//------------------------------// // Musical Remedies // Story: Family // by FleetlordAvatar //------------------------------// It was morning and the Apples were preparing breakfast before going out into the fields, Applejack was slicing some Golden Delicious to put on her porridge while Granny Smith was adding some Zap Apple Jam to her toast. Big Mac was quietly munching on a fritter while his sister briefed them on what needed to be done around the farm. “Okay, we got most of the harvest in these last few days, but we need to work harder if we want to beat this frost.” “Darn tootin,” replied Granny Smith. “Those clouds look like they could cut loose any minute.” “Shouldn’t even be snow this time of year Granny. If Rainbow Dash doesn’t get a lid on this pronto, I’m gonna lasso her to the nearest tree and buck it until she cries uncle!” “Weather schedules been all mixed up these last couple weeks, in my day, when the pegasai said it was gonna be sunny then it gosh darn was!” “Eeyup,” interjected Big Mac. “All I can say for sure Granny, is it’s gonna take all the Apples ta pull this off,” replied Applejack. “Speaking of all the Apples, where’s Apple Bloom and Reiver? They’re going to miss breakfast,” said Granny Smith, waving a hoof at two empty chairs. “Don’t worry Granny, I’ll go see what’s keeping them,” replied Applejack, rising from her seat. Making her way upstairs, the farm pony knocked on the guest room door first. “Reiver, ya’ll up? It’s time for breakfast.” Nudging open the door, she stifled a snicker at what she saw. The floor was covered in open books and papers, with a liberal sprinkling of pencils and crumpled notes. In the centre of this mess Reiver and Applebloom were sleeping soundly, Revier was lying on the floor, his head resting on his hooves, while Applebloom was snuggled up close to him, her hooves wrapped around his barrel. Navigating the mess of papers and books, she nudged the adorable pair with a hoof. “C’mon you two, breakfast is waiting for ya.” Reiver stirred, but when he tried to move he felt the hooves wrapped around him. Twisting in the fillys’ grip, he saw Applebloom wake and the two locked eyes for a moment while their brains attempted to register their current position. As soon as the information clicked they responded on the only way they possible could. “EYAH!” With a yelp, the two abruptly sprang back from one another, Reiver slipping on a book and into the wall, while Applebloom flailed on sheets of loose paper before falling flat on her face. “Ow,” groaned Reiver, rubbing the back of his head. “What hit me?” moaned Applebloom. “Sorry ta disturb ya’ll” replied Applejack, who was struggling to keep a fit of giggles in check. “But breakfast is on the table and if ya’ll don’t hurry up. Big Mac and Granny will have eaten it all.” “Urgh, thanks Applejack,” said a dazed Reiver. “I’ll see you downstairs,” replied Applejack, heading back to the kitchen. Reiver and Apple Bloom picked themselves up, taking a look at the mess of papers and books all over the floor. “Guess we should clean this up,” she said. “After breakfast,” replied Reiver. “Yeah...uhh, about what we were doing…”said Apple Bloom sheepishly. Reiver held up a hoof. “If anypony asks, we fell asleep while studying, there was no cuddling, agreed?” “Agreed.” With their mutual agreement in place, the two ponies headed downstairs, arriving to the sight of Big Macintosh and Granny Smith laughing to what they suspected was Applejacks recollection of recent events. “Morning,” said Revier, taking his place at the table. “Nice ta see you’re finally up young uns,” said Granny Smith. “I don’t blame ya fer sleepin in like that, Apple Bloom can be a might possessive of her pillow.” With an embarrassed groan, Apple Bloom attempted to bury her face in a bowl of porridge. “It true,” said Applejack with a mischievous grin. “I once found her snuggled up so close ta Big Mac that she wouldn’t wake up for anything.” “Can we move on from that please,” said Reiver. “Sure thing partner,” replied Applejack as she placed a bowl of applesauce in front of the colt. “Yummy,” he replied sarcastically. “More brown mush.” “That’s a lot more than mush there,” replied Granny Smith. “That’s fine, one hundred per cent, Sweet Apple Acres brand applesauce.” Reiver poked it with his spoon. “Still looks like a bowl of mush to me.” “Eeyup,” replied Big Mac. “Don’t you go supporting him,” replied Granny Smith, slightly offended that her apples were being called ‘mush’. “Granny’s mighty proud of what we got here on the farm,” said Applejack. “I think she’s trying to say that there’s more to that ‘mush’ than you’re giving it credit for.” “I know that,” replied Reiver with a sigh. “Its just...I’ve been eating it since I got here and it’s nice and all, but it’s getting to the point where I just don’t want it anymore.” “Keep your head up high partner, once your better I’ll personally serve ya some of Sweet Apple Acres finest,” replied Applejack with a wink. “Eeyup,” “Is that all you’re going to say today?” “Eenope,” replied Big Mac with a smirk. Rolling her eyes at the antics of her brother, Applejack turned to Apple Bloom, who was now eating her porridge rather than attempting to hide in it. “We’re gonna need your help today little sis, with the weather going the way it is we need all the hooves we can get.” “But Reiver and I were gonna hang out some more,” she protested. “Well, that’s quite the change of tune there missy,” replied Applejack. “Wasn’t that long ago you were trying to stay away from him.” “Well, uh, we talked it out. It...kinda made me realise how much of a jerk I had been and we made up.” “I saw that first hoof this morning,” snickered Applejack. “I forgot how gosh darned cute you could be little sis.” “Applejack,” groaned Apple Bloom in embarrassment. Reiver just decided it was his turn to bury his face in his breakfast. “Sorry I couldn’t help myself,” she apologised. “But, while it’s nice to see the two of you made up, I still need your help in the fields today.” Apple Bloom shot an apologetic look at Reiver. “Sorry,” “It’s okay,” he replied. “We can hang out later tonight, but if you are all going to be working outside, who is going to make sure I’m okay? I thought I wasn’t to be left alone.” “And you ain't,” replied Applejack, just as a set of soft knocks interrupted the conversation. “I asked Rarity and Rainbow Dash if they could watch you today but they were busy, so I called somepony else.” Opening the back door, she revealed who was going to be watching him that day. “Umm, hello, I hope I’m not interrupting anything.” “Not at all Fluttershy, come right on in.” Reiver looked past Applejack to the butter yellow Pegasus that entered the farmhouse, she had a long pink mane and tail as well as three pink butterflies on her flank. “Classic Fluttershy,” he thought to himself. He also saw that Fluttershy wasn’t the only creature that was at the door; by her hooves was a huffy looking white rabbit with a picnic basket. “I hope you don’t mind, but I brought Angel with me today. When you told me you were looking after a sick colt, I thought he might help cheer him up.” Angel just huffed, apparently he didn’t think it was good idea. “Howdy miss Fluttershy,” said Big Macintosh. “It’s nice to see ya’ll again.” “Oh, umm, hi Big Mac,” she squeaked, turning a soft shade of red. “It’s, um, nice to see you too.” There was a moment of awkward silence between the two and Reiver noticed that the fur on Big Mac’s face was definitely turning a darker shade of red. Deciding to break the tension, he hopped down from his seat and went to introduce himself. “Hi, I’m Revier,” he said, offering a hoof to Fluttershy. Reiver had expected her to squeak and hide behind her mane at the sight of a new pony, he was therefore not expecting her to take one look at him and practically tackle him into a tight hug. “Oh, you’re the poor colt that was starving in the Everfree Forest, I can’t imagine how scary that must have been.” “It was…not something...I would like to repeat,” he wheezed. Much to his relief, Fluttershy released him so she could give him a proper look over, taking in how he was noticeably thinner than a colt his age should be. “You poor dear, you’re all skin and bones.” “But, getting better all the time,” replied Big Macintosh, patting Reivers back with a shaggy hoof. “Big Mac has been really helpful,” said Reiver. “He talks about you all the time you know.” “Really!” exclaimed Fluttershy, before ducking behind her mane in embarassment, but not before Big Mac blushed in response to her outburst. “Alright that’s enough chit chat,” interrupted Applejack, although Reiver noticed she had an amused grin on her face. “We've got to get going if we’re gonna get all the jobs done before sundown.” “See ya tonight Rever,” said Apple Bloom. “Likewise Apple Bloom, it was…fun hanging out with you,” Reiver really meant it; now the filly wasn’t trying to avoid him like the plague, he found he enjoyed her company. She hed also been really helpful with their research into Bedlam and they had compiled a list of new ideas about the strange creature. After saying farewell to the Apples, the colt soon found himself alone with Fluttershy. An awkward silence descended on the pair, as the Pegasus earlier burst of confidence evaporated. Thankfully it didn’t last long, because Angel decided to let his opinion be known by thumping her foreleg with a foot. “He doesn’t look happy to be here,” commented Reiver. “Oh?” Fluttershy looked down at her lapine companion as he turned his back on her with a huff. “Now, now Angel, that’s not nice. I brought you all this way to help cheer up Reiver so no frowny faces.” Gently scooping up the rabbit in her hooves, she presented him to Reiver. “Now, be nice and say hello.” Reiver looked the thoroughly non-plussed bunny over and offered it a hoof, only for Angle snap at it with his teeth. “Angel!” exclaimed Fluttershy sternly. “We do not bite ponies hooves, is that understood?” Cowed by his owners sudden display of force, Angels ears drooped as he nodded. “Good, I’m sorry for that, he’s just grumpy because I got him up early today.” “It’s okay, but maybe we could do something else until he’s a bit more co-operative?” “Okay,” replied Fluttershy as she scanned the room. “How about we talk while you finish your breakfast” Reiver looked back to the kitchen table and realised that the Apples had cleared away their plates but left his alone. “Yay mush,” he muttered sarcastically. “Now now, I’m sure it’s delicious,” replied Fluttershy. With a sigh, Reiver pulled himself back onto his chair as Fluttershy took the one next to him at the table. As he ate, the Pegasus mare looked through the picnic basket, pulling out a thermos and pouring herself some tea, before giving a small carrot to Angel, who started grumpily munching on it. “You sure he’s going to be alright?” he asked, gesturing to Angel. “Oh, he’ll calm down eventually, I’m sorry he tried to bite you,” “Like I said, its okay, but I wish he would stop giving me the stink eye.” Fluttershy glanced at her rebellious pet, which was indeed giving Reiver a one eyed glare. But one look from Fluttershy’s famous ‘stare’ cowed him. “He’ll come around once he’s calmed down,” she said. “How are you enjoying your breakfast?” “It’s…apple mush, I’ve been eating it since I got here and I really don’t know what else to say, it’s good, but I just want something a bit more…solid.” As he finished, the spoon slipped out of his hooves and clattered to the plate. “Then there’s that,” he groaned. “I’ve been practicing with Big Mac, but I’m still having difficulty with my hooves, I just want to be able to hold things properly.” “Maybe I could help? Umm, that is, if you want me to,” she asked. “No, I can manage,” sighed Reiver. “Are you sure? I could hold the spoon if it helps.” “I said no!” he snapped, causing the timid pegasus to recoil and immediately making him feel guilty. “I’m sorry Fluttershy,” he apologised. “I just…It’s frustrating when every time you go to pick up a pencil, or a spoon, or anything, I have to be extra careful I don’t drop it.” He sighed. “Big Mac has been a big help, but doing the smallest of tasks is still a challenge for me.” Fluttershy looked over the colt as he slumped in his seat. Getting up, she moved around the table and hugged him, gently this time. Now she wasn’t trying to suffocate him with affection, Reiver returned the embrace, enjoying the comfort she had offered.  It reminded him of how his mother used to do this when he was young, he sniffed a bit as the memory surfaced, but managed to keep his composure. “Thanks,” “You’re welcome,” she replied. “How about after we’ve eaten, we practice hoof control. I can help show you how to properly hold an object so it won’t fall.” Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx A short while later, the colt was sitting at the coffee table in the living room slowly attempting to draw a passable representation of a pony, Fluttershy sat behind him, using her hoof to help him grip the pencil as it moved across the page. Across from the two of them, Angel was napping on the sofa. “Now,” said Fluttershy. “I’m going to let go, remember, don’t force the pencil to stay in your hoof, just let it sit naturally.” She pulled back her hoof and Reiver tried to just let the pencil ‘sit’, but the problem was, it was difficult to hold something that you really needed fingers to do so. He had no physical fingers to stop the pencil simply dropping out of his hoof, and those magical ‘phantom fingers’ still felt weird every time he used them. However, despite this, the pencil was staying in his ‘grip’. “I think I’m getting it,” he said finally. “It isn’t slipping.” “No, it’s not,” replied Fluttershy. “You see, you can do this.” The colt smiled a little. “If you don’t mind me asking,” he said. “You seem a bit more confident than when you came in; I thought you were shy?” “Oh, umm, well I am shy,” she replied. “But, helping you is kind of like when I help my sick animal friends.” “So…I’m like an ill bunny or squirrel?” he said, looking up at her. “Umm…yes,” she replied with a blush. Reiver glanced at Angel and didn’t know if he should be complimented or insulted. Getting back to his hoof practice, Reiver took a deep breath and attempted to let his hoof behave as if he still had a hand. He ‘felt’ the pencil through the latent magic and slowly started to move it, but as he gained speed it started to slip, so he slowed his pace until it was once again ‘gripped’ by his 'fingers'. It looked like so long as he moved it slowly, then he was able to keep some control. However, it would take a while before he could properly ‘hold’ something. As he practiced, he heard Fluttershy start to hum a familiar tune. He had heard her sing before on the television, but to actually hear it from the source, it was difficult to describe. Her voice was as soft and gentle as the show portrayed it, radiating a warmth that hadn’t come across on screen. Like when she had held him, it stirred old memories of when his mum used to sing and he unconsciously found himself joining in with the Pegasus. “You have a lovely voice,” he said. “Thank you,” she replied. “It reminds me of my mother; she used to sing when she was happy. Sometimes we would even sing together.” “Really? What did she like to sing?” asked Fluttershy. “Anything really,” chuckled Reiver. “But she used to like this daft pop song, let me see if I can remember how it went. He hummed a few notes to see if he could remember the exact tune, it took him few tries, but soon the little colt was singing his heart out. “I'm walking on sunshine, whoa oh! I'm walking on sunshine, whoa oh! I'm walking on sunshine, whoa oh! And don't it feel good, HEY! Alright now! And don't it feel good, HEY! Alright now! All right now yeah! HEY!” Fluttershy giggled as he got up and started dancing around the living room, the invisible beat infecting his very soul. She managed to pick up the tune and started singing along, which earned them both an unsavoury look from a rudely awakened Angel. Finishing the song with a flourish, Reiver was huffing and panting as the sudden burst of exercise caught up with him. He looked over at Fluttershy who was softly applauding and he couldn’t help but smile in happiness. “Thanks,” he said. “You were great too, how did you pick up the song like that?” “I love to sing, I do it with my animal friends all the time. The birdies just love it when we all sing together; we were even asked to perform at the Royal Wedding in Canterlot.” She gave an adorable squee and Reiver was certain he might die from the ensuring cuteness. “I bet the other ponies love to hear your voice,” he replied. “Ummm, actually…” Fluttershy’s confidence again disappeared and she muttered something that Reiver couldn't hear clearly. “Pardon?” he asked “…..” “Sorry, I didn’t hear that either,” “….” “Just a bit louder please.” Fluttershy took a deep breath. “I…have stage fright,” she finally replied, hiding back behind her mane. “But…you just sang with me, and you said you sang at the Royal Wedding?” “Oh…well, it’s okay when there’s just one or two ponies I’m comfortable with, and the wedding…I really just conducted the choir, I didn’t actually…sing.” “So…you’re comfortable singing around me? A colt you barely know.” “Applejack asked be to help you feel better,” she replied. “I help my animal friends feel better however I can, and if singing makes you feel better, then I don’t mind at all. Besides, I babysit the Cutie Mark Crusaders, it’s helped me get used to being around younger ponies.” “If you can survive them I can see why you wouldn’t be nervous around me, being here must be easy compared to what they get up to.” “They’re not that bad…at least when I’m around,” The two ponies giggled as they recalled their own experiences of the CMC. “Would you like to keep practicing?” asked Fluttershy, gesturing to the pencil. “Actually…could we sing a bit more?” asked Reiver. “I used to sing with my mum until…well I haven’t had a good singing partner for a long time.” Fluttershy picked up on pause in his speech, but decided not to pry, he was so happy and she didn’t want to spoil it. “Okay, do you have any songs you like?” Reiver racked his brains for a moment before he remembered something they both knew the words for, taking a deep breath he hummed the opening bars before launching into the first verse. “Trot outside and you see the sunshine Something's in the air today Sky is clear and you're feelin' so fine Everything's gonna be a-okay!” Fluttershys face lit up, this was one of her favourites and she joined in without a moment’s hesitation. “If you listen carefully On every corner there's a rhythm playing Then it happens suddenly The music takes you over and you'll Find you’ve got the music Got the music in you Find you've got the music Got the music in you!” Unknown to the two ponies, Applejack had returned to collect more baskets from the barn. Deciding to check on Reiver, she was passing by the living room window when she heard the singing from inside. Peeking through the glass, she was treated to the sight of Reiver standing on the coffee table, singing along with Fluttershy. She even caught a glimpse of Angel bunny angrily trying to bury his head in the sofa pillows. With a smile she ducked back down and headed back out into the fields. “Guess Reivers feeling better,” she thought. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Later that evening, the Apple family returned home, glowing in the satisfaction of a job well done. “Yeehaw!” Exclaimed Applejack. “Good job everypony, I reckon we got the harvest in lickedy split!” “Eeyup,” chipped Big Macintosh. “Good thing too,” said Granny Smith. “Those clouds look ready to give us the blizzard of the century.” Indeed, the grey clouds still hung ominously over Ponyville like a thick blanket, somehow managing to get even darker throughout the course of the day. “At least everything’s done now,” said Apple Bloom, exhausted. “I don’t think I could take another day of apple bucking.” “Really, I’m still raring to go,” replied Applejack. “That’s because you’ve been apple bucking since before Pa and I could teach ya,” replied Granny Smith with a grin. “But Apple Blooms getting better all the time, saw her nearly clear a few of the bigger trees myself, she’s setting herself up to be a great apple bucker.” “She sure is,” replied Applejack, ruffling her sisters’ mane affectionately. Reaching the farmhouse, Applejack pushed open the front door and found Fluttershy reading a book on the living room sofa. Angel Bunny was curled up against the Pegasus’ barrel, fast asleep. “Howdy Fluttershy,” “Welcome back Applejack, did you get all your work done?” “Yup, couldn’t have asked for a better team,” she replied, gesturing to her family as they filed through the door behind her. “Was Reiver okay?” she asked, already knowing the answer. “Oh, I think we got on well,” replied Fluttershy with a small smile. “He’s sleeping upstairs, poor little guy tired himself out.” “Singing will do that to ya,” replied Applejack with a wink, causing the Pegasus to let out a small ‘eep’. “It’s okay Fluttershy, ya’ll got an amazing voice, and I’m happy it helped Reiver feel better.” “Yes…he was much happier when we were singing. Did you know he likes the Ponytones?” “Didn’t know that,” replied Applejack. “Hey! Big Mac, apparently Reivers a fan of yours! “So I hear,” replied the stallion, popping his head around the kitchen door. “Maybe I can get Rarity to arrange it so he can come see us rehearse, bet that would make his day.” “I’m sure it would,” replied Applejack. “Maybe Fluttershy can come as well, just to keep an eye on him.” Fluttershy immediately flushed a deep red. “Oh,ummm,my…I really, if it wouldn’t be…too much, I don’t want to be a burden,” she stammered. “It’s no trouble at all, right Big Mac?” The stallion in question was now even redder, the blush amplifying his crimson coat while he attempted to stammer out his own answer. “Then it’s settled,” replied Applejack. “Maybe ya’ll would like ta stay for dinner?” At this statement, Angel Bunny, roused from his nap by the assorted ponies, drummed his foot against Fluttershy’s Barrel, causing her to look down at her pet, who was rapidly shaking his head and pretending to check a watch. “I’m sorry Applejack,” said Fluttershy, getting to her hooves. “But Angel’s right, I need to get back and feed the animals, but thank you for the offer.” As the Pegasus gathered her things, she noticed a scrap of paper sticking out from underneath her picnic basket. Moving it, she saw it was a crudely drawn card that showed herself and Reiver singing together. In shaky letters the words “THANK YOU”, were scrawled at the top of the page. “I think you made an impression on him,” said Applejack as she spied the card. “I guess I did,” replied Fluttershy with a smile of her own. “He’s a wonderful colt Applejack,” “I know,” sighed Applejack. “I just wish the harvest hadn’t been taking up so much of my time. I ain't seen much of him since Winona and I showed him our rodeo tricks.” Then she brightened. “But now, the harvest is done and I should have some more free time to help him. I think I’ll show him some more tricks Winona and I performed on the rodeo circuit.” “I’m sure he’d like that,” replied Fluttershy. “I’m glad I could help Applejack.” “Me too sugarcube.” The two shared a hug before Fluttershy said farewell to the Apple family and headed back home, Angel riding inside the empty picnic basket. While the Apples started preparing their dinner, Reiver slept on, the quiet of the bedroom broken only by his soft snores. The door was slightly ajar and a shaft of light speared its way in from the hall, highlighting the specks of dust that gently danced through the air. Whirling around in an invisible gust of wind, they eventually coalesced into a ghostly, but familiar, figure, who cautiously checked the hallway before turning to the sleeping colt. “That was quite the show,” said Bedlam. “I don’t think you’ve sung like that since mum died, I’m sure if you were awake you would have made the card yourself.” Sitting by the foot of the bed, the strange creature faced the door and lifted a hoof towards some of the pencils that were still scattered on the floor from that morning. After a moment, one of them began to unsteadily rise into the air and float towards him. “I’ll have to practise a bit more before I get this down, we’re just lucky I spied on a few of your lessons with Cheerilee. It’s funny, but I didn’t know I could affect solid objects, I thought I was restricted to pictures. I wonder what else I’m capable of?” Making sure he was out of sight, Bedlam started to practise levitating objects, all the while Reiver slept on, unaware that he wasn’t the only one getting stronger.