//------------------------------// // Arc X Episode IV: A Deal With The Vamp // Story: Family Begins With You // by Jmaster49 //------------------------------// “Is everything alright?” Cheerilee asked Sunset and Applejack as she watched Keiji step away from his gym class group and walk to the other end of the basketball court. Sunset walked up to her and quickly came up with an explanation, “We’re just getting some water and doing a new routine. You know how it is.” Applejack had gotten off the floor and followed. “Er…somethin’ like that. We won’t be long.” “Okay…” Cheerilee replied with a hint of concern in her voice. Soon enough, the girls approached Keiji who had been taking a drink from the red liquid in his sports bottle. “...Keiji,” Sunset spoke out to him, “I can feel it. You’re a batpony who was put here because of an unfortunate circumstance. I know your pain…somewhat. But I can’t help you if you shut me out.” “Is she for real?” Keiji thought it over to himself, “I’ve already exposed my back to one person. I don’t wanna get stabbed in it again. Not again…not ever again…” It was true. In spite of his confrontational, delinquent-esque mannerisms, Keiji was ultimately rather defensive and insecure regarding who he should and shouldn’t trust. After suffering at the hands--er, hooves of his own parents, who could blame him, really? Of course, the girls weren’t aware of this, but they did the best they could to comfort him with what little info they had. “Wait a sec. Didn’t Applebloom mention a boy with an overbite? This gotta be him, ain’t it?” She took a closer look and…yup. A pair of little fangs that jutted out over his mouth permanently and they didn’t look fake. “I see…” Once she realized who it was, Applejack put her words of realism to use. “Listen, pard. I ain’t gonna lie to ya. This gal here is for real and for true with what she says. If you really are from Equestria and need some help, then we’re willin’ta make things easier for ya.” “This world can be tough to navigate alone,” Sunset added as she took a step closer, “But if you have a few frien--er, acquaintances…it’ll become easier for you. Plus…we have a…christmas present for you,” she said with her hands held behind her back as she put on her best smile. Naturally, Keiji raised an eyebrow. Such a claim wasn’t something he was prepared to throw all of his trust into. “...Whatcha mean by that?” With a quick snatch, Applejack put her arm around his neck and forcefully pulled him in. “H-hey!” The apple girl went on without a care, unaware that her strength had pulled him in rather tightly to where the side of his face was pressing against her abdomen. “C’mon now, Kei. We ain’t gon’ hurt ya. We’re actually a rather friendly bunch once ya get’ta know us. Like Granny Smith always says…” Unfortunately, since he was being pulled into her midsection with no sign of escape, his eyes began to wander…upwards. “...” His cheeks turned a shade of crimson as he started to stare at the underside of her…bosoms. He felt his heart pound and beat like a drum within his ears as his blood pumped through his body at a quickened rate and he was unable to think and began to tune her out while she was talking… “...Applejack?” Sunset tilted her head to get a better look at the way she was holding onto him, “...Might wanna let up. I think you’re hurting him.” “Hm?” she looked down and realized that there was a luminescent blush across his face. “Are you alrigh--” Once she found where his eyes were looking, reality hit her like a truck as she let him go. “What th--what in tarnation were you lookin’ at?!” She crossed her arms and shot him a mean glare. Keiji stood upright and for a moment his mind was hazy from what he had seen. “...She has freckles. They were so--OH SHIT!” The blush disappeared as soon as he realized he was being called out. “...I uh…” “...Appleja--AJ, relax,” Sunset tried to calm her friend down but to no avail. Applejack took a step towards him, backing him into the nearest corner. “I asked you a question, boy. What were ya lookin’ at?” Now cornered, Keiji was unable to come up with a response. “I--uh…y-you pulled me in so I…” THUD! Applejack slammed her hand on the wall above his head, causing cracks to appear outwards from where her fingers touched it. “Answer the question.” “Dammit! May as well say it to her face.” With no other option, Keiji finally came up with an answer. “A-alright, fine!” he yelped, “Those…things on your chest. Males like myself don’t have them but I see the females of this world do. So…I was confused and curious. I don’t quite understand human biology, alright?” “...I think he’s telling the truth,” Sunset approached them as she tried to ease the tension between them. “When I first came here, I was confused on a lot of things. And my new body was one of them. I didn’t even realize that my chest was different until I did some research. Cut him some slack, okay AJ?” Applejack sighed and pulled her hand back. “Fine. But let’s get one thing straight, boy,” she lectured Keiji while staring him down, “Girls in this world have certain parts that ya can’t be gawkin’ at. Our--ahem--apples are an example’a such. Got it?” “Yes…but may I ask…” he put his hands together, took a deep breath, and put on his best poker face, “Why not?” “Uh--b--wh--?!” Applejack’s eyes widened hysterically as she put a hand to her forehead, “Why not? Ya just can’t, that’s why! It ain’t right!” “Ahem…” Sunset cleared her throat and stepped between them. “...Let me handle this, Jacks. You take a break for a sec and cool off.” “Hmph…fine…but I’m watchin’ you, boy,” she glared at Keiji while pointing two fingers at her own eyes and then in his direction while stepping away. “...Yeesh,” Keiji put his hands behind his head, “I’m simply trying to understand this world the best I can.” Sunset nodded. “I feel you. It wasn’t easy when I first got here either. But…it was only thanks to my friends that I was able to.” The boy was unamused. His eyes narrowed as he raised an eyebrow. “...Friends. Right…” “I’m not gonna force you to make friends right away,” she replied, “But…since it’s the season of giving, I want to give you something that’ll help…something like…access to blood? Legally?” “...” Keiji put his hands down and crossed his arms. “I’m listening.” “Meet me after school,” Sunset said as she turned and walked away, “There’s a few others here that know what you’re going through.”