Appleseed walked through the town of Ponyville, a determined look on his face as he headed for the train station. It’s been a few days since winter wrap up ended, Ponyville barely finished getting it all sorted. Appleseed didn’t mind one bit that it was nearly delayed, it means winter was over and his mood is that much more chipper. Today, he will be meeting with his cousins at the train station.
As Appleseed walked through town he took in the sites around him. It has been a few days since winter wrap up and the whole town was going through the motions of spring. The whole community was growing and caring for their own and getting in the new crops ready in time for the season. New homes were being built and small businesses have been popping up lately. More and more ponies have been settling in here and this small town was becoming busy as time went by. He didn’t mind the whole thing, it just the way things were. The only thing that would ever interest him if there was a major business coming in or if the mayor was running for reelection. Indeed, Ponyville was quite a fun town to be in.
Appleseed arrived at the train station and looked at the nearby clock tower. It read Nine forty, twenty minutes till the train would arrive. He decided to rest up and lean his body against the wall, his lucky stetson hat going over his eyes. As he stayed there and waited for the train, he kept thinking back to what his Mama said. A new apple farm, in Manehattan. This was going into fun territory to explore on his own. Sure, there was the places he visited during his deliveries but truly walking around the big city was something he would love to do. The implications of meeting other ponies and getting to know them and to see what life is like in the big city is something that can make him truly happy.
The sound of a train whistle disrupted his thoughts and he saw the train coming in from the distance. He shifted from his resting spot and walked up to where the train would eventually stop. He watched as the whole train come screeching to a halt in front of the train station, giving off a low hiss of steam on the side. The doors opened and dozens of ponies began walking out. He waited for them to clear and kept an eye out looking for the cousins. His ear suddenly twitch to the left and he heard his name being called.
“Appleseed!” A high chipper voice called out. He turned in time to see a pony run straight into him. He was able to brace from the impact but a second pony came in and tackled him as well sending them to the ground. Appleseed opened his eyes and he smiled at the two enthusiastic cousins on top of him.
“Carrot Top! Fiddle Faddle! Good ta see ya!” He bellowed as bear hugged his cousins. They hugged back fiercely and the group looked like they were wrestling more than hugging. After getting the two off of him, and quickly standing back up, he got a good look at them the two of them.
Carrot Top had an orange coat with an even deeper orange mane. He had bright green eyes that seemed to shine out. From what he could remember Carrot Top was always a fun and loving pony in the apple family. He always cared for the others well being and was a very good listener. His family not only worked with apples but also in other produce, namely carrots were the prime source of produce they made on their farm; his cutie mark also being a bundle of carrots. Appleseed was proud that he had a good worker on hoof, and that he would be willing to work hard on the apple farm.
Fiddle Faddle was the country pony of the apple family. His coat was light tan with a bright yellow mane. His cutie mark was a music note that had an apple at the bottom of the note. Fiddle Faddle always was one of the ponies who loved the fiddle and loved to share his music with other ponies. He even dreamed of being a country star, and bringing out the best music with his fiddle to the masses. Appleseed hoped his cousin could reach that dream one day.
“Carrot Top, little brother, you know it’s rude to pounce on another pony, even if that pony is your cousin.” Another voice entered and Appleseed turned to see two more ponies coming their way. Cousin Heart Strings, was carrying a large case for a cello while cousin Rocky Road was carrying the luggage in a cart.
Heart Strings was one of the proper ponies in the apple family and elder brother to Fiddle Faddle. His coat was a deep tan coat with a grey mane and his cutie mark was a fancy music note. Heart Strings was more into the music and whatnot and he always played with his fancy cello. Unlike Fiddle Faddle, Heart Strings was already a talented musician and had played in a few fancy orchestra’s, from Manehattan to Canterlot. Though not much of a worker, he did organize and get things done when needed. However, he’s going to have to get his hooves dirty. He maybe a musician but an apple is an apple and Hard cider will definitely put him through the runs.
The final cousin was Rocky Road. Rocky Road had dark violet coat but with a thick yellow mane.Rocky Road was a large stallion compared to Appleseed but wasn't even close to Hard Cider's height. Rocky Road was one of the larger stallions in the Apple Family but he had a big heart as well. He was a walking giant but he was often the quiet and soft spoken one. His cutie mark was a red rose that stuck straight out of the ground, indicating that he is very observative when it comes to planting the new trees or when spotting where large rocks needed to be move while plowing. Indeed he’s a kind giant and is a great friend to be around.
“Heart Strings. Rocky Road. Good to see you comin along, trip didn’t take too long ah reckon?” Appleseed said as he hovered a hoof to his cousin. Heart strings gave a small smile and hoof bumped back.
“Oh nothing too exciting. Although, Fiddle Faddle almost got sick from eating too many snacks.”
“Hey I’m a growing stallion, a guy needs to eat.” Fiddle Faddle interjected, almost embarrassed.
“Says the stallion who almost threw up in the restroom, not ten minutes ago.” Heart Strings said with a smirk, which earned Fiddle Faddle a hoof smack to his head. As the two brothers had their banter, Appleseed went over to offer a hoof to Rocky Road.
“Here, let me take some bags off ya.” Appleseed grabbed one of the bags off of Rocky Road and slung it over his shoulder.
“Thanks cousin, you are always so generous.” Rocky Road spoke softly, yet his voice was a deep bass. If other ponies around to hear him speak they would be surprised to hear that deep a voice, deep enough to make one’s chest rumble. Appleseed gave a small nod and then added.
“So how’s your folks doing Rocky? They been holding up well?”
“Well they have been doing alright at their farm, soils still good and they planting their new crops by now. Also they still expect me to get married someday. Just haven’t found the right one yet.” Rocky stated as the two walked towards the rest of their group. “Although,” Rocky Road added, “I’m a little nervous about it as well.”
‘What do you mean?” Appleseed asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Well, if I do find a mare that I like, would they like me for me. I am a bit intimidating.” He gestured towards his height. Appleseed chuckled at this and he simply nudged him in the shoulder.
“Ah’m sure that whatever mare you meet they will like ya for who you are.” Appleseed said, which earned his cousin a smile.
“Thanks Appleseed. I hope the mare I meet won’t mind a big eater.”
“Aren’t we all?” Appleseed added, and the two cousins shared a laugh. Appleseed soon turned to the Heart Strings and Fiddle Faddle and they were still having their banter, with Carrot Top only making it worse by getting them both into a hug, which earned a grin from Appleseed.
This is going to be a fun season. He thought as he began to imagine the whole family working together.
“Alright cousins! Who’s ready for some grub at the Farm!” he was rewarded with a resounding cheer and they all began heading back to Sweet Apple Acres.
As they head back through town they couldn’t help but attract a few onlookers. Several ponies could only look at the sight, while a few mares could only blush at them. Carrot Top took notice of this and he nudged into Appleseed.
“There’s many mares starin at us. Ah got to say, there a plenty cute.” Carrot Top said with a smile, to which Appleseed rolled his eyes.
“There’s plenty of folk that have been settling here of late. This town has seen some good growth of the years and it’s always good to see new neighbors pop up.” Appleseed explained and earned Carrot Top a sly grin.
“Bet there are a few mares that you have an eye on.” Appleseed pushed him slightly and turned his head away, not wanting to look him in the eye.
“Ah don’t have a favorite.” He calmly stated to which Carrot Top chuckled back.
“You know ah really like this town already.” Fiddle Faddle said as he began looking over the town. “It looks nice and inviting and give it a few years this can be a thriving community in all of Equestria.”
“Indeed, this could be a nice place to settle down, if the opportunity presents itself.” Heart Strings added , taking in the scenery around him.
“It’s true, you make plenty of friends here.”
“Hey Appleseed!” a booming yet familiar voice came at him.
“Speaking of which.” Appleseed turned and with open hoofs embraced an old friend that bounded into him. It was his old friend Hondo ‘Magnum’ Flanks, but always goes by Magnum. He was a big unicorn with a white coat and brown mane. He sprouted a cut mustache and his cutie mark was a few footballs. Knowing his old friend he was definitely into sports. Ranging from hoofball to ice hockey he enjoys every bit of those games, but hoofball will always be his favorite.
“How’s it going old buddy? Keeping on your hoofs?” Magnum said as he threw fake jabs at him.
“Doing just fine ole friend.” Appleseed responded with a few pivots and fake jabs of his own, playing with his old school buddy and laughing about it.
The two had met when they were still colts, playing right into their favorite game of hoofball. Though, Magnum got into more than he did, he still enjoying playing it. After their time in school they have been known as the inseparable bachelors of Ponyville and have been for the longest time. The two had always teased and joke to one another of who would get married first but they also care for one another as well. In fact they considered each others as brothers more times than most.
Indeed they were the best of friends.
“So Appleseed. Did you figure out if you gonna find that red mare yet?”
And the worst of friends.
As soon as the words left his lips the other cousins leaned in with interest and hovered over him like buzzards on a hot dinner. Carrot top had a wide smirk on his face and mouthing ‘Ah knew it’ to Appleseed, while the rest bombarded him with questions about her.
“What’s she like? Is she a beaut?” Fiddle Faddle asked.
“Is she a divine mare that has smitten your heart?” Heart strings added, nosing his way into the conversation.
“Is she a sweetie?” Rocky Road said in a soft tone. “Is she nice?”
Appleseed grumbled as he realized his day will be a long one.
“Oh C'mon Magnum! You stop blabbering about that. Ah told you ah just bumped into her and helped her up. That’s it!”
Magnum could not help but split a wide smile, a smile that can make others join in with him, and one where Appelseed wanted to punch at this point.
“You know I like to tease. Especially among your friends.” he paused as he looked at the other ponies around him, “Though, I don’t think we have been introduced.” seeing this Appleseed introduced each of his cousins.
“Magnum these are my cousins, Carrot Top, Fiddle Faddle, Heart Strings, and Rocky Road. They’re here to help with the new fields that we’ve have bought out and also help with upcoming harvest season. Cousins, this is my old friend Magnum. Hoofball enthusiast, entrepreneur and future husband to Cookie Crumbles.”
“Yep, that is so true… now wait a minute!” Magnum’s eyes widened immediately at his statement. He had him.
“Oh right, sorry Magnum. I meant to say Pearl. It’s a nickname he likes to give her.” He nudged into Carrot Top and he was chuckling to no end. Now Magnum was now the receiving end of embarrassment, as a quick flash of red appeared on his old buddy’s face.
“Now listen Appleseed, the feelings between Pearl and myself are mutual. She’s not my marefriend.”
“Don’t worry Magnum, your secret with Pearl is safe with me and my cousins.” He gave a genuine smile and his cousins all came closer to him and giving Magnum reassuring nods.
“Oh you Apple clan will not let this go. Would you?”
“Enope.” Appleseed said with a laugh. “Besides, you started it Magnum and it’s kinda fun when you're taken the receiving end of the joke.” Magnum eyed him over before chuckled in response.
“Well it’s good to know that things are still going your way. Anyway I got a few errands to run. See you around alright?”
“Yeah take care Magnum.”
“You too.” Magnum turned to leave but stopped with a smirk on his face. “Do let me know if you ever find that red mare Appleseed!” before Appleseed could even reply Magnum took off, leaving the five cousins in the middle of the street. Appleseed fumed slightly, he could never get that last word in. Another thing that added to his list of problems was that his cousins were going to start asking questions about the mare he barely met.
“So Appleseed. Care to indulge us on this mysterious mare of yours?” Heart Strings asked, with the rest of the cousins leaning in, all bearing small grins.
Yay me. Appleseed thought as he trudged through the streets of Ponyville, with a barrage of questions coming down upon him by his cousins.
****
A dozen lengthy questions later, Appleseed and his cousins arrived at Sweet Apple acres. The cousins looked around and took in their surroundings, the ones that had not visited before were amazed at the sight around them.
“This is the first time being here and I got to say ah’m quite impressed..” Carrot Top said as he observed the whole farm stead.
“Same here. Ah always heard it be great but my family were just exaggerating. This farm is amazin.” Rocky Road added as he looked at the large barn ahead of them and the heart of Sweet Apple Acres.
“There have been a few things that have changed but most of it has stayed the same.” Heart Strings said as he took a breath of the barnyard air. Next to him Fiddle Faddle nodded in approval. Appleseed new that the brothers been here before when they were colts themselves, only Carrot Top and Rocky Road will be having their first time being here.
As Appleseed head up the steps to their home he could see a few silhouettes inside the house, most likely his family readying up for a big home welcome. He looked up in the sky briefly to see the sun was still high above and noon would be fast approaching. No doubt in his mind they have planned a big lunch for the cousins arrival, he couldn’t wait to get inside his home. As soon as Appleseed was at the doorstep he could easily smell some apple fritters on the other side of the door and his mouth began to water at the wonderful smell. His cousins also smelled it and were already rushing up the steps and straight into the door.
“Welcome cousins!” they were all greeted by his family, all bearing wide smiles along with their mama holding a few pies in her hoofs. Everypony went inside and the whole house was chatting up a storm. Hard Cider gave a ruff bear hug around Rocky Road and Carrot Top, saying how much he is going to enjoy their time together. Appleseed smiled, knowing full well what his brother had planned for those two greenhorns. Ginger was even louder in the group, squealing in delight as she held her two favorite cousins in a death grip. Appleseed chuckled at the sight of both Fiddle Faddle and Heart Strings struggling slightly to get away but she would not give them a chance. After a few more minutes of greetings, bear hugs, and hollers, their mama gave a loud whistle and everybody stopped to look at her.
“C,mon yall, everypony in the kitchen for lunch! Got some pies that are waitin to be eaten and I don’t plan on eating them all by myself.” she said as she went into the kitchen with the pies in hoof.
Both cousins and siblings followed and each cousin and sibling could only stare in amazement at the sight.. When Appleseed walked in he was only expecting a few pies and small dishes. Instead he found that his mama cooked a full course meal, with many apple fritters, apple cobbler, breads, and cheeses alike. Off on the side he could also see a keg of cider sitting off on the side, with its cork already open. The smells was so intoxicating that he felt he was goin to fall over from the heavenly sight.
His mama does know how to make meal.
As his mama settled the pies on the table she turned with open hoofs toward the cousins.
“Alright youngins, give your aunt Smith a huggin. Been so long since ah last seen ya.” The cousins obliged and they all gathered for a group hug for their aunt. What they didn't expect, however, was her reach and unexpected strength. She swooped her hoofs around each of them and pulled them all into a deep hug. They all struggled in her grip, their eyes bulging slightly from her strength, even Rocky Road, as large as he is, was struggling to maintain himself. Appleseed hid a smile at this, his mama always had unexpected strength when she needs it.
When she finally let go they all were gasping for air. The rest of the apple siblings laughed it off while the cousins regained their composure, only for their mama to call out.
“Alright youngins. Lets get to eatin!”
The food was heavenly. As Appleseed lunged himself into the prepared meal he took in all the savoring and delicious food. The apple fritters were heavenly, the apple tarts divine, and the cider washed down all of the sorrows. Everypony else was having a blast themselves. Rocky Road and Carrot Top talked a lot with Hard Cider and their aunt. Ginger Gold, after begging to hear a song, listened to a fun tune by the brothers, the violin and cello bringing a fun blend of music into the home. The music grew so fast and loud that Hard Cider was dancing a jig of his own, causing the other family members to laugh their heads off at the sight. As they all enjoyed their time Appleseed could only watch on, keeping a level head as his family enjoyed their time together. He breathed in deeply and took another swig from his cider. He was mighty proud and happy to have such a wonderful and rambunctious family.
After what felt like hours of celebrating, and after clearing away the dishes, their mama gathered everybody into the main room, and began talking about the upcoming harvest.
“Alright youngins, listen up and listen good. Harvest Season will be comin around in the next few weeks for the early crops and we best be prepared for it. Also, later this evening, we're goin to see the new south and east fields and start clearing away any debris that may get in the way of tilling them tomorrow. After we start sowin in the new fields, and the day after tomorrow, Hard Cider and Appleseed will be headin to Manehattan to find the new plot of land.”
The cousins began talking about the news they’ve heard and each of them were quite excited to hear the implications.
“Just so you know,” Appleseed's mama continued, “ This will be leading others get early buyin so you two better work hard tomorrow so that you can leave on the train sooner.”
As his Mama continued to explain the new situation to the cousins Appleseed had his mind elsewhere. He looked out the window and looked out the open sky above. The chance of owning his own land, a place to call his own. He wonder if this is what his calling will be, to be truly on his own. Can he make a difference in the big city? Will this help fill the empty feeling in his heart? His thoughts swirled around him on the implications and he could only smile to the prospect.
This is going to be a good season. He thought to himself, as he stared at the open blue skies above with optimism in his heart.