Chapter 2: Sleepover
Jen was pretty sure if her eyebrows raised any faster they’d fly off her head. The obviously excited, (and maybe a little crazy) unicorn mare before her had the same look she’d seen frenzied fan girls reserve for meeting whatever boy band of the month was popular on her face.
“Uh…well…thanks?” Rubbing the back of her head Jen eyed her again. She seemed harmless enough really. “I’m Jen but I guess you know that.”
The unicorn nodded excitedly. “Jennifer Allen Pie! Bested Discord in one on one combat! Single HANDedly saved Equestria! Recovered the mythical Sword of Harmony aaaaand close personal friend of Princess Luna!”
Now her mouth was hanging open as well. “Uh…well I mean…I guess technically three of those are true…I AM Jennifer Allen…the ghost in my sword is the one who beat Discord…though I DID find the sword. I sure as heck didn’t single handedly save Equestria. In fact I was pretty much the groups map slash compass. And Princess Luna and I have talked like…three times. Twice was in my dreams.”
“Hmm.” A soft glow formed around the unicorns’ horn as she extracted a pencil and notepad from the saddlebags at her side. Jen caught a glance of the header on the page “Many Amazing Qualities of the Human Hero of Equestria” …as the unicorn added ‘modest’ on there. Snapping the pad and pencil away she turned her gaze back to the human girl who was rapidly losing her nerve. “I’m Lyra, Lyra Heartstrings!” She extended her hoof.
Hesitantly Jennifer made a fist and gave her a bump…much to Lyra’s seeming disappointment. “Uh…nice to meet you Lyra. I should probly get goin…stuff to do and all.” Taking careful steps back as if she were being confronted by one of the giant spider’s in the dark caves again Jen began to edge toward the farm.
“Wait! Wait please don’t go! I’m uh…I’m sorry I’m a little…worked up is all! Everypony used to call me crazy because I believed in humans and now you’re here and I’m being super creepy and totally blowing my chance!”
The sheer desperation in her voice caused Jen’s steps to falter and the girl frowned a little. “It’s…cool. I’m a little shy I guess. Definitely never had a fan or anything. I really DO have something to do tonight but uh…we can talk some tomorrow afternoon? I got nothing goin on then.”
A smile found its way back to Lyra’s face; fortunately it was a lot less manic. “That’d be awesome! D’you mind if I bring my fillyfriend? I really wanna rub how right I was in her face.”
Jen rubbed the back of her neck feeling the nervousness rising again. “Ehe…uh…yeah I mean if she wants to come, sure…”
“Great! How about lunch at the café? Just down the street from Golden Oaks, my treat!”
“Sounds…” Lyra was already dashing back toward town. “…good?” Shaking her head Jen took a deep breath and continued up the path to Sweet Apple Acres, nudging open the wooden gate and heading up the path. Almost the second her foot hit the path up to the farm house the excited baying of a beagle greeted her ears as her dog came charging off the porch making a beeline for her master.
Steeling herself against the coming impact Jen knelt down and caught the excited dog. Ever since Izzy had started spending time with Winona on the farm she’d been perking up more and more. She was barely recognizable as the lazy dog that slept most of the day away. After a few furious belly rubs Jen got up and her dog fell into step with her.
“Heh, got ourselves an official Jenny alarm right there.” Glancing up Jen was greeted by the Stetson clad earth pony Applejack. While the eldest of the family was Granny Smith, Applejack was widely acknowledged as the de facto owner of the farm. “Didja git all yer runnin' around taken care of then?”
“Yup! Got a new backpack from Rarity, invitation from the princess, lunch with Pinkie, and spent the day in the park with a whole pack of kids. We’re invited to a sleepover tonight by the way. I figured since its Saturday and your trees are all kinda…not needing bucking for a bit yet you’d be free.”
“Well shoot sounds like you had yerself a full day there sugarcube. Sleepover huh? Could be fun Ah reckon…long as Twi ain’t makin us follow a book or nothing.” The pair made their way toward the waiting farmhouse.
“Heh a book for slumber parties? Not even Twilight would…” At the look Applejack sent her way she faltered. “…wow really?”
“Yup. Had me an Rarity doin’ everythin’ by the book. Turned out t’be a fun night after all’s said an done but it was a mite touch an go for a bit there.” The farm pony cast a glance toward Jen’s midriff. “How’s the belly doin t’day?”
Jen wore a chipper smile as she shrugged. “Good as new! Bit more running around today than I think the doctor wanted but it’s just a little sore, I barely feel it.”
“Mmhm. So ALMOST good as new.”
“Ehe…yeah I guess almost. Still…I feel good.” Jen got the door as they entered the cheery farm house. She made her way upstairs, sparing a glance at the dozing elder of the family slowly rocking back and forth in her old chair.
At the end of the hall was the guest room she’d been staying in. Making her way past the Apple family’s bedrooms she gently shut the door to her own. Shucking her hoodie on the floor by the bed she flopped on it backwards with a happy groan. “Ugh…haven’t felt this tired in a while.”
Delicately she removed the chain from her neck, staring into the colorfully swirling jewel on the end of it. The other half was who knows where…carried by the most eccentric of the folk she had met in Equestria so far, Discord. The jewel contained exactly one half of the powerful beings magic…it’s corrupting influence kept under control by the sword she wore on her arm. She’d been warned not to use it but…a little side trip to her house back on Earth for some necessities…and super charging her iPod to never run out of juice weren’t REALLY huge uses. Well maybe the dimensional trip was but she’d only done it twice!
Setting the jewel aside she slid the leather sleeve that bound the Sword of Harmony to her arm off, and gently rested the jewel in the cleverly concealed scabbard within the shield. Just being near the sword and shield combo muted the gem, so when it was placed inside she couldn’t even feel the magical warmth it radiated. “Wish I knew how to get you to talk to me again.”
During the fight with Discord in the ancient unicorn castle the sword manifested the spirit of its previous bearer, a knight named Bleeding Heart. It was actually Bleeding Heart that had defeated Discord while Jen nearly bled to death in the snow. The spirit had spoken to her, just the once before the fight was over.
Setting her weapon aside she looked to the charm bracelet on her wrist. A delicate silver chain with three charms, an earth pony, pegasus, and unicorn. Princess Luna had told her with this she could become any of the three at will, a tool to help her choose which tribe she ultimately wanted to belong to. She hadn’t tested it yet…Luna said it could put a strain on her body and it wasn’t safe to use while recovering. Now that she had…more and more her eyes lingered on the tiny winged pony on the bracelet.
With a shrug she swung back to her feet and grabbed the crazy comfy silk pajamas Rarity had crafted for her, tucking them into her pack. Looking around the sparsely furnished room she frowned a touch. Just about everything of value she owned she had acquired here in Equestria, from the various magical trinkets to the ever growing wardrobe Rarity seemed intent on providing. Still it sounded like Pinkie would have a house of their own for the two of them soon enough, and if her potential job took off she could fill it with stuff of her own.
With that uplifting though she tucked the shield into her pack…carrying it on her arm all day got bothersome. It wasn’t heavy at all…just the foreign feel of her arm being covered all day was taking some getting used to. Throwing her hoodie back on she grabbed her toothbrush from the bathroom and bounded back downstairs to find Applejack ready and waiting with a saddlebag across her flank.
“All set?”
At the girl’s nod the pair set out to Ponyville proper. The trip through the orchard was quiet, leaving Jen to look about at the bare trees. “I bet this place is gorgeous in the spring time.”
The farm pony tipped her hat back and shot a wink up at the human. “Sure is. Just y’all wait til it’s in full bloom. Reckon even after you an Pinkie’re settled in yer own place ya’ll be seein plenty of it what with the uh…tryin’ out different ponyfolk thingie ya got comin up. Can’t think of a better way t’learn about bein an earth pony than applebuckin' on the farm here.”
Jennifer nodded in agreement with a little smile. “I think that’ll be fun. We didn’t have a lot of farms around where I lived.”
“Heh heh…maybe we’ll get some muscle on them string bean arms an legs of yers while we’re at it.” Applejack gave the admittedly skinny girl a good natured nudging.
“Hmph…not string bean. I’m just…”
“A beanpole? Scarecrow? Celery stalk?”
Pursing her lips in a pout Jen suddenly lunged forward and snatched the Stetson off Applejack’s head. “I’m just the owner of this here fancy hat!” With a laugh she slapped the hat on her head and took off like a shot down the path.
Applejack stared in shock for a minute. She remembered the younger Jennifer from several years ago. The girl was almost shy enough to put Fluttershy to shame, keeping herself hidden behind Pinkie, (Calling herself Pennie at the time) more often than not on their picnic meetings back in the human world. Naturally she hadn’t seen her in action on the road during the race she’d been engaged against Discord in, but from what her friends had told her little Jenny had come a long way from those days.
With a snort Applejack kicked into a gallop after the fleeing girl. “Better work them string bean legs sugarcube! If I catch ya yer goin for a snowbath!”
-Pinkie Pie-
The Cake’s watched their assistant baker work with a touch of worry. Only somepony who’d known the bubbly pink mare for as long as they had would be able to recognize the signs of something bothering her. A casual observer would see nothing wrong as she bounced about the kitchen with a cheery grin. Carrot and Cup Cake however had gotten quite adept at reading her moods. A missed note in a song, the spring in her step faltering for just a moment all added up to a Pinkie Pie that had something weighing on her mind. At least her mane wasn’t flat this time…
Sharing a look with his wife Carrot Cake went out to tend the counter while Cup Cake trotted into the kitchen with Pinkie. “How’s that order coming dearie?”
Pinkie turned her shining blue gaze on Mrs. Cake with a bright smile. “Just about done Mrs. Cake! Last batch is goin in the oven now.”
“Good! Good. We can always count on you to fill those big orders fast Pinkie.” The older mare started in on the dishes while her assistant started clearing the counters. “So…Princess Luna’s helping the building of your house along hm?”
“Oh!” There it was, the smile faltering before snapping back to its usual size. “Yup! She sent some spiffy court unicorns along to speed the building up. I think I’ll be ready to move out in a couple weeks at this rate.”
“Excited? Getting your own home is a very big step in a pony’s life after all. I remember when Carrot and I first moved in here. Oh we were so nervous!”
The smile had shrunk then faded altogether to a look of contemplation on Pinkie’s face. “I am excited about the house. And a little nervous I guess. But…”
Mrs. Cake slowed in her cleaning and turned to face Pinkie. “It’s that girl isn’t it? The…human? You’re worried about her.”
Pinkies eyes flicked up from studying her hooves to meet Mrs. Cake’s. “I just…I left her once before Mrs. Cake. I knew she needed me…how much she depended on me, and I left. I really, REALLY hurt her and now I’m expecting her to move in and live with me! I don’t know WHAT I was thinking! I can’t be a…a…”
Eyes widening a bit with realization at the source of Pinkie’s nerves Mrs. Cake let out a long breath. “A parent?” Pinkie’s mouth snapping shut was all the confirmation the older mare needed. “Pinkie Pie…she’s almost a full grown mare as it is.”
With a little huff Pinkie rolled her eyes. “I know that Mrs. Cake. But that’s just it…she’s ALMOST full grown. That means she’s NOT full grown yet! And she’s a good girl, really really she is! But she can be lazy…she’d sleep through her alarm and miss school if her mom didn’t practically roll her out of bed in the morning! Pretty soon it’s going to be MY job to roll her out of bed in the morning! What if she gets mad at me? What if she HATES me for it!?”
She sucked in a deep breath. “And the way she eats….ate…she loves junk food! And…and…” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “She looooooved meat.” Mrs. Cake gasped softly. “I know I know…but all humans ate it. She’s not about to start eating somepony here, humans mostly eat cows and chickens and stuff but I know she misses it a lot. But how can I tell somepony else to eat healthy when I eat cupcakes and candy all day every day?!” By the end of her rant she was breathing heavily.
To Pinkie’s growing annoyance Mrs. Cake was smiling. “Pinkie Pie…she might look a little…” She waved a hoof searching for the words. “...unusual. But Jennifer sounds like any other filly. Sometimes a teenager needs a good kick in the flank to get them going the right direction. You’ll probably have to be stern at times, and she’s probably going to hate you for it when you are.” Pinkie’s eyes widened in horror at that, but the bright blue mare continued. “But at the end of the day, when all’s said and done? When she’s a little older and A LOT smarter…she’ll look back at what you did and she’ll thank you for it. And she’ll love you all the more for it. I can tell she cares about you almost as much as you do about her.”
Pinkie planted her rump on the floor digesting all this information. “What if I do a bad job? What if she runs away from ME too? I just dunno what to think anymore Mrs. Cake. At first it sounded fun! Like…a slumber party that never ended. But now I’m thinking about all sorts of stuff…like when she’s sick I’m the one who has to take care of her. I gotta make sure she’s eating, and I gotta know she’s safe and all sorts of stuff!”
Master joined apprentice on the floor, as Mrs. Cake leaned against her beleaguered assistant comfortingly. “At least you don’t have to change her diapers?” That brought a smile to the pink pony’s face. “Being a mother is terrifying Pinkie Pie. I’m not going to lie to you. Every time Pound and Pumpkin aren’t in sight of me I just start thinking of all the terrible things that COULD be happening.” Pinkie’s ears were starting to droop. “But as scary as it is, it’s just as wonderful. Seeing their first steps…their first words. Pound Cake flying, Pumpkin using her magic. It’s all wonderful and magical and exciting and terrifying all at once. Now your filly might be passed most of her ‘firsts’ but that doesn’t mean you won’t have plenty of wonderful, scary, magical moments with her. It IS going to be hard, and it’s not always going to be fun…but if you love her Pinkie Pie, I PROMISE you it’ll all work out wonderfully in the end.”
As her employer spoke slowly Pinkie’s mood began to perk back up. “You know what? You’re absolutely right Mrs. Cake. After all nothing worth having is easy right?!”
With a chuckle her companion stood as well. “You’re absolutely right dear. And I’m glad I could help.” They shared a brief hug…and Mrs. Cake glanced back and forth conspiratorially. “…did YOU have meat while you were over there?” Slowly Pinkie nodded. “…how was it?”
With a shifty glance around of her own Pinkie whispered. “…really good.”
-Jennifer-
A proud Applejack held the door open for the walking snow mound, Stetson once more perched proudly atop the mares head. “After you sugarcube.”
A disgruntled grunt was the snow monsters response as she shuffled in, shaking more and more of the powdery white substance off herself and gradually revealing a beleaguered human teenager. Mr. Cake’s look of alarm at the alien creature shuffling in relaxed noticeably when it was revealed to be a familiar alien creature with a snow topping. “Can I get you girls something?”
“Nothin’ fer me thanks, though I bet the filly’d like some hot chocolate.” Applejack lobbed a couple bits onto the counter. “Maybe some marshmallows too.”
A shivering nod came from Jen as she took a seat as far from the drafty door as she could find. With a bemused grin the owner ducked into the kitchen, returning soon with a steamy mug that he set on the table before the half-frozen girl. “Enjoy. Pinkie’s cleaning up with the missus; she’ll be out in a few minutes.”
“Thank ya kindly Mr. Cake.” With a tip of her hat in his direction Applejack joined Jen at her table. After a few sips of the cocoa Jen fumbled with her pack, rummaging for a moment and drawing out the colorful jewel, hastily throwing the chain around her neck. Almost instantly relief flooded her face, the faint tinge of blue leaving her lips as she tucked the gem under her hoodie. Eyebrow raised Applejack just stared, not needing to vocalize the question.
After another big gulp from her drink Jen finally answered. “I found the sword thanks to the jewel; it was getting really hot the closer me and Rainbow got to it. Probly cause the magic doesn’t like each other or something, I dunno. Once he split it in half though, it just stays nicely warm. And keeps ME nicely warm.”
With a slow nod AJ focused at the point around the girls’ chest the jewel would be resting. “Was wonderin’ why ya weren’t seemin' to be bothered by the cold none. I know ya got that hoodie thing Rarity made for ya but even so, it’s been a chilly winter so far. That thing’s safe right?”
“Yeah. I mean it is thanks to the sword. The magic drove Discord crazy…it’s what made a normal human dude turn into a berserk chaos monster. It was whispering at me for a while, but the second I found the sword it stopped. I guess it’s stronger than Discord.” Eyeing the mug dubiously Jen worked her mouth open wide enough to take in a few of the floating mallows within the drink at her next gulp.
Another nod was the farmers’ slow response. “So long as they’re t’gether…there’s nothing t’worry about?”
“Yup! Safe as can be! I’m not about to let myself turn into a nutbag like Discord was. And if it was really dangerous the Princess woulda taken it from me right? Instead of gently implying.”
Unable to argue with that logic Applejack shrugged. “S’pose that’s true. How come ya ain’t wearin' yer sword now anyhow?”
Jen gave a shrug of her own glancing at her heavy camping pack. “I think seeing someone walk around with a weapon on their arm makes some folk a little nervous. I’ve got it in my bag so it’s still with me.”
The bell over the door jingled merrily as Rarity arrived, Fluttershy in tow. The butter yellow pegasus was looking unusually perky. Typically she had her head lowered, ready to hide behind her thick mane at any second. “You girls should really join us on our spa days; they simply do wonders for the mane.” They joined the already seated pair.
The pegasus nodded with her unicorn friends words. “It really is very relaxing. And it’s nice to have something to do…I always have so much free time on my hands come winter when all my animal friends start hibernating.”
Shrugging non-chalantly Jen finished off the rest of her mug. “Maybe when I find a job and can pay for it myself.”
The trio of ponies exchanged a surprised look. “A job? Yer just a filly sugarcube, don’t gotta worry about workin' til yer done with school.”
“So most ponies that’re sixteen are still in school?” Jen wasn’t exactly a repository of knowledge on Equestrian behavior, but she’d learned a thing or two from Twilight.
This caused the three to share another look, Rarity the one to speak now. “Well no…typically by their thirteenth birthday a pony will have his or her cutie mark and be apprenticed to their future profession. But you’re an extenuating circumstance.”
“Exactly!” Fluttershy ‘eep’d’ softly at Jennifer’s sudden exclamation. “I’m not arguing the point of needing school; I think it’s a good idea to learn history and stuff. But I’m sixteen,” (“ALMOST sixteen!” a voice chirped from the kitchen…a voice Jen chose to ignore) “even back home I should have a part time job or something.”
“Well normally Ah’d be all for an extra pair of uh, hands on the farm. But there ain’t all that much t’do come winter…cept for knockin' the frost off the trees when it gets too thick now an again.”
“Oh someone to help care for the animals would be just lovely…” Jen looked eager. “…of course they’re all hibernating until springtime.” Seeing the crestfallen look on the girl’s face Fluttershy retreated into her mane. “Um…sorry.”
“You can’t sew, and I can’t exactly use you as a model so I don’t have much I can offer either I’m afraid. Didn’t Pinkie want to have you help here in the kitchen?” Rarity tilted her head questioningly.
Images flashed through Jen’s head…a kitchen aflame and the Cake family rushing about in a panic. “Er…it didn’t work out.”
“Well Twi’s got Spike doin' most of the assistant type work in the library. And ya can’t exactly help Rainbow with the weather patrol.”
Jen fidgeted with the charm bracelet around her wrist. Now THERE was an idea. And it sounded pretty cool to boot. Of course even if she had wings it’s not like she knew how to use them…knowing her luck she’d end up crashing and breaking her neck. “Well I was talking to the mayor about an idea earlier so maybe something will come of that.”
The ponies looked curious but Jen didn’t seem in the mood to vocalize what the conversation had been about. The little bell over the door ringed again heralding the arrival of Twilight Sparkle. “Hello girls. I’ve got Spike busy getting the library ready for us, and look!” She whipped out a scroll of parchment and waved it under the noses of the three ponies and one human. “I condensed the information in the book to a checklist! Now our fun will be that much more efficient!”
A chorus of groans met the suddenly bewildered unicorn’s announcement. “I thought Applejack was joking about a book on slumber parties.” Jen looked the list over critically. While she hadn’t been the height of popularity back home she knew enough about the subject of sleeping over to tell this book was probably intended for middle-schoolers and MAYBE early high schoolers. A bunch of adults, (she naturally counted herself among that number…erroneously) probably wouldn’t have as much fun.
“We could uh…do all this. Or we could like…make some popcorn and watch movies?” Jen fished her iPod out of the front pocket of her hoodie.
The ponies squinted dubiously at it. “It’s a mite small there sugarcube.”
Jen gave a little grunt. “Well I know that…can’t Twilight just…science the picture bigger?”
Now four sets of eyes were turned to the unicorn in question who snorted incredulously. “SCIENCE it bigger? You make it sound like science is magic. You might as well ask if I can just MAGIC it bigger.”
The other four at the table looked at one another, than back at Twilight. “Can you MAGIC it bigger?”
Twilight opened her mouth to snap a response…then closed it again eyeing the device thoughtfully. “…yes. I believe I can.” Now the group looked a good deal more excited. “Are you girls sure you want to do this? I mean…the list…” She feebly wiggled the checklist again.
It was Rarity who stepped up this time. “Why don’t we start with some of Jennifer’s movies…and then we can move on to some of the activities on the checklist hmm? We can even have everypony take turns deciding what to do this evening. That certainly seems fair.”
A chorus of nods and agreements rose at that. Even Twilight seemed somewhat mollified, gripping the little device in her magic and floating it from Jen’s hand. “Alright I’ll head back to the library and get it set up.”
Jen waved the others off standing herself. “Why don’t you guys go with her? I’ll wait for Pinkie then go get Rainbow. She’s probly still hovering around the park like a giant blue buzzard.”
The four ponies trotted out toward the Golden Oaks Library, as Jen made her way to the kitchen. Instantly Mr. Cake looked apprehensive. “Ah…no cooking right?”
Holding up her hands as if showing she carried no weapons within them Jen nodded in the affirmative. “No sir, just checking on Pinkie.”
With a smile to the stallion Jen ducked into the kitchen. “Hey Pinkie, hello Mrs. Cake.”
Both mares turned to regard the girl, Pinkie smiling brightly while the heavy set blue mare eyed Jennifer warily…specifically her mouth. “Hello dearie…Pinkie and I were just talking about you in fact.”
Seeing a clean spot on one of the counters Jen meandered over and hopped up on it, taking a seat. “Oh yeah? Nothing bad I hope?”
The ponies shared a look and Mrs. Cake looked up at the girl. “The cows don’t…talk in your world do they?”
Hearing the apprehension in her voice it wasn’t really hard to riddle out what they’d been talking about. With a little laugh Jennifer shook her head. “No ma’am…in fact humans are the ONLY ones who talk back home. And the only sapient beings. If the stuff we uh….” She lowered her voice. “…eat could think we wouldn’t eat them. That’d be murder.”
Relief flooded the concerned looking matron’s face. “Oh goodness that’s so good to hear. I know it was silly but Pinkie got me all in a tizzy about it and I just had to ask.” She gave Pinkie a little nudge. “I’ll finish up here Pinkie Pie, you and Jennifer run along. I’m sure you have better things to do than hang around the kitchen all day.”
“Alrighty Mrs. Cake! And thanks again for the talk. It helped a lot.” Pony and human made their way from the kitchen to the upstairs…both crept passed the slumbering infants’ room to Pinkie’s, as the mare began to throw some necessities in her bag. Not trusting herself to talk quietly enough to keep the sleeping monsters from rising from their slumber, Jen waited until they were out the door before questioning.
“Whadja talk about? Everything ok?”
Pinkie didn’t look up at her as she responded. “Yupperooni! Everything’s a-okay! Let’s go find Dashie and get this party started!”
They made their way to the park before Jen glanced back to the pony at her side. “By the way I’m having lunch tomorrow with this…interesting unicorn I met this morning.”
Now Pinkie did glance up, her smile much more genuine. “Oooo you made a new friend?! Who? WHO?”
Jen couldn’t help but laugh at the excitable earth pony. “Her name’s Lyra. She was nice, if a little weird.”
Pinkie screeched to a halt. “Lyra? As in Lyra Heartstrings? As in crazily obsessed with all things human Lyra Heartstrings?”
Jennifer stopped too rubbing the back of her neck. “Uh…yes? Like I said she was a little weird, but she seemed nice enough.”
Her legal guardian didn’t hide her frown as they resumed their walk. “Well just to be safe I think maybe I should go with you.”
This brought an indignant snort from the girl. “I’m perfectly fine having lunch with somepony in the middle of the day in a public café Pinkie Pie.”
Chewing her lip Pinkie nodded slowly. “I know I know…I know you’re not a little filly it’s just…there’re rumors about Lyra. I mean she’s not DANGEROUS dangerous but…she’s REALLY into human stuff and I’m just worried she might do something…she normally wouldn’t.”
With a sigh Jen stopped walking again. “Well she’s bringing her uh…fillyfriend I think she said. So it won’t just be us.”
This seemed to dispel all of Pinkie’s concern. “Oh! She’s bringing Bon-bon?! Well that’s fine then. She’s a good influence on Lyra.”
Lacing her fingers behind her head Jen resumed their walk. “…when she says fillyfriend…?”
The earth pony gave a nod. “Girlfriend, yup.”
The girl grunted softly as she processed that information. It wasn’t that surprising when she thought of it…it seemed like there were ten mares to each stallion. “Fillyfriend. That’s cute. I swear the similarities between Earth and Equestria are crazy.”
Pinkie seemed to be mulling something over…which was very unusual. Generally when something was on her mind she just blurted it out. “You don’t need uh…the talk do you Jennifer?”
Jen looked down at Pinkie incredulously. “…no Pinkie Pie I do not need the birds and the bees talk from a hot pink pony with a trio of balloons on her butt.”
“Ha ha! Of course not! I was just joking with ya Jenny-bean!” Pinkie gave her a nudge as she trotted passed, effectively hiding the hurt look in her eyes.
Rolling her own eyes Jen started scanning the skies. “You are so random sometimes Pinkie.” Grinning as she spotted the multi-hued tail of her quarry dangling over the edge of a cloud, Jen balled up some snow and lobbed it with perfect accuracy…arcing up then landing with a wet SPLAT on her target.
Rocketing off the cloud came a streak of color followed by a screeching ‘yeeeeeeow!’ Rainbow Dash hovered in the air searching the ground, promises of doom flashing in her eyes. Like a brightly colored comet Dash flew at the ground, coming to a screeching halt and sending a wave of snow rolling over the girl and pony in its wake.
“Bwaaa ha ha! Didn’t learn your lesson the first time I see!” Dash grinned down as the pair dug themselves out of the snow. Pinkie gave a big ‘brrrr’ and shook herself out. Jen just brushed the snow off casually.
“We’re all having a big sleepover at the library. The other girls are already there, we came to find your lazy flank.” Pointedly flicking some snow at the hovering pegasus Jen turned toward the library.
“Sounds cool! Lemme grab some stuff from my place and I’ll see ya there!” And then she was off.
Jen and Pinkie made their way into the library. Twilight was staring intently at Jennifer’s little iPod sitting forlornly in the middle of the common room. The other element bearers and Twilight’s number one assistant Spike were giving the area a wide berth. Jen set her pack down and took a seat by the others. “So is she…doin it yet?”
Pinkie Pie nudged the door shut as she joined the group. Rarity only gave a slight nod, speaking in a hushed whisper. “Yes. She found the spell she thought would work in some new book of hers. She’s just about to start it.”
Quieting down the girl joined the ponies in rapt attention as Twilight’s horn flared to life. The unicorns’ eyes were shut tightly, and Jen could see her mouth moving as she silently mouthed…something to herself. The magenta glow around her horn spread to cover the little iPod, then with a bright flash the little iPod was suddenly the size of a big screen TV. “Holy cow Twilight that was awesome!”
The glow faded from her horn as Twilight Sparkle let out a long breath. “Whew…that one took some doing.”
The ponies crowded around their friend to offer congratulations and support while the human approached her giant sized iPod. Using both hands she pressed in the power and grinned as the screen flickered to life. “Looks like we’re in business!”
The front door burst open as Rainbow Dash let herself inside. The pegasus blinking at the curious sight of Jen, Spike, and her pony friends in the midst of standing Jennifer’s little music device blown up to giant size, up against the wall. Tossing her bag atop the others she zipped over, steadying the upper corner opposite of Fluttershy. Soon the huge device was standing against the wall. Jen took the now-giant sized ear buds and plopped them on either side of the room.
“Instant surround sound.” The girl grinned. “So! I dunno what kinda stuff you girls’re into? What’d you see when you were visiting?” She was met with six blank stares. “…didn’t any of you go see a movie?”
Dash and AJ exchanged a look. “Well we were busy with learnin’ all the sports y’all had over there.”
“I was studying human fashion, and working on a few designs.”
“Oh well…I was so busy with my job I um…didn’t have much free time…sorry…”
Twilight just huffed. “I was busy with my studies. We weren’t there to have fun!”
“I was!” Pinkie less than helpfully put in. “Of course I had all my fun with Jenny and we never went to the movies…”
Chewing her lip Jen pondered the options. She’d definitely overloaded the iPod on all sorts of entertainment from home courtesy of a shot of chaos magic. “Well then we’ll start with the best of the best. Everypony…I give you...” Turning to the giant sized trinket she mashed several of the buttons. “…Ghostbusters!”
Spike was still setting up refreshments as the movie began. While the non-human folk got settled in gazing almost hypnotized at the screen, Jen went around closing curtains, blowing out candles, and making the common room as theatresque as she could. Satisfied the ambience was properly established she took a seat on the floor, Pinkie Pie immediately resting her head on the girl’s shoulder from her seat on the couch.
At first a bit leery of her choice once she thought more on it, it did have a bit of strong language and who knows how the ponies would react to some of the more ghoulish creatures (particularly Fluttershy), Jen relaxed more as the native Equestrians were laughing with the movie. She had to explain a few cultural differences, but for the most part the ponies and one baby dragon seemed to thoroughly enjoy the experience.
“I can’t believe they crossed the streams!”
“Didja see that big marshmallow feller explode?”
“And what a lovely red gown she was wearing…until she turned into a horrible monster of course.”
Even Fluttershy seemed to’ve enjoyed her first movie experience. “I liked the little green ghost…”
All eyes went from the rolling credits to the bemused girl sitting on the floor. “Well?” Twilight was the first to speak.
“Er…well what?”
With a snort Dash was off the couch wings flapping. “Start another one!”
A chorus of agreement from the others had Jennifer smiling and on her feet. “Ghostbusters 2?”
Several passing ponies on the street peered curiously at the darkened library from the sudden chorus of ‘yeeeeeah!’ emitting within.
-Later-
The clang of steel on steel rang loudly in the girls ears. Each time her foes sword smashed against her shield or her own feebly moving blade it sent ringing vibrations through her arms. Everything hurt…she could barely stay on her feet, let alone lift her shield to block each lightning fast strike. A cruel grin split the shadowy creatures face as it shrieked and gave a blindingly fast cross slash. With a quiet groan the girl let her blade fall from numb fingers, feebly clutching at her stomach in a vain attempt to staunch the sudden blood flow. She toppled over…and was still…
“Nah!” Jennifer sat up breathing heavily, a faint sheen of sweat covering her skin. With a scowl she threw the sleeping bag off and slowly rose to her feet. Colorful slumbering ponies lay all about the common room of the library. A quick glance at the clock on the wall showed it was almost three in the morning. With a resigned sigh…knowing there would be no more sleep tonight she carefully tip toed around the ponies and slipped out the back door into the cool night air.
She paused only long enough to take her weapon from its place on the floor by the door, sliding it on. The gem around her neck filled her with magical warmth…and though she knew she SHOULD be freezing without her hoodie or her shoes…it felt like a pleasant summer’s evening outside. Despite the circumstances of her wakefulness, she couldn’t hide a smile at the feeling of the snow beneath her bare feet. It just felt cool, like walking on fresh grass.
Making her way away from the library she strolled through the slumbering town. Not a soul was awake at this late hour, and her post-midnight walks were something of a common ritual for her in the last couple of weeks. The nightmares weren’t new at all, but she hadn’t been healthy enough to take long strolls until recently. Absently running her hand along the ugly scar at her stomach she criss crossed alleys and strolled down the charming little roads. Smirking now and again at the terrible horse themed puns most of the street names elicited.
“Trouble sleeping again?”
With a start Jen whirled to see Fluttershy peering meekly through her mane at the girl. “Oh no did I startle you? I’m sorry…” She seemed to shrink even further into her mane.
With a little laugh Jen shook her head. “It’s alright…I’m not used to anypony being awake around now is all. I forget you can be something of a night owl too.”
The gentle pegasus calmed seeing Jen wasn’t upset, and nodded. “Oh yes…many of the critters I look after are nocturnal. I have to be ready to help any of them at any time.” She eyed the girl with concern. She was only wearing a short pair of shorts and the silk pajama top Rarity had made her. “Aren’t you cold?”
With a shake of her head Jen resumed her walk, Fluttershy falling into step with her. “Nah. Discords gem keeps me warm. It’s pretty nice actually.”
They were taking a long winding trip through Ponyville. Keeping their voices to a whisper, no sense in waking up everypony in town because she had a nightmare. “Do you want to talk about it? The nightmare I mean.”
The girl gave a non-committal shrug. “What’s to say? I fight, get cut to ribbons, I die, I wake up.”
Despite her flippant tone the intelligent pegasus could see right through her bravado. “That’s a terrible thing for anypony to go through, let alone one so young. It’s alright to be upset about it.”
Another shrug. “I’m upset…but what good is whining about it going to do? I’ll get over it.” Jennifer was careful to avoid meeting Fluttershy’s eyes. Her recovery wasn’t a painless affair, and the pegasus had helped her a good deal in her recovery as a make-shift physical therapist. Her body had undergone a serious trauma and it took a lot of work to get her strength back. There were days when she wanted to just laze in bed, and it was Fluttershy’s unyielding gaze that forced her up and about.
Not deterred and unusually insistent the pegasus spread her wings and with a few gentle flaps she was airborne, circling around to face the stubborn teen, flying backwards and forcing her to look her in the eye. “It always feels better to share what’s worrying you with a sympathetic ear. I care, we ALL care. But I’m here, and I’m ready to listen.” She even crossed her forelegs over her chest. “In fact…I insist…if…if that’s alright.”
Jen fought it, but couldn’t stop from smiling a little. She secretly loved to watch Fluttershy fly. She didn’t have the athletic speed of Rainbow Dash of course, but her movements were so much more graceful. She definitely had a larger wing span, the limbs rising and falling in slow steady beats more akin to the butterflies adorning her flank than the wild flailing Rainbow got up to.
They’d somehow wound up near the library again, the branches creaking gently in the night’s wind. Putting her back against the trunk Jen sank to the ground, just settling in the snow. Slowly Fluttershy lowered herself to the ground, tucking her wings in. They sat in silence for a time before Jen finally spoke. “I’m fine during the day y’know? Everything’s always so lively and active; I don’t really have time to think about it.”
Fluttershy settled right up against Jennifer, one forehoof over her hand in a comforting gesture. “But at night…when it’s quiet it’s ALL I think about. I go to sleep thinking about it…and I dream about it. Not just Discord almost killing me…in fact it’s not even Discord in the dream just some…creature. But I dream of those horrible spiders. Wrapping me up in their sticky webs…or of falling down that crevasse. Never landing…just…falling…”
With a scowl she realized she was crying, and wiped her cheeks furiously. “Shh…shh…it’s alright. Everyone needs a good cry now and again, and it sounds like you’ve been holding one in for a long time.”
Once the floodgates were open there was no stopping the flow. Weeks of anger, pain and sadness poured out of the girl and into the snow. She managed to keep it quiet to not disturb those slumbering inside, but it was a long cleansing act. She was dimly aware of lying on her side, head in the kind pegasi’s lap as she stroked her hair with a gentle hoof. It went on for some time before the tears finally dried up, and she lay quiet.
“…feel better?”
With an embarrassingly loud sniff she looked up and managed a little smile. “Little bit.”
Giving a warm smile of her own Fluttershy just held their pose, stroking her hair gently. “I know all about being scared and having nightmares. I’ve seen some pretty scary stuff too you know? Nightmare Moon is right on top of the list. I had to come face to face with a rampaging dragon…and nothing scares me more than dragons.”
She was feeling tired again. Just drained all around. “So…whaddo you do?”
With a playful grin Fluttershy tapped the girls’ nose with a hoof. “I have a good cry.” She smiled more when this brought a chuckle from Jennifer. “My spa days with Rarity help more than I can say with stress. I may not seem it but I can get high strung sometimes. …maybe not like Twilight, but enough that it can make sleeping hard. I talk to my friends too. Never be afraid to do that Jennifer. That’s what friends are for, to help each other through the tough times.”
With a soft sigh Jen nodded. “Yeah I guess…not used to having someone to talk to. …thanks Fluttershy. Really.”
Tilting her head she gave the girl a soft squeeze about the shoulders with her forelegs. “Anytime Jen. And anytime you need somepony to talk to, day or night my door’s always open. …well it’s always locked but you can knock and I’ll open it.” They shared a soft laugh. “Know what my mother used to do for me when I had trouble sleeping?”
Jen just shook her head, staring up at her curiously. Gently the pegasus cleared her throat.
Hush now quiet now, it’s time to rest your sleepy head…
She barely got more than two lines into the lullaby before the girl was slumbering quietly. There were no more nightmares for her that night.
Unseen by either of them a pink earth pony slipped from her place overlooking them by the window and settled back into her sleeping bag. Heaving a forlorn sigh, she returned to her sleep as well.