Chapter 3: Apples and Oranges
“Are you ready to see your new home, dear?” she asked, looking back at Space Butler.
“Miss Rarity, I am ready for anything,” he replied. He allowed himself to stretch his arms, keeping them behind his back so that he didn’t draw attention.
“Then let’s go home,” she said, a slight smile on her face.
The faithful butler stepped through the front doors of Ponyville General, following behind Rarity with a controlled dignity.
It had been a quick, albeit boring week for the butler. The doctors stated that he would be staying for at least a month. There was concern over the hole in his side. As far as they knew, the injury came from a blast of unicorn magic, which would have made recovery more difficult. Of course, Space Butler knew different. After 5 days of rest and some healing magic, he was ready to go. The last couple of days were spent with paperwork and a few tests, and some measurements from Rarity. The doctors wanted information on humans for future use. Ponyville’s fashionista wanted her information for his new suit.
The suit he was wearing as they left. It was just like the suit he wore his entire life. The top was a lavish purple (same color as the mare’s mane), with a red inner lining. Underneath were a purple vest and a neatly pressed shirt. On his collar was a neatly tied red bowtie. His pants matched his jacket, with black dress shoes. The only item missing were his gloves, as whipping up a pair was harder than Rarity first thought. It’s not every day that she makes something with fingers on them.
Space Butler followed behind Rarity as they made their way through town. With curiosity in his eyes, he looked at the town and populace, and took in as much as he could.
It seemed the ponies of Equestria had a lot in common with people from his world. Shopping, socializing, children playing with their friends. It was a nice, quiet place.
As the duo made their way through town, Space Butler did notice a few looks here and there. The majority were from the children of Ponyville. They have seen griffons and minotaurs, but a human was never seen before.
He also noticed a few murmurs, but they were from the adults. One of them caught themselves, realizing that they were heard. The mare gave a wave, embarrassed by being overheard. Always the gentleman, he responded with a wave of his hand and a slight bow.
Rarity, oblivious to the looks, trotted along, a slight bounce apparent in her step. While she had friends and acquaintances at Ponyville General, she didn’t like being at a hospital. Those gowns were horrid! Her thoughts were interrupted when Space Butler walked up beside her.
“I must say, Miss Rarity,” he started, “Ponyville is quite the nice little town. You must love living here.”
She looks up at him, a warm smile on her face.
“Oh yes, Ponyville is just a wonderful place. I lived here for most of my life.” She sighs. “But, what I wouldn’t give to move up to Canterlot…”
The butler paused for a second. “Miss Rarity, I thought you loved it here.”
“Oh, don’t get me wrong dear, I love Ponyville. I love my friends and the people here too. It’s just… I want to make it big. My fashion has been a big hit here, and I am so thankful for that, but I want my fashion to spread across all of Equestria. Whenever they think of the latest trends, I want them to think ‘Is that Rarity’s work?’ and get excited.” She looks away, staring in Canterlot’s direction. “If I can make it in Canterlot, I know my dream of becoming Equestria’s premier fashionista will come true.”
She looked back at Space Butler with a sheepish grin. “And, and I’d be able to have the princesses show off my latest ensembles if I lived there.”
“Ah, I see,” he said. Over the last week, Rarity has explained as much as she could about Equestria. While she wasn’t able to cover everything, the butler had enough information to get around on his own, should he need to.
A few minutes later, the two stopped. “Well,” Rarity said, “here we are. Welcome to your new home!”
The butler takes in his new home. It was a very unique place, compared to the other buildings around the area. It was a two story home, with large windows and pillars on the bottom floor. Looking up, the top floor had a carousel, with what appeared to be an outlook at the very top. Well, he mused to himself, I can see why she named it Carousel Boutique.
Rarity was about to open the door, when Space Butler rushed past her. She was confused as he grasped the doorknob.
“Miss Rarity, it is highly improper that you open the door yourself,” he stated. “Allow me to welcome you home.” He gave the unicorn mare a courteous bow, one befitting of his butler lineage.
“My, how sweet!” she beamed. “You are quite the gentlecolt!” Rarity walked in, the butler following suit.
***
The next few days were a nice, if only a little rough. Space Butler, being a tidy man, went into a panic when he saw the “mess” that was Rarity’s work room. After serving a delightful lunch, Rarity left for an appointment at a local health spa. She mentioned that it was a weekly thing she did with a Miss Fluttershy, who was a close friend of the fashion mare. While she was away, the butler got to work. A short time later, he finished up, the room pristine.
Rarity, however, had the mess set up the way it was on purpose. When she came home, she nearly fainted at the sight of her work room, Space Butler quick to save her from hitting the floor. After a stern talking to, the butler put everything back in place. Rarity was shocked; everything was put back right where she laid it. To say she was impressed was an understatement.
The next day was better, but both still needed to get used to each other. For Rarity, she had never been waited on like this before. Having Space Butler cook the meals, clean the floors, and help out as needed was truly a delight for the fashionista. For Space Butler, it was all the compliments he got. He was thanked for all the work he did. While he is used to the occasional thank you from previous masters, serving Rarity was different. Obviously, part of it was because she was a pony, but it wasn’t the only thing. For the first time he could remember, he felt appreciated.
He liked that.
The next morning, the butler was busy making a delicious breakfast of pancakes and toast, with a grape jelly on the side (per Rarity’s request). As he dusted some powdered sugar on the last pancake, he heard a knock at the door. Taking off the apron, the butler headed to the door, and greeted the early visitor. Standing in the doorway was an orange earth pony, with a blonde mane and disheveled Stetson on her hair.
The earth pony steps back at the sight of the butler. “Er… Excuse me,” she started, a slight twinge of fear in her eyes, “but who and what are ya, stranger?”
The butler straightens up, and gives a deep bow. “Miss, my name is Space Butler, and I am the faithful servant of Miss Rarity.”
The earth mare eased up a little, although there was still a bit of uncertainty. “W-well, it’s nice to meet ya, mister. Mah name’s AppleJack,” she said, holding out a hoof.
Not one to be rude, Space Butler took her hoof in hand, and gave it a light kiss. “Charmed to meet you, Miss Applejack. How may I help you this morning?”
Applejack pulled back, her face reddened. “Ah, well if it isn’t too much trouble, I was wonderin’ if Rarity could patch up mah hat,” she said, looking up at the damaged Stetson. “I had some trouble with some of the trees back on the farm, and mah hat got stuck on a branch when the wind picked up. I was able to get it down with help from Big Mac, but it got damaged.”
The butler straightens up. “I understand, Miss Applejack. Once Miss Rarity wakes up, I’ll let her know about your predicament.”
“There’s no need for that, dear,” the two heard from behind Space Butler. He turned around to see Rarity awake, coming down the stairs in a fluffy white robe. “Space Butler, you should know, my friends are always welcome at my home, no matter the time of day. Always be sure to make them feel welcome.” She looked past him. “Applejack, darling, please come in! We simply must fix that hat of yours!”
Space Butler, embarrassed at his faux pas, stepped aside and let the earth pony in. After arranging a seat for her at the table, he prepared a second breakfast for their new guest.
***
The next hour was spent with Rarity and Applejack catching up on things. With the apple season getting underway, the earth pony was busy with all aspects of Sweet Apple Acres. The Stetson, which was banged up and torn from some bad wind, was taken to Rarity’s workroom, ready to be mended. As Rarity headed off to restore the hat to its original brilliance, Space Butler listened to Applejack as she told him about the farm.
Or, that was what was going to happen, before the door to the boutique burst open.
In the doorway stood 3 small figures, the daylight outside masked their appearances.
Wasting no time, the butler rushed to a picture that was hanging on the wall. He moved it aside, and smacked the button hidden underneath. He heard gasps as a cage trapped two of them, the third barely escaping. Rushing over, he reached into his vest, pulling out a small six shooter. He pins down the intruder, points the gun at its head, and-
“WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!” screamed the little white unicorn. As he pulled the gun back, he looked over at who they were.
Pinned down was a white unicorn filly, with a pink/purple mane. Inside the cage were a yellow earth filly with a red mane, and a little orange Pegasus with a pink mane. All three had tears running down their cheeks. The unicorn filly bawled her eyes out.
“What the hay did you do that for, Space Butler?!” Applejack exclaimed, letting the fillies out of the cage. All three went up and hugged the older mare.
The butler went silent. He recalled these little fillies from a conversation he had with Rarity while in the hospital. The little unicorn was Sweetie Bell, Rarity’s sister. The earth filly was Applebloom, and the Pegasus was Scootaloo. He felt even worse once he realized that Applebloom was Applejack’s little sister.
“I-I’m sorry, Miss Applejack,” he stuttered. “I should never have put those fillies in danger.” And with that, another cage dropped down above him. He went to hold the bars, which proceeded to shock him.
Applejack kept her distance, not sure what to do in this situation. Sweetie Bell, however, walked up to the cage, while keeping a safe distance away from it.
“Mister, it’s alright,” she started. “We didn’t mean to scare you like that. None of us are hurt, so please don’t punish yourself.”
The butler looked at the little group. They were all so… cute! He understood the error he made, and recalled the cage. Getting down to their level, the butler gave them all a bow.
“I am sorry for the scare, girls. My name is Space Butler. And if I recall correctly, you must be the ‘Cutie Mark Crusaders’. Please, allow this old butler to make it up to the three of you.”
With that, the butler spent the next few hours entertaining the CMC. He had a variety of games available for them. Monopony, pin the tail on the donkey and the classic hide and seek were all played. Applejack, weary of what happened, stayed and watched them, if only to make sure no one was hurt.
As Space Butler was out looking for the CMC, Rarity came down, oblivious to anything that happened while she was working.
“Well, dear,” she begins, “your hat was much more damaged than I thought. Worry not, though, because it is as good as new!”
Using her magic, she levitated the repaired Stetson over to Applejack. It looked like it was brand new, as the earth mare couldn’t find a single thing wrong with it. “Why thank you, Rarity. I sure do appreciate this.”
“Oh, it’s no trouble at all,” she sings. She then took a look around. “Say, have you seen Space Butler? He’s usually waiting for me…”
Applejack laughed. “Oh, don’t you worry about him, sugarcube. He’s outside, playin’ with Sweetie Bell and the gang.” She looks up at the unicorn. “Did ya need him for somethin’?”
Rarity let out a giggle. “Oh, I don’t need him right now, dear. But could you do me a favor?” Applejack nods, and Rarity leaned in to whisper the request, afraid that her new butler would somehow overhear them.
Applejack looks at her, and lets out a laugh. “Aw, shucks, I can do that! When do you want it to happen?”
The fashionista thought about it for a second. “Tonight would be perfect, dear.”
“Alrighty then, I’ll let her know right away,” the earth pony said, walking out the door.
***
On a train bound for Ponyville, a familiar lavender unicorn sat in a private room, reading her latest book. Over the last few days, Twilight Sparkle was in Canterlot, catching up with Princess Celestia and her family. Her latest book, a report on the habits of non-equine species, was already half-way finished. Taking a small break, she looked out at the countryside. It was another beautiful day in Equestria’s countryside.
The door to the room slid open, and Twilight looks over. It was a small purple dragon with green scales on his head. He had something in his hands.
“Spike,” she said, “What do you have? I thought I told you to only get juice?”
Spike responds, looking excited. “I did Twilight! But this nice man gave me this doll. What do you think?”
Twilight looked over at the item he held. It was a strange little doll. It had a dull, yellow fur, with round ears. For some reason, it reminded her of a bear. It also had small, pink shorts and this weird stick in its hand. Spike squeezed it, and it made this weird “puchu” sound.
“Well,” Spike repeated, “what do you think?”
She stared at it, a word popped up in her mind.
“It’s… It’s cute.”