>You are Anon, or as some know you, the Earth Dweller.
>The Apple family homestead looms on the horizon as you enter Sweet Apple Acres' north orchard.
>Normally, the smell of Red Gala apples would overwhelm your senses as you walked among the apple trees.
>But today, another scent filled your nostrils.
>The scent of books.
>It had been with you ever since you left town, slowly diminishing the farther your solitary walk took you.
>That such a faint fragrance remained prevalent amongst the strong smelling apples worried you.
>Maybe hitting your head earlier did damage something...
>And maybe the hospital couldn't tell something was wrong?
>You stare into space as you walk along the path.
*Sigh*
>Applejack needs your help though, and you need the bits. Not working isn't really an option.
>Still…
>You rub your chest, right where the brand is under your shirt.
>Maybe you SHOULD have told Nurse Redheart about the brand.
>But you had seen how Twilight moved, when she thought you might say something. You had seen her do that only one other time…
>You'll have to ask her about it at dinner tonight.
>"Yee-haw!"
>The sudden noise from the shadows surprises you.
>Applejack runs past and jumps into the air.
>She lands on all fours, facing away from a tree.
>Rearing up, she lets loose a powerful kick that connects with its base.
>Apples shake and stems snap as gravity works to pull the fruit down.
>"Yee-ha- whoa!"
>Apple Bloom crashes into your back, causing your torso to scream in pain. You can almost hear your spine snap as the force of the collision pushes you forward and into the ground.
>Apple Bloom lands on top of you.
>That was fine.
>The sturdy wooden basket she was carrying, however, strikes the back of your head.
>That was not fine.
>If you didn't have a bruise there already, you will now.
"Oh…"
>You groan into the basket resting in front of your face.
>"Well howdy there, Anon!"
>Applejack trots over to you.
>A pang in your chest causes your fingers to twitch as you lay face down in the dirt.
>A short grunt is all you manage to respond with.
>Applejack laughs.
>"Come on now, stand up. We've got a lotta work to do today!"
*Thump-thump*
>Your arms prop your body up and you stand. Apple Bloom, not expecting your sudden movement, yelps as she is thrown off.
>"Well alright then! Good to see ya'll are ready fer work."
>You regain your senses finally.
>The scent of apples fills your lungs as you take a deep breath and stretch.
>Those Red Galas smell-
>Hang on, that aroma smells more like apple cider.
>It's not cider season though…
>"You alright there, sugarcane?"
>Applejack has propped herself up against you and is looking into your eyes.
>You hadn't noticed her approach.
"O-oh, heh, yeah."
>You step away from her and rub your chest. That last pang felt worse than the others for some reason.
"So what am I going to be doing?"
>You nod towards the apple trees.
"Helping you buck apples?"
>Applejack give a disconcerting grin and approaches you.
>She laughs malevolently.
>"Oh no, Ah have something much more… exciting panned for you.
>You back up, but she closes the distance and gives you a sultry look.
>"You'll be working in one of the most intimate areas of Sweet Apple Acres."
>You gulp loudly and avert your eyes.
"Um… I- I don't think I can-"
 
"Fuck you."
>Applejack laughs as she obstructs your attempts to leave the tiny room you find yourself in.
>By intimate, she meant a small office in the Apple's basement.
>And by exciting, she meant paperwork.
>The room could maybe fit four ponies, if it wasn't already filled with stacks of unsorted paperwork.
>It could barely fit you just standing.
>"Ya'll agreed to help, and Ah'm paying you after all."
>You pick up a random page and look it over.
>After reading the date stamped at the bottom you glance up at the orange troll masquerading as a p0ny.
"This is from five years ago, AJ. Have you ever gone through these?"
>"Big McIntosh is the one who usually handles these."
>She motions to the mountain of documents.
>"What with his fancy mathematics and whatnot."
>It's true. Despite his seemingly minuscule vocabulary, Big Mac was one of the most intelligent ponies you had ever met. You suspect if it wasn't for him, the Apple family would have gone under years ago.
>Applejack was very liberal with giving out food and cider to her friends, something Big Mac had often vocalized to you during your conversations.
>Cider was apparently very expensive.
>You huff and the aroma of cider hits you with renewed vigor.
>Damn cellar.
>Wait…
"Where is Bic McIntosh? I didn't see him earlier. Isn't he usually out in the fields at this time?"
>"He's in Manehattan, negotiating with our cousins over a land dispute."
>Applejack adjusts her hat and mutters.
>"Among other reasons…"
>What was that about?
>She turns to leave when something crosses your mind.
"Hey AJ?"
>"What is it Anon?"
"Is something going on this week? Nurse Redheart said she was surprised I was still in town. Is there something I should know about?"
>Applejack's blank expression gave way to a devious grin.
>"So you don't know about… Well, maybe that's something you should talk to Twilight about."
>She winks at you and makes couple of clicking noises while nudging the air.
>You blush and try to correct her.
"W- we're not-"
>"Get to work, Anon. These ain't gonna sort themselves."
*Thump-thump*
>You spin around and tear into the files. You want these done, and you want them done now!
>…
>After all, you have a dinner dat-
>Appointment...
>With Twilight.
>As friends.
>Just friends.
>…
>She saved your phone.
>You're too busy speed reading to notice the mare in the doorway staring at you.
>"Now that's what Ah like to see… Ah stallion ready to work…"
>She licks her lips before heading outside.
*Drip*
>The smell of cider floods the cellar, but there are no barrels to be seen.
>And you are too busy to care.
 
>[Several Hours Later]
>5:03 PM
>That's what your phone says when you remove it from your pocket.
>The room had gained some space since you started organizing.
>You could now sit comfortably at least.
>You sigh loudly as you survey the room.
>Once these are filed, you'll need to go through them again take notes for taxes.
>You're not even an accountant.
>The progress was satisfactory for today, you can this finish up tomorrow hopefully.
>Applejack pays you as you leave the basement.
>Sunlight now stings your eyes. Almost five hours alone in the dark with only a few candles tends to make one sensitive to light.
>The earth p0ny laughs at your pained expression as you squint.
>"Headin' out, Anon?"
"Yeah, I'm meeting Twilight for dinner."
>"Oh, well in that case…"
>She reaches into her saddlebag and pulls out some extra bits.
>"Consider this an advance on tomorrow's pay."
>Aww, she really could be-
>"Just remember: get a rubber, 'fore you rut her."
>A huge, trolling, ass.
*Sigh* "Goodbye AJ."
>"See you tomorrow, ~lover colt~."
>You rub the bridge of your nose, hatred seething from every pore.
>In no mood to deal with her, you head to town.
 
>You get to Twilight's around 5:27 PM. The town was pretty quiet, nop0ny was out at the moment.
>You are greeted at the door by Spike. It was rare for you to see him here, it always seems like he's with Rarity when you're around.
>"Oh, hey Anon!"
"Hey Spike, is Twilight home?"
>"Yeah, come on in! I'll go get her."
>The little dragon runs upstairs as you stand in the library.
>…
>The room had been cleaned up.
>The only sign that you had almost died here earlier was the barely noticeable crack where you had struck the wall.
>You rub the back of your head and wince.
>"Oh, h-hi Anon."
>You flinch and clutch your chest. Another pang accompanied by the smell of books.
>You look up at Twilight standing on the stairs. Her face was the most confusing cascade of emotion you had ever seen.
>Worry.
>Happiness.
>Anger.
>And… Fear…
>She notices you clutching your chest.
>"Does it hurt?"
"N-"
>You start to say no, but she would be able to tell you were lying.
"Only occasionally."
>"Let me see it."
*Thump-thump*
>You had no intention to worry her with it before…
>But maybe it would be good to show her.
>You remove your shirt as Twilight approaches you. She turns awkwardly while descending the stairs, keeping her front facing you.
>Her face is sullen as she examines you.
>You notice the mirror you had used before sitting on a table.
>You pick it up and gaze into the reflection. Her mark still adorned the area over your heart.
>Sensing the darkening mood in the room, you attempt to cheer Twilight up.
"We'll, I don't know about you, but I am starving."
>You smile at Twilight.
>She exhales, relieved that you seemed OK, despite the trauma you both had endured.
>You struggle to put on your shirt as you walk towards the door.
"Come on, my trea- Oof!"
>You slam into the doorway while your arms are still trying to pass through your sleeves.
>Twilight giggles behind you.
>That trick always worked.
>Sure it hurt, but the important thing is that you're the one in pain, not her.
>Twilight trots up to you and helps you slide your shirt on all the way.
>You blush as your head pops out of the neck hole. She's less than an inch away from your face. You can feel her warm breath against your skin.
"I- um…" *Eh-hem*
>You stand up and extend your arm down to her.
"Shall we, Miss Sparkle?"
>She laughs as she takes your hand. You open the door and step out of the library.
>Right into Fluttershy.
>The yellow pegasus squeaks as you bump into her. Your crotch gets cold as all the air around it is sucked away. Fortunately, it was just her sniffing.
>You tap her head and she snaps out of her trance.
>"Um… Hi Anon… What are you… *Mumble mumble*"
>Name: Flustering Shyness
>Type: Instant
>Effect: Destroy the magic atmosphere you'd worked so hard to forge.
"Fluttershy, I'm in no mood right now. Please, just, go home."
>"Oh, but I have a new fetish I want to try!"
>She reaches into her saddlebag and pulls out a Mackerel rolled in a newspaper.
>"Is getting hit by a fish your-"
>"Fluttershy."
>Both you and your stalker look at the purple unicorn standing in the doorway.
>She looks… vexed.
>Fluttershy smiles and flies over to Twilight.
>"Oh hey Twilight, how are-"
>Fluttershy's smile vanishes as she makes a quick landing.
>"Oh, y-you too?"
>'Too?'
>Twilight flashes the pegasus a look of anger, silencing her.
>"Fluttershy, Anon and I are going out to dinner."
>The librarian stomps her hoof.
>"I DON'T want to see you there tonight."
>Fluttershy hides behind her mane whimpering and she soon flies off in tears.
>In the words of the great Gordon Freeman,
"…"
>Twilight looks at you and blushes.
>You can sense her worry that she did something wrong, so you move fast.
>You pick her up and spin her around. Doing your best imitation of BRIAN BLESSED, you shout loud enough to notify the whole town.
"Where have you been all my life, you MAGNIFICENT mare, you?!"
>Twilight can't help but grin at your melodramatic antics.
>She nuzzles your side as the two of you walk to dinner.
>...
>You almost got hit with a fish, this is okay with you.
 
>Arriving at the restaurant, you take a look around.
>Great. More Candles.
>It was one of those romantic places that had a dim atmosphere accented with flickering candles on every table.
>Not your first choice, but it was where Twilight wanted to go.
>The two of you sit in a private booth, apparently she had made reservations.
>The seat was a little small for you, but you had long since gotten used to this sort of thing.
>Glancing around, you notice how barren the restaurant is.
>Aside from Twilight, yourself, and a one or two mares, it's empty.
>After dinner, you decide to ask Twilight if she found out anything else about the spell she had used on you.
"So, Twilight…"
>"Yes Anon?"
>She gazes at you from across the table.
>You can feel your face heat up, but speak anyway.
"Have you found out anything about that spell?"
>Twilight's ears flatten a bit.
>"I'm sorry, Anon. The book is written in an ancient dialect. I could only make out a few key words."
"And those are?"
>She closes her eyes, remembering what she had deciphered.
>"Heart, Want, Command, and Rank."
>Those weren't very helpful.
"Anything about getting rid of the spell?"
>She bows her head.
>"I'm sorry."
>Oh…
"Well, it hasn't affected me any yet, aside from some minor discomfort. I'm sure in a few days, it will go away on its own or something."
>Twilight bites her lip nervously and looks down.
>"I- I don't know. I'm so, so sorry Anon."
>You can hear a slight hiccup as she starts to sob.
"Hey…"
>You reach across the table and brush her mane from her eyes. Placing your open palm to the side of her face, you wipe away a tear with your thumb.
"I'll be fine. We have all the time in the world to study that book."
>She grabs your hand and pulls it gently away from her face.
>She takes a deep breath before she speaks.
>"No, we don't."
"What?"
>You stare at her in confusion.
>"That book was from a restricted section of the Canterlot Library. It was due back this afternoon."
"… OK?"
>"Restricted books aren't like normal ones. Only a few p0nies are supposed to know about them."
>That explains the shuffling in the hospital.
>She did the same thing when Princess Celestia made a surprise visit once. Twilight had been joking with you at the Princesses expense (actually, you had been making most of the jokes, but eventually she caved and gave one a try. It was OK.) and the princess walked in on you laughing like an idiot.
>Naturally, she was curious. Twilight, however, was panicking, moving erratically in the corner. Fortunately, you knew the entire Aristocrats joke, and were able to diffuse the situation. (Making yourself look like an idiot in the process)
>"In addition, there has never been a late fee on one, do you know why?"
"Why?"
>"When the time comes for them to be returned, a spell engraved in their covers teleports the book to the library."
>Seems a bit extreme.
"So why don't we just go get it again?"
>Twilight begins to gnaw on her lip.
>"That's the other thing I wanted to talk to you about. Anon, what can you tell me about today, was there anything strange?"
>You think back, recounting the events that had unfolded today.
"Aside from Redheart being a little creepy and Applejack- wait… Twilight, is something going on today?"
>The purple p0ny locks eyes with you.
>"Anon, how many stallions did you see today?"
>Let's see.
>...
>The revelation hits you like a ton of bricks.
>Not…
>A…
>Single…
>One…
>No Caramel, no Bic McIntosh…
"Twilight, what's going on?"
>Twilight breaks eye contact.
>"Anon, do you know what Estrus is?"
"I'm familiar with the basic idea. It is a time when mammals are more apt to reproduce. 'In Heat' so to speak."
>The unicorn looks in every direction but yours.
>"Yes, that's more or less true."
>You can see her getting more flustered as she talks.
>"It started today for some p0nies… During this time, mares are forbidden to leave their usual community, and stallions are sent to neighboring ones. This is to prevent any major incident that might occur."
"Incident?"
>"It's not that bad the first day, but starting tomorrow, you should be careful. When we're in heat…"
>Twilight pauses as the awkwardness of that line hangs in the air.
>"We can't think straight. We make stupid decisions. I can't even attempt to describe what it's like, having this… PRIMAL urge to reproduce. To desire to be filled, to mate. It's a fire no water can quench, Anon, and we seek out the only thing that can make that heat subside. It's like that all day, every day for a week."
>Is that what Fluttershy meant by "too"?
"Jeez Twilight, I'm… I'm sorry."
>You try to hold her hoof, but she yanks it away.
>She's shaking.
>"I don't think you should see me until this is over. If you do, I might…"
>She's trying, and failing, to appear calm.
>"I might do something I would regret to you…"
"Twilight, I-"
>Twilight stands up and moves to leave.
"Wait, Twilight!"
>You reach out to her, but before you can grab her you are forced to the ground.
>A soft purple aura surounds your body and keeps you restrained.
>"Go home Anon."
*Thump-thump*
>You begin to rise.
>No, she's in pain. You have to stay.
*Thump-thump*
>A sharp pain shoots through your chest.
>...
>Maybe it would be best if you gave her some space tonight.
>You watch Twilight depart, tears staining the ground behind her, then follow suit and head home.
>The pain in your chest slowly fades as you walk home.
>But the pain in your heart only gets worse with each step.