The past of the apple

by AJapple

Rating: teen
Tags: Tragedy, Sad
Length: 5468

The past is a place of mystery, especially for AppleJack. What happened to her parents? What secrets are the apple family hiding?

In the days before Twilight Sparkle and the return of Princess Luna, there were two humble ponies living on an honest apple farm. With three small children to take care of, things were mighty busy, but somehow the Apples managed. But as time goes on, things start to change and the lives of three siblings are torn apart by the events of one terrible day.

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2015-10-05 01:23:45 UTC

Little Mac

The hot summer sun beat down on the extensive apple orchards of Sweet Apple Acres. A large green stallion was staring at the fields wondering how he was going to buck all of those apples by that afternoon. The stallion’s name was  Johnny Appleseed and he was very strong, but he wasn’t sure how he could finish a whole field by himself. For he knew his limits after his mistake as a young colt. One cannot simply buck all the apples in the orchard, it’s too much work. Johnny wanted to get a big harvest in for the summer food festival, however the problem of getting all the work done needed to be solved. His wife always loved to help but she couldn’t. Not now when she was pregnant with their newest little filly. Johnny sighed, looks like he’d have to do as much as he could. Then a red blur rushed past him.

Blinking, Johnny frowned as he recognized his little son dashing through the orchard. The red colt was very determined to help his pa and so he had decided to buck some apples himself.

“Macintosh! You come back here!” Johnny called a smile creeping across his face. Macintosh skidded to a stop and turned to see his pa coming towards him.

“Am ah doing it wrong?” the colt asked afraid of making a mistake. Johnny chuckled fixing his brown stetson before pulling his son to his side.

“Nah, ya were doin alright. Just need a little practice is all.” he said warmly. Macintosh nodded and stepped up to a tree that was not much bigger than his pa, who was a rather tall stallion, and turned around to buck it. The red colt’s legs were powerful for his age and the vibrations from his hooves traveled up the trunk and shook the branches, but it wasn’t enough to loosen any apples. Macintosh tried again and again with no new results. After another few tries, the young colt collapsed to the ground in defeat.

“Ah never get it right!” he cried unhappily. His father sighed, sitting beside his son.

“Mac you listen here, ya are gonna get it some day but maybe today’s not the day. When ah was your age ah never got any apples off those trees either. But my own pa told me to keep practicing and wouldn’t ya know it, after a whole lot of bucking ah finally got it just right.” He gestured to the red apples hanging above them. “Those little buggers just up and jumped off that tree.” he beamed at Macintosh. “And ah’m sure ya will get ‘em one of theese days.”

“Maybe my cutie mark too!” Macintosh said excitedly.

“Yup!” Johnny said patting his son on the head. “Now you run along and see is Granny needs any help planting those seeds.” Mac frowned.

“Why don’t you plant the seeds? You’re the best at it. I mean ya got your cutie mark plantin seeds!” Johnny rolled his eyes.

“Cause Granny can’t buck these here trees no more. Ah may be good at plantin, but she’s mighty good at it too.Ah’m sure you’ll be great at it too!”

“Better than momma!” Mac giggled. His mother had grown up in the bustling city of Manehatten, and she had no experience in planting seeds. She had picked up apple bucking just fine but she had never quite mastered seed planting. Johnny laughed at his son’s confidence.

“Ah’m sure you will be amazin, now go help your old granny.” Mac nodded and ran off leaving his father to buck all those apples.

Honeybell Tangelo was a very beautiful mare. Her orange coat was the perfect shade of orange, not to dark while not too unbearably bright. Her blue eyes were breathtaking, muzzle splashed with delicate freckles. It wasn’t very difficult to imagine why Johnny had taken a liking to her. Honeybell sighed as she stared out the window of the farmhouse. Her husband was busy bucking the apples and she wished she could be out there beside him. Though she had grown up in the city, Johnny had helped her get over her fear of the dirt and hard work. She loved being out in the orchards, the smell of ripe apples and earth in her nose, the sun on her fur and the rush of bucking apples. Sighing yet again she patted her bulging belly and spoke to her unborn daughter.

“Oh sugarcube, I can’t wait to meet you.” grunting from the effort, Honeybell moved from her place at the windowsill and walked down the stairs to the kitchen. There she found Macintosh balancing on a stool his hooves inches away from the shelf housing the cups. “Mac!” Honeybell cried in alarm afraid her little boy would come crashing down and hurt himself. The colt saw his mother’s distress and hopped down from the stool.

“Sorry momma. Ah was just trying to get a cup for my water.” Honeybell shook her head at his downcast expression.

“Oh sugarcube I was just worried about you is all.” She went to the cupboard and grabbed a cup, giving it to her son. “There you are.” she said and Macintosh took it greatfully.

“Thank you kindly miss.” he said rushing back out the door to the well. Honeybell smiled at her son’s politeness. She shut the cupboard door and grabbed a fresh apple from the basket on the table. Munching the apple she went to the doorway and watched her mother and law show her son how to plant seeds correctly. The little red colt was constantly dropping his seeds as he tried to plant them. His grandmother would laugh and show him how to do it yet again.

“Now sonny ya gotta get ‘em just right.” Granny Smith planted them perfectly and quickly. Little Macintosh watched carefully his brow pinched in concentration. He followed his grandmother’s steps and planted the seeds in almost the same perfection as she had done.

“Ah did it!” he cried. “Did ah get my cutie mark?” he said turning in circles trying to spot any difference to his flank. His mother laughed.

“No I don’t think so darling.”

“Dang nabbit!” Little Mac said using one of his father’s favorite expressions. Granny Smith shook her head and pushed a bag of seeds towards the colt.

“Come now, you plant some more seeds and Ah’ll go get us some cider.” she hobbled off joining her daughter in law in the kitchen. “How ya doing there Honey?” Granny Smith asked as she collected apples to make the cider with.

“I’m fine thank you Granny.” Honeybell answered jumping in slight alarm when her babe suddenly kicked. Granny noticed her movement and smiled.

“Little one kicking?”

“Uh huh, I have a feeling she’ll be like her father and brother, strong legs.” Granny nodded thoughtfully. All of her children had very strong legs and she could remember when they kicked her while in the womb. She knew how much it hurt sometimes, especially as the baby neared birth.

“Ah suspect you’re right Honeybell.” Granny agreed, squeezing the apple juices from the apples. Then she grabbed the pitcher from the icebox pouring cold water into the juice. She poured this into a large pot and gathered some other ingredients. She stirred in cinnamon, sugar and other spices into the apple mixture. She then placed the pot on the stove and let it simmer. While waiting for the cider she sat down at the table with Honeybell.

“Oh I wonder when she’ll get here. I hope it’s soon.” Honeybell exclaimed. Granny nodded. She knew she had been impatient when she had her Johnny. The colt had even been born late and always stayed by his momma’s side until he decided to leave the farm. Of course he had come back, bringing his sweet wife with him.

“Don’t ya fret none, she’ll come when she’s ready.” Granny Smith said soothingly. At that moment a very thirsty and sweaty Johnny burst into the kitchen.

“Howdy y’all.” he greeted them with a tip of his hat. “Got anything for a thirsty stallion?” Honeybell smiled gesturing to the pot on the stove.

“Your mother is making some of her famous apple cider if you want to wait a few minutes otherwise there’s always water dear.” Johnny gave her a cheeky smile and grabbed a cup before disappearing back outside to make a trip to the well. It wasn’t soon after that both father and son returned. Little Mac sat beside his mother telling her excitedly about the seeds he’d planted and how he’d get his cutie mark in bucking apples. Honeybell laughed, a sweet tinkling sound and patted the energetic colt’s head. Johnny trotted over and leaned down to give his wife a quick peck on the cheek. He stood back up his signature grin plastered to his muzzle. Honeybell laughed again and pushed him away playfully. Johnny came right back nuzzling her.

“How’s our little one?” he asked  green eyes drifting to Honeybell’s stomach. Honeybell smiled even wider as she guided her husbands hoof to her belly.

“She’s just fine.” Little Mac tilted his head and stared at his mother’s stomach. He still couldn’t quite get how his little sister was in there. He figured that she must be tiny, to fit in there. Then again his momma’s tummy was huge! He looked at his parents and reached out, putting his hoof on his fathers.

“Is there really a baby in there?” he asked. Johnny chuckled.

“There sure is Lil Macky.” Little Mac smiled shyly.

“Can ah say hello to ‘er?” he asked quietly thinking it might be a silly question. His mother nodded.

“Go ahead, I talk to her all the time and I think she’d love to hear her big brother.” Macintosh looked at his father.

“What should ah tell ‘er?” Johnny thought for a moment.

“How ‘bout that ya love ‘er a whole lot.”

“I haven’t even met ‘et yet pa! How am ah gonna know if ah like ‘er?” Little Mac said. Honeybell shook her head.

“She’s your sister Macky! Don’t you love her for that?”

“Eyup!” Macintosh said and faced his mother’s tummy. “Howdy lil sister! Ah haven’t metcha yet but ah’m sure that you’re real nice and betcha gonna be just as purdy as momma. Ah can’t wait till you’re born so ah can play wit ya and teach ya how to buck apples and plant seeds.” He took a deep breath and looked to his parents hoping he hadn’t sounded stupid. “Was that good? Will she like me?” Johnny nodded giving Little Mac a hug.

“Ah think so. You’re gonna be a mighty good big brother.” he said. Honeybell smiled and kissed her son.

“Yes sugarcube, you’re already such a good colt I can’t imagine that you wouldn’t be a great big brother and I’m sure that your sister will love you.” Little Mac jumped up and down in a happy circle.

“Yeehaw! Ah can’t wait till she’s born! What ya gonna name her?” Honeybell and Johnny exchanged glances and Granny Smith leaned in so she could hear the name since they hadn’t announced it yet. Then the proud parents spoke at the same time.

“Her name’s Applejack.”

New Sister

The next morning the rooster crowed right as the sun’s first rays stretched over the hills. Johnny got out of bed and stretched. His legs were a bit sore from yesterday but he walked it off as he went down to the kitchen. There he poured himself a cup of cider and started up the stove to make his great granny’s signature flapjacks. He was halfway through the batter when he heard the pattering of little hooves against wooden flooring.

“Good morning pa!” Little Mac called happily. Johnny gave his son a smile.

“Howdy! How would ya like one of good old Granny’s flapjacks?” Little Mac’s bright green eyes went wide.

“Eyup!” he cried.  Johnny hummed to himself as he flipped the pancakes. It was a old family song that was known as Apples to the core. Meanwhile Macintosh had rushed upstairs to tell his mother about breakfast.

“Momma! Guess what!” he called bursting into his parents bedroom. There he saw his mother sitting on the edge of the bed breathing heavily as Granny Smith sat beside her. Honeybell let out a small yelp as a contraction hit her. Little Mac faltered he wasn’t sure what was going on. “Momma?” he asked hesitantly. Granny Smith waved him off.

“Go on little-n, your momma needs some time by herself for right now.” Macintosh nodded his heart pumping. He thought that there must be something wrong with his ma, so he rushed downstairs and told his pa. Johnny felt a bubble of elation, his daughter was on her way! But seeing the worried look on Mac’s face he put a hoof around his son.

“Don’tcha worry none, your momma’s gonna be just fine.” Little Mac felt relieved. His father had not once lied to him and why would he now? He went over to the table where his father laid out a heaping stack of pancakes. Little Mac wasted no time in devouring the delicious things and quickly asked for some cider to wash it down. Johnny gave it to him though one could tell his mind was elsewhere. As soon as he was finished Little Mac asked if he was allowed to go play in the apple orchards. Johnny agreed and the colt ran off. Johnny ate a few pancakes and went upstairs to see his wife.

Little Macintosh was running all over the farm his large hooves making thundering sounds as he ran. Of course he tried to buck a few trees but as always no apples fell. He sat down under a tree after a few more tries and thought about all of the ponies in his class. They all had their cutie marks! It just wasn’t fair! He wished he had some friends to talk with, but since he spent most of his time on the farm it was hard to make any lasting friendships. There was one young colt he was friends with however,  a young colt named Cyclone. He was the son of some wonderbolt (Macintosh didn’t really know much about them) and though he was a fast flyer he was shy and hated flying in front of people. Little Mac could relate, though with his family he was outspoken and active, at school he was much more reserved and soft spoken. Maybe Cyclone was around town with his mom since she was an earth pony and worked in the fitness center. Sometimes Cyclone would go with his mom and practice his flying in the wind tunnel. Then again his ma seemed to be having some sort of problem. Maybe he better stick around and see if there was something he could do to help. With that firmly set in his mind he figured he could try and get some other chores done. He ran to the chicken coop and grabbed the basket. He then carefully walked inside, proceeding to pick up the eggs. The chickens squawked at the intruder and pecked him more than twice but Mac was determined to finish the job and make his pa proud of him. He slowly backed out of the chicken coop and carried the eggs back to the farmhouse where his pa was putting away the food looking a bit frazzled. Little Mac set the basket of eggs on the counter and beamed at Johnny.

“Look Pa! Ah got the eggs!” he proclaimed. Johnny nodded absently. Little Mac frowned.

“What’s the matter pa? Is Momma sick or somethin?” Johnny shook himself.

“No, in fact she’s gonna be having your little sister soon!” Mac’s eyes went as wide as they possibly could.

“Really? Now?” he questioned excitement growing.

“Not right now but mighty soon.” Little Mac jumped up and down.

“Ah can’t wait!” he cried happily. Johnny scratched his neck wondering how to explain this to his son.

“Now Macky, your momma’s gonna be in a heap of pain cause havin a babe is no easy thing. Ah just want ya ta know that she’s gonna be fine.” Macintosh frowned slightly, it sounded more like his father was trying to reassure himself than him. The worried father ushered his son back outdoors. “You go on and play, Ah’ll come getcha when your sis is here.” he said a bit hurriedly. Mac frowned deeper and stayed standing outside the closed kitchen door. It seemed like his father didn’t want him around for his sister’s birth. Of course he wasn’t sure if he actually wanted to see it. He wondered how a baby could even come out of his momma’s stomach. Wandering away he sat under an apple tree pondering the miracle of birth. It wasn’t long before a pained shriek filled the air.

Leaping to his hooves Little Mac ran as fast as he could back to the farmhouse, head pounding with fearful thoughts. Was his momma dying? Was his sister ok? Shoving the door open he ran upstairs where the door was ajar in his parents room. He peeked in and recoiled at the sight of his mother’s open legs and wailing. He whimpered with fright sure that something terrible was going on. His mother let out another loud yelp and panted hard. She looked to Granny Smith and her husband who watched with wide frightened eyes.

“She’s coming.” she grunted. Mac felt a little joy at that but he was still worried, he wasn’t quite sure what was going on. Once his mother had told him about birth and how his sister would come into the world but he couldn’t quite remember how. Now he watched as the scene unfolded. Soon there was a crying foal in her momma’s arms and a traumatized colt outside the door. Both mother and baby were fine and cleaned up. Collecting himself, Johnny went to open the door to retrieve little Mac only to find him already pushing his way through. Though a little pale, Macintosh’s face broke out into a wide smile upon seeing his little sister. He shyly walked up to his tired mother and baby sister. Honeybell gave him a weary smile and shifted to show him his now sleeping sister. Her mane was a light blonde while her coat was a lighter shade of orange compared to her mothers. Tiny freckles dotted her muzzle and though her eyes were closed Little Mac wanted to believe that they were green like his.

“She is as purdy as momma!” he exclaimed quietly not wanting to disturb her. Johnny nodded tears in his eyes as he gazed at his little daughter. She was adorable.

“She sure is.” he murmured.

The Market

One Year Later

Macintosh trotted the orchards pulling his cart behind him. His flank was now covered by a huge green apple. He was delivering the apples from the south field, his pa still bucking the last of the apples. Then a little orange blur raced past him. He smiled at his sister’s antics and shook his head. The boisterous little filly was always running around and attempting to buck the trees. She also loved playing with her pa’s ropes and trying to do tricks. Macintosh had taught her some rope tricks already but her hooves would always get caught. She complained about a lack of a cutie mark constantly and often Macintosh had to tell her off because she was doing something too rash. Applejack thought she was perfectly fine on her own and tried to do things herself including farmwork. Her mother had tried to tell her not to overexert herself but she wouldn’t listen and usually fell asleep at the dinner table. Her pa was proud of her regardless as she had already successfully bucked all the apples from a tree. Secretly Macintosh was a little jealous of how quickly his sister had mastered apple bucking. However he was quite the apple bucking master himself so he didn’t care that much.

“Slow down! You are gonna git yerself hurt!” he called. Applejack skidded to a stop and trotted back to walk alongside her brother.

“Ya think Pa will finish mah treehouse soon?” she asked plucking an apple from Mac’s cart and taking a bite ignoring her brother’s protest.

“Sure, if ya stop eatin the harvest.” Mac said pulling a little harder to make it up a small hill. “We gotta sell those apples for bits. And ya know how much planks for houses cost.” Applejack rolled her emerald eyes and finished her apple quickly. She ran ahead to a small plot of land waiting for new trees. Dragging her hoof through the dirt, creating a shallow path in the earth. With expert skill she sucked the appleseeds from the core and spat them neatly in a row. Throwing the apple core to the birds she patted brown dirt over the wet seeds and beamed at her brother.

“Now that’s how ya plant them appleseeds!” she said. Macintosh gave a small chuckle and patted her mane.

“It sure is.” he said and Applejack’s grin grew even bigger. One of her front teeth was chipped and made her look a bit like she had a fang. Fillies and Colts at school had called her a timberwolf once earning them a swift kick to the stomach. Applejack had spent a couple days in detention for that. Her mother had told her that once they had enough money, they would have the dentist fix her tooth. Applejack had shaken her head saying she liked being the timberwolf pony.

“Mac?” the little orange filly asked prodding his shoulder.

“Huh?”

“Can Ah help ya sell the apples today?”

“Ask momma.”

“You always say that!” Applejack said running off to the farmhouse. Her brother shook his head, heading to the barn to deposit his load.

“Can ah go and sell with ya momma?” Applejack asked. “I wanna see if I can get my cutie mark in apple selling!” Honeybell tutted, stirring a pot of vegetable soup on the stove.

“I’m not sure sugarcube. You’ll have to be able to stand still a long time.” Applejack’s eyes narrowed.

“Ah can do that!” she boasted. Demonstrating her ability by stiffening like a wooden board. Her mother chuckled.

“I can see Applejack.” The little filly sniffed at the air.

“What’s for lunch?” she asked.

“Just some carrot and potato soup. With a few noodles.” Applejack licked her lips.

“Yum! Ah can’t wait until we eat!”

“Neither can Ah.” a male voice said behind Applejack.

“Papa!” she yelled giving him a big hug. The green stallion chuckled and patted his daughter’s blonde maned head.

“Y’all ready to go to the market?” he asked as Macintosh squeezed in the doorway behind his pa.

“Yeah! Ah’m gonna get mah cutie mark in apple sellin!” Applejack cried happily jumping up and down. Johnny smiled and trotted over to give Honeybell a quick peck on the cheek.

“Ya gonna bring ‘er along?” he whispered to his wive.

“I don’t know...I don’t want her to get bored.”

“Because then she’ll run off and do something else.” Johnny finished.

“Yes something dangerous!” Honeybell said a little louder catching the attention of her son.

“Ma? Pa? Is something wrong?” he asked glancing at his little sister who was still dancing around an excited smile plastered to her muzzle. Honeybell sighed setting down the spoon she had been using to stir the soup.

“I’m just a little nervous about having Applejack come with to the market. I don’t want her to get bored and run off…”  Mac nodded seriously.

“Ah could watch ‘er for ya.” he stated. Honeybell beamed at him.

“That would be mighty helpful sugarcube!” she said warmly. Johnny nodded.

“That sounds good. Now Honey, is there something Ah can do ta help with the food?” backed up and let his parents talk before grabbing his sister by the hoof and taking her outside.

“Mac! What the hay are ya up to?” Applejack cried her freckled face scrunched in a frown.

“Ah wanna talk to ya about the market.” Mac countered sitting down. Applejack rolled her eyes and stayed standing.

“Why’s everypony worried about me? Ah can do jus’ fine in a market! Ah’ll be a good filly, Ah promise!” her voice was strong and Mac believed her. Not once had Applejack lied and there was no reason she’d start now.

“Ok. Jus’ make sure ya don’t go and do somethin stupid.” Mac said swinging open the door to the farmhouse. Applejack kicked at the dirt with one hoof. Why did everypony think she would act badly out in the market. She’d been to town before, besides she was sure she’d get her cutie mark in selling apples. The orange fillys ears pricked as she heard her mother's sweet voice calling her for lunch.

“Comma Momma!” she called running full speed into the kitchen.

The ponyville market was hot and noisy, hoof steps slapping on the earthen roads and the yells of sales ponies echoing off buildings filled Applejack’s ears as she walked behind her brother. The air was a mixture of sweet smelling treats and the fresh scent of hard work. Both of which was common around the farm so Applejack felt like she was back home, helping Granny with baking her signature pies. The apples walked to the end of the row of booths and started unpacking some of the harvest onto the shelves and into the baskets set out in front of the simple wooden stand. Macintosh carefully laid out the hoof painted sign he and his sister had made the morning before and stepped back admiring their work.

“Hey Mac!” a rough voice called. Turning the red colt was greeted by the waving form of his pegasus friend Cyclone. The black maned, blue colt smiled and patted him on the back. “See you’re selling today! My moms recruiting ponies for her fitness center.” Mac smiled waving at the light blue mare that stood behind a brightly colored stand. Cyclone nodded at Johnny and Honey. “Hi there Mrs. and Mr. Apple.” he said.

“Hello Cyclone. How are you?” Honeybell asked politely.

“I’m alright. How’s the farm? And good ‘ol granny Smith?” Cyclone continued.

“Oh work’s been busy but we’ve gotten through alright. An’ Granny’s fine.” Johnny said fidgeting with his hat keeping one eye on his daughter who hadn’t noticed Cyclone and was trying to unload another load of apples into a basket.

“That’s great. If you ever need any help I’m happy to assist you.” Cyclone said walking over to help Applejack. “Here let me help you miss.” Applejack looked up from her task and a grin spread over her muzzle.

“Cyclone!” she shouted wrapping her hooves around him in a hug.

“Hey there squirt.” Cyclone responded dumping the apples as carefully as he could into the basket.

“You gonna help us sell apples?” Applejack asked. Cyclone chuckled.

“I’m helping my mom today, sorry. But it doesn’t look like you need me.” he said glancing at the rest of her family.

“Well...Ah guess we got it.” Applejack said. Cyclone ruffled her mane.

“I’ll see you around squirt.” he flapped his wings and hovered in the air for a few seconds before flying over to talk with Mac. “Your sister’s really cool.” Cyclone remarked as he landed beside his friend. Mac nodded pride gleaming in his eyes.

“She is somethin’ ain’t she.” he mused. “Gonna get ‘er in loads of trouble though. Betcha she’s gonna try and get pa to get something here at the market.” Cyclone laughed.

“Yeah. Well have fun selling. My mom’s waving me over. She likes telling ponies that i’m a wonderbolt’s son and that I go to her gym. Also I like showing ponies my awesome muscles!” He flexed and Mac stifled laughter. Cyclone was very muscular, but not as much so as Mac. The way Cyclone went around boasting his muscles was hilarious to Mac and couldn’t see any point in it. The blue pegasus went back to his mother’s stand and shined a toothy white smile at a potential gym member.

Mac shook his head and wiped the sweat from his brow. He stepped beside his mother behind the counter lifting the bit chest onto the wooden board. Johnny and Applejack were gone, checking out the other stalls and seeing if there was anything the Apples could use. Mac sighed staring out at the busy crowd of ponies all in a hurry to get someplace.

“They all go around so fast ma.” he said. Honeybell made a humming noise.

“Reminds me of Manehatten. Everypony there is always in a rush and rarely has time to stop and say anything to anypony. One of the reasons I love ponyville is ponies don’t care so much about hurrying to wherever and are happy to talk with you.” Mac thought about that.

“Well not today.” he remarked. Honeybell laughed.

“I suppose not.”

“Uh...excuse me? How much for five apples?” a timid voice muttered. Honeybell turned her attention to a young looking mare. Her mint green mane was tucked up in a bun while her purple eyes stayed on the ground as she held some apples in her hooves.

“Five bits.” Honeybell said and the mare handed over the money. “How are you miss?” the orange pony asked kindly.

“Oh!” the timid pony seemed shocked that anyone would want to talk with her. “I’m a-alright.” she squeaked.

“Yer not from these parts are ya?” Mac chimed in. The mare nodded, a bit taken back by how large this young colt was. He was nearly as big as the other grown stallions. He’ll be taller than everypony someday she thought.

“N-no...I’m just visiting.” the mare said tucking the apples into her bag.

“Well, Ponyville’s a great place miss. There’s lots you can do.” Honeybell said. “I’m Honeybell by the way and this is my son Macintosh.”

“I-I’m Pale Lily.” the mare said, her shy shell beginning to crack.

“That’s a lovely name.” Honeybell said.

“Thank you.” the mare said a tiny smile flickering on her lips. “Well I should be going...er not to say I don’t like talking to you but I’m expected at-”

“It’s quite alright sugarcube. You go right ahead.” Honeybell said. Pale Lily swallowed.

“Ok. Thank you for the apples.”

“Sure thing sugarcube.” Honeybell said waving. Pale Lily hurried away her form becoming lost in the crowds. Mac kept an eye out for his pa and sister wondering when they would return to the stand. Yet he felt himself drifting off into thought. Honeybell patted Mac on the head.

“You alright Mac?” she asked.

“Eeyup!” the colt replied.

“Ok, If you say so dear.” his mother said a little worried about her son.

His eyes seemed far away like he was in another world. That happened sometimes. Her son liked to imagine whole other universes filled with magic and strange creatures. He often told Applejack about these places, his face lighting with excitement and hers glowing with fascination. Honeybell liked how creative Mac could be, but she often worried that he would get lost in one of those worlds and wouldn’t come back.

“Um excuse me?” A snobbish voice asked and Honeybell looked up. A tall purple stallion stood his grey mane gelled back in a fancy hairstyle and his deep blue eyes fixed upon the baskets of apples.

“May I help you?” Honeybell asked.

“Oh I just want to know where these apples come from.” he mused peering closer at the fruit. Smoothing out a frown, Honeybell cleared her throat.

“Well, they come from Sweet Apple Acres, right on the edge of Ponyville.” the stallion looked back up at Honeybell.

“Oh are they now? I’ve heard many praises about Sweet Apple Acres apples.” Honeybell tilted her head.

“Really now? Wherever did you hear such things?” Honeybell wasn’t aware that ponies talked about how great the apples product were. Sure, she knew ponies liked them, but she didn’t know they talked about it.

“Oh yes, yes! My cousin lives here and she was just spouting off about all these good things about the apples around here! She said they were the most delicious things she’d ever tasted.” Honeybell smiled.

“I’m glad she thinks so.” The stallion gathered a few red and golden delicious apples in his hooves and spilled ten bits on the counter. Honeybell eyed the four apples in the stallions grip. “Sir you gave me too much.” she pushed six bits back towards the stallion and he chuckled.

“Oh keep it! I have too much pocket change anyways.” he said. “Good day madam.” He trotted off leaving Honeybell with a wide smile to her lips.