//------------------------------// // A Change from the Usual // Story: What Happened When He Died // by Lady Spider //------------------------------// Chapter Three A Change from the Usual The barn was full of ponies. That... that was an understatement. There were ponies in places I didn’t know ponies could get to. Applejack came over to me with an apple cider in her hoof. “Easel, right?” I nodded. “Well then, pardner, this here's the Apple Family. Ya caught us right in th' middle of a family reunion, ya did. That there's Apple Fritter, and this is Golden Apple..." The country pony continued to point out names and ponies until I’m sure she named everypony in the barn. Although... I remembered none of the names. Soon I was left alone on the sidelines, just as with everything else. At least, I thought I was alone. Storm approached me. “Hey, why are you all alone?” Because no one likes me. Because I’m different than the rest of you. Because no one cares about the past. Because I’ve been alone for so long now that it’s almost comforting to be alone. Because I am afraid. I smiled. “I’m a little shy.” Storm returned my smile. His smile wasn’t as glowing and full of pure joy as Sprint’s had been, but it was a warm, happy smile. I glanced into his eyes. I only meant to glance quickly than look away, but I found myself captivated into a stare. His eyes were such a cool blue. They seemed to reflect so many emotions all at once: happiness, loneliness, sadness, honesty... The emotions swirled in his eyes like smoke. Something inside me stirred. As I stared into his soul, I felt my own releasing itself from it’s icicle caging. The giant, cold metal spikes driven into my heart from despair, heartbreak, and years of loneliness seemed to not pain me so much. My soul was slowing shaking its crumpled wings and preparing to fly into Storm’s arms. I wrenched my eyes away and glared at the floor. Stop being so vulnerable. You’re going to get hurt again, you stupid mare. “Have you eaten anything yet?” I turned back to Storm. His smile had faded slightly, almost in disappointment. “No. Not yet...” “Come then. You really oughta eat something before everything’s gone.” His smile grew again and I felt I had no choice but to fall in step beside him as he walked toward the long table of food in the center of the barn. The table extended from one end of the barn to the other, meaning, there were at least ten tables lined up, covered in platters and platters of food. “Does anything look good?” Storm asked cheerfully. “Everything was made right here by the Apple family and has the best of the Sweet Apple Acre apples in it.” I eyed the tables. Every possible apple dish I could ever think of was somewhere on those tables. Some dishes I didn’t even recognize were scattered here and there too. “These seem pretty good. There’s not much left.” I took a few apple dumplings. Storm nodded. “I’ve had some already.” He beamed at me as I ate. I found myself enjoying his company. I had never had much of an appetite and after much protesting, Storm reluctantly allowed me to not refill my plate several times. As evening fell, several more groups of ponies from Ponyville came and joined the anything-but-little party. Soon the barn was overcrowded and hot. “I’m going to step outside, okay?” I muttered in Storm’s ear. I recognized some of the newcomers as old classmates and wanted out as soon as possible. He nodded and, much to my surprise, followed me out into the apple trees. We walked in silence for a few minutes. “So, I know hardly anything about you and you know little about me, yet you follow me into a dark apple tree orchard.” I stated bluntly. The stallion laughed lightly. “Well. I know you’re a pretty, little shy unicorn.” I blushed slightly. “How about this: every time you tell me something about you, I’ll tell you something about me.” He thought for a moment. “Sure.” We sat against one of the trees and looked toward the lit up barn. “I’m from Fillydelphia. I moved here just last week.” He laughed. “I’m actually a pretty shy stallion myself. If I don’t know you I don’t usually approach you. Although, I think running me down in the middle of Ponyville counts as knowing you.” I blushed and smiled again. “Yeah... Sorry ‘bout that...” Storm shook his head and continued. “No biggie. I have three brothers and a sister, all older than me. I got my cutie mark during a singing lesson where I made up a song on the spot. I hope to work with a musician here in Ponyville. I always liked the country better than the city.” He fell silent and I sighed as I realized it was my turn. “I’ve been here all my life. Most of the other ponies around here don’t get along well with me.” “Why?” Storm interrupted. I froze. “Um. It’s a long story.” He turned toward me. “I’ve got time.” ... Somepony... Somepony asked? I took a deep breath. “Well... okay... Well... 12 years ago...” ***************************************************** You stupid mare. Why did you bother telling him everything? He will forget. Just like everypony else. Talking to him was a mistake. Coming to the party was a mistake. Going out of the house this morning was a horrible horrible mistake. I was panting a little. For the first time, I had told somepony everything. The entire story. All of Sprint Pass’s short life. Storm was sitting beside me quietly. “Losing a close friend is hard. Especially at that young an age.” Oh Celestia. He’s being cliche now. Everything I’ve heard before. Just stop. He faced me again. “You loved him didn’t you?’ Every part of me stopped. It felt so wrong to hear those words come out of Storm’s mouth. It felt so wrong. “Yes... I guess I did...” He nodded. “Did you ever tell him?” I stared off into the darkness. “It’s late... I should be going home...” I stood abruptly. I had said too much, I was open to this strange stallion I didn’t even know well. The feeling of vulnerability rushed through my body. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have told you...” My hooves began to lead me away from him, away from the apple trees, away from the barn, away from everything. “Easel, wait.” I paused, mid-step. Storm came up behind me. “At least let me walk you home? I don’t want something to happen to you.” It’s too late. Something already happened to me. You are of no use. “Alright.” ************************************************************* Are you stupid? Now he knows where you live. You idiotic mare. What even made you want to talk to that stallion? He’s just going to turn into everypony else: a liar, a sneak, another taunting nightmare. I groaned and pulled my pillow over my ears which were laid back in annoyance. Downstairs, somepony rang the doorbell. See? He’s come calling already. Probably with his little gang of friends to taunt you. “Just shut up already.” I growled to myself. The bell rang again causing me to jump out of bed and rush to the bathroom. “Just a minute!” I brushed my mane and coat quickly then ran downstairs to the door. No pony ever called on me. Ever. I opened the door a crack. Storm was standing outside on my step. Alone. “Goodmorning. I’m sorry I woke you.” He said sweetly. I opened the door wider and tried my best not to look the least bit pleased he was the first one I saw this morning. “No, it’s alright. I have to get going to the art shop anyway.” He smiled. “Ah, I see. Mind if I come with you? I was going to ask you if you wanted to join me for breakfast at Sugarcube Corner.” I thought it over. On one hoof I really wanted to talk to him more, but on the other I was wary of him. “Well. Okay. Art shop, then Sugarcube Corner?” Storm nodded. “Okay. Wait one sec, then.” Leaving the door open, I ran back upstairs and grabbed a bag and some bits. It only took a moment, and when I came back down to the door, Storm was still standing on the step, smiling. On the way into Ponyville, Storm talked about his singing. He seemed used to the fact that I was not likely to answer him very much and it was nice to just listen to somepony’s friendly chatter. The art shop was open, thankfully. I nearly bounced into the shop with excitement. Storm laughed at my obvious enthusiasm and stood by the door to wait for me. After buying my much needed canvas and paint, we headed deeper into Ponyville toward the ever famous Sugarcube Corner. The day had begun and the roads were full of ponies. My usual insecurity and irritability was kicking in as more and more ponies jostled me around. I soon found myself nearly on top of Storm in an attempt to get away from all the ponies around me. Then they showed up. Storm and I stopped walking as three ponies blocked our way. Linia Glittereyes, Dressa Randy and a stallion from my youth, Grey Howler, smiled sweetly at us. Years had definitely had an effect on them. Dressa and Linia were both grown and beautiful with shimmering fur and silky manes. Grey, too, had grown and was well built and fit. “Why, hello Easel.” cooed Dressa. My cold mask took complete control over my words and actions. “Hello, Dressa.” I nodded to the other two as well. “Linia. Grey.” Dressa took a step toward me. “Well well. Who’s this?” Her eyes ran over every inch of Storm. “Such a nice looking stallion... How would you ever get tangled up in somepony like Weasel?” The nickname from so many years ago reared its ugly face. The cold mask took the hit and only a slight crack appeared. “Come now, Dressa. You’re still flocked by a little colt and a little copycat. No wonder you can’t get within two yards of a handsome stallion.” Their faces grew red. “Listen here Weasel...” Dressa started. Storm stepped between us so I could no longer see her. “Enough.” I heard Dressa step back. “I don’t know who you ponies are, but your attitudes are unacceptable.” Dressa clicked her tongue. “Shame... such a waste of a nice stallion... Let’s go.” The three of them continued on their way. All three glaring at me as they passed. Storm turned to me. “Who were they?” “They’re my peers.” I said dully. “From school. Everypony around here does that... s’why I don’t often leave my house...” My cheerful attitude that had been drawn out by Storm was disintegrated to nonexistence. The exchange was short but it had triggered feelings and memories that I had pushed away for years. “I think I’m going to go home...” Storm looked disappointed and that only made me feel guilty. You don’t want to stay around him. Shut up. He may have defended you but he’s still going to turn on you. Shut up. “I’ll go to breakfast with you first, though...” I said. My voice sounded heavy and dull but Storm smiled a little. An attempt to cheer me up again, I guessed.