Chapter 4 – Up-Close and Personal
The little filly still screamed and kicked with all her might as 2 big stallions dragged her into a lavish carriage.
“WHAT DO YA WANT FROM ME?!”
“Please don’t scream. We’re not going to hurt you. I just wanted to make sure that you were alright.” a voice says from inside the carriage.
She came face to face with a young colt that looked to be about her age. His coat was a midnight shade of blue and his mane was a subtle but bright gold. Something quite rare in Ponyville.
“Just who the heck are ya?”, Apple Bloom replies, still in awe somewhat.
The young colt smiles at her in a dazzling way that only certain ponies like Rarity can pull off, “You really have no idea who I am, do you?”
“Urm, should I?”
“Not really. I suppose it’s better this way. I’m Knight Charm and you are?”
Apple Bloom could sense that he meant no harm to her.
“The name’s Apple Bloom.”
She holds out her right hoof to shake his own that he had extended to her in friendship but instead she retracts it in pain…She forgot about the bruise for a second.
“Oh dear, I was right. You are hurt. I’ve got a first aid kit here though.”
Apple Bloom didn’t realise that they had actually started driving somewhere until she felt the carriage jerk at the lights. The swarm of stallions from earlier on had disappeared and only the two remained.
He must be really important to have that many people take care of him…
The 2 stallions merely watch as Knight Charm treated her. At least she thinks so. She can’t tell when they’re wearing such dark shades.
Knight Charm talks as he treats her with antiseptic.
“So where are you from?”
“I’m from Ponyville, it’s a long way from here. I just came to visit my Uncle and Aunt. They’re staying at your building.”
“Wow, Ponyville? That is pretty far.”
“You born and raised here then Knight Charm?”
“Oh…Well, I was born somewhere else but I was raised here. I rather not talk about it, if that’s alright.”
Apple Bloom realises that she must’ve been all ‘Gabby Gums’ for a second.
“Oh, I’m sorry. It’s okay. I won’t ask you anything else. T’was already mighty kind of you to actually fix me up.”
He looks at her with an appreciative smile. “Don’t worry about it. You don’t have anything to do today do you? You wanna be my companion for the day? Sure gets boring on the lot sometimes.”
Well, it’s not like she has anything better to do. And she was on an adventure after all?
“Sure, why not? I don’t know what cha do but maybe I could be like a personal assistant or something?”
“Personal assistant? Don’t be ridiculous Apple Bloom! You’re my friend.”
She felt mighty pleased at that statement and proceeds to tell Knight Charm about her other friends back home and the Cutie Mark Crusaders. He listens intently.
“Of course, you don’t have to worry about finding your cutie mark. You already have it.” she replies, gesturing at the white mask on his flank.
He pauses thoughtfully for a second, “Urm, yeah, I guess you’re right about that.”
Soon, they arrived at Shutter Sister Studios! Apple Bloom could hardly believe her eyes. Here she was at a real live movie studio! Ponies in different costumes were walking around the studio lot as if it was the most natural thing. Giant cameras and equipment zoom around her.
Knight Charm taps her on the shoulder, “Hey Apple Bloom, you want a quick tour around the studio?”
“You betcha!” nodding her head in excitement.
Knight Charm and the 2 stallions (whose names she still didn’t know) led her through the different sheds of the huge studio lot. They led her through the first shed where a movie was being shot.
“What’s this movie about?” she asks curiously.
“Oh, this is one about aliens from another dimension that call themselves humans. It’s a real interesting one. I can’t wait to see it myself” he replies.
They then reach the second shed, which was the workshop for sets and props for the scenes. One gentlecolt with a spiky orange mane and goggles works on a chair and is clearly concentrating with all his might but he stops as soon as he sees Knight Charm.
“Carver! Working hard as always I see.” Knight Charm exclaims beaming broadly as Apple Bloom trails behind him.
“Haha, you know it KC. Someone’s gotta make the stuff for your big budget movies, right?” he replies laughing.
Carver peers at Apple Bloom and snickers, “So, KC, who’s your little friend? Is she going to be in the next movie with you?”
Apple Bloom shakes her head furiously, “Oh no, sir! My name’s Apple Bloom and am just here visiting. Knight Charm here was just being all hospitable like.”
“Did you just call me sir? Call me Carver kid. I’m not that old. So you’re not a buddying star are ya?”
“No siree. I’d be more interested in the sorta stuff that you’re doing actually. Why I fixed up my old tree house a while back and it was pretty fun.”
“A little filly who likes to do some honest work…You don’t find many of those around here.”
Knight Charm laughs, “She’s from Ponyville, so yeah, that makes sense.”
He turns to Apple Bloom, “I’d look to come visit you some day and see this tree house.”
Just as she was about to respond, somepony suddenly yells out, “NOW HOLD IT RIGHT THERE LITTLE FILLY!”