Business as Usual
Every morning the sun would rise above the mountains and coat the valley below in its warm glow. In the summer months, the morning dew would slowly evaporate off the grass due to the steadily rising temperature. With few clouds in the sky, the small town of Ponyville would be almost completely shined down upon by the majesty of Celestia’s sun. Ponies began to arise to start their day as the various shops and other businesses were exposed to the rising sun.
On the outskirts of town sat a large pole barn. The faded red paint did not compromise the building’s actual structural integrity, but only revealed the age of the barn. The barn consisted of two levels. The top level was where the living quarters were at whilst the bottom was where various work related tasks were carried out. The windows on the upper level had curtains drawn to keep most of the intruding sunlight out.
Inside one of the upper rooms, an earth pony mare slept snugly under her covers. A very light snore escaped her mouth as she breathed out. She was not the earliest riser of the town’s population, but she was not the last. She lay on her side facing the window as she slept peacefully.
Her serene slumber was soon brought to an end as the sunlight had found a gap between the curtains. A narrow strip of golden light fell straight upon the mare’s face and gradually brought her to the waking world.
“Nuuuuhhh, just five more minutes,” the mare groggily mumbled. She rolled over to prevent the sunlight from hitting her face. It proved fruitless as the light and movement of her body was sufficient enough to rouse her from sleep. She attempted to sleep a few minutes longer, but sleep had evaded her.
The mare finally relented and sat up to gain her bearings. Her long, cream white mane fell messily in every direction from the result of bed head. Some of her mane fell over her face, but it was soon brushed away by a dark red hoof. With a grunt, she tossed the covers back and stepped out of her bed. Her long tail drug along the floor behind her as she headed down the hall to the bathroom. The mare looked at herself in the mirror. Her sleepy reflection looked back at her.
“Alright Axel Rose, you’ve got this! The day is yours!” after her self-motivation speech, Axle washed her face off with cold water to get the last of the sleep out of her eyes. She did her mane up into a bun, and then did her tail into a braid. This kept both her mane and tail out of the way when she worked. After doing her business in the bathroom, Axel went down to the kitchen area. There she prepared a mug of coffee and a bowl of oatmeal with brown sugar. The last of her tiredness disappeared now that she had some food in her belly.
Axel went over to the door on the side of her barn and undid the deadbolt. She then went over to the large double doors and unlocked one of two bigger deadbolts that held the doors shut. This was so she could open the doors easier by only having to undo one deadbolt. She still kept the door shut most of the time to prevent others from entering without her knowing. The last thing she needed was someone sneaking up on her while she worked. Every once in a while though she would leave them open to let the breeze in when she wasn’t working. She had a bell that customers or visitors could ring to let her know when they were at the door.
After unbolting the front door, Axel turned around and looked at the work she had for the day. Her job and talent was a wagonwright and repairpony. This was shown in her covered wagon cutie mark on her flank. Her shop dominated a large portion of the lower level of her home. What wasn’t the kitchen or main working area was storage for various tools and other wagons that were to be repaired. At that time, she didn’t have a lot of work for the day. Two wagons were in the shop. One was in progress of being repaired.
Axel trotted over to the wagon and picked up the tools she left nearby from the last night. The left rear wheel was where Axel had started her work. The wheel bearings had failed and caused that wheel to seize up like a park brake. Despite the locked up wheel, the owner drug the wagon to Axel’s shop the day prior. Axel recognized the problem and decided to fix the wagon the next day.
The job was simple enough, but the broken parts had caused the actual work to be difficult and time consuming. With the bearings seized the wheel would not spin and became quite the task to be removed. Axel had to use a hammer and chisel to smash the bearings apart to free the wheel from the hub. With the wheel removed, new bearings were greased and placed into the bearing cups in the wheel. The wheel was placed back onto the hub and the center hub nut was screwed into place. Overall, Axel didn’t have too tough of a time with her work thanks to her earth pony strength and well-built body.
After Axel had finished placing the wagon to the side, she wondered how long she took to make the repair. Her answer came in the form of a single “cuckoo” from said cuckoo clock mounted on the wall going up the stairway to the upper level.
“Wow, one o’ clock already? Jeeze, that took a little longer than I thought,” she said out loud to herself. Initially, Axel was curious as to why no one came along with any broken wagons for her to fix. The spring and summer and fall time was when wagons or carts were being used to move supplies around to prepare for the coming winter. Those months were the most strenuous on the wheels and axles and other load bearing parts of the wagon. During the winter her workload decreased slightly as ponies didn’t use the wagons very often.
In the end, Axel just figured it was a slow day. That type of thing happened to her from time to time. She looked over at the other wagon sitting in the ready line. The owner of that wagon was scheduled to come pick it up at around two thirty that afternoon. In the meantime, Axel waited around for other customers with wagon related issues to come to her shop.
Axel very rarely left her shop. She only left to make supply runs for new tools or parts. The farthest she had ever traveled was to Canterlot for a special type of lumber that was made from the pine trees that grew on the upper half of the mountain face. Her other travels took her to smaller towns in between but that was it. Save for one or two customers, all of her clientele were here in Ponyville. Axel didn’t have to go very far for work.
Axel stepped outside to get a breath of fresh air and wait until the owner of the other wagon came along. She stopped and leaned against the front wall of her barn. There on the wall hung a sign with writing on it saying “Axel’s Wheels and Wagons: Wagon Building and Repair”. Below that was writing stating the days and hours when Axel was open for business.
Axel lounged around until the owner was scheduled to come pick up his wagon. As she relaxed, she looked at the sky and the clouds as they drifted lazily in the wind. A few of the clouds took on familiar shapes in Axel’s mind. She was taken out of her imagining as she heard the cuckoo clock call out from inside signifying that it was two o’ clock. A little while later the stallion that dropped off the wagon yesterday came trotting up to Axel’s barn.
“Oh, you’re a little early,” Axel said to him as he approached.
“Ah, yeah my job let me off a little early to come get the company wagon,” the stallion responded.
“Oh yeah, that’s right!” Axel thought to herself. Up until a few minutes ago, Axel remembered that the repair job was a next day guarantee as the wagon was company owned.
“Alright, c’mon inside and we can do the paperwork.”
The stallion followed Axel inside to fill out the invoice for the repair work order. After that was accomplished, the stallion hitched himself up to the wagon and departed from the shop.
After everything was said and done, Axel looked over at the other wagon. That was when she remembered that the owner never scheduled a pickup time for when the job was done. The job on that one was actually easy in both senses. All Axel had to do was grease the bearings as they had started squeak. The owner was in such a hurry to return to work that a pickup time was never discussed. Axel figured she could just deliver this one and give the invoice to the owner when she got there.
Axel finalized her decision by grabbing the invoice, hitching herself to the wagon, locking up her shop, and head over to where the owner lived to return the wagon in person. Axel looked down at the invoice to see the address of the wagon’s owner. The owner, one of Axel’s regulars, was one Applejack of Sweet Apple Acres. That place was simple enough to find as it stood on the outskirts on the other end of town. Axel tucked the invoice into her saddlebags and continued her leisurely trot through town on her way to the Apple family orchard.
Author's Note
I'm not much of a writer, but I wanted to get this out as a practice for a bigger story I have planned. I suppose having friends that do write has a tendency to rub off onto oneself.
Meeting the Family
Axel Rose had no difficulty finding the Apple family orchard. Trotting through the entrance with the wagon hitched to her, Axel began taking in the sights, smells, and sounds. Many trees had ripe red apples ready for harvesting. A scent of freshly plowed soil emanated from the east side of the orchard. The leaves on the trees rustled in a gentle breeze giving the area a calm and serene feeling. It almost made Axel jealous with how well everything just seemed to fit together seamlessly.
Axel trotted over to the front side of the large barn that doubled as the Apple family’s home. Unhitching herself from the wagon, and pulling out the invoice from her saddlebags, Axel approached the front door of the building. Before she could reach the door, barking sounds emanated from around the corner just as a brown and white border collie bounded around the house. The barking dog startled Axel causing her to jump into the cart she recently unhitched from. The dog then began running around the cart barking at Axel excitedly as she cowered inside the cart. Mustering up a bit of courage, Axel Rose began waving a hoof at the dog in a shooing motion.
“Go away. Shoo! Shoo!” She said timidly as she waved at the overly hyper dog. The dog ignored her and continued its happy tirade of barking and circling the cart. Axel occasionally lost sight of the dog as it ran behind her, further increasing her anxiety. That was when the dog caught sight of something dangling down from the side of the cart. Grasping the dangling object in its jaw, the dog began tugging at it playfully and shook it from side to side. This elicited a yelp from the pony scrambling around inside the cart.
“Oh, where did you go yo- OW! Stop that! That’s my tail!” Axel cried out as she wrenched her tail from the dog’s grasp. Small tear droplets formed in the corner of her eyes from the pain of having her tail nearly pulled from her rump. The dog momentarily paused its barking and running around at Axel’s outburst. Axel gazed at her tail’s now frayed end sadly. “That’s going to take all afternoon to fix,” she said morosely.
“Winona! Come here girl! Consarnit! Where did that rebellious dog run off to this time?”
Axel looked up from her tail to the sound of the voice as it approached from around the same corner of the house that Winona had run from. Trotting around the corner, Applejack had her head on a swivel in search for her dog. Axel smiled and sighed in relief as Winona ran over to the orange coated earth pony mare. Climbing out of the cart, Axel stepped over to Applejack to greet her when she noticed that Applejack was missing her brown Stetson hat that she seemed to always be wearing. Applejack stopped petting Winona to look over to Axel.
“Hey Axel Rose. How ya doin today?” Applejack smiled towards Axel.
“Oh not too bad actually. I just figured I would return your cart that I finished repairing,” Axel gestured over to the parked cart.
“Oh shoot! I totally forgot to come pick that up! I’ve just been so busy lately with the farm, what with the harvest n all,” Applejack trailed off, “I’m sorry that you had to come all this way.”
Axel smiled lightly, “Oh it’s no trouble actually. Gave me an excuse to get out for a trot.”
“Heh, well I can’t argue with that,” Applejack grinned, “now I just need to get everyone gathered up for supper.”
Axel pointed up at Applejack’s head.
“Aren’t you missing something?” She said cheekily.
Applejack looked up to where Axel was pointing and ran a hoof over her head and gasped.
“Oh horse apples, it must’ve fallen off when I had to go running after this rascal,” Applejack said whilst looking down at Winona with a playful glare. As if she knew she was the center of attention, Winona barked and wagged her tail happily. “Heh, just add that to my afternoon to do list.” Applejack laughed to herself.
Axel Rose looked over at the tree line as the sun dipped just below the treetops.
“Yeah I’d better get a move on then,” she said to herself.
Applejack paused and looked over her shoulder.
“Say, it’s getting late. Do you have any plans for dinner?”
“Not really, I just usually whip up something quick to eat,” Axel said casually as she shrugged.
“Well, do you wanna stay for dinner? You’re more than welcome and we got enough extra for a guest. It’s the least I can do to repay you for your troubles of coming all the way out here.” Applejack said with a friendly smile.
“Oh, I wouldn’t want to impose,” Axel said shyly.
“Nonsense, sugar cube! There’s no imposition at all!” Applejack said heartily.
“Well then, I can’t say no to that. Thanks Applejack,” Axel said gratefully.
“No problem! C’mon in and have a seat and make yourself at home while I gather the rest of the family,” Applejack said as she trotted into the house with Winona close behind.
Axel followed the orange mare into the house. As she stepped into the house, Axel was greeted with the sights of a rather Spartan, but no less comfortable and welcome smell of well worn, but sturdy wooden, floors, walls and ceilings. The rustic styling of the lights and furniture further supported that look. Pictures hanging on the wall and the worn floor rugs helped put the final touches on the homestead look of the house. It was something Axel was familiar with as her house had close to the same interior styling as the Apple family home.
Axel looked around at the kitchen which had the same interior styling as the rest of the house. Wooden cupboards sat over the stout metal stove that was currently being used to cook a type of brown thick liquid in a pot. Another simmering pan sat atop the stove that held what looked like a white pasty substance. On the countertops sat a bowl of salad with different bottles of dressings sitting next to it. At the center of the kitchen sat the wooden table where everyone sat to eat.
Sitting at the table was a small, light yellow colored filly with a dark red mane and tail. In her mane sate a large pink bow. The filly was busy concentrating on her homework as she didn’t seem to notice Applejack and Axel enter the house.
“How’s it going with your math, Applebloom?” Applejack asked the filly. At the sound of her name being called, Applebloom lifted her head from her papers.
“Oh, hey Applejack! It’s going alright. I just have a few problems left and I’ll be done.”
Applebloom then shifted her attention to Axel Rose.
“Who are you?” Applebloom asked curiously with a raised eyebrow.
“Now, Applebloom, that’s no way to greet someone,” Applejack sternly said.
Applebloom wilted “Ahm sorry ma’am. What’s your name Ms.?”
Being the sudden center of attention, Axel let out a nervous laugh. “Oh yeah! My name is Axel Rose. But you can just call me Axel.”
Applebloom smiled. “It’s a pleasure to meet ya Ms. Axel!”
Applejack trotted over to where Applebloom was sitting and observed Applebloom’s homework.
“Soon as you’re done there sis, clean up and set the table, plus one for Axel Rose here.”
“Sure thing Applejack!” Applebloom replied.
Applejack made her way over to the living room and to the rocking chair sitting in the corner. Sitting in said rocking chair was the sleeping form of an elderly mare that Axel recognized as Granny Smith. She remembered meeting Granny out at the vending stalls in the market square in Ponyville.
“Wake up Granny. It’s time for supper.” Applejack said as she gently roused Granny from her slumber. Granny let out a snort as she awoke.
“Guh, what’s huh? Oh supper time already? Alrighty I’ll be over there in a sec. Jus gotta get this rump inta gear,” Granny chuckled to herself.
As Granny slowly hobbled over to the kitchen, Axel Rose helped Applebloom set the table. Meanwhile Appplejack trotted outside and shouted out in the direction of the orchard.
“Big Mac! Suppers ready c’mon an get it while it’s hot!”
“Big Mac? Is that a hired hoof you have, Applejack?” Axel asked as Applejack returned to the kitchen.
“Oh no, that’s mah big brother. Oh yeah, you haven’t met him have ya?” Applejack asked, to which Axel shook her head.
It was then that Granny had entered the kitchen and greeted Axel.
“Well hello there Axel Rose. You joinin us for supper?”
“Yes ma’am,” Axel responded to Granny.
“Good. The more the merrier!”
After the table was set, everyone sat down as Applejack and Granny started dishing out portions of mashed potatoes and gravy with the salad. Shortly after the food was served, the door opened up revealing a large stallion with dark red fur and burnt orange mane and tail.
“Hey there Big Mac,” Granny said to the stallion in the doorway, “Go on wash up and join us when you’re ready.”
Big Mac wiped his sweaty brow with a fore hoof and nodded in acknowledgment to Granny. He then made his way over to the washroom. “Smells good,” he said as he passed the table.
During the time Big Mac entered to the moment the washroom door was closed, Axel Rose never took her eyes off of him. When Applejack mentioned Big Mac earlier, she never specified what he looked like, so Axel was left to mentally fill in the proverbial blanks.
Wow, I know his name is Big Macintosh, but I didn’t think he would be THAT big. She thought to herself. At that thought, Axel’s eyes widened. And she rapidly shook her head.
Ugh no! Don’t go there! Geeze, I gotta get my mind out the gutter.
Luckily for her, no one was paying her any mind as Applejack and Applebloom were caught up in a conversation regarding Applebloom’s homework. A short while later when Big Mac sat down at the table, he finally noticed they had a guest. Introductions were exchanged and the dinner conversations continued until all at the table were satisfied from the meal. Axel Rose helped Big Mac and Applebloom with the dishes while Granny Smith and Applejack put away the cookware. After they finished, the Apple family went into the living room. Axel looked outside and noticed that it was now dusk and the moon was steadily climbing into the sky.
“I’d better head back now before I wear out my welcome.” Axel whispered to herself. Axel trotted over to the door to show herself out. As she opened the door Applejack called over to the mare.
“Leaving already, sugar cube?”
Axel looked over her shoulder, “Yeah it’s getting pretty late.”
“Big Mac, be a gentlecolt and walk Axel Rose home please,” Granny said to the large stallion.
“Eeyup,” he said as he stood up off the couch.
“Oh no that’s really not necessary,” Axel said whilst waving a hoof, a nervous smile on her muzzle.
“Nonsense!” Granny said, “It aint right having a filly like you trotting around the dark at this hour all alone.”
Axel Rose looked up to Big Mac as he approached her. “Are you sure?” she asked tentatively.
“Eeyup, it’s no problem Ms. Rose,” he said with a reassuring smile as he held the door open for her. Axel accepted his offer and bid everyone goodbye as she walked out the door.
After the door closed and the two ponies trotted away, Granny smiled and said to no one in particular, “Those two look good together.”
“What!?” Applejack and Applebloom both cried in bewilderment at their grandmother.
“Care to elaborate on that Granny?” Applejack enquired.
“They’re both a similar shade of red with Axel Rose being a little darker than Big Mac,” Granny said with a grin.
“Ah, well okay…” Applejack trailed off, one of her eyebrows raised in confusion. She wasn’t completely convinced by what Granny said but decided not to pursue the subject any further.
Big Mac trotted by Axel Rose’s side as they passed through the mostly empty streets of Ponyville. A few small bits of conversation was tossed between the two regarding each other’s occupation, daily activities, the weather, and their families. Aside from that, the two ponies trotted in silence. Axel surmised that Big Mac was a stallion of few words shortly into their trot through town, so she didn’t try to pull anything from him.
Finally, Axel’s house came into view ten minutes after leaving the main part of Ponyville. The two reached her front door and she turned to Big Macintosh as she unlocked the door.
“I want to thank you again for doing this. It was also nice to meet you,” Axel Rose said a little nervously.
“It’s no problem. Pleasure makin yer acquaintance too,” Big Mac responded with a friendly grin.
“I hope I can see you again,” Axel said as she opened her door.
“Likewise. You have a good night,” Big Mac said as he started to turn back towards town.
“You too,” Axel said as she entered her house. Before shutting her door, Axel gave Big Mac a wave of her hoof to which he returned before fully turning away.
After Axel finished getting ready for bed, she pondered the day’s events. “Today was a really good day,” a smile spread across her muzzle as she pulled the covers up to her chin and drifted off to sleep.
