If the outside of the Boutique was already impressive, the inside had left Manuel completely out of breath. The decor was stunning, and there were intricate pieces of clothing, accessories, and colorful garments carefully displayed on every surface. The colors were still hard to get used to. Somehow, even though he didn't remember where he came from, Manuel's memories were shrouded in gray and darkness; the brightness of Equestria was as shocking as it was welcoming.
"Hello, welcome!" A courteous, elegant voice came from somewhere deeper within the store. "I'll be with you in just a minute. Feel free to bask your eyes in the glamor around you."
Manuel thought that the strange phrase was funny, yet he noticed how Twilight Sparkle rolled her eyes in annoyance. "Rarity, it's me," she said, as she moved forward to examine a piece of golden fabric so bright that it might as well be made from a ray of sun.
"What's the emergency, Twilight?" The pony- Rarity, asked as she came down the stairs. "Don't tell me you suddenly had the urge for a life-changing makeover because I will not believe you."
"It's not for me, but someone here needs a full new closet."
That seemed to catch the designer's attention. She quickly deposited the pile of fabric she had been carrying on a counter and moved forward to meet the customers. "Well, well. What do we have here?"
Rarity inspected Manuel from head to toe as if he was some sort of extravagant collector's item in a museum. She had pristine white fur and the most regal purple mane Manuel had ever seen. Her blue eyes matched the diamond cutie mark on her side, and Manuel thought that the mark suited her perfectly. Her scrutinizing gaze didn't stop until she had taken in all that he was wearing.
"You poor thing! How can you be out and about looking like this?" Maybe the drama was a little bit excessive. It was just clothes after all, and they weren't even that bad. But Manuel's instincts told him that he shouldn't say so to the very much-involved fashionista. "You were right, Twilight. This is an emergency!"
"I never say it- never mind."
Twilight sighed in resignation as Rarity ran to get something from behind the counter. She returned a few seconds later holding a measuring tape and a notepad. "I've never made anything for someone like you," she said, holding Manuel's arm out to measure it. "But, if anyone can create the right patterns, that's me."
"Manuel, meet Rarity. She's the best fashion designer in Equestria," Twilight said after a heavy sigh. She was used to her friend's antics but they were still so different that she couldn't help but react. "Rarity, this is Manuel. He comes from a very distant land, and I have been appointed as his guardian."
"It is nice to meet you, Manuel," Rarity said in an honest, simple manner that didn't align with her previous pretentious self. Manny thought that maybe all of her behavior was nothing more than a facade designed to keep her true feelings hidden. If that was the case, maybe Rarity was someone he'd very much like to become friends with.
"Alright, give me a few minutes and I'll have something ready for you." Rarity walked back behind the counter with her notepad full of scribbled measurements. "Just the basic though, for the rest of the wardrobe you're going to have to return tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?" Manuel was in shock about how fast the fashion designer could work.
"I'm that good!" Rarity sing-songed as she went back into her workshop.
Meanwhile, Sunset Shimmer and Trixie had decided to wait outside with Starlight Glimmer. They could have accompanied them into the Boutique, but curiosity and fear were eating them from within. "Starlight, what's going on? Is it really him?" Sunset asked her in a desperate whisper.
"Yes, that boy in there is Manuel Parker."
"How can this be? And why can't he remember a thing?" Trixie had excellent points, but none of which Starlight could answer.
"I don't know, but I want to find out more. If Twilight doesn't know more than what she's already told us, then I'll ask Princess Celestia herself if I have to."
"I'm just worried," Sunset added. "I mean, what if Osborn is also here in Equestria?"
"I thought about that too, but I haven't heard of any other strange arrivals. For now, all we can do is stay close to Manuel and hope his memory comes back."
As their conversation was coming to an end, Twilight emerged from the Boutique. "We're almost all set here," she said, as the three ponies hurried inside. They had remained outside to get a chance to talk, but they were excited about seeing Manuel in his new clothes.
Twilight didn't understand why the three ponies cooed when they finally laid their eyes on Manuel, but she had to admit he looked pretty cute. He was wearing blue pants and a red t-shirt topped with a black hoodie. Rarity had also washed and combed his hair with the utmost care not to disturb his injuries. He had a bright smile and his eyes were steadfast in his reflection.
"You look great," Starlight Glimmer told him. Her eyes were wet and trembling under her long lashes, but she managed to hide the bubbling emotions rising inside her chest.
"Of course he does," Rarity commented as she provided Manuel with different types of shoes. "I will have the rest of your wardrobe ready for tomorrow, please come and get it as soon as you can."
"What else are you making for me, Rarity?" Manuel was curious. Rarity hadn't said specifically what she was going to create, but considering how great these clothes fit him, he knew everything would be to his liking.
"Well, you need a lot of items to go through life, you know? But I'm only providing you with the basics, and some warm clothes just in case you need them. Tomorrow, you can try everything on and we'll see if anything needs fitting."
"Thank you so much, Rarity." Manuel was beaming at her as he tried the pockets on the front of his hoodie.
"Don't mention it. Oh, well, actually do mention it around. It's good for business." Manuel and Twilight laughed at her comment. It was a nice feeling surrounded by kindness. Somehow Manuel knew that the feeling was not something he was used to before.
Something heavy oppressed his chest all of a sudden and it was hard to breathe. Sharp pain in his chest made him buckle forward and fall to his knees. He could hear the ponies talking but their voices were nothing but nonsensical mumbles in his ears. His head was hurting, and his ragged breath was all he could hear properly besides the beat of his heart banging in his ears.
Blurry images danced behind his eyes. Red, blue, and black were all around him. Buildings spiraled before his eyes as if he was about to fall. There were so many people under him, lining the streets as they ran away from something, and all he could do was watch as the scene unfolded in front of him. A sweet voice called his name from outside of his field of vision, inciting something painful yet very much welcomed in his heart.
Suddenly, Manuel's eyes were open again and he was surrounded by concerned ponies. A few seconds later, he realized that he was laying on the floor and he tried to sit up. Twilight stopped him with a hoof against his chest, and she gently pushed him back down.
"Easy there. How are you feeling?"
"I-" Manuel tried to recall anything about the images he had seen, but they were slipping from his memory like sand between his fingers. At least the pain and the ringing in his ears were gone. "I'm ok. I don't know what happened."
There was a collective sigh as the ponies around him visibly relaxed. "You gave us a pretty big scare there," Twilight said, helping him to sit up now that she knew he was not in pain anymore. "Maybe you need some food, and that head injury of you checked out."
"Yeah," Manuel said as he touched his empty belly. "Food sounds great!" He was starting to sound more and more like the enthusiastic boy he had been merely a few minutes ago.
"I know just the place to get some of the best treats in town. Do you like apple pie?"
Manuel tried to think about apple pie, but he came up empty. He didn't remember having something like that, but he was willing to try it. Considering how hungry he was, he would eat almost anything offered to him on a plate.
"It doesn't matter if you don't remember it now," Starlight said, tilting her head to the side in a kind gesture of empathy. "Once you've tasted Applejack's pies you'll adore them!"
Everyone seemed to agree on that matter, and his stomach groaned in approval causing the ponies to laugh and giggle at Manuel's red cheeks.
"Let's go then!" Twilight helped Manuel to his feet and everyone said goodbye to Rarity as they exited the boutique.
Sunset, Starlight, and Trixie said their goodbyes before letting Manuel and Twilight go to the orchard. They wanted to keep Manuel company, but Starlight needed to investigate this matter thoroughly. She didn't know if The Goblin could be in Equestria, but it would represent a major problem if he was.
All she could do was research, and maybe reach out to Princess Celestia with her concerns. It was a long shot, but if anyone knew more about what was going on with Manuel, she would be the one to ask.
Starlight wanted to give Manuel a hug when they parted, but she stopped herself. He didn't remember her. Even if he hugged her back, he would not be able to reciprocate her feelings, not even her relief after finding him. No. She wanted the hug to mean something. It was with a bittersweet smile that she said goodbye to him, promising to meet them later after they had sated their bellies.
"Are you ok, Manuel?" Twilight asked him when they started to walk towards the orchard. "You seem a little off. Are you sure you're feeling well?"
"Yeah, don't worry about it, Twilight," Manuel said, forcing a little smile to cover his worrisome expression. The truth was that for some strange reason he couldn't yet pinpoint, he had felt disappointed when Starlight walked in the opposite direction. He had wanted to go after her and hug her, ask her to stay, or at least remain beside her comforting presence for a few more stolen minutes. He had no idea why.
Suddenly, the sweet scent of apples reached their noses. It was warm too, like a freshly baked pie, sitting on the window to cool down. Having no recollection of his previous life, Manuel had forgotten how delightful the smell of homemade pie was, but now he was craving some. Right behind him, though, he heard the rumbling sound of a little belly calling for food. When he turned around, he noticed it came from Spike. "Twilight, I'm hungry," the baby dragon said.
"You are always hungry, Spike," she answered without stopping. "We have a job to do. Princess Celestia herself commanded us with the task to take good care of Manuel and his needs come first…" But she had to stop talking when her belly rumbled at the mention of food.
"Ha! Do you see? You're hungry too, Twilight!" Spike looked proud of his discovery.
"Fine, fine," she said looking at Manuel. "We're all a little bit hungry. Lucky for us, we're just around the corner from the orchard.
"Yeah!" His smile grew wider. "I've been smelling the most delicious scent ever. Maybe we can check over there," He pointed toward the direction from where the scent was coming. It seemed to be an apple tree plantation.
Letting their bellies decide their next step, the party moved forward and headed toward the apple scent. Manuel had a sudden flashback of his dream. He remembered the tall buildings and the smell of dirt and sweat surrounding him from every angle. He was sure it was the diametral opposite of where he was now. His desire to walk the length between there and the source of that sweet scent doubled. After all, in his dream, he had felt incredibly tired and hurt, but this world was comfortable and cozy. Maybe he would be closer to understanding or remembering more once he arrived. If not, he would at least be closer to not feeling hungry anymore.
The closer they got, the sweeter the scent became. It seemed like a culinary dream come true. It was, in fact, an apple farm and it had a big red barn in the center. Manuel wondered if it was ok to walk right into the premises, but since Twilight did it, he decided to follow her.
Suddenly, they saw a beautiful pony coming at them. She had light orange fur and a long blonde mane. The cute hat she was wearing reminded Manuel of the western movies he had watched back in his old life. He saw the way in which the sun reflected on her luscious mane and tail and thought she was gorgeous.
"Howdy!" She said when she was close enough to be heard. "Welcome to Sweet Apple Acres. What can I do for you?" Her southern drawl brought Manuel back to a time in his childhood when he was happy. Even in his troubled, empty mind, he recognized her hospitality and let it cover him like a blanket. She was like a glowing ray of sun after a terrible blizzard.
"Hello!" Twilight said enthusiastically. "We have a newcomer, and we were looking for a place to eat. I told him your food was the best in town."
"Oh bless your heart!" The farmer seemed to be excited about them coming looking for her food in particular. Manuel wondered if it was a compliment she didn't get often or something like that. "Then you've come to the right place! You're not gonna find better pies in this whole town." She was warm and welcoming. For an instant, Manuel felt a little overwhelmed by the amount of kindness he was witnessing. "My name is Applejack, who you might be hun?"
A little cough came from the back of the party. It was Spike who jumped right on top of Twilight's back to make himself noticeable.
"Oh!" Applejack looked at the baby dragon with endearment. "I'm sorry sugarcube. I didn't see you all back there."
"Don't worry about it," Twilight said with an apologetic look in her big purple eyes. "This is Manuel, you can call him Manny. He comes from a land very far away and is now under my protection," she said pointing at her companion. "Our protection, sorry Spike."
"Well now I think I've seen it all," Applejack said with a big smile on her face. "I can't let y'all wander around being hungry. Follow me, I'm fixin' to bake here batch of apple muffins, y'all gotta give it a try."
As they were settling down to eat, Manuel saw how many other ponies were around. They seemed to be working around the orchard, picking apples and corn, helping around with whatever task they could. He wondered if they were all a family.
When Applejack returned, she was balancing many trades with delicious confections on them. Everything looked and smelled delicious. "Here ya go! Eat'em while they're hot!" She said with a smile so bright it could light up the entire farm.
Manuel soon discovered that everything was, in fact, as good as it looked. The food had that soul-soothing effect only homemade meals could create. The sweetness of the filling was the perfect complement to the buttery crust. The sugar icing made the cupcakes melt into his mouth. If he thought this place was magical before, then now he was convinced it was a paradise.
Applejack returned to their table with a big pitcher full of apple juice. "So," she said, sitting next to Manuel. "How's everything?"
Manuel smiled and after drinking a glass of juice he sighed in blissful happiness. "Everything was perfect, Applejack! Did you make all of this?"
"No way," she said looking at her family. "We all help around here, no pony is left alone in this family."
Manuel thought that was endearing. Having such a strong connection to one's family was something he couldn't remember, but he wished he could one day experience it. He made a silent wish. All he wanted from this newfound home was to make meaningful bonds and find true friendship.
"Anyway," Applejack's voice interrupted his train of thought. "What are y'all doing here?"
"We are on an important mission to guide Manuel around and show him everything he might need in Equestria," Twilight was honest. She didn't want to keep her mission secret without need. "He can't remember anything from his past, maybe there's something we can do to help him. Do you happen to know anything about that?"
"Not at all, sugarcube, I'm sorry," Applejack was willing to help, it was a shame that she didn't know what they needed. "But you can go to the library, I'm sure y'all can find something important there."
Twilight was grateful, even though she had already planned to go there as her next step. Manuel was thankful as well, but not only to Applejack. He felt in his heart the need to smile, laugh, and, finally, a reason to fight for. This brand new world was full of kindness and it had welcomed him with open arms. He would protect it. No matter what.