//------------------------------// // A Friend in Need (Cheerilee) // Story: The Man With Two Names // by Tarot Card //------------------------------// “So where are you going again?” somepony asked me for the millionth time. “Appleloosa. Visiting family.” Would it have killed Pinkie to write that on the banner? I took a sip from the punch glass. Celestia knows I needed a good drink right about then. Much to my chagrin, it was free of any rum. “I didn’t know you had like... a family, and stuff,” Pokey said nonchalantly. He smoothed back his mane and flashed me a flirtatious look. I forced a polite smile. “Yes, I do, and I’m sure you have many questions about them, don’t you?” “Well yeah. It’s just that you’ve never mentioned them before, and I’m a little curious where you came from before you lived in Ponyville.” “Excuse me for a moment,” I scowled. That’s a rather personal question, isn’t it? I walked to the back room of Sugarcube Corner, and threw on my saddlebags. Quietly, I opened the door, and galloped away from the party, leaving the chattering of the ponies behind. In retrospect, I felt a little guilty for leaving the party early. Well, not really. As much as Pinkie cared enough to arrange a gathering to send me off, I felt like she threw it more for the sake of having a party then for me. I was still filled with nervous energy. I slowed to a canter and took a deep breath of the autumn breeze. I glanced at the the train schedule in my bag, then the clock tower. Leaving the party granted me an hour to... to... do absolutely nothing. Still, wandering around aimlessly was better than being subjected to a game of twenty questions with every single pony. Frankly, I would have preferred if Pinkie had not thrown a going away party at all. I wanted a more low key exit from Ponyville, without everypony prying about the family I left behind. I made all the arrangements for a long term substitute teacher, preparing lesson plans for the next three months, and even an extra two weeks in case I was delayed. Poor Pip Squeak nearly cried when I told the class I would be gone until after Hearth's Warming Eve. As I aimlessly wondered around the marketplace, I wondered how Blackcherry looked now. Apparently she was married, and with foal. I tried to imagine her with a big swollen belly, and fought a pang of remorse that I hadn't been there for such a big step in her life. I’d been to plenty of weddings, some where I was only vaguely acquainted with the bride or groom, but I hadn't gone to my own sister’s wedding. “What the hell do you want?” my ears perked at the hostility. I looked around, only to see it was not directed at me, but at a human. Wait, Walker? What’s he doing out in the middle of the day, and without a tool belt? Usually he works only in the morning, with Lucky. And where was Lucky? And why was he so pink? He seemed shaky on his legs, and he had a yellowed bruise on his cheek. He gestured to the sign advertising the salespony’s wares (Special! Dozen eggs, only 6 bits!). “You sell eggs I take it?”. “What’s it to you?” the salespony said, spitting on the ground. His loogie nearly hit Walker's boot, and he shifted his foot back uncomfortably. “Umm... I would like to buy some.” He gave a nervous grin, and nudged a stack of shiny bits across of the counter. “Ah was under the impression you lost yer taste fer birds and moved on to cows.” What? How did other ponies find that his tastes were more... diverse? “That was just a misunderstanding--” “And if you dare even look funny at any critter on my farm again, so help me Celestia, I’ll... I’ll..” He paused mid-growl, trying to think of a suitable threat. “I’ll...Shoot ya! Yeah, that's it. I'll shoot ya!” “Wait, what do you mean 'again'?” “Ah mean, if you come ripping up the place like ya did last time, Mr. Colt Anaconda here is gonna rip you a new one.” He pulled his gun out of a drawer, and put it within hoof's reach on the counter. "You mean when Lucky and I fixed your fence? We just needed to move the animals aside so they didn't escape." "Ponyfeathers! You came in the middle of the night, making a racket and banging all over my property!" He clutched the revolver between his front hooves. "Now stay away from my house, my farm, my kids, my wife, and most of all, stay away from my stand!" “That's because we work at night! Could you stop waving your god damned gun around for half a second so I can explain what I did?” “I already know what you did.” There was a crowd forming, and a nearby police officer was eyeing the situation warily. Walker pinched his brow in frustration, and let out an exasperated sigh. “Gah, never mind. Sir, I just need some eggs—” “And what do you plan on using them for?” “Um, baking a cake?” He nudged the bits closer. “You want these eggs, don’tcha?” He said with a smirk. “forty five bits per egg.” “But the sign says—” “I don’t give a damn what the sign says. You can pay forty five bits or you can go buck yourself!” “What? Why?” Walker shouted in frustration. “Buck You, That’s why!” “God damn it. I’ll give ten bits a dozen.” He slammed another few bits onto the table. “Forty five an egg.” Walker was well aware that his strategy wasn't working. He paused for a minute, planning out his approach. I bit my hoof. Should I do something? “Come on... I really really need these. I’ll give you five bits an egg,” he said with a renewed cordiality. “Well, since you really need them... fifty bits.” “I only have thirty four bits you jackass!” Walker balled his fist, and slammed it down on the table, sending the coins tumbling in air. “Hey!” the earth pony drew the revolver closer. “Don’t make me use this thing! I loaded it with varmint shot, just for nasty little omnivores like you!” “You’re a god damn horse! How the hell are you supposed fire a gun?” The salespony gazed quizzically at the weapon in his hooves, asking himself the same question. “Worst three hundred bits I ever spent,” he muttered to himself. He raised his voice, “Officer! I’m being harassed by a crazed animal! Help! Help!” The police pony snapped to attention, and began shoving his way through the crowd of ponies. Walker immediately drew away from the stand, arms held out “Okay, okay, I’m leaving!” The salesepony snickered, and swept all of the bits Walker had left on the counter into a drawstring purse. “Hey I need those!” he said, and started for the salespony again. The officer had summoned his companion. The were two were readying a net. Oh dear. I've only seen them bring out the net for Manticores. “Walker!” I shouted as I pushed my way through the crowd. He stopped and turned to me. I trotted up to him and whispered to him. “What in the name of Tartarus do you think you’re doing, threatening a salespony?” “He was threatening me! And he took my money!” “Excuse me ma’am, is this human your pet?” “Hey buddy, I’m not a god damn--” I silenced Walker with a hasty kick to the nethers. He buckled over into a small ball. Okay, maybe it was a little excessive, but if I hadn't done so, there's no telling what would have happened. “Why...yes! Sorry, he can get a little feisty when I don’t walk him for a while.” The officer glanced at Walker who was now whimpering. I gave a big grin, because grins mean that I've got the situation under control, and the police ponies don’t need to be netting anyone today. The unicorn officer murmured something to his Earth Pony compatriot. I flashed them a bigger grin. He narrowed his eyes.“Just make sure you keep him on a leash. Somepony could have gotten hurt. Next time, I’ll have to fine you.” He again looked scornfully at Walker, who was rolling around the ground with tears in his eyes. “And consider getting him fixed, while you’re at it.” “Okay, will do officers!” I gave a chuckle and waved as they left. Quickly, I grabbed Jerry, and led him to a less traveled street, away from the eyes of the vendors who’d had gathered around the scene. I turned to him once the coast was clear of the flower ponies, and other prying eyes. He still was doubled over, looking at me, hurt and betrayed. “Walker, what happened back there?” “I don’t know anymore... I was just trying to buy some eggs. The next thing I know I have a pony waving a gun in my face; then I get kicked in the most painful area possible...” He gave me a dirty look. “Sorry! If I didn’t do anything to make you stop talking, they would have netted you, dragged you, and dumped you back into the Everfree forest.” “Couldn’t you have just, I don’t know, tapped me on the shoulder or something?” I stared up at him. “But I can’t reach that high...” “Arggh! Just don’t, kick me again. Okay?” He managed to right himself and sit on a crate. Was this the same human I had let into my class just a few weeks ago? What happened to the Walker with the worn clothes and unkempt hair, answering the tactless questions of fifth grade foals with politeness and civility? Who was this well groomed, boorish creature accosting vendors over eggs? I had to admit, his new appearance was a bit of an improvement. But he still looked haggard, although I may be partially to blame for that. "What happened to you? To you face?" "Besides somepony hoofing me in the groin?" "Sorry..." "It's fine. Whatever. I've just been having a rough couple of weeks. I'm not working for Big Macintosh anymore." "Why? Did the harvest end early?" "I got fired, I guess you could say. Well, more like chased away by a mob," he said dejectedly. "The long and short of it is I'm not welcome back." I gasped. Did the Apple family really chase Walker away? "Did Big Mac... run you off the farm?" "No, but he and his sister certainly didn't try very hard to stop it." "That's terrible! What could you have possibly done to get an angry mob after you?" "I'd rather not talk about it." I eyed him quizzically. "Does this have something to do with what that stallion said about you eating cows?" "Yeah, kinda... I accidentally made an off-hand comment. Apparently cows are sentient thinking, feeling, talking creatures here. So now everypony basically thinks I'm a heartless cannibal." My stomach twisted into a knot and I grimaced. The last thing I wanted to be thinking about was Walker's dietary preferences. "Cows don't talk where you're from?" He noted my discomfort and steered the conversation back to more polite territory. "No, but I digress. So anyway, I'm out of a job, and everypony at that farm wants me back in the Everfree forest. The only thing keeping me here in Ponyville is Lucky, and he's been acting weird lately." "You would leave Ponyville if you couldn't get a job?" That's odd. Walker didn't seem like the kind to be deterred by a couple of the "No Humans Allowed" signs I've been seeing around town. "I would be kicked out, by her majesty's servant, the great and powerful Twilight Sparkle." He mock-bowed to an imaginary dignitary, and then sat back down on his crate, defeated. "She says that If I'm not employed, I'm just a liability or some nonsense. I've been staying in Derpy's house all week, letting the all the townsfolk calm down before I go walking around in public again. And bam! Twilight Sparkle shows up at the door in the middle of the day. It's just me, so I pretend no one's home. "She leaves a note, and when I read it, it's about the whole cow incident, and how she needs to have a conversation with Derpy about my 'relocation back into the wild'." "Oh dear... did you show Derpy the note?" He covered his face with his hands. "Yeah, I had to explain what happened at the farm. God bless her heart for not kicking me out of her house right then and there. She's still really upset, though." I patted him on the shoulder reassuringly, seeing as it was finally in reach. "Having known Derpy for a few years now, I'm sure a few carrot cake muffins will get you on her good side." "I would go to the bakery if I could find it, but not many ponies seem keen on giving me directions." I glanced up at the clock tower. I had forty-five minutes until my train came. I looked at the beaten and defeated human in front of me. "Tell you what Walker, I'll bring you to Sugar Cube Corner so you can buy some muffins." I might as well stop by and see If I can get some gifts for Blossom and Blackcherry. "Hopefully they're not too pricey. I'm down ten bits on eggs I didn't even get to buy, " he said, grumbling. We began walking. "Why is it so important that you get eggs? Why not have Derpy pick some up for you?" "I don't think I'm in the position to be asking her to get... those kinds of food for me. The real question is, do you want to know about what I eat? That seems to be the real taboo subject these days." I shrugged. "We eat eggs. Usually they're just for baking, but I've been known to have a few omelettes every now and then. Just don't talk about other animals." "Okay then. We humans need protein, and lots of it. I haven't been able to get much protein since I got fired, and it's starting to effect me." He rolled up his sleeve, revealing a big bruise on his arm. "This should have healed by now, and the one on my face." I winced. "How did you get that?" "It was some unicorn by the name of Pokey Pierce. When everypony was freaking out, he shoved me down, and I guess I landed wrong." "I'm really sorry that working for the Apple family turned out so poorly for you." "There is a bit of a silver lining. I made a new friend." "Oh?" Walker was drawing looks from the pedestrians. I decided to go a more roundabout route, just to avoid going through the marketplace again. I wasn't keen on being at the scene of a commotion twice in one day. We turned the corner, following a street lined with trees. The foilage was just hitting peak fall colors. Red and golden leaves were dislodging from the trees and floating away with every shift in the breeze. "Her name's Lyra. She invited me over for dinner this Friday," he said with a grin. "That's nice..." I faked a smile and inwardly face-hoofed. While this was great news for Walker, I coudn't say the same for Lyra. For a Canterlot girl, she finds herself in a lot of bad situations. She has had enough problems just from her last coltfriend. The last thing she needed was to be seen hanging out with Ponyville's latest and greatest pariah. "I see you have your bags packed. Are you going somewhere?" Not this again. "I'm visiting family in Appleloosa for a while." "Is that a part of Ponyville?" "No, it's a settlement very far from here. It's a shame you weren't able to sit in on one of my geography lessons," I chuckled. "Lord knows I could use one. Maybe I could even find my way back home." "I was under the impression that you were planning on making this place your home." "If I could somehow get back to my own place, back where there are other humans and my family..." he trailed off. "I miss them a lot. I wish I could see my brother again." That's odd. I didn't think of Walker as having a family. Well, that's what everypony was saying about me not even an hour before. "I haven't seen my sisters in a while, either," I admitted. He looked me in the eyes, searching. "How long has it been? I haven't seen my brother since, well, since I got here." I gave a mirthless laugh. "I haven't seen my family in five years. I haven't even written to them." Walker stopped in his tracks. "Five years. Five years. Like this many?" He held his hand, fingers splayed. I quickly counted his digits, and then nodded. "Is Appleloosa really that far?" "Not that far." I kept on walking. He jogged to catch up with me. "Why haven't you visited them at least once in all this time?" I sighed. "I didn't exactly part on the best of terms with my family." Walker looked inquisitively at me, wanting me to go on. I stayed silent. "Want to talk about it?" "Nope." We walked for a moment, the only sound was the crunching of leaves beneath our steps. "Truth be told, neither did I. You know what the last words I spoke to my dad and brother were? I told them both they could go to hell, among other things. I just stormed off on them. I haven't gotten the chance to apologize, let alone speak to them." "You don't seem like the type to get angry and curse. Well, except for when ponies don't sell you eggs. What made you so mad?" He gave a dry laugh. "I wasn't exactly known for being calm back where I'm from. I just realized after my incident with Fluttershy that the calmer I stayed, the better things went for me. "My dad planned on retiring. I was going to take over his job, but he thought I wasn't ready, so at the last minute, he gave the job to my older brother." "I'm sorry." "Don't be." He gave me yet another expectant look. Okay, my turn, I guess. Reluctantly, I began. "Do you remember what I told you about cutie marks? About how having a different talent than the rest of your family can tear your family apart? Well, that was the story with me and my family. I was raised on a cherry farm, part of a clan of cherry farmers. And when I got this," I gestured to my cutie mark. "everything went to hell. There wasn't a school anywhere close to my family's farm. My dad wanted to me to stay and work the farm. He refused to let me leave." "What happened?" "I'm here, aren't I? After a big argument with my father, I snuck off in the middle of the night. My sisters tried to stop me. They followed me to the train station, and tackled me on the platform, begging me not to go. The only reason I was able to board the train to Ponyville on time was because I pretended they were just two ruffians trying to steal my luggage. A few ponies managed to pull them off me, and I ran aboard. The last time I saw them was from a train window as they were explaining themselves to the only two guards in that podunk little station." I swallowed hard. "So there. That's my story." We arrived at Sugar Cube Corner. It seemed unusually noisy, so I peaked through the window. Why were there so many decorations set up? And why were there so many ponies just lounging around? I face-hoofed, this was the party Pinkie threw for me. "Walker, you better stay outside." I reentered the party, which was now beginning to ebb. Some of the ponies had already left. I spotted Pinkie Pie in the corner with Oatmeal. Unsurprisingly, the two mares were too engrossed in their gossiping to notice me enter. "I heard he likes the taste of pegasus wings, Buffalo style!" Pinkie said in a shout of equal parts exuberance and fright. "You know what I heard? I heard he eats Steak," Oatmeal said. Pinkie gasped. "Oh my Celestia! Wait, what's steak?" "I hear it's what griffins call it when they cut up a living cow, and then throw pieces of it into a fire," Oatmeal said, her voice tremulous in fright. I rolled my eyes and ignored the rest of their chatter. As macabre as his dietary habits were, Walker wasn't anywhere near as bad as ponies made him out to be. Speaking of dietary habits, I eyed the dessert table. I surreptitiously slipped some muffins and other miscellaneous baked goods into a paper bag. Hopefully Blossom still likes eclairs as much as she did as a filly. I began to weave my way through the crowd. "Cheerilee, Where did you go? It's really weird not seeing the guest of honor," Pinkie Pie said. "And not even a party hat?" She clicked her tongue disapprovingly at me, and slapped a cardboard cone onto my head. "Oh! Um, I just ran out to get my train schedule, and I realized that my train is leaving sooner than expected. So, I'll just be leaving now." She caught me by the shoulder before I could take a step. "Attention everypony! Cheerilee is leaving for realsies! Let's all say goodbye! One, two, three! Bye Cheerilee!" "Bye Cheerilee," the group repeated. Pinkie's enthusiasm nearly drowned out the group's more reserved farewell. I waved, and then ducked out the front entrance. It occurred to me that this was probably going be the last time I heard that name for a while. "CHEERILEE!" My ears were assaulted by a chorus of enthralled cheers the moment I stepped onto the porch. Well, that was sooner than expected. I felt little limbs wrap around my forelegs, nearly causing me to drop my bag of pastries, and sending my party hat tumbling to the ground. "Hello Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo," I said, as soon as I recognized the girls. Scootaloo offered me a pink envelope signed by all three of the little fillies. "What's this?" "We made you a going away card!" Sweetie Belle said. "Oh girls, you didn't have to do that for me!" "But we did anyways!" Scootaloo said. I opened the card, revealing a crayon drawing of the three friends and me in the middle. I felt a smile break out onto my face. I read the foalish writing. We'll miss you Cheerilee! (Best Teacher Ever!!!) Love your students, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaflu -loo I felt tears welling up in my eyes. How can you not love these kids... at least when they're not using love potions to set you up on dates. I stashed the letter into my saddlebags and drew the three fillies into a hug. "I'll miss you too, girls." "Where are ya going anyways, Ms. Cheerilee? Ya never told us why you were leaving, either." Apple Bloom asked. Always the inquisitive one. I wiped a tear from my face, and gave another smile. "Just... visiting Appleloosa for a while." She reminded me of Blossom, a little bit. I was sensing another question regarding my visit coming up. Best nip that in the bud. "Now, all of you promise me you'll be good little fillies for the teacher that'll be filling in for me." "We promise!" Apple Bloom suddenly craned her head. "Mr. Jerry!" Walker, who was sitting on a bench looked up at us. "C'mon Sweetie Belle, bring the picnic basket." The earth pony and the unicorn raced over to greet the human. "Hey Apple Bloom! It's good to see you." He ruffled her mane. "Who's your friend?" "I'm Sweetie Belle! My sister made your clothes!" she said. "Well, it's a pleasure to meet you Sweetie Belle," he said with a smile, and then turned to Apple Bloom. "I'm surprised. I thought that after... what happened, your sister didn't wouldn't let you anywhere near me." "She wouldn't!" Jerry went pale. "That's why me and Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo made you an 'ah'm sorry everypony got mad and kicked you off of the farm and my brother fired you' present." The two fillies opened the picnic basket. "We wanted to give you something that an omnivore would like, so we asked Spike what he liked to eat!" "Spike's an omnivore? Is that another human!?!" "Nope! He's a dragon," Sweetie Belle exclaimed. Walker's disappointment was palpable. The two fillies paid no heed and began unpacking the contents of the basket. I looked at the orange filly, still planted beside me. Why was she pressing her wings against her sides as hard as possible? "Scootaloo, if you helped make the present, why aren't you there showing it to Mr. Walker?" She started scraping the ground with her hoof, and avoided my gaze. "Flitter told me he likes how Pegasus feathers taste." Oh dear. "Besides, it was Apple Bloom's idea anyways. I just helped her find a couple of things." Apple Bloom was rambling again. "We also you got a slice of hay pizza, a can of worms, this fish we found beached on the river bank, and a couple of gemstones, Spike's favorite!" "Thank you Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, this means a lot to me." Scootaloo rolled her eyes. "Whatever guys. Can we do something else now?" "We gotta go Mr. Walker, but ah'll be sure to make AJ apologize next time we see you." "I think I should be the one apologizing to her. Please tell her I'm sorry about everything that happened," Walker said Apple Bloom pouted. "Ah dunno, it seems like mah sister was the one being stubborn." "Apple Bloom, Mr. Walker is right. It'd be much better if you sent his apology to your family," I said. "Um all right, if you say so Cheerilee. Have a safe trip!" Apple Bloom said. After an extra round of goodbyes, the fillies left for whatever shenanigans they had planned. My heart went out to the residents of Ponyville who would have to deal with the trio's misadventures. I went back to Walker. "That was awfully sweet of her." I surveyed the various food items they gathered for him. I found myself holding my nose. Did they go dumpster diving to find all of this? The pizza was the only thing that looked even remotely appetizing. It's the thought that counts, I suppose. "Can you actually eat any of this stuff?" He shook his head. "Well, maybe the fish." "I'm pretty sure I saw something crawl out of it." He shrugged. "I can make it work. God knows I need the nutrition right now." I made a face, and I fished out the bag of muffins. "Better throw these in there." I watched him dump out every bit of nasty food save the fish and the gemstones. I looked at the clock tower. I had twelve minutes to catch my train. "I better head to to the station now." "I'll walk you there." I was about to protest, but thought better of it. I could use the company. "Five years without saying a peep to your family? I can't imagine going a fifth of my life without seeing my dad." I peered at him. While he seemed to be an adult, he didn't mention having a family of his own. "You're twenty-five? Is that old for humans?" "Not really. Is that old for ponies?" "If I was twenty five, I would probably have a few foals by now. I would probably be teaching most of them." "If you don't mind me asking, how old are you?" "Walker, you should know better than to ask a lady her age." He started fumbling an apology. "Oh hush, I'm just teasing. I'm seventeen." "When I was seventeen, I was still in school." "Is that normal for humans?" "Yeah. I started school when I was six, and ended when I was eighteen." My jaw dropped. "What were you learning that took twelve years to study?" He shrugged. "Lots of stuff. Reading, writing, history, AP physics." He grimaced at the last item on his list. With that diverse academic background, this human could probably teach my class, and then some. "How old do you think Twilight Sparkle is?" "She's fourteen." "And how old is her mentor, this Celestia pony?" "Celestia is 3,423 years old as of August." "Now I'm just confused." "Well, she is a goddess." We arrived at the station. The guards perked up at the sight of Walker. They clenched their spears tightly. He smiled. "It looks like this is where we part ways." "Do you have the muffins, and your fish?" He nodded. It's a shame he couldn't get the eggs as well. That vendor was hell bent on giving him a hard time. If only he had someone to buy the eggs for him... A smile crept across my face. "Jerry, stay right here." "What?" If you didn't need to travel off the main thoroughfare, the marketplace was a short trot from the train station. Within moments, I was back. The stallion was at his egg stand, and he was still open for business. He gave me a toothy smile. “How’dya do, miss?” “Quite well.” “Ya see all that commotion that human was causing a little while ago? I thought I saw your pretty face in the crowd.” “Er, I got a glimpse of it. Lucky thing it ended quickly.” “Ah, I was banking on the guards dragging him away. Who knows what that wily little omnivore might do next. Anyways, what can I get you, sweet flank?" He raised his eyebrows suggestively. Could we do this whole exchange, but without the sleazy advances? "I would like a dozen eggs." I quickly placed six bits on the tray. "For you? three bits." He hoofed me a bag, and threw the spare coins back in there. He made a kissy face. "Oh. Um, thanks." I was sure to back away from him before turning around. I did not want that stallion checking out my flank. I trotted back to find Jerry standing against the wall of the train station, the basket close by. He was absent-mindedly fiddling with the beads of a necklace. I pulled out the carton of eggs, and hoofed it to him. "After everything you've been through, somepony ought to make it up to you." He took a look at the eggs in his hands, and his eyes began to tear. He knelt down, and threw his arms around my neck, pressing our cheeks together. "Thank you, Cheerilee." The guards looked at Jerry in alarm, and readied their spears, evidently thinking he was trying to strangle me. I waved them off, and then wrapped my hoof around him. Jerry didn't seem to notice the guards' reaction. As much as he ends up putting his hoof in his mouth, and scaring everypony out of their wits, he's a good friend. Who knows? We accepted Zecora into Ponyville. Maybe the same will happen to Jerry, eventually. "Jerry, call me by my real name." "What's that?" "Cherryseed." I gave him one last hug, and boarded the train. "Take care of yourself Jerry, and stay out of trouble." He gave a weary smile. "I'll try." I took a seat, and waved goodbye to Jerry through the window as the train began pulling away. l waved farewell. Soon, the sight of Ponyville slipped away. Within a couple of hours, I would be seeing my family again.