//------------------------------// // Ch 9. Sleeping at the Apples. // Story: The Silent Guardian // by Not_available_now //------------------------------// Ch 9.                     I lay back with a full stomach. Damn that tasted good and there was enough food to feed an entire town here. And it tasted as delicious as one could imagine. And the questions still have to come and if they are anything like the first one. Then I am indeed doomed.                     We clean the room up together. During dinner Big Mac remained quiet except for the occasional Nope or Eeyup.  Granny Smith didn’t say much, just that she would ask me the questions later. Applebloom on the other hand. She was a menace, she asked everything there was to ask. I had the hardest time coming up with anything that sounded reasonable and not make me look like a complete loony.                     The story that I came up with consisted of me traveling around after finishing school through Equestria. If she asked where I had gone I just named every single town from the show that I can remember. She asked for some school stories. I gave her everything that I can remember from school that is just a bit normal. Which isn’t a lot, but it worked. She is a very energetic little filly and she’s very nice. She’s got a very nice and warm personality. Maybe I can go crusading with her and the others, because I have no idea what my cutie mark is. Nopony has reacted to my blank flank. Yet. Maybe I can do that after everyone finds out that I am an alicorn and general panic would arise. Maybe it is better not to do that, I think that I would have a lot of ponies on my tail then.                     I am just going to keep my mouth shut.                     After we’ve cleaned up everything we sit down in front of the fireplace on the couch.                     “Do ya want ta stay here for the night, suga’cube. We’ve got enough space anyhow.” Applejack asks while walking into the room with a plate full of cups with hot chocolate in it.                     “Sure, I don’t see why not. You’re very nice so I shouldn’t deny you this pleasure.” I say while grinning stupidly at her.                     “Ow shoosh. It’s just somethin’ nice for a new employee.” She says while giving me an playful shove.                     Applebloom sits down next to Applejack. “Ya are goin’ ta sleep next ta ma room. It’s a very nice one. Ah made the drapes maself and ah chose the blankets too.” Applebloom says while hugging Applejack.                     “I am sure it is a very nice room and that the drapes are beautiful.” I say , sipping at my hot coco.                     “Thanks for that.” Applejack whispers in my ear.                     “No problem.” I whisper back.                     We sit around the fire and talk about tales from our youth. Applejack tells some stories from when she was young. And, of course, embarrassing stories about Applebloom when she was just a young foal. Big Mac didn’t say much, but smiles all the time, enjoying the time with his family. Granny Smith dozes of almost immediately and quietly snores off. I tell some embarrassing stories of my own, adapted for ponies of course. We have our fair share of laughs and it is a nice evening.                     After a while Applejack guided Applebloom towards her room and put to sleep. I hear her sing a lullaby from here. Granny Smith stands up too and says goodbye to me and Mac and she walks upstairs. This leaves an uncomfortable silence between me and Mac.                     “So ya are tha new help Applejack has hired. We could use yer help, but ya need ta get better at buckin’. Iffin ya’ll stay as bad as ya are, then yer not gonna be of any help.”  Big Mac says in a very, very deep voice. “So ya better get some trainin’ done with ma sis’.” He got an angry look in his eyes. “But ya don’t get any ideas and keep yer hooves of her.”                     “I had no intention of doing anything with her. My relation with her is purely for the sake of business. I intend to earn my money to pay off Rainbow and then settle down here in Ponyville. I am kind of tired of my travels.” I say, trying not to anger the big red earth pony that is sitting in front of me.                     “Than this is fine by me.” He says being silent once more.                     “Ah think that ah’m going ta sleep.” He says before trotting of up the stairs towards his room.                     “See ya tomorrow.” I say after him. I just hear a rumble coming from the stairs.                     I just sit here, looking at the fire, being in trance. I hear some talking upstairs, probably Applejack and Big Mac. I hear no shouting, so there should be no problem.                     I see Applejack coming down the stairs and sitting down on one of the couches. “Are ya goin’ ta bed anytime soon? Ya need ta get yer sleep sometime.” She says to me.                     “I’m going right now, I think.” I say while standing up and slowly walking towards the stairs.                     “Wait fer me. I’m going with ya.” She says while trotting after me.                     We walk up the stairs just behind me.  “Did ya have a good first day?”                     “You mean bucking that little tree for a few hours. What a day that was.” I say while we’re walking through the hallway. “I sure did help you collect a lot of apples.” I says sarcastically as we stop in front of, what I assume to be, my room.                     “Don’t worry, Leo. Ya can help us tomorrow. We’ve got a new batch of tree ta buck. So ya are gonna need yer sleep. Get in and get in bed.” She says while opening the door and shoving me in. “G’night.”                     “G’night yourself.” I say while closing the door behind me and walking over to the bed. I lie down on the bed and pull the covers over me.                     I hear some sounds from the room next to mine, probably just Applejack going to bed. I let my mind go blank and I close my eyes. I am asleep within mere minutes. A/N: More chapters. More ideas. More feedback. More next times.