on my sire's side."

"Uh... should we be quiet?"

Applejack chuckles, "Naw, ain't nothin' gonna wake Granny up from her nap. Hey Granny! GRAAAANNYYYYYY!"

The old green pony shifts and mumbles a bit, then snores again.

"See?"

You laugh, "Alright, I get it."

You hear a high voice call down the stairs, "AJ?"

"An' that there's my lil' sister, Apple Bloom."

A tiny yellow pony gallops down the stairs, then in her haste, stumbles and lands in a heap at the bottom. She immediately hops up unharmed and beams at Applejack.

"AJ! Ah thought ya'd already gone an' started work! Ah wanted t'show ya something 'fore ya did, but ah woke up late an--"

The filly's eyes suddenly lock onto yours, then she squeaks and scurries behind Applejack's legs.

Applejack chuckles quietly and says, "Aw, don't be scared, sugarcube. This here's Anon. Y'all heard about the human that fell through Twilight's experiment? Well he's a fine fellow an' he ain't nothin' to be a feared of, promise." She grins and leans her head down, speaking in a stage whisper, "Though he does look purty weird, don't he?"

Apple Bloom giggles nervously, her tail twitching rapidly.

You smile gently, drop to one knee, and lean forward so your head is about at Applejack's chest level, almost as low as Apple Bloom's head. "You must be Apple Bloom, then. I've heard a lot about you... you and the other Crusaders are the talk of the town since you got your cutie marks. Can I see it?"

Apple Bloom cautiously steps out from behind her sister and turns a bit sideways.

You reward her with a loud gasp, "Wow! That's even cooler than I imagined!"

"Ya... think so?"

"Chyeah, makes me wish I had one! I'd be happy if mine was even half as cool as yours."

Apple Bloom breaks into a huge grin, then blushes and dashes back up the stairs. You stand up again and both you and Applejack chuckle quietly.

"Ain't she precious?"

"She's adorable. Go ahead and see what she wanted, I'll wait here."

Applejack nods and trots up the stairs and you take a look around the living room. A painting on the wall catches your eye and you see two ponies you don't recognize lying under a tree on the farm. There's a stallion with colors like Apple Bloom wearing a hat similar to Applejack's, and a mare that looks a lot like Applejack, only the colors of her fur and hair are swapped, and her hair is fluffy, like Pinkie Pie's. There's a small red foal across the stallion's forelegs and a tiny blond filly curled up against the mare's chest, who is turned slightly to her side and looks like she might be pregnant.

(https://derpicdn.net/img/view/2017/8/8/1505498.png)

You mumble quietly to yourself, "These must be their parents..."

"Eyup."

You nearly jump out of your skin at the stallion's voice, then laugh nervously, turning to face him. "Shit! Big Mac, you scared me!" You shoot him a mock glare and add, "How can you even be that quiet with hooves on a wooden floor?"

He ignores you and stares at the picture, his voice low, almost reverent.

"That's m'sire Bright Mac and m'dam Pear Butter."

"They look really cute together."

He turns and looks you in the eye, "They died not long ago."

Your smile vanishes, "Oh... Oh man, I'm so sorry. What happened?"

He shakes his head, "Long, painful story. Granny might tell ya one day. Don't mention 'em 'round the girls, 'specially AJ. Lil' Bloom was too young to remember, but Applejack..." He trails off and sighs.

"Shit, man... Thanks for the warning, Big Mac. I was probably gonna ask when AJ came back down."

"Eyup."

You hear hooves on the stairs and hastily step away from the painting. As Applejack comes into view you realize her hat isn't just similar, but the very same as her sire's.

...Damn.

You must look pretty glum because Applejack comes up short and whinnies, "Maaaaac! What'd ya do to him?"

He shakes his head and you wave your hands, hurriedly saying, "Oh no, nothing,we're fine. Just a bit of a chat."

"Wow, ya actually got him to talk? Must 'a been important!"

You look back to the stallion, "Yeah... it was."

You had spent most of the day trying various jobs AJ and Big Mac usually do, but quickly learn that most of the work on the farm takes far more strength than you can muster. You may be stronger than unicorns and pegasi, but earth pony magic is in their strength, and even small earth ponies like Applejack are apparently as strong as full-sized horses were back on Earth. And Big Mac... Damn that bro can lift. You make a mental note to try and never get on his bad side--even if he seems like he wouldn't hurt a fly.

Hours later, after trying and failing miserably at "hard earth pony work" as Applejack puts it, you find yourself in their main barn with Applejack. As it turns out, the barn is mostly just used for storage, since there are no animals to keep in there. There's a lot of hay but more important are the various tools and simple machinery used around the farm.

Applejack steps up to a large plow and says, "So these 'here help us push snow 'round while we clean up winter an' they can also be used to plow the fields." She walks up behind the device and pushes her chest into a wide bar, rolling it forward a step.

"Looks like a nifty device," you say critically, "But it's construction is pretty crude."

"Think so?"

"Yeah, I mean these wheels are way bigger than they need to be and the supporting carriage is all very thick and heavy..." You rub your chin thoughtfully, then point at the machine as you speak again, "This could probably half the weight and still be just as strong where it counts: the push bar and the plow in front."

She lowers her head and glares at you, "Ya sayin' I ain't strong enough?"

You jerk your eyes away from the plow to meet her gaze, "What? No girl, I saw how strong you are. You could probably pick me up with one hoof!"

She relaxes and grins, "Darn tootin' I could."

"No, what I'm saying is if it weighed half as much, you could push it longer. You're strong but you must get tired eventually, right?"

"I could push half the weight twice as far..." She nods thoughtfully, then frowns, "But y'see, the reason they're so big's 'cause it's real hard to make small stuff with just hooves. Unicorns can make real fine, fancy stuff with their magic, but Ponyville was founded by earth ponies, an' it's tradition to do as much as we can without magic."

"Well maybe I can help, then. Human fingers don't count as magic, do they?"

"Well... 'spose not..."

"I'm no engineer but I do understand basic physics, and I always liked machinery and stuff back home. I may not be as strong as you, but my dexterity trumps yours big time." You wiggle your fingers in front of her face, making her go cross-eyed and giggle. Then you turn around and look at the other tools, "I bet with some help from you to lift the heavy stuff, I could improve most of this equipment quite a bit."

"Say, now that's an idea!"

"I guess I'd also have to do all the maintenance, too... If ponies can't build it, you probably can't repair it either." You rub your chin in thought, mumbling more to yourself than anything else now, "Plus I can continue trying to iterate and come up with even better designs..."

Applejack chuckles, "Now I see why you an' Twilight get along! Talking 'bout iteration an' stuff..." She gives you a look and mutters, "Y'all oughta date or somethin'."

You shrug, "Eh... she seems too caught up in her studies for anything like that."

"Her loss!"

Her grin widens, then she turns and waves a hoof for you to follow. You walk out the barn and through a nearby field as she approaches Big Mac.

"Hey, Anon here's had an idea, wanted to run it by ya."

He pauses and casually shrugs the giant cart off his shoulders.

"Shoot."

"So we were lookin' at the equipment in the barn and he was sayin' how with his nimble monkey hands, he--ah!" Her hoof flies to her muzzle, then she looks at you apologetically, "I'm sorry... I'm tryin', really, it just slips out sometimes."

You smile magnanimously, "It's okay, I know you don't mean anything by it. It'll take time to break the habit, right?"

She grins sheepishly, then turns back to Big Mac and continues, "Anywho, his human hands can let him manipulate things as nice as unicorn magic, but it ain't magic, so it oughta be just fine, right? I was thinkin' maybe we let him do just that an' fix up our equipment."

Big Mac shrugs, "Don't sound like magic to me."

"Right! Like he was talkin' how he can make the snow plows half as heavy an' still be just as strong, which would mean we could plow twice as long in 'em."

"Eyup."

"I 'spose we'll see how his ideas hold up in practice, but it sounds like a good job for him since he ain't strong enough for our kinda work." She turns back to you. "'Course, you'll still help with the lighter work like what Apple Bloom an' Granny Smith do."

"Sure," you say nonchalantly, "I'll do anything you need me to do. I am your minion, after all."

She turns away and you faintly hear her mutter, "Anythin', huh?" But as you open your mouth to ask, Big Mac snorts lightly at you and you hesitate.

Then you're all distracted by the clear sound of a bell ringing and a high, wobbly voice calls out, "Come git yer food!"

Applejack's ears perk up, "Ooh, I didn't realize how late it was! C'mon Anon, let's get some food an' y'all can meet Granny for real now!"

You turn and follow Big Mac into the farmhouse with Applejack behind you and are greeted by a mouth-wateringly savory smell. Through an open doorway, you see Granny Smith standing up and fumbling around in the kitchen. She turns as you all enter.

"Now y'all hurry up n' sit down, it's--ooh, y'all must be Anon!"

You give her a little bow of your head, "A pleasure, ma'am."

"Ohhh, don't waste yer manners on an old mare like me. If'n ya just git along with Applejack, all'll be fine an' dandy. She's told me all aboutcha, y'know."

"She has?"

Applejack's ears turn back as you give her a questioning look.

"Well, what little I know, at least. Twilight talks about you a lot an' you're a kinda big deal in town, y'know." She chuckles nervously.

Big Mac sits on his haunches at the end of a short wide oval wooden table. You try to make yourself comfortable sitting on the floor at the side of the table to his left. Granny and Applejack start getting portions ready in bowls, and as you're settling in, a burst of giggling and excited filly voices reaches your ear.

"There y'are, ya rascals!" Granny calls out, "Get in 'ere 'fore yer food gets cold!"

Three tiny ponies scramble through the front door. Apple Bloom is the first and hesitates when she sees you, then she puts on a brave face and trots up to the table, sitting down between you and Big Mac. The other two freeze as soon as they see you.

You grin and turn to Apple Bloom, "And are these the famous Cutie Mark Crusaders?"

"Chyeah!" She imitates the way you said it earlier, then giggles and adds, "We was just talkin' 'boutchu. C'mon girls, y'ain't scared are ya?"

The orange pegasus scoffs and immediately trots up, head held high. The white unicorn hesitates, then slowly walks up behind her. They both sit on the other side of Apple Bloom from you, forcing Big Mac to scoot over and make more room.

Applejack walks over carrying three bowls of liquid balanced on one foreleg held before her and, with a combination of her mouth and hooves, somehow maneuvers them onto the table without spilling a drop.

"Now don't y'all worry," she says soothingly, "Anon here's a nice fella an' he's gonna be workin' on the farm for a while. A long while, hopefully."

The orange pegasus turns to face you, "Hiya! My name's Scootaloo. My parents are away a lot, so I mostly hang out here and with Rainbow Dash!" Her voice is surprisingly rough and scratchy, like she needs to lay off the Marlboros.

The white unicorn seems encouraged by her friend's confidence and says in a squeaky voice, "Hello Anon. I'm Sweetie Belle. Rarity is my big sister."

"And y'already met me! Together we are--"

Together, they stomp a hoof and chant in unison, "The Cutie Mark Crusaders!"

You give them a huge grin and say, "You three are the cutest and coolest things I've seen in Ponyville yet. C'mon you two, lemme see your new cutie marks."

All three grin and stand, positioning themselves in an obviously rehearsed pose, facing the same direction in a diagonal line so each of their rumps is visible behind the others.

"Wow... they really do match! Awesome!"

They all giggle and sit down again, Scootaloo seeming especially pleased with your comment.

Applejack returns with three more bowls and places one in front of you, then sits to your left with her own bowl. Granny brings one last bowl and sits on Applejack's other side, then says, "Alrighty, dig in!" and all six of them lower their muzzles to their bowls and chow down.

You hesitate, realizing you'll need to bring your own fork and spoon tomorrow. Applejack glances at you, probably wondering why you aren't eating. You then lift the bowl in both hands and tilt it into your mouth. It's a wonderfully savory broth with hearty chunks of various vegetables. You set the bowl down again, licking your lips.

"Oh man, that's really good, Granny." Then you realize they're all watching you with varying degrees of interest or confusion. "...What?"

Granny waves a hoof absently, "Oh, don't mind 'em, they just ain't never seen a monkey eat before." Applejack tries to say something, but Granny continues loudly, "What'd y'all expect? He's a monkey! His face is flat an' his tongue's short. Why, he'd prolly drown if'n he tried eatin' like we do. Quit yer gawping an' get to eatin'!"

Abashed, they turn back to their bowls, but Applejack nudges Granny with a hoof. She murmurs something in the old pony's ear and Granny bangs a hoof on the table, "Well sour apples, what'm ah s'posed to call him, then? He ain't a monkey, he ain't whatever Tirek is, an' he shore as hay ain't no--"

"Granny!" Applejack says sharply, "He's a human, Granny. Ya call him a human."

Granny Smith mumbles something incoherent and slurps noisily at her bowl. Applejack shakes her head, bemused.

"Good gravy, Granny. I'm tellin' ya, you gotta learn to be more considerate an' polite, what with all these Yaks an' Hippogriffs an' Dragons coming an' going. 'Specially with the Yaks..."

You chuckle and say, "Thanks Applejack. I know I'm an oddity and everything I do is weird and different, so y'all can watch if you want, ask me questions, whatever. I don't mind."

Sweetie Belle immediately raises a hoof.

"...Uh, yes?" You take another gulp of stew while she speaks.

"Why do you always wear clothing? Ponies usually only wear clothes on special occasions."

"Ah. Well, mostly because I don't have fur and... well, let's just say walking upright like I do leaves you pretty, uh, exposed without clothes."

She tilts her head and frowns, "I don't get it."

Applejack snorts into her stew, "Wait 'til you're older."

Sweetie Belle pouts and opens her mouth to retort, but Scootaloo interrupts her.

"How d'you not fall over all the time walking upright on two legs?"

Rather than answer, you respond by twisting around and unlacing your simple shoe, pulling off the sock Rarity had made you, and revealing your pasty white toes.

The pegasus gasps and looks up at you incredulously, "You have hands on your hindlegs, too?"

You chuckle, "No, this is a foot. The things on the end that look like tiny fingers, those are called 'toes,' and they help me balance really well, but they can't manipulate things like my hands can."

In demonstration, you get up and balance on one bare foot--which is already impressive to a four-hooved species--then you carefully lift yourself up and balance on just the ball of your foot. Big Mac leans around the fillies to see, Granny stares from under the table, and everypony makes various sounds of awe.

As you sit back down, Apple Bloom gives you a puzzled look, "Hang on, why d'ya wear the shoe, then?"

You grin as you replace your sock and shoe, "'Cause I don't have tough hooves like you! My feet are only covered in soft skin like my hands here."

You hold out your hand to her and she gingerly touches your palm with the frog of her hoof. The other two, not wanting to be left out, immediately lean over and reach out with a hoof as well. Scootaloo rubs the back of your hand and Sweetie Belle lightly touches your fingertips, murmuring, "It really is soft... almost fragile, even. If your feet are this soft too, how do you ever get around without shoes?"

"Well, my skin might be soft compared to your hooves, but it's tougher than you think. I can walk around barefoot for a while, it's just that if I do that for too long, my feet will get sore, especially if I'm walking over sticks or rocks. With shoes I can walk as long as I want."

Scootaloo opens her mouth to ask another question, but Granny cuts her off, "Alrighty, y'all'll have plenty o' time fer questions another time. Hurry an' finish yer food 'fore it gets cold."

The crusaders chant "Yes ma'am!" and turn back to their bowls.

It isn't long before everypony finishes up their meal and the fillies run off as soon as they're done eating, their questions seemingly forgotten. Granny gets up to take care of the dishes, leaving you, AJ, and Big Mac sitting at the table.

You arch your back and stretch your arms with a groan, then say, "So tomorrow we gonna get started improving the equipment?"

Applejack nods, "I reckon. The next week or two should be pretty slow, so we'll have plenty of time."

"Eyup."

Suddenly you remember what Granny said earlier, "Oh hey... Granny said something earlier about me not being Tirek? What's--"

At the mention of the name, Big Mac suddenly coughs, Applejack accidentally bangs the table as she raises a hoof too fast, and Granny drops a bowl with a loud clatter. You look around, startled.

"Uh..."

"Sorry!" Applejack waves a hoof, "That just... caught me off guard."

Granny turns to you, "Ah'm sorry, Anon. Ain't never should'a made such a nasty comparison."

You scrunch up your face in confusion, "Wait, huh? Nasty comparison? Can somepony explain what's going on?"

Applejack sighs, "Tirek is some kinda monster an' was a huge problem a while back. Like... almost destroyed all of Equestria kinda problem. He's a, um... a centaur."

You take a moment to consider the implications of that statement, then quietly ask, "Applejack, how often do ponies see monkeys?"

She grimaces as if she knows where you're going with this, "Pretty much... never."

"And other centaurs?"

"Not in ages."

You rub your forehead, "So... basically Tirek and me are the only monkey-like things anypony has ever seen."

It was a statement, not a question, but Applejack nods anyways and you groan.

"Well, at least I know why everypony avoids me."

Big Mac quietly asks, "Twilight didn't tell ya?"

"Nope."

Applejack lays a hoof on your shoulder, "Don't worry, Anon. I can already tell yer a good person an' I'm sure ponies'll love ya once they get to know ya. If'n I notice ya come up in any small talk around town, I'll be sure an' put a good word in for ya." She grins broadly, "The element of honesty's praise oughta do ya wonders."

That was actually exactly what you were hoping she'd do when you took this job. Relief floods through you and you suddenly break into a huge grin.

"Thanks, AJ. That means a lot. More than you know."

She pats your shoulder in comfort, then gets up to help Granny with the dishes. You just sit there for a moment, trying to gather your thoughts after the long day.

Big Mac leans close and mutters, "Y'all alright?"

You take a quick breath, then look up at his impassive face and say, "Yeah yeah, I'm fine. I'll, uh... I'll see you tomorrow."

Applejack turns and smiles at you, "G'night Anon!"

"And thank you for dinner, Granny Smith."

"Mighty welcome."

CH6: Not So Rude Awakening

Warm.

This bed is heaven. Maybe if you don't open your eyes, you can stay here forever. Everything you feel is soft and warm. Even some warm air gently brushes your face and you crack one eye open.

Then both eyes open wide in shock.

Applejack's face fills your vision, only inches from yours. You remember she's in heat and frantically struggle to remember last night. Last thing you can recall is her massaging near your butt. You start to silently hope nothing happened, but then... is that really what you hope?

Trying not to wake her, you slowly turn your stiff neck and look down at your two bodies. You're both on your side facing each other, the blanket pushed down to your thigh. Your one arm is tucked under her, her head on your upper arm and your hand trailing down her back. Your other arm is at your side, bent so your hand rests lightly on her barrel, fingers dug slightly into her fur. Her cast is resting on your neck, her other foreleg tucked between you, fuzzy foreleg just brushing your chin. Her torso is pressed up against yours, one leg resting on your side, the other stretched out alongside your thigh.

It's honestly amazing how warm and cozy this is.

From what you can see and feel, you decide she probably didn't do anything more than massage you. Are you relieved or disappointed?

With her pressed against you like this, you feel her chest swell with a deep breath, bringing your attention back to her. She cracks an eyelid open, meets your eye, and her mouth quirks into a tiny smile. She lets out a faint, happy, "Mmm..." then shuffles her head closer, tucks her muzzle under your chin, and mumbles something that sounds like, "...a view."

You consider trying to wake her, since it must be about time to get to work. Then you remember she's injured and Big Mac said you're off for two days to recover. You let out a soft sigh of relief, then close your eyes.

You could get used to this.

You wake suddenly. Did you just hear the door open?

You lift your head, ignoring the stiff pain in your neck, and see Granny Smith standing in the doorway. Your blood runs cold, but the old mare just smiles and you relax marginally, somewhat surprised by her gentle expression.

She leans in close and whispers just loud enough for you to hear, "She still asleep?"

You nod.

"Now be honest, Anon. Ah promise it's okay if'n y'say yes, ah just need t'know: Y'all do anythin' last night?"

You think for a moment, then remember your sleepy conclusion from earlier and shake your head. In a faint whisper you say, "I was dead tired and don't remember much, but I don't think so."

She eyes you critically, then relaxes and nods, "Alrighty, ah believe ya. Be right back."

She walks away and you slowly lower your head to the pillow to relieve your aching neck. A moment later, you see Granny's head pop up from behind Applejack's and she whispers again.

"Apple Bloom 'n Big Mac are already out workin', an' I'm 'bout to head into town. House'll be empty for a good long while." She holds up a glass of murky tea and continues, "Ah brought 'er medicine. Ah suggest ya make 'er take it as soon as she wakes up, 'cause if'n ya wake 'er up in a pose like that an' don't get 'er that medicine... well ah don't doubt she'd get awful excited real quick."

She sets the glass down on Applejack's end table, steps out the door, gives you a wink over her shoulder, then silently shuts the door behind her.

...So that was weird.

You try and process what just happened. Bringing her medicine up here you can easily understand, especially after pointing out how easily Applejack might get excited. But why did she specifically point out the house will be empty? Of course everyone will be out working. Unless...

Your eyes widen.

No... she couldn't have meant...

A tiny incredulous laugh escapes your lips. Did Granny really just try and set you up with Applejack?

Applejack mumbles a bit in her sleep and stirs slightly. Your heart begins to pound, unsure what to do, unsure if you even want to be set up with Applejack. Actually, you've never really thought of her like that before--or any pony, really. They're adorable, sure, but...

You look down at Applejack again, really look at her this time. You focus on her forehoof first, pressed against your chest, and notice her fur floofs up a bit around the base of the hoof. You gently wrap your hand around it and look at its underside. Despite how much she talks about Rarity poking fun at her, it's quite well taken care of. It's no hooficure of course--the hoof is scratched up a bit from her work--but it isn't chipped and the underside is clean, even up to its squishy frog.

You carefully release her hoof and shift your attention to her body. Lying on her side like this makes her barrel sink in a little, which accentuates the curve of her hips. You return your hand to her flank and gently stroke down her side. Moving along with the fur like this, she feels incredibly smooth and you can easily feel the ripple of muscle under her coat. You stroke the other way against her fur and it folds up easily, soft and fluffy.

You look back up to her face--and jerk your hand away in surprise. She's staring right at you with a humorous smirk.

"Enjoyin' the view, sugarcube?"

You sputter, unable to even put two words together. She giggles and covers your mouth with her hoof, her frog pressing against your lips. You try to wiggle away but she presses down on you with her cast and the hindleg on your hip.

"Hey, where ya goin'?"

You pull your head back away from her hoof and manage to sputter, "Y-Your medicine is, uh... over there."

She twists her head to look at it, then turns back to you, looking suddenly uncertain, almost anxious.

"Well... d'you want me to take it?"

You hesitate, your mind racing, "...What do you want?"

Her ears turn down and she looks away, "Don't rightly know, if I'm honest." She bites her lip and meets your eye again, "That's, uh... kinda why I asked you."

God she's cute.

You bring a hand to her cheek and smile, "I think your cycle is confusing you."

She groans and pushes your hand away, "C'mon Anon, it ain't like my mind is messed up. Even off the medicine like this, I can still think clearly." She turns her head away and mumbles, "I'm just buckin' horny, is all."

You cough awkwardly, "That's, uh... that's kinda what I mean, though. You shouldn't make such... decisions... in this state of mind. I, uh... well, I know what it's like to be so horny you'll take anything you can get."

She doesn't respond immediately, ears twitching nervously, then she abruptly shoves against your chest and scoots away.

"Anythin' I can get? I can't get nopony! I can't even get you!"

"Wait, huh?"

She turns away and mumbles angrily, "Jus' tryin' to be myself like everypony says ya should, an' what's it gotten me? Hardly ever seein' stallions, ones I do're always chasin' Rarity 'cause she's so gosh darn gorgeous--"

"Uh, AJ?" You struggle against your stiff muscles to sit upright.

She sits up and grows louder as she continues to rant, "--or chasin' Twilight 'cause she's smart as hay an' a buckin' princess to boot, or hay even chasin' one o' all them other cute mares in town jus' ripe for the taking--"

"Applejack."

She rubs her leg with a hoof, yelling angrily now, "Dunno why ah even buckin' try anymore, oughta jus' stay 'ere on the buckin' farm 'cause o'course nopony'd ever pick a buckin' ugly work horse like me!"

"HEY!"

Ignoring your body's angry protests, you grab her around the torso with both hands and she yelps as you lift her into the air. You pull her away from the edge of the bed and plop her down in front of you, facing you. Her ears flip straight back and she glares at you, clearly furious. You glare right back.

"That right there was the biggest load of horse shit I've ever heard come outta your mouth!"

She snorts and flicks your leg with her tail, opening her mouth to reply, but you cut her off.

"No, you fucking listen right now. I can't believe you, the element of honesty, can sit there and spout such utter shit. Don't you know you gotta be honest with yourself just as much as with everypony else!?"

She jabs your chest with a hoof and shouts, "Ah am bein' honest!"

You grab her by the shoulders and shout back, "No you fuckin' aren't! 'Ugly work horse'? You're the best lookin' mare in this whole damn town!"

She takes a deep breath, looking about ready to scream.

Then she does a mental double take and all the anger seems to drain out of her, leaving her looking confused.

"W-What? But... but you... I-I thought..."

You blush as you realize what you just said without thinking and let go of her, turning away with your ears burning. Applejack stops stammering and the silence looms over your both, quickly becoming unbearable, forcing you to say something, anything, just to break the oppressive silence.

"I... I don't know. I'm just so... I feel like I can't be certain about anything these days." You look back and see her watching you, mouth slightly parted, both ears focused forward on you, "But Applejack, there is no chance in Tartarus you're ugly."

Her lip quivers and her tail twitches, "You... really think so?"

You smile weakly, "Lying to you is a pony sin, right?"

A laugh catches in her throat and she turns away to take a few steadying breaths. Then she slides off the bed and downs the herbal medicine in one quick gulp.

"You're right," she says when she sets down the glass, "I shouldn't try an' make such decisions like this." She meets your eye, then blushes and looks away again. "I'm, uh... Look, I'll be honest, Anon. I like you. A lot. Enough that I really don't think it's my heat... but you're right, o'course I can't be sure. I won't try anythin' 'til my heat is done, okay? But uh..." Her blush deepens and... did she just lift her tail a bit? "If there's anything you wanna do..."

"Whoa, girl."

She giggles nervously and you stretch your neck and wince, "Honestly I'm probably not even capable of, uh... that right now."

She hops back up onto the bed, "Here, lemme help. I never did finish your massage."

"You sure that's a good idea?"

"Don't you worry, that medicine's fast, I'll be fine. 'Sides, I did say ya ain't leavin' 'til I finish my massage, right?"

You lie down as before and she gives your shoulders, neck, and arms a quick once-over since they'd already been done, before giving your thighs and calves a longer, more thorough massage. She has you flip over and massages the top of your thighs, then your chest as well. You try to act like you aren't watching her and notice she keeps looking over your body as she works, blushing faintly.

Finally she leans back and you sigh contentedly, "Ooookay... back to sleep..."

She pokes your side, "Nuh uh! If you got the whole day off, that means I ain't gotta spend the whole day bored!"

You eye her warily, "Aren't I supposed to relax and recover?"

"Ah, you'll be fine. I jus' wanna head in to town, hang out a bit." She waves her cast at you, "Doc came by last night while you were still out with Big Mac an' said it's safe to walk on, just no trottin' or buckin'."

You reach up and boop her muzzle, making her eyes cross, "Then go walk into town, don't let me stop you."

She wiggles her snout and snorts, then refocuses on you. "No way! You an' I ain't done hardly nothin' but work together. It's 'bout time we spend some quality time together just as friends."

She shoves your legs with a hoof and they slide off the bed, forcing you to catch yourself and sit up, "Alright, alright, fine! Lead on, Ms. Apple."

"Ugh! Ah hate walkin' this slow!"

You turn away from the peaceful landscape to look at Applejack. She's hobbling down the path beside you, stepping carefully with the cast around her foreleg. You chuckle gently and flick her ear.

"I think I enjoy this pace."

"Well I sure as hay don't! I'm used to always havin' stuff to do..."

"Then maybe it's time you learn to slow down and relax since we're off for a couple of days."

"And how the hay am I 'sposed to relax knowin' how hard my family's workin' back home 'cause o' my foalishness?"

You rub her neck, "I'm sure you'll make it up to them once you've healed."

She looks away grumpily, but doesn't pull her neck away.

"Besides, you know as well as I they'd just refuse your help and make your rest so you can heal."

She grumbles something under her breath, then sighs, "I just get antsy if I sit still too long. Always feel like I gotta be workin' on somthin'."

You walk on in silence for a bit, trying to think of how you can help.

"Maybe... maybe you can just think of this as another job. You did say you wanted to help me befriend ponies in town, right?"

"An' just what kinda job is that?"

"The kinda job for the element of honesty and the nicest pony I've ever known, that's what."

She nickers and turns away again, ears perking up slightly. A few moments go by and as you're looking up at a particularly nice looking tree, she says, "So... you're really enjoyin' this?"

You look down at her, but she's still turned away, "Definitely. I walk this path every day to and from work, but with you it's more... relaxing."

You set your hand on her withers and her skin twitches, but she doesn't otherwise react. Ponyville comes into view as you crest the next hill together, with the school Apple Bloom goes to on your left.

As you pass the school and turn into town, you gesture to the first house on your right, "By the way, my house is right here, right by the path that leads to the farm. Can't remember if I ever told you before."

"That's pretty convenient." She looks up at you and grins, "Mind if I take a look inside? I'd like to see what yer place looks like."

You aren't really comfortable with her in your house after her recent behavior so you throw up the first excuse you can think of, "Uh... it's kinda... messy?"

She rolls her eyes, "Oh apple cores, I don't mind a little clutter, that just means its lived in."

You hesitate, but you can't think of a good reason to refuse. Then she sits in front of you, drooping her ears, "C'mon Anon, please?"

You throw your arms up in defeat and turn toward your house, muttering under your breath, "Damn cute ponies with your damn cute faces..."

She nickers happily and hops up as you open your door inside. She follows you and shuts the door, then laughs incredulously when she sees how stark and empty your living room is.

"This... this is messy!? Gosh, y'all must think my room's a disaster!"

You sigh and sit down on your couch, one of the only objects in the large empty room, "Okay, no, it's not messy. That was just... Ugh. There probably isn't even enough in this house to make a mess."

She hops up on the couch and scoots close, "There really ain't much here... don't ya get bored?"

"Of course I do! Why d'you think I've worked almost every single day since I started at the farm?"

You slump back into the couch and she shuffles awkwardly, "If I'da known how little ya had to do--"

"What? What would you do, Applejack? There's nothing to do in this fucking town except hang out with other ponies, and we both know nopony wants to hang out with me."

She sets a hoof on your thigh, "I'm hangin' out with you, ain't I?"

"Only 'cause the alternative is death by boredom."

She chuckles, "Hey now, it ain't just cause of that! I like hangin' out with you."

You turn a skeptical look on her, a bit surprised by how close she was sitting, "How? You said it yourself: we haven't done hardly anything except work together."

"C'mon Anon, I was just messin' around when I said that. We been talkin' over dinner darn near every night an' what with all your help the past few days..." she snorts lightly and you feel the puff of breath against your neck, "I been spendin' more time with you than with my own family."

She turns away and casually leans forward, dropping off your couch, "But anywho, why're we just sittin' here talkin' 'bout hangin' out when we can actually be hangin' out?"

You give her a small smile, "Alright fine, what do you want to do?"

She trots toward your door, "Just follow me."

CH2: That Time of Year

You spend the next few days planning and preparing various pieces of lumber. Despite saying it would be slow, Applejack apparently still had a lot of work to do on the farm, so you've mostly been alone, figuring out exactly what you want to do. Occasionally she or Apple Bloom would come in to see what you're up to, but they never stayed long, either having chores to do or just plain getting bored.

Eventually you settled on improving a machine Applejack said is used to water the fields, thinking it seems like something they'll need to use a lot. It's big, unwieldy, looks uncomfortable to push, and is tedious to repair to boot. You have big plans so far.

In the middle of sketching and writing your ideas, the barn doors open and you are a bit surprised to see this time it's Big Mac. You set down your tools as he approaches.

"Time for work."

"Alrighty, lead on."

The two of you walk in silence to one of the smaller fields and you see Applejack and Apple Bloom standing nearby, waiting expectantly. As you approach, you recognize it as the grape field and Applejack nods her head in greeting. You walk up to her and Big Mac just continues trotting, leaving you there.

Applejack turns to you, "Now Granny's in town for some errands an' me an' Big Mac got work elsewhere on the farm, but these 'ere grapes need harvestin', an' I ain't havin' Apple Bloom do it all on her lonesome, so lemme show you want to do an' you'll help her out today."

"Sounds like fun."

You smile at Apple Bloom and she grins shyly back at you. You turn back to Applejack and she continues, "It's pretty simple, bein' honest. Just take these 'ere snips, cut off bunches of grapes all together, an' put 'em in these baskets. Try an' snip as close to the grapes as ya can, don't leave a big stem danglin' off the end of the bunch."

She nods over at a pair of baskets that hook over a pony's barrel, "Apple Bloom'll carry the baskets back and forth to the farmhouse where we'll finish up with 'em later." She turns back to you, "Your hands are fast enough you oughta get these bunches real simple, an' Apple Bloom's gettin' mighty strong these days, so she could prolly carry these baskets around all day if she wanted to."

Apple Bloom gives a little snort and stomps a hoof, "Shore could!"

It's too cute and you can't help but grin. Applejack ruffles her mane, then looks back to you, saying, "This way I think y'all're both doin' something you're well suited for. Any questions?"

"Nah, seems pretty straightforward."

"Alrighty, I'll see y'all in a couple hours, then!"

Half an hour later, Apple Bloom has hardly spoken, even though she just sits around for a few minutes doing nothing while you fill the next bin for her to take. Cutting these grapes off is really boring and you'd like some conversation, so you decide to ask her questions about herself, hoping she'll open up a bit.

As she trots up with the latest empty bin, you turn to her and say, "So, Apple Bloom... what exactly are the crusaders?"

"Oh, uh..." She wiggles out from under the bin before continuing, "Well, 'fore we got our cutie marks, me, Sweetie, an' Scoots would do anything 'n everythin' we could think of to try an' figure out what they'd be."

"And now that you have them?"

"Now we go 'round an' help anypony we can find with cutie mark troubles an' help 'em understand what their cutie mark's 'sposed to mean."

You furrow your brows, "Can't they figure that out themselves?"

She shoots you an adorable glare she probably intended to look angry, "No! Well, not always at least. Some ponies have marks that're real, uh... marks that ain't obvious, an' they don't know what to do with 'em."

"You ever help older ponies?"

She shakes her head, "Bulk Biceps had a real quick an' simple problem with his mark, but not really. We ain't found nopony much older'n us who needs help like we give to fillies and colts." She tilts her head in thought, "Well, unless ya count 'fore we even got our cutie marks. We helped this stallion named Trouble Shoes with his cutie mark..."

She trails off and you toss one last bunch of grapes into the basket, then she shimmies under it and trots away.

A few moments later, she trots up with an empty bin and immediately asks, "Hey Anon, what's yer cutie mark?"

You smile, glad she's opening up a little, then shake your head, "Humans don't get cutie marks. I think they're magical in nature and humans don't have any magic."

"Really!? Well this world's chock full of magic--since yer here, maybe one day you'll get a cutie mark too!"

You hadn't thought of that. "Hmm... do any other creatures besides ponies get cutie marks here?"

She thinks for a moment, then her face falls. "No... I guess Zecora has some kinda weird lookin' cutie mark, but aside from that, I ain't never seen a cutie mark on nothin' but a pony before."

You shrug and say, "'Sokay. Can't miss what I never had, right?"

"'Spose not..."

You both continue working in silence for some time. Eventually Apple Bloom speaks up again, sounding a bit nervous.

"...Anon?"

"Yes, Apple Bloom?"

"Since ya came here to Equestria, d'you, uh... miss yer folks back home?"

The question catches you off guard and you hesitate, snips about to close around a grape vine. You inhale slowly, try to relax, and turn to smile again at Apple Bloom. "Oh, not really. I just try not to think about 'em."

She tilts her head questioningly, "Ya don't never think about yer family?"

"Nope. I'm stuck here, aren't I? No point thinking about people I'll never see again."

"Ah... guess that makes sense..." She shakes her head, "But still! Ya must miss 'em at least a bit, right?"

You sigh and slump slightly, "Look, can we just not talk about this?"

"So ya do miss 'em!"

"...Huh?"

"Else ya wouldn't mind talkin' 'bout 'em!"

You rub your eyes, "That's... no, I just don't want--"

"If ya miss 'em so bad, maybe Twilight knows a spell to let you see 'em?"

You grimace, cutting through a bunch of grapes and tossing them into the nearly-full basket with more force than strictly necessary, "No, it's alri--"

"Or maybe," she interrupts, "Maybe she's workin' on a way to return ya! Ah bet she is, since it's her fault yer here, an' all."

You groan. She's probably right and you definitely don't want to go back. You'll have to convince Twilight to stop.

"Or maybe she could bring 'em here! I'd love to meet yer--"

"No."

You spoke quietly, but something in your tone makes Apple Bloom stop dead and stare at you.

"Huh?"

You rub your eyes again, "Just... trust me. You don't want to meet them." You sigh, knowing you have no choice but to explain further now. "My family was very mean, Apple Bloom."

Her ears droop, "Gosh, really? Is that why ya don't think about 'em? They was so mean ya don't even miss 'em?"

You nod grimly, somewhat regretting this conversation.

"Oh Anon... didn't ya at least have some friends or somethin'?"

With a shake of your head, you say, "Most everyone I met either didn't like me or I didn't like them."

"But... yer so nice! How could anypony see you an' not wanna be friends?"

"Yeah... the world I come from isn't always nice."

She pauses thoughtfully, "Well... neither is this world, ah reckon. We got dragons an' changelings an' whatever's in the Everfree Forest... an' all kinds a monsters in Tartarus. That don't mean we can't make friends."

"But ponies are almost always good people, right? There's only a tiny number of mean, hurtful ponies, right?"

"Yeah," she says, "Diamond Tiara used to be real mean, an' ah heard Starlight Glimmer an' Trixie have done some awful things..."

"Yeah, so imagine if half of everypony you knew was like that--if half of everypony in Equestria was lazy, greedy, selfish, and mean."

She gasps, "That's what yer home is like!?"

You chuckle grimly and toss one more bunch of grapes into the basket, "Okay, well... maybe not quite that bad, but it sure felt like it sometimes." You sigh heavily, "Bad people are louder and easier to notice than good people, so it can seem like there's a lot more than there really are."

Apple Bloom just stares at you, ears limp, mouth slightly open, seeming lost in thought. Then she slowly shimmies under the basket and trots away.

When she returns, she sets the empty basket down, steps up next to you, and pokes your side with a hoof as you squat by the grapevines. You turn to her, a question on your lips, when she lurches forward and wraps her tiny hooves around your waist.

The impact throws you off balance and you sit heavily on the ground.

"Wha--"

"Ah'm glad yer here in Equestria, Anon. Ah hope you'll be happy here."

You pause awkwardly, unsure what to do, then you gently place a hand on the back of the filly's head and stroke her mane.

"Alright," you say, "Now lift!"

Applejack heaves and raises the thick wooden beam into place. You move the vertical supporting beam into the slot you cut and it slides in with a satisfying THUNK. You hammer a couple nails in place, then you both step back to admire your work.

You'd finally managed to work out a decent design implementing your improvements to the watering pusher. This new one is lighter, holds more water, is more comfortable to push, has a glass rod in the front of the tank so you can see how full it is if you look over your shoulder while pushing, and certain high-wear parts like wheels can be quickly and easily replaced.

Between your days off, days doing actual farm work with Apple Bloom, and days lost to failed trial-and-error runs, it's been about two weeks all told.

"Gotta say Anon, I'm impressed."

"Thanks, AJ. But remember, I didn't invent this stuff. I'm just copying what I remember from machines other humans made back home."

"Still," she says, "Credit where it's due: ya done some fine work 'ere." She pushes on the chest-shaped mold you added to the push-bar and the machine rolls easily. "Lets fill 'er up and see how it performs."

You follow her as she rolls it out the barn door and down to the river, where a crude water wheel pours out of a tall spigot specifically designed to refill these watering machines.

While waiting, Applejack steps close to you and say, "If this water pusher does half as well as I expect an' you can improve every machine this much, I reckon we could put out fifty percent more produce next year, easy. Honestly, I'm really lookin' forward to more of your work."

She pauses and looks like she's going to say something else, but stops herself. You've been noticing her doing that a lot lately.

"AJ... are you alright?"

She looks a bit startled, "Huh?"

"It's just... we've been spending a lot of time together and I've noticed sometimes you seem... uncomfortable. Like maybe you're afraid of saying the wrong thing to me. I'd like you to stop worrying and just be honest with me."

"Oh, uh... well. That's, uh..." She looks abashed and coughs awkwardly, "Anon, um, how much d'you know about... mares?"

You raise an eyebrow, "Not much, honestly. Only what I've learned since I came here."

"Oh..." She sighs, then looks down and mumbles to herself, "Well how the hay do I even say this...?"

You step closer, kneel beside her, and lift her chin with a knuckle so she looks back up at you. Her cheeks immediately turn a bright pink.

"Hey," you say gently, "I just wanted to make sure you're okay. I'm not trying to pry or anything." You smile and move your hand to the side of her neck, scratching gently, "If you're okay, that's all I need to know. No pressure, aight?"

Her blush deepens and she takes a step back, saying, "Uh... I-It's full now. Let's see how good this... this doohickey works."

Positioning herself, she heaves on the water pusher and it slowly rolls forward. With her muzzle, she flips a lever you installed and water begins flowing onto a spinning disc attached to the wheels, flinging water in a short arc behind the machine. As she picks up speed, so does the spinning disc and it flings a fine mist over a wide area.

"So?" You ask anxiously.

She grunts and presses against the side of the chest mold, slowly turning the pusher around. She executes a couple more turns, then slows, coming off the chest mold and pressing her rump against the rear bar to slow the machine.

As it comes to a stop, she hops out of the machine and trots happily in place, "Hooey! This 'ere's better than an eight bit candied apple! Why, it weighs less all full of water than the old machine weighed when it was empty, an' the front push bar is WAY more comfortable!"

You whoop and fist pump triumphantly.

"Imma go water the celery," she continues, "Go find Big Mac and tell him to come look, I think he'll appreciate this."

You salute, "Yes ma'am!"

"I told ya to quit that!" She sticks out a tongue and reaches up to buck you with a forehoof, but you jog away, laughing."

You find Big Mac inspecting one of the apple trees and approach him coolly.

"Hey big guy."

He turns to face you.

"We finished the water pusher. You should come check it out, I think you'll like it. Well, AJ says you'll like it. She's heading to the celery field."

"Alright."

You look up at the tree he was harvesting and ask, "How long before next harvest?"

"Few days."

"Cool, cool."

He stares at you expectantly.

"So, uh... I wanted to talk to you about AJ."

He just nods.

"She's been acting strange recently."

He nods again.

"I... don't quite know what to make of it. I asked her if anything was wrong a moment ago, and she kinda stumbled over her words, didn't seem to know what to say. I just told her not to worry and she doesn't need to talk about it if she doesn't want to."

You cringe and rub your neck awkwardly, finishing with, "I'm not crazy, right? Not just imagining it?"

"Nope."

"Alright, well... I know you're not much for talking, so just tell me if everything's okay or if I need to be worried."

"...She's okay."

"Oh okay, good."

"But y'all should probably be worried, too."

"...Wait, huh?"

Big Mac sighs and sits on his haunches, "I'm a guessin' ya don't know much 'bout pony biology, but once a year, mares go into heat an' their bodies prepare to mate."

Your eyes widen.

"So she's..."

"Nope. Least, not yet, but it's a comin' soon. 'Nother week or so an' she'll start takin' some medicine to keep it in check." He looks away awkwardly, "It... ain't really a problem, she'll just get mood swings an' be more sensitive to touch, so try an' avoid any unneeded contact."

You're beginning to feel quite nervous, "But... I shouldn't have to worry, right? I'm no... uh, no stallion."

His ears twitch and you hurriedly speak again, feeling incredibly awkward, "Oh god, I'm sorry. I know this much be so weird to talk about your sister like this, I just..."

You trail off an huff, frustrated at your lack of words. Big Mac hesitates, his ears folding back, then he grimaces.

"Since y'all work so close together, you'll have a hard time avoidin' touchin' her an' that might, uh... 'excite' her."

You shake your head, anxious butterflies in your stomach.

"Okay... okay, no, this is fine." You rub the back of your head awkwardly, "I'll just, uh... we'll just work like normal and everything will be okay. I won't touch her, easy." You begin to pace nervously, "I won't touch her when I'm measuring her to make machines or helping her lift a machine part into place or helping her load and unload produce or working the fields with her or helping her teach Apple Bloom or eating dinner or-or..." You stop suddenly and turn with wide eyes, "Oh god, this isn't okay! Mac! What do I do!?"

Startled, he rears up and neighs, "Whoa! Calm, friend!"

You slump to the ground and take a few heavy breaths before saying, "Mac... the hell am I supposed to do? I couldn't even handle human girls back home... I can't handle this!"

Big Mac grins sheepishly, "Ain't gotta get that worked up about it... Maybe Twilight can help."

The next morning you tried stopping by Twilight's Castle, only to learn from her pupil Starlight Glimmer that she's out of town and won't be back until at least tomorrow morning, so you're on your own for now. You considered asking one of AJ's other friends, but you didn't really know any of them very well yet, and of course you couldn't ask AJ herself after directly telling her she didn't need to tell you."

Fortunately, the next few days were pretty uneventful.

You hardly even saw Applejack and were mostly left to work on your next experiment in the barn. The next harvest coming up is barley, so at first you thought of maybe trying to build a harvester, but you figured that was a little too ambitious for now. Instead, you decided to improve their scythe. The current design was simply held in the jaw and swung like a hand-held sickle back home. You've been working on one that loops over a pony's neck and hooks around their shoulders, which they can swing around with a handle clamped in their muzzle. The main handle can have its length adjusted by squeezing a grip to release the lock and sliding the handle up or down to suit larger or smaller ponies. The movement required to swing it should be similar to the large double-handed scythes back home and ought to be much more effective.

You'd tried to get Big Mac in to test it, but by the time you finished your prototype, Applejack had apparently finished whatever she'd been up to the past couple days and leapt at the idea.

Thus, you find yourself alone in the barn with Applejack like many times before... of course, now, you're all nervous around her.

Lost in your thoughts, you jump at Applejack's voice, "Anon? You alright, partner?"

"Oh! Uh, Yeah! Here, let's try it out."

She eyes the oddly shaped pile of wood, rope, and blade, and asks, "How's this thing even work?"

You slip the loop over your head, tucking the wooden hooks around your shoulders, and grab the handle at approximately the distance your mouth would be if you were a pony.

"Stand back. I probably should have waited, but I've already sharpened the blade."

Once she steps away, you use your whole body to throw the large scythe around. It swings back and then forward in a quick cut over a huge arc, easily five times the size of the old scythe, and with less effort, too.

Applejack's eyes go wide, "Whoa nelly, Anon, that looks great! C'mon, lemme try!"

You lift the scythe off your head and hold it up for her to step into. You really try not to touch her as you help her position her head within the loop, but the close proximity makes a few bumps unavoidable. Fortunately, Applejack seems distracted and doesn't react.

In a moment, the scythe is in place, the length adjusted to fit her, and you quickly take several steps back. She grips the mouthpiece and you marvel at how easily she swings the scythe left and right, hardly even leaning into the effort.

"Good gravy, it's so easy to swing!" she says, after spitting out the mouthpiece, "Why, I could cut the whole field in a matter o' hours with this puppy!"

She wiggles out from the scythe, drops it to the floor, and suddenly she's standing upright in front of you, smiling broadly.

"I know it's yer job an' all, but... I just can't tell you how much I appreciate this!"

She pulls you into a rough hug. You awkwardly pat her shoulder and she pulls back, still standing and resting on your shoulders. Try as you might, you cannot help but glance down at her very exposed body.

Applejack tenses, seeming to realize what she's doing, then her ears fold back, she blushes fiercely, and she drops to all fours again.

"Aw shoot, I'm sorry, Anon. I know, I shouldn't do stuff like that..." she closes her eyes and shudders, "Really... shouldn't..."

She stands there panting lightly for a few seconds before looking at you sharply, "I, uh, gotta go talk to Granny!"

With that, she throws the barn door open and gallops full tilt towards the farm house. You follow her to the door and watch her go. In the field, Big Mac raises his head, looking worried, his powerful voice easily carrying the distance.

"AJ? WHAT'S WRONG!?"

"NOTHIN'!"

She shakes her head as she runs up and vanishes into the house. Big Mac canters over to you.

"What--"

"She just... hugged me. Fuck, man, she just jumped up and hugged me out of the blue! Then she got all flustered and galloped away."

He shakes his head and says, "Must be early. Stay here."

You stare after him glumly as he trots over to the farm house. After what feels like ages, Big Mac trots back in through the barn door.

"She took her medicine. She'll be fine tomorrow. You're done for today. Good work on the scythe; despite all this, she won't shush 'bout how amazing it is. G'night, Anon."

He immediately turns and trots away before you can respond. You take a few moments to digest your thoughts, then slowly walk down the path off the farm.

Halfway to the gate, Apple Bloom's little voice calls out from her treehouse, "Anon! Hey, where ya goin'?"

"Back home, I'm done for the day."

"So soon? Ya ain't stayin' for dinner?"

"No... something's up with Applejack, Big Mac called it a day."

"Ca... Called it a day!?"

She lets out a little whinny, then gallops over and skids to a stop before you. You squat to approach her eye level, which you've learned she seems to appreciate.

"Is she alright!?"

"Yeah, think so. Big Mac didn't seem worried, at least. Said she's on her medicine and I should go home now."

She relaxes and sits on her haunches, "Ohhh, her cycle must be early! Aw hay, that's nothin'. She'll just be grumpy sometimes an' real friendly other times." She looks down thoughtfully, "Ah hope she ain't too worried 'bout it though. This's her first time, after all."

"Wait, her first--"

Her head snaps back up to you, "Hey! Since yer free now, how 'boutcha come hang out with us?"

You think about it, then smile and ruffle her mane, trying to act more relaxed than you feel.

"Sorry Bloom, there's something I gotta do."

Her ears droop and she looks up at you with eyes so pitifully sad it's not even fair.

"Aw come on, don't do that to me! I'll hang out another day, I promise!"

She looks down and heaves a little sigh, "Oh alright..." Then she glares up at you cutely, "Ah won't forget ya promised, though!"

After taking an hour or so to relax and get a hold of your racing thoughts, you head to Twilight's Castle. As soon as you open the huge doors, you are teleported to her castle library, and Twilight greets you warmly as you stumble, hand to your head.

"Anon! Hey, how are you? How is the new job coming? I haven't seen you in at least a fortnite!"

You give her a lopsided smile as you try to regain your senses, "Ugh... can't you at least give a warning before teleporting me?"

She only giggles in response and you sigh.

"It's been going well, thanks Twi. You'd enjoy coming out and seeing what I've been doing."

"Oh really?"

"Yeah... since I'm not nearly strong enough for earth pony work, I've been redesigning their tools and machines instead. I've already made the water pusher a lot better to use, and just today I finished a new and improved scythe to harvest the barley."

"That's great, Anon! I'm so glad you're finally settling in. I was so worried when I saw how much trouble you had making friends in town."

"Yeah... we need to talk about that sometime, but, uh... right now I wanted to ask you about Applejack."

She looks to her side and, following her gaze, you realize Applejack is standing just a few feet to your left. Turns out it's easy to miss your surroundings when you get teleported.

"Oh, uh... hey, how you feeling?"

Applejack signs and lays down, "Guess I shoulda just told ya, huh?"

"Told me what?"

"Now don't be like that, I know full well Big Mac told ya what's going on."

You grimace, "Well... he told me a bit. I didn't want to push you after you got so flustered, but I was worried something might be wrong."

"That's sweet o' you, sugarcube... Twilight, can y'all explain? I don't, uh... really want to talk' bout it."

Twilight nods and looks back to you, "What do you already know?"

"More or less... nothing."

She beams and exclaims, "Okay! Pony estrus cycle 101, here we go!"

Applejack stands suddenly, "Yeah okay, I'm just gonna go. I can't sit 'here an' listen to ya tell Anon about this."

Twilight pops in front of her as she starts to walk away, "But Applejack, you should hear this too."

Applejack rolls her eyes, "C'mon Twilight. I may not be as educated as you, but y'all know as well as I that mares are taught all 'bout the cycle since they're fillies. Just explain to Anon so he knows what to expect. He's still gotta work after all." She grimaces, "'Sides, I ain't gonna sit here and listen to you explain how my marebits work to a stal--uh, man. That's just weird."

Twilight sighs, "Oh alright."

Applejack trots out of the room and, as Twilight turns back to you, you ask, "So wait, why do I even need to know this again?"

She trots back to her blackboard, "Well, this is Applejack's first cycle."

"Apple Bloom mentioned that... I thought AJ was older?"

She shakes her head, "She's several moons younger than Big Mac."

"Alrighty then... still doesn't explain why I need to know."

One of her ears flick, "Well, for one, you're probably stuck here for good, so you should really just learn about ponies in general, but I think more importantly, you should learn so you can help Applejack through this."

"Uh... help her?"

"Well, yeah! This is a tough time for a young mare! She'll need all the support she can get from her friends." Her tail swishes and she paws gently at the floor, "Obviously the girls and I will help as much as we can, but we have work of our own to do, so we can only be there so much." She points a hoof at you and grins, "But you'll be right there on the farm with her for most of the day, and I hear you two are getting along great! You'll be the perfect support!"

You rub your face, trying not to think about the implications, "...and why can't her family do this?"

She rolls her eyes, "Well, I'm sure they will, but come on, Anon. Granny sleeps most of the day and her other family members are a filly who's too young to really understand what's happening, and a stallion, who obviously won't be much help."

"And I suppose a man would be more help?"

Her ears flatten and she suddenly gives you a hard glare, "Anon, are you looking for an excuse or just being dense?"

You open your mouth but find no words, taken aback by her sudden bluntness. She just waits for a reply, tail swishing gently in agitation. You pause to gather your thoughts, then sigh.

"A bit of both, I guess? I still don't understand why you think I'm such a good choice for her support, but I'm also not exactly thrilled about the idea anyways."

Her gaze softens and she takes a step towards you, ears turning forward. "Anon, if you really don't want to do this, no one's going to make you... but I would like an explanation as to why."

You rub the back of your neck, "It just... it makes me uncomfortable, is all."

"What's so uncomfortable about it?"

"What's uncomfortable about being around a girl--er, mare that's in heat?"

She scrunches her muzzle, "Anon, you're not a stallion, you're a whole different species. Surely you aren't worried about what I think you're worried about."

You shrug sheepishly, "She's been acting pretty friendly--"

"Applejack is one of the friendliest ponies I know."

"No, it's uh... I mean, like... little gestures here and there, sly comments muttered under her breath, being... y'know, friendly. Real friendly."

Twilight pauses thoughtfully, then gives you a skeptical look, "Uh, really? Are you sure?"

Your shoulders slump and you stare at the ground, "Well, no, of course not, not really. Not like I'm real familiar on the intricate nuances of pony body language."

Twilight steps closer to you and say, "Look, Anon... I know you're nervous, but I don't think you need to worry about anything like that... at least, not yet."

You feel the tingle of her magic gently lift your chin so you look back at her.

"Even if you're right and maybe Applejack really does have a crush on you, she's way too cautious to act on something like that less than a month after you just met."

"But her heat--"

"--is almost entirely controlled by the herbal medicine we take for it. We're not animals, Anon. It's not like mares go into a sex-crazed madness and hop on any stallion they can find!" She blushes and giggles, "I mean, just imagine how messed up pony society would be if we did!"

You chuckle despite the awkwardness of the situation. "And without that medicine?"

Her blush deepens, "Well, it's still not that bad, but it can get pretty... distracting." She shakes her head and takes a step back, "But anyway, we're way off topic."

"Are we?"

She giggles, "Okay well, maybe not... but we are way off my checklist!"

You groan as a huge scroll floats up from behind her and she exclaims, "Pony Estrus Cycle 101!"

CH3: Pony Down!

The next day on the farm is... weird. You can tell Applejack is trying very hard to be normal, but, well, trying to be normal kind of defeats the purpose. You're watching her use your new scythe on the barley, taking notes on possible problems or improvements.

She finishes a row and releases the handle from her mouth, letting the blade hang from her shoulders, "Boy howdy, Anon! I'm mighty pleased you're improving our farm tools. I tell ya, this is takin' less'n half as long as usual."

As she steps up to you, you gesture at the freshly cut barley on the ground, "How do you collect it afterward?"

"With another big ol' rolling machine I bet y'all will make twice as good." She chuckles at your startled expression, "Not right now, 'course! I know, takes time. Took you a couple weeks to fix that there waterin' machine."

You look up at the sky and rub your chin thoughtfully for a moment.

"Y'all got another idea?" Applejack asks.

"More like I remember a video I saw back on earth..." You lower your gaze back to her and ask, "Think you could pull a cart and swing that scythe at the same time?"

"Well sure, why?"

"I remember seeing a scythe that had a little tray or bag or something that caught what it was cutting. If I can figure out something like that, you could cut some barley, then just use the scythe to toss it over your shoulder and into the cart."

She beams at you and gives you a friendly buck on the hip, saying, "Ah just knew ya had a good idea! You always get this look like..."

She stands up on her hind legs and raises her hoof to her muzzle, obviously trying to imitate your thinking face.

...And apparently forgetting the scythe still hooked around her shoulders.

The blade swings around awkwardly, aimed directly at your leg, and you lurch backward with a yelp. Applejack, with a look of horror, tries to bat the scythe away with a foreleg. She manages to redirect it and the blade misses you by inches, but the scythe's momentum throws her off balance and she crashes heavily to her back.

She screams in pain and your imagination immediately fills with ugly images of the blade sinking deep into her body.

"Applejack!"

She neighs and thrashes wildly, clearly overwhelmed with panic and pain. You rush forward, dodging her flailing hooves as best you can... and are relieved to see the blade flat on the ground. However, the handle and rope had somehow hooked around her fetlock and twisted it terribly, slamming it into the ground when she fell.

You hurry to lift the heavy scythe off her leg and slip the whole contraption over her head, tossing it away. As soon as the weight is lifted off her leg, she pulls both forelegs to her chest and lays on her back, whimpering, eyes shut tight.

You kneel beside her and gently touch the side of her head, speaking softly, "Hey, Applejack, shhh, it's alright, you're okay."

She looks up at you for a moment, then closes her eyes again and presses her cheek into your palm. You stay like that for a few minutes, gently stroking her muzzle as her breathing returns to normal.

Finally, she opens her eyes again and you slowly move your hand to her injured hoof. She lets out a nervous little whinny but doesn't resist as you carefully take her hoof in one hand, pressing gently on her fetlock with the other. She immediately gasps in pain and you click you tongue.

"Oh man... I'm no doctor but I'd say that's one hell of a sprain, might even be broken."

Still lying on her back, her head falls back to the ground and she groans loudly, "Aw... what the hay are we gonna do now? I got way too many chores for this!"

You point at the sharp blade of the scythe and say, "Hey, it coulda been a whole lot worse."

She lifts her head to follow your gesture, then nickers agreement.

"I'll go get Big Mac," you say with a sigh, but she stops you with her good hoof as you start to stand.

"No... no, if he didn't hear my scream an' come gallopin' already, he's too far away to bother. I just need to get to the farmhouse. Ain't far anyhow."

You scoot back a bit as she rolls toward you onto her side and tries to stand on her good forehoof. As she stands, you continue holding her injured foreleg, supporting her at the knee. She snorts and wiggles her injured leg free and leans on it carefully, only to immediately cry out and pull her foreleg up close to her chest. You grab it again.

"Easy now. C'mon, let's get to the farmhouse."

She groans, "Ponyfeathers... ya ain't gotta baby me like this!"

"Hush, I ain't babying you. You're injured and probably couldn't even walk by yourself. Now come on, move."

She reluctantly takes a step forward as you pull on her knee, muttering under her breath, "Be hay to pay if you tell anypony..."

You lightly flick an ear with a finger and it flicks back at you, "Quit your moping and walk." You straighten as she starts to walk.

As it turns out, Applejack is just the right height for you to stand fully upright and hold her foreleg by the knee with your arm just casually hanging straight. After a few paces, you look down at Applejack, intending to ask how she's doing, and instead notice how you two look.

You're walking normally, she's walking as best she can on three legs, her foreleg is in your hand, her head is turned slightly away, and her ears are back in embarrassment.

"Uh..." An ear swivels toward you, "Walking like this looks pretty, uh..."

You trail off, but you guess she got your point from the way her ears flatten again. She mutters, "Let's just go."

Her blush was hidden before, but now it's spread all the way up her face and down the side of her muzzle.

Trying to save your friend some of her dignity, you distract her with a question, "Okay, so if I'm right and you won't be able to work while this heals... is there anything I can do to help around the farm?"

Her ears perk up as she thinks, then droop sadly, "Well... not much, honestly. Everything comin' up is hard pony work: pullin' plows, buckin' trees, movin' carts... I mean, y'all can help Apple Bloom harvest the carrots, but I was always gonna have ya do that, this don't change nothin'." She sighs heavily, "I, uh... guess you'll mostly be helpin' me recover. Granny, Big Mac, and Apple Bloom'll all be too busy pickin' up my slack to help me much."

The two of you continue in silence until you reach the farmhouse and find that, for once, Granny Smith was awake. When she sees the two of you enter, she gives Applejack a sly wink.

"Wayyyll now, ah thought y'all mighta hit it off, but if'n y'ain't gone an' caught 'im in near half the time ah thought!"

You jerk your hand open and she pulls her hoof to her chest as your ears start burning and you sputter, "Wha--but, no, it's.."

Applejack sighs, "Gosh darnit Granny, no! I told ya we ain't nothin' like that. I just went and got myself hurt, Anon was helping me get back here."

Granny Smith winks again, "y'ain't never been one fer takin' help like that from nopony else!"

Applejack groans and starts to reply but Granny cuts her off and steps closer, "Hush an' lemme see that there hoof."

She tentatively extends her hoof and Granny supports it gently without pressing on the joint, mumbling as she twists her head to look at it from all angles.

"Can ya move it? Twist yer fetlock 'round much as ya can without hurtin'."

Applejack winces in pain as her hoof barely wiggles. Granny steps back and nods.

"Alright, I'll go find Big Mac an' have 'im fetch a medical pony," she turns to you and adds, "Anon dearie, if'n ya don't mind, help Applejack up the stairs an' into bed, please?"

"I don't need no help into bed!" Applejack says with a snort.

Granny smirks, "Ah reckon you'd like Anon's help just the same!"

Your ears must be on fire by now.

Cutting off another indignant reply, Granny continues, "'Sides, ah mostly just meant up the stairs; y'ain't gettin' up them all on yer lonesome! Anon, be a dear an' help 'er up to her bedroom, if'n it pleases you."

Applejack grumbles but reluctantly lifts her hoof for you to hold again. As Granny trots out the front door, you and Applejack turn towards the stairs.

Halfway up, Applejack lets out a little frustrated whinny, "Tartarus, I hate bein' babied like this an' I ain't got a darn choice 'til I heal."

You chuckle and tug her leg to get her to take another step, "Ah, quit yer whining, you'll be fine."

She gives you an indignant neigh and bumps your hip with her shoulder, "I sure as hay could get up these stairs by myself."

"Yeah, probably, but it'd be difficult and risky. If you slipped and landed on your bad hoof you could hurt it even worse. No point taking such a risk when I'm right here to help you."

She doesn't have a response to that and you continue to her room in stony silence. Her room is mostly empty, with ropes coiled on the wall and a small reading niche where a cushion is sitting on the floor. Her bed is just to the right of the door near the window with a cute little end table between it and the wall.

Despite her early protests, she doesn't fight you as you step up to the bed and half-support, half-lift her into bed. She's surprisingly light for being more than half your height. She then pulls the blanket up to her neck and averts her eyes. You consider offering to take her hat, then decide not to even risk it.

"How do you feel? You want something to eat or drink? An extra pillow? Anything?"

"Nah, I'm... I'm fine."

You take a step back, "Alright... guess I'll see you tomorrow."

She nods and you turn to leave, but as you walk away, you hear her quietly mutter, "Thanks."

You look back and see her laying on her side, facing away, her ears folded down. Even if she can't see, you can't help but smile.

"'Course, AJ. I'm happy to help you."

CH4: Family Discussion

You jolt awake to a loud banging. An old fear of being terrorized by your siblings seizes your heart and you scramble out of bed, stumbling in the dark and slamming your elbow into the end table.

"Ah, fuck! Ugh... wha-who izzit? Whatrya doin?"

A muffled filly's voice calls out, "Anon? Ah heard a bang, y'all okay?"

You take a deep breath and try to calm your racing heart. It's just Apple Bloom. Not your shithead father, not your bitch of a sister, not that asshole Kevin.

You shout back as you struggle into some pants, "I'm... ugh, I'm alright! Just... not a morning person. D'ya have to knock so loud?"

Her reply is barely audible as you pull a shirt over your head, "Well 'course ah tried knockin' quiet first, ain't my fault ya sleep like a rock..."

You heave a great yawn and stretch, then call out as you open your bedroom door, "What time izzit anyway?"

As you approach the front door, you hear her mutter, "Too darn early."

You open the door and rub the sleep from your eyes, "Agreed. So why're you here, then?"

"With Applejack injured, we got way too much work to do. Me n' Big Mac got up early to start workin'."

Apple Bloom sighs and you grimace, "Man, there's that much, huh? So you came out here to bring me to work?"

She shakes her head, "Nah, we need ya to come take care of AJ all day. We don't wanna keep havin' to stop workin' to help 'er up the stairs an' such. Granny's takin' the early train to Appaloosa to try'n get some help so hopefully it'll be sorta back to normal soon, but for now we gotta work our tails off."

"Alright," you say with a sigh, "I'll be ready in a few minutes. Wanna wait inside?"

She nods and you return to your bedroom, closing the door behind you.

A short while later, Apple Bloom was being very quiet on the way back to the farm. Or maybe she's just sleepy. Either way, you really want her to be comfortable around you, so you try to think of another question to get her to open up.

"So... got any plans after your chores today?"

She looks up at you for a second, then her ears droop, "Not really... Mac n' I'll prolly be workin' 'til after sundown today, an' I'll likely be pickin' up some o' the heavier work ah don't usually do, so I'll prolly be exhausted."

"What about school?"

She grimaces, "Well, Granny said she's gonna talk to Ms. Cheerilee, so... guess ah ain't goin'."

"Isn't that a good thing? I thought kids--er, foals love getting out of school."

"Well yeah," she says with a scoff, "But not to do hard work all day!"

"Ah yeah, guess you got a point." You chuckle, then reach down and rub behind an ear, "Listen, I'm sure helping AJ won't take all of my time. You come get me if there's anything I can do to help. Make sure Big Mac knows too. I'll do everything I can to help make this right." Your face turns sour and you mutter, "This is my fault, after all."

Her head snaps up and she veers away slightly, "What!? It's yer fault AJ got hurt? What'd ya do!?"

You sigh and say, "My newest tool, that scythe. I designed it poorly, and when AJ moved wrong it swung unexpectedly and nearly chopped my leg off." Apple Bloom gasps and you continue, "She panicked and flailed to get the blade away from me, which did work, but her flailing made it swing around, catch her foreleg, and slam her to the ground." You stop walking and rub your neck, not meeting Apple Bloom's eyes, "It could've been a whole lot worse. AJ could have easily fallen on the blade instead of the handle." You sigh heavily, "I have to do better... I can't let this happen again."

Her small body suddenly thumps into your leg, startling you into looking down, and you see the little filly hugging you tightly. "Anon... ya can't beat yerself up like that. Ah know it's hard, but everypony makes mistakes sometimes, an' everythin' turned out alright in the end. It ain't yer fault an' ah know you'll do better next time."

You scowl, "Fu--Darn it, Bloom, don't you get it? My mistake almost killed your sister!"

She only hugs you tighter, "But ya didn't! It's alright, Anon!"

You slump, shake your head, and repeat, "I must do better. This can't happen again."

You look again and see her enormous eyes gazing up at you, glistening in the moonlight.

...Man, that pitiful stare should be illegal.

You cave instantly, unable to bear seeing her so miserable. You squat and pull her up onto your knee, returning her hug.

She buries her fuzzy snoot in your neck, resting her head on your shoulders and murmurs, "You'll be alright, Anon. Ya ain't a bad person just 'cause ya made one mistake."

You try to wrest control of your emotions as you stroke her mane. Honestly you still feel terrible, but you do feel better for having voiced what had troubled you all night. You take a deep breath and swallow the lump in your throat.

"Thanks Apple Bloom. I... I needed that." You pull back and look into those big sad eyes, "You're pretty good at this counseling stuff, y'know." She smiles and sniffs, and you rub a tear from the corner of her eye. "I'm sorry for making you upset. I feel a lot better now."

She boops your nose with a hoof, "Just promise me ya ain't gonna beat yerself up over this."

You sigh, "I've always been bad about doing exactly that, but... I'll try."

She shakes her hear urgently, "Nuh uh! Promise, Anon!"

When you don't respond, she latches onto your neck again, "Ah ain't lettin' go 'til ya promise!"

You stand abruptly and she hangs off your neck, letting out a little shriek as your supporting knee drops out from under her. She squeaks as her hind hooves scramble against your belly and her tail waves wildly.

"Hey, no fair!"

Chuckling, you swing an arm under her, folding her tail against her rump and supporting her weight on your forearm, then you start walking again. To your surprise, she stays like that as you walk, her fetlocks hooked around your neck, the side of her head pressed against your collar under your chin, and her hind hooves pressing lightly into your belly. You continue walking in silence, just stroking the back of her head.

As you enter the farm, Apple Bloom finally releases your neck, twists around, and drops nimbly to the ground.

"Ah better find Big Mac an' get to work. Applejack's still in 'er room. Ah oughta see ya at dinner tonight, right?"

You smile and nod, and she canters away through the rows of crops. As you walk up to the farmhouse, the moon smoothly lowers into the horizon and the sun rapidly rises to replaces it. The sudden change from night to day still weirds you out about Equestria. Squinting hard against the abruptly sunny day, you open the farmhouse door.

"Hey, Applejack?" You call out, "You there?" When there's no response, you sneak up the stairs and gently knock on her bedroom door. "Applejack?"

You hear a groan and rustle, then a mumble for you to come in. You enter and see she had kicked the blanket mostly off and her injured hoof is now thoroughly wrapped in a cast up to just below her knee, holding her fetlock slightly bent.

Her hat is hanging on the wall nearby and you realize this is the first time you've ever seen her without it. She looks... incomplete.

Ignoring that, you kneel at the side of her bed and murmur, "So, what did the medical pony say about your hoof?"

She opens one eye at you, then rolls it and closes it again, "Hairline fracture in the cannon an' one hay of a sprain in the fetlock. Doc says I oughta be able to walk on it in a day or two when the fetlock's swelling goes down, but I can't trot or buck or do darn near anythin' till the fracture heals."

"So how do you feel?"

She groans and pushes herself up onto her... elbow? Her foreleg's knee? ...Who'd have guessed horse biology would be so important in your future.

"Bored as hay," she says.

You raise an eyebrow, "But you just woke up. How're you so bored already?"

She scoffs, "Ah been bored ever since I laid down in this apple-rotting bed yesterday. I ain't got up 'cept to relieve myself and eat, an' I needed Mac's help for both." Her ears droop and she closes her eyes, "Never felt so ashamed and embarrassed in my life."

You grimace and lay a hand on her good hoof, "AJ, please don't feel bad. This is all my fault."

"What!?" Her eyes snap open and she sits up and glares at you, "How the hay is it your fault I tried dancin' with a buckin' blade strapped to my chest an' darn near cut yer leg off?"

You groan and rub your face, "If I had designed the scythe better, this never would have happened."

"Oh ponyfeathers, your scythe is great, Anon. It ain't your fault I was bein' foalish with it."

"You could have died, AJ! If that scythe had twisted just a little more as you fell--"

She interrupts you with a click of her tongue and reaches over, setting a hoof on your cheek and turning your head to meet hers. She doesn't say anything, just stares intensely into your eyes. You immediately feel awkward and try to avert your gaze, but she twitches her hoof on your cheek to draw your attention back to her. So you just sit there, staring into her big green eyes.

Eventually, she smiles and taps your cheek, "Anon... I know this is tearin' ya up inside, but ya gotta forgive yourself. It ain't your fault, really. That scythe has to be dangerous--if you'd tried to make it perfectly safe, you'd'a just made a scythe that didn't work."

Still holding your cheek with her hoof, she leans even closer, her expression earnest and caring, "Your scythe really is great, promise. It's my own darn fault for bein' a dumb foal an' messin' around while wearin' such a dangerous tool. I been 'round plenty of dangerous equipment an' I shoulda known better."

She closes her eyes and presses her forehead against yours, murmuring, "Please Anon, I ain't just sayin' this to make ya feel better. I'm the element of honesty for Luna's sake. I just hate to see ya beatin' yourself up over somethin' that I know ain't your fault."

You close your eyes, sigh, and try to calm your racing thoughts, taking comfort in the gentle touch of her fuzzy head and hoof. After a moment, you pull back and meet her gaze.

"You're right, of course. I just... when you fell and cried out, I was so scared it was the blade that got you." You close your eyes and shudder, "All I could imagine was Big Mac and Apple Bloom standing over your dead body, blaming me..."

You take a long, slow breath. Just as you open your eyes, Applejack leans forward and boops your nose with her muzzle.

You jerk back slightly, surprised, and she blushes and looks down.

"Just... please don't blame yourself, Anon. I can't stand seein' ya hurt from the inside like that."

You've no idea how serious of a gesture that muzzle boop is in pony culture. Eventually you just decide not to overthink it.

"Alright AJ, I'll try. Just for you."

She shuffles awkwardly, "So, uh... anywho, we've been talkin' about this too long. I gotta get downstairs and, uh... take care of a few things."

You nod and smile awkwardly, extending a hand to help her out of bed. The 'few things' turned out to be taking her daily dose of herbal medicine for her heat--which looks like a murky brown tea--then going down to the river to... relieve herself. Thankfully she doesn't need help for that, so you just stand a distance away and turn around to save you both the embarrassment of being present for that.

Honestly though, you were a bit curious. You'd noticed long ago that most pony homes don't have bathrooms. Is that what the river running through Ponyville is used for? ...You make a mental note to never bathe downstream.

Applejack calls out, so you turn around and start walking back. She hobbles toward you on her three good legs, but just as you come near, her good forehoof catches on a rock and she stumbles with a yelp. You lunge forward and grab her around the chest, supporting her weight as she instinctively reaches out with her injured hoof.

She sits and shouts, "Buckin' Tartarus, ah can't do nothin' myself!" She neighs angrily and shakes her head in frustrating, flicking your face with her mane.

You slowly release her as she settles on her good hoof and brush her mane out of your face, "C'mon girl... it's only for a day or two. Let's get to the barn. Maybe you can't work but you can still think. Let's work on improving another tool."

The day was frustrating for both of you. You must have drawn up fifty different designs for a dozen different machines, then threw each of them away. Every time you gave AJ some excuse about structural support, or having a better idea, or some random engineer-ish jargon you threw together to try and sound like you knew what you were doing. But really, you just kept imagining how each machine could hurt Applejack.

Meanwhile, she kept fidgeting with various stuff around the barn, hobbling around and messing with this or that, then eventually tossing it away in disgust. She would often come back to you and sit heavily beside you, sighing heavily. You'd try to make conversation from time to time, but she was in such a sour mood it never went very well.

Finally, her ears perk up and she turns her head, "Anon, I think I hear Granny!"

You turn away from your latest hypothetical AJ-killing maching and try to grin, "Alright! Let's see who she brought to help."

You grab her cast as your stand and you both hurry outside. You see Granny walking toward the farmhouse. Only Granny. You get a sinking feeling in your gut.

"Hey Granny!" Applejack calls out, "How'd it go!?"

Granny turns and scowls deeply, "Nopony! There ain't nopony! Them hay-brained appleworms 'parently can't even spare on Tartarus-lovin' pony t'help out. Whole darn town o' Apples an' not a one o' them can be spared to help m'little farm 'ere!" She stomps a hoof and snorts before continuing, "Weeeeell we'll see if'n any of 'em can make it over 'ere next family reunion! Why, if ah see even a one o' them, they'll be turnin' tail an' gallopin' away 'fore ah got halfway through what ah gotta say to them buckin' selfish lil--"

"Granny Smith!" Applejack, shocked by Granny's vehemence, finally found her voice and sharply cuts her off, "Good gravy, what's gotten into you? I ain't never heard ya say such awful things!"

The old mare just snorts and turns to walk away.

Applejack looks to you, "Go find Mac an' Bloom. I'm thinkin' the whole family needs a talk, an' I'll be darned if I can't walk this short a way myself."

You nod and release her cast, watching as she carefully waddles a few steps on three hooves. She seems to have learned her lesson at the river and is watching her good forehoof's placement very carefully. She's incredibly slow, but at least she's capable of short distances alone.

Satisfied, you hurry up the nearest little hill and, from your heightened vantage point, you are able to spot the bright red of Big Mac's coat and Apple Blooms points in a nearby field. You jog over and both their heads turn to you, immediately worried.

"Don't worry, AJ's fine." They relax visibly and you continue, "Granny's back from Appaloosa but it seems something went wrong: she's downright furious. AJ sent me to find you two, said the whole family needed to talk."

Big Mac nods, deftly unhooks the cart he was hauling, and immediately canters away. You and Apple Bloom try to follow but he easily outpaces your jogging and her in a full gallop. Soon you're both panting heavily and slow to a walk before you even approach the farmhouse.

As you draw near, you hear muffled raised voices and gesture for Apple Bloom to stop, saying, "So, uh... I know she said the whole family needed to talk, but now that I think about it, you might wanna keep away for now."

Her tail lashes angrily, "What, why? I'm family too!"

You grimace, "I know, but Granny was using some, uh... real colorful language earlier. From the sound of things, she hasn't calmed down yet."

The filly snorts and looks like arguing, then stops and listens to the muffled shouts. Finally her ears droop, "Oh, ah 'spose yer right. Ah prolly couldn't help much anyhow."

"And I'm not even family, so I'd just be intruding."

You both wince at a particularly loud shout from Applejack. You take a step back and Apple Bloom turns to follow.

"So..." she asks, "what'll we do?"

You shrug, "I dunno, any chores I can help with?"

She shakes her head, "Nothin' ah can do without Big Mac's help."

The shouting behind you fades as you slowly walk down the farm trail.

"I guess that means technically you don't have any chores right now."

"Yeah..." she says noncommittally.

You walk over to a nearby stump and sit down. Apple Bloom sits nearby, seeming uncomfortable, and you say, "And you said you don't have to go to school either, so I guess you have some free time until they sort out whatever they're sorting out."

"'Spose so..." She says, just sitting there and staring at the ground.

"Figured you'd be more excited."

She shrugs her shoulders without looking up, "Ain't much for me to do without Scoots an' Sweetie. They're still in school."

You wait silently, getting the feeling she has more to say. Sure enough, after a moment she paws at the ground awkwardly.

"Ah learned that the hard way after we got our cutie marks."

"You... wanna talk about it?"

She glances at you out of the corner of her eye, "Um... nah. Hit me pretty hard back then, but the three of us talked it out an' ah don't feel so bad about it no more."

She's clearly still uncomfortable, so you let out a soft chuckle, "You sure about that?"

Her ears droop and she breaks away from your gaze. You scoot off the tree trunk and sit cross legged right next to her, gently rubbing behind an ear.

"Look, Apple Bloom... it's alright if you still feel bad about it and you just don't want to talk about it. I won't pry, promise." You hook her chin with a finger and gently turn her gaze back to you, "But don't lie to yourself and pretend you're okay when you're really not. Bottle up bad feelings like that and eventually the bottle will just break and you'll explode with all that pent up emotion. It's best to just let it out when the feelings happen."

Apple Bloom tries to sigh, feigning disinterest, but her breath catches in her throat.

"Really, Bloom, if you don't want to talk about it, just say so and I won't push." She yelps in surprise as you snatch her up in your arms, "But I'm still gonna give you a great big hug."

You place her in your lap, wrap an arm around her tiny body, and press her close to you. She immediately twists around to face you, buries her head in her forelegs against your chest, and begins crying softly. You just hold her silently, stroking her mane and waiting for her to either say something or cry herself out. Her gentle sobs do eventually fade, but she doesn't break the embrace, so you just sit there and continue stroking her mane.

It is like this that Big Mac finds you. He walks up so silently you'd never have even noticed if you didn't by chance happen to be facing the right direction. Even Apple Bloom, with her more sensitive pony hearing, doesn't seem to have heard him approach.

He stops as soon as he sees you two and your eyes meet. His expression is odd: a bit happy, a bit sad, a bit concerned. You gesture with your free hand for him to approach, then look down to Apple Bloom and realize she actually fell asleep.

Very carefully, you shift her around and slowly stand up, trying not to wake her. Big Mac walks up and you whisper in response to his questioning look.

"We agreed probably neither of us should intrude on your, uh... discussion. She realized she had some free time but apparently feels she has nothing to do without the other crusaders. She didn't explain further but she looked terrible, so I talked to her a bit, gave her a hug... then she broke down crying and I just held her 'til she fell asleep like this."

Big Mac nods, "Thanks. Come on back. I'll go ahead."

He turns and walks away silently, then accelerates as he gets some distance between you so the sound of his trotting doesn't disturb the sleeping filly. After a moment, you walk after him, stepping as gently as possible.

When you arrive at the farmhouse, Applejack is standing on her good hoof waiting for you. She sighs and lets out a little "Aww" at Apple Bloom's tiny form curled against your chest, but when you get close enough, she whispers at you.

"Cute as she might be, we can't let 'er sleep."

"Why not?"

She grimaces, "No help from Appaloosa, an' way too much work to be done 'round here."

"Well... I don't think she was all that sleepy, she just cried herself to sleep. She ought to be fine."

"Big Mac told me what you said. We really gotta find that filly somethin' to do outside o' the farm."

You nod, then look down and stroke Apple Bloom's mane, muttering, "Apple Bloom? Come on, wake up."

She stirs slightly and you tickle her ear, making it flick. A few more flicks and she opens an eye at you, "Quit it, 'Non..."

"Sorry girl, but you gotta wake up. Your sister's cracking the whip--time for more work."

Applejack whinnies in mock outrage, "Crackin' the whip? I'll show you crackin' the whip!"

You give her a wink as you kneel to set Apple Bloom down, who gives you a little nicker, then stretches with a high pitched squeak. You stand and give Applejack a sly grin, noticing her faint blush, then change the subject.

"Alright, so what's going on?"

Applejack sighs heavily, "Apparently Appaloosa is too busy to spare even one pony to help. Some big festival for the princess or somethin' I dunno. Granny didn't want to talk much." She shakes her head sadly, "So we got too much work and not enough hooves, and Big Mac's the only one who can do any heavy lifting. There just ain't no way we're gettin' everything done in time, so some of our crops'll over ripen, some might even die."

"Can't we ask anyone--er, anypony from town for help?"

She shrugs her shoulders, "Maybe with simple stuff, but unless anypony is gonna help full time and stop whatever they normally do, we just can't waste the time teachin' them to do any more'n hauling carts around."

"But can't we have Twilight or some other unicorn help with magic?"

"Nah, not really. Twilight helped once before, but that was just for a couple hours. This'd take days, maybe even weeks of constant work. I'm sure Twilight'd help if I asked, but she's way too busy for how much work we got." She shakes her head, "Ain't no way I'm trustin' nopony else to use magic 'round here. Gotta be gentle with these apples to get our kinda quality. nopony else has Twilight's fine touch."

"I thought her student was just as good? Starlight something?" Applejack Snorts and Apple Bloom giggles beside you. "...What?"

Applejack says, "Starlight Glimmer sure is powerful an' talented, but she's about as gentle as a yak. I'd sooner have Rarity fussin' over my trees than her."

You shrug in defeat, "Alright then... what can I do to help?"

"In a bit you'll head on over to the main orchard an' help Big Mac. He'll give you instructions but honestly you'll probably just be carryin' baskets back 'n forth. Apple Bloom, head on over to the carrot field an' help Granny harvest."

The filly nods and trots off as you ask, "And you?"

Applejack's ears droop, "An' I'm gonna lay in bed after ya help me up the stairs an' try not to die o' boredom." You open your mouth but she cuts you off, "An' don't you apologize, I told ya it ain't your fault."

You close your mouth and slump, holding out your hand for her foreleg.

Inside, you start helping her up the stairs and Applejack nickers quietly, "It ain't all bad. Couple o' the girls are comin' by later. Twilight's gonna bring some books she thinks I might like."

"Oh, you read much?"

"Nah, not really... I gotta few books in my room, but I usually ain't got the time. 'Course, now I got nothin' but time, so I figured I'd give it a shot."

Suddenly you ask, "Hey, I just had a thought: aren't there healing spells or something? That seems like something unicorns would want to figure out."

Applejack pushes her bedroom door open, "Oh there are, they're just expensive as hay."

"Twilight can't do them?"

You help her hop up into bed as she replies, "Nah... I don't know the details, but apparently they're so difficult it takes years o' study at a school in Manehatten that focuses on just medical spells to get good enough to risk using 'em on ponies."

"Ah... so they're expensive 'cause hardly anypony has the skill?"

"Exactly. Payin' a Medicorn to travel--"

"Medicorn?"

"Medical Unicorn, trained for years in Manehatten like I was sayin'. Anyway, gettin' a normal Manehatten-ite to travel to this 'quaint' little village is already a pain in the rump 'cause they're so darn snooty, so the rates Medicorns ask for comin' out here are just absurd." She shakes her head in disgust, "Hay, we could hire somepony full time for the next two weeks while I heal then fire 'em with full compensation afterwards, an' it'd probably still be cheaper than a buckin' Medicorn."

"Wow... we had stuff like that back on Earth but I never expected it here."

Applejack starts to ask a question, then stops herself and her ears droop. "Much as I'd love ya to stay an' keep me... uh, from gettin' bored, y'all should really go an' help Big Mac."

You sigh, "Alright. You want anything before I go?"

She mumbles something.

"What was that?"

"Uh... nothin'."

You wait a moment more, then shrug. "Well then, I'll see you tonight at dinner."

CH5: Overworked

You find Big Mac near a cart filled with baskets in the middle of a dense section of the orchard. As you approach, you watch him grab an empty basket, position it near a tree, buck the tree, and hurriedly try and grab the basket to catch the falling apples. He isn't quite quick enough and misses several, setting the basket down to toss them in the basket.

As he turns to another tree, he notices you approaching and says, "Wondered when you'd show up."

You wince, "Sorry man... Applejack was desperate to stave off the boredom, but eventually shoved me out."

"S'okay," he shrugs his shoulders, "See what I was doin'?"

"Yeah. Grab an empty basket, catch the falling apples. I'm guessing each basket fits a few trees' worth of apples, then take the full basket back to the cart and swap with another empty basket?"

"Eyup."

You pick up the basket he started and say, "I'll do my best... but please remember I don't have earth pony strength or endurance. To be honest, I wouldn't even be considered very fit for a human back home." You sigh and add, "Point is, I'm sorry if I'm too slow or we have to stop for breaks."

He nods and you finish, "Alright, I guess let's go."

Turns out, it wasn't as difficult as you worried. You've no idea how, but when he bucks a tree, somehow all the apples fall down roughly from one spot among the leaves, making it easy to catch them in the basket. Even watching an apple on the other side of the tree doesn't give any answers--it just seems to shake off its branch directly toward the same place all the other apples go. You suspect some magic is being used on the farm after all--earth pony magic.

What this means for you is that the hardest part of the job is carrying the full baskets back to the cart. You do miss apples occasionally, but with your 'nimble monkey hands,' you collect the fallen apples quickly and easily.

You know Big Mac doesn't like to talk too much, so you just work in companionable silence for a while. However, as the trees go on and on, you find yourself getting increasingly bored. You start trying to think of something to ask Big Mac, but nothing seems important enough that he'd say more than five words in response. Besides, you keep having to step away to change baskets, so any conversation would be interrupted every couple of minutes anyways.

So you just continue working in silence and wind up lost in your thoughts. It's only when you set down your latest full basket that you realize Big Mac followed you to the cart instead of getting ready at the next tree to buck.

"What's up?" You ask.

He walks around to the front of the cart and hooks himself in, "Cart's full."

"Oh." You fall in step beside him and turn back to look at the cart. Each basket was heavy enough that you struggled to carry it twenty feet back to the cart, and yet Big Mac is casually hauling a cart with at least two dozen baskets as if he's taking a leisurely walk through the park.

You're thinking of asking just how much weight he can really pull when he surprises you by talking first, "Listen, Anon... Y'know I ain't much for talkin' or expressin' my feelings, but, well... I got a bit of talkin' to do, so bear with me here."

You suddenly feel worried, "Alright, I'm listening... is something wrong?"

He shakes his head, "Nope. Just the opposite: wanted to say I appreciate whatever ya been doin' with Apple Bloom."

You don't know what you were expecting, but it wasn't that.

"...Huh? Really?"

"Eyup. Like I said a while back, Apple Bloom was too young to remember our parents very well, so I'm the only stallion she's ever spent real time with, an' well... I ain't exactly great with foals." He sighs heavily, still walking like he hasn't even noticed the thousand-fucking-pounds of apples hanging from his shoulders. "Now I don't know what you're really tryin' to go for with Apple Bloom, but it looks to me like you're bein' a darn good substitute for a father figure." He looks away uncomfortably and continues, "She could never see me as anythin' more'n her big brother... an' while I can't say I don't wish it was me 'stead o' you... well, I'm glad she's finally got someone like that in her life."

Unexpected emotion wells in your chest and you find yourself at a loss for words. When you don't respond, Big Mac looks back to you curiously. Still speechless, you just give him a little smile.

His ears droop and he looks away, "I know I shouldn't a said nothin'. Now I gone an' got ya upset. I'm sorry, Anon. I just ain't good with words."

You struggle to find your voice, "N-No, Mac. I'm not upset, really. I'm happy... really happy. Thank you for saying that."

He looks back up, obviously surprised. You swallow the lump in your throat and continue, "I, uh... I never got along with my family back home. Felt like I was the only normal person surrounded by new and inventive kinds of asshole. What few 'friends' I made weren't much better."

You take a few quick steps and get in front of him, forcing him to stop. You meet his gaze, your two heads about the same height.

"See, when I first came here to Equestria, it was like a new beginning for me... but I still couldn't really get along with any... anypony. Only pony that really treated me like a friend was Twilight, and I always figured it was just out of guilt for bringing me here in the first place." You rub your upper arms, trying to calm the shakes you always get when expressing your emotions. "When I took this job, I hoped maybe one of you could be my first real friend here, or at the very least that spending time with you would improve other ponies' opinions of me in town, and maybe then I could make a friend indirectly thanks to you Apples."

Big Mac just stares at you, his expression neutral.

"But since my very first day... the four of you have been nothing but welcoming. I, uh... At first I thought I'd just got lucky when Applejack befriended me so quickly, but then Granny welcomed me with open... uh, open hooves, and then Apple Bloom warmed up to me..." You groan impatiently. "Sorry, I'm rambling. Point is, I thought I was lucky to befriend even one of you. With all four of you being so nice, I, uh... well, it feels like you aren't just friends... it's like y'all are the closest I've ever had to a real f-family."

You choke on the last word and just stand there silently, trying to keep your composure in front of the stoic stallion. He stares at you impassively for a few seconds, then slowly steps back, sliding his head out of the heavy duty work horse collar and stepping under where it hangs from the cart.

Slowly, almost awkwardly, he steps forward and stops directly in front of you with a smile. Then suddenly, he hooks one hoof around your neck and pulls you into a rough embrace. He only holds it for a couple of seconds before letting go and turning back to his cart.

Stunned, you can only stand there as he gets back into his work collar. He nickers as he begins pulling the cart again, forcing you to come to your senses and step out of the way. As he passes, you turn and continue walking beside him.

Seems that's all he needed to say.

You and Big Mac continue collecting apples until well after the sun sets. It takes about an hour to go through a cart of baskets, after which you and Big Mac head back to the farmhouse, dump every basket into their apple storage, then head back out into the orchard.

By the second time you left the farmhouse with empty baskets, you were starting to get sore and, with Big Mac's permission, began riding the cart back and forth to rest. He barely even seemed to notice your extra weight among the half ton of apples. By the fourth trip, your legs and shoulders were furious and you had loaded a bucket of water into the cart to drink and occasionally splash in your face. Big Mac finally started to seem a bit sluggish.

The sun went down as you approached the farmhouse for the fifth time, and by your sixth time returning, your entire body glowed with pain, your lower back and ankles especially, feeling as if they were filled with liquid hellfire. Big Mac finally asked you not to ride the cart and his head bobbed low as he strolled along.

When you return with the seventh cart and finished dumping its apples into the storage bin, you toss the last empty basket into the cart and sit heavily on the ground.

"Mac... I can't go out there again. I'm dying, man."

The stallion flops to the ground and heaves a great sigh, "Hoped ya'd say that two hours ago."

You laugh weakly and gently lay your aching body on the ground as you say, "Coulda fuckin' said something... I only kept going 'cause you were."

He nickers and you both just lay there, breathing heavily.

What feels like years later, Apple Bloom trots up, "There ya are! Y'all gonna come eat or what?"

You laugh, then wince and groan at the resulting jolt of pain, "If I can survive standing up, I'll eat everything you own."

Apple Bloom giggles and trots back inside. Big Mac shuffles and slowly rises somewhere to your right. He steps over to you and nudges your shoulder with a hoof.

"C'mon ya colt, I'll help you up."

"Colt!?"

You swat away his hoof and focus on standing up, trying to minimize your groaning and wincing while your body ignites with fire anew. Having successfully climbed Mount Everhoof--or whatever mountains are called here--you smile, poke his snout, and imitate his accent.

"I ain't needin' no help from no pony!"

Turning, you take a wobbly step toward the farmhouse and stumble against the cart. With a soft chuckle, Big Mac steps up next to you and you lean onto him as you both start walking.

"This is fine though," you mumble, "Because you're not a pony... you're a goddamn machine. How much can you carry, anyways?"

"Not much more'n I just did."

"I mean all at once, on a good day."

"Dunno. Ain't found nothin' too heavy yet."

"You oughta get with Bulk Biceps, find out one day."

"Might just do that."

You groan again as you reach out and open the farmhouse door. A sweet and savory smell envelops you and you see Granny Smith poke her head out from the kitchen and say, "There ya are, finally! Git over 'ere, food oughta still be warm."

You wobble over and collapse at the short dining table beside Applejack, wincing as your twist your arm into your back pocket for your utensils.

Applejack turns to you, looking worried, "Anon... have you done an' overworked yerself?"

Big Mac answers before you can, "Eyup."

She gives the stallion a hard glare, "An' y'all let him!?"

"Uh... yup."

Her tail flicks and she opens her mouth angrily, then her eyes dart to Apple Bloom across the table and she takes a slow breath first.

"Mac, I know y'all know better'n that. Doin' too much work one day means doin' not enough work for the next two while ya recover.

He sighs and lowers his head, "Eyup... he hides it well, though. Didn't realize how tired he really was." He looks up at you, "Ya did good. Real good. Went a lot longer'n I expected. But AJ's right. No work for two days, at least."

You grin weakly at him, "Can't say I'm sad to hear that, but what about you? You worked your, uh, your tail off too."

Applejack touches your forearm with a hoof and you turn back to her, "Meanin' no offense, Anon, but earth ponies are already a lot stronger'n more durable than you, an' Mac n' I are especially fit 'cause of how much work we do here on the farm. Tomorrow y'all won't even be able to tell Mac was ever tired."

Granny interrupts Applejack by thrusting her head between the two of you and growls, "If'n ya don't eat yer darn food in front o'ya, I'll make sure ya don't never recover!"

She cackles at your terrified face, then taps your cheek with a hoof, her expression softening, "Relax, dearie, ah'm just pullin' yer leg. Ah ain't about to hurt the best thing's come to this farm since lil' Apple Bloom 'ere." Her hoof thrusts hard into your cheek and forces your head to turn to your plate, "But yer gonna eat right now or so help me Celestia, I'll shove it down yer throat mahself!"

The other three laugh and Granny whips her head around, "That goes fer you too, McIntosh! Quit yer laughin'!"

He shuts up and immediately buries his snout in his plate. Apple Bloom covers her muzzle with both hooves trying to stifle her giggles.

You pull out your fork and scoop up some of the sweet smelling mush, "What is it?" You take a bite without waiting for an answer.

Granny walks around the table to her own mostly-eaten plate, then says, "Egg'n ham hashbrowns."

You gasp and choke on your mouthful, coughing wretchedly and causing a fresh wave of agony to lance through your torso. Applejack rubs your back and, as the coughing fit subsides, you force out a few words.

"Eggs and ham?"

Granny's ears swivel uncertainly, "Ham? Naw, ah said 'yam.' Y'know, sweet 'taters? What's ham?"

Apple Bloom's ears perk up, "Ah never heard of ham! Is it good?"

Applejack chuckles, "Apple Bloom might be small, Anon, but she's got the appetite of a horse. If there's a new food out there, she'll be dyin' to try it."

Well shit.

"Uh... it's uh... w-well..." You trail off and sit there, staring wide-eyed at your plate.

Granny turns to Apple Bloom, "Junebug, be a dearie an' fetch mah sweater from upstairs, if'n ya please? These ol' bones get cold too easy."

"Sure thing, Granny!"

She hops up and trots away. As soon as she turns the corner, Granny leans over the table and murmurs, "It's meat, innit?"

Your jolt of surprise as you look up at her is all the answer she needs and she sits back down smugly.

Applejack looks at you, surprised, "Meat? Ya mean... meat meat? Like, dead animal meat?"

You nod dumbly and Granny taps the table lightly, "Monkeys eat meat sometimes, Applejack. Figured a human like Anon, bein' somethin' close to a monkey, might do as well." The old mare points a hoof after the filly, "She'll be a while still--my sweater ain't even up there. Any o' y'all wanna say somethin'?"

Applejack stares at you for a few seconds, then looks down, seeming lost in thought. "Ponies can digest meat an' I heard some ponies actually do eat it, but I ain't never known somepony that has. It always seemed so... wild." She whispers the last word almost fearfully.

She lowers her head slightly and whispers to you, her face a mixture of fear and fascination, "...Is it good?"

You look to Granny and Big Mac and, though they seem mildly curious, they don't really seem to care. You look back to Applejack's intense, eager expression.

You lean close to murmur in her ear, "Like you wouldn't believe. I miss it every day."

Her eyes widen, "What've you eaten?"

Still murmuring quietly, you begin naming animals, starting with ones that you're pretty sure are still dumb here in Equestria, uncertain how she'll take it, "Shrimp, lobster, crab, alligator, a bunch of kinds of fish... chicken, turkey, duck..." When she doesn't react, you turn your head to watch her expression as you continue, "Deer... pig... buffalo, sheep and... even cows."

Her eyes slowly widen and her mouth drops open, but at the word 'cows' she gasps and twitches her head back, turning to look you in the eyes, "You didn't!" Her tone is shocked, even hurt, but her eyes betray her burning desire.

You'd almost swear that desire was for you, not the meat.

She drops back to a whisper, "W-What was your... your favorite?"

You grin wickedly, quite conscious now of how that shows off your canine teeth, "Shrimp is pretty damn good, and I always loved turkey... but my favorite is cow."

"Granny!?"

At Apple Bloom's voice, Applejack jolts upright just as the filly trots into the room. You turn to your plate and try to nonchalantly continue eating.

"Ah couldn't find yer sweater, so ah brought y'all this blanket instead! Ah hope it'll be warm enough."

"Oh, thank ya much, dearie, this's just right."

Apple Bloom sits back at her plate, then looks up at Applejack, who is sitting rigidly upright and staring straight ahead. "Uh... y'all okay, sis?"

Applejack jerks her head down to the filly and forces a nervous laugh, "Oh! Yeah, yeah, I'm just fine an' dandy! I'm, uh, pretty tired though, so I'm a gonna go upstairs and turn in. See y'all tomorrow mornin'!"

She gets up and slowly hobbles out the kitchen and you wolf down one more mouthful, trying to hurry so you can help her up the stairs. In your hurry, you forget your body hates you right now and try to stand too quickly. Your body locks up and you groan loudly, stuck halfway between sitting and squatting. Big Mac scoots closer and wraps his hooves around your torso, supporting you as you slowly stand up.

"Applejack, wait! Don't you climb those stairs alone!"

"Ah, go buck--"

Granny interrupts her harshly, "OY! Watch yer language, missy!"

Apple Bloom stifles another giggle as Applejack tiredly says, "Fiiiine, c'mon Anon, let's hobble up the stairs together.

She winds up helping you up the stairs as much as you help her, and fortunately she's able to hop up into bed by herself. She hands you her hat so you can hang it up on the wall, then you sit heavily on the edge of her bed, rub your face, and yawn hugely.

"Holy hell... I haven't been this tired in years... Ugh, and I'm gonna be even more stiff and sore when I wake up. AND I still have to walk home!"

She scoots over to sit beside you, "Where do you hurt the worst?"

"Yes."

She hesitates, then barks a short laugh, "Alright, smart-ass, where do you want me to start?"

You turn to her, confused, "Start?"

She rolls her eyes and scoots behind you. You try to see what she's doing but you're way too stiff to look behind you, "Wait, what're you--AHH!"

Something jabs into your shoulder, causing an explosion of pain and you bend forward to get away.

"What the fuck! The hell was that!?"

Her head leans around you and into view, "Uh... a massage?"

"For what, a tree!?"

Her ears fold down and she turns away, looking hurt, "Just tryin' to help... Ain't like I've had much practice."

Dammit, she's almost as good at that pitiful face as her little sister. It is just straight up impossible to stay angry at these adorable ponies.

You slowly sit back upright and sigh, "Ugh, sorry... you just surprised me, freaked me out a bit. You can try again if you want, just... be gentle please. Very gentle."

She hesitates, "Ya sure you really want me tryin' again?"

You nod tiredly, "Oh yeah, I'd honestly love a massage. Haven't had one since I came here to Equestria and I've probably never needed one more."

She quirks her mouth and nods, her head pulling out of sight behind you. You twitch in anticipation as her hoof lightly touches your back. So lightly, in fact, that you can barely even feel it.

You chuckle, "Okay, maybe a little less gentle."

She digs her hoof in a bit, rubbing the top of your right shoulder near your neck. A groan escapes your lips and she immediately pulls her hoof back.

"...Huh? Wait, no, keep going, that felt incredible!"

"B-But, that sounded like it hurt! If ya weren't, how am I 'sposed to know when to stop?"

You grin, "You're cute when you worry, but don't. Just, ease up if I wiggle away or say something like 'wait' or 'stop,' but otherwise, holy shit please keep going."

She pauses for a few seconds and you consider outright begging her to continue, then her hoof presses into the same spot. You grunt and your neck immediately relaxes, head flopping down to your chest. Save for your soft, uncontrollable moaning, the room is quiet for several minutes.

Applejack suddenly stops and you heave your incredibly heavy head back upright, "What's... oh, hey Big Mac."

The stallion was standing in the open bedroom doorway, looking very awkward, "Uh... I was... just wonderin' what y'all were doin'."

Applejack hisses fiercely, "Git yer mind outta the manure, Mac! Shut the buckin' door an' go to bed!"

He snorts and as he closes the door you hear him mutter, "Was Granny's idea..."

You turn your head as far as your neck will let you and can just barely see Applejack from the corner of your eye, "What was that about?"

She shifts away a little and says, "Never you mind. C'mere an' lay down so I can massage you proper-like."

You bring your knees up onto the bed so you can twist around more to face her.

"Look, I appreciate you doing this, Applejack, but I should really be going. It's getting late and I'm gonna doze off where I sit if I don't start moving soon."

She snorts, reaches out with a hoof, and abruptly you find yourself laying face down on her bed. You lift your head off her pillow, sputtering, "Wha--Applejack? I need to go home!"

She brings her face very close to yours and says in a low growl, "You ain't goin' nowhere 'til I finish my massage, got it?"

Now that's a face Apple Bloom had better not be good at.

"Uh... y-yes ma'am."

She grins and presses your shoulder down until your head is on her pillow again, then she continues where she left off and nickers gently.

"Honestly, Granny was probably just gonna make y'all sleep in the guest bedroom anyhow. Doubt she'd let y'all try an' walk home in this condition... shame I can't use both hooves, though. This is gonna take ages."

You can only groan in response. She slowly moves across both shoulders, then up onto your neck. After she finishes there, you have to apologize for drooling onto her pillow. She massages the arm closest to her, then shuffles over you and sits on your right side to do the other arm. There was less room on that side of the bed, so she kinda gets squished against your side. After finishing the second arm, she twists around and begins on your lower back, squeezing fresh moans from you.

"Hey Anon?"

You grunt in response.

"Y'all weren't lyin' when you said all that stuff 'bout meat, right?"

You wrench your heavy eyelids open and turn your head to look at her, "No? 'Course not, I don't think I even could lie to you."

Her hoof stops and she leans closer to you, "Oh ya wouldn't now? How 'bout all them machine designs ya threw away?"

You close your eyes and sigh heavily, but she just chuckles and continues her massage, "Nah, don't worry 'bout it. I know yer just worried after that scare with the scythe. I'll help ya work past that... I was just in a sour mood an' didn't feel like confrontin' you 'bout it."

You moan again as she presses into a particular spot, then open your eyes again, "Well... I still feel like crap about lying for that. Lying to the element of honesty's probably some kind of pony sin, right?"

She laughs as she moves further down your spine, "Naw, 'course not! Rainbow Dash woulda been thrown in Tartarus ages ago!"

You chuckle, then say, "Well anyway, no, I wasn't lying about meat." A huge yawn interrupts you, "...It's very popular back on earth."

She pauses her massage and leans close again, "Even, uh... what ya said 'bout cows?"

"Yep. Beef is one of the most popular meats... uh, beef is cow meat."

From her expression you start to worry you might have genuinely upset her so you struggle to speak through your sleepy fog, "Should probably mention cows are dumb back on earth. Humans are the only animals that can talk and think. Not like we're eating Betsy or whatever that cow's name is. It's like eating a fish."

She seems to relax at that. She skips over your butt and starts massaging your thighs, and you're so relaxed now you're finding it hard to speak.

"Uuuugh... y'said some ponies... do eat meat, though?"

"Eyup. Dunno where they get it from, though."

"Yeh... 'specially since most animals are sentient here... vegans'd lose their shit."

She rubs your legs for another minute or two, then finally asks, "You ever, uh... like, get your own meat? Y'know, hunted?

"...Huh? Thinka dozed off... what'd y'say?"

She stops massaging and you crack an eye open to see her lean into view and give you a gentle smile, "Nevermind. Go to sleep, Anon. I'll see you in the morning."

You yawn again and mumble, "But... 'm taken' ya bed... where're you gon' sleep?"

In response, she crawls over you to the other side of the bed, turns off her lamp, and snuggles against your side, her fuzzy snout tucked between your neck and shoulder. She whispers something in your ear, but you were already asleep.

CH7: Rarity

As you follow her out your door, you hear a mare murmur faintly, "Oh my, Applejack!" and you turn to see Rarity smirking, a hoof raised to her muzzle.

Applejack's ears flick nervously, "Now don't you go gettin' any ideas. We only been in there a couple o' minutes. I just wanted to look around."

Rarity only grins and winks, then turns to you, "Good morning, Anon!"

"Hello, Rarity. I really appreciate the discount on the clothes, I can't thank--"

"Nonsense! I told you before, think nothing of it. Besides, putting together such unique shapes for your attire was truly inspiring. You should really visit Coco some day, she has been especially fascinated with the designs."

"Uh, I'll try."

"But anyway, I am not simply passing by. Twilight mentioned you were having some trouble making friends and I thought I would see if I could help... but I've tried stopping by several times and you're never here!"

"Oh, uh... I leave early to work on the farm with Applejack. Usually don't get back until after sundown."

She turns to face Applejack, "I do hope you aren't overworking him, darling."

Applejack chuckles, "If anythin' he's overworkin' himself! Why, the only reason we're here is 'cause he's gotta recover from pushin' himself too hard yesterday."

"Oh? Did something happen?"

"Nothin' serious, just he an' Big Mac were out collecting apples all day an' I think Anon had somethin' to prove. Must've worked eight hours straight out in the orchard."

Rarity gasps, "I can see why he needs to recover! Trying to out-work Big McIntosh? Bulk Biceps is likely the only pony who could feasibly give Big Mac a run for his money."

"He did pretty well, bein' honest. Big Mac was definitely sweaty an' tired when they came in."

"Really? That's quite impressive, actually."

"Yeah, according to Apple Bloom they was both lyin' on the ground sweatin' like they'd just ran a marathon when she found 'em."

"Uh..." Both girls turn to you and you feel uncomfortably like you're interrupting rather than participating, "D-Don't give me too much credit for that... All I did was carry baskets of apples around. He did all the real work... y'know, bucking the trees and pulling that giant cart around."

Applejack gives Rarity a sidelong grin, "See that? Told ya he's anythin' but a bragger." Rarity giggles again and Applejack turns to smile at you, "I know he did most of the work, sugarcube, but I ain't exaggeratin' when I say y'all did plenty a work yourself. Y'all went longer'n any of us expected an' the two of y'all went through twice the trees he an' Apple Bloom usually do." Her smile fades and she sighs, "Just... don't do it again, y'hear? Can't have ya so sore ya can't hardly move again."

Rarity grins wickedly, "Oh no, Applejack needs you good and limber!"

Applejack snorts and stomps her forehoof, "Shut yer snout!"

"For clean, honest work on the farm, of course! Nothing more!"

Applejack glares at her like she's trying to set her ablaze with her mind. You shuffle awkwardly, your ears burning.

Rarity only giggles, "But as I was saying, Twilight was worried you were having trouble making friends. Since my work is unseasonably slow at the moment, I thought I might come over and see if I can help."

"I'm already doin' that, Rare. I got it covered."

"Ooh, really? Well, we can work together! I can't imagine anypony would argue with both of us."

Applejack's ears twitch and she opens her mouth but Rarity turns to you before she can speak.

"What do you think, Anon? I know we haven't spent much time together but I think the three of us together could have quite an enjoyable day."

You look to Applejack, whose tail flicks but she doesn't say anything, "Well, I would appreciate some help getting Applejack to relax--'

"Lovely! Applejack, was there somewhere specific you planned to go? If not, I already have several ideas."

Applejack tries to look annoyed but you see the faint blush around her muzzle. "Thought we were here to help you, Anon. Didn't think ya might try an' help me instead."

You smirk and shrug your shoulders and she sighs, "I did have a plan, but let's hear yours, Rarity. Is it the spa again?"

"Well, that would indeed be very relaxing and I'm sure Anon would appreciate a massage, but I think we could help both of you by having a nice lunch together. How does the Caffhay sound?"

"Aw, Rare, ya know I hate it there. Always feel so outta place. Can't we just go to the Hayburger?"

Rarity turns to you, "Which would you prefer, Anon?"

"Um... well, do you like the Hayburger, Rarity?"

"I can't quite say I enjoy someplace so uncouth, but the food is quite good, if a touch greasy."

"So you just kinda don't like the Hayburger whereas Applejack straight up hates the Caffhay? Sounds like an easy choice to me."

Applejack grins and turns away, "Alrighty, sounds good to me!"

Rarity sighs, "Oh alright, I suppose that is a reasonable decision."

The three of you begin walking down the street and Rarity looks up at you, "You and I should really go to the Caffhay one day, though. I'm sure you would appreciate it--the cuisine is just divine!"

Applejack snorts, "Just make sure ya wear the fanciest clothes bits can buy..."

"Oh come now, it isn't nearly as formal as all that."

"The waiters wear tuxes, Rarity! How much more formal can ya get?"

Rarity's mouth drops open in disbelief, then she scoffs, "How... How much more formal? Applejack, please, have you even been to Manehatten? Why, the most casual of diners there would make the Caffhay look like the kitchen in your barn!"

Applejack's ears flip straight back as she shoots Rarity a harsh glare, "An' just what in tarnation is THAT 'sposed to mean!?"

Rarity huffs and opens her mouth to respond, then pauses. After a few seconds, she looks down, her ears drooping. "I'm sorry, Applejack. I didn't mean to offend. I only meant that your family kitchen is likely to most homely and down-to-earth place to eat in... well, probably all of Equestria. It's the polar opposite of a Manehatten high-society restaurant with three hooves from Zesty Gourmand."

Applejack relaxes and smiles apologetically, "Guess I'm sorry too. I shouldn't a snapped like that. I oughta know by now ya ain't tryin' to get under my skin on purpose."

You chuckle quietly and both ponies turn to look at you.

"Somethin' funny, Anon?"

"Yes, I'm not sure what you could be laughing about."

"It's just... watching you two interact. You're both so ridiculously different, yet here you are, best friends, deeply caring for each other, apologizing at the drop of a hat..." You shake your head, "Humans back on Earth could learn a lot from you two."

Rarity tilts her head inquisitively, "Do humans not usually get along?"

You laugh grimly, "I hear it's possible, but not with any of the humans I knew. Right bunch of shitheads they were." Rarity gasps, her ears dropping back, but you wave a hand dismissively, "Nah, fuck 'em, they deserve it. Seriously, everyone I knew was an asshole, even my family. Twilight always felt terrible about bringing me here and was trying to figure out how to send me back... Few days ago I told her I didn't want to go back. Never want to see any of them again."

Applejack jerks to a halt.

With a soft, "Ooh..." You suddenly remember that although you've told Big Mac and Apple Bloom about your family, you'd never gotten around to telling Applejack yet. Very few things are more important to her than family--maybe no things.

You turn to look at her and wince. You could almost see her thoughts on her face, her inner turmoil of emotions fighting for control. Disgust, horror, pity... then surprisingly, relief, and even affection.

"Y-You... never want to see yer f-family again? They... They were that bad?"

You nod solemnly, "I'm sorry, AJ. I meant to tell you, I just... I was pretty nervous about bringing it up."

Applejack's muzzle quivers.

The three of you are standing in the middle of the street, ponies occasionally walking around your little group, most looking concerned for Applejack and some casting suspicious glares at you, the human. Rarity looks around, then points to an empty bench a short distance, speaking quietly but with a firm and commanding voice.

"Come, you two. Go over there and sit. Now."

She bumps your hip with her head to get you moving, then pushes Applejack with a hoof similarly. You walk to the bench and sit down in silence and Applejack sits directly beside you. Rarity stands and strokes your knee, giving you a reassuring smile, then turns to nuzzle Applejack's cheek.

"I'll give you two some time alone. I'll be just over there."

She walks across the street and into what looks like a smoothie shop. Applejack takes a slow, deep breath and then you sigh.

"I really am sorry, Applejack. I didn't mean to just drop that on you all of the sudden. I know how important family is to you, so I was worried about upsetting you... I just never got up the courage to tell you."

She shakes her head slowly and mumbles, "I... I can't even imagine it."

"Imagine what?"

"Hating... well, hating anypony really, but... yer own family?"

She slowly turns to look at you, her eyes damp, "How terrible ya gotta be to get hated by your own kin?"

You grimace and mutter darkly, "You really want to know?"

She hesitates, looking uncertain, then nods, "I th-think I need to... so I can understand."

You nod, look down at your hands in your lap, and begin to speak; no emotion or expression, just a dull, matter-of-fact tone. You describe your father's alcohol fueled rage. How he basically killed your mother. Finding your sister's used heroin needles in the bathroom and hearing her with a new guy in bed every other night. You talk about getting ridiculed every time you actually tried at anything, about your first love--only for her to cheat on you just four days later. And that fucking asshole Kevin. Your best friend, Kevin, who dumped the blame on you, got you expelled, then got you beat half to death.

Overall, you keep it pretty concise and to the point, with almost no elaboration. In fact, you manage to summarize the first twenty years of your miserable life on Earth in less than five minutes. You'd expected to get more emotional. Last time you talked about this, you bawled like a little girl. You expected to feel... something.

You just feel cold.

You calmly look up to meet her gaze again, and Applejack just stares at you with those big green eyes glistening in the sunlight. You can see faint dark lines in her fur where tears have rolled down her muzzle. She takes a shuddering breath, then she lurches forward and hugs your side, tucking her snoot into the crook of your neck. Her stetson hat bumps into the side of your head and slides down her neck. You wrap your arms around her and lay your head on hers.

She feels warm.

CH8: Hostility

You and Applejack hold each other in silence for a moment, then Applejack slowly sits up. She takes a few slow breaths to collect herself, then turns to face you.

"Gosh... an' you're such a nice person, I'd never have guessed your home was so terrible."

You grimace and shake your head, "It really wasn't that bad. I was just unlucky and everyone I knew was an asshole. There were tons of great people too."

"If everyone ya knew was so terrible, how'd you know there were any good people at all?"

"Well I knew of good people, they just never seemed to want to hang out with me. Besides, there were tons of good people online and on TV."

"...Huh?"

"Ah, heh... uh, it's a fancy technology back on earth--a way to talk to people and share information over huge distances. Like, imagine a little box that showed a moving picture of somepony on the other side of Equestria."

Applejack tilts her head in thought, then shakes it, "Nah, I'm not even gonna try an' learn how that could work without magic."

You shrug, "Probably for the best... I don't think I could explain it very well anyway."

"Is it real complicated or somethin'?"

"It is. See everything I've been doing to the farm equipment is like... super basic engineering stuff that humans figured out hundreds of years ago. It's nothing compared to modern technology."

"Shucks... Us ponies must seem awful primitive, then."

You shake your head, "Not really. The pictures I've seen of your cities look pretty similar to human cities. Y'all have plastic, glass, metal... Ponies just replace technology with magic."

Applejack starts to reply, then pauses, looking out at the street, "Rarity's wavin' at us... guess we oughta invite her back."

You raise an eyebrow at her tone, "You sound like you don't want to."

"It's fine," Her ears twitch and her muzzle scrunches up slightly, then she lifts a hoof to wave Rarity over. You grab it out of the air and Applejack looks at you, surprised."

"If there's one thing I learned back home, it's when someone says 'it's fine' with a face like that, they are definitely not fine."

Her ears fold back, "Ya callin' me a liar!?"

"I'm saying there's something you aren't telling me."

She jerks her hoof out of your hand, "Ah jus' thought we was gonna spend time together, but ah guess y'all'd rather hang out with Rarity."

"Huh? But we are spending time together!"

"With her!"

Applejack shuffles like she's about to get up, but you stop her with a hand on her withers.

"Wait, AJ, please! What's going on? I thought you liked Rarity?"

Her tail lashes and she exclaims, "Ah didn't know y'all did too!"

"What?" You furrow your brows in confusion, "But I hardly even know her, Applejack. We've barely spoken before today!"

Applejack starts to shout a reply, then freezes. She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath, then raises a hoof to her muzzle, slowly shaking her head.

"Sorry, just... give me a moment here."

You gently rub her neck to try and comfort her, still very confused. She takes a few deep breaths and relaxes visibly. You give her another moment, then guess it's safe to speak again.

"So... you okay?"

She nods slowly, "Sorry, Anon. This buckin' cycle is messin' with my head or something."

"But you're okay now, right?"

"Think so..."

"Good, 'cause that was weird as hell. What happened?"

She hesitates, then shakes her head without replying.

"Applejack, I want to try and avoid whatever that was happening again, but I can't help if you don't explain."

She grimaces and looks down, mumbling.

"You raise a hand to ruffle her mane, "Yeah, no, can't hear you."

Her tail lashes again, "I thought ya liked her more'n me an' got jealous, alright?"

You raise your eyebrows, then chuckle softly, "C'mon, don't be silly. You're the best friend I've ever had."

She groans and rolls her eyes, "Like I said. Messin' with my mind."

A deep voice startles both of you, "Ma'am, is the monkey bothering you?"

You both look up to see a dark grey pegasus stallion with a light blue mane cut very short, reminiscent of a military buzz cut. You take a breath to apologize but are cut off by Applejack's shouting.

"No Thunderlane, he sure as hay ain't! We were havin' an important talk between friends 'til y'all butted in!"

The stallion's ears flop back and he takes a step away from her, obviously surprised by her reaction. "I... I just thought you looked upset and I was worried the monkey might have--"

"HE AIN'T A MONKEY!"

He takes another step back, his wings shuffling awkwardly, "Y-Yes, okay! Sorry!" He shakes his head and tries to collect himself, "I was just worried about you. You looked upset and we don't know if the human is safe yet."

Applejack snorts. "Safe? Safe!? Anon's been here for months an' he ain't even been mean, much less dangerous!"

He shakes his head again, "It could just be an act to gain our trust! Tirek and his--"

Applejack leaps off the bench and gets right up in the stallion's face, growling in a low, intense voice, "Don't you ever compare him to Tirek. They are nothing alike."

His wings partially open as he stammers, "Y-Yes ma'am! Sorry ma'am!"

You stand up and try to get Applejack's attention, "Uh... hey AJ?"

She whips her head to look back at you, then at your gesture, looks around her. Her shouting had started to attract a small audience.

She groans and takes a step back from the stallion, then calls out to the group, "Sorry for causin' a scene, everypony... just don't y'all forget: Anonymous ain't a monkey and he sure as hay ain't no Tirek. He's been workin' on our farm for weeks now an' most ponies I've met ain't even half as nice and hard workin' as he is. He an' I have become good friends an' even now he's helpin' me around town cause of my injury here."

A blue mare calls out, "How did you get hurt? Did the monkey do it?"

Applejack shoots her a glare, tail lashing furiously, "Quit callin' him a buckin' monkey! He's a human! Would y'all wanna be called horses?"

The ponies murmur quietly and several passing ponies stop as they walk past to see the commotion. Applejack continues, ""An' no, it weren't his fault. I was tryin' out a new tool he made, did somethin' stupid, fell over, an' it slammed down on my foreleg. Anon helped me calm down an' get back to Granny so she could get a medical pony. Why, if Anon hadn't been there I mighta jus' laid there with a broken leg 'til somepony came a lookin' for me."

You hear a stallion's voice, "If he hadn't been there, he wouldn't have made the tool that hurt you!"

The crowd murmurs at this and Applejack stomps her good hoof, "Now wait just a darn minute, it ain't his fault I did somethin' stupid! His tools are amazing an' work way better than our old ones, lettin' us do our work in less'n half the time it took before. I was the foalish idiot who tried to dance while I had a buckin' blade strapped to my shoulders."

The crowd mutters some more, but nopony speaks up. Rarity, who you guess has been watching the commotion, walks up through the now sizeable crowd, speaking loudly.

"I can personally attest that Anonymous here was a perfect gentlecolt when I had him in my shop. Any pony should be delighted to spend time with him. Similarly, any pony should be ashamed for using such uncouth language as... monkey." She raises her head snootily as she says the last word.

The murmuring continues unabated and somepony from the back shouts, "When's he getting sent back where he came from!"

Applejack snorts, "He ain't goin' back, he loves it here! He don't wanna go back an' ah don't want him to neither!"

Rarity waves a hoof for you to move forward and you step up between them, feeling extremely awkward. She rubs your leg with a fetlock as she speaks to the crowd, "I admit I haven't talked to him much, but I've learned a lot about him through Applejack, and his behavior so far today has been outstanding. He's humble, kind, thoughtful, and overall a wonderful friend."

Somepony calls out, "It's all Applejack! She's been telling everypony he's wonderful... he's tricked her!"

Angry muttering follows. Applejack starts to respond but Rarity cuts her off.

"How could you even think the element of honesty herself would lie to you?"

"She's only lying because of his magic!"

Rarity scoffs, "Come now, both Anonymous and Applejack have spent a lot of time with Princess Twilight. Don't you think she would have noticed by now if he was using magic?" When the angry murmuring doesn't stop, Rarity continues, "Do you doubt your Princess and the very element of magic? Come now, everypony, this is silly! The element of honesty herself is telling you Anonymous is a good person."

The crowd is getting pretty large now.

A different voice shouts, "Maybe he tricked you too! He's worked his magic on you in your shop!"

Rarity groans and rolls her eyes, but just as she starts to reply, Princess Twilight suddenly pops into existence in front of you.

The crowd cheers and somepony shouts, "Princess! Save them from the monkey's evil tricks!"

Twilight whispers just loud enough for you to hear over the commotion, "Spike saw the crowd. What's going on, quickly."

Rarity stammers and you don't want to talk for fear of making things worse, but fortunately Applejack speaks up.

"Me an' Anon was talkin' on the bench about something serious, Thunderlane thought I was upset an' asked if I needed help, an' I blew up on him for callin' Anon a monkey an' comparin' him to Tirek, an' my shoutin' attracted a crowd that 'parently thinks Anon has evil magic that's tricked me an' Rarity, an' don't matter what we say, it just keeps makin' everythin' worse!"

Twilight nods curtly and turns around. A hush falls over the crowd as she spreads her wings wide to indicate she is speaking formally as a Princess.

"Hello everypony! There seems to be some concern over the human, Anonymous. I just wanted to take a moment to reassure you all." A faint murmur ripples through the crowd and Twilight smiles broadly before continuing, "I have done numerous tests both magical and scientific which prove Anonymous is incapable of even the most basic magic. I have also magically confirmed he has no ill feelings toward pony kind or in fact, any living creature... well, except for other humans, surprisingly."

You furrow your brows--when did these tests happen? You don't remember any of them. Also, ouch... you had kinda hoped you might develop some magic over time.

"He has been nothing but kind and helpful and would only like to be your friend. He just wants to live here in peace and harmony. Please give him a chance." She looks over her shoulder at you three, then turns back to face the crowd again, "If you have any more concerns, please meet me at my castle and I will be happy to answer any questions you might have. For now, please leave these three to enjoy their friendship in peace."

She folds her wings and turns away, and everypony begins talking amongst each other, but none seem to be walking towards the four of you. The crowd slowly disperses and the clamor gradually dies down.

You heave a great sigh, step back, and sit heavily on the bench again, "Thank you, Twilight. That was... intense."

Applejack hops up next to you and rubs your back comfortingly, "Agreed. That crowd was startin' to get a bit too ornery for my tastes."

Rarity daintily wipes some dirt from a hoof with a levitated handkerchief--or hooferchief--then says, "Really, I thought between me and Applejack, ponies would respect us and understand Anon is no threat, but trying to handle a crowd of that size is just..." she shudders.

Twilight smiles and steps close to you, "I'm just glad Spike saw the crowd. Who knows what could have happened if I hadn't gotten here. I had no idea ponies had become so hostile to you!"

You look up from your lap and glare at her, "Oh you didn't, did you? You didn't know they've been comparing me to Tirek?"

Applejack rests her head on your shoulder and Twilight's ears droop and she takes a step back.

"Yeah, I learned that little tidbit from Applejack. Couldn't have at least told me so I know what to expect?"

"Anon, I... I'm sorry. You're absolutely right, I should have told you."

You look away grumpily, "And what's up with those tests you mentioned? When were they done, huh?"

Applejack pulls away and you look up to see both Twilight and Rarity looking very uncomfortable.

"Well that's reassuring."

Twilight sighs and sits down in front of you, "I really am sorry, Anon, but when you first came through that portal... we thought of Tirek as well. I... I actually froze you the instant I saw you."

"You froze me?"

"Magically frozen, a sort of stasis or limbo. Coming through a portal like that, you'd be disoriented for a minute or so, so I used that time to quickly cast a spell to contain you.

You can't keep the disgust from your voice, "...Contain me."

She groans and her ears droop, "Anon, please! You have to understand, I had no idea what had just happened. My spell was only supposed to look at your world, not pull something through! I hadn't done any research or anything on your world yet, so I knew nothing about Earth, had no idea if it was safe or if it was filled with monsters I'd never dreamed of!"

She stands and steps closer to you, her eyes pleading, "I tested you while you were frozen. Once I knew you were safe, I felt so guilty for assuming the worst and freezing you, but I had no choice! Please Anon, you have to understand I just couldn't risk it!" Her tail swishes and her lip begins to quiver.

Rarity steps closer and says, "Anon, you don't know what kind of monsters we've had to deal with. Any one of them could have destroyed all of Equestria... and some of them very nearly did."

Applejack mutters from beside you, "We ain't exactly quick to trust when we find a new species, since all this trouble started a while back.

You raise a hand to silence any further explanation, then place your hand on Twilight's cheek.

"You really do feel terrible, don't you?" She sniffs and nods, her wings shuffling slightly. You continue with a smile, "It's okay, Twilight. I understand. I only wish you had told me."

She closes her eyes, drawing a shaky breath, then takes a step back, her voice just a bit thick with emotion. "You're absolutely right, I should have told you as soon as I knew you were safe and trustworthy. I'm sorry, Anon."

You nod seriously and she heaves a little sigh before saying, "Well... I should get back to the castle. I'm sure at least a few ponies will have questions. I wish I could hang out with you, but... well, you three have fun, okay?"

You exchange goodbyes and Twilight vanishes with a pop. Rarity sighs wistfully, "Well that was most definitely not the sort of fun I had in mind." She looks to you and Applejack, still seated on the bench, "Are you okay now, or do you still need a moment?"

You look to Applejack and she shrugs her shoulders, so you say, "I think we're okay. I'm hungry anyways--let's finally get some lunch.

You gotta be honest... lunch is pretty boring so far. The fries were great, but you could only make it halfway through your hayburger-minus-the-hay. All the flavor must be in the hay because it's pretty bland.

After the incident with the crowd, neither Applejack nor Rarity seem eager to try and make you any new friends, so they just talk amongst themselves and you just sit there, occasionally pitching in a sentence or two. At least Applejack seems to be enjoying herself... at least, she was now that you and Rarity gave in and let her fix the wobbly table.

The two ponies fall silent and you focus your attention on them.

...Oh shit, they're both looking at you.

"Wh-huh? What?"

Rarity giggles, crosses her forelegs, and leans forward over the table, "I asked if you were enjoying yourself."

"Oh... yeah, I guess. The food was decent and the seat is comfy."

Applejack rolls her eyes, "C'mon Anon, be honest now." You glare at her and she glares right back, "Pony sin, remember?"

You can't resist cracking a smile at that, "Fine... this is relaxing, but I'm pretty bored. It's alright though, really. I've gotten used to being bored since I came to Equestria."

Rarity pouts, "Come now, that should be a crime! Why there's loads to do here."

"I'm all ears."

"We could watch a play! Or perhaps the comedy club, instead?"

"Are they even open this early in the day?"

"Hmm, I suppose not. Maybe we could go bowling, then?"

"That does sound fun, but I'm wore out and sore, and she's injured"

"Oh, right, yes. Well there are plenty of shops around, and shopping is enormous fun!"

"I'm broke."

Rarity gapes at you, "What, you are? Applejack, darling, don't you pay the poor dear?"

"Well 'course, it's a job, ain't it?"

"So why are you broke, then?"

"Mostly 'cause I insisted on paying Twilight back for all the money she lent me when I first got here."

"B-But, Anon, she's a Princess! She has no shortage of money!"

You grin sheepishly, "Yeeeaaah I know, but paying her back means it was a loan, not charity. Better for my pride, y'know?"

Rarity scoffs and rolls her eyes, "Stallions and their pride. Honestly, they'd suffer through Tartarus itself if there was pride on the other side."

Applejack snorts, "Like yer one to talk about bein' proud!"

Rarity daintily flicks a curl of her mane with a hoof, "A lady is not proud. She is confident and dignified."

"Oh shore! An' majestic, an' noble, an' illustrious..."

"Yes, yes! Oh, Applejack, I never thought you'd understand!"

Applejack gives her a flat stare, "Rarity, all them words were just synonyms for proud. I might be a farm pony but I ain't no simpleton."

Rarity stammers for a moment, then crosses her hooves, "Hmph! Well, I'd like to hear your suggestions, then."

Applejack grins, "Well I actually planned on comin' here first, but then afterwards I was thinkin' we could go out on a little nature walk. There's so much beautiful land 'round these parts."

"A nature walk? That isn't fun!"

"Shore it is! It's just a slower more relaxin' kinda fun. It's like yer spa days, 'cept more up my alley than yours. What'd'ya think, Anon?"

You swallow and set down your drink--some light juice that reminds you of pears--and say, "Well, despite living here a couple months now, I still haven't seen much except what's on the way to your farm. Even just that is beautiful and relaxing, like I was saying on the way into town."

You pause to think about it and Rarity makes a little incredulous whinny, "You aren't seriously considering her nature walk, are you? I thought we were here to make you friends! Walking alone on a secluded--not to mention filthy--path is no way to find new friends."

You give her an apologetic shrug and say, "You two are the ones who wanted to try and make me some friends. I just wanted to help AJ relax without dying of boredom in her bed. Besides, I like nature... or at least, I like Equestrian nature. Never was very interested back on Earth. Too many video games I guess."

Applejack rests her... foreknee? Fuck it, you'll just call it her elbow... she leans her elbow on the table and smirks at Rarity, "Face it, Rare, he an' I share more interests than you do."

Rarity gives her a confused look, "Well... yes, okay. Was that supposed to upset...?" Suddenly her eyes widen, "Oh... oh dear. Applejack, surely you didn't think I'd... well..."

Applejack grimaces and breaks eye contact, and Rarity gasps.

"Wait," you say, confused, "Didn't think you'd what?"

Rarity doesn't answer but after a moment, Applejack sighs and says, "Just my buckin' cycle makin' me stupid an' emotional again."

You almost press the issue but Rarity catches your eye and subtly shakes her head, relaxing when you drop it and stay silent.

"Well, I doubt you would want me following along and whining about your nature trip, so you two go enjoy yourselves. If you're still sore and tired afterwards though, please consider stopping by the boutique. I'd be delighted to bring you to the spa!" Applejack scoffs and Rarity continues quickly, "I know, I know, not exactly your cup of tea, but remember how wonderful you felt last time I convinced you to try it? Besides, I'm sure Anon would appreciate a revitalizing massage. Please at least consider it, it would be my treat."

Applejack shrugs her shoulders in defeat, "Alright alright, I'll think about it. No promises."

As the three of you are leaving the Hayburger, you feel something touch your leg. You look down to see a little pink filly with purple hair poking your leg with a hoof. You look up at Applejack and Rarity, slightly worried, but they just smile and nod at the filly.

You crouch down like you do for Apple Bloom and the filly takes a nervous step away, so you try to smile reassuringly as you say, "Hi there."

She tries to meet your gaze but keeps averting her eyes, "Um... hi."

"Do you need something?"

She shakes her head, still not meeting your eyes, "My... my dam says you're day... dag... not safe, b-but Twilight says you're f-friendly."

It takes you a second to remember 'dam' is 'mom' in Equestria.

"I was w-watching you with Ms. Applejack and Ms. Rarity... you seem nice."

Your smile becomes more genuine, "Well thank you! You seem nice too."

She finally looks up at you, "You looked sad earlier... are you okay?"

You hesitate, then boop her gently on the snout, "It's sweet of you to ask, but don't worry. I'm not sad, I was just a little bored."

Still wiggling her nose, she suddenly sneezes.

Across the diner, a pink mare's head snaps up, "Petal?"

The filly quickly takes a step back and turns to her dam, but not before the mare whips her head around to see you. She neighs in pure terror and scrambles out of her seat, screaming, "PETAL BOW! GET AWAY!"

Rarity gasps and you hastily stand and back away, hands up in front of your chest. The mare knocks over a table in her mad rush to get to her filly.

Petal Bow whines and raises both hooves, "No dammy, it's okay! He's nice!"

Just as the mare gets close enough to try and scoop her filly up, Applejack steps forward and slaps her across the muzzle, hard.

She gasps and falls to her rump, a hoof raising to her stunned snout. You and Rarity are equally shocked.

Applejack gets right up in her face and shouts, "Quit bein' a buckin' narrow-minded foal! Anon ain't never hurt nopony, he ain't gonna hurt nopony, an' he sure as hay ain't gonna hurt yer sweet little filly after she trotted on over here an' gave 'im a compliment all by herself!"

The mare stammers something but Applejack growls over her, "I'm tellin' ya as the buckin' element of honesty that Anon's a good person an' a wonderful friend. Tartarus, even Princess Twilight herself just announced to darn near the whole town that he's safe!" She glares around the restaurant, furious tears in her eyes. "Why can't nopony just see how nice he is!? Just look! JUST--"

She tries to scream in frustration but only a choked sob comes out, then she whips around and gallops out of the Hayburger, nearly knocking over a passing stallion as she exits.

The mare watches her go, then slowly shifts her still-stunned face to you.

You take another step back, hands still up, mostly trying not to shit yourself, "I-I'm sorry, I never... never wanted... I just wanted to relax with my friends..." You sidestep toward the door, "Petal is... very sweet and caring. She saw me earlier and was just... uh, just worried I looked sad."

You gulp and look around nervously. The restaurant is eerily silent as everypony stares at you.

"I-I'm... just gonna... g-go see if AJ's okay."

You whirl around and sprint out the door after Applejack. Unfortunately you are still very sore and clumsy and you knock over that stallion.

CH9: Rainbow Dash

Well shit. You're lost.

After apologizing to the poor stallion you knocked over, you couldn't see Applejack anywhere and nopony would answer you when you tried asking which way she went. You thought maybe her galloping would leave marks in the path, but there's way too many hoofprints to tell trot from canter. So, despite your sore muscles, you tried to run in the direction you saw her turn out the door and just hoped she stayed to the main path.

You're mostly worried about her emotions running wild, but you're also concerned she'll hurt her fetlock even worse. Unfortunately, either she didn't stay on the path or she kept running a lot longer than you. And as it turns out, Ponyville is a lot bigger than you thought, and yeah...

Now you're lost.

Exhausted, you try asking a couple ponies for directions, but they just hurry past or turn and trot nervously away. You keep trying, but after about the twentieth pony scurries off without a word, you groan and flop onto a nearby bench to try and catch your breath.

So what the hell do you do now?

You could just sit here and hope a pony who already knows you will pass by. That'd be Rarity, Twilight, Pinkie, one of the Apples, or one of the Crusaders... not very likely.

You hop up again and start walking down the main road, looking between and over houses, trying to spot Twilight's castle. You must be in a dense residential area because the houses around you are packed pretty close together. Eventually a space opens up and you catch a glimpse of the castle in the distance. Way in the distance, much further than you expected.

You turn down the first road that heads roughly in that direction, and now that you're not desperately trying to find the castle, you pay a little more attention to your surroundings. As you walk down the path, most ponies simply ignore you, some eye you warily, a few hastily step inside and shut the door.

You sigh inwardly and keep winding through the streets, trying to keep yourself pointed towards the castle, but none of the roads are straight and most don't even intersect at right angles. You keep walking for some time, but somehow the houses never seem to look any different.

As you approach another little plaza between some houses--or possibly the same one you've already passed several times--you slump into a bench.

So yeah. What the hell do you do now?

You wake up with a jolt. The sun hadn't moved of course, so you've no idea how long you slept. Could have sworn you heard something though...

With a loud whoosh, something slams into the ground before you, spraying you with dirt and making you flinch. As you cough and brush the dirt from your face, you hear a rough mare's voice laugh excitedly.

"Aw YEAH! Twilight thought she could find you first? AS IF!"

You open your eyes to see a blue pegasus with a multi-colored mane and tail. "Oh! Hey, you must be... Rainbow, right? Rainbow Fast or something?"

"Rainbow Dash, and don't you forget it, 'cause I'm the one that just saved your monkey hide!"

She leaps into the air and prances in place a little, then suddenly looks down at you and says, "The hay are you even doing way over here anyway?"

You groan and stand up, bringing your head up to her height, "Well, I was looking for Applejack, but this 'little town' is a lot bigger than I thought and... I got lost."

"Ha! You're gonna have to learn your way around quick, I won't always be here to save you!" She waves a hoof, "Come on, pokey! Let's go!" She flies off and whips around a corner, leaving a rainbow streak in the air behind her.

"H-Hey! WAIT!"

You run haggardly after the rainbow streak, but it fades rapidly. Still, you're pretty sure it went this-

"WHAAA-"

A blue blur slams into your chest and you fall heavily onto your back. "Uhhgh... what--"

"What the buck was that, Anon!?" Rainbow Dash is standing over you, looking furious, "I just sprained my wing 'cause of you!"

"What? Because of ME?"

She knocks your forehead with a hoof, "Yeah, doy. You just ran right into me!"

You shove her hoof away, "Bullshit, you're the one who slammed into my chest at mach one!" She snorts and steps back as you stand up and add, "Can you not fly off way faster than I can run this time so I can actually follow you?"

She stomps a hoof and snorts, "I can't fly at all now, you jerk! I gotta wait for this wing to heal! What am I gonna tell the Wonderbolts?"

"Ain't my fault you flew away and back so fast you couldn't even see where you were going."

She groans and spins around, whipping you with her tail, "Come on, dummy. Let's get you back to somepony you haven't hurt yet." She sneers over her shoulders and adds, "Oh wait, you hurt her too, didn'cha?"

You scowl and say, "The fuck is your problem?" But she just smirks and gallops away, leaving you shouting after her, "Hey! Don't fucking leave me again!"

"Keep up, monkey!"

You roll your eyes and groan. As annoying as she is, she's probably your only way home. It's strange though... Applejack always said Rainbow Dash is fun to hang out with.

You chase her at a light jog, wincing at the angry burning in your legs. Hopefully this is fast enough, because if you try and push any faster, your legs might just shut down completely. You catch up to her at a corner, but she smirks again and takes off at a gallop just as you start to slow down.

"Wait, dammit!"

"Show me whatcha got!"

She vanishes down a side path and you jog wobbly toward it. Turning the corner, you see her already sitting at the far end of the road, lounging as if she's already been waiting there for an hour. You're already out of breath and your legs are burning fiercely.

As you get close again, she rolls her eyes and whines, "Come oooonnn, is that the best you can do?"

"I'm supposed to be taking it easy to heal, dammit."

"Ugh! Alright fine, c'mon."

She hops up and trots lazily away, keeping just barely ahead of you and occasionally flicking her tail in your direction.

You try to ignore her and pay attention to where you're going. You turn down a couple more roads but they still all look identical. You just can't make heads or tails of the pattern in the roads, it's all nonsense to you. Your sense of direction is totally screwed up--you don't even know which way to Twilight's Castle anymore.

Abruptly you realize that she has been slowly accelerating and you've been subconsciously matching her speed until you're nearly at a full sprint. Your legs feel like you're waist deep in molten lava.

You stop immediately and Rainbow Dash skids to a stop and spins around, "Hey, what gives! You were starting to do pretty good."

You collapse to the ground, gasping for breath, "Fuck off... making me... run faster..."

"Ah come on, exercise is good for you! Nothing better for sore muscles than working 'em twice as hard the next day."

"You're insane."

She lunges and whips around behind you, shoving both hooves hard into your back and shouting, "Up!"

"What the--" You lurch forward and your face thuds into the ground. You push yourself up and spit out some dirt, "FUCK is your problem!?"

"Well obviously, you're too slow! Get moving ya lazy bum."

You scoot to the side and press your back against the wall of a house, "I'm sitting right here... until I have my breath back."

"Yeah, okay."

She walks up and sits down as close as possible, her forelegs actually pressing into your thigh near your butt.

You raise an eyebrow and ask, "What are you--" She heaves and tosses you into the air, "--doaaAAAH!"

Scrambling to catch yourself, you flail your limbs wildly, then are surprised to find yourself abruptly standing on your feet. She somehow threw you exactly up to standing height.

A hoof shoves into your lower back again.

"MOVE!"

"Jesus!"

You lurch forward, catch yourself, then spin around to see her wearing that stupid smirk again.

"No!"

You sit back down again.

"You can fuck right off and fetch Applejack or Twilight, I'm not taking another step with you."

She tries to lunge forward and get her forehooves under you again, but you put a hand on her chest and hold her back. She responds by simply pressing her chest against your hand harder and harder, growling faintly with the effort. Quickly realizing she'll overpower you, you change tactics and suddenly slip your hand under her. She lurches forward with a yelp and you lift between her forelegs, grabbing a hind hoof with your other hand, and you toss her over your shoulder--thank god ponies are so light.

You look behind you to see her wings snap open as she rights herself. She lands and whips around, lunging at you again, and you throw yourself to the side, pulling your legs out of the way just as she gallops past. As she spins around again, you scoot back frantically against the house and shout, "Why are you doing this!?"

She doesn't answer and charges you again, nostrils flaring, ears pinned straight back, teeth bared. You'd never seen a pony angry before, but you guess that's what it looks like.

You curl up and try to protect your head with your arms, tensing and bracing for a tackle or hoofblows. Some small part of you notices that you are shaking slightly.

Then you realize nothing has happened yet.

You wait another couple of seconds, then slowly, cautiously, you look up.

Rainbow Dash is sitting right in front of you with a nervous, almost apologetic smile. You sit up again and slump back against the house, panting heavily.

"The fuck...?"

Rainbow Dash paws the ground lightly, looking uncomfortable, and says quietly, "Yeah, so... sorry about that, Anon. Really. It was... I guess you'd call it a test."

"The FUCK?"

"Yeah... wanted to see how you responded to stress, anger, attacks... you know."

"Why do you even care?"

"Oh I don't, it was Twi's idea."

"Twilight's.... the fuuuuck."

You can't even think of more creative swears. You rub your eyes, then take a deep breath and look at her.

"Explain. Please."

She grimaces and shuffles her wings, "I, uh, don't really know the specifics, you'll have to ask her about that." She looks sad as she lightly touches your knee with a hoof. "See, it's like this... Twi told me I had to be really mean and try to push you over the edge, see if you'd get mean or violent back. Said to stop before it got too serious. AJ says you're a good person and I trust her, but Twi promised doing this was important and... well, I trust her too."

You feel like your head was just put through a blender. She withdraws her hoof and turns away, looking pretty upset.

"I'm really sorry we had to meet like that... I told Twilight you'd hate me 'cause we've never met, but she said it had to be me because we've never met."

She turns back to you, her tail twitching nervously, "But, like... I swear I'm not like this normally. Do you think we could maybe start over? Do it for real this time?" She gives you a small, hopeful smile, and holds out a hoof, ears perked forward. "Hey, I'm Rainbow Dash. I'm pretty awesome, I hear you're pretty awesome, and I've actually been kinda stoked to meet you for a while."

You're still reeling from this emotional rollercoaster and just stare at her, mouth hung slightly open. You rub your face with both hands and take a deep breath. When you drop your hands and look at her again, she wiggles her hoof and whines, "Come on... you're not gonna leave me hanging, right?"

You take another deep breath, your heart still pounding madly, then you lift your hand and bump her hoof with your fist.

She looks down, curls her hoof, and faintly whispers, "Yes!"

"I'm..." you swallow hard, trying to ease your dry throat, "Well, I'm Anon. I'm a human... AJ said good things about you. I was looking forward to meeting you..."

Her ears droop again, "Was?"

You drop your head in your hands and exclaim, "Fuck! Just... give me a second, alright?"

Concentrate on your breathing, Anon. Just sit here and breathe for a moment.

You hear a faint rustle and something brushes your shoulders. You turn your head to look and blue feathers fill your vision. Startled, you bolt upright and Rainbow Dash's wing instantly folds up.

"S-Sorry! I just... it always helps Fluttershy when she's freaking out."

Yet again, you take a deep breath to try and calm your heart.

"It's... fine. Just surprised me.

You slump back against the house and try to relax. She tentatively extends a wing again, reaching out with more confidence when you don't react. She scoots a little closer and the feathers envelop your side like a downy blanket. Her wing is soft, fluffy, and surprisingly warm.

You immediately begin feeling better and some tension releases in your shoulders. You lay your head back against the house and close your eyes, your heart rate finally settling down. This is seriously cozy.

In fact...

You jolt upright. Again.

"Helloooo? Anypony there?"

You look around, confused.

"Welcome back," Rainbow Dash says, "Jeez, not even I can fall asleep that fast." She's smirking again.

You arch your back and yawn, then mumble, "Sorry... I was already sore and tired before that damn chase, now I'm completely exhausted."

She grimaces, "Sorry again about that..."

"Yeah, well. Sorry about spraining your wing, I guess."

Her grimace gets even worse, "Oh, uh... my wing's fine, actually. Just part of the act."

You sigh, "Look, don't beat yourself up about it. I... I don't blame you." She tilts her head, ears perked up. "I'm gonna have some serious fucking questions for Twilight later, but you were just doing what she told you."

"So... we're cool?"

"I mean..." you let out a little sigh, "That was one hell of a first impression. I don't think I can forgive you just like that, but... I'm willing to try and work past it."

"Well, I guess that's probably better than I deserve." She sighs as well, then grins and holds out a hoof to help you up, "C'mon dummy, let's go."

"Ooh, ooh! And over here is where Applejack's grandsire lives!"

You look down at Dash in disbelief, "What, Granny's ex-husband?"

She looks up at you, stunned, then guffaws so hard so almost falls over--which of course means you almost fall over since she's helping you walk. Your legs are not happy.

"No no no, hay no! Granny is Bright Mac's dam, but Grand Pear is Pear Butter's sire." She chuckles some more, then clarifies, "They hated each other when they were younger. Grand Pear only just recently came back to Ponyville."

"What-"

"Don't ask me, it's her story to tell."

"Uh... alrighty."

You've been hobbling along and leaning on Rainbow Dash for what feels like ages. Fortunately, she's a lot more fun to be around when she's not actively being as mean as possible.

The two of you turn a corner and abruptly the road opens up ahead of you.

"And here we are!" Dash says happily, "Out of the housing district, back into shopping central, Rarity's third favorite place in Equestria."

"Third?"

"Her boutique and the spa, of course."

You laugh, then groan at the pain that shoots through your abdomen, "I told you to quit making me laugh!"

"Just quit laughing, dummy!"

You flick her ear with your free hand and she jerks her head away violently, "H-Hey, don't do that!"

"Why not?" Your hand chases her head and you scratch her ear with one fingertip. her entire neck tenses up and the ear twitches madly.

"Stop it! I... I'll drop you, I swear!"

"Daaaaash, are you ticklish?"

She whinnies, "NO!"

You try to contain the giggles bubbling up inside you as you tickle her ear. She shakes her head violently then stops dead, dropping flat on the ground.

"Wh-OOF"

You slam forward into the ground like your legs aren't even there. Rainbow Dash's worried face fills the half of your vision that isn't dirt.

"Omigosh Anon! Are you okay? I didn't think you'd actually fall like that!"

You groan loudly and slowly lift your face off the ground, "Fuck... you..."

She sighs and sits down, "Yeah you're okay."

You laugh, cough, then groan in pain again, "Help me up, you asshole."

"Promise you won't tell!"

"Huh? Tell what?"

She looks around nervously, then leans close and whispers in your face, "That I'm ticklish!"

Her dead serious expression makes you bust out laughing again... then groan in pain again.

She continues whispering urgently, "I'm serious Anon, this is important! Do you have any idea what would happen if Pinkie found out?" Still trying not to laugh, you shake your head and she continues, "It'd be a disaster! She'd attack me literally every single time we met!"

"Sounds terrifying!"

She lays down in front of you, her ears flat, her eyes huge, "Anon, please! I'm begging you!"

Still lying on the ground, you reach up and ruffle her mane and say, "You're not as good at that face as Apple Bloom, but... fine, I promise."

She beams and shoves a hoof under your arm to help you up. As you two stand, you hear Twilight call out, "There you are!"

She glides over and lands in front of you, "Honestly Anon, if I have to put a magical tracker on--

"Where's Applejack?" You interrupt coldly.

If Twilight is annoyed by your interruption, she doesn't show it. Not that you would care very much if you did annoy her. You have quite a lot to say to the Princess of Friendship, but you're still thinking about exactly how you want to approach the subject. Applejack is more important right now anyways.

Twilight turns to face Rainbow Dash, "Take him to Applejack please? She hasn't moved since you last saw her. Afterwards, can you please meet me at the castle? I could use your help."

"Kay"

Twilight flies away without another word. You lean on Rainbow Dash as she silently helps you across the plaza and around the corner of the building. Applejack is sitting on a little mat in a cozy looking alley between the Hayburger and the shop next to it.

She look up at the sound of hoofsteps and her face lights up when she sees you, "Anon! Wallop my withers, you've been missin' for hours! What happened?"

Dash opens her mouth but you tap her neck and shake your head when she looks back at you. "Let's talk about it tomorrow," you say to Applejack, "I'm exhausted. Can we just go home, AJ?"

Rainbow Dash brightens, "Do you want some help? I wanna help!"

"Doesn't Twilight need your help?"

Rainbow Dash rolls her eyes, "She just wants me to report in after that little stunt earlier. It can wait. I just..." She paws at the ground uncomfortably, "I wanna make this right."

You smile and ruffle her mane, "I appreciate it, Dash, but it's okay. I hope we can hang out again soon."

Her eyes light up, "Really?"

"Really."

She eases you to the ground, then steps back and rustles her wings, "You really are awesome, Anon. No way I'd be nice to somepony that did what I did."

"It's not that I'm being nice, it's that I don't blame you."

She rubs her head and blushes slightly, "Yeah, well... whatever. I'll leave you two alone. See ya!"

She zooms off rapidly and Applejack looks at you curiously, but does not press for details as she approaches. You lay a hand on her withers and ask, "So... are you okay?"

She smiles sadly, "More or less, I 'spose."

"You didn't hurt your leg, did you?"

"No, should be fine. I only galloped right 'round the corner here to sit down for a breather."

You suppress the urge to groan. All that trouble you went through, and turns out she only ran twenty feet.

Applejack continues, "Rarity musta gone an' fetched Twilight 'cause she popped on over here not long after. I was still pretty upset an' I reckon I wasn't makin' a whole lotta sense." She sighs, "I think she mighta got the wrong idea an' thought I was upset 'cause of somethin' you did. She got all flustered, then she got angry, then flew off at top speed 'fore I could stop her."

"Yeah... I don't really want to talk about it right now." Applejack looks concerned but you shake your head, "Don't worry, it's not that bad. What's important is I was running around and just about killed my legs, so we're gonna have to hobble around together."

She groans, "The hay were you runnin' for?"

You grimace, "Please... I'll explain later. Just... not now, alright?"

She gives you a long stare, then sighs in resignation, "Alright, well... guess we oughta get goin' then. It's gonna take us ages to get back to the farm. Wait 'ere a tick." She slowly walks down the alley looking this way and that, then turns out of sight. When she returns a moment later, she's carrying a fallen tree branch in her mouth. You give her a questioning look but she just sits down and rapidly strips it of leaves and twigs, tossing the debris into bushes along the alley.

Moments later, she passes you a knobbly walking stick and you say, "Oh, right. 'Cause of your cast."

She nods, "C'mon, up ya get."

You grab her good hoof and she helps you to her feet without even needing to stand up. You stand shakily and carefully put some weight on the stick. It seems sturdy enough.

Applejack stands up on your other side.

"We're gonna have to match strides," you say.

"Eyup."

CH10: The Predator

It takes a few awkward moments to get used to stepping with your stick at the same time she steps with her cast. You'd probably laugh at the two of you fumbling around if not for the sharp pain in your legs whenever you make a mistake. Still, once you get used to it, the two of you are able to hobble along at a reasonable pace. You aren't sure you'll be able to make it all the way to the farm, though. It's only been a few minutes and your legs are already protesting.

You're still worried about Applejack after what happened at the Hayburger, so you decide to risk bringing up what happened... though, if you're honest, you're mostly just trying to take your mind off the burning in your legs.

"Hey Applejack?"

"Yeah, Anon?"

"...Are you okay?"

Her ear twitches, "Didn't ya ask that one already, partner?"

"Yeah, but I mean really. You were awfully, uh... emotional today. Is something wrong?"

She doesn't respond. You wait a moment, wanting to let her answer at her own pace, but the lack of a distraction means your mind immediately focuses back on the fire in your legs, so you quickly add, "I don't mean to pry and I really hope I'm not upsetting you by asking, I'm just... I'm worried about you." Her ears flatten but she still says nothing. You continue, "Look, if you want me to drop it, just say--"

"Yes."

Caught by surprise, you freeze, mouth still forming your next word. Truth be told, you weren't expecting her to actually ask you to drop it like that. Still, she respected that you didn't want to talk about what happened with Dash, so the least you can do is extend her the same courtesy.

You sigh, "Okay, Applejack. I'm sorry. I won't bring it up again."

She looks at you confused for a second, then shakes her head, seeming a little tense. "I mean yes somethin' is wrong, Anon."

"...Oh."

"Somethin's wrong with me, somethin's wrong with Twilight, and somethin's wrong with all them buckin' ponies that can't see you as nothin' but a threat." She huffs a little and stomps with each step as she continues, "Me an' the girls do our best to teach everypony that 'friendship is magic,' then I look around and see there's still all this pointless hostility an' bickering, 'specially around you."

Your foot catches and you grunt in pain. Guess you were a little too distracted by what Applejack is saying--you had no idea she was so frustrated with everypony.

"An' our Princess of Friendship ain't exactly takin' it too well, either. It's like she just has to keep everypony perfect friends, an' if she sees somepony ain't gettin' along, she goes a little mad tryin' to live up to the title she chose for herself."

You stumble painfully again and suddenly realize Applejack is walking a lot faster and your poor legs can hardly keep up.

"Uh..."

"An' it feels like all this manure's comin' to a point right when I'm in the middle o' this buckin' heat that's messin' with my head so bad I can't hardly even talk like normal, nevermind figure out how to help my friends!"

"Applejack? Hey!"

You jerk to a halt and lean heavily on your stick. Applejack slows to a stop just ahead and turns around, looking confused.

"Ugh... you were nearly trotting by the end there." You slump heavily to the ground, wincing at the pain in your legs. "I guess you tend to walk faster when you're upset."

She sighs and sits in front of you. "I'm sorry, Anon. You're right, I tend to work myself up an' get carried away. I just wish--"

"Hey, there y'are!"

Apple Bloom's happy voice interrupts her as the filly trots up from the edge of town. Applejack does her best to make her expression pleasant, but either she fails to do so or you must look worse than you thought, because Apple Bloom pulls up short, looking worried.

"Uh... y'all okay? Ya look pretty beat up."

Applejack sighs, "Don't you worry 'bout it, sugarcube. What're ya doin' in town?"

The filly stares for a second, then smiles uncertainly at Applejack, "Ah was lookin' for you! Y'all've been gone for hours an' the sun'll be settin' any minute now."

You ask, "Did Granny send you or did you come looking on your own?"

"On my own! Ah was worried 'bout you two!"

You look to Applejack, who grins proudly, then you turn to give the filly a reassuring smile and say, "Well, don't worry. We're on our way back now... my legs are just even more sore than yesterday, so we're going pretty slow."

The filly relaxes and nods happily, "Alrighty! Imma just head on back t'help Granny with dinner."

She hops up but Applejack reaches out with a hoof to stop her, "Simmer down, sally, I don't think Anon's comin' to the farm tonight."

"Huh, what?" You say, confused.

Applejack turns to you and says, "Well, it's just... beggin' your pardon, Anon, but y'all really don't look too good. How's about 'stead of tryin' to make it all the way back to the farm, I just help you to your place, then trot on home myself?"

You chuckle softly and say, "Right, right, I have a house of my own. I've been spending so much time on the farm, It's starting to feel like I live there."

Apple Bloom covers her mouth and giggles, then blurts out, "Home's where the heart is!"

Applejack shoots her a nasty glare and she scurries away, giggling even harder.

"Anywho... Look Bloom, just head on back an' tell Granny that Anon won't be comin' for dinner tonight."

"Okay!" Apple Bloom turns and walks a few steps, then shouts back over her shoulder, "Betcha won't be comin' home tonight neither!"

She immediately gallops away as Applejack responds, "Huh? Apple Bloom!? Hey! YOU COME BACK HERE RIGHT NOW, YOUNG MARE!"

Applejack snorts angrily and scrambles to her hooves, but you snatch her tail and hold on tight as she rears to give chase.

"Whoa girl, hold up! Applejack!" She whips her head around and glares at you, making you cringe, but you don't let go, "C'mon, don't look at me like that. You know you can't gallop on that leg."

She rolls her eyes and grumbles, but she steps back and sits again. You release her tail and it immediately starts twitching with annoyance.

"She knows full well I can't chase her right now..."

"Next time we see her, I'll hold her down and you can tickle her for ten minutes straight as punishment."

She cracks a smile despite her sour mood, "Now yer just bein' cruel, Anon."

You chuckle and try to struggle to your feet, leaning heavily on your stick. She hastily stands up so you can lean on her and the two of you continue walking in silence. A moment later, and just as you are turning the last corner to your house, the sun begins to smoothly lower into the horizon. In the fading light, you and Applejack notice a large package in front of your door.

"Huh?""

"Y'all order a delivery or somethin'?"

"No..."

You carefully lean over to open the note on the package, trying not to upset your legs too much. There was a surprisingly long block of text written in a slightly messy flowing script.

'Dear Anon: I thought about what Applejack said and talked to my filly... and I wanted to say I'm sorry for my behavior earlier today. The more I think about how you've acted since you came to Ponyville, the more embarrassed I feel that I ever doubted your intentions, especially since Applejack calls you her friend. Please accept this gift as a token of my apology. My filly and I would like to meet with you and Applejack to get to know you properly. Sincerely, Lily.'

You look up at Applejack, who sat patiently while you read--you're still pretty slow at reading Equestrian.

"So who's it from?"

"It's signed a name I don't recognize: Lily."

She gasps, "That's the mare I told off at the Hayburger! Y'know, Petal Bow's dam?"

Your eyes widen and your gaze falls back to the package. Applejack shuffles a little closer.

"Lily Valley runs the Ponyville Florist along with Daisy an' Roseluck. They're friends of the family, since we grow all their flowers... 'side from what they import, o'course."

"Wow, and you just smacked her upside the head and yelled at her in front of everypony?"

She rubs the side of her head awkwardly, "Well... she was actin' pretty foalish... an' I was pretty upset. I know her an' she oughta know better'n that, which just made her behavior seem even worse." She shakes her head and stands, "But anywho, what're we doin' just sittin' out here? Let's get inside an' see what's in the box. Bet it's just a bunch o' flowers..."

You open your door and Applejack shoves the package over the threshold and into your barren living room. You wobble over and collapse onto your couch, sighing deeply as your battered legs finally get to relax and stop carrying your weight.

"Wanna open it now or wait 'til later?"

Without lifting your head from the back of the couch, you can just barely see her when your eyes look down. You shrug your hands in a weak shrug, "May as well open it now. I'm not getting up for a while if I can help it."

Applejack pries the top of the box open, popping the tape with ease. She pulls out a small blue pouch, which she tosses into your lap, then pulls out half a dozen more pouches of different colors.

You open the pouch and lift it to your face to see a colorful blend of crushed leaves and dried flowers with a sweet, fruity scent. Applejack also pulls out a white kettle with pink and yellow flower-print, a pair of matching tea cups, a simple tea strainer, and finally a small card, which she passes to you. Aside from a simple, 'Hope you enjoy,' scribbled on the side, it's just a list of what color pouch is what kind of tea.

"Well... I guess it really is just a bunch of flowers."

Applejack snorts at your dumb joke as she peers closely at one of the tea cups. "This is pretty high quality stuff... Lily must feel just awful for her to get ya somethin' so nice."

"Guess so..."

You trail off and Applejack looks at you curiously, "Bit for yer thoughts?"

"It's just... Isn't it kinda sudden? I mean, she was absolutely terrified of me, now suddenly she's giving me some expensive gift and saying she wants to hang out and is even gonna bring her filly along? Why such an extreme change of heart?"

She carefully picks up the two tea cups and a few pouches of tea, then takes them to your kitchen, saying, "Well like I said, they're friends of the family, but Lily an' I are especially close. She knows I'm goin' through my cycle an' my emotions are runnin' hot, but even so, she knows I only get that upset when I really care about--"

She freezes suddenly as she places the teacups on your counter, then her ears fold down and she steps back, blush spreading across her face.

You search desperately for a change of topic before your own ears start burning. "You know, this uh... this tea actually smells pretty good. I didn't know ponies even drank tea."

With a poorly concealed sigh of relief, Applejack walks back to Lily's gift box, "We do, but it ain't really all that popular. Most ponies like everythin' either real sweet or mild an' salty. Ain't too keen on bitter." She carefully picks up the kettle and scoops up the rest of the pouches.

"I was wondering about that... Ponies eat so much cake, sweets and candy, but what little else you eat is kinda bland, like what I had at the Hayburger. Doesn't anypony want something with real flavor?"

She slides the kettle onto your counter and shrugs as she returns to you. "Ain't sure what ya mean by 'real flavor.' The Hayburger is said to be pretty darn tasty 'round town. There's a reason it's so popular, y'know."

You sigh as she hops up onto the couch beside you. Out of the corner of your eye, you see her turn sideways so she sits facing you.

"Man, I wish I was better at cooking," You say wistfully, "If you could taste one burger the way they made 'em back home... well, actually, I guess that'd be pretty terrible."

"Why's that?"

"Well, burgers back home aren't made with hay, the patty is made of ground meat, and it--"

"Hold up, you sayin' y'all can grow meat right outta the ground?"

You lift your head to give her a confused look, then suddenly snort with laughter, relieved to feel barely a twinge of pain in your abdomen, "Oh, no no no, ground as in grinding. We grind the meat up into a sort of paste."

You expect her to react with disgust, but instead she just raises her eyebrow, silently asking the question. You relax again, head rolling back into the cushion.

"It smooths the texture and you can mold it into any shape. It means you can make a round patty and every bite will have the same taste and texture. Then you toss the patty into a pan and the heat liquefies some of the fat so you can fry it in its own grease."

"Isn't the fat gross?" She murmurs faintly.

"Hell no! The more fat the better, that's where all the flavor is! The best cuts of meat have the fat spread evenly through the whole slice." You swallow and mutter, "Fuck, what I wouldn't give for some bacon right now..."

"Bacon?"

"Oh man, bacon. It's like... get a really good fatty cut of pork belly, rub salt and some seasoning into the meat, then let it cure for a few days. The salt dries out the meat and over time the flavor of the seasoning permeates it." It's been so long since you've had anything really savory, you describe the meat you've been craving with hardly a thought of how Applejack might react. "After a few days, you rinse off the excess seasoning and smoke it for a few hours. You'd think smoke wouldn't taste good, but actually it enhances the savory, salty flavor of the meat wonderfully. After the meat is dried and smoked, it can be stored for a long time without spoiling." You swallow again and your stomach growls audibly. "Then you slice it into thin strips and throw them into a frying pan or the oven and it fries in it's own grease like the burger meat I was talking about before... except bacon grease tastes so much better. It's one of the most wonderfully salty and savory meats ever. The only thing I like more is a nice cut of steak cooked juuuust right."

You sigh wistfully, then lift your head again to look at Applejack. Her mouth snaps shut and she quickly looks away, shuffling her body to turn away as well. Her ears and tail are twitching constantly and she just stares blankly ahead with wide eyes.

Abruptly realizing how horrible and disgusting that must have been for her, you are suddenly terrified you may have just ruined your friendship. The possible consequences flash through your mind: Not only is Applejack your closest friend, the pony you get along with best out of all you've met, but more than that, nearly all your other friends you've made were made through her. If you scare her off, it'd probably mean losing the entire Apple family, you'd lose any chance of making amends with Lily Valley... you might even lose Rarity and Twilight, too. Not to mention how much more difficult it would be to convince the townsponies you mean no harm if you alienate probably the most loved pony in all of Ponyville!

Losing Applejack would be a disaster!

You try to keep your hand from trembling as you gently reach out and touch her shoulder with your fingertips, "Hey... you okay?"

Her head droops and she groans softly. You force yourself to sit up and shuffle around to face her, "Oh, AJ... I'm so sorry. I didn't even think about how that might make you feel. I never meant to upset you."

"N-No, it... it's--"

"Please, you're my best friend. I would never dream of hurting your feelings. I don't know what I'd do if I scared you away. Just say the word and I'll never mention meat again, I swear."

"That's n-not..."

She lays down and covers her face with her forelegs. You lay a hand on her withers, hoping to comfort her, but she shudders so violently you jerk your hand back.

"A-Applejack?" Your voice is trembling slightly.

You can barely hear her reply, "I... I like it."

Confusion adds to the turmoil of emotions in your head.

"You like... like what?"

She shivers slightly, then shakes her head.

"AJ, please talk to me. What's going on?"

She takes a long, deep breath, then mumbles from under her forelegs, "I like when ya talk about meat."

You open your mouth, then shut it again, wondering if you heard that right. "...Wait, really?"

"It's..." she sighs, then uncovers her head and stares at the ground, blushing furiously, "It's buckin' hot, okay?"

You blink.

Your eyes widen.

"You... huh?"

Her ears droop and she begins to talk, staring at her hooves, "Most ponies don't eat meat. We can, but it's some sorta huge taboo, like we ain't 'sposed to be... I dunno, savages or somethin' no more. Ain't told nopony this, not even Granny... but I've always been a mite curious about it anyway. Then you come along an' describe it like it's the best food y'ever ate..." She rubs the cushion nervously with a hoof. "On top of that, I'm always eager to jump into danger. Goin' through the swamp or the Everfree forest... hay, just thinkin' about it gets me a bit giddy... makes me feel alive. Then ya sit there an' just casually talk about cuttin' meat like carving up some animal's flesh is just everyday life..." Finally, she looks up and meets your eye. "Then you smile an' I see those buckin' teeth that plainly belong to a carnivore an' a part of me wants to just bolt in terror, but another part of me wants to... uh, well..."

She closes her eyes, lowers her head, and shivers again.

When she doesn't continue, you slowly say, "So... just to make sure I got this straight... Me talking about meat makes you want to try it even more, and when I talk like some dangerous predator or you see my sharp carnivore's teeth, you feel a bit scared like you're in danger... but you actually kinda like it?"

"Eyup."

Relief abruptly floods through your chest as you realize that, if anything, you just made your friendship even stronger somehow. You take a deep breath as the tension flows out of your body. You'd never realized just how important her friendship was to you.

Now that you're past the initial shock and surprise, it's actually kinda funny. You stare at her silently for a moment. Eventually, she looks up, and you give her a big toothy grin. Her ears fold back and she bites her lip.

"Good thing the big scary predator is too weak to chase you!"

"K-Knock it off, Anon!"

You laugh, then suddenly whip your hand up and lightly touch her neck just under her chin with a finger. She winces and shoves your hand away with a hoof, but you lash out with your other hand and gently boop her snout.

She jerks her head back and wiggles her muzzle. You chuckle again and she lowers her head and growls, "Gon' be like that, huh?"

She rears up and aims a hoof at your forehead, but while your legs might be sore and useless, your arms have had all day to recover and are mostly fine. You casually grab her fetlock and straighten your arm, lifting her foreleg and pushing her upper body back. She yelps and waves her cast at you, but the back of the couch gets in her way on that side, so all she does is awkwardly tap your upper arm.

She yanks on your grip around her hoof and, when you don't let go, hangs from your hand, lifts up onto one hind hoof, and aims the other at the side of your torso. You hurriedly grab it with your other hand as it jerks forward and you are surprised at the force behind it. That would have actually hurt!

Her eyes go wide and her hind leg thrashes in your grip. With a deep grunt, you lift her by the foreleg and throw her hindleg out in front of you. She neighs wildly as she twirls on the spot and, once she faces away from you, you shove your palm into her back just above her tail, causing her to swing forward as you pull her foreleg down and toward you.

She whinnies as she falls backward, but you catch her head with your free hand before it slams into your thigh and, just as her rump hits the cushion, you release her foreleg and bring your arm around so you can pin the foreleg with your elbow. Then you grab her cast and pull it toward the side of her head so you can pinch her neck between your wrist under her chin and your other hand on the back of her head.

Now she's laying on her back in your lap, her head between your hands, her good foreleg pinned between your elbow and the back of the couch. She curls her body to try and get her hind hooves under your forearm, but your elbow is squished into the back of the couch and protected by its thick cushion, and with your forearm so close to her neck, she can barely reach, so all she does is scuff your arm with her hooves.

You look down at her and she snorts in your face, straining her neck, foreleg, hindlegs, anything she can against your hold, but as strong as she is, she lacks the leverage to really do anything but wiggle.

You grin wickedly.

Her hindlegs plop to the couch as she falls limp in your arms. Her enormous green eyes stare up into yours as her chest heaves, mouth slightly open, her breath hot against your face.

"So, you give--"

Her rear hooves thrust into the couch and her upper body swings around your grip on her forelegs.

Her lips press against yours.

CH11: Token Bath Scene

Stunned, you immediately fall limp, her foreleg slips free, and her head falls away. She stares up at you from your lap, your arm still resting across her chest and neck. She licks her lip and shoves her foreleg under your armpit, hooking the back of your shoulder to lift herself back up.

You don't even try to stop her as your lips meet again, the soft fuzz around her muzzle brushing your cheeks. Almost without thinking, you press your hand against her cheek, digging your fingers into her fluff. She responds with a soft moan that you feel as much as hear.

A moment later, she gently breaks the kiss and pulls back to look up at you, lips curled in a slight smile. You just stare at her, your mind totally blank and your expression slowly matching her small smile.

She pulls herself up again and nuzzles your cheek, pressing herself into you. She whispers into your ear.

"You need a wash."

"...Oh."

She pulls back again with a smirk and you watch her dumbly as she rolls away, dropping nimbly to the floor. She grabs your hand and pulls you to your feet and the next few moments are a dull blur as you lose yourself in your thoughts; shock, exhaustion, and concern battling for dominance in your mind.

You can't quite believe what just happened and you feel both surprised and confused that you didn't--no, couldn't resist. You weren't even thinking of her like that. She's just a friend!

Except...

You remember warm bed, examining her hoof, stroking her fur, feeling the muscles down her core... and how she practically pounced on you when she caught you.

Then you remember you both agreed to wait until her cycle passed to avoid any regrets. That's pretty important, right? At least, assuming you didn't fall asleep on the couch and are just dreaming all of this. You have to stop her from going any further before it's too late.

You jerk back to awareness as Applejack starts fumbling with your shirt. Apparently you'd just mindlessly followed her as she led you into your bedroom and sat you on the edge of your bed. She brought you to your bedroom and now she's trying to undress you? You have to tell her she needs to stop and wait, that this is a mistake, that she isn't thinking clearly.

"Applejack, you--"

She immediately gives you a cute little glare and says, "Shush."

You start to protest but she just covers your mouth with her own and for several seconds her tongue is the only thing you can think about. Finally, she pulls back and strokes your cheek.

"Anon... not another word now, y'hear?"

You nod dumbly, your jaw still hanging limp. She lowers herself to your chest and begins yanking impatiently at your shirt buttons. You hastily reach up and start unbuttoning it, so instead she moves lower and fumbles with your pants.

The kiss was exciting enough, but her face in your lap quickly brings you to full attention as her teeth yank on the fabric around the button at your waist. You finish unbuttoning your shirt just as she manages to release her button and she immediately yanks on the zipper with her teeth.

Wait a minute. What are you doing? This has gone far enough.

"AJ, really, we can't--"

She looks up from your lap and growls--actually growls!

"But you said!"

"The hay are you so nervous about? I'm just gonna help ya wash."

You freeze, "O-Oh."

"What'd ya think I was doin'?"

You cheeks start to burn, "Uh, w-well, with the... the kissing and your... y'know, your cycle..."

She snorts derisively. Stupid! Of course she didn't want to... well, do that. Obviously!

"Ya look like y'all wrestled a pig an' lost, Anon. You didn't think I was gonna let ya dirty up your bed now, did ya?"

"N-No, of... of course not. Thanks."

She shoves your shirt off one shoulder with a hoof and your shrug it the rest of the way off, then she bites your pants and hooks a hoof around the other side, dragging you halfway off the bed in her attempt to remove them. You lift yourself somewhat awkwardly to let them slide down your legs, then sit again and kick off your shoes as she drags your pants down and off, tossing them aside with a lazy twitch of her muzzle.

She comes back up to reach for your underwear, then looks at you when you hastily cover yourself with your hands.

"Don't tell me ya wear these even in the shower?"

"Well, n-no, but--"

"Well c'mon! I ain't got all night."

"Applejack, no... I can't."

She straightens up and looks you in the eye.

"Look, Anon. Maybe humans wearin' clothes makes ya feel weird bein' naked around anypony, but in case ya didn't notice, ponies are naked pretty much always."

"It's not the same!"

She sighs, "Okay, maybe not, but unless ya wanna get them inner clothes wet, they'd better come off quick. I ain't lettin' ya sleep all filthy like that, so you're gettin' in that shower whether ya take 'em off or not.

You hesitate. You're still obviously 'excited' from earlier and you might just die of embarrassment if she realizes what she did to you. You seriously consider just wearing your underwear in the shower, but unfortunately you learned the hard way that whatever fabric Rarity used for them chafes like hell when it gets wet.

Applejack, getting impatient, rolls her eyes and grabs your hand, saying, "Alright, in ya get."

"W-Wait! ...Alright, I'll take them off."

"See, that weren't so hard."

"Just..." You look away awkwardly, "Applejack, you need to understand. Humans are almost never naked around others unless they're being... well, intimate."

She tilts her head in thought for a moment, then her eyes widen and her ears twitch, "So... hang on, you mean to say bein' naked makes ya think you're bein' intimate whether ya want to or not?"

"Yeah."

She hesitates, then glaces down at the lump in your underwear and her eyes hurriedly snap up to yours, a blush starting to form across her cheeks. "I guess that, uh... does make it a mite awkward, 'specially with my cycle an' all." She looks up at you for a few seconds, then sighs. "Well, still, I said I'd help ya wash. If you wanna wear them inner clothes, I won't complain."

Now it's your turn to sigh, "No... these things chafe like hell when they're wet." She shuffles her hooves awkwardly and you rub your neck before saying, "Uh... can you, like, turn away or something while I take them off?"

"What difference would that make? I'm gonna have to look once you're in the wash."

Damn, she's absolutely right.

"I-I mean, I'll probably be fine just by myself..."

You don't even sound confident to yourself and she just rolls her eyes, "C'mon Anon, I just watched ya try an' walk a moment ago. You can't hardly stand, nevermind bendin' around to clean yourself an' all."

You grimace and try to think of another excuse, but she groans, "Anon, please, I know it's weird an' all--I feel the same way, honest--but yer gettin' in that shower whether you're wearin' them or not, an' ya just said ya can't wear 'em, so we might as well quit wastin' time and get on with it."

You sigh in resignation and slowly slide your underwear down your legs. Despite saying it wouldn't matter, you notice Applejack still turns her head away, looking uncomfortable. When she looks back at you, she seems to be carefully keeping her eyes up high and her expression neutral.

"Well. C'mon then."

She grabs your hand and pulls you upright, pointedly ignoring your dangling member as she supports you while you walk. She leads you into the bathroom and activates the magically heated showerhead--now that's something you really love about this world: since the water is heated by a magical talisman built into the shower, adjusting the temperature is nearly instantaneous.

Applejack checks the temperature and nods, then turns to help you. Still feeling deeply embarrassed, you take great pains--literally, due to the aching in your legs--to avoid sticking any body part in Applejack's face as you step into the flow of water.

You turn your back to the water and the heat and massaging pressure instantly clears your mind of all thoughts or worries. You heave a great sigh of contentment and hear Applejack giggle quietly, but you don't mind. You drop heavily to your butt and rest your forearms on your knees. With the showerhead beating down on your back from on high, you relax utterly and completely, your head drooping sleepily.

There's a faint rustling sound but you don't bother looking up. A moment later, something soft but firm begins rubbing small circles into your hair at the base of your neck, slowly moving around and up onto your skull. You're dully aware of the scent of your shampoo but the soothing massage on your head makes it hard to focus on anything.

Eventually, a hoof presses into your forehead and your head is pulled back into the flow of water, then gently set back down again, water dribbling around your ears and dripping off your chin.

The water pounding on your back suddenly stops and you crack an eye open, turning your head to see the water now pouring down the wall beside you. Just as you open your mouth to ask, a hoof rubs into your shoulder and releases a tiny bit more tension you weren't even aware you still had, causing your head to droop again immediately.

You hear another soft giggle as you realize she's lathering you with her hoof rather than using your soft brush--the closest thing you could find to the loofahs you used back on earth. Focusing is hard with how relaxed you are, but you try to pay attention so you can understand what she's doing. It feels like she lathers with the soft frogs of her hoof first, then angles her hoof and scrubs with the hard hoof wall.

Her hoof digs into a particularly sore spot and you groan involuntarily, your focus shattering. She scrubs the back of your neck and your shoulders, then slowly moves down your back, both massaging and lathering as she goes, frequently drawing more grunts and moans from you.

The scrubbing finally ceases and a moment later you feel her hoof press into your chest and Applejack quiet voice rings out as if from a great distance, "Scoot back, Anon."

With a slow and painful heave, you stretch out your legs and slide your butt backwards along the tub, your arms resting limply by your side. A second later the wonderful hot water pours down your back at a sharp angle.

In the short quiet that follows you almost begin to dose off, but then you hear a faint rustle in front of you and feel something wedge between your calves, pushing your feet to the sides of the tub. You briefly consider the momentous effort of lifting your head to look, but quickly deem the task impossible.

The magical hoof begins its work again and, barely conscious, you're distantly aware of your arms being massaged, followed by your chest and a light scrubbing of your belly and sides. You almost stir in fear of the pain when the pressure suddenly jumps down to your thigh, but the hoof of wonders knows exactly how much pressure to apply to your aching legs.

You rapidly sink back into oblivion as it slowly proceeds down your thigh, hardly even noticing when it jumps to the other leg. You'd have dozed off ages ago if not for the way the massage stimulates your bloodflow, but even so, you're barely conscious.

You thought you felt as good as possible, but somehow the feeling radiating through your body abruptly intensifies, and a particularly sudden jolt of pleasure makes you shudder and gasp.

"O-Oh..."

Something in her quiet voice immediately snaps your mind back to the present and you open your eyes to find you are absolutely rock hard and she is slowly stroking the underside of your member with the frog of her hoof.

You gasp and jerk your head up.

She gasps and jerks her hoof back.

Both of you stare at each other in shock.

"I... I was j-just latherin' it up!"

"You were stoking it!"

Her blush rapidly darkens around her muzzle, "I... I just..."

"What, Applejack? What were you doing?"

She turns her head and closes her eyes, blush intensifying further, "I'm sorry, Anon. I swear I was just gonna lather it up..."

"What'd you think was gonna happen?"

She shoots you a little glare, "I ain't a filly, Anon. I figured that was gonna happen."

You should probably be more upset, but you're way too relaxed to really get angry.

"Well why'd you keep going, then?"

"'Cause it's just so..." She closes her eyes and shudders, practically moaning the last word, "...hard."

You twitch.

You try not to think about that twitch.

"Wait, what?"

She takes a deep breath and mumbles, "Ah figured you'd get an erection... be stupid not to, so I weren't surprised when you did... but I dunno, I guess my cycle really does mess with my head, 'cause I... I couldn't stop myself." She clenches her eyes tight and whispers, barely audible over the flowing water, "It just kept gettin' harder an' harder... just... so hard."

"Uh... don't stallions get hard, too?"

She gives you a tiny shake of her head, her voice still quiet, her cheeks still bright red, "Not like that... they get big, but... it's still pretty soft an' flexible." She finally looks at you again, "But you... it's so hard it's like a bone or a claw. Like... like it's a buckin' weapon."

She looks down at you almost fearfully, "How long does it stay like that?"

You shrug, feeling oddly calm--that massage was fantastic.

"Until I'm not aroused anymore or until I... well, finish." She just stares at you expectantly so you continue, "I mean, it lasts at least a few minutes an can--"

She squeaks, her eyes wide and her ears flattening, "A... A few... At least a few minutes?"

"...Yeah, why?"

She stares at you in stunned silence for a moment before finally mumbling, "Anon, a stallion with very high endurance might go for two whole minutes if he's lucky."

Your own eyes go wide and you laugh incredulously, "No way, really?"

Bemused, you shake your head as she nods slowly, eyes still very wide, "So, uh... what's a long time for humans, then?"

"I dunno, like thirty minutes?"

Her hooves fly to her muzzle, then she just blurts out around them anyway, "THIRTY!?"

"Maybe more if I'm careful."

She just shakes her head, giving you an odd look, both fearful and eager. Staring directly into your eyes, she slowly lowers a hoof and touches your tip. You gasp and twitch, and she smiles faintly. She slowly strokes down the underside of your shaft and a tingle rapidly builds and shoots up your spine. Your eyes close, your back arches slightly, you try to suppress a moan but still let out a short, strained grunt as a shudder explodes up your back, rattling your entire torso.

You grab her hoof and stare into her hungry smile, "AJ... you promised." Her face turns to confusion, "This morning when I woke up in your bed." Now her face twists into a scowl.

"I told ya, Anon, I can still think just fine."

"You promised."

She gives you such a pout you nearly break right then and there, "Anon... why're you so against this?"

"We can't, AJ. Not until after your cycle."

"But why? Why does it matter so much?"

"Because I... I can't lose you." She just tilts her head, looking confused again, "Look, AJ, if we do... that... and it is just because of your cycle, then when your cycle is done, we'd... it'd just be weird. We'd both be awkward and uncomfortable around each other. We couldn't be friends anymore... and AJ I can not let that happen."

She gives you a long, thoughtful stare. It goes on so long you start to get a little fidgety under it. Then abruptly, she shrugs, "Alright well, all that's left are your lower legs, then you can go to sleep."

Your mouth opens, confused by the abrupt change, but she stands and twirls around before you even get a word out. Her back now facing you, she sits directly between your thighs and her water-laden tail settles directly across your groin. She immediately begins scrubbing your calves and her body rocks gently with the motion, causing her tail to wiggle in your crotch, rubbing you in all sorts of sensitive places. You hurriedly grab her tail and lift it away from you.

Her head instantly snaps up and stares straight forward, her ears turned back toward you.

"Uh... Anon? What're ya doin'?"

"J-Just holding your tail away so it doesn't--"

You freeze mid sentence, suddenly revealing exactly what you're doing... and what you're exposing. You drop her tail and it quickly tucks down between her legs and twitches nervously.

She turns back to look at you out of the corner of her eye, "I'm gonna chalk that up to you not knowing pony ways; that lifting a mare's tail is about as blunt a way possible for a stallion to say they want some flank." She smirks over her shoulder at you, "'Cause otherwise you're givin' me some awfully mixed signals here."

You stammer and feel your ears burning, then finally find your voice, "You're the one who was rubbing me with your tail?"

"Aw, shucks, was I really? I swear that thing has a mind of its own." Still smirking, she wiggles her rump and flicks her tail so it brushes against you again.

You suppress another violent shudder and cross your arms, frowning at her.

"If you're gonna send mixed signals too, we may as well both cut the shit and just be honest with each other."

"Well I'm always up for bein' honest."

She sets a hoof on your thigh and twists around so she can stare right at you.

"So y'all wanna do this or what?"

You furrow your brow, "Huh? Do what?"

Her ear twitches nervously, "Uh... well hay, how blunt do I gotta be?"

You shrug your shoulders and she just rolls her eye with a little grin. She shuffles and turns even more, now sitting more or less sideways in your lap. She sets a hoof on your cheek and leans close to stare into your eyes.

"Anon, d'you wanna rut me?"

"Do I..."

Your eyes widen.

"...W-What?"

She giggles as you stammer, "B-But you... I just s-said..."

She taps your cheek and smiles warmly, "Calm down, sugarcube. It's just a yes or no question."

You take a slow, deep breath. "We shouldn't."

Her head tilts as she clicks her tongue, "That ain't what I asked."

You just stare at her dumbly. Her smile slowly fades to a more serious stare. Eventually she starts to look a bit worried, but finally you manage a faint whisper.

"Yes."

Her eyes widen with a little gasp and she breaks into a smile. She leans forward and presses her chest against you as her lips touch yours, her hoof pressing against the back of your head as she moans softly.

Then she breaks the kiss and stares into your eyes, whispering breathlessly, "Me too, Anon."

Then she slowly turns around and returns to scrubbing your calves.

...Wait, what? She's just gonna stop? She isn't even teasing you with her tail anymore.

"Uh... Applejack?"

One ear swivels back to you but she continues scrubbing.

"What are you doing?"

"Finishin' what I started, 'course."

"Are... are we not...?"

She snorts a little laugh and just swivels her ear forward again.

Did you do something wrong? You just sit there feeling awkward and worried while she finishes scrubbing your calves and feet.

Finally, she turns around and rinses her hoof behind your head, her wet mane brushing your cheek and filling your mind with her scent--apples, of course, but there's a definite musk about her too... and a faint spice, like cinnamon.

She leans back and raises an eyebrow when she sees your concerned face, "Somethin' wrong?"

"Well... I was gonna ask you the same thing."

"Why might somethin' be wrong with me?"

"I just... it seemed like you wanted--"

She presses her hoof to your lips and smiles, "I do, Anon... but you're right. We shouldn't." She leans forward until her face is only inches from yours, "I'm real glad ya said yes, though." She leans in to give you a quick kiss, then turns to climb out of the tub. "Like ya said, I promised."

As she walks away, she looks over her shoulder and flicks her tail.

"You do wanna wait 'til after my cycle, right?"

CH12: Dinner and a Show

For several minutes you just sit there and try to process the emotional rollercoaster of the past half hour. The last thing she said echoes through your mind and you're a bit surprised at how hard it is to answer her question.

It's just all so sudden. A week ago you couldn't even imagine yourself in a relationship with a human, and now... what, maybe you'll date a pony? Hell, a week ago you hadn't even thought a pony could be attractive at all, much less as beautiful as--

You struggle to cut off that chain of thought, trying not to imagine her kneeling between your legs, her wet mane accenting the curve of her neck and shoulder--

You grimace and struggle to your feet, hoping some movement will distract you. You're pleasantly surprised at how little it hurts to move around and you are even able to towel yourself off without much trouble. She may have simply been scrubbing you clean, but it was almost as effective as a massage for your sore legs. You can still see her eager face as she sits between your legs and slowly reaches down with a hoof--

Dammit!

You shake your head and hurry into your bedroom, finding it empty and the door closed. For a moment you wonder if Applejack simply left, but then you hear some clinks from the living room. She must be putting away your new tea set or something, bless her.

You pull out some fresh underwear, a plain black shirt, and your favorite flannel pajama pants, then slowly walk out into the living room--your legs may be feeling better, but they're still very stiff and a little sore.

You're surprised to see your tea set still sitting on the counter and you look into the kitchen to find Applejack standing over a pan on your stove, her back to you. As you watch, she takes one wide step to the side and your eyes are drawn downward as her tail flicks to the side. You hurriedly wrench your eyes back up and watch her deftly chop some mushrooms on a cutting board.

Wait... how the hell does she hold and use a knife with one hoof?

She finishes chopping before you can figure it out and grabs the board in her teeth, tilting the contents into the pan. Then, without even looking, her hoof whips out to the counter beside her and flicks a clove of garlic up into the air. She catches it between both hooves and smashes it in one smooth movement, examining her hoof and picking the papery skin out with her teeth. Then she drops the clove into the pan and takes another wide step the side with another alluring swing of her tail.

A bit amazed by her display of dexterity, you look down without thinking this time and catch a glimpse of--

Your breath catches and her head whips around at the sound. You pray to the twin sisters that you jerked your eyes up in time to meet hers.

She gives you a huge friendly smile, but her mischievous eyes still make you nervous. "Well howdy, Anon! Enjoyin' the show?"

"W-What?"

She just giggles and continues, "Y'ain't got so much in your pantry, but I oughta be able to whip up somethin' decent anyhow."

"You didn't have to--"

"Quiet, you. I know that, I just wanted to."

She grabs a nearby bowl and dumps its contents into the pan. You slowly walk up beside her and she grins sidelong at you.

"So how're ya feelin'?"

"Well I'm walking on my own, aren't I?"

"Bit o' hard scrubbin' is near as good as a massage, huh?"

"Y-Yeah... thanks."

Her ears droop slightly from your uncomfortable tone and she eyes you nervously, asking, "Hey now, somethin' wrong?"

"Huh? Oh, no, just..." You sigh and lean back against the counter to give your legs a bit of a rest, "What now?"

She tilts her head questioningly and you clarify, "I mean, what... uh, just, us I guess. What's next for us?"

She shrugs her shoulders and stirs the pan idly as she says, "Reckon that's up to you, partner. Least, 'til my cycle's over."

You just stand there and watch as she tosses some spices you didn't even know you had into the pan.

"...And then?"

She continues cooking in silence for a moment before shrugging her shoulders again, "I dunno, Anon. It's real hard for me to tell when I'm thinkin' straight an' when my cycle is messin' with my head."

She glances at the pan then steps back, apparently content to let it simmer for now. You haven't eaten since the Hayburger and the smell is making your stomach growl.

"I know I kept sayin' I was thinkin' straight, but... well, obviously I wasn't an' I just couldn't tell."

"What are you getting at, AJ?"

She sighs and sits on her rump, "Point is, I just plain don't know how much o' this is real. I like you, Anon. Hay, I like you a lot. But a week from now, Celestia knows what my feelings'll really be."

You smile grimly and spread your hands, "That's exactly why I said we should wait."

Her ears turn back and she looks away. She's almost painfully cute when she's all awkward like this.

"That ain't what I'm sayin', Anon. Yeah, maybe this ain't real an' when my cycle's over we'll only be friends or even just coworkers..." She blushes and shuffles her hooves, "But that don't mean we can't have a little fun in the meantime, right?"

You're having a hard time concentrating with her being this damn adorable.

"What if, uh... what if I'm right and we end up... like, super awkward and nervous afterwards?"

She looks up and meets your eye, "An' if I promised you I really don't mind an' won't treat ya different afterwards?"

You grimace and shrug, trying to ignore her plaintive stare, "That won't help if I still feel that way."

"But Anon, why's it gotta be such a big deal, anyhow? Even if we're a mite awkward for a time, it ain't like we won't still be friends! We'd be back to normal 'fore long, right?"

You sigh and slowly lower yourself to the floor, your legs stretched out before you.

"Alright, look Applejack... When I was talking about bacon earlier and you got all uncomfortable, you know what I thought? I immediately assumed I'd just horrified or terrified you and maybe ruined our friendship." She starts to reassure you but you interrupt her with a hand, "I know, I know... turns out your actually like it, I get that now. My point is in that moment... I thought I'd just lost you."

You sigh and rub your chin, feeling awkward, "I thought that losing you would be bad enough--you are my closest friend, after all--but it's not just that... damn near every pony I've befriended here I only know because of you." You tilt your head back and rest it against the counter, closing your eyes as you continue, "In that terrible moment, I realized that if I did something that pushed you away, it'd probably mean losing the rest of your family, the crusaders, your best friends... I mean maybe I could still be friends with Rarity, Dash, and Twilight, but if it comes down to it, of course they'd side with you over me!"

She tries to interrupt you, but you just keep talking over her, "And as if that's not bad enough, you are absolutely adored in Ponyville, yet I'm still having a hell of a time convincing everypony I'm friendly even with you and Twilight helping. Now who the hell would think I'm nice if I alienated everypony's favorite pony AND the fucking Princess of Friendship herself? Shit, I'd probably get ran out of town, maybe even exiled from Equestria!"

You take a deep, shuddering breath to continue your rant, but suddenly Applejack thuds into your chest. She squeezes you in a tight hug, the side of her muzzle pressed hard against your neck.

She doesn't say anything, just... holds you. You slowly wrap your arms around her and rest your head against hers. You let out a long sigh and realize just how tense and pent up you had become during your rant. With her soft, warm body and her sweet, faintly spicy scent, you slowly relax again.

After a quiet moment, she murmurs softly in your ear, "I know you're scared of losin' your friends, Anon. I remember how lonely ya were 'fore ya came to the farm." She pulls back and gives you a warm smile, "But ya gotta understand... y'all made most o' those friends yourself. Oh shore maybe ya met 'em in the first place 'cause of me, but you're the one who got Apple Bloom to adore you, got Big Mac to open up, got Granny carin' for ya like family, an' got Rarity to think so highly of you."

Her hoof presses lightly into your cheek, "There's no tellin' what'd actually happen if we had a real fight or somethin', but I reckon you'd have more ponies on your side than ya think."

You smile and absently stroke the side of her neck, "Thanks AJ. Maybe you're right... but still, I don't want to make our friends choose sides between us. I'd hate to upset anypony."

She stares at you for a moment, then slowly gets up to check on the stove, saying, "Y'know, you're so caught up in what everypony else wants, I think sometimes ya forget to think about what you want. You deserve to be happy too, Anon. Y'ain't gotta sacrifice your own happiness for other's sake!"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

She huffs softly, "I'm sayin' if ya don't wanna go any further, that's fine, I won't push... but if ya actually do wanna go further, an' you're just sayin' ya don't 'cause you're afraid of upsetting somepony... well, buck what they want and do what YOU want."

You sigh and your chin drops to your chest, "Sounds like you're just trying to convince me to go through with it even though I already said I wanna wait."

"Naw, it's fine if ya do wanna wait, honest." You hear her hooves clop on the floor, "I'm just pretty sure ya actually don't an' I reckon you're just sayin' ya do 'cause you riled yourself up with anxious thoughts 'bout what might happen next."

You grimace and keep staring at your lap, even as she sits directly in front of you.

"So long as ya actually want this, I honestly think there ain't nothin' to worry about."

You look up and jump when you see her face only inches from yours and she leans in for a quick kiss, then steps back and giggles at your surprised expression.

"You're cute when ya worry, though."

"Well, I've no idea where you found most of that food, but damn it was delicious."

Applejack smiles and hops up from the couch to fetch your bowl, "Oh, it was nothin' really. I just remember what ya said 'bout pony food bein' bland an' added somethin' like twice as much seasoning as usual."

You lean back and arch your back, groaning as you stretch, then say, "Still, I appreciate it. I didn't realize how hungry I was 'til I smelled your cooking."

She smirks as she heads into your kitchen, "Think y'all can handle doin' yer own dishes in the morning?"

You chuckle and shrug, "Dunno, might be awfully sore in the morning..."

"Aw c'mon, y'all don't need another massage, do ya?"

You press on your thigh and wince, "Actually I'd love one to be honest."

"What? Ain't it only been like an hour?"

"That didn't count, it wasn't a real one!"

She rolls her eyes as she walks back over and you groan loudly as you lean forward and struggle to your feet. Then you stumble and nearly fall flat on your face as Applejack catches you with a hoof on your chest.

"C'mon, you, let's get you to bed."

You lean on her and mutter, "What time is it, anyway?"

"Not too late, really. We only got here 'bout two hours ago."

You yawn as the two of you slowly waddle through the house and into your bedroom, "Man... this was a long day."

"Yeah, who'd a guessed takin' a day off in town would be harder'n a day on the farm?"

You chuckle and plop heavily onto your bed, slip your shirt off, catch Applejack staring, and pause as you grab your pajama pants."

"I guess it'd be silly to be shy about this now, huh?"

She turns away, a light blush playing about her muzzle, "I 'spose..."

You hesitate a moment more, then slowly drop your pants and toss them on top of your dresser. Then you scoot back and lift your legs onto the bed. You notice Applejack sneaks a quick peek, then seems to relax.

"Oh, y'all don't sleep naked?"

You chuckle awkwardly as you slowly stretch out your legs, "Nah, just in this."

Applejack hesitates, seeming nervous, then she rears and puts her forehooves on the edge of your bed.

You ask, "I don't suppose you were seriously offering another massage?"

"Naw, you'll be fine after ya sleep an' let your legs heal overnight."

You shrug, then a thought strikes you, "Hang on... the other night was the first time you'd ever given a massage, wasn't it?"

"Yeah, we never been too keen on massages on the farm. Generally we don't need 'em unless we buck up an' hurt ourselves."

"Like I did?"

She nods, "Mmhmm. Big Mac did somethin' similar once tryin' to impress a mare. Granny gave 'im what she called a 'deep tissue massage' that looked more like pain than anything' else. Guessin' she wanted to make sure he didn't do anythin' stupid like that again."

"Did it work?"

"Oh, buck yeah, it worked for all three of us! Mac was limpin' for days an' me an' little Bloom were terrified of gettin' the same 'massage' treatment."

"No, you? Terrified?"

"Hey now, y'all ain't seen Granny when she's actually angry."

"She must be a force to be reckoned with."

"Yeah, just imagine a mare that can massage buckin' Big Mac into submission."

You decide not to even try, "Well, anyway... the reason I asked is I figure that means you've probably never had a real massage yourself either, have you?"

She furrows her brows, "Well... no, 'cause I ain't never needed one. Granny used Mac as an example to teach us never to work ourselves to the bone like y'all did the other day."

"Maybe you never needed one, but they still feel good." You give her a wide smile and her ears fold back, "How about you hop up here and let me return the favor, show you how good a massage is supposed to feel when not given by a vengeful grandma trying to teach a lesson."

She narrows her eyes suspiciously, "Ain't'cha too sore an' tired for somethin' like that?"

"Eh, only my legs are sore. I think pinning you on the couch without breaking a sweat proves my arms are just fine."

Her ears fold down even more and her blush returns in force. "H-Hey, y'all just got lucky! I weren't expectin' anythin' but some lazy tired arm wavin'!"

You scoff, "Yeah, sure. Get up here, girl."

She bristles at your tone and hops onto the bed, then yelps as you immediately grab both her forelegs and pull them toward you. Her hind legs are still halfway over the edge of the bed and her chest plops down onto the soft blanket. She begins scrambling her hind legs to lift herself, but you just lazily lean sideways and rest your torso on top of her, pinning her shoulders under one arm, your other arm resting casually on her hip. Her fur is soft and warm against your bare chest, and she shoots you a disbelieving glare over her shoulder.

Then she whinnies and wiggles her good foreleg under her and presses hard into the mattress. But honestly, with nearly all your weight on her shoulders and only one good foreleg, there's no way she can...

Oh holy fuck, she's strong!

In a bit of a panic, you change plans and wrap your free arm around her neck and roll backwards, making her yelp as you lift and twist her to the side and onto your chest. Her head now rests in the crook of your arm near your chest and you tilt your head to mutter right into her ear.

"C'mon, you can do better'n that, right?"

She gasps softly, her ears fold down, and she seems to freeze up for an instant. Then she hooks your right arm with her foreleg and, with a jerk, manages to jam a hind hoof between her belly and your left arm around her waist. With a great heave and an adorable little grunt, she wrenches your arms away from her body and twists around to get her other two legs under her. She immediately pins your right arm with her cast and bucks, kicking her hips up and over your head to thud down behind you so her body rests across your right side.

Her cast is rough but it's too limiting to stop you from wiggling your arm around underneath it. Instead, she swings her good foreleg around to get a better hold on your arm under her cast, but you interrupt her, grabbing that foreleg with your other hand. You twist onto your back and jerk your arm, wrenching it out from under the rough cast in one smooth--if painful--movement. Her hind leg tries to catch your right arm, but you lift it high in the air and her hind hoof thumps uselessly into the mattress.

She tries to twist around but can't move much while you hold her good foreleg like that, so you swing your arm back down and wrap it around her rump, causing her to help slightly and flick her tail. You grab her hind leg on the far side and pull it back up and around, trying to twist her onto her back. Unfortunately her other two legs are well placed and she is able to resist being spun around. That means all you really do is spread her legs wide until they won't go any further.

She whinnies and shoots you a nasty glare that does nothing to hide her deep blush running all the way down her neck. She jerks her hoof and you are surprised to find it slick with sweat as it easily slips from your grasp. She slams her hoof down just left of your hip, her foreleg suddenly slips free of your left hand and her cast slams down on your left forearm, and suddenly your right forearm is pinned under her good foreleg.

Applejack is now straddling you, both of your arms held down beside your head by her forehooves. She stares down at you for a second, panting and blushing furiously.

She forces a laugh and tries to give you a wicked grin of her own, but it comes out more like a nervous grimace, "Ha! G-Got you--"

With a guttural roar, you twist your torso and heave with all your might, lifting your left arm and raising her into the air. She may be strong, but she's still just a little lightweight pony, and she has no leverage to hold your arm down except her own weight. She neighs wildly as you toss her to the side and she slams down on her back beside you.

You grab the hoof that had your right hand pinned only a few seconds ago and keep twisting your body around, lifting your torso until you're on hands and knees above her, grabbing both forelegs and barely even noticing the stiffness in your legs in your determination to pin her.

You grunt as her hind legs scrabble against your side and belly, then you jerk your knees up to press into her sides. Finally you swing your elbows down and pin her hind legs between your elbows and thighs.

Your whole body tenses, expecting her to kick and thrash wildly, but instead she goes completely still, her wide eyes staring into yours and her flush now spreading all the way down to her shoulders.

"A-A-Anon!?"

Her voice is faint and breathless, but that's not what matters. What matters is how it is practically dripping with desire. Her tiny, gasping voice carried more hope and burning passion than you thought it possible to contain in one word.

You hesitate and take stock of your position.

You are looming over Applejack as she lays on her back, you're holding both forelegs in your hands up to her chest, your elbows are pressed down into her hind legs, squeezing them into your thighs. You're on your knees, your thighs press into her rimp, and your knees are slid way up her side.

This effectively means your crotch is pressed right up against hers... and you are hard as fucking diamond.

You gasp and let go of her forelegs, pressing your palms into the mattress on other side of her to lift yourself up.

"N-No, wait!"

You hesitate and she just stares at you for a few seconds, then her foreleg wraps around your neck and she half pulls you down, half lifts herself up to you. Her warm chest presses against your bare skin and her brilliant green eyes fill your vision, a sharp contrast to her intense pink blush.

"Anon... I-I don't have much experience with all this, but..." She takes a deep breath to steady herself, then her hot breath fills your nostrils as she growls in a low voice, "By Tartarus, if you can't look me in the eyes an' tell me ya don't want this... I need y'all to rut me right now."

You stare into her eyes for what feels like ages.

Then you drop onto one elbow and press your body close, hungrily jamming your lips against hers. She shudders and lets out tiny little moans of delight as you wiggle against her, working your arm down to pull off your underwear. You manage to get it down to your knees and kick it off, then finally break the kiss and watch her face as you position yourself.

Suddenly her expression turns anxious, "I... Anon, I've never..." She averts her gaze and you realize what she means.

"Oh..." You hesitate, then smile warmly, "You're sure, though?"

She looks back to you sheepishly, then hooks a hoof behind your neck and gives you a tiny nod.

"I... please. I need it."

You gently prod her with the tip and a shiver runs up her body. Resting on your elbow, you slide your hand behind her head to loosely grab her mane, then bring your other hand up to stroke her cheek.

"Just tell me if it hurts, okay?"

She smiles faintly and whimpers, "P-Please..."

You grin and grab her hoof, pressing it into the mattress, causing her to gasp and squeak.

Then, achingly slow, you press into her.

Her eyes go wide, your mischievous grin vanishes, and you gasp, immediately overwhelmed with the feeling of her. She moans softly, biting her lip and her eyes roll up into her head. Your hips press up against her and you just stay there for a moment, buried deep inside her.

You stare into each other's eyes and Applejack whispers, "Sweet Celestia... it's so buckin' good."

You feel something twitch inside her and she shudders, her neck arching as her head rolls back. You lean down and gently bite her on the side of the neck. Her whole body tenses and she gasps with a high squeak. Then you growl right into her ear.

"I'm just getting started..."

Her only response is a whimper as you slowly pull out, then thrust back in with a little more force.

"O-Oh, buck! Anon..."

Again, you slowly pull out, then you start a slow and steady rhythm. One hand still pins her hoof to the mattress, the other is curled in a tight first in her mane, her head pressed against your neck. You try to suppress your own grunting, delighting in her every whinny and squeak.

Suddenly she presses her head back against the pillow and looks at you with wide eyes, "Anon... d-don't stop! Ohhh, b-buck... Anon!"

Her breathing halts as her entire body tenses up, then with one more thrust she lets out a long, high groan as her whole body shudders. Her musky scent envelops you as she gasps and whines and moans and convulses beneath you. The feeling of her pressed against you and all around you is just incredible. You just hold her and wait patiently for the orgasm to finish.

After all, it's only been a minute or so.

As her tremors begin to peter out, you gently grind against her, earning you yet another strained moan. She looks up at you weakly, panting heavily.

"That was... so good, Anon."

You give her a little kiss, "You're amazing AJ." She's already slick with sweat but you lean down and whisper in her ear, "But I hope you don't think we're already done."

She turns her head and looks at you, confused, then her eyes widen and she gasps, "In the shower! Y-You said..."

You just grin in response.

She closes her eyes and shivers, "Luna have mercy..."

You kiss the tip of her snoot and wiggle your hips a little bit, "Don't worry, it'll be fun..."

She shudders again as you extend your arm and lift your torso up, releasing your grip on her hoof. You grab a hind leg and twist her onto her side without pulling out and she obediently stretches her other leg out between your legs. She looks a bit apprehensive but still eager for more.

She sighs as you slowly pull out and slide in again, the new angle pressing in all sorts of new places. You stop for a second and brush her cheek with a thumb.

"Seriously though, let me know if it's too much and I'll stop."

She bats your hand away and touches her hoof to your lips, "Shut up and rut me."

You grin and kiss the sensitive frog of her hoof, making her whinny and jerk her hoof away, then you slam into her before she can do anything else.

She can barely contain her squeaks and moans and her hoof presses into your chest, rubbing all over as you move. Occasionally she is overwhelmed with sensation and closes her eyes with a sharp intake of breath. Mostly she just stares at you, rarely breaking eye contact.

It isn't long before she tenses up and another orgasm racks her body. This time you don't even slow down, even as she slumps back against the pillow. She turns to stare at you, her eyes filled with wonder and raw lust--you've never seen anything so beautiful in your life.

You grab her tail and pull it tight, pressing your hand into the small of her back, holding it up and out of the way... that seems to excite her more than anything else so far. With your other hand you grab her hind leg and raise it high, spreading her legs wide. When you thrust again, she gasps and squeaks as you go just a bit deeper than before. Still, she twists her head around to look you right in the eye.

You're panting now and you can see how she keeps glancing down at your mouth--at your teeth. You release her leg to bend over her and give her a long kiss as you pound deep inside of her. Her whimpering leaks out around the kiss, the vibrations tickling your nose and lips.

When you break the kiss, you grab her mane again and pull, growling lightly. She gasps and her head begins to tilt to ease the pressure, then she bites her lip and fights it, keeping her gaze on you. A long whine escapes her throat as yet another orgasm wracks her body. This time when the tremors stop, she's somehow managed to twist around so you're between her legs again.

She shivers and moans quietly, "This is... oh, Celestia..."

You're getting close now--you can both feel it. You thrust faster, almost desperately. She wraps her hoof around your neck and pulls you close, staring deep into your eyes.

"Anon..." She gasps, "Oh... I want it..."

"Applejack, I..."

"Anon, please."

"Oh f-fuck..."

She whimpers.

You slow for just a second and moan.

Then with one last violent thrust, you jam yourself against her, your whole body convulsing and you can feel her throbbing right alongside you. You collapse to your elbows but she grabs your head with both hooves, forcing you to stare into her eyes. You gasp and groan deep in your throat as you shudder inside her. You press your whole body against her, trying to bring her even closer to you. She jams her mouth against yours and holds you close as the tremors slowly fade.

Eventually your body falls still and she releases the kiss. You both just stare at each other.

Her coat is lathered with her frothy sweat, her mane is wild and tangled, her scent is overwhelmed with musky scent... her eyes are just as beautiful as ever.

"Applejack..."

"...Yeah?"

"I think I love you."

She gasps and one more little tremor runs up her torso. She smiles, her eyes glistening in the warm light of your bedroom.

"I... I love you too, Anon."

CH13: Lily and Pinkie Pie

You feel a soft kiss on your cheek and crack open an eye. Applejack is leaning over you, illuminated by the soft glow from your window curtain.

You smile and mumble sleepily, "Mmmrong..."

"Mornin' to you too," she says with a nervous smile," How ya feel?"

With a yawn, you struggle to concentrate your sleep foggy brain. Eventually you mumble, "Sticky."

"Yeah... reckon we just dozed off a-after, we... uh..."

She trails off and blushes, averting her eyes. You feel your own cheeks start to burn as you remember last night, but you reach up and stroke her cheek.

"And you? How d'you feel?"

She closes her eyes and leans into your hand, sighing softly, "I... I'm happy."

"Me too. I was all worried about it, but..." She opens her eyes and you give her a warm smile," I love you, Applejack."

She breaks into a huge grin, then chokes as tears spring to her eyes. A surge of fear and worry rapidly clears your sleepy head.

"Whoa, hey... what's wrong?"

She shakes her head and sniffs, rubbing her face with a hoof, "N-Nothin'! I just... just thought ya mighta only said that last night 'cause of... w-well, I dunno, the afterglow or somethin'." She laughs weakly, "Prolly just all emotional 'cause of m'damn cycle, right?"

You slowly draw her face down and into a kiss, then murmur gently, "Well I do. Really. To be honest, I think I've loved you for a while and was just afraid to admit it, even to myself."

She presses herself into your embrace and nuzzles your neck, her face slightly damp, "I love you too, Anon... I couldn't tell ya how happy I am."

"There's really just one problem..." She raises her head, looking suddenly worried, and you continue with a smirk, "Since you didn't go home last night, Apple Bloom is gonna tease you so much."

She giggles lightly and shakes her head, "Likely Granny too... I'll suffer through it somehow."

She hugs you again and curls over you, warm and soft. The two of you just lay there for a few minutes, reveling in each others' touch. Eventually though, you do get tired of the gross sticky feeling and shift uncomfortably.

"So... I need another shower." Her ear twitches against your cheek, then she raises her head to look at you. "My legs feel a lot better though so I'd probably be okay on my own." Her lips tighten as she tries not to frown and you give her a sly grin, "...Still, think you could help me out again? Better safe than sorry, y'know."

She slowly smiles and nods, a faint blush spreading across her muzzle, "Oh, shore. Can't have ya over stretching them muscles while they heal after all. C'mon, let's get ya..." she clears her throat with an awkward cough, "...cleaned up."

She struggles to her hooves and hops down off the side of the bed as you wiggle out from under the covers. You hear her yelp sharply and your head snaps up. "AJ? What's wrong!?"

She stands up and smile sheepishly, "Just landed on my cast wrong is all. I'm fine, don't worry."

You look worried anyway, "Applejack, you should be more careful. The doctor said you could be permanently crippled if that leg doesn't heal right."

She roles her eyes and waves a hoof at you, "Oh apple cores, I said I'm fine! C'mon, hurry up an' get in the shower."

You decide not to press the issue just now and roll out of bed, your legs stiff but no longer sore. Applejack blushes at your naked body but doesn't turn her gaze away this time, biting her lip and looking up to meet your eyes instead. She grabs your hand with a hoof and pulls you eagerly toward the bathroom door, "Alright, alright, I'm coming."

She mutters under her breath, "Not yet you ain't..."

You follow her into the bathroom with a smirk and she immediately turns on the water and checks the temperature. As she stands there, forelegs on the side of the tub, her tail flicks impatiently and you feel somewhat less guilty about sneaking a peek this time. With perfect timing, she winks bright pink at you from under her tail.

You step close, set a hand on her flank, and rub it gently. Her ears turn to you and she opens her mouth to speak, but can only gasp as you slip a fingertip inside her. She shudders and looks back at you over her shoulder with a soft moan as you gently stroke her.

"Oh buck this..."

She leaps smoothly away from your hand and into the tub, then turns to you, "You'd best get in here right quick, Anon."

You're only too happy to oblige.

Once you're both satisfied and then clean again, you and Applejack step out into the kitchen and have a light breakfast of toast and apples to recover after your exertions, despite it being nearly afternoon. She also brews a light airy tea with your new tea set and some honey you forgot you had.

After breakfast, Applejack suggests visiting Lily Valley since the floral shop was fairly close to your house, so you follow her down the small road and to a cozy little shop just down the street.

A pink pony with lime hair sees you approach and, after a moment's hesitation, smiles and waves at you. You return the wave, trying to look as meek and friendly as possible while you and Applejack walk up to her.

"Howdy! Have y'all met?"

The mare shakes her head, "N-No, but I've seen him walking about though."

"Well this 'ere's Anonymous. Anon, meet Flower Wishes."

The mare's ears fold down, "Oh, please Applejack. You know I prefer to go by Daisy!"

You smile awkwardly and wave a hand, "Hi Daisy. I'm the human that was accidentally pulled through Twilight's portal. Uh, obviously."

"I heard... she hasn't figured out how to send you back yet?"

Applejack responds, "That might've been the plan at first, but then Anon wound up likin' Equestria so much, Twi let 'im stay. Turns out he's pretty friendly an' he's been loads of help on the farm."

"I... see... Well, what brings you two here today?"

This time you answer, "We're looking for Lily and Petal, actually."

"O-Oh! Lily's just inside tending the counter. Petal didn't come in with her today so she's probably at school, but it should be just about lunch time."

You thank her and follow Applejack inside, mildly surprised at how spacious and tidy the shop it inside. You approach the counter just as the pink and blond mare finishes ringing up another pony. Lily's eyes widen when she sees you, then she closes her eyes, takes a deep breath, and finally smiles nervously up at you.

"Hey, AJ! A-And hello, Anon... you, um... you got my package, then?"

You nod, kneeling and resting your arms on the counter in the hopes that lowering to her eye level will make you less intimidating.

"I did, thank you. Really, I appreciate it--AJ and I tried the blue pouch this morning and it was absolutely wonderful. Light and airy, nice and flowery... perfect for waking up in the morning."

She blushes and steps out from the corner and says, "It was the least I could do. Please, excuse me a moment and I'll fetch a coworker to cover the counter so we won't be interrupted."

She steps through the back door and you turn around to see Applejack eyeing a pretty yellow flower.

"You like those?"

She looks up and nods, "Daffodils. I love 'em, but they need way more acidic soil than we got and too much water for us to bother growin' 'em on the farm."

You grab one and tuck it behind her ear before she can react and she watches it dangle on the edge of her vision. She starts to stammer something when you gently touch her cheek with a smile. "It looks good on you."

She opens her mouth, closes it, then finally speaks, "That's, uh... that's sweet Anon, but I like eatin' daffodils, not wearin' 'em."

You hesitate, then bark out a short laugh. You tap her snout with a finger and, when she opens her mouth to protest, snatch the flower from her ear and place it on her tongue. Her mouth snaps shut and she sits suddenly, eyes closing in pure bliss. Several seconds later, she finally opens her eyes again and smiles wide.

"Gosh, it's been too long... Thanks, Anon."

"Too long? Why don't you just come and buy them whenever?"

She points at the tray--specifically, at the pricetag on the front of the tray. Your eyes bulge, "That's... W-What? Why!?"

"They're imported from a small farm just outside of Baltimare. Daffodils can grow in lots o' places but something 'bout this one particular farm makes the best darn daffodils anypony's ever had, so everypony pays a premium for 'em."

"Please tell me that's the price per bouquet or something?" You ask hopefully.

"No luck, partner, that's per flower."

"That's like half of what money I have!"

She chuckles, "Shoot, y'all oughta ask yer boss for a raise or somethin'."

She winks and you sigh, then look up and smile, rubbing her ear with thumb and forefinger, "Well... it was worth it to see your face. I'd buy you another if it didn't mean going broke."

She blushes and turns away awkwardly, "Shucks, Anon... I apprecia--" She breaks off suddenly and you turn to see what distracted her.

A pale yellow pony with a magenta mane behind the counter is struggling not to laugh while Lily stares wide-eyed from beside her, looking like she can't decide if the two of you are disgusting or adorable.

Applejack chuckles nervously, "Oh, uh... howdy Roseluck. Y'all, uh... what'cha doin' there?"

The yellow pony you assume is Roseluck covers her mouth with her hooves, eyes bulging as she holds back her laughter. Lily, seeming to settle on 'adorable,' relaxes and slowly walks around the counter toward you.

You nervously pull out your little pouch with its meager supply of bits, "Uh... I'm pretty broke but I swear I have enough for one daffodil..."

Lily ignores the pouch and just stares at you for a moment, then turns and whispers something in Applejack's ear. Her ears turn bright red and she hesitates, then nods once. Lily gasps and covers her mouth with a hoof, turning to look at you again.

"...What?"

She just stares at you for a moment, then slowly reaches out a hoof and lifts another daffodil, places it in a little paper bag from under the bin, and slowly passes it to you.

"O-Oh no thank you, I can barely afford one!"

"They're on the house."

"They... huh?"

She wiggles her hoof and you hesitantly take the bag from her. Lily rears up and sets a steadying hoof on your shoulder, then leans close and whispers in your ear, "You're a lucky buck, Anon. Don't let her eat it right away--save it for a special moment." Then she winks at you and turns away.

Applejack opens her mouth but just then you hear a high squeak come from the front door, "Omigosh! He's here!"

The pink and purple filly thuds into your leg, hugging your thigh tightly. Applejack giggles and Lily twitches nervously, but smiles at Petal Bow and says, "Yes, he came to have lunch with us. At least, I... think he did?"

You're still processing whatever just happened and almost don't realize she asked you a question. "...O-Oh, yes! If you'll have us, of course."

"Absolutely! Rose, can you watch the shop for me?

Roseluck, having finally gotten her laughter under control, salutes with a forehoof, "Aye aye, ma'am! Have fun."

Lily rolls her eyes and gestures, "Follow me everypo--er, every... one?"

You laugh, "Don't worry, I'll answer to 'everypony' just like anypony else."

You and Applejack wave one last goodbye to Petal Bow as she scampers back to school. As the two of you turn away from the excitable filly and head into town, Applejack playfully nudges you with her hip and says, "See! Told ya you could make friends on your own!"

"What are you talking about, you were there the whole time."

"Yeah, but I hardly said twenty words since we sat down the eat."

You shrug your shoulders, "Sure, but Lily wouldn't have been comfortable if you hadn't been there too."

"Hay, she hardly spoke either! That nosy filly kept askin' you so much 'bout your people and your home, the two of us just ate, smiled, and watched the two of you have fun."

You glance worriedly at Applejack, "I didn't even notice she was so quiet... what if she was too scared to--"

"Hush that silliness, Anon. I was watchin' Lily an' she could hardly stop smiling the whole time y'all were talkin' and playin'." She grins sidelong at you, "Shoot, I think she might even like ya a bit." She hesitates and her ears flop uncertainly, "Come to think of it, she was a mite strange the whole time..."

"You don't think she knew about us, do you? I mean, we showered so she couldn't have smelled anything, right?"

She grimaces and murmurs, "I, uh... mighta got a bit excited after your little trick with the daffodil." She looks up at your confused expression and sighs, "I ain't had any medicine for my cycle yet, Anon."

Your eyes slowly widen with realization, "So she probably smelled..."

"Eyup."

"...And everypony around us?"

Her ears droop and you both look around nervously, "Uh... ain't very likely in the open air like this, but still... somepony might catch a whiff."

She accelerates to a trot and you lengthen your stride to keep up. "So where are we going, then?"

"Sugarcube Corner. It's just up ahead and Pinkie oughta have some medicine."

A moment later she bursts in through the front door, startling the blue and pink mare inside. "Oh! Dearie me, Applejack--"

"Sorry Mrs. Cake! Y'all seen Pinkie Pie?"

"Well sure, she's upstairs in her room, but--"

"Thank ya much!"

Applejack rushes up the stairs and Mrs. Cake turns to you.

"Sorry, she uh... has an urgent problem."

The blue mare smiles, nods, and waves a hoof after Applejack. You walk upstairs after her, somewhat carefully with your stiff legs, and poke your head through the already cracked open door to Pinkie's room.

You see Applejack shuffling nervously while Pinkie searches through some shelves on the far wall. Pinkie turns around just as you step inside.

"Ah ha! Found you, you little--" Pinkie gasps, tosses a little pouch to Applejack, then rushes across the room and hugs your waist tightly.

"Omigosh, Anon! I haven't seen you since your one-month-since-your-welcome-to-ponyville-party anniversary party!"

You chuckle and pat her fluffy mane, "Nice to see you too, Pinkie."

Applejack trots past you and out the door, but as you turn to follow her you get distracted by Pinkie doing... something.

"Twitchy nose, itchy hoof, shaky leg... and extra poofy tail?" She sits suddenly and looks up at you with an exaggerated gasp, "Anon! Did... did you really!?" She squees and leaps into your chest, hooves squeezing you so tight you can barely breathe.

She releases you just as suddenly, her hooves press into your cheeks, and she looks right into your eyes with an almost desperate expression, her muzzle moving rapidly, "Tell me its true, Anon! I mean I know my Pinkie Sense is almost never wrong, but I just have to make sure this time because omigosh if I'm wrong it could be the wrongest wrong I've ever wronged but if it's right this is so amazingly right and perfect and I need to start planning and--"

You calmly wrap a hand around her muzzle and she mumbles into your palm for a few more seconds before finally noticing and falling quiet.

"You know I can't answer when you talk that fast, Pinkie. Tell you what is true?"

You release her muzzle and she breaks into a huge grin, practically vibrating with excitement, "My Pinkie Sense tells me that somepony slept with their very special somepony, so that must mean you finally rutted Applejack!"

Oh.

You're sitting on the ground.

When did that happen?

You look up in a daze to see Pinkie's worried face, "Anon, are you okay? You kinda went all woozy and sat down really hard."

She steps closer and robs your shoulder with a hoof. You rub your face with both hands, then finally look up at her.

"...How...?"

"So is it true? Am I right!?"

You hear Applejack's voice from the doorway, "Is what true?"

Pinkie beams at her as Applejack steps inside and closes the door, carrying a glass of the medicinal tea.

"You two finally bucked!"

Applejack's ears fold straight back, "Figured ya might've figured it out what with your sense an' all..." She walks over and sits right in front of her, "Look, Pinkie, I'm sure you're excited an' ya probably want to shout out to the whole town an' throw some huge party for us--" Pinkie nods vigorously and Applejack grimaces, "I know how much ya hate secrets so I'm mighty sorry, but this really really can't get out. Not yet."

Pinkie's excited vibrations suddenly stop and her ears droop. Applejack sighs and continues, "I need y'all to promise me ya won't tell a soul about me an' Anon 'til I say it's okay."

The pink mare looks pleadingly into Applejack's eyes, but she just stares right back and Pinkie slowly deflates. Finally, Pinkie slowly nods and chants in a slow monotone, gesturing with her hooves, "Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye..." She lets out a defeated sigh as Applejack relaxes and takes a slow drink of her tea.

Then an instant later she smiles and gives Applejack a big hug, who barely avoids spilling her drink, "That's okay though, because I'm just so happy for you two! I just knew you two would be a good match. Plus now you can go to the super secret special parties!"

You glance up and Applejack takes a step back, looking confused, "Hold up... 'special' parties?"

"Mmhmm! Filly-free fun nights, parties for all the mares and stallions in town!"

Applejack shakes her head, "Tell me ya ain't sayin' what I think yer sayin'."

"Yep! It's a big secret from everypony until they've had their first rut because the first is supposed to be super duper special, but now you and Anon can come have fun too! At least, if you want to--these parties are totally optional."

You hold out a hand, "Hold up, Pinkie. I'm still getting used to pony customs, so can you be more specific? What exactly are you talking about?"

"Oh, sorry Nonny! So basically Rarity and I throw these parties every couple of weeks where mares and stallions can have easy, casual sex, just for fun!"

You gape for a second, then look at Applejack and, seeing her dumbfounded expression, you begin to shake with suppressed laughter.

"Ya mean... y'all just... casual... an' did you say RARITY!?"

Pinkie beams with pride, "Yepperoo! It was her idea to begin with, in fact! Said ponies were already doing it in secret anyways, so we may as well make it open to help keep it safe. She even learned a spell to stop conception so mares can come by during their cycle and get a little relief without risking a foal!" She winks at Applejack, "Rarity says that relief is really nice."

Applejack groans and lays down, "And how many of y'all are in on this?"

"Oh, tons! Just about all the single ponies in town that aren't virgins and even some of the couples too."

You finally find your voice again, "And just how active is Rarity in this scene?"

"Oh, Rarity is the busiest busy pony of all of us. I think she's even better at these parties than me!"

Applejack glares at your quiet snickering.

Abruptly, Pinkie stands straight upright and gives both of you a serious stare, speaking in a formal, highly rehearsed tone, "Filly free fun nights are to be kept absolutely top secret. Everypony must pinkie promise to never even hint of the parties to anypony who is still a virgin, or to ANY pony without a cutie mark. If you are not sure, err on the side of caution until you can confirm with either Rarity or myself."

You look at Applejack, but she just stares at Pinkie Pie, clearly stunned. Honestly this is kind of freaking you out, too.

"Anypony who does not pinkie promise to uphold the secrecy, or who breaks said pinkie promise, will be shunned by everypony within the community, even including those who are no longer active. That means the majority of the adult ponies in Ponyville will effectively act as if you do not exist."

Pinkie finally relaxes and smiles at you both, sitting down again, "Eep! Sorry if that was a little scary, but I have to be just a teeeensy bit intense about it in order to keep the secret so well. But I just know you two will promise with no problem because you're both such great friends!" She lets out a little giggle that somehow comes across as dark and intimidating. "Just be glad you didn't hear Rarity's warning... I hear she gets really into it.

Applejack's muzzle is hanging wide open, but you just chuckle gently. "Alright, whatever. I doubt I'll be participating but I can keep your secret. How do I pinkie promise?"

"Weeeellll traditionally you'd do it like I did a moment ago with the chant and poking your eye, but I'll accept any old pinkie promise for you."

"Okay then, I Pinkie Promise I won't mention the parties to anypony unless I'm certain they already know about it."

She beams and turns to Applejack, "Your turn!"

Applejack slowly turns to gape at you. You reach over and squeeze her muzzle, closing her mouth, then tap her cheek a couple times. She shakes her head lightly and frowns at Pinkie.

"Ain't it kinda rude forcin' us to promise after ya told us all about it without our askin'?"

"Well, you can't promise not to tell a secret you don't know, silly, and nopony would ever find out if we didn't tell them first."

Applejack hesitates, seeming to have no response to that, then sighs, "Alright, Pinkie. I kinda wish I didn't know at all, but I pinkie promise I won't tell a soul."

"Great!" Pinkie exclaims, "There's more to it than just the parties themselves, too. There's all kinds of toys and, thanks to Rarity, special outfits you can buy or even just rent for a night."

You grin at Applejack and she frowns, but she can't stop herself from blushing or twitching her tail like that. "Alright, I gotta know," you ask, "Of Applejack's closest friends, who doesn't know?"

"Big Mac, Twilight, Daisy, and Rainbow Dash," Pinkie answers without hesitation.

You and Applejack both share a surprised glance and you say, "Wait, really? I figured Dash would be all over something like this."

"And yer tellin' me Fluttershy does know?"

Pinkie grins and taps her muzzle with a hoof, "You'll have to ask her for the details yourself but yes, Fluttershy knows. As for Dash, she probably would love it if she knew, but well... she's still a virgin!"

"No way, really?" You say incredulously.

Applejack nods, "I ain't surprised, honestly. Mare needs to lower her standards, nopony's ever 'awesome' enough for her."

"I heard she and Thunderlane were almost a thing," Pinkie says, "But that was a big no-no."

"I'm thinkin' Soarin might be good for her."

"Ooh, yes! He probably won't ever make the first move, though."

"Yeah, prolly not. Maybe we can do somethin' to nudge 'em in the right direction?"

You clear your throat and they both look at you, then Pinkie giggles and says, "Anyways, you two feel free to talk to me or Rarity if you ever want to have some fun or even just tips--especially Rarity, if you want tips. Me, I got all the toys. Ooh, wanna see!?"

Applejack hurriedly waves her hooves, "Oh no, that's alright, we'll come look another time."

"We will?" You ask, surprised.

Applejack glances at you, then blushes and looks away, "...Probably."

Pinkie beams at her, "Don't be shy about it, AJ! It's totally natural and you just gotta talk about what you like and don't like--communication is super-duper important for this kind of stuff!"

"Hooey! Would ya look at the time! Anon an' I better get goin'. Thanks for the herbal brew, Pinkie. I already feel a lot better."

Applejack nudges you with a hoof and opens the door. You laugh and wave.

"Good seeing you again, Pinkie. I can never guess what crazy surprise you'll have for me next."

She lunges forward and hugs you tightly around the waist. "Thanks, Anon! I'm just glad to see you smile." She leans in close and whispers in your ear, "If you have questions or want tips on how to make her feel better, come talk to me." She winks, then hugs AJ and whispers in her ear too, making her blush and fold her ears down.

Finally, you make your way down the stairs, say goodbye to Mr. Cake and hear Mrs. Cake yell goodbye through the back doorway.

Once outside, Applejack sighs heavily, "Well ain't that a load to take in."

"Mmhmm. I'm not really surprised Rarity's into something like that, but Pinkie?"

"I suppose parties are her special talent, even a party like... like that."

"Guess so..."

As you start walking down the road, you notice Applejack seems to be favoring her injured leg.

"Is your leg bothering you?"

She immediately begins walking normally, "Naw, I'm fine."

"Applejack, you don't need to act tough, everypony already knows you are. If it hurts, you should take it easy."

Her ears flatten, "I told ya I'm fine!"

You sigh, "Alright, alright. Just... let me know if you need to take a break. No shame in caring for an injury, AJ."

She doesn't respond and the two of you walk on in silence for a moment. Eventually see seems to relax and you stroke her neck.

"So... you wanna take that nature walk we were talking about yesterday?"

She looks up at you and grins, "Sure, I know just the place."

CH14: Fluttershy

As the two of you walk down the path exiting Ponyville, you tuck your hand under Applejack's hat and rub gently behind her ears while your mind wanders over recent events.

When you were first pulled through that portal, you thought your life was ruined. You immediately felt like you were an outsider, and from the way everypony acted around you, they felt the same. It always seemed like ponies were either putting up with you until you left, or cautiously interested like you were a wild animal. So, despite the Princess of Friendship's assurances that ponies were kind and friendly, you always felt cold and alone. Hell, even Twilight herself, friendly as she was, always seemed a bit stiff and cautious around you.

Not Applejack.

From the first words out of her mouth, she felt different from other ponies. She was the first one to treat you like an equal and make you feel welcome, and she was the first pony you could honestly consider calling a friend. Then her family was just as warm and welcoming, and for the first time since you came to Equestria, you weren't wishing you could return to your boring normal life on Earth.

Thinking back on it, you might have loved Applejack from that very first day, though you hadn't even considered a relationship with a pony yet. Then you woke up in her bed... was it really just yesterday morning? That was when you first saw her for how beautiful she was and when the first thoughts of a relationship entered your mind. Then last night...

You look down and watch Applejack as she walks beside you, almost in awe of the mare, and in your musing you stop scratching her head.

Her ear twitches and she looks over at you, "Aw, why'd you...?" She trails off, looking concerned, "Hey, y'all okay?"

"Wha-huh?"

You blink and she giggles, "Reckon ya zoned out there a bit. Somethin' on yer mind?"

"Oh, uh..." You stop walking and she sits down, then you rub your neck awkwardly and sigh, "Was just thinking of... well, everything since I came to Equestria, I suppose." You squat beside her, wincing as it stretches your still slightly sore calves, "What all's happened, and... how lucky I am."

"Lucky?"

You smile shyly, your ears burning, "To know a girl... uh, a mare like you."

She hesitates, blushes, then nickers and nuzzles your cheek, "Here I thought I was the lucky one."

You sigh contentedly and rub her neck, "When I was first brought to Equestria I thought it was the worst thing that happened to me, but now... I'm thankful." You meet her eye with a small smile, "These past few weeks have been the best time of my life."

She grins and gives you a quick kiss, then steps away, "Alright ya goof, c'mon. We're still close to town, don't want nopony seein' us an' freaking out or something."

The two of you continue walking for a while and after a moment you put your hand back under her hat and rub her ears some more.

"So where are you taking me, then?"

She turns her head so your fingers are rubbing just the right spot before responding, "You ain't never been out this side of town, right? ...Well over yonder is Fluttershy's cottage, but just past her place is a forest path I always loved since I was a filly."

"Ooh, a forest path? I've only seen open plains with a few trees so far."

She sighs wistfully, a look of contentment spreading across her face, "Eyup. It's a beautiful little trail. A bit of the Running of the Leaves passes through here, but while the official path turns back toward town, I like to head a bit deeper into the Everfree."

You chuckle and tweak her ear playfully, making it twitch, "You don't need to brave the Everfree anymore, you can get your kicks from your very own personal predator."

She scoffs indignantly, "T-That ain't why I like it! Hay, this is the safer side of the forest! It's just real peaceful-like, 'specially this time of year when the leaves are just startin' to turn."

You give her a little smirk, "Suuure..."

She whinnies in protest and jostles you with her shoulder, making you stumble and laugh, "Hey now, be nice!"

"Or what?"

"Dunno, might have to punish you."

She sneers at you but you can see a blush forming around her muzzle, "I'd like to see ya try!"

"Girl, I've already pinned you twice." You bare your teeth in a broad smile, "Maybe this time I'll see how you taste."

Her blush deepens but she raises her head proudly and walks ahead of you, tail firmly between her legs. "Reckon you'd be bitin' off more'n you can chew, partner."

You briefly consider lunging forward to pin her neck and give her ear a nibble, but...

Well. Maybe tonight.

For now you content yourself with walking behind her and appreciating the view. You aren't even on the path yet and it's already beautiful enough, so you know this walk is gonna be something special. In fact, it's so lovely here it keeps distracting you from the view you're really trying to appreciate.

Applejack's tail flicks just enough to hint at what's behind it and she looks over her shoulder at you, "Don't it look nice out here?"

You look up and meet her smiling eyes, "Oh yes, I really like watching the local wildlife."

She furrows her brow, "But I ain't seen any--"

You smirk and pointedly return your gaze to her hindquarters.

Her mouth forms a silent "Oh," she looks away, and her blush returns as her tail involuntarily lifts a bit.

"If I'd a known you'd just stare at my tail all day, we may as well've not gone out at all..."

You laugh and take a few long strides to catch up, then ruffle her mane, "Sorry, I am loving this trail so far, honest. Everything looks wonderful."

She gives you a skeptical look, "How ya even know if you've been watching my rump the whole time?"

"Hey, not the whole time! That was just uh... a momentary lapse of will! Really, I can't help but look when you trot ahead of me like that."

Her ears droop and she looks down without responding. Your smile vanishes.

"Whoa, hey... c'mon, I'm just playing around, AJ. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings."

"Ya really like--" Her voice catches and she turns her head away.

You hadn't realized how much this little walk meant to her.

"Of course I like it out here, AJ. This place is already beautiful and we haven't even gotten to the forest path you were--"

She stops abruptly and you turn toward her, confused.

"I mean ya... ya really like... well, me? Ya like how I look?" She looks up to meet you're eye and you're surprised to see her on the verge of tears, "B-Be honest now. Pony s-sin, remember?"

You kneel and lay your hand on the side of her head, thumb lightly stroking her muzzle.

"I really do, AJ." And here you thought you were the one nervous about the relationship, "You're a beautiful mare and a wonderful person. I never imagined I'd be attracted to an equine but, well..." You trail off as you search for the right words, then remember she loves your predatory nature, so you lower your voice, finishing almost on a growl, "Honestly, you look... delicious."

Her breath catches, her ears fold back, and she even flinches a bit when you lean forward to kiss her. You slowly pull her toward you and your lips touch, but this time instead of breaking the kiss, you gently bite her lower lip.

A little tremor ripples through the fur under your fingertips and she gasps softly. You release her and she takes a long, deep breath before opening her eyes again.

"Y'all keep that up, you an' I are gonna have to head home early." She takes another slow breath, then smiles sheepishly. "I'm sorry, Anon. This damn cycle.. Reckon I'm just bein' all emotional again. I just--"

Her eyes suddenly widen as her attention focuses behind you. You lean back and turn to see Fluttershy watching you both with wide eyes, a wingtip covering her muzzle. As soon as your eyes meet, she squeaks and starts to turn away, but Applejack immediately calls out, "Fluttershy, wait, please! It's okay, I promise!"

The pegasus hesitates, then peeks between two wing feathers and murmurs something too quiet for you to make out, though Applejack apparently hears her just fine.

"We are... an' I'm sorry ya found out like this. I was plannin' on tellin' you just as soon as we came by your place in a moment here--it's only just started yesterday, so it ain't like I been keepin' it from you or anythin'."

Another mumble and Applejack shakes her head.

"I ain't surprised that looked a mite odd, but I promise he's alright. Right, Anon?"

You look down at her and furrow your brows, "Uh... I can't hear anything she's saying."

"Oh! Right... human ears ain't as good as ours. Fluttershy, we're gonna walk a little bit closer, okay? Just so he can hear you."

Fluttershy's head bobs in a tiny nod and Applejack whispers to you as she slowly stands, "Just stand up and turn real slow-like. Remember, you're pretty tall an' scary lookin' to a pony... and keep them teeth hidden, y'hear!?"

You've heard about how timid Fluttershy is, so you nod and very cautiously stand up and turn around. However, you're surprised to see she seems to be calming down and trying to relax as you approach, rather than her usual skittish behavior. Her wings slowly retract and she sits back down, rubbing a foreleg nervously.

Applejack stops at about half the distance and you immediately squat and try to give Fluttershy a reassuring smile.

"Fluttershy," Applejack says patiently, "This here's Anon, the human Twilight accidentally pulled from his home world. Let's just clear up a couple things from the get go, so y'ain't scared over nothin'." She sets a hoof on your knee, "He ain't mean or dangerous at all, promise. He's been a good friend an' a wonderful help on the farm since he started workin' with us a moon or so ago. He's nice, thoughtful, and just wants to be everypony's friend."

Fluttershy stares shyly through two locks of her long pink mane, "I... I know. Twilight told me about him the other day."

Applejack tilts her head, "Well, what're ya so scared of, then?"

The pegasus shakes her head and mumbles, "Sorry... you two just surprised me, that's all. I'm trying to do better, be braver..."

With obvious effort, she stands and slowly approaches until she is within normal conversational range. You slowly raise your hand in a little wave.

"Hi Fluttershy. I'm Anonymous, but you can just call me Anon. It's really nice to finally meet you."

She looks down and takes a deep breath, then meets your eye and gives you a tiny smile, "I'm happy to meet you too, Anon. It's always nice meeting a new creature... e-even if that creature is a little big and scary..."

You smile and--since your legs are already tired of squatting--slowly lower yourself onto your butt. Applejack beams at you both.

"Well, wallop my withers, Shy, you're doin' loads better! I was scared to pieces y'all'd just turn tail an' gallop away the moment ya saw Anon."

Fluttershy nods with a small smile, "I'm really trying, but some days it's hard. Discord has been a lot of help."

You give Applejack a questioning stare, but she just shakes her head and you decide not to worry about it. After all, Ponyville is a big town. It's probably just somepony you haven't met yet.

"SomePONY?"

A long grey face lowers into view directly in front of your face. You yelp and scoot back, immediately thumping into something behind you. You whip your head around but, just as you see an odd mix of scales and fur, Applejack grabs your head in both hooves and forces you to turn and look at her.

"Anon, this here's Discord. He's weird as buck, looks pretty freaky, an sometimes he's a mite annoying, but he's mostly harmless, I promise."

You nod and take a steadying breath, then Applejack releases your head and you turn to look behind you again.

There's nothing there.

You hear the strange voice back in front of you now.

"I prefer the term 'usually harmless,' thank you very much."

You untwist your torso and see a--

"Oh spare us both the description, your readers all know who I am."

You look at Applejack, but she just shrugs. A tiny Discord stands up from behind her ear and wiggles his eyebrows at you.

"So, anonymous one, is there something you'd like to tell my good friend Fluttershy?"

"Uh..."

Applejack flicks her ear at the tiny figure and he rolls his eyes and snaps his claw-fingers.

"Look Discord, Id really appreciate ifn youd please quit bein so weird for just a little while. Anons just tryin to be friendly ere an we dont need yall--wait, what the hay?"

You notice it too--Applejack sounds different, but you aren't quite sure how.

"Discord! Whatd ya do to me!?"

He giggles and jumps off her head, growing abruptly to match your height.

"W'ha't? I di'dn't d'o a'ny't'hin'g, I s'wea'r!"

Applejack starts to respond, but Fluttershy's soft voice interrupts her, "Discord, please... Anon and I have only just met and you know I don't like meta-chaos."

He sighs and snaps his fingers again, "Oh very well, just for you, Fluttershy. I only stopped by in the first place because there's something I thought you should know about Anon."

You and Applejack share a worried glance, then you turn to Fluttershy, her brows furrowing in concern.

"Oh? Something that Twilight didn't tell me?"

Discord leans in close to her ear and grins wickedly at you.

"Anon eats meat, Fluttershy."

Applejack sucks in her breath nervously, but Fluttershy only looks confused at him.

"But... I already know that."

Discord's head snaps back, "You DO? Wha--but... How!?"

"Discord, I know a predator when I see one. Anon's teeth are clearly those of an omnivore."

He stares at you, then turns back to her, looking bewildered, "And... and you're okay with that?"

"Don't be silly, of course I am! How could I befriend a bear like Harry otherwise?"

Discord sputters impotently for a few seconds, then Fluttershy giggles and hugs him around the belly.

"You're so sweet when you worry... I appreciate the concern, Discord, but if that's the worst thing you can think of about Anon, I don't think I have anything to worry about."

He hesitates, shakes his head, then shrugs and backs away from Fluttershy.

"Well then, if you two are just going to be nice and get along, I'm leaving before I get bored. Oh wait, I already am."

He snaps his fingers and a hot air balloon abruptly appears around him. He pulls the cord that would normally activate the flame and the roar of a motorcycle fills the air, then the balloon rapidly slides sideways across the ground and off into the distance."

You stare blankly after it and Fluttershy giggles at your expression. "He does take some getting used to, but he's really very sweet."

"But... how...?"

Applejack nudges your shoulder with a hoof and you shake your head to try and gather your senses.

"Discord's the spirit of chaos, Anon. Don't try an' understand him, it'll just give you a headache."

"O...kay?"

Fluttershy giggles again, "He was just worried about me, that's all. Would you two like to come in for some tea?"

You and Applejack share a glance, then you nod to Fluttershy, "I'd love to."

You follow Fluttershy into her cottage and she gestures to some cushions on the floor, then continues through to the kitchen. You and Applejack sit on the cushions around a little table and you look around in awe.

"Wow... just how many animals are in here?"

Applejack chuckles, "Don't rightly know, but it ain't never enough for Fluttershy."

You start to respond when a small white rabbit hops up onto the table directly in front of you, causing you to jump slightly. It glares at you, crosses its arms, and taps its foot impatiently.

"Uh..."

You look at Applejack but she just smirks, so you look back down at the rabbit and say, "Can I help you?"

It gives you an exaggerated roll of the eyes and you frown, "Wow, that's simultaneously impressive and annoying."

It bares its teeth at you, then suddenly hops up and lands hard on your shoulder, grabbing your ear roughly.

"Hey--Ow! The fu--" It yanks on your ear and squeaks loudly, "Why you little--" You wrap your thumb and forefinger around its neck, pressing the tips together so your grip becomes very rigid without actually squeezing its neck, and your fingers wrap around its torso. Then you reach your other arm behind your head and you pinch the tiny hand gripping your ear just hard enough to let it go. Finally, you lift the little demon and grab its hind legs while they're extended so it can't "jump" in your hand, then drop both hands to the table, holding him down on his back.

Applejack snickers and you shoot her an incredulous glare, "What's this thing's problem?"

"That there's Fluttershy's pet bunny, Angel."

You look down at it trying to claw your fingers and get its neck to bend far enough down to bite your hand.

"Angel of Evil, maybe..."

Fluttershy walks in with a tray balanced across her back, then lets out a little "eep!" when she sees Angel pinned to the table.

"Oh dear... I wish you hadn't done that. He'll be grumpy all evening now..."

"He just jumped up on my shoulder and started trying to rip my ear off! What was I supposed to do?"

She smiles sheepishly, "I usually just give him some food whenever he does that."

"Wait, so you're encouraging this!?"

She slides the tray down onto the table and gestures for you to release Angel, who immediately gnashes his teeth at you, then scowls furiously.

"Oh no, I just don't like seeing him upset so I try to cheer him up however I can."

"But... Fluttershy, that's directly rewarding him for this kind of behavior!"

She steps around you to prepare your tea and, as she passes, she whispers in your ear, "I know."

You turn you head to her and she gives you a little wink, then gently pokes Angel with a hoof. "Angel, please be nice. If you leave the poor human alone, I'll make you an arugula salad after he leaves?" The bunny crosses its arms and turns its nose up snootily, "With honey and sunflower seeds?" Angel peeks at her with one eye, then sneers and looks away again. "...And a slice of watermelon?" Angel finally relents with an exaggerated sigh and hops off the table, settling into a tiny wicker basket in the corner of the room.

Applejack says, "Fluttershy, for the life o' me I just can't tell why ya put up with that there little demon."

The pegasus glances at the bunny, seemingly asleep already, then motions for you both to come closer, whispering as quietly as she can, "I just can't help it! Seeing an adorable little bunny get so angry is just so cute and silly!" She stifles a giggle as you and Applejack share a surprised look, then she whispers again, "If he knew his tiny temper was so cute, he'd do his best to figure out a way to really upset me."

She starts three cups of tea brewing and sits across from you two as Applejack says, "Gosh, Fluttershy, y'all really are doin' better, aren't ya?"

"Well," she responds, "It helps to be in a familiar place where I can feel like I'm in control."

The three of you sit in awkward silence for a moment while the tea steeps. You look up at Fluttershy and notice she's watching you from behind her mane. She flutters her wings nervously, then brushes her hair aside and clears her throat softly.

"So, um, Anon... Twilight says you were brought here by accident, but then she couldn't return you home, so you're stuck here... How are you coping?"

You glance at Applejack, then smile warmly at Fluttershy, "Not gonna lie, it was pretty rough at first. Most ponies seemed to be nervous around me, some were outright cold... but once I mare a few friends I started really liking it here. I don't even want to go home anymore--I'd rather stay here in Equestria."

"Oh? But what about the life you left behind? Friends and family?"

"Psh, I hated my old life. My family was terrible, I had no good friends, and my home world is full of corruption and pointless bullshit that just plain doesn't seem to exist in this world."

"I see." She fiddles nervously with her wing for a moment, then continues, "I, um... Applejack said you two are... together?" You nod and she gulps, "And have you, um..." Her ears fold back and she blushes furiously, "Well, did you learn something new about Pinkie Pie and Rarity?"

Applejack sighs, "Ya mean their sex parties?"

Fluttershy lets out a surprised "eep!" Then sighs with relief, "Oh thank goodness, I can finally talk to somepony..."

"What d'ya mean?"

"My only friends who knew about the parties were Pinkie and Rarity themselves! They run the whole operation... I could never be frank with them..."

You frown, "What do you mean 'be frank'? Do you not like the parties?"

She shakes her head sadly, "Not really... but they're both so excited about it, I didn't want to hurt their feelings... it's still somewhat new, so they're really eager to share it with everypony."

Now Applejack frowns, "Don't tell me they've been buggin' or pressurin' you to go to more parties?" She nods and Applejack sighs, "Mare, ya gotta tell 'em the truth. Don't tell me ya caved in an' went to a party when ya didn't really want to?"

She nods again but, at Applejack's worried expression, she hurriedly explains, "I did go a couple of times, but I never did anything there. There are very strict consent guidelines so nopony is ever forced to do something they don't want to."

Applejack visibly relaxes, "That's good to know... least they seem to be runnin' it right. Still, I think y'all should tell 'em y'ain't interested. I reckon they'd understand, 'specially with it bein' you an' all."

"...What do you mean, it being me?"

"Well..." Applejack shuffled uncomfortably, "Meanin' no offense, Fluttershy, but ya just don't seem like the kinda mare to go for that sorta thing. You're sweet, soft spoken, shy, and a bit secretive. Of the six of us, I always figured you'd be the best stay-at-home dam."

"Really? I always thought that was you."

"Shucks, I'm too busy with the farm to raise foals."

You catch Applejack's quick glance at you and wonder about its significance.

"Besides, I seen how well ya handle the Crusaders. I reckon you'd make a damn fine dam, Shy."

You roll your eyes at her play on words, but Fluttershy seems to appreciate the gesture.

"Anywho... I betcha Pinkie an' Rarity'd much rather know the truth if they had the choice. I mean, just think how much worse it'd be if one day they hear from somepony else you've just been pretending to enjoy their parties? 'Sides, you can always change your mind an' come back later."

Fluttershy stare down at the table uncomfortably without responding. Applejack walks around to give her a hug, "C'mon filly, what's goin' on? Ya look like somethin's on your mind. If there's somethin' you're needin' off your chest, y'know I'm here for ya, right?"

She shuffles her wings nervously and lowers her head, looking ashamed, "It's just... I wish I even could enjoy it."

Applejack gives you a worried glance and something about the tone of Fluttershy's voice reminds you of...

A horrible suspicion comes to mind and you have to struggle to keep your voice calm and steady, "Fluttershy... do you mean you could enjoy their parties, or you wish you could enjoy any sex at all?"

The mare hesitates, then shakes her head, the words coming out in an awkward rush, "N-No, it's just... just the parties, that's all. It's so loud and there are so many ponies--I've been getting better but I think it's still just too much for me right now, that's all."

Fluttershy isn't very good at lying and, with a glance at Applejack, you know she saw right through it too. However, Applejack surprises you and only nuzzles Fluttershy's cheek, seeming to let it go.

"Alright, well... just remember I'm here if'n ya need a good talk. I been through some real manure in the last few moons."

Fluttershy relaxes, obviously relieved Applejack 'believed' her. "Really? L-Like what?"

"Aw, I don't wanna go into the nasty details, but lets just say there's a few colts around town that know exactly how it feels to get an apple-buck to the family jewels."

Your legs clench involuntarily and Fluttershy's eyes widen, "W-Wow... all I can do is fly away, and that doesn't work s-so well indoors..." Her muzzle trembles and she hurriedly adds, "I-I think the f-food is ready, b-be right back!"

She dashes away and you immediately lean close to Applejack and whisper, "So that was definitely all bullshit, right?"

"Oh absolutely," she agrees, "Somethin' musta happened to her, but I ain't about to force the issue if she ain't ready to talk about it. It'd likely do more harm than good."

You grunt, "Yeah, I guess."

"All's I can do is make sure she knows I'll be here for her when she's ready." She sighs, "Still, it kills me to know somethin's troublin' her that bad. It almost sounds like... like somepony forced her."

That's exactly what it sounded like to you. You struggle to contain the fury building up inside of you.

"Luna's wrath," Applejack whispers quietly, "If I find out somepony did somethin' like that, why I'd--"

"I'll fucking kill them."

She jerks her head up to look at you, then recoils from your dark expression, "Anon, y-you..."

"Only thing lower than a rapist is a child rapist," Your firsts clench and your voice drops to a growl, "And my father was at least one of them."

"B-But ya can't just--"

You stand suddenly and Applejack shrinks back fearfully, "N-Now hold up, Anon, we don't even know if that's what really--"

Rage boils up hot as fire inside of you. You clench your jaw and walk away as calmly as you can manage, hoping you can avoid upsetting Fluttershy.

"Anon? Anon w-wait!"

You don't look back. You walk out the door and down the path, trying to resist the memories.

Is this heading into town or down the forest?

It doesn't matter. It's away. Your father...

A violent kick sends a pine cone flying off the path. It's been so many years yet you can still remember so clearly. You step harder, faster, stomping now. You can still hear her screaming, then the sobbing.

Applejack calls out behind you and you growl in frustration, breaking into a run. Why didn't you do something? Branches whip at your face. You'd just turned up your music. You stumble over a root but it only makes you run harder. But music didn't stop the thumping on the wall--you barely avoid running into a tree--and you can still see your mother after he finished with her.

Something slams into your back and you fall heavily to your hands and knees, hooves pressing hard between your shoulders.

You snarl, "Dammit, Applejack!" You twist onto your back, elbowing her hooves aside and her enormous blue eyes glare down at you.

...Blue?

Fluttershy narrows her eyes angrily, "How DARE you!"

"What... How dare I? You--"

Your aimless rage now directs itself at Fluttershy and you claw at her. She flaps harder to raise just out of reach and you roar, "You don't know what I've been through! What he did to me! My father--"

As you glare up at her, your blood suddenly runs cold. Her eyes are glowing with righteous fury... literally. An intense light radiates from her eyes and the sight of them overwhelms you, disrupting your thoughts.

"You're right, Anon. I don't know what happened, but just because you're upset, doesn't mean you can upset everypony else, too! Applejack was terrified after you left! She thought you were going to hurt somepony, Anon! And let me tell you, you do NOT scare my friends!"

Unable to look away, you cling desperately to the anger as it rapidly flows out of you, "Y-You can't... I just--"

Her eyes fill your mind, rapidly sapping your energy and draining your emotion, "Don't you 'I just' me, mister! Applejack LOVES YOU. You can't just run away when you're hurting without a care for what it does to those around you! Pulling a stunt like that hurts her too, you know!"

You find yourself agreeing with everything she says. It just makes perfect sense and feels absolutely true. Your breathing slows as your body relaxes, your eyes fixated on hers.

"You will treat her with the respect she deserves, or you will have ME to deal with, is that understood?"

Your thoughts are full of her eyes and you work your mouth silently, unable to form words.

"IS THAT UNDERSTOOD!?"

Words leap to your lips, unbidden, "Y-Yes ma'am! Crystal clear!"

"Good."

She looks away and you feel a great weight lift from you. Almost immediately the pain comes rushing back but this time there's no anger to protect you. You clench your eyes shut and collapse to the ground, covering your face with both hands.

You hear hooves land beside you and recoil violently from the sound, falling onto your side. You hear a gasp as you shout in a hoarse voice, "The fuck did you DO to me!?"

You squeeze your hands against your head as if you can simply wring out the pain, but no matter how hard you clench your eyes, tears begin to leak out.

Memories begin flashing through your mind. Your father casually strolling away. Your sister cries as she calls 911. Paramedics barge through the door. You stare blankly at the officer's questions. A doctor looks grim, you mother in the background. Your father screams and struggles against the police.

The funeral.

You hear someone talking as if from a great distance. Something gently touches your shoulder and your eyes snap open, the world blurry through your tears. Applejack's worry-stricken face fills your vision and she flinches from your expression, starting to say something, but you choke on a sob and grab at her desperately.

She struggles a bit, seeming to be scared of you, but when you wrap your arms around her and press your face into her mane, she tentatively wraps a foreleg around your shoulders.

"I couldn't... I... s-sorry..."

"Shh... it's alright, sugarcube.... you're okay."

Your arms tremble as you take a deep, shuddering breath. Applejack strokes your back, nickering softly. Focusing on your breathing, you focus on trying to steady and control yourself.

Dammit, it was almost ten years ago! You're supposed to be over this!

You lift your head and stare into Applejack's eyes, blinking away some lingering tears. She smiles worriedly and touches your cheek with a hoof, "I'm here, Anon. Don't rightly know what's goin' on, but I'm here."

You just stare at her and let her presence fill your mind. Slowly, your breathing stabilizes and the tension fades from your neck and shoulders.

Eventually you sigh and lean back. Applejack steps forward and sits beside you, nuzzling your cheek, "You alright, partner?"

You shrug your shoulders weakly, not really trusting yourself to speak yet.

Fluttershy takes a hesitant step closer but stops several feet away, "Oh Anon... I'm so sorry. I've never used the Stare on a friend before, it just kind of... happens sometimes."

You shake your head weakly, "S'okay." Your voice is rough, prompting you to cough and swallow the buildup of phlegm.

Applejack shuffles even closer and squeezes you tight as she murmurs, "Jumpin' junipers, Shy, you used the stare on him?"

She nods slowly, looking wretched, "I had no idea it could cause so much pain..."

"N-Not your fault..." You mutter.

She just shuffles her hooves awkwardly, "I, um... I think... I should probably go... Oh Anon, I'm so sorry."

She flies away before you can respond, then Applejack turns to nuzzle you again. You sigh and wrap an arm around her barrel.

"Sorry."

She snorts softly, "I'm just glad you're okay. For the love of Luna would ya talk to me if somethin' like that happens again? I was so scared when ya just up and ran off like that." She shivers and lays a head on your shoulder, "I never thought... Sweet Celestia, yer right terrifying when you're angry, y'know that?"

You just sigh again in response. The two of you sit there for a moment, the sounds of wilderness surrounding you.

Applejack lifts her head and looks at you, "So... wanna talk about it?"

"Not really, no." Her ears droop and you groan, "It's just... just a bad memory from back home, that's all."

Applejack gives you a worried smile, "Y'know... Earth don't have to be yer home anymore." You raise an eyebrow and she looks down shyly, "I mean... this can be your home now. Here with me."

You stare at her, the pain of your memories momentarily forgotten. Maybe it should've been obvious from the way she and her family have been treating you, but to be told so directly...

Do you want this to be your home? You pretty much said so when you claimed you didn't want to return to Earth, but... are you truly done with your home world?

Applejack's smile wavers nervously at your prolonged silence and you feel an overwhelming urge to protect that smile.

You love Applejack and you love Equestria.

Yes. This is your home now.

A warmth spread through you, pushing away the last lingering traces of pain. You relax and smile, touching a hand to Applejack's cheek.

"I'd like that."

CH15: Escalation

As it turns out, you'd run deeper into the forest and had nearly made it to the fork in the path where the Running of the Leaves goes one way, and Applejack likes going the other way. Of course, that means you missed more than a third of the trail while running in a blind rage, but at least you can enjoy the rest of it.

Occasionally, Applejack would stop and point out a certain tree or clearing, talking about its history, or about something that happened when she was a foal.

Your hand almost never leaves her, whether it was scratching behind her ears, resting lightly on her withers... or making her jump as it explored other areas. More than once, you'd be swatted away by her tail and you'd laugh and return your hand to higher ground. Similarly, she'd tease you with calculated tail flicks when she knew you were looking, or with surprise nuzzles to your groin when she knew you weren't.

But mostly, you just silently walked and enjoyed the view together, so you were understandably surprised when she broke the silence with a sudden question.

"What about foals, Anon?"

"...What, huh?"

Your hand lifts from her rump in surprise and she gives you an apologetic look, "I know, I know, I'm sorry. We ain't hardly been together a day an' here I am jumpin' straight to the big questios, but... I just can't stop thinkin' about it."

"About foals?"

She grimaces and nods, "Ever since it came up with Fluttershy it's been buggin' at my mind."

"What about them, though?"

"Well... I ain't no medical pony, but you're a monkey an' I'm a horse. Pretty sure that don't add up."

You grunt in comprehension and rub your chin thoughtfully, "Man, you weren't kidding about jumping straight to the big questions..."

She groans and slaps a hoof to her muzzle, "I know, sorry! Look, just forget it. We can figure out stuff like that later."

You chuckle and kneel, rubbing a comforting hand on her neck, "Nah, I don't mind. It's probably a good idea to consider our future since we're such an odd couple." She gives you a sheepish grin and you smile reassuringly, "I guess... we could adopt?"

"Well... sure it's possible, but abandoned foals are pretty rare even in big cities like Baltimare and Fillidelphia, an' there're so many sterile or lonely mares out there seeking foals, it's hard as hay to find any foals that ain't adopted already."

"I guess that makes sense with how... well, nice this world is. Back on Earth, there are so many abandoned children, orphanages are practically begging people to adopt."

You both continue walking as you ponder the issue, then Applejack abruptly says, "An' before ya think about it, no I ain't gonna let some stallion 'donate' to me while I'm in heat."

"Uh, I wasn't... okay, well maybe I would have thought about it, but hang on--when you say 'donate,' do you mean ponies handle that by literally just... letting a stallion breed you?"

"Eyup."

"You can't... I dunno, magically inseminate?"

"Not that I know of, but even if ya could, it'd likely cost way too much. Remember what I told you 'bout Medicorns? Expensive-as-hay medical unicorns trained in Manehatten?"

"Still, I'd talk to Twilight about it. Hell, maybe there's even a spell that'd make us fertile together."

She hesitates, then nuzzles your hand affectionately, "I hope so. I know it's early, but... I'd really like that."

You hope so too, if only because you'd feel guilty if a relationship with you meant she could never have foals. More than that, however, you're surprised yourself liking the idea too. You'd never wanted kids back home--didn't want to raise children in such a terrible place--but if it was here and with her...

You stop and kneel next to her, setting a hand on her cheek, "Maybe you're right and it's too early to be talking like this, but... AJ, I'd love to raise a family with you."

Her face lights up and her eyes glisten before she lurches forward and thuds into your chest. You chuckle and wrap your arms around her, gently stroking her mane. You hold each other for a long time, the leaves rustling around you in the light breeze. Finally, she pulls back and looks at you, smiling and seeming oddly thoughtful.

"...What?"

She doesn't reply. Instead she sets a hoof on your cheek and pulls your head down. Bemused, you bow your head obediently.

With one quick motion, she flips her hat up and tucks it down over your head.

Your eyes widen and you fall back, sitting down heavily. As if afraid you might damage it, you gingerly reach a hand up in front of you and gently touch the brim of the hat between your eyes.

"Applejack..."

Smiling broadly, she sits in front of you and nods once, "Reckon it suits ya."

You recall a conversation from what feels like ages ago with Big Mac about a picture of Pear Butter and Bright Mac.

"B-But... your father--"

"Ain't here, is he now?"

You carefully reach up with both hands and shift the hat slightly, settling it more firmly on your head. It smells just like her.

Your awed whisper can barely be heard, "Has... anyone ever worn...?"

"Just lil' Bloom."

You pinch the brim of the hat between thumb and forefinger and pull it just a tiny bit further down.

Finally, you tilt your head up and meet Applejack's gaze. She smiles and nods, "Lookin' mighty fine there."

At a total loss for words, you simply reach forward and pull her into a tight embrace.

"Alright, well, we're nearly at the end of the trail, now."

"Aw, already?"

"Pff, already? We been walkin' for hours!"

"Oh. Time flies, I guess."

"Anywho, ya might'a noticed the trail never strayed far from Ponyville an' just circled round the side of the town."

You scoff and she chuckles.

"Right, well maybe ya ain't quite familiar enough with the land to notice that, but I'm tellin' ya, that's what it did. The end of the trail'll actually spit us out right near the school an' your home on the path that leads to the farm."

"Oh, that's convenient."

She nods happily, "Eyup. That's how I found the trail in the first place as a foal--finish class, got some time to kill, look around for somethin' to do, an' what do I find? Why, a path right off the side of school that goes all the way round town."

"Why didn't we just enter from this side, then?"

"Figured by the time we finished the trail, you'd rather be almost home 'stead of havin' to walk clear across town to get back."

"Ah, good thinking."

You walk on in silence, then a sour thought crosses your mind--one you hate to bring up at all, but it's probably important.

"Well... seeing me like this, ponies are probably gonna realize we're more than just friends, so... do you, uh... I guess want your hat back?"

"Nope."

You look down, surprised, and she nickers contentedly, "I've decided I don't care to hide it anymore. Dammit Anon, I love you, an' buck anypony who thinks you're anythin' but a boon to this world." You smile and rub her neck appreciatively as she continues, "What're they even gonna do? All six Elements of Harmony like you and approve of you livin' here, an' I'm pretty sure both Princess Celestia an' Princess Luna do too." She scoffs dismissively, "If anypony has a problem with you or with us, I reckon it's their problem, not ours."

You think for a moment, then smirk, pinch the brim of her hat, and tip your head, "Well thank you, m'lady."

Applejack clicks her tongue and holds out a hoof, "Alright, nope, nevermind. Give it back."

You laugh, grab her hoof, and pull her up to stand on her hind legs in front of you, "Alright alright, I'm sorry. I won't embarrass myself in your hat, I promise."

She snorts in your face, pretending to be angry for just a moment, then she breaks into a grin and says, "It really does look good on you, y'know."

"Thanks, but you look incomplete with out."

"Well that just means y'all complete me."

You roll your eyes but can't resist smiling, "How come you're allowed to be cheesy but I'm not?"

She winks at you and drops back to the ground, "It's the hat, Anon. Respect the hat."

"What, hats and cheese don't go together?"

"Well 'course! Ain't that culinary 101?"

"Mmm, think I failed that class."

"That explains a lot, actually."

"Hey!" You smack her rump playfully, making her whinny and she trots away as fast as her injured leg will allow. You growl playfully, then jog lightly after her, "Git back 'ere! I ain't done with you yet!"

She looks over her shoulder in mock terror of the predator chasing her. Then her cast catches on a vine and she slams to the ground with a sharp cry.

With a cry of your own, you break into a full sprint and drop to her side in seconds. She's curled up on her side, forehoof cradling her injured foreleg.

"Shit, AJ, that looked bad. You didn't hit your head, did you?" She opens a teary eye and gives a tiny shake of her head. "Alright, lemme see your cast."

Gingerly, she releases her injured leg and slowly straightens her shoulder. She seems to be able to fully extend her leg, but you see the vine left a noticeable impression on the cast where it caught and you suck in your breath.

"Damn... this cast took a lot of force when it caught on that vine. She takes a deep breath and shakes her head, as if to clear it, "I really hope that didn't worsen your injury... we should get you back to the farm and bring the doctor in to look at you again."

She grunts and rolls onto her belly, "I'm... I'm fine."

"Oh for the love of... Applejack, everypony already knows you're tough, you don't have to prove yourself! There's no sense in making things worse to try and act even tougher!"

She growls and stands up, "I said I'm fine! I just landed hard on my shoulder is all, my leg is fine."

"There's a fucking dent where that vine caught your cast. How much force does it even take to dent a cast!?"

She snorts and starts walking away evenly without even a trace of a limp. "I guess not enough force to hurt me, 'cause I ain't buckin' hurt."

You hesitate when you see her walk away so normally, "...We should still probably have the doctor double check--"

"Ponyfeathers," she says, interrupting you with a wave of a hoof, "No sense payin' for another doctor's visit when I ain't hurt."

You sigh heavily and stand to follow her, "Fine... fine. Can you please just promise me you'll tell me if that leg starts hurting? Even a little bit?"

"Yeah yeah, alright. Yeesh."

The two of you walk on in stony silence for a few minutes, then you gently rest your hand on her withers and her ear flicks as if in annoyance.

"Look, I'm sorry, okay? You know I only worry because I care about you, right? I know how important it is that you can gallop and buck and all that, so I'd hate to see you with a permanent limp or something."

She sighs and relaxes slightly, "I know... an' I'm sorry too. I think my heat's makin' it harder to control my temper just like other emotions."

"Yeah... I didn't want to say anything but I was kinda wondering about that."

"It's just..." She lets out a frustrated sigh, "Part of the problem with being tough like this is if somepony thinks somethin's wrong when it ain't, they'll insist I'm just acting tough and try to fix a problem that ain't there."

You grimace, "Well... please just be careful okay? I know ponies aren't exactly the same as horses back on Earth, but from what I remember a leg injury on an Earth horse is bad news. Like, almost always permanently crippling kind of bad."

Applejack nods and even smiles a bit, but just as she's opening her mouth to respond, you hear a familiar filly's soft voice, "Anon? Applejack!?"

You look up and realize you'd been so focused on talking with Applejack you hadn't even noticed you left the trail and were now approaching the Ponyville School. Sweetie Belle is waving at you from near the entrance of the school and she trots up, looking relieved.

"There you are! Scootaloo and I have been wondering where any of you have been!"

"What'd'ya mean, any of us? Any of who?"

"Well, anyone from the Apple Family, really. We haven't seen Apple Bloom since the day before yesterday, and Scoot said she saw Granny yesterday, but she was moving faster than she'd ever seen and looked worn to, uh... w-well, she said a bad word."

Applejack's ears fold down, "Sweet Celestia, they must be workin' themselves to the bone!" She looks up at you, worry etched into her face, "We'd best get back there right quick! Both of us are healed enough to help with at least some of the minor work. Can't believe I spent so much time doin' nothing, an' during the harvest of all times!"

She prances nervously in place, then winces and stops suddenly, shifting weight off her cast. You scowl, but don't comment on it.

She turns and starts trotting toward the farm and you crouch in front of Sweetie Belle, "We both hurt our legs and were taking time off to recover. Thanks for letting us know what's going on."

"You're welcome, Anon! I hope I see you and Apple Bloom again soon."

You nod and turn away, lengthening your stride to catch up with Applejack and saying, "You'd better not be blaming yourself, AJ. You didn't choose to relax, they ordered you to take time off."

"Ah could'a stayed an' helped with somethin' though!"

"You know as well as I they'd have refused to let you help and force you to stay in bed."

"I'd like to see 'em try!"

You chuckle grimly, "You just might, when we get back there... Don't think I didn't see you wince a moment ago--I know that leg is hurting you, Applejack. You have got to take it easy and let it heal, and I bet they'll tell you the same thing."

"Tartarus! Would y'all drop it already!?"

"Dammit girl, don't you get it? You won't be ANY help if you permanently damage that leg! It's better to rest a couple of days then help once you're back to normal than to push yourself for a couple of days and wind up crippled for the rest of your life!"

"I ain't gonna permanently damage it 'cause it ain't buckin' hurt!"

You scowl and fall silent, hoping her family will be better at getting through to her.

Just a few minutes later, the two of you enter the farm and Applejack immediately turns to trot off down one of the rows of the orchard.

"Wait, where are you going?"

"Harvestin' this field over here next was the plan, so they oughta be over yonder."

Sure enough, the two of you soon find a sweaty Big Mac and a sleepy looking Apple Bloom working to collect some apples. Applejack trots right up toe Big Mac just as he walks over to another tree. His head is hanging low and he doesn't even seem to notice her until she's standing right in front of him, then his head jerks up and he looks concerned.

"AJ? Somethin' wrong?"

"Buck yeah, somethin's wrong! Y'all're workin' yourselves near to death while I sit around an' do nothin'!"

He relaxes and shrugs, "S'okay."

"What!? No it ain't! I'm plenty healed enough to help now."

Big Mac rolls his eyes and Applejack snorts angrily, "Look, I ain't sayin' I'll be buckin' any trees, but I oughta at least be able to carry some baskets around an' give lil' Bloom a break."

Apple Bloom scowls and points a hoof at Applejack, "Ah ain't a foal, Applejack! Ah can do this myself! ...Well, myself an' Big Mac, o'course."

Applejack's gaze softens, "I know ya can, sugarcube. I ain't sayin' you can't. But you'd be so plum tuckered out by the time ya finished you wouldn't hardly be able to stand tomorrow. Let me take a bit of the load off an' you'll be more useful tomorrow."

Apple Bloom hesitates, opens her mouth to respond, then is interrupted by a huge yawn.

Applejack smirks, "Bloom, ya need a break. Your friends miss you an' you're obviously tired. Get home an' rest up a bit. I can handle this."

The filly looks uncertainly up at Big Mac but he just shrugs impassively.

"Well... alright, sis. Just... don't push yerself too hard, y'hear?"

Applejack grunts an affirmative and picks up a basket. She nods at Big Mac to continue but he hesitates and asks, "You... sure you're alright?"

"Darn tootin! Now get buckin'."

He glances at you and you can only grimace. You'd hope he and Apple Bloom would put up more of a fight, but they both seem too tired to make a real effort.

As the older ponies get started, Apple Bloom trots up to you and you squat to hear her whisper, "Is she really alright?"

You rub your temples in frustration, "No, she's not. Her leg is obviously hurting her, but she won't fuc... uh, she won't admit it. Send Granny over here on your way back to the farm, please. Maybe she can smack some sense into her."

She stifles another yawn, then nods and trots away slowly. You stand and fetch a basket from the cart, then approach the ponies as they work.

"Look, Applejack--"

"I'm buckin' fine, Anon!"

You jerk back, hurt by the way she snaps without even looking at you.

"I... I was just gonna say at least let me help too. No point stressing your leg while I just sit here and do nothing, right?"

She shuffles another basket around just in time for Big Mac's kick before turning to you. Her eyes linger on the basket in your arms and she raises an eyebrow at you.

"Ain't you supposed to be takin' it easy too?"

"I was just sore from working too hard, not actually injured. I'm more than capable of picking up some slack."

Applejack thinks for a second, then grins and nods, "Hey Big Mac!"

The stallion halts and slowly turns to look at his little sister. Her smile twists, becoming a mocking sneer.

"Betcha can't buck enough trees to keep up with both of us!"

His eyes narrow and he snorts defiantly. He looks straight up to stretch his neck, shakes his head, then arches his back and stretches one hind leg, then the other. Finally he looks down at Applejack again, his head held high and proud, a corner of his mouth quirked up in a smug grin.

"Shore can."

"N-No wait--" you start.

He twirls on his forehooves and bucks a nearby tree and Applejack dashes under it, smirking at you. Abruptly Big Mac is beside you and his hooves thump powerfully into the tree you were standing beside. You scramble to lift the basket and barely catch half the falling apples.

Applejack trots past you, "C'mon Anon, on yer hooves, now!"

The stallion hops to another tree and bucks it almost before Applejack has time to scoot under it and you rush to pick up your fallen apples. You toss the last apple into the basket then stand and turn around.

"Applejack--"

You flinch as Big Mac's hooves slam into another tree just in front of you, and again, you miss several apples.

She chuckles, carrying a fresh basket from the cart across her back, "Didn't y'all say you were more'n capable?"

You swear under your breath and rush to pick up the fallen apples, then fetch a new basket from the cart, already panting. "This is... too much... dammit!"

You jog back just in time for another pair of hoof blows and this time you only miss a couple of apples.

"Aww, y'ain't gettin' tired already, are ya!?" Applejack says mockingly, "Wanna follow Bloom an' rest up some more?"

"I mean... too much for--"

Your words are cut off by another loud thump and Applejack deftly catches every apple, "Yee-haw! Now this is more like it! I been sittin' still for way too long!"

Big Mac pauses and looks over your shoulder at something behind you, his sides heaving. Applejack laughs, trotting back from the cart, "Don't stop now! Can't have Anon sittin' still now, can we?"

With an excited whoop, she dashes over to the tree beside you and whirls. Her hind hooves strike the tree with a surprisingly underwhelming 'whomp.' She yelps and instinctively raises her injured foreleg, causing her to lose her balance and fall sideways. She gasps, then bites her tongue and glares are you furiously as if daring you to say something.

"An' jus' WUT in tarnation ya think yer doin' there, little missy!?"

Applejack's angry glare melts away as Granny Smith steps up from behind you. You barely stifle a gasp at the sight of the old mare. Her mane is haggard and wild, there's an obvious limp in her gait, and the bags under her eyes are so pronounced they look almost sickly.

Still, even in this condition, her anger is a fearsome sight as she walks up to scold Applejack. "Ah thought ah dun told ya t'stay off o'that there hoof! Ain't ya got a brain or d'ya jus' got oats in yer noggin?"

Applejack scrambles to her hooves and stands up straight and tall. "Granny, it's fine. It don't hurt, promise. I was just runnin' around with all them baskets an' ain't hardly felt a tickle."

The old mare walks up and glares at Applejack suspiciously, then, quicker than you thought the old mare was capable, a forehoof lashes out and thumps down on Applejack's shoulder right above her cast, pressing her hoof down into the dirt.

To her credit, Applejack barely even twitches an ear.

Granny stares a moment longer, then her expression softens and she relaxes, slumping tiredly. "Weeell, I 'spose if yer really feelin' alright, we could shore use the extra hooves, that's for dang sure."

You rub your eyes tiredly and sigh in frustration, "Granny, please tell me you can see she's only pretending it doesn't hurt."

She looks over her shoulder and shrugs, "Ah dunno, dearie. Mostly she ain't nearly that good at fakin' it."

"But the doctor--"

Applejack cuts you off with a hoof stomp, walking angrily up to you, "Sour Apples, Anon! Do ya want me to be bored all day?"

"What? No, of course not, I just--"

"Then why can't ya just let me buckin' work!? For Celestia's sake, do ya even see the condition these two are in?"

"It's just... Applejack, if that leg doesn't heal right, you'd be--"

"It's obviously healin' just fine! Look at me!"

She whirls around on the spot and bucks a nearby tree, striking much harder this time, and apples fall to the ground around you. However, you watch her forelegs as she kicks and you notice her good hoof digs deep into the dirt while her cast barely even bends the grass.

"See!?" she says triumphantly.

"But you just put all your weight on your good hoof!"

She hesitates, ears perking up in clear surprise that you caught that, then her ears fold back angrily again, "So what? I can buck just as good on one hoof, so I ain't gotta risk the injury at all!"

You look pleadingly at Granny, but she only languidly shrugs her shoulders, "Ain't gonna lie to ya, Anon. We're mighty hard pressed 'ere with no hooves from Appaloosa. If'n she can do all that, I ain't really seein' a problem."

You gape at her, "But--she... you're just gonna let her strain that injury?"

Applejack steps in front of you and shouts in your face, "Quit tryin' to buckin' baby me, Anon! I know my body, I know my limits, an' I know I can buckin' do this!"

You're starting to get desperate now, "Didn't you just tell Apple Bloom not to push herself?"

"Yeah, so?"

"This is exactly the same, only for you, pushing too hard could leave you crippled for life!"

Applejack just stares at you and several emotions flash across her face. Then she grimaces and drops her head.

"I see how it is," she says quietly. When she looks up again, her face is grim and her eyes smolder with anger and hurt, "You're so caught up thinkin' what if I push too hard 'cause ya just plain don't trust me, do ya?"

Your eyes widen, "What? N-No, I do, I only mean--"

She jabs a hoof at you, almost spitting her words, "Don't you buckin' lie to me, Anon! If ya trusted me, ya wouldn't be so damn convinced I'll hurt myself worse!"

You cringe from the sudden vehemence in her voice and back away, but she just follows you, still shouting, "Ya don't trust me to take care o' myself, think ya can control me, do things how y'all want!"

"P-Please, that's not what--"

"An' if ya can't trust me to do even this little thing, how else're you gonna try an' coddle me!?"

Your back presses up against the trunk of a tree.

Applejack rears and slams her forehooves into the tree on either side of your head, her face only inches from yours, angry tears welling in her eyes, "Well if that's how it's gon' be, then buck you, buck yer help, an' buck off outta this farm!"

"Wait! Applejack I-I never meant--"

She pulls back a hoof and you flinch, raising an arm to try and block the blow. Her foreleg whips out, yanks her hat away, and slams it back onto her own head.

Your throat tightens with emotion.

Her face leans close, eyes narrow, voice a harsh whisper.

"Don't. Come. Back."

Your heart thunders in your chest. She turns away and walks slowly toward the cart.

"A-Applejack, please, I j-just--"

She spins around and screams, "GET THE BUCK OFF'A MY FARM!"

You recoil so hard you fall over backwards and without another word she turns and walks away.

Big Mac and Granny are saying something, but it doesn't matter now.

The world begins to blur as you choke on a sob.

You scramble to your feet and start to run.

You hear shouts behind you.

They don't matter either.

Nothing matters now.

CH16: Messy Aftermath

Your leg catches with a jolt, you flail wildly, and land hard on your shoulder.

Whatever. Just curl up and wait for the pain to fade.

Applejack... What did you do wrong? You were only trying to help and protect her.

Fresh tears threaten to overwhelm you again, so you cut off that thought and gingerly stretch out your aching shoulder, pushing yourself up into a sitting position. You sniff and wipe your face on your sleeve, then you look around and recognize the bend in the path just before the school on the edge of town. That means you've been running for a while and are nearly home...

No. Not home. This isn't home without Applejack.

You sigh and your breath catches in your throat, making you cough and swallow. You wipe your face again, then slowly stand up and trudge down the path.

As you pass the school, Sweetie Belle calls out again, but you just continue without reacting. She canters up beside you and looks up into your face, saying, "Anon? You look awful! What happened!?"

You shake your head and continue walking. She stops and looks a little hurt, but it doesn't really matter. She'll hear about what happened soon, then she won't want to talk to you anyway.

As you enter Ponyville, passing ponies look curious but none stop to check on you. Not that you care--random ponies always ignore you.

You walk up to your house without incident and gently shut the door behind you. You take a couple steps inside, then just stand dumbly in the middle of your living room for a moment.

What will you even do now?

Absently, you turn and take a step toward your couch... and remember her head in your lap moments before she kissed you. You wince and turn away, walking slowly to the bedroom, but the sight of your tangled, messy bedsheets recalls memories of last night and your chest tightens uncomfortably. Averting your eyes, you quickly step inside, grab your pajamas, and close the door. Then your eyes fall on the dirty dishes from the dinner she made and you make an odd sound in the back of your throat.

Wrenching your eyes away from anything that might remind you of her, you loosen your pants to remove them and suddenly a small brown bag drops to the ground. You stare blankly at it for several seconds before kneeling and picking it up. Without standing, you open and tilt the contents into your hand.

A small, delicate daffodil slides into your palm. The one from Lily's shop. The one she told you to keep for Applejack.

The flower blurs slightly as your eyes begin to well up again, then you carefully slide it back into the bag, stand, and drop it on the nearest surface, not caring where.

You keep your gaze low to avoid the couch, the dishes, the bedroom door, and the bag while you switch into your pajamas, then absently toss the dirty clothes aside. Finally, you walk over to an empty corner of your barren living room, lean back against the wall, and slide to the floor.

You sit there, eyes downcast, your head feeling dull and empty.

What now?

You hear a soft, slow knocking on your door.

You lift your head and are surprised to find yourself plunged into darkness. The sun must have set at some point and you didn't notice. Not that it matters, but you idly wonder how long ago that happened.

The gentle knocking repeats and you hear a deep, resonant voice gently ask, "Anon?"

You sigh heavily, then slowly stand and walk over to open the door. Big Mac looks worried when he sees you, but takes a step forward and tilts his head in a silent question. You shrug and turn away, returning to sit in the corner. The stallion gently shuts the door behind him, then walks over and sits near your side. You just stare at the ground, not wanting to see the pity in his eyes.

"You alright?" He asks.

You shrug your shoulder without lifting your gaze.

He waits a moment, as if hoping you'll say something, then snorts softly, "Weren't your fault, y'know."

You don't react. It doesn't matter whose fault it was.

"AJ tends to jump the gun when she's upset. She'll come around."

You scoff, remembering how furious she was--she must hate you now.

"I mean it, Anon. She ain't never been one to burn a friendship like that.

Doesn't make getting burnt feel any better.

Big Mac shuffled uncomfortably, "Apple Bloom was mighty upset when she found out. Shouted at AJ 'bout as much as... w-well..."

As much as Applejack shouted at you, huh?

Apple Bloom... guess you'll have to break your promise to hang out in her clubhouse after all. You sigh thickly.

"Ah ponyfeathers..." Big Mac nickers and shuffles a little closer, "Anon, I like you. Yer a great guy an' I hate to see y'all torn up like this. Far as I'm concerned, yer part o' the family, so I wanna do all I can to help ya out."

A part of the family? Somehow you doubt Applejack would agree. Besides, Granny and Big Mac have already proven that when it comes down to it, they'll side with Applejack, not you.

Your cold eyes settle onto his and he smiles nervously, "Really?"

"Eyup."

"I'm family?"

His smile falters at your tone, "Uh... yup?"

"You've got my back, then?"

He nods hesitantly and you sneer at him.

"Then what the fuck were you doing when I was trying to help Applejack, huh?"

He sighs heavily, ears drooping low, "Anon, we're awful tight on the farm right now... more'n ya prolly realize. If'n we miss this 'ere harvest, might not be 'nuff bits to even last through the winter." He shuffles nervously under your glare, then continues, "Look, all's we need is to finish this last harvest, then AJ can spend all winter healin'."

"And tell me what the fuckin' farm's gonna do if she hurts that leg worse by working on it? What if she still hasn't healed come springtime? What if that leg never heals right?"

"Well... 'spose we just gotta trust AJ to know 'er limits."

"But she doesn't!" You straighten and jab a finger at the stallion's face, "You ain't seen the way she's been acting, dammit! Over the last two days, she's winced or yelped in pain from a jump or trot and went off favoring her leg several times, but every time she refuses to admit she's even hurt!"

"This ain't the first time she's hurt 'er legs, Anon. She's turned down work to heal plenty before."

"Yeah? And has she ever turned down work for the last fucking harvest of the season when the farm is already dangerously broke?"

"Uh... nope, but well--"

"Fuck's sake, man, can't you see she cares more about the farm than she does her own health and safety? She'll work as hard and as long as she can no matter how much it hurts because she thinks the farm 'needs' her!"

Big Mac raises his hooves apologetically, "We just plain can't afford to turn 'er away If she thinks she can help, we gotta trust she knows what she's doin'."

"Get out."

He looks up at you, startled, but you turn away in disgust.

"Either you aren't listening to me or you just plain don't give a shit what I'm saying. Either way, it sure doesn't feel like family."

"Hold on now--"

You cut him off with a sharp wave of your hand and slump back against the wall, "It doesn't matter now anyways. Pissing off Applejack will probably alienate the rest of her friends and without them on my side, the townsponies will just keep hating and fearing me. Before long I expect they'll probably demand I be returned to Earth or exiled... or fucking locked up in Tartarus or something, I dunno."

Big Mac whinnies, probably startled by the cold truth of things.

"It's fine, just... leave me alone, alright? No doubt I'll be out of everyone's mane soon enough."

"That... Anon, it ain't gotta be--"

You cut him off again with a harsh stare, "Look Mac, unless you can convince everypony I'm not dangerous, I'm fucked. Best you just go back to your life and stop worrying about me."

Still, he hesitates. This damn stallion cares too much. Can't he see this will just hurt him in the long run?

"But... all ya gotta do is make up with Applejack to avoid all that, right?"

"Yeah, well, tomorrow morning if she all of the sudden stops hating me and wants me back, that'd be great. Otherwise, just forget about me."

He rubs the back of his head, face twisted with concern and indecision. You silently will him to just understand and go home. If he can't stop caring, you'll just have to make him hate you too--it'd hurt him less than if he still cared about you once you're exiled back to Earth.

"...Alright."

Relieved, you close your eyes and lean back against the wall.

He continues, "I'll see you tomorrow morning after I talk to Applejack."

"Don't even bother coming unless she wants me back on the farm," you lift your head and give him a hard stare, "In fact, promise me you won't."

"...An' what if maybe she don't, but me, Granny, an' Bloom all do?"

You shrug your shoulders, "I just told you: without Applejack, I'm fucked. Better the rest of you just try to forget about me since I'll be gone soon anyways."

"But..." He hesitates, clearly wanting to argue further, but after a short pause, he slumps in defeat, "Alright, Anon. 'Spose yer prolly right."

"Promise."

He sighs, "I promise."

You don't look up as he stands and opens the door, but from the corner of your eye you see him pause in the open doorway.

"See y'all tomorrow, Anon."

He sighs heavily again before finally closing the door behind him. Your head thumps against the wall and you let out a weary sigh of your own.

A faint hope flickers in your chest.

Tomorrow...

The painful throbbing in your neck forces you to wake. Groggily, you sit up and try to massage your neck, but after a bit you give up and rub the sleep from your face instead. With a start, you look around frantically for your clock.

...It's after noon!?

"Fuck!"

You're surprised nopony came and dragged you out of bed!

Well... not the bed. Why were you sleeping on the couch? You get up and turn toward the bedroom, then you catch sight of the little brown bag sitting on your counter.

Memories of last night flood your mind and you collapse back onto the couch. Your eyes fall to the clock again.

Afternoon... and Big Mac didn't come.

Guess that's it, then.

You sit for a long while, feeling numb, but eventually bodily functions force you to move. As you enter the bathroom, you try--and fail--to avoid thinking about the bed or the shower. You shuffle back out into the kitchen and absent-mindedly search for something to eat.

You find a large bottle of hard apple cider you'd forgotten about.

You hesitate, not really wanting to taste apples at all, then grimace and reach for the bottle anyway and return to the couch. Popping the cork out fills your nose with the scent of apples and you quickly tilt the bottle up and take a swig. The alcohol is surprisingly smooth and you immediately take another pull on the bottle.

Looks like Applejack's last gift will be to numb your pain.

The bundled blanket thuds against the wall and slides to the floor.

"Damn."

You grab the pillow and struggle to pull the pillowcase off, then bunch it up and throw it at the hamper too. It catches the air and fluffs open, falling well short.

"Dammit!"

You grab the sheet and yank it off the mattress.

Wait--did you hear something? You listen closely as you slowly bundle up the sheet, then hear more knocking on your front door.

"Ugh..."

On your way to the living room you kick the pillowcase closer to your hamper, then slam-dunk the bundle of sheets inside. You hear more knocking, louder now.

"Yeah yeah, I'm coming!"

You yank the door open and stare down at Twilight, who seems to be swaying slightly.

"Hi Ano--"

"The fuck do you want?"

"Um. W-Well, I heard about Applejack and I thought..." She trails off and her muzzle scrunches, "Have you been drinking?"

"Yeah, so what?"

She sighs and teleports away.

"That's right, just leave me alone."

You shut the door and turn around. The sight of Twilight on your couch makes you jump back and slam against the door, stumbling as a purple glow surrounds you and holds you upright.

"The fuck, Twi! Can't you just walk?"

She smiles apologetically and her magic releases you once you're stable again, "Sorry, I thought you would hear me pop in behind you."

You grunt and walk past her to the kitchen.

"So..." she begins, "Are you alright? Anything I can do to help?"

"Wanna sic another evil Rainbow Dash on me again?"

"...What? N-No, I--"

"That was real fucked up, y'know that?"

Her ears fold back, "Well... y-you and Dash seemed to be getting along just fine when I found you."

You grab the bottle of cider and turn to face her, "Yeah, 'cause she felt like shit and explained everything, so I didn't blame her." You take a long drink, then point the bottle at her, "I blamed you. Real shitty of you."

She looks down for a second, then back up to you, "You're right, Anon, and I'm sorry. I felt terrible as soon as Dash told me what happened."

"Mmm, felt terrible huh?" You take another gulp of cider, "How's about 'stead of being a bitch and feeling bad about it later, just don't be a bitch in the first place?"

Her ears flatten further and she bristles angrily, "Alright look, I had to be certain you didn't have any violent tendencies in case somepony actually threatened you. Getting ponies to trust you would be nearly impossible if you actually attacked somepony, even in self-defense."

"An' all them fucking magical tests when I first shows up and you froze me didn't account for that!?"

"Those aren't perfectly accurate, I needed to be certain!"

You scoff, making her eyes narrow, then you drink some more.

She closes her eyes and takes a long, measured breath. "I'm sorry, Anon. You're absolutely right, I've been treating you terribly, being a horrible friend." She looks up at you sheepishly, "I promise, no more tests, alright? I'm convinced you're safe. I just want to help you enjoy your life here in Ponyville, okay?"

You bark a harsh laugh, startling her, "I don't have a fucking life in Ponyville anymore."

Her expression turns sad and pitying, "Oh Anon... I know you loved Applejack, but this isn't the end of the world."

You wave the bottle wildly in her direction, "How the fuck is anypony in town gonna trust me if--if Applejack hates me? Watch, a week from now they'll be demanding you send me back!" Then you look down at the bottle of cider and sigh, "Ugh... I fucked up."

"It's not that bad, Anon."

You plop to the ground and poke the large wet spot on the floor, "Spilled m'damn drink..."

The bottle in your hand suddenly glows and jerks from your grasp and Twilight says, "I think you've had more than enough already."

"Hey, FUCK you!" You lunge for the bottle and it flashes and disappears. Instead you slump dejectedly and moan, "Twi... how did this happen? Why did it go so wrong?"

"It'll be okay, Anon... and don't worry, I would never send you back to Earth unless you wanted to go back."

"If everypony in town hates me you will."

"Not if I still like you."

You snort, "I can't believe she did that... can you believe it?"

"Unfortunately, yes. She does tend to jump to conclusions and is quick to anger. I imagine her cycle just made it that much harder to control."

"I was just trying to help, and now she's gone and ruined everything! Fucking bitch!"

Twilight gasps and you run a hand through your hair, "Sorry, I just... the hell am I gonna do, Twi? She's the best thing that's ever happened to me... God, what have I done? I've ruined everything! Fuck!"

You lean back and your head thumps against the wall. You let out a bitter groan, "Should've fuckin' know this would happen... My whole life's been one long terrible joke, so 'course this'd all go wrong."

Twilight hops down from the couch and walks over to you, but she's all blurry.

You rub your eyes and when your hand comes away wet, you let out a weak, mirthless laugh, "And here I am blubbering about it like some kind of pussy. You'd think by now I'd have figured out I'm just not cut out for a happy life."

She sits beside you and cautiously wraps a hoof around your shoulders. You lean into the hug as she extends a wing over you and you press your face into her mane, mumbling, "I just... I don't understand..."

"Shh... don't worry. It'll be okay, Anon."

You jerk your head back, "Okay? How the fuck is it okay!?" You shove her away and she stumbles, then sits down again, looking shocked, "Don't you GET it!? Everything is fucked now! This was the best my life's ever been and it's all fucked!"

You leap to your feet and the room sways crazily. A purple glow surrounds you and you thrash against it.

"Put me down, dammit! Fuck you! Wait, don't send me back! Twilight, please, I'm sorry... what have I done? Fuck!"

You are plopped down onto the couch and immediately lean forward to stand again, but the glow pushes you back.

"Anon, you are very, very drunk. Please just sit down and try to relax."

"Leave me alone, you cunt! And give me back my drink!"

Twilight sighs, "Alright, well... look, I'm really really sorry about this, but... well, be right back."

Magical cords suddenly appear around you and pin your arms and legs, then Twilight teleports away.

"Hey! HEY! Get back here you piece of shit! TWILIGHT!"

You try to lean forward but the cords are completely unyielding.

"Dammit!"

You continue to wiggle and strain against the cords but they refuse to give even an inch. Then Twilight reappears with a flash, a fancy looking book floating beside her.

"Bitch! Let me go!"

She ignores you and buries her snout in the book.

"The fuck are you doing? Why can't you just leave me alone!?"

She turns to you, her expression grim and determined, and her horn begins to glow.

A sick fear wrenches your gut, "W-Wait, no! Please! I'm sorry, Twilight! Please, d-don't send me back!"

The glow around her horn intensifies and you being to sob.

"T-Twilight I'm begging you, p-please! I'll do anything!"

Her horn seems to pop and a surge of energy flows toward you.

"NO!"

Then all goes black.

CH17: The Truth

When you regain consciousness, you simply lay there, eyes clenched shut, blanket pulled up over your head, refusing to acknowledge the world around you. You aren't trying to pretend or delude yourself or anything--you know full well what just happened. No, this is a simple stubborn refusal to confront the truth.

Twilight sent you back.

You hear a faint rustle from what sounds like the next room... probably whoever brought your unconscious body inside after you reappeared on Earth. You don't know who they are, and frankly, you don't care. Not like it matters anymore.

You briefly entertain the dream that this is some far away country where you can start anew; someplace with decent people, where you might actually find a happy life. But no, they're still only human.

Maybe when you were young you could believe that the average person was good, but with one hard lesson after another, life slowly drilled the reality into your head: kindness and generosity are the exception, not the norm. It's simply human nature.

By contrast, ponies were naturally peaceful and good-natured. In all the months you spent in Equestria, not once had you heard of a single problem that wasn't caused by fear or a simple misunderstanding. Even all the trouble you had with the townsponies, it was really just that they were afraid because you looked like a monster that literally almost destroyed Equestria. Could you really blame them for their fear and mistrust? But even the worst of ponies would return to their natural kind-hearted ways with relative ease.

It's as if it took as much active and conscious effort for a pony to be selfish, greedy, or manipulative, as it takes for a human to be kind, honest, or altruistic.

You resist the urge to groan with frustration. You were already sick of Earth even before you slipped into Equestria. Now? Knowing what you've lost? Your blood runs cold with the sudden certainty that as long as you live, no matter what you do or where you go, you will never be truly happy in this pathetic world.

And with that, like a hammer blow across your chest, the truth really starts to sink in.

You fucked up.

You're back on Earth.

You will never see anypony ever again.

It's bad enough that you lost Twilight, Dash, Rarity and Pinkie... but Applejack, Big Mac, Granny, and even lil' Apple Bloom? Such a short time and they had become like family--those ponies meant the world to you! How could you have let this happen!?

Your throat tightens, tears well in your eyes, and before you even realize what you're doing, a tiny, pained whisper escapes your lips.

"Please, no..."

You hear a faint, "Hmm?" in response and nearly choke on a gasp. You clamp a hand over your mouth but it's already too late. There is another rustle from the other room and a few seconds later the door lets out a faint squeak as it swings open.

Then you hear a sound. A simple, mundane sound. A sound you've heard every day for months. A sound that causes your mind to go blank with shock and for a moment you forget to even breathe.

You hear hooves.

You throw the covers off and sit up so suddenly your head sways with lightheadedness, only to find you cannot see through the tears and the bright sunlight pouring through the open curtains next to you.

"Whoa! Relax dummy, it's only me!"

As shocked as you are, that voice is unmistakable. Even so, you raise an arm to block the sun and blink the tears away, not daring to hope until your eyes can confirm what your ears are telling you.

The technicolor blur at the door slowly resolves into a familiar shape.

"...D-Dash!?"

You gawk at the pegasus as your vision clears and she trots closer, saying, "Uh, yeah? Jeez, you look terrible, buddy."

Still hardly believing your eyes, you look around at your bedroom. Your equestrian bedroom, in Ponyville.

You swing your legs around and sit on the edge of the bed, squinting through the window. Ponies trot around the outskirts of Ponyville just like any other day.

Your mind reeling, you whisper faintly to yourself, "I'm... still here?"

Rainbow Dash hops up and glides a few feet to land on the bed beside you. She bumps your shoulder with a hoof to get your attention and you turn to see her wearing a sly smirk, "So, uh... nice dream, or what?"

"Huh?"

She taps the mattress near your hip, drawing your gaze down to your naked morning wood. You simply stare at it for several seconds as your brain tries to catch up with recent events. Then you yelp, snatch the blankets up, and attempt to scoot away from her.

"W-What? Why am I naked!? Get out!"

"Whoa, what?" She steps back with an awkward frown and her wings flare out nervously, "Dude chill, I just took your clothes off while you knocked out, Anon."

"What!?" You gape at her.

"What? I figured you'd be more comfortable, what's the big deal!?"

"I'm naked!"

"Well doy, so am I ya goof."

You just stare at her for a moment, then rub your face with both hands and take a deep breath, trying to calm down and rub the sleep from your eyes. After a moment you relax marginally and open your eyes--then hurriedly grab another handful of blanket to try and mask the tent you were pitching in your lap.

Rainbow Dash rubs the back of her head, "Uh, Anon? What's going on? You look like Tartarus and you're being really weird."

Your breath shudders slightly as you turn to look at her, "Sorry, I just... I'd been so sure Twilight sent me back to Earth, then I wake up and see you, suddenly realize I'm naked, plus I'm probably hungover... j-just too many feelings at once." Though actually now that you think about it you don't feel hungover at all.

Rainbow Dash scoffs, "Twilight only magicked the drunk away, dork. Said you might have a mild hangover at most, but it shouldn't--" She does a double take, then scrunches her muzzle in disbelief, "Hold up... you seriously thought Twi would just send you back to Earth? Like, against your will? Seriously?"

You rub your face again and shudder slightly, "Just... give me a moment, please."

"Aw, come on! You wake up looking like death and I'm just supposed to sit here and--"

"Dash."

You slump forward, resting your elbows on your knees with your head in your hands.

"Please."

She inhales sharply as if to speak again, then hesitates and slowly sighs instead, "Oh, alright. Fine."

You feel her plop down beside you and you take a few deep breaths to calm yourself. Then you lift your head and look outside again. Your house is on the outskirts but this window faces into town so you can see plenty of ponies milling about.

You rub your eyes again.

Could it really be true? Are you really still in Ponyville? You're almost afraid to believe it, you'd been so certain...

You remember a way to test if you're dreaming and pinch your nose, then try to inhale through it anyway. You can't. Not dreaming then. Illusion? ...No, probably not--and even if so, illusions are magic, so you must still be in Equestria.

You're still in Equestria.

A smile slowly spreads across your face. You turn to look at Rainbow Dash and a tiny incredulous laugh escapes your lips. You reach out and gently poke her in the shoulder as if checking she's really real. She looks down at your finger, then back up at you, one eyebrow raised.

Your chest suddenly swells with emotion and you start to giggle uncontrollably even as your eyes well up with tears once again. You lurch sideways and wrap your arms around her barrel, pulling her into a tight hug.

"Wha--Anon!? H-Hey, not the wings, NOT THE WINGS!"

She writhes and struggles but you just hug her tighter, your whole body shaking with a mixture of laughter and sobs. She stops struggling and just stares at you in confusion.

"Uh... 'kay, what is even happening right now?"

You close your eyes and bury your face in her mane, "I'm... I'm still here!"

She wiggles slightly and groans, "Anooon, you're ruffling my feathers..."

Suddenly gripped by the horrible fear of ruining yet another friendship, you jerk back and release her, "S-Sorry! I'm sorry, Dash! Here, I'll, uh, I'll fix it..."

You lay your hands on her closest wing and slowly run your fingers through her crooked primaries, trying to make the large feathers lay straight and flat again. She gasps and her eyes widen, then roll up into her head as she tries--and fails--to suppress a low moan of pleasure, her head tilting back as a shudder runs up her barrel and her hind leg twitches.

Then her whole body tenses up and her head whips around, wide eyes staring at you in horror. She yelps, then both wings and all four legs snap out as she violently flings herself away from you. She lands in a heap on the other side of the room, but before you can even open your mouth to ask if she's okay, she's back on her hooves and shouting at you.

"What the buck, Anon! What is wrong with you!?"

You flinch and raise your hands defensively, "S-Sorry, I'm sorry! What's wrong, what did I do!?"

She gapes at you, "What... you don't...?" She just shakes her head then straightens and shouts again, "You can't just... just reach out and--and preen somepony, Anon!"

"I-I'm sorry, I didn't know!"

"How could you not know that!? Everypony knows that!" She glares at you, breathing hard and blushing intensely.

"I'm... I'm not a pony... sorry." You grimace and cringe away, your voice dropping almost to a whimper, "Please don't leave me..."

Her brows furrow and she opens her mouth to speak, then closes it, then opens and closes again. She sits down and tilts her head, staring at you incredulously, her wings still spread wide.

"You... seriously didn't know?"

You jerk your head side to side and the pegasus snorts gently, shuffles nervously, then takes a few steps closer as you mutter again, "I'm sorry..."

Her ears fold back at your pathetic tone of voice, when she sighs and hops back up onto the bed, "It's okay, dummy. You didn't know any better, right?" She jabs your leg with a hoof, "But now you do, so you'd better not try that again!"

"N-No, of course not... never."

You take a deep breath, trying once again to stabilize your emotions. After a short, uncomfortable silence, you look up sheepishly, "So... mind explaining why it's so wrong?"

She turns away and shifts her hooves awkwardly, "It, uh... it feels really good."

"And that's bad?"

She huffs and shakes her head, "No, like... really good. They say it's even better than sex," she glances sidelong at you, "It's, um... only for lovers, kay?"

"...Wait, so I basically just raped you?"

She coughs awkwardly and rubs the back of her head with a hoof, "Uh, I mean, sorta I guess? BUt, like... you didn't know any better, right? Can't really blame you."

"Oh god... Dash, I'm so sorry..." You drop your head in your hands again, "Ugh! Can't fucking do anything right!"

"Whoa whoa, hey, easy! Come on, Anon..."

She leans over and lays a wing over your shoulders, nuzzling the side of your neck, "I mean yeah it was pretty uncool, but it's alright, really. I'm not mad or anything." She shivers slightly, then murmurs, "Jeez... I almost don't even mind."

You glance up at her and raise an eyebrow, "And what's that supposed to mean?"

She blushes again and sits up, not meeting your gaze, "Eh... it's nothing."

You hesitate, then turn to look out the window again, dropping the subject for now. The initial joy of realizing you're still in Equestria is starting to fade and you find yourself considering the future.

Dash must guess where your thoughts are headed as she shuffles a little closer and asks, "So... whatcha gonna do now?"

You sigh and shrug your shoulders, thinking through it out loud, "I dunno. I fucked up bad, Dash. I fucked everything up and now AJ hates me, which means townsponies will probably never trust me, so I figure it's only a matter of time before Twilight has no choice but to exile me or return me to Earth."

Her wing suddenly slides off your back as she leans forward into your line of sight, "Waitwaitwait, hold up. I thought this was all Applejack's fault?"

You slowly shake your head, "No... it's my fault. I shouldn't have tried to hold her back, should have just trusted her and let her work... and I should have waited for her damn cycle to finish instead of thinking with my dick!" You sigh again, your breath catching slightly in your throat, "I'd give anything to go back and redo the last twenty-four hours."

"Sounds to me like you're having a lot of trouble thinking straight and figuring out what to do next." You nod glumly and she sets a hoof on your shoulder, "Don't worry, Anon. I know just what to do."

You glance up at her, surprised.

She grins and gestures at the lump in your groin with a wingtip, "You just need some flank to help you with that! Then you'll be thinking clearly again in no time!"

You stare at her, "Wait, y-you mean..."

She nods happily. Your eyebrows shoot up in surprise and you raise your hands, stammering nervously, "That's--uh... I mean, I'm f-flattered but, w-well... it's j-just, I, uh..."

She furrows her brow at your stammering, then her eyes go wide, "Wait a sec, you didn't think I meant me, did you?"

You wince and shrug sheepishly, "Sorry... stupid, I know."

She chuckles nervously and rubs her neck awkwardly, "Well... you are pretty cool and all, but..." She blushes and turns away, wings rustling slightly, "I couldn't do that to Applejack, y'know? I mean, it's only been a day, right?"

Wait, was she actually considering it? You gawk at the back of her head and after a moment, she turns back around. Upon seeing your face, she immediately starts giggling uncontrollably.

"What's so funny?" You ask, folding your arms grumpily.

"I was only kidding! The look on your face! PFFFF--" She breaks down in another fit of giggles and you just groan tiredly.

You wrap the blanket around your waist as you stand to fetch some clothes, then head into the bathroom to change. Just before you close the bathroom door, you ball up the blanket and toss it at the still laughing pegasus. The lump of fabric catches the air just before it reaches her, spreading out like a perfectly thrown net.

Shutting the door, you allow yourself a small smile as she squawks and begins to flail wildly underneath the blanket.

When you step out of the bathroom, Rainbow Dash is nowhere to be seen, even as you walk out into your living room. You plop down on the couch and sigh heavily.

What you can't figure out is why Twilight didn't send you back home. Why delay the inevitable? You'd give anything to get Applejack back, but at your first thoughts of apologizing, her furious eyes burn into you and the last thing she screamed echos through your mind.

No... you don't know how it got so bad so suddenly, but it's probably too late to apologize now. Whatever you had with her is gone.

Your stomach growls and you suddenly realize how hungry you are. You reluctantly get up to find something to eat, open the first cabinet, then mentally correct yourself: something to eat that isn't apples.

As you are considering a simple bowl of just plain white rice, a hoof delicately knocks on your door. You sigh and start walking towards it when another hoof knocks more urgently and you hear a faint murmuring. When you open the door, you see Pinkie and Rarity, but before Rarity can even speak, Pinkie takes one looks at you and immediately slams into your chest, hugging you fiercely.

"Pinkie!" Rarity face-hoofs and you look down at the ball of pink fluff on your chest.

"Hi Pinkie."

You brace for her usual flurry of words and questions as she looks up at you, but instead she just sniffs and silently returns her head to your chest. Feeling a bit awkward, you stroke her mane and look up at Rarity.

"So... what are you two doing here?"

"Well, Rainbow Dash told us what happened with Applejack. I... we thought we would stop by and offer our comfort and... possibly help?" Pinkie squeezes you tighter and Rarity takes a step forward, "I'm so sorry, darling. I know how much you enjoyed your time at Sweet Apple Acres."

You grunt and turn away, dragging Pinkie along as you walk back to the couch. When you sit down, she simply curls up beside you, hooves still wrapped around your waist. Rarity follows you inside and jumps up to sit beside Pinkie, turning to face you.

"I know you must feel just awful, but surely everything will turn out alright in the end?"

You lean back and close your eyes, letting out a short, frustrated sigh, "Am I gonna have to explain this to every pony in town?"

Rarity inhales sharply at your tone, but hesitates before continuing gently, "I'm sorry, Anon. I don't mean to make you repeat yourself. Of course you needn't talk if you don't want to."

You sigh and lift your head to look at her, "Rarity, you of all people--uh, ponies--should know what this means. You saw what that crowd was like before Twilight showed up. Nopony will trust me after this. I'm done. I may as well just go back to Earth now."

Rarity shuffles her hooves awkwardly, "I... I'm sure Twilight can keep the townsponies in line." You just scoff and she falls silent. Pinkie nuzzles your belly and after a moment Rarity continues, "So, um... Dash suggested you might think more clearly after some, ah... relief?"

"I'm not going to one of your damn sex parties."

She doesn't respond immediately, but when she does speak up, she can't quite keep the twinge of hurt from her soft voice, "I didn't really think you would... No, I thought maybe I could help you a little more... directly."

You resist the urge to gawk. No way you're jumping to conclusions again like you did with Dash. Instead you sigh and look up at her, saying, "Sorry... I didn't mean to snap at you like that. Exactly what sort of help are you offering?"

Rarity shuffles awkwardly, "I... w-well, I just thought, maybe you'd like to, um... y-you know--"

Pinkie raises her head and looks you dead in the eye, "Anon, would you be happy again if you could rut me or Rarity?"

Oh.

Guess you actually would have been right this time.

You stare in open astonishment at Pinkie, your mouth hanging wide open.

"Pinkie!" Rarity cries out in alarm, "You can't just come right out and say it so bluntly!"

She ignores Rarity's words and continues in a quiet voice, "You can, you know. Almost nopony ever has, but you can if it will help you. I just want to see you smile again."

At your continued stunned silence, her ears fold back and she looks over her shoulder at Rarity. The unicorn sighs, then looks over at you, "I'd have preferred to be a bit more tactful about it, but... yes. If you think it would make you feel better, we're here for you. Whether as friends, or as... a little more."

She shuffles a little closer, squeezing between Pinkie and the back of the sofa, "It's your choice, of course. I wouldn't dream of forcing your hoof on the matter. I just wanted you to know the option is on the table."

Pinkie looks back at you and you finally regain some control of your voice, "N-No, that's... that's alright..."

"Nonny, it's okay, really!" Pinkie says urgently, "You shouldn't try to suppress these urges if it makes you feel so bad."

"You... I'm not, it's fine."

Rarity nods politely, "Well... alright. I just want to sure you're absolutely certain first. I won't pretend it will make everything okay again, but if it might help even a little bit, well... it might be worth trying?"

You shake your head a little faster than necessary, "I-I don't think--"

"Rarity and I could even help you together! We've never done that before, so it would be a whole new kind of offer!" She gives you a sly grin, "Even at our parties, it's not often you get an offer like--"

"Fuck's sake, it's not the sex!"

Their ears droop in unison and they flinch back slightly. You rub your eyes with the arm Pinkie doesn't have pinned to your side.

"Sorry... it's just--I love her, y'know? Sex would probably just make me miss her more. Besides, like Dash said, it's only been a day... be pretty shitty of me to take an offer like that so soon, don't you think?"

Pinkie lowers her head to your chest again and sniffs pitifully. Rarity looks away awkwardly, seeming unsure how to continue, but then her ears perk up, "Well how about a date, instead?"

You give her a little glare and she fidgets slightly, "N-Not with either of us, but I happen to know somepony who would love to get the chance to know you a little better."

"Isn't going on a date the day after the breakup almost as bad as having sex?"

"Not at all, darling! This will only be a casual, friendly dinner--testing the waters, so to speak. There are no obligations or expectations here. I don't know if it will help, of course, but making a new friend might be just what helps you move on."

You hesitate and look at the floor thoughtfully. Rarity adds, "If nothing else, simply getting out of the house should help you feel better, right?"

You snort softly, feeling a little uncomfortable with the suggestion but unable to refute it. She leans forward and gently places a hoof on your arm just above where Pinkie is holding you. "I know you're lonely, dear. Twilight, Dash, Pinkie, Me... we all care about you deeply, but we're just so busy these days... you need friends you can just casually hang out with, without needing to plan around such difficult schedules."

You sigh and glance up at her, "And what if I say no and tell you to leave?"

She huffs slightly, "Anon, darling, I'll leave you alone right now if you ask me to. I would never dream of forcing you to accept my help... but I would be ever so worried about you."

"Why?" You ask simply.

"...Pardon?"

"Why worry about me," You say in a dull monotone.

Pinkie whimpers faintly and nuzzles your chest as Rarity stammers slightly, "Why... Why worry? Oh my dear! Anon, you are simply a delight to have around! W-Well, usually, of course." She giggles nervously, then continues, "You're kind, you're considerate... compassionate, hard working, punctual, trustworthy... why you even go out of your way to help ponies after they've been rude to you! You are truly a wonderful person, Anon!"

You look away again, feeling intensely awkward under the onslaught of praise.

Rarity leans forward even further, "Darling, please do not let random ponies warp your own opinion of yourself. Every single pony that has taken even five minutes to know you better has had naught to say but praise."

"Except the one pony I care about most..."

She leans in and nuzzles your cheek, "I know, I know... I'm sure it hurts terribly, but I promise it does get better. You just have to give it a chance. Wallowing in your self-pity here will only make you feel worse. I really do believe you'll feel better if you get out and try to enjoy yourself."

You take a deep breath, then shrug your shoulders weakly, "Maybe you're right... I guess it can't hurt to try, right?"

Pinkie looks up at you, smiling hesitantly, "You mean you'll really do it?"

"I... guess--"

She leaps up and wraps her forelegs around your neck, squealing with joy, "Oh Nonny, I'm so happy! I just know you'll feel better and you'll know just what to do afterwards!"

A cerulean glow surrounds her as Rarity gently pries her away from your head, "Yes, I am glad you agreed, Anon. The mare in question is out of town at the moment, but shall we say... tomorrow night at sundown?"

"I d-didn't--"

"I'm thinking the Caffhay would be a good fit--not so fancy as to impose any expectations on the evening, but nice enough that it should be quiet and relaxing for the both of you."

Then she notices your mild distress and sets a comforting hoof on your arm, "Don't worry, darling, I know you still aren't familiar with the town yet. I'll be here tomorrow evening to guide you to the Caffhay."

You stammer but Rarity ignores you hand claps her hooves excitedly, "Ooh she is going to be just thrilled when she finds out! She's been looking forward to meeting you for a while now."

She hops off the couch and trots toward the door, dragging Pinkie in her magic behind her, who rapidly waves a hoof at you.

"Bye Nonny!"

"I'll see you tomorrow, Anon!"

Even as you open your mouth to stop her, the door shuts with a certain sense of finality.

You sigh heavily and stand to return to the kitchen and make your rice. Probably wouldn't have been able to change their minds anyways. Still, maybe she's right and it will actually help?

You squash that hope before it has a chance to bloom--you already made that mistake last night with Big Mac.

CH18: The Old Mare's Tale

You stared at a bowl of plain white rice for a bit, then decided to get off your ass and try going outside instead.

You'd been rather surprised at how much better you felt once you were outside. Your house may be a minefield of painful memories, but as you walked through Ponyville everything blurred together too much to remind you of anything specific.

Aside from Lily's florist shop, that is. Daisy smiled and waved at you cheerfully as you passed, but your mind was flooded with thoughts of Applejack and the daffodil Lily gave you and your attempts at a friendly response were awkward at best.

Still, aside from that mine hiccup, you had made it all the way to the market without much incident and even managed to seem fairly normal as you picked out some groceries--though you could help but think about how much of the food in the store was grown at Sweet Apple Acres.

As you wrap up your shopping and approach the counter, you almost automatically kneel to avoid towering over the poor pony at the register. She's a pretty orange mare with an orange and white striped mane who smile nervously up at you, then silently begins tallying up your groceries.

Your mind begins to wander while you wait and you turn to look idly around the store. It seems fairly busy, at least, as far as you can tell--for all you know ponies do their groceries daily and this is just par for the course. You watch as a stallion and mare do an awkward little dance with their carts as they try to go around each other and keep choosing the same side. They both stop, laugh merrily, and the stallion steps back and graciously waves the mare through, who nods appreciatively and continues walking. Another mare near the end, seeing her approach, hastily swivels her cart out of the middle of the aisle and they murmur politely as they pass.

Such a minor interaction, total inconsequential, and yet nopony hesitated even for a second. You think back to the oblivious, rude, and even hectic shoppers of Earth and can't help but sigh in appreciation. The more you watch these ponies, the more you realize they simply default to being polite and considerate, as if it's so deeply ingrained there is not even an alternative to consider. With that in mind, everypony must be much more afraid of you than you originally thought to justify them being so rude to you.

The mare at the counter behind you talks quietly to herself.

You wonder if trying to be more understanding and showing ponies more directly that you're safe and nice is worth trying. Maybe, just maybe, you can avoid being sent back to Earth after all.

The clerk pony murmurs under her breath again and you start to worry she might cause a scene... Well, no sense in jumping to paranoid conclusions, you'll just deal with that if it comes up.

Your thoughts wander back to the polite exchange you just witnessed and you idly wonder if being such good people is truly in pony nature, or if it's just a product of their society. If it's the former then there's probably little hope, but if it's the latter, maybe that means humankind could one day also--

You jerk as a hoof brushes your shoulder, startling you. Your head whips around and the pony at the counter cringes back, eyes wide and muzzle trembling.

"Sorry! S-So sorry, sir!"

You turn to face her and try to smile warmly without showing too many teeth, "It's alright girl, no worries. It's my own fault for not paying better attention.

Her ear twitches nervously and she continues in that same faint murmur you were hearing before, "I, um, finished ringing you up, and--"

"Oh gosh, I'm sorry!" You interrupt, "You've been trying to get my attention this whole time, haven't you?"

"N-No, it's quite alright sir! Your t-total is... is, um... thirty-seven bits."

You furrow your brow. Thirty-seven seems awfully cheap for how much stuff you bought. As you reach for your pouch of bits, you sneak a glance at the notebook she used and see she actually wrote your total to be fifty-eight bits.

Is she afraid to charge you too much?

You smile gently as you pull out sixty bits--most of the money you had left, to be honest--and place them on the counter.

"But s-sir--"

You pick up your bag and wink at her, "Just call me Anon."

As you turn and walk away you just barely hear her whisper, "T-Thank you..."

Maybe you were wrong to assume humans were mean-spirited by default. After all, you're a human, and you certainly appreciate kindness and selflessness. Smiling to yourself, you push open the shops door and step outside.

You freeze.

Not ten feet in front of you stands Applejack. You take an involuntary step back as you lock eyes. Her ears fold back, her tail flicks and her eyes narrow. You open your mouth to say... well, say what?

Then the door smacks you in the back.

You stumble forward and drop your bag, spilling your groceries all over the ground. You hear a faint "eep!" behind you as the orange cashier pony rushes to pick up your fallen groceries.

"Omigosh, I'm so sorry, sir! I didn't think... I-I was trying to catch up because I just wanted to thank you properly..." She trails off when she realizes you're just standing there and staring at Applejack.

Applejack snorts and, with a lazy flick of her uninjured foreleg, kicks a small bag of mushrooms that landed near her toward you. Then without a word, she turns and walks away, ears still pinned back angrily.

"W-Wait! Applejack, please!"

She stops in place without looking back.

You hesitate, not really knowing what to say, before finally saying somewhat lamely, "I'm s-sorry. I... I only wanted to help."

She just scoffs, flicks her tail, and continues walking.

You stand there and stare after her, a cold chill running down your back.

"...Sir? Um, A-Anon?"

You feel something touch your knee and numbly look down at the orange pony. She tilts her head, looking concerned, "Um... are you alright?"

You rub your eyes and take a deep breath, trying to maintain your composure, "I'll... be fine."

Slightly dazed, you kneel and begin scooping everything up off the ground and, after a moment's hesitation, the clerk pony continues helping you.

"I'm sorry I spilled your groceries..."

"It's fine," you mutter.

"I was rushing 'cause I thought you'd have already walked away and I wanted to thank you properly." She sets a miraculously undamaged carton of eggs in the bag, then sets a hoof on your forearm, making you stop and look at her. "I'm sorry for being afraid of you. I think... Princess Twilight was right about you and I'm glad you're here with us. Will I see you here again soon?"

You can't help but scoff, "Pff, doubt it."

She gasps and jerks her hoof away, ears folding down.

"N-No, sorry, I didn't mean it like... like that." She eyes you suspiciously and you sigh, "I'm just broke, alright? I've only got like... I dunno, ten bits left, and I was just fired yesterday."

She rubs a floppy ear thoughtfully, "Surely Princess Twilight--"

"She's given me enough charity already, I'm not about to ask for even more money."

"Well... then what will you do?"

You sigh again and move to pick up the last few items off the ground, "Try and get another job, I guess. Nopony trusts me though, so I dunno how that's gonna work... but it's all I got."

She picks up the last item, a small bag of potatoes, and drops it in the bag. As you lift the bag into your arms, she looks around, "It's about to be dark. Do you live nearby?"

How anypony knows when it's going to be night or day, you could never tell, "Yeah, just by the path to the Ponyville School."

"Oh... okay."

You hesitate, not sure if she was going anywhere with that, but she just stares at you with wide eyes.

"Uh... well, thanks for the help I guess."

She only blushes faintly and looks down, so you stand up and turn away.

"Um..." You stop and look back at her, "M-My name is Valencia Snow."

You try to smile, "Nice to meet you, Valencia." She responds with a shy smile of her own.

Walking away again, you get an odd feeling after a few steps and turn to look behind you. Valencia skids to a stop behind you, her ears swiveling back as she looks up at you.

"...Yes?"

She shuffles her hooves nervously, eyes downcast, "Um... j-just wanted to... to make sure you got home safely."

Why is she so concerned for you? You drop to a squat, making her flinch at the sudden movement.

"That's sweet, but I'll be okay. You should probably get back to your shop, right?"

She sighs and droops her head pathetically, "Okay... s-sorry I bothered you."

"Hey now..." You stop her from turning away with a hand on her cheek and her startled face turns to you, "You're not a bother, promise. It's just I'm pretty sure I can handle the one or two minute walk home."

Her muzzle quivers and her tail flicks nervously. She opens her mouth to speak, then closes it again, eyes darting side to side. She seems reluctant to leave, though you can't figure out why she cares so much.

"Um... but I, uh... I guess I would appreciate the company...?"

Her eyes light up and she smiles up at you, then she looks back down at the ground nervously, "If... you don't mind."

You rub the side of her neck, stand and turn to start working. You look over your shoulder to see her still sitting there and looking pitiful. Smiling, you gesture with a tilt of your head.

"Coming, then?"

She squeaks and scrambles to her hooves, rushing to your side. As you start walking again, you gently stroke her mane with your free hand.

"What about the shop? Surely you're still working, right?"

She hums happily and presses her head against your hand, then suddenly stops and seems self-conscious about it.

"Oh, um, Sunny Flights said she can cover the till for me... we were just about to close anyway."

Just then, the sun begins smoothly lowering to the horizon, exactly as Valencia said it would. You chuckle and look down at her.

"Alright, I've gotta know. How on earth do you ponies know when the sun is about to set?"

She gives you an odd look, "Princess Celestia and Princess Luna move the sun and moon at the same time every day. You... did know that, right?"

"Oh sure, and if I'm near a clock I know when it'll happen, but you ponies always seem to know no matter where you are! I'm dying to know, how do you do it?"

Her muzzle quirks in thought, then she shrugs her shoulders helplessly, "I just sort of... do?"

You groan and scowl playfully, making her look up and wince when she sees your face, "Ohhh, I'm sorry I can't be more help! I wish I could explain it better..."

"It's okay girl," you say, relaxing and patting her head, "I'm not actually angry, just playing around. I've been curious but it's not a big deal."

She looks down again, sighing in relief, "Well... it's hard to explain, I just kind of... feel like it's supposed to happen soon." She falls silent for a moment, her orange and white mane falling over her face as she looks down in thought, then she gasps and looks up, her eyes bright, "Ooh, I know! It's like when you put a kettle of water to boil then go do something else while you wait. After a while you just sort of 'know' it should be boiling by now, right? It always takes the same amount of time, so you get so used to it you can time it without even really thinking about it!"

"Ah, okay! That makes a lot of sense actually."

Valencia beams up at you, then her ear flicks and her eyes glance at your hand. Catching the hint, you chuckle and give her some ear scritches as thanks, making her coo contentedly. You turn the last corner and walk toward your house together.

"Weeeell now!" Granny's sharp voice cuts through the rapidly dimming light and Valencia freezes in her tracks, eyes wide and ears at full attention, "No wonder y'ain't answerin' yer door, ya weren't even in there!"

With a high squeak, the clerk pony twirls on a hoof and bolts back the way you came.

"N-No, wait! Valencia!" Either she doesn't hear you or is too startled to care as she darts around the corner and her hoofbeats rapidly fade into the distance.

You rub your eyes and let out a deep, pained sigh, "Hi, Granny..."

"Yeah, yeah, howdy ho an' all that. C'mon ya big mope, git inside."

You look up and grimace, "Can't we just--"

"Nope."

"--do this tomorrow?"

She just stares at you, so you groan and step forward, shoving your door open and shuffling your way inside. As you dump the bag of groceries onto your counter, the old pony steps through the door and casually closes it behind her with a kick of a hind hoof.

You glare at her, "Thanks for scaring off my new friend."

Granny hops up onto your couch and waves a hoof dismissively, "Bah, lil' Val scares near as easy as Fluttershy used to, but she ain't one to hold it against ya. She'll be back 'fore ya know it."

"Wait, you know her?"

"Fiddlesticks, Anon, 'course ah know 'er! Din't ya notice darn near everythin' they got came from Sweet Apple Acres?"

You did, of course--and mentally smack yourself for not figuring it out yourself sooner. Changing the subject, you turn and start putting away your groceries."

"Alright then, what do you want?" You ask sourly, "You gonna offer to let me fuck you too?"

"T'weren't mah first thought, no, but if'n yer askin' ah'm sure we--"

She stands up on your couch, tail raised high, and you hastily wave your hands, "No no! I'm not! Nevermind!"

She pouts as you awkwardly turn away to put some milk in the fridge, "Well then why'd ya go an' get m'hopes up by askin'?"

You freeze. 'Get her hopes up'? Surely not her too!

You whip around and stare at her, and she cackles gleefully, "Unknit yer knickers, Anon, ah'm just teasin' ya. Ah expect mah flankin' days're loooong gone."

You hesitate for a long moment before slowly resuming your actions and put away some more groceries.

"Though ah'll admit to wonderin' why ya asked that particular question." When you only grimace and don't respond, she continues, "Oh, lemme guess--them two party fiends... whasser names, Rare and Pie? They offered to help ya 'relax'?

"Uh..."

"An' that Rainbow gal hinted at doin' just the same, eh?"

Your face scrunches up with feelings of confusion, surprise, and suspicion as you turn to look at her, "How could you possibly know that?"

She snorts derisively, "Anon, ah helped found this 'ere town. May not be the Mayor m'self, but she's a dear old friend o'mine an' together we try an' keep an eye on anythin' what might affect this 'ere town." She eyes you critically, "Especially strange creatures from another world that decide they're better off livin' here with us."

Your mind reels with implications and you struggle to keep yourself from jumping to conclusions. You lean forward and stare at her over the kitchen counter that separates you from your living room.

"What are you implying?"

She tilts her head questioningly, "Eh? Implying" Ah ain't implyin' nothin' ah din't figure was already obvious. Yer a clear source o'disruption in the town, just ain't sure whether it's fer good or fer bad yet." She rubs the back of her head, then shrugs nonchalantly, "Ain't like there's some secret government of old ponies what got a say over things that happen 'round here. Ponyfeathers, even Mayor Mare ain't got as much power as she used to, now that lil' Twilight's a Princess now." Granny snorts and gives you a carefree smile, "Not that she minds havin' less work to do. That ol' gal's always bee a lazy one an' now she's gettin' old an' tired to boot. Ah don't doubt she's more'n happy to let lil' Twi take some o' the load off 'er withers."

You speak up before she can go off on another tangent, "Alright, alright... let's just get this over with."

"Hmm?"

You sigh, turning to put away the carton of eggs, "Come on, we both know why you're here. Let's just move on."

"Oh... ah ain't here to talk 'bout Applejack if that's what yer thinkin'."

You turn around and frown, "I find that extremely hard to believe."

She gives you a languid shrug in response, "Ah mean, we can talk 'bout her if'n ya want, but ah ain't 'bout to force it on ya."

"Well then why are you here?"

She shrugs again, "Ain't got a specific reason, really, was jus' worried 'bout you an' wanted to check in on ya. From what Mac told me, y'all were hurtin' pretty bad last night."

You grunt and toss some bread into the cupboard with more force than strictly necessary, "Oh, I'm doing just swell." You turn and pick up the last couple items from the bag.

"Apple Bloom misses ya somethin' fierce, y'know."

You falter for a moment, then grimace and set the groceries in a random cupboard, "Now what's the use in telling me that? It's not like I can do anything about Applejack at this point."

"An' how ya even know that without even talkin' to her?"

You whirl around, almost snarling at the old mare, "Because I did! By some cruel twist of fate she was standing right there after I got my groceries, but she wouldn't even TALK to me, Granny! I apologized and was gonna try to explain myself, and she just fuckin' walked away like I didn't mean nothin' to her!"

Granny looks up at you with old sad eyes, "She jus' don't know how to handle herself, Anon, specially what with 'er cycle. She don't hate ya an' she certainly don't--"

"Don't give me that shit!" you snap, "You were standing right there when she was yelling at me!"

"An y'all weren't there to see ju's how upset she was after ya left."

You throw up your hands, "Why would I want to know she got even angrier after I left?"

"Not angry, Anon," Granny replies quietly, "Well sure, she was angry alright, but she was hurtin' somethin' awful too. She hates what she did an' kept beatin' herself up over it all that night."

"Bullshit."

The old mare narrows her eyes at you.

"How the fuck are you gonna tell me she regrets what she did and then she refused to even talk to me today? And if she feels so shit about it, why can't she come over here and talk? Why is it you and Big Mac coming over here trying to tell me everything'll be fine and dandy, yet she can't hardly even look at me?"

Granny smiles gently and pats the couch with a hoof, "Anon, come over 'ere an' talk, please." You just sigh and rub your face silently and she adds, "C'mon now, ah asked nicely an' everythin'."

You groan in exasperation, "Why even bother!? What's the point?"

"Now now, Anon. Don't make me come over there an' make ya."

You scoff and roll your eyes, "Now that I'd like to see."

"If'n ah can still wrangle McIntosh into submission, y'all best believe ah can handle you." Her voice drops to an ominous murmur and her eyes pierce into you, "Don't test me, foal."

Something in her voice makes the back of your neck prickle and you feel your gut clench. Suddenly you're too nervous to even move and the two of you stare at each other for several seconds. The corner of her muzzle twitches.

Then you startle as she throws back her head and roars with laughter, slapping her thigh with a hoof and instantly shattering the tension. You sigh and lean forward onto the counter, both relieved and embarrassed.

"Bah golly, Anon!" She giggles a little more and wipes a tear from her eye, "Teasin' y'all is more fun than a day at the rodeo!"

You smile nervously but are still hesitant to approach the couch.

"Aw, git over 'ere for pony's sake! Ah don't bite unless ya ask!" She waves a hoof at you with a wink, still snickering.

Slowly, you walk around the counter and up to the couch. Granny rolls her eyes at your careful approach and pats the cushion next to her. After a brief pause, you finally sit down beside her and she smiles warmly at you.

"Thank ya, dearie. Ah was gettin' mighty tired of shoutin' across the room like that." She shuffles, turning where she sits so she can face you more easily. "So, anywho... y'all okay?"

You shrug your shoulders, not really feeling like talking now.

"Aw, Anon... Ah'm sorry. Ah din't mean to hurt yer feelings or nothin'." Was just tryna relax the atmosphere a bit."

You cross your arms and mutter, "Got a hell of a way of doing it."

Granny nickers and turns away, leaning back against the couch. When you eventually turn to look at her, she seems to be deep in thought and her ear barely even twitches at your movement. You'd rather avoid more thoughts of Applejack right now, and you're finding it hard to think about anything else in the presence of her granddam. So instead you just try not to think of anything at all.

The two of you sit there in silence for some time.

You fidget awkwardly. You want to tell her to get out, to leave you alone, to let you wallow in your misery... but whether out of respect, out of fear, or something out of a desire to be near an Apple, you can't quite bring yourself to tell her to leave. So, you just sit there.

For several minutes the only sound is the old mare's breathing. Then, in a slow and somber tone, Granny begins to speak.

"When Pear Butter married m'colt, Bright Mac, t'was the happiest day o' my life. Her joinin' our family was the best thing ever did happen to my lil' farm... even with her sire bein' a real plothole 'bout it." She smiles herself with the memories and continues, "Then, o'course, they had a foal. Moment he left the womb an' we saw he weren't but the biggest darn colt Ponyville had ever seen, ah knew he was gonna be the strongest, toughest earth pony around. Bright an Pear had already decided to call him McIntosh 'fore he was even born, but when Bright laid eyes on him, first thing he says is 'Hey there, Big Mac,' an' just like that, the name stuck."

Granny pauses briefly before continuing and you begin to realize this is no simple tale of days gone by.

"T'were a good long while 'fore Pear was with foal again, but Princess have mercy, when that filly was born, it's like a bit o' sunshine dripped straight off'a Celestia's horn an' fell to the soil. She was so beautiful, so perfect, Bright and Pear darn near jumped on each other right then an' there to try again. Ah says, 'Wait, give 'er time to grow a bit like ya did with Mac 'fore ya bring another foal into this world.' An' so they did."

She becomes more animated, gesturing with her hooves as she talks, "Now Mac was strong of body, but lil' Applejack was strong of heart, an' she poured that heart into everythin' she did. Mac respected the farm an' worked it happily enough, but Applejack din't just work the farm, she loved the farm. Some days we'd be tearin' her away from the crops just to get 'er to go to school, an' the second that bell rang, she was right back 'ere doin' what she loved best."

You turn in your seat and face Granny with an air of respect, feeling the story deserved it.

"She an' Mac got along alright, but without spendin' any extra time at school, she got lonely for filly friends an' started askin' Pear when she was gonna get a sister. Don't ask me how she knew where foals come from, ah got no clue to this very day! Anywho, she was still awful young, so we told 'er we were planning on waiting a while yet 'fore they had another foal but, well... You know how she gets. Weren't long 'fore we couldn't say 'no' no more an' gave in."

Granny's wide gestures suddenly cease and she falls silent for a long moment. Finally, she continues in a low voice, "From the very start of the pregnancy, somethin' weren't right. Weren't right at all. Started out small... throwin' up a little more'n usual, feelin' tired an' not thinkin' straight... then the pain came. That started small too--just a little twinge in the belly, she said. Nopony thought anythin' of it. Couple times she'd wince an' we'd ask if she were alright... she'd just shrug it off, say it was her belly hurtin' again. Ah was a mite worried, but everythin' was so happy an' perfect, ah never really feared somethin' could go wrong." She closes her eyes and her head droops, "Then one night ah wake up to screamin'."

Granny shudders and you absentmindedly reach out to comfort her, gently stroking her back.

"I'll spare ya the details, but let's just say y'all can still find some bloodstains if'n ya know where to look." She takes a deep breath before continuing, "Thank Celestia harvest had been good an' we'd some money saved up, so when the local Doc said he couldn't do anythin', we paid the big bits for a Medicorn to come out 'ere. He must'a spent near an hour standin' over Pear, his horn a glowin' but never sayin' a word. Finally he stops an' says a whole lot o' bit words that din't make much sense to none of us--probably just tryna show off to us lowly country ponies--'fore he finally admits the foal is fine."

You release a breath you didn't realize you had been holding.

"'Course, that was just the good news. Praise be that he had the good sense to keep Mac an' AJ outta the room 'cause the bad news next was that Pear weren't fine... weren't fine at all. Said somethin' 'bout an ulcer or tumor or somethin' an' told us she'd be lucky to live long enough to give birth. Said the best plan is to take the next train to a Manehatten hospital and give birth by magic, then go from there."

She shudders lightly before picking up the tale again, "Well 'course we were alls truck dumb by the news, but ain't no one took it harder'n my poor Bright. Everypony left the room an' left the two by 'emselves for a bit an' when he came out again, he had this sorta... dunno, fire in his eyes. He started packin' up to leave an' when ah asked where he thought he was goin', all's he said was he can't let this happen."

She heaves a great sigh before she speaks again, "Should'a stopped him right then an there, but ah was too upset m'self to really put up a fight. Pear din't seem surprised when ah said he left but wouldn't explain nothin'. When we broke it to the foals, Big Mac was upset as you'd expect, but Applejack... but oh, dear little Applejack..." Granny shakes her head slowly and rubs her muzzle with a forehoof, "The Medicorn told us the illness weren't cause by the pregnancy, but at the time lil' AJ wasn't in the room to hear that. Took me a long while to figure out that Applejack blamed herself for what happened, 'cause she asked for a sister an' Pear got sick with the foal. Still, that lil' drop of sunshine was so full of hope an' love, we couldn' hardly imagine anythin' might happen 'cept Pear gettin' better."

You hop up to fetch a couple small hand towels for Granny's budding tears--just Granny's of course, you're not getting choked up at all, oh no.

"T'was over a week 'fore Bright finally returned... an' he had a Zebra with 'im. She says her name's Zecora an' talked with a funny accent, but Bright was adamant she was a doctor who could help. Ah asked him what it would cost an' he just waved it off like it weren't even a worry... 'nothing mistake on my part."

The old mare slumps against the back of the couch and takes a few deep breaths, "Well, the zebra brews some odd smelling soup or somethin', carves some shapes into these lil' wood slivers she has, chants somthin' nopony understands while holdin' Pear an' Bright's hooves, then splashes 'em both with the soup. Nothin' happens, but Bright don't seem worried so ah don't ask. Few hours later, she doesn't it all again, an' then again 'fore we go to bed. The next day she does it three more times an' still nothin' happens."

She breaks off with a cough and you realize her voice was starting to get kinda scratchy, so you hop up to fetch her some milk to sooth her throat. She takes a few sips and even gargles the milk a bit, then smacks her lips and says, "Ah, thank ya dearie. Now what was ah' sayin'?"

You start to remind her but she immediately talks over you, "Oh right, the Zebra! Well after the third day doin' all that chantin' an' soup splashin', she says she's done an ah just can't take it anymore. Ah shout at her, 'y'ain't even done nothin' ya scammin' hack!' Figured she'd defend herself or get angry or somethin'... shore din't expect my dear colt Bright yankin' me back and lookin' right furious, tellin' me to give her the respect she deserves!" She chuckles humorlessly, "'Course, if I'd a known the truth about what she'd just done, I'd a prolly given her a buck in the head or ten, but ah trusted my colt an' backed down an' waited."

She raises her forehooves in mock prayer, "An' lo, praise be! Pear mysteriously makes a complete recovery! She gives birth to the most adorably lil' precious bean you ever did saw an' names her Apple Bloom. Everypony is happy an' nothin' ever goes wrong again. The end."

She slowly lowers her hooves and you're holding your breath again.

"Least... 'til somethin' goes wrong again. Bloom's first birthday comes around an' Bright Mac is awful tired the day after. We just chalk it up to the exertions of the party. By the time her second birthday comes around, Bright is lookin' awful wrinkly for his age. Weren't much longer 'fore it becomes obvious Bright is aging 'fore our very eyes."

She sighs and takes another sip of milk before continuing, "Well, ah start insisting he see a doctor but he keeps sayin' he's fine. Ah KNOW he ain't fine, so ah stand my ground... an' he finally decides to let loose an' explain. So he sits down with Pear an' me a-and--"

Granny suddenly chokes and almost silently begins to cry. You scoot close and comfort her as best you can, rubbing her back as the gentle sobs overcome her. Slight tremors shake her body and she brings the little hand towel to her muzzle.

Then, just a minute or two later, she lowers her hoof and takes several slow, deep breaths. When she speaks again, he voice is steady, but noticeably quieter than before, "...So we sits down an' he tells us just what the Zebra did. 'Parently what he told Pear was he gave up some of what Zecora called 'life force' to heal her, but that weren't the whole truth. What Pear had couldn't be healed by anypony--she was already dead. Instead, Zecora linked his life force to hers."

Her voice gained strength as she went on, as if that one little cry was all she needed, "Basically, so long as Bright Mac lived, Pear Butter couldn't age or die... but anythin' that would injure or age her would drain his life force instead. Problem was, Zecora had no way to know how much life force he had left or how fast Pear's sickness would drain it." She shudders slightly, "Zecora told him it might be anywhere from one to fifty moons 'til he started showing sighs of aging earlier than normal. Obviously it's been a lot closer to one than fifty, so he's 'a mite disappointed,' he says."

Granny scoffs and rolls her eyes. "Well anywho, Bright figured his time was up an' he wouldn't live to see Bloom's next birthday, an' when he died, Pear's remaining life force wouldn't last much longer. Poor Pear Butter was near hysteric, demandin' he cut the connection so he could life longer for the foals 'stead of leavin' them orphans--and ah was right there with her--but he said it couldn't be undone. Hay, ah even took the train to Canterlot an' petitioned to Princess Celestia to see if she could do anythin'.

She flicks a hoof dismissively, "Celestia was different then, 'fore Twilight came around an' Luna returned. Said she'd look into it but couldn't promise anythin' an' then ah never heard anythin' from her again. Tell the truth ah din't really expect her to help in the first place." She sighs again, "Well... t'weren't long 'fore the foals noticed somethin' was wrong. We tried explainin' as best we could, but ah think Mac was the only one old enough to understand... all Applejack knew was this was still connected to Pear's pregnancy, so 'course she kept on blamin' herself--though ah still didn't know it."

"Anyways, don't matter if they understood it, 'cause t'weren't long 'fore Bright looked like this ol' green husk talkin' to ya now, an' a few mornings later he... he just didn't wake up."

Granny chokes up again and you expect her to start crying again, but she hurries on in a husky voice, as if trying to get it behind her. "Even knowin' it was comin', me an' Pear were devastated, but it was made all the worse seein' how the foals suffered an' knowin' it wouldn't be long 'fore Pear went too. She lasted a lot longer'n Zecora guessed, but shortly after Bloom's third birthday, Pear started showin' signs of wear. Rather than put the foals through the pain o' that there slow decay, me an' her decided we'd tell them Pear was goin' off to find an' make amends with her parents."

She rolled her eyes disdainfully, "We already knew that was no use, 'course, t'was just a cover. Them rotten pieces o' manure had already refused to talk the first time she was dyin'. Still, we told the foals she'd be gone for a few weeks, maybe months, sayin' we weren't sure where her parents had gotten off to... an instead checked her into the clinic right 'ere in town. Each an' every night, no matter how tired ah was or how bad the weather, ah went down there to visit her."

The old mare sniffs and wipes her muzzle with the hand towel again, "Brought her news of the foals, copies of homework, plants they'd grown, things they'd drawn, even pictures when ah could get 'em. An' every night she looked older'n the night before, but dammit if she din't always look happy." She looks down at her own wrinkled fetlock, "Hope when my time comes, ah can manage half the grace an' cheer that mare had in her last days..."

You just stare at her in silent horror until she eventually continues.

"Now, it's gettin' pretty clear we're nearin' the end an' Pear won't last more'n a few more days, when all o' the sudden one night Big Mac an' Applejack stop me at the door as ah'm leavin' an Mac says the worst thing ah ever did hear: 'We wanna see her,' he says. Ah tried playin' it off, but somehow they just knew, so then ah tried convince 'em they shouldn't see her, that it'd just hurt 'em to see her like that. Hay, Applejack even agreed with me! But they just couldn't stand knowin' their dam was dyin' not a mile away an' not seein' her."

Granny shakes her head sadly, "'Course ah couldn't just tell 'em no, so we head down to the clinic an' ah tell 'em to wait outside Pear's room while ah go in an' warn her... an' she's plain horrified, an' rightly so! Says if they see her now, like this, all the time she spent away woulda been in vain! There's a bit o' back an' forth ah don't really need to get into, but eventually Big Mac goes in while Applejack waits outside. She clearly thinks that's a mite unfair, but it's really all too somber to get upset."

She takes another sip of milk, then slowly says, "When Mac finally comes out... he's in a bad way. Shaken, scared, hurt, an' miserable, an' ah give him the biggest hug ah can manage. Then Applejack asks if she can see 'er now. Quick as a whip Mac says she shouldn't--he regrets it, she'll regret it, Pear'll regret it... he straight up begs her through his tears not to go in, to remember her as she was. Applejack stares at the door for a long while, then she finally steps inside."

You can't help but let out a groan and Granny nods sadly, "It ain't but a minute 'fore she's stumblin' back out that door, Pear callin' her name as she gallops away. Mac goes after her an' ah go in to ask what happened... Pear says the first thing outta Applejack's mouth was 'I'm sorry.' an' after a bit o' talk we finally realize AJ's been blamin' herself for what happened the whole time." She rolls her eyes, "Took us long enough, eh? Well ah rush off to explain the truth to her, but as soon as ah start talkin', she won't listen. Cuts me off, runs way, covers her ears an' says 'lalalalala!' ...Anythin' she can do to avoid the conversation."

"Next night, Mac goes with me to visit though it plainly hurts him, but ah think in the end they were both glad he did. He goes again the next night and the Doc stops me as we arrive an' says he don't expect her to make it to morning. Mac goes in while ah gallop back home to get Applejack."

She pauses a bit awkwardly, stretching her neck this way and that before continuing.

"Now ah know she'll just cut me off soon as she knows what ah'm sayin', so when ah open her bedroom door, first thing outta my muzzle is, 'she's dyin'' an' poor Applejack freezes 'fore her hooves can even make it to her ears. Glad ah finally got 'er to listen, ah say somethin like 'it's time, it weren't yer fault, y'all should be with her...' an' so on. She just lays there, still an' silent as stone. Ah try an' get her to say somethin' or at the very least look at me, but she just jerks away from my touch. Eventually ah got no choice but to just leave 'er."

You let out a forlorn sigh and Granny just shakes her head.

"Well, when ah get back to the clinic, the doc explains to me, Mac, and Pear that we got three options. He can keep everythin' the same an' let her pass when her body finally gives out, he can cut off life support after she falls asleep so she passes quietly, or he can cut it off now so me an' Mac can be with her as she goes. We talk 'bout it for a time an' Pear decides she wants to do it now, so me an' Mac can be with her as she goes. The doc says he'll give her an hour to make sure she's really sure, an' we just talk about the farm and the foals to pass the time. Then the doc comes back and Pear ain't changed her mind. So he just... flips a switch an' says it'll only be a few minutes. Pear asks if it'll hurt an' he says it'll be just like fallin' asleep."

She hesitates for a brief moment, wincing as if reluctant to say the words.

"So we sit with her an' just... keep on talkin' like nothin's wrong. Me an' Mac makes jokes an' tell stories an' talk about anythin' we can think of while we pretend not to notice how her eyes droop or how each breath comes slower than the last. Mac tells a story 'bout somethin' silly Bloom did that day. Halfway through, she don't breathe again an' Mac stops dead, mid-sentence... just stares at the trace of a smile still left on 'er face."

Granny clenches her eyes and whispers, "Then Applejack walks in."

You gasp, hand flying to your mouth, then moan as if in physical pain.

She nods slowly before continuing, "She...weren't never the same after that. She threw herself at the farm like it was all she had left in life. Learned to care about other stuff over time, but she always treated the farm like it was precious beyond anythin' or anypony... 'cept maybe Apple Bloom."

"So when I tried to stop her from working..."

"Ya had 'bout as much luck as if ya tried gettin' her to buck Apple Bloom in the snout."

The two of you sit in silence for a moment before you quietly say, "Well... now I understand why she got so mad." Granny only grunts in response and you continue, "But... Granny, none of that changes the fact that she's mad in the first place. What am I supposed to do with her?"

The old mare snorts, "Do what ya want. Ah ain't some ancient sage of wisdom with all the answers. Ah'm just an old coot that grows apples."

She hops down from the couch and you stare at her, stunned, "You mean... you spent all that time talking and don't even have a suggestion to help?"

She shrugs, "Ah got ideas, sure, just ain't got a clue if they're any good." She slowly walks away, "Just figured ya might wanna know the whole store 'fore ya act, that's all."

She opens your door, then pauses and glances over her shoulder, giving you a reassuring smile. "Ah don't doubt you'll do right by her soon enough."

Then she leaves you to your thoughts.

Author's Note

Welp, that's all I have pre-written. From here on I'll be writing the chapters fresh, so expect slower updates from here on. I'll try not to let Factorio delay me too much (like it did this chapter lol).