All Aboard the Friendship Express
Cherry sighed and looked out the window, watching the landscape blur past. Going by train wasn’t nearly as fun as going by balloon, but sometimes you had to try something new. It was important to widen your horizons, or so she had read.
A trip to the newly discovered Crystal Empire seemed like a good way to do that. It was a place nopony had seen in a thousand years, freshly discovered and cleared out of evil.
Cherry remembered her friends Applejack and Rarity telling her about how they helped save the empire, those mares had all the luck. She hadn’t expected then to ever visit it, but in just the few short months since the Empire was revived its citizens had worked hard to integrate it with modern society. A flood of teachers, guards, builders and academics had flooded into the new/ancient nation. Cherry remembered reading that they started to accept tourists, and had resolved to become one herself. She had visited most of Equestria after all, this was something new and exciting.
Sadly, her balloon had not been ideal for the task. As lovely as it was to fly there was a train line, and she’d be a fool not to use it. The crazy weather phenomenon and the biting cold were enough deterrents, even for an adventurous mare like herself. She was old enough to enjoy a bit of comfort, and young enough not to obsess over it, much.
“Life Begins At 40.” Was the title of the book she had brought to keep herself company. It had been a well meaning gift from a friend. Cherry hadn’t liked it, she wasn’t even 40 yet, not for another year. She was pretty sure her life had begun 39 years ago, and she was still enjoying it. Not like she’d have to make any radical change. She didn’t feel the least urge to hang up her balloon, find a stallion and raise a foal or two. She was a free spirit and she’d do what she liked.
And right now she wanted to sit in a train cart and be bored.
Well, not really, but she was determined to endure it. If the journey wasn't an adventure, you still had the destination to look forward to.
If only she wasn’t so bored.
Another look out the window, more snow.
And lonely.
She didn’t actually offer a prayer for something to happen, but she was thinking it when the sound of a sliding door broke her out of her mope.
Well, I did ask for something to happen. She thought as she eyed the stallion standing in the door. It wasn’t the conductor, nor the food cart. She assumed it was another traveller, given his lack of uniform. All he was wearing was a pair of saddlebags which covered his cutie mark. He looked at her apologetically.
“Uhm, would you mind if I sit in this compartment?” He asked.
Odd, they hadn’t picked up new ponies for over an hour. Cherry, however, wasn’t going to pass up the opportunity for somepony to talk to.
“No, actually I’d appreciate the company.” She smiled at him and motioned for him to take the seat opposite of her.
“Thanks.” He looked relieved and began to take his saddlebags off. “My compartment was getting a bit crowded.” He explained as he sat down, putting the bags on the empty seat next to him. She caught a glimpse of his cutie mark. Three blue horseshoes it looked like.
“Crying foals?” Cherry deadpanned.
“Heh, you know it.” The stallion replied. “Travelling often?”
“Not by train, I prefer to fly.”
He looked a bit surprised at that and she noticed him looking at her flanks in confusion, most certainly noting the lack of wings.
“By balloon.” She giggled.
“Ah, that makes sense.” The stallion leaned back, curiosity satisfied he decided to introduce himself. “Caramel Apple by the way.” He held out a hoof.
“Cherry Berry.” She reciprocated, giving his hoof a friendly bump. “Part of the clan I presume? One of my best friends is an Apple.”
That seemed to cheer him up. “Eyupp. Anypony I know?”
Cherry chuckled. “Well with your reunions, probably, and she’s a natural hero too, Applejack.”
That seemed to brighten his day up even more. “Really? I just met her yesterday.”
Now that surprised Cherry. “You’re from Ponyville?”
“Born and raised.” He replied with pride. “Though I’ve just moved back. Lived in Appaloosa for a few years, got the town started you know.”
“Ah that explains why I haven’t seen you around.” Cherry nodded., Sshe knew most of the ponies living in the small town, by appearance if nothing else. She had a unique bird’s eye view of the townsfolk after all.
He frowned. “You’re from Ponyville too? Small world.” He chuckled. “I would have assumed Dodge Junction, they have the best Cherry orchards after all.”
Cherry was used to that, her family had originally settled over there. “Hey, we don’t all work with cherries you know.” She gave him a mock glare. “I’m sure if I look hard enough I’d find an Apple who doesn’t work on a farm.”
That made him chuckle. “Well, you found one.” He twisted to show her his cutie mark. The blue horseshoes stood out on his light brown hide. “I’m a blacksmith.”
“Really?” Cherry perked up at that. “I’m an aviator… who just happens to grow cherries.” That last part she mumbled, blushing slightly.
That only made him chuckle harder as he leaned forward. “Truth be told.” He whispered. “I have a couple of apple trees in the backyard.”
The serious tone he said it in, like he was whispering national secrets to a spy, made her burst out laughing and he joined her.
“You’re a funny one Caramel.” She finally choked out when the laughter died down. Looked like it would be a nice trip after a-
The screech of the brakes cut that line of thought off and the speakers buzzed into life.
“Arriving at Crystal Empire Station, thank you for travelling with Friendship Express. Mind the gap and have a wonderful stay.” The tinny message droned out.
Oh great, the fate giveth and the fate taketh away.
“Are you bored up there?” Cherry muttered.
“What?” Caramel asked, frowning. “Did I say something wrong?”
“No.” She hastened to reassure him. “It’s just that as soon as I meet you I need to say goodbye.” She whined, why was she whining?
His frown deepened for a second but was soon replaced by a smile. “Well, you don’t have to say goodbye yet. We are visiting the same town after all. How about a cup of tea? The trip made me hungry.” He held out a hoof, as if to help her out of the seat.
Cherry couldn’t help the smile that spread across her muzzle as he asked her out.
“I’d like that.” She replied, and took his hoof.
It seemed that trains had their upsides too, you met people on them.
