Heart of the Orchard

The Second Day: In Town, Midday

I look around at the town as I arrive, the three young ponies - I understand the term for them is fillies - walk around me. There are many buildings of various configurations, which I am sure I will recognize the meaning of at some point. However, I am looking for one in particular, although I am unsure of what the description means. After all, while I am supposed to take them to school, I have never seen a gingerbread house before, so I don't know what one would look like.

I point towards a large, important looking building. "Is that the school?" I ask the fillies.

They giggle. "No," Apple Bloom replies. "That's Town Hall."

"Ah," I reply. I point towards a large, white building. "Is that the school?"

"No," Sweetie Belle replied, smiling. "That's Carousel Boutique, my big sister's place. She makes clothes."

"Ah." I add that to my heartwood, as someone connected to Applejack. "What is her name?"

"Rarity," Sweetie Belle replies.

I nod. Thinking, I turn to Scootaloo. "Do you have a big sister as well?"

She starts to frown, but then suddenly smiles, bouncing up and down and waving her arms. "RAINBOW DASH!" she shouts excitedly.

I feel a strong rush of wind, and turn as a pegasus comes in to land in front of us. I recognize her; this is Rainbow, who was with Applejack yesterday when she found my dead shell. Her cloth leaves fit her body like a second skin, and the air slides off them easily as she moves. Seeing her eye to eye, I recognize that her face is the one pictured on Scootaloo's cloth leaves - clothes, I should think of them this way.

As I process this, Rainbow lands, turning to glare up at me, as on the ground I am taller than her by a good margin. "And where do you think you're going with these three, huh?" she demands, her tone hostile.

I smile. "Applejack asked me to walk them to school, since she had to talk with Granny Smith."

She blinks at me. She does not seem to believe me. "How do you know Applejack?"

I smile. "I am here for her." This seems to be the right answer from my heartwood, although I'm not sure why.

She glowers. "And what's that supposed to mean?"

Apple Bloom speaks up. "Rainbow, this is Applejack's new coltfriend!"

Rainbow blinks. "What? I didn't know she had a-" She stops. She turns to glare at me again. "How do I know I can trust you?"

"He fought a chimera to protect us this morning!" Scootaloo speaks up. "It's okay, Rainbow, he's cool!"

Rainbow seems to calm down, for the moment. "If you say so, Scoot." She turns back to me. "So you're walking them to school?"

I nod. "Yes. However, I do not know where this 'school' is."

Rainbow smirks. "I'll show you the way, follow me." She takes to the air again, pointing the way.

I follow her to a long building with only one floor, surrounded by various other structures and several young ponies of both genders running around. Rainbow comes back down to float lazily in front of me. "Here's the school!" she says happily.

I smile. "Ah, so this is what a gingerbread house looks like." The three fillies with me wince.

Rainbow frowns. "No it isn't. Why would you think that?"

"Because they told me that the school looked like a gingerbread house-"

"ThanksforhelpingustoschoolRainbowDashseeyoulaterbye!" Scootaloo says quickly as the three fillies race towards the building.

Rainbow blinks after them, then rolls her eyes. "Those girls...would have been a good prank if you actually knew what a gingerbread house was." She smirks at me. "So who are you, anyway?"

I smile. "I am Giant George." Remembering what I am supposed to do, I seize her hand and shake it, although this shakes her around in the air as well. "I am not a tree."

When I release her hand, she puts both hands to her head, seeming to steady herself. Once she is finished and her eyes are no longer rolling in her sockets, she blinks at me. "Not a tree?"

I nod. "I am not a tree."

She blinks. "Why do you say that?"

"Applejack says I must not tell others I am a tree, because they would think I was crazy." I tilt my head. "She has yet to tell me whether or not that would be a bad thing."

Rainbow flops onto her back, laughing hysterically. I wait for her to calm down. She then looks up at me. "Say, you sure you're alright in the head?"

Remembering how Applejack responded to that question from Big Macintosh, I reply, "I did not grow up around other ponies."

Rainbow grins. "Just trees, huh?" When I nod, she blinks. "Say, wasn't Giant George the name of that big tree Applejack really cared about that died yesterday?" I nod. "Is it a coincidence you have the same name?"

"It is not a coincidence," I reply calmly. After all, it is not.

Rainbow suddenly grins. "That sly devil!" she says happily. "I am so going to let her have it later." She blinks, then chuckles. "Wish I could have seen Fluttershy's face if she heard you say you weren't a tree."

I blink. "Why?"

"Because she wants to be a tree."

"Really?" I tilt my head in confusion. "Why?"

"Dunno." She shrugs and points off towards the edge of town. "You could ask her."

"I think I will." I turn and head off in the direction she indicated. It takes me sometime, but I reach the edge of town and catch a brief glimpse of a familiar yellow pegasus entering a cottage. Walking up to the door, I knock.

The door opens. The yellow pegasus opens the door slowly, peeking out, her pink crown hanging over one eye. "Y-yes?" she asks quietly.

"Are you Fluttershy?" I ask calmly.

"I-I am," she replies. "W-who wants to know?"

"I am Giant George," I reply. "Why do you want to be a tree?"

She blinks. "H-how d-do you k-k-know about that?"

I notice the smell of fear from her, and realize I am making her afraid. I smile. "Rainbow told me."

"O-oh," she says, seeming to calm down. She looks up at me, her cheeks coloring. "Nopony's ever asked me that before."

I smile, waiting patiently.

She coughs nervously. "I...I have a bit of a problem meeting new ponies. I'm...really very shy, because I feel so very...weak and helpless so often. But...trees are strong. They always stand tall, unafraid."

I nod. I remember that feeling. Thinking about what she has said, however, I reply, "But they stand alone."

She looks up at me again, meeting my eyes. "What do you mean?"

"A tree stands alone. He will never touch another of his kind, and his only concern is his own growth. Even his children are alone once they have left his branches, seeking their own soil far from their parent so as to not be overshadowed by him. A tree can hear the voice of other trees...but he will never know them. He has only himself."

"O-oh..." She frowns, her eyes shadowed briefly. "I don't think I want to be a tree after all. I...I wouldn't want to be alone." She looks up at me again. "How do you know so much?"

"Because I am not a tree," I reply, once more remembering Applejack's instructions.

Fluttershy blinks at me, then giggles. "What are you, then?" she asks me.

"Applejack's," I say, the word somehow seeming to echo my feelings in ways I don't quite grasp.

Fluttershy's wings snap open fully. "Oh, my," she says, her face bright red.

I blink. "Fluttershy, why did your wings do that?" I point to her extended wings.

Fluttershy's eyes go wide, she makes a sound that sounds like "Meep!", and then slams the door.

Blinking, I am unsure what I should do at this point. However, the conversation is obviously over. Turning, I head back to town.

Seeing that the town is still quite bustling, I walk by the school. I see that the three fillies are still in the building called school. I am unsure what I should do.

"School's not out until later," a voice behind me says. Turning, I see a purple female with horn and wings, wearing a top that is somewhat form fitting and a lower garb that flows around her legs.

I blink. "You are an...alicorn?"

She chuckles. "Yes," she says, "I am. Still getting used to it myself." She holds out her hand. "I'm Twilight Sparkle. Waiting for somepony in particular?"

I take her hand, shaking vigorously. "I am Giant George." I release her hand. "I walked Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo here this morning. Applejack asked me to take care of them."

She rubs her hand, smiling. "Well, you don't have to worry about them. They'll be fine until 3:30, when school lets out."

I blink. "When is 3:30?"

She looks at something on her wrist. "Another three hours."

I nod. "And how long is that?"

She looks at me, then smiles. She points up at the sun. "When the sun is about..." She points halfway between the sun's current location and the horizon. "...there."

I nod. "I guess I will wait here for them, then." I stand there, facing the school.

She suddenly giggles. "Don't you have anything else to do for three hours?" she asks me.

I shake my head. "No."

She smiles. "Well, you don't have to wait here. I was just heading to Rarity's." She gestures to her wings. "Since these are still kinda new, I had to get all my clothes reworked to make room for them. My everyday clothes handled that fine, but she insisted on completely redesigning my formal wear. I was going to pick them up today. You could come with me."

I blink at her. "Alright," I say, not seeing a reason why I should not.

We walk through town towards the building I remember is called Carousel Boutique. As we walk, Twilight asks me questions. "So, where are you from?"

I blink, unsure how to answer. "Nearby," I reply finally.

She blinks. "Can you be more specific?"

I frown. "I do not know the names of places." While I could tell her I was from Applejack's farm, I am not supposed to mention that I am a tree. However, I can tell Twilight is one used to getting answers.

"Okay...how old are you?"

I think for a bit. I don't know how to answer this question. "I am unsure what you mean."

She smiles. "When were you born?"

This one I can answer. "I was born yesterday."

She blinks at me. "Was that a joke?"

"I don't know. Was it?"

I am quite confused by the face she makes now. I do not recognize the emotion it is supposed to represent, nor the scent she is giving off. Also, the twitch of her eye is worrisome.

We arrive at Carousel Boutique. Twilight knocks, and a white unicorn wearing an outfit I find I can only describe as 'sparkly' answers. "Twilight!" she replies happily, reaching out to grasp her hand. "You're right on time-" She gasps. "Oh Twilight, you never told me you were bringing your coltfriend!"

"He's not!" Twilight snaps, then calms herself. "He's not my coltfriend, I just met him by the school. He's a friend of Applejack's, apparently, even if he thinks he's funny."

"I am funny?" I ask, confused.

Rarity smiles. "Well, come in, both of you." She gestures us inside. I notice several pony shaped objects constructed of a substance that resembles but is not wood. "Twilight, your clothes are all ready to go, I do so hope you like the new designs. And you..." As Twilight goes to collect her clothes, Rarity turns to me. "You are?"

"Giant George," I reply. As she does not extend her hand, I do not attempt to grab it.

She looks me over. "Well, George, is that really all the clothes you have?" Her fingers curl and uncurl. "Surely you have something...more?"

I shake my head. "These are Big Macintosh's. He loaned them to me."

Rarity looks confused. "Why did he have to loan you clothes? Didn't you have any of your own?" When I shake my head, she covers her mouth. "Why?"

Remembering what others have said, I put together a response. "I did not grow up around ponies. Only trees."

Rarity gasps. "You mean...you grew up in the Everfree Forest?"

I remember that that is what the others called the trees the chimera fled into. That is quite close to where my shell stands, and before the ponies came those trees covered a good portion of the grove. "In that area, yes," I reply, as it is indeed accurate.

Rarity smiles. "My goodness, Applejack's snagged herself a jungle stallion!" she says, her voice excited.

Twilight's wings snap open. She blushes. "Explains more than it doesn't," she mumbles.

I look towards Twilight. "Why did your wings do that?" I ask, confused.

Her blush brightens. She runs out of the building, clutching her clothes to her.

Rarity lets out a sound from deep in her throat that is similar to laughter. "That's really not something you should talk about with a mare," she says calmly.

"Ah," I say calmly. "That is why Fluttershy slammed her door when I asked why her wings did that?"

Rarity gasps. "Oh goodness!" She makes the noise from her throat again.

"What is that noise called?" I ask her.

She smiles. "It is called a chuckle."

I nod. "Alright."

She gestures towards the overalls I am wearing. "Since you're new to civilization, would you like me to make you some clothes? I could have a set done relatively quick once I have your measurements."

I blink. "I must be back at the school by 3:30."

She glances at something on her wrist. "Plenty of time to make up one set, and you can come back tomorrow for the rest."

I smile. "Alright." The overalls are starting to rub my bark uncomfortably, as they are somewhat tight.

Rarity smiles. "In that case, you can lay the overalls over there-" she gestures to a chair "-and I'll get some measurements."

I remove the overalls, reversing the steps I used to put them on. I am pleased this worked as I had hoped. Setting them aside, I turn back to Rarity, who is staring at my waist. "Is something wrong?" I ask.

"Where is your stallionhood?" she asks, confused.

I glance down at my waist. "My what?"

"Your sheath. Your phallus." Seeing my continued confusion, she tries again. "Your...dick?" She blushes at saying this.

I tilt my head. "I do not know those terms."

She thinks for a time. "Your...stamen?" she offers hesitantly.

I realize she must be talking about the part of my heartwood that extended beyond my bark last night when I was with Applejack. Now that I think back, it did resemble the part of my flowers involved in reproduction somewhat, so the term stamen is an accurate descriptor. The other terms must be pony words for the equivalent pony anatomy. "I keep it inside," I reply.

She blinks, looking shocked. "You can do that?"

I nod. "Is that unusual?"

She nods. "Quite." Unrolling something in her hands, she holds it against my body as she levitates a quill and flattened wood pulp on a flat piece of wood. "A mite disappointing as well," she mumbles under her breath.

"Why is that?" I ask her, confused.

She gulps. "Never mind," she says quickly. "You have very good hearing." She chuckles. "Of course, that probably served you well growing up...Jungle George."

I blink. "But my name is Giant George."

Having apparently finished measuring me, she stands up with another throaty chuckle. "I'll need to see a bit more evidence before I use that moniker for you." She heads into another room. "I'll have a suit ready for you momentarily. Feel free to pass the time."

I glance around. I see a small white creature licking herself. She is of no interest to me. I notice other objects made of the flattened wood pulp, bound together. Picking one up, I open it. I see pictures and writings, what must be words. I am unsure what they mean. However, I notice an older one nearby. It is much simpler when I open it up. The first page has a picture of an apple. Below it is a single design, followed by a longer set of writing.

Listening to the other elementals, I realize this is the ponies written language. It would take a long time for me to learn to read this. However, the object has its own memory and - being made from wood - I can learn from its memory.

The memory is of Rarity sitting next to Sweetie Belle, although she is much smaller. This first sheet is visible. Rarity is speaking. "A is for Apple," she says slowly. "Can you read that Sweetie?"

"A...is for...Apple..." Sweetie replies slowly and carefully.

"Wonderful!" Rarity replies happily. She hands Sweetie a quill. "Can you write it?"

Sweetie carefully draws a shape, her tongue sticking out of her mouth.

"Wonderful!" Rarity says happily, clapping. "Such a wonderful job, Sweetie Belle!"

Stepping out of the memory, I find myself smiling, although I am not sure why. Flipping through this object, I dive into the memories, allowing the book - that is what it is called - to teach me, as Rarity did Sweetie Belle, to read.

Having finished, I set the book back down. I see that, though old, it is well cared for. It is obviously precious to Rarity, for some reason. Turning, I pick up the magazine - the book like object I did not recognize - and open it.

Now that I can read, I recognize that this is a 'fashion' magazine, whatever fashion is. It seems to be about many different types of clothes. I read through, learning about each item of clothing and what it is called.

Having finished the magazine, I turn as Rarity enters the room. "Your outfit's all finished!" she called happily.

I follow her into the room, and see a white button down shirt and black pants on one of the not-wood ponies that is shaped like me. She helps me put them on, and then pulls me in front of something that looks like a vertical lake.

I stare at my reflection. I do not know how to judge my appearance.

Rarity smiles. "I must say, you look quite dashing."

I smile. "These are quite comfortable. Thank you."

"They're also stain resistant, so you shouldn't need to worry about getting them dirty. If they get torn or damaged, I'll happily repair them."

I nod. "That is kind of you, Rarity."

Rarity smiles. "I think of it as my investment in Applejack's happiness."

I smile. "I want her to be joy, as I am when she is near."

Rarity makes a small squeaking noise. "Very poetic of you, George."

I remember reading a word similar to what she said, poetry. I am still unsure of its meaning. However, I notice the position of the sun. "I must go. Applejack asked me to look after Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo."

Rarity smiles. "You can bring Sweetie Belle here to drop her off. She's staying with me this week."

I can smell mixed emotions from her, a mixture of joy and something else I do not recognize. I nod. "We will see you then."

Rarity hands me some metal yellow circles. "Buy them something sweet at Sugarcube Corner on the way back," she says with a smile. "You can't miss it. It looks like a gingerbread house."

I blink. "But...they said that the school looked like a gingerbread house. What does a gingerbread house look like?"

She laughs. "Those three..." She shakes her head. "Well, you'd better go before you're late."

I nod, smiling. "I will." Turning, I head out the door.