“Again!” Rainbow Dash demanded. “And I bet you can’t hit the middle this time.”
Joe didn’t reply verbally, just nocking an arrow and smiling as he released it and it thunked neatly into the centre of the target next to some of the others.
“Nuts,” Rainbow Dash said, flying over to the target. She landed and tugged at an arrow, then tugged a little harder before commenting. “Those are well wedged in, could stop a Griffon with how hard they hit.”
“I… am not sure I could,” replied Joe, unhooking the bowstring now Rainbow Dash seemed satisfied.
“Oh, your aim is not that bad,” Rainbow Dash said reassuringly, turning to look at Joe. “Sure a few hit near the edges, so sure it was a lucky shot to win the bet…”
“Ah don’t think that was what Joe meant,” interrupted Applejack. “He said he was not sure he could.”
Rainbow Dash looked at Joe’s expression. “Oh,” she said.
“Yeah,” Joe sighed, returning the bowstring to his belt pouch with the spares.
“You still dwelling on being called a predator?” asked Applejack as Joe started to walk towards the target.
Joe nodded slowly as he walked and slid the bow back through the canvas strap on his back. He reached the target and started to pull the arrows free, distracted by his thoughts and not noticing Rainbow Dash and Applejack exchanging glances at how easy he made this look. The Cutie Mark Crusaders also watched and looked to each other.
“There’s no need to be sad,” Sweetie Belle reassured Joe. “I’m sure Fluttershy doesn’t want you to be unhappy.”
“Thank you Sweetie Belle,” said Joe, turning to give her a quick nod and smile, “and she is kind hearted.” Joe pulled a few more arrows free before he spoke again, Rainbow Dash had not been easily satisfied so there were quite a lot to remove from the target. “There are people though… humans I mean… who enjoy hunting. Some prefer to hunt with a camera but…” Joe shrugged. “Even those that act the predator would, generally, find it harder to kill something that could talk. Something that is another person, as Griffons are here… unlike in human mythology.”
“So you are not sure you could?” Rainbow Dash asked.
“I am sure I don’t want to find out,” said Joe, shrugging and putting the arrows away. “But I am not sure if it speaks well of humans that soldiers freezing is a problem that has to be trained out of them, and the training doesn’t always work, or poorly of us that we do try to train it out so they can kill if needed.”
“Ah suggest you talk to Twilight,” Applejack suggested, “her brother used to be Captain of the Royal Guard…”
“Until he went off to play snoo-snoo with Princess Cadance in the Crystal Empire,” interrupted Rainbow Dash.
“I heard about the wedding, and the Changelings,” Joe nodded, moving back away from the target.
“And if Twilight can’t help you compare human and Pony military training,” finished Applejack, “then she’d likely know somepony that can.”
Joe nodded again, picked up his spear, and started towards his hut. “I suppose I should find out if humans are as psychotic as Fluttershy, now, seems to think.”
“What’s sci-cot-ick mean?” asked Apple Bloom, trotting a little to get to Joe’s side.
“It means something not right in the way they think,” Joe replied, slowing as he spoke, “though normally used to mean someone who wants to hurt people or doesn’t care about hurting them.”
“But you didn’t want to hurt the crocodile,” said Sweetie Belle, trying again to reassure Joe.
“But I was willing to,” Joe pointed out, “which someone as gentle and sweet as Fluttershy would find abhorrent… nasty.”
“I know what abhorrent means,” nodded Sweetie Belle, “I’ve heard Rarity use it about some dress designs.”
“What about the Manticore?” Scootaloo asked, having also taken position on Joe.
“To be honest,” admitted Joe, before smiling and giving Applejack a nod-bow, “as Apple Bloom’s sister would prefer…”
“Ah would.”
“There was a temptation,” continued Joe. “At the time I was concerned for the safety of you three, and looking back I am glad to have not killed it, but…” He paused for a few moments and strides. “I was in a lot of pain after it mauled me and even with how fast I healed, thanks to Zecora and Twilight, I was still in a lot of pain for weeks after. So seeing it was not dead, as I’d thought, did tempt me to correct that.”
“Ah, ponies get that feeling too,” Applejack reassured him, “though I ain’t right certain if they get it as strongly or about killing. But that don’t matter much as y’all controlled it, and did what these idjits wanted, and gave the Manticore another chance.”
That last comment was, perhaps, badly timed as they had just come within earshot of where Rarity and Fluttershy were setting things out. Fluttershy glanced up from her work and gave Applejack a look of sufficient intensity that the orange mare replied with a nervous grin. This byplay went unnoticed by Joe as his eyes were on what the pair had done. “I can see why you two are known for your sense of style,” he said admiringly. “I recognise the plates and the contents but somehow you have made it look elegant.”
“Why, thank you,” Rarity replied, giving Joe a quick dose of eyelashes. “I hope you don’t mind we also brought some apple juice out for the Fillies?”
“Of course not,” Joe reassured her, before brushing his forehead and looking at the finger he’d taken off gripping his spear. “I’ll be back out in a few minutes, perspiration evaporating away is an efficient way to lose heat compared with panting like a dog,” he said, nodding to Applejack, “or licking damp onto fur like a cat,” he added, with a nod to Rarity, “but it can soak into clothes and be damp and smelly.”
“Joe drips water from all over himself,” nodded Scootaloo, taking another chance to show off what she’d learned.
“Not drip,” Joe protested, though he admitted to himself that if he was working hard enough or the air was humid enough then maybe.
“Darling,” said Rarity, frowning in a dignified manner at Joe, “how do you know so much about cats and dogs?”
“Humans domesticated dogs so long ago,” Joe replied, tapping his nose, “it’s been suggested that is why we have a bad sense of smell. And cats, I think, domesticated us.” He gave the ponies a smile. “Which would explain why a few thousand years ago they were worshipped as Gods. Still, if you’ll excuse me?”
“Of course, go ahead,” agreed Rarity, “shoo, shoo.” Joe nodded to her and went inside his hut, Rarity waiting until the door closed again to turn to Applejack and question her. “When you suggested running I was a little surprised,” she admitted, “but you didn’t seem surprised Joe could manage.”
“He’s been working around Sweet Apple Acres,” Applejack replied, “so been getting a mite fitter.”
“And he wasn’t as ungainly when he ran as you’d think from something so awkward looking,” nodded Rarity, sipping her tea.
“Ah wasn’t expecting him to have quite such a stride,” Applejack admitted, reaching for a bun, “didn’t think only two legs would let him move different than walking. Though ah still think he’s only got a walk and a run rather than a walk and a trot and a canter and a gallop. Or those and a hop if you count Pinkie.”
Rarity nodded as she took another sip of tea. After a pause and a little more tea and buns for her and the others she gave a slight smile. “Thinking of awkward looking,” she said, eyes twinkling a little, “I think I have given him enough time.” Before the others could decide what she meant by this Rarity raised her voice. “Oh Joe, Joeeeeeee!”
The others looked at her as some muffled noises came from within the hut, then the door opened and Joe stepped into the doorway, a towel in one hand. He glanced around for why he had been called and seeing nothing looked to Rarity. “What’s the problem?” he asked.
“Can you be a dear, and bring some more hot water out to top up the pot,” Rarity replied, “when you are dressed?”
There was enough commonality between human and Pony body language and expression for them to see Joe was wondering why that request was urgent enough to have not waited until he was dressed. But he just nodded and said ‘okay’ before retreating back inside and shutting the door again.
“Did you just call him so you could see him without a shirt on?” Applejack asked, giving Rarity a suspicious look.
“Of course not,” said Rarity, in mock offence.
“So we could see him?” Applejack pressed.
“Maybe,” winked Rarity, sipping her tea again. “Only seemed generous.”
“Not bad,” Rainbow Dash mused, “not built as bulky as a Minotaur, and definitely not as much fur, or enough, but even if he’s weird looking he’s weird looking in a way that looks right for him.”
“I can see why he’d not want to get hurt like that again,” squeaked Fluttershy, finding her teacup utterly fascinating rather than meet the eyes of the others.
“Yep,” Applejack agreed, “those are some nasty scars. Nastier than the Manticore had ah think.”
Fluttershy just squeaked again instead of saying anything more and they went back to tea and buns, Rarity and Fluttershy taking less than their share of the latter and Rainbow Dash taking the chance to fuel herself for her next amazing feat. There was a noise from inside the hut and Rarity quickly snagged the teapot with her magic, whipping it several feet away from where they were sitting to pour most of the remaining contents out. The teapot settled again and Joe emerged just too late to see the blue glow fading from around it. He’d his kettle in one hand, his tea caddy in the crook of his other arm, and was dressed more as they’d expected before today, his scars and his muscles hidden by his loose shirt.
“You don’t seem to have used much milk and sugar for that much tea,” Joe commented, checking the tea grounds and hoping they’d be fine if he just refilled the pot with water.
“I am sure you would say we are sweet enough already,” smiled Rarity, diverting the conversation.
Joe nodded to her with a slight smile in return. “I am just glad you do get milk from cows,” he replied.
“Where else would we get it from?” asked Rarity in surprise.
“Are a few other animals,” Joe said, shrugging and pouring the hot water into the pot. “But I was thinking more that there are peo… humans who don’t drink milk where I come from despite cows not being able to talk there. So I am glad you don’t share their attitude towards milk, and eggs, and other things. Would have been harder to go Vegan rather than Vegetarian.”
“Are those the Jains you mentioned?” said Rarity, topping up her teacup as soon as Joe was finished with the teapot.
“They are even stricter,” Joe replied, sitting cross-legged.
“See honey,” Applejack said, giving Fluttershy a nudge, “some of them ain’t so bad.”
“Though some of them are,” shrugged Joe.
Applejack gave Joe a slightly disgusted look. She’d been trying to reassure her friend and having that spoiled by what, even to her, seemed excessive honesty was not helpful. There was only so much you could do if someone was determined to make a bad impression though so she concentrated on making sure Apple Bloom didn’t eat too many buns too fast and make herself ill. Time passed peacefully until Applejack noticed the time.
“Ah, heck,” Applejack said, “we were going to meet Twilight and Pinkie at the station.”
“I’m on it!” said Rainbow Dash, taking off in a streak of colour and bun crumbs before anyone else could react.
“Seems like we’re going to get the Fillies home without Rainbow after all,” Applejack commented.
“Indeed,” agreed Rarity, setting her teacup down gently. “Thank you for the tea and buns Joe.”
“Safe travels to you all,” Joe said, rising and starting to clear things away as Applejack added her own thanks, Fluttershy agreed it was nice, and, after being prodded by her sister, Apple Bloom also said thank you, which prompted Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle towards this. Then the six ponies left and Joe began to realise just how many buns had been eaten and that he might have to visit Sugarcube Corner sooner rather than later. But although he was a little embarrassed and worried it had still been a pleasant end to the day.
==
Twilight Sparkle stood, trying to ignore Pinkie Pie as she bounced around her chattering away. Today had not been a bad one but, more than once, Twilight Sparkle had wished she’d not been asked to go to Canterlot as well. As wonderful a friend as Pinkie Pie was she was easier to deal with in smaller doses or with the others there. An entire day of dealing with Pinkie Pie alone and having to work with her to plan a party that was both fun and had all the traditional elements it needed had left her wanting to get back to her bed and peace and quiet rather than waiting at the station.
A blur and, before even Pinkie Pie could do more than draw in breath to say ‘look’, Rainbow Dash had landed. The small cloud of dust her hooves had thrown up began to settle as she neatly folded her wings along her flanks. “Sorry Twi,” she said, “we got distracted.”
“Distracted by what?” Twilight Sparkle asked, her horn glowing and her bags levitating to follow as they started to walk.
“Joe was fighting a Manticore, in armour!”
“What?” Twilight Sparkle blinked, nearly losing her telekinetic hold on her things.
“There was a Manticore in armour?” gasped Pinkie Pie in mid-hop.
“No,” Rainbow Dash said, giving her friend a surprised look, “Joe was the one wearing armour.”
“That makes more sense,” admitted Pinkie Pie, “wait…” Then she gasped again, even more dramatically. “Joe was wearing armour?”
“I think you had better explain,” Twilight Sparkle said.
“Well, I was at Fluttershy’s cottage when Applejack came by to check if the Cutie Mark Crusaders were there…” said Rainbow Dash, launching into the tale and how she had been awesome in flying to Ponyville to check with Rarity. And then flying all sorts of other places to look for the Cutie Mark Crusaders while Rarity met up with Fluttershy and Applejack.
This tale of impressive speed took long enough for the trio of ponies to arrive at the Golden Oaks Library. As they entered Spike looked up from the dusting he’d started doing when he heard the train whistle, and which he’d been doing for longer than he’d expected. He trotted across to give Twilight Sparkle a quick hug of welcome and then looked at Rainbow Dash as he realised she was telling them about something.
“…so we went to his hut, and found a note and a map there…” Rainbow Dash was saying.
“Whose hut?” asked Spike.
“Oh! Oh! Tell Spike! Tell Spike!” Pinkie Pie demanded, grabbing and shaking Rainbow Dash a little.
Twilight Sparkle rolled her eyes as Rainbow Dash happily went back to the start of her story and the part where she’d been awesome. While Pinkie Pie listened to this for the second time and Spike made appropriately admiring noises Twilight Sparkle took the chance to put her things away. And to take a few minutes to just sit quietly and look out the window and enjoy those moments of peace before returning to having to deal with Pinkie Pie. She wondered if she had sat longer than she’d realised when she came down the stairs and saw the others had arrived after returning the Fillies to their homes.
“Joe’s a Grizzly,” squeaked Fluttershy as she saw Twilight Sparkle.
“Rather than a Panda,” Rarity explained, not really enlightening Twilight Sparkle or the others. Seeing their puzzlement she continued. “He can fight and could hunt, if he wanted, rather than his nature being to sit around and eat plants despite his dentition and digestion.”
“Ah think he might be more like a Dog,” mused Applejack. “Winona is a right nice gentle pup, but if she wanted to protect me, or us, then she’s got the teeth fer it.”
“Would Joe’s leg go like this,” Pinkie Pie asked, flopping down and demonstrating, “if you tickled his tummy?”
Fluttershy blushed. “We, er… we did… er….”
Although ignoring Pinkie Pie with the ease of long practice Twilight Sparkle also looked embarrassed. “What Fluttershy is trying to say is we realised Joe needed something as well as vegetables,” she admitted, “and she and I based it on the sort of food Applejack feeds Winona.” The others looked at her and she gave them a smile. “Please don’t tell him that.”
“Leaving whether he’s been fed kibble aside,” Rarity said, “I do think he is more dog than cat. As much as I dearly love Opalescence she does seem… determined to be a predator. Even if she is well fed and doesn’t need to hunt.”
“Thinking of cats and hunting,” frowned Applejack, looking at Twilight Sparkle, “how come you didn’t mention how badly Joe got hurt by that Manticore? I’d have gone easier on him with errands iffen I’d known.”
“When Joe was hurt that was by a Manticore?” Pinkie Pie gasped.
“The scars are quite nasty,” said Fluttershy through her mane.
“I didn’t think to,” Twilight Sparkle admitted.
“You ‘didn’t think to’?” Applejack repeated.
“Fair is fair,” said Rarity, defending Twilight Sparkle, “you didn’t think to mention Joe was getting fit with all the errands and extra exercise.”
Pinkie Pie gasped again and Rainbow Dash turned to her. “Okay Pinkie, it’s not that dramatic!”
“Only because you haven’t got to the fighting a Manticore part!” Pinkie Pie complained.
“What about the being chased by a Giant Crocodile part?” asked Applejack. “One that did have teeth and twern’t as nice as Gummy.”
“Maybe you should just continue from finding the note at Joe’s hut,” Twilight Sparkle suggested as Pinkie Pie gave another, more justifiable, gasp. “Since Rainbow has told her version of what led to that. Twice. Already.”
“Well, we all found the note and saw the route Joe had sketched out,” said Applejack, “and I was right glad we had Fluttershy along to talk to things…”
As the story went on Pinkie Pie settled back to listen and pulled some popcorn from somewhere to munch on. Twilight Sparkle spared this no more than a brief glance as she’d long since given up on investigating and trying to define the magic Pinkie Pie showed. Investigating Joe might actually give results, though as Rarity confessed to the snooping in closets Twilight Sparkle hoped she could be more subtle than that. And Spike noticed the look in Twilight Sparkle’s eyes and started to wonder if he should be feeling sorry for Joe.