Plight of the Pegasi

‘Clarity’

A tapping at my door pierces my peaceful slumber. I rise from my sofa and approach the source of the racket. The taps become thrashes and the door bends lightly to the impatient visitor. I peer through the letterbox and see a pair of eyes looking straight back at me.

“Excuse me it’s Tax collection day. Would you mind opening this door?” says the unknown visitor.

“I would rather not. Can’t I just slide the bits out through the letterbox?” I suggest.

“A mite unconventional don’t you agree?”

I recognise the southern tone of his voice. Was this? No it couldn’t be…

“Big Macintosh is that you?” I ask, doubting my own words as I say them.

“Eeyup, this is what I do now”

“How do you visit my house in the clouds?”

“Huh? No I’m standing in the grass” He answers with a perplexed tone.

I risk the confusion and push the door open with my nose. He is right however; my once floating abode was now anchored to the ground.

“How can this be?” I question as my illusions die.

“It’s a new tax Celestia is Introducin’. If your home is in the sky it is technically flyin’, in short, you need to pay the flight tax or risk having your house anchored. Just like what’s happened ‘ere” he explains with his hoof gesturing et certain intervals.

I step out of my doorway and am shocked as the moist dew on the grass blades licks my pasterns. It’s surprisingly cold.

“Don’t you work at Sweet Apple Acres anymore?” I say, tilting my head slightly.

“Oh that, with the amount of land we have, I had… I needed to take this job to help keep the farm. We’re paying over 16 bits a week and to only have a duty stamped on any cider we produce! It’s daylight robbery” He rants. His hoof digs into the ground as if reluctant to carry out his work.

“But what about Applejack, She must be overworked?”

“Welcome to the industrial age Miss Dash. Life’s not as simple as it used to be. I know I am abandoning her but I also know I have to do this, or we lose everything. No matter how much I hate giving out this bad news, no matter how much I hate seeing ponies thrown out on the streets, no matter…”

I place a hoof on his snout

“Shush now Mac. Wait… What in Equestria is flight tax?”

“Look I’m runnin’ behind as it is, ask your local government representative if you want to know about all recent changes”

I wave as he canters away with my two bits. Only one bit left…

‘Our acres’

Good morning glorious morning. And then I see my monumental task, east field’s set for ploughing and the south field needs to be picked. The sun has only just risen, as is always the case with my profession, I rise before the rooster. I rush out the door, not a second for breakfast, no time to waste. I break straight into gallop and head for the barn. On reaching the door I find a notice nailed to it. I snap off the head of the nail with my back hooves and peel the notice off, I take a read.

“Norflanks Building inc.

Invoice regarding recent repair work:

To owner, on Monday 4th July repairs were finished on the large grain silo on the northeast side of your property. The price of both labour and materials is for the sum of 23 bits, you may wish to take out building insurance in the near future. Thank you for your business and I hope you are satisfied with the results”

I let the invoice fall to the dirt before nearly fainting. I still had not time for worries; there was still so much yet to be done. I push the doors apart and immediately find the cart I need, as well as the plough. We had lost a vast portion of our task force since all these taxes were introduced. It’s just not worth owning anything nowadays. I opt to pic first so that maybe I don’t have to wash the crop so thoroughly when my muddy self gets all over it. I fetch a basket form where it hangs on a hook and put it on the cart. I secure the pulling bridle about my mouth and set off towards the orchard to be harvested. The earth is hard and unyielding I notice as I step hurriedly over the sun-baked mud. Soon I arrive at my destination and my burdensome cart is set in the centre and my bitter bridle spat aside. I busy myself with my task, bucking each tree sufficiently for the crop to fall. I only push the cart now; the strain on my jaw is sometimes too much for me. I miss Big Mac.

‘Fairness’

I was in minds to go and check on Applejack, maybe I could help… maybe I could get a job. I saw advertisements in the market about sprayers needed for the Acres. I hoped upon hope that my ability to fly would somehow make me more favourable for this position. But alas, there are so many alike to me who need work and can fly. I decide my selfish agenda can be put on the back burner, my friend needed help, even if she wouldn’t admit it. I set to the skies momentarily before I remember the flight tax. What was it? I’d have to ask about it later. I run as fast as my legs will carry me; my route takes me directly through the market. I have one bit left, and I am so hungry. I yield to the mild pain and go to purchase a bowl of hay.

“That’ll be two bits” the pale earth stallion informs.

“Two? But last week it was only one” I say, my voice becoming higher.

“Stallion’s gotta make a living. Celestia has us market folk paying for licenses now. Its two bits or nothing”

“But I only have one” I admit, looking down at my hooves.

“Well then stop blocking my stall. I have plenty of paying customers waiting!” The stallion shouts and gestures a hoof.

I am shoved aside by eager hooves pining for the delight I shall be denied of. I am a pony, I can just eat grass. But it plays havoc with our digestion and makes us awfully fat. I decide I am without a better option and bow my head down and chew on the dull tasteless grass. It is hard to chew and hard to swallow as is my defeat that day. I didn’t even try to haggle; it’s like I was losing my flair. I rush past Sugar cube corner, Pinkie is crying outside but she often does random things so I continue to the acres. I reach my sweat covered friend who is struggling with her bridle. I get her attention.

“Hey AJ do you need any help with anything?” I ask eagerly.

“Ahhh certainly do. No reason to hide that fact” She surprisingly retorts.

“Well I was kinda hoping you would maybe consider me…”

“I’m sorry RD… I already hired somepony for the crop sprayin’”

“Who?” I ask, panicked. I take a few measly steps forward.

“Ehh you’re not gonna like it”

“Finished with my work today boss” a familiar scratchy voice says.

“Wait… her?” I say, looking up at the orange Pegasus above me.

“I can’t be favouring you over any other applicants, Lightning Dust was the best candidate we had”

“But Applejack, I’m gonna lose everything” I beg.

“Yeah? Well aren’t we all, Ah have so many bills to pay and Granny Smith is going senile. Ah can’t afford to help you out, I’m sorry RD ah truly am. But you’ll have to find work elsewhere”

I don’t reply for I understand her plight. I take my leave and wonder out back toward the town and my house now anchored down. I walk slowly with my head held low. I had one bit and nothing else and I was so much tougher than Fluttershy. It had to be done, she needs this more than me. I am about to go when I hear Lightning Dust gloating as she does.

“Sooo you didn’t get the job huh?” Lightning asks.

“Yeah, you heard about that”

“Well I’m the gal that got this sweet gig” she gloat, looking pleased with herself.

“Just clear off, second rate flyer”

“You’re just jealous! I’m on 12 bits a week and you’re eating grass off of the floor”

“Just back off Lightning! I don’t have the patience for you right now”

“See you in skies sometime Dashie… Oh wait no I won’t.  Earth pony”

I turn a cold shoulder and slump away. She’s right. I might as well be an earth pony. I turn my attention to a sobbing Pinkie pie. Seeing her like this was completely out of character, I thought she might have just been overreacting. I was wrong, something was up.

‘Letting go’

Ah the sweet sugary fragrance of a well done blueberry muffin, it’s simply magical. I think this while I chew ravenously through one I had left over from the day before. But then, unusually, comes a knocking at my door. I speedily answer the call and soon see my land lords behind it. They look like they want to tell me something but they don’t look at all happy. I shuffle backwards and wave a hoof to show they are welcome in my home. They do not move, Mr Cake reveals a document from his person and hoofs it to me. I don’t do well to hide my non-interest in reading. But still I give it a gander.

“Rent, what is that?” I gleefully ask them.

“It’s a kind of agreement. We can’t have you living here for free anymore” he replies.

“But I work for you guys… I thought the flat was part of the deal”

“We by law have to start paying you a salary Pinkie” Mrs Cake adds.

“But then how much do I have to pay to stay here?”

“We will start paying you at 9 bits a week and the room rent is…”

“What?”

“It’s a large flat Pinkie… It will cost 12 bits a week for you to stay here”

“So… I can’t stay?”

“We really need the bits right now Pinkie. Our small shop is being undercut by larger mass confection making industries. Were really sorry Pinkie, we hope you find somewhere else soon”

“But you’re throwing me out?” I begin to tear up

“Don’t say it like that Pinkie. If this was our choice we would never do this but the decision has been made for us”

I shove past them and gallop down the stairs until I am at the doorstep of the shop. I break down in a miserable depression and cover my face with my hooves. I briefly spy Rainbow Dash trotting past but she looks in a hurry so I don’t bother her. Mrs Cake hurries down the steps and sit down next to me. She wraps her caring hoof over my withers and stays there a while before standing up.

“Don’t cry Pinkie, you’re still our friend” she comforts.

“I know… But I don’t where to go”

“I’m sure you’ll find somewhere Pinkie. I know you; you don’t let a thing like this ruin your day”

“I get it, I do. Pinkie’s all happy go lucky and devil may care. But actually, I’m incredibly insecure about being on my own, why do you think I try to make so many friends?” I say, looking away and holding my head lazily in my hoof.

“I’m trying here. Ok just go, I have no more time for your feeling sorry for yourself!”

I get the message and leave the sweet shop behind me and all the great memories I have. My tears fall a bitter cocktail of sweetness and regret. I crawl, nearly sliding on my belly across the ground as I make my way to the estate agents. I peer through the window and in the corner of my eye I find a notice. There is no room to let, no houses for rent. I see my hopes go up in smoke and I lie down at the door of the shop. Where else can I go? I feel wrong being so far from the Sugar Cube Corner so I return to sleep at the doorstep.

‘Sweet nothing’

She doesn’t notice me; even my forever rumbling stomach won’t give me away. I tap her ear with a hoof and leave a hoof down to help her out. She accepts the Pegasistance and rises to meet me.

“Hey Dashie” She whispers, wiping tears from her eyes

“You alright Pinkie, why aren’t you at home?” I ask her.

“I… Don’t understand why”

“Oh umm I don’t really have much to go on here” I say, hoping to see her chipper attitude return.

“I can’t afford it. I don’t have any place to go”

“Well to tell the truth, neither do I” I say, settling down at the step next to her.

“Well what will we do?”

“I’m going back to my folks; I could ask Rarity if she’ll put you up”

“Really, you would? Thanks Dashie, this means a lot”

“Ok you can hang out at my, well what used to be my house. Here take this bit, it’s not much but it’s all I have to give”

“Oh that’s super terrific of you. I’ll be as quiet as a mouse” she assures me, taking the bit and running away back to what used to be my home.

I turn again in the direction the Carousel Boutique. I waste no time in getting there and nearly bash down the door. Rarity answer the door, she is covered in some sort of mud and has cucumbers over her eyes.

“Hey Rare?” I exasperatedly ask.

“Oh Rainbow Dash, your manners are certainly diminishing”

“I’m not here for an etiquette lesson” I say, my expression turning to anger.

“Well hopefully not, you’d fail” she says, plucking a cucumber slice from her eye.

“It’s about Pinkie”

“What about Pinkie?”

“She’s been thrown out of her home, and I…”

“Let me just stop you there. Of course I can help Pinkie and perhaps even Fluttershy. But what happened to you was your own fault”

“I’m not asking for you to help me. I’m going back to my parents with my tail between my legs.  But thanks again Rare, I’m gonna miss you” I say, fighting back my tears.

“Surely you don’t have to leave”

“I’m not living on the streets Rarity. I’m going back to Manehatten. End of it”

I have nothing to take with me, I don’t even want to say goodbye to my two friends staying in my home. I give one last deep sigh, take in the smells of PonyVille before I unfurl my wings and break a law I would live to regret.