//------------------------------// // Rumble's Privet // Story: Russian learning // by RainbowThunder //------------------------------// I walked along Ponyville, looking around. Pinkie Pie threw a party for me because I was new here. I didn't expect it at all, but I was pleased. After all, it's not every day you're celebrated. Ponyville was a lovely little town. The silence of this city attracts me. It is surprising that a large country Equestria was formed from such a small town. Rainbow Dash was flying in the sky. Applejack and Rarity were walking down the street together and were talking about their own. The soul of the Russian girl rejoiced, looking at all this beauty. Ponyville was like my Kursk, where I was from. Of course, the difference between these cities was in the population. And you heard right, I came from Russia. Yes, and bears walk in our streets, and we always wear ear-flapped hats, and we all are drinking vodka every day. No, I didn’t suggest ponies to taste this drink, because I don’t drink vodka either. However, I am Russian, who could speak a little English, and that was good, because the ponies only spoke English to each other. Of course, my English had a terrible accent, but there was nothing I could do about it. I couldn't escape that accent. And finally, technology has made progress and the machine that can move you here was created. I've always wondered how ponies live here. By the way what name should I say when ponies would ask me: "what's your name?". When Pinkie Pie threw the party, I was so stunned I didn't introduce myself. How about RussianThunder? No, ponies wouldn't understand the first part of the name. So what about RainbowThunder? Sounds great, don't you think? Yeah, I’m RainbowThunder now! So I got to Ponyville. A Russian girl in the pony world. I'm getting a little funny thinking of that. All right, let's put the jokes aside. I should get a job and a place to live. And it would be very nice if work and housing would be together. I've been dreaming a lot. Who would have thought that finding such a job would be very difficult? Suddenly I came across a lamppost and almost got a bump on my forehead. Wait, it was hanging on her. It was a job announcement. As a foalsitter. Brilliant! Plus, I've been babysitting for a while, so this job should be mine. Maybe I'll get lucky with housing? I'll be hoping for that. So, who did the announcement come from? The pony's name was Thunderlane. I watched a little MLP:FiM, and I remembered that name. Sure, he was one of Wonderbolts. Solved, let’s go to the right place! Thunderlane's house looked very cozy from the outside. It was light and pleasant to look at. I knocked, and Thunderlane went out on the porch. The stallion had a black fur аnd with unusual and beautiful mane. Apparently he wasn't expecting my knock. But still, Thunderlane smiled. "Hello, Mr. Thunderlane, my name is RainbowThunder. I came on the announcement." I introduced myself. I saw the embarrassment on Thunderlane's face. Stupid Russian accent. "Oh, yeah. And please, call me just Thunderlane. And I really need a foalsitter. Well, not me, but my younger brother. By the way, have you had any experience with foals?" He asked. "You could say that. The thing is, I'm not local, and I had a little experience." "I took it you're not local in your …" "My rude and silly accent? I'm sorry for it." I lowered my face down, feeling fault. "No, no, I have nothing against your accent and your city. I'm sorry if I offended you. Come on; let me meet you with my brother." He said, and we came in his house. And it was so clean and cozy. Yeah, and I was always in a mess. After talking for a while, Thunderlane made a decision and agreed. Hooray, I have a job! And looks like my employer (if you might say so) was "khoroshiy" which in English means "good". Later I saw a foal lying on the couch in one of the rooms. He was gray in color with a dark mane. The colt looked timidly at me and quickly looked away. The colt was very nice, as was his brother, by the way. He'd probably rather spend time with his brother than me. And he can't be blamed for that. Although it is difficult for me to understand: I was alone in the family, I had no brothers or sisters. "Hello," He said, and came up to me. Apparently, his curiosity was piqued. "Rumble, meet RainbowThunder. She'll look after you while I'm training. I hope you will have a great time together". Thunderlane answered and remembered the time, so he quickly packed up and flew to the training of Wonderbolts. Oh, no, he didn't even explain his brother's preference. Okay, I'll try to make contact with him myself. Congratulate the Russian girl who was able to get along with the little foal. Rumble was good and obedient. He didn't trust me at first, but then he realized I was good pony. First I cooked him one of the Russian dishes - borsch. I left in the broth carrots, beets, cabbage and borscht was ready. Good thing I could find all the right ingredients in the fridge. "I've never tasted such a delicious soup," He said, chewing borscht on both cheeks. God, he loved it! I could not and did not like to cook, but he still liked it! And what is most amazing, I liked to cook for him. I usually hate cooking, but not this time. I decided not to mention the name of this soup, because I did not dare to reveal its origin. A little later we played his favorite game - hide and seek. Of course, Rumble was mostly hiding, and I was looking for him. By God, he knew such good places that I couldn't find him for a long time. I thought I was going crazy. Plus Rumble came up with his trick in this game: if he was hiding on the ceiling, he could suddenly jump on me and shout "fear me!" And I was really scared, plus he jumped on my back and tickled me. But I didn't give up, I tickled him too. "Enough. .. That's enough.... I’m afraid, afraid!" He laughed, holding his tummy. That's how hide and seek turned into a tickle fight. But we really had fun. After all, as a child I did not have many friends, so I rarely played hide and seek. I was lost in memories while we were playing. I remembered my friend Sasha, with her we often played hide and seek. "Are you okay, RainbowThunder?" Rumble asked when I was remembered my childhood too much. "Oh, sorry, Rumble. I'm fine. Go hide again!" I answered and closed my eyes. A little later Rumble started his homework, and I decided to read. It was my favourite book "Great expectations" by Charles Dickens. I read it over and over again, and I never get tired of it. And yes, it was a Russian translation of this book, so I was lucky. I would take a little break from English. After a while Rumble came to me. "Hi, Rumble. Did you do your homework?" I asked. "Yes, I did. That was easy. By the way, you're holding the book upside down." I knew what he meant. On the cover is written in Russian letters, and he thought it was upside-down English letters. He did reveal my origins. I would have to tell him everything. "No, Rumble, it's a book in another language. This book is in Russian." "Russian? I've never heard of that language." "No wonder, it is a far language from Equestria. Where did you think I got that accent? Ponish (I almost said English) and Russian are not alike at all. For example, do you know how "hello" would be in Russian? It will be "Privet". Did you get it?" "Privet! Hah, it is funny. P. R. I. V. E. T. Privet! Say something else on Russian please!" He asked. Wow, I fascinated him with the study of Russian. Surprisingly, he was interested. Well, I would have a little company, if you might say so. "Okay. Russian "Bye" is "Poka". And Russian "thank you" is "spusibo". Can you repeat me?" "Spu…spu…" Rumble couldn’t say that. "Sibo." I said, helping him. "Spusibo! Yeah, spusibo. It means "thank you", right?" "Yes. And "bye" will be…" "It will be "poka". That’s the funniest language I have ever heard! Wow!" "You think so?" "Yeah. Spusibo for Russian studying, RainbowThunder." He smiled. I smiled too, Rumble was so cute. "You are welcome." Then I have a bit to learn his Russian, and he was all excited. Interestingly, all foals are always so excited and curious, or is it just Rumble? Anyway, I was happy to teach him some Russian. No one ever listened to me so attentively, I was grateful to him for that. Plus, I told him a little about Russian cultures and even showed him some photos of my country. I carried them in my bag to get nostalgic sometimes. Rumble really liked the earflaps that were visible in the photo. I told him one day I'd buy him one, and Rumble wouldn't get cold again in the winter. He was glad. A bit later I decided to make a little fun plus check Rumble’s Russian knowledge. "Hey, I have an idea". I said. "What do you mean?" "Let me tell you". I began to tell him the plan, and he willingly agreed to do it with me. By the time we had sorted it out and repeated the Russian words again, Thunderlane had returned from training. "RainbowThunder, Rumble? I'm back!" He said when he came home. "PRIVEEEEET!!!!!" Me and Rumble screamed, suddenly jumping out of the kitchen. Thunderlane was in shock and could not understand anything. "Wut…?" That was the only phrase which Thunderlane had been able to ask. "Silly big bro, it was a greeting in Russian. That’s was … RainbowThunder, how "cool" would Russian be?" Rumble asked. "It will be "kruto", Rumble". "Spusibo. That was kruto, wasn’t it?" "I guess I hit my head harder than I thought in training today." Thunderlane rubbed his head in misunderstanding. "No, Thunderlane, it's just that my native language is Russian. Rumble asked me to teach him a few words". "Ah, I see. That your "privet" meant "hello", am I right?" "Yes." "Hah, I see you had fun here. Too bad I missed it." "We can teach you together, can't we, RainbowThunder?" "You're right." And for the rest of the evening Rumble and I explained Russian words to Thunderlane over tea. I could see the puzzlement on his face. Clearly, he had never encountered such a difficult language. And I told them only the basis of the Russian language. "That’s Russian is so hard! But I can see how proud you are of your country. This Russia, judging by your description, is a very good country. I'm sorry, I mean, your country is very khoroshaya". Thunderlane smiled. I smiled in answer. "By the way, RainbowThunder, you're new in town, do you have a place to live?" Thunderlane asked me. "Yes, yes, of course." I lied. When I lie, my eyes run like mice. And Thunderlane noticed it at once. "Yeah, I see. Do you want to stay the night? We just have a spare bed." "Oh, I don't want to push you." "It's nothing. We'll always find an empty seat. Plus, you can't sleep outside." "Stay! Stay!" Rumble flapped his wings. "Well, if it's not too much trouble, I'll stay. Thank you so much." I thanked them. "And how in Russian will be "Hooray" ? Rumble asked. "It will be "Urar", and..." "Uraaaaar! RainbowThunder is staying!" They screamed and hugged me. I laughed and a little cheeked. Thunderlane made my bed. The bed was in the other corner from Thunderlane's bed. I slept in the same room with him. I was a little embarrassed, but I said «thank you» and went to bed. "Good night, Thunderlane." "Good night." He said and and laid down on the other side. At first I couldn't sleep, I was a little scared. But listening to the quiet and even breathing of Thunderlane, I slowly fell asleep. I've never heard such calm and even breathing. I wonder how his training went today. I wish I'd asked him about it tonight. But judging from the fact that Thunderlane was in a good mood tonight, the training was good. I couldn't believe they'd set me up. Thunderlane is so kind. I will always be grateful to him. And Rumble is so sweet and inquisitive. Apparently, I found very good friends, and so I was very happy. Uraaar!