Apples and Cherry Blossoms

by Archangel2401

Open for Business?

"That's strange... where did this building come from? There wasn't even a sign saying something was coming soon."

Twilight Sparkle pondered aloud curiously as she approached a small crowd of ponies that had gathered at Ponyville's city center. Among those gathered were all manner of inquisitive ponies, including Fluttershy, Rarity, and Applejack. Most of them were talking quietly among themselves. What appeared to be a shop had been erected across the town square alongside the river's edge and a lone cherry tree stood nearby, it's branches showing blossoms in full bloom. The architecture was clearly that of Ponyville, but it's windows bore wooden panels that were covered in some kind of thick paper. It's roofing came down and curved out. Twilight thought it looked a little like the Day Spa.

The door to the shop suddenly burst open, causing the crowd to collectively gasp as an Earth pony with a steely gray coat stood before them. Unlike many of those gathered this pony was wearing clothing and there was no shortage of murmurs about how odd his choice of fashion made him look. Some kind of faded blue tunic with a black... skirt? Pants? Was it a robe? If she didn't know better Twilight would have guessed the pony had come outside in his pajamas. The most apparent feature was a conical straw hat that looked at home on the head of a farmer, a string of beads wrapped a few inches down from the point.

The strangely dressed pony, presumably the shop's proprietor, seemed oblivious or indifferent to the gathered crowd. A ladder was propped up against the side of the building which he climbed easily and several loud series of knocks rang out as a hammer pounded away at the wall. When he clambered back down a sign could now be seen hanging proudly just under the roof's curiously slanted eave. Something was written on the sign that Twilight couldn't read, but it obviously had to mean... well, something. Beneath the scrawls was an image of a tree branch that held a few leaves and a pair of fruit hanging from it.

When she looked back at the pony she noticed a slender black object tucked into what looked like a cloth belt that wrapped around his midsection. Twilight swallowed nervously. He's carrying a sword? Why would anypony carry a sword? The earth pony gazed at the sign for a moment, apparently trying to decide whether or not it was crooked. He finally nodded in satisfaction before pulling the ladder down. He sauntered around one side of the shop, laying the ladder down before disappearing back through the front door.

"Come to think of it, I don't remember hearing anything about us getting any new arrivals either. I wonder when he got here?", said Twilight to nopony in particular. "And where did his shop come from? And that tree? It's not like they could just sprout up overnight."

"It must have been late last night or early this morning before any of us woke. Otherwise there'd be balloons and streamers everywhere." The soft, gentle voice of Fluttershy came off Twilight's right as she and Rarity both came to stand beside her. Rainbow Dash came down a bit in the air, her wings flapping as she kept herself hovering a few feet off the ground.

"Good point. I don't see any signs of party damage. Pinkie must not even know there's a new pony in town." Rainbow shrugged, snickering with amusement. On queue a loud cry of annoyance came from behind as Pinkie Pie suddenly barreled up beside them.

"There's a new pony in town in nopony bothered to tell me in advance so I could throw a big welcome party!?", exclaimed Pinkie, bouncing up and down on all four hooves as she whined.

"Aw, don't take it so hard sugar cube. I don't think anypony knew we were gettin' a new visitor." Applejack let out a hearty laugh, patting Pinkie on the back. "Wonder what's with his duds though. He just get out of bed or somethin'?"

"I can't say I think they're very stylish, but they do look rather comfortable. Perhaps with a bit of alteration, maybe some embroidery and- ooh more colors! Why, they could be absolutely fabulous!" Rarity brushed her mane with one hoof, tossing it back dramatically.

"Somethin' tells me lookin' fabulous ain't high on his list of priorities." Applejack snickered in response to the fashionista, turning to look over the sign that now hung over the door. "Wonder what that's all about... Is it just me, or does that look like a pair of apples?"

"Stand back girls, it's time for me to welcome our new friend properly." Pinkie plucked a party favor that was hidden in her mane and tucked it between her lips, giving it a tweet. She pushed through the gathered crowd and made her way to the door. Pulling it open, she almost got one hoof through the door as her chest swelled in preparation to burst into song. Pinkie was met instantly by the grey earth pony. He stood before her, barring her entrance into his shop. This caught her off guard and she held her breath as everypony gawked.

"Mise wa toji rarete imasu." The Earth pony's voice was calm, but spoken with such conviction that the effect was similar to that if he'd shouted right through Pinkie's ears. Her posture sank like air escaping from a balloon and the shopkeeper turned back inside, shutting the door in Pinkie Pie's face. A red tag hung from the door now and Twilight could guess what it meant, even as Pinkie said it aloud.

"I-I think he's closed right now." She smiled sheepishly, rubbing her nose where the door had inadvertently hit her. She gave another puff of her party favor, the tub uncurling at an odd angle. The sad noise it exuded signaled it was broken and Pinkie sniffled, looking at the party favor with pitiful puppy-dog eyes. Several ponies seemed quite disconcerted by this development and the crowd was beginning to disperse.

"How rude! He certainly won't get any customers that way. Hmph! Are you all right darling?" Rarity placed her hoof on Pinkie's back and gave it a reassuring pat.

"Just a little... dazed. I-I'll just welcome him later." Pinkie finally snapped out of her stupor, tucking the party favor back into her mane.

"It was a bit rude, though maybe he just doesn't want any visitors until he's ready?" said Fluttershy.

"If he keeps up actin' like that eveypony'll be too scared to shop there. Or even say hello to 'em." Applejack shook her head slowly.

Twilight frowned as she peered at the covered windows. The crowd had all but vanished, leaving only a few ponies behind who had business of their own in Town Square. Fluttershy looked over at Twilight Sparkle, who glanced at Rarity, who peered at Applejack, who then cast her gaze at Rainbow Dash, who simply shrugged without bothering to look at Pinkie Pie. This prompted Pinkie to form a sullen expression as though she'd been left out of something very important. They all smiled and shared in a laugh before turning about to go their separate ways for the morning.

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つづく

Author's Note:

Mise wa toji rarete imasu. - The shop is closed.
(added 9/15/15 )

Comments

[Grekoy]

More please.

[SomeBloke]

I like where this is going

[Shadow Star]

tried to translate but it keeps goofing it up.
keeps thinking its French instead of..
romanji? is that the right term for it?