Arc and Applejack rise early the next morning. Heading downstairs they sit down to a quick breakfast of eggs and toast. Looking to her, Arc grins.
“Ready for an adventure?”
Applejack chuckles. “Sure am. As long as it’ll be safe, that is.”
“Oh yes. Very.”
Finishing their meal, they do the few dishes and head out the back door. Arc leads Applejack through the side door and into the garage. She turns to get into the passenger’s seat.
“Wait a second, Applejack.”
“Huh?”
“Watch.”
Stretching out a hand toward the Jeep, Arc casts the Matter Compacting Spell. The Jeep slowly shrinks down until it is roughly the size of a model car. Picking it up Arc puts it in his ring and turns to her.
“Ready?”
Applejack raises an eyebrow, confused. “Uh… not really sure what I’m supposed to be ready for.”
Smiling, Arc calls forth his gauntlet and places a sigil on the concrete. Stepping onto it, he beckons Applejack to join him. Doing so, she stands next to him. Powering up the sigil they vanish and reappear elsewhere. Applejack turns to look all around.
“Where… are we?”
“The middle of the wood far outside of town.”
“What for?”
Arc chuckles as he removes the Jeep from his ring, sets it down on the ground, and casts the Matter Compacting counter spell on it. As it returns to its normal size he looks up at the sky.
“Not a single cloud. Perfect weather.”
Applejack pulls her shirt away from her body to get the air moving. “It is pretty nice out. A bit warm though.”
Arc grins as he pops the back hatch. “That’s perfect too.”
Applejack shrugs as she walks over. “If you say so. Need help though?”
“Sure. Let’s get this stuff unpacked.”
Unloading several backpacks from the Jeep, Arc tosses a larger one onto the ground. Applejack eyes it, confused.
“What’s that?”
“There’s a couple of tents in there.”
Applejack grins. “We’re staying the night?!”
Arc nods. “Yup. Rainbow Dash told me you like camping, so I thought you’d enjoy it here on Earth too.”
“Sounds good to me! But why two tents?”
“One for each of us.”
“We could just share one, you know.”
“I know. But…”
Applejack raises an eyebrow, confused. “Something wrong?”
“Well… I was kinda worried that you wouldn’t want to do that.”
“Share a tent?”
“Sleep together.”
Applejack blushes slightly. “Oh… right.”
“Humans are a bit bigger than ponies when they’re lying down, after all.”
“It would make for kinda… close quarters, I suppose.”
“Right. So… you want your own tent?”
Applejack nods shyly. “Yes please.”
“Alright.”
Applejack steps toward him nervously. “Um…”
Arc turns back to her. “Something wrong?”
“I… uh…”
She sighs before continuing.
“It’s nothing.”
“Well then, let’s get to work.”
With Applejack’s help the tents are set up in record time. Arc turns to her and grins.
“Looks like you’ve done this before.”
Applejack nods. “Yup. Apple Bloom and I regularly go camping, so I’m more than familiar with how a tent goes up.”
She puts a hand to her cheek thoughtfully before continuing.
“Didn’t you go with Derpy and Dinky a while back too?”
Arc nods. “Yup. To the Winsome Falls.”
Applejack snaps her fingers. “Now I remember you asking me about that!”
“And we had a blast too.”
He gestures around them.
“And we had even more fun here too.”
“Here?”
“I took them camping with my squad, Auriel, Ember, and Rose. Hammer showed up too, but that wasn’t exactly planned.”
Applejack chuckles. “Sounds like a full on party to me.”
Arc grabs his pack and looks up at the sky again. “Yup. But now that the sun’s higher it’s getting warmer.”
Applejack wipes her forehead. “That it is.”
“So how about we get changed into our swimsuits?”
“Sounds good.”
Applejack grabs her own backpack before disappearing into her tent as Arc does the same. Disrobing, he kicks off his shoes and steps into the trunks. Giving the drawstring a quick knot, Arc steps back outside to the sounds of wind rustling through the leaves overhead. A few minutes later Applejack steps out too. She is wearing a blue and white swimsuit top with a green line running between them (like she did in Equestria Girls). It runs down her arm just past her elbow and comes with a more traditional matching bottom. Looking at him nervously, she speaks.
“H-how do I look?”
“Very nice. But the larger question would be how do you feel?”
Applejack sighs as she puts a finger under the hem of her swimsuit bottom and pulls down slightly. “Admittedly, I feel a bit… um… exposed.”
“Well, a swimsuit is a lot more revealing than most other human clothes.”
“Tighter too.”
“That’s so it doesn’t fall off partially. But I have to admit that I’ve never seen a swimsuit top that came down the arms like that though.”
“Is that… bad?”
Arc shakes his head. “Not at all. If you’re happy with it, so am I.”
“Yeah, the top is okay. I’m just not liking the lower section.”
“I have an idea. Wait here.”
Heading for his tent, Arc emerges a few moments later with something in his hand. Walking over to Applejack he holds it out to her.
“Put these on.”
Applejack looks them over. “What… is this?”
“Shorts. They’re the same as pants, but just… shorter. Hence the name, I suppose.”
Stepping into them, Applejack ties the drawstring and looks down at herself. Arc looks her over as he speaks.
“How’s that?”
Applejack grins. “Much better. Not sure why I felt so funny about my mare parts just then. I mean… it’s not like you’ve never seen them before. When I was a pony, that is.”
Arc looks away nervously. “Yes, well… let’s just chalk it up to human modesty. Now then, shall we go?”
“Sure. But… um…”
“Something wrong?”
“I don’t know. Just had this strange feeling.”
“Oh?”
“Not sure what to make of it though.”
“Describe it.”
“Now feel free to stop me if this sounds weird, but I… kinda wanted to… um…”
She blushes and looks away before speaking again.
“N-never mind.”
Arc raises an eyebrow. “You sure you’re okay?”
Applejack sighs. “I am. Sorry, but I just need some time to figure out how to ask these things. Is that okay?”
“Sure. Whatever makes you happy.”
Nodding, she follows Arc through the woods. A few moments later they come to the beach. Applejack gasps.
“It’s beautiful!”
Arc nods. “That it is.”
“I’ve never been to a beach before!”
“Really?”
Applejack shakes her head. “Ponyville is pretty far from the ocean, after all. We have a pond for swimming, naturally. But it’s nothing like THIS!”
“Do you know how to swim?”
“As a pony, yes. Not sure about this form though.”
“How about you give it a try?”
Applejack grimaces as she looks out at the water. “Not sure if that’s such a good idea.”
“Worried about drowning?”
“A little.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll keep an eye on you.”
Applejack chuckles. “You going to save me if I get into trouble?”
Arc nods. “Sure. Remember, I can always pull you out of there with a Telekinesis Spell.”
“I suppose so.”
She looks at the water and takes a deep breath before continuing.
“Okay! I’ll do it!”
Arc gestures toward the lake. “Go ahead. I’ll be right behind you.”
Walking toward the water, Applejack stops at the shore. Turning around momentarily, she looks to Arc whom gives her a nod. Taking a deep breath she steps onto the sandy shore as the water recedes. As the next wave splashes forward she instinctively takes a step back. Grimacing, she steps forward again and waits. A few moments later the next wave hits her feet. Applejack makes a small yelp but does not move. She turns to Arc, appearing embarrassed.
“Sorry about this.”
Arc chuckles. “Take your time. Remember, we have all day.”
Looking back out over the water, her face sober, Applejack takes a small step. She stands there motionless for a time before Arc walks over and puts a hand on her shoulder.
“Everything okay?”
Applejack nods nervously. “I… think so.”
“Oh?”
Applejack sighs. “Not sure what the problem is. I’ve never been afraid of the water before.”
“I’m guessing this is a bit bigger than the pond you’ve swam in back in Equestria though.”
“That it is.”
“Want me to go with you?”
Applejack appears relieved. “Would you?”
Arc nods. “Sure.”
Putting a hand on her back Arc gently pushes her forward as he takes a step. They walk into the water up to their ankles. Applejack grimaces.
“This… this isn’t… so bad.”
“If you don’t like it…”
Applejack interrupts him. “No, no. I want to keep going.”
Continuing on one step at a time, they go deeper into the lake. An incoming wave hits Applejack’s pelvis. Squealing, she grabs onto Arc’s arm for support as he turns to her.
“You okay?”
Applejack nods, clearly embarrassed. “That just felt really… weird. The water hitting my mare parts, that is.”
She turns to him and notices her hands gripping his arm for the first time. Letting go quickly, she blushes feverishly before looking down.
“I’m sorry! That was inappropriate!”
“It’s fine, Applejack. If you need to hold on that’s okay with me.”
“Are you… sure?”
“Positive.”
Nodding, she steps toward him as Arc extends his elbow to her. Carefully latching on, she looks to him for direction.
“I’m ready.”
“Okay. Let’s go.”
Taking a step together, the pair begin walking. Soon they are up to their belly buttons. Arc turns to Applejack.
“How’s this?”
“Really nice! Sorry for being such a bother.”
Arc chuckles. “It’s no trouble.”
Applejack sighs. “Not sure what my problem is. Like I said earlier, I’ve never been afraid of the water before.”
“Could it be because you’re so high up?”
“What do you mean?”
“Remember, a pony is rather low to the ground compared to a human.”
“And I’m a bit top heavy too. Due to my height, that is.”
“Exactly.”
“I think I’m ready to go all the way now.”
Arc raises an eyebrow. “Huh?”
“Letting go and swimming.”
“Ah! Okay.”
Applejack releases her hold on Arc’s arm as he steps back. She slowly walks forward and lowers herself down into the water up to her shoulders. Taking a deep breath she braces herself for the next wave before leaping forward and doggie paddling. Arc nods approvingly.
“Looks like you’re doing okay, Applejack!”
Applejack grins as she swims. “I’m doing it! And without hooves!”
“That you are!”
He watches her for a time as she paddles around. Eventually Applejack makes her way back to him.
“Why aren’t you swimming?”
“I’m keeping an eye on you, remember?”
“Oh! Right! Well, I think I’m okay. You don’t have to do that anymore.”
“You sure? I don’t mind.”
Applejack giggles. “Come on and let’s go!”
Arc chuckles. “Okay!”
Diving in, Arc begins swimming with her. As the sun rises higher and higher he looks back toward the shore before turning and calling out to his friend some distance away.
“Hey Applejack!”
“Yeah?!”
“Wanna go for a hike?!”
“A what?!”
“It’s what we call a walk through the woods!”
“Sure! Let’s go!”
Swimming for shore, Applejack runs up onto the beach. Getting down on all fours she shakes herself. Arc raises an eyebrow.
“Um… Applejack?”
Applejack looks to him sheepishly as she stands. “Sorry. Forgot I wasn’t a pony.”
Chuckling, he motions for her to follow. Making the short walk back to the campsite Arc grabs a couple towels out of the Jeep and tosses one to Applejack.
“Thanks.”
“I think you’ll find this a bit more effective.”
Applejack grins. “Probably. Shaking’s fun though.”
“Well, a human doesn’t exactly have that kind of range.”
Applejack shrugs as she begins toweling off. “I figured that out about the time you said something. You ready to go for that hike now though?”
Arc raises an eyebrow. “We should probably get changed first.”
“What for? I’m okay in this. Feels kinda nice being wet right now too.”
Arc looks down at her bare feet. “Trust me, we need to wear shoes for this.”
Applejack giggles as she wiggles her toes. “Yeah, I guess it’d be kinda hard on these feet.”
“With hooves I’m assuming it doesn’t matter.”
“Right. So I guess I’ll get changed back into what I was wearing before.”
“Me too.”
They go their separate ways into the tents. After changing the pair meet back up outside. Applejack points to the boots she borrowed from Ember’s closet.
“This better?”
Arc nods. “Yup. Trust me when I say that blisters make things much less fun.”
“Blisters?”
“They’re when you work either your hands or feet too hard without proper protection. Makes it hurt to take a step or grab onto things.”
“We’ll try to avoid that then.”
“Right. Now then, follow me.”
Leading Applejack into the woods, he gestures to the forest.
“This is what I call wilderness.”
“I’ll say. No trails or anything out here?”
Arc shakes his head. “Nope. It’s quite a hike from the road so no one comes this way.”
“Hence the sigil?”
“Right. That way we only had to walk it one time.”
“Good thinking. But without paths how are we supposed to find the campsite if we get lost?”
“I can open a portal and we’re back instantly.”
Applejack grins. “Handy! So I guess the only thing left to do now is pick a direction.”
“And in that regard it doesn’t really matter, as there’s nothing out here. Well, other than the lake.”
Applejack points in a random direction. “Then how about that way?”
Arc nods approvingly. “Sure. Let’s go.”
They start walking together. Applejack turns to him.
“Earth sure is a pretty place.”
“Some parts are, yes.”
“Uh oh. Some places not so nice?”
Arc shrugs. “I guess. We have garbage dumps, deforested lands, urban wastelands, and other various depressed areas too.”
“So it’s similar to Equestria in certain places, huh?”
“Not from what I’ve seen, no. But you take the good with the bad.”
Applejack points excitedly. “Hey look! A stream!”
Arc chuckles. “Dinky found this when she was here last time. We followed it all the way back to its source.”
“Sounds like you two had a good time.”
“We did. But not just following the stream.”
“What else?”
“Just spending time with her was great. And she was absolutely adorable as a little human girl too.”
“I can just imagine.”
“We also played bocce ball and volleyball too.”
“Games?”
Arc nods. “Bocce ball is where you toss out a small ball and try to get a much larger, and heavier, ball to land closest to it.”
Applejack appears confused. “That doesn’t sound too hard.”
“Oh, it is. You see, the larger balls have to be rolled along the ground. No throwing it up high in an effort to make it embed itself into the ground. That and other players can hit your ball with theirs to try and knock it away.”
“Which makes it further from the target ball?”
“Right. Or knock the smaller one away from the other player’s balls.”
“Sounds like fun.”
“Oh, it is.”
“What was the other game again?”
“Volleyball.”
“Tell me about that one.”
Arc puts a hand to his chin. “Well, you put up a net on poles and serve a ball across to the other team. They have to hit it back over with their hands, head, or feet without catching it and without it going out of bounds.”
“Out of what?”
“Before you start you draw lines in the sand on either side of the net and behind. If the ball goes beyond the lines the other team hit it too far and don’t get a point.”
Applejack grins. “I was imagining just hitting the ball as hard as I could.”
“You can hit it as hard as you want, yes. It just can’t go outside the lines.”
“How high is the net?”
Arc reaches up as high as he can. “About like this.”
“Tall, huh?”
“Yup. Sometimes you have to jump to reach it or spike.”
Applejack raises an eyebrow. “Spike was here?”
Arc shakes his head. “No, no. ‘spiking’ is a volleyball term. It’s where you jump and hit the ball down towards the other team as hard as you can. Makes it really hard for them to return it before it hits the sand.”
“Sounds like a really physical game.”
“It is. But a lot of fun. Even when you fall over each other.”
Applejack chuckles. “And no one gets hurt too bad since you’re on sand.”
“Exactly.”
Sometime later they return to the campsite together. Sweaty and tired, the pair walk over to the Jeep. Applejack wipes the sweat from her forehead and laughs heartily.
“That was great, Arc!”
“I’ll say. But I think we should probably sit down and rest.”
“Agreed. Uh… where though?”
“Not to worry. I brought some cloth camping chairs for that. They’re in the back of the Jeep.”
Popping the back hatch, Arc pulls out two folded up chairs. However as he does so he suddenly stops and looks inside the trunk. Applejack appears confused.
“Something wrong, sugarcube?”
“Not… exactly.”
Tossing the chairs aside, Arc reaches inside and pulls out a box.
“That’s so weird.”
“Arc?”
“Take a look.”
Setting the box on the back bumper, he opens it as Applejack peeks inside. Frowning, she looks up at him.
“Balls?”
Arc nods soberly. “They’re bocce balls.”
Applejack raises an eyebrow. “The game we were talking about earlier?”
“Yeah.”
“I didn’t know you brought them along.”
“But I didn’t.”
“Then how’d they get in there? An accident?”
Arc shrugs. “Guess so.”
Applejack grins. “Like that fella on television yesterday at lunch said… ‘a happy little accident’.”
“Yeah. I mean, it’s cool that they’re here so we can play later. But this is quite the mystery.”
“I suppose. But no use wracking our brains trying to figure it out, right?”
Arc smirks as he pulls the box out and sets it on the ground. “Yeah.”