paradisalost | 1 ✫ [audio] :: a rodeo of a different sort

[At first, there's silence from Applejack's journal. Or something close to it, anyway; a definite quiet broken only by soft and steady breathing and the occasional snuffle. Then rustling and a yawn as the snoozing pony stretches and rolls over, still half-dreaming.

It's not exactly the most elegant entrance someone could make to Paradisa, but Applejack never went for that kind of thing even when she was conscious. She yawns again and rubs her eyes with a hoof blearily, sleepy murmurs caught by the journal she's not even aware of possessing.]

...hmm? Apple Bloom, don't bother me now, go an' see Granny if yer hungry. I'm-

[But she doesn't get a chance to finish that sentence, because her green eyes snap open and the new surroundings become apparent to her. Frantic, aggravated clopping of hooves as Applejack dashes about- over here, over there, finally in a circle of utterly dumbfounded and near-panicky confusion. And then a sharp, surprised intake of breath as she notices her flank- or to be more exact, how blank it is. How it lacks her cutie mark, the three red apples she's impossibly proud of. Applejack checks again, and again, and the noise repeats each time. Until she starts yelling, that is, loud and angry and with a definite southern accent.]

JEST WHAT IN TARNATION IS GOIN' ON-?!

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Do you see? These books are magically enchanted. We can speak through them as though we were face-to-face.

[just give her a minute to stop having a heart attack]

...I guess it really is you, if ya can still nag me like that in spite of this. [she tries to chuckle as she peers into the journal, even though she can't remember ever feeling less like laughing] Okay, so we're speakin'. What now?

[Not a nag. Letting it slide. ...trying to let it slide. Success!]

Has anyone told you about where we are and our circumstances? Really, it's quite fantastical - I wouldn't blame you for not believing it at first, myself.

Nope. Yer the first face I've seen, friendly or otherwise. [her ears droop] So what's the lowdown on this showdown, Rarity? I never thought I'd settle down for some shut-eye an' have this be the result.

[And Rarity really does feel bad for AJ. It's confusing, she knows.] Of course I'll tell you, Applejack - but first... I'm aware that what I'm about to say will sound strange and unbelievable, but I swear that every word is true. Will you promise to believe me?

[Applejack doesn't even need to glance at her blank flank again to make up her mind.] Well shucks, of course I do. Yer my friend.

Well... well yes, of course you are. But the realities of our situation are most improbable, so I likely wouldn't believe it myself had I not experienced them.

You've undoubtedly noticed that we're no longer in Ponyville, but what's more - we're no longer in all of Equestria! This is a world called Paradisa, and this magic castle captures beings from other worlds and brings them here, to live.

What's more is that those of us from Equestria are the only ponies anywhere in the entire castle! There isn't anypony else like us.

We got our differences, but I know ya wouldn't outright lie to me.

[She says that first, with an air of finality, before taking in the rest.]

...no other ponies? But- landsakes, then who else is in this here castle? Pretty please don't say more dragons or manticores or anythin' of that sort.

I most certainly would not.

No, there aren't any dragons or manticores - nothing so terrible as that! Instead, almost everyone here... they call themselves humans, and they're quite strange. They're very tall, and only have two legs - they don't have a coat, and they don't even have a tail!

But that aside, they do seem quite kind and friendly, but... according to them, we ponies don't know how to speak where they come from. Can you believe something so preposterous?

[She rubs her face with one hoof in an exasperated way, trying to take this all in.] This is soundin' more an' more like somethin' outta an old mare's tale. I ain't never heard the like! Creatures I never ever seen or heard of before, okay, but a pony who can't talk? That's jest plum crazy.

...I believe ya, though, much as I wish I didn't.

I did say that it was unbelievable, did I not? But... but nevertheless, the humans here say the same things over and over - they're amazed to meet anypony who can do something so simple as talk!

Really, I am terribly relieved to see you, Applejack. The more of us here from Ponyville, the better.

I'll show 'em that I can do a lot more than jest talk if it comes down to it. [ill-tempered grumbling]

Yeah, reckon yer right on that account. Any chance of us meetin' up somewhere? This magic book business...ain't the same.

Now, now, there's no need for a temper! They do seem perfectly kind as a whole, even if they're a bit... odd

And certainly! If you can tell me where you are, I can make my way there immediately.

[a snort and peevish flick of her tail, but she says no more about the matter and instead looks around for a few moments.]

...by a room fulla laundry, I think.

[She ducks out of sight to nudge the journal in the direction of the open door to the Laundry Room, so Rarity can see.]

A room full of laundry, a room full of--

--ah yes! I believe I know precisely where you are!

Well, that's a powerful relief! So ya can find me, right? 'Cause I could go lookin' around for ya anyway...

I think so, yes.

Wait just a moment, Applejack. I'll be there in three shakes of a colt's tail.

I'll be sure to keep count.

[good-natured eyeroll, and she sits to wait for her polar-opposite of a friend]

[And it's not long before one might hear hoofbeats prancing daintily down a tile floor.]

[if Rarity is enough of a ninjapony, she can come across AJ looking mighty sad in her cowboy hat, and now a total blankflank]

[She's no more ninja than usual, but she's hardly a heavy trotter. Unicorn magic opens a door, and...

...well, that's Applejack looking unhappier than Rarity's seen her in quite some time.] Why, Applejack, darling - what's the matter? I haven't seen you this melancholy in ages!

[She jumps to her hooves and the sad look is gone, replaced by a defensive, vaguely nervous look.]

Melancholy? I ain't nothin' of the sort! I'm- jest fine, I'm right as rain, 'cept for my poor cutie mark.

Nonsense! I know what I saw, and I saw what I know was an unhappy pony!

Though I couldn't ever blame you for that, after all... this castle is awfully fond of stealing everypony's cutie marks.

1 ✫ [audio] :: a rodeo of a different sort

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