Title:           Finding Loyalty, ch4
Author:          PortBrony
Pastebin link:   http://pastebin.com/UGFX4iuy
First Edit:      Friday 15th of August 2014 03:10:16 AM CDT
Last Edit:       Friday 15th of August 2014 03:10:16 AM CDT

>You've been at school for almost 8 weeks,
>Keeping up on top of homework hasn't been easy, but you've stayed ahead of the game by reading the material in advance so that way homework is done quicker.
>It's a good plan, it a time consuming plan.
>Dash is right on track, and always comes to ask you for help the moment she needs it.
>You're honoured that she trusts you enough to help her.
>Better then the alternative, at least.
>However you are pulled out of your essay on Greco-Roman architecture when your phone goes off.
>You interrupt the bands polite suggestion that you start a riot as soon as you realize that Applejack is calling.
>This is dog.
"Hello?"
>Heavy breathing sets in on the phone from Applejacks end.
>This is not my anything.
"AJ, you ok?"
>The breathing continues.
>It sounds like her's, and you're pretty sure that she's having a panic attack.
"Applejack, I need you to calm down, what's wrong?"
>"Anon, Ah need. Ah need your help."
>I can work with this.
"What's the issue."
>"Ah'm tired."
"Most would take a nap or sleep," you say glancing at the clock. "And judging by the time, I'd say sleep."
>"Ah can't"
"And why is that?"
>"Harvest, and homework. We've got that geography project, and Ah ain't even close to being done."
>Oh Yeah, that.
>The project was writing a large paper on a major feature within the world.
>You had been given a lake, and just needed to actually start writing the paper itself.
>It wasn't due for another week, but it was a major part of your grade.
"What do you have to do for the project?"
>"Ah need to figure out where my thing is, been having issues with that."
>She's screwed.
>"Ah've got information on it, but I just need to actually find it; once Ah've got that, I just need to write it."
"How do you not know where it is?"
>"You ever tried to find Crescent Lake? It's like trying to find an oasis in a desert!"
>What.
"What?"
>"Ah said-"
"No no, you said Crescent Lake, right?"
>"Yeah, why?"
"AJ, that's what I got as well."
>You're other ear starts ringing from her cheers.
>"Anon, Ah beg of you, please, help me."
>Applejack, begging for help.
>Applejack. Begging.
>What. The-
>"Please?"
"On one condition."
>"What is it?"
"You let me help with the harvest."
>"...For free?"
>You almost laugh at that one.
>Always about the money.
"Hug me when I'm sweaty and I'll call it fair."
>You're pretty sure Applejack fell out of her chair laughing.
>"Suewee! Yer'er gonna want more then that, but Ah accept."
>You get off the phone shortly afterwards.
>Time for a long night!
>Dash comes down to her desk soon and sets up her work.
>Since you helped her quite a bit, you had moved the desks so they were side by side.
>"Hey Anon, what are you working on?"
"Geo, you?"
>Dash mentions something about having a paper to write.
>You're only partially paying attention.
>You've got nine hours until class, and that's just enough to write this paper.
>Applejack will probably need help, and you want to be able to help her.
>"I had two more memories return, Anon."
>This is now more relevant.
"Really? About what?"
>"Fluttershy and Rarity. I asked them about it, and they confirmed it happened before the accident."
"What did?"
>"I'd rather not say."
"That's fine, I get that. Either way, great to hear, Dash."
>You look her in the eye and smile.
>She returns it. Eyes almost shining.
>Sometimes you forget how pretty they are, and you just smile a little wider as you remember.
>"What is it?"
"What's what?"
>"You're smiling."
"I'm always smiling when I look at you Dash."
>She blushes and turns to her laptop.
>"Ju-just get back to work."
>You say nothing, and do so.
>===
>Next day.
>At about 5:30AM, the paper was done.
>Including charts, sources, title page, and the writings themselves, its about 16 pages.
>Easily the largest.
>You sent off your sources and notes to Applejack, but encouraged her to use her own sources.
>Walking to class, barely able to move.
>You had about a three hour sleep.
>Dash called it a nap.
>You were tempted to agree with her.
>But that hug from Applejack in the halls felt pretty nice.
>If only because for a little while, you didn't have to stand on your own.
>"Ah cannot thank you enough, Anon."
"Don't thank me yet, we've still got to write the paper.
>"We?"
"Sugar Cube Corrner after school; we'll get you either done or almost done, or so help me I will finish it myself."
>The girl with the setson didn't cry, but she looked like she wanted to.
>"Anon."
>You smile.
"Just be ready to work.
>===
>Classes had been smooth all day. Your extra reading you had been doing made sure you were able to stay in the know.
>Sugar Cube Corner.
>Dash joins you on the walk
>Part of you thinks she doesn't trust you to walk it by yourself.
>The other part of you has been curled up in a ball, crying about the lack of coffee.
>You and Dash walk it, and Pinkie walks up to you with a cup of coffee.
>At the perfect temperature.
>You set down your stuff and just hug her.
>Neither of you speak, but that's ok.
>You take that sip of coffee
>GOOD MORNING VIETNAM!
>Time for work.
>==
>You've been working with Applejack for a few hours now
>You've had about three large coffees, and are currently making sweet love to the fourth.
>All of them black.
>You aren't smelling colours yet, but Dash is a little worried
>"Anon, please, drink some water or something."
>Her requests aren't unreasonable.
>And admittedly the hand shaking its a little extreme.
>You're pretty sure your body is using morse coding to communicate with you.
>'Damnit Anon, quit being stupid!'
>Sometimes your body doesn't like you.
>Pinkie brings you a glass of water and you drink it.
>It washes out the bitterness from the coffee, and you're a little more with it; cold beverages do that.
>"Ah think I'm done, what do you think?"
>You look at AJ's work.
>Close, but not cigar.
"I'd expand this paragraph, explain this better, and take out this; readers don't like being told something, only to have it ditched."
>Applejack nods and takes notes on peices of paper.
"You have really neat writing," you mention, noticing on clean and clear is.
>"hehe, thanks, Anon." She says, smiling.
>Dash glances over at you two from her laptop, bur returns to work.
>She's asked you for help a few times, and you've done so.
>Most of it was minor stuff, but you did what you could.
>Pretty soon, Applejack is finished.
>Her paper isn't as good as yours, but she'll pass the assignment and class with a good grade.
>"Ready to get going home? Dinner should be ready by the time we get back," Dash asks
>"Ah was gonna ask Anon if he wanted to come over as thanks, but if ya'll got plans,"
>You glance over at Dash, but she doesn't notice.
>She doesn't look happy by the proposition, but she says nothing.
>Something is rotten in the State of Dashie.
>Your ribs start hurting as you think that.
"I'm gonna go to bed right after dinner, I think I should pass," you say, looking at Applejack.
>So looks a little heartbroken.
>It hurts a little to see the blond girl sad.
>You open your arms and smile at her.
>She almost leaps into your chest and hugs you tight.
>You return the hug.
>"Thanks again Anon," she says as she lets go.
"Anytime Applejack."
>===
>The walk back home is quiet, with Dash looking at the ground most of the time.
>She's also rather close to you.
>Must be cold.
>You reach out to her, and pull her close.
"Cold?"
>"huh?"
"You've been walking kinda close, you cold?"
>She seems hesitant for a few moments and then nods.
>You wrap both arms around her.
>Damn girl is cold!
>You pick her up and hold her bridal style; its easier to walk this way.
>Dash is visibly blushing, but she hasn't exactly said a word.
>She keeps trying, but fails to put out words.
>She moves around a bit, more out of comfort then anything.
"Easier to keep you warm, and easier to walk," you say, walking down the street.
>By the time you get home, Dash hasn't said more then two words.
>===
>After dinner, you lay in bed.
>It was about 7pm, and you were browsing the internet in search of some quiet time before sleeping.
>New stories and cute photos were the plan.
>A knock on one of the dividing walls calls for your attention.
"Who is it?"
>"Me"
>Dash.
"Well come on in, I'm descent."
>She does so
>Dressed in a plain blue t-shirt and black sweatpants.
>"Can we talk?"
>You're really tired.
>But you want to talk to Dash.
>She's a cool girl; you enjoy spending time with her.
"I guess. What is it?"
>She sits down at the foot of your bed, hands in her lap, and eyes focused on them.
>The air is still and no noise fills the room for a while. It's nice; just sitting with her, and having no obligations.
>"I. I wanted to thank you."
"fo-"
>"Let me finish," she asks, looking at you. "Please,"
>You nod.
>No talky.
>"I wanted to thank you. For everything. You've helped me a lot, and it means the world to me," she says, not able to look at you. "You're a great guy, and you're gonna make someone really happy."
>Now its your turn to look at your hands.
>She's a sweetie.
"Dash. I don't know what to say."
>"Then don't," she says with a smile, sliding closer to you.
>She's close to you, and smiling.
>You reach out to her and pull her into a hug.
>She gladly accepts and snuggles into your neck.
>She holds you tight, and you the same.
>A wave of pleasure runs though the two of you, and you realize how warm she is.
>Not hot warm, but warm like a fuzzy blanket out of the dryer.
>You can't help but have a smile on your face.
>Dash pulls out of the hug first and is smiling as well.
>Her face shines in cheap lamp light, but her eyes fill the room.
>"Good night, Anon," she says softly, walking out.
>You lay down and close your eyes, stilling feeling that warmth.
>==
>You wake up, well rested and smiling still.
>You can't feel the warmth, but you can remember how it felt.
>Better then coffee.
>It calls you to bed, but you get up anyways.
>See Dash in the hall.
>She gives you a sweet smile.
>You return it.
>==
>Applejack called later on in the morning.
>Since it was Saturday, she decided to give you the weekend free, and said you could come in on Monday.
>Your eighth official week.
>You offer to come in today, but Applejack says its fine.
>You get the feeling she wants to spend the time tweaking her paper.
>You spend most of the day with Dash. Neither of you say much, but you two send smiles to one another as you both work quietly on homework or reading.
>==
>Monday, dawn of the 8th week.
>It's a free day from school, but the paper is due by 11:59pm.
>You go over it one last time, then send it in.
>You know you'll do well, but you always get that chill knowing you just off a project.
>It sucks.
>Applejack's farm isn't too far away from your place.
>Maybe a 20 minuet walk.
>Dash mentioned she wanted to go with you, but you had to leave early to get there for 8am.
>You let her sleep.
>==
>Already, Applejack is standing outside waiting for you when you get there.
>She looks like she's ready for action; jeans, t-shirt, books, and her hat.
>You wave as you approach her, and she meets you half way.
>"Welcome to the farm," she says with a grin.
"Thanks, what's the harvest today?"
>"Apples, my brother and sister are taking care of the cranberries, so you and Ah will be doing the only other crop," she says, leading you to the orchard.
>Applejack gives you a quick lesson on how to do the job; what to look for in an apple, how to know if its ripe or bad.
>Apple 101, basically.
>"So tell me Anon," Applejack says, after pointing to your section. "Why did you want to want to work here?"
"Do you want the long reason, or the short reason?"
>"Both."
>Well that made it easy.
"I used to drive past farms often back when I lived at home. It always seemed so nice to work outside, and be surrounded by nature," You explain. "I know I'm idolizing it, but there is just something about it."
>Applejack smirks at you and nods.
>"Ah get what you mean, it is nice to be outside. At least when its nice outside. otherwise it's can be down right awful."
>You had to imagine that was true; 30 below and doing yard work didn't seem like fun.
>At least the snow would be nice?
>==
You've been picking apples via a ladder for the past few hours; its not fun, but it is quiet work.
>Just you, and your thoughts.
>The wind blows a pleasant breeze that helps cool you down.
>It isn't a hot day, more on the cold side then anything, but hard work warms the body.
>You see Applejack every now and then, carrying baskets of apples on her shoulders.
>It's kind of embarrassing to know you're being upstaged by her that hard.
>But this is her life. And she's good at it.
>"Hows it going Anon?" she calls out.
>Eight baskets, four hours vs. 16 baskets, four hours.
"It's a process," you say, trying to double your efforts.
>"Ah'm proud of you for making it this far, so don't worry about it, alright? Not many people try and do and honest living this way."
>Game. Set. Match. Applejack.
"I guess, still, it would be nice to be better at this,"
>She laughs for a few moments.
>"It's all in the thrown, Anon. Throw 'em into the basket from where you are at."
>You do is.
>Your accuracy leaves much to be desired, but it is working out well for you.
"Thanks AJ"
>She smiles, and gets back to her section.
>"Ah was honest with you Anon, and it worked out. Be honest with me, and it'll work out."
The remainder of your time passes in better productivity.
>==
>Be sitting at the farm houses dinner table.
>You've met Applejacks family; Big Mac, Applebloom, and Granny Smith.
>Applebloom sits across from you, and she seems glued to watching you whenever she can. She can't be older then seven or eight, so you let it slide.
>She's really cute anyways, so that doesn't hurt.
>Big Mac sits to your right, and his silence has you worried. He doesn't say much, even when he speaks, but it's nice to see another male.
>Granny Smith sits on your far left, at the other head of the table. She's an older lady who seems happy just be to alive.
>You're also convinced that she wants to hook you up with one of the kids.
>Not sure which one.
>"Now Applebloom, it's rude to stare at your age," she says as she passes the girl a plate of food.
>The little one just blushes in silence and turns to staring at the plate, but you notice her daring looks at you.
>"Big Mac, its fine and dandy to be silent around family, but speak up around our guest, yes?"
>To his credit, Big Mac does speak, just not often.
>You like to think he's constantly playing chess in his mind.
>Applejack, who hasn't been staring, and spoken enough seems nervous as Granny hands her a plate of food.
>"Applejack, would you and Anon like to take dinner alone in the living room?"
>You say nothing, but glance at her. She seems unable to say anything.
>"Well?" She questions.
>The littlest at the table is watching the scene unfold with beady eyes.
>If it wasn't so uncomfortable, you'd probably smile at her.
>"Ah think it would be best if we had dinner here, it's important to eat with family and friends, right?" Applejack says, her tone unsure, but controlled.
>"Ah see, well alright then. Family is important," Granny Smith says.
>The rest of dinner proceeds with you getting asked questions; where you're from, how you two met. The usual suspects.
>"What do your parents do?"
>Ah. Yes. This one.
"My father runs a small business back in Canterlot, and my mother works at business, what I don't exactly know," you say, hoping to end any conversation.
>It doesn't.
>"If they live in Canterlot, then what are you doing in Cloudsdale?" Granny Smith asks.
"They wanted me to see other cities," you explain. "See other areas and meet other people. Different experiences."
>"But they didn't go with you?"
"Didn't think it was their place to leave me," you say.
>You could tell they had more questions, but thankfully they didn't ask any more about home.
>==
>You stood at the outskirts of the farm with Applejack.
>She hadn't stopped apologizing for her familys questions at dinner.
>You didn't blame her, she didn't know.
>Nor did you blame them, since they didn't know either.
>"Really though, Ah'm sorry Anon. Granny Smith, she means well. She really does, just doesn't know when to stop.She-"
"Wants to know her granddaughter is around someone who isn't trying to get into your pants," You say with a smile. "I get it AJ, really I do."
>She blushes at you and finds comfort in looking at the ground.
>"Ah wouldn't put it like that."
"You know what I mean."
>She nods.
>"Thanks for your work today. Made it easier on all of us."
"It was fun, and enriching."
>You don't have a space on your body that isn't sore. Feet, back, arms, hands, fingers, toes, chest, head, everything.
>She walks towards you and gives you a hug.
>"You wanted a sweaty hug," she says behind giggles.
>Your return the gesture and she's the first to let go.
>"See you at school, right Anon?"
"Yeah, you will."
>She smiles as that and runs a hand down your arm as she steps back, and your arms drift to your side.
>It was a bit of a cliche moment, but cliches just describe moments that happen often.
>When your in them, they aren't cliches, but experiences.
>Her eyes are locked to yours as it makes its way down your arm and your hand.
>Her smile doesn't waver at all.
>Your fingers intertwine and for a moment or two, cup, before she lets you go.
>You arm falls to your side, the only sound being it bounce off your side.
>"Good night, Anon," she says sweetly and walks off.
>You wave with your other arm, and watch her walk off, back to the farmhouse.
>==
>You're in bed, watching the ceiling with a silly grin.
>You hadn't seen Dash since you got home, but Firefly mentioned she wanted to talk
>You're just waiting for her to come in
>More privacy for you two that way
>"Anon?"
"Come on in Dash," you say, and she does.
>She's wearing the same thing she wore the last time she walked in; blue shirt, and black sweatpants.
>She sits down on your bed.
>"Can we talk?"
"Yeah, what is it?"
>She's not looking at her hands, but into your eyes.
>Or maybe your nose.
>"Applejack texted me before you got home," she starts off with.
>Wonder what she said.
>"She wanted to thank me, for helping you two meet."
>Well, that's nice of her.
>"But something else she said stuck something,"
>...This isn't going to end well.
>"She mentioned that your parents sent you away. Because they wanted you to experience something else."
>She pauses, and looks away from you and to her hands.
>"And I wanted to know what happened. Be honest."
>Nope. Nope. Nope.
"Dash, I'd really rather not talk about this. At all."
>But Anon-"
"Dash, no."
>You sigh. This really wasn't high on your to do list.
>"I. I just want to help; make it easier on you,"
"I get that, but I don't want to talk about it. Semester ends soon and we've got finals. Alright?"
>Dash nods, and tries to leave but you grab her hand.
>She looks at you with empty eyes, its not something you want to see fill the room.
"After, alright? After; I'll be honest with you.
>She smiles and that light in her eyes returns. Its not as room filling as it was before, but you can easily see it there.