“It’s not a big deal!” I yelled.
“It is a big deal,” Applejack replied. “Nopony has a right to force you to do something you don’t want to do. I want you to feel safe here -”
“And I do feel safe!” I interrupted, “Washing someone’s mouth out with soap is a bit old fashioned, but it’s not like she would actually hurt me.”
“What’s not a big deal?” The youngest member of the Apple family rounded the corner into the kitchen.
“Nothing,” I said.
Applejack sighed. “Green said a bad word in front’a granny.”
Applebloom’s face made an ‘o’ of realization.
“She got the soap?” Applebloom stuck her tongue out, “Blegh.”
“See?” I said, “Not a big deal.”
My fatigue caught up with me while we were eating breakfast. My hoof grip nearly shattered a glass of apple juice.
“I want you to make sure you look out for Green at school today.” Applejack said. “She might have trouble meeting so many new ponies at once.”
“I feel tired,” I said, “Do I have to go to school today?”
“Yes,” AJ said. “You can’t miss school just because you’re tired.”
“But I just got here, don’t I get some time to settle in?”
“I know you’re nervous about going to school, but it’s not going to get any better by putting it off.”
“What if I’m sick though.”
“Do you feel sick?”
“Y-” Oh right, she can tell when I’m lying. “No. I just feel sick with anxiety.”
As pathetic as it sounds, I found it almost impossible to watch the episodes where the crusaders were getting bullied. It made me apoplectic with rage to see bullies getting away with it, and yet just like in real life, there was nothing I could do to stop it.
“It’ll be fine,” Applebloom assured. “Miss Cheerilee is really nice.”
“It’s not the teacher I’m worried about.”
“Applebloom will be right there with you and she’ll make sure nopony is mean to you.”
Time to bring out the big guns.
“You said you wouldn’t force me to do anything.” I accused. “Well, I don’t want to go to school. Just get me the textbooks and I’ll read them myself.”
“School isn’t just about learning things from books,” AJ said. “I want you to go to school so you can make some friends.”
“I can be friends with Applebloom.”
“If you try to put it off it’s not going to get any easier.” Applejack said. “You do have to go to school, it’s the law.”
“What are they going to do?” I asked. "Throw me in a dungeon? Banish me? Banish me and throw me in a dungeon in the place they banish me to?”
“If you don’t go to school, I’ll get in trouble, and then I won’t be able to look after you anymore.”
I managed to brush my teeth without help, the trouble was mostly gripping the toothbrush at the right angle. Comparing the toothbrush I’d been given to Applebloom’s the handle was much wider and flatter, which made it easier to grasp with my inconsistent hoofgrip. Whether it was designed for a foal or for somepony with a disability I suppose made no practical difference.
“Did you need help to brush your mane?” Asked Applejack.
I’d never owned a hairbrush. I’d had a crew cut since I was a little kid.
“It’s fine, don’t worry about it.”
“Don’t you want to look your best to meet your new classmates?”
“I don’t want to meet them at all.” I answered back. “It’s not like it will make a difference anyway.”
I realized I was just being obstinate.
“Fine,” I admitted. “I don’t know how to brush my mane.”
I really need a haircut.
I didn’t think AJ would let me get a buzz cut, but I could at least make it shorter and easier to deal with.
Considering my new body was about forty percent hair by volume, it wasn’t as bad as I was expecting. Brushing your mane implied brushing your mane and tail, but we were still done in just a few minutes. There were a few tangles but I focused on not letting any of the discomfort show on my face. Short hair would have less risk of people grabbing it - not that that’s something I should have to worry about. Probably. Ouch. There’s another knot.
“You don’t have to walk us to school ya know.” Said Applebloom
“Ah know you’re all grown up,” AJ replied, “But it’s Green’s first day and I want to have a word with Cheerilee.”
“Fine.”
“You’re not embarrassed to be seen with yer big sis are ya?”
Better to nip this conversation in the bud.
“She doesn’t want her classmates to think she’s a baby who needs to be walked to school,” I said. “It’s nothing personal.”
Applebloom nodded.
“If those fillies at school are teasing you again I can speak to their parents.”
“Please don’t.”
Cheerilee wasn’t surprised to see Applejack approaching her. It was common that parents would want to talk before leaving their precious child with her for the first time, and it was nice to see Applejack was so quickly growing to fill that role for her new foster foal.
The file Cheerilee had been given on her newest student was surprisingly light; no transcripts from previous schools, no commendations, and no disciplinary records either. She hoped Applejack could help fill in some of the blanks, else she’d be starting from scratch.
“Applejack!” said Cheerilee, “So good to see you. You’re here to drop off Green, I take it?”
“Yeah,” Applejack nodded, “There were some things I wanted to discuss with you.”
“That’s great,” Replied Cheerilee, “I wanted to ask about what prior education she’s had.”
“Well she seems pretty clever,” Said Applejack, “But she won’t tell us anything about her past so there’s not much to say about that.”
“I’ll see how she goes in class today,” Said Cheerilee, “If she’s keeping up okay then I can test for any gaps in her knowledge once she’s had a chance to settle in.”
“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about actually,” Applejack admitted, “Green has some issues you should be aware of.”
“Oh?”
“She has poor coordination, and struggles to grip things with her hooves.” Said Applejack. “She can read, but I’m not sure if she’ll be able to write legibly.”
Cheerilee frowned.
“I see.” She said. “And what about her magic?”
“No spells yet, but she’s having magic surges.”
Cheerilee’s eyes widened, imagining the damage an unstable unicorn foal with the mana pool of an eight-year-old could do to her classroom.
“Magic surges, at her age?” Cheerilee questioned.
“Well, only once so far.” Applejack said. “We’re hoping it was a one-time thing.”
“Anything else I should know?”
“She gets really frightened when she’s meeting new ponies,” Said Applejack, “So maybe don’t make her introduce herself in front of the whole class.”
“Even if she’s shy it’s usually best to get introductions out of the way upfront.” Cheerilee said, “If the other students see me treating her differently it may not be the best first impression.”
“She’s not just shy,” Applejack said, “She has panic attacks.”
“Oh dear.” Said Cheerilee. “Well, I’ll certainly do whatever I can to help her feel comfortable.”
“One more thing, if you see her looking at a fixed point and taking slow breaths that means she’s feeling anxious and doing her breathing exercises,” Applejack explained, “So try not to interrupt her.”
“Alright class, we have a new student today.” Said Cheerilee, “Her name is Green, and I expect you all to make her feel welcome.”
It’s alright, they’re just kids. It’s just words. They can’t hurt you. I mean, they’re bigger than you and you don’t even know how to run, so they probably could hurt you really badly, but they won’t, right?
I couldn’t remember the crusaders ever getting beaten up physically, but this world seemed much more real.
Oh god, everyone’s still looking at me! I must be doing something wrong.
Relax. Breathe. In. Out.
They’re probably waiting for me to introduce myself.
“Uh, hi, my name is Green,” I managed to say, “And... I don’t know how I got here.”
Stupid. Stupid. Why did this have to be so hard? Why was I so anxious just meeting a group of children?
“Hi, Green.” The class chanted in unison.
“Alright Class,” Said Cheerliee, “Eyes front. Today we’re going to be learning about how to read a calendar.”
There was a murmur of dissatisfaction from the class and one of the young ponies raised their hoof.
“Yes, Twist?” Said Cheerilee.
“Isn’t Green going to introduce herself in front of the class?”
I wanted to hide my face, but I knew I had to keep my body language neutral. If I showed weakness, I just knew they’d bully me forever.
Keep breathing. Don’t move.
“Only if she wants to.” Said Cheerliee. “If we get through this lesson quickly I can give you all an early mark for recess.”
I was trapped. If I said no, everypony would think I’m shy. If I said yes, I’d be holding them back from early recess and they’d all be angry with me. Why did she have to do this to me?
I tried to answer and my decision was all but made for me when I realized I couldn’t move. I opened my mouth and, rather than make strangled noises, I closed it again. Swallowing dryly I shook my head in the negative.
As the class moved on I couldn’t focus, but it hardly mattered in a class about reading calendars. I felt like I had to pee but, from experience, I knew with how suddenly it had come on that it was just a fear response.
“Green.”
Relax. Breathe. You haven’t done anything wrong.
“Did you hear the question, Green?” Cheerilee asked in a gentle tone.
“No,” I replied. “What was it again?”
“I was asking how many days there are in a year.”
“Three hundred and sixty-five.” I answered.
“Not quite. Anypony else?” The teacher asked. “Yes, Diamond Tiara.”
“There are a thousand.” Her stuck up voice put my teeth on edge. “Even foals know that!”
“That’s not a kind thing to say young filly.” Cheerilee admonished. “See me after class.”
Great. Now the teacher was defending me. I was going to pay for that.
As the lesson wore on I felt my need to pee grow stronger. Maybe I really did need to go. I couldn’t ask for a hall pass though; I didn’t want to interrupt the lesson, and the other kids would probably think I was running off to the bathroom to cry.
In any case, Cheerilee had said we would get an early recess, so I shouldn’t have to wait too long.
By the time the lesson was winding down, all I could really think about was plotting the fastest way to get to the bathroom after class was let out. I would wait a little bit for the other kids to get through the door so they wouldn’t bump into me, and then I’d make a break for the bathrooms I’d seen on the way in.
Thankfully, when I got to the bathroom the stalls were empty. I hadn’t considered what I’d do if letting the other students leave the classroom first had meant a line.
It took a bit of concentration to ensure my hooves didn't slip on the hard floor. The last thing I wanted to do was skid into a wall.
The toilet was scaled down a bit from the full-size ones I’d see so far, which made it more comfortable to use at my size.
Feeling much relieved I left the stall and went to wash my hooves.
I had to fight down a spike of panic when I saw another pony enter the bathroom.
Relax. Breathe. You have every right to be here.
The sky blue pegasus colt looked at me in shock as he and I came to the same realization.
My skin went cold and I felt like I had to pee again.
The colt’s hooves were thunderous on the tile floor as he galloped away.
“Miss Cheerilee, Miss Cheerilee!” The colt yelled. “Green is in the wrong bathroom!”
Oh dear
That was awkward.
BIIIG chapter!
Still getting used to the gender swap I see
Wait...1000 days for every year...
Her age hasn't changed has it? It just gender swapped her and put her in an age-appropriate body. Well...she's got one good thing going for her. She can live for around +200 years earth time here, so she has a much longer stay than she expected probably. Plus, she can get a lot of knowledge in that brain of hers far faster than what they're probably used to. (200 years (E.T) = 73 years (Eq. T))
I like that we're kinda getting into the awkward "I don't know your social customs" stuff. Also, its 4 am for me, I should probably go to bed soon
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Either that, or they have some weird sign system
heshe isn't familiar with!It's funny either way, but poor Green! And who the hell has a thousand-day calendar?!
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Or Green in the rush didn't even look. The first bathroom was all that was considered.
Hazah! Finally, I really like this series. Might I ask, are there any be more humans going to Equestria in the same Universe as Green?
Ouch.
Huh, thousand days a year you said? That'll be a wreck comparing ages and lifespans too I guess.
I kind of want to know more about the pony year, since it has 1000 days, how many months, how many seasons? How many hours in a day, etc.
It does make sense that there's a difference, Celestia would set it up how she wanted it. I assume ponies are using a base 10 system rather then a base 4 or 5 etc.
Wow. Just cannot catch a break.
Every day is event. How Green will not suffer from burn out syndrom ?
Nice chapter.
Maybe Green can have a magic surge in Diamond Tiaras direction? Her face seem to need some redecorating.
That's definitely one way to get Green to agree. It's only her problem if it's someone else's.
I mean, Filthy Rich wouldn't live up to his name without the Apples and he knows it. If anyone would listen to the other parents on this, it'd be him.
Oh, Green. This is going to be rough, and she's only making it worse. Not the rushing into the colts' bathroom, just magnifying everything to horrific proportions in her mind. Hopefully Cheerilee can help. Hopefully Green will accept help.
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Anyone who lives on a planet with a thousand-day orbital period. Granted, given the sun and moon on manual override, it's not clear how that works for Equestria, but still, it's not like habitable planets are locked into orbits identical to Earth's.
Interesting. I wonder how Cheerilee would answer if Green plays oblivious and asks why that was the "wrong bathroom", what marks it and about the purpose of bathroom gender separation. Does Equestria have a "bathroom bill"?
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That thousand day calendar makes the statement "A 1000 years ago" a looooooottt Longer.
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brings another question up about ages, that 1000 day calendar. Does that mean a 7yr old there is 19 here? that would make green's real age from earth be 12ish on equestria.
Makes sense that the year length would be a more psychologically satisfying number as opposed to something set by reality. I have to wonder if their seasons are evenly divided as 250 days of winter would likely lead to food shortages unless they have incredible preservation techniques.
Thousand days, huh?
The year shall last FOREVERRRRR!!!!!!!!!
How parculier
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1000 is nice and round only if you're used to decimal. Quaternary would make more sense for ponies (though I also love to see senary). That makes 256 (100004) and 1024 (1000004) "nice and round".
Greeeeaat, first day in and she uses the wrong bathroom. That's sure gonna help her first impression. At least she managed to hold it in through class. But that one thing is gonna get Green on Diamond Tiara's watch list for sure. Well, that and the calendar thing. She's doomed, I know it.
10658738
Well, then that would explain why Green was age-regressed. The calendar year must have played a part.
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Personally, I think base 16 would make good sense for ponies - four hooves times four. Either 256 or 512 days in a year seem reasonable to me.
That said, you could make a fun little argument for base 6. Old pegasi culture is clearly modelled after Classical Antiquity, and Ancient Greece is famous for their achievements in maths. If pegasi history was similar, their four hooves plus two wings could become the basis for that.
I had to look up what apopolecic, twice.
Don't use words like this.
Applejack doesn't talk with perfect diction. She has a southern American drawl. "If ya try ya put it if, it's not gonna get any easier."
"I want ya wanna go ta school and make some fiends."
Boo. Over used cliche is overused! lol
Also, quotes ", not ' to keep a convo going.
Wait, this is third person now? It was first... What happened too the tences? Why are they changing at random?
You need an editor & proof reader, badly.
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I’d think either base 4, base 5, or base 6 would make sense in pre-unification times, though base 7 would likely make the most sense for a unified Equestria.
10659014
Good answer. I feel base 4 or 7, based on 4 hooves and ability of an agrarian society.
(... And the number of breaks Green is getting is...?
Zero. Zero breaks. That's the number.
Poor little filly, formerly human male... I do like how Applejack is handling things so far, trying to. It's difficult, but she's doing what she can, trying to be responsible. Earns a lot of points with me.)
Actually without having a natural 10 thing going on, base 12 or base 6 would be the most common bases, and since 6 is a valid number base 12 is more likely. The reason is that 12 can be split evenly into halves, thirds, fourths, and sixths. 10 is a really odd base to use. 7 would be a ridiculous base. Octal (base 8) is also possible.
Of course that he said 365 days in a year (which is a really specific number) when the number of days is a round 1000 does say something about him, and would support being from elsewhere, or deliberately picking wrong.
Note also if he gets tested in math and does his math in the wrong base, all of his answers would be wrong, but would be weirdly right if looked at in the correct way.
1000 days in a year... Sounds like green is technically the same age then, but ponies age much slower than humans.
i have NEVER met a SINGLE teacher who would ever ADMIT that BULLIES EXIST.
it's UTTERLY DISGUSTING.
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Ouch. It’s not a hard adjustment to account for but it would definitely make for a rough first impression of math skills if not noticed. It would probably need to be base eight or six otherwise the two extra numerals would be a giveaway. Though I doubt green would point out the issue for fear of being perceived as an a smart ass.
oh boy poor green thats going to be extra awkward to explain.
i bet it was the taddletale colt of the class too, what rotten luck xD
I just knew it'd come off some cliffhanger
Though I am curious how different the education is there. History and science, if magic is considered apart of since, he wouldn't know. But his the universal language of math and non-magical science should be fine.
It'd be quite the odd inconsistency for the ponies, one I'm now half dying to see happen. I have doubts that the Equestrian school standard is on par with the school's green was used to, since Equestria isn't or at least doesn't seem the same as ours.
10659049
Really? Odd, my school and/or teachers have a pretty big point on bully prevention.
...well yes, if you control the sun, moon and weather, the length of a calendar year is something you can choose for yourself. Brilliant, never thought of that.
It'd be funny if I wasn't once in Green's hide. Or more like somewhere between Green and Blackjack.
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10659018
Base 7 is terrible because 7 is prime. You can't even write 0.5 (a half) in septimal without having an infinite string of digits, or a vinculum. The same goes for base 5 (quinary). You really want at more divisors; at least two, one of which is 2.
10659166
Seriously though, what about base 4? I'm really interested now.
10659014
I can see base 10 Math for Equestria.
Four hooves, Two wings, One horn, and three tribes.
Before unification, all three tribes would have a different base number maths.
Going with a completely new base number, based on the unification. Would be a way to help smooth things out, rather than having an overly complicated math system based on 4, 5, and 6. Depending on which tribe you're a member of.
Wow. I hate this kid. He's a little snitch.
10659048
It kind of makes for a really long year though.
10659006
Apoplectic: Green is a college graduate, and knows that it means an inability to move.
1: of, relating to a stroke. 2: affected with, inclined to, or showing symptoms of an inability to move. Also associated with extreme laziness and an inability to move due to anger or extreme fear.
10659006
Mate, you can't even spell 'tenses'. I think I'd rather trust my editor and proof readers over you.
Thanks for spotting the quotation mark error though, we must have missed that one.
10658736
Unless Celestia has changed it in the past. Maybe she realized a few years back that her protege wasn't up to this whole beating Nightmare Moon business and decided to lengthen the year to get a bit more time.
There could be a good reason the Apple family reunion is timed in moons.
Irl, 365.25
10659287
365.2425, actually. 400 years in the Gregorian calendar have 146097 days.
PS: If you want to get even more
analprecise, see tropical year.Our civil time days aren't exactly solar days, either. Timekeeping is complicated.
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Apoplectic is a fun word because it comes from the root 'apoplexy' which if taken in a literal medical way refers to a hemorrhagic stroke.
So someone who was apoplectic with rage would metaphorically be so angry that they burst a blood vessel and had a stroke, leaving them unable to speak.
It's quite a viceral image, no?
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10658964
For math, base 4 is meh, actually; basically a slightly better binary (the same goes for octal and hexadecimal, though octal is notably worse). I think the "four hooves" thing makes a strong argument for it, though.
jan Misali has a short rundown of different bases in this video (9:47 onwards).
10659324
Base 10 math was invented by the ancient pegasopolins because they have four hooves, and three primary feathers on each wing, which adds to 10.
Okay actually I just made that up, but it sounds appropriate.
10659317
But I had to take myself out of the story to look it up when I came across it. Brilliant or not of a word, if you have people leave the immersion of your story, you're making a mistake as an author.