A Change of Fate?

"Woo! This was a good day. And I still got some food left over for tonight. I am starving."

Red Harvest just finished selling his fresh corn to the local ponies of Ponyville. He made quite a few bits. But it was less than usual. Due to his kindness and being overly nice, he dropped the prices a little so everypony could afford it. He didn't want anypony to go hungry, but he needed the money to live, and he found common ground. Yay!

He threw the bag of corn over his shoulder, and started to trot home. But he stopped and looked at the stand. He just stood there, observing it. This was one of the very few times he went into deep thought. He really contemplated. He thought to himself

"Is this what I'm destined to do my entire life? Is this what I am meant to do 'till the day I die?"

Apple Orcherd was walking home with little groceries and a smile on her face. Apple glances at the pegasus looking at the corn stand. After a minute of deciphering whether or not to go over to him she decides she would, she slowly trots up to him.

"Hello."She says softly trying no to scare him she looks at the corn stand with him "It's getting late don't you think?" Apple says looking back at him. Her cape/ skirt was over her blank flank.

Red snapped out of his deep trance when he noticed a filly, around his age, came up next to him saying it was late. He looked over to her. She was wearing quite a bit of clothing. Maybe she wanted to look fancy or cool? It didn't look bad on her.

"Oh, hi ma'am. And yeah, I suppose it's getting rather late. I should head home then."

He was going back to his house, where he was almost his entire life, working on that farm and living in the same house. The same house he was abandoned in. This was the first ever time he really thought about his parents too. Normally he'd just brush it off and smile. But now... Smiling isn't getting him out of this one. He turned back around and looked at the filly who grabbed his attention

"Actually, do you know of any places I could stay? I really don't want to go home"

"My parents are going to be in Canterlot with family for awhile you could come stay with me. I could use some company." She says hoping not to sound creepy though. "I live a few blocks away." Apple pointed west.

Apple smiled. She had a cute smile like her mother's. "So, how about it?" she asked hoping for a yes so that she won't be lonely.

Red looked at where she was pointing. She really didn't need to, but the extra assistance was nice. She also didn't need to invite him to her home. But it was much appreciated. It felt a bit odd staying in somepony else's home. But he really didn't want to see the farm right now.

"That is much appreciated. Lead the way, please."

The filly had a cute smile. And she obviously had a kind heart. Or she just needed company. She did say her parents were out. So were his. But they weren't coming back from their 'vacation.' Red always meant to go looking for his mother. He overheard her say something about Cloudsdale, and he is a Pegasus. So he can obviously make it there. All he needs is the time, and a little motivation.

"I don't believe I caught your name, sweetie. I'm Red Harvest"

"I'm Apple Orcherd nice to meet you Red Harvest." She says leading the way. "So, do you mind telling me a bit about yourself or are you a keep it to yourself kind of pony?" Apple didn't like to fly a lot because the ground was so much better. She always thought that the ground was magic when she was little. Right now, the magic seemed to come back no other ponies were around except for her and Red, the animals were heading off to sleep, and the plants made it more amazing!

This filly didn't waste time getting to know other ponies. Must mean she's really friendly. He's been meeting a lot of friendly ponies lately. It made him elated to see that. Good to know he wasn't the only nice pony around, and there being tons of them. He really only met one somewhat bad pony, and he ended up being real nice. She asked if he would share some things about himself. He'd be more than happy to, but it would be better at the house

"I'll tell you a lot of things about myself. But can we do it when we get to the house? I'm afraid I'll just ramble on and on, so you should be comfy. And most ponies feel sad for me when I talk about myself. For the life of me I still don't know why."

"Sure!" Apple says "It should be right over here!" She turns in to an alley and then stops at a small house that is almost just a shack. "Don't be fooled it's actually bigger on the inside." Apple walked in through the door. "Sorry if it's messy." The house was squeaky clean, there was three rooms besides the kitchen and living room which were connected except for a counter dividing the two.

"Get comfy and let me put my groceries away real quick then tell me everything!" She says happily as she disappears in to the the kitchen to put groceries away humming a song.

This was a very nice filly. Maybe nicer than Red. He entered the house and sat down in a chair in the living room. From the outside, the house was pretty ordinary. The inside was amazing. It was the cleanest thing Red ever saw. he almost felt bad staying there. Getting all his germs and farm dirt everywhere. But she did as she instructed and got comfy. He stretched out his legs, arms, and wings and made himself at home.

"I hope you don't mind me asking, are you letting me sleep here for the night?" He hoped she said yes. He really didn't want to see that farm right now

"Of course you can stay the night Red." She says bringing out a tray of warm tea "You could use my room since my parents locked their bedroom door thinking I might steal their stuff. Strange right your own parents not trusting you." She complains "I didn't mean to nag about them it's just that- never mind.Anyways I can sleep on the couch."

She sets the tea down in front of them "You can stay as long as you like Red my parents should be gone for quite some time." She smiles at Red and sits on the couch "So, how about telling me about yourself?"

This filly just would not stop. She offered him her room over him just sleeping on the couch. Her kindness knew no bounds, apparently. Usually you kick the guest on the couch if you have no room. But she offered him her bed. Must be more comfy than his old bed. She brought out tea as well. Now he felt like he was being spoiled. Staying as long as he wanted, getting her room, and tea? Well, at least he liked all of those. Now it was time to talk about himself. Let's hope she's not too sensitive on the subject of family.

"Well, I was born on a farm here in Ponyville to an Earth stallion that ran out before I was born and a sweet Pegasus mare. She lived simply and owned a farm, and I live there and work it to this day. The trouble with that was I would have to miss school to help her out. She was a very nice mare. But she left the farm not too long ago in the middle of the night. It hurt when she left, physically and emotionally since I have to work the farm alone, but I've been rolling through it all. But now I'm getting second thoughts about the farm... But enough of my sob story jibber jabber. Tell me a bit about yourself" Most ponies thought it was amazing that he could still have a smile after telling that story. It's just what Red does

"Well, let's see where to begin..." She hadn't even noticed how tragic his story had been.

"My parents who were both pegasi had well... Me. They wanted to me be a foal and were disappointed when they found out I was a filly. My mother stayed with me in Cloudsdale until I was old enough to trot and talk after that theymoved me here. They're either on business trips or visiting family. I help out the foals in the orphanage or help at the hospital and rarely have company." Apple smiled "So there you have it that's my life for you. Want a Filly Scout cookie? I have a whole bunch."

Red was thankful Apple completely ignored the tragedy of his story, unlike most ponies. It would save him the pity he didn't need or want. Her parents wanted her to be a colt, huh? She had an interesting story.

"That was an interesting story. Much better than mine. And sure, I'd like a Filly Scout cookie. Glad I can get them without one banging on my door."

Apple giggled, she hadn't done that in a while. She headed in to the kitchen and got some Filly Scout cookies with some daisy sandwiches. Apple was happy with Red's company. When Apple got back she set the cookies and sandwiches by the tea when she realized that she didn't tell Red where her bedroom was "Hey my room is the last door to the right and there is a bathroom in there too."

Apple sat back down on the couch "Help yourself." Apple knew that he had worked hard almost all of his life so she decided to give the poor colt a break. Besides, she wasn't that hungry anyways.

Red snacked on the cookies with joy. This was a nice filly. She really didn't have to give him her room. But he didn't want to start an argument over who was being too nice. The cookies were delicious at least. Midway eating, the thought popped back into his mind about the farm. He looked to Apple and asked her a serious question.

"Have you ever questioned your destiny? Like, you knew you were supposed to do something for life but thought about doing something different?"

Apple stared at him for a moment, she didn't have a destiny. Tears started to sting her eyes, she blinked really fast hoping he didn't notice. She just nodded and faked a yawn. "Welp, it's getting late time to hit the hay!" It wasn't late and Apple wasn't tired but she just didn't want to talk about her blank flank.

"You can go to bed whenever you feel like. she softly smiled, it sucks to smile when you're hurt. She grabbed one of the blankets wrapped it around her and laid down. "Good night." She said nicely as if he was family

Huh, maybe Apple was the wrong pony to ask that question to. Red was still confused and a bit worried. He didn't know what exactly he was thinking. And somehow Apple was already tired, and it was still moderately bright outside. Maybe she had a long day of work, like Red, or she used up all her energy playing or being social. Whatever the case, Red was a bit tired too.

"I guess I'll head to bed to. Night Apple."

Red trotted over to Apple's room and sat on the bed. He lied back and thought for a minute. This was one thought he simply couldn't just push out of his mind. He was contemplating his whole life. Sure, he was only a teenager, but he spent his whole life on that farm. He perhaps wanted to try something else? He still didn't know. Eventually, he fell asleep, probably from thinking too hard.

After Apple laid down she waited awhile before getting up and checking on Red. She opened the door a tiny bit and peaked inside, he was passed out. How cute She thought and smiled. She shut the door again and started cleaning until the sun was peaking then, well, she passed out on the couch her blank flank showing.

She had a dream about getting her Cutie Mark and everypony loved her and that her parents came back! Then things went south her Cutie Mark disappeared. Her parents had Celestia sent her to the moon and she had no friends! Apple woke up gasping for air. She just stayed lying there, motionless, breathing heavily.

Red rose from Apple's bed, stretching and yawning. It was now morning, and he was fully rested. Usually he only needs a 30 minute nap. It was odd for him to sleep for around eight hours. But he couldn't complain. He was still a bit groggy. Red trotted out of Apple's room to see her gasping and laying there. maybe she had a bad dream? He looked over to see if there was anything she needed?

"Um, Apple? Are you okay? Did you have a bad dream?"

He looked at her to see her blank flank. Was that why she didn't want to answer his destiny question? It was hard for a pony to not have their cutie mark. He sat on the couch next to her. He had no idea to comfort another pony, since never having to deal with this in his entire life

Apple Orcherd stared at Red for a moment this time tears streaming down her face. She sits up and just hugs Red which was the first time she remembers hugging somepony. Her throat hurt too much to say anything and her body was sore. She stopped hugging him and tried to get up but fell. She couldn't get up but she manage to crawl back on the couch. Apple was like a new born foal. "Sorry I can't make break feast today." It was normally like this, her body being sore in the morning.

She managed to smile, it was hard though. As soon as she was able to talk again she was trying to get back on her hooves. "So, what to do today?" She asked stumbling around.

Red looked at Apple. She seemed to have quite a few problems. She was sore, upset, could hardly talk. Red pushed away all thoughts of himself and focused on Apple. Looked like she had a rougher time than him. And the blank flank probably didn't help. The hug was nice, though. Red tried to not mention anything that could set her off, but he couldn't resist trying to help her. It's just in his kind nature.

"Um, Apple? Are you alright? Anything you need to talk about?"

Red was still a bit tired from sleeping so much. He stretched his limbs and flapped his wings waiting if Apple wanted to talk or just let it slide

"Yeah I'm fine." she said waddling around, she was still sore but what could she do? It's not like talking about something will get her her Cutie Mark. Anyways, she waddled in to the kitchen and poured some cereal and milk in to a bowl and gave it to Red. He was a nice pony.

Apple's wings were the only thing that weren't sore mostly since she hadn't used them much but, she didn't like to use them.

"Sorry if it isn't much." She said politely she didn't want him to think that she didn't like his company

Red kindly took the cereal Apple offered. It certainly wasn't much, but it was a kind gesture. It was more than what Red usually eats. He'll either eat corn or something small, like an apple. The cereal was more than enough to fill him up, but that didn't stop him eating it quickly. It was like a magician illusion. The bowl was in his hooves, and in a heartbeat the cereal and milk were gone.

"Guess I really was hungry. Hehe..."

Red was still a bit worried for Apple. He didn't really think most ponies woke up and acted like that. But he wasn't one to question what a pony did. Besides, if she needed help, Red was right there.

"Was the couch comfy? Sorry I had to take your bed"

"Was the couch comfy? Sorry I had to take your bed"

"Oh, it was comfy enough for me."

Apple smiled at Red and gave him another bowl of cereal, her having a banana.

"So, a-about the fate thing... Do you think finding your mother will help you find your true destiny?"

Apple wanted nothing more than for everypony to be happy she especially wanted Red to. He was such a nice pony that worked all day keeping hungry customers satisfied. She knew what it was like as she kept the house clean for her parents.

She awaited an answer as she finished her banana by Celestia she could eat fast!

Red was given another bowl of cereal. He was going to eat it, but decided to put it down. He didn't want eat too much and be slowed down. He may have acted more Earth Pony than Pegasus, but he still liked being fast from time to time.

Apple asked him about the fate thing again. He honestly forgot about it when he went to sleep. Then he remembered the farm, and how he spent his entire life on the farm, never learning to do anything else. His Cutie Mark did entail that that was his destiny. He didn't know if it was the right destiny, though

"Well, I'm not entirely sure about that. My mom was farming with me... I don't know. Maybe you're right... But I hardly ever have the time to go looking. I'm not even sure where she is. She could be in Manehattan, Cloudsdale, heck, she could be right here in Ponyville for all I know!"