Reconciling Their Sorrow

“You screwed up AJ,” Moe said blatantly as he leaned forward on the table. Applejack lowered her head as she felt the feeling of guilt welling in her chest. To say that Applejack felt guilty was an understatement. She felt absolutely horrible as she was reminded of how she treated her guest. Big Mac had even gone so far as to chew her out in the minute he heard what had happened. Worst of all, Applebloom was refusing to even acknowledge her. Granny Smith had been the only one not to say anything the entire time, but the look of disappointment never escaped Applejack’s eye. Her period of reflection was interrupted as Rarity’s voice spoke out.

“Applejack, as much as I don’t want to take sides, Moe is right,” Rarity said as she looked towards the elf who was busy scanning the room. She turned her head back to the farm mare as she frowned. “I expected something like this from Rainbow Dash, but not you.”

“Ah know,” Applejack said as she placed her hat on the table. Her eyes were slightly puffy and were highlighted by the tear stains below them. She never lifted her head as the sound of another pair of hooves alerted the three to a new presence. A hoof gently patted her back making Applejack turn to see her grandmother’s comforting smile. Applejack nodded as she turned back to Moe with a determined expression. “Ah’m gonna make this right again.”

“Hold on there sugercube,” Granny started as she gestured to Moe. The elf had shifted positions and was leaning back in his chair. “Ah think we should listen to Coppa’s friend here.”

“Thank you Ms. Smith,” Moe said as he nodded. However, his gaze became hard as he looked back to Applejack. “Before I say anything, can I ask each of you a question?”

Three sets of heads nodded prompting the elf to continue.

“Have any of you ever heard something similar to this? ‘Those who hide behind the largest smiles or the greatest comedies oft carry the deepest wounds.’”

“No,” both Rarity and Applejack said in unison. Granny said nothing and only stared at the object she had in her hands."What does that mean?"

“It’s something from Sam’s philosophy books. It’s rather self explanatory,” Moe said as he crossed his arms. “It describes a sort of person who hides their own pain underneath a facade of happiness.”

“But why would they do such a thing?” Rarity asked oblivious to the deeper meaning. Moe sighed as Applejack pondered the situation. The realisation dawned on her as she remembered the elf’s words. Just as she opened her mouth her grandmother beat her to the punch.

“Does it hafta do with the boy’s father?” Granny said as she dropped a small gold chain onto the table. At the end of the necklace was an opened pendant. A picture was folded in the inside of one piece while the other remained empty. Applejack and Rarity stared at the pendant while Moe locked eyes with the elderly mare.

“Where did you get this?” Moe said, his voice filled with suspicion. He gently tugged on the picture until it came out. He gazed at the folded piece before sliding to the middle of the table. His gaze returned to Granny Smith as she sighed.

“Coppa gave it to me ta hold onta,” Granny said as she put a pair of glasses on. She unfolded the picture carefully before passing it to Applejack. “Is there a story ta go wit this?”

“That’s his family,” Moe’s voice reached Applejack’s ears as she gazed at the photo. Four figures stood in front of a shack, all of them dwarves. Coppa stood at the front holding a sleeping baby towards the camera while what she assumed were his parents looked on. The young dwarf’s face held a smile that threatened to split his head in two. However, Applejack’s gaze was drawn to the larger male dwarf. “The big one is his father, Clay. Probably the most respectable dwarf you’d ever meet.”

He was larger than anything she had ever seen. His barrel like chest was a mound of thick corded muscle that showed through his shirt. His arms were the same, two large furred appendages that looked like they could crush boulders with ease. His facial fur was grown out and framed his confident smile while his eyes stared directly at the camera. He held a large pickaxe in one meaty fist while the other was in the process of ruffling his son’s hair. His own hair was combed back and fell past one shoulder where it was tied in a small braid.

Beside him was what could only be Coppa’s mother. She looked the polar opposite to her husband. Her face was that of a mother’s, soft eyes that seemed to exude warmth and love. Her face was lined with the content smile that amplified her motherly presence. Her hair was tied in the back while a few pieces framed her face. She was smaller than her husband but Applejack could see the faint trace of muscles underneath her plain looking dress. Applejack felt her mouth open as she broke the suffocating silence with her one thought.

“They look so happy.”

“That’s because they were,” Moe said as he stared at the picture. “Clay could make anyone’s day brighter with just a few songs,” He tapped the image of Clay with his finger as he continued speaking.  “He’s seen as one of the greatest dwarves to have lived in the Iron Mountain.”

“He sang?” Rarity asked as she stared at Clay’s image. “Was he any good?”

“One of the best,” Moe said, a tinge of sadness to his voice. “He could make people laugh, cry, or feel any other emotion he wanted. People came from all over our world to hear him.”

“Then why did they live in that shack?” Rarity said as she examined the house behind them. “Surely he could have made enough bits to live fashionably?”

“That was his charm,” Moe said as he refolded the picture and placed it back in the locket. “He never asked for anything. He just wanted to make peoples’ days brighter. They lived in that shack because that’s what they liked.”

“So how did he make money darling?

“Mined like any other dwarf.  He always took the dangerous jobs so others didn’t have to.”

“Sounds like one of a kind,” Granny said as she leaned back in her chair. “So what happened?”

“Coppa and I had been friends for about a year, Clay was teaching both of us about music,” Moe started as he cast his gaze to the floor. “We wanted to see what his dad did in the mines so we snuck in.” A frown lined his face as he paused for a minute. “We got as far as the lower mines before Clay caught us.”

“He musta been less than happy ta see you,” Applejack said with a sad laugh. Moe returned the laugh and smiled. He nodded before continuing his story.

“He was in the middle of chewing us out when there was an explosion. It was pretty common in those mines but the next thing we knew, the entire area began collapsing around us.” Moe coughed a bit into his arm. He wiped his eyes as the three mares stared at him with sad expressions. He felt Rarity’s hooves embrace him as he shuddered. “I managed to get out but Clay and Coppa were trapped in the collapse. When they dug Coppa out three days later they found Clay crushed under a boulder.”

“The poor dear,” Granny Smith said. Applejack managed to choke back a sob. Applejack felt the tears begin to well in her eyes as the full weight of her words hit her. She never felt the hooves of her grandmother and friend embrace her in her misery.

“That’s not where it ends though,” Moe said with a cough. Two pairs of eyes shot up and stared at him. Their shocked expressions were matched only by their glistening eyes. Granny just sat in silence listening to each and every word. “At least not for Coppa.”

“How much more could he have gone through?” Applejack said as her voice quavered. Her tears were now spilling over, leaving fresh stains on her coat. She remembered the dwarf’s words and wondered just what kind of life he had to go through at such a young age.

“When his father died their savings dried up quickly, his family struggled to feed themselves. Sometimes they couldn’t even afford to feed themselves.”

“What about their friends?” Rarity questioned as she dabbed a few tears from her eyes. “Surely they must of helped Coppa and his family?”

“They did, but it was never enough. They were all miners so they could only spare so much,” Moe replied solemnly. “Coppa knew that if things continued the way they were going, they’d starve to death. So one day he just disappeared. They found him again a month later nearly dead from exhaustion and hunger. He thought that if he wasn’t there, his mother could feed his sister and herself.” Moe turned to Applejack who was barely containing her emotions. “All he wanted was to help so you wouldn’t need to see your family suffer like his did.”

That had been the final straw for Applejack. She bolted from the dining room and out the front door leaving the others behind. Her hooves pounded on the soft ground as she kept moving forward. Rows upon rows of apple trees passed by until her body collapsed onto the soft grass. A few minutes passed by as she let her misery and sorrow flow out. Violent sobs racked her body  while her tears sparkled in the light of Luna’s moon. After the final sob passed, Applejack weakly sat up only for her breath to catch in her throat.

In the middle of the clearing sat two headstones. She made a tentative step forward only to stop when she noticed the figure sitting behind them. Even the shadows cast in the light of the moon couldn’t hide the dwarf as he sat there inspecting the plain grave markers. Applejack’s ears cocked forward as the dwarf’s voice was carried down to her by the wind. The strum of a guitar’s strings, the faint notes assisting with the melody of his voice.

We've all seen the man at the liquor store beggin' for your change

The hair on his face is dirty, dreadlocked and full of mange

He asked a man for what he could spare with shame in his eyes

"Get a job, you fuckin' slob is all he replied

God forbid you ever had to walk a mile in his shoes.

'Cause then you really might know what it's like to sing the blues.

Then you really might know what it's like.

Sad, that was the only emotion Applejack could find to describe the song. Coppa’s deep voice only enhanced the chill that ran through her spine. Each syllable striking a deep chord as she felt like a pair of hooves were squeezing her heart. Her ears strained forward as the wind brought the song to her. Coppa plucked a few notes that were caught and distorted by the gentle breeze.

Mary got pregnant from a kid named Tom who said he was in love

He said, "Don't worry about a thing, baby doll, I'm the man you've been dreamin' of."

But three months later he said he won't date her or return her call

And she sweared, "God damn if I find that man I'm cuttin' off his balls."

And then she heads for the clinic and she gets some static walkin' through the door.

They call her a killer, and they call her a sinner, and they call her a whore

God forbid you ever had to walk a mile in her shoes

'Cause then you really might know what it's like to have to choose

Then you really might know what it's like

Coppa paused, letting the wind howl as he fixed the strings on his guitar. As if on command, the wind quieted no longer distorting any of the lyrics. He gave a tentative strum on one of the strings before restarting the rythmn.

I've seen a rich man beg

I've seen a good man sin

I've seen a tough man cry

I've seen a loser win

And a sad man grin

I heard an honest man lie

I've seen the good side of bad

And the down side of up

And everything between

I licked the silver spoon

Drank from the golden cup

Held a stack of green

I stroked the baddest dimes

At least a couple of times

Before I broke their heart

You know where it ends

but it usually depends

On where you start

I knew this kid named jack

He used to get fat stacks

Out on the corner with drugs

He liked to hang out late

He liked to get shit faced

And keep pace with thugs

Until late one night

There was a big fight

An Max lost his head

Just talked some shit

And wound up dead

And now his wife and his kids

Are caught in the midst

Of all of his pain

You know it comes that way

At least that's what they say

When you play the game

God forbid you ever had to wake up to hear the news

‘Cause then you really might know what it's like to have to lose

Then you really might know what it's like

To have to lose...

Coppa’s voice trailed off on the last lines, echoing as the last words left his lips. Appplejack sat there amazed as she watched the dwarf rise from his position. He kneeled before the graves and whispered something inaudible. He patted her father’s headstone before walking past the graves and off into the night. She desperately wanted to run after him and apologize, but something held her to the spot. She shook her head violently, this was her chance! She needed to take this opportunity to apologize. Yet when she lifted her head the dwarf was nowhere in sight.

She scanned the horizon but found nothing. The orchard blocked any possible sign of Coppa, leaving Applejack alone with her parents. Dejected, she gazed at the two headstones before heading back to the house. A heavy sigh escaped her as she blinked away the last tears.

“Something on your mind?” Coppa’s voice said causing her to spin around. He was perched on a tree branch. His hard gaze was fixed on Applejack who pawed at the ground nervously. She opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted as Coppa spoke again. “If you’re here to apologize, don’t bother.”

“Ah know about it,” Applejack said ignoring Coppa’s statement. She looked back up to see the dwarf’s gaze harden even further as his tail gave an annoyed flick. “Ah know about yer father.”

“So you know about it, do you want an award?” Coppa replied, his voice dripping with venom. Applejack bit her lower lip nervously as she watched him drop down. His expression was unreadable as he approached her. “Why should you care? He’s dead and I’ll be out of here soon enough. Isn’t that what you wanted?”

“No,” Applejack said under her breath. Coppa’s large ears twitched as he regard her.

“What did you say?”

“Ah said no!” Applejack screamed. Coppa was taken aback by the pure volume of her words. His expression hardened again as he regained his composure. Applejack stared back at him, her face full of newfound determination. “That’s not what ah want.”

“Then what did you want? Why come here?”

“Ah don’t know. I wanted ta apologize proper. So Ah’m gonna say it an yer gonna listen!” Applejack exclaimed. Coppa’s mouth twitched as it slowly turned into an amused smile. Applejack summoned her breath as she began. “Ah’m sorry. Ah didn’t take the time ta get to know ya properly. I let mah pride get in the way an ah misjudged yer intentions. Ah don’t know if ah deserve it, but ah want to start over.” She held her words as the tension in the air started to dissipate. “Ah’m sorry about what ah said an ah hope ya can forgive me fer actin stupid.”

Coppa was silent for a minute as he regarded the farmpony standing in front of him. Slowly , he scratched behind his ear and chuckled a bit before speaking.

“Applejack, you have got to be one of the most stubborn ponies I have ever met. You’re impolite, hard headed, and just a general pain in the ass. You’ve done nothing but treat me like shit ever since I got here.” Applejack’s heart tightened in sorrow as she heard the beginnings of his rejection. “In all honesty I should have just called it quits then, but I hoped you might change. I stayed because I felt a connection to this farm. I should reject you right now because of all that you’ve done but…” Coppa trailed as Appleack’s head perked up. He smiled as he purposely dragged his feet. “I guess I can forgive you this once.”

“Thank you!” Applejack shouted as she bowled Coppa over. She wrapped her forelegs around his neck tightly. She pressed herself into his chest as tears of happiness left her eyes. “Ya won’t regret it.”

“Um Applejack…” Coppa said weakly as his hands started to struggle against her. She heard a few weak gasps. “I..can’t…breathe.”

“Sorry!” Applejack said as she let go. A faint blush crossed her face as Coppa struggled for breath. He smiled at her before wiping away some of the tear stains underneath her eye. Her head pulled back as she felt his fingers rub against her fur. “What’re ya doing?”

“Tears don’t suit you,” Coppa said as he sat on the ground. “You’re a lot cuter when your smiling, you know that?”

“T-Thanks… Ah guess,” Applejack stuttered as Coppa flashed her a grin. She felt another blush heat her face. She felt herself smile at his words, happy that she had regained his friendship. “Do ya want ta head back to the farm?”

“Will I have to sleep in the barn again?” Coppa chuckled as he got up. Applejack shook her head as she offered him a hoof.

“Only if ya sing another song,” Applejack said as they exited the clearing. Coppa’s face turned red at the request. He stuttered as she looked at him confused. “What, that last one was really good.”

“I don’t really like to sing that much,” Coppa said looking down. Applejack giggled at his flustered face before nudging him with her hoof. “Promise you won’t judge.”

“Ah Pinkie swear,” Applejack said as she made the motions. Coppa smiled before nodding. “Now let’s hear that song.”

“Sure,’ Coppa said as he suddenly picked Applejack up. She squeaked as she clung to his back while Coppa put on her hat. He shrugged as she gave him a questioning look. “What, I think it fits the song.”

“Jus sing already,” Applejack said rolling her eyes. She let out a yawn as she nuzzled the soft fur on Coppa’s neck. She felt her eyes grow heavy as Coppa began his song. As the lyrics began, she couldn’t help but feel safe and happy as she clung tightly to her friend’s back. A small, content smile etched itself on her face as she pressed closer.

I can't see where you comin' from

But I know just what you runnin' from:

And what matters ain't the "who's baddest" but

The ones who stop you fallin' from your ladder, baby

And you feel like you feelin' now

And doin' things just to please your crowd,

When I love you like the way I love you,

And I suffer, but I ain't gonna cut you 'cause

This ain't no place for no hero.

This ain't no place for no better man.

This ain't no place for no hero

To call home

This ain't no place for no hero.

This ain't no place for no better man.

This ain't no place for no hero

To call home.

Every time I close my eyes, I think,

I think about you inside,

And your mother, givin' up on askin' why -

Why you lie, and you cheat, and you try to make

A fool outta she...

Coppa took a breath as he paused. His legs burned slightly from the added weight of Applejack, but he pressed on. He spared a small glance and found the mare sleeping peacefully on his back. Her golden mane was spread out like a cloak of gold threads. Coppa readjusted her as hesitated to finish the last verses of the song. He kept his eyes trained on the farm as it grew steadily in his approach as he whispered the last verses.

I can't see where you comin' from,

But I know just what you're runnin' from.

And what matters ain't the "who's baddest," but the

Ones who stop you fallin' from your ladder, 'cause

This ain't no place for no hero.

This ain't no place for no better man.

This ain't no place for no hero

But I'm gonna call it Home...