Unto A New World

Chapter Thirteen: Tumbleweed.

It was late morning, probably around ten. The three of us had slept in peace, recovering from last night's alcohol. That is, until Vinyl woke up.
"Ahhh!" She screamed, waking both Red and I up. She was flailing her legs and trying to kick something. I Let go of Red and wrapped my legs and arms around her, to stop her from moving.
"Whats wrong Vinyl?" I asked her.
'P-P-Pony!" She said, pointing next to her.
I looked up and sure enough, there was Tumbleweed, only inches from my face.
"Goodmorning friends!" She said happily, similar to the sort of happiness that Derpy showed when you talked about muffins. Vinyl started to calm down as she realised who the pony was. "Tumbleweed?" Red asked as she rubbed her eyes "Why are you here?"
"Because Jackson said to come around if I were free, so I did" She said as she beamed a smile.
I realised how different she looked compared to other ponies. Lastnight I wasn't sure because I thought it may be part of a uniform that she had to wear, but I was wrong. She had a brown coat, with white rings around her hooves and neck, aswell as a ring on her chest. Lastnight she was wearing an apron, so I must've mistaken that for white fur.
She also had a white stripe coming from her mane-line down the her nose. Her mane was regal white and her cutie mark were of symbols I had never seen before.
"I made everypony breakfast. I wasn't sure what Jackson would eat, so I just went and bought him some muffins from the bakery around the corner. I hope you don't mind" She said as she looked down and kicked the floor with her hoof.
"I don't mind at all Tumbleweed!" I said which made her smile "Thankyou for making us breakfast, we'll be down in a second".
"See you then!" She said as she turned and pranced out the door.
"YOU INVITED HER OVER?" Vinyl asked in an angry tone.
I felt terrible "I thought it would be nice. You said she was your old friend afterall, and she seems like a really nice pony. I wanted to make friends with her too".
"Tell me next time you do something like that, it IS my house after all" She scolded, which made me feel worse. I looked down at the floor, sitting on the side of the bed, hanging my head in shame.
Vinyl came over and wrapped her foreleg around me "But I was going to get her to come over anyway, so all is forgiven. Just before you go do it again, come and ask me okay?"
I nodded in agreement "I won't do it again".
Vinyl kissed me on my cheek "I'm sorry for yelling at you like I did, I just get grouchy when someone wakes me up".
I felt a little better after that "Well lets go get some breakfast then" I said as I smiled to Vinyl. I helped Red get up from the bed and the three of us went down to the dining room where Tumbleweed, being the bartender she is, had masterfully set out the table, along with each of our plates. She had even made my muffins look amazing.
"Wow" Red said, eyes wide with amazement.
"It's not much, but anything I can do. I was invited over, so I have to repay your hospitality somehow" Tumbleweed replied to our amazed faces with a giggle. "Please sit!" She gestured with a hoof, pointing to the chairs.
We all took a seat, including Tumbleweed. "I added something to your muffins Jackson, because they looked a little bland" She said with a smile as I took my first bite "It's a delicacy where I come from". It was just a normal breakfast muffin, but she seemed to have add some spices and other things.
"Where exactly are you from?" I asked "You look very different from other ponies around here".
It looked like Tumbleweed was about to cry when I realised what I said must have sounded "Oh no! I didn't mean it like that" I quickly fixed my mistake, hoping I didn't hurt her feelings "I meant you're extremely pretty, and your coat has more than one colour.."
Tumbleweed blushed "Why thankyou. I didn't know humans could be so nice!" she said in return, before she answered my question "If you can remember, lastnight I said I come from across the seas?" I nodded "Well that's party true. I was born there and came over with my parents as a filly at a very young age. Awenasa, my home, was called Shoshonean. I didn't keep many memories with me from it, but i've seen photos and heard stories"
"Well i'd love to hear these stories oneday, if thats alright with you ofcourse" I asked. I really did want to learn about her culture.
"I'm free later today if thats okay?" She asked, showing a massive smile on her face.
"I'd like that" I said back to her.
Meanwhile, Vinyl and Red had eaten their breakfast and had left Tumbleweed and I to ourselves. After all I invited her over.

I started to clear the table, when Tumbleweed insisted that I go sit down and let her do it. I wasn't going to let that happen.
'Jackson' Luna said in my head 'This is part of her culture. It's an offence to clean up what she made'
'But it just feels so wrong!' I complained back to the voice in my head, while I regretabally let Tumbleweed do the cleaning up.
'While she's doing what she has to, let me teach you about her land and race' Luna said in a motherly tone.
'Wait, how did you know she was here let alone that I was making friends with her?' I asked.
'Well besides being able to talk to you, I can also read your feelings and emotions' Luna replied in a hesitant voice 'I can also see what you are seeing'.
'Well I wouldn't rather have anypony else in my brain than you' I replied.
I felt Luna blush 'Woah, I felt that!' I said in astonishment.
'Felt what?' Luna asked.
'Your cheeks' I teased, feeling her cheeks get even hotter 'I guess this spell works both ways'.
'It does' Luna replied, I felt her become embarrassed. She didn't know. 'The bond between us is getting stonger, let me try something'
A few moments passed and nothing happend. 'Lun-AAAAARRRGGHH!' I screached into my brain as pain overwhelmed me. It wasn't physical pain, but it felt like immense pressure was squeezing my brain.
'I'm sorry' Luna said apologetically 'I didn't know it would hurt that much'. She could obviously feel the pain aswell. 'But try think of Tumbleweed's home' She requested.
Almost instantly, I could feel relief wash over my brain, like a had popped a balloon barricade with a pin. I felt.. smarter?
I knew everything about Tumbleweed's homeland, her cultures and native language.
'H-how?' I asked Luna.
'The spell allows me to project my memories into your mind so you may have them, or learn something which would take months, in a matter of seconds' She replied smartly.
'Well it worked' I told her, and I could feel her smiling.
'Oh! Before I forget, I'll be returning later today to tell you some great news, but I need to tell you face to face' she told me.
'I'll see you then' I replied.
As I re-entered the living world, I noticed I was lying on a couch with an ice-bag over my head.
"Jackson!" I heard Tumbleweed call "I found you on the floor. You weren't waking up and I feared the worst. I didn't want to lose a friend so fast!' She started to weep.
I now knew that her kin were very loyal ponies. Friendship ment a lot more than what i've seen around Ponyville. I was her friend, and by her culture, that ment I was family.
"I'm sorry Tumbles" I said weakly. She blushed at the name I had just given her "I was just talki-well, thinking to Luna. It's hard to explain but magic happened and I can talk to her in my head"
Tumbleweed's mouth hung open "You know the princess?" She asked in awe.
"It's a little more than know.." I said, and my cheeks went a slight shade of red.
"OH!" Tumbleweed caught on "How long?"
I actually had to think about that. "Since i've been here, a few months I think"
"Well i'm happy for you" She said with a smile "Anyway, I finished cleaning up, I was wondering if you wanted to go for a walk? I'd love to hear about where you came from"
"Sure" I said with a large smile. Not many ponies ask me about it, so I was getting excited "But this afternoon Luna is coming here so we need to be back by then"
"Luna? Here?" Tumbleweed exclaimed, I saw sweat break out on her petite face.
"Tumbles" I Chuckled "She already knows about you" 'I do' Luna said in my head. Creepy.
"And she will like you" I reassured. I was about to hug her then my new found knowledge given by Luna told me otherwise. Ponies like her don't like to be touched. They first need to build up a level of trust before anything physical happens, even something small like touching hooves. I have to let her touch me first.. not in a creepy way. 'Definately not in that way!' Luna thought to me 'Only I can touch you like that' I felt myself AND Luna blush.

I had gone into my room to get some clean clothes, which reminded me to go to Rarity's to pick up my new set, and have a wash.
I wasn't even in the shower for long before the door swung open and in came Tumbleweed.
"I instantly covered up my.. private parts.
"Why are you doing that?" She asked innocently.
"C-covering myself up? Because humans don't really like to show ourselves naked" I replied.
"Well here in Equestria, everypony is naked.." She trailed off in thought. What was she thinking about exactly? "I'm not a pony" I said quickly.
"Don't worry Jackson, I won't look" she reassured even though her eyes were glued to me.
"TUMBLES!" I yelled.
"Oh" she said slowly before snapping out of her daze "OH RIGHT! Sorry" She said as she turned around "I'm just going to leave a towel on the bench here" She told me, trying not to look at me.
Awkwardly, she tried to start a conversation "So I hear the weather is good"
"TUMBLEWEED GET OUT!" I said, starting to get incredibly uncomfortable.
"Alright well I'll be right outside the door incase you need anything" She said as she left the bathroom.
I felt myself finally relaxing, then Luna chimed in.
'So thats what it looks like?' She said teasingly, I could feel an intense blush on her cheeks 'Oh what am I going to do with you?' she teased even more.
'Luna get out of my head! This is my private time and asmuch as I would want you to be here right now I need to get myself clean, and all this is not helping!'
'Okay okay, i'm sorry. See you later today then' She said, embarrassed.

Ten minutes later, I emerged from the bathroom sparkly clean.
"I'm sorry" Tumbleweed said softly.
"It's alright!" I said in a cheerful mood, atleast she wasn't freaked out or anything.. so confidence boost much? "Lets go for a walk".
I led Tumbles through Vinyl's house and out the front door. On the way I left a note for Vinyl just incase she and Red came back from wherever they were, they'd know that Luna was coming and that I was out with Tumbleweed, and would be until later.
When I left Vinyl's front door, I instantly felt the hot sun on my face.
'Luna, what season is it?' I asked.
'Summer, and it's December, nearing Hearth's Warming Eve' She replied 'I'm a little busy right now, i'll contact you soon'
"Jackson? You there?" Tumbleweed asked, literally shaking me by my shoulders.
"Wha-yes ofcourse I am, just asking Luna about something" I said sheepishly "I'm sorry"
"No need to apologise, what were you asking her about?" she asked curiously.
"Just what month it was and the season we are in" I replied. "Well I could have told you that" She said, teasing me with a smile. I dropped my gaze to the floor, to find that Tumbleweed pushed my chin up with her hooves and looked me in my eyes.
"I needed to here her voice. I haven't spent time with her for so long" I said, nearly crying infront of my newest friend.
"I know what you are feeling" She said slowly, before embracing me in a hug. By her culture, she has shown me that she trusts me. Somehow, Tumbleweed's hug gave me strength. "Thankyou Tumbleweed" I said into her neck as we broke off the hug.
"I know i'm not as close as Vinyl or Red are to you, but I'm here for you whenever you need somepony to talk to, okay?" She offered and I nodded back "I know what it's like to be the odd one out. All my life I've been different because I come from somewhere different. Nopony looks at me in the same way as they would if they were looking at ponies from their country"
She lent against me, helping me walk and we talked all the way to the outskirts of Ponyville. By now it was nearing lunchtime.
Tumbleweed and I actually had more than being different and left out incommon. Turns out both our parents died at a young age, we both liked liquor, and music. She said thats the main reason she works at a nightclub.
Eventually I had asked her about her cutie mark. It wasn't a picture like most cutie marks, for it were a, what I guessed, some sort of symbol.
"Ah yes, I thought you might ask about that" She said before thinking deeply. "Long story short, all my family have the same mark. My cousins, uncles, aunties, grandponies etc all bear the same mark" Luna didn't even know about that.
"Well I think it looks amazing" I told her, which brightened her mood even more than her usual happy glow.
We made small talk walking around the countryside sharing stories and memories. I didn't know it, but I was unintentionally leading us to Applejack's farm.
Tumbleweed was telling me about her time in school and how she really met Vinyl.
She said things like when they were in high school, they 'experimented' their feelings with eachother. Tumbleweed said that it was too weird for her and that she only liked stallions, whereas Vinyl seemed to like mares and stallions. Tumbleweed told her, and Vinyl wasn't mad. They continued being friends ever since.
I then told her about how my life was before I came to this world, how bad humanity is. She didn't say anywords, all she did was walk closer to me and nuzzled my neck.

As we were walking down the dirt road, we saw Applejack working on her farm. She was in the middle of bucking a tree when she spotted us and waved us over with her forehoof.
Quicklyl, but not too fast, Tumbleweed and I made ourway up to the orange earth pony. Her coat was glistening with sweat in the midday sun.
"Howdy Sugarcubes" She said in her cheerful accent "How are y'all? Gosh it's been forever since i've seen you Jackson, nearly gave me the willies. You're becoming a stranger around Sweet Apple Acres"
"Hey Applejack!" I replied back to her "I'm good, and I know I've been caught up in some stuff but I'm here now" Applejack extended her hoof to the bartender, who hesitated for a moment before linking her hoof with the other.
"Please to make your aquaintance" Said the orange earth pony, sweat dopping from her tail "My names Applejack, but you can call me AJ for short"
"I'm pleased to finally meet you Applejack, I always wanted to meet the person who supplies the apples and liquor that I sell. Names Tumbleweed" She said as she gushed over AJ's presence.
"Thats mighty kind of ya Tumbleweed" Applejack said as she wiped sweat from her brow "You guys hungry?"
Right on cue, our stomachs rubled loudly.
"I'll take that as a yes" AJ laughed.

Applejack had led us up through her orchard, telling us the story behind her farm.
"My great great grandpappy started this farm, and its been handed down through it's generations. Even Ol' Grannysmith used to work this land, but then her mind went" She said like it pulled at her heart.
"You're doing a great job AJ" I told her, which made her blsuh and smile "If you ever need any help, don't be afraid to ask"
"Ah'll keep that in mind sugarcube" She said bashfully.
We eventually found our way to the barn house, and Applejack led us inside.
Her house cosy, much like my house back on my farm. It had pictures on the walls of the apple family, each of their cutie marks remesbling something to do with food or apples.
The orange pony had us sit down at the table before she dashed into the kitchen and returned quickly with two other ponies, one was a little yellow coloured filly with a red mane, which had a big bow tying it up. The other pony was a large red stallion, the only stallion other than Mr Cake that I know of so far.
The trio held a plate on each of their heads, aswell as two on their backs, except the filly who could only have room for one.
They placed the food onto the table and Applejack raced back into the kitchen and returned and came back with five empty plates and placed them on the table before everypony and myself.
"What about Grannysmith?" The little filly asked.
"Grannysmith is napping Applebloom" AJ replied, all that came from the red stallion was an 'Eeyup' before serving up his food.
Tumbleweed and I looked in awe at the food before us. There were apple fritters, apple flapjacks, apple pancakes, apple cobblers almost everything apple. I guess being a farm pony makes you pretty hungry.
Tumbleweed and I had only just finished our first apple fritter as we saw Applejack, Applebloom and the red stallion go for thirds.
"So Tumbleweed" Applejack started with a mouthful of food "Where abouts do you work?"
"I work at the nightclub in Ponyville" She replied as she took another bite of her second apple fritter.
"Ah never seen you there b'fore Tumbleweed, and ah make the deliveries mahself" Said the red stallion.
"Well what was your name? I'll be sure to look out for you next time you come" She replied with a cheerful smile.
"Ah'm Big Macintosh, and this here is mah sister Applebloom" He said pointing to the filly beside him. "Ah'm Applejack's only and best brothe-OW AJ what did did ya do that fore?" He said angrily as he started to rub his back leg, Applejack must have kicked it.
"I'm sorry Big M, I was just teasing. I didn't mean to kick you that hard" Applejack apologised. Big Mac had a much stronger accent than AJ and Applebloom, but his voice was slower and laid back.
Tumbles and I had finished lunch and had cleared the plates from the table, much to the objection of the three ponies who set the food before us. I pulled AJ aside and explained how Tumbleweed's culture says that if a pony does something for you, then you must repay them. Applejack sighed, feeling bad about letting her guests clean up, but if it was culture then she had to step aside. "I'll be out in the field, it's nearing two, I need to get a move on if i'm going to get my job done" She said with a determined look on her face "I'll come find you in Ponyville tomorrow for some work, if you're interested"
"Thanks AJ" I said as I turned to walk off to the kitchen, before I was halted by her voice. "What do I not get a hug?" She said teasingly, sitting on her haunches and opening her forearms towards me.
"Ofcourse you do" I said as I rushed up to her. She smelt like apples, cinnamon and dirt. It was an amazing combination.
"Ah, Sugar.. You can let go now" She said awkwardly.
I backpedalled fast, feeling incredibly embarrassed "I'm sorry I'm sorry!" I said quickly.
"Hon, you're acting like Fluttershy. I don't mind a long hug, helps me relieve my stress and anger from my job, except I need to get going" She told me "But I wouldn't mind a longer hug tomorrow after work if thats alright? I need somepony or in your case some human, to talk to. Now it's not a date, I already know about you and Luna, but a 'friend date' I guess"
"I know what you're saying, I'll be there don't you worry" I said to her and she tipped her hat with a smile and left the barn house.

I had found Tumbleweed in the kitchen leaning on the bench, looking out the window. She had already washed and dried the dishes and had them neatly stacked next to the sink.
"Aw no fun!" I said jokingly. I didn't want to do any dishes, but I couldn't help but feel bad that I didn't help.
She turned and smiled at me. "Ready to go?" she asked politely.
"Sure am" I replied, returning her smile.

We were about half way to to town when we saw a royal chariot landing in Ponyville.
'I'm heeeeeeeerrreee' Luna said playfully in my head, voice taking over my thoughts.
'I'm nooooot' I replied in a low tone 'I was at Applejack's with Tumbleweed, we'll be there soon'.
'I can't wait' I felt her wink. 'Stop blushing!' she teased again 'What will Tumbleweed think of you?'
'Well she already thinks i'm crazy because i'm talking to a voice in my head..' I said softly.
Luna just chuckled.
"We'd better hurry Tumbles" I said to her as I quickened my pace into a slow jog, waiting for her to catch up.
"I-I'm not much of a runner" Tumbleweed replied slowly as she caught up to me.
"Don't worry nor am I, I found that out when I raced Rainbow Dash the other day" I chuckled and soon found Tumbleweed giggling with me.

It wasn't long until we were passing the Twilight's Library, we were slowly getting faster and faster the closer we got. We were at full speed by the time we reached Vinyl's.
"Good run" I panted to the sweaty Tumbleweed standing beside me.
"Lets NEVER do that again alright?" She said as she nudged my shoulder with her hoof.
"I wasn't planning on it" I replied, a smile was tugging at Tumbleweed's lips.
We entered the house and made our way to the recording room, where we found Vinyl, Red and Luna chatting and laughing.
"Jackson! Tumbleweed!" Red said beckoning us over with a friendly smile.
"Good afternoon, your highness" Tumbleweed said as she bowed down, bending her right knee.
"Hey Tumbleweed, I've heard so much about you from Jackson" She said as she looked at me with a grin. She managed to put extra emphasis on the word 'heard'. "Oh and please, there's no need to be formal, call me Luna"
"I thought you'd be all stuck up, but you're not. THIS IS GREAT" Tumbles said happily as she clapped her hooves together.
Luna chuckled before moving on to me. She rose from her seat and walked over to me casually, before unexpectedly pouncing on me, knocking me over on her back. She was awfully heavy for a pony!
"I missed you so much, mind talking in private?" She asked with pleading eyes.
"I missed you too, and I don't mind" I said as she got up off me and levitated me, upside dow, next to her side.
I took one last look at the three ponies in the recording room as I left the room, Red was blushing, Vinyl had a smirk on her face and Tumbleweed was confused. I saw Vinyl move over and whisper in her ear, making Tumbleweed's cheeks go red. What did she say?
Luna levitated me through the house. I had no idea where I was, blood was rushing to my head and I was dizzy, also being upside down doesn't help with your sense of direction.
I felt myself being placed on a bed.. well atleast I think it was a bed, and I heard a door slamming from behind me, then there was the sound of the tumblers of the lock falling. I was now trapped in the room with Luna, who still held me in her magical grasp.
"Now" Luna said with a determined look on her face "Anything you want to do before I take this spell off you?"
'You mean the mind talk spell right?' I asked her in her head.
'Yes, I mean that spell' She replied.
'Well actually, remember how you gave me your memories to me about Tumbleweed's culture?' I asked once more.
'Of course I do' She replied.
'Well how about I give you my memories of learning guitar, so you know how to play as well as me?'
'That would be a great idea, except I want to learn on my own with you teaching me, I find it fun' She told me, a small blush on her face "Same thing with you learning magic, except I don't need to eat any more apples, I think they're going to my flanks'
'Yep, you're definately getting fat' I joked and chuckled.
'Hey!' Luna said as she looked at her flank, trying to see if I was lying or not. She was concentrating so much on her flanks that she dropped me out of her magical aura.
I took the oppertunity and bolted for the door. I even managed to unlock it and get it open before I was once again wrapped in a purple glow before being floated back to the bed.
She laughed and shook her head, as she placed her horn against my forehead. A white flash blurred my vision, but returned quick enough to see something in Luna's eyes, nothing I've ever seen before.

Lust.