The Stetson
Let’s see here…
Got mah saddlebag, my journal with pencils ‘n things.
Got the bag of seeds, watering can, plantin’ and tree tools.
Got mah rope, food, buildin’ stuff, tools for that, emergency supplies…
“Ah think Ah got everythin’.” Applejack concluded as she quickly finished her mental checklist. She had to make sure she had everything she needed for this trip because there was no coming back.
She sighed sadly. Ain’t no comin’ back for a while, Applejack thought, taking a good look around Sweet Apple Acres. She knew that she wasn’t going to be gone forever, but the feeling that she was leaving her home for several months left her with sadness and longing even before she placed a hoof outside of their cozy farmhouse.
Still, Applejack continued, it’s the best for the farm an’ for the family, and that’s what matters. She nodded quickly to herself and started piling all of her supplies into the rickety wooden cart. She wanted to make sure to get to the station with plenty of time to spare, and judging by the sun slowly rising past the horizon, she should probably start getting a move on.
As Applejack piled everything into the cart and triple checked her inventory, she thought about the events that led up to this point. How one day Princess Celestia wrote her a letter about the needs of the settlements closer Las Pegasus and Applewood that bordered the San Palomino Desert and how it would be a great boon to the Apple Family to start up a farm there. And although there were more than enough willing Apple Family ponies to head down there, Applejack was chosen to bring down the seeds and start up a small settlement before another group of Apple Family ponies arrived.
She was more pleased than anything about being selected by the Princess herself for such a task, as well as being able to earn a large sum of bits for the family since Celestia knows they need it. But the idea of being without her family and friends seemed really hard to cope with.
Ah’m gonna miss ‘em, that’s for sure. Applejack thought about waiting to say goodbye to her family, but decided that they shouldn’t lose sleep over her. They got a big day ahead of ‘em, wouldn’t be right a me to cheat ‘em out a bit a sleep. Besides, she continued with a small smile, we all had a great night last night.
Applejack remembered warmly how Pinkie Pie had thrown an extraordinary Going Away party, and held a small get together after for all Applejack’s closest friends and her family. It was a perfect way to leave on a high note. Everypony was there and smiling, wishing her the best. But, there was one exception…
Another sigh escaped Applejack’s muzzle, and she turned to look at the farmhouse. She knew that she should go clear things up with Applebloom. It wouldn’t be right to leave her little sister without saying goodbye and trying to mend their relationship.
Slowly, Applejack set down the last bag into the cart and started trotting back to the house. She looked up at Applebloom’s window and saw her young face watching her intently. Applejack wasn’t sure whether it was hostility or sadness that made her look so intimidating, but she knew it wouldn’t be an easy conversation.
She quietly opened up the front door, guiding the screen door closed before making her way up the stairs towards Applebloom’s room. Before she got there, she paused a moment to try and collect her thoughts, thinking of what to say to her younger sister. Nodding once in determination, she placed one forehoof on the door and knocked quietly. No sound on the other side of the door was heard, so Applejack knocked again.
With no response, she guessed that Applebloom was not too keen on speaking to her. Well, tough apples, Applejack thought sternly, grabbing the door knob and gently turning, slowly opening the door. She noticed how Applebloom’s bed was neatly made along with the rest of her room. Applejack’s guess was that her sister had not had a whole lot of sleep over this whole ordeal, which caused her some concern. That’s why she had to settle things between them.
She closed the door quietly before approaching the small filly staring out the window. Applejack smiled with a little pride upon seeing her sister who had grown from a small filly to beautiful young mare. She still was rather young, but she already had the makings of a great farmpony. Applejack admired Applebloom’s lithe form, taking in her fit body with its toned muscles and her well-kept red mane that was braided carefully and with great detail. Her heart warmed as she glanced at her sister’s cutie mark that she had gotten only a week before. The Cutie Mark Crusaders had enticed Pinkie to throw a several-day long party in her honor, since she had been the last of the trio to get her cutie mark. Applejack knew that as soon as that bright red apple with the hammer and saw crossed behind it showed up on Applebloom’s flank that the little filly was no longer just a filly but a mare in her own right.
Applejack came to stand next to her sister and stared out the window, and gazed out upon the peaceful scenery of the farm and the roaming hillside. She swallowed a small lump in her throat at the emotions that were threatening to well up inside her, and continued to let the silence grow.
Finally, she decided to say something.
“Nice view ya got here,” she commented dryly, a small smile formed on her face. She cast a sidelong glance at her sister to see if she reacted at all. Applebloom blinked once in response, but she still had a scowl on her face, which caused Applejack to drop her smile. She looked back out the window.
“Ya know, when Ah was a filly, Ah really didn’t like the idea of bein’ out in the orchard all day long. Ah’d actually wanted to run around with mah friends,” Applejack stopped and blushed at the memory, smile creeping back on her face, “and chase a cute colt that was in my class at school. Colt howdy he was somethin’ else. Course, he only had eyes on all them fillies who loved bein’ pretty and wearin’ dresses. For a while, Ah always wanted to be like them so he’d notice me. So when a dance came ‘round, Ah dressed up all nice and went hopin’ to dance with him. Well didn’t he just come waltzin’ over to me.”
A small chuckle came from Applejack as she continued, “Ah darn near choked to death on some water when he called me by mah name. He told me that he was pretty impressed that a farmfilly could wash up so well.”
Applejack turned to her sister. “Ah never became his marefriend, what with me buckin’ him straight to the school bell. Though, Ah finally realized he wasn’t worth the time.”
Applebloom didn’t move or give any sign she heard, so Applejack quickly got a little nervous. “Listen, what Ah’m tryin’ to say is that we may not like what has to happen, and what happens ain’t easy. But in the end, it’s for the better. Ah may not have gotten a coltfriend outta the deal, but Ah realized that Ah should accept what Ah am: An Apple Family farmpony and darn good at it, too.”
A rooster crowed in the distance, reminding Applejack of the time. “This may not be easy for you, me leavin’ for a little while. It ain’t easy for me neither. But Ah want you to know Ah will be back. Ah know Ah can count on you to keep the farm movin’ and to keep an eye on Big Mac and Granny Smith while Ah’m gone.”
Applejack quickly gave her little sister a hug from behind before walking towards the door. She stopped in the doorway and called out softly over her shoulder, “Ah’m real proud a ya, Applebloom.” With that, she disappeared through the doorway.
Applebloom could no longer hold her emotions in check as she heard the screen door shut and busted into tears. She got up and ran out after her sister, who was halfway to the cart.
“AJ!”
Applejack turned around and saw Applebloom dashing towards her. She opened her arms in a welcoming embrace, Applebloom crashing into her with a loud sob. Applejack immediately started crying with happiness and love as she hugged her little sister tightly.
The two mares cried into the other’s pelt, not daring to let go. They continued this way for several minutes before Applebloom finally said something, choking out the words in a husky, tone, “This ain’t fair, sis. Ah don’t want you to go.”
Applejack continued holding her sister, but she brought one forehoof to her sister’s bright red mane and started stroking it. “Ah know, Applebloom. Ah know. But Ah’m doin’ this for the family and for all the other families that’ll be helped out ‘cuz of this.” She knew these weren’t going to be comforting for her sister, but they were the truth. “Ah want to be there for you, little sis. So if this means takin’ a trip so we all don’t have to work as hard later, maybe that’s just what Ah need to do.”
Applejack pulled away from her sister slowly, feeling a small bit of resistance as she did so. She held Applebloom at forehoof’s length and watched as the mare let her head droop. “Ah have to leave now to catch the train. But Ah want you to know Ah’m always a letter or a train away. But Ah believe that the farm will be fine with you here. Who knows, you might be able to fix some things up around here. Celestia knows Ah ain't as good as you with tools.”
Applejack smiled and got to her hooves, letting her sister sit on the dirt path. She knew one last thing she could do. It might come back to bite her when she was working, but it was worth comforting her sister.
She slowly removed her Stetson hat and looked at it in her hooves. It was hard to part with something so important to her, but she knew that Applebloom would cherish it more. Applejack gently put it on her sister’s drooping head, which quickly lifted when she placed it.
“Applebloom. Ah’m gonna be hard at work over there, but not as much as you will be. So, Ah’m hoping this will help you more. Could you watch over it for me?”
The expression Applebloom gave her was a teary-eyed awe at the implications of getting Applejack’s hat was very important to her. So much so that the two embraced tightly again.
This time, however, Applejack didn’t linger. She had a train to catch. She pulled away and smiled. “Take care, alright? Ah’ll be back before ya know it. Don’t be too rough on Big Mac.” This comment made Applebloom grin and nod, which warmed Applejack’s heart. She knew the hat was a good idea.
Applejack quickly made her way to the cart and saddled up. She cast one last glance at the farm and her smiling sister who was sniffling as she waved to her. This is it. The big departure.Don’t cry, AJ, you’re a big mare, Applejack thought. She quickly held back tears and another lump in her throat. She turned towards her destination and started making a quick pace without another word.
Applebloom watched her sister leave before standing up. She composed herself quickly, and felt a sense of determination. She readjusted the Stetson on her head, and nodded towards the farm. Lots of work on this farm, she thought. Better start if Ah’m gonna make her proud when she gets back.
Author's Note
Hey, thanks for reading. I hope you liked it. Sorry I never make anything new. Just out doing other things.
Anyways! Please rate and comment honestly, all criticisms are good, so feel free.