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- >Day Cheerilee says we gotta do journals now.
- >And we're supposed to introduce ourselves in'em.
- >That just seems silly.
- >But my name's Applebloom, journal!
- >How're you?
- >Shoot, I'm doin' good.
- >For lotsa reasons.
- >One, I brought a bagged lunch and it sure smells tasty.
- >Two, me and the Cutie Mark Crusaders are going to try our hands at bear wrasslin'.
- >And three, there's a new pony in class.
- >Cept he's not a pony.
- >He's all tall and lanky-like.
- >Shoot, he looks like if ya took a big ol monkey and made him tall as a tree.
- >He says his name's Anonymous, which is all sortsa hard ta say.
- >And he's only a little bit older than me.
- >Well, maybe a bit more than a little bit.
- >But he's younger than Applejack.
- >Which means I'm gonna see if he wants to dance at my Cute-ceañera.
- >We all know'll be tomorrow cuz this bear wrasslin' thing sounds easy.
- >I wonder if he's got a cutie mark.
- "Hey Anonymoos, you gotta cutie mark?"
- >How come he's looking at you all weird.
- >He must like your bow.
- >"Oh, uhm. No, no Human's don't get those."
- >Don't get over excited.
- >But Applebloom, y'all just find a new Cutie Mark Crusader!
- "What'cha doin' after class?"
- >He'll look mighty cute in a cape--oh he's gonna need a bigger cape than what y'all have made already.
- >He makes a face. Like "byeugh" kinda face.
- >Maybe you're being too loud.
- >Or you're just too darn excited.
- >He's just trying to take notes.
- >It's just Equestrian Culture, he ought to know this stuff already.
- >He whispers back.
- >"Ms. Fluttershy one asked me if I could help her clean her pipes out."
- >Miss Cheerilee doesn't seem to notice him gabbing.
- >"I told her I'd help her out, and that's what I'm gonna do."
- >Aw shoot.
- >Sorry journal, we'll talk later.
- >I gotta play this right.
- >You are now Anonymous.
- >This world is strange.
- >One minute you're in a normal place doing normal things.
- >Then something about two princesses saying something about never saying anything about who you were.
- >Not that you really recall most of it. Everything blends together.
- >Probably for the best.
- >And now you're sitting in a class with a bunch of colorful little fillies.
- >Maybe it'd be different if you weren't human.
- >Equestrian Culture is kind of interesting.
- >Always good to know why things are the way they are.
- >It'd be different if they gave you a proper desk.
- >It's very uncomfortable.
- >Eventually the lunch bell rings.
- >You didn't bring anything.
- >You've sort of been crashing at the library with your...what was that term she used?
- >Mentor? Coach? Normalization Arbitrator? It was something like that.
- >And she's sort of a workaholic. Who is more interested in what you are, then what you need to know.
- >You hang behind as the fillies go out to the playground to eat.
- "Uhm...Miss Cheerilee?"
- >She gives you a big smile.
- >She seems to enjoy her job.
- >"Yes, Anonymous?"
- "Is there by chance some sort of...lunch room program?"
- >She tilts a head.
- "I've been living at the library...and well aside from what the dragon wants to give me, there's not a lot of...stuff."
- >She grins.
- >"Anonymous, what are you trying to say?"
- "Uhm. Actually, just forget it. My problem."
- >You scramble out of your desk.
- >Which is hard to do.
- >And bow your head a little.
- "I'm just a little unprepared for my first day."
- >She leans on her desk and closes her eyes a little.
- >"Anonymous, are you -hungry-?"
- "Well, I could eat."
- >She nibbles on the edge of her lip.
- >And then she snaps to attention as though someone just whipped her with a wet towel.
- >"Hey Anonymoos! Ya wanna come eat with me and Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo?"
- >You turn and see Applebloom smiling brightly at the door frame.
- "Oh, sure. I'd love to."
- >You wave towards Miss Cheerilee.
- "I'll be fine, but thanks for the concern mam."
- >You sit out at a picnic table in the yard with the three fillies.
- >This is your face day of schooling here, so it's probably good to make friends.
- >Though you're not really sure how old they are.
- >They keep talking about some "Cute-ceañera", so they're probably like...fifteen?
- >If it's anything like a quinceañera anyway.
- >Sweetie Belle is a little marshmallow white Unicorn.
- >"So I think if we're going to wrestle a bear, we should wear wrestling masks."
- >Scootaloo is an orange little Pegasus whose wings buzz when she's excited.
- >"I still have our Cutie Mark Crusader Talent Show Costumes! We can wear those!"
- >Applebloom keeps stroking her big red bow and smiling at you.
- >You look around at all the other kids playing.
- >It almost makes you--
- >Wait.
- "...Did you girls say you're going to go wrestle a bear?"
- >All three of them nod excitedly.
- "Uhm, isn't that really dangerous? I mean, I'm -really- new here but...bears aren't like you, are they?"
- >Scootaloo looks at you weird.
- >"What'dyamean like us?"
- >She gives you a little needle-eye stare.
- "I'm just...Sorry, I don't know how these things work. Bears always struck me as sort of...dangerous."
- >Sweetie Belle looks at Scootaloo who looks at Applebloom.
- >Who smiles sheepishly.
- >"Well who wants a bear-wrasslin' cutie mark anyway! It'd look plain ol'goofy."
- >Applebloom winks at you and whispers.
- >"It was Sweetie Belle's idea anyway."
- >"WAS NOT!"
- >She blushes and makes really big sad eyes before pulling a brown bag out of her saddlebags and opening it up.
- >Apple fritter. Hay. Thermos. Sliced apples. Some spaghetti in a container.
- >The other girls take out their lunches and it's much the same sort of lovingly crafted meals.
- >Scootaloo has some very leafy-looking tacos and a grape juice.
- >Sweetie Belle has some sort of sandwich and water bottle-one of those classy looking 2.50 dollar bottles.
- >You just smile and take in the scenery as they begin devouring the food like rabid weasels.
- >Applebloom points at you with part of her fritter.
- >"So, y'said you don't got yourself a cutie mark?"
- "Oh...uhm, no. If they're anything like what I read about in class. No. I don't think I get those."
- >You are Applebloom.
- >Now you've done heard this talk before.
- >Why, shoot!
- >You've even said the same thing.
- >Sounded a little bit more upset than he does, but still.
- >This is your chance.
- >Phooey to Fluttershy.
- >Cutie Mark Crusader Initiation Rites!
- >Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo look at you and they know what you're plottin'.
- "Anonymoos, you don't have to be upset. Everypony gets one eventually."
- >"Oh yeah. I know that but-"
- "But I bet y'all just got called a blank flank and was bullied something fierce.
- >"Actually no, I've always been kind of a ni-"
- "You just gotta find that special something you're good at! Like us!"
- >Give him the big smile.
- >The big BIG smile.
- >Now the wide puppy dog eyes.
- >He'll be like puddin' in your hooves.
- >Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle are waiting for it.
- >Anonymous is giving you such a polite smile.
- >All right girls, just as we practiced.
- >Scootaloo makes sure her hair is just right.
- >Sweetie Belle clears her throat.
- >"Anonymoos, would you--"
- >Scootaloo grins.
- >"Like to be one of the--"
- "CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS!"
- >Sweetie Belle throws some glitter in the air.
- >It's amazing!
- >Anonymous just looks around.
- "Uhm...sure?"
- >Victory!
- "Well shucks, that's just great Anonymoos."
- >Now to have some delicious pasta.
- >"But I still have to help Fluttershy out this afternoon, so I can't--"
- >OH NO.
- >The top of your spaghetti container is stuck.
- >You try and pop it off.
- >"--really hang out or anything until I get some better funds. Maybe find someplace else to live."
- "Well I reckon y'all could stay with me-"
- >OH NO. Wait, he might take that wrong. Y'all being too forward. He probably likes fancy fillies anyway.
- Splurt.
- >SPAGHETTI EVERYWHERE. Ya done popped the top too much.
- >Anonymous takes a noodle off his shirt.
- >Play it cool.
- >You're cool. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo think so.
- >Be cool.
- "--I mean, we could always use another hand. Not with me. I mean, the whole--you like spaghetti?"
- >He sucks it between his lips.
- >OH GOSH.
- >"I do, but not usually on me."
- >He laughs, but it ain't mean laughter.
- >Oh gosh, it makes you all warm inside.
- >You are Anonymous.
- >It is later in the day now.
- >Finish off some remaining work.
- >Miss Cheerilee asked you to stay after but she didn't get up from her desk.
- >She just kept looking at you with a little smile and nice bright eyes.
- >It must be hard, you're sort of a completely different animal altogether.
- >And not just figuratively.
- "Uhm...Teacher?"
- >You can hear the skin of her face stretch as her smile grows.
- "I have to go help someone out...did you need to talk to me about anything?"
- >She shakes her head slowly from side to side.
- >It's rather creepy.
- >She must not have had her coffee or something.
- "...good class today."
- >You get up and head towards the door.
- >Her eyes follow you like on one of those portraits in the old Scooby Doo show.
- >You close the door behind you.
- >Slowly.
- >She's watching you until the door closes all the way.
- >Once it's fully closed you can hear her exhale sharply.
- >Huh.
- >Maybe she needed to toot or something.
- >Go figure.
- >You'll consider bringing her an apple tomorrow.
- >There's still a noodle in your hair.
- >You eat it.
- >And hope nobody else noticed it during the remainder of classes.
- >Might've looked embarrassing.
- >You don't really know much about pipes or plumbing.
- >But you're pretty sure these pipes at Fluttershy's cottage are clean.
- >You're under her sink and the pipes, if anything, look new.
- "Miss Fluttershy, are you sure these are dirty?"
- >She sticks her head between your legs so she can get a look at you.
- >"Oh yes...I mean they're just so d-dirty and in need of a cleaning, Anonymous."
- "Well--I mean I appreciate the opportunity, Miss Fluttershy but I literally know nothing about this thing."
- >She's blushing and trying to say something but she keeps on mumbling.
- "I don't really feel good about taking your bits if I can't help you in someway."
- >She's letting out a low-pitched "Ermmm" noise.
- >And blushing up a storm.
- "Miss, are you sick?"
- >Her eyes dart from side to side and then back down at you.
- >"Oh no--I mean no, I'm not sick..."
- "I thought you were going to sneeze.
- >She mumbles.
- "Can you scoot back a little so I can get out of here?"
- >She nods.
- >She bangs her head on the edge of the sink.
- >And she falls flat on your crotch.
- >Oh wow.
- >She sees where she's landed.
- >You see that she sees where she landed.
- >She sees that you saw that she saw where she landed.
- >She blushes and flusters up and scoots back out.
- >Only to smack her head on the frame again and land back on your crotch.
- >She starts to whimper.
- "You okay?"
- >She mumbles.
- >And sniffles loudly.
- >And sighs.
- "Let's keep our heads low and just back on out of here?"
- >She presses her head into your crotch.
- >This isn't what you meant.
- >You begin to scoot out.
- >She does the same.
- >Once you're both out of the sink she lingers for a minute before pulling her head away.
- "Fluttershy are you okay?"
- >She mumbles something and her wings stiffen up.
- "...Miss?"
- >She laughs awkwardly and rubs her head.
- >And she just stares at your belt-line.
- "...Can you move your neck normally?"
- >She laughs awkwardly again.
- >"...m-my name's F-fluttershy."
- >You nod a little.
- "Yeah, you introduced yourself to me a few days ago."
- >She mumbles.
- >"..m-my pipes need t-to be cleaned."
- "I wish I could help with that, and really shouldn't have agreed to from the start. I don't really know pipes or...does your head hurt?'
- >She nods.
- >This isn't exactly how your first day of school should've ended.
- >You lift Fluttershy up--heavier than she looks--and lay her down on the couch.
- "All right, you're being a little out of it."
- >She tries to protest but as soon as you're close enough to put a hand on her head she starts to stutter.
- "Does that hurt?"
- >She mumbles. Her face is quite red in some areas.
- "I'll make you some soup and uhm..."
- >You look at all the bags of bird seed.
- >And all the various animals scattered about the home, doing their own thing.
- "Do you have a feeding schedule for your animals? I could take care of that for you."
- >"Oh no...you d-don't have to do anything like that just uhm--"
- >She mumbles and nuzzles her lips up against your hand.
- >She must be delirious.
- "Well, I may as well. Let me get some soup on, and then I can give the whole feeding animal things a shot."
- >Her lips envelope your point finger and she's making a choking noise.
- >You pull your hand away and wipe the drool off on your pant leg.
- >She follows your hand.
- "Fluttershy, don't fall asleep. You might have a concussion...or something bad like that."
- >You get to work.
- >Great job, Anonymous. First real outing in this town.
- >First real job offer in this town--one you had no business taking.
- >And your host's friend may have a concussion.
- >Take responsibility for your actions, make sure she's okay.
- >Take care of these minor chores.
- >Things can't get worse.
- >Fucking Rabbits.
- >Fucking Birds.
- >Fucking Squirrels.
- "Fluttershy, the rabbit keeps--"
- >A white bunny throws a carrot and it pegs you in the forehead.
- "Throwing stuff at me. And the birds aren't eating any of the seeds--you said the brown ones right?"
- >Fluttershy mumbles and nods from her place on the couch.
- "The squirrels are being exceptionally finicky, why do you have so many pets anyway? I mean squirrels seem sort of--"
- >There's a knock at the door.
- >Take a breath.
- >Smile.
- "I'll go see who is at the door, uhm... The soup is almost done. Are you feeling any better?"
- >She smiles at you weakly from the couch.
- >And mumbles something.
- "Great."
- >You open the door.
- >And are tackled by three little fillies.
- >"CUTIE MARK CRUSADER PIPE CLEANING ASSISTANTS!"
- >You look up towards Fluttershy who is now exceptionally flustered and embarrassed.
- >Scootaloo is wearing a backwards hat and spitting after she talks.
- >"Yeah lessee about those there pipes that'chawere there needing cleaning. HWACK SPOOT"
- >It's about as Italian an accent as the Mario Bros.
- >Sweetie Belle is carrying some craft pipecleaners and has a big smile.
- >"These are for cleaning pipes! And making necklaces and stuff."
- >She skips in and begins making funny faces at some of the animals.
- >Applebloom is sitting on your chest and smiling down at you.
- >"Hey Anonymoos! We thought since ya said wrasslin' bears might not be smart, we'd help you with this!"
- "Oh...well thanks Applebloom."
- >She lays down and leans on her hooves, giving you a big grin.
- >"So, how do you clean pipes anyway?"
- "I don't actually know...Fluttershy bumped her head and I'm making soup for her now."
- >Applebloom gets a big grin.
- >"So that's what's cookin' good-lookin'."
- >You let out a little laugh.
- "Fluttershy, is it okay if they help out?"
- >From her place on the couch Fluttershy gives you and Applebloom a very disappointed stare.
- >But she nods sadly.
- "Applebloom, can you get off me?"
- >She suddenly realizes where she is and hops off you.
- >"Sorry bout that, Anonymoos. We're Crusaders after all, can't have a man down."
- "Okay then. Can you check on the soup?"
- >She trots off.
- "Sorry about this Miss Fluttershy, I really didn't invite them over. Honest."
- >Fluttershy's soup is too hot.
- >Which leads to Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle blowing the hot soup in the spoon.
- >Which has it scald her face.
- >And that's not good.
- >Scootaloo is still doing her worst Italian accent and hiking up invisible pants.
- >And spitting everywhere.
- >Sweetie Belle has made little neckties out of pipe cleaners for the squirrels.
- >That white bunny threw another carrot at you.
- >Applebloom produced a chef's hat out of thin air and added some basic "country fixins" as she called them to the pot.
- >It doesn't taste bad.
- >You take over for Scoots and Sweetie on the "feed the pegasus you may have gotten concussed" job.
- "I'm really sorry."
- >You blow on the soup.
- >She watches your lips.
- >You're pretty sure you didn't spit on it.
- >"..t-try it first to see if it's too hot."
- >You slide the spoon in your mouth and it goes down warm.
- >Sort of a hearty vegetable blend with a bit of a kick to it.
- >You pull the spoon out.
- "I'll go get you another spoon-"
- >"Oh no...I only have the one."
- "...seriously?"
- >She blushes a nods.
- "I thought they came in like whole sets."
- >You wipe the spoon off with the edge of your shirt.
- >She smiles.
- >She's pretty friendly.
- >You blow on some more soup and feed it to her.
- >You do this for about an hour.
- >Eventually it starts getting dark out.
- >Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle head out.
- >Applebloom offers to stay behind and help clean up.
- >"It ain't no problem, Anonymoos, we're Crusaders! We gotta stick together."
- "Well thanks Madame Knight-"
- >"Mahdum what?"
- "It's a...don't worry about it. I'll take care of the dishes, you just make sure Fluttershy seems okay."
- >You go into the kitchen and begin doing some dishes and scrubbing some pots.
- >Applebloom is having some serious conversation apparently.
- >You are Applebloom.
- >Anonymous thinks you're awesome.
- >You can tell because he's all happy and such.
- >And he liked your soup.
- >But you oughtta make sure Fluttershy's brains didn't get bruised to biscuits.
- >Or is it...bruised to gravy?
- >There's some term for it.
- "Hey Fluttershy, you all right?"
- >She smiles all nice and nods.
- "Your brain didn't get all broke, did it?"
- >"Oh no..."
- "Your pipes get clean?"
- >She blushes up like you just stumbled in on her in the loo.
- >"Oh...well no. B-but I'm thinking they will be soon. A-anonymous is just perfect for it."
- >You tilt your head.
- "What'cha mean? I thought he said he didn't know 'bout cleaning pipes."
- >Fluttershy blushes up again and her wings get all stiff-like.
- >"It's an...your sister will---Ask Applejack when you're a little older."
- "But it's just pipes. Now, maybe I don't know much 'bout pipes, but don'tcha just clean'em with one of those brushy things?"
- >Fluttershy bites her lip and looks towards Anonymous back in the kitchen.
- >You raise an eyebrow and look back at Anonymous.
- >Oh my, he's wearing one of those frilly fru-fru aprons and scrubbing them pots like a pro.
- >And he's got a funny lil'flank he shakes about while he hums a little ditty.
- >You're gonna stare because he isn't looking and boy he is all tall and strong looking.
- >He could probably buck apples real good.
- >Move hay bails.
- >Paint the barn all nice.
- >"...Applebloom, a-are you staring at...uhm...Anonymous's behind?"
- >You turn back to Fluttershy.
- "NOPE! NOT AT ALL! WHAT'CHU TALKING ABOUT. THAT'S CRAZY. SILLY AND ALL SORTS OF YOU KNOW I MEAN I SAID...uhm... I MEAN--"
- >You lower your voice.
- >Anonymous turns to see you and Fluttershy.
- >He waves a little.
- >You feel a big ol'smile creep up on ya.
- "Nah, I'm just...why? Wait. Were you?"
- >Fluttershy averts her eyes.
- "You were, weren'tcha!?"
- >"...well yeah."
- "But why?"
- >Fluttershy gives ya the stare.
- >Always makes you feel nasty inside.
- >"Because...he's going to be mine."
- >"And he's going to love me...and we're going to d-do...things."
- "Aww horsefeathers. I wanted to do things with'em."
- >Ain't no fun dancing with a man who done danced around with everyone.
- >Fluttershy blushes.
- "Can't we make a deal?"
- >Fluttershy smiles.
- >"...maybe."
- >You are Anonymous.
- >You are back at your temporary domicile within a large broom closet in the library.
- >Spike says you're lucky, he's a freaking dragon and he has to sleep in a basket next to your host.
- >You hear a knock at your door and it opens.
- >Twilight grabs a dust pan from over your bed with her magic and smiles sleepily at you.
- >"How was your first day of school?"
- "Well I kinda knew everything but the culture and history stuff. Long division is kinda easy."
- >"Did you make any friends?"
- "Yeah. I think so."
- >You scratch your chest.
- "Hey, did you ever get the feeling everypony in this town was like...flirting with you?"
- >She laughs, and it's long and awkward and really really geeky.
- >Like, wheezes and a loud snort one time.
- >"No! Why would you even think that?"
- "I dunno... Everyone keeps looking at me weird-"
- >"Well you are weird!"
- >She takes a moment and looks down at the ground.
- >"I meant...you know what I meant."
- "Yeah. And I get that. But it's like...they just stare at me and either mumble or don't say anything."
- >"Some mares and stallions are a little shy with newcomers."
- "I know that but---it felt weird."
- >"Maybe you're just not used to crushing on mares."
- >She gives you a thin lipped smirk.
- "Nah, that's not it."
- >She frowns and steps out of your closet before slamming the door on you.
- "Twilight?"
- >A moment passes.
- "Miss Sparkle?"
- >You open the door a little.
- >Spike is looking in on you.
- "Spike. What're you doing?"
- >"Eh...I'm camping out with you tonight, Anon."
- "Why?"
- >"She says it's something private and she said it angry and I don't wanna deal with it."
- "Oh. Is that common?"
- >"Since you showed up. Yeah kinda."
- >You open the door all the way and he brings in a tub of ice cream.
- "Can I have some?"
- >"Don't be that guy, Anon."
- End Part 1.
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