I sit on the sofa, chewing on my bottom lip as I flick my gloved hand, creating a virtual lens that then proceeds to scan another black sheet of photogenic paper from top to bottom.
"Come on... come on..."
I glance to my left where I've positioned a translucent screen to hover at eye-level. Slowly—line by line—the vague image of equines gather together in a group shot. Regardless, despite an entire hour of work, the photo remains dark and obscured.
"I nearly had you clear on the last try. How am I screwing things up this time?"
I hear tiny hooves scampering across the carpet.
I glance over.
Applejack trots up, sweat pouring down her orange coat. She carries a red ball in her mouth. With labored steps, she drops the sphere at my feet, wipes her golden brow, and stammers, "Finally! It took me forever, but I caught 'em!"
"Hmmm?" I glance between her and the work I'm doing to scan her photographs. "Caught who?"
"This here lil' guy!" She frowns at me, pointing at the red ball. "I don't know what got in 'em! But he just plum took off to the far end of your apartment, like he was guilty of somethin' and had to go run and hide!"
"It'd be a shame to hide something from honest Applejack."
"Are y'all tryin' to patronize me?!" Applejack stomps her hooves. "I'm tryin' to tell ya that he's up to somethin'! And it's thanks to me that he's been caught!"
"Applejack, don't you know that he is just a little cat toy that I bought from the supermarket on the way home from hovertransit?"
"Ha!" Applejack smirks slyly at me. "Oh please, darlin'. I know I may not be used to yer world n'all, but as if I'd actually be delirious enough to think that—"
I pick up the ball, pull my arm back, and toss the red thing—bouncing—clear across the apartment.
"Oh no you don't!" Applejack shouts. On thundering hooves, she scampers across the apartment, storming after the bouncing ball. "C'mere, you!"
I smile, returning to my work. "Almost had it. What was the screw up? Come on." A sigh. "I really shouldn't have updated the firmware to version 1585.4. Friggin' software companies trying to monopolize my intestines inside-out—"
Just then, the colors invert, and I start to make out faces, muzzles, fuzzy ears and sparkling eyes. I feel my body freezing in place. Swallowing hard, I slowly rotate my gloved finger, turning a virtual dial with tiny adjustments of the picture's contrast and color.
The image on the screen goes through the whole spectrum. At last, the ponies in the frame become clear—along with three fillies and a tiny bipedal reptile with petite spines.
The first thing my eyes are attracted to is a winged pony with an ocean-blue coat and a mane that runs the whole gambit of the color wheel. I can already guess what her name is. Just to her side is Applejack, and her hoof's draped around a foal with a red bow in her matching crimson mane.
"Apple Bloom..."
I smile. I can't help it. I was born to smile... to grin upon looking at this... this scene unfolding before me. I spot a pale white unicorn with painted eyelids, a delicate pegasus with a flowing mane, a book-smart unicorn with a bashful expression, and at last a fluffy pink thing with dazzling blue eyes.
"I can only guess which one she is." I hear myself giggle. I hear my heart beating through my spine. This is another world. It's always been another world, something I've been made privy to, one hug at a time, and carried along the rhythmic twang of Applejack's pleasant voice. But this is somehow different... like a beautiful accident that frolicked my way. It's a portal to a place where the measure of joy is different, along with the scale for suffering. It bedazzles and frightens me all at once, but all I can do is smirk. There is no envy. No regret. Just a warm toasty feeling deep inside that spreads and spreads and...
"Whew-wee!" Tired hooves shuffle across the carpet. "Ptooie!" She spits the ball down between my feet and glances up, breathless. "I was onto him! Took me only half as long this time! But still, the darn feller's rambunctious, I tell ya! Reckon you should put 'em on a leash or—shoot—at least buy 'em a cage or somethin' else to keep 'em from—"
I pick the ball up and toss it across the apartment again.
"Oh no you don't!" Applejack growls, immediately galloping after the thing. "Come back here, ya little varmint!" Her hooves skid over the tile as she scampers around the hallway corner.
There be giggles.
This is delightfully odd.
This is delightfully adorable. And interesting.
Dem ear scratches.
Calling it now. This is going to end in tears. I hope I'm wrong, but I can't help but expect something depressing in the final chapter.
Until then, I look forward to the further adventures of Applecat.
Also, this site really needs a Sci-Fi tag.
Reason why AJ is best pony: this.
I like it.
Holy hell, is this adorable!
Interesting vision of the future you got here. I'm especially curious about the specifics of the hoodies. Things like, what happens if you just take it off? Or, what happens if the timer runs out and you haven't sent the pony back? Also, is everyone in the future Mormon?
I dunno how long this story will run, but I think I'm gonna enjoy it.
I find this intriguing... please do continue!
Also,
Now I'm curious: which orbital period is being used as standard? If it's Io, with the shortest period, two Galilean days would equate to roughly 84 hours. Or is it some other (arbitrary?) measure? Perhaps an Io half-orbit, giving about 21 hours per "day"?
4381527
I have the same feeling Nothing lasts.
The cute has exceeded 9000 cuties, and is now approaching critical levels!
That Applecat...
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Well, this is far too enjoyable. Applejack is hilariously adorable, and the perfect size for additional levels of cuteness. I like the world that's being built, too.
A cat sized AJ with a cat toy. That's really cute. Time to fave and upvote.
Oh my god skirts this is too adorbs for words
There is no reading on the D'awe scale for this! The Cuteopolypse is upon us, and I want MOAR!
Reminds me a little of Douglas Coupland, in that it FEELS like slice of life: no big awkward dramatic event in store, so much as a well crafted personal little epiphany. Hope so, as I'm following it even if it turns into a billion-word epic. That makes a grand total of two continuing stories on FIMfiction I'm following, so it's not a common reaction for me.
Thankee. Here's hoping for more
Hmm...
Well, it's cute as fuck, I'll give you that. But... It feels a bit insulting to Applejack. Why is a mature, grown mare... playing with a cat toy? Everything feels fine, and I really like the mini-looks at the world, but that bit there at the end really shocked me out of it. The really jarring part was the way she talked about it. I can only assume that is what you think is going through a cat's mind as they do the same, but while "ponies are the size of cats," hey aren't cats. The Element of Honesty, multi-time savior ofte world, primary owner of one of the biggest farms in Equestria... Should really not be batting around a little red ball like an idiot.
So... Yeah, I liked it well enough before that point. It was harmless and fluffy cute, but that last bit just sucked me right out of the story. Upvoted because it's well done before that, but I would think twice about the upcoming scene where Applejack stalks a laser pointer.
Oh god, this is too cute not to read.
4382970
I think the whole thing would have worked better with Applebloom... you know, a kid.
4383056
True, but then Grorious Reader wouldn't have been able to tease the. AppleDash as hard. And those damn apples ain't gonna dash themselves, now are they? I mean, of course they aren't, since the Dash have already been Macked and the Apples are Soarin...
Putting on my Read Later list!
Ponies the size of kitties? Count me in!
Screw read later, i had no time but i read it now!
more... this is a unique idea, and its hard to critisize because its all a new universe.
the HOODIE-VERSE
H...h...hoodies?
cute overload
Well, I've just had to read it after seeing Applejack in a hoodie. Mainly because Background Pony is considered by me, the best thing I've ever read (counting in Sthphen King, Tolkien and so forth). And mr author, we all know that the hoodie was quite the important detail in there, dont we?
An interresting idea for a universe, a pleasant story great for relaxing, and the familiar text formating (yes, Ive noticed) making me feel at home. Not the pinacle of your work, but dont take it bad. I liked it alot, its just... a light-read (if there is such a word in english).
I'll be sure to give some warm words about this here thingy around. Take care sugarcube, thanks for the fic.
4381071
I don't think I have a better way to describe my feelings than this..
Hmm this is new, adorable, silly and yet, not ridiculous and most of all, interesting. You sir/madam/other hit the jackpot and remained true to the spirit of the show.
Also: Applejack chasing stuff! *Squeeeel*
There are no words to properly describe my feels for this story right now, all I know is that if there were, it would express how much I love it. xD
Who's a silly pony?
I feel dirty for that joke, but it wasn't going to be appropriate anywhere else.
But... all of the d'aww.
You know, I'm not usually one to just say MOAR, but in this case, an exception can be made.
MOAR! :D
Aw mah gash, I'm dying from the adorableness... make moar?
I can't wait to see where this relationship goes, for better or worse. For once I'm excited to see that incomplete tag.
The style is short and too the point and it works well like that. Great read as always. Definitely going to keep an eye on this one.
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Seen a lot of wish-fulfillment pony-as-my-friend stories, but this one stands head and shoulders above others. A novel idea for bringing a pony into the human world, a relationship that I actually believe could exist, it's great.
Applejack is an unusual choice, but it plays well into the believability of their conversations.
I look forward to seeing more
This is the most adorable story.
Oh my god.
>AJ
Nah.
4382970
I figured it was a hyper-realistic future-tech cat toy that so closely resembles a real creature that it actually makes noise.
Either that, or AJ does in fact know it's just a toy, but her trips here are excuses to relax and be silly where she knows she won't be judged for it, and so just lets herself go and acts silly. Like she said in an earlier chapter, she's the level headed one in her group of friends and in her family. Here, she doesn't have to be.
D'awwww...
Oh, the cover - that's one of my favorite pieces of fanart! Didn't think it would ever be used as one.
4384341
Fuck it over with our Humanity?
OH MY GOD ITS THIS DUDE
2
ogling
3
Eurasia
4
Capitalize TV
Adorable horses, and sci-fi slice of life. I didn't know this was required reading, but I am glad to have rectified my ignorance.
Can't remember the last time I read a story like this. No grand plot, no ranting or preaching. Just a small slice of life that makes me feel good and smile.
4385106 Meh, probably.
That epic moustache though...
4385407
What?
How would Humanity be fucking over the planet?
4385414 *le shrug
I don't know, we're a fucked up species.
Have some Caboose...
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4385476
Not really, I mean... we've done more for this planet and it's species than mother nature herself.
4385488
What do you mean? we are a force of nature...