“This is just not my day.” Appleseed muttered under his breath.
Appleseed trudged through Manehattan with a saddle bag full of apples. He moved through the crowded streets and maneuvered through the busy roads, all while being in a very bitter mood. The weather was nearing the end of fall and a cold chill hanged in the air. Sales were poor, the weather bitter and cold, and very few ponies thanked him for his service. He was miserable, tired, and upset, but mostly tired.
Appleseed, the youngest child of three in the Apple family, was always tasked with selling his family's produce in the big city. His mama, who he always loved to death, was always pushing him to make sure they do well for their farm and for their business. However, it just didn’t suit him. He wanted to spread his roots and seek better opportunities elsewhere in the vast land that he so yearned to explore. However every time he thought he was done with his job, there was always another one waiting to take its place.
This latest job was no different. He traveled all the way from Sweet Apple Acres to deliver fresh produce with his siblings. Much of the past few days they went from home to home, sending in their deliveries and earning their pay. However, the city was not all that perfect, many ponies only cared for themselves and some families have been struggling of late, due recently to bad leadership. Apparently the mayor of Manehattan was under scrutiny for raising taxes too high on the rich and small businesses and causing the city to go into a recession because of low goods and quality. Due to loss of jobs many small businesses have been struggling and ponies have been living to paycheck to paycheck. Currently the mayor was under investigation and some ponies, that Appleseed met during his runs, believe that things will get better when their is good leadership again. He hoped that they would be right.
As Appleseed kept on walking through the wet streets he took notice of the small businesses have been shuttered up and closed signs were on the doors. Many of these ponies were good hard working folks, trying to make a living in the city, and to support themselves and their families. It saddened him to see that many ponies were struggling and some having to leave their homes due to bad economy and leadership in this city. If he had a business he would always put his employees first and make sure they are better handled than what the mayor put them through. Although, in order for that to happen, he would need a suitable field within the city and having permission to own the land and to get that far he would need to speak to his mother for approval.
He always wanted to straight up tell her that he wanted to move on, to get a better job in one of the cities, to move away and have a more successful life. However, every time he built up the courage to tell her about these feelings, he always hesitated or faltered at telling her how he felt. Probably bad luck on his part. Even if he could convince her he also wondered the implications of such an action. Another part of himself kept telling him that even if he did move on from Sweet Apple Acres where would he even go? What can he do or accomplish? What job would be there for him? If he did find what he was looking for would it replace the emptiness he’s missing? For now he had to leave the questioning thoughts aside as he continued his runs.
He finished delivering another order when the weather turned depressing again. A normal pony would be running around to find a small roof or pavilion to keep their heads dry. Not Appleseed. He just let the rain fall. He didn’t mind one bit if he got wet. In a way, it reminded him of home, the rain coming down onto his coat and letting the rain soak him to the bone. It was kind of refreshing in a way, after a long day's work and toil, and letting the rain clouds above wash away your aches and pains. Appleseed looked up and smiled slightly, even if it was cold and the clouds bitter, he still enjoyed the rain. He was a slacker about it after all.
As he moved down the rainy street with his final delivery of the day he still had that empty hole in his heart. He felt this empty feeling inside him, more empty than an apple without a core. He just didn’t quite understand it. He thought that if he moved on with life as it is at Sweet Apple Acres then everything would be fine. However, as the months passed he still felt that sense of longing, the emptiness inside his heart. He hoped that someday, he can figure out what this problem is, but for now, he had his job to do and his final order to fill.
Appleseed went up the steps of a large mansion for his final order. It was quite an impressive structure,overlooking one of the several parks in the city. The nearby trees around him showed many orange trees and bushels, almost ready to be picked. The old walls looked ancient yet they looked as if they were made the day before. It was quite a sight to behold, much better high rise living than he would be used to in the country. He knocked on the door and was greeted by an old servant that wore a suit and bore a simple mustache. The old pony looked at him up and down for a brief moment inspecting the weathered and wet farmer with a disappointing look, before speaking in a annoyingly chamberlain monotone.
“Good evening sir. What business do you have at the Orange estate?” he spoke softly, his face remaining neutral.
Appleseed took off his lucky stetson hat and placed it over his heart, giving off his best genuine smile.
“Name’s Appleseed. Ah have an order of apples for Tangerine Orange. Ah believe this is the right establishment?” he cast his gaze at the nearby orange trees nearby, giving a hearty chuckle.
The butler raised a bushy eyebrow at him and eyed him over once again.
“Ah yes. Miss Tangerine did place an order of apples my good sir. She is out with her husband at the moment and is indisposed. I shall relieve your package and deliver the proper payment.”
Appleseed eyed the servant suspiciously, normally he would wait for the paying customers and see first hoof what they thought of the apple produce. Although, the weather was not looking up and he would rather get back soon, so he simply shrugged it off. He opened his saddlebag and handed the gift over to the servant. The old pony took the produce back and a few moments later returned with a bag of bits. Appleseed eyed the bag with interest as the butler counted the bits. The butler, satisfied with the amount, handed the bag over to Appleseed and gave him a small bow.
“Thank you for your services today sir. I bid you a good evening.” The butler droned as he closed the door, leaving Appleseed to his own business. He left the mansion estate and headed for the main streets, with his orders fulfilled he can finally get some much needed rest.
He passed by a few shops in the markets and he turned to see his reflection in the mirror. His green body was well toned, eyes of experienced being on the apple farm. He was tall for an earthpony, most likely the drafthorse side from his Pa, but he did stand out a bit sometimes. He looked at his wild mane, which was a regular brown, and his own signature sideburns. If he looked at his mane close enough and if the sun was out he could also see a hint of blonde in his mane. As he looked back at the green eyed working farmpony there was one thing he could agree with. The face that stared back was tired. He turned his gaze and looked at his cutie mark, which was a bitten apple with a few Appleseed's around it, hence his name. As he stared at his mark he could see that he was full of pride but another side of him felt a pang of guilt causing a sad smile to reveal itself on his face. His pa never did get a chance to see his mark. He sighed and his ears hanged low at the memory and he turned to continuing walking down the street.
As he walked down the streets his mind soon wandered back to the pouch of bits he received. Normally, he would trust ponies that he knew to pay fairly, although, since he was in the city, his curiosity was getting the better of him. Opening his saddlebag and pulling out the bag of bits he quickly counted what was inside. His hunch was correct and saw that a few bits were missing.
“That no good swindler. He gypped me.” Appleseed mumbled as he placed the coins back in his saddlebag. He sold two dozen apples to that family, each apple worth a bit apiece. He only counted eighteen bits out of them when there should have been at least twenty four and he grew frustrated that he got cheated on. Apparently even the wealthy are trying to save up whatever bit they have from the mayor. His mind fumed at the idea as he continued to walk along the road and quickly turning the corner to the next street.
“That’s the last time ah get orders from that family-”
He was interrupted when he walked straight into another pony. He backpedaled a moment and fell on his rump, his hat falling off in the process. The pony in front of him, a mare no doubt when he heard a high pitch squeak, fell back and a bundle of oranges fell on the ground. He shook his head from the blow and he went to reprimand the mare but stopped when he had a good look at her. His anger, as quickly as it arrived, dissipated as he stared at the mare before him. Her coat was a brilliant red, a shiny red that he ever did see. Her mane was a golden yellow and wrapped in a ponytail, all held together in a pink bow. Her eyes were a nice blue, blue as the sky above. Upon her face she had tiny freckles on her cheeks. He had seen many mares in his life that were cute but she was down right beautiful.
Boy is she pretty. He thought as he raised himself up and offered a hoof to her. She eagerly accepted and was gently lifted up from the wet pavement.
“Mighty sorry madam. Ah didn't see you there.” He offered an apology to which the red mare waved him back.
“Oh it’s my fault, really. I was running so fast that I was not paying attention. I hope I didn’t hurt you?” She asked while gathering up her fallen produce.
Celestia almighty, even her voice is sweet as honey. He thought as he chuckled at her concern.
“Ah’m fine madam. Just caught me by surprise is all. Here ah’ll help you.” he bent down and began picking up the fallen oranges, to which the mare thanked him in kind. Once all of the fallen oranges were picked back up and back in her saddlebags Appleseed retrieved his hat and flipped it over in the air, landing and resting comfortably back in it’s original position. He neglected about the water that his hat gathered and the liquid ran down his head upon impact, surprising him slightly and earning a giggle from the mare, to which he chuckled in kind. The two stared at each for a brief moment before she calmly bowed her head.
“I got to go now. Thank you very much kind Sir and take care.”
“You too madam.” Appleseed tipped his hat and the mare began heading off in the direction behind him. He watched as she rounded the corner and a small smile graced him.
Didn’t even get a name. He chuckled as he moseyed himself on the streets of Manehattan. He looked up and notice the clouds parting slightly and the sun shining brightly through, the rain finally lifting up. His smile rose a little higher and he continued to walk down the street.
Maybe this day won’t be so bad.