//------------------------------// // Chapter 5: When Night Falls // Story: My Dearest Applejack // by RealityPublishing //------------------------------// I took Isaac’s warning without a care; he was always jealous of me. Never a day went by when he envied something of mine; at least, he used to. Ever since I took off, I regretted everything I did; well, almost everything. I jumped over the fence that led to the one and only, Sweet Apple Acres, where I knew she’d be waiting. I had no idea what trouble would await me, but I no longer cared. I wanted to be happy; I wanted to smile. Weaving through the trees, I met with her, the one and only pony I could ever be happy to see. Her smile filled me with irreplaceable warmth. As she spoke, I was reminded of my youth and all the joy I was brought as an innocent child, “How are you this fine night?” She'd ask, waving her hard-worked, tender hooves. I smiled, blessed by her presences, “Better; how about you?” I said, cracking a corner smile and admiring at her golden locks of purity. Despite the amount of work she had put into her day, she still managed to create the perfect face. Even through the dark, I still managed to see a vibrant red blush, “I’m doing just fine; should we stand out here all night?” She joked, slowly turning toward the welcoming home and picking up a fallen apple just for me. She held it close to my face, “Here; I knew you’d be hungry, so enjoy! It’s all for you,” she winked and pressed her hoof against the cold wood trees. I took a bite of the apple, tasting all the love put into its sweet juices. A calming wind blew through the trees, “Feel that?” She said, stopping to admire the night sky, “That’s the midnight breeze. Every night a cool breeze blows these acres; it’s a wonderful to enjoy it.” The refreshing gust of wind blew through our hair; I snuck a quick glance at her locks, spying a single tear fall from her elegant face, “Why do you cry?” I asked, taking another bite from her family’s apple. She quickly wiped her face, “I-I,” she stuttered, “I’ve never been able to share this experience with anypony other than you. In a way… it’s… special.” She smiled, turning to me as her hair remained sway in the wind, “Thank you, Nathan. I know I’ll be cherishing this moment forever. There are some things that can never be forgotten, and you, Nathan, are one of these things.” I grinned, happy to help her in any way I could. There was something special about this pony, the pony who stuck up and rescued me in my dire time of need. Others would have overlooked me, caring not for my troubles, but Applejack, she held significance. She knew what it was like to care and understand people for who they were. I loved every moment I spent with her. There was a kind of magic the two of us shared; it was a magic that none could replicate. I knew of the worldly boundaries, but did not care. I knew we would never be accepted for who we were, but they would never get in our way. I knew the world would not have its way with us; I knew we could show the world a special bond that was frowned upon by many. If they didn’t accept, then it would be their fault, and not our own. Applejack waltzed through the fields, still admiring the brightly lit night sky. The moon glistened so majestically atop the blanket of stars it lay upon; never had I been able to appreciate such a sight. Applejack pointed to a single star excluded from the rest of Luna’s Garden, “See that star there?” Said she, beaming, “Granny Smith says it was created through our family’s shared love for each other.” Although different from the rest of the stars, this one glistened brighter than the rest. It showed no humiliation and glowed with vibrant colors. Applejack stood with pride as she pointed toward her family’s treasure, “Why is it separated from the rest?” I questioned, watching her every movement. She noticed my interest and grinned, “My family’s bond between each other is different than most ponies.” I returned to the sky; the star, along with the moon, lit the sky without a second thought, “It’s beautiful,” said I in awe, “It’s the brightest in the sky.” Applejack smiled, looking back at me with her green glowing eyes, “Do you really think so?” I nodded, tossing the apple’s remains behind me, “It’s a magnificent sight to see; why haven’t I noticed it before?” Her face grew dim, but she still managed to cheer herself to a smile, “My granny says that the star glows brighter when more love is shared throughout the family. Nopony knows why, but it’s true. I hope I don’t sound too crazy…” I shook my head, grinning from the corner of my mouth, “Not at all. I believe every word.” The two of us walked out from the edge of the orchard, her home took its place atop the hill; the night was still young. Applejack stopped, “Are you really going to come in?” She asked with a worried expression. I looked at her with a face of impuzzlement, “Why wouldn’t I?” Said I, hoping she wasn’t going to back down from an already perfect evening. I only wished I could be with her longer; I wanted to be in her presence for now and forever. “Oh, it’s nothing,” she smiled, “I always thought you’d run away when things got awkward.” We laughed and reached the side of her home; a rope dangled from her window, “You coming?” She asked in a joking manner; I nodded, putting one foot in front of the other until I fell over her window ceil. She quietly laughed; everypony still slept soundly. Applejack hopped into bed, rolling herself in covers as I stood awkwardly by the window. She looked at me with eyes the size of the ripest green apples, “Are you going to stand there all night? Go on, take your seat!” She laughed and patted the bed beside her, whipping her tail like a playful kitten. I laid down in the empty space beside the golden mare, counting the seconds before I screwed something up. “How long have you lived here?” I placed my hands behind my head, watching as she rolled about in the bed to face me, gleefully taking my covers in a teasing manner, “All my life, I’ve never wanted anything more,” she began, looking up at the ceiling as I did, “It may seem like I work a lot here, but I love this place with all my heart. This orchard means everything to me; I have never wished to leave. My family’s been working here for generations and I hope that someday, I’ll be able to carry out their tradition,” She smiled and placed a hoof on my chest. I could see her tail flare behind her; she knew what she was doing. I blushed a deep red, but she just sighed and nervously chuckled. There was a first for everything. “Do you think our kinds could ever live in harmony? Is that even possible?” Asked I, turning to her, not daring to move my hands from where they rested. “Everything’s possible, Nathan,” she replied with glowing eyes, “It just takes time and an example.” I smiled; she was right about everything. All the world needed was an example.