Chapter 22
I was walking out in the orchards. We were getting farther and farther behind, and despite the assistance of Applejack’s friends, it wasn’t certain we’d finish the harvest in time. This was making all of us on the farm anxious, since a good deal of Ponyville’s population needed the apples we grew to eat during the winter. And it was starting to get cold out, and that meant the apples would start going bad soon.
I was in the Golden Delicious section of the orchard, when I heard Applejack call my name I turned from my work, and went to find her. She’d been very irritable lately, so I didn’t stop anywhere. I really didn’t want to face her wrath. When I found her, she was brief and to the point.
“Hey, North.” she said. “Ah need a favor.”
I nodded, and she went on.
“Braeburn’s train’ll be comin’ in soon, but ah’m to busy to go’n greet ‘im.” I would’ve pointed out that I was just as busy as she was, but she wasn’t in the mood to be questioned. So I nodded again. “He’ll be here ‘bout noon, so go ahead’n finish up what yer doin’, then go. ‘kay?”
One last nod, and I went back to where I’d been I resumed my work, letting my mind wander. When the time came, I took the small cart I’d been using back to the barn. Then I started for town. The train station was on the far side of Ponyville, so I was grateful I’d left as soon as I had.
Overhead, the sun beat down with its burning rays. The day was unusually hot for fall, and the heat was being soaked up by my skin. I was grateful for my white coat, since it deflected some of the heat away. As I went along, I closed my eyes for a brief second, and enjoyed the warmth. Soon it would be freezing outside. And though I liked the cold, I knew I’d miss this weather in a few month’s time. I wondered briefly what it would feel like to spread my wings to catch the glowing rays. I imagined it must feel really nice. I sighed to myself, then went on my way.
In Ponyville, the market was in full swing. Vendors lined the streets with their carts and stalls, with foods and things grown or made on surrounding farms. I waved to Granny Smith, who was manning - or rather ponying - the Apple’s apple cart. Normally, one of the Apple siblings would be doing this, but right now we needed every able-bodied pony working on the trees.
After several minutes navigating the maze of eager-to-sell ponies, and avoiding getting trapped in the crowd, I made it to the clear streets on the north side of Ponyville. Now free of the crowds, I was able to make it to the train station with time to spare. It’s brown roof gleamed in the full sunlight, partially shaded by the nearby tree. The maple’s leaves had turned gold in preparation for the coming Falling of the Leaves.
I walked up the creaking wooden steps to the platform, looking around at the assembled group. There was a mare with a bright green mane, the shade of mint candy. Next to her was another mare, whose pale yellow coat and blue-and-pink mane contrasted heavily with her companion’s. Nearby, a family of ponies was sitting on or playing near the seats that were against the station wall. I knew they were a family, since the older pair were sitting together, and the little filly and colt were playing in front of them. I saw the mare nuzzle the stallion, then she called their two children.
“Flower Patch.” she said. “Red Brush.”
As they ran to their mother, I heard the train whistle coming from down the tracks. I looked over my shoulder, and saw it chugging its way towards us. The family of ponies got up, and walked over to wait. I stayed back, letting them by.
As the train came to a stop, the conductor hopped off of the platform. When the train came to stop, the engine pumped out a cloud of steam. The conductor opened up the doors. A small crowd of ponies disembarked, while the ponies waiting on the platform got on. I looked around for Braeburn, but I didn’t couldn’t see him through the steam. I was getting worried that I’d missed him, then I heard my name being called from near the end of the train.
“North!”
I turned, looking for the source of the call. I finally saw Braeburn, waving from near the caboose. He wore his usual wide grin, as well as his brown vest and stetson. I walked over, where I found myself immediately wrapped in a tight hug. All I could see was tan fur.
“Hey there!” said Braeburn ecstatically, ruffling up my mane. “Long time no see!”
I nodded, and he let me go.
“Ain’t ya gonna say anythin?”
I frowned, and looked down at my hooves. It wasn’t that I wouldn’t. Somehow… I just couldn’t.
“Are ya okay?” I looked up, and nodded.
He seemed satisfied, though still confused. I looked down at his luggage. There wasn’t too much. We’d be able to get it back to the farm easily enough. I picked up a pair of saddlebags, and slung them over my back. Then I picked up a suitcase with my mouth, and looked at Braeburn. He grabbed the rest, then nodded to me.
“C’mon now.”
The entire walk to the farm, Braeburn kept up a nonstop chatter about.. well, everything. He stopped to talk to Granny Smith so long, I ended up dragging him away by the tail.
When we got to the farm, he whistled in appreciation.
“Doesn’ matter how many times ah see it, it’s still a mighty fine sight to behold.”
I nodded in agreement. It was an impressive view. Trees extended as far as you could see in every direction. I carried his stuff inside, Braeburn following shortly after. I took his stuff up to the guest room, while I went to find Applejack. He was eager to start after so long cooped up on the train.
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With Braeburn on the farm, things were noticeably different.
First off, breakfast became a more social event. Braeburn insisted on chatting away with each member of the family, of which I seemed to be considered an honorary member. He’d go on and on, but somehow the other members of the conversation managed to get their own bit in.
After breakfast, work was much smoother. Because we now had four workers, we were able to implement a sort of assembly line. Mac and I would get the apples off of the trees, and put them in the baskets. Braeburn would gather them, and take them to the barn. Then Applejack would work on storing them in the cellar, with occasional assistance from Applebloom.
Even during the work hours, Braeburn kept up a running dissertation of stories and events from Appleoosa, from the frontier, and on pretty much anything. It occurred to me that the ponies in Appleoosa might not be as chatty as him, leaving him with a need to spill everything on his mind at every possible opportunity. I just hoped that this wouldn’t continue perpetually.
After several days, things were looking up. We were starting to catch up to the weather, which was rapidly growing worse. While the weather was controlled by the pegasi, it still had some autonomy. Especially near the Everfree Forest.
At the end of the fourth day, Braeburn and I were pulling in the last carts of apples for that day’s harvest. Big Mac had sent me to help him, since there were no more trees left for the moment. We planned to be finished within another few days, so everypony had relaxed a bit.
“So, North.” said Braeburn. “How’s yer day been?”
I shrugged. I didn’t really have an opinion on the day. Nothing out of the ordinary had happened.
“C’mon.” he said. “Give me more than that!”
I didn’t, and he sighed.
“Why, North?” he asked. “Why won’t ya talk ta me?”
I looked downwards, watching as my hooves passed over dirt and sparse grass. I heard Braeburn say something else, but I tuned him out. I wasn’t going to do this right now. Besides, Mac had already explained as best he could. Wasn’t that enough?
At the barn, we unloaded the apples from our carts, and Applejack took over. Then I started to walk back to the house.
“Hey, North?” I looked over my shoulder. Braeburn was standing a foot or so away. “Would ya like to go fer a walk? The stars’ll be out soon, and Mac told me how much ya like’m an’ all.”
He was smiling at me hopefully. I glanced up at the sky. It was true, the sun was about to set. But why did he want me too? He surely knew I wasn’t going to say anything. But it had been a while since I’d gazed up at the constellations.
I nodded, and he grinned.
“Great!” he said. “C’mon. I know just the spot!”
“Don’t y’all be out too long!” said Applejack. “We ain’ out of the woods yet, so ta speak.”
“Got it!” said Braeburn, nudging me. “Let’s go!”
I followed him out into the orchards. He led me down one of the winding dirt paths, in a generally north-western direction. Towards the hill. Why was he taking me there? It was a great view, sure. But there were others. The stargazing hill to the east in particular, as it didn’t have any trees on it.
When we reached the hill, he started climbing immediately. I hesitated at the bottom, and he paused in his ascent.
“Stars’re coming out.” he said. “Ya comin’?”
I glanced upward, at the hilltop, then nodded. I followed him to the top, where he proceeded to sit down. I sat down too, gazing outward and upward. Overhead, the stars were indeed beginning to appear. One by one, their light started to stream down from the sky, until great swaths of stars were gathered across the sky. Constellations stood out, identifiable because their stars were the brightest of them all. We could see the Milky Way, stretching across the sky in a band of dark and misty streaks.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” said Braeburn. I nodded in agreement. “Say, North?”
I looked over at him, to see him smiling happily.
“Ah’m glad ya came out here with me.”
I blinked, then nodded. I laid down, tucking my front legs under my head. Continuing to look skyward, Braeburn did the same. In a move most unlike him, he stayed quiet. We watched the heavens, just enjoying the natural wonders above us.
I thought back to all of my time with the Doctor, flying amongst the stars. Journeying through time and space. It had been wonderful. But there was something special about standing on a world, and looking up at all the wonders. It really made you appreciate the grand scale of the cosmos.
“North?” I didn’t look at him, but I turned an ear his way. “Ah… ah am yer friend, ain’ ah?”
I nodded, and I could sense him relaxing. I didn’t understand why he’d needed to ask, but I didn’t feel the need to find out. After a few minutes, I could feel myself starting to drift off. I forced myself to stand, yawning. Braeburn looked up, and smiled.
“Tired?” I nodded, and he got up. “Alright.”
We walked slowly back to the house. In the darkness, most might’ve found the walk creepy, with the leaves rustling overhead. But with Braeburn next to me, and the starlight above, it was soothing.
At the house, Braeburn gave me one of his surprise hugs, and mussed up my mane.
“Goodnight.” He said. I smiled, then went upstairs.
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Braeburn went into the kitchen, where Mac was perusing the Ponyville Gazette. Mac looked up from his paper, and frowned. Braeburn looked conflicted, which was unusual. This stallion was always straightforward, and never had any doubts.
“What is it?” he asked. Braeburn frowned.
“Ah don’t rightly know.” he said. “Ah just…” He shook his head, and smiled. “It’s nothin. Ah’m jus’ tired.”
“Goodnight, then.” said Mac. “Ah’m gonna be up a bit longer, so go ahead an’ head up.”
“‘kay then. G’night.”
Braeburn left, and Mac watched him go. He straightened his paper, and started reading.