Chapters August Rush's Log Entries
Now….where should I begin…? No idea. I'm not sure what Twilight meant when she said to start from the beginning.
"Just write down anything! Try to remember from the beginning and start there!" Thats what she said. What she said to do.
But did she mean my past life? Before my..... transformation ? Or, now, my current state? It was her idea for me to start this 'log'. Or thats what she calls it. I hope I'm doing right...
Well, let me begin from a few days before now:
I awoke.
There's not much else. I literally woke up in a field of grass. The air was sweet smelling and fresh. No pollution. Nothing that I had ever recognized before. It wasn't anything like I was used to. Back home I mean. You see...
Aghhhhh..!!! Why is it so hard to explain everything!?
.....
Ok... I've got this...
I'm not from here. Equestria, I mean. I'm from... Earth.
Huh. It's really weird saying it like that... I don't know how I got here. The only thing I can recall is laying down in my apartment. It was raining and cold. Very cold. And I had another fight with Susan...
Oh man... Susan. What will she think of me now?! How will she react to seeing that I've disappeared?! Oh man! Oh man!
.....
Sorry. Twilight just slapped me across the face. And now she's telling me not to have written that. She just gave me a glare and walked out. She'll be back.
There's nothing I can do now for Susan... I hope she's not mad. I hope she's okay. Not worrying about me. I'm safe here. In Ponyville. And I've made lots of new friends.
Let me back up and say again I literally had woken up in a middle of a field. It was a bright afternoon, the sun in it's highest position. I remember flinching at it for the first time. Back home the sky is almost a black. And that's if we're lucky. I opened my eyes slowly putting up my han...
This is where I started to freak out. I remember screaming at the sight of my...arm . It was a slick grey and had no hand on the end! It was as if my hands had just fallen off! I jumped up from the ground in mere shock and tried to stand, but I couldn't find my balance and fell back down with a small thud.
I started to calm down a little, but only for a moment for I began looking at the rest of my body: No clothes. My entire body grey. My hair was still on my head, the brown its ever been. And I had a tail. What a great thing to wake up to! WRONG. I must've blacked out after because I don't remember much after that.
The next thing I knew, it had grown a bit cold. Thinking I was back in reality, I grabbed for my bed sheets. But there was only grass. My eyes flew open and I shot up to look around. The same field as before. The sun was just beginning to set.
"What now?..." I said to myself. I had come to realization that I was stuck here. Stuck in this... form with no way out. I tried to get up and balance again, and after a few frustrating falls, I managed to balance myself on my four.....legs? Really, after a short few seconds of this balancing act, I came to figure that I probably became some kind of four-legged animal. Maybe a horse. A small horse. A pony.
'Cause, that's what a small horse is, idiot.
The sun had just dipped under the horizon and the light was just beginning to fade, now. I took a deep breath and started to step forward. It was hard to walk in this new state, but after a few practice steps, I quickly got the hang of it. I did a few practice moves to that were common in my life: Running, jumping, tip-toeing... Back home, the city I lived in had crime rates through the roof, and not a day went by without at least an act of murder. I tried to keep my distance from most of everybody, but I have gotten ambushed a few times. What I was doing now, common procedure every morning: making sure I was still agile.
The sunlight was completely gone now, and the moonlight took its place. The night was alive with many sounds of insects and hoots from owls and a slight howl from an occasional breeze. As I began to walk, God knows where in what direction, I took in every aspect of the night. It was glorious. It was nothing like I had ever experienced before! What a joy it was to be out there! I had heard stories and read books on what nature was like in the past, in my world, but experiencing it was indescribable.
Nature. The word back home was almost non-exsistent. Sure, their were a few parks and if you wanted to see animals, there was always the zoo. But, anything that was green and covered in forest, was now covered by skyscrapers and roads and factories. If there was any green land left, I lived nowhere near it.
The next thing I can recall from that night, even though hypnotized by the beauty of the night, was seeing small specks of light. They were far off, but I could make out the shapes of some small buildings. A town!
A town...
Thoughts ran through my mind, thinking I was still in my world, how the townspeople might react to now my current state. I hesitated before taking another step towards the far-off lights.
"Might as well. What have I got to lose?"
I continued through the landscape, which quickly became a rugged path. I stopped.
(Odd…) I inspected the ground in front of me, bending down as far as I could without falling over. (These aren't any kind of footprints I've ever seen…)
I thought about it the whole way down the path. It winded through trees and over a few hills before it came to something I had never expected to see. Stone .
(Stone? Not concrete or.. or clay bricks?) I looked up along the path and it lead over a small bridge and into the town. (Where am I?)
I had never seen stone before. And before you think, 'this guy is weird', let me just say that where I grew up; Where I lived, we had no stone. We had concrete sidewalks, buildings of steel and glass, and other structures of more concrete and clay bricks. Let me clarify before going further: The 'stone' I'm talking about is almost a medieval stone. Like cathedrals and stuff. The type of stone used in the Renaissance. Get it? No? Oh well.
The 'stone', as I entered into the town, acted as its road and building material as I saw most of the buildings had a lot of it as a base. (All right I'll get off the topic of 'stone')
Lanterns, hanging from posts and hooks among the structures and the streets, lit up most of the town. The buildings were very peculiar. It was very strange architecture to me. They were made from different shades of wood. Or perhaps they were painted? Back home almost all of the buildings that weren't torn down already were a fiendish shade of grey or red from the bricks or concrete. There were no wooden buildings anywhere throughout the city I lived in.
However, most if not all of the buildings I walked around throughout this strange new place I was in, were made out of just wood, with different shades of white and red. The roofs had straw or hay upon them, giving them that 'Renaissance' fell to them. It was odd. It was almost if I had been sucked into one of my history books; as if I was actually living in the time era.
Besides the buildings, the areas I walked through were littered with different carts and tables and chairs all around. Almost like a bazaar, just with less sand.
I'm getting off topic. Where was I?
As I clearly recall, now, as I was still dumbfounded at the buildings and the use of stone, I heard a faint scraping coming from around of the corners in front of me. No… Not scraping, but of hoof beats, clopping down the hard ground. As if someone was near. Walking down this way. I panicked and darted behind one of the stray wooden carts. I poked my head up to look around and saw her. It was a very peculiar sight. She was also a pony, her coat a deep purple, and an even darker purple mane with other various shades of the for-mentioned color as streaks. My mouth stayed agape, as she past, and when she did, I slowly crept out from behind the cart. My heart was beating very fast, and my breathing was irregular. I hesitated to speak. I hesitated to call out to her. My instincts of my past told me not to, but my curiosity got the better of me.
"Umm... hello, there?" I called out. She stopped and turned around. She was probably about 20 feet away from where I was standing but it seemed a lot closer than that. I wanted to scorn myself for calling out! I didn't want to!
Now what, idiot!? She's going to come over here! What do you do then?! Stupid, stupid, stupid!!!
"Do you mean me?"
I screamed. I was completely horrified that the pony responded! I darted back behind the wooden cart and stayed put. My mind raced with different thoughts of 'only a dream' and 'a really ****ed up dream!' I heard more hoof beats, and they grew louder as I knew they would. She would want to know what I was doing, why I screamed, and why I was hiding. The clopping was louder now. I had nothing prepared to say to her! What do I do!
"Uhhh.... are you okay?"
Apparently, I had been kneeling, shaking, my teeth bare, and mumbling something. Weird? I was the one doing it. How do you think I felt?
I came back to reality and took a deep breath and stood up. I looked at the.... mare and noticed she wasn't a pony. Rather than a unicorn. She had a horn. That was glowing. Glowing. Horn. I'm still surprised I didn't faint from the shock. I just stood there silent, eyes wide, breathing heavily. Like an idiot. I really wish I had a second chance. To change what I've done. To have saved the embarrassment of the situation. I took another deep breath, and somehow spoke.
"Purple."
Idiot!
"Excuse me?" She cocked an eyebrow, trying to make out what I had meant.
"Your purple."
She looked down at herself than back up at me.
"Why yes." She smiled a half smile and looked around, nervously, for a few seconds.
"I'm sorry. I don't know how to handle... this." I gestured at the town, her, and myself.
"What…..? Your very confusing." She said.
"You're a unicorn."
"Yes?"
"Subset of a pony." (That I came to terms a while back sorry not to have mentioned it sooner)
"Again, yes."
"And you can talk." She looked at me dumbfounded. Like I had just answered that 2+2 had equaled duck. The light from here horn lit up the surrounding area. She had been using it to give her some extra light to see better, no doubt. It grew a bit dimmer as a few seconds of silence past.
"You do realize your a pony too?"
"Finally some closure! I was trying to know what I was before. That was my first guess. Thank you for confirming that!" I sighed. Then I realized what she was trying to say. I was a pony too. I can talk too. "Oh. My bad. I get it. I'm also a pony, who can also talk."
She nodded, still a little unsure of how my mind worked.
"Umm... I haven't seen you around before. Are you new?" She asked.
"Yes. I just kinda found my way here. What is this place?"
"This is Ponyville!" She hopped up in her place that made me jump a little. "I'm Twilight Sparkle. And you?" She gestured me with her hoof.
Twilight. An odd name. Especially where I come from. NOBODY has the name 'Twilight'. Although, nobody has the name August either. I hesitated before answering, unsure if I should use my real name. Then again, I'm a pony talking to another pony named 'Twilight'. Geez, this is weird…
"August. August Rush." I answered.
"Nice to meet you, August." She held her.... hoof for me to shake. "So, you just arrived?"
"Yes."
"Do you know anypony? Do you have a house here? Do y..."
"Excuse me, what?" I interrupted.
"What?"
"'Anypony'?"
"Yeah. Anypony."
"Don't you mean anybody ?"
"I've never heard that expression before." She cocked her head to the side in confusion. I could've done the same, at the time. A different play on words. It's still very interesting to me. "Where are you from?"
"Chicago." I answered, firmly.
She just stood there. I wanted to know if she knew about it and if it exists (or still exists) in this world.
"I've never heard of that..." She cocked an eyebrow.
"Really?" She just shook her head. I held my breath and looked around, nervously. She leaned into me closer.
"What is it?"
"Well….. Have you ever heard of a place called Earth?" If I still had fingers, they probably would have been crossed. I prayed in the back of my mind that I was still on Earth, or that even still existed. But, of course...
"No, I'm sorry. Earth?"
And then I prayed for this all to be a bad dream…
"Yes...." More silence. I let out a heavy sigh then started to breathe heavier. Not even heard of Earth? This is so confusing…
We stood in the faint light of her horn, the brisk night air sent a small shiver up my spine. I thought hard about what to say next. But in the back of my mind, I knew what I already had to say next. I leaned in close to her:
"Now I know you've just met me and all, but, can I tell you a secret?" With that she seemed to grow even more confused but then……..showed a glimpse of curiosity.
"I….guess…" She drew out her 's' on her answer. I took a deep breath.
"This is the first I've looked like this… I wasn't always a pony. Heck, I wasn't even in this world a few hours ago."
With that, I saw that she became intrigued. By the way her eyes lit up and the slight shift in her standing position, I knew she became interested.
"No? What...What were you?"
It looked as if she was looking for a specific answer. Like I was about to say a word she was looking for someone to say. A word that would define our friendship for eternity. I looked deep into her dark purple eyes and said;
"Human."
August Rush's Log Entries
Let me remind you that these events have happened in the past. The last log entry I wrote, I had written a few days after these incidents. Its now been more than a few weeks since I've written anything down. Twilight, apparently, snooped around; looked at my last entry and complained I hadn't written anything since. She says its important to keep the log up to date and to try and write in it everyday. I'll try to write down all the important events that have happened up until now (the time of this writing) quickly, so I can keep you informed. I don't see the reason why, but Twilight insists.
Where was I?
Oh, yes!
"Human."
Twilight's mouth was agape and I couldn't help thinking why, she knowing I was human before this....... accident, was so shocking to her. The light shining from her horn suddenly disappeared, and it was dark to where we were standing, except for a few dim lights in the windows of the buildings.
"Follow me." Her voiced seemed half serious, half excited. I wasn't sure to be very worried or relieved to have told this pony of my past form. I'm still starting to regret it. However, without hesitation, she lead me further into the town, past shops of cupcakes and sweets, from restaurants to museums, until finally we arrived at a large tree. It was decorated to fit the atmosphere of the town, but it still felt out of place somehow.
Twilight, before opening the the door to the tree... Geez. That's weird say too. Trees having doors... Anyway, before she opened it, she turned her head around and scanned the surroundings, as if she was looking to see if we were being followed.
"Alright..."
"What's the matter?"
"Nothing. Just a little.... uhhh..." She trailed off as we went inside. It was awfully dark without any source of light, and I could hardly make out if this was supposed to be her home, or another shop. Suddenly, a shot of light appeared to my left, and there, standing, was Twilight holding up a candle.
Actually, she wasn't really holding it up. She wasn't touching it at all. Her horn now had the same glow as before, and the candle, also had a faint purple glow to it. It was all so very strange. Apparently, my look on taking in the current situation opted her to speak,
"This may be sort of a shock to you but, for me being a species such as a unicorn, I'm able to use magic."
"Magic." I sighed. "Magic is real here too."
"Come. Sit." She edged on towards a small table in the corner. I went to it and sat down as she put down the candle. She then, walked off to another part of the room and lit another candle and strayed off out of sight saying as she went, "Would you like some tea? Or anything to eat?"
"Uhhh... tea's fine, thank you."
From where I was sitting, and the light from the candle, I let my eyes wander about the room. Almost everything was made of wood. Well, I am inside a tree. There were globes that pictured lands I hadn't seen before, telescopes, and in a small pile in another corner of the room were scrolls. Indentations in the wall were portrayed as shelves and those were lined with hundreds of books. I got up from the table and scanned the shelves for something that might seem familiar. Most of the books were or had something to do with magic. She is a unicorn, after all. I looked off to the place where Twilight disappeared. There were a few noises coming from the adjacent room.
Ponies drink tea?
I continued to look through the many selections until something caught my eye. I took it down and, holding the book between my teeth, walked back to the table. I set it down and moved the candle closer to it.
'The History of Equestria'
"How strange."
I opened it up to find a table of contents section. Different sections held many things of revolutions, depressions, and wars. Just like my world. What really caught my eye was the fact that this so called 'Equestria' hadn't had any wars for the past thousand years.
"Interesting."
"What is?"
Twilight had appeared before me and apparently, I hadn't noticed.
"The fact that you don't fight often."
"What do you mean?" She sat down, giving me a cup of tea.
"Thank you. I just noticed that the last war was fought over a thousand years ago."
"Why, yes. Equestria has been a very peaceful place since the rise of Nightmare Moon. I'm so very glad I live here. It's very beautiful."
"Nightmare Moon?" Almost as if she intended me on asking her,
"She was a very powerful, and very evil villain that threatened Equestria by not lowering the moon, one night. She wanted to cast eternal darkness over the kingdom. That is until war raged and Princess Celestia defeated her using the Elements of Harmony. Equestria has been peaceful ever since."
Twilight took a sip of her tea. I was still trying to take everything in.
"Wh.. What?"
"I'm sorry. Did I go to fast?"
"No, no. Its just... all so confusing." I put my head in my hooves and sighed.
"About the war or..?"
"How and why I'm here."
"I figured that." She took another sip of tea. "I understand this might be hard for you, but Equestria has never had a human before."
I sensed a twinge of eagerness in her tone. I looked up at her. She was smiling.
"Why in the world are you smiling?"
"It's just so exciting!" She was grinning from ear to ear and started to hop a little. "There's so many notes I could be taking! So many things to document and study about you!"
"Yeah that's great. Now how does that help me?" I was desperate to find out just exactly what was going on. At that point I didn't care who was helping me.
"Okay. I'll help you. I'll answer any question you have."
"What's the catch?"
She smiled even more, as if I was a good... specimen.
"You have to answer my questions first."
"Okay. Ask away." I took a sip of my tea. My eyes lit up and I could feel the warmth of it rushing through my body as I drank. It was unbelievably delicious! "Whoa."
"Alright," Twilight had gotten up and grabbed some paper and a quill. No doubt to write everything that I said. Ironic right? I'm writing everything she says and what I say. Do you get it? Huh? Oh never mind.
"I've already got that your name is August Rush, a stallion, you come from Chicago on Earth.." She looked up at me, as if for confirmation. I just nodded and continued to drink my incredible tea.
"Okay. So, age?"
"Seventeen." She scribbled on her paper.
"How would you describe yourself?"
"Umm... smart? Lost..." She looked up and noticed my misery. I had stopped drinking and felt a shot of pain go throughout my whole self being.
I felt terrible. I had lost everything from my past life and not taken it into account until that very moment. I squeezed my eyes shut, forcing the tears not to flow out, but the pain was unbearable. Then again, it wasn't like I had much to go back to. I had Susan, and that was it.
Without her, I had nothing to live for. Nothing to strive for. My parents died when I was younger, and I was raised by my uncle. I met Susan when I was just fifteen. We hung out almost everyday. We had ups and downs on certain occasions, but other than that, we loved each other.
The thing I most regret now, though, was fighting with her, the day I 'disappeared'. I'm not going to write about the event so you can just forget it. I'll only say that it was stupid, and we shouldn't have fought about it in the first place.
I couldn't hold myself to the pain any longer. Hot tears started to run down my face. I sucked in air hard and short, trying to force them back, however useless. I heard Twilight get up and walk over, but I was so involved in my pain that I couldn't care less to what she was about to say. It wouldn't help.
But she didn't say anything. Not a word came out of her mouth. There was nothing but warmth. She had wrapped her arms around me. She was hugging me: embracing me. It was as if she was taking the pain away: scooping it up and throwing it out. I stopped my hard breathing and returned to long, deep breaths. The tears slowed, but didn't stop. Neither of us said a word for what felt like an eternity.
"I'm sorry. I should have waited, not have rushed this all up onto you." She hugged a little tighter. She was so incredibly warm, and soft my eyes began to droop. I shook myself awake before things got more awkward.
"It's not... yo..your fault." I said in between cries.
"Your very kind and sweet." She looked down on me. I looked up at her. We both smiled. I knew, then, however far from home I was, I felt safe. Safer than I had ever been in the longest of times. "Maybe it's time we get some sleep." I sniffed and nodded. She stopped hugging and led me down into another room. There were books in there as well, along with more scrolls, quills, and also a small bed. It looked liked it hadn't been used in some time.
"You can sleep here. It's a little old..."
"It'll do just fine." I turned and smiled at her. "Thank you."
"You're very welcome." She left as I began to climb into the bed. It felt a bit old, but was soft and oh-so comfortable. I fell asleep in a matter of minutes.
I didn't dream much that night. I don't usually. Not since my parents passing. I despised that day. The day I was told. And that day had started like any other;
I had gotten up in our runned down apartment, quite similar to the one I lived in later on with my uncle, to get myself ready for school. My dad, probably hungover at the time, would never help me. He'd never get up for something so unimportant as his son. He was always drunk, and when he wasn't, he was usually sleeping. He'd get up every day, past noon, not giving a s**t about anybody, and head down to a local bar to get wasted. I hated his guts.
My mother, on the other hand, has always supported my family. She was the one who really made the money, however so little. She got up very early every morning, walked to work in whatever the weather conditions, and worked all day long. She was always very busy to take care of me, and whenever she did have any spare time, she'd spend it with me, however brief it was. She was loving, caring, and the sweetest person I had ever met.
Getting myself up every morning wasn't very hard to do. Yes, of course, it was exhausting and I thought to myself many times, 'just five more minutes', but I remember that it was important to my mother that it was crucial to get a good education. I knew, eventually, I had to help rake in some money to help keep us under our roof, with at least a bit of food to keep us going. Being fourteen at the time, I wasn't able to work, but wanted to so badly. I wanted to help. I NEEDED to help.
It had started to rain as I walked the eight miles to school. I didn't mind the rain. Maybe because it rained almost everyday. It was depressing, to most people. I thought of it as a way of the world cleansing itself. But, now that I think about it, it was probably acid rain due to the factories polluting the air. I won't get into science and the water cycle and such.
I avoided, like I always did, anybody I saw or came upon. Again, with the abundance of crime, you could never be too sure. I always found myself looking over my shoulder, just in case someone wasn't sneaking up behind me. I never walked with anybody. Heck, I didn't HAVE anybody to hang around with. I really didn't have that many friends. Again, I avoided most people, and they did the same.
After arriving, collecting my necessary books for my specific classes, I went through the school day like I normally did. Tests, homework, lectures, the whole deal. It wasn't until my fourth period study hall that I was called down to the principal's office. I had, not once, gotten into trouble in school. I didn't pick fights, argue with teachers, or bullied anyone throughout my school years. I was quiet and got my work done.
Being obedient, I headed down....
There were policemen there. And worried and sad faces all around.
The policemen sat me down in another room in private to tell me...
Well... I don't need to go any further. No. I don't WANT to go any further.
Even though I was awake, I continued to lay in the old bed and sort out what had happened last night: History, wars, questions, crying, hugging,.... tea.
I sighed and climbed out of the bed that made a soft creak. I opened up the door and stepped out into the main room. Twilight was at one of the bookshelves, but turned around as I approached.
"How did you sleep?" she asked.
"Fine, thank you."
She smiled and put a book into a bag that fit onto her back.
"Listen, I have to go into town and run a few errands. Want to come with me? Or would you like to stay here?"
She had a tone that day that still puts me off to thinking she wanted me to go with her. Funny, 'cause I did.
"I'll go. It'll be good to get used to the town in which I'm staying in." She looked at me a little concerned.
"Why do you talk like that?"
"Talk like what?"
"Like..... uptight? Almost like a bratty aristocrat."
"Hey!" She laughed. I knew exactly what she was referring to, though. I did have an odd way of speaking, and still do to this day, which she hates.
"Listen, if you want to come, maybe you should refrain from telling anypony you were human. I don't think they're ready to hear something like that."
Oh great. More of this 'anypony' crap.
"Why not?"
"Equestria hasn't had a human before. And I only know so much about your kind that most books will tell me. I just don't think it's a good idea."
"Right." Laying low was something I was good at.
"Spike! I'm heading out! I'll be back later!"
"Spike?" I raised an eyebrow. Husband? Roommate?
"Oh, he lives here with me. A baby dragon who happens to be the best assistant I've ever had!"
"Dragon?!"
Great. Dragons. This world just keeps on getting better and better!
"Yup. Dragon. Relax, he's very kind."
Twilight and I then left from the tree and headed into the town's main square. It was bustling with vendors of sorts, selling from goods to edibles. I quickly began to grow uncomfortable. I looked around and noticed that the other ponies, that I presumed lived here, were sneaking quick glances at me.
"Why are they looking at me?" I asked Twilight. I felt out of place in this world. Then again, I didn't belong here in the first place.
"Probably because they haven't seen you before. You did say you arrived just last night." She stopped and turned around to look at me. She looked concerned. "How did you get here?"
"I woke up in a middle of a field, just past those hills and trees there," I nodded off in the direction. "Then walked down to a path and ended up here."
She nodded and we continued walking down past the different shops. We eventually stopped at what was called 'Sugarcube Corner'.
"I was hoping you could meet some of the other ponies that live here in Ponyville." I blinked. "It would be good for you to make some friends while your here."
"Umm.... I'm not sure."
"You'll be fine. There my friends too! Five of the bestest friends I could ask for!" She smiled as she pushed open the door. The shop was neatly organized. It resembled what I recall as a bakery: Cakes and cupcakes were displayed in glass containers. Tables were also set around the shop for others to sit and chat.
And sitting at one of these tables were five of the ponies that soon became my dearest friends.
"Hey girls! Say hello to my new friend; August Rush!"
August Rush's Log Entries
I've given it some thought over the past few days of whether or not I should write anymore. Especially after what went down last time. But, I feel obligated to continue. I hadn't written about the other ponies I had met after stopping by Sugarcube Corner for the first time.
Besides, I hardly doubt that I'll 'suffer' if I don't solve out this problem... Wait. What problem? What problem am I facing right now? Besides the fact that I'm still here, in this world. Is that it? Do I have to figure out how to get back home? No. That doesn't make any sense. He said that it involved Twilight... Now I'm really confused. I don't have a problem with Twilight and she doesn't have a problem with me. Or so I think. But, if she did have a problem with me, why does she still seem delighted that I'm here? In Equestria?
What is this problem?
...
And so it begins...
...
Twilight had introduced me to her friends at Sugarcube Corner just a few weeks ago and ever since they've been the greatest friends I've come to known. Twilight and the others left after a brief introduction and a few incredible cupcakes, for they all had work to do. Before she left though, she asked,
"August, since everypony has to leave so early, even though they've all just met you, why don't you tag along with one of them?" Twilight nudged against me, an almost eager push. "You could get to know them a lot better if you did. It might help you get used to being here."
"Alright." I swallowed hard. I had only just met them and still felt uncomfortable even though they let me join into their group without hesitation. It was odd. It was nothing I had ever experienced before. To just be accepted after a brief minute, not knowing who I was. WHAT I was before...
After a few hesitations, I finally worked up the courage to ask the orange pony that was just leaving.
"Ahem... Ughhh.. hi." I stammered a bit, but it could've come out worse. She turned away from walking out the door to greet me.
"Well, howdy. August raght?" (I don't how to write in her southern accent so I'm trying my best here.) I nodded and gave a half smile.
"Twilight said that I.. ummm.. should 'tag along' and... maybe help...?" She cocked her head to the side, eyes narrowed, then frowned. I knew that I was showing off my anxiety but I couldn't help it. I mean, I barely knew her.
"You alraght, sugarcube?"
Sugarcube? Nicknames? WE ONLY JUST MET!
I winced at the sudden pain in my head.
"Ugghh... yeah. Fine, just fine," I rubbed my head with my hoof. "Just nervous... and have a bit of a headache now."
"Well, ya don't hafta be nervous 'round me. I'm the friendliest pony here!" She smiled and held out her hoof. I shook it. "Names Applejack, and if ya want to lend a hoof, just follow me." I smiled and began to feel a little more comfortable.
(Good,) I thought to myself, (this is going good so far...)
We walked together out of Sugarcube Corner, past the buildings, carts, and shops and continued to walk down a dirt path. It was great day, that day. Warm, the sun shining, obscured a little, though for the path was bordered with trees on both sides. The birds chirped away as Applejack and I walked together.
Applejack. Really the first one I officially met of Twilight's friends. She was, again, orange with blond hair and always wore what I think as a cowboy hat, similar to those back home. She also had a physical feature about her that I became very interested in. It was that she had three red apples on her flank. In fact, most, if not all, of the ponies I had seen or met had a picture of something on their upper hip. I didn't know what to make of it. I had to stop and ask.
"What is that?" Like an idiot, I pointed at her.
"Better watch what yer pointin' at..." She said, eyes glaring. My cheeks became incredibly warm and I know, now, that I was blushing at her remark.
"Ughhh.. no, no.. no. I.. I.."
"Listen, is that s'posed to be the beginnin' of a pickup line?"
"No... no. That's not wh..."
"'Cause, I'm not that kind'a pony."
"Applejack! No! I didn't mean.... No! I meant that! Those apples, there!" I was completely red faced now, and sweating. It was the most awkward thing I had ever experienced in my entire life.
"Oh!" She looked down at the apples then back up at me. She laughed. "Whoops! Sorry there, sugarcube!" She also became red, but acted nothing of it as she continued laughing. I chuckled a little, still a bit embarrassed and bright red from the last few seconds. Applejack stopped her laughing after a few more moments.
"Why, that's mah cutie mark!"
Excuse me?
"A what?"
"Cutie mark. You don't know what a cutie mark is?" I shook my head and stared blankly at her, frowning. She frowned back at me. "Yer an odd feller, aren't ya...?"
I shrugged at her remark. She didn't know who I was. She didn't know that I was human; that I wasn't from her world. I knew exactly what she meant.
Again with the different planet theory, huh?
(Knock that off! Yes, I still don't exactly know what this place is, so I'm calling it a planet for the time being! What would you have me call it?!)
...Good point...
"Also looks like you don't have one yerself."
I stared down at my own flank. She was right. It was bare. Nothing of an image was present. Just.....fur. I wasn't sure what to make of it. Most of the ponies had one. Why didn't I? Was it because I was human?
"A cutie mark appears when we find aur special talent in life." Applejack adjusted her hat atop her head.
"Hmmm...... odd." I looked back up at Applejack. "Wonder when I'll get mine."
"Still strange, though. You lookin' as old as you might be, without a cutie mark." Applejack eyed at me. "Where did you say you were from?"
"Ugghhh...." I gulped. I still didn't have a story of where I had come from. Saying 'Chicago' was probably a bad idea. These ponies looked like they new their kingdom, inside and out. I just pointed off in the direction as I did for Twilight. "Ugghhhh.... back that way...?"
Applejack put on a confused face. I swallowed again. Hard.
"Out far....?"
"......Quite..." She stared at me, her eyes burning into my very soul.
"Fillydelphia?"
"Yes that's it!," I acted as though relieved. "I'm sorry. My head is just not cooperating with me today." I rubbed my forehead, trying to hold back an awkward smile.
"Hm. Well, that's a long distance for somepony just walkin' all the way to Ponyville."
Oh great, here we go again...
We continued walking down the path again.
"Why did'ya come all the way to Ponyville anyway?"
(Great, I don't have a story for that either!)
Should've thought it through, dip****
(Shutup!)
"Well,..um.... I was just came to visit Twilight," I bit my lower lip. "For a while..."
"Oh well, that's kind of you. Though, Twi hasn't mentioned you before."
"We... we went our separate ways a long while back." I stared straight head at the last statement, trying not to make eye contact with her. But, I knew she was eyeing me.
"Oh, ahhhh get it." I took a quick glance at her. She winked at me. My jaw dropped, realizing the state of the gesture.
(Great. First she thinks I was hitting on her, now she thinks I was in a relationship with Twilight. Just great!)
Least somebody gets it... Oop, least somepony gets it...
I rubbed at my forehead, once more,
We didn't speak the rest of the way down the path. We eventually came to a clearing that opened up to an open gate that held a sign that read, 'Sweet Apple Acres'. There was a beautiful red barn, a large house, some sheds, and farming equipment scattered around.
"Well, here we are!" Applejack gestured towards the aforementioned barn.
"Just what kind of things do you farm around here?" I wasn't stupid. I knew right off the bat that it was a farm. There was a large amount of farmland around and, duh! The barn!
"Celery, carrots, and apples." Applejack lead me towards the barn. "Wait here." She said, then disappeared inside.
At the time, I didn't know what she wanted me to do. If she wanted me to farm, in what way you did so, I probably wasn't going to be very good at it. I lived in the city. There weren't many farms there or even around the area. Green land, in particular, was far from Chicago.
Applejack returned rather quickly from inside the barn with a few baskets. She laid two down beside me.
"Could'ya carry those for me?"
"Certainly." I threw them upon my back, stacking them inside each other.
"Well, you must know Twi if yer talkin' like that." She laughed.
(Again? What's wrong with the way I talk?)
I rolled my eyes.
"What are we doing anyway?" I was still hooked on the whole 'farming' idea. She smiled, almost devilishly.
"Applebucking..."
Huh?
(What?)
"Excuse me?"
Applebucking. Well, by Applejack's definition, it meant bucking apples off trees. To me, after a few long hours, hard work. After filling a few baskets and saying farewell, I continued to find the other ponies I had met at the cake shop.
(Hm. Actually, I thought I saw one of them stay behind. Maybe she works there?)
A good place to start.
I made it back into town and saw Twilight sitting at a small table outside. I smiled and walked up to her.
"Hey Twilight!" She looked up from the book she was reading.
"Oh hi, August," She smiled back at me. "How are things going? Getting used to being here?"
"Sort of. I helped out Applejack buck apples. That's exhausting." I let out a sigh and sat down in an open chair across from her. She laughed.
"Yeah, it is. I was sore for a week after my first time bucking."
Bahahahahahaha!!
(What are you laughing at?)
Er... em.... no..nothing.....er...haha..
Twilight took a sip of her tea that was sitting next to her book. "What are you doing now?"
"I was just on my way back to Sugarcube Corner. I thought I saw one of your friends stay behind."
"You mean Pinkie Pie?"
Oh gosh.
"Ughhh... yeah. Pinkie...?"
"I'd be careful if I were you," Twilight gave me a worried look. "She's a little..... well she's nuts." Twilight laughed.
"Oh, that's just what I need.," I said, sarcastically. I got up from the chair. "I'll see you later." I turned from her and started off towards the shop.
"August," I stopped. "Come back to the library when you've had enough of her." Twilight chuckled.
"Library?"
"Home. The tree." She smiled.
"Oh...oh-okay."
Home. She said home. Wow.
I was just a stranger. Stranger still, saying that I was once human. She didn't say that I was nuts, didn't say I was creepy, weird, insane. Nothing like that. She just brought me back to her home. Invited me in. Told me to stay the night. Took care of me. And now.... after a day, one day, of being here, telling me that her home was also mine. Incredible... Just.... Wow...
Now you're starting to see it.
(Would you...! You're... You're ruining the moment!)
I walked away and into Sugarcube Corner. There were a few ponies inside, enjoying a treat and a conversation, some ordering goods at a counter. It was a good place to start. I decided to step in line and ask the blue colored pony that worked behind it. When it was my turn I asked,
"Yes, hello. I'm August Rush. I was wondering if a certain pony named 'Pinkie Pie' worked here."
"Why, hello there August! I'm Mrs. Cake. Pinkie is just 'round the corner. Hold on a second."
What's with all these weird names?
(Do we really need to get into this discussion?)
It was just a question, calm down.
Mrs. Cake quickly returned along with a pink colored pony.
(That's gotta be her.)
What was your first clue? The pink?
She walked around the corner of the counter. She was indeed pink; fur and mane both, and had three balloons as her cutie mark.
"Hi there! I'm August. I was here before with Twili..." I was interrupted by a sudden burst of energy.
"HII'MPINKIEPIE!YOUWEREHEREBEFOREWITHMYGOODFRIEND,TWILIGHT!THAT'SGREAT!WE'REGONNABETHEBESTOFFRIENDS! Huuuuuuuuuuuuuu! ISHOULDTHROWYOUAWELCOMINGPARTY!"
(...)
Holy s***....
I stood there, wobbling, trying to keep my balance, my ears ringing and my head starting to swim. The noise had come all at once and caught me way off guard. I dizzily looked around the shop. Most of the other ponies were shaking their heads, their hooves over their ears.
(What, they couldn't have warned me?)
I wouldn't have...
"Umm.. Tw..Twilight said.. I should help?"
"Hey, yeah! That's a great idea! Let's bake some cupcakes! And I'll show you to mix 'em up and frost 'em and..."
She kept on going but most of it was just gibberish. She lead me behind the counter into the next room which happened to be the kitchen. The room smelled entirely of baking goods and was so heavenly I started to drool a little. I'm actually surprised I didn't faint, with my head and ears still recovering mixed in with the scent. Upon most of the counters were a variety of bowls, mixers, spoons, and measuring cups; all covered in a fine layer of flour. It was an...... organized mess.
"Let's get to it!," She quickly started to wash a bowl in the sink located away from the center countertop. "I was just about to start a fresh batch!"
I smiled, remembering the times I used to cook for my family. My dad.... well there's really no need for explanation why he didn't. And my mom.... busy as she was, didn't have time to cook anything. I would come home from school everyday, get any of my homework done that I hadn't finished at school, and start on making dinner. I tried to cook something different every night. Usually, it was some sort of chicken with rice, corn, and green beans. Other times I made soup, or omelets. I liked my own cooking and so did the rest of family. I didn't bake anything though. I never made any kind of desert or treat. Just something I didn't consider important at the time.
"That's good. I've never made cupcakes before." Pinkie let out a gasp when she returned the now clean bowl to the countertop.
"Really? Never?" I shook my head.
"I've made other things, but never cupcakes."
"Well, that's about to change!," She put on a huge smile. "Right! First, we need sugar."
I spotted a bag in one of the corners of the kitchen. I threw it up on my back and then onto the counter. Pinkie ripped it open, and started to pour it into the bowl. She filled the bowl to the brim with sugar then just threw the empty bag behind her onto the floor. I cocked an eyebrow.
"That's a lot of sugar."
"Yeah! They need to be this sugary sweet!"
"Geez, that's enough sugar to kill a diabetic with one bite!"
"What's a diabetic?" I gave her a blank stare.
"You haven't heard of a diabetes before?" She wrinkled her nose and shook her head.
"Sounds silly!" Pinkie put back on her smile and went to one of the cupboards behind her.
Never heard of it? Do they just not have it in their world? Do they have different diseases here? Pinkie came back to the counter with other ingredients. "August! Could you get out some eggs?"
Chickens turned red after that one.
(Really?)
Covered in flour and sugar, I left Sugarcube Corner feeling a little woozy. After a day of applebucking, baking, and Pinkie's randomness, I was wore out. It was dusk when I returned to the library...........home. I opened the door to find Twilight levitating different books around the room. She'd look at one, shake her head, then move on to the next. To describe the picture in one word: Peculiar.
"Is reading all that you ever do?" I asked. Twilight turned to see me.
" Oh, hey!" She levitated the books back onto the shelves. She walked over to me, noticing my fine layer of flour. "Looks like you had your hooves full today." She chuckled.
"Yeah. I'm exhausted." Twilight smiled.
"Well, why don't you go wash up. There's a bath just 'round the corner there."
"Ok. Thank you." She nodded.
I left Twilight and went around past a sort of different rooms until I saw the bath and entered the room, shutting the door behind me. I turned on the hot water and climbed in, letting the tub fill up around me. It felt so good. The steam and the hot water released all the tension and stress of the day. It was so relaxing. I could've fallen asleep there. After awhile, I decided to officially wash up. I scrubbed of the caked on batter and flour and washed my hair. Stepping out I emptied the tub and found a towel hanging up to dry myself off with. I hung back up the towel and left towards the main foyer again. Twilight was at the same table we were at the previous night. She noticed me as I entered the room.
"Come." She said.
I hesitated but, headed over to her and sat down anyway. We sat for a few minutes in silence. She had gotten out the sheet of paper from last night too and had a quill ready. I raised an eyebrow.
"We're doing this again?"
"I wanted to ask you if you were up for it first..."
I looked down and stared at the table. I thought about for at least ten minutes. Twilight didn't seem to mind that I took a long while. She knew that this was still hard to take in.
"Ok. Fine," I finally looked back up at her. "I'm ready." She nodded.
"Now........ where should I begin?"
I reached out with my hoof and touched hers. She looked up from her paper and at me.
"Anywhere..."
August Rush's Log Entries
I'm almost done with me catching up to the present. Hopefully, I'll finish it up in this one and get on with what's happening now. I can't sleep, so I decided to get up and try and get this done.
This is gonna be a long night...
(Yeah...)
"What a terrible human!" Twilight slammed her forehoof down onto the table, knocking over her tea. She was steaming and panting with her expressions of anger, not seeming to care of the mess she just made. A fire burned in her eyes.
"That's what most Americans, heck, most of the world thought." I said as I picked up her cup from the floor and set it nicely back onto the table.
We had been at it for hours, getting into the very early morning, the sun just barely starting to shine through the windows, discussing most of the history of Earth. Twilight wanted me to start from the very beginning. And I mean the BEGINNING. I really didn't know what to tell her. I'm a religious person and there are so many skeptics and theories of how the Earth and the Universe was created. So, instead, I focused on the early cultures in Europe, like the Greeks and the Romans. Twilight did seem a little disappointed from me not starting from the very beginning but, I guess she stopped thinking about it and enjoyed the information I was giving her.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed studying History in school, back home, a lot but, trying to tell somebo....somepony every little detail that happened from memory was incredibly hard. Especially for me because my memory isn't very good. I skipped around in Europe until I thought it was time for Columbus to sail to America. I was good at this part since I've been taught the history of America probably a dozen times. I went through the Revolution, the dark times of slavery, the Civil War, Reconstruction, the Progressive Era, World War I, the Great Depression, and finally up to World War II just before Twilight became angry. And you can probably guess who she's mad at. Actually, now that think back to it, Twilight seemed upset from the get-go of me describing our history.
"Ah! That infuriates me to no end!!" Twilight yelled out. I flinched at her outburst.
"Well you'll be glad hear that he's dead," I said. Twilight stared at me, still angry but, a few tears in her eyes. "And we won the war."
She breathed out a heavy sigh and laid down her head onto the table. I frowned at her. I didn't like to make anyone sad. Or angry for that matter. It made me feel horrible inside. It's not my nature.
"I'm sorry to say but, you probably know by now, we fight almost all the time," I said quietly. "It's sad, really."
"Oh, we've had our fair share of wars too." Twilight said, head still on the table. I shook my head.
"Yes but not as many as we've had." Twilight looked up at me.
"No. I guess not." She forced a small smile, then quickly shook it off.
We sat in silence for a while, Twilight put her face in her hooves back onto the table. I simply looked out at the sun as it slowly rose into the morning sky. Pulled an all-nighter, talking about Earth and our horrible history.
Egh. Though, it probably wasn't all bad. The night, I mean. I wouldn't had gotten to sleep anyway.
I looked down on Twilight. The sunlight which beamed through the window, reflected off her purple coat, making it shine. It was a beautiful sight. She had fallen asleep at the table, letting out an occasional breath of air. Guess there was too much info for her to handle all in one night. I swallowed and lightly shook her.
"..Hu...huh? Wha...?" She slowly looked up at me, wincing at the the sunlight. I paused then said,
"Why don't you head up to bed. It's probably more comfortable then the chair and this table." I smiled. She smiled back, eyes half open.
"Yeah.....okay." She got up, slowly, and I watched her walk upstairs and just before she climbed into her bed, she turned back to give me one last tired smile. I smiled back. I saw Spike out of the corner of my eye in his basket-bed just a few feet away. He was sound asleep too. I turned back to the window and the beautiful sunrise. Oddly, I sighed then yawned. After a few more minutes, I decided it was probably good for me to get at least a few hours in, however brief they may be. I went off to the guest room and climbed into the bed and snuggled down and drifted off.
When I finally had gotten up from sleeping, Twilight and Spike were gone. She did leave a note on my door that read:
August,
Went down to the market to run some errands. I'll be back later. Don't fill up today! I officially prepared you a welcoming dinner! See you tonite!
-Twilight
"Twi, you don't have to do that.." I muttered to myself. I sighed, knowing she'll want to do it anyway.
Then I quickly realized something. Something hit me like a brick through a glass window; This world also uses money to provide trade for goods and such. Economic standards. Which means Equestria must have its own set currency.
Oh wow... now I know what the others were talking about. I DO sound stuck up.
What I mean is, I'm broke and Twilight is spending her own money on myself. Again, she barely knows who I am and yet she's willing to go to these lengths. Spend her own money. Just for a dinner... Wait... What does Twilight actually do? What's her job? Well, she is running this library, isn't she? Maybe that's how she pulls in cash.
Might not be cash, dude.
(What do you mean?)
You said it yourself; 'Equestria must have its own currency'. Might not be dollars and cents.
(True. Then what is it?)
Beats me.
"I've gotta repay Twilight somehow," I looked out the window. The sun was probably at its' highest point. "And it starts with me getting a job."
I dashed out the front door and down towards the 'Dining District'. Since I still wasn't exactly clear of the layout of the town, I figured I'd name a few areas that I knew. The 'Dining District' was named for, well, all the restaurants were around that area. I figured I should start there since waiting jobs were easy to get. Well, at least back on Earth they were. First I had to cross into a small shopping area, still un-nicknamed. I don't why I was running, but I kinda, just, was.
I should've just trotted along my way because I took too sharp of a turn and ran into somepony. Both of us fell to the ground.
"Agh.. oof!" (I make weird noises, I know)
But, not as much as the other pony. The mare I ran into fell with a squeak.
"Oh my gosh! Are you alright!?" I said getting up again. The yellow mare slowly got up and hid her face behind her pink hair.
"Oh, I'm so sorry. I should watch where I'm going..." She said softly. It was almost inaudible but somehow I managed to pick it up.
"Wha..? No. It was my fault. I was running and wasn't paying attention to anything or anypony around me."
"But I was in the way..." Another very soft remark.
I stood with a puzzled look on my face. Why did this mare want to take the blame for, clearly, my mistake?
"Bu..but it wasn't your fault."
"I think it was..."
I face....hoofed. (Haha) Why...? Just WHY? I took another look at her: She was yellow, pink hair, and her cutie mark were three butterflies. And wings. This one had wings. A pegasi.
She turned her head slightly, probably to catch a glimpse of me. She had the most beautiful eyes ever. A sparkling green-blue. She quickly turned back away with a gasp as we made eye contact.
"Haven't I seen you before?" I asked. She was definitely familiar. She turned back again to see me.
"I..I.I don't think so..."
"Weren't you at Sugarcube Corner the other day? I came in with Twilight." She perked up at this and stood making full eye contact.
"You're a friend of Twilight's?" She asked, more audible this time.
"Sure am. I'm August Rush." I nodded.
"Oh. I thought you were some meanie, bumping into me on purpose..."
"What? I would never do that. Yes, I ran into you but, not on purpose." She stood silent for a few seconds then said,
"I'm..Flut-rsh....." I did NOT pick that up at all.
"Huh?" I leaned in closer to her.
"I'm..Flu-ers....."
"Say again?" She took a deep breath then said,
"I'm Fluttershy."
"I see...," I resumed my upright position. "Glad to meet you. Sorry for running into, again."
"It's okay..."
I gave an awkward half smile. She just stood there, not giving any sense of emotion but.....fear. I wasn't going to hurt her, and didn't mean to hurt her in any way. I felt bad.
"Well.........I have to be going now," She blinked. I gave another half smile. "See ya 'round?"
"I guess....."
"FLUTTERSHY!"
I nearly jumped out of my own fur. The voice was so loud and so sudden, it nearly gave me a heart attack. I shot down to the ground, hands over my head, shaking. I wonder how Fluttershy held up. After what I experienced between me and her, she probably died. But, as I peeked out to take a look, she was still upright; no change of emotion. She was, however, looking up towards the sky. Just above me.
I regained my composure and turned to see whoever almost killed me. It was another pegasi; cyan colored with a rainbow colored mane and tail. Her mark was a cloud with a bolt of rainbow color shooting out of it.
She swooped down in front of Fluttershy and me. She was incredibly fast and the wind that blew as she came down, blew my hair straight up. I hunched up, wide eyed as it happened.
"Relax, dude. I'm not gonna hurt ya," She chuckled and turned to face Fluttershy. "Fluttershy, hurry up with your flower shopping already," She said sternly. "We're gonna be late to see the Wonderbolts!" Fluttershy hung her head.
"Sorry, Rainbow. I just got distracted by my friend, August."
Friend? That was fast.
(Wow.)
"August? You made friends with the month? How does that work?"
"I'm August." I raised my eyebrows at 'Rainbow'. She turned to face me.
"Hm... Haven't seen you around before... oh no... wait..."
"My name is August Rush. I came into Sugarcube Corner with Twilight just the other day. She did introduce me but, you all had things to do and bailed before I could get to know any of you."
"Nice to meet'ya, August! I'm Rainbow Dash," She struck out a definite stance. "And I'm the fastest flier in all of Equestria!"
"Fastest?" I questioned. It seemed pretty hard to believe that. There was probably a lot more pegasi out there that could possibly be faster than she so highly claims to be.
"That's right and someday I'll be a Wonderbolt.....!" Rainbow Dash went wide-eyed and quickly turned back to Fluttershy. "The Wonderbolts! Come on Fluttershy!" She pushed on Fluttershy, forcing her to fly upward.
"Okay, Rainbow. Bye August." Fluttershy called back.
I held up a hoof as the two flew off high into the clouds.
(Wonderbolts?)
I pondered at the name as I resumed my 'quest' to find some work. I trotted along this time, making sure I didn't repeat my mistake of running into anypony. I approached the 'Dining District' and my mind raced back to the day I shortly met the friends of Twilight.
(Let's see there was Rainbow, Fluttershy,....Applejack and... Pinkie Pie. Hmmmm....)
What's the matter?
(Wasn't there another pony there?)
If I could shrug, I would.
(Hmmm..........oh!)
I stopped trotting and thought again.
(Pinkie Pie!)
What? Yeah, you already named her.
I bolted for Sugarcube Corner, making sure not to hit anypony still and headed inside as I got there. The bakery was busy as it was when I left it the previously day. Not to overly bustling but a few customers were enjoying their pastries. I asked Mrs. Cake again to see Pinkie. She came around the kitchen the corner.
"Hiya August!" She yelled. Still hyper and crazy as ever, I saw.
"Hey Pinkie. I wanted to ask you something. Is it possible for me to have a job here? I want to make up what Twilight's done for me; allowing me a place here to stay in Ponyville."
Oh. Now I get it.
Pinkie perked up at the idea. However, before she could say anything, a yellow furred, orange maned pony walked up to us.
"I'm afraid you're asking the wrong pony." He said.
"Wha...? Oh, OH! My bad, I'm sorry." I smiled awkwardly at both Pinkie and the stallion. "I'm August. Kinda new here."
"Haha! That's alright, August. I'm Mr. Cake and you said you're looking for some work?"
I nodded. Pinkie stuck her tongue out for some odd reason.
"Well, let's see. Have you ever baked before?"
"I was in here the other day and baked with Pinkie." Pinkie bounced up at the mention of her name.
"THAT'S RIGHT! August and I made cupcakes!"
"Is that so?" Mr. Cake cocked his head to the side and then spoke up again, "Well, I guess, under the supervision of.........Pinkie,.....you could lend a hoof around here. We are growing popular after she delivered our very special cake to Canterlot."
(Canterlot?)
"Really? I can work here!" Mr. Cake nodded and headed upstairs, carrying a few boxes with him. Pinkie then turned to me, a HUGE smile on her face.
"YAY!!! BAKING BUDDIES!!!" She yelled and dragged me into the kitchen where we made cakes, cupcakes, pies, and I delivered some of the goods around town. That was good, too; gave me a new feel for the layout and some of the attitudes of the ponies who live here.
At the end of the day, I was happily payed for my good effort and headed back home. It was a crisp evening and I trotted happily along, remembering the fun time I had baking with the ever-so-random, Pinkie Pie, and actually getting quite a fair amount of........ bits? I think that's what Pinkie called it back at the bakery. I carried the pouch of money Mr. Cake had given to me between my teeth.
I arrived at the library and swung open the door to find Twilight setting a table with plates and glasses and.......flowers? I quickly tossed the money onto a shelf in the doorway before she spun around. She seemed shocked to see me.
"Oh, August! I thought you were in your room, still sleeping!" She laughed. "You startled me."
"Sorry. I was out for a while."
"Where?" She asked. "It's almost sundown."
"Well...... I'll tell ya' over dinner. Would you like some help?"
"Yes, thank you."
Dinner was ready within a half hour and Spike, Twilight and I sat down and began talking about our day and I heard different stories from the both of them. The dinner itself was very good; despite it being very, well...... 'leafy', which involved, salads, sandwiches, and vegetables. No meat whatsoever. They probably don't eat meat, I'm guessing. They are ponies and ponies don't eat meat.
You should write a book about horses. I'm sure it'll hit top reviews with your obvious logic.
(Are you kidding me right now?)
No.
"So," Twilight turned to me after another sip of her tea and asked, "Where have you been all day? What did you do?"
"Yeah, dude. I didn't see anywhere in town. Where did you go?" Spike asked, then bit into his own sandwich.
"Well, I headed down to see Pinkie again but, literally, ran into Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash."
"Really? I thought those two went to see the Wonderbolts." Twilight seemed a little concerned.
"They did. Fluttershy was finishing some errands when Rainbow showed up to hurry her along. I didn't get say much, like the day in Sugarcube Corner. Oh! That reminds me!"
I hopped off the stool I was on and walked over to the doorway and picked up the pouch. I carried it back with me and placed it on the table, in front of Twilight. She was surprised to see it, actually.
"Where did you get all this?!" Twilight asked, stunned.
"Whoa! That's a lot of mulla!" Spike exclaimed.
"Like I said; I went down to see Pinkie again and got a job at Sugarcube Corner itself. Although," I rubbed my head, "I didn't realize it was Mr. Cake who owned the shop. Haha..."
"That's amazing, August!" Twilight said. She pushed the pouch back towards me as I sat down at the table again. I stopped her halfway, however.
"No, Twilight. It's yours."
"Wha....What?"
"I realized this morning that you've been doing almost everything for me when I arrived here. You took me in, under your own roof and cared for me when I felt lost in this place. You fed me," I gestured toward the food before us, "And you've spent your hard earned money already on me. I wanted to return the favor..."
Twilight still, tried to push the pouch back towards me, shaking her head as she did.
"No. No I can't. I didn't earn it."
I pushed it back, again.
"Twi, it's yours. You DID earn it."
Twilight stopped resisting and started to stare at the pouch. I guess she was still trying to finding the right thing to do.
"But.."
"Twilight! Stop! I'm giving it to you. I don't want it and if you don't, then...." Spike reached across the table and snatched up the pouch in his claws.
"Then I'll have it! You guys do realize I'm the one outta a job and broke, right?"
"Spike!," Twilight's horn began to glow and the pouch was jerked from Spike's claws and over to the opposite side of the room and placed inside a red and yellow lined chest. "It'll go towards buying supplies for the library, like most of the money does already," She turned back to me, smiling. "Thank you, August. Oh! Thank you so much!" Twilight jumped up and ran around the table and gave me a great big hug. I laughed as she did.
"It's alright, Twi! I wanted you to have it in the first place, remember?"
"Oh! There's more good news," She jumped off me and went back to her place at the table. "I've written to Princess Celestia and asked an audience with her to meet you. Isn't that great!?"
I sat there a little confused. Celestia? I remember here saying that name the first night we tried to talk about myself and my past before I broke down.
"Umm.... Princess Celestia?"
"She's the ruler of Equestria." Spike said in between bites of his sandwich. Twilight nodded towards me.
"That's right. We'll be in front of her in a few weeks. She's excited to meet you!"
I just sat there, though; short of breath, wide-eyed, and speechless. Ruler? The ruler of this supposed land? The one who (according to Twilight's description) defeated an enemy powerful enough to bring eternal darkness? That ruler?! Now she's wondering why a human is in her kingdom?! What does she want from me?!
Would you calm yourself!!
"August, are you ok?" Twilight leaned into the table. I snapped out of it and looked up at her.
"The ruler? I have to meet the ruler? The Princess?"
"You're nervous? You shouldn't be nervous, August. She's very kind!" Twilight got up and started to levitate our finished plates over towards the doorway to the kitchen.
"Yeah, but...!" I called after her.
"Dude, relax," Spike said, slouching back on the stool. "You'll be fine. She'll probably just welcome you, ask a few questions, then send you on your way. There's not much to it."
I sighed.
"I guess..."
The next morning, I caught Twilight just before I headed down to Sugarcube Corner;
"Twi, who was the white pony I met at the bakery?" Twilight had just gotten up from sleeping. It was pretty early in the morning and I wanted to ask Mr. Cake about the hours of working so I decided to head in now to specify them.
"Wha...? Oh..." She slumped over to answer, levitating tea as she did. I swear that mare didn't go anywhere without some. "That.. tha... th..," She yawned. I chuckled softly. "That must've been Rarity. She ow....owns a dress boutique just past Sugarcube."
"Ok. Thanks, Twi. Have a good day! I see ya' later!" I trotted off and out the door as she called back, 'goodbye'.
The sun was just over the horizon as I arrived at Sugarcube Corner and discussed the hours I would be working. Mr. and Mrs. Cake and I discussed it for quite some time, before they decided that I should work nights as Pinkie got off toward that time. I didn't argue towards it. I get the mornings to sleep in and the bakery didn't stay open late so I wouldn't be tired.
Since I did have quite a few hours before my shift, I decided to stop by and see Rarity at her boutique. A designer pony? Besides Applejack with her hat, I didn't see anypony with clothes or accessories. I wonder who and where she sells them to? Maybe outside the town?
I arrived at the shop just a mere five minutes of trotting from the bakery. I opened the door and a bell rang as I stepped inside. The boutique was neatly decorated with different ribbons and fabric of different shades of purple. Their were manikins of ponies (a little creepy) and mirrors around the shop. It was eye appealing and felt calm. Funny too; my favorite color is purple.
"Ughh... Hello?" I called out, looking around for somepony.
"I'll be right with you, darling!"
The voice came from behind a few curtains. An adjacent room around the corner, maybe? And, in a flash a white pony, a unicorn to be exact, with a purple mane and tail came around it, answering my question. I could see she had three blue gems (perhaps diamonds) as her cutie mark as she approached me.
"Yes, well, what can I help you with?" She asked. She was a very pretty mare, no doubt about it, but...
...
(Nothing? Not gonna say anything.)
Nope. You've got it.
"Rarity, is it?"
"Oh, you've heard of me?" She asked as she lowered her head and batted her eyelashes.
"Ehem.... yes, well, we met a few days ago at the bakery. I came in with Twilight."
"Ohhhhh, yes! I do remember! August, wasn't it?" I nodded.
"What can you do you for, August?"
"Well, ughhh...... I don't really know... I kinda just came in to say 'hello'."
Rarity stared me down. At first I thought she was upset for wasting her time. She did sound busy when I had first came into the shop. But, after a few seconds of the awkward staring, I realized she was just studying me. After about a minute, she spoke up,
"You're not from around here are you, darling?" She asked.
Are you kidding me?
"No, I'm from......Fillydelphia." Luckily, I remembered the name Applejack spoke of just the other day. Rarity, however, shook her head.
"Tsk tsk, you shouldn't lie, sweetie," I was shocked. "Especially not to me. Now, where exactly are you from?" She said sternly.
How in the world did she see past that? I gave off now indication of that I was lying in the first place. I gulped.
"Ughh.. ughh. wel..well...." I stammered. I didn't know what to say. I really did say the truth, then how would she react? I didn't see a way out of it. So,;
"I'm from a world called, 'Earth'. I was a human there and somehow was brought here to Equestria as a pony. I don't how and why I'm here and I'm trying to find out what it is."
Rarity stood and listened intently at my answer. She didn't show emotion whatsoever as I told her the truth. When I was finished, she smiled.
"Thank you, darling. That's what I wanted hear."
"Wha..? How do you know I didn't just lie there?! At that? That's pretty hard to believe!"
"I've got some instinct when it comes to lying, though I'm the Element of Generosity not Honesty..." She trailed off.
What?
She continued shortly after;
"That is a pretty odd story, though. Earth? Human? I've never heard of either one of those before."
"Twilight didn't either."
"Really? For her being a bookworm and not stumbling upon something like that? Very strange..."
She talks weirder than you do, darling.
(Shutup...)
"But! You seem harmless enough and polite for not being a pony," She scanned my figure as she spoke. "Technically........ ah!"
She went over to one of her stands and levitated something behind her so that I couldn't see what it was as she returned.
"Close your eyes, sweetie. I've got something to give you."
I hesitated but, closed my eyes slowly. I felt something slide under my belly and a clank of something metallic and felt whatever she was strapping to me as soft and smooth.
Dude, don't ever say that again.
"Okay! Tell me what you think!"
I opened my eyes and spotted a sort of bag on my back that hung over and opened on the side. A satchel. Because I'm a guy and thats what it's called when it's not called a purse, ok?
"Oh, wow! It's very nice. Did you make this?"
"I did. I'm glad you take fancy to it because that was the last one I had. I want you to have it." I turned to face her as she was smiling cheerfully.
"Really?" I asked, eagerly. I really did like it. I kinda needed it too. I'm sick of carrying things in my mouth...
"Oh, why, most certainly! You are new here and I hope we can be good friends in the future."
Friends... Again.... What's with these ponies?
"Oh, well I..."
"Don't say another word, darling. I want you to have it." She reassured me. After the small battle over the money the previous night, I assumed that I should just take the gift.
"Well, thank you, Rarity." I bowed.
"You're very welcome. I hope to see later, for now I must leave you. I'm very busy in my work."
"I'll let you get back to it." I nodded.
"Goodbye, August." Rarity said as I walked out of the boutique. I felt happy as I headed off back towards Sugarcube Corner to start my shift. I was still early as I arrived, but I guess I could help Pinkie until she left. I didn't know what else to do that day.
After work, I headed home, and after some compliments from Twilight about the satchel, nags from Spike calling it a 'purse', I started getting ready to go to sleep. Just before I climbed into my bed, there was a knock at the door.
"Come on in." I called. Twilight appeared in the doorway, her horn lit up but nothing seemed to be interacted with it.
"Hey, August." She said. I raised an eyebrow.
"Hi, Twi……" I was curious of what her horn was doing.
"I wanted to give you something," A small package came from behind her, enacted with her magic. It was a small, leather covered book. "Its a log book."
"A log book?" I asked. I was glad to know that her horn wasn't flipping out on her, too.
"I decided, since, you'll be here for quite a while, that you could write down your adventures in this." She gave off a small, awkward smile as her eyes started to examine the floor. I smiled and went over to her.
"Thank you Twilight," I took the book from her and put it on my pillow. "I'll write in it tonite for a little whi…." I trailed off. Twilight looked up.
"What's wrong?" She asked. I shook my head.
"I don't know what exactly to write about though. Where should I start?" I turned to her, an expression of sadness on my face.
"Well, just… write down anything! Try to remember from the beginning and start there." she said.
I bit my lip, then turned to one of the dressers behind me. I grabbed a spare quill and ink bottle and sat down on the bed, the book layer out in front of me. I nodded.
"….Okay…" I looked up at her and smiled. She smiled back. Twilight, then, turned and left, shutting the door behind her as I opened the book and took up the quill. I wrote my first sentence slowly and precise:
Now….where should I begin…?
There all caught up! Whew! Glad I got that out of the way. Now anything that goes into the journal that's important, I'll write in it that night. So, hopefully, interesting things happen over the next few...... well, as long as I'm here!
August Rush's Log Entries
It's been a few weeks since Twilight's 'welcoming dinner', her giving me the Journal, and Rarity giving me the satchel. Not much has happened since then. I worked most of the time at the bakery and discussed a little more about Earth every single night with Twilight and now we're up to the Cold War era.
But last night… last night was… well,… different…
Oh, and I'll be happy to note; these ponies have the same names of days and months here as the ones on Earth. Peculiar...
It had been a long, hard work day and I was exhausted. The thought of going home to the warm, though old and a bit rough, bed was enough to have me sprinting back to the library. But, I trotted along, rather slowly and took in the sight of the town as the sun was beginning to set: exactly the same time after I left work, everyday since Mr. Cake gave me the job, from Sugarcube Corner.
I entered the library and set my satchel down that carried my money pouch and a cupcake given to me by Pinkie. She said it was "specially made for my baking buddy". I chuckled to myself, remembering the moment she said it. She was all covered in flour and frosting. The cupcake itself was actually pretty neat looking. It was a vanilla based cupcake with pink frosting, darker pink sprinkles and a small cherry on top. I made sure it was tucked neatly in my satchel so that it wouldn't get ruined on the way back home.
"You're home early." Twilight was at the dining table, a book in front of her (what a surprise) and a cup of tea.
(Yup. Nothing's changed.)
"Mr. and Mrs. Cake closed up to take care of things with their little ones." I said, shaking out any remaining flour out of my hair. Pinkie always made a mess when she baked. She was well.... Twilight was right. She's just nuts.
"Oh, I see. And I've got something to tell you. Come and sit down, I'll pour you some tea."
"Thanks, Twi."
I came and sat down across from her, the same seat at the previous dinner. She brought back a cup and I drank from it gracefully. She made the best tea I had ever had. Then again; it was the only tea I had ever had. But it was good, nonetheless.
"I've been going through and through my books again; searching for anything that relates to humans," She sat back down, scratching at her head. "It's just really strange to me..."
I took a quick swig of tea and spoke,
"How so?"
"The fact that there's no trace record at all. Well not here that is."
"What do you mean? Is there another place we could possibly find anything?" I asked, taking another swig.
"Maybe… The Canterlot Archives might have something. It IS the biggest collection of knowledge in all of Equestria but, I've never been able to get in. It's a huge tourist attraction, which meant entry to it was going to cost you. Now, though, it's under construction. I think their just replacing some things inside like new flooring or whatever." Twilight shrugged her shoulders and stared into her book. I couldn't tell what she was reading.
"Hmmm... I don't know, Twilight," I tried to make her look up at me. "Why, exactly, are you so interested?" That definitely got her attention. She lifted her head up, a look of sheer confusion on her face.
"Are you kidding me?" She asked.
I think you've plucked a nerve...
"What?" I stared at her, raising the cup to my mouth.
"I'm trying to find out what the hay you are; how you got here and how to send you back! Don't you want to go back home?!" She asked, angrily.
"No... Not really." I answered, coldly.
To tell you the truth; I still can't find a reason to go back home. Yes, again, there was Susan but, would she really miss me? We were in a huge fight and the subject we were fighting about was serious to her. She was very upset when she left my uncle's apartment. Oh, and my uncle? I don't think he would miss me. He wasn't very close with my dad either and didn't have children of his own to know what to do with me. There wasn't much worth going back to...
"....Re..Really?" She asked, stunned.
"Yes. My life was hell back there. I don't want to go back that much. I'm fine here."
"But....But August, you don't belong here..."
I sighed. She was right, like always. But again, there wasn't much of anything to go back to. And…. its weird… It feels like I belong here somehow… Like I was meant to be here… Some purpose...
"So," I started, trying to change the subject, "Is there a way we could get into the Archives?"
She glared at me, a sour look upon her face. I just rolled my eyes and looked down at the table, taking a final gulp of the tea. After a few seconds, I looked back up at her, she still glaring.
"What, Twilight?!," I snapped. "I understand why I don't belong here! I get it, but the truth is, I've given it some thought over the past few days, and I'm happy here! The happiest I've ever been in a long time….." I trailed off and let out a big sigh. Twilight lost her look of anger. I continued;
"…But…I know I don't belong here; That this isn't my home… I know it wouldn't be right to stay here… And as much as I desperately want to stay, I know I have to go back…"
I felt the tears trying to come out but I forced them back with all my might. Twilight noticed my grief and tried to comfort,
"August, I…"
I got up from the table before she could say anymore, however. A single tear rolled down the side of my face. My eyes slowly wandered about the room, until they met with Twilight's.
"I'm….I'm gonna go to bed…" I slowly walked off to my room, and closed the door behind me.
The next morning, I heard a knock at my door.
"Come in." I called, still lying in bed. Twilight entered my room. She said nothing for a few seconds, just stood close to the door. She sighed then came over, close to me. More silence for a few seconds, as she stared at me.
"I want to be clear with you about this,…" She started, finally, "I can't and don't feel your grief; your pain. And I want to let you know that as long as you're here, and feeling this way, I'll be there to comfort you and try my best to make you feel better…" She gave me a sad smile.
"Ok,….." I said. "…..Thank you…"
"You're very welcome…" She kissed me on the cheek, and then my cerebellum fused. She turned and walked back to the door and said on her way out: "We'll be meeting with the Princess in two days."
My eyes where wide open and my breath short.
Now we're gettin' somewhere...
August Rush's Log Entries
'Strange New World' Update!
Update on the status of 'Strange New World' if anyone hasn't checked my blog:
Last post I said that Chapter 1 would be up in 2-3 weeks time. Yeah, no. I also work and have other hobbies and had plenty of schoolwork to do (slowly starting to pile on now since its towards the end of the school year) that kept me preoccupied from writing. I'm not even half way through Chapter 1 yet. :(
Now, since most of my stress is gone, however, I can focus some time on writing again. Let me just say that the beginning is horribly dry. Its probably the driest thing I have ever written and I can't seem to find a way to make it better. Its just supposed to setup a little backstory before August is whisked into Equestria. If you can absorb most of the details and look past the staleness of the first part, you'll be on your way to enjoying the rest of the story. After the very beginning, it picks up.
Another thing is title stuffs. I've finished, yes, completely finished making (or rather plotting out) Strange New World and can offer specific titles and what not.
Strange New World
Strange New World - The Equestrian Civil War
Strange New World - That Faithful Week
Strange New World - From Dusk
Those are the official story titles of the series in chronological order. As an added bonus, I'll release a small 'Sneak Peek' of 'Strange New World' in a few days. I'll post it here. Stay tuned!
AR
August Rush's Log Entries
I think I'm getting use to writing down everything into this log book. It was odd at first, though still a little now, but I used to write a whole lot back on Earth.
Don't treat this place as a planet just yet. You don't know what it is.
Back home, I wrote almost constantly; Anything to everything about everything to anything. Except about myself. I never wrote about myself. I never wrote about a certain event or personalized a certain character that might have resembled myself. I had tried it before, and I felt very uncomfortable. It seemed weird describing how I felt and writing about what I had done that day. Maybe that's why I didn't want to start this log in the first place. But now, seeming that I've grown quite accustomed to it, I think I fancy it.
Or maybe, perhaps it's Twilight? She was the one who pushed you on writing this. She was the one who edged you on. But, why? Why did you succumb to her wishes? Why did you do as she said?
I don't know...
You're full of it... You know exactly why, don't you?
Enlighten me.
Now, now; Let us not get testy...
I do not know what you mean! So what if Twilight said I should keep this? So what if Twilight expects me to write in it? What of it?
Don't you find it odd that you have now written about yourself? For this mare? Even though, clearly you had just stated you felt uncomfortable about it? Don't you feel that she...
And after a few days of doing so, 'as i have clearly stated', that I now, have grown accustomed to it?
...
Fine. Let me just say one final thing: If you continue to ignore the problem, to just push it aside into the shadows, it will come back to haunt you. It will bite at you, gnaw at your self-being; it will be the 'itch you cannot scratch'. It will drive you insane. Everything you perceive will be blurred. Your memories will evaporate, leaving you with nothing to hold onto. And until you solve this problem; until you see the truth within you, no matter how harsh and cruel it may be, then, and only then, will you be free...
...
...
I..........I don't... I don't feel like writing anymore...
August Rush's Log Entries
This 'update' will also be featured in my blog too. Just a small heads up:
If anypony is unaware of the situation now, let me give you a brief lowdown: This story just turned into a 5 part saga, quickly changing into a neat little crossover. The 'timeline' or 'storyline', which ever you prefer, goes like such;
August Rush's Log Entries - The Equestrian Civil War (Parts 1 + 2) - That Faithful Week - [Name Withheld]
Most of these stories, if not all of them, are somewhat mentioned in my blog posts, so if you want to see whats being discussed then you should head over there. But I'm not here to sport that. This is a very important update, regarding Part 1 (August Rush's Log Entries) of Project: A. (Just something I call it for I don't want to give the whole thing away and the fact that I don't really have a name for it right now)
ARLE has currently been written in the 1st person perspective. Its nice and all, regarding its myself (or really my OC), that's been thrown into Equestria without a shred of info why. 1st person is good at capturing more emotion (I think) than any other perspective. However, 3rd person would seem more adequate to this story (or series) since it seems to offer more information/backstory to the entire work. (Again, my personal opinion) And while I planned on writing both the 3rd person POV in the re-write titled, "Strange New World" and continuing to finish ARLE in the 1st person POV, I've come to a huge problem; IT'S TOO MUCH BUCKING WORK!
Because of this, unfortunately, ARLE has to be canceled.
Devastating this is! But, 'Strange New World' will takes its place shortly after I've re-written the first '7 Entries' in the 3rd person POV. This, however, takes time as I'm not also re-writing, but I'm adding new info as hints and deeper and darker dialogue as to what the series is supposed to tie into (hint: game).
I'm very sorry to anyone who was expecting more out of this, but I give you my word that I am working my hardest on the re-write. At the least, 'Strange New World' will be up (with 7 chapters mind you) in about 2-2 1/2 weeks. 3 at the most. This stuff takes time to do!
Further followers and favoriters (if thats even a word) will be updated on the current situation through ARLE Update Chapters and my blog as long as until the re-write goes up.
Thank you for your time, and hope for your sanity and patience to wait for the re-write. :(
-AR