The Life of Trixie

Sun streamed in the window of Silver Star’s bedroom. She felt woozy and achy and sick. She felt like she had been run over by a stampede of buffalo.

“Morning, Mom! Morning, Dad!” she called, wistfully, knowing full well that nopony was there.

She got out of bed, to find that it was perfectly made already, like she hadn’t tossed and turned at all in her sleep. She got out of bed and walked to her vanity, which Charcoal Dust and she had just moved in last night.

Her mane was perfect. It was a little bedraggled, but that was nothing a brushing couldn’t fix. She grabbed her mane brush and gave her silvery mane a few brushes. It fell into place, perfectly. It usually gave her hassle every morning, but today was different. This life was different.

She opened her embossed Louis Hoofon suitcase and got out a simple peasant dress. Don’t worry, she told herself. It’s designer. I can wear it. Her coat was sensitive to regular clothing, and she had to wear designer dresses without getting a rash.

Silver Star had a blueberry muffin for breakfast and washed it all down with some cool spring bottled water. She stepped out of her home into bright, dewy sunshine. Her front yard looked amazing with its freshly mowed grass and several tulips in the flowerbeds. There were some ponies around, and they all waved to Silver Star, friendlily. She didn’t see Strawberry Blossom, Haystack, or even Charcoal Dust. Silver expected Charcoal to be out cold. Moving things wasn’t fun. She expected Haystack and Strawberry Blossom to be at their farms, doing their daily chores. Today Silver Star would relax and get to know her new home better. She didn’t like it, but it was where she would live now.

Maybe she would go by the strawberry farm, and get to know the Strawberry family. She did love strawberries, and she didn’t want to start unpacking just then, so she decided to go ahead and visit the strawberry farm. According to several signs, the strawberry farm was only a little ways away. So Silver Star shrugged, and began to walk.

She hated walking in the dust, but finally she got there. There was a sea of green bushes low to the ground and water barrels everywhere. Two red ponies were watering several bushes to her left. They didn’t notice her, though, so she didn’t have to wave, awkwardly. There were huge bright red strawberries that were being picked and put into baskets. Silver Star caught sight of Strawberry Blossom and trotted down where there was some foliage, where she would be hidden. Silver caught some of what the other ponies were saying to Strawberry Blossom.

“When are you going to open the stand?” one of them asked.

“When I finish picking and washing these berries. They have to be just so,” replied Strawberry Blossom.

“Okay, but be snappy,” the other said.

Silver Star began to rapidly canter away quietly, looking behind her to make sure nopony saw her when she bumped into somepony.

The impact sent her flying and she sailed out onto the ground with a painful thump. Her dress got dirty, but not to the point of having to replace it.

“What’s your problem?” she asked, and then she looked up.

The stallion before her had a bright crimson coat and a cherry red mane. Like Strawberry Blossom, he wore a bright, blue bandana patterned with streaks of fire tied around his neck. Of course, Strawberry Blossom’s bandana did not have fire on it and it wasn’t bright blue, but it was still a bandana. His eyes were an emerald green and he was, like Haystack, an earth pony. On his flank, there was three extra ripe strawberries. He was looking at Silver Star like he’d never seen anypony like her.

“Oh, sorry,” he said, and offered her a crimson hoof. After she grabbed it, he put his lips to it. A blush found Silver Star’s cheeks. She stood up with some difficulty and stifled a grunt.

“I must watch where I was going,” he said, after his lips left her hoof.

“Crimson Hoof, my lady.” he said, bowing.

Finally, thought Silver Star, A proper stallion.

“My pleasure to make your acquaintance.” said Silver Star, bowing in return. She brushed off her peasant dress, which hadn’t suffered any real damage.

“And who, may I ask, may I have the pleasure of meeting?” asked Crimson Hoof, his eyes gleaming.

“Silver Star.” she said, blushing again.

“You are lovely, my dear. Beautiful.” he said, smiling warmly at her.

“Thank you.” she said, smiling. The two began to walk further into the farm.

“Where did you come from?” he asked.

“Canterlot,” she said.

“Big city pony, eh?”

“Yes. Very. You’re from the city?”

“Oh no. Well, I was born there. I moved here with my family when I was just a foal. I’ve lived here ever since. Of course, I still strive to be proper, like my parents taught me until we became farmers. No one will take me seriously anymore.” he said, a trace of sadness on his face.

“It’s alright.” said Silver Star.

“But you are truly a classy pony. Just look at that designer Hoofel dress! Truly a thing of beauty.” said Crimson Hoof, motioning to Silver Star’s dress.

“You know designers!” she said, trying to hide her awe.

“Of course I do. Who doesn’t?” he replied, curtly.

“And you like mares?”

“Very much so. In fact, you’re not too bad of a mare yourself.” he said giving a sly smile. Silver Star blushed more profusely. Then before she knew it he was leaning in and her eyes were closing… her insides were curling and she was screaming at herself to stop…

“Hey Crimson, do you have the…” called a voice. The two ponies froze and Silver Star jumped back, relief flooding through her. Who should appear but Strawberry Blossom, carrying a basket of berries on her back. Seeing Silver, she scrunched up her nose.

“What are you doing here?” she said, not politely.

“Blossom, you know Silver Star? This is a small Equestria.” mused Crimson Hoof.

“We might have crossed paths…” said Strawberry Blossom, gritting her teeth and glaring. Silver Star responded with a cold aloof turning-up-nose.

“Silver Star was just here to check out the farm and try our delicious strawberries, of course. Why wouldn’t she want to visit this wonderful place?” said Crimson Hoof, nonchalantly. Strawberry Blossom’s expression softened a bit.

“Okay,” she said, begrudgingly. “But if I come back and you’re still here…” she said, and disappeared with the berries. As soon as they were alone, Crimson Hoof turned back to Silver Star.

“I apologize for my sister’s behavior.” he said, bowing politely, a look of regret on his face.

“It’s fine. Guess the welcome wagon doesn’t come around here anymore.” said Silver Star, coolly.

“I suppose she’s jealous.” he said, looking straight into Silver Star’s eyes. The two were startled again by a near voice. This time not high pitched. More low pitched and deep.

“Crimson? Are you here?” asked the voice, and there was rustling in the bushes.

Who should appear but Haystack Blueberry. Great, thought Silver Star, arrogantly. Another hick. Just what I need. When Haystack spotted Silver Star, one eyebrow raised in confusion.

“What are you doing here?” asked Silver Star, coldly. But as usual, Haystack didn’t detect any sort of coldness in Silver Star’s voice and smiled shyly.

“I always come out here and hang out with Crimson.” said Haystack, smiling shyly again.

“I see.” said Silver Star quietly. “And just WHAT do you come here to do?” inquired Silver Star.

The two farm stallions looked at each other.

“We play hoofball, of course,” said Crimson Hoof, examining his crimson hooves.

“We sometimes go over to each other’s farms and help out. Like pick berries and stuff.” continued Crimson.

“Without being seen, of course.” added Haystack.

“Nopony knows because we’re elusive. We avoid other ponies in each other’s farms, and since our families are relatively small, we can easily stay out of each other’s way.” added Crimson Hoof.

“Today Crimson asked me if I wanted to play a little hoofball at his farm in the west fields,” explained Haystack, evasively.

“Strawberry Blossom and Red Seed and Red Leaf won’t be harvesting in the west fields today anyway,” said Crimson Hoof.

“Is that enough explanation for you?”

Silver Star was appalled and flattered.

“Plenty, good sirs.” she said coolly but politely, and followed the two to the west fields.

The sun was fully up now, and was baring down on Silver Star’s back. She dreaded sweating, as any pony should, and sighed despite herself. If her Canterlot friends could see her now…they’d laugh their manes off. But then keel over at the fact that Silver Star had not bagged just one, she’d bagged two stallions.

Crimson Hoof and Haystack surprisingly, were quiet. They didn’t say a word to each other or Silver Star. That was before Haystack broke the ice.

“So. You, uh, are from Canterlot?” asked Haystack.

“Yes,” said Silver Star, vaguely.

“We’re here.” said Crimson Hoof and pulled back some brush.