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The same rock, from a different side

In the quiet embrace of the Everfree Forest's edge, a tranquil clearing spread out before Maud Pie. Standing amidst the stillness, she had positioned herself exactly where her exuberant sister, Pinkie Pie, had asked her to wait. Around her, the forest's vibrant greenery gave way to the open space, where the unexpected scene before her eyes gradually took shape.

As if emerging from the whims of a fantastical dream, an eclectic collection of structures stood in an almost haphazard arrangement. Each structure seemed to possess its own unique character and purpose, forming an ensemble of oddity that defied conventional logic. It looked like a fever-dream of an obstacle course, which had been constructed by a mind that only had the barest grip on reality. In other words it had Pinkie's hoofprints all over it.

The sun's golden rays filtered through the dense canopy, casting playful shadows on the structures' facades. Yet, despite the seemingly random assortment, an unspoken harmony hung in the air, as if these structures held secrets, stories, and a connection that only the mania of Maud's sister would unveil.

With the anticipation of her friends' arrival, Maud Pie remained steadfast in the midst of this curious scene. However, the last few days spent with the other ponies had left her feeling apprehensive about what might transpire today. Awkward attempts at conversation and lingering anxiety from recent interactions weighed on her mind.

Oh Pinkie, thought Maud, I'll try my best, but this isn't likely to end the way you hoped.

When the other five ponies arrived together, led by Pinkie, Maud barely acknowledged them. Just a quick glance with her face held as an inscrutable mask. Her sister bounced away to stand between them and the… course? She had a happy smile on her face and seemed almost rational.

"I call it Pinkie-Rainbow-Rari-Twi-Apple-Flutter-Maud Fun Time!" Pinkie exclaimed with an audible squeal of excitement.

From her position hoovering a little above all the others, the blue pegasus uttered a confused, "Huh?"

Pinkie sprung up between her friends to try again, "It combines everypony's interests into one giant activity that we can all enjoy together and that will totally bring all of my bestest friends together as bestestest friends!"

Despite having been around her sister for a number of years, it was clear from the expressions on their faces that these ponies still weren't fully dialled into the wildly random directions that she could take.

"You'll need these," Pinkie added, zipping over to where a collection of mannequins where outfitted in a bizarre assortment of attire.

The blue pegasus was still looking bemused, "Like I said, huh?"

"Probably better for me to show you," said the completely unphased pink pony as she goggles and a snorkel to the helmet and pads that she was somehow now wearing, "Watch this!"

"Applesauce tunnel for Applejack," she said as she part slid, part galloped through some tubes filled with sticky sauce.

"Pretty shiny stuff for Rarity," she added, diving into a pit full of shiny ribbons before crashing through a wall of antique books, "reading material for Twilight!"

"Critter time for Fluttershy," she continued, slapping some cards down as of playing poker with a bear was totally normal.

"Cupcakes for yours truly," she was now somehow talking and eating cakes that were whipping around a huge glass dome.

She ducked out of the dome and finally came to a halt, "and it's a race for Rainbow Dash!"

It was the purple alicorn that recovered first, or at least enough to ask, "Pinkie Pie, what is that?!"

"A rock slide, of course! For Maud!" Pinkie shouted.

A close observer might just have seen a glimmer of an expression on Maud's face. Her years of studying rock formations were coming to mind. She looked at the size grading of the boulders. Took in the slope angle. Did some estimations of friction factors. No, that pile definitely was the wrong side of slope stability, it was one tiny touch away from collapsing. And now her sister was hurtling towards it.

"First you climb, then you slide!" What Pinkie said barely registered. Maud's muscles started to tense.

"I've got a bad feeling about this," whispered the brown earth pony, as if trying not to let luck hear.

Pinkie was giggling manically as she bounced up the horribly unstable surface. "Huh," she suddenly said as her right hindleg got trapped as a small rock slid onto her hoof. The white unicorn let out a shriek of horror, as her friends yelled out warnings and fearful exclamations.

As the serene clearing suddenly transformed into a scene of chaos, Maud Pie's instincts kicked in with astonishing speed and precision. The ground rumbled beneath her hooves as a huge rock slid toward her sister, who had unwittingly triggered the avalanche of stone. With an unconscious reflex Maud's mind and body synchronised, her every movement fueled by a potent blend of determination and concern.

With an almost otherworldly swiftness, Maud leaped into action. Her powerful legs propelled her forward, her litheness defying the laws of physics. Her eyes locked onto Pinkie, her sister's safety an unwavering focal point. Maud's body flowed seamlessly through the chaos as she darted, zigzagged, and maneuvered with an astounding grace.

Amidst the urgency of the moment, Pinkie's unique brand of whimsy manifested in the form of an absurd and intricate set of rules. Each step that Maud took had to be executed according to Pinkie's inexplicable game, no matter how bizarre or time-consuming the actions seemed. Maud's mind wrestled with the urgency to reach her imperilled sister and the compulsion to adhere to the convoluted rules.

With each step of Pinkie's game completed, Maud's progress toward her sister continued, despite the valuable seconds ticking away. She balanced on a precarious rocks, and bounding upwards with startling precision, all while her heart pounded with both anxiety and a determination to follow the unexpected rules.

Finally, Maud reached Pinkie Pie just as the huge block of basalt bore down. She expertly positioned herself, using her unbelievable earth pony strength to smash the falling rock to gravel as her normally inscrutable features narrowed into an angry scowl. As the rock slide's chaotic force subsided she gave one last gentle kick to crack the stone trapping her sister in place.

The dust and tumult settled as Maud stood there, her heart racing from the exertion but the comfortably blank look back on her face. Amidst the chaos and Pinkie's surreal rules, Maud had prevailed. Her commitment to Pinkie's game had indeed cost precious moments, but even the safety of her sister had not allowed her to cut even a single eccentric twist and turn thanks to her need to do things as instructed.

The other ponies all breathed a sigh of relief, except the cyan pegasus who spluttered through several exclamations of disbelief at what she'd just witnessed.

As the dust cleared, revealing the now-still landscape. Maud's expression softened with a mixture of relief and sisterly love.

"Pinkie Pie, what were you thinking?" Maud asked, as she gave her sister a rare, but heartfelt hug.

"I guess I wasn't," Pinkie whispered.

The ordeal was over and despite her own internal battles, Maud had decided that she couldn't risk her sister taking any further crazy risks, "I know how important it is to you that your friends become my friends, but I just don't think it's going to happen. I think it would be best if I just go back to the rock farm and spend the rest of the week there."

"It was nice to meet you all," she said as she passed the other ponies, without even a sideways glance, "makes me happy knowing Pinkie Pie has such good friends."

"But... we never even got to make our rock candy necklaces…" said a forlorn looking Pinkie, suddenly she was chasing after her sister, "Wait, Maud! I'll come with you!"

In a brightly coloured train carriage that seemed to radiate with a spectrum of cheerful hues, Maud and Pinkie Pie sat side by side. The vibrant interior was a stark contrast to Maud's usual preferences as it was making her visual hypersensitivity painful, but her presence in this whimsical space showcased her unwavering support for her exuberant sister. Sunlight filtered through the large windows, casting playful patterns of light and shadow on the upholstery as the train changed direction.

The train chugged along the tracks, the rhythmic sounds of its movement making it difficult for Maud to focus on what her sister was saying as all the sounds crashed into her head simultaneously. Pinkie's normally bubbly energy was unusually subdued, and her usual chatter was replaced by a sorrowful look.

To avoid sensory overstimulation Maud would normally have chosen to travel alone. This time however she knew that her sister needed some reassurance, to help prevent her from crashing out of her usual mania and into a deep bout of depression. Whilst Maud knew that she couldn't express empathy in the same way that most ponies did, she was concerned about Pinkie's state of mind and would keep her company.

"Thank you for coming with me," said Maud, as she pulled Boulder from her satchel and started playing with him to soothe her anxiety, "I don't know how long I'll be gone on my rock research trip. I'm glad I still get to spend some time with you before I go."

"Me too," replied Pinkie, a remorseful expression on her face, "I'm sorry I put so much pressure on everypony to bond. I only wanted my friends to get to know my amazing older sister."

Maud slid over to her sister and pulled her into a comforting hug. Whilst she couldn't easily articulate her emotions, she found it easy to demonstrate them physically with her younger sister. They spent the rest of the journey in wordless solidarity.

Under the weight of a heavily overcast sky that seemed to mirror their family's earthy disposition, Maud and Pinkie Pie walked side by side. The air held a somber stillness as they approached the Pie family rock farm, the land around them becoming increasingly barren and harsh. The once lush and vibrant scenery had transformed into a rugged landscape, a testament to the challenging nature of their family's livelihood.

The clouds above cast a muted grey hue over everything, enveloping the surroundings in an atmosphere of quiet contemplation. The wind whispered through the sparse vegetation, carrying with it the earthy scent of the rocks and soil that Maud loved. Pinkie's usually exuberant spirit was still absent, her steps heavy and her demeanour downhearted, as if the weight of the heavy clouds had seeped into her very being.

Maud's apparent serenity remained unaffected, her gaze fixed on the path ahead. Yet, as they neared the edge of the farm, something unexpected caught her eye—an unusual sight amidst the barrenness. She gently halted Pinkie, causing her to pause and glance at Maud inquisitively.

And then, Maud's discovery came into view—Pinkie's friends, the very ponies who had formed an unbreakable bond with her in the vibrant town of Ponyville, were gathered there to greet them. Rainbow Dash, Twilight Sparkle, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Applejack all stood among the rocks, their presence a stark contrast against the monochromatic backdrop. Their faces held expressions of genuine joy, greeting the pair warmly amidst sacks of rock candy.

In that unexpected moment, the air seemed to shift. Pinkie's somber mood was replaced with astonishment. "What are you doing here?" She gasped in amazement.

"Pinkie Pie, we're so sorry we hurt your feelings by not bonding with Maud right away," explained the purple alicorn as she stepped forward to meet them, "And Maud, we're sorry that you felt the only way to spare Pinkie Pie's feelings was to leave Ponyville early."

The other ponies echoed that sentiment. "We've seen how much you care about Pinkie Pie firsthoof," added the orange earth pony.

The alicorn continued, "Pinkie Pie's happiness means as much to us as it does to you, and we're sorry we couldn't see it sooner. The thing that makes us click and creates a special bond between us is how much we all love Pinkie Pie!"

"Aw, shucks!" Said Pinkie Pie, her forehooves pressed to her cheeks in delighted embarrassment.

"That's a pretty great thing to have in common, if you ask me," finished the purple alicorn, "What do you think, Maud?"

As the gazes of Pinkie's friends turned to her, their expressions filled with expectations and a shared anticipation of her response, Maud felt a subtle tension rise within her. Words, those elusive tools of communication, seemed to falter on the edge of her tongue. Caught between her genuine desire to convey her feelings and the unyielding grip of her apraxia, all Maud could do was stare cooly at the alicorn's expectant face.

"Sure," she managed to say at last.

The others seemed crestfallen for a second. "What's wrong?" Asked Pinkie, as if unable to see the disappointment on their faces.

"Sorry, darling," started the white unicorn, one eyebrow arching in a quizzical expression, "I think we all just thought she'd be a bit more excited about this."

"Are you kidding me?" Cried Pinkie, "I've never seen her more excited in my entire life!"

If I can't tell them how I feel, thought Maud, maybe I can describe what's happening.

"I don't know if you've noticed," she started, her eyes averted to minimise her discomfort, "but I don't show my enthusiasm for things quite in the same way my sister does."

"Uh, we noticed," smiled the cyan pegasus, as her friends all nodded and smiled in agreement, "and we're totally cool with it."

Amidst the stirrings of elation, Maud's inability to express herself fully remained a poignant reminder of her unique struggle. The weight of their collective attention, though well-intentioned, would always create an unspoken barrier for Maud to grapple with; a silent desire to bridge the gap between her emotions and her ability to articulate them. Behind the still inscrutable Maud, Pinkie danced a victory jig and produced some of her endless supply of streamers and confetti.

The ponies were all gathered together at the train station, in a final farewell before Maud left for her geological expedition. The train was at the platform, waiting for its solitary passenger to embark. One by one they all lined up to give her their gifts.

"Maud, we'd like to give you something to take on your trip, so that you remember all your friends from Ponyville," smiled the purple alicorn.

The alicorn's gift was simple, the orange earth pony's bore a large apple shaped candy in its centre. The cyan pegasus had made an unfeasibly large representation of her cutie mark and the white unicorn's was elegantly composed of symmetrical candy gems in a rainbow of colours.

"Thank you," was Maud's simple reply.

Finally she swapped necklaces with her sister, who paused to say, "Try not to eat all the candy before you leave!"

As Pinkie trotted off down the platform already eating her gift, Maud pulled a red box out of her saddlebag. When she opened it Twilight Sparkle noticed that it was stuffed full of candy necklaces.

"Are those all the necklaces Pinkie Pie sent you?" She asked in amazement.

Maud nodded, "Mm-hm."

"You haven't eaten any of them?" The alicorn gasped in surprise.

"I don't really like candy," explained Maud, as one of her extremely rare smiles illuminated her face with joy, "but I do love Pinkie Pie."

Twilight Sparkle found herself in the midst of a heartwarming moment. As Maud Pie spoke about her sister Pinkie a rare and genuine smile adorned her features. Twilight had only known Maud as the epitome of stoicism, a pony whose expressions were often as unyielding as the very rocks she cherished. To witness her unveiling a smile—a genuine one—while discussing her beloved sister was a sight that held an enchanting quality.

The genuine affection that radiated from Maud's words was impossible to ignore. There was a touch of fondness in Maud's voice, a subtle warmth that contrasted beautifully with her usual demeanour.

In that moment, Twilight felt a surge of connection to Maud. As the sun's rays bathed the scene in a gentle glow, Twilight found herself caught in a moment of pure, unadulterated joy. The realisation that even the most steadfast facades could melt in the presence of genuine affection was a reminder of the depth and complexity that made every friendship in Equestria truly magical.

Author's Note:

I'll admit it... I'm projecting here. I've loved Maud since that first episode where we met her.

You see, there aren't many representations of people like me in popular culture. Often people with autism spectrum disorders are lazy caricatures, not actual characters.

But here, on a kid's cartoon show, was someone like me. Someone complex and positive.

So I felt I wanted to tell her story, peppered with a few of the sensory and emotional issues I have. To share some of the cognitive impairments that might not be immediately apparent.

Not to preach, but to entertain. I hope, anyway.

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Wishesshecouldwritegood

Wishesshecouldwritegood #1 · Aug 24th, 2023 · 2 · ·

I loved this. The way the words flowed and completed a stream of conscious thought was so mesmerizing. I am actually in love with every little description, the way you explain the characters’ personalities and describe each individual scene with the Mane 6. It’s beautiful. I may not have autism, or know how people have interpreted Maud, but I have always been intrigued by her character. She is so different from the main characters that you are familiar with in every episode, and it was nice to see her different view on the world and how she interacted with the characters we love.
A very good horse fic for me to read while putting off studying.

sykko

sykko #2 · Aug 25th, 2023 · 3 · ·

An amazing story. The depiction of Maud wanting to be more expressive, but unable to do so is beautiful. Your wordsmithing is simultaneously simple and complex.

Diamond Sparkle