18th Spell: [Video/Action for Route 36]

[friendyousohard]

[The gear clicks on to show what looks like a room out of an old, rustic cabin, a fairly small one with two benches on the sides, next to windows. Three girls are lounging around in it and four backpacks litter the floor. The view holds there for a few moments... long enough to tell that the "room" is moving.]

I have to admit, this really did work out quite well.

[The gear turns around to show off Twilight's smiling face.]

Amazing what you can put together with a little teamwork, isn't it? I'm still not sure how we'll get this thing over some of the terrain Johto and Kanto have to offer, not to mention traveling between regions, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it, as the saying goes.

At any rate, we're about to make our stop so I can show the outside- [Twilight's interrupted by a sudden whinny from outside.] What the... Dash! What's going on?

[There's a bit of a clamor as she shoves herself up to one of the windows along with the gear (and, judging by the noises, all of the other girls as well) and the resultant view of the outside shows a small group of Yanma buzzing by, clearly agitated by the giant intruder in their midst.]

... Well, I should have expected this thing would draw some extra attention. Sorry everyone, I'll have to finish what I was saying later.

[She clicks off the feed.]

[OOC: So, Applejack decided a while ago that the pony group needed a wagon, so she built one! (With mod permission, of course.) This is its first journey, and Twilight will be showing the rest thing off after they deal with their little infestation. Questions about it will be fielded mostly by either Twi or AJ.]

Comments

[friendyousohard]

Ah... right, I guess it would have been.

Well, at least we were even?

[buckyouup]

You've got a point. It felt... a lot different than I thought it'd be.

[friendyousohard]

I... rarely even thought about it. Once or twice when I was really bored and my thoughts were drifting that way.

[buckyouup]

I'm right there with you... but I'm sure you must've had some thought on what it'd be like?

[friendyousohard]

A little. I experimented by kissing the back of my own hand once, but that was as close as I could come, and I pretty much knew it wasn't going to be all that accurate.

[buckyouup]

[That is... actually really cute.]

At least now you've got somethin' to compare it to?

[friendyousohard]

Yes, an accidental, awkward kiss with one of my best friends.

[Her tone is wry, but she's smiling, if just slightly.]

[buckyouup]

An' I was just startin' to think you couldn't joke about it.

[She gives her a gentle nudge. It was a small smile, but it was still a smile. Yes, it was an accident, but it doesn't mean they had to ignore it ever happened.]

[friendyousohard]

It's not easy. But I guess if it didn't bother you... there's not really all that much reason for me to be so nervous. I just... well I don't want it to become a problem, you know?

[buckyouup]

It didn't bother me one bit, I told you that when it happened. I know it won't be a problem, an' that's why I joke about it.

[Mostly because Applejack isn't sure that Twilight can feel that emotional towards anything that isn't in hardcover.]

[friendyousohard]

Well, you're more confident than I am... but if you're sure, then I guess that's all there really is to say about it.

[The rumors of her making out with her books have been greatly exaggerated.]

[buckyouup]

[She leans in, planting a soft kiss on Twilight's forehead.]

I'm sure. So don't worry so much, alright?

[friendyousohard]

[She blinks in surprise when AJ leans in like that, then kind of nuzzles into the affection. After a couple moments, she chuckles.]

You know, while it was just the two of us, that was the very same gesture I started using with Fluttershy when she got panicky.

[buckyouup]

[She wraps her arms around her best friend, chuckling with her.]

No foolin'? I reckon some pony traits carry over differently as humans.

[friendyousohard]

Yeah, it just felt kind of natural.

[She just kind of slides right into Applejack's arms.]

[buckyouup]

It does, doesn't it?

[She nuzzles into the top of Twilight's head. Once comfortable, she whispers.]

Thanks, Twilight... for takin' such good care of her.

[friendyousohard]

[She flushes, embarrassed by Applejack's appreciation and praise for reasons she's not quite sure about.]

I wouldn't ever have done any less. I couldn't. Not for her, and not for any of you.

[buckyouup]

I-I know... I just feel so bad, leavin' the two of you here...

[She knows that there was nothing she could have done. She was sent home. She has no control over when and why it happens. Still... it hurts her to know they were here together, and she abandoned them, regardless of intentions.]

[friendyousohard]

I know exactly what you mean. The whole time that is was just the two of us, it was hard to put out of my mind the question of what would happen to her if I left. It kept me awake at night, at times.

[buckyouup]

I ain't gonna let that happen...

[friendyousohard]

[She doesn't say that it's not AJ's choice whether it happens or not. She knows she doesn't have to, and she knows how much they all wish it was.]

Well, you're here now, and that's what's important.

[buckyouup]

...How 'bout we make a promise. We ain't leavin' anypony alone, and we're all leavin' together.

[She doesn't care that she can't control when she leaves. If it's a promise, she'll find a way to keep it.]

[friendyousohard]

[She doesn't answer for a few moments, just stares up at the sky. They can't make that promise, she knows that. It's just plain ridiculous.

... And yet, she finds herself moving her right hand across her chest in an X shape.]

Cross my heart. Hope to fly.

[buckyouup]

...Stick a cupcake in my eye.

[She chuckles. Boy, if Pinkie heard her use one of her promises, she'd never stop joking about it.]

[friendyousohard]

... Figured it was appropriate.

[After all, nopony breaks a Pinkie Promise.]