//------------------------------// // Waking up in a new world chapter 14 // Story: Waking up in a new world // by finesthour //------------------------------// Before today, I never thought I would ever see an ocean made out of trees. Applejack’s apple orchard was not like anything I had ever seen. In the episode “Applebuck season” the animators tried to show how large their land was, but I had not realized truly how big it was until today. I felt if I had wandered away from our group, I would be lost in the trees for a lifetime and a half. So I kept my pace near Fluttershy to avoid that dreadful fate. Applejack’s mannerisms were nothing like Fluttershy’s; she never turned her gaze away from the direction we were going. She kept her mind on the task at hand, it seemed. I could rather respect that about the orange pony, much as people did online. Thinking of home caused a small smile to spread across my lips, not fully understanding the reason why. The feeling of home sickness was fading for an odd reason, and I could put my mind on it. Was I really becoming accustomed to life with ponies? As these thoughts ran through my mind, I saw a large red barn rise over the hills, seemingly out of nowhere. The second I saw this building, I could feel how tired my legs were becoming from walking for this amount of time. I spend my pace up a little faster to where I was near Applejack and said, “Please tell me this is your home? My feet are killing me” Applejack turned her head towards me and started to laugh. She said with laughter in her voice, “Yeah, it’s where ah live, an’ don’t worry, you will be eatin’ with mah family soon enough.” Applejacks voice sounded like the stereotype for country people, but it had a distinct personality trait in it. It sounded sweeter than a normal person’s voice. Like it had a mind of its own, it sounded almost... like it could never lie. Her voice slipped into my ears, and the smile that had grown on my lips soon spread even farther. I could feel my stomach produce a growl from the sound of the word “eating”, and I felt like running to her home to eat sooner. Applejack must have seen my excitement, and she soon said, “You can hold yer’ horses for a few more minutes. We are almost there.” I felt embarrassed when Applejack said this, and my cheeks turned a light shade of red. I slowed down to start walking beside Fluttershy, as it felt more comfortable. She lifted her head and smiling at me, and I returned the gesture. For reasons unknown to me, Applejack stopped walking and got between us. She looked up at me again, blocking my view of Fluttershy. “So do yah like Apples Gary?” She said this quickly, as if she said the words without thinking. At the back of my mind, I began to think that she did this so I would not be talking to Fluttershy anymore. I laughed at the thought, shaking it away. I realized that I was thinking to myself while Applejack was staring at me, and I began to feel uncomfortable. I rubbed the back of my head, not knowing what to do with my hands. I quickly said, “Uh... I guess I do like apples!” The second I said this, I regretted saying it fast. I sounded like such an idiot! Applejack was now laughing at me, bumping into me. She said while laughing, ‘’Oh come on now, yah don’t have to be so shy. What kind of apples does you like the best?” I could tell Applejack was just making small talk to make the walk seem shorter, and my respect for her was growing, even though she was still making me embarrassed. I had no idea what Fluttershy was thinking, and it kind of bothered me. I tried to look over Applejack while I said, “I guess the red kind. I was never into the sour apples.” I saw Fluttershy for a split second, but Applejack then bumped into me again, and my view was broken. She was still laughing, and it started to make me feel uncomfortable. Why was she laughing so much? As soon as these thoughts came, they disappeared when I saw that we had reached her house. I turned around to see where we had come from, and I began to grow confused. Did I really pay attention to my thoughts so much I did not even notice us walking? Not caring about these thoughts much longer, thoughts of food crept into my mind. Without even noticing, my stomach made a growl with enough force that it sounded like a bear had been the source. Applejack and Fluttershy both stared at my stomach in awe. I felt like I had turned completely red from the stare of these two ponies. They must be surprised that someone as small as me could produce a sound this massive. I nervously said out loud, “I... haven’t eaten since I got here. I said I was hungry... right?” I added nervous laughter after I said this, trying to get my point across. Fluttershy and Applejack looked at each other for a second, and they both busted into laughter. I joined them in this laughter, although I did not really understand why. After what seemed like an hour of grueling hunger and hearing them laugh (Which was only about 30 seconds, but I was hungry), Applejack walked past us to the door of her home, and opened it with her hoof. I did not understand how she opened it with her hoof, nor did I really care. Applejack stood at the end of the door and said, “Come on in everypony... and Gary. Time to eat!” *** While Fluttershy and I were visiting Applejack’s home, we met some pretty interesting people. Apparently, as Applejack told us, the rest of their family was out selling their most recent harvest outside of what I now knew was Equestria. Applejack told us that the reason she stayed was because her brother Big Macintosh had hurt himself before the Applebucking season (whatever that was, but I was going with the harvest season, seemed easier), and she had to look out for her Grandmother and little sister. I had not met any of her siblings, but I had an urge to know everything about Applejack, for some strange reason. I did not dwell on these thoughts, as I was busy touring Applejacks house with Fluttershy. Applejack led us to a room that seemed smaller than the others, and was rather messy, although I would not say anything about it. Applejack turned around to face us and said, “And this here be the room of my little sis’ Applebloom.” Fluttershy seemed to look worried for a moment, much to my hearts dismay. I decided not to ask out loud to make her feel more comfortable, if that made much sense. She turned her head to Applejack and said, “Where is little Applebloom?” Applejack suddenly looked worried as well, and I began to grow irritated. Did they know something that I didn't? For what seemed like ages of awkward silence, we stood there. I could not take uncertainty much longer, and I said, “Why are you two looking like that? Is there something wrong with...Applebloom?” Fluttershy looked back at the ground, and she looked as if she regretted saying a single word. The worry that had manifested inside of me had grown, and I started to grow panicked. I had no idea why I was acting this way, but something told me that the answer was not good. I turned my head to Applejack for an answer, and she looked towards the ground. She slowly said, “Applebloom has been missin’ for the past few days. Her friends Sweetie Bell and Scootaloo have not seen er’ either. I am startin’ to worry for the little filly...” Without even knowing why I was feeling pain for a pony I did not even know, I felt tears come to my eyes. I felt them come, and I tried to wipe them away. I was not saying anything out loud, but on the inside I was screaming at myself. “What the hell is wrong with you Gary? Why are you crying over ponies you don’t even know! Why are you crying for Applejack! What is this fucking place doing to you!” Applejack and Fluttershy must have seen me crying, and they both came up to me. I heard Fluttershy say something softly towards me, but my ears were buzzing, and the words were lost. I slumped on the wall in a mix of emotions. These emotions were a mixture of hatred for me, love for Fluttershy, love for Applejack, love for the lost pony, and did I mention confusion? I had no idea why I was feeling this way. I was obviously panicking the two other ponies, as I felt their hooves touch me, as if they were trying to comfort me. I sat there wallowing in the pit of my own sadness, while these two kinder than natural ponies were trying to comfort me. I tried to take in a deep breath to calm down, but it came out in shaky rasps. Fluttershy started to pet my head, like I had done to her many times. I started to slowly calm down, enjoying the tender touch that Fluttershy put into calming me down. Applejack must of saw that is what it took to calm me down, and she started to pet me as well. She was very rough at first, tugging at my air, and causing spasms of pain to shoot through my body. After a few minutes, she soon learned what she was doing, and began to pet me softer than Fluttershy did! I realized that life on the farm made you know how to handle objects carefully, and she must be treated me like one of her ripe apples. After a while, both ponies were petting my head down, and the pain inside of me seemed to disappear by their careful touch. I looked up at both of them and tried to make out the words thank you, but Applejack shushed me. She smiled down at me and said, “Now how about ah give you the food I promised yah.” I jumped up at these words, a smile painted on my face. I quickly opened the door and said, “What are we waiting for!? Let’s go!” *** Applejack’s family actually owned a table! I don’t know why this made me happy; maybe it was because some of the furniture from my past life was back to me. Homesickness I supposed. These thoughts quickly left me as I could smell food coming out from the kitchen. I sat down at the right side of the table, with my back to a window. On the other side of me sat Fluttershy, and we exchanged smiles for a second. She always seemed to make me smile when I saw her. She also made me feel warm inside... Ugh! Stop thinking about her like that weirdo! She is a pony, you are a human! It isn’t right! I slapped myself on the forehead to quickly get rid of these thoughts, and regretted it almost automatically. I did all of this in front of Fluttershy, and she just stared at me, with a hint of worry in her eye. I nervously laughed and shrugged my shoulders at her, and it seemed to make her feel better, as she turned her head away from me. The smell that was coming out of the kitchen was unlike anything I had ever smelt before. Although I missed meat, I could imagine that ponies would not eat that in this world. They were herbivores back on Earth, but what would they be here? I thought it would be rather weird to ask that to Fluttershy now, so ignored the thought. I went back to smelling the sweet smell that was lingering outside of the kitchen, as if it was calling to me like a Siren’s sweet song. The smell seemed as if it was going into my nose and making home, and it made me smile. I had no idea what food was making the smell, but I did not rather care. I just wanted the food. Inside of the kitchen, I heard Applejack yell, “Food will be ready soon everypony... and Gary!” It seemed like a joke she would be making towards me a lot, and it was rather annoying. I guess I would have to get used to it, although I will always be the odd ball out in this world. While I was thinking this, I heard a door open and close somewhere in the house. I looked up from the table and saw a massive red stallion walk into the room. For a moment, I stared in awe at him. This was the first male that he had seen in this world, and it felt rather cool! I was guessing that this was Big Macintosh, and I decided to use Earth jokes on this pony to confuse him, like I did to Applejack. While he was walking up to the table, I said, “So Big Mac, how did you get out of Mc Donald’s?” Not understanding the joke, Big Mac just stared back at me with a blank stare. Our eyes met for a moment, and he continued to stare at me. I thought that he was going to say something, but he just kept quiet. He walked over to the other side of the table and sat down on the chair. He was directly across me, and continued to stare me. For some reason, his staring did not make me uncomfortable. It just made me feel... like he was wiser than he looked. Like a man of many actions but few words. Man, I never used that saying back on Earth. This place really is making me grow soft... As I thought this, the door to the kitchen opened and Applejack walked in with a tray full of food on it. There was a mixture of salads and many types of apple dishes on top of it. As I thought before, there was no sign of meat. But at the moment, I did not mind. I just wanted to eat food quickly. Applejack laid the tray on the middle of the table and walked into the hallway of her home. I stared at the table of food that was laid in front of us, and I was struggling not to grab the plate in front of me. Big Mac continued to stare at me, and I stared back. I don’t know why, but I had a great amount of respect for this stallion. I heard a small sound beside me, and discovered Fluttershy was still beside me. I had completely forgotten she was in the room! She was just looking at the table, avoiding both of our gazes. I smiled at how shy she was; she always warmed my heat when I saw her. Her shyness must be what I like about her so much... “Gary, do we really have to go through this again..?” I whispered this to myself, and looked back at the hallway were Applejack left. I heard hoovesteps returning, and saw a fragile green mare slowly walk out of the hallway, followed by Applejack. This must be Applejacks grandmother! Without thinking, I said out loud, “Hello Mrs. Applejack! My name is Gary!” “Whaat? You’re going to have to speak up... my hearing is not what it used to be...” This old mare seemed to have trouble speaking these words, let alone walk to her chair. I felt bad for her, and it made me happy that Applejack took the time to care for her grandmother this way. “Come on Granny Smith, come sit at the head of the table!” Applejack said this softly to who I now know was named Granny Smith, and she slowly walked over to the head of the table and took her seat. Applejack walked over to the seat that was to the left of me, and sat down. She smiled up at me, and I smiled back without thinking. She reached out for the food, and grabbed a piece of salad. Everyone else around the table grabbed their food as well, and I followed this action. But for some reason, no one started to bite into their food. I watched everyone around the table, and they began to look solemn. I grew confused, and realized what they must be thinking about. We sat in complete silence, and I decided to make the first move. I put out my piece of salad and said, “I want to give a toast to Applebloom, who has gone missing. May she be found soon.” I looked over at Applejack, who seemed to have something in her eye. She started to rub her eyes, and I saw a droplet of water flow from them. I realized that she was crying. I felt my heart sink into my chest, thinking I had greatly upset her. She took her hooves from her eyes, and her tears were now flowing. What confused me was that she smiled at me with the kindest smile that I had given her seen, even kinder than Fluttershy’s! She got close to my face, as if she was going to kiss me. She managed to stutter out, “T... thank yah Gary... I know she will be found...” She started to cry again, and without thinking, I hugged her. I did not care who else was in the room, I knew she needed comfort. The mood in the room was very awkward, and I could feel it. While I was hugging Applejack, I could feel her push me away. I thought that she did not want the hug, but now she was lightly laughing. “Come on Gary. No need to be sad anymore! Let’s eat!” Every pony around the table nodded, and they all started to eat. Everyone but me. I looked over at Fluttershy out of instinct, and she seemed to look very uncomfortable. I really wanted to know what was going on in that mind of hers, as her shyness kept her from saying what she felt. I felt as if I was betraying her, yet I felt like I wasn’t at the same time. I was only helping a friend... right?