//------------------------------// // Crickets in the Dark // Story: Spelunking // by Zytharros //------------------------------// Two bored ponies, walking in opposite directions and paying little attention to the road in front of them. Apple Bloom was frustrated. Apple Bloom was sad. Apple Bloom was tired. Most of all, she was bored. For most of her friends, summer was a great excuse to get away from it all. Scootaloo’s parents had a home out in Vanhoover they could disappear to. Sweetie Belle dropped by now and again, but she was usually up country with her parents. Even Apple Bloom’s sister, Applejack, and brother, Big Macintosh, were usually busy with apple bucking to really interact with her, and some stages of the process she just wasn’t strong enough to help with yet. As it stood, each of these things happened to coincide with this particular day. Apple Bloom was, once again, wandering alone in the streets of Ponyville. Even Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, who usually harassed her, were busy with one thing or another around town. As she passed the two rich snobs, who didn’t even acknowledge her presence, she sighed. She spotted Twist walking down the road with Sweetie “Bon Bon” Drops and thought about going to her, but they were loaded down with sweets and being harassed by Pinkie Pie. Prob’ly goin’ t’one o’her parties… Apple Bloom supposed idly. A light breeze battled with her ruby hair, but she hardly paid attention. She sighed and passed under a lone cloud with a prismatic tail hanging loosely off the side. The last seven days had drifted by without so much as a whisper, each one mockingly similar to the last. She wanted her friends back from her vacation, but that was out of her power. Briefly, she considered several solo activities to fill the day, but each one had been done to death, alone, several times over the past week. Drawing, fixing up the clubhouse, eating, kicking a ball around… they had all been fun for a while, but had soon lost their charms. She hung out at the library with Twilight Sparkle, but when the unicorn insisted on absolute quiet for the third hour in a row, Apple Bloom up and left. Swimming was no fun without buddies. Even battling Ponymon with Button Mash had lost its shine after a day and a half straight. She frowned and groaned. She was sick of the boredom, tired of the tedium and craving stimulation of any variety. She didn’t want to do it alone. Two bored ponies, thinking exactly the same thoughts, stepping in time with each other. Rumble was frustrated. Rumble was sad. Rumble was tired. Most of all, he was bored. The little gray pegasus flitted about Ponyville idly. Pipsqueak had summer school after failing to get the grades he needed in Equestrian and Science, Button Mash was busy beating the latest Super Lunigi title, and Golden Arrow, a blue Pegasus with a bow-and-arrow cutie mark, was off competing in the National Archery Championship of Equestria. His elder brother, Thunderlane, was off with his two girlfriends doing icky grownup stuff and had kicked him out of the house for a while. That left Rumble alone, wandering the streets of Ponyville, bored. Even Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, who usually harassed him, were busy with one thing or another around town. As he passed the two rich snobs, who didn’t even acknowledge his presence, he sighed. A light breeze battled with his deep gray hair, but he hardly paid attention. He sighed and passed Fluttershy sheepishly getting told off by her pet. That gave Rumble a bit of a chuckle to break the monotony, but it was fleeting, and soon he was back to being bored. The last seven days had drifted by without so much as a whisper, each one mockingly similar to the last. He wanted his friends back from his vacation, but that was out of his power. Briefly, he considered several solo activities to fill the day, but each one had been done to death, alone, several times over the past week. Drawing, practicing his public etiquette, flying, kicking a cloud around… they had all been fun for a while, but had soon lost their charms. He hung out at the house with his brother Thunderlane, but when the pegasus’ girlfriends had shown up, he had insisted that Rumble make himself scarce for a few hours. Swimming was no fun without buddies. Even battling Ponymon with Button Mash had lost its shine after a day and a half straight. He frowned and groaned. He was sick of the boredom, tired of the tedium and craving stimulation of any variety. He didn’t want to do it alone. Two bored ponies meeting in front of Sugarcube Corner. With a bump. Following a pair of brief yelps, a gray pegasus and a yellow Earth pony stumbled back from their unintentional connection, rubbing their foreheads. “Watch where you’re goin’!” Apple Bloom snapped. Rumble’s eyes flew wide. He blushed and tried to hide in himself. “S-sorry, Miss Bloom…” Apple Bloom’s anger was diffused instantly. “Hey, it’s no big deal. You’re Rumble, right?” The colt nodded silently. “You look bored.” Rumble nodded again. “My friends are all away. I’m bored.” “Well, then, it looks like we’re in the same boat,” Apple Bloom stated with a smile. “If you want, we can play together.” Rumble’s eyes blossomed. “Would I! What should we do?” Apple Bloom’s smile grew. Her eyes shrunk. Rumble’s huge smile recognized instantly what was coming, and so prepared to take whatever the farmer was going to dish out. He braced his body as a hoof came up. SLAP “Tag! You’re it!” Rumble watched the redhead gallop away, laughing. He began chasing her around Ponyville. Over stalls, around buildings, even in and out of Sugarcube Corner, their dance of oneupsmanship spread its chaotic influence all over the town. They traded slaps for hours, eventually goading a lone Silver Spoon into the game. Snips and Snails also joined. Twist, finished with her work, jumped in. Soon, they had relegated their play area to the Ponyville Park and had attracted eleven others to join in their raucous, joyous game. The battle rang with laughter through the majority of the afternoon and well into the evening, with colts and fillies running amok in the classic children’s game of strategy. A great time was had by all. Unfortunately for the foals, Celestia’s sun dipped low into the sky, and dinner calls were made by parents all over the little hamlet. Steadily, the youths began dropping out of the game, never to be replaced by others. By the time Luna’s moon peeked over the horizon, Apple Bloom and Rumble were the last ones left. They had lost interest in playing as it dwindled down to just three of them. They bade farewell to a golden unicorn filly with a blue mane that was new to town and happy to have made new friends. They were beat, exhausted, and ready for some dinner. That thought reminded Rumble that his brother had wanted him out all day. Likely, that meant he would have to find somewhere to crash that night. Usually, it meant asking Button Mash’s mom, who knew the situation, if he could have a sleepover, but he hadn’t seen Button since he got the latest Super Lunigi game. That meant he would have to sneak in while his brother, Cloud Chaser and Flitter were having their adult time, and, although he could do it, he was in no mood to hear Flitter belting out “Old Lane Sign” or whatever, his brother mooing like a cow, and Cloud Chaser screeching like an upset baby as they climaxed again. He groaned inwardly as his stomach rumbled and Apple Bloom recalled the events of the day in vivid detail. About all he knew how to make were leftovers and toast. A growing colt with an appetite like his should not have to survive on PB&J sandwiches just to get the necessary food he needed. That was Thunderlane for you – enraptured and dedicated to the two loves of his life. He wondered if the family of the filly beside him would mind hosting another for an overnight stay. “Rumble? You okay there?” The pegasus nearly leapt out of his wings at the sound of his name. “What?” Apple Bloom grimaced. “You kinda spaced out there. I was asking if you wanted some dinner.” Rumble, surprised that she and he were thinking the same thing, went silent for a bit. “Rumble?” The pegasus shook his head and mumbled an affirmative. “Great! I’ll tell Applejack to set another place! Why don’t you go home and let your brother know where you are?” Rumble sighed. “I don’t think he’ll miss me much tonight.” “Why not?” Apple Bloom asked. “He may be a bit of a featherbrain, but I’m sure he’d still like to know where you are.” “He was in one of his moods,” Rumble said. “I don’t like being around when he gets like he is today.” Apple Bloom’s eyebrow raised. “Mood? What kinda mood?” Rumble gulped, a light rose colouring his cheeks. “The super-lovey-dovey-mushy-mush type.” Apple Bloom let out a low “Ah.” She nodded. “AJ usually organizes a sleepover for me and the Crusaders when she or Mac gets into that kinda mood. Reckon it’s better than me bein’ in there hearin’ it all. I can’t imagine what it’s done to you.” She paused for a second and mouthed to herself, “Or her.” Rumble’s brow hardened. “I’d rather not think about it.” Apple Bloom nodded. “Alright.” They said nothing more of it as they walked to her home. The young farmer led her flight-capable compatriot down the road and turned left at the fork which, if one turned to the right, led also to Fluttershy’s home. A minute or so of walking passed before both youngsters heard crickets chirping. Rumble gulped and sighed. Apple Bloom glanced over. “What’s on your mind?” Rumble bit his lip. “I was wondering…” He paused for a second, thought better of himself and sighed. “Never mind.” The bow-bound filly frowned. “Now c’mon. You can tell me. I did invite you over to the house for dinner, so we’ve got most of the evenin’ to talk.” “I was… um, I was just wondering…” Rumble said. He stammered some gibberish before swallowing. Now or never, he thought. “I-I was wondering if, maybe, I could, kinda, sleep over at your house tonight.” As soon as the words left his mouth, a deep blush swept across his features. He had never had a sleepover before. Well, he had, but that was when he was younger. It was a girly thing to do, according to his friends. He hoped she wasn’t messing up his signals or something. He didn’t have a crush on her or anything. He just wanted a place to sleep that didn’t involve sneaking into his own bed with his brother and two sisters unwittingly singing a lullaby of eroticism. He knew too much just by listening to them, and because of that, it was his resolve to save himself until he found just the right filly to marry. So it was with resignation that he got the response he expected. “If it’s okay with my brother and sister, sure you can stay. Applejack and Big Macintosh know what–” and here she stifled a chuckle “–‘super-lovey-dovey-mushy-mush’ is. They’ll understand. They’ll want you to sleep in your own room, though.” As he walked, Rumble’s brain sped into ultra-high gear. He had just been invited to sleep over at a friend’s home. Not only that, but the friend was a girl. He was so going to get teased over this, if his buddies ever found out. What would Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon say? Well, he surmised, I guess I could take it. It’s better than being teased for having an older brother as wild as mine. “Thanks, Apple Bloom,” Rumble said with a grin. The only sound that was made for the rest of their journey to Sweet Apple Acres was the chorus of crickets, strumming their legs under Luna’s moon.