A Pair of Misunderstandings (Stellar's Version)/Transcript

The following is the rough draft of A Pair of Misunderstandings, known on this wiki as A Pair of Misunderstandings (Stellar's Version). Dialogue will be expressed as usual, but with no visuals to work with, brackets will be used to set rough ideas for the intended scenery. This script was written for SPPG by the wiki's creator, Stelllarz.
[Somewhere on Sweet Apple Acres, Applebud is sitting down looking tired. Applejack approaches him.]
Applejack: Alright, everything is doing fine upstairs.
[Applejack sits with him.]
Applejack: So, how ya holding up, Sugarcube?
Applebud: I think it's pretty clear to see how I am.
Applejack: I understand why ya wanna work, but just because your parents are busy with the baby doesn't mean all responsibilities fall on you!
Applebud: Ya still don't need to help me out though.
Applejack: But I do wanna help out! It even has a perk of a cute baby apple I can visit!
Applebud: Don't ya have work at Sweet Apple Acres to do?
Applejack: Pssh, just gotta do an apple delivery in a few minutes.
[She stands up and starts moving away.]
Applejack: I was actually gonna bring ya along to get some fresh air.
Applebud: Fine, I'll go with you.
[He stands up as well. They start walking off screen.]
Applebud: I just hope it doesn't take too long…
[The intro of Bonnie's Adventures plays. Afterwards, Pound Cake can be seen in Fluttershy's cottage. Fluttershy is inside as well, but off screen.]
Fluttershy: Hopefully that's enough food for the hummingbirds…though maybe I should have one more bag for the songbirds. Pound Cake, would you mind bringing over another seed bag? 
Pound: Why would I mind? Give me one moment.
[He walks over to her with a bag.]
Pound: As requested, here's the bag.
Fluttershy: Thank you so much!
[She pours out the seed from the bag.]
Fluttershy: Heh, I should've asked for help around the house a while ago. Not that I hate working! I just enjoy extra hooves since I'm managing an animal sanctuary and my own cottage…You understand, right?
Pound: Of course I do! Since my family isn't in Sugarcube Corner anymore, let's just say our kitchen gets very crowded. I guess I'm helping around here because it's nice to get away from home occasionally. That and Pumpkin inspiring me to try looking into other career options besides baking.
[Fluttershy flies down to face Pound.]
Fluttershy: Are you unsure about your future?
Pound: I suppose that's a way to phrase it. I mean, I really love baking, but I don't know if it's my life purpose. I've just never fully thought about it…
Fluttershy: Hmmm…Well, if these concerns get worrying, I'm sure the CMC would just adore helping out.
Pound: Yeah, that's a good suggestion!
Fluttershy: Oh!
[Fluttershy starts walking away.]
Fluttershy: Sorry to interrupt, but there's one more chore we need to do before the delivery comes by.
Pound: Delivery?
Fluttershy: Oh my, I forgot to tell you didn't I?
[Fluttershy looks back at Pound.]
Fluttershy: Every week, Applejack brings a wagon of apples for a multitude of animals to eat since I don't have much time to pick up and bring back a wagon.
Pound: I guess that explains the apple cores I picked up earlier.
[They can now be seen outside by a chicken coop.]
Pound: Anyway, what exactly are we doing?
Fluttershy: We need to collect the hen's eggs.
Pound: Sure, that sounds easy!
Fluttershy: Well, we will probably also clean out the chicken coop, which requires moving out the hens. I'm sorry to say that cleaning is the easiest part of this process, as hens tend to be finicky.
Pound: Don't stress it, I'm sure things will work out!
[Short time skip to when they are finished.]
Pound: I can't believe that worked out…
Applejack: Fluttershy!
[Pound and Fluttershy fly off screen.]
Fluttershy: C'mon, Pound, let's go! Coming Applejack!
[Applejack and Applebud are walking up to Fluttershy's cottage.]
Applebud: I admit it, walking around Fluttershy's land is much better than sprinting around the farm for hours on end.
Applejack: Phew, I'm glad to see ya have come to your senses! Here I was, starting to think all those responsibilities got to your head!
Applebud: Still not planning on retiring from home or anything, AJ.
[They move slightly forward.]
Applebud: How long do ya suspect this will take?
Applejack: What, the delivery? Dropping these off will be faster than lighting! I get that ya wanna head home soon, but I would appreciate chatting with Fluttershy for a bit before leaving.
Applebud: I guess we can-
[His eyes widen.]
Applebud: Pound Cake?
[Fluttershy and Pound Cake are standing by the front door. Pound's eyes are also widened.]
Pound: Applebud?
Fluttershy: Greetings you two!
[Pound and Applebud meet each other halfway. Applejack walks by them.]
Pound: It's great to see you! So, running errands with family?
Applebud: I guess I am. My parents have been prioritizing my sister, so I've been doing most of the housework. Applejack here was kind enough to offer a break, but I suppose I'm still doing work in a way…
Pound: What a coincidence! I'm here to help Fluttershy with work.
Applejack: Come along, foals. These buckets won't fill themselves.
Applebud & Pound: Coming!
[The two of each other stand near each other each with buckets filled with apples besides them.]
Applebud: So, how are things other than helping out 'round here?
Pound: Pumpkin and I have been relaxing at home playing games for the most part. You?
Applebud: Ooh, ya haven't heard then have ya?
Pound: What?
Applebud: Cream and I are doing fantastic! See, she and Stormy are now dating! Aw gosh, ya should've been there! She couldn't stop smiling when she told me!
[Pound appears nervous.]
Pound: Oh…really?
Fluttershy: Applebud, that's wonderful!
Applebud: I've never seen ma cuz more joyful!
Applejack: Ya sure about that?
Applebud: Well, she is usually joyful, but she was just bursting with happiness! Isn't this great?
[Pound lightly smiles.]
Pound: Y-yeah! That's really great! I'm guessing that means you knew about her feelings…the whole time?
Applebud: How could I not? I was her sole confidant!
[Pound appears scared. Fluttershy and Applejack can be seen walking off.]
Applejack: If y'all are done filling baskets, come bring them to Fluttershy.
Fluttershy: Oh, no need! I'm quite fine with them being placed outside. All of us can move out there.
Applejack: Well, if ya insist.
[They move outside and place the baskets close together. Pound lingers near Fluttershy.]
Applebud: Alright, that leaves three more baskets.
[Pound flies up to whisper to Fluttershy.]
Pound: Fluttershy, can I speak with you?
Fluttershy: I-
[Applejack moves toward them.]
Applejack: Do y'all have more work to do with the animals? AB and I can get the remaining baskets.
Fluttershy: Uh…yes! We…er…have work to do out here! It shouldn't take long though!
Applejack: We also won't take long! Let's move out.
[The Apples move off screen. Pound looks disappointed.]
Pound: Well, I guess we should go wor-
Fluttershy: We can talk behind the cottage if you want privacy.
Pound: Wait, there isn't-
[She starts walking away.]
Fluttershy: I can tell something is bothering you, Pound. We could do simple chores while talking.
[They move to be behind the cottage.]
Pound: Thanks for this.
Fluttershy: Please, I'm always willing to listen.
Pound: Well…I guess I'm just feeling guilty.
Fluttershy: What for?
Pound: Well…a lot of things. Things I'm not even sure I can tell you.
Fluttershy: Oh, you can trust me…I'm not a gossiping type.
Pound: It's not that…
[The Apples shove three more buckets into the group.]
Applejack: Phew, work here's done.
Applebud: Do ya mind if I go help them, AJ?
Applejack:'Course not! Ya don't need to work with them though, 'kay? Everypony deserves to rest.
Applebud: I'm sure animal chores require less labor than carrying heavy cargo, but thanks!
[Applebud starts walking towards them but stops after hearing Pound.]
Pound: I just can't tell certain creatures.
Applebud's mind: What in Equestria is he talking about…
Fluttershy: Not even your friends?
Pound: Especially not them! That's why I'm telling you this!
Fluttershy: You can trust your true friends, Pound…
Pound: I know, I know! It's more complicated than that…
Fluttershy: Is this about what Applebud said earlier?
Pound: I…
Applebud's mind: He can't possibly be hiding things…right?
[He runs inside and goes to Applejack.]
Applebud: Applejack, can we talk?
Applejack: Can it wait for a few more seconds? I just need to bring this outside.
Applebud: Not exactly! I need to tell you something in private.
Applejack: Alrighty, Sugarcube…
[They stand in a corner of Fluttershy's cottage.]
Applejack: What's going on?
Applebud: I just overheard Pound talking about me and ma friends to Fluttershy! Apparently, he's keeping something secret from us and I don't know what to say or do!
Applejack: Applebud! Ya know better than to spy on private conversations! What were ya thinking?
Applebud: I get that I shouldn't have done it, but I got curious! And yeah, that doesn't make up for eavesdropping…sorry AJ…Could ya still give me advice on what to do?
Applejack: Well, if ya were honest to the element of honesty, why not Pound Cake? I'm betting he'd be more willing to be open up with y'all if he knew.
Applebud: True, but that isn't a guaranteed solution…
Applejack: Ya don't have many options. Either keep a secret about a secret or fess up. I think we both know what's for the best.
[Fluttershy and Pound Cake walk in.]
Fluttershy: I hope we didn't take too-Huh? Why's the basket still here?
Applejack: I was just chatting with Applebud. But no more dilly-dallying!
[Applejack walks back over to the basket.]
Fluttershy: Oh, how about I help with that?
Applejack: There's no need for that, Flutters. However, I'd love to talk with you, so feel free to join me.
Fluttershy: Of course! I'll be right behind you.
[The two of them walk off.]
Pound: So, I guess this means we got free time! Do you maybe wanna come to my place to play games? I'm sure Pumpkin would love to see you too.
Applebud: Oh! Uh…Sorry, but I'm still doing chores around my place. It's probably best that I stick with Applejack…
Pound: Right, you did mention that earlier…but what if we don't leave Fluttershy's cottage?
Applebud: Do ya got a worm in your brain? I'm pretty sure Fluttershy wouldn't have video games in her remote cottage.
Pound: Maybe that's the case…
[He pulls out Battleship.]
Pound: BUT we do have board games!
Applebud: Oh yeah…Wait, last time you played, you kicked flank! 'Spose it could be fun to battle ya…
Pound: Great! Let's set up on the coffee table!
[The scene switches to Applejack and Fluttershy chatting outside.]
Applejack: Ya seem to really be hitting it off with Pound.
Fluttershy: Sure, he's a nice colt and a great helper.
Applejack: Well, what has he helped ya with?
Fluttershy: Oh, very basic chores for the most part. We've just prepared salads for the animals, gave the sicker animals treatment, fed the birds, gathered eggs, and cleaned the chicken coop.
Applejack: And what did y'all do when Applebud and I were getting the baskets?
Fluttershy: Huh? I…I already listed the chores we did…
Applejack: I'm sorry to say, but Applebud told me that he overheard y'all talking.
Fluttershy: !...
Applejack: I get that whatever the conversation was had private matters, but why did ya lie to me?
Fluttershy: Applejack, I'm so sorry! I mean, we cleaned birdhouses while talking, but I guess I did lie before doing that…Oh goodness!
Applejack: What?
Fluttershy: If Applebud heard our conversation, that means he knows Pound is hiding something from him!
Applejack: Yeah, he told me…I trust the kid, though. He knows what the right thing to do is.
Fluttershy: Oh, I wish I could tell Pound!
Applejack: It's only right for Applebud to tell him. They're friends, they can handle a small conflict.
[Scene returns back to Applebud and Pound.]
Applebud: …A7?
Pound: Haha! Missed again! This time I know for sure where you are! D3!
Applebud: …ya sunk it.
Pound: Woah, you're sweating a lot from the game! That determined, huh?
Applebud: I'm sweating?!!?!
Pound: Hopefully an open window can help with that.
[He opens up a window.]
Pound: Okay, back to the game. Make your move whenever.
Applebud: Sure, uhh…
[Long pause.]
Applebud: I'll go with…
[Another long pause. Applebud looks increasingly nervous.]
Applebud: Hmm…
[Applebud pauses again.]
Applebud: POUND CAKE CAN WE TALK?
Pound: Uh, sure? Everything alright?
Applebud: I can't hold it anymore! I heard ya talking with Fluttershy!
Pound: …y-you what??
Applebud: I knew I shoulda said something or leave earlier, but I was so curious! I'm really sorry-
Pound: How much did you hear…
Applebud: Pound-
Pound: Please answer me.
Applebud: …well, I heard that you couldn't tell us a secret. L-look, we're your true friends! I know how much it hurts to keep things hidden, so what's stopping ya from telling us? Ya said it was complicated, but who cares? We'll always be there for ya!
Pound: How could I possibly tell you when you disrespected my privacy? What's stopping you from telling other ponies you meet?
Applebud: Pound, ya know I would never do that! Even if ya don't tell me, ya gotta tell them!
Pound: Why? Tell me why I should!
Applebud: Because we care about ya! Secrets can make or break friendships, they certainly won't break ours!
Pound: That's not a definitive fact! Pumpkin knows and yet our friendships are just fine.
Applebud: That makes no sense! If Pumpkin knows, why can't they?
Pound: BECAUSE I THOUGHT I COULD TRUST MY FATHER WHEN I COULDN'T! THERE, HAPPY?
Applebud: …I don't understand.
Pound: Thought that would be the case…
[They face away from each other. Magic Fluttershy appears.]
M!Fluttershy: Trusting somepony can be hard to do, but you shouldn't have friends who you don't fully trust. If you really care about your friends, learn to be able to trust them.
[Magic Applejack shows up.]
M!Applejack: Respect is something integral to all relationships. No matter how difficult or confusing a situation might be, a pony ya care about should be properly respected. Especially if that pony is honest with ya and trusts ya to keep your word.
[Both of their eyes turn rainbow and flash simultaneously. They then look at each other.]
Applebud: Pound, I'm so sorry! Not only did I invade your privacy, but I also pressured you to talk to me. I fully understand if ya don't wanna tell me…
Applebud & Pound: I'm sorry...
Applebud: What? What are ya sorry for?
Pound: You were right about one thing…I should be able to trust my friends. I'm sorry for keeping stuff private from all of you guys, I really am!
Applebud: Pound…
Pound: I already told you some information, right? I think I can tell you.
Applebud: Ya really don't have to. No matter what happens, I Pinkie swear to respect your privacy.
Pound: Well, you haven't really met my dad, so that's a little reassuring. I might as well say it: I'm transgender.
Applebud: Huh?
Pound: When you mentioned how happy Cream and Stormy were, I just felt sick inside! I had no idea they were gay, yet they weren't afraid to be themselves publicly! I'm different though…I've really only told one other pony, but she certainly isn't out in public often. I was just so afraid to tell you guys since my father acts nice around everypony! If I were to say that he's horrible to me because I'm trans, what would they think? I'm not really sure how everypony feels about my dad, so I can't just risk telling them the truth! Besides, I even thought maybe you guys wouldn't accept me…
Applebud: Why wouldn't we? There's nothing wrong with being yourself! If any creature says otherwise, they're wrong!
Pound: Heh, thanks AB…
Applebud: Don't be afraid, I'm not gonna tell anypony. You were able to tell me all that, I'm not gonna ignore our friendship over a secret.
Pound: I know I should tell them, I've wanted to for a while. I think I'll tell our friends later on, I'm not quite ready to do it. That doesn't mean I don't trust them! I just need time.
Applebud: Don't ya worry, I understand and respect that.
Fluttershy: Oh my, what are you two talking about?
[Applejack and Fluttershy enter the cottage.]
Applejack: We thought we heard yelling outside! Guess it was just the game, huh?
Fluttershy: You must admit, Battleship is a pretty competitive game. Don't forget how Rainbow acted at the sleepover.
Applejack: She sure was loud…Anywho, what were y'all talking about?
Pound: Er, we were…
Applebud: Talking about me overhearing Pound and Fluttershy.
Fluttershy: That's wonderful! I'm just so relieved Applebud was honest.
Pound: Wait, how did you know?
Fluttershy: Applejack told me that Applebud was conflicted on what to do. Don't worry, though, she didn't tell me anything else.
Pound: Right, that makes sense. I'm just really fortunate that we could talk about the situation.
Applejack: I hate to interrupt your game, but I think we should be getting back.
Applebud: Don't stress it AJ, he understands. Cya soon, Pound Cake!
Pound: Right back atcha, Applebud!
[The Apples exit the cottage.]
Fluttershy: Well, I have no more work to complete today thanks to your assistance. I guess that means you're free to go.
Pound: Fluttershy, I wanna apologize for the way I acted earlier. I was really pessimistic about the situation, and I should've been nicer to you!
Fluttershy: There's no need for that! I know you care about your friends…and I'd like to think you care about me too! You're a really sweet colt, Pound. I mean it.
Pound: I know I'll be ready to trust those I care about in the future. That includes you.
Fluttershy: Oh, one more thing! As thanks for all the work you've helped with, I'd like to give you something in return. Since you know you can tell me anything, I thought a flower from where we talked would remind you that I'm willing to listen.
Pound: That's so kind of you! Well, you are the element of kindness, but this is still extremely sweet!
[They hug each other. Afterwards, Pound starts walking off.]
Pound: Thank you Fluttershy, take care!
[The Apples are seen walking back to Sweet Apple Acres.]
Applejack: I'm real proud that you were honest with him.
Applebud: I know that's what you expected me to do, but it did take me a while to actually tell him. 
Applejack: Nothing wrong with that! Every creature struggles for the right place and time to talk. What matters most is that you did do it and you showed that you respected him. While we're at it, kinda reminds me of when a salespony gave me a bit for proving I can be honest even when it hurts. I think ya deserve something special too.
[She lifts up her hat to reveal a smaller cowboy hat. She gives it to Applebud.]
Applejack: I was gonna give it to ya sister, but turns out that not only is it too big, but she already has plenty!
Applebud: Us Apples sure know fashion, huh. Ya didn't have to give me anything, but I appreciate this a lot, AJ.
Applejack: Aw shucks, it's nothing! Maybe it can help shade away the sun since you're so insistent on working 12 hours a day.
Applebud: Great idea, AJ! Ya know what, I might take a few extra minutes off when we get home. I kinda miss my sister…
Applejack: I don't blame ya in the slightest.
[Pound and Applebud can be seen walking with their objects. The scene zooms closer to their objects and shows their respective elements. The episode ends.]