//------------------------------// // The Decision // Story: Artificial Friend // by writer283 //------------------------------// A few more days, a few less gadgets sold. On the fifth day of Binary's partnership with Applejack something had became quite clear. The odds were clearly in the farmers favor. Binary quickly discovered that many of the ponies who came to the apple stand were regulars who came as part of a daily routine, and Binary was clearly not a welcome addition to that routine. The few ponies who hadn't bought her gadgets on her first or second day were just as uninterested the next day and the day after that. Binary had quickly became little more than an observer to a much more successful salespony. “Have a nice day” Applejack said to a pony carrying away a basket full of apples. “They didn't even look at my stuff” Binary thought to herself. Applejack noticed Binary's steadily growing look of frustration and couldn't help but remember the extreme reaction the unicorn had when she first appeared in ponyville. “So... nice day today, eh?” Applejack asked. “Weather wise at least” Binary replied. Applejack nodded in response. Applejack's eyes widened slightly as an idea came to her mind. “Ya know what, hows about a change of scenery?” Applejack suggested. “Actually, I think I might go home. This hasn't been a good day for me” Binary said as she reached for one of her levitation devices. “Look it ain't hard for me to tell that you're getting a bit discouraged” said Applejack “But I think I might have a way to help ya” “Well... what do you have in mind?” Binary asked. “Firstly, what's the main difference between apples and yer gadgets?” Applejack asked. “Apples are... I'm sorry, I don't even have a guess” Binary replied. “They're a consumable commodity. You're gadgets on the other hoof are more like toys” said Applejack. Binary glared Applejack “They are not toys” she said sternly “They're devices meant to enhance the quality of life... not toys” “Okay, didn't mean to touch a nerve” said Applejack “I'm just saying that the folks that come around here probably ain't gonna be wowed by your... life enhancing devices. So why don't me and you head down to the school house and see if ya can't get the attention of some young-ins” Binary tapped her chin as she thought on the subject “Hmm... I don't know, do kids even have money?” “Well, the big picture would be that a kid sees your products, then runs home to their ma or pa and asks them for money so they can buy it” Applejack explained. “Well, I guess it would be better than the absolute zilch progress I'm making here” Binary said as she looked at the untouched stacks of gadgets on her table. “Who knows, maybe you could start a craze for... uh, whatever those red pen looking things are” Applejack said as she pointed at a stack of red bullet shaped devices. Binary adjusted her glasses as she looked at the gadgets in question “Flamethrowers” Applejack's jaw dropped in response “What! What use would anypony have for that?” “Starting a fire in the wilderness, warding off dangerous creatures. Ya know general flame throwing” Binary replied. “Oh, well, when ya say it like that I suppose it makes sense” said Applejack “You should probably put those away when you're dealing with the kids” “...why?” asked Binary. Just outside of Binary's house... Chip looked out one of the living room windows. His gaze was fixated on a bush that just a few moments ago had moved several feet closer to the house. A periscope emerged from the bush and Chip could tell that it had him in its sights. Chip levitated a piece of paper and a marker, then wrote a very blunt statement. He held the paper up to the window with the words “Go away!” written on it. The bush's periscope receded. A few seconds went by before a small white picket sign emerged from the bush with the simple response of “No” scribbled onto it. The bush stage of Pinkie and Chip's stand off had gone on for nearly an hour. Before that, the pink pony had attempted various unorthodox methods of getting into the house, but they had all been thwarted. Chip didn't know why the pink pony wanted inside and frankly, he didn't care to find out. The last time she entered, she had uncovered a secret that nearly tore apart his relationship with the one friend he had. And so the stand off continued. “Oh come on! Just look away for one second” Pinkie said to herself as she peeked over the bush. “Pinkie Pie” a pony called from behind her. Pinkie quickly turned around to see Twilight Sparkle approaching. “What are you doing in a bush? Or... is there a reason?” Twilight asked. “Twilight!” Pinkie cheered “This is perfect timing! Can you help me for just a sec?” “You're not getting me in that bush” Twilight replied bluntly. “No, no, nothing bush related” said Pinkie “I just need you to distract that little glowing guy in there so I can sneak this invitation inside” she said as she poked a foreleg out, presenting a pink envelope “An invitation for what?” Twilight asked. Pinkie Pie motioned for Twilight to lean in “I'm throwing the little blue guy and Binary a surprise welcome to Ponyville party” Pinkie whispered. “Okay, so why don't you just go up to the door and give it to him?” Twilight asked. Pinkie rolled her eyes in response to Twilight's logic “There's nothing special about that. It needs to be a surprise. But I've tried everything in my solo arsenal. I've tried shooting it into the house with a cannon, I've tried making it into a paper air plane and flying it in; I've even tried going down the chimney, but it doesn't actually go anywhere, It's just for show! But with you here, I can distract him, then sneak up to the door and slide the invitation under it” “Uh-huh” Twilight said as she nodded “Or... we could just go up to the door and give it to him” “Twilight, I know what I'm doing” Pinkie insisted. The house's front door suddenly opened, attracting the attention of the two ponies. “Just give up! You're never getting in here again!” Chip shouted before slamming the door shut. “I'll never give up!” she cheerfully yelled back. She then turned her attention to Twilight and said quietly “Yeah, I'm actually just about ready to give up” “You, give up. That would be a first” said Twilight. “I have other stuff to do. Specifically for what this invitation is for” said Pinkie. She looked back at the house and tapped her hoof against her chin as she thought about her next plan “Now, if I put the shark in a catapult, while the cheese stands alone off to the side” “Pinkie, I think this is one of those cases where you might need to settle for a more straight forward approach” Twilight said. “No offense, but what makes you think you can get passed him?” Pinkie asked. “I won't be trying to sneak in, plus he knows who I am” Twilight replied. “I've met him too, and sneaking in worked perfectly the first time” said Pinkie. “Perhaps that's precisely the reason it's been so difficult the second time around” said Twilight. Pinkie Pie then pulled a clock out of her hair and checked the time. She let out an annoyed huff as she noted the time “Oh, I'm behind schedule enough as it is” she said as she stuffed the clock back into her hair “Okay, Twilight, I'll try your... simple approach” she said as she gave Twilight the invitation. She then receded back inside the bush. Twilight quickly trotted towards Binary's house without any worry of anything stopping her. She stepped up onto the porch, then knocked on the front door. A few moments went by and the door opened just a crack. Chip looked up at Twilight “Where's the pink one?” Chip asked with a bit of hostility. “Don't worry, she's gone. She wanted me to give this to you” Twilight said as she held out the envelope. “She's not... inside it, is she?” Chip asked as he stared at the envelope. “What? No, she's not inside it... at least I don't think so” Twilight said as she gave the envelope a look over. Chip suddenly closed the door “You open it, I'm not taking any chances” he said from behind inside. “Uhh... okay” Twilight replied, unsure of what to think. She opened the envelope and took out the invitation inside “All clear, no Pinkie Pie” Chip opened the door again, much wider than before. “So what was so important that she had to break the laws of physics for?” Chip asked accusingly. “It says that you and Binary are invited to a party at Sugarcube Corner tomorrow” said Twilight. “I don't think Binary would want to go to a party” Chip stated “...although I was wrong about the ice cream thing. Hmm... maybe she could enjoy it” “That's the spirit” Twilight said encouragingly “Besides, Pinkie's parties are some of the best Equestria has to offer” “That seems like an exaggeration” said Chip. “It's not much of an exaggeration, I can tell you that much” said Twilight. “I suppose I'll let Binary know and she can decide for herself whether she wants to go. She has seemed to be more sociable lately” Chip said, not making it clear as to whether he saw it as a positive or negative. “Well it's nice to hear that she's getting settled...” said Twilight “But there's one thing I think you should know. You shouldn't keep your house in the middle of town like this. I'm surprised no ones came to ask you to move... or have they?” “As a matter of fact” Chip said as he levitated several papers to him “There were a few ponies here the other day and they slipped these under the door” “Oh...” Twilight said as she examined the papers “Yeah, you're probably gonna need to move your house” “That won't be a problem. It's not like me and Binary have gotten attached to this place. We've actually discussed moving” said Chip. “Oh, well there's plenty of good unoccupied spots in Ponyville” said Twilight. “I don't think finding a place here will be much of an issue” Chip replied. “Well, good luck. I hope I'll see you at the party” Twilight said as she turned away from Chip and casually walked off. Chip looked down at the invitation as he shut the door. Under the text was a small, modestly detailed drawing of himself and Binary. At first, Chip thought nothing of it, but he quickly became fixated on one detail. The drawing of him had a large smile on its face. “Hmm...” he uttered out. He looked down at his reflection in the floor “It's not a very accurate illustration” he said as he looked back and forth between his reflection and the drawing “... maybe I could...” Chip muttered as a small point of light crossed from one side of his face to the other like a pencil being dragged across paper. Before long, Chip had a pleasantly drawn smile on his face “Oooh” he uttered as he admired his solitary facial feature. Swarmed was the only word that could be used to describe what Binary was at the moment. Absolutely swarmed with fillies and colts all wanting to know what a certain gadget did, or how much it costed, or if they could try it for a minute or two. Surprisingly, Binary kept pace with the mass of school ponies all bunched up in front of her table. The unicorn was absolutely ecstatic with so many ponies honestly wanting to know what she had to offer... even if she hadn't sold a single device yet. Applejack and Apple Bloom stood a safe distance away from the crowd. They both watched with confused awe at why anypony would want such obscure gizmos. “So, she said she spent a long time in her house making machines, right?” asked Apple Bloom. “That's what she told me” Applejack replied. “”Well then where did she get all the supplies to make that stuff if she never left her house? It seems to be a might inconsistent; and how does she power all that stuff anyway?” Applebloom asked. “Well she tried to explain the scientific method of it, but it seems the gist of it is she can take a bit of filed off unicorn horn dust, then mix it with some chemicals and somehow it makes power” Applejack explained. “So... she harvests unicorn horns?” Apple Bloom asked with a hint of disgust. “Nah, I don't think so.” Applejack replied “It takes such a tiny amount that it's barely noticeable; anything more and it would... what's the word she used...” “Overcharge” said Apple Bloom. “Overcharge, blow up, something along those lines” said Applejack. “Apple Bloom! Apple Bloom!” a squeaky voice called from the crowd. Sweetie Belle emerged from hoard of students and quickly ran over to her friend with one of Binary's gadgets in hoof “Look at this thing” Sweetie Belle said as she presented the gadget she had purchased. “What is it?” Apple Bloom asked as she looked at the gadget. “The lady called it a levitation device. Look!” she cheered as she pointed the device at a rock. She pushed the small green button on the side and a stream of light shot out at the rock. Sweetie Belle flicked the device up, causing the rock to fly several feet into the air “Isn't that amazing!” she said as the rock dropped only a few feet away from her head. “But you can already levitate stuff” Applebloom stated. “Yeah, but... this is so much more reliable and less stressful” Sweetie Belle responded. “Okay, whatever you say. So Scotaloo's still in there?” Apple Bloom asked as she looked at the hoard. The three looked at the crowd as Scootaloo crawled out from the herd of students. “Oh, now I know what pavement feels like” she groaned as she got to her hooves. “Scootaloo, did you get anything?” Sweetie Belle asked as the young Pegasus approached. “Nah. I saw a few things that would've been nice. But everything was too pricey for me” Scootaloo replied. The sudden slamming of the school house door caught the attention of the fillies. The three young ponies looked to see Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon walking out of the school house. “I told you to stop passing notes to me” Silver Spoon grumbled at Diamond Tiara. “Oh don't pretend like you weren't writing back” Diamond retorted. “If I don't write back you start throwing crumpled up notes at me” Silver Spoon shot back. “Well how am I supposed to concentrate on my work if I have an urgent question I need to ask you?” Diamond Tiara asked indignantly. “Urgent! All you ever ask me is what the answer to a question is!” Silver Spoon yelled “Why don't you bug one of the knowledge sponges?” “Spare me your complaints” Diamond Tiara said before the two noticed the large group of foals “What's all this about?” “How should I know” Silver Spoon retorted. “Uggh...” Diamond Tiara groaned “I wasn't asking you” “It's a gadget stand” Sweetie Belle answered. “Well, I most certainly wasn't asking you blank fl...” Diamond Tiara caught her insult as she looked up at Applejack who shot her an annoyed glare “... never mind” Silver Spoon tapped Diamond Tiara on her shoulder and said “Come on, lets see what all the fuss is about” Diamond Tiara shifted her gaze to the gadget stand. “I don't like where this is going” Apple Bloom whispered to her friends. “What could possibly happen?” Scootaloo asked rhetorically. 28 minutes later... Binary looked at the ground as she walked home. A confused expression marked her face as she pondered the last half hour. At first she had felt rather successful; she had sold two of her most expensive gadgets to a pair of sophisticated looking fillies. However, instead of the two going off to enjoy their gadgets, they used the smart books as status symbols, and picked on the other students for not being rich enough to buy such an expensive device. Binary had unintentionally created, or at the very least reinforced a level of superiority held by those with high amounts of disposable income. Contrary to her goal of breaking down barriers between ponies. But Binary could do nothing to prevent this. She had to charge a high price for the smart books as they were one of the most complex things she had ever made. She had considered some sort of assembly line, but where would she put it, and how could she justify it considering how few ponies seemed interested in the device in the first place. In the last week or so, the world had opened up for Binary, but now it seemed its bounds were stretching beyond her reach... or at least for the time being. She had developed a plan in the many uneventful hours at her gadget stand. The farm pony proved to be a bit of an eye opener in the fact that her operation was not just dependent on herself, but on her family. Binary had no such unconditional help to draw from, nor the funds for some sort of work staff. There was always Chip, but that was a bridge she would rather not test. To her, it seemed the answer may be a partnership. Binary looked around at the pleasant little town. She'd grown fond of the quaint surroundings, but she could tell that her plan could not be realized here. She wished things could be different, but it seemed her time in the nice little town was about to come to an end. Meanwhile in front of Binary's bathroom mirror... Draw, evaluate, erase, draw evaluate, erase. Chip found himself in a seemingly never ending loop. He drew another face onto himself, but once again it did not satisfy. Another attempt and the same result again and again, then once more, followed by twenty more tries, and eighty after that, then suddenly try three hundred was a memory. Chip had become like an artist taunted by a blank canvas. The blank face he had worn for so long seemed unsatisfying in light of so many possibilities. Everpony else had such a wide variety of facial features, each one helping to make them individuals. But yet his face only seemed right while it was blank, as though he was not meant to be an individual. The stream of thoughts came to an abrupt halt as Chip heard the front door open. “Chip” Binary called from the lower floor. He erased his latest face, then ported himself into the floor and almost instantly reappeared downstairs in front of Binary “So how did it go?” Chip asked. “The same as it's been the last couple of days” Binary replied “Chip, you know that thing I was talking to you about yesterday” “We talked about many things yesterday” Chip responded. “Uh... that's a fair point. I mean talking about leaving Ponyville. I think I've finally made my decision” Binary stated. “Oh... before you make any plans, you may want to see this” Chip said as he levitated the party invitation to Binary. “Hmm... I wonder what the occasion is?” Binary asked with a smile.