Filthy happily trotted along the Ponyville square, hustling and bustling with daily market activities. He took a deep breath, enjoying the fresh air only Ponyville could provide. He never realized how much he truly missed home until he was able to return. Giving a contented sigh of relief, he continued on his merry way, passing through the restaurant section of Ponyville square. Up ahead, he recognized the attire of his wife, sitting at a table with some other stallion whom he presumed to be this character she mentioned have brunch with. Another stallion, though? Why wasn’t she with her usual gang of girls? He rolled his eyes, trying not to look too much into it, and trotted off towards Sweet Apple Acres.
Applejack noticed a figure arriving over the horizon, casually trotting towards them. Sweet Apple Acres didn’t get many visitors outside of the few times of year they sold cider or jam.
“Hey, Big Mac?”
“Eeyup?”
“Who you reckon that is over yonder?”
“Hm...” Big Mac stared off into the distance. “I don’t know,” he finished, bucking another tree behind him.
“Well, I hope it’s not trouble.”
“Eeyup.”
Filthy saw the farmhouse up ahead, noticing the rocking figure of Granny Smith on the porch. To his left, he noticed Applejack and her brother hard at work collecting for cider season. He diverted, trotting over to them.
“Well, hello, Applejack! Big Mac!”
“Oh, it’s just Filthy!” Applejack chuckled to herself, mentally retracting her earlier comments.
“Rich,” he said, audibly annoyed.
“Oh, that’s right, I forgot. Sorry, Rich. What are y’all doin’ round these parts?”
“Well, I just happened to get a weekend off, so I thought I’d drop by and see my old friend. Maybe see if you had any zap apple jam left.”
“Well, I believe we’re about all sold out, but maybe Granny Smith will let you fight her for the last jar she’s been saving.” Applejack and Filthy both gave a quick chuckle.
“I’m sure she will. You two have a good afternoon,” he said, giving them a wave goodbye.
“See y’all later!”
“Eeyup.”
Filthy worked his way up to the porch, seeing Granny Smith rocking back and forth, napping away in her favorite position.
“You always did enjoy your naps,” he said, announcing his visit.
“Eh? What? Who’s there?” Granny stirred awake, shaking her head and rubbing her eyes. “Oh, it’s just Filthy!”
“Rich.”
“Right. It’s been so long, I forgot what yer preferred name was!”
“A common mistake, don’t worry.”
“So what are y’all doin’ in town? I thought you were away at that Canterlot place makin’ a new store? Are you done? Back home for good?”
“I’m afraid not. I just managed to get a weekend off and wanted to come see my friends and family.”
“Well, I’m glad you consider me family, but we’re not related, so I’m not entirely sure how that works out. Maybe we’re three times removed? I never did understand that...” Her voice trailed off as she mentally tried figuring out how they could be family.
“Uh...we’re just such good friends that it FEELS like family.”
“Oh, right, that makes much more sense. So what brings you by these parts?”
“Just thought I’d see hello and see if you happened to have any zap apple jam left from the season!”
“Well, I have one jar left. I suppose I could give it to ya if you’re willing to fight me for it,” she cackled. Filthy gave her a small smile.
“I won’t force you, but I’d sure pay you well for it.”
“Oh, I don’t doubt that. Fact is, I was actually savin’ it for you, just in case you came back in season. Lemme go fetch it for ya.” Granny hopped off the rocking chair, straightening out her back, then worked her way inside the house. Filthy turned around, looking out towards the farm. It was a sight to behold. It was just as beautiful as the view from his front porch, in a way. Just...a different kind of beauty. It was simplicity, where his was complexity. He gave a quick, contented sigh.
“It’s a beautiful view, ain’t it?”
“Hm?” Filthy turned around, seeing Granny with two jars of zap apple jam.
“Here. I happened to find an extra one while rummaging around. Take one fer yourself and Spoiled, and give the other to that other feller your wife’s always with.”
“Other fellow?” he asked, handing her more bits than the jam was worth. She politely refused the money and continued on her story.
“Oh, yes! She’s always getting lunch or dinner with him. What was his name...Pennybags? Moneybags? Something like that. I see them at the local diner all the time!”
“...how often?”
“Seems like every time I feel like going there for some lunch, I catch those two together. They must be really good friends, seein’ as they’re always so dern affectionate.”
“Hm. Is Diamond Tiara ever with them?”
“I think I saw her once, but they didn’t talk to her much. Lately, she’s been spending all her time with Applebloom and the Cutie Mark Crusaders.”
“Huh. The blankflanks?”
“Oh, not anymore. They got their cutie marks not too long ago. We were so proud of them.”
“Oh, I can imagine,” Filthy said, taking the jars from Granny. “You said his name was Moneybags?”
“Somethin’ like that. Why?”
“I just figured I should get to know my wife’s friends, you know?”
“Oh, you mean you don’t know him?”
“I think I saw him on my way over here, but no, I have no idea who he is. I never saw him at any of the noble balls held here.”
“Oh. I was under the impression that you knew about him.” Granny inquisitively stroked her chin.
“No, unfortunately not. I’ve been away for far too long, it seems.”
“I can agree with that there observation.”
“It’s good to be back. Anyways, I have other ponies to see, so I must bid you adieu. It was great seeing you again, though, Granny.”
“Oh, yes, the pleasure’s all mine, dearie.”
Filthy put the jars in his saddlebags and took Granny Smith’s hoof, giving it a cordial kiss. Granny blushed a little bit, giving her usual giggle.
“No, ma’am, it’s all my pleasure. Have a wonderful afternoon.”
“You too, Rich.”
Filthy trotted away from the farm, back towards ponyville square, making it a point to pass through the restaurants again in case his wife was still having brunch with this “Moneybags” character. Not seeing her where she was last time, he gave a small smirk of disapproval and shook his head. The smell of the local bakery, however, caught his attention, giving him an idea. He trotted over,
“Well, hey there, Filthy!”
“Rich. You should know that, Honeybuns.”
“That’s right. It’s been too long, man!”
“Yes, I’ve been out of town. How’s the business?”
“Oh, we’re doing as well as always. I’m just happy to be baking for a living, you know?”
“Yeah. Do you have any fresh white bread?”
“I’ve got a batch due to come out in about a minute if you don’t mind waiting.”
“Oh, of course not. Can I get it sliced, too?”
“I dunno, man. That’s a lot of work...” he chuckled to himself. “Of course.” Filthy smiled at him, and they exchanged some small talk until the bread was ready. Filthy paid him double the price, putting a large smile on the baker’s face, and strolled out the door, heading towards the schoolhouse.
***
“Girls, please!” Applebloom exclaimed, trying to regain control of the situation.
“I’m not sure I understand entirely what’s going on,” Scootaloo commented.
“I say we go over it again from the top.” Diamond Tiara authoritatively declared.
“Well, we need to at least get a rough idea of what we’re going to do!” Sweetie Belle sighed. All 4 of them felt their stomachs growl.
“Oh, I’m hungry...” Applebloom said.
“But we don’t have time to stop! The performance is tomorrow and we’re nowhere near ready!” Scootaloo laid on the ground.
“Well,” started Filthy, “Maybe I can help?”
“Father!” Diamond Tiara shouted, running up and giving him a hug. “What are you doing here?”
“I happened to be in the neighborhood and thought I’d drop by. I heard you were hungry. Maybe this will help a bit,” he added, pulling the bread and one jar of zap apple jam out of his bag.
“Oh, this is great!” she said. “Thank you!”
“Wait, how’d you get this? Granny said she was saving it!” Applebloom said, staring curiously at the jar.
“I dropped by the farm. She said she was saving it for me, anyway. Are you saying you don’t want any?” he teased.
“No! I do! I mean, that’d be nice. Thank you. Sorry.”
Filthy chuckled at her confusion. “So, what are you girls doing? What’s this project?”
“Oh. We’re just supposed to perform a play based on a poem we had to write last week,” Sweetie Belle piped up, “It’s nothing special. We just can’t seem to get the choreography right.”
“Does there have to be a dance?”
“No, but we thought it might get us first prize.”
“Oh, there’s prizing?”
“Yeah. And we’re going to win first,” Diamond Tiara stated, giving that haughty air about her to reminiscent of her mother. “I hate losing.”
“Oh, trust me, I know that,” Filthy stated, matter-of-factly. “Is there anything I can help with, perhaps?”
“I don’t think so. Unless you wanna watch and give us pointers?”
“I suppose I can stay for a little bit. I can’t stay for too long, though.”
“Yay!” Diamond shouted, “Ok, girls, let’s take it form the top...”
***
“Oh, they’re hopeless,” FIlthy muttered to himself, closing the front door behind him. He gave a sigh and a small prayer for their grade, and trotted off to his bedroom. He was somewhat tired and felt like taking a small nap before dinner. After that, he planned to take his family to the local movie theater. Now that he had time, he could go see that new thriller that came out. He hadn’t been to a movie in over a year and a half due to work. It would be fun. He opened the door to his room, finding it completely dark, with the blinds closed. Something stirred in the bed.
“Rich, close the door. I can’t sleep with that light in here.”
“Oh,” he started, feeling a small wave of sadness come over him. “Sure. Sorry.”
Filthy closed the door behind him, sighing. He felt a sense of sadness and anger wash over him. He couldn’t hold it in anymore. Filthy pushed open the door, flipping on the lights.
“Rich, I told you I’m trying to sleep.”
“We need to talk.”
“What’s there to talk about? Can’t it wait?”
“No. I’m not waiting.”
“Get it over with, then.” Spoiled flipped over, staring at him with a small look of annoyance as she continued laying in bed.
“What’s gotten into you?”
“What do you mean?”
“You used to be so happy to see me. This entire weekend, you’ve been nothing but cold and unresponsive.”
“Nonsense. Of course I’m happy to see you.”
“Not once this entire weekend have you said that you love me. Not once have you kissed me. When I tried to kiss you, you deflected.”
“Of course I told you I loved you.”
“When?”
“I can’t remember exactly, but I know I did.”
“Uh huh. Another thing. I took a visit out to Sweet Apple Acres today.”
“Why on EARTH are you associating with such simpletons?”
“Those SIMPLETONS are the reason we’re living well.” Spoiled opened her mouth to say something, but looked away, embarrassed. “I had a good talk with Granny Smith. Who’s this other fellow you’re seeing? Always having brunch with him? I saw you two today on my way there.”
“He’s just another noble. You’ve been gone for so long I needed another rich pony to spend my dining hours with. That’s all.”
“Are you sure it’s not something more?”
“I’m positive. Do you really think I’d stoop so low?”
“I didn’t think so. But I’m not so sure. Where were you last night? You never came home.”
“I was...at an all-night masquerade ball.”
“Uh huh. I’ll check on that. What’s with changing the furniture? You KNOW I hate orange.”
“I was just changing the look to make it more comfortable. I planned on changing it when I knew you would return.”
“Mhm. One last thing...”
“Yes?”
“Explain this,” Filthy said, going to the nightstand, retrieving the letter he’d put there just last night. “Why was this in the trash?”
“What is it?”
“It’s a letter I sent to the house. I found it in the trash.”
“Why were you looking through the trash?”
“The trash was full, so I took it out. The bag ripped, and I happened to find it. Now explain, to me, why this letter, which I carefully made sure to send to our daughter, was in the trash.”
“That must have been an accident. Sorting through the mail often make me throw away important papers. Perhaps the help did it.”
“The help doesn’t go through the mail. Tiara’s last letter to me said that she hadn’t gotten ANY of my previous letters. Why have you been throwing them away?”
“We...I mean...none of the other ones have made it.”
“That’s HORSEFEATHERS!” Filthy yelled. Spoiled’s eyes got big. She had never heard him yell before. “WHY HAVE YOU BEEN DOING THIS?”
“Why are you yelling?”
Filthy whipped around to see Diamond Tiara standing at their open bedroom door, a sad, confused look on her face.
“Oh, Honey, I-” he started. Diamond Tiara couldn’t listen, however, as she sniffed and ran away, up the stairs to her room, audible sobs resounding about the house before the slamming of a door. Filthy glared over at the bed. Spoiled gave a shrug and turned back over, trying to go back to sleep. Filthy suddenly felt a huge wave a guilt pass over him. He’d never lost his temper like that before. What had come over him? He sighed heavily, closing the bedroom door, trudging up the stairs to Diamond Tiara’s room. He listened outside, hearing muffled sobs. He gave a gentle knock at the door.
“Di?”
“Go away,” came a sad voice on the other side, followed by more muffled sobs. Filthy opened his mouth to speak again, but decided against it. He slowly trotted downstairs, to the living room, laying down on the couch. He stared up at the ceiling, a little confused by the day’s events. He sighed heavily and closed his eyes, drifting off into a sadness induced slumber.