//------------------------------//
// Responsibilities 
// Story: Six Trans Mares 
// by pertelote345 
//------------------------------//


Apple Jack


The pink mare was practically bouncing off the trees. "It was amazing! They said I can't tell you their names, which makes a lot of sense because of the whole 'safe place' thing, but they were super nice!" Pinkie giggled.

I smiled and bucked the tree and letting the apples pour into the baskets. These ones were cider apples, but they were still good, my cider batch would make the apple family proud this year...

Pinkie gasped. "You should totally come next time AJ! I'm sure you'd love meeting them."

I shook my head and turned to the baskets. "I don't think that'll be necessary seeing as how I don't plan on transitioning."

Pinkie froze... her jaw dropped. "W-wait what?"

I shrugged, loading the baskets into the carts. The movements felt easy, practiced and smooth. "I guess I'm just not as broken up about being male as the rest of y'all."

Pinkie sputtered. "B-but you totally freaked out when we first found out! I saw you cry! On the outside even! Wait..."

She paused. Her eyes went wide. "Were those tears of joy? Are you FTM? Is this the best thing that ever happened to you? Oh my god do you have a new name?"

I rolled my eyes. "No pinkie, I'm not FTM. I'm looking forward to changing back when Twilight eventually fixes this, but for right now I feel like my... Whatcha call it? Dysphoria? Any who I'm feelin' good enough to handle whatever comes my way without causing a big fuss."

She tilted her head, processing this... I bit my lip please just drop it...

"Okie dokie loki..." She said finally. "You will tell me if you're having trouble though right?"

I nodded. "Eeyup."

"Pinkie promise?"

"Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick an apple in my eye." I said, going through the motions.

She giggled. "I like your spin on it."

I smiled. "Thanks sugarcube. Now was there anything else?" 

She shook her head. "Mostly I just came by to tell you as much as I could about the meeting. I- Oh my gosh! I just realize I said I'd meet someone I can't tell you about to go shopping! I gotta go!"

And thus, she sped off.

I sighed.I was glad that was taken care of. My cart was about done full up too. I slipped into the harness and started makin' my way to the store room.

I parked the cart and started unloading. The harvest really was good this year. I reckon we'd have to think about erecting another storage shed. It didn't help that this one was full of junk. There was granny's old dresser, a pile of lawn chairs, a mirror.

I stopped. Catching a glimpse of myself, a strong, masculine stallion with rippling muscles and the sweat of hard work on 'im... I was growing stubble. I'd been avoiding mirrors for a while now so that was no surprise. I'd get it when I got back home.

I blew my hair out of my face. Granny said it was gettin' a little long and offered to cut it for me. I told her no, maybe a little too quickly... She looked hurt, worried even.

I should really have just let her cut it... It was just hair! Who was I Rarity? Where in the heck did I get off not doin' something that would make my poor old granny feel happy? I growled and opened the dresser drawer.

I'd found the shard a while back. Of course the mirror would get damaged sittin' out here. At first I just picked it up to make sure nopony stepped on it... But it was useful. I sat myself down and held out my hoof.

Now don't you think I was bein' dramatic or nothing. I weren't Fluttershy. I just needed a little cut every now and then to remind myself of when I was bein' selfish. I wasn't going to kill myself, no matter how bad I felt. The family needed me!

I made the cut. Just enough to feel a little pinch and draw a little blood. I pulled out a box of tissues I'd left near and blotted the thing. In a moment it closed and you couldn't even see it under my fur.

I harnessed up and went back outside. It was still early in the morning and I had a lot of work to do... A lot of work.