The cloptastic adventures of pony Mick in pony Wonderland

Chapter 2: Nothing beats home-made dinner…

Mick made his way through the town square and cursed. The town square was filled with booths and ponies as it seemed to be some kind of fair. His only experience with real life ponies was Pinkie Pie moments before and now he had to deal with hundreds again squeezed into a small area. His stomach rumbled as some scents made their way into his nostrils, reminding him that he hadn’t eaten in a long time.  Mick kept pressing onwards trough the tide of ponies and tried to ignore the hunger. Yes, he wanted food, but he didn’t have any bits to spend. He smirked at that thought, as he was as poor now as in his human life. No, better to keep on trotting and find Twilight and return to that fridge and cupboards full of food at home. Reassured, Mick picked up the pace again. How hard could it be to find a library?

Apparently…very hard. After what seemed like an eternity, Mick sat down between some random market booths. He had trotted around for quite some time but in some magical way he always found himself returning at his starting point. The press of bodies disorientating him. He had thought about flying above, but it was to crowded to even unfold his wings without knocking over merchandise in a boot or wingslapping some random pony. Tired and hungry he looked at the ponies passing by, noticing the large amount of earth ponies in the crowd. He sighed as it became clear that he would have to wait for the herd to thin out before being able to make way again. His stomach rumbled again and he rubbed his belly in response.

“Howdy partner, seems like ya could use som’thing sweet in that belly of yours. Care for some special hoof made apple pies or apple fritters? Or just anything darn well on this counter here?”

Mick looked up and was taken by the pony smiling down on him. Her orange pelt, freckled face and straw coloured manes bound in a ponytail covered with a brown cowboy hat. Of all the boots he could have sat next to, he had chosen Applejacks… his favourite background pony.

“Wait…you’re Applejack! Element of honesty right? I can’t believe I am meeting you here in this crowd! Wow!”

Applejack blushes slightly, being recognized was still pretty new to her even though she helped save Equestria multiple times.

“Well, shucks stranger… Yeah, I’m all o that but just call me Applejack ‘right? I don’t wanna have all dem fancy titles everything a pony meets me. I’m just a local mare doing what must be done. But thank you for recognizing me… much appreciated.”

Mick still looked at her in amazement “Wow, you look better in real than in the sho… I mean the papers! I did’t like the freckles then but seeing them now…yeah, you make them work! Even the …” Mick notices AJ getting a bigger blush and stops his rambling. His sudden flair of fanboyism doused by the realization he is ACTUALLY talking to her, not arguing about her with a fellow brony. “Ow…sorry, I got a bit carried away there.”

Applejack notices her hoof scraping the ground in circles after the compliments and holds it still again with some willpower. The blush on her cheeks deepens and to Micks surprise her freckles are even cuter when she’s blushing.

“Again, thank you kindly stranger… But it seems I’m at a disadvantage here. I don’t know where y’all from, but down here we start by introducin’ ourselves before making up some fancy smancy sweettalk.”

“Ow…I’m sorry.” Mick cleared his throat. “Hello Applejack, I’m Mick. A Pegasus from the hu… I mean very far away. I’m kind of passing through. Pleasure to meet you.”

Applejack notices his hesitation about his whereabouts but has zero interest in that. “Well then Mick, you’re in quite some luck. This is the harvest fair in Ponyille and me and my family produce the best apples in whole of Equestria! So, what do ya say partner? Care for a bite? I’ll even make a nice an fair price cuz you’re so…polite.”

Micks stomach growls at just the mentioning of food. Mick blushes slightly as he rubs his belly and looks Applejack in the eyes. “I’m… I’m very flattered miss Applejack, truly I am…but it seems I don’t have any bits on me. But believe me, I’m not that hungry, really! I’ll manage.” As if the blushing wasn’t enough to see through his lie, his stomach grumbled again. Some passing by ponies even turned to look and seeing a mare and stallion blushing at each other in a secluded spot, swiftly decided to canter on. Applejack notices the staring ponies and blushes even deeper.

“Oh really? Euhm, how about this? You can help me selling my goodies and I’ll give you some food in return? What do ya say partner, deal?”

Mick sees AJ spit in her hoof and holding it out. Without missing a heartbeat he repeats the action and shakes her hoof firmly.

“Deal! I just hope we both fit in your booth, it’s pretty small.”

AJ blushed as she looked Mick in the eye.

“Don’t worry, we’ll just have to stand close to each other partner… An’ I don’t mind at all…”