(New Kid) Learning the Ropes (2)

>Day I Almost Had'Em Journal!

>It's Applebloom again.

>How're you?

>Sorry I can't really gab with you right now.

>I'm awful upset and trying to think of my next move.

>Anonymous might be harder to get than a cutie mark!

>Not that I'm worried, I'll get'em eventually.

>Them bein' both a cutie mark and Anonymous.

>Last night could've gone better.

>He didn't even get to have a big ol'bowl of that soup.

>I even put in all them fancy country fixin's he'd love!

>Well, everypony loves country fixins but it'd a been a real treat for him.

>He's sitting next to me in class today and he don't look too good.

>His tummy keeps making loud gurgly noises.

>Like. Rurghleblurghleblahrghlblarhpoot.

>Sorta like this one time Rarity said she'd try some Cutie Mark Crusader's Bug Juice.

>I don't even get why it's supposedly unlady-like.

>It's bug juice!

>How we're we supposed ta know it shouldn't have had bugs in it?

>Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo are counting on me to hang out with'em after school.

>And Fluttershy says if I help her with something she might help me get Anonymous to notice me.

>But she wants'em all to herself!

>I just know it.

>Applejack says it's always the quiet ones you gotta worry about.

>Scootaloo says that's why she doesn't worry much bout me.

>Cuz I'm so loud.

>...Hey wait a minute!

>Scootaloo, I'm a knock your block.

>Birdbrain.

>Anonymous is looking at me.

>He sees me scribblin'.

>Is he reading this?

>Anonymous are you reading this?

"What'cha lookin at, Anonymoos."

>He smiles a little.

>Oh shoot, it's so shiny.

>"I just noticed you had on a new bow."

>OH GOSH.

>And it ain't even a new bow!

>You just washed it.

>Try not ta blush.

>Journal, I think he loves me.

>Cheerilee says it's time for lunch.

>I'll write more here later, journal.

 

>You are Anonymous.

>It is lunchtime.

>Twilight said to just eat grass and deal with it.

>She was still really angry with you this morning.

>She smelled weird too.

>Spike wouldn't share his ice cream and you smell lightly of dairy.

>You sit at the table with Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle who are talking about something you don't get.

>"Nah, see. It'd only be cannibalism if we did it for fun. I'm talking a survival scenario!"

>Scootaloo is really pushing a point.

>Sweetie Belle scrunches her face up and blughs.

>"But it'd still be cannibalism! And what if that's how we get our cutie marks?"

>Scootaloo rolls her eyes.

>"We'd be on a deserted island Sweetie Belle. And I'm just saying one hoof. Until the rescue pegasus arrive or we'd starve!"

>You pull a hunk of grass off the ground and begin to chew it.

>The girls look at you.

>"...what're you doing Anon?"

>Scootaloo just laughs at you.

"...horses eat grass, right?"

>They both laugh at you.

>You really need a job.

>Applebloom shows up and sits across from you.

>She looks really happy for some reason.

>"All right girls, so here's the plan. Since we need to have a Cutie Mark Crusader meetin' and since Anonymoos is our newest member, we're all gonna hang out at the clubhouse after school!"

>The girls applaud this idea.

>And then go back to giggling at you.

>You spit the grass on the ground.

>"How was it?" Scootaloo snarks.

"Overrated."

>They produce their bagged lunches.

>You just fold your hands pensively and take in the sights.

>Your bowels contort and contract.

>It will take a while to adjust to this new lack-of-eating schedule.

 

>You are Applebloom.

>Anonymous's guts are making that funny noise again.

>You unpack your brown paper bag and pull out a nice juicy apple.

>Golden Delicious. Shiny one too.

>This could be your chance to win him over.

>Phooey to Fluttershy.

>Best way to a guy's heart is through his guts.

"You want an apple, Anonymoos?"

>You dangle the little fruit by it's stem.

>He's dang near hypnotized by your charmin' wiles.

>Shoot, you got more class than you know what to do with!

>"Uhm..Yeah, I mean."

>He's smiling and he looks like he might just drool all over ya.

>"Yes please. That'd be great."

>And he's got manners ta boot!

>Granny Smith would be proud.

>You toss him the apple and he catches it.

>He takes a slow bite of it.

>Really sinks his teeth in there.

>It's got a loud crunch.

>You gave'em the crispiest one you had in your bag.

>Well, you gave him the only one in your bag.

>His eyes are all sweet-looking.

>And he's got such a big food-stuffed smile on his face.

>And you can hear those mouth fluids sloshin about.

>He swallows it and gives you a lil'nod.

>"Thanks Applebloom, that was really sweet of you."

>Oh Gosh.

>He thinks you're sweet.

"Well ain't no problem Anonymoos, I am sweet-"

>OH NO. WAIT.

>DON'T SAY THAT.

>IT's TOO SOON.

>HE'LL THINK YOU'RE ALL WEIRD LIKE...

>Shucks, it'd be rude to list a name afterall--

>STOP THAT.

"--ie Belle, knows I work on an Apple Orchard."

>Sweetie Belle gives you the weirdest look.

>Anonymous just nods and smiles all handsomelike.

>Gosh.

 

"So you uh...Wanna be a Cutie Mark Crusader?"

>Anonymous takes another bite of apple.

>"I...didn't you already make me one?"

"Shoot no!"

>Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo nod.

>"You didn't do intiation rites!"

>Sweetie Belle pipes up.

>"And you didn't sing the song."

>Scootaloo gets a big grin.

>Shoot, these fillies are gonna make him humiliate himself.

>...Maybe you oughtta reconsider your initiation rites.

>Babs didn't mind'em.

>"Yeah...there's a frilly fru-fru dress he has to wear-"

>No there isn't, why'd Sweetie say that?

>Why's she grinning so much!?

>"And you have to take the oath while drinking a gallon of...fudge!"

>What is this nonsense that Scootaloo's spoutin' off.

>...might be funny to see, but dang it!

>If anyone's havin' fudge with Anonymous, it'll be you!

>He's just sitting their all dumbstruck.

>No wait.

>He ain't.

>He's looking at you.

>You shift your eyes a little.

>Moonshine! He's looking right in your eyes.

>And he's smiling all nice-like.

>And he's so...

>"Applebloom are you okay?"

"WHAT? I MEAN--"

>You shove your juicebox in your mouth.

>Almost choke on the straw.

>"I'm just asking because you're...sweating up a storm."

>You pull the juice box from your mouth.

>Welp. Time to go die.

>You get up from the table and take a few steps.

>Trip on...nothin'.

>DANG IT.

>CLUMSY.

>You're gonna get your Cutie Mark in dumbness.

>Oh shoot.

>He picks you up and cradles ya like you're some little babe in the woods.

>You're sweatin' all over'em.

>"You seem sort of dizzy, let's go talk to Miss Cheerilee."

>He smells like handsome and strawberry ice cream.

 

>You're Anonymous.

>You aren't exactly sure if the hazing ritual described to you is a legitimate thing.

>Sadly the prospect of having anything to eat, even precious fudge, would warrant a..

>Fru-fru dress.

>Beats eating grass.

>Applebloom keeps breathing heavily into your chest.

>Fluttershy got all weird last night too.

>Maybe ponies are allergic to you.

>Or more likely, AB has some hay fever and Fluttershy hurt her head.

>It's not your fault.

>Cheerilee informs you that Applebloom's probably just suffering from the heat.

>But since she got your shirt all soggy, and you don't want to get possibly sick.

>To go the rest of the day without a shirt on.

>...

>Somehow you're sure if you were back on Earth you could sue.

>But Twilight said some of these mares act weird to new individuals.

>So you take the remainder of your history notes half-way in the buff.

>And you ignore all the fillies staring at you.

>And you ignore Cheerilee tweaking out through the remainder of the lecture.

>She asks you if you'll stay after class.

>You say you have to make sure Applebloom gets home safe since she might be sick.

>You don't get your shirt back.

>Today is a bad day.

>Save for the prospect of fudge and a good apple for lunch.

"Applebloom, do you need me to carry you home?"

>You ask her this before you leave the schoolyard.

>She just stammers and flusters.

>Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle think this is weird.

>You carry her out to Sweet Apple Acres.

>You can see Twilight's here for some reason.

>And Fluttershy.

>And a bunch of mares you don't know.

>Hot diggity.

>That's a lot of fucking apples.

>And Applebloom offered to let you crash here.

>She probably didn't mean it, and you shouldn't push.

>But it's way better than a dang broom closet.

"Hey, Applebloom, where are do I need to...uh. Put you?"

>She peers out from your arms towards the collection of mares and begins stammering.

>Scootaloo is snickering.

>Sweetie Belle is humming something with a big grin on her face.

"Ladies, where am I taking here?"

>"Clubhouse. Duh."

>Sweetie Belle states as though you should know where that is.

"What about those mares?"

>Scootaloo's eyes fixate on a blue one and she zooms on off towards them.

"...So is that an I'm taking care of them motion or are you just!--Forget it, Sweetie Belle, lead the way."

 

>You set Applebloom down in her clubhouse and she stops stammering and mumbles out a thank you.

>Sweetie Belle giggles.

>"Aww, that's so sweet."

>Applebloom gives her the darkest look you've ever seen a filly give.

>Though you haven't exactly been around here long enough to know how dark a look they can give.

>You brush some of the sweat off your chest.

>She's got to have a fever or something.

>You're practically glistening.

>Glisten is a bad word.

>This is a really nice clubhouse.

"Y'know my brother and I had a treefort back home."

>Applebloom looks at all her posters and hanging capes.

>Sweetie Belle seems to find the whole situation entertaining for some reason.

"It sucked compared to this."

>Applebloom seems to snap out of her little stupor.

>"Well thanks Anonymoos! I fixed her up myself!"

>You give her a smile.

"You feeling any better?"

>She kicks a hoof at the polished wood floor.

>Sweetie Belle seems to remember something.

>Scootaloo pops her head in.

>And the three of them give you a look.

>"You aren't supposed to be in here yet!" Scootaloo shouts.

>Sweetie Belle nods. "You're not officially a Cutie Mark Crusader!"

"But I was carrying App--"

>"No buts Anonymoos." Applebloom nods with a sense of sudden superiority.

>"Rules is rules, and you're not supposed to be in here yet. So that means y'all gotta go through the Gauntlet."

"How do you guys even know what a gauntlet is?"

>Applebloom shushes you with a scrunchy skeptical gaze.

>"Go wait outside!"

"Fine. Whatever...glad you're doing better."

>You step outside.

>Fillies are weird.

>You wonder if you'd get in trouble if you helped yourself to an apple.

>You don't help yourself to an apple.

>You do wish you had a shirt back.

>Some of the mares from out front seem to have followed Scootaloo back here.

>And they're all just staring at you.

>Fluttershy looks not sick.

>Twilight looks angry.

>Gonna be a bright sunshiny day, you're just sure.

 

>You are Applebloom.

>You need to collect yourself.

>Kickin'em out of the clubhouse was a good move.

>Solid move!

>Good on ya!

>You can smell him on ya.

>...you've been sweating too much.

>All those mares are gonna think you and he are an item.

>Oh Nelly, that's gonna be a thing to explain to Applejack.

>Shoot. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle are giving you those goo-goo eyes.

"What?"

>Sweetie Belle gets all high and mighty and grinnin' like a fool.

>"Nothing~"

"What?"

>Scootaloo just rolls her eyes and tries not to laugh.

"WHAT?"

>"It's nothing Applebloom, just..."

>Sweetie Belle pushes Scootaloo aside and DANG NEAR YELLS IT.

>"You've got a crush on the new kid~"

"No I don't!"

>Yeah ya do.

>Scootaloo doesn't buy it.

>"Well how come you're blushing?"

"I'm naturally red! I'm part of the Apple Family!"

>Scootaloo rolls her eyes.

"...so we've got to initiate him. We uhm..got one of them fru-fru dresses?"

>Sweetie Belle produces a really ugly-looking gown.

>Oh shoot, you remember that.

"Isn't that one of the ones from the talent show?"

>"I added a skirt!"

"Well we got any fudge or something Scootaloo?"

>Scootaloo goes through some of the trunks.

>"We've got some old bug juice...and I think this is pudding. It smells like custard."

>He's not gonna wanna hang out with us if we make'em do this.

"Well maybe we could just throw him in th'gauntlet, y'know?"

>They look at you all confused and like y'ain't never done a gauntlet.

"I'ma go get some rope from the barn. See if he can do lassos and stuff. Y'know."

>You adjust your bow.

"Like in a gauntlet."

 

>Anonymous is talking to Fluttershy.

>Twilight's talking some fancy math things with your big sis who doesn't seem to be listening.

>"S-so...I w-was thinking m-maybe if you weren't happy at the library y-you could live with me, mister."

>THAT HUSSY!

>WHY OF ALL THE LOW DOWN SNAKE IN THE GRASS THINGS SHE COULD SAY OR DO!

>YOU HAD A DEAL!

>YOU DO SOMETHIN' SHE AIN'T TOLD YOU YET FOR HER AND SHE MAKES HIM NOTICE YOU!

>AND...well HE ALREADY NOTICED YA!

>Carried you all the way home against his smooth...

>Handsome.

>Warm chest.

>"Applebloom, why y'all droolin'?"

>Applejack's looking at you as you get down outta the clubhouse.

>"I think she's sick, mam."

>Anonymous sure seems worried for you.

>Because he noticed you.

>Fluttershy gives you a nasty little look.

>You stick your tongue out at her.

>Applejack doesn't seem to know what's happening.

>"Well where ye goin' if yer so sick?"

"I'm gonna go get some ropes from the barn, sis."

>Anonymous quirks a brow at that.

>"Why you gettin' ropes if yer sick?"

"Because...uhm...UHM...Y'know. Gauntlet."

>"Gaun-whatzits now?"

"It's a Cutie Mark Crusader thing, Applejack. Don'tcha worry none bout it, it'll be just fine."

>Fluttershy puts a hoof to her mouth.

>"Oh no...Applejack, m-maybe I should supervise. R-ropes can be d-dangerous."

>Anonymous just shrugs.

>"I'm sure it'll be no big deal."

"See! No big deal!"

>You speed off to the barn so you don't have to hear any more of this fast talk that might ruin your plans.

>You really need to come up with better plans.

 

>You are Anonymous.

>Fluttershy smells like rabbits and she lives in a hobbit hole.

>You're going to hold out for an opprotunity at the orchard.

"I'll pass, Miss Fluttershy. It's a mighty good offer, but I don't want to impose anything."

>Twilight seems to be having a seizure.

>Or she might be dancing?

>You give her a look.

>She just smiles a little.

>You see Applebloom running back up and into the clubhouse holding a big bundle of rope.

"So...who is who again?"

>"Oh..I'm..f-f-Fluttershy-"

"I meant...Blue flying one. One who is Applebloom's...mom?"

>The orange one in the cowboy hat gives you a grin.

>"Big sister."

"Oh. Sorry, just a--I'm new here."

>The blue flying one just shrugs at you and introduces herself as Rainbow Dash.

>She doesn't seem to think you're that great.

>Twilight, Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy.

>All right, you know four adult mares.

>Whoopee.

>You can hear some clanging and grunts from inside the clubhouse.

>Fluttershy just barges on in there like she owns the place.

>Hushed murmurings.

"So...you own this farm?"

>Applejack nods.

>"Darn tootin'. Sweet Apple Acres. Been in the family since this here town got founded! Heck, reason why it did get founded."

"That's great. You ever need an extra hand out here?"

>Twilight glares at you.

"Not that I'm implying you can't run this farm on your own, I just meant-"

>"I know what'cha meant Mister--"

"Anonymous."

>"Mister Anonymoos. And tell you what, I ever need some help I'll give you a holler."

>Twilight snorts.

"That'd be great, thanks uhm--"

>"Applejack."

"Well thank you Applejack."

>Sweetie Belle sticks her head out a window.

>"Oh Anonymous~ it's time to go through the gauntlet."

>You approach the door.

>Lets see how a race without hands does a gauntlet.

 

>You step inside and ropes wrap themselves around your arms.

>TIGHT.

>That's going to leave a mark.

"Uh...girls?"

>Your arms are pulled up painfully.

>Scootaloo is working some unicorn magic.

>You see the ugliest...you don't even know, is that a tunic?

>Or some rejected music video extra costume?

>Whatever it is, it's floating in the air towards you.

>And it's forced over your arms and head.

>It fits very poorly.

"What is even going on here, this is--"

>Some ropes snap around your legs and you find yourself spread out on all fours.

>Scootaloo is holding a nasty cup of blue mucus-colored liquid.

"Scootaloo, do not-"

>She shoves the concoction into your mouth and tilts your head up.

>You swallow some of it.

>Most of it spills around your lips.

>Applebloom throws one last rope around you.

>You're damn near hog-tied.

>Fluttershy flaps over to you.

>"Oh n-no girls...t-this is t-too much."

>She sits herself in front of you.

>You raise your head a little.

>All you can see is a stanky.

>Yellow.

>Vagina.

>With a little something sticking out of it.

>She drags you forward a little.

>"I'll..uhm t-try to undo t-these ropes..."

>She drags you forward to the point where your head is a mere centimeter away from it.

>Oh god, you can smell it.

>Applebloom's voice whispers in your ear.

>"Now you gotta say the Oath."

"Can it...wait."

>Oh yep.

>Your lips touched that rancid clitoris.

>You're going to kill yourself tonight.

>Go you.

>Fuck life.

 

>Applebloom gives you big sad eyes.

>"But you just GOTTA say the oath."

>You try not to move your lips.

>Fluttershy pulls you right into it.

>The mucus-drenched thing is over your nose.

>You've gotta breath this stuff.

>"O--OH!...S-sorry Anonymous..these r-ropes are s-so finicky."

>Applebloom sighs.

>"Anonymoos, it isn't a long oath."

>You pull your head back as far as you can.

>Your lips still touch -it-.

"Applebloo--Fluttershy stop with the ropes please."

>Fluttershy drags her vagina over your face as she gets up.

>Snail trail.

>B-E-A-Utiful.

>You're gonna need a long shower.

>"Now do y'all solemnly swear ta be a good and loyal and true friend til ya get yer cutie mark and then forever after."

>You sigh.

>You're stuffed into an ugly drag queen dress, swallowed more than one horrible liquid in the last three minutes, and you don't have a shirt on.

"Sure."

>Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle undo your ropes in a matter of seconds.

>Applejack slings a glorified towel over your neck.

>"Welcome to the Cutie Mark Crusaders, Crusader Anonymoos!"

"Yay."

>You wave an invisible flag and wipe your face off on the towel.

>They gasp.

>Scootaloo kicks you in the knee.

>"Don't deface the cape, dofus!"

"Cape?"

>You look at the little emblem on it.

>It's a cape.

"Uh...thanks. Listen, it's been a long day."

>Fluttershy is blushing at you.

>Applebloom is blushing at you.

>Sweetie Belle is making ga-ga eyes.

"I'm gonna go...shower off and do some homework. Feel better, Applebloom."

>You rub your wrists and step out the door.

"And thanks for letting me in your...club thing."

 

>You retire for the evening in your glorified broom closet.

>Spike was eating chips on your sleeping bag.

>And in it.

>You shake out the crumbs and then try to get comfy.

>After a bit Twilight returns and opens the door to look at you.

>"Did you have fun today?"

"Not really. I lost my shirt...and got stuff on my face."

>She frowns.

>"What sort of stuff?"

"Just..stuff."

>She sits down next to you and puts a hoof on your head.

>"Are you feeling all right?"

"Yeah, just sort of...out of it right now."

>"You know I can get you food and stuff, right?"

>She has this goofy smirk.

"Actually I didn't. Sort of assumed I was on my own."

"Because there's never anything here for me to eat."

>"What about all the ice cream?"

"...Spike's a jerk."

>She rolls her eyes.

>And then she seems to get an idea.

>"Hey, do you wanna come up to my room?"

"What for?"

>"We can have a slumber party!"

>And she begins to bust out the jams.

>Oh god, she wasn't having a seizure.

>That's how she dances.

"I'm not really in the mood."

>She immediately stops and frowns.

>"I don't get you. It's like you don't even want to be friends."

>And she slams the door on you.

>And you can hear her groaning to herself.

>A few minutes later Spike shows up.

>He's eating a bag of chips.

>He sits next to you and just eats them loudly.

"Give me some chips."

>"Make me."

"Spike, this is my room."

>"Well Twilight won't let me in mine!"

"Give me some chips."

>"No. They're my comfort."

"Dragon, I will fight you."

>"Bring it on."

>You don't fight him.

"Spike, you ever get the feeling every pony in this town wants to freak you?"\

>He grins.

>"Well yeah. I'm adorable."

>He's the wrong one to ask.

>But man, something is going on here.

>You don't know what.

>But you don't like it.