Applejack woke me when it was time for dinner. I was confused as to where I was for a moment before I realised that she must have somehow transferred me into my own bed without waking me.
The ache in my horn had mostly faded, though the fatigue and a general sense of queasiness remained. Thankfully this time I didn’t throw up on Applejack like I had at the hospital.
Applejack saw I was having some difficulty walking down the stairs with my only-mostly-healed foreleg, and rather than argue I just let her carry me down the rest of the way.
It wasn’t until I smelled dinner that I realised how hungry I was; and that I had slept through lunch.
Dinner was roasted vegetables with some kind of apple-based glaze. I was more focused on shoveling it into my mouth than I was tasting it. I ate three servings before my body finally signaled that I was full.
“Green,” said Applejack, “About what happened at school today.”
My tired brain didn’t have the tact to suppress an audible groan.
“You don’t have ta talk about it right now,” She continued, “Ah just want ya ta know that Ah’m sorry fer bein’ dismissive when ya said ya were worried about school.”
I could tell that Applejack had spoken to someone about me. A therapist maybe? The line sounded rehearsed and the wording was a bit off for how Applejack normally spoke.
“It’s not your fault,” I said, “I just... lost control. I know I’m making things difficult. “
“Oh sweetpea, Ah don’t want ya ta be worryin’ about that.” Applejack moved forward and gave me a hug. Her coat was soft.
“I’m so good at worrying though.” I said sarcastically. “What do you think a cutie mark in anxiety would look like?”
“It may not seem like it now,” said Applejack, “But it will get better, Ah promise.”
No it won’t.
“I believe you.” I said
Applejack could tell I was lying and she just hugged me tighter.
When I got back upstairs I just crashed on my bed. Everything was just so tiring. Applejack was trying so hard and I was just screwing it up for her. Over and over.
I woke before sunrise, again. This time it felt like it was still the middle of the night, which I guess made sense since I’d napped during the day. I didn’t want to get up, in case I woke someone else in the house, but I felt wide awake and couldn’t go back to sleep.
It wasn’t pitch black outside, thanks to the oversized moon, but there was no trace of blue on the horizon to indicate an approaching sunrise. I didn’t have a clock in my room, which was irksome. After years of shift work, I lived by the clock - I could be waking up or going to sleep at any hour of the day. Not something I had to worry about anymore, but it was still a comfortable routine to wake and check the time.
I stretched out my limbs, and it felt almost wrong that they didn’t ache.
Unable to sleep, or to get up, I was stuck with my thoughts.
In a few hours I was going to have to go to school again. There was no real point trying to convince AJ to let me stay home. It was her job to make sure I went to school, so trying to convince her not to force me to go was just going to make her feel bad; or worse, if I was successful, I’d get her into trouble. Applejack was honest to a fault so she was definitely going to tell them about the soap incident, and I’d be lucky if they didn’t take me away just for that. I couldn’t let them take advantage of Applejack’s overly open and trusting nature.
It wasn’t that I was particularly attached to this placement, but Applejack clearly was, and I felt like if I got taken away it would destroy her. So, I had to go to school. It’s not like it would kill me. It’ll just make me wish I were dead. Joking. Probably. Hopefully.
I felt like I needed to get up and pace around, but clip clopping around on the hardwood floor was going to wake everyone up. I also wanted to avoid seeing granny this morning. After what happened last time it was just going to be awkward.
When I finally heard the hoofsteps of everypony else walking around the sun was already peaking over the horizon. As awake as I’d felt a couple hours ago, now I felt tired. With no-one else around I allowed my shoulders to slump as I trudged my way to the bathroom to start my morning. When I passed through my bedroom door I made an effort to look less despondent in case anypony saw me. I even put a slight smile on my face which should, in theory, make me feel happier.
It didn’t work so well when I was breathing past the tightness in my chest.
“Good mornin’ Green,” Said Applejack, “Did’ya sleep alright?”
She sounded tired. Did she have trouble sleeping because she was worrying about me? I felt my anxiety rising. I took a deep breath and felt the floor under my hooves. Four points touching the floor, anchoring me.
I was being stupid. She was tired because it was early morning and she just woke up - no reason to think that had anything to do with me. Any yet... I couldn’t rule it out either. If I asked her about it she would just lie to save my feelings... wait. This was Applejack, so she wouldn’t lie would she?
“I’m fine,” I said, “This is a dumb question and I... were you having trouble sleeping because you’re worrying about me?”
“Oh sweetpea you don’t have to worry about me none,” Said Applejack, “I do feel concerned for you, but I slept jus’ fine.”
Even though this was the Element of Honesty, I still had a hard time trusting she was telling the truth. I knew I would never tell her the truth if our situations were reversed. I still felt a bit better. Now I just had to get through another day of school.
“Aww, cheer up darlin’” Said Applejack, “Ya don’t have ta go ta school today.”
Damnit, this is what I was afraid of.
“I’m fine, really,” I said, “I can go to school.”
“Ah’m real sorry about what Ah said yesterday,” Applejack said, “Ah didn’t mean ta make it sound like ya were going to be kicked out’a this home for missing school.”
“It’s not up to you though is it?” I said glumly, “If foal services finds out that you’re letting me miss school then you’ll get in trouble and they won’t let you take care of me anymore.”
“Ah spoke with Dayglow yesterday, and yer teacher, and we all think it would be a good idea for ya to have some time off ta settle in.” AJ explained, “Nopony is goin’ ta get in trouble.”
“Oh.” I sat down right in the middle of the hallway.
I should have felt relieved but I just couldn’t relax. Something was going to go wrong. I felt it in the back of my neck. I hadn’t predicted this, which meant I didn’t know what was going to happen. I didn’t know what, but something was going to go wrong. I’d been prepared for going to school, but now...
The only warning I had was a widening of Applejack’s eyes as she reacted to something behind me.
“No-” She said, just as I was knocked to the floor.
I felt hot breath on my face and opened my eyes to see a set of fangs; followed by a rough pink tongue that licked at my face.
“Winona!” Commanded Applejack, “Heel!”
There were tears streaming down my face, but they were tears of relief. I reached out and hugged the dog. She initially struggled against my grip to obey her master’s command, then she gave in and just licked my ear. Winona was at least as tall as I was, maybe a little taller, but she was rail thin so I had the clear weight and strength advantage.
I released her from the hug and she looked at AJ for a moment as if waiting for a command. When Applejack just smiled at her she turned back to me and bowed down with her front legs, wagging her tail as she invited me to play.
I wished I had a tennis ball or something to throw for her. Winona’s boundless enthusiasm was infectious and I actually found myself grinning as she sniffed around me and allowed herself to be pet. The novelty of having a dog as big as me made me giggle.
“Well, that’s not tha’ way I planned to introduce you two,” Said Applejack, “But Ah’d say yer gonna get along just fine.”
That scene with Winona was super cute~ Exactly what I needed right now.
Since that picture is of Winona and Apple Bloom instead of Green, I'm guessing you put it there for size reference? Either way, I was able to get that visual of the two of them in a friendly tussle in my head just fine. Wouldn't hurt to get a little art, though.
Was there a chapter that was accidentally released or got removed because of second thoughts? I had to backtrack to the previous chapter to understand where I had left off before I had read the missing chapter
10754198
There was an April Fools chapter, but that's been removed now.
10754201
Aw.
Cute little chapter, I am wondering if you gonna explore darker themes later on as in suicide or self-harm. I mean the story is not tagged yet so I guess it's probably not planned
10754207
I was thinking about it.
I lost my trust in this story after that April fools chapter SMH my head.
(Awwwww! Pets lead to longer, happier, healthier lives! Winona is a good doggy, a very good doggy indeed! This is a good start, a very good start! Help Green relax doggie, help a lot!
'Ahem'... I like cute things. And frankly? I'm glad that Green's finally getting a break. And if there's anything that can break someone out of a funk, it's a cute animal being lovey with them. Don't have to worry about any weird social requirements with pets, you can just enjoy their company! So very good! Yay for Green.)
10754210
Good to know I like it when anything can happen, it certainly keeps the suspense up.
10754201
Personally, I wouldn't mind if you preserved it as an extra/omake with a warning.
nice chapter :)
It's a shame you removed the April fool's chapter. I am glad I read it while it was up. At any rate I stand by my statement that "Princess of Anxiety" would genuinely suit Green.
It was cute indeed.
Its not bad to take things easy once and a while. A day or two of taking it easy wont... help greens problems exactly, but it will make her more ready to take them on.
D'aawww(g)
10754257
All according to Keikaku.
10749278 Australia is one of those fantasy settings with deadly creatures lurking everywhere. But it could never exist in reality! Same with that mythical place of decay, corruption, and filth called New Jersey!
This chapter is cute
I hate to be a wet blanket, but I think it needs to be said that Green is way overdue for some character development, if not growth. Her writing has revolved around anxiety and self loathing, to the exclusion of basically all other emotions, for an awfully long time now. You can only describe tightness in the chest and other symptoms of oncoming panic attacks so many times before it devolves into an exercise in tedious repetition. It would help to bring some other aspects of the character into focus. Bringing in Winona to show how Green gets along great with dogs is a good start, but she needs more.
10754346
We'll get there.
10754342
Agreed, doc makes a good story, can’t deny that!
How dare you use my weakness against me. Winona.
img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2017-03/21/7/asset/buzzfeed-prod-fastlane-02/sub-buzz-668-1490096330-22.jpg?output-quality=auto&output-format=auto&downsize=640:*
10754351
Sure you can deny it. You'd be wrong, though.
nice chapter.
Sometimes you just need a dog to slurp your face off to feel better.
Honestly, at the first moment I thought green would hurt that dog for attacking her like that.
10754533
You're thinking of that other Green foal that used to be a human.
D'awwww!
Dang, I missed the April Fool's chapter!
Was half wondering if cynophobia was going to be revealed.
Dogs are always good at helping with making some people feel better. I hope Applejack will get Green to open up a bit more.
A small dog your size's bound to be utterly adorable. Let's hope Winona helps Green heal
If i remember winnona is a collie, collies are small. Now i am imagining a massive collie
10754346
Keep in mind it hasn't been that long since Green arrived. From what I recall Green hasn't even been in Equestria a full month yet. Given we're dealing with a change in species, biological sex, universe, and to top it off being regressed to a body that is not fully developed mentally or physically. The sheer amount of massive changes all at once honestly could have driven some people mad. The fact that Green is able to function at all is honestly a marvel to me.
10754346
I mean, it's been like a couple weeks or something in story time. Just because we've been following the story for a year and a half doesn't mean that there's been a year and a half for Green to evolve as a person.
10754791
I don't know what Winona is, but there's a helpful scale reference in the author's notes at the end of the chapter.
Please do something to make your MC less of a doormat, it feels cringy
10754883
10754796
Since it doesn't seem to be as clear as I thought, let me elaborate: Green doesn't need to show growth in overcoming her anxiety or other issues, but we need to see more of who she is than just her anxieties; the anxiety is exceedingly well established now.
10754886
Hey guy, so just for instance this isn't your story. The author can write what they want and more importantly how they want. So please take your negative ass the fuck out of here.
I echo Green's sentiment; collies are great fun to be with
10754977
Speaking of feeling cringey.
10754977
LMFAO youre just wastin their time, my friend
10754542
i.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/original/000/032/874/cover4.jpg
10754977
So you are reporting someone else because you were being an asshole? Yep, makes perfect sense.
10754886
The character is getting annoying at this point. But I'm sure that will change.
10755086
That’s got to be one of my top favorite memes I’ve come across. I have it saved somewhere on my computer, and i come across it about once every week for a month now.
Yes, but you're not the Bearer of Honesty.
Ah well. If anxiety were rational, it wouldn't be anxiety.
In any case, yay for emotional support Winona. Here's hoping this is only the start of how she helps Green.
PUPPER LOCATED!!! ACTIVATE DOPAMINE!!!
10755456
We were talking about this on the starscribe discord server, but how do you find the time to read all this pony fiction and more?
10755710
They're a fan of most everything.
10755710
Either very good or very bad time management, depending on how you look at it.