ToE Chapter 1: Ponies

>"Ahl' right, Granny, Big Mac, Ah'm off to the market. See ya'll later".
>Said Applejack, as she began towing her cart full of apples down the road.
>"Okay, dear".
>"E'yup".

>...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxljSFgShUw

>You're about ten minutes from the village...
>Now safe from the dangers of the forest, you're walking across the plains. There is a light breeze coming from the mountains to the north west.
>...One mountain in particular catches your eye. It towers above the surrounding mountains and hills, and looks rather mean and foreboding. At its highest point, it reaches beyond the clouds.
>Below it, is a long mountain range that stretches for miles.
>You can't see what lies beyond. Wildlands, you imagine.
>As your field of view shifts back to the village, you hear something about twenty yards behind you.
>It sounds like gentle footsteps, and two rather creaky wheels.
>You look over your shoulder.
>It's the orange horse from the farm. Still pulling a cart, full of apples, with no difficulty.
>Now much closer than before, you can clearly see that this horse is indeed wearing a hat.
>And, at this distance, it looks less like a horse, and more like a pony, standing at just over four feet. And a mare, at that.
>...But even then, she still doesn't look quite like any pony you've ever seen.
>Her eyes are huge, for starters. Her general shape is the same, but more...round, in comparison.
>She's smiling, too.

>And, this pony is still all alone. No farmer. No rider.

"Where am I...?"
>You whisper.

>The orange pony is only a few feet behind you, now.
>As the distance between the two of you closes, you turn your gaze slowly towards her.
>She angles her head towards yours, and your eyes meet.
>Her eyes are rather large, together occupying about half of her face. Each eye consists of a prominent black pupil, and a green iris. Behind each eye, are three white freckles.
>As you make eye contact, you feel a sentience beyond anything possessed by even the highest of the earth's creatures.
>...She is not a mere animal.
>For a moment, silence. And then-

>"Howdy, stranger!"

>...!

"Uhh...."
"Hello, there."
>The pony.
>She talked.

>She sweeps her eyes across you for a moment.
>"From the looks of yeh, ahm' guessin' yer' not from 'round these parts. What brings yeh here, if yah don't mind mah askin'?"
>She seems rather jolly and welcoming...
"You guessed right. I'm not sure how, but I seem to have lost my way, and now, I... don't know where I am."
>You reply, to the talking pony.
"And, I was hoping I could find some assistance in that village."
>The pony looks at you, then at the path, then towards the forest in the distance, then back to you.
>"Ehhh, yah don't happen tah live out there in the Everfree Forest, do yah?"
>Says the pony, with a look of mild concern.
"Uhm, no, I don't. I've never set foot in that forest until today."
>"Hm?"
"Somehow, I just... Wound up there. I'm not sure how."
>The mare's momentary confusion gives way to a gentle smile.
>"Hm, ah reckon I know just the pony who can help yah. Right now, Ahm on mah way to the market with these here apples..."
>She motions to her cart of apples.
>"But ah I can take yeh to 'er house on the way."
"...Really? Thank you, Miss..."
>"Applejack. And it ain't a problem."
"...Miss Applejack. I'm Anon".
>"Anon?".
"Yes. Or, Anonymous, if you'd rather."
>"Ahl' right then, Anonymous. Looks like we've almost reached Ponyville. You just follah' me."