Forbidden Fruit
By NocturneD
The packing was finished and the move was a success. I moved my belongings from my house to the library to make it more fancy, well for the bedroom area. It is a library after all and after a nice welcome from the mayor of Ponyville she laid down the ground rules. I know its a library but what the mayor was describing seemed fair enough.
"Thank you so much for taking care of the library on such short notice. It is one of the prides of Ponyville." The mayor smiled, "But I have to implore you that this is a serious job to take as you are allowed to hire a couple helping hoofs. You will be allowed to make your own hours but you must keep them unless you notify me that you want to change them again. You're allowed to close on weekends and holidays but that's up to you. If emergencies come up then you have to put a notice on the front door."
I nodded my head, "I understand then mayor thank you."
"Any questions dearie?" The mayor smiled again.
"How did Twilight work her schedule if I might ask? If if it worked then I would like to try it like that." I asked. I looked at the mayor, she frowned once I mentioned Twilight.
"Oh dear." She hummed. "Twilight Sparkle pretty much never had a straight forward schedule per say."
"Really now?" I raised an eyebrow.
"Well. Since she was the princess's student then it was quite alright for awhile but it got to be a sudden conflict of interest." The mayor shifted her glasses closer to her eyes as they tried to slip. "Barely was lucky if the library was open for one day out of the entire week."
"Well she was a busy pony." I brought up.
"Yes. Yes she was. But there were responsibilities she was supposed to keep. If she was home and the library was scheduled to be open the door would be locked." The mayor rolled her eyes, "Sometimes I would walk past here and see ponies trying to get in but can't. Complain that they had papers do but the library was not open despite the hours listed on the door."
"Then what happen?" I asked.
"Well. I used to be a librarian here myself and knew how everything worked. Had a spare key and would run the library until Twilight got back. Most of the time I would take care of the place whenever she was out somewhere like Canterlot as long as she left me a note." The mayor explained. "Spike can only take care of the library by himself for so long."
"It was not that hard." Spike crossed his little arms.
The mayor chuckled, "My mistake Spike. You're a good librarian yourself."
Spike unfolded his arms and nodded, smiling and pleased with the mayor, "Thank you."
The mayor laughed, "Welcome." She looked back to me, "Tell you what. Since its a holiday week, I will let you two settle in."
"But what about the library? Doesn't it need to be open this week?" I asked.
The mayor chuckled, "Princess like I said its a holiday week. I'm sure no pony is going to need a book as there is no school this week either."
I smiled back, "Well that's good I suppose."
So the mayor gave us the rest of the week off to unpack and get settled in. Still my last trip to Ponyville did not end well as quickly I was encouraged to leave. Only to get yelled at and judged by my former husband. Forcing me into isolation at the castle until things smoothed over or at least when my nerves were no longer trembling off the brink to insanity. Spike was so ever helpful moving my things, even if it meant lugging a dresser set, a full mattress, lamps. Don't worry, I let him have his fun thinking he was super strong with me using my magic, but he does not need to know that. Yet. Little super Spike was amusing. The furniture was arranged and things were finally starting to look good. I guess this is what the library needed, some new additions. Place could use some better curtains.
With that complete, despite a few boxes still needed to be unpacked. They were not much to fiddle with anyway and could get done anytime. Spike and I wandered around Ponyville to take in the sites. Though Spike practically knew where everything was, even he was surprised by some of the familiar spots were now changing. The boutique Rarity owned; was sold off. Even a note on the door said; "Moving to Canterlot for future business". I looked down at Spike who was twiddling with his fingers. The sadness I could sense his aura giving off. It broke my heart seeing him like this. I knew he liked Rarity but not as much as I thought of him thinking it was full blown love. It seemed more likely puppy love from my view point. But that's life Spike. We keep losing and losing things that we cherish until there is nothing left.
Fluttershy was still the same. Still managing the animals but decided to try her hoof at managing a petting zoo. Not bad I admit, she has the talent to keep up with the animals. A few extra bits earned, she was willing to take volunteers who wanted to help feed and groom. Mostly from what I saw where just little fillies and colts. It was adorable seeing their little hoofs through bird feed onto the ground, their faces lighting up as the birds would swarm and peck at the ground.
Pinkie Pie still worked for the Sugar Cube Corner but was slowly putting money away in her savings to one day build a night club of her own. A neat idea for a party pony like her. She really did a super job at the wedding I sure hope she succeeds one day. Still she made awesome pastries that would make your mouth water from just looking at them from the display. The Cakes were an interesting couple to meet, how long they have been with each other. I'm a bit envious. But seeing them together, working side by side. Hustling to get the orders done, but occasionally would stop to congratulate each other with a kiss. I admit. It was adorable seeing two busy body ponies working non stop to still show their love even under pressure. Something I would have loved to have, but alas Shining Armor and I just could not get it together. Pinkie Pie said there was going to be a party tomorrow and I was invited. She did not seem so drawn from me anymore. Now she seems cheery as ever.
Sweet Apple Acres was another story. First walking up to the Apple family gate I had many thoughts racing through my head. Was I still welcomed here? Or not? Would they forgive me? Would they chase me off sight? Spike lead the way into the farm land and I slowly followed him. The whole Apple family was sitting on their front porch having a glass of apple cider. My face squints, ugh. I met granny Apple Smith for the first time and she was a sweet heart. Apple Jack stared me down while Granny Smith talked. I tried not to let that stare down bother me but, it was just too invigorating and even scary. Granny Smith turned her head to notice Apple Jack and popped her on the head telling her that it was rude to demean guests like that. Apple Jack rubbed her forehead and apologized. It was really tough for her to put away her personal pride but just seeing her through her hoof out and no longer angry, it made me feel a lot better.
Though there was Big Mac sitting by himself as usual on the far corner of the porch. Sipping his cider slowly. I knew what he was playing. Either trying to play it cool or ignore the fact that I'm here. But then again, he is often said to be shy and a stallion of a few words. Then some reason he excused himself to go check on the farming equipment. Granny Smith bid him an evening and excused him. Spike went off to go play with Apple Bloom while Apple Jack went off to go buck some apple trees. Granny Smith was fanning her self off with a straw hat and kept talking to me. Saying how much of a pretty pony I was. I was bashful at first but let her keep complimenting me. I said she looked good for her age, she thanked me for buttering her up.
"Oh thank you dearie. Not many nice ponies around here anymore." Granny Smith said while fanning herself again. "I mean not immoral."
I gulped. Did she know about me? No surprise if Apple Jack filled her head.
She smiled again, "Oh. Don't let me scare you honey. I'm just talking big." She chuckled, "I heard from Apple Jack that you're divorced?"
Slowly I nodded.
Her face turned apologetic, "I'm so sorry dearie. I'm sure you tried your best."
My eyes wandered and started to breath through my teeth. Guilt swooned over me.
"Oh. Well I guess its still a sensitive thing for you then." She went back to rocking in her chair. "You know a girl like you... A girl like you I would think would try to enjoy single life for as much as she can until she tied the knot." Well truthfully I did not. Was too busy training to be a princess and was getting busy with the whole wedding.
"It's just that it still hurts a bit." I rubbed my shoulder a little. "I thought he was the one but... turned out he really wasn't."
"Oh..." Granny nodded, "Back in my day when a boy asks a girl to marry him he tries his best to understand her likes and dislikes before the big day finally comes. I remember when my late husband proposed to me... in the fall of... oh dear what year was it?" She stroked her chin, "Well important thing. You learn how to live with the goods and the bads but deep down. You remember what attracted you and your spouse in the first place." She went back to rocking, "Yep. But yeah back in my day, separation was rare. Death was more common. But honey. Can I ask you something?"
"Yes?" I asked.
"Macintosh... he's a shy pony that likes to keep to himself but he's really artistic if he has his heart in the right place." She frowned, "But since you and Macintosh did the hokey pokey in my barn, I'm willing to let that slide... Just this once as you two are trying to figure yourselves out."
I was not sure what she was capable of. But still, I sensed that she was a sweet old lady.
"If you are willing to come with me I want to show you something." She got off from her rocker and waved me to follow her. Slowly she lead me inside the house. I followed her through one hallway and then another to what I assume would be a bedroom but served more of a family room. I saw art equipment such as sketch pads, pastels, chalk, the works. "Macintosh was always the little artist in the family. Always drawing things he saw amazing." She walked to the corner of the room and pulled out a few canvases. Most of them painted, others sketched on.
Slowly I sorted through them. Some scenes from Sweet Apple Acres on top of a hill. One of Ponyville from a sky view. Very well drawn and colored, "My. These are great."
"Just keep going honey. I think you will find one surprising." Granny smiled.
I flipped to the last canvas. I gasped. My mouth open wide at the amazing drawing in front of me... it was... "Of... me?" The picture consists of myself from the side, my head arched backwards as if I were looking at something behind myself in astonishment. My expression in the drawing. The entire drawing made me look like I was some sort of goddess that graced the twilight.
"Oh yes dearie. Macintosh knows beauty when he sees it." She nodded, "One day after you left I found him in here just sketching and drawing. Then finally adding color." Slowly a smile formed from her old lips, "Almost like an angel came into his life one day."
This was... utterly amazing. The detail. The colors. The radiance...
Suddenly Apple Bloom came rushing in. Granny Smith gasped and put the canvas back in place and turned around.
"Granny Smith! Granny Smith!" Apple Bloom was breathing in and out quickly, out of breath.
"What is it sweetie?" Granny asked.
"Me and Spike were playing outside in the field and..." Apple Bloom breathed in and out.
My mother instincts kicked in as I quickly asked, "Spike isn't hurt is he?"
"No! It's Caramel!" Apple Bloom quickly tried to explain.
"What happened?" Granny Smith asked.
"The tractor turned over with it on top of him!" Apple Bloom stood up on her hoofs and shouted.
Granny widened her old eyes, "Darn flabbit! Big Macintosh told him not to use that thing!"
"Well..." Apple Bloom lowered herself down to the floor and rubbed her hoof into the hard wood. "I.. I sort of told him it was okay for him to use so we could have a hay ride with the other kids and..."
"Oh dear Celestia, none of the other kids are hurt are they?" I asked.
"I uh... Most of them landed outside the wagon..." Apple Bloom trailed off.
And Granny Smith snapped into action. Very slowly...
I just ran out the door to find Spike with Apple Bloom on my back pointing where to go. And to my horror. I saw Big Mac and Apple Jack trying their best to handle the situation. An overturned tractor, along with a back cart on its side. There had to probably atleast ten to fourteen children there. Five of them laying on their side. Another few rubbing their wounds. The others were on their feet trying to review the situation that just happened. Spike was with Scootaloo what looked like he was going through the first aid kit. It was bad for Caramel as a gear shaft pressing hard against his rib cage. Apple Jack trying to keep him calm while Big Mac was trying to move the heavy vehicle off. With every inch he tried to move, Apple Jack tried to pull Caramel to only find out something was stuck in his back as well. Jabbed in apparently with showing signs of blood.
By at this time Apple Bloom jumped off from my back. Looking at the situation it was dire. We had to move Caramel and fast. Big Macintosh was doing his best to hold up the tractor, the expression on his face as his teeth gritted shown signs of stress. His muscles were aching and tiring easily. The only thing I could think of.. magic. Though most of my abilities are of affection based I at least knew levitation. I concentrated all my energy in lifting the tractor. Oh dear Celestia the strain was giving me a massive head ache. The tractor slowly levitated, Big Mac looked back at me.
"Hurry... move it..." I grunted keeping one eye open.
Big Macintosh did just that. He avoided stepping on Caramel and shoved the tractor away a good distance. Apple Jack hollered that it was okay now, I let go. The tractor made a huge clunk and landed on its side. Apple Jack tried to move Caramel again to find a broken pike on the ground that dug pretty badly into his back.
"Go help the kids Cadence!" Macintosh shouted. He and Apple Jack moved Caramel finally while I rushed back to the children. Some of them moaning. Then I saw Apple Bloom with her head turned in shame.