The Life of Trixie

Silver Star gasped. Before her was the most beautiful place she had ever been in, besides the magical artifacts shop that earned her cutie mark.

It was a wide open rolling green field dotted with white and yellow clover. There were no fences. There were no roads or buildings or anything. Just peaceful fields and few dense trees. Strangely, there were few strawberry plants. A few were in the corner of the large field, and a little ways by that was a massive yet peaceful waterfall and a river. Silver Star even saw small orange Koi fish swimming around by the fall.

The two stallions grinned at Silver Star’s reaction and galloped to the center of the field with a diamond shaped brown ball, shouting in joyful abandon. The sun sparkled on the dewy field as Silver Star’s glittery hooves stepped on the cool green grass. How she wanted to roll in it happily and watch the big blue sky and see Canterlot’s grand turrets far out in the distance.

But she couldn’t. She was a proper pony, and her loving parents had raised her as such. Never had they let her play with the other normal foals or go outside and enjoy the sunshine. No, she had to stay inside and practice something. Anything her mother could think of, she practiced. Drawing, singing, playing a harp. Trying on expensive clothing and horseshoes, and sometimes going on elaborate outings such as luncheons and walks in the park.

But, nopony was there. Who was to tell her to stop? Who was going to tell her that was dirty and unclean and just wrong? Nopony. NOPONY WAS. Silver Star, though being a classy pony, was now her own pony. She could do whatever she wanted. She could open a magical artifacts shop. She could be normal. She could roll in that grass. What was she waiting for? An invitation?

Silver Star threw off her designer peasant dress and jumped into the air, the sunlight catching her silvery white mane perfectly. The grass met her and stroked her with its soft fingers. The dew spread itself on her coat. With each roll,  more of the cool clover and grass caressed her. Silver Star felt more relaxed than she ever had at those expensive spa treatments in Saddle Arabia.

She laid on her back and looked at the clear blue sky and her mind wondered. All noise made by the stallions drifted away, and finally, she was at peace. Laying there in the cool dewy grass, all other things wisped away, and she lay, quietly. Peacefully.

“Hey! Hey, miss!” She woke to the noise and movement of somepony shaking her awake. Her eyes fluttered open like a butterfly opening its wings. She was looking into the deep sapphire blue eyes of Haystack Blueberry. She sat up, groggily. Crimson Hoof was on her right, looking confused. Haystack was above her, and the hot sun was directly above her too. She was still at the Strawberry Farm, in that gorgeous secret field. Realizing she had just fallen asleep in a field, Silver Star jumped up and almost hoofed Haystack in the muzzle.

“You fell asleep, so Crimson and I decided to let you. We played all morning, and you slept. You must have been tired,” explained Haystack.

“I…fell…asleep…IN A FIELD?” she said to herself, slowly, and anxiously. Then she remembered that she told herself she was her own pony. She had forgotten.

Haystack grinned.

“It’s about lunchtime. Crimson and I were going to head to the blueberry farm for some daffodil and daisy sandwiches. Won’t you join us?”

“I might go back home,” Silver Star replied, vaguely, as she trotted over to where her peasant dress lay. Haystack’s face fell.

“Oh. Well, uh, I guess we’ll see you around.” he replied, softly.

“Shame you couldn’t join us. Mrs. Blueberry makes the most wonderful daffodil and daisy sandwiches,” said Crimson Hoof, coming over to where the two stood.

“Really?” asked Silver Star, trying hard not to sound eager. Before Crimson Hoof said anything, a loud rumble sounded from Silver Star’s tummy.

“You sound hungry. If it’s not too much to ask, my lady, if you might join us for a bite to eat.” said Crimson Hoof, bowing properly.

“Trouble us with your presence for at least one more hour.”

Silver Star pretended to think it over. She didn’t really want to go…but she was hungry…and why not?

“It will be your pleasure,” she said, cordially, and curtsied to Crimson Hoof. Haystack stifled a laugh.

“You ponies are crazy,” he said, giving a shy smile.

“Ah, you forget. I can beat you to the sandwiches any day,” challenged Crimson Hoof, and the three began walking toward the thicket to leave.

“Challenge accepted.” said Haystack, all shyness disappearing and his voice became sly.

Silver Star stifled a giggle.

“Hey, I never did catch your name,” said Haystack, shyness returning.

“Silver Star,” she said, tossing her mane, arrogantly.

“Silver Star,” said Haystack, and a shiver went through Silver’s whole body. The way that farmer said her name…it was soft and sweet and melodic, like she wanted to go back to sleep again. She wanted Haystack to sing to her, strangely…What was she thinking? Here she was only knowing the hick for a few days and now she wanted him to sing to her? Absurd.

“Lovely name, if you ask me.” said Crimson Hoof, butting into the conversation.

“Definitely regal. You could be a princess, or a queen if you wanted. Strange you’d come here.”

“A princess?” asked Silver Star. The thought had never really crossed her mind before. She didn’t consider herself a princess, and she was faithful to Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.

“Why did you come here, anyway?” asked Crimson Hoof, suddenly. “That’s none of your business.” said Silver Star, coolly.

“I suppose not, but out of curiosity?”

Silver Star sighed heavily.

“I came here because my parents wanted me to live my own life,” she said, looking down.

“Strangely though, they got in a fight. Mom wanted me to be a debutante. Maybe I would have been a princess someday. My dad wanted me to be normal.”

The three walked in silence for a while. Silver Star remembered the day when her parents argued. It was a warm day, and she was up in her bedroom with a glass of peach cider reading a book. In an accident, she had knocked over her crystal glass with her elbow when turning a page of her novel, and the glass’s bottom went flying and hit the door, sending it flying open. The glass emptied onto the marble hallway outside, and after cursing, Silver Star got off her window seat to retrieve the glass. When she briefly went out into the long hallway, she heard a strange noise. She forgot all about the peach cider and went in search for the strange noise.

It wasn’t often that she heard such a noise in her humongous house. But when she did, she went looking for it. She often got bored being so rich. Turns out the noise was coming from her parent’s bedroom, a master suite with an en suite bathroom. Holding her steel gray diamond studded ear to the door, she heard…bickering. A soft high pitched voice, which Silver figured was her mother,  and a deep rumble which must have been her father. Silver still remembered a bit of what they were saying.

“She needs to get out in Equestria…you can’t have her stay here her whole life, Lily!”

“All my work will be wasted, and you know it! What do you want her to do, throw away all my hard work?”

“She won’t want it. She has a free spirit!”

“Free spirit? FREE SPIRIT? Such a spirit should be contained if she has any hope of ever finding a reasonable suitor.”

“She won’t want that either. Can’t you look beyond the mirror? Can’t you see…that maybe… Silver Star wants to go somewhere?”

“You are a fool, Shale. Why I married you…”

“Think about it, Lily.  Debutantes never make any way in this world…and you know it. Now, we may not be here much longer. But we can let Silver go and live her life. That’s what I want. And somewhere, I’m sure that’s what you want for her too.”

Silver Star wanted to forget that day. Her mother hadn’t said anything to her father that night at dinner. She was wondering about the conversation. After she had heard the bickering, she had gone straight back to her room and hid. Of course, she had called a maid to come clean up the cider, but she thought long and hard about her future.

And here she was! Not much had changed.

The blueberry farm(or Blueberry Brush) was almost exactly like the strawberry farm, but instead of plants growing low to the ground, there were thick dense bushes that were squatting on the ground. Nicely painted chalk white fences stretched as far as Silver Star could see. On the hill, comically, was a barn. Two-story, painted blueberry blue. There were chalk white shutters and several flowerbeds that were in boxes and attached to the windows. From where she was standing, Silver Star could see beautiful cobalt pattered curtains hanging out of a window on the second floor. Though there were many, many blueberry plants around, Silver Star so no other workers out and about.

The three ponies went up to the barn and into the two piece door in the back, where Silver Star smelled a delicious smell. The kitchen was small but had multiple windows and every appliance was pushed up against the wall. There was a small table with about four chairs around it. Bright flowers were the centerpiece, and there was a window box of beautiful flowers attached by the window. A scrumptious smelling blueberry pie sat cooling on the windowsill, and Silver Star inhaled its scent hungrily.

“Haystack! Is that you?” called a female voice through the other room.

“Yes, it is, Bluebell!” he called, a smile shining on his face.

Out of the doorway came a blueberry blue unicorn with an indigo mane. She had beautiful violet eyes and freckles and her mane was long and some of it was put up into a single braid by her face. Her tail was long, just like her mane. It was not fully braided, but several small braids had been braided inside. On her flank, a gorgeous image of a delicate blue flower was shown. She was about Silver Star’s age.

When this mare caught sight of Silver Star, an excited smile spread on her face, much like the one she had received from Charcoal Dust. But Charcoal hadn’t mentioned this mare…and Silver was sure this mare was something kin to Charcoal. She was wearing a gorgeous silver necklace with a sapphire pendant around her neck. The mare cantered right over to Silver Star, grabbed Silver’s steel gray hoof and shook it violently.

“Well, Howdyyyyyy!” she said, loudly. Haystack grinned at the mare and Crimson Hoof gave an amused smirk.

“Bluebell, this is my friend Silver Star. Silver Star, this is my sister Bluebell.” said Haystack, making some introduction.

“She’s younger than I am, though.” said Haystack, and gave Bluebell a playful shove.

“By only three months!” she said, smiling. Turning back to Silver Star she put one fore hoof in front of her other fore hoof, making the two cross.

“Pleasure to meet you! I’m so glad you’re here! I never get many new friends around here. Unless you count Lemon Drop at the salon, and Charcoal Dust at the realtors, and who could forget Pink Lemonade over by Sweets and Treats? My, my, this is exciting,” said Bluebell, and she clapped her hooves.

It was then that Silver Star noticed the thin pink scar on Bluebell’s front. Of course, it couldn’t be noticed because she wore that gorgeous sapphire pendant, but when it swung Silver could see it. Instead of bringing up the scar, Silver changed the subject.

“Pink Lemonade?” she said, amused slightly.

“Oh yeah! She runs the candy shop! You know, by the salon? And the hooficure place?” replied Bluebell, cheerily.

“Candy shop?”

“Yeah! I go there every day to buy some of their delectable fudge,” said Bluebell, and Silver thought she saw traces of saliva form at the edges of Bluebell’s dainty mouth, as if she were thinking of grabbing the fudge out of midair and stuffing it in her mouth.

“Sure, fudge.” said Silver Star dismissively.

“I’ll bet you all are hungry, right? Just so happens I made us daffodil and daisy sandwiches!” said Bluebell, changing the subject.

“That sounds delicious, sis,” said Haystack, putting his hoof around Bluebell’s shoulder. She giggled appreciatively.

“Sounds good,” said Crimson Hoof. “I’m starved.” He looked at Silver Star, expectantly.

“I’m hungry too,” she said, flatly.

“Goody!” said Bluebell. “Sit down and let me serve you.”

The three ponies sat down and Bluebell got up, turned and went to the kitchen appliances pushed up against the wall. It was now that Silver Star could get a closer look at Haystack.

He was, as she noticed before, about her age, eighteen. Maybe a little older than that. Though he was young his hooves were old and weathered, like old leather gloves. They were callused and sunburned, but you couldn’t tell because the red was camouflaged by the cornflower blue of his coat. His eyes, as before, were a stirring sapphire blue. They were deep and rich like chocolate, if it was blue. He looked like the average farm pony. So did Crimson Hoof. But there was something about Haystack. Silver Star couldn’t put her hoof on it, but it was there. Special. Before she could think more, Bluebell set a blueberry pattered plate in front of her that held the most delicious looking sandwich Silver Star had ever seen. And that was saying something, seeing as she had seen many delicious looking sandwiches.

“There you are!” said Bluebell, with a flourish.

“Thanks, sis. This looks great.” said Haystack, licking his lips.

“Delicious as always, Bluebell.” echoed Crimson Hoof, looking equally hungry.

“Thanks,” said Silver Star, softly.

She took a knife and fork and began cutting at the sandwich. When she had a small bite, she delicately put it in her mouth. It was wonderful. It was blended perfectly, with equal amounts of daffodil and daisy. The basil leaves in addition made it a chewier feeling. Silver Star wanted so badly to grab the sandwich and stuff it in her mouth, enjoying every last bite.

Haystack and Crimson were doing just that, wolfing down their sandwiches as if they were starving. Silver Star noticed that Bluebell had brought over an entire plate of sandwiches, enough fit for a queen. Haystack and Crimson grabbed sandwich after sandwich and gobbling down each one. Silver Star resisted the urge to take one whole and began cutting more quickly. She wanted to feel the taste in her mouth. To be honest with herself, it was better than mini-BLTs or gourmet hay and oats. It was homey and delicious, and it wrapped itself around Silver Star and made her feel welcome.

Silver Star had just finished her sandwich and was about to get another when she looked on the plate and only saw a few stray crumbs and too very satisfied stallions. A belch sounded across the small kitchen.

“Excellent, another triumph, Bell.” said Crimson Hoof, pretending he was a fancy dinner critic. Bluebell giggled appreciatively.

“That was magnificent, as usual!” said Haystack, wiping his mouth.

“That was enjoyable, Miss Bluebell,” said Silver Star cordially, delicately dabbing the corners of her mouth with her napkin.

Oh how Silver Star wanted to ask for three more of those sandwiches. They were unlike anything she had ever tasted!

“Wait. I thought you said you evade each other’s families.” said Silver Star, skeptically to Haystack. Haystack, in turn, chuckled at this.

“I did. Bluebell keeps secrets, of course.” he said, quickly.

“It’s been a pleasure feeding you and meeting you, but Haystack, you know who is about to come in from the fields. I seriously suggest you scoot the coop.” said Bluebell, suddenly anxious.

“Thanks for everything, sis.” said Haystack, tossing a grin at his sister and grabbing Silver Star and Crimson Hoof by the hooves and pulling them out.

“Where are we going? Stop pulling!” Silver Star whined.

“We have to get going.” said Haystack, and didn’t stop pulling until they were safely in the forest thicket.

“That hurt!” said Silver Star, fiercely, and threw a glare at Haystack.

“Sorry. We had to get here before…” he said, his voice trailing off.

“We had to hide from his older brother, of course.” said Crimson Hoof, dismissively.

“Shameful, I know.”

“Who’s your older brother?” asked Silver Star, curiously.

“He SHOULD be at his own farm by now.” said Haystack, bitterly.

“But Thickbush is extremely sentimental and won’t leave. Of course, Grandpa doesn’t have the heart to tell him to leave.”

“Grandpa?” said Silver Star, knowing full well she sounded dim. For a moment, both stallions were silent. Haystack stared intently at the ground and Crimson Hoof stared blankly in the distance before answering for Haystack.

“Haystack’s parents died a long time ago.” said Crimson Hoof, more quietly than Silver had ever heard him.

“Died?” she said, quietly.

“Their grandponies have looked after Bluebell, Haystack, and Thickbush ever since their death when Bluebell was a foal.”

Silver Star couldn’t bring herself to speak.

“Truly sad, really.” said Crimson, quietly.