Between The Lines by Mikhal Minters (A collaboration with Brayden Draper)

VIII: Brayden

Brayden and Mikhal stood at Nurse Redheart’s doorstep. Her house was mostly similar to the rest, with the exception of a small garden out front.
“Are you ready?” Mikhal asked, taking a step up the small stairway,
Brayden nodded and followed her. As they neared the door, Mikhal stopped, overhearing a conversation between Nurse Redheart and some other pony.
A stallion’s voice was heard through the door.
“They are so weird! Why would they ever come to Equestria, especially to here?”Nurse Redheart’s gentle voice came back through the door, “Pencil demanded to let them stay. They seem like good, passive beings. Besides, what have they ever done to you, AppleJack??”
There was a gruff snort, presumably from AppleJack. Brayden nudged Mikhal aside and knocked on the door. A bit of shuffling and the sound of hooves later, the door opened to reveal Nurse Redheart, a pony with a white and pink mane that they had met before, and AppleJack. They all had facial expressions of nervous surprise.
“Oh.” Nurse Redheart said. “Nice to uh, see you.”
“Hi.” Brayden said, nervously. “We, um, wanted to talk to you.”
“Yeah.” Mikhal added.
“Well, come on in.” Nurse Readheart said, invitingly.
They walked into Nurse Redheart’s house. Inside, There wasn’t a whole lot, just a table, a chair, and a small kitchen.
“So what did you wanna talk about??” she asked.
“We wanted to see those ponies you were talking about in the hospital.” Brayden replied, his palms sweaty.
“Who?” Nurse Redheart asked.
“You said something about ‘Higher-Ups’ after we exchanged introductions.”
“Oh. Actually, one of them happens to be here right now.” Nurse Redheart said.
Brayden pointed to the pony with the white and pink mane. “Her?” he asked.
The pony looked a little worried with Brayden pointing at her.
“No, AppleJack.” Nurse Redheart said, pointing at AppleJack, who had a untrusting look on her face.
“Alrighty, then.” Brayden said. “Well, we’re here now. Hello, there, Higher-Up.” Brayden said.
There was an extremely awkward atmosphere in the room.
“I take it she doesn’t talk much.” Brayden said timidly.
...
“Well, usually-” Nurse Redheart began
“Hi.” AppleJack said bitterly.
“Hi. So you’re AppleJack. What makes you so important?” Brayden asked AppleJack.
“Oh, nothing.” she replied. “Just saving equestria, like, 12 times.”
    “So you’re like, a hero? Cool!” Brayden said, trying to clear away the unbearable awkwardness of the situation.
    “Mmm-hmm.” AppleJack mumbled.
    “Say, AppleJack, you should really show them your friends sometime. Maybe schedule something tomorrow?” Nurse Redheart suggested.
    AppleJack slowly said “Sure.”
    There was more silence.
“So, uh, are you gonna pick us up or should we find a spot? We live in that house that’s in the fields just outside of town.” Brayden said.
“I guess I’ll see you tomorrow, then.” AppleJack said. She got up, walked herself to the door, opened it, and left.
“Okay.” Brayden said. “I guess we’ll see you around. Bye.”
Brayden and Mikhal opened the door, and stepped outside. Brayden waved goodbye before Mikhal closed the door.
“Nice social skills.” Mikhal said. “You should shoot for giving a public speech, next.”
“Shut up.” Brayden said, embarrassed. “Let’s just go home.”
They left Nurse Redheart’s house and got out of town.
********************
Brayden is in his room. It is dark outside, and a clock on one of the wall’s screens read “10:30 PM”. Brayden tapped an icon on the wall that said “Record Log (Last log recorded 28 hours ago)”
    “Log #2. Date 1/18/17. Recording now.” a voice said.
    “Semi-Trip but also Captain’s log. We’ve set up shop in the field we first landed in, but i kind of regret it. I wish it was closer to Pony, so that way we wouldn't have to take a hike every day just to get to town. We met a pretty friendly mare named Nurse Redheart. She’s a nurse at the hospital, in case you couldn’t tell. We also have a meeting planned with the Mane 6, or maybe even Celestia for tomorrow. I don’t really know. I think Mikhal likes the house, especially her room. I hoped that she wouldn’t act like it was some gift that had thought but she didn’t really want. You know what I mean? I think we could have a great life here, and maybe we could even start a few friendships. I plan on enrolling in school. It’s where I really thrive, in terms of creating relationships. I hope Mikhal agrees. Goodnight, Log.”
    The lights dimmed and the screens on the walls turned off. The aix screened computer, which Brayden wished he had more free time to use, started its shutdown procedure. Brayden collapsed in his bed, and was soon fast asleep.