Journal Entry: 1
Time rots everything. It can topple empires, level landscapes, and obliterate entire planets. Time cannot be stopped and time will keep on moving. We both hate and love time, using it as a tool and then seeing it as a weapon. Yes, time is something that isn't even fully understood yet, perhaps it's because we created it…we made time and therefore, we made our grief and destruction a reality. Once we make these problems for ourselves, we can't turn back time. We can't run. We have to keep moving forward, just like time, and get through our troubles. I'de like to say that every pony here in Appleoosa understood that. The sad truth is, corruption is powerful too, and when it's easy and backed by public opinion…it seems reasonable.
Things have changed here in Appleoosa. Like I said, time rots everything, even our towns decency. Lately there's been a trend making its way around the West. It is a lie and a corrupt thought, however if not examined closely, it's makes sense. You see, back in the Battle Of Appleoosa, the many pony inhabitants that lived here fought the Buffalo Warriors of the West. I was in that battle, I saw the pies fly and I also saw the Buffalos charge. It seemed like a fair fight until one lucky shot smothered their chiefs face in creamy pie. He wasn't hurt obviously, but it still signified a victory for the ponies. We did come to a compromise after that and we've lived in peace since.
I guess someone had it out for our horned friends. Soon rumors began to spread that ponies were superior in the West. We had won the battle fair and square, and now the Buffaloes weren't being punished for their attack! They were sharing our wealth, even though they LOST. The way it was presented angered hundreds of us. The town soon rose up, imprisoning the buffalo and enslaving them! Tribe after tribe gave in. It seemed that their whole race would be slaves soon. It was an unfortunate situation for them, however we were dealing in the bits left and right!
With our town prospering, and everyone sticking to the belief of buffaloes being meant for slavery, nothing changed. The new normal became ponies with personal buffaloes, to ride on, cook for them, and even take care of their young. The buffalo were strong at first, refusing to accept their fate, sadly time was against them here as well.
With the pass of time comes technology, guns to be correct. We began dropping the pies and shouldering the shotguns, now this was a deadly matter, one that threatened to kill off the entire Buffalo species. Being wise as they are, they gave in, again. The chiefs cared more for their peoples lives, than them being slaughtered by the thousands. Now the buffalo are not inly slaves, but they are forced to accept it too, now everyday is an act…a small show where they smile and pretend that mining or scrubbing is fun. It's sick, but it's also a well paying business that any pony could do. More and more turned away from Apple bucking, do to the buffalo now working the farms, and went into the rangling business. Sadly I was one of them, with my apple field costing to much, and the fact that Buffalos could work it for free lingering over my head. I had to join the Ranglers, to ensure that I could continue living a healthy life, and not end up on the streets, starving.
I now work on the Appleoosan Orchards, also known to the Buffalo as 'The Forest Out West'. I don't pick or buck anymore, I sit under a tree with a double barrel, ready to shoot if needed. I feel the guilt every day. I feel as if the bits burn me as I hold them, I sometimes think to refuse my pay, but I know better, and this would all be for nothing if I couldn't make a profit. I'm in a pickle for sure, but there has to be a way out, one that can benefit me, and my old friends.
Braeburn Out