The wind felt different in Manehattan. Hollow Oak wasn’t sure why, but it just was. She had spent most of her life attuned with nature, to the point where every slight difference stood out to her like a barren tree in the middle of spring. And right now, the unfamiliarity of everything seemed to be bashing her right in the skull.
She shifted on her hooves uneasily, glancing up and down the cobblestone roads that were void of ponies. In a way, she was relieved: she wouldn’t have to deal with the sideways glances and awestruck stares, and the hallowed words of ‘is that a pony?’.
But on the other hoof, that meant she’d be alone tonight. Hollow scraped a hoof against the cobblestone, blinking a few times. Her eyelids felt heavy, but her body was too overworked for sleep. With a shrug, she continued down the path, taking in the early morning air around the town.
Hollow didn’t often miss home. She may have missed her fellow Kirin, even the annoyance that was Autumn Blaze, but she wasn’t a fan of the silence. That rotten, deafening silence that bled its way into every corner of her life. The silence that she was so eager to break, but lacked the voice to do so.
Hollow didn’t sleep much either. It was too quiet at night, especially in the hotel rooms and hostels she passed her time in. And she didn’t dare try and break the ambience: the other guests surely wouldn’t have taken kindly to that.
And so, she decided it was easier not to sleep.
She continued down the roads as a shudder ran down her spine. The storefronts and buildings sat parallel on her left and right, darkened and brooding like massive statues in the night. A shudder ran down her spine, but Hollow shook it off.
She wasn’t quite sure where she was going, but it was surely better than going nowhere.
As she rounded the corner, something down the road caught her breath. There was a building that seemed to glow in the fog, light emanating from its windows and pouring out into the street. It reminded Hollow of the lighthouse she had seen while in the San Fransiscolt Bay, shooting beams of brilliant light to fight back the fog.
Hollow moved towards it, wondering if she was dreaming. A sign above the door indicated that this was some sort of bar, and a glowing neon sign indicated that they were still open. She squinted through the glass window, suddenly feeling very thirsty.
All she could see were colored blobs on the other side. Hollow glanced behind her, at the cold dead town that stretched far into the distance, and sighed. She pushed open the door, flinching as a bell above the door rang out.
The room was void of ponies. The bartop was made with a slick, polished wood, with lines of stools awaiting customers. A few tables and chairs were scattered throughout the room, with booths lining the far side. The surface of the wall was completely buried beneath photographs, posters, and flyers that were affixed to it, full of faces that Hollow didn’t know.
Then there was movement from behind the bar. Hollow watched as a light yellow mare in an apron glanced up from the counter.
Hollow shuffled on her hooves awkwardly, glancing back at the door. The bartender greeted her with a warm and friendly smile before waving her over.
She found herself obeying the request, sliding onto one of the barstools and glancing behind the bartender, at the bottles and jars that lined the shelves behind her.
The mare stuck her towel into her apron pocket, before tapping a hoof on the counter and gesturing behind her expectantly.
Hollow gulped nervously. Now came the awkward part. She shakily held a hoof to her throat and tapped it, before shaking her head. A warm wave of heat washed over her face, and her eyes darted away for a second, fear seizing her body.
Memories swam to the surface of her mind, a chorus of voices belonging to a sea of blurry faces. “What’s the matter with her? Can’t she talk? Come on, say something!”
“Is she shy or something? Hasn’t said a word to me this entire time!”
“Well if you don’t like me, just say so! You don’t have to be so rude!”
“Why are you waving around like that? What, are you a spastic or something?”
Her eyes shot open and she held her breath, anticipating the bartender’s reaction.
The yellow mare blinked, then did something unexpected. She smiled, then nodded in understanding. She pointed to a small sign on the right of the counter, written in plain and simple letters.
Hi! My name is Apple Fritter and I’m a mute. Please be patient with me!
Hollow nearly recoiled in shock before pointing at the sign, then herself, before nodding furiously.
Apple Fritter giggled silently. It didn’t make a sound, but Hollow could tell she was laughing. She made a series of gestures with her hooves, to which Hollow tilted her head in confusion.
The bartender reached underneath the counter and pulled out a blackboard and a piece of chalk, quickly writing out a message and sliding the board across the counter so Hollow could read it. Do you know Equestrian Sign Language?
Hollow frowned before shaking her head. Apple Fritter offered her a piece of chalk and Hollow quickly wrote out a response.
No. My tribe was affected by a magical spell a long time ago. I haven’t been able to speak since.
Hollow gently slid the board back across the table. Apple Fritter read the message, nodded, then wiped it clean before writing a reply.
Wow! That sounds terrible. I was born mute myself. Something with my vocal cords, the doctor said.
Hollow’s eyes went wide when she took the board again.
So you’ve never been able to speak?
Apple Fritter shook her head sadly.
No. My family took it upon themselves to learn sign language so I wouldn’t get left out. Celestia bless their hearts.
The bartender held up a hoof before reaching under the counter and placing two bottles on the counter, offering one to Hollow.
I can’t imagine that, Hollow wrote. I’m so sorry. How have you been able to get by? Can ponies… understand you?
Apple Fritter nodded, sipping from her bottle before replying. She took a few minutes, furrowing her brow and wiping off the board a few times before finally completing her message. It’s hard. Not a lot of ponies in Equestria know ESL. But I figured something out. Had these blackboards I’d carry around and write out messages, like I’m doing now. After writing, she gestured to the second bottle and pointed at Hollow.
Hollow took the bottle and removed the cap, before taking a sip. A strange sensation greeted her, and the taste of apples immediately filled her mouth. She turned the bottle in her hooves, reading the label to herself.
She was distracted by a tapping on the counter, and she looked up to see Apple Fritter holding up the blackboard.
Apple Family Cider, made and brewed by my own family.
Hollow raised an eyebrow. That’s impressive. It’s pretty good, too!
Apple Fritter let out another silent laugh, before a thought occurred to her and she scribbled out a question. Hey, I never got your name?
Hollow Oak, Hollow replied, before taking another sip from her bottle.
Apple Fritter nodded in reply with a smile. It’s nice to meet you, Hollow Oak.
It’s nice to meet you too, Hollow responded. Thank you, by the way. I’ve never met someone who understands what it’s like to be me.
No problem, Apple Fritter replied, waving a hoof dismissively. It really can be hard sometimes. But not being able to talk doesn’t mean you don’t have a voice.
Hollow nodded, tapping her chin in thought. That’s good advice.
Apple Fritter raised her bottle across the counter, and Hollow returned the motion. The clink seemed ten times louder in the quiet of the bar, but for the first time in a long time, the silence felt comfortable to Hollow.
So, what brings you to my bar this late at night? Apple Fritter asked.
Hollow sighed, tapping the chalk against the countertop before answering. I’ve been having trouble sleeping lately. It’s too quiet. It’s like… She paused, glancing out the window at the foggy streets before finishing her sentence. It’s like there’s something suffocating me. And I want to scream, but I just can’t. She looked up at her newfound friend before adding another line. Have you ever felt like that before?
Apple Fritter ran a hoof through her mane, taking a few seconds to write out a reply. Unfortunately, yes. It’s definitely frustrating when nopony out there seems to hear you. When you’re ignored and shoved aside.
It took Hollow a few tries to read the message, as the letters seemed to bounce around the board. She rubbed her eyes and the words realigned themselves.
Are you alright? Apple Fritter added.
Pretty tired, Hollow admitted. Like I said, I haven’t slept well in awhile.
Apple Fritter nodded sympathetically. Where are you staying?
Hollow squeezed her eyes shut and willed the name of her hotel back into her mind. The Town Inn, over on Eighth Street.
I know where that is. I’ll walk you over, Apple Fritter wrote, before untying her apron.
Hollow quickly shook her head, to which Apple Fritter waved her hoof.
Hollow blinked a few times as the mare briefly disappeared into the kitchen, before digging into her bit bag and dropping a few on the counter. She turned the chalkboard around, running her hoof over the scratched and stained surface. It seemed like such a simple solution… how had she not thought of something similar?
The kitchen doors opened again and Apple Fritter trotted out, a set of saddlebags draping her back.
Are you sure nopony else will come in? Hollow asked.
Apple Fritter nodded again and pointed at the door.
Hollow shrugged and hopped off her barstool, offering the board back to Apple Fritter. The mare pushed it away and shook her head. She pointed at her bags, and Hollow made out the shape of several more boards inside. Hollow blinked in surprise, before pointing to herself and mouthing out two words. For me?
Apple Fritter nodded again with a smile. Then, the mare held up a hoof and reached into her bag. She produced a weathered book worn by use and age, before offering it to Hollow.
The book had a faded red cover with the words A Beginner’s Guide to Equestrian Sign Language emblazoned on the cover. Hollow gently took it in her hooves, as if she was handling some delicate artifact. She looked up with a bleary, tired smile, before suddenly embracing Apple Fritter in a tight hug. Hollow smiled even wider when she felt her hugging back.
They broke their embrace, and Apple Fritter pulled open the door. Something occurred to Hollow, who quickly began flipping through the book before finding the section she was looking for.
Hollow raised a hoof to her chin, then brought it down and forwards in a simple motion.
Thank you.
Apple Fritter smiled, a twinkling in her eye, and returned the gesture.
With that, Hollow stepped out into the night. She felt tired, but more importantly, she felt better. As Apple Fritter fell into step besides her, Hollow Oak looked up at the early morning sky, as the stars began to shine from behind the clouds and the wind continued its journey through the barren roads.
She couldn’t say it, but she was happy.
