//------------------------------// // Chapter Six // Story: A Strange But Familiar Place // by KP9457 //------------------------------// Chapter Six A Party For Me The next day I began my day as usual, got up, got ready and then went to work. Today after work however instead of grabbing a bite to eat and heading back to the hotel, I went over to the park to help Fluttershy plant some trees and do some other landscaping. Once I found Fluttershy she directed me and told me what she needed done. Fluttershy told me to move some rocks and place them along the path, plant five birch trees and help her tack out some grass for a new flower bed. I finished with the rocks and moved on to the trees, when I got to the fourth tree I heard Fluttershy talking to another pony but I couldn’t make out the other pony voice. I heard Fluttershy say “Oh my yes. Maverick is a big help to have around. He is quite strong to.” After a few moments I heard hooves behind before I could turn around to see who it was, the pony had already began talking to me, “Howdy Maverick, I hear you’re helpin Fluttershy do some gardening?” I turned around and saw Applejack standing there glowing in the sun, I paused for a second and then responded “Yup, Fluttershy asked for some help and I’m always willing to give a hoof for a friend.” “That’s very nice of you; I was actually wondering if you could do something for me?” She asked smiling back at me. “Sure thing, what is it?” I asked her “Big Mac can’t haul apples tomorrow night; I was hoping maybe you could?” Applejack said to me. “For sure right after I’m done at the Carousel Boutique tomorrow.” I replied smiling back. “Thank you so much Maverick. Oh my I better get going. Bye guys.” Applejack said before running off. Fluttershy and I waved at Applejack as she left. After some time had passed, the sun began to go down the trees were planted and most of the flower bed was cut out Fluttershy told me as she looked at me “I think we should maybe call it a day Maverick.” “Alright Fluttershy I will see you later then.” I told her as I began to make my way to the Ponyville Pizzeria. I arrived at the Pizzeria and picked up a cheese pizza, paid then left. Out of the Pizzeria I thought to myself “Frig! I miss having meat!” After a few minutes I arrived at the hotel nodded at Mr. Keeper, headed up to my room, cleaned up, ate then went to bed. Walking up the next morning I was a bit late, so I hurried out of the hotel and ran to the boutique. When I got there Rarity told me it was fine and I began to work as usual. The day passed normally until about half an hour before we closed Rarity turns to me and tells me “I have to make this urgent delivery. Here take the spare key to the boutique and when you leave just lock p and bring the key with you tomorrow.” I nodded in agreement and I continued to work for the reminder of the day. When quitting time came around I turned the lights off turned the sign to close and locked the door behind me as I left. Once I left I headed towards Sweet Apple Acres to help Applejack out. When I got to Sweet Apple Acres I looked around for a bit and didn’t see anypony, I yelled out “Hey Applejack you here!” “Yeah just come into the barn!” Applejack yelled back from inside the barn I walked up to the barn inside, it was pitch black until “SURPRISE!!” was shouted and the lights went on and the music started. I was shocked, and as I began to look around and saw a banner saying “WELCOME TO PONYVILLE MAVERICK” and all of these ponies here to welcome me into the town. As I looked around I began to see everypony there from Applejack to Derpy Hooves. Pinkie quickly ran over to me and exclaimed “ARE YOU SURPRISED? HEY ARE YOU, ARE YOU?” With a stunned look on my face the only words I could say was “WOW!” grinning from ear to ear. ‘Is this just for me?” I asked everypony. “It sure is sugar cube.” Applejack told me Then all of the ponies in the room walked up to me and wished me a welcome to Ponyville. As I thanked each one of them, Rarity, Applejack, Twilight Sparkle, Flutteshy, Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash walked up with two packages in hand, “Here you go Maverick a little present from your friends here in Ponyville.” Twilight said. The first one was smaller than the other, so I decided to open it first. As I began to unwrap it I saw that it was one of the few things I missed from earth, a pair of black sunglasses, I almost began to cry when I pulled them out. “This is totally awesome you guys, Thank you so much.” I told them. “You are welcome Maverick. But you still have this one.” Rarity said pushing the other package towards me. I grabbed it and began opening it, once I could see the color I knew exactly what it was. The saddle bag I designed with Rarity was now in my hooves, I couldn’t help but start smiling from ear to ear. I looked over at Rarity noticing that she had begun to smile because of me. “It’s unbelievable thank you so much!” I announced. Rarity and all others began to chuckle a bit then we did a group hug. Pinkie quickly shouted “HEY VINYL SCRATCH LETS GET THIS PARTY STARTED!” Just like that the music began pumping through the speakers, Applejack turned to me and asked “Hey Mave you wanna grab a drink?” I nodded in agreement as we began to walk towards a table setup with drinks on it and kegs behind, there was a grey stallion with a light red mane and tail. “Hi there you two what can I get you?” He asked. As I looked at his selection I locked on to what was written on one of the kegs “Corona Extra”. As I was about to speak up Applejack cut me off saying “One Corona Brew Master.” “Make that two.” I told him. “Coming right up.” Brew Master said, and after a few seconds he grabbed two Coronas, which we graciously accepted. We finished our drinks and then a pink blur grabbed me and brought me on to the dance floor, when I saw who it was Pinkie had already began dancing so I figured whatever I’ll dance. We danced for a few hours with all of the ponies, then took a break and went over to the drink table and asked for another Corona. “Alright, and by the way my name is Brew Master and I run the Pub here in Ponyville.” He said nodding back at me. “Maverick and I may need to come by and check your place out.” We shared a quick laugh and some small talk while I finished my drink. Once I finished my drink I looked at the crowed and saw Applejack standing by herself. That’s when I got the idea to ask her for a dance, I walked up to Vinyl Scratch first asking for what she had for country love songs. She showed me what she had, I was shocked at the amount of country Vinyl Scratch had, as I was searching I came across Luke Bryan’s Drunk On You, so I asked Vinyl Scratch to play it after the next song. Vinyl Scratch agreed and I asked Applejack to dance, she agreed. We enjoyed the first song which was a song native to Equestria that I was not familiar with. Then Vinyl Scratch came across the speakers “Hey everypony we are going to slow things down for the last song of the night.” Applejack and I began to dance slowly in each other’s arms. The song ended with us gazing into each other’s eyes and I got caught up in the heat of the moment and asked her “Would you like to go out on a date Friday night?” After what felt like a life time, she responded with “I would love that.” We talked for a bit longer then the rest of the ponies and myself began to make our ways home. Walking back to the hotel I was giddy thinking to myself “I’ve got a date with AJ, holy mother of Celestia!”