That familiar dread, a feeling of purest anxiety that always threatened to overwhelm her every time she had to walk into a social situation. This time magnified a hundred times by the weight of expectation, which she knew her sister hadn't meant to heap onto her but nevertheless made it feel as though she was wading through thick black tar when all she had to do was trot along the road.
Her sister had bounced away to talk to her friends, leaving Maud alone with nopony for company. Well, that was not strictly true; she had Boulder and Gummy, but neither of them were really helping at the moment. She slowly crested the hill, and her eyes followed the path down to an idyllic looking copse by a small lake.
Maud Pie approached the group gathered around a picnic, her steps tortured. An unmistakable rising panic lingered beneath her composed facade as she made her way towards Pinkie Pie's friends. Social anxiety tightened its grip around her, casting a shadow over what should have been a delightful moment.
"We're over here, Maud!" Her sister was calling, waving and being her usual bubbly self.
I'm going to do this for my sister, thought Maud, no matter what happens.
Maud's blue eyes gazed into the distance to avoid the expectant faces, unable to meet the eyes that were all looking in her direction for more than a few moments. The weight of expectation bore down, making her every movement feel restrained and unnatural. The world around her seemed to swirl with a maelstrom of unfamiliarity, intensifying her inner struggle.
As she drew closer, her shoulders tensed, and a fleeting worry flickered in her eyes. Social interactions had always been a challenge for Maud, and this occasion was no exception. The fear of judgement and the uncertainty of being accepted gnawed at her, threatening to undermine her desire for connection.
Maud's lips pressed into a thin line, an unconscious defence against the mounting anxiety. Her mind raced, filled with self-doubt and a longing to retreat to the familiar solitude she often sought refuge in. But within the depths of her vulnerability, she knew she had a well worn protection. Her face smoothed into her familiar mask of impassive indifference. The shield that kept the world at bay.
With each step, Maud still wrestled with her anxiety. She reminded herself that shared joy and camaraderie awaited her, if only she could push past the barriers that held her back. She was determined to embrace the opportunity for connection and growth. Or at least her inner self was. As usual her body seemed to have other ideas.
As Maud finally neared the group, she could feel the rising panic to overwhelm her. Like she was swimming underwater too long and couldn't breathe. She knew that Pinkie would have described her as she saw her sister, and that her imagined Maud was what everypony was expecting. It wasn't the Maud they were going to get. They were going to get the Maud with selective mutism, who couldn't talk to individual ponies in social settings.
She just needed everypony to be distracted by something, anything that just wasn't her. Please, universe… a sudden rainstorm, a stampede of buffaloes, a rampaging dragon. Anything but please, please stop looking at me.
She stopped, a little distance from the group and looked down. Sweet Celestia, there was something. The smallest pebble, unremarkable except it was to be her saviour today. She focused her eyes down on it and felt every other pony's gaze tracking hers.
"Hm. Sedimentary," she said, after sniffing the pebble.
"Huh?" Said the cyan pegasus with the rainbow coloured main.
"This is a sedimentary rock." Ach, why couldn't I just make small talk? She'd never seen such an athletic looking pony as this Pegasus, surely she could say something about that… but no, the words wouldn't come.
"That's... really fascinating, isn't it, girls? We're just so thrilled you could come for a visit before your big trip. Pinkie Pie has told us so much about you. I'm Twilight, and this is Applejack, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity."
Maud just looked at her. And looked. Argh, five of them! My prospoagnosia will now proceed to make this impossibly awkward because I won't ever know who's who. I hope they never notice that I don't use their names.
Well, except this one. Wings and a horn; an alicorn princess, but short enough to look in the eye. This was… was…
Why can't I remember names?
Though social anxiety threatened to hinder her, Maud summoned all her courage. With a deep breath, she tried to steady herself, ready to face her fears and embrace the possibility of finding acceptance and understanding within this group.
They were all saying nice things to her, but all at once. All she could hear was overlapping noise that just made her want to throw her fore legs over her head. In a brief lull in the cacophony the white colour unicorn stepped forwards.
"Pinkie Pie tells me you share my love for fashion," she said in a beautifully cultured tone.
Compliment her, Maud though desperately, tell her how lovely her voice is or what a glamorous hairstyle.
"I'm really into expressing myself through my wardrobe," was all she could manage in a monotone. It was true enough; although she could never tell anypony how she was feeling, she could choose her outside appearance. This is why she went the whole way, styling her mane and tail, wearing a dress and putting on makeup.
"A-and what is the delightful frock you're wearing now saying?" Asked the white unicorn, obviously put off by this newcomer's deadpan delivery.
"It doesn't talk. It's a dress," said Maud. Why, why, why did you do that?
"Oh, yes, of course, I, I just meant, the frock is, just…" the unicorn sputtered to a halt.
I'm blowing this already, thought Maud, mere seconds and this is already ruined. Why can't the ground just swallow me up?
"Uh, so this here's Winona. That's Owlowiscious, Tank, Opal, and Angel. Pinkie Pie told us you have a pet, too," the orange pony was speaking.
No, no, no, screamed Maud silently, not more names!
"He's in my pocket," she said, flatly.
Now another pony was speaking, had she spoken before? It was so hard to keep up.
"Oh, you have a pocket pet? Like a tiny mouse? Or a baby bird? Or a trained butterfly?"
"It's a rock. His name is Boulder," Maud replied.
Nopony could possibly understand the importance of this small piece of stone. The one unchanging thing that went everywhere with her. The simple piece of common schist, for almost anypony else the single most worthless of stones, was her actual rock. Something that grounded her to reality whenever she touched it.
Pinkie unwittingly burst into Maud's train of thought, "This is going to be the best, most awesome, funnest week ever! I can't wait for us all to become bestest friends!"
Oh Pinkie, thought Maud, I want that to be true.
The ponies all gathered around the picnic blanket that had been spread out in the shade of a lone tree. Again Maud felt the weight of expectation bearing down on her. The food looked delicious, tempting even, but most of it was different. Different to what she was used to, and as a result almost appeared to radiate unspoken dread. She knew that this was just her feelings, and no matter how much her rational brain tried to override that other part it wasn't going to win. The effort of calming her internal turmoil was already exhausting her.
She'd managed a few bites from a daisy sandwich. The bread was unmistakably her Sister's, as in the years since Pinkie had apprenticed with the Cakes she had become a master baker. Unconsciously she pretended that Boulder was going to take a bite, she knew this was going to look silly for a fully grown mare but it was the smallest of tics that she could manage to get some tension out.
Then the pretty orange pony turned towards her. Maud knew there was no malice intended, but she ramped up the pressure nevertheless by offering something new.
"Maud?" She enquired innocently , "Would you like to try one of Granny Smith's famous apple spiced muffins?"
They looked lovely. So beautifully formed and evenly baked. However they sat there like mini blackholes, dragging Maud in with their silent mockery of her awkwardness. Then something caught her eye, sparkling in the basket. Could it be? Yes, a chunk of quartz. Something familiar. Of course it wasn't there to be eaten, this earth pony was an apple farmer. Maud was a rock-farmer's filly though. It'd give her teeth a hard time, but that pain would be easier than facing unfamiliar food.
As she picked it out of the basket the earth pony started to protest, "Oh, uh, heh, that's not– Um…"
"It's crunchy," deadpanned Maud, her expression emotionless as splinters of quartz filled her mouth.
Beside her Pinkie wolfed down another of the delicious looking muffins with obvious joy.
"Maud's right! They are crunchy! Yum!" She exclaimed in delight.
Please, please, pleaded Maud to the uncaring universe, some pony take the attention away from me.
The bright cyan pegasus turned her brilliant magenta eyes towards Maud and smiled.
"So, uh, Pinkie Pie tells us you like games," she said.
Maud took a deep, calming breath. She tried to centre herself and think of a way to get through this. An idea came to her, she knew they'd probably end up just thinking she was being unreasonable and odd but at least it would split them up for a little while.
"Boulder and I sometimes play a game called 'Camouflage'," she delivered in a monotone, "It's kind of like hide and seek but way more intense."
They all looked at her.
"Awesome?" Said the cyan pegasus, sounding unconvinced.
She could hear the tone of their voices. The growing disapproval of her actions. Not Pinkie, of course, her sister was still inexhaustibly rushing from rock to rock. Her younger sibling's bipolar was certainly, and happily, expressing itself as mania today. Although Pinkie still refused to take her medication, at least her condition was more or less under control.
Maud knew that Pinkie's friends had seen at least one episode of depression, and had helped her get through it. More than that, her periods of mania could be exhausting for everypony around her. They genuinely seemed willing to accommodate her unsustainable bursts of energy and excitement as she pinballed from idea to idea. That spoke very highly of them, and gave Maud hope that maybe they'd be accepting of her difficulties.
If only her sister hadn't spoken so highly of her. She loved Pinkie, but why couldn't her sister see Maud the way the rest of Equestria did? Maybe if these ponies had been given a realistic impression of what to expect, she wouldn't have needed to act so desperately to avert their attention from her.
Just as the awkwardness was coming to a crescendo and it looked like the cyan pegasus was going to storm off in disgust Maud spoke.
"Found him," her expressionless voice intoned.
All the other ponies turned to gape at her. It was Pinkie Pie who spoke first.
"Oh!" She gasped, eyes wide, "Where was he?"
"He was hiding in my pocket."
Maud cringed inwardly, as the cyan pegasus exploded in frustration. She could understand that what should've been a lovely picnic in the sunshine had become a fruitless afternoon of digging in the dirt for a random pebble. No, not a random pebble but her calming boulder. Couldn't they understand that there was no way that she might have risked losing him?
"I don't mean to interrupt, but we really should get these little critters home," said the yellow pegasus, "It's getting awfully late, and they've had a very busy day."
"Maud and I had better get going too," replied Pinkie, "I want her to taste the rock candy we're gonna use for our best friend's necklaces! Aw, yeah!"
Maud turned silently to follow her sister as she left. Although reading the expressions of other ponies was difficult, Maud could tell that this was another group that had decided she was a freak.
She'd made it through this day, though. It seemed highly doubtful that any of these ponies would want to spend any time with her. She hoped she could spend the next few days just relaxing with Pinkie.
"Where shall we start? I've chosen a few fabrics that I think will be stunning with y–"
As Rarity excitedly chattered about the latest fashion trends and designs, Maud Pie stood quietly, her expression inscrutable, as if enveloped in a world of her own. If Rarity had noticed that Maud seemed distant and aloof during their conversation, she had generously attributed it to a reserved nature. However, as she attempted discussing fabric textures and colour palettes she couldn't help but sense a disconnect with Maud, especially when she noticed her guest seeming to be examining a filthy scrap of cloth draped over the edge of a workbench.
Maud sensed Rarity faltering in her attempt to connect. Given that Pinkie's sister was one of the rare ponies that habitually wore clothes she had probably hoped Maud would share her enthusiasm for fashion, but it seemed like her efforts were falling flat. She took a deep breath, deciding to address the matter directly.
"Of course, if you don't see anything that speaks to you," Rarity continued, "I would be happy to suggest-"
Why can't I just share what I'm feeling, Maud pleaded silently, this white unicorn would obviously love to make something amazing for me.
She could feel the weight of expectations bearing down on her. The more she tried to engage the harder her alexithymia clamped down on her ability to show emotion and express how she was feeling. In desperation she picked up the cloth from the workbench.
Maud glanced at a scrap of fabric and nodded slowly. "I like this one," she replied in her typically calm tone, her face devoid of any noticeable emotion. Inside, many thoughts were racing each other around in her mind though.
"Pinkie Pie didn't tell us you were so funny!" Trilled the white unicorn.
"What do you mean?" Maud enquired, as if unaware of anything being odd.
Argh, a cleaning rag, she cursed inwardly, oh Maud, what are you doing? What is she going to think?
"Oh, well, it's just... I believe that is a dishtowel," Rarity gathered herself, and gave an uncertain smile, "B-b-but it does go very well with your complexion. I'm sure I could work my magic and turn it into something fabulous."
Oh where's my old friend geology when I need it, thought Maud, just one sinkhole to open up and swallow me, is that too much to ask for?
"Rarity and my sister," cried Pinkie, "working together to design something amazing! This is the best day ever!"
The white unicorn had gathered a number of the cleaning cloths together. Ironically enough, these rags were made from the leftover scraps of dressmaking. There probably weren't finer rags in all Equestria. In truth there probably was the making of something, if not a dress then a shawl or shemagh.
"Perhaps I could sew all of these together and make you something you'd like," she said hopefully.
Just let her do it, Maud scolded herself, let this kind unicorn make something nice for you.
"No thanks. One is enough." Argh!
"Doesn't Maud make the coolest scarves?" Pinkie was blissfully unaware of the acutely awkward atmosphere in the room.
"Quite," intoned the white unicorn, utterly unsure of what to make out of this encounter.
The sunlight filtered through the thick canopy of leaves, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor as Angel Bunny and Fluttershy strolled along, gazing happily about the wonders of nature. Pinkie's bubbly laughter echoed through the woods, and Fluttershy's soft voice harmonised with the gentle rustling of leaves and chirping of birds. But trailing a little behind them, Maud Pie walked with her usual calm and composed demeanour, her eyes occasionally darting around the surroundings, and her expression subtly revealing her inner struggle.
Pinkie Pie, seemingly oblivious to her sister's unease, continued to dive from bush to bush, occasionally looking back to ensure Maud was still with them.
Fluttershy, ever attuned to her friends' emotions, noticed Maud's discomfort and decided to slow her pace, allowing Maud to catch up. A brightly coloured hummingbird flew to the yellow pegasus and seemed to speak with her.
"Hello there, Hummingway," the pegasus said, "I'm ever so happy to see you."
The bird appeared to twitter in response.
"What's he saying?" Asked Pinkie, as she bounded over to join them.
"He says hello," replied the pegasus, "and he's happy to see us too."
"I wish I could speak hummingbird. Humm! Hum-m-m-m-m, hum!" Buzzed Pinkie.
Maud admired this yellow pegasus's gentle and empathetic nature, and witnessing this special talent only deepened her admiration. Underneath her calm exterior, a pang of jealousy tugged at her heart. Where the pegasus could talk to any creature, she longed for such a natural connection with just her fellow ponies.
She had always felt more comfortable among rocks, finding solace in their simplicity and reliability. Yet, deep down, she wished she could bridge the gap between her reserved nature and the effortless communication that this pegasus seemed to possess.
Maud shifted her gaze from Fluttershy to the ground. Fluttershy smiled warmly as her eyes followed Maud's gaze down onto the large stone that lay on the path and the large red-eyed spider that was crawling its way onto it.
"These spiders only live in Ponyville, and even though they may look a teeny bit scary, they're actually very sweet and help keep other, more dangerous insects away!"
As if to illustrate the point, the quite large spider produced a mini bouquet of flowers. There was no doubt that the influence of the yellow pegasus's cutie mark was affecting the creature's behaviour though, as Maud had never witnessed any spider acting like this before. Was this pony aware that it was her who was causing these animals to act in an unnatural manner?
Say something nice, thought Maud, ask more questions about the spiders.
"I was looking at the rock," was all Maud said.
Ugh!
The pegasus looked quite deflated. She spent the rest of the afternoon talking to Pinkie.
Within the cosy embrace of the Golden Oak Library, Maud Pie stood alongside the purple alicorn as her sister rode around the library on a wheeled ladder. The warm sun filtered through the library's windows and created a gentle glow on the warm, honey-hued walls and towering bookshelves. Maud's quiet and reserved nature seemed to contrast with the alicorn's friendly and curious aura, creating an intriguing visual tableau.
At least I will remember this one, thought Maud in relief, only one purple alicorn in Equestria.
Maud's slate-gray mane cascaded gently around her neutral expression, her eyes observing the world with an unyielding calmness beneath their shaded lids. Next to her, Twilight, with her flowing lavender mane and sparkling amethyst eyes, exuded an aura of magic and knowledge. The two together made an absolute juxtaposition of introvert and extrovert.
It was Pinkie who took the lead, again, "Maud is a total bookworm. She loves poetry!"
"I've got lots of poetry," enthused Twilight Sparkle, "Do you read anything by Quill and Ink? Or Flourish Prose?"
There was barely a breath before Maud spoke, "I prefer to read my own poetry."
Oh, that sounds so pretentious, agonised Maud, why can't I just admit that poetry books are hard to find on a rock farm.
Thankfully Twilight didn't appear to notice. She leaned forward, hoping to show encouragement towards this reserved visitor.
"Oh, I'd love to hear some of it!" She said, inviting her guest to continue.
Maud cleared her throat.
"Rock. You are a rock, Grey. You are grey. Like a rock. Which you are. Rock.
"I've written thousands," she concluded, as Pinkie gave an entirely unironic round of applause.
This was true. When Maud started composing poetry, or indeed getting involved in anything she was truly interested in, the rest of Equestria just faded out. She was well aware that monotropism was another consequence of her atypical mind. These countless lines of poetry were just another way in which she appeared to have weird obsessions and tunnel vision to ponies who didn't know her.
"She's so prolific!" Pinkie shouted as she careened by.
There was almost an audible clack as Twilight Sparkle realised her jaw had been hanging open, once Pinkie's outburst had broken the air of disbelief that Maud's poem had left in its wake.
"This next one is about rocks," Maud's monotone filled the silence in the library, "They're all about rocks.
"Rocks; these are my rocks. Sediments: make me sentimental. Smooth and round, asleep in the ground. Shades of brown and grey."
In the heart of Sweet Apple Acres, the aroma of freshly picked apples filled the farmhouse kitchen, where Applejack was hard at work preparing her famous apple cider. With practised precision, Applejack expertly tended to the mixture warming on the stove, her movements fluid and confident.
Maud's usually calm and composed demeanour seemed to waver slightly as she focused on the task at hoof. She was, however, struggling to keep her apraxia hidden as she attempted to prepare the fruit. She could feel her hooves resisting the commands of her mind, a telltale sign of her impairment. Desperately, she tried to conceal her difficulty, not wanting to reveal her challenges to the farmer pony.
Why does everything have to be so hard, thought Maud miserably, I can only just manage a geologist's chisel tip hammer.
"You 'bout done peelin' them apples for the cider, Maud?" The orange pony asked cheerfully, as Pinkie picked the last few fruit they needed
"I think this one is done," she intoned flatly, trying her best to hide the growing anxiety that was threatening to overwhelm her. Maybe Pinkie sensed a little of the stress her sister was feeling, as she manoeuvred to be in a more supportive position.
"Oh, uh, yep," said the orange pony awkwardly, looking at the smashed remains of the apple, "That's a very interestin' method you got there."
Maud Pie could feel the embarrassment building, her humiliation at the challenge that lurked beneath her unshakable composure. She always felt shame about her apraxia, which caused her fine motor control to falter. In those instances, as she watched her friends effortlessly perform tasks that required delicate precision, Maud couldn't help but feel hopelessly self-consciousness. The simple acts of manipulation and coordination sometimes felt frustratingly out of reach, casting a shadow over her confidence around others.
She longed to flawlessly execute tasks that others took for granted, wishing she could erase the persistent stumbles that caused her to be heavy-hooved. Maud's strength was unusual, even by earth-pony standards. She simply had no way to fine tune her movements to do something as trivial as peeling an apple.
"Should I peel another?" Her level tone gave nothing away of the burning humiliation she felt, looking at the clumsy destruction her hooves had unleashed on the fruit.
"No!" Exclaimed the orange pony, just a little too emphatically, "I mean, nah. I'm sure there's plenty apples in it already."
Pinkie leaned in excitedly from a perch above the stove, "Can we taste it now?"
"Sure, why not?" Said the farmer with a relieved chuckle.
Pinkie took her place beside Maud, as the orange earth pony poured out two mugs of cider. Maud's sister immediately grabbed the mug in her mouth and tipped the entire contents down her throat in one go.
"Wow! That's the best apple cider I've ever had!"
"What do you think, Maud?"
Ok, thought Maud, maybe my apraxia isn't the worst thing here. This pony wants me to consume something new again!
Once more the prospect of trying an unfamiliar food, makes her stomach clench in a knot of apprehension, anxiety swirling into a tempest that threatens to engulf her thoughts. The mere thought of deviating from her usual dietary choices sends nausea racing through her. Her mind spins, conjuring scenarios of distaste and discomfort, amplifying her inner turmoil.
With a resolute breath, Maud acknowledges the tumultuous battle within her. As she takes that tentative sip, the texture and taste of the unfamiliar beverage teasing her senses, a surge of vulnerability washes over her. For a fleeting moment, her anxiety reaches its crescendo, threatening to overwhelm her. She expertly masked her inner maelstrom of emotions, focussing on the one thing that was undeniable about the orange pony's cider.
"It tastes like apples."
Yeah, thought Maud, let's just pretend I hadn't stated the most obvious thing.
Once again it was her sweet, manic and utterly sugar-rushed sister who came to her rescue, "Told you she was super honest, just like you!"
The orange pony was clearly uncomfortable with the whole situation. The inscrutable nature of Pinkie's sister clearly left her at a loss over what to do. "We're practically twins, heh," she intoned nervously.
At a serene lakeside near Ponyville, Rainbow Dash and Maud Pie found themselves engaged in an unexpected stone-throwing competition whilst Pinkie bounced around nearby. The calm waters of the lake mirrored the clear blue sky above as the two stood side by side, ready to showcase their skills.
Rainbow Dash grinned mischievously, her competitive spirit ignited. With a flick of her wings she flew into the air. Spinning as fast as she could to put as much energy into the throw as possible, she sent her chosen stone soaring through the air. It made a loud splash as it hit the surface of the water. "Yeah! Let's see you beat that!" she boasted, clearly proud of her strong pegasus throw.
Maud, her expression as stoic as ever, nodded calmly to herself, unfazed by the blue pegasus's seemingly impressive display. There was no doubting that she was an amazingly strong and athletic pony amongst pegasi. She might even be a match for a few earth ponies in events that didn't rely on brute strength.
With a practised eye, she carefully selected a rock from the lakeside. A random chunk of hard, dense basalt that had been stranded in this serene location by ancient glaciation. It's shape and density made it a geological missile.
In contrast to her competitor's wing-assisted throw, Maud relied solely on her earth pony strength. Maud wasn't just any earth pony though; she was a rock-farmer's filly. Her strength, like that of her sisters', was far beyond what most ponies could imagine.
With a subtle flex of her powerful muscles, Maud sent the rock hurtling through the air and whistling by the blue pegasus's ear making her jump in surprise.
"Woah!" The blue pony yelled in surprise.
Finally, she thought, something that won't show up my impairments.
The stone arced gracefully, propelled by the sheer force of her strength. Rainbow's eyes widened in surprise as Maud's stone sailed effortlessly over the hillside, disappearing into the distance. Out of sight of the group of ponies, the hard rock smashed into a crumbling cliff face. The force of the impact set off a landslip that splashed into the river below.
The wave created by tonnes of rock splashing into the river built to a frightening wall of water as it squeezed through a cataract and then tore across the lake towards the ponies on the far side. Rainbow Dash was knocked out of the air by the wave, before the water receded back into the lake.
"That was amazing!" Squealed Pinkie, who was somehow balanced on a log that was floating on the water.
Rainbow couldn't help but feel awe at what she'd just witnessed. As a pegasus, she prided herself on her speed and agility, but Maud's earth pony strength was on a whole different level. Apart from being soaked from head to tail, you'd have no idea that Maud had lifted a hoof.
"Whoa," repeated the cyan pegasus, "How'd you do that?"
Because, thought Maud, I'm an Equus Sapiens Terra Petra. You're an Equus Sapiens Volans.
With a sidelong look through her wet fringe all Maud said was, "I threw it."
"I guess you won this one, Maud," said the pegasus with a good natured smile.
The grey earth pony looked down, uncomfortable under even this warm hearted attention. "I'm not really into... winning," she said.
The cyan pegasus's jaw dropped open in horror. As a highly competitive individual she was comfortable with the idea of being beaten by a better pony, but to have it so dismissively delivered as if it meant nothing at all. She could hardly believe that anypony would be so casual about such a comprehensive victory.
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.
