My name is Exiz, Exiz Enos. I sit here with nothing to keep me warm but a campfire and memories of her. That wonderful, beautiful, strong, and sometimes frightening mare. Apple Jack. Why did I mess it up so bad. The first day I met her I remember it clearly.
I had moved here to Ponyville in hopes of moving on from that terrible city with those terrible memories. I really hate Manehattan. Stupid town full of stuck up people. My stomach growled, I hadn't eaten in two days. I was starving, quite literally. I walked into town and saw dozens of fruit stands. They made my mouth water all the more. I saw one that caught my eye, an easy target. An orange mare selling sweet golden delicious apples. I went up and pretended to be a bystander, innocent enough. Of coarse I had no money, no way of paying. I had to do what any starving pony would do, I swiped one while she wasn't looking and took off running.
"HEY!" she called and ran after me, I picked up the speed.
I looked back and saw her on my tail, CRAP, this broad was faster than she looked.
I felt myself trip, she looked down at me with her emerald eyes, angry of course.
"What the hay do you thank you were doin'?" she asked with her southern accent.
"Uh..." Before I could reply my stomach replied for me GRRRRRRRrrrrr...
I shied away from her gaze.
She sighed and walked away. "Keep it." She said simply.
I watched as she walked away. The apple was now covered in dust and grime, but I didn't care I gobbled it down with the voracity of a Cerberus. I licked my lips looking to see if I'd missed anything. I looked up and saw the orange mare gazing at me with a look in her eye that said, 'What is wrong with you.'
"Calm down there partner," she said, she set down a basket full of baked goods and apples, "compliments of Ponyvilles finest farm. Welcome to the town new guy, just don't let Pinkie Pie meet ya, unless yer in the mood for cake."
I looked up at her, could a pony really be this generous? She smiled and walked away. I kept looking at the basket for several more 1
seconds. I didn't know what to make of this.
I picked it up and trotted off. I got tired after a while, after all twelve days of walking through a forest is pretty tiring. I needed a place to rest. I hopped a white picket fence and crashed out underneath a tree.
I was woken up several hours late by a red colt. He looked me lazily in the eyes. I smiled and began to leave.
"Sorry, I didn't know this land belonged to anypony" I told him.
"Not a problem stranger," the stallion said, "if ya want you can crash in the barn."
"Really?" I asked, beginning to see chance in this new towns generosity.
"E'yup," he said, "all part of the Apple families southern hospitality." He said smiling, he turned and walked away.
"Hey!" I called to him he turned around. "Well there must be a way I can repay you? Maybe I can do some work on the farm?" I offered.
He scratched his chin, "Hmm?" He wondered. "Well, mah lil' sister Applejack may be a might stubborn but just tell her I sent ya ta help with applebuckin'" He explained.
I nodded eagerly and headed off to the direction he pointed me.
As I entered the clearing, I saw a familiar orange mare, uh-oh. Too late she already saw me. She looked angry.
She ran up and faced me glaring into my eyes.
"What do ya'll think yer doin' here?" She flared.
"I...uh- your, uh... he said..." I stuttered.
"Spit it out or I'll kick yer flank into next Bucktober." She said, I mentally did the math that was next year, she must give one hay of a beating (and by the looks of it I bet she could).
"Um, your brother said I could sleep in the barn if I helped you out with your applebucking?" I told her, it sounded more like I was offering it than telling her.
"Hmph, well go tell Big Mac that ah don't need no help, I got this all on muh own." She kicked a tree and an apple fell on her head. I couldn't help but laugh.
She turned to face me, I shut up instantly, "Ya'll think ya can do a better job?" She questioned.
"Uh- well... no probably no-"
"Well than go ahead." She waved to a tree full of apples and wooden buckets all around.
I reared up both legs and kicked the tree as hard as I could. Nothing.
"Ha," she proclaimed, "not as easy as it-" she was interrupted by the splintering of the tree as it fell and the apples fell from it.
She looked at me, her mouth agape.
"Maybe I should have mentioned I was a hoof boxer in my last town." I told her smiling. "Horse Shoe Enos" that was my stage name. Exiz Enos, because if you faced me you might as well hug and kiss your career goodbye. I was undefeated.
"Maybe tone it down with the next one." She said putting her tough face back on. I see that this one wasn't going to fall for the intimidation technique.
I smiled. "Does that mean I can sleep in the barn?" I asked.
She looked back at me and gave me a country girl guffle, "Ya sure, why the hay not."
---
I awoke to the sound of a young filly laughing. I watched as Apple Bloom and her sister got up to begin there afternoon chores. After all that we'd been through, she still persisted as if noting happened between us. I sighed, although she didn't even know I was here. Nopony did. I had to tell her soon though, I couldn't stand this hiding.
I would come out and tell her, but first I wanted to remember those times again. The time that seemed to not make a difference to her either way. Did I mean anything to her? I just wanted a few more memories before I left for good, solice for my aching heart.