It was the crack of dawn, and Rose was dead asleep, snoring softly in the comfort of her own bed. Her mind was swimming with the image of the desert rose and her expectations of what it looked like. She imagined herself standing in the garden, admiring the beautiful red and white petals shining in the sun as the rose absorbed light. She squealed in excitement as she saw it grow- that is, until it grew past her height...and past the height of her house...and far into the distant sky. She blinked in shock as the giant plant loomed over her. She then noticed that it was slowly starting to rock back and forth...then begin to fall. Rose galloped away as fast as she could, but the shadow only grew larger and larger until-
"GAAH!" Rose yelled, sitting up in bed. She frantically looked around the room, trying to regain her bearings. She brought a hoof to her chest, feeling her heart pounding just beneath it. "Calm down, Rose...it was just a dream. I'm sure that no plant can grow that high." Rose brought a hoof to her forehead, wiping off the sweat. "Ugh, I'm all sweaty...I think I'm going to take a bath before I go." Rose then climbed out of bed, moving out of her bedroom and down the hallway towards her bathroom. She entered the shower and turned it on, immediately feeling the heated water make its way through her cream-colored coat, her skin tingling from the pleasant sensations.
"Aaaahhh..." Rose sighed, enjoying every moment. So today begins my mission. Today, I leave for Appleloosa to get that rose! She grinned at the thought of returning home with the rose in hand, just to see the shocked look on Daisy and Lily's faces. I've never actually been to Appleloosa before. Maybe I'll spend today and tomorrow just getting a feel for the place. I've heard the ponies that live there are pretty nice, and the town gets a lot of commuters, so they should be fairly welcoming. She shut off the water, and dried off as best she could without puffing out like a dandelion. She looked at herself in the mirror, and saw that she looked as well-composed as ever. "Perfect," she smiled. "Gotta start packing!"
Rose hurriedly rushed around her house, gathering things she was going to be needing along the way. "Okay, I've got some books, my bath soap, my mane-brush...what else do I need?" Rose thought about it for a moment. "Well, I don't usually wear clothes...I guess I'll just take my hat." She reached into her closet, retrieving a sun hat she had purchased from Rarity a while back. "Hm. It looks good and it's made to last. Just what I need." Rose then packed the major essentials into her saddlebag, making sure she wasn't forgetting anything. She made her way out the front door, shutting and locking it behind her. "Alright, I just need to go say goodbye to Lily and Daisy before I leave, and I'll be on my way!" She then began to make her way down the street towards Daisy's house. "It's gonna be tough not waking up to the beautiful Ponyville sunrise, but I'll be back soon enough," Rose said to herself.
Rose found Daisy and Lily outside in their gardens, the other two mares being morning ponies much like herself. She made her way up to them, and leaned over her usual spot on the fence. "Hey girls. Just thought I'd swing by and see you before I left."
Daisy looked up, and smirked. "You're really going through with this," she said, impressed. "I gotta admit. I am kinda proud of you for living up to your promise- you just better be willing to live up to both ends of it."
"Same goes for you, Daisy. I don't wanna see any crying when I win," she said in response.
"Girls, let's not fight please...Rose, please be careful on your trip. I don't want you to do anything crazy while you're out there!" Lily said, trotting up to Rose. She then threw her forelegs around Rose's neck, squeezing her slightly in an embrace. "I'm going to miss you, Rose. Please come back soon..." Lily's voice cracked as she began to grow emotional.
"Aww, don't worry, Lily. I'll be fine. I'll be back before you know it," Rose said as she gently patted Lily on the back.
"Sounds about right," Daisy chuckled. "I suspect you'll be back long before the month is up, but hey. Best of luck to you," Daisy said as she made her way over to Rose. Lily broke away from Rose, and allowed Daisy to get closer to her. To Rose's surprise, Daisy did the same thing as Lily, pulling her into a hug. "Be careful out there, alright? I don't want you getting hurt over some dumb bet," she said.
"Yeah, I know...just let go before I start to get teary too," Rose said, feeling her heart ache slightly at the thought of leaving her friends behind. "Want to come see me off?" The other two mares nodded, and followed Rose as she made her way to the Ponyville Train Station. Upon arrival, Rose turned to her friends, the massive steam engine's smoke-stack billowing with black smoke as it prepared to leave. "Okay...this is it," she said.
"Remember what I said, don't do anything stupid," Daisy said, making a pitiful attempt at trying not to cry. Lily, on the other hoof, was crying quietly into a hoofkerchief, Daisy patting her on the back.
"All aboard!"
Rose gave her friends one last hug and entered the train, the door shutting loudly behind her. She put her things in the compartment above her seat, and looked out the window, waving to the two other mares as the train began to pull out of the station. She watched as Ponyville began to shrink from view, then sat in her seat. Alright. Let's get this over with so I can get back home! she thought as she got comfortable in her seat. She closed her eyes, and allowed herself a small nap as the train went on its way.
A rooster crowed, and Braeburn rolled over in bed. "Not yet... It's still too early..." he muttered as he ignored it. Yet again, the rooster crowed, and he was forced to place his pillow over his head. The rooster, as if frustrated by Braeburn's stubbornness, crowed as hard as it could- outside his window. "Fine! Fine, I'm up," he yelled in return, sitting up in bed.
The stallion stretched his limbs, his joints popping loudly as he woke up. He rubbed his eyes with a heavy yawn, looking back at his bed. "I'd love nothin' more than to just climb back in, but I've got work to do..." he sighed as he stood up. He shook his head, bunches of his mane moving away from his face. He grabbed his trademark vest, and put his trademark Stetson on his head. He moved into the bathroom, and looked at himself in the mirror as he brushed his teeth. Let's see...I gotta help Sheriff Silverstar on patrol today, give a hoof to Chief Thunderhooves with some of the apple pies we promised him, then get back to the train station by afternoon to pick up Cousin Mac. Should be a fairly easy day. He spit out the toothpaste, giving a wide smile. "Alright, I'm up and ready to tackle the day!" He hurried over to the front door and pushed it open.
"Goooood morning, Aaaaaaappleoosa!" he said cheerily, making his way over to the Sheriff's office. "It's gonna be a great day, I can feel it!" He opened the door, and trotted up to the Sheriff's desk, who was hard at work doing paperwork. "Howdy, Sheriff! Mighty fine mornin', don'tcha think?"
The Sheriff, completely engrossed in his work, had forgotten that today was the day that he and Braeburn made their rounds through town. He nearly rocketed out of his seat and through the ceiling when Braeburn greeted him. "B-Braeburn! How many times have I told ya not to surprise me like that? You know my ticker's ain't what it used to be!"
"Sorry, Sheriff. Didn't mean to scare ya," Braeburn said. "So, when're we startin' our patrol?"
"Give me a little bit, Braeburn. Why not mosey down to Miss Plum's for some breakfast?"
"Not a bad idea, Sheriff. I'll be back!"
"Take your time son," the Sheriff said as he left. "...How in Equestria does that stallion have so much energy in the mornin'? Celestia knows we'd be in trouble if he got himself some coffee..." It then occurred to the Sheriff that Sugar Plum's Sugar Mill served up the best cup of coffee in all of Appleloosa. "Oh horsefeathers..."
Braeburn made his way down towards the Sugar Mill, coming up to the window where the deep purple mare was busy making her first batch of coffee for the day. "Hey there, Miss Plum!"
"Howdy, Braeburn. You're all bright n' shiny this mornin'. Ya hungry, sugar?" she asked, her deep blue eyes looking him over as they usually did every time Braeburn came around. Braeburn was a modest stallion, so he'd never admit to the fact that he was actually quite good-looking.
"As sure as sugar!" Braeburn laughed, leaning on the counter. "I'll have a cup of coffee and one of your plum danishes," he requested.
"Sure thing," she winked as she got to work. "So, what's your schedule for today?"
"Well, once I'm done here I'm gonna go back and help the Sheriff on his rounds, then I'm gonna make my way over to the Buffalo Settlement with some pies for the Big Chief, then to the train-station to pick up Cousin Mac," he said.
"Well, well. Sounds like you've got a big day ahead. Why not come back here for lunch?"
"Sounds like a mighty fine idea! Maybe if Cousin Mac gets here early enough I'll bring him by here. Great guy, Cousin Mac. Real quiet, though."
"Oh? Tell me a bit more about this 'Cousin Mac' of your's," she asked, intrigued.
"Well, he's a might bit taller than I am, he lives back in Ponyville, and he's just an all-around good guy. Friendly, honest, and one of the most thoughtful ponies I know. He doesn't say much, but he's wiser than any other stallion I've met in my life. He's one of them ponies that when he speak, you listen."
"Sounds like an interesting fellow, Braeburn. Bring him by here later, I'd like to meet him," she said as she turned away from him to grab his food. Her deep maroon tail flicked slightly, catching Braeburn's eye.
C'mon now, Brae. You're better than this... This ain't how you were raised, he thought, looking away to hide a small blush.
"Y'alright, sugar? You seem flushed," Plum asked, playing dumb. So he does like staring at my flank! Maybe I do have a chance after all...
"Nothin', just thinking of something a bit embarrassing," he said. He quickly left several bits on the counter and grabbed the bag with his food. "See you later, Miss Plum!" he called out as he hurried off.
"Remember to come on back for lunch!" she called after him, then sighing heavily as she leaned on a hoof. "Oblivious as ever..."
The day went smoothly from there, Braeburn getting all his tasks done with relative ease. He and the Sheriff carried out another philosophical conversation as they usually did on their rounds. The Chief was exceptionally grateful that this time around he threw in a couple of Granny Smith's apple pies, sent straight from Ponyville via Express Air-Mail. Braeburn thought the mailmare that delivered it was mighty cute, but he was certain she was happily married when all she kept talking about was her 'muffin'. With his tasks for the morning done, Braeburn waited patiently at the train-station, the train now within eyeshot.
Rose awoke from her nap when the train began to slow down, pulling into the Appleloosa Central Station. "Wow, did I sleep the whole way here?" Rose asked herself as she stretched. "Well, I did stay up late..." she reasoned as she looked out the window. What she saw was about what she expected- a quaint little Western town on the edge of the Mohayve Desert. "Alright!" Rose grabbed her luggage, and made for the door, stepping off the train. The heated, dry air immediately hit her as she recoiled slightly from the light of the sun, unshielded by clouds.
"Welcome to Aaaaaapleloosa!" A loud voice called over the other ponies making their way past her, one of which being Big Macintosh, carrying a large bag on his back.
"Huh, I didn't know Big Macintosh was coming to Appleloosa. I would've sat with him," Rose said to herself. "Maybe I'll stick with him for now," she said as she hurried after him. "Big Macintosh! BIG MACINTOSH!" she yelled, trying to get his attention. Big Macintosh turned around at hearing his name called, and gave a small smile.
"Mornin', Miss Rose."
"Hi there, Big Mac. What brings you to Appleloosa?"
"Visiting family. You?"
"Just visiting the town. It's my first time here in Appleloosa. Would you mind if I stuck with you for now?"
"Nnnope," he said in his usual manner.
"Thanks," Rose said as she followed him.
"Cousin Mac!"
The two ponies turned as Braeburn made his way over to his cousin. "Howdy, Cousin Mac! How've you been, big guy?"
"Fine, Braeburn. You?" Mac asked in return, giving his cousin a quick hug.
"I've been great, just living life as it comes," Braeburn said cheerily.
"Good to know, cousin."
Rose raised an eyebrow. This is Big Macintosh's cousin? You can hardly tell they're related aside from the cutie-marks. They act so differently... "Um, Big Mac? I'll leave you alone for now, I don't want to interrupt your family time."
"No worries, Miss Rose."
"'Miss Rose'?" Braeburn asked quizzically, turning to face who Big Mac was talking to. He looked her over, finding that she was quite the attractive mare, but the confused expression on her face was a bit off-putting. "I'm sorry, Miss! I didn't give you our traditional greeting." Braeburn then cleared his throat.
"WELCOME TO AAAAAAAAAAAAAAPPLELOOSA!"
Rose felt her eardrums begging for mercy as Braeburn's voice assaulted them viciously, almost tempted to cover the ear closest to Braeburn. "T-Thanks...I'll just be going then," Rose said, hurrying off. "This is going to be one interesting month..."