With a twist of the holo-key, my apartment door swishes open. I walk in sideways under the dim purple glow of sunset, carefully cradling the slumbering bundle of orange fuzz in my arm. Smiling to myself, I quietly close the door behind me, kick off my shoes, and shuffle across the foyer and into my living room.
Holding my breath, I carefully lower down to my knees and lay Applejack's body onto the leftmost couch cushion. Once I release my grip of her, I lean back, squinting at the pony's tiny tiny figure.
Her body rises and falls in liquid motion. Her lips are pursed open, inadvertently fluttering the golden ends of her wrap-around ponytail.
I sit there for a while, calm and quiet. Eventually, I get up and walk across the apartment to my closet. I pull out a tiny duvet and shuffle back. With silk-like grace, I drape it warmly across her figure.
For once, Applejack moves. A dumb smile drips across her soft face as she turns over, stretching with an inward trilling sound. She turns her back to me, scrunching her body into the nook of the sofa, bundled up tight in the blanket.
I exhale. I reach in and caress her bangs for half a minute. Then, with utmost silence, I get up and walk away.
"...sugarcube?"
I freeze in place. I turn around, blinking. "Ahem..." I shuffle back to the sofa. "Uhm... yes, AJ?"
She's lying still, her back to me. I see her orange ears twitching involuntarily. Her body rises and falls with a sigh, and at last she says, "Ya reckon I'm weak?"
I furrow my brow to that. "Weak?"
Her little head silently nods.
I shake my head. "I... I don't understand. How do you mean?"
"Just like it sounds..." She twists her head from underneath the blankets. Sad, sad freckles: "Do y'all think I'm a frail pony?"
"Applejack, I..." I fumble, then smirk. "You're certainly a little pony, but weak?"
"Well, maybe right next to you."
"Aj..." I squat down beside the couch. "What's all this about?"
"Mmmm..." Her hooves shift and squirm beneath the blanket as she stares away from me. "Nothin'. Forget I even said anythang."
"You do realize you're a horrible liar."
She bites her lip.
I wait silently.
At last, she mutters, "When this here sweatshirt first ever showed up in Equestria—what, with the note yer scientists wrote n'all—my friends and I rightly didn't know what to do with it. Portals to other worlds have never been much laughin' business where I come from, ya see. We were so plum concerned that we even got the Princesses in on it so that we could come up with an idea based on their wisdom."
"I... didn't realize it got that involved."
"Oh, it did. And for a sec there, it sure seemed like Twilight was gonna venture to put on the jacket and make the trip here herself, what with her bein' a responsible alicorn n'all..."
"Erm... right..." I nod. "What changed her mind?"
"I did," Applejack said firmly. "Twilight's a talented pony, and she means well, but I'd be darned if I let her put her neck in danger for no good reason. Royal authority or not..."
I smile. "That sounds awfully brave of you."
"Well, that's just it." With a quiet groan, Applejack sits up, rubbing her squinting eyelids. "Nnngh... I didn't become the most 'loyal and dependable pony' of Ponyville by accident. I got there by puttin' my best hoof forward and carryin' the weight for everypony I care for."
"Well, I guess I can see why Twilight agreed to let you make the trip in place of her."
"She... uhm..." Applejack fidgets and avoids my face. "She didn't."
I raise an eyebrow at that.
"Maybe ya haven't quite figured this out about me... or if you have, y'all've been gracious enough not to latch onto it." She gulps and gazes at me. "But I'm quite the stubborn mare."
I giggle and lean my chin against my knuckles. "You don't say..."
"Don't get sassy on me when I'm pourin' my heart out!" She frowns.
"Heehee... ahem. Sorry, Applejack." I clear my throat. "Do go on."
"Well, there ain't much more to say, really..." She gazes down at her hooves, kneading them in the thick duvet bunched around her. "I put the sweatjacket on one night without tellin' anypony and came here..."
"And thus, the Article bonded to you."
"Right. Even if Twilight wanted to teleport over to this world now, it was too late. I done took the bullet for her—as it were."
"Again, I think that was very brave of you." I chuckle. "If nothing else, it was courageous for the wrath of Twilight you'd have to endure."
"She ain't like that, darlin'. Sometimes I wish she was, but then she wouldn't be her, ya feel me?"
"Sure thing."
"I did it because... well... where I come from, it just makes sense," Applejack says with a wincing expression. "I'm the one among our friends who takes the fall, who does the dangerous stuff. I mean—not like Rainbow Dash—I put my head into it a lot more. Cuz I gotta. I need to bounce back so I can still take care of the ponies I care for."
I nod. "You're strong," I say.
She blinks, her eyes growing misty. "Am I, though?" Her muzzle quivers as her ears fold on either side of her head. "I mean... look at me..." She gestures to the sofa and the blanket. "Look at this? I know I go on and on about lovin' my sister Apple Bloom to death, but it's like I've become a lil' filly again myself..."
"And is that a bad thing?"
"Shouldn't it be, though?" Applejack gulps. She brings two shaky hooves up and fidgets with the end of her dangling ponytail. "I... I-I came here under dishonest and false pretenses because I felt it was what needed to be done to protect my friends. I sure didn't feel no good about it at the time, but I felt it was the strong thing to do. But... b-but now?"
I lean my head to the side. "Now, what, AJ?"
She sniffles. "I've taken advantage of yer generosity. And what's more... I've become a slacker..."
I can't help but chuckle slightly at one. "You've become what?"
"Just what it sounds like." She frowns, her eyes glossy. "Used to be that all I would ever think about was the farm and tendin' to my crops. My apples used to mean everythang to me." A blink, and she rolls her eyes. "Nnngh... well, sure, they still do, but—I swear—I think less and less about apple buckin' and more and more each day about... about..." She fidgets. "...the next ch-chance I'll have for c-comin' here..."
I shrug. "You took your sweet time before your latest visit."
"Don't change the fact that my heart and my noggin' are in a different place than they used to be," Applejack mutters, her voice wavering. "And... I'm afraid... I-I'm afraid I'm gonna lose sight of what I once was. That I've changed from the strong and dependable pony who was sturdy enough to take the fall for Twilight. That now—with all the affection you and yer fellow humans shower upon me—I'm... I'm turning into... into..."
"What?"
She shakes her head, seething. "I dunno! But t'ain't right! I woulda slapped myself silly months ago if I knew I'd become a dainty mare who's become so addicted to op—... oppo—..." Her face twists. "...opium?"
I smile. "Opulence?"
She swats my shoulder with a frown. "Dun put words in my mouth! I know what I'm tryin' to say!"
"Heheh... sorry..."
She immediately looks guilty, crouching down low until she's drowning in the blanket like a cat in quicksand. "Mmmmmmm... I'm sorry to be so moody-like. But it's been botherin' me for a while..." She clenches her eyes shut. "And it's been botherin' me even more to know that I've been fightin' the urge to say how much it's been botherin' me." She sniffles and shakes her head with a squeaky tone, "T'ain't honest. T'ain't honest at all."
I sit there beside the couch, running a hand through my hair. After a long breath, I smile and gaze at her. "Applejack, you really... truly are being too hard on yourself."
"Hmmmph..." She sighs into the blanket. "What makes you so sure?"
"Has it ever occurred to you that maybe all the relaxation you've done during our time together has been something well-earned?"
She grunts and stares blearily my way. "I dun see myself sweatin' up a storm."
"So?"
She's silent.
I get up and sit on the couch cushion next to her. Reaching over, I stroke her mane and say, "You wanna know what I think, AJ?"
"Hmmmm... what?"
"I think ponies have a purpose, as do humans. And I believe that the inherent differences are what make them such perfect friends for each other." I tilt her chin up so that she's staring at me. "What if... just perhaps... every pony was secretly made to be cherished? That's perfect, you see..." I smile. "Because every person—I believe—secretly wants to cherish something."
Applejack blinks at me. She sniffles. "You reckon it's that simple?"
I slowly nod. "I like to think so."
She gazes down at the floor. I choose this time to scratch behind her ear, and she shuts her moist eyes with an inward chuckle. "Hmmmm... I would like to think so too..."
"Applejack, listen to me."
She looks my way, blinking.
"Don't you ever feel guilty about it, okay? Whatever you do in Equestria—for your friends and everypony—that's all well and good. You're a wonderful, strong pony, and you have many things to be proud of, and so do your friends. So don't let fear and doubt ruin that, ya hear?" I brush her ponytail back and lean back with a smile. "You're welcome to be Apple Bloom here. You're the one pony in this universe and the next that deserves it, I think."
She stares up at me. At last, the tears flow, and her next breath is a quivering one. Nevertheless, a warm smile hangs from her muzzle.
I lean my head down. "Okay?"
"...okay..." Applejack nods, rubbing one cheek, then the next. A slight giggle escapes her lips, and she plops forward, resting her face and forelimb against my side. I drape two arms around her, giving her shoulders a slight squeeze through the hoodie. She murmurs something unintelligible, but I don't bother asking her to repeat it.
A full minute passes by. Maybe two. She shudders and leans back. I lower my hands and watch as she takes a deep breath.
"I... uh... I really should be gettin' back," she murmurs, still smiling faintly. "Got lots to do in the morning..."
"I can only imagine..."
"Thanks for showin' me where you work," she says, sitting upright with a thankful smile. "Thanks for everythang..."
"I'm more than happy, Applejack," I say.
She lets loose a little guffaw.
I blink. "What?"
"Y'know..." She sighs, looking at me tenderly. "There was a time when I didn't believe you when you said that."
I'm silent.
She gulps and says, "Right... best be moseyin' along..."
"Here, allow me—" I reach to her hoodie.
"Thanks, but no thanks, sugarcube." She gently presses my hand away and pulls the hoodie over her blonde crown. "I've got this."
"Heh... sure thing..."
"Until next time." She gazes up at me. A lasting smile. Her hooves wrap around each of the strings and pull...
The hoodie becomes one with the duvet. I'm suddenly aware of the apartment and all its cold shadows.
As my eyes adjust to the lack of color, I realize that I'm not smiling anymore. I take a deep breath, pick the Article up, and slouch towards my room to recharge it. When I reach the doorframe, I stop suddenly. I feel stuck between two spaces with only the cold sound of my breaths to give cadence. Hugging the hoodie to my chest, I press my back to the doorframe. My legs give out, and I slide slowly to the floor.
I'm not sure how long I linger down there. At some point, I sense darkness falling outside the apartment windows. The closest I've ever been to Sol was a lackluster cruise around Phobos ten years ago, but the golden bundle of joy I carried for most of today makes me think otherwise.
I take a short, bitter shower and limp my way to bed. I throw the covers over myself and commune with darkness. Here, the tears last half as long as I do, and I don't have to think for much longer.
Bawwwwww.
Sad chapter is sad.
And congrats on 1000 likes!
... I reckon this mighty fine piece of work might need a Romance tag.
Perhaps my head is always in the gutter or I've read too many romance fics...or it's just a guy thing, but please tell me I'm not the only one thinking they're falling in love?
This is surprisingly happy and surprisingly sad. .-.
I'm seeing some negative side-effects of the Article.
Also, feels! Yay...?
4511681
I don't know about that. Seems like a fine case of Friendshipping instead.
But, it is rather easy to change it to normal Shipping, so we can only wait and see.
"Your ultimate destiny is to be my pet, AJ"
4511707
I think it's the fact that the pony's and Humans are so compatible with each other that they could basically advance even farther. Humans with friendship/harmony and pony's with Technology. The problem is, they are so compatible they become virtually inseparable and harm each other when they leave. Basically, Humans and pony relationships are like a seriously bad drugs to each other.
This is the first story chapter I've ever read that's made me both this happy and this sad at the same time in such a short section. Too many feels...
Honestly? Either works. I could see "riding the human" enter into Equestrian parlance when the hoodie moves out of beta testing. Though this may be the first time I've seen a case of mutual addiction, wherein each addictive agent is addicted to the one who partakes of it. It's like an Ouroboros that gets high off of biting its own tail.
In any case, looking forward to more.
I guess I'm not alone in thinking that they might be falling in love. Bittersweet chapter. Made me feel some feels.
Glad you're addressing this.
AJ thinks she's a filly.. she might have lost her parents at a young age (since she take care of AB with her Bro, no parents in sight) so the loving care the guy gives her fill something that was missing? Someone she can rely on (since many depends on her, she doesnt have someone for her?), or something akin to that.
Or its romance building up.
Whatever it is, its nice.
Awwww....
Fuck man. Where the fuck did you bury Midas' body?!
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Happy and Sad at the same time is a new thing for me with SS&E, as well!
Now, Background Pony on the other hand...
I've see everyone thinking they're getting attracted to each other, I never thought so.
For one, after a while I got the impression the main hero was a main heroine.
Secondly, the situation feels more Mother/daughter than lovers. The whole talk about Mommy clocks and what not hinted towards that I feel.
Lastly, The other guy, the one who seems to think he's gonna get a hoodie and a pony, has flirted with the protagonist. S/He has told Applejack that the other guy wants to get with him/her, but doesn't have a chance. The other guy sure acts like a male.
Right in the feels
So...I know you've prolly been asked this a bajillion times, but will our main Human character ever be popping over to her world for a visit? It'd sure freak out the locals, if nothing else.
4512616
Thats a really interesting perspective I never thought of it that way. I also can not see them becoming attracted to each other but more of a big brother/ little sister type relationship. Im glad someone else thought of the familial angle to it.
I cant see the protagonist as female can you point out some other evidence for your claim?
4512779
Ahhhh crap, that's hard for me to explain. I guess it's nothing big, just the way s/he interacts with Applejack comes off as casual female friend more than a guy and a girl. Skimming through the first chapter again, I found these.
As a male, it's generally a bad idea to tell a girl she smells, ever. Also, usually, boys chuckle, girls giggle. The more I read, the more s/he just came off as a girl to me.
I have a sinking feeling that things are going to get very, very dark very, very soon with all that this chapter is implying. Applejack's losing sight of who she is, and the Human is losing sight of who he needs to be. Their relationship, be it familiar or romantic, could have poisonous consequences for both races if even one person with any amount of power objects (Princess Twilight most certainly would).
Ponies live in a society of contentment with their politics, humans in a society where contentment is a pipe dream. The two having any greater of an interaction could lead to terrible, horrible things.
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I see your point and while it's not enough to completely convince me of the protagonist being female I'm still glad for the alternate perspective. Thank you for taking the time to answer my question.
Player 1274 has entered the game.
Enjoyed this more than I even thought I would. Not only was it more adorable than I ever could have imagined, but there's a shocking amount of substance in here too. I guess I really shouldn't be surprised by the latter, given who's writing. Still, it's only been getting more and more... I dunno, 'real story' as time goes on. Like, without losing any of the adorable pony cuddles or jokes, it's tossing more and more genuine emotion into the mix. I think this chapter is really the perfect example of that.
I'm very interested to see where this goes, be it sudden space adventure or simply an emotional tale of a man and his inter-dimensional pony.
And you know what? If it doesn't go anywhere, if it just meanders around with adorable Applejack being adorable, and no real plot... I think I'd be cool with that too.
It's plenty adorable enough.
Hnnnnnmmg! Right in the feels!
"Because every person—I believe—secretly wants to cherish something."
That is a gorgeous, absolutely magnificent line. Well said.
Also, this was a lovely chapter. I'm really intrigued to see what's next. You started out comedic and you've slowly gotten more serious... I can't imagine this staying the same situation five parts from now, if it even goes that much longer before a resolution...
I... I want to cherish Luna!
What if every person also has a little pony inside who wants to be cherished?
Me and you both, AJ.
I like it very much, it has just the right lengths
The feels hit like a ton of bricks. I can hardly wait to read more of this.
The feels here hit me like a ton of bricks, a dumptruck, and a freight train all at once...
Bravo, for today a drop of liquid pride was spilled.
media.tumblr.com/4a119776eaa5dc8cde5e13c8b593d7dd/tumblr_inline_mj1mk8W61p1qz4rgp.png
This chapter would have been both the worst place to end this story...
...and the best.
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Idunno. Aynrandy could be brazillian.
Goddamnit Skirts, you made it sad again!
I read the title of the chapter and automatically sucked my head in my turtleneck and went "NNNNNNNUUUUUUUU"
The feelz.
4512918 there's also AJ asking if Nameless Main Character in situations like this, I usually call them Red Pony If they were jealous of a woman's clothes a few chapters ago.
Awww man, that... no, just, why? ;v;
Awesome job you beautiful person you.
No, I did not come here for tears! I want happy, smol Applejack!
Damn. It.
I was so looking forward to more tiny ponies. Especially Twi.
That term is so ambiguous on an actual pony.