Wild Rides (open)

[Applejack Smith]

Applejack had only been at Tenebrae a few days. Most of that time had been spent at her new house with Twilight and Rainbow. She was happy that she shared a house with her friends, but the two girls seemed different, in more ways than just appearance. She was still getting used to her new body; she didn’t really think she could get used to them too, not all at the same time. Besides, she needed space, literally. She felt so cramped living so close to so many other people. She needed wide open fields or the peace and quiet of a forest. Things she just couldn’t find where she was now. Rainbow had told her about the field and the forest at the edge of the community. It seemed like exactly what she needed, so she’d left the house early that morning in search of peace and space.

That really had been her plan, so what was she doing here instead? Applejack was now standing stock still in front of a bright, red barn. It was the last building on the street with a sign attached reading Wild Acres. The barn looked almost exactly like the one at Sweet Apple Acres, only better kept. She could almost picture Big Mac coming through the door and heading to the orchards. Her heart pounding hard, she walked towards the door silently.

As soon as Applejack opened the door, the warm smell of horses greeted her nose. As a person who used to be a pony,, she recognized the smell instantly. She tilted her head in confusion. That couldn’t be right. Why would there be horses here? Why hadn’t they Shifted like she had? Curious, she walked farther into the barn. It was a shadowy place; the only light came from the open door at the opposite end. All around her, she could horses as they moved around their stall. What was going on? Had she somehow Shifted back? Was she actually a pony again? She looked at her hands in disappointment. Nope, still human. Then why were there horses locked up like this? She moved over to a stall, intending to let the horse inside free.

“Howdy there!” The stable hand shouted out to the woman standing near Bullet’s stall. “I wouldn’t get too close. Bullet likes to bite strangers.”

Applejack jumped back, startled by the sound. She turned to see a man leading a horse into the barn. “Bullet?” She asked as she looked behind her to the horse she’d been about to free. “is that your name?” Bullet didn’t answer, just bowed his head to his food through. She realized with a sudden jolt that these horses couldn’t talk. Without turning, she talked to the stable hand. “He bites you said? Is that why he’s being held prisoner?”

The stable hand chuckled. “Prisoner?” He shook his head. “This a stable, ma’am, not a horse jail. We keep horses here for people to ride.”

Appllejack spun to face the stable hand, her mouth open in shock. “People ride horses?”

“Of course, they do.” The stable hand looked at the blonde woman suspiciously. “Why are you here if you don’t want to ride?”

“I—uh…” Applejack stuttered as she tried to think of a reason for being there. “I was curious.” This much was true, though she wasn’t sure she could tell him her other reason. The barn had looked so much like the one at home, that she’d been hoping to find her brother or sister here. Of course, now she was glad she hadn’t.

“Hm.” The stable hand looked at the woman for a long moment before turning away. “Well, I have to brush Carrot here.” He nodded at the horse he was leading. “You can look around if you like, but stay away from Bullet. I wasn’t lying when I said he bites.”

Applejack nodded her head slowly. She was already planning to leave, not wanting to spend too much time here. What if she suddenly turned back into a pony, and they locked her up? She shook her head and started walking backwards to the door.

[Darwin Daugherty]

From the other side of the stall came an English sounding voice. One that even without seeing who it came from could be easily recognized by the little filly now human. "Could have just told him that being around horses made you feel at home. I know I did. But then again I think he likes you, he didn't tell me that Bullet bites." Sitting to the side of the dooway was one Darwin Ivor Sawyer Carlton Oliver Reginald Daugherty, also known by the ponies as Discord. He was dressed in a country style shirt, cowboy hat, denim pants, and boots. His right hand bandaged up from where the horse bit him.

"Does seem very unreal huh? What without the entire farm under four feet of ice that is." He stood up and approached his fellow denizen of this cursed tranformational existence. While he didn't look like his old 12 foot long self, he was still tall. Six foot six inches of height. Even in this form he would probably still stand taller than all but Celestia. Looking back into the barn he sighed and then jutted his head to the side inviting her to take a walk with him. He didn't seem evil, tyrannical, mischevious, or plotting anything at the moment. He seemed almost depressed. He didn't have a smirk on his face, cackling evilly, or making bad puns.

[Applejack Smith]

Just before Applejack reached the door, the familiar voice of Discord floated out to her. She spun on her heal and saw him emerge from the shadows, her eyes narrowing as she looked at him. Discord. Now what was he doing here? Of course, she knew he was in Tenebrae Twilight and Rainbow told her he was here. She was more interested about why was he there specifically. He better not be hurting the horses. They had enough to deal with what with people riding them and all. Although if he was to be believed, he was there because he found the horses comforting. She scoffed at his words. “I did tell him the truth.” Of course, she had; she was still representive of the element of honesty, after all. “I came in here because the barn reminded me of home. I didn’t know it was a prison.” Though now that she thought about, being around the horses was comforting and also unnerving. If someone actually wanted to ride one, she’d probably try to fight them off.

Applejack scowled when Discord brought up the memory of how he’d flooded Sweet Apple Acres and then turned it into an ice rink. “Uh-huh,” she said in a noncommittal way. She then leaned back against a post and crossed her arms over her chest, just watching him. He didn’t seem like himself at all. Sure, she hadn’t spent much alone time with Discord, but even she could tell he was off somehow. Maybe the Shift had affected him badly? Ah well, at least he wasn’t hurting anyone right now, though apparently he was being hurt. She chuckled lightly as she thought about Bullet biting him. Good boy, Bullet, she thought while trying to suppress a grin.

It was then that Discord nodded his head as if inviting her to walk with him. Applejack stayed where she was, thinking about the offer. Twilight didn’t really trust, and AJ was inclined to side with her friend. Then she looked at Discord and saw the sadness in his eyes. No one could fake that. Maybe he just really needed a friend to talk to right now. Sure, she was no Fluttershy, but she couldn’t stand looking at such sad eyes. She sighed softly and pushed off the post, walking towards him. “So, uh, Discord, how’re ya likin’ Tenebrae so far?” She asked, trying for a friendly conversation starter.

[Darwin Daugherty]

As she joined him he walked down the dirt path along side the barn, going out towards the fields where the horses were allowed to graze and exercise. "I don't know to be honest. I've met two interesting people. My roommate tried to kick me out when we first met. Boy has some anger issues. Then I met this sweet innocent girl that floats and even hugged me after I confessed to tricking her. I invited her to dinner as an apology and it seems she took it as a date. There was this blonde haired girl who couldn't speak, but didn't really get to know her." Darwin kicked a rock, causing it to skitter along the ground and cause the shuffling of feet of one of the other visitors. Even when he doesn't do something on purpose, he seems to cause a little chaos to others around him.

"But I've also lost all my abilities and still have my history with you ponies. twilight has gone so far as to actually tell someone else I was evil, Rainbow Dash felt I needed to be watched while we were in the woods. I know Fluttershy is here, but I can't face her yet. I want to make some sort of good impression on others before I see her, but when you are the avatar of chaos...well you know. Ahh run it's Discord! Oh no he's going to make it rain Chocolate Milk. I'm lactose intolerant and allergic to chocolate." Even with the impersonations, he didn't seem like his old self. He was in a state of confusion. Shoving his thumbs in his pockets, he just watched as a mother horse and her foal nuzzled each other under an oak tree. "Must be nice to have one of those. A mother I mean."

[Applejack Smith]

Applejack walked along next to Discord, feeling kinda small next to his height. She didn't feel small about what he was telling her though. No, she felt pretty darn important that the personification of chaos was actually confiding in her. Seeing as this was probably a rare treat, she gave him her full attention, only glancing at the mother and foal for a brief moment before turning back. Of course, he expected some sort of response, but she wasn't sure she could him one. She didn't think he was evil exactly, him confessing to tricking that girl was proof of that, but she did think he needed to be watched. She also knew that if Twilight was anything to go by, he'd eventually get his powers back, but she wasn't so sure she should be the one to tell him that.

So for a long moment, Applejack just stood there, looking up into his eyes as if sizing him up. Finally, she sighed and dropped her gaze. "You know, Discord, you and Pinkie Pie ain't really all that different," she said gently. "You both seem to do things randomly, and you both like chocolate rain." She shot him a sly little grin before sobering up. "The thing with Pinkie is she knows there's a line there, and she doesn't cross it. If you know there's a line there, you seem to like hoppin' over it faster than a jack rabbit runnin' from a fox. Take the whole floodin' of Sweet Apple Acres. Nopony would have minded as much if it hadn't been someplace else. That's the thing you need to learn, Discord. Chaos is all fine and dandy, but there's a time and place for it." Her little speech done, she looked back at the mother and foal. A gentle smile came to her lips as she watched. "From what I recall, it is nice."

[Darwin Daugherty]

Darwin listened and leand forward on the fencing. If he had a tail he would have sat on it, but he didn't so he couldn't. She was right about that line thing. He did enjoy hopping over the line between ideals. But if it was saved for a time or place, it wouldn't be chaos, it would just be magic. Chaos is a state of utter confusion or disorder; a total lack of organization or order. By controlling it it stopped being chaos. So that basically meant Darwin would have to become something he wasn't to try and become freiends with others and make that good impression. This thought just caused his head to drop a little.

"I think I understand now. I'm in a civilization now and civilized ponies slash people like organization." He took a look at his rainbow plaid shirt and stood back up straight. Turning to her he reached forward and gave her a hug. "You know AJ, you are to ponies what Fluttershy is to animals. you really do know how to talk to someone about what's bothering them. After releasing the hug he leaned back on the fence and started to adjust his posture to a more straight form. He was going to try his hardest to be what was needed and put what he was behind him.

[Applejack Smith]

Applejack bit her lip as she watched Discord thinking. She didn't like the look in his eyes. It almost looked defeated. She sighed softly as she heard him speak. Yes, that was what she'd been trying to get him to understand, but she was the personification of honesty. She couldn't very well tell someone to be something they weren't, even if it did make things easier. Sometimes what was easy was not what was right.

"Now Discord," Applejack said after a moment of silence. "I ain't sayin' you should be something you're not. Everybody has to be themselves. Some people aren't gonna like you or understand you; that's a fact of life. You'll know who your true friends are when you don't have to pretend round 'em. Maybe that's me, and maybe it ain't, but you'll never have to pretend round me." She gave him a gentle smile, and his response shocked the sugar out of her. He hugged her.

Discord was hugging Applejack. Had he ever hugged anyone else and meant it? Well, he had said a girl had hugged him after he'd tricked her. Still, the hug was unexpected and sent her mind into a chaotic whirlwind. Should she hug him back? Just stand there? Try to get away? After a moment of hesitation, she wrapped her arms around him and gave him a gentle squeeze. Then the hug was over, and she took a few steps back. "Glad I could help, sugar cube," she said gently, though she was already thinking about what he'd said. Was he right? Did she really know how to do that? She couldn't remember anyone telling her that before. Not that she minded, but she suddenly wished she could write a letter to Princess Celestia about what she was learning now.

[Darwin Daugherty]

Darwin smiled a little to her. Apart from Fluttershy, she was the first real being he could talk to and not feel the need to entertain. He even showed his softer side, something Fluttershy had not seen yet. He then snapped his fingers and got a grin on his face. "You know I have to make it up to you for Frosty Apple Acres and thank you for today. Horse back ride? My treat?" He smriked and waited for a couple seconds, knowing she wouldn't go for it. He then just laughed and returned to his slouching posture remniscent from his old days.

"This almost seems like one of your groups adventures doesn't it? Odd situation occurs, you six get together and make some mistakes, everyone learns a lesson, and then you write to Celestia." He thought for a moment and then looked right to her. "Can you imagine if she got shifted too? I'm willing to wager that she would take a position with the post office so you all could still write letters to her."

[Applejack Smith]

"Uh...." Applejack said at Discord's offer. Shifting uncomfortably, she looked at the horses. Then she heard him laugh, and when she glanced over, he was standing in a relaxed slouching position. He'd only been joking! A. J. chuckled lightly. "Oh, not today, Discord. I've got a date with some chocolate rain." She winked at him and gave him a flirty smile. She was also just joking around though. Well, she was spending time with Mr. Chocolate Rain, but it wasn't like romantic time, and really, spending time with Discord was not so bad. She was actually enjoying herself.

Snorting in laughter, Applejack shook her head. It was like he'd read her mind! "I was just thinkin' that!" She shouted a bit louder than she really needed to. "Dear Princess Celestia," she started saying in her best Twilight impression. "It's been very interesting living here at Tenebrae Estates. I've learned a lot of stuff about humans and how they behave. May we go home yet?" She then switched to Rainbow. "Dear Princess Celestia, Tenebrae is awesome! Did you know there's some stuff called alcohol? It's awesome! You can't drink too much because you get really sick if you do. That part isn't awesome, but you can make a lot of awesome drinks with it. I can't wait to take it back to Cloudsdale. That would be awesome!" Then she was back to her own voice. She would've done Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Rarity too, but she'd yet to meet them here. "Dear Princess Celestia, I have learned that sometimes people who were enemies ain't anymore. Sometimes when the whole world is different, all anyone needs is a friend to listen and understand." She gave Discord a gentle smile. She wasn't making any promiuses, but she could at least try to be his friend, especially if all the other ponies weren't even trying.

She looked out into the field and was surprised to see the mother and foal horse had wandered closer to them. She clicked her tongue softly, like she'd do to a baby back at Ponyville. The foal trotted forward a few steps then stopped and looked back at its mother. "It's all right, sugar cube. I ain't gonna hurt ya," A. J. muttered softly. The mother horse neighed and almost seemed to nod her head. The little foal came right up to the fence, and Applejack reached out a hand and gently petted its soft muzzle. "Ya all right there, sugar cube?" She asked gently. "You're just a little thing, ain't ya? I betcha wouldn't even be in school yet back in Ponyville. It ain't fair how they keep y'all cooped up like this." It wasn't either. These horses should be free to wander around town just like she was. What could she do about it though? Nothing, that's what. She sighed and looked away. When she did, her gaze landed on Discord. Well, maybe she couldn't do anything, but he was bound to think of something. "Hey, Discord," she said, a huge grin spreading over her face. "Wanna help me with somethin'? I promise it'll be chaotic and unexpected."

[Darwin Daugherty]

Darwin smiled as she reversed the joke on him. The wink and the flirtaciouss grin was new to him, definitly unexpected but not ill-received. It's true AJ was not the one many would think the Master of Disaster would get along with, but he could see them having some grand times in this new world. The impersonations were spot on and with Rainbow dash's letter, all he could think about is the pegasi up in the clouds drinking a little too much and causing a whole different type of rain. With her own letter, he returned the sweet smile. Seeing her with the foal and her mother, he walked a bit off from them, staying out of her view. Even before she could ask, he could tell what she was thinking because of the events back at the barn.

In the pasture near on the other side of the pathway across from the horses he saw a long horn bull grazing nearby. Taking off his shirt and keeping it as spread out as possible in his hands, he preformed a little trick he learned in Mos-cow. Something that was primarily sed to help with the Bull-sheviks. Moving his arms so the right arm was at full extension while the left held the top of the shirt tight, he began waving it around matador style. The waving caught the bulls attention. As the bull came charging full steam for the cape. Applejack asked her question. He just stayed in place hoping she could see what was coming before it happened. "Already on it."

As the bull charge through, the fencing was no match, poles getting ripped from the ground and the chain link splitting. When Darwin twirled to let the bull through he ran right into the other fence splintering the wood and leaving a gaping whole wide enough for Pinkie Pie to hold a party in. With that done, Darwin flipped his shirt with one hand over his shoulder while watching the cows, the bull, and the horses slowly make their way to the hole before setting off down the path, causing some of the visitors to leap over the fence. "Got a plan for the ones in the barn?"