//------------------------------// // Episode 2: Settling Into The Land // Story: (NOT CANON) MLP:FIM: Andrew's Story (Season 1) // by AndrewsArchive //------------------------------// Episode 2: Settling Into The Land "Here we are! Golden Oaks Library! Bing-bang-boom!" Lachlan exclaimed as the two then reduced to walking as they got closer to the front door. "Twilight's probably panicking as usual. Or as i like to call it, Twilighting!" "Twilighting?" Andrew said unamused. "Yeah, wouldn't be surprised if that caught on with the others sometime soon!" Lachlan replied as he knocked on the door. Twilight Sparkle then opened the door and smiled at the boys. "Hello, boys!" Twilight greeted the human and dingo. "I didn't expect you to show up so early!" "Well let's just say... Lachlan was a bit to eager to get on the road..." Andrew replied as Lachlan gave a guilty chuckle. "Sorry, I couldn't resist!" Lachlan said. "Well I'm glad to have you two here, nonetheless!" Twilight replied as she brought the two inside. There, they met none other than the other five friends of Twilight. Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Applejack. (Yes, even Spike) In which they all smiled and greeted Andrew and Lachlan as they walked in. "Howdy boys!" Applejack said first. "Glad to see ya both made it here in one piece!" "Yeah..." Andrew said, remembering how nauseating it was when he Lachlan sped him through town. Andrew then felt Pinkie wrap him into a bear hug as she squeezed tight. "Ohh! Andrew! I've missed you so much! I was wondering if you would ever come back!" "C-Can't... breathe!" Andrew said. "Oh, sorry!" Pinkie replied as she loosened her grip on Andrew. "Y-you're not still mad about... what happened all those months ago..." Fluttershy asked nervously. "Hey, don’t worry about it, Fluttershy." Andrew said. "I said I forgave you girls, didn't I?" "Yeah, forgive and forget!" Lachlan spoke up, "It's all in the past now!" "Good point, buddy!" Rainbow Dash said, "Couldn't have said it better myself! Well... maybe..." "So anyway, Twilight." Rarity said, "You said we were here to discuss on how Andrew here is going to live here in Ponyville, yes?" "Exactly, Rarity." Twilight replied, "Since Andrew here is moving here in Ponyville. I want us all to make him feel more comfortable than last time." "So, what yer' sayin is that one of us should take him in, Sugarcube?" Applejack asked. "Err... sort of..." Twilight said as she turned her attention to Andrew, "But that's only if your okay with that idea. Because you can still live on your own if you choose." "Well, I don't really care either way." Andrew said, "But who'd be willing to let me live with them?" "Well.... I was gonna offer..." Rainbow Dash spoke up, "But I don't think you can stand on clouds like Pegasi can..." "Well, ah'd also offer," Applejack said, "But uhh... I dunno if you'd be willin' to work all day, Andrew..." "I'd volunteer if I could," Lachlan said, "But I obviously live with mom and Auntie Luna, so..." "Oh no worries, darlings." Rarity said, "I'll be happy to take him in!" "A-Are you sure?" Andrew asked, "I mean you don't hav-" "Oh pish-posh!" Rarity scoffed as she flapped her hoof, "I'm called the Element of Generosity, am I not?" Andrew just shrugged, "If you insist then..." "Then it's settled!" Twilight said, "Andrew is going to live with Rarity for the time being!" "Well... I was going to suggest... but it's okay..." Fluttershy said, a little disappointed that she couldn’t give Andrew hospitality. Andrew and Rarity walked together towards the latter's home, The Carousel Boutique. Andrew himself was in complete awe at the sight of the building. "Quite the sight, isn't it darling?" Rarity spoke up. "Welcome to the Carousel Boutique! The home of the most gorgeous and dazzling dresses and clothing anypony could ever lay their eyes upon." "Wow, no offense, but that's kind of an odd way to describe a building." Andrew said, Back where I'm from, people use these as attractions you'd see at a carnival like merry-go-rounds where we'd ride fake horses that were on poles. Rarity’s eyes went wide at Andrew's description. "Um... yes let's get inside and get you settled in now, shall we?" She replied a little unnerved. "Was that awkward or something? I... I didn’t mean-" "Oh n-no! No worries!" Rarity smiled before whispering to herself. 'I just hope you don't bring that up ever again...' The two then enter the boutique as Andrew looked around as he was once again in awe. There was a workroom, which Rarity does much of her designing. The room was stocked full with materials and supplies such as mirrors, a couch, mannequins that took the shape of ponies, movable screens, and even a small display stage. "Now then, darling. I hope you can make yourself at home here." Rarity said. "It may be a bit of a downgrade from living in luxury up in Canterlot." "Eh... Royalty isn't my thing, Rarity. I'll be fine." Andrew assured. "Now then, you take a seat on the couch while I get you something to drink." Rarity said, "Do you have any preferences?" "Well... lemonade sounds good if you have any..." Andrew replied as he took a seat on Rarity's couch. "Oh, but I do!" Rarity confirmed as she quickly walked to her kitchen. "Don't go anywhere, darling~" As Rarity left the room, Andrew took some time to gaze at the interior of the boutique again. He didn't think finding a place to live was going to be easy, but he was also astonished at Rarity's generosity. of course, that was her main element according to Lachlan. But something else felt... odd about her to him. Andrew's eyes widened; did he think Rarity was beautiful?! No... he can't think that. She's a pony and he's a human. There's no way the relationship could work... And what would the others think of him? What about Spike? Lachlan always said that he had a crush on her... Andrew's thoughts were put on hold when he suddenly noticed a small white Persian cat jump onto the couch. The cat had a purple collar with a small gem on it and it wore a purple bowtie on its head. This cat was none other than Opalescence as she just stared at Andrew. "Huh, I didn't know that Rarity owned a cat..." Andrew said, Opalescence just kept her head up and turned away from him, merely seeing Andrew as nothing but an inferior being. But she was then taken aback as she felt Andrew's fingers in her fur as he gave her a nice scratch on the back. The white cat didn't know what to think about what Andrew was doing to her, but it felt... oddly pleasing. 'Perhaps this creature isn't so bad of he can use those... whatever carrot looking mini hooves he had,' Opalescence thought as she started purring. "I knew I could get you one way or another." Andrew smirked as he continued petting the white cat. Rarity then finally returned with a huge jug of lemonade and two small cups to go with it. She then noticed Andrew petting Opal and just giggled. "I see you've gotten along with Opal, darling." Rarity smiled as she started pouring the lemonade before handing it to Andrew. "Now then, I suggest you drink up while it's still cold." Andrew took note as he started drinking the sour yet sweet liquid. Little did he know that him being at the boutique was the perfect distraction for somewhere else in Ponyville. Pinkie was basically setting up Sugarcube Corner for the party she was throwing for Andrew's arrival. Doing things such as blowing up balloons, putting up streamers, and baking a chocolate cake in the oven. But she wasn't alone in the party setup as Lachlan too was also helping by doing all of the above as quickly as possible. "Excellent work my apprentice!" Pinkie said as she mockingly rubbed her hooves together as if she was an evil mastermind. "Ight, what's next?" Lachlan said, "Why we get the girls, silly!" Pinkie replied, "It'd be a boring party if it'd just be me, you, and him!" "True that Pinkster. True that." "Now hurry, go get the girls!" Pinkie said as Lachlan quickly sped out the exit after comically doing a salute. The dingo raced across the town in search of Twilight, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy. As he had to let Rarity continue to distract Andrew from knowing.