“Fuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuck”

I chant the swear under my breath like a mantra in time with my hoofbeats, dashing back towards the farm as fast as my new legs will carry me in a race with the setting sun.

As it turns out, they can carry me pretty damn fast! At least they can in comparison to my old body. I was never that far out of shape in my old life, but whatever they did with this new body when they sent me here, they sure tuned it up nicely for me!

I rear my head, tossing my mane as I enjoy the wind rushing past my snout. My eyes close only momentarily as I bask in the ecstasy of simply being able to move so quickly.

Of course, as soon as I indulge myself, I immediately crash into someone.

I hear a loud “OOF!” accompanied by an odd honking noise as I'm flung backward by the rebound, toppling over onto my ass.

I stumble quickly back to my hooves and try to brush off the collision, giving my head a few shakes to make my vision stop swimming before I start apologizing.

“O-oh geez, I’m really sorry. I should have been looking where I was going. Are you alright?” I ask, giving my head one more insistent shake as finally, I stop seeing two of everything. As my vision clears, I finally get a good look at the victim of my whimsy.

“Oh, don’t even worry about it, you big silly-billy! It takes a lot more than that to leave a mark on lil ol’ me! Besides, you looked like you were having a lot of fun!” Her cheerful voice rings out like a bell without a trace of resentment.

It’s the pony from earlier, the one I bumped into before talking to that nice mailmare. She trots over with a broad, bright smile and offers a hoof. “My name is Pinkie Pie. Here, no hard feelings, see?” She says as she keeps her hoof extended towards me, her expectation clear.

Offering a smile of my own, I grip her hoof, giving it a firm shake. “Rose, Rose Tint. It’s nice to get your name. I hope we can stop bumping into each other this way.” I finish with a slight smirk.

She giggles softly at this and smiles a bit wider as she shakes my hoof. Her grip is firm. She seems to be careful not to squeeze too hard, though. “Oh, don’t worry. I’m sure the next time we see each other won’t be so bad. Anyway, you were really hoofing it! Do you have somewhere to be?”

After a few more moments, I pull my hoof back and cover my mouth as I cough before lowering it and scraping at the dirt. “Yeah, Applejack and her family invited me to have dinner with them. I was supposed to be there before nightfall.” I say, looking over her shoulder and down the path as my hoof starts to tap at the ground anxiously.

She looks me over, a bit more curious now. Something catches her eye, and a look of realization flits across her face before she smiles again and nods quickly. “Oh! Well, don't let me keep you. I’ll see you around sometime, Rosie. Don't forget to wash your face before you eat!” She declares before starting to…bounce her way down the road back the way I had come before I could correct her.

I click my tongue in annoyance at the nickname and make a mental note to ask her not to call me that again before resuming my mad dash for the farm, this time with my eyes open.

---

I return just as the last glimmering rays of light disappear on the horizon, slightly damp and panting heavily as I trot up to the door. After taking a few minutes to get my breathing under control, I give the door three firm knocks.

“Ahm a comin!” The wizened voice of Granny Smith called out, slightly muffled from inside.

I hear the sound of a bolt unlatching before the door swings open. The elderly mare tilts her head to look up at me, seeming pleased. “Well, it’s about time ya got back, Rose. We were startin’ to think ya might not make it. Say uh…you got somethin' on yer forehead there…”

Before I can protest, she has already licked her hoof and is reaching up to rub my forehead firmly. I wince slightly but tolerate it until she pulls back, revealing a bit of soot on her hoof, presumably from my head.

Ah, so that's what Pinkie meant.

She raises an eyebrow as her gaze flicks from her hood back to my forehead. “You uh…doin’ alright there, Rose? You didn't do nothin' foalish, did ya?” She asks, wiping the soot from her hoof on the welcome mat.

I can feel my ears redden slightly at the question, and I lower my head slightly, giving a sheepish nod. “Sorta, yeah… but I can do magic now!” I chirp lightheartedly as I raise my head again, trying to change the subject by using Grasp to wiggle the door back and forth, demonstrating my newfound arcane prowess. The pain from earlier is mostly gone now, making the effort almost trivial compared to my first attempt.

Sadly, she seems rather unimpressed, clicking her tongue. “Now Rose, I ain’t gotta be a unicorn to know yer horn ain’t supposed to be throwin' up soot like that. I’m happy for ya, but uh…try to be a lil’ more careful, okay?”

I stiffen when I hear the worry in her tone. I'm not sure why these ponies have taken a shine to me so quickly, but I’d be lying to myself if I said the feeling wasn't starting to become mutual.

“I’ll…try to be more careful, yes, ma’am…” I say softly as my gaze dips back down towards my hooves with more than a bit of shame. “I appreciate you looking out for me, Granny.”

She seems to sag at hearing my tone before smiling and giving me a playful elbow. “Aw shucks, sonny! I’ve done and raised more than my share of little uns. Lookin' after colts that don’t know any better just comes natural after a certain point,” She half-jokes with an airy cackle as she grabs me by the collar and pulls me into the house. “Now come on, we need to get you to the washroom so you can clean up that face. Can’t have you comin’ to the table lookin' like you've been at the burn pile all day.”

I allow her to drag me into the house, the door closing behind me as I am ahem-escorted to the restroom. After brushing and washing the soot off my horn and forehead, Granny leads me to the dining room.

The table is set, adorned with a floral tablecloth, and laden with all manner of delicious-looking dishes mainly consisting, of course, of apples.

There’s Pie, of course, hot and steamy with a slice or two already gone to show that glamorous money shot of the gooey interior. There are some flaky, lovely-looking turnovers with cream cheese icing. There are even just a few plain ol apples straight-up baked and glazed with honey.

But there are plenty of creative savory dishes incorporating the fruit as well. Baked beans, a savory variation on applesauce, and something like a stew with a heavily spiced aroma that reminds me of a nice curry, accompanied by a pot of brown rice, all stood out to me as wonderful offerings.

And of course, seated at the table were presumably the other members of the Apple family. There was one pony I recognized and two I did not. The youngest of the three, a filly, talked to the others about her day as I approached.

“So I told Diamond Tiara that just ‘cause she's got her cutie mark now doesn't mean she can just- oh! Welcome back, Granny. Who's that you got with you?” She cuts off mid-sentence and sits up a little straighter as the grandmatriarch enters the room with me in tow, giving me a curious look.

Granny Smith lifts a hoof to her face and clears her throat.“Everypony. This here is our guest for the evenin’ that Applejack and I were tellin’ ya about.“

She lets go of me once she has presented me to the rest of the ponies, gesturing for me to take my place at the empty chair between Applejack and the filly as she seats herself. I give a small nod and waste no time settling in, taking a minute to get a better look at everypony here.

Applejack is here, of course. The orange mare gives me an encouraging smile and occasionally glances at the two other ponies at the table. She adjusts her hat before gesturing to them as she begins speaking. “Rose, these are my kin, Applebloom, and Big Macintosh.

I look down at the adorable little filly she gestured to first, giving a small smile at the sight of her. She is a soft, pastel yellow, with a bright red mane and tail, inquisitive orange eyes, and an almost comically sizeable pink bow adorning her head.

She beams up at me and gives a cheerful wave. “Howdy there! Applejack was tellin' me you ain't got a cutie mark yet. Is that really true?”

“I-I er…well, yes, it’s true. Cutie Marks are a bit…harder to come by where I’m from.” I say slowly to the little filly, not sure where she is going with this. “It’s okay, though. I’m sure it will show up eventually.”

“Pfft, now you’re startin' to sound like the rest of mah family,” she says, gesturing at the other ponies at the table. “I’ve been waitin' to get mine for over a year now, and I still ain’t got one. I can’t imagine what it would be like to wait as long as you probably have to-”

“C’mon Applebloom, no need for all that now,” Applejack says gently but firmly as she looks over at her younger sister, shaking her head. “Sorry Rose, she don’t mean nothin’ by it.”

“Oh no, it’s fine!” I say, shaking my head and holding up a hoof. “I don’t mind. I know how ki-uh, how foals can be. She’s just curious about the new face, I’m sure.”

“Eeeyup.” The stallion across the table spoke, nodding his agreement as the affirmation left his lips in a smooth, bassy tone. He is almost as bright a red in his coat as the filly is in her mane, with deepset, soulful green eyes and a mane close to the color of Applejack’s coat.

Speaking of Applejack, the two share one rather curious feature. He bears a set of white freckles on either cheek, much to my continued confusion. Seriously, how the hell do they have freckles?

I give an internal sigh and shrug off the question for now. There’s no use dwelling on something so silly. I turn my full attention to the stallion, offering him a smile and nod in return. “Your name was Big Macintosh, yes? I can certainly see how you got that moniker.”

“Eeeyyyup,” The Stallion says simply with a slow, sage nod as he appraises me, looking me up and down. “Though I’ll say you’re pretty big yourself, ‘specially for a unicorn. You got any earth ponies in the family, Rose?”

I falter a bit at this, my ears folding back a bit as I shake my head. “Oh er…I wouldn’t know. I’ve never met the ones responsible for bringing me into this world. I was er…adopted, not raised by ponies.”

He raises an eyebrow, nodding again. “Yeah, I thought Applejack had said somethin’ like that earlier. Whoever it was, they sure put some gristle on your bones for you to have walked outta that forest like ain’t a thing happened to ya.”

I give a meek smile, my ears falling further flat atop my head as I continue shaking my head. “N-not at all. It isn't all that different from the wilderness around where I used to live, actually. I just stuck to the path and followed the signage. It was a bit scary not to know where I was, and being unable to read the signs was a bit off-putting, but…”

“You were adopted? Oh! What kind of creatures were your folks then, Rose? Zebras, Donkeys, maybe Griffins?” Applebloom asks with an innocent curiosity in her eyes, leaning forward a bit as she speaks.

I swallow softly at the question, attempting to push the lump in my throat, both from being put on the spot and from well…yeah. “I would prefer not to talk about them too much if that’s okay. They were good peo…creatures who did their best to raise me even if they did not always understand me, and that is all that matters.”

With that hanging poignantly in the air, Applejack coughs to break the silence, giving her best attempt to change the subject. “Well, enough about all that, Rose. How was your first day in Ponyville? I hope you didn’t run into too much trouble out there.”

My ears perk back up at the opportunity to discuss my day, and I feel a sincere smile come across my lips. “Oh! It was actually really productive! I made friends with a nice mailmare, and I went to the school, and the teacher there said she would help me learn how to read, which is going really well. I’m already getting the hang of it. It turns out the alphabet here isn’t too hard for me to grasp; it's just a bit different from what I’m used to, so hopefully, it won't be an issue for very long.”

“Oh! You met Ditzy. Yeah, she’s a real sweet mare. A bit touched in the head, but it’s nothin' to be holdin' against her. She does good, honest work in this town.” Applejack says, seeming pleased by my enthusiasm.

“It sounds like he met Miss Cheerilee, too. I thought he looked kinda familiar,” Applebloom says, scratching at her chin. “I remember seein' ya go up to the schoolhouse after we all got outta class for the day. You really can’t read, mister?”

“Well, it’s less that I can’t read at all and more that we use a different writing system in the colonies,” I explain quickly to the little filly. “I was a pretty good student back home when it came to literature, science, and mathematics. Miss Cheerilee was nice enough to volunteer to help me learn how to read Equuish script after school hours and tutor me on some things that I didn’t get to learn about due to my er, upbringing. Speaking of which, I actually performed magic for the first time today!” I say excitedly, quickly weaning together the spell I had learned.

I lifted one of the apples off of the table, feeling quite pleased with myself at how quickly going through the motions for the basic spell was becoming more natural. “I had some time left over after the lessons I had with Cheerilee, so I did a bit of self-study at the library.”

Applejack listens intently as she starts digging into her dinner. She takes a spoon in hoof and helps herself to a plate of beans and rice, nodding and giving a congratulatory smile as she sees me levitating the fruit. “Well, that’s uh…I don't know much about magic, but that does strike me as mighty impressive, Rose. Seems like you’ve been pretty busy today.”

“Oh yeah, for sure. Miss Cheerilee said she set up an appointment for me to speak with the Mayor tomorrow to see about properly integrating me into the town, so I’m hoping that’ll go well. Aside from that one mare who felt me up at the park, everypony here seems to be pretty nice, decent-”

At this, Applejack goes stiff, and her expression becomes blank. I hear the scrape of metal against ceramic as the spoon in her hoof visibly bends to about a 45-degree angle in the middle. “Come again now, sugar cube?” She says in what, if not for the mangled utensil still in her grasp, I might otherwise mistake to be a perfectly calm voice.

I swallow softly, taking a minute to spoon some beans into my plate before continuing, tugging nervously at my tie. “Oh, well, I was sitting in the park while waiting for Cheerilee to finish her after-school activities, and some mare came and sat next to me. We talked for a while, and she seemed fairly nice. Then she goosed my flank, left a note and some money in the saddlebags you loaned me, and dipped out. I couldn't read the note, but I can kinda guess the contents. Cheerilee seemed pretty put off when she read it, didn't even bother translating it for me. She just threw it away.”

Applejack listened intently as I explained the encounter, squinting slightly by the end of it. “Huh, ya don't say? I can't say I blame her much. And how do ya feel about that, Rose? Did that mare touching ya inappropriate-like upset ya?” She asks in a more measured, careful tone, leaning in intently as she waits for my response.

I give her a sheepish smile and rub at the back of my neck with my hoof, averting my gaze from hers after a few moments as I formulate a response.

“Well, I mean…it was a little off-putting at first. I definitely wasn’t expecting to have some random mare cop a feel in public, of all places.

“I wouldn't say I enjoyed it, of course. In fact, it was a little demeaning. I just…didn’t see any point in getting worked up over it. I didn’t want to make any waves, having just got here and all, and it wasn't really that big a deal. I tried to tell Cheerilee that it was okay, but she got a little uh, upset about that. “

Applejack snorts at this and nods, bending her spoon back into shape as she takes another spoonful of her beans before responding. “I'd be surprised if she wasn't! That mare is a real class act, and I’m glad to hear she set you straight. Grown mares shouldn't be goin’ around thinking they can put their hooves on a stallion just because he gives them a smile and the time of day. We don't have nearly enough stallions around to start going and puttin’ 'em off like that, and aside from that, it just don't sit right to treat one that way.”

I blink at this explanation a few times, parse the implications of exactly what she's saying, and nod. “Well, uh…thanks, Applejack?”

“Ain't nothin' to it, pardner. If anypony starts tryin’ to get smart with you like that again, just tell me or Big Mac here, and we'll see to givin’ em’ a talkin’ to.” She says as she sits back in her chair after saying her piece. She still seems somewhat agitated but appears content for now, digging into her dinner again.

Big Mac firmly nods along with his sister's offer, and Applebloom looks just a tad confused by the exchange but seems to know better than to ask any questions about grown pony business. Thank God, this entire exchange was already plenty awkward enough without the interjection.

At the risk of making it more awkward, that does remind me…

“I've been meaning to ask. Everypony in town has been, like, really nice to me. I'm not attempting to complain about it, mind you. I just find it rather surreal to be treated this kindly by ponies I've never even met before. Is this normal?”

Granny Smith snorts a bit at this, taking point to answer me. “Sonny, I don't mean any disrespect, but if bein’ treated with basic equine dignity and kindness feels strange to ya, I’d hate to hop across the way and see how things are in the Colonies these days. I’ll admit, you've got that kind of lost little colt air about’cha, and that certainly makes the font of equine kindness run a little more freely for some ponies. But helpin' folks is just the Ponyville way. There ain't a soul that would see anypony down on their luck like you seem to be and just leave ‘em plain and out to dry.” She explains gently between bites of her dinner, humming a little. “Eh…Maybe one or two I might be able to think of that might actually, but buck ‘em.”

She takes another bite of her dinner, pausing for a few moments before continuing to speak, “Hmmm, I think I mighta overcooked them beans a lil’...anyway! I don't know how things were for ya back home, but ‘round these parts, we look after our own. You don't seem to have anywhere else to go, you're plum polite and decent folk from what I can tell, and with the way you’ve been hustlin’ all day, I can sure shootin say you ain’t lazy. I think you’ll make a great addition to the town once you get your hooves under ya, and I'm sure the other ponies you met today feel the same or somethin’ similar.”

I tilt my head at this explanation as I mull it over, then chuckle and give a little shrug. “Huh, fair enough, I guess,” I say as I start loading my plate. I'm about to dig in, spoon in hoof, but the gears turn in my head for a few moments before I light my horn again, grasping the utensil with magic and guiding it into my mouth.

Hmmm, no. That feels excessive. I feel a slight frown cross my face as I douse my horn again, dissipating the spell as I chew at the mouthful of food and grab it with my hoof again.

Applejack catches this and gives me a look. “Uh, everything alright there, sugar cube?” She asks between enthusiastic scoops off of her own plate.

“Yeah, I was just thinking that I didn't need magic for that is all. It's easy to hurt yourself doing magic if you aren't paying attention, and eating is already manageable enough without it. It's not even annoying to do with hooves, so I just felt silly doing it with magic when I've been doing it with my ha-er…hooves my whole life just fine.”

“Hah! You're practically halfway to sounding like an earth pony there, Rose. No wonder Granny took such a quick shine to ya if that's how you think. You're alright, big fella.” She smirks as she elbows me playfully before returning most of her attention to her meal.

The rest of the dinner passes uneventfully. Applejack talks about some fruit bats giving her trouble in the orchard, and Applebloom talks more about her day at school. Granny intermittently chimes in with a quip or some advice, and Big Mac doesn't speak much, but he listens, and honestly, I can appreciate that.

It feels good to just sit down and chat over some good food with good company after a long day. As I’m shooting the breeze with these delightful new peop-er…ponies over a home-cooked meal, I can almost feel the day's worries slip away into secondary concerns as I simply enjoy the moment.

As dinner winds down and dishes are taken to the sink, Granny approaches me. “Rose, do ya have anywhere to bed down for the night yet? If ya need a place to sleep for the evening, we can always set ya up in the attic for a night or two here.”

I give her a thankful smile but shake my head. “No need. I appreciate the offer, but Cheerilee already set me up with something for tonight. If the offer is still open another night and I find myself needing it, I would be glad to take you up on it then.”

“Well, as long as you've got something, that’s good. Don't dawdle too much on your way back into town now, son. You don't want the Mare in the Moon clappin' eyes on ya after all,” She says with a little cackle as she turns and hobbles back down the hallway.

That was…a bit cryptic. Maybe even a bit concerning. Ah, I'm sure it's just my silly (ex) monkey brain playing into nonexistent pattern recognition. This isn't some kind of storybook, after all.

I do try to heed her advice, however. I am alone in a strange town, even as lovely as everypony is. After washing and putting away my dish I make haste back to the library, heading inside and quickly locking the door behind me.

I take a quick shower, brush my teeth, consider whose toothbrush I probably just violated, and write a quick but sincere note of apology for Cheerilee to find tomorrow before making my way up to the loft to settle in for the evening.

The moon's soft, silvery light filters down on me from the window above. It's full and bright and-

“Beautiful…” I say softly to myself as I admire this world's moon. There does seem to be a shadowy silhouette of a horned pony on its surface, similar to the man on the moon back home. I feel a shiver run down my spine as my eyes meet the single peering one visible in the figure before mine close for the evening.

“Goodnight…” I say with a soft little yawn as the exhaustion of my frantic day finally crashes over me. There is no breakdown, no deluge of tears as much as I expected one, as much as I was ready to welcome it earlier.

As heartbroken as I am to see my old world dissolve away, never to be within my grasp again, the prospect that this strange new one holds such kindness and beauty is enough to bring me some semblance of peace, enough to let me find myself quickly drifting into an easy slumber, my last waking thought of the day is:

I hope I can make tomorrow as good as today was.

Next Chapter: 8 - Interlude: This Should (Not) Be Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 55 Minutes