“Well, that could have gone better.” Applejack sighed.
“How is she doing?” Twilight inquired.
“Well, I got her to calm down, finally.” Applejack said. “It looks like seeing Scootaloo’s eye set her off again, and then there was Rainbow - ugh, ah really shouldn’ta yelled in front of Green, that was stupid.”
“I can certainly understand why you were mad at Rainbow,” Twilight consoled, “But she wasn’t entirely honest with you about why she was there.”
“Ah could figure that one out on my own thanks, Twi.” AJ fumed, “Dash had her all alone ‘an terrified, and then Green was trying to apologize for getting Dash in trouble.”
“What I mean is, she didn’t tell you the real reason she was up there.” Twilight explained, “Rainbow just wanted to keep an eye on them in case they started fighting. She wasn’t trying to ambush Green.”
“Well that’s still not a good enough-” Applejack stopped and sighed, “Ugh, fine. Maybe Ah did jump to conclusions, but Dash should be completely capable of explaining herself. Anyway Green's in bed now an' - aww shoot."
"What is it?"
"She hasn't eaten anythin'." Applejack said. "Ahm the worst foster parent ever, I've had her three hours and ah've already frightened her half to death and sent her to bed without dinner."
My stomach ached from hunger, and it was my own stupid fault for not eating that cake when I had the chance; Of course, the ache could also be the guilt I was feeling for screwing everything up. Not eating the cake was just one mistake on a list of many and at least hunger was a burden I could bear alone.
There was a soft knock at the door and my heart seized. What had I forgotten? Did I mess something else up without even realizing it? Maybe I had made someone feel so bad that they felt like they had to apologize to me.
My eyes widened. What if somepony told Pinkie that I didn’t like her party and it crushed her will to live because she wasn’t able to fulfill her cutiemark talent and-
I exhaled sharply and took a slow breath in. Now my chest hurt.
“Green, are you still awake?” Asked Applejack.
I breathed a sigh of relief that it was Applejack and not somepony else; and that her voice didn’t sound upset.
“Yeah,” I called back, “I’m awake.”
Applejack walked into the room and in the dim light I could make out that she had something balanced on her back.
“I noticed you didn’t eat anythin’ so I brought ya somethin’”
“Thanks, Applejack,” I said
“Ain’t no trouble,” Applejack replied, “ can’t have ya goin’ ta bed hungry now can we?”
It smelled like... apples. Of course it was apples. I didn’t like apples, but I couldn’t very well tell Applejack that now could I? I’m pretty sure she was still in a feud with the last pony that had dared admit that in front of the apple farmer.
The apple fritter was no doubt leftovers from the party, but Applejack had gone to the trouble of reheating it and not just in a microwave (did ponies even have microwaves?). She was an excellent cook and the pastry was buttery and crispy - if it wasn’t for the filling it would have been a real treat. As it was, I was hungry enough to just eat it, so I did. I thought happy thoughts as I did so - Applejack would be able to tell if I wasn’t happy, and she would think she had done something wrong.
“Thanks Applejack,” I said, “It was really nice of you to be thinking of me.”
“Y’all were really hungry weren’t ya?” Applejack noted.
Oh no, had I eaten it too fast? I tried to feel around to see if I’d dropped any crumbs in the bed; it was too dark to see clearly.
“Ya know ya can tell me if yer hungry, right?” Applejack said, “I won’ get mad.”
Damnit, now she thinks I’m too shy to even ask for food. I mean, to be fair, I didn’t ask for food when I was hungry, but that was only because I’m tough and I didn’t want to bother anypony; and I didn’t tell her I don’t like it because disliking food which someone gives you is immature... right?
Oh god, I was shy wasn’t I?
I managed to suppress my immediate urge to say I was sorry.
“Thanks,” I said levelly, “I’ll keep that in mind.”
A few years ago Fluttershy couldn’t have imagined herself willingly going to a party, but so long as her friends were there it really wasn’t so bad. She had hoped to see how the filly she’d met with Luna a few nights back was doing, but it seemed like the guest of honor was too shy to make much of an appearance. Fluttershy could certainly relate.
The party had ended a little while ago, but Fluttershy stayed behind to help tidy up a bit.
“Hey Fluttershy.” Applejack greeted.
“Oh,” said Fluttershy, “Hi Applejack.”
The farm pony looked more worn out than she expected at the relatively early hour.
“Ah was wondering if you could help me with somethin’” Applejack said, “When I’m dealin’ with Green Ah’m honestly a mite lost an - well I don’t mean any offense, but you have experience with this sort of thing, don’t you?”
“Oh the poor little thing.” Fluttershy responded, “I noticed she was looking very frightened, but I didn’t want to say anything in case it embarrassed her. I’m afraid I’m much better with animals than I am with children.”
“Ah’d ask you to talk with her tomorrow,” Applejack said, “But I’m not sure if introducing her to more ponies at the moment is the best idea. Ah know she’d agree to it, but Ah honestly don’t think she has it in her to say no.”
“Oh, we’ve actually met before.” Fluttershy admitted.
Applejack gave a confused look. “At the party?”
“Oh,” said Fluttershy, “No I saw her in a dream.”
“Princess Luna?” Applejack surmised.
“I was very surprised when Luna contacted me in my dream to ask for help, but when she told me there was a filly lost in the forest I just couldn’t say no.”
The pegasus shrunk in on herself.
“She knew who I was but she was still afraid, trying to make herself look smaller.” She explained, “I don’t want to be mean, but she was acting like a little bunny, I think just having us be so much larger than her made her freeze up. When I was down at her eye level she was much less afraid.”
The earth pony had a thoughtful expression.
“She knew who Ah was too,” Applejack explained, “An’ she thought I had magical honesty powers that would make her spill all her secrets. She was so frightened to speak with me that she threw up.”
“Oh!” Fluttershy gasped. “My.”
“We managed to get that misunderstanding cleared up,” Applejack explained, “But it makes me wonder what ponies have been saying about us. Are we really that famous?”
“I had no idea,” said Fluttershy, “We should probably ask Rarity about that I’m sure she would know.”
“Well that troubling revelation aside, what I wanted to ask you about was how I can help with her anxiety.” Applejack said, “What helps you when you’re feeling anxious?”
“Oh,” Fluttershy traced a circle on the floor with her hoof, “I mean, you know I like animals. Animals don’t frighten me like ponies do because they’re not cruel.”
She paused, realizing what she was saying, and started to backtrack. “I mean, not that all ponies are cruel, or even most ponies-”
“It’s alright Shy,” Applejack consoled, “Ah know what ya mean.”
“With animals I can understand what they want from me, and I know I won’t say the wrong thing and embarrass myself, or hurt somepony’s feelings, so I can just be myself.”
Fluttershy slumped a bit.
“I don’t know if Green likes animals though,” said Fluttershy, “I know some ponies can find them scary because they don’t understand.”
“Is there a way I should be speaking with Green when she’s anxious? Things Ah should be sayin’?” Applejack questioned. “Ah got a whole bunch o’ advice from Dayglow but Ah’m not sure Ah understood all of it.”
“Well when I’m feeling overwhelmed I like to wrap myself in a blanket and drink some tea. I like knitting too, it helps take my mind off things.” Fluttershy explained before looking down at the floor, “To be honest, when it used to get really bad there were weeks where I could barely make myself get out of bed. Rainbow came to check on me and bring me food - she was really worried about me. I’m really glad to have friends like you I can talk to now, when I was just relying on Dash I felt like such a burden sometimes.”
“So Ah need to find Green some friends?” Applejack asked.
“Oh, no!” exclaimed Fluttershy, “I mean, yes, but... I don’t know. I certainly know I wouldn’t have appreciated anypony trying to force me to socialize with other ponies, but... maybe if they had I would have been better off? The first time I was really forced to interact with other ponies my age was at flight camp, and I got bullied because I wasn’t a strong flier, and because my legs were too long, and -”
Applejack could see Fluttershy was starting to get distressed and placed a hoof on her friend’s shoulder.
“Ah get the picture.” Applejack said, “Children can be down right rotten to each other. Maybe if ah help Green with her coordination and strength it will help her feel more comfortable around ponies her age? An’ if she’s comfortable being around you maybe y’all could drink some tea together? She’s having trouble picking things up with her hooves so she’d prob’ly find knitting a mite frustrating.”
I had a much easier time falling asleep than I had expected. So much anxiety, so much uncertainty but, as soon as I had food in my belly, my body decided it was time to sleep and I had no desire to fight it.
When I saw Luna, still in her filly form, waiting for me in the dream I just felt tired. I’m not sure how you can feel tired in a dream, but I did. I just wanted to be alone and here was another pony I had to interact with.
“Princess Luna.” I bowed. “I, er, good evening.”
“Rise, my little pony.” Luna commanded. “We have much to discuss.”
Nice to see AJ trying to figure things out, but I can only imagine that things will get worse before they get better.
That is very nice cover art. Very nice. Also good chapter.
This story grows on you, ya know?
New cover art. Noice
Aaaaand featured already again. No surprise there
A new chapter has been posted,my day officially got better.
Green's day, on the other hoof...
I both love and hate how much this story always leaves me wanting for more. I’ve already reread it once and will probably have to again soon. It just so good!
Good to see my shitposting has born fruit.
But seriously thanks for the new chapter.
I'm with Crazy wanting more. I might have to wait until there are a few new chapters at time to read it. Good story so far. This would be 4th story I let new chapters build before reading.
Letting them build up is not easy but story is more satisfying. I drive trucks so I tend to find the interesting stories but I have to have a high anough word count to have auto read on. Otherwise I read them when delivering or shut down.
It looks like Applejack is getting some good advice. Now I wonder what Luna is going to say?
I have a feeling luna knows. Also hope it's not a long wait till the next update
uh hello there new awesome artwork nice :)
Coverart is much better. Story is good, as always.
Hoo boy. At least Green is becoming a little aware of her self-defeating attempts at self-reliance. And AJ's trying to work with her. But Luna... well, we'll see how well this goes. Could really go either way.
Luna is going to make everything worse. Poor Moon Moon, she's trying her best! 😭
This is by far one of the best stories on the site.
中国的读者们,你们好
Zhongwen de pengyomen, nimen hao.
Did I read it right?
Maybe Ninmen?
;)
This is a really good story. Great job and thank you. <3
Here comes Luna... coming in like a meteor on a collision course to armageddon.
Looks like Green better learn to like apples. That's all them crazy apple ponies eat.
What, not like apples?!
Oh boy. Based on that tone, I don't think Luna's gonna be doing Green any favors...
Hey, a new chapter comes out right as class ends xD
Animals not cruel? Animals can be pretty dang cruel! Cats torture rats to death because it's fun and I've seen dogs slaughter chickens just because.
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Well, Fluttershy doesn't think so.
And considering angelbunny exists she may be a bit biased.
Nice
Yessssh! An update!! :D
Love the new cover art, btw
I like the new cover art
So excited, thanks so much for the update. This is still one of my favorite stories on here or really in general at this point. The perfect ratio of hurt to comfort that just makes my heart melt.
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What tone?
Oh dear.
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With a communicative verb like 'commanded' being used, to me it sounds like it's going to be a very serious conversation. Same thing using a word like 'discuss.' If this was a line more to the effect of, [“Rise, my little pony.” Luna said. “We have much to talk about.”], then it would sound more like she was coming to speak to Green more... I guess the word I would use is 'gently', like she was coming to console her again. I know Luna generally uses more formal speech, and 'discuss' is a word that wouldn't be outside her lexicon, but when speaking to a child, even Luna would likely know to use 'softer' words.
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On the flip side, Luna has been shown to have come to some conclusions in this AU concerning Green. Specifically, she believes, and it was reinforced by the medical meeting, that Green is mature-r than she should be, that she acts more like teenager than child. While she shows care, she could be attempting a different tack in her approach to close the distance to Green.
The filly pretends to be official. She acts at being an adult, and not only that, a nurse: An adult responsible for the lives of others. And not light play either, she gets the lingo down. While she's an emotional and psychological wreck, there's a recurring key trigger: She inconvenienced or harmed someone in some way. Even her face-slap-hoofing was noted on file as being related to that.
So how do you talk to someone who wants to be responsible, who knows you're more important than them, and also who is terrified of even mildly inconveniencing people? Clear, simple, easy-to-follow orders, and high formality. Keep the "thank you", but drop the "please". The position of "normality" as Green is presenting it to them is some type of servant or slave, if Green were an adult. They mustn't show weakness, must know anything The Master needs them to know, and NEVER disappoint The Master, it is always the subservient's fault. Adding in kindness to it keeps a healing note, but keeps it something (erroneously) that might be familiar.
This isn't to say it wouldn't cause difficulties and/or further Green's misunderstandings, but it might not be some inquisition, just Luna trying a different method.
“We have much to discuss.”
Nothing good ever happens after that opening.
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Fair. I think (in my opinion) it's more along the lines that while yes, everything you said is right, it's the in-the-now mentality that Luna might want to address. All at once Green is feeling upset, terrified, guilty, and the constant don't-want-to-inconvenience that you mentioned. I don't know if now is the right time to bring the Serious hammer down from the outset. I'd say start soft at the initial appearance, and if the message isn't getting through, then switch to Serious mode.
Nothing good ever came of a conversation that started like that.
The biggest problem i have with this story is its too good.
I want to keep reading right now. But its not written yet.
Its so frustrating
Anyway, thanks for the update. Everything looks great so far.
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That's my biggest problem, too. I want more, and I want it now!
But really, I want it to keep being good, and if I have to wait, then that's what I prefer to do.
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Luna really needs to learn how to not be so ominous before she gives Green a heart attack.
i.postimg.cc/8zK4zL55/2227741.png
This story deserves more thumbs up.👍👍
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Out of all stories posted in the last 12 months, Trust Once Lost has the 5th largest amount of likes.
We need two more likes to get into 4th.
https://www.fimfiction.net/stories?q=published%3Ayear&order=likes
This is one of my favorites. I actually get excited when I spot a new chapter
This story is great, so very great.
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Mlp vs normal reality.
Lot of authors forget that mlp is an idealized world where things didnt evolve and aren't programmed to survive, by any means.You got shy's view right for her world. *thumbs up*
Despite his obvious issues with anxiety, I expected our hero to be a bit more self aware. Or at least more trusting of what he knows to be good guys among good guys in Equestria. At least I seem to recall the protagonist has knowledge of the show, yes?
Even in are sleep there will be no rest!
Support framework is important, as Applejack shows. Now we just need to get Green to grow one here in Equestria...
Keep going! ;)
Good to see this is still updating!
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She knows they're the good guys, and she's terrified of hurting their feelings!
I think this fic might have the best representation of how my social anxiety manifests that I’ve ever read. I also have appreciated the medical terminology and nursing info, as literally every woman in my family is a nurse. I eagerly await each new chapter.
Ruh roh.
AAAAAA THERE IS NEW ART AND IT'S SO CUTE BUT ALSO SAD AND AAAAAAAA
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I have a feeling she know. Second time they had meet. She asked is there anything you want to tell me.
wow. green and applejack are just 'perfect' for each other. like a child with life-threatening cat allergies being adopted by a cat lady