//------------------------------// // Chapter 16 Those Eyes - Part 1 // Story: The Dragon King's Rebirth // by Sipioc //------------------------------// Chapter 17 Those Eyes - Part 1 Despite what you said about having plans, you were in truth just more eager to leave the house. The idea of Cozy and Sparks expecting a baby was a bit of a shock but not really all that earth shattering. For better or worse you owed your newfound existence to those two and their union and it was only natural that they would wish to copulate more. Still you couldn't help but lament to the idea that soon there would be another sodding pony child around you, only this one would be living with you. Still another reason to make tracks would be that this revelation would also be a reminder of the reproduction reel to reel you saw in school, only this time the mare and stallion within had familiar faces. “Mammals are disgusting.” You shuddered, crinkling up your nose at the confirmed biology that occurred just a hallway across from where you slept. “What was that, Flint?” Fluttershy asked, looking back to where you followed her toward town. “Nothing worth mentioning.” You replied, making a note to mind what you said. “Alright then.” She said with a smile, graciously relenting the issue. After leaving home you made your way toward the cottage of your supposed mentor. Though you had scheduled times during the week after school where she would teach you, she always left an open invitation for you to drop in whenever you wished. Though unnecessary, you appreciated the option, especially today. Most days you would assist her with the various chores about the cottage. Along the way she would give you little tips for certain situations. At first you thought it tedious, but still, it came easy enough. You had to admit the first aid experience would be the most useful. No longer being able to regenerate within seconds would merit the knowledge to reset a broken limb or stitch up a deep cut. Currently, you found yourself on a ‘field trip’ toward the local orchard. Fluttershy mentioned something about the farm was having problem with their chickens and her friend, the Stetson wearing Applejack, asked for her to come and check it out. “That's not too heavy is it?” She says refers to the her medical saddle bags across your back. “I can carry it otherwise.” “I said I would, and I can.” Your response is not unkind but also not leaving any room for further debate. It was getting heavy resulting in you lagging behind a bit, but you weren't about to admit that. “Well, I appreciate you doing that, for me,” she says thankfully, “such a gentlecolt.” The complement brings blood to your cheeks for some reason, but you shake it off by picking up your step and coming to her side properly. “I wasn't expecting you to show up today.” the Pegasus begins as the two of you cross the stone bridge into town. “But I am glad to have the help.” You manage grunt in response, causing her to giggle a little making your slagging cheeks burn once more. “So what is the issue with the farmstead poultry?” You blurt out a little unevenly. ‘What is wrong with you today?’ “I'm not entirely sure.” She says as you cross through town square. “Applejack just says that within the last few days their egg counts have dropped abruptly.” Despite the hustle and bustle of the market you can hear the concern in her voice, the compassion. In the past this would of turned your stomach, and it still does, just not as much when she says it. “Something must be troubling the poor things.” She concludes as you come to a familiar stall. It was only a few weeks since your outburst at the local Princess here, and while nobody stares at you the less time here the better. “...from mah experience it's best to be up front, sis.” The twang of the orange mare’s voice becomes more distinct as the two of you get closer. “Colts are a bit thick at this age.” She lets out a chuckle as tips her hat back a bit in amusement. “Some just seem to stay that way come tah think of it.” Applejack appears to have been in the middle of providing counsel to her younger sister, on some matter or another. ‘Will the new foal come to me for advice?’ You ever so briefly wondered, before just as quickly crushed it. The yellow farm filly had her back to you and didn't seem to realize the two you walk up. A wordless nod to Fluttershy says that the elder sibling did notice. She clearly took notice of you as well, her gaze however seemed to linger more on you. You met her scrutiny openly, and though neither of you were hostile, you got the feeling you were being sized up. Limited though your size was, you made a strong effort to hold yourself a bit taller in response. “Ah just don't even know where tah begin!” Apple Bloom responds dejectedly. “Most of the time he seems more ornery than a bee nest in bear country.” Bringing a hoof down she kicks a errant rock that skitters a few feet through the dirt. Her posture than seems to change a moment later, “But...ah don't know, Those are the times when ah think he really needs somepony the most.” She goes quiet for a moment. At this point you were just being patient. You had known the filly for the majority of the duration of your time in Ponyville, and though she had her quirks, she had proven to be useful in her knowledge of the town as well as not overly irritating. This merited her some patience to talk to her sister about whatever. She also did have a certain charm about her- “Well I suppose a third or fourth opinion on the matter couldn't hurt?” The blonde maned cowpony said with a smug grin, that seemed to confound the younger pony before she turned and then proceeded to double take as she laid eyes on you and Fluttershy. “AAaah!” The filly squeaked as her eyes went wide. She awkwardly backpedalled into the stand, her face a shade of red, as deep as the single apple that proceeded to fall from the stand and unceremoniously roll to your hooves. “F-F-Flint!!? H-how...when did you?!” The filly asked wildly as you simply looked down at the cardinal colored fruit. With a puff you heard the filly recompose herself, “Sorry, ‘bout that y’all, you just...scared me a bit.” “Been awhile since I've done that to anypony.” You remark wryly. You proceeded to scoop up the apple and roll it in the frog of your hoof. Despite the fall the fruit remains pristine. It's supple flesh beckons you with it smooth texture tempting you to bite into it and release the rich juice within. Tempted yes, but you were no lowly thief. Reaching out you return the produce back to the filly, her face still flustered but seemingly grateful as she takes it back Your eyes flicked to the older mares as they regard the scene between the two of you. Fluttershy appears to be tickled by the whole thing as she is grinning softly before turning away when she sees you have noticed her. Likewise, Applejack seemed to be taking in the moment, but there was still that sense of trepidation about it that only made her stare a bit harder at you before turning to her friend. “Uhh,” Apple Bloom begins, once again drawing your attention back to her, “so, yeah, sorry for wiggin’ out there.” Her eyes are lowered to the fruit she now holds in her hooves. You give a shrug and offer some reassurance. “It's fine.” It grows silent between the two of you. The market continues to go around you. You can hear Fluttershy and Applejack discussing some trivial matter about another one of their friends and a gathering of some kind. ‘If they would just get to the matter about the fowl we could be on our w-’ “H-how, much of that did you..hear?” You turn once more to see Apple Bloom fiddling with the apple, this time rolling between her hooves, her eyes still hidden by her the bangs of her Apple red hair, but her face appearing to reflect the same tint. Her continued silence told you she actually did want an answer. “It's not really any of my concern.” You respond. “But...ah feel ah should...explain.” She stammers a bit before peaking at you from her bangs. ‘She doesn't want to talk about this, but she is going to anyway? Why?’ You pondered to yourself, confounded by her eagerness to emote. As confusing as it is you remain silent and wordlessly allow her to continue. Only she doesn't. Instead she seems to be looking everywhere you aren't. Normally, this would be painfully aggravating, but you found yourself in the morbid curious state of wondering what she was going to say. Finally, she meets your eyes. They are a curious fiery orange that seem to capture her equally fiery nature. This pony, despite her youth, has shown a surprising resourceful nature as well as strong fortitude that belies her stature. She breaks eye contact, and rubs her fetlock with a hoof, only now she has a soft smile on her muzzle as she continues to fumble with the apple. “Alrighty then!” The voice of Applejack intercedes the odd moment as she comes out from the stand. “Fluttershy and her little assistant,” she smirks at the last part, making you wince, feeling slighted by her meaning, “are gonna head on over to the farm ‘n check the problem we've been havin’ with the chickens.” She says, bringing a hoof to her sister’s shoulder. “Ah figure ah ‘kin stay here and mind the stall while you show ‘em to it, lil sis?” “Ah...uh, y-yeah...okay…” Apple Bloom responds to her sister before looking back at you. “Well git to it then! And the other thing!” She says the second half rather slyly with that same smug grin from before than seems to fluster the younger mare as well. Apple Bloom hands the apple to her sister than approaches you with an in uneasy smile. With a nervous chuckle she walks skittishly before you before regaining her full step as takes the lead heading toward her farm. ‘What the actual slagging hell was that all about?’ You wonder about the whole experience you had just now. Not only did Apple Bloom not explain...anything but now you suddenly CARED what she was gonna say? WHY?! “Let's go Flint.” Fluttershy chirped from behind you. With a jolt you were broken from you stupor and began to trot after the filly in question. ---------- Brushing the red delicious apple on her orange coat, Applejack watched the two kids lead the way back home. She chuckled a bit at how awkward they had been and truly wondered if she too was that bad at that age. The little colt hadn't exactly made the best first impression on her. ‘A temper like that don't exactly gloss mah coat.’ She grimly thought taking a bite of the apple which gave off a crisp crunch. ‘Still, if he has Fluttershy in his corner, that's gotta count for something.’ Said mare was following behind, casting Applejack a knowing look as she briskly trotted after them. Taking another bite AJ just smiled a bit. ‘They do make a cute couple though.’