Mud had never bothered Cheese, at least never enough to matter. Now, as he plowed through yet another patch of it, he cursed his luck. The strange device he had affectionately dubbed "the wedge" was heavy and awkward, but somehow managed to stay above the earth. Progress was slow in the thick, nasty variety of mud common on the farm, but at least there was progress. Each meter of ground he covered with the device filled his heart with satisfaction. He was helping the family, even if it was the dullest work he had done in years.
A high pitched whine broke the stillness, and Cheese diverted his attention to the rod. Sure enough, it was vibrating and whining violently. Another one, huh? That makes three. With a flourish, he drew out a crinkled map and marker from his saddlebags, scratching a large x on the location. Good enough. Humming a favorite tune, he trudged on, only to feel an uncomfortable lurch in the small of his back. Turning behind him, he noticed the wedge sinking slowly into the mud. Crap.
Thinking quickly, he braced his haunches and made a gigantic leap to pull the sled out. Unfortunately, instead of steady earth, he felt a familiar wet, sticky sensation as he sunk into a deep pit of mud. Before he had time to blink, he was nearly up to his withers in the putrid sludge. The only saving grace was that his hooves had hit solid rock, and he was no longer sinking.
Glancing around, he noticed the sled in equally dire straits. Struggling as hard as he could, he tried to free himself, only to have the mud suction even tighter. He sighed, and would have slapped a hoof to his forehead if it wasn't sunk. Now what?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
"Pinkie, that's incredible." Limestone stared wide eyed at Pinkie's craftsmanship.
"Yeah, it's really good quality." Marble's smooth grey hoof held up a large necklace of shimmering rocks. The only thing was that they were not true rocks, but rock candy. And there were quite two full barrels of the stuff. "They'll sell for a good price at the fair."
"You bet, and they keep for weeks." The lilac in Limestone's eyes sparkled with pride at the product. After Pinkie nearly scattered every tiny gem she owned, Limestone decided to give her a job she knew her big sister would enjoy. And it had worked brilliantly. "You can make candy way faster than we can.
"That's 'cause I make candy every day for my job. Plus, I practiced a bunch before Maud visited Ponyville." The crestfallen expression on Marble's face worried Pinkie. Marble was incredibly close to Maud, and practically idolized the older mare. Why'd I have to bring it up? Coughing, she changed the subject. "I'll have to make some for you two when you come to Ponyville."
Marble threw the necklace into the bucket once more. "Yeah, provided you aren't busy."
"Busy? I'm never too busy for family."
"Really? You've been plenty busy before; saving Equestria, running around with your friends, and working."
"But I always write. And, I haven't been busy with Equestria stuff in months."
"Yeah, but it won't be long until you're plenty busy with your own family."
"My own family?" A blank expression swept over Pinkie's face. But Marble and Limestone are my family. "What do you mean?"
Marble gaped at her. She can't possibly be that dumb.
A snort caused the pair to turn to Limestone. "Sorry, just-" She broke out into a fit of giggles. "-you really are dense, Pinkie. She means when you and Cheese have foals."
"WHAT?"
"Don't act so surprised." Marble rolled her eyes, turning back to her own work. "When two ponies like each other as much as you do, marriage and foals can't be all that far away."
"Yeah, so you'd better invite us to the wedding."
Pinkie opened her mouth to protest, when the door swung upon and Cloudy walked in. "My, I see you've been busy." She stared at the barrels of candy, "So that's what you were doing with the sugar."
"Yup. You like it mom?"
"I love it. But, I think we need to have dinner before we get to the dessert." She winked at Pinkie, and gestured to the fields. "Why don't you get Cheese? Dinner's just about ready, and he'll be hungry."
"Okey dokey, Mom." Without further encouragement, Pinkie galloped out of the barn. Her heart was thumping annoyingly fast. Marriage so soon? What do they know? So what if we're moving a little faster than normal, that doesn't mean anything. Does it?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Rainbow Dash grimaced at the farmyard just in front of them. Sure it was not a bad farm per se, just boring. After being dragged out by Twilight, traveling for hours in a stupid train, and flying over the ugliest patch of earth in Equestria, she was hoping to be greeted by more than just boring. "Urgh! No fair, no fair."
"What in tarnation are you going on about now, Rainbow?" Applejack rolled her eyes, swatting a hoof full of mud in the pegasus' direction. "You've been ta Pinkie's place before. What's the big deal?"
"Duh-" Rainbow gesticulated grandly from the grey sky to the mud infested farmyard. "-it's like all the color's been sucked out. It's boring, like you're farm."
"My farm ain't boring!"
A heavy sigh brought the mares' attention to the alicorn flying a few feet ahead. "Girls! I think we've got more important things to worry about right now."
"Right, sorry 'bout that Twi." Applejack fidgeted with her hat, and pointed to the house. "You think she'll want ta come back?"
"We won't know if we don't ask." Inwardly, Twilight felt now was not the time to be bothering their friend, but she let it go. Ponyville needed a party pony. Which one, if any would come was another matter entirely.
The silence of the Pie farm a far cry from Ponyville's bustling streets, and each hoofbeat echoed oddly off of the grey buildings. Twilight gulped as they neared the barn. Please let this be easy. She had never met Pinkie's parents, and only visited the farm once. From Pinkie's excited reminiscing, they were kind, but strict. "Hello?"
A new set of hoof beats broke the silence as a smoky grey mare poked her head around the corner of the open barn. Her long, silky mane was tied in a ponytail and she wore an expression of mild interest. "Hello. You're Pinkie's friends aren't you?"
"An yer Marble?"
Marble nodded slowly, eyes darting to the alicorn and back "That's right."
"It's a right pleasure to meet ya. I'm Applejack." Applejack puffed out her chest, extending a filthy hoof. When Marble took it, she beamed even brighter. "Me, Rainbow, an Twilight came out ta talk to her. She around?"
"She's not." Marble strode out into full view, her dusty coat covered in a large apron and a weary expression on her face. Try as she may, she could not help but stare at the alicorn pawing nervously at the ground. She really is friends with a princess. "Seems a bit strange."
"What?" Rainbow had landed on the driest patch of earth she could find, staring appraisingly at Marble. Looks like Maud. Great, now we get to hear about rocks for hours.
"Just, why would a princess take the time to come out to the middle of nowhere to talk to one pony?"
Twilight made to respond, but was quickly interrupted by the thunder of hooves and a powder blue blur shooting out of the barn. "Because they're best friends!" Limestone skidded to a halt just in front of the alicorn, amber eyes sparkling with a hungry sort of anticipation. "Isn't that right, Princess?"
"Yes." Twilight raised a hoof, watching the younger pony take it eagerly. Why's she so excited? "Limestone. Right?"
"Yes!" She pranced just as excitedly as Pinkie, spinning around a few times for good measure. "This is amazing timing!"
"It is?"
"Well yeah. Isn't it, Marble?" Limestone nudged her sister pointedly in the ribs, hoping she would take the hint.
"Uh…yes." Thinking quickly, Marble faked a loud cough, hissing under her breath to her sister. "Why?" Instead of a response, Limestone only winked. What's she planning?
A well-practiced diplomatic smile stretched across Twilight's face. "I'm sure it is."
A loud huff sounded from Rainbow, and she glowered suspiciously at the pair. "Where's Pinkie? We don't have all day you know!"
"She's-"
"-Not here."
Everypony's eyes jerked towards the house where a stony faced stallion with a leg cast hobbled over. "She's gone to get Cheese." Igneous champed harder on the stalk, assessing the ludicrously unnatural situation before him. An alicorn, pegasus, and earth pony walk into a bar eh? "What business do you have with my daughter?"
Twilight strode forward, beaming brightly. "It's a pleasure to meet you. We're Pinkie's friends. I'm Twilight Sparkle, and they're Rainbow Dash and Applejack."
"I gathered as much."
Seeing Igneous' less than enthused expression, she coughed and continued. "We came to speak to Pinkie."
"Speak to her, eh?" He slammed a hoof into the mud, sending flecks into the air. "Get lost."
"Why you!" Rainbow lunged forward, only to have her long tail held fast by an equally angry Applejack.
"We're not going until we speak to her." The carefully neutral tone Twilight was using began to slip. "I don't mean to be rude, but it's important. We're Pinkie's friends, we've got a right to."
"A right to what? Speak to her? Of course you do, and I wouldn't stop you if that was your only intention. But-" He leaned in, jaw set in determination. "-we both know that's not the case."
Twilight felt her face turn warm, as she pulled away from the stallion's gaze. "Sorry, but the situation in Ponyville-"
"-I don't care about the situation in Ponyville. Get off my property!"
"Dad!" Limestone and Marble stared incredulously at their father. He was a serious stallion, but rarely was driven to anger, especially in front of ponies of authority. Marble placed a hoof on his shoulder. "They just want to help."
Igneous huffed, turning his gaze from his daughters to the ground. He could feel his limbs shaking with anger, and his stomach lurched with realization. Guess I am a little upset. Inhaling deeply, he steadied the torrent of curses threatening to break loose. Why don't they understand? Slowly, he raised his head, addressing Twilight. "I need my daughter here, not in Ponyville."
"I understand completely. That's why-" She pointed to the two ponies beside her. "-I've brought help. With all of us working together, we can get the farm in order in no time. Applejack's a farmer too, and said she'd be happy to-"
"-why?" The voice was small and quiet, as though a colt was speaking in his place. His amber eyes had lost all trace of anger, and started to mist over. "-why must everypony to come across my daughters assume the same thing?"
"Huh?" Rainbow stopped pulling, landing next to Applejack and staring open mouthed at the stallion. "Assuming what?"
"You think I only want them-" He pointed to the Marble and Limestone, "-to stay because they're useful on the farm? That they are only around to work? That I never consider their happiness?"
"No, I-"
"-No, you assumed you understood." Igneous' eyes sparked to life and his short tail swished irritably. "Don't pretend to understand! Nopony does." He sighed, lowering his head once more. "You know, I hear from Pinkamena a least once a month. She loves to write, especially about her adventures in Ponyville. She's constantly busy, we're lucky to see her once a year."
Igneous gritted his teeth until the pressure was nearly unbearable. "It's hard to let go, especially for a family as close as we are. Having Pinkamena here these past few days, it's helped. And now-" The irritation broke through once more. "-now you have the nerve to come here and demand that she go back. Why can't you give me one month of my daughter's company?"
Twilight felt her stomach churn until she felt sick. In all the years of knowing Pinkie, she never once thought of how her family felt about their adventures. Now, for the first time, she was feeling selfish. Selfish for asking her friend to come home. It was irrational and stupid, but she could not staunch the sick sensation of guilt flooding her senses.
Sensing trouble, Applejack stepped forward, chest out and eyes confident. "Seems you've got a good argument, but it is Pinkie's decision. And we're going to speak with her."
"All right. Do what you will. Celestia knows I can't keep that filly from doing what she wants." He gestured towards the East fields, "She's gone to find Cheese for dinner. Wait a bit and you can talk to her after she gets back." His gaze drifted to the alicorn. I suppose I'd better show some common curtesy. "Why don't you wait inside? Marble, Limestone, you too."
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Pinkie's heart felt light as a feather as she trotted through the rivers of mud. Though the filth was occasionally up to her knees, it did nothing to dampen her spirits. The day had been filled plenty of laughs, despite the strange conversation with her sisters. There was nothing Pinkie loved more than laughter. Well, maybe one something. More like somepony. Giggling to herself, she tried to focus on the task at hand. Wait a minute. Pinkie's small hoof stopped midair as her eyes darted across the current patch of mud. I should've seen him by now. He gave me a Cheesie promise he'd be here, but he's not.
An icy dread swept over her body, sending a violent shudder to her legs. She knew, just knew something was dreadfully wrong with Cheese. A pounding started up in her chest, causing the floodgate of panic she had been holding in to break free. What if he's hurt? Or sick? Or caught in a battle of wits with a maniac? Well, maybe not that, but still, it could be super bad. Lurching forward, she set off at a dead gallop across the slippery earth. I've got to find him!
……………………………………………………………………………………………………....
Cheese rested his head against the packed mud, desperate to ease the searing pain shooting up his neck. A distant bird drew his attention, and he turned to watch it until it soared above the grey blanket. Even through the perpetual cover, he knew it must be close to dusk. How long has it been? Of all the things to go wrong, this was the worst. Not only was he constrained in a miserably tight space, but he was all alone. As time inched by, the pain of constraint grew until he felt like fainting. Or is that the heat?
An attempt to swing his head behind him brought a wave of new pain and a strange pressure at his shoulder. For a few seconds, Cheese could not understand why, then he remembered the collar pressing tight against his skin and the wedge holding him down. How'd I forget that? A chill swept over him as realization sunk in. I'm losing my mind. I need to get out.
Struggling, he tried to lift a hoof, only to feel an impossibly strong force holding it back. Of course he had tried the exact movement hundreds of times already, but he had to do something. If he gave up, he would never forgive himself. Pinkie would never forgive me. Bracing once more, he gave a final burst of energy to leap free, which admittedly, was not much.
The force of his failed attempt took his breath away, causing his lungs to seize and his heart to ache. Once more, he set his head on the mud, moaning in frustration. Why can't it ever be easy? Earlier, he had lightened the mood with a series of cheery songs and jokes, but now they seemed pointless. Singing took energy and a non-parched throat of which he was in short supply. Slowly, his eye lids closed as he gave into the exhaustion.
"Cheesie? Cheesie is that you?"
Huh? Blearily, Cheese opened an eye to see a pink speck in the distance. Sure enough, he could hear Pinkie's hoofbeats against the mud. He wanted to call to her, but his mouth felt glued together. Instead, he managed to lift his head a little and smile weakly as she pulled up next to him.
Panic spread across the mare's face when she saw the situation. "Oh my gosh. Cheesie? What happened?" One trot around the pit told her enough, and she leaned down next to Cheese, careful not to sink into the mud as well. "You're pretty well sunk."
"Yeah." His voice sounded so rough that he scared himself.
"How long?"
"Since morning."
The mare's eyes grew wide. Now that she was close, she could see the sweat dripping off of his coat and the panicked look in his eyes. He's got to be scared. I know I'd be. "It'll be all right, Cheesie. I'll get you out. Don't push yourself."
"Don't think I could if I wanted to."
Her heart began to race as the severity of the situation sunk in. Mud was dangerous, her father always had said that growing up. Now, for the first time, she could see why. If somepony as strong as Cheese could not get loose, how would a filly or colt fair? "I'm going to get something to dig you out."
"Kay." Cheese watched as Pinkie cantered off to a nearby tree, tugging at the branch. An unsettling cloudy sensation wafted over his mind. He could see her work, understand that he needed to get out, but somehow it did not matter anymore. Nothing really did. Nothing but rest.
"I've got an idea, but I'll need you to-" Pinkie stopped short, seeing the sleeping stallion. It was obvious he was tired and dehydrated, but she needed him to help. "Cheesie!" Shaking him violently, she managed to awaken him. "I'm going to dig a channel for you, and then lay this down like a ramp." She gestured to the long strip of wood she had removed. I'll undo the harness. Make sense?"
Cheese gave a feeble nod, and tried to stay conscious as Pinkie worked. The speed at which she dug was impressive, and he found he could stay awake if he focused on her. Soon the pressure on his neck ebbed until it did not hurt to breathe.
In a matter of minutes, Pinkie stood muzzle to muzzle with him, and cut the lines connecting him to the wedge. A broad grin stretched across the mare's face. "There you are Cheesie. Ready to leave?"
"You bet." Muscles aching with every step, he followed her up the makeshift ramp to relatively solid ground once more. He pressed his muzzle to hers, taking in Pinkie's sweet smell. "Thanks."
Her giggle echoed across the empty field, "You don't have to thank me, silly."
"It's nice to anyway." The muscle aches intensified once more, and he fell to his knees. Trying to stand made his other legs shake, giving out under the weight. "Sorry."
"It's okay. Let's get home." A small hoof extended to pull him up, but to her surprise, Cheese did not take it. Instead, the stallion turned away, staring bleary eyed at the ground. Accepting defeat, she lay down in the mud beside him, snuggling close. "Guess we can rest a while."
"You'll get dirty."
"Don't care!" She stuck out her tongue for emphasis, but he was already drifting in and out of consciousness. His familiar, earthy scent was masked by the mud caking his sides, but it was there. Despite the stallion's protests, she pressed closer, sighing in contentment and gazing up at the sky. "Say, Cheesie?"
A nagging sensation filled her thoughts, and she felt an uncontrollable surge of emotion coming out. The thoughts were eating away at her for weeks, and now the floodgates were opening. She had to speak or she would explode. That was just how she was. "This farm never changes, even with all this stupid mud, it’s the same. Mom and Dad, they never change too. It's like time stands still." Resting her head beside him, she continued in a small voice, "But time doesn't. Does it?"
A soft smile creased the stallion's filthy face. "If it did, we'd all be in trouble."
"We're not-" She gulped, staring at the scar marring her side. "-not the same ponies we were a few months ago. It's like…like I've been caught in some kind of twister I can't get out of."
Cheese's expression darkened, and he turned, eyes filled with concern. "Was it all that bad?"
"It's not bad. Just-" The correct words seemed to escape her. "-fast." That was lame.
He nuzzled her softly on the cheek. "I guess so. But why does fast worry you so much?"
"Because nothing changes fast to me."
"Nothing?" Snorting, he gestured to her cutie mark. "You've had plenty of things happen fast. You got your cutie mark in a blink of an eye, helped save Equestria who knows how many times in the matter of hours, and made lifelong friends in a matter of days. Who says nothing ever happens to you fast? You're whole adult life's been nothing but fast."
Pinkie felt her face turn red. Pouting, she looked away. Stupid Cheesie! Still, he's right. "Fine, you win. But I wanted this-" She gestured grandly to themselves. "-to go slow. To go a normal pace."
"Normal?" Another chuckle left Cheese, and he ruffled her mane affectionately. "Silly, we've never been normal. Besides, why do our lives have to run on the same train tracks as everypony else? That's just boring, and you know it. Is that what you wanted?"
"I-" Pinkie's face fell. I don't know what I want.
"If it makes you more comfortable, we can take a step back." A wry grin stretched across his face. "But that means no more hugging or kissing, and I suppose we'll have to act like slightly clueless acquaintances."
"No! I don't want that."
"I sure don't either." Seeing her troubled expression, he continued, "Why does it scare you?"
"Because-" Oh, how do I explain! "-What if we move so far away from where we were that nopony recognizes us? What if we get so busy living our lives that we drift apart from our friends?" Her face grew hot as she prepared for the next part, "What if we decide to get married, have a family? How can I have adventures with my friends if we're raising foals?"
Cheese stared dumbstruck at Pinkie. Where in Equestria did this come from? Marriage? Foals? Good Celestia, she's really worried about this. "Pinkie, dear, you need to calm down." He looked into her eyes, lifting her chin with his hoof. "You keep thinking change is something you need to avoid. But you've seen time and again how good it can be. So what if we get married? It's not like your friends are instantly going to avoid you. And-" He gulped flushing a violent shade of red. "-if we have foals, it's not like I can't watch them while you go on adventures or find a foalsitter."
Pinkie shook her head, tears streaming down. "But you'll have to give up big parties and you won't be able to travel anymore, and it'll all be because of me."
Cheese snorted, "What sacrifice?" Leaning in, he pressed his dry muzzle to her velveteen one. "There's nothing I want more out of life then to stay by your side forever. I mean it."
"I love you too." They lay in silence, watching the light fading from behind the clouds, wondering. For some reason, Pinkie no longer felt like talking, and it was frustrating. She was more confused than when she started, but somehow, she felt like a weight was lifted off her chest. So what if we don't know where we're going or when? As long as he's by my side, it'll all be okay.