Part Nine - Unnamed

> You're only just started to get your breath back.
> The past 5 minutes have been spent crouched down behind a bush, recovering and hoping not to be found.
> Sure of no pursuit, you stand, stretch and begin to make your way towards p0nyville.
> You are just reaching the edge of town when Rainbow Dash finally spots you.
> "There you are! Who'd have thought you could move that fast, huh?" She drops into a slow hover at your side.
> By the look on her face, she's quite pleased with herself.
> "I don't know why you were running, y'know. BigMac's just a big softy really. Wouldn't hurt a fly."
"He probably hasn't heard any of your songs about flies."
> "Oooh, that. Pfft, I was just having fun."
"Yeah, Hilarious. I liked the verse where the brother leaves me in a shallow grave."
> "I told you already, you big wuss! He wasn't gonna stomp you."
"Why'd he come running after me then?"
> "You'd dropped the blanket. He was trying to wrap you up again."
> Now you think back, the big red colt did have something in his mouth.
> "Poor guy was worried you'd catch a cold."
> You're still not sure if you believe her and resolve to keep your wits about you if you bump into the big feller again.

"AppleJack still mad at you?"
> "Nah." She ponders for second, tapping her chin with a hoof.
> "Well, maybe a bit, but she'll calm down." Dash follows this up with a confident grin.
> You nod, acknowledging her claim.
> Something from before surfaces in your memory.
> You wanted to ask Rainbow about it, but it's a bit blurry.
"So... Why did you drop me then? Too heavy?"
> "Well, you could stand to drop a few pounds chunky." She prods your side to emphasise the point.
> Such are the rewards of a cake intensive diet.
"Thanks. So, why?"
> She looks a little uncomfortable, rubbing her forehooves together as she speaks.
> "I just... Look, don't laugh, ok? You promise not to laugh." She hovers infront of you, stopping your progress.
> She has a serious, almost worried look to her and seems unable to meet your eyes for long.
> You find yourself mirroring her expression, seriously hoping you didn't accidently hurt another friend.
"I promise. What's wrong."
> "I... I..." She trails off, rubbing her foreleg nervously as she hovers.
"You can trust me Dash."
> "I... I... Idon'tlikemyhoovesbeingtouched..." She lowers to the dirt road, looking downwards and deflated by the revelation.
> Whut?
> You play that back again, in slow motion.
> That's it?
> Hooves?
"You dropped me... because I touched your hooves."
> "Uhuh". She sighs.
> She then spies up at you from underneath her fringe.
> "You better not be laughing... You promised."
> Must keep mouth closed.
> Prisoner 'lol' is making an escape bid.

> "I can see you shaking."
> Stay still, dammit.
> "Hey! It's not my fault! You've got weird hooves with all those wiggly things on the end!"
> Dash waves holds up both of her hooves and gives them a little shake as she say's 'wiggly'
> " *blech* They're like big squishy spiders! gross!" She's sticking her tongue out now.
"Big squishy spiders, huh?"
> "Yeah... ew." She's still revolted, but the pair of you are now making progress towards ponyville again.
> You wiggle your fingers in a crawling motion at her, eliciting a wince.
> This you can work with.
> You speed up a little and start walking at her side.
> She still seems to be in a bit of a huff after you barely managing to keep your promise.
"Sooo, it'd be really gross having one of them crawling on you, huh?"
> She rolls her eyes and snorts her derision, not rising to the bait.
"Creeping up your back"
> You lean in a little closer and whisper.
"Slowly, so slowly you can barely feel a thing."
> Closer you draw, and quieter you whisper.
"Getting closer to the back of your neck."
> She's stopped blinking, he eyes widen at the thought.
"Tangling in your mane as they work their way forward..."
> A little swallow of panic.
"ONTO YOUR FACE!"
> *Squeal!*
> She throws herself to the side, hovering herself up out of your reach and drawing up all of her hooves to get away from you...
>... Who is walking along grinning at her with both of your hands in your pockets, as they were when you started.
> "Hey, no fair!"
> You chuckle, and continue on your way.

> Sugarcube Corner.
> Rainbow Dash said she was taking you for something to eat.
> "That'll shut you up for a while", she said.
> You're not sure if she intends to feed you the house or what they have inside.
> Through the window you see a pink puff of mane bobbing along and as the door opens ahead of you, a cheery voice can be heard wishing a good day to the leaving customer.
> The p0ny, holding a cake box by it's string, passes you by without comment.
> The fact your stripped to the waist doesn't seem to count as noteworthy around here.
> There's more to it though.
> A difference in attitude you just have to know about.
"Dash. Why is it none of the p0nies around here seem to be bothered about me?"
> "Bothered?" Rainbow stops, giving you a puzzled look.
"Yeah. 'Bothered'. I mean, I look so different."
> "So you look different, pfft, like that means anything." She waves a hoof dismissively.
> "You seem pretty cool. Clumsy, but cool... and you keep good company! What's not to like?"
> It's nice to be accepted so easily, but the thought at how different it'd be were the situation reversed taints the feeling.
> "Heh, come on dude! This is Equestria! We've got Griffons, Minotaurs, Dragons... You're not THAT weird."
> She's giving you a reassuring smile, trying to drive the hollowness out of yours.
> That she's make the effort at all is enough to succeed.
"You're a good friend, Dash."
> "... and you're a massive wuss. Right then!" Dash opens the door and hovers in.
> "Dashie! Am I glad to see you? Of course I am, silly filly, what a question *tsk* What can I get you?" There's Pinkie, bubbly as ever.

> You pause before the doorway, a brief moment of reflection snatched while you can.
> So.
> A quick inventory.
> You own even less clothing than you did this morning.
> You have a new collection of bruises.
> You can add 'drowning' to the list of skills you've remembered.
> You have also french kissed a horse.
> Accidently, but it still counts.
> You also seem to have gained a friend.
> All in all, not a bad days work.
> Dash leans out of the doorway, breaking your introspective moment.
> "Hurry up! we gotta eat quick. Pinkie say's she's got a lead." Dash is gesturing for you to follow.
> You hasten into the store, almost feasting on the scents within.
> "Pie! what do you want? They got cherry, blueberry, raspberry, strawberry..."
> She glances at you and grins.
> "...or do you fancy apple?"
> You groan.
> She's never going to let that go.