Apple Family Drabbles

Sweet Apple Acres was silent save for the rows of apple trees rustling in the breeze of the wind. Normally, that silence would be punctured by the occasional apple tree or two being kicked by the people who owned and lived in the place, but apparently Big Macintosh and Applejack were nowhere to be seen. If one was to go around looking for them, they'd eventually find them not in a barn, but in their house - for today was a rather special day for them.

Well, not exactly them, but for Apple Bloom.

"Do I really have to play the piano?"

"'Course, lil' sis. It's family tradition."

The camera's lens were blurry as Applejack tried to wipe it clean with a cloth. Meanwhile Apple Bloom sulked at Big Macintosh while the latter patiently coaxed her to get her to learn to play the piano. While the man thought there was nothing wrong with teaching her, his little sister thought otherwise. Applejack, throughout the little argument her siblings were having, was still trying to clean the lens so she could start taping Apple Bloom, muttering under her breath something along the lines of 'Consarned piece of glass, why the hay won't you get clean already?'.

"Hey Applejack? You started recording yet?"

"Not yet, Mac. The damned dirt on the camera lens just won't give!"

Little did Applejack know the camera had already started recording a long time ago.

In the same room Granny Smith kept to herself, listening to her grandchildren from her rocking chair and idly scratching behind Winona's ears who sat beside her. It was days like these that she loved; her family was fine, despite their bickering about the piano and some-such. It helped to know that they were hanging out together, like in the days when Apple Bloom was still a baby and her older siblings were doting on her, caring for her.

"Here, hand it over to me, sis. Let's see if I can't do something about it."

"Does this mean I can play it tomorrow?"

"No."

Apple Bloom sulked again from both her siblings' refusal, this time pouting and crossing her arms with a 'hmph', looking away from the camera. From the camera screen, she looked lovably cute. If Big Macintosh noticed, then he didn't give any outward indication that he did. Anyways, he always loved it when Apple Bloom got all sulky. It was kind of like a guilty pleasure, considering the fact that his sister's days as a little girl was numbered. Finally the stubborn patch of dirt on the lens was finally gone, and the man passed it to his waiting sister Applejack.

"Thanks, brother."

"Y'all ready?"

"Ready as I'll ever be, Mac. How about you, Apple Bloom?"

"Give me a moment, Applejack. I'm trying to remember the basics..."

"Want me to show you again, lil' sis?"

Granny Smith's rocking chair continued to... well, rock as she heard her grandchildren - mostly Mac - teach Apple Bloom the basics one more time. She felt herself drift to sleep, but at the same time she tried to remain awake. She didn't put too much effort into keeping awake; it was just that she was waiting for the moment Apple Bloom was going to play her first full basic piece. The old Apple matriarch knew the instant she heard her youngest granddaughter play it she was going to fall asleep in peace.

A few notes played from the piano as Apple Bloom tentatively practiced, following Mac's example.

"Did I do that right, Big Mac?"

"Eeyup, you did. Keep it up, 'Bloom."

More notes played from the piano.

"How about that?"

"Not bad, Apple Bloom. Well hey, you're actually learning this faster than your older brother did."

"Really?"

"Eeyup, Applejack's right. Now keep it at it, Apple Bloom. You're doing good."

Even more notes played from the piano.

"Big Mac, Applejack? I think I'm already now."

"Well, by all means, go right on ahead 'Bloom."

Apple Bloom played her first piece after taking a deep, calming breath.

And by the Princesses, was it beautiful.