Applejack swallowed hard and closed her eyes, her nervousness almost getting the better of her. She had went through the lyric of the song in her head all day at sweet apple acres while applebucking, she kept asking herself how her friends had talked her into this. She found herself in ponyville’s very own town hall, Applejack took a few steps forward to glance out on the crowd from behind the massive curtains. It had been arranged for a stage at the far end under the balcony where princess Celestia should have been on somerset celebration.
Rarity had been in charge of the decor for the main hall, red long curtains hung from every wall. the light had been turned down to a minimum, the lights that light up the stage made it impossible for Applejack to get a glance at her friends in the crowd. They had promised they'd be here. Tables had been placed in the hall to grant the ponies somewhere they could order their meal and various drinks, all while watching the show on stage. Several ponies sat and watched as the current pony on stage was doing horribly to keep the crowd entertained, it was no other than Derpy hooves with her jokes...
Applejack let out a sigh of defeat as she couldn’t find her friends in the crowd, she walked back to the hallway where her old guitar was resting in it’s case against the wall. Applejack looked over her shoulder at the curtains, next time they opened a grey pegasus mare would trott inn leaving the stage for her. Applejack felt like she had butterflies in her stomach as she heard stomping hooves. A shiver went down her spine as this indicated the end of Derpy’s number.
Applejack saw the curtains open and Derpy hooves trotting in a smile plastered on her face. She greeted Applejack as she passed her. Applejack gave her a nervous smile and followed her with her eyes as she walked down the hallway. A voice startled Applejack as she felt her stomach clench “And that was our very own Derpy Hooves with her jokes!” there was a pause which Applejack presumed was Mayor Mare looking down on a parchment to find the next pony on the list.
“Applejack!” Applejack really felt like she had to use the fillies room right now. She swallowed hard and grabbed her guitar case with her teeth and walked up towards the stage, a dark blue unicorn with black hair stood at the edge of the curtain ready to cast a voice enchanting spell to increase its volume, so the ponies in the back could hear what was said on stage. Applejack walked up to the unicorn and awaited for her ready signal. Her horn lit up and she bowed her head poking Applejack’s neck with her horn. She proceeded with giving her a satisfied nod. Applejack felt her heart hammer in her chest, the sound that came from the hall died out as the blood rushed to her ears and she could only hear her heartbeat. Applejack trotted on stage, the stage was completely empty by the time she got there. Mayor mare was nowhere to be seen, most likely at the front row of ponies to gain quick access to the stage while at the same time being able to enjoy the show.
Applejack walked into the middle of the stage and sat down on her haunches, she pulled up her guitar and glanced out at the crowd. The light team had really done a great job, Applejack was unable to see past the first two rows of ponies. She could of course see some eyes in the reflection of the light from the tables as it held candles. Applejack closed her eyes and pulled the guitar up close to her chest. She opened her eyes and dragged a hoof over the guitar strings, the sound of her guitar washed over her and cleared all other sounds out, she even heard a pony in the crowd cough. A small smile crept on her muzzle as the light warmed her face, she began to sing in a calming voice.
“Well, she's a good dog”
“I've had ‘er fer years”
“She used to get up when I'd walk by”
“Now she just lift up ‘er ears”
“And she thumps ‘er tail on the floor”
“When I talk to ‘er”
“And when I talk too long she just ignores me”
“And she goes to sleep again”
“She’s a good dog”
“I got ‘er as a pup”
“I tried to teach ‘er all the tricks”
“But then I just gave up”
“'Cause she's never acted very bright”
“Though ‘er eyes they've got this glow”
“And I think she actually knows some things that”
“Actually I don't”
Applejack heard some ponies snicker at this, she lowered her head and payed it no attention, at this angle she knew the stetson would cast a shadow over her face, she closed her eyes as she cleared her throate.
“And she never barks at strangers”
“But then she never barks at all”
“And she howls at the timberwolves”
“While they're howling at the stars”
“And she scratches at the back door”
“'Till someone lets ‘er in”
“And then she scratches at the other side”
“To get back out again”
“She's a good dog”
“One of these days”
“I'm gonna have to walk ‘er into town”
“Have ‘er put away”
“'Cause she don't hear that good no more”
“And she can't hardly walk”
“But until then I look at ‘er”
“And I say”
“She's a good dog”.
The first thing Applejack heard was sniffing from the crowd before the thunderous sound of hooves stomping filled her ears. Applejack looked up at the crowd a grin spreading on her muzzle, all her nervousness had been replaced with pride as she had actually played in front of the entire town. Applejack gave a swift bowe with her head in the direction of the invisible crowd and the cheering cam louder. Applejack still smiling put her guitar back down in it’s case and proceeded to lock it. She bit down on the handle and carried it back stage. She noticed the dark blue unicorn from earlier had tears in her eyes as she came up to her “That was beautiful Applejack!” Applejack smiled “Tshank yeh” she said through clenched teeth. She continued to stroll down the dimly lit hallway, at the far end was a door that lead out to the chill night air. Applejack opened the door and walked out, the cold night air bit down on her coat and made her shiver. She quickly made for the entrance on the other side of the building.
She looked up at the clear night sky, the stars seemed even brighter now and she couldn’t help but offer a thought to her beloved dog. She couldn’t help but smile at the thought of her beloved dog.
Applejack had just entered the town hall when she was stormed by ponies gathering in a circle around her leaving her in the middle of the ocean of ponies. They all shouted out their compliments some even asked if Winona was okay, Applejack smiled a heartwarming smile as she thought about winona that was most likely sleeping on the front porch of her house. “Winona is all fine an dandy! nothin’ teh worry ‘bout” she shouted to the crowd that now looked at least a little eased, “Where did you learn to play guitar like that!” Another pony in the crowd yelled. Applejack’s gace feel “It was one of the last thing Pa though me before he went on” The crowd went quiet before another voice spoke up “It was really beautiful Applejack, at least I hope you will continue to play” Applejack felt a sudden warmth in her heart as she tried to find the pony in the crowd “Ah mighty appreciate it, an’ Ah’m not gonna let that guitar gather dust” the crowd smiled and started to dispatch.
Applejack finally had time to go to the bar and get a drink, she passed more ponies on the way there that either sent her a smile or complimented her performance. Applejack let out sigh as she sat down in front of the bar, after all this she still hadn’t seen her friends anywhere. They tend to be hard to miss, the bartender walked up ter “Anythin’ I can get yeh sis?” Applejack looked up and meet her brothers leaf green eyes “Just a mug of apple cider” Macintosh nodded and walked to the other side of the bar and grabbed a mug and started to fill it. “Room for five more?” Applejack could recognize that voice anywhere, she didn’t even turn as she spoke “Geh Twi, I was startin’ to doubt yeh girls were here” Twilight sat down on to her right “Like we would miss that!” Rainbow Dash sat down on her left side “That was AWESOME Applejack!” Big Macintosh came back with a Applejacks mug and placed it down in front of her “here yeh go sis” Applejack looked up at her brother with pleading eyes “mind doin’ it five times more?” Big Mac let out sigh but walked to the the other side of the counter.
Fluttershy glanced over at Applejack who meet her eyes, Fluttershy used this moment to speak “Umm, if it’s anything wrong with Winona i could come over tomorrow. If you want...” Applejack chuckled lightly “Notin’ wrong with Winona Fluttershy. She’s dandy” Fluttershy’s eyes light up “That is great! you had me worried when you said you had to take her to town...” Applejack looked around for Pinkie pie but couldn’t see her anywhere “Twi? Where is Pinkie?” Twilight craned her neck and searched through the crowd I don’t kno- “THAT WAS GREAT APPLEJACK!!” shouted Pinkie Pie, making every pony jump. Somehow Pinkie pie had found her way behind the counter. Applejack looked at her friend disbelievingly “Pinki? how in tarnation did ye get back there?!” Pinkie Pie stared at her emptily and shrugged “My pinkie sense went off and i just happened to see you guys here so i made a run for it!” Rarity shook her head “How are you able to do this darling, no wait. I don’t want to know it.” Rarity said while shaking her head. “Anyhow, your performance was marvelous Applejack!” Applejack was taken a bit aback by Rarity’s complement, she was about to say something but were interrupted by the fashionista “Of course you could always have asked me to make you a dress on this occasion” That was what Applejack had been waiting for as she frowned.
They shared a few drink before Applejack decided it was time to head home, she finished her cider in one big gulp “Ah’m callin’ it a day girls, got some chores need doin’ tomorrow.” a sigh escaped her “Bright an early as usual” She stood up and was about to head out the door when Twilight spoke “Really good performance AJ! I’ll see you on friday night?” Applejack craned her neck to get a better look at her friends “Friday? Oh the sleep over! of course Twi” Twilight smiled and bid her goodnight together with the rest of her friends.
The road to sweet apple acres was lonely, the only company she had was Luna's moon. It’s silver light illuminating the Apple trees and dirt road she was walking on, Applejack held a steady trot as she continued on her path home. She looked over her shoulder and could see the light from the town, “Poor mac will have a hard time tomorrow” she said aloud as she knew this kind of events usually took all night, besides that he had said yes to take her guitar back with him when he left.
Applejack attention were taken as she heard a bark in the distance. It was Winona, she had probably heard her when she spoke. A small smile crept on her muzzle as she walked up past the barn and found her pet laying down on the front porch. She walked up to Winona and petted her before she headed for the door that lead into her home. She opened the door and looked at Winona who was thumping her tail on the porch “Ye’r a good dog” she said before closing the door.
