//------------------------------// // Chapter 13 // Story: A New World, A Fresh Start // by drnkntst //------------------------------// Chapter 33 Rick knocked on the door to the Carousel Boutique, “do come in, please,” was the response in the elegant tones of Rarity. Rick carefully ducked into the door. “Rick darling, what brings you here today?” “Good day, Rarity. Oh, hello, Fluttershy. How are you ladies today?” “Um, we are fine, thank you.” “Yes, we were just enjoying a cup of tea when you arrived.” Rarity magically raised her teacup as evidence. “Sounds nice, but Rarity, I need to ask you for something if you don’t mind.” Rick sat on the floor at the table. “Of course, Darling. What can I do for you?” She took another sip of her tea. “Well, the Cutie Mark Crusaders and I were going to go on a little hike through the forest soon and I was hoping you could make me a backpack.” “I’ll certainly try my best. I just need to know one thing.” “What’s that, Rarity?” “What is a backpack?” Rick couldn’t help but giggle a little. “Rarity, a backpack is like a… a saddlebag for a human. It’s a shaped sack with a pair of padded shoulder straps and a padded panel for the back. Typically the sack is held closed by zippers. I’ll work it off somehow, I certainly don’t expect anything for free.” “Dear, don’t worry, I know you aren’t trying to take advantage of our friendship, you will pay when and if you can, relax.” “Excuse me, did you say you were going hiking in the forest?” Fluttershy politely asked. “Yes, we were going to try to simply enjoy nature a little. Maybe explore possibilities for getting their cutie marks.” Rick turned to Fluttershy. “Would you like to join us? I know how much you love woodland critters. I’m sure the girls would enjoy your company as well as your knowledge.” Fluttershy blushed a little and nodded her agreement. “Great, what about you, Rarity? I’m sure your sister would like it if you came along.” “Oh my no. I just abhorrer all that dirt and… nature.” Rarity actually shuddered in disgust causing Rick to chuckle. “But I shall get started on your ‘backpack’ right away. I must say that I do feel more comfortable that you will be with her though.” “I promise that I will do everything I can to make sure she stays safe and comes home in one piece.” Rick placed a hand on Rarity’s shoulders. “And I thank you for the backpack, I’m sure it will be perfect. This outfit you made for me is testament to that, you truly are a talented seamstress.” “Why, thank you, Dear, but flattery won’t get you any discounts.” She grinned at Rick. Rick showed mock shock at Rarity’s statement by raising his chin and closing his eyes, “*gasp* I don’t know what you are referring to.” He smiled and looked at Rarity with one eye. Fluttershy giggled and Rarity grinned. “One other thing, and I hate to ask, but can you possibly make some more outfits for me? This one is fantastic, but I can’t wear the same thing every day.” “um, if you don’t mind me asking, why do you need to wear clothes? Ponies don’t need clothes. Do all humans where clothes all the time?” Fluttershy asked in her normal nervous manner. “Yes, I have wondered that myself. I mean I don’t mind making outfits for you, especially since you are such fan of my work.” Both ponies looked at Rick whose face was starting to turn bright red. “Why me?” “Um… the most appropriate response to that would be body temperature control. Since humans have very little hair, we are far more susceptible to temperature around us. Without clothing, we could freeze to death at fifty degrees and overheat at one hundred ten. There are other reasons that I really don’t want to get into with mixed company.” As he finished, his blush intensified, the two mares looked confused then realization slowly dawned. “Oh, oh my.” Rarity surprisingly managed to maintain her poise. Fluttershy blushed hugely, shrunk down and hid behind her hooves. “Well, I think I can make you some more outfits, I will make it a priority, after your ‘backpack’ of course. I should be able to have it ready tomorrow afternoon.” “Thank you, Rarity. You are a life saver. I will be in your debt and at your disposal. Fluttershy, I will let you know when we are going on our hike, I would expect two days. And now, ladies, I will take my leave.” Rick stood up, took a dramatic bow and exited the boutique. Rick decided to take a walk through town before heading back to the library. It was a nice day and there was still daylight left. Besides, he never really had a chance to just stroll on his own. Most of the ponies appeared to be unafraid, but some were a little apprehensive about him. It didn’t hurt his feelings though, even he was afraid of the same ponies who were now his dearest friends. After all, he was twice the height and weight of any of the ponies, as well as oddly shaped. When he came across the café, he saw Twilight and Applejack enjoying a meal together. “Maybe I should join them. I need to talk to AJ about the hike anyway.” He approached the pair, “mind if I join you ladies?” Chapter 34 Rick sat on the ground at the table, “Applejack, Twilight, how are you both doing today?” “We’re good, Rick, thank you for asking.” Twilight answered. “How are you?” “Good, I met the Cutie Mark Crusaders today. They are a great bunch of girls aren’t they?” “Applebloom and her friends are good kids. Ah know that Applebloom has been goin’ on about’cha ever since ya saved her frum that Timberwolf.” AJ concurred. “I really wish you all would stop bringing that up. I acted without thinking. Like I said, I actually thought she was someone’s pet at first.” The three chuckled. “Since I have you here, AJ, I need to ask you something.” “Alright, Sugar, shoot.” “The Crusaders and I had a plan to take a hike in the forest. I told them all to get permission first, but since you were here, I figured I’d take care of that now.” “Sounds fun, of course she can go with ya. Mind if Ah tagged along?” AJ answered. Rick was all smiles, “absolutely, I was going to ask you to come along anyway. I hear your good with the outdoors and since I don’t know the area, it would be a good idea to have someone who does come with us. Besides, Fluttershy said she would come too and offer her expertise with the critters, so it wouldn’t be fair to exclude someone else.” “Very sound judgment.” Twilight nodded. “I have some field guides on the flora and fauna of Equestria if you like.” “That would be great, Twilight, you now you are welcome to join as well.” Rick told her. “Oh, thank you no. I was never one for the outdoors.” Twilight confessed. “Funny, Rarity said something similar,” Rick smiled at Twilight as he stood up. “Applejack, I will see you in two days. Twilight, I will see you back at the library.” “Aren’t you going to join us?” Twilight asked. Rick looked at the hay and dandelion salads the two were enjoying. “Ummm, I think I would prefer some of the apples we still have at the library.” “Well, who could blame ya? Mah apples are the best in Equestria.” Applejack beamed. “Best on two worlds,” Rick told her. “Remember, I told you they were the best I ever had and I’m not from here.” The three smiled and Rick went on his way. Chapter 35 A human, two mares and three fillies met at a trailhead just outside Ponyville. It was early and was shaping up to be another beautiful day in Equestria. Rick was still trying to wrap his head around the idea that there were physical beings that could be thanked for this. “Those are some sharp duds ya got thar, Rick. Did Rarity make those for ya?” “She sure did. The long sleeves are not what I would normally chose for this weather, but it breathes so well I don’t even notice it. The green is a nice color choice too. The backpack feels good also. I don’t know how she does it. Sweetie Belle, your sister is amazing.” “She sure is!” The little white unicorn beamed. All the others chuckled. “All right,” Rick slung the backpack onto the ground and unzipped it, “We got rope, flashlight, lighter, field guide, apples, my pocketknife and one, two, three crusaders.” As Rick counted he placed his hand on each of their heads in turn, they each giggled when their turn came. “AJ, you got the canteens?” “Right here in mah saddlebag, Sugar.” She turned so that bag was promptly displayed. The big red apple on its flap seemed appropriate. “Well then, I believe we are all ready to go. Fluttershy, are you ready?” “Y-yes,” she turned her head and kicked at the dirt. “Good, AJ?” He turned still grinning from Fluttershy’s reaction. “Ready and raring ta go.” “Excellent, how about you, Crusaders?” All three chirped, “Yes!” Rick swung the backpack back on and picked up the hiking staff he fashioned the day before. “Fantastic, now let’s head out,” he raised the arm that held the staff straight out in front and started to walk down the trail. The group had a pleasant walk. There were many wondrous things to see, birds, flowers, bunnies they even managed to spot a few deer and snakes. Fluttershy helped the group have a few conversations with some of the critters. After a while, Fluttershy turned to Rick “Why did you bring so much stuff, oh, if you don’t mind my asking?” “That’s uh good question,” Applejack glanced up at him. “Something my grandfather taught me. Never stop being prepared. You never know what might happen, so you try to be ready for anything. He called it ‘if, then.’ In short, you try to think about all the things that might happen by asking yourself ‘if this happens, then what do I do?’ He taught me that even while having a chat with a man, I should be thinking about how to kill him if I had to.” The silence took Rick by surprise. He looked around and realized he was no longer surrounded by ponies. He looked back to see the horrified look on their collective faces. “What? I never had to, but Earth was not as peaceful as Equestria. Any person you met could be a threat. It was uncommon but it was still a possibility.” “Ah-Ah didn’t realize Earth was so… dangerous. How did ya manage ta survive like that?” Applejack approached. “Like I said, threats from other humans were not all together commonplace. They were a possibility and was just a precaution. Families and other support groups were key. Still, Equestria is the type of place many humans would kill to live in.” Again, silence and shock. “Figure of speech, I swear. I’ve never had to hurt anyone nor was I ever hurt… physically by anyone.” The ponies seemed to accept this and continued their walk. Occasionally, they would look up at Rick with sympathy. They couldn’t imagine a world where danger was possibly waiting around every corner. “How about that.” Rick said as he came out of the trees and saw a narrow gorge with a fast, rough river. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a rope bridge made with actual ropes before. On Earth they use steel cables.” “Steel cables, what are those?” Scootaloo asked. “Pretty much what they sound like, ropes made of metal. They’re hundreds of times stronger than regular rope,” He answered. “I don’t fell one hundred percent comfortable about this bridge.” “Well we could go back, but tha trail is uh loop, this way is much shorter than turnin’ back.” AJ offered. “Alright, but let me go first. If this thing is going to snap, it would be under my weight. Fluttershy, you follow after me, the Crusaders and lastly, AJ. Agreed?” The ponies all nodded in agreement. “Good.” “Good.” Rick gingerly placed one foot on the bridge, then the other. The creaking made his stomach plummet but he had to do this, so he forced himself to do so. “Don’t look down, don’t look down, don’t look down…” He made it to the other side, never had he been so happy to reach solid ground. “Ok, Fluttershy, your turn!” He was more certain of her safety than he was of his own, she weighed next to nothing and she could always fly if she need to. After Fluttershy made her way across accompanied by many cute little ‘eep’s,’ Rick called to the Crusaders, “alright, girls, your turn! Be careful, please!” they didn’t listen, as kids often don’t. The three fillies trotted out onto the bridge, the bouncing made Rick sick. Suddenly, Rick’s nightmare had come true. The ropes snapped.