Chapter 2 ~The Secret & the Wonderous Past~
Applejack didn't really know what to think at first. Why did Spades have a letter from the Princess? She cautiously entered the room and even more cautiously approached the overturned bag to get a closer study of the mysterious letter. The letter was indeed old, very old, its fringes tattered and slightly torn. Why would the Princess send a letter in such horrid condition? Unless maybe it was a letter to the Princess? A part of Applejack desperately wanted to know what was written on this enigmatic piece of parchment. But clearer minds prevailed and she set down the scroll with a twinge of regret. Should push come to shove she could always just ask him what was on that scroll. She was sure he wouldn't mind, right?
"Applejack? You okay up there? Whats taking you so long?" That was Twilight's voice.
"Y-yeah, I was just sortin' some stuff out real fast." Applejack hated lying but at this point she really didn't have a choice. She made sure the mystery scroll was placed as closely to the way she found it and headed downstairs, the parchment pushed to the back of her mind for now.
Parties in Ponyville were always a sure fire way of loosening the tension of the day and really cutting loose. Spades could hardly keep up with everyone. The party itself was conducted by a very bubbly pony named Pinkie Pie who jetted around the room so fast she was almost a pink blur. Half of Ponyville was on the main floor with the other half enjoying the night breeze and cool air outside. Food was plentiful and the refreshments never ran dry. Say what you want about Pinkie Pie and all her "perks", but that pony knew how to throw one rager of a party.
Somewhere along the line Spades made his way outside to relax and get away from the party goers and the heavy beat of the chosen party music. While he cooled off, Twilight and Applejack introduced him to the rest of the tight knit group of friends. One of them was a cool blue pegasus with daring eyes and an even more daring color of mane. Her name was Rainbow Dash, arguably the fastest flyer in all of Equestria. She seemed happy to meet Spades and the two geeked over how awesome the Wonderbolts were for a while.
After gaining Rainbow Dash's approval the introductions moved to a pony half hidden behind Twilight's aft end. Her coat was a majestic shade of yellow, almost like that of pure sunlight, her mane was a light pink. He was told her name was Fluttershy and that she was "well... um... shy." Spades knew how intimidating he may seem to some people, his large stature was on par with Big Macintosh, though he didn't have a reputation as a gentle soul. After hearing what Fluttershy was interested in, Spades knew just how to handle the situation. Spades talked, mostly one sided, about how he loved all sorts of animals. He even had a pet fox that he let roam around the wilderness while he traveled. But what won over Fluttershy wasn't just that he had a fox, but that it was a Vulpes Arcanum or Enchanted Fox, a magic creature that had the same mind power as some of the smartest ponies in the world. Having one as a pet was impossible, you could only gain its trust like you would any other pony, by becoming the best of friends with it.
After some light hearted, yet cautious, conversation with Fluttershy the matter moved to the last pony he hadn't met. She was a pony whose well maintained pure white coat and very neatly done violet mane made her look the epitome of beauty. Her name was Rarity and she owned the local boutique here in Ponyville. Spades remembered the carousel shaped building from earlier that day. She was very very polite with her introduction which almost faltered completely when Spades picked up on the fashion talk. Having been to alot of different places, Spades knew some things about fashion. Well, enough to get by at least. Rarity was "Absolutely delighted!" to have a new face in town to talk shop with and offered Spades to come by any time for a fitting for a new outfit, she didn't get much chance to dive into the colt fashions much these days.
Through it all the party was a success, laughter was shared and good times were had. After all was said and done and the guests started pouring out of the Apple residence, Applejack started thinking about the letter again. It had almost entirely slipped her mind were it not for Twilight mentioning her filing a report for Princess Celestia. It bit at her and her curiosity towards the matter persisted. She didn't even know exactly why she needed to know so bad. Cooler minds couldn't win the battle this time around, so Applejack devised a plan. She asked the girls if they maybe wanted to spend the night here on the farm, make a night of it. None of the others rejected the plan when Applejack promised some "good old home cookin'" the following morning. Spades wasn't all too sure of the whole situation but what harm could it do? It would give him a chance to get to know this group a little better.
So that is how it went, Applejack fetching some blankets and pillows from the upstairs linen closet for everyone, the girls all telling stories of past adventures as well as ghost stories and sordid rumors. Spades felt a little out of place but he appreciated the time he could have with his new friends. Thats when Applejack initiated the second phase of her plan: get to know more about Spades.
"So, Spades," Applejack began. "You sure do know alot about different kinds of stuff. Animal handlin', history, carpentry,
popular culture, even cooking and fashion. Where'd you learn all that stuff anyways?" With that the conversation was quickly centered on Spades and his, up until now, unknown adventures. Spades shifted a little uncomfortably looking for a way to start his long explaination.
"Well, its kind of a long story." Spades began, his eyes dodging the watchful eyes of the girls. "I don't really know how better to explain than I've just been to alot of places."
The girls just kept staring, they weren't satisfied with that answer. Rainbow Dash was the one who spoke up. "Okay, like where?"
More uneasy shifting from Spades. "Well, everywhere. I've just sort of been wandering the world, discovering new places and learning new things. I learned how to handle animals in a small village along the southern most border of Equestria. I learned all about history and pop-culture from various books and stories told by older ponies all over the land. Carpentry and cooking are necessary skills to survive in the wild so I picked up on that stuff real fast. And as far as fashion goes,
I guess I'm just a sucker for fine art. Anything from fashion to paintings, singing and dancing, or writing, I absolutely love it all."
This answer seemed to satisfy the girls' need for knowledge for the time being. Then the questions came. Questions about distant lands and strange customs, of different creatures and arts. Spades tried to answer all of them as best he could with the group of girls finally settling down before his head exploded. But that didn't stop Applejack from asking the most important question to her mind.
"So then, where'd you come from anyhow? And why travel the world?"
The question stopped Spades cold. He looked into Applejack's eyes and saw that she knew something about him that he wanted to keep from the general public. Again the girls looked at him with expectant eyes, waiting for some form of bedazzling tale or mystical destination. He didn't know how to approach the situation, so Spades did the one thing he was best at, he winged it.
"Well, back when I was just a little colt I was always looking forward to the day I would finally earn my cutie mark and live out my days doing what I loved most. I couldn't wait for that day, it was in my dreams every night since I can remember." Spades shifted into a position where he was lying on his stomach, his hooves tucked under himself. He kept his eyes on the small crowd. "But as I grew older and wiser, my mark still refused to appear. I tried everything at my disposal. From simple things like running, jumping, and flying, to complex things like becoming the worlds greatest mathmetician or the best cave diver. I even tried silly little things like trying to become the worlds best backflipper."
A short round of laughter from the audience. "Yet no matter what I tried, nothing worked for me. I was so obsessed with getting my mark, I neglected my family and never had time for any friends." Spades looked around and saw the sypathetic faces of his small audience. Spades carried on.
"So, one day I got this idea in my head that maybe my true calling was somewhere else. Maybe if I really looked for it I might just find it somewhere in the farthest reaches of Equestria. I talked to my family about what I had in mind. They said that it was a preposterous idea, one that was not founded on logic and reason but short sightedness and wanton hope."
Spades' eyes went misty in rememberence. "I couldn't take that kind of answer, after all, they all had their reason for living. One night I left behind a note telling them I'd be back when I found the answer I was looking for, and left home."
Spades lifted his right wing revealing his entire torso to show that he indeed had no cutie mark. Stiffled gasps and open astonishment greeted him and his unveiling. Spades still continued on, lowering his wing to hide his blank flank.
"Needless to say I haven't been back since." Spades gazed at the faces of his new friends. All were a tapestry of tragic emotions, surprise, sorrow, sympathy, just to name a few. Spades just laughed it off with a deep chuckle.
"Guys, its not all bad. Thanks to that tragic tale I've been able to live a life that most ponies could only dream of. I've seen and done so much in the number of years I've been traveling that I have no regrets whatsoever. Honest!" Even though Spades didn't think it was a big deal anymore the girls felt awful for him, especially Applejack who almost forced Spades to tell his tragic tale.
Who could fathom the thought? Living each and every day not knowing where you're supposed to be or what you value most in life. Moving place to place to find the answer only to be turned away and move on to the next adventure hoping that maybe you might find that happy ending you've been searching all this time for. None of the girls could even being to imagine how awful it would be. Rarity spoke up first.
"But, you must miss your family? Being way for so long just has to be the worst." Rarity made a motion to get up and walk over to him, but Spades waved it away.
"Well, yeah actually, I really do miss my family very much. But I made a promise to myself and my family that I would find my mark. Then and only then would I return home." Spades gave a light hearted shrug. "Besides, had I not have did what I did, I wouldn't be here today."
The girls looked at each other with mixed emotions, and without even a word shared between them, they all seemed to come to the same conclusion. Twilight stood up and all four hooves, confidence alight in her eyes.
"Its decided then." Twilight looked squarely at Spades. "For as long as you stay here in Ponyville we're all going to help you find your mark." The proclamation was followed by unanymous cheers from the rest of the group, Spades juts sat there dumbfounded.
"Thanks guys, really." Spades felt that maybe this really could end up being his home from here on. Rainbow Dash snuck up from behind and wrapped a reassuring foreleg around Spades, giving him a playful punch on his right foreleg with her free hoof.
"Thats what friends are for, right? You can count on us!" Dash said with extreme confidence.
'Yeah, home.' The group shared a round of hearty laughter and after some more stories, they all hit the sack ready for the day to come. All that is, except Applejack.
Applejack just couldn't find herself even the smallest moment of rest. What she had just done ate away at her mind and made her feel lower than dirt. That look they shared before he told his story almost broke her heart, it was a look of mistrust,
a look of betrayal and hurt. She decided she couldn't sleep, so she decided to take a walk outside. Getting up as quietly as she could, Applejack moved to the front door and walked outside.
The night air was cool and brisk, fall made itself apparent with each and every passing breeze. A full moon graced the skies outside making seeing easy and casting the landscape in it's silver light. Applejack loved nights like these they made her feel calm and she loved the look of the orchard in the moonlight. She decided to walk through the trees to take her mind off the guilt she felt. Admiring the trees the whole way she decided to go to her own special place in the orchard, a small clearing where some of the most wonderous flowers bloomed and the grass was the softest in Equestria. So you can imagine her surprise when she gets there to see Spades standing next to the oldest apple tree in the orchard, gazing up at the cloudless skies and basking in the moonlight. Applejack was wary, she didn't know how Spades would react to her presence without the others around. Applejack turned to leave.
"Out for a stroll yourself I see." Spades spoke aloud. When Applejack turned back, Spades was looking at her dead on. What was most astonishing was that she didn't see the face of an angry individual, but a kind one that was smiling at her. Applejack knew she couldn't just walk away and went to confront Spades one on one.
"I didn't hear you get up. What're you doin' out here anyhow?" Applejack asked.
Spades took his gaze off Applejack and returned to staring at the moon and the stars. He spoke softly and whispfully, as if he were in a dream. "I can never fall asleep on nights like these. A full moon, a clear sky, the cool air, and the gentle breeze. It almost feels like a crime to let nights like these go to waste." Spades looked to Applejack again and gave an embarassed smile, he normally didn't get sentimental like that around other ponies.
Sitting in silence for a while, watching the moon pass overhead, Applejack cut right to the chase. "Look, Spades... I want to apologize for-"
She was cut off by Spades placing a heavy, yet gentle, hoof on her shoulder. Looking up at him Applejack saw a wide smile playing across his face. "Its okay A.J. I don't blame you for being curious. I can't say I wouldn't have done the same thing if I were in your hooves. Not that I'm saying I haven't." Applejack felt her anxiety melt away with Spades' words.
So much so Spades could feel her shoulders loosen under his hoof.
"Feel better?" Spades said resuming his sight seeing.
"Yeah, thanks." Applejack gave him a little smile and the two sat there watching the night pass them by.
Over the next few hours the two talked about nothing in particular it was mostly just Spades getting to know Applejack at this point. They talked on and on about apple trees and different ways of harvesting and planting. When all was said Spades looked around one more time and really began to appreciate everything this orchard meant to Applejack and the Apple family.
"So, you and Big Macintosh pretty much run this whole show almost all year round?" Spades coudln't even fathom the sheer amount of labor it would take to harvest all of these trees. Let alone what it would be like with only a handful of workers.
"Yeap, me and my older brother run the show 'round here. Its hard work sure, but it keeps me busy doin' sometin' and it always feels nice knowin' I'm helping Ponyville." Applejack gave a proud smile. Spades couldn't help but admire her tenacity and work ethic. And as far as he was concerned he could learn alot from ponies like these.
"I tell you what," Spades began, turning to meet Applejack's eyes full bore. "If you ever have the need for more hooves around here doing anything at all, don't hesitate to come and ask."
Applejack was delighted to hear another pony was able and willing to help around the farm. "You sure? I wouldn't want ta impose. Yer gonna be busy with the community center right?"
Spades took a moment to think about it. "Well, yeah actually. But Twilight ran by me what exactly it is I do at the center,
and the way it sounds, I'm going to have alot of free time on my hands." Spades could see the mild cincern playing on Applejack's face. "Well, whether you need me or not I'll try and drop by whenever I can. And thats a promise."
Applejack just nodded her head and gave a little defeated smile. When all was said and done the two now close friends made their way back to the house, found their appropriate sleeping positions and went to sleep without another word to each other. Spades stole one more glance at the moon outside the window, and fell into a dreamless slumber.
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~Thanks for reading chapter two! I'll try and crank these chapters out as fast as I can before work starts up again next week. Please leave a review and tell me what you thought. Feel free to be as brutal as you like, I'm trying to become a better writer after all.