Pretty in Pink

by Sarcastic Brony


Applejack

I think the next on the list of friends you should know about is Applejack. The straight forward Element of Honesty. I will admit we don't talk much, mostly because she is so busy on the farm, but we hit it off rather quickly. I can thank Rainbow for that mostly. She likes to challenge Applejack with competitions between the two of them. She also likes to prank her from time to time and I was totally into that as well. When we first met, she was rather skittish, but there was a particular day in mind where that changed.


I’m currently sitting in Twilight’s library reading a book. Serious, what else can I do other than that? This is their main form of entertainment. Sure there are theatres, like, i'm talking a legit theatre. Not the simple movie ones from our world, but with actual actors and shit. Those things cost too much money though and honestly, they’re rather boring. They do have music, but it requires a phonograph. Yeah, not dealing with that mess.

So here I am, just sitting here reading a book. It’s not half bad, it’s about some mare named Daring Do. Kinda reminds me of Indiana Jones to be honest. Though, a more kid friendly version I guess. I know there aren't any ponies getting their faces melted as far as I have read. So basically, it’s a good book. Definitely keeps me occupied while I just sit around all day.

I hear a knock at that door.

“Anon, can you get that for me please?” I hear Twilight call from her room.

“Are you interrupting me while I’m reading a book?” I asked shocked.

I hear a groan. “I know, I know. But we can't just not answer the door.”

“Twilight, it’s a public library. Why don't they just come in?!” I shout.

Slowly the door opens to reveal one of Twilight’s friends. Pretty sure it was Apple… Something... She looks around nervously, looking everywhere but my direction.

“Twilight, it's for you!” I scream back.

“Who is it?” She calls back.

“Applesomething!” I’m becoming irritated that she knows it's for her and yet still wants to ask stuff.

“Actually!” The orange mare speaks up. “I-I um came t-ta’ see ya.”

She’s looking right at me. I raise a brow as I turn around and see nothing but books behind me. I then point at myself confused as she nods her head.

“Well. What do you need?” I ask.

“What does Applejack need?!” I hear Twilight scream.

“Dammit, Twilight! If you want to ask questions, then why not just come down here!?”

“I’m busy writing a status update to the princess about you!” She retorts.

“Who cares! You know as long as I don't go on a rampage or murder someone, then she couldn't care less about me!”

“How could you say that?!”

I groan out loud. “I’m not having this conversation with you, Twilight! Especially when that conversation is happening between rooms!”

“Um...” I hear something behind me but I ignore it...

“Further more, you know it’s true! I know she’s your teacher and shit but she basically left me for dead here!”

“You know that’s a lie!”

I rub my face. “Twilight, for the love of god, can't you just come down here so we don't have to shout!”

“I, uh...”

“I’m almost done!” Twilight calls back. “That still doesn't mean I can't defend my teachers honor!”

“Defend her honor?!” I mock laughed at her. “Twilight, she is practically a god, a princess to boot. Pretty sure she has enough honor to spare!”

“I jus’ want-”

“That still doesn't give you the right to talk down about her!” Twilight comes in.

“What I say is true, Twilight. I’m a goddamn alien with no friends and no money. How the fuck was I suppose to survive?! Seriously, if it wasn't for Dash and you I would've been dead a few weeks ago!”

An eerie silence falls into the room. Not a single word is said. I just let out a sigh.

“I know she is your mentor, made of magic glitter and sunshine. She even got me out of that dungeon her guards put me in. I’m thankful for that, but the facts still remain. I was alone, with no prospects and not a bit in my name. Maybe her plan was for me to stay with you but that still isn't the point. I don't like taking the kindness of others like that. It makes me feel wrong. I want to work for what I get, Twilight. Call it stubbornness or call it human nature. I’m not sure which, but I just need to make my way in this world with my own hands.”

I hear a sigh coming from Twilight’s room as she step out and looks at me from her door.

“I know.” She nods sadly.

“I, uh got a bit of a problem.” Applejack comes in.

We both look at her, having forgotten she was even there.

“Oh, um... Sorry.” I say as I face her. “So, why do you need me?”

She shuffles nervously. “We got some things over at the farm that’s been gettin old. We heard from Rainbow that you sometimes help fix things, mighty good at it from what I hear.”

I nod slightly. “I know a few things.”

“I-I can pay for ur’ services.”

She reaches to her back and tosses me a bag. I catch it and give it a test throw. This thing is rather heavy. I would have to say at least a few hundred bits are in here. Honestly, that’s a hell of a lot.

“Seems heavy?” I question as I look to her. “I can assume these jobs are plentiful?”

She nods. “I’m not sure bout’ humans but for us earth ponies these jobs can take weeks at best.” She admits.

I scratch my chin. “Hmm. Sure.”

“So ya’ accept?” She looks at me with nervousness but also a slight hopefulness.

I nod. “Yeah, why not.”

She tips her hat at me. “Thank ya’ kindly. You can show up tomorrow morning.”

She doesn’t linger any longer than she has to and quickly takes her leave..

I look to Twilight with a growing smile. “Well look at that, got me a job opportunity. I better make sure my tools are ready.” I say as I get up from my seat and give Twilight a hug just before I head over to the door.

I have an apartment that I’m staying at. Even though Twilight and her friends offered me refuge, I always refused it. Twilight was nice enough to pay for a few weeks and I promised to pay her back for it. Again, I didn't want to mooch off her but I really had nothing in my name.

She gives me a wave as I walk out. “Good luck!”


It’s bright and early as I walk towards Sweet Apple acres. Toolbox in hand and a slight skip in my step. This is something I’ve been looking forwards to all night. I walk straight up to the farmhouse and give a few knocks. I wait patiently as the sound of hooves comes to my ears. Soon the door opens and reveals a small filly.

“Sup’, Applebloom.” I say

She smiles at me. “Heya, Anon! Ya come here to help the girls and I get our cutie marks?”

I shake my head. “Not today, kiddo. Just here to help your sister with some stuff around the farm.”

She gives a small pout but comes back with her smile. “Well alright then. Applejack!” She calls. “See ya, Anon.” She says before walking back into the house.

Applejack soon comes to the door.

“Early riser, I like that.” She admits.

I nod to my toolbox. “So where do you need me?”

She looks back into her home then to me.

“Would ya like to have sum’ breakfast before we work?” She asks hesitantly.

I shift a little uncomfortably. “No, that’s fine.”

I’m still not comfortable with being around other ponies in small places. Like homes or even shops.

“It wouldn't be no trouble.” She offers.

“Maybe lunch?” I counter.

She gives a slow nod. “Alrighty then. Well, you can head on over to the barn there.” She points. “Most of the things that need fixin’ are already laid out for ya.”

I give a nod. “Alright then, I’ll get to work.”

She gives one last nod as I show myself over to the barn.


For the most part I have just been working on random things in the barn. Carts and the like that were looking a little worse for wear. About a few hours later I noticed a small dog enter in the barn and she kept me company for awhile. Very sweet dog and it was nice to have some company around. Gotta say though that these jobs weren't even that hard to be honest. Sure it would take an earth pony days, but most of this stuff was done in only a few hours for me. Gotta love hands sometimes.

Anyways, while I was setting a new wheel onto a damaged cart I heard the barn door open. I stop and look over to see Applejack looking at me with wide eyes.

“You fixed all this already?” She looks around in amazement.

I nod. “Sure have. Was this all of it?”

I don't pause as I finally set the new wheel. I reach for my hammer to make sure it’s fitted tight, but find it wasn't near. I look around and see the hammer is a little further away.

“Yo, dog.” I look at the dog that is lying down in the corner. “Hammer.”

She quickly gets up and retrieves the hammer and walks over with her tail wagging as I take it from her mouth.

“Good girl.” I say as I give her a quick pat on the head before I start working the wheel in.

“I didn't know ya’ were good with animals?” I look over to see she is looking at me, still shocked.

I shake my head. “Not many animals, but I’ve always had a special place for dogs.” I smile as I look at the dog just lying next to my legs. “She is very smart. What's her name?” I ask going back to my task.

“Winona. Gotta admit, she doesn't take so easily to other ponies.” Applejack admits. “Kinda amazing all on its own.”

I chuckle at that. “I’m not really a pony.”

“You get what I mean.” Applejack said with mock anger. Seems she is loosening up.

“Yeah, I guess you can say humans have always had a special connection to dogs in particular.” I say striking up a conversation.

“Really?”

I nod. “Yeah. There is a reason why we call them ‘man's best friend’. There really isn't any time in history where we didn't have dogs by our side. You see, early on before we had this relationship. Humans were alone in the dangerous wild. Everyday was a fight for survival. The weather, the other predators. Everything was out to kill us.”

I look over to see the interest on Applejack’s face. “Really?”

I nod. “Remember, we don't have magic like you ponies. So weather was a major problem along with the other animals.”

She nods at that as I collect my thoughts.

“So yeah. We were alone in the world. Just some human groups, but not much else. I’m still not too sure on how it happened, but some of the wolves in the area started to get curious of all these humans around their territory. They kept their distance though and we didn't mind as long they didn't try to attack us. For some reason though they kept getting more curious. Coming closer to examine us.”

“Wolves?” Applejack looks confused.

I nod. “Yup. So anyways. One day a wolf or so got within arms length of one of these humans. Now, humans are rather curious creatures too. So if the wolves didn't want to attack, then we weren't going to attack them either. So I guess one human kinda let the wolf examine him as he did the same in return.” I then shrug. “For some reason or another we teamed up after that day. We would protect and feed our wolves and they would help protect us and help hunt. It was a mutually beneficial relationship.”

“So ya’ owned a wolf?” She asks.

I laugh. “No, it's pretty much illegal to own wolves on my world nowadays. Basically a few thousand years passed with those wolves we owned and we started to breed different types. That’s how we got todays dogs.” I then pat Winona on the head. “So this little girl is actually part wolf.” I then pause. “Well, I think she could be. I’m not too sure if that applies on this world as well.”

Applejack rubs her head some. “That would explain some of her funny business, like howlin’ at the moon.”

I smirk at that. “Yeah, that seems to be a rather famous trait for dogs.”

I look back and see the wheel is set. Applejack comes to my side and runs a hoof over the newly refurbished wheel.

“Well ain’t that somethin.”

I nod. “So what’s next?” I ask.

She looks at me with a smile. “You know what. I think I got somethin you can fix that’s been botherin’ me for awhile.”

I gesture my hand for her to take the lead.

“After you.”


Applejack and I stand on a small hill and watch a large red stallion hitched to a plow.

“That there is Big Macintosh. Now that darn plow has seen better days and I can't afford a new one just yet. So if you can bring some life back into it, then it would be much appreciated.”

I just look at the stallion confused. I can already see a huge problem and it isn't the fact that the plow is old. It’s that he had no counter weight on the back end to keep it steady. I’ve seen how plows work in my world and this entire picture lacks a human standing behind the stallion. Sure, even from where I stand I can see the blade needs a bit of a sharpen to cut easier, but the lack of a counterweight is the major problem here.

“Applejack. I hope you don't take too much offense to what I’m about to say, but I can see a huge problem with how your brother is plowing.”

“Like what?”

“Well, back on my world we had these things called horses.”

“I know what a whorse is.”

“Really?” She nods. “Alright. Well we use to tie them up to these plows. While they pulled them we would get behind them to make sure the plow was steady while they pulled.”

“You used whorses for that?”

“Yeah. What do you use them for?” I ask confused.

She gets red faced. “Well. Sometimes a mare or stallion would pay them for.. well.. Services.”

“Services?”

“You know. The private kind?”

“You don't mean..” I pause and give a slight shudder. “Sex?”

“Well, many ponies don't like it, but it aint uncommon.”

“Really?” I ask still shocked. “Please tell me they look like ponies at least. Well, the you type of ponies.”

She looks at me confused. “Well most of em do. I guess you can find some griffons or donkeys if you really looked.”

Now I’m confused. “What?”

“Again, it ain't too common, but you can find em.”

“A donkey horse? Isn't that a mule?” I ask confused.

“A mule?”

“Yeah. When we use to breed horses and donkeys together, we got mules.”

“W-Wait... Horse?” She looks to me confused.

“Yeah, a horse.”

“You mean those really tall animal things that I read about in history class?”

I nod. “Yeah. What other horses are there?”

Her eyes shift quickly from left to right. “U-um nothing!”

I just shake my head at her weirdness. “Anyways as I was saying. We would use horses to pull the plow and we would sit behind it to steady it out.” I point at big mac. “See how he constantly needs to stop or adjust the plow. You can tell it's harder than it should be.”

Applejack nods. “I guess so.”

“Would you mind?” I gesture to her brother who is panting like crazy trying to pull the thing.

“Sure, I guess.”

We both walk over as Big Mac spots us.

“Howdy, big brother. Anon here wants to try somethin.”

He looks at me and shrugs. I get behind the plow and take both the handles into my grasp.

“Just do what you’ve been doing.” I inform him as he raises an eyebrow at his sister, but he shakes it off, adjusts his yoke and goes back to pulling.

As soon as he pulls I make sure sure to shift and apply weight to wherever we needed to go. He looks back to me in surprise as he starts to pick up some speed at how things got easier. A few hours later and we managed to plow the entire field.

“Well won't cha’ look at that?” Applejack says as she joins me and her brother who are panting slightly.

“E-Eeyup.” He pants out.

I nod. “Yeah. The blade can use some sharpening, definitely, but the lack of a counter weight was a huge problem as well.”

“Anon, I think ya’ earned yourself a bonus check.”

Applejack lifts her hat to show a pouch sitting atop her head as she motions me over. I walk over and pick it up off her head.

“Thanks.” I say a little shocked for the extra pay.

“No, thank you. Ya fixed up everything in a few hours and helped us plow a field ta boot. I think it ain't enough, but we are a little low on pay right now.”

I hold up my hands. “No, it was plenty enough, Applejack.”

She points her hoof at me. “Ya listen here. My friends call me AJ.”

I can't help but smile. “Right.” I just look to the pouch of money. “Thanks, AJ.”

She smiles with a nod as she leans her head to the west. “I think we all earned ourselves a little break.”

“Eyup.” Big Mac says having caught his breath.

“I think-” My stomach growls out in protest. I pat my stomach a little. “Lunch sounds like a good idea.”


[centered]After that day, Applejack went around town telling everypony how great I was. Let’s just say that her words carried a lot of weight and after that day I got requests on the daily to help fix things around Ponyville. Though I always made sure to keep my schedule open for any work the Apples needed. [/centered]

I smile as I set my quill down. Applejack is definitely a great friends to have. Something then strikes me as odd as I look at my latest entry.

“Wait a minute. Horses... Horses...” I then suddenly get it. “Whorses...” I let out a groan as I slap my hand to my face..