//------------------------------// // Chapter 10 (Applebucking and Jealousy) // Story: Living and Dying in Equestria // by TwilightsmyMare //------------------------------// I woke up to an annoying ringing sound beside me. "What is that?" I asked groggily. Twilight snuggled against me. "It’s just my alarm clock. Turn it off so we can go back to sleep." I reached over and felt around the nightstand until I located it and fumbled with it a couple of seconds before my sleep addled brain figured out how to turn it off. With that distraction gone I put my arm back over Twilight and tried to slip back into sleep. A few moments later I felt Twilight twitch against me. "Applejack! Applebucking! Rick wake up!" "I'm awake." I stretched and opened my eyes; dawn was still a short while off. I gave Twilight a squeeze. "I guess we better get up then." I reluctantly pulled myself away from her. "How’s the ankle?" She gently lowered herself off of the bed and took a small step. "Seems much better thank you." She carefully made her way over to Spike. "Spike wake up. Its applebucking time." "Don't wanna. Go way!" Twilight looked over at me with a smile then whispered to Spike. "Rarity will be there, I bet she could use the help of a big strong dragon..." With a twitch he jumped out of his bed. "Ready!" I laughed and stood up putting one of my feet onto a cold wet towel. Oh right the ice. I grabbed it wringing it out outside the window and mopped up the dampness on the floor then quickly got dressed and followed Twilight and Spike downstairs. By the time I got down they had loaded Spikes wagon with some books and snacks. As we started out towards Applejacks farm dawn was just peeking over the horizon. As we walked I noticed Twilight was still favouring her hurt ankle a bit. "Twi... Are you sure you’re ok?" "Yes. I won't miss this!" She replied through grit teeth. I scooped her up into my arms. "I didn't mean you shouldn't go. I just wanted to help." "Oh! Thanks." She replied in a small voice. Spike pulled his wagon and the three of us traveled for awhile. There was a pleasant breeze blowing towards us, I was drowning in Twilights scent and I couldn't be happier. "Why do you smell so good Twi?" I whispered to myself. I had forgotten that equines of all kinds have excellent hearing. "You... You really think I smell good?" "Oh! Uh... Yes I really do." I admitted. "Its just soap... And vanilla oil Rarity got for me." I sniffed jokingly at her neck. "I guess its you then." She blushed and turned her head away momentarily. "I... I like how you smell too." She said turning back to look me in the eyes. I grinned. "Stinky mansweat? And the same soap you use? I dunno." I laughed. "I guess it’s just you then." She said with a smile. I gave her a squeeze and we kept moving towards the farm. As we arrived the sun was shining brightly Applejack and Big Mac were waiting at the barn along with Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy and Rarity. Everypony looked at me a bit strangely walking up with Twilight in my arms. "Oh... She hurt her ankle a bit." I explained embarrassed as I gently put her down. Everyone grinned at us nodding their heads knowingly. Applejack outlined what they needed to do and assigned jobs for everyone. When she came to me she was a bit stumped, I certainly couldn't levitate the apples out of the trees like Twilight, when I tried kicking a tree the only thing I got was a sore foot out of it. Try as I might I couldn't pull the full applecart’s very quickly either. I was beginning to feel a bit useless. "Well... Maybe you could help Applebloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo in the kitchen then?" Applejack offered. "Whatever I can do to make myself at least a bit useful." I laughed. I headed to the house past Granny Smith napping on the porch in her rocking chair and entered the kitchen to complete bedlam. The fillies had flour everywhere, pots and pans of all shapes and sizes were strewn about as they mixed seemingly random ingredients together. "Uh hi girls... What’s happening?" All three of them quickly spun to face me angelic smiles on their faces. "We're bakin some pies!" Said Applebloom. "And cookies!" Squeaked Sweetie Belle. "And cupcakes!" Chimed in Scootaloo. "Oookay... Shouldn't you have some recipe books?" All three of them looked around. "Oh... Well we did have them when we started." Explained Scootaloo. After a bit of searching we managed to locate them buried under a pile of ingredients. "Ok girls. I'm going to help you if that’s ok?" All three of them nodded their heads in unison. After we cleared up a bit of clutter we got busy mixing and pouring. Baking isn't too hard when you follow the instructions, the three fillies were quite helpful, and they were so energetic and cute. After a few hours we had everything made up and had just placed them in the oven. I leaned back in a kitchen chair. "Whew... Thanks girls you were great helpers. I guess we had best clean up before anypony comes back right?" The three of them looked back and forth between each other. "Or we could go play outside!" Sweetie Belle grinned mischievously as they backed towards the door. I quickly got up from the chair and blocked their exit. "Ooh you think you can get away scott free do you? Not without some punishment." The three of them gathered together looking nervous. "What kinda punishment?" Asked Applebloom. "I'm afraid only the most severe punishment will do for you three... Tickle torture!" I hopped forward snagging the three of them; they squealed and struggled to get away, though not very hard. As I tickled Applebloom and Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo snuck around onto the table and launched herself off it onto me. "Counterattack!" All three of them started tickling me back, now normally I'm not very ticklish but when you’re caught up in a tickle fight its easy to let go and pretend to be as ticklish as anyone else. The four of us rolled around on the floor giggling and laughing, the three of them definitely had the upper hand. "Surrender!" Said Scootaloo standing on top of me poking me in the ribs with her hoof. "Never!" I laughed. Suddenly the three of them backed off and lined up with mischievous grins on their faces looking at the doorway. I turned my head to see what they were looking at; Twilight was in the doorway smiling down at me. "Oh!" I got up dusting myself off. "Hi Twi. Just having a little tickle war." I grinned to her. "I can see that. Looks like you were about to lose. Good thing I'm here to rescue you." She said with a mischievous grin. "Yup! He was goin down!" Piped in Scootaloo. "Alright girls. Why don't you go play until the baking is done." I said and like a flash they were gone, I turned back to Twilight. "Oh! Did you need something?" "My ankle is a bit sore I just came to get a cold cloth..." I zipped over to the sink and grabbed a clean cloth running it under the cold water for a few moments before bringing it back and kneeling down to gently wrap it around Twilights ankle. She sat on the floor as I gently rubbed her ankle. "Why are you so good to me?" She whispered as I looked up into her eyes. "Why...?" Because I love you, is what I wanted to say, wanted to shout, all across Equestria. But I wasn't ready yet, maybe I would never be. You can't just tell someone you love them then leave, never seeing them again, I couldn't at least. Until I figured out... Something. I would have to keep holding it in. "Because you deserve it." I said lifting her leg carefully and kissing her sprained ankle. I heard a giggle from the doorway; I didn't even need to turn around to know who it was. "Did you change your mind about helping clean up Sweetie Belle?" I asked. When I turned to look she quickly galloped away. "Well you just rest there Twi. I've got to get this place cleaned up." As I turned to get started I noticed a lot of pots and pans floating their way to the sink as well as a broom and dustpan working on their own. I turned to Twilight with a smile. "Thanks." Between the two of us we quickly had the kitchen back in order. The cookies and cupcakes were cooked by the time we finished so I sent some cookies out with Twilight along with a big jug of apple juice for the workers. The Crusaders were lured back by the delicious smell and they helped me frost the cupcakes while we waited for the pies to finish. It was getting late in the day and Granny Smith chased us out of the kitchen so she could make supper, she was impressed by our baking though she still seemed to think I was a pony with a fur problem. We met everyone else coming back from the orchards. "How did everything go today?" I asked. "Yeehaa! We made some darn fine progress. If we keep goin like this we should be done in another day or two." Applejack stated. "Eeeyup." Agreed Big Mac. "An how did things go with you an the Crusaders today?" "Not too bad at all right girls?" All three of them nodded their heads. "A bit of a messy start but they were excellent helpers." We all went inside and had dinner, after everyone complimented the Crusaders and me on our baking and we all headed home to get an early start the next day. Over the next few days everyone worked hard and made a lot of progress, the girls and I baked up a storm. Most of it went to Ponyville to be sold at Applejacks stand but we certainly snacked on our fair share. Early afternoon on the third day of applebucking I had released the girls early and was just finishing cleaning up when Rainbow Dash suddenly burst into the kitchen. "Rick! Ya gotta come quick!" She got behind me pushing me out the door. "Whoa, what happened?" "No time!" She zipped under me and took off into the air. I quickly wrapped my arms around her neck amazed she could lift off so easily with me on her back and fly so fast. Within moments we came to everyone gathered around what looked like an old well. Applejack came galloping up as soon as we landed. "Appleboom and the others fell down the ol well! We can't fit down there, can you help?!" I quickly walked over to the well and looked down, it was pitch black and with my shoulder width it would be a tight squeeze. But I was definitely the best choice, pony bodies don't bend very well in a straight line. "Are you ok girls?" I called down. "We're ok... But Sweetie Belle hurt her leg! I... I think it might be broken!" Scootaloo's voice echoed up. I turned to Applejack. "You have enough rope to get me down there?" She pulled a long coil of rope off her back. "Got ya covered." I went and got two reasonably straight sticks and got her to cut me a short length of rope. I wished I hadn't let my first aid training lapse, it had been a few years since I had had training, hopefully I remembered what I needed to. I lashed the sticks to my arm and Applejack looped her rope around me, I squeezed into the well and she and Big Mac began lowering me. Twilight and Rarity looked down at me their horns glowing providing light. "Be careful." Twilight whispered. As they lowered me deeper the light grew dimmer but the well widened out a bit. I could feel something skitter over me, then again and again. "Spiders dammit!" I cursed. "Do you want more light darling?" Rarity asked. "No thank you. It’s bad enough having them on me I don't want to see it too." I tried to ignore them, I didn't squish any, they weren't biting just curious and I didn't know if they were poisonous or not. Eventually they abandoned me skittering off as I came to the bottom of the well a faint glow from Sweetie Belles horn illuminating the area. All three fillies sat in the mud looking miserable; Sweetie Belle's left back leg was twisted under her. I quickly went to her and lifted her gently up to see. "It'll be ok Sweetie." She gasped as I straightened her leg back into its proper position, tears streaming out of her eyes. "Sorry." I apologised. Her leg was definitely broken but it seemed to be a clean break, not compound thankfully. I placed the sticks on either side of her leg and made a split carefully apologising again when I had to pull the rope tight around her leg. "Okay girls I have to take Sweetie Belle up first. I'll be right back I promise." I hugged each of them then gently picked up Sweetie Belle and called up for them to lift us. "There'll be some spiders just shut your eyes and ignore them Sweetie." I held her tight until we got back into the light then Twilight levitated her the rest of the way out. "Okay lower me back down." Back into the darkness I went, damn spiders ugh! As I got to the bottom I felt around to find the girls in the pitch blackness. "You both ok?" "I'm scared." Applebloom sniffed. I knelt down and gathered them both in for a hug. "You’re both very brave. Who goes next?" "Take Applebloom. I'm ok." "Ok. I'll be right back Scoot." I gather up Applebloom and we began the slow ascent. "Fresh air!" Applebloom cried out as Twilight lifted her from me. Down I went again as I got to the bottom I could hear sobbing in the dark. "Scoot? You ok?" She rushed into my arms her little body heaving with sobs. "You came back!" "Of cource I did." I hugged the little pegasus tightly. "I was so scared." "You’re the bravest filly I know Scoot. Come on lets get out of here." She continued to cry as we were pulled up; I wiped away her tears as we came into the light. "See, we're ok. Show Dash how tough you are." She nodded to me as Twilight lifted her up and out. They pulled me out moments later into the bright sunlight and fresh air. I immediately took off my coat and shook it out to dislodge any arachnids in there, running my hands thru my hair making sure I didn't have any stowaways. Satisfied I turned to the group and immediately got tackled to the ground. Applejack hugged me tightly. "Ya saved em! Thank ya! Thank ya! Thank ya!" With every thanks she planted a kiss on me, when she let me up Rarity with Sweetie Belle on her back came over and kissed me soundly on the cheek. "Thank you so much! I'm going to take her to Ponyville Hospital right now." I tousled Sweetie Belles mane. "You hang in there little filly." She gave me a quick peck on the cheek as Rarity took off at a steady pace towards Ponyville. Applebloom and Scootaloo tackled me to the ground each kissing me on a cheek as I laughed and hugged them both. "Thanks for saving us!" They said in unison. "Anytime girls. But no more spider infested wells ok?" "No worried Big Mac is gonna fill this well full up so this never happens again." Said Applejack. "Eeyup." Agreed Big Mac heading off to get his cart to do just that. Rainbow Dash walked up to me and somewhat embarrassed gave me quick kiss on the cheek as well. "Thanks for saving the squirt. But don't be getting a big head about it." "No worries Dash." As Pinkie Pie was bouncing around happily Fluttershy Zipped in and quickly kissed my cheek, blushing she immediately fled afterward. I turned to locate Twilight and found her giving me a stare that could... well not kill but definitely slap me in the face. She turned and headed back to the house and we all followed. As we headed back home a short while later Spike and I were dragging the wagon as it was loaded down with quite a few pastries and treats Applejack insisted I take, Twilight walked in front of us not looking back. "Uh Twi... Can you give us a hand?" I asked. She turned and glared at me a moment before galloping off. Spike and I looked at each other and shrugged before we started pulling again. As we came to the library the cart was a bit lighter as Spike had been snacking, as soon as we crossed the doors threshold he collapsed almost immediately asleep. I chuckled and put him on the couch then put all the treats away in the pantry. I headed into the washroom and undressed making sure to shake out and check every pocket and cranny of my clothes. Then I got in the shower and rinsed off good trying to get the icky bug feeling off me. I left Spike on the couch he looked comfortable there and headed up to bed. The lights were dimmed and Twilight was reading a book, as soon as I slid into bed she closed her book with a slam and put it on the nightstand, turning out the light she then turned her back to me. "Twi...? What’s wrong?" A humph was my only reply. I reached out and gently touched her back. "Twi?" She wiggled away from me, I moved a little closer and again she moved away. I moved a bit closer and again she moved away, this time I lunged forward wrapping my arms around her before she could wiggle away and fall on the floor. "Let me go!" She said struggling against me, although not very hard it seemed. "Not until you tell me what I did so I can make it better." "What are you asking me for? Why don't you go kiss your marefriends some more maybe they'll tell you!" She growled still not looking at me. I thought for a moment marefriends? "Twi... Are you jealous...?" She spun to face me I could see tears forming in her beautiful eyes. "What?! Jealous?! Why? Just because... Because..." Her voice got lower as she yelled at me. "Twi they were just happy I rescued the Crusaders that’s all. Their just my friends." "So... Isn't that all we are? Just friends?" She looked down as she spoke breaking my heart with the sadness in her voice. I gently tilted her head up to see the tears glistening in her eyes. "Twi, remember when we first met your brother?" She nodded. "Um hm." "I was insanely jealous of him." She looked at me shocked. "Why?" "Why? You ran right up to him and threw yourself on him. I thought he must be your boy... Er stallionfriend?" "Coltfriend." She corrected me gently. "But why be jealous of him?" "Twi... I like you... A lot. I... I don't want to ever hurt..." She stopped me placing her hoof on my lips. "Stop there. I... I don't need to hear any more now." I moved back to the middle of the bed and she moved with me putting her head on my chest as I pulled the blankets up to cover us. "I'm sorry I was so mean... I was just so mad." I squeezed her gently. "It’s ok. It’s kind of nice to have someone... Er somepony care about you that much." She sighed contentedly and snuggled against me. My mind was still going a mile a minute as I tried to get to sleep. She likes me too? As more then a friend? Wow...