//------------------------------// // A Different Approach // Story: Timed Ramblings // by Midnight herald //------------------------------// Pinkie had seen her at market the last three days, the orange filly with the hat much too large for her, who was always so polite to the ponies buying her apples. Her customers always left with a little smile, but Pinkie had never seen one from the filly herself. She probably had good teeth, with the way the rest of her was kept up so nicely, but Pinkie had never seen them. Sure, the other filly had a good business face, always being pleasant and friendly but not too overbearing, just like how Mrs. Cake said Pinkie needed to be, but as soon as they were gone, she sagged again. She never left the stand, not even to stretch her legs, not even when nopony was in the market square. And she looked so sad all the time, Pinkie wanted nothing more than to give her the biggest hug in the whole world, and never let her go. But she’d learned that surprise hugs to strangers were a really good way to get yelled at a bunch, so she figured she should probably get the filly’s name first. She trotted up to the apple stand during a lull, proudly holding her first month’s savings in its red velvet pouch. She spat the bag of bits onto the side of the table and gave a shiy, winning smile. “Hi, I’m Pinkie Pie,” she said, holding a hoof over the barrels of apples. It barely cleared the red-and-green mottled ones. “How many apples of which kind?” the other filly asked, studiously ignoring Pinkie’s wavering hoof. “I don’t really know apples that well,” Pinkie admitted, growing a devious little smile. “Which ones do you recommend?” The other filly brightened slightly, the lonely ghost of a smile tickling her freckles. “Well, what do you want them for?” “Just snacking, I guess. Didn’t really think about it.” Pinkie took her hoof back and shook herself from head to tail, to get rid of her nervousness. “Well, If ya don’t know why ya want apples, why’d you come to my stall?” the other filly snapped, tilting her hat back to show her indignant emerald eyes. “Well, I wanna get to know you better,” Pinkie answered, grinning again. “I mean, I never see you at school, and --” Pinkie stopped short when the other filly flinched, baring her teeth. She’d gone and said something she shouldn’t have, again. “Sorry,” she squeaked, grabbing her bit bag and running off. She’d just have to try a different approach, once the other filly had calmed down. ------------------------- Applejack shucked off the heavy wagon and sighed, rolling her sore shoulders. The last few orders she’d filled before leaving had taken longer than she’d wanted, so now Apple Bloom was probably gonna scream and holler for food soon as she saw Applejack’d come inside. her ears twitched as she walked inside; somepony was singing a lullaby, and it sure as heck wasn’t Big Mac or Granny. Applejack picked up the pace, grabbing a fire poker for defense as she headed for the kitchen, towards the mystery voice. She walked through the door and almost dropped the poker with a clatter as her jaw went slack. That weird pink pony from earlier was in her kitchen with Apple Bloom in the crook of one forearm, suckling at a bottle. She looked up with clear blue eyes and gave a guilty, wry grin, hobbling over to where Applejack stood frozen. She passed ‘Bloom off with a surprising gentleness and backed away slowly, still grinning. “Sorry, Applejack,” she whispered, cringing a little. “Your granny fell asleep and she was hungry, so I figured while I was waiting for you I might as well...” She trailed off under Applejack’s glare. Applejack tried her best not to yell as she rocked her baby sister gently. “What the hell are you doin’ in my house?” she almost snarled. Apple Bloom whimpered slightly while swallowing the last of whatever that pink fool had given her, and Applejack took a moment to calm her. “I was gonna make you dinner,” the pink filly answered, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Applejack burped ‘Bloom and lay her down in the spare crib before rounding on the stranger before her. “What, because the dropout cain’t handle herself?!” she shouted. “Because pore ol’ Applejack cain’t hold the right end of a spoon?!” The pink pony had backed up so far she hit the stove. She yelped from the heat of it and jumped to the side, breathing faster than she should’ve. “I just thought, since you mighta had a rough day, and ‘cause your family is so nice, I’d make it so you didn’t haveta,” she cried, trembling. “You’re gonna use my family ‘gainst me?” Applejack had gotten real calm, raising up her head and glaring as hard as she knew how. If this pony was gonna play dirty, she’d just run her off the farm, show her who was boss. Nopony got one over on Applejack, no sir. But the pony whispered another broken little ‘sorry’ and run off her own self, leaving behind a pot of respectable veggie stew. Applejack snuggled in tight to Apple Bloom that night, to make sure no strange ponies could touch her baby sis. She dreamt of pink, and woke confused and irritable. ------------------------- Twitcha-twitch.... Twitcha-twitch.... Pinkie looked around for whatever would be falling, while her tail danced the conga behind her. Twitcha-twitch.... Twitcha-twitch.... Finally, she saw the impact zone. She ran forward, not really caring about the looks she got while she barreled out of the bakery and into the market square. “APPLEJACK, LOOK OUT!” she screamed. Applejack jumped and muttered something. Pinkie continued on full-steam. She tackled Applejack just as an entire box-planter smashed right where Applejack had stood. One of the barrels of apples in reserve had turned into a mush of splinters and applesauce, and a wilting peony sat atop Applejack’s hat. Underneath the hat, Applejack’s eyes, confused and angry, locked on to Pinkie’s. “What in Celestia’s name do you think you’re doing here?” Applejack spat, shoving Pinkie away. She rolled twice and smacked into a wall. “For that matter, do ya even think at all? Do ya have a brain between those ears of yours?” Pinkie tried not to cry. She couldn’t cry, not here. Not where everyone could see. “Well?” Applejack shouted, spittle flying from her mouth. Pinkie got her feet beneath her, and unsteadily walked away. Applejack really, really needed a friend, but right now wasn’t a good time. Pinkie would just try again once she’d cooled off. All she needed was a different approach...