Apple Hospitality

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.