//------------------------------// // Chapter VIII: Nothing Can Stop Me From Trying // Story: Assumptions // by EminenceGris //------------------------------// Assumptions VIII: Nothing Can Stop Me From Trying   Caramel looked around the room, his vision still blurry. He’d never been there, but it felt strangely familiar. The dark wooden panelling on the walls had a delicate of pattern of apples and apple blossoms carved into it. He tried to sit up, only to realize he had been lying on a bed. He took his front hooves out from underneath the thick, old-fashioned quilt. He turned around, only to face a long, flowing, platinum-blonde mane poking out from underneath the quilt next to him. He did a double take. He then leaned closer to the mare he’d just apparently spent the night with. The closer he got, the stronger the smell of cinnamon and apples filling his nostrils became. He extended his hoof, which was now shaking wildly and his heart felt like it was going to jump out of his chest. Reaching out, he felt the flaxen texture of the mare's luxurious hair. Just as he tried to get a closer look, his companion turned around.   “Good morning, Caramel.”     The stallion suddenly froze up. His pupils dilated as his jaw dropped. From underneath the long, blonde mane, a pair of large magenta eyes, set in a small delicate cyan face looked at him, puzzled.             “What are you staring at? Oh, I bet you never had a mare in your bed, huh? Maybe I was wrong… You are too lame for Applejack”     “Now hold on, sugar cube!” a husky voice from the other side of the bed objected. Caramel turned around. A pair of large emeralds, set beneath a silky-smooth multi-coloured mane now pierced the mare on the other side of his bed. “Yeah, what would know? You barely even notice him,” the light-blue mare huffed. “At least Ah don’t treat ‘im like dirt half th’ time.” “Yeah, well…,” the blonde mare was at loss for words. She sat up, opened her wings and jumped at the orange mare, knocking Caramel out of the bed. Caramel did a back flip, and felt himself falling remarkably slowly, as if he was suspended in some liquid. He suddenly felt cold. The last thing he saw before he hit the ground were the two mares, gnashing their teeth and pulling at each other’s hair. >> With a low thud, Caramel hit the cold, hard floor. He inhaled a few times; the warmth and the smell of apples and cinnamon now definitely gone. He opened his eyes only to see the bottom of his own night-stand. He looked around to see his small, familiar room.  He crawled back onto the bed and shook his head. What a crazy dream. What the hay could it possibly mean?     A few abrupt knocks on his window interrupted that train of thought. He stood up and trotted towards the window, stretching his hooves and yawning. Pulling the drapes open, the sharp unforgiving sunlight blinded him for a while. What time is it anyway? Blinking a few times he yawned once again, not even covering his mouth. He looked up at the source of the noise: a delicate hovering figure with a flowing mane.     The small cyan hoof once again pounded against the glass pane.     “Hey! Let me in!” Rainbow Dash shouted; the sound of her voice muffled by the closed window.     Caramel opened the window, his expression still groggy. “What…?”     “Uh. It’s half past eight already. Please don’t tell me you’ve just woken up. If I don’t have breakfast now, I’ll be late,” the mare replied, pushing her way inside.   “WHAT!?” Caramel screeched. “Oh Celestia, I overslept! What will I do?” He started pacing around his room, shaking his head and muttering obscenities.     The mare landed in front of him and put her front hooves up on his shoulders. “Look at me. Look… at… me!”     The stallion reluctantly looked at her. She wasn’t exactly smiling, but seeing her face up close calmed him down.   “Now, stop acting foalish. Go and put together something simple, in the meantime,” she said with a sense of mission, inhaling deeply, “I’ll make us some tea.” >> Rainbow Dash looked at her fruit salad. The hastily chopped bits of apples, oranges, raisins and a generous portion of stalk celery mocking her from the bowl which usually held a sweet, steaming portion of caramel oats. Helping herself to some honey, she looked at Caramel, who still had a shock of horror on his face. “You… you burnt the tea… I didn’t even know that was possible…” he whimpered as he poured her a glass of cold milk.   “None of this would have happened if you didn’t keep on sleeping in. Seriously, you’ve been acting really weird since Hearth’s Warming,” Rainbow Dash countered. “It’s been two weeks! Are you really that upset about your brother and Lucky?”     “Not at all. It’s just,” he paused for a minute, pushing the memory of his dream out of his consciousness, “I’ve been having these horrible, horrible nightmares.” He shuddered at the mental image of Rainbow Dash with Applejack’s hair.     “What about?” the pegasus inquired, as she dived straight into her bowl, sending bits of celery flying through the room..     Charming, Caramel thought. “Uhm,” he hesitated. Should I tell her the truth? “Uhm – I guess you could say that a certain pony keeps on disrupting an otherwise perfectly pleasant dream.” His face relaxed in a goofy smile, ears drooping sheepishly as his eyes lost focus. “Hey!” she exclaimed, noticing the vacant look on her friend’s face. “Snap out of it!”     Caramel blinked as the cyan mare disturbed his peace once again. “I guess you’re right.” He sighed. “Of course I am,” she said, wiping her muzzle with her front hoof. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m late to work.” She turned to leave. “Dash!” He extended his hoof as she turned to leave. Rainbow Dash felt heat rising into her face, her cyan cheeks turning a slight shade of pink. He called me Dash. She did not turn around to face him, simply standing on the spot. “Wh-what is it?” she asked, her voice suddenly weaker. “Y-you remember you said you might help me become a better stallion for Applejack,” he blurted out. “Would you?” Rainbow Dash suddenly regretted her words from two weeks ago. “Fine, but just this once. I’ll come after work. There better be dinner,” she replied, her tone hollow. Caramel wanted to thank her, but the mare was faster. With considerable speed, she ran into his room and flung herself out of his window, blending into the blue sky.. Stupid Caramel. She stretched her whole body as the wind came roaring past her body, whipping her hair into her face, causing her to tear up. But if that’s what he wants… >> Big Macintosh looked once at the crumpled letter in his hoof. He gave a deep sigh, and reread it once again. Dear Mr. Macintosh Apple, We are sending you this letter to remind you that (a) book(s) you have borrowed from Ponyville Public Library are overdue. The book(s) in question is/are Supernatural: Household Pests Taken out on December 9, to be returned before or on January 9. We urge you to return this book, as we will be charging a nominal fee of 0.1 B a day until returned.             Yours Faithfully,             Twilight Sparkle            Librarian            This is an automatically generated message, please do not respond. He put the note down on the richly decorated mantelpiece and took a seat in front of the fire. The book was already a few days overdue anyway, and it’s not like would miss those few bits. However, he’d have to get it back first.     The living room creaked silently, and his grown-up sister entered. “Heya, big brother. What are ya doin’ here? It’s almost time fer lunch.”     Macintosh passed her the note and nodded at it gravely. Applejack screwed up her eyes in concentration and bobbed her head from side to side as she read the note. She scratched her forehead. “So, yer book is overdue? Why not just give it back.”   “Ah-Ah lent it tah Miss F… Ah mean somepony.” He answered, avoiding Applejack’s skeptical gaze.     “Well why don’t ya go get it back from this pony?” She shook her head, surveyed the note again and added jokingly. “Is mah big brother scared?”   Macintosh froze, shivers running down his spine. “Eeyup” he muttered under his breath.   “Exactly… What!?” Applejack jumped up, startled. “Now who in Ponyville might you be scared of? Yer the largest, strongest stallion around.” She mused. “Unless it’s one of them unicorns with some mighty powerful magic. But that’s only Twilight, an’ if she had the book she wouldn’t want it back. So who has it?”     “Uhm…” There was no point of hiding it. Applejack would find out eventually. “Miss Fluttershy,” he murmured.     Applejack exploded with laughter. “R-really, big brother. Yer-yer scared of Fluttershy?” she tried to stifle her giggles "Sure, she can stare them critters down when she’s scared, but yer just gonna get a book back. There’s no reason tah be afraid of Fluttershy…”     “She-she’s the one.” The stallion whispered, turning a deeper shade of crimson. Applejack did not seem to notice, her eyes closed, her hooves crossed, as she continued to lecture her older brother: “She’s the one… what? She’s the one who has yer book. Now you go out there mister and make this right, Ah don’t want Twilight tah think we’re dishonest ponies, not returnin’ her… wait…” Applejack’s mind connected the dots. She opened her eye to see her mountain of a brother reduced to a pitiful pile on their living room floor. “Well, in that case even more reason to go talk to her. Now come on, let’s make the final preparations for that zap apple harvest. Ya can get ready tah talk to Fluttershy after we’re done.” She finished resolutely. Applejack trotted out of the room happily, while Macintosh was left lying on the floor, pondering. He closed his eyes and grit his teeth. Im not stallion enough for her. How could she ever want a simple farmpony like me? Surely, she’d want one of her own kind, or somepony with magic. He stood up, his legs shaking like foals’. He took a few deep breaths and regained his composure. He stood tall now, his mane falling nonchalantly across his forehead. He rolled the hay sprig in his mouth and half-closed his dark emerald eyes. Eeeyup. >> Big Macintosh walked slowly towards the Everfree Forest as just as the sun was setting behind the rolling hills of Sweet Apple Acres. The cold had set in, and the soft breeze caused chills to run down the red giant’s spine. Well, that, and the thought of confronting Fluttershy. What will Ah say? Better just ask fer the book an’ go home. With every step, his pace became a bit more unsteady, his mouth drier and his eyes opened a bit wider. Eventually, he just trotted on without purpose, just placing one unsteady hoof in front of the other. Lost in his thoughts, the massive stallion collided with the solid oak door of Fluttershy’s cottage. The unexpected impact sent him falling down on his haunches. He made no effort to stand up, instead he seated himself and waited, his eyes slowly closing with each passing second as he struggled to find inner peace. Fluttershy stood with her back against the door, her heart pounding wildly against her ribcage. She already saw him coming through her window, but wasn’t prepared for him to try and force his way in. What does he want from me? Why did he try to break the door? Has Ponyville finally run out of mares? Her head was spinning. She couldn’t believe that such a pony could be Applejack’s brother. She took a deep breath. Come on Fluttershy, you have defeated a dragon. What chance does he stand? “Wh-what is it? What do you want?” she wheezed. On the other side of the door, Macintosh was certain he heard a voice. It was so quiet, so gentle, but he couldn’t make out the words. “Miss Fluttershy? Are you there?” “Ye-Yes,” she whispered. “Miss Fluttershy, do you mind me askin’, do ya still have that book Ah gave you?” The yellow pegasus holding back the door gave a big sigh of relief. He just wants his book back. “Wh-why? You need the book back?” Big Macintosh could barely make out the words, but being a quiet pony, he’d learnt to listen, something he was now thankful for. “Eeeyup. It’s from th’ library, and Ah need tah bring it back. There might be other ponies needin’ it.” The red stallion exhaled loudly. He had no idea why Fluttershy was acting the way she was. What have I ever done to her? Sure, we haven’t ever talked, but that’s no reason to be so fearful. He waited for a reaction. He strained his senses, yet he couldn’t hear a thing, save for a faint flutter of wings on the other side of the heavy door. “Uhm, Big Macintosh,” a faint voice from the other side replied. “Eeeyup,” the stallion replied, his tone hopeful. “I’ll just try to slide the book under the door for you. Is that okay?” Fluttershy asked and started sliding the book under the door. Why don’t I just open the door and give it to him? No, no. It’s best if I never see him again. “Eeeyup,” the stallion replied. He looked closer at the gap between the ground and the door. It was a narrow slit of light, through which warm air wafted into the dark cold evening. He lay down and inspected it more closely, pressing his face against the door. He could feel the warm air tickling his face, an intoxicating mixture of inexplicable aromas of fresh hay, lemon, vanilla and butter filling his nostrils. He inhaled deeply and the heat rose into his face. He closed his eyes and laid down his head by the narrow slit. On the other side of the door, Fluttershy was struggling to push the thick encyclopedia through the narrow gap. After a few futile moments, she sat down to lean against the door, panting. I’ll just have to open the door. I’ll just give him the book and shut it again. She took a deep breath and called out. “I’m opening the door now!” The stallion, lost in his thoughts of the shy pegasus heard a faint sound emanating from the other side of the door. He raised his head slightly. “Huh?” BANG! The door of the cottage swung open, with full force of Fluttershy’s strength behind it, hitting Big Macintosh squarely on his forehead. His vision became blurred as he drifted into unconsciousness. Wow. She’s got some strength in her. For a few seconds, Fluttershy stood at the door, puzzled. She looked around, but there was nopony there. She expected to be met with the sight of the stallion’s broad chest, such was their size difference. Was he gone? She was sure she heard a response from him, and she opened the door as fast as she could, mustering all her strength. Then she looked down and let out a shocked gasp. In front of her, the large pony laid on his stomach, unmoving, a thin scarlet thread winding down from his forehead, running down along his orange mane. Fluttershy reacted on an instinct, her hoof automatically pressing against the stallion’s neck. She searched for his pulse, her hoof moving up to his lower jaw. She found the spot. She could feel his warmth, his heartbeat increasing with every second her hoof laid on him. She exhaled, thanking Celestia. The wound is just a small cut, and the rest is probably just a concussion. She inspected the stallion again, walking around his impressive, motionless physique. For the first time, she could truly appreciate his size. There was no way she could carry him all the way to Sweet Apple Acres. He’d have to spend the night. “Angel bunny!” she called inside her cottage. “Could you please fetch the first aid kit?” She gritted her teeth and leaned against the earth pony, moving him ever so slightly into her cottage. She panted. This was going to be a tiring night. >> Rainbow Dash led Caramel well outside of Ponyville. If he wants to impress Applejack, he’ll have to act like a real stallion! Her tail flicked irritably as they reached the edge of Whitetail Wood. Caramel simply followed her, keeping quiet, sensing that his companion was in no mood for conversation. The closer he got to her, the faster she flew, so that eventually, he ended up galloping after one of the fastest pegasi in the land. “S-Stop. P-please,” he huffed as he collapsed onto the ground. “You know… I cannot expect you to look like Big Macintosh or your brother,” she paused and pondered the thought of well-built Caramel, but quickly dispelled these thoughts waving her hoof in front of her face, “but you have to put a bit more effort into yourself. A little bit of exercise never killed anyone.” “What are we doing here?” Caramel asked as he looked at the edge of the forest, the tall leafless trees standing menacingly tall before him, their sharp black silhouettes disappearing into the dark blue sky. “Well, we’re here to improve your stamina and your make you more determined” the pegasus declared. "Now, you will follow me on a circle around Ponyville. Then we’ll return home and you can warm up the dinner. Also, remember, we’ll be running this course every evening, and… I won’t go easy on you.” Caramel looked at Ponyville in the distance. He gulped. “Is-is that all?” “Yes and you better keep up with me. I’m doing this in my free time and out of the goodness of my heart,” the mare replied, a small malicious smile playing across her face. She noticed the pony’s doubtful expression. “Look here. Do you want to be with Applejack or not?” she snapped. “Let’s do this!” he replied, hoping he won’t regret it later. At that instant, Rainbow Dash darted off, leaving a rainbow covered trail behind her. Caramel had barely blinked, and the mare had already become a small spot on the horizon. He groaned, but nevertheless broke into a gallop. >> After an exhausting run around the Ponyville town proper, Caramel felt ready to breathe his last breath. He never imagined the town to be quite so expansive, but he secretly thanked Celestia that he hadn’t had to do a similar gallop around Canterlot. When he finally arrived at his door, Rainbow Dash was already hovering above it, shaking her head in disappointment. “You still have a long way to go, mister. Anyway, let me in. I’m really hungry.” His hooves still shaking, the earth pony unlocked the door. The mare darted inside and seated herself behind the small table. Caramel entered, dragging his hooves, and turned up the oven, and then  flopped into the other seat opposite Rainbow Dash, his whole body seemingly turning into jelly as his limbs fell to his side. “So, what are we having?” the blue pegasus asked, unperturbed. “Well, you’ll be having a hay casserole. As for myself, I can’t think of any food now.” He gagged slightly at the thought of food. They sat there in silence for some minutes. Caramel had recovered a little bit, but not enough to be his fussy self. Rainbow Dash served herself a double portion of the meal ("since it would have been a shame to let it go to waste", she claimed), but poured herself and her host some water. “So,” she said as she laid the dished in the sink, filling them up with water, “what’s so special about Applejack?” “Well,” Caramel responded sluggishly as his companion sat back down. “Well, for starters, she has a great personality. You know, she’s there for her family, she’ll always help anypony if they ask for it, and once she sets a goal she’ll stick to it.” He stretched his hooves out and yawned. “There are many other ponies who are loyal to their friends and help them out,” Rainbow Dash asserted coldly, as Caramel slumped further into his seat. “Yeah, I guess you could say that…” he yawned again and closed his eyes. For a minute, all Rainbow Dash could see was his chest rising and falling in a slow, steady rhythm. He spoke again, almost whispering “You know… One day, I just want to talk to her like this. You know, like we’re meant to be. It should be so effortless. Like... like talking to you.” Rainbow Dash blushed wildly and turned away from him. “You know,” she whispered, “it can be like this…” She slowly approached him, her chest trembling. Caramel simply sat there. Suddenly, his head slumped to the side and fell backwards. His mouth fell open, emitting a loud snore. The mare stopped in her tracks, baffled. Idiot!. She looked at him, Caramel now sleeping soundly. Well big boy, looks like you’ve had enough for today. She smiled and embraced Caramel. Then setting her wings quietly aflutter, carried him to the bedroom. She looked at him once again, as he instinctively pulled his blanket over himself. She turned around to leave and closed the door behind her slowly, making as little sound as possible. “Thanks, Dash” he mumbled from his sleep as he turned around to face the window.