//------------------------------// // The Apple Thief // Story: Keep on Dreaming // by Noogy //------------------------------// It was getting quite late by the time Fluttershy and I decided to leave Twilight’s home, Celestia was lowering the sun and I could just see Luna’s moon on the horizon. We were quietly chatting and laughing about today’s events as we walked. “Did you see the look on Twilight’s face when the Princess walked in?!” I laughed. Fluttershy chuckled as she responded, “Oh yes!” After a few more jokes and funny stories my sides were hurting and my vision was blurred by tears of laughter, I stumbled as I walked along the uneven dirt road and finally lost my footing. Falling onto my side but rolling onto my back I laughed even harder, Fluttershy was laughing aloud even though it was very quiet. I was clutching at my ribs as they ached from laughing so hard, I started to calm down and took some deep breaths. I was breathing at a normal rate now even though I still had the urge to laugh; I muffled it by clearing my throat. I sat up and Fluttershy walked over to me, when I was sitting she was taller than me and I had to crane my neck to up at her and she was looking down on me. Her eyes are amazing… This time it was I that realized I was staring and I quickly turned my gaze to the sunset. “Beautiful isn’t it?” I asked. She turned her head to look in the direction I was facing; her eyes were met with such a beautiful sight. The season cast an orange haze above the horizon, lighting up the sky as if lit by fire, yet the haze was so crisp and clear. The sun, like a large grandeur orange fireball in the distance was partially cloaked by the hanging clouds, which were all splashed with random hot pinks, reds and even hints of purples and blues. The sun was so large that she felt she could almost touch it. A smile washed over her face and she felt completely at peace, Brandon was much the same, lost in the beauty of the setting sun. As the sun continued to sink behind the horizon we just sat there, not a word was spoken for nothing needed to be said. Once the sun had completely set behind the horizon we stood up, dusted ourselves off and head home. As we arrived at the cottage all was quiet, the animals that lived here with Fluttershy were all snuggled up in their beds or nests. We snuck in, said our goodnights and went to bed. -------------------------------- I woke up the next morning to the sound of birds chirping and woodland creatures squeaking amongst themselves whilst munching on what looked to be lettuce leaves. I yawned and stretched, the couch I was sleeping on wasn’t quite as long as I had hoped so I had to sleep with my legs hanging over the side. I then heard some pots and pans clanking together in the kitchen, I imagined Fluttershy would be up at this hour and lazily spun so my legs were now on solid ground. I groaned as I stood up and took the time to stretch once more. Proceeding into the kitchen I was greeted by a harmonious chorus that Fluttershy and the birds on their perches sung, I couldn’t help but smile. Words could not explain my feelings for actually being here in Equestria, after all the time I spent praying day and night that somehow I would be teleported to their world. I wasn’t one to really show my true feelings unless I really had to, I didn’t like showing to much emotion. To me, feelings were a sign of weakness. “Good morning Fluttershy,” I said perhaps a little too loud because her birds quickly took off from their perches and madly scrambled for the window. The sudden deep voice and flight of the birds made Fluttershy squeal and freeze up. She turned to look at me and instantly relaxed. “Oh… Brandon, you gave me quite the shock.” She blushed and turned her head so her mane would cover her face. “Aw gee I’m sorry Fluttershy I didn’t mean to.” As much as I hated showing my feelings I couldn’t help it when I was around her, she brought out the nicer side of me. “It’s alright,” she whispered. “I made you some pancakes, um… if you like them?” “Pancakes? I love pancakes!” I cheered, a smile growing on both of our faces. I sat down at the table; again it was too small for me so I grabbed a cushion from the couch and sat down on it. Fluttershy quickly plated up a delicious looking stack of thick pancakes, my mouth was watering. Since I arrived in Equestria I haven’t had anything to eat so at this point I was starving. I searched the table for some cutlery but found none. “Fluttershy do you have a fork by any chance?” I asked, testing my luck. “A fork?” She responded. “Yeah, it’s like a metal object you hold and it has four pointed tips at one end. You use it to pick up food.” I explained although my luck was fading fast. “Oh… I’m sorry, I don’t have any forks.” She looked on the verge of tears. “That’s okay!” I blurted out, “I can just eat with my hands.” I smiled as I picked up one of the pancakes. Taking a bite. She looked up and smiled at me. I chewed the pancake and almost instantly got the taste of grass in my mouth and I wanted to spit it out. Looking over at Fluttershy still smiling at me, I forced myself to swallow. “Fluttershy…” I started in a low voice, “is there grass in these pancakes?” “Of course!” She said almost triumphantly, “Pancakes are so boring without grass to add flavour.” I looked down to the pancake in my hand and from where I had bitten I could see long blades of grass weaving through the thick cooked batter. I looked up at Fluttershy and said “I’m sorry Fluttershy, Humans don’t eat grass…” I was going to continue with an explanation but I caught glimpse of a tear running down her cheek. Feeling guilty right away I quickly stood up, walked to the other side of the table and knelt in front of the quietly crying pony. “Fluttershy it’s not your fault, you didn’t know about the diet of a Human.” I spoke gently as I wiped a tear from her cheek with my thumb. “And it’s not that the pancakes are bad, in fact if I did eat grass I’m sure they would be delicious!” I playfully joked, trying to get her to feel at least a little better. She gazed up to meet me in eye level, those big teal eyes just making my heart melt. “I’m sorry.” She whispered quietly. Even at this distance I still had to listen intently to hear her words. “It’s okay Fluttershy.” I said comfortingly and wiped another tear from her cheek. Without warning she lent in and kisses me lightly on the cheek. My heart skipped a beat and I felt the warmth of the kiss flow through my body. She pulled away just as quickly as she had gone in and blushed hard. “I’m sorry about that too.” She smiled and her eyes darted to meet mine and a small smile formed on her lips before she looked back down and continued to stare at the floor. “I… uh… it um… its fine.” I stammered while my face turned dark shade of crimson. We both sat there speechless and blushing until finally I stood up. “I need some time to think Fluttershy, Do you think Applejack would let me help out on the farm for the day?” I asked. She looked confused, “How do you know about Applejack and Sweet Apple Acres?” Realizing I had made the same mistake I made when Fluttershy first brought up Twilight I had to quickly come up with an answer. “Lucky guess?” I said nervously. She narrowed her eyes at me. Smooooth Brandon, real smooth “I’ll explain later but right now I really have to go.” I turned and walked out of the kitchen, reaching the front door I opened it and without looking back I stepped through and whispered, “Sorry.” -------------------------- The walk to Sweet Apple Acres was taking far longer than I remember from the show, luckily for me there was the occasional road sign with directions to Ponyville, Sweet Apple Acres and The Everfree Forest. I guess S.A.A. really did get a lot of business, if the signs gave directions to the farm then that must mean it is of some significance. I don’t really know why I was walking to S.A.A. It was the first place that popped into my head when I was under pressure from Fluttershy, but maybe it could offer some peace and that was a chance I was willing to take. The long journey finally ended when I arrived at the front gates of S.A.A. The sign read: WELCOME TO SWEET APPLE ACRES, THE BEST APPLES IN ALL OF EQUESTRIA. Apples were sounding rather nice right about now; since I didn’t eat the grass pancakes Fluttershy had prepared for me I was still hungry. Walking past the main gate I walked along the dirt road, passing by row after row after row of apple trees, each with their own red-shining, delicious looking apples. My stomach growled and I stopped. Maybe if I just took one? No one is around and I’m starving, I’m sure they would understand… but it is stealing. Siding with my stomach over my brain I walked over to a tall apple tree and reached up to grab one of the red fruit. I plucked it from its stem and brought it down to my level for inspection, it really did look good. One of the best apples I have ever seen! Not a bruise or discoloration anywhere. I was just about to take a bite when something kicked me in the back of my knee and my leg gave out, falling onto my knees the apple rolled out of my hand. Turning my head I was staring face to face with a rather angry looking orange pony. “What do we have here? A no good apple thief!” She barked. “What? No! I’m no thief” I tried to reason with her. I was quite literally scared, the blood had drained from my face and I was shaking lightly. The look on her face turned from anger to a smirk, she tried to cover it but failed as she burst out laughing. Gaining the courage to speak I asked in a rather grumpy tone, “Hey! What’s the big idea?!” She tried to calm her laughter but failed yet again as she looked at me once more, after about a minute the orange pony had calmed enough to speak. “Ah’m just messin’ with ya.” She managed to say while still giggling with every word. “Twilight has told me all about ya.” I nearly fainted when I found out it was all a joke on Applejacks end. “Very funny.” I groaned. “Ah thought it was yeah. Anyway, the name’s Applejack and this here land ya sittin’ on is Sweet Apple Acres!” She proudly announced. Deciding it was better to act as though I didn’t know who she was I stood up and shook myself off. “Hi, I’m Brandon.” “As Ah said before, I know all about ya.” She winked. My stomach growled demanding attention. “Listen miss, I don’t have any money on me but could I please have an apple? I haven’t eaten since I arrived in Equestria.” She looked at me with pity, walked over to the apple tree I was standing under and bucked one hind hoof against the trunk. A single apple fell and landed right in my hand. “Ya can have as many apples as ya need sugarcube, just pay me back when ya can.” She said gently with a smile. I quickly turned my attention from the pony to the apple, without hesitation I bit into it. The sweetest taste filled my mouth and I thought I was in heaven, the apples here in Equestria taste 100x better than the ones on Earth. Swallowing quickly I took another bite; I was in a flavour filled bliss. Applejack chuckled as she could see how much I was enjoying the fruit. “Best apples in all of Equestria.” I could only agree with her through a grunt because I was too busy devouring the delicious treat I was presented with. “Come on up to the farm house and meet the others.” Without waiting for a response she turned and started walking along the dirt road. I took a step before hesitating. Turning to the apple tree I reached up and plucked another one and jogged the short distance to meet up with Applejack. I had just finished my second apple when we arrived at the farm house. “Here we are, come on inside.” She warmly spoke. As we entered the house the smell of hot apple pie hit my nostrils, I breathed in deeply to take as much of that delicious smell as I could. “Granny Smith, we got a visitor!” Applejack called out to the old mare in the kitchen. Granny Smith looked up from her baking and smiled at me, “Been a while since we’ve had a visitor that wasn’t here for business.” She spoke in an aged voice. “Would you like some fresh apple pie dearie?” she asked. Even though I had munched down two apples just before we walked in I still had some room to fill, and who can say no to apple pie! “Yes please ma’am.” “Oh my, such a gentlecolt. You should hang on to this one AJ.” Granny hinted at Applejack. Applejack blushed and removed her hat to try and cover her red cheeks. I just simple laughed and took a seat at the big wooden table. Granny smith wobbled over holding a plate with a hot slice of apple pie sitting on it. She placed it down and pulled her neck back, her false teeth had come loose and were still hanging onto the side of the plate. “Whoopth, thesth darn teeth keep falling out.” She quickly snatched up her teeth place them back in her mouth. The apple pie was far too hot to eat right now so Applejack and Granny Smith both sat down at the table as well. We were talking amongst ourselves when the door swung open and in walked a very tall, very broad red earth pony. “Big Macintosh! Come have a seat with us and a slice of apple pie?” Granny asked. “Nnope.” Replied Big Mac simply. Macintosh walked past us and up the stairs. The only sounds to be heard were hoof steps on a wooden floor and then a door closing. “He’s a stallion of few words.” Applejack explained. “That’s quite alright with me.” I said while picking up the slice of pie in front of me. My mouth was watering and I took my first bite of the pastry dessert. A flavour explosion detonated in my mouth and I closed my eyes enjoying the pie maybe a bit too much, but it was food and I was still hungry. After wolfing down another slice of apple pie I realized we had been chatting away for most of the day and it would be getting dark soon. I said goodbye to Granny Smith and thanked her for the pie, Applejack insisted on walking me to the front gate of the property. Once we were there she stopped me and started to speak. “Thank ya mightily for stoppin’ by, it’s always nice to make new friends.” I smiled at the orange mare and said, “The pleasure was all mine, these apples,” I gestured around to the orchid. “Are delicious!” We said our goodbyes and I turned to walk down the path back to Fluttershy’s cottage when I heard Applejack call out from behind me “Ya’re a good fellow Mr. Brandon, I look forward to seeing some more of ya.” I simple smiled and continued on home.