It was the beginning of a new day in Ponyville. The sun had just risen and most of the town was still asleep. The members of the Apple family however, were not among the dreamers. Instead, they were up and tending to the morning chores that came from owning a farm. One pony in particular was loading a large wooden cart with tasty apple treats. He was muscular dark red stallion with golden eyes and dusty blonde hair. On his head he ware a light brown Stetson which he had won in an apple bobbing contest years ago. On his flank was the image of a golden apple.
The stallion had just finished loading the last bit of goods onto the back when the sound of hoofsteps against the hard dirt road reached his ear. "Applestand are you done? I need to go over the checklist before you leave for Manehatten" A pony with a famine voice called out. Applestand did not turn around, there was no need to. There was only one Apple on the farm he knew of that did not speak with the same accent as the rest of his family, his younger sister Appletini. She, at an early age taught herself to use words like 'I' and 'you' instead of 'ah' and 'ya' like the rest of the family. Even to this day nopony really knows why she does it.
"Eeeyep...ah'm all done sis." Applestand said without turning to face is sister. Instead he trotted to the front of the cart and began hitching himself to it. Behind him he could hear the sound of a quill scratching against paper. Finally he turned his head to see the lime green fur, red haired pony with wine glass and apple wedge cutie mark that was his sister. "Do ya really need to do this? Ah've been doin' this for years before you started askin' me to make records of what ah'm planning to sell."
Appletini lowered the list and quill that she had in her hooves. She gazed back at him with her green eyes. "Brother, I am making records for what you take and what you bring back to adequacy deduce how much you make on your 'profit trips' It would be in the best interest of our family to know how we are doing in our different avenues of income." Appletini broke eye contact a second later, returning her attention to her list.
Applestand snorted, he knew of another reason that Appletini sought to record his product sells. It was an attempt, a foolish attempt but one none the least to try an prove that his trips were not beneficial enough to continue. Her reason behind all of this, to leave Sweet Apple Acres. Appletini loved her family, nopony questioned that but she was a grown mare who wanted to live elsewhere. True, she could just pack up her things an leave but she wouldn't do that to her mother or father. Their parents were getting on in years and needed help with farm work even if they were too stubborn to admit it. Since Applestand was making money wherever he went it was just logical that he would be the one to travel about while Appletini stay at the farm to help.
Applestand rolled his eyes. Appletini could try whatever plan to get him to stay, it will never work. The only thing that would make him stay was when he found a pony he could settle down with. At the age of twenty-nine and no previous relationships it didn't look like it was going to happen anytime soon.
In order to diminish the feel of boredom during the drawn out examination of goods, Applestand grinded a forehoof into the ground. He had made small hole by the time the words "Ok brother I'm done." came forth from the mouth of his sister.
"Bout time." He said under his breath. His leg muscles tensed up readying to pull forward.
"Take...Take care Applestand, stay safe." Appletini spoke quietly enough to make Applestand rotated his ears back in order to hear her.
He turned his head and smiled. "Ah will Appletini, ya take care of mom and dad ya hear." The only response Appletini gave was a quick nodded before departing in the opposite direction. Without farther distractions Applestand lunged forward with cart in tow. Looking up at the sky Applestand saw nothing but blue sky. Today was going to be a good day.
At the end of almost two days of traveling Applestand finally reached the destination, Manehatten, the city by the sea. It's brick and concrete buildings and cobblestone ground was a huge step from the little town of Ponyville which had yet to reach it's fortieth birthday. Being a port city made Manehatten one of the popular go to spots for imports from foreign nations across the sea. The seaports were always busy with ships coming and going, bring and taking goods and travelers/immigrants. Thankfully Applestand was going to be nowhere near there. He might make great deals there but the hustle and bushel of the seaports also attracted less friendly figures, ones Applestand thought best to avoid.
Today however, he would not be making any sales. The afternoon rush was over and soon Princess Celestia would lower the sun and replace it with the moon. He may have been able to make it in time to sell some goods if he hadn't stopped to help a pegasi couple free their wagon from a muddy section of road. Applestand had no regrets helping them, but now instead of setting up shop he needed to find a inn that also had a place to secure his cart for the night.
silently Applestand walked onward, keeping his eyes open for a inn. Ponies went about their business giving Applestand little to no attention as he trotted by them, except one.
"excuse me sir? You with the Stanton."
Applestand stopped and looked around. He was the only one with a Stanton. "Yes you." the voice came from behind him. He turned to see who was calling out to him. To his surprise it was a creamy beige earth pony mare with blonde hair. The graceful trot, the yellow summer dress with frills at the end and the mane done up in a bun with what Applestand described as 'weird mane chopsticks' he could tell that his pony came from 'high society'.
Applestand remained still allowing the mare to trot up to him. Needlessly the mare cleared her throat. "Good evening sir, If it's not to much trouble I would like to buy some apple juice if you have any.
Applestand stared blankly at her for a moment before answering coolly. "Um...sure...I guess." Absentmindedly Applestand unhitched himself from the cart and proceeded to turn around and look into the cart. spotting the crates that contained the requested juice he lifted the top off and grab one of the glass bottles. Using a hoof he unscrewed the top and gave the open bottle the patently waiting mare. While Applestand had never dealt with high class pony before he did expect them to act refined and proper. In this case he was wrong. Instead of gently taking the bottle and sip from it like one would do with a glass of wine she grabbed in with both of her forehooves turned away from and chugged it down greedily.
Applestand watched in stunned silence as the mare downed the beverage. It was only when she had emptied the glass that she separated herself from her now drained prey. "That hit the spot" The mare smiled turning back to face the farmer. A flash of realization passed across her face upon looking at the bewildered stallion. "Oh my, where are my manners...I haven't introduced myself have I am Clementine Orange, It is a pleasure to meet you...Mr..."
"Applestand." The farmer replied absentmindedly. It took another moment for his brain to process the information he had just been given. "Wait!...you're an Orange?"
Clementine raised a brow. "Yes...I am. Is there something wrong with that." she said taking up a more guarded expression.
"No ma'am ah'm just surprised that an Orange would want an Apple product that all." Applestand spoke with an amused tone. Clementine however, did not share the amusement. In fact she was giving Applestand the 'really?' look with hint of anger mixed in.
"How dare you assume that just because I am from the Orange family that I don't like or consume apple products. My family and I have on several occasions had apples in one way or another. Have you ever eaten an orange?...If you haven't I would kindly suggest you do so. You just might learn something."
Applestand needed to find a way to defuse the situation and fast. Most ponies didn't know that produce growing families like the Apples and Oranges had a sort of non-written treaty between them. There were, of course rules that both families abided by like not disrupting sells of one another or if one wishes to sell their product in a town or city that a major branch of the other family lives in; that pony must stay a certain distance way from that branches' home and/or place of business. The problem Applestand faced now was that if somepony realized who's families they came from and spread news of it the whole think could be blown out of proportion and both families would end up fighting against each other.
Wasting not another moment Applestand removed his Stetson and bowed. "Ah apologize for my miss action ma'am. Ah wasn't thinkin' and for that ah am sorry. Please forgive me for my stupidity."
Clementine stared down at the stallion with mouth agape. She wanted an apology but wasn't excepting one so profound. Sensing the feeling of being watched she realized that several by-passers were looking at her and Applestand and whispering. Her cheeks redden in embarrassment. "I...I accept your apology...yo-you can get up now...th-there's no reason to bow."
Hearing the mare's voice stammering as she spoke Applestand looked up to see Clementine giving him a wide nervous smile while still blushing. immediately Applestand stood up but averted his eyes, unable to look at Clementine face to face. The awkward silence that had befallen them broke when he heard her speak. " I should apologize as well...today hasn't been a good day for me so I'm a bit agitated." Applestand wondered what got her ear in a twist but decided it was best to drop the matter for a more peaceful conversation
"It's alright ma'am, it happens to all of us." He nodded sagely.
"It appears so...oh I have yet to pay for my drink. How much is it?" She said regaining her composure.
"Three bits ma'am." Applestand replied simply. glad that the crisis was averted. Clementine reached into a pocket on her dress and pulled out the desired amount. After hoofing him the money she quickly bid him farewell and left.
"Why do Ah get the feelin that this week is going to be interesting." Applestand said to nopony in particular as he watched her walk away.