Homegrown

by Jake R.

I wasn’t used to the Ponyville air. Not that it was pungent or hostile... on the contrary, it was remarkably clean, at least compared to the air I was used to Manehattan. All the hustle and bustle of the city had not been kind to the air, I admit.

Well, I rationalized at the time, Ponyville may have clean air, but what it doesn’t have is culture or activity. Everything was far too quiet for my liking as my cab made its way through the relatively empty and inactive marketplace before finding itself on the outskirts of the town. It puzzled me how my niece could go so many years in the boondocks without going mad.

Perhaps that’s why Applejack invited me over, I thought: to admit she was wrong for running out on Mosely and myself during her youth to come back here, of all places. After all, why would she abandon us? We welcomed her a smile and gave her everything a filly wanting a sophisticated upbringing could ask for. It was what she wanted, after all. It simply didn’t make sense.

Oh well, it’s not as though Mosely and I bore ill will toward the girl. She was young and confused at the time. Now that she was older and wiser, she had likely seen the error of her ways. Who knows? Perhaps she invited me over to ask us to rescue her from this bumpkin life once more. With a little bit of ingenuity and willpower, I thought, I might even be able to mold her into an ideal debutante in time for the spring cotillion. Granny Smith likely didn’t have much set aside, but I was confident Mosely would be willing to put forth some money to make a dowry suitable enough to attract many a male suitor.

My mind was racing with these electrifying prospects so much, that I hadn’t even noticed I had reached my destination before Applejack called out my name. I looked out the window of the cab and saw that we were parked outside of the Apple family’s outhou–er, farmhouse... yes, farmhouse.

I stepped out of the cab and was immediately tackled in the near-suffocating embrace of my niece. Clearly, she was desperate to have me whisk her away from this life of mediocrity, and I couldn’t blame her. Surveying the house and the surrounding land, this all looked positively miserable. An glorified shanty of a home mixed with a demanding apple farm isn’t what makes for a proper Manehattanite. Maybe it was too late for her, even. But perhaps Apple Bloom could yet be saved...

I patted Applejack’s back. “My, my, it certainly has been ages.”

“Why, I’d say, though ya don’t look a day older.”

Even under that hideous accent, my niece was quite the flatterer, I thought as I chuckled. “Oh, you are simply too much, my dear.”

“Aw, shucks,” she replied as she let go and stepped back. “I just call it like I see it. And you’re right, it’s been way too long a time.”

I nodded. “Indeed, and I apologize for Uncle Orange’s absence, but he had matters to attend to back in Manehattan.”

“Well, gosh, that’s okay. He can come ‘round for the next reunion in a couple’a months.”

I chuckled, clearly the girl had a sense of humor. “Oh, yes, indeed. Regardless, though, it was, um, very nice to invite me over.”

She beamed. “Absolutely! I reckon it's been, well, shoot, about ten years. And heck, you've never been 'round these parts, have ya?"

I shook my head ferociously. "Certainly not... I'm sure we would have made plans to see the family, but, well... after your mother–”

I immediately saw her dejected expression and promptly backpedaled. “Dear, I didn’t mean it like that. It’s just that your uncle Mosely was quite distraught about losing his sister... it’s why we were quite ecstatic when you decided to move in with us. We would do anything for you.”

Her grin came back as we began walking along the path toward the porch, the cab already off in the distance. “I appreciate that, Auntie Orange, and I understand how Uncle must’a felt. It was hard on all of us.” As we reached the porch, she put her foreleg around me. “And I really appreciated what ya did for me in my time of need. It’s why I invited ya over, actually, to thank ya when I should’ve all those years ago.”

I chuckled. “Oh, Applejack, really, no thanks are needed. We were more than happy to give you a home. And listen, don’t think you’re not welcome back to Manehattan anytime. Mosely will be right here if ever you want to be a proper Manehattanite.”

An uneasy chuckle came from her along with a sheepish grin. This was it. Clearly, she was too nervous to outright ask me to let her come back. All these years among bumpkin must had broken her ambition to the point of not even being able to actively pursue what it was she wanted. It was a tragedy, really, I thought. This town and Manehattan were both founded by earth ponies, a tribe who had more natural gifts than the unicorns and pegasi would expect. But it was the Manehattanite ponies who truly wanted to create a thriving civilization, to prove to the world that they wanted more than mere satisfaction. They wanted to be the gold standard, and the gold standard is what they, what we, became. Ponyville, however? What did they want? Nothing, it seemed. These ponies were... well, content.

Why, though? Did they not look at what was around them? The buildings were barely higher than ten ponies’ heads. The most thriving business was a bakery of all places. The most employment came out of tilling fields. How could anyone look at this town and think to themselves ‘this is enough’?

But I’m getting ahead of myself (I’m a bit of a babbler, if you ever ask Mosely at parties), I knew at this moment Applejack would come clean about how unfulfilling this life was.

“Well, that’s mighty nice’a ya to offer, Auntie Orange, but I got just one question: why would I ever leave?”

...Now, to be fair, Applejack was quite the jokester. I was sure that at any moment, Applejack would interrupt my surprise with a ‘gotcha’, as they call it, and we would have a hearty laugh while I helped her packed her things. Any moment, now...

...Oh, Celestia, she was serious, wasn’t she?

I cleared my throat. “Well, dear, I’m not quite sure you’ve noticed, but... well, this town is... nice, but it’s certainly not quite what someone like you was after all those years ago.”

Applejack shrugged. “Heh, yeah, I guess not. But I must say I’m darn happy here.”

I furled my brow. “Applejack, I... I don’t get it. This town, it’s so... small, and underwhelming, and, well, to be blunt, podunk. You used to want so much more than that. You wanted to be a proper Manehattanite, and Mosely and I were so baffled when you suddenly decided to leave us to return here, of all places.”

Another mirthy grin came to her lips as she stepped off the porch. “Okay, ya caught me. I had another reason to invite ya over other than just thank ya. I wanted to tell ya somethin’ else, but... here, just take a walk with me.”

Confusion topped more confusion as I followed her on a nearby dirt path. Just what had Ponyville done to my niece?

After a long and silent, though admittedly tolerable, walk through the woods, we ended up near a river, where Applejack was no doubt going to show me a one-stop-shop for all her fishin’, drinkin’, and peein’ needs.

Dear Luna, I had spent a scant hour with my niece, and already, my inner thoughts sounded like they were raised in a barn.

Rather, Applejack directed me to a group of tree stumps encircling... what appeared to be a group of logs placed together in a pile. Almost like a fireplace without the fireplace. How queer.

Applejack sat on one of the stumps facing the river and patted the one next to it waiting for me to sit as well. After dusting off any and all potential dust and dirt, I reluctantly complied. Applejack breathed in deeply as she simply stared off into the horizon.

“Now we just sit back and smell the sun warm up the pine,” she whispered.

I took in a deep breath as well and found myself pleasantly surprised. The air in Ponyville was an adjustment, but at that moment, I found myself enjoying the smell of the pine trees surrounding us, combined with the smell of the nearby river and the warmth of the air... everything was peaceful. Lovely, even. For the first time, I was enjoying myself.

“I must say, Applejack, this really is a nice spot, but I must say, you’ve been acting rather cryptic. Is this all you dragged me out here for?”

Applejack laughed. “Aw, yeah, I guess I put a bit of the theatrics on ya, didn’t I? Sorry ‘bout that, I get that from my friend Rarity.”

I ended up chuckling. “Ah, well, yes, no harm, no foul. But that said, where are your friends, or your family, for that matter?”

“Oh, they’ll be here. I gave Mac and Apple Bloom the day off, so they went into town, and my friends were just gettin’ prepared.”

“Prepared.”

“Eeyup. We’re havin’ a little get-together out here by the riverside. Soon as the sun sets, we’ll have fire goin’.” She looked back to the horizon, pulling out a nearby matchbook. “I’ll get it goin’ riiiiiight...” as the sun began to set, she lit the match. “Now.”

Applejack tossed the match into the bundle of logs and–oh, that’s what that was for, how quaint.

I looked over to the horizon again and saw that we had hit the magic hour. “Oh... my, Applejack, the majesty.”

“Yep. There just ain’t nothin’ like it.”

“Is this why? You missed the beauty?”

“Sure I did. But that ain’t what made me come back. Not by a longshot.”

“Oh? ...Well, what did bring you back?”

She didn’t answer. Instead, she looked over my shoulder and waved off into the distance. I turned and saw a travelling congregation of ponies. Granny Smith, Macintosh, and Apple Bloom I recognized, and accompanying them were five laughing mares, two galloping fillies, and even a dragon of all things.

I swear, this world tosses more and more surprises in my direction.

They carried with them baskets and bottles, and as they came nearer, they enthusiastically called over to us their greetings. Applejack rose from her seat to get close to them, while I sat back and kept my distance.

I watched Applejack look to the unicorn with a lavender coat in bemusement. The girl was stumbling around like a fool. Clearly, this was a vagrant who chose to accompany Applejack’s menagerie of friends. Soon enough though, the unicorn stumbled toward Applejack, wrapped her hooves around her neck, and planted kisses all over her!

My, this town and its lack of decorum. Though, what was even more baffling than that was that Applejack began to blush furiously rather than just be furious.

The pegasus with a rainbow mane came up to the both of them and rubbed the back of her her neck, the others circled around and giggled.

“Uh, sorry, AJ,” the pegasus sheepishly murmured. “I, uh, thought it’d be fun to introduce Twilight to pregaming, but uh, you know how it is with her, y’know?”

“AJ” darted at the pegasus. “Dash, this is supposed’ta be a nice little gathering, not a darn hootenanny.”

“W-wait-wait,” the unicorn stammered, who I could now assume was named Twilight. “I thought it was a hoedown you got drunk at, not a hootenanny.”

Applejack cracked a smile again. “I, uh, have to admit something to you, Twi, and I ain’t proud I’ve hidden this from ya, but... hoedowns and hootenannies are the same thing. We lied to ya. We lied to all y’all.”

The others proceeded to giggle while this Twilight girl bemoaned to Applejack. “Oh, how could you? How could you?” This made the group laugh even harder, Applejack included.

Applejack patted Twilight’s back, as she said through her grin “I’m sorry, Twi. I know this must’ve been very important to you.”

The unicorn flailed her her foreleg in a dramatic pose. “Yes! Yes it was! ...I-i still love you, though,” she bellowed, resting her head on Applejack’s neck.

“Aww, me too, hon,” Applejack replied, placing a kiss on this drunken girl’s forehead!

The giggles turned into a chorus of ‘awws’ while I sat back remaining dumbstruck.

The white unicorn stepped forward and addressed Applejack. “Now, see, aren’t you glad Twilight became so inebriated so that we could bask in this heartwarming moment?” This Rarity girl actually spoke like a proper lady! I was impressed, frankly, that those still existed in these parts.

Applejack rolled her eyes. “Nice sentiment, Rarity, but c’mon, there’s young’uns here.” Her glare became directed at Apple Bloom, the two other fillies, and the little dragon. With utter firmness, she stated “I ever see any of y’all like this, I’m tannin’ yer hides, y’hear?”

They all nodded furiously. “We hear.”

Applejack sighed as she looked to her friends and family before eventually catching gaze with me again, and at that moment her eyes widened. “Well what’re y’all waiting for? My Auntie Orange has just been sittin’ there like a dang wallflower. Let’s go keep her company!”

The group approached me and greeted me, introducing themselves. Apple Bloom was just as her sister was at that age, and her companions, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were just the most adorable rascals I had encountered. Macintosh had grown into quite the handsome beau, and Granny Smith was just as feisty and vivacious as when I had last seen her a decade ago.

The night went on, and I had the privilege of getting to know Applejack’s friends. Such a bizarre, motley band of companions, and it would seem odd that any of them would have interest in being associated. At first, I had the impression that this was simply out of convenience. After all, in such a small town, where there are few ponies, one would simply have to make due with the ponies around them regardless of lifestyle or interests, right?

Well, to my surprise, all of these girls seemed to genuinely enjoy others’ company. It was the strangest thing, which was saying quite a lot after this day.

And then, of course, there was this Twilight Sparkle character. I found out quite a bit about her (mostly through Applejack and their little dragon friend due to her inebriated state), and I was quite intrigued at what an accomplished team they were. Honestly, I should probably read more newspapers considering the fact I hadn’t even heard that my own niece and her entourage had saved Equestria many times over. Of course, Mosely always takes the newspaper into the bathroom and after that, well, I simply can’t read it.

Oh, where was I? Goodness, I’m a prattling lady. Regardless, as the night waned, and much of the party had dissipated into different groups, Apple Bloom, the dragon (Spike was his name), Rarity, and myself were the only ones sitting around the campfire, save for Applejack, who was sitting off to the side in front of a folding chair, with Twilight Sparkle passed out in said chair, forelegs wrapped around Applejack’s shoulders. At this point, I found myself very much in the same spirit of content as these ponies. It was many things, really: the air, the friendly banter, the whiskey, the feelings of nostalgia talking with Applejack about the past... the whiskey. Good times were had by all.

“Rarity,” I bellowed. “You simply must tell me who does your hair, I’m just speechless, dear!”

Rarity beamed, hiccuping in the process. “Why, thank you, Madam Orange, and I’ll have you know, I coif it myself.”

“Oh my, I exclaimed,” scooching closer and closer to this scintillating mare. Despite my better judgement, I found myself murmuring, “You know... I’ve been married for several years, but it’s not unusual for wealthy Manehattanites to partake in a dalliance or three.”

Rarity cleared her throat and, although under the cover of night, was clearly blushing. “M-madam, I’m, er, flattered, but I must decline... adamantly. Also, for goodness sake, there are children present among us,” she added, looking to Apple Bloom and Spike the dragon.

I waved my hoof. “Oh, pish posh, they don’t know what I’m talking about.”

“That means Auntie Orange wants you as a mistress, right, Rarity?” Apple Bloom immediately chimed.

Rarity’s eyes shot open while Applejack simply started guffawing. “Apple Bloom! How uncouth of you!”

Apple Bloom looked over to Applejack. “Hey, sis, what’s that word mean again?”

Applejack kept laughing until she was nearly out of breath. Once she composed herself, she replied “Apple Bloom, that ain’t important. Now I think Rarity would like if ya stopped pesterin’ her. Why don’t you an’ Spike see what Dash and Scootaloo are doin’ down by the river.”

Apple Bloom rolled her eyes and hopped off her stump with their little dragon friend following behind.

“Hey, uh, Apple Bloom,” he whispered in a worried tone. “I heard from Rainbow Dash that Rarity’s a, uh... lipstick lesbian? You don’t think that’s true, do you?”

“I ain’t got no idea what that is, Spike, but I’ve seen Twilight wear lipstick sometimes. That the same thing?”

“Oh no, what if it is?!”

As Applejack and I heard that exchange, soon broke into a fit of hysterics. All the while, Rarity was gritting her teeth before screaming in utter exasperation. Standing up, she announced “Ugh! I’ve had it! You’re all utterly mad tonight. I, for one, am taking Sweetie Belle and going home!”

Applejack tipped her bottle of whiskey to her friend. “Gotcha. I’ll see ya around, Rare.”

“Yes, yes,” Rarity resigned. “Hopefully, one of these days, I can meet you someplace more civil. You really must come to the spa with Twilight, Fluttershy, and moi, sometime... though, you probably won’t.”

Applejack smirked. “Ya know me too darn well, Rare.”

Rarity grumbled. “Quite. Well, so long, Applejack.” Before she wandered off, she looked to me, and in an awkward stare, mumbled “And, uh, a pleasure to meet you, Madam Orange.”

I laughed, replying “Yes, you too, Rarity.”

Once we were the only ones around the fire, I looked to my niece and said “Well... that could have gone better.”

Applejack grinned, shaking her head. “Oh, she knows ya didn’t mean anything by it. I remember back in the days, you and Uncle Orange would have ponies over, and you’d always flirt with everyone in sight.”

I beamed back at her. “And I still do.”

We both shared another laugh as Twilight Sparkle murmured something into Applejack’s mane.

“Are we being too loud,” I whispered.

“Nah, she’s a heavy sleeper, probably just dreamin’ somethin’.”

“Good to know... Applejack, this really has been a wonderful evening. I’m glad you talked me into coming out here.”

Applejack grinned. “Well, glad ya enjoyed yourself, Auntie Orange. I gotta say, I loved havin’ ya over too. Don’t be a stranger from now on, y’hear?”

“Absolutely, yes, and I’ll make sure to bring your uncle over.” A bit of silence followed that exchange before the whiskey compelled me to tell her something else that was on my mind.

“You know, Applejack, this town and these ponies really are something else, but even with that, I wonder: why did you leave Manehattan?”

Applejack shrugged. “I wasn’t happy there. I realized I was really happy here with my family.”

“Yes, but... isn’t what we gave you what you wanted? You wanted more for your life. Our side of the family had always prided themselves on improvement, always looking for a way to better ourselves and show the world that we were indeed worth something. Your uncle and I had just assumed you were one of the Apples who understood and appreciated that.”

Applejack chuckled. “And maybe I did, once upon a time, but then I realized something. Bein’ a big city pony, with all the glitz and glamor? That’s what I thought I wanted. Truth was: I was just never that kinda pony, and trying to be something I’m just not made it impossible to be happy. There’s a huge weight ya carry when ya go after the things ya think you want.”

I didn’t say anything, simply signaling her to go on.

“When I came home and worked on the farm, helping Mac and Granny raise Apple Bloom, a huge weight came off’a me. Heck, I even got my cutie mark because of it. I learned at that point that when I just stick with the things I need rather than stuff I don’t, I find happiness with it. Now, I got some good friends that live just down the street–” she stopped herself to pat the head of her grumbling lover. “And good lookin’ mare with her hooves ‘round me.” She looked back at me. “This town may be small and whatnot, but... it’s home.”

I cleared my throat, taken away by such confident wisdom. “I... envy you, Applejack. I really had never thought you were truly happy here, but... heavens me, I was wrong.”

Applejack shrugged again. “I can’t blame ya for thinkin’ that, but eventually, I think we all gotta find happiness with the things we have. Are you happy in Manehattan?”

I smiled at her. “Yes. Yes, I quite am.”

She nodded. “Then I guess we’re both doin’ okay with what we were given outta life. You and me? We’re homegrown.”

I cringed. “Applejack, I love you dearly, but these sentimental folksy-isms are a bit much, no?”

Applejack pointed her whiskey bottle to me. “Ma’am, they are countryisms, for your information.”

“I’m just going to assume they have as much difference between them as hoedowns and hootenanies.”

“Ooh, them’s fightin’ words, Auntie Orange.”

Once again, we both broke into laughter.

My cab came in the morning, and as I returned to Manehattan, Applejack’s silly countryism was still playing in my mind.

Was it true? I thought of everything in my life. The city traffic, the busy parties, Mosely. Was it all what I truly wanted and needed?

As my cab entered the city limits, I once again got a sniff of the heavy Manehattan air: an air that spoke of a bustling culture, of towering heights, and a city that never slept. All of it I shared with my husband of so many years.

I wouldn’t want it any other way.

Applejack was right. I have everything I need, and not a thing that I don’t. I am, as she puts it, homegrown.

...Don’t tell her I said that, though, I’d never hear the end of it.

Author's Note

Yep. Writing is a thing I still do, imagine that.

Also, this site desperately needs Auntie and Uncle Orange tags :P