The pale light of daybreak grew into a bold mix of pink and orange as the sun slowly rose into the sky, a delicate process perfected over thousands of years by Princess Celestia, to bring the warmth of its’ light to the land and rouse many forms of life to the waking world.
Among those awake by the sun’s first light were a certain apple farm pony and her older brother, loading up a trusty old cart with baskets of their stock to sell at the Ponyville marketplace. This was done so in silence, not so much from a lack of anything to say (especially since the red stallion was the strong, silent type), but more out of an unspoken reverence for the tranquility that was experienced at this hour in the day. Both earth ponies had a lot of responsibility on their shoulders put on their shoulders from a young age, it was something that never lessened in weight and kept their lives in a constant state of motion from morning to night.
However this blessed peace would not last for long, the cart would soon be full and the orange mare would begin hitching herself in. This would be the time when a last sort of check in would take place…
“Applebloom’s lunch fer school done up?”
“Eeyup.”
“Gon’ fix the chickn’ coup t’day?”
“Eeyup.”
“Gon’ finally give Twilight back her doll?”
That last one was asked with a small, teasing grin, not at all hidden with the slightest turn of the head as she pretended to fiddle with one of the straps. When she chanced a glance at her older brother, the image the blonde maned mare had of the face the stallion wore was just about dead on. A furrowed brow to show annoyance but also a bit of a pout from the tease. The look soon morphed into a grin that reached all the way to green eyes that were a touch lighter in shade than her own.
“Dun’ wanna be late, Applejack. Yer gunna’ have a lotta’ customers kept waitin’.”
With a tip of her Stetson hat in jest, Applejack began to pull the cart along in a familiar journey she had taken many times over the course of her life and gave one last call over her shoulder.
“Ya’ have a good day too, Big Mac. See ya’ fer supper.”
It wouldn’t be long before her hooves stepped into Ponyville proper, following a familiar, invisible path down the streets towards the marketplace. Normally her trek was uninterrupted since most ponies were not yet out of their homes to go about their day…
“Oh my goodness! Oh my goodness!”
Well. Normally.
It only took a glance skyward to see a familiar yellow Pegasus gently gliding through the sky, barely going fast enough for her long, pink hair to be blown away from her face. She flew here and there, worried teal eyes scanning the ground as her normally soft voice was raised just enough to be at a normal audible level.
“Angel? Angel Bunny! Oh please come back! I’m sorry!”
Applejack watched as her friend flew off to continue the search, too quick for the blonde mare to call out an offer to assist her. The farmer kept looking in the direction the Pegasus had gone for a moment or two before her ear flicked, catching a faint rustling sound from the back of her cart. With practiced ease, she unhooked herself and slowly moseyed around to the back, peeking over the edge where she found a familiar white bunny going through a basket of gala apples for a piece of fruit that met his standards.
“Ya’ know, if’n ya’ wanted a snack Ah coulda’ givin’ it to ya’.”
A chuckle left her throat when the rabbit jumped, shock turning to a scowl when he turned to her and crossed his arms, his gaze off to the side as she reached in and carefully grabbed him by the scruff with her teeth. Once she had set him on the ground next to her, she raised a hoof in a silent request that he wait before her head disappeared back into the cart. She returned with the stem of an immaculate looking Gala apple and set it down next to Angel, the rabbit quickly wiping the look of hunger off of his face to look suspiciously between her and the apple.
“S’on the house fer a friend of a friend.”
That was that needed to be said before the white rabbit took a ravenous bite, a blissful look on his face as he chewed before swallowing and continuing his meal. Applejack knew the small mammal was moody on the best of days, from all the stories Fluttershy told her and the playdates she’d had with her friends, she had seen how he generally acted. Still, running away like this and putting the yellow Pegasus in a tizzy seemed unusual…
“… Ah ain’t gonna pry inta ya’ business. But ya’ know ya’ gotta’ go back right?”
Pausing before taking another bite, the deadpan look from the rabbit almost elicited another chuckle from the earth pony but she kept it to a small smile as she continued.
“Fluttershy cares ‘bout ya’ a whole lot. N’ you worryin’ her like this ain’t nice.”
Another pause, Angel now had a contemplative look on his face as he slowly chewed on a bit of apple.
“C’mon. Whatevr’ happn’d ya’ can talk it out. Now finish yer’ apple n’ get yer’ tail back home.”
Not liking how that came out more as an order, the rabbit shot her a dirty look as he finished the last bites of the gala apple. Then he stood, dusting off his tail before facing her. In a move she found both surprising and amusing, he gave a small salute before hoping off down the road and back to Fluttershy’s cottage.
With a shake of her head, Applejack chuckled softly before hitching herself back up to her the cart and continuing on to the marketplace. Once she made it to the usual spot, a simple kick opened the cart into a stall before she set up all the baskets into their proper place. It was during this set up that she noticed out of the corner of her eye a commotion going on between Ponyville’s most famous musicians.
“I simply cannot believe your attitude, Vinyl!”
Or at the very least the one sided commotion coming from the posh sounding gray coated mare who was following along behind a white unicorn. Said unicorn had blue spikey hair and a pair of large purple shades that hid her eyes but not the annoyed scowl, trying to keep a steady pace ahead of the other as she looked from stall to stall and ignore the tongue lashing being given.
“The least you could have done was remove your headphones last night and feign even the slightest interest! But I suppose you are too utterly selfish for that!”
That last line seemed to be the final straw for Vinyl Scratch, the mare whipping around to face the earth pony.
“And I told you that I didn’t give a flying flank about some art gallery with snooty weirdos that put a red circle on a blank canvas and call it art! But I went anyway because it meant so damn much to you and I was on my best behavior! You think you could appreciate that I tried instead of being a nag about it, Octavia!”
Applejack winced immediately after Vinyl said those words and could easily guess what would come next in the DJ’s future. Octavia for her part was stunned before with a huff, the cellist turned, whipping her tail across the unicorn’s cheek with enough force that the farmer raised a hoof to her own cheek, almost certain she could feel the sting as much as Vinyl could right now.
With a shake of her head, Applejack moved around to stand behind her stall and wait for customers but it seemed that her usual day would continue to be put on hold as the white unicorn stormed her way over, looking over her wars with a huff.
“Honestly, who does she think she is?”
Unsure if the DJ was speaking to her, Applejack raised a brow and stayed silent, letting the other continue to vent.
“I mean come on! She knows that isn’t my scene, so why does she keep dragging me to that crap? I mean, is she trying to make me keel over from boredom? Gimme’ a golden delicious.”
Pushing the requested apple over the counter and to the other, Applejack had both eyebrows raised and looked unimpressed by the other’s ranting.
“Oh don’t give me that look! I mean, I can’t help it if I get bored! It’s her scene with all that fancy Canterlot stuff, not mine.”
A pale magenta aura engulfed the apple, Vinyl using her magic to float it towards her mouth so that she could take a bite. She quietly chewed, her annoyed look slowly ebbing away as she glanced back to Applejack, the farmer’s brows now down in a neutral look.
“I mean… yeah, that stuff is important to her I guess. She’s all high class and has to rub elbows to keep up with that Canterlot crowd. And I guess it’d be nice if she had someone to talk to that stuff about around here. Y’know, outside of Rarity. And I do live with her…”
A few more seconds and a drawn out sigh came from the DJ.
“Okay, I didn’t try as hard as I could’ve to be polite. That stuff still bores me to tears but…”
Finishing the apple, core and used her magic to float a couple bits out of her saddlebag and toss them to onto the stall counter.
“Thanks for the apple AJ. See ya’!”
Swallowing, she turned and galloped off in the direction that Octavia had gone in, leaving Applejack behind to smile, shake her head and get back to tending the stall.
The day would pass by at a crawl, the early morning crowd having gone through and now the next crowd to wait for would be those looking for an afternoon meal. Speaking of which, Applejack’s own stomach soon sounded off that it was just about time for her to have a bite to eat. Then, right on the dot, a blur of pink swung down from above and she found herself staring into a set of light blue eyes.
“Hiya Applejack! Lunch time!”
The hyper pink mare pushed herself off of the sign and with a few flips stuck the landing in front of the stall.
“Hey there Pinkie Pie. Babysittin’ today?”
It wasn’t hard to miss the two foals strapped onto Pinkie Pie’s sides, one a Pegasus colt with light tan fur and brown mane known as Pound Cake and the unicorn with pale orange fur and orange mane known as Pumpkin Cake. The latter was sucking on her hoof, drooling all the while and the former was shifting around, trying to escape the foal harness he was in.
“Yeah… I figured the twins could use some fresh air.”
That earned a tilt of the head from Applejack, easily catching the less than peppy tone in Pinkie Pie’s voice and the quick rebound to cover it up.
“Anyways! I got your lunch for today! I got a fresh baked cupcake, it’s a special apple cinnamon flavor with a caramel based frosting and walnuts! Oh! And I made you a sandwich-“
As she tried to reach for the bag on her back, Pound Cake took that moment to slap it to the ground and start crying as he tried even harder to get out of the foal harness. Pinkie flinched and carefully unstrapped him, keeping in mind what a strong flyer the little Pegasus foal was and kept a steady grip.
“Aw, come on Pound Cake! I know you’re upset but I need you to be good for me today! Please?”
“Here… let me try.”
Moving around from the stall, she took the little foal in a firm but gentle grip and smiled to the crying foal. She cradled him close and took a look at his mouth while Pinkie Pie picked up the spilled lunch.
“Mm, bin’ havin’ a bad day lil’ guy? Ah bin’ through some o’ those with Bloom.”
Slowly she started to rock her arms, closing her eyes as a gentle hum of a tune reverberated in her throat. The blonde pony was not discouraged as the little colt continued crying and eventually Pound Cake began to die down to small sniffles until finally he was quiet, gazing up at her as she opened her eyes and smiled down to him.
“There… y’see? The world ain’t endin’ yet.”
Still staring at her, the foal slowly reached up with a hoof… and booped her on the nose as a soft, gurgling laugh left him. Applejack couldn’t help but chuckle as well, holding him for a moment longer before carefully trading him to Pinkie Pie for her lunch.
“Thanks Applejack. I really appreciate you calming him down!”
Placing the packed lunch on the counter, Applejack turned back to Pinkie Pie and placed a hand on the other earth pony’s shoulder.
“S’no trouble Pinkie. But if’n ya’ ever need help or ta’ talk, ya’ can talk ta’ me or th’ other girls, right?”
With a moment’s hesitation, Pinkie Pie gave a small smile in turn.
“I know. Thanks AJ.”
Then with a big, toothy smile put on her face, she gave Applejack a big hug before bouncing off on her way back to Sugarcube Corner to get back to work baking more delicious treats. Now by herself again, Applejack headed back around the stall and began eating her lunch, finding that the cupcake was quite tasty and over all Pinkie Pie had packed enough to satisfy the infamous apple appetite. In fact, Pinkie had done such a good job that under the warm sun, it was hard not to doze off at her post since she felt so full and content. But Applejack managed to stave off such temptation and continue selling apples to the citizens of Ponyville. As the sun was slowly crawling down to the horizon, Applejack judged she only had a couple more hours before it was time to pack up when-
“Heads up!”
With reflexes that would make Rainbow Dash proud, Applejack jumped over the counter of her stall and turned as if she were to buck a tree. Instead her back leg gently pushed out, using momentum and redirecting the direction of a certain scooter and wagon so that they just managed to miss her stall by a hair. The orange Pegasus filly did a complete circle around the stall before skidding to a stop in front of Applejack just as the farmer finished her spin and stood tall once more.
“Nice one Applejack!”
Quipped the orange Pegasus, taking her helmet off and wiping the sweat off her brow, obviously relieved that she and her passengers had made it out of such a close call.
“Yeah sis’! Ah didn’ think ya’ could do somethin’ like that!”
The yellow earth pony filly with a red mane tied in a pink bow carefully climbed out of the wagon while the second wagon rider, a white unicorn filly, practically collapsed onto the ground.
“Y-Yeah. Thanks Applejack.”
A half-hearted grin belied just how relieved Applejack was that she had managed to pull off that maneuver as she looked upon the three fillies. Her sister Applebloom and her friends could be a handful but she’d had enough practice that she knew how to deal with whatever antics they were up to.
“Scootaloo! I know you’re good at riding that thing, but come on!”
The unicorn filly stood up and brushed herself off, not looking so much annoyed but exasperated as she looked to the purple maned Pegasus filly.
“Hey come on Sweetie Bell, we had way more close calls than that before!”
Of course the blasé attitude only served to vex the pink and purple maned unicorn more and soon the three were chattering amongst themselves. Applejack simply turned to take stock of her wares to make sure not an apple was out of place before turned back and raised a hoof to her mouth to give a loud whistle. The sharp tone made all three fillies shut their eyes and flinch before turning to look curiously at the farmer.
“Now gals, fightin’ ain’t the way ta’ go. Ya’ remember how Discord got out the first time?”
Seeing the slightly guilty looks on all of their faces from the memory, Applejack turned to Scootaloo.
“Ah can see it’s fun fer ya’ ta’ go fast. But ya’ still gotta’ be responsible n’ be careful. ‘Kay?”
Giving it some thought, the orange filly gave her a nod before looking to the others.
“Yeah… sorry ‘bout that. But you guys know I wouldn’t let anything happen, right?”
“Yeah. ‘Sides, ifn’ ya’ hadn’t run into that guy’s stall, ya’ wouldn’t of lost control Scoots.”
Starting to nod, Applejack paused when she thought over what her little sister had just said.
“Guy’s stall?”
“Get back here!”
A glance showed a rather disgruntled earth pony stallion galloping towards them, snorting and his blue cap askew and cherries staining his light brown coat.
“Okay… now what ya’ should do-“
“Okay later Applejack bye!”
When she looked back down to where the three fillies had been, all that was left was a trail of dust, broken when the stallion charged through it in hot pursuit of the three. Applejack simply stared after them for a moment or two before shaking her head and returning to her post behind the stall.
The sun was close to the horizon line now, the calming blue now turning into a blend of ruddy reds and oranges that would give way to the cool, dark colors of night in due time. Once the apple baskets were set in place, Applejack gave another kick to fold it all up before she hitched herself in and headed for home.
The sunset was almost as peaceful as the sunrise, many ponies were no doubt at home or out somewhere getting a bite to eat. Applejack was already imagining what her grandmother had whipped up back home, with the weather as warm as it was, some sort of salad was probably in order, followed by an apple pie for dessert. While her mind was lost in the thoughts of good food, bathing, and a soft bed at home, she failed to notice that someone had quietly sidled up next to her.
“Um… hi, Applejack.”
Startled for only a moment, Applejack glanced over to see Starlight Glimmer was walking next to her, a pleasant smile on her face but looking troubled.
“Evenin’ Starlight. How ya’ been?”
“Good… good.”
They continued on in silence for awhile, Applejack simply waiting as she watched the other mare from the corner of her eye. The pale pink pony seemed conflicted, she could see it in those indigo eyes as she struggled with something and the blonde decided that perhaps a little prompting was in order.
“Ya’ need somethin’?”
Perhaps that came off a little harsh since she could see Starlight flinch but that seemed to do the trick since the unicorn finally spoke after a moment’s hesitation.
“It’s just… I needed a moment out of the castle and I saw you passing by. I mean, if you mind I can go away!”
With a smile and a shake of her head, Applejack knew the other was always trying her best to be a better pony but sometimes she tried too hard.
“Ah reckon it seems it can be a lil’ overwhelmin’ in the castle. Huh?”
“Oh yeah…”
“N’ Ah bet Twilight has all these plans fer yer lessons n’ such.”
“Like you wouldn’t believe….”
“Hard ta’ get any wiggle room ta’ jes’ do yer thing right?”
“Totally.”
“And ya’ know s’long as ya’ do yer best, she’ll ne’er be disappointed in ya’. Right?”
The jovial and joking mood that Starlight Glimmer had been in immediately dropped at those words, replaced by worry and self-doubt. Another silence stretched on, this one more tense than the last one as Starlight Glimmer kept her gaze firmly on the ground.
“… I have to go Applejack. See you later.”
It didn’t seem that the unicorn could get away fast enough, polite enough to simply canter off before breaking into a full gallop. Applejack had stopped, frowning softly as she watched the mare hurry off before continuing on her journey back home. The hard earth of Ponyville streets gave way to the soft, fertile soil of Sweet Apple Acres, the farmer taking a deep breath as familiar, comforting scents came to her. She became pensive as she approached the barn, knowing she would have to wash up and go to dinner but there was something else to do, something she hadn’t done for awhile.
After she stored the cart away securely in the barn, Applejack turned away from the farmhouse and headed into the orchard. It took her a couple of minutes walking before she came to a lone, bare hill that overlooked it all. At the top she took a seat before removing her hat and setting it down next to her, watching as the sun continued to disappear in the distance and cast it’s last long rays over the world. It created a spectacular view of the orchard, the green lush trees seeming to have turned to gold as the world became awash in the warmest of colors. Yellows, oranges, reds… colors Applejack was intimately familiar with every day, from life and from memories.
“… hi ma. Hi pa.”
A pause, a scratch of the side of her neck. Starting was always the hard part.
“Sorry. S’been awhile, huh? Jus’ another typical day. Though got lot a drama today. Ya’ know Fluttershy n’ her rabbit Angel, seems like they had a kerfuffle. Ah know they worked it out though, tha’ stubborn bunny cares as much as Ah do ‘bout her.”
There was a moment’s pause, a bit of musing as Applejack smiled softly and scratched her nose.
“Then ya’ got Octavia n’ Vinyl, sort o’ a lover’s spat Ah guess ya’ could call it. Octavia’s real fiery like when she’s mad Ah tell ya’ what. Makes me wonder ifn’ she could give ya’ a run fer yer money ma. Then after tha’ Pinkie Pie. It was… sad. Seein’ her like tha’. Ah hope whate’er’s goin’ on at home will be okay. Or she comes ta’ one o’ us ta’ talk about it. Then ya’ know Applebloom n’ her friends. Antics left n’ right. But Ah reckon ya’d be right proud o’ her. Ah… Ah hope she’ll always know that.”
This pause would be briefer than the last, Applejack pushing down such sad emotions with practiced ease. She knew she couldn’t draw this out for too much longer, not unless she wanted to finish speaking to her parents in time to make dinner.
“Ah also talked ta’ our newest friend, Starlight Glimmer. Ya’ know, used ta’ be evil ‘til Twilight helped her. She’s still doubtin’ herself. Ah can’t imagine tha’ pressure she’s under. Ah mean, in a way. S’a different kind of pressure Ah guess… Ah just hope she’ll come ta’ terms and get a grip. Ah mean hey, Discord’s doin’ good right?”
A short, hollow laugh, merely a way to get rid of some tension before silence fell. The last rays of light were fading, her time was almost up and she knew Applebloom would be calling for her soon. The farmer could feel eyes start to sting a bit and she gave a small gulp.
“… Ah miss ya’ both. Ah really do. Ah’m sorry Ah don’t talk to ya’ as much as Ah used ta’ and sayin’ Ah’m busy ain’t no excuse. S’just… it still hurts and Ah miss ya’ all so much.”
Applejack shut her eyes tight and took a deep, shuddering breath. She missed so many things that they used to do. The way her mother stroked her mane to lull her to sleep, how she had looked forward to being able to apple buck with her father. She was so sad knowing Applebloom wouldn’t be able to experience any of that and she hated that their parents had been taken away as they had…
“… Ah’ll talk to ya’ another time. S’bout time Ah headed in fer supper. Ah… Ah love you both. N’ Ah hope Ah’m still doin’ proud by ya’.”
Rubbing her eyes, Applejack took a deep breath before putting her Stetson hat back on her head.
“Applejack! Ya’ out here!?”
“Comin’ Applebloom!”
Walking away from the hill, the last of the daylight faded away as stars and the moon began to take its’ place in the sky.