appletastic | perfect as apple pie

Entry tags:

mindy,
museboxing

perfect as apple pie

It's been a long time since she's seen the girl, but Applejack will spare no expense to ensure that Mindy is safe and comfortable here in Ponyville. Heaven knows the poor girl needs it.

She leads her friend into a cozy house---plush couches, the sweet scent of baking pies from the kitchen, and a roaring fire.

"Welcome to the Apple family home, Mindy. Settle down, relax---anything you like? Water, munchies?"

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"You could try it and find out?" Applejack suggested. "Our pal Twilight was like that. She read so many books she didn't have time for other ponies. It was kinda awkward for her at first, and she's still not exactly the life of the party, but everypony understood! They'll be good with you too."

"I guess I could. I mean, I did kind of change when I came to that place. I had some friends. They just took them away before I could, you know, form bonds or whatever. It was pretty rough. Sorta wish I could see some of my old friends again, but I'm glad I'm not back there."

She licked her lips. "I'll take that chaotic pony any day."

"Then we'll start small. Doesn't have to be a big thing, maybe meeting one or two at a time. We kinda overdid it when we were introducing Twi to the town," she admitted with a sheepish laugh.

"You'll be fine. And...hey, there's a chance you'll see your friends again, I think. Stranger things have happened 'round here."

"I don't...I can take a few people. I mean, I knew some, in the Capitol. I even liked hanging around with people and playing and stuff like that. I guess I just don't want crowds."

She grinned. "Nah, I dunno about that. They might not fit in a place like this. How the heck did you manage to introduce Twilight to the town?"

"Pinkie threw a party...as she tends to do," she smiled. "Brought everyone down, crammed us in her library, and I think we gave her a fright. She was so mixed up she even drank the tabasco sauce." It hadn't been funny at the time, as she'd thought all hope was lost of befriending her, but she could smile about it now.

"After that, we let her go out and visit folks at her own pace."

Mindy giggled, then laughed out loud. It sounded like the beginning of a weirdly written sitcom, what she was talking about. Even so, she also saw something else: there was a sort of innocence here, misusing murder and malice and all those other M's or whatever: this was a weirdly pure place, even with its evils.

"Yeah, I can guess how that goes," she finally said. "Something she had to figure for herself."

"Yup. Everypony finds their place in time...some of us, it takes longer than others. But you'll find your place. You'll know who you are. And I'll be with you while you do."

And that's just a fact.

"Thanks, AJ." She snuck her head under Applejack's chin, giving her a nuzzle. "It's kinda sad that I'm already getting used to the idea of being a pony, but I think I'll take that over the Capitol any day. At least I know I'll have one friend for sure."

Oh, she was too cute already. Applejack sighed happily.

"Yup. Just you wait and see what we can do together! We'll see about this horn of yours, and then I figure we oughta set up your room. Get you comfortable---I know it's a bit chilly, but Winter Wrap Up's coming soon---we'll push that snow on outta here and be all set for the springtime."

Did any of that make sense? It probably didn't make sense.

Since no one she knew was around and she'd always seen AJ is sort of a mom, she was allowed to be as damn cute as she wanted.

"Winter what now? I understood most of what you said until that point. That another pony thing?"

"Yup! Pegasus ponies control the weather 'round here. When winter's over, they move the snow clouds up and out and bring the spring breeze. The rest of us defrost the town, call the critters, grow the plants, that kind of thing. It's a big effort, but every year the spring's brighter!"

...yeah, that probably sounds crazy.

Mindy just stared at her a moment, then burst out laughing. "Ok, that literally sounds like the most batspit insane thing I ever heard of, but then, you know what? It's pretty interesting that you all need to work together to actually change the weather. Sure beats whining about it all winter."

God knows she could use less of that every year.

"Well, doesn't stop everypony from whining. But we all love the season changes, 'cause we make it happen. And it's a big afterparty every time."

She grins. "Not that you have to come, of course, but the food's great. Spring, summer, fall, winter...I like to mix it up every time. And by working with everyone...well, that's how a lot of us make friends. Hard not to like the person you were pushing a cart with for three hours."

"Sounds like an interesting time," Mindy said, which was putting it mildly. It sounded like it would take a lot of work, something that Mindy hadn't been able to do for a long time. Luckily, she had been keeping herself strong and in shape for something like this.

"Oh please, if there's ever been a time I'm going to get involved in something, its now. Besides, what the hell else do I have to do, stay in a meadow and be lonely? Nah, I'm better off doing work, even if I have to sweat to death and exhaust myself doing it."

"Don't do it to death," Applejack prodded mildly. She flipped her mane over her neck and laughed. "Trust me, I've done it. And been taken to task for endangering pony lives by working to the point of delirium."

She smiled. "The beautiful thing 'bout Equestria is that you've got a friend to help."

"You'd be surprised what I could do," Mindy said. "I'm more sturdy than you think, and I spent the last few months training the spit out of my body. I want to DO something, and I haven't been able to do anything that straining since the last Game I had...and the less you know about that, the better."

Considering she'd lost a few people in that one? Yeah.

"Good to know AJ," she said with a smile. "This place is sounding better and better."

"In that case...well, Equestria could always use more ponies like you," she decided with a wide smile. "Glad to have you with us!"

Their future could be a bright one, and for that she was grateful.

Mindy gave the pony a smile: it looked honestly genuine.

"I think I'll like it here," she said, looking around her. "Even as a pony."

"I know I like you here," Applejack added. It was all she could guarantee...but it was a big something. And she was definitely pleased about it, sneaking one last hug.

Sorry! Big sis gotta big sis.

That actually meant a lot, and by the way Mindy lowers her head a little, AJ could probably tell that. The past few months had been pretty brutal to her, and she'd hovered over the idea of how little a difference she felt she made in anyone's life. This actually was appreciated, enough so Mindy dashed a hoove across her eyes.

"Yeah, I'm glad you're here too...sis."

Look, call a spade a spade at this point.

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