--------- Plain Field (Picnic Area), About two hours and many questions and answers later ---------
“AH! That was a really great lunch!” I happily said as I took the last bite of my apple, speaking of which “So, these same apples were grown on your own farm Applejack?”.
The orange mare grinned at this “Sure as hay they did! My family has been growing apples since forever! Just ask Granny Smith! She'll tell ya all sorta stories from back in the day” she exclaimed.
“Wow, that is pretty cool. Well just know that these apples are so far the best ones I have ever had” I said as I took a napkin and began to clean off my mouth.
“Well DUH! Of course they are, they are the only apples you have had here in Equestria silly!” Pinkie Pie quickly added with a giggle.
I playfully rolled my eyes “I meant that these are better than the ones I tasted back home, ya goof ball” I retorted as I brought my hand up and started to scratch her ear again, of which I heard no complaints.
Once again Applejack wore the biggest grin I have ever seen and I could see a hint of blush “Well golly gee, I knew that I had the best apples here but to say I have better then from another world! I would almost say you're sweet talking mister” she said with a smile.
I simply laughed “I do mean it though, I wouldn't say that if I thought it was not true! And besides, now whatever I eat after this will now have to be compared to your wonderful apples!” I concluded with a wink. From behind me I heard a hearty laugh as Rainbow laid her arms across the top of my head.
“Now THERE was some sweet talking if I ever heard it, trust me” she said while continuing to laugh. This got a bit more blush out of Applejack before she joined in the laughter.
“Well that is mighty kind of ya Adrian, thank ye” she said with a smile as she cleaned up her area which resulted in the rest of the girls to follow suit, all except for Pinkie who refused to move from her ear scratching spot. After the cleanup Twilight looked over to us and saw Pinkie's face that had a look of pure bliss and tilted her head.
“Pardon me Adrian but do you mind if I ask you a question?” Twilight asked.
“I do not mind Princess, even though I'm not sure what else to answer about since you asked almost everything during lunch” I replied with a chuckle that also got a chuckle out of a few of the other girls around.
Twilight gave the girls a quick stink eye before normally looking at me “I was simply wondering, why are you scratching her ear like that? I was curious when you started doing it to Fluttershy but I did not ask then, as it seemed to calm her down” she asked with a voice full of curiosity.
Before I spoke I thought about it for a moment before a realization dawned upon me and I stopped scratching Pinkie's ear, which earned me a look of confusion and a quivering lip. I quickly spoke up “Oh, is that wrong of me to do? Does that action mean something personal here or something? I'm really sorry if I offended you in any way Princess” I said as I clasped my hands together and laid them in my lap.
“OH! No, no, no! It does not mean anything at all! Sorry if I worried you with that question! I-I was simply curious as to why you performed that action was all!” she hurriedly responded with as she grew a nervous look.
“Oh, good. Sorry, I was worried I did something wrong against your culture. Remind me to ask about that later. But as to why well, I, um” I gulped in concern and worry with the answer “Well, back home we also have ponies and other furry creatur-” was all I got out before all six gasped.
“WAIT! Earth also has ponies as well?!” Twilight exclaimed as her eyes went wide before they shrunk back down to normal and she scrunched her face in confusion “If that is so then why did you appear surprised when you saw us then if you already have ponies in your world?” she asked, that made the others nod in agreement and look to me for answers.
I gulped and took a deep breath after “Well, yes and no. Yes we have ponies but they are not like you. You see they are just like cats and dogs and other animals here on Equus. That and they look much different than you but when I first saw you, you seemed to have the general shape of a pony so while I was shocked I kind of realized what you were. Well sort of since I was still in shock at the fact that I was talking to a multicolored being that was not human” I said with a nervous laugh before it quickly died out in my mouth.
With this new information, all the girls stood in silence as they thought about this and I was greeted with the grand gift of silence for a few minutes that started to become very awkward and I even began to fiddle with my thumbs and looked down. My only thoughts were 'I hope they don't think that I see them as beasts of burden or mindless or anything. That was so stupid of me to say, I should have lied and said that we scratch ears back home to comfort each other or something' Sigh.
Before I could muster any other thoughts Twilight finally stood forward and gave a slight cough to catch my attention “So, basically humans on Earth hold the same intelligence and social standing as ponies do on Equus?” she asked. I only nodded in response before I saw her give a small smile “Well, I suppose that things would be very different on another world though it is very surprising to hear and must be even more so for you!” she added with a small laugh.
But as soon as she said that Rainbow flew up to my face and stared at me eye to eye, pressing her muzzle against my nose “Lets clear one thing right now though bub! We ponies are not some sort of beasts of burden or any sort of crap like that! Got it pal?!” she told me in an angry voice.
My eyes shrunk to the size of pins and my voice was caught in my throat and taking a small breath of air did I finally manage to say “I-I-I would never think of my friends like that, ponies or otherwise” I said softly and with a nervous voice. After I said that it seemed to snap Rainbow out of her temper and she flew back with a gasp and landed on the ground, pawing at the dirt with her hoof.
“Now Rainbow! That was uncalled for, ya hear! Especially saying that sorta thing ta our friend! You really need to control your temper!” Applejack said with a snort before she took a few steps and laid a hoof on my hands “I'm awfully sorry about that Adrian, Rainbow has a short fuse and a big temper. But that's only because she has a big heart and did not want to see a strange being treat her friends like wild animals. I hope ya understand that she did not mean that in a bad way sugarcube, honest” she said while looking at me with a small smile.
It took me a moment to calm down, before I softly rubbed her hoof with my thumb in response “I understand, I suppose hearing a strange thing like me saying that could cause a misunderstanding or fearful response” I said before I slowly stood up and walked over to Rainbow and kneeled down to look at her “I'm sorry Rainbow if I upset you but I promise you that I will never think or treat you or anyone like that ever. Alright?” I told her, wearing a sad smile.
Rainbow continued to look down in shame before I heard her say “Ok, I will forgive you on one condition” she responded with by looking up at me.
I raised an eyebrow up at this “And what condition is that?” I asked hesitantly. This only made her blush ever so slightly as she stared at me for a few seconds before I heard her say.
“Co-coul-could you........scratch my ear too?” she asked with a voice that almost rivaled Fluttershy's. It took me a moment to realize what she asked before I smiled and chuckled a little at the thought of Equestria's most awesome and fastest flyer asking for an ear scratch.
“It would be my honor to give Equestria's most awesome and fastest flier an ear scratch Rainbow” I happily replied with as I slowly reached up to her head. She flinched slightly as she felt my hand contact her ear but as soon as I began to scratch her eyes bulged open and her face adopted a goofy smile as she ever so slightly leaned into my hand.
“Oh yeah, that does feel.....awesome” she muttered with a happy smile and droopy eyes and what she did next made my heart skip a beat. As I continued to scratch her head I saw her back right leg give a few slight kicks, that of course got a few muffled laughs from the rest which made the rainbowed one realize exactly what she just did and quickly take to the air and cross her hooves, looking away. “W-well, since you did what I asked I have decided to forgive you” she said while trying to sound proud before Applejack gave a quick cough “And that I....I'm sorry” she finished, her face getting a bit redder.
I simply laughed and nodded in response before Twilight spoke up “While I am glad that that was all cleared up, you still have not answered my original question Adrian” she said as she looked at me expectantly again.
“OH! Sorry Princess! Um, let's see. Where did I leave off?” I said as I thought where I left off in the original conversation “Oh! I know, alright so like I was saying back home whenever we see that animals are in distress or maybe just in general we have learned that scratching behind their ears usually has a calming effect.”
“So when I saw Fluttershy sad, I had thought that maybe that action could work here on sentient ponies as well and fortunately I was right. That and also it generally feels good for animals back home, which also seem to apply to you three as well” I finally explained as I gave a slight chuckle to that last part which made Fluttershy and Rainbow blush while Pinkie simply laughed out loud.
“Well, I for one am simply glad that everything worked out in the end but I do think that we should head back to Ponyville, for I have a lot of orders to fill for next week!” Rarity quickly chimed in and began to walk in the direction that I assumed where their town was.
“Yes, you're right Rarity and I have to get back to the library and write a letter to Princess Celestia! She needs to know about you Adrian right away!” Twilight said in a happy tone as she grabbed her basket and other supplies and began to trot alongside with Rarity.
“Yeah, I need to get back to the farm and get back ta work bucking apples. They don't fall off by themselves ya know!” Applejack quickly said as she joined the forward group with her stuff.
“Me too, I gotta get to work and do cloud and storm detail for tomorrow before I practice some more moves for the Wonderbolts! I will see everypony else later!” Rainbow Dash said before she flew over to me and ruffled my hair with her hoof “See ya later big guy” and she quickly flew off into the distance.
Pinkie, Fluttershy, and me simply followed behind the first three and we began to walk. Our walk together did not last for long as Pinkie, who was bouncing along, suddenly jumped into my arms and luckily I caught her “Whoa there Pinkie, you surprised me” I said with a laugh.
“Free ride back home! Yay! Oh! And could you scratch my ear again, it feels SOOOOOOOO GOOD!” she quickly said as she nestled comfortably into my arms and waited for the scratch.
With a roll of my eyes I adjusted my arm and began to scratch her ear, which she responded with a soft happy moan “I might have to start charging you for this service Pinkie” I said halfheartedly. She did not respond but simply began to mumble some sort of song as she was carried. The other girls giggled at us as we continued our walk.
–-------- Ten Minutes Later –--------
“And so I said to the waiter 'That's not chocolate, that's mud!'” I finished off my joke while barely containing my laughter, which was joined by Pinkie, Twilight, and a quiet Fluttershy while Rarity nervously chuckled.
“I do hope dear, that that was a made up joke than a real life joke” Rarity said while trying not to sound mortified that a waiter had just tasted mud.
After a few more laughs I was finally able to speak “O-oh yes Rar-Rarity. It was made up, I would never trick a waiter into eating mud” I said while trying to catch my breath.
With a visible sigh of relief Rarity spoke “Well that is a relief, I shall be departing here. See everypony later!” she said as she readjusted her curled mane again and walked off.
“I need to be heading off as well girls, Angel is probably worried sick and I need to check on the rest of my animals” Fluttershy quietly said before she flew up and nuzzled my cheek “If you need anything, and I mean anything at all, Adrian then please let me know. Ok?” she said with the sweetest and kindest voice she could muster while looking at me with big, caring eyes.
“I will remember that Fluttershy, thank you so much” I replied with a smile before she nodded again and flew off in the opposite direction.
Now it was only Twilight, Applejack, and me with a very happy and lazy Pinkie in my arms still as we continued to walk but as I saw the outskirts of town I stopped “Hey Princess Twilight, wait a moment”.
This made her and Applejack stop and look at me “Yes Adrian? What is wrong?” she asked.
“Well, not that I think anything bad will happen but do you think it will be alright with me, a never before seen creature, walking into town?” I asked worryingly. This made Twilight bring a hoof up to her chin and I could almost hear the gears spinning in her head as she continued to think and think. Finally her face snapped back to normal and she looked at me before speaking.
“Well, the last few times a strange pony came into Ponyville they were not met with happy greetings but since you are traveling with Pinkie Pie, Applejack, and myself I suspect that they will not see you as a threat or any thing too weird. But having said that I would still be wary that a few ponies might be scared or try to ignore you. Please don't take it personal Adrian, I promise you that once they meet and talk with you they will see your as normal as anypony else! Ok?” Twilight said with a kind and caring voice as she smiled up at me.
I smiled back and nodded “All right Princess, thank you. Now, let's go and see where you all live!” I happily exclaimed. The three mares happily nodded and we all continued our journey into town with me looking around, trying to see as much sights as possible. I was surprised by the looks of the buildings and houses, they all seemed very rustic and rural with the wooden sides and straw roofs and almost made me feel like I stepped back in time.
As soon as we stepped into town Pinkie finally leapt from my arms and began to bounce-walk alongside me with a mile-long smile. I was starting to think that her smile was permanently attached to her face. But another thing I noticed when I looked around was that I certainly was grabbing everyone’s attention as I saw that all the ponies in town were staring at me as we walked on by but so far mostly due to curiosity and not fear.
I even saw a few ponies crash into objects while they stared at me, which made me laugh under my breath as we continued to walk. I continued to observe the town as I saw mares, stallions, and little kids, foals or fillies I think, of every kind go about their day until they saw me and just stared until I passed. I'm not sure if none of them approached us because of me or Princess Twilight, which made me wonder how they normally reacted around royalty around here in a town this size.
“OH! OH! WE'RE HERE!” Pinkie Pie shouted which snapped me back to reality as I looked where Pinkie was and there before me was a GINGERBREAD HOUSE! I kid you not, a real life, full sized, gingerbread house, complete with candy canes, frosting, candy coating, you name it.
“Welcome to SugarCube Corner Adrian! This is the local bakery and sweets shop where I work! The other sweets shop is down the corner and run by a mare called Bon-Bon by the way. Oh I can't wait to show you all the kinds of sweets and sugary confections I can cook up!” Pinkie said as her body started to literally shake like she was standing atop an earthquake.
“BUT I can't right now since this afternoon Mr. and Mrs. Cake, the owners, and I have to bake a bunch of orders that have to be done soon or else!” she exclaimed before she gave a slight pout and a sigh.
I smiled as I walked over and patted her head “Don't worry Pinkie, I know that whatever you make will be super duper delicious! So I can wait as long as you need” I said.
This got her to smile and bounce again and also got a giggle “Yay! Well don't you worry one bit, I am gonna bake like there is no tomorrow so I can stuff you full of sweets! See ya later!” and with that she disappeared inside the gingerbread house.
Once she was gone I took a deep breath “Wow, is she always such a handful?” I asked with a smile.
The two remaining mares giggled and looked at me “Yep, she sure is and that is only the tip of the iceberg. You have yet to see her REALLY crazy antics. Believe me, I know” Twilight explained.
“Well I hate to run off and leave ya but I gotta get some supplies for the farm before I head on back, so I shall be seeing ya later Twi! And be sure to drop by the farm sometime later Adrian for another of yer most favorite apples in all of Equstria and Earth!” Applejack said before she walked off somewhere, leaving only me and Twilight.
“Well, with everypony else doing work, let's head on back to the library to get you settled in and allow me to write to the Princess” Twilight said as she began to walk with me following her.
“Settled in? What do you mean Princess Twilight?” I asked.
This only got a cute little laugh in response “I mean getting you set up to live with me until we figure out something more permanent silly” she said as she looked up at me with an amused expression. This made me blush a little and feel myself at a loss of words.
“B-but Princess! I do not want to intrude and to just suddenly move in an-and-” I blubbered out quite foolishly.
“It is no trouble at all Adrian, you are a visitor to our world and as Princess it is my duty to take care of those who need it. That and as my friend, I could never allow you to sleep somewhere in the streets! Never!” she stated quite sternly.
I simply stared at her while we continued to walk before a smile crept back onto my face “Wow, thank you so much Princess. If there is anything I could do for you, please don't hesitate to ask. I am in your debt” I quickly ran in front of her, forcing her to stop, and got down on one knee and took her hoof and giving it a quick kiss, placing my other hand on top of my heart.
This simply made the lavender mare blush hard as she tried and failed to form a sentence that did not sound like gibberish. But before she could find her voice another voice, more like three different voices, called out of nowhere yelling “WATCH OUT!”. I quickly turned my head towards the sound but was too late to react as three small fillies smashed into me and we all tumbled to the ground while their scooter and little cart flew away. After a few more moments of tumbling and rolling we finally stopped and plopped to the ground in a mash of body parts.
After the dust settled and my sight restored to normal I finally gazed down as to what hit me and that was when I saw the three fillies lying on top of me groaning and heads swaying. “Are you three alright?” I groggily asked. This seemed to wake them from their daze as they shook their heads and looked up at me.
“Yeah, were fiIIIIIIIINE!” the cream colored unicorn shouted as she leapt off of me and looked at me with a low hanging jaw. This confused the other two, so they both turned around to look at me and they both adopted the same expression but the red haired earth pony jumped off and joined the other one while the small orange pegasus simply stared up at me with twinkling eyes.
Before any of us could speak Twilight ran over to us “Oh my gosh! Are you ok Adrian?” I nodded in response “Oh thank Celestia and how about you girls? Are any of you three hurt?” this simply made the three look at her with confused faces.
“Wait, ya mean you know who and what this thing is Twilight?” the red haired earth pony said in a familiar sounding southern accent.
With a sigh she nodded “Yes girls, his name name is Adrian Frost and he is a human being. Me and the girls just met him earlier today and we all became his friend. Who you just ran into I might add” she gave the three girls a knowing look which caused them to hang their heads in shame.
“We're so sorry miss Twilight, we were heading to the library to check out a few books that might help us get our cutie marks but we went too fast and couldn't stop. We're sorry” the cream colored unicorn sadly said.
“I am not the one you need to apologize to, since I was not the one who you three plowed into, now am I?” Twilight stated.
All three turned their heads to me and in one voice said “We're sorry” and gave me the most apologetic, puppy dog eyes I have ever seen, that just made my insides turn to jelly.
With a forgiving sigh I spoke up and said “I can't be mad at the those three cute and adorable faces”. As I said that I brought my hand up and ruffled the orange pegasus' mane, that made all three smile and the other two quickly ran up to me.
“Wowey mister! I can't say I ever heard of a human before! Where did ya come from?” the earth pony asked.
With a chuckle I said “Before I answer that, can I know your names first? Like Princess Twilight said my name is Adrian Frost, nice to meet you three”.
All three gasped then took a few steps back to form a line before the red haired one spoke up first “Ma name's Applebloom, Applejacks lil' sister!”.
Next the cream colored unicorn “And I am Sweetie Bell! Rarity's little sister!”.
Finally the orange pegasus spoke up to say “And last and not least, Scootaloo's the name and speed is my game! And together we're-”
All three took a breath before shouting “THE CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS! YAY!”
I stared at them for a moment before I gave a short applause “Wow, that was very well done. Well it is nice to meet you Applebloom, Sweetie Bell, and Scootaloo!” I said before all three responded with “It's nice to meet you too!” in one voice, to which I gave a slight chuckle.
Right before I was about to answer their earlier question Twilight spoke up “Hey girls, why don't we head on over to the library first before you start asking all your questions since we are all heading there”. This made the three groan at first before their spirits were lifted back up for some reason. “Alright, let's get going”.
I slowly got to my feet and dusted myself off before I heard three collective gasps, so I turned around to see the three staring up at me with jaws open again, before Sweetie Bell said “Golly gee mister, your tall!” she then ran up to me and placed her front two hooves on my leg, looking up at me “Can I ride on your head? Please! I wanna see how it looks if I was that big! Pretty please!” she begged as she proceeded to pull out the puppy dog eyes and added a quivering lip, these girls were the master at cuteness and it was very unfair.
With a defeated sigh I reached down, gently wrapped my hands around her and slowly brought her up, placing her upper body on top of my head while she positioned her back hoofs to support her. Once she was up, she let out an excited gasp and began bouncing slightly “WOW! Everything looks so different from up here! This is amazing!” she said with a very happy tone.
This made the other two rush up and begin pleading to be let up as well and they even repeated the cute looks, to which I only gave another defeated sigh “It is very unfair, that you three have mastered that cute look, you know” I playfully said as I scooped up the two in each hand and gently placed them on each shoulder and they each repeated the same amazement as Sweetie Bell did. When all three were settled in on their new perch they each said “Ready!” which only made me and Twilight laugh.
When I began to follow Twilight the movement made the three jump slightly before they started laughing and began to look around in awe at their new height but before long Sweetie Bell spoke up “Thank you so much for letting me... I-I mean us up Adrian! That was really nice of you”.
I chuckled a bit before I reached up and petted her head for a second “No problem Sweetie” I said with a smile which made her nuzzle the top of my head before she layed her head on top of my head and gave a happy sigh as we made our way to the library.