//------------------------------// // Found in Translation // Story: Apples and Cherry Blossoms // by Archangel2401 //------------------------------// Twilight spent the rest of the day distracted, unable to focus with the tantalizing thought of procuring the mysterious book Ditzy had mentioned looming over her head. She found herself wandering the streets of Ponyville just before sunset in hopes of running into the mailmare after Spike had given up trying to keep her attention during another checklist. He walked along beside her going on about something involving a Hoofball game he and Big Mac had talked over, but Twilight wasn't listening. They crossed paths with Apple Bloom, Sweetie Bell and Scootaloo as they chased after a whimpering, soaking wet Winona. Apparently they'd tried their hooves at getting a pet grooming cutie mark. Poor Winona trailed soap bubbles after her, whining as she managed to escape the three fillies after they had to stop when Scootaloo ran headlong into Spike, both toppling over one another. "Hey! Watch where you're going!" cried Scootaloo as she scrambled to try and get back on her hooves, Sweetie Bell and Apple Bloom came skidding to a halt. Her eyes focused and she lowered her head, shrinking a little upon realizing she'd just shouted at the Princess of Friendship. The Cutie Mark Crusaders all hastily moved to help a dazed Spike up before apologizing profusely and darting off to find Winona. "Are you all right Spike?" Twilight gave them all a chastising look as they raced down the street and leaned in to look her number one assistant over, using her tail to dust him off. "I think so, but I can't seem to get my ears to stop ringing." Spike wrapped his claws around his head, wobbling back and forth as he tried to shake himself out of his daze. "Do you know a spell that can help? Sounds like it's getting louder..." "I don't think your ears are ringing Spike, I hear something too. What is that? Is it... music?" Twilight briefly looked as if she were planning to cast a spell, her horn glimmering with magic. Her ears twitched as a gentle melody tickled them and she raised her head, peering around. It grew a bit more distinct the more she focused on it. Spike barely had time to grab hold of Twilight's tail, being pulled along for the ride as she took off to follow the rays of a setting sun and the harmonious sounds. "It is music. Sounds like it's coming from over by the river." Trotting through the streets of Ponyville she came to Town Square and saw a few ponies like Daisy packing up their carts and closing up their shops. The curious cherry tree was in bloom, it's branches no longer looking sad and withered, but majestic and full of life now it was covered with beautiful pink blossoms. The Earth pony sat beneath it with his back propped up against the trunk, his straw hat once again resting atop his head and tilted down to cover his eyes. He held a bamboo flute between both hooves and raised to his muzzle, a gentle tune echoing from the instrument. A mid-sized dog with a bold sesame coat and an angular, wolf-like face lay beside him with his head resting over his front paws. Twilight came to a halt beside City Hall and noticed several ponies were milling about, doing their best to appear like they weren't listening. Even Applejack had parked her apple cart off to one side of the street and was standing beside it with Rainbow Dash. Unlike Dash, who had her back turned, Applejack was the only one who'd not opted for subtlety. She had a curiously whimsical smile as she looked to Twilight and waved her over. "Howdy Twi! Out for a little stroll and enjoyin' the sunset?" "I was out with Spike, we were looking for Ditzy since she said she had that book earlier." Twilight grinned sheepishly as Applejack snickered. Spike rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Okay... I was looking for Ditzy. Spike's just along for the ride. What about you two?" "I think I heard she said she had to go deliver a letter to Zecora. That's probably where she is now. If she isn't lost in the middle of the Everfree Forest that is. Applejack decided to stop and gawk at the new pony for whatever reason." Rainbow was doing her best to look disinterested as she casually bounced a ball up and down on her head while Applejack colored a bit and rolled her eyes. "I am not gawkin'!" "Why don't you go over there and talk to him instead of standing all the way over here?" Spike interjected, scratching the back of his scaly head with his claws. "Oh yeah, that'd go well. I'm totally sure he's learned to talk like us since lunch." Rainbow Dash snickered, but earned a scolding look from the apple farmer. "I didn't wanna bother him none, but him playin' sounded like it was worth listenin' to." Applejack let out a short laugh and shrugged. Apparently she wasn't the only pony to share that idea. As Spike and Twilight looked around they could see Daisy listening to the sounds of music while trying to look busy with her flowers even though she'd already packed up. Octavia Melody also stood nearby, her ears perked up at attention though she too was doing her best to look mildly disinterested. Spike knew better as he could see her head sway subtly as the flute continued to fill the air like a pleasant breeze. Not far off from her were Cloudchaser and Thunderlane, sat on a bench and exchanging hushed conversation as they occasionally stole glances at the samurai pony. Rainbow Dash was the only pony to really come across like she wasn't actually listening while she continued to bounce her ball up and down. She'd occasionally knock it back and forth between her head and her rump until she caught it at the wrong angle, sending it bouncing across the square where it came to a halt beside the cherry tree. The Earth pony ceased playing and lowered his flute, turning to glance at the ball that now rest nearby. The dog raised his head, ears perked up and alert. His tail wagged and he shifted a little in place. He and his dog both rose at the same time where he bent low to scoop up the ball, tilting his head to balance it carefully on his nose before shambling across the street. When he reached the group he gave a bow of his head, passing the ball to Rainbow, who nodded vaguely as a form of thanks. The samurai pony began to turn back when Twilight called out to him. "Thank you again for lunch! It was a wonderful experience." She smiled and Applejack nodded her head in agreement. "Sure was. I'll have to bring some cider for ya' later as a way of sayin' thank ya'." "I don't get why you guys are bothering... I mean yeah he's not a total weirdo like we first thought, and yeah it was good, but it's not like he understands a word you're saying. Even if he does, it's not like we can understand a word he's saying." Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes and gave a shrug, going about bouncing her ball again. Applejack gave the blue Pegasus a flat and unamused look as she shook her head while Twilight turned to face Rainbow whole sale, fully prepared to give her a lecture about being rude. She didn't get the chance. "Dōmo arigatō gozaimashita. It is most pleasing to hear your lunch was enjoyable." His calm voice called out to them and it took a moment for them to realize he was speaking clearly. Well, almost clearly. His voice held an obviously foreign accent to it that caused his r's to sound a bit too heavy and he spoke as if he used more vowels than the standard five that were universally agreed upon in the Equestrian alphabet. They all stared blankly. Rainbow's ball dropped and bonked her on the head, but she was too stunned to pay it much attention. Their eyebrows had risen so high up they were in danger of flying right off their foreheads. The steel gray Earth pony gave a slow blink. "Oh. Please excuse. Ah, thank you... very much." He met their surprised, slack-jawed stares with a curious stare of his own. There was an awkward silence as they all continued to stare at him, unsure how to handle the revelation that communication was not as impossible as originally thought. His deep, viridian green eyes regarded each of them in turn before peering at Twilight with a quizzical look, tilting his head a bit to the left. "Are my words not correct...?" - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -