Good thing it's so cool today. Applejack thanked as she bucked the 34th apple tree of the day. It was near Apple Bucking season. She was preparing by gathering up all the early ripening apples. That would leave less to do once all the rest of the apples ripened.
She paused for a moment to take off her Stetson and wipe her brow. Fanning herself, Applejack looked down the line of trees. She counted sixteen more trees to buck for the row to be finished. She put back on her hat, looked to the sky, and hoped to get them done before lunch.
Applejack reared up for another kick when the sound of hooves coming toward her caught her attention. She lowered her legs to stand straight.
“Applejack!” Apple Bloom called running up to her, “Hey, do you know where my library card is? I can’t find it.” She asked as she stopped in front of her sister.
“Didn’t you check your room?” Applejack asked.
“Of course I did! But it’s not there.” she pouted.
“Maybe it’s at your club house. But what are you needing it for? Didn’t you just go to the library the other day?” Applejack asked. She furrowed her brow thinking on it.
“Yea, but it turned out Geography wasn’t our strong suit. So me and the other crusaders are going to give Botany another try. Only this time, we’re be studying ordinary plants.” Apple bloom replied, blushing at the memory of messing with Zecora’s herbs. But still, she had a bit of disappointment in her voice at the mentions of 'ordinary plants'.
“Trying for your cutie marks again? Well, at least it won’t be anything dangerous. I worry for you girls.” A.J. said. She sat down and leaned against the tree. Apple bloom plopped down next to her.
“I know. It’s just, everyone in class seems to have some idea of what they’re special talent is and I don’t have the slightest clue!” she pouted again, leaning into her sister.
“Hmm, it’ll come with time.”
“I know, I know. You and everyone say that but I’m getting tired of waiting. I’m going to keep trying until me and the other Cutie Mark Crusaders find our one true talent!” Apple bloom announced with exuberant determination. The thought seemed to brighten her up as she jumped up and bounced around; thinking about that wonderful moment when she and the rest of her friends got their marks.
“You know, I’ve always been very proud of the way you are. You really live up to your name.” Applejack said as she ambled up as well.
Apple bloom stopped bouncing and turned to her sister, “What do you mean by that?”
“I mean your name of Apple Bloom. You see, names have a lot of meaning. They’re a special kind of word that carries more than a simple definition. You’re named Apple Bloom after the Apple Blossom. In the language of flowers, it means Hope, Encourages Action. You wield those qualities very well. The rest of us Apples hold true to the family name as well what with apples meaning love and youth. And you know how we apples love each other.” She said as she pulled Apple Bloom into a hug. Apple Bloom smiled. They cuddled for a moment before Applejack let go and put a hoof on her sister's shoulder.
“The apple blossom means hope as every year, through the bitter cold and the harsh weather, the apple tree blooms in the spring. One day your spring will come. You just got to wait out this winter. Okay?” Applejack explained. She then squeezed her sister's shoulder and nudged her cheek.
“Yeah, thanks for the talk. I’ll have to remember that the next time Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon come around. The strongest trees grow in the harshest places. And I'll try to be less hastily and more careful with my crusading.” she ended with a blush. Applejack smiled with prided at her sister. It was like she had grown up right in front of her. At least a little.
“Good. And if you can’t find your library card, you can borrow mine.” Applejack said.
“Really! Thanks sis.” Apple Bloom bounced and gave her sister a quick hug, then turned and trotted away back toward the house. Applejack turned back to the tree and lined up to kick when Apple Bloom called back out.
“Hey Applejack!”
“Yeah?” she said, legs back on the ground.
“What does Applejack mean?” Applejack blushed a little and wondered if she should tell her. The earlier growth she saw tipped her decision over to going ahead and explaining it.
“Haha, it’s a type of liquor they used to pay workers with.”
“Ohh, okay. I guess that must mean you're a hard worker then.”
"You bet so!"
Apple Bloom grinned and turned around to continue back towards the house. Applejack shook her head for a moment then set herself into position. Hopefully there would be no more distractions. Sixteen more trees to go.
*Bonus Scene*
Applejack was just about to kick the tree when suddenly Apple Bloom popped up again. Applejack went wide-eyed as it threw her off balance but she quickly regained it.
"Hey sis!"
"Yes, Apple Bloom?" she said, a little annoyed now.
"What about Big Mac or Granny? What do their names mean?"
"Them? Well, you know Big Mac was named after the Macintosh apple. It's one of the best and well known of the apples."
"Yeah, but does it have a meaning?" she pushed.
"Well, not really. It's just a good, solid apple. The best example of an apple just like your brother." she ended proudly.
"Ahhh."
"Well, I did do some looking up before and learned that Macintosh comes from the Gaelic name Mac An Toisich which means 'son of the chief.'" AJ quickly added.
"Okay? Well then, what about Granny then? Does her name have a meaning?"
"Granny Smith is named after Maria Ann Smith. The mare who cultivated the apple. The apple can be called both sweet and sour. Much like our granny."
"Yeah, you can. But what about meanings?"
"Umm, I don't know. You'll just have to look into it. Why don't you do that with the library card? Look up names."
"But I want to ask you! Like, what about, about, Scootaloo or Sweetie Belle or Rarity and all your other friends! What do their names mean?"
Oh Nelly. AJ thought to herself. Apple Bloom had planted herself right in front of her and didn't look to be leaving any time soon. AJ looked to the sky, then back towards the line of trees. I'm not going to get these done before lunch.
