Taciturn Carrots

by Aura Zero

Soundless Troubles

As Hark continued to follow Pinkie, his stomach suddenly growled. Everyone present turned to him and he blushed slightly in embarrassment.

Pinkie surprisingly hopped in front of him and smiled. "Hey! How did you know where we were going next?"

Hark blinked. But then he noticed her gesture to a building. "Welcome to Sugarcube Corner! Home of the best sweets you'll get this side of Equestria! I haven't been to the other side so I can't say we beat them yet. But here it's no contest!"

Hark noticed the building itself looked eatable. It kinda reminded him of an old childhood story about a gingerbread house. However, he didn't get to think on it before Pinkie grabbed him.

"Come on! You gotta try our sweets! You'll be hooked!" She said as she pulled him towards the store. Hark looked back and saw Rainbow Dash laughing while Carrot Top shrugged and followed them inside.

Once Pinkie let go of Hark, she hopped over the counter and disappeared into the back room. Hark took this time to relax as her antics seemed to drain him quite a bit. Dash took notice and snorted.

"Pinkie got ya all worn out huh? Happens to the best of us." She said and Hark nodded, assuming she's had her fair share of the pink ball of energy.

"I remember my first time meeting Pinkie. Still don't think I will have the same interest in carrots like I did." Carrot Top said shaking her head with a small smile.

Hark looked at her in confusion. "She made you dislike them?"

Carrot Top became surprised. "What? Oh no, she just made something that I enjoy much more than carrots. And that very thing is-"

"One Carrot cupcake!"

Everypony jumped seeing Pinkie pop up from behind the counter. She gave Hark the cupcake and then she placed a bit in the register as she smiled at the group.

"Pinkie, when did you get there?" Rainbow Dash asked with a serious look.

"I was here for a while, silly. And, I found a bit to pay for the cupcake so it's on the house, Hark. Enjoy!"

Hark looked at the colorful treat in front of him. He wasn't gonna lie, cartoon food always seemed to look tastier than real food and this was no exception. Well, at least now I can actually try it.

And with that thought, Hark proceeded to shove the colorful treat right in his mouth and promptly chomped on the fluffy dough. Immediately after doing so, one thing became blatantly obvious. So obvious, that Hark stopped chewing.

Seeing him freeze like that was unexpected and Pinkie grew slightly worried. "What's wrong? Is there something wrong with it?"

Hark shook his head as he devoured the rest of the amazing treat. "Nothing is wrong! This is absolutely delicious! How...how is it possible to make something this good? It was like it was made out of...rainbows and unicorns or something!" He though incredulously.

She giggled at his words. "Well, I will admit I add a dash of Rainbow, but too much and it would be spicy. So I add sugar instead! And I'm an Earth pony silly, not a Unicorn. That's what you are." She said as she laid her head on both hooves.

Hark just merely enjoyed the aftertaste from the sweet treat he just finished. Man, if everything tastes as great as that did, I wouldn't mind staying here for a little while. At least I will have some amazing food.

He looked and saw Carrot Top eating a cupcake. He blinked, but then became surprised. "Where did that come from?"

"Huh? Oh, I ordered one and Pinkie made it for me. She is really fast at making these. I can't figure out for the life of me; does she just has them in the back, or is she cooking them at supersonic speeds..." She said as stared at the aforementioned pony giving a chocolate muffin to Rainbow Dash.

Hark just watched her as Pinkie spoke to Rainbow Dash. "I know you are gonna like this one Dash. The chips have caramel in them!"

"What? How did you get caramel in these tiny things?" She said surprised after biting into the treat, said treat also coming out her mouth a little as she spoke.

"Oh that was easy. The hard part was not eating them myself. I love caramel!" Pinkie said as she stared at the treat hungrily. Rainbow then took this time to eat the rest quickly, eliciting a pout from Pinkie. "Aww."

Rainbow smirked and spoke up. "Get me two more of those Pinkie. Those were really good!"

Pinkie saluted. "Aye-Aye Dashie! Two more coming right up!" She then dashed into the back door.

Hark barely had time to blink before she came right back out with two more on a plate and gave it to Rainbow. "Here ya go! Two more chocolate muffins! But why two? Normally you get one more since you watch your figure and all."

She smirked before grabbing a muffin. "You're right. This one is for you Pinks. And don't call me Dashie in front of others!" She said angrily before Pinkie smiled wide and grabbed the treat.

"Oh wow! Thanks Dashi- err Dash! He he, sorry." Pinkie said before eating the muffin happily.

Rainbow just shook her head before taking a bite out of her muffin. She looked over and noticed Hark watching them and spoke. "Now ya know what we have to deal with. It's not bad, just..."

"Silly?" Pinkie suggested, muffin bits coming out her mouth as well.

She just laughed and nodded. "Yeah, that."

Hark smiled at the whole situation. These two definitely seem like good friends. I wonder if... He saw that Carrot Top was watching as well, but with an expression Hark couldn't figure out. He decided to get her attention and tapped her on the side.

The touch surprised her and she jumped before turning to him. "Y-yes? What's up Hark?"

Hark said nothing and merely looked at her in worry. Carrot Top just smiled slightly. "Uh, if you think there is something wrong, there's not. I'm fine. You don't have to worry."

Hark didn't believe that. A cream colored glow appeared on his horn as he thought. "Then why did you look like you did? You seemed sad."

Carrot Top's eyes grew wide before she looked away. "I'd...rather not talk about that, sorry."

Hark frowned at that. Seems like they have personal problems too. Well of course they would. They are normal people- err ponies. I guess I'll leave it at that.

Hark nodded and smiled at her. She smiled back and nuzzled him, surprising him again. "Thanks for caring though. I really appreciate it."

Hark blushed at the contact, as well as what she said, but he shook his head quickly and looked away. What was that about? It's like she is thanking me when she does that. Though I'll admit, it does feel kinda nice...

"Hark, are you okay?"

Hark turned and saw Carrot Top mimicking his earlier expression as she looked at him in worry. He rubbed his head uncomfortably and nodded with a smile.

Carrot Top smiled as well. "I'll take that as a yes. Well, Pinkie has shown you basically all of the town except Sweet Apple Acres..."

"Which is in construction right now, so we can't go today! But you can go visit in a few days when they are allowing visitors again!" Pinkie chimed in with a smile before going back to Dash. "And don't forget about the balloons! There has to be lots!"

Hark and Carrot Top blinked at the pony before Carrot Top responded, "yeah, that. So, what are you gonna do now?"

Hark paused as he looked outside and saw the sun slowly dipping down. He soon realized something major. Oh crud, that's right. I don't have anywhere to sleep. And unless ponies have hidden pockets, I doubt I have my money from back home on me.

Hark sighed and looked away. I'm so not looking forward to sleeping on a bench tonight...

"Well, if you're not busy...I was hoping you can come over and hang out?"

Hearing that dragged Hark from his thoughts and he looked to Carrot Top in surprise. He nodded happily, thinking he might have gotten a place to stay for now, instead of running around aimlessly.

Carrot Top herself was excited. "Really? That's great!"

Hark smiled as he thought. If her house is normal and not a stable or something, I'll ask to see if she has a spare room. That way I can wait a week until the princess gets back.. Hark nodded to himself. He looked over and saw Carrot Top smiling at him.

"Well!" Pinkie said popping up across the counter, making the two jump. "That just about wraps it up for Pinkie's Exquisite Expedition! Now I need you two to vacate the premises! We are closing!"

Carrot Top was surprised as she hopped out her seat. "Wait, what? Why? You guys never close this early." She said as Hark hopped out of his as well.

"We have some things to take care of here so Sugarcube Corner is temporarily closed!" She said before hopping over the counter and pushing the two towards the door.

"Things to take care of? Like what?" Carrot Top asked as she was pushed out the door with Hark.

"Sorry, top secret! Can't tell ya. But if ya wanna find out, come back by nine. We'll be open again!" Pinkie said with a smile and closed the doors, as well as locking them.

Carrot Top frowned. "Nine? It's already seven! Why would you close for two...oh." Carrot Top immediately got quiet after that.

Hark tapped her in confusion. However, she spun around and smiled. "How about we hang out at my place till nine? I'm kinda curious on what Pinkie was talking about."

Hark merely nodded at that. I kinda wanna know too. Besides, until I find some other way home, I'm basically stuck here for a week. Might as well enjoy it... although living as a pony is something I definitely don't want to get used to...

Hark looked and saw Carrot Top walked ahead. "Alright, follow me. It not far. I'm actually kinda glad I'm so close to Sugarcube corner."

Hark smiled. "I'd be happy to live close by too. That cupcake was too good. Puts even my moms carrot cake to shame."

Carrot Top suddenly laughed loudly, surprising him, but he soon realized she heard him and frowned. Not again...

"Oh wow, that's so funny. I said the same thing about my homemade carrot cake once I tasted her cupcakes." Carrot Top said as she giggled and wiped tears from both eyes. She looked at him and smiled. "You really are a funny stallion in your mind huh?"

Hark smiled slightly and rubbed his head. "Uh, I guess so?"

"Well I know so. We are definitely gonna have fun when we get there. I can't wait!" Carrot Top said as she trotted a little faster to her home. Hark was surprised and had to try his best to keep from tripping over himself as he tried to catch up to the giddy mare...

Didn't work though...

Comments

[Texus]

While I would have loved it to have a Carrot Top romance story without a harem or herd for once, since I can't believe that they like each other most of the time, I'm perfectly fine with her and maybe even Coco in the small herd.

I mean if the character tags are saying anything right now, then I would need something special for Rainbow. I'm not exactly sure, but with characters like rainbow I always fear it probbly looks awful, or weird the way she is probably going to join the herd or romance usually.
I think that she or even Pinkie would act, or could act differently in a real relationship and would only act as their usual self if they really like someone.
To be hones while I started to really enjoy Pinkie romances, I like it if despite their party personality, that characters like Vinyl/Pinkie and Dash, can actually be nervous about their dates or that they would try to actually make a good impression if you know what I mean. I probably could explain it better but not today.

Since I know that Dash and Pinkie would act a bit more like their usual self, while still caring for their partner (if they are the only few herd members you mentioned), I would like it if at least Carrot would continue to look like her caring and casual self. and if Coco would take the part of the shy one.

Maye you can already guess that I enjoy it if all of them have their certain part in the goup, but at the same time I like them to be equa kind of like in this story :https://www.fimfiction.net/story/233067/trixie-secretary-extraordinaire

Well I think I finished my comment, so the only think I can still say is good work with this chapter. Everything I said is mostly about stuff I hope happens in a certain way, or at least that the worst can be prevented.

[link4]

-checks calendor-

OMFG YOU LIVE!!!

[Aura Zero]

7714121
Haha I am. And great news too. I will be posting more frequently now since I have the time. Don't expect them immediately, since I have quite a few stories needing tending to, but just know that none will be without a new chapter longer than a month.

[Aura Zero]

7714075
I can't say much on what will happen in the story still, but I will at least say that the character tags are because they are the main characters, not the ones being shipped. Now of course one or more will be, but I can say at least that they all will not be in a herd with him.

Also, even though the first chapter was a little on the human side, just know that chapter is basically the key to figuring out who he will be shipped with.

[link4]

7717709 good- i was really enjoying taciturn carrot'ooooo before your disappearance to the negaverse!!

[Texus]

7717714 I think for know I let you suprise myself.

Also, even though the first chapter was a little on the human side, just know that chapter is basically the key to figuring out who he will be shipped with.

not sure if you missed a word, or if it is just difficult to understand the part with chapter.
English is my secon language and right now I'm not sure if I understood the context.

I guess either the chapter name should hint on the shippings, or in the chapter itself is who is going to be shipped with him.

I guess the part of me who is expecting something bad is only able to completely turn out, once I see that you can do it the way I think it is very good.

However don't think much about it, till now I actually trust your writing skills, but I can't turn out all the bad stuff I had already seen.

[Aura Zero]

7717776
Good thing I'm back then.

7717899 let's just see what happens then.