Another Dimension

Chapter 2

AN: Once again, thank you to Ventus Snow Lionheart for beta-reading! Tried to make this chapter long. I wonder if anyone can guess whether i watched the hunger games or not. I LOVE YOU PEETA.

"Well, Ah'm jus' a simple farm girl. Good earth, fresh air, mah folks, and Ah'll be happy. Don't need no fancy-shmancy gadgets like some others. Ah jus' live an honest life, ya know?"

Jackie looked expectantly at Madame Coulombe, who was sitting across her in a dainty wooden chair, arms crossed on her chest. The headmaster stared at Jackie with cool gray eyes, silently judging her.

"Tell me, Jackie, what is the reason you have for enrolling yourself in my finishing school?" asked Madame Coulombe as she leaned back in her chair.

"Well," Jackie took off her hat and placed it on her breast. "Mah momma always wanted me ta be one of 'em well-mannered girls, so Ah thought this would be a good way ta fulfill her wishes. Ya see, she passed away when Ah was jus' a lil' apple. Ah jus' wanna make her proud, ya git?"

"Yes, I understand," Madame Coulombe turned to Pinkamena. "And what about you, dear? Care to tell me about yourself?"

"Well, I come from a place called…" a frantic look was shot towards Jackie, who shrugged. "Um…" She suddenly remembered the details written on her form. "America! Yeah, great place, love the people. I like partying, cakes, baking, and hanging out with my friends! I love my friends! And sweets! Sometimes when I eat too much sugar I have to go to the hospital because my 'sugar level' gets too high and I need injections to keep me normal."

Madame Coulombe cleared her throat subtlety, and Pinkamena paused for a second.

"Go on," requested Madame Coulombe.

"Yeah, so, I'm here at this place because…well, it looked fun! And I could meet all these people! Also, my…sort-of teacher wanted me to do this, so I guess I'm doing it for her."

Silence hung in the air, as all three people waited for something to happen. A large grandfather clock sat in a corner, gently lulling everyone with the sound of its quiet ticking. Madame Coulombe sighed as she opened her desk drawer and drew out a couple of papers.

"It appears you two were signed up for this by your mentor, as she called herself. Jackie Apple and Pinkamena Pie? You are now students in my finishing school. I take it you know what is required to be in a finishing school?"

Jackie recalled what she had briefly read when she skimmed over the brochure tucked into her saddlebag. "Good manners, eti-ket, or somethin' like that, and uh, ya know, other stuff."

"You need people skills! To make friends!" added Pinkamena.

"I suppose," Madame Coulombe thought. She briefly shuffled through the papers, her eyes landing on the names of the students. "There is a little issue. You see, here at my finishing school, we strive to turn each girl into a proper lady, and most of my ladies have proper names. Now, Jackie, from now on we will call you Jacqueline, its more elegant and lady-like." She ignored the indignant look from Jackie. "And, Pinkamena, I imagine your name was based on your hair, which is very, pink, but I think we'll use your middle name of Diane; much better, now, mm? Now that we've got that sorted out, we must decide on your accommodations. I can tell you are both good friends, so I suppose we can find a double for you. Most of the rooms are full, but I'm sure that we'll find something for you. Breakfast has finished and classes have already started, but as it is your first day, I will allow you to be able to go to your rooms and freshen up a bit. I'll have someone bring you a tray of tea and some toast and jam to fill you up. I'll give them instructions to give to you as well, for as you can see, I'm quite busy." She gestured towards the piles of documents and files. "But, I will lead you to your new room. I'm sure we have a free one…" She stood up and beckoned towards the door. Jackie and Pinkamena hastily got up and followed Madame Coulombe down the hall, lugging their suitcases behind them.

The walls were a clean creamy white, the floor a sparkling shade of pale pine planks. There was a plush, cotton candy blue carpet lining the ground and tinkling crystal mini-chandeliers hung from the ceiling. Paintings of young girls dressed in gowns and ballerinas twirling on stage adorned the walls, and all around, small tables with long vases of different flowers were placed along the hallways. Jackie was absolutely stunned by the elegance and sophistication of her surroundings. Imagine the girls who went to this place! What would they think of them?

Madame Coulombe escorted the girls up a few flights of steps, stopping when they reached the third floor. "The school looks small on the outside, but I assure you, it's quite large on the inside!" She chuckled as she walked down the hallway toward a pale green door with the numbers '309' painted on it. She opened it with a small nod. "Make yourselves comfortable, I'll have Arielle bring you refreshments. The bathrooms are down the hall to your left. Feel free to wander, but please do not disturb the classes and do not let them know you are here. I want it to be a surprise. You know how gossip can spread…" She shook her head, as if remembering something from a long time ago. "But for now, rest! I'll be sure to visit you sometime later." She smiled warmly, as if finally realizing what great people the girls in front of were really were, and walked out.

"Well, she seems really nice!" said Pinkamena as she looked around. "Saaay, the room's really nice as well!"

The room was large, airy, and well lit. The walls, like the halls outside, were painted a soothing, refreshing white. It reminded the girls of fresh milk, fluffy clouds, and delicious sugar icing. The windows had embroidered lime green curtains with yellow and purple flowers. The beds looked soft and comfortable, with downy pillows and squashy mattresses. The duvet was a pale pink, smooth and velvety to the touch. On one side of the room was a small loveseat, silky and sky blue. A little coffee table stood in the middle of a spring green rug, and an oak desk with a matching chair was situated underneath the large window. A large wooden wardrobe was located in the far end of the room, with enough space for all the clothes and shoes. A petite dressing table was in the other corner, paired with an identical stool, and shelves lined one of the walls. Pinkamena was right: The room was really nice.

Jackie plopped herself onto a bed, loving the feel of the comforting material. "Ah could git used ta this," she murmured, snuggling her pillow.

Pinkamena wasted no time to open the window and lean out, breathing in the fresh smell of bread from a nearby bakery. She peered closer, and stared at the person outside the bakery. She could tell it was a boy, about their age probably, with brown hair that curled around his ears. He was too far away for Pinkamena to really see his features, and she didn't have anytime to properly look as he suddenly ran towards another person. A girl this time, with long hair pleated into a braid. The pair embraced for a second and walked away. Putting her head back into the room, Pinkamena walked over to her suitcase and began sifting through the items.

"Hey, Applejack, look at all these fancy clothes!" she said as she held up a long, royal purple evening gown.

Jackie sat up, and faced her friend. "Pinkamena…"

"Yeah?" A confused Pinkamena looked up. "Why are you calling me that?"

"If we wanna seem like we're humans, then we gotta start actin' like 'em. Firs' of all, no more callin' me Applejack. Ma name is Jackie, or, Jackie-lean, or somethin'. And you're Pinkamena, or Diane. Lisn', if we wanna pass this mission, we gotta git our act tagether." Jackie stood up to get her bag and ruffled through the papers. "Ah guess we oughta read these papers. See if anythin' important is in here." She pulled out a letter, and began to read:

Dear Applejack,

I know you. You're a smart, strong, independent, mature pony, who is willing to do what's right. However, Pinkie isn't. Please, for the love of Equestria, take care of her! Make sure she doesn't slip up, or expose your secrets. Also, try to keep your temper in check. Please, don't beat any of the other students up. Although, it would be fun to see it…No, just get through, and I promise to make it up to you. Work hard, my little pony. Your family is waiting for you.

Princess Celestia

Jackie sighed, and glanced over at Pinkamena, who was reading her letter from the princess as well…

Dear Pinkie Pie,

LISTEN TO ME. WHATEVER YOU DO, DO NOT EXPOSE YOUR SECRET. TO ANYONE. DO NOT MAKE REFERENCES TO EQUESTRIA, FOR IF YOU DO, I WILL RESERVE A SPECIAL PLACE FOR YOU ON THE MOON. I SWEAR IT, PINKAMENA DIANE PIE. I am doing this for you. Just, please…don't mess it up.

Princess Celestia

"Geez, the princess needs to take a poop," grumbled Pinkamena.

Jackie sighed once more, and began pacing the room, gently massaging her forehead.

"What did she write on your letter?" demanded Pinkamena as she snatched it from Jackie's hand. She quickly skimmed it, and started to breathe heavily. "What? She thinks that I can't take care of myself? The nerve! I can do just fine on my own! I'm a responsible, mature pony!" She slumped onto her bed and crossed her arms, pouting. "Why does everypony think I'm a baby?"

"Pinkamena," Jackie said. "Don' use everypony. You better start usin' everybody. We ain't ponies no more." She put a hand on Pinkamena's shoulder. "We gotta focus, ya git?"

"Yeah, I get it," heaved Pinkamena, still a bit hurt from the princess's words.

A subtle knock was heard.

"Excusez-moi, I 'ave zee tea for you."

Jackie rose to open the door. A petite, thin girl, about the age of 20 was carrying a silver tray laden with a porcelain pot of tea, two teacups, and a plate piled with golden toast and a pot of strawberry jam.

"Howdy! Here, lemme help ya," Jackie offered as she took the tray and placed it on the coffee table.

"Thank you, merci," the girl bowed her head. "My name is Arielle, and I am zee maid, votre servante. I am 'ere to 'elp you with whatever you desire."

"Gee, thanks, but we don' need much," smiled Jackie.

"It eez not a problème," replied Arielle. She looked down the hallways before stepping in and promptly shutting the door. "You must listen to me," she said quietly. "Zee girls here, you must be careful around them. They can be very mean." Arielle's brown eyes grew sad. "Please, promise me that you will be careful. You look like nice girls." With a small nod, she opened the door and escaped.

Jackie and Pinkamena were left staring at each other.

"Ya hear that, Pinkamena? Even she thinks we oughta be careful. Now you lisn' here, and you lisn' good. If those girls try anythin' on you, whatever ya do, don' go all Pinkie on 'em. Use your common sense. Ya heard Arielle! The girls here can be mean. Ah bet they're jus' like them Canterlot ponies, thinkin' they own the place and whatnot. They'll probably be like Trixie, remember her?"

Pinkamena nodded. "Oh yeah, she was such a bi–"

"Yeah, she was, but the girls here will probably be a thousand times that. Ya git?"

"Yes…Jackie, I get."

"Good. Now, les' eat!"