Shipbuilding Anon

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A random Anon stated that they would built ships in the bottle if in Equestria. This is that story (kinda).

Summary: Anon lives in a log cabin on the edge of the Everfree that they built with their own hands. While working on a ship in a bottle to keep sane in winter Applejack comes to visit.

Posted in Thread: 842
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>It’s winter in Equestria
>The bite of the cold outside staved off by the slow fire burning inside your cabin
>The Everfree, the forest on whose border you have made your home, is quiet this time of year
>The wooden cabin is of simple design built by your own hands
>Functional not extravagant, well crafted but not perfect
>The various oddities gave the dimly lit home character

>The quiet was always welcome, a rare commodity in these parts
>From the local town to the inhabitants of the forest itself your neighbors were very social
>It had made winter your favorite time of the year
>And the occasional soft creak of your house burdened by snow mixed with the crackling of the fire was all the conversation you needed

>The scraping of the wood in your hand kept a steady rhythm
>Whittling the scraps of wood not worth the fire gave you some purpose on these cold days
>A mindless activity that kept you sane
>For all the rambunctiousness of your neighbors they offered a good distraction from the big questions in life
>When they weren’t creeping you out

>Part of the reason you decided to live near the Everfree was the fact nature was allowed to stay its course
>There are some things in life that no man should control
>But you’re the only human here

>Thinking on it, it seems odd that these p0nies allow snow to drop on their town
>It makes for nice scenery, but it’s nothing but a burden
>Or maybe there’s something you don’t know about it
>They’re surely smarter than you when it comes to whether
>The only time you actively cared is when the weatherman was wrong


>The chunk of wood in your hand had taken shape
>Its rough and bumpy form vaguely seen through the wood
>Setting down the knife you switch to the sand paper
>At first it takes a firm hand
>The shavings at your feet soon being joined by a layer of dust
>But as the ridges get smaller and smaller your grip softens
>Until you are caressing the wood

>Holding up the tiny figure against the shimmering light of the fire you give a nod
>It’s a fine hull for the ship
>Already a myriad of colors dance through your mind as to what colors to paint it
>But that is a reward to come later
>There’s still a lot to do
>Setting the hull on the table you grab another scrap of wood and your knife
>Only to be interrupted by a knock at your door

>Your wooden chair creaks out in relief as you rise for the door, the wood and knife set onto the table
>There’s a soft hummed tune coming from the door
>Your visitor less eccentric than most, something picked up from the simple fact that they are willing to wait
>Very few around these parts actually seem to have the patience to wait
>Admittedly you’re not being fair in being hasty as you stand there for a moment and just listen to the tune

>It’s a simple tune, quaint yet meaningful
>Humble yet proud
>Tender yet sad
>A myriad of conflictions wrapped in harmony
>But let’s not be impolite

>Opening the door you see one of your closest neighbors, geographically speaking
>Her green eyes off into the top corner
>A light bounce side to side in her blonde tail, but far off from a swish
>Her form held tall yet relaxed as she enjoys her own concert
>It takes her but a moment to realize you at the door


>“Well howdy Anon, how ya doin’?”
“ Hello Applejack, what brings you around today?”
>After the initial confusion of your arrival to these lands Applejack has been one of the most welcoming people, er p0nies
>Perhaps it’s that southern hospitality as they call it
>“Ay just got done making some treats with the fam and thought ta bring some over.”
>She motions towards her saddle bag with her head
>The warmth of the food clearly visible from the rising steam

“Thanks Applejack, I appreciate it.”
>“T’aint nothing.”
“I take it you’ve been keeping busy.”
>She practically snickers at that
>“Shoot no. Not much ta do in the winter besides keepin’ sharp. The breaks nice, but doin’ small things here and there are all I can do to keep from getting restless.”
>Aint that the truth
“You want to come in for a bit?”
>Her eyes flicker wide for a very brief moment and her lip hooks up on one side
>Pleasantly surprised seems to fit the bill
>“Don’t mind if ah do.”
>After letting her in you close the door behind her and put the latch back in place

>Her eyes crawl across the walls in a mix of awe and wonder
>Only a few have ever been inside your house, and it usually wasn’t for too long
>She’s even been inside a few times herself

>Her spine contorts with a shiver from the sudden warmth of the fire
>She’s reading into each log of the wall
>There is no paint or boards, just stacked logs stripped of their bark
>The dim light giving the place a heavy dull contrast to the colors of their everyday life
>Worn pots and pans hang along the area you designated as the kitchen
>Serving to only deepen the contrast


“Why don’t I get us some plates? Would you like something to drink?”
>You move past her and begin going through your cabinets
>The mix of your words and actions snapping her out of her gaze
>“Got any milk?”
“Sure.”
>You place 2 plates and cups on your table
>A quick glance tells you that she’s watching your actions intently
>Going to the far corner near the door you uncover the hole in your floor
>Reaching in you pull out one of the bottles of milk you purchased from her cow friends
>Memories of the exchange flood back for a moment
>That was an awkward transaction

>Returning to your table you ignore the mess of wood bits at your feet and move your chair closer to the table
>She takes your other chair and begins pulling things out of her saddle while you set the table
>You can already smell the foods
>A warm waft of dough and fruits
>Now it is your turn to watch intently as she puts it all on the table
>Hush puppies and fritters!
>Jubilations!

>While pouring the glasses of milk you notice your latest project is still on the table
>Picking up the knife and smoothened hull you get up and place them on one of the counters
>The motion was not lost on Applejack despite currently helping herself to some hush puppies
>Though right now she’s more content with the food
>Sitting down again you quickly join her
“So Applejack, what keeps you busy in the winter?”
>Finishing off a fritter she looks up to her mind as she recalls the information
>“Well, the farm works never really done. We got ta maintain everything and keep the house runnin’. It gives us a lot of down time to go over all our stocks and see the business side of things. How much we made, what sold the best, what ta plant next year, that kinda thing.”


“Things that allow you to stay indoors I suppose, right?”
>“Yeah, it’s always nicer to stay inside and there’s the basics of keepin’ the house and fam together. Nothin’ too exciting.”
“Hmmm.”
>The soft hum signals your acknowledgment as you pop a few hush puppies into your mouth.
>“What about you, Anon? Got any human secrets ta fightin’ the boredom?”
>Now it’s your turn to look up and think

“Not much different from you. I have to keep the cabin in order, get fire wood and food mostly. Can’t let too much snow get on the roof, so a lot of days I just climb up and shovel the snow then cut some fire wood. Things are pretty boring here in the winter as well.”
>“Ah. What about the rest of the time? Keepin’ any company?”
“I have my hobbies to keep me distracted when I have the time.”
>“What sorta hobbies?”
>Done with the food she leans in with her question
“Just little things here and there to make use of what’s around. Like making that chair you’re sitting on.”
>She takes a quick look down at her chair
>The stumpy little thing you made to better accommodate their form
>You had made it more for the challenge rather than a real need

“What about you? Surely you’re not busy all the time.”
>“Well…”
>She’s fidgeting in her seat
>A hoof rises and fiddles with her hat
>“you aint wrong…”
>That’s a heavy blush she’s sporting there
>“It aint ta Rarity’s extent, but sometimes a gal likes ta be soft ya know? Feel pretty and all.”
>You cock an eye brow
>“There’s hardly any time or occasion for it now a days, but ay keep sharp on dancing an’ bein’ proper.”
>For seeming embarrassed she sure can hide it when it comes to talking
“Like for that gala thing?”
>The flush of her cheeks has disappeared as she gives a wave of her hoof in dismissal
>“Kinda, but ay don’t care for all that schmoozin’ they do. Just like ta not be so ‘simple’ sometimes.”


>There’s a hint of distaste in her use of the word simple
>Though she isn’t expressing any real malice
>Still that was a lot more of an answer than expected
>While you try to think of what exactly to say she takes note of the silence
>“It’s silly ah know. A rambunctious mare like me; always workin’ always sweatin’. Just imagining myself in a dress makes me laugh. I’d rather be in the fields any day.”
>There’s a smile on her face and a hint of truth in her words
>But still
“Nothing’s ever simple.”

>You get up from your seat and walk over to the counter where you set your tools
>Grabbing the ship in progress and one of your completed works you bring it to the table and sit back down
>Her eyes go wide as you place the ship in the bottle in front of her
>They drink in every bit of detail, from the mouth of the bottle to the sails of the ship
>“How’d ya get that big thing in there? Magic or something?”
>Without a word you place one of the fritters next to the bottle

“People often just look at the end product. They see what it is and can gather a basic understanding of how it began and how it ends. But they overlook the middle.”
>You tentatively push the smoothened hull forward
“It’s that middle that’s the hardest part of all. So much can go wrong, and the excitement of starting has left. Every mistake a test; every misstep a trial. Yet ultimately it is judged solely on the end.”
>She gives one last look between the bottle and the fritter and turns her full attention to you
>Uncomfortable with the attention you grab one of the scraps of wood from under your chair and mindlessly start to whittle again
>Something to keep your eyes and hands occupied
“And that’s okay. But to write something off as easy or simple just because of the end is a disservice. As I’ve said I can’t do magic, and I made that with nothing but patience and a steady hand.”


>As if on cue your hand jerks and makes a cut too deep
>It’s nothing that can’t be fixed, but why has this gotten to you so?
“Thanks for the food Applejack. I really do appreciate it and the time you spent making it.”

>She looks down and raises a hoof to fiddle with her hat
>The perfect excuse to bring it against her eye on the way down
>“Shoot Anon, I said it tweren’t nothin’.”
>Quiet returns to the cabin
>The fire crackles and the cabin squeaks
>The rhythm of a steady blade rings out
>Slowly joined by a soft hum

>You know, this is kind of nice
>As your breathing steadies a sense of pure relaxation comes
>Risking a glance up you shoot your eyes to the tops of their lids
>On that chair you built for nobody in particular
>Sits your closest neighbor
>An orange p0ny with golden locks and a red tie
>Softly smiling with her eyes closed
>And as the sound of her song seeps into your very being
>You realize, perhaps you did build that for someone after all