ApplePie Prompt Tag Group Collab!by Starswirls BeardChaptersFiddle (Midnight herald)Pets (Starswirls Beard)Sky (Midnight herald)Bed-rest (Esle Ynopemos)Mane-do (Starswirls Beard)Seconds (Esle Ynopemos)Everfree (Starswirls Beard)Business (Twinkletail)Kumquat (Esle Ynopemos)Gifts (Starswirls Beard)Baking (Donnys Boy)Mailbox (Alesiopdv)Patience (Lion)Sugar (Donnys Boy)Kumquat (Midnight herald)Slap (Esle Ynopemos)Fiddle (Midnight herald)By Midnight herald Applejack cracks open the weathered case with a crisp snap and takes a deep, overpowering whiff of varnish and old velvet. She pulls her old fiddle out carefully, puffing the dust away from its smooth red body. She rubs her bow along the lump of rosin, sending out hints of summer and pine trees into the room. And as she leans against the wall on her two hind legs and raises the fiddle to her chin, she smiles and winks at her attentive audience. Then she brings her bow to strings and starts out slow, and old murder-ballad Granny used to sing her at bedtime. Pinkie Pie sits and sways to the mournful tune, enraptured. Applejack finds herself adding on little trills and ornaments she normally wouldn't, and smiles a bit wider as each one makes Pinkie’s eyes grow wider and wider. Finally she’s had enough slow and sentimental for the night, and she casts off into a lively reel, fit for a square dance. Pinkie starts tapping her hoof against the floor, just a little. Applejack licks her lips and changes to a bouncy little jig, chuckling as Pinkie bobs her head in time with her hoof. Applejack throws herself into a wild breakdown, stomping her own foot for emphasis, laughing wildly as Pinkie gets up and throws down, shaking her rump in a playful, wonderful way that’d never fly on the dance floor. But they’re just in a room, the two of them, and it’s perfect. Hairs on Applejack’s bow are snapping left and right as she makes her fiddle wail and sing. And Pinkie moves closer, still dancing as wild and free as she ever has. Applejack looks into Pinkie’s playful, bright blue eyes and loses herself in mad inspiration. And suddenly she’s playing a real barnstormer, but something she’s never heard before. Suddenly, she’s not just ornamenting, she’s creating. And it feels wonderful. After three more times through the ditty she just wrote, Applejack winds it down and ends with a sharp chop of the strings. Pinkie erupts into applause grinning so wide it looks like it would hurt anypony else. Applejack nudges the fiddle over to Pinkie with a gentle grin. “Give it a go for me, sug?” she prompts, kissing Pinkie on the cheek. Pinkie grins sheepishly. “I can’t play the fiddle,” she admits, looking guilty as anything. It’s surprising, Pinkie not being able to play anything. Applejack smiles anyway. “Well, d’you wanna learn?” she asks. Pinkie nods, her mane flying every whichway. Applejack sidles up to her and lifts the fiddle under Pinkie’s chin, curling Pinkie’s left hoof around the neck and tucking the bow into the crook of Pinkie’s right. “Alright, you hold ‘er like this. Now you take the bow and set it lightly on her strings, and then you draw the bow along straight. You with me so far?” Pinkie nods, a bright smile dancing on her lips. Applejack already knows it’s gonna be a great night. Pets (Starswirls Beard)By Starswirls Beard I knew I had to have her from the first moment I saw her. We were in town, and she was standing there at the apple cart. She was helping close down shop when someone called her name and she turned, the light hitting her just so. Her coat glistened with sweat from a day of hard work and her muscles rippled as she moved. She looked like a goddess, one I’d happily spend the rest of my life worshipping. Someone like her should be celebrated in the streets, although she’s far too modest to want such a thing for herself. Sometimes I think I should just get it over with and tell her how I feel. Could you imagine the look on her face? She’d probably run away in disgust or laugh off my advances. She and I are too different you see. She’s so full of love and life, and I am a mere shadow of what could possibly interest her. Maybe someday we’ll be sitting in the park, when we’re both old and gray, and I’ll casually mention how I cared for her. By then not only would it not matter, but she’d laugh at the very idea of such a thing and brush it off. She’ll go back to her loving family and friends and I’ll go back whatever it is I’d do to occupy my time. There she is...that vision of loveliness. The only star in my sky, the only one for me. If only I could tell her how I feel. If only I could make her see me! Winona bounded up the path to Pinkie and Applejack’s usual meeting spot. Panting and wagging her tail with joy she ran up to Gummy and tackled him, licking the toothless gator enthusiastically. “Y'know Applejack, Gummy has been as pleased as toothless alligator punch that we’ve included him and Winona on our dates to the park. Do you think maybe we could add another day for just the two of them?” AJ smiled and glanced over at the two pets frolicking in the cool grass. “If it means seeing you more, I’m all for it sugarcube.” On his back with his tail being chewed playfully, Gummy could think of nothing better. Sky (Midnight herald)By Midnight herald It wasn’t snowing outside, not anymore. But the trees and beanfields were blanketed over in white, fluffy drifts of it, standing out starkly against the dirt path in the overcast light. Applejack sighed and glanced at the sky, back to the road, up at the sky, and then scrubbed at the porridge pot with a vengeance, the warm soapy water in the sink slowly bringing her hooves up to temperature. An odd, squeaky rumbling sounded from outside as Applejack put the last bowl in the drainer, and she trotted to the front door and opened it to take a look. Pinkie Pie, hitched up to a heavy old trundle cart, waved brightly at her and continued on her way, head down, legs rippling with effort and strength. Applejack kicked the door shut behind her and ran out to meet Pinkie, smiling widely for the first time this morning. Not that she was unhappy, but there was nothing to do, and the heavy clouds didn’t help. “Hey, sugarplum,” Applejack greeted, kissing Pinkie on the cheek. Pinkie giggled as Applejack cantered backwards, kissing her other cheek, her forehead, the tip of her nose. “What’s got you in such a good mood?” Pinkie’s eyes twinkled as she darted her neck out and nipped Applejack’s ear. “Jes’ happy to see you,” Applejack answered, peering around to get a look at whatever strange contraption Pinkie had hidden beneath a tarp on the trundle behind her. Pinkie giggled, with those wonderful blue eyes of hers peering intently at Applejack. “Oh yeah?” she half-growled, her smile never leaving her voice. “Yeah!” Applejack crowed, frisking backwards happily. She nearly fell over when her hocks hit the steps of her porch. She stood a moment in embarrassed silence before giving in to her instincts and rolling on the cold dirt and gravel, laughing her head off. With the clink of tackle, Pinkie joined her on the ground, smiling and giggling herself. Applejack calmed and rolled to look at Pinkie, look at her bright blue eyes, warm and sunny despite the weather. “Jackie, remember how you were saying you missed seeing the sky?” Pinkie asked, stroking Applejack’s shoulder with a slow, steady hoof. Applejack chuckled and stroked Pinkie’s face, looking into her bright blue, sunny eyes. “I reckon I got all the sky I need right here, Pinks,” she said, scooting across the space between them and entwining Pinkie in a full-body hug. Pinkie blushed, a little change in color that had taken Applejack a while to recognize. “That’s really sweet of you,” she said, pulling out of Applejack’s clinging limbs and hopping upright, “but it’s also not true.” She grabbed a corner of the tarp on the old trundle cart and yanked it off, showing a new-and-improved flying machine. “I’m gonna show you the sun today, if that’s alright?” Pinkie’s smile was infectious, and Applejack shot to her hooves, practically vibrating with excitement. She couldn’t hardly wait. Bed-rest (Esle Ynopemos)By Esle Ynopemos Applejack didn't get sick. Pinkie knew this as a fact. She knew it like she knew Granny Smith made the bestest, most crispy apple pies in Equestria. She knew it like she knew her niece was the most adorable filly that had ever lived. She had lived with Applejack for twenty five years, through baked bads, through allergy seasons, through strain after strain of hay fever, even through that outbreak of the cantering cough, and Applejack had never so much as had a runny nose. 'Too stubborn to let a few little germs stop me,' she had once said, and it was true. Applejack was way tougher than any cough. So why wasn't she getting out of bed now? Why was she shivering like she was trapped in the freezer with the ice cream, even though she was in her room with two extra blankets on her and it was summer outside? Why didn't she even put up a fight when Pinkie told her she was running to get the doctor? Applejack hated seeing the doctor. She always ate at least two apples a day, just to be sure. Doctor Stable pulled his stethoscope out of his ears to cast a look at the nervously bouncing mare trying to peek over his shoulder. “Would you like to wait outside?” It was one of those questions that wasn't really a question, but an order. Pinkie nodded and stood out in the hallway, pulling the bedroom door shut behind her. She could hear some of Doctor Stable's questions as he sat by Applejack's bed: “How long have you had the symptoms? When was your last checkup? When I say so, breathe for me.” But Applejack's responses were too quiet for her to hear. After a while, the doctor got quiet too, and Pinkie couldn't hear him without pressing her ear to the door. She really wanted to know what he was saying, but pressing her ear to the door would be a little like sneaking, and Applejack didn't like it when Pinkie sneaked. So she scooted far enough away from the door to keep from being tempted, and she waited. She waited for what felt like a long time, but then, time gets all stretchy when you want to press your ear to a door but know you shouldn't. Finally, the door opened and Doctor Stable stepped out. Pinkie looked up at him expectantly, but he just nodded politely and headed down the stairs. Pinkie crept back into the bedroom. Were Applejack's eyes always so baggy? It looked like she could fit a whole other pair of eyes under there. She made eye-contact, and gave her a smile. “Hey.” “Hey,” Applejack replied. She wiped her muzzle with a hoof. Pinkie sat down on the edge of the bed. “W—” Her voice did a funny croaking thing, and she had to swallow before speaking. “...What did the doctor say?” Applejack turned her head to stare out the window. Her chest shook with a cough. “Doc says... Doc says it's just a cold.” She turned and gave Pinkie a smile. “A little bit of bed-rest, an' I'll be right as rain.” Pinkie squeezed Applejack's hoof, breathing a tiny little sigh of relief. Maybe Applejack did get sick a little bit, sometimes. But she never, ever lied. Mane-do (Starswirls Beard)By Starswirls Beard “Now, now darling, don’t you worry about a thing. You look fabulous if I do say so myself and I do. Go on, have a look and tell me what you think!” Applejack shuffled nervously as she turned to look in the mirror. For the hundredth time she wondered why she had subjected herself to this, and for the hundredth time she remembered what it was for. If somepony had told her even two days ago that this is what she’d be, she’d have bucked them in the teeth. Finally lifting her head to get a good look she gasped, the mare in the mirror looked as though she was ready for Manehattan high society. Gone were the signature mane ties, the golden tresses spilled delicately over her shoulder and curled at the ends. Rose blossoms the same color as her apple trio cutie mark were woven into the strands, enhancing it’s waterfall like appearance. Gone was her beaten up stetson, in its’ place sat a laurel crown. Her coat was immaculate, and her hooves polished till they shone. She looked...lovely. “Darling you look amazing! I really am quite good. Now, was there anything else you needed done? This is you and Pinkie’s one year anniversary, I want to help make it special.” “Nah Rares, I think this’ll do right nicely. Pinkie is sure to be surprised.” Walking with the fashionista to the door, she still couldn’t believe what she looked like. She imagined that this was what the princesses felt like, and almost expected to look back and see her mane floating in an unfelt breeze. Hopefully Pinkie would like it. No, she hoped Pinkie would love it. Seconds (Esle Ynopemos)By Esle Ynopemos Seconds. She'd missed her by mere seconds. Applejack arrived at the platform just as the train pulled away. If she had arrived a moment sooner, she could have shouted, or leapt on the train, or have at least done something. But she was late. Late by seconds, and those seconds had cost her the one chance she had to tell her... Applejack stamped her hoof against the wooden floor, thinking of all the ways she could have saved herself those seconds. She could have rolled out of bed a minute earlier. Skipped brushing her mane—it was under her hat, anyway, what did it matter if it was brushed? She could have eaten an apple on the go instead of sitting down to a bowl of oats for breakfast. She could have galloped to the train station as though timber wolves were after her instead of tiptoeing up to it like it was a sleeping manticore. Hay, if she was going to indulge in could-haves and should-haves, she could have gotten over herself and said something weeks ago when Pinkie had announced she was leaving for rock country with no real idea when she would be back! The train's whistle blew, and it sounded like a taunt to the farm pony's ears as it carried Pinkie away. She wanted to howl back at it, chase after the danged thing like a madpony. But she wouldn't catch it. Already the train was fading into the morning mist, racing toward the bend in the tracks that would take it out of sight on its way to far off places. Applejack fell back onto her haunches, cursing herself for a stubborn fool. She'd just had to hang onto her pride til the last second, hadn't she? She couldn't have let herself realize what she could have had until that last moment it had sunk in what she was about to lose. Seconds. Sun-and-stars-damned seconds, and they might as well have been years. “Applejack?” Her ears didn't want to believe the voice they heard. Applejack looked up, and there was Pinkie Pie, standing on the edge of the platform. “Pinkie?” Applejack sprang to her hooves. “Pinkie, ya missed your train!” Pinkie grinned and shook her head. “No, I caught it. But then my hoof got all tickly, and that usually means somepony really needs to talk to me.” She held up her hoof, as though expecting Applejack to see ticklishness somehow. She glanced at the train as it rounded its distant bend. “It wasn't anypony on the train, so I figured it must be somepony out here.” Applejack felt a lump build in her throat. The morning sun shone in Pinkie's bright blue eyes. “Applejack, do you have something you needed to tell me?” Applejack did not let any more seconds slip past her. Tears gleamed on her cheeks as she smiled and nodded. “I surely do, hon. I surely do.” Everfree (Starswirls Beard)By Starswirls Beard When Twilight had suggested she knew the perfect spot to surprise Pinkie Pie for their anniversary she was skeptical. Not that the new princess was untrustworthy, but the Everfree Forest was less than ideal for any sort of romantic endeavor. Applejack had gone to check it out and after one glance, knew that it was where she’d want to be with Pinkie when the time for their date came. Pushing back the foliage to clear a path for her marefriend Applejack grinned at the smile spreading across Pinkie’s face. “Ooh Applejacky, it’s beautiful!” “Well shucks, I sure am glad you like it Sugarcube. Thought it’d be the perfect place for a picnic.” In the center of the clearing was a natural lake with water as clear and blue as her mare’s eyes. It was naturally shaded from the bright sun and she had taken the time to ask Fluttershy to have her bird friends provide some light music as well. Spreading the blanket draped across her back she began pulling food out of her basket, motioning for Pinkie to have a seat. “Before we get started on this here picnic Pinks, there’s something I need to tell ya’.” Pinkie shifted so that she could get a better look at Applejack’s green eyes. “The reason I brought ya’ here today is more than just our anniversary.” she reached further into the basket and pulled out a small velvet box. “I brought ya’ to the Everfree because we both know that we have dangers in our lives bein’ elements and all. I want ya’ to know though...I’ll always protect you. I’ll always be by your side, and I’ll always love ya’. Pinkie Pie, will you marry me?” An earring with a perfect representation of her cutie mark sat on the small cushion. All Pinkie could do was nod through her tears. Business (Twinkletail)By Twinkletail Applejack sighed to herself. Today wasn't going well at all. For some reason, one she couldn't explain if she tried, today was just not a good day for business. She had no clue why; she wasn't doing anything different from what she usually did. She was selling the same products, in the same place, with the same ponies coming around. So what, exactly, was the problem? "Hi Jackie!" Pinkie said cheerfully, bouncing up and giving Applejack a smooch on the cheek. "Well hay there, Pink Lady," AJ responded. "Why the long face?" Pinkie asked. AJ raised a brow, not even having realized she was frowning. "Uh...well, I guess it's on account of my sales ain't looking too good today," AJ responded. Pinkie giggled and gave her a nuzzle. "That's cause you're all gloomy!" she responded, smiling. "...So I'm frowning cause I ain't making sales, and I ain't making sales cause I'm frowning?" Applejack asked. "Yup!" Pinkie said. She tossed an apple at the farmer, who caught it. She inspected the apple, only to see that Pinkie had painted a big "22" on it with edible paint. "What's with the 22?" AJ asked. Then she shook her head. "Actually, nevermind. So do you really think smiling will help?" "Of course!" Pinkie bubbled, still holding the paintbrush she'd used. "Here, watch!" The pink pony whirled around Applejack's cart, painting on all the apples. "Pinkie! What do ya think you're doing?!" AJ shouted. "Oh don't worry, it's edible paint!" Pinkie giggled. She then showed an apple to AJ. A big smiley face had been painted on it. "...You painted smiles on my apples," AJ said. "Yuppers!" Pinkie responded. "Now they're smiley apples! Or SMAPPLES! Ouh, smapples is really fun to say! Say it! Say it!!" "...Smapples," AJ said, rolling her eyes with a smile. "It sounds even funnier when you say it!" Pinkie said, nuzzling AJ's cheek. "Thanks, Pink Lady," Applejack replied. "But do you really think this'll increase sales? I mean, it's just..." "Ooh, is that apple smiling?" came Bon-Bon's voice as she trotted up to the cart. "I'll take four!" "I want some too!" Cheerilee exclaimed as she stepped up. "They're adorable!" Before Applejack knew it, her cart was flooding with customers. She looked at Pinkie incredulously. Pinkie just smiled back at her. AJ made a mental note to herself as she took care of all of her sudden transactions. She knew she shouldn't have doubted Pinkie Pie. Kumquat (Esle Ynopemos)By Esle Ynopemos My love, she is an apple mare, Pickle-barrel, kumquat, chimi-cherry-air, Orange of coat and mane so fair. Pickle-barrel, kumquat, chimi-cherry-ay. She works her apple trees every day, Pickle-barrel, kumquat, chimi-cherry-ove, Those apple trees she's so proud of, Yes, apples are the life of my love. Pickle-barrel, kumquat, pickle-barrel, kumquat, pickle-barrel, kumquat, chimi-cherry-ay. With a song on her lips and a twinkle in her eye, Pickle-barrel, kumquat, chimi-cherry-aye, My love baked me an apple pie! Pickle-barrel, kumquat, chimi-cherry-oh! Alas, my love, she did not know, Pickle-barrel, kumquat, chimi-cherry-dee, Alas, alack, oh woe is me, For I have an apple allergy! Pickle-barrel, kumquat, pickle-barrel, kumquat, pickle-barrel, kumquat, chimi-cherry-oh! Ah, my heart! 'Tis so unfair, Pickle-barrel, kumquat, chimi-cherry-air, That I should love an apple mare! Pickle-barrel, kumquat, chimi-cherry-ooh! What's a poor baker to do? Pickle-barrel, kumquat, chimi-cherry-aye, I wish to have her apple pie, But if I did, I'd surely die! Pickle-barrel, kumquat, pickle-barrel, kumquat, pickle-barrel, kumquat, chimi-cherry-ooh! So plant those saplings, plant them wide. Pickle-barrel, kumquat, chimi-cherry-ide. Plant them for my future bride. Pickle-barrel, kumquat, chimi-cherry-un. Make sure that they get plenty of sun, Pickle-barrel, kumquat, chimi-cherry-all, Treat them tender, water them all, Let them each grow strong and tall. Pickle-barrel, kumquat, pickle-barrel, kumquat, pickle-barrel, kumquat, chimi-cherry-un. And then I'll ask the love of my life, Pickle-barrel, kumquat, chimi-cherry-ife, If she will let me be her wife. Pickle-barrel, kumquat, chimi-cherry-oot. And we can laugh and share our fruit, Pickle-barrel, kumquat, chimi-cherry-ease, We'll live together as happy as we please, Under the shade of our kumquat trees! With a pickle-barrel, kumquat, pickle-barrel, kumquat, pickle-barrel, kumquat, chimi-cherry-oot! Gifts (Starswirls Beard)By Starswirls Beard “Are we there yet?” “Almost, just a few more steps sugarcube.” “Are we there now?” “The last hundred times you asked the answer was no, this time it’s yes!” Removing the blindfold she’d placed over her marefriend’s eyes, Applejack beamed proudly. The two stood at the highest point of Sweet Apple Acres, a small hill just at the edge of the property near the Everfree. Celestia’s sun cast it’s fading golden light over the tops of the fruit laden trees, giving the appearance of a green and red sea. Applejack had taken the liberty of setting up a picnic for the two. A red checked cloth had been carefully spread across the ground with one large laying pillow set to the side. Plates and cups were already carefully arranged and a large covered basket sat to the side, the delicious aroma of freshly baked apple pie scenting the air. “It’s amazing Applejack!” With a chuckle the farmer led her mare to the cushion, their coats brushing each other pleasantly as they settled. “I know Rarity’d have a fit if she knew that this is what we’re doing for our two year anniversary, but I thought you’d like the idea of being here where it all started.” Pinkie beamed with joy. “It’s perfect.” Removing the cloth from the basket AJ began to remove what she’d agonized over packing. Two homemade apple pies, a chilled bottle of fresh cider, and a few roses dusted with powdered sugar completed the meal. Leaning into her mare AJ took a moment to appreciate the view. The fading light was the perfect counterpoint to Pinkie’s soft smile. The gentle rustle of tree leaves and the sounds of nature made it all the better. There wasn’t ever going to be a moment better than this. Looking out at the fields she tended everyday, she took a deep breath and began. “You know we’ve been together for a while now sugar cube, and I don’t know a better time than now to ask—” “Mmf, thish ish delishish!” Applejack paled. She really hoped that sound wasn’t what she thought it was. Slowly looking over at her sweet lovable pink menace, she couldn’t fight the shudder that made it’s way through her body. “What’s wrong Jackie? That was great!” Reflecting like a beacon of hopelessness, was an empty pie tin. “Pinkie, did you even chew that pie?” “Nope! Why?” With a gulp, Applejack tried and failed to calm her racing heart. “Because in it was Granny Smith’s wedding earrings…” “You mean, you were gonna…?” “Eeyup.” “And I just…?” “Eeyup.” Applejack wasn’t prepared for the tackle the pushed the two rolling over the blanket. “Oh yes Jackie, yes! I’d love become an Apple! This is the best anniversary gift ever!” With a chuckle AJ helped Pinkie to her hooves. “I’m glad you like the gift, now let’s go get it outta ya’.” Baking (Donnys Boy)By Donnys Boy "Foals" Applejack chews on her lower lip as she watches Pinkie Pie work her very particular brand of magic. The two young foals beside her are chaos incarnate, jumping and shouting and spilling flour all over the counters of Sugarcube Corner. But Pinkie never loses her smile or the sparkle in her eyes, as she gently takes small hooves between her own, guiding them, helping them, nor as she calmly gives instructions in between giggles. Perhaps most miraculous of all is how Pound and Pumpkin actually listen. They frown hard in concentration when Pinkie talks to them, and they struggle with the bowls and spoons with as much seriousness and dedication as Applejack might use to wrestle a timberwolf. By the end of the afternoon, Pinkie and the twins are covered head to hoof in batter, but there’s a plate of steaming fresh muffins to show for their efforts. Fresh muffins and two proudly beaming little foals. As the Cake twins scamper off, their baking lessons done for the day, Pinkie begins whistling cheerfully and completely off-key as she goes about cleaning up the kitchen. Applejack silently step up beside her marefriend and starts wiping down the counters. “Sugarcube?” Pinkie stops whistling. She turns toward Applejack with a broad smile, her head tilted inquisitively. Applejack finds herself smiling back, even though her stomach’s churning something awful. “You ever think …” She pauses. Takes a long swallow, even though her mouth’s suddenly dry. “You ever think about havin’ foals someday? You and me havin’ foals, I mean?” A split second later, Applejack’s on the floor, with a batter-dripping mare pinning her down and peppering her face with a thousand little kisses. Applejack laughs. She supposes that’s a yes. Mailbox (Alesiopdv)By Alesiopdv "Mailbox" Life on the Apple´s farm worked like a well greased machine because every member took on a different chore each day. Be it wash the dishes, take out the trash, feed the animals or pick up the mail. Today it was Big Mac´s turn to check the mailbox. He opened it and found the usual fliers and magazines along with bills to pay and a curious tiny pink box. Big Mac opened it and found a rather tempting apple flavored cupcake that he finished in one gulp. He came back home with the letters on his mouth and found her sister Applejack waiting in the doorway. “Any letters for me, big bro?” “Eeeenope.” Next day it was Apple Bloom´s turn. She had to bring a stool to reach the mailbox and when she opened it, the content fell on her head. She rummaged throguh the letters to see if her package had arrived but no such luck. She did found a pink box with a green cupcake that she devoured. She came back to the house with the letter and founder her sister waiting. “Any letters for me, sugarcube?” “Ah don´t think so. And ah won´t get mah Cutie Mark fer Mad Science either…” “Thanks heavens,” Applejack murmured. The next day it was Granny Smith´s turn. Applejack was already waiting on the doorway to see if there was any package for her. She waited, watching her grandmother very slowly reaching the mailbox. Very, very slowly. She almost fell asleep on one point while she waited for the elder pony to figure out how to get the letters out of the mailbox. Once Granny Smith finally started going back with the letters in her mouth, Applejack realized she got chores to do at the barn and had no time to lose. “Bye Granny!” she said, rushing past Granny Smith. “Wait! Ah think yah got a package! Damn kids, always rushing. Okay, ah guess ah´ll take this cupcake then. Mmmh, tastes like apples.” Finally, the day after that, Pinkie Pie decided to take matters on her own hooves. She fifn´t let the package on the mailbox like the others but instead knocked on the door of the Apples residence. She wanted an explanation as to why Applejack hasn´t say anything about the cupcakes she has especially baked for her the past couple days. She waited at the doorway with her arms crossed and her face in a very un-Pinkie Pie frown. Upon taking a look at her, Applejack let go a chuckle. “Thursdays Pinkie Pie, that´s the day ah got the mail.” Before Pinkie could say anything, Applejack gave her a kiss on the cheek and took the cupcake. Finally able to taste it, she put on the biggest smile possible, making Pinkie smile as well. Patience (Lion)By Lion “... Ambd da’z how I burmbed my tumbg.” Pinkie said, her eyes watering in a manner that Applejack recognized as being very similar to Winona’s whenever she was begging for food at the dinner table. Applejack chuckled despite herself. “Really, Pinkie, you know better than to do that. Why do ya think th’ cookbooks say to let it sit fer an hour after ya take it out of th’ oven?” “Bud it loogd zho good!” Pinkie pouted as best as she could with her tongue halfway out of her mouth, and immediately appeared to regret it as her lower lip slid up to the burn, bringing forth a quick yelp of pain. Applejack shook her head. “Seriously Pinkie, you’ve gotta learn some patience. Good things come to those who wait an’ all, right?” Pinkie gave a frustrated huff and flopped onto her stomach, all four limbs outstretched and flailing against the ground. “Abblejack, id huuuuuurdz!” “I feel for ya, Pinkie, I really do, but what am I supposed to do?” Applejack snickered. She felt bad laughing at her marefriend’s pain, but Pinkie Pie seemed so immune to consequences 99% of the time, it was pretty funny to see her actually inconvenienced by her actions. Pinkie suddenly turned bashful, rearing up onto her haunches and tapping her front hooves together. “You coob kith id amb make id bedder?” she asked, blushing a little. Applejack chuckled, “Sure, why not?” as she approached Pinkie and leaned in. “Ow! Ow! Nob bedder, nob bedder!” Sugar (Donnys Boy)By Donnys Boy "Pour Some Sugar on Me" Applejack had always assumed that Pinkie Pie would taste like sugar. Goodness knew she’d thought about it often enough--days working on the farm, alone in the fields with her foolish daydreams and silly hopes. Days spent imagining what it would be like to actually kiss Pinkie and to taste the sweet, sweet sugar on those endlessly moving lips. Foolish. Silly. Something fun to think about during long hours sweating in the sun but nothing that would ever or could ever actually be reality. Besides, too much sugar wasn’t good for a pony. But that was then, and this was now. And right now, Applejack was on the Pie family’s rock farm, sitting in the drawing room of the farmhouse on a settee with Pinkie right by her side. The rest of the family had retired to bed at least an hour ago, but the crackling fire and warm blanket had kept Applejack and Pinkie downstairs. At least, that’s what Applejack had told herself. “Thanks again for coming home with me, AJ!” Pinkie’s eyes were dark, almost violet, in the dim light of the fireplace. “I dunno what Mom and Dad would’ve done without having some extra helping hooves with the emerald harvest this year!” Applejack chuckled. “Well, I was happy to do what I could to pitch in. Especially with all the apple bucking seasons you been a part of.” She found herself grinning a big, dopey grin. She couldn’t help it. “Us farm ponies gotta look out for one another, don’t you reckon?” Pinkie grinned right back and scooted a little closer. “Yeppers!” “Well, don’t you fret none, ‘cause I’ll always look out for ya.” Applejack felt her cheeks burn. That hadn’t come out right--or, at least, it hadn’t come out as she’d meant it to. “Er, that is, I’ll always look out for my friends and my fellow farmers, y’know, ‘cause that’s just what--” Pinkie Pie kissed her. It was a soft kiss, surprisingly so, but it was not a subtle kiss. It was not a kiss that could be mistaken for platonic, that could be mistaken for mistaken. Applejack froze for a moment, half disbelieving and half terrified, before leaning forward, sighing quietly into Pinkie’s mouth as she kissed Pinkie back and a pair of pink forelegs wrapped tightly around her neck. It wasn’t until Pinkie had pulled back, still grinning as broadly as ever, that Applejack realized Pinkie Pie didn’t taste like sugar. There’d been a hint of something spicy on the other mare’s lips, a slow, sultry heat that Applejack hadn’t expected in the least. Applejack was pretty sure she liked it, though. But just to be sure, she leaned forward to kiss Pinkie again. Kumquat (Midnight herald)By Midnight herald "One of my favorite words is kumquat. I didn't make that one up." Pinkie couldn't help herself. Her mouth opened and more pointless words spilled out. "I would work in a kumquat orchard just so I could say kumquat all day. Kumquat, kumquat, KUMQUAT!" Applejack never looked so grim as she did now, turning and slamming her strong legs into a cherry tree, so hard she left splinters where the bark had been. Applejack was always careful with apple trees. Maybe 'cherries' wasn't fun to say. Or maybe, just maybe, Applejack missed her friends just as much as they missed her. Applejack had already beaten the next cherry tree out of all it's fruit by the time Pinkie realized her mouth was moving again. "And pickle barrel! That's another fun one. Pickle barrel, pickle barrel, pickle barrel." Applejack grit her teeth on the handle of the basket she was carrying and Pinkie panicked. It wasn't supposed to go like this. Pinkie was silly, and then ponies laughed. Pinkie dumped flour on herself, and the twins stopped crying. Pinkie zapped herself, and Rainbow felt better about being pranked. It wasn't supposed to make Applejack angrier. "C'mon, say it with me! Pickle barrel, kumquat, pickle barrel, kumquat, pickle barrel kumquat, chimmi-cherry-changa!" "NOOO," Applejack moaned, sinking to her knees. "Make it stop!" Pinkie's mouth kept running on autopilot, even through Rainbow's dusty hoof. More and more words, more and more nonsense spilled out of her, even though all she really wanted was to give Applejack a hug. Even though the words she wanted were Are you okay? And finally, Applejack's panicked eyes softened as her other friends talked things through. "I'll explain everything at breakfast," she said, her voice as steady and somber as it ever got. "Pinkie Promise." Pinkie's heart unclenched and she smiled gratefully at Applejack. She'd know what was making Applejack so sad, and then she could fix it, right after breakfast. After all, Applejack had promised. And she never, ever, ever broke her word. Slap (Esle Ynopemos)By Esle Ynopemos Applejack froze. An electric tingle ran up the back of her apple-bucking hoof. She turned her head, a dangerous glint in her eye as she looked at the pair of colts snickering on the corner. “You wanna repeat that?” she rumbled. The colts glanced at one another. “We didn't say nothin',” said one. “Yeah, keep walking,” said the other. Pinkie Pie put a hoof on Applejack's shoulder. “Come on, we don't wanna be late to our party! Well, I mean, it won't be our party until we get there, so it's not like we can be late, but if we take too long getting there, the cake will get crusty and the soda will go flat!” Her voice was as chipper and pink as it ever was, but there was a strain at the corners of her lips as she smiled. Applejack wheeled around to face the colts. “I don't take kindly to liars,” she snarled, advancing on them. “I heard exactly what y'all said. Somethin' about my marefriend's head an' a box of rocks. That sound like the highlights of the conversation to you?” Her tail swished left to right in irritation. Pinkie tugged more insistently on Applejack. “Come on, A.J. Leave them alone.” “These boys are bein' disrespectful of ya, Pinkie,” Applejack said. “I ain't gonna stand for it. They need to apologize.” “C-come on,” sputtered one of the colts. “It was just something funny! You like funny things, don't you, Pinkie?” “Funny?” bellowed Applejack, rearing up. “You think insultin' somepony behind her back is funny?” “Applejack, stop,” cried Pinkie, but her plea went unheeded. Applejack spun around, cocking back her hindleg just the way she did when she was bucking trees. “I'll show ya just how funny a box of rocks can be when you're eatin' the cobblestones!” A hoof connected with a face, but it was neither the hoof nor the face Applejack expected. She fell backwards onto her haunches. She felt a warm throbbing in her cheek. “P-Pinkie?” Pinkie Pie gave the two colts a fractured, unhappy smile. “If you go to Sugarcube Corner right now,” she told them, “and tell Mr. and Mrs. Cake I sent you, they'll give you both a free cupcake. Okay?” The colts exchanged looks and ran off in the direction of the bakery. Applejack numbly rubbed her swelling cheek. “W-why, Pinkie?” Confused tears gathered in the corners of her eyes. “Why'd you hit me?” Pinkie knelt down in the street and threw her forelegs over her. She buried her muzzle deep in Applejack's mane. Applejack could feel her marefriend's chest rise and fall against hers. “I just want to make ponies happy,” Pinkie said quietly. “If they're laughing at me, they're still laughing. That's all I want.”
Fiddle (Midnight herald)By Midnight herald Applejack cracks open the weathered case with a crisp snap and takes a deep, overpowering whiff of varnish and old velvet. She pulls her old fiddle out carefully, puffing the dust away from its smooth red body. She rubs her bow along the lump of rosin, sending out hints of summer and pine trees into the room. And as she leans against the wall on her two hind legs and raises the fiddle to her chin, she smiles and winks at her attentive audience. Then she brings her bow to strings and starts out slow, and old murder-ballad Granny used to sing her at bedtime. Pinkie Pie sits and sways to the mournful tune, enraptured. Applejack finds herself adding on little trills and ornaments she normally wouldn't, and smiles a bit wider as each one makes Pinkie’s eyes grow wider and wider. Finally she’s had enough slow and sentimental for the night, and she casts off into a lively reel, fit for a square dance. Pinkie starts tapping her hoof against the floor, just a little. Applejack licks her lips and changes to a bouncy little jig, chuckling as Pinkie bobs her head in time with her hoof. Applejack throws herself into a wild breakdown, stomping her own foot for emphasis, laughing wildly as Pinkie gets up and throws down, shaking her rump in a playful, wonderful way that’d never fly on the dance floor. But they’re just in a room, the two of them, and it’s perfect. Hairs on Applejack’s bow are snapping left and right as she makes her fiddle wail and sing. And Pinkie moves closer, still dancing as wild and free as she ever has. Applejack looks into Pinkie’s playful, bright blue eyes and loses herself in mad inspiration. And suddenly she’s playing a real barnstormer, but something she’s never heard before. Suddenly, she’s not just ornamenting, she’s creating. And it feels wonderful. After three more times through the ditty she just wrote, Applejack winds it down and ends with a sharp chop of the strings. Pinkie erupts into applause grinning so wide it looks like it would hurt anypony else. Applejack nudges the fiddle over to Pinkie with a gentle grin. “Give it a go for me, sug?” she prompts, kissing Pinkie on the cheek. Pinkie grins sheepishly. “I can’t play the fiddle,” she admits, looking guilty as anything. It’s surprising, Pinkie not being able to play anything. Applejack smiles anyway. “Well, d’you wanna learn?” she asks. Pinkie nods, her mane flying every whichway. Applejack sidles up to her and lifts the fiddle under Pinkie’s chin, curling Pinkie’s left hoof around the neck and tucking the bow into the crook of Pinkie’s right. “Alright, you hold ‘er like this. Now you take the bow and set it lightly on her strings, and then you draw the bow along straight. You with me so far?” Pinkie nods, a bright smile dancing on her lips. Applejack already knows it’s gonna be a great night.
Pets (Starswirls Beard)By Starswirls Beard I knew I had to have her from the first moment I saw her. We were in town, and she was standing there at the apple cart. She was helping close down shop when someone called her name and she turned, the light hitting her just so. Her coat glistened with sweat from a day of hard work and her muscles rippled as she moved. She looked like a goddess, one I’d happily spend the rest of my life worshipping. Someone like her should be celebrated in the streets, although she’s far too modest to want such a thing for herself. Sometimes I think I should just get it over with and tell her how I feel. Could you imagine the look on her face? She’d probably run away in disgust or laugh off my advances. She and I are too different you see. She’s so full of love and life, and I am a mere shadow of what could possibly interest her. Maybe someday we’ll be sitting in the park, when we’re both old and gray, and I’ll casually mention how I cared for her. By then not only would it not matter, but she’d laugh at the very idea of such a thing and brush it off. She’ll go back to her loving family and friends and I’ll go back whatever it is I’d do to occupy my time. There she is...that vision of loveliness. The only star in my sky, the only one for me. If only I could tell her how I feel. If only I could make her see me! Winona bounded up the path to Pinkie and Applejack’s usual meeting spot. Panting and wagging her tail with joy she ran up to Gummy and tackled him, licking the toothless gator enthusiastically. “Y'know Applejack, Gummy has been as pleased as toothless alligator punch that we’ve included him and Winona on our dates to the park. Do you think maybe we could add another day for just the two of them?” AJ smiled and glanced over at the two pets frolicking in the cool grass. “If it means seeing you more, I’m all for it sugarcube.” On his back with his tail being chewed playfully, Gummy could think of nothing better.
Sky (Midnight herald)By Midnight herald It wasn’t snowing outside, not anymore. But the trees and beanfields were blanketed over in white, fluffy drifts of it, standing out starkly against the dirt path in the overcast light. Applejack sighed and glanced at the sky, back to the road, up at the sky, and then scrubbed at the porridge pot with a vengeance, the warm soapy water in the sink slowly bringing her hooves up to temperature. An odd, squeaky rumbling sounded from outside as Applejack put the last bowl in the drainer, and she trotted to the front door and opened it to take a look. Pinkie Pie, hitched up to a heavy old trundle cart, waved brightly at her and continued on her way, head down, legs rippling with effort and strength. Applejack kicked the door shut behind her and ran out to meet Pinkie, smiling widely for the first time this morning. Not that she was unhappy, but there was nothing to do, and the heavy clouds didn’t help. “Hey, sugarplum,” Applejack greeted, kissing Pinkie on the cheek. Pinkie giggled as Applejack cantered backwards, kissing her other cheek, her forehead, the tip of her nose. “What’s got you in such a good mood?” Pinkie’s eyes twinkled as she darted her neck out and nipped Applejack’s ear. “Jes’ happy to see you,” Applejack answered, peering around to get a look at whatever strange contraption Pinkie had hidden beneath a tarp on the trundle behind her. Pinkie giggled, with those wonderful blue eyes of hers peering intently at Applejack. “Oh yeah?” she half-growled, her smile never leaving her voice. “Yeah!” Applejack crowed, frisking backwards happily. She nearly fell over when her hocks hit the steps of her porch. She stood a moment in embarrassed silence before giving in to her instincts and rolling on the cold dirt and gravel, laughing her head off. With the clink of tackle, Pinkie joined her on the ground, smiling and giggling herself. Applejack calmed and rolled to look at Pinkie, look at her bright blue eyes, warm and sunny despite the weather. “Jackie, remember how you were saying you missed seeing the sky?” Pinkie asked, stroking Applejack’s shoulder with a slow, steady hoof. Applejack chuckled and stroked Pinkie’s face, looking into her bright blue, sunny eyes. “I reckon I got all the sky I need right here, Pinks,” she said, scooting across the space between them and entwining Pinkie in a full-body hug. Pinkie blushed, a little change in color that had taken Applejack a while to recognize. “That’s really sweet of you,” she said, pulling out of Applejack’s clinging limbs and hopping upright, “but it’s also not true.” She grabbed a corner of the tarp on the old trundle cart and yanked it off, showing a new-and-improved flying machine. “I’m gonna show you the sun today, if that’s alright?” Pinkie’s smile was infectious, and Applejack shot to her hooves, practically vibrating with excitement. She couldn’t hardly wait.
Bed-rest (Esle Ynopemos)By Esle Ynopemos Applejack didn't get sick. Pinkie knew this as a fact. She knew it like she knew Granny Smith made the bestest, most crispy apple pies in Equestria. She knew it like she knew her niece was the most adorable filly that had ever lived. She had lived with Applejack for twenty five years, through baked bads, through allergy seasons, through strain after strain of hay fever, even through that outbreak of the cantering cough, and Applejack had never so much as had a runny nose. 'Too stubborn to let a few little germs stop me,' she had once said, and it was true. Applejack was way tougher than any cough. So why wasn't she getting out of bed now? Why was she shivering like she was trapped in the freezer with the ice cream, even though she was in her room with two extra blankets on her and it was summer outside? Why didn't she even put up a fight when Pinkie told her she was running to get the doctor? Applejack hated seeing the doctor. She always ate at least two apples a day, just to be sure. Doctor Stable pulled his stethoscope out of his ears to cast a look at the nervously bouncing mare trying to peek over his shoulder. “Would you like to wait outside?” It was one of those questions that wasn't really a question, but an order. Pinkie nodded and stood out in the hallway, pulling the bedroom door shut behind her. She could hear some of Doctor Stable's questions as he sat by Applejack's bed: “How long have you had the symptoms? When was your last checkup? When I say so, breathe for me.” But Applejack's responses were too quiet for her to hear. After a while, the doctor got quiet too, and Pinkie couldn't hear him without pressing her ear to the door. She really wanted to know what he was saying, but pressing her ear to the door would be a little like sneaking, and Applejack didn't like it when Pinkie sneaked. So she scooted far enough away from the door to keep from being tempted, and she waited. She waited for what felt like a long time, but then, time gets all stretchy when you want to press your ear to a door but know you shouldn't. Finally, the door opened and Doctor Stable stepped out. Pinkie looked up at him expectantly, but he just nodded politely and headed down the stairs. Pinkie crept back into the bedroom. Were Applejack's eyes always so baggy? It looked like she could fit a whole other pair of eyes under there. She made eye-contact, and gave her a smile. “Hey.” “Hey,” Applejack replied. She wiped her muzzle with a hoof. Pinkie sat down on the edge of the bed. “W—” Her voice did a funny croaking thing, and she had to swallow before speaking. “...What did the doctor say?” Applejack turned her head to stare out the window. Her chest shook with a cough. “Doc says... Doc says it's just a cold.” She turned and gave Pinkie a smile. “A little bit of bed-rest, an' I'll be right as rain.” Pinkie squeezed Applejack's hoof, breathing a tiny little sigh of relief. Maybe Applejack did get sick a little bit, sometimes. But she never, ever lied.
Mane-do (Starswirls Beard)By Starswirls Beard “Now, now darling, don’t you worry about a thing. You look fabulous if I do say so myself and I do. Go on, have a look and tell me what you think!” Applejack shuffled nervously as she turned to look in the mirror. For the hundredth time she wondered why she had subjected herself to this, and for the hundredth time she remembered what it was for. If somepony had told her even two days ago that this is what she’d be, she’d have bucked them in the teeth. Finally lifting her head to get a good look she gasped, the mare in the mirror looked as though she was ready for Manehattan high society. Gone were the signature mane ties, the golden tresses spilled delicately over her shoulder and curled at the ends. Rose blossoms the same color as her apple trio cutie mark were woven into the strands, enhancing it’s waterfall like appearance. Gone was her beaten up stetson, in its’ place sat a laurel crown. Her coat was immaculate, and her hooves polished till they shone. She looked...lovely. “Darling you look amazing! I really am quite good. Now, was there anything else you needed done? This is you and Pinkie’s one year anniversary, I want to help make it special.” “Nah Rares, I think this’ll do right nicely. Pinkie is sure to be surprised.” Walking with the fashionista to the door, she still couldn’t believe what she looked like. She imagined that this was what the princesses felt like, and almost expected to look back and see her mane floating in an unfelt breeze. Hopefully Pinkie would like it. No, she hoped Pinkie would love it.
Seconds (Esle Ynopemos)By Esle Ynopemos Seconds. She'd missed her by mere seconds. Applejack arrived at the platform just as the train pulled away. If she had arrived a moment sooner, she could have shouted, or leapt on the train, or have at least done something. But she was late. Late by seconds, and those seconds had cost her the one chance she had to tell her... Applejack stamped her hoof against the wooden floor, thinking of all the ways she could have saved herself those seconds. She could have rolled out of bed a minute earlier. Skipped brushing her mane—it was under her hat, anyway, what did it matter if it was brushed? She could have eaten an apple on the go instead of sitting down to a bowl of oats for breakfast. She could have galloped to the train station as though timber wolves were after her instead of tiptoeing up to it like it was a sleeping manticore. Hay, if she was going to indulge in could-haves and should-haves, she could have gotten over herself and said something weeks ago when Pinkie had announced she was leaving for rock country with no real idea when she would be back! The train's whistle blew, and it sounded like a taunt to the farm pony's ears as it carried Pinkie away. She wanted to howl back at it, chase after the danged thing like a madpony. But she wouldn't catch it. Already the train was fading into the morning mist, racing toward the bend in the tracks that would take it out of sight on its way to far off places. Applejack fell back onto her haunches, cursing herself for a stubborn fool. She'd just had to hang onto her pride til the last second, hadn't she? She couldn't have let herself realize what she could have had until that last moment it had sunk in what she was about to lose. Seconds. Sun-and-stars-damned seconds, and they might as well have been years. “Applejack?” Her ears didn't want to believe the voice they heard. Applejack looked up, and there was Pinkie Pie, standing on the edge of the platform. “Pinkie?” Applejack sprang to her hooves. “Pinkie, ya missed your train!” Pinkie grinned and shook her head. “No, I caught it. But then my hoof got all tickly, and that usually means somepony really needs to talk to me.” She held up her hoof, as though expecting Applejack to see ticklishness somehow. She glanced at the train as it rounded its distant bend. “It wasn't anypony on the train, so I figured it must be somepony out here.” Applejack felt a lump build in her throat. The morning sun shone in Pinkie's bright blue eyes. “Applejack, do you have something you needed to tell me?” Applejack did not let any more seconds slip past her. Tears gleamed on her cheeks as she smiled and nodded. “I surely do, hon. I surely do.”
Everfree (Starswirls Beard)By Starswirls Beard When Twilight had suggested she knew the perfect spot to surprise Pinkie Pie for their anniversary she was skeptical. Not that the new princess was untrustworthy, but the Everfree Forest was less than ideal for any sort of romantic endeavor. Applejack had gone to check it out and after one glance, knew that it was where she’d want to be with Pinkie when the time for their date came. Pushing back the foliage to clear a path for her marefriend Applejack grinned at the smile spreading across Pinkie’s face. “Ooh Applejacky, it’s beautiful!” “Well shucks, I sure am glad you like it Sugarcube. Thought it’d be the perfect place for a picnic.” In the center of the clearing was a natural lake with water as clear and blue as her mare’s eyes. It was naturally shaded from the bright sun and she had taken the time to ask Fluttershy to have her bird friends provide some light music as well. Spreading the blanket draped across her back she began pulling food out of her basket, motioning for Pinkie to have a seat. “Before we get started on this here picnic Pinks, there’s something I need to tell ya’.” Pinkie shifted so that she could get a better look at Applejack’s green eyes. “The reason I brought ya’ here today is more than just our anniversary.” she reached further into the basket and pulled out a small velvet box. “I brought ya’ to the Everfree because we both know that we have dangers in our lives bein’ elements and all. I want ya’ to know though...I’ll always protect you. I’ll always be by your side, and I’ll always love ya’. Pinkie Pie, will you marry me?” An earring with a perfect representation of her cutie mark sat on the small cushion. All Pinkie could do was nod through her tears.
Business (Twinkletail)By Twinkletail Applejack sighed to herself. Today wasn't going well at all. For some reason, one she couldn't explain if she tried, today was just not a good day for business. She had no clue why; she wasn't doing anything different from what she usually did. She was selling the same products, in the same place, with the same ponies coming around. So what, exactly, was the problem? "Hi Jackie!" Pinkie said cheerfully, bouncing up and giving Applejack a smooch on the cheek. "Well hay there, Pink Lady," AJ responded. "Why the long face?" Pinkie asked. AJ raised a brow, not even having realized she was frowning. "Uh...well, I guess it's on account of my sales ain't looking too good today," AJ responded. Pinkie giggled and gave her a nuzzle. "That's cause you're all gloomy!" she responded, smiling. "...So I'm frowning cause I ain't making sales, and I ain't making sales cause I'm frowning?" Applejack asked. "Yup!" Pinkie said. She tossed an apple at the farmer, who caught it. She inspected the apple, only to see that Pinkie had painted a big "22" on it with edible paint. "What's with the 22?" AJ asked. Then she shook her head. "Actually, nevermind. So do you really think smiling will help?" "Of course!" Pinkie bubbled, still holding the paintbrush she'd used. "Here, watch!" The pink pony whirled around Applejack's cart, painting on all the apples. "Pinkie! What do ya think you're doing?!" AJ shouted. "Oh don't worry, it's edible paint!" Pinkie giggled. She then showed an apple to AJ. A big smiley face had been painted on it. "...You painted smiles on my apples," AJ said. "Yuppers!" Pinkie responded. "Now they're smiley apples! Or SMAPPLES! Ouh, smapples is really fun to say! Say it! Say it!!" "...Smapples," AJ said, rolling her eyes with a smile. "It sounds even funnier when you say it!" Pinkie said, nuzzling AJ's cheek. "Thanks, Pink Lady," Applejack replied. "But do you really think this'll increase sales? I mean, it's just..." "Ooh, is that apple smiling?" came Bon-Bon's voice as she trotted up to the cart. "I'll take four!" "I want some too!" Cheerilee exclaimed as she stepped up. "They're adorable!" Before Applejack knew it, her cart was flooding with customers. She looked at Pinkie incredulously. Pinkie just smiled back at her. AJ made a mental note to herself as she took care of all of her sudden transactions. She knew she shouldn't have doubted Pinkie Pie.
Kumquat (Esle Ynopemos)By Esle Ynopemos My love, she is an apple mare, Pickle-barrel, kumquat, chimi-cherry-air, Orange of coat and mane so fair. Pickle-barrel, kumquat, chimi-cherry-ay. She works her apple trees every day, Pickle-barrel, kumquat, chimi-cherry-ove, Those apple trees she's so proud of, Yes, apples are the life of my love. Pickle-barrel, kumquat, pickle-barrel, kumquat, pickle-barrel, kumquat, chimi-cherry-ay. With a song on her lips and a twinkle in her eye, Pickle-barrel, kumquat, chimi-cherry-aye, My love baked me an apple pie! Pickle-barrel, kumquat, chimi-cherry-oh! Alas, my love, she did not know, Pickle-barrel, kumquat, chimi-cherry-dee, Alas, alack, oh woe is me, For I have an apple allergy! Pickle-barrel, kumquat, pickle-barrel, kumquat, pickle-barrel, kumquat, chimi-cherry-oh! Ah, my heart! 'Tis so unfair, Pickle-barrel, kumquat, chimi-cherry-air, That I should love an apple mare! Pickle-barrel, kumquat, chimi-cherry-ooh! What's a poor baker to do? Pickle-barrel, kumquat, chimi-cherry-aye, I wish to have her apple pie, But if I did, I'd surely die! Pickle-barrel, kumquat, pickle-barrel, kumquat, pickle-barrel, kumquat, chimi-cherry-ooh! So plant those saplings, plant them wide. Pickle-barrel, kumquat, chimi-cherry-ide. Plant them for my future bride. Pickle-barrel, kumquat, chimi-cherry-un. Make sure that they get plenty of sun, Pickle-barrel, kumquat, chimi-cherry-all, Treat them tender, water them all, Let them each grow strong and tall. Pickle-barrel, kumquat, pickle-barrel, kumquat, pickle-barrel, kumquat, chimi-cherry-un. And then I'll ask the love of my life, Pickle-barrel, kumquat, chimi-cherry-ife, If she will let me be her wife. Pickle-barrel, kumquat, chimi-cherry-oot. And we can laugh and share our fruit, Pickle-barrel, kumquat, chimi-cherry-ease, We'll live together as happy as we please, Under the shade of our kumquat trees! With a pickle-barrel, kumquat, pickle-barrel, kumquat, pickle-barrel, kumquat, chimi-cherry-oot!
Gifts (Starswirls Beard)By Starswirls Beard “Are we there yet?” “Almost, just a few more steps sugarcube.” “Are we there now?” “The last hundred times you asked the answer was no, this time it’s yes!” Removing the blindfold she’d placed over her marefriend’s eyes, Applejack beamed proudly. The two stood at the highest point of Sweet Apple Acres, a small hill just at the edge of the property near the Everfree. Celestia’s sun cast it’s fading golden light over the tops of the fruit laden trees, giving the appearance of a green and red sea. Applejack had taken the liberty of setting up a picnic for the two. A red checked cloth had been carefully spread across the ground with one large laying pillow set to the side. Plates and cups were already carefully arranged and a large covered basket sat to the side, the delicious aroma of freshly baked apple pie scenting the air. “It’s amazing Applejack!” With a chuckle the farmer led her mare to the cushion, their coats brushing each other pleasantly as they settled. “I know Rarity’d have a fit if she knew that this is what we’re doing for our two year anniversary, but I thought you’d like the idea of being here where it all started.” Pinkie beamed with joy. “It’s perfect.” Removing the cloth from the basket AJ began to remove what she’d agonized over packing. Two homemade apple pies, a chilled bottle of fresh cider, and a few roses dusted with powdered sugar completed the meal. Leaning into her mare AJ took a moment to appreciate the view. The fading light was the perfect counterpoint to Pinkie’s soft smile. The gentle rustle of tree leaves and the sounds of nature made it all the better. There wasn’t ever going to be a moment better than this. Looking out at the fields she tended everyday, she took a deep breath and began. “You know we’ve been together for a while now sugar cube, and I don’t know a better time than now to ask—” “Mmf, thish ish delishish!” Applejack paled. She really hoped that sound wasn’t what she thought it was. Slowly looking over at her sweet lovable pink menace, she couldn’t fight the shudder that made it’s way through her body. “What’s wrong Jackie? That was great!” Reflecting like a beacon of hopelessness, was an empty pie tin. “Pinkie, did you even chew that pie?” “Nope! Why?” With a gulp, Applejack tried and failed to calm her racing heart. “Because in it was Granny Smith’s wedding earrings…” “You mean, you were gonna…?” “Eeyup.” “And I just…?” “Eeyup.” Applejack wasn’t prepared for the tackle the pushed the two rolling over the blanket. “Oh yes Jackie, yes! I’d love become an Apple! This is the best anniversary gift ever!” With a chuckle AJ helped Pinkie to her hooves. “I’m glad you like the gift, now let’s go get it outta ya’.”
Baking (Donnys Boy)By Donnys Boy "Foals" Applejack chews on her lower lip as she watches Pinkie Pie work her very particular brand of magic. The two young foals beside her are chaos incarnate, jumping and shouting and spilling flour all over the counters of Sugarcube Corner. But Pinkie never loses her smile or the sparkle in her eyes, as she gently takes small hooves between her own, guiding them, helping them, nor as she calmly gives instructions in between giggles. Perhaps most miraculous of all is how Pound and Pumpkin actually listen. They frown hard in concentration when Pinkie talks to them, and they struggle with the bowls and spoons with as much seriousness and dedication as Applejack might use to wrestle a timberwolf. By the end of the afternoon, Pinkie and the twins are covered head to hoof in batter, but there’s a plate of steaming fresh muffins to show for their efforts. Fresh muffins and two proudly beaming little foals. As the Cake twins scamper off, their baking lessons done for the day, Pinkie begins whistling cheerfully and completely off-key as she goes about cleaning up the kitchen. Applejack silently step up beside her marefriend and starts wiping down the counters. “Sugarcube?” Pinkie stops whistling. She turns toward Applejack with a broad smile, her head tilted inquisitively. Applejack finds herself smiling back, even though her stomach’s churning something awful. “You ever think …” She pauses. Takes a long swallow, even though her mouth’s suddenly dry. “You ever think about havin’ foals someday? You and me havin’ foals, I mean?” A split second later, Applejack’s on the floor, with a batter-dripping mare pinning her down and peppering her face with a thousand little kisses. Applejack laughs. She supposes that’s a yes.
Mailbox (Alesiopdv)By Alesiopdv "Mailbox" Life on the Apple´s farm worked like a well greased machine because every member took on a different chore each day. Be it wash the dishes, take out the trash, feed the animals or pick up the mail. Today it was Big Mac´s turn to check the mailbox. He opened it and found the usual fliers and magazines along with bills to pay and a curious tiny pink box. Big Mac opened it and found a rather tempting apple flavored cupcake that he finished in one gulp. He came back home with the letters on his mouth and found her sister Applejack waiting in the doorway. “Any letters for me, big bro?” “Eeeenope.” Next day it was Apple Bloom´s turn. She had to bring a stool to reach the mailbox and when she opened it, the content fell on her head. She rummaged throguh the letters to see if her package had arrived but no such luck. She did found a pink box with a green cupcake that she devoured. She came back to the house with the letter and founder her sister waiting. “Any letters for me, sugarcube?” “Ah don´t think so. And ah won´t get mah Cutie Mark fer Mad Science either…” “Thanks heavens,” Applejack murmured. The next day it was Granny Smith´s turn. Applejack was already waiting on the doorway to see if there was any package for her. She waited, watching her grandmother very slowly reaching the mailbox. Very, very slowly. She almost fell asleep on one point while she waited for the elder pony to figure out how to get the letters out of the mailbox. Once Granny Smith finally started going back with the letters in her mouth, Applejack realized she got chores to do at the barn and had no time to lose. “Bye Granny!” she said, rushing past Granny Smith. “Wait! Ah think yah got a package! Damn kids, always rushing. Okay, ah guess ah´ll take this cupcake then. Mmmh, tastes like apples.” Finally, the day after that, Pinkie Pie decided to take matters on her own hooves. She fifn´t let the package on the mailbox like the others but instead knocked on the door of the Apples residence. She wanted an explanation as to why Applejack hasn´t say anything about the cupcakes she has especially baked for her the past couple days. She waited at the doorway with her arms crossed and her face in a very un-Pinkie Pie frown. Upon taking a look at her, Applejack let go a chuckle. “Thursdays Pinkie Pie, that´s the day ah got the mail.” Before Pinkie could say anything, Applejack gave her a kiss on the cheek and took the cupcake. Finally able to taste it, she put on the biggest smile possible, making Pinkie smile as well.
Patience (Lion)By Lion “... Ambd da’z how I burmbed my tumbg.” Pinkie said, her eyes watering in a manner that Applejack recognized as being very similar to Winona’s whenever she was begging for food at the dinner table. Applejack chuckled despite herself. “Really, Pinkie, you know better than to do that. Why do ya think th’ cookbooks say to let it sit fer an hour after ya take it out of th’ oven?” “Bud it loogd zho good!” Pinkie pouted as best as she could with her tongue halfway out of her mouth, and immediately appeared to regret it as her lower lip slid up to the burn, bringing forth a quick yelp of pain. Applejack shook her head. “Seriously Pinkie, you’ve gotta learn some patience. Good things come to those who wait an’ all, right?” Pinkie gave a frustrated huff and flopped onto her stomach, all four limbs outstretched and flailing against the ground. “Abblejack, id huuuuuurdz!” “I feel for ya, Pinkie, I really do, but what am I supposed to do?” Applejack snickered. She felt bad laughing at her marefriend’s pain, but Pinkie Pie seemed so immune to consequences 99% of the time, it was pretty funny to see her actually inconvenienced by her actions. Pinkie suddenly turned bashful, rearing up onto her haunches and tapping her front hooves together. “You coob kith id amb make id bedder?” she asked, blushing a little. Applejack chuckled, “Sure, why not?” as she approached Pinkie and leaned in. “Ow! Ow! Nob bedder, nob bedder!”
Sugar (Donnys Boy)By Donnys Boy "Pour Some Sugar on Me" Applejack had always assumed that Pinkie Pie would taste like sugar. Goodness knew she’d thought about it often enough--days working on the farm, alone in the fields with her foolish daydreams and silly hopes. Days spent imagining what it would be like to actually kiss Pinkie and to taste the sweet, sweet sugar on those endlessly moving lips. Foolish. Silly. Something fun to think about during long hours sweating in the sun but nothing that would ever or could ever actually be reality. Besides, too much sugar wasn’t good for a pony. But that was then, and this was now. And right now, Applejack was on the Pie family’s rock farm, sitting in the drawing room of the farmhouse on a settee with Pinkie right by her side. The rest of the family had retired to bed at least an hour ago, but the crackling fire and warm blanket had kept Applejack and Pinkie downstairs. At least, that’s what Applejack had told herself. “Thanks again for coming home with me, AJ!” Pinkie’s eyes were dark, almost violet, in the dim light of the fireplace. “I dunno what Mom and Dad would’ve done without having some extra helping hooves with the emerald harvest this year!” Applejack chuckled. “Well, I was happy to do what I could to pitch in. Especially with all the apple bucking seasons you been a part of.” She found herself grinning a big, dopey grin. She couldn’t help it. “Us farm ponies gotta look out for one another, don’t you reckon?” Pinkie grinned right back and scooted a little closer. “Yeppers!” “Well, don’t you fret none, ‘cause I’ll always look out for ya.” Applejack felt her cheeks burn. That hadn’t come out right--or, at least, it hadn’t come out as she’d meant it to. “Er, that is, I’ll always look out for my friends and my fellow farmers, y’know, ‘cause that’s just what--” Pinkie Pie kissed her. It was a soft kiss, surprisingly so, but it was not a subtle kiss. It was not a kiss that could be mistaken for platonic, that could be mistaken for mistaken. Applejack froze for a moment, half disbelieving and half terrified, before leaning forward, sighing quietly into Pinkie’s mouth as she kissed Pinkie back and a pair of pink forelegs wrapped tightly around her neck. It wasn’t until Pinkie had pulled back, still grinning as broadly as ever, that Applejack realized Pinkie Pie didn’t taste like sugar. There’d been a hint of something spicy on the other mare’s lips, a slow, sultry heat that Applejack hadn’t expected in the least. Applejack was pretty sure she liked it, though. But just to be sure, she leaned forward to kiss Pinkie again.
Kumquat (Midnight herald)By Midnight herald "One of my favorite words is kumquat. I didn't make that one up." Pinkie couldn't help herself. Her mouth opened and more pointless words spilled out. "I would work in a kumquat orchard just so I could say kumquat all day. Kumquat, kumquat, KUMQUAT!" Applejack never looked so grim as she did now, turning and slamming her strong legs into a cherry tree, so hard she left splinters where the bark had been. Applejack was always careful with apple trees. Maybe 'cherries' wasn't fun to say. Or maybe, just maybe, Applejack missed her friends just as much as they missed her. Applejack had already beaten the next cherry tree out of all it's fruit by the time Pinkie realized her mouth was moving again. "And pickle barrel! That's another fun one. Pickle barrel, pickle barrel, pickle barrel." Applejack grit her teeth on the handle of the basket she was carrying and Pinkie panicked. It wasn't supposed to go like this. Pinkie was silly, and then ponies laughed. Pinkie dumped flour on herself, and the twins stopped crying. Pinkie zapped herself, and Rainbow felt better about being pranked. It wasn't supposed to make Applejack angrier. "C'mon, say it with me! Pickle barrel, kumquat, pickle barrel, kumquat, pickle barrel kumquat, chimmi-cherry-changa!" "NOOO," Applejack moaned, sinking to her knees. "Make it stop!" Pinkie's mouth kept running on autopilot, even through Rainbow's dusty hoof. More and more words, more and more nonsense spilled out of her, even though all she really wanted was to give Applejack a hug. Even though the words she wanted were Are you okay? And finally, Applejack's panicked eyes softened as her other friends talked things through. "I'll explain everything at breakfast," she said, her voice as steady and somber as it ever got. "Pinkie Promise." Pinkie's heart unclenched and she smiled gratefully at Applejack. She'd know what was making Applejack so sad, and then she could fix it, right after breakfast. After all, Applejack had promised. And she never, ever, ever broke her word.
Slap (Esle Ynopemos)By Esle Ynopemos Applejack froze. An electric tingle ran up the back of her apple-bucking hoof. She turned her head, a dangerous glint in her eye as she looked at the pair of colts snickering on the corner. “You wanna repeat that?” she rumbled. The colts glanced at one another. “We didn't say nothin',” said one. “Yeah, keep walking,” said the other. Pinkie Pie put a hoof on Applejack's shoulder. “Come on, we don't wanna be late to our party! Well, I mean, it won't be our party until we get there, so it's not like we can be late, but if we take too long getting there, the cake will get crusty and the soda will go flat!” Her voice was as chipper and pink as it ever was, but there was a strain at the corners of her lips as she smiled. Applejack wheeled around to face the colts. “I don't take kindly to liars,” she snarled, advancing on them. “I heard exactly what y'all said. Somethin' about my marefriend's head an' a box of rocks. That sound like the highlights of the conversation to you?” Her tail swished left to right in irritation. Pinkie tugged more insistently on Applejack. “Come on, A.J. Leave them alone.” “These boys are bein' disrespectful of ya, Pinkie,” Applejack said. “I ain't gonna stand for it. They need to apologize.” “C-come on,” sputtered one of the colts. “It was just something funny! You like funny things, don't you, Pinkie?” “Funny?” bellowed Applejack, rearing up. “You think insultin' somepony behind her back is funny?” “Applejack, stop,” cried Pinkie, but her plea went unheeded. Applejack spun around, cocking back her hindleg just the way she did when she was bucking trees. “I'll show ya just how funny a box of rocks can be when you're eatin' the cobblestones!” A hoof connected with a face, but it was neither the hoof nor the face Applejack expected. She fell backwards onto her haunches. She felt a warm throbbing in her cheek. “P-Pinkie?” Pinkie Pie gave the two colts a fractured, unhappy smile. “If you go to Sugarcube Corner right now,” she told them, “and tell Mr. and Mrs. Cake I sent you, they'll give you both a free cupcake. Okay?” The colts exchanged looks and ran off in the direction of the bakery. Applejack numbly rubbed her swelling cheek. “W-why, Pinkie?” Confused tears gathered in the corners of her eyes. “Why'd you hit me?” Pinkie knelt down in the street and threw her forelegs over her. She buried her muzzle deep in Applejack's mane. Applejack could feel her marefriend's chest rise and fall against hers. “I just want to make ponies happy,” Pinkie said quietly. “If they're laughing at me, they're still laughing. That's all I want.”
