My Dearest Applejack

A bright beam of light shone on my face and I awoke to the wondrous sight of Applejack standing over me. She smiled, “Good mornin’, sleepy head. I hope ya’ rested well.”

Her very greeting warmed me once more. I had no other option but to blush and smile,
“How could I say no to that?” Said I, looking at her beautiful morning face. The sun’s golden rays glistened brilliantly on her orange coat. It was still early, but I had to be on my way. Applejack, stepped off the bed and opened the window for me,

“Sorry for having to let you out through the window, but ‘muh family will be up soon.”

I nodded; I understood her reasons perfectly. Even though I was being pushed out a barn window, her kindness continued to glow in the golden sun. She stopped me and wrapped her hoof around my neck, gently pecking me on the cheek. Her cold kiss warmed in the chilly morning air. Her soothing voice calmly whispered in my ear,

“I’ll see you tonight, Nathan.”

She flared her tail for the last time, watching me as I jumped from the window, whispering to her from the ground,

“I’ll see you tonight, Applejack.”

The early morning streets were flooded with the bustling businessmares of Ponyville’s vast early-bird population. Each gave me a strange look as they walked by; it was like I had something on my face. I preferred not to look at them,

“What would they want with me?”

While my mind was calm with the idea of reassurance, it was my heart that raced over sudden tapping on my left shoulder. I bolted around, falling on my back; I stammered,

“Wha-Who are you?”

No one needed to answer that question, I knew who it was: Ponyville Humanoid Police, the ones in charge of “our side” of society. It was only one man dressed in a deep black uniform, lightly decorated with a single, gold trim on his left sleeve. He was lean and carried a childish face. His voice, however, contradicted his whole, “boyish” appearance. It was like having a bass blown in your ear, his voice was.

“Excuse me, what is your name?” He coughed, holding up a piece of paper. No doubt it was a picture of me.

“I can’t believe he called on me. Some man my father is.”

I tried to think fast, pulling whatever name I could think of, I answered him in a voice that could hopefully rival his beastly tone,

“*Herm* My name is… CHERRY… uh…. CHERRY FAIRWORTH.”

I began to sweat, feeling my blush burn like the hot coals of a holiday’s barbeque. The officer raised an eyebrow, smiling at my juvenile attempts at competing with the most masculine voice in Equestria,

“Oh, now you’ve done it,” I panicked, “Everyone knows those crazy names are a pony exclusive!”

The officer chuckled, turning over his paper. My assumptions couldn’t have been more right,

“I see,” the officer grinned, holding up the picture of me with my real name clearly described in length, “Well, Mrs. Cherry, I believe you should learn to lie before you go surfing on the outer reaches of your hometown. It’s a dangerous world out there, Nathan.”

He laughed, “Come on, your pop’s worried sick.”

I rolled my eyes, “Please, he’s the one who kicked me out.”

The officer cocked his head, a worried expression worn clear on his face, “Really now? If that’s true then you should give us a call. Perhaps we all can arrange something. In the meantime, make peace with your father, hmm?”

Only a fool would say anything after that.

One of the officer’s buddies pulled up in a car, opening the backseat door for me like a gentlemen. I rolled my eyes, practically scowling as I took my seat. My captor closed my door and knocked on the window where his friend was driving,

“Send this one to ‘NorthWay Drive’, up in the Sparkle District, will ‘ya?”

The friend nodded, driving me home was a dread I didn’t want to come to. How was I going to explain to Applejack? She was going to be waiting for me tonight; I’d do anything not to be late.

The police car drove into my home’s driveway and parked. My father stood outside with his hands resting firmly on his hips. His fiery attitude could be seen from any part of town; we all knew what it meant. The officer smiled as he opened the door for me, practically kicking me out of his car as he drove off, leaving me on my front lawn. My father stood over me, clicking from the corner of his mouth and shaking his head as if I were a disappointment.

“Nathan, what am I going to do about you? Hm?”

He wore a fake smile, but I tried to keep my leer. My dad snapped, raising his hand over his head and bringing it down on mine with a crack,

“What the HELL do you think you’re doing? HM? Drinking away? Is that the boy I raised?”

I struggled to stand, but I was only greeted with another quick blow to the head.

“And now,” He laughed, fueled with the desire of a steaming furnace, “I’m hearing RUMORS about someone, nay, some PONY?”

A third crack pinned me to the ground; he leaned in close, crouching down on the grass,

“Can you explain that to me? Hm?”

I coughed, wiping the grass from my face as I lie on all fours. My father’s fury burned hot; I tried to stand once more, but he grabbed me by the back of my shirt, dragging me from the front lawn, through the foyer, and into the dinning room where he pulled up a chair and threw me against it. Calmly, my raging dad pulled up a chair of his own and rested his guilt-ridden hands on the table as though nothing had happened. In a calm voice, he smirked,

“I want you to tell me everything that’s happened. Do you understand?”

Coughing and on the verge of blood, I nodded, trying to hide the thick layer of fear and
cowardice that threatened to pull me apart. I breathed heavily, keeping her in my mind,

“I have to meet her tonight. There’s no other option. I will not keep her waiting.”