//------------------------------// // Daring To Settle In // Story: A Little Lost Without You // by NadyaAnn //------------------------------// Big Macintosh was uncertain of how to perceive his newest mare friend. He followed her quizzically until she stopped and turned to face him. "Which way, Handsome?" she asked as she pawed at the dirt before the fork in the path. "Oh, Oh!" Big Macintosh hurried forward with slight incoordination and entered the mouth of the path to the right. He waited patiently as Ani Me watched and then placed herself next to him with a giggle. "I like you a lot, Big Red. More than any pony I've met in my life. Mind you that isn't very many but, it's something right? I enjoy you very much for the little time I have spent with you. The minutes probably don't even equal an hour, yet I fear that I would be a little lost without you if we were ever separated. Then again, I'm scared to like any pony. Terrified, actually." Ani Me kept her shinning eyes forward as a wondrous town filled with assortments of colorful buildings of every shape a building could ever be, came into view. The only obstacle a bridge and a stream running under it. The same creek from earlier? Hard to tell. "Well I'm glad, Ani Me. You're something else, you know that? I hope that this immense acquaintanceship evolves into an even greater bond. I want to get to know you. No pony else has ever gotten this long a stream of words to flow from my mouth. But here I am, telling a short novel." Big Macintosh had an air of joviality and it nestled itself next to Ani Me's heart. "You said my name." "Hm?" "The way you gently speak my name. I like it." Ani Me flashed her eyes at the stallion before giggling and cantering over the small brick bridge and into the warmth and bustle of the town she wished immensely to live. As Big Macintosh caught up, winded, his eyes darted desperately around for a glimpse of Ani Me. After a few frustrated seconds, he spotted her at the flower stand and trotted over. "Oh wow! That smells wonderful!" Ani Me exclaimed, the flower owner staring at her, speechless. Ani Me finished her last second inhales of the flowers before glimpsed Big Mac and she turned back to the packed street. She had never seen so many ponies in one place. Every color imaginable flashed before her. Wings, horns, and beautiful bodies danced about her. The chatter was overwhelming as they spoke of the little ones at home, breakfast, stallions, mares, etc. Ani Me had never felt so elated in her life and she quickly squeezed herself into the crowd. "Come on this way." Big Macintosh maneuvered her threw the crowed to stand in the presence of a huge...gingerbread house? Sugar Cube Corner? They entered the eccentric, giant, frosting covered building to be greeted by an overwhelming smell of assorted pastries and Ani Me's stomach rumbled violently. She quickly looked at Big Macintosh in embarrassment and he flashed a reassuring smile at her. There was quite a large number of ponies within this establishment and Ani Me glanced around in search of Applejack. "Didja get lost, sugar cube?" A familiar voice appeared in front of her and it was, as you could guess, Applejack. "I was worried there for a second but, I see that Big Macintosh rescued ya. Come meet everybody!" Ani Me and Big Mac followed her to a large table filled with chattering ponies. A solid pink pony looked up with big light blue eyes, completely abandoned her rapid conversation, and sprang over the table at Ani Me. Ani had a miniature heart attack and she backed away a few steps. "OHMYCELESTIAOHMYCELESTIAOHMYCELESTIA!!!!!!!!!! IT'S YOU!!! ANI ME, RIGHT?? OH MY CELESTIA!!! YOU'RE A DOLL!! I LOVE YOU!!! I'M PINKAMENA DIANE PIE, BUT YOU CAN CALL ME PINKIE PIE OR JUST PLAN PINKIE! WANNA BE FRIENDS? PLEASE? PLEASE? PRETTY PLEASE WITH CHERRIES ON TOP?!" The strange pony's voice was shrill and girly and Ani Me stared blankly and slightly frighteningly at her face that was turned up in the biggest smile that Ani thought could kill a pony if attempted. "O-Oh...of course we can, Pinkie Pie." Ani Me smiled back at her and the little pink mares' eyes seemed to almost pop out of their sockets as she turned to the table of silent ponies and yelled, "Ha! HAAAAA!!! I win!!!! I'm her friend first! Eat that! I WIN!!!!! I'm the best friender EVER!!!!" "Anyways, I REALLY gotta go! Bye everyone! Nice to meetcha, Ani Me!" The ecstatic pony then proceeded to bounce across the room and out into the town. Ani Me barely had enough time to see that her cutie mark was that of three balloons. Applejack looked about with a fake grin on her orange face, "Haha, yeah, sorry, that's Pinkie...but never mind her!", she turned to the table of bright faced ponies and began the introductions. "This is Rarity.", she pointed to a pretty mare with curly purple hair and a solid white body like Scripts. She was a unicorn and she had three jewels for a cutie mark. Ani Me nodded at her and Rarity smiled brightly. "I say darling, I've never seen such beautiful black hair. I simply must arrange it for you sometime. I dare say it wouldn't hurt to add a beautiful outfit to accent your good qualities as well." Ani Me smiled as Applejack pointed to two small fillies, one orange pegasus and one white unicorn like Rarity and introduced them as Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle. Ani Me smiled slightly at them as they innocently gazed, open mouthed, at her blank-flank. "And you know everyone else here. There's three other of my friends you've yet to meet but, Twilight's studying, Fluttershy is feedin' her animals, and Rainbow Dash is likely sleepin' in." Applejack gestured to a few seats next to her for Ani Me and Big Macintosh to sit. Script sat silently at the end of the parties table. A small, buttered, slightly nibbled upon croissant sat upon a napkin next to him. He was reading a rather lengthy looking news paper titled 'Equestria Daily'. Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo were whispering excitedly and rapidly to each other and would glance ever so often at Ani before averting their eyes in what they thought was a "sneaky" fashion. Granny Smith was taking an enthusiastic gander at her menu before giving up in a huff and elbowing Script to read her the special for the day. He sighed before obliging. Rarity and Applejack were conversing about an unknown subject and Ani me looked away from them so it didn't appear as if she were eavesdropping. She inched closer to Big Macintosh who burned red but pretended not to notice. "Well, hasn't Big Mac gotten himself a pretty one? I'm so glad he's finely got a mare friend! I expect and deserve great-grand foals ya hear, youngins?" Granny Smith said suddenly and loudly to introduce an awkward group conversation. Applejack face hoofed, the small fillies stared at Big Macintosh as he began to break into a cold sweat, Rarity attempted to stifle her guffaw, and Script rolled his sage green eyes and went back to reading the article he was so rudely torn from. Ani Me stared at the tattered, yellow table runner and moved her legs closer to her body. Big Macintosh looked down at Ani Me who was unaware of his gaze as Rarity spoke up. "Um, Ani Me, sweetie, what are you doing in Ponyville? And where are you from? Do you have a hobby?" "Oh! I'm from Fillydelphia and I've come to Ponyville to see if I could possibly live here. It really is beautiful and it's smaller as well as quieter than Fillydelphia so I like it a lot." Ani Me smiled at the mare as a blue mare with pink hair approached the table. "What would you two like?" She addressed Ani Me and Big Macintosh. "They'll both have apple cheese danishes!" Applejack interjected with a big smile. Ani Me didn't care though, she was so eager to eat that she would do anything for even a small bite of anything. * * * "Ani Me...my princess...why did you leave me?", the jet black stallion paced uneasily in the cellar. He glared about manically at the chains that were staked to the walls and ground and continued to whisper to his self. "Why? Why have you left me? The one who loves you the most in all of Equestria!" His menacing voice rumbled and echoed off of the cinder block walls as blind furry rose hysterically in his throat. "I'll get you girl, I'll have my girl. You're mine! You know this! I'll hurt them!" He screeched at the ceiling, spit flying from his mouth in droplets, "I'll ruin them all for stealing you from me. I'll save you...I'll save you my sweet. My girl, MY girl...my Ani me. You can never leave me." The tall, cynical stallion stopped to catch his breath as his eyes darted uncontrollably about the dank and depressing room. He stepped gently toward the chains on the floor and used his magic that glowed grey to lift one that was made for fastening around the neck toward his face. He nuzzled its' cold and unforgiving texture with his cheek as he closed his golden eyes. His breathing grew from soft grunts to a rapid cycle of rugged inhales and exhales. His eyes popped open abruptly and a sinister grin spread like wild fire across his face as he inhaled the chain. "I can smell you..." * * * "It smells wonderful here! So fresh and inviting! I much prefer it here to smelly and undesirable Fillydephia." Ani Me gazed at the intricate buildings as she and Big Macintosh paced blazingly by them. Ani Me had never thought that such a cute and pleasant town could ever exist. It provided so much and Ani Me wanted to do everything. "Ani! Ani Me! S-slow down please!" Big Macintosh pushed his huge body as fast at it would go yet he was still unable to keep up with Ani Me's fast and eager movements. "I simply can't, Big Red! I'm so happy! I never knew that someone could be filled to the brim with such joy. I never wish to leave." Ani Me flashed a bright smile at him as he trotted next to her with difficulty. He returned the smile in embarrassment. Suddenly, without warning, someone stepped upon Ani Me's coal black tail and she yelped in fear before turning around with furry, "No! No! Don't touch me!" As she said this, astonishing Big Macintosh who stared at her dumbfoundedly, she looked upon a beautiful pale yellow pony with a light pink mane and tail to match. She shuddered, frightened, at Ani Me who got a look of immediate and extreme regret as the young mare squeaked pathetically. "I-I didn't mean to...that is..." The adorable mare whispered with fright. Ani Me leaned over, horrified by the dirty looks random ponies where giving her as they turned to whisper to each other. "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to yell at you! Please, it only hurt and frightened me. Don't be mad or scared of me. I'm harmless, really." Ani Me spoke as apologetically and sincerely as possible. The skittish mare peeked up at Ani Me through a curtain of lovely pink hair as she pawed anxiously at the worn concrete sidewalk. "Oh...it's okay. I, uh, haven't seen you before. I'm Fluttershy and I love love love animals. What's your name?" The yellow mare stood slowly and she came up to about Ani Me's chin. She, however, didn't look Ani Me in the eye. Big Macintosh grew tired of sitting idly and decided to answer Fluttershy, "Her name is Ani Me and she's going to be staying with us for awhile. She is from Fillydelphia." "Oh, my. She's very tall. I-in a good way...I mean, I-I have to go feed Angel bunny!" She bolted past them before stopping telling Ani Me that it was nice to meet her. Ani Me looked at Big Macintosh with an embarrassed glance and chuckled softly. "I suppose I have a knack for scaring smaller ponies." Big Mac shook his mane from side to side as he reached for Ani Me's hoof to lead her once again and laughed. "Don't worry about that shy pony, she is scared by everything and don't talk much. Real animal friendly, though." Ani Me felt her face flush as she stared at Big Mac's hoof upon hers and smiled sheepishly, hardly listening to his words. "Wouldja like to go to the park and rest for a little while? We can ask each other questions and snack on tasty flowers if ya want. I know a purtty tree that you'd look just wonderful under!" Big Mac inquired. His inquiry was met with an enthusiastic "Yes!" The two ponies arrived at their destination quite quickly after smiling uncomfortably at all the quizzical faces that stared at them along the way. More at the fact that the ALWAYS silent Big Mac was chattering away at a rate that would rival Pinkie Pie. He beamed brightly with a dumb-struck look on his face as he watched Ani Me glance about at the warm and inviting atmosphere. They both looked at a few ponies that dotted the field. They played and cantered about with each other, smiles never fading. Big Macintosh lost himself in his thoughts and the sights and snapped to when he felt a gentle touch on his shoulder. He looked down to see Ani Me brushing herself against him and met her eyes that gleamed in the evening sunlight. He held his mouth open as he watched her jade eyes blink sweetly. "Where is this tree that you admire so?" Ani had already spotted a magnificent tree in the distance; a beautiful white dogwood with bark that was striped and petals that emitted the sweet smell of nectar. She placed a careful guess upon this being the tree. Once again her inclination was correct and the arrived underneath the beautifully placed tree. Big Mac brushed a few of the brilliant buds that littered the ground to clear a spot for Ani Me to sit. She giggled as she sat upon the green patch and tucked her tail into her body. Big Macintosh plopped down next to her in disregard for the petals as he kept his eyes glued to Ani. She playfully avoided his gaze as she thought furiously of questions she was chomping at the bit to ask him. She asked several and found that his favorite color was green, hers was red, and she also found that he lived in PonyVille for all 21 years of his life, he's never had a voluntary romantic relationship, he wants to maintain the farm for as long as he can, and he hasn't always been as quiet as he usually is. "I can see shy, but you never used to be talkative??" Ani Me was amazed. "No ma'am, I was when I was smaller. But when I was a small colt who hadn't even gotten his cutiemark yet, my parents were killed by timber wovles from the Everfree forest." Ani Me gasped as he shared this sensitive information with her and she lowered her ears and eyes in sadness. "My mother was the prettiest mare in all of PonyVille and she was coveted by many a stallion. Her generosity and beauty could be matched by none. However, she had little interest in being in a relationship and instead devoted her time to supporting and helping PonyVille. My father was the strongest stallion in all of Equestria and was very handsome. They just kind of, clicked. When they had me they decided to just keep it at one. Yet Applejack was born several years later and Applebloom many years after that. They died protecting their children. A noble cause. A sad cause. My mother left Applebloom her bow and my father left Applejack his farming hat. They left me the farm. Several months ago my cousin from Apploosa, Braeburn, was murdered in cold blood on his way to make a delivery to Fillydelphia. That's why Applejack was cautious with you at first. Such loss is not easy." "I'm so sorry, Big Macintosh!" Ani placed a sympathetic and concerned hoof on Big Macintosh's closest hoof. "I feel really terrible. You didn't have to tell me. I can't...I'm sorry." "Ani, where are your parents at?" Ani Me looked him in the eye, forcing a few tears to stay dormant. "Well...I'm not entirely sure. I was given up for adoption when I was a foal. I don't remember a thing. After growing tired of enduring the boring days and petty insults that the other fillies and colts directed at me, I ran away. I wandered the filthy streets of Fillydelphia and starved for several weeks. No pony cared. I had collapsed in an alleyway one day and I remember that a young stallion stood over me and had been studying me for awhile. His words were terribly fuzzy and all I remember was awaking several days later in a strange house accompanied by that even stranger stallion. I've lived with him ever since and just recently I decided that I should live on my own considering I'm more than capable now. But I don't know their names. I don't know their coat colors, mane colors, cutiemarks, their voices...nothing. I've tried looking but it's definitely a lost cause." They sat quietly. "It's going to rain..." Ani spoke abruptly. Big Macintosh looked at Ani with a quizzical expression. "Rain? It was so beautiful today." He turned his bewildered look from Ani to the sky that grew dark with angry clouds of grey. Ani Me's face screwed up in discomfort. Big Mac was about to suggest heading to the farm when he heard Ani Me utter near silent words. "No...No...Big Macintosh, can we leave now? Please?" Big Macintosh heard an air of urgency in her plea and began to nod in permission when an overwhelming crack of thunder emitted from the sky. Ani Me's eyes grew wide in terror and she bolted from the tree in the direction of the farm. Big Macintosh galloped after her but was no match for her adrenaline and was unable to clear the obstacles as professionally as her. "Ani! W-Wait!" Big Macintosh bellowed after her in futility, "Ani! It's just thunder!" "No! He's coming to get me!" As the two ponies made it to the farm house, another clap of lightening rang out. The two had only just barely made it inside and Ani Me yelped in terror and clung to Big Macintosh, who didn't seem to mind. "What's wrong, Ani Me?" Applebloom looked up at them from the coffee table. She was playing with a toy train and had briefly stopped to address them with curiosity. Big Macintosh beamed red as he realized he was intimately close to a mare in front of his younger sister and let go of her. Ani's eyes were downcast in humility. "Oh, Applebloom...it's okay. Ani is just a little shookin' up is all." "She's ain't never been in a storm before? Man, what else hasn't she done?" "Apple-" Big Mac had his scolding voice on as Applebloom looked at him in rude protest before Ani Me spoke up. "Oh no, it's okay. I'm just don't like loud noises. That's all, silly little filly." She grinned at Applebloom who flipped her mane and looked at her in disgust. "I ain't LITTLE!" She barked, ignoring Ani Me's previous comment. "I'm gonna be even bigger than you before too long!" Big Macintosh rolled his eyes as he began to make his way to the kitchen, "Applebloom, be nice. Ani, make yourself at home. I'll whip up some dinner." He glanced at Ani with a goofy grin. She returned it sheepishly. Applebloom squinted her eyes from her big brother to Ani Me. "I dunno who you think you are sister, but you sure think you have hold on my brother, huh? Well let me tell ya-" Ani interrupted Applebloom's rant and leaned in toward her. "Applebloom? Do you like drawing? I adore it and I'd love to draw you...would you like that?" Applebloom's expression turned from skeptical glares to an excited smile. "Really?" She squealed, her small body jumping up and down, "I-I mean, if ya wanna. I don't care..." Ani giggled and sauntered over to the coffee table, Applebloom hot on her heels. Ani sat looking in the direction of the kitchen and looked about the cute table that was laden with toys and various papers. She quickly spied a pencil suffocating beneath a behemoth of Equestria Daily's that she assumed were either Granny Smith's or Script's. She picked up the pencil with her mouth and brought a blank piece of paper toward her center. She eyed Applebloom who was sitting uncomfortably in front of her. Ani smiled and proceeded to draw an alive yet still Applebloom on the crisp sheet. After a few pain staking minutes of shading and listening to the rain pitter patter roughly on the roof, Ani sat the pencil down as Big Mac peeked around the corner at them. Applebloom squealed with delight as Ani Me presented her the flawless representation of her. The lines were pure, tidy, and had an air of sophistication as they collided elegantly with each other. The shades came to life and brought depth. Applebloom was amazed and snatched the drawing. "Oh, thank you!" She raced to her room and closed the door with and enthusiastic slam. 'What a strange filly...' Ani Me thought as Big Macintosh smiled dopily and disappeared undetected. Ani Me remained still as she stared vacantly at the pencil she had used only moments before. Her thoughts were running into themselves and there was no order. "What in the name of Celestia did you give that filly to make her interrupt my concentration so?" An annoyed Script emerged from his dimly lit room. Ani Me stood up swiftly and apologetically. "Oh! I'm sorry, I drew a picture of her and she-" "You draw? Hmmm...why is that not your cutie mark? Considering Applebloom's squeals of enthusiasm, you must be quite good." Script looked at her intensely. "Oh....I actually really don't know. I wish it was though." Ani adverted her eyes nervously. Rumbles of thunder shook the house as Applejack busted through the front door, sopping wet. "Celestia forbid anypony get ANYTHING done 'round here!" She huffed, removing her hat and shaking the wet off of her sunset orange coat. She entered further into the house with caution so not as to track mud. She was apparently up to her ankles in it. Script and Ani stared at her and she looked at Ani brightly. "Oh! Ani! Just the pony I wanted to see! Follow me sugarcube and I'll show ya where you'll be sleepin' tonight." Ani followed meekly after Applejack. Slowly, the smell of food was reaching Ani Me's nostrils and her stomach growled intensely. Script's nonchalant gaze followed Ani Me as she walked past him. His stare lingered on her blank flank until she completely disappeared down the hall. He looked away and occupied his attention with the sloppy pile of new papers. Applebloom must have knocked them over and put them back in an unconcerned manor. Script rolled his green eyes as he sat down to straighten them. Ani Me looked around the small bedroom as Applejack threw her drenched hat onto her dresser and placed a hoof on her paisley bed spread. "It ain't much, but it's a bed!" Se chuckled wryly as she looked at Ani Me. "Oh! I can't take your bed! Please, the couch will do me justice." Ani protested. "Nope, no point in arguing. Dinner's in a few, don't dawdle too long, ya hear?" Applejack pranced back out into the hallway and went into what Ani Me assumed was the bathroom, to freshen up. Ani Me slowly sat on the rickety bed and listened to the faucet run in the bathroom and the rapid thumping of the wretched rain. Another thunder clap. Ani Me squeezed her eyes shut tightly and shrunk ever so slightly into herself. She stayed there until the faucet in the bathroom could no longer be heard and she opened her jade eyes as a few hot tears escaped them. * * * Dinner was rather uneventful other than Granny Smith's ranting and raving of Ani and Big Mac tying the knot and having her five great grand foals. Ani generously complimented Big Macintosh on his delightful cooking. These praises earned a blush. Every pony departed peacefully to their quarters. Applejack slept on the floor next to her bed and Ani Me lay sleepless in her lumpy and stiff bed. The rain had yet to cease and the shadows that danced on the walls frightened Ani. She slowly rose from her bed, it squeaked terribly, and tiptoed on silent hooves across the hall. She swiftly entered Big Macintosh's room, gliding as swiftly as possible so as not to be caught by the demons lurking in the shadows of the hall. His room was quant and nothing stood out to her. A desk and a closet were all he had. A few pictures were upon the desk's top and she peeked at them. A beautiful couple...His parents. Beautiful children, he and his siblings at much younger ages. She looked away as a pang of sadness resonated in her heart and turned her attention to Big Mac who was messily tangled in his blue bed sheets. Ani giggled as she heard a few snores meet her ears and she padded over to him. She assessed the situation and cautiously brought her body under the covers and into the bed. Immediately she felt his warmth envelope her and she sighed dreamily as she inched closer to him. His eyes were still and his eye lashes were long. Ani smiled stupidly and tried to suppress her excited breathing. His breath licked at and tickled her neck and she brought her nose close to his. They touched ever so slightly and Ani Me felt her heart soar. "Big Mac, you make me feel safe...please...don't ever leave me." Ani Me's verdant eyes began to slowly close and the last thing she saw was the surreal face of the stallion she was falling for. * * * "WHY?!?!?!?" The black pony wailed at the floor. He thrashed about violently knocking various cups, pots, and bowls from the counter in the miniscule kitchen. He darted about, reared his head up, and opened his mouth. "My love, my Ani!! Come back to me!" His horn glistened grey and a crack of ferocious lightening lit the sky in a menacing fashion. His howls brought upon more and more rain. His eyes bulged as he staggered about and fell to the floor. He cradled his face as he cried. Images of Ani Me raced through his unbalanced mind and drove him mad. He writhed around until he became submissive to his exhaustion and began to drift to sleep. He layed upon the papers, trash, and other miscellaneous objects that littered the floor and his breathing slowed. His silver mane lay strewn across his face, the grey glow of his horn fading. "I love you, I love you...I love...you..." The stallion chanted this until he succumbed to peaceful sleep. His eyes closed despite their defiance and his magic stopped abruptly. At that moment, so did the rain.