Chapters Orange by name, Apple by heart
Author's Note
Amanatsu is my own OC,
A change and a choice
"Good job today Amanatsu." A camera pony called as an earth pony passed in a beautiful gown. She stopped and smiled brightly.
"Thank you." She said. Amanatsu was a member of the Orange family and lived in Manehatten. Her coat was a dusty orange-brown colour, and her mane was a bright purple-pink with light light pink stripes. Whilst her mane usually fell in to curls, it had been tied into a tight bun for a photo shoot. Amanatsu was a renown model, and the only earth pony model in the company she worked for. The rest of her co-models were Unicorns, but Amanatsu kept doing her best and soon became one of the top models, of course, that didn't please some of her co-workers.
Amanatsu went to her room, and began to change. She changed into her own dress and took her mane out of the bun. She shook her head, causing her curls to bounce around her. She sighed and smiled. That was it for the day. She yawned and began to head to the front door, to head home for the night.
"Ah, Amanatsu." She stopped, the top model, Star Royale a male unicorn approached her. "How did your photo shoot go today?" He asked, Amanatsu blushed sight. She liked Star, than again, so did every mare in the company.
"I believe it went perfectly." Amanatsu smiled. "I hope your night shoot goes well
"Thank you, I have been trying the find the time to ask, but would you like to join me for lunch tomorrow?" Star smiled down at her, many mare's around them watched in shock, confusion and fury. Amanatsu blushed, but nodded.
"It would be a pleasure." she nodded.
"Good, I shall come and get you tomorrow. Good night." Star Royale trotted off. Amanatsu watched him, with a slight smile. She sighed and left the building. She walked home with a bounce in her step.
She got home to the sound of one of her Parent's dinner parties, she smiled. She closed the door and went to check on her younger sister, Babs. Babs was fast asleep, Amanatsu noticed a new photo on her wall. Amanatsu quietly went to get a closer look and found herself smiling. It was of her younger cousin Applebloom, and her friends, Scootaloo and Sweetie belle. Babs spoke of them often. There was also five ponies she recognized. Princess Twilight Sparkle, and Rarity, her favourite fashion designer, Applejack, her favourite cousin, Rainbow Dash the newest Wonder bolt and Fluttershy who had been a modal for a short time. She sighed it had been ages since she has seen her cousin. They lived in the small town of Ponyville, upon Sweet Apple acres. Amanatsu left Babs room and closed the door quietly behind her, and headed towards the dining hall.
"I am home." She said, The dinner guests looked up. Her parents smiled.
"Amanatsu dear, come and join us. We need to introduce you to our new guest." Her mother said. Amanatsu sat down next to her parents. There was a strange looking stallion there, he smiled at her kindly.
"Amanatsu, I would like to introduce you to our new friend, Lord Nova Star. He came all the way from Saddle Arabia." Her father introduced them.
"It is a pleasure to meet you. How are you enjoying Manehattan?" Amanatsu smiled
"It is quite nice. I am glad I chose to move here. I heard you are a model?" Lord Nova Star looked over at her.
"Indeed, oho, mother that reminds me!" Amanatsu turned to her mother. "Star Royale asked me to lunch tomorrow."
"Really? Oh, that is fantastic!" Her mother clapped her hooves together happily. "We really must pick out the perfect outfit for you."
"I was thinking of wearing that new one, the one I got from Rarity' for you. It was one of her latest designs!" Amanatsu told her.
"That is a wonderful idea." Her mother nodded in approval.
The next day, Amanatsu dressed up and was ready to meet with Star Royale. But, she made the simple mistake of arriving early. She entered to find Star surrounded by the other mares that worked there.
"What were you thinking, asking that mare for lunch?" One asked
"Well, my dear, it will be good for my image if I show interest in her. She is a current favourite within the population." Star Royale smiled, Amanatsu's jaw dropped. He was asking her to lunch to help with his image, she stepped aside as a Camera pony came in.
"We're just in time." They said, Star looked and noticed Amanatsu. He smiled at her charmingly.
"I am glad you showed." He approached her and took her hoof. She pushed him away, surprising every pony.
"I am not going to lunch with you to help boost your image." She told him.
"I am sure it would boost your image too." He smiled taking her hoof again.
"My image should be based on how I do my job, not by who i associate myself with!" Amanatsu pushed him away again. "Go and get another date!" She turned her back and began to walk away.
"Would you go for lunch for a pay raise?" She stopped, it was her manger who had spoken. "It would also be good for the company." Amanatsu was shocked. "If our top two modals became a couple, we could have couple shoots. It would be great for business."
"When you put it that way, I quit!" Amanatsu declared, she turned and galloped from the building. She raced through the city. The sky opened and it began to rain. Amanastu sighed and looked up, but accidentally ran into some pony. "I'm so...Lord Nova Star!" She gasped, the stallion she had been introduce last night was before her. He looked at her worried.
"Are you okay? I thought you had lunch with...who was it? Star Royale?" Nova star asked
"I was, he asked to help improve his image...The company agreed. With a modal couple they could do couple shots and how it would 'be great for business'." Amanatsu said, she bowed her head. "I ended up quitting..."
"I see, what are you going to do now?" He asked
"I can't go home, they will check there first...I..." Amanastu stopped and made up her mind. "I am going to Ponyville." She said.
Orange by name, Apple by heart
"Thank you for this, my Lord." Amanatsu smiled as Lord Nova Star got her a train ticket bound for Ponyville.
"Please, just call me Nova. I hope I meet you again." He smiled at her.
"I will write once I have settled there." Amanatsu nodded. He waved her off as she left Manehattan. "Tell my family!" She yelled, he nodded in reply as he vanished around the corner. Amanatsu settled down for the journey to ponyville.
Amanatsu got off the train, and stepped out in Ponyville. She could see the castle that belonged to the newest Princess, Twilight Sparkle. But, she needed to get to Sweet Apple Acres. She began to trot down the street when she saw a shop and gasped. She galloped over to it. Carousel Boutique. This was Rarity's first and main boutique. Excited she entered. Rarity was her favourite fashion designer, she looked at the dresses around the store.
"Welcome to Carousel Boutique, how may I help you?" A white Unicorn stepped forward, Amanatsu smiled.
"It is a pleasure to meet you Rarity, I am Amanatsu." Amanatsu introduced herself.
"The fashion modal from Manehatten?" Rarity gasped.
"Ex-modal." Amanatsu said sourly, Rarity looked at her confused, but Amanatsu smiled. "Anyway, I have been wanting to meet you for the longest time, you are my favourite fashion designer. Your designs are just so inspired!"
"Oh, well, Thank you darling!" Rarity flushed with pride. She looked at Amanatsu and gasped. "I have a perfect idea for a gown for you, Follow me!" Rarity trotted away, surprised Amanatsu followed. She soon found herself standing still as Rarity began making a new dress for her. Amanatsu watched her work. She amazed and inspired about how Rarity pt some much heart and soul into her work. Amanatsu found herself looking away and frowning, what was she going to do now. She was in Ponyville, she guessed she could ask AppleJack if she could help out on the farm, but whilst they were related, she was an orange, even her cutie mark was an Orange.
"Why did you quit as a modal, if you don't mind me asking." Rarity spoke up.
"A stallion wished to take me for lunch. He want to so he would get boost in his image because I was one of the top modal mares in Manehatten. Then the company owner said if there was a couple in the company they could start doing couple shots, and how great that would be business...But, that is not what I wanted. I want to be judged on what I do, not who I associated with." Amanatsu sighed.
"I know how you feel darling. I once went to Canterlot and became popular with the high society ponies there...but, my friends came to visit during a garden party. I was afraid of causing y friends over the high society ponies, afraid they would judge me because my friends were not high society material, if you understand my meaning." Rarity said, Amanatsu nodded. "That day I learnt it doesn't matter who my friends are, I am proud to have them, and proud to be from Ponyville, no matter what any pony else thinks."
"That is a good lesson to learn." Amanatsu smiled. "To be honest, I am not sure what I want any more. If that is what being a modal means, I don't want any part of it. I...just don't know."
"Well, there must have been a reason you came to ponyville." Rarity said
"Yes, My cousin lives here. I haven't seen her in the longest time. Maybe you know here, her name is AppleJack." Amanatsu looked at Rarity as she completely stopped in what she was doing.
"You're related to AppleJack?" Rarity repeated, Amanatsu nodded. Rarity continued making the dress. "Me and that pony need to have a talk."
"So, you do know her." Amanatsu smiled
"Of course darling. We are pretty good friends." Rarity nodded. "Though, that pony has no sense in fashion." Amanatsu chuckled.
"Does she still wearing that hat?" Amanatsu asked, Rarity nodded, Amanatsu laughed.
"That hat does suite her though. He dad used to wear one like it." Amanatsu said. Rarity stepped back.
"Well done. It looks fabulous, if I do say so myself!" Rarity beamed. Amanatsu looked in the mirror and smiled. The dress was different tones of green with floral patterns.
"I love it." She smiled and twirled. The door opened, Apple Bloom, Sweetie belle and Scootaloo ran in.
"Hey Rarity!" Sweetie belle yelled as they ran up stairs.
"Hello girls, oh Apple Bloom." Rarity said, The CMC stopped and looked. "This is Amanatsu, I believe she is a cousin of yours."
"Amanatsu?" Apple Bloom asked, looked at her.
"I am Babs older sister." Amanatsu smiled "Thank you for being her friend. And for helping her speak to me about bullies."
"No problem, why are your here? Is Babs here too?" Apple Bloom asked excitedly.
"I am afraid not. I came here alone. I guess I am hoping to find a new purpose in my life, as my old one didn't turn out too well." Amanatsu explained.
"We can help!" Scootaloo said.
"We help ponies find out the truth of their Cutie marks!" Sweetie belle told her.
"I guess I was really meant to come here. I hope you can help me." Amanatsu smiled. The girls nodded. "Thank you for making this Rarity, but I think it would be safer here then on a farm."
"I shall keep it safe for you." Rarity nodded, Amanatsu got out of the dress and Rarity put it away. "How about this?" She tied a green scarf around her neck in a triangle shape. Amanatsu looked in the mirror and laughed.
"This is perfect, thank you Rarity." Amanatsu smiled
"No problem dear. Come by any time." Rarity said, Amanatsu nodded. The CMC walked with her down the street.
"Your cutie mark is just an Orange, so, did you used to grow Oranges?" Apple bloom asked.
"It would seems so, but no. I was a modal in Manehatten. I figured out it probably wasn't the best road for me after a particular event." Amanatsu said "So, I was hoping to stay at Sweet Apple Acres until I can get on my own hooves. I am even willing to help on the farm if need be."
"Well, Farm work may be what you're meant to do. Come on!" The Fillies began to run ahead. Amanatsu smiled and galloped after them.
Orange by name, Apple by heart
"I haven't been here since I was a little filly." Amanatsu said as they reached Sweet Apple Acres. She followed the CMC towards the farm house, an old mare was outside on a rocking chair.
"Granny Smith." Amanatsu said, the old mare woke up with a start and look.
"Amanatsu?" She looked. "Well, how nice of ya to visit." Amanatsu trotted over and hugged her.
"It's good to be here. I was hoping I could stay her for a while. I don't really feel I can return to Manahatten at this current time." Amanatsu said.
"Of course you can stay, your family." Granny Smith said. "AJ, Big Mac, we've got company." She called in a hazy voice.
"Who is it Granny?" AppleJack and Big Mac galloped from the Orchards. They stopped as the saw Amanatsu.
"ANA!" Apple Jack laughed and galloped over, hugged her cousin. "'bout time you came for a visit." She nudged her playfully.
"I was busy. You should understand that." Amanatsu smiled
"Eeyup." Big Mac nodded.
"We're helping her find the meaning of her cutie mark!" Apple Bloom said happily, Granny, AJ and Big Mac looked at Amanatsu.
"I quit my position as a modal. They wanted me to go for lunch with some pony who wanted to use it to boost his image. And the company said if they had a couple there they could do couple shots, and how well it would be for business." Amanatsu said. "I didn't want that so, I quit on the spot and left Manehattan."
"Oh, Ana, guessing you'll be staying here for a while then?" AppleJack asked. Ana nodded.
"If that is okay, I am also quite happy to help on the farm if you need it." Ana told them
"I am sure working with Rarity would be more suiting for you." AppleJack said.
"I would love that, but I am a modal, not dresser maker." Ana smiled. "That's why these three said they would help me figure out what my Cutie mark means. They suggested maybe farming as its oranges."
"Well, we will help in anyway, right?" AppleJack and Big Mac, both nodded.
"Thank you." Amanatsu smiled.
Ana ended up sharing Applejack's room.
"When we were like...5?" Ana smiled. They both laughed. "We didn't get to sleep until 10 at night."
"Well, we will need to be up early in the morning. Once I have done my chores, I will give you a tour around Ponyville. We actually have another cousin around ponyville. You'll meet her tomorrow." AppleJack told her.
"I can't wait, night AppleJack." Ana smiled.
"Night Ana." AppleJack replied.
At Sunrise, Ana was woken by AppleJack getting up. She yawned and stretched. The events of yesterday flooded back, she sighed and sat up.
"Morning." She stood, she heard AJ laughed, she frowned. "What?" AJ pointed, Ana looked in the mirror, her mane was all over the place. "Oh dear." She brushed it, and went back into it curled state. "That's better." she smiled. After a breakfast of Pancakes, Ana joined Applejack on her chores. She helped AppleJack as she bucked apples, Ana caught them in baskets. feeding the farm animals, then they headed into town.
"I asked my friends to meet us at the Castle." AJ told her.
"Why at the Castle?" Ana asked. "I know the princess is the Princess of Friendship and all, but..."
"I am one of her friends." AJ explained. "We also represent the elements of harmony."
"Oh, right, I heard you guys have saved Equestria so many times. I'm proud of you cousin." Ana smiled. AJ flushed with pride, they soon reached the castle and entered. Ana looked around as they walked through the halls.
"Heya every pony." AJ greeted as they entered the throne room. Ana looked, there were five ponies there, One was the Princess of Friendship, another was Rarity, she recognized Rainbow dash as the newest member of the Wonder bolts, she also recognized the yellow Pegasus as Fluttershy, she had been a modal for a brief time. But, the Pink earth pony that was practically bouncing on her chair was unknown to her. "Ana, these are my friends."
"I Know all of you, by reputation, apart from you." Ana looked at the Pink pony apologetically.
"I'm Pinkie Pie!" The pony suddenly appeared in front of her, with a wide grin. "I'm super happy to meet you, we should have a welcome to Ponyville party!" She went to go off, but Apple Jack stopped her.
"Ana this is the pony I said. Pinkie is our fourth cousin twice removed." AJ said. Ana smiled.
"It's great to meet you!" Ana smiled, Pinkie suddenly hugged her.
"It's great to have more family. You'll need to visit my family sometime. Their a blast!" Pinkie smiled.
"It's nice to meet you too Ana. Welcome to Ponyville." Twilight Sparkle smiled.
"Thank you, Princess." Ana bowed her head. Twilight smiled.
"Please, just call me Twilight." She told her, Ana nodded. She spent some more time with Then, before she and AJ left the continue the tour, Ponyville had changed a bit since she had been there as a filly. In the hayburger, as they sat for lunch. Ana wrote a letter to her family, explaining she was staying with the Apple's until she figured out what to do next. She asked them not to say anything to her old company so they could try and locate her. She wanted to keep out of the lime light for a while. The afternoon came and Ana went with the CMC to try and figure out her mark. First thing was planting Oranges, which Ana did with ease. She frown at the pot with soil, where she had planted the seeds.
"What now?" She asked
"We have wait, but you need to take care of it." Apple Bloom said, Ana nodded and carefully picked up the pot. She immediately headed back to the main farm, the CMC followed, as Amanastu looked around trying to find a good spot. She smiled and trotted close the house, she placed in a spot in which the sun caught it.
"why did you put it there?" Sweetie belle asked.
"Oranges need a lot of sun light to grow. Tomorrow, I will search for the sunniest spot on the farm and take it there." Ana smiled. The CMC looked at other and smiled too.
