//------------------------------// // Shadows Ch. 5 First Lesson // Story: The Shadows Saga // by Tagshadow //------------------------------// The next day came almost immediately and before he knew it Tor was shaking Tag awake. “Wake up, Tag, its time I left for work.” Tag groaned. “Well then why did you wake me up?” He whined. “Because you would probably sleep in later than you should if I let you sleep.” Tor stated and pushed Tag out of bed. “How did you get up so early?” He asked as he pushed himself to his hooves. “I was a guard before I came here.” Tor said matter of factly. “Forgot about that.” Tag muttered and walked out of his bedroom. Tor followed him to the door. “Try to have fun, I’m sure Applejack won’t mind of you try to tell an occasional joke.” Tor nodded. “I’ll give it a shot.” He said, he still looked a little doubtful “Lighten up, try not to be a downer.” Tag continued and pushed Tor out the door. But Tor still stood on the front step. “…What?” Tag asked. “I was hoping you could walk with me to the edge of town….” Tor whispered embarrassed that he needed to make such a request. Tag instantly stepped up; he understood where his brother was coming from. Tag stepped outside and closed the door behind them. “Let’s go then.” He said and stepped out into the road, Tor gratefully followed. “I’m sorry for asking this because I know you don’t have to be at Rarity’s for another hour and-“ “Don’t be like that.” Tag scolded. “If anything this is an example of friendship, friends will do things for you just because you’re their friend and because they know you will do the same for them.” He lectured. “Good thing we were here for our release then because my memories of Manehattan or nowhere near as friendly as yesterday.” Tor commented. “I guess we’ll just call it release then?” Tag asked and Tor looked at confused look. “Well that’s what you called it last night so I assumed that it was a magical term or something similar.” Tor explained. “I used that word because I didn’t if there was a term for it, I guess I could ask Twilight after today’s lesson.” Tag thought. “No, I guess we’ll just call it release.” Tor said. “Not a chance, now you’ve got my curiosity active and it will bother me all day. I might as well go ask Twilight.” Tag explained. “Hey, is that Applejack over there?” He asked while squinting into the distance. Tor looked ahead too. “Yes it is. I wonder what she’s doing?” He asked and Tag glanced at him. “Have you been listening to me all?” He asked in disbelief. “She’s probably waiting for you, you lucky colt you.” Tag couldn’t help but laugh as Tor’s face turned red. “I’m only kidding! Go on, she most likely is waiting for you to make sure you don’t get lost.” Tag said and nudged Tor towards where Applejack was standing. “Well I guess I’ll see you tonight brother.” Tor said and trotted off to Applejack. Tag stood there for a moment then turned towards the Carousel Boutique for his own adventure. ---- By the time Tag got to Rarity’s it was 7:57. Tag knocked on the door and waited patiently, Sweetie Belle opened the door in his face and jumped out onto the step. “I’m going to school Rarity! I’ll hang out with Scootaloo and Applebloom after!” She called out as she made her way down the road. The door was still open and Tag could hear Rarity on the other side. “Where is Tag? He should be here.” She worriedly. “I’m right here.” Tag called out weakly and he could hear Rarity jump in surprise. She pulled the door away and stared at Tag’s nose. “Whud is id?” He asked. “Oh my STARS! Are you all right?” She questioned. “Yeah, Ib fein.” Tag said and walked in. “Jus let me use de batroom quick.” After Tag cleaned himself up he rejoined Rarity in her inspiration room. “Sorry about that.” He said. “Think nothing of it.” Rarity said and indicated her supplies with a sweeping hoof. “Shall we get started?” “Let’s start with an order from a client of mine.” Rarity said. They were sitting in front of a sewing machine on a desk. There was a simple dress on top. “This is a very simple problem, there is a small tear on the collar.” Sure enough there was a tear at the part that connects around the mare’s neck. “I’m assuming that this this is an easy one to do?” Tag figured. Rarity nodded and took up a position in front of the machine. “Yes, a very simple repair but also a very important one; this is the most common problem that comes through the door.” She explained. “Now, to fix this you must position the dress right under the needle like so.” Rarity leveled the torn material under the needle. Tag watched in fascination. “Why are looking at me like that?” She asked. “I’m making sure that I don’t miss anything.” Tag replied. “Right, well the machine can be started by pressing your hoof on this little pedal here.” Rarity placed her hoof on the pedal and pushed Tag was caught by surprise when the needle pierced through the fabric. Rarity giggled. “Caught me by surprise, that’s all.” Tag tried to defend his honour but it was a losing battle. “Why does it move so fast?” He asked. “It has to if you want to get the really fine stiches, that’s why you have to move fast.” She said. “Now observe how I handle the fabric.” She pressed her hoof down repeatedly and manipulated the fabric; it flowed seamlessly under the needle. When she finished half the stitch she stopped. “Why don’t you give it a try?” She said and shifted out of the way. Tag took up the position and stood by while she inspected him. “Very good! You’ve obviously been paying close attention.” She gave him a knowing look and Tag’s face turned a little red. “I just want to make sure I get this right the first time.” He stuttered. “Right.” She said. ”Well, give it a shot and we’ll see what happens.” Tag slowly pushed his hoof down and moved the dress forward. His progress moved much slower than Rarity’s and it was compounded by the fact he broke out into a nervous sweat. Finally he was done. Tag stepped back to let Rarity scrutinize his work. She cast a skeptical eye over it, across it, through it; Tag wondered if she would ever stop… whatevering it. She finally stepped back. “Very good! I’m quite impressed and to be honest I don’t think I could have done a better myself!” Rarity sounded impressed. “You really think so?” Tag was still doubtful so Rarity told him to take a closer look. She was right, Tag’s half of the stitching was very fine and almost unnoticeable. “You never told me that you were this good at sewing.” Rarity said. Tag shrugged. “How was I supposed to know? It really for me feels not like I’m sewing but it felt kind of like it did when I was cutting the vegetables.” Tag could see a flash of unease in Rarity’s eyes but said nothing. “That is very similar to how a seamstress should work. I myself find comfort in the flowing fabric under my hooves and imagine it as a river, but to each their own, I guess.” Tag felt happy at receiving high praise. “Thank you, it feels good to do some good.” He said. “But you’ve already done me a world of good by accepting the job. Now I can get back to designing new fashion lines!” Rarity gave an excited little bounce. “Oh! Idea!” Rarity began to push Tag towards the stairs. “What about the lesson?” Tag asked. Rarity thought for a moment. “Get out.” She growled. “P-pardon?” Tag stammered. “OUT!” She said and shoved him down the stairs. Tag landed face first at the bottom of the stairs. He was out cold. ---- “Hey! Hey mister!” Came a little squeaky voice, to Tag it was booming through the inside of his head. “Not so loud, please.” He whimpered. “What’s wrong?” The voice asked even louder than before. “I hit my head.” He said from the floor. He struggled to get up and saw Sweetie Belle standing in front of him. “Hi Sweetie Belle, what’s up?” He asked; he was still talking quietly. Sweetie Belle looked at the clock on the wall. “It’s 4:00 right now. Did you and Rarity have a lesson today?” She was still talking loudly Tag clenched his eyes shut. “Not so loud!” He hissed. “And yes, Rarity and I had our lesson… sort of.” Tag walked over to a chair in the corner. Sweetie Belle seemed to realize what had happened. “Did sis get another idea?” She asked and Tag nodded slowly to avoid any pain. “She gets like that every once in a while.” “How long does that last usually last?” Tag asked. “All day, and into the night, and into the next day!” She cried and Tag clenched his eyes shut again. “What are you suggesting that I do then?” He questioned, standing up ready to do whatever it was. “Go home.” Sweetie Belle said. “What?” “Go home. She’ll be like that ALL DAY! So there’s no point in hanging around, you’ll just a whole day.” Sweetie Belle explained. “You sure she won’t mind?” Tag cast a nervous look towards the stairs. “I doubt she’ll even notice you’re gone.” “Right, well tell her I said goodbye, Sweetie Belle.” Tag said and walked towards the door. “See you some other time!” Sweetie Belle told him. Tag smiled briefly. “Rarity was right; you are mature for your age.” He said and walked out into the evening. ---- When Tag got home he could tell that Tor was there too, he was on the couch. Tag closed the door and heard Tor moan softly. “Are you okay Tor?” Tag asked curiously. “Buck me, please.” Tor said desperately, he was still lying on the couch with his plot in the air. “Wut?” Tag asked. He hoped he hadn’t heard what he though he heard. “BUCK ME IN THE PLOT DARN IT!!” Tor yelled. “SWEET CELESTIA!” Tag cried and hid in the kitchen. Tor realized his error quickly “Not like that, Tag, get your mind out of the gutter!” Tor called. “Well what do you mean then?” Tag called from the kitchen. “Kick me darn it!” Tor replied; there was a little pain in his voice. “I can’t move right now.” “Like, hard in the plot?” Tag asked as he came back into the living room. “Hard as possible… in the plot.” Tor confirmed. “Okay then… here goes.” Tag said and turned around, he pulled up his rear legs and kicked them back with all his might. Tag’s legs connected with Tor’s plot with a resounding crack and Tor let out a mean of pleasure. “Please don’t do that.” Tag pleaded, Tor laughed and got up off the couch. “Sorry about that Tag, I think I pulled something while working on the farm today. I guess it got worse when I didn’t do anything for twenty minutes.” Tor explained. Tag realized that his face was red. “Don’t mention it, ever, ever again.” He said. “Right, what time is it? I’ve been on the couch for a while as you could probably tell.” Tag sighed and walked over to the window. “It is… 5:25-ish. Should we go to dinner? I mean, I could go but what about you?” Tag asked. “Hm. Let’s go now. Pretty soon we should get the fridge stocked up; it’s expensive to eat out everyday.” Tor replied and opened the front door. “Let’s go shall we?” Tag followed him. “Where should we go?” Tor asked. “Let’s go to that place we went to last night.” Tag said. “Don’t you like variety, or at least to try something new?” Tor asked. “I’ve been out cold for over six hours today, I don’t feel like doing much new today.” Tag said flatly. Tor’s eyebrow went up but he said nothing. “Okay then, the How and Hay Café it is then.” ---- “Hello and welcome to the- Hey! Weren’t you two in here last night?” It was Silver Platter again. “Yeah, that was us.” Tor said. “Bit of a downer, ain’t he?” Silver Platter asked Tag who chuckled appreciatively. “Just been a long day, I’ll have the hay casserole again please.” Tag handed her his menu and Tor rolled his eyes. “I’ll have the tulip sandwich and a wheatgrass salad on the side, please.” Tor said and handed over his own menu. Silver Platter took their menus and went to prepare the food. Tag put his hooves on the table. “How was your day, huh?” He started. Tor blew out air. “Well you were right to say that Applejack was waiting for me. So we talked on way back to the farm.” Tor said. “What about?” Tag asked. “Yesterday a little, but I was asking a lot of questions about the farm. I guess I was a little nervous for my first day of work. When we got there Applejack introduced me to her family: there’s Big Macintosh who’s Applejack’s brother. There’s Applebloom who’s Applejack’s little sister. Finally Applejack introduced me to her grandmother, they call her Granny Smith.” Tor explained. “Does she have any parents?” Tag asked. Tor shook his head. “I don’t think so and I didn’t want to ask. She showed me around a little and then we got to work. It certainly was hard work, and by the time we finished the west field it was three and Applejack told me to pack it in. When I got home I was sore so I collapsed onto the couch…” Tor gave a little cough and Tag blushed. “Sorry about that.” Tag said. “That about sums up my day, what about you?” Tor asked. Tag thought for a moment. “Well it started out with the lesson, apparently I’m a natural when it comes to sewing. That felt pretty good. But then Rarity got an idea for a fashion line, and I swear this is true, she threw me down the stairs and knocked me out cold.” Tor burst out laughing. “Forgive me if I find it hard to believe that you were knocked out by a mare!” he said between fits of laughter. “Well it’s true. Anyway when I woke up Sweetie Belle had returned from school and told me that it was 4 in the evening, thus I found out that I had been knocked out for about six hours. Then I came home and… youknowwhatImean.” Tag finished lamely while Tor was still laughing. Eventually he calmed down. “Is that it?” He asked Tag nodded, Tor let out another small chuckle. Silver Platter came up with the food they had ordered. “Here you go, friends. Let me know if you need anything else now.” She trotted of to help other customers with their orders. They ate in silence. Tor had finished his sandwich first and watched patiently. When they had finished Silver Platter came up with the bill. “I still got 40 bits from the Princess’s gift yesterday which means that we’re down 10 bits.” Tag said worriedly. Tor pulled out a small coin purse. “It’s okay, Applejack gave me my pay for today.” Tor said and pulled out 10 bits. “Oh, well how much was it?” Tag asked as Silver Platter took it away. “100 bits a day, apparently I do a good job as well.” He said and put his coin purse away. Tag nodded. “Well, that’s a good bit of income, I don’t even know how much I make but I’ll know tomorrow. Let’s go waste some more time before it gets dark.” They stood outside the How and Hay Café wondering what to do. “Perhaps we could go see if the market is open, maybe we could get some vegetables for breakfast tomorrow. It’s unhealthy to go through a day without breakfast.” Tor suggested. “Sure, I haven’t even been to the market place, although it might be too late to get anything.” Tag agreed and they went off to the marketplace. ---- The marketplace, as Tag had predicted, was mostly empty but there were a few stands still open. One of which was bright green and decorated with apples. “I wonder who that belongs to?” Tag asked sarcastically. “It belongs to the apple family, let’s get some apples, seeing as you’re so curious.” Tor said and started towards the stand. “Hey! I was kidding” Tag called and trotted after him. The colt running the stand was a huge red pony with a blond mane. Tor waved a greeting. “Evening Big Macintosh, is business good?” Tor asked him. “Eeyup.” Big Macintosh answered. “What can ah do yah fer?” He asked. “Tag, do you have a preference for apples?” Tor asked. Tag shrugged his shoulders. “I didn’t think so, we’ll have four red delicious please.” “Ah guess that sis gave ya the whole apple lecture today huh?” Big Macintosh asked while he pulled out four shiny red apples. Tor nodded. “That’ll be four bits please.” He said and Tor promptly paid him the bits. “I’ll see you tomorrow Big Macintosh.” Tor said and took the apples. Big Mac nodded to Tag and went back to minding the stall. “That was Applejack’s brother?” Tag asked as they headed home. “Yes, her older brother.” Tor added. “Seems like a nice colt.” Tag mused. Tor nodded. ---- Tag opened the door to their house and let Tor in first; Tor put the apples in the fridge for tomorrow and nodded to Tag. “I’m going to bed, would you like me to wake you up before I leave tomorrow?” He asked. “That would be nice.” Tag said and headed up the stairs. “I’m going to bed too, goodnight.” “Goodnight.” Tor said. (Please don't take any of what Rarity teaches Tag seriously; I really just made it up. -Tag)