The Dream Seller & the Draconequus
*****
Dirt.
It was an overly simple flavor with a bitter taste. The texture was that of pea soup, thick and grainy. This particular clump of dirt spread evenly over the dark-blue coat of the stallion.
The sun's bright morning light did not crawl across the beaten path. Celestia’s magical rays of hope could not break the thick black clouds overhead. The pegasi had massed the fluffy white clouds into a monstrous beast.
The road before the stallion was that of rippling pools of mud. The light mist covered the land gave a foreboding aura that warned the travelers of what was to come.
Although, Ash Lunamoon found himself face down in a very thick pool of soil, surrounded on all side of dingy grass and mirth. The cart behind him held all of worldly possessions. Pots and jars that held his life’s work; multifaceted powders and oils that were sealed tight; all comprised of various roots and herbs of his trade. Next to them where small worn out trunks and boxes that held clothes and trinkets: pestle and mortars, alembics, charts and compasses. All were covered under a large dirt brown leather tarp that sealed the top of the wooden cart like a drum.
Yet even these were of no importance to him any longer. At his hooves were on the object of his journey that now stopped him from proceeding. He stared begrudgingly at the broken pole that had snapped under the pressure of the lock on his harness.
“Pepper is there a spare pole in the cart?” he questioned, picking himself up from the puddle he fell in.
“No…” came the quiet purr of the young draconequus. “If you want dad I can fix it for you.” Her voice trembled. ”D-did the rain stop?”
He craned his head towards the sky, there may not be any rain but there will be soon. This would be so much easier if she wasn’t afraid of the rain. “No, stay under the tarp; it looks like the storm is about to pick up again.”
“Ok.” She squeaked.
Bending over, the stallion gathered the broken pieces of the oak pole and placed them on a small damp patch of grass. His horn glowed in a faint golden hue, all the slivers and shards of the shattered pole now reformed seamlessly. This should hold long enough to get to the shop I hope. He leaned down and bit the middle shaft of the pole; it didn’t burst back into pieces; that’s a good sign.
His horn’s glow redoubling, oak pole now came alive as he hitched himself back to the cart. A deep breath of air exploding out of his lungs as the weight bore down on him. Oh gosh, this is heavy! he thought before forcing himself back up, knees tapping together under the strain. This would be so much easier if I was an earth pony.
He grit his teeth, mustering energy from every able muscle in his body. He took one able step forward. His hooves sinking half an inch into the dirt with every step, you don’t need to learn the ‘move it’ spell they said, it has no practical use they said. He thought as he continued down the muddy road.
The cart creaked as it was now parallel with the road, the shift in weight sounded out the pots and potions as they clash and bumped into each other. Taking great care the stallion eased forward on the composite pole until the cart dug its own path into the soil below.
“Dad, are we there yet?” Pepper squeaked underneath the leather tarp. His ears tuned into the voice of his adopted daughter.
“No Pepper, it’s still going to be a bit. I would say about twenty minutes or so.” That’s if the road conditions don’t get worse and the pole doesn’t snap again.
“But Dad, I’m hungry.” she whined, she shifted under the leather bound tarp in the small plush filled corner in the cart. There were dolls and hoof-stitch plushies made from countless materials. A cat paw that was white as snow and a dragon claw that had sky blue scales revealed themselves from under the tart as they pushed up. The edge of the tarp fell back several inches revealing the blonde mane of the young draconequus. Poking out from her mane was a set of black cat ears and a set of huge globe-like pink irises.
Resting on top of her mane was a black rabbit plushie –her favorite– “Kiwi also needs to use the bathroom…” a low whine escaped her as she looked into the mist.
Ash gave a low sigh, I’m so sure that the plushie has to use the bathroom. “It looks like there is a farm house up ahead, let’s see if we can let Kiwi use their restroom.” Ash said playing along with her little game.
Pepper braced herself, her loins tightened “Hurry please dad, Kiwi can’t hold it much longer.”
The stallion trudged along as fast as he could, which was just a little faster than a slow trot. Large gasps escaped his body as he made his way forward; his slender legs had never been accustomed to physical demand. I should have never skipped gym class.
The gates of Sweet Apple Acres were a welcomed sight, although the mud and soil between the small caravan and it still was a daunting task for the meek stallion. Just please don’t pee on my dust, I have to sell that, he thought to himself.
The low hanging sign with a large apple that was etched into the wood swung in the light chilling breeze of the autumn wind. The ground was littered with dead leaves from the orchards of both sides of the road. The black scarf around his neck did little to protect him for the brazen wind.
The waning light that shimmered through the evening was starting to dip into the horizon. He paid no mind to the time of the day, his only thought was keenly focused on unpacking and setting up shop tonight to make for the grand opening tomorrow.
The closer he got to the house, the stronger the smell of roasted nuts and sautéed green beans began to drill into his lungs. Oh god that smells delicious, maybe if I play my cards right I might snagged a bite to eat.
The squeaking trusses came to a halt when he finally reached the open porch of the home. He looked back and beamed with pride as he looked back at the distance he covered. Hardest fifty feet of my entire life, he thought. “Pepper stay in the cart,” he said in a fatherly tone as he unhitched himself from the front of the cart.
“Hurry…” Pepper said in an urgent tone.
Ash quickly trotted up to the porch, Ok, first time in a new town. Have to make a good impression. This family might be your very best customers. He gave three loud thumps on the wooden frame. Should I have hit it four times? Three should suffice, but fourth is a universal sign of urgency. Is using the bathroom a sign of urgency?
He steeled his nerves, eyes straight, head forward just like mother taught you. After a moment of waiting the red wooden bi-frame finally cracked open. “Good evening to you sir-UNHOLY HORSEAPPLES YOU’RE HUGE.” Ash craned his head skyward.
The burgundy coated stallion stood three head taller than him; it would have been four if the wood plank he was standing on wasn’t slightly unleveled with the rest of the floor. It’s true; they do grow them big out here in the country.
Big Mac looked down, “Evening.” The stallion took a moment to examine the stallion before him, he twist his head back toward the depths house “Apple Bloom, did you invite one of your little friends over and not tell us about it again?”
“No, Sweetie Bell and Twist are coming over tomorrow!” the filly exclaimed, her voice caring to every corner of the house.
“No sir, it seems we have gotten off on the wrong hoof. You see I was wondering if my daughter could use your washroom?” the stallion spoke clearly and enunciated every word with proper accord. This guy is huge; I wonder what he ate growing up?
The lower half of the door swings open and narrowly missed the visitor standing opposite it. It was a young filly with a crimson mane and a cream coat. “I don’ know this colt. He doesn’t go to school with me. Maybe he is a friend of Applejack? Why is he covered in mud?”
It’s ok Ash; she is just a little filly. She doesn’t know any better. “Pardon, but I am a stallion little Miss Bloom.”
Apple Bloom raised a curious brow, “You’re only about half an inch taller than me.”
His eye twitched, “Not everypony is born the same.” He turned his gaze to the stoic older gentlepony. “Would you mind if my daughter used your bathroom?”
Big Mac gave the best poker face, “Eeyup.” His thoughts were his own, whether or not this colt was truly a colt or not he did not see any harm in letting his offspring use the bathroom.
Ash twisted around and faced towards the cart, “Come on out Pepper, they said you can use the bathroom.” There was no reply.
Two big large pink eyes popped out from the side of the tarp, she didn’t move as she looked on examining the scene before her. “Dad… Kiwi doesn’t need to go pee anymore…” The tarp fell back and only the soft whimpers of the young filly.
Oh for the love of all things holy, he turned back to his host “Would you mind if we used your show—“he was cut off by the stallion walking passed him. He bit down on the leather edge of the tarp and pulled in back.
There she was laying on a mound of plushies and blankets, eyes shut and curled in the fetal position. Her small bat wings pressed hard against her side while her hind legs what comprised of an even set of dogs legs held her tail was that of a red bushy fox.
He did comment on her appearance as he bit down on the scruff of her neck, her huge eyes shot wide as she had been lifted from her soiled mound. The stallion had far too many run-ins with the weird and the unknown to be shocked. What he did gather was she was crying and he could help, so he did.
Big Mac loved using simple logic.
He set the little draconequus on his back, it felt like knife digging into his coat as her claws dug in. “Don’t be scared, we're just going to get you cleaned up.” He turned his gaze to Apple Bloom, “Go ahead and draw a hot bath and prepare two for plates for dinner.”
Apple Bloom just looked on in disbelief, “You sure about this brother? That’s no normal pony…”
Big Mac raised a brow, “Apple Bloom we raised you better than that, now get moving.” He dictated in a stern fatherly tone. The filly did not need any more warning as she sped inside the house as fast as her tiny hooves could carry her.
Wow this guy can throw his weight around, I like him already. Ash followed the stallion inside making sure that he didn’t leave Pepper’s field of vision. It would not do anypony any good if she started to get scared. The door shut quietly behind them as they passed the threshold, the smell of dinner was almost intoxicating. Somepony please tell me I heard him right and he invited us to dinner. I wonder why he would though… is this what they call Southern Hospitality? Is this region even considered the south?
Pepper buried her face in the burgundy coat of the stallion; she didn’t want to look up. She felt ashamed, her ears firmly matted against her mane. She felt the eyes of other ponies looking at her, judging her. It wasn’t me, it was Kiwi, she thought. Desperately she wanted to blame it on somepony else. Dad is going to be disappointed in me; I bet he won’t let me go to school now.
The flow of water was a familiar sound to the filly draconequus; she had hated the sound that reminded her of the rain. The smell of lavender and chamomile ran over her as she lifted one eye to see. It was a white porcelain bathtub that was half full of warm water. Drifting on top of it was field of white foam the stretched from both ends of the tub. Her tail twitched, Is this for me?
Her question was promptly answered as she was abruptly lifted off the back of her ride and placed into the large basin of water. The warm rush that came over her as her scales and fur were overtaken by the soap and oils in the water.
Two huge doll-like irises peered through the bubble shield. Her cat ears now firmly matted again her mane in a vain attempt to look displeased. Her tail however was giving her away as it swished back and forth in the water like a excited dog.
“Geronimo!” Apple Bloom exclaimed, she cannonballed into the tub only to be caught mid-air by the teeth of the red coated stallion. Gently, he placed her into the water next to the filly draconequus. “I’m sorry about before, it was not very nice of me to judge you on the way ya’ looked, right Big Mac?”
Big Mac swelled with pride, “Eeyup.” They grow up so fast.
Pepper’s cat like eyes scanned the room looked for her dark-blue coated, silver maned father. “Where is my dad?” she squeaked, she could still pick up his scent but he was not in her line of sight.
“Ma’ sister nabbed him on the way in. We don’t get many visitors this late at night and I’m sure sis had more than a few questions.” Her eyes narrowed in, “Is he really your dad? He looks like a normal pony.”
Her eyes fell to the bubbles below, should I tell them, daddy doesn’t like it when I talk about us. They had been so nice though… Her inner-monolog was cut short as the huge hoof was pressed against her back. Instinctually her wings spread apart; the black leathery film of her wings absorbs the oils in the water. This feels so nice…
Her whiskers twitched as he began to enjoy the washing she was getting. Her nerves settled as she leaned against the ceramic basin, “He is my dad, he hatched me and everything.” The kitten purred as the stallion worked over her fur tenderly.
Apple Bloom leaned against the tub next to her. “Wash my back too.” she whined, her eyes matched the globe like pools of kitten draconequus. Don’t forget about me.
Smmmmpp-kroosh
Ash bounded up the stairs two at a time as he ran as fast as his hooves could carry him. His ears focused in on the sound of the running water. Need to hurry. He burst through the door of the bathroom. He leaped into the air to try to go into the hydrated sanctuary.
A rope whipped passed the threshold of the bathroom, her aim was perfect was it wrapped around the colt looking stallion with a hard pull. “I’m going to ride you like a bull and make you a stallion!”
Ash pawed at the ground helplessly as his eyes pleaded for help from the onlookers, “Pepper we need water, she sniffed the RED POWDER!”
:Several Minutes Before, Downstairs:
“So you say your name is Ash, I reckon that be a fine name.” Applejack said as she served up her guest a heaping plate of green beans that was sautéed and lightly caramelized in cream.
Ash swallowed a large pool of drool that had begun to pool at the back of his mouth. The smell is enough to bring a tear to the stallion’s eye. It’s so beautiful; if I died right now I would be content in the next life. Don’t act too eager Ash; you’re not a pauper anymore. You are a refined business pony that owns your own shop.
“Why thank you,” he took the plate of food. “May I say you have a very comforting home here Miss Applejack, this dish look positively exquisite.” Complement the food now and did in, she might take it away.
Applejack beamed as she scooped another generous portion of her famous homemade meal. “Shucks, taint nothing special at all, dig in and have as much as you like. If your kin wants something special I can whip her up something lick-it-T-split.”
Ash took a large bite; the tang of the cream complimented the slight bitterness of the green beans. It literally brought a tear to his eye. If I was ready to settle down I would marry you… plate of green beans. But sadly your fate has been chosen to end here. “Pepper doesn’t eat vegetables, she only eats meat. I have some dried jerky in the cart, but it will take a minute to dig out.”
Applejacks ears twitched, “Oh so she is a meat eater. Closest thing we have is some eggs…”
He waved a dismissing hoof as he swallowed down another large bite. “Don’t worry about it; she is more or less used to my cooking. She is such a little stinker sometimes, eating mice and rats when I’m not looking. I tell her it will kill her appetite but what do I know.”
Applejack swallowed some bile that had tried to force its way out of her mouth. He lets his little girl eat varmints, that’s disgusting. “I don’t mean to pry none, but what brings you out ta’ these parts?”
Ash took a proper route that he had learn and wiped his mouth before continuing to speak, Now is the time Ash, time to make a great first impression, he thought. “Well due to some things going in my favor, I had come into quite a large sum of bits. So I and my daughter looked around and found a small shop in town that was selling that just barely met our price range.”
Applejack stepped back, “You’re not the pony that bought out Davenport’s Quills and Sofas are you?” Twilight is going to be so pissed. I still haven’t told it went out of business.
The stallion smiled from ear to ear, “That is the one and the very same, I am glad I chose a spot of prime real-estate. For some reason he was quite eager to sell but if all the ponies are as kind as you are I am sure I choose the right town, my sister also has her own stand in town.”
“Really now, don’t that beat all. Well who is she; our family owns an apple stall in town. So I am sure I know who she is.”
Don’t get a big head now Ash, sis has probably become super famous by now. Having a famous family member is a sure fire way to have ponies hate you if you're cocky about it. “Her name is Trixie Lunamoon, She is a performer. Do you know her?” Act humble Ash; don’t blow it out of proportion.
“Auughwhhhaa?” Applejack was taken back. “Hey… when is the last time you spoken with Ahh…Trixie?” She has a brother… crap. Maybe if he keeps quiet about it he might not get ran out a town.
“Oh it was well over a year ago, although she did send me a large sum that helped me buy the shop in town. Do you know where she is staying? I would love to catch up with her at some point. Does she still live in town?” he asked with youthful vigor.
Buck, what do I say? I can’t tell him she is a bum living with Twilight. That would break his heart. I can’t lie to him either, that just wouldn’t be becoming of an Apple. “Well I ummm, I know she lives in town. Someplace extremely near the library…” That’s not lying, and this stallion has no proof that he is her brother. I am doing the right thing not giving out her personal information.
“Well as long as she lives in town I guess I’ll see her at some point.” Ash enjoyed another large bite of the mouth watering green beans. “The family has been a little worried about her since she left home.”
She has a worried family, she thought. She could feel the fur on the back of her neck begin to stand on end. “So is it just you and your mom?”
Ash giggled, “Oh heavens no, Trixie the oldest of our family. I have four sisters older than me and seven sisters younger than me. I am the only stallion in the bunch. Well enough about her though, I don’t want to bore you with our family drama. You know what though, I have honestly been moved by your generosity and I want to give you something. As a token of our new found friendship.”
The stallion hopped off of the chair and landed in a four point stance, now is your time to shine Ash. She is a fellow merchant, you impress her and your product will shine above all others. He trotted outside of the house.
The mare felt her insides begin to burn, oh no, I lied. What do I do? Now he is offering to give me stuff. I can’t take anything from him. Maybe I can just humor him for a bit, maybe give him and his little one a warm bed for the night. “What are you planning on giving me; I have pretty much everything I need.” Good now hear what he has to say and politely decline his offer.
The stallion return back with a black velvet pouched floating inches above his head. “Now don’t worry none, I am positive you don’t have any of what I have to offer you.” In a grand attempt to impress the mare he willed the nine small vials out of the bag. Each vial boasting a bright and vibrant color, from pink and blue to orange and green. “My field of study is a mixture of alchemy and magic, I sell dreams for a living.”
“Whoa there partner, I learned a long time ago not to mess with the mystical mumbo you unicorns think is proper for ponies.”
Ash continued to pour each color onto the black velvet pouch, “Right now there is no magic involved, the dusts and powders you see before you are made from alchemy. I am sure some of the products I use in my creations you use in your cooking. Cooking just another form of alchemy it just has more practical application, like milk in stew.”
Applejacks nerves calmed a bit, “So you’re calling me one of those alche-whatchamacalls just because I know how to cook a good meal.”
“Precisely,” the stallion cooed.
Well I’ll be the daughter of an alicorn, I can’t wait to tell Twilight I’m a fully fledge… thing. “So tell me how this all works.”
“Well let me show you a personal favorite of mine,” He pulled out a green vial. “This one contains the purest form of adventure. All I need to do is put it into a pouch that I have enchanted and you will be dreaming that you're Daring Do or whoever your favorite action hero is or you might dream up your own adventure where you’re the hero!”
Applejack didn’t look interested at all in the adventure dream dust, “So different colors mean different types of dreams, sounds simple enough.”
“Oh but that is where you are wrong my friend, you can mix and match these to what your hearts desires. Want a dream filled with joy and wonderment, no problem. How about a dream filled with a light hearted romance of an unrequited romance? I can make it happen.” A wry grin grew on his face. C’mon Ash, you practice for days in front of a mirror, she is almost hooked.
“Do you use apples in any of these here potions?”
YES! “Why yes I do use apple skins in this little number I have here.” He bit down on the red vial and placed it before the mare. For a night filled with the dirtiest wet dreams, never stray from the red power. I am sure this is going to be my most popular product. ”Although I only use the skin for the coloring, keeping them all sorted is very important.”
You can’t go wrong with a potion that has apples in it, she thought as she closely examined the vial. “Sure I’ll have a dream with this red stuff over here.”
Oh you’re going to have a great time tonight, I should give her enough for about a week. She did give me a really great meal and all and her brother did let Pepper use there bath. “Excellent choice,” Score, my first sale… sort of. Who cares there is a pony out there who WANTS my product. “One moment let me get a pouch for you.” The stallion twisted in place like a giggly foal who just received a present.
“Holy horseapples, this doesn’t smell like apples in the slightest.”
Smell… SMELL! The stallion’s irises shrunk to the size of pins as he slowly arched his head back. Oh no. The mare’s snout was completely covered in the red dust that was sealed in the air tight vial. She actually smelled it. His jaw dropped and only the sound of a gurgling fish escaped his lips.
Three point nine second it took for the potion to take effect, a sheepish grin grew on her face as she advanced to the colt looking stallion. “You know I never noticed before just how cute you look in this lighting.”
The stallion took several steps back “Oh buck me…”
Applejack whipped her mare as the blue scrunchie flew across the room and hit the wall, her mane now resting at her side. “Oh thank Celestia we are on the same page, I never did like foreplay.”
