Disclaimer: I own nothing from the My Little Pony Friendship is magic franchise, I only own the story and the OC that I created.
Chapter 6.
It has been a few days since I decided to open a smithy in Ponyville and I have to say that I am making some great progress in that direction; one of the biggest factors contributing to that is the fact that for whatever reason, my actual house and detached smithy were in my bag!? How!? I know for real and for true that my home should not be here, and good god did I have to make up some serious buuu, bubuu bbuubuulll...grr. Some serious lies on the spot.
That was quite the experience let me tell you; once I discovered that little tidbit of information I was subjected to niceness. Pure niceness. What more can be said? Well..actually I can still say more on that and I will; Twilight was kind enough to offer me a place to stay at the library until I can get planning permission as well as find a suitable location for my new home and business. The others were just as willing to let me stay, with the exception of Rainbow Dash as she lives in a cloud house, because such a thing is physically impossible for an earth pony to do but thanks for the offer anyway RD.
At any rate I just need to speak to Madam Mayor and see what it is I need to do in order to set up both my house and my work space in town. Other than that...well... I'll just wing it; see what happens and adapt as the situation demands. That's for another day because right now, I am enjoying Twilight Sparkles hospitality which I mentioned previously, though I am still waiting for that voice, whoever or whatever it belongs to, to turn up and start patronising me. Again. But nope! It hasn't shown up since its last visit and I am in need of venting my rage and frustration on something verbally or physically I don't care! I just...!
"Gah!" I shout as I walk straight into a wall.
"Ranger! Are you alright?" A feminine voice calls out. I just turn, my face perfectly deadpan.
"...I decided to get personally acquainted with a wall. Obviously it refused my advances.." The sarcasm positively drips from every word, it was that bad.
"Nopony likes sarcasm Ranger." The voice says. A little sarcastic in return.
"Don't preach what you can't practice Twilight." I say as I rub my sore nose... You know, that would normally have been snout or muzzle or whatever but for some reason the normal laws of 'Equestrian Verbiage' seem to slip up at random times. Can't believe that it took up till now for to to finally realise that.
Twilight just smirks and walks off to the kitchen to prepare breakfast for the three of us, I had offered to do the cooking on numerous occasions as I felt that I had to repay her for this generosity, but she said that it was the least she could do as thanks for helping to restore Princess Luna back to normal. Much as I am loathe to just let this happen I am left with little choice for now at least. But I have to admit that I adapted to Equestrian Pony dietary requirements faster than I expected, though it would be rather hypocritical of to to refuse to eat flowers despite having already eaten many different types from back home. I have to say though; Twilight makes a mean Rose and Hay sandwich.
Nevertheless I will continue to help her and her friends as well as I can and as often as I can, I just hope that my own task can be kept from the public eye. I don't want to see these ponies end up fighting a war that they may be incapable of combating, no matter what they say I cannot in good conscience let them take part in what is essentially my task. I will take care of this even if I have to kill time and time again. Good God, ever since I came here my thoughts have become rather morbid haven't they?
*Knock knock knock*
I am drawn from my thoughts as I hear some pony knocking on the front door. Huh. This is something I have yet to encounter, a possible customer in the Ponyville Library, what a surprise. No really, as far as I can remember I cannot remember any customer beyond some of the main cast or some side characters, so how on earth is Twilight actually earning her keep while working in this library?! Does anyone know that answer to that?!
No matter, there is some pony at the front door here hopefully for some business, otherwise I feel that I have to call Twilight upon her questionable source of funds. So thinking I move to the door to see who it is. Upon reaching it I then open it with my hooves (don't question it) to reveal Applejack. Well, I wonder why she is here? It can't be anything related to farming as she is an earth pony whose family line is based upon working a farm, eh whatever, lets see what she wants first.
"Howdy Ranger, is Twilight in?" She asks.
"Yea, she is currently in the kitchen prepping breakfast. You want to step inside while you wait?" I ask out of politeness.
"Thanks fer the offer an all but I don' want to intrude-" She starts to speak before getting interrupted by, guess who.
"Applejack, a pleasure to see you this morning." Yep. I step aside as she walks up to the door, a smile on her face.
"Morning Twilight. I'm sorry for interrupting you just before breakfast, but I would like to ask you to help me with somethin' when ya have the time." Applejack replies.
"Well, I'm free for the day, so what do you need?" Twilight asks.
"Well, I would like an extra pair of hooves to help me buck some apples this morning once your done with breakfast; it's gotta be done before lunchtime and an extra pair of hooves will make it possible." Applejack replies.
"I can do that. Ranger?" I look to Twilight. "Do you think that you can look after the library till then?" A smile immediately adorns my face as I now have a chance top pay her back for her kindness.
"No problem. And don't worry about a thing, despite my being a blacksmith I do happen to know my way around a library and can keep it under wraps till then." I reply happily.
"Thank you for that." She says smiling before turning to Applejack. "I'll see you at the farm in about an hour then?"
"Sounds good, but best make sure that you eat yer fill, it can be might tiring work." Applejack warns her.
"Thanks for the advice. See you then." Twilight responds. Applejack nods then turns to leave, once she is a distance away Twilight then closes the door and starts walking back to the kitchen with me following. I feel that this is a familiar set up for something but I can't quite...?
"Ranger?" Blinking I focus on Twilight as she speaks to me. "What's wrong?" Eh?
"What?" I say dumbly.
"Well, you looked like you were trying to remember something just now, and it looked like it was troubling you." Oh.
"Yeah, sorry about that. Just wondering if everything within my home is actually there." A quick lie, but still very truthful. As of yet I have not actually walked into my home and am uncertain as to whether or not things have been changed to accommodate Equestrian laws and all that, and I want to know what happened to all of the various electric devices therein.
Well...that'll have to wait until I have my home and work space up and running.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Spike says drawing my attention to him...? When did he get there? I look at him confused. "What?" He asks me.
"Well, forgive me for asking but...when did you get there?" Don't judge. I have to know.
"Wow, you must really be out of it if you didn't see me despite me being in front of you this whole time." I don't even...
"Ranger?" I look to Twilight to see her concerned face and try to think on the fly. Um...got it.
"Guys, my concern regarding the state of my home and work space is founded on whether or not everything of mine is still there. And you should also consider the fact that I left my home and possessions some years back, only to find them within my bag, which I left behind as well I might add, inside the treasure vault of the Canterlot Royal Family. And then you add the fact that it was in there since both Princess Celestia and Princess Luna were both foals at the time of its discovery; that's...who knows how many years in the past might I add! How the heck does that even work!?" I speak all of my frustrations with regards to this stinking enigma that is in the fore thoughts of my mind.
"I'm...not quite sure but it is telling that your items and home specifically were targeted for this spell. Other than that I can't really think of any other reason for it to have been sent back for. Nor do I have any idea as to who may have been the one to have sent it back in time, as I don't know if there are any ponies out there today who know how to use a time travelling spell of such calibre." She says a little saddened. Still, this may help give her something to study in her down time.
"Thanks for that Twilight. It helps a little, but you have to admit that it does sound like good research material." I say a knowing smirk on my face, and it only gets worse as I see her perk up at the chance to do some real in depth research.
"You're right! That is something for me to look forward to once I finish helping Applejack gather some apples." She moves off to eat her breakfast while saying that.
Hehe. She is so adorable. I just move into the kitchen and sit down at the table to eat my own breakfast and plan out the next two to three hours; leaving most of the time for the reordering of the books on the shelves for when Twilight is here as I don't want to put a book out of place according to her own layout. I mean that would be beyond rude of me to do so as a guest here. Still, it won't hurt to give the library a run through to see how far she has to go when it comes to sorting out the shelving order, and might as well do some dusting of said shelves while I'm at it since Spike will be going with her.
Seeing Twilight finish her little breakfast, she puts the dishes in the sink for later and begins to head out but not before Spike finishes his own breakfast and joins her. I don't think I have been this relaxed in years. Well, apart from the times where I made both my bag and Sternguard, but this situation... Oh. Now I remember. This is the third episode from Season One of the show isn't it? So then...I look at the now closed door, smirk and shake my head all before I halt and start to think.
I know that I have already started to changes events here by simply existing here and interacting with the Mane Six, but should I involve myself in all of the events? or should I only do so for some of them? Ideally I would like to involve myself in as many of them as I can, but with this Entity that I have to combat that just won't be possible; more like impossible once you think about it, but that's semantics really. But since I know how this one will turn out I should probably...maybe? But what do I do when Gilda the Griffon turns up? Or the dragon? The Ursa Minor? And all of the other situations?
I was lucky that what I did helped Princess Luna come back peacefully didn't affect how Twilight and the girls found out that they represented the Elements of Harmony in a spiritual sense, but if I had interfered too much and made them not realise their importance...well shiii-sh-sh-shiiii-shiiiii...shoot. This may just complicate matters a fair deal. Or maybe not now that I think of it, I don't have to be there for every single event or problem, the girls handled all of them with some outside help but I myself don't have to be involved in every process. Still, if I'm around I should see if there is a way for me to help, but still leave it clear for the girls to learn a lesson about friendship; all I gotta do is observe and see how things flow with me in the mix before making any sort of action.
But enough of that, I'll improvise for the most part but as of this moment-Nuts! I completely forgot that I lied about my origins! So thinking I face p-p-p-p...hoof myself and groan at my stupidity, why you might ask? Discord and Celestia that's how. If any pony in Equestria will figure it out then it will be those two. Well...maybe just Discord. I have read a few fanfics where he did this to great effect and in a few of them Celestia didn't give off a hint of suspicion as to the actual history of the human turned pony that now lives in Equestria. Not sure how to feel about that. Whatever. Discord will, through my lies, pull out one of the oldest and my most hated plot device in any sort of story or film, 'The Liar Reveal scene'. Good god I hate that shtick. And do you know what is worst about it? I set myself up for it of my own volition!
Face-hoof.
*Thud*
...ow...
I deserved that.
Rubbing my sore head, I get to dusting the shelves from the top down and just let myself go thinking about all of the episode up to season six and wonder as to where it will all go down with this Entity. God above I could have done with just living in this world without swearing and a lot of other things, but the Entity thing just piiipipipiii...gets on my nerves. Why did I have to be the one to come here and not someone else? Seriously, I am not the only one from my world who loves My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic, nor am I the strongest fighter from there, nor the most stealthy, most social, cunning, fast or anything! I am just fudging average in comparison to who knows how many others who could probably do better than I ever could, but I fell for that Goddesses words hook, line, sinker, rod and copy of Angling Times!
The only thing I have going for me is that I am the best blacksmith from my world, and then couple the fact that I am a living Human sponge of pain, in a similar vein as Obi-wan Kenobi. Wait, how can I say Human now? Oh wait, I already addressed this earlier, forget that, focus on the cleaning until quarter to midday, then I can close up shop and-wait! Fluttershy and her animal friends will be coming in here to clean up to try and get the ticket won't she!?
Face-hoof. Hard.
*Thud*
...ow...
Oh god, that hurts. Memo to self...exercise caution when facehoofing. Whatever, cleaning can come after the ticket fiasco has been sorted out; and hopefully I don't get given one. Christ, but I don't want to endure another one of those posh parties again. Seriously, the first one was nothing like I imagined it was and none of the others after that ever changed my opinion on them, if anything they brought only more disdain for them and other parties in general. I have only ever enjoyed a few parties when it was just me and my friends from home, I'm not entirely sure if I'll be able to enjoy the parties here as they don't feel like something that I may enjoy; couple this with my poor luck with other parties and...well...I just gave up on going to any parties that come from certain quarters.
"Um, excuse me?" A feminine voice calls out. Wait I recognise that voice. I turn to confirm my suspicions and what do you know? I was right. Fluttershy is right there with her pet rabbit, Angel Bunny if I remember correctly.
"Hello Fluttershy, is there something that I can do for you?" I ask her politely.
"Oh, hello Ranger. I was wondering if Twilight was here as I wanted to ask her something." She replied.
"Sorry to disappoint but she left not twenty minutes ago to go help Applejack over at Sweet Apples Acres."
"Oh, well...thank you for telling me, I'll just be on my way then." She turns to leave but I stop her.
"Would you like me to tell Twilight that you popped on by for something?" I ask her.
"Um...yes please." She says before continuing on her way.
"See ya 'round then." I say before closing the door and turn to look at the Library once more.
"Well, best take pencil and paper and write down as much as I can remember." So saying, I begin to look around for said items for said task.
I wonder what else I am forgetting? Ah well, I'm sure that it will turn up in due course. Maybe I should tell Twilight, Spike, the girls and both Princesses Celestia and Luna soon, so as to avoid that situation? Yes, the more I think about it the better that idea sounds, and to top it all off I will be able to see Luna again as I said I would; but will Twilight and the others be willing to listen to me explain? And should I tell them about the show? Answer to the last part is...uncertain to say the least. As much as I want to tell them about it, I don't really want them to think that just because of a show that humans had created, showcasing their adventures and all of their triumphs, that they are invincible. That kind of thought process leads to an early grave, and sadly I can see Rainbow Dash falling into that category due to her overly large ego.
Making a discontent face, I start to pace across the floor of the library to try and think of some sort of solution to the immediate problem as to how I will reveal the truth behind me and my real reason for being here.
(Feel free to tell them everything then) Who the-!? You again!
(My Little Pony, you should calm down before you burst a blood vessel) Ooh! You sarcastic mugger you.
(Please calm down. I am here to deliver a simple message after all) Really? Very well, what is this message then, oh so wise voice within my head?
(Sarcasm. Love it, but seriously it doesn't matter when you tell them but it would obviously be more advantageous for you to do it before Discord shows up. Though that would be more entertaining if you left it till after he turns up)...Excuse me?
(Oh, pay me no mind. Ciao for now.) HEY! I ain't done with you yet! COME BACK HERE!
...
...
...Son of a...
Female.
Dog.
I really hate you, you know that right? Bah. Obviously I know that it would be far more advantageous for me to tell them all before Discord show up, but when should I do so is the real question here. I have plenty of time before the gala in season one to decide but I should make a decision after the events of today, just to be safe mind you; I might be asked to attend after all though I really don't want to go, but that is just me grousing so...there we go. Regardless, I have say...ten episodes with which to make my choice on when I should tell, at the very least, the Mane Six and then I shall worry about getting an audience with the two Princesses and also convey my story to them afterwards. OK, plan of action set, now it is just a waiting game.
...
...
Yeah. Got nothing to do, unless, by some extraordinary stroke of luck, a customer comes walking through that door. I turn to look at said door...nothing. Cartoon logic fails me, and yet I am honestly surprised because Fluttershy did turn up some ten minutes ago for a little something, and did leave promptly once her objective was left unfulfilled though I did enjoy the brief real world problems rather than the mindless, endless monotony of mental exercise.
...Oh wait, I was about to start writing down what I remember of all the 'My Little Pony FIM' episodes as best as I can before that darn voice turned up, so I'd best get cracking. Walking over to the stand, I gather up all of the things I will need and start jotting down all that I can remember...with my mouth...*sigh* I honestly don't know how the ponies of Equestria can stand it. The constant taste of rubber or wood in their mouth as they write letters, essays or even their own name must be annoying as anything I can think of, or do they just get so used to it that it just tastes like nothing to them due to conditioning?
Eh, it's not important. I just run my memory from start to finish losing all sense of time, only to look up to see that it was only ten minutes to midday and that it was pretty much lunchtime. I glance upon the paper bellow me and see that I have jotted down both season one and two down leaving the last four seasons to go, not bad for a first go: after putting the pencil and excess paper away I then roll up the paper and put it away into my bag for safe keeping. When in doubt, use the Infinity Bag for all your security worries.
With that out of the way, it is now time for me to close up shop and go fetch myself something to eat, but where to go is the question? Should I just stay in or do I go out and find a little cafe or restaurant to eat at? Eh, I'll just go out for a bite and see how the culinary skills of other ponies stands up to Twilight's own skills in the art, not just that but maybe I can see Twilight and Spike before they get into their friendship scuffle over those tickets. Though I will make it very clear on my stance on them before she thinks otherwise.
Walking outside, I just take a look around town to see what there is to see and aha! Twilight and Spike walking off with the former looking troubled, must have met all of her friends and seen how they acted with regards to the tickets that she has. Well, let's see if there is anything I can do here.
"Twilight? Is something wrong?" I ask coming up to them.
"Ranger? I...well...do you mind if we go over to the cafe over there first? I could really do with something to eat." She asks looking pleadingly at me, and who am I to deny a lady her wish. I small smile on my face I nod and escort her over to the cafe she indicated, and like a proper gentlemmm...gentlecolt I hold her chair out so that she can get seated first before taking my own.
"So, what has got you so concerned?" I ask once we were all comfortable.
"Where do I even start?" Was all that came out of Twilights mouth.
"Well, for now a simple summary of events up till this point." As much as I do like talking to her, I would like to save some time and get the short version of events because I already know what has happened.
" Alright, well, it all started over at Applejacks' farm where she and I where bucking some apples for a bet she made between herself and her brother, where the loser had to walk down Syrup Street in one of Granny Smiths girdles." She lets loose a small chuckle which I smile at and nod at her for her to continue.
She then gives me a full account of everything that happened upto the present moment, and all this before giving off a heavy sigh as the pressure that her friends unknowingly placed upon her back begins to get to her. With her chin resting on the tabletop in a show of resignation at how hopeless her situation is, she sighs before raising her eyes to both Spike and Myself.
"Guys, what am I going to do? All five of my best friends have good reasons for going to the Gala; Applejack or Rainbow Dash? Pinkie Pie or Fluttershy? Rarity? Ooh, who should go with me?" She says looking positively miserable, with her head laying on the tabletop. All this before her stomach shows its own displeasure, and in an attempt at appeasement, she eats the flower petals that she plucked off.
All I can do is smile in amusement at her adorable expression as the waiter; a male earth pony with a pale cream coat, a two-tone blue mane and tail slicked back in a neat and proper manner befitting his workplace, brown eyes and with his cutie mark being a serving dish with a silver cover, walks up to our table to collect our orders and just as he is about to ask us the question I hold up one hoof and clear my throat.
"Ahem. Uh, Twilight? The waiter is here." I say drawing her attention from the problem at hoof.
"Oh, well I would love a daffodil and daisy sandwich." She says to the waiter who then turns to me.
"Hmm...any recommendations?" I ask him.
"Indeed sir. The recommendations are a Carrot Cake with some Jasmine Tea or a Lotus Blossom Salad with Earl Grey Tea." The waiter replies with professional courtesy. I find this a relatively simple decision to make.
"In that case I shall go with the Lotus Blossom Salad and a cup Earl Grey if you please good sir." I say towards him to which he nods in acknowledgement.
"Do you have any rubies?" Asks Spike. But all he gets is a deadpan stare form the waiter. "No? OK, I'll have the Hay fries. Extra crispy." He says tossing away the menu...I cuff him on the back of his head for that.
"Ow! Hey! What was that for?!" Spike says offended at my actions; and it seems that Twilight shares his disapproval of my action.
"I have to admit Ranger that that was uncalled for." She says sternly. I stare right back at her before giving my reasons for my actions.
"I did what I did because young Spike here tossed away the menu after giving his order to the waiter here; this action I found to be quite rude to the staff member here and so I showed my disapproval with a light cuff to the back of his head." A light punishment indeed.
"Wait a-Spike! Did you really just throw away the menu like that?" She asks in disbelief.
"Uh, yeah?" Spike replies nervously.
"...Just don't do it again ok?" She asks of him, to which he nods. And this little diversion ends up back to her asking-"What do you think guys?"
"I think we have to try another restaurant. I mean I like grass just fine, but would it hurt anybody to offer some gemstone?" Replies Spike, completely forgetting about my gripe with his manners.
"I think she was referring to the Gala tickets she has in her possession and as to who she should take to said Gala." I say, pointing out the obvious to him.
"Oh, she's still on that?" Comes his disgruntled reply while facehoofing himself.
"Spike listen!" She exclaims, hoofs on the table and getting right in his face. "How do I chose? And when I do chose, will the other four be mad at me? I mean I could give away my ticket and give away two, but that would still leave three disappointed ponies."
You know...? When I first saw this episode and saw this bit, and saw the three ponies she thought would be left out and how saddened they'd be...well...I didn't know what to think. I can only assume that at the time she must have thought of these three as being lower on the friendship ladder than Applejack and Fluttershy. Hence their faces being seen when talked about giving her ticket away as well.
"What if I-!" Her thought process is interrupted by the waiters return.
"Ahh, your food." He says placing our orders on the table. Heh. Now that's what I call good service.
"Thank you for the speedy service sir." I say in response, which Twilight soo reciprocates.
"Oh thank you! This looks so good!" Her voice positively dripping with hunger. "I'm sure that everything will be much clearer once I eat." I nod at that and just as we are about to tuck in, a large herd of ponies gallop on by stopping us cold.
"Uh, Sir? Madame? Or you going to eat your food in the rain?" The waiter asks us holding the door open. Wait, raining? Oh right.
"It's not raining." Twilight says looking outward only to see a veritable blanket of water cascading from the sky.
"Whats going on?" She says looking at us.
"Three guesses." I say looking up at a very familiar blue pegasus.
"Hi there best friend forever I've ever ever had. Enjoying the sunny weather?" Rainbow Dash shouts out from on high, causing Twilight to scowl at her with myself eating my salad and drinking my Earl Grey tea before the rain covers us and ruining our meal.
"Rainbow Dash,what are you doing?" Twilight...strains. I honestly wonder how these two became friends in such a short amount of time other than being just one of the six Elements of Harmony? Thoughts for another time really.
"What do you mean? I just saw the most smartest, most generous pony about to get rained on, so I thought I'd just kick a hole in the clouds so that she could dine in peace. That's all." I eat and drink a little faster, feeling quite a bit miffed as I am unable to fully enjoy my Earl Grey Tea.
"Rainbow, you're not trying to get extra consideration for the extra ticket by doing any extra special favours, are you?" Twilight says dragging out the last word. Hmm. This salad isn't half bad actually. Oh wait a minute!
"Sorry to interrupt Twilight but do you have the money on hoof to pay for this meal would you?" She looks at me and simply nods. "Well would it be alright if I held onto it so that you might find somewhere dry?"
"What?" She says looking all confused.
"Gut feeling tells me that your day is not going to get any better, so I would like to pay for this when the next distraction turns up." She nods once again with a peculiar look on her face, and she pulls the bit completely out of nowhere so that I could pay for the meal. I then glance at her sandwich and feel as though I should do something for her.
"One last thing Twilight, would you like me to see if I can get a container for your sandwich?"
"Your gut feeling again?" She asks.
"Pretty much yeah." I reply, honestly the show tells me what will happen here but I have to ask.
"Thank you for the offer but it won't be necessary." She says. I can only offer a small smile and a nod and let things happen...and keep my mouth shut when they do.
"Now, where was I?" I just look up at an oddly patient Rainbow Dash. "Oh, thank you."
And I just tune out the rest of the conversation and just wait for the inevitable rainfall which comes...now.
...
...I wipe my mane out of my eyes so that I can see better and well; one unhappy Twilight and one very happy Spike, and one dry Rarity. And there they all go. I look at the crockery and decide to bring it all in with me alongside the money for the food, just where that even came from as I never saw it on the table I don't know, I'm just going to go with it as it will save me a headache later. Hm, I wonder if this is enough to by her another sandwich to go? I'll see after I bring all of this back to the counter. Laying eyes on the waiter, I walk over to him balancing all of the plates on one, er, hoof? I call out to him.
"Sorry about my friend running off as she did, but how much for the food we ordered?" I ask as he takes the plates from me and hands them off to one of the ponies working in the kitchen before giving me his full attention.
"No problem sir, and the total comes to...twenty bits." At that I check what I have and see that I (somehow) hold thirty bits, so I hand over the correct amount and after he has registered it I pop my question.
"Is it possible to order something to go?" He nods and I ask for another daffodil and daisy sandwich due to it becoming inedible due to the sudden downpour. Again he nods and tells me to wait for a few minutes while it is being prepared as well as a plastic container to protect it from the rain. I thank him and just wait for my order, taking in the sight that is a rather quaint and comfortable cafe; I think I shall be coming here from time to time during my breaks.
"Here is your order sir, and a container to protect it from the rain." The waiter speaks up while placing my order on the counter, which I nod at.
"And how much for this?" I reply.
"Five bits sir." At his response I nod and hand over the change and collect my package, making a mental note to pay Twilight back for this extra expense.
Turning away I leave the cafe and go out into the wet world and start to look for Twilight, not really knowing where she will be as of right now but I do know that she will be immediately met by Applejack and her loaded food cart after leaving Rarity's house so it would be best that I met her on the way to the library. But then again...I may just have to wait until she and the rest of the Mane Six have their little heart to heart before I give her the food as by that point she would be beyond famished; especially after you consider how much running around she will be doing once Pinkie shows up.
Plan of action decided I make for the library to wait for the right moment, maybe offer some small words of advice but nothing too blatant as it is something they must learn properly. *Sigh*. What a precarious balancing act this is going to be; between my mission, the various interactions and making sure I don't interfere too much is really going to tax my mental ability.
...
...
"Uh, Ranger? What are you doing." A voice calls out.
With a shake of my head I stop daydreaming, or singing or whatever it was that I was doing and focus on who was talking to me. And lo and behold, Twilight Sparkle. The pony I was hoping to meet...though earlier than I expected.
"Hey Twilight. Uh, what was I just doing?" I ask with a degree of apprehension.
"Well, you were humming some sort of tune that I didn't recognise, so would you care to share?" Was her response.
"Eh, nothing much. Just a random tune I have rolling in my head from time to time so don't go worrying your pretty little head about it." At this, she blushes, yet not to the extent that she did these last few days. Thank you God for small mercies as now I don't have to question why she blushed with such frequency.
"Oh. Ok, uh...could you walk with me for a bit? At least until the Library?" I can see that she is stressed out from the favours being done for her due to the tickets in her possession but knowing how the episode ends, it doesn't really phase me as much as it would someone who doesn't know the show. Tangent aside, I nod and walk beside on the way to our destination.
On the way, I ask what happened to her after she went off with Rarity and she proceeds tells me everything, from Rarity's matching outfits to her hunger pandering being played to by Applejack; which only served to increase the level of anxiety that she felt towards her present situation. Every word, every sentence uttered carried the weight of the decision before her and due to all of these circumstances; she is left unable to use common sense as seen in the show where she ends up returning the tickets and gets given one for each of her friends and one for spike too now that I think about it...wait. Would that include me? I blooming well hope not, cause I hate going to parties! This line of thought is interrupted once we arrive back at the library.
"Ugh! I never knew that being showered in so many favors could be so aggravating!" She fumed just as we reached the door.
"It's not over yet I fear." I reply knowingly, which causes her to look at me in confusion.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Well...we haven't seen Fluttershy or Pinkie yet, and with what little I know of the two of them I can only tell you that when you do see them; it's going to be quiet and blunt then before you know it, very loud, bombastic...and blunt." The last bit I say with an amused smirk on my face.
"Perhaps your right, but I could really do with some peace and-!" Once she opens the door we are presented with Fluttershy vocalising the shows theme tune, with many of her animal friends cleaning up the library, and doing a mighty fine job of it too, saving me and Spike a fair bit of hassle.
"Fluttershy, not you too?" So sad looking, yet still cute. I just shake my head and chuckle and just let things happen.
"Oh, hello Twilight, hello Ranger. I hope you don't mind but we are all doing a little spring cleaning for you." Such an honest little pony right there. Right?
"It's summer." Yep. Twilight is not amused, and here I am enjoying every minute of it.
"Oh, well, better late than never right?" Fluttershy replies almost completely embarrassed judging by the blush on her cheeks. I had to say something though.
"So this is why you wanted to speak to Twilight this morning." I say, acting surprised.
""Huh?"" The two mares reply.
"Sorry Twilight, but it completely slipped my mind that Fluttershy here came by this morning wanting to talk to you. I didn't know that she wanted to ask if she could help clean the library though." A little something different to see if Fluttershy plays honestly or if she'll use it to her advantage.
"Uh, well, that is not exactly true." Predictably she tells the truth. Why bother doubting her?
"Oh, well, what did you come by for then?" Twilight asks her.
"Uh...sorry, but I can't quite remember what it was I came by this morning for." Shame that. I was curious about what she came by for so...eh, another time perhaps. Honestly, I should just leave Twilight to handle the coming carnage and enjoy the show when she eventually escapes the mob.
"Fair enough. Twilight, I'll put your sandwich in the fridge for when you are ready to eat it, if that's alright with you?" I ask moving towards the kitchen.
"Thank you Ranger, if things don't take to long I should be eating in but a few minutes." She answers gratefully.
I nod and plod along my merry way leaving Twilight to handle Fluttershy and her merry band of animals, especially that...ahem...well, I would say what I really want to say but, since I am unable to say certain words, I'll just have to be inventive from this point onward. But really, I honestly don't like her pet rabbit, the poorly named 'Angel Bunny'. I would never have put up with it anywhere near the length of time she has, as I would have turned it into soup, due to how much of a pain in the rump it appears to be in the show. I can actually remember my friends and I arguing over my distaste for that rabbit and darn near every time I saw it in the show, with said arguments usually ending up with us all spending some time explaining to the authorities why there was so much property damage. Fun times indeed.
Closing the fridge door with a nostalgic smile on my face, it is then wiped off with a very loud noise coming from the front door and knowing exactly what is going on I plod on over so as to miss the song and to catch the last of it. After coming to the door and looking outside I am met with a crowd of mares surrounding Twilight, clamouring for the chance at the extra ticket she has by offering her a favour or by compliment and what have you. I also finally realise just how many mares there seem to be in Equestria, or rather the lack of stallions outside the army which from what I remember seems to be almost exclusively made of stallions.
This leaves me with a metric tonne of questions to ponder about with regards to the exact ratio between the two sexes in Equestria, as well as how they actually handle the relationships should there be a large disparity between the two should there be one. But from what little I remember...there may be a three or four to one ratio of mares to stallions, but this is just conjecture on my part. And without concrete evidence to support it, I will have to leave these thoughts as nothing more than theory and what have you.
"...RUUUUN!" And there she goes with the crowd in hot pursuit. I let loose a small laugh at her expense but, eh, sue me.
"Um, uh, Ranger?" Oh right.
"Yes Fluttershy?" I say as I move back inside the library proper after closing the door. Only for it to open again as Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Applejack and Rainbow Dash walk inside talking about, presumably the ticket.
"Are you um, after the ticket just as we all are?" Blunt question which seems to have caught everyone else's attention, and just before I answer...
"Yeah. You seem to be hanging pretty close to Twilight today, and you just so happen to be acting all nice with her. You are proving to be dangerous competition Ranger." Rainbow says flying close and staring me in the eye. Which the other girls seem to realise as well, leaving me with a bit of a problem. I don't want to go to the gala period. And right now they don't want to believe me. Clearing my throat roughly puts a alt to their accusations so that I might speak in my defence.
"Ladies, I have no intention on going to the Grand Galloping Gala."This shuts them up and so I move to the shelves and just browse for a book to pass the time.
""What?"" Five voices sound out in confusion. I turn towards them and speak clearly and concisely so that they cannot misinterpret my words.
" I. Don't. Want. To. Go. To. The. Gala. Period." That cannot be misheard nor misinterpreted by anyone but the most dillusinal of individuals.
"Wha-but, but-but everypony wants to go to the Gala!?" Rarity calls out utterly stunned by my response, yet I cannot blame her nor any of the others as it must be unheard of for anypony to not have dreams of going to the gala at least once in their lives.
"Heavens to betsy, how can you not want to go?" Applejack asks in the same tone, and upon looking at everypony present I see that they are all shocked by my statement.
"Well, not everypony out there wants to go, and I am amongst that number. The same goes for parties in general really as I find that...I just really can't stand them anymore and have become, I'm sorry Pinkie, a Party Pooper." The last part causes a horrified gasp to escape from Pinkie, and for her to faint.
"The was a bit extreme don't you think?" I ask her...she is non responsive. Should I perform CPR?
"Well, it is Pinkie so this is kinda how she would respond to actually meeting an actual Party Pooper." Says Rainbow Dash looking at the unconscious form of Pinkie.
"Well if you are not after the ticket, then why were you hanging around Twilight so much today?" Are the really asking that?
"First off, I was out on break after doing some cleaning in the library, and secondly it was mainly to give her an ear to vent her frustrations to about the tickets she was given, and the subsequent infighting amongst her friends that happened soon after. Have none of you even thought about how she must feel about this?" They avoid meeting my eyes, including Pinkie who woke up shortly after I started speaking.
"Really? None of you?" I sigh and shake my head at their thoughtlessness, but considering that there is a lesson to be learned here I cannot say too much other than I already have, yet this should be enough to put their heads on straight. Even though they would have sorted themselves out after Twilight's outburst upon her arrival back here.
"Look, just take some time to think on how she must feel having two tickets to the Gala and having five friends who want to go. Maybe you'll see why she has been so frustrated with everything you have all been doing today." So saying I busy myself in the kitchen by preparing some tea for the others and basically just waiting for Twilight and Spike to turn up.
The two in question pop up in a flash, completely confused and disoriented after the sun went down and the moon rose up...I need to free up some time in the coming month to see if I can visit Luna. I know I have to situate myself and my business here but I said I would visit her, and I haven't done so yet. I watch as both Twilight and Spike run around the library closing all doors and windows and turning of all lights, before collapsing on the floor feeling safe; I hated to burst their bubble so I kept quiet and let the other five do that for me. I didn't appreciate the loud scream at their presence in her home however.
"I can't decide, I just can't decide! It's important to all of you and I just can't to disappoint any of you and giving me gifts and doing me favours won't make any difference, because you are all my friends and I want to make you all happy and I can't! I just can't!" And there is her breakdown. Seeing it in person...I felt like crap.
"Twilight sugar. I-I didn't mean to put so much pressure on you, and if it helps, I don't want the ticket any more. You can give it to somepony else. I won't feel bad I promise." Applejack coming forward being all honest about how she regrets how she acted up till now.
One by one they all come forward and express their own heartfelt feelings about their own regret for putting all this pressure on her and say that they too, don't want the ticket any more, with the exception of Rainbow Dash who acted as she did in the show. At least she's being honest. But again, they all come together as friends to cheer Twilight up with Spike and myself hanging back letting the magic happen ending up with her sending a note detailing the lesson she learned whilst sending the two tickets back as well. This amazed her friends upon hearing her reason behind her action, though I admit that I only paid partial attention as I watched as Spike seemed to want to puke up a kidney with how bad he looked. Though I knew why he looked like that.
"Well, wallop my withers Spike! Ain't that just like a boy, can't handle the least bit of sent-whoa nelly!" That'll teach ya, I couldn't help but think smugly as she almost gets a face full of dragons fire. This heralds the arrival of a certain note with seven tickets to the GGG with all of them running outside in the dark to do only they know what.
I shrug at that and just go to my room, making sure to write a few notes down to remind me that I need to see Madame Mayor in the next few days to speak about the specifics behind setting up home and business in her town. Walking up to the bed I have been staying in I get under the covers and drift off to sleep.
...
...
"Did I say crap?"
A/N
Finally done. Took me long enough, but eh.
Hope you enjoy this chapter after so long, but don't worry, I'll be working on the next one in the next few months.
See ya around!