//------------------------------//
// Persona VIII: Meeting the family 
// Story: Sometimes They Call Me Super 
// by KorenCZ11 
//------------------------------//


Applejack




    “Mother f-! Applebloom, watch where you're goin’!” Ah yelled at my sister after she bumped my broken leg on her way out of her room.
    “Sorry. As tough as ya are, the thought of ya havin’ a broken bone is just astoundin’. Like, ya said this is because ya got thrown off yer bike right?” she asked, then whispered, “That’s the story yer tellin’ them anyways, ain’t it?” Ah let out a breath then nodded.
    “Yeah. Luckily, it was just me and not anypony else that was hurt. Ah was told that it might take up ta a month before I’m fully recovered. Ah’m not really lookin’ forward ta that though.” Ah yawned and stretched my free foreleg on the couch. It’s Tuesday night, the 24th of September, and havin’ a broken leg is really, really inconvenient.
    “Oh come on, it’s not that bad. I’d figure having a live in maid is kinda nice,” Goose said from the apartment’s kitchen. True ta his word from a week ago, there hasn’t been a day that’s passed without him around. All the time. He introduced himself as, and Ah can’t believe Ah let him do it, boyfriend ta my family and more or less forced his way in the apartment Monday. He plays dirty, and Ah hate it… but he really is nice ta have around. Even came up with the cover story so Ah can prepare ta tell the others the truth later.
    “You're not livin’ in my room, that’s fer sure. Ah don’t even know why you’re still here, nopony said ya had ta make dinner.” My leg is such a pain. Ah can’t do nothin’ but watch TV or play simple games that don’t need both hooves. Thank the goddess they both didn’t break, otherwise Ah’d die of boredom before anythin’ else got the chance.
    “If he’s willing to wait on ya head and hoof like this, Ah don’t see why not. Ya could be a little more friendly Sis. How ya ever managed to find yourself a boyfriend in the first place is nothin’ short of a miracle with that nasty attitude of yers,” Macintosh said from the kitchen table. Ah rolled my eyes.
    “Tell me again why ya lost that last job of yers? Caught sleepin’ with yer boss, was it?” Mac… could probably pass fer a body builder if he wanted ta. And sometimes he does. And that one eyed snake of his has gotten him inta trouble more than once. His red coat got even brighter around his cheeks and he hid a bit behind his laptop and scowled.
    “Applejack, don’t go tellin’ nopony about that! Damn it, every time somepony comes over, ya just have ta open that mouth.” Ah smiled.
    “Oh, but let’s not overlook yer current source of income too. Where did ya find him again, Applebloom?” Ah asked, knowin’ full well the answer. She blushed real hard and curled up next ta me on the couch.
    “Ah… Ah’m just tryin’ ta forget about it.” Macintosh closed his computer and put his hooves on his face.
    “Ya just… Ya just had ta bring it up again didn’t ya?” he said through a sigh. The room fell silent while Ah held my smile. And that's that. After a minute, Goose looked away from the kitchen ta the rest of us.
    “Well, now I have to know. You can’t just tease me like that,” He said, oddly blunt. That’s the kinda line he usually adds a sexual inflection to.
    “Oh, he sure knows how ta tease a mare all right. Go on Mac, tell him where ya work.” I could feel the smile spreadin’ wider on my face as his cheeks got even redder.
    “Ah’m… Ah work at… Snake in the wall,” he admitted, hidin’ his head under his hooves. It took him a minute ta figure it out, but as soon as it registered, Goose tried his hardest ta keep a laugh in.
    “Oh goddess. I… I’m so sorry. Stallion to stallion, you have more courage than anypony I know to do that. But wait, how did Applebloom end up there? She doesn’t seem like the type. How did you end up there? Even those uh… blessed with your features don’t typically go out of their way to uh… put them on display.” Macintosh just shook his head, so Ah got up on the couch back ta tell the story.
    “So, funny story, ya know how our friend tends ta act and dress a bit slutty?” Goose kinda froze on me.
    “Uh… do… do I have license to comment on that?” Ah rolled my eyes.
    “Well, fact of the matter is, she happens ta like that kinda thin’ fer both sides of the field. Applebloom and Sweetie decided that they wanted ta join her on one of her trips to this particular establishment, and since she taught Sweetie how ta drive, she figured she might have herself a few drinks while she was there. So they go, and fer a while, they’re all havin’ a good time, makin’ remarks at the dancers, comparin’ 'em and all that, and then there’s a shift change. Poor Mac here can’t see the spectators well from inside his spotlight, and the damage had already been done by the time Applebloom screamed. So that’s how she ended up there, but how he got the job in the first place is an even better story, so-”
    “Knock it off, no need to humiliate your brother any further,” Uncle Blood cut me off as he stepped in the door.
    “Oh hey, you're back… from where ever it is ya went. Welcome home,” Ah said.
    “Nothing to be ashamed of Mac, you simply did your job and entertained guests. It just… happened to make you more intimate with your sister than you likely ever wanted to be.” He hid it well, but there was just a hint of a smirk on that yellow coat of his. Macintosh groaned and managed to hide himself a little more in the table.
    “Gee, thanks Uncle.” he replied, dripping in shame and sarcasm. Uncle Blood gave him a pat on the back and went ta his room ta put his thin’s away. Lately, he’s been goin’… somewhere every other day with a briefcase and all dressed up, even more so than he normally did fer work. But last Ah remember, he said he was workin’ from home, so… where he goes now, Ah have no clue. Of course, he doesn’t ask where Ah’m stayin’ every time Ah call the apartment, and so as long as nopony is pryin’, nopony has ta share any secrets either. The smell in the air finally hit my nose and Ah couldn’t help but wonder what it was Goose was makin’. Apparently, his dad really liked eastern food, and Goose taught himself how ta make it back in high school.
    “What ya got cookin’ over there Goose? It smells great.” Ah asked.
    “Stir fry veggies, but what you’re smelling is probably the eastern caramel. I was about to put the veggies in the pan. I swear, this stuff is so easy to make when there’s no meat involved. Cutting it all up and getting it ready to fry is like, more than half the cook time.” Instead of his usual outfit, he decided to dress up like a short order cook tonight. A white bandana, a chef’s coat in his signature black and white, and an apron. It’s a little strange ta see him without that beige fedora of his on, he practically never takes it off. Ah’m not sure if Ah prefer this look over the other.
    “Ah, yes, you said you were part fish, right?” Uncle blood asked as he walked back out of his room, free of his clothes and his mane wet after washing out whatever was in it ta slick it back.
    “Shark, to be specific. Or at least that’s what my doctors always said. Nopony really knew about it till my foal teeth started to fall out and these things replaced 'em.” He pulled his lip back ta show those daggers in his mouth. “The gills came much later, but because of them I was banned from participating in swim meets. Apparently having a cutiemark for swimming is one thing, but being able to breathe underwater is just an ‘unfair’ advantage. Not like I wanted to do that anyways, since chlorine makes me wanna die,” he continued, running a hoof down his neck and ‘flexing’ his gills. Uncle Blood made his way ta the kitchen table and sat down next ta Macintosh while Goose cooked.
    “Interesting. So, you’ve lived most of your life having to deal with powers that everypony can see?” He asked.
    “Not like I had much of a way to hide ‘em. For ponies like me, who have things that clearly make them stand out in a crowd, it’s hard to go unnoticed. I could just open my mouth and anypony could tell that I’m different. Take a look at my neck, and suddenly I’m a freak. It could be much worse though, at least my physical attributes aren’t as pronounced as somepony who has like, say, tentacles for a mane, or non pony feathers everywhere, or a crustacean’s shell. I’ve met ponies like that, and my dad was like that. It’s not fun to be an outcast at a glance.” Uncle Blood nodded.
    “True, but given ten, maybe twenty years, there won’t be many around who don’t have powers. Unless it’s cured, and as much as we know at this point, there isn’t a way to repair the mutated genes, the virus will continue to spread through each generation until it’s not so much of who has a power, but who doesn’t. Take these three for example. If either my brother or his wife happened to be compatible with the original generation of the virus, then that means that all three of them would have a power. Say they each follow in their parents hoof steps and in ten years, they each have three foals of their own. We’ve gone from one starting point, to three in a second generation, and nine in a third, coming together to make thirteen. Macintosh is twenty-five now, so in thirty-five years we went from one to power pony to thirteen. Multiply this by the thousands of new parents today alone, and suddenly that one in three might not be the case anymore.
    The virus itself has no known root and is only called as such because it spreads from pony to pony like one. Every other factor about the way it operates is alien in comparison to all things before it. It binds itself to the afflicted’s DNA, and then alters it to cause that pony to mutate in some shape or form, seemingly at random and completely untraceable after the fact. In the current generation, it’s speculated that the number of original infections versus the infected that were passed down through a generation is nearly one to ten. Anypony born after 2000 has a one in three chance of being a virus carrier, which is where that ratio comes from in the first place. Based on that alone, that means at least one of the ponies in this very room is a carrier, and the obvious truth is that the fact sticks.
    But now? You’re all of mating age, even if it wouldn’t be ‘socially acceptable’ for a late teenager to have a foal in this country. Ponies your age who are afflicted are already having foals, and those foals will be the next generation of virus carriers, adding another third to the ratio. It won’t be one in three in ten years, it’ll be two in three, and then the denominator will just get smaller and smaller until it’s reversed. One way or another, this whole Persona ordeal will be resolved, and the world will keep turning. Foals will be born in the thousands on a daily basis, and the virus carriers will soon outnumber those without it. The only question is whether or not any of us will be here to see it.”
    Any time a topic that he’s interested in comes up, he always makes it a point ta state his opinions on it. Last time Ah was subject ta a lecture on the current state of foreign affairs, which Ah wish Ah’d paid more attention ta now that I work fer the princesses. It got me thinkin’ though. If Ah’d had cousins, would they have powers too? My uncle on mom's side died younger than Ah am overseas in war, but if aunt Dew had survived, would that baby have been like us? Ah mean, with dad bein’ who he was, and Applebloom and Ah discussin’ our powers, the only pony in the room Ah can’t say fer sure doesn’t have powers is him. And then there’s the foals thin’. Who knows if Macintosh doesn’t have a kid somewhere already, how do ya raise a child knowin’ that somewhere along the line they might just… turn out like Fluttershy without any way ta control it? The room had only the sounds of veggies sizzlin' in oil until finally, Goose poured his sauce into the pan.
    “I suppose that’s one way to look at it. But why worry about that when it’s so far off? If you ask me, powers are just the new gun. They show up, and it’s only a few that have them at first. They’re destructive at times, and easy to use. They take little skill to operate, and anypony can be a threat with one. They spread and soon it’s like there’s nopony without one. If we can teach ponies how to be safe with guns, then why can’t we teach them how to be safe with powers?
    It’s like, I get that there’s a stigma about how they’re easy to use for evil, and that they’re unnatural, but what’s the point of just letting the ponies who want to abuse them learn how to control them, and shunning the rest from society as ‘freaks?’ As much as we like to preach about how we’re all ‘equal,’ that’s just not the case anymore. Honestly, I’d rather know that somepony could melt my face off just by touching me than have that hidden away for some unfortunate soul to find out on their own. With regulations and learning institutes, we could have ponies with powers be useful to the world rather than something seen as a blight on society.” Goose finished mixing the food and then cleared a space to serve dinner from his wok.
    “Hey, go help him set the table,” Ah whispered to Applebloom. She nodded and did as she was told. It looked like Uncle Blood and Goose were about to have a discussion, and Ah was not gonna miss that. For as dumb as he acts, he’s damn smart, and his dad taught him a lot about the world. It’ll be interestin’ just ta see if he can keep up with Uncle Blood.
    “You would have the government mandate that ponies share their powers just so you could avoid them? That sounds like an easy way to create outcasts faster than a body augmenting mutation would. Say some filly, no more than six, has the ability to control the minds of others. If she tells others that she can do this, and it’s publicly registered that way, she would easily be targeted by somepony who wants to use that power themselves, and avoided by everypony else. In a situation like that, where suddenly she could be alone for most of her life, and then reached out to by somepony charismatic enough to take advantage of her, she likely wouldn’t even see it as a bad thing. Suddenly, she is the villain, and not the one who brought her out of loneliness.” Ouch. That won’t be easy ta recover from.
    “Okay, but even so, why would you not put further pressures to keep an event like that from happening? Mind control, power theft/copying/cloning, advancing time in a localized area, causing things to decay on touch, the ability to teleport anywhere in a second, throwing portals on wall. Those are just the more dangerous powers that come to mind off the top of my head, and I’m just the average Joe. Do you think that the princesses would be dumb enough to ignore these kinds of things as well? And it’s not as if powers come without prices. I know a mare who can make portals on any wall she sees, and that includes walls in pictures and places she’s never been. Not only does she get sick after placing a pair more than four times, but she also breaks out in hives if she leaves them open too long.” Uncle Blood raised an eyebrow.
    “I sorely doubt the princess haven’t already considered something like this before, the question just becomes when they think it would be necessary to enact a policy like that. Furthermore, forcing ponies to reveal their powers would be an infraction on their rights as a sentient creature, as stated in Equestrian law. Second, just because powers have prices does not mean they can’t be abused. Your friend can just spawn a worm hole on whichever two points she wishes, and then just walk through it as many times as she wants and it only becomes a burden for her after she's made more than one? Then what’s to say she doesn’t just take a picture of a bit vault while it’s open and walk out with as much as she can carry whenever she wants?” Goose sat and crossed his hooves.
    “Ethical obligation. Teaching ponies to be good ponies while having access to their powers would have to be the number one thing encouraged and taught across the country. Restrictions and punishments for doing otherwise. There’s no system that can truly be a fair one with powers involved, so we would have to press upon the right to be a part of society and reward and encourage ponies for doing just that. As for an infraction of rights, that’s a whole other issue because those rights weren’t created with powers in mind. This changes the game entirely, not just the way it’s played.” Blood brought his hooves together below his chin.
    “And you truly believe that the common pony could be trusted to abide by new rules?” Uncle Blood asked. Goose frowned.
    “Unfortunately, no, I don’t. I know better. I think heroes should play a bigger role in society to try and combat this. Even if the government has to hire them just to pretend they’re good ponies, then why not do that to make things change for the better? It gives whom could otherwise be called outcasts jobs, and brings up the ideals we value as a community into the spotlight. In the days where Red Hoof stood tall and brought with him the first wave of the standard superhero, things were… really good. Crime rates were at an all time low, ponies thought it was safe to be in the sadder side of Manehattan, and every day, there was always somepony running around in bright colors out to catch some bad guy. Everywhere you looked there was a hero playing the role, and ponies didn’t think so lowly of powers for once.
    He goes down in that fight, and suddenly, the heroes are nowhere to be seen. Hell, there wasn’t much around before this whole Persona thing started to begin with, and now there’s like, seven ponies total who are willing to fight back for the city. Where did they all go? The heroes that used to protect and defend had become scarce in number and dwindled down to a hoofful after Red Hoof, and it hasn’t changed much since then. If heroes were more celebrated, and treated as such, then maybe it wouldn’t be up to just those Harmony ponies to save the city.” Applebloom finished settin’ the table, and Goose started dolin’ out portions.
    “Wouldn’t it be nice… if Red Hoof never left us…” Uncle Blood muttered and shook his head. “So, mister idea man, if you’ve decided on all this, how would you promote becoming a hero? The VBTA has just about become antiquated as it is, what would you do to compensate the ‘heroes’ who step up to take the job? It’s not as if the mortality rate for heroes is very low based on previous data, and as you’ve said, there aren’t many out there who’ve been doing it since the first wave came and went. The primary example himself rose to fame, lost it, and then died on the front lines in just four years, so how would you get ponies to join your cause? You might as well go ask them to fight our wars while you’re at it.” Goose helped me over ta the table and took a seat next to me before he replied,
    “Actually, that was kinda what I had in mind. A united cause sponsored by the government to have units stationed in major cities. In a way, they’d have to be treated like celebrities, parading around and showing off how they help fight back against the users and abusers. In a world where powers are commonplace, they can’t be just anypony, they’d have to be well trained and educated too. Maybe a year of ‘employee training’ and a year of on the job training before one could set out to lead or join a unit. The current generation of heroes all started in their teens, and I honestly think that’s too young. There’s a point where you can just be a good Samaritan, but when the most common reason for being a hero is ‘I needed the money,’ then that’s a failing on other ponies parts. It shouldn’t have to be like this.” Uncle Blood nodded.
    “I’ll say. However, that does bring a point of interest up. Are you saying you’ve spoken with some of the current heroes out there? By my knowledge there are maybe twenty in this city total. Are you some kind of reporter? You never did tell us what you do with your life these days.” Oh no. Ah don’t think Ah ever told him what my cover story was.
    “I’m in between jobs at the moment. A coworker of mine… died on my watch, and I… just couldn’t keep doing what I was doing after that. If it weren’t for Applejack here, I probably would’ve fallen into despair, honestly,” he said with a laugh. Goose…
    “Sorry fer yer loss. Ah gotta say though, this is pretty good. How did y’all meet anyways? She’s pretty, but she’s probably the nastiest mare out there too. Not very social either,” Macintosh commented. Ah scowled at him.
    “Ah’m sorry, what was that? Ah don’t typically value the opinions of erotic dancers, so you’re gonna have ta speak up.” He rolled his eyes and chomped down on another spoon full of glazed broccoli, carrots, edamame, and baby corn.
    “Not gonna lie, ya walked inta that one Mac. Ah just hope ya know that you’ll probably never live this one down,” Applebloom said through a giggle.
    “Let’s see… how did we meet, huh?” Goose mumbled. Ah’m gonna just let him cover this one Ah usually sit down and plan my lies, Ah’m terrible at comin’ up with ‘em on the spot like this. “Well, about a month ago, I ran into her at the community college. See, before she died, I lived around there with my mother.” Mac furrowed his brows.
    “Huh. How long ago was that? We used ta live up there too. Way back in late '14 ta '18 Ah believe.”
    “Well, hold on, that’s part of the story. See, their graves are in a cemetery in north Manehattan, which is not far from the college. I was leaving, and that’s when I saw her heading into the campus. I could’ve sworn I knew her face as soon as I saw her, but she was gone before I had a chance to ask what her name was. So, I kept coming and waiting for her to show up since I really had nothing better to do. I finally managed to catch up to her before class once, and we talked for a bit before then. I got her name, and then things started to click.
    We were classmates back in elementary school, and we used to play together when we were little. Before I even got a chance to say any of that though, she recognized me. After that we started catching up, and I managed to get her to go out with me last week. So as it turns out, we met for the first time fifteen years ago.” He said. Believable, and not completely untrue. Well played.
    “Oh, well that explains a lot. He was why ya asked about Ms. Swan Song… So wait, you’re Catchy?” Macintosh asked. Goose nodded.
    “In the flesh.” Goose stated with a bow. Macintosh raised his eyebrows.
    “Wow. It’s been a long time, that’s fer sure. When did the gills and the teeth happen? Ya weren’t like this back then, that’s fer sure. Where did Goose come from? Honestly, Ah don’t even remember what yer real name was.” Goose shrugged.
    “That in and of itself is kind of a long story actually. I figure I made enough food to feed everypony here twice, so if you don’t mind eating cold stir fry, I figure I can tell it.” Mac crossed his hooves and nodded as he leaned back in his chair.
    “Well, Ah wanna hear it. Ah don’t know any stallion capable of toleratin’ Applejack as long as y’all have. Ya gotta be some kinda glutton fer punishment.” Ah rolled my eyes and Goose wrapped a foreleg around my neck.
    “I’m a bit of a masochist, so I wouldn’t have it any other way. I don’t think there’s a pony alive who can throw a punch as hard as she can.” Goose laughed and Ah scowled, until Ah got an idea. Ah took a page from Rarity’s book, then reached down and ran my good hoof up his thigh until Ah got ta his pelvis. His ears shot up straight and Ah whispered,
    “Do ya remember what Pinkie asked me ta do ta ya about a month ago?” Goose’s ears flattened and he grabbed my hoof with his.
    “Not in front of your family, please…” he said, his eyes shootin' from me ta the other three around the table. Ah leaned back in my chair satisfied with that, only ta see a shocked look on everypony’s face.
    “What?” They all shook their heads.
    “Uh, n-nothin’.” Applebloom stuttered.
    “Ah didn’t even…” Macintosh trailed off.
    “I… I have to say, I’m a little shocked, honestly. I imagine the collective here presumed you incapable of displaying such… feminine whiles,” Uncle Blood admitted.
    “Y'all should… probably stop hangin’ out with Rarity if this is what yer pickin’ up,” Applebloom stated bluntly. Ah just scowled back. Ah was about ta open my mouth again, but Goose beat me ta it.
    “So, uh, let’s all just agree to forget that that happened, and why don’t I tell you guys a story. Deal?”
    “Deal.” came from all but me.
    “Y’all suck.”



    The rest of the evening was spent tellin’ stories of our childhoods, and Goose’s… interestin' upbringin'. Based on what Ah could tell, most of the thin’s he said were true, and the only lies were the ones where his dad was involved, but they were only lies if it revolved around what he did fer a livin’. It really makes me wonder if his dad decided ta take the path mine did instead, what would’ve happened?
    It had gotten late, and Applebloom and Mac decided ta retire fer the night, and Uncle Blood and Goose got inta another political discussion. A welcome refresher on our current ties with other countries, like the super power Zvyr, and previous wars such as the Rossian nationalist take over from almost a century ago that swept up an entire continent inta a second world war. It’s nice ta have the security of a timeless bein’ revered as a goddess leadin’ yer country because thin’s like a coup are nigh impossible here. Bloody revolution, destructive war, desolated lands. Save fer the Caballo crater, Equestria has never suffered anythin’ like that, and Ah really hope it stays that way. Uncle Blood says that a war is on the horizon based on previous history with Zvyr, and that just makes me nervous. Their discussion came ta an end shortly after that, and Uncle Blood decided ta turn in fer the night.
    “Well, this has been enjoyable, if nothing else. There aren’t many times I get a chance to discuss matters like this with others. If you go anywhere, make sure you lock up on your way out and whatever you do, be safe while you do it. Night.” Uncle Blood said as he vanished inta his dark room. Be safe? Then it struck me across the head like a baseball bat.
    “Hey now, Ah wasn’t about ta-” Ah started ta yell after him. His light flickered on and he stuck his head out his door.
    “Your siblings are trying to sleep, be considerate. You’re an adult, you pay your share, and you have your own life to lead. I don’t care what you do. Just be safe. Be it tonight, at the end of the week, or whatever. Good night, Applejack.” Then the old stallion disappeared behind his door. Ah sighed in frustration.
    “Old mule. He does this kinda shit all the time,” Ah said through an eye roll. Goose leaned back in his chair and let out a sigh of his own.
    “That’s one hell of an uncle you’ve got. Does he know? He sure acts like he knows.”  Ah shrugged.
    “You tell me. Ah have no idea what’s goin’ on in that head of his. Tryin’ ta read him is like tryin’ ta read a book in a language ya don’t know.” Goose nodded.
    “I’ll say. He picks apart everything in seconds. Anything I said that wasn’t true basically had me holding my breath as to whether or not he would catch it. And then trying to keep up with his politics stuff was like trying to keep up with Pinkie in a marathon. If it weren’t for dad keeping me in the know while he did, I doubt I would’ve been able to say anything.” Goose leaned back in his chair and put his hooves behind his head. Ah nodded.
    “Uncle Blood in a nutshell: mysterious, ambiguous, and waaay smarter than the average pony. So, Ah doubt ya know this, but Applebloom is probably closer ta a genius than not. Between her high aptitudes fer just about everythin’ and her near perfect grades all her life, the only thin’ we don’t have ta prove it is a real IQ test, 'cause... well, those are expensive. She picked up chess a few months ago, and there probably ain’t nopony her age in the province that can beat her. But Uncle Blood? Forces her inta a loss or a stalemate almost every time. Ah don’t think he used ta play before she started, and he’s been an accountant most of his life. She studies and reads books about the game, and fer all Ah know, he’s never touched a chess book. He’s… scary smart.” Goose frowned.
    “I suppose he didn’t make me nervous for no reason then. In a way, talking to him is like talking to Twilight’s mom. It was pretty obvious that he knows more than he lets on, and just opening my mouth made me feel like I was being exposed a little more with every word…” Goose trailed off, then his ears perked up. “Oh, speaking of exposed, what the hell was that?”
    “What was what?”
    “You know what I’m talking about.” Ah smiled and looked away.
    “Ah don’t think Ah do. You’ll have ta be more specific~” Ah said with play in my voice. He blinked from the chair he was in ta the empty chair Ah was facin’.
    “What is this strange new playful Applejack? You poke at your brother, you make jokes and laugh. Is this what it looks like when you’re relaxed? Or, dare I say it, happy?” Ah shrugged, then leaned in ta his face, leavin’ maybe an inch from our snouts.
    “Maybe. Maybe Ah think you’re cute when ya get all flustered…” Ah said as Ah lightly ran my hoof up his thigh ta his hip again. “like this.” His ears shot up straight and his cheeks reddened. His hooves then darted between his now crossed legs.
    “W-well, now you’re just not playing fair.”Ah smiled a little wider, the got up and sat in his lap while drapin’ my good leg around his neck.
    “What’s wrong Goose? About a month ago, somepony decided ta violate my personal space. Ah just figured it was about time Ah paid him back♥” Ah mimickin’ his inflections as best Ah could. He just stared at me wide eyed with his ears dropped ta the side, and we sat like that fer a minute. Then Ah felt somethin’ poke my thigh and decided Ah’d taken this far enough. Ah got up and sat down in my chair, feelin’ a little embarrassed myself. “So uh… that was yer…”
    “Yeah,” he said, lookin’ the other way.
    “And… it’s like that… because of me?”
    “Well, I didn’t do it myself, and there’s nopony else around,” he remarked sharply, still facin’ the other way.
    “Ah… Ah’m sorry.” He shook his head, but still refused ta look at me.
    “No, no, you just manipulated my body, it’s fine.” We sat in silence until Goose uncrossed his legs and stood up from his chair. “I think… I should go,” he said, finally lookin’ at me. He started toward the door and Ah bit at my lip. Damn it, now look what ya did.
    “Well… ya don’t have ta if ya don’t want ta… the couch is… always open.” He shook his head.
    “Nah. I’m kinda covered in grease from cooking earlier, and I could… really use a shower right now.” Don’t tell me Ah just ruined this because Ah followed Rarity’s advice!
    “Ah mean… Ah have a shower Ah’m not usin’ right now, it’s not like ya have ta…” Ah trailed off as he shook his head again.
    “Don’t worry about it, it’s not as if a trip home is anything but a warp away,” he said with a smile. Ah looked down and started ta run my hoof across the bandages on my foreleg. Tell him the truth damn it. Don’t screw this up any worse.
    “But… what if… Ah don’t want ya ta go?” He stopped with a hoof on the door handle, and then walked back over ta me. He kneeled down and took my good hoof in his fore hooves and smiled.
    “My dearest princess, I, as your Black Knight, have vowed to never leave your side. Upon my honor as he who swore himself to you, I will return before the hour turns. I only ask you give me this permission to leave so that I may become presentable enough to be in your presence,” he offered in his best knightly speech. Ah couldn’t help but smile and let out a small laugh.
    “Very well, my faithful servant. But hear this, and you’d best not forget it. Return to me as quickly as you can, as sleep will evade me unless I know that my precious knight is nearby, valiantly protecting me from the nightmares that wish to consume me… If I wake and find you not in my bed chambers… then there may very well be hell to pay.” Ah followed suit. He laughed himself and stood back up.
    “Of course, my princess. I shall return as soon as I am able. Until then…” And then blinked away. Ah let out a sigh and sat in my chair fer a few minutes… until Ah realized exactly what Ah just said. Oh goddess, Ah just invited him inta my bed! What are ya doin’!? Are ya tryin’ ta prove Uncle Blood right!? First ya gave him an… Oh goddess, what have Ah done? Ah swear Ah’m gonna give her what for next time Ah see Rarity. ‘I can’t believe you think he might not want to be around you’ she says. ‘Try showing some affection by touching him’ she says. Yeah well, maybe he wasn’t ready fer that. Damn it. Ah’m gonna go lay down. If Ah wake up and he’s really there… then maybe Ah won’t mind it.




Goose Fang




    Oh my goddess, oh my goddess, oh my goddess, what do I do? She starts touching me, and she’s acting all playful, is this a sign? Am I supposed to go for it? She just invited me to come sleep with her, is that literal, or am I supposed to prepare to get ‘touched’ again? Calm down Goose, this is Applejack. I think… I think if she really want me to… do that, she would say it out right. I don’t know whether to be excited or terrified. What if she really does want me to just sleep next to her, and she wakes up and it’s touching her? I have no control over it, it has a mind of it’s own! And… If I’m sleeping next to her… and… all I can smell is her… Oh goddess, I’m so screwed… quite possibly both ways.




Applejack




    “Oh, Rarity!” Ah said as Ah stomped through the castle halls, a less than well rested Goose slowly following behind me. Goose warped us here ta the garage, if only by accident, and Ah was a little pissed off. Rarity’s car was the first thin’ we saw, so Ah knew just who ta corner.
    “I’m a little busy at the moment darling.” She said from what sounded like the kitchen. It was somewhere around ten AM, Wednesday the 25th, and last night… could’ve gone much better than it did.
    “Ah don’t care, Ah need ta talk ta ya. Goose, go have a seat, okay?” Ah said angrily, then sweetly. His head kinda bobbed up and then his eyes shot open.
    “Huh? Oh, yeah, sure…” came out through a yawn, then he made his way ta the dinner table bench, only ta lay down immediately. Ah sighed, then stomped inta the kitchen ta find Rarity makin’ some kinda pastry. She looked back at me, then went straight back ta work with whatever she was mixin’ in her bowl.
    “Well, you’re here now, what do you want?” Ah rolled my eyes.
    “What do Ah want? Yer freakin’ advice made me look like a moron in front of my family, and now my… cough boyfriend cough is sleep deprived because of… reasons.” That word still feels strange ta say, even if it’s the ‘correct’ term as of the moment. Everythin’ is such a mess now, and Ah don’t know what ta do with myself. The last couple days have been filled with new, conflictin’, and strange emotions, and all they do is make me stressed out.
    “My advice…?” she started, then she set her thin’s down and turned ta me with with a frown on her face. “Wait. Are you talking about…” Ah sat and covered my face with my good hoof.
    “Yes.” Rarity sighed and rubbed just below her horn.
    “Okay, why don’t you explain this to me, hmm? What were you trying to do? I figured my implications were enough, but then again, you’re not just any mare, you’re an inexperienced blockhead, and I should keep that in mind.” Ah scowled at her.
    “Ah resent that.” She threw a hoof in the air
    “And you represent that, am I wrong?” Ah puffed air out my snout.
    “Whatever. So, we were havin’ a good time, He was gettin’ along great with everypony, even had some crazy debate about politics with my Uncle, and as usual, my brother and Ah were takin’ digs at each other. Goose made a comment in agreement with my brother, so Ah decided ta fight back the way ya said.” Rarity shook her head.
    “You’re unbelievable. You know what doing that does to a stallion, don’t you? Of course you don’t, who am I kidding. You’re a bulldozer in a porcelain shop, sensations are about as far away from your knowledge as Princess Luna is to empathy.” She took her hoof off her face and started wavin’ it all around. “And you did this at the dinner table with your family! I pray he was wearing clothes at least?” Rarity said in a quick pace. Ah let my head stoop and sighed.
    “Ah mean, he has ta hide the mirror so he’s always wearin’ somethin’. And uh… Ah kinda figured that other thin’ out a little later…” Her jaw dropped.
    “You didn’t!” Ah shook my head
    “Now, hold on, we didn’t do anythin’ crazy! Ah just uh… he doesn’t react like that normally and Ah uh… thought it was cute… so Ah did it again. Then… it uh… came ta greet me.” She squinted at me.
    “It touched you? How?” Ah swiped at the floor with my hoof.
    “Ah… may or may not have sat in his lap.” Rarity let out a breath.
    “You are literally the worst. Were you trying to fuck him? Because it sounds me me like you were trying to fuck him. What did you do to him anyways? He looks like a zombie,” she said, lookin’ out the kitchen doorway. Ah shook my head.
    “No. He thought he should leave after… that happened, and Ah asked him ta stay, and… he ended up stayin’ the night… in my room… in my bed.” Rarity raised her head.
    “Okay… and then what? Are you absolutely sure you didn’t-” Ah cut her off.
    “Yes, Ah’m sure! Pretty damn certain Ah would remember it if somethin’ that big… ya know what, never mind. Ah kick in my sleep, so Ah’d wake him up every couple hours. Ah hit him too close ta home once and he was afraid ta get kicked in the sweet spot fer the rest of the night, so he just laid there with me fer four hours.” Ah scraped the floor again, rememberin' how awful he looked this mornin'. Rarity sighed.
    “Honestly, you should’ve just fucked him at that point. He deserves some kind of reward after putting up with you.” Ah rolled my eyes.
    “We haven’t even kissed yet, Ah’m not about ta… do… dirty… stuff…” An image started ta play in my head, and Ah quickly shook it away.
    “Oh for the love of Celestia, quit quivering in your boots and just do it already! You’re like some frightened middle school filly trying to figure out how to deal with her first crush. Are you twenty or twelve, Miss Marevelous? Goddess, you’re more afraid of dealing with boys than anything remotely life threatening. That must be it. You’re so self sufficient and strong that that your weakness is socializing of all things.” My eyes fell ta the floor and Ah started drawin’ in the dust Ah’d kicked up.
    “Well… what if this is my first crush?” Ah just about whispered. Rarity’s face deadpanned.
    “You’re joking, right?” My ears fell flat and she let out an exasperated breath. “Oh sweet goddess, you’re more of an insensitive stallion than he is! Tomorrow, you and I are going to spend some time together, and we’re going to sort out your ‘feelings’ because apparently, and I really should have known this, basic social interaction is foreign to you!” Ah sighed.
    “Ah know…” Rarity shook her head and went back ta what she was doing.
    “Go over there and rest his head on your lap. You owe him at least that much. This will be done in half an hour. If he doesn’t wake up before then, wake him up gently,” she ordered as she pulled dough in chunks out from her bowl. “All the looks and talent in the world are useless without the skill to use them,” she muttered under her breath. Ah sighed and did as Ah was told.
    “Hey there, tripod,” Pinkie said from her chair at the main table, her back legs propped up, readin’ another one of Fluttershy’s comics. Ah sighed again and let my head droop. 
Goddess damn it.