Chapter XX
The five ponies wandered up the dirt path, under the green orchard grove peppered with young apples. Rainbow Dash searched the colored sky in the setting sun, longing for any feathery sign of home. She and Fluttershy hung back, leaning against one another again as they followed the three Earth Ponies. Cold and wet, she was not looking forward to another night on the ground. At least they were together.
The road widened the closer to town it became, slowly paving over from untraveled dust to well packed dirt. Wagon tracks scoured into the ground, a well-used route to the farm. Turning right, away from sleepy town, the band of ponies passed under a massive arch at the edge of the apple farm. Dash noted the need for repair. The once vibrant colors had faded, and the wood work was beginning to chip. Still, even she had no problems making out the name. Sweet Apple Acres.
With apple trees stretching further than the eye could see, it was no wonder how the farm got its name. The ponies who lived and worked here must strive very hard to support so many trees. Dash had no idea how they could stand to root around in the earth all the time, staying filthy day in and day out, working on such a very large plantation, down amongst the dirt.
The group slowly approached the barn, passing smaller plots of withering crops and empty pens that smelled of old animals. Nothing bloomed and nothing moved, save for the apple orchard. The barn still stood tall and proud, but with perhaps a little less snap in its appearance. The red paint had faded with time, shutters falling on their hinges at an angle. It was in desperate need of yard work as well.
The trio of Earth Ponies leading them up the path also looked worse for wear. The middle girl, a little older than Rainbow Dash, pushed her toddling sister along, mumbling at her the entire way. The tiny foal did little more than whine and cry as she stumbled along underneath her oversized bonnet. Neither of the blank flanks even looked at the two newcomers.
The young stallion did though. Cowboy hat perched high on his head, he walked with all the grace of an accident, clomping along with a straw between his teeth. Though he hunched his shoulders high he was almost certainly tired from working all day at the front of a plow. Still, he put on a good show, glancing back at Fluttershy and her friend when he thought they weren't looking. Fluttershy never even noticed. Rainbow Dash was too tired to kick his flank.
Despite their home-grown pride and disconcerted air, they all looked as tired as Rainbow Dash felt. Finally arriving at the barn house, they all stopped for a rest. The orange filly, too tired to stand any longer, called out to someone in the house.
"We found her, Granny!"
The kitchen door opened and an old mare slowly walked out, wiping her hooves on her apron. Her green pelt shimmered like crushed velvet, while her graying-white mane pulled back tight in a bun, showing her age.
Dash had never seen any pony that old before. Head Mare was old, but still walked with a fire in her step. Pegasi did not age gracefully. The clouds were not a place for a pair of old wings. Most Pegasi took shelter on the ground as their age began to show, retiring for warmer climes and leaving the sky to the younger generation. Those that did not eventually met their end skyward, falling to their death when their bony wings could no longer contain their youthful souls. Dash could sympathize; that's how she wanted to go out. Not gently falling to sleep in a warm bed on some Celestia forsaken patch of ground, but committing Semppuku kamikaze, meeting her end with honor.
This mare though... She wore her age, not with shame, but as a badge of courage and honor. The slow bags under her eyes testified to more wisdom than Dash could hope to learn in a hundred lifetimes. Walking with a cane, she bore it not as a handicap, but a weapon. Yes, life had been hard for her, but she wasn't giving up yet; not by a long shot.
"Where was she?" The mare kept her eyes focused on the youngest sister. "My old homestead?"
"Eyup." The young stallion replied.
"Little Applebloom, darlin'. How many times have I asked you not to wander off? It's dangerous for one so young, my little pony. Your big brother and sister can't watch you while they're working. Can't ya just stick close to home?"
"No! I want Mommy!" the baby cried, tears of exhaustion spilling forth.
There was a deep sense of loss there as well, and she wasn't the only one who felt it. The older sister began to tremble, rage darkening her face. This was an old fight, her emotions in turmoil as she fought against pouring her wrath out on her younger sister.
Then her brother, the big red clod, leaned in close, and she was okay. The storm passed once more, and she hadn't attacked and bullied the smallest and most defenseless member of their family. She could always count on her brother.
"What have we here?" Granny turned her attentions to the newcomers.
"Hi I'm Rainbow Dash this is Fluttershy thanks for saving us." Murmured Dash, swaying on her feet. She could barely keep her eyes open, despite her cold pelt and the wet still in her hair. Fluttershy never even glanced above her hooves.
"We found 'em in the well." the orange filly told her grandmother.
"Gracious! How long were y'all in there?"
"Long enough." Dash coughed again.
"AJ, you go start a fire. We've got to get these two dried out. Applebloom, go get some blankets. You know where they are."
"Yes, Granny." the two sisters trotted off, the past forgotten. They had a mission.
"Little Mac, I leaving it to you to finish up out here, sonny. We're shuttin' it down early tonight."
"Yes ma'am." Little Mac nodded once before picking up the tools for the night. He glanced at Fluttershy as he passed.
"Now, let's get you two inside. I've got some nice turnip and beet soup I can pour into y'all. It's hot and tastes of the good earth. It'll fix ya right up."
Dash had never heard of turnips, or beets. She'd never lay before a fire, or been inside a barn. She'd never even met Earth Ponies before. Yet she and Fluttershy followed Granny right inside. Night was upon them and Dash was too tired to do anything but trust.
It was more homely inside than Dash would have envisioned. There was a kitchen and a sitting room on the bottom level, while all the bedrooms were up the stairs. The rest of the barn, on the other side of the wall, was used as a barn. Whatever Earth Ponies used barns for.
The orange filly was kneeling before the black, pot bellied stove, working the kindling for all she was worth. Within minutes she had a roaring fire going, heating the kitchen right up. Applebloom arrived, dragging the good quits by her teeth that were at least twice the size she was.
Granny set about to work, drying the two Pegasi off, and generally making a mess of their coats, before wrapping them in thick downy quilts. She then prepared two bowls of soup, and set both the girls and their soup in front of the fire.
Dash managed to hang on through supper. Fluttershy actually had to be woken up by her friend in order to eat. It tasted alright. Dash didn't hate it, so that was saying something. Then again, she was so tired some pony could feed her meat and she'd probably eat it.
Dash tried to be polite, to remember the manners her mother had taught her. She tried to thank the family for saving them and taking them in, but her mumbles only dribbled soup from her mouth. Without another word, Dash dropped off mid sentence, flopping over against her best friend.
Granny chuckled, tucking them in close to one another. Sitting back down at the table, she ladled herself a bowl as AJ and Applebloom finished their supper.
"May we be excused, Granny?" AJ asked.
"Sure. Y'all two make sure to do your studies before going to bed."
"Yes ma'am." They answered in unison, galloping upstairs to their room.
Sitting in silence, Granny slowly ate her supper, watching the two Pegasi. Where had they come from? She hadn't been into town this week, so she hadn't heard any news about them, missing or not. Pegasi this young rarely showed up at ground level, let alone appeared in wells. There was something unusual about them, and they certainly had a story or two to share.
The door opened slowly as Little Mac entered, wiping his hooves on the mat. He took one look around before zeroing in on the sleeping forms in front of the fire. His eyes barely left them as he sat at the table.
"Finish up, young'un?" Granny ladled him some soup as well.
"Eyup." He watched the fillies.
"Your sisters are upstairs. We've got to do somethin' about little Applebloom runnin' away."
"Eyup." Little Mac slurped on his soup, still watching.
"I expect she's reacting to Applejack. That girl still ain't grieved right-like, and she's sartin' to take it out on every pony else. I know you're doin' whatcha can to calm her a fare bit."
"Eyup."
"She's a fetchin' one, ain't she?"
Granny followed Mac's view to the sleeping Fluttershy. Just a few years younger than himself, she was indeed a beauty. It also didn't help that she was the first filly Mac had seen in days that wasn't his sister. Little Mac bowed his head, studying his soup intently. Granny chuckled once more. He was a good boy, but she worried about that crippling shyness.
"We're gonna have to start callin' you 'Big Mac' soon." Granny smiled.
Rising from her chair, she patted Mac on the head, ruffling his mane before heading for the stairs. She turned back, a knowing look in her eye come from having raised plenty of strapping young stallions of her own.
"Soon. But not yet. G'night, Mac."
In the silence like his grandmother before him, Little Mac finished off his supper and just sat there along with his thoughts. Granny was right; they needed to do something about AJ. He tried to be a calming personality; a sea of placidity that he allowed his younger sister to drink from whenever she needed it. And she needed it more and more lately. More than once she'd bucked and fought and cursed him as he just stood there, letting her blow her top. He was bigger, he understood her pain. He could take it.
But things change, and AJ needed change. She exploded whenever any pony mentioned their parents, but she shut down when he talked about college. The thought of her losing him was almost enough to make Mac rethink the entire thing. But he still had a few years. They'd work it out. And who knows, maybe these two Pegasi would provide just the change she needed?
~~~~~
Fluttershy was flying. She didn't normally fly, not if she wasn't at the point with Dashie, but today she was. Way high up at the top of the world she was able to escape, to leave her problems behind. No bullies, no parents, no dragons; just her and her wings as Celestia intended. She could soar with Snowball by her side as he made happy clanking sounds.
Hold on a hoof. Snowball? Clanking? Seagulls didn't clank, they laughed. She'd heard enough of his melodious chatter to know from experience. And then she'd released him already, so what was he doing back? For that matter, what was she doing way up here in the sky?
Her wings ached. Glancing back, Fluttershy's worse fears came true. They were huge! There would be no hiding these things now. Her wings were longer than her entire body, and growing bigger. She was a freak, and no pony would ever lover her.
Where was Rainbow Dash? She had to find her friend; Dash would know what to do! Weeping, she lost control, plummeting to the earth far below. Snowball just laughed at her, his clanking voice echoing in her ears. Tumbling earthward she could catch snippets of land then sky then land then sky and then teeth. Apollyon's massive maw reached up to engulf her. Fluttershy screamed as she was consumed whole with a mighty crashing laugh, just like her mother.
Sea foam eyes snapping alert, Fluttershy lay sprawled on a strange floor. She didn't remember much, and it took her more than a moment to remember where she was. Her hind legs were tangled in a quilt she'd tried to kick free as sweat trailed down her head, chest and back. Wings ridged and alert, they stood at full mast on Fluttershy's back, an instinctive reflex to any danger.
With the glow of the fire from the stove, Fluttershy could see an old green mare over in the corner, picking up spilt pots and pans as they crashed around on the floor. Snowball's laughter.
A dream. Fluttershy had been dreaming. Looking around, Rainbow Dash still slept soundly at Fluttershy's side in the same position she'd lay down in. Usually a heavy sleeper, tonight she was out like a sack of griffon eggs.
Everything was alright; it had just been a nightmare. Taking a few deep breaths Fluttershy tried to calm her racing heart and sooth her stiff wings back into a more socially appropriate position. Maybe then she could go back to sleep.
There was a rattle as the elderly Earth Pony walked over to the table, working with ingredients that Fluttershy couldn't see. Looking around, she got her first impressions of the home.
A common misconception that many ponies held of cloud homes is that they are nothing but fluffy white houses, good for nothing but lazing around upon. This couldn't be further from the truth. Clouds had personalities and features all their own, ranging in colors from nearly invisible to dark blue. Ice and rain added texture and filtered light into every color of the rainbow. The structures could stand up to a fierce wind yet were gentle enough to allow a cool summer breeze to pass through. There was no warmer place in the winter than a well insulated cloud home. Pegasi homes had as much personality as the ponies that inhabited them.
So it came as a bit of a bit of a shock to realize that Earth Pony homes held just as much personality as well. They weren't just wooden boxes on the ground as Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash had been taught. Yes, there were wood floors and wood walls, but it smelled of spice and dirt and work and love. Honestly this was only the second wooden structure Fluttershy had been inside in her life, but over all it reminded her much of the first one. The same apple motifs were everywhere, with the same rustic, lived-in feel. This home had character and history. Love permeated every nook and cranny.
There was pain too; a familiar pain Fluttershy couldn't sense but knew was there, just the same. The wallpaper apple border around the ceiling was beginning to chip and peel. The various photos of families and happier times hung just off-center. Dust was beginning to build up. They were doing their best with love, but love was failing.
"Y'er up early, little one."
The strange voice sounded cracking loud in the silence and almost sent Fluttershy scurrying back under her quilt. Instead she collapsed, making herself as small as possible while peeking out from behind her bangs. There was another gentle chuckle, one Fluttershy barely remembered from their arrival. Glancing up, the old mare was still working away at whatever was on the table. Standing a little taller, she peered out the dark window.
"It's almost four. You should try and get some more sleep, darlin'."
Standing to her feet, Fluttershy's shock at the face greeting her almost mirrored Dash's from the night before. But where Dash had seen a wasted life and the need for an honorable death when she looked at Granny, Fluttershy saw years of love and wisdom, along with some hope for the future.
Fluttershy had to touch her. She'd never seen any pony this old before, and she may never again. All thoughts of rudeness fled from her mind as she slowly approached. Granny, twice her own size, never said a word. She kept kneading her ingredients, watching Fluttershy watch her. Slowly Fluttershy stretched out a hoof, poking the mare's saggy cheek.
"They're jus' lines, sweetheart. They ain't gonna bite ya."
Fluttershy pulled away like she'd been bit. Granny just chuckled again and went back to kneading her dough. Turning her attention to the table, Fluttershy watched in amazement at the skilled hoof work while Granny added just the right dash of flour from a bowl or water from the pump. Then she'd beat it into just the right consistency. The dough never stood a chance.
"You like drop biscuits?" Granny glanced her way. Fluttershy's eyes never left the kneading motions on the table. "Fetch me that skillet, would ya?"
Fluttershy saw where Granny indicated and retrieved the cast iron skillet. It felt as heavy as her entire body, especially at this time in the morning, given the day they'd had yesterday. It took everything she had to heft it onto the table.
"Thank ya kindly, dearie."
Granny pulled off a chunk of dough and rolled it into a ball, dropping it into the greased skillet. Then she did it again. It only took two tries before Fluttershy joined in. Reaching out with a tiny hoof, she pulled off a piece, rolling it into a tiny ball. Granny just smiled and nodded as Fluttershy dropped it in the pan.
There was a commotion from the stairs as the big red stallion came clomping into the room. Their visitors entirely forgotten, he made as much noise as usual as he entered the kitchen. The sight of Fluttershy's ears poking above the table stopped him in his tracks. Glancing at the fire he confirmed that, yes, Dash was still asleep and, yes, Fluttershy was helping out Granny. Approaching slowly from the other side of the table, he leaned over till he made eye contact with the yellow filly. She turned her quivering gaze down, afraid to meet his eye. He stood up and cast and inquiring glance at Granny.
"She don't say much." she shrugged, continuing to make breakfast. Forgoing his morning routine, Little Mac headed straight to work out the back door. Fluttershy glanced up at Granny afterwards as she shrugged again. "He don't say much neither."
After a while Fluttershy had trouble keeping her eyes open. The sky was just starting to lighten in the east, a few fingers of gray in the otherwise blue slate. Little Mac left without breakfast and didn't return. Finishing the biscuits, Granny slid them into the oven, filling the kitchen with the sweet aroma of home cooking. Fluttershy yawned again and Granny gently nudged her back to her quilt on the floor before the fire.
"Don't you worry your purdy little head none." Granny smiled, pulling the quilt back around Fluttershy. "Ol' Granny Smith is here to take care of you."
Fluttershy shut her eyes without a fight, snuggling close to her best friend, drifting back into dreams. For the first time in a long time she felt safe and warm, watched over by a maternal figure that actually cared. Overwhelmed by the feeling that everything would be alright, it was easy enough to believe. And for once, it almost was.