Chapter 5 "Hootenanny"
Chapter 5
“Hootenanny”
YEEEEHAWWW!!!!
Somepony shouted as the music began. The entire town square was converted into a dance floor with some games set up like an old fashioned carnival. Ponies were forgetting their troubles with the buffalo by dancing the night away.
I sat at a nearby bar with a mug of cider in my hoof. I watched as the country ponies danced to the very catchy country music. The music was the kind you could easily dance to. I found myself tapping the leg of the stool with my hoof on more than one occasion.
“Part of partyin is actually bein a part of the party Private”
I looked over to see County sitting beside me. She smiled at me as she held a whiskey mug in her hoof. She noticed my chastising expression and she sighed “Private, Ah’m not gonna hear it”
“When are you ever going to put that thing down?” I asked concerned
“When Whiskey stops tasting good…” She took a swig from her bottle “Why aren’t ya dancin with that pretty marefriend of yers?”
I flushed bright red at this. “County she’s not my-“
“Don’t give me that horse shit; ya all would’ve clopped if Ah hadn’t interrupted” County said laughing at her joke.
My grey coat suddenly felt like a furnace. The thought of Twilight and I…oh Celestia was I really thinking that?! I glared at County “It’s not like that!”
“Then enlighten me Private” She took another swig of her bottle “Why haven’t ya gone all the way with her?”
I got quiet for a second “Because I…”
“It ain’t because of Larksong is it? You still feel fer that song bird?”
I shook my head “It’s more than that…Twilight’s…delicate”
“Ah, the girl next door type huh?”
“I guess you could say that" I sighed a little "I just want to make sure it’s what she wants”
County then looked at me with those gold eyes of hers. I couldn’t really read her expression “Yer a great stallion Private…she’s a sweet mare who just wants you. If that’s not a match made in heaven then Ah don’t know what is”
I smiled “Thanks County…”
“She’s lucky to have yer eye…Ah only hope Ah find a stallion like you” County said almost wistfully
“You don’t want a stallion like me County”
“And why the hell not?” County said, looking over at me confused.
I laughed “Because I have yet to get you off that drinking habit of yours”
Her brows furrowed and she punched me in the foreleg “That’s fer the drinkin comment!” She then tipped my hat down over my eyes affectionately “That’s fer bein so damn caring…”
I lifted my hat as County ran into the crowd. She grabbed a nearby Pegasus and started dancing with him. County was never one for subtlety when it came to romance. I only hoped I wouldn’t have to deal with godchildren any time soon. I simply laughed as she danced with him…that’s when I noticed Applejack walk towards me.
“Enjoyin the party Private?” She said her green eyes looking at me with a mix of cheerfulness for being at a party and concern for my well being.
“It’s lively that’s for sure” I said taking a swig of the apple cider. “Where’s Braeburn?”
Applejack smiled and took a seat beside me “He’s over by em shootin galleries. Showin off to all of em mares how much of a top shot he is”
“Well he did shoot a bandit in the head so I guess we can let it slide”
We both laughed but then Applejack stopped. Her green eyes looked behind me…I followed her gaze and there he was. Sitting on a barrel was the stallion from earlier. His eyes occasionally met Applejack’s as he watched the other couples dance. His expression was as unreadable as a steel wall.
I looked over at Applejack whose orange coat was starting to turn red. I smirked “That wouldn’t happen to be that stallion you're pining for would it?”
Applejack shook her head furiously “Nuh it ain’t! Ah’m not lookin at em I mean" I gave her a look and she gave up the facade "Aw Horseapples why should I bother lyin anymore…?”
“So why don’t you go talk to him?” I suggested
“Me talk to a stallion!?” Applejack exclaimed as if I told he to jump off the top of Canterlot Castle’s tallest tower. She shook her head self consciously “Ah…Ah can’t….”
“What are you so nervous about?” I asked looking at her as she tried to bury her blushing face in her hat. “He’s obviously interested”
“Private…” she looked over at me her green eyes betraying her concern “Ah…Ah’ve never…talked to a stallion…like that…”
“Why not Applejack? You’re one of the most honest and strongest mares I know. What stallion wouldn’t want that in a mare?”
“But…Ah ain’t...” She sighed in defeat “Ah ain’t like Rarity or nothin…Ah ain’t pretty…”
“Oh don’t give me that Applejack” I said patting her on the back with my hoof. “Looks don’t mean everything”
“Ah know, but it certainly does help…”
I got an idea “How about I talk to him?”
Applejack’s face looked at me pleadingly “Yah don’t need tah Private! Ah mean…what if he thinks Ah can’t face him myself?”
“Just relax, I’ll see if he’s on the level” I set my empty cider mug and started walking towards the steel faced stallion.
He didn’t look at me as I came up to him. “Hey steel face!” I said trying to get his attention. The only really indication I did was that his eye moved to face me. He didn’t say anything for a bit. I smiled awkwardly and spoke again “I’ve noticed you’ve been eyeing my friend there…”
I gestured to Applejack who was trying everything in her power not to be noticed. It didn’t seem to work because the green colored stallion simply gazed back at her. Then he looked to me and spoke in a very deep voice. “Is she yours?”
I shook my head “No she’s just a friend of mine. You see she’s never actually talked to a stallion before…ya know like that” He didn’t move, did this guy even smile?! “Anyways, I wanted to know if you are interested at all in her”
He looked back at Applejack, then back to me. “What do you care if I’m interested?”
“You can’t kill a guy for being curious”
“No, but they have a habit of killing themselves” Was that a joke? I can’t tell because the guy didn’t smile.
“Anyways, Applejack is a very nice mare. She’d love to talk to you but I think you should make the first move”
He kept his gaze on me and then shook his head “Why should I pursue her? You do know what I am right?”
“You’re a soldier are you?” I said gesturing to some of the battle scars on him. “Judging by some of these scars you’ve seen combat”
“So you’re the detective that I’ve been hearing about” He sighed “Anyways, I’ve seen my comrades die around me…all crying for their mares back home. Why should I put myself through all of that?”
I stared at him. It wasn’t that this guy wasn’t interested in Applejack…he was just worried about dying and leaving her hurt…this guy cared more then he let on. “I still think you should talk to her…”
He shook his head “Are you hard of hearing?”
“I’m hard of getting rid of but that’s a different story” I dismissed his comment with a wave of my hoof. “Anyways…as a soldier you should have something to fight for”
“What do you mean?” His eyes betrayed curiosity for just a moment. He wanted to know how I could justify this.
“Think about it, you’re fighting every day of your life. Some of your buddies have died on the battlefield because they had mares back home. They wanted to make sure that by them dying and fighting they could live happily. Applejack could be that one pony you would stand up against your enemy for. Go talk to her…she’s a wonderful mare who would love somepony to care for her. When you’re lying injured on the battlefield…you’ll remember this mare that cares about you back home…who wants you to live so that she can hold you again”
Through out my entire speech he didn’t flinch or twitch. His eyes then closed and then opened again. He…smiled “You’ll not leave me alone unless I do talk to her will you?”
“I have been known for my stubbornness” I said matter of factly.
He got off the barrel and started walking towards Applejack. I looked back at the soldier “Wait, I never got your name…”
He looked back at me and shrugged “Never got yours…”
“It’s Private, Private Eye” I said as he began to walk away.
He stopped for a minute and simply said “Applesnack…”
_________________________________________
I wandered the games a little when I came across Sheriff Silver Star at one of the shooting ranges. He had a revolver on his belt. He waited for the starting sign to go and he pulled out his gun, stuck it in his mouth, and hit the targets one by one. He saw me and set the revolver back in his holster.
“Howdy Private” He said friendly like “Wanna take a shot?”
I shrugged “I guess I could…nice Marshal you have there” I said gesturing to the gun in his holster.
He smiled and pulled out the gun and I levitated the gun to inspect it. “Ya know yer firearms Ah see”
“Yep” I said looking at the engraved revolver “The Marshall was called that because it was designed personally by General Marshall Patton during EW2. It’s .44 caliber with enough firepower to leave a sizeable hole in somepony’s head. Patton created this line originally as a gift to his best friend General Chruchfire. The story goes that Chruchfire also had a gun of the exact same design commissioned for Marshall. Thus the gun was always sold in pairs…”
“Ah lost the other one a long time ago” Silver Star said shrugging “Damn shame to, it was a good gun”
The gun itself looked relatively new though…how could you lose a gun so quickly? I shrugged and gave the gun back to the sheriff. “Still a good gun”
“Ya got a firearm?” He asked after holstering his gun.
“Well…I have this” I pulled out my .32 caliber revolver. Silver Star shook his head. I looked at him curiously “What?”
“Ya plan tah shoot somepony with this shit gun? No offense but you could use somethin with a bit more kick”
“What do you have in mind?”
Sheriff Silver star reached into his vest and tossed me a gun. It was a .44 revolver with a black paint job on the metal and a brown handle. It was certainly larger then my .32 and looked like it could pack one hell of a punch “Call this one ere the Blackbird”
I levitated the revolver to eye level and held it out in front of me. “This’ll knock out anypony if you aim it right…”
“Tell ya what” Silver Star said gesturing to the shooting gallery “Ya get a perfect score and Ah’ll let ya keep it”
I smirked “Alright you’re on” I stepped up to the game and loaded the revolver. I cocked the hammer with my magic and closed my eyes.
______________________________________________
Fenlock was looking at my stance as I held the gun in my magic. “Don’t force her Private; just because she’s a more powerful gun doesn’t mean you have to match that power. A gentle hoof can tame the savage beast”
____________________________________________
The music began and I fired the revolver at the targets. One by one I hit each target’s bull’s-eye with absolute precision. I finished with the highest score and the satisfaction of Silver Star looking at me dumbfounded.
I simply smiled and took the gun’s holster from him. He gave me an odd look with those blue eyes of his “Where’d you learn to shoot like that?”
I shrugged and walked off with my prize “Wild Gunpony?”
__________________________________________
I twirled Blackbird a little then set her in my brand new gun holster. She gave me a sense of power…like I could take on the whole damn world with her at my side. I wonder if this was how Bit Eastwood felt.
I looked over and saw Applejack dancing…wait, Applejack can dance?! I looked over and saw Applejack was dancing to a rather slow song with Applesnack. They were actually talking to each other. The guy was smiling around her…Private you’ve done it again. I should reward myself with some more cider.
I felt somepony tap me on the shoulder. I looked over and my face flushed a little. Twilight was there clad in a blue country dress for the occasion. Her mane shined in the light of the lanterns of the carnival. She smiled sheepishly as I stared at her “Hey Private…”
“Twilight…you look great” I said my face turning scarlet.
“Thanks, County suggested I wear this tonight…”
County has fallen into my habit of getting involved with relationships eh? Well…I’m happy to take the results thank you. I removed my hat in a curt bow “Will you honor me with a dance Madam Sparkle?” I said in my best imitation of Fancypant's gentle stallion like manner.
Twilight smiled and performed a curtsy “I would be honored Sir Private”
We stepped out on the dance floor just as County took the stage. She tapped the microphone and then spoke out to the crowd of dancers “How ya alls enjoyin this fine evenin?”
We all cheered and whooped in response to County. She laughed and continued “Well let’s kick things up a little! Here’s one to all ya lovers out there!”
I looked at Twilight worriedly “Get ready to move…”
“Why?” Twilight said looking at my curiously
“Because when County sings…things go down”
County then began to sing a fast paced song that we all had little trouble dancing to.
Is the girl you left behind out there a night romancin?
Makin eyes at someone else and singin, but is she dancin?
Only the girl you left behind you dream her when yer sleepin!
Puts Teardrops in her eyes from secrets which she’s keepin!
She bounced around the stage and kept the words coming.
Happy just play a tune and dance the whole night away!
Hope the girl you left behind will be there for you someday!
Lonely is the wind that blows and you know you’ll always
Miss her!
Lonely is the lover’s heart if only you could
Kiss her Kiss her!!
_________________________________________
The music slowed down and County sang a more romantic song as time went on. I found myself with my front legs wrapped around Twilight. She was so warm and her mane smelled so sweet.
I heard her whisper in my ear “Private…you were going to say something earlier…back at camp…”
I whispered in her ear…she shuddered a little at feeling my breath on her “I was before County interrupted…”
“Maybe she’s trying to help you work up the confidence to say it…”
I lifted my head from where it was in her mane and looked at her with my grey eyes. “Truth is Twilight…I realized something the moment I fired you that one time…”
“Private I know you missed me…”
I put a hoof on her lips to shush her. “Truth is…I realized that I…” The words were so simple…yet so hard and beautiful to say “I love you…”
Twilight’s eyes became wide as I said those three words to her. I never had the guts to say those words to her yet. Now that I did I desperately waited for her response. Her approval was all I desired and wanted now…nothing else.
Her eyes looked down at the ground. Her body shook a little and I heard a sob. I grew worried at this...did I say something wrong!? She raised her violet eyes to me...I noticed they had tears in them. I feared the worse “Twilight I…”
She put a hoof to my mouth then shook her head. She then just reached a hoof around me and pulled me into a loving kiss. I stared at her as she blinked away tears. She stopped kissing me for a moment and said softly “Private…I love you to…” She wiped away more tears “I just never thought a stallion I loved would say something like that…”
I just drank in her violet eyes. I loved her…she loved me…I never thought that would come out. Now that it did…I wanted to savor every moment with this beautiful mare. I put my forelegs around her and pulled her into the most loving and tender kiss I could muster.
Some ponies around us looked at us but neither of us cared. We were in our own little world…one where only we existed. I tasted Twilight and drank her like wonderful wine. I was in love…I hadn’t felt like this in a long time. This beautiful mare, so smart, brave, and kind…was what I would fight for. What I would live for so that she could hold me again…I love Twilight…
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D'awww, everyones happy!
For now...
I think Applesnack is Voice, but you like to pull the rug under my assumptions...
1230929Just so you know...Applesnack is a character in another popular fan fic...hint: The author has this story dedicated to her
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH *rips hair out* DON'T MAKE ME THINK OF THAT STORY!!!!!!!!!!
1232213What? Bad memories?
1232222 Just the ending, I was reading it and out of nowhere it ended and I was like. th01.deviantart.net/fs70/PRE/i/2012/021/0/3/manly_tears_by_dylandylan72-d4n7l51.png
1232499Never actually could get to the ending, I could only read it for stretches at a time it was so darn long.
1232512 Finish it. Now. Or else.
1232530My story? I still have at least two more chapters
1232530I know how it ends I just didn't read it
1232543 Oh.
1232840I know bad right, so I haven't heard you comment in a while, what do you think of the recent cases?
1232857 Amazing.
1232871Really?
1232876 yes
1232878
Now I don't mean to seem ignorant but what is the title of this story because once i finish this series I'm going to need something to read
This.
How has nobody noticed the Back to The Future reference?
1232499
I'll have to put that link somewhere for later stories...
2597889 I noticed! Honest!
HAHA!
SO MANY REFERENCES FTFW!!
Looks like Private is going private whit Twillight hm? c:
I swear Private is the BEST love advisor ever first with Spike then Arson( Phantom) and now AJ who's next? Luna?
um i think it is like that
ohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh
fallout equestria referance, crap no you made me think of steelhooves
1231409 FALLOUT EQUESTRIA
4321016 after reading further cases I learned to eat my words
SnackJack FTW!
The guy's name is Applesnack? Doesn't that mean he's gonna be related to Applejack? Aren't all Applenamed ponies related?
It's probably coincidental, but I got a "Back to the Future 3" vibe halfway during the party.
The Battle Saddles were one thing, but Applesnack!?
Nice reference. Though makes me fear about Private and his brother in said universe