Lyra and I continued to play with her spherical toy, occasionally one of us would hit or throw it too hard and the other would run off to get it. The small unicorn filly giggled and grinned the entire time. Any thoughts of danger were now baron and all I could focus on was the adorableness of this tiny pony.
Her mint green coat, her large, golden rimmed eyes, her striped white and bluish-green mane that protruded a horn of her same coat colour and that sweet smile. Here’s where I quote the show directly, my heart exploded…twice. However, I couldn’t help but wonder at why she was so hospitable, she didn’t know it but I was supposedly an alien in this world and she apparently didn’t care very much. She hadn’t asked about it yet and I liked that, it made things less…complicated. It was bound to happen though.
She apparently got a rather humorous, if not ridiculous idea in her head. I kicked the ball to her and she head-butted it again but this time, she didn’t aim it at me. The ball went flying to the side before she galloped towards me. Mind you, we weren’t very far apart from each other so she took a few hurried steps before reaching me and practically tackling me. Like I mentioned, her horn came up to about my thigh, closing in on my waist. My eyes widened as I felt a pair of hooves on me, violently yet playfully pushing me down. I fell back and landed on the soft grass, my eyes clenched in shock. They snapped open at the adorable laughing Lyra gave off as she stood above me. Just like everything else I’d seen here, she too was outlined, just like she would be in the show. She didn’t stop laughing as she tumbled to my side, I could only chuckle with a grin at her antics. My arms laid spread which caused her head to lay lazily on my clothed arm, her mane was soft yet scratchy, tickling me with a sense of delight.
Her eyes opened and locked with mine, she rested her head on my jacket and a small, genuine smile was plastered on her face. She nestled into my arm, snuggling up to get more comfortable as we lay there on the grass before speaking.
“Hey, Kyle?” she asked.
“Hmm?”
“What…are you?” her question was understandable in full.
“Well…I’m something called…a ‘human’, ever heard about them?” I said, she shook her head. I thought she might not, after all just because she was the famous Lyra Heartstrings did not mean she was obsessed with my race at that age or at all for that matter.
“Kyle?” she began again.
“Yeah?”
“A-are we…f-friends now?” she asked, I turned my head to look at her, smiling.
“Of course we’re friends, Lyra, I told you I was a friend already” my reply seemed to not only do the job intended but times my expected reaction by twelve. The unicorn beamed at me, wide and toothy, she bolted upwards, out of surprise, I did the same. She wrapped her forelegs around me, bringing me into a tight embrace. I laughed a little and returned the hug, her coat was also soft, warm yet thin at the touch of my open palms. She seemed to enjoy the feeling of hands on her. So much so, she decided to inquire about them.
Lyra released the grip around my chest (to my dismay) and looked to her side at my five-digit appendage with an intrigued look.
“What’s with your hooves?” she asked.
“Uhhh…they’re not hooves, Lyra, they’re hands” she looked at me again with a confused look before she seemed to partially what I was talking about and leaned again for another hug. I patted her back as we embraced, she was almost eye level with me in this position but I was at least a head above her. Even as she said it quietly behind my head, I heard her let out something to herself in a hushed whisper.
“A friend…finally”
I lifted my head up at the sound of her voice and what precisely she had just said, an obligation seeped into my heart and I got an idea.
“Hey, Lyra?” she tilted her head towards me with an expectant look on her face. “Ya wanna play something else?” she beamed at me in response.
I don’t how long me and the small filly spent together that day but I didn’t, I still don’t care, that day, I had more fun than I could remember. Sure the games were suggested by my memory of the childish antics my friends and I got up to in our younger years but that was the point, she was a barely a pre-teen at the moment. I suggested a game of hide and seek then tag then a small game of dodge ball, it was only the two of us but that’s what made it special. I went easy on her in most of our games but because her size, she was much harder to find than my stature would allow but she didn’t count on her bright colours. The ball made an excellent prop for most things I could think of but the fact that she was indeed a pony, a child at that, I had to compromise.
It wasn’t long before we wound up, again, lying on the grass together, panting, both of us were smiling wide as we exchange glances towards each other and the sky above us. It was beautiful, the orange cascading over the land in a heavenly glow, it was breathtaking. Not just the sunset but the pony beside me, first day here and already, I had made a friend, a filly Lyra Heartstrings at that.
We locked eyes again and in that instant, I felt true bliss. The sunset glow covering her green coat in a perfect symbiosis of hues, she wasn’t just cute, she was beautiful. It was then when I realised how late it actually was.
“Er, Lyra? It’s getting a little late, shouldn’t you be home by now?” she looked visibly depressed at the mentioning.
“Yeah, I guess…” she suddenly perked up. “Wanna come over? We could have a sleepover!”
I weighted the options and their outcomes, on one hand-…no, this wouldn’t work, I wasn’t ready and I’m sure the ponies in town weren’t ready either for me, let alone Lyra’s parents. I gave her a saddened look before speaking.
“Sorry but I can’t, maybe some other time” some other time? When would THAT be? Lyra was so friendly but she’s only a filly, barely able to detect danger, not that I was any danger but I was sure things would turn for the worst if I went into Ponyville…tonight at least. I was so caught up in playing with the unicorn that I didn’t plan an introduction or explanation…or an escape plan. There was a chance they would declare me ‘monster’ and banish me away forever or possibly experiment on/or kill me.
“Awww why not? Please, c’mon!” she whined, even that was cute about her. More than anything, I wanted to tell her I could but I knew it’d be too risky.
“I wish I was able but I can’t, I’m sorry, Lyra” her faced was woven with depression at that, I decided to cheer her up with a thought. “Hey, we can hang out tomorrow though, if ya want?” instantly, her ears perked up as a happy look undid the threads of sadness on her face.
“Okay!” she replied happily, I chuckled again at her, she seemed to take that as a sign for something, I didn’t know what but it looked like she enjoyed whatever recognition it meant for her.
“Okay? Cool, I’ll be here, don’t worry” I said as assuring as I could muster before sitting up. Lyra followed the movement and got to her hooves as I stood up, rather groggily I might add, I was severely tired after today.
“Alright, Lyra, I will see you tomor-” my sentence was cut off by a weight pressing up against me. I looked down to see the unicorn hugging me again. I smiled and gently stroked her mane with my right hand as my left simply held her. She released after a moment and looked up at me.
“See ya tomorrow!” she said happily before scampering off towards the town with a smile detailing her lips.
I grinned at her departing figure before turning it to myself. That just happened, this is happening, is this happening? Am I dreaming? I smacked myself across the face to find out.
“Damn!”
Nope, this wasn’t a dream. I sighed as the image of the small pony running off became out of sight. I closed my eyes in exhaustion and to just let everything sink into my mind, so much has happened in such a short time.
From losing my best friend to receiving that package, getting sucked through my television, seeing that thing in the forest and now I had a friend, someone I never think I’d even see, let alone befriend. I was literally IN Equestria, the brony inside me practically jumped for fucking glory at the revelation. Though the more human-involved part of me had it’s own opinion about all of this. Right now, I wasn’t going to listen to either of them and simply listen to another part of my body.
*Growl*
I was severely hungry. I hadn't eaten anything since breakfast and I’d imagine to go through portals to other worlds, you lose a few kilos just to get through. At least, that’s how it felt and if Zathura teaches us anything besides love your brother and don’t play old ass board games, it’s THAT.
I chanced to look around, the town was still a fair distance away from me as was any visible food source. I knew they fruit and vegetable stands down there but I wasn’t about to test how well all those videogames paid off at teaching me how to sneak. No, that was a stupid idea. I began thinking as to where I would find something filling, in vast amounts and something I actually wanted to eat…apples.
More specifically; Sweet Apple Acres.
I thought about for a few minutes. Could I really steal from my favourite pony? I needed to eat but I know how the Apple Family is with honest and integrity, they certainly wouldn’t be kind-hearted if they saw me picking their own grown produce that they practically live off. I needed to live off it too but could I really take…well, anything from her?
“Applejack” I let out, barely a whisper. I didn’t want to but by Faust, I had to and if she or her brother were to catch me then well, I’ll work around it.
Bloody finally! I knew the place was not only famous for it’s produce but for it’s vastness and yet it took forever to find the acres. I pictured Celestia casually lowering the sun and her sister getting ready to raise the mo-…my thoughts were cut off before I began speaking aloud to myself.
“Luna?…filly Lyra…smaller Ponyville, wait…okay, okay, so hang on…I’m the freaking past?!” that’s when I paused. Not only was I in Equestria, I was well placed back in time before the events of season one. At least, that’s how I figured it, it made sense…somewhat. “But that means-awwww Goddamnit!” I yelled in frustration, I knew what this meant but before I could dive into that train of thought, another brought me to attention. “ Shouldn't I try to be finding a way back home?” I asked myself. I stopped dead in my tracks, I was barely on the property by now. “How would I get home? Do I want to home?” on one side, my mind said ‘Hell no’, on the other, it said ‘Yes, of course’.
I decided to leave the issue for now, my stomach was practically eating itself by then.
There it was, the famous Sweet Apple Acres. The sun was well into setting as I walked into the orchard. The whole scenery was…well, beautiful, I know I use that term loosely but truthfully, everything I had laid eyes on besides the forest was simply marvellous. The orange glow illuminated the farm in a radiant aura, giving off an Autumn-like feeling to the whole sight.
I spent a few good minutes simply admiring the orchard, it then hit me again that I was here for a particular reason, not to sight-see. I needed to eat. I looked around and spotted a random apple tree, it’s trunk was fairly tall but I could most-likely reach the delicious red fruit, hanging from the many branches above the ground. I walked towards it without a second thought and looked up at the fruit it bore, I licked my lips in anticipation.
After what felt like an eternity, I was finally about to live the fantasy of taking a bite of this farm’s produce. With excited rushing through my veins, I reached up and grasp one in my hand, I was right, I could reach it apparently. The apple was massive, my fingers barely coiled around it. I brought it to my eye and stared intently at it.
“Let’s see if they’re as good as I think” I said. With a swift movement of my arm, I sank my teeth into the juicy fruit and bit a large chunk out of it. Instantly, I hummed in pleasure at the taste, it was gorgeous. Sweet and tangy, truly what I expected and more. Eager for another taste, I dove in for a second bite, the flavour hit me and I indulged in another sweet, blissful state.
To be honest, I was quite surprised I hadn't been spotted yet, either by hovering pegasi or wandering ponies, I was truly lucky to not be discovered by anypony besides that sweet filly. I thought again about her, about Lyra, so young, so innocent, so kind. I smiled at that before taking another bite.
I really shouldn't jinx myself so often, it's annoying. How I said that I was lucky to not be spotted, that streak ended right there and then as a small, accented voice called out from behind me.
"Stop! Don't move!" the voice feminine from what I could gather, no, not feminine, girlish. The voice sounded high pitched yet smooth with a tinge of southernism in it. I was afraid of hearing a voice like that.
Instinctively, I turned around, the half-eaten apple in my hand and looked down. There, standing in front of on all fours was a small, orange earth-pony filly, her eyes were narrow, rimmed in an entrancing emerald hue. The white freckles strewn across her face casted an adorable look on the pony, I was surprised to find no hat of any kind to be placed upon her head, let alone her trademark Stetson. From this angle, I could make out, you guessed it, a baron flank, nothing but orange pelt.
"Applejack?" I asked, calmer than I thought I would. I locked eyes with her and she looked just as confused as she was angry.
"How do yah'll know mah name?" Deja Vu.
"Hmmm?" I let out.
"Mah name...how do yah'll know it? Wait, what are ya? A thief?!" she replied, I was taken aback a little by her aggressiveness, it was understandable but not full-on welcome.
"No..." suddenly, an idea popped into my head and to this day, I'm glad it did. "...I didn't know these were your apples, I was starving and these are delicious so, I'm sorry" I said, her eyes widened a little, she looked less angry.
"What are ya?" she asked again. I found this all rather strange, she was just an unarmed filly, I could've ran and if she chased me, I could easily over-power her. That was not what I had planned however, AJ was my favourite pony from the show and I was NOT about to do her harm, under any circumstances. I also didn't want to make a bad impression just in case...well, there was no conceivable way at that time if I could go home, so, if I couldn't then...ya get the idea.\
"Well, you've probably never seen anything like me before, have you?" she shook her head. "I'm a human"
"A human?" she asked in confusion.
"Yes and I'm sorry I stole from you, it won't happen again" I said, trying to warm up to her. She may have been younger than me but I desperately wanted her respect. She paused for a moment.
"What are yah'll doin' out here anyway?" she inquired.
"Well, I kinda got..." I thought on it for a second. "...lost". Applejack's young face hinted of sympathy and/or compassion, I mentally fist-pumped to myself. A moment of silence hung over us before she spoke again.
"Where're ya from?" she asked, I went blank. She couldn't know I was an alien and I didn't want to confuse her further by saying 'Earth' so I went with;
"Not from nearby, where am I now?" of course I knew but for my plan to win her favour to work, I had to ask. She look proud before answering me.
"Well you're down on Sweet Apple Acres, pard'ner" she replied with a smug smile. "Best darn-" I cut her off.
"THE Sweet Apple Acres!?" she was taken aback by my excited outburst but that was the idea. "The best damn apple orchard in all of Equestria!?" I already knew where I was. "Home of the founding family of Ponyville and creators of the Zap-Apple Jam?!" I believe that statement was true, I didn't remember EVERY detail from that episode, I still don't know my history of Equestria all that well. My plan to flatter her and her family seemed to work as she let out a prideful smirk at me.
"Eeyup!" she answered smugly.
"Wow, now I know why this apple tastes so good, it was raised right here on the legendary Sweet Apple Acres" truth be told, more than once, I had planned about what I were to say to Applejack if this ever happened but never did I think I were to use it.
"Ah...ah suppose ya can have one" she said, I smiled at her before taking another of the apple, still in my hand. Just like before, the taste was heavenly. Still munching on the delicious fruit, knelt down before sitting down on the dirt ground, not looking as Applejack walked up to me. I chanced a glance to where she was to find her much closer to my position, like this, she was taller than me on her legs. She suddenly spoke. "What's your name, human?" I was shock at her blatant question but nonetheless, I answered her after swallowing.
"Kyle Mercer" I answered.
"Ah'm Applejack, Ah suppose ya already knew that though, ay?" she replied, I just smiled at her. It then hit me.
"What are you doing out here? It's getting dark out" I asked.
"Oh..." she looked visibly saddened. "...Ah was just out for a walk" I had to ask.
"Is something wrong, AJ?" I mentally kicked myself for calling her that, I knew that was her nickname but we had just met, I was afraid she'd lash out at me for such a comment. Though, surprisingly, she didn't. She looked down and kicked the dirt before plopping down on the ground next to me.
"Nah" she answered. Damn, even at this age, she sucks at lying. We were about eye level in this position but I was kinda slouching backwards, using my hands to support my weight. I knew how annoying it was for someone to persist about your problems, especially the ones they didn't talk about but this was Applejack, if she was uneasy...that same tweak of begrudging responsibility pinched at the back of my mind. I wanted to help her, she didn't know me but I knew her.
"C'mon, Applejack, ya can tell me"
"Ah'm fahne, really" she shrugged me off, I completely understood but just the fact that I was talking to her was enough to keep me inquiring.
"Really? Cause you certainly don't seem-"
"Ah said Ah'm fahne, Kahle!" I know I make her speech a bit TOO southern but trust me, the way she talked, the way she talks is so adorable, it needs more detail as to how she spoke to me. A little surprised by her outburst, I decided to leave teh subject alone.
"Okay, sorry" I said before taking another bite of the red fruit that was almost about gone. After a long moment of silence, I heard her whisper something, I don't think she was talking to me but nor did I believe she spoke to herself.
"I'm thinking...of running away" she said in a hushed voice.