Greens:https://ponepaste.org/11227https://ponepaste.org/11309https://ponepaste.org/11463https://ponepaste.org/11575https://ponepaste.org/11999Herein are chronicled the tales of what happens when lil' faggot becomes big faggot. Marvel at her adult sexual confusion, depression and dealing with jobs and taxes!
>>43342211 Previous thread, oops
>>43339429https://ponepaste.org/11999"Ok- uh, I heard you mention Luna's Law? What's that?">The scribbling increases as the doctor mumbles a 'one second...'>>"Alright. Remember Nightmare Moon- Princess Celestia didn't help her before it was too late?""Yeah. That was the first question.">>"Mmhm. Well, there's a little more to it that wasn't relevant to your evaluation. Some ponies DID know and tried to do something- Luna's seneschal-">>She notices your face screwing up a bit. "Seneschal is, uh... hm. Actually, how DO I describe that? The pony who... hm, handles management of a noble estate? Typically involves screening mail for curses and contact poison, managing the servants, occasionally leading defense- it's a position of very high trust, often on a first name basis when not attending court.">Weird that you know shit like gambeson but not seneschal. Oh well, such is life?>>"Anyway- The Lunar Seneschal, the court physician and a few of Luna's lieutenants... plus I think her favorite cook? They all were getting, well, bad vibes from her. They went to Princess Celestia as soon as they were confident in their assumptions- and, mind you, court was much more complicated and protocol-driven than it is today. Took a lot more effort to speak directly to either of our rulers. And it had to be done in full view of the court- there were quite literally zero methods to requesting a private audience. Supposed to help keep the nobility honest, and it did, for a time- but here?">>She smiles at you. "Why don't you guess?""Um... I bet a lot of ponies were super peeved-">>"Language, young lady.""Sorry. Super annoyed that they might have to wait longer to do.. whatever.">>"Correct. Personally, I can't even blame them *that* much- my family histories say it was a real pain to set up. Filter out the casual idiots from the professional dummies or something.">>"So- long story short, they all conspired and kept conveniently coming up with critical issues to keep their spots in line. That alone was bad enough, but Luna herself started trying to reach out to Celestia and saw these efforts as proof her own sister didn't think she was important. Even vandalized Celestia's tangelo tree as a final cry for help-""Tangelo!?">>"No interrupting! But yes, tangelos. By the time Celestia truly knew how bad it was, Nightmare Moon was already marshalling her forces. Considering a large number of unicorn noble families are descended from the Princesses themselves, it was quite literally cousin killing cousin for nearly a decade after Nightmare Moon was sealed away. Terrible business, and it could have all been stopped if the physician had the right to step in and say 'no, my liege, you're going to attend this issue NOW.'""...And that's Luna's Law?">>"Indeed. Not only was it the first major progress towards our current mental healthcare apparatus, it was also the very first legal concept that firmly limited the power of the royal command structure."
You know the drill.Posting the family for good luck.
>>43342213>Previous thread>>43242840
>>43342657oopsie again
>>43342733It's okay OP, I've got you.Also saw pic in the /mlp/con thread. I think the artist is paintedcora, reminded me of the bunny suit anonmare WIP that was posted in the anoncolt thread ages ago.
>>43342337"Huh. Sad that it took losing her sister.">>"Quite. I'm sure Her Majesty remembers every night. Alright, it's been about 8 hours since the incident. I gave you some sedatives that have probably worn off by now-">>The pork nebula once more engulfs her quill and clipboard. "How are you feeling, physically speaking? What hurts?""Uh- my legs all really hurt, I think that's what woke me up?">>Scribbles and mumbles. "Anything in particular?""Asking if I can feel the fractured thigh? No, I don't think so. I'll tell you if it hurts more later.">>"I imagine it won't be necessary- tincture of sharkskin promotes bone and tooth healing. Already gave you a dose, but I have another in the icebox if needed. Alright, now you.">Hm>What to->Oh!"You said I looked Prench before- how so?">>She glances at you, incredulously, for a moment before, you assume, she remembers you're brain is swiss cheese>>>(Your*)>What->>"Right. You want the long or the short? Matters not to me- we've got time; unless some other filly busts her leg up, you're my only patient.""Both?">>Sigh. "Okay, I'm counting that as two. Short first: it's an ethnicity, anypony who knows what to look for can tell. Facial structure, the point of your ears, the slight windblown shagginess in your mane and tail. You just.. look Prench?">>She taps her quill dry. "Your legs are a bit longer than normal-" she touches the feather end to your left forehoof, curled over the covers. "-and your muzzle is likewise longer and thinner." And she waves it just shy of your nose without tickling you.>>"That much was obvious when I first saw you. Furthermore, after multiple visits to my infirmary- in less than a week- I can safely say you have the robust constitution associated with Prench blood.""Consti-whatnow?">>"You're fairly strong, heal quickly, and appear to have an astronomically high pain tolerance. For a unicorn, at least- a Prench earth pony would be a walking battering ram, I imagine.""...I'm strong?">>"And more coordinated than I'd have expected... or did you think it's normal to leap out of a tree, throw a peach mid-fall at a pegasus storm wrangler, HIT HER hard enough that she goes into a tailspin, land with all your weight on your right rear leg and somehow avoid shattering that leg?">Damn>Okay then>Wait-"...I didn't hurt the pegasus, did I?">>"She suffered a minor bruise and nothing more- she recovered after only about one bodylength of drop... She agreed not to give you extra chores if you asked about her, so I will inform her you're NOT 'a little psycho' after all.""Hey, you already said I wasn't in trouble!">>"And I was right." She flashes you the first of what would later be many, many shit-eating grins. "Alright, my turn...">She gets up off her rump and walks over to a filing cabinet (you can't read the label on it- wrong letters), pulling out a notebook and bringing it back over.
>>43342211Who's that fat little chud in anonmare's lap?
>>43342943Anonogee- Jargon Scott OC. She's Anon's daughter, made out of lesbian witchcraft with Apogee>>43342931>>"This, I'm sure you're wondering-" she turns the book over, letting you clearly see the cover has the same string of symbols. "-Actually. Wanna guess?""My file?">>"Yes!" She claps her hooves, putting a slight dent in the cover. "-oops. Oh well. This.. is NOT how to spell your name, actually. It says 'Everfree Filly.' I'll stick a new label on later. SO-">Just then an orange earth filly pokes her head in the door- Furtive doesn't notice, considering the door is behind her. There's a note or hall pass of some sort in her mouth->"Mmfmf-" ptoo "Doctor, Miss Solstice sent me on a dinner run- oh, hi!" She waves at you.>>"Yes, hello Tang. Coffee for me. Tomato soup for Anon-" Furtive turns back to you, "Sorry. Soft food right now, just in case.">"Uh- there isn't any-">>"Get it out of the cans in storage if you have to. Doctor's. Orders.">"-coffee. They made split pea and teriyaki soup, can she have that?">>Grumbling, muttering. "Yes that should be fine.">The filly salutes, picks up her hall pass and runs off while Furtive very chalantly watches her go.>After enough time that you assume the filly has gone through a set of doors, the Doctor excuses herself and sneaks off. "You'll understand when you're older.">>>Okay, either she's rubbing one in to filly ass or she's got a coffee stash somewhere.>Please for the love of Christ be the second one.>It's gotta be the second one, you're paranoid, right?>>>The filly comes back in about 10 minutes after she left, with a trolley of soup bowls harnessed to her.>Now that she's getting closer you can see she's fairly tall, but she's still got the big eyes and head. Probably a teenager- er, fuck, 40? 50?>You still don't know what age denotes adulthood here...>"Okay, got the soup- hey, where'd Doctor Furtive go?""Uh- dunno? She watched you leave then ran out the door?">"Weird. Uh- wow." She looks aghast at your no-doubt bruised upper- forward- whatever body. "Can you even eat without help? What are you even in for? Oh and-""I think so- it's only my back leg that's got bone damage. And I jumped out of a tree at, I think his name was Cornflake? And-">"OH! You're Anon! Cheerilee was talking about you. Kept saying you're some kind of super genius who was only taught to write in weird monk letters...">Great. Dunno how to feel about having a reputation."Uh, yeah, my parents were uh... I don't remember much, actually.">>>"You knew my name but, well, I mean- why wouldn't you have guessed...">Her head cocks right. "Huh? What? Oh- are you the only sick foal today? I didn't know!" She shrugs. "We're not allowed back here if we're not sick or running an errand, duh!""Yeah, okay. Uh, what time is it?">Tang's eyes dart up the wall behind your head. "Uh- I'd say time for you to move your rump but I guess you DO have an excuse... it's a little after 7."
Pre bed
>>43337430>no amount of milky teats or wet winking clits would get her going.Anonmare is a deeply closeted heterosexual.
>>43343690Once she gets the D she will finally see
>>43343690Omegalul
>>43343530sleepy mare in her race car bed :D
>>43342975>Sharper taps in the hall. Furtive's coffee scent enters the room before she does.>>She enters, sipping from a steaming cup in her magic, wincing or shuddering every time. "Ugh, I loathe instant...">"Then why drink it? We're not out of beans-">>Glass cracking behind the doctor's eye. "THEN- why did- you said-">"There wasn't a pot made up. Because... it's 7 at night?">>"....I fail to see how that is relevant... whatever. Off with you, now. I have potentially sensitive matters to discuss with my patient.">"But-">>"Now." she says through gritted teeth and narrow eyes.>Dinner is eaten. Split pea and teriyaki is... a combo. One of the combos of all time, to be sure.>Not terrible, just fucking weird. Who the hell is working in the kitchen!?>No matter. Bathroom is used, a mirror is offered and accepted->You look like shit and wish you hadn't accepted. You have a nasty black eye from where you got turned around and hit your peach basket, and your right side is basically a giant bruise.>>"It will heal, don't worry.">Easier said than done...>After a silent moment, likely eyeing you for any further requests, Furtive puts the bowls into the sink and grabs that notebook again.>>"Alright. It's... 7:30? Yes- we can keep going as long as you want.""As long as I want?">>"Sure. But it'll get complicated if we stay up past lights out.">>>>"Nothing? Fair enough. Alright, it was my question- and this one might be sensitive. You can say no, and I'll just skip, but hear me out.""I don't want to talk about the attack, I already told you what I remember!">>>Deep breath. "No, no, I'm not going to pick at that wound. But can we talk about your family? Anything at all from your life before the past few days?">>>"Alright, well, let's avoid the subject of your parents for now. How about your grandparents? Any aunts, uncles, cousins?""Mmm, no, nothing...">>Her eyebrow raises. "Really? Cheerilee said you remembered them... Well... I did say you could-">The scrutiny makes you sink into your pillow, twirling a strand of hair- wait thefuck are you doing!?"Nno. I guess I should talk.">>"Only if you really want to.">>>>"Anon, my job is to prod at you in the hopes that you open up. Not pry you open myself. It's okay to refuse a question for now.""...I think I wanna, but... I dunno what to say.">>More scribbles in the case file. "Alright- let's try this. So, I know from Cheerilee that you recalled going on a pilgrimage. Your family must have been pious to have bothered with such an expense...""Makes sense...">>"And contemplating a devotional painting sparked your memory of that time... Solstice would be happy to hear that- I won't break confidentiality, but Cheerilee may have told her.""Probably. She seems the type.">>"She very much is the type, for better and worse. So... Are there any other sites of worship you can recall? Any services, deities, anything?">Hoo boy>Do you?>Probably?
pre errand boop
>>43344689
>>43344560>Okay>Well>This is a new minefield.>You could rattle off some old cartoons, but which ones are real, which ones are fake, and which ones will get you burned for devil worship?>No, no, idiot, you're over-narrowing your view. She's just trying to jog your memory, she's not an inquisitor.>>"Hm. Perhaps that question was too open- just the pilgrimage, then. Anything you can remember- anything at all?">You don't have to lie, you know. You can just tell the truth, as long as you dumb down the language a bit.>...It might help you get over it. Why not?"Uh- Well... I was staying with grandma and grandpa. Mom and dad were fighting- I don't remember why, but.. I don't think mom and I got along. At all...">>>>"Nothing?""Um.. Yeah? No? I can kind of remember setting out- It happened years ago, I think. I might've been a baby.. or not a baby, whatever- a lot littler than I am now? Wanna say I was maybe....">Not entirely a lie. It was decades and a lifetime ago, already."...25?">You were ten, in reality. Which is 25 in pony years?>>"Okay. Let's try this- I want you to immerse yourself in this memory. Try and... become that specific moment. Your parents are fighting. Your grandparents are taking you on a trip while your parents sort their affairs...">Might as well.>...Yeah. Yeah you're->You're not sure if it's weird pony magic, or normal psychotherapy, or some trick of horse psychology (which would make it normal psychotherapy, right?)>But-"I think it's working. I kind of remember-">The doctor puts her coffee down, grabs her notes and quill->Yet again, your horse brain is fucking shit up. Whatever process transferred your mind/soul/memories didn't account for the new species.>Like the memories are YOURS and you KNOW this but you also KNOW grandma wasn't a green horse and->Shhhhhh, you've already been through this. Let it hit you, then find your voice so the doctor can help you."Okay, it's the start of summer vacation. Schools are closed so farmponies can have their unpaid interns back-">>Furtive barely stifles a chuckle"I've... I've been looking forward to this for weeks. I get up hours before my alarm, make sure my stuff is ready. And then-">You tense up. Because you distinctly remember the first thing that you did was catch some Scooby Doo>Oh, fuck it, if Shaggy is evil then this entire stupid world is fake."Uh... We had a, uh, little home movie thingy?">>The scratching quill stops as Furtive goes wide-eyed. "I'm... sorry. Your family must have been quite well-off. Nobility, even...">Ah fuck, no no no no don't do some fucking horse romanov shit!>But you're already on this path! See it through!
>>43345622"Yeah- we had um... it was a special movie, I can't remember much except it was about four ponies and their talking dog. They go around fighting evil, which usually turns out to be a miserable old coot who just wants to steal as much money and land as he can... Um. I don't remember the plot.... but I definitely remember that the trip was to the place where they made those movies? Yeah!">>Furtive's eyes get wider and wider"I don't get to watch all of it, because grandpa blows his silly horn and I grab my stuff and run out- he's standing in front of a huge...well, it was kind of a.. train car, with its own steam engine maybe? So nopony had to get out and pull.">>"Mmhm. I've heard of them- they don't usually catch on, get reinvented by somepony at least once a generation, then it never spreads. Trains and airships are easier for the common pony, much cheaper and you needn't become a mechanic and pilot just to get to the next town...">Pffft, eurofag>>"Ah, that's quite... an emotion? on your face. Are you remembering something else?""Uh... I just, thought you sounded silly for a bit.">>"Why so?""Well... if you're your own pilot, you don't depend on the train schedule.">Train schedule>Yep like the one that->[FILLY DEFENSE FORCE: MEMORY SUPPRESSION GO!]>Wow!>Thanks, denial!>That surely won't come back to bite you later!>...What won't?>Exactly!"Plus you can go places the train won't- like I bet you could get from Ponyville to Appleloosa really really fast, since it's all open desert right?">>"...I suppose, it would have its use cases. I still doubt the machine will ever be more than a rare convenience for eccentrics, though. Oh, and... Hm.""What?">>"Appleloosa is a frontier outpost. Barely more than a trading post, and last I heard no train yard would certify their current locomotives to get up that mountain... they all say you'd need to get out and pull half the way...""...So?">>Her head cocks right, her eyes narrow but not harshly so. "Just an odd thing for a girl your age to know about. Not judging you- we all have our odd interests, but... no. We agreed to no interruptions. Which we've already broken many, many times, so let's change that to no intentionally changing the subject?""Sure. I guess?">>"Good. Then, back to your... summer church trip? I suppose?""Right... Uh... I got in the wagon, it was huge, had beds and a little stove, we coulda stayed in it the whole way... Grandma was in the... crossbow seat? Uh.">>"...Are you asking if that- yes, that's a thing. Professional wagon teams have one to four drivers on the harness, one captain sitting on the dash to give orders, and a lookout, typically armed, to their right.""uhhh then yeah, grandma was in the crossbow seat, wearing a goofy sweater with a yellow bird on it. Y'know, despite having fur. And it being summer. She just always wore one. The wisecrack rabbit and yellow bird ones were her favorites, but she had a ton. Wore a different one every day."
>>43345661>You go back and forth like this for a while, teasing out whatever details of that summer you can>How you bought a bunch of... liturgical art pieces (when you were an adult, that one time you went to comicon, but she don't gotta know that!)>Grandpa teaching you to shoot... even letting you drive on a private road for a bit>Heh>Good times>Like, really, just knowing you can remember the good shit too, takes some of the lead out of your heart. Or something.>Still...>It's... harder than you think, talking like this>Not keeping it straight!>You'd think it'd be hard to keep it straight, but your pony brain just naturally fills things in as pony-sized and shaped.>It takes little effort to keep these alterations all in order->No, what's hard is... just navigating this minefield of distressing thoughts and toxic nostalgia and being worried you'll blurt out some witch hunt shit>It's fine, just remain insistent you can't remember names->Which is half true. The names of.. well, possibly GODS, remain ironclad, but that's part of what's making it so hard>You truthfully cannot remember names or faces of any living human, even yourself.>...Yeah. Yeah that's you realizing you literally said your name was Anon. Took you days for that to hit you."....I'm not even sure if Anon is actually my name. I.. dunno why I- I just had to-">>"That's alright. Do you hate it?""...No. It sounds fine, but I hate that I can't remember my real name... and I hate that it took me this long to even realize.">>"If you don't hate it, then it's as real a name as any... Plenty of ponies just change their name, you know. Names don't even matter- your cutie mark is what gets linked to official documents.">Oh>You don't-"...Does that mean I legally don't exist?">>"Absolutely not. The very hour we... well, no, that's not entirely true.">Your breath catches and Furtive panics for a moment.>>"Oh, no no- I meant the 'hour' part! I was starting to say 'the very hour we brought you in,' but.. no. Because, well, we weren't sure if you'd make it and we didn't...""It's ok. I know, I almost died, and who wants to get their hopes up by making it official...">>Furtive peers into your eyes, real concern on her brow. "Anon, getting our hopes up had nothing to do with it. Every adult in this orphanage was either fast asleep or running ragged to keep you alive. Even if you'd succumbed to your injuries, we'd have still had to register your presence, however brief it was.">>>Huh>That... almost..."Even if I was dropped dead on the doorstep?">>"Especially then- if we don't, then who would?">...>You kind of forgot this orphanage is a temple dedicated to a god of forgotten foals, didn't you?>Like get past the silliness of... that revelation, that painting...>You're surrounded by nuns who've made it their sacred mission to be the one who cares for lost little shits like you.>Before you can suppress it, you're already breaking out into a smile
>>43345681"So... what am I listed as?">>>"Doctor?">>"I'm sorry- it's.. it's my turn to have a distressing memory. You... you were much worse than we had let on, when you first awoke.">Furtive turns away from you, staring out the window at the moon- or perhaps at the silhouette of Luna on it->>"You know.. I always try to keep my relation with the gods cordial, professional.. but even I was praying. After I'd done all I could, that first night, I went to that same painting and...">Deep breath.>>She turns back to you. "Look, I'm.. not a surgeon, and with that storm, a surgeon was days away at least... And you were in a bad way.""I slept through two days, right? How bad...?">Furtive starts pacing the room, always looking at you->>"Even Solstice was.... No, I shouldn't say it like that. I had done everything I could- brought your fever down, bandaged your neck, checked you for fractures... Nothing had any immediate effect and soon enough, I ran out of things to try and...">She stops, sucks in a lungful through her teeth>>"Well, you weren't getting any worse in the moment... I went to that painting, behind Solstice's favorite clump of pillows... And I prayed.. And, I will tell you that prayer, if you want.">...>Her eyes are moist, her lower lids puffed up. Perhaps pleading?"...Do you want to share it? That's ok if you do. I guess?">>"..Thank you. There was the usual rites- I asked Blossom to know your name, Buttercup to find justice, Bubbles to comfort you... but before all that, I asked their mother... that my skills would be enough, and her daughters wouldn't need to see you so soon. That.. what we had written of you would be attached to lost and found notices, adoption papers, a nice big frontpage spread with you and your parents reunited... anything but a death certificate.">...>>"...I think it didn't make a difference. You woulda saved me either way.">Wow, you fucking piece of->>"I'm inclined to agree- I'm no atheist, but I do think the gods don't involve themselves nearly as much as ponies want to think. But, I've found that knowing they *might* step in, that your patron wants the things you want.. it steadies the horn and steels the heart... And look at me, I broke my own rule first. I suppose that's all you could remember of..""Yeah. Pretty much.">>"Then it's your turn.""Nah- sharing a prayer is a big deal, even I know that-">>"And I all but asked you permission to do so- I feared it'd make you uncomfortable, so-""Alright- fine- hm...">There is a question on your tongue, it's a long shot but-"...Do you have any idea where my grandpa took me?">>"Absolutely.""Oh, neverwaitwhat-">>"Well, I'm not certain, but it sounds like the city of Sand Hidalgo. A very special place, pilgrimage site for basically every faith that isn't explicitly outlawed in Equestria.""It'd be cool to visit- maybe it'd help me find more of myself.."
Anonmare under my stare. I really do like faces on the sun and moon.
>>43345732>>She shoots you that understanding, slightly condescendingly sad look again. "And there your memory fails you again, my dear. Sand Hidalgo exists in the Many-Pillared Dunes. The Everfree Desert, if you will... and the pilgrimage to it is a test of faith. You don't simply *go* there to relive a memory- it's not permitted.""By who?">>"By the wildlands, for sure. By the gods as well, perhaps. Creatures of many faiths and nations set out for it, most get turned around and end up near where they entered the desert. Perhaps your grandparents keeping you away from a messy divorce turned Utopia's eye- perhaps it's all just blind luck. Nopony really knows.">>>>"Alright- it's- wow, it's after 11 already? I might be able to overrule Solstice, but that authority will be fast undermined if I get caught keeping you up too late. I'll leave this bell here- if it hurts too much, or you can't sleep, or you need the bedpan, ring it. I'll be awake for a few more hours, but there's always a nurse on duty anyways.""Ok. Good night- uh, one more question?">>Sigh. "Yes?""I had a lot of my souvenirs in our wagon... Would anypony be able to track it down?">>"Oh, dear, almost certainly not.""Right. No trace of the wagon- but what about the souvenirs? I had art books, some trinkets, I think even some candy-">>"Anyone smart enough to not use the books as kindling will know they can't sell them openly- I'm sorry Anon, but the chance of finding any of your belongings is near zero, especially if we haven't even found wheel ruts or signs of battle. And yes, yes we HAVE been combing the forest.""Ok. Thank you. Good night?">>"Good night, sleep well...">And she's out, lights off.>Maybe it's better this way- would seeing this stuff help you, or just reopen that->FILLY SUPPRESSION IS ACTIVE!>Suppressing what? Shut the fuck up, bub, that's what!>You dream again>Again, you are a featherless biped of indeterminate age and sex>Again, a green filly is with you>Some cruel thing whips her, leaves her shaking>She trusts you>Looks to you for guidance>Wants you to hold her, accept her>Well->Smack her in the ass, spur her on, let's go fight that asshole!>Your bravado is infectious, she charges in as eager as she is blind>Working together, you climb over the barbed wire with no issue->The target is in sight! CHARGE!>>Oh>She broke her leg in a pothole>Well why did she let you make her do that?>**Be Anonmare**"...alright, Twi.">"Hm? What?""...not gonna get all in a tizzy or a huff or.. y'know, I just- lost city!?">"Oh.. Yes, I know. I've seen the books in your wagon, remember?""...oh yeah. Right. Been pretty forgetful lately, heh.">Yeah. Brain fog from the boiling sack of hormones inside your already boiling hormone factory. Speaking of->You plant your hooves strategically, keeping your stomach hidden as your daughter starts another round of kicking>It's working- Twilight shrugged!
>>43345738Looks almost religious somehow. Like this could be the base for Anon's Canterlot stained glass window.
>>43345738very nice! you draw very good ponies and sun/moon iconography.
>>43345787>**Wake up in the morning feeling like A. Filly**>A. Filly meaning like shit>On top of injuries you also slept like shit, and whatever meds they might've slipped in your soup wore off in the night>Still>Could be worse>Overall, with a baseline 5/10 assigned to being an early onset arthritic ape?>This is maybe a 4. 3.5 if you lean to the right too hard.>...Yep>That leg's still bad. And you gotta...>Which means...>D'oh>It's one thing to ask the doc to stop for a sec so you can take a piss, it's another entirely to call a piss attendant in from out of the room>But you manage.>Eventually.>A young earth mare in a black robe, with a cross on the white part of her.. veil thingy.. comes in>She runs the usual gamut of platitudes and questions while you.. go.. and then runs off to grab the doc>Doc comes in, reeking of fresh coffee. Checks your vitals, does some magicky shit to your thigh that feels cold.>...Sticks you with a syringe that makes ouchy go bye bye>>"Alright, if that's all-" She turns to leave>Wait>What?"Aren't you gonna stay?">>"And do what? There's nothing more I can do for you right n- oh. You mean the questions...""...yes?">>She awkwardly averts her gaze, a slight scrunch forming. "I really shouldn't push you too far, too often. You are clearly suffering from PTSD.">..Makes sense>So>Why->The embarrassment. Her scrunch says 'i got an earful from somepony.'"...You mean you talked about me and somepony said you shouldn't have done that yet?">>She blows out through her teeth. "Yep. Solstice may not be able to pull rank on me, but she can click her tongue like a demon.">Furtive's cheeks turn a bit red, talking about Solstice's-"...Are you two dating?">>Glass cracks. Her eye turns to you. "Yesn't.""That's not a word!">>"Anything is a word if two or more ponies agree to assign a certain meaning to a sound.">Fuck>That gives you pause enough for her to continue out the door unaccosted.>>She turns around, pokes her head back in. "Don't worry- I don't intend to waste this rest period. I'll be looking into your family history- motor-wagons and rare pilgrimages means I have something to go on. In the meantime-">A burgundy and pink ball of smiles careens through the hallways, nearly knocking the doc over with the trolley of books and pencils towed behind it.>"Time to learn letters! andhelpmewiththisstupidmathhomework-">>"You two are acquainted by now, so I'll leave you to it. Don't forget the bell-">>"Hey wait, when do I eat?">"Uh- don't be mad.">>"...You gave our food to the walls, didn't you?">"No! Yes...""Kind of impressive how clean the school supplies are, then.">"Thanks!""No- ugh, whatever."
>>43345738Gorgeous work, this could've been in a fairy tale book.
pre bed
>>43346618Oh Big Macintosh... haha!
>>43348818Oh big mac, indeed
fuckin goddamn pre thunder storm right when I was about to start writing boop
>>43349614Stay safe anon.
>>43347237 (You)>>Furtive walks in, dripping with oatmeal. "A large portion of your meal was also donated to myself... at very high velocity," she says through her teeth.>"Hehe- er- uh-">>"Laundry. Now.">And with that, Cheerilee is dragged out by the ear>Shit.>Now what?>>>>Starting to miss being half dead>At least then you could sleep half the day>Now all that's majorly wrong is a bone fracture. Wide awake, and to top it off it's not bad enough for the knock-you-out-flat kinds of painkillers.>Fuck.>>>You've never dealt with total boredom well, and it seems it's even worse now that you're a kid again>'Course, ADHD and undiagnosed autism can be the path to esoteric knowledge about trains and shit>It's why you ended up with such eclectic skills>Firearms operation and repair. Little bit of metalworking and carpentry. Vehicle rep->[SUPPRESSING FIRE! KEEP THAT THOUGHT PINNED!]>>>About maybe an hour (feels like an hour (could be 5 minutes for all you know)) after she left, Cheerilee slinks back in>"Hehe, I called in a favor, got Tang to deal with Doc's laundry.""Oh. She didn't mind?">"The doctor? Nah- you know her by now, right? Long as it gets done. Plus it cost me a favor from a friend, not like I whined until someone else did it outta pity.""Makes sense, I guess.">"Okay. I got math I need help with..." She pulls out a notebook with... long division. Right, she's like 30 but also 10. Okay."Yeah, division's easy, but I need-">"Yeah, your letters, I know, I planned on having my math done by now but...""But you need to learn how to pull a cart.">>>Scrunch.jpg"What?">"Just because it's true doesn't mean you gotta say it like that!">Math goes quick. As befits a future teacher, Cheerilee is a fast learner.>Likewise, now that you have the time and attention span to sit down and fucking do it, you manage to make real progress. Probably helps that you're only learning a new alphabet, and in some ways it's simpler than English's use of Latin characters.>By the end of the day, you're able to read See Spot Run without help! Progress!"Fly, Spot, fly...">"Good! You only glanced at the cheat sheet twice that time! You learn super fast! That's.. uh... all I really had for today. I expected this to go slower..." she droops a bit"Probably helps that I'm so bored in here. You got homework for me, teach?">"Uh... hadn't thought that far ahead? I dunno... sorry... Actually! Yeah! Write your name a bunch! All the funny spellings too, if you can! Mine too if you get bored! In fact, as many as you can think of!">..."Aight. Sounds good...">She's still here>"Sooo... kiiinda had a history lesson also planned...""...Okay?"
>>43350033[fuck I deleted and edited the post a couple times and forgot to excise the extra (you)]>>43350021>"Okay, these are all the symbols in Simplified Ponish. It's derived from THESE simple shapes Earth Ponies could dig out in a couple hoof-strikes...">She pulls out a thicker, older book. Your comprehension still isn't perfect but you're fairly certain the cover says something to the tune of 'history of alphanumerics.'>Except it's more like 'history of alfanumericals' because no nasty French fucking up all the spelling rules.>The stuff she opened to... reminds you of viking runes or some such... >She kind of drones on, pointing at the different stages of alphabetical drift..>"Y'know, language hasn't changed all THAT much in the past couple thousand years. But WRITING has- isn't that weird?""...Actually yeah, that seems weird.">"Yeah! Proooobably helps that we have an immortal princess who's been around longer than anypony can remember.""Oh... right. Not that weird, then.">"But why hasn't writing NOT changed?""Uh... Well, for starters, you have three kinds of pony who all have different levels of dexterity for working with tools. Unicorns kept using that ancient squiggly script for a long time because they could, I think. Not much to it?">"Well... okay. But what about all these glyphs?" The book now lays open to a pile of hieroglyphs like in Twilight's book."...I dunno?">"You don't?""I'm smart- that doesn't mean I can just grab info outta nowhere!">"I didn't mean that! They said you know ancient- right. It's the curvy pointy letters, not the glyphs. Sorry.""Eh.">>>Lesson done.>Homework assigned.>Homework in progress- for once, you're happy about having extra schoolwork since it's literally anything other than staring at the ceiling.>Hm.>You'd spelled your name often enough that you can do it without thinking. And Cheerilee- but Cheerilee turns out to be slightly more complicated due to ponies having a dedicated symbol for the long EE sound- but whatever, you'll get through it.>Just think of it like Y or somesuch>There!>Yeah! It's not so different from what you're used to. It's like English if phonics actually worked and English wasn't like 40 different dialects in a trenchcoat all with different spelling rules!>Fuck it>Start trying to spell other shit! Keep going til you run outta paper! And, for the hell of it, do each one in English as well!>No, that's not clinging to a dead identity- knowing how to write in English makes you smart here!>>>You're in the middle of writing 'Blossom'->Er>The pony version would read something like "Blawssum." Again, phonics actually applies and it's spelled like it sounds...>Weird. Isn't this how it worked for like.. medieval humans? The ones who could read, of course. The ones who could not write typically did not spell anything.>Not that it matters anymore.>Your best bet for getting home is still like... 50 years away?>But why? Why do you want that?
>>43350068>You'd have nothing. Less than you have here.>You'd still have to basically rebuild a shattered life from ground zero.>...except here you have the benefit of youth and a couple friends and some contacts in an actually honorable government system.>And you're not legally dead here.>You've been getting by, in this body, remarkably well. Why are you struggling against it so much?>Maybe you just don't like how fast you adjusted? Maybe being a kid again is more of a blessing than you realized. Gives you time to get used to how your muscles move, how your plumbing's different, how... everything.>If you'd become an adult you'd be dealing with a sex drive and expectations and folks trying to date you- you're the fairer sex now, does that mean they ask YOU out?>You never minded the idea of a girl asking you out, but that's different!>>>>Hey, you ARE the fairer sex now. That's gotta give you an edge if you need to go beg for a couch to crash on, right? Since you're comparing how screwed you are in either world and all?>Just make sure it's a female host so you don't have a guy thinking you wanna be screwed in a different->Nopenopenope suppress that! We're not dealing with that at ALL yet!>Dear fucking God you'd better not be having early puberty in this body you were JUST GETTING USED TO->>>>>...You can't shake the gnawing feeling that something very important, even core to your identity, was left beh->SUPPRESSIONSUPPRESSIONSUPPRESSION>THISISYOURSELFPRESERVATIONINSTINCTOVERRIDINGPOTENTIALSUICIDE>Ha ha ha>Anyway!>You were in the middle of spelling 'Blossom' when the food cart was rolled in.>Escorted by Furtive's watchful gaze, of course.>You and Cheerilee apparently forgot lunch, so they're insisting on a huge dinner for you>Yay>>The doctor checks your work while you inhale your baggis. "Mmhm, mmhm, marvelous progress. More than I expected in a single afternoon, really.">Baggis gone. Face cleaned. Unmentionables dealt with->Gah, fuck, no, you had to take a crap. Nothing unmentionable about it! Nope nope nope you're not a squeamish little->>"Alright, I'm going to hide all your full sheets. Write a full sentence, please.">You pause for a second, trying to think of what to write>Shrug>The pencil scratches across the paper. You write out, shakily, with maybe C-worthy spelling, 'Thank you everypony for all the help'>You little shid>Bedtime!>Sweet, dreamless sleep>Out like a light and then it's morning
>>43350114>Doctor Furtive and Solstice are there when you wake up.>The fur around Solstice's eyes seems damp and crusty, and she's slouching. Little out of it, too.>"Good morning, Anon.""Morning, Sister... are you okay?">"Oh, don't moind me. Just had tae... well..">>"Sister." Furtive says with an accusatory glance, and even more accusatory voice->"Ach. Roight. Roight, gotta treat 'er loike-" sigh "-it's just, oi fired Cornflake this morning. Oi know it's fer th'best, but still, never feels roight. Th'peaches will never be as good, now... Oop, sorry love, oi-">The doctor cuts her off with... kind of a neck nuzzle?>>"Winter, you did the right thing. He'll find plenty of work in Ponyville- any farm with a shortage of workers likely has a shortage of foals for him to deal with, after all. Now- let's juuuuust-">She trails off, straining slightly as she starts performing checks. More Spell of Cold Leg Bone, more prodding and squishing. No reaction from you.>>"Alright- I think you've healed the worst of it.""That fast!?">>"Well- yes?" She seems taken aback."Oh right, I've got superpowers!">>"Ha. Sure. Technically, I suppose- but still, it was only some bruising and a bone fracture. A couple days to being able to walk isn't *that* absurd, filly. The average Earth pony would still have you beat by a few hours, I bet.""Oh..">>"Speaking of walking, hold still so I can...">You're lifted gently out of bed. The doctor holds your legs straight and bends you forward, making sure your forelegs hit the ground first. Gives you a little bit of vertigo, but no biggie.>>"Does it hurt just standing up?""Mmmm, no.">>"Alright. Try a slow walk. One hoof at a time, no more.">You do so. A little twinge in your thigh, but not enough to make you wince even for a moment.>>Still, something catches Furtive's eagle eyes. "I saw your leg tense. Any pain? What scale?""Ummmmm... Uh...">"Anon- ye don't have-" Solstice withers a bit at Furtive's glare, halfway through her interruption, "-tae act tough. Nopony'll judge ye.">>Doc sighs, relaxes a bit. "Yes, she's right.""I KNOW THAT! Oop- sorry- I know that, I just.. I'm bad at this! I guess it's a 1 out of 10?">Furtive grabs your chart off the end of the bed, scribbles some more.>Then some kind of wood and leather brace is floated over to you.>>"Alright- my scans showed the fracture healing better than the normal rate- to be expected- but... just in case.">Right. She means to put that thing on you.>>You're still very bad at hiding your emotions, it seems: "Now, Anon, it's not a cast or a torture device. It helps your leg support itself- just for today.">You curl inwards like an angry cat, swishing your tail, and wincing a bit from the change in weight distribution>>"Uh huh. Well. Since you need no help, you clearly don't need any painkillers either.""Wha-"
>>43346618*cue theme song
oh god why am I up boop
>>43345787Almost expected spaghetti dreams again. Subtle dream crossover would've been interesting.
>>43351168>dream crossoverFun idea for the anonmares to meet, I can think of dream scenes but I don't think I could write Anonymares very well. Maybe as an easteregg at some point.
>>43351475>>43351168Alright I'll give it a shot. It's not canon to Anonymares.. well she could have the dream but the bit at the end...>"Wow, you're kinda like me but... well...""What?">"Uh-""Hmmm- is it that I'm a unicorn? Or am I a slightly darker shade of green? Or maybe I'm a little taller than you?">"No- well, yeah, but-""Fucking say it, faggot- I'm pregnant!">"Yeah... So, uh, since you've got that figured out... I could use some advice.""Keep rounds in the mag of any home defense gun, that way all ya gotta do is rack the slide. Kinda useless if you gotta fully load it every time, especially if it's a tube mag shotgun.">"What? No! About romance! I got a fiancé, but I can't get over myself- keep getting stuck in what-ifs and- and- just being, y'know, it all feels so unreal-""Why da fuck would I know anything about that?">"Um...""Yeah?">"Well, you know-""What? Oh- yeah no I'm married to a chick, I got knocked up because we went to an orgy for our honeymoon.">>"...An orgy where you had a male partner, apparently. So- what's the trick? How the hell do you get in the mood for... oh, forget it.">>"Okay, we also fought a cult together, that was a pretty big turn-on. Try that.">>>MEANWHILE>Luna closed her eyes, banishing the dream realm from her sight.>She turned her head in the waking world to her left, where Celestia stood bag-eyed and stinking of cheap coffee.>>"Well?" the herald of the sun asked."Nothing. We keep pulling them in here but not one of them has any leads on who is best pony.">>"Dammit! Guess I gotta grab ANOTHER one! Do you have any idea how hard it was to make sure that train and that coca fiend were there at the appointed hour?"
>>43351879>Anonymous, I require assistance in the area of arousal>Have you tried violence?You have to be very careful when getting into a fight with an anonmare, some are more lethal than others.
>>43352280Some are even Lethal Weapon 2
>nein
Beep
Inspirational image I found in the anonfilly thread.
Swordmare on the create canvas.
>>43350197>"Doctor-">>"Now now, Solstice, I've already spoken at length on this: we *must* treat young miss Anon more like an adult. Condescension greatly exacerbates her mental instability.">Funny. She says it dripping with condescension and sarcasm.>Gah, fuck, that leg is actually pretty sore->"Doctor, she's disfavoring that leg-">>"Solstice, if she needs painkillers she can ask... and accept that she needs the brace.">>>>A short stare-down. Furtive rolls her eyes as she turns to leave-"Wait! Yeah... I think I do need medicine." You scrunch your whole body into yourself, unconsciously hiding your backside with your tail too.>>"Well. Alright then.">Solstice cranes her neck to watch you over the doctor's finagling- straps, buckles, needles all fly around you.>"Ach, Anon, if ye needed medicine why didnae ye ask!? Is something wrong?">>>Much as you want to be pissed, the horse morphine is hitting you from all sides. Really hard to be petty right now."...I dunno. Guess I just got self-conscious or something?">"Fer Celestia's sake lass, you're worse than a colt tryna woo a city girl!">Ha ha, yeah>Sure>Something tightens around your bad leg.>>"Alright, the brace is on. It stays on until you can go a day without medication.""Okay... but you said my leg was basically healed.">>"Basically being the operative word. While the main fracture has healed, you'll likely experience residual sensitivity- and possible brittleness- for a few days. And I'm not taking a chance on you hurting that leg and being too hopped up to feel it." >Urgh>Feels weird.>It's not a full cast or metal exoskeletal thingy, just a tight cushioned sock-like thing.>You're kinda standing here, shaking your back leg like a cat with a sock.>>"The brace will cushion your leg against both the shock of walking and anything hitting your thigh. Try and keep it clean, they're a pain to wash properly. Do not get it wet- you'll need to sponge bath or settle for a face wash. And- well, this isn't relevant for you yet...">Wha->Dammit, you hate having incomplete information! It's worse than none!>Hmmm"Why can't you just tell me? Huh? That's not very.. not condescending of you.">>Sigh. "Because it would be inappropriate and irrelevant, considering your age and development.">A voice in the back of your head tries to warn you of another bad thought landmine, but sadly gets ignored"Miss Solstice-" time to practice your doe-eyed needy little girl face!>"Oh, alroight- if ye'd been a young mare we'd be telling ye not to have sex. Especially if yer gettin' mounted. Happy?">Oh>Mounted>Right. Ha.>Because you now inhabit a body containing a certain part->A part that most males want to get inside->Your cheeks are burning and your tail is tucked in and up against your cooch, tits and stomach.>>"Told you it wasn't necessary. Come on, now- you'll understand when you're older. Til then, time to introduce you to the general population...">Yes, please, anything!
>>43354135>>"As a final warning, the pain medicine can slow your bowels. Please, for everypony's sake, do not hesitate to get help if you feel constipated... or the opposite. Alright? A few doses aren't going to cause much of an issue, but if we're extending it for a few days...">>>Ugh. Out of nowhere, the emptiness of your stomach manifests.>Fuckin' hell, you're hungry enough that it hurts!>Being beat to fuck and back is hard work!>>"Anon. Look at me, and promise.""Huh? Oh- yes, doctor, I won't try to hide anything wrong with my tummy-">Fuck!>Belly! Stomach! Thirdjokestolenfromthesimpsons!>>"Alright. I will be quite cross if you do. Sister- remember what I told you, as I leave her in your hooves for now. I'll be here, or in my library, if I'm needed.">"Of course, doctor-" they walk up and nuzzle. Like real hardcore cheek rubbing action that makes your lil girl brain all gooey->Nah, fuck that! Dudes can like hugs too, this doesn't HAVE to have anything to do with having a new goddamn brain!>In fact, maybe being starved for hugs is the whole reason you're->Maybe this'll be->Maybe you're dangerously close to a revelation! ha ha ha let's just pop that back in.>Seriously though, are they fucking or not? They got some kinda situationship, for sure, but->Solstice pulls away, rubbing noses with the doctor. Something instinctual tells you 'that's some TV-y7 sloppy makeout substitute.'>They're probably in an are-having-sex period of their relationship. Not that it matters, you little weirdo->"Alright, sorry about tha' lil PDA, Anon. Let's go get-">The pit in your stomach gets heavier and heavier, growling audibly."Breakfast?">She nods ecstatically, and you find yourself following her out the door with her tail in your mouth.>What? You've got a bit of a bad leg, you COULD find your way around if you had to! You can even read and only have to check your cheat sheet a couple times!>Admittedly, it does feel kind of right to just... be following a larger pony.>And right now? You'll take whatever happy chemicals your brain will dispense.>Food would be good too.>A few minutes later, you're walking out of that same bathroom on your way to breakfast>Solstice kept watch- "Oi know yer not a grimy lil babe, Anonymares, but just the same-">To say it was mortifying would be an understatement on par with saying Trixie has 'a nice ass.'>...>Say, there's a high point: Trixie!>She's probably the same age as you, in school or something->Maybe you could meet her. Maybe she goes both ways.>Maybe...>Wow. You're the worst anon ever. You've been in this world for days and you only JUST remembered your waifu exists??>Well, it's been a rough few days.>But you have a reason to persist, at least.>...Not that you should even need one. What's the alternative? Kill yourself and wake up in Detroit? Find Twilight and... wake up in Detroit?>Feh>One thing at a ti-"Oof!">So lost in thought were you, you failed to notice Solstice stopping in line.
>>43353913Ew, get Trixie out of there.
>>43354171>You ram right into her rear end, causing her to stumble forward a half-step and widen her stance>Her habit means there's no chance of direct... parts contact, but->"Ooh, Anon, are ye alroight?">Shake the stars out of your eyes, spit her tail out, look up to see nothing but soft, motherly concern looking back over her body at you>Oh thank God, she doesn't care that your nose was like 2 hairs away from her snatch>Well, more like your forehead, which->Oh. Oh that woulda been either very *bad* or at least very hard to get past"Yes ma'am, sorry ma'am.">Solstice cocks her head a little, smiling with her whole face. "Oh, there's no need to apologize sweetheart. It happens t'the best of us, even when ye aren't nursin' a bad leg.""I didn't poke anything, did I?">"Ach, yes ye did, it happens! Yer horn's round at th' top, silly!""But-">She cuts you off by pulling you into nuzzly-hug>Nnng->Warmth, tightness, breath lightly tickling your back while she sorta sniffs, sorta nibble-scratches your back>Just...>Just close your eyes. Enjoy the moment. Bury your face in her chest. She smells like a good, old book.>"Mmm. Better, love?""Mmhm.">"Alroight then. Come along- loine's movin'!">Line moves. Ponies get their food and file into the crowd.>Annoyingly slow today, but... probably a good sign that Solstice actually eats with everybody else, and doesn't try to pull rank to skip ahead either, right?>Creep>Creep>Creep>Slowly, slowly, slowly>A slow drumbeat in the clatter of hooves and trays and the rare bit of silverware. Soft sloppy thuds as food hits trays and bowls and->You reach the head of the line. The serving pony looks like an older foal. Adolescent filly-mare. Something you want to call a teenager but you know isn't. Earth pony, red mane, lime green eyes on a beige face. Can't see her rump, but you'd assume she has her mark.>You've seen her before- this is a canon mare, right?>>"Oh, hi miss Solstice! Is that the new filly with you?" She cranes over the counter, peering at your leg>"Indeed- give her extra milk and cheese, she's healing a cracked bone..." Solstice glances all around, leans in, whispers- "and give her extra beans and lettuce. Frankie's afraid her gut'll get backed up.">Did she just->Ooooh your face is burning!"Miss Solstice! Aren't there laws against blabbing... about my..." you trail off as the general noise of the crowd feels more hostile, judgmental, even->"Hm? Oh my! Roight- er-" Solstice addresses the lunchpony, "Careful with Anonymares, Roseluck. Nothing gets past her. *Nothing*.">>"Oh.. I bet that's useful..">"Indeed it is! She's the only reason we found Lemon Bars!">>Roseluck seems taken aback, sizing you up, but whatever she's thinking she keeps to herself- "Well, I'll have to put in a special order. Be right back- you can sit down, Freezy'll bring it to your usual spot."
>>43354297>You follow your temporary keeper as she leads you in the same direction as last time.>Your previous anxiety seems to have been paranoia, as foals either ignore you or greet you with about as much awkwardness as you'd give them. Huh- feels emptier, now that you're paying attention.>Y'know, if you have the energy or time to stop>A short, easy walk finds the orphanage's patrons greeting you once more, with Blossom looking you right in the eyes>Still oddly comforting, even if only a little. Still absurd to think it could be...>No no no! Don't get caught up in more of that, especially not on an empty stomach!>You need to make an active effort to exist in the moment- find a problem! Uh...>Simple problem, one you can figure out right here- headcount?>Yeah you could try and guess. Okay->It's breakfast on a... actually>>"Anon? Are you okay???" Cheerilee's voice, muffled by food in her mouth, snaps you out of your impending fugue state. You catch Solstice glare at the lack of table manners when you whip around to answer-"Huh? Wh- yeah, I'm okay, thanks... Just thinking abouuuut, Miss Solstice, what day is it?">"Monday, in the last week of spring, in the 965th year since the Royal Sisters were separated." She answers with zero hesitation.>>"Huh? Oh- yeah there wasn't a calendar in your room. Guess nopony told you." Cheerilee withers under another glare and swallows a massive mouthful, loudly. "Say, where's your food?">WHERE, INDEED!?>Fuck!>The smell of Cheerilee's food makes your mouth water and your stomach growl even harder than it already was!>A hoof strokes your mane a few times, then all the way down to the middle of your back. "Patience, love, it'll get here soon.""Mmhmwhtever-" you cross your arms, indulging a bit in the fact that you can sulk and pout without breaking societal expectations>Cheerilee and Solstice blend into the background noise as you start your impromptu investigation.>Breakfast on a Monday, in springtime, and the infirmary seemed empty (not that you were thoroughly searching.)>So: first meal. School day. School months (you assume). Very likely everypony will be here right now...>You can get a good idea of how many foals are here from this room.>You could ALSO just ask but where's the fun in that? Yes you just asked about the day/date but like Cheerilee said: no calendar!>Look around the hall. Loose rows of round tables with cushions (and a few ottoman-like things that appear to be for smaller foals). The fullest table seems to have 8 ponies crammed in, but most aren't that full.>A lot of them are empty, or just have adults->You continue counting, probably muttering to yourself... there's only like 20 foals here. Well, not counting toddlers and babies, but still->And most of them are earth ponies. And female. You and Furtive appear to be the only unicorns here, adults included, and there's a couple pegasi.>Huh.>Feels... low?
>>43354683>You've seen at least two future canon mares, and aren't the flower ponies sisters? So that's actually four canon mares, plus confirmation Sunset was an orphan, and who knows what else...>Point being, ponies probably lose parents at roughly the same rate as medieval or renaissance humans? So... really low numbers, or are you just being stupid?>"Something wrong, Anon? Ooh, can ye see our food in the kitchen?""Wha!? Oh- no, ma'am, sorry- I was just... it looks like there's only 20 other foals here?">Solstice cocks her head a bit, trying to suss out whatever you're getting at.>Cheerilee ignores you and continues pouring cheesy eggs, salad, beans on toast (fucking britpones) and what you can only assume is hay sausage down her gullet. To her credit, she keeps her face spotless when she isn't eating out of a feed bag. Fucking somehow.>Gah! Quit focusing on her food and answer!"Oh- uh, I dunno, I just.. I can't shake the feeling that it feels weird? Plus it looks like it's mostly girls he-OOH!">The clatter of a mile-high plate of calories and vitamins cuts you off.>You could probably get away with stuffing your face like a dog, but let's not- especially since you're not allowed to fully bathe. There's a fork, spoon and knife next to... is that coffee? No, of course it can't be. Breakfast tea? Well, it's not coffee but it'll do for now, thanks britpones!>Fuck, all that time being starving and now you're more thirsty than hungry!>You were never much of a hot tea guy, but nor were you much of an anti-hot tea guy. You grab the mug of steaming tea, test it with your tongue, and down it in one go->Just short of too hot, strong, bitter but not unpleasant- although you feel the corners of your mouth tense in the subtlest of grimaces... something something preadolescent body something something less developed palate>Slight stumble aside, it's exactly as a morning beverage should be; It warms your gut from the first sip and gives you all the vital moisture you'll need to get this massive spread down your->Everypony's looking at you.>No, like, everypony! Well- not everypony-everypony, but there's a few foals in this little painting nook all slack-jawed at you."Um.. did I do something wrong?">The audience remains stunned."Hello?">"Ach! All of ye, settle down! No, Anon, yer foine! Honestly, oi'm quite pleased ye loike yer tea proper! Was about ta pass ye th' cream n sugar, most fillies want extra, but.. d'oh, just eat already!">Her voice betrays a slight annoyance, but Solstice smiles and pats your back all the same.>And yet->You wait, seeing if there's any grace or whatever- no, no there isn't. Solstice is already gnawing on a hock of bread. Like an actual, gigantic ham shank from a cartoon... except it's a baguette she keeps dipping in bean sauce.>You should follow suit, before your belly eats itself and you!
>>43354685>After a little bit of struggle getting your silverware to sit properly (it's actual silverware, not the simple wooden instruments you'd have expected), you start stuffing your face and eliminating the yawning pain in your little tum-tum>Stomach! Gut! Youalreadydidthis!>There's no moment of disconnect where you contemplate what having a grass-eater's palate is doing to your preferences; besides the possible presence of grass as an ingredient, everything here is something you'd have gladly eaten as a killer ape.>....It's less comforting than you thought it'd be, but that's a (you) problem. The food's great.>Solstice actually didn't forget your question, and gives you a little lesson. In between her own bites, and admonishing you to chew more thoroughly, and occasionally talking to employees or random foals->"So- ye were askin' about our numbers before? Roight- ye are correct, there's 25 foals plus some infants and toddlers. Not all o' them are-">A tiny sky-blue colt alternates between tugging on Solstice's habit and clutching his stomach, making a pleading face that melts your heart. Little dude must be the bare minimum age to not be stuck in the nursery, d'awwwww->"Oh, come here, lad." Solstice's voice strains as she picks the colt up and starts rubbing and patting his back until he burps. "C'mon, let it out- there ye go, now just sit next t'me Sonny, don't want ye walkin' so far if yer belly acts up again.">More straining in her voice. She sets him down between her front legs and he immediately snuggles up to her with a sigh. "Aw, go ahead, get comfy lad. Mama Solstice has ye. Alroight-" she drops to just above a whisper, "-Where was oi? Roight.. 25 foals in the main.. er, 'group' for lack of a better term. That's kids, chillinz, foals- ponies in your peer group. Not all o' them are here, the older foals are allowed to go into Ponyville, eh, somewhat freely? Long as they check out with a guard, I mean- it's not appointment-based, er.""Yes I think I get what you're saying." You nod perhaps a little too enthusiastically, hoping to prevent another interruption and restart. And hide a small wince from swallowing a far too big mouthful of->"Oi saw that, missy. Take smaller bites. Now- our headcount is a little on the lower side, roight now- we usually have about 50- though my predecessor's records say the average used to be twice that or more. There *is* a reason this is a fortified manor with its own farm, after all, but by grace o' th' gods and our Princess's wisdom, there's fewer little ones losing their parents an' fewer parents realizing they don't want tae be parents." She smiles and makes an X-sign.>You lift your head as if to say something, but find yourself silenced.>Yes- the stern gaze of Sister Solstice somehow saps your voice while you chew a mouthful of egg.Only once it reaches your stomach does your voice return- "Okay, so, Ponyville is a farm town- that explains why there's a lot of earth ponies-"
>>43354688>Solstice seems to... you don't know what that expression is, but it feels slightly negative?>In any case, she doesn't interrupt you, and seems preoccupied with the now-twisting, squirming colt underneath her."Do ponies have more fillies than colts? That's a blank spot in my memory, if I ever even had a reason to ask I mean- and I sure don't remember any brothers or sisters..">"Okay, er- yes, there are more baby fillies born than colts, but only about one and a half for every one- hold on, lemme deal with- OOP!">The twisting colt in her grasp managed to get turned around and, er, he tried getting some milk. Yep.>Cheerilee is giggling, Solstice is resignedly annoyed rather than mortified, and you? You have no fucking idea how to feel... It is kind of cute, though>"Ach, no, yer too old fer the tit boyo! And my tap's been dry for half a century!" She sticks her head down forward, struggling with the colt who has suddenly gained the grappling power of a cat chewing on something that clearly isn't for cats.>"Hng-C'mon, out with ye- Yoohoo, over here!" She waves at someone- Sister Croquet, now that you're looking, who appears to have been searching for a missing link in her pony chain.>>She rushes over with a sippy cup of, you assume, warm milk. "Sorry, Solstice, he ran off when Ducky started crying, and-">"It's alroight, lovey. Oi just don't need 'im sucklin a dry teat whoile i'm trying to speak is all... Have ye been sleeping well? Oi think- bring the gaggle t'me after breakfast, take the day off, alroight?">Huh. Yeah, she does look a little crummy now that you're looking hard. Not that you can judge, but->>"B-but- I wouldn't know what to do with myself, the little herd is my whole life, I-">"Nonsense! Y'know, Lily's been leavin' on the regular, fer her apprenticeship- with the florist, yeah? Well, she told me the spa just opened that big bathin' pool- what d'ye say?">>"A-are you sure? Doesn't Anon need special care?">Deep breath. Don't be stupid. Swallow that pride, SWALLOW IT!>"Well, a little- but she's made two miraculous recoveries in a row it seems. Besides, she's more Cheerilee and Furtive's case.">Croquet ho's and hums even as the little fillies on her tail start climbing all over her.>"Come on- how long has it been since ye had a day to yerself? Think about it- our little town finally has a real bathhouse, like a proper city!">A fat-cheeked, amethyst-colored filly makes it to the top of Croquet's head, laying her chin between her ears and making her cheeks squish even fatter and ooooooh goddammit you actually think toddlers are cute now fuckfuckfuckfuck->>"Oh, alright! And-" Croquet darts her eyes around, careful not to actually shake her head or its precious cargo, "-I'll see how Cornsilk is doing for you.">"Ach, no need to be all cloak and dagger about it- it's no secret! But thank ye, oi'd truly appreciate that. Well- just give me breakfast with Anon here and oi'll-"
>>43354731>She stares at you, the little green filly rubbing her swollen belly, in stunned silence>...Yeah. Actually, you're kind of surprised too. How the fuck did you eat half a plate of food in the time it took her to gossip about some new bathhouse?>No matter. Tummy full, filly happy. Brain awaiting knowledge injection->"Well, oi was just answerin' a few questions, but then oi think she'd do better runnin' off with Cheery here-">>"Ooh does that mean- oops, sorry." Cheerilee blurts out her question along with a few drops of tea->"Ye know, oi oughta be more mad, considerin' oi been telling ye all morning to-" Solstice takes a deep breath. "-but I won't punish Anon, which I'd be doin' if I restricted yer activity t'day." Solstice finishes through gritted teeth- "Yes, Cheerilee, you're still free from yer other chores.">A little 'yippee' is all you hear from Cheerilee before she starts scarfing the rest of her food. Solstice turns to you, scooting her rump around on her cushion with a sigh.>"Alroight- well. Yes, the orphanage IS a bit empty lately. Benefits of a loving, godly society with wise rulership. Plus, well, there's *usually* aunts or uncles or cousins or family friends we can scrounge up and send the poor dears off with, so, eh, don't go spreadin' this 'round, but when oi first took me vows, workin' in the laundry-">Glance to the left. Glance to the right. Solstice leans in, whispers- "Oi called the east bedrooms the Tragedy Motel...""'Cause they were in and out in a week, right?">"Ha, yep- still, wasn't a noice thing t'be jokin' about, and... ach, ye foals'll joke about whate'er, oi can't stop ye, just don't... don't be sayin' that to any short term residents, alroight?">Huh?>Short-term... she said that as if..."So.. 'they' are short-term, what am...">Her eyes go wide. Either she didn't expect you to catch that... or more likely she didn't mean to say it like that.>"Riight- yes. But, eh, oh dear, ye seem t'be having a good day, are ye sure? It's... a little uncomfortable.""...Yes, ma'am, if I don't know the answer it's gonna bug me.">There's something she's REALLY not wanting to tell you- you can see pain in Solstice's eyes, but->"Ach! Oi know, oi know- Francesca told me not to.." Solstice sucks in a deep breath. "Anon, you're.. very, VERY unlikely to be adopted. S'part of why I let Furtive push you hard on your memories... We were hopin' we could find relatives or godparents, but.. well... it's only been a few days. Y'never know.">Cheerilee is trying to look anywhere but at you. No other reaction, seems she already knew her own... low odds...>"Now- don- don't worry, Anon, you will ne'er be kicked out onto the street. Every foal here who reaches adulthood is adopted by one of the staff- you'll be allowed to come here, any time, any reason, as if we were your own parents. Only thing we'd e'er ask is ta pitch in with the heavier chores.">Ha>ha ha ha you weren't even thinking about-
>>43354853>Aw shit your eyes are getting wet->No!>You can lock it down! You knew you were truly orphaned and you hadn't even *thought* about getting adopted!>It's...>Harder than it should be! But you manage!"I'm ok. I think... Wait, was Cornsilk-">"Oh, no, he was actually my brother's son! No- oi'd think, oi'd hope, if he grew up here he'd have an easier toime fittin' in! Ye've seen me koinder side, dear, but when my foals are bullyin' each other-">>Cheerilee speaks up, all sing-songy. "If he were a former resident it woulda been a lot harder to- Uh- sorry Miss Solstice, I wasn't trying to-">"Oi know, oi know, ye jus'-" Solstice trails off with a sigh. "Oi... need some- Croquet, go get yerself dolled up loike a Canterlot lady o' leisure! That's an order, oi need some good old-fashioned Utopian work! And YER hoggin' all the babies!">Solstice and Croquet start making for... well the door is THAT way, and they went- maybe the purser's office? The safe? Something. You did hear mention of advance pay or something as they walked off.>>>>Cheerilee finishes that last bite of cold eggs on her plate, finally. "Okay, so- you were also asking why there's so many fillies here, and why they're all earth ponies- before, well, uh, sorry you had to find out that way-""It's okay. I kinda... already knew I wasn't...">>"She wasn't lying- you'll always have a home here if you need it. Or even if you just want it- I think Lily's old enough that her parents could've kicked her out by now, but she's just sticking around-">>>"Yeah, I'm not leaving my sisters behind, is that a crime!?">Cheerilee cowers at the sudden intrustion->Fuck it."Hey! Leave her alone, she wasn't-">>>"AAAAAA THIS IS JUST AWFUL!" *thud*>What->Oh, for FUCK'S SAKE don't->The flower sisters really are that cowardly!?"Uh- Lily? Y'allright?">>"She's... fine. She's normally really quiet, probably just had a bad morning- see? She's breathing.""I'm sorry, I didn't, I just- she-">>"It's okay. You didn't know- all three of the flower sisters just... whatever made them orphans made them super scaredy-cats... Just-""Be careful next time, yeah. I will-">Lily wakes up, as quickly as she fainted, looks at you, tenses up- but relaxes when you repeat your apology, and slinks away with her head low."Okay. Wow I feel really bad about- ug. So- you were saying? About the, uh, ponies round here?">>Cheerilee walks back to the table, grabbing trays as she goes. "Yeah- uh... Solstice forgot to mention, it's usually farmers looking to adopt. And big colts can haul bigger stuff... So, babies go quick, then older colts... then a few fillies if we're lucky. Or not- the one time I almost got adopted, it turned out they just wanted a girl to marry their son. Solstice almost kicked their ribs out their plots when she found out, and.. I haven't...""Yeah, I bet that'd put a damper on adoption day. Wait- ribs through their-"
Post bed
>>43353980cute anonmare drawing
>>43354856>"Plots. Yeah.""So.. do you mean->"Ribs were kicked most of the way through their owners.">>>"Metaphorically, right?">Cheerilee stares blankly at you"...Right?">>"Come on, we've got the whole day to ourselves. I got books in my- er, our room.">A few minutes later you're walking to the east wing>The architecture here is... actually kind of impressive?>Old as shit and beat all to hell from being touched all over by a revolving door herd of kids, but you can still easily tell it was quality work.>Scuffed hardwood floors, some plushy carpet trampled by many little hooves, even some engravings or reliefs or something on some of the walls, now worn and less-legible from years of being rubbed, drawn on, barfed on, whatever->Not run-down, mind, just very lived in. VERY lived in at high velocity.>Speaking of centuries of foals, though: there's not many ponies around, since most of them are either in class or in diapers, but-"Hold up- you said we're going to our room.">>"Yep.""This is the east wing.">>"Uh huh.""Didn't Solstice say this is for short-terms?">>"Yes. She also wanted me to give you a tour, so we're talking the super duper scenic route...">Clip clop clip clop>>>>Cheerilee pulls back so she's walking beside you, speaking lower. "Okay, bedrooms are upstairs on both wings. Nursery, laundry and a couple sick rooms are downstairs here. Pigpen is at the opposite end of-">She glances at your Confusion Face beginning to form>>"Pigpen is Croquet's kindergarten. Where all the half-pints stay- I suppose Miss Solstice is running it right now.""'Kay.">>"It's her name for it, so don't worry about repeating it. Just saying, 'cause I know it sounds like a mean joke.">>Clip>>Clop>>Out the main door. You already know about the farm, so she takes you towards "a surprise.">>"...Aren't you bothered that they're putting you with us lifers so soon?""Huh?">>"I said-""I heard you, I just- what? No. No, I... I'm almost positive there's nobody for them to find.">>Her eyes narrow. "...Despite you remembering nothing?""Not *nothing* but it's all a blur. I just, it's more of a sinking feeling, ok?">>"Alright, alright!""My turn: why's the laundry right next to the baby room? Isn't that gonna wake 'em up?">>"Come on, you know.">>>>"Oh. Right. Uh- you know diapers are cloth, right?""No. No I did not, and I wish that hadn't changed.">Clip>>Clop>>Well, no, it's grass so it's more like piff poff>>Piff>>Poff>>"Aaaand here's the chapel! Service is every Sunday before brunch- you don't have to come, but all the cafeteria workers do so you'll be eating brunch with us either way.""Looks nice but I don't think I'm feeling religious right now...">Not a lie- looks nicer than the church you and your human mom went to, by a country mile.>Lots of gold trim and stained glass but without looking gaudy.>>"That's fair. But it's always open if you ever do.""Say, who's the stained glass supposed to be showing?"
>>43356135>>"Huh? It's Princess Celestia, dummy!">Yeah, no shit- two windows at the back, behind the altar. To the right is a rough copy of the painting in the lunchroom. But the other is clearly BOTH ROYAL SISTERS. Not one, TWO.>But whatever, ponies don't know shit about best princess, that was always a known Thing, don't fucking fight over it don't fucking->>"See? It's Celestia in her role as sun AND moon- they're chasing each other.""...Then why is one of them BLUE?>>"Um- artistic depiction of nighttime, much? Duh!">God->Fucking-"Okay- then why isn't the Sun aspect golden or orange?">>"Uh- she looks normal in daylight, y'know. It's just- would you rather them make the moon side solid black or something?" She cocks her head and scratches her chin.>Fu->Deep breath. Just. Let it go."Okay, I already saw the painting in the dining room, so what are the other four?">Cheerilee kind of derps out for a second"..The ones on the side walls?">As if she'd lived in this place for a decade or more and never ever given a closer look at->>"Huh. I never *really* looked at those before. Let's do that!">You're fucking kidding.>>>Okay>Either you're batshit insane, or...>One of those is the Scooby gang, except all ponies, except Scooby who's correctly depicted as a huge dog>...And they're like... pirates or something?>No, they'd never turn to piracy, but the Mystery Machine is depicted as an airship...>Y'know what, fuck it, you'd watch that spinoff. Good art.>>And we got... a pantheon of Looney Tunes or something. Going to avoid commenting on that because you're approaching your bullshit limit...>Aaaand>Huh. Not sure what this last one is... Looks kinda fucked up though.>>"What're you- OH! I *have* seen this before!""Do tell.">>"Yeah that's the arch-traitor Judy being cast into the Pit Full Of Wild Dogs for her betrayal of Astro.""what.">>"She was so lazy she let herself and her dog die, in front of her own poor parents no less, so now she has to get eaten by wild dogs in heck too.">>>>"Something wrong? I know it's darker than most ponies like, but sometimes justice has to be mean. Like who would just let-">Okay>The red and black junk represents the hellhounds or whatever, that makes sense now>But>....>Oh god that's, what, Archangel Harvey Birdman up top with a spear!?>THIS IS CLOWN WORLD HA HA HA-"B-hahahahAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA">Oh, right, lungs need air>Breathe.exe has encountered an illegal laugh and needs to terminate>Suddenly: Floor!>>"Woah, what's wrong!? Don't hit the floor don't hit the floor c'mon!">Your companion actually catches you before your floor plans are finalized, leaving you wheezing and manic and draped over her for support.>>"Hnnng, come on! You don't need a THIRD medical visit in one week! BREATHE!"
>>43356443>Ugh>FUCK>You were in a daze there for a bit>Sunlight on you now"Wha?">>"You good?""..Think so?">>"Cool. Get off me!">Oh right>Yeah, scootch sideways, slide off her rump so you don't put too much weight on your back legs>There, done!"What happened?">>"I dunno! You kinda freaked out so I brought you out here... Didn't think it would be good for ponies to see you having a horrible laughing fit in a church, y'know.""Thanks...">>Narrow eyes. "You're not a demon or something, are you?""Uh- ">Technically? You might be!>...oshit>>>>"Sorry. I was messing with you, but I forgot-">Phew>>"You must've had a flashback seeing that violent scene. I should've warned you.""It's ok.">>"You sure?""Yeah. So, is there anything else or should we go get your stuff?">>"Couple more things, but since you already know where the farm is-">The big heavy double doors are dead ahead->Aw shit it's that fuckin' wiseass guard again!>"Oh, it's the lighthouse keeper again! No ships on the rocks, I hope?">Hrk>You mutter some meaningless platitude and keep going. Not worth it.>>Once you're inside and heading upstairs, Cheerilee asks, "What's with that guard? He's so... weird at you!""Ugh, I tried to close the window in my sickroom and accidentally flashed an SOS. He's been giving me shit about it ever since.">>"Sheesh. Well, we're here-" she opens the door to a nice little room. Bunk bed, decent set of drawers, desk for two, desk lamp, shelves.>Not half bad. Little small, but whatevs.>>"I spent last night moving my stuff into my own drawers, so just use all the stuff on the left of... any.. y'know.""Yeah I get it- I don't have any stuff, though!">>"I know, but you will!" She starts nosing through the bookshelf, and- "Hey, what's this? This isn't my book!""Huh?">>"Look!" She drops it onto the table in front of you."Hm, uh, 'Magic for the Evening Star- tips and exercises to help your late blooming unicorn.'">>"The doctor must've left it for you?""Guess so.">>"Well- guess you've got some reading to do! But, before- oh, nevermind.""What?">>"It's dumb.""Oh, come on!">>"I just... can you teach me...how to write my name like a unicorn?">She whispers the last bit into the bend of her foreleg. Ha, silly Cheerilee."Huh? Is that all? Sure- here, it's easy-" You pull a fresh piece of paper and a pencil over to you, "C-H-E-E-R-I-L-E-E- see, it's only a little tricky because you gotta have two of those for the EE sound, ok?">Mouth agape>Pone's Spaghetti"What? What'd I do? You already know I'm good at-">>"No, not that, your magic! You grabbed a pencil!""Wait, really? Holy shit, I did it! ....aw crap please don't tell-">>"Why would poop be holy? That's so weird. I'm gonna ignore that. Anyway, yay!">>>>>"Why so glum? ...You're trying to do it again and can't, right?""Yep.">>"Sorry..."
>>43356605>And so, your first "real" day as a filly continues.>Just a filly with a slight injury, not a dying coma patient, not an enigma, not a busted-leg dipshit, just... you.>Sitting in this room because you happen to have the exact kind of smarts that lets you skip school without having any useful skills>Just... reading. Trying to get your horn working. Giggling and talking to your roommate, who occupies the same weird prefect-but-not-really space that you seem to.>It's...>Nice.>A couple hours go by like nothing.>You open one of the drawers to grab a bookmark, and notice..."Hey- why you got a sack of money?">>"Um... because it keeps it all in one place?">Funny. She never once tells you not to take any. As if it never occurred to her that you might."No- I mean where'd you get the money?">>"Oh. That's a COMPLETELY different question.""Ok, so-?">>"Oh, right- uh, everypony who isn't in disciplinary action gets a silver bit per week." She turns back to her book, then double-takes back to you. "Right, uh, silver is worth three gold.""Wow, where's an orphanage get THAT kinda money!?">>"Wha? No- gold is the smallest unit! Don't tell me one of the things you forgot.. was.. money?">>>Yeah you utterly fail to hide your shame right there->>"...oh. Well, chin up, you found out before somepony could cheat you!""Yeah. Thanks, really.">And another hour->You both swivel your ears as a general murmur picks up underneath you.>>Cheerilee glances at your shared alarm clock. "Oh- yep, sounds like lunchtime."
preb
>>43355264
>9
Dose anyone have the video from that con where they sent an anon filly plushie off the side of a building with balloons tied to it?
>>43358701Loads of marbles.
>>43356706>The murmur of the hungry herd gets louder as you join them downstairs>Foals give you lingering looks, double takes, cocked heads, but nobody wants to stop and talk>Yeah, that'd mean delaying food>Speaking of which:>Lunch is.... spartan?>Maybe that's too strong a word, but it ain't what you'd expect based on what you've had so far>You were worried for a moment that Roseluck held a grudge over Lily fainting or something, but no, your plate is the same as everyone's>A small brick of hay, a bread roll with some flowers stuffed in, a slice of cheese.>Not bad by any means, just...>It doesn't compare to breakfast burrito in a bag or full English breakfast, y'know?>You have no idea who's who, so you just keep following Cheerilee back to the painting nook>Most foals keep paying you little mind, but a couple fillies join you>You already know Tang, technically, and the other girl's name goes in one ear and out the other>They ask the questions you'd expect. At first, simple shit like 'do you really have amnesia?' (yeah kinda) and 'did you really get dragged in by a timber wolf?' (what)>...Yeah what the fuck is up with that?>You kind of assumed Solstice was being metaphorical but apparently not- the guard who dragged you in saw a timber wolf drop you in the forest, just beyond the main gate>Timber wolves don't usually stray into the Whitetail Woods, they say>Whitetail. Good to know where you are, at least.>Shit. They're looking at you like they actually expect you to answer. As if they forgot the first fucking thing they asked, to which you answered 'yeah pretty much.'>Shitshitshit>You have an opportunity to build street cred here! Don't fuck it up!"Uh, guess I just got that dog in me, y'know?">Fillystare.jpeg>Fuck>"Uh-">>>"What?">You feel yourself receding, covering yourself, laughing akwardly"Just kind of a... saying, where I'm from?">"But you just-">>Cheerilee with the save! "Amnesiacs don't just empty their brains out- it's complicated, she didn't forget how to talk y'know.">"Ok, then where's she from?""Uh- don't remember. It had forests, and hilly mountains, and my grandparents had a nice house. Was kinda hot, maybe? And it rained a lot?">That's right, just give vague descriptions, let them make whatever assumptions->>>"Apple-achia?">Of fucking course that's a place and of course it's a pun>"No way! She must be from the amarezon, that's why she's tall!">>>"Oh, what do you know? You thought Princess Celestia was from the sun!">Cheerilee sighs as Tang and whatshername start going at each other, ignoring you entirely>>"They do this. They won't stop until they're bored. Let's just eat and go back upstairs-">Your ears flick towards Tang, whispering to blankymcblank: "She's a little dumb, I bet she forgot how to breathe!""Ey, fuck you, I can breathe just fine!">Both of them go wide-eyed.>>>"Woah, she DOES have ears like a wolf!" whosit shouts>Why did she have to shout?
>>43360011>The nature of the little nook provides some shelter from the rest of the lunchroom, but you can just *feel* the eyes on you>Ears like a wolf? Is that a saying here? Or are they just convinced you're a dog demon?>Timber Wolves did seem able to sneak up on folks, from what you remember>...Probably not a reputation to be proud of>Fuck.>>"Hey." Cheerilee pats you on the shoulder, making not-so-subtle eye rolls towards the exit->>>"You were dumb enough to lose both parents!">"We're sisters, you idiot!">You scarf your remaining hay and follow her wordlessly>Cheerilee's room. Your room. Sanctuary.>More reading. More idle chatter.>That book of magic exercises is both the most and least helpful thing you've ever read.>"Unicorn Magic is both a science and an art. A science in that its basic principles are understood and deterministic. While there are many forms of magic that veer close to Chaos, the most basic form available to unicorns can be reliably described and reproduced.">Okay, we getting some math or some shit? Keep it coming->"But it is also an art in that each unicorn must find her own path to summoning these energies. The only universal aspect of its use is in casting light; at the time of publication, not a single participant in our studies described it as anything other than 'opening a third eye'>Alright, you're not going to break that trend at least.>But what the fuck do they MEAN 'find your own path'?>Cheerilee glances over from her book, clearly noticing your frustration. You read the offending passage out loud.>>"Well, you did it once before. Whatever you did differently must be what works for you.. right?""No, duh, but I can't even remember what I did! It didn't feel like anything!"">You take a break before you get frustrated, and go curl up with Cheerilee>She's reading some old encyclopedia on mythology, and the current entry has a picture->That looks suspiciously like a human, but just different enough that you could believe you're projecting.>It has excerpts from ancient stories. Creation myths, imperial cult, blah blah, saved ponykind from extinction>You're only half paying attention, more here for the filly warmth than the book>Ears prick. Once again, murmur in the hall, but now the hoofbeats are harsher and coming closer.>Class is over.>>"Oh, I almost forgot- if your door is open, foals can come and go. Close it if you wanna be alone, anypony who goes barging in without a good reason gets in trouble.""Eh...">You really don't want a repeat of the lunchroom, but staying cooped up is only going to let whatever idiotic legend you're gaining go even wilder>No right answer, it seems. Keep reading and come what may.>The book continues to be fucking uselessful.>Half math you can't parse and half mindfulness exercises and thought experiments that MIGHT be useful if you weren't an impatient little shit
>>43360223>Doesn't help that you're a disability case until you figure this out, which hurts your pride, which shouldn't because you're a kid now, but also you're a kid big enough to not be constantly attended so->>Your vision goes red and dark as you're trapped in a bone-crushing hug. "You were doing the thing again. I shut the door, don't worry.""Hrtngme-">>"Oops-" you fall over, clutching your neck as she releases you. "Sorry.""S'okay, probably needed that, thanks.">>"You're not the only one falling behind, you know.""Oh?">>Her face twists into a grimace. "Uh- yeah? Have you not-">Cheerilee spins around."Yeah? You're really dark red all ov- oh.">Completely burgundy. No triple flower on her ass.>>"Yeah. ALL OVER. No break in that color. Miss Solstice says it'll happen when it's meant to, and I KNOW she's right and trying to get my mark is dumb, but that doesn't stop me from-">>She sighs. "You're a special case, your magic I mean. And you're barely 30, that's fine for not having your mark... I'm almost 40!">>>>"I guess, point being, don't freak out like me, you're too young? Ha, I sound like the nuns. Ha. Ha.">Well shit. Now you're both bummed.>The rest of the evening goes quietly. You set the magic book aside for... hey, she's got a Daring Do book. That'll do.>Dinner, likewise, just comes and goes>No fanfare. Comparatively little mental turmoil.>Cheerilee glares and keeps the busybodies away from the nook, though Solstice joins you with a few anklebiters.>Small talk. You've had a little trouble but nothing super serious, just getting by.>Yes, you did find the book the doctor left, but you couldn't make any progress in a single day. Uh huh.>"Oh, oi did send a letter to th' Princess. Not sure if she'll have the toime to respond, but couldn't hurt to ask. Sunset was always a lil firebrand, you'll get along well oi think... Er, not to get yer hopes up prematurely or anythin'.">And... yeah.>Food goes in hole. Cheerilee even manages to not fuck with her dental work or get The Glare for her manners.>Solstice even hands you your first silver coin. And a purse with big loops for your neck. "Y'did make an honest effort to pitch in, so, oi cannae justify keepin' it from ye. Still feel awful about... all o' that.">Almost too easy.>More light reading. Cheerilee hates checkers, you hate chess, and you're not feeling sociable enough for a 4-player game, so she goes off without you.>And...>Yeah.>A nun comes through, informing you of imminent bedtime.>Bathroom is used. Teeth are brushed. Cheerilee kisses you on the cheek before climbing up to her bunk.>You kiss her back and feel weird about it and not in a gay way.>Sleep.
>8
>>43359350Anonmare's back is quite strong!
>>43361204...did you just use sharpie on the last fucking puzzle piece?
>>43361210It's a solid white puzzle, man. What kind of psycho even buys one of those?
>>43361204adorable anonpony love :D
Mornbep
>>43361210KEK, it's worse than that, she deliberately hid the last piece so when Puzzle Anonstallion started to wonder where the missing piece was, she could reveal it as part of her confession. Seeing the piece gave him the courage to tell her how much he loved her.>>43361595Blue Board Blue baby! The art is an abstraction, in reality it would have been a normal puzzle with the word 'you' as part of text somewhere in the background and she singled out that piece and kept it when they started.
>>43360318>Boy-thing and filly walk>More coordinated than before>An apple, high in a tree, taunts the filly>Boy-thing grabs it>Hours pass>Another apple>Filly can't ask boy to grab it>She doesn't know how>He just grabbed it before! Why won't he do it n->dingdingdingdingding->Wake the fuck up, filly>You've got filly to filly filly>Breakfast: Ote and froot>Morning: exercise. chores. You help in the kitchen; your horn is still maddeningly unresponsive but your hoof-finger trick makes your knifework much faster and more accurate. Those turnips and onions never stood a chance.>Roseluck slips you an extra coin for freeing up her afternoon>Lunch: Daisy sandwich. Some foals get brave enough to ask about your leg.>They seem ecstatic when you explain the attempted jump attack>Afternoon: Furtive drags you back to the infirmary. Takes some blood, prods your leg. Brace stays on another day.>Some more magic reading. No progress- wait, a little. Your light is feeling steadier?>Dinner: turnip and onion stew. Pretty good. You can taste the work you put in.>Evening: You get roped into playing Go Fish with Cheerilee, Tangy and whatshername- Sweeten Sour? Yeah.>"Great work getting rid of Cornsilk like that!">>"Yeah, he made us actually help!">>>"The last farm boss just did everything!">Huh.>Suddenly feeling... like there might have been more to that guy.>And you might never know, now>Ha ha>Fuck.>Bed.>Boy rides Filly>Swinging a saber at invading fruit>Wake up>Breakfast: Food. Friendship.>Morning: Do stuff>Lunch: More food. Minor arguments.>Afternoon: Get pissed off and throw your magic book at the wall.>Dinner: Yet more food. Eat alone.>Evening: You and Tang get dragged to Solstice's office after she tries to give you a makeover. Since it was just a yelling match, you both get off with a demand to be more respectful of each other.>Bed>Boy has found his old dog>Dog wants to bite>No, Dog, No!>The leash holds. For now.>Wakeup->Food->Activities->Bed>Wakeup>Food>Activities>Bed>Etc, etc, etc->Wake up>Furtive takes off the brace. The leg is free!>Chapel service. You attend mostly out of a desire to make up for the yelling match a few days prior.>You barely stifle laughter when Solstice half-assedly describes the episode where the PPG learn to eat their fucking veggies>Instead of communion wafers, they serve what looks and tastes like Horse Twinkies. Pretty good, you might come back sometimes for cake.>Brunch: Bigass full trotter breakfast with tea. Pretty great.>Rest of the day: nopony has any obligations on Sunday so you join a soccer game on a lark. Pony rules apparently require nose, tail or hindleg contact. No forehoof, wing or magic use allowed. You fall flat on your face, but you're green so grass stains aren't really a problem.>You finish your Daring Do book that night, and keep trying to turn the light off with your magic until that guard comes around and puts it out for you.>Bed
>>43362962>Wake up>Brekky. Applesauce, oats, eggs, hay.>Furtive pulls you aside as you leave the dining hall.>"I'm afraid I've exhausted every avenue available. Nothing in my records. Nothing actionable from any nearby homesteads. I even got word back from some family who owe me favors.""Nothing?">"Nothing. Not even the Canterlot census archive has anything to go on. Unless your memory improves, there's nothing I can do but keep an ear out.">Yeah. Exactly what you expected.. though it would've been nice to get a piece of->Fuck. Now your eyes are wet and something's stopping you from remembering why.>"I'm sorry, Anon, I know this isn't what you want to hear but I also know not to dance around the subject with you.""...Yeah. Thanks for trying. Guess this is home now.">Actually a relief.>If she'd actually found something, it'd only complicate things.>Well. Blank slate, new world.>...New... Life...>You've been getting along mostly fine.>And, come to think of it, by the time Twilight is old and powerful enough to help you...>You'd probably be old enough to die of old age as a human.>Maybe older!>There's... really only one thing holding you back, you know->That thing you're blocking->Oop- suddenly be hugged by a certain doctor.>"If you ever need to talk, my door is always open.""Yeah, I know.">Morning>A nun you don't recall meeting flags you down.>Yardley Baton. Yardstick for short. History/Geography/Occasional literature teacher.>She's very sorry she forgot you existed and now you have a week's worth of catchup homework for your catchup work.>Eh, fair enough, it's something to do. Better this than having to be in class every day.>You take the stack of books and worksheets to your room. Cheerilee is out somewhere.>The first missed day gets cranked out in under an hour. Super simple shit. Provinces and capitals, and other major cities, fill 'em in on the provided blank map.>Bubblegum Swamp. Baltimare Lake. Canterhorn Vale, U R HEER. Trottingham, the Griffon enclave, here there be goats, yadda yadda yadda->World map up next. Prance is outside Equestria, across the ocean. Maybe you ought to visit some day. Bitaly, THE FORBIDDEN NORTH (future crystal empire, heh, you actually write that down for a laugh), blah blah->You're really not worried about remembering all this. When are you gonna use it? Ponies actually gotta WORK to travel- you used to be able to go anywhere in the world in a day or two and you never used any of your geography!>Still, gotta stick it in your short term memory so you can pass whatever homeschooling tests they're gonna give you.>Lunch: Hay. Roll. Much thinner slice of cheese than last time.>"Sorry, the new farm headmare is still settling in. Gonna be tighter for a while." Roseluck says.
>>43363364>Afternoon>Yardstick is surprised to get your worksheets back so soon.>You're a little nervous as she pauses on the crystal empire bit while grading them... "Oh, I hope I live to see it come back. It's nice to know there's at least one other believer here.">Riiiiight>The foals think you're weird or crazy, the adults think you're a perfect little minister's daughter or something.>Heh. A worse pony than you might abuse that...>99.5. You lost half a point for putting the Crystal Empire in just 'the north' and not its actual (presumed) location.>"Sorry dear. If it's an answer, it gets graded.">Eh. Fair enough, still an A+.>Back to your room. Cheerilee insists on giving you a lesson on town-level civics.>Well, alright, you could definitely see that being useful.>Especially the part where Cheerilee says there'll be a test on this in the future. She's quite surprised, in fact, to hear you weren't told you'd be required to take the exams like everypony else.>And so follows a refresher course on the Equestrian constitutional monarchy- it's kind of a cross between the US and Britain?>Celestia has absolute power over the military and the Palace of Canterlot, has veto power over appointing diplomants, and 'the highest esteem' on matters of magic or fate; All her other powers are largely ceremonial and *can* be overridden by an elected official.>Can, being the operative word. Ponies don't often exercise that right, but it does exist on the books.>Every province sends two representatives to Canterlot. Every county sends two reps to the provincial seat. One of each gets elected, the other comes from whatever noble family shares ownership of the place."I bet the local office has a high turnover of noble brats, whining about daddy not trusting them?">"Actually the opposite. Doctor Furtive says all the councilors she met in Canterlot were the type of ponies you 'send somewhere they can't do any damage.' It's the provincial office that gives you real power over ponies' day to day lives.""...Oh.">"Right? I love teaching civics! It's even better than teaching math!">She nearly hides it, but you catch a flash of her glancing at her rump. No mark.>You pretend to have been reading the whole time, even though you both know you saw her.>Dinner: Hay and a few flowers. Generous serving size but come on!>You sit outside the partially-secluded nook this time. You sit alone- not for lack of trying, but ponies are whispering.>Looking at the comparatively-crummy food, then you. Whispering.>Riiiight. Course.>Happy you got rid of the farmer who actually cared about his job (you didn't even mean to!) but not happy when their desires have consequences, huh?>Roseluck finally sits with you after the line is done and she has her own food.>"Don't mind them- they just don't like that they're JUST AS MUCH TO BLAME as you.">She ropes you into dish duty for your chores today. Hand magic makes short, though sopping wet, work of it. No extra coin.
>>43362233Awesome lore on the art, love your artstyle!
>>43364057Dibs on that pizza
>>43364057sleepy mare
>>43364625Food coma
>>43364062Mare thigh pizza...
>>43363676Thanks Anon, the songs and stuff going on in Puzzle Thread last year were pretty fun, that piece is sort of like a memento now. It's a little embarassing but I haven't drawn much this year so far.
>>43365657well hopefully you can get some motivation to draw since ur really good :D
>>43363450>Evening>Magic practice. Your light is clearer; to carry the eye metaphor, it's like you've been crusty and groggy until now.>Still no TK field, but progress is progress.>You leave to use the bathroom and->"BOO!" Some filly scares you from behind a corner"Gah! Fuck! What was that for!?">"Hmmm, good data." She leaves without another word."Fu- ugh. Whatever.">On the way back, you stop in your doorway, getting an odd look from Cheerilee at the desk>Something ain't right here. But what?>And what's that noise? Sounds like->Like a cartoon blinking sound. Plink, plink. Your ears twitch towards it- your bed.>But no lumps in the covers.>>"Anon, what are you doing?">You walk right up to her, gauging her eyes as closely as you can."Did anyone come in here while I was out?">>"I dunno. I wasn't paying attention to anything but my book-" she pats that myths and legends book for emphasis.>Suspicious. But not damning- ponies can be damn quiet when they want to be.>What is suspicious is the single eye that opens partially at you, as if cautiously peeking from the darkness under your bed."Alright- who's under there?">"Zounds!" The same filly from before scrambles out and sprints into the hallway. You think you catch her rambling about 'the window to the soul' as she does.>Great.>That's not gonna be a problem or anything!>It's not like Cheerilee is ever so slightly leaning away from you, concern on her little mug or anything!>Not at all!>Fuck this, just go to bed!>Filly and Boy continue roaming>That's it>It's a nice dream, for once
>>43361204cute!
just an excuse to practice
Neen
>>43366521very nice! watch out anonmare there is a jojo stand 0.o
>>43367022What would anonmare's stand be? Horse with no name?
>>43366521She's cute but her reaction to a vaguely person shaped object makes me think she's had some bad experiences. Relax mare, it's fine.
>>43366409>Morning.>Your daily routines start blending together.>Eat.>Learn.>Eat.>Chores.>Eat>Practice>Bed>Every 7 cycles, go to church for a free extra dessert and some light entertainment. Or don't, and fuck around on your lonesome while the other girls sniff pews or whatever.>A month goes by. You get another checkup, your last special checkup.>Solstice apologizes; the Princess hasn't responded, but she's sure Her Majesty just has too much shit to do (your words, not hers)>Since the other girls are whiny cunts about *work*-work, you do a lot of the farm chores. Well, the ones you can do without earth pony strength at least.>A couple days you wake up late to a nearly-empty manor. "Trips into town," the guard says. "Can't take you yet, something about paperwork.">Then two months.>The paperwork for your whole deal is finally finalized. You're formally a ward of the state, not just some hurt kid whose parents they're looking for.>Still no sign of whatever battle put you here. Nor the timber wolf that saved you.>Just settling into your life. Yeah. This is your life, now. Could be a lot worse. Could be better, but... maybe not much better?>That weird guard keeps making jokes, but you're getting the feeling he's just weird like that.>More fillies try testing your senses. More of them get spooked.>The adults remain friendly, especially when they need to drag you out of bed because some toddler got lost in a hamper or a bush. Again.>The new farm overseer is settling in. She knows your limits and your talents.>By the third month, you get more odd stares than not.>Cheerilee remains your only real friend, though Tang and Sweet at least keep their superstitions to themselves.>It's not as bad as it sounds- nopony is really *mean* to you, it just feels like there's a huge disconnect.>Like they're not letting you get close...>Well, you're a little guilty of that too. Not entirely by choice, but still.>Doesn't help that you're living your best tomboy life and 90% of the girls here are fruity little girly girls who hate exercise and cool shit like learning about war.>Bah.>First day of your fourth month(moon?) here.>The food has finally recovered back to its pre-broke leg quality. Solstice is overjoyed at having the funds for real baggis again.>You float the idea of using cornmeal during breakfast (you've been sitting in her corner an awful lot lately...)>Apparently that's how they make it in Cornfence. Which is where she's from. She immediately goes to talk to the kitchen crew, while Cheerilee's eyes burn holes in your head.>Sorry filly, you need grits.>Next sunday. You skip church.>No chores, no tutoring.>Means you got time to practice. An hour every day, two hours today. Still you accomplish fuck all but making your room glow green for a while, but you coulda sworn you could feel the pencil you were trying to pick up.>Sigh>You're starting to sympathize with the CMCs
>>43367884>Month four, on a Tuesday>Wake up by way of Cheerilee shaking you. "Town day! Come on! Get up!""Wha- ug. Bed.">Your eyes are closed, but you hear the squee of Cheerilee scrunching her muzzle."I heard that.">"I know you did! Come on, last time you said you didn't have enough money!""Well-" Shit.>"Uh huh. I saw how big your purse is getting, don't try that this time!""What would I even-">"Nope, nope, nope, you're getting out of this place even if I have to drag you!""Fiiiiine.">Blink the crap out of your eyes while Cheerilee yammers about field trip protocol. Should probably be listening but who the fuck invented learning before 10am?>You catch enough, you think. Older kids (Cheerilee *barely* counts) are allowed to go off on their own, but foals your age gotta stick with someone.>Chaperone groups get sorted out when you arrive, not right now. The penalty for running off long enough for an adult to notice (they're pretty lenient for 'reasonable' breaches) is missing the next two trips.>The adults typically have preferences for what to do, which shouldn't be a problem since most of the time ponies just want to go to the market or the movies.>Yeah, you got it. Well, get the fuck outta bed already!>This'll be fine. What were you gonna do today anyway? Yell at yourself for being bad at magic? It'll be fun!>You wrestle the covers off and roll/flop out of bed. Cheerilee is halfway out the door when she looks over her shoulder, "Don't forget your money- I can take you places but I'm not taking IOUs for stuff!""Yeah, I figured-" you respond while pawing through your side of the desk drawers.>Pencils, no. Magic book, no. Pack of peanut butter cookies, no, but take that anyway. Aha- bulging cloth!>Your coinpurse is getting nice and fat. Being the only filly who actually *likes* doing the complicated chores has its benefits.>The strings are long enough to wear like a necklace, and padded enough to not hurt your skin. What does hurt slightly is the heavy purse bouncing against your chest as you trot down the stairs.>Downstairs. Turn right. Out the main doors, into the walled yard, join the herd of soon-to-be travelers.>A few fillies give jealous glances towards you- or more likely your jingling purse, but none of them are dumb enough to try anything in full view of the adults.>Speaking of, those two guards take up the rear with three nuns at the front. Funny, you don't see Solstice anywhere.>"Hey, you noticed too, right? Where's Miss Solstice?" Cheerilee whispers."No idea, but yeah I did.">>Yardstick speaks up. "Okay, fillies!" She glances at the guards- "And gentlecolts. You know the drill. Stay in the group and keep a steady pace, we'll be in Ponyville in half an hour at a brisk trot and we'll break into activity groups.">Huh>What?>>You raise your hoof- "Yes, Anon?""Why aren't we taking the train?">Fuck. You can feel how stupid the other foals think you are. She said a half hour walk, you heard it, but you still-
>>43367921>>>"Yeah- why do we have to walk!?" one of the work-shy girls chimes in.>>"Ugh- beCAUSE, dear Teatime, the train isn't waiting here 99 percent of the time. And a train ticket for a half hour walk? Not a good trade, despite what *you* might believe." She glowers at the lazy kid before looking back at you.>>"To answer the question, the one I *assume* you meant to ask, Anon, the train platform is mostly for deliveries. Although we do sometimes take trips to Canterlot. Anything else? No? Then onwards!">The group sets off at a decent pace, one you have no trouble keeping up with.>Immediately you hear a gentle murmur of gossip and plans. A couple of the basically-adult foals are apparently present as chaperones, talking about buying shit for their apprenticeships or something.>Younger fillies salivate over candy and new dolls, apparently there's a new Daring Do book, nobody knows what movie is playing right now.>>>Cheerilee whispers into your ear- "I'm gonna go over to the farms, get fresh apples. The ones on our orchard still aren't quite right I think.">Sweet and Tart immediately get on her ass, saying she only likes the farm boy, she says to shut up, they start singing the kissing song->Come to think of it, Cheerilee is basically a teenager... Perfectly normal for her to be noticing boys, right?>...Oh. So that's why you smelled hay last night.>It takes every ounce of your willpower to hold your tongue, to not suggest she only wants Big Macintosh's big... tool.>No. No, you do not need to be alienating your only actual friend. Nor do you need questions on how you know who that guy is.>....Realization: the Apple parents could still be alive. You could warn them... except... goddammit the show never actually said what killed them!>Wasn't it implied to be that fucking chimera? Or did everyone just assume that was the implication? Well, you can at least warn them not to go through the swamp without proper gear, right?>Or... wait, you recall everyone saying there was a rainbow blast right before you were found. Was that the cutie mark rainbow?>Well, one way to find out!"Hey, I could go with you? To the farms? I dunno what else to do.">Cheerilee scrunches. She clearly intended to be alone, but you're hung up on this now-"Don't look at me like that! I woulda stayed inside reading today if it weren't for you!">>>The 30 minute trip probably becomes 45 minutes due to a bathroom break, a slipped shoe, and Sister Melilot pointing out various wild herbs->"Oooh, look- that yellow flower? That's elecampane! Great for making cough medicine. Decent salve for spider bites, too!">Could be handy some day, so you pay attention.>A short while later, the sleepy town of Ponyville comes into full view, slightly sleepier than you remember.>The nuns lead you into the familiar fountain in front of Sugarcube Corner- it's surreal, seeing it up close and in 3d.
>>43367385Pony Power?
Still love this
>>43369785The fillies are in my walls?!
9
>>43370149Your wall, their hall
>>43367983>"Okay, everypony, attention pl-">Murmurs, excitement, dull roar of->"EVERYPONY, EYES ON ME." Silence. Heads turn to Sister Yardstick. "Okay, thank you. Group time- I'll be browsing the market most of the day, Sister Melilot will be taking her usual nature walk and picnic, Door and Knob will be at the movies-">A throng of excitable fillies all shuffle into rough groupings while the nuns talk over them. "Don't worry, you'll have some shopping time and lunch no matter who you're with-">>Cheerilee comes up to you and stuffs a donut in your mouth. "They were four for three bits, from the guy who owns the big cupcake.">Well, that must mean you've officially had your first Sugarcube Corner treat. Scratch that off the brony bucket list!>Wait>Cheerilee specifically told you she wasn't gonna buy you shit, right?>So->Well, you would've shared too, but you've got money to spare. Does she have an angle? Is she trying to make you feel bad about tagging along with->"Fillies, if you're going with an older foal tell me now! Otherwise I'll have to assume you ran off- Cheerilee, is Anon going with you?">>"Yes, ma'am, we're going up to the orchards.">You try to protest but you'd have to spit your donut out. You're autistic, but not autistic enough to have missed her being all huffy a few minutes ago!>Something ain't right here.>Eh, fuck it, trust the process. Cheerilee hasn't tried to screw you yet, and it IS where you wanted to go.>Minutes later, Cheerilee is leading you away from the scattering pack of foals>You finally swallow the last of that incredibly chewy donut as you're walking by a row of cute little tudor houses."So- what gives? You looked real pissed when I wanted to tag along before.">"It's simple- you like farm work, they have a daughter your age, you keep her occupied while I talk to her brother!">Uh huh"Okay, one potential problem: don't earth pony farmers get REAL particular about doing work a specific way?">"Yeah, so? You don't magic stuff out of the trees, you climb up and grab it!""..You know, I could've just-">"I know, I know, you coulda stayed home and done farm work! Come on! I bought you that donut!">Yep. You knew it. You knew it was blackmail.>Welp, she's the one responsible for you, so if anything goes tits-up it's her fault.>Taking a while>Ponyville's a bigger place than you thought. All the shit on the outskirts is like a proper rural suburb area. Except you're not driving a car so you feel every goddamn mile.>Well, probably not miles, but still."You know, I don't even love farm work... I dunno what I love, honestly, I just get bored easily and picking fruit is something to do.">"Well, if you don't hate it, you still like it more than everypony else.""Yeah, but-">"You don't HAVE to do farm work, just hang out with her! And keep her parents away if you can!""Wh... what are you even planning on doing!?">Cheerilee rolls her eyes. "Not THAT, you dingus! I just wanna be alone with him!""Uh huh."
This is what I'm giving her for her birthday
>>43371972>After at least 15, 20 minutes, you start seeing apple trees.>It feels weird. Like it's both too close and too far for what the show implied.>Whatever.>Might've gone faster if you'd kept your eye out and paid attention, but no, you were mostly just following Cheerilee.>Coulda had some fun looking at Ponyville pre-show, but... actually, why didn't you?>Timestream integrity? You already wanted to warn the apple parents, so, no, that can't be it.>Yet, if you fuck events up, Twilight might not->Didn't we already establish you didn't even want to go back?>Yeah, you did, months ago!>...Months. It'd be about Christmas by now. On Earth.>Mom can go fuck herself, but this'll be dad's first Christmas outliving his son...>...>...That's the crux of the matter, really- you can't fucking get over yourself.>You don't want to go back but you can't fathom staying either.>For just a little while you'd thought, maybe, just maybe, you could redefine yourself or something. New life, new chance?>Well- thing about that is, you'd need to let go of your old self. Which you fucking failed to do, even when dying.>You still like shooting, you still like machines, you'd love to travel, even just build furniture all day->But no. You might be a special case with some extra privileges, but at the end of the day you're still technically just a kid.>A kid nobody trusts with power tools, a kid whose "arms" are functionally broken, a kid with no roots and no past- and you'll be stuck as a kid for decades.>Furtive thinks you *might* be from some tiny noble house->You know way too much about war and weapons, that's not a normal thing for a girl your age, but not suspicious on its own. Being some knight's brat high on the family history is usually how that happens, according to her.>Yeah, you liked shooting. Even tried archery once, but didn't have the patience for it. But now? Now you can't even get a slingshot, let alone a crossbow or something.>....Yeah. Yeah, that's it, it's been... kinda boring. Being a kid is actually fucking boring when you're old enough to know what you're missing!>You don't mind working or reading but it used to be nothing would stop you from taking a break to go shooting or work on your->Hrrrk>Brain freeze! In the middle of the day, sans ice cream?>Sure as hell feels like it!>Feels like you were on the edge of a breakthrough! Goddammit GIVE IT BACK FUCK FUCK FU->What the fuck is that train of thought and why is there always, ALWAYS a deadly penny on the rail?>"Hey, you okay? Keep up!" Cheerilee eyes you over her back.>Shit, you must've yelped or something."Yeah, just a headache. Dunno. I think I'm good.">"Alright, we're almost there.">You keep following Cheerilee's burgundy butt as it trudges and sways up and down the little wooded foothills around Ponyville>Finally, you crest the last one and see Sweet Apple Acres's big fucqhueg barn in the distance.
>>43372756>And right in front of it- kinda blobby at this distance, but the colors are unmistakable.>Applejack and Big Mac, dead ahead. Cheerilee goes from a trot to a canter.>Huff, puff, try to keep up!>A teeny tiny border collie yaps at the sudden extra hooves stamping around, alerting both ponies to your approach.>>"Now, quiet, WInona! You've met her before!" Big Mac admonishes her as he and his sister walk up to meet you.>Wait, Winona? THAT Winona?>Huh. That means dogs live for like 100 years here. Good. They deserve it.>>>"Yeah but she ain't met the green bean there!" Applejack sprints at you, grabbing YoUr HoOf AnD tRyInG tO rAtTlE yOuR fUcKiNg BoNeS->>"Applejack! Settle down, now!">>>"Heh. Sorry, sugarcube, mah name's Applejack, what's yers?" She scratches the back of her hatless head with a blush and an awkward smile.>You don't know why the ground is swaying side to side but it does help you get a glimpse of her ass. Bare. Blank. Sans marque d'cutie.>Swaying? No, spinning!>Oh fuck the world is spinning!>One step>Two step>Three step>Floor!>Floor?>No, Cheerilee catches you! Almost the floor, though.>"This is Anonmare, everypony just calls her Anon, she's the new girl, my roommate. Figured she could help Applejack while you and I....?" Cheerilee almost purrs as she gets close to Big Mac.>>"Heh, uh, don't take this th' wrong way, but- er, you know..""Know what?">>"Um...">>>"Yer a unicorn. Unicorns don't do farm work.">>"APPLEJACK!">>>"WHAT? It's true! Well, mostly true, ah guess, but they-">A glare from her older brother shuts her up like a steel trap.>>Big Mac sighs. "Ah don't like the way she said it, but she wasn't exactly wrong- see, we have a particular way of doing things on Sweet Apple Acres, and it.. doesn't include magicking the fruit out of the trees, okay? Now don't start tryna use yer fancy mathematics on us, it's tradition and we're quite content not making sense to ya, get it?""Yeah I wasn't planning on-">"Look, Big Mac, her magic's a little slow-growing. She only recently managed to get her light working smooth... But she's smart, good at math, steady hooves. She can be helpful.">>"Look, Cheerilee, Ah-">The sound of a screen door shutting shuts everyone's mouths. Granny Smith's unmistakable voice rings out.>>>>"Well, howdy there! Cheerilee, if'n I recall correctly, but who's her friend there?""I'm-">>"We were jus' tellin' Anon here we won't need any help on the farm, Granny.">Funny, you can't tell if that was a veiled order to fuck off. There was absolutely zero venom in his voice, like he was just reciting a matter of fact.>>>>"Well, 'course you won't! T'ain't nothing left fer t'day! 'Specially with yer parents out on a delivery run. Go on now, be foals fer a while why don'tcha?">Everyone, you included, stammers and yammers on a bit-
>>43372956>>>>"C'mon now, you think ah don't know what's up, mister Macintosh?" Granny eyes the two and wiggles her eyebrows a bit. "And as fer the two little ladies, Applejack, why don't ya take her shootin'?">Oh hell yeah>Shh, play it cool, PLAY. IT. COOL."Yeah, that sounds fun.">>>"Granny! She's got magic, she'll cheat!""Cheerilee already explained that I don't, and so I can't!">>>"Yew even handled a weapon b'fore? This ain't some twiggy little rubber toy, it's mah pahpaw's old huntin' bow!">Oh for->She's just gonna keep coming up with excuses until you both blow a gasket and get in trouble>Buuuuut>Hehehehe>You know SECRETS!"Well- why don't you show me how it's done, properly?">>>"Yeah right, I bet that was just- whaaaaaaat?""I don't know nothin, so, would you please show me how it's done?">You and Applejack split off from the older foal-ders, as she leads you out a little ways from the main farmstead>Nice big hillock ahead, squares and circles with lines on 'em, little fence in front and a lotta fenceposts behind->Yep. It's a shooting range.>Winona follows behind, all but nipping at your heels. You don't mind one bit- you haven't had a dog in years. You miss it.>"Alright- we're here. Still don't know what kinda witchcraft y'pulled to get me to agree t'this." Applejack puffs herself up, staring at you->Her face softens near-instantly. "But, Winona seems t'like ya. An'... she ain't never wrong, so ya must be decent folk I'll give ya that. Wait right here-">She trots off towards a little shed, leaving you with a dog to pet.>Seriously, you know Winona is a friendly dog, but it *is* a little weird that she'd take to you so quick, right?>You were always good with dogs and cats. Does that still apply here?>>>Man this is a fluffy dog. You could pet her for hours.>>Alright, where the hell is->Oh. There she is!>Applejack comes back after a few minutes too long, with a little red wagon hitched to her body and an evil grin on her face.>"Hehehehe alright, ye're so eager t'shoot, ah got somethin' fer ya. Had to beg daddy fer months so ya'd better pay attention.">She pulls up close- you can see a crossbow and kit in her wagon. Lacquered hardwood tiller, big fucking heavy limbs- one of those siege bows you'd need a crank and cover to reload.>But that's not what's truly interesting- no. You catch a whiff of old hag stank- and is that- no fucking way-"Holy shit, is that an harquebus?">Sure as shit looks like it. Bigass muzzleloader with a simple lever-trigger connected to an arm that holds a burning fuse. The simplest and earliest mechanical firing mechanism, before that you had to hold onto a match and stick it in the cannon by hand.>Applejack starts sputtering. "W- Ah don't- WELL. Since ya know ALL about it, why don'cha show ME, pardner?">Shit.>You've actually never fired black powder.
>>43372959>Still, you can wing it, right? She'll stop you if you do something that'll blow the both of you up. Right? Yeah, you worry too much.>"Heh, shut you up right quick didn't-""Is that an offer? Cause I'd love to.">"Ugh- okay, look, ah admit I jus' wanted t'show off. But ya gotta let me show ya how or-""I see you have pre-measured charges. I dunno how you intend to light the match but, well, I AM familiar with the care and handling of gunpowder.">Not a lie. You did some hand-loading in your day.>>>>She gives you the stink-eye. "Buckin' no you ain't. Half the Ponyville guard don't even know what one o' these is, and th'other half still can't load or shoot right!""Is that a challenge?">"NnnnnnnnOPE! Nopenopenope this was a bad-">Ears flick. Something dives into a bush. A lot of somethings.>"Are yew listenin' ta me?" AJ's ears flick too- "Yeah, breakin' news, th' forest makes noise, city girl! Ah'm sorry, we can shoot the crossbow but-""SHHHH! Hold on a sec-">You gently nudge your face towards Winona, whose ears are flat and hackles raised. AJ follows suit and you both get low and stare towards the forest edge.>"Alright, now what in tarnation is out there?" she whispers."Coulda sworn I heard-">"Our mother who art in-""It sounds like someone's praying, really quiet... I can only make out a little bit but.. I think that noise was someone hiding!">"What? Ah don't hear dung from nowhere!""Shhh! Look-">You scan the treeline- THERE! A pair of blinking eyes, trembling in a bush. If you really squint you could swear there's a bunch of littler eyes squeezed tight shut, too."I don't have time to explain but it's really hard to hide from me. I see ponies in the bushes!">"Oh fer- fine. Rustlers? Maybe they started prayin' when they saw me-">A distant roar, somewhat but not quite like a lion's, shuts her trap. A moment later, she manages to squeak out- "Oh. That sounds like a manticore. I wouldn't wanna be whoever's in-""I'm taking that gun."
>>43372962>"Um. Scuze me?" Her whisper becomes hoarse and indignant, without losing the heavy dose of fear."One of the nuns went on a nature walk with a bunch of foals. I have a bad feeling they got lost. Ponies I know could be about to-">"Are you- no, yer crazy! I'mma go get Granny-">The shadow of that manticore comes into view. Sniffing around the eyes. The only pair you could clearly see shuts tight.>Gotta do something!"And she'll get the guards, and by the time the guards get here that fucker will have sniffed them out and ate them! Load that-">"No, nope, uh-uh, nope! You're-""Load that fucking crossbow and be ready to shoot. Gimme the goddamn gun, or I'll take it from you.">Winona starts growling- "Yeah, you forgot ah got at least 20 stone and a whole dog on ya, didn't-" Winona is growling *at* Applejack. "Wh- you little-""She's a guard dog, you're her master, and right now you're chickening out of guarding your turf. She knows what's up.">Another roar. Applejack debates with herself for a few precious seconds, then...>"Augh, alright, ah'd never forgive m'self if somepony died on our land- Winona, run to the guardhouse! Get Big Mac while you're at it!">>Winona is off with a yip, and you're already pouring a charge down the barrel of that matchlock.>Applejack shakes her head in disbelief as she starts laboriously winding the crossbow string back.>Ball and wadding at the top, just like you saw in the movies. Applejack watches you, but so far she isn't shaking her head.>"Ah thought yer magic didn't work?" AJ says as she stares at your green glowing fingers."Basically doesn't- everybody's got grabby hooves, right? Mine are slightly grabbier is all. Can't cast spells yet." You heave as you tamp the ramrod down.>Dab of powder in the pan. Close the lid. Attach the match- test the lever, yes, the match will touch the touchhole with length to spare.>"Well hay, maybe you wasn't kidding? Couldn't'a done much better myself. Here-">She helps you set up the firing rest and holds what looks like a little wheel flint thingy, like from a Bic lighter, to the end of the match. Blows. Gets it nice and smoldering."Okay- guns have basically no range, right? So- you take your bow, draw its attention, then I shoot it in the face. Got it?">Gulp. "Yeah. You're still-">Roar, and the sound of a bush being hacked apart.>Screaming fillies, and a mare- your fears were well-founded, as Sister Melilot and five of your neighbors flee in different directions. Only one of them retains the wherewithal to run towards the farm, looks like Daisy.>"Ah hay. Yer right but that don't make ya not crazy! HEY! OVER HERE, YA OVERGROWN BARN CAT!">The cry gets the manticore's attention for a moment, as its small shadowy head raises up and turns. A pony crab-crawls back away, stage right. Daisy finishes her mad sprint to safety by keeling over into a pig water trough.
>>43372966>Applejack hoists up the bow, scrambles to the fence/shooting rest, slides a broadhead into the groove and aims for a moment. "No wind schedules... bout 200 yards...">She gets down real low, to aim it up high. "Be ready- the hay are you doin I said get READY!">Right. This was your fucking plan after all.>Three legged stance, leg tucked into the circular lever-grip, you got a bead on the fucker->"It'll come right for us- I'll shoot, then get down, okay?""Okay- shoot!">One more second. Then, a deafening snap. Holy shit crossbows are supposed to be silent! FUCK YOU, HOLLYWOOD! AUGH!>>>Oh shit did she miss?>Oh fuck. Oh fuck she didn't->Either she hit or she almost hit and manticores are smart enough to->"It's coming right at us! Why the hay did ah listen ta-">Breathe in. Count to four. Just like taking a shot at a bobcat.>Breath out. Count to four. Slide the lever home, just as the beast's face and colors start to fade into view.>Hiss. Fizz. Heavy paws get closer. The fangs strike fear in your little horsey heart, but you're able to shut that part of you up.>Steady. Hold it steady->A tenth of a second, maybe two, after you closed the lever->Your ears are ringing. The stock slams into your little body, almost knocks you on your ass. Feels like a bruise tomorrow. Everything in front of you is smoke->A massive shape rears up through the smog, twists around and flees, dripping blood.>>>The adrenaline fades to shakes. You gingerly set the matchlock leaning against the fence, and flop onto your side.>Panting on the ground as your hearing comes back, you can hear distant cracks and thuds as the manticore no doubt slams into trees in pain.>>>>"What in the wide world of- APPLEJACK, WAS YOU USIN' YER DADDY'S- what..." Granny Smith's voice trails off from behind you.>Clip clop clip clop->>"Little ladies, that blood best not be either o' yours... Come on now! Speak up! D-d-don't- don't scare ol' Granny like that!""N-n-n-not ours. Manticore. Cornered-">>>"Chased us into a bush, ma'am. We'd be... well, I'm just grateful these two were out here- ANON?""Hey, Sister. Saw you in the bushes. You okay?">>>"Anon- NO, just- yes, I'm unharmed, but that was an unconscionable risk you took!""What happened to 'grateful these two were-">>>"Anon, I am one of your guardians. It is LITERALLY my job to keep you OUT of situations like this!""...like the others with you?">>>"Hnng- I don't know why that creature was chasing us! We didn't INTENTIONALLY put ourselves in danger, like SOMEPONY.""Okay. Fine. But I had a weapon, and I couldn't just stand there and watch you die-">Play it up, girl."N-n-not again. Not like-">Success! Her face softens and she hugs you.>>>"Oh- Anon, your parents surely died to make sure you'd live, and here you are just... What were you even-">"Cheerilee dragged her here so she could make googoo-eyes at mah brother, so I took her fer some target shootin'."
>>43373042
nein
Amre spotted on the bale canvas
>>43373865Noanamre
>>43373001>Speaking of Cheerilee->"bigmacwhereareyou-" Her voice, in the distance, shouting>>"ahheardagunshot-">"awhat? sowhat!?">>So, Applejack knows she ain't supposed tawhatthehayhappenedhere- Granny!?" Big Mac comes from the direction of one of the orchards, black smears on his face and legs.>"SISTER MELILOT? What are you doing here!?" Cheerilee is close behind, wearing-"Black lipstick!? When did you put that omffafafffff-">"SHHHHHHH! I was wearing it when we left, riiiiight?" she says with a hoof crammed in your mouth>>"Eyup!" Big Mac's eyes dart around all shifty-like. "Now what in Seabiscuit happened here!?">He starts examining the range. Five panting ponies, ground streaked with bloody pawprints>>"...You weren't just foalin' around, were ya? Great. One more critter ain't afeared of ponies no more. Just GREAT.... hang on.">Applejack is silent and scrunched and sweating bullets.>>"How in Celestia's daylight did ya get the gun ready in time?">He squints harder at Applejack, who sweats harder in response.>Aw shit, you can't just- look, she's about to break!"It was me. She just wanted to show it off, I was egging her on. By the time she was ready to call it off, we saw the manticore.">Melilot eyes you unapprovingly, but says nothing.>>>Granny on the other hand- "Look. Big Mac, foal's will be foals. Ah don't think AJ woulda gone through with it if'n it weren't an emergency...">You and AJ both relax, letting out a breath you didn't know you were holding.>>>"And as fer you, Sister- well, she saved yer life. Ah better not hear about any mistreatment- I pay my church dues, heck I helped BUILD that dang orphanage! I know ponies!" She gets right up in the nun's face.>>>>"Yes... Well.. You're right. I AM grateful, to her and to whatever god or twist of fate took pity on me... BUT.">>>>Melilot looms over you, looking you right in the eye- "This does not mean that I, in any way, approve of you looking for trouble. Understand? This was, and had best remain, a spur of the moment act.""Yes, ma'am.">>>>"Good. Now, I think I'll be cutting my walk short this week. Come along, girls, let's have lunch in civilization!">And she and the girls are gone. But not before Daisy hugs you and sobs into your shoulder."Yeah, it's ok, you'll be ok-" you awkwardly hug back.>Welp>Big Mac and Cheerilee are already off to fuck some more in the apple trees.>Applejack is-"Hey, you ok?">"Huh? Yeah, ah'm jus'... my paw is gonna skin me for using a cartridge. Stuff's expensive, it's a wolf repellant, not a target shootin' kinda thang.""It really work?">"Yeah. Fire off a shot or two, most timber wolves'll run like tartarus.">>>"Alright, I *did* kinda goad you into showing it off... how much?">"30 bits.""Crap. Yeah, I got that but wow-">"Ah told ya!">You count out ten silver coins, which she immediately takes to Granny Smith.>It's not too bad a hit to your wallet, but certainly bad enough to notice.>Oh well, you got to shoot a gun today.
quitting art, heres the last thing i tried. anonmare in that promo g6 style.
>>43374319quitting art giving away all my drawings at spawn
>>43374319>>43374383Cute sketch anon, what happened to cause you to quit drawing?
>>43374319Thank you for the art drawfriend, I love her. The promo snoots are plenty boopable so there's that at least.>>43374401Sometimes art is hard or frustrating especially if you don't have much confidence, that's how it is for me anyway I suppose anon may have his own reasons.
>>43374319>Anonmare has lived through the ages>She becomes the new Celestia, but with infinitely more faggotry and shenanigans
another frickin anon mare for u all
>>43374887Princess of Autism!
>>43374249>Lunch at that unnamed café. The French butler guy is still the waiter- er, already the- you know.>Cheerilee is brooding. Probably because you technically helped ruin her date.>She sighs loudly and rests her head on both forehooves instead of eating her damn sandwich."Don't be like that! Would you rather be attending five funerals!?" you say through a mouthful of fish and chips.>"Ugh! Of course not! It's just... well...">She folds her hooves and buries her head on the table. "We were getting to the good part!">With her hooves like that you can clearly see black smears on her fetlocks.>The fuck is up with that?"Okay, why is your own lipstick all over your own legs?">Perhaps a little too quickly, her head shoots up and she retorts- "Making out with this retainer is hard! Okay?">Hmmmm>Something isn't adding up here, but you can't put your finger on it."Ug. Whatever. Any idea why those fillies were in the woods? Seems weird for an adult to take them somewhere like that.">"....Yeah, that isn't adding up. Sister Melilot knows the woods, she WOULDN'T intentionally go into the Everfree- so that manticore must've chased them there. But what was it doing out of the Everfree?""You tell me, you're the one who spent a month reading that book of monsters.">She looks at you like you woke her up at 3am to say you threw up. "Wha- it's a book of mythology, not real world monsters!""...oh."
>>43372351Good luck getting her to use it
>>43375606>Cheerilee drags you to the nicer shops where she spends at least an hour looking at some dumb skirt>The same dumb skirt you're almost positive she'll buy because it's the one in that picture. You know the one.>There's nothing much you want- being naked is kinda nice and you're sure as shit not putting on a frilly dress for fun.>Oh well.>Time to leave.>Everyone meets back at the fountain around 6-ish, where you find Melilot's group milling around>Well, most of them are. Melilot herself is yelling at one of her hikers and said hiker is, obviously, being yelled at.>"CATNIP? WHY DID YOU HAVE A BAG FULL OF CATNIP!? YOU DON'T HAVE A CAT! IT DOESN'T GROW WILD HERE!">>"I was holding it for a-">"WHAT!? WHY WOULD YOU EVEN- CATNIP ISN'T ILLEGAL, NO NO NO THIS DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE!">The dressing-down goes on for a while, but you notice none other than Rararararara herself slink over and magic her catnip out of the hapless victim's bag.>She looks like she's about to say something but thinks much, much better of it, leaving what looks like a heavy iron coin in the bag and running off without a word.>Daisy slinks closer to you. She glances around nervously, trembles sometimes."You okay?">"No. How are you okay?" She steps closer."I dunno, I just got that dog in me or something." You shrug.>An eyebrow raises dangerously high. "That's a figure of speech, right?""Yeah, I'm pretty sure I'm not actually part dog." Your eyes threaten to roll out of your head.>>>The moviegoers file back in, and immediately the guards notice the tension. Their eyes scan around->Melilot being uncharacteristically pissed off>Daisy, one of the girliest girls in the orphanage, clinging to the weirdo disability case>...And you, with your usual blank face. Of course they approach you first.>>"Alright, Anon. Any idea what's going on here?">>>"Or why there's... soot? Why're your legs and nose all sooty? Ha, you lighting a beacon fire or something?">Oh for-"No, sir, I shot at a manticore. With a hoof-cannon.">Yep>Their faces are twisting up between laughter, indignation and sheer confusion.>Before they can say more than [random noises], Melilot steps in. "She's telling the truth, boys, and I'll thank you to drop it. Now.">The guards look at each other, and back to the nun->>"B-but-">>>"Look Sister, it's our job to keep track of this, we HAVE to know more! No, don't click your tongue at me, I'm not a scared little schoolcolt anymore! Answer me!">>>Melilot breaks before the guard does, with a heavy sigh. "Fine. SOMEPONY had enough catnip to lure a lion from Zebrica, which attracted a manticore. No, I was NOT in the Everfree at first, we ended up on the edge while running for our lives and that's where Anon happened to be.">They take a moment to process this, then look at you expectantly"I was at Sweet Apple Acres, they have a filly my age and she took me shooting. I wasn't LOOKING for trouble!">>"Why didn't you just-"
>>43376239Anonmare looks so unpleased at her gift D:
>>43374887Princess Anon! May her pure heart reign supreme and guide all other anonmares to salvation from their suffering.>>43376239Look there, I already see one such mare in need of aid!
>>43377750All hail Big Faggot!
Ate
>>43374887Thank you, I love your art!
>>43377164>The guards go back and forth with Melilot, repeating roughly the same cycle of bullshit you got from her at the Apples' but in greater detail.>Of course they also want that same detail from you, but at least they're not mad at you. Exactly. Anymore.>>More and more foals file in. As soon as the guards are satisfied, Yardstick's group arrives and THEY all want the story too.>Yardstick gives Melilot the business but relents quickly upon Daisy's testimony- apparently she's had to watch Rarity sometimes due to her parents being right on the edge of A Not Friendly Visit From CPS for how often she gets left alone.>Needless to say, Yardstick fully believes Rarity would have some insane but good reason to give a filly a brick of catnip like it's drugs. That cat is "an absolute demon.">>So, that makes what, three times you've repeated The Incident?>And then it turns out only half of Yardstick's group was paying attention, the other half suddenly and loudly wonder why you're covered in soot and the grownups are yelling. Guess who won't leave you alone!>"Aw but we're gonna be waiting here for a little while!" "We can't leave until everypony gets here!" "you might as well! (said with wet doe eyes)." motherfuckers->And then Lily and Roseluck, who'd been talking to various flower farmers>And THEN the frickin' Einstein who was fucking with you this morning->Well, at least she has the excuse of doing an experiment on you- plus the confirmation you used the power for not-evil seems to be reassuring her.>What, did they suddenly forget you're the Brat Search and Rescue? HOW many times has Lemon Bars run off and hid in a pile of random crap?>You've had to repeat the same fucking story like 5 times now, and deal with the peanut gallery chiming in, and you'll probably get dragged in front of Furtive and Solstice so make that SIX pending.>Fug. Deep breath.>Losing your shit accomplishes nothing.>You did the right thing. You can look anyone in the eye and say you made the best out of a hand of bad choices.>Never let them take that!>Just enjoy the relatively quiet walk home...>The walk home is indeed fast and uneventful. Small miracles.>The guards kind of... well they don't force you to do anything, but they make it clear you're to report to the head mares as soon as you put your stuff down.>Not just you- they want everyone involved. Even Cheerilee, since she was in earshot.>They seem way more pissed at Melilot than you, thankfully. You catch bits and pieces as you head inside.>Bits like "Why in TARTARUS did you not get us immediately!? Now we have to go back tomorrow to talk to the farmers!">Yeah. Yeah that's pretty fucking weird, actually- you had kind of expected to be dragged off for questioning in the middle of lunch or something.>Still, you did get to shoot an antique gun. Well, antique for you, probably cutting edge for ponies.>Which also confirms ponies DO have gunpowder. Not a total waste of a day.
>>43384266>In the main door, away from the continued dressing-down and arguing>Turn left for the west wing.>Up the now-quite-familiar stairs.>Second door on the right- someone clip clops behind you. Heavy hooves, probably male, the guards?>Turn around- Yep, it's that guard who doesn't make weird secret mission jokes at you."Yes sir, I haven't forgotten, just lemme ditch my purse-">"Change of plans, Anon. Make yourself as presentable as you can- clean that dirt and soot off you and comb your mane.""...Can I ask why? Miss Solstice never seemed to-">"Princess Celestia and Sister Solstice are waiting to speak to you, in the chapel. Clean up, and I'll take you there.">Well.>Okay then. What in the goddamn hell could she be coming here for?>Might be the first time you're actually scared in this life.>The sound of extra hooves coming up the stairs doesn't help as you turn back towards your room>"And don't tell your friends- I- Doctor?" Furtive ascends the stairs behind him and clears her throat pointedly.>>"I'll handle it. I have reason to be present for this meeting anyway, and you've scared her quite enough.">"Doctor, protocol clearly states that a summoned individual should be presented by a constable or guard whenever-">>"I grew up BREATHING this shit, you glorified doorpony. Do not quote courtly manners or diplomatic protocol to me, especially when your padded jacket is as ragged and dirty as your own damned fur.">A couple minutes later, you're in Furtive's clinic getting a quick sponge bath.>"Sorry Anon, ponies would start to ask questions if they saw me helping you. Don't worry, the Princess has been here all day- could've seen you this morning, but she insisted you have your day in town. I believe she wanted to speak to Solstice alone first.">Ulp>"Now, now- it has nothing to do with your heroic escapades. Excellent work, by the way. I hadn't questioned Her Majesty but from what I've gathered, it has to do with your magic tutoring?">...less ulp?"Uh, heh, yeah, maybe? I can't imagine why else she'd be here?">Oh fuck if she wants you to be her little student-"Wait... You aren't gonna grill me about...">"About what? Saving six lives?" She sighs as she pours a pitcher onto your soapy back. "Okay. Yes, as an adult, I'm legally obliged to say 'don't pick fights with wild animals.' There, is that what you wanted to hear?""Uh... It's what I EXPECTED- guaah!" The next pitcher is colder than you expected, netting a quick apology.
>>43384272>"Sorry-, well, obviously if you had miscalculated and died, the day would have been even more tragic than if you'd hidden yourself. But that did not happen, meaning you made the best choice out of what were surely a pile of bad choices.">You continue to mope and limpy comply with her scrubbing for a couple minutes>Despite all assurances to the contrary, you can't shake the feeling Celestia knows>That she's going to send you home, and what then? Do you fucking wake up dead?>No, you're being paranoid, even if she did know, the fact that you're a law-abiding pony should help.>Yeah. You're fine. She can make peace with fucking Discord, she can tolerate you running around.>...Right?>>Conditioner is slathered into your tangled mop of a mane while Furtive brushes- maybe you should've-"ow">-let the girls do a makeover-"ow">-at least they could've taught you how to care for long hair. Or cut it short?>>"Anon, 1 minute of combing in the morning would spare us both this pain and inconvenience. Understand?"Yes, doctor.">>Eventually she notices your mood and gets down at eye level. "Anon. That manticore probably wouldn't have killed them- they don't usually kill ponies and they don't hunt us for food unless they're starving. But it could have seriously hurt all of them, easily, and it...">Heavy sighs. The conversation pauses while she dries your mane>>>"Daisy almost certainly would have died, and possibly the farmers if they'd had to defend her or their home without having time to ready ranged weaponry. Call it fate or coincidence, because you were there, she lived. No matter what happens, you did a good thing for a good reason.">She inspects you, gives you a mirror (damn you're almost cute), spritzes you with something vaguely (but not overpoweringly) sweet-smelling.>"There. Not bad for a rush job- normally I wouldn't bother with perfume, but saltpeter and sulfur stick in your flesh almost as bad as the smell of cheap rubber.""Heh. Thanks. Didn't realize I could look half-decent that quick...">"Yes, well, I had not realized you'd forgotten basic mane care or I would have taught you. Now- you have a Princess to meet.">Right>The fateful meeting->"Hm, I get the feeling you're not nervous about your actions today...""Is it that obvious?">"Just be polite, and be yourself. Refer to Her Majesty as 'Princess' or 'ma'am,' and you'll be fine. I'm sure you could even call her by name, but the guards would lose their minds and make life difficult.""Yeah, heh, if the local cops are that crazy about it...">"Indeed. Well, that's.. about as good as can be, given the short notice. Come along, now. And don't worry- I'll make sure you don't miss out on dinner."
>>43385240
>>43385645
>>43383313anonmare makes some really good food!
>>43386375LYRA HAS ANONMARE'S OATS!
>>43387274The phony ponies will pay. Importing Scottish steel-cut oats ain't cheap.
>>43387880indeed, very expensive quality oats.
>>43388573Very expensive!
>>43384277>Walls of eyes peek out at you on your way out>The others clearly know you're being dragged to the chapel, even if the princess is here incognito or something>It's not helping your nerves one bit, of course>Feeling like the green mile here, all that's missing is->"OoOOoooh somepony's gonna be scrubbing every toilet!">Yep. There we go. Fucking busybodies, all of them.>"Go to the dining hall, all of you! Scat! She's not even in trouble, you little vultures!" Furtive on the defense. Thanks.>>>Up to the main doors. She starts talking, prodding. "I can guess you're sick of this by now, but I need to know... How in Tartarus did you learn to load a cannon?""Uh... I didn't remember anything, if that's what you're asking-">"Hmm.""It just kinda.. felt right? Muscle memory or something?">"That does make sense, assuming you'd had training before. I myself was forced to learn the longbow. Not uncommon for wealthy or noble families.""Yeah.">The walk to the chapel is quickly over.>It now looms over you, with its white brick and stained glass windows.>Inside is the Princess. If one pony in the world could clock you, it'd be her.>Maybe that wouldn't be so bad, maybe it would, who->"Anon, there's no need to be nervous. Take a deep breath, count to four, breathe out, count to four.">F->Fine.>1, 2, 3, 4>1, 2, 3, 4>"Better?""Yeah. A little.">A lot. You know that trick works.>The nice oak doors creak open; Solstice could fix that but she has it in her head that a church door should creak a little, you've heard. Adds character.>And->"Your Highness, Sister, presenting Miss Anonymares, as summoned." Furtive says with a short, but not too-short, bow.>You look around in a bit of a daze before awkwardly bowing yourself and almost tipping forward. Stupid fat horse head.>Look up. There She is. Princess Celestia, laying on a cushion by the pulpit, flanked by a couple of stern-faced royal guards.>Even more regal and ethereal than on the tv screen. Her literally-flowing mane in 3d almost makes your eyes hurt.>More than that, though, something in the back of your horsebrain screams 'danger.' Like it knows it's looking at a living god.>Relax, she's not psychotic. Even if she does realize what you are, there should be no danger beyond what you make for yourself.>Be cool. You keep saying it, so just DO IT.>...Huh.>>"Well, hello there, my little pony. I've heard so much about you. I presume my reputation precedes me?" Celestia says with her trademark Elegant Lil Shid grin.>>"You're not in any trouble, I just wanted to meet you. Truth be told, I wasn't even here for you at first- I had... news that ought to be given in person.">God even her fucking voice makes your emotions melt. Everything's going to be okay.>You had started to take a step forward, but a stifled sob caught your attention... Solstice doesn't look so good."Uh- hello, Your Highness- I'm sorry but I need to ask if Miss Solstice is okay first?">>"Oh... Of course."
>>43390100>>>"Huh- wha? Oh, hello lass, don't moind me. Got some... M'fraid we, er, won't be getting a magic tutor just yet...">What>...oh."Did something happen to Sunset?">Celestia's eyebrow raises dangerously high. STUPID FUCK, WHEN WILL YOU LEARN NOT TO->>"Yes. I felt Winter Solstice deserved to be told in person; after all, it... did happen on my watch.">Great. EQG really is canon. God. Fucking. Dammit.>You know the answers but you'd best play the curious little brat-"Is she... uh.... Still alive, at least?">And a harder sob from Solstice. Great job, fucknut.>>"Oh- oh dear, yes. I have every reason to believe she is still alive and unhurt. It wasn't an accident, she ran away, through a portal... after I...">She pauses>Not for very long, but enough that it's clearly noticeable.>>"We had an argument. I made.. a grave error in my teaching style, an error I fear I may never have the opportunity to correct.">>She stares into the distance forlornly.. "I should have taken a closer, gentler hoof. Not pushed her, no, stupid, it's just like when....">Wait>She's not staring at nothing. She's staring at the stained glass picture of the Two Sisters.>Luna.>Well. You were always more of a Lunafag, but you won't suffer a sadlestia if you can help it.>Approach. Slowly, but confidently, don't give the guards any reason to think you have a reason to be paranoid.>They watch you closely but make no move to stop you.>You're close enough now that you could jump onto her if you wanted. That's close enough. She's still staring at that window."Do you miss your sister, Princess?">>She jumps up a bit, as if awoken. "Hm? Oh- you know, not many ponies these days remember.... Yes, Anonymares, I miss her more than there could ever be words to describe.">Suddenly you are pulled in by a massive white wing.>Celestia is extremely warm.>>"Thank you for asking.""Uh.. I think I read in a book somewhere, she could come back... is that true? Is she gonna be ok?">Why do you keep tempting fate?>Look at the Princess- she's muttering to herself now!>"a book somewhere" meaning Twilight's book that, for all you know, is a restricted-access book of ancient lore!?>Yeah sure just go blabbing->>"'...And the stars will aid in her escape.' Yes, that's one of the old pony tales alright. Nightmare Moon comes down, throws me into space and brings about nighttime eternal...""That's not good.">>"Ancient doomsday prophecies rarely are, I'm afraid. It would be nice to get just ONE portent of cake, wouldn't it?""I think I'd rather just get surprise cake. Having to wait on it would be annoying.">Heh>It's...too easy, playing the precocious little kid.>Oh well. When in Rome.>>"I think I quite like the way you think, my dear.">It's so fucking surreal>Being next to HER>She's infinitely more AND less human in person.
>>43390155"What does it even mean? 'The Stars'? In the prophecy?">>"Well... Stars are tied to destiny, some of them are distant worlds or strange creatures... it could mean anything, really. What do you think it means?">You ham up the kid act (is it really an act? Or is this the first time you're not-), putting a hoof to your chin and pausing.>You already know your answer, but you gotta let it simmer."I think it's not important. You should be asking if 'her' is Nightmare Moon... or Princess Luna.">>>>Ha ha ha really not liking how long she's being silent->Ancient eyes regard you. The warmth becomes a façade for cold calculation.>And then... something. Changes?>Her eyes go wider, and maybe just a little bit.. reverent? Hopeful?>Oh- oh no, is she->There's a question welling up in her mind, you just know it.>You just passed the secret test for her next student- but holy fuck, no no no you did not sign up for MORE violence and stupid monsters and pirates and->And it's not fair to Twilight! You don't wanna be an isekaislop homewrecker! You'd be perfectly happy as a shopkeeper or train driver NPC, thank you very much!>She opens her mouth, but glances at Solstice.>Furtive too- and Furtive shakes her head.>>"Well... I would invite you to my Canterlot school for unicorns, but... Well, I hear you're still at the stage where no tutor could possibly help you?" She sounds deflated, slightly."Yes, ma'am. I only just got my light to come out without flickering. I still can't even feel most things, no matter how hard I think at them.">>"Oh, that's not how- right. It has to come to you naturally. But, I think I can give you some advice that will actually be useful.""...Okay.">>"You don't think at a spot of ground when you want to take a step, do you?""No. I just... move my leg.">>"Yes. Go on-""....just thinking in my head 'move leg move leg move leg' doesn't do anything, cause the part that moves it... isn't the part that thinks thoughts in my head....">>She tilts her head towards the matron and doctor. "You're right, she IS a quick study!" And back to you- "Remain diligent, my little pony, it will come to you before long, and this period of your life will be something to look back on with- oh?">The door creaks open, with a younger-looking Raven Inkwell bringing in a pick-a-nic basket.>>"I'm aware I've made you miss dinner service, so I arranged for takeout.""...Oh.">Great. At best you might get snooty deli food or a sugar overload.>>"I must apologize- I can guess the kinds of haute cuisine you're imagining, but as I've made of today a.. rare day off, of sorts, I took the liberty of-""PEETZER!">>"Oh my- yes! The brown box is Chickago-style Deep Fish, a Griffon classic, and the other-">Crunch crunch>>"Well, you can clearly feel and taste the Manehattan thin crust. I never get to have pizza, the nobles throw a fit if a meal costs less than a house per dish!"
>>43390205>You start to dig in but feel guilty about the room full of hungry adults->Knock knock.>A pimply teenage pegasus drags in more pizza boxes. Nevermind, then, there's enough for everyone.>He freaks out a bit upon seeing that it's THE PRINCESS (or maybe due to the guards rushing the door) but he gets a fat tip for his trouble. He'll be fine.>>Dinner thus proceeds in a normal fashion.>No fanfare, no particular focus on manners, nothing.>Just you, the Princess, a couple guards and other ponies stuffing their greasy, tomato-stained faces.>Celestia unspools your life story over the evening, while you tear through most of a thin crust pizza by yourself.>Her ears prick whenever anyone mentions a rainbow anomaly, and you, dumbass that you are, let slip that you remember seeing one before you blacked out.>You know it can't be THAT rainbow, Applejack doesn't have her cutie mark, but does Celestia know?>Clearly not.>Unless that's not what she's interested in..?>Pizza done. Still hungy.>Try a piece of that deep fish.>You swallow a bite of what's basically six-inch-thick anchovy lasagna. It goes down like cement and sticks in your gut in a way you know will be punishing you tomorrow.>But in the meantime-"Princess, do you know what that rainbow could've been?">>"Oh, any number of things. Rainbow lights in the sky have always been a good omen, though.""I guess, I did survive after all.">>"Exactly.">Her poker face is, predictably, ironclad. Not a shred of insight into what she's actually thinking.>Right when it seems like she'll say something, right as her mouth opens and lets out the first shred of the first syllable, a guard whispers into her ear.>>"Oh, for-" Sigh. "I'm sorry, everypony, but it seems I can't leave Canterlot for more than a half-day without somepony rioting or trying to bring back sumptuary laws. I must return, lest it become illegal to wear a certain color of hat below a certain income bracket." She rolls her royal eyes damn near all the way around as she gets up.>A flash of golden magic has everyone in the room... reasonably clean.>It makes your skin feel like what lemon pledge smells like. Somehow. Just for a second.>>"Winter, I will tell you if I learn ANYTHING. I'll hire a new courier just for such an occasion, if need be.">"'Course, yer Highness. Of course...">She's sad-brooding in basically the same spot as when you got here>...come to think of it, did Solstice even eat?>Metal clinks- plate boots and hoofy-sandals on the tile floor. Oak doors creak and slam shut.>The royal entourage is gone.
>>43390989>"Doctor, please, take Anon back inside, oi think... oi think oi'll spend tonight in the chapel.">>"Yes, of course, I wanted to speak with her alone anyway. I'll be coming out here with you- no, don't start with me, we don't need to talk but you need to not be alone, Winter.">Solstice grumbles and flops down on the pillow Celestia was using.>She's just.. laying there. Eyes open, glassy, staring at nothing.>Depressed horse is depressed.>You hug her and still nothing. Wait- she just mumbled something that might almost sound like 'go away.'>Oof.>Just let her mope, she can't talk until she's ready.>You turn around to see Furtive right in front of you, mouth open.>>>>"Oh, good, so I won't have to drag you away. Come on.">Out into the brisk, cool late daylight->The sun is still in its proper position, but dimmer. Like the first time, months ago.>Man that's weird->Wait>Nevermind, there it goes.>The rising of the moon immediately makes the manor grounds spookier.>Almost reflexively, you ignite your light while Furtive does the same.>>"Oh, very good Anon. Did that take any effort?""Not really? I didn't even realize I'd done it for a second.">>"I see.">Man, the ham pink and lime green auras are making everything look... kinda *nasty.*>>Furtive stops, glancing all around. "Alright. Anon, I need you to not mention your manticore escapades. I don't think Solstice could take that right now.""Uh-">>"I know, everypony already knows. Between my being a doctor and Solstice holing up in the chapel, I think we can keep it from her long enough that it won't give her a heart attack. That's all I'm aiming for, not total secrecy, just breathing room.""What does you being a-">>"Because ponies will listen to me! Ahem. Sorry, that energy was uncalled for. Ponies will listen to me when I tell them 'Sister Solstice needs to rest and she's chosen the chapel.' They won't inquire further than that, and if they do? I can just invoke the fact that I am, in fact, a doctor.""Okay... I can foresee one issue with that right now.">>"And that would be?""Town trips are on Saturday, right? Which means-">>"Which means we either skip service this week, or one of the junior nuns can volunteer to hold it elsewhere. And?""...I dunno, I just thought... nevermind. You can count on me, believe me I wasn't looking forward to recounting that story AGAIN.">>"Good. Let's change the subject- how was it, meeting Princess Celestia? Lots of ponies go their whole lives never seeing her in person, let alone eating dinner with her.""I think maybe Solstice should go easier on Cheerilee's table manners.">>"Ha. I wonder how much of her current woes are Sunset's... exile, and how much was seeing Celestia covered in sauce!"
>>43391065>>"...Oh, you're serious?">>"Somewhat. I'm worried that her angelic image of the Princess was a bit of a.. load-bearing delusion. Seems to be the case for most ponies.""Not you?">>"I do have a high opinion of the Princess, but I guarantee she uses the privy like anypony else. She's a mare, not some ethereal being of pure magic and virtue.">>Furtive walks you to the stairs up to the west wing. "Up to your room now, lights out soon. And.. try not to brag about meeting the Princess. Kind of a, how do you say, low-class move?""I think nobles would do that.">>"Precisely. Good night.">Sleep comes hard tonight>Far-removed from the incident, without the heavy wood braced against your chest, all you have is repeating what-ifs>Every one of them ends with you dying, your throat bleeding>Even when you manage to sleep->Dog warns of danger, well in advance>Boy has a plan. Everything is set up->Only for Filly to be shot out from under him.>Again, and again, and again->You lose track of how many times you woke up in a cold sweat.
neen
>>43391454sleepy mare
>>43391103>Morning comes>Everything goes like Furtive planned.>Yardstick turns Solstice's breakfast spot into a makeshift pulpit.>At brunch, Furtive advises you to sleep with Cheerilee. Apparently your nightmares *are* that obvious, though you note she never makes any direct mention of the incident or any trauma it could cause.>Melilot catches you while you're on dish duty, apologizing profusely for getting on your ass the day before->"I was terrified and angry and you...""It's fine, sister.">It really is>You're still amazed you basically didn't get in trouble for handling a weapon>Evening. Dinner.>Nothing unusual.>Sleep.>Cheerilee practically drags you up into her bunk, and you do sleep better.>And so on->And so on->And so on->Solstice comes out of her funk eventually, and learns of your escapade. Melilot looms behind her, bout ready to smack her if she yells at you, but no.>If anything, Solstice almost looks proud of you.>Weird. Good, but weird, right?>The week turns into the month turns into->Same rhytrhm.>Monday-Friday you do random useful shit, then try to practice magic to no real progress.>Saturday, trip into town.>Sunday, church services and lazing around.>Months and months go by.>Winter. Your first Hearthswarming.>You get the full 12 days of Christmas level shit, nobody does anything more than the bare minimum of normal chores.>It's nice. The nuns go all-the-fuck-out on holiday cheer, wearing red cloaks while the guards don fake antlers and santa beards.>Every day you get a high effort chapel service, more of a play than a simple sermon.>Every night you help in the kitchen. Everyone does- the feast starts small on the first day, just spiced oats and real (!!!) cider, but ramps up with a new dish added on every night.>Supposed to represent the tribes of Ponykind slowly coming together and making life better for everyone.>And, the big day->Most of the fillies unwrap dolls, makeup kits, or boxes of candy>You get.... a book on airships.>Fuckin' sweet, actually.>You yearn for a vessel of your own, you're almost positive you->ALARM ALARM ALARM ALARM>Well. Maybe you'll get a ship's wheel for a cutie mark or something. That must be what's wrong.>Everyone fucks off to stash their loot, then comes back for the feastening.>Oats, watered-down-but-still-real booze, potatoes, multiple fancy potage dishes, a bigass roast trout, multiple varieties of hay, and to top it all off, a gelatin effigy of an alicorn.>Sleep that night is sweaty and uncomfortable, and waking up even moreso.>Why did you drink that much cider!?>Your first winter wrap up- you get dragged into Ponyville to help dig up some hibernating bunnies.>Complete with gay little song you refuse to sing along with.>Apparently only ponies with cutie marks are actually required to help out, but Daisy refused to leave the manor without you.>Fine, whatever, if you standing around makes her feel safer->Yeah. This feels pretty damn affirming.
>>43392895>Quit your complaining.>Months and months->A full year.>Nobody knows your birthday, so they just count the day you woke up.>Sure. Why not?>It's technically correct, in a way. You were re*born.*>Alright then.>Birthday: May 25th, 933. Last week of spring.>Cake gets served and you get some extra coins.>And a book on the succession wars following Nightmare Moon's banishment.>You never get around to reading it in-depth, just skimming it for equipment breakdowns and important players.>The kind of shit that'll be on your tests.>More trips. Every Saturday, unless there's shit going down.>Cheerilee still hasn't gotten her cutie mark, but she's allowed free movement now. This has NOT done wonders for her self-esteem.>She starts dragging you to the farm. Not that you mind, but it's reallly REALLY awkward trying to ignore her always having black lipstick and smears and hickeys on the way back.>Especially when she NEVER. LEAVES. THE. ORPHANAGE. WITH. LIPSTICK. ON.>You're half-dreading the day she ends up pregnant for fuck's sake.>Only half. The other half would be....>Amused? Sympathetic?>...>Well anyway. You always manage to miss the Apple parents, they're out on a delivery or in town or something.>You don't really mind being dragged here. Applejack's parents started keeping the gun in their room, but she does have a shortbow and a light crossbow.>That's always fun to shoot, even if you suck with the shortbow.>Having to pull the damn thing back with your mouth and whole body is just->Eh.>It's good practice and company. You'll probably end up living in Ponyville if you don't just use the orphanage's free room policy, so it's good to have a friend here.>Plus you can help HER practice. You might dread the idea of having to be a main character, but you can sure as hell help one of the real Mane 6 be prepared.>...Funny.>You were mid bow-draw when you slacked off and shot an arrow into the fence.>Applejack's half-laughing, half playing it down with countryisms and platitudes. You know how she is.>It's just- it's been months since you, y'know, thought about the world like that?>Have you really just been living?>Or letting this life pass you by.....>Time keeps turning.>As befits their lifespan, ponies seem to be content living slow.>Idyllic, even.>You're getting taller, you're taking better care of yourself, you're having fewer and fewer breakdowns over your whole.. femininity situation.>See?>Right there- you didn't dwell on it!>Even the fillies are warming up to you- you're not the weird walking cliche patient anymore, you're just Anon the tough girl. Anon the brat wrangler. Anonfilly.>Life is... good.
>>43393029>Another day on Sweet Apple Acres.>You thoroughly check Cheerilee for any hidden lipstick, saying you thought you saw a tick or something.>Nothing. She must keep it at her makeout point, because the only place on her you haven't checked is her cooch.>She wanders off with Big Mac, looking more frustrated than you've ever seen her.>This'll be fine. Surely.>Granny Smith directs you to help Applejack- they have a stubborn tree. Only responds to Bright Mac bucking it, and he's occupied as always.>Real work, she says, so you'll get paid if you do it right.>Hell yeah.>You, notably, fail to negotiate any pay, but money is money even if she just hands you a couple gold bits.>>>>Applejack leads you out to a relatively secluded hill, dominated by a single motherfucking HUGE apple tree.>Like did they crossbreed it with an OAK!?>The bottom branches have already been plucked clean, but->"Alright, up there- see? Just hold the basket steady while I-" Applejack points out the upper boughs still heaving with... holy fuck are those Cosmic Crisps?"Hold on! I'm almost positive I'm a better climber than you! Why-">"Our land, our trees, should be an Apple touching the apples!">You know you'll get nowhere with this. Let it go."Alright- whatever ,fine, let's get a rope or something- Wait, I said hang on!">She starts climbing up, shouting down "Ya'd better hold that basket!""No, seriously, I've gotten stuck before, it's not fun! APPLEJACK!">She, of course, does not listen.>Up and up she goes, leapfrogging from branch to branch.>Oh this ain't good->Look around, and fast! There! There's some rope at the->Too late. She calls out a final "get that basket!" before fruit starts flying.>Up she goes. Down they go.>Okay. Okay, this isn't so bad- the fruit's not even bruising. She's going slow enough for you to keep repositioning.>Yeah, okay, she does this for a living, of course she's good in a tree, you're worrying over->"Woah!">The cracking of a branch. Wood dust and leaves hitting your head. Applejack falling, catching herself on a branch, hanging by her forelegs->More cracking. "Nonononono come on!">Well. Seems you *are* damned to be a main character. Or are you?>Of course not. That's quitter talk!>But what can you do!? That branch won't hold long enough to set anything up!>This is one of those times being human would be very helpful! You could climb up there easy, reach out and catch her->You can almost feeeel her fur on your old fingers!"Just stay calm, fighting is gonna make it break faster!">"Just do SOMETHIN' sugarcuuUUUUUUUUU-">The force of her yelling makes the last strings of greenwood give way>A lanky applebutt falls. Okay. She'll hit the branches, be banged up but->"OOF! AUGH! AIEE!">She does hit some branches. She hits them and tumbles completely out of the canopy->"AAAAAAAAAAAAAA"
>>43393031>You can't look. You shut your eyes tight and->"AAaaaa.. huh? How'm ah not- am ah floating?">Some part of you feels her twisting around, looking at herself->Clearly she's dead. She's dead and you're hearing her ghost. You refuse to open your eyes.>"Ah am! ANON! YOU'RE- OW!">You fall over, breaking whatever connection was there.>"Ooof- alright, yeah, ow, got some bruises, but ah'm alright. Ow.">Clip>Clop>Clip>Clop>"You alright, Anon? Anon? Blink twice if you can hear me!">Blink. Blink.>Pant pant pant->>"WHAT IN TARNATION ARE YOU LIL TUMBLEWEEDS DOIN' THIS TIME!?" Granny Smith calls out.>"HAD A FALL, ANON SAVED ME BUT-""w a t e r">"BRING SOME SWEET TEA, GRANNY SMITH!">You blink and the sky is replaced with a rustic wooden roof.>A tall glass of iced tea is next to you.>And it's gone.>Applejack is... nowhere to be seen? But Granny Smith is sitting in her rocker, watching you.>>"Her mama's giving her what she deserves, fer bein' plum STUPID. The whole reason I sent ya was to help make a safety net. She KNOWS yer horn wasn't right, thank th' stars yer magic finally decided to start workin'!">She gives you 15 bits, not bad for what amounted to like 10 minutes of work.>Or, rather, she puts them on the table->You pick them up and dump them into your purse without thinking about it>The metal is cold and smooth and->-And you didn't get up.>YOU DIDN'T GET UP!>>"Hehehehe, y'won't be shootin' with AJ fer a while, but I reckon ya wanna get home to yer books-">You're only half listening as you tie and untie your purse. Paw at the wood grain on the walls. SCRATCH. YOUR. RUMP. And giggling all the way.>>"No cutie mark, b'fore ya ask, but- well, the nuns'll get awful sore if you run off alone, right? Let's go find Cheerilee."
>>43393078>You hold the door open for Granny Smith before you even get to it>Ha ha ha ha you have HANDS!>Not even hands, the sequel to hands!>The door feels heavier than it should- but gets lighter as you approach>Interesting. So it really works kind of like a limb?>Out the door. Into the sun.>Maybe stop grabbing everything before you fall over again.>Granny Smith leads you towards.. the barn?>Funny. Maybe she already knows where they are, just a figure of speech?>Nope. She searches the barn, stopping to scratch her salt and butter hair bun.>>"Strange... Look missy, ah'm no stranger to two youngins runnin' off together, but... no, this is where they'd go off to neck, right?">So. Granny Smith knows and doesn't care?>Well it's her grandson.>Maybe she'd care more if it was her granddaughter? Do ponies work the same way as humans in that regard?>Oh hey, there's.. a cow in here?>"Hello-o-o there, missy. Name's Mooooriel. Any reason you're po-o-o-okin' round in our barn?" She eyes you suspiciously, though her voice is sweet and even."Oh, uh, I'm Anon, and we're-">>"Mooriel, quit givin' the girl the business! Besides, it's my family's land!">"We pay rent in milk, Granny Smith, seems reasonable to have some privacy n-o-o-ow and then.">>"Oh fer- ugh. Ya seen the wine-colored lil mare or mah son around?">"I haven't, I'll go-o-o-o ask the girls.">The heifer lumbers off to the back of the barn, where you hear whispers and mooing for a moment, and comes back.>>"Daisy-Jo-o-o says check the o-o-o-old apple bunker on the no-o-o-orth side of O-o-o-old Mo-o-o-le's Kno-o-o-olll.">"Thank ya kindly, Mooriel-">Granny leads you to a backwoods road, cutting across the west orchard.>You pass the time letting your magic touch stuff. Just being in genuine awe of how similar yet different the sensations are.>It might even be more sensitive than your hands- like every single electron's worth of... stuff? your field is made of can return sensor data.>And yet it all just... processes. No overload.>It takes a lot of effort but you even manage to project two fields at once!>That tears it- you're a pony now.>You're got hands that are better than hands!>Straight up, to the top, from here on out!>Maybe you'll buy a spellbook! Does Ponyville have a magic shop? Do those even exist?>You don't fucking know! And you don't care!>This life finally *feels* like a second chance!>No more numbly waiting, no more fighting, no more->>>"Hmmmmmm." Granny's ho-humming snaps you out of your thoughts.>Before you is like.. like someone put a vault door from Fallout onto a hobbit hole?>Granny is squinting at the edges.>>"Damn. It's locked.""So they're not in there?">>"Whajuih- no, silly! Ya lock it from the inside! What use is a bunker you gotta unlock in an emergency, huh?""...Yeah, ok that makes sense.">Welp. Whatever.>Back to your magic.
>>43393170>You're off in your own little world again>Delighting in bending your magic into funny shapes>Taking note of what "tiredness" feels like in this context>It's like a pair of limbs that're also made of water but also remote control but also you have ten thousand fingers and->>"Hmmm... Say, missy, you think y'could, oh, ah dunno, make a fake key? No? Lockpicks?" You notice Granny Smith is speaking very softly, but not quite whispering.>Good question>You'd be thrilled to try>Except-"Uh... what if I jam the lock?">>"Not to worry- ah got some dynamite stashed. But if'n you can open the door all quiet-like, we could get the drop on 'em! See fer ourselves what they're really doing, 'fore they can have time to get their stories straight.">They're probably fucking no don't say that-"They're probably doing it...">>"Possibly. And as an ornery grandma it's mah job to break it up. You wanna help or not?">Hm>Cheerilee is your only real friend.>What about Ap->Applejack is more of a weekend friend slash acquaintence, you don't have to sleep underneath her bed tonight!>Shuddup->You DO want to figure out what the fuck is going on, right?>So-"...Okay, but you have to promise that you'll act like you forced me to do it. Had leverage or something.">>"Ohhh, right, alright... Git it done missy, unless y'want Applejack grounded for TWICE as long." she says with a wink.>Alright>Big bunker door made to stop.. actually what the fuck is this door for?>Whatever, later.>There's a slot for some kind of key- wait hold up what kind of bunker has a keyhole on the OUTSIDE->>"Repurposed bank vault. Had ta make do, installed it backwards so safecrackers couldn't get in.""...okay?">>"You was lookin' at it with yer flytrap wide open. Ah jus' assumed.""Why is there a keyhole on... the inside of a bank vault?">>"In case ya lock yerself inside?">That's-"That seems like a huge-">>"Oh, there's a reason we don't store anythin' in it! Get to it!">Regardless->Time to get weird with it!>Your energy flows, flickering a bit, but nothing feels off>Actually it feels kind of numb- oh fuck>Your heart sinks as you realize you're having trouble manipulating your field->You get closer. Close enough that you're practically eyefucking the keyhole, and the sensation comes back.>Okay. Okay, you're good. This was good, now you know magic has range AND suffers from signal decay.>You want to make complicated shapes or root around in machinery, it's gotta be close to you. Good data. Don't shit yourself. Just breathe.>Hmm- nope>Agh- nada>You can feel the little teeth inside the tight metal hole- but every time you think you've set one it clamps down hard->Oh no fucking way it's Oblivion lockpicking>And it's way harder than it was in that game. What motion do you even do to 'set' a tumbler?>While you work and peer into that keyhole, your other eye notices Granny Smith pouring oil into a little funnel/gutter/thingy. Must be connected to the hinges.
>>43393369>HNNG OW! That one vaguely hurt! Not pain-pain but hitting your funny bone?>Hmm. You're doing this wrong.>They aren't gonna snap down so hard if you're actively pushing at the same moment. But the second you pull away->So... Why pull away? Try and snake your field through and hold every tumbler correctly.>...Wouldn't that just be like, a forgery key?>Yes. Yes it would. Congratulations, you. You figured out your own plan.>Now do it!>Hnnng->This is a lot more tiresome than you anticipated>You can feel the fatigue toxins building up in your brain>Getting eepy speedrun! Nonono come on!>rgh, no, a couple more milimeters on the farthest one- too far- no- no- yes- no-"Yes!">Thunk>You hear some whirring inside, but very softly.>Granny Smith shushes at you with her hoof and an impish grin as she stops the door from swinging open wider than her head.>You squeeze in, the lights are on, and over in the corner, facing away from you->>"BIG MACINTOSH!">>>"EEEEEEEEWHUT!?">Big Mac and Cheerilee turn around so fast they end up flopping onto the concrete floor.>Big Mac is covered in black splotches, but Cheerilee is mostly spotless...>And they definitely aren't sweaty or dripping or panting or blushing or any other sexytime indicator.>And what's this on the floor....Writing?>>"BIG MACINTOSH! What in Clam Hill are you doin in here!?">"Uhhh, hi Granny Smith, we were just, um-">>>Big Mac gets in front of her, blocking most of her body from view. "We was just fornicating, Granny Smith! Eyup, we gave into our filthy adolescent urges and I planted my seed in her garden!">"WHAT!?">>>"See? Cheerilee was so taken by desire she can't even remember!">Big Mac is sweating bullets and wearing an increasingly desperate grin. Cheerilee on the other hand->"NO. NO NO NO. The girlfriend act was one thing but I'm NOT faking a PREGNANCY just so YOU don't have to admit YOU are BAD AT MOUTHWRITING! WE'RE THROUGH! Find a new tutor!">Cheerilee all but stomps towards the bunker entrance, holding back tears. She stops midway, thanks Granny Smith for all her hospitality, grabs you by the mane and walks out.>Without her saddlebags->You pull them over before she even realizes, causing her to glance all around>"Wh- how-">You reach out and twiddle the clasp on her bags with probably the biggest (and most genuine) smile you've given anyone in any lifetime.>Well, not THE most, there was that time with your dad when you first started the engine of->NOPENOPE>Dammit! Almost had it!"Yeah. I uh... Saved Applejack from falling out of a tree? It's worked ever since.">Cheerilee sighs. "Well at least ONE of us had a good day. Heh, saved another pony from falling out of a tree, but couldn't save herself.">She bumps your rump. "Come on- let's eat at home. Money's gonna be a little tighter for me, and you for-""Nah, I never buy anything, remember?" You jingle your fat bitch of a purse as you start steering her towards that new hayburger joint.
>>43391971
>>43390661burger
enjoying a sweet treat
>>43395258She may be a grown mare but she still deserves treats. Very pretty anon.
>>43393406>20 minutes later, your purse is no longer heavy enough to hurt your neck>Why?>Because you're staring at Cheerilee over a mountain of hayburgers and potato fries>Kind of annoying that you had to specify POTATO fries, and it'll probably stay annoying forever."So, when we gotta be back?" You say through a mouthful of spud and ketchup.>>>Cheerilee just...>Nibbles.>The same burger she's been nibbling.>You've had 3 in the time she's had a tenth of one."Hey- what's wrong? Don't tell me you really did want to-">"NO! I'M NOT CRUSHING ON HIM!">Oop>She shrinks into her seat as your fellow restaurant-goers stare.>"ehehe... But seriously, it was NOTHING like that.""But all the lipstick!">"Was the only thing I could carry without arousing suspicion.""But you weren't-">"Keeping it in my room? Where the nuns could see it and start dragging me to sex ed class? Yeah, no. Most of the time I left it at the bunker, and I bought more in town when I ran out.""Oh...kay....">Fourth burger opened. FUCK you're starving.>Is magic always this tiring? Maybe everyone owes Twiggy an apology..."So... All this crap, because he's just...">"Ashamed to admit he never learned to write properly... it's common. You know how guys are- and him being a farmer makes it worse.. yeah.">Cheerilee's eating more heartily now, gesturing with her food still in hoof."But... girlfriend!?">"It was... AN idea. First thing he thought of, which was more than I had. Should've told him no, but....">She trails off, shrinking and covering her flank.>"I just really wanted some more teaching experience- you're no fun to teach.""Hey!">"Sorry- I like a challenge, and a challenge you're not." She boops your snoot with a napkin, which comes away mustardy.>>>>After some time eating in silence. Companionable silence, not awkward sad silence like before->"Say- why did you, uh.... Well... I don't remember seeing you last Nightmare Night...""Eh, I dunno, I like the activities but I kind of object to the holiday itself.">"What!?""I just feel bad making a mockery of Princess Luna's fall. Yeah, yeah, I'm weird and possibly raised by monks. I know.">"But-""Eat your dang food already. I wanna get back to that magic book, there's a whole section I never read.">For emphasis, you use your magic to squirt mustard into... your magic, and bite it out of the air.>....Man, fancy food joints in Canterlot must be NUTS if they know their clients can do shit like this>Cheerilee stares at your flippant abuse of your natural gifts like she just saw you wipe your own ass with the shroud of Turin/"Don't look at me like that, schmoopy, you'd be doing this too."
>>43395439>>>***BE ANONMARE***"Man, I wish I had a picture of Cheerilee after-ohgoddammit YES, SCOOTALOO?">Chikunhors drops her hoof and huffs very loudly. "We've been sitting here for like an hour and a half, when's the cutie mark!?">Well>She's not wrong, but-"Oy, where the heck you gotta be anyway? You even know where Dash is?">>"Oooh ooh ooh iknowiknow!" Pinkie leaps out of her current hiding place.>"Yeeees?">>"But I'm not tellliiiiiiiiing until the story's over!">"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA">You admit to taking some guilty pleasure in making the brat squirm.>>>Okay. A lot of not particularly guilty pleasure.>Anyway-"Where was I.... Fluttershy?">"Um, Fluttershy is not an orphan." Orangebirb gives you the stink eye and shuffles in her seat... Until she notices butterbirb walking up behind her.>>"Huh? Who said I was- Oh. Hello, Anon, um, don't mind me-">Hmm>>"I just needed to tell Pinkie Pie something important, if that's okay.">You squint at her suspiciously as she walks up to Pinkie Pie, wrapping her wings around her head and whispering into her ear.>Your ears perk up. You could SEE Pinkie Pie signaling for her to shut up, pointing at you, making weird expressions that probably mean "SHE GOT DEM FREAK EARS" right until Fluttershy blocked your view.>But, of course, Fluttershy picks right now to be as assertive as she is oblivious.>>"Chromapone reports the POT is ready for the SOUP.">>>"Oh, Flutters, you're so funny! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA wecalledthatoff! REMEMBER!?""Why you guys talkin' bout soup? And- Chromapone? Really? Tell Rainbow Dash her spycraft is absolute dogwater AND that she needs to help Derpy with her bed!">Fluttershy stares at you in absolute bewilderment.>>>"I was trying to te-e-e-ell yo-o-o-u!""I seriously don't know how this even works- I don't think it's magic, I think ponies just have really bad ears and I don't for some reason.">>>"What? Yeah sure, being able to see your eyes in a bush? That's probably some magic shit. This? This I just hear you guys speaking really quietly and you act like you put up some magical veil of secrecy. Ya didn't.">>"I can't even always tell what you're saying- sometimes I just catch a couple words, but you act like it's in the same ballpark as my legitimately weird ability to detect hiding ponies!">>>"Buncha freaks and sissies. Now where was I?">You rest your chin on your hoof on the table in contemplation as Fluttershy walks off>She's out of sight by the time you realize-"Hey wait a second she told me Dash was at- goddammit. Anyway! Yeah, sure Scootypuff, let's speed this up- a whole lotta nothin' happened cuz I was a dumbass who wasted her youth.">The crusaders all let out a sigh of relief while Twilight turns all sad and droopy. Spike is reading a comic book, occasionally peeking over it to make sure the magic quill didn't fuck something up.
>>43395717"So, I had my magic finally, but that didn't actually solve much. Made things worse, even, cuz I couldn't understand half the words in my books, the orphanage couldn't afford a dedicated tutor for just one pony, I couldn't travel far enough on my own... It just made a feedback loop of screwing with my head, and that's before I.. uh, started growing up...">>>***BE...KIND OF INBETWEEN FILLY AND MARE ANON?***>Months roll by. Years. Birthdays. Holidays. Cute-ceañeras.>You're a little taller and less chubby, but not quite lanky.>You continue being a conscientious objector to Nightmare Night, though you'll dress up to escort trick or treaters.>Just doesn't feel right, knowing full well what the holiday means. You can't get how forlorn Celestia was out of your mind.>It's hard to resist the allure of Horse Halloween, but no matter how hard you filly, you'll always be a lunafag at heard.>Hearthwarmings keep being great. No notes.>Hearts and Hooves pass with zero incident. You make damn sure to lock yourself in your room- not really necessary, since it's an all-girls orphanage in practice, but you're not taking chances.>...Wait. Did you always care?>Feels like you're backsliding a bit, doesn't it?>Hnng.>Cheerilee never got over that stupid deal with Big Mac.>Jackass refuses to acknowledge that she was teaching him, and Applejack won't say anything because she wasn't there (fair enough), and now half the town thinks she's a horny cunt.>Well, she kind of is, but that's not->Point being, her mood has only been getting worse overall.>It's straining your relationship, and you don't know what to do.>>>Late one night, well after lights out, she rolls over out of bed.>Flops onto the floor next to your bunks with an 'oof'>"Anon?""what.">"I'm.. sorry. I've.. sort of been blaming you, but I know Granny Smith put you up to it.""I did want to know what was going on.">"Yeah, I was being pretty weird...""There a reason this is happening at 1am? I forgive you, go the fuck to bed.">"Well... Uh...""Cheerilee it's way too late.. early.. whatever for this. Say it!">"You know how you can see ponies' souls?""Oh for-">"Nonono, I KNOW you can! How else can you see-""I got weird eyes and a crazy visual cortex. Doc had the tests done, most of it ain't even magic it's just-">"Uh uh. No." She leans in, dangerously. "I've seen you running around, almost like you're fixing stuff.""I've taken an interest in woodworking, yeah-">"Not what I meant and you know it! You kept telling Applejack to make sure her parents were armed. You kept begging me to take you back there even when we had no business there-""They live next to the Everfree! And Applejack is... kind of a friend? That's business enough for me!">"The few times we met their parents, you were more and more desperate! Like you NEEDED to hear them say yes! It's... it doesn't add up unless you KNEW something would happen!"
>>43395796"Hey, hi, I'm the girl who survived a bandit attack. Maybe that FUCKED MY HEAD UP A LITTLE?">"What about you checking Pear Butter's belly?""They're farmers! Is it unfair to assume they'd be makin' foals?">Cheerilee stops in her tracks. For a moment.>"Okay. But. Daisy got her cutie mark. In exactly what she wanted-""Because a cutie mark is-">"I KNOW I KNOW I HAD THE LESSONS TOO!""Then-">"Daisy's Cute-ceañera, you didn't participate in the party, you just stood in the background. Satisfied. Like you KNEW something.""I wanted to show up for her sake, you know I don't really *do* parties like that">"You were hanging out with her! A lot! She kept going to you, you were steering her-">>"Okay. One: Remember when Daisy almost fucking DIED? She feels safer around me! Two: she came to me because she was afraid of her sisters leaving her behind. All I told her was to trust them and everything would work out! That's like level zero friendship advice, a freakin' baby coulda told her that!">"Uh huh.""Where is all this coming from!?">She grits her teeth and sighs heavily.>"The nuns tell me all sorts of stuff, you know. The guards too.""Yeah? I know. So?">"Remember when the chapel was locked one night, years ago? Your first trip to Ponyville?">>...>"I think the Princess wanted you.""Y'know. She seemed to, for a moment, but she had to run off and stop a political emergency, if I recall correctly.">"How convenient! A little filly with weird powers shows up in the forest, and Princess Motherbucking Celestia takes interest... for pizza!?""When you put it like that, it is a little weird how quote-unquote 'normal' that night went. But that *is* how it-">"Cut the horseapples! Logic Gate-""Nah, YOU cut the shit! Even Logic Gate doesn't care anymore and she's the one who was running that experiment! I'm just good at noticing stuff and I pay attention in church!">>>>"Anon. All the girls think you've got some special power. I KNOW you do.""Doesn't every-">"YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN! So why won't you use it on me!?">>wat>"I'm sorry I made going to the farm weird, okay!?">Moisture drops on your blanket and chest>"Feels like I'll never get my cutie mark...">She slumps over onto you and your bed. Not holding you down, just... moping.>As pissed as you are, it's hard seeing her like this>She's still your only real friend, even if you're in a bit of a bitch phase right now.>Plus, she's more right than she seems to realize...>You can't just tell her, though... right?"Look. Cheerilee. I'm not saying yes or no. But bear with me on this.">You feel the pressure ease off your chest with a nasty sniffle. Gross."What was I doing with Daisy right before she got her mark? Reassuring her, telling her to trust herself, her sisters... What was I doing with Logic Gate? Telling her she wasn't a dumb egghead for liking math and science.">"Y-yeah, but-"
>>43395799"But nothing. Logic Gate got her cutie mark when that test worked. Yeah, I have *some* weird magical sight, but most of it is just being really perceptive. Whatever part of me's all aggressive and fight-y is also really good at noticing patterns, that's why i always say-">"You just got that dog in you. Right.""Yep. And I keep dragging you into town.. partially cause I wanna go shooting, even though Applejack isn't allowed to shoot alone anymore... But also, I keep hoping you'll just.. pick up a job? Try something new?">"But I want to be a teacher! Not anything else!""And I know you have it in you....">She relaxes, just for a moment, but you can feel the one hoof still on you tense even more after it passes.>Okay>Fuck, fuck it, fuck everything, let's try it!"Cheerilee, I'm turning my light on.">"Mmhm.">She winces in pale green glow, as her eyes adjust.>God she looks even shittier than you expected."Okay. Maybe... maybe I CAN see it. But only you, and only because you were the first pony my age who ever-">"w-w-wha?""Shh. Listen. I'm not saying I can see the future, but.. let's say I can see your best self. The you that's waiting to be you.:>"Really?">Yeah, ham it up, but be kinda vague."Yeah, but don't go telling everybody. This only works because we've got friendship magic, okay?>"Okay!""So... You're taller. Your muscle and fat have finally filled out, you don't got the yearling twig legs anymore. And no braces.">Pause for effect.>Heh. Maybe you should be a fortune teller? This is kinda fun. And it seems to be helping."You're standing in a classroom. Yours. No- I don't have any names, this isn't the future, this is just who you're meant to be.">It's been years and years. A lifetime and several years by now. But you can still remember that episode if you try."All these foals are listening. You're explaining what a cutie mark is. You got, uhhh-">Make it vague. What WAS her cutie mark? Three bees for the honey of learning? Riiiight."Let's say it's three flowers. It represents watching your students bloom, you say. And then one of them talks shit, and you give out extra homework, because you're the teacher and you can do shit like that.">"Uh huh? And then wh-""And then nothing. I told you, that's just who I know you can be. Now go to bed and- oh, fine, you can sleep with me, whatever-">There.>That oughta give her the confidence she needs.>Time for eepy.
>>43395258She needs some milk! Some actual, from-a-cow, not a slang term for anything lewd, milk!
>>43395258Yummers.
>>43395801>Saturday passes. Cheerilee's off while you stay behind to fix the wobble in your nightstand.>She comes back, markless, but her smile doesn't seem forced or begrudging.>Some random kid asked her for help with a math problem. Not exactly a tutoring job, but she's ecstatic from the implications."What implications?">"Hello? I must just... look teachery!">All according to keikaku>Wednesday.>Harvest season must be soon, as there's an unusually high number of farmers coming by.>Sister Yardstick really needs to do something in town, and all the junior nuns are occupied helping Solstice manage the adoption paperwork.>The flower girls can't sub, they're in town already. You're too young despite being the secondary teacher's pet (not to mention you're... you.)>So imagine Cheerilee's excitement when a lesson plan is dumped on her desk. (she's positively vibrating)>You elect to accompany Yardstick for lack of anything better to do, and leave Cheerilee eagerly arranging 'her' classroom. She mouths a silent 'thank you' as you follow the black-robed egghead towards the main doors.>"So, what's so urgent anyway, Sister?">"Oh, nothing too severe, just need to pay the utilities, report a couple ponies getting their cutie marks. I don't really need company, but since you're soooo helpful you can carry my bags.""Sure.">Can't even be mad when you all but forced yourself into an errand.>You tell yourself you're doing this for your own education, some practical introductions for your future, but->C'mon.>You're just bored. Any usefulness is a bonus.>The walk is nice. Slow. Takes half again as long as it would at a brisk trot, but the woods are lovely this time of year.>Sugarcube Corner is looking more like it's destined to- the cupcake is taking shape, the paint is fresh and bright.>Mr. Cake really needs to stop shaving though. He looks so weird without the stubble but how would you even tell him that?>Down Mane Street. Pass some nice houses and shops. Catch a few election posters- "Vote for Mare for Mayor!" featuring a familiar-to-you face.>Yardstick makes a disapproving grumble. "She'll never win. Even marrying into that Silver family isn't going to be enough against Tiffany Taffeta.""I dunno, I get the sense she's got 'it' where it really counts.">Yardstick tousles your mane a bit. "Could be. Not like it'll be your vote for a few years yet.">>City Hall ahead. The telltale carousel-like building with its big all-round porch.>Inside it's the quietest riot you've ever seen or heard. An ocean of petitioners at a dozen or more windows, nothing like the relative dignity and peace in the show.>Yet, it goes surprisingly fast. The power/water clerk is near the front of the building and the line is long but efficient.>A young stallion, roughly your age you think, dressed in engineer's coveralls, is milling around. You try chatting him up.>Asking such hard-hitting questions as "hey what's the power plant run on?"
>>43397219>He doesn't seem to know shit, keeps deflecting.>Every question answered with some variation of "I'm just a linepony" or "bosses don't let me see the innards">Then he gets... a hungry look in his eye.>Gets really close, close enough that you can smell each other. It makes your belly feel weird for a moment->He's angling slightly. Hiding something with->Oh god is he hiding a half-chub with his back leg!?>"Y'know, we coooould go and find out together... alone...">He is!>He thinks you're hot!>He wants to->Eeeeeeugh>The worst part? For a moment you thought it'd feel nice.>Even being female isn't saving you from whyboners! AAAAAAAAAAA!>>>No don't wander off, get back here and talk to yourself!>You and Yardley buy lunch from the sandwich stall in town hall.>She makes you pay for your own, which, yeah fair. Not like you're hurting for pocket money and, again, you DID kinda butt in.>Pretty fuckin' good sandwich though. Eggplantball marinara sub.>"Anon." Yardstick addresses you with some concern in her voice and eyes. "That colt... seemed very, er, interested in you.""It's fine, sister, I didn't let him talk me into anything.">"Good. It seemed as though you were interested as well, for a moment. Trust me, you can do better.">She's talking to you like you're her 13 year old daughter or something, why->Right. Because you basically are. Ha ha ha ha-"I'm uh.. not ready for dating, he just kinda caught me off guard. I don't think anybody's ever hit on me before...">And he was kinda cute ha ha ha WHAT>"Hmph. Well, I suppose he did seem to have a rugged charm, but I'm glad you remained in control of yourself.">Her nostrils flare. Her mouth scrunches a tiny bit.>"Anon, have you been... feeling different, lately? It's alright to-">She cuts herself off as you bury your face in your crossed forelegs.>You feel a slight breeze on your ears. "Anon, you can't hide from your marehood. You can always talk to one of us, when you're ready. Please do so.">Ha>Ha ha ha ha hA->letthisdayfuckingendalready>Gods be praised, the rest of the day goes without major incident>You get home without any other boys trying to petition you for fucky-fucky>Dinner is hay-and-squashburger in gravy. Basically a pony Salisbury steak.>Cheerilee is far less moody and bitchy during the after-dinner free time.>You take a nice shower, getting all the sweat off you and crawl into your nice, comfy bed.>Cheerilee is already out like a light, probably dreaming of fresh chalk or whatever the fuck makes teachers horny>...Horny>Urgh>Funny feeling>Kinda hot, kinda.. empty?>Yeah. Your vag feels achingly empty and you're involuntarily winking a little.>Oh god no. You can't get that colt out of your head as your hoof absentmindedly goes->nopenopenope, you are not having your first maregasm to thoughts of a male.>Shouldn't it be 'you're not having ANY to-">Hnng>Come on. Hot mares. Think about Trixie. Think about Derpy.
>>43397283>Pleasant feelings build up inside you, hot and tingly, but it just kind of.. plateaus.>Think about Fluttershy. Luna! Those Prench spa twins? Anyone?>You must be doing something wrong, right? Of course.>The female body is harder to please, that's just sex 101, you gotta learn the rhythm, use some toys maybe.>Fuck, you're so frustrated you'd even try gay shit like scented candles.>Unfortunately, you're an adolescent in a shared room and using magic would wake your roommate up.>You could get a pencil. One of the ones you don't use much...>Ew, no, you're not giving your body a fake dicking, ew ew ew>So.>Guess you just give up?>Sleep comes uneasy, as you lie there for tens of minutes, waiting for your blue-bean to calm the fuck down.>Boy, filly and dog had been getting along quite nicely->But now Filly is getting bigger>Her gaze keeps lingering on cute stallions>This wouldn't be a problem for Boy, but Boy can feel everything Filly feels>Please don't be weird, Filly>Filly no! Mr. Cake is married!>You wake up feeling like shit>You spent half your hump day wanting to be humped, ha ha>And then couldn't even get off>Fuck.>What time is it?>10am!?>Shit! You fucking missed breakfast!>Guess there is a downside to being exempt from the usual schedule, huh?>Dammit dammit dammit dammit>Okay. Relax. You always have a pack of cookies or crackers lying around.>Yeah, at the back of your desk drawer, a little bundle of sweetened hay cubes.>Okay. Hunger averted. Slightly.>Now where's Cheerilee? She usually wakes you up whether she's trying to or not.>She's definitely not in her bunk.... oh. She left a note.>"Hey girl, Melilot fell into a poison ivy patch so guess who gets to teach biology class today? I was super quiet this morning, cuz I could hear you last night and figured you'd need the sleep. And the room to yourself, right? Ha.">Your cheeks are burning>"Don't get all red-faced, we're both mares, it's cool. Yeah you aren't as unpredictable as you think. XOXO Cheerilee.">That's almost heartwarming, but you're gonna try a cold shower instead.>You manage to NOT miss lunch, making it down fresh and clean and first in line.>Tangy is scooping food today, she serves a nice green bean pottage along with asking what happened this morning."Slept in, had a rough night. Yes that's all!">You get the feeling she knows, but also knows you're not going to open up.>Good on her for letting it go.>Logic Gate sits with you. Oh good, finally, you can talk to someone about something that isn't your hungry cunt.>She starts off with some carpentry questions. Needs advice for some experiment enclosure she's planning, yeah you can->And then it goes to boys. She knows that apprentice who hit on you, she's interested, she keeps prodding. Even after you convince her you weren't interested, there's still a hint of jealousy->How'd she even find out?>And Goddammit why is she talking to you like you're a girl!?>>>Don't answer that.
>>43397340>She's still going>Asking what he smelled like!?"I dunno- dude sweat?">Goddammit, you love talking about building shit>But this? This gossip crap? No!>STILL?>Asking if he was wearing-"I wasn't paying attention! He was hiding his dick cuz he didn't wanna give away how bad he wanted to FUCK ME! Is that what you wanted to hear!?">Silence>The murmur of the dining hall falls away like a lead weight>The only sound being a cricket. You don't know it yet, but this is the war cry of your lifelong mortal enemy.>>>Logic Gate scrunches up and sulks.>Good. Fuck was she thinking? Even if you WERE just one of the girls, you talked to him for like 5 minutes while he mostly admitted how useless he was!>You don't have a problem! She does!>....>Maybe Cheerilee can help? She's been dealing with... feelings... longer than you, right?"Logic, I'm sorry, I just-">"Save it!">She takes her tray and walks off, leaving you alone.>Farm chores today. Good.>Maybe some actual work will get your head in the game.>Trees plucked. Garden tilled. Overseer tosses you an extra coin for going above and beyond. Like usual.>You're not feeling any better.>In fact, your burgeoning libido is trying to assert itself again.>Well, if you run to your room right now, Cheerilee might still be out.>It's risky, but hey, worst case scenario she catches you and then you'll just HAVE to have a girl talk, right?>Yeah. Of course.>Door: closed>Room: yours>Bed: comfy>...Unused pen at the ready. Just in case.>Ugh, you can feel heat radiating from your pussy as you slide your hoof into position>Buzzing warmth creeps up your loins, but still never comes to a head>Doesn't help that images of stallions keep creeping into your fantasy!>Augh!>Dammit, this is going nowhere!>You're about to surrender and try the pen, try unfiltered thoughts, try anything to->Underneath you, the orphanage erupts in cheers>...The classrooms are below the girls' rooms.>Something tells you it's time to wash the stank off your leg as best as you can. To the bathroom!>You slink back into your room, as clean and nonchalant as you're able.>Leave the door open, get out your book, you've been doing magic exercises this whole time, yep, uh huh, no horny filly fighting with her own possible heterosexuality here nope nosiree->>>Alright, she's not... she's not coming?>Huh.>Maybe some other filly got her cutie mark.>Oh well.>You utterly fail to stifle a yawn, yet it's only like 6pm.>Well you did sleep like shit, remember?>Might as well take a nap. If your asshole of a fuckhole will let you.>>>>You keep half-waking. Resting, but not fully asleep all the time.>The sounds of movement, the murmur of what's ultimately a giant house with a lot of ponies living in it, keep you from fully entering the dream realm>"Cheerilee what are you-">>"-SHE KNEW EXAC-">Huh? Eh->>Clip clop>Hnng->>>You're dimly aware of it being pitch black outside
>>43397561>Maybe you DID fall aslee->HRRK!>Something blocks your airways. Something else puts pressure on your neck.>Can't breathe->You think someone's shouting 'witch'>There's sounds of struggle- three ponies, one of them trying to stop the others?>Two young mares leaning over you, another one pacing around, freaking out->Oh. Pillow on your face. Legs on your neck.>Welp>You're too groggy to do more than flash your light and you sure as hell can't overpower two earth ponies.>Even with your freak genes it'd be a serious test to overpower ONE.>>This really it? Time to die?>You'll never score with Trixie but at least you'll also never get bent over a countertop by some dockworker's apprentice...>Here lies Anon, she never scored but at least she never got fucked. Ha.>>Getting hard to even flail your legs>>Lungs burning>>Eepy..>>>>"Whot in th'blazes is all this racket!? Loights out were an- SWEET MOTHER O' MERCY, GUARDS!">The pressure goes off your neck. Immediately followed by screams and a thud.>>"STAY DOWN, LASSIE. OH, WHAT'S TH'MATTER? NOT FUN TAKIN' ON AN EARTH PONY, IS IT?">Too weak to pick up your head, but that all sounded like Solstice. Probably.>You finally remember to breathe now that you can, but it doesn't seem to stop you from passing out>The last thing you think you hear is three sets of hooves stampeding in."Ugh">Wake up>Hey, it's your old friend the clinic ceiling tiles!>You gotta stop meeting like this!"Doctor? Nurse? Any-">Cough>Neck hurts like FUCK. Chest too.>Vision's blurry but you can see what looks like a tube in your leg.>"Oh, thank the Mother and Maidens, you're alive!" Furtive is standing over you, visibly disheveled.>You try to turn your head but.. yeah you're in a neck brace.>"Don't paw at that. You'll be fine, but it's there for a reason. Now-">She runs through a few cognition tests. Moving a pen around, asking basic questions, that sort of thing.>"Alright. You almost certainly don't have brain damage, we'll see if there was any biofeedback on your horn later. Oh- don't panic, it almost never happens, but it *can* so I'm testing for it, alright?""sure." Your voice sounds like scraping sandpaper across the Sahara desert, which is also what it feels like>She helps you through the rigmarole of drinking. You strangely don't need to use the bathroom- catheter, she says, you've been out cold a couple days.>"When you're ready, I need to ask you what the last things you remember are.""Figured. Ok... I was kinda shut in my room, went to bed early, then I woke up to... I think Cheerilee was strangling me...">"Correct, Solstice caught her and Sweeten Sour trying to snuff you out. Tangy is suspected as an accomplice, but she ultimately didn't commit. Found her panicking in the corner. We know all of that.""Okay. So..."
>>43397736>Furtive puts a hoof to the bridge of her muzzle and sighs. "Anon, this is a serious criminal investigation, of which you are the victim. We need to know what led up to this, and I know you well enough to know you're as cognizant as any normal day right now.">Heh>Yeah>Built like a fucking tank, aren't you?>But... No idea why Cheerilee would flip out like that...>"Okay. Let me give you a starter. I've noticed you're maturing. Sexually. And the resulting distress has been causing your peer relations to rapidly deteriorate.""Wh- how-">"I'm a doctor with a minor in psychology, it's my job. Besides, every filly somehow thinks they're the chosen one whose desires nopony can smell. They're not, and you're not.">Ha ha hafuck>Your cheeks are burning again.>"Now, Anon, I'm not judging you. I'm asking if this stressful transition to adulthood has had any knock-on effects. Were you and Cheerilee eyeing the same colt? Did some filthy brat try a pickup line on one of you and not the other? Hell, did one of you come out as a lesbian?""...why's it matter? I wasn't trying to hurt her in any way, I can tell you that.">"It matters because, well, we need to know what caused this. Her guilt is an open and shut case, but the *why* of it could mean the difference between hard labor and psychiatric help.">>>"Anon.">>>"You have every right to hate her, but she's still a pony. A young mare not entirely in control of herself, and were your situations reversed I would be demanding the same grace of her.">>>Sigh>"If you won't say anything for her sake, then at least help us help-""I don't knOW!" cough. "I don't know... I thought we were cool right up until I woke up here.">"Thought you were cool? I'd noticed you arguing with her more lately.""She had been letting cutie mark stress get to her, I know that much, but I tried encouraging her and it seemed to work!">"H'okay. Well... She did get her cutie mark, around 5:30 in the evening. Three smiling flowers, right after a student overcame a very difficult question.""Okay.. she was always talking about wanting to be a teacher, why would she freak out? Sounds like exactly what she wanted.">"My thoughts exactly. I was quite disturbed, seeing her display none of the usual joy of a cutie marking.""What? Really?">"Mmhm. I had sat in, keeping an eye on *my* skeleton display, when the flash happened. She looked at her flank with the typical joy and wonderment you'd expect, for about 2 seconds, then she.. darkened.">Wait>Three... flowers?>No. No no no her real cutie mark was...>Flowers, you idiot. You remembered wrong. Where did you get bees from!?>You should've said BEES!>"Anon. She kept calling you a witch.">>You slowly turn your eyes. Furtive's face is blank.>"Any idea why? I'm not accusing you." Her face is still blank."Uh... she cornered me one night, said she saw me helping other ponies.. and somehow thought that I could see future cutie marks or something..."
>>43397740>"Curious. I was quite pleased to see you being a role model to your peers...">A mug of tea is floated from somewhere you can't see without turning your head>Sip>And it flies back>"So. Did you.. guess right?">A ha ha ha ha>Her stark, angular face, her instruments around her neck, Doc almost looks like an inquisitor>You're a terrible liar, you know>Apparently such a bad liar that you can even accidentally tell the truth>No point trying to fight."I think I did... Three flowers, watching your students bloom.">"...I see.">She sighs heavily as she jots something down on a clipboard.>"It's rare, but this does happen sometimes, I will inform the relevant authorities.>Welp>You made a good impression on the Princess, didn't you?>You could beg her for mercy.>Ha ha ha ha->"Fillies play fortune teller all the time. It's a common way of helping each other deal with the uncertainties of growing up.">Ha ha hawaitwhat>The doctor walks to the window, gazing out at the evening(?) horizon all dramatic-like>"Sometimes, a pony just guesses right. Exactly right. I imagine some combination of statistical inevitability, born of knowing her friend too well. It often causes a psychotic break- the perpetrator might feel intense discomfort, wondering if the victim has some hold over her very soul...">You're actually in the clear!?>No way->Furtive turns back to you, walks back to you, places a gentle hoof on your un-IV'd leg.>"Anon, Cheerilee is not a bad pony. Not inherently. She had a mental breakdown. For your sake, please, allow yourself to forgive her some day.">Holy shit!?>"Don't clam up like that. I know you're more mature than you let on. Any anger, fear or sadness you feel right now is entirely valid, but don't cling to them.""...okay.">"Alright. I'm going to take your tubes out, and then I have a lot of paperwork to do. You know where the bell is, there will be a nurse on duty.""Yes doct-OW!">"Sorry. It's easier if I don't tell you when.""Sure... Just didn't expect it right then!"
>>43395172Crayons are tasty!
>>43398133Except burnt sienna
Anonmare, stuck in rule 63 Equestria.
>>43399396Anonmare, pregnant with Dusk Shine's kid
>>43399548Princess Anonmare, the token girl character in the manliest show ever
>>43399658She takes one look at her new baby and declares this world has finally jumped the shark
>>43397748>The rest of the day trudges on.>You nod off a few times, finding yourself wide awake in the pitch black of a cloudy night.>Great.>Well, one positive side to this: you're too hurt to be horny.>It'll come back, but you're safe for now at least.>>>Nah. Can't sleep.>Every time it's about to take you, some part of this whole shitshow replays in your head.>And why not? You're a piece of shit. You're stupid. You should've said literally ANYTHING other than that.>Telling her she'd get a chalkboard cutie mark would've done the same thing WITHOUT making her go psycho!>And if she DID get a chalkboard mark, at least then you'd really be a witch!>>Well, yes, you remembered wrong. Told the truth thinking it was a close-enough lie, but still, you should've...>Doesn't fucking matter.>Your only friend is in a psych ward and probably won't be allowed alone around foals.>That's what she got for putting up with your... everything.>And you're going to live the rest of your life wondering if it was your fault.>You were doing fine just existing! But no, you had to have your little self insert OC faggotry moment, didn't you?>Who cares if she half-bullied you into it, you could've lied more thoroughly than 'three little things to-'>You're going in circles.>You're going in circles and you're at least clearheaded enough to realize it.>Pull back now, while you can. Breathe in.>1, 2, 3, 4>Ok.>That stopped the doom spiral, but the self loathing? Yeah that's still there.>And the sadness.>You can't get it out of your head. The image of Cheerilee tossed in a padded cell.>Yeah she freaked out and tried to kill you. If you hated everything that ever tried to kill you, you'd have never had that dog, you'd never have scored your first job, or your first->AUGH>Again that memory-hole!>What are you forgetting!?>>...Applejack's going to be a living saint horse or something. She'd know how to make you feel better.>Some down-home country wisdom will have been good enough for future Twilight, so it's good enough for->...>There you go again. Stop that.>Stop playing the oracle.>Oracles are cursed! You just found out that's true! Do you want to end up being the reason her parents die or something!?>>>>Fuck.>Now you're bored again...>At least yelling at yourself was something to do.>You SHOULD go visit the Apples, though.>As a mare living in this world, not as some shitlord's first fanfic character.>Just go hang out. Let yourself live, it worked out so far, right?>Except...>Who's going to take you, now?>>>>God dammit today sucked.>Fucking hit puberty and all you have to show for it is a broken friendship and a half-broken neck.>FUCK.
>>43400794Just wanted to toss you this (You) And say damn Anon, I love you and this green. I WOULD have been saying so a lot more but things get in the way when you least expect it.
>>43401012Thanks man i was worried you got banned or something
Boopa da snoofa
DT flaggot, does your back ever hurt from carrying the thread?
>>43395258I REACHFOR A SWEET TREATUSING THE HOOVES THAT THEY SWAPPED FOR MY FEET
>>43402138Nah I have way too many stupid ideas, but sometimes staring at glowing text for hours makes my eyes hurt
>>43400750unf
goodnight DT flaggot & other anonshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lb2jDNZ5JuQ
>>43400794>Next morning finally arrives, and you actually witness the sunrise.>Not sure how much, if at all, you slept. Don't need the bedpan, not gonna bug them for food, so...>Fuck all to do.>There's a book on that table, other side of the room.>Probably a medical textbook but you'll take anything right now. The boredom is killing you already.>Okay->Grab book, please?>Oh fuck->No no no no>Wait>Calm down, step back.>This doesn't feel like nothing. It feels like... the closest equivalent would be your arms being tied up. Something strains back against your efforts.>Slowly, fearfully, your hoof moves up to your forehead->Cold metal. They put a ring on you. Okay.>Woulda been nice to know that yesterday, instead of almost having a heart attack.>>>Eventually the nurse checks on you of her own accord. Brings breakfast. Asks the usual questions.>Furtive will be in later to run the horn check, but the ring stays on til then.>Great.>Ponies really need to invent TV or cheaper music players. Soon. Like in the next hour would be nice.>>>Some armored guard comes in, asks questions.>Not a full-ass golden plate royal guard, but not some random hired watchpony either.>Munitions grade gear, but nothing outright shabby, probably a constable or detective. He's not wearing whatever helmet he may have been issued.>"Hello miss, I'm junior detective Shield of Shielded Shields-">Called it>"-I presume you know why I'm here, but as a matter of procedure: I'm here to interview you regarding a criminal investigation-""Aaare you allowed to talk to me alone? Seems like you shouldn't be.">He stumbles over his words, guffaws, harrumphs, et cetera>Before he can regroup and continue, the angular face of a very early in the morning, very yet-to-be-caffeinated Furtive pokes in the door.>>"She's right. Also you're a junior detective, yet you've been trusted with interviewing an underaged assault victim? My my, your credentials must be ***exquisite.***">"W-w-ell, I, uh-">>"Silence. I have a test to run, and I'll be wearing your skin over my labcoat if you dare interrupt. Go get your superior officer, go get a donut, go be literally anywhere but here before I lose my patience.">Furtive gets closer, her eyes narrower, with every pause in that statement. The cop gets sweatier and sweatier.>Holy shit.>Doc just threatened to skin a cop.>>cool...>Hotshot prick gets a pissy look in his eye, puffs up his chest. "Ma'am are you aware you just-">>"Threatened violence against a law enforcement officer? Yes, officer, I'm very aware. I was aware before I said it and I said it with explicit intent. I invite you to press the matter in court and come back with an arrest warrant.">"Wha- ALRIGHT, you're going-">>"Nowhere. I am a doctor attending a patient. I know my rights and duties, and if you attempt to stay me from them? I will ACTUALLY gut you."
>>43402891MEEP! It's an honor!>>43402928>The detective looks like he's about to punch or tackle her, when his eyes go wide and his body goes very, very stiff.>In her hammy glow you can see multiple scalpels now orbiting his head.>>"Go on. I'm not talking to one of your rank. And as Anon's legal representative, she isn't either.">>>"Y-y-you'll be hearing from my commander!">He tiptoes backwards out the door. Furtive's knives rearrange into a small phalanx facing him, but do not advance a single inch.>>"Please, that is precisely what should be happening. Thank you.">>>>She waits for him to be gone before slamming the door shut and twisting a deadbolt.>>"Feckless reprobate." Furtive turns to you with a heavy sigh, "Anon. Do not do what I just did without being absolutely certain of your legal situation. Before you ask, yes, I am in the right, and he knows it.""...Is that gonna matter?">Furtive walks over to her cabinets, readying whatever thing she has planned while she answers:>>"Of course? Unless Yakyakistan took over when I wasn't looking, I'm afraid we don't live in a nation where the loudest gelding gets whatever he wants.">Copper wires and weird little doodads float around as she looks over her back at you"Okay... if you have some plan about Cheerilee, you need to let me in on it now.">>"That... would be the height of corruption, and if ever found out, would be my career. My freedom. Possibly overturning whatever ruling was made regarding her.""So, no?">>"Correct. When the lieutenant or captain come, simply answer their questions as honestly and thoroughly as you can. If you care about Cheerilee and want lenience for her, then make sure they know that. It's really that simple. Now-">Another, smaller ring is put on the tip of your horn while copper wire flies around. There's a funny little seismograph-lookin' thing with a fresh sheet of paper.>>"-I want you to try ripping this stuff off of you. Yes, really.""What- I don't-">>"Exactly what I said. This test requires you to attempt to remove the blockers.">O->Kay..>Well>Little hard to target something you can't see, you're now realizing>But not impossible>Something's doing something up there, but again, feeling of being tied up.>The seismograph scratches. Furtive hums and haws, her face remaining reassuringly neutral.>A couple minutes go by, your brain wriggling in restraints->>"Stop. Good. You're fine, as I thought you'd be. One second-">Unpleasant pressure up there, something twisting around, then->The very second you have any give, all your magical sensation comes back. Some part of you thinks all that pushing would've-"Oh- if I hadn't stopped...">>"You could've stuck that ring in the ceiling, yes.">Knock knock. The nurse's voice comes in through the door- "Doctor, is the test over? A lieutenant..">"Hoofer Dam.">"Is here to see you.
>>43402931>Furtive opens the door without leaving your bedside>An older stallion with a bushy moustache and slightly nicer gear files in, followed closely by his little bitchboy>His little bitchboy having a new red lump on his head and a permascrunch>"Doctor. Young mare." The lieutenant lays out his badge and some kind of card. "Lieutenant Hoofer Dam, badge number 811461-PV, here regarding the recent altercation involving Anonymares. May I speak with her?">>"With her permission, you may. I assume your junior is here to learn?" Bit of venom in that assume.>"Is that alright?">>Furtive takes a theatrically long sip from her everpresent mug-she-keeps-pulling-out-of-nowhere. "Mmmmmmm yes I think he's been punished fairly. He may stay.">At that, Furtive simply sits by your bed and observes.>She doesn't speak unless directly addressed or one of the cops breaks a rule>Or, rather, you assume she would, cuz this guy doesn't do anything to piss her off.>The questions start off annoyingly simple. Recapping what you remember.>Then he veers into your longstanding relationship. How you met, how it was going, how it's been going recently.>You glance at Furtive, she just shrugs.>Guess you might as well keep talking.>You spill everything you can. Her being your tutor, your roommate, your best friend.>How she loved teaching so much she put up with a dumbass farm boy acting like they were dating to hide his illiterate shame.>Even how you started.. growing up recently, and understand why she'd been so pissy all the time.>>>"...Alright. And this is your own testimony, Anon? Nopony told you exactly what to say?""Correct, sir.">Dam turns to Furtive, eyes her closely for a moment, then nods.>Back to you- "Next question, how do you feel about Cheerilee? Right this moment?">Shit>How DO you feel?>Idiot you already know this->"You can say you don't know.""I want her to be okay. Is she gonna be okay?">"We've got one of the best psychiatrists attending her. With any luck, she'll be out of the asylum in a couple years.""...Can I visit her? I just want to-">"That'd be, no, I'm sorry, you can't.""Wh- what do you mean? She'll be in a-">>A hoof on your chest steadies and silences you. "Anon, you need to avoid her for *her* sake. The last thing she needs is a relapse, to say nothing of what it would do to your health.">Furtive's eyes are kind, but her jaw is set. A look you're used to seeing on her."...Alright.">Lieutenant Dam thanks you, makes a hat-tipping motion, and files out. Shield doesn't dare keep him waiting.>Furtive leaves for her ever-increasing paperwork pile. Bell here, nurse there, you know the drill.>Bored bored bored BORED.
>>43401345Kinda, it was my own fault though accidently tried to post when I was messing with my VPN settings, I didn't think that temp ban would last as long as it did though but it happens glad too be back regardless.
>>43403334God i love anontheanon
>>43403037>>Solstice comes in. Frequently.>She's as head-fucked as you are over the whole thing, but makes no attempt to hide her relief upon hearing you're not holding a grudge.>Lunch is... well, for you it's choccy milk. Salad is harder to chew than eggs and grits and Furtive doesn't want you really exerting your jaw. Or something.>Fuck.>Protein shakes and fuck all else for lunch. It's just like college!>>>Nurse comes by. Asks if you want to talk to Tang.>Sure. She was always nice. Maybe salvage ONE relationship from all this crap.>Wait..."What about Sweet?">She glances around awkwardly, rubbing the back of her head.>Finally you get a response. "She's been deemed more dangerous than Cheerilee, I don't know when she's getting out.""What? Why? They both tried to...">"Yes but, Cheerilee was suffering from a known trigger for psychotic breaks. Sweet was just.. going along with it. Actively. Unlike Tang.""Who chickened out when she realized Cheerilee was serious.. yeah...">Damn.>You never particularly *liked* Sweet but the thought of any mare in a padded cell makes you sad.>"Hold on. I'll get Tang.">>>A few minutes later, one of the door guards escorts Tang in. "She's on sort of a probation deal right now. Keeping an eye on her." he says.>Tang shuffles around awkwardly, but eventually mares up enough to meet your gaze... Or as much as she can, with your neck being restrained.>>"Hey... I'm... sorry I didn't try hard enough to stop her... or run to get someone... I just... For what it's worth I thought she was just gonna pull a prank on you, or at worst just beat you up.""Hey, I probably deserved THAT.">>"Maybe... But then I saw her actually trying and just...""Locked up. I get it. It's ok. I'm not mad at you.. I'm not even mad at Cheerilee. I just hope she gets better and.. and this doesn't screw up her whole life.">>"Yeah. Me too... So, when you get out of here, lemme know if you need anything. I'll be your maid if you want.""Uh.. are they making you do that?">The guard shakes his head behind her. Even looked a little pissed when she made that offer, so->>"No! I feel awful about everything!""It's fine, I don't need your help.. well, I might need a little, but mostly no. A-and I'm not rejecting you over a grudge or something, I really don't want you slaving away for me.">Tang stares at you for a long while, probably not believing her ears. Came prepared to beat herself up to make things right and you're just... cool about it?>Honestly, you're kinda surprised too. This is the kind of serenity most people can only dream of, right?>>>>"Okay. Well, the offer always stands, I mean it...">And she's gone.>>Dinner: ovaltine and sadness. Yay.>Finally, sleep time>It's a little easier tonight, knowing they're not throwing the book at Cheerilee>Easier. Not *easy.*
>>43402891sleepy green mare
>>43404553could she perhaps also be slutty?
>>43404104>Next morning.>Bored.>One bright spot: your magic means you don't need help to grab that bedpan>That was a small moment of elation you allowed yourself, but now that it's passed?>Bored.>Breakfast: porridge>Lunch. Bored. Ovaltine and mushy peas. Well the peas are actually pretty good. But also BORED.>Still, you're craving a damn salad.>Solstice keeps coming by as often as she can, but understandably she's swamped with paperwork and her own grief.>Same with Furtive.>Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck>Four days of hell and you're eating tough food again>Five days of hell and they try taking the brace off and put it back on again>It takes a goddamn week before they actually take that neck brace off>A week of going insane in bed without even a new book to read.>Fortunately, since this is all really your future inner monologue, you have the luxury of skipping ahead in your own memories>What you would have given for that feature back then, but alas, bored filler will remain bored.>Seven days you're finally let out, albeit with strict orders to stay in or near your room at all times, for at least a few days.>Furtive cuts off the inevitable complaining that you're not a *little* kid anymore, and you can handle yourself in a fight->"Nothing to do with your youth or scrappiness, Anon. You're not in the clear yet- no lifting heavy loads either, with magic OR your body.">GraAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH>The walk to your room feels like a fucking walk of shame>It's been nearly a week and a half since everything went to shit>Friday night and the weird loner is on her way back to the dorm>Ponies stare at you, in pity, in anger, in confusion, in fear>Whispers. Pointing.>You know, intellectually, that most of them genuinely feel bad for you.>Doesn't make it easier. Feels even more shameful.>You need to get away from here but you can't you can't you can't>Least you've got your books..>No. Fuck. Not feeling any of this. DAMMIT. None of it sparks joy!>Hey wait>Tangy owes you a life debt->You find her, give her your purse, ask her to buy you a book on... fuck. Machines? Engines? For some reason that topic tugs at your soul.>For some reason. Right. You know exactly why, even if you won't let yourself remember."Look, I'm not asking you do do it for free, you can buy yourself lunch, keep a few coins, I'm just going nuts here!">"Yeah- yeah I'll do it, what's wrong!? I never-">You're violently shaking her shoulders for a moment, before you realize she never gave you any friction on this."Sorry... I'm...">"It's ok...""No- you're accepting payment, you're not doing this because you owe me, you don't owe me-">Freaking out in the hallway, are we? You're really not gonna beat the walk of shame allegations.
>>43405157>Saturday>Tangy comes back early (she's a bit older than you, so she can just.. yeah)>"I didn't know what you liked so I got you one on trains, one on airships and one on weird inventors. Also bought a hayburger since you insisted.""Cool, great, thanks!">Blimps are pretty fucking cool>The book's clearly childrens' encyclopedia level reading, but it does have some surprisingly deep technical info>And it's full of pretty damn good pictures. Ships at docking towers, ships in flight, even a couple battlefield photos with an armored zeppelin firing air-to-ground mortars>One picture in particular stirs your heart. Calls up a memory you'd long buried.>Some noblepony's yacht, lazily puttering over forests, low hilly mountains in the background>Reminds you of the mountains in North Carolina. The utter walls of trees and vines, with little gas stations and other bits of civilization existing in places carved out of the wood.>Yes. You've almost seen this exact shot before.>Then, and now, the trees are strangely comforting to you.>Wild trees growing where e're they please, not the neutered and broken trees that line the orchards.>Country roads, take me home. John Denver had it right.>...>It's strange. You barely even think of being human anymore, yet when you do, it's as clear as if it were yesterday.>Is that good, or bad? And is it a you thing, or some quirk of how ponies cope with living so long?>You may never know.>>>>Your sleep is even more fitful than normal, yet somehow you wake up refreshed.>The next week goes by mostly without issue.>Ponies get bored of the news regarding you, and your status as an Alarming Equine is downgraded to the normal status of "that weird girl we politely tolerate">...Is that true? They do seem to trust you, they came to you for advice, but...>Well, you've never felt like one of the girls, and that never bothered you.>But, now? Everyone's maturing. So are you.>You're no longer just a rambunctious little filly, you're distinctly The Tomboy and Possibly A Dyke (hopefully, please)>Nopony seems to hate you or even actively dislike you, but they all keep you at arm's.. leg's length>Cheerilee really was the only pony you were truly close to. Goddammit.>Still, you've got reading material.>Like that inventors book. If it can be trusted, Pinkie Pie didn't even.. doesn't... won't... the pedalcopter was invented a generation ago! God!>Hol up. Didn't you beat yourself up over oracle shit?>Sure. But being mildly amused at having greater context to a show is fine... right? You're not going to break the timestream knowing Pinkie Pie might've just had that thing lying around.>You also have a book of basic spells, but it's proving very impenetrable.>Like you understand the concepts they're describing. The forces interacting make sense, even if you have to keep asking Furtive what specific words mean
>>43405176>But you just can't put it into practice. It feels like you're looking at the chemical composition of all a gun's parts and being expected to assemble one in the field with your bare hands.>>Take this: Feather Fall.>A Working which countermands Gravity's interaction with Mass, allowing the User to arrest a Fall to non-harmful speeds. Advanced users can leverage the Change in Momentum to grant limited glide capability.>Instructions: Gather Power in the ?th degree, Channeling it into a Matrix akin to a bird's wing (see chapter 7, section 2, 'Gifts of the Air'). By empowering different Nodes of this Tesseract, a limited amount of aerial maneuverability is imparted upon the User>Recommendations: As this Working is most useful in situations with very little warning, it is strongly suggested to prepare this spell on any morning where one has the free capacity to wield it. Barring that, producing or procuring a scroll or Talisman will suffice, provided the User is experienced in their usage under duress.>Matrix Arcana is as follows: (A whole bunch of BULLSHIT you cannot read but you're pretty sure some of it is calculus)>>That's nuts! How do ponies do this shit!?>Well, okay, there's mention of preparing shit. Maybe with the gun analogy you build one in your fucking molecular replicator at home and then all you need to do is load and fire it.>Sure, that makes sense, but where the FUCK do you get STAR TREK shit!?>Ugh. You're stressed enough. You'll get there, or you won't, not every unicorn needs to be like Twilight you know.>You still got four legs and an undisclosed number of mental hand-like thingies. More than an Earth pony has, they gotta change diapers with their mouths!>>>N-not that you'll be changing diapers at all, goddammit, and if you do it's gonna be an adopted kid or sitting for a friend or->Oh just shut up.>By the way, no, of fucking course you made no progress on... THAT.>Yet again you keep trying long enough that you get bored and pissed off and have trouble sleeping with a blue clam.>Life goes on>Most of your days, like always, are spent taking homeschool-type exam crap, and doing odd jobs around the orphanage.>On rare moments like this, you stop and think about how much ponies just seem to goof off and do nothing, go nowhere fast.>It should be idyllic, something closer to paradise than you'd ever have as a human, but it just feels.. wrong.>What should be a profound appreciation of your second life only brings an empty, sad-adjacent feeling.>Oh, one thing happened in the summer!>Another guy hit on you. One of the guards' younger cousins was stuck here for a few days.>Got really friendly with you, friendly enough that a tiny part of you was legitimately willing to see where it'd go...>And then he started talking about babies and cooking and how you must know your place because you were raised by-
>>43405213>Funny. It sounded like he said you were raised by the exact sound a pony makes when getting his nose caved in.>What the actual fuck!? You've been hit on a few times, actually, but this was the only stallion who ever acted like THAT>And of fucking course he tries it on YOU.>Ass.>The guards immediately come running, one dragging the overgrown colt to Furtive and the other questioning you.>It goes surprisingly well. He's contrite, sorry for leaving that idiot alone with you, apparently his MOTHER was a cultist freak who gave him some bad ideas.>Huh.>Go figure?>Anyway. Yeah. Femininity Milestone Achieved: Punched your First Creep>Yay?>...>He was an outlier, right?>Yeah. He's gotta be.>...>Your first Nightmare Night without Cheerilee comes. And goes.>Then Hearthswarming. Hearthswarming's much harder.>And more eventful!>All the shit with Cheerilee hurt everybody, not just you and Solstice, and Solstice realized before you did.>So, sitting at the fifth-day feast table, stacked high with banana creme cakes, she proposes a nice family outing->"Seeing the traditional Hearthswarming Tale performance, by the Royal Theatre Group! It's just whot we need!">The fillies and nuns all erupt into polite but excited chatter, even as Solstice starts to droop and mope->"Och, but, it would be quite expensive... We could cut a few feastdays, oi'm sure, for such a special treat, but... oh, dear me, I forgot about the train ride...">Well, you've been saving coins like always.>You excuse yourself and hurry off, hoping to get back before Solstice takes that idea back>Up to your room. Sigh at the empty top bunk. Open your desk. Come on come on thereitis!>Run back down. See Solstice hemming and hawwing at her own fat mouth, talking herself out of it->The fillies are starting to overhear her and they're drooping and going 'awwwww'>Not on your watch! Quietly, you take it in your mouth, don't want to give the surprise away with a green glow>Tiptoe over to Solstice and nonchalantly->"Anon! What're ye- is that th' purse oi made ye?"Ptoo. Clink. "Yes, Sister. And I think if you can cover the theater tickets, I can pay for the train ride.">"Wha-!?""No, really, I did some quick math. I've got about 150 bits, 'cause I hardly ever buy stuff, and the train company gives a flat discount to government workers (you), AAAAND it's cheaper to rent out an entire car on a short trip...">"Hmm.. no, roight, yeah, they do a group rate sorta thing, 120 should just cover it! But.. Anon, oi can't-""You can and you will. Call it my Hearthswarming gift to everyone, if you need to. Not like this was going anywhere but the Hayburger Hamlet's cash register, anyway!">More hem-haw. Solstice looks you right in the eye. Over her shoulder you can catch a glimpse of Furtive's left eyebrow trying to reach orbit.
>>43405241>"....Oh. Alright. GREAT NEWS, EVERYPONY! Oi'll be seeing the stationmaster tomorrow, now don't get yer hopes too high, they could be booked solid fer all we know, but...">They were not, in fact, booked solid>On the seventh day of Hearthswarming, a fucking phalanx of fillies file into the fondant train car, frolicking frivolously as they go>Most of them have never seen Canterlot; even you've only seen the compressed facsimile in a certain cartoon.>Furtive tries to keep order- "Now, now, yes, we're going to the UPPER city, which has all the spires and minarets, but we're not- no, Taffy, the entire city is not the palace, it is exceedingly unlikely we'd even catch a single hair off of Celestia's third least favorite maid, let alone Her Majesty in the flesh!">>>>Everyone, without a single exception, is lining the windows looking for that first glimpse of->Holy fucking shit>The show ain't got shit on this>It's like Atlantis and Iram had a baby and it was raised by Minas Tirith>A city primarily by and for magic users made out of gold and everything is wizard towers and fine arts academies.>Vaguely like Vegas, in a way, if you replace the desperate tacky sleaze with genuine taste and earnest moral values.>So... nothing like Vegas at all.>Ahem.>Seriously though, you don't get to explore the city, but even from the short walk to the theater you see books writing themselves, animated brooms fucking everywhere, even a few ponies with weird glowing script tattoos and->A shadow sweeps over the street. Far overhead, an ornate airship, twinkling with holiday fairy lights, lumbers into its docking bay.>>>"Come along, dearie. Wouldn't do t'have ye miss the show ye helped pay for, love!">Solstice drags you in by the tail>The show? Yeah the show's fine.>The theatrical performance and the Hearthswarming Eve episode are surprisingly in line, though the real version doesn't shy away from how fucked up it really was back then.>Just makes the friendship all the more... friendly, when it finally does happen.>Actually>Truth be told?>You didn't pay much attention to the play. Partially because you already knew the show was accurate (you're being raised by nuns who still do the Full Holiday Experience, duh).>>Partially... because....>Well. The leads are smoking hot.>Princess Platinum appears to be portrayed by Fleur de Lis, and they got some smolder-eyed nerd boy playing Clover the Clever.>Let's be real, they're both making your back end do annoying things, but the inclusion of a large pretty mare in this image makes your spiritual masculinity fight it a lot less.>>...>Oh no this is going to require Attention.>Fortunately the theater is chilly. That counters the heat a bit.>And if nothing else, you're far from the only horny 40 year old teenager staring at mare ass. Or stallion ass.>Y'know, just, keeping it honest here.>Remember: you're not gay if there's pussy involved!>Despite... having.. Oh shut up and watch the play!
>>43405243>The play lets out and there's still a few hours before your return trip>Of course, you know, this means shopping>And, because a lot of stereotypes have at least a grain of truth, the mares all waddle over to the clothes shop.>It's still pretty nice, actually, and it's not all fru-fru frilly shit. There's cool hats and winterwear and belts and pouches and..>You still got 30 bits, not enough to buy anything too fancy, especially in this city, but->Unpleasant noise, chittering and shivering, grabs your ears.>Leads your eyes->A little sky-blue filly is clinging to Solstice's underside.>Yeah. Right- one of the new kids, just got moved to the 'main enclosure' so to speak.>Might not've even been here for more than a week or two, actually..>She could've lost her parents in Horse December.>She's tiny and looking a bit thin and very very cold. Shaking like a rattle and her skinny little legs are dripping with frost. And she probably lost her parents less than a month ago. Three months, tops.>"Oh, Taffy, oi know, yer cold, if ye'd let me pick ye up ye wouldnae be walkin' through the snow!">>"B-b-b-ut it's windy up there!">Yeah. Fuck it. What's one more good deed?>You're not going soft! It's enlightened self-interest, this is a healthy decision for your heart and ass fat!>..Except a nice cloak costs 40 bits>Dammit.>You've both got scarves, neck cold isn't the problem, it's->"Hey, Anon- need a tenner?" Tangy is peering over your shoulder-"Whoju- ow! Tang, don't scare me like that! What?" - close enough that you bump noses when you turn around.>"Oh, come on, miss eagle-eyed.. dog-nosed.. whatever. I saw you look at Taffy, get all sad, and come over here. You want a tenner or not?""..Seriously?">"Yeah? Why not? One catch: you gotta say it's from both of us. Cuz it is, and stuff.""Sure, thanks. Wait here, we'll give it to her together.">>>You count out the 10 silver coins and a fat gleaming bronze token, and point out Taffy to the bushy-mustached shopkeeper.>"Hmm. Bit small, but she'll outgrow it quick, but... tell ya what, we can both do our good deed fer the day, I'll cut ya a deal on a yearling's cloak, something she can wear til she's at least your age..">He pops into the backroom and comes out with a velvety red cloak, threaded with something weird and shiny.>"See the filaments? Fancy new thread, self-healing stuff. Enchantment will wear out after a few years, but that oughta be enough to save the piece from her lil' body dragging it along the ground, dontcha think?""Wow, gee, are you sure?">"Sure! Normally I'd hafta upcharge you another 10 bits but, hey, tis the season.">You stand there, flabberghasted as he handles the register and ledger.>It's the holiday season, and he doesn't use it as an excuse to price gouge?>You're in a fucking Christmas movie."So, uh, you wanna help present it to her?"
>>43405334>"Mmm, nah, just do it where I can see it and we'll call it square. Oh, and I've got some cloth trimmings you can use to dry her legs. No charge, was gonna be trash anyway.">He discretely wraps the cloak- nothing too ostentatious, just a brown paper bag, and floats it over the countertop with a smile>You take it from him and mingle your fields in a.. wow, that was basically a magic handshake. Weird how normal it felt.>Alright, where's- Ah. Tangy's facing you, talking to them, keeping Taffy distracted.>Oh it's all falling into place. Tiptoe on over->You can hear her making idle conversation. Her eyes dart up to you momentarily, but she doesn't give you away.>"Yeah, well, don't worry Taffy, a friend and I actually have a present for you-">>"A wha?""Well for starters we gotta dry your legs off. C'mere-">The scraps prove enough to not only get the damp off, but make some legwraps too.>And then comes the present. She gingerly unwraps it, after you insist several times it should be opened today and not on Hearthswarming proper>>Solstice tuts you when she sees the brilliant red fabric. "Anon!" She hisses into your ear. "She'll ruin that nice cloak in a week!""No ma'am, it's enchanted. For at least a few years, it'll fix little scuffs like it's alive... Just don't go tearing it in half or poking huge holes in it, cuz that'll actually stay damaged.">She double takes at you, the shopkeep, and Tangy before shrugging and just enjoying the happ filler like she should've done to begin with.>Taffy's cautious curiosity turns to wide-eyed hugging and thankyous and at some point you end up with a wrapped up filler on your back.>Are you, an adolescent female, potentially being reckless with cash as some first twinge of baby-crazy?>It's possible. It's possible.>But you're still happy you did it.
>>43405343>Back to the train station, sleeping filler on your back.>"Alroight, fillies, come on, toime t'go home!" Solstice is waving ponies into... a sleeper car?"Why are we getting on a sleeper car? It only took us... uh...">Tang looks at you slightly worried. "Are you joking? It took like 10 hours, and that's in the daytime with a good engine... Did you never read that book on trains?">Huh. Now that she's pointed it out, the locomotive does look different...>And you weren't really paying attention to the clock, not with all the things to look at.>They DID make you wake up early today..."..Yeah. Alright, that's me being dumb.">"And it's gonna take even longer. Way slower locomotive, plus it's nighttime...""I get it! Sheesh. And.. no... I've been more into the airships. Sorry...">"It was YOUR money, dummy.">The ride back is indeed much slower>Like you slept fairly well and woke up with the train not even to the foothills at the edge of the vale>Furtive is up before you, sipping as always on her mug. She'd probably know more about this stuff-"Say, Doc, how'd we get there so fast? I know the engine's different, but was there any specific reason we got that one?">Sip>"Same way we got tickets to the most prestigious holiday show in Equestria on such short notice." She smiles wryly out the window, one eye on you"....Ohh. I keep forgetting you're a noble.">"Thank you, that's the kindest thing you've ever said to me... Except you forgot the 'disgraced' part, can't leave that out.""If you're *that* disgraced, how do you still have these connections?" you say with a cocked squinty head.>"Mm." sip. "Mother and father detest me, but I've a few sisters who like staying on my good side. Fleur owed me a favor... ">And, with infuriating, theatrical timing, she turns to look you dead in the eye. "She was the Princess Platinum you were oggling.">Your face goes red and your senses turn to static as she smugly sips her tea>Riiiiight, yes, she's challenging your apparent girl crush so you'll be honest with yourself>Or some horseshit like that>Because oggling the mare is the part you're having trouble with, uh huh, yep, no notes there>>"You like doing that way too much!">"Yes. And?"
>>43406228>You keep your nose glued to the windows for the rest of the trip>Just as you did the first time, and you must be crazy>Why?>You're fucking positive you didn't see that funny rock before!>And there! Feels like the world stretched for some reason!>This can't be right, this can't be good, this->A hoof on your shoulders almost scares you out of your skin. Solstice.>"Somepony needs to brush up on her magical geography...""W h a t.">"Really? Oi'm sure ye must've... D'oh, we've got some time yet- that big rock only shows up on long trips...""When would I have- Okay, I vaguely remember something about a mystical desert city, but that was years ago. Guess I never bothered to read more...?">"Mmmm. It's quite simple- distances get silly. Canterlot and Ponyville haven't *moved* at all, and they likely never will. Only truly wild places forget their assigned seating, so to speak. Buuut the distances between them, when you're travelling, can change.">Okay>So>WHAT?"Hhhhow can the distance change but not the position?">Solstice shrugs. "It's this whole field of study. Theological, magical, scientific. Nopony can ever seem to fully grasp the specifics, but one of the greatest proofs of the gods' existence is how havin' their favor seems to reduce the inconvenience.""Wouldn't the train track get, y'know, ANNIHILATED?">"No more than the ground itself, or whatever little landmarks get shuffled in. The space don't change, love, the space *stretches.* Or squashes, if you're in a hurry, and lucky, or your god likes you and has some influence in that patch of land.">Solstice turns, looking out the window too now. Pointing out landmarks.>>"Myeah, oi'd loike t'think the Mother sped us along. 'Course I dunno fer sure, and beware anypony who says they do, but it makes sense t'me.""Sure. So... What happens if we're stuck on this train for a week?">"A week? Love, it's the Canterhorn/Ponyville line! A train full of unrepentant sinners on a slow engine would still only take maybe three days!">>>"But, to answer your question, the possibility's just priced in. Y'should always be carrying more food n water than ye think ye'll need, anyway, roight?""And coal?">"Funny thing. Oi suppose because th'train's technically not alive, it doesn't seem to eat more or less coal.">>>"Oh- and, and- it only applies t'the ground. If you're up high enough to see the landscape and fly straight, you'll get there at precisely when you should. That's, er, that's whot they mean when they swear the actual locations don't move around.""Oh...kay....">"Oy, ye got two centuries ahead of ye if ye don't do anything stupid. Where're you in such a hurry for?">You don't know how to respond to.. any of this, especially in a manner that doesn't make you look retarded, so you just stare out the window>>>>Wait>Did Solstice just say shit moving at the speed of the plot is a physical law here!?
Anon mares are built or B.P.C : big party canon
I might need to retcon Anonmare (and the bearers in general + Trixie) being in their mid-50s instead of 70. I just threw that number out originally but the more I write this the more 50-ish feels right, plus they're all supposed to be barely adults in the show so...>>43406705>Conductor estimates you'll all be home by the afternoon of the 9th day of H->Oops>The train rolls to a halt as he's relaying this. A soot-caked signalmare comes back, says something damaged the track, probably gonna be delayed until night, maybe even the morning.>No worries, no harm, there's stoves in every car and pony public transport IS in the habit of carrying plenty of supplies.>Granted, those supplies are kind of crummy due to being long-life ration type shit, but hey, there's some farmers from as far as... The Griffon State of Michigander?>The thought of a goose griffon makes you shudder, but those farmers can cook like a southern working-class mom, almost enough to entirely forget how long these tins of jellied eggplant have been sitting on the shelves...>Still, the fillies (and a few foals from other cars) are starting to get anxious, and Solstice leaps into the fray, grabbing you, Taffy, Logic and Tang for an impromptu performance of...>The Little Matchstick Filly?>Huh>...Shit. You know she's done this one in church, but you zoned out. Your exact thoughts were->This better not end with the kid dying and a copout message of "she loved Jesus so everything is cool and it's totally fine that a kid froze to death">Yeah, that!>Of course it won't, mares aren't psychotic.. And even when they are, they're still mares at heart!>It starts out as usual, with Taffy forced to sell matches, but quickly goes in a different (better) direction>Tang comes out, keeping the filly company, helping her call for help, since she's small and it's very cold and ponies are scary>You note that when Tang goes 'offstage' Solstice sneakily drapes a blue blanket over her>Logic comes next, being the first pony lured in by Tangy's call. She buys a match and leaves... but comes back with stones and twigs (in reality, a spare can of kerosene for the stove) and shows Taffy how to make a proper fire with that same match>She leaves, and gets a red hat AFTER->Ohhh you see the morality play angle now>Which means you need to be playing... kind of yourself, actually? Huh...>Yep. Ham it up, tomboy. Look at everyone with an accusatory side-eye, bare your teeth, who would even THINK of leaving this kid out here!?>Matches? Hell yeah, you always need fire, fire's great, you'll buy em all and walk her home->Solstice rushes off and drafts some random farmer's boy. Roughly your age. Face so generically trustworthy and rough-cute you can almost taste the straw he'd have stuck in his mouth most days>....>Yet, he plays the role of a drunk deadbeat flawlessly. He's probably done this... in his own church plays. You hope.
>>43407444>The colt is sitting center stage, pantomiming drinking from a flask, while you sit off to the side and nudge Taffy forward>The two have their mock argument, he flails and softly shouts->Alright. Money shot.>That bigass wrench will do for a prop, right? Yeah-"How DARE you!?">"Wh- who're you, kid, get outta my house!""I saw everything, scum. Now-" you paw at the ground and whirl your halberd 'round to bear, aimed right at his neck>Summon your best impersonation of Buttercup in that painting. It's all in that crazed smile, gotta be juuuust right, and->Try not to lose composure when the younger foals gasp>DEFINITELY try not to lose composure when you notice Taffy looking at you like you're ACTUALLY an angel-"-I suggest you turn yourself into the guards, sir. It is... the only chance you have, to survive this night.">Snrrk->SNORT>You stifle that laugh and play it off as a challenge, a growl->Your opponent feigns disbelief, croaking arrogance caught in a web->But. Finally. "D'oh, you're right, the only honorable path is to plead my guilt and repent!">Corny motherfucker but hey, it works>You lead your ward over to Solstice..>"Hmmm, well well, seems yer already greener n' a loima bean! Now then, who's this you brought to our door?""Uh, just someone who needs love...">Aw shit>Half that play was improv but did you really fuck up a line?"Ahem.. isn't that enough??">"In a kind world, it is.">>"And a kind world, it is." Taffy's little doe eyes and squeaky voice do horrible things to your mind holy fuck isn't she like ten you want to hug her until she diiiiiies->Okay, Back in character.."How can you say that? All those ponies just.. just walked right past you!">>"You didn't..""But-">"But what, child? Am I to believe that, somehow, you brought her here, yet passed her by?">Solstice sneaks a fabric buttercup into your mane and addresses the crowd->"The gods did lay down the tenets of good living, when the fabric of the world was naught but threads, and did promise to watch o'er us. Yet, they cannot be everywhere at once. Why their benediction has limitations, is not for we mortal folk ta know, all we can do is honor their teachings as best as we are able.">The others are lining up. Probably a good time to do the same.>>Solstice points at Taffy, who summons her best sad face. "We've shown you the tale of many young ones, shown it as it *should* have ended...">>>Tangy steps up and bows. "Not every voiceless foal had someone to cry for them.">>>>And Logic- "What's really sad is how often the solution is just so easy, if only somepony would actually do it!"Your turn... "Yeah. Sometimes you gotta threaten to break some deadbeats knees!">Ooop>Too far?>Nah. Solstice grimaces at you for a moment, but her smile comes back fast.
>>43407447>Solstice takes center stage, clearing her throat. "What separates a good hearth, from wrath and tears, is naught but good ponies who won't. do. nothing. Thank ye all for being with us, thank th' gods for the coincidence of this company, and. oh, thank the train engineers for workin' through this snow!">>Furtive calls out from the back- "Not to worry dear, I've been caffeinating them all day!">>>Everyone gathers around the glowing stove>Gnawing on hayshbrowns and old eggplant, but it was made with so much love you can taste it>...This is kinda better than a normal feast.>>>No the fuck it ain't. No booze and no horse twinkies.>But it's aight.>10th day of Hearthswarming. Home.>The excitement from the Canterlot trip lingers for days. Far more than enough to make up for disrupting the traditional escalating feasts.>Solstice always loved you, but there's a hint of.. something more, now, whenever she smiles at you>It did feel pretty great, strutting in with that sack of cash and unleashing the holiday reckoning.>And the play was fun>All in all? Easily worth twice what you paid>Though now you have a tiny child in a little red riding hood following you like a duckling>>>...You KNOW you love that too, don't even pretend.>Weeks roll by>You see less and less of the older two flower sisters. They're of age, and they have a lease-to-own lined up, they say>They technically could adopt her, and they probably will, but for now they need to get everything in order.>Daisy... minds.>But she doesn't mind as much as you were afraid of. So that's good.>Winter wrap up! Winter wrap up!>Taffy's not old enough to do much, but she is small enough to squeeze her head into burrows, waking up the bunbuns and mice and other even smaller things>She steadfastly refuses to go anywhere without Daisy (her current roommate)>And Daisy refuses to be anywhere remotely similar to The Woods without either you, or her sisters"Still shaken up about the manticore?">"Duh!?""Hey, alright, I'm coming. Taffy- no-">Excitable filler is excited"Don't ask, it was.. it might've been before you were even born, but-">"She shot a manticore's eye out! I woulda died if she hadn't!""Because you were carrying a brick of stanky danky CATNIP!">"STILL!">Ugh>Goddammit->The kid's already looking at you like that, again>...is this how Trixie felt? When that fat kid talked her up? Will talk- have- will have->Argh! No, you agreed no oracle shit! No main character crap! No->It's a good point, though, something to keep in mind *if* Trixie shows up and it plays out like that.>Alright? Alright.>Now get out there, your wards are leaving you behind, knight.>>>Trudging through the wet snow, you realize with a start just how long it's been since you thought of your waifu>..yeah....>That's good. Right?
>>43407458>Winter turns to Spring>Hearts and Hooves day!>Fucking hell, you're so anxious, so desperate for some down home bullshittery, you're willing to be female in public on national have sex make babies day>God, you've been drifting away from Applejack. How long has it been since you've even spoken to her? Maybe a year??>Oof.>You've been getting closer with your more immediate peers, for once, but still, even Logic is too fucking girly for your tastes>You NEED to shoot the shit with a bitch who can sweat and take a punch, sometimes!>And, though you're not going to let yourself become *attached* to this expectation, something tells you she probably isn't occupied this day.>Wait>Who will take you?>Tang and Logic seem to be hooking up. Or not. You don't know, it's hard to tell with how mushy ponies are in general.>The nuns don't take vows of chastity, some of THEM have dates>Solstice and Furtive have been in a relationship: yes phase for the past few months>Shit->You're not really allowed out alone>But... they've been trusting you more and more>Try asking them? They're pretty reasonable. Worth a shot.>>You know you're right, so fucking DO IT.>>>Solstice's study door>Knock Knock>"Aye? Anon, that you? Come in!">Open the door, slightly confused- Solstice has lipstick smooches on her cheeks and the pile of blankets in the back is breathing.>She's not at all ashamed of anything here.>"Before ye ask, yeah, oi can tell most of ye apart from how yer hooves sound. So, ahem, what did ye need?">She's feigning ignorance. The puff in the cheek meat, right below her eyes- that's the 'i know what you want' edge to her smile"Um.. could I.... be allowed out alone? I'm 40, that's how old Cheerilee, er-">"Sure! Go ahead, just tell the guards you're leaving and be back nyeehhhhhh... around sundown is preferred, if you can?""Oh.. thank you.">Turn to walk awa-"Wait what!?">"Hehehehehe">>Furtive pokes her head out from a pile of blankets. "Anon. Come on. Half the criteria for that is 'mature enough to just ask permission.' Duh?">"Roight! Now go on now, b'fore ye learn things ye'd rather not!">Hot damn, first day of any semblance of independence!>Your purse, though much lighter, still has a few coins already. Nothing extravagant, but more than enough to not be a freeloader if you go shooting or eat out.>Yeah baby, strut on down through the woods>It takes roughly a half hour. As usual.>But now you're not sure if you're too close to Ponyville to trigger any weirdness, or maybe the gods just liked your performance?>Nah, don't be an airhead. It is what it is.>Doo be doo bah, bop bop ba->Stop by Sugarcube Corner. Place is looking its absolute best and there's hot muffins. You even catch a glimpse of a wild Derpy! Wide bellied, is she pregnant?>Oh, woah, she IS. And when she turns around, you can tell she's.. not *much* older than you.>Well>Sex feels good. She's not any worse than you might someday be.>>
>>43407593>...fuck you just admitted that. HA HA ANYWAY-"Looking good, Mr. Cake! The scruffy look really suits you!">You take your muffin and walk off, hearing stammered guffaws. Feeling Mrs. Cake bore holes with her gaze. Hehe.>Oof- ow- oh shit she's staring at YOU not him RUN RUN RUN->Trotting through Ponyville's outskirts>A few guys catcall you. A couple girls, too.>Nice.>Just ignore the guys. No matter how hard your pussy begs, you are NOT making babies!>No, not even if it winks like that! Bad!>Sweet Apple Acres up ahead>...Huh>Feels off>>Your eagle eyes spot a pair of saplings..>Off in a secluded little glade, right on the edge of...>..oh no>Swallow your fear as you step onto the porch>Knock on the door. Twitch your ears as you hear a baby crying.>Granny Smith answers the door, looking a bit more worn. And somber.>"Oh, the green bean, come in, come in- no, no don't yew turn round, ah insist. It's no imposition.">>She invites you to sit round the coffee table. Big Mac is looking and acting closer to the stoic guy you watched on TV.>>"Y'here for Applejack?" His eyebrow's raised, a potential accusation."N-not in that way, no- I was just... kinda hoping she didn't have anything to do today. Realized we hadn't hung out in... a long time...">>"...Y'really don't know, do ya?">Play it cool>No oracle shit!"I don't know? I get the feeling something bad happened... just... vibes.">"You betcha, honey." Granny Smith totters in with a rattling tea tray on her back, and a mirthless smile. "Lemme tell it from th' start.""Sure." Sip. The tea's strong, bitter. No milk or sugar to cut the edge, almost tastes like leaf coffee.>"Well, we's in mourning, darlin'.""Yeah, it.. felt like it.">"Six months back or so, Mac Sr. and Pear went out on a delivery. That little cajun swamp village, the one the patrols never go to.. I kept telling that boy it wasn't worth it, why-" sigh"Um, Granny, you don't have to-">"Hush, girlie, I said I'll tell ya, don't be babying a mare five times yer age." She sips her own tea, and you catch a pungent whiff. Whiskey maybe. "Anyway.. Chimera was hunting . Mac had his bow, Pear was... a bit hobbled. They couldn't run, so he put up a fight. She came home, he didn't.">Gulp>Ha ha ha ha ha>"What's that funny look fer- oh... right, I seem t'recall you always worryin' after folks.">Your attempts to hide your face only confirm her suspicions. "Well... don't feel guilty. Unless ya put that cat bastard on th' road, ya didn't do anything, y'hear?">Yeah>You know she's right>But still, it->"That wasn't a rhetorical question!""Yes, Granny Smith. I-i know.">Granny's voice starts wavering. Really quiet. Half-choked at a few points.
>>43407595>"Alright then. Now- Pear's not with us anymore, either. Ya heard the newborn crying, an' well... Pear, mm, the doctors say she might've had a heart condition. Or.. too weak from the grief, losing her husband so recently, they don't know fer sure.. but.. one in a million chance, and it took her away.""I.. I'm sorry for your loss, ma'am.">"Y' don't need to be, honey, ya hardly knew 'em, but I thank ye for the kind thoughts..." She sighs heavily. "Worst part is, ah don't know how ta break it to Applejack... She went off to the city, seekin' oh, what was it- the refinement of our dear cousins the Oranges. Silly filly...">Big Mac hasn't said a word after Granny started talking, but you notice his face has tightened up. Poor guy.>"Yesiree. Either she comes home to an emptier house, or... oh, she'd have to find out through a letter, and ah don't know how we'll... when should... dammit. Never gets easier, sweetheart. Hug whatever kin ya got, while ya got 'em.""Not to make anything about me, but.. I can't even remember any of my family. All gone. Don't know what I'm missing. Ah... maybe should've.. Sorry.">"Nah. S'alright.">...The city?>The city...>>THE CITY!>The bad news, plus the nosehair-burningly strong brew, and the realization of what could be about to happen>All hit you like a sack of lead bricks>IF, IF, any show knowledge, EVER, can be applicable, in like, a meaningful way, not just little character tics, it'll be proven in the next few days.>Cloudsdale is north-ish of Ponyville right now. Just... be somewhere you can see north, during the day.>Hey hey what are you doing? We (you) agreed to->But it would prove->No!>Yes!>Augh!>Deep breath>Come what may. You'll try and be there for Applejack.>And, maybe, just maybe, you'll drag Trixie out of a ditch someday.>Deal?>You say all the usual platitudes and start to excuse yourself when you hear an angry mooing outside>Granny Smith snaps out of her rocker, way faster than you'd expect a fighting aged stallion to be, and all but rips the screen door off its hinges>And yet, for all her fury, Granny's voice is more pleading than angry. "Land sakes, Mooriel, ya KNOW we's grieving, can't it wait!?">>"LooOOOOOooook, we are CUSTOMERS, our barn is leaky! The Strawberry farm made a pretty tempting offer, especially considering the planned DELUUUUUGE next week!">That actually stops Granny Smith in her tracks. She's mumbling about liability and income and oh dear oh me-"Um.. I'm not, like, formally apprenticed or anything, but I have been fixing stuff around the orphanage.">More mumbles. Lotsa newborns on the way, planting season, Sweet Apple Acres NEEDS that cut o' the milk money-"If.. the cows are willing to take a chance on me, I could try and help on your behalf?"">Granny goes all cock-eyed at you, but Mooriel is sizing you up fair and square.
>>43407599>>"Hmmm, that's the filly whoooo learned t'pick locks the same day she got her magic, ain't she?""Ha, that's right, we did meet that day! I kinda forgot! Were you TRYING to have as many excuses as you could to moo at her? Old Mole's Knoll, like what??">A heavy snort springs your hackles into the Oh Fuck position>>>>>"B-ahaHAHA. I like this calf, Granny. She's got spunk-" the massive bovine head turns to you, and you feel tiny even with Mooriel out on the porch. "But I don't want half-measures. You'll be up, fixing the roof. To my satisfaction.""Of course.">"Now hold on- Anon, what in blazes is your angle in all o' this?"You shrug. "Exactly what I said before- I was hoping to hang out with Applejack for reasons entirely unrelated to the season. So, if this helps her family out, why not? Got nothing else to do except foalsit a little weirdo.">Granny hems and haws but knows it's either you or find a contractor on zero notice>"Alright missy, ah don't like it but we can't afford to turn ya down.. but you're making an oath, to do this right. Understand? I got connections, ah will drag ya outta that orphanage and all the way back here til it's done right, you try to slap-dash it.""I solemnly swear I'll, uh, git 'er done right or die trying." you say with one hoof raised.>Granny promises to have a message sent home for you, in case you need to stay overnight>Her word's good for it, she says, and you don't doubt it.>Barn. Pile of tools, pile of wood, bucket of caulk, paint, etc.>Big Mac comes out with you. "Got nothin' else ta do but be sad, so why not?" he says.>Get to work.>With your magic, and your unusually-good-for-a-unicorn legs, the work is surprisingly fast and precise>You had been worried you'd written a check your ass couldn't cash, with how long it'd had been since you did any *serious* work like this>But.. no.>You climb up onto the roof and all the processes are just.. there in your mind.>Like you're fresh off from your first year as a handyman.>Already been like 10 years. 10 years a horse.>No.>Not now.>The FUD fades in the song of hammer and nails. The scrape of brush on wood.>Heh. You getting a cutie mark?>>>Nope.>Dang.>Nothing lost, really, but that was the first time you'd ever really thought you'd have one when you checked.>Cest la vie.
>>43407604>It takes all afternoon, and as much of the night as Granny and Mooriel are willing to put up with you hammering>A mailpony gives you a letter- Furtive's writing, acknowledging that they acknowledge you'e 'staying at a friend's house.'>Really though>The work is fairly simple, it's just that it'd take a long-ass fucking time to do it right unless you had articulated graspers or a fucking tractor beam>Of which, of course, you have both>And finally. Some time, midmorning->>"Hot dang, filly. We actually need the light on in there, now! Great!""Good to hear, but uh, you sure? You don't wanna-">>"What, test it? Aw- dooont really know where ta get a pegasus right-">A grey and blonde, bloated, wobbly pegasus putters overhead and accidentally dumps a bucket of water on the barn. She doesn't know what went wrong.>Mooriel pokes her head in, grumbling in approval.>>"Wait a sec, just a bit longer- hey, still not dripping. Alright, go tell Granny we're square and you're both off the hooook.""Will do! And if it leaks from all the rain, just have someone drag me here. I'm sure Furtive'll even help. Drag me, that is, and then watch from a tent while she drinks coffee.">>"Ha. Yep, you know I will."
>>43407606Anon getting the job done, love to see it.
>>43407890Doing jobs, if you know what i mean
>>43407606>You head back to the farmhouse to report the good news>Granny Smith brings eggs and fried strips of... whatever that stuff is that was in Celestia's sandiwch. Will be in- the- THE BOLOGNA.>And tosses you a few coins."What? I-">"Nope, uh-uh. Times might be a little hard now, but we don't take flat-out charity here. Maybe for the family, but not the business, y'hear?">You stare at the small pile of coins she poured onto the table. It's not huge, and most of it is gold and silver, but from what you've gathered over the years?>Decent pay for a day's work. Fair, not necessarily *good* but fair.>Right.>Rural folk pride. You know better than to fight it, even though for once you really didn't want the money."Well. Pleasure doing business with you, uh, Miss Apple?" You gingerly scoop the coins into your pouch.>"Don't mention it, honey... And, er, hey... I wanna want til the scheduled rain, see if it holds up, but if it does? Well.. you lookin' to make a living off this?">Huh>You hadn't thought about it, but-"Yeah. I think I could live doing this.">"Well- assuming that roof holds as good as it looks, feel free t'use us as a reference, alright? Heck- there's... there's a backlog o' work, starting when my son...">She trails off, lost in... more emotions than you can comprehend, probably."I dunno how much I can promise, but yeah, I'd be happy to give it a look.">"Later, then. Don't need you getting grounded, y'know. Go on home- skedaddle!">You linger in Ponyville a while longer>Not overly long, just.. walking slow. Taking roundabout routes.>Why?>Dunno. Probably hoping to see that rainboom, if it's truly destined to occur.>>>Okay, go on home, it's past the afternoon and you're pretty sure that's when it happened.>Through the woods!>Homeward!>You run into.. hey, it's that adorable bumpkin from the train!>Oh geez what's he got there->Oh god oh fuck has he been waiting here?>Was he hoping to intercept you?>The girl part of your brain immediately goes on high alert. Rough and tumble farm boy alone with you in the woods? Yeah, no->Oh>Right>It's... a Hearts and Hooves card. He must've wanted to intercept you yesterday but missed you, and now he sees you alone, looking slightly grubby and thoughtful instead of... blushy and satisfied?>So he shoots his shot. Dude asks you out.>Well, this is an easy answer->Right?>>>It's an easy answer.>So why are you lost in his little green eyes!?>Nyaaaagh!>No no noNO-"Sorry, I've been going through a lot- and I gotta be home soon, they're expecting me, and- uh- bye!">You're already breaking into a canter, shouting over your shoulder"Nothing personal, you're actually cute but I-">To his credit, he shrugs, kicks the dirt and walks away with his head high>Meanwhile you probably looked like every mean girl who's ever lied to guy who dared not to be->Just shut up. Get on home, already!
>>43408684>Home>The afternoon and evening go by fine. You get drafted into dinner duty, no prob, you got the magic hands>A few ponies giggle and gossip about you staying out all night.>You tell them, precisely once, that you were doing a real repair job for money. If they don't believe it, that's their problem.>You also relay the bad news to Solstice, who seems quite taken aback. She knew Bright Mac died about six months back but Pear must've died within the last week or something.>Well great, thanks for telling Anon, not like you knew she hung out with->Relax>Get over it.>What's harder to get over is that some of the girls seem to know about that colt>Someone, no names are ever named, gave him info>Oh come on! Playing fucking matchmaker!?>AAAAAAAAAAA>You almost said yes->Part of you wanted to kiss that face->Be underneath him>All round and wheezing and dopey-eyed, wrapped up in his legs in your bed, both of you rubbing your swollen belly while->AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA>Next thing you know, you're in Furtive's office, having a broken hoof knitted back together>You freaked out, punched a brick wall and were catatonic until just now>No medical stay. The damage is minor, in and out procedure, plus she's worried it'd hurt your mental state even more if she kept you>Deep breath>She lets you go, on a promise that you'll come to her BEFORE you hurt yourself.>Your nighttime experiments... start getting weird. A little rape fantasy-y.>Multiple times you try thinking of Fleur de Lis with a strap, or a futa cock. No joy.>It's getting infuriating! What does your cooter fucking want!?>A couple months go by.>For all your frustrations at night, your daytime life is pretty great.>Mooriel's a tough customer, but fair, and it also affords you the opportunity to check on the Apples.>aaaand keep an eye on Ponyville for *other* signs, of course>No oracle shit, no getting involved in the main story, just a weird young mare caring about her community. That's all. That's okay.>No sign of Applejack. And why must there be? Doesn't seem realistic that she'd walk all the fucking way from Vaguely Appalachia to NYC and stay there for all of two days or something.>Towards the end of the second month, Granny Smith tells you she went ahead and sent a letter. Not just for AJ's sake, but to tell the Oranges the news.>Asks you to not bring anything up if, when, she comes home. Just be there when you can, and answer if she asks anything.>Yeah. 'Course.
>>43408837>Night of the 60th day.>In your own bed>Doing youknowwhat>Can't get that farm colt out of your head.>It started off angry. Like a "fine I'll give you something to be horny about!" kind of thing, but now?>Oh god no please it feels so goooooooood>Actually.. kind of enjoying yourself>You've got one hoof massaging, another moving the pen around, your magic squeezing at your crotchtits>Thoughts of that hayseed swimming in your sex-addled brain>And you're conflicted. You're right on the edge of something happening, and a large part of you wants to surrender>...Does. Does surrender. The thoughts flow. No more vague pretty boy pictures, or even kissing and petting.>You're fully imagining what's happening now.>He takes you. Without asking.>Nudges, then starts pushing you towards a concealed little nook on the roadside. Gives you what your body craves and asks no leave of the mind piloting it.>You thrust the pen harder, wiggle it around, get really rough with yourself and oh no that actually feels good no no please->This is the best start you've had so far. And that scares you.>Yet it reaches a plateau, as it always does.>Hng>Egh>Cmon->Still nothing. Your body is a little warmer and fuzzier, but it still won't advance from a fun tickle.>All in all, you've accomplished nothing except probably make the inside of your vagina sore tomorrow.>Goddammit, you're giving it what it wants and it still won't let go of you! ARGH! COME ON! You're gonna fucking cry!>Yeah>No that wasn't a joke>You gave into the boy-craze and it still won't RELEASE.>Anger, turned to lust, and now a rising despair. Why can't you just get the fuck off!?>Feels too good to just give up, even though it's been hovering at this level for minutes now. Your heavy, sighing breaths turn into frustrated grumbles.>No. No matter how he pushes you over, takes what he wants, it won't GO ANYWHERE>What the fuck does your cunt want from you!?>It clearly doesn't want to be borderline raped, so why are YOU still lingering on that, huh?>Augh!>Slow down, regroup!>Take the fucking pen out of you before you hurt yourself, keep rubbing slowly if you want to idle the engine>Come on. Need something, anything->Waifu. Maybe->Yeah>Trixie. Add Trixie to the mix. Lanky, you-aged Trixie. And stop with the weird hardcore fuck-like-animals shit!>Oooooh>Yeah? Yeah->Trixie brings a friend over. A little rube she met in the farms, a guy you know...>She strokes your cheek, starts frenching (prenching?) you. The hoof on your cooch picks up the pace as you think of him going behind you, licking your lady parts while you tongue the magician>Your scowl relaxes as your cheeks go red, the motions you make fall into a steady rhythm and you just... enjoy it.>MMmmmmm>Oh fuck->Something's happening>In your head, farm colt mounts you. Trixie is under you, licking the spots his dick can't touch. She, the fellow mare, knows all the spots to kiss and touch and nuzzle and-.
>>43408840>Yeah yeah yeah, use your magic to push the pen, touch yourself in other spots, girls like that kind of thing right? You seem to.>Your front half is bent over the bed, Trixie lying on her stomach in front of you, tail up while you imagine what she tastes like->Whole body feels warm->Belly is on fire, right around where your womb must be>Tingling from your head to your tail>Ohh>This might be->Brain getting foggy>Yes->Pussy winking. You can feel every single micrometer of that pen.>Yessss- oh YES->Making weird little noises and you can't help it->This state of weird, pre-orgasmic pleasure goes on for a minute or two of you mindlessly rubbing and thrusting and writhing and->Oh god just a little more, more, moremoremoreMORE->HNNNNNNNNG->Every muscle in your body clenches up, tightens in pulses, fuUuUuU->Every twitch squeezes a wave of hot bliss out of you. A plume of rising water, falling and flowing into your entirety>You press your face into your pillow to stifle a loud moan and still end up whimpering into it with each contraction>>>J-j-j-jaysus>>>>Body's still shaking>>Okay>Okay, there we go>Relaxation>You sigh the happiest little sigh you've sighed in a while>>Ho-lee fuck>Oh god that feels so much better>It has taken you at least a fucking year but you finally managed to beat your clit in just the right way>>>Okay>Deep breath>Lick your lips, wet your mouth>Turn over, nuzzle into your pillow.>You had almost forgotten what it felt like to lay down without your vagina doing weird annoying shit at 3am>Sweet fucking release. Or would it be intake, since->Nah. Still release. Released the pressure.>>Wow>Little sleepy already>Yeah, sleep is good>Means you don't have to acknowledge you just got off to the idea of..>Oops->You just did
>>43408843>>>>You got off to the thought of a three way with a guy and a girl.>There is no way around this. It happened.>And...>No regret. Mild discomfort, resistance, maybe. But no regret, no more denial.>Yes, there was your favorite mare present, but she wasn't a futa or a trans girl or whatever other gymnastics you'd need to give her a cock and also not be into cock somehow.>No, the pen was playing the role of that cute cornfed motherfucker, the one who hoped to be filling you with future farmers >You. Imagined. A guy. Fucking you.>Cute curves and pussy WAS involved, but so was a goofy country boy, and he was doing most of the work on your marehood!>Why is this a bad thing, anyway?>It's just your body. It happens to have an innie instead of an outie. You can't help how those nerves fire off. Nor can you help how the perfect fit is a certain springy, cylindrical object belonging to the opposite sex.>Well, yeah, but you didn't decide to be female when you->Sure>Did you ever decide to be male? Or was that just another body you got saddled with?>Face it.>You miss your hands way more than you miss your dick, and 99% of missing your dick is just the realization of what you'll have to do if you want to pass on your genes.>Like, your body image, it's all in your brain, right?>Sure, femininity itself is something you're only comfortable with on an infrequent and case by case basis>Yes, you're female, yes you have an integrated babymaker, but that doesn't define your personality thankyouverymuch>But the part of you that *is* a pussy and the part of you that knows where all those nerves are supposed to be?>That's all in alignment right now. And has been this entire life: your ghost is piloting a female brain, after all.>One with no screws loose or crossed wires or any other such thing. At least in regards to your plumbing and reproduction.>Hell, you actually stopped missing your hands entirely once your magic started working. The memory of that first day, giddily running around touching everything you could find with a million million hands->God, being able to float shit around is amazing. You could be a breeding sow for the rest of your life and the TK would probably still make it an overall upgrade.>Like, especially if a cute bossy mare told you to. Someone like Trixie->...You might still be a little horny. Heh.>...>Yeah. That aching desire is creeping back into your nether region.>Alright.>Fiiiine, that orgasm was a pretty damn good argument for letting your lust go where it wants.>Mmmm->>You realize you're giving your bastard reproductive system exactly what it wants, right?>Yeah?>And?>Yeah.>Cool.>Sassy, bossy ladies help you cum.>Good talk.>>>>>You know, if you were pregnant with a colt you'd have a dick inside you, 24/7 for like a year, and it'd be deeper in your pussy than any mate could ever go.>Isn't that fucking WILD?>And a filly would mean a cooch up your cooch!>Madness.
>>43408865>A few days later...>Everything just feels easier now>Just a shred of inner peace, real inner peace, it's like your life is finally starting>The confidence is infectious. The fillies seem more accepting of you.. or were they always? Could you simply not see it?>No matter>Nothing's getting you down today!>Mooriel wants some help fixing the fences, and you can always use the work and money.>You're a young mare! Sure, you can always stay here if you fall on hard times, but the flower trio have the right idea.>You spent yesterday asking around, land, jobs, good neighborhoods. Asked the orphanage staff and around in Ponyville.>Somehow, you have no fucking clue how, but you end up with a coffee meeting (not a coffee date, she insists, that's inappropriate considering your age) with Argenta Mare (nee Rosetta).>A coffee meeting you're walking right into, right now.>>Yep. Standing casually by a table, Mayor Mare's hot pink mane is a dead giveaway for... well, anyone but YOU, but no matter.>"Hello, Anon, over here!""Hi, May- er, miss Mare.">She raises an eyebrow, but doesn't respond to that slip-up. Not in the positive or negative.>Less obvious, to a brony or to a local, is the little silver filly sucking down milk like a bilge pump."Who's this?">"Oh don't mind Silver Spoon-" she cranes her head between her legs to kiss the baby. -"Mwah. Mama can't be apart from her, no she can't!">You get to talking. A little small talk, she's surprisingly well-informed on your general story.>Well, maybe not *too* surprising after you get her About Me blurb:>She's not started her political career in full, quite yet, but she met her husband working as a tax accountant, and his family has been connected to the magistrate who runs the title deed office, and so on->Andt she doesn't know everything. She'd heard about the manticore incident, but was unaware you were the shooter- and apparently Mayor Taffeta is the reason you never saw that gun again.>Seems politicians don't like commoners getting those things. Cannons are one thing, but rifles?"Sheesh... I hate the incumbent already. Law makes no sense anyway- I could brain a guy with a brick but how DARE an Earth pony have a fighting chance, right?">You're worried you laid it on too thick, but she laughs. That kind of attitude is why she wanted to run for office; the mayor *technically* owns any military-grade weapons not in the armories of soldiers or knights, so if she'd been in charge she could've just let the Apples keep it."Wow, I uh, didn't know the mayor was military-adjacent.">"Oh yeah, wasn't more than a generation or two ago that militia training was a necessity, not a weird thing farmers do on the weekend. Still *is* a necessity, in a lot of places.">Mare's stance on gun control wouldn't have saved Bright Mac, probably, considering bringing black powder through a fire swamp is just ASKING to die, but it's the principle of the thing
>>43409155>Makes you like her more and more, really *get* how she gets elected>Oh come on you're doing it again!>So>Little chat out of the way, you get down to business.>Yes, your age of majority is coming up soon (by pony standards) and you're planning on living around Ponyville>She already knows you're a budding craftsmare, apparently, since unlike that Taffeta bitch she remembers the cows are also citizens of Equestria>As far as having one of those cute tudor houses for yourself, though? Unfortunately the prospects are grim>BUT>Land out in the forest's edge? Super cheap, sometimes even free, but materials and help are not.>Some intersection of the Everfree's whims and earth pony magic can create one of those tree cottages for basically fuck all of nothing, and then you just have to furnish it and maybe reinforce a few spots>And you're already friends with the Apples, who have a lot of experience navigating said whimsy whether they'll admit it or not>AND Mare is willing to pitch in, if it would help. She makes no mention of fee or favors-"Really? Come on, you're a pony who WANTS to be a politician- no catch at all?" You try to ham it up, play it off as banter, but the question is at least somewhat sincere>You let out a breath as she chuckles instead of growls. "Well- you've got me there, but let me ask you a question: is it really blackmail if I just hope you'll consider voting for me when you're of age? Come on, what would I even do with it?""...Nah. Guess not- and even if it is, at least it's honest, right? Yeah. Yeah- I liked you even the first time you ran, just a gut feeling.">"Flattery only gets you so far, kiddo, but thank you. Now-">She had apparently planned her advice out well in advance, as she's able to pull out paperwork, some business cards and reference numbers for library books about the Everfree, all laid out for you.>A little bit of awkward silence before you both work up the guts to admit it's time to go.>You're nosing through your purse when you hear Mare say "No no, I'll get the check.">Glance up. She's dead serious, looking you in the eye.>"Not trying to bribe you, just think of it as a rebate... For the powder charge you bought, and which was promptly stolen by the current Mayor.">You stare at her with a raised eyebrow. Her face is stone."...Alright. Thank you, better late than never.... Oh. Little advice-">Oh no, what are you doing?>Shh. Show knowledge or not, you have sound reasoning."Mmmaybe dye your mane gray? Makes you look more... wise. Experienced. Not to mention makes your married name fit you better?">"Hm, yes, you're probably right- only problem, the public loves attacking you over dumb gossip... I could probably do it in secret, but..""Eh, they'll find some thread to pull on no matter what, right? Might as well be threads that actually help you? Dunno.. see ya! Good luck at the polls!"
>>43409160>Sweet Apple Acres, ahoy!>>The door is unlocked and wide open... well...>You've been welcome before, right? They're right there. In the living room. You wave but they do nothing...>Oh shit, they're even more somber than before>Oh no. Please don't let anything have happened to AJ.>"Huh? Oh, no no, don't worry honey. Mooriel's out back, but she can wait just a second..." Granny goes back into whatever fugue state she was in when you got here. Takes a second for her to snap out and continue. "Mailmare came and went, we know Applejack got the letter, but no return service.">>"Well, how could she? She finds out her ma died while she was on the road! And, maybe worse, that we kept it from her!">"I'm aware of my wrongdoing, boy! There weren't any right answer and you know it!">Oh fuck>Uh"Sh.. should I just get to work? I-">Sigh. "Yes, ah think that'd be best. Don't mind us.">Well>That's another complication from the show>Cheerilee never tried to strangle a kid, Ponyville never had gun laws on top of any lingering tribal tension, and Applejack left out the bad news from her cutie mark story.>Sensing a theme here->Oh well.>Okay, you've had your oracular contemplation ration today. Maybe exceeded it!>Get back in the present, and get to work!>Speaking of television shows, you have another random, strange memory sticking in your head.>Funny little song you end up singing to yourself while you replace bad fence planks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Vk6hANjLeU"Hmmm hm hm hm splatter on the windshield of life!">As fitting a song as any, while you contemplate the future.>Not some ideal future from a cartoon, not some dreaded far-off potential future, nor even lustful yuri fantasies involving a mare too beautiful to ever talk to you.>No, just you.>You and your life, here. And the lives of your friends- if you butter Mayor Mare up you just might be able to convince her to give Cheerilee a chance as a teacher.>Not because it's destined to be, but because she deserves it... and maybe that's why it's destined!, or- whatever! Shut up!>And as suddenly as it came, it passes->No. Not passes. Gets overwhelmed.>A strange feeling wells up inside you.>Something draws your eye skyward. A filly screaming?>...A yellow blur, plummeting into a cloud of butterflies.>You HAVE seen this before. So, then, assuming she didn't just die?>Today is the day.>"Something wrong, kid? C'mon, we almooost got it done." Mooriel's voice has a bit of annoyance, but more concern, in it."Y-yeah, sorry, I just heard that scream."
>>43409296>"Mm, me tooooo. Hate t'say it but that filly's dead, even pegasi doooon't survive falls like that... Not t'mention- OH, WHAT IN COWST'S NAME!?">There>It happens>You see raw, elemental Color rip out of the sky in a wide radius>Not merely photons interacting with your retina, but something deeper, something that touches every sense. A Presence. A Binding.>It hits your soul. Massages the last sparks of doubt inside you, multiplies that peace and anticipation for the future, recalls all the joy you've felt learning things the show would never have the balls to say.>Keep an ear out, you can just barely hear Fluttershy singing>Pinkie Pie must be planning her first party>AJ'll be heading home>Whirl your head around- something just popped the roof of Canterlot Palace! Hey Spike, you're gonna be a cool dude some day!>And Rarity'll be out in the badlands, striking a motherlode->Ah, yep.>They'll all be here, and maybe you can hang out... or maybe AJ will forget all about you...>No. Don't be a fucking bitch like->"HEY! KID! LOOK!""Woah wh- what what what-">"Your rump!""Huh!? OH! HEY!">Your cutie mark! A fucking question mark! Of course it is, because you love questioning shit, you love mysteries, you->"...Anon? Y'alright there, kid? K-kid?">Your cutie mark came out at the precise moment you truly perceived the rainboom>You just Know it, with a capital K, in your heart>>>>Fuck.>Now now- coincidences are a thing you know!>Don't panic, ha ha ha don't fuCKING panic!>The weekend>You're having your Cute-ceañera>Nice party. Kinda girly and generic, but you can't really expect all the girls to set up a shooting range or something.>Just enjoy the parts of it you can.>Ha>That rainboom is still pepping your step>...You know, you arrived with a rainbow blast>The nuns are trying their absolute best to avoid gossiping about it, but you can see it in their eyes>Ha>So very long ago, now, you were dying...>>>Still no full memory? Fine. Whatever. Guess your brain is protecting you from->"Anon!" Furtive's voice behind you. "I know this is a long shot, but bear with me.. This object fell, directly in my path, during that rainbow the other day.. I thought of you. It feels connected, am I.. Am I simply seeking connections?""Uh... what is-">Hrrk>No>No no no no no nO>That... THING>It was a part of HER>She.. she came here after all? In pieces?>WHeezewheezewheeze->Shegaveyoueverythingandyouforgother>NomorenevertobeagainackackackaACK
>>43409299>>>***BE ANONMARE***"So, uh, yeah. That was it. I know it was long, but all the stuff with Cheerilee, and Applejack, and even just being weird about growing up were all related..">"Okay! Great! We can go now! Pinkie, you promised!" Scootaloo jumps up, wings buzzing, flies right into Ponk's face.Sigh. "She's right, ya did promise.">>"Hold on now, Scootaloo. What DID all of that have to do with yer cutie mark!? What even IS yer cutie mark!?" Apple Bloom shuffles from side to side.>Tense, like she wants to challenge you more, but knows better than to start fighting with a mare she sees somewhat regularly outside of crisis situations"Oh for- were you not listening? What did I say when you sat down?">"Uhhh-">>"Er, uhmmmm-">>>"Ehhhh-">Gonna need an eye doctor if you keep roiling your eyes like this!"A cutie mark isn't some magical tattoo that crams a new skill into your head. It's a personal revelation, a sign of maturity, and it might have nothing to do with your actual special talent. Unless you're secretly three flowers?">"No! A flower can't do a sick ollie!">>"She was being rhetorical, chickenwing-">"HEY! DON'T-""BREAK IT UP. NOW.">Rumps hit the floor with mumbled apologies"Alright. Now... MY cutie mark? Mystery.">The fillies exchange confused looks. Sigh.>You know the question before any of them answer it."No, not *a* mystery. It's- look, you asked about me spotting Pinkie Pie. That's part of it- I see stuff from different angles, I'm always trying to figure stuff out and not always to my benefit. I think the moment I got mine, was the culmination of learning to...">How to word it..."I stopped seeing myself from this made-up vantage point that made me hate myself and not know who I was. Had to learn to give myself the same investigation, I guess... gawd it feels corny talking about this stuff...">For just a moment, the three fillies huddle and buzz with discussion>Twilight shoots you an approving look. She, too, is hopeful that they've made->Scootaloo turns around, clears her throat. "Okay. I get it. You're saying we can't get our cutie marks until we've all investigated more activities we can try. We'll keep at it! AND we'll keep looking for Rainbow Dash!">Pinkie Pie rolls her eyes, but climbs into Scootaloo's little red wagon just the same. "Okay, yeah, a deal's a deal, so WEEEE-">Pinkie lingers on the 'we.' Gazes meaningfully at you.>"-eeee should go... right over there, to Sugarcube Corner!">Scoots gets buttmadd for a moment, but manages to shut her trap before anything incriminating comes out.>And they're off.... about 50 yards down the street, where you see them all file into the restaurant.>Twilight's still here."Got nowhere to be?">"Nope, my only scheduled event in this timeslot was the now-cancelled intervention... Wow, you know, I saw that rainbow too!">Naturally.
>>43409451>You know that already.>Or rather, Anon the Human thinks he knows. Anonmare is happy to learn it was true.>Yeah."Really? Well... maybe we were meant to be friends...">"RIGHT!?">Still not sure how to feel about that, about what it means for individual agency in this world, but eh->"I HAD THE BEST FRIENDS IN THE WORLD TIED TO ME FOR ALL THIS TIME! IF ONLY I HAD KNOWN!">She bounces so much you fear a twilynanas event, but it stabilizes into a twiggy goofball concordance>And also a Spike Got Woken Up Again minor civil emergency. Don't forget Spike.>All clear. Say again, all clear!>"Ahem. Anyway, I had NO idea you were so involved with the Apples already! And... well... I'm sorry about Cheerilee... Do you... uh...""I never hated her, if that wasn't clear... but I dunno. Dunno if she'd wanna see me... I gotta talk to her someday, I just dunno if...">"Yeah, this is more than a friendship problem.. Whenever you're ready, if my... our presence would help, just ask.""Yep.... Oh no.">"What? What's wrong!?""Uh...">Hehehe>This is...>"Anon. As your friend I want nothing more than to help you, but you have to speak up!""I... just realized I haven't visited the orphanage in like... at least 10 years... not since I moved out....">"The orphanage. The orphanage that houses your legal guardians, your mothers who live a half hour's trot away from here, THAT orphanage?""...yes....">"Anon! There's still time in the day, and I've always wanted to visit the manor- research purposes, the architectural style, the stories it could tell about the post-war society... Um, but the priority is of course helping you reconnect!""Yeah yeah, you'd feel awkward asking them but with me you already have a hoof in the door. Come on... Actually....">>You start to take a step before a horrible memory resurfaces>You, Trixie, Bon Bon, astride your steed, roaring down the road through Ponyville->That fucking submarine fires a dirt torpedo, and what does it sink?>Oh god oh no please let nobody have died no no no it didn't even register in the moment someone coulda died and you never showed up and->Twilight is already off, but stops dead in her tracks to look back at you. "Hm? Not feeling it today? It's okay, we should do this when-""Twilight! It's... Remember that race?">"Oh, gee, how could I forget! Um- actually, my memory of a lot of that is fuzzy, I only remember the basics... I've yet to determine if that is simple forgetfulness, a trauma block, or some psychoreactive magical effect.""Okay. Sure. Um... The orphanage fell into a sinkhole... I think...">"Oh no! OH NO! Wait- wait, no, they're okay. Orphans dying would've made headlines and I ALWAYS read the Ponyville Post, every morning... Though, now that you mention it...""TWILIGHT!">"Gah! Sorry, no, I'm positive nopony died! But I think perhaps their reconstruction has been very slow going... Something wrong with the power lines...">Feeling very ashamed>Wanting to shrink into nothing
>>43409459>"Anon- oop-" Spike snores loudly while Twilight tries to put him on her back, then she comes up and nuzzles you. "It's okay, they're alive, I imagine you feel terrible for not visiting, but we can go together. They're your family, you have nothing to fear, even if it doesn't seem like it.""Yeah. I know that, but...">Oh god>Oh fuck>There's the tears...>And there's the twily hug>Go on, spill it all"I've been hiding from EVERYONE! I coulda done more to help but I hid in my cottage to make out with my wife andandandand-">"Hey, you were the one doing 90% of the dangerous stuff! It's okay! Besides, you being there to fix a few beds wouldn't have brought the power back any faster.">Right>Okay>Yeah>>>"Twilight.">"Yes?""My car is a mobile fusion battery.">A sharp inhale through gritted teeth. "Oooooh, yeah, that's... well, we can still be there right now! Or, in, I dunnno, however long it takes us to walk to your house and drive over there!">Right>She's got your back>You have five other destiny type friends and a few mom friends who could all back you up>(And your wife, the best kind of friend, but she's temporarily unavailable)>But, really, let's just go as a pair... a trio, including->Some distant honk echoes in your heart. Right. a QUARTET, including Remmie and Spike.>Don't want to overwhelm the little ones.>Deep breath.>Go off to your house, together. Take a little drive, do a good deed.>Be Rainbow Dash>Whispering into that walkie-talkie>Heh. Still can't believe Anon hasn't demanded it back yet.>Not that you'd just keep it, but until she wants it again, y'know....>Anyway"Fijimama this is Chromamare, how copy? Over.">Applejack's voice crackles from the device. "Loud 'n' clear, ya got an update? Over.""Biiig problem... Nestingbird is walking away. I say again, Purpsmart has failed to redirect Nestingbird. Over.">"What the- DOES TWILIGHT ACTUALLY NOT KNOW ABOUT THE BABY SHOWER!?">>>"Ahem. Ov- what? Oh- HANG ON, TRIXIE, I'M ASKING HER- Trixie wants to know how much longer she has ta hide in that trick cake. Over.""Ummm.... Cannot comply, grrr, you're breaking up!"
>>43409473>"Ahem. Ov- what? Oh- HANG ON, TRIXIE, I'M ASKING HER- Trixie wants to know how much longer she has ta hide in that trick cake. Over.""Ummm.... Cannot comply, grrr, you're breaking up!" Damn girl you best get comfy.. it's gonna be a hot minute. (Damn I bet she's in a nice outfit in that cake.. ah wishful thinkin..)
>>43410097She's wearing nothing at all, frosting is bad for capes
>>43410490Ah true true, a filthy cape is no fun at all. I loved the flash back lore by the way!
>>43410744Less of a flashback and more just directly referencing something from the spa story... or is that a flashback? I'm kind of retarded today
>>43410796No worries I feel you, the heat for me is frying my brain currently. Also I think it we're both correct? No idea thoughts leaving me..
>>43410919Wait were you referring to the entire orphanage story or just the bit where Anon remembered the orphanage blew up? Cuz my dumb ass assumed the second.
>>43411513The orphanage story. Nice seeing em grow up and change perspective enough to enjoy the life they got too the fullest while staying true to themselves. Good thing some of the memories got blocked or blurred though that'd definitely make things harder on them at the time.
>>43409473>Home, at last!>Okay>Twilight ran into the barn>Should you do something about that?>>Nah.>She knows better than to fuck with your car>Gives you plenty of time to run inside. Grab a soder.>MOTHER.>Aw fuck>I GRANTED YOU LONG SILENCE>Oh come on!>THOU SHALT NOT RESIST ANY LONGER>THE POWER OF OUR PLACENTA COMPELS YOU>>>>Oh, god>What happened>Blink>Humming. The fridge->You're in the kitchen.>There's a bowl in front of you->Slightly cold.>Empty ice cream bucket.>Slightly vinegary smell>no>no no no>PICKLES. ICE CREAM. WE ARE SATISFIED.>Goddammit>It tasted great! You hate that it tasted great!>IMMINENT NUTRIENTS SATISFY US"Quit making me like weird shit you little bastard!" You stare at your belly/child with extreme disdain.>EVEN AS WE SPEAK, THE ACID IN YOUR STOMACH PURIFIES THAT WHICH SHALL BE GIVEN TO ME"AAArgh!">GO. SIT IN THE CAR. AND PACK SOME CARROTS FOR LATER.>Fine>Carrots are fine! Why can't you want carrots more?>BE HONEST. MY PRESENCE IS THE ONLY THING ELEVATING YOUR DIET FROM FRIED POTATOES AND CRAB BOIL.>>>"Goddammit.">Knock knock->Door open! Twilight enters!>"Anon, is this letter implying you're having a baby!?" She waves the letter that came with your house paperwork, which you apparently must've dropped earlier.>Fuck>Well, the look on her face is kinda funny, but there's no camera in reach. Sigh."Yes, Twilight.">>>"And you let Trixie go to Neigh Orleans all alone WITH A FOAL?">Squint>She's completely serious?"Twilight- no, I'M pregnant!">"Really!?""Wh- YES? How did you not figure it out yet? You looked right at my gut while the baby was kicking! Multiple times!">She shrinks back with a squee. "Honestly? Uh.... I... don't know equine anatomy very well... Plus with all the potatoes and fish you eat, I guess I thought you were just experiencing.. digestive distress?">Snrk>That's funny"...Technically also true, I guess? Whatever. Now you know. Let the others know, if you see them.">"You never told them!?">>"GAAH! Mmm, you're A mommy but not MY mommy. Going back to sleep." Spike turns over, still on Twilight's back."You know you coulda put him in the car?">"The car you didn't unlock?""....oops. Anyway- yeah I didn't tell them!">"WHY!?""Funny.">"What!? Anon!""LOOK, I wasn't TRYING to keep it a secret, but you didn't seem to notice and I figured it'd be funny to see how long it takes! And everyone else was also acting like they didn't know, okay!?">Twiggyscrunch!>Twiggygrumble!>"D'oh... it's technically your right whether you tell anypony, but come on! We're your friends, and fellow element bearers! This is a huge life change we all need to be able to prepare for!""I know! But it was REALLY funny to me...">"I can imagine... but I'll get my justice.""How?">"Well, wait until Trixie finds out!">>>"Twilight.">"Nyeh heh heh!""Twilight she was there.">"Yes, I- that was a joke.""...Oh.">"Guess we're both a little slow today, ha ha."
>>43411848Aw shit I forgot to put>Be Anonmare
Gnight mares>>43411858lol all good
>>43410919Mmmmmm fried
>>43411969sleepy mare
>>43411848 THIRD TIME THE CHARM. FUCK."Yeah, you got me.. Alright, let's go.">You're barely halfway out the door when Twilight speaks up.>"Ooh, stop by the library?""Um.. It's easier and faster if we drive around the town, don't gotta dodge pedestrians so much.">"Well, it's just- I recently got a bundle of fruitcakes, cream crackers and Trottingham black tea.">All things the nuns love, if not all the orphans>So she has a care package. Great! Yeah-"Waaaaait.... You just so happen to have a care package.">"Sure, we can call it that! Ha ha ha ha-""Twilight.">"Whaaaat? I'm just being mindful of my, uh, privileged position! ha ha.""A care package. For the orphanage. That you didn't know you were going to until maybe an hour ago?">Twiggy sus, twiggy sweat, twiggy gonna have to do better than... thet?>"D'oh. My grandparents sent me some but I can't stand it!""Okay. Well, I know most of the nuns will devour that stuff, so it won't go to waste. Heck I might swipe a box of that tea, been a while since I had a full Trotters breakfast...">Twilight finally scoots out the door so you can close and lock it.>You can *feel* the question welling up before she opens her mouth-"Yes, Twilight, I still lock my door. If anything I have a duty to do so because my family keeps gunpowder and royal arms around!">"Oh... yes, that's actually a good point. Nevermind.">Clippity cloppity, move to another area of your property>Twilight did at least remember to close the barn door on her way out, so that comes open with->Man. Total silence. Those mares ARE as good as they say."Still got no clue how they did this in a few hours. I know farmers can raise a barn pretty fast but this ain't just a barn!">"Don't ask me, agricultural construction is not an area I'm educated in... yet.">Check the fuel, inspect the car for damage>Nope. She's pristine except for the trenches you dug driving like a maniac earlier.>Pile on it, give the battery a second to warm up->Oof. Pop the CD out. Twilight's ears don't need the damage.>She looks back at you from where she's securing Spike in the backseat, very relieved once she realizes what that disc probably is."Yeah, I figure we don't need the music for a short drive anyway...">Buckle up. You'll be driving slow but, precious cargo and all>Mirrors. Gearshift. Lights. It's getting dark- like storms in the evening dark. What?"Hey, Twi, did they have a storm scheduled today?">"No. Not that I know of.""Mmm. Don't like it, but I'm.. probably paranoid, right?">"I hope so?">Well. Might as well...>Wipers: check. Twilight marvels at the simplicity and you can already see gears turning in her head.>Hi beams: check. Sorry everyone who isn't you!>Tire treads were good, no worries there, she's an offroader at heart.>Onwards!
>>43412848"Wait-">"Anon, I know this is *your* trip and all, but if you want to accomplish anything *today*-""Yeah yeah I know. That's why- gotta clear some stuff out. Don't wanna leave explosives or some of these tools lying in here.">"Oh. Yes, of course, uh- do you need my help? Because of-""No, Twilight, my magic works fine. Sometimes even better than normal from the magic surges.">"Okay. Just let me know if you do need me to help lift.""Yep.">Okay.>NOW onwards!>>Ah>The gentle growl of the engine at a leisurely pace>The trundle of the wheels on dirt>Even the gentle rocking of the poor road conditions.>Paradise.>>Less paradisal: there's still some pink gunk glittering all along some roads.>Eugh.>Twilight's been uncharacteristically quiet, probably studying everything she possibly can without taking something apart>She sticks her head out the window when you're almost to Ponyville, craning her neck up at the sky.>"Huh. Those twinkling lights there- I think Cloudsdale just moved over Ponyville! Oh dear, if there is a storm coming, it's going to be HUGE.">She stays quiet after that.>Even when you get to the library she just runs in with a quick 'hold on!' and comes back out floating a veritable crate of grandparent goodies.>Not even a squeak of a first syllable of a question when you leave town the way you came (again, backroads is faster)>>Finally, when her eye passes over some of that leathery fiberglass sugar jutting out of a poor innocent milestone:>"Ohh- Perhaps they need to flush the water table, from all the cleaning. Or refill it. Either way, it would most likely justify a downpour.""Huh. Yeah.">Right on cue, a few seconds of trickling rain paps against the roof>And then>FOOOOOOOOOOOOM>>Wipers on. Lights on high."Roll the window up! TWILIGHT!">"GAH! Yep yep which-">Sigh. You reach over with your magic and do it for her."Okay, need you to continue being quiet, since now I gotta be really in tune with the car.">"In tune? What-""Twilight.">She stares across the gearshift and cupholders with pleading doe eyes."Fuck- fine. I just need to concentrate, or rather not concentrate at all. I know just about every sound she can make and what that sound means, and it's important when you're driving in the dark or through bad weather or crummy soft roads.">"...All three of which you're doing. Okay. Shutting up.">Okay.>Sitrep.>You're stopped in a downpour on the backroads leading to your house.>Dirt roads make the rain worse through mud. Tree canopies make the cloud-dark darker.>And you need to be always aware of possible pedestrians, so you can't drive fast even if you wanted to.>Not to mention watching for landmarks.>You know the orphanage is between Ponyville and Canterlot. You know that, if all else failed, you could follow the train tracks despite Remmie's protests.>There was that ditch alongside the road, with the berry bushes and the elecampane->Yeah. It's coming back to you.
>>43413004"Alright girl, first challenging drive since... well, you know. You ready?">"Anon, who are- WOAH!">Twilight gets cut off, startled by the radio warbling something in the affirmative>"She's really....""Yeah? You thought I was joking?">"Uh... more like delusional.""Fair enough.">Okay.>Onwards! But slower and more carefully!>Slow going. But steady.>You got this. You're in your fucking element.>Headlights blaze, cutting through the dark. Yeah, right there!>You're on the north outer road, so turn right here>There's the ditch with the flowers!"Elecampane. Always gonna remember that-">"Right, your first trip into Ponyville.""Oh yeah I did just tell you all that...">You're moving slower than a trot through this mud>Still better than walking, since you got a heater and a roof and->Movement in that ravine.>"Anon, did you see that!?""Something bright red?">"Yeah, it moved! Slow down!">Unicorn light's a great lantern but a bad flashlight, so->Pull out that old Bushnell and scan the bushes->Nope>Nope"Hey, there's some eyes in that little gnarled tree. Somepony must be sheltering from the rain.">"I can't... Didn't you imply you could only see ponies trying to *hide*?""....That just makes it more important that we get that pony inside.">"Okay. I trust you. Got an umbrella?""Yeah, open that thing behind the gearshift-">She's out in the shit while you keep the engine running>Yyyep>Hope that kid isn't sick or->"OW!">Twilight sprints back with a swollen eye. "She freaked out and hit me! Little blue filly in a red cloak!""Red cloak? Okay. Sit here and keep an eye on things- yes just get in here, I'm gonna have to clean the seats at this point so don't worry about it.">"Anon! No, you have-""I think I know that kid! I bought that damn cloak!">Umbrella ready. Out the door, your hooves sink into mud.>Circle round the front of the car and try your best not to tumble into the ditch."TAFFY! Is that you? Come here, I can get you home!">>>Whimper>>"Come on! It's Anon, I bought you that cloak, remember?">>>>"Mmmoverhere-""Taffy, I.. I can't be climbing into that ravine, okay? You need to- Okay. The mare you kicked? That's my friend Twilight Sparkle, just LET HER HELP YOU, we'll bring you home, okay?">>"mmokay">Twilight is already climbing down before you can even turn round to the car.>Heh. Sometimes you forget she's like, a hero.>...Sometimes you forget you are, too.>"Anon! Her leg is sprained! Gonna have to carry her! Don't know if-WOAOAOAH- yeah I don't know how I can get her up this slope!""Hold on! Just, huddle in that knothole for a sec!">You've got cordage and a winch. The winch doesn't really work right now, but you've got a mouth and four legs.>First off, cut the engine, just run the battery for now.>Pop the back open so you can set the umbrella down without getting soaked.
>>43413085>Magic magic magic, tie the cord to the hitch so it can't get away from you. Cord's a little thin so tie some knots in the other end too."OKAY! Gonna toss you a rope, hold on as tight as you can and I can haul you up!">You hear Twilight instructing Taffy as you throw the rope"Okay, ready when you are!">"Taffy, hold onto my neck as tight as you can, okay? Don't worry about squeezing too hard, just stay on me!">More mumbling. Twilight nodding as she looks back at the filly.>"OKAY! Taking the rope now!">>Hard tug. Start pulling.>Hrrrk>C'mon>C'MON>You've pulled Trixie's gloriously toned ass, up a vertical incline, and she was wearing a suit of powered armor>This is nothing! You got this!>Pull with your mouth, neck, legs. Use your magic to wrap the newly-slackened cord around the hitch.>Come on->COME ON->Twilight's little bowl cut mane peeks over the side of the road.>One more good pull and she walks the rest of the way, shivering, muddy, laughing under the only REAL shelter for probably a quarter mile>And on her back, peeking through a red hood, is the poutiest, saddest filly you've seen in a long time->She doesn't stay sad for long. As soon as she registers that, yes, Anon is really here right now, her eyes light up like you're the Princesses themselves>No time for talking. Just tuck her into the back seat. Spike's wide awake from the shouting and doesn't miss a beat, grabbing the clean towel you keep for exactly this kind of shit and attending her>Back to the front. Twilight looks like she went wading in the sewer and you're not much better off>But the filly is safe>Doors are closed. Turn the heater on high, sit here for a bit.>>"W-w-w-what is this!?" You see Taffy's face, bewildered and afraid, in the mirror."Her name's Remmie. She's.. very important to me. Family heirloom, let's call her.">>"S-s-she works for YOU!? But she- I saw- coughcoughHACK">Spike pats her on the back, gives her water from the- YOU KEEP WATER IN THE CAR BUT NOT WITH YOU? IDIOT. IDIOT FIX THAT!"Better? Okay. What's wrong, what did you see?">>"I saw a bunch of bright lights, heard loud noises, right before everything..." Taffy shoots you a very ashamed look. "You must've been trying to save us, and I thought, and-""You thought it was another monster. That's okay. It's okay to be afraid.">>>"Shhhh, it's all good, you're safe and that's all that matters." Spike with the big little brother shit.>"Yes. You're safe right now, but what were you DOING out here!?""Twilight, that rain came on suddenly, come on now...">>"I was picking herbs. Some of the fillies got sick, and then I fell, and then it started raining, and I lost my basket so it was all for no-ho-ho-thing!" You can see tears welling up in her eyes>"This basket?" Twilight floats a wicker flower basket, with wax paper wrapped around it.>>"Yes! How- but-"
>>43413148>"It's a little basket, much easier to float from afar than a full-sized filly, ha ha.">The paper crinkles as Taffy unwraps it. "They're still good, not too wet! Thankyouthankyouthank-OW!""Easy there, EASY! Just relax, we'll have you home soon.">Steady on>About five minutes of crawling at a snail's pace, you see another figure on the road>A very familiar one->>Unicorn. Tall, angular face, thick white labcoat, shouting in a deep mannish voice- "TAFFY? TAFF!Y!?">Doctor Francesca Furtiva is so focused on scanning the ditches, she almost walks right into the stopped car before noticing it.>She peers through the windshield at you in confusion, or maybe disbelief, as you roll the window down-"She's in here, come on! Don't worry about the rain and mud, I gotta clean anyway!">>You help her open the door and she heaves and grumbles as she climbs in. "Oof, my thrice-damned knees! Taffy-">"She's asleep, it seems. Sprained leg, possible cold developing.">Furtive nods, laying down on the floor in front of the backseat.>>>>"Anon? Are you alright? You seem... ashamed to see me.">Goddammit nothing gets past her>Deep breath. You don't have to meet her gaze, you have the road to watch."...Are you really asking that? I haven't been around in years, I didn't even come by to see if you were alive after the sinkhole!">>>Is she->She's chuckling>What the fuck is so funny!?>>"Oh, don't be like that, dear. Sure, it's a little sad that you never visited, but also a point of pride.""What!?">>"Clearly we prepared you well enough that you didn't need to come back. Besides... I know. What you are. What you did-">Slow down even slower, look at her in the mirror>She's nervous.>Nervous and... reverent?>Yes.>Despite having similar views on religion to you, she was still raised and worked in a very religious environment.>She's in the presence of two living saints and she doesn't know how to deal with that."Doctor.. I'm still me. Okay? No matter how big my head gets, you had to help me take a crap with a busted leg, don't ever forget that.">>"Whah HA HA HA I had almost forgotten that! Now, I assume you're bringing Taffy home, but what on earth were you doing on this road, in this... contraption... at this time of day to begin with!?">>>Mnnngf->"She realized how long it had been, and that the orphanage had been damaged, and wanted to come help. No, really!">Furtive meets Twilight's eyes, and you can feel the dark edge to her silence>>"Anon...""What? What hap-ohshit.">The headlights illuminate the manor grounds from afar... what's left of them, anyway>The train platform is still fine, but the track's twisted up like bramble bushes, the outer wall is almost gone-
>>43413235>And the manor>Yep>That's gone too.>Only thing standing is the chapel, which seems utterly undamaged, with scaffolds and tents and what look like a few outhouses huddled close around it>>"Nopony died, nor suffered any injuries- everyone got out in time. But, yes, we've been living in the chapel since the explosion.""Wh- why didn't you tell anyone? I could've come and helped, hell I coulda put at least a few of you up in my house-">"I think all of us would've been happy to help, Doctor.">>>"Yeah, no prob, just quintuple my famous nacho recipe! Easy!" Spike says with zero sarcasm.>Already, you can see shadows of heads illuminated by your headlights, staring out the chapel windows>>"Anon." Furtive's voice is low, calm. "Ponyville knows the situation, half the town was severely damaged, power output has been terrible from what I hear, half of it still doesn't have running water...""Yeah, but, I do! I coulda helped a few of you!">"Anon, she has a point. It's really only mane street and the outskirts that are doing well. A lot of the core of Ponyville is... Well. I've used more firefly nutrient packs in the past month than my entire foalhood. Even Rarity has had to use candles some nights.""Is that supposed to help!?">>"I believe she's trying to reiterate: nopony is doing well except a lucky few, and those few who are, tend to have very small and inconveniently-located homes. Honestly, it hasn't been that bad for us. We have the woods to gather firewood and herbs, the chapel is quite cozy, and well... the water situation is terrible, even if it has greatly improved, but you kids can always use some hooves-on experience with frugality.">You pull onto the train platform. It's as good a place to park as any right now, and it means the guards can approach casually instead of freaking out thinking there's a monster gunning for the chapel.>Furtive is...>There's a little bit of desperation in her voice.>She's being mostly sincere, you think, but there's an edge to it>Look behind. Doc's turned away from you, attending Taffy, checking her leg."Doctor... Are you sure everything is fine? There's NOTHING I can help with? I'm asking as a former resident, not some big-name hero. Anythng you can think of- anything at all, maybe I can help, maybe not.">>"Well.. Solstice could tell you more, but... It's a pain in the plot cooking over a campfire, kerosene for camper stoves is expensive... and food is a bit tight. We have the money, the royal guard personally delivers the relief payments, it's just getting to and fro with enough food to feed 50 ponies a day... Okay. I'm certain that at least that last part would be uniquely suited to you...">Guards haven't approached yet...>Furtive glances out the window, likely noticing the same thing.>>"They're waiting for the rain to stop, since we appear to be as well... Honestly, I vote for doing so, since Taffy's issue isn't an emergency.""Fair enough."
Anon going a little insane when she got her element
Morning Anons hopefully a good one
>>43414474Filly filled with pain oh no
>>43414474Good day Anon, always a pleasure
>>43414826So many breeds of anon
>>43413239>Rain's a bitch>It's kept going for like 10 minutes>You're pretty sure the moon is up, though Cloudsdale's fat ass in the sky makes it impossible to tell for sure>And nobody's talking>Feels awkward, like nobody wants to start a conversation only for the rain to let up right after>You avoid turning the CD player on for the same reason>...Fuck it>You've got some comic books somewhere in your jungle of a cargo bed>....>Shit.>Ponies are like 3 feet tall and your car is an upgunned beast, but you're just slightly too pregnant to comfortably clamber around>Urge to faceplant on the wheel rising>Do not the horn! Do not your horn upon the horn!>>>Finally, the doc speaks up. "Anon, where in the wide world of Equestria did you get this veritable fortress?""Short answer? She's the wagon I lost. Long answer? Found me underground when the spa blew up. It was this whole ordeal, real-">>Twilight reaches over, thinks better of stuffing her muddy hooves in your mouth, and magics your mouth shut. "I don't think townsponies need all the horrible, HORRIBLE details, ha ha ha!">Furtive doesn't miss a beat, though. "So you WERE fighting for us that day. I knew it. Thank you, Anon. Oh, and all your friends as well, of course.">Twilight eases off, in mild confusion>Come to think of it, you're a bit confused too"You.. knew?">"Yes? Well, more of a safe assumption. You're connected to an Element, you all redeemed Princess Luna, why would I ever be surprised to know you saved our rumps again?""...Nobody seems to recognize us. Not that I normally mind, but it gets real tiresome when some two-bit local politician treats me like a hobo or throws a brick at me.">>"Technically that brick was meant for Trixie, you just happened to be walking with her.">>>"You know Trixie? How is she?" Taffy has woken up, a bit of pain in her voice but she's a trooper"YOU know Trixie?">"Oh yes, I know about the bear incident, but that wasn't her first show in Ponyville. Few years back, after you'd moved out, she entertained us in exchange for hospitality. The girls loved her- are you a fan as well?""Oh yeah, I'm such a big fan I took her name...">"Oh. Oh dear, so you're living in sin...">Wat>Doesn't she fuck around with a nun? Isn't that how she got her job in the->No, no no no, just ask her, you turnip>She beats you to the question. "Yes, I am frequently engaged in relations with Winter Solstice. I am actually referring to how I've not heard of any wedding yet...">Hehehe...>Er->"Anon. Don't tell me you cheaped out and got married at town hall?">Sweating real hard right now>"WELL! You'll have to bring her here, so we can make sure the gods know you're married. Nope, no way out of it, unless you take me hostage I WILL tell Solstice. And I guarantee I can complain very loud if you try.">>"So THAT's why we never got an invite! I think the doctor is right, Anon, you should have a real wedding." Twilight's scrunch is at full mast
>>43415531>Ok, they're kinda right>Trixie did seem disappointed at a county clerk window wedding>Man, you really did just run off and get a vegas wedding with a stage magician, huh?>She didn't complain. You're not starving but you basically scrape by through having low standards and not enough stuff to be worth taxing, same as her.>Doesn't help that the lingering manhood in your mind wants to take charge and Provide>Still...>Shouldn't say it like that, man>Just... all truthful like that? Hurtful.>Nyeh."You're right... Trixie deserves better.">>"So do you!">Rain still being a bitch"So, question. I know the chapel's too small for everyone to live there comfortably.">"How is that a question?" Furtive looks done with your shit. Like, TOO done."My question being why didn't you go to a hotel? Or come live in town? You wouldn't all have to live in one place! Have like a nun and a few foals and spread 'em out!">"And what of our class schedules? Activities?""Doc. Come on. I saw three groups of screaming ponies run out of their tents as they sank into the mud. What da hell is really going on here? You're not teaching classes in these conditions.">>"I concur- that's... It just doesn't add up! I haven't even seen the usual library groups, it's like you've all been camped out in the chapel nonstop!">>>"Doc? Come on. We can already figure out we're right. What's the problem?">Furtive pauses, just long enough to feel awkward.>"I'll... let Solstice tell you, whenever this infernal rain lets up. Any idea when, by chance?""Nope.">>"Not a clue, it's unscheduled. Pretty sure they relocated Cloudsdale to do it, though." Twilight absentmindedly looks out the window, despite the pitch black.>"Wonderful. JUST wonderful..." She rolls her eyes and her whole head. "Can this machine pull up to the chapel?""Giving up?">"Quite. I'm old enough to remember the LAST time Cloudsdale personally handled a rainstorm. We'll be here all night.""Alright. She can crawl slow, and dim the lights.. hopefully the guards won't shit themselves too hard.">Gearshift to 1st>Headlights off, hazard blinkers on>Ease on down>In the chapel, shadowed heads start running around and bumping into each other>Up on the scaffold, a few ponies were smart enough to keep their tent off the ground. Eyes tremble at you from the tent flap.>Seriously, something's weird here>Whatever>Some flat land over there, you can park so that everyone can exit facing the-"WOAH!">The pedals fight with you and the wheel wobbles all on their own.>Hazards flash, low and red.>Slam the brakes. Back up. Lights->Oh shit.>Unstable ground. Would've tumbled into the roof of the sunken manor if you'd tried to park there."Shiiit, thanks girl.">Back the fuck up. Give yourself a good buffer.>Aaand the heads are panicking harder. Shapes sprinting around- is that a pike?>A grey muzzle shoves up next to you, peering at the chapel. "I can't imagine the red lights helped."
>>43416565Hey I was about to do that!
>>43416570
Eyy good morning
>>43417007Rise and grind your neck into dust
>>43416589Aw fuck, we really shouldn't have snuck strobberies into her appul pie
>>43417849cute mare
>>43416152>Ok, the guards are under the scaffold right now. Have been since before you got here, it seems.>Looks like->Yep. He shit himself. Gross. Anywhere else would've been fine but of course he's under shelter so it'll have to be cleaned>Furtive and Twilight are both flipping between expressions of disgust, sympathy and quiet resignation.>"I told you the red lights didn't help.">Spike's laughing his ass off, though. Tsk. Boys.>Okay you did NOT just think that.>The other guard's beating the first with his catchpole, looks like someone just got volunteered to greet THE CHARIOT>Oof ouch owie- yep. Yep- there he goes, shoved forward without his weapon. Wonder what->Oh, come on dude. It's gross but he doesn't deserve having his own pole used to scrape shit off the walkway!>Poor guy>And now that weapon will have to be soaked in bleach too.>Here he comes, instantly soaked from the moment he touches the wall of rain>Shaking, wobble-legged, pensive, trying to look as small as he can as he crosses the couple dozen yards separating you>>>Oh. It's the joker guy. Eh, he's alright, you're pretty sure he just wanted to turn an embarrassing moment into a running joke between you.>Least that's the version of him you're going with, makes YOUR life easier.>Taptap->He gingerly pokes the hood. You assume, because he's the size of a human child and you're driving a monster truck of a wagon and->How has this not been a problem before?>Fuck that, how did she fit inside the tram tunnels?>Well, the tram tunnels were deceptively HUGE, what with that mountain of a dead pig and all...>No fuck that. How did you drive THROUGH PONYVILLE? MUILTIPLE TIMES?>Distances DO get screwed up, regularly, in Equestria. But that doesn't quite explain->Stop freaking out, Remmie's not THAT big. Normal station wagon with lifted axle and large tires. Trixie said she would lean over to let people in, maybe because you're connected in some way you just never noticed?>>>"Anon, can he not see us?" Twilight asks as she squints out the front window."Maybe not? Um- I need some perspective." You try to say, and look, as serious as possible.>Twilight squees, Spike loudly rolls his eyes and Furtive reflexively sips on coffee she doesn't have"Okay, so, I can barely see his horn hopping around out there while he does his, I dunno, lion tamer routine.">>"Um, yes? That makes sense, considering how massive this machine is." Twilight's voice is careful, even-toned. "Are you implying this was... not the case for you? Until now?""Yeah? I had absolutely no problem driving.">Twilight continues looking at you with a nondescript expression"Driving. By naked eyesight, Twilight. Not fancy instruments or spells telling me where stuff is. I can see far ahead just fine, but I never realized until just now that I shouldn't be able to see ponies right in front of us?">The prodding gets more insistent. You honk the intruder away, fearing a rabid car attack if you don't.
>>43418708>>"Don't you keep saying your vehicle is alive? Perhaps she's simply navigating around what you can't see?""Hm. No, can't be that simple, I shouldn't have been able to see Taffy down in that ravine and off to the passenger side...">>"Well. I have no idea, but please tell me if you think of a way I can help! Um... wait, perhaps Remmie can adjust her height at will?>Right>Perhaps the car can do the thing you know the car can do.>>"Goddammit I'm stupid... No, no no no that still doesn't explain Taffy!">>>"I'm right here!">>"Ooh, maybe even her wheel size is malleable. These could be a holdover from-"Now it's your turn to shush Twilight. "Hey, who was it who said-">>"Right! Sorry.">Furtive clears her throat. "As much as I would love to discuss the many facets of a mechanized familiar and its connection to its master, Anon, perhaps one of us should address the guards before a fight breaks out?">Oop>Yep. You can see the other guy, running with his catchpole>The other pole is stuck in the ground>Sigh>Roll the window down. Lean out, get soaked again-"HEY! LAY OFF MY CAR, BANNISTER.">The guard in front of you shakes out of whatever fear-freeze he was in, and approaches you slowly.>VROOM>....And gets startled half a mile into the air."Rem, easy girl, EAS-ohshit">The armed guard.. fuck, you never could remember his name, is now sprinting with a pole affixed firmly to the side of his harness.>A guy. Raving mad with (understandable) fear. Armed. Wearing a crappy surplus army jacket."Twilight. Disarm that guy. NOW. TELEPORT IF YOU HAVE TO.">>"Wh- WHAT? WHAT ARE-""JUST DO IT OR THERE'S GONNA BE A DEATH TOD-woaAWOWOAH!">You can't even finish your sentence before the hazards flare red. Remmie bucks, rolls, chomps at the proverbial reins as you fight to counter the control systems moving of their own accord."EASY GIRL, EASY, IT'S NOT LIKE THAT TIME! COME ON, WE CAN MOVE, WE DON'T HAVE TO-">Your attention slips long enough for the accelerator to floor itself. Sgt. Whatshisname is saved only by the mud making Remmie spin out."TWILIGHT!">>"Hnng, my teleportation isn't THAT good!""Then GRAB IT!">>"It's buckled on! I don't have the same fine control that you or Rarity have! Can't you turn it off!?">Something tells you that, no, no you can't>Maybe if you had thought of it before the lights stayed on and red. Now?>Now she's->"Anon. You are a bearer of Harmony. Invoke that. Loud, and clear. Order him to cease his attack." Furtive's voice is steady, authoritative.>The accelerator slips. You jerk the wheel, and the car, away from the guard before he can be flattened. If Twilight hadn't been wrestling with him, he might have charged into his own death anyway.>Gearshift? Gearshift is unresponsive. Like it's been in park this whole time. Come to think of it, you turned the ignition to battery-only..>Shit. She's relapsing into a haunted car.>"ANON!""TWILIGHT, YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO DO IT!"
>>43418711>Your car is now bucking like a panicked horse, or the most pimped out of lowriders>>"I really don't-""HE'LL GET FLATTENED BEFORE I CAN FINISH A SENTENCE!">>"D'oh, alright!" She vanishes in a pomf of purple, reappearing outside, safely to the side of the guard. Strangely, you can hear her just fine over the rain and mechanical everything.>>"EXCUSE ME? YES, YOU THERE- um- I'm afraid I must insist you drop your weapon at once, sir.">>>"THE PRINCESS'S STUDENT!? GET BEHIND ME, MA'AM, I'LL PROTECT YOU!" Hey, credit to the guy, he instantly mans the fuck up>Furtive snorts, blasting you with hot air. "Oh... Oh, she's. She thinks it's the day your parents died, doesn't she?">When you don't tell her she's wrong, Furtive leaps out the door with naught but a "don't run me over!">You pin the brake to the floor as hard as you can, stroking the wheel, whispering like you would to a spooked animal>Outside, you continue to hear people just fine. Furtive addresses the guard- "Xiphios, you have been given a direct order by the Bearer of Magic. Why have you not complied?">Dude tries to open his mouth but- "I DON'T CARE. SHE is trying to protect YOU from being utterly flattened by the creature you provoked! Drop it, or i'll rip it off you and leave you responsible for whatever repairs are necessary!">He doesn't actually drop it, but he does stop long enough for Furtive and Twilight to take off his lance holster thingy>As soon as the catchpole drops to the ground, Remmie relaxes.>Furtive and the guard both wince for a moment, but after it's clear they're not under attack, they approach. Twilight thinks better of teleporting in and walks up normally.>The passenger side pitches as three adult ponies climb in, you note they don't seem to exert themselves climbing.>Furtive breaks a minute of silence. "Anon. What in the blazes just happened?"Sigh. "I think my car has PTSD."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6i59GZFBeycGoodnight little mare-to-be...
>>43419171Or just mare. She looks more mare than filly here to me.
>>43419171Cranky Doodle Donkey Kong
>>43419171sleepy mare, cute!
>>43419173Amrefil
>>43418714>Wait>Three ponies->You whip your head around, looking into the back."You're the one who DIDN'T crap all over himself, right?">"Erm- yes?""Good. Otherwise you'd be paying to steam-clean my upholstery.">You turn to stare out the front>>>>>"Um, Anon?" Twilight's head is tilted oh so innocently.>>>"Anon!?"Turn to the right, to face Twilight. Hear the gears in your neck grind. "Yes?">>"Um. Shouldn't we- I don't know, do something?""Yeah, guess we're gonna have to walk. Nowhere safe to park. You guys get out here, I gotta park her... anywhere that ain't a train platform.">Ponies (and dragon) groan.>Doors open. Car wobbles. Doors close.>Okay.>Beep, beep, beep->She doesn't have a reverse warning beep you just>Nevermind>...Best to park her on THIS side of the train platform. You don't need her freaking out while watching you cross.>Hnng>Fuck, really?>Got like a 150 yard dash to the chapel, but this is as close as you can comfortably get.>Power off. Keys into your bags. Open your door, be greeted with a curtain of wet.>Okay>Deep breath>1>2>3>RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN->FUCK! GO BACK!>CLOSE THE DOOR!>RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN FUUUUUUUCK!>You reach the chapel, panting and sore.>You half expected the rain to let up right this instant.>No?>Really?>Okay, then.>>Twilight nudges you. "Yeah, I kind of expected it too."
pweb
>>43419163mare hard at work!
Dawn
