Despite his sudden awakening, Twilight had woken up an hour at least before Kayl, making pancakes for the both of them. Not having talked about what else Kayl would like to eat, Twilight figured pancakes were as good as any other idea. She was a light sleeper, and wanted to get a jump on everything that she needed to do today.
“Well, I can't wait to help.” Kayl responded as he ate pancakes. “Surprisingly I'm well rested. What will you like me to help with first?”
Twilight chuckled, “I'd like you to help build a shed.”
Kayl shook his head, “Do I have to live in a shed now?”
Twilight gasped, “No! That's not what I mean! You're more than welcome to stay here Kayl. No, what I want you to do is help someone build a shed. I need to organize the books, and unfortunately I have this thing about organization.”
Kayl smiled, “You have to do it by yourself. So is this the favor you want me to do for you?”
Twilight nodded, “Yes, we could say that. Applejack is always telling me that if I ever need something she'd be willing to help. So I figured this might be a good way to help me help you.”
Kayl considered this for a moment. The foreign nature of people going out of their way to want to help each other was very alien to him. But also, he wasn't sure what Twilight wanted Kayl to accomplish here.
Having just finished his pancakes, he figured he had better get along to doing something. Sitting still would not help his still frazzled nerves. Albeit, Twilight had done what ever she could to calm Kayl. It was rather obvious, but it was quickly wearing thin again.
“Will building a shed, um, help me gain respect from the community or something?”
Twilight grabbed the empty plates and returned them to the kitchen. As she walked, the snoring of Spike—who apparently was a very late sleeper in contrast to Twilight—nearly drowned her out.
“Well, I hate to point something out. But I've been watching you get around and walk, and you seem to be making on like, well, you could probably do for some training. Helping AJ build a shed should do just that.”
Kayl looked down at his legs, they were still shifting about. He wanted to argue with Twilight, but she was right. He had learned how to use magic before he had even got a handle on walking. Had he looked so silly walking through Canterlot too?
Twilight smiled wide, “Also, AJ is just as sincere and fun as any pony could ever be! I think she'll make for another good friend to meet while you're here.”
Kayl fought with every ounce not to laugh. He had never had to walk on the edge of a wire so much before in his life, but everything he said might very well be the thing that dooms him.
“You know, I think I'm actually looking forward to it. Just uh, what should I expect from meeting AJ?”
Twilight grinned and giggled, eyes closed as she finished cleaning up, “Oh don't worry, AJ is very nice. She works a ranch on the outskirts of Ponyville, Sweet Apple Acres. She has a brother, a younger sister, and her grandmother lives there as well. Do you have cow ponies where you're from?”
Kayl had often met a few ranchers in his world, usually they contacted his firm for marketing and accounting. Those accounts required a certain kind of careful speech, the kind where you could sound just as brash as they were, but also as wholesome too. Ranchers believed in two things, God and Guns. If AJ was a rancher, he knew exactly how to her.
“We have ranchers, although there aren't many female ranch heads. Applejack must be a strong willed worker.”
Twilight whistled loud and nodded, “You have no idea.”
Twilight pulled out a saddle bag, packing it with food and water. At first, Kayl thought that it was for her. However, she placed the bag on Kayl's back instead. The extra weight threw him off balance, trip, and fall to the ground.
“Yeah, you see what I mean?” Twilight stooped down and helped Kayl to stand.
Kayl gave a sigh and a nod. Standing while wearing the bags was painfully embarrassing. If he hadn't been so focused, he might have broken down and cried right there. If not for Spike's snoring, he would have had nothing to distract him.
“I'm not putting him out am I?”
Twilight shook her head, “Of course not. Spike always sleeps up by my bed, and he always always sleeps in. Come on, we had better get going before AJ finishes the shed without us.
Twilight led Kayl outside, and soon enough they were walking down a dusty country road. Thankfully, the more he walked, the easier it got to walk. Still, Kayl was now more aware of himself, and tried not to let anyone see him walking.
Twilight groaned, “Come on Kayl, there's no one even out here. Besides, it's hardly noticeable...”
“Lamb sakes Twilight, what's wrong with your friend? He's walkin' all funny like!”
The voice came from nearby, and it drew Kayl's attention. Hopping over the fence was an orange horse. She had a golden mane that hung long from her head that was tied with a hair tie, just as her tail. Freckles around her eyes, and a cowboy hat adorned on her head. Strangely, Kayl seemed to think that if ever there was a close enough look alike to a cowgirl—or cowhorse—this was it.
Twilight walked over to Applejack, “Oh AJ! There you are, we were coming to meet you, actually. I want to introduce you to someone. This is Kayl. Kayl, this is my friend Applejack.”
Applejack walked over to Kayl and, pulling off her hat, gave a polite nod.
“Well howdy there Kayl! I hadn't figured that Twilight made a new colt friend! It's certainly nice to meet you! You feeling alright? You're walking kind of...”
Twilight coughed loudly, making large movements of her head. Kayl didn't need her protection however, and was perfectly capable of explaining himself.
“Yes, it's nice to meet you too Applejack. Well, the truth is I haven't got used to this body yet. You see, I'm...”
But he didn't get a chance to finish his sentence. Applejack pointed towards Kayl and began to stutter and exclaim in shock.
“What in tarnation! Are you a prince! Twilight!” Applejack turned on Twilight, “What are you doing letting me make fun of a prince!” Applejack turned back to Kayl with a sheepish look about her. But she was also very curious. It was apparent that she was willing to say whatever was on her mind. Sounded just like the ranchers from back home, really.
“Well shoot me full of holes and call me swiss cheese. You're really an alicorn. I don't know of any colt alicorns. Well, I hope you can forgive me for being so blunt. I beggin' your pardon of course. I didn't mean no harm by it. But what do you mean? Is Twilight lettin' me jump the fence before looking for the mud?”
Twilight began to explain all that had happened. Applejack had apparently already known about the human world as well, but was shocked at the turn of events none the less. Especially when Twilight explained the meeting with Celestia, Applejack let out a long whistle.
“Wow, Kayl, look at you! Gettin' to meet the ruler of Equestria on your first day here! Well celery stalks, that sure explains your funny walkin'. Looks like we need to get you movin' soon here. Too much standin' and talkin' don't get nothin' done, ya know?”
Twilight nodded, “Yes AJ, that's actually why we're here. Have you built that shed you were planning to you yet?”
Applejack shook her head, “Well, no I hadn't yet. Oh I see, give our friend here some work to get him using his body. That's a right near perfect idea Twilight. What do you say Kayl, ready to get your hooves dirty?”
Kayl took a deep breath, suddenly he felt like he was being sold into slavery. The image of pony slave traders throwing bags of golds around for his hide would have been more comical if it didn't feel so real. Still, the importance of paying for his debts to Twilight was too important.
“Ready as ever. I hope I can be of help to you, I'd hate to be a burden to...”
Applejack waved her head and exclaimed loudly, “Well now don't get your feathers bunched up Kayl. I'm not hiring you. You're my new friend, and we'll do what we can to get you walkin' good on your feet in no time! Just you make yourself at home here.”
The grating pain in his temple would have crippled him had he not become accustomed to hearing the word friend being thrown around so much. Twilight and AJ exchanged a knowing glance and nod.
“Well, thank you. I'll um...do my best...”
Twilight smiled and nod, “You'll be fine Kayl, AJ and you should get along great. AJ is the most honest and sincere pony in Ponyville. If she says you're welcome here, you most certainly are.”
Kayl glazed over what Twilight was saying, he was too distracted by his loathing for the joy of this world. Normally, Kayl wouldn't have thought himself a scrooge, but compared to the land of Equestria he was as miserly as a wall street banker.
Twilight said goodbye and AJ led Kayl back with her to her farm. The sight of the farm just around the corner was nostalgic. The hand painted sign, the settled barn in the background, acre upon acre of apples—obviously—livestock in pens, and dust clouds rolling around the farm. It was as calming as the country could be.
Still, it was unique. Colorful, almost cartoon, landscape was laid out as an artist's dream upon a canvas. Everything felt so animated, eccentric, and even chaotic in its energy.
Kayl was led past the barn and house to a small area of construction set up quickly. Tools had been laid about, but many other things also lying around gave the suggestion that his host had been ready to do this, but had neglected to go through with it.
Kayl cleared his throat, "Well, look at this! Everything's all ready for us to begin. If I didn't know better, I would've thought my whole reason to being pulled into your world would be to help you build a shed."
Kayl gave an empty, dry laugh. Applejack chuckled, which was bursting with life.
"Aww shucks, I'll admit I've put this off. Truth is I just didn't need it enough to really work on it. And, I didn't care enough to move the stuff back in storage after bringing it all out here. I promise you though, there's been no conspirin' on our part. Twilight is just a real nice friend who can plan ahead. I've known her for about three years now, and she's become one of my best friends."
Applejack and Kayl got the work underway. First however, Kayl needed to learn how to use tools like a pony. Applejack showed him how he could grab things with his teeth easily. This was disgusting, but Kayl thought that if he could use his new found magic instead to carry things, than he could be spared that.
Kayl also learned how the bottoms of his feet were incredibly thick, like horses. He could hammer nails into boards just by smacking them with his forelegs. When it came time for lunch, Kayl was just as surprised to see AJ kick the trees with her back legs, forcing all the apples to fall from the tree. He wondered if horses in his world could be used like that.
Kayl had a mind of how to handle ranchers, but AJ began surprising him with her warm nature. But more than her warm personality was her mind that she seemed to hold on her sleeves. Everything she thought about came out of her mouth at some point.
"I gotta say, I'm gosh darn excited to meet a colt alicorn. It's something else, you know? Ever since Twilight Sparkle became an Alicorn I've always wondered how it happened. And here you are, falling through mirrors and sprouting wings and a horn. Well apple turnovers, I'd be just as shocked as ever if all of a sudden I was flapping around with a magical horn.
But don't you worry none about me, I'm not jealous. Actually, I've always just been happy as a cow on the pasture to be as strong as I am. Let me tell you though, there's a lot of things that might make life easier, but there's no one else I'd rather be but me.
Well lamb sakes, you must feel pretty much the same way about your own state. Well I hope you don't mind me saying. But you're just about as nice as a can of worms in a fishing boat, if you get what I mean. And you're right lucky too! Why if you hadn't met Twilight when you did, you might have scrambled yourself into a lot more trouble. So that's something to look up to right?"
Kayl gave a polite nod, but said very little in response. Most of the time he merely gave a slight hum of agreement. He could hardly listen to her go on and on. It was true that ranchers were never one to shy away from conversation, but AJ was just being a down right blabber.
"So Applejack, should I call you Applejack or AJ?" Kayl wanted to try and move the conversation away from whatever it was that AJ wanted to take it to.
"Well Kayl--if I can call you Kayl that is--You can call me whatever suits you. A lot of my friends call me AJ, but sometimes they call me Applejack. Only you gotta be careful with how you say it there. This one time, I got into a lick of trouble with the apple harvest. Wouldn't accept help from no pony if you know what I mean.
Of course Twilight--great friend she is--came to me and she said, 'Applejack, you're working yourself too hard! You need help!' Well wouldn't you know that at the time I was so exhausted I swore she said kelp! I don't even like kelp!"
Kayl gave an uneasy laugh, "Oh that's a stitch of a story, um AJ, but could you perhaps put that aside for now and help me figure out why I'm walking around funny?"
Applejack gave Kayl a once look over and shook her head, "Oh you're not walking around too funny. You've certainly got better since you took that saddle bag off. Why the fuss over it? Did Twilight say something to you about it?"
Kayl shook his head, suppressing the truth, "No, it's fine. I was just curious."
And just as quickly as she had stopped to answer Kayl's question, she started her rambling again.
"Now if you want to hear about someone moving and acting funny, let me tell you about my terrible experience at the rodeo last year. Woo, was it rough. See, the roof of the city hall had been busted, and I went to the rodeo to win some prize money..."
AJ continued to tell story after story, and with each one, she would continuously divulge her fears, her worries, her flaws, and even her frustrations. She was especially frustrated with some pony named Rarity, though Kayl had no idea who that was.
There was no clock to tell the time by, but I assure you as the author of the time of day. However, by the time they sat down for lunch, several hours had passed. For Kayl, he felt as if days had been passing.
Despite his mental frustrations, Kayl was still full of energy. But AJ insisted that he had earned a break, and Kayl didn't want to argue. He was getting a hand of his movements now, he could stand on three legs, but he still had a hard time getting on two.
"So Kayl, what do ya'll think of this world of ours?"
Kayl wanted to decry how alien it was, and that he was terrified of being labeled a terrorist, or worse banished to the moon.
"It's quite a fine place. Very different from what I'm used to, if you understand my meaning. But I couldn't be happier with the hospitality I've been shown here."
He was of course, lying. All the hospitality he had been shown here was grating on him. He had to con Twilight Sparkle into giving him a task to do to earn the help of this new associate. But it would seem that for Twilight, Kayl's help was not even needed, and that alone was what bugged him.
Applejack gave a curt nod of the head, "Well that's might kind of you Kayl, though you seem troubled by something. Why don't you tell ole Applejack what it might be? Well I bet ya, I could help you with whatever it is. I'm the most dependable of ponies in all of Ponyville. I would never lie to ya, that's the truth!"
Kayl gave a polite nod of the head as he ate as his apple, "Well thank you, that's very kind of you too. I assure you if there's anything wrong then I'll late you know alright?"
After a bit of quiet, Applejack refused to take the rejection.
"Kayl, now listen. You can't expect me to believe that after your harrowing experiences that you're merely just fine. Isn't there anything you want to talk about?"
Kayl cleared his throat, "Well I mean, it doesn't really matter though. I just have to deal with this issue, and things will work themselves out. I just take one step at a time. What more do I need to say?"
Kayl fought to keep from sounding defensive ,but AJ was hardly one to be deterred. She had it in her mind that Kayl was upset, and unless he did her friendly duty to help out, she was some kind of horrible friend.
"Well sugar cube, you need to just let everything go. You can tell me anything you know? And I promise I won't say a word. But if you don't let your friends help you, then how are you going to feel better."
He had reached the end of his rope, the same grating annoyance he felt while speaking with Celestia returned to him. He reeled on AJ and scoffed.
"You can't just expect me to share everything that's on my mind. You know, in my world we have such a thing as tact. We don't just run our mouths off unending until we're blue in the face. You have to practice self control AJ.
But you know what? To be perfectly honest, being a winged magical horse isn't really bothering me as much as I think it should. Actually it's kind of interesting to fly around, use magic, kick trees, pound nails with my feet, and generally have a lot more energy than I normally would.
But do you want to know what really pisses me off AJ? It's everyone's view on friendship! You're all naive! You say I can trust you to keep my secrets!? Ha! Don't take me for a fool Applejack, and what kind of name is Applejack! Twilight Sparkle? Applejack? The only name I've heard that sound even half normal around here is Spike and that's a name for a flipping dog!"
Kayl became flustered, "And...where was I?"
Applejack, who during this rant had been very quiet and braced cleared her throat finally.
"I thought you were about to go on some rant about me not being able to keep secrets?"
Kayl's eyes popped as his excitement and frustrations got control of him again.
"Yes! How can you expect me to be so naive? You know the people who say that they promise to never spill secrets? They're the first one to start gossiping! It starts simple, telling them what your favorite brand of ice cream is. But later, you're telling them who you'd rather date too.
Oh it's all nice, until they start telling other people who aren't involved and can't keep secrets as well. And then the whole office is in an uproar because someone wants to file sexual harassment charges.
Do you know what I see when I look at my work mates getting into that kind of mess? I see the most valuable lesson of keeping my trap shut. So, yes AJ, I'm not handling things well. Is that what you want to hear? Is that the hoop you wanted me to jump through? Because, no thank you, I'd rather not talk about my feelings with you."
There was a long pause of silence. Kayl looked at AJ for a while with a fierce look. AJ had held the same stern look she had when Kayl first began shouting. But then, AJ gave a smile and took off her hat.
"There, now that wasn't so hard was it?"
Kayl was about ready to scream, "What wasn't!?"
AJ held up a hoof, "Now easy, I know you're mad sugar cube, but you don't want to overdue it. Don't you see how much better it feels to finally let it out that you're upset?"
Kayl stomped his hoofs around without care, "Why must you all pry! I don't get it! What is the point of all of this!?"
AJ closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She was still smiling, and she seemed to radiate a glow of wisdom that Kayl had not noticed yet.
"Honesty, an element of harmony. Integrity for your promises, sincerity for your words, and truthfulness for your feelings. Don't hide things from your friends, because if you're friends are true, they can accept anything you have to say."
Kayl paused for a bit, he was still flustered but he quickly began to calm down.
"Are you...the element of honesty?"
AJ nodded, "Sure as rain am! Why? What have you heard about me? I assure you whatever it is it's probably true."
With that AJ gave quite a giggle.
Kayl shook his head, "But I just mocked your entire belief! Hell I even made fun of your name! I'm sorry now, but why would you want to know that? Does that make you feel better?"
AJ sighed and nodded, "It does Kayl, I understand how you feel. It doesn't take a city slicker to see that you're upset. And I think there's more to it all than you're letting on. Listen Sugar cube, I'll be honest, I have no idea how you feel. But I can honestly say that you have every right to be angry right now. But unless you tell us, how will we help you be happy?"
Kayl burst out in anger, kicking at a nearby tree so that the apples fell from the tree.
"Why is my happiness so important to you! I don't want to be your friend! I don't want any friends! I just want to be alone so no one can hurt me!"
Kayl had missed the point of the lesson. He was still angry, and AJ could see there wouldn't be any reasoning with him now. But AJ had learned what she needed of Kayl. Friendship at its core, disgusted Kayl. AJ had given Kayl every ounce of hospitality and Kayl had returned by revealing the very thing he wanted to keep secret.
"Alright Kayl, I'm sorry for pressing you. You want we should get back to building that shed?"
Kayl fumed, and after taking a deep breath gave a short nod.
"Alright then, let's go build us a shed."
Kayl calmed down shortly after. The process of building the shed took enough of his focus that he had forgot why he had got angry in the first place. Also, Kayl's pride would not allow him to admit to AJ that the angry rant from his heart had made him feel better.
Just getting his anger out there, and not being judged for it. Why did it seem so weird to him? But secretly, in his heart he knew the answer. Since he had spent his life denying friendship, he had never had anyone with which he could say whatever was on his mind.
Even Beth, who was his girlfriend, never truly got the whole truth from Kayl. He had bottled up years of disgust and anger with the world of friendship, and only after being plopped down into a world full of it that he could not hold it in any longer.
However, he felt that if he admitted that truth to AJ that he would have died of humility.
The rest of the work seemed to fly by, and shortly after lunch the shed was built. AJ and Kayl were looking on at what they had accomplished together when AJ stamped her foot and pointed to the roof of the shed.
"Consard it! I knew I forgot something! I left my tool bag up there." Turning to Kayl, AJ cleared her throat and tried to speak a bit softer, "Sorry, but Kayl, do you think you could fly on up there and grab that tool bag for me?"
Kayl had never been asked to fly anywhere. He knew he had wings, but suddenly occurred to him that he didn't know how a bird did what it did. Let alone, he had no idea how a horse was supposed to fly.
"I'm...not sure I know how to...can we get a ladder?"
Applejack threw a hoof to her forehead and laughed, "Well I'm just the pinnacle of rudeness today. First I push your buttons, then I'm pushing you into the air! You must think I'm a right crazy horse, haha! Well gosh, don't be upset. I guess the next thing you're going to have to learn is how to fly. Iffin you want to, that is. I'd say you're walkin might fine now. You just needed to get that swing of alternating your steps."
Kayl blushed a bit. Kayl had bitten her head off, and there she was taking the blame. Was she really being honest? If Celestia and Twilight were to be believed, then AJ really felt remorseful.
"AJ, don't feel bad on my account. I know you're just trying to help. Heck, it's probably what's making me as mad as I am. But I'm not resentful of it, I'm just not used to it."
AJ nodded her head happily, "Don't mention it partner. Hey! I know what we can do. Let's go find Rainbow Dash and see if she'll teach you how to fly! Wouldn't that be something! Learn how to build a shed and fly in the same day. Doesn't that sound like fun?"
Despite AJ's excitement, Kayl could only muster a slight chuckle and a nod of the head. He thought nothing different of the idea of friendship, but if Twilight Sparkle and Applejack had been human, they might have been the nicest types of folk to have around.
"Sure, sounds like fun. I've never flown before. I mean, I've flown in airplanes but..."
Applejack began leading Kayl back down the road towards Ponyville when she looked back, confused.
"What's an airplane?"
Kayl gave a hearty laugh, "Maybe I should tell you more about my world while we find this friend of yours.”