Apple Hospitality

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.